🏖️ Cool Off: Best Spots to Swim & Paddle

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Good morning, Cleveland! Looking to beat the heat this summer? From paddle spots to swimming holes, Cleveland has everything you need to cool off and have fun! 🌊💦🏖️

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It was the cradle of rock ‘n’ roll, and the reason Cleveland landed the Rock Hall. And yet the legendary Record Rendezvous sat empty for decades – left for dead, forgotten and forlorn.

That’s about to change.

Klutch Cannabis, an Akron-based operator of marijuana dispensaries, is set to open in the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll by the end of the month.

“We’re paying homage to this historic landmark with a cannabis and rock ‘n’ roll theme,” says Klutch founder Adam Thomarios. “We’ve recreated the old Record Rendezvous sign and the terrazzo entrance.”

Klutch also features a window display featuring turntables. Inside, TVs, photos and a mural pay tribute to the legendary record store.

Opened in 1938, owner Leo Mintz turned 300 Prospect Avenue into ground zero for rock ‘n’ roll.

By the late 1940s, he noticed kids scooping up ‘race records’ that were marketed to Black America. They would dance in the aisles as he played the music, and he knew right then that something big was happening.

By 1951, Cleveland deejay Alan Freed played the music on his radio show. A year later, Freed and Mintz put on The Moondog Coronation Ball at the now-closed Cleveland Arena.

Rock ‘n’ roll was born.

Record Rendezvous closed in 1987 and remained shuttered since then, save the short time it was occupied by a sports apparel store.

“It sat empty for more than two decades and was a shell of a building,” says Thomarios, whose first concert was Duran Duran in the 1980s. “There was no power or water and it needed a sprinkler, fire pump, power system and new elevator.”

He sees Klutch as, yes, a dispensary, but also a caretaker of the storied place that changed music.

“It’s a tourist destination,” says Thomarios. “And everyone is welcome to come in and browse or just experience this historical location.”

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Tech billionaire. PayPal co-founder. First investor in Facebook.

Peter Thiel is called all these things and almost never a former-Clevelander – even though it was first stop for his family after moving to the U.S. from Germany.

Well, he’s back -- sort of.

Thiel is backing a new bank that aims to make Ohio the heart of Bitcoin and fill the void left by Silicon Valley Bank’s high-profile collapse in 2023. The bank, Erebor, will be  headquartered in Columbus and will focus on sectors such as AI, defense, manufacturing and crypto.

That last sector is part of a broader push by politicians and activists to transform Ohio into a hub for cryptocurrencies. It includes tax exemptions for crypto transactions, allowing the state to convert state funds into digital assets and using crypto to pay state fees, services and taxes.

Thiel, an outspoken advocate of Bitcoin, would provide a high-profile impetus toward achieving that goal.

OK, it’s hot in Cleveland. But that doesn't mean you have to chain yourself to the AC. Check out the 216 Scoop Guide to the best places to swim, kayak, fish or play beach bum.

Headlands Beach State Park: The longest natural beach in Ohio was a filming location for ‘Superman.’ It’s a destination for beach bums and picnickers, dune walkers and bird, butterfly and wildlife watchers. Info.

Wallace Lake: Quiet and wooded, this former quarry is fine for kayaking, fishing and splashing. An old-school getaway tucked into the trees; it also rents kayaks and sells bait and tackle. Info.

Rocky River Kayaking: Rent a boat and paddle beneath tree-lined cliffs and in one of Northeast Ohio’s most enchanting natural corridors. Launch from the lagoon or marina and check out the herons and turtles. Ohio magic. Info.

Edgewater Beach: A Metroparks makeover transformed it into a summer destination that boasts soft sand, volleyball, picnic areas, sweet views and Thursday concerts. Nice beach house. Info.

Huntington Beach, Bay Village: This West Side gem boasts stellar views, sandstone cliffs and a beachside café serving walleye sandwiches, local brews and Honey Hut. Sweet! Info.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park: Beloved for its soft sand and family-friendly vibe, it boasts a playground, boardwalk, and snack stand. Feeling adventurous? Rent a kayak or paddleboard and cruise past the historic 1871 lighthouse. Info.

Ledge Pool & Recreation Area: A retro gem surrounded by woods and trails -- perfect for cooling off after a hike or a picnic. Day or season passes available. Info.

Coe Lake: Kayaks, paddleboats, concerts, walking paths — cozy Coe has it all. It’s a charming getaway just beyond the trees of downtown Berea. Info.

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A bird? No plane? No, it’s the box-office for “Superman.” A whole lot of America got a virtual tour of Cleveland, as the D.C. Comics film about our favorite super-son snagged grossed $122 for the weekend. Early estimates had it earning around $90 million. But favorable reviews -- 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 95% on the site’s Popcornmeter -- boosted the opening forecast.

Matt Luebert and Charles Eby have spent the year building out The Witch Doctor – an Old Brooklyn bar that takes an herbalist and botanical approach to cocktails, with a squeeze of hoodoo. They still haven’t finished the place and no opening date has been set. But you can preview the cocktails when Luebert goes behind the bar at Tiki Underground in Cuyahoga Falls. It’s the Witch Doctor Takeover runs 6-9 p.m. Tuesday. Info.

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It wasn’t just the number of diners and drinkers that entered Andrew Revy’s calculations when he opened Sofia’s Kitchen + Bar in Lakewood – a place he calls a cross between “a corner bar and an American bistro.”

“It was a turn-key restaurant and ready to open,” says Revy, who also owns Immigrant Son Brewery. “The biggest reason restaurants fail is because they’re under-capitalized – because they spent so much on the buildup.”

Sofia’s is in the space that once housed Salt -- a popular eatery that closed in 2024. Everything was intact, which gave Revy time to assemble a staff and develop a concept. It also meant he didn’t have to take out a small-business loan at 11%.

A broad cocktail list features a stellar take on the Negroni. Entrées include rotating seafood items, pork prime rib, grilled ribeye and the sesame noodle salad. Meanwhile, the expanded bar seats 20 and boasts that corner-bar vibe.

“I wasn’t looking for a new project; the opportunity just arose,” says Revy. “And I’ve found the biggest problem occurs when people rush into something.”

A ticket from the Moondog Coronation Ball. The March 21, 1952 show produced and promoted by Record Rendezvous owner Leo Mintz and deejay Alan Freed is considered the first rock ‘n’ roll concert.

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🎶🌅 Golden Hour - North Coast Harbor 🌅🎶

Join us on July 25, 2025 at North Coast Harbor for a sunset celebration of music, tech, and culture! Experience Golden HourCLE with inspiring TECHTALKs, amazing food & drinks, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists.

🎟️ Tickets available now! Don’t miss out—RSVP today for this exclusive event.

84 🌡️ 71 | ☀️ | 10% | 💨 SSW 7 mph

85 🌡️ 74 | 🌤️ | 10% | 💨 SSW 8 mph

88 🌡️ 76 | ⛅ then ⚡ | 40% | 💨 SW 10 mph

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

Home Run Derby, 8:00pm Monday

All-Star Game, 8:00pm Tuesday

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