U.S. President Barack Obama Comes to Akron - Again

U.S. President Barack Obama Comes to Akron - Again

On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama traveled to Akron, Ohio as a part of his 2012 campaign for re-election. Obama was just in Akron less than a month ago and some suspect that he may return to the area again in the near future as the campaign trail heats up.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. (Aug., 2012)

I was able to attend the speech at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron after I'd obtained a ticket earlier in the week.

Ticket to see President Obama speak in Akron on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.

The crowd had been waiting for several hours when Obama arrived just before 4 p.m. Although he looked and sounded a bit tired, he quickly got the crowd hyped by speaking about taxes, healthcare, education and the struggles of the middle class.

Various images from President Obama's speech in Akron at the John S. Knight Center. (Aug., 2012)

He didn't speak long; maybe 20 minutes, but his supporters were excited and they consistently chanted, "Four more years. Four more years." Let's see if those chanting will go to the polls.

Cleveland :: Thur., Jul. 19, 2012

The sight of downtown Cleveland is always exciting to me. I just love to see the city's skyline. I typically travel to Cleveland via I-77 north, but this time I was on I-71 north.

Music Monday 130 :: Brian McIntyre plays "Grandfather Blues"

Music Monday 130 :: Brian McIntyre plays "Grandfather Blues" with Leon Bibb

Fellow Bobcat Brian McIntyre died today. This is a blow. I mean, how does this happen? How unfair is this? He was 42.

B-Mac was a perfect guy: fun, energetic, optimistic, realistic, smart, charming ... I could go on and on with the adjectives to describe him - and that's just as a friend. I can only imagine his contributions to his wife and his young son.

Oh, and he was a musician too as you'll see in this video. He throws it down along with long time Cleveland news anchor and poet Leon Bibb.

Recently, I'd received a text from a fellow Bobcat inquiring about McIntyre's health status. From what I'd seen on McIntyre's Facebook page, he had been doing okay after some chemo treatments at the Cleveland Clinic, but he was being checked back in. I thought: this guy's such a trooper, he's gotta and gonna pull through this ...

Here's a quick post on McIntyre's passing from WEWS NewsChannel 5 in Cleveland, where McIntyre was once an anchor.

Prayers and strength for his family. To say that he will be missed is an understatement.

Top 5 Moments of Summer 2010

Top 5 Moments of Summer 2010

1. Hanging w/the family especially that girl of mine. She's a gem when she's not being gnarly.

2. Birthday week in D.C. w/the sis and a really cool batch of friends!

3. Seeing and doing things in my hometown that I've never done: go to Mary Coyle for ice cream, visit Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland, ate broasted chicken from that place on Portage Path, ate at The Lockview in downtown Akron, visit Lanterman's Mills in Youngstown (see image below).

4. Managing my way around Amsterdam dolo!

5. Driving my Jeep baby ... though it did nearly die on me twice in the last few days. When I left it had 207,000+ miles.

And now that it's officially and totally over, how was your summer?

What's up with my homeboy LeBron?

Images from Sunday, July 11, 2010 as the infamous "We All Are Witnesses" billboard comes down in Cleveland, Ohio.

Some of my friends don't understand why I'm uncomfortable w/LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavs for the Miami Heat. Those friends are not from Cleveland or Akron or even from Ohio for that matter. I'm an Akronite, Clevelander and Ohioan so here goes ...

I'll make my points quick:

• It's not about LeBron leaving. I, like many others, understand free agency. The main issue here is LeBron decided to do make the announcement of his decision. You should only hold an hour long, prime-time TV special if the announcement will be that you are staying in Cleveland; otherwise, hold a normal press conference and save us the humiliation.

• You can't compare my life working in the media to LeBron James. I knew that my career would force me to leave my hometown and possibly the state. I've worked off and on in Akron/Cleveland and Ohio. Loved it. Love my home state. Didn't hold a press conference to say "I'm leaving you".

They started to take down the billboard on Saturday, July 10, 2010. They had two crews working on Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio.

• Some say, they should have left the "We All Are Witnesses" billboard up. I say no. He no longer plays in Cleveland and no longer wears that jersey. You say the kids need a role model? You don't need a 10-foot billboard as a role model. Also, Cleveland fans are rabid and we don't have the manpower to guard a billboard 24-7.

• LeBron should have given Dan Gilbert a courtesy call before the big announcement. Some say, well, the players are often the last to know when they've been traded. I say, two wrongs don't make it right. Just because others behave unprofessionally, doesn't mean you have to reciprocate.

• Gilbert's letter to the fans was passionate. I cringed when I read it. Some of my sentiments were in there. The letter was mostly fine in content, but it should NOT have been written by a NBA team owner. Let the fans or some other team official make those remarks. I do wonder how Gilbert is going to make good on the promise to get a ring in Cleveland before Miami does?

• Some say, he gave you guys seven good years and how do you treat him? You take down the billboard and you burn his jersey. (see my first point). And don't get me started on the guys who came to Cleveland to play ball w/LeBron, but found themselves not playing their role on the court. Nor do I want to talk about the players who did not even want to come to Cleveland to play w/LeBron.

• LeBron could have executed this in a much more classier way. He could have left for Miami, but still appeased the folks in Cleveland/Akron. Boy did he blow it. And now, he's basically homeless. He won't be welcome in Ohio, he'll be uncomfortable and as a result he bail on us permanently, but it did not have to be this way. I feel sorry for him in that regard.

• When the Miami Heat come to Cleveland to play the Cavs in the fall, it will not be pretty. I'm hopeful that there will be tight security and I hope that no real nonsense breaks out.

• I'm disappointed to learn that LeBron's move to Miami had been well calculated for years. That soooo disappointing. At the same time, I respect Pat Riley for pulling this off, but I'm also mad at Pat Riley for pulling this off.

Here's the disclaimer on the article in the previous point. It reads:

"We understand your anger, but please show that Cleveland has class: no racism, no vulgarity and leave his family out of it. Commenters who cross that line may have their accounts temporarily or permanently suspended."

• But knowing now that going to Miami was pre-planned, I'm wondering more about why LeBron played so poorly in the 2010 NBA semi-finals against Boston? Is there a connection?

• All of this talk about Gilbert treating LeBron like a slave is unfortunate. I should have seen that coming and I especially should have seen it coming from Rev. Jesse Jackson. Why does it always have to come to that? We all know how the professional sports team system works.

So much for making some quick points. And I could go on. What do you think about all this?

For more on this from a Cleveland perspective, check out @PDCavsInsider on Twitter.

New Ohio License Plates

I did not get this memo. The state of Ohio is issuing newly designed license plates (as of November 2009).

I first saw this plate on a car parked in my grandmother's driveway. I was picking up my brother and did not have time to go inside, but I asked my brother who's car it was and he said that it belonged to my uncle. I said, well, that's interesting because it has out of state plates on it. We just shrugged it off and went on our way.

But in the course of us running errands, I spotted the plates again on the road. I pointed them out to my brother and we tried to figure out what state the plates represented. Finally, we pulled into a parking lot and saw someone sitting in their car who had the new plate on their car and asked them about it. The driver explained that they were the new Ohio state license plates. After a closer look, we could see the big 'O'. But we thought that the plates might have been Florida or California with the bright yellow and blue sky.

The new plates just don't do much for me. It's hard to tell that they are Ohio plates. Most of the details are on the perimeter. If motorists have a license plate cover or border, then those details are not visible.

Oh, well. I guess some folks are happy. I was never a big fan of the red, white and blue plates. And I wish Ohio officials would get of the need to taut the Wright Brothers as all things Ohio. That ongoing battle between North Carolina and Ohio of claiming the Wright Brothers is so old. I mean, who truly cares about where the actual birthplace of aviation is ... ? And why does it need to be paraded on the state license plate?

Winter in Ohio: January 2010

Pictures from my parents neighborhood in Akron, Ohio. That's my Jeep.

I am not enjoying the snow in Ohio. It's just so blah. I guess I could change my attitude. Embrace it.

Mapping my Recent Travels

I've managed to be a moving target over the last few months.

I was just playing around in Google Maps to check out its ease use. It is easy to use. So much so that I want to add icons. Also, I'm trying to generate more ideas for using mapping.

Anyway, here's what I came up with for my Traveling Woman map.


View Traveling Woman in a larger map

PodCampOhio 09: Finding Music for Your Podcast

Just trying to get the information that I shared w/the PodCampers out to everyone who were not able to attend PodCamp Ohio.

Here's another topic and is great for newbies and vets. To freshen up your podcast add some music at the beginning and end. You know, an intro and outro.

My presentation portion went quick. The discussion ventured into Audacity. That evolved because on Jamendo and on some other sites you can download the music. Some folks wanted to know what to do next especially if you don't want the entire song, but maybe just the intro or the hook of the track.

I also like the idea of using a local/neighborhood band. And I have some loops that I can use to make tracks, if you are so inclined.

I mentioned that I am near married to Adobe Audition. But my session attendees convinced me to dig deeper into the abilities of Audacity (which was a session that I attended after my sessions).

All went well. Enjoy the "Finding Music for Your Podcast" presentation on Slide Share:

Finding Music For Your Podcast

View more OpenOffice presentations from Kim Fox.

Music Monday 29 :: Denyce Graves

I recently saw Denyce Graves perform in Columbus, Ohio. I did not know what to expect. I've been to an opera before, but not a performance by a solo opera singer. I thought that after a while, it would be slow and somewhat boring. It was totally not that.

The performance was recital style. She was accompanied by her pianist Warren Jones.

It was a fabulous show. Graves' voice is phenomenal. Just so rich and full. Of course she did the piece from "Carmen". Love that. But she also did some little ditties that she called 'half minute' pearls of wisdom - hilarious. They were indeed wise words and often funny and on point. I should have written one or two of them down. It was so unexpected.

It was also nice that prior to some pieces, she would give some background information. Her preview was quite entertaining.

She looked wonderful. She first came out in a blue gown. Then following the intermission, she wore a yellow gown. I liked yellow gown best.

I had a chance to interview Graves the day before her performance and she mentioned that one of her most memorable performances was at the 9/11 Ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. There she sang "America the Beautiful" and "The Lord's Prayer". Her version of "America the Beautiful" will bring tears to your eyes. It does for me. Unfortunately, I've been unable to locate her version on the Web. You'll have to settle for "Carmen". I'm certain that you will love it, heck, you might even come away thinking that you've got the chops to sing "Carmen"... nothing wrong w/singing along.

Ice Cream TweetUp - Snowville Creamery

Nothing says summer like ice cream. Then toss in a TweetUp and it's a raring good time. The old fashioned ice cream was made from just good ole milk. The churning came from riding on the bike. How about that? Lose a few pounds, gain a few pounds back. I had two cup fulls. One plain and one as a rootbeer float. Both were quite tasty.

Thanks for The Hills Market for hosting and Ryan Bauer for organizing. Met LeeAnn Purdy and Clancy. And saw Cheryl Harrison too. Nice.

Enjoy the short vid.

Who Wants Cupcakes

I've decided that I don't like cakes and cupcakes as much as I like pies. I love, love pies. But I do like a nice, warm cake w/some ice cream.

But when I saw this cute little bakery the other day, I knew that I could not just ogle and move on ... at least not w/out a sample. It's such a happy and colorful place, but not over the top.

Bakery Gingham is nestled in the old town neighborhood of German Village in Columbus, Ohio. It's only so big, but big enough to have two nice sized display cases of sweet treats. I almost went for a cookie: snicker doodles, peanut butter, no bakes and more.

But then I sidled up to to the other display case where there was a nice selection of cupcakes including Red Velvet and Peanut Butter, but I settled on the Oreo's cupcake. The woman in the store said she liked it and said that it has almond in it and you can actually taste the almond.



I thought I would nibble on the cupcake later that day especially after having had a big breakfast, but no ... the thought of almond and Oreo's permeated my mind and I ripped into the cute little cupcake carry case and took a swipe at the icing. Not bad. I like whipped cream frosting, but this was not too sweet. Then I took a pinch of the cupcake ... ooooh. Yes! Then another pinch. Then just let me get that piece of Oreo ... you'd think I gobbled the entire thing up, but I did not. But it will be all gone soon though. Quite tasty says the pie lover.

President Obama comes to Columbus

President Barack Obama visited Columbus, Ohio for the first time since he became president. He was in town for the City of Columbus' Police Recruit Class Graduation. They nearly lost their jobs due to a lack of funds, but thanks to the economic stimulus package, there are now 25 new officers in the city.

I covered the visit for WOSU.

There were some funny things that happened. At least somewhat amusing. At least to me.



I arrived at the venue, the Aladdin Shrine Center around 9 a.m. w/plenty of time to get settled, but when I got there and headed toward the parking lot. The line did not move for some time and I considered going to park somewhere else, then the line began to move. Then it dawned on me - they're going to sweep the car ... meaning, they're going to do a search. No, I did not panic. I had decided to drive my car since the venue was closer to my house than the office.

Now, there is absolutely nothing in my car, but it was/is in major disarray - I have been meaning to take the back seat out, meanwhile it us just there disheveled. But that is not the funny part. The driver's side window doesn't come down, so when they came up to my car, I opened the door and said "hello". They said "will you pop the hood so we can inspect it?" I proceeded to get out of the car, because on the Jeep Wrangler there is no popping the hood or anything, so I began to tell them how to open the hood. Then I had to key open the back hatch, then I had to key open the glove box. Unfortunately, I did not grab my camera while all of this was in progress. Though I am sure that would have disallowed it. And of course, there was the police dogs to sniff out the cars as well. The process took less than ten minutes.

Next I got my credentials from the press check in area. Then I got escorted to the entrance and security check for media. I did not get completely unassembled, but my keys and cell phone did get separated from me for just a bit. Somehow, I or they managed to snap a picture during the search of my equipment bag.

Oh, then I get checked in to the media area and I ask where is the 'malt box' (a piece of equipment that allows media to record sound directly from the in-house sound system) so that I can plug in for audio. Someone says, there is no malt box. No way. I request for them to find someone who can help me. A few minutes later, a guy arrives and shows me the radio work space - complete w/a 'malt box'. Whew.

The rest is just the basics ... wait and see. That's right, by the time I got through all of that, it was still about an hour before the ceremony was scheduled to begin @ 10:30 a.m. So I milled around trying to find some recruits' families members to talk to me. No luck. Actually, I think the family members were up front and I could not get to that area.

But while hanging out in the foyer before the ceremony, I was able to ask a few of the recruits some questions (along w/a radio reporter from WTVN). That was a good get since they were hard to get to when the ceremony was over.

While my audio recorder was recording the ceremony, I was taking pictures to go along w/my story.

When the ceremony ended, I went back to the area where my recorder was and there was another guy in the area. So friendly ole me says hello and then I introduce myself. He's says "Oh, I'm Don Gonyea". Very cool. I already know - he's from NPR; and the White House Coorespondent. I hear his voice all the time. I'm sure you do too. He even let me take a photo.

There was also a 'Press Filing Room". I walked in there and there were beverages and snacks and tables lined up. I walked around a bit and noticed the various media outlets labeled for seating: New York Times, FOX, etc. Then there's a door w/a sign that says "White House Press". I get the impression that this room is not for me ... I make my way back the way I came in before I am kindly asked to leave.

And to wrap things up ... While walking out, I decided to see if there were any family members who would talk ... jackpot. Found one; one of the new officers moms. That's all I needed.

By now, it's nearly 12 noon and I'm in need of a meal and a beverage. Then to the office to work on the story. Oh, I did not even mention the Secret Service; well, of course, they were there. Enough said.

Winter Storm 2009

The first major winter storm of 2009 hits the Buckeye State.

The White-Baer Wedding

What a good time. I have managed to avoid being in a wedding until now ... I don't think anyone has had an experience quite like this one. I am so pleased that I accepted the invitation to be in this wedding.

Now, I would not normally blog about something as personal as a wedding, but Ryan White and April Baer have been publically writing and blogging about this event for some time, so the gate has been opened.

The sign that it would be a worry-free affair began at the bridal shower when the bride-to-be told me that I could wear the dress I had on at the bridal shower to the wedding ... well, thanks, but no thanks. But what she intended to say was that it would be a laid back and stressless affair. I did end up selecting a dress from my wardrobe that was more like 'I'm a bridesmaid' and less like 'I'm attending the wedding'.

The affair was in the state's capital and the weather cooperated, if heat index of 90 is deemed cooperation; it could have been thunderstorms, which is what we got on Sunday, the day after the wedding. Oh, did I say that it was an outdoor wedding ... yeah, at 2 p.m. It was indeed brief, maybe 20 minutes, then to the cool reception hall.

The couple thanked their families prior to saying the vows and I thought that was a nice gesture. They had a celebrant officiate the wedding - don't ask ...

Then it was eating and dancing and drinking, well, folks had been drinking for quite sometime ... and this is where the story ends. When alcohol has been consumed from 2 in the afternoon until 2 in the morning, there are more than enough stories that can not be told here ... let's just say that it was a festive and memorable wedding - my first wedding as a bridesmaid. Oh, and no, the bride will NOT be changing her last name - here's why.

Radiogirl does video

okay ... this is very consumer brand. Actually, it is below awful. I was going to remove it, but what the heck. I recommend that you mute the sound.

I used my digital camera; a HP E317 that has the capacity to shot video. You can't zoom in and the video seems a bit grainy, but I had to try it out to see how it looks.

I did use Windows Movie Maker (which to me is movie making for dummies) to add music (though you obviously can not hear it; if I have time, I'll go back in and try to tackle the problem w/the audio) and a title page.

This is an experiment ... so have fun checking it out (you'll have to really use your imagination). It's a little more than 2 minutes, but after the first 30 seconds you will probably bail and I'll understand why.