Karin Connelly Rice
Stories by: Karin Connelly Rice
Karin Connelly Rice enjoys telling people's stories, whether it's a promising startup or a life's passion. Over the past 20 years she has reported on the local business community for publications such as Inside Business and Cleveland Magazine. She was editor of the Rocky River/Lakewood edition of In the Neighborhood and was a reporter and photographer for the Amherst News-Times. At Fresh Water she enjoys telling the stories of Clevelanders who are shaping and embracing the business and research climate in Cleveland.
South Euclid is experiencing a surge in residential development, with several projects in the city adding new single-family homes and townhomes. What began with developing the former Lowden Elementary site in 2024 has expanded into a broader effort to reuse vacant land, modernize zoning, and attract new residents.
Bedford resident Tim Tench's active lifestyle took a sudden turn after a diagnosis of the fatal lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis—setting off a race for a life-saving double lung transplant. Tench shares his journey to illustrate the impact of organ donation and the importance of making one’s wishes known.
The Cleveland International Hall of Fame honored six inductees at its sold-out 2026 ceremony, celebrating the city’s rich cultural diversity and welcoming three newly represented ethnicities. The event also introduced the inaugural Debbie Hanson “Forever Young” Awards, recognizing two individuals for their quiet but lasting contributions to the community.
Downtown Cleveland, Inc. will host a community meeting this week to discuss a public art project that will transform Huron Road in the Gateway District into a mural. The project, by artist Ryan Jaenke, is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies to improve pedestrian safety, boost foot traffic, and support businesses.
The Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation has been connecting residents with employment opportunities through monthly hiring events that bring employers directly to the community. What began as a pandemic pivot in 2020 has evolved into a reliable workforce development program, with employers conducting on-site applications, interviews, and sometimes event immediate hiring.
The prestigious Michelin Guide is expanding to include Cleveland and five other Great Lakes cities, marking a significant milestone for the region's culinary scene. Local restaurateur Doug Katz explains why this is an important moment that will showcase Cleveland's diverse dining culture to a global audience.
Stacey Tenenbaum's "Tough Old Broads," profiles three women who broke barriers in male-dominated fields: marathon pioneer Kathrine Switzer, White House photographer Sharon Farmer, and climate justice activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier. Tenenbaum is offering two free tickets to one of the sold-out screenings. Find out how to enter and learn more about these real-life tough old broads.
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s "still/emerging: Native American Works on Paper" highlights Indigenous artists' prints and drawings that are supplemented with interpretive text panels, written by Indigenous community members who share their personal perspectives and lived experiences.
Cuyahoga County Public Library and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank are continuing their partnership to address food insecurity in 2026, after serving nearly 5,000 households last year through mobile pantries, senior food boxes, and other meal programs.
Malley’s Chocolates gears up for Easter with its signature sweets and new treats ahead of the seasonal rush, helping families create lasting memories.
Photographer Johnny Joo and painter Tessa LeBaron explore mental health, resilience, and creative renewal in “Emergence,” a collaborative exhibit at 78th Street Studios that reflects their personal journeys and the healing power of art. The show features Joo's photography and LeBaron's paintings.
The Cleveland Monsters launched Project Lake Blue to protect and celebrate local freshwater resources through education, action, and stewardship. The ALH team will work with Cuyahoga County Fresh Water Institute, Ocean Conservancy, and fans to protect Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. The initiative debuts with a special theme night at the game this Thursday, March 26.
Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi, Cleveland Public Theatre's Arabic-speaking theater group, presents "The Wolf" Thursday, April 4 through Saturday, April 6 as part of the Test Flight play development program. The production, written and directed by Shakeeb Julien, follows a young villager's journey of learning and growth, while also serving as a creative outlet for the ensemble who represent Arabic-speaking communities from across the Middle East and North Africa.
"The Origin of a Villain," a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Public Theatre, explores the complex relationship between circumstances and personal choice through the lived experiences of 14 Y-Haven Treatment and Recovery Center residents. Now in its 27th year, the Y-Haven Theatre Project weaves together stories of recovery into a unified narrative of hope and redemption.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden is planning a vibrant spring season with more than 3,000 tulips planted in an interactive Dutch-inspired display and the return of daily butterfly releases in the Costa Rica Biome. Visitors can enjoy assorted early spring blooms with special events throughout April that include Orchid Rodeo, a spring egg hunt, tulip painting workshops, and a free Arbor Day community celebration.
In the Cleveland Museum of Art's "Improper Frames" exhibit at the Transformer Station, six photographers challenge the city's comprehensive property inventory by revealing what the data from 162,000 parcels can not capture: They exposed memories, communities, and natural elements that escape bureaucratic categorization.
Destination Cleveland issued a call for artists in its Murals Across the City program. Three artists will be chosen to create murals on Cleveland buildings—adding to the nine existing murals in city neighborhoods. Artists have until March 30 to submit their portfolios.
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio are partnering with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Partnership to host "The Bias Inside Us." Guests can explore the effects of bias and prejudice with interactive displays, educational programming, and community engagement opportunities.
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Sustainable Economies Consulting helps Northeast Ohio conservation organizations develop communications plans and strategies to share positive environmental impact stories. Founders Elizabeth Schuster and Marissa Ferrari work with park districts, museums, and land trusts to tell their stories of how they are quietly fighting climate change on thousands of acres of protected wetlands, forests, and prairies.
Piccolo Authentic Italian restaurant in Mayfield Heights is one of more than 30 local eateries participating in Cleveland Restaurant Week, March 2-14, offering $39 prix fixe menus. Piccolo's menu features family recipes passed down from owner Christopher Licht's Sicilian great-grandmother. The event coincides with the 20th anniversary of Cleveland Independents, which encourages diners to support locally-owned restaurants.