🐾 Cleveland, want a pet? This is your sign

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: After three cars crashed into his house, one man said “no more” — then turned to the snow pile for justice 🏠❄️🚗

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

It’s a holiday phenomenon – the movie that defines Christmas spirit and the zany family drama that comes with it.

And yet “A Christmas Story” flopped so bad when it came out in 1983 that it was pulled from theaters two weeks before Christmas Day.

The quirky comedy was deemed ‘slight’ by critics – and an oddity for director Bob Clark, who was fresh off the success of his raunchy teen comedy, “Porkys.”

The Plain Dealer praised its “understated wit.” After all, locals were charmed because it was shot here.

Clark had no choice but to make it in Cleveland: He sent out 100 letters to department stores across the Midwest and only one wrote back: Higbee’s.

There was also Tremont – which offered 1940s-looking houses that looked like author Jean Shepherd’s hometown of Hammond, Ind.

The house from ‘A Christmas Story’ has gone on to become one of the country’s most popular holiday attractions.

Rise of a holiday classic

Outtakes

Most Clevelanders dreaded the early flurries. John Gall seized the day.

The Cleveland Heights resident erected, no, not a snow man. He built a six-foot wall – to stop wayward drivers.

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

As we reported, Cleveland Heights placed large boulders in his yard to block incoming cars. Not enough, according to Gall -- who demanded a guard rail and filled his front yard with signs berating the city.

Well, he has one.

It looks like a snow castle and is accompanied by a sign: “OK, now do this in CONCRETE on the tree lawn!”

Playhouse Square’s nightlife scene got a much-needed boost when Brandon Chrostowski opened Friar’s Table.

One year later almost to the day, it’s getting another one when Encore cocktail bar debuts in the theater district on Friday.

Located in the Lumen building, the 40-seater looks out at the glittering theaters on the other side of Euclid Avenue.

Dim-lit and cozy, Encore has well-placed as a late-night getaway – close to the lights, yet intimate.

Mixologist Marion Siperstein drew on the Prohibition era for the cocktail list, which relies on “classic technique, precise execution, while introducing modern interpretations.”

They pair with chef Logan Neisel’s small bites, which range from cured meats and cheeses to a cassata-inspired marsala crepe.

Playhouse Square needs a spot like this.

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical: The Yuletide yarn about that bitter grouch who tries to steal Christmas from Whoville opens at 7 tonight in State Theatre. It runs through Sunday. Info.

A Motown Christmas: Sing along to classics by the Temptations, Supremes and Jackson 5 in this Karamu production. It hits Hanna Theater at 11 a.m. and 7:30 tonight and runs through Sunday. Info.

A Christmas Story: The Cleveland Play House adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s charming book hits Allen Theatre at 7:30 tonight. It runs through Dec. 21. Info.

A Christmas Carol: The Great Lakes Theater adaptation of the Dickens classic takes the stage at Ohio Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. It runs through Dec. 21. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

The economy has hit people – pets, too. Animal shelters in the area are operating at full capacity and have lowered fees to encourage people to adopt.

Through Saturday, the Cleveland APL has waived adoption fees for adult dogs and cats five months and older.

It’s part of a national campaign that celebrates a program by Hill’s Pet Nutrition that has resulted in 16 million adoptions since 2002.

Adopters also get a Pet Parent Kit that includes food and a toy. Info.

The Higbee’s Santa on Public Square, Cleveland, 1955. The department store is no more, but it lives as thanks to the opening scene of “A Christmas Story.”

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42 °F 🌡️ 27 °F | 🌧️ → 🌨️ (rain changing to snow) | ~48% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 19 mph (≈ 17 knots)

31 °F 🌡️ 21 °F | ☁️ (mostly cloudy, cold) | ~43% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph (≈ 7 knots)

31 °F 🌡️ 18 °F | 🌨️ (light snow late) | ~22% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph (≈ 7 knots)

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

Away vs. Wizards, 7:00 PM December 12 (Friday)

Home vs. Hornets, 3:30 PM December 14 (Sunday)

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