Lakewood’s Parking Revolution: Pay by Credit Card
In an effort to increase convenience for cashless, on-the-go motorists, Lakewood has proposed a new parking payment structure with hourly rates purchase-able buy credit card at kiosks, Sun News reports. Right now, you only get 15 minutes free in the lots behind Geiger’s and First Federal on Detroit. Under the proposed plan, the first 30…
The Average Ohioan Slammed 321 Beers Last Year
Ohio likes beer. That’s, like, one of the divine truths we all come to know during our brief respites on this mortal coil. Putting the matter into perspective, Ohioans pounded an average of 321 beers last year. And that certainly sounds mighty Ohio-y, but that actually puts the Buckeye State at just about the median…
Ariel Castro Declared Mentally Competent to Stand Trial
UPDATE: Ariel Castro has been declared competent to stand trial. He is mentally capable of understanding the charges brought against him, a judge declared this morning. The 52-year-old asked the judge this morning to readdress the issue of seeing Amanda Berry’s 6-year-old daughter. The judge rejected Castro’s request, calling it “inappropriate.” The State of Ohio’s…
Joe Cimperman is on a Night Club-Closing Spree
Cleveland City Councilman Joe “Development, Development!” Cimperman is really into closing down dubious night clubs these days. He was tangentially successful with Lounge 75, which was the site of a murderous shooting last month. Cimperman publicly vowed to strip the joint of its liquor license, but landlord Dan Dzina stepped in and just shut the…
SLIDESHOW: Kid Rock Captivated a Capacity Crowd at Blossom Last Night
Dubbed the “$20 Best Night Ever Tour” on account of the low ticket price (lawn seats were only $20) and cheap drinks (small beers were $4), Kid Rock’s concert last night at Blossom certainly lived up to the billing. While Rock benefited from the nu-metal movement (if you can call it that) of the 2000s,…
4 Things Going on This Morning
Good morning, Cleveland. For many of you, today is the last day of your short work week. Here are 4 things going on this morning: 1.An Akron man lost his arm last night in a blast from a fireworks malfunction. The 65-year-old Wayne Jones was carrying the equivalent of a quarter stick of dynamite to…
UPDATE: The Victim of Today’s Brutal Car Jacking is 56-Year-Old Anthony Burnside
UPDATE: The name of the 56-year-old car jacking victim is Anthony Burnside. Actions 19 News reported that Burnside went to Kerruish park around 2 p.m. today to meet two males. The reason for their meeting is unclear. As the victim exited his vehicle to talk to the men, one of the males pulled out a…
Your 2013 Independence Day Fireworks Guide
Independence Day 2013 is almost here! As you busy bodies finish up your short work week and coast into the weekend, we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive Northeast Ohio fireworks guide. Wherever your July 4th plans take you, rest assured you’ll be able to find a killer fireworks display nearby. Akron- Lock 3- 9:45…
VIDEO: 3 Things that Could Go Terribly, Terribly Wrong with Homemade Fireworks
NewsNet 5 produced a rather graphic video last week that illustrates what can happen when fireworks malfunction. They used mannequins to demonstrate the severity of bodily injury, but we still found the clip rather disturbing. The report said that in 2012 alone, more than 5,000 people nationwide were sent to the hospital with firework-related injuries…
Fine Dining to Return to Superior Viaduct
The Viaduct Lounge closed last summer after less than one year in action. Serial restaurant operators Randy Kelly, Linda Syrek and Alan Glazen had taken over the old Ponte Vecchio space in hopes of turning it into a more casual lounge, one that would attract folks daily or weekly rather than monthly or annually like…
Man Arrested for Having Drugs in his Car After Calling 911 for Help Unlocking his Vehicle
A Richmond Heights man called 911 yesterday after he locked his keys in his vehicle without considering what would happen if police discovered the drugs he was storing inside. The man’s car was parked at the Nestle USA lot on Harper Road, when police arrived to aid the man in unlocking his car. Once the…
Kenny Crumpton is Back on the Air and Has Released This Message
Fox 8’s Kenny Crumpton has returned to the air after being arrested last week for driving under the influence of alcohol. He released this message this morning to his viewers.
Martha Stewart is Coming to Cleveland for the 2013 Fabulous Food Show
Celebrity chef Martha Stewart is coming to Cleveland for the 2013 Fabulous Food Show in November, International Exposition Center officials announced today. Negotiations are also in progress to bring two other celebrity chefs, as well as four high-profile presenters to Cleveland for the Nov. 8-10 event. “It’s shaping up to be the most dynamic lineup…
The Price is Right Live Has Added Another Show
Update: PlayhouseSquare has announced that famous TV personality Jerry Springer will host both The Price is Right Live shows in Cleveland later this month. While the 7:30 p.m. performance on Oct. 16 has long been sold out, there are still a few tickets to the 4:30 p.m. show, some as inexpensive as $30. *** Come…
The ‘Brohio Movement’ is Happening, Thanks to Nick Swisher
With starry eyes and a hope for real revolution in his time, Nick Swisher is helping to ignite what the Tribe’s dutiful PR department is terming the BROHIO MOVEMENT. “Calling all bros!” is how the press release begins, to paint a picture of what sort of shenanigans you can expect. But it’s all in good…
BREAKING: Lake Erie Beaches Remain Unhealthy
The Natural Resources Defense Council is blowing minds with its latest annual report. Giving Ohio a bottom-of-the-barrel water quality ranking, the report rips apart the state’s 61 Lake Erie beaches. In essence, there’s enough E. coli bacteria concentrated throughout the shoreline that serious illness and death are legitimate concerns. Really, the lake is no stranger…
BURGLAR: “I Thought You Could Only Be Arrested for Burglary at Night”
A Willoughby man who believed he could only be charged with burglary if he committed the crime at night has pleaded guilty. On June 26, James Blankenship, 22, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of breaking and entering into his mother’s home against her will. According to police, Blankenship’s mother found her son attempting to…
Celebrating Freedom at Lakewood Park: July 4th Edition
Lakewood Park’s *July 4th Rules* gained some traction on the Internet heading into this week. The photo was originally posted over at lakewoodcitizen.com. And the viral discussion is well deserved: The roster of regulations flies in the face of this fine nation’s independence. Highlights include the police searches of bags and coolers. Video surveillance throughout…
For Sale: Blind Pig
If you’ve got an extra $350,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you can buy the Blind Pig in the Warehouse District. The owners have put the long-running club on the market. “It’s been 18 years,” says owner Dave Rudiger. “It’s just time to go. We have a lot of other stuff on our plates…
Carlos Santana is the Only Cleveland Indian Getting All-Star Votes
Here’s how the MLB American League All-Star voting is shaking out, as of today. Carlos Santana, aka Prince Charming, is the only offensive player breaching the top five at his position. Looks like Kipnis’ June hot streak and Reynolds’ early power weren’t enough to garner enough national attention. Former Indian Jhonny “Chubs” Peralta, having a…
Here’s the Trailer for the “Sax Man” Documentary
Hope you’re as excited as we are for the documentary on Maurice Reedus Jr., The Sax Man. Trailer below.
27 of the Most Ridiculous Photo Booth Pics from Saturday’s Gay Pride Parade
You sure know how to get crazy in a photo booth, Cleveland (we are really quite impressed). Here are the 27 most ridiculous and hilarious pics from Saturday’s Pride Parade.
Report: Lots of Fracking Waste Coming in from Other States
The environmental news to kick off this week centers around Ohio’s stratospheric increase in fracking waste. Most of that brine is coming in by way of the drilling booms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In the words of the Buckeye Forest Council’s fracking coordinator, “I think we’ve been the sacrifice zone for the oil and…
There Was Just an Earthquake in Lake County
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake shook Lake County at approximately 3:48 a.m today. The quake was centered in Lake Erie between Mentor and Painsville, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reports. No injuries have been reported.
The Akron Hotel Made from Old Oatmeal Silos is Closing
Akron’s Quaker Square Inn has met its soggy end. The hotel made from 36 old Quaker Oats grain silos is closing. While employing the space for public lodging is out, using it for student housing is, er, inn. The University of Akron bought the complex in 2007 and has been housing students in some of…
Fake Drug Checkpoint Garners Criticism, Approval in Mayfield Heights
Last week, drivers working their way along I-271 may have seen a yellow sign on the side of road bearing foreboding words: DRUG CHECKPOINT AHEAD. In a handful of cases, paranoia kicked in and the eye drops came out of the glovebox. There was actually *no* checkpoint ahead. But there were officers waiting to see…
6 Northeast Ohio Bed and Breakfasts That You Absolutely Can’t Miss Out On
Thinking about a staycation this year? Here are 6 nearby Bed and Breakfasts that you definitely don’t want to miss.
A Kenyon College Student Who Was Interning In Egypt Was Just Killed
A Kenyon College student was among eight people who were killed in a political demonstration in Alexandria, Egypt on Friday, the U.S. State Department said. Andrew D. Pochter, 21, who was originally from Chevy Chase, MD, was photographing the clashes between supporters and opponents of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi when he was stabbed by a…
Plug Pulled on Public Square Club After Two People Were Shot on Site
Photo not from last weekend’s shooting. In the wee hours last Saturday, two people were shot in a parking lot that services Lounge 75, a nightclub located near Public Square. One was 23-year-old Demario Warren, who was killed, and the other a 21-year-old woman who was struck in the ankle. Some reports claimed that the…
Here’s What You Missed at Last Night’s Rascal Flatts Concert
The Band Perry and Rascal Flatts make for terrific tour mates. The two country acts are so pop-oriented, they crossover to mainstream audiences even more than, say, an act like Kenny Chesney or Tim McGraw. Last night before a capacity crowd at Blossom, both acts put on entertaining shows that had all the trappings of…
18 College Students Were Arrested Last Night
Photo not from last night’s incident. Brimfield Police arrested 18 college students late last night after neighbors called to report a raging party. According to the police, party-goers began sprinting away from the house when the police cruisers arrived. 18 of the runners were caught. It is not clear where the students attend school. Kent…
Here’s How to Get On Contestant’s Row and Win Big on The Price is Right
By now, you’ve most likely heard the big news- The Price is Right Live is coming to Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare Theater in October. You’ve also most likely purchased your tickets, which went on sale yesterday. With excitement bubbling and tickets on pre-order, the next logical question is, of course, How the heck do I come home…
Here Are the DUI Checkpoints Happening This Weekend
Zip. Zilch. Zero. Law enforcement officials appear to be laying relatively low the weekend before the July 4 holiday, when they will surely strike down with a terrible, terrible vengeance. For Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29, police haven’t announced any saturation points. So drive safe, folks. And remember, you can always call Cabby…
This Cuyahoga Falls Odometer Scam Looks Like Something Straight Out of Matilda
A Cuyahoga Falls man was indicted on multiple felony charges on Thursday for defrauding car buyers by selling high-milage vehicles on Craigslist after he had rolled back their odometers. Sounds a lot like the Danny DeVito character from the 1996 film Matilda, no? 35-year-old Shannon G. Payne was indicted on six counts of tampering with…
The Most Adorable Family Photo of Anthony Bennett Has Just Surfaced
The most adorable family photo of Anthony Bennett has just surfaced. Not a whole lot about Bennett’s personal life is known. The 20-year-old basketball player was thrown into the limelight last night after he became the Cleveland Cavaliers’ number 1 draft pick. ESPN has produced one of the most complete bios of him we’ve read…
Fans First Coalition president praises Kid Rock’s anti-scalping measures
Whether or not you like rap rocker Kid Rock’s music, you’ve gotta admire the approach he’s taken on his current tour. Tickets only cost $20 and he’s made it difficult for scalpers by enlisting a “paperless ticket” policy for all dates of the tour, including the one coming up on Tuesday at Blossom Music Center.…
Cleveland Has Lots of Amazing Sister Cities: Slideshow
Guadalajara, Mexico, is one of Cleveland’s sister cities. If only through mildly formal partnerships, Cleveland is connected with all sorts of amazing cities across the world. “Sister cities” are typically tied by cultural cooperation or etymology. Vaguely informative, Sister Cities International explains: “They interact with each other across a broad range of activities, often including…
Rising Star Chef: Lindsey Auten @ Crop Bistro
You might not have heard of her, but Lindsey Auten is a rising star pastry chef. Even if you haven’t heard of her, you likely have consumed one of her decadent desserts at Crop Bistro (2537 Lorain Ave., 216-696-2767, cropbistro.com) in Ohio City, where she’s been for two years. But the road to Crop wasn’t…
A Tour of Cleveland’s Finest Fast Food Joints By Way of Yelp Reviews
Everyone loves a quick trip to the Yelp well for a little conventional wisdom on their upcoming night out on the town, right? Or maybe you’re in a need of a double cheeseburger and you just can’t decide which fast food joint will best cater to your refined taste? Either way, it’s always an, um,…
Movie Review: Dirty Wars
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Dirty Wars, a documentary about American covert ops overseas (opening today at the Cedar Lee), would be mind-blowing in IMAX 3D. (Say whaaaa?) That’s not to knock the documentary genre at large; it’s just that subject matter is so central to our assessment of “nonfiction” films that talking…
Cincinnati Man Takes Home Nearly $30K from Two Nights on Jeopardy
A Cincinnati man walked away with $29,000 after appearing on the hit show Jeopardy for two consecutive nights. Gabe Gales, 30, a research analyst at Nielsen, came in first place on Wednesday evening after winning a whopping $27,950. He failed to defend his title upon his return to the program on Thursday night, however, and…
5 Must See Movies This Weekend
Melissa McCarthy just might be the funniest woman in America. She stole the show in Bridesmaids and now teams up with plastic-surgically tautened Sandra Bullock in this gal-pal cop comedy that’s significantly funnier than Starsky and Hutch. A straightlaced NYC special agent and a Boston neighborhood law enforcer join forces to take down a powerful…
Freekbass announces Bootsy Collins will produce his next album
Cincinnati bassist extraordinaire Freekbass has performed in Cleveland ever since his career began and always had a loyal following here. He’s just announced that his next project will be overseen by another great bassist, Parliament’s Bootsy Collins, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. “The album is being engineered and produced by Duane Lundy who…
Anthony Bennett Used to Keep a List of All his High School Dunk Victims
The Cavaliers’ number one draft pick, Anthony Bennett, kept a list of all his high school dunk victims before “it started getting boring,” he told Dime Magazine. Apparently the all-star had too many gosh darn victims. At just 20 years old, Bennett may lack professional experience, but he certainly doesn’t lack confidence.
Concert Review: Say Anything at House of Blues
It’s a stretch to say that Say Anything, a five-piece rock band from Los Angeles, has been “together” for the last 13 years. Since its initial formation, the band has a long list of ex-members that have revolved around front man Max Bemis. Though Bemis is the only current member to have been around for…
Dish of the Day: Lobster Roll @ Shinto
Summer and sushi seem to go hand in hand. Perhaps it’s sushi’s light, fresh and healthy taste that keeps sushi bars humming during the warm, sunny months. Shinto Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (17070 Pearl Rd., 440-878-3868, shintoexperience.com) is no exception. This ever-popular spot in Strongsville keeps things light with its festive sushi rolls, like…
Lorain Children Found Living in Filthy Motel Room
Today in “Goddammit, Lorain”: Lorain investigators ended up discovering four children living in filth at Erieview Motel. They were on the trail of abuse allegations against their mother. Clearly, the worst suspicions were confirmed. As The Morning Journal reports, the children dwelt among massive piles of trash and dirty dishes. Empty 40s littered the room.…
Rock Hall launches Rolling Stones contest
Today at noon, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum started accepting entries in its Fan Flyaway Sweepstakes. According to a Rock Hall press release, the winner will receive “a chance to win the ultimate experience with a flyaway sweepstakes to get up-close-and-personal with the legendary Rolling Stones at its exclusive exhibition —…
Today’s the Last Day of Captain America Filming
Well, folks, today marks the last day of Captain America filming. The production crew is packing up and moving out. In the month+ that the team has been in town, they’ve experienced the absolute best of Cleveland hospitality. Without crews even having to ask, we’ve generously taken set pieces off of their hands. Without so…
Cleveland’s House of Blues Made Billboard’s 25 Hottest Clubs List
We’re killing it, Cleveland. Billboard Magazine has named Cleveland’s House of Blues one of the 25 hottest clubs in the nation. The rating is based on attendance from Jan. 1 to June 1 this year, and Billboard Boxscore says our good ol’ HoB drew in a crowd of 79,252. That puts us at number 12…
Cleveland Really Doesn’t Want a Skywalk
Like a gilded octopus, Dan Gilbert’s reach is thrusting deeper into the core of downtown Cleveland. Unsurprisingly, it’s angering a lot of people. To be clear, we’re talking profound anger. Last week, the Ohio Casino Control Commission gave the go-ahead to Horseshoe owner Rock Ohio Caesars’ plans to construct a $5-million skywalk from the casino…
Mixtape Master
When the mic goes dead in the middle of a freestyle routine in front of a crowd, rappers quickly find out just what kind of an artist they are. Many artists have what’s now known as an “8 Mile Moment.” Just like Eminem’s character in the movie of the same name, they freeze in place,…
All Funked Up
Nearly 50 years ago, bassist Robert “Kool” Bell and his brother, saxophonist Ronald Bell, started the straight-up jazz group The Jazziacs. That band would soon morph into the funk/R&B/dance music machine known as Kool & the Gang, which delivered a slew of hits through the ’70s and ’80s. Robert “Kool” Bell recently phoned from his…
Weighing The Odds
Singer-guitarist Ian MacKaye met singer- drummer Amy Farina shortly after she moved to Washington D.C. to go to art school. Back then, she was in a band called Mr. Candy Eater. The group opened for MacKaye’s band, Fugazi, in 1992 and the two struck up a friendship that eventually blossomed into both a marriage and a…
Band of the Week
Meet the Band: Eddy Marflak (guitar); Elliott Frank (guitar); Nate Kelly (drums); Nick Kratsas (vocals); Nick Schmitt (bass) Friends First: Guitarist Elliott Frank and singer Nick Kratsas have been friends since they were kids, but never played in a band together until they formed Harvey Pekar about two years ago. They initially issued a self-released…
Yes We Can
CAN Journal, the Northeast Ohio journal of visual arts published by working creators, is celebrating its second year of printing this summer. An era of stretched economics — as money flows away from the arts — might seem like an inopportune time to launch a journal of aesthetics. However, the journal was conceived as a…
Review of the Week
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Dirty Wars, a documentary about American covert ops overseas that opens this week at the Cedar-Lee Theatre, would be mind blowing in IMAX 3D. (Say whaaaa?) That’s not to knock the documentary genre at large; it’s just that subject matter is so central to our assessment of “nonfiction”…
The Modern Beer Cellar: Where Old Beer is New Again
Americans are constantly being told that the only beer worth drinking is served ice-cold and brewery fresh. However, certain styles of beer can hold up to (and benefit from) extended aging. Savvy consumers are starting their own beer cellars in every city and small town in America. Vintage beer is growing in popularity — and…
Spotlight
A computer programmer who says he simply “loves movies,” James Neyman formed a production company six years ago with his writing and directing cohort Kurt Broz. The two quickly cast and shot a horror film called The Slasher, which was accepted to Indie Gathering, the local underground film festival; they’ve continued to produce films on…
A Curaçao for the Common Cocktail
A Grand Marnier nightcap, served warm in a brandy snifter at Velvet Tango Room. The Sunflower, a take on the Corpse Reviver No. 2 that stars equal parts gin, Cointreau, St-Germain, and lemon juice, expertly prepared with an absinthe rinse at Mahall’s Lanes in Lakewood. A glowing green margarita with a chemically sweet aftertaste that…
CD Review
Hey Washington (self-released) goodmorningvalentine.bandcamp.com Goodmorning Valentine singer-guitarist Joey Beltram sounds particularly seasoned on this collection of tunes that he recorded locally at Ohio Ready Mix, with local singer-songwriter Brian Straw handling production duties. The songs are all inspired by a motorcycle trip that Beltram took in 2010. Despite an abundance of references to terrain and…
Standing Ovation
The folks have season tickets to the Broadway Series at PlayhouseSquare and they’re always asking me where they should eat before the show. “Home” was my usual answer, given the historic lack of noteworthy establishments in the Theatre District. Now, of course, we have Cowell & Hubbard, Zack Bruell’s grand bistro, but frankly, that food…
Cabby Bill Will Save Your Life
He’s an almost-omnipresent figure in Northeast Ohio. There’s the big, blue van broadcasting the charming smile out the window at passing pedestrians, potential customers and, let’s be honest, fans. Cabby Bill is an institution, but it’s taken a decade of hard work and dedication to get that badge of honor. The first time we spoke…
From the Inside
On March 10, a building in the Lake Erie Correctional Institution was flooded with toxic fumes after a fresh-air supply-fan broke, causing most inmates in the building to complain of headaches and nausea. After hearing the complaints from approximately 75 percent of inmates in the building, the prison’s staff evacuated the building and fixed the…
We Get Mail
On: “Is Ohio City Growing Too Fast?” Build baby build. The first thing they should do is get rid of all the project housing in Ohio City and send those people living there to East Cleveland. Any growth is better than no growth and the project housing developments prohibit high end residents from living phio…
Get Converted
It all begins on a stage drenched in an image of celestial glory, appropriate as a backdrop for an evangelical meeting or a Pat Robertson broadcast. But from that point on, religion in general (and Mormonism in particular) are in for a rough yet oddly affectionate ride in the enormously entertaining The Book of Mormon.…
Savage Love
Dear Dan — I am a married 54-year-old postmenopausal woman. My libido has diminished significantly, and it takes me much longer to climax. My husband gets tired sooner and is unable to maintain an erection as long as he used to; this makes it even more difficult for me to climax. I have taken up…
Also On Stage This Week
Shrek Mercury Summer Stock Everyone needs a little (make that a huge) ogre in his life, and you won’t find a better one than the big greenie played by Patrick Ciamacco in this lively production. Yes, the artistic director of Blank Canvas Theatre is moonlighting as the title character in this musical that feels a…
Parma is a Cement Wonderland
The ‘burbs continued to burble this week, and nowhere more so than in Parma (actually Beachwood was pretty bad, too). The potential repeal of a brickscaping ordinance has catalyzed some heated early conversations pertaining to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, stormwater management and other equally exciting topics. Here’s the gist: Right now, there’s…
