Karin Connelly Rice

Basement clutter inspires art project at Westinghouse factory ruins
While decluttering her basement, teacher, artist, and retired bass player Juliana Sadock Savino came across some items that inspired her to create some impromptu public art installations on the grounds of the decaying former Westinghouse Electric factory on Ashland Road.
Building boom: South Euclid expands, diversifies housing stock
Driven by strong demand, the City of South Euclid has five major housing projects in the works. Working with One South Euclid, these projects diversify housing options and show the city's commitment to growth and community enrichment by adding single-family homes, townhomes, custom houses, and infill housing for young professionals, families, and empty nesters alike.
Uplifting neighborhoods: Mandel Foundation programs produce community, CDC leaders
The Mandel Foundation's Neighborhood Leadership Development Program (NLDP) has been producing neighborhood leaders since 2006. The younger Community Development Corporation Leadership Program (CDCLP) successfully empowers CDC leaders to create positive change in the communities they represent. Both programs are now looking for the next cohort of community leaders.
Building the future: Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry turns to 3D to house the homeless
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is piloting a 3D-printed affordable housing project to create two homes for those at risk of experiencing homelessness. Cleveland City Council provided $500,000 for the project championed by Council member Stephanie D. Howse-Jones.
CLE icons: H. Leslie Adams becomes seventh member of WRHS African American Art/History Walk
The Western Reserve Historical Society recently unveiled composer and educator Dr. Harrison Leslie Adams, Jr. as the seventh notable figure in its African American Art/History Walk in University Circle. The public art installation celebrates the achievements of Black history-makers and artists in Cleveland through a mural with QR links to The HistoryMakers biographies.
Rediscovering history: Veterans Memorial Bridge open for exploration
The Veterans Memorial Bridge will be open this weekend for Cuyahoga County’s Rediscover the Veterans Memorial Bridge, part of Canalway Partners' Cleveland History Days. Artist Chuck Karnak's installation "Go Dream" will add to the excitement with kinetic sculptures suspended from the bridge's ceiling. Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation will also host its Take A Hike Tours of the bridge throughout the summer.
Starlight celebrations: CVNP Conservancy hosts two special events this weekend
Enjoy the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park under the stars this weekend when the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosts two evening fundraisers—dinner and dancing to live music at Elevation; and a light hike, cocktails, and elegant dinner at Topography. Proceeds from both events fund the Conservancy's Trails Now Fund to keep CVNP's 140 miles of trails and bridges safe and beautiful.
Lucky 13: International Horror Hotel Film Fest to haunt Crown Plaza
The International Horror Hotel Film Festival will screen more than 150 films nominated to win in more than two dozen categories. Held at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport, the festival features networking, competitions, and expert advice for both aspiring and successful filmmakers, as well as for horror film fans.
Entrepreneur alert: Applications open for Cleveland Chain Reaction
Applications are now open for the seventh season of Cleveland Chain Reaction, the small business pitch competition to help entrepreneurs build their businesses in Cleveland neighborhoods, hosted by Greater Cleveland Partnership’s COSE. Freshwater talks to last year's winner, Saidah Farrell, who shares her tips for pitching Marshmallow of the Month Club. Find out how you can apply and take your small business to the next level!
Mt. Pleasant beautiful: Group to host second annual neighborhood cleanup
Clean and Beautiful Cleveland Block 2 Block will hold its second annual Beautify Mt. Pleasant event this weekend, when volunteers will pick up litter, clean up the neighborhood, and tend to the flower beds that were installed last year on tree lawns along Kinsman Road between E. 131st and E. 154th Streets.
All Out: Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates Pride Month at Friday’s MIX event
This Friday, June 7, the Cleveland Museum of Art will celebrate Pride Month in Cleveland during its monthly MIX: All Out, featuring Cleveland performers DJ Navy Jayde and Dakota Cox, for a night of rainbow light displays, dancing, food and drinks, and drag.
Heart of downtown: South Euclid Food Truck Park returns for season two
The South Euclid Truck Park will open in June for its second summer season—serving up an ever-changing lineup of food trucks, live music, and nonprofit support each weekend. The park was a vision of the City of Euclid and One South Euclid CDC to create an in-demand downtown destination.
Digging the rhythm: Free summer concert series returns to Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park will soon launch its fourth annual Rhythm on the River—a free summer concert series in Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Howe Meadow, featuring food trucks, vendors, popular local and national musicians, and plenty of natural beauty. The series opens on Sunday, June 9 with Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band and the Shaw High School Marching Band.
Signs of life: Artists, volunteers prepare for Parade the Circle
The giant white tent has gone up in University Circle—indicating it's almost time for the Cleveland Museum of Art's 32nd annual Parade the Circle! The University Circle Inc. institutions and groups like Hildebrandt Artist Collective, Inlet Dance Theatre, Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center, Samba da Cidade, as well as volunteers, vendors, and other groups, are getting ready for a day of Visions of Harmony.
Worlds of fun: AsiaTown prepares for 15th annual Cleveland Asian Festival
The two-day Cleveland Asian Festival gets going later this month in AsiaTown, with plenty of food, music, dancing, demonstrations, and other fun! Festival admission and parking are free, too!
Exploring grief: CIA student copes with loss through her paintings
Maddie Cantrell a painting major and rising senior at the Cleveland Institute of Art, lost both of her grandparents suddenly. This week, she opens her exhibit "Living with Grief” at Hospice of the Western Reserve's bereavement center as part of a project through the CIA Creativity Works—a self-initiated internship for visual art and craft + design majors designed to support professional development.
Fighting for the arts: Cuyahoga Arts & Culture seeks tax levy replacement, increase
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture this week approved a resolution to Cuyahoga County Council, requesting an increased cigarette tax levy be placed on the November ballot to generate revenue so it can continue to fund nonprofit arts and culture organizations. If approved, CAC will work with Assembly for the Arts and Assembly for Action to gain support for the tax increase.
Living to Learn: CHN opens Louise C. Stokes Scholar House to help parents finish college
Last week, CHN Housing Partners and a host of partners opened the Louise C. Stokes Scholar House—a project eight years in the making—to provide parents attending school full time an affordable, safe place to live with wrap-around services. The new residents are just steps away from Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus and Cleveland State University, or a short drive from Lorain County Community College School of Nursing.
The Big Clean: Volunteers haul away nearly three tons of trash in neighborhood competition
Now in its seventh year of friendly competition, The Big Clean between volunteers in the City of Euclid and the Collinwood neighborhood spent last Saturday picking up trash and debris in a massive spring cleaning. Read on to find out which community won and how much total trash was collected.
Reflections of a Troubled Black Man: A journey of healing, mindfulness, and grace
Morris Ervin overcame a troubled past to become a passionate educator and advocate for social justice. His memoir, “Reflections of a Troubled Black Man,” recounts his transformation and his ongoing work to foster empathy and inclusivity in challenging environments. Ervin will host a book signing infused with music and meditation at The Yoga Lab, reflecting his journey and mission.