Featured Stories

Open access: Talent attraction remains top-of-mind for Cleveland manufacturers
The manufacturing industry is expected to hire more than 30,000 workers in the next decade, leaving industry leaders and employers like MAGNET, Toward Employment, Precision Metalforming Association, and even CMSD, to create strategies to prepare a robust workforce. The ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers program just may be the answer in Northeast Ohio.
Safe at home: Shaping the future of healthy, affordable, and equitable housing
Global Shapers Cleveland Hub and Black Environmental Leaders put together a panel of local housing leaders to discuss Cleveland's housing challenges—like affordable housing shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and housing segregation—and proposed some solutions at its final Environmental Justice conversation.
Organic interests: A trip to the new Cleveland Museum of Natural History Visitor Hall
FreshWater contributor Jill Sell recently had the opportunity to visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s new Visitor Hall. A lifelong fan of CMNH, Sell shares the highlights in the new Center, her observations, and conversations with CMNH staff.
Word power: Five nonprofits that get creative in storytelling, writing, and music
Stories—written. oral, and through music—can transform lives, change minds; teach, or make us laugh, cry, or scream. Cuyahoga Arts & Culture celebrates five nonprofits that elevate voices and let people be heard.
Photo essay: Canalway Towpath Trail Marathon
Canalway hosted its annual fall classic Towpath Marathon, half marathon, and 10K in Canal Basin Park last weekend, and FreshWater managing photographer documented the beauty of the park, the tail, and the athletes as they ran.
The power of theater: Playhouse Square’s education performances inspire, ignite thought
Playhouse Square’s education department offers in-person matinees and on-demand streaming shows for students in preschool through grade 12 to introduce students to live theater and the magic of sharing people's stories on stage.
Celebrating Fall: Nature Center’s AutumnFest draws revelers of the season
Managing photographer Bob Perkoski joined the seasonal fun at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes' AutumnFest last weekend and captured in photos everyone celebrating all that fall has to offer.
Beyond football: The Cleveland-Pittsburgh rivalry has a history going beyond the NFL
Beyond the Browns and Steelers NFL rivalry and the Cleveland-Cliffs recent bid to acquire Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel, the two cities have business and franchise rivalries dating back to the 1800s. FreshWater contributing editor Grant Segall shares the colorful history.
Let the Oppressed Go Free: Sculptor Timothy Schmalz returns to CLE with human trafficking sculpture
Last week, world-renowned sculptor Timothy Schmalz's bronze 20-foot sculpture, "Let the Oppressed Go Free," was placed in Public Square by Community West Foundation and the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking to raise awareness of the ongoing plague happening around the world. Schmalz is also the artist behind the Matthew 25 sculpture series placed around Cleveland.
Photo essay: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Cleveland
Last weekend, Northeast Ohio performers and community organizations commemorated the richness of Hispanic culture and highlighted Latin and Hispanic music, dance, and art at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Hispanic Heritage Celebration 2023.
Light it up: Playhouse Square's new theater marquees in photos
Last week, Playhouse Square unveiled the theaters' new marquees and technology upgrades during Marquee Mondays in a dazzling display of lights and color. Bob Perkoski documented the evening in this photo essay.
Rock & Roll lifestyle: NEO resident David Spero to be inducted into Personal Managers Hall of Fame
South Euclid resident David Spero has managed the careers of rock stars like Joe Walsh, the Eagles, Michael Stanley, Graham Nash, and Cat Stevens in his career. While the rock stars may be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Spero is about to be inducted into the Personal Managers Hall of Fame.
Thrive: FutureLAND founder finds inspiration in his father’s grit and drive
The entrepreneurial spirit, curiosity, and determination Kumar Arora learned from his father has led to a successful business career and the cofounding of the upcoming FutureLAND—a celebration of diversity in tech and entrepreneurship in Playhouse Square to help drive economic growth in the area.
City links: Cleveland Heights gets ambitious with Taylor Tudor reconstruction proposal
Cleveland Heights' Taylor Tudor project will renovate three 1928 three-story brick Tudor buildings into residential units and retail space, while also launching an effort to create a vibrant, connected neighborhood around Cain Park.
Sidewalk masterpieces: Museum of Art's annual Chalk Festival brings professionals, amateurs together
The Cleveland Museum of Art's 34th annual Chalk Festival drew artists of all ages and abilities last weekend as they decorated the CMA grounds. FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski captured the chalk masterpieces before the rain washed them away.
Photo essay: Into the depths at Pandemonium 2023
Cleveland Public Theatre became a colorful array of dance, music, and food last weekend at Pandemonium 2023: Into the Depths. Check out Bob Perkoski's photos here!
MAGNET: Innovation equals transformation and growth for area manufacturers
MAGNET’s Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio outlines the four pillars to manufacturing success: Innovation, Transformation, Talent, and Leadership. Transformation means adopting the newest technologies to stay ahead of the game.
A school transformed: Warrensville Heights aims to grow minds, spark creativity with new campus
The Warrensville Heights City School District will kick off the new school year next week with a new combined high school and middle school building and campus.
A rainbow of angels: group shields children attending Drag Story Hour
Last week, the Near West Theatre in the Detroit Shoreway and Cleveland icon Veranda L’Ni hosted the popular Drag Story Hour, and Angels in Action, dressed in bright floral clothing and armed with colorful umbrellas, shielded the children from protesters.
Photo essay: Ghost Signs of CLE
This is our second photo installment of ghost signs spotted in and around Cleveland.