🚗 162% to $1.50... Cleveland hit reverse

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: It’s not basketball, but LeBron is still in the headlines and this one’s going to court 🏀🌿🏪

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Mayor Justin Bibb heard the ‘feedback’ to his “parking modernization initiative.”

Surprise, surprise: It was overwhelmingly negative.

He’s now backtracked on the plan – which increased the cost of street parking 50-162% and eliminated free weekend and evening hours.

“The goal was really simple: Make it easier to find a spot and support our local businesses,” said Bibb. “But we also heard your feedback, especially from service workers and folks who need to park longer, and it wasn’t working the way it should.”

Now, the city has introduced ‘demand-based pricing’ for a flat $1.50 an hour fee “in certain areas so it’s more affordable.”

The original plan was roundly booed by business owners.

“It’s hard enough to get people to come downtown,” said Nick Kostis, owner of Pickwick and Frolic. “This makes it’s harder and will hurt places that are already struggling.”

It also hit workers, who used parked on the street to save money and were forced to pay much more on parking garages.

Other initiatives have been a sticking point for downtown operators.

The city has proposed installing cameras to bust illegal parking downtown. (The current $25 penalty would jump to $60 and could be issued immediately upon detection.)

Bibb has also proposed a “small tax” on downtown bars and restaurants to help pay for repairs to Progressive Field and Rocket Arena – in his ‘fight’ against billionaire sports owners.

Next time, it might make sense to get some feedback beforehand.

The Polish Boy was born Mount Pleasant – when Virgil Whitmore crossed his Texas roots with the tastes of the neighborhood to create the iconic Cleveland sandwich in 1942.

Well, the Cleveland neighborhood is still a hot bed for food.

There’s Mt Pleasant Bar-B-Q and places like Kyrie’s Kafe and Shrimp Boat.

And, of course, Star’s Sea and Soul Food -- a hidden gem that serves what might be the  best catfish in town.

The take-out family business operated as a popular food truck before opening on Kinsman two years ago.

“Everything we make comes from our mother and grandmother’s recipes,” says Joevon Norris. “A lot of people don’t fry catfish long enough or they don’t use the right seafood, or  they use a cheaper fish like swai and call it catfish.”

Star’s has had patrons come from Pennsylvania, Columbus and Akron just for the catfish. But chicken, greens, mac & cheese and yams have also become calling cards.

“People love our food, especially our sides,” says Norris. “Because we cook as a family here, like we do at home.”

It’s from Akron and there’s the logo, crown. But it’s the name that caught the attention of Klutch Sports Group.

Rich Paul’s sports agency, which represents a stable of athletes including LeBron James, is suing Klutch Cannabis, which opened its downtown location last July in the old Record Rendezvous location – considered the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.

In a filing in Ohio Federal Court, it contends it violates the trademark of Los Angeles-based Klutch Sports:

“Klutch Sports has been forced to bring this action for trademark infringement, unfair competition, counterfeiting, and related claims to halt Klutch Cannabis from intentionally trading on and siphoning the hard‑won goodwill of Klutch Sports and its famous and well-known KLUTCH brand name and trademarks.”

Klutch Cannabis would not comment, because it has yet to be served with the lawsuit.

Friday

Handel's Messiah: The Cleveland Ballet brings its adaptation of the class with a live orchestra and choir to the State Theatre. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. with performances also on Saturday and Sunday. Info.

Truly: The Seattle band featuring members of Soundgarden and Screaming Trees brings its overdriven guitars and menacing songs to the Beachland Tavern. 8 p.m. Info.

Alonzo Bodden: His observational, acerbic wit has taken him from Comedy Central to late-night comedy TV, Amazon Prime and ‘A Scary Movie 4’ – and Hilarities for four shows, starting with two on Friday. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Info.

Saturday

Spring has Sprung Hike: Cabin fever makes you want to get out the house? The Brecksville Nature Center hosts a morning stroll in search of the sights of sounds of nature. 9:30-11 a.m. Info.

Cleveland’s First Experimental Film Festival: The soiree celebrates area filmmakers and actors and with short films and the premiere screening of ‘Monsiuer Phot.’ 5 p.m. Info.

Bob Marley Celebration: Music Box rolls out its 9^th annual tribute to the king of reggae with the Ark Band. 7:30 p.m. Info.

Sunday

Ice Cream with the Easter Bunny: The carousel and old-timey vibes at Malley’s North Olmsted will make a charming backdrop for this party with EB. Noon-4 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

The backend of fish fry season is upon us. These five pair a meal with old-school vibes:

Academy Tavern: The 1939 spot pairs old-school vibes with old-world specials and boasts a Friday fish fry that’s been going since it opened. Pike or perch?

German Central: The milieu is from another continent at this old-time ethnic hall – which pairs cod with potatoes, pierogis, coleslaw, applesauce and desserts.

Gunselman's: The 1936 classic serves up a pierogi poutine for non-fish lovers – to go with cod and perch fish fry platters.

Prosperity Social Club: So many non-meat options at this 1939 spot -- from the haddock fish fry to the vegan option to the shrimp and grits.

Ridgewood Inn: For seven decades, this Parma institution has been doing fish fry every Friday. Timeless vibes.

Smog over Cleveland, 1973 — from Documerica, an EPA project that studied cities across the country that were dealing with environmental concerns.

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54 °F 🌡️ 38 °F | ☁️➡️🌧️ (Increasing Clouds / PM Rain) | 60% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph (≈ 14 knots)

46 °F 🌡️ 32 °F | 🌧️➡️🌨️ (Rain to Snow Showers / Breezy) | 70% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

35 °F 🌡️ 22 °F | 🌨️ (Lake Effect Snow / Colder) | 65% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 20 mph (≈ 17 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Pelicans, 7:00 PM March 21 (Saturday)

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