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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Fifty years of movie magic—and CIFF’s just getting started 🎬🍿🌟

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 It’s a crust, but also a blank canvas that offers countless combinations and possibilities to the chef.

Pizza originated in 18th-century Naples, Italy as a simple flatbread topped with tomatoes, cheese and herbs.

It’s evolved into a means for cultural expressions around the world.

In America, there’s the thin New York pie, the deep-dish and a variety of nouveau takes on both.

In India, the crust is a bed for masala fusions. In South Korea, it comes with sweet-savory hybrids, with toppings like kimchi.

Turks love their ultra-thin lahmacun pizzas, covered with minced lamb and spices. Arabs in the Middle East love their manakish flat bread – topped with like za'atar, cheese or meat.

Cleveland Pizza Week starts Monday and to honor the celebration of area pizzerias, we’ve gone on a bender in search of the most unique pies in Cleveland.

Check them out in the 216 Rundown.

The For Better Project launches in Cleveland in just a week – but first, they need your help!

As a reminder, the project is a grassroots initiative to support a research-backed movement to connect shoppers to businesses in the 216 who care about promoting safety and connection.

If you have 30 seconds, can you nominate a small business or two that you think cares about their community and might be a good fit?

The For Better Project team will reach out to them directly after you submit them!

OK, 221,800 miles might seem a world away, but it’s as close as you’ll get to the moon.

Tonight, it will be 14% closer than its average distance from earth – which is why it will appear brighter and 30% bigger than it usually does.

Hail the November supermoon – a.k.a. the Beaven Moon – which will rise at 5:04 p.m., 12 minutes before sunset.

To get the best view, escape the city lights and head to locations with a clear view of the eastern horizon, including the beaches of Lake Erie, rooftops, open fields or the Cleveland Metroparks reservations.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the supermoon marks the time when the first snow appears in parts of the U.S.

The Cleveland International Film Festival broke a record for attendance with “Lost & Found in Cleveland,” which was shot in area locations and opens in theaters Friday.

But behind the scenes, all was not cheery at the 49^th installment of the movie soiree.

Overall attendance declined – 30,000, roughly a third of the pre-COVID average. Programming was uninspired and staffers complained about a toxic workplace.

As part of a “reimagining” of its vision, CIFF will celebrate its 50^th anniversary by moving screenings to the Cedar Lee Theatre for its 50^th anniversary in March, 2026.

“We are rolling out the red carpet for CIFF50 – honoring our past, embracing our present, and framing a future where both Cleveland and independent film shine brighter together,” said executive director Hermoine Malone, Executive Director, and Paul Sloop, director of programming, in a statement.

CIFF was founded by Cedar Lee owner Jonathan Forman – who hosted eight films over eight weeks in 1977.

Masla Monsoon: The Indian restaurant in Parma rolls out a delightful Paneer Tikka that fuses a traditional crust with sauteed onions, green peppers, marinated paneer, mint chutney and spices.

Good Pizza: The Mexican-themed Corn Pizza at this East Fourth stop comes with crème fraiche, lime, basil, spicy Calabrian chili – and, yes, corn.

Dina’s: Check out that Crab Rangoon pizza at this Old Brooklyn fave – an American-style-pie with cream cheese, chives, crab and a sweet and tangy sauce.

Fire + Dough Bakery: The North Olmsted Arabic eatery boast a unique take: zaatar spices and Akkawi cheese on a crisp flatbread.

Il Rione: Always innovative, the Gordon Square spot serves a Clam Pizza that pairs the seafood with mozzarella, ricotta and salt and pepper. (Served on Wednesdays.)

Dirte Pi: The Avon Lake spot boasts stellar signature pies, including the Seoul: Korean fried chicken, shallots, peppadew, Calabrian chili, cilantro cabbage slaw and ‘mudda pucker’ sauce.

Mizu Sushi: The Parma eatery rolls out a Spicy Crab Pizza -- avocado, green onion and on a crunchy tortilla.

Alaturka: The ‘Turkish Pizza at this Fairview Park spot is a thin, crispy flatbread topped with minced meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices – served with parsley, onions and lemon.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

‘Psycho’: Severance Music Center is turning into a house of horrors. At 7:30 tonight, the Cleveland Orchestra will perform Bernard Herrmann’s score of “Psycho” to accompany a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic. Info.

Sebastian Bach: The Skid Row singer who’s also dipped his toes into alt-rock  hits MGM Northfield Park at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Info.

A 1970s photo of Cleveland Browns rushing great Greg Pruitt – who made tear-away jerseys famous. Pruitt would go through four or five jerseys per game. When they were ripped beyond repair, he would run to the equipment manager to get another one. The tear-away was banned in 1979.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

62 °F 🌡️ 49 °F | ⛅ (sprinkles late) | ~50% | 💨 E ≈ 23 mph (≈ 20 knots)

51 °F 🌡️ 46 °F | ☁️ (mostly cloudy) | ~22% | 💨 NE ≈ 5 mph (≈ 4 knots)

61 °F 🌡️ 47 °F | 🌧️ (rain showers) | ~68% | 💨 NE ≈ 16 mph (≈ 14 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. 76ers, 7 PM November 5 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Wizards, 7 PM November 7 (Friday)

Home vs. Bulls, 8 PM November 8 (Saturday)

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