Go Outside and Do Something!
You used to play outside all the time as a kid and then you stopped. Why? Winter in Cleveland is prime time for a plethora of outdoor activities from sledding and skating to ice fishing and tobagganing— just take a peek at these vintage photos of outdoor winter fun to get inspired. So pull on…
“This Video Will Change the Way You Watch A Christmas Story”
Last year, BuzzFeed released a video that they swore would change the way folks watch the holiday classic “A Christmas Story,” and for us it certainly has. If you haven’t yet caught BuzzFeed’s three minute flick, give it a watch below, and never again will you wonder how the tongue-sticking scene looked so darn real.
10 Tunes for Your Hip Hop Christmas Playlist
Crack open a 40 oz, go buckwild on Santa’s lap and have yourself a merry little Christmas now. Kanye West,“Christmas in Harlem” Besides giving his “D-ricious” hot chocolate as a gift, Kanye West’s instant Christmas classic is a pretty wholesome affair about living the good life in New York and hitting the malls. RUN-DMC, “Christmas…
10 Cocktails to Drink this Holiday Season
Mint mixed with vodka and martini glasses Black currant nectar and empty shot glasses Drunk Christmas caroling with friends who can’t sing These are a few of my favorite things We might have rhymed “glasses” with “glasses” there, but it’s the holidays and you shouldn’t be judging. This time of year can get stressful, what…
MICK to Spin at Drop Bar on Friday
Formerly Known as Mick Boogie, MICK was one of the city’s most popular DJs in the ‘00s. When he won “Best DJ” back in 2002 (when he was known as Mick Boogie), here’s what we wrote about him: “No DJ is more attuned to his audience’s ears than Mick Boogie. When he plays for mainstream…
What the Hell is a Consent Decree? Making Sense of What’s to Come After the DOJ Report
What the hell is a consent decree? A consent decree is part of a court settlement — in practical terms, it’s a document — in which a person or a company (or, in this case, the City of Cleveland) agrees to take specific actions without admitting fault or guilt for the situation that led to…
Police Union Chief on MSNBC: Tamir Rice Shooting ‘Justified’
Outgoing Cleveland police union president Jeffrey Follmer was on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes last night, discussing the Tamir Rice shooting — one which he called “justified” on the news program — and the kerfuffle over a Browns wide receiver sporting a T-shirt message and demanding justice for Rice and Beavercreek police shooting victim…
Two Breweries Expand, Two New Taprooms Open
Just six months after opening its doors, Platform Beer (4125 Lorain Ave., 216-202-1386, platformbeerco.com) is in the process of greatly expanding its brewhouse. Since opening day, brewer Shaun Yasaki has been working on a small 3-barrel system intended for the homebrewer incubator program. Soon, he’ll be cranking out a sea of craft beer from his…
Cavs Smack Hornets Early, Then Smack Them Again Late in 97-88 Win
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 21-0 lead last night thanks to the Hornets’ horrid shooting. The last time you saw this many misses in a row, Bert Parks was singing, “There she is, Miss America.” Charlotte missed ten shots before Al Jefferson would put one in. It got as bad as 28-6 before they…
U.S. Attorney Dettelbach Meets with Frustrated Community to Discuss DOJ Findings
U.S. Attorney Steven Dettelbach fielded questions from an oft-frustrated crowd Monday night during a community forum at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant Neighborhood. Copies of the full DOJ report were made available to attendees upon arrival, and Dettelbach encouraged everyone to thoroughly read his team’s findings, which (as I’m sure you’ve…
Scene Magazine Presents United We Brunch
UNITED WE BRUNCH Chase away the post holiday blahs and take a stand with us! Cleveland Scene presents United We Brunch! Eastside Headache? Dizzy on the west? Let’s tackle this hangover together…United We Brunch! On Saturday, January 24th, we’re bringing together some of our favorite brunch restaurants from around the city, along with brunch cocktails,…
Rock Hall Announces Class of 2015
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has announced the inductees for 2015. The list includes the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Green Day (pictured), Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Lou Reed, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and Bill Withers. Notably absent from the list is Nine Inch Nails, the industrial rock act fronted by former Clevelander Trent…
Incoming Police Union President Steve Loomis Chimes in on Andrew Hawkins’ Tamir Rice T-Shirt
We’ve already heard from Jeff Follmer, the Browns and Andrew Hawkins on his decision to wear a “Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford III” t-shirt before yesterday’s Browns game. Now, word from Steve Loomis, president-elect of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association. His statement is significantly less inflammatory than Follmer’s (he doesn’t call anyone pathetic,…
High School Freshman Protests School’s Removal of Ten Commandments Plaque By Not Doing Homework
A freshman at Harding High School in Marion, Ohio, is protesting his school’s decision to remove a Ten Commandment plaque from its hallways by bravely not doing his homework or participating in school events. The public school’s administrators removed the plaque — a gift from the class of 1953 — this summer to avoid any…
ICYMI: Cleveland Baby Born at 10:11 on 12/13/14
Hazel Grace was born at Fairview Hospital Saturday morning — at 10:11 a.m. on 12/13/14, to be precise, which makes her one of two babies born in the U.S. with that uniquely sequential birthday. “We knew she was going to be born today [Saturday], we just didn’t know it would be at 10:11 a.m.,” Hazel’s…
Browns to Police: You’re Not Getting an Apology
The Cleveland Browns have issued a response to Cleveland Police Union President Jeff Follmer, who requested an official apology from the organization after wide receiver Andrew Hawkins wore a “Justice for Tamir Rice and John Crawford” t-shirt prior to Sunday’s game. Here’s the statement the Browns released to Channel 5. We have great respect for…
Jeff Follmer Is Pathetic
It’s hard to put any stock in the words of a man whose job is to hold halos over every single one of the 1,500 or so men and women currently employed as Cleveland police officers. Fifteen hundred is a big number. And while we’ll echo the sentiment expressed elsewhere — that by and large,…
Fat Head’s Brewery to Raise Funds for Athens’ Jackie O’s Brewery
Last month, a horrible fire destroyed multiple businesses on West Union Street in Athens. Some were only partially ravaged; others, like the beloved Union, were burnt completely. This week, Fat Head’s Brewery will be raising funds for the Athens community and Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, which saw smoke and water damage to the building’s…
Tokyo Tuesdays to Bring Ramen to Underdog at the Euclid Tavern
Everybody knows that Happy Dog is the place to go in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood for great burgers. Sure, the bar is mainly celebrated as a happy hot dog shop, where diners load up gourmet weenies with all sorts of weird and wonderful toppings. But on Thursday nights, the Underdog at Happy Dog – the…
Federal Judge Denies Alfred Cleveland’s Appeal for New Trial
Alfred Cleveland has been in prison for 17 years for the 1991 murder of Marsha Blakely. The flimsy case against him has garnered intermittent waves of national attention over the years, and the recent exoneration of three men in Cuyahoga County only shines the spotlight ever brighter. But Cleveland’s story isn’t veering toward any sort of…
Peet’s Coffee to Close All Ohio Branches
Less than a year and a half after opening up retail stores throughout Ohio, Peet’s Coffee & Tea has announced it’s shuttering all in-state locations, as well as all outlets in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Today is the last day for business. “After nearly an 18-month assessment of our Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania markets, we are…
Photo: Someone Brought a Reindeer to the Browns Game
In case you missed it, someone brought a reindeer to the Browns vs. Bengals game today: Am I hallucinating from a lack of sleep, or did somebody bring a reindeer to the Bengals/Browns game? A photo posted by @dan_hoard on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:37am PST Blitzen was spotted flashing the money sign moments after…
11 Photos of the Abandoned Whiskey Island Coast Guard Station
The Whiskey Island Coast Guard station served as Cleveland’s Lifesaving Service headquarters from 1940 to 1976, when officials decided the harsh winters and remote location made it too difficult to operate and moved the Guard to its East 9th Street pier residence. The station was left to the elements until the City of Cleveland purchased the building…
Pelicans Offense Picks at Tired Cavs’ Defense-less Bodies, Finally Severs Head, 119-114
While nobody’s satisfied with the losses to the New Orleans Pelicans last night 119-114 or the loss the night before in Oklahoma Thunder, both showcased an evolving team with some serious issues but also a lot going for it, particularly a spunky, no-quit spirit. The last two games in particular highlight this half-empty/half-full dynamic that…
Photo of the Day: The Great Lakes from the International Space Station
Earlier this week, Commander Barry Wilmore of Expedition 42 took this stunning photo of the Great Lakes (well, most of them anyway) and the central United States from aboard the International Space Station. NASA Astronauts tweeted out the photo on Sunday. “Great lakes & central U.S.” #AstroButch pic.twitter.com/TvEdT6wTZW — NASA Astronauts (@NASA_Astronauts) December 8, 2014
Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive Receives Record Donations
For the sixth year in a row, Auburn Records and WJCU 88.7 FM teamed up for a food drive for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Friends Of The Cleveland Kennel and Lake Humane Society. Held on Dec. 6 at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, the event produced a record amount of donations. “We did it!”…
State Senate Approves Redistricting Reform Bill in Late-Night Vote
It’s like what former State Senate President Harry Meshel used to always tell you back in college: EVERYTHING GOOD happens after 2 a.m. Such was the state of affairs this morning, as the Ohio State Senate approved a bipartisan redistricting reform bill at 4 a.m. House approval of the amendments to the bill is expected…
Alkaline Trio to Play 4 Consecutive Nights at Grog Shop in May
Alkaline Trio has been a steady presence on the pop-punk scene since forming in Chicago some nearly 20 years ago. Over that time period, the band has put on some great shows in Cleveland — in 2013, it played a terrific show at House of Blues. On May 2, 3, 4 and 5, the band…
Scene Foodcast: The Year’s Food Trends in Cleveland, Waterloo’s Come Up, and Some of the Best Things We Ate in 2014
This week, host Craig Lyndall is joined by Scene dining editor Doug Trattner to catch up after a few weeks of not chatting food. They wrap up the year’s trends in food — “Cleveland” anything, Cleveland BBQ, cold press juice bars, etc. — plus they get into new offerings at the Spotted Owl in Tremont,…
Go South of the Border with these 13 Cleveland Restaurants
A craving for carnitas can strike at any moment, especially after a few cervezas with your pals. Lucky for us, Cleveland is chock-full of joints that can sling mean “South of the Border” dishes. From east to west, here are a few of our favorite haunts.
8 Concerts to Catch This Weekend
Fri., Dec. 12 John Brown’s Body Elsewhere in this humble rag, we referred to John Brown’s Body and their 20-year career arc as “magnetic,” and that’s a huge part of their reputation. On one hand, they’re like a roots reggae farm team. They breed fine New England musicians, who then go into the world and…
Lunch Break: Byte Café Dishes Up High-Quality Soups and Sammies in Midtown
Michael Katz worked with the Shaker LaunchHouse to develop a novel business concept that would combine a super-fast Internet network with a high-quality soup and sandwich shop. The name “Byte Cafe,” he thought, nicely captured both aspects of the operation. Well, he’s achieved half of his plan. “We’re still working on the network part,” he…
Nearly $1 Million in LeBron Shoes Stolen, Recovered in Memphis
Crisis averted! Crisis averted! Though an employee at a Memphis-area Nike facility stole 7,500 pairs of the new Nike LeBron 12s early this week, he was apprehended shortly after the attempted heist. The Nike 12s are worth as much as $250, and a county sheriff’s assistant estimated that the total haul was worth anywhere between…
Cavs Show Heart in Comeback Despite Loss to the Thunder
It doesn’t look any better in the loss column but the grit the Cavaliers showed in a 103-94 loss to the Thunder last night will pay off down the road. Playing without their leader LeBron James – who sat out this, their third game in four nights, with a sore knee – the Cavs trailed…
Fan At Center of Alleged Johnny Manziel Fight Apologizes to Manziel, Ready for Johnny to “Wreck This League”
Chris Gonos, the eager and possibly intoxicated fan who approached Johnny Manziel and his entourage (or, if you believe Johnny’s agent, two old ladies and a priest) at The 9 late on a Friday night last month asking for a hug or some dap, which led in some fashion to a fight that drew the…
Scene Podcast: No Sleep in the CLE With Ramon Rivas, Justin Markert, and Tim Cornett
Welcome to Episode 4 of No Sleep in the CLE with Ramon Rivas and Justin Markert. This week the dynamic duo is joined by Cleveland stand up comedian Tim Cornett. They talk about his come up in comedy, living and performing in Portland vs. Cleveland, the differences between being a comedian at 19 and 34,…
Jackson Meets the Press, Reiterates Total McGrath Support, Questions Accuracy of DOJ Report
In a one hour, 40 minute press conference with local media, Mayor Jackson addressed issues relating to last week’s scathing DOJ report, a report which cited a pattern of excessive force and brutality by the Cleveland Police Department. Jackson stood by McGrath and police leadership, continually questioning the “accuracy” of the report — a grueling,…
Indie rockers the Lighthouse and the Whaler Will Preview New Album at Grog Shop Show
Local indie rockers the Lighthouse and the Whaler have had a great year. Earlier this year, they released a remix EP that includes Savoir Adore’s terrific remix of the single “Venice.” The Savoir Adore remix loops a few more vocals into the mix and adds some bleeps and blips that give the song a bit…
‘Travel + Leisure’ Gives Cleveland Some 2015 Love
“Revival is well under way in downtown Cleveland, as young professionals move in and historic buildings are repurposed,” reads the recent write-up in Travel + Leisure’s Best Places to Travel 2015 series. And, if you look past the scourge of social, political and economic problems searing across every neighborhood in the city — very much…
Get Your Fill of White Castle Before All Northeast Ohio Locations Close on Christmas Eve
This is the part where we’d usually dip into a soft reverie introduction to this post with some Harold and Kumar jokes, but the news is too serious for dilly-dallying: Come Christmas Eve, all five Northeast Ohio locations of White Castle will shutter their sweet onion and patty doors for good. We’ve had some good…
Nick Lowe Concert Serves as Fitting Tribute to the Late Ian McLagan
Originally, singer-songwriter Nick Lowe was going to tour with former Small Faces/Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan as his opening act. The two even had T-shirts for sale that featured both of their faces. But McLagan died suddenly last week after suffering a stroke. It’s a terrible tragedy — McLagan regularly included Cleveland on his tour schedule…
Cleveland Chefs Unite for Collaboration, Compassion in Edible Mag for Food Bank
The multi-page centerfold in the winter edition of Edible Cleveland features an impressive collection of Cleveland culinary talent seemingly caught in the midst of an epic food fight. The dramatic photomontage is the work of local photographer James Douglas, who spent months shooting and editing the piece, as did Barney Taxel. That image now stands…
10 Things Going on this Weekend in Cleveland (December 12 – 14)
Get your holly jollies on this weekend with a boatload of seasonal activities, including the Tremont BrewHaHa on Friday, the Santa Shuffle and Christmas in Coventry on Saturday, and the Browns vs. Bengals game on Sunday (hey, we’ll all be tailgating with Christmas Ale, right?). Whatever you do this weekend, have fun out there, folks.
Watch Fox 8’s “Lil’ John” Rinaldi Confront Cinci’s Coach
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis flippantly called new Browns starting quarterback Johnny Manziel a “midget” in a radio interview a few days back, and Fox 8 responded in a fantastic way today at the coach’s press conference, a few days ahead of the all-Ohio matchup in Cleveland. Lewis has since apologized for calling the…
PHOTO: Prince George Sports His New Cavs Jersey– Kinda
In case you missed all the hoopla surrounding Monday night’s Cavs vs. Nets game, attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as the post-game excitement, catch up quick; there are photos of cute babies to be seen, like this adorable pic of Prince George sporting his new custom Cavs jersey: Update: It’s…
Neutral Milk Hotel’s Presumed Final Tour Will Come to Cleveland April 22
About two years ago, we bore witness to Jeff Mangum’s solo tour rolling through Cleveland. He played a stirring show at the Masonic Auditorium — one riddled with nostalgia and emotion. The King of Carrot Flowers suite was an undeniable highlight. An excerpt from that night: Former Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Mangum set up…
LeBron and 4th Quarter Defense Help Cavs Overcome the Raptors in a 105-101 Victory
If looks could kill, LeBron might have been doing a 360, through-the-legs, tomahawk jam in my face. The last thing he wanted to talk about was Miami and that first season. Certainly not after an gutty 105-101 win in which 15 minutes of hard-nosed defense and a whole night of pretty good offense propelled the…
County Prosecutors Office Clears Way for Three Recently Exonerated Men to Pursue Civil Process After Wrongful Incarceration
Though Kwame Ajamu was paroled back in 2003, it wasn’t until yesterday that he became a free man in the true sense. He’d had the murder conviction dating back to 1975 hanging around his head for a crime that he, his brother Wiley Bridgeman and their friend Ricky Jackson didn’t commit. Ajamu was just 17…
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble Top the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Fan Vote
While it doesn’t guarantee induction, the Rock Hall’s annual Fan Vote allows the general public to weigh in on the nominees. Public voting for the next Hall of Fame class has concluded and blues guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan and his group Double Trouble finished at the top of the heap. The runners-up include, in…
Johnny Manziel’s “Money Cake” from Colossal Cupcakes Cost $600
Welp. Here’s this. Downtown dessert boutique Colossal Cupcakes crafted the above 45-pound “Money Cake” for Johnny Manziel’s 22nd birthday Saturday. They posted this picture to Instagram Sunday. The final bill for the cake, as reported by TMZ, came to $600. Colossal Cupcakes owner Kelly Kandah told TMZ that the enormous dessert took two days…
A New Year’s Eve Events Guide
From fancy cocktails in the Flats and fine dining in the suburbs, to your favorite live performers at venues city wide — and, of course, downtown’s Cleveland Rocks New Year’s Eve outdoor bash — Northeast Ohio will be ringing in 2015 with style. There’s nothing worse than trying to find a dinner reservation or suitable party…
A Belly Full of Comfort: Four Recipes from Chef Demetrios Atheneos of the Forage Public House
These are a few of my family’s go-to recipes. We cook a lot of vegetarian dishes at home, both because we don’t like to eat a lot of red meat, but also because my wife doesn’t really like to cook any meat. These recipes are definitely adapted for a home cook — they are quick…
The TV Guy: Mike and Janice Olszewski’s Cleveland TV Tales is Chock-Full of Cleveland TV History and Nostalgia
Mike Olszewski talks like an old-school radio host. But with his goatee and spectacles, he looks more like what he is: a college professor. Olszewski teaches courses on media, pop culture and public speaking at Kent State, the University of Akron and Notre Dame College, and with his wife, Janice, he’s written a book all…
The 2014 Scene Gift Guide
It sneaks up on you. Before you know it, Thanksgiving is over, and while you’re nursing the turkey hangover, another week or two rolls by. And then, suddenly, as if without warning — even though commercials are splayed out on TV and radio stations are drowning in Christmas songs 24/7 — the tree is up…
25 Things to Do this Winter
Sure, we get it. The easy thing to do around these parts when the sun sets before you leave work and a special Lake effect delivery is waiting for you before you get home is to hunker down. Why, after all, would you try braving the wind chill and overarching darkness when you could just…
All the Colors: DayGlo Teams up with Doubting Thomas for a Third Year of Psychedelic Goodness
The winter months tend to be slow in the art world, but that doesn’t mean the calendar isn’t dotted with exciting, unique events. Take, as just one example, the Tremont Art Walk, happening this Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 10 p.m. For the third consecutive year, Cleveland’s own DayGlo Color Corporation is teaming up…
The Butcher and Ashtabula: After Moving from NYC, a Couple Shapes an Old Meat Market into a New Dining Destination
Like many young chefs, Jennifer Pociask and Alex Asteínza dreamed of opening a little place of their own. Unfortunately, they were living in New York City at the time. “We were looking to open something in Brooklyn, but the costs are astronomical,” says Pociask. The couple — “We’re partners in all aspects of life, just…
Film Review of the Week: Exodus: Gods and Kings
The Red Sea is featured prominently in the TV spots for Ridley Scott’s new film, Exodus: Gods and Kings, which stars Christian Bale as Moses and opens Friday areawide. Moses, of course, was the Egyptian prince of mysterious parentage who led the Hebrews out of B.C. slavery and toward the promised land. The parting of the…
Film Spotlight: The Babadook
“The Babadook started out as my own vision,” says Australian writer/director Jennifer Kent, of the eponymous monster in her new horror film. “It was everything that I love and everything that I fear. But the film was never about the physical monster. Not to diminish it. It was always a bi-product of Amelia.” Amelia is…
Christmas in a Troubled Time: In the Engrossing A Civil War Christmas at Dobama Theatre, Threads of Current Strife Come Front and Center
Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Michael Brown. Those are three names that everyone knows now, names that put the lie to many cherished holiday songs about love and good will. Indeed, this year’s Christmas carols feel more than slightly tarnished by distorted policing and legal systems in many communities that set cops and prosecutors against black…
Sumthin’ Special: Guitar Hero Eric Gales Returns to Cleveland for the First Time in Two Decades
When Eric Gales first got his hands on a guitar, he turned it upside down and played it left-handed, something that would become a signature part of his technique as a player. By the time he learned that he was doing something that was technically wrong, there was no going back; it felt right to…
Band of the Week: Big Ship
Meet the Band: Dreadlock Dave McDougald (bass), Michael Rotman (guitar, vocals) A Musical Blind Date: Local reggae singer Carlos Jones set up McDougald and Rotman about eight years ago on what Rotman says was a “blind date.” They clicked and have been playing together as Big Ship for the past five or six years. “We’re…
Sound and Vision: Guitarist Marc Ribot to Accompany the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Screening of The Kid
For the past several years, guitarist Marc Ribot, a New York-based player who’s famous for having lent his talents to major figures such as Tom Waits and Elvis Costello, has played an original score to the accompaniment of the Charlie Chaplin film The Kid. The New York Guitar Festival originally commissioned his composition and he…
Made in Cleveland: The Rise of the Maker Economy in Cleveland
On a brisk afternoon in late October, Suzanne Price adjusts her black dress and leans her camera in toward a table of miniature snow-dusted trees, ice skates with hand-stitched bows, and meticulously assembled holiday streamers strewn across the wall of a downtown warehouse. Calls for set changes led by Stephanie Sheldon, founder of the Cleveland…
