💸 Tip, Sip, or Skip?

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It’s the season of giving and a time we gather with friends at bars and restaurants. But the economy has made both more complicated.

A new report finds that 77% of consumers say that tipping has become ‘ridiculous.’

Meanwhile, 62% would rather “pay more for food and beverages to provide higher wages for restaurant workers and eliminate tipping altogether.”

“There’s ‘tipping fatigue’ because there are so many sectors that were never tip-based asking,” says Andrew Revy, owner of Sofia’s and Immigrant Son Brewery.

“But the term is misleading, because the economy has taken a turn for the worse and it’s impacting disposable income.”

Another report finds that diners save money by skipping dessert (61%), drinks (55%) and appetizers (51%).

“Gen zers are drinking a lot less,” says Revy. “It’s often just one drink.”

They’re often called the ‘worst tipping generation.’ It isn’t that simple.

“They tip just like most people who leave 20%,” he says. “But this is the first generation that isn’t doing as well as their parents – and they’re forced to make choices when the economy is tough.”

Early detractors initially called him an “extremist.” But the Cleveland Orchestra saw a visionary when it invited Pierre Boulez to conduct the ensemble in 1963.

His first program at Severance Hall included challenging modernist works that featured some of his avant-garde aesthetics. Cleveland, long one of the world’s most esteemed cities for classical music, embraced the Frenchman.

He would go on to spend a great deal of time with the orchestra in the ‘60s and ‘70s as a guest conductor and musical advisor, and continued working with it until the early 2000s.

Boulez leaves behind a rich legacy – more than 50 works with the orchestra, including five Grammy wins.

At 7:30 tonight, the sculptor of sound will be honored at the Cleveland Museum of Art with Boulez 100: Celebrating the Pierre Boulez Centenary. The all-Boulez program features an ensemble of musicians from around the country. Info.

The Cavs have made fine use of their farm team, the G-League affiliate Cleveland Charge.

Sam Merrill and Craig Porter Jr. have been key contributors. And Luke Travers and Nae’Qwan Tomlin contributed to the Cavs win over the Heat on Wednesday – a game in which they were missing Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.

But there’s another reason to watch the Charge, which opens its home season this weekend with two games against the Wisconsin Herd: The chance to visit the legendary Public Auditorium. Info.

The circa-1922 neoclassical jewel has played a storied role in Cleveland cultural life.

It’s hosted legends like Elvis, the Beatles, the Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin – as well as a legendary Joe Lewis boxing match and concerts by jazz greats Django Reinhardt and Duke Ellington.

The games are a blast. So is the place.

Randy Feltface: ‘Gimmick’: The funny puppet portrayed by Aussie comedian Heath McIvor has become an international phenom via YouTube, the BBC and Netflix. He brings his felt friend for a five-show run at Hilarities in Pickwick and Frolic: 7 and 9:30 tonight; 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Info.

Doubting Thomas 25^th Anniversary: The art galleries have largely pulled out of Tremont. Doubting Thomas is still going strong and Photo Cleveland is hosting an exhibition to celebrate its 25^th anniversary. 6 tonight. Info.

Maple Fest: The 12-band, 12-hour raunch ‘n’ roll marathon pulls up to Maple Lanes – a circa-1940 bar-bowling alley features a vintage bar and a fab mural of burlesque queen Lili St. Cyr. Noon Saturday. Info.

Wish You Were Here: The Cleveland-based outfit is one of the world’s most popular and longest-running Pink Floyd tributes. It rolls out songs from all eras, as well as those iconic inflatables and a wild light show. 7 p.m. Saturday at the Agora. Info.

Cory Grinder & the Playboy Saints: The Cleveland honky-tonk group brings the attitudes of Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson into 2025. At 8 p.m. Saturday, they’ll have their record-release party at Beachland Tavern. Info.

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Actually, USA Today really, really, really loves Heinens. The beloved institution is the sixth best grocery store in the country for produce, according to the USA Today’s Best list.

This follows two other accolades by USA Today, in September, for best deli and best all-around grocery store.

Founded in 1929 by a butcher, Joe Heinen, it’s remained family-owned and operated and boasts 19 locations in Ohio.

USA Today raves about Heinen's working with over 150 regional growers and selection of 400 fruits and vegetables.

Group portrait of America’s leading crime dons at the first Mafia Commission meeting -- Cleveland, 1928. The goal was to resolve conflicts between crime families. The government used the photo to identify leading figures in the underworld for its investigation of organized crime.

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48 °F 🌡️ 36 °F | ⛅ | ~20% | 💨 W ≈ 12 mph (≈ 10 knots)

52 °F 🌡️ 41 °F | ☁️ | ~60% | 💨 WNW ≈ 14 mph (≈ 12 knots)

50 °F 🌡️ 39 °F | ⛅ | ~60% | 💨 W ≈ 13 mph (≈ 11 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. Raptors, 7 PM November 13 (Thursday)

Home vs. Grizzlies, 5 PM November 15 (Saturday)

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