🔥 What’s With All This Smoke?

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Public Square is hosting a huge Spain vs. Argentina watch party. Prefer AC, bar food, and drinks? We found five great soccer bars too 🇪🇸⚽🇦🇷

Don’t keep us a secret: Share the email with friends (copy URL here)​

John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Clevelanders are waking up with dry throats and itchy eyes as a hazy mix of orange and grey colored the sky.

Smoke from wild fires across Canada and Minnesota obscured the skyline and created some of the worst air quality in years.

In Cleveland, the Air Quality Index hit 594 – the second-worst in the country, behind Toledo – and considered hazardous.

The Ohio EPA issued an advisory warning that conditions would affect the entire state through Friday.

The Cleveland Department of Public Health and the Cleveland Clinic urges residents to limit time outdoors, especially for kids, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with breathing difficulties.

Today’s forecast offers little immediate relief.

Light winds and lingering high pressure will keep the smoke recirculating, with unhealthy levels for sensitive groups – especially asthmatics, due to fine particulate matter that inflames and narrows airways.

It’s especially problematic in Cleveland, with the fifth highest incidence of asthma in the U.S.

Eleven percent of Ohioans have asthma, with childhood rates hitting 20-25% in some Cleveland neighborhoods.

More than 12% of Cuyahoga Country residents claim Irish heritage. But everyone is good for a pint and a party this weekend.

The Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival spans generations and transcends ethnicity.

It also transcends species.

Check out the shaggy, spunky performers in the Dogs of Ireland exhibition – always a main attraction.

The 41st bash — today through Sunday at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds — rolls out pipers, dancers, rugby and games, along with storytellers and performers in a Dublin-style beer garden, bar and museum.

It also boast the deepest roster of musicians in the festival circuit. Headlining is Ally the Piper, the online sensation he counts Metallica, Iron Maiden and Charlie Daniels as fans.  

Of course, there are dancers. Cleveland has been a magnet for waves of immigrants, going back to the 19^th century – and dance troupes have thrived since the 1940s. Info.

Cinephiles are rejoicing.

Phoenix Theatres in Great Northern Mall’s voyage into 70mm film has begun.

One of about 200 theaters in the country equipped for reel-to-reel 70mm projection, it debuts the format with Christopher Nolan’s much-anticipated “The Odyssey.”

“70mm is truly the pinnacle of organic film presentation,” says Cory Jacobson, President of Phoenix Theatres. “It offers a visual experience so detailed and immersive that it feels like looking through a window into another world.”

Often associated with the Golden Age of Hollywood, the premium format renowned of its detail, depth and color was used for many of cinema’s greatest films -- from “2001: A Space Odyssey” to “Sound of Music” to, more recently, “The Master” and “The Hateful Eight.”

The last was made by Quentin Tarantino -- one of the most vocal advocates for the format because of its rich visuals.

FRIDAY

Guardians vs. Pirates: The offense has been, well, offensive. But they rode a four-game winning streak into the All-Star break and start final stretch with three games at Progressive Field. 7:10 p.m. Info.

Alex Dragicevich: He’s the host of the ‘You’re an Idiot’ podcast and a Laugh Factory regular. He was also a 6-6 guard who played for Notre Dame. He brings his observational humor – hoops, Serbian-American roots, relationships, life path – to Hilarities’ Frolic Cabaret. 6:30 & 9:15 p.m. (Also Saturday). Info.

SATURDAY

8^th Annual Blazing Paddles Riverfest: It celebrates the roles the river has played in the city and its rebirth. Kayak from the west bank of the Flats, party at Music Box’s reggae bash. 10 a.m. Info.

Willoughby ArtsFest: The arts, food and music extravaganza celebrates its 35^th year and will turn downtown Willoughby into a massive party. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info.

International Flag Party: It’s hot outside. It’ll be even hotter at Nuevo when TropicalCleveland celebrates a world of cultures with this dance party. 9:30 p.m. Info.

SUNDAY

Record Riots: More than 15,000 albums in one room with 50 dealers of vinyl and CDs, from punk to funk, metal and country. St. Michael’s Church in Broadview Heights. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Info.

Taste of Tremont: The foodie scene showcase also gives visitors a chance to hear live music and check out the neighborhood’s churches and classic milieu. Noon-8 p.m. Info.

Lakewood Summer Meltdown: The block party turns Detroit Ave. into a buzzing mash of food, music, activities, beer gardens, 5K race and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run. 4-10 p.m. Info.

Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets: One of rock’s great songwriters and producers is backed by Mexican wrestling mask-wearing Los Straitjackets at the Beachland Ballroom. 8 p.m. Pre-party with DJ Fishtruck in the Tavern at 6 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

The World Cup is a glorious grind -- 104 matches, where one mistake can change everything.

One hundred two games later, the finale is near: Spain vs. Argentina, 3 p.m. Sunday.

At noon Sunday, Public Square will host a watch party that includes food trucks and activities. Info.

At p.m. Saturday, England vs. France will meet in the third-place match.

These five soccer-crazy spots hit the spot:  

Old Angle: The Ohio City spot is one of the top Premier League soccer bars in America and will be packed with gonzo fans.

Merry Arts:  The Lakewood bar is a magnet for Aresnal F.C. fans.

Iggy’s: The congregating spot of American Outlaws fans lures soccer crazies to Lakewood.

Tapatias Taqueria: The old-school, West Side Mexican spot rolls out stellar tacos and a crowd that goes ole!.

Parnell's: The Playhouse Square and Cleveland Heights locations are ground zero for Guinness-loving fans.

Lorain-Carnegie Bridge, 1980. Opened in 1932, it became the second fixed high-level span in Cleveland. It’s also one of the most photographed structures in the area – thanks to the 43-foot tall Guardians of Transportation that line its sides.

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

86 °F 🌡️ 76 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 3% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 6 mph NNE (≈ 5 knots)

86 °F 🌡️ 70 °F | ⛈️ (Thunderstorms) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph WSW (≈ 14 knots)

75 °F 🌡️ 63 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 6% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph N (≈ 10 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. Pirates, 7:10 PM July 17 (Friday)

Home vs. Pirates, 4:10 PM July 18 (Saturday)

Home vs. Pirates, 1:40 PM July 19 (Sunday)

Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’s emotionally attached to a random bench at Edgewater.

Watch this quick video (start at 0:50) to see how easy it is to add our app to your home screen!