Good morning, Cuyahoga County. When $3.55 buys your teenager a gourmet walking taco at Rocky River High School, you know school lunches have come a long way from mystery meat. Cleveland-area cafeterias are undergoing a culinary revolution, with scratch-made meals and global flavors transforming the lunchtime experience. From Gilmour Academy's college-style dining commons to University School's hydroponic lettuce bar, these aren't your parents' school cafeterias – they're legitimate dining destinations that happen to serve education on the side.
Meanwhile, as we approach St. Patrick's Day, Cleveland's Irish musicians are tuning up for more than just entertainment – they're preserving cultural connections through traditional songs and authentic dance. And while we celebrate, many Clevelanders are marking a more somber milestone: five years since COVID-19 dramatically reshaped our community. Though officially "over," its legacy continues to influence everything from our work habits to our economic landscape – a reminder of our remarkable resilience during unprecedented times.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🍽️ School cafeterias now rival trendy restaurants with diverse, healthy options. Cleveland-area schools have transformed their lunch programs with themed food stations, scratch-made meals, and global flavors. At Rocky River High School, students enjoy walking tacos and breakfast-for-lunch Fridays for just $3.55, while Gilmour Academy's Howley Commons offers a college-style dining experience with specialized stations. University School impresses with an extensive salad bar featuring hydroponically grown lettuces and international dishes like chicken Vindaloo. Lakewood City Schools has found success with chicken tikka masala and other diverse offerings that reflect their increasingly multicultural student body.
🍀 Cleveland's Irish musicians transform St. Patrick's Day into a cultural celebration. From tribute bands like Boys from County Hell to family ensembles like The Kilroys, performers honor their heritage through traditional songs that tell stories of love, loss, and homeland separation. Irish dance adds another essential element, with pioneers like Theresa "Tessie" Burke establishing dance schools that preserve authentic techniques. For these performers, the music and dance represent more than entertainment—they're connections to immigrant ancestors and the "craic" (banter and storytelling) that's embedded in Irish DNA. As vocalist Patrick Mulloy puts it, "Music is the universal language of joy and celebration."
😷 Five years later, COVID-19 still haunts Cleveland. Reflecting on the pandemic's impact since March 2020, Clevelanders recall their rapid adaptation to a transformed reality—from Zoom happy hours to masked grocery trips and makeshift vaccination centers. Local businesses pivoted remarkably, with restaurants shifting to takeout and breweries producing hand sanitizer, while community members found creative ways to celebrate, perform, and support each other. Though officially declared over in May 2023, COVID's legacy persists in economic challenges, educational impacts, housing costs, and the normalization of remote work.
🏒 Hockey Scoreboard
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
St. Ignatius (28-10) | ||
vs Upper Arlington* | L 5-2 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Affordable colonial needs TLC: Fixer-upper alert: this $48,000 colonial has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and requires some TLC, but boasts newer wiring, chimney, and various updates across its two-level layout.
Budget house needs everything: This $44,900 fixer-upper offers 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths across two floors, but requires complete renovation inside and out—and the seller won't remove existing trash or make any repairs.
Affordable Colonial income property: This $78,000 Colonial in North Broadway offers 4 bedrooms, secluded location, and steady rental income. Currently leased at $730 monthly with potential for more, it presents a solid long-term investment opportunity.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
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