Christmas Special

The 11th Hour Christmas special features local author Gail Ghetia Bellamy and husband Steve sharing Cleveland Christmas Memories: Looking Back at Holidays Past.  Bay Village native Michael Keane explains how he used his military knowledge to write the children's book, The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas. And Hugh Hewitt and Michael Medved look at the history and meaning of Christmas.  Merry Christmas!

Modern Rustic Living Exhibit To Be Featured At The NARI Home Improvement Show

The 2015 NARI Home Improvement Show takes place January 22-25.  Sarah Binder of Bradley Stone Industries is President of NARI Greater Cleveland.  She and Teal Rickards, Project Designer for Land Creations Landscaping discuss this year's "Modern Rustic Living" theme.

Tips On Protecting Your Home And Business

Alan Lewis founded Advanced Federated Protection 30 years ago, and during this interview, offers helpful information about residential and business security.

NORAD Helps Santa Find His Way, Saves Christmas

Reading military strategist Michael Keane's biography, it's reasonable to wonder why he wrote a children's book.  After all, he was among the first Americans to enter Vietnam after U.S. troops were withdrawn, and he accompanied Vietnamese troops into Cambodia during the war against the Khmer Rouge.  The Bay Village native was also embedded with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq when Operation Desert Storm began in 2003, and in Afghanistan, he was embedded at the headquarters command of General Stanley McChrystal.

But Mr. Keane is also an uncle to a 10 year-old niece.  He says she inspired him to write The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas.

In this interview, he also explains how a misprint in a newspaper ad prompted predecessor of NORAD, the Continental Air Defense Command to establish the Santa Tracker.

Lynch: Republicans Are Liberal, Dems Progressive

Republicans in congress and at the statehouse in Columbus have abandoned traditional conservative values, according to outgoing State Representative Matt Lynch.

On the federal level, Lynch cites the failure of republicans to repudiate the Obama administration following the November election.

In the state legislature, the failure of the Heartbeat Bill and the Common Core repeal effort prove republicans no longer represent the wishes of conservative constituents, according to the Bainbridge republican.  Lynch leaves the legislature at the end of 2014, following his loss in the primaries to Congressman Dave Joyce.

Lynch doesn't rule out running for office in the future, but for now he hosts a radio show on which he promotes a conservative point of view.  Listen to Matt Lynch every Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 PM on 1220 AM, WHKW.

You Can Ride The Euclid Beach Carousel Again

John Fredo and Dudley Humphrey on the Thriller Car/Photo credit: Jim McIntyre

The carousel that once graced Euclid Beach amusement park has been restored and relocated to the Western Reserve Historical Society, where you can ride it once again.

In this interview, John Fredo, a "Euclid Beach Boy," and Dudley Humphrey of the Humphrey family that founded Euclid Beach explain the extraordinary effort behind finding and fixing the carousel.

Bruce Feiler Follows Pilgrims On Six Sacred Journeys

Best-selling author,columnist and documentary filmmaker Bruce Feiler accompanies a variety of American pilgrims in his latest PBS series, which airs tonight, December 16 at 8:00 PM.  Among those making a pilgrimage to Shikoku, Japan is Cleveland-area resident Alexander Wu.  Feiler also travels to Lourdes, Jerusalem, Mecca, India and Africa.  The series continues Tuesday, December 23 and concludes December 30.

Former Cleveland Police Chief Promotes the Benefits Of Community Policing

Patrick Oliver/Photo provided by Cedarville University

The recent Department of Justice report detailing the use of excessive force by Cleveland police officers points to a glaring deficiency; the lack of effective community policing.

Patrick Oliver, a former Chief of the Cleveland Police Department and current Director of the Criminal Justice Department at Cedarville University explains how community policing can improve relations between police and segments of the community where mistrust of police can lead to problems like the ones experienced last summer in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York.

The Lovemaster Finds Ultimate Love and Happiness

Craig Shoemaker/Photo provided by Daybreak Entertainment

Comedian/Actor/Author Craig Shoemaker may have written the first book based on a private messaging conversation on Facebook.  In this interview, Craig explains how Lovemaster'd: A Digital Journey to Ultimate Love and Happiness began with a private message from a fan who was going through a divorce.  Craig had his own divorce issues, and the digital conversation provided the material for the book.

Craig's credits include movies like Scream 2 and Pleasantville, and TV shows such as Parks and Recreation and The Bold and the Beautiful. But he is best known as The Lovemaster, a peace-loving new age hippy dedicated to using laughter to heal the world.  

Reliving the Glory Days of Tribe Town with Terry

Tom Hamilton and Terry Pluto/Photo provided by Gray and Co. Publishing

From 1994 to 1997 screaming fans packed Jacobs Field every night and a young baseball team helped rejuvenate a city.  The book, Glory Days in Tribe Town, from Plain Dealer sportswriter Terry Pluto and Indians play-by-play broadcaster Tom Hamilton recounts that magical time in Cleveland sports history.

In this interview Terry Pluto recalls some of his favorite memories about those seasons.  He also shares his thoughts on the current Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers.

Cleveland Foundation's Parting Gift: Day of Family Fun

Bob Eckardt, Executive Vice President of The Cleveland Foundation and Jim McIntyre, Host of The 11th Hour

The Cleveland Foundation is ending its centennial year celebration in a big way.

All year long, the nation's first community foundation has been offering Northeast Ohioans monthly gifts to help celebrate its founding in 1914, and the final gift includes a day of family fun throughout six counties in Northeast Ohio.

Executive Vice President Bob Eckardt explains why the Cleveland Foundation has been so generous, partnering with more than 2 dozen agencies to provide expense-free benefits to more than 170,000 people in 2014.

Celebrating Cleveland Success On Gingerbread Lane

Photo provided by Welcome House

Gingerbread Lane is once again on display at the Great Northern Mall. It is an event created by Welcome House, an organization that for the past 40 years has focused on helping people with developmental disabilities.

This year's theme is Celebrating Cleveland Success.  The houses are modeled after some Cleveland Landmarks and made by local bakers.  Chef Angelo Colozza of Colozza's Bakery in Parma is among the bakers participating in this years gingerbread lane display. He explains the effort needed to build a gingerbread house in this interview, and he is accompanied by Tony Thomas, Executive Director of Welcome House, and Todd Schwartz, the organizer of the event.

Associate Dean Offers Students International Flavor

Klaus Tenbergen/Photo credit: Cuyahoga Community College

Klaus Tenbergen, associate dean of the Hospitality Management program at Cuyahoga Community College, brings a global culinary perspective to Tri-C.  A native of Germany, Klaus began is career there, owned and operated a bakery in South Africa, and ran the culinary program at California State University, Fresno before coming to Cleveland. 

Tenbergen was generous with his time for this interview, explaining how students learn culinary arts and entrepreneurship, discussing a recent “culinary mission” to France to start a student exchange program, and explaining why some chefs gravitate toward baking, others cooking.

Baking is Tenbergen's specialty, and he is enthused about the trend toward urban gardening in Cleveland.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Returning To Cleveland

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is bringing its Christmas-themed arena rock and visually spectacular show to Quicken Loans Arena for two performances on December 26th.  As TSO founder Paul O'Neill explains in this interview, concert-goers will experience the debut of The Christmas Attic, as well as classics like Wizards in Winter and Christmas Eve/Sarajevo.

First "Wellness Nursery" To Open In Cleveland Soon

Providence House was Ohio's first crisis nursery when Sr. Hope Greener first opened its doors in Ohio City in 1981. The majority of the babies who needed care then were born with crack addictions, passed on by mothers unable to care for their newborns.

Today,  homelessness and heroin addictions are the major hurdles faced by the babies and children who receive loving care Providence House.  And in early 2015, Providence House plans to open the first wellness nursery in the country.  Elisabeth's House, named for the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation, will care for infants and children with medical issues who are well enough to be released from the hospital, but may not have a safe place to go.

Natalie Leek-Nelson, President and CEO of Providence House says construction of the wellness nursery is complete and the license has been issued.  Initial operating funds are needed to open the doors and fill the beds with babies in need.  You can contribute by attending the agency's biggest fundraiser of the year, Deck the House, taking place Tuesday, December 9 at First Energy Stadium.

Tour Ireland With Kelly, Quinn and McIntyre in April

Photo credit: Loretta Kelley

Time is running short for reserving your spot on the 11 day tour of Ireland with Gerry Quinn of The Irish Show, and Jim McIntyre and Tom Kelly of The 11th Hour.  It has been branded The Cleveland Irish Tenor's Tour, even though not one of them can sing a lick.  But there will be plenty of REAL musical entertainment, as Gerry Quinn has lined up the likes of James Kilbane, Johnny Carroll and Seanie Vaughan for private shows, just for our group.

That's just one of the features that makes this trip unique.  Another is the quality of the hotels booked for the tour.  From the Europa Hotel in Belfast to the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill, which is rated by Conde Nast as one of Europe's 20 top 20 resorts.  And the cost of admission at every destination, from the world's largest Titanic visitor's attraction to Blarney Castle and the Guinness Storehouse is covered by your tour payment.

With breakfast provided every day of the trip, and dinners 6 of our 10 nights in Ireland, there will be few added expenses.   Call 877-677-4466 or click here to go to Ireland with Kelly, Quinn and McIntyre in April.

Arts, Culture Loom Large as Economic Drivers in NEO

Kristin Puch and Tom Schorgl of the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture

The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture has commissioned a study to determine the economic impact of Greater Cleveland's visual arts sector.  From painters to print shop workers, it turns out the visual arts sector is growing, and contributing mightily to the economic engine that is fueling Northeast Ohio in 2014.

Tom Schorgl, President and CEO of CPAC, and Kristin Puch, Director of Research and Advancement explain the economic importance of Arts and Culture in Cleveland.

Plymouth Pilgrims Persevered, Followed Their Faith

There were slightly more than a hundred pilgrims packed onto the Mayflower, double the intended number of passengers according to historian Rod Gragg in his newest book.  About half of them did not live to celebrate their first Thanksgiving.

In this interview, Rod offers some fascinating information about the group that settled the Plymouth Colony and the Thanksgiving celebration, which lasted several days and featured on the menu not only turkey, but also lobster and (gulp) beaver.  

New Drug Being Tested For Alzheimer's Patients

A new drug could help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.  Research is being conducted at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.  Dr. Alan Lerner, Director of the Brain, Health and Memory Center at UHCMC is the lead researcher, and explains how this study focuses on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

The Chaplin's Cross: A World War Two Tale

Based on real events that took place during the final weeks of World War II, author Ed DeVos writes his second historical novel, The Chaplain's Cross, from two points of view: that of a fighter pilot in the Japanese military, and a U. S. military chaplain based with the the unit assigned to confront Japanese forces.

The novel is subtitled Crisis in Conscience, as is Mr. DeVos' first novel, The Stain, which followed the centurion the author imagined as John the Baptist's executioner.  Both books reflect the author's interest and expertise in military history, and his deep devotion to Christ.

God Is Gary Wright's Dream Weaver

He was brought in as a studio musician to play keyboards on George Harrison's first solo album, the epic All Things Must Pass.  Thus began a friendship, based on mutual interests that included not only music, but also gardening, food and devotion to God, guided by a guru and Indian philosophy.

Gary Wright's memoir, Dreamweaver: Music, Meditation, and My Friendship With George Harrison comes complete with some rare photographs, including two shot by Cleveland photographer Janet Macoska in the 70's.  It's a rock and roll story minus the sex and drugs.  Refreshing!

You Can Help Project Hope Fight Ebola In Africa

Project Hope is raising funds to fight the Ebola virus at its source: in Western Africa.  Representative Scott Wilder implores you to donate by calling 844-454-HOPE (4673) or by donating online.

He explains how Project Hope is one of Charity Navigator's most highly-rated organizations, with less than 5% of the funds raised used for administrative costs.

Celebrate The Holidays With The Mom Squad

Moms, get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas this Saturday, when Sara Carnes of The Family Friendly Morning Show on 955 The Fish hosts a Mom Squad Holiday Celebration at La Centre in Westlake.  Robin Swoboda will deliver the keynote speech, and Lori Triplett will sing.

Vikings Coach Gary Waters Is At CSU to Stay

Gary Waters speaks to the Rotary Club of Cleveland/ Photo credit: Jim McIntyre

Gary Waters, head coach of the Cleveland State University men's basketball team, is the most successful coach in Vikings history, surpassing Kevin Mackey for the number of games won under his leadership over the past eight seasons. And Coach Waters recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at CSU through the 2019-2020 Season.

The Vikings lost their season opener in Iona, but beat Tiffin in the home opener at the Wolstein Center 85-56.  Coach Waters thinks the Vikings can compete against the biggest schools in the NCAA, and can win on any given day.

A Glance At The Golden Age Of TV In Cleveland

Barnaby, Captain Penny and Ghoulardi are featured prominently in Cleveland TV Tales: Stories from the Golden Age of Local Television.    Cleveland Pop Culture expert Mike Olszewski and his wife Janice have researched and written not only an entertaining account of the characters who helped create local TV, they also offer a look back at the last half of the 20th century in Cleveland.

Mike and Janice will appear at various venues leading up to Christmas.  Cleveland TV Tales would be a great gift or stocking stuffer, especially for anyone over 50 who grew up watching Barnaby in the morning, Captain Penny after school, and Ghoulardi with dad on Friday night.

CPI: Producing Plumbers And Preventing Problems

Have you winterized your plumbing?  It's especially important if you plan to travel for the holidays, leaving your house empty for a number of days.  Jason Shank, President of the Northern Ohio Chapter for the American Society of Sanitary Engineering offers helpful hints as the holidays approach.  The biggest takeaway:  get rid of your garbage disposal.

Jason is also Training Director for the Cleveland Plumbing Industry.  He is a big proponent of apprenticeships for aspiring plumbers, and he discusses the CPI apprenticeship program.

Nazi Propaganda The Focus Of Maltz Exibition

From maltzmuseum.org, with permission

The new exhibition is now on display at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.  Mark Davidson, Education Manager for the Maltz Museum, and Samantha Fryberger, Director of Marketing and Communications discuss the various components to State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, and how it compares to the current use of social media by current day terrorists.

The exhibition runs through March 15, 2015.

Looking To Pick The Northern Ohio Rose of Tralee

Denise McConvile, Ashley Speaker and Mike Killeen

Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Rose of Tralee Northern Ohio Rose candidate.  The winner gets a free trip to Ireland, to represent our region at the Rose of Tralee International Festival in May, 2015.

The local festival will be held in February.  Dan Coughlin of Fox 8 Sports is the Master of Ceremonies.

Event Executive Denise McConvile, whose father was instrumental in establishing the festival in Ireland relays the story that inspired the Rose of Tralee.  She is joined by Mike Killeen, President of Westlake World Partners, the non-profit organization that sponsors the local festival, and Ashley Speaker, the 2012 Northern Ohio Rose.

Woman With Terminal Condition Lives Life With Dignity Dad Shares Brave Daughter's Story

Dr. Mark Pinkerton, Cedarville University

Not everyone feels Brittany Maynard is a hero. Brittany Maynard is the 29-year old who took her own life November 1st, after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in January of this year.

Melinda Pinkerton suffers from neurofibromatosis type 2, also a terminal condition. But she has lived with it for 12 years. Her father, Dr. Mark Pinkerton says she is in constant pain due to non-cancerous tumors on her brain and spinal cord.   Yet Melinda, who tries to find joy in painting despite the pain, shed tears when learning of Ms. Maynard's suicide, calling it cowardly according to her father.

Melinda not only paints, but she shares her experiences on her blog.  Dr. Mark Pinkerton tells his daughter's courageous story in this interview.

Compass MD: The match.com for Doctors and Patients

Anthony Stedillie, CompassMD

With all the changes in health care fostered by the Affordable Care Act, finding the right doctor is more important than ever before, and Anthony Stedillie, the CEO of CompassMD explains the "technology empowered matchmaking for the 21st Century" provided by CompassMD.                          

Small Business Coaches Help Companies Grow

Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini

Adam Sonnhalter and Jack Mencini of  Maximum Value Partners coach small businesses.  Here they explain how they developed MVP and how they can help small business owners get to the next level.

Give A Dog A High-Tech Bone For Healthy Teeth

Bill Leimkuehler and Paul Ruflin, with the Zumby

The Zumby is a new invention that uses micro-current technology to keep your dog's mouth healthy. How?  Bill Leimkuehler and Paul Ruflin of Animal Oralectrics explain in this interview.

They also explain how you can pre-order a Zumby for your dog, while at the same time help fund manufacturing of the doggie dental devices through a crowd-funding campaign.

The technology behind the Zumby was tested at Case Western Reserve University.

Update: The Man Who Confessed To A Fatal Drunk Driving Crash Still Imprisoned

The social movement begun by Alex Sheen in Lakewood continues to grow around the world. Because I Said I Would gained notoriety a year ago, when a young Columbus man confessed to driving drunk and causing a crash that killed another man, BEFORE he was even charged.  Matthew Cordle made a promise, to own up to the crime and accept whatever punishment he was given.

He remains behind bars.

Cordle's video confession went viral, focusing attention on Mr. Sheen and the story behind Because I Said I Would.  A new video gives Cordle another chance to deliver his anti-drunk driving plea.  And in this interview, Alex Sheen explains how Because I Said I Would has grown in the past year.

Edwins Celebrates First Anniversary At Shaker Square

Brandon Chrostowski, Larry Shields, and Ramsey Smith/Photo credit: Salem Cleveland

Have you dined at Edwins yet?  The Shaker Square restaurant also serves as a culinary school for newly-released convicts, who learn skills useful to restaurant owners across Greater Cleveland.

Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute celebrated its first anniversary on November 1st. Founder and CEO Brandon Chrostowski tells the Edwins story in this interview.  Two current students, Larry Shields and Ramsey Smith join Brandon to explain how Edwins is helping them change their lives.

Book Looks Into The Lives Of Sowell's Victims

Five years ago this week, the world learned of the violent deaths of 11 women at the hands of Anthony Sowell, when their remains were found in and around Sowell's house on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland's Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

This week, on the fifth anniversary of the discovery of the first of Sowell's victims, many family members gathered for the groundbreaking of a memorial to their loved ones at the site where the House of Horrors once stood.

Journalist and author Robert Sberna researched the case by looking into the lives of each of Sowell's victims, interviewing many family members.  He also interviewed the killer himself.

Rob Sberna will appear at the Brunswick Library author's fair from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM on November 15, 2014.

Ministering To Muslims For The Salvation of Souls

The author of Engaging Islam is fighting Islamic extremism...and eternal damnation...by saving the souls of muslims through Christ. In this interview, Georges Houssney describes his life-long ministry, and offers non-muslims a primer on the fundamentals of what he calls a false religion.

Mr. Houssney is the founder of Horizons international, which is dedicated to transforming the world, especially the Muslim world, through God's love and forgiveness.

Fundraising With Football: The Meadows Turkey Bowl

Mike Meadows and Alan Mowrey

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means preparations are well underway for the Meadows Turkey Bowl. The 25th annual football game in the backyard of Mike Meadows home in Medina is more than just an excuse for a bunch of guys to get out of the house on Thanksgiving morning.  It's a fundraiser, with the proceeds split between the St. Vincent de Paul Society and another designated charity every year.

This year's designated charity is the Pete Radke family.  Pete died last June while saving the life of a teenage swimmer who was struggling in the waves off Huntington Beach in Bay Village.  His wife is now raising their four children herself.

While this year's event is the 25th for Meadows, it's the first for Alan Mowery.  The Cleveland Gladiators executive is not only leading a team, he's getting the Arena Football League team involved by offering tickets to Gladiators games for donations to the cause.

Last year, players raised $158,000.  This year, 48 players will raise a minimum of $1,000 each, but many will raise much more in what Meadows describes as "the game within the game."

Killing Ebola And Other Bad Stuff With Nanotechnology

"Fighting the Invisible Enemy,"  namely bacteria, mold and viruses is the mission of Bactronix Corporation.  In this interview, recorded before nurse Amber Vinson's release from Emory University Medical Center, Vice President A. J. Powell and local franchisee Dave Blahnic discuss the nano technology behind Bactronizing, the non-toxic process used to disinfect and sanitize surfaces seen and unseen.

Powell explains how Ebola, H1N1, and Avian Bird Flu are envelope viruses that are becoming more and more immune to bleaches and other toxins currently used to kill them.  Bactronix uses an electrostatically charged spray to dispense Chlorine Dioxide, or ClO 2.  He says the no-touch, on demand technology is a revolutionary concept that will require a paradigm shift for public acceptance.

Kidney Screening Planned Locally in November

A kidney screening is planned at the Shaker Launchhouse during National Kidney Month in November. Josh Womack, Regional Development Manager for the National Kidney Foundation serving Northeast Ohio.  He explains why the Kidney and Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) is important, especially for at-risk patients.

Josh talks about the generosity of people like Matthew Figgie of Clark Reliance, who is a kidney transplant recipient, and Jack Marschall,the former TV news anchor who donated a kidney to a stranger.

Josh  moonlights as a stand up comic, and plans to open for former Saturday Night Live alumnus Norm Macdonald at Hilarities on November 15.