God Bless You! Pollen Plagues the Allergic

Spring may be slow in coming, but allergy season is in full swing.  Dr. Samuel Friedlander of University Hospitals Case Medical Center discusses this year's allergy season, current treatments available, prevention measures you can take, and the difference between dog and cat allergies.

Attorney General On Hobby Lobby Case and Rape Kits

Mike DeWine and Jim McIntyre:

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine visited on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments about the contraception mandate under Obamacare.  DeWine explained his opposition to the mandate, and discussed "probably one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in public office."  Namely, testing old evidence from "rape kits" that had been sitting on shelves in police departments across the state, some of them for decades.

Cleveland NAACP Leader Celebrates 1st Year on the Job

Sheila Wright was named Executive Director of the Cleveland NAACP in January 2013, at the start of the 50th anniversary year of the March on Washington.  Ms. Wright reflects on her first year on the job, and anticipates the job ahead.

Merrick (Rocks the) House With Jimmy Buffett Tribute

Rocky Melendez and Stacia Naoum

The second annual Merrick (Rocks the) House fundraiser is set for May 9th at the House of Blues in Cleveland, featuring Tom Watt, The Buffettman and his tribute to Jimmy Buffett.

Executive Director Stacia Naoum and Assistant Director Rocky Melendez describe the services provided by Merrick House, which has been serving Tremont and other west side neighborhoods for almost 100 years.

The Arc of Greater Cleveland Lobbies for People with IDD

The Arc of Greater Cleveland is an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cindy Norwood is its Executive Director.  She says everyone should be able to live in homes and neighborhoods, and that no one should live in institutions.  Yet some communities still fight "people like that" moving into their neighborhoods.

UH AIDS Expert Digs Dallas Buyer's Club

Dr. Michael Lederman, Associate Director for the Center for AIDS Research at University Hospitals Case Medical Center accurately predicted the winners of the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor Oscars, in an interview recorded prior to this year's awards ceremony. 

Dr. Lederman has been researching treatments for AIDS patients since the disease was diagnosed in the
U. S. in the 1980s, and explains how the current treatment, an effective combination of drugs was discovered.

A Parent Helps Parents With Connecting For Kids

Sarah Rintimaki of Connecting For Kids

Sarah Rintamaki explains how as a mother of two children with "I-Don't-Know-What-It-Is-Disease," she found a way to help not only her own family, but other families as well.  Connecting with Kids will bring together dozens of child care specialists like therapists and camp organizers for parents who have concerns about their children tonight at the Ummerly Civic Center in Rocky River.

Parents who have children with specific diagnoses like autism and ADHD may be able to connect with a professional, along with children who are not formally diagnosed, but who deal with issues like being bullied and throwing temper tantrums at tonight's Meet-and-Greet. The event begins at 6:30 PM.

Ireland's Health Minister Explains Reform Efforts

Dr. James Reilly and Jim McIntyre

The Minister for Health for the Republic of Ireland, Dr. James Reilly marched in this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Cleveland, toured the Global Center for Health Innovation, and met with Cleveland Clinic bigwigs and local politicians.  And before going home to continue his efforts to reform Ireland's health care system, he visited with Jim to describe those efforts, and to promote Ireland as open for business following "a very rough period."

Brendan Ring Shares His Citizenship Story

Brendan Ring, owner of Nighttown Jazz Club and Restaurant in Cleveland Heights, is a U. S. citizen.  He wasn't always.  In fact, he wasn't always legal. Brendan Ring was born in Ireland, and for quite a few years, was in this country illegally.  He shares his thoughts on immigration reform from the perspective of a successful business owner and relatively new American citizen, and talks about the iconic Nighttown in this interview with Jim.

The Stain: A Timely Book to Read During Lent

In his first novel, author Ed Devos develops a protagonist who, as the book cover suggests, stands at the foot of the cross of Christ.  The Centurion responsible at the beginning of The Stain: Crisis in Conscience for beheading John the Baptist exclaims at the end of the book, "Surely he was the Son of God."

The author applies his extensive military knowledge and his familiarity with the Bible to create a compelling story that shows how one reluctant Roman soldier becomes one of the first Christians.

Become a St. Baldrick's Shavee for Children With Cancer

Pat Daw and grandson Kyle McPhillips  Photo credit: Cathy McPhillips

The St. Baldrick's Foundation raises money to fund research into a cure for childhood cancer.  Kyle McPhillips of Bay Village organizes a St. Baldrick's fundraiser every year.  The idea is to collect donations from people who are willing to have their heads shaved, to show sympathy for children who lose their hair during treatment for cancer.

Kyle will have his head shaved again this year, as he has for the past six years, and many of his classmates from Bay Village High School will join him.  And joining him for the first time going bald will be his grandmother Pat Daw, who calls Kyle her hero.

Grandma Pat and Kyle's Mom Cathy McPhillips join Kyle in this interview about the St. Baldrick's fundraiser taking place on Sunday from 3:00 PM to 6:0 PM at the Lakewood Elks lodge on Center Ridge Road in Westlake.

C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce On Stage In Cleveland

The Fellowship for the Performing Arts presents a stage adaptation of C. S. Lewis' The Great Divorce  at the Ohio Theater at Playhouse Square Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.

Max McLean, Artistic Director and founder of the Fellow for the Performing Arts explains in this interview how his company strives to produce theater with a Christian world view, and how the works of C. S. Lewis fit the bill.

McLean explains the meaning of the title "The Great Divorce." The company has produced Lewis' The Screwtape Letters in the past, with much success.

A Conservative Case for Common Core Discredited?

Is Common Core inherently conservative?  That's the argument of Chad Aldis, Vice President for Ohio  Policy and Advocacy at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.  State Representative Matt Lynch challenges that argument in this spirited give-and-take heard on the 11th Hour.

Start Talking About Drug Abuse

Start Talking is the name of the new state campaign to address the heroin epidemic in Ohio.  Tracy Plouck, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services explains how the initiative focuses on prevention.

You Can Celebrate St. Patrick's Day Without Drinking. Really.

There is more to St. Patrick's day than green beer and Irish whiskey. The Sober St. Patrick's Day celebration being held Monday at Ahern's Banquet Center in Avon Lake will feature live Irish music and traditional dance, and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Organizer Jack Kilroy, who is both an American and Irish citizen explains how the Sober St. Patrick's Day celebration began in New York City in 2012. Proceeds will benefit the RISE Foundation.  RISE is an acronym for Recovering in a Safe Environment.

Local Singer Shines A Light On Autism

Alex Hale is pursuing his dream to sing professionally, and to promote autism awareness.  He calls it  My Impossible Dream.  In this interview, the young singer and songwriter explains how he hopes to inspire others who have autism.

Alex is joined by his manager-mother Karen, who describes their journey, and the effort it took to get Alex through school and into college.  Alex also explains the inspiration for his song, "Walk a Mile," which you can hear at the end of the interview.

Alex's other passion is sports, which he shares on his blog.

The 9: Exciting Geis Development Project Downtown

Keith Halfmann and Fred Geis

The 9 is what Cleveland developer Fred Geis of Geis Companies is calling the project on E. 9th Street between Euclid and Prospect.  A boutique "autograph" hotel, apartments and restaurants will open in September, along with the new county building and Heinen's supermarket, in the old Cleveland Trust Rotunda at 9th and Euclid.

Keith Halfmann is CEO of Geis Hospitality Group.  He joins Fred Geis in this interview, during which Geis talks about his other Cleveland projects as well, which include renovating the Agora and resurrecting Peabody's.

Al Pawlowski Calls the Shots for the CSU Vikings

The CSU Vikings play Wright State tonight in a Horizon League semi-final game, and calling the play-by-play on AM 1420 The Answer will be Al Pawlowski of  Fox Sportstime Ohio.

Not only does Al call Vikings basketball games, he also hosts Indians Live before and after each Cleveland Indians game on STO.

Al offers his assessment of both the Vikings and the Tribe in this interview.  He also discusses his varied career in sports broadcast journalism, from calling Indians play-by-play to Sumo wrestling.

Congressional Candidate Would Impeach President

Matt Lynch (R), Ohio House District 76

State Representative Matt Lynch, who is running in the republican primary against incumbent congressman Dave Joyce in Ohio's 14th District, thinks the biggest issue facing the nation is the abuse of presidential power.  Lynch explains why he would file articles of impeachment if he is elected to congress.

Bringing America Back to Life Symposium Tomorrow

Molly Smith, President, Cleveland Right to Life

Cleveland Right to Life is bringing 16 speakers to the Bringing America Back to Life Symposium and Exhibition March 7 & 8 to the Embassy Suites in Independence.

Molly Smith, President of Cleveland Right to Life says the Right-to-Life movement has gone back to first principles, emphasizing that all life is sacred, from conception until natural death...even in the case of rape and incest.  And she says politicians have been increasingly buying into that point-of-view.

Among the speakers at this year's event is Tim Tebow's mom Pam.

Husband and Wife Continue To Write Books Together

Nick and Laurel Salupo are working on two new books.  Listen to this follow-up interview, and hear the story of how Laurel overcame dyslexia to become a writer from "the south side."

Rappel For A Cause, A Good Cause: Hattie Larlham

Jim McIntyre rappels from a building in downtown Cleveland

Go Over the Edge of the PNC Center in Akron this Labor Day weekend to help benefit Hattie Larlham,
a non-profit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. Rappel for a Cause is the name of the fund raiser August 30th. Dan Glessner is Chairman of the event.  He also serves on the Hattie Larlham board.  He is joined in this interview by Corporate Relations and Major Gifts officer Tonnie Alliance.

Heroin: Today's Recreational Drug of Choice

The number of deaths caused by heroin has quadrupled over the past few years.  Bill Denihan, CEO of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County has all the disturbing details.