MyFriendCleveland

Someone at The Plain Dealer Does Not Like Joe Santiago

In today’s PD there are TWO articles lambasting the actions of councilman Joe Santiago. The first is a massive piece that details Santiago’s involvement in aiding bars in his ward. After taking power Santiago helped La Copa, a bar managed by a convicted heroin dealer and frowned upon by the community, get a liquor license. Santiago claimed that La Copa was a sports bar that would act as a place for the Latino population to watch soccer and boxing, yet currently La Copa only has one 13″ TV and regularly hosts lingerie parties. Santiago has helped a number of other bars, clubs, and liquor stores gain access to liquor licenses, open their doors, and avoid hefty prosecution, and yet, as the PD is kind enough to point out, he told one constituent via email that, “I want you to know that at no point have I supported any nightclub or liquor establishment.” He must be confused, but hey maybe that’s why the FBI have popped up in Cleveland. That, or they heard about the lingerie parties.

Article number two on the other hand looks into contributions Santiago has been receiving. One of note is a large statue that used to stand outside of Club Moda on W. 25th. The statue is now in Santiago’s backyard and while extremely recognizable, Santiago originally claimed that it was a gift from his father, then later changed his story and said a truck brought it to his house while he was gone and his father was home, so he doesn’t know where it came from. Shady yes, but even more so when you learn that Hush, a club in the flats that donated $250 to Santiago’s campaign, had their eye on Club Moda. I wonder how many stories the PD let slip by while reporters stalked Santiago. Number two, right here, and no, it’s not shit.

Like This is the Only Brothel in Akron

Police recently shut down Lisa’s Cabaret, a, get this, juice bar in Akron that features topless dancers. It seems that after numerous arrests and numerous undercover officers being solicited for sex, Akron had had enough. The bar and city were able to settle out of court, stating that the club would shut down, but the owner would have time to attempt to sell the building before the city took it over. Meanwhile cops tried to make Jerry Springer-like closing remarks by stating that, “To say prostitution is a victim-less crime would be a huge mistake,” because participants can gain, “Any host of communicable diseases.” On a side note, if you live in Akron and your husband has just permanently cancelled his “poker night” you may want to have him tested. Just saying. Get the whole infectious story.

News is Slow, Read About Music

Today we are proud to present a review of Tapes ‘N Tapes latest, Walk it Off, from the talented Peter Moysaenko. It’s been a while since Peter has contributed, and, as in the past, this is well worth a read.