Stories

Meet me in the parking lot: XL Event Lab unveils a weekend of drive-in fun at fairgrounds
Parking Lot Social, an event with movies, disco dancing, deejays, and trivia, offers socially-distant  family fun from your car at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds this weekend.
Downtown views, modern living—and free rent—in Cleveland’s original high rise apartment building
The 1965 Chesterfield apartment building has been renovated and rebranded as the Luckman—a stylish modern day downtown living option complete with rooftop pool lounge and second-floor outdoor courtyard.
Digital Divide: CMSD, nonprofits, and providers scramble to get students online for remote learning
As CMSD students prepare to start returning to school next week, officials are working with providers and nonprofits to ensure every student has access to a laptop or other device and has an internet connection at home.
Pay it forward: Polish Village stages summer cash mob to prompt spending in Parma
As Parma small businesses began to suffer in the pandemic, Polish Village Parma stepped in this summer to organize a COVID-19 cash mob—offering raffle tickets for every $10 spent in neighborhood stores.
A new pocket park is popping up in Collinwood's Waterloo Arts District
The former stomping grounds for an Irish Mafioso will soon become common ground for Collinwood residents.
Witness to change: Lois Jeavons recalls her 96-year path of solidarity as an 'active activist'
In Lois Jeavons' 96 years, she has witnessed ignorance and divisiveness in everything from the invention of a polio vaccine to racism and social justice, to politics and the Cold War. She reflects on how her experiences spanning nearly 10 decades have taught her to be an activist and stand up for what she believes is right.
Who’s Hiring in #CLE: Cle Construction, Malachi House, Fairfax Renaissance Development, and more
Need a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply.
Reflections of moving forward as the youngest child leaves for college
Kathleen Osborne is a seasoned veteran at sending her kids off to college. But as her youngest prepares to flee the nest, she can't help but wax nostalgic from the dining room, which doubles as her home office.
Artists declare the city will be their stage on Saturday for drive-in performances around Cleveland
With many Northeast Ohio stages dark because of the coronavirus pandemic, three performance arts pros decided to make all of Cleveland their stage and host more than 25 artists at secret locations throughout Cleveland with "The City is Our Stage." 
Navigating the challenges in protecting Cleveland’s homeless from COVID-19
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, area homeless shelters have struggled to protect the homeless community from the virus. Their efforts have met with challenges, and seen some successes, while the fight continues.
Now that's fresh: Cleveland Fresh to set up shop in the Tremont West incubator
In just over two years, Tanisha Velez grew her fascination with microgreens into a budding business in Tremont's storefront incubator program.
Fanning the flames: Buckeye Flame reports on the issues and experiences of Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community
After a successful launch this past June, The Buckeye Flame online weekly news publication covers both the struggles and the celebrations affecting the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Street serenades: Out-of-work performers play neighborhood concerts
During the coronavirus quarantine, many out-of-work performers took to their own front yards to entertain their neighbors. Two Greater Cleveland entertainers turned the quarantine gigs into regular performances.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo bringing a summer of socially distanced normalcy to guests
There's a lot to do at the Zoo these days! After a three-month shutdown, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is back open and touting its new rhino reserve, the Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit, and return of the ever-popular Asian Lantern Festival.
Documentary Songwriters to perform virtual concert, Songs of #MeToo to benefit Rape Crisis Center
An ensemble of musicians with the Documentary Songwriters will stream a concert on Friday that features the powerful survival stories of six women victimized by sexual conduct or domestic violence.
Learn to cook a tasty Sunday dinner with University Circle’s top chefs
With the cancellation of its usual summer events, like Wade Oval Wednesdays, University Circle, Inc. had to pivot to some socially distant and virtual  activities. At the Circle Food Tour each Sunday, for instance, University Circle chefs help folks cook a full gourmet summer dinner from the comfort of their kitchens and patios.
A nested interest in controlling our worlds
When a seemingly harmless bird lands at her feet, and then proceeds to make himself at home on her lap, Kathleen Osborne begins to ponder whether birds could be harbingers of things to come.
Day of Action: Live music venues ask patrons to save our stages through email campaign to Congress
Almost 100 Ohio music venues and nonprofit stages are fighting to keep their doors open during the pandemic. Today is Ohio Day of Action, when organizers are asking everyone to write Congress and urge passage of the Save our Stages Act to help these venues make it through tough times. 
Fresh Innovators to be recognized for innovative impacts at virtual Spark: Grit to Great symposium
The Cleveland Leadership Center in September will honor six innovators during the Spark 2020: Grit to Great leadership symposium. These six people accomplish amazing feats while often going unnoticed.
Cleveland Restoration Society needs public’s help in choosing Civil Rights Trail historical markers
After receiving a $50,000 grant to build the African American Civil Rights Trail in Cleveland, the Cleveland Restoration Society is starting to choose sites for the 10 historical markers that will comprise the trail. But the organization needs your help in choosing which 10 sites should be included on the trail.