It took 11 days to go 2 floors

I learned my lesson and but good--regarding inter-office mail!

I've done it hundreds of times before.

We all have.

You have a beige-manilla envelope with lines on it and that 'twistee' closer string that you wrap around and around and around the little cardboard clasp. You scratch out the previous name and message and update with yours and the envelope's destination and date.

Then you place it in the outgoing mail bin.

That's what I did 11 days ago just before I went on a few days of vacation or furlough, I really can't remember which, but was off for a long weekend.

Came back to work.

Had yet another day in the middle of the week off.

Came back to work after the weekend and got stopped by a co-worker who said she delivered my mail to its destination.

I looked with amazement as to why she had the envelope only to see there had been writing on both sides.

Mine was dated and signed June 19, 2009. The other entry much earlier in the year if not the end of last year.

Lesson to be learned --check both sides of your inter-office mail envelope and follow up with the receiver in a timely fashion! Or better still, get a little exercise, take the steps and deliver it yourself!

Brian Chalmers boundless creativity now fills the heavens (1955-2009)

Stunned. The only way I can explain my feelings when I heard the news that a former co-worker had passed away.

I know life is fragile and totally out of our hands.

But, you still like to have the illusion that we hold everything together with that thread of control and 'we' are steering the ship of life.

I first saw the announcement on Facebook of all places.

I figured it had to be a different Brian Chalmers. How could it be Brian, who I worked with day in and day out? So young?

But, as I read more details, I knew it was one in the same.

There is so much I want to pen all at once--the thoughts are just spinning around in my head.

I guess the first observation I'd like to share with my readers is Brian Chalmers' unassuming ways.

His knowledge of music, art, Cleveland history, Rock and Roll history, and the radio and tv business a beacon for all to see, yet never flashy or overpowering.

You never witnessed a 'pushiness,' selfishness, vanity, or any character traits you'd 'think' he would possess because of his creativity and brilliance. No. He was a genius and at the top of his craft but never threw it in your face. In fact, he was one of the gentlest people I've ever met. He had a great sense of humor. He'd always stop by and say hello and only had kind words wearing that trademark baseball cap, rock and roll t-shirt, shorts, and sometimes a crazy Hawaiian-type shirt over a rock and roll t-shirt.

Honestly, as time went on and each day I learned a little more, I was flabbergasted at his talent, his once-in-a-lifetime experiences through the years and how he was able to stay so grounded in such a crazy business (radio and television).

He won award after award for his accomplishments, yet you'd never know it.

At 3, you'd toss stuff his way and somehow, he always made it work and come together. Doing news graphics and maps and such may not have been as exciting as his music assignments but he always gave his all, and again, came up with unique ways to help tell a story.

When someone passes, it always resurrects a few lessons which I try to keep but usually wind up abandoning in time.

Life is fragile. It can be plucked from us at any moment so live it to the fullest, being the best person we can be at all times.

No regrets. Try to live live so there are no regrets.

Enjoy those around you and close to you, for they could be gone in a heartbeat.

Tell people how you feel about them while they are in the here and now. It's always tragic that we have great things to say about people when the are gone, things we should have said to them while they were among us.

It's not goodbye Brian. It's just until we meet again. I can't wait to see your latest creations and masterpieces.

CLICK HERE for a wonderful tribute by Brian's dear friend, John Gorman.

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Big Jim's

I venture 'out' of the normal Hidden Gem region for this week's gem!

And I dare say WHERE Big Jim's is located for fear of wrath from readers. But, I've always been an adventurer and a chance-taker!

Mom and I were lucky enough to take a day trip to Pittsburgh, PA to see our Tribe! Well, the outcome of the game was not to our liking, but the experience very enjoyable!

In our travels, we popped into a local joint for lunch on the way to the game.

I must admit, it was a 'planned' visit because a college buddy, Gary Burdick, is co-owner of the restaurant.

Big Jim's on Saline Street perfectly describes the portions served.

Every appetizer, meal, serving is BIG! Huge! Yet the price is right! More than right! Perfect, especially in today's economic times.

And, the food is tremendous.

Not only do the locals and travelers share this opinion, but earlier this year, Guy Fieri from the Food Network Show, 'Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives' featured Big Jim's and singled out their Veal Parm Sandwich as well as their world famous wedding soup...

It's not fancy, but welcoming and a nice little place to share a meal, visit with friends, or grab a beer on the way to the game.

You can park right on the street out front...walk in and to the right is the bar area and a dining section or to the left another dining room. They have big screen tv's all over so you can catch the latest game, news or weather report....and there are various sports memorabilia hanging from the rafters, including little league team pictures from the teams Big Jim's has supported through the years.

Only about 15 minutes to PNC Park and Heinz Field, a great pre-game spot for delicious appetizers such as onion rings, breaded mushrooms, fries or a dozen or so other tempting dishes.

But you don't want to fill up on too many pre-dinner treats!

No way!

When our dinner came out, our eyes bugged out of our heads.

Mom's 10 oz steak was PERFECT! She has never been able to get a steak made to her liking up until Big Jim's. But with her steak she received a good size salad, garlic bread, and a side of spaghetti. Now, the side of spaghetti was a meal in itself. It was ridiculous, yet wonderful!

I have never been a veal lover, so I passed on Guy's featured meal, and went for a cheeseburger. Again, terrific meal and so filling!

I give it two thumbs up and a full belly!

If by chance you venture to Pittsburgh to see the Browns crush the Steelers or the Indians try to redeem themselves at PNC Park, give yourself extra time to grab a bite at Big Jim's and, you too, will see why it is this week's Hidden Gem!

Holy Cow News Day!

When I am off, on vacation or furlough, I usually take a break from Swing by and spray.

I really won't go into too much detail because I am off and don't have all the details, but I had to pop on for just a few minutes and say, HOLY COW!

Stunned.

What a day to be off.

I was in PA with Mom and the Tribe and a very good friend from College and, thankfully, kept abreast of the situations unfolding all over the U.S.

I really don't think any of them have sunk in just yet.

Shaq comes to the Cavs. Good thing! Big sports story so I am not missing too much! I just hope Shaq knows WHO is #1 in Cleveland --the L-Train! This has garnered multiple Facebook comments from college friends around the US who know their teams won't hold a candle to the Cavs next season.

Farrah Fawcett passing away. Awful story, but we all knew it was imminent. National story, so I am not missing too much on this except it is quite saddening for those of us who grew up in that time frame. Also, maybe this is a deranged way to look at her passing, but the next entry overshadows Farrah's death.

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, dying. Again, a National story, BUT, this out of all of them can certainly be localized. Especially with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum being right here in Cleveland, Ohio....the Jacksons performing in Cleveland.....

I am sure every single radio station will be playing MJ songs for days.

I heard there were so many Tweets, they went off line because their server blew up.


As an assignment editor, you are torn. On one hand, the news day that everyone lives for...but on the other hand, as a viewer, a fan, a riveted human being, by not working, I can sit in front of the tv all night long clutching the remote & just immerse myself watching tributes, music videos, listening to music, & try to come to grips with what has transpired and how it will change the future of music and 'pop-icon culture.'


We'll miss you Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson (they always die in 3's).

Water everywhere, but not where it's supposed to be

I've heard this phrase a million and one times, "I'm only one person!"

Today, I heard it from a police dispatcher and kinda liked the fact that feeling is universal.

When the big 48 inch water main blew, the phones began lighting up, not only at the news assignment desk, but apparently at every single police department where residents were experiencing water problems.

There was water water everywhere, but it was not where it was supposed to be. Dozens of eastern burbs lost their water or water pressure for a time being and thousands of customers were affected.

When the big one hits, no matter what duties are left to do, the rule book goes out the window and you drop back 10 and punt.

Just after the water main broke and I began hearing scanner traffic as well as fielding phone calls, my priority was the water main break. I needed to:

• get my producer the most updated info for our show
• simultaneously writing the story for wkyc.com as breaking news
• twittering the information
• Facebook-ing the info
• continue answering phones
• make sure my morning show had a good grasp on what was happening, a plan, and hopefully all the tools in place to execute
• unfortunately, it was too late to send a crew due to OT restrictions but next crew in will be assigned that task

One of the phone calls I received was actually from a police dispatcher who nicely asked that when we air the story, we try to impress on our viewers that they really should not call any police departments or 911 lines unless it is a true emergency....

The water department and police agencies are working together to get the info out and the situation rectified but they can not do that if they are fielding the phones.

I can commiserate. If we have breaking news, such as a water main break, an earthquake, or something else, I can not get the facts if I am fielding hundreds of calls.

Same thing internally. If I see a story on the competition that is interesting or breaking....and every producer, manager, employee calls the desk asking if I saw that story--

1. I can not jot down details while I am fielding in-house calls
2. I can not make calls to verify the facts while I am being given the 3rd degree

Oh, dispatcher, I feel your pain many many many days out of the week.

It's just good to know that I am not alone, a news assignment desk is not the only group that experiences this job war wound....

Dispatchers, unite!

From pulling teeth to kicking butt!

Let me preface this post by saying this blog is about life in a newsroom on a news desk. Hopefully interesting and entertaining and truthful to everyone and anyone who chooses to read it.

Everyday can not be sunshine and roses and dancing and singing.

No one's job, life, or surroundings are like that 24/7.

So as not to get ambushed by anyone saying, "there goes Danielle with a salty attitude!" For the record, having a salty attitude is not in my vocabulary nor in my actions.

I LOVE what I do, where I do it and frankly give 200 percent every single minute of every single day whether anyone wants to truly admit how much I contribute or not!

I report the facts and respect the truth.

And honestly, the start of today's work day was like pulling teeth. I don't want to lie to you. I kept a smile on my face and my chin up and morale in the newsroom buzzing along! I was humming and singing! But, let me set the stage. At least a dozen times, I had to 'find' someone. Trying to 'locate' staff members took away from my first 2 hours doing what I really needed to do.

Now, normally when I come to work, I come to work --to work!

Thank God I had Sarah the intern. She was able to log the competition, answer phones and type up fact sheets while I tracked down those trying to elude the desk!

So, yes, I won't lie. The 1st couple hours were a bit exasperating.

But, with my attitude and take charge mentality, I was not gonna let that get me down one bit. We kicked a little booty.

Mobilized crews as best we could on the best stories of the day.

Honestly, having an intern for part of my shift, I was able to assist the web folks on attaching video to the web and writing stories throughout my entire shift. Great feeling!

Then, Dick Russ, being the Fugitive of the Week guru, received the big call that the Mansfield sex offender who took 4-year-old Haylee had been caught in San Diego. We were all over this story. We were in contact with San Diego. Dick Russ wrote the web story from home. And CNN managed to get a sat truck to the press conference with U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, which we took in live for our news broadcasts...great start to, what should prove to be, a big story over the next few days!

We always strive to get more than the competition and that little niche that others may not effort. We were able to get some good video for Sports Anchor extraordinaire, Jim Donovan, of Asdrubal Cabrera playing for the Akron Aeros as well as Aaron Laffey pitching for Akron. It's those little stories and added effort that puts us a step ahead of the others.....Comparing Jim's sportscast to all the other stations --no comparison!

And then Senior Political Reporter, Tom Beres, and his crew Mark Smilor were all over the Recall Election of Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. Web Reporter Kim Wendel was updating the web as fast as Tom was calling in the results.....

A great team effort from everyone Tuesday! And, it showed in the live broadcast.

Again, when the day does not begin on a good note, never let it get you down. I find it always works itself out and usually winds up being one heck of a blockbuster day!!!

Sister stations help with commuter train collision coverage

Locally, it was an ok news day.

It's the eve of the recall election for long-time Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic.

We also had an arrest over the weekend in the Laundromat murder. Ironically, the suspect may be attached to two other incidents in two other counties. This story is far from over. Not only do you have what we call the 'nuts and bolts' for this story alone --what is new and happening in this murder case today--but there are many sidebar stories like WHY did the judges ever let him out of jail with his long list of offenses and are there even more suspects with serious offenses roaming the streets?

And, of course, everyone...I mean EVERYONE is awaiting that call from the Cleveland Indians gathering the local media for a press conference regarding some kind of shakeup...


However, the BIG story of the day was miles away....states away......

Yet, we were still able to cover the BIG story with help from our NBC/MSNBC, Gannett, and CNN affiliates in the D.C. area.

WUSA9, our Gannett Sister-Station, had superb coverage of this catastrophic event from its inception. Producers/Writers/Reporters kept all of their affiliates in the loop with updated email regarding new information, upcoming news conference details, pictures and the latest video.

Steve, the CNN Producer servicing our region, kept us in the loop in a number of ways including continuous Twitter updates.

And, of course, NBC/MSNBC kept Producer Dan informed of the latest developments as well. Dan was able to use Reporter Steve Handelsman to update our customers during the 11pm news.

WKYC in turn, was able to get updated information out via Twitter, wkyc.com, and during our LIVE news programs because of the support we had from our affiliates in the region of the breaking news story.

This is how news coverage and getting information out to our customers is supposed to work...and I believe, we did a pretty good job Monday evening on a tragic story.