Chosen: The Theme for the 14th Annual "The Fest"

Amanda Farinelli
Photo credit:  Jim McIntyre, Salem Communications

The Fest 2014 takes place this Sunday August 3rd. It's the 14th annual family-focused event, sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, and organized by many devoted volunteers, like Amanda Farinelli.  She's a senior at John Carroll University, and a worthy spokesperson for The Fest, which features live music from national Christian acts, an outdoor evening mass, and fireworks at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe.

Barber Writes About a Later-In-Life Start to Career

Elizabeth Manuel is a barber.  She writes about her career in a profession dominated by men in her memoir, Beautiful, Beautiful,The Haircut's Not Bad Either.  And in this interview, she explains the book's title.

Elizabeth now owns her own barber shop, and works alongside her daughter, who has also taken up cutting hair as a career.

Giving Public Square a $30 Million Dollar Facelift

Jeremy Paris and Bob Eckardt/Photo credit: Jim McIntyre

The effort to remake Public Square is being supported in a big way by the Cleveland Foundation, which is celebrating its centennial year by giving gifts back to the community.  The July gift: an $8 million grant for the Public Square project.  Shortly after the Cleveland Foundation announced its gift, the Gund Foundation pitched in $5 million more.

Bob Eckardt, Executive Vice President of the Cleveland Foundation explains why the project is so important.  Jeremy Paris, Executive Director of the Group Plan Commission, which has been charged with renewing public spaces downtown joins Bob in this interview.

Cleveland Seniors Value Their Independence

The annual United States of Aging Survey has been released and Cleveland is one of the cities it focused on. The survey shows how the views of older Americans are changing, and how the perspective of seniors from Cleveland differs from others across the country.

Jeff Walters is the Regional Vice President of United Healthcare, Medicare and Retirement and takes a closer look at the United States of Aging.

Local Prof Identifies Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run

James Badal says he has solved the infamous torso murders.  The English professor has updated his first book on the true crime case, In the Wake of the Butcher, Cleveland's Torso Murders Authoritative Edition, Revised and Expanded, to include new information that points toward a deranged doctor as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run.

Professor Badal has written two other books on the case, in addition to one on the disappearance of Beverly Potts from Halloran Park in the 1950s.  And he reveals at the end of this interview another infamous cold case he is researching for his next bok.

The author will appear at Dante Next Door, 2246 Professor Avenue in Tremont from 6-9 PM on July 24.

City Mission Fights Blight and Homelessness

The City Mission is trying to address two issues, homelessness and neighborhood blight, through its new initiative.  The New Horizons Permanent Housing program aims to place women who receive help at Laura's Home in once vacant houses.  President and CEO Rich Trickel and Chief Development officer Michael Parry explain how the program works.

Tour Ireland With Quinn, Kelly and McIntyre in 2015

Gerry Quinn of The Irish Show and a native of Ireland is hosting a trip to Ireland, along with 11th Hour hosts Tom Kelly and Jim McIntyre next April.  It's being billed as "The Cleveland Irish Tenors Tour."

Gerry and Jim run down the itinerary. Get more information on the tour of Ireland here.