Polka, pierogies, and plenty of energy return to Gordon Square as Clevelanders mark Dyngus Day with music, tradition, and a few surprises that keep the celebration lively and unpredictable.

The Cleveland Leadership Center's 12th Annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change pitch competition awarded its $5,000 grand prize to LanguageBridge, an extension designed to help K-12 English learners master the language. Finalists were chosen in four other categories, and in the Technovation and Teens Make Change competitions.

Josh Bartell, a 38-year-old former Marine and Tremont resident, created "Dudes of Cleveland" to address male social isolation after realizing he lacked meaningful connections with other men. Two years later, the group hosts monthly meetups focused on low-pressure activities—providing a space for men of all ages to build genuine friendships.

Cleveland Heights native Laila Edwards helped Team USA's women's hockey team capture the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics this week Fans cheered at at New Heights Grill and Reuben Kutash documented the celebration.

The annual Brite Winter festival will ignite the Waterloo Arts District this Saturday, Feb. 21, with more than 30 bands performing on stages, interactive art installations, fire pits, and local food vendors. Headlined by local favorite LoConti, the festival starts at 2 p.m.

Hundreds of Northeast Ohio residents gathered at Asia Place in AsiaTown last weekend to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Fire Horse. FreshWater photographer Reuben Kutash captured the festivities at Asia Plaza, documenting the community's vibrant cultural celebration.

The AsiaTown neighborhood will celebrate the Lunar New Year and the rare Year of the Fire Horse this weekend at Asia Plaza with cultural performances, lion dances, food vendors, and family activities. The Fire Horse represents a period of dynamic change and high energy. The free event welcomes everyone to experience Asian culture and traditions through arts, performance, and food.

St. Luke's Foundation's Tim Tramble is nearing the completion of his $10.5 million housing development, 89th Rising, in Fairfax. With 48 rental units in six Victorian-style buildings, the project honors the street's historic character and addresses current housing needs—with hope it will be a catalyst for reversing disinvestment and be a model for revitalization.

Nearly 10,000 participants from around the country braved cold, windy conditions to attend and participate in the 44th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, with many participants in costume. FreshWater's second annual Turkey Trot costume contest is now underway and today is the deadline for submissions. Voting begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 2m and the winners receive some great prizes!

The 44th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot is expected to draw a record-breaking 10,000 runners to downtown Cleveland on Thanksgiving morning. The race features three distance options, live entertainment, a food drive and donations to local charities, and the second annual FreshWater Turkey Trot costume contest.

Saint Luke's Foundation is inviting residents from the Buckeye-Shaker, Woodhill, and Mt. Pleasant neighborhoods to meet the four architectural finalists for its new headquarters this Wednesday, Nov.19 at Morningstar Baptist Church. Attendees can reviewthe proposals, ask questions, and vote for the preferred design team.

The Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation recently honored Marcia Fudge, George Forbes, and Reverend Dr. Otis Moss Jr. with the 18th Louis Stokes Community Visionary Awards for their dedication to civil rights and community development in Cleveland. The recipients reflect on their lifelong commitments to social justice, the progress they've witnessed, and the challenges that remain for future generations.

The Saint Luke's Foundation has plans to relocate its headquarters from its current sixth-floor offices to a new 21,000-square-foot, ground-level space in the Woodland neighborhood. Officials hope the move, will make the foundation more accessible and visible to the community it serves, with 65% of the new space dedicated to community use.

Grocery Outlet opened in Cleveland Heights' Cedar-Fairmount neighborhood today, replacing the former Dave's Market. The budget-friendly option and convenient location appeals to many residents, while some people express mixed feelings about the store's fit in the evolving district. Everyone in the neighborhood agrees that the store fills a void.

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) has announced a $2 million investment in 17 community development corporations across Cleveland for 2025-2026. This initiative is part of CNP's CDC Advancement & Resilience Initiative to empower the community development nonprofits in real estate, economic development, and neighborhood planning.

The Beachland Ballroom, a cornerstone of Cleveland's music scene, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Founded by Cindy Barber and Mark Leddy, the venue has become a cultural hub and Collinwood advocate—hosting performances and promoting neighborhood revitalization.

The MidTown Collaboration Center, a new 98,000-square-foot innovation hub in the Hough neighborhood, is celebrating its grand opening with a community block party on May 16. The center, developed by the Cleveland Foundation, JumpStart, KeyBank, and other partners, aims to boost economic activity and create jobs while bringing together multiple organizations focused on community-centered research and programming initiatives.

The new Cleveland Housing Investment Fund (CHIF) is designed to address the city's affordable housing crisis. City officials and partners hope CHIF will create up to 3,000 affordable housing units, raise $100 million for new home construction, and preserve mixed-income rental housing.

The eighth annual The Big Clean event in April 26 will pit Euclid against Collinwood in a friendly competition to collect the most bags of trash. About 200 volunteers are expected to participate in the cleanup and an eco-fair to foster community spirit, promote environmental awareness, contribute to cleaner neighborhoods, and a healthier Lake Erie.

A group of 10 teenage designers recently participated in a graphic design clinic as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' "Bigger than Basketball" initiative. The students designed warm-up shirts worn by the Cleveland Charge, the NBA G League affiliate of the Cavs, during their final home game of the season.