Cavs Lose Game 1 in Detroit, Tim Misny’s Book: CLE Daily

🌧️ 56°; Rain in the morning

🎵 Local Song of the Day: Fox Ears' R&B and rock-infused single “Tell Me Why”

🎢 Summer Guide: Buckle up for record-breaking drops and heart-pounding speed on these iconic Cedar Point roller coasters.

🏀 Cavs Scores: Cleveland Cavaliers 101, Detroit Pistons 111

ICYMI: CSG announced that Cleveland's WPSL Pro will be known as Astra and is set to begin play in two years.

Today's Trivia

Upon its completion in 1927, what 24-story building downtown was briefly the tallest building in Cleveland? 

Cleveland personal injury lawyer Tim Misny wrote a book.

Arts & Culture | By Annie Nickoloff

The most iconic billboard figure in Cleveland now shares his story. The Misny Method, which arrived on Friday, dives into the personal injury lawyer's humble Northeast Ohio upbringing, education journey and rise to regional fame.

• Business Advice: Co-written with author and entrepreneur Jim Kukral, The Misny Method establishes the lawyer’s eyebrow-raising billboards and tagline of “I’ll Make Them Pay!” as just two elements of his professional success.

Jim Kukral: “I said, ‘Boy, there’s so much more to Tim Misny than a billboard. When you meet him in person, you understand, when you hear the stories. And I walked out of Misnyland with a mission, saying, ‘This has to be transferred into a book.’”

• Business Connection: Kukral and Misny first connected when Kukral invited Misny to speak at a local business event. Misny, who frequently speaks at schools and professional events in town, was immediately drawn to the idea of sharing his stories in book form.

• Origin Story: In the 299 pages of The Misny Method, Kukral and Misny take turns writing excerpts. Kukral's excerpts feature interviews with Misny’s inner circle of professional connections, along with local celebrities like Mike Polk, Jr., John Skrtic and Lil' John Rinaldi.

• Movie Adaptation: The book also serves as the basic outline of The Misny Movie, a documentary that Misny says he hopes to release by the end of the year.

Tim Misny: “There are some messages here that really apply to anyone, regardless of your social economic strata, or your age, or your ethnicity, or your occupation. The lessons contained here can inspire people.”

Read more about Tim Misny's new book. 

Cavs start flat in Game 1 loss at Detroit.

Sports | By Dennis Manoloff

The Cavs opened the Eastern Conference semifinals with another frustrating road playoff performance Tuesday night, falling 111-101 to the Pistons in Detroit. Cleveland never fully recovered from a sluggish start and now trails 1-0 in the series heading into Game 2. Here are three takeaways:

The Road Problems Continue: The Cavs are now 0-4 on the road this postseason after another flat opening. Cleveland looked out of sync early and spent the rest of the night trying to climb back into the game.

JB Bickerstaff Won Round 1: Facing the franchise that fired him, Bickerstaff had Detroit prepared and physical from the opening tip. Cade Cunningham controlled the game despite an uneven shooting night, while Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson helped power a strong Pistons supporting cast.

Key Cavs Disappeared: Jarrett Allen, coming off a dominant Game 7 against Toronto, was neutralized by foul trouble and had little impact. James Harden also struggled again in a playoff setting, finishing with more turnovers than made field goals.

Watch Dennis Manoloff's video recap here.

Talk of the Town

Sonia Winner's last day as president and CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History was yesterday. Winner told the museum's board of directors that she plans to pursue her next opportunity as a reason to step down from the role. Winner joined the museum in 2018.

Cleveland Heights increased its road resurfacing budget by $3.1 million, bringing the 2025 total to $5.1 million. This budget increase allows the Cleveland Heights Public Works Department to hire two more street crews and resurface 27 roads this year. Last year, the city only resurfaced 11 streets.  

The average gas price in Ohio and the rest of the Great Lakes region could fall 20 to 40 cents in the next two weeks, reports Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. This is due to refinery issues clearing up, but De Haan says that "this could change if (Strait of Hormuz) destabilizes." 

Sherrod Brown won the Democratic nomination for Ohio's U.S. Senate seat and is set to face current Sen. John Husted in November's election. Husted ran unopposed for the Republican nomination for Ohio's U.S. Senate. 

Vivek Ramaswamy easily won the Republican nomination for Ohio's governorship, setting up an election battle against Dr. Amy Acton, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Ohioans will vote for their next governor in November. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine opposes a plan to suspend the state's tax on gasoline, which is currently 38.5 cents per gallon, reports Ohio Capital Journal. DeWine says that the tax is needed to fund construction and maintain roadways. 

Events and other fun for Mother's Day weekend.

Things To Do | By Jeff Niesel

An Evening with David Byrne at the State Theatre | Music | May 7

The former Talking Heads frontman brings his latest solo tour to the State Theatre. Last year, Byrne hooked up with Grammy-winning producer Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus) and members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra for his latest album, Who Is the Sky?, another terrific collection of quirky art rock tunes. The show begins at 8 p.m. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field | Sports | May 8-10

The Minnesota Twins were a sub .500 team last year and will probably lose more games than they win again this year. They come to town for a three-game series at Progressive Field that commences with Friday's game. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, 216-420-4487, mlb.com

Zach Bryan at Huntington Bank Field | Music | May 9

The country music superstar comes to Huntington Bank Field as part of a tour supporting his latest effort, With Heaven on Top. The 25-song release is an ambitious effort punctuated by Springsteen-like ballads ("Runny Eggs") and politically charged critiques of the state of the nation ("Bad News"). The concert begins at 7 p.m. 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com

Ingenuity Bal: Daydreamery at IngenuityLabs | Party | May 9

Ingenuity's annual signature Bal fundraiser takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday at IngenuityLabs. There will be interactive art installations, live performances, music, dancing and "unexpected moments of wonder." 5401 Hamilton Ave., Cleveland, 216-589-9444, ingenuitycleveland.org

Mother's Day Open House at Holden Arboretum | Nature | May 10

You can see several thousand rhododendrons, azaleas, and other beautiful blooms at this Mother's Day Open House held at the Holden Forests & Gardens' Leach Research Station in Madison. 9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, 440-946-4400, holdenarb.org

Read our full list of things to do.

Yesterday's Trivia Answer 

A monument to what War of 1812 hero started out in Public Square in 1860 before moving to Wade Park, Gordon Park, and now its current home at Fort Huntington Park? Oliver Hazard Perry

Check back tomorrow for the answer to today's question.

From The Editor

Tim Misny, the lawyer, the businessman, the local star — and, now, the author. I've chatted with Tim about various things over the years, but reading his and Jim Kukral's book has been enlightening in a different way. (I'm about halfway through!)

I mean, the guy's face has been visible from highways for most of my life — it's instantly recognizable. That's some smart branding. Clarity of message is worth more than any logo, Kukral writes in part of the book. Repetition without apology will do more for your brand than a hundred clever variations.

It reminds me of what we do here at our publication: teams of humans thinking, writing and consistently sharing the city's stories for 54 years under the ever-steady "Cleveland Magazine" banner. The message might shift into new realms like websites, TikTok videos and newsletters — but, always, clear, consistent storytelling.