Breaking Ground

Law & Order: Euclid Police to host Northeast Ohio Police Crime Prevention Conference
In 2019, Euclid community members expressed interest to Euclid Police Department community policing & crime analysis coordinator Kate McLaughlin in working with police to prevent crime and make the neighborhoods safer, So she held the first Northeast Ohio Police Crime Prevention Mini Conference. The conference returns this Saturday at the Lincoln Electric Welding Technology & Training Center.
Coming home: Lone Sailor Statue will soon watch over Lake Erie
Last weekend, the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation unveiled the Lone Sailor Statue at its permanent home at Voinovich Bicentennial Park. The statue celebrates the upcoming commissioning of the USS Cleveland and represents those who served in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines.
Breaking barriers, building bridges: Engage! Cleveland ignites change at DEI Conference
Engage! Cleveland’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference is this Thursday at The Aviator, aiming to unite young professionals and leaders in conversations on racial equity and inclusion. The event will offer actionable strategies to advance DEI in the workplace, featuring expert speakers and panel discussions.
Perfect pitch: Balance Cheer Gymnastics wins Cleveland Chain Reaction season seven
The winners of Cleveland Chain Reaction were announced this week on Kickin' It With Kenny, with Balance Cheer and Gymnastics taking first place; Covermecutee in second; and CLE Urban Winery in third among 17 semifinalists.
Barking up the right tree: Taps & Tails offers social time for both dogs and humans
In 2019 Lakewood residents Lisa and Eric Hollender wanted a bar where unleashed dogs could play and exercise while their humans relaxed and socialized. So, in 2021 they opened Taps & Tails in Tremont. The place is so popular, they're thinking about expanding with an east side location.
Honor and support: National VFR Day honors fallen Euclid officer Jacob Derbin at Guardians game
Attendees at last Saturday's Guardians game celebrated National VFR Day, raised money for veterans and first responders, and honored fallen Euclid Police officer Jacob Derbin. Additionally, the VFR Foundation gave service K-9 Jake to the Euclid Police Department in Derbin's name.
Communities in bloom: Groups tout pollinator gardens with native plants
Advocates of pollinator gardens—plots with native plants that nurture bees, butterflies, and birds to preserve the ecosystem—have groups around the region, like Heights Native Pollinator Pathway and Wild Ones Greater Cleveland, sowing seeds and spreading a message.
Hook up: DigitalC, BlueBridge partner in second data center to increase high-speed internet in city
With a mission to deploy a citywide network of affordable high-speed internet, DigitalC announced this week that it has partnered with BlueBridge Networks to host its second data center. The second data center will provide better reliability and allow Digital C to expand its client base throughout the city.
Nativity Catholic Church: an abandoned, demolished symbol of a Slovak neighborhood
Cleveland Masterworks: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, organized by Cleveland's Slovak immigrant community in 1903, constructed two churches in its 90 years as a thriving congregation. Abandoned in 1992, the decayed symbol of better times was demolished last week.
Neighborhood Connections, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture fund resident-led projects
Neighborhood Connections announced this week that it has approved $382,114 in grants to support 121 projects in Cleveland and East Cleveland. Cuyahoga Arts & Culture will co-fund 27 of the resident-led arts and culture projects. Read about what community groups are doing with the funding to improve our neighborhoods.
Human evolution expert awarded CMNH endowed chair for work in studying early tools
Cleveland Museum of Natural History paleoanthropologist and assistant curator of human origins Dr. Emma Finestone in April was awarded the Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins. The position was part of a $3 million gift from Robert and Linnet Fritz toward the museum's Transforming the World Of Discovery campaign. Finestone was part of a group who, in Nyayanga, Kenya, discovered some of the oldest stone tools ever found.
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.
Semifinalists announced: 21 businesses make the cut in Cleveland Chain Reaction season seven
Greater Cleveland Partnership’s (GCP) Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) announced yesterday, Tuesday, July 9, that 21 businesses will advance to the semifinals in season seven of Cleveland Chain Reaction, a neighborhood economic development project and small business pitch competition. Find out who made the cut!
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.
Health equity on stage: ‘Bike Vessel’ screening, discussion, and community bike ride with Mayor Bibb
The Saint Luke's Foundation, The City Club of Cleveland, Bike Your Neighborhood Cleveland, and the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival will present a free film screening of “Bike Vessel” this Friday, with a community bike ride with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb on Saturday, to raise awareness, spark inspiration, conversation, and promote health equity through cycling.
Seeds of Literacy to expand program with $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant
Seeds of Literacy, which helps 1,500 adults each year on their path to earning their high school equivalency, was recently awarded a $25,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant to expand its virtual classroom, hire additional tutors, and buy equipment to serve adults in literacy needs and earning their GEDs.
Classically Lake View Concert series to feature chamber music by Black composers
Oberlin Conservatory of Music rising senior Damian Goggans and musicians from the Cleveland Orchestra will perform the works of forgotten Clevelander, 19th Century composer Justin Holland, at Lake View Cemetery's Classically Lake View chamber music concert series on Sunday, July 7.
 Literary Cleveland launches anthology written by unhoused Clevelanders
This Thursday, June 27, Literary Cleveland will release its new print anthology of poems, stories, and essays written by Cleveland teens experiencing homelessness. The anthology was created and curated by artist RA Washington under his Amplify Fellowship. The free launch party will be held at Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry's 2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter.
Saint Luke’s Foundation Resident Advancement Committee awards grants to resident-led organizations
Earlier this month, the Saint Luke’s Foundation’s 10-member Resident Advancement Committee (RAC) awarded $40,257 in grants to seven organizations operating in the St. Luke’s footprint. The investments address social determinants of health—including educational attainment, financial stability, healthy eating and active living, safe and affordable housing, social connections—to help strengthen the four neighborhoods.
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!