Regional News Stories Archive: March 2004

Making Change:  Restaurants Unite!
Originally aired Wednesday, March 3, 2004
At least one industry is feeling optimistic about the economic outlook. The National Restaurant Association reports nearly half of their membership experienced an upswing in business in 2003. Still, that's less than the majority of restaurants. Lately, independently-owned restaurants in Northeast Ohio have been grappling with a new challenge to their success. Many area restaurant owners have united in an effort to overcome this new hurdle. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on what the locals are cooking up.

Adopt-a-Horse
Originally aired Friday, March 5, 2004
A group of local business and civic leaders are trying to save the nation's oldest continuously-operating mounted police unit. ideastream's Karen Schaefer has more.

A Chat with Ray Suarez
Originally aired Friday, March 5, 2004
For six years beginning in 1993, Ray Suarez was the host of NPR's Talk of The Nation. He's since moved over to PBS, working as Senior Correspondent for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Suarez spoke in Cleveland this week. While here, he sat down for a chat with ideastream's Rick Jackson in which they talked about politics and religion - the subject of Suarez's appearance in town - but also about a book he wrote in which Cleveland plays a prominent role.

Condition Critical: Ohio’s Malpractice Costs
Originally aired Monday, March 8, 2004
A state panel looking at ways to stem the surge of medical malpractice costs is expected to release its interim report today. The Ohio Medical Malpractice Commission was convened almost a year ago. Since then Ohio has been named one of the top malpractice "crisis states" in the nation by the American Medical Association. Today the blame game between physicians, trial attorneys and insurance companies is as intense as ever. ideastream's Tasha Cook has this report.

A Conversation with General Barry McCaffery
Originally aired Monday, March 8, 2004
Former National Drug Czar and Army leader during the first Gulf War, General Barry McCaffery will speak in Cleveland today (March 8). He talked issues past and present with ideastream's Rick Jackson. Their conversation ranged from Iraq to Afghanistan to the battle to keep America's children more drug free.

Les Dames Forms Chapter in Cleveland
Originally aired Wednesday, March 10, 2004
This week about 30 women from Cleveland's culinary world - chefs, restaurant owners, food writers, wine experts and culinary educators - gathered to put the finishing touches on their latest creation, the Cleveland chapter of Les Dames D'Escoffier. Les Dames, as it's called by those in the know, is an international organization that supports the success of women in the food and hospitality industry. ideastream's Shula Neuman attended the meeting and filed this report on what the women foodies hope to achieve.

Anxiety Disorders: More Than a Nervous Feeling
Originally aired Friday, March 12, 2004
The Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Board estimates that about 13% of the adult population suffers from some type of anxiety disorder. Feeling anxious is a normal part of daily life when you're excited or nervous about a new job, giving a speech, or going on a first date. But for many, it's a serious health problem that needs to be treated just like any other illness. ideastream's Renita Jablonski reports.

90.3 at 9: Heritage Tourism
Originally aired Monday, March 15, 2004
We've all been to places that really know their local history - whether cultural or natural history - and that do a wonderful job of interpreting that story. Communities in New England come to mind, and obvious places like Jamestown, Monticello, and Harper's Ferry, all places that have played a singular role in U.S. history. But there are places like that in our own backyard, places where local events have played a major role in shaping the course of our nation. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry fought and won the naval War of 1812 just off the coast of Lake Erie. The cities of Cleveland, Sandusky, Hudson, and Oberlin - among others - played a signature role during our nation's struggle for the abolition of slavery and civil rights. And Lake Erie itself continues to be a focal point for issues of transportation, energy, unique natural resources, and environmental rights. But how can we turn our stories into something that will attract visitors -- local people or outsiders who will spend money to see, hear, taste, and experience what we have to offer? Is this something only big cities can do or can it also be made to happen in neighborhoods and smaller communities? What does it cost to entice visitors and what's the payback? Is what's nowadays being called "heritage tourism" really a viable option for economic development?

Making Change: Apples and the Economy Part 1
Originally aired Wednesday, March 17, 2004
The tractors have fallen silent for more than 2,000 Ohio farms over the last three years. Despite this, agriculture remains Ohio's number one industry. The food and agriculture sector adds more than $79 billion to the state's economy. But many feel that most farms are still underperforming. As part of Making Change: Reinventing Our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman reports on one crop that exemplifies the untapped economic potential of Ohio's agricultural industry.

What You Leave Behind: Deportation Update
Originally aired Tuesday, March 23, 2004
According to immigration authorities, nearly 1,800 immigrants in Ohio and Michigan were deported last year, up 37% from the year before. 10% were women. That could become the fate of Amina Silmi, a Lakewood immigrant whose case has drawn national and local attention. As soon as today, the Muslim mother of three American-born children could be deported to her native Venezuela, where she has no connections and no means of support. ideastream's Tasha Cook has this report.

Talking with Sister Helen Prejean
Originally aired Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Sister Helen Prejean, one of America's best known advocates against the death penalty, spoke at John Carroll University Wednesday, March 24. Familiar to many from her book (and subsequent Hollywood film) Dead Man Walking, Prejean talked with ideastream's Rick Jackson prior to her visit. Sister Prejean was portrayed in the film by Susan Sarandon, who received an Academy Award for best actress for the role.

Making Change: Apples and the Economy Part 2
Originally aired Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Globalization is becoming as much a challenge for the agriculture industry as it is for manufacturing. China is now the world's largest apple producer, accounting for about 45% of the world's apples, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service. At the same time, U.S. apple production has fallen to its lowest point since 1988. Many see the rise in China's apple industry as being a threat to growers, including those in Ohio. But what some people see as a threat, others see as an opportunity. As part of Making Change: Reinventing our Economy, ideastream's Shula Neuman explores some of the core opportunities that could help Ohio's apple growers branch out.

Janet Reno Interview
Originally aired Thursday, March 25, 2004
Speaking in Cleveland (3/25) this week is former Attorney General in the Clinton Administration, Janet Reno. Prior to her visit, she spoke about her career - and her present day activities - with ideastream's Rick Jackson.

Barbara Byrd-Bennett Interview
Originally aired Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Web Exclusive - Cleveland Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett talks with ideastream's Bill Rice on the budget, school discipline and the district's billion-dollar school rebuilding project.

90.3 at 9: Barbara Byrd-Bennett
Originally aired Wednesday, March 31, 2004
The Cleveland Public Schools are once again in dire need of operating funds, and that means more cuts are on the way. How will it affect what happens in the classroom? The projected deficit for the school system could be as much as $100 million, and programs and personnel are expected to be slashed from the budget. If you live in Cleveland, expect a bond issue on this November's ballot, but that will come long after the cuts. Join us as the district's CEO and school board president join us to talk about it.