📰 Cleveland Property Tax Crisis

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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop.

What’s a donut’s favorite type of joke?
A hole lot of fun! 🍩😂

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

• Pride in the CLE: Celebrations and parties aplenty

• House-rich, cash-strapped: Property tax delinquencies surge in Cuyahoga County

• National Donut Day: A cheap date for your sweet tooth

• For sale: Pop-culture oddities and collectibles… from a garage

• Kitty Palooza: APL lowers adoption fees for felines

• May Pang brings photos of ‘Lost Weekend’ with John Lennon to Cleveland

• Musk vs. Trump: Celebrity Death Match!

  
  
  John Petkovic & Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Pride in the CLE: Celebrations and parties hit Cleveland this weekend

You’ve come a long way, baby. Pride celebrations have evolved from coming-out parties in bars and on streets to a massive celebration that attracts all walks.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, the 10^th annual Pride in the Cle will step off from Public Square with parade and proceed to Malls B and C, with performers, food trucks, vendors and bands.

It also marks the 50^th anniversary of LGBT Community Center – founded as the Gay Education and Awareness Resources Foundation. GEAR also published Ohio’s gay newspaper and sponsored a Gay Pride Picnic at Edgewater Park that drew 100 people.

There are several Pride-related events around town this weekend:

• Pride Night at Progressive Field: 7:10 tonight. The Guards-Astros game honors the LGBT Center and features North Coast Men’s Chorus and fireworks.

• No Fun: Black Mass Pride (7 tonight).

• CLE Urban Winery: Pop Queens Sinalong (7 tonight).

• Twist Social Club: Rainbow Glow Dance Party (10 tonight) and Pride After Party (8 p.m. Saturday).

• Trellis: Pride Kick-off (9 tonight); Pride Live! (6-11 p.m. Saturday).

• Muze Gastropub: Gayme Night (7 tonight); Pride After Dark (9 p.m. Sunday); Show Tunes Drag Show (6 p.m. Sunday).

• Vibe: Pride party (2 p.m. Saturday); Sunday Funday Tea Day (2 p.m. Sunday)

• Leather Stallion: Opened in 1970, the godfather of gay bars hosts its popular Sunday party (3 p.m.).

House rich, cash strapped: Property tax delinquencies balloon amid rising assessments

There’s a taxpayer revolt in Cuyahoga County.

Property owners have been happy to see the increase in the value of their homes in the area – one of strongest in the country. But seeing them rise by 32% comes with a price – and cash-strapped residents aren’t paying it.

Higher property taxes that accompany valuations have led to an unprecedented increase in unpaid property taxes. It has ballooned to $60.6 million.

“I’ve never seen a number that was that large,” Budget Director Walter Parfejewiec told County’s Budget and Finance Committee this week. “I’ve never seen delinquency to this level.”

The county argues that the unpaid taxes have resulted in a $19.2 million deficit in Health and Human Services Levy reserves.

As we reported, things could get much worse if a group of Ohio homeowners – Citizens from Property Tax Reform -- succeeds in its drive to abolish property taxes.

Ohio ranks 16th in affordability, with a median list price of $269,130, according to Realtor.com. But it ranks eighth in the nation for property taxes paid as a percentage of home value, according to the Tax Foundation.

National Donut Day: A cheap date for your sweet tooth

National this day, that day. Most of them are made-up holidays to sell you something.

Not National Donut Day – which falls on the first Friday of June. Woohoo, today!

The holiday goes back to World War I, when Salvation Army ‘Donut Lassies’ volunteered to serve cakes to troops on the French front.

The soldiers, nicknamed “doughboys,” popularized the treat upon their return and, by 1938, the Salvation Army proclaimed it a holiday that “reminds us to do what we can to bring hope and comfort to those living and working in our communities.”

Thoughtful, yes, but also a cheap date with your sweet tooth at these spots:

• Krispy Kreme: Patrons get a free donut of their choice for free.

• Jack Frost Donuts: Free donut with any purchase.

• Peace, Love and Little Donuts: A coupon for your next purchase and free coffee.

• Becker's Donuts: Buy a dozen, get a half-dozen for $5.

• Dunkin’: A classic donut with any beverage purchase

• Sheetz: Free donut with purchase of any beverage.

• Brew Nuts: Festivities and free minis for the first 100 guests.

• Giant Eagle: A dozen for $6.

• 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes: Rewards members get a glazed for 50 cents.

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The 216 Rundown

For sale: Pop-culture oddities and collectibles… from a garage

Call Steve Presser the Willy Wonka of pop-cultural oddities and all things fun. He’s been collecting novelties, toys, candy… anything that caught his eye. Presser owned and operated Big Fun until 2018 – a big circus tent of a store that brought together retro hounds, toy nerds and kitsch cultists. He’s also done Big Fun pop-ups around Christmas. Now, he’s rolling out what promises to be one wild, colorful garage sale – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at his home, at 2604 East Overlook Road, in Cleveland. Cash and Venmo only. More info here.

Kitty Palooza: APL lowers adoption fees for felines

Animal shelters are overwhelmed. They’re taking in more dogs and cats, and fewer people are adopting them. It has resulted in a crisis, as many are operating at full capacity. As a result, many shelters have lowered adoption fees to entice people to give them a home. Enter Kitty Palooza – the Cleveland APL will offer 50% off the adoption fee for adult cats and a reduced adoption fee for kittens starting on Friday, June 6, and going through Sunday, June 15. More info here.

May Pang brings photos of her ‘Lost Weekend’ with John Lennon to Cleveland

May Pang kept boxes of photos under her bed for decades. Now, she’s taking them on tour. Pang was John Lennon’s companion for 18 months during what he would call his “lost weekend.” He had separated from Yoko Ono in 1973 and struck up an affair with Pang, who had been working as his assistant. At 4 today, Pang will hit the Treelawn in Collinwood to exhibit and talk about her time with and photos of Lennon and their circle of friends taken during that time. The George Martins will also perform. The photo exhibit is up through Sunday. More info here.

NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Musk vs. Trump: Celebrity Death Match!

It’s a break-up more dramatic than Kanye vs. Kim. In this corner, Elon Musk – the tech wunderkind and the world’s richest man who calls the “Big, Beautiful Spending Bill” an abomination. In the other, the 47^th President – who says Musk “just went CRAZY!”

The spat between Musk and Trump broke out Thursday and resulted in jabs and right hooks:

Musk: “Not even those in Congress who had to vote on the Big Ugly Spending Bill had time to read it!”

Trump: “Elon was “wearing thin,” I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!”

Musk followed it up with a slew of posts, and a poll asking followers if he should launch a third political party. Wild stuff, go here to what Musk and Trump said.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

Covers of High Gear, Cleveland premier gay magazine, published 1974 to 1982.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @216Scoop on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

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WEATHER

Friday, June 6

🌡️ High: 70°F | Low: 64°F

🌧️ 50% chance of rain

Saturday, June 7

🌡️ High: 70°F | Low: 61°F

🌧️ 3% chance of rain

Sunday, June 8

🌡️ High: 76°F | Low: 66°F

🌧️ 50% chance of rain

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

Live Shows in the 216

Friday, June 6

• Andy Bopp at The Treelawn, 8:00 PM

• Bill Bellamy at Cleveland Funny Bone Comedy Club, 9:30 PM

• Blue Fiasco at Seeing Double Speakeasy Bar, 8:00 PM

• Colatura at Happy Dog, 8:00 PM

• Company Housing at The Winery at Spring Hill, 6:30 PM

• Coastal Country at Independence Summer Concert Series, 7:00 PM

• Exhale at The Foundry Concert Club, 7:00 PM

• Jeneen Terrana at The Treelawn, 7:00 PM

• John’s Little Sister at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, 8:00 PM

• Justo Guitar Saborit at Justo at Brew Garden 6-9pm Duo, 6:00 PM

• Khandria at The Winchester, 7:30 PM

• Life In Idle at Mahalls (Cleveland), 6:00 PM

• Mothcock at Happy Dog, 9:00 PM

• Phoneboy at Mahall's, 7:00 PM

• Shilpa Ray at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, 8:00 PM

• The Tisburys at Happy Dog (Cleveland, OH), 9:00 PM

• The Wedding Present at Grog Shop, 8:00 PM

• That 80s Band at Panini's Westlake, 7:00 PM

• Twitty and Lynn at Lions Lincoln Theatre, 7:30 PM

• Worlds Greatest Dad at Happy Dog, 8:00 PM

Saturday, June 7

• Akeem Ali at Grog Shop, 7:00 PM

• Bearly Dead at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, 7:00 PM

• Colatura at Happy Dog, 8:00 PM

• Dreadlock Dave at Beerhead Bar & Eatery, 6:00 PM

• Exhale at The Foundry Concert Club, 7:00 PM

• Marty Stuart at Robins Theatre, 7:00 PM

• Phillip-Michael Scales at Beachland Tavern, 7:00 PM

• The Brown Liquor Band at BLB Summer at the Jenks, 8:00 PM

• The Labra Brothers at Lock 3 Park, 7:00 PM

• The Wonder Years at The Roxy, 7:00 PM

• Zaq Baker at Zaq Baker, Dearest Friend, Allison Phillips, and Red Crow at Bar Lucci, 7:00 PM

Sunday, June 8

• 512: The Selena Experience at 512: The Selena Experience, 5:00 PM

• Akeem Ali at Grog Shop, 7:00 PM

• Blue Fiasco at Seeing Double Speakeasy Bar, 8:00 PM

• Chris Duarte at Mercury Music Lounge, 7:00 PM

• Grady Miller at Vermilion Valley Vineyards, 2:00 PM

• Ill Anatomy at The Winchester, 7:00 PM

• Mothcock at Happy Dog, 9:00 PM

• Sarah Millican at Connor Palace, 8:00 PM

• The Ladies Night at Taylor Swift Cruise on the Goodtime III, 4:00 PM

• The Labra Brothers at Golden Hour Concert Series, 8:00 PM

• The Tisburys at Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, 8:00 PM

• Wanted: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band at The Local Bar, 7:00 PM

The 216 Sports Area

Upcoming Games

Guardians

Home vs. Astros, Friday 7:10pm EST

Home vs. Astros, Saturday 4:10pm EST

Home vs. Astros, Sunday 1:40pm EST

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