Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

(famous WMMS bumper sticker--surely a collector's item!)



Today's Hidden Gem: WMMS 100.7 FM


Cleveland IS the Rock and Roll Capital of the world!


We are lucky to have a plethora of radio stations ranging from rock to country to hip hop and back again which showcase a group of the most entertaining DJ's around! Each station has contributed to Cleveland's unyielding Rock and Roll Legacy!


One of the stations that surely brought Cleveland to its music prowess, in my opinion, was 100.7 WMMS!


Apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will be opening a new exhibit Friday, August 29th, commemorating the 40th anniversary of WMMS which is called 'WMMS: A Cleveland Legend Turns 40."


This exhibit opens Friday on the third floor of the Rock Hall.


WMMS hit the airwaves on September 28, 1968 and took the music industry by storm. Radio, Rock and Roll, and Cleveland have never been the same.


WMMS has a rich history of influential deejays including Denny Sanders, "Kid Leo," "Matt the Cat," "Len 'Boom Boom' Goldberg," Jeff and Flash, Billy Bass, John Gorman, Ruby Cheeks, Betty Korvan, Murray Saul, Steve Lushbaugh, Rover, Bill Freeman, T.R. and Dia Stein....just to name a few. The list is endless, really!


If you don't know what dial it's on or even recognize many of the booming voices, everyone is familiar with the notable mascot, The Buzzard!


Through the years, WMMS has racked up award after award including the prestigious honor of "Radio Station of the Year" 9 years in a row --an honor the readers of Rolling Stone Magazine bestowed on them!


WMMS was the leader in FIRSTS!! They opened the door for so many rock and roll artists including Springsteen, Rush and Roxy Music...


Jeff and Flash's "Buzzard Morning Zoo" lead the pack in morning radio....


And The Coffee Break Concert Series gave the audience a live performance mixed in with live interviews of their favorite bands....


Though there have been a number of changes over the years from deejays to owners, even to the formatting, WMMS has stayed one of the top Rock Stations in town!


Just tune into 100.7 FM....visit the new Rock Hall Exhibit.....or read up on the history of WMMS (including 'The Buzzard' by John Gorman with Tom Feran) and you, too, will see why WMMS is this week's Hidden Gem!



Information supplied by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, WMMS website and growing up a Clevelander!!!

Olympics score big numbers!

Not only did the United States win the most medals during the XXIX Olympiad with 110, but NBC scored high marks as well!

WKYC Program Coordinator, Donna Kropf, released figures for the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

She said NBC Universal tallied 214 million viewers over the 17 days!

According to Nielsen, this was the most watched event in U.S. TV history topping the Atlanta and Athens games.

Thank you, Cleveland, for tuning into our local athletes performances as well as the big name story lines! It was an exciting 17 days!!!

ALERT: Thursday night programming change

Please be aware that there will be a few programming changes on WKYC for Thursday, August 28th.

Thursday night, Channel 3 will be airing the final Cleveland Browns pre-season game.

Coverage begins at 7pm with Browns pre-game.

The Cleveland Browns-Chicago Bears football game will then air from 730pm until the conclusion of the game, which should be approximately 1030pm.

At the conclusion of the Cleveland Browns game, WKYC will go immediately to network coverage of the Democratic National Convention.

More details as they become available if there are any updates or changes! Stay tuned!!!!

Like pulling teeth!

I am currently in the midst of a very frustrating afternoon.

As an assignment editor, your disposition determines whether you have these days every day or once in a blue moon due to the nature of BEING an assignment editor!!

Assignment Editor = Problem Solver!

Fortunately, I let days like these roll off my back day in and day out or my co-workers would be carrying me out of here on a stretcher and loading me into the nearest ambulance!

Today's dilemmas (and there are many) revolve around Printer #1 and Printer #2 being busted again. You can track my whereabouts in the newsroom by following the movement of my black ink-covered hands! I feel like I am in an episode of Law and Order CI as they dust for prints!

Being alone on the news assignment desk, and trying to run a very efficient desk makes it counter-productive to continually traipse over to a working printer!


The next dilemma: I'm gathering we are trying to get a talkback or at least sound on tape for one of our night reporters from the convention. However, I am odd girl out on this one. I keep getting calls on something that I know nothing about! And when I try finding out, I get a bunch of "your call has been forwarded to audix...." responses! Very frustrating when you can not reach the people who supposedly know!?!?!


But, wait --I'm not the only one snake bit. I can not tell you how many calls I have fielded from folks INSIDE the building who were looking for someone who supposedly was INSIDE the building --to no avail!!


I just love when you answer outside calls and the person on the other end demands you find a reporter or staffer, saying it is very very important! I see the staffer standing before my very eyes, and say "I have a very important call for you" and the staffer continues talking on their cell phone or doing what they are doing......

So IS the incoming call really important or not?????? I guess I will never know!


Honestly, it has been a good day! I personally have been kicking BOOTY! I have been successfully conquering everything on MY PLATE. I have been as organized as can be, communicating to a tee and cranking out fresh story ideas, fresh updates and hopefully making our next newscast as interesting and new as it can possibly be!!


As long as I take care of my business, all is right with the world!!!!!!!


Thankfully, I don't let the frustrating dilemmas get me down! And I never will!

Big story after big story!

It has been one big story after the next.

The 16 days of the XXIX Olympiad kept everyone glued to their television screen! I could not get enough.

I had to stay up and watch the Men's basketball game for the gold LIVE.....which did not end until about 5am Sunday morning!

There is just something about the big story and being a part of it, even if it is thousands of miles away!

And barely a chance to take a breath, we are in the midst of the Democratic National Convention.

I've told you all before, I am not the biggest fan of politics but have to say, I am really looking forward to how this week unfolds.

Stay with Channel 3 News and wkyc.com as well as NBC and MSNBC for the latest developments of this huge week of news!

Glad to have Jim Donovan back, who had been off on a break for a while. What a talent. What a treat! Welcome back Jim!!!!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

(Picture COURTESY: Flashes of Hope /'Kick it' websites)



Today's Hidden Gem: Flashes of Hope

I first learned of this non-profit organization, Flashes of Hope, shortly after its inception.

I had the pleasure and distinct honor of working very closely at one time and becoming good friends with one of the group's co-founders, Allison Clarke (I remember her as Allison Glovna!).

Allison, a beautiful, highly motivated, and talented young woman, championed a number of different tasks from producer to reporter to model and beyond.

When she found out her son had cancer, she and her husband, Kip, founded Flashes of Hope while their son was being treated for his cancer.

Allison has always thought outside of the box. She took her skills, experience, and many contacts and turned it all into a wonderful venture which helps so many people.

Flashes of Hope strives to help children dealing with illness, including cancer, foster positive attitudes toward their changing looks (at times) as well as their entire situation.

Allison enlisted the efforts of some of the best photographers, make-up artists, and others who she worked with during her modeling days, to volunteer their time and talents and take lasting photographs of these children.

Not only did the children have beautiful photographs of themselves they could be proud of...but if the worst occurred, and the child passed, the family had a wonderful portrait to hang onto forever!

During the photo shoots, the children's hospital rooms are transformed into a professional photography studio. This helps take the children's minds off of where they are while they are getting all dolled up and treated like little kings and queens!

The children are photographed alone as well as with their families, supporters, and favorite nurses or doctors!

Families are then given a number of photographs, proofs, and a CD of their child's photo shoot to keep forever! Due to the generosity of everyone involved, there is no cost to any of the families.



UPCOMING EVENT!!!!
This Saturday, August 23rd, the community is invited to take part in the first 'KICK IT' game at Gurney Elementary School Field in Chagrin Falls.

This event not only raises money to support pediatric cancer research but also gives hope and support to Quinn Clarke and Ava Harb, who are both fighting cancerous tumors.

The community is being asked to come out to cheer on 'Team Clarke' and 'The A Team' and play kickball or multiple other games between 1 and 4pm.

The location is 1155 Bell in Chagrin Falls.

For more details, call 216.514.7005 or email lisa@flashesofhope.org.

Everything Flashes of Hope has a hand in contributes to giving ill children and their families the dignity and courage to deal with whatever may come their way and the hope that they may be able to conquer just about anything!

Just take a look at all this group has done for children over the years and, you too, will see why Flashes of Hope is this week's Hidden Gem!


Some background information Courtesy: Flashes of Hope Website

Huge day for news, on such a sad story

This day is what you would characterize as a huge news day.


They do not come along very often through the course of the year, but are what, we as news people, live for.


This day, quite bittersweet.


All cylinders full speed ahead, adrenalin going...but the topic matter is quite sad. A Cleveland icon has passed away by tragic means.


We must report it, but that does not make it any easier.


We had all of our crews and reporters (but 2) on this breaking news story. Everyone works to gather details and various parts of the story to give our customers the very latest accurate details as quickly as possible.


I'm told (because it happened before I arrived into work) that every other station, including a few of the main networks and the Cleveland Plain Dealer, erroneously reported that Congresswoman Tubbs Jones had passed away.


I am proud to work for the station that 'reported the facts, respected the truth' and did not jump the gun with erroneous details.


We pre-empted the Dr. Phil Show to air a special 5pm broadcast with the latest information on this tragic story.


We had all bases covered. We had reporters on site at Huron Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic getting the latest on Tubbs Jones medical incident. We gathered statements from top political and religious leaders around the country. We spoke to the family spokesperson. We covered an impromptu vigil attended by friends and strangers alike....


We had numerous live guests on set at 5, 6, and 7pm...and will have others on our Thursday morning show.


The information we hoped would never come did finally arrive shortly before 7pm. We were live on the air at 7pm and were able to update our viewers with the sad news that Stephanie Tubbs Jones had passed away from her medical condition.



Again, these are the days as a news assignment editor you live for....but definitely not with this topic matter and sad outcome.....

U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones has died

(photo Courtesy: WKYC.COM)

It is with a heavy heart that we must report that U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones has passed away.

The family and the Cleveland Clinic issued a statement at 6:40pm:

“Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones’ medical condition declined. Medical doctors and neurosurgeons from Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic sadly report that at 6:12 p.m. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died.

She dedicated her life in public service to helping others and will continue to do so through organ donations.

Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”

Stay with Channel 3 News throughout the day and night and logged onto wkyc.com for the latest on this developing story. When we have new details, we will be sure to pass them along to all of you.

Changing times

Oh, how times are a changing!

As a novice desk person, I tried so hard to cover anything and everything that was happening in order to fill our shows.

I thought everything in the daybook warranted a crew and every big name concert was a must get. Now, we may cover 4 concerts a year of the REAL BIGGIES!!!

And trust me, there are dozens and even hundreds of worthwhile events every single day which would make good stories or what we call 'pacers' --stories that not only inform our customers but help the pace of the show move along!

Just today --realistically, we could have sent a reporter to what we thought was an overturned boat with people in the water......to find out what will house the former Club Moda space.....to explore the outrage directed toward Fannie Lewis' predecessor...or to hear the heroic story of Peggy Whitson, NASA Astronaut, who just spent 6 months on the International Space Station.


Due to changing times, subjectiveness, and scaling back, we could not send a reporter to any of the above.


I pride myself on perfecting my news judgement skills over the years. I'm pretty good at gauging what is or is not a good story. With that fine tuning, it's a bit easier to know what we MUST really get to and what we can 'blow off.'


With experience, it also makes it easier not to stress out as much if I can not cover something, if I miss something ....or get as frustrated when I suggest what I think is a real good story --we don't do it, but every other station in town does it! Let it roll off your back, baby!!!


I do find that great organization, preparation, and communication help immensely when covering the news.


Even with fewer people, if I've done my homework and mapped out a plan, I can cover almost as much with fewer crews by being energized, wise, organized, and not wasting a single second!


My crews may not agree and may not be too happy with me because I keep them hopping, but at least they can say they worked a very productive and satisfying shift!


Then, there are those events that you just feel obligated to cover, whether they are going to air or not. We have the luxury with wkyc.com to give our readers these special stories!


Times are changing. Hopefully, our good news judgement, high standards, willingness to go out of the proverbial box, informative and helpful stories, and quality broadcasts will remain constant through all the changes!!!!!!!!!

Friday's 'Live on Lakeside' performer

Friday's 'Live on Lakeside' segment entertained everyone to the acoustic sounds of Brian Lisik.

Lisik came from Akron with his Classic/Pop Rock adding a twist of twang!

Brian Lisik actually has his own band called The Brian Lisik Band.

You can catch our 'Live on Lakeside' segment each Friday morning during Channel 3 News Today.

Then log onto wkyc.com for some background on each band, the band performing a few songs and any links such as their web pages, Facebook pages, or MySpace pages......

And, as always, Keep Rockin'!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: The Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy

Today kicks off the 110th anniversary of The Feast of the Assumption on Murray Hill in Cleveland's Little Italy District!

Church stands open up at 6pm and the great festival runs through Midnight Sunday evening.

The 'Feast' showcases multiple platforms without even trying.

First and foremost, the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th) celebrates Mary being 'assumed' into Heaven by God. This is a holy day of obligation. Mary has fully assumed her place in Heaven a total being --mind, spirit, and body --which continues to fulfill God's plan.

Next, Clevelanders of Italian descent gather to share their heritage, their religious beliefs, and family traditions!

A neighborhood comes together (the Little Italy residents as well as Holy Rosary Parish) to showcase to the city what they have to offer, to celebrate their roots, and to throw one of THE biggest parties in Cleveland!

If you have never been, you are missing out on a memorable experience!

This 4-day feast serves up the very best Italian food around--all homemade! Whatever you like, they have --cannoli, pizza, cavatelli, Italian sausage, fried dough, clams, pasta, Italian ice....the list is endless.......

The street fair closes down Mayfield Road so vendors and shop owners can showcase their fine wares while patrons walk around getting a flavor of the neighborhood.

There are games for the kids, games of chance, rides, live music each night, and souvenir stands.

The area just next to Holy Rosary Catholic Church is set up for folks to pray, to light candles for special intentions, and to buy authentic religious items.

Holy Rosary says this festival is their main fundraiser besides weekend collections which help Catholic school kids as well as maintaining the Church and Parish grounds.

Two of the highlights include the Solemn Mass on the Feast of the Assumption and then the procession around town...and on the final day, there is a candlelight procession and devotions followed by a spectacular fireworks show!

Cleveland's wonderful ethnic mix brings dozens of nationalities together ushering in a different festival each weekend!

However, this is one "Feast" you won't want to miss! Make your way down to Cleveland's Little Italy and you, too, will see why The Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy is this week's Hidden Gem!

My head is spinning

This is a great time to be on the news assignment desk (if you like multi-tasking and working hard!!!)...

I've told you before, never a dull moment and always busy!

But now, there is so much happening, my head is spinning--in a good way!

We are fortunate to have the 2008 Beijing Olympics on NBC through August 24th. We are only 3 days in and have seen some extraordinary competition! It's just riveting! The schedules for some of our staff have been changed to accomodate our late newscast. That's always a crap shoot. If a reporter comes in later to stay later, they may miss the 'meat' of their story or they may miss the 'window of opportunity' for obtaining an interview.

We are in the midst of Cleveland Browns season. Every day we have to send at least 1 crew out to Browns Camp for their practice sessions...and more if we are actually going live for our broadcasts.

I know many of you have given up on the Cleveland Indians. I have not. And we still have almost 2 months of baseball left to play. The Indians are home for about a week and a half which makes for an even busier news assignment desk and hectic sports department!

If that was not enough, we are less than 2 weeks away from Friday Night Fever. We also have our new project kicking off in conjunction with Friday Night Fever: HighSchoolSports.net. Find your favorite high school team and get the latest updates!


I have not even mentioned getting ready for all the politics over the coming months and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We have been and are very involved with the race....as well as the day in and day out news coverage to give our viewer the top news of the day!


What can I say, never a dull moment and that is the way I LIKE IT!

Beijing 2008

They are finally upon us!



Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics XXIX!



Expectations soar high for a colorful, imaginative, and unforgettable opening ceremony for the kickoff of the Beijing Olympics.



Channel 3 News will be carrying the Opening Ceremonies, as presented by NBC, beginning at 730pm.



Throughout the 16 days, we will have a full schedule of Olympic events.



Be sure to check out wkyc.com, nbc.com, as well as the official website of the Olympics for the daily schedule of events.

Go Team USA!

It's Friday and we're 'Live on Lakeside'

Let's catch you up on a few bands we've showcased during our Friday 'Live on Lakeside' segments on Channel 3 News Today.

We've had Crookneck Chandler & The Tibbee Bottom Boys! Come on, admit it, you are hankering to hear the kind of music this band plays and see if there is a cool story behind their name!!

And we've listened to the homegrown band, Rainy Day Saints!

Our 'Live on Lakeside' segments have been cruising along! We've had a great mix of music and entertainment featured on Channel 3 News Today. What a great way to learn about new bands and get a sampling of the music around town!

Have a great weekend. Enjoy the kick-off of the Olympics.

And, as always, Keep Rockin'!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: The Dawg Pound

Though just the beginning of August and baseball season still in full swing, tonight ushers in the Browns first Pre-Season game. No other team has anything that even comes close to The Dawg Pound.

Trust me, I know. I sit there each week, first row, in the midst of all the craziness & experience the phenomenon.

Cleveland, bar none, has the best fans in the world for ANY sport --football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey...and how we love our Ohio State Buckeyes and high school sports!

Hanford Dixon (along with Frank Minnifield) pride themselves in 'coining' the idea and the phrase 'Dawg Pound.'

Geographically, it depicts the fans in either end zone. The main Dawg Pound is as you enter the National City Gate on the east end.

However, the 'concept' of Dawg Pound encompasses the spirit of the dedicated fan who stays until the last second in a blizzard with subzero temperatures, who will wear anything, paint any body part, tailgate in the Muny lot from 6am 'til game time grilling dogs/burgers/ribs and then go back after the game, and bark like a dawg until their voice is raw and hoarse!

Everyone world-wide knows the Dawg Pound and their fearless leader, Big Dawg. John Thompson sits in the first row in the center of the Dawg Pound wearing his dog mask, jersey #98, signing autographs and taking pictures with his adoring fans. Every out-of-town media representative on the field snaps at least one shot of Big Dawg!

The players know who to turn to when they need to get the fans back into the game. They come over to the Dawg Pound and light the spark that ignites the entire stadium.

Dawg Pounders love when the Browns have the ball coming toward the Dawg Pound area...in hopes that the beloved Brownies will score and jump into the front row! Though not a huge fan of his, that happened to us the game Jeff Garcia ran into the end zone, scored a touch down and jumped right into our arms!!

There is no other place to be on a Sunday during Football Season than surrounded by hundreds of other Dawg Pound comrades cheering on the football team with the greatest heart, soul, and spirit!

You should try the Dawg Pound experience once in your lifetime and then you, too, will see why the Cleveland Browns' Dawg Pound is this week's Hidden Gem!

A small 'souvenir' from Cleveland Municipal Stadium --our Dawg Pound seat! Memories!!!!!

What's coming up on Channel 3 News

You all may be well aware of a great new feature which we began about a week ago, but I'd like to share....


Each day, our 6pm, 7pm, and 11pm producers have been making on camera appearances to share details about upcoming stories for their shows...in the 'Producer's Line.'


You can certainly log onto wkyc.com for these teases.


If you are on social media, such as Facebook, take a gander at the wkyc-tv page and get a flavor of the stories we are covering every day.


We post them around 4pm for the early shows and then again sometime between 6pm and 9pm for the late show.


We'd love your feedback! Comments, suggestions!

Keep watching Channel 3 News! And thanks for logging onto wkyc.com!!!!

She will be missed

Unfortunately, I must first report a bit of sad news as I return from a week away from the news assignment desk.

The Channel 3 family lost a long-time employee and one of the nicest people in the building.

Anjanelle Carter passed away at her home last week after a long bout with Cancer.

However, the cancer never kept her down. She always had a sunny disposition and was determined to enjoy life to the fullest!

Anjanelle worked in our engineering department and kept the 'guys' in line! She was a hard-working employee who definitely knew her craft!

I'll miss seeing her come in as I leave for the day....always had such nice things to say to me.

One fellow employee who gave her eulogy was not surprised at the turnout. He said there had to be over 1000 people at her funeral mass which showed the love everyone had for Anjanelle.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Anjanelle's family, friends, and fellow co-workers who are mourning the loss of one great lady.