Cleveland’s Winter Wonderland and Epic Showdowns Await!

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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop, telling you to lace up your boots and take a frosty hike through the Emerald Necklace trails before the snow melts! ❄️🌲 First time reading? Join over 10,000 local curious readers. Sign up here.

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition: 

• Atlas Obscura raves about Ohio, Cleveland in 2025 world travel guide

• Gimme a guardrail! Man wants cars to stop crashing into his house

• Battle of the Titans: Cavs vs. Thunder

• Dining Igloos: Eating out in a winter wonderland

• ‘Life of Pi’ lands in Playhouse Square

  
  
  by John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Atlas Obscura raves about Ohio, Cleveland in 2025 world travel guide

A Caribbean island with beautiful beaches. A Buddhist Himalayan kingom.  The jungles of Paraguay. The natural beauty of Tasmania.… Ohio?

Well, it might not seem as exotic as those other places, but it’s one of the 20 destinations in Atlas Obscura’s Where to Wander list in 2025.

The acclaimed travel and exploration company known for its love of obscure, unique places calls Ohio the “Midwest’s overlooked gem.” It raves about the nature trails, caves, beaches and attractions of the Buckeye State.  It’s one of four destinations in North America highlighted in the guide.

Atlas Obscures begins the journey in Cleveland: “Cleveland is a city of vibrant neighborhoods (check out Tremont, Ohio City, University Circle, and quaint Chagrin Falls) and historic marvels (such as Ohioan John D. Rockefeller’s arcade). It’s home to the Cleveland Art Museum with works by Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, and Caravaggio; the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; and the 1912 West Side Market packed with regional eats like pierogies and pączki (Polish doughnuts).”

It calls Ohio as “a place of innovation and quirkiness” – where the Hopewell civilization built elaborate ceremonial earthworks (one of the only UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Midwest)” and the home of the Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong, and Annie Oakley.‍

Atlas Obscura also raves about Cincinnati’s architecture; Kelley’s Island; Sugarcreek; Hocking Hills State Park; Cedar Point and the ghostly abandoned places that spawn urban legends.

There are all sorts of lists out there ranking cities for this or that. Whatever. But it’s telling that recent raves by Atlas Obscura and Frommer’s focus on things unique to Cleveland.

Lesson: Be yourself and don’t bother keeping up with others.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EPIDEMIC SOUND

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Gimme a guardrail! Man wants cars to stop crashing into his house

Having a car slam into your house once – terrible, yes, but it could happen. Twice? Insane. Three times? WTF, give me a guard rail right away!

In the past 12 years, Cleveland Heights resident John Gall has had three cars crash into his house, located at the intersection of South Taylor Road and Fairmount Boulevard.

The bizarre story has gone viral... One man vs. City Hall (and some crazy drivers).

Gall is demanding a guardrail be put in front of his house, which he has owned since the late-1990s.

“As far as I’m concerned, this house has a giant target inside,” says Gall, who is furious that the city and ODOT has rejected such a solution.

Can’t be done, says Cleveland Heights Mayor Khalil Seren: “The Ohio Department of Transportation guidelines… will not allow a guardrail in that location because of the danger to eastbound motorists on Fairmount.”

The city has placed large boulders in Gall’s yard to block incoming cars and has offered up a concrete barrier and wooden posts.

Not enough, says Gall, who has filled his front yard with signs berating the city.

“Speed bump? Seriously? WTF?," one sign reads. Another goes, “Do NOT Move Here, Bad City Gov.” And another states, “A promise not kept is a lie.” And another: “I can’t get homeowners insurance.”

The first crash, in 2012, took out his pickup truck, which was parked on the driveway. A second, in 2021, was the culmination of a police chase and resulted in a car flying into his kitchen. A third, in 2022, took out his garage. A fourth incident resulted in a car landing on his lawn and narrowly missing the house.

The city has floated the possibility of buying the property, according to Seren. Gall refused and is planning to address the mayor’s comments soon.

Battle of the titans: Cavs vs. Thunder

Could this be a preview of the NBA Finals? At 7 tonight, the league’s top two teams face off at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse when the Cavs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It’s Wednesday’s marquee game for the NBA and will air on ESPN. The Wine and Gold, which boast the league’s best record at 31-4, have won their last 10 games by double digits, the longest such streak in franchise history.

The team is 14-1 in its last 15 games and last lost on Dec. 8 and is outscoring opponents by 16.6 points per game.

The Thunder, 30-5, is on a 15-game winning streak and has gone 19-1 over its last 20 games. Power forward Chet Holmgren will not be playing, due to a hip injury – but that hasn’t stopped the Thunder.

This week’s NBA Power Rankings have the Thunder at No. 1, followed by the Cavs. FanDuel has the Cavs favored by 2.5 points.

THE 216 DIGEST

Dining igloos: Eating out in a winter wonderland

The Christmas candy and decorations have left the shelves and it’s still snowing. Fear not: A number of restaurants have heated igloos that accommodate dining parties. Call to make reservations before going. The dining igloos go fast and hours, days can change if the weather is too nasty or cold. Check out these spots:

Vosh/Georgetown, 1414 Riverside Drive, Lakewood: The leafy green patio is transformed into an enchanting winter funfest, complete with decorations and lights.

Table 45 in the InterContinental Hotel, 9801 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland: High-end dining and the igloos are snazzy. There are only three, so they go fast.

The Fairmount Cocktail Bar, 2448 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights: Great drinks and food. The igloos are up through January.

Merwin’s Wharf, 1785 Merwin Avenue, Cleveland: The Cleveland Metroparks’ riverfront restaurant boasts great views of the Flats and the river.

The Aviator, 20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland: The former 100^th Bomb Group spot rolls out ‘Igloos on the Runway’… great for plane watching.

A MESSAGE FROM DISCOUNT DANCE

Dance Your Heart Out 💃

Hey rhythm rebels! 🩰 Whether you're pirouetting like a pro or just living your best "dance like nobody's watching" life (even though your cat definitely is), Discount Dance is about to be your new favorite wingman in the world of wiggling! We're like that friend who always knows where to find the good stuff, except instead of snacks, we're hooking you up with everything from tutus that twirl like dreams to tap shoes that'll make your neighbors wonder if they live above a tiny tap-dancing army.

From ballet slippers that'll have you floating like a butterfly (or at least trying to) to jazz outfits that bring more sass than your dance teacher's commentary, we've got prices that'll make your wallet do a happy dance too! Ready to turn your dance wardrobe from "meh" to "main character energy"? Slide into Discount Dance and let's get you looking so fresh, even your mirror will do a double-take! Because whether you're center stage or center living room, you deserve to feel like the star you are! 💃

NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN!

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Life of Pi lands in Playhouse Square

The three-time Tony Award winner about a 16-year-old boy floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with four companions – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a tiger – has reached land in Playhouse Square.

Yup, it’s the Broadway hit “Life of Pi,” the theatrical adaptation of the 2001 novel that sold 15 million copies. The ode to hope and perseverance has received acclaim for its colorful visuals, stage sets and puppetry. The show just opened Jan. 7 and runs through Jan. 26 in Connor Palace. For tickets and times, go here.

Dunlap’s does it again

Dunlap’s Corner Bar -- that tucked-away up-and-comer bar that has gained a growing following with its themed parties and eclectic shows – is at it again. At 8 p.m. Thurday, the joint, 3258 West 32^nd Street, DJ Mateo Manic will spin an eclectic set of kraut-rock, No Wave, deep-house and “weirdo.” Not sure what the weirdo thing is, but happy to take a shot. 8 p.m. Free. And keep an eye out for Dunlap’s – always a fun hang and you there’s usually a pleasant musical surprise every night.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

You think this snow is bad? The Blizzard of 1978 shut down Cleveland, most of Ohio and much of the country. Winds hit 82 mph in Cleveland and turned 5 to 15 inches of snow into 20-foot-high snow drifts. Thousands of trees and miles of electrical and telephone wires were blown down, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes in Northeast Ohio without power in the area. Twenty-twenty-five is nothng!

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

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Block the Blue Light, Unlock Better Nights 💙💤

Hey there, midnight screen scrollers and late-night Netflix negotiators! Still telling yourself "just one more episode" at 2 AM? (We see you!) Let's get real – your eyes are working harder than a coffee maker on Monday morning, and Swanwick's blue light blocking glasses are here to save the day (er, night)! Think of them as tiny superheroes for your face, fighting off those sneaky screen rays that have been turning your beauty sleep into a bad joke. Our stylish frames don't just look good – they're basically a time machine that helps you actually feel like a human in the morning instead of a grumpy zombie who married their coffee cup! Ready to transform your late-night screen time from "why am I still awake?" to "wow, I actually feel refreshed"? Slide into Swanwick and let's get you sleeping like a pro instead of scrolling like one! 😴✨

Dreaming of a Baby? Let's Make It Happen 💕

Hey future parents! If your baby-making journey feels more complicated than assembling furniture without instructions, you're not alone! Conception by Eu Natural is like your fertility fairy godparent, minus the wand but packed with all the science-backed magic your body needs. We're talking vitamins and nutrients that work harder than a matchmaker at a singles event – balancing those hormones, sweet-talking your ovulation, and getting your body as ready as a nest-building bird! 🌱 Whether you're just dipping your toes into the baby-planning pool or you've been swimming laps for a while, we're here to be your personal cheerleader (with actual science behind the pom-poms). Ready to give your body the VIP treatment it deserves? Check out Conception and let's turn those baby dreams into "time to buy tiny socks" reality! 🤰💖

WEATHER

Wednesday

27°F 🌡️ 20°F | ❄️ | 80% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)

Thursday

26°F 🌡️ 17°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots)

Friday

25°F 🌡️ 15°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots)

LIVE MUSIC IN THE 216

Wednesday - 01/08

Connor Palace | Life of Pi | 7:30 PM

Beachland Tavern | The Lustre Kings + Reverend Lee Trio | 7 PM

Thursday - 01/09

Bop Stop | Alex Anest Organ Trio | 7 PM

Connor Palace | Life of Pi | 7:30 PM

Grog Shop | Retro Pharaoh + Duality + Others | 8 PM

Friday - 01/10

Beachland Ballroom | Cracker + Johnny Hickman | 7 PM

Connor Palace | Life of Pi | 7:30 PM

House of Blues | Warren G | 7 PM

For tickets and more information visit: livemusicincleveland.com

The 216 Sports Arena

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers

Cavaliers Home vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8

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