Stories
TRANSPORT to feature Groynom, Valdivieso
On Friday, June 10, from 7:30 – 10 p.m., the Wine Spot, 2271 Lee Road, will host the opening of TRANSPORT. Fresh Water contributor and nationally recognized photographer Rebecca Groynom will present her photography alongside artist Rafael Valdiviseo's work. Additionally, New Zealand born, artist and musician Brent Gemmill will exhibit his interactive media.
The opening event will feature an eclectic fusion harp performance by Stephan Haluska. TRANSPORT will be on display through Sept. 2.
For more information, visit the respective pages of Groynom and Valdivieso.
The opening event will feature an eclectic fusion harp performance by Stephan Haluska. TRANSPORT will be on display through Sept. 2.
For more information, visit the respective pages of Groynom and Valdivieso.
Capitol Theatre to screen doc highlighting rights for intelligent primates: "Unlocking the Cage"
In the wake of the controversial and deeply troubling story of Harambe, the rare silverback gorilla that was killed after a 4-year-old boy fell into the moat surrounding his environment at the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cleveland Cinemas yesterday announced the screening of a film that highlights primates in captivity and animal rights.
From July 1 -7, the Capitol Theatre, 1390 W. 65th St., will present Unlocking the Cage, which tells the story of Steven Wise, an activist lawyer who brings a unique animal rights case to court. His goal is to get legal personhood granted for a chimpanzee in order to get the animal released from terrible conditions. The documentary aims to make the viewer re-examine how humans treat intelligent animals.
The screening is part of the theatre's Capitol Selects program, which will feature limited one-week engagements that will include a mix of documentaries, foreign films and classic movies on a dedicated screen. The program begins June 3 and extends though July. In addition to Unlocking the Cage, the 17 associated movies include Viva, Suspicion and Tickled.
From July 1 -7, the Capitol Theatre, 1390 W. 65th St., will present Unlocking the Cage, which tells the story of Steven Wise, an activist lawyer who brings a unique animal rights case to court. His goal is to get legal personhood granted for a chimpanzee in order to get the animal released from terrible conditions. The documentary aims to make the viewer re-examine how humans treat intelligent animals.
The screening is part of the theatre's Capitol Selects program, which will feature limited one-week engagements that will include a mix of documentaries, foreign films and classic movies on a dedicated screen. The program begins June 3 and extends though July. In addition to Unlocking the Cage, the 17 associated movies include Viva, Suspicion and Tickled.
"Donald Trump's campaign is considering booking one of Cleveland's big sports venues for his acceptance speech in July, two GOP sources familiar with the planning of the upcoming GOP convention say.
The sources said First Energy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns, and Progressive Field, home of the city's Indians baseball team, are the two sites under consideration for Trump's acceptance speech on the final night of the convention."
Get the whole story from CNN.
Get the whole story from CNN.
Legal firearms not on list of prohibited items in RNC 'event zone'
Earlier this week, the City of Cleveland released a document outlining any number of items that will be banned within the "event zone" during the RNC. They include but are not limited to: light bulbs, containers of bodily fluids, grappling hooks, sledgehammers, canned goods, tennis balls and "any dangerous ordinance, weapon, or firearm that is prohibited by the laws of the State of Ohio."
Legal firearms are not on the list.
While Fresh Water was unable to locate a map of the event zone on the City's pages, Cleveland.com posted an image. Furthermore, the following description ran in the Plain Dealer:
"The boundaries of the event zone will be from West 25th Street on the west, to the Inner Belt on the east, and the corridor between Orange Avenue and 22nd Street on the south."
The rules for the "event zone" are not necessarily the same as those for the "secure zone," which "means the area or areas in the Event Zone to which access is restricted by the United States Secret Service or the Department of Public Safety," per the city's press release.
City officials, however, continue to assert that they are prepared.
"Despite rumors," said yet another May 27 release, "the Division of Police is prepared and is on track with its planning goals. No outside agencies have expressed preparedness concerns directly to the Division of Police or to the City of Cleveland. Requests for staffing have been sent to hundreds of agencies and multiple agreements have been signed and are continuing to be signed."
Complied by Erin O'Brien
Legal firearms are not on the list.
While Fresh Water was unable to locate a map of the event zone on the City's pages, Cleveland.com posted an image. Furthermore, the following description ran in the Plain Dealer:
"The boundaries of the event zone will be from West 25th Street on the west, to the Inner Belt on the east, and the corridor between Orange Avenue and 22nd Street on the south."
The rules for the "event zone" are not necessarily the same as those for the "secure zone," which "means the area or areas in the Event Zone to which access is restricted by the United States Secret Service or the Department of Public Safety," per the city's press release.
City officials, however, continue to assert that they are prepared.
"Despite rumors," said yet another May 27 release, "the Division of Police is prepared and is on track with its planning goals. No outside agencies have expressed preparedness concerns directly to the Division of Police or to the City of Cleveland. Requests for staffing have been sent to hundreds of agencies and multiple agreements have been signed and are continuing to be signed."
Complied by Erin O'Brien
Sherwin Williams pitches in to spruce up iconic Coast Guard Station
Earlier this week, approximately 30 volunteers from Sherwin-Williams donated their time to help beautify the historic Art Moderne-style Coast Guard Station at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. Cleveland Metroparks is overseeing the exterior restoration of the structure, which was built in 1940. The station was staffed for 36 years by the Coast Guard, which moved out in 1976. The Coast Guard Station will ultimately operate as an extension of Wendy Park.
"We are thrilled to be working to restore this structure, which for so long has been an architecturally important part of Cleveland's lakefront," said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman in a statement.
"Sherwin-Williams is always looking for opportunities to give back to our communities where we do business," added Sherwin-Williams Cleveland district manager Taylor Haley. "The team is happy to provide plenty of elbow grease and product to help restore one of our city's special landmarks," she said, adding that the work includes a 65- by 12.4-foot roof stencil saluting Cleveland.
Part of the first phase of the restoration efforts will include the restoration and installation of historically accurate windows. The aim is to have all exterior restoration work completed in time for the Park District's centennial in 2017.
This week's effort represents a donation from Sherwin-Williams of more than $60,000 including labor and 250 gallons of paint. The project is also one appropriate way to celebrate the company's 150th anniversary.
Partners in the restoration project include: Sherwin-Williams, the Burning River Foundation, PNC Bank, the Cleveland Foundation, Oswald Companies, Ritenour Decorators, Inc., and the City of Cleveland.
"We are thrilled to be working to restore this structure, which for so long has been an architecturally important part of Cleveland's lakefront," said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman in a statement.
"Sherwin-Williams is always looking for opportunities to give back to our communities where we do business," added Sherwin-Williams Cleveland district manager Taylor Haley. "The team is happy to provide plenty of elbow grease and product to help restore one of our city's special landmarks," she said, adding that the work includes a 65- by 12.4-foot roof stencil saluting Cleveland.
Part of the first phase of the restoration efforts will include the restoration and installation of historically accurate windows. The aim is to have all exterior restoration work completed in time for the Park District's centennial in 2017.
This week's effort represents a donation from Sherwin-Williams of more than $60,000 including labor and 250 gallons of paint. The project is also one appropriate way to celebrate the company's 150th anniversary.
Partners in the restoration project include: Sherwin-Williams, the Burning River Foundation, PNC Bank, the Cleveland Foundation, Oswald Companies, Ritenour Decorators, Inc., and the City of Cleveland.
Fresh Water contributor Brandon Baker uncovers compelling success stories from Clevelanders who have overcome untold challenges and crises.
From a bathtub full of balloons to a stained glass cathedral, Fresh Water managing photographer Bob Perkoski has curated the funky, heartbreaking and purely Cleveland event in this collection of photos.
"Creating jobs is our secret ingredient."
Such is the slogan of Bloom Bakery, a downtown entity that offers premium pastries and breads as well as opportunities for Clevelanders facing employment barriers. Now the social venture is asking for a little extra "dough" to continue its mission.
Last week, Bloom Bakery launched a $25,000 Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to provide capital for its Campus District location at 1938 Euclid Ave. (The bakery has another shop at 200 Public Square.) Funding will go to hiring additional staff, says Logan Fahey, Bloom Bakery co-founder and general manager.
"Our reason for doing (crowdfunding) was to get the community involved," says Fahey. "We rely on the consumer to find us and appreciate the mission."
Supporters can pre-purchase coffee, lunch, corporate catering, and exclusive baking lessons before the campaign ends June 10. Bloom Bakery is a benefit corporation - essentially a hybrid of a standard corporation and a nonprofit - owned by Towards Employment, a Cleveland nonprofit that offers job training and placement as well as removal of employment barriers for people previously involved in the criminal justice system.
All revenue from Bloom Bakery goes to Towards Employment's job readiness programs. Meanwhile, the bakery educates, trains and employs low-income and disadvantaged adults for work as bakers, baristas and other positions. Entry-level jobs pay $8 to $10 hourly, with opportunities available for upward mobility within the company.
"Our sole purpose is to give a second chance to individuals who otherwise wouldn't get one," Fahey says. "These jobs can be resume builders or allow people to move onto supervisory positions here."
Bloom Bakery currently has 15 staff members, ranging in age from their 20s to early 60s. New employees are vetted through Towards Employment programming, then undergo another month of training at the bakery.
As of this writing, the social venture's crowdfunding effort has reached 10 percent of its goal. Fahey and his fellow staff members will spend the next couple of weeks pushing the campaign via social media and word-of-mouth. The ultimate goal is to become the state's best bakery while continuing to operate as a "business with a heart."
"There's a large segment of the population in need of an opportunity," says Fahey. "If we become the best bakery, then we can create as many jobs as we want."
Such is the slogan of Bloom Bakery, a downtown entity that offers premium pastries and breads as well as opportunities for Clevelanders facing employment barriers. Now the social venture is asking for a little extra "dough" to continue its mission.
Last week, Bloom Bakery launched a $25,000 Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to provide capital for its Campus District location at 1938 Euclid Ave. (The bakery has another shop at 200 Public Square.) Funding will go to hiring additional staff, says Logan Fahey, Bloom Bakery co-founder and general manager.
"Our reason for doing (crowdfunding) was to get the community involved," says Fahey. "We rely on the consumer to find us and appreciate the mission."
Supporters can pre-purchase coffee, lunch, corporate catering, and exclusive baking lessons before the campaign ends June 10. Bloom Bakery is a benefit corporation - essentially a hybrid of a standard corporation and a nonprofit - owned by Towards Employment, a Cleveland nonprofit that offers job training and placement as well as removal of employment barriers for people previously involved in the criminal justice system.
All revenue from Bloom Bakery goes to Towards Employment's job readiness programs. Meanwhile, the bakery educates, trains and employs low-income and disadvantaged adults for work as bakers, baristas and other positions. Entry-level jobs pay $8 to $10 hourly, with opportunities available for upward mobility within the company.
"Our sole purpose is to give a second chance to individuals who otherwise wouldn't get one," Fahey says. "These jobs can be resume builders or allow people to move onto supervisory positions here."
Bloom Bakery currently has 15 staff members, ranging in age from their 20s to early 60s. New employees are vetted through Towards Employment programming, then undergo another month of training at the bakery.
As of this writing, the social venture's crowdfunding effort has reached 10 percent of its goal. Fahey and his fellow staff members will spend the next couple of weeks pushing the campaign via social media and word-of-mouth. The ultimate goal is to become the state's best bakery while continuing to operate as a "business with a heart."
"There's a large segment of the population in need of an opportunity," says Fahey. "If we become the best bakery, then we can create as many jobs as we want."
As the saying goes, good things come in small packages. In Lakewood, that package is tucked away at 1427 Scenic St. near the city's westernmost border, the Rocky River.
Three years ago, the Cuyahoga Land Bank took over a tiny abandoned house on a 35- by 95-foot parcel in Lakewood’s Scenic Park neighborhood.
As the Land Bank razed the 348-square-foot house, cleared the property and laid grass seed, LakewoodAlive, a community-centered non-profit organization focused on maintaining vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood, took notice.
“We identified this vacant property in March 2015 while knocking on doors to introduce ourselves and our Community Engagement Program,” recalls LakewoodAlive executive director Ian Andrews, adding that the program focuses on the Scenic Park and Birdtown neighborhoods to make sure everyone has the resources to create healthy and safe homes. “We saw this vacant property and thought: what can we do with that?”
After neighbors on either side of the property declined to annex the 3,290-square-foot parcel, LakewoodAlive began working with the Land Bank and Lakewood officials to build a new house. The organization took title to the property in January and then transferred it to Lakewood developer Dana Paul with Prairie Stone Group in March.
Paul broke ground on a 1,425-square-foot, two-story home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths on April 30. “It has a deck overlooking the Rocky River Reservation,” says Andrews. “It’s going to be a beautiful home.”
Last Wednesday, May 18, a group of community members, mayor Michael Summers, Paul and LakewoodAlive representatives gathered at the site to celebrate the project. Because construction has already begun, with concrete work well underway, officials dubbed the event the “Scenic Park House Project Launch Party” instead of a groundbreaking.
Attendees honored the future home by breaking beer bottles over a rock at the construction site.
Andrews says the market is hot for a house like the one being built on the pint-sized parcel. “There’s a big market for historic, other people want funky,” he says, adding that the neighbors are pleased. “They’re glad to see this little lot is finally getting some love.”
Three years ago, the Cuyahoga Land Bank took over a tiny abandoned house on a 35- by 95-foot parcel in Lakewood’s Scenic Park neighborhood.
As the Land Bank razed the 348-square-foot house, cleared the property and laid grass seed, LakewoodAlive, a community-centered non-profit organization focused on maintaining vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood, took notice.
“We identified this vacant property in March 2015 while knocking on doors to introduce ourselves and our Community Engagement Program,” recalls LakewoodAlive executive director Ian Andrews, adding that the program focuses on the Scenic Park and Birdtown neighborhoods to make sure everyone has the resources to create healthy and safe homes. “We saw this vacant property and thought: what can we do with that?”
After neighbors on either side of the property declined to annex the 3,290-square-foot parcel, LakewoodAlive began working with the Land Bank and Lakewood officials to build a new house. The organization took title to the property in January and then transferred it to Lakewood developer Dana Paul with Prairie Stone Group in March.
Paul broke ground on a 1,425-square-foot, two-story home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths on April 30. “It has a deck overlooking the Rocky River Reservation,” says Andrews. “It’s going to be a beautiful home.”
Last Wednesday, May 18, a group of community members, mayor Michael Summers, Paul and LakewoodAlive representatives gathered at the site to celebrate the project. Because construction has already begun, with concrete work well underway, officials dubbed the event the “Scenic Park House Project Launch Party” instead of a groundbreaking.
Attendees honored the future home by breaking beer bottles over a rock at the construction site.
Andrews says the market is hot for a house like the one being built on the pint-sized parcel. “There’s a big market for historic, other people want funky,” he says, adding that the neighbors are pleased. “They’re glad to see this little lot is finally getting some love.”
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) encourages 501c3 nonprofit organizations offering arts and cultural programs in Cuyahoga County to apply for funding in 2017 through its Project Support grant program for efforts both large and small. Project Support I offers grants up to $35,000. Project Support II includes grants up to $5,000.
An eligibility check, the first step in the application process, is due Thursday, June 30, by 4:30 p.m. Eligible organizations may then submit grant applications, which are due Thursday, August 18, by 4:30 p.m.
“Our Project Support grant program is one of the many ways in which Cuyahoga Arts & Culture delivers on its promise to support vibrant arts and culture offerings with public dollars,” said CAC's executive director and CEO, Karen Gahl-Mills, in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to support projects that connect Cuyahoga County residents with arts and culture in 2017 and encourage organizations to apply now.”
Since 2007, CAC has invested $140 million in more than 300 arts and culture organizations in the county. Efforts supported in 2016 include Ingenuity, the Coventry Village Summer Series and 2016 Shakespeare in the Parks.
Complete application information is available here.
An eligibility check, the first step in the application process, is due Thursday, June 30, by 4:30 p.m. Eligible organizations may then submit grant applications, which are due Thursday, August 18, by 4:30 p.m.
“Our Project Support grant program is one of the many ways in which Cuyahoga Arts & Culture delivers on its promise to support vibrant arts and culture offerings with public dollars,” said CAC's executive director and CEO, Karen Gahl-Mills, in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to support projects that connect Cuyahoga County residents with arts and culture in 2017 and encourage organizations to apply now.”
Since 2007, CAC has invested $140 million in more than 300 arts and culture organizations in the county. Efforts supported in 2016 include Ingenuity, the Coventry Village Summer Series and 2016 Shakespeare in the Parks.
Complete application information is available here.
Per fusion.net:
"If you plan to attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this July, and were hoping to rent a cheap place on Airbnb, your options are limited. The cheapest, at $200 per night, is the House of Wills funeral home; it sleeps 16 and comes with its own embalming room and crematorium. If that’s not your jam, we hope your pockets are deep: on Airbnb, the average price of listings the week of July 18 is more than $1,000/night, with some nightly prices climbing up to $10,000."
Get the whole story here.
Photo by Christopher Busta-Peck
"If you plan to attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this July, and were hoping to rent a cheap place on Airbnb, your options are limited. The cheapest, at $200 per night, is the House of Wills funeral home; it sleeps 16 and comes with its own embalming room and crematorium. If that’s not your jam, we hope your pockets are deep: on Airbnb, the average price of listings the week of July 18 is more than $1,000/night, with some nightly prices climbing up to $10,000."
Get the whole story here.
Photo by Christopher Busta-Peck
Greater Buckeye Fresh Camp is a free event for kids ages 11 to 18 who live in the Buckeye, Larchmere, Shaker Square, Woodland Hills, or Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods. Students will learn beat making, lyric writing, recording, and performance while creating original community-focused songs. Camp is held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 13 – 24 at East End Neighborhood House 2749 Woodhill Rd. Lunch is provided.
Fresh Camp aims to cultivate voice, leadership and health through hip-hop-in-action projects. Register here by June 7 to secure a spot.
To learn more about or register for other future freshcamp programs in the city, click here.
Fresh Camp aims to cultivate voice, leadership and health through hip-hop-in-action projects. Register here by June 7 to secure a spot.
To learn more about or register for other future freshcamp programs in the city, click here.
The story behind a mini documentary produced by Justin Glanville and Paul Vogelsang about the man behind the Old Angle Boxing Gym on West 25th Street.
Fresh Water contributor Rebecca Groynom offers up a perfect slice of Cleveland with an insider's tour of AsiaTown.
Cuba Libre fashion show to benefit Nature's Bin
On Friday, May 27 at the Lake Affect Studios, 1615 East 25th Street, the new Spring/Summer 2016 Collection from Tidal Cool, Cuba Libre, will debut. Billed as a fusion of fashion, funk, and freedom, the collection features vibrant fabrics in bold prints that marry classic and Afro-Caribbean style. Attendees can expect more than 50 pieces including fresh dresses, skirts, and sportswear as well as a host of accessories such as jewelry, belts, and hair wraps. Tickets for the show range from $15 to $35 and can be purchased here.
The event will benefit Cornucopia, which has been successfully providing work adjustment training for people with disabilities since 1975 via conduits such as the Nature’s Bin natural food store and its Vocational Training Center, both on Sloane Avenue in Lakewood, and at four business partners in the community. Last year Cornucopia provided employment training, placement, and support to over 200 persons with disabilities.
The event will benefit Cornucopia, which has been successfully providing work adjustment training for people with disabilities since 1975 via conduits such as the Nature’s Bin natural food store and its Vocational Training Center, both on Sloane Avenue in Lakewood, and at four business partners in the community. Last year Cornucopia provided employment training, placement, and support to over 200 persons with disabilities.