Wildfires, Dead Man’s Curve Drama, & Buckeyes’ Big Comeback! 🔥

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition: 

• California wildfires: How to help

• What is causing all the crashes around Dead Man’s Curve?

• Once dead, Buckeyes now favored to win it all

• Parma and Parma Heights: Foodie destinations?

• Celebrating the life and Cleveland times of David Bowie
  

  by John Petkovic, Mark Espinosa, Victor Takakura

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IN THE NEWS

California wildfires: How to help

The devastation is incomprehensible. Thousands of homes and buildings burned to the ground. Thousands of acres of land, including 75 percent of Pacific Palisades, destroyed.

Wildfires have decimated Southern California, prompting mass evacuations and putting people, pets and wildlife in danger. It’s an American tragedy, a failure on so many levels and an indictment of our leaders. But there will be time to point fingers and apportion blame later.

For now, a number of charities are helping the situation as it unfolds. Here are links to some organizations if you’d like to donate:

• California Fire Foundation

• Canine Rescue Club

• Direct Relief

• Salvation Army Southern California Division

• Pasadena Humane

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What is causing all the crashes around Dead Man’s Curve?

There were 28 crashes between Monday and Wednesday on Dead Man’s Curve on I-90. The Ohio Department of Transportation is trying to figure out what is going on.

On Wednesday alone, there were four crashes before noon. One led to a seven-car pile-up -- despite the highway being salted and dry at the time. As a result, the left lane was closed for three hours.

“It’s really not a common area for winter crashes, so this is kind of perplexing,” according to ODOT spokesperson Brent Kovacs.

Most of the crashes have occurred in the left lane, and involved drivers sliding into the center barrier. The pattern in the accidents prompted ODOT to see if there is an underlying problem with the road. It found no ice or moisture or structural issues – and suggested that high speeds or distractions could be the problem.

On Thursday, ODOT installed a sign warning drivers: "Slow Down. Sharp Curve Ahead."

“Put the phones down and drive carefully around the curves—especially with more winter weather heading our way,” said Lt. Mike Norman, spokesperson for the Cleveland Fire Department.

Once dead, Buckeyes now favored to win it all

This could be one of craziest stories in college football in years. Just three games ago -- after one of the worst-ever Buckeyes’ losses, to Michigan -- fans wanted the coach Ryan Day fired and QB Will Howard portalled the hell out of here.

Now, Ohio State is favored to win the College Football Championship.

At 7:30 tonight, the Buckeyes take on the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. OSU is favored to win the college semifinal playoff game by six points. The winner will face XXX for the championship.

The Ohio State Alumni Club of Greater Cleveland will host the official watch party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Strongsville, but there are a number of places hosting soirees. Check out Buckeyes watch party guide here.

Parma and Parma Heights: Foodie destinations?

Parma and Parma Heights might not be high on list of foodie destinations. But the cities are home to some of the area’s top Indian, Eastern European and Korean restaurants – along with solid Mexican eateries and the stellar Omizu Japanese Restaurant.

Here comes another one: Ichabin Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi has just opened at 6405 Pearl Road, Parma Heights, in the former home of Cleats.

Ichiban looks nothing like a sport bar. It’s dimly lit with glowing lighting and colorful décor. It features a deep list of signature and exotic cocktails. Yes, there are some things you’d expect: a mai tai, a scorpion and peach and pineapple fruity drinks. But it also rolls out a Japanese Manhattan, along with a variety of cosmopolitans and margaritas.

Of course, the calling card is the menu.

There are 20-plus Maki rolls (ranging from $6-$8) to go with traditional and signature sushi dinners and 11 kinds of hibachi. (Proteins include swordfish, filet mignon, New York steak, lobster, tuna.) Ichiban also features staples such as fried soba, edamame, gyoza and scallion cake.

For hours, call 268-4498.

THE 216 DIGEST

Bring on the Elvis impersonators!

The Elvis Birthday Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Edition in Playhouse Square’s State Theatre, 1519 Euclid, Cleveland: What better way to celebrate the King’s 90th birthday than with an extravaganza of impersonators. The show spans his rockabilly break-out, his time in the military, his ’68 comeback and his Vegas years. 7 p.m. Sunday.

Beerhead has gone flat

Beerhead was a cornerstone of the Flats East Bank development for nine years. No more. The 3,500-square-foot craft-beer emporium that boasted 50 beers on tap, 400 brands in bottles and an array of pizzas has closed. It is the second change recently announced for the entertainment district; Big Bang Dueling Pianos Bar will close and will be replaced by Decades, an ‘80s and ‘90s-themed dance club. The Avon Beerhead location remains open.

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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN!

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Celebrating the life and Cleveland times of David Bowie

He was a singer, a spaceman and a cosmic hero whose spirit and style continue to inspire eight years after his death. Cleveland band Vanity Crash will celebrate the life and times of David Bowie – who died on this day in 2016 – when it hosts “Davie Bowie in Cleveland.”

The multi-media show looks at the role the city played in the icon’s career. Bowie broke out in Cleveland, which hosted his first-ever U.S. concert, in 1972. There are three shows: Friday at the Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Avenue; Saturday at Jilly’s Music Room, 111 N. Main Street, Akron; and Sunday, at the Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road. All three shows start 8 p.m. For tickets and info, go here.

VINTAGE CLEVELAND

Friday, October 20, 1944: The East Ohio Gas Company explosion, one of the worst disasters in Cleveland history, which occurred when a a tank of natural gas exploded on Cleveland's east side, setting off a devastating fire that killed 130 people and left nearly 700 homeless

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

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WEATHER

Friday

30°F 🌡️ 26°F | 🌨️ | 80% | 💨 SW 10 mph (9 knots)

Saturday

33°F 🌡️ 22°F | 🌨️ | 70% | 💨 W 12 mph (10 knots)

Sunday

31°F 🌡️ 27°F | ⛅ | 20% | 💨 NW 10 mph (9 knots)

LIVE MUSIC IN THE 216

Friday - 01/10

Beachland Ballroom | Cracker + Johnny Hickman | 7 PM

House of Blues | Warren G | 7 PM

Saturday - 01/11

MGM Northfield Park | Floyd Nation | 8 PM

Grog Shop | Lea Marra & The River Boys + Howling Mob + Others | 7:30 PM

Sunday - 01/12

MusicBox | Moving In Stereo | 12 PM

Forest City Brewery | Thor Platter Band | 3 PM

For tickets and more information visit: livemusicincleveland.com

The 216 Sports Arena

Upcoming Games

Cavaliers
Home vs. Indiana Pacers, 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 12

Cleveland Monsters
Home vs. Laval Rocket, 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10
Home vs. Laval Rocket, 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11

Cleveland Charge
Home vs. Grand Rapids Gold, 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10
Home vs. Grand Rapids Gold, 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11

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