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🛸 Strangest Things Around the 216 Area...

🛸 Strangest Things Around the 216 Area...

February 12, 2025

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

Strangest things: Cleveland leads the way when it comes to ‘weird’ landmarks
There’s a crisis in area animal shelters
The AI monster is turning on its masters, devouring workers
Yelp: Marble Room one of America’s top date-night spots
Valentine’s Day: 10 bars and restaurants for a night of romance

John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

Strangest things: Cleveland leads the way when it comes to ‘weird’ landmarks

Photos credits: Crying Angel (left, Lake View Cemetery; right, Laura DeMarco); Free Stamp (Cleveland Historical); Guardians of Traffic (Cleveland Memory Project); Soldiers and Sailors Monument (SSM Facebook)

When the going gets strange, the strange turn pro…

World Atlas has looked at the map and determined that Ohio has some strange landmarks. Take a bow, Cleveland – apparently, we’re good at this stuff.

The city has four of the ‘9 Strangest Landmarks in Ohio’ in a just-published tour of the state.

Says World Atlas: “Ohio is full of many captivating sights. Some are historical, some are contemporary, and some are just plain weird.”

Let’s go:

The Free Stamp: “The World’s Largest Rubber Stamp created by [pop art masters] Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen in 1985 was commissioned by Standard Oil to be displayed at the [former] BP Tower in Public Square.” Management thought the 35-ton sculpture was mocking the company, so it donated it to the city and off it went to Willard Park on Lakeside Avenue.

The Haserot Crying Angel: “You might consider this landmark to be reverential or just creepy. Also known as the Angel of Death Victorious, it guards the grave of Frances Henry Haserot in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland. The bronze angel, sculpted in 1924 by Herman Matzen, sits atop a marble gravestone and appears to be crying black tears.” It’s one of the cemetery’s top attractions and destination for Goth photo shoots.

Guardians of Traffic: “Created in 1932 and the only public Art Deco monument in the city, each of the guardians holds a different ground vehicle. Carved from 43-foot sandstone slabs, [they] are intended to protect all who traverse the bridge… a unique and fascinating landmark.”

Solders’ and Sailors’ Monument: “The tribute to those who fought in the Civil War features… a 125-foot column upon which the Goddess of Freedom, defended by the Shield of Liberty sits... Inside, the Memorial Room lists served in the Civil War… with bronze sculptures and busts.” It took 15 years to complete – in part because the city and businesses fought against having it downtown.

There’s a crisis in area animal shelters

Some of the animals available for adoption at the Cleveland APL and Parma Animal Shelter. Photos courtesy both shelters.

Area animal shelters are overwhelmed. They’re taking in more dogs and cats and fewer people are adopting them. It has resulted in a crisis, as many are operating at full capacity.

As a result, many shelters have been forced to house dogs in smaller cages and have lowered or dropped adoption fees to entice people to give them a home.

City Dogs Cleveland is taking in up to 30 new dogs per day, according to Friendship APL.

To ease the burden, the Elyria-based shelter has taken in some of City Dogs’ animals – despite being at capacity. The idea is to step in and provide temporary help while reaching out to the community to have people foster pets until someone takes them in.

Pet adoptions increased during Covid. The return to work post-Covid and economic duress have made it harder and more costly to care for pets.

Shelters have appealed to animal lovers to help – but also donate to and volunteer for shelters to help them overcome the crisis.

Local shelters include Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter, Cleveland Animal Protective League, City Dogs and Parma Animal Shelter.

The AI monster is turning on its masters, devouring workers

Photo courtesy scitechdaily.com

Is this a 21st century Frankenstein story? AI is killing tech jobs.

Tech layoffs rose from 3.9% to 5.7% in just one month, based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Tech companies have ramped up investment in AI. Ironically, it has led to an alarming trend – where the technology increasingly claims jobs, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Unemployment among white-collar workers is at its highest level since 2020, according to the hiring website Indeed – and it shows little sign of abating. New postings in software development at the jobs platform fell 8.5% in January.

Even users of AI are feeling angst over it: 52% of workers that use it are hesitant to admit it – because they worry it will make them more replaceable.

Goldman Sachs finds that “roughly two-thirds of current jobs are exposed to some degree of AI automation.

A recent report by the Brookings Institution finds that 30% of all workers could see at least 50% of their occupational tasks disrupted.

Yelp: Marble Room one of America’s top date-night spots

Photo courtesy Marble Room

Valentine’s Day is coming and Yelp is celebrating with its list of America’s Top 100 Date Night Restaurants.

Here comes Marble Room: The opulent downtown eatery located in the old National City Bank lobby clocks in at 38.

It’s the only Ohio eatery to make the list, which was based on four years of reviews that included terms like “date night” and “anniversary.”

Yelp doesn’t include a review of the Marble Room, which opened in 2017.

In October, popular foodie site LoveFood featured the Euclid Avenue spot on its “Most Expensive Restaurant in Each State” list.

LoveFood: “The grandeur of the setting makes dinner at Marble Room worth the hefty check. The food is suitably fine too, with a range of seafood dishes, steaks, and raw bar treats including caviar, an ounce of which will set you back $199.”

Check out our guide to 10 restaurants and bars for Valentine’s Day below.

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The 216 Rundown

Photos by John Petkovic except Cloak and Dagger, Le Petit, Pier W and L’Albatros (courtesy of those places)

Valentine’s Day: 10 bars and restaurants for a night of romance

Anyone can buy a box of chocolate or some flowers. These 10 places will show your sweetie that you put some thought into it…

Le Petit Triangle,1881 Fulton Avenue, Cleveland: Your date can't help but say "oui" to a night at this charming Ohio City French restaurant and creperie. It boasts a vibe and décor that recalls a Left Bank cafe.

Olesia’s Tavern of Richfield, 3960 Broadview Road, Richfield: With its eclectic take on Continental cuisine, Olesia’s feels like some European inn. It’s located in a circa-1886 Victorian inn, which adds rustic allure.

Batuqui, 12706 Larchmere Boulevard, Cleveland: This bistro-bar has an easy-going Brazilian vibe to go with the cozy decor and a menu that is delicious from top to bottom.

La Dolce Vita, 12112 Mayfield Road, Cleveland: Celebrate love Italian-style. This charming eatery is located in Little Italy, but feels like Rome.

Bar 32, in the Hilton Downtown Cleveland: It’s the view that stirs the drink at this 32^nd floor bar. Bar 32 mixes elegance with lots of windows that offer a spectacular views of the skyline, lake and river.

Cloak and Dagger, 2399 West 11th Street, Cleveland: The cocktails and vegan offerings are innovative. But it’s the Goth atmosphere, antiques, books and moody lighting that makes it a romantic charm.

Pier W, 12700 Lake Avenue, Lakewood: Open table named it one of America’s top 100 romantic restaurants. It seafood menu, drink list and atmosphere – and views of the lake – are stellar.

Porco Lounge, 2527 West 25th Street, Cleveland: Those Tiki mugs on the walls of this Polynesian hideaway will drive you drink. No problem. Porco boasts a long list of elixirs – to go with Tiki décor and thatched huts.

L’Albatros, 11401 Bellflower Road, Cleveland: It’s located in an old carriage house and feels like a French inn. A delicious dive into Franco cuisine and wine -- and the mood is romantic.

The Vault at The 9, 2017 East Ninth Street., Cleveland: Located in the old Ameritrust complex, this swank pad is a stunning a maze of rooms, adorned with couches, ornate wallpaper and, yes, bank vaults – not to mention fine cocktails.

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Charming Single-Family Residence in Lakewood – 1262 Gladys Ave

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🏡 Built: 1926

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Photo courtesy CSU Vikings

7 p.m. Wednesday

The Cleveland State University Vikings have won 14 of their last 15 games and remain in first place in the Horizon League standings at 12-2. The team is 18-7 overall. At 7 tonight, the Vikings face the Robert Morris Colonials at Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland.

8 p.m. Wednesday

Noise-rock provocateur and No Wave pioneer Lydia Lunch will bring decades of songs and confrontation to Dunlap’s Corner Bar, 3258 West 32nd Street, Cleveland. Also on the bill: Tim Dahl and Matt Nelson, Disintegration, DJ Edge.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

A 1931 photo of the construction of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge – also known as the Hope Memorial Bridge. Construction started in 1927 and concluded in 1932. The bridge features the iconic Guardians of Traffic – which were just named one of the “9 Strangest Landmarks in Ohio.”

Cleveland Memory Project

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop & @The216ScoopOfficial to get your photos in the Scoop!

Extra Sprinkles

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WEATHER

Wednesday
35°F 🌡️ 28°F | 🌧️❄️ | 80% | 💨 SW 10 mph (9 knots)

Thursday
32°F 🌡️ 17°F | ❄️ | 60% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)

Friday
29°F 🌡️ 25°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 12 mph (10 knots)

Note: This forecast is based on data from weather.com.

Live Shows in the 216

The 216 Sports Area

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers

Away vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12

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