
Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: LeBron is gone, the banners are still hanging, and Cavs fans are staring at the same question: what exactly comes next? 🏀👑
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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:
Summer in a Cone: Ice Cream Defines the Season in Cleveland
AI is Eating Itself: The Trillion Dollar Debt Bomb
LeBron Gone: What’s Next for Flawed Cavs Roster?
Custard, Gelato, Scoops & Splits: 26 Spots that Make Summer Cool
Livestock to Demolition: Lake County Fair Kicking Up Dust After 170 Years
John Petkovic & Jude Perez
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IN THE NEWS
Summer in a Cone: Ice Cream Defines the Season in Cleveland
Photos by John Petkovic
Sure, sunsets, cookouts, baseball, hikes and drinks on a patio. But is there anything that defines the season like ice cream?
One of the great things about Northeast Ohio is that is has so many classic stands, inventive creameries and colorful parlors.
They churn out unique flavors, sentimental journeys, old-timey vibes with every treat.
And as you’re licking the cream as it melts on the cone, they remind us that the joys of summer are fleeting.
National Ice Cream Month ends this week and the sun is going down sooner with every night.
Check out our favorite spots below in the 216 Rundown.
🍦 What defines a great Northeast Ohio ice cream spot?
AI is Eating Itself: The Trillion Dollar Debt Bomb

No revolution is bloodless, but this one is getting very messy.
High costs and grassroots activism have crushed support for data centers. How long before they poll as poorly as the politicians pushing them?
Cleveland City Council ditched ‘guardrails’ and went straight to moratoriums.
Anger is high after businesses lost tens of thousands during power outages from over-stretched energy grids.
‘Chipflation’ has driven prices of Apple and other tech products up by 20%.
Now this: AI is eating Big Tech alive:
Google reported negative cash flow for the first time since going public in 2004 as ballooning capital expenditures overtake revenues.
Meanwhile, a Nikkei investigation finds that Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle have $1.65 trillion in debt that doesn't appear on balance sheets.
Tech giants keep pouring $700-900 billion annually into AI infrastructure that is killing cash flow and forcing them to take on massive debt.
So massive that buyers are harder to come by — which drives up rates on the bonds and Treasury Bills competing against them for buyers.
Higher rates, bigger debt… Hey, we know people like that.
💸 What's your read on the AI trillion-dollar debt reckoning?
- 📉 Google negative cash flow for the first time since 2004 is the real alarm bell
- 🏦 $1.65 trillion in off-balance-sheet debt across five tech giants is systemic risk hiding in plain sight
- ⚡ The local angle matters most: Cleveland businesses lost tens of thousands during grid outages and someone has to answer for that
- 🤔 This was always coming: you can't pour $700-900 billion a year into infrastructure and call it sustainable
LeBron Gone: What’s Next for Flawed Cavs Roster?

LeBron’s gone… Now what?
Waiting on him was a no-brainer: Leadership, fills a need, cheap contract.
But he’s 42 in December and demands the ball — which will be an issue in Philly just as it would’ve been here.
(Thirty-seven players last season touched the ball at least 68.4 times per game. Five will now start for the 76ers.)
The problem isn’t missing on LeBron. It’s counting on him to fill holes never addressed by GM Koby Altman.
So, what’s next?
They signed EuroLeague star Mario Hezonja to mitigate the loss of Dean Wade.
But they still have only one true small forward on the team, Jaylon Tyson.
They’ve been linked to Jonathon Kuminga – the 23-year-old SF who hasn’t lived up to expectations.
The Cavs like him, but they really need a player in the mold of Dillon Brooks — a tough, tenacious defender who can shoot.
Max Strus will be dangled for that kind of wing and/or Kuminga.
A bigger move is needed to compete in the East — and Dan Gilbert has said, ‘We are nowhere near where we need to be.”
No doubt they will try to make a trade that takes everyone by surprise… Can they pull it off?
🏀 What's the Cavs' most urgent need now that LeBron is off the board?
- 🛡 A Dillon Brooks type: tough, tenacious defender who can actually shoot
- 🔄 The Kuminga trade: swing on the 23-year-old SF and hope he finally figures it out
- 📦 A surprise blockbuster: Dan Gilbert said they're nowhere near where they need to be and he means it
- 😤 Fire GM Koby Altman: the holes that LeBron was supposed to fill never should have existed
The 216 Rundown
Custard, Gelato, Scoops & Splits: 26 Spots that Make Summer Cool
Cibik's Dairy Island: Opened 50 years ago, the Chagrin Falls gem rolls out island décor, wild toppings and classic vibes. Info.
Malley's North Olmsted: Willy Wonka would love the carousel. Whoa, check out the murals, mirrors, circus vibe and killer sundaes. Info.
Mason’s Creamery: No place is as creative with the flavors as this Ohio City spot – with mix of the sweet and salty, and unlikely combinations. Info.
Zero Zest: Actually, this spot is full of zest and flair – from the soft serves to the toppings. Bonus: Dogs love it here. Info.
Coney Island Kustard: Clark-Fulton stand where the Custard is thick and the bee murals scream summer. Info.
Country Maid Ice Cream: Since 1948, the Richfield parlor has served old-movie vibes and ice cream with fruit grown in its orchards. Info.
Bulldog Ice Cream: The Old Brooklyn stand goes all-out with shakes and soft serve… Too much of a good thing is just fine. Info.
Mitchell’s Ice Cream: So many flavors, including some doozies. Tongues are always wagging at their Ohio City location. Info.
Rosati's: This roadside spot feels like some old movie. The custard comes in various flavors, including “Higbee’s Chocolate Malted.” Info.
Cooper's Twist and Shake: Eastlake institution with parfaits and sundaes in an A-frame building that feels like a cabin in the wilderness. Info.
Honey Hut: The Hut (various locations) serves the classic “The Original May Co. Malt.” Love that buzzing-bee sign. Info.
CP Cooler’s: Cool penguin motif, diverse menu – and a sweet summer treat is served in Willowick. Info.
Mount Granita Italian Ice: Crowds love the creamy granita with fresh fruit and no artificial flavors at this Little Italy storefront. Info.
Mr. T's Wonderfreeze: I pity the fool that hasn't been to Mr. T's… Dozens of soft serves, sundaes and shakes at this Oakwood icon. Info.
Cool and Hot Zone: Feels like a county fair with so many summer treats flavors. A banana split on the picnic tables hits the spot. Info.
East Coast Original Frozen Custard: The flashing sign, old-style setup and a super-thick custard. Timeless. Info.
Doc's Shake Shoppe: Opened in 1970, this Parma mainstay still rolls out new flavors, slushies, shakes, sundaes and floats. Info.
Falls Ice Cream: Located in an old train depot in Olmsted Falls, it churns out colorful flavors and a ride back in time. Info.
Pinecone Ice Cream: The North Royalton spot looks like an enchanted forest. Always a dog there, tongue a’ waggin’. Info.
Rosso Gelato: Viva Roma! This Little Italy spot boast some of the best sorbetto and gelato in the area. Info.
Weber's: The Fairview Park legend serves the thickest malt anywhere – using the recipe and machinery of the ORIGINAL Frosted Malt. Info.
Daisy's: The Slavic Village icon has been going 40-plus years. Lots of savory offerings, but the scoops still rule. Info.
Foster's: Circa-1947 Willoughby Hills stand looks like a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. Love the eclectic flavors. Info.
Dairy King: South Euclid stand rolls out soft serves, parfaits, sundaes, cookie ice cream sandwiches, even doggie ice cream. Info.
Apple Cart: Summer's here and the time is right for ice cream at this near East Side gem. Soft serve, shake and swirls at bargain prices.
Dariview: A slice of vintage Americana in Fairview Park – with frozen yogurt, shortcakes, banana splits and toppings. Info.
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NOTES ON A COCKTAIL NAPKIN
Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Livestock to Demolition: Lake County Fair Kicking Up Dust After 170 Years
Since 1850s, Ohioans near and far have trekked to Lake County to barter livestock and crops.
Now, the animals are star entertainers – a lot of maniacs behind the wheels of bashed up machines of mayhem.
Step right up to the Lake County Fair in Painesville.
One of Ohio’s oldest fairs, it mixes the livestock shows with demolition derbies, acrobatic dogs, monster trucks, Jungle Larry’s exotic animals, food and carnival rides.
It runs Tuesday through Aug. 2. Info.
VINTAGE CLEVELAND
A Ford Coupe parked in front of Coolie Ice Cream Parlor on East Ninth Street, 1935.
Cleveland Memory Project
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Extra Sprinkles
WEATHER
Monday, July 27
83 °F 🌡️ 71 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy) | 24% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph WSW (≈ 10 knots)
Tuesday, July 28
76 °F 🌡️ 68 °F | ⛅➡️⛈️ (Scattered Thunderstorms) | 41% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph NNW (≈ 13 knots)
Wednesday, July 29
74 °F 🌡️ 66 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy) | 24% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph NNW (≈ 14 knots)
Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.
Live Shows in the 216
Top Shows on Monday, July 27
Islander — Foundry Concert Club, 6 PM
Music TRIVI-AOKE — Mercury Music Lounge, 7 PM
Top Shows on Tuesday, July 28
Amble w/ Fabrizio — Beachland Ballroom, 7 PM
Personality Crisis aka CLE Punk Night — Foundry Concert Club, 9 PM
The Mercury Jam — Mercury Music Lounge, 8:30 PM
Top Shows on Wednesday, July 29
Dogpark w/ Fai Laci — Beachland Ballroom, 7 PM
Metalcore Wednesday — Foundry Concert Club, 6 PM
Midnight Rental presents Secret Movie Night — Grog Shop, 7 PM
The 216 Sports Area
Upcoming Games
Guardians
Away vs. Reds, 7:10 PM July 27 (Monday)
Away vs. Reds, 7:10 PM July 28 (Tuesday)
Away vs. Reds, 7:10 PM July 29 (Wednesday)
Home vs. D-backs, 7:10 PM July 31 (Friday)
Home vs. D-backs, 7:15 PM August 1 (Saturday)
Home vs. D-backs, 1:40 PM August 2 (Sunday)
Thanks for reading The 216 Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who once tried to sled down a hill not meant for sledding.

