Local hero Brandon Chrostowski got some national recognition this week. Per CNN:

"Foodies savor the French cuisine at Edwins, an upscale restaurant that's earned a reputation as one of Cleveland's finest eateries. But this high-end establishment provides far more than a good meal. It's staffed almost entirely by people who were once incarcerated.

By day, ex-offenders learn the fundamentals of the culinary arts industry. By night, they put their skills to work."

Get the whole story here.

The colorful history of May Dugan and how she embodied West Side philanthropy shimmers with the emerald green of her family's heritage.

Cross-pollinating Cleveland's charter and CMSD schools by transferring educators between them - along with their experience and ideas - helps advance the Cleveland Plan's goal of ensuring quality education for all students.

Known for its tree-lined streets, opulent houses and sense of community, Shaker Heights officials are asking people to share their views of the city in a photo.
 
In honor of National Preservation Month in May, the Shaker Heights Landmark Commission is having its fourth annual Preservation Month Photo Contest.
 
“We look at it as a fun way to celebrate the community,” says Ann Klavora, principal planner in Shaker’s planning department. “We’re asking for both residents and non-residents – anyone who likes Shaker – to show what makes Shaker a special place to them.”
 
Photos will be accepted in three categories: architecture/building; landscape/nature; and community. Last year, a “unique perspective” category was created for Shaker resident Peter Miller’s submission of four photos of Horseshoe Lake taken with a drone.
 
You need not be a pro to submit a photo, Klavora says, or have a drone. “Whatever strikes someone’s fancy,” she says. “We get submissions from folks who are clearly professional photographers and folks who are clearly not professionals. We’ve gotten all sorts of pictures.”
 
Klavora says communities all around the country hold similar events and projects to celebrate National Preservation Month. “We thought this was a fun way of celebrating,” she says. “You don’t have to go to a meeting, you just have to take the picture.”
 
The photo contest in free to enter. Submissions will be accepted until midnight on March 31. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from the Landmark Commission and will be announced on May 1. The winners will receive name credit for their photos, which will appear on Shaker's Facebook page, and the city will use the photos for social media.

Social enterprises strive to not only raise money, but to also make a change in the communities and the people's lives they serve.

The non-profit ioby will open offices in Cleveland this March to help grassroots community improvement efforts get off the ground.

Amy Martin posted an essay on LinkedIn, which quickly went viral.

Deadline extended! Write an essay about why an open and honest discussion about race is important for the YMCA Greater Cleveland's Time to Talk Forum on Race.

Just in time for Australia Day today, Tuesday, Jan. 26, Cleveland Coffee Company yesterday introduced a new coffee blend in honor of Australian native and Cavs point guard Matthew “Delly” Dellavedova, called G’Day Mate.

Created by Delly himself, the blend is of Sumatra and Peruvian coffees – Sumatra, which borders Australia, and Peruvian, which is known for its velvety texture, create a rich aroma and bold flavor.
 
After going through the chain of command, Cleveland Coffee owner Brendan Walton first invited Delly to come to his roaster back in December, after taking note of the basketball player’s love for coffee during the NBA Playoffs.
 
“It seemed to be his beverage of preference before, and sometimes during, the game,” says Walton. “So I invited him to our warehouse to do coffee roasting 101, which was cool because he’d never seen it done before. He was very interested and asked a lot of questions, so we had him do one of the roasts.”
 
Walton says Delly, who drinks his coffee black, prefers a dark roast with bold flavor. So after tasting a few blends, Walton and Delly developed a suitable flavor profile in G’Day Mate.
 
Walton delivered the new blend to 40 area retailers yesterday. The G’Day Mate blend will be available through the end of June in stores, online and at Walton’s cafe in A.J. Rocco’s, 816 Huron Road.
 
Furthermore, Walton announced that Cleveland Coffee Company will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from G'Day Mate sales to All Faiths Pantry, a non-profit organization in Old Brooklyn that works with the Cleveland Food Bank to deliver groceries to seniors and other people with limited mobility.
 
“I think it will go over well, and Delly was very receptive to that,” says Walton. “[Executive director] John [Visnauskas], he’s a good soul working to help people out. I’m sure it will sell.”
 
The Cavs played their first "Australia Day" game last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves and wore their gold uniforms to honor Australia’s colors, gold and green. The Cavs won, 114-107.

Alta House needed a new social mission and Cleveland Montessori needed a new home. The two came up with the perfect solution.

The Tavern Company owner Chris Armington and his fellow business owners along Lee Road in Cleveland Heights were tired of hearing their customers complain about how difficult it is to find parking on the weekends.

So they got together to solve the problem and, hopefully, increase their business traffic.

Most of the restauranteurs, bar owners and the Cedar Lee Theatre got together and hired VIP Valet to park customers’ car on Fridays and Saturdays. “It’s a convenience for customers,” says Armington. “Everyone’s biggest complaint is parking, walking, getting tickets.”
 
For $5, patrons can park at any of the four valet stations located in the business district along Lee Road – from Taste and Brennan’s Colony  to Parnell’s Pub. When they are done eating, drinking and catching a movie, they can pick their cars up at any station – regardless of where they dropped it off. Even establishments like Lopez, which has its own lot and valet, are participating.
 
Customers do not have to specify where they are heading to use the service. “They won’t turn anyone away,” says Armington. “The business owners are paying for it [the up-front costs] so people can have fun all evening at the restaurants and bars.”
 
Of course, the convenience also means better traffic for the business owners. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” Armington says, adding that the LED “valet” sign cones VIP uses make the valet stations easily identifiable, “inviting and safe.”
 
The service, which began on Friday, Dec. 18, is slowly catching on, according to Armington, with more people using the service as word spreads. “Every weekend is a little better and better,” he says. “Ideally, we want to make Lee Road a destination where people can go, park and then go anywhere.”

Lindsay Marissa Osborne traveled the world to find the good in other people and cultures for her Small World Project.