🎬 Three blockbusters leaving soon — grab popcorn

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It feels like the circus is leaving town and taking summer with it. Festival season ends today and the days ahead will see the closing of summer blockbusters.

Cedar Point: Today is the final ride for the park’s summer schedule. It will be closed Tuesday through Thursday this week and will be open Thursdays through Sundays in subsequent weeks through Nov. 2.

On Sept. 12, it kicks off HalloWeekends, the themed fright-fest that runs through October 27. For the first time, Cedar Point will charge an extra admission to access the attraction – which adds $10-$30 on top of the $50 ticket.

The move has spawned a backlash and added to what has been an uneven season.

The park’s much-anticipated tilt roller coaster Siren's Curse experienced a number of technical delays and stoppages. And its parent, Six Flags, reported a 9% drop in attendance in its properties, including Cedar Point and King’s Island.

The decline reflects a tapped-out consumer that has impacted tourism in general, from Disney World to Las Vegas.

Takashi Murakami: The Cleveland Museum of Art’s blockbuster Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow exhibition closes Sunday. The museum is extending hours during the final week, and will stay open until 9 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and Sunday. Info.

Asian Lantern Festival: The biggest light show of the summer closes Sept. 13 at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. On Sept. 14, the Zoo will host Wild Ride, a one-night-only event where visitors can ride their bike through the Zoo after-hours to experience the illuminated lanterns one last time. Info.

Seeing the value of your house go up is nice. Not so much when the tax assessment comes.

A 32% rise in area home values has come with a price that cash-strapped residents aren’t willing to pay. Cuyahoga County has experienced an unprecedented increase in unpaid property taxes,  $60.6 million.

And the taxpayer revolt is growing. A Fallon Research poll finds that 61% of Ohioans would vote yes on a constitutional amendment that would abolish property taxes.

The amendment has a plurality of support across the political spectrum, and solid majorities among homeowners, public school parents and renters.

A local group, Citizens from Property Tax Reform, is seeking to get the initiative on the ballot next year.

Property taxes account for more than half of school funding across Ohio. Their abolition would require raising Ohio sales tax from 5.75% to anywhere between 15-20%.

“We know people need relief, especially our seniors and those on fixed income. That is why we are petitioning the state for property tax relief,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, referring to a bill that caps increases when they exceed a certain percentage of income. “We urge the state to listen to the people.”

The sun sets at 7:59 tonight and we’ve lost the 8 p.m. threshold for the first time since April 8.

It hits 7:23 on the last day of summer, Sept. 22, and 7:09 by the end of the month --- reflecting a full 50 minutes lost in September.

Netflix is rotating in horror flicks and now it’s all about the moon… We’re heading toward Halloween.

Don’t call it a summer bucket list. It’s more like a last minute shopping spree for five ways to spend Labor Day.

Cleveland Oktoberfest: Bavarian bash with enough food, bands and entertainers to keep even King Ludwig entertained. Info.

Whiskey Island Labor Day: Classic-rock cover kings Custard Pie whip out standards from the 1960s-‘80s. Info.

Geauga County Fair: The 203^rd edition of Ohio’s oldest fair is an over-the-top extravaganza of all things Americana.  Info.

St. Rocco Church: A Cleveland staple since 1914, it celebrates Italian food and culture and features a greased pole climb. Monday. Info.

Cleveland Taco Fest: Taco, tequila and bands – not to mention Lucha Libre wrestling and taco and hot-sauce-eating contests. Monday. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

It was the first time the previous season’s champion came into its opener as the underdog. No matter: Ohio State smacked Texas 14-7, in a game Browns’ brass was no doubt watching.

Longhorns QB Arch Manning is tipped to go at the top of the 2026 NFL draft – possibly to Cleveland – and is one of the reasons the Browns swapped 2025 first-round picks with Jacksonville to land its top pick in 2026.

Manning’s performance graded poorly: a D+ and D and was called ‘shockingly bad.’ Of course, it’s early. Remember when the Browns were supposed to pick Shedeur Sanders? And then they didn’t? And then did, four rounds lower?

The Cleveland National Air Show started in 1964. Many years earlier, in 1929, the city launched the Cleveland National Air Races – pylon and cross-country races and exhibitions that would run up to 10 days, from late August to early September to include Labor Day. (Photo circa-1929.)

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76 °F 🌡️ 59 °F | ⛅ | 4% | 💨 ENE 13 mph (≈ 11 knots)

77 °F 🌡️ 59 °F | ⛅ | 3% | 💨 ENE 8 mph (≈ 7 knots)

79 °F 🌡️ 64 °F | ⛅ | 22% | 💨 SSW 10 mph (≈ 9 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00pm September 07 (Sunday)

Away vs. Red Sox, 1:35pm Monday

Away vs. Red Sox, 6:45pm Tuesday

Away vs. Red Sox, 6:45pm Wednesday

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