Built in 1894, Cleveland’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument honors more than 9,000 Cuyahoga County residents who served in the Civil War. Great talking with Madison Matuszak and Ray Query, who keeps the monument looking its best year after year. Thanks for the photo and your work.

Stopped by Tripi at 3928 Lorain Ave., Cleveland. Always lucky to be helped by Raydor Cordero, amazing service, great food recs, and a smile no matter the grind. This West Side gem restaurant is always memorable. Don’t miss it if you have not stopped yet. www.tripicleveland.com

The Velvet Tango Room EST. 1996 remains one of Cleveland’s most celebrated cocktail bars. Known for its hand-crafted drinks, live jazz, & speakeasy charm, it helped spark the city’s cocktail revival. Grateful to Alexandra Woolley, Bennett Atchison, & Hilary Terrano for the photo.

Stopped by La Candela Kitchen at 2886 W. 25th St, Cleveland, and met Manager Nayla Santos. The kitchen specializes in Mexican and Puerto Rican-inspired dishes. Sancocho is a standout. Good luck to the friendly crew on the future of the restaurant.

Had a great visit to Warren Road Tavern at 3356 Warren Road, Cleveland. Great laughs with Cleveland regulars who told me the spot was previously Gallagher's Lounge. Thanks to the fantastic staff of Lena Leachman and Shanon Ruggerio for the photo and their welcome.

Great meeting Paola del Rincón Martínez, Studio Assistant at the Community Arts Center at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance and Expression on West 25th in Cleveland. She gave me a tour of the Parade the Circle 30th Anniversary exhibit. Her joy for the arts is contagious.

RIP Coach Kevin Mackey. Cleveland State University Vikings ❤️ 👑

Met Neal Hodges at Cleveland State University covering the WCSB rally. CSU grad, actor, writer, and community advocate. Works in arts, media, and fatherhood support to uplift under‑represented voices in Cleveland.

The holidays are coming up fast! Before the stress of the season sets in, head to Music Box Supper Club next Thursday, November 20, for some laughs. I’ll be joining Mike Polk, Jr. to share Cleveland holiday history with rarely seen images. Grab your ticket here: musicboxcle.com/event/twiste...

Great meeting Dave Eifert, author of the new book Cleveland Curse Volume One, lives in Bay Village. I photographed him in a Cleveland arcade. He also plays in One Eyed Fred, bringing energy & creativity to both music and writing. Check out his great book: theclevelandcursebook.com

New exhibit at Cleveland Grays Armory Museum honors legendary Clevelander Paul Wilcox-war hero, POW, & Polka Varieties host. His daughter Rory Wilcox proudly shared how fellow POWs called him “The Pink Cloud” for keeping spirits high. See it Nov. 15, 11–3:30. Amazing local story.

Great talking with Navy veteran Alex Knish at American Legion Post 469 on Memphis Ave. Cleveland. Alex joined in 1965, served in Vietnam, and first came to this post in 1971 where he met a World War I vet. The Legion keeps those stories alive. Happy Veterans Day!

RTA. Cleveland. Photo: October 15, 2025.

Great to see Jeff Niesel, Kevin Ferry, Jennifer Stein, and Sam Fryberger, who made the amazing papier-mâché masks at Cleveland’s Día de Muertos festival. I took their photo outside the church. Always love this celebration of honoring loved ones through art and tradition.

Great seeing Larissa Fogle from Ohio City’s beloved Larder Deli on W. 29th. She’s been there since April 2025, always smiling whether behind the counter or taking out the trash. A true Clevelander who shows the heart and hustle that make this city great.

Great meeting Arfil Pajarillaga, Filipino American photographer born in American Samoa and now in Brooklyn Centre, Cleveland. Zygote Press fellow capturing powerful community stories. Loved seeing him in action and look forward to many more meet-ups. arfilpajarillaga.com

RIP Lenny Wilkens. Coach during the era that turned me and all my friends into lifelong cavs super-fans. He seemed to be both a consummate gentleman and a fierce competitor. Photo from the 1989–1990 Cavaliers Media Guide located in the Cleveland Public Library Sports Center.

February, 2010 – The Cheese Shop at the West Side Market I have been archiving the West Side Market for many years and recently came across this photo from one of my old favorites, The Cheese Shop (stand H-9). Pictured are cheesemongers Nicole Bryson and Lisa Seppi.

Visit the Music Box on Nov. 20, to kick off the holiday season. I’ll be showing Mike Polk rare, old-school Cleveland images and hearing his strange thoughts about pics he’s never seen before. It’s sure to be a good time in Cleveland. Get your tickets here: musicboxcle.com/event/twiste...

Great to see Justin Cohen, manager of Colonial Coin in the 5th Street Arcades. His family has run the shop since 1921, now in its 4th generation. Justin hopes his daughter will be the 5th. Thanks for the photo on Euclid Ave.

Richman Brothers. A Cleveland Institution. Source: Cleveland Public Library Sports Ctr. in Nov. 9, 1958 Browns program.

Always great stopping in to see Peter, master chef at Tommy’s Pastries, 14205 Madison Ave, Lakewood. Serving Hungarian treats for 30+ years, all made from traditional recipes. Peter’s feeling fit, thankful for community support & hopes more stop by to try these homemade classics.

Ohio City Burrito located at 526 Superior Ave in Cleveland. - November 7, 2025

Stopped by Dahlia Coffee Shop at 2085 West 114th St. in Cleveland and met local artist Alejandro Meza Rubi. Grabbed coffee, talked shop, and agreed this spot is one of a kind. Thanks for the conversation and the photo. Excited to follow his work online.

Stopped by Weeks End Tavern in Cleveland after a few years. Talked with Bobby Sawyer, a Lakewood local who’s been coming here 20 years. Loves that the place never changes. Great talking with him and his crew, and thanks to Bobby for the photo.

West Side Market. Photo: November 8, 2025.

Visited the fantastic Mac’s Backs Books on Coventry, a Cleveland literary landmark since 1983. Great talking with Suzanne DeGaetano, long-time manager and co-founder, and taking a photo of her and staff member and actor Allen Branstein outside the shop at 1820 Coventry Rd. Coventry.

Great photographing Naomi Brookins, a Southeast Cleveland resident and Senior Specialist, Home Repair, Department of Community Development, Bureau of Residential Improvement. Loved learning her story and hearing about her son and grandson. Thanks for all you do for the City of Cleveland.

Stopped by Kyuu-Juu, an amazing new Ohio City Japanese tapas restaurant at 2054 Fulton Rd. Cleveland. The food was incredible, especially the sashimi. Great to see friend Sydney Maddox, the friendly hostess, once again. Check it out: kyuujuu0181.s4shops.com#menu

Six Shooter Coffee at 15613 Waterloo Rd. Cleveland. Photo: September 19, 2025.

Buckeye Animal Hospital. 13945 Lorain Ave, Cleveland. -October 25, 2025.

Suzy’s Soup. 230 West Huron Rd. Tower City. Cleveland. -October 14, 2025.

Superior Pho. 3030 Superior Ave. Cleveland. So much is said about the food here, and for good reason. But I think they also have the best bubble tea in town. Truly spectacular. -October 18, 2025.

Great seeing the Spectrum News team covering the No Kings rally in downtown Cleveland. Reporter Corcoran O’Leary and photographer Chloe Magill were right in the middle of the action. Thanks to the crew for taking a moment to talk and for the photo.

Cleveland Public Square. -September 15, 2025.

Great meeting Greg Snier, a Canton native &freelance audio/video pro for live events, and Victoria Bracher, married 3 years and a librarian at Cuyahoga County Public Library. Librarians are basically in a club, so saying hello is required. Loved chatting at LEKKO in Ohio City.

Stopped by Sloppy Bob’s (5994 State Rd, Parma) and met Heather, Cheryl, and owner Kelly Lasecki. The staff were all friendly and welcoming, customers walked in with smiles, and the spot felt lively and unmistakably Parma.

Met Cleveland-born Michael Mason, who lives in Parma and works for the City of Cleveland’s Water Pollution Control. A respected coach at the Lonnie Burten Rec Center, he’s led many teams over the years. Great to get a photo in Downtown Cleveland during a rally in Willard Park.

Met Brandon J. Schoeppner, Cleveland comedian & actor focused on improv and performance. Edgewater resident, Kent State grad, former engineer, now pursuing acting full time. Hosts Buffoon Brandon Banter and trains at Imposters Theatre. Great hanging out and thanks for the photo.

Stopped by Bosworth Tavern at 3655 Bosworth Rd. Cleveland and caught up with my old friend Lorie Davis, now behind the bar after 30 years at Tick Tock Tavern. New owners Travis and Brianna have refreshed the place, and the smash burgers are a hit. Stop by and say hi to Lorie.

It was great meeting Rosa Ransom from Mac’s Backs Books and her friend Teresa Palladino, who have been friends for 25 years. Thanks to them for being at the Cleveland Public Library fundraiser and for the photo.

Cleveland Public Square Voting Booth (1890). Source: Cleveland Public Library Digital Gallery.

Great meeting Becky Ruppert McMahon, new President & CEO of the Cleveland Leadership Center, and longtime team member Rachel Ciomcia at CPL. Loved hearing about their work developing future leaders and using library spaces for programs.

Stopped by Job-Rite Mower in Parma and caught up with my old friends Kelly and Brian Wamser. Kelly’s knowledge of mowers, tractors, snow blowers, and customer service shows why people trust this family-run shop over big-box stores. Honest work, fair prices, and a true local spot.

Cleveland Christian Home. The Centers' H.O.P.E. Campus. 11401 Lorain Ave. Cleveland. - October 25, 2025.

Mike The Hatter. Tower City. 230 W Huron Rd Second Floor. -Oct. 14, 2025.

Li Wah Restaurant. 2999 Payne Ave. Cleveland. -October 31, 2025.

Met Patrick F. McGuan, who’s about to start the digital humanities program at CSU. Great chat about history, local stories & music. I was listening to Prefab Sprout, he to Neil Young, we each promised to stream the other’s pick later. Snapped his photo at Cleveland’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.

Met Megan Maxim in downtown while walking to work. Megan, a new downtown resident from Canton and a CPA, loves exploring the city’s great spots. It was great connecting with Megan and chatting about her life in Downtown Cleveland and all the great places surrounding us in the area.