Were You at Rocky River Reservation on June 4 Between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.?
Update: Months after the double homicide of Carnell Sledge and Kate Brown at the Rocky River Reservation in June, the FBI and Crime Stoppers are now offering a potential reward of $30,000 to anyone offering valuable information in the case. This is a jump from the original reward of $20,000. The murders remain unsolved. *** (Original story…
One Clevelander Spreads Kindness Across the Country, With the Help of a Bus, a Dog and a Bunch of Signs
The Kindness Tour Bus is hard to miss. Wishes for peace, happiness and kindness cover nearly every inch of its blue exterior, interspersed with hearts, flowers and birds. Bob Votruba, a 64-year-old former cabinet maker and Cleveland native, is the man behind the wheel and the One Million Acts of Kindness crusade. But often, he…
Drumplay to Play a NEOCH Benefit Concert at the Bop Stop Debut on July 7
The local jazz group Drumplay has played around town for the past 25 years. But it hasn’t played the Bop Stop since the Music Settlement took the venue over and turned it into the vibrant jazz club that it is today. That will change when the group makes its debut at the club at 7…
You Can Soon Zipline Over Downtown Cleveland as Part of All-Star Week Festivities
As part of the 2019 All-Star game festivities, fans can fly over the city like a Carlos Santana homer. Yes, a zipline is set to be installed in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Play Ball Park that long weekend. Located in the Mall B section of Play Ball Park, the zipline is open from July 5…
Harold Chakirelis, Longtime Cleveland Hells Angel Member and Suspect in Infamous Sigley Bombing, Has Died
Harold Chakirelis, a longtime member of the Cleveland Hells Angels, died on June 11. Services were held this past weekend. Chakirelis, most notably, was one two suspects in the infamous 1975 Sigley bombing, which was just one of the many bloody incidents propagated by the Angels and other motorcycle gangs in Cleveland during that deadly…
Lazy Cleveland Drinkers Can Now Get Booze Sent to Their Home With Same-Day Delivery From Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club (a subsidiary of Walmart) is now offering same-day delivery of alcohol to people 21 and over who need to drink at their house, but don’t want to leave the house. The membership-only warehouse club is offering the service in select cities nationwide, including in Cleveland, through Instacart — which means folks don’t have…
Country Rockers Blackberry Smoke to Play MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage in September
Blackberry Smoke put out its debut in 2003 and since that debut, the band has independently released six full-length records and has toured relentlessly, building a strong and loyal community of fans. Committed to charity, Blackberry Smoke has also raised over $250,000 benefiting children’s cancer research. Now, the band has just announced the dates of…
Dax Shepard Welcomed Special Guest Monica Potter for Sunday Night’s Live Taping of Armchair Expert in Cleveland
Dax Shepard and Monica Padman have taken their hit podcast, Armchair Expert, on the road, and this past Sunday night’s stop at KeyBank State Theater welcomed a special guest with Cleveland ties. After show opener Bob Mervak, who wrote the Armchair Expert theme song and went to high school with Kristen Bell (Frozen, The Good…
Nature’s Oasis to Open Second Location in Van Aken District on Friday, June 28
In the two and a half years since it launched in Lakewood (15613 Detroit Ave., 216-505-5333), Nature’s Oasis has made a name for itself in the natural foods community. The neighborhood grocery, founded by Elliott Endsley, dedicates its limited shelf space to local products that follow the store’s ethos. “When I started Nature’s Oasis, I…
The Gazebo Where Tamir Rice Was Killed By Police Finds New Home in Chicago
On Sunday, two days before what would have been Tamir Rice’s 17th birthday, a public memorial and dedication was held under the exact gazebo where the 12-year-old was shot and killed by Cleveland policeman Timothy Loehmann — albeit 350 miles away from its original Cleveland location. Saved from tear-down, the structure has been temporarily moved to…
Ohio Boyfriends Learn About Safe Parenting
COLUMBUS, Ohio – It takes a strong man to be a gentle man – that’s the message an Ohio community is spreading in hopes of protecting little ones from harm. After three local children died in separate incidents of abuse at the hands of a mother’s boyfriend, Lucas County Children Services took action to confront…
Cleveland Dog Left ‘Starved and Dumped’ on East Side Headed to Foster Home After Speedy Recovery
Two weeks ago Kaylee, a 3-year-old pup, was found emaciated on the east side of Cleveland. Now, animal rescuers are working to find her a permanent home after placing her in foster care on Wednesday. According to Anna Merriman, founder of Mutts in a Rut Rescue, Kaylee was rescued by Cleveland police who spotted the poor…
Gordon Lightfoot to Bring His 80 Years Strong Tour to MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage in September
Known for songs such as “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “(That’s What You Get) For Lovin Me,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Ribbon Of Darkness,” “Beautiful,” “Song For A Winter’s Night” and “Rainy Day People” singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has just announced the dates for…
Lawnmowers, Draft Picks and Radio Deals — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Dre don’t lie, or so he says. On the latest edition of A to Z, Andre and Zac discuss the Cavs’ haul in the NBA Draft, the circus coming to Browns training camp and what the Indians might be doing over the next five weeks. (Note: Recorded late last week but still enjoyable this week.)…
Scene Contributor Hannah Lebovits Wins Community Solutions Reporting Grant
Scene contributor Hannah Lebovits has been awarded a $3,000 reporting grant by the Center for Community Solutions to cover environmental justice issues in Northeast Ohio. Lebovits’ proposal was one of four selected by a distinguished panel of adjudicators. The grant was conceived and designed to provide resources to a diminished local press corps for in-depth…
Lobbying Contract for Bill Mason’s Buddy’s Law Firm Falls Through After Concerns About Optics
Scene reported last week, based on confirmation from two independent sources, that Cuyahoga County planned to contract with the law firm of McDonald Hopkins for state lobbying work. The contract was rumored to be in the neighborhood of $210,000 per year. The purported contract was significant because McDonald Hopkins’ public law division includes among its…
Tom Meyer, The Investigator, is Retiring from WKYC
WKYC General Manager Micki Byrnes announced via staff memo Friday that Tom Meyer, the Investigator himself, is retiring after 46 years in local TV news, forty of which have been in Cleveland. His last day with the station will be Sunday, June 30. Meyer won’t be doffing his reporter’s fedora completely, though. Per Byrnes’ memo,…
Local Immigrant Support Groups Rally for Refugees, Demand Action from Elected Leaders
A local family from the African nation of Mauritania was scheduled to speak Thursday afternoon at a rally in downtown Cleveland in honor of World Refugee Day. The plan was that they’d share their story of fleeing violence and persecution in their home country and of how they came to settle in Northeast Ohio. But…
RTA Offers Free Rides This Saturday to Coincide with Cuyahoga50
In celebration of the progress made in cleaning up Northeast Ohio’s waterways, RTA riders can hop on any route tomorrow without being charged. With free rides, folks can easily check out any of the events planned for the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River fire. The Cuyahoga50 events mark the 50th anniversary of when the Cuyahoga…
In Advance of His July 6 Show at the State Theatre, Weird Al Talks About Touring with a String Section
Weird Al Yankovic has said that he never imagined that his career would take off the way it has. In the beginning, he started performing on Thursday nights at his college coffeehouse. Students would go and sit and have a coffee and watch local artists and students perform. Nine times out of ten, some guy…
‘The Bachelor’ Casting Team is Hoping to Find Hotties in Cleveland This Summer
If getting locked in a mansion with a bunch of strangers for months on end with no connection to the outside world while cameras follow your every move sounds like a great time, then The Bachelor or The Bachelorette could be for you. Turns out the steamy ABC dating show, where contestants supposedly find true…
Chef Jonathon Sawyer Reveals Plans for Upcoming Projects in Cleveland and Columbus
Jonathon Sawyer has been pretty tight-lipped about his forthcoming projects, but the James Beard Award-winning chef is ready to go on the record about a pair of distinct concepts that will be rolling out in late summer/early fall in two separate cities. Sawyer’s presently is taking shape at the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights…
Adults-Only Ball Pit Party Comes to Cleveland This Fall
More than 500,000 light-up plastic balls are coming to Cleveland this fall, whether you’re ready or not. For all of those who miss the ball-filled holes of old at Chuck E. Cheese’s and the like, a traveling adult’s-only ball pit of goodness is hitting an undisclosed Cleveland location Oct. 5-6. The event is just another in…
What You Need to Know About This Weekend’s Burning River Fest
The Burning River Fest pokes fun at one of Cleveland’s not-so-proud moments while conveying the importance of preserving Northeast Ohio’s freshwater sources. Created by the aptly named Burning River Foundation, the fest takes place this weekend at the historic Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island. The indie rock act Arlie headlines Friday night and Cleveland’s…
WKSU to Air Five-Part Series About the Current State of Northeast Ohio’s Water
This month marks the anniversary of the famous Time magazine story/photo about the Cuyahoga River catching fire, and to mark that anniversary, WKSU 89.7 FM will air Watershed, a five-part news series about the current state of the Cuyahoga, Ashtabula and Black rivers. According to a press release, “WKSU News will examine the current condition…
Akron’s Nightlight Cinema to Celebrate Its Fifth Anniversary with a Gala Event
In the midst of celebrating its fifth anniversary, the Nightlight Cinema, an independent theater in Akron, has set a fundraising goal of $15,000 this summer. As a 501(c)3 non-profit cinema, the place’s ticket sales alone don’t cover the cost of bringing in the “essential films” that it shows. Tomorrow, for example, the theater will open…
Blame the Rain for Edgewater Live Getting Canceled Again
If it feels like you’ve heard this all before, it’s because you have. Just three weeks after the popular Edgewater Live concert series at Edgewater Park Beach was supposed to debut, the event is once again canceled today due to potential rain and/or storms. While the kick off event from two week’s ago went off…
Summer Meals Fueling Hungry Ohio Kids
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Summer officially starts Friday, but summer meal sites in Ohio already are busy fueling hungry children. Through the Summer Food Service Program, nearly 1,400 schools, churches, community centers and other host sites are providing free meals and snacks to children who live in low-income neighborhoods. Heidi Keween is human services manager of…
Report Puts Ohio Middle of the Pack for Well-Being of Children
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new report calls for continued work to ensure Ohio children from all walks of life have the opportunity to thrive. The state ranks 27th nationally in The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book with progress over the past several years in more than half of the report’s indicators…
Birds of a Feather Faceplant into Rock Together at Phish’s Blossom Performance Last Night
I guess one thing to know about me is that I don’t particularly care for “Birds of a Feather,” the 1998 single off Story of the Ghost that starts with a spasm of chords and dovetails into a slinky sing-along. Frankly, I thought the song itself nearly bankrupted the last Phish show I saw, back…
Annual Laughter CAN Cure Fundraiser to Take Place on August 21
Some of Cleveland’s best-known comedians will be on hand for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) annual Laughter CAN Cure fundraiser that takes place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Forest City Brewery. Michael Ivy [pictured] will serve as the host for the event that supports ACS CAN’s mission to…
Cuyahoga County Intends to Contract With New State Lobbying Firm, Which Includes Dean DePiero, Longtime Ally of Bill Mason
Cuyahoga County intends to contract with the law firm of McDonald Hopkins for statewide lobbying, two sources with knowledge of the plans tell Scene. Reached for comment, county spokesperson Mary Louise Madigan would only say, “A contract has not been signed.” Coincidentally, or not, the public law/lobbying division of the firm includes Dean DePiero, the…
If You Hear Gunshots in Downtown Cleveland Tonight It Will (Probably) Just Be a Live Police Exercise at Progressive Field
In preparation for MLB All Star Week’s arrival in the city, Cleveland police and fire will be conducting a live exercise tonight from about 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Progressive Field. It will include live ammunition and live rounds in a controlled environment. So, should you hear gunshots around downtown Cleveland, that will most likely…
City Mission to Host Stand In for Homeless Children on Public Square June 29
On June 29, the nonprofit City Mission plans to occupy Public Square for a “Stand In for homeless children” to raise awareness on the issue of child homelessness in Cleveland. The organization hopes to turn out 3,000 participants, reflecting the number of homeless children currently circulating in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “As we thought about…
Maureen Choi and Her Spanish Jazz Quartet at the Bop Stop and the Rest of the Classical Music to Catch This Week
Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute, where many performers of pre-1800 music get their hands on the repertoire for the first time, is in session these two weeks at the Oberlin Conservatory. Part of the learning process is hearing performances by the BPI faculty. First up is Cleveland-based baritone Thomas Meglioiranza, who will join Oberlin fortepiano professor…
Dan Gilbert Discharged From Hospital Three Weeks After Suffering Stroke
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been discharged from the Michigan hospital where he was treated for and recovering from a stroke he suffered in late May, Deadline Detroit reported today with confirmation from the hospital. A spokesperson declined to elaborate to the outlet on what day exactly he was discharged or where he was discharged…
Tammy’s Tree Still Stands in Tremont, But Will be Coming Down Soon
Tammy Layton planted the Bradford pear tree on her Clark Avenue treelawn 19 years ago to honor her deceased parents. Last month, construction crews with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) were cutting down trees on the south side of Clark between W. 25th and Quigley to make way for a new water main as…
Warehouse District Kicks Off Free Lunchtime Concert Series Today
Today marks the start of Warehouse Wednesdays going down at the Worthington Yards Courtyard of the Warehouse District. The free (mostly outdoor) music and arts series features 9 local musicians playing their best stuff, acoustically, during lunchtime from 11:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Each week, guests also can check out the nearby Yards Project art…
Trio in Tremont Has Closed
After one year in business, the owners of Trio (2661 W. 14th St.) in Tremont have decided to pull the plug. Sunday was the restaurant’s last day of service. Chef Anthony Scolaro, who also operates the successful One Eleven Bistro (2736 Medina Rd., 330-952-1122) in Medina, had hoped that the food-savvy neighborhood around him would…
Annual State of Fair Housing Report Notes Modest Improvements in Cleveland, Continuation of Long-Standing Discriminatory Practices
The good news is that cities across Cuyahoga County and the greater Northeast Ohio region are showing some promise in areas related to fair housing protections. But with state and federal protections disintegrating, continued discrimination in mortgage lending, and local ordinances that can make it difficult or impossible for some to maintain a safe housing…
Cinematheque to Screen Kurosawa Classic that Inspired Star Wars
Next Saturday, June 29, the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque will screen the 1958 Akira Kurosawa classic The Hidden Fortress, one of the major influences on George Lucas in the making of Star Wars. Set during the Japanese clan wars of the 16th century, the movie follows a fugitive princess (Misa Uehara) as she escapes through…
Classic Pixar Franchise Delivers Yet Again in Fourth Installment
Launched way back in 1995, Toy Story has become one of Pixar’s most successful franchises. Now, some 20 years later, the studio returns to the well with Toy Story 4, another marvelously animated flick with a heartwarming storyline about loyalty and friendship. It opens areawide on Friday. The film picks up where Toy Story 3 left off. Andy…
‘Heaven on Earth’ Vocals and More on Display in ‘Pavarotti’ Documentary
The golden pipes and rotund frame of Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) are on rich and repeated display in the new biographical documentary Pavarotti. It opens Friday at the Cedar Lee. Director Ron Howard wanted to make a move about more than a singer. He wanted to make a movie about a man: “the voice,…
Savage Love: Why Not Me?
I found your column after a Google search. I saw your email address at the bottom and was hoping for some insight. My issue is this: Two years into our 23-year marriage, my wife declared that she didn’t want to kiss me or perform oral on me. Several years ago, she had an affair and…
At the Franklin Hotel Bar in Kent, a Destination for Adults in a College Town
I first met Mike Beder a dozen years ago, while reviewing the Italian restaurant that he owned in the Twin Lakes community of Kent. Mangiamo, as the place was called, burned to the ground just two years later, but Beder was just getting started. Over the ensuing years, Kent has evolved from a beer-soaked college…
Band of the Week: Fabian Almazan Trio
MEET THE BAND:Fabian Almazan (keyboards), Linda May Han (bass), Henry Cole (drums) THE PIANO MAN: Born in Cuba, Almazan says he looked to his older sister for initial musical inspiration. Because she was taking piano lessons, he wanted to follow in her footsteps. “My sister was the biggest thing in the world to me, so I wanted to…
93.1 FM’s Former Owner Lee Zapis Tells the Story of How WZAK Went to No. 1
Lee Zapis developed a love of music at an early age. His father, Xen Zapis, had a huge record collection in his basement in Rocky River, where Lee and his sister, Maria, grew up, and the siblings would often sift through it. “I remember all those 78s and 45s we had back then,” says Zapis…
Get Out: Everything You Should Be Doing in Cleveland This Week (June 19-25)
WED 06/19 Dear Evan Hansen The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen makes its way to Cleveland this month amidst lots of hype. The story centers on a high-schooler who wants to fit in at any cost and features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award…
The Musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is a Story For Our Times
When critically contemplating Dear Evan Hansen — that youth-oriented, social media-infused, Tony and Grammy award-winning Broadway musical, the national touring company of which just dropped anchor at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace — a favorite childhood poem about blind men trying to describe an elephant came quickly to mind. “The Elephant is very like a rope,”…
