🎭 Cleveland's Weekly Circus! From Singing Lawyers to Talented Squirrels!

Together With

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop, the newsletter that honors the heroes of civil rights ✊, tests your knowledge with a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 🎸, and celebrates winter with a stroll along the lakefront ❄️🌊—all to bring you the best of The Land. First time reading? Join over 10,000 local curious readers. Sign up here.

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with family & friends (copy URL here)​

And, as always, send us feedback at [email protected].

In today’s 216 Scoop Edition: 

• Got a song for Tim Misny? Make HIM pay

• Deshaun Watson: A way out for the Browns?

• A celebration and a chance to get a piece Melt

• The most talented squirrel in showbiz hits Cleveland

• Disney on Ice is back to pay tribute to hit flicks

by John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

🎉 Advertise with Us! 🎉
Get your brand in front of over 15,000 highly engaged Clevelanders every single week! Whether it’s boosting your visibility or driving traffic to your events, we’ve got you covered. Let’s connect you with an audience that’s excited about what’s happening in the 216.
📩 Reply to this email to get started today!

IN THE NEWS

Got a song for Tim Misny? Make HIM pay!

You’ve really made it when one name will do: LeBron, Madonna, Prince, Beyonce, Cher, Bono… Misny.

The Cleveland super-lawyer has become a pop phenomenon, an icon, a meme, a Warholian character.

It started with those ads, with his stern face and chin accompanied by his trademark line, “I’ll Make Them Pay.”  Then came the billboards -- just his face, no verbiage. Then the close-ups of his eyes and raised eye-brow.

Then came an idea by Cleveland filmmaker Moe Taylor. The owner of Brain Dagger Films is making a mockumentary that traces Misny’s transformation from lawyer to post-modern avatar. “The Misny Movie” is in pre-production… and you could make them pay, if Misny and Taylor like your song.

“Myself and Brain Dagger Films are holding a musical competition to find songs to play in the soundtrack for the upcoming Misny Movie,” the lawyer wrote in an Instagram post. “The first prize winner will receive $500.”

On April 20, Brain Dagger will throw a bash at Sacred Vortex in Ohio City to play all the submissions. All styles are welcome – as long as they are in service of the Cleveland icon.

“These songs need to incorporate Tim Misny and the city of Cleveland in their lyrics in some way,” says Taylor. “The funnier the songs are the better. This is going to be a comically epic saga.”

SPONSORED BY LADDERS

Land Your Dream Job—Without the Hassle 💼

Hey there job seekers! 🚀

Are you spending countless hours filling out repetitive job applications? We've all been there - copying and pasting the same information over and over, wondering if there's a better way. That's where The Ladders Apply4Me service comes in to transform your job search.

Here's how it works:

1. Upload your resume once

2. Their team of experts handles the application process

3. You focus on what matters - preparing for interviews and networking

The service goes beyond basic applications by:

• Tailoring each submission to match the role

• Targeting premium positions aligned with your career goals

• Providing updates on your application status

• Handling all the tedious form-filling while maintaining your professional profile

Think about it - how many more meaningful career development activities could you pursue if you weren't bogged down by application paperwork? Whether it's brushing up on industry trends, expanding your network, or mastering interview techniques, your time is valuable.

Ready to revolutionize your job search? Take the first step toward a more efficient career move. Because in today's competitive market, working smarter opens more doors than working harder. 💼✨

Your dream role is out there - let's make sure you're spending your energy on landing it, not just applying for it!

#ClevelandJobs #CareerGrowth #JobSearch #ClevelandCareers

DeShaun Watson: A way out for the Browns?

What to do with Deshaun Watson? The Browns have been trying to recover from the worst trade in team history.  The underachieving and oft-injured quarterback will likely miss the entire 2025, after rupturing his Achilles again.

According to Pro Football Talk NFL insider Mike Florio, the team could recoup $92 million of his 5-year, $230 million contract if the injury was a result of dangerous, prohibited activities.

“Even if the Browns can’t prove that Watson was engaging in activities that triggered a void of his guarantees, recent images on social media show him without a walking boot,” says Florio. “Given the difficulty of rolling an ankle while in a walking boot, it’s possible that he wasn’t wearing a boot when he was supposed to be wearing a boot.”

The team insured Watson’s contract for 2024 and ‘25 and will receive $33 million in salary cap space this offseason because he missed most of last season and another $44.3 million if he’s out the entire 2025.

The insurance and a potential violation of his contract will go a long way toward digging the team out of the biggest blunder in franchise history.

A celebration and a chance to get a piece of Melt

Melt’s 18-year run provided a lifetime of memories to countless patrons. Now, you have a chance to celebrate that run and own a piece of the area restaurant chain, which closed Jan. 1.

Melt’s flagship location on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood will host a memorial party and ‘garage sale’ January 17-19.

“We will be selling decorative items, apparel, merchandise, serving ware, and small wares,” Melt owner Matt Fish announced in a Facebook post. “The bar will be open for beer and cocktails. We invite you to stop in and have a last drink with us, while you peruse for your favorite decoration or framed picture.”

Opened in 2006, Melt was profiled on food shows such as “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and became a destination for foodies and tourists. The Parmageddon (a massive grilled-cheese sandwich topped with sauerkraut and pierogi) was named best ballpark food by USA Today. 

More than that, Melt was a cool place that lives on in Cleveland memories.

The most talented squirrel in showbiz is hitting town

OK, so it isn’t the start of baseball or even Groundhog Day, but the Cleveland Boat Show is a sign that warm weather will come eventually. It also stars a critter more talented than Punxsutawney Phil.

Meet Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel. The adorable rodent is a world-class water-skier (well, for a squirrel) and will perform 15 times at Cleveland’s largest and oldest boat show.

It marine extravaganza runs Thursday through Sunday at the International Exposition Center, 1 I-X Center Drive, Cleveland. It features hundreds of boats (from kayaks to floating condos); vendors; fishing tips; scuba-diving displays; a “Yacht Lounge; live music; entertainment and food.

Now back to Twiggy. The grey squirrel is a movie and TV star that has appeared in “Dodgeball” and “Anchorman” and a Brad Paisley video – not to mention “America’s Got Talent” and ads for Ford and GoPro. .

It’s one of America’s longest-running animal acts, going since 1979. How, you ask? There have been 11 Twiggys in that time, since grey squirrels only live about six years.

For info and tickets on performance times and show tickets, go here.

THE 216 DIGEST

Disney on Ice is back to pay tribute to hit flicks

Disney’s annual ice skating show is bringing a “Let Dance” theme to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Disney on Ice starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday. One of the most shows of the winter season, it features song-and-dance odes to Disney blockbusters “Frozen 2,” “Wish,” “The Lion King,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Moana.” For times and tickets, go here.

Not cool: Clevelander’s Dorito’s clip comes up short

On Monday we profiled “Cool Ranch Breadth” – the 30-second clip submitted by Cleveland video producer Adam Wilde in the Doritos Super Bowl ad competition. There were thousands of submissions and the entry made the top 25. Doritos announced its final three on Tuesday and, unfortunately, Wilde’s clip didn’t make the cut. You can still watch it here.

Step aside, CAVS: There’s an even hotter team in town

The hottest basketball team in town… and it isn’t the Cavs? After a mediocre start, the Cleveland State Vikings men’s team has won eight in row and sits in first place in the Horizon League. CSU hits the Wolstein Center at 7 tonight to take on Northern Kentucky.

PRESENTED BY AMAZFIT

Track Your Way to Better Days ⌚

This is for the go-getters! 🚴‍♂️

Looking to transform your fitness journey in 2025? Get ready to revolutionize the way you track your progress with Amazfit Smartwatches - your personal health companion that goes wherever your adventures take you.

Picture having a personal fitness coach right on your wrist. These powerful wearables do more than just count steps - they're your 24/7 wellness partner. With comprehensive health monitoring, you'll get insights into your heart rate, stress levels, and sleep patterns. The workout intelligence tracks real-time stats for over 150 sport modes, while smart features keep you connected with notifications and weather updates. And with battery life lasting up to 14 days of normal use, it keeps up with your active lifestyle.

Perfect for Cleveland's active lifestyle, whether you're running the Metroparks trails, cycling along Lake Erie, hitting the gym downtown, or taking yoga classes in Ohio City. These aren't just fitness trackers - they're stylish accessories that complement your look from morning workouts to evening meetups. With a sleek design and vibrant display, you'll want to wear it everywhere.

Ready to turn those fitness dreams into reality? Your journey to better health starts with better insights. Because when you can measure it, you can improve it!

Join the Cleveland fitness community that's already crushing their goals with Amazfit. Remember, every step counts, every metric matters, and your wellness journey deserves the best tracking companion. 🏃‍♀️✨

NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN!

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Don’t cower from the cold — go outside

It’s your call: Curl up under the kitchen sink or go out and embrace nature. At 7 tonight, the Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation is giving you a reason to do the latter. The park, 9000 Chippewa Creek, Brecksville, is kicking off a year-long series, Wildlife Folklore Evenings. Naturalist Foster Brown will lead a 75-minute exploration of nature that focuses on the wildlife and plant folklore. 

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

Cleveland history was made on a cold January night, 1963, when TV announcer Ernie Anderson hit the airwaves. He transformed into Ghoulardi -- a weird ghoul that hosted cheap horror movies (and made fun of them, on the air). He blew up props with explosives and rode his motorcycle around the studio, while tipsy.

In the process, Ghoulardi became the Cleveland legend who influenced area bands: the Cramps, Devo, Pere Ubu, Dead Boys, Black Keys. Anderson ended up moving to Hollywood to became the voice of ABC. His son, Paul Thomas Anderson, is the director of films such as “Boogie Nights,” “There Will Be Blood” and “Licorice Pizza.”

And don’t forget! Tag @LiveMusicInCleveland or @The216Scoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Your Next Great Read? Found It. 📚✨

Hey bookworms and casual readers alike—Books-A-Million is your ultimate reading sanctuary! From bestselling novels to self-improvement guides and even quirky coffee table finds, there’s a little something for everyone. Whether you're cozying up with a thriller or diving into your next business breakthrough, we’ve got the stories that keep you flipping pages. Ready to grow your collection? Shop now at Books-A-Million and let the next chapter begin! 📖💖

Dance Dreams Start Here 💃✨

Dancers, we know you're always chasing perfection (or at least that perfect pirouette)! Discount Dance has everything you need to bring your A-game—whether it's ballet shoes, leotards, or trendy streetwear for hip-hop practice. 👟🩰 And yes, the prices? Totally performance-worthy! Ready to hit the dance floor in style? Shop Discount Dance and keep your moves flawless without breaking the bank. Let’s groove! 💃🎶

WEATHER

Monday

33°F 🌡️ 17°F | 🌨️ | 80% | 💨 SW 15 mph (13 knots)

Tuesday

22°F 🌡️ 19°F | 🌨️ | 60% | 💨 W 20 mph (17 knots)

Wednesday

25°F 🌡️ 16°F | 🌨️ | 50% | 💨 W 15 mph (13 knots)

LIVE MUSIC IN THE 216

Wednesday - 01/15

Dunlap’s Corner Bar | Jamaal Cody | 7 PM

Grog Shop | Mibble + Sly Vixen + Prince Tucker | 7 PM

Mahall’s | This Is Lorelei + Youbet | 7 PM

Thursday - 01/16

The Foundry | Folk Around and Find Out | 6:30 PM

Beachland Tavern | Peter Mulvey + Charlie Mosbrook | 7 PM

Friday - 01/17

Beachland Tavern | Bessemer Saints + The Velvematics + Others | 7 PM

HI and DRY Bowling & Beer | Chloe & The Steel Strings | 7 PM

The Treelawn | Ernie Krivda | 8 PM

For tickets and more information visit: livemusicincleveland.com

The 216 Sports Arena

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers

Away vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16

Cleveland Monsters

Home vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who went to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park recently.

Watch this quick video (start at 0:50) to see how easy it is to add our app to your home screen!

Follow us on social media!