Friday, April 30, 2010

Good Luck Mike O'Mara


What can I say?

A long time co-worker, friend, confidant, and all-around good guy moves on to the next phase of his career, his life. I could not be happier for him!

I am speechless.


Mike O'Mara worked in the trenches with us day in, day out, bringing out the best in us and a smile to our faces.

He always gave his all and came back with a heart-wrenching, captivating story.

His honesty and personality endeared him to his interview subjects, who opened up to Mike time and time again.

He'd pound the pavement on hard news stories such as the Dr. Moonda turnpike shooting or the tragic multiple murder over on West 89th Street in Cleveland.

He set out on many 'missing people' cases who wound up being found with Mike on the case.

Not only did he bring out the emotion in his interview subjects, but had a soft spot for the animals in Northeast Ohio.

He will be missed most of all by his little furry friend at the Geauga County Sheriff Department, Midge!

Mike and Midge have a special bond between them never to be broken!

Michael O--you will always hold a special spot in my heart! Only a phone call away, a click on Facebook, as you 'sail' off into the sunset!!!!


Congratulations on your 2010 Emmy nominee and 2010 Press Club Award! I'm sure you will continue racking up the accolades wherever your ship may steer you!


Click HERE for the Mike O'Mara farewell story.


Monday, April 26, 2010

Back in the saddle after riding off into the sunset



Back in the saddle armed and ready to share many more 'Swing By and Spray' entries.


My hiatus lasted a bit longer than expected with the premature death of my Uncle.


Death, tragedy, and the unexpected spur us on making us much stronger than before, more focused and determined. These daily occurrences mold us into the person we evolve into day in, day out.


Glad to be 'back in the saddle' welcoming Noah back into town for game #5 of the Cleveland -Bulls Series!

While we welcome Noah and the Bulls back, for what we hope is their final appearance in C-Town this season, we sadly say goodbye to Mike O'Mara, reporter extraordinaire. More to come on this bittersweet news.


May Sweeps kick off Thursday.....


And the nominees for the 41st annual local Emmy Awards will be announced Thursday evening.....stay tuned for this exciting news as well!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Heading for the hills for R & R



The last 14 months have been quite challenging.


Who am I kidding, it goes way beyond 14 months and 'quite challenging,' and unfortunately continues...


I've tried to contribute entertaining, informative, and unique blog entries and hope I haven't let anyone down.



I can't deny the tragedies which have hit in recent months....but being my Mother's daughter with her strength and so much more, continue moving forward filled with faith, hope, and love and the resolve to continue making Mom proud of the people she raised.



'Swing By and Spray' will be on hiatus for a few days as I head for the hills to get a few days of R & R.



I thank you for reading SBAS. I'll be back very soon!



Have a tremendous weekend! Go Cavs! Go Tribe! Keep the Faith!



"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."

--Vince Lombardi


Monday, April 12, 2010

Opening Day 2010



Cleveland Indians' Baseball Season 2010 has arrived!


This is the one day all season it really does not matter if the Indians win or lose, though winning is the cherry on top!

Baseball season kicks off and all teams are equal, at least for a few days.

The fan fare leading up to and just before the game oftentimes is more entertaining then the Major League Baseball Game itself.

Seeing baseball legend Bob Feller standing on the pitcher's mound and fire a strike into Sandy behind the plate brought chills.

This year proves to be interesting to say the least.

No matter how my Indians do, we have a whole new system, manager, coaching staff including Sandy Alomar Jr., and a bunch of young, new players who will be playing their hearts out.

The weather was perfect!

A time to see the new things at the ballpark, re-connect with 'baseball buddies' in your section, and just enjoy an afternoon in the Springtime air.

On a personal note, a bittersweet day since it will be the first Opening Day without Mom by my side....but there were plenty of my co-workers at the field to pull me through!

Texas wound up beating Cleveland 4-2, but honestly, the excitement of the day overshadowed the final score--at least for today!

Because Cleveland Indians' baseball is back in session!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems




This week's Hidden Gem: The battle of the mustards


Growing up in Cleveland, being a life-long baseball fan, there were always only two mustards for me: Bertman Ball Park and Stadium Mustard.


Oh sure, there are dozens in the grocery store and being so close to Pittsburgh, the home of Heinz, expands the options.


We had two choices (but always had the 'yellow' one available for guests though I don't know why they'd want that one!!).


My Mother, God rest her soul, was the smartest woman in the world. She knew how to do anything and knew about everything. She imparted her tidbits on the battle of the mustards on all of us.


I'm not sure if I have a favorite because we always had both in the house. I did just notice that I currently have Bertman in my fridge (though I have both in the food pantry!!).


I have to be honest, I am not going to rehash the rich history of both or try to sell anyone on IF there is a better mustard.


I just wanted to write a fun entry being the start up of baseball season. My Cleveland Indians opened their season away in Chicago on April 5, 2010. They come home to Cleveland on Monday, April 12, 2010 for one of the most exciting days of my year--Opening Day!


I will tell you that 'The Original Bertman Ball Park Mustard' has been around longer and, to me at least, seems to be more family oriented. I love browsing their web site and feeling like I'm one of Joe's customers that he waited on time and time again.


Though 'The Authentic Stadium Mustard' has not been around as along, they do tout that they are 'out of this world' --LITERALLY! Apparently various astronauts have requested this mustard up in space.


Honestly, it's a win-win situation once again for the city of Cleveland. We have the two BEST mustards in the world (and apparently out of this world) right here in our own backyard! Just one more reason for me to love my hometown so.....


Let's face it folks, you can't go to the ballpark or any stadium or even have the family backyard BBQ picnic without indulging in a hotdog smothered in mustard. It's a rule!


Regardless of which mustard you choose, I certainly hope it's either Bertman Ball Park or Stadium Mustard. Pick up one of each, and you too, will see why they both are this week's Hidden Gems!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Being an assignment editor brings 'constant recall'

Do I eat, breathe, dream, and live work all the time?

Yes and no.

If I see a good story idea or news happening, heck yes.

I try to gather the info for a possible story idea or call in the 'breaking news' as it is happening.

And I am always looking!


But, that said, there has to be 'my time.' I have to take time off in order to revive, re-energize, and replenish.


Sometimes it is hard though. For example, I recently drove by Van Aken and Lee Road in Shaker Heights. Each time I drive this route I recall the Penny Chang case. 15-year-old Penny Chang was gunned down back on March 16, 1999 by her alleged stalker/former boyfriend, Scott Strothers. It became a MAJOR profile case for a number of reasons.

First, it happened feet away from the Shaker Heights Police Department --most of the officers heard the gunshots. Then, it brought light to the whole 'stalking' issue. Many Ohio Legislators joined forces to strengthen the Ohio Stalking Laws. And, in the sadness of losing this bright young girl, another trial occurred when the family sued the Clinic. One of their therapists had been treating Strothers in the days leading up to this tragedy. The Clinic won that round.

I remember hearing and seeing Penny's ambulance drive right by my house.

A normal stroll out on the east side brings back all of these memories.


Or heading back just a few years I recollect a double tragedy day every time I travel in Euclid, Ohio near the high school, the police station, and even along I-90.

You can't help to remember the death of Officer George Brentar seeing they have a street and plaza named after him.

October 10, 2007 will remain with me forever. That was the day of the SuccessTech Academy shooting right across from our station. We became a small part of the story as we could not readily get into work until speaking to police and allowing them to direct us in....and then we opened our station to officials so they could hold their briefings....and every news agency was parked in our front yard doing live shots for days.

But that's not the only awful occurrence of the day. That evening, a horrendous call came over the scanners that an officer had been in a serious accident in Euclid. Ultimately Officer Brentar's car erupted into flames and he died in the accident/fire.

I can't help but think back to that day every time I see the street named after this hero.


Even when I am sitting at home with my fuzzy slippers and hot tea trying to decompress and decide to channel surf, I can't hide from the news.

I'm fascinated by the show "Crime 360."

A episode which recently aired was shot in Cleveland and focused on the murder of Carlos Rodriguez, father of two. Once they started explaining where it was, what happened, I was sucked in to the program.

I remembered the crime as if it was yesterday. When they showed the suspect's mug shot, WOW! I remember the Cleveland Police emailing over the picture of Matthew Salazar once he was pegged a suspect and taken into custody.

I just find it so interesting every single step the officers take to tackle a case. And, as they continue to put together each piece of their puzzle, they 'throw us a bone' little by little.

On big cases, the officials will feed the new desk, the media, little nuggets as they become available and as it is proper to release them so as not to jeopardize their case.

Every day we'd get a new update --whether it be a weapon was found, more witnesses were being interviewed, the coroner determined the cause of death, or whatever.

In this instance, Detective Mike Smith and Detective Walley Everett were featured. Seeing them time and time again working stories and now seeing them on tv tickled me.

I'm also always intrigued by the full team of investigators, every step taken, how they pound the pavement, and the folks featured on tv that we actually speak with--Dr. Joseph Felo at the Coroner's Office was one of the contacts we used to speak with who was featured in this particular story.


Being connected to the television news business since the mid 80's brings lots of memories, a long rich history and can't help but trigger various memorable stories as I travel through each day.