Featured Stories

Unleash the villains: Playhouse Square Partners team plans for Jump Back Ball
For more than seven months, the Playhouse Square Partners young professional group has been planning, plotting, and building sets for the organization's annual Jump Back Ball—an evening of dancing, drinks, and music to raise money for Playhouse Square's Education Department. This year's theme is "Villains Unleashed: A Night of Chaos." Find out more about what goes into the planning of this signature event.
Neighborhood uplifted: Meijer Fairfax Market an oasis in a food desert, focuses on local makers
Almost a month after opening, Meijer Fairfax Market is the new hot spot for fresh, affordable food and local goods, while the partnership between Fairfax Renaissance Development, Cleveland Clinic, the City of Cleveland, Fairmount Properties, and Meijer, inc. is bringing the Innovation Square Neighborhood Plan to life—with the market, Medley apartments, The Aura at Innovation Square all coming together.
Orchids Forever: Golden Hour in photos
Orchids Forever: Golden Hour, Holden Forests & Gardens' annual flower show, opened last weekend at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Managing editor Bob Perkoski captured some of the vibrant colors of the orchids. Get your tickets to the exhibits and classes today!
Reflections on year one: Ronayne looks back on his first year as County Executive
In his first year as Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has made strides in environmental stewardship, community development, and social justice—with a focus on improving services and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the county.
Access for all: Playhouse Square’s sensory-friendly performances foster inclusion
For more than a decade, Playhouse Square has hosted Sensory-Friendly Programming designed to increase access and inclusion for children and adults of all ages, perspectives, and abilities, including those with autism.
Rust Belt Fibershed Symposium: Weaving sustainability into textiles
Rust Belt Fibershed will convene textile artists, farmers, and community members at 78th Street Studios this weekend for its first annual Rust Belt Fibershed Symposium to discuss the potential of a place-based, soil-to-soil textile system.
Photos: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Cleveland Museum of Art
With offices and government buildings closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s galleries were open to everyone—offering art activities and entertainment to honor and celebrate the work and lessons of the Rev. Dr. King. FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski was there to capture the day in photos.
Earl Pike: A legacy of service and community building in Slavic Village
As University Settlement's Earl Pike prepares to "pivot" from his role as executive director, he shares his thoughts on the work he's done in Slavic Village and what his next role will be.
Inspired works: Cuyahoga Arts & Culture awards first-time grants to 13 organizations
In November, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture awarded more than $10 million in grants to 300 arts organizations. This year, 13 of those organizations are first-time grant recipients. We look at four of those arts groups: The Foundry, Center for Employment Opportunities, Museum of Creative Human Art, and John Carroll University's Peace, Justice and Human Rights program.
Lighting the way: Bold leadership is a must-have for Cleveland manufacturers
Cleveland's manufacturers need to double their efforts in preparing for the high-tech future, warns MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp, and leadership is the linchpin in embracing Industry 4.0 so the region remains a manufacturing leader. Wooster-based Midway Swiss Turn is setting the example.
It’s the most wonderful time of year to enjoy Cleveland Museum of Art
The holiday season is the perfect time to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art and CMA's Community Arts Center for world-class exhibits, hands-on art projects, holiday decorations, or just grabbing a bite while spending time with friends at Provenance.
Walking the #Streets: The best of #StreetsofCLE
Since 2021, FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski has been capturing and sharing the images he shoots of people in Cleveland going about their everyday tasks in our #StreetsofCLE section. Check out some of our favorites in the series here!
Adele Malley: A lifetime of chocolate mastery and business wisdom
Adele Malley shares her business and life knowledge in her new book "Conversations with Adele." The former Malley's CEO explores her journey from her early days in her family's meat provision company to successfully growing the Malley's brand into a household name.
Ice Capped: A seasonal Botanical Garden in photos
A completely new holiday experience has arrived at the Cleveland Botanical Garden with Frost: An Ice Capped Garden Experience—featuring Winter botanical displays, holiday lights, and immersive, themed rooms that will transport guests to an enchanting world. Bob Perkoski took a tour to give our readers a preview of what’s in store for guests at Frost this holiday season.
Date Night with Degas: An evening of classical art, and French food at the Cleveland Museum of Art
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski attended the Cleveland Museum of Art's “Tasting Notes: Date Night with Degas” at Provenance Restaurant with Chef Doug Katz and music—part of the museum's "Degas and the Laundress: Women, Work, and Impressionism" exhibit. Both the exhibit and Tasting Notes run through the end of January.
Broadway Buzz: Joe Garry gives the inside scoop on Playhouse Square productions
For nearly two decades, retired Cleveland State University theater studies professor Joe Garry has been hosting classes in Playhouse Square's Upper Allen—providing audiences with behind-the-scenes tidbits and insights into the productions they are about to see at the Allen, Hanna, KeyBank State, Mimi Ohio, or Connor Palace Theatres.
Shaping the future: Union Miles Mt. Pleasant unite as one CDC, initiate renewal plans
Union Miles Development Corporation is adding the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood to its footprint—thanks in part to grants from Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and St. Luke's Foundation. Union Miles CDC executive director Roshawn Samples has big goals for revitalizing Cleveland's southeast side and restoring the pride and investment in the neighborhood where she grew up.
Full service: Food Bank goes beyond hunger with its new community resource Center
Phase two in the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's three-phase plan to create food stability in Northeast Ohio was completed this month with its Collinwood Community Resource Center—with 16 organizations offering their services on-site.
Cultural pride: Hispanic arts and culture organizations celebrate Latino pride through art
National Hispanic Heritage Month occurs earlier in the fall, but Cuyahoga Arts & Culture celebrates Cleveland's Hispanic arts and cultural organizations all year long. Here's a look at five organizations—Cleveland Orchestra, LatinUs Theater, Julia De Burgos, MoCa Cleveland, and Abrepaso Flamenco—focused on Latino pride through the arts and culture programs they produce.
It’s a date: Enjoy live music, French food at Museum of Art’s Degas exhibit
Cleveland Museum of Art's “Degas and the Laundress: Women, Work, and Impressionism” exhibit depicts a darker side of life as a working woman in 1800s France. On Friday nights, enjoy Date Night with Degas at Provenance Restaurant—with a docent-led tour of the exhibit and live music and French dinner curated by Chef Doug Katz.