Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Kalie's Family Restaurant

One of the keywords in this restaurant name: Family.

Their slogan--"Strives for Great Food & Service" is spot on.

Not only have we had a tremendous meal every time we've eaten there, but value their impeccable service and hospitality.

We've been in there when the place was completely empty before the rush and were treated as if we were being served a meal in our own dining room. Yet, after church or other occasions when the room is at capacity, everyone gets the same personalized treatment.

I don't know what they do but I hope they keep doing it!

Kalie's Family Restaurant on Mayfield Road just below Green Road in South Euclid grabs you the first time you dine and keeps bringing you back time and time again. They pride themselves on repeat customers and referrals.

Kalie's staff welcomes all patrons as if they ARE family. The manager/owner takes a vested interest in each and every customer. The regular customers may even get a welcoming hug!

They do supply 'service with a smile.'

And the food --mouth watering delicious. The menu has an over-abundance of choices to please just about anyone, including the finicky eater. They have sandwiches including their specialty hot corned beef, gyros, a wide variety of breakfasts, daily home made soups, and old fashioned milk shakes.

No one leaves hungry. The last time we were there, we ordered the french toast (you can get 2 or 3 pieces), eggs made to your liking, your favorite meat choice of bacon, sausage or ham, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

Kalie's is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Take a trip to Kalie's Family Restaurant (on an empty stomach) at 4446 Mayfield Road in South Euclid and you too will see why they are this week's Hidden Gem!

Many good lives lost this week

I honestly can not recall a week where so many members of the safety forces were killed or passed away.

Well, I take that back. During the war in Iraq (we are right around the anniversary of the start of the war), various local units from Northeast Ohio have lost many lives at a time.

This week was different.

If I had to use one word to describe the last week = exhausting.

Mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting.

Last weekend Officer Thomas Patton died while doing what he loved most --protecting and serving his community. Patton began chasing an alleged suspect, Malcolm Bryant, when he collapsed and died. Officer Patton comes from a family filled with police officers, members of the safety forces, and the son of State Senator Tom Patton.

Officer Patton leaves behind his fiancee, small daughter, and so many other family members, friends, and admirers who thought of him as a true hero.


Then late Monday night, while responding to a neighborhood disturbance, veteran Elyria Patrolman James Kerstetter was gunned down by 58-year-old Ronald Palmer.

Kerstetter was able to get onto the police radio and broadcast that he had been shot. When officers arrived, they confronted the suspect outside threatening, and in turn, fired back at the man.

Another Officer's life lost tragically.

Officer Kerstetter leaves behind an entire city who adored him, his wife and three daughters.

The police brotherhood and sisterhood lose 2 of their own in only a few days.


But the violence does not end there.


24-year-old Jacob Courie came home to Akron on leave from the war when he was gunned down during an argument. Courie survived daily combat but died in his hometown.


And Marine Gunnery Sgt. Robert Gilbert II of Richfield, Ohio was injured in Afghanistan during an ambush on March 8, 2010. Unfortunately, Sgt Gilbert died from his injuries on March 16, 2010.

Sgt Gilbert was on his fifth tour of duty. His father is a Richfield Police Officer.



All of these men are true heroes who died too young and senselessly. My heart and prayers go out to their families and friends. There are no words to adequately comfort, describe, or explain why?


I just know we have to keep their dreams, their hopes, their spirits alive and never forget them.

'I was featured in a Tom Meyer story'

This is quite funny! And when I shared it with Mr. Meyer, he laughed!!!

While most started St. Patrick's Day Festivities at their local Irish pub, I began attending Mass and then off to the tax man to have my deceased Mother's taxes complete.


The only appointment my Aunt could get with her tax guy was of all days, Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day!

I had to work so I had no special plans before or after work.

The day cruised along just fine.

At the end of our tax appointment, my Aunt's tax guy, who she has known from birth, asked her if she saw him on tv?

My curiosity peaked.

She of course has to say, 'my niece works in tv.' He says, 'I was on Channel 3. I was featured in a Tom Meyer story.'

You can go either way with that statement, and honestly, I did not know which way to go?

I just nodded and waited for more details whether this was a 'good' story or a 'bad' story!

Usually during the news, one of my tasks is to get an overview of not only what we are doing, but keep my eyes on the competition. In order to do this, I listen to us. Not actually seeing but just hearing the stories, I had not gotten a visual of this guy in Tom Meyer's story.

The tax guy went on to say he was in Meyer's story on comparing Tax Preparers, which ones are better, which ones may be a rip-off.

And it WAS a good story.

Fortunately, my Aunt's guy was the best one who was on the up and up!

I came into work and told Tom Meyer the story--including, at first, how I was not sure if this was a subject he was chasing down (foe) or friend! He knew exactly who I was speaking of, said 'friend' and got a real chuckle out of it.

A day of heroes

My overachieving tendencies coupled with dozens of other quirks propel me if not enable me to excel in the news business--as an assignment editor, writer, broadcaster, thinker, and communicator.

Not knowing what will happen but being able to roll with any curve ball drives me through each day.

When I woke up Monday morning, I knew I was in store for a busy, history-making day as President Barack Obama criss-crossed Northeast Ohio.

If you did not believe this ideology before, I suggest you re-think your thinking.

One person DOES make a difference.

Monday morning, I had no idea that three people would make a world of difference in my travels and a dent in the history books.

Just look at Natoma Canfield.

50-year-old Natoma Canfield from Medina, Ohio wrote President Obama a letter sharing her health problems, her health care concerns, you could say, giving him a piece of her mind!

What are the chances that her letter would make its way to the President of the United States? But it did. And the next thing you know, President Obama is on his way to Northeast Ohio pushing his health care reform bill, using Natoma Canfield as a perfect example of WHY his idea should be accepted and passed.

Unfortunately, Canfield took ill and was at The Cleveland Clinic. Fortunately, her sister got a chance to speak for her, share her sister's story, and introduce the President.

Natoma Canfield --Monday's first hero who, regardless what happens, proved that one person can make a difference and no one should ever give up the fight or feel insignificant.


Enter President Barack Obama.


To many, he is a hero, a welcome change.

Regardless of your political preferences, he is the President of the United States and deserves the respect that office holds.

The fact that he acknowledged Natoma, her issues, and came to Cleveland to let the country know he IS listening and trying to do the right thing, makes him Monday's second hero.



As an assignment editor, a presidential visit day consists of chaos, long hours, dealing with the networks --CNN, NBC, NewsChannel, taking in feeds, sending out feeds, making sure all of the crews are strategically placed everywhere they should be until the President of the United States safely exits your city.


And, Monday's visit went off without a hitch.


We made it and were just counting down the hours until the end of the shift with a shroud of exhaustion hovering when the unthinkable happened.

Shortly before 11 p.m., yet again chaos erupted as a call came over for an officer shot in Elyria, Ohio. You can not drag your feet. You have to mobilize immediately without even thinking.

That's what I did. I immediately dispatched my crew in a truck, told the producer, and started writing a story for our website.

There were bits and pieces coming across the scanners so I honed in on whatever they were going to allow, which at this point, was not much.

At news time, we had a live shot, video already back in house, and broke in a few times as new information became available during the show.

When an officer is shot, there is never much information readily available, but we did know that one person had been killed and was laying under a sheet in the middle of the street. We knew another person, presumably the officer, had been transported to the hospital.

Unfortunately, after the news, we were informed that the Officer had died.


As of this writing, this story continues to unfold with many unanswered questions.


However, whomever the Elyria officer is, he is truly Monday's third hero serving his country, his city, his President to the fullest, by sacrificing his very life. I'm sure in the coming days we will find out more about this great man.


These three people all proved, in their own unique ways, that each person does make a difference. Ordinary people can become heroes and change the world. Natoma Canfield, President Barack Obama, and the Elyria Officer are all heroes to me.

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: 'Aunts are unique and special people'

I'm going to do a little self-promoting and cross-promotion today.

I've spoken before about Cleveland momslikeme.com (where Cleveland moms meet), which is connected to wkyc and wkyc.com.

A wonderful woman, Jacquie Chakirelis, works harder than any woman I know running the momslikeme.com website.

She's done some amazing things with the website expanding the audience and group of followers since its inception.

When the website first kicked off, I became a member, even though I was not a mother. I enjoy writing and am always looking for great story ideas. What better place than one of our own websites, right in our own backyard!

Well, just recently I've been able to dedicate a little more time to momslikeme.com, even though I am still not a mother.

I started a group for Aunts--hence the group title, 'Aunts are unique and special people.'

I believe that anyone can participate in this website. But more importantly, I truly believe that Aunts, if they are actively involved with their nieces and nephews, know just as much about parenting as parents do.

Aunts have special bonds with their nieces or nephews. I know all of my Aunts hold or held an exceptional place in my heart and will forever.

Not only do some terrific story ideas come from the mommy website, but what a great tool to promote many of the stories airing on Channel 3 News.

Just a few weeks ago, during the 11pm news, we aired a story about a New York Chef who made cheese out of his wife's breast milk.

A perfect opportunity to tease the story! Before it aired, I started a discussion on momslikeme.com asking what mothers thought about this cuisine and if they would ever try cheese made out of breast milk.

Terrific circumstance for a discussion.

The same thing happened a few days prior when a child walked into a Medina school with a gun. I started an open discussion on momslikeme.com on the topic of kids and guns and how this is a growing problem and asked the question HOW can we stop this tragic occurrence.


There are numerous topics on the momslikeme.com website from families to entertainment to education, fitness, grief, and anything you can imagine under the sun.


If you have not already visited the website, please do, and while you are there make a special trip to the group 'Aunts are unique and special people' and then you will see why I am so proud to make it this week's Hidden Gem!

Baby Alert!

Just a week after we welcomed baby Chudowsky into the Channel 3 Family, producer Jon (you've seen him time and time again on all the Facebook teases) and his lovely wife welcomed their new bundle of joy, Peyton Elizabeth, into the wkyc family.

Knowing producer Jon, I'm sure he choreographed and timed every action to a tee --with his flip cam in hand--while Tweeting!

Head over to Facebook for great pictures of these new additions!

Dr. Yazeed Essa gets life in prison

The Yazeed Essa case appears to be a 'complex text book case,' much more interesting than most, depicting what it takes and how long is necessary to bring about justice.

I say 'text book' not because it was an open and shut case at first but because this case will be used for years to come in law schools all over the country.

I find it hard to talk about this particular case because I went to high school with Rosie's sister, Deanna.

I feel if I start analyzing the case, I may sound cold. And I definitely do not want to sound impersonal --especially to the family. Yet, if I don't discuss it at all in this blog, I will ignore documenting one of the most fascinating Cuyahoga County cases of all time.

From the very beginning when Dr. Essa plotted to poison Rosie and make it appear as an accident, one realized this case would have many twists and turns.

Once it was established Rosie's death was murder and Dr. Essa fled the country, everyone started scratching their heads and wondering what would be uncovered next.

I am not going to rehash the last five years. We all know what happened.

Suffice it to say this high profile case intrigued everyone.

I have a friend who popped into a Medina County restaurant the day Dr. Essa was sentenced. He said normally there may be a few of the regulars on hand. However, this day the place was packed. When he asked the owner what was happening, he said, 'The Essa sentencing case is on' and went back to viewing the event with the masses.

Bottom line: Dr. Yazeed Essa was sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after 20 years --under the law.


I'm sure Dr. Essa will appeal. He never addressed the family, the judge, nor the court, as instructed by his lawyers. But, for the first time ever, he showed emotion, and I believe it was real.


Though the case may be closed for now, what the family has encountered and will have to endure for the rest of their lives will never be over.

The DiPuccio family exemplifies one of the strongest, most faith-filled, tight-knit family's I have ever witnessed.

I can not even imagine where they've gotten the strength to carry themselves over the last 5 years.

They are all true inspirations who I personally will remember often, especially when I myself am facing adversity.

Nothing I've faced thus far, including the death of my Mom (and you all know Mom's death is still a nightmare for me), has been as awful as losing a daughter, a mother, a sibling and friend the way the DiPuccio family lost Rosie.


Besides being a prominent court case, this case teaches many life lessons.

Dr. Essa's actions changed a family and their future forever. In one second their history vacillated toward a different direction. Nothing will ever be the same for the DiPuccio family.

Life goes on. I've learned that with Mom. But, it appears, that their life goals now may take a new route: taking care of Rosie's children, making sure they know how wonderful their mother was, and in 20 years, making sure there is no way in hell Yazeed Essa gets out of prison.


Another lesson learned is to be aware. When a friend tells us something's not right, listen to them just as Rosie's best friend listened to her about the medicine Yazeed forced Rosie to take just before she got into her car.


Hold your family and close friends near and dear to your heart every day for you never know when they'll be gone. Tell them you love them and allow yourself to be loved.


Live life as if it were your last.


And never forget Rosie DiPuccio.

Is this an episode of 'Chuck?'

For a fleeting moment I felt like I was a supporting actress in an episode of 'Chuck' with spies and undercover agents and all that 'stuff!'

I fielded the call from U.S. Marshal Pete Elliot saying he is on his way over with his guys to do our weekly Fugitive of the Week segment.

I'm in good shape. I actually have a crew, Mike Greene, who can set up in the FOW room and be ready by the time Pete and his fellow interview subjects arrive.

When they entered, I said hello to Pete but introduced myself to the other two gentlemen accompanying him unfamiliar to me. No matter how nice all of these fellows are, they are law enforcement and very daunting!

Next thing I learn, I have just shaken hands with the Director for the U.S. Bureau of Interpol. You have got to be kidding me. I've done enough reading and seen my share of movies to know what Interpol is and that Interpol stands for the International Criminal Police Organization.

And I've shaken hands with their director. This is very exciting!

Timothy Williams has come to Cleveland looking for this week's Fugitive of the Week, who may be lurking in our city. Yet, another interesting twist to our story. It does not get much better than this!

The only thing better would be if our top notch U.S. Marshals bust the dude and put this case to bed! Knowing Pete and his gang, that's not out of the realm of possibility!

Amazing News Day

The consummate news day.

We all had an inkling the verdict would come back for Dr. Essa today. But you can never be too sure.


Around 1:15pm the jury came back with their verdict. Dr. Yazeed Essa was found guilty for murdering his wife Rosemarie. He poisoned her with cyanide causing her to crash her car and ultimately die.


Every day we followed this story and I saw fresh video from the courtroom, my heart just broke into many pieces. I went to high school with Rosemarie's sister Deanna and seeing how she and her family were so devastated was an awful sight.



Quite a unique case. Usually when we cover court cases, any type, the members of the jury rarely want to speak with the media. Today, all the jurors gathered for a press conference and were greeted by cheers for their efforts.


Nothing will ever take the place of Rosie but it's a comfort for the family to get closure on this case.



If that was not enough, Josh Cribbs had been planning a 5pm press conference at the I-X Center. We were in place in plenty of time. However, late Friday afternoon the Browns sent out an advisory that they, too, were holding a news conference. I live for these types of days. Had to do some re-arranging and cancel using one of our studio cameras to send a photog out, but this is a big story.


We were at Browns Camp, the I-X Center and had everything sports needed on this story.


I follow Josh Cribbs on Twitter and later in the evening he thanked all of his fans for their undying support. Great to watch these stories also come to a conclusion on Twitter.


Adding fuel to the fire, Judge Gaul's bailiff called before newstime and said there was a verdict in the Perk Park shooting trial. Again, had to shift some assignments but got a crew over to the Justice Center.


It took longer than expected for this verdict. My cameraman kept texting me updates. Finally, during Channel 3 News at 7pm, he texted me all of the information. It's amazing how I can pass on the information to the producer and within seconds we are adding a 'breaking news' story with Monica reading on air what I had just relayed. "Broadcast News" at its best!


What was more amazing is before the story aired on tv, I shared the information with our 7pm LIVE web chatters and with Twitter folks. Quite exciting!



But wait, there's more!



The Indians were on TV this afternoon and blew by the Reds 9-2. Go Tribe! Ironically, Thursday the Indians and wkyc big bosses were nice enough to host breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all of us. It was a combination 'the Olympics are over, congrats on a great ratings period and welcome baseball season' celebration! The Indians brought Stadium hotdogs, ketchup, mustard, popcorn, and dessert! What a great kickoff for Indians Spring Training baseball!!!

The Cavs were home against the Pistons on 'let's break a world record by all wearing our Snuggies in the Q' night...and believe it or not, the Cavs fans DID break the record !!!

But quite a scare when Rodney Stuckey of the Pistons collapsed from a possible seizure. It was during a time out and he was sitting on the chair when he keeled over. They worked on him for a while as the Cavs and Pistons joined together in prayer. Finally, they took him off the court and transported him to the Cleveland Clinic where he is being treated. Danny Ferry reported to the crew broadcasting the game that Stuckey was in stable condition.




What a way to end the week. This weekend has come just in time.



Have a great weekend everyone!

An old friend returns to the wkyc newsroom

Yesterday when I said 'never a dull moment in the newsroom,' I had no idea we WOULD have yet another visitor make a guest appearance. This visitor came from out of town!

Former wkyc anchor/reporter Kristin Anderson popped into the station on a short fact-finding mission.

Kristin and John Anderson left wkyc about 2 and 1/2 years ago for Philly. John anchors at Fox 29 and Kristin freelances there on occasion.

They were at wkyc for nearly 7 years in many capacities. John anchored the weekday morning show and reported. Kristin anchored with Scott Newell and then her husband John as well as reporting for the late news.

Kristin has found that her true love is teaching. She currently teaches at West Chester University. She came to Cleveland to do a number of interviews for her Master's Degree thesis. I am proud to say I was one of Kristin's interview subjects!

I spoke with John recently as well, who said he and Kristin and their children hold a very special place in their heart for Cleveland. They still have so many friends here. You never know when they will make another jaunt back for a visit!

Good Luck Kristin on your studies and future endeavors!

Happy Birthday, Betsy!

You just never know who will show up at work!

Midge the crime fighting K-9 popped into the newsroom this morning with Sheriff Dan McClelland of Geauga County. It's always a treat when Midge visits!

And low and behold, this afternoon, our favorite Cleveland Indian mascot, Slider, made the grand entrance with balloons, flowers, and cake for wkyc meteorologist Betsy Kling's birthday!

Never a dull moment in the wkyc newsroom!!!

Producer Don grabbed the flip cam and took some video which you can see over on Facebook of Slider's birthday greeting to Betsy....

Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Happy Birthday, Betsy!

Congratulations to the Chudowskys!

A big congratulations to wkyc weekend sports anchor Dave Chudowsky and his lovely wife Lindsay as they welcomed little Brooklyn Taylor into the world this morning!

Brooklyn weighed over 7 pounds!

Dave's the beaming daddy and said Lindsay is the best mom in the world & he is very proud of his girls!

Mommy and baby are doing very well.....not sure about Daddy!

Guess who's back in late night?

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics, sadly, are over.

I am in MAJOR Olympic withdrawal. I watched around the clock and could not get enough of the Curling, Skating, Hockey...oh who am I kidding --EVERYTHING!

I am determined to keep the Olympic flame burning in my heart.

Now on to the next order of business.

NBC Programming is getting back to some normalcy.

Our friend Jay Leno returns to late night following our local late news as the leader of The Tonight Show.

It will be interesting to see what they keep, what they change, new set or same ole, have they developed any new skits, or just how this gels. One thing is for sure, he can not go wrong this week with an all-star line-up of Olympic athletes as guests all week long including Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, Apolo Ohno.

Tune in to wkyc at 11pm and then stay with Jay as he returns to late night!