The Indians Survive A Slump; A Chat With Bobby D

Bobby DiBiasio is Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the Cleveland Indians.  He's been with the team almost 30 years. You'd expect him to be a homer.  But there's very little sugar-coating in this conversation.  He doesn't have to apply much spin. The 2013 Cleveland Indians are a better built ball team.

In this conversation with Jim, Bobby talks about interleague play, Kevin Costner, and Frank Zappa.

Making Movies, Traffic Trouble in Cleveland

Cleveland continues to attract major motion picture makers, with two movies being shot locally right now.  Ivan Schwarz, Executive Director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, is one of the city's biggest promoters.

Ivan moved from Hollywood to Cleveland to help grow the film industry in Cleveland, and to raise his family. He hopes residents appreciate the global goodwill generated by the positive experiences film crews have here, and that we'll put up with the traffic tie-ups for a couple more weeks, for the sake of the filmmakers.

In this interview with Jim, Ivan reveals that a couple of movies have been filmed here quietly, at the filmmakers' request, but that eventually we'll know about them.

Social Security Changes & the Most Popular Baby Names

Brandon Smith, Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration in Cleveland, discusses changes made for Social Security in 2013.  He also tells Jim about the most popular baby names, a list the SSA publishes on Mother's Day every year.

Fresh Fork and Other CSA in Cleveland, Part Two

Debbie Snook, reporter for The Plain Dealer, recently wrote a feature on Community Supported Agriculture, in which she listed several area farms that provide locally grown and raised vegetables, fruits and meat.  Fresh Fork Market is among the many CSAs in Greater Cleveland.  It was started by Trevor Clatterbuck, who along with Debbie joins Jim in this 11th Hour interview.

Fresh Fork and Other CSA in Cleveland, Part One

Debbie Snook, reporter for The Plain Dealer, recently wrote a feature on Community Supported Agriculture, in which she listed several area farms that provide locally grown and raised vegetables, fruits and meat.  Fresh Fork Market is among the many CSAs in Greater Cleveland.  It was started by Trevor Clatterbuck, who along with Debbie joins Jim in this 11th Hour interview.

Sow Food: Chef Supported Agriculture In Cleveland

Community Supported Agriculture farms are supplying more and more food to customers throughout Northeast Ohio.  The Sow Food farm is slightly different in its operation and mission, in that meals prepared with locally grown ingredients are supplied to customers by chef Brian Doyle.

Chef Doyle tells Jim about his farm and the meals he prepares every week for customers of Sow Food.

Five Star Sensation Benefits Seidman Cancer Center

Wolfgang Puck and almost three dozen other chefs from around the world will prepare their specialties for Five Star Sensation, a benefit held every other year for cancer research, screenings and education programs at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.  Dr. Stan Gerson is Director of the center, and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is one of the leading cancer researchers in the country.

The event takes place June 15th at Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus.  Dr. Gerson talks to Jim in this interview about the event, and the ongoing research and innovations in treatment at the Seidman Cancer Center.l

Nobody Loves You When You're In Jail

Why was Ariel Castro's bail set at $8,000,000,000?  What if he had a stash of cash, and could come up with the 10% a bail bonds agent would need to put up the bond that would release him?  Is it possible that the man accused of kidnapping 3 women, raping and torturing them and holding them against their will in his house on Seymour Avenue in Cleveland for more than a decade could be set free?  Eric Granof, Managing Director of ExpertBail explains how the bail system works in this interview with Jim.

PurpleStride Cleveland: Fighting for funding for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Ken McManus, MaryeKaye Mackulin, and Jim McIntyre

Ken McManus is a living miracle.  He is living with pancreatic cancer, almost four years after being diagnosed.  It's rare for one to live so long with the disease, since it's one of the most fatal forms of cancer.  Ken and MaryKaye Mackulin join Jim to talk about PurpleStride Cleveland 2013, the annual fundraiser for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Terry Pluto Keeps The Faith: Part One

"You need a lot faith to be a sports fan in Cleveland."  That's the easy answer, when Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto is asked about the faith column he also writes.  In this part of Jim's interview with Terry, the author delves more deeply into his interest in writing about faith, as he discusses his book Faith and You, Volume 2: More Essays on Faith in Everyday Life.

Terry Pluto Part Two

Terry explains how he began writing a faith column for the Plain Dealer, and he talks sports in this part of his interview with Jim.

Acappela Rocks On With Sweet Adelines

A singing competition takes place May 17-19 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, featuring about 700 women singing barbershop quartet-style. Public Relations and Charities Coordinator Deb Ferenc explains why she joined Sweet Adelines and how you can watch the weekend's competition.

Angelina Jolie Is So Six Years Ago

Angeline Jolie isn't the first woman to have her breasts removed to reduce her risk of cancer, although she may be the most famous.

Plain Dealer columnist Regina Brett also had a double mastectomy after being disagnosed with breast cancer.  And her daughter Gabrielle had the procedure done six years ago, when she was 29. 

Like Jolie, Gabrielle Brett had not been diagnosed with the disease, but had tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene, which increased her chances of developing breast cancer.  She talks to Jim about making her decision, and how her husband reacted, in this interview.

Race For The Place...The Gathering Place Helps Those Touched By Cancer

The Race for the Place is the only fundraiser of the year for The Gathering Place. Kristina Austin is Community Outreach and Marketing Director, and tells Jim about the Race on Sunday, June 2 at Beachwood place, and about the free services The Gathering Place offers to cancer patients and their families.

Could Beverly Potts Still Be Alive?

One of the first missing child cases to draw nationwide attention happened in Cleveland more than 60 years ago.  James Badal, an English professor at Cuyahoga Community College, has written a book about the disappearance without a trace of ten year old Beverly Potts.

In Twilight of Innocence: The Disapearance of Beverly Potts, the author explains how Beverly was last seen in Halloran Park on August 24, 1951.

It's still an open case.

With the fantastic circumstances surrounding the recovery of Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, wouldn't it be something if Beverly Potts was found as well?

Badal has also written two books about the infamous torso murders, In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland's Torso Murders, and
Though Murder Has No Tongue: The Lost Victim of Cleveland's Mad Butcher.

James Renner Continues His Search For Amy's Killer

Journalist and author James Renner wrote about Gina DeJesus and Amanda Berry when they disappeared as teenagers around 10 years ago.  In this interview, Renner reflects on what might have been, had he pursued an angle of the story that neither he nor the police investigated.

Renner has spent most of the past several years investigating the disappearance and death of Amy Mihaljavec, who was 10 years old when she swas last seen after school in Bay Village.  He talks about his work on the case, and mentions a man who he considers the lead suspect.




The interview continues here.  This is where Renner talks about meeting the prime suspect in the Amy Mihaljavec case, and the supernatural circumstances surrounding that meeting.

James Renner Part II

In this segment of Jim's interview with James Renner, the author talks about his first novel, the current state of print journalism, and the meeting with a man who did not deny killing Amy Mihaljavec.

Ohio Lawyers Give Back

Attorney Patrick Perotti follows the money. The settlement money that is supposed to go to the winners of class action lawsuits, people who have been victimized.  But when those victims can't be found, or are no longer living, guess where the money goes?  The answer may surprise you. 

Perotti formed Ohio Lawyers Give Back, hoping to direct the unclaimed funds to charities.

In this interview, Perotti also shames the Bureau of Workers Compensation for appealing a ruling meant to reimburse small businesses for the money the bureau overcharged them.

Patrick Perotti is a partner with the lawfirm Dworkin and Bernstein.

Habitat for Humanity is Rehabbing Cleveland Neighborhoods

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity is pioneering a new way to help more people live in affordable housing.  Executive Director John Habat tells Jim the local chapter of Habitat is rehabilitating existing houses.   And he says their goal is to help rehabilitate neighborhoods, by taking on several houses on the same street.

Recovering From Unimaginable Cruelty

They are free.  Can they recover?

Dr, Kathleen Payne of Royalton Psychological Associates discusses with Jim the impact a decade of cruel captivity could have on Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight.  Dr. Payne specializes in child psychology, and also talks about the effect the heavy coverage of this story can have on children.

Dr. Payne also talks about the myriad psychological issues children may face everyday, and how they can get help.  Her interview was in conjunction with Children's Mental Health Week.

Click the play button to hear Jim's interview with Dr. Kathleen Payne.

Making Movies Like "Made In Cleveland" In Cleveland

There's an effort underway to establish a working film industry in Cleveland, with the help of people like Amy Tankersley Swinderman and Todd Kwait.  Amy is with 1031 Films, an independent film company based in Cleveland, and Todd is Executive Director of Independent Pictures, the sponsor of the premiere showing of the movie "Made in Cleveland."  It's a series of short films meant to showcase the pool of movie-making talent in Cleveland. Amy and Todd talk to Jim about the movie, the upcoming premiere, and the effort to make Cleveland "Hollywood on  the Cuyahoga."

Helping Seniors Provide Care For Their Pets

Dr. Anna van Heeckeren is a Gates Mills veterinarian hoping to raise funds for Vets on Wheels, a program designed to help senior citizens provide veterinary care for their pets.  She tells Jim what inspired her to form the local One Health Organization and the fundraiser for Vets on Wheels at Landerhaven.

New Day Camp For Adults With Disabilities

The Achievement Centers for Children  is using Camp Cheerful in Strongsville to help satisfy the recreation needs of not only children with disabilities, but adults as well.  Connie Boros, Vice President of Recreation and Sports for the Achievement Centers tell Jim about the new River Rock Adult Day Program.

Prevent Skin Cancer

It's important to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and people who have suffered sunburns should see a dermatologist every year to safeguard against skin cancer.  University Hospitals offers many free skin cancer screenings as summer vacation approaches.  Jim talks with Dr. Elma Baron from UH in this interview.

Kelleys Island

It's getting close to summer vacation season, and a lot of people head to the islands of Lake Erie.  The largest of Ohio's islands is Kelleys Island.  John T. Sabol has written Images of America: Kelleys Island.
He shares some of his vast knowledge about Kelleys Island with Jim in this interview.

They Ride For Those Who Died

The Police Unity Tour brings police officers from all over the country to Washington, D. C., where they will pay tribute to fallen officers.  They get to Washington on their bicycles, raising awareness along the way of the dangers faced by police officers every day.

Officer Larry Rieck is among those planning to ride hundreds of miles to attend the service for those who have died serving the public.  He is a bicycle officer with the Cleveland Heights police department, and he tells Jim he's riding in honor of some local officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

43rd Anniversary of the Kent State Shootings

Mike Roberts was a reporter for the Plain Dealer when Ohio National Guard troops opened fire during an anti-war demonstration on the campus of Kent State University on May 4, 1970.  Within months, he and fellow reporter Joe Eszterhas had written Thirteen Seconds: Confrontation at Kent State.

To coincide with the anniversary of the tragic event, the ebook edition is now available for Kindle, Nook, and other electronic readers.  Read a sample chapter here.

Polish Constitution Day is May 3rd. In this segment, Jim's guest is from the Polish American Cultural Center, Ben Stefanski. He is coordinating events associated with Polish Constitution Day on Friday, May 3rd and the re-dedication of a statue to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a famous American Revolutionary war hero who was born in Poland. The statue is at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the re-dedication takes place on Sunday, May 5th at 2:00pm. Ben gives us the history of Kosciuszko.

Stroke Awareness Month with Dr. Cathy Sila, MD of UH, Case Medical Center

The month of May is "Stroke Awareness Month"--Jim spoke with Dr. Cathy Sila, MD--Neurologist at University Hospitals - Case Medical Center, Department of Neurology. She discussed the cause of most strokes which is a result of hardening of the arteries from plaque build-up in the blood vessels aggravated by high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and cigarette smoking. Eating healthy and exercising regularly can help but inherited conditions can be the cause of strokes and a person will need the help of a physician for treatments to prevent a stroke. An estimate of 80% of strokes could've been prevented if the patient would actually meet with their doctor and received a diagnosis/exam to find out their condition. Take a listen here:

The documentary film "Stuck" interview 05-01-13

Jim McIntyre interviewed author and filmmaker, Craig Juntunen, producer of documentary, "Stuck" about adoption of children from other countries.  International adoption is in decline. The film exposes how every child deserves a family. And during adoptions love prevails overall regardless of the cost, the time and bureaucratic red tape involved with the adoption of children from overseas.
Take a listen here:

To learn more about the movie visit: http://buy.stuckdocumentary.com/