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Ohio political blogger found guilty for sending naked Shrek image

D.J. Byrnes committed telecommunications harassment when he sent image to state senator, a jury ruled.

Politics

A jury in Willoughby found Ohio Statehouse political blogger D.J. Byrnes guilty of telecommunications harassment Friday for sending a sexually explicit image of Shrek to state Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland).Why it matters: The defense failed to persuade the jury that Byrnes&#x27; texts, which mocked Cirino for failing to secure the Ohio Senate presidency, are protected under the First Amendment.

How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age

Cleveland's Winton Motor Carriage Co. was a pioneer of America's fledgling auto industry.

News

One of the most significant remnants of Cleveland&#x27;s early automotive history has been saved from demolition.Why it matters: Before Detroit became synonymous with cars, Cleveland was a center of America&#x27;s fledgling auto industry — and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winton Motor Carriage Co." data-vars-click-url="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/267" data-vars-content-id="dad115e0-4477-4c04-8dab-1b4927f03059" data-vars-headline="How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/267" target="_blank">Winton Motor Carriage Co.</a> was one of its pioneers.

Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image

D.J. Byrnes faces a criminal charge in a case testing the boundaries of political speech.

Ohio political blogger D.J. Byrnes is on trial for texting a state senator an explicit image of the cartoon character Shrek.Why it matters: The case has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attracted national attention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fire.org/news/ohio-man-jailed-texting-shreks-penis-state-senator-your-questions-about-shrexting-answered" data-vars-content-id="edfbe4c2-475a-43d7-9b82-1dc0a426dd27" data-vars-headline="Ohio blogger on trial over explicit Shrek image" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fire.org/news/ohio-man-jailed-texting-shreks-penis-state-senator-your-questions-about-shrexting-answered" target="_blank">attracted national attention</a> from free speech advocates who argue that even vulgar criticism of elected officials is protected by the First Amendment.

The Who's loud, legendary "Tommy" concerts in Cleveland

The Who brought "Tommy" to Cleveland twice during its celebrated 1969-70 tour.

Music

A touring production of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Who&#x27;s Tommy&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/the-whos-tommy" data-vars-content-id="bdbbbc17-bdf7-4507-8542-0c4a08b9f524" data-vars-headline="The Who&#x27;s loud, legendary &quot;Tommy&quot; concerts in Cleveland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/the-whos-tommy" target="_blank">&quot;The Who&#x27;s Tommy&quot;</a> opens at Playhouse Square&#x27;s Connor Palace this week.Why it matters: Long before &quot;Tommy&quot; became a Broadway musical, Clevelanders experienced The Who&#x27;s rock opera the way it was originally intended: very, very loud.

Record Store Day digs up jazz history for Black Friday

A rare recording of jazz legend Charlie Parker live in Cleveland arrives on vinyl.

This year&#x27;s Record Store Day <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Friday sale" data-vars-click-url="https://recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/12610" data-vars-content-id="ec2bfd7c-5cbd-4af2-bed1-1de1650abd04" data-vars-headline="Record Store Day digs up jazz history for Black Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/12610" target="_blank">Black Friday sale</a> will include a rare bit of Cleveland music history.State of play: 1,500 vinyl copies of jazz legend Charlie Parker&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bewitching Bird: Bird at Cafe Society and The Sky Bar&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/20504" data-vars-content-id="ec2bfd7c-5cbd-4af2-bed1-1de1650abd04" data-vars-headline="Record Store Day digs up jazz history for Black Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/20504" target="_blank">Bewitching Bird: Bird at Cafe Society and The Sky Bar&quot;</a> will go on sale at select record stores around the country on Nov. 27.

5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

The 17th annual fest features more than 70 documentaries from 31 countries.

Things to Do

Northeast Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thriving film industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/13/film-industry-northeast-ohio-post-superman" data-vars-content-id="4d76cc84-35f5-45f4-9b66-847de4b14cb7" data-vars-headline="5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/13/film-industry-northeast-ohio-post-superman" target="_self">thriving film industry</a> takes center stage again as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chagrin Documentary Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chagrinfilmfest.org/" data-vars-content-id="4d76cc84-35f5-45f4-9b66-847de4b14cb7" data-vars-headline="5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chagrinfilmfest.org/" target="_blank">Chagrin Documentary Film Festival</a> returns this week.Why it matters: The 17th annual fest features more than 70 documentaries from 31 countries, including several of this year&#x27;s most intriguing films that hit close to home.

Dante Boccuzzi Italian concept coming to former Goma space

Casa Nostra is expected to open on East 4th Street sometime this winter.

Food and Drink

Cleveland chef Dante Boccuzzi is trading sushi for spaghetti on East 4th Street.Driving the news: Boccuzzi plans to replace the recently shuttered Goma with Casa Nostra, a casual Italian restaurant expected to open this winter, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cleveland Scene reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/dante-boccuzzi-to-open-italian-restaurant-in-former-goma-space-downtown/" data-vars-content-id="6415c3ad-0a5d-4753-9e48-21d643b649e4" data-vars-headline="Dante Boccuzzi Italian concept coming to former Goma space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/dante-boccuzzi-to-open-italian-restaurant-in-former-goma-space-downtown/" target="_blank">Cleveland Scene reports</a>.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market

Tickets for the Nov. 14 ceremony in Los Angeles are available through AXS.

Tickets are officially on sale for the 2026 Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="induction ceremony" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" data-vars-content-id="90cd1a71-829b-4568-9fdf-50d28fcceb67" data-vars-headline="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/14/2026-rock-hall-inductees-iron-maiden-wu-tang" target="_self">induction ceremony</a> and, unsurprisingly, they&#x27;ll cost a pretty penny.State of play: Tickets for the Nov. 14 ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles are available through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AXS" data-vars-click-url="https://tix.axs.com/vYAtIwAAAADdRSaBAwAAAACn%2fv%2f%2f%2fwD%2f%2f%2f%2f%2fB3BlYWNvY2sA%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f8%3d/shop/search?skin=peacock&amp;tags=&amp;cpch=&amp;cpdate=&amp;cprid=&amp;cpid=&amp;cpcn=&amp;cpdid=&amp;cpdn=&amp;cpsrc=&amp;intoff=&amp;cid=&amp;utm_source=peacocktheater&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=PT_RRHOF_26&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff=&amp;clickref=&amp;promocode=&amp;originalReferringURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.axs.com%2Fevents%2F1525664%2F2026-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-tickets%3Fskin%3Dpeacock%26utm_source%3Dpeacocktheater%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3DPT_RRHOF_26%26_gl%3D1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw%26_ga%3D2.246196416.550599570.1790862494-1080967931.1788959890%26__cf_chl_tk%3DvKpNVItcWKy51ipCQxs7IHomN4nxavIPVYCEgv9ESJQ-1790862495-1.0.1.1-81QhvAAGz2vXXvtWirxLnlAY6WdBjwPImgdXPvyNNGY&amp;upgrade=&amp;mkt_campaign=&amp;irclickid=&amp;gclid=&amp;fbclid=&amp;_gl=1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw&amp;axsEventId=1525664&amp;q=be8ea7cd-3f02-4854-992d-7a19849afb7b&amp;p=04892c19-9c91-4eb1-a9f5-54994892d83d&amp;ts=1790862504&amp;c=axs&amp;e=59018463758795589&amp;rt=Safetynet&amp;h=89cdbd399b9197e7e4a97c80d97fc67b" data-vars-content-id="90cd1a71-829b-4568-9fdf-50d28fcceb67" data-vars-headline="Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame ceremony tickets hit the market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tix.axs.com/vYAtIwAAAADdRSaBAwAAAACn%2fv%2f%2f%2fwD%2f%2f%2f%2f%2fB3BlYWNvY2sA%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f%2f8%3d/shop/search?skin=peacock&amp;tags=&amp;cpch=&amp;cpdate=&amp;cprid=&amp;cpid=&amp;cpcn=&amp;cpdid=&amp;cpdn=&amp;cpsrc=&amp;intoff=&amp;cid=&amp;utm_source=peacocktheater&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=PT_RRHOF_26&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff=&amp;clickref=&amp;promocode=&amp;originalReferringURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.axs.com%2Fevents%2F1525664%2F2026-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-tickets%3Fskin%3Dpeacock%26utm_source%3Dpeacocktheater%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3DPT_RRHOF_26%26_gl%3D1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw%26_ga%3D2.246196416.550599570.1790862494-1080967931.1788959890%26__cf_chl_tk%3DvKpNVItcWKy51ipCQxs7IHomN4nxavIPVYCEgv9ESJQ-1790862495-1.0.1.1-81QhvAAGz2vXXvtWirxLnlAY6WdBjwPImgdXPvyNNGY&amp;upgrade=&amp;mkt_campaign=&amp;irclickid=&amp;gclid=&amp;fbclid=&amp;_gl=1*tgejf9*_ga*MTA4MDk2NzkzMS4xNzg4OTU5ODkw*_ga_ZXEFEJMYE9*czE3OTA4NjI0OTQkbzIkZzAkdDE3OTA4NjI0OTQkajYwJGwwJGgw&amp;axsEventId=1525664&amp;q=be8ea7cd-3f02-4854-992d-7a19849afb7b&amp;p=04892c19-9c91-4eb1-a9f5-54994892d83d&amp;ts=1790862504&amp;c=axs&amp;e=59018463758795589&amp;rt=Safetynet&amp;h=89cdbd399b9197e7e4a97c80d97fc67b" target="_blank">AXS</a>, with prices starting at nearly $550 for the venue&#x27;s orchestra section.

Barnes & Noble unveils revamped Woodmere store

The bookseller's 23-year-old Eton location gets a major makeover amid a broader expansion across Ohio.

Culture

Barnes &amp; Noble is giving its longtime Woodmere store a makeover as the bookseller continues expanding across Ohio.Driving the news: The 20,000-square-foot store at Eton Chagrin Boulevard reopened Wednesday after a top-to-bottom renovation featuring Barnes &amp; Noble&#x27;s newer look and format and an expanded café.

Sci-fi goes supersized at Great Lakes Science Center

"Interstellar," "Nope" and more are coming to the science center's DOME theater.

Great Lakes Science Center is going big for movie night this fall, with three sci-fi favorites headed to its giant DOME Theater.State of play: The Science Center&#x27;s monthly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DOME Movies After Dark " data-vars-click-url="https://greatscience.com/explore/cleveland-clinic-dome-theater/dome-movies-after-dark" data-vars-content-id="afd4e471-d4ac-4f1b-87f8-0d425abd010f" data-vars-headline="Sci-fi goes supersized at Great Lakes Science Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://greatscience.com/explore/cleveland-clinic-dome-theater/dome-movies-after-dark" target="_blank">DOME Movies After Dark </a>series continues Oct. 22 with Jordan Peele&#x27;s 2022 sci-fi horror hit &quot;Nope,&quot; starring Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as siblings trying to capture evidence of a UFO.

Cleveland Orchestra and musicians reach new three-year contract

Strike called off after intensive weekend of bargaining that nets musicians increased compensation and role in auditions.

The Cleveland Orchestra musicians&#x27; strike is over after three days, clearing the way for the ensemble&#x27;s European tour to proceed as scheduled.Why it matters: The new three-year contract ends months of negotiations over compensation, health care, working conditions and the musicians&#x27; role in hiring at one of the world&#x27;s preeminent orchestras.

Cleveland Orchestra musicians go on strike

The walkout has canceled two concerts and puts an upcoming European tour in jeopardy as negotiations continue.

The musicians at one of the world&#x27;s preeminent orchestras are now on strike.Why it matters: The Cleveland Orchestra musicians&#x27; walkout after a performance Thursday night imperils the start of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026–27 season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/16/orchestra-opens-final-welser-most-season-strike" data-vars-content-id="1bb0368d-62bf-485c-89e4-3e020ae1cd6e" data-vars-headline="Cleveland Orchestra musicians go on strike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/16/orchestra-opens-final-welser-most-season-strike" target="_self">2026–27 season</a>, including an upcoming European tour.

Bidding Cleveland's Sachsenheim adieu 

The cultural hall in the Stockyards neighborhood is shutting down Sept. 27 due to mounting repair costs

The best thing I drank this week was a liter of Warsteiner at Sachsenheim. Why it matters: In all likelihood, it&#x27;ll be the last big mug of German beer I&#x27;ll enjoy at the cultural hall in the Stockyards neighborhood.

Culture

Record Store Day digs up jazz history for Black Friday

Ohio fall events worth a road trip

5 must-see movies at Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

The Who's loud, legendary "Tommy" concerts in Cleveland

Dante Boccuzzi Italian concept coming to former Goma space