The news served up on a white platter --literally

I've said it before and I'll say it again, an assignment editor is on call 24/7.

You never know when you will run into a news story or have one handed to you on a 'silver' or 'white' platter!

Literally.

I was fortunate to have a long weekend to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

Rounding off my 4-day weekend, I hit the nail-biter of a Browns' game. We won! Even while at the game, I was reminded of work and what we do. Mark Nolan, right in front of me at every game, gives the game time forecast and revs up the crowd. I see my cameramen running back and forth along the sidelines. This game Barry Wolf and Carl Bachtel were capturing the sights and sounds of the Browns-Panthers Game.

After the game, especially because we won, I met 2 very dear friends for dinner. We wound up going to Crop on West 6th Street.

Low and behold, #77 of the Cleveland Browns, Floyd Womack, was their guest chef. Steve, their actual chef has done this promotion a few times and would love to do it with the Cavs and Indians as well in the future. He invites beforehand a player to be the 'guest chef.' They even meet with him the day before and plan out their menu and start some of the cooking.

Well, this week's guest chef was "Pork Chop" Womack. And what do you think he served up? His famous breaded pork chops! He also made a delicious peach cobbler made with all kinds of spices including nutmeg, cumin, honey, cinnamon, etc....and then topped it off with vanilla ice cream.

My friends and I were sitting at the bar when all of a sudden the players started to arrive to support their fellow player on this fun venture. Josh Cribbs walked in with a big group of people....Joe Thomas.....Eric Steinbach....Brian Robiskie.....Chansi Stuckey.....the players and their families were everywhere. They were enjoying the ambiance, having a few celebratory cocktails, spending quality time with their families & friends, and of course, getting a taste of "Pork Chop" Womack's masterpiece.

It was good. We ordered different meals so we could taste it all. The Pork Chop was awesome! The Peach Cobbler very good. Everything they brought out delicious. We felt like we were 3 judges in an episode of the Iron Chef as each course rolled out on their pretty, white dishes. High marks for presentation, originality, and taste.

As soon as the players started arriving, I grabbed my handy dandy cell phone and called the weekend producer, Carrie, to give her the 411 on what was unfolding around me. Within minutes, she'd sent over one of our cameramen. I filled him in on what I knew, who I knew, and pointed him in the direction of Chef Steve and guest chef "Pork Chop" Womack.

Our videographer Mike Greene went to town. He was having a fabulous time shooting the chefs at work, the various Cleveland Browns dining, and close up shots of course of the primo food.

The guys were not adverse to us shooting them, and heck, very good publicity for Crop Bistro and Bar.

We got a chance to talk to "Pork Chop" who amazingly enough said that his wife does not let him cook at home! She'd rather do all the cooking. He was very interested at how we liked his masterpieces. We did not lie. We told him they were mmmmm good! Gave him two thumbs up!

All in all, it turned out to be a very good story for the late news after Sunday Night Football. A story literally served up to me on a white platter....and the rest is history after just one phone call to get the wheels in motion.

Flying on 9/11

WOW!

I was lucky to enjoy a long weekend away from the news assignment desk as I headed south to catch the Cleveland Browns opening game in Tampa against the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium.

When I booked my flight, oh let's say 5 or 6 months ago, I never realized I'd be flying on September 11th.

Once it set in, it did not bother me. Let's face it, 9/11 is probably THE safest day to fly, and I witnessed it first hand.

There was only one economical flight going and coming. Thankfully, it was the 1st flight of the day so I could enjoy as many hours as possible in the 90's and the sun.

I was dumb founded when I arrived at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport at what I saw at the crack of dawn.



Not only did I have to stand in the longest security line I've ever stood in before but I, for once, was part of the 'in' crowd!


It seemed that everyone flying Saturday morning was heading to either FLA for the Browns' game or to Columbus for the big OSU vs Miami game.



You looked down ever corridor and saw only scarlet and gray or brown and orange.





It was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!





There was a bond, a unity, a camaraderie that lasted the entire trip to and from our destinations.





I really felt as if I was part of a big news story all weekend long.





When I arrived in Tampa, right across from where I was staying, there was a huge sign that greeted me saying: "The Official Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Tailgating Headquarters!" What more could I ask for??!!!





My best friend lives right across from Raymond James so we just walked to the Stadium. Reminded me of how I walk to our home Browns Games. And there were tailgaters, 1/2 of them Cleveland Browns' fans! Again, it was fantastic!





Once inside, at least half of the stadium, if not more, painted the seats orange and brown. So at home yet 2000 miles away. The 95-100 degree temps gave it away that we were not in Cleveland, Ohio!





What an absolutely amazing 56 hours! And, as soon as I landed, buzzed straight into the news assignment desk for another exciting weekend of running the mother ship!

Not ready for football season, but it's here!

Though 'my' Cleveland Indians are not doing well, they are quite exciting, but I am not ready for football season yet.

Baseball season lasts through October.

For me, the summer ends on the last day of the World Series.

Today I picked up my Cleveland Browns' season ticket and realized it's fastly approaching.

Let's face it, with temps in the mid 90's, it really makes it difficult to fathom what time of year is just in front of us.

Channel 3, WKYC will air, as usual, the Cleveland Browns' Pre-Season games:

• Saturday, August 14 at Green Bay


• Saturday, August 21 at Cleveland Browns Stadium against the Rams


• Saturday, August 28 at Detroit


• September 2 at Cleveland Browns Stadium against the Bears

And as always, you can be sure that wkyc and Sportstime Ohio will give the consummate football fan and casual watcher everything and anything necessary to attack the 2010 Football Season--before, during, and after.

Jim Donovan, radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, hosts Browns Training Camp Daily every day to give the sports fan insight into the daily workings, the progress, and the highs and lows of what the team may or may not be doing as well as covering Browns Camp every day with the rest of the Channel 3 Sports Department.

If you want a front row seat to this year's Cleveland Browns' Season, look no further than wkyc Channel 3 News and Sportstime Ohio for the comprehensive coverage in town!

'The Point After' starts up again

With Sunday's kickoff of the regular season of Cleveland Browns Football comes yet another debut: 'The Point After.'

On Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. during football season, the wkyc 7pm news goes on hiatus as 'The Point After' takes center stage.

If you have not tuned into this show, you don't know what you are missing!

It has to be one of the most riveting 1/2 hours of sports television programming all week long.

Not only do you have the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, Jim Donovan, but he is joined by former Cleveland Brown great Doug Dieken, former Browns' coach Sam Rutigliano and Sports Writer Tony Grossi.

The wealth of knowledge assembled for 'The Point After' each week makes for a fast-paced and enlightening broadcast combining a break-down of the game, insight as to what worked and what didn't, a look ahead at the next game, stimulating conversation and a dash of humor.

The fans get an inside perspective they can not get anywhere else as they find themselves in the center of the action.

Remember, tune in to wkyc at 7:00 p.m. each Monday night during Cleveland Browns' Football for 'The Point After.'

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Pro Football Hall of Fame

I was lucky enough to take a jaunt to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton this week. I've been there before. No matter how many times you go, it never loses its charm.

To think, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is in our backyard! What a treat.

Anyone who knows anything about or follows football is familiar with the white dome which sets atop the unique brown brick building off of I-77 in Canton, Ohio.

You walk inside and know immediately that you are in the midst of greatness when greeted by the life size statue of the great Jim Thorpe. There are a handful of displays on the ground rotunda level, including this year's inductees, and then your eyes are drawn to the spiral ramp which leads you on one of the most fascinating tours, especially if you are a connoisseur of sports and history.

Honestly, I will not do the hall justice by repeating everything and anything inside. You must go see it for yourself.

However, each display makes you realize (makes me realize in my opinion) how our Cleveland Browns in the 40's, 50's and 60's made a huge impact on the game of football. Most folks remember the bad: the Fumble, the Drive, losing our team, Art Modell. However, if you really follow football, you'd remember all the National Championships the Cleveland Browns won (National Championship would be renamed 'The Superbowl').

All you have to read are the stats, watch the videos on display, take this stroll down memory lane item by item, room by room, display by display, and see not only how many Cleveland Browns Players made history but players from the entire league acted as 'Supermen' achieving feats which seemed insurmountable and unattainable.

The Museum takes you through every facet of the game: its inception, uniforms, footballs, shoes, rules, league changes, players missing years while away at war, and pretty much ANYTHING you could ever imagine.

There are priceless items, ticket stubs, record-breaking memorabilia on display everywhere.

Listen to the interactive videos and narratives. And toward the end of the tour is a, sort of, interactive game room for kids to enjoy.

I'd have to say 2 of my favorites are the room which gives you a quick history of all the teams including which players' #'s have been retired...the really really old memorabilia....and then, of course, the room with the head busts of all the inductees. Each time I enter this room I remember the big news story at the time: when OJ's bust was stolen and abandoned off the side of a highway in Cleveland.

You could spend a few hours, or a whole day!

I love seeing Northeast Ohio in the spot light each July-August at Induction time for the Hall of Fame game and then the actual induction ceremonies. All the big stars come back and Canton is in the limelight for an entire weekend! It's great to see.

And it is right in our backyard. So, if you have not been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, shame on you!!! But seriously, don't take it from me, it's close enough for you to check it out yourself and see why the Pro Football Hall of Fame is this week's Hidden Gem!

Breaking stories, Exclusives

Today is a 'good' day at the office.

The kind of day news people strive for on a daily basis.

I have to admit, my day started off rocky. In the great scheme of life's daily tragedies, my inconvenience is nothing compared to those dying in Iraq, fathers and mothers who can not feed their children and so many other hardships plaguing the world.

However, in my world, it was a pain in the butt arriving for work, early, and being banished to park outdoors in the snow. This is a daily occurrence for my shift. We always get shut out. It sucks (I know, that phrase sounds so adult) and puts a bad taste to the start of my day... but that's life! I deal with it, because I'm overjoyed to still have a job!

It goes to show you, live for every second....battle every moment.....and eventually you will overcome anything--from the smallest of inconveniences to life-threatening illnesses and situations. Don't give up hope, ever!!!! And do not let those little 'pieces of popcorn stuck in your teeth' get you down for very long!!!!!!


After my initial minor set back, the day got rolling at full speed ahead. THE best Sportscaster I have ever worked with broke the Cleveland Browns new coach story way ahead of the competition nationwide! Jim Donovan's expertise and knowledge of his craft surpasses most. Eric Mangini has become the Cleveland Browns Head Coach. Jim Donovan blows me away day in and day out by his smarts, the stories he regularly breaks, his passion, his quick wit, his wealth of knowledge, his memory bank, the excellent packages he crafts, and then the way he presents it all on the Sports Anchor Desk.

Donovan works harder than anyone in this building. I can say that 100 percent sure. Jim starts his day early at Browns Camp or covering the Indians or Cavs and works through the 11pm News. In the midst of his long day, he also tapes numerous shows, segments and one-on-one interviews which air not only on wkyc but on SportsTime Ohio. He does work on the web and radio call in shows. And, he anchors other live broadcasts including 'The Point After.' I do not know how he does it. He is one of Channel 3's top assets, and I sure hope everyone knows what a gem we have in Jim Donovan and his commitment to Channel 3, SportsTime Ohio, The Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Indians and all of his projects!


If that was not enough news, Senior Political Correspondent Tom Beres scored a HUGE get with his EXCLUSIVE ONE-ON-ONE interview with the head of PNC Bank, James Rohr (PNC Chairman). Mr. Rohr, in town to speak with National City Bank workers and community leaders, took time out of his busy day to sit down with Beres and share his thoughts on the NCB/PNC situation as well as his fond memories of his early ties to the Cleveland area.

Tom Beres is yet another valuable asset to the Channel 3 Family with his experience, contacts, dedication to putting together the best story he can produce for our customers, and mastery of the political arena in Northeast Ohio. Tom always juggles multiple stories on a daily basis for every show and the web. It is not uncommon for the assignment editor and the producer to get a 'love call' from Mr. Beres on a regular basis. When he gets calls at home from his contacts, he immediately calls them in so we can break the news first. He, too, has passion for his craft and tries to get a new political nugget in each live show.

You can also catch Tom Beres on his 'Between the Lines' Segment each Sunday morning during our morning show which runs from 9am until 1030am.


It was a good news day! We hope you enjoyed the show and keep coming back to Channel 3 News and wkyc.com!!!!!

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!

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!!!!!

Cleveland Browns Training Camp

(Photo of Brady Quinn signing autographs Courtesy of WKYC Videographer George Payamgis!)

It's here! I have to be honest with you, being the huge baseball fan I am (win or lose), I find it hard to believe that Cleveland Browns' Football Season is gearing up with the baseball season only half over!

Our Channel 3 Sports Department, including Jim Donovan--the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns --is in the midst of one busy season right now!

It's a given that every day we will be giving our customers the most comprehensive coverage from start to finish of this year's Cleveland Browns Season! We will have the latest news, interviews, progress reports, injury reports, and breaking details about camp on our air as well as on wkyc.com.

If you are interested in taking in a practice, all practices are open to the public and free! That's a nice thing to hear! The Cleveland Browns say they will be on the field a total of 19 days with 28 total practices.

Practice takes place out at the training facility in Berea along Beech Street near Baldwin Wallace College.

There are a number of places where you can park for free.

Throughout the practice session, Browns personnel will randomly distribute orange tickets to children under 12 giving them the opportunity to receive an autograph after practice.

August 1st is Family Night at Cleveland Browns Stadium. A wonderful event for the entire family. Especially if you've never been to Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Be sure to check out wkyc.com for information on how you can become a rookie reporter at Browns Training Camp!

And then practices wrap up August 16th.

Tune into WKYC-TV for the Cleveland Browns' Pre-season games.

Channel 3 News, Sports, and wkyc.com is YOUR place for complete coverage of the 2008-2009 Cleveland Browns Season!

Go Browns!

True Broadcasting Legend, Gib Shanley, dead at 76

76-year-old Gib Shanley has passed away. I can not imagine that anyone does not know who Gib is and the impact he has had on Cleveland Television. If you do not, he was one of the 'true television personalities' who helped mold Cleveland Television Broadcasting and Sports in this town for almost half a century.

In 1961, Shanley came on scene and took Cleveland Broadcasting and Sports to the next level!

He broadcast Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Games when he worked for WGAR AM-1420. He continued play-by-play for the Browns through 1984. He proudly wore his 1964 NFL Championship ring. He worked at WEWS, which is where I had the honor and good fortune to meet and work with the Gibber. Though a rookie in the business, I knew then and there this man was the true fabric of what broadcasting was all about. WHY I yearned to be in this business. Stern, opinionated, professional, a bit daunting, yet I wanted to be around him to learn from the master! I was quite lucky to have such mentors as Gib, Dorothy Fuldheim, Nev Chandler, Don Webster, Fred Griffith, the list is really endless!

If you thought his knowledge and opinions ended with sports, think again! In 1979, he was in the national spotlight after burning an Iranian Flag at WEWS during an 11pm newscast. This occurred during the Hostage Crisis in Iran and was in response to the public displaying of the Iranian Flag and the burning of an American Flag by Ayatollah Khomeini supporters in New York. He went onto work at WUAB for a while. After 'official' retirement, he still dabbled in the business doing commentaries, lending his expertise, giving interviews on occasion, and continuing to be the television icon he was and always will be.

Many of today's broadcasters, though sharp, polished, and well-educated in their craft, miss the mark of being a true legend such as the likes of Gib Shanley. I believe those days are gone for good.

Deservedly, Emmy award winning Shanley was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters' Hall of Fame in 1991.

He had been ill for a while. He finally succumbed to complications from pneumonia. Shanley is survived by 2 sons, 2 daughters, and 6 grandchildren.

For more wonderful stories about and old time pictures of Gib Shanley, click on the Cleveland Seniors website!

To see the Gibber in action, click on the next few 'You Tube' Videos:

Gib and Don Webster

Catch Five promo