🧊 Is Lake Erie about to fully freeze?

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: From the streets of Harlem to an unlikely hero arc right here in the Land—this one packs a punch 🏀🥊🔥

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

James Harden poured in 15 points in the fourth quarter of his debut to lead a Cavs surge over the Kings.

That’s why you get him.

The Cavs are again the favorites to go to the finals and the center of the NBA.

But there’s another story, one bigger than stats or celebrity: Nae’Qwan Tomlin.

The Cavs will sign the 25-year-old who never played a minute in high school to a full contract – capping off a ‘Rocky’-like fairy tale that has made him a hero to dreamers of all walks.

Tomlin grew up playing pick-up games in Harlem playgrounds and Rucker Park.

In 2019, he was spotted by NBA agent Torell Harris – who connected the raw Tomlin with a basketball program where he received his first real coaching.

Then came a college career that zigzagged through a community college; a tiny school in Florida; a stint at Kansas State cut short by a disorderly conduct arrest; a year at University of Memphis.

He went undrafted and landed on the Cavs 2024 summer team before joining the Charge.

Tomlin barely played at first, but his relentless hustle earned minutes and, eventually, a seat on the Cavs bench.

After playing in ‘garbage time,’ he became an impactful regular -- and a godsend for a team of low-energy, underachievers.

“It’s a dream come true. Everything I’ve worked hard for has come to light,” says Tomlin. “I’m just happy, happy to be in the moment.”

At least we know that it can’t go over 100, right? Hey, it appears that anything is possible this year.

For the first time in two decades, Lake Erie is close to being completely frozen.

On Sunday, the shore along Edgewater Park was a launching pad for walkers heading out far on the lake.

Lake Erie passed the 95% threshold much earlier this year than even some of the coldest years, due to a surge in Arctic cold that started in mid-January.

It’s been a rapid run of the chills.

On Jan. 1, Lake Erie had almost no ice, and only 2% on Jan. 14.

The last time the lake froze completely was in 1996.

Ice levels usually peak in late-Feb, but that doesn’t mean we’re doomed to chattering teeth for weeks on end.

This week’s temperatures are supposed to hit the 30s.

Cletopians call it The Sixth City.

In fact, Cleveland was once the 5^th biggest metropolis in America -- and Top 10 for most of the 20^th century.

Our glorious past explains why Clevelanders of all generations are fascinated with history and the dramatic photos that illustrate it.

Like descendants of an empire that came and went, we’re wounded by loss but also driven by a desire to recapture glory – when the economy hummed and culture flourished.

It explains the appeal of stellar Instagram sites like CleHistory or books by Laura DeMarco.

Her “Lost Cleveland” and “Cleveland Then and Now” – articulate and illustrate the arc of the Cleveland Story in three acts:

At 7 p.m. Thursday, she’ll explore the rise, demise and revival when she appears at Music Box Supper Club for “Lost Cleveland: Cleveland Stories Dinner Party.” Free. Info.

Cleveland goes bonkers for WWE every time – with it’s Summerslam or Monday Night Raw.

Which is why WWE is a recipient of tax credits and funding from the Ohio Department of Development that support film and television productions in the state.

In 2024, it received $731K for a TV production in the city. Last year, it pulled in $1,096,941 for 2025-26.

Yes, that covers the TV production of Monday Night Raw, which brings WWE stars CM Punk Rhea Ripley and Jey Uso to Rocket Arena – 7:30 tonight. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

‘Speakeasy’ has become an overused marketing strategy – you know, the whole Prohibition thing, when clandestine spots peddled booze -- hence "speaking easy" to avoid a bust.

Well, Quintana’s actually feels like a speakeasy, from the décor to the cocktails to the milieu.

It’s a time machine fueled by a yearning for black-and-white movies, clever cocktails and a snazzy night on the town.

Oh, and getting in feels like an illicit trip.

Don’t want to give it away – but it involves a buzzer, a question, a barbershop, mysterious stairs and a secret book.

Located in a 1920s Colonial, the cozy L-shaped parlor seats 20, including Humphrey Bogart – who’s a regular on the TV.

No cigarettes burning here, which is a 21^st century giveaway. But my date’s cocktail was so smoky that our nook of the joint felt like 1926.

In their first NFL season after merging from the AAFC, the 1950 Cleveland Browns defeated the Los Angeles Rams 30-28 on December 24, 1950, to win the NFL Championship. Lou "The Toe" Groza kicked an 18-yard field goal with only 28 seconds remaining at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, capping a thrilling comeback victory in 27-degree weather.

35 °F 🌡️ 22 °F | 🌧️➡️🌨️ (AM Rain/Snow to Flurries) | 40% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph (≈ 14 knots)

27 °F 🌡️ 18 °F | 🌤️ (Partly Sunny & Cold) | 10% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

36 °F 🌡️ 26 °F | 🌥️ (Mostly Cloudy / Warmer) | 10% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph (≈ 12 knots)

Away vs. Nuggets, 09:00 PM February 9 (Monday)

Home vs. Wizards, 07:00 PM February 9 (Wednesday)

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