💵 America’s Inflation Fighter Is From Cleveland

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: If Cleveland’s bats were any colder, Progressive Field could use them to refrigerate the hot dogs. The trade deadline offers one last chance to heat things up ⚾🔥

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They’ve been brutal to watch. The offense sits at the bottom of MLB whether it’s runs scored or slugging percentage or batting average.

Yet, as of today, the Guardians would make the playoffs as a wild card are only two games behind the White Sox in the division.

The team opens a three-game series against the Diamondbacks tonight at Progressive Field.

The bigger date is Monday, aka, the trade deadline.

The Guardians’ payroll ranks near the bottom of the league, but president Chris Antonetti said they’re willing to take on salary in a trade.

Let’s see about that.

NEEDS

TARGETS

TRADE CHIPS

The Guards have five prospects in MLB’s top 70 and could move one of them – along with Bo Naylor or Cooper Ingle, catchers that played this season.

Beth Hammack is becoming President Trump’s biggest nightmare.

The Cleveland Federal Reserve president has been warning that inflation is out of control  -- and something needs to be done about: Raise interest rates.

It contrasts Trump’s calls for rates to be lowered to zero or even negative levels.

Hammack, who has emerged as the country’s biggest inflation hawk found two allies at Wednesday’s Fed FOMC meeting.

Three of the 12 voters called for in increase in rates – and odds of a raise of a hike at the September meeting have jumped to 63.2%.

She’s also one of the first to address the inflationary impact of AI spending on data centers and memory.

Both have pushed up bond yields, which impact mortgage rates.

The 30-year Treasury yield hit 5.23% this week – the highest since 2007 – which have pushed mortgage rates to the highest level in a year.

It comes amid a slowing housing market.

Even Cleveland, one of the strongest markets in the country, has lost steam.

“There are still things that sell quickly, but we’re seeing a lot of things sit,” says Dave Sharkey, president of Progressive Urban Real Estate. “We’re seeing price reductions and a lot of weakness in the investor market.”

Even when they were hitmakers and the world knew them as the Dazz Band, they were still the band from Mount Pleasant.

For good reason.

Yes, the funk-jazz-soul greats – who celebrate their 50^th anniversary at 8 p.m. Saturday at Northfield Park Racino -- scored a Grammy with “Let it Whip” in 1982.

But it all started in 1976, when they were the house band at the Kinsman Grill.

The storied club was the cultural hub of the ‘hood, at Kinsman and East 128^th – four blocks away from the home of Dazz founder Bobby Harris.

Back then, the Cleveland legends were known as Kinsman Dazz -- with the “Dazz” referring to a style of jazzy R&B that Harris dubbed “danceable jazz.”

Even as they achieved international fame, they continued to use the city as their base and called themselves a Cleveland band.

“We’re from Cleveland and that’s what we represent,” says Harris.

Showtime is 8 p.m. Info.

FRIDAY

Ukrainian Festival: Bring on the food, traditions, bands and folk dancers. The celebration of Ukrainian culture starts today and runs through Sunday at Pokrova Church in Parma. 6 p.m. Info.

Reginald Ballard: The comedian made famous for his portrayal of ‘Bruh Man’ on Martin  and W.B. on The Bernie Mac Show brings his hilarious life adventures to Funny Bone. 6-9 p.m. (Also performs Saturday.) Info.

Claws Out: Wizbang Theater rolls out its monthly drag show starring Calli Coquette and the Kings and Queens of Cleveland. 8 p.m. Info.

SATURDAY

Earthquaker Day: The Akron company that has grown into one of the country’s biggest pedal designers throws its annual celebration of all things music at the EQDHQ. 11 a.m. Info.

Lakewood Arts Fest: For 49 years, it’s turned Detroit Avenue in a street gallery with 170 regional and national artists, eclectic bands and local and worldly food offerings. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Info.

Mourning [A] BLKstar: The Cleveland collective of word and sound brings its blend of jazz, soul and hip-hop to Beachland Ballroom. 6 p.m. Info.

SUNDAY

Neo Comicon: Lovers of comics, toys, collectibles and cosplay – and 180 dealers --gather at the Soccer Sportsplex in North Olmsted. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Info.

Orion Levine:  You might know him from the Late Late Show with James Cordon or Comedy Central. He brings his self-effacing takes dating and the sexes to Hilarities. 7 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

For years, it was considered the dead zone of Ohio City. Now, Lorain Avenue is one of the most vibrant strips in the area.

In the last year, it has seen several new openings, from Visible Voice to Proof Public House to Hausfrau to Soho Chicken + Whiskey.

Tonight, Late Nites on Lorain will roll out a monthly walkabout series where you can check out the shops and galleries, have a drink and dinner, get an album and listen to music — and soak up the spirit of the Cleveland’s newest cultural hub.

It runs on the last Friday of every month. 6-9 p.m. Info.

Opened in 1923, the elegant pink marble building that houses  Cleveland Federal Reserve was designed by the architectural firm of Walker & Weeks to complement the Beaux-Arts character of neighboring Group Plan buildings, such as the Cleveland Public Library and Public Auditorium.

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84 °F 🌡️ 72 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 5% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph WNW (≈ 7 knots)

81 °F 🌡️ 70 °F | ☁️ (Cloudy) | 18% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph SE (≈ 9 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 68 °F | ⛈️ (Thunderstorms) | 85% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph S (≈ 9 knots)

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

Home vs. D-backs, 7:10 PM July 31 (Friday)

Home vs. D-backs, 7:15 PM August 1 (Saturday)

Home vs. D-backs, 1:40 PM August 2 (Sunday)

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