Ryan Dalton is one of the most popular comedians in Cleveland. He has opened for everyone from Frank Caliendo to Brian Reagan. The Kent State University grad’s credits include: Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham,” The Bob & Tom Show on WGN, and a frequent contributor and fill-in co-host to the now cancelled “Maxwell Show.” [...]
Bill Mason is a bully. He’s that guy in High School who weaseled his way into the popular crowd, not because he was the star quarterback or because he was ruggedly handsome, but because he washed the popular kids’ cars and so was allowed to tag along. At the top, but undeserving, if you [...]
A Political Machine, Financed By You! ** The article the Plain Dealer was too afraid to publish ** Bill Mason is as guilty as Pat O’Malley and Frank Russo when it comes to blatant disregard for the ethics of public servitude. At last count, Mason employed 49 Democratic Precinct Committee members and Ward [...]
Brimfield, Ohio is an odd setting for a revolution. Suburb of Akron. Population: about 3,200. Cows may outnumber people, here. Nonetheless, a revolt is being planned in this small town, inside the walls of the local school system, where orange-shirted teachers have begun to murmur that word of middleclass power, “Strike”. They’ve been [...]
In 1969, Dennis Hopper directed and Peter Fonda produced Easy Rider, the story of two men, Wyatt and Billy, heading across the country on hard tail choppers in search of some kind of spiritual freedom. Beginning in Mexico, they pick up a shipment of cocaine, smuggle it into LA, sell it to their [...]
The Call & Post’s racial slur of a black elected official in an editorial cartoon underscores two significant problems in post-segregated America. First is the trope of a homogenous black community. Second is the total bankruptcy of race-only centered politics. Both dynamics, as a friend points out, are different sides of the same coin. [...]
Whoa! No need for 911! The Food Fairy has not “switched teams” to sample some strange. Naya is not some sultry siren who seduces with almond-shaped eyes. Nor is Naya one of those Bollywood brainiacs working tech support for Microsoft. Naya Bistro & Lounge is an eclectic eatery in Highland Heights. New in the [...]
In the fallout over Aunt Jemima-gate, no one bothered to report that George Forbes uses long-time political “spokesperson” Powell Caesar to pen his Call & Post editorials. As a “black-conservative” columnist for the Sun papers, Caesar was known for his anti-affirmative action stances and Phillip Morris-like characterizations of lazy young blacks. Over the years [...]
Donkey Weed is a local podcast featuring interviews with Cleveland notables and local music. It’s also the coolest brand name this side of Butt Cream. This week’s guests include a couple writers from The Independent: The Broad’s Side’s Jen Verrillo and yours truly (I discuss the time I kidnapped Harvey Pekar). Music Guest: Alton Cooley [...]
