Cleveland's 2019 Was Really Something

1. Scooters were everywhere. 

Dillon Stewart, Associate Editor: “Grab me a helmet: I’m a scooter stan. Convenient, cheap and crazy fun, this eco-friendly transportation solution makes downtown, Ohio City and Tremont accessible in a scoot.”

Jason Brill, Managing Editor:  “I’ve already seen too many people doing their best Johnny Knoxville impressions by falling down while jumping them off curbs. And there’s just no way to look cool wearing a suit and riding a scooter.” 


2. Food halls became go-to hangouts.

DS: “I’ve got a Midwesterner’s appetite. So, I don’t want my options limited by specialty spots. Enter Ohio City Galley and Van Aken Market Hall, where my dreams of combining a burger, hot chicken and smashed potatoes can — and have — come true.”

JB: “Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I like the attentiveness of a waitstaff. Why are we depriving folks of tips? Plus, OCG’s Poca and the Rice Shop closed. Then Forest City Steaks, which replaced the Rice Shop, closed. Maybe food halls aren’t great for business.”


3. The Browns hype-bubble burst. 

DS:  “Entertaining football is back. Two years ago, the Browns were 1-31 and unwatchable. Now, we’re disappointed when a second-year quarterback, a first-year head coach and the third youngest team lose a few games. Trust and enjoy the process.”

JB: “Entertaining football doesn’t lead the league in penalties. I’m excited by the potential, but head coach Freddie Kitchens has spent significant sideline time looking about as lost as Brandon Weeden that time he got stuck under the flag.”


4. Frank Jackson had a tumultuous second half of the year. 

DS: “As much as I’d love to find some thread of positivity surrounding the mayor’s historic fourth term, it’s going to be defined by a stubborn bureaucrat in charge of a dysfunctional system who is sleeping through a pivotal time in our city’s history.”

JB: “National politics is already as contentious as people can handle. Nobody is served by the mayor picking fights with local media about reporting done on the criminal activities of his family members. Let’s hold city government to higher standards.”