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.

Home for the holidays: Local food entrepreneurs set up shop at The Grocery at City Goods
The Grocery at City Goods, a new food-focused retail concept in Ohio City, brings together local food entrepreneurs under one roof. Launched through a partnership between City Goods, JumpStart, and Ohio City Incorporated, the pilot program offers a platform for small businesses to showcase their products during the holiday season and grow their brands.
Monsters Among Us: A conversation with author Claire Dederer
Claire Dederer, bestselling author of "Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma," will speak at the Cleveland Museum of Art this week, when she will explore the challenges of appreciating great art created by controversial figures—addressing questions of genius, monstrosity, and our role in navigating these ethical dilemmas.
From dinner table to community lifeline: The Steak Club Foundation’s mission to end food insecurity
The Steak Club Foundation started as a casual dinner group to reconnect friends and network and evolved into to a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity. The group provides meals, runs food pantries, and supports local communities. The foundation's guiding principle, "No Service, No Steak" reflects the commitment to giving back.
Wild Horses: Crawford-Auto Aviation Museum celebrates 60 years of the Ford Mustang
"Wild Horses: 60 Years of Ford's Mustang," is now on exhibit at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. The exhibit celebrates the iconic American car's 60th anniversary and features all seven generations of Mustangs, from the 1964 original to the latest 2024 models.
Burke Lakefront Airport: First downtown city airport in the U.S.
Cleveland Masterworks: Cleveland city manager William R. Hopkins' 1927 vision of an airport on the shores of Lake Erie was set in motion at the 1936 Great Lakes Expo. In 1947 the vision became reality with the opening of a dirt runway at Burke Lakefront Airport.
Pitching in: South Euclid nonprofit KeyStone leads community beautification effort
South Euclid residents Linda Thurston and Michael Sering, along with a group of volunteers, are making an impact in their city with KeyStone Community Services. The nonprofit recently cleaned planters along Mayfield Road in a beautification effort funded with a grant from One South Euclid CDC, and helps seniors with property maintenance.
Meal steals: Cle Restaurant Week is underway at 30 local eateries
This week marks the beginning of Cleveland Independents' Cleveland Restaurant Week—with deals on three-course dinners at 30 local restaurants. Read about what Bruno's Ristorante & Catering is offering at its Ohio City Italian eatery.
Hitting a high note: Cleveland musician uses trumpet talents to produce popular national hits
Trumpet player turned music produce Sammy Haig has made significant strides in the music industry by blending classical training with modern production techniques. His talents have led to collaborations with major artists like DJ Drama, Tyler, The Creator, and Meghan Trainor.
Random Acts of Brightness: Bike Cleveland equips cyclists with front, rear lights
Since 2012, Bike Cleveland's Random Acts of Brightness program had ensured cyclists riding after dark are visible by distributing free rechargeable light sets to riders across the city—giving out more than 5,000 light sets in 12 years.
Halloween Feast: South Euclid's Fall annual festival has music, games, food, and free pumpkins
The City of South Euclid will host its  Halloween Feast at Bexley Park this weekend, packed with activities, cash prizes, food, and live music.
Assembly for the Arts Awards $170,000 to 17 Artists through the 2024 Creative Impact Fund
Assembly for the Arts, the nonprofit focused on increasing equity in the arts and culture community, has awarded $10,000 to each of the 17 Cuyahoga County artists chosen for the 2024 Creative Impact Fund, funded through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. FreshWater highlights three recipients: Humble G tha Fiddla; Hanji expert Aimee Lee; and spoken word poet and storyteller Chris Webb.
The sweetest thing: Malley’s Chocolates celebrates tradition of Sweetest Day
Malley's Chocolates' Mike Malley shares the Cleveland history and significance of Sweetest Day, a celebration of kindness and community—and chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate-covered grapes.
Little food truck that could: Grippy’s Sauce sizzles at National Fried Chicken Festival
Grippy's Sauce Co., a food truck that travels to spots all over Cleveland, was a finalist at the 2024 National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans earlier this month. Read about founder Khalid Ali and how his business competed against over 40 vendors as the only Midwest representative.
Cleveland Museum of Art offers colorful October programs, supernatural exhibits, frightening fare
The Cleveland Museum of Art embraces Fall and Halloween with a month of supernatural exhibits, family-friendly activities, live music, the MIX: Supernatural Halloween dance party, and seasonal dining.
Old Brooklyn StreetFest: A celebration and showcase of a thriving neighborhood
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation will host OB Street Fest on Broadview Road this weekend, with plenty of live entertainment from Apostle Jones and Front Porch Lights, food and drink from Masthead Brewing Company, and vendors.
 #OBStreetFest
A classic tale reimagined: Playhouse Square debuts ‘Velveteen, A New Musical’
“Velveteen, A New Musical” is the first show Playhouse Square has created and self-produced for young audiences. The adaptation from the classic children's book "The Velveteen Rabbit" premiers later this month with a sensory-friendly performance in the Mimi Ohio Theatre.
Engage! Cleveland’s second DEI conference ignites change
Engage! Cleveland hosted its second Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion conference in September for more than 150 participants from 43 local companies. The event included speakers from Equius Group, the Cleveland Guardians, and the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland.
Putting down roots: Tree canopy restoration groups, students, plant mini-forest at Metroparks Zoo
Rooted in Trees, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Holden Forests & Gardens worked with Urban Community School students last week to plant the first Miyawaki Forest in a U.S. zoo. The 150 densely-planted native saplings and shrubs will grow rapidly, providing ecological benefits and educational opportunities, while helping restore the region's tree canopy.
Aloe lotta love: Mother-daughter team spread the succulent joy with AloeCLE
AloeCLE, founded last summer by mother-daughter team Lena Paskewitz and Miranda Fox-Hervey, grew out of a passion for rescuing and nurturing aloe plants. The school teachers offer hand-glazed pots and aloe plants, while promoting a community of plant enthusiasts with their aloe mama fostering program, pottery workshops, and walks through their AloeCLE Trail at their home studio.
Era of Ascent: IngenuityFest celebrates growth, soaring to new levels
Ingenuity Cleveland will celebrate the beginning of its 20th year this weekend with IngenuityFest 2024: Era of Ascent at its newly-expanded IngenuityLabs. The festival where art meets technology will reflect both on its growth and its vision for the future in its most ambitious year yet.