Time to make the paczkis

Looking ahead into the wkyc crystal ball during the month of March and beyond should prove to be quite exciting!

Not only are we approaching March Madness, always an exhilarating time of the year, but I'm seeing more and more STO people roaming around the building as Spring Training winds down leading up to Cleveland Indians' Opening Day on April 1, 2011.

The time change always perks people up as the days begin getting longer and longer....

Spring is right around the corner.

And a transformation for our 7pm show as Robin Swoboda and Chris Tye take the helm with some wonderful new ideas and segments....

A few days ago many celebrated Fat Tuesday --a precursor for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season.

But Fat Tuesday also means something else: Paczkis!

Personally, I prefer the plain, empty paczkis (which I guess are more like fried dough!)....the authentic New Orleans beignets are magnificent!

In honor of Paczki Day, we sent Betsy Kling out to whip up some tasty treats.....and she came back with a whole slew of authentic eats she made with her own hands! Delicious!

STO Roundtable taping

A memorable weekend on many levels.

For me personally, I spent the entire weekend at Progressive Field enjoying the Cleveland Indians' Hall of Fame Induction festivities featuring Kenny Lofton.

For those of you who may not be into baseball as much as me but were on board in the 90's when Jacob's Field was sold out night after night and every game ended with winning drama, an exciting weekend for everyone!

Saturday evening Kenny Lofton and former GM Cy Slapnicka were inducted into the Cleveland Indians' Hall of Fame.

As expected Kenny Lofton received ovation after ovation as he unveiled his plaque, entered the playing field, waved to the crowd, greeted his former fellow teammates, received his HOF jacket, spoke very highly of the Indians and the City of Cleveland, and then took his lap around the field to bond with his fans yet one more time.

Sunday night there was a tremendous reception for Season Ticket holders with at least a dozen, if not two dozen former Indians.

During this event, STO taped a special Cleveland Indians' Alumni Round table with a live audience. I was fortunate to be in the audience and see how it all unfolds.

Working in television, have been privy to thousands of tapings, live shows, and even STO tapings, but it still was quite exciting to be a part of this adventure.

I knew the technical people and loved watching them in action.

If being part of a live audience was not exciting enough, the panelists sealed the deal: Sandy Alomar Jr., Kenny Lofton, Mike Hargrove, and Sudden Sam McDowell along with moderator Bobby DiBiasio.

What is unfortunate is that 1/2 of the juicy banter back and forth between the players and even the players and the audience may never make it to the light of day due to time constraints of airing a show.

But it was so refreshing to see how Kenny and Sandy, 2 best friends, carried on with each other. Mike Hargrove still prides himself as being the 'father figure,' and Sam was Sam --a hoot ever second of the show!

The night was a hit for everyone in attendance....what a great event thrown by the Cleveland Indians as well as the part STO played! Makes me very proud to be associated with such a class act!

Whirlwind week for Cleveland Cavaliers

Last week's news swirled around dozens of riveting breaking news stories. This week's focal point appears to have one main theme: Will LeBron stay or go? Ok, there are a few other things going on this week:

• St Emeric's Church closes --final church to close
• 'Twilight' opens
• Wimbledon
• Russell Branyan traded

But the rest of the news pales in comparison to what's on everyone's mind in Cleveland and world-wide: What will LeBron James do once the July 1, 2010 12:01 a.m. deadline hits?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are also in the midst of interviewing candidates for their head coaching job.

The Cleveland Indians are home with hopes of starting a long winning streak.

Let's go back to Russell Branyan. We are like a family in the Channel 3 Newsroom, which does not exclude all of my 'big' and 'younger' brothers teasing me! So while Russell 'the muscle' Branyan was a Cleveland Indian, every time he'd strike out, Matt would take a sticky note with a K and post it in front of me! Spanks not only kidded me about Russell BUT Kerry Wood as well. When Branyan was finally traded, the Facebook harassment began!

I'm very lucky to have many 'big' and 'baby' brothers watching over me--especially over the last 17 months!! You know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Luv you all!

At the end of the week, most Clevelanders will be taking a long weekend as the 4th of July holiday hits....including the Cleveland Orchestra concert on Public Square Thursday, July 1 at 9:00 p.m.

The weather is supposed to be superb....Cleveland Rocks!

As an assignment editor, even with the heavy hitting news in store, it should be a fairly easy week because wkyc has 'the best' sports department in town. I can not even begin to gush over Jim Donovan, Yak, Dave Chudowsky, Brian Crane, Lynn, Matt Hein, and the entire STO team, who I am sure will kick major booty following the LeBron James story from start to finish....as well as their continuing coverage of 'my' Cleveland Indians!

Affiliates will be sending crews from Chicago, New York and anyone else courting LeBron...we will be sure to stake out every place imaginable to get the story first, before anyone else, and get MORE for our viewers.

Sit back, enjoy the whirlwind ride, and be sure YOU tune into wkyc and wkyc.com for the breaking news on the Cavs new coach and where LeBron winds up!

Fabulous 1st day back

I could not have asked for a better 1st day back after an excellent vacation!

I walked in and one of my favorite interns, Kelsey Fisher, was sitting up at the news assignment desk! What a treat! Kelsey just graduated and is heading back to L.A. to take the west coast by storm! After Kelsey interned for wkyc, she made the leap and had a terrific internship with 'Scrubs' and 'Cougar Town.'

I wish her well and hope she calls often with updates! She's my bud!

Then Howard, my assistant news director, reenacted an awards presentation giving me my Emmy award and my Press Club award. How thrilling! It's always an honor to be nominated and possibly win but an even bigger honor when you believe in your heart of hearts that you did your absolute best work.

I really did a lot of leg work and background research for Eric Mansfield on his Project AED series. When I was done, I felt I had contributed so much. I was humbled and honored to be part of the group who took home honors.

Then Mike O'Mara and I won a 2nd place Press Club award for our W. 89th murders story. I know, very sad, but we really blew the competition out of the water with this story from the get go. Again, so nice to be recognized when you gave it your all.

It's always a team effort with any award.

Many wkyc'ers won awards over the weekend. I tip my hat to all of my colleagues who took home honors from both awards ceremonies and raise my glass to everyone nominated and winning! Kudos to you all!!

Here's a rundown:

Carrie Young won for Channel 3 News at 6, 11/3/09 --Evening Newscast Market 1-20

Project AED, Continuing Coverage:

Romona Robinson

Eric Mansfield

Monica Robins

Rita Andolsen

Me

Kim Wendel

Hardball Cash, Business/Consumer:

Tom Meyer

Sarah Montgomery

To the Moon: Ohio's Journey, Documentary --Jeff Reidel

On Camera Talent Anchor for Weather --Betsy Kling

STO took home a number of honors as well!

Indians on Deck, Sports Program:

Mike Bachmann

Steve Warren

Al Pawlowski

Senior PGA Championship Preview, Sports Special:

John Zaccardelli

Jim Donovan

Jimmy Hanlin

Greg Golya

Joseph Von Enck

Ian Zeigler

Patrick Kilkenney

And during Friday Night's Press Club Awards--

John Demjanjuk's deportation, General News, Dick Russ and Mike Greene

West 89th murders, Spot News, Mike O'Mara and me

Click the link if you'd like to take a look at all of the 2010 Emmy Award winners.

And for the 2010 Press Club Award winners, CLICK HERE!

Congratulations to this year's Emmy nominees!

Last week the Emmy nominees for the 41st annual regional Emmy Awards were announced and WKYC received 18 Emmy nominations!

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the Lower Great Lakes Chapter held their annual Emmy nomination party to make the announcement.

WKYC captured 18 nominations while STO received 6 nominations. I'm blessed and honored to be included in those nominations!

The 41st Annual Emmy Awards will be held Saturday, June 19, 2010 in downtown Cleveland at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Good luck to all the nominees!

To see the entire list of nominations, please CLICK HERE!

Welcome Back Sandy Alomar, Jr.

Though I am a person who admittedly gets star struck on occasion.

My schedule rarely allows me to come in early or late or on the weekends to see an in-studio guest, even if they are one of my idols.

By chance, I found out that 'The' Sandy Alomar, Jr. was going to be in studio taping a show for STO with Matt Underwood. Always cautious and never wanting to make a fool of myself, I asked the sports producer if it would be ok to come in and observe the taping.

He said no problem.

As many of you know if you follow this blog, I am a huge fan of Cleveland, baseball and my Cleveland Indians.

I have a special place in my heart for Sandy for a number of reasons. Aside from the fact that he was an awesome player and will surely make an incredible coach. He was/is my oldest niece's favorite Indian....we've seen him many times on the road as we traveled from city to city following the Tribe visiting various ballparks.

A very memorable moment happened in KC. The family was there. We saw him in the lobby of our hotel and I took the girls up to talk to him. He remember my oldest niece...asked my youngest niece who her favorite player was and then just rolled his eyes at me and laughed as he saw that I was wearing a Herbert Perry t-shirt.

Ahhhh, memories!

He was just as gracious to speak with me today. I think when he saw me speak to Matt Underwood, who I worked with a million years ago, he knew I was not too scary of a groupie! I told him that he has THE biggest angel up in Heaven rooting for his team and his personal success and he should feel free to call on Mom whenever he needs her! I also gave him a few articles I had written on him last year.

Hopefully he will read them, enjoy them, and take my advice to call on Mom whenever the boys need some guidance, good luck, and divine intervention!

Haiti Relief

We, as well as most other news agencies, have been running on all cylinders with Haiti coverage.

As an assignment editor, it always amazes me how one singular act can snowball so quickly into an around-the-clock mission.

The tragedy in Haiti, though half a world away, affects us all. We are all part of the same world. And though it may sound trite, no man is an island. We all need each other to exist.

Catastrophes also show us, at least me, that some of the ordinary happenings many stress over are nothing compared to what is happening in Haiti and to other human beings.


Some of what ensues on a news assignment desk during a global situation include the following:

• gathering all the information available via email, faxes, press releases
• speaking with local viewers about possible story ideas
• compiling factsheets on various topics to keep all the info straight & current
• Making sure wkyc.com is as up to date and full of info as possible
• tracking locals traveling to the affected area & keeping in touch with them
• getting the word out on local agencies' causes or who are collecting supplies & money
• keeping a top of the national happenings and local ties
• giving the customer, the viewer the most comprehensive and complete coverage

You can log onto wkyc.com and look for the special section: "Haiti Earthquake: How you can help relief efforts."

We here at wkyc have in our midst an amazing man who not only runs our sister station, SportsTime Ohio, but has traveled to Haiti many times with his church. Jim Liberatore was in Haiti weeks before devastation struck. Back just a few weeks, he knows what type of help they needed before the earthquake struck. Anyone wishing to help those in Haiti can make a contribution to:

Christianville Foundation

C/O STO

1333 Lakeside Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

STO working round the clock

Normally, having a short work week would do the body and brain good!

No sir, my friends.

Dragging.

I'm dragging like you would not believe.

And that's NOT good on an election night.

But I can not even imagine how our STO friends need a little pick-me-up.

The Cleveland Indians' Labor Day Game was rained out and will be played today as a genuine twi-night double header as in days of yore!!

I loved those games.

You'd buy tickets for one game and got to see two!

If I was not working today, I'd be at the Ballpark for sure.


I don't even know what the crew call time was for our STO friends.

They must get ready for the Indians double header including the pre-game show....then game #1....then a quick postgame show or pre-game for the next, whatever you want to call it! And do it all over again!


When we arrived into work, they were already in....no parking spots available, not a one!

Fortunately, their producer/director bought pizzas for the crew to keep their energy level up to endure the long day.


But wait, there's more.


Wednesday's game is at NOON.


So no matter how early or late they end their coverage, the gang must come back again bright and early Wednesday morning to do it all again.


We're with you STO!! You are doing a great job!

Blockbuster trade (not for Cleveland)

And we are off to the races!

I can feel it. The next three days are gonna be nail-biters, edge of our seats, more than likely NOT good outcomes for the Cleveland Indians.

Channel 3 has the best sports team in town.

Jim Donovan, in my humble opinion, is not only the most solid anchor in town, but the most knowledgeable, talented, humorous and will bring the viewers the story first on every occasion.

Today the Cleveland Indians traded away Cy Young Award Winner Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco to the Philadelphia Phillies for 4 'hot' prospects.

As expected, Sports Anchor Jim Donovan was on top of this trade blowing all other sports reports out of the water.

I marvel.

Donovan's in depth pieces at 6, 7, and 11pm were spot on, informative, and gave great insight into how we got to this point and where, unfortunately, we are headed.

This is just the tip of the iceberg people. We have less than 48 hours before the trading deadline and there will be another blockbuster trade, mark my words!

But, don't worry, Jim Donovan along with Dave Chudowsky, Al Pawlowsky and the entire STO team will bring you the most complete, comprehensive coverage bar none so STAY TUNED!

Channel 3 is your official Indians' station

The Cleveland Indians did not fair very well in their 'away' opener Monday in Texas.

It's just the first game people!

Remember, Channel 3 IS your official Indians' station.

The home opener is just days away--Friday, April 10th.

You can be part of and catch all the exclusive opening day action beginning at 2pm this Friday with Channel 3's 'Tribe Time: Opening Day.'

Only Channel 3 can get you inside access to areas of the ballpark no one else can take you....we'll have key player interviews, top brass feed back, a look into the newest team members, even interviews with the wives of your favorite players.

After our home opener special, tune into 'Indians on Deck' which will lead you into the Cleveland Indians' home opener being aired right here on Channel 3.

Not only will we have the most complete coverage on Channel 3 but log onto wkyc.com for added coverage of the 2009 Cleveland Indians' Season.

You, too, can be part of our opening day coverage by sharing your favorite Tribe memories, uploading your favorite Indians' photos, viewing other pictures and watching stories from past opening days.

The game is sold out but we still have tickets available. Again, log onto wkyc.com and click on the 'LIFE TAB' for Twitter. Friday, April 10th, we'll send out special 'tweets' on what you need to do to get our final pair of Indians' tickets.

In honor of Tom Hamilton's 20th anniversary as Tribe Radio announcer, send us your best 'Hammy' impression!

The Cleveland Indians' have announced they will honor former Tribe pitcher and long-time announcer Herb Score all season long by including a logo of Herb's # and a microphone on the right sleeve of their jerseys. Herb's wife, Nancy, will be throwing out the first pitch.

If you want up-to-the minute information on your Cleveland Indians, Channel 3, wkyc.com, and STO is your place to be all season long!!!!!

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!!!!!