The Cuyahoga River was on fire this weekend and not for the reason you’re thinking.

In suits, shorts, jerseys and gowns, dozens of models lit up golden hour on the Flats East Bank on Sunday evening for fashion events guru Chrissy Cavotta’s latest venture with host Bella Mastrey, the Port Royale fashion show.

Nine designers showed off creme-colored purses, neon-floral swimsuits or fisher jean shorts in a followup to Cavotta’s runway show on INTRO’s rooftop last summer, one clear-skied, more intimate and diverse in its potential for the beach. Designers who showed off new work include Delphine-Bridal, Darcia Vega, Blank Easel, Rocco Atelier, Pseudo, Rollison Couture, Bruno Luce, Lucid Art and Ché Samoné Collection.

The post Chrissy Cavotta’s Port Royale Brought the Runway to the Cuyahoga Riverfront appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

This story was originally published by Canary Media.

The Ohio Supreme Court recently blocked a permit for what would be the state’s largest solar installation. The 800-megawatt Oak Run Solar Project still has a pathway to completion — the court reversed only one part of the state siting board’s prior approval — but it remains unclear how things will play out.

This is just the latest example of how state lawmakers and other officials have obstructed renewable energy development in Ohio. In total, they have thwarted more than 5.3 gigawatts of solar and wind projects over the last dozen years.

So says a recent analysis released by Save Ohio Parks, which opposes fracking and oil and gas extraction from public lands.

“It’s a lot of inexpensive power that we don’t have available to us. And it means fewer choices for consumers,” said Tom Bullock, executive director for the Citizens Utility Board of Ohio. ​“Boy, would that come in handy right now when electricity prices keep going up, up, up.”

Ohio, like many other states, is facing rising utility bills as well as massive new energy demand due to a wave of proposed data centers. The Save Ohio Parks report contends that clean energy could have helped rein in those energy costs while meeting a huge chunk of data centers’ demand if Ohio had allowed more development. The 5.3 GW of blocked clean energy would have also avoided large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.

The state stepped up its pushback on wind and solar as each of those clean energy sources became more cost-competitive with fossil fuels and nuclear power.

A 2014 law that more than doubled property-line setbacks for wind turbines effectively blocked over 3.3 GW of utility-scale projects in the state, the report notes. Efforts in 2017 to roll back those restrictions failed, leaving Ohio among the nation’s most restrictive states for wind power.

“The economics of a wind farm don’t work when you need that amount of setback from a property line,” said Rachel Kutzley, a Save Ohio Parks board member who worked on the report.

Seven years later, Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 52, which lets counties ban new solar projects above 50 MW of capacity and ​“economically significant” wind farms able to produce more than 5 MW of electricity. SB 52 doesn’t let counties ban power plants that use fossil fuels or nuclear power.

Neither the Save Ohio Parks report nor a February 2026 paper in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Energy Policy quantified how much clean energy generation the bans by Ohio counties have prevented.

Projects that were already in grid operator PJM Interconnection’s queue are not subject to outright bans under SB 52. The Ohio Power Siting Board, however, can deny permits for individual projects — and since 2021 it has rejected eight installations, making Ohio one of the toughest states for developing clean energy. The board has routinely referenced local government opposition when rejecting projects.

Those eight rulings alone have killed more than 1.1 GW of solar generation.

Developers withdrew five other applications for projects that would have added roughly another 1 GW, after adverse recommendations from the Power Siting Board’s staff or significant local pushback made it likely the full board would deny permits. The Kingwood Solar case, which challenges the board’s deference to local government opposition, is due to be decided soon.

Matt Schilling, a spokesperson for the Ohio Power Siting Board and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, said he did not have a comment on the report from Save Ohio Parks. ​“However, I will observe OPSB has approved 49 solar projects across Ohio with nameplate capacity totaling 9,250 MW,” he added.

Only about one-third of those approvals were for permit applications filed after SB 52’s effective date.

It’s not just solar and wind — Ohio has also stymied energy-efficiency efforts over the years, which would have additionally cut down on pollution and saved money for residents. The Save Ohio Parks’ report doesn’t consider the effects of the state’s infamous House Bill 6, which eliminated utilities’ energy-efficiency requirements after 2020.

Those impacts would have been quite sizable, said Mike Specian, a utilities manager with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, who shared his separate analysis with Canary Media.

If utilities had continued to achieve energy savings for customers after 2020, the cumulative savings could have been as much as 70 terawatt-hours, or 70 million megawatt-hours, Specian said. That high number is partially because energy-efficiency investments provide benefits, on average, for nearly a decade. ​“Those savings deliver year over year over year,” he said.

The mix of thwarted solar and wind projects alone likely would have displaced 7.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel plants, said Ben King, a director with research firm Rhodium Group’s energy and climate practice. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that drives human-caused climate change.

King based that estimate on results from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Avoided Emissions and Generation Tool. Ohio’s lost clean energy generation could have cut millions of metric tons of pollution from sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants with harmful health effects as well, the EPA tool shows.

The lost clean energy opportunities are also impacting consumers’ finances, although it’s hard to tell exactly how much because electricity prices reflect multiple components.

Ohio gets about 7.5% of its electricity from wind and solar, compared with 80.6% from coal and gas, according to federal data for 2025.

When it comes to the electricity dispatch market, ​“the generation we have less of is the least expensive in Ohio,” said Ashley Brown, a former member of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Solar and wind have no fuel costs, so their marginal costs for producing energy are very low. That competition also reins in bidding by producers of other forms of electricity, particularly fossil fuels, whose prices have soared even higher because of the Trump administration’s war on Iran.

“It really does force enormous price pressure on other forms of generation,” Brown said.

Less solar and wind generation has some effect on the capacity market, the mechanism PJM uses to ensure it will have enough energy producers available to meet future demand spikes. Last year, capacity made up about 16% of the wholesale cost of electricity, noted Jeff Shields, PJM’s senior manager for external communications. Even though renewables count less toward capacity than other types of energy, ​“we can use all the capacity we can get,” he said.

Renewables’ ability to come online more quickly than other sources could do a lot to curb inflation, said Bullock at the Citizens Utility Board of Ohio. ​“Unless Ohio takes action, consumers are locked on this escalator. We’re strapped to the escalator that keeps going up.”

Nevertheless, some Ohio lawmakers seem intent on making it harder — not easier — to build new clean energy projects in the state.

SB 294, reported out of the Senate Energy Committee on June 2, would further cement the state’s preferences for natural gas and nuclear power — and potentially make it even harder to get approval from regulators for solar and wind.

The post Ohio Has Blocked a Lot of Wind and Solar. Its Residents Pay the Price. appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

Mushroom gummies have moved from niche wellness shelves to mainstream daily routines, and the functional mushroom supplement market is projected to hit $13.58 billion in 2026, with adaptogenic blends accounting for roughly 61% of consumer demand. The best mushroom gummies are not the ones with the loudest label; they are the ones with clear mushroom species, meaningful doses, clean ingredients, and third-party testing.

Below, you’ll find quick picks, a practical buying checklist, goal-based recommendations, and safety notes to help you choose a mushroom supplement that fits your health regimen.

Quick Answer: Our Top Picks for the Best Mushroom Gummies

If you want fast recommendations, scan this comparison-style list first. These functional mushroom gummies are grouped by use case, but always verify the current label, serving size, and Certificate of Analysis before buying.

MushCanyon Mushroom Gummies — Best Overall Premium Mushroom Blend

Best for: Daily wellness, focus, immunity, balanced energy

Why it stands out:
MushCanyon Mushroom Gummies take the top spot thanks to their 10:1 concentrated mushroom blend, making them a stronger option than many standard gummy formulas that rely on lower-potency mushroom powder. Instead of focusing on a single benefit, this formula is designed as an all-in-one daily wellness blend.

Key highlights:

• Immune System Support
• Cognitive Boost & Focus
• Natural Energy & Endurance
• Stress Relief & Mood Balance
• Antioxidant Protection & Cellular Health
• Digestive & Gut Health Support
• Convenient, Tasty Format
• Clean, Trusted Formulation

• 10:1 concentrated mushroom blend
• Multi-functional wellness support
• Convenient gummy format
• Designed for focus, immunity, and energy balance
• Diet: typically, vegan and gluten free; uses pectin rather than gelatin
• Main use: steady energy, stamina, workout support, and ATP-related performance
• Ideal for: athletes, active adults, and people who want to boost energy without caffeine jitters

Main use:
Daily wellness, immune support, clarity, stress balance, convenient supplementation

Ideal for:
People who want a premium mushroom gummy without juggling multiple supplements.

Pros:
High-potency 10:1 mushroom blend
Convenient and easy to take
Great for beginners and daily users
Balanced full-spectrum wellness approach
Better premium positioning than many mainstream gummies

Cons:
Gummies may contain sweeteners (check label)
Some users prefer capsules/powders over gummies

MushCanyon Mushroom Complex 10X — Best Alternative for People Who Don’t Like Gummies

Best for: Maximum potency, clean supplementation, serious mushroom users

Why it stands out:
Not everyone likes gummies—and that’s where MushCanyon Mushroom Complex 10X shines. This is a stronger non-gummy option designed for users who want concentrated mushroom support without sugars or candy-style formats.

Key highlights:

• Boosts Energy Naturally
• Supports Brain Function & Focus
• Strengthens Immune System
• Reduces Stress & Supports Mood
• Enhances Physical Performance
• Promotes Gut & Digestive Health
• Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant Rich
• Convenient All-in-One Formula

• High-potency mushroom complex formula
• Capsule/powder alternative to gummies
• Designed for focus, calm energy, and mental clarity
• Ideal for users avoiding gummy additives

Main use:
Focus, steady energy, cognitive performance, daily mushroom supplementation

Ideal for:
Professionals, nootropic users, serious supplement buyers

Pros:
No gummy texture or candy-style format — perfect for users who prefer a clean supplement experience over chewables
Higher-potency mushroom complex approach — ideal for people seeking a stronger, more serious functional mushroom formula
Better for sugar-conscious users — avoids the typical gummy-style sweetened format
Supports focus, clarity, and steady daily productivity
Convenient capsule format — quick, mess-free, and easy to add to a morning routine
Great alternative for people replacing coffee or avoiding caffeine-style crashes

Cons:
Less enjoyable for users who prefer tasty chewable supplements

Real Mushrooms Cordyceps-M Gummies

• Key mushrooms: cordyceps militaris fruiting body extracts
• Total per serving: 750 mg Cordyceps militaris extract; beta-glucans verified above 25%
• Diet: typically vegan and gluten free; uses pectin rather than gelatin
• Sweeteners/additives: check current label for cane sugar, citric acid, sodium citrate, natural flavors, and artificial colors
• Main use: steady energy, stamina, workout support, and ATP-related performance
• Ideal for: athletes, active adults, and people who want to boost energy without caffeine jitters

Pros:
Verified beta-glucans
Fruiting body extracts
Strong energy support

Cons:
Single-purpose formula
Less ideal for full-spectrum wellness

Ultimate Mushroom Daily Gummies

• Key mushrooms: lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps
• Total per serving: about 376 mg mushrooms, including 310 mg lion’s mane, 33 mg reishi, and 33 mg cordyceps, plus L-theanine and Huperzine A
• Diet: vegan and gluten free
• Sweeteners/additives: uses natural ingredients; check label for citric acid, vegetable juice color, tapioca syrup, and artificial additives
• Main use: mental clarity, focus, calm productivity, and immune support
• Ideal for: busy professionals, students, and people who want lion’s mane cordyceps reishi in one gummy

Pros:
Includes Lion’s Mane + L-Theanine
Focus-oriented stack
Vegan formula

Cons:
Lower total mushroom content
Includes non-mushroom active compounds

Host Defense MyCommunity Gummies

• Key mushrooms: broad mushroom blend often including turkey tail, reishi mushrooms, chaga mushrooms, maitake, shiitake, and other mushroom species
• Total per serving: commonly around 550 mg mushroom material per serving, depending on label
• Diet: often vegan and gluten free
• Sweeteners/additives: may use organic cane sugar, tapioca syrup, natural flavors, citric acid, vegetable oil, or vegetable juice colors
• Main use: immune health, immune function, and the body’s natural defenses
• Ideal for: people who prefer multi-species daily immune support over single-mushroom targeting

Pros:
Broad mushroom diversity
Trusted legacy brand
Daily immune support

Cons:
Potency may vary by formula
Sugar content may not suit everyone

FreshCap Ultimate Mushroom Gummies

• Key mushrooms: lion’s mane reishi, cordyceps, turkey tail, chaga, maitake, and shiitake
• Total per serving: often positioned around 1,000 mg combined mushrooms; confirm current extract amount and whether it is raw mushroom material or extract
• Diet: look for vegan, gluten free, and non-GMO claims
• Sweeteners/additives: compare cane sugar, organic cane sugar, natural flavors, citric acid, and color sources
• Main use: overall health, gut health, immune support, and general wellness
• Ideal for: people who want one convenient daily mushroom blend

Pros:
multi-mushroom formula
Wellness-focused approach
Popular brand reputation

Cons:
Must confirm extract vs raw mushroom amount
Label transparency can vary

MaryRuth’s Mushroom Gummies

• Key mushrooms: may include lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, cordyceps, shiitake, maitake, and turkey tail
• Total per serving: label may list a mushroom equivalent, so check exact extract mg and extract ratio
• Diet: many formulas are vegan and gluten free
• Sweeteners/additives: often focuses on natural flavors; check for cane sugar, citric acid, sodium citrate, and blue raspberry or other flavor options
• Main use: daily wellness, immune system support, and convenient use
• Ideal for: gummy users who care most about taste, texture, and delicious gummies they will take consistently

Pros:
Great taste
Easy daily compliance
Vegan-friendly options

Cons:
More lifestyle-focused than potency-focused
May prioritize flavor over mushroom strength

What Are Functional Mushroom Gummies?

Functional mushroom gummies are non-psychedelic dietary supplements that combine medicinal mushrooms with a chewable gummy base. They are designed for targeted wellness benefits such as mental clarity, sustained energy, immune support, gut health, and stress balance without psychoactive effects.

• Functional mushrooms are different from recreational fungi. Mushroom gummies are categorized into two main types: wellness-focused functional blends and experiential legal blends, and this article covers wellness-focused functional mushroom gummies only.
• Functional mushroom gummies are made with mushroom extracts or powders from species such as lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, turkey tail, chaga, maitake, and shiitake.
• These products rely on active compounds like beta-glucans, triterpenes, cordycepin, and other bioactive compounds. Mushroom gummies derive their benefits from unique bioactive compounds like beta-glucans and adaptogens, which can help regulate stress and improve immune defense.
• Culinary mushrooms are useful foods, but functional mushrooms are typically concentrated for specific beneficial compounds. Whole mushrooms contain a higher volume of native fibers compared to processed supplement extracts, while extracts can concentrate specific mushroom compounds.
• Modern extraction helps reduce the terrible taste of raw mushroom powder and creates a convenient and tasty way to consume adaptogenic and functional fungi.
• All products discussed here are legal, non-psychoactive functional mushroom gummies, not psilocybin or Amanita muscaria gummies. If you are searching “mushroom gummies legal,” read the label carefully and avoid any product marketed for intoxication.

Health Benefits of Mushroom Gummies

The benefits of mushroom gummies depend on the species used, dosage, extraction quality, and consistent use over several weeks. These dietary supplements are not instant cures, but research suggests certain mushrooms may support various health benefits.

• Immune support: Turkey tail, maitake, shiitake, and reishi contain beta-glucans that help modulate immune function. These compounds may help prime the immune system without simply “overstimulating” it.
• Brain health and focus: Lion’s Mane mushroom is known for its neuroprotective properties, stimulating the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which supports brain health and cognitive function. Lion’s mane may help enhance mental clarity, memory, and attention over time.
• Gut health and digestion: Turkey tail and maitake provide prebiotic fibers that may support microbial balance. Whole raw mushroom foods contain more native fiber, while mushroom extracts may offer more concentrated active compounds.
• Stress and mood balance: Reishi mushroom helps modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is responsible for cortisol production, thereby promoting a healthier stress response. Research has shown that Reishi mushroom can help regulate cortisol production, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy stress response.
• Energy and stamina: Cordyceps mushroom is known to enhance energy levels and improve athletic performance by increasing the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for energy production in cells.
• Antioxidant protection: Chaga mushroom is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods, providing protection against oxidative stress and free radical damage, which can lead to chronic diseases.
• Emotional resilience: Functional mushrooms target anxiety through several distinct biological pathways, including modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stimulation of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production. Lion’s Mane supplementation has been found to reduce anxiety and irritability symptoms over a four-week period, according to studies published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

Key Functional Mushrooms to Look For

Here is a quick mini glossary of the most common functional mushrooms you will see on labels.

• Lion’s mane: Best known for brain health, mental clarity, focus, nerve growth factor support, and potential long-term memory support.
• Reishi: Reishi mushrooms, also listed as Ganoderma lucidum, are used in traditional medicine for stress relief, sleep quality, immune modulation, and calm balance.
• Cordyceps: Popular for energy, athletic performance, oxygen utilization, and fatigue support, especially among active people.
• Turkey tail: A strong immune support mushroom with beta-glucans and prebiotic effects that may also support gut health.
• Chaga: Chaga mushrooms are valued for antioxidant activity, skin health, and cellular protection against oxidative stress.
• Maitake: Often used for immune health, gut support, metabolic wellness, and prebiotic effects.
• Shiitake: Supports immune function and cardiovascular wellness, and it often appears in broad-spectrum mushroom blend formulas.

How to Choose the Best Mushroom Gummies

Not all mushroom gummies are equal. The extraction method used to obtain mushroom compounds can significantly impact the potency and quality of the final product.

• Prefer high-quality mushroom extracts over vague powders. Mushroom gummies should ideally be made with 100% fruiting-body extracts rather than mycelium-on-grain, as the former contains higher concentrations of active compounds.
• Products made with 100% fruiting-body extracts are generally more potent than those using mycelium grown on grain, which dilutes the concentrations of active compounds.
• Check the dose. Many meaningful formulas provide roughly 500–2,000 mg combined mushrooms per day, though single-species products may be effective at lower or higher doses depending on extract strength.
• Choose transparent labels. When choosing mushroom gummies, look for products that disclose exact ingredients, extract ratios, and mushroom species used, as proprietary blends without breakdowns are a red flag.
• Avoid hidden blends. Mushroom gummies that include proprietary blends without any breakdown of ingredients are considered a red flag, as transparency is crucial for quality assessment.
• Look for lab verification. Brands that provide accessible, batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from independent labs are more trustworthy, as they verify the product’s purity and potency.
• When purchasing mushroom gummies, it is important to choose brands that disclose their extraction processes and verify their formulas through third-party laboratories.
• Compare sweetness and additives. Low cane sugar, organic cane sugar, or alternative sweeteners may be better for daily use. Watch citric acid if you have reflux or enamel sensitivity.
• Flavor matters. Positive feedback about taste is not superficial; all the gummies in the world are useless if you skip them because they taste bad.

Ingredient Quality & Formulation

Ingredient quality is the foundation of any best mushroom list because potency depends on what part of the fungus is used and how it is processed.

• Fruiting body extracts are generally preferred over mycelium-on-grain because grain can dilute the concentration of active compounds.
• Dual extraction, using water and alcohol, can capture beta-glucans, triterpenes, and other beneficial compounds, especially in reishi and chaga.
• Certified organic sourcing matters because mushrooms can absorb pesticides and heavy metals from soil and growing substrates.
• Look for potent formulations made under good manufacturing practices with minimal fillers, no titanium dioxide, no synthetic dyes, and no unnecessary artificial additives.
• A label should explain whether “1,000 mg” means extract, raw mushroom, or raw mushroom material equivalent.

Sweeteners, Citric Acid & Dietary Needs

Mushroom gummies are still candy-like products, so sugar source and additives matter if you take them every day.

• Organic cane sugar often tastes better and feels more “natural,” but it still affects teeth and blood sugar. Refined cane sugar is similar metabolically, while sugar alcohols may cause gas or loose stools.
• Citric acid is common for tartness and preservation, but sensitive users may prefer low-acid formulas.
• Pectin-based gummies are vegan, while gelatin-based gummies are not.
• Check gluten free, dairy free, nut free, and non-GMO claims if you have allergies or celiac disease.
• Natural ingredients, natural flavors, vegetable juice color, tapioca syrup, sodium citrate, and vegetable oil are common on gummy labels, so compare them carefully.

Safety, Allergic Reactions & Interactions

Functional mushroom gummies are generally safe for most healthy adults, but there are important caveats.

• Mild digestive upset, bloating, gas, or loose stools can happen, especially when starting higher doses.
• Allergic reactions can include itching, swelling, hives, rash, or difficulty breathing. Stop use and seek medical help if these occur.
• Use caution with blood thinners, immunosuppressants, SSRIs, diabetes medications, and other prescription medications.
• It is advisable for individuals who are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medications to consult healthcare professionals before using adaptogenic supplements.
• If you have chronic diseases, autoimmune conditions, or complex medical needs, talk with a healthcare provider or healthcare professional before starting a new mushroom supplement.

Best Mushroom Gummies by Goal

The best mushroom gummies depend on your target: focus, immune support, gut health, stress relief, or energy. The main distinction among mushroom gummies lies in whether they utilize single-species formulas or multi-mushroom blends, each serving specific health targets.

Best Mushroom Gummies for Brain Health & Focus

Lion’s mane-forward products are best for cognitive support, productivity, and memory. Common health benefits associated with specific mushrooms include cognitive support from Lion’s Mane, energy enhancement from Cordyceps, and stress relief from Reishi.

• MushCanyon Mushroom Gummies offer a convenient and tasty way to support your immune system, boost brain function, and increase natural energy levels. Packed with powerful mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps, they help improve focus, reduce stress, and promote overall wellness—perfect for daily health on the go.
• Ultimate Mushroom Daily Gummies: A focus-oriented gummy with 310 mg lion’s mane plus reishi, cordyceps, L-theanine, and Huperzine A. It is a good fit for people who want mental clarity and calm focus in one formula.
• FreshCap Ultimate Mushroom Gummies: A broader mushroom blend option for people who want lion’s mane alongside reishi, cordyceps, turkey tail, chaga, maitake, and shiitake. Confirm the extract ratio and total extract dose.

For noticeable brain health support, use consistently for at least 2–4 weeks.

Best Mushroom Gummies for Immune Support

Immune formulas should emphasize turkey tail, maitake, shiitake, reishi, and chaga.

• Host Defense MyCommunity Gummies: A broad immune-focused blend with many mushroom species. It is useful for people who want comprehensive immune health, though mycelium-based formulas should be compared carefully against fruiting body extract products.
• FreshCap Ultimate Mushroom Gummies: A versatile daily gummy if you want a multi-mushroom formula with at least seven mushrooms for immune system and gut health support.

Look for beta-glucan disclosure and third party lab testing for heavy metals, pesticides, microbes, and potency.

Best Mushroom Gummies for Gut Health & Digestion

Gut-focused users should look for turkey tail and maitake because of their prebiotic potential.

• Broad-spectrum mushroom blends: These can support gut health when they include turkey tail, maitake, and shiitake, but excess sugar may work against gut goals for some people.
• Low-sugar mushroom gummies: These are better if you are sensitive to blood sugar swings or digestive fermentation from sweeteners.

Start with the lowest serving and increase slowly to watch for digestive sensitivity.

Best Mushroom Gummies for Stress, Mood & Sleep

Reishi-centered gummies are the best fit for evening calm, stress relief, and sleep routines.

• Reishi-forward blends: Look for dual-extracted reishi mushrooms because triterpenes are important active compounds for relaxation support.
• Blends with L-theanine: These may feel smoother for evening use, but added nootropics or botanicals can increase interaction risks.

The cumulative adaptogenic benefits of mushroom gummies typically take 10 to 21 days of consistent daily use to show significant changes in baseline anxiety levels. Take reishi products 30–60 minutes before bed and avoid formulas that make you drowsy during the day.

Best Mushroom Gummies for Energy & Performance

Cordyceps-centered formulas are ideal for stamina and morning energy.

• Real Mushrooms Cordyceps-M Gummies: A strong single-species option with 750 mg Cordyceps militaris fruiting body extract per serving.
• Cordyceps blends with lion’s mane: Useful for people who want steady workday energy plus focus.

Choose caffeine-free formulas if your goal is sustained energy rather than a stimulant spike.

How to Use Mushroom Gummies for Best Results

Consistency, timing, and realistic expectations matter more than taking a large dose once.

• Start with the manufacturer’s lowest suggested serving, often 1 gummy per day.
• Take focus or cordyceps gummies in the morning.
• Take reishi-based stress and sleep gummies in the evening.
• Take gummies with food if you have a sensitive stomach.
• Track sleep, mood, focus, digestion, and energy for 14–21 days.
• Do not exceed the label’s maximum daily serving.
• Use mushroom gummies as part of a broader wellness journey that includes sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management.

Safety, Side Effects & Who Should Avoid Mushroom Gummies

For most adults, mushroom gummies safe use comes down to dose, product quality, and medical context. These products are dietary supplements, not FDA evaluated to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and the FDA explains how supplement claims are regulated on its dietary supplement health information page.

• Common side effects: bloating, digestive upset, gas, or stool changes.
• Allergy warning: avoid products if you are allergic to certain mushrooms or fungi.
• Medication caution: talk to a clinician if you use blood thinners, diabetes medications, immunosuppressants, SSRIs, or other prescription medications.
• Avoid unless supervised: pregnant people, breastfeeding people, children, people with severe food allergies, and people with complex autoimmune conditions.
• Do not replace prescribed treatments with mushroom gummies.

FAQs About the Best Mushroom Gummies

These quick answers cover common questions about functional mushroom gummies, safety, and effectiveness.

How long do mushroom gummies take to work?

Some people notice energy or calm within a few days, but immune support, brain health, and adaptogenic effects usually build over 10–21 days. Lion’s mane studies often use several weeks of consistent intake.

Can I take mushroom gummies every day?

Yes, many healthy adults take them daily, as long as they follow the label and tolerate the ingredients. Daily use is usually more effective than occasional use.

Are mushroom gummies safe with coffee or other supplements?

Often, yes, but check for added stimulants, Huperzine A, ashwagandha, or other actives. If you take medications, ask a healthcare provider.

Do functional mushroom gummies show up on drug tests?

Wellness-focused functional mushroom gummies should not show up as psilocybin or THC. Avoid experiential products if drug testing is a concern.

Is cane sugar or citric acid a problem?

It can be. Cane sugar and organic cane sugar may affect teeth and blood sugar, while citric acid may bother reflux or enamel-sensitive users. Brush timing, moderation, and lower-sugar formulas help.

Are mushroom gummies vegan, gluten free, or low carb?

Many are vegan and gluten free, especially pectin-based gummies. Low-carb options are less common, so check sugar, tapioca syrup, and serving size.

How long does a bottle last?

Most bottles last 15–30 days depending on serving size. Calculate cost per day, not just bottle price, and subscribe only after you know the formula works for you.

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Mushroom Gummies in 2026

The best mushroom gummies match your goals, whether that means brain health, immune support, gut health, stress relief, or energy. Check mushroom species, extract quality, sugar content, third party testing, and whether the formula uses fruiting body extracts.

Start slowly, track your response for a few weeks, and treat functional mushroom gummies as one part of a larger wellness routine. Done well, they offer a convenient, enjoyable way to tap into the natural goodness of medicinal mushrooms without brewing teas, swallowing capsules, or dealing with raw mushroom flavor every day.

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The post Best Mushroom Gummies in 2026: Top Functional Blends for Brain, Immune & Gut Health appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

Reductions in federal funding for food stamps are rippling through the Ohio legislature.

For decades the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has split administrative costs evenly between states and the federal government.

The Trump/Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes that split to 75% and 25%, with states shouldering more of the burden.

The measure also pushes benefit costs onto states for the first time.

Based on a state’s SNAP error rate, it could be on the hook for 5-15% of its benefits.

In the most recent year on record, only eight states and the U.S. Virgin Islands had error rates low enough to avoid added costs.

Ohio’s error rate was 9%, meaning the state would have to cover a tenth of its SNAP benefits.

Researchers at Georgetown University estimate those changes together will increase Ohio’s SNAP contribution by 268% — pushing the state share north of $530 million.

The added administrative costs take effect this October, while the benefit cost share is set to begin the following year.

The immediate shortfall amounts to about $38 million landing on counties throughout the state.

While Republican lawmakers aren’t prepared to cover the full amount, they offered to put up $12.5 million to soften the blow in Ohio House Bill 730.

But their plans for divvying up the money infuriated Democratic lawmakers who pushed back forcefully during floor debate this week.

What could be fairer than equal?

Ohio House Bill 730 is what’s known as a capital reappropriation bill. Ohio budgets on a two-year cycle, but many of the projects it funds take longer than that to complete.

Because lawmakers would like to see the roads, bridges, and community centers they paid for actually get built, the reappropriation bills which keep dollars flowing are typically noncontroversial.

But the proposed SNAP distributions changed the calculation for House Democrats.

Ohio state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, who leads the Finance Committee, defended the plan, arguing it treats Ohio’s 88 counties equally.

“It starts out giving the same exact amount of money to every single county, but once a county is made whole, they don’t get any more,” Stewart said. “We then take the remaining funds and distribute those to all the remaining counties equally until the money runs out.”

In all, he said, 59 counties won’t lose a penny.

But $12.5 million split 88 ways doesn’t amount to a huge sum of money. The largest amount any county will receive under the GOP plan is about a quarter million dollars.

Cuyahoga County meanwhile stands to lose $7.5 million in federal administrative funding. Franklin County will lose $5.6 million. Hamilton, Lucas and Montgomery Counties stand to lose more than $2 million each.

But to Stewart’s point, the GOP plan treats them all equally. Each one gets $226,486.

Democrats’ amendment

Ohio state Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus, offered an amendment on the House floor that would distribute dollars based on an existing administrative formula. In short, the money would flow based on need.

As a thought experiment, Abdullahi described a cafeteria with hungry people at two different tables. If there are a bunch of hungry people at one table and one hungry person at the other, you wouldn’t just split sandwiches equally between the tables.

“Food doesn’t feed tables or counties,” she said. “It feeds human beings.”

“This isn’t county versus county. It’s not urban versus rural. It’s not Democrat versus Republican,” Abdullahi continued. “It’s about whether we fund public services based on based on real need and real caseloads, or not — simple as that.”

And Abdullahi argued the stakes are bigger than county balance sheets. The $38 million Ohio stands to lose in federal administrative funds pales in comparison to the money it could have to pay in benefits if error rates are too high.

But it could be hard to keep error rates down if agencies running the program don’t have adequate funding.

Shortchanging program administration means less money for the people who “verify eligibility and enforce work requirements and prevent fraud,” Abdullahi said.

“If we cannot fill the entire $38 million hole today, then the least we can do is distribute the limited dollars we have in a rational way,” she said.

“We should not be setting up our largest counties to fail, colleagues. It’s a question not only of fairness, but also of fiscal responsibility.”

Passage

Stewart dismissed the idea, insisting “a handful of metro counties would get the overwhelming bulk of the money, and then the smallest rural counties would fight over the scraps.”

“And let’s be clear, these largest counties, that we’re clutching pearls over, have the money — period,” he claimed.

Stewart contends that while counties are looking to the state to cover lost federal revenue they’re sitting on significant carryover balances.

“What is the money for,” he asked, “if not to pay for things like this?”

But Ohio state Rep. Daniel Troy, D-Willowick, noted some resource-strapped, small counties are getting punished for doing exactly what lawmakers encourage.

One argument in Ohio’s property tax debate is that local governments should share services.

Instead of paying to build out a fire department in every city and township, maybe communities should band together to pay for one department serving all of them.

“Under this bill, we’re penalizing South Central Jobs and Family Services, which serves Hocking, Ross, and Vinton County,” Troy said.

South Central’s combined administrative cost shortfall is only about $386,000, and even though they serve three counties, they’re treated the same as agencies serving one. They got the maximum amount of $226,486.

“If they hadn’t shared services, they would all be restored at 100%,” Troy said. “But because they’re a shared thing, there actually will be a reduction in the funding they get.”

The House voted down Abdullahi’s amendment and approved the bill by a vote of 66 to 29. In all, four Democrats supported the measure. The proposal now heads to the Ohio Senate.

Originally published by the Ohio Capital Journal. Republished here with permission.

The post Ohio House Approves Food Stamp Funding That Will Leave Big Shortfalls in Urban Counties appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

The second half of Derrick’s adult life began on March 27, 2025.

That was the day, at 33 years old, he decided to walk into a room at a church in Willoughby for a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Before that was a decade of numbers: overs and unders, parlays, three credit cards maxed out to the tune of $10,000 each, some $20,000 in gambling debts.

Derrick’s body shook as his car idled in the parking lot of Grace Episcopal Church. This was one of two options — walk into the church or go home and try to handle the problem himself. But the problem had to be solved. After a decade of betting, ten years of the fraternity of The Game, the gravity of the situation was clear. He had a wife and two kids, and he might lose them.

“It was to the point where my wife felt helpless,” Derrick told Scene. “She was like, if you’re not going to go to GA, then you’ve almost given me no choice. I can’t have you in this house.”

“So, it was either go in or I lose anything in my life that is still important to me,” he said.

Ohioans wagered a staggering $10 billion in 2025, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, with about 98% of bets being placed online compared to physical retail locations. Sportsbooks raked in $1 billion in revenue for the year on the backs of losses by those gamblers.

Sports betting is ubiquitious, as DraftKings, FanDuel and other companies pummel Ohioans with endless ads, sponsorships, and promos that promise fun, fraternity, and little risk. And it’s worked: 30% of young adults ages 18 to 24 engage in online gambling with high frequency, The Atlantic relayed in a deeply reported cover story on the industry and how it’s become a dominant and dangerous force in American culture.

A sentiment that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has belatedly come to just a few short years after putting his signature on a bill to legalize sports wagering in the stage, calling that decision the biggest mistake of his tenure.

“It’s a huge problem among young males up to 45. It’s a huge problem. And we have many of them addicted, many of them spending money that they do not have,” DeWine told Cleveland.com in January. He held up his cell phone. “They don’t have to go to a casino. They don’t have to go anyplace—they got it right here.”

As the industry has grown from $5 billion in wagers placed nationwide in 2017 to $160 billion in wagers in 2025, so too have the risks of addiction, financial ruin (only 3% of gamblers turn a profit in the long run), and suicide.

Gamblers Anonymous has been a refuge for those in the throes of addiction since the 1950s. States with legalized sports betting also have other sources of help. Roughly $15 to $20 million a year is spent by Ohio on treatment programs, a hotline, addiction specialists and Know Your Limit public service announcements, all funded from tax revenue collected by the state. Gamblers can even blacklist themselves and opt out from Ohio’s 11 racinos and casinos and the 18 sportsbook apps available.

Those tax-revenue funded programs keep expanding, both because of the growth of collections and need.

“Oh, we’ve definitely seen an increase of guys coming into the room,” Greg, a hotline operator and addict-in-recovery who once had six figures in gambling debt, told Scene. (Two out of every five of the 1,500 calls to the state hotline in January, records show, came from a Cleveland-area number.)

“It’s such a lonely disease,” Greg said. “Nobody knows what you’re going through. How much debt you have. You don’t see the physical aspects of it, like drugs and drinking.”

In 2012, when JACK Casino (then the Horseshoe Casino) first opened up in the Higbee Building on Public Square, 10 percent of Ohioans were prone to develop a gambling addiction, according to the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. By the breakout of legal sportsbook apps in early 2023, that at-risk population doubled to 20 percent.

“It’s all about this culture shift,” Derek Longmeier, PGNO’s executive director, said.

“We have accessibility, then access, then availability—and then acceptability,” he said. “And the acceptability of gambling has shifted over the last few decades where it was such a taboo issue. Now, you can’t go to a game without seeing an ad for a sportsbook.”

And you can’t watch sports without seeing one either.

“I think this culture is very structured towards men — men trying to create these bonds with people,” Pete, an accountant in his twenties who had to work Uber Eats part-time to pay off $50,000 in debt, said. “It’s just an easy conversation to have with the boys. ‘Oh, what did you guys put on that? Are we betting this game or what?’”

It’s frighteningly easy, Pete said.

Sportsbooks weren’t given enough guardrails when they were allowed to advertise—newcomer “free” bets or holiday deals—to those they could harm the most.

“I don’t think they did a good job in regulating it,” he said.

In Derrick’s mind, the act of weaning oneself off sportsbooks was a feat of self-reliance. After he walked into that Gamblers Anonymous meeting in Willoughby last March, he followed a suggested flowchart of options. He banned himself from public books. He stopped consuming sports podcasts. He installed a bet blocker, Gamban, on his phone. “I even called up my old bookie,” he said. “And told him to delete my number and never call me again.”

His wager on himself has paid off, but he felt he had no other choice.

“I had to. Because if I lose my kids, if I lose my wife, then I don’t—I don’t know what my desire is to keep going would be. I really don’t.”

“At this point,” he said, “that’s the only thing that matters to me.”

Anyone struggling with a gambling addiction can reach out to Ohio’s hotline at 1-800-589-9966 or find more resources for help here.

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The announcement was as glowing as expected.

“We, the volunteer community staff of XCSB Alternative Media,” the page reads, “are beyond excited to tell you that WE ARE BACK!”

This week, XCSB, the guerilla rebirth of Cleveland State’s ex-radio station, began streaming a webcasted version of the college student-run programming that abruptly ended last October.

And at one hell of a time to do so. Since January, Friends of XCSB, a coalition of WCSB DJs, has been embroiled in a lawsuit with CSU and school president Laura Bloomberg, alleging that the university had “secret” discussions about shutting down the station leading up to its fall axing. On February 19, CSU filed a motion to dismiss the suit entirely.

But nonetheless, XCSB is having its hurrah moment: despite a missing analog radio signal, stacks of vinyl, and a roomy studio from which to broadcast folk or, say, unfiltered takes on university politics.

“It was, like, something ingrained in my soul, to move forward,” Keith Newman, a former WCSB DJ and director of XCSB’s five-person steering committee, told Scene on Wednesday.

“It’s just natural that once we have our signal ripped away from us,” he explained. “I couldn’t let it go. And neither could a lot of our other people that were involved. So, streaming is a realistic alternative—it’s really the only alternative for us.”

An alternative that, it turns out, still requires a bit of cash. Newman and crew have been running a donation drive since a fundraiser show in January, under the hopes that XCSB can raise $30,000 by May 10 and open up new studio space at Cleveland Rocks in the Waterloo District.

As XCSB puts it, “to rebuild everything” from scratch. “Which,” its site explains, “is gonna take some scratch.”

Although it’s a steep ask, the progress has been heartening thus far. Newman said that “more than half” of their goal has been met. And they have hundreds of donors as of Monday. 

“I think it’s doable,” he said.

The October 3 shutdown, which gave Ideastream a brand new signal from which to broadcast jazz, left hundreds of volunteers and longtime DJs riled up and wondering how exactly to maintain a community radio tradition without its physical host. Some took to live Friday shows at the Happy Dog. Others started dance event sites. And others looked to the county court system.

But XCSB’s webcast is the first true iteration of what used to transmit, practically 24/7, since the 1970s. Listeners can once again follow along with some 50 volunteer DJs, to the Hungarian Hour, to the German Radio Show, to ska rarities, `60s classics, and hot takes on public affairs.

Not live, but sort of live, for now. All content being webcasted is sent to producers, Newman said, pre-recorded.

At least until mid-May, when XSCB plans to set up shop in Waterloo and air its webcast in a live format reminiscent of WCSB. Which, in backers’ minds, is worthwhile despite the draws of Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music.

“We need alternative press voices, now more than ever, without being beholden to big business,” L.S. Quinn, the executive director of Reading Room CLE, told Scene. Quinn is helping XCSB with nonprofit duties before its 501(c)(3) status is made official.

“We need the press so that we have a democracy,” she added. “I mean, to lose a radio outlet and be replaced with a jazz playlist? I don’t have anything against jazz—but we just need diverse voices on the radio.”

As far as the legal playing field, Cleveland State, through their council at Attorney General Dave Yost’s office, argued last week that Friends of XCSB did not have jurisdiction to properly sue them for constitutional rights violations and keeping public records close to the chest.

Friends of XCSB did “not have standing” to sue because the coalition wasn’t around prior to October 3, court documents read. They “have not alleged a concrete injury” tied to WCSB’s shutdown. And CSU denied that its board “met in secret”—and any records tied to that are not, it argued, privy to public eyes.

But for now, XCSB is back. It’s not the same, but it’s back.

And so is its 50th Anniversay Celebration show—sans invite to Cleveland State, of course.

“I just feel it was an incredibly hurtful, shortsighted decision on CSU’s part,” Newman said. “We’re opening up in just under five months, involving students like we always have.”

“Put it this way: CSU attacked our family, and we’re not going to stand by and watch it fall apart,” he added.

Donations to the new station can be made here.

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Los Angelino trio The Record Company played the Globe Iron last night. The blues rockers played a rousing ninety-minute set; frontman Chris Vos took to the mic with his guitar, providing some tasty licks to bassist Alex Stiff’s stylings.  Drummer Marc Cazorla kept the beat throughout the set.

Opener Jontavious Willis started the night with a set of Delta Blues tunes that started off slow but quickly won over the crowd with his skills and slides.

The post Concert Photos: The Record Company Delivers Bluesy Rock at Globe Iron appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

Kaoru Dill-Ishibashi, the indie musician who tours and records as Kishi Bashi, recently revisited his 2016 album, Sonderlust, for a tenth anniversary reissue, and in the process of listening to the tracks again, he says a few of the songs on the album surprised him. 

“Some of them are prog rock and kind of challenging,” he says in a recent Zoom call from his home studio in Santa Cruz, CA. He’ll support the reissue with a tour that brings him to the Beachland Ballroom on April 8. “But it’s kind of exciting to hear them. And to play them live, I have Graham Richards, a great keyboard player, with me. He’s an old college buddy of mine. He’s fantastic. He’s like [the late prog rocker] Keith Emerson with his synthesizer.”

As part of the reissue, Dill-Ishibashi also released the previously unreleased ballad “Harpsi Chords,” a song that, with its chirping strings and falsetto-like vocals, comes off as a trippy lullaby. 

“I’m trying to remember why I didn’t include it,” he says of the song. “It just felt out of place. I thought it was beautiful, but I could never achieve the type of emotion I wanted with it, so I just left off. It had strings on it, so it was close.”

The reissue also includes updated artwork from Ssin Kim, the South Korean artist behind the original cover. 

“Ssin Kim is a studio artist, and the first album cover was one of her pieces from a gallery,” says Dill-Ishibashi. “We licensed it. It’s called End of the Beginning. It fit the theme of the songs. It’s a dystopian vision of humanity’s end.  David J. Woodruff, an art director at the Joyful Noise record label, found it. He’s a great artist too, and I trust him. He found it and said, ‘What about this?’ It was perfect. Ten years later, I love art, and I thought it was appropriate to see if there were other pieces, and so found a different piece by Kim.”

Prior to making the album, Dill-Ishibashi has said he was burned out after making 2013’s 151a and 2014’s Lighght and touring incessantly.

“It might have been when I peaked,” he laughs when asked about his mindframe at that time. “The tours were getting bigger and bigger. All these opportunities were coming in, and it was straining my relationship with my family. In many ways, it’s the artist’s dream. You’re busy, but there are also consequences. That’s when I realized it was not sustainable, and I needed to take care of myself and the people around me.”

Initially, he cut demos for Sonderlust at his home studio. He then went to Los Angeles to work with Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor, who helped him whip it into shape and add sonic textures. 

“Lighght was a wild exploration, but with Sonderlust, I wanted to focus on analog synthesizers and harpsichord and present a baroque pop fusion sound,” says Dill-Ishibashi. “I wanted more of a tone for the album than I have had previously. You can hear the demos on the reissue. They are pretty similar to the ones on the album. But when I went to LA., and Chris Taylor helped me find more musicians. And I worked with my drummer friend, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and recorded the strings out there too. 

John Koenig’s Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows provided the title.

“I wanted something that was poetic but maybe a little intellectual,” says Dill-Ishibashi. “When I was looking for a title, I found his dictionary. He creates these words that are not available to the English language. But the definitions are philosophical ideas. ‘Sonder’ is about the realization that everyone has a unique and deep life. It gives you a sense of humility. It’s the realization that we’re all connected. Connecting to my listeners is a beautiful connection, yet it can have its consequences. It seemed very appropriate at the time. A lot of people don’t really think about how connected we are.”

In the wake of releasing Sonderlust, Dill-Ishibashi put out 2019’s Omoiyari (a Japanese word meaning compassion for others), and its accompanying documentary, A Song Film By Kishi Bashi: Omoiyari, explores themes of minority identity and the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. The film premiered at 2022’s SXSW Film festival; it later earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary. 

As he listened back to Sonderlust, Dill-Ishibashi says he can see how his production has evolved. And he wants his production to continue to evolve too. 

“Once you get older, you have that hindsight,” says Dill-Ishibashi, who just turned 50. “You can think more conceptually. It’s a snapshot of your life. Looking back, I  think I did a good job of having a contained sound. For me, it’s very dark-sounding from an audio perspective. Some people like that, and I tend to make things analog-sounding, which tends to be dark.”

For the live show, however, Dill-Ishibashi says the songs come off as much brighter and more energetic.

“It’s going to be bright as fuck,” he says, adding that he’s working on ideas for new music and finding ways to incorporate a few newly acquired synths (specifically a Jupiter X and a Korg Prologue that he points to during our Zoom call). “The tempos will be faster. It’ll be a real party.”

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A day after Feras Hamdan pleaded guilty to a series of misdemeanors stemming from a road rage incident with Rep. Max Miller last June, the 36-year-old Westlake doctor filed a lawsuit claiming the Ohio Congressman defamed him in media and criminal proceedings over the past eight months.

On Wednesday, his attorneys detailed their case in a civil complaint alleging that Miller’s social media posts and public statements in the aftermath of the incident —including his narrative to Rocky River police and posts later on Twitter/X — harmed Hamdan’s reputation and run contrary to facts.

On the morning of June 19, Hamdan spotted Miller’s black RAM 1500 TRX while both were driving on I-90. Hamdan, whose family hails from Palestine and who lost cousins in the Israel-Hamas War, recognized Miller.

He took out his phone to record, according to evidence and Hamdan’s account of the events.

“This is the congressman, that piece of shit, fucking congressman that’s against Palestine—that’s crazy,” Hamdan says in a video recording of the incident.

“That racist, Jewish—he can’t event look at me,” Hamdan says as Miller turns his head in the driver’s seat. “He knows I’m recording him!” Hamdan pulled up a Palestinian flag on his phone and showed it to Miller.

Miller painted a different story of what happened. In a 911 call, Miller detailed a “full Palestinian guy” who “cut [him] off,” “flipped [him] off” and “said he wanted to kill me and my daughter, verbatim.”

Hamdan “rolled down his window and said that I’m going to cut your throat and your daughter’s,” Miller says in the 911 call. “He said, ‘You’re a dirty Jew, I’m going to fucking kill you all, and I know who you are and where you live.”

The next day, Hamdan was arrested by Rocky River police and held on a $500,000 bond. On July 8, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office charged him with a handful of felonies and misdemeanors—including disorderly conduct, menacing, ethnic intimidation and disregard of safety on highways.

Evidence collected from Hamdan’s Tesla and ODOT cameras poked holes in some of the allegations. County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley eventually agreed to a deal that saw Hamdan plead guilty to three misdemeanors, including reckless driving and disorderly conduct. He’s to serve a year of probation and 100 hours of community service. He gets to keep his medical license.

Pete Pattakos, one of Hamdan’s lawyers, alleges procedural errors and lasting defamation based on what Miller claimed versus the evidence from the criminal proceedings.

Data from Tesla proved that Hamdan’s driver’s side window was up during the duration of the highway interaction with Miller, Pattakos said, meaning any words shouted at highway speeds between the two cars would have been “scrambled and unintelligible.” And ODOT footage and Hamdam’s steering wheel movements were “inconsistent with any effort to swerve or run Miller off the road.”

After the suit was filed, O’Malley hinted Hamdan was lucky to be allowed to still practice medicine. And his defamation suit, he said, “may backfire and cost Dr. Hamdan the gift he was just given.” A prosecutor’s office spokesperson also said the Tesla data, in their view, didn’t prove Hamdan didn’t attempt to run Miller off the road and that video with Hamdan’s own words proved “Dr. Hamdan intentionally threatened and caused fear to Congressman Miller.”

Hamdan’s attorney disagreed and said the issues are far more grave.

“It’s all very chilling. It’s unconstitutional,” Pattakos told Scene. “It’s a violation of my client’s First Amendment rights.”

“This just shows the increasing power that prosecutors have to destroy peoples lives,” he added. “They have prosecutorial immunity.”

Larry Zukerman, Miller’s lawyer, told Scene: “This sequence of events demonstrates a clear refusal to accept responsibility for his actions and underscores the persistence of his animus toward Jewish individuals. The filing constitutes a transparent and desperate effort to deflect accountability after Hamdan’s prejudicial conduct and antisemitic, jewish hatred were fully exposed,” Zukerman told Scene, citing text messages Hamdan sent, but later deleted, including: ‘Got into road rage this am haha. Intentional.’”

Zukerman added: “Congressman Miller will defend vigorously against this meritless claim and will pursue appropriate counterclaims to address the continued harassment and defamatory allegations advanced by Hamdan.”

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The post Westlake Man Sues Max Miller for Defamation After Pleading to Charges in Road Rage Incident appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

Across Cleveland’s neighborhoods, urban gardening is quietly flourishing.

In Ohio City, herbs spill from windowsills; in Tremont, tomatoes climb trellises on apartment balconies; and in Midtown, raised beds line sunny patios. From Collinwood to Clark-Fulton, residents are turning small spaces into productive green pockets — growing food, flowers and a deeper connection to the community around them. 

Rooted in Resilience

In the heart of Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood, Vernice Davis-Smith has cultivated more than fruits and vegetables — she’s grown a vibrant, intergenerational sanctuary.

At 68, Davis-Smith is a retired educator whose passion for growing things has blossomed into a lifestyle. With a deep love for the land and a dream of urban homesteading that she shared with her husband, the couple moved into her childhood home and acquired the lot next door to transform it into a thriving garden oasis.

She fortified the space with fencing, wire and concrete, learning through experience that farming is as much about persistence as it is about planting. Today, her homestead includes fruit trees, a greenhouse and a sensory garden filled with lavender, mint, sage and rose hips. 

Her garden is more than a source of food — it’s a hub of community exchange. She shares tomatoes with neighbors, has traded eggs for honey with a beekeeper friend and occasionally hosts activities that bring people into her blooming space. “You eat better, share more and feel a beautiful sense of independence,” she says.

Her advice to aspiring gardeners? “Mix your plants — flowers, herbs, vegetables. It’s prettier, and it helps with cross-pollination and pest control.” She swears by cayenne pepper and garlic sprays to deter groundhogs and encourages trial and error. 

Tip: Start Small

Don’t try to grow everything at once. Begin with a few plants and build from there.

A Late Bloomer’s Garden 

In Old Brooklyn, just across the street from the original Honey Hut, a garden quietly stuns passersby. Color, texture and life spill from every inch of a city lot transformed by one woman’s passion.

Patricia Kasik is a self-described late bloomer. At 55, she bought her first home — not for the house, but for the yard. Now 74, she’s spent the last two decades turning a standard Cleveland lot into a floral sanctuary that defies expectations. 

Her garden is a tapestry of perennials and specialty blooms, anchored by three raised beds filled with dahlias, gladiolus and zinnias. There’s a pergola and arbor leading to a “secret garden” shaded by mature trees and shrubs, a sanctuary she enjoys all summer. An old-fashioned water pump from her parents marks the heart of the garden, surrounded by a circle of plantings that have evolved over the years.

From tree lilies and turtlehead plants to Russian sage and honeysuckle, her garden is a masterclass in color, texture and seasonal rhythm. “You learn by doing,” she says. “And you really can’t make mistakes.”

Tip: Know Your Light 

Before planting, observe how sunlight moves across your yard. “Full sun means over six hours of sunlight,” she explains. “Get to know your shady spots and match plants accordingly.”

Small Space, Big Impact

On a quiet street in North Collinwood that ends at the edge of Lake Erie, Molly Maloney has transformed a tiny front yard into a pollinator-friendly paradise. 

“I’m a reluctant gardener,” Maloney admits. “I could barely keep houseplants alive before this.” But when she moved into their home in 2020, she inherited a yard with “good bones” — brick pathways and a few hardy survivors among a tangle of invasive plants. What followed was a slow, intentional transformation rooted in native plants, low-maintenance design and the local ecosystem.

Her lot, like many in the neighborhood, is postage-stamp small — just 20 by 20 feet. She’s layered perennials and native species like echinacea, milkweed, cardinal flower and wild geranium to create a dynamic landscape that changes with the seasons. “I aim for height, texture and color at different times of the year,” she says. “And I want it to be good for pollinators and birds.”

The result is an ever-evolving patchwork of silvery lamb’s ear, spiky echinacea and brilliant blooms like bright red cardinal flower and violently pink phlox. “I love putting purples next to oranges and yellows — colors that are opposite on the color wheel. It makes everything pop.”

Her approach is practical. She lets plants go brown in winter to benefit birds, and favors species that spread enough to reduce the need for mulch. 

 Tip: Start with Natives

Choose native perennials that support local pollinators and require less maintenance once established.

Dig Local 

For more than four decades, Dale Heyink has been the heart and calloused hands behind Puritas Nursery & Garden Center in West Park. He encourages gardeners to mix perennials and annuals for a balanced, colorful display. 

“Perennials don’t take up a lot of room, and they come back every year,” he explains. “Shrubs that bloom in spring are great, too. Just don’t crowd them — let them grow together naturally.”

Annuals, he says, are essential for keeping gardens lively throughout the season. “You’ve got to have some annuals in there to keep it pretty.”

He’s a big advocate for small-space gardening, especially for apartment or condo dwellers or those with patios. “You can grow herbs, small tomatoes — even in hanging baskets,” he says. “There’s a lot you can do in a small space.”

Tip: Attract Pollinators

Choose native perennials that support butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. Heyink’s team labels many Ohio-native plants to make it easy.

The post Yes, You Can Garden in the City appeared first on Cleveland Scene.