No airwaves, just cameras

The News-Herald and Lakeland Community College have begun taping interviews with candidates for various offices in the Nov. 4 general election.

Candidates featured in the interviews are seeking various offices at the state and county levels. So far, various editors with The News-Herald and Jim Collins, who works both as editor emeritus at The News-Herald and as an official at Lakeland, have sat down with those running for Ohio Supreme Court, several appeals courts and Lake County Commission.

Today marked my debut as an interviewer on the broadcasts, which will be featured on the Lakeland cable access channel. I had the pleasure of co-moderating sessions first with Commissioner Ray Sines and his challenger, Willowick City Council President Judy Moran, and then Commissioner Bob Aufuldish and his challenger, Willoughby Hills Councilman Ray Somich.

We'll be interviewing for two more weeks before the broadcasts start later in the fall. Look for the schedule in the next few weeks in The News-Herald.

Queen not just for a day

I can't find the words to express how happy I am to learn Jan Clair, director of the Lake County Elections Board, was named Commerce Queen at Tuesday night's event at the Lake County Fair.

I've had the pleasure to meet many wonderful people in Lake County during my 11 years at The News-Herald, but few have impressed me to the level of Clair.

She's direct and honest, which, believe it or not, is not quite as easy as it sounds. She's been through a lot in her tenure on the job — including, during my short time here at the paper, three different types of voting systems. But she's a true professional who excels at her job.

It's nice to see the judges understand her value, too. I hope she enjoys her reign as Queen for a year. She truly deserves it.

Will she start her own career?

The Democratic National Committee announced this weekend that Michelle Obama will be the headline speaker the first night of this year's convention, Aug. 25.

Her speech no doubt will bring to mind the speech early in the previous Democratic convention by her husband, current Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. It's said by many to have been his springboard onto the national stage.

I can't help but wonder, in four or eight years, if we'll see Michelle Obama running her own campaign, zig-zagging across the country trying to sway voters.

We've heard her speak many times before, but her words on that August night in Denver should be fascinating. She's spent nearly two years on the campaign trail already but probably just is beginning to know what it's like to be in the spotlight.

To call on NBC's old marketing campaign of the early 1990s, it will be "Must See TV."

Welcome to our new Web site

Since you're reading this, you've no doubt noticed we've launched a brand spankin' new Web site.

It's called the same thing, www.News-Herald.com, but it's world's ahead of where we were only Wednesday. I hope you'll stroll around the site, which has more local news, photos and video than we previously offered.

We're still learning how to use it ourselves, so bear with us if we misdirect some stories or forget to include something you normally find here.

But let us know what you think — we want it to help you learn more about your area and the people who make it move.

Now that I've said all that, I'm gonna take this thing for a spin myself!!

Remembering Greyson Yoe

It's difficult to believe that it's been nearly five years since Greyson Yoe was shocked while waiting for a ride at the Lake County Fair in Painesville Township.

In the years since his injury and subsequent death, Ohio lawmakers and Greyson's parents, Bill and Audra Yoe, have worked tirelessly to help ensure that nothing like this happens to another fairgoer.

Join The News-Herald on Sunday and Monday as we look back over what happened that brutally hot August 2003 day and learn how much has been done to make the fairs that take place around Ohio so much safer.

It will be a multimedia package, offering content both in the newspaper and on our new Web site. On the Web, you'll hear Greyson's parents discuss his life and times and the events of Aug. 13, 2003, when he was injured while waiting for the bumper-car ride. In the newspaper you'll learn how legislation was created to protect all of us.

Classic moments

It's easy to remember when The News-Herald Classic takes place — every year, it's the same weekend as the NCAA Final Four.

The Classic has a different name than when I was in high school. Back then, during the 1980s, it was known as the "East-West All-Star Game."

Teams had players from the eastern half of Lake County, or the western part, which also included the far eastern section of Cuyahoga County.

When I was a senior in high school in 1985, I served as the manager for the West team. It was a fabulous experience to serve the best of the best in Lake County water and deliver towels at halftime.

I won't soon forget that year's Final Four, because I was a fan of St. John's men's basketball team — particularly Chris Mullin. St. John lost to Georgetown in the semifinal, but lost to Villanova in the final game.

Ah, memories.

As for the current state of this all-star game, it's evolved from just two games to an entertainment event. At halftime of both the boys and girls games, a three-point shootout wowed the crowd. To see highlights of the shootouts, check the video on www.News-Herald.com.

Remembering King

I turned 18 months old the day the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. You can probably imagine that I don't remember it.

But, today, I join millions of Americans in a look back at King's legacy of civil disobedience and respectful challenge of authority while stressing non-violence as the most effective method of change.

Check out Friday's edition of The News-Herald, which includes a story on our meeting with six members of our readership area who discussed the status of King's dream for a world in which skin color didn't matter.

The package extends online, too, with a peek into the conference room as the participants shared how racism touched their lives and how they think the world has changed since King energized America.

While you're at www.News-Herald.com, download a word search puzzle created by a Willoughby Middle School student.

Inconvenience

When I hear about construction, it ruins my day. Most times, it's not even in the paths I travel each day. But, somehow, I sense it will impact me.

Usually I'm right. It happens at the strangest times, too. Sometimes it's when I'm running errands and I forget that traffic is re-routed, or that two lanes were condensed to one.

My day was ruined recently when I discovered the entrance to westbound State Route 2 at Lloyd Road will be closed while highway work is completed.

No, I don't normally take that route; I use the eastbound ramp. However, I sense traffic will back up and make me late.

Last summer, basically the eastern portion of Cuyahoga County was under construction. Getting stuck on Mayfield Road a couple times for more than an hour left me afraid to venture into that neighborhood for months.

Sadly, it's that time again, when we sprout our crop of orange barrels. And some will impact my commute to work. I'll grumble along with the rest of you and dream of the day when the highway will be smooth and the path wider.

Until then, we're in for some long drives each day.

Will these faces sway you?

I've long been a fan of the 1970s and '80s television show "M*A*S*H."

Hawkeye is my favorite character, but the cross-dressing antics of Klinger always earn a chuckle. Until Drew Carey hit the scene, Klinger's portrayer, Jamie Farr, might have been the most famous Ohioan (he's a Toledo native) in Hollywood.

You'll be seeing a lot more of Farr starting today, because he is one of the stars in a new campaign to boost a drive for a statewide gambling issue for the Nov. 4 ballot.

The initiative seeks to allow a $600 million resort/casino in Clinton County.

Others who will take part in spots as part of the campaign are Vicki Lawrence, from "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Mama's Family"; Dwayne Hickman, who portrayed Dobie Gillis in "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis"; and Gary Owens, the cooky announcer from "Laugh in" and "The Gong Show."

The question is whether these faces of television long ago will sway voters who already have declined to permit gambling in the state numerous times? I know that most of my friends won't know who these people are. Maybe MyOhioNow, which is responsible for the campaign, should go back to the drawing board and find more familiar faces.

Check out the commercials at myohionow.com.

A little help — before the emergency

It's easy to think you know what to do when there's a tornado warning.

Most people, if they're like me, do absolutely nothing. They assume that it's all a mistake, or that the storm will stay south, or north, or whatever direction it happens to be reported to be.

It's a good thing we have programs in our schools that teach children what to do — because they won't learn it from us.

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, and we're encouraged to make safety plans in the event of an emergency such as tornados.

To drive home the point, I spent a little time with third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Eastlake getting a lesson in tornados and how to respond if one suddenly is barreling down on you.

Log on to www.News-Herald.com to get their advice and learn what a tornado is and what it really does.

A beautiful night for basketball

No, that's not the line Joe Tait made famous when he was the radio announcer for the Indians during the late 1970s and '80s, but it's fitting for Wednesday's Cavaliers game at Quicken Loans Arena.

Tait marks his 3,000th game as the play-by-play announcer for the Cavs. He's been with the team for 35 years, missing just 2 of the team's seasons.

For me, Cleveland sports isn't sports without Joe Tait. I still miss him calling Tribe games, when each broadcast started with his trademark phrase, "It's a beautiful night for baseball." It could have been a rain delay, or 100 degrees, but it indeed was beautiful if Tait was calling the game.

His voice still booms as he follows each pass, steal and rebound, providing enough detail that it seems you're sitting in the stands watching the game.

I'll tune in to Wednesday's game and share in the moment, thankful that Tait's still the voice of Cleveland sports.

Barely two days left

It's March, so there must be madness.

Of course, that means that it's time for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Yes, it's a long name for "the only thing that really matters until the end of the Final Four."

We've got our own office pool, and surely you do too. The various techniques of the competitors are fun to study, whether it's the mad point-counter, or the woman with two colors of highlighters — one for losers; the other for the winners.

Enter often, and pick a few upsets. At least that's the advice of Vegas Vic, who writes a sports gaming column that appears regularly in The News-Herald.

I spent about a half-hour interviewing him last week, just days before the bracket was released, and he stressed that those entering pools should play as many brackets as they can afford and be willing to take a few chances.

He gave many insights into technique and even some tips on which teams might be good picks. The video is online at www.News-Herald.com through Thursday afternoon, so if you're looking for a little professional advice, turn to Vegas Vic.

How could Vegas bring anything but good luck?

Looking for a good man, and woman

No, not me.

A group of area businesses have been hunting since the beginning of the year for a couple who will be marrying sometime in 2009, because they want to help them receive the wedding of their dreams.

There's a catch, however.

At least one member of the couple must have served or be active duty in the U.S. military.

The contest is called "Operation Wedding," and it's ongoing until March 31 through Rad Productions, a photography and video services company reachable at info@radproductions.org.

The company has enlisted the services of area businesses such as Jenniffer & Co. beauty salon of Mentor, Expressions Bridal, Marino Brothers disc jockeys, and Michelle's Eden Invitations and Announcements.

Those interested in providing a detailed account of why they should receive these services should e-mail the first and last name of the bride and groom, wedding date and location, phone numbers, addresses and e-mail addresses of the couple and the nominating person, a recent photo of the couple and the story detailing why they're deserving.

Submit to info@radproductions.org, and voting will take place in April. To see more information on this contest, go to radproductions.org/blog/?p=345.

Something in the W-A-T-E-R?

Michael Girbino of West Geauga Middle School knows how to spell all the words I'm about to use.

He'd better, because today he won his third trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. The bee takes place the last week of May.

Michael is part of a long tradition of Geauga County spellers who've won the Tri-County Bee, which is the qualifier for the national bee. The News-Herald sponsors the Tri-County winner's trip to Washington.

A few years ago, a photograph of another Geauga speller was used in newspapers around the country. It showed Sammy Totino just a few seconds after he missed a word on the second day of that year's bee. The look on his face was priceless. Head tilted to the side, he appeared as though he was thinking to himself, "UGH!!"

In the office today, we discussed how we've seen Michael mature before our eyes, in pictures of his various appearances at bees through the years.

We're hoping Michael finds S-U-C-C-E-S-S in Washington. We hope he has T-H-R-I-L-L-S to last a lifetime.

Bring home a V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

A solution, please

A well-known, dirty little secret has emerged from this week's multiple-part Associated Press series on drinking water contaminated with pharmaceuticals.

A caller, Sara Hallstrom of Willoughby, today asked me point-blank, "what am I supposed to do with the 150 Coumadin pills that the doctor told me I shouldn't take?" She said that when she asked the doctor what she should do, he simply told her, "flush them down the toilet."

I'd never heard that before. I learn so many new things at The News-Herald.

Apparently, this practice is very common. A co-worker told me that a pharmacist has told her the same thing. The idea is that by flushing them, you reduce the chance that they'll be found in your trash and end up in the hands of drug dealers.

Too bad the alternative to drug dealers is ending up in my drinking glass before being ingested with my dinner.

I've decided Americans, to protect themselves, need to develop a system by which unused and unneeded prescription drugs can then be collected and given to those who need them but can't afford them. We all know someone who can't afford the medicine they require. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to get them the help they really need — free access to the pills they require?

I'm not sure how to go about this, but the barrier has long been concerns about tampering. So, obviously, the first step in the process would be ensuring the donated pills are safe.

Maybe we can write to our congressmen and women and push the idea. Apparently, our health depends on it.

Kids do the most amazing things

Since The News-Herald started producing videos for our Web site in late October, we've run across some remarkable people. We've met gifted athletes, some of the most powerful people in Lake County and those who are struggling with overwhelming grief after enduring shocking losses.

But the ones who make the greatest impact on me are the children I've seen through my lens. I met 12 superstars at Richmond Heights High School who bared their fears about what would a levy failure would do to their district, and, therefore, their education. I interviewed a group of first- and second-graders from St. Mary Magdalene-St. Justin Martyr in Eastlake, who described what they had given up for Lent, and why.

Today, I met a sixth-grader from Willoughby Middle School named Marlon "Tommy" Richmond, who recently won an essay contest in which he wrote about what Black History Month means to him.

To say Tommy lights up a room is an understatement. He's bright, articulate and has no problem speaking with adults or handling the pressure of a grilling from a reporter. He also has a keen ability to have fun at his own expense — a trait that's sorely lacking in many who walk among us.

I hope you'll take a moment to view the video I posted to our Web site, www.News-Herald.com, called Black History Month essay winner. It includes a few excerpts of Tommy reading his essay, the full text of which also is available on our Web site.

You won't regret it, I promise.

A little sign of spring

On a day when I drove past snow piles that in some places reached higher than the top of my head, I remembered a sure sign of spring was occurring in gyms all around Ohio.

This marks the first official week of practice for spring sports teams.

Yes, that means there's tennis being played, baseball bats being swung and young men and women running around tracks training for the moment they can actually see the ovals they'll compete on when it officially becomes spring. We can't forget that softballs are being pitched in both fast and slow forms.

I know it's difficult to believe as we still marvel at our weekend's misfortune, but we're just a few weeks away from sitting in area stands watching our neighbors compete simply for the joy of the sport.

Ah, I knew there was a bright spot somewhere.

The best and the worst of the storm

I finally was able to get out of my yard about 5 p.m. Sunday. I can't blame the City of Euclid plows, because I got to see for myself how hard their drivers work.

I wrote yesterday about a minivan that had been abandoned in front of my driveway early on in the storm. It sat there, locked in place, until about noon Sunday, when, on about the third attempt to free it, a couple guys came up and started digging from all sides with shovels.

The truly sad part of this incident is that it appears I missed that a Jeep Wrangler had also been abandoned about 25 yards to the south, on the opposite side of the street. The thick cloud of snow apparently had prevented me from seeing it Saturday night. During the Sunday morning spectacle of trying to free the minivan, I realized the same people owned the Jeep.

I watched from my front windows as the owner of the minivan and a couple guys attempted to free it. First, there was a spinning of tires akin to the machine at an E-Check station. Then, they tried to rock it back and forth. Finally, another Jeep came up and hooked it up with a chain, and the owners tried to push as the Jeep pulled.

No dice.

A little bit later, the guys with the shovels arrived. Within about an hour, the van was gone.

If only that activity had occurred earlier in the morning, when the van's presence caused one of the brighter moments of the storm.

I awoke at 8 a.m. to the sound of spinning tires. Of course, I figured it was the van. I got up to look out the window, and saw one of the more striking things I've encountered...a city plow stuck in the snow, tires spinning wildly.

After a few minutes of spinning, a pickup with a plow attached got to the scene, and they worked together to free the truck.

No dice.

Next, a piece of what I normally would call construction equipment arrived on my street. The backhoe linked a chain to the plow and tried to pull it out. Pull, pull, pull — nothing. They then adjusted the chain to another part of the plow. Pull, pull, pull — nothing.

Then, suddenly, the backhoe drives off. I'm curious. They're just gonna leave the plow stuck on my street? Is this armageddon?

Just as suddenly, the backhoe reappears, from the other direction. It backs up behind the plow truck, hooks up the chain again, and proceeds to yank the plow all the way down the street — through a maze that includes the minivan and the Jeep.

It was impressive driving and creative problem-solving by people working very hard. I'm not sure if they were just starting what would be a very long day, or finishing up after a harrowing night. Either way, I'm grateful for their efforts.

Of course, I'm even more pleased the minivan finally left my view. That enabled the street to finally be cleared so I could finally leave my house.

To the plow drivers, thank you for your hard work and best wishes on a long nap. To the minivan and Jeep drivers, I can only ask, where the heck were you going, anyway?

Snowed in

It's a little after 5 p.m. Saturday, and I can no longer see out of any of my windows — they're encased in snow.

I'm sure it's a scene common across about a third of the country as this winter storm pushes up from the south and through the Midwest and into the Northeast.

I'm a little upset about it, too, because I'm not good at sitting at home. I'd rather be shopping, or even just driving around. Not even I'm crazy enough to do that, however.

So far this afternoon, I've stood and watched four autos of various types get stuck on my street, which hasn't been touched by a snowplow. Currently, a minivan sits abandoned at the end of my driveway, about 5 hours after the driver foolishly tried to pass down the street. A couple of the private snowplow drivers also got stuck.

That was the sign that I shouldn't even try to leave home, no matter how much I wanted to hit the Macy's buy-one-get-one-free clearance sale.

I'm pretty convinced this is the most snow I've ever seen fall in my lifetime. I was around for the Blizzard of 1978, but I don't recall it being quite this bad. I'm just on the edge of the snow belt, so I can't even imagine how bad it is in Chardon.

Let us know what it's like where you are. Send us your pictures or stories of the Storm of 2008. E-mail photos and your viewpoint to editor@news-herald.com, and we'll use them in this week's editions of The News-Herald. Include your full name and hometown.

If you'd like to add a comment to this blog, we can accomplish it that way, too. But you'll have to also include your e-mail address.

Hopefully we'll see the end of this storm soon. I have shopping to do!!

Making Progress

We've just completed the third week of our Progress 2008 project.

This week's agenda is a look at how Lake and Geauga counties, and their businesses, schools and residents are responding in a changing world, as technology and its many opportunities open so many paths.

We study how businesses go from idea to operation, how the "Fast Track 50" companies got where they are and how they corrected their biggest mistakes and how our children are finding help early on in their lives as they plot their path in the working world.

Don't forget that each Progress 2008 section includes a quiz that will reward one winner with a prize pack from The News-Herald. See the section in Sunday's edition for rules.

Let us know what you think. We approached it differently this year, with an eye toward showing you where we've been and where we're going. We hope you'll join us on the journey.

A throwback — unintentionally

Those who picked up our Sports section in today's edition no doubt noticed it was a little less colorful than normal. No, your eyes were not playing tricks on you, nor were you suddenly transported back to 1980.

A complicated series of events, the details of which I'll spare you, found their way to happening all in a row late Wednesday night, culminating in a mostly black-and-white Sports front cover.

Yes, the advertisements appeared in color, and, if you look really closely, so too did our tiny, little www.News-Herald.com logo.

We're a little chagrined, needless to say. But, as with every mistake that occurs, we've learned a valuable lesson that should prevent such a shocker from rearing its ugly, colorless head again.

Just when I thought it was safe to put away my box of Crayolas...

A good deed for someone in need

The producers of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" are asking for your help.

They're eager to make over a home for an area family. They're not looking for those who want to look good; rather, they're hunting for those who do good.

Does this sound like someone you know?

The ABC-TV show, seen locally on WEWS-TV 5, performs home makeovers for families that have suffered major setbacks, yet still perform good deeds or make a difference in the lives of others. Some examples cited by producers include the Bliven Family of Minot, N.D., who started a youth baseball program for children with special needs.

If you know a family in Northeast Ohio who qualifies, contact emheohio@gmail.com. Deadline for hero nominations is March 24. They should include the names and ages of each member of the household, along with a description of the major challenges within the home. You also should include contact information of the family you're nominating.

So, area readers, put your thinking caps on. It's time to do your good deed for the day — remember those who do good and deserve a helping hand.

By the numbers...

Mentor voters had four issues on their ballots for the primary — a fire renewal levy, issues seeking approval for work to be done at Mentor Lagoons and the Mentor Library levy.

Voters passed three of the issues.

The library levy, which also went before voters in Mentor-on-the-Lake and Concord Township, passed by 2,007 votes. Library officials promised to restore service hours if the levy passed.

Only one of the Lagoons issues, which sought to bring both public restrooms and gas docks for boaters to the city-owned lakeshore park, passed. Preliminary figures from the Lake County Elections Board showed the gas dock issue failing by 39 votes. The restroom issue passed by 4,116 votes. In all, 16,320 people cast ballots in the restroom issue; 16,223 people voted on the gas dock issue.

So, it appears, from preliminary figures, that 97 more people were interested in deciding on the restrooms at the park.

Apparently, when you wanna go, you gotta go to the polls.

A little service, please?

You've gotta feel for Lake County Elections Board Director Janet M. Clair.

I'm not sure how to describe her — whirlwind, wunderkind, whiz all come to mind.

Tonight, I feel badly for her, because she and her staff are feverishly working to complete counting votes from Lake County voters, and just as feverishly posting them to the agency's Web site, but apparently very few people are able to see them.

It's been described as a server problem, but I'm not sure if that's the true reason for the trouble. — it could be weather or just plain slow-speed connections.

But poor Clair's stuck working with brand new equipment, once again, while, once again, more up-to-date machines sit and collect dust in a storage room.

We feel for you, and understand that you're doing all you can do — which just happens to be running the best darn elections board in Ohio.

A little news as the evening progresses

On a day when so much happened, it appears something really big did, too.

It snowed, it rained, it sleeted. Power went out; bomb threats came in. Lawsuits kept polls open in some counties because ballots ran short and lines ran long. Sadly, CNN projected a winner in Ohio before the polls even closed.

Yes, my patience is wearing thin as we remain in the thick of the wait for results in Ohio and Texas, the two big prizes on this suddenly "Super Tuesday."

But, at least there's some news to report this early in the evening: The Associated Press and Politico.com declared that John McCain has clinched the Republican nomination for president. And former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has announced he will cease his campaign.

Not the biggest news of the night, but I'll take it. At least we have a headline for Wednesday's paper.

Well, duh!!

I've become fascinated with Politico.com, a Web site devoted to American politics.

I'm not sure if the site was dedicated to politics in general before the presidential election kicked into high gear, or if it's just recently become awash in those races.

Either way, it's my favorite Web destination now, right after News-Herald.com (in case my bosses are watching). I signed up to receive their "breaking news" e-mails here at work, and just got the first couple of the night pertaining to today's presidential primary votes.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., won Vermont. Good to know.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., won Vermont and Ohio. Not much of a surprise there, really, is it?

I wholeheartedly suggest checking out Politico.com, because it's run by former newspaper journalists Jim VandeHei and John F. Harris, who previously worked at The Washington Post. These excellent writers periodically have stories that appear on the site. Their current one explains the reasons why U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., would have won Ohio or Texas, if that actually occurs.

One of their reasons is that journalists are too hard on Clinton's tendancy to show that she's actually a woman. I wonder who would do such a thing?

Election Day — unplugged

You can't have Election Day without hearing about the weather. Now we know why.

After spending most of the day with one eye trained on the window to see if already icy conditions would turn more drastic, we received news just after 7 p.m. that a power outage had struck in Painesville Township.

A voter called to report the outage had occurred just after his wife had left the polls. He also said more voters were just entering the polling station when the lights went out.

We're assuming they'll have to vote via paper ballots. Ah, how I know what that's all about!!

As weather and road conditions continue to deteriorate with freezing rain and dropping temperatures wreaking havoc, we'll remain hopeful the various county elections boards can keep their lights on at least through tonight's counts.

Have pen, will vote

Ah, the good old days — TV dinners in the oven, percolators brewing coffee on the stove, electronic voting.

Yes, when I went to the polls in Euclid this afternoon, I was handed a paper ballot and led to a cubicle that had a pen attached to a wire chain. How times have changed.

A mere four months ago, I pushed a few buttons on an electronic screen and recorded my votes, then headed in to work knowing my vote was correct. Today, after performing what seemed like an SAT in which I colored in little circles on a piece of 11-by-14-inch paper, I tossed my ballot into a box and drove away wondering how long it would be before I know who my new City Council representative will be.

Yes, that's the second weird element to today's election — in my home city it's half primary, half general election. Because of a federal lawsuit against the City of Euclid regarding accusations of racial bias in the city's elections procedures, the City Council races were delayed from November until today.

The other oddity is that nowhere on my ballot did it say "president" or "presidential election." Instead, it said something about pick the one you want to be the party's nominee at the convention. Below that was a list of names I've seen before. I guessed that because these particular names were grouped together, that was where I should make my choice for the party's nominee. I probably won't know if I guessed right.

I can only imagine what November's election will be like.

I'm such a stickler

When today's edition of The News-Herald hit your mailboxes, front porches and driveways, it had an attachment. No, not the type you see in your e-mails.

Rather, it was a akin to a Post-It note, touting the candidacy of John Rogers for the Democratic nomination for Lake County Juvenile Court judge. Rogers is running against Patrice Denman, James R. Dugan and Paul E. Miller. The winner of that race will face off against the winner of the Republican primary, which pits Karen D. Lawson against James R. O'Leary.

The sticker on today's edition was a paid advertisement, not an endorsement from The News-Herald. We at The News-Herald did not endorse any candidates in advance of tomorrow's primary election.

After receiving several calls questioning our placement of the sticker, I thought I'd explain why it was there.

That type of advertisement is relatively new to The News-Herald. Any of our sales representatives would gladly explain how you can get your business or service such prominent placement.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow -- polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Call your board of elections for details on where to cast your ballot. Check The News-Herald in print and online Wednesday for results. We'll be updating them as we receive new information.

Temper, temper

Ask anyone who knows me.

It’s not really a dirty, little secret. It’s obvious once you get to know me just a little bit.

I have a temper.

It shows itself at the oddest times, but it’s almost always unnecessary.

The reasons for these outbursts vary, including dips in my blood sugar levels and overall anxiety.

They also vary in intensity, from snapping off one-liners that are shockingly cutting, to just plain meltdowns that include screaming and crying.

They’re by no means pretty.

I’ve worked hard to control it, from eating well before what I expect to be a tense encounter to physically restraining myself despite actually feeling my body shake from the anger I’m feeling inside.

It’s important to know when it happens and when it’s likely to crop up.

Because I know these emotions so well in myself, they’re that much more apparent in others.

I don’t think the U.S. president should have those same qualities.

As I sat at the studios of WKYC-TV 3 watching the Democratic presidential debate with members of a Greater Cleveland blogging group called Meet the Bloggers, I studied Sen. Hillary Clinton.

I saw so much of myself in her.

She sat on the edge of her seat, snapped at her questioners and sniped at Obama. She spent most of the debate leaning forward in her chair, hands folded in front of her with a snarl on her face.

The explosion never came, but it was nonetheless an awakening.

In early January, while campaigning in New Hampshire, she nearly wept while answering a question on why she was running for office.

The moment seemed to change the direction of a faltering campaign. At that time, I didn’t understand why it mattered.

She was simply exhausted from too many hours speaking to strangers, trying to control her emotions while getting her message across.

Tonight’s display was very different.

With fierce questioning from NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert, Clinton was uncomfortable and defensive.

She was fighting for her political life.

In the face of foreign leaders, she could very well be fighting for our lives.

I see this debate again changing the direction of a faltering campaign.

This time, I think she’s done. I think on Tuesday night we saw the end of her presidential campaign, whether she admits it or not.

Perhaps our March 4 election will make it even more clear.

On the other side of the table, Obama remained in control throughout. Even when he piped up suddenly to address comments from Clinton, he merely raised his hand to show the desire to speak.

He kept his cool, and betrayed no emotions.

As someone who knows how easy it is to lose control, I know the value of a president who can control their temper.

What's the definition?

It's amusing to see another Clinton involved in a discussion about the definition of a word.

Just as her husband has been repeatedly ridiculed for asking the definition of "is" during his deposition during the Lewinsky affair, she was just at the heart of a rather comedic moment when Obama made a point of saying that if she'd prefer under certain circumstances he "denounce" rather than "reject" his affiliation with Louis Farrakhan, he'd be willing to go that route.

It's a splitting of hairs, certainly, but one that shows just how close these two candidates are even on the simplest of issues.

No going easy this time around

NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert came out of the gate with serious questions, and haven't backed down.

They're not letting the candidates evade questions — going back and back and back again to ensure they finally give an answer.

Russert was akin to a pitbull while asking Clinton if she'd tell Canada and Mexico she'd back out of NAFTA. It was impressive journalism on a national stage — you can't ask a question and not get an answer. People are watching.

Name-droppers...

Clinton discussed those craving affordable health care in Lorain, lacking work in Cleveland and even mentioned a favorable article in The Plain Dealer. Obama pointed out that Youngstown has lost heavy numbers of jobs in recent times.

Yes, they've been traveling the state the past week.

Wasting no time...

Brian Williams wasted no time getting to what I wanted to know: How would Clinton handle her "shame on you" speech on Saturday in Cincinnati.

She's calm from the start.

Williams then jumped to another of the "bigger" stories of the week, the release of a photo of her challenger, Barack Obama, from a trip to Kenya in which he was wearing an outfit in the native garb of the country.

She denies her camp released it, he says he believes her.

He's a little more aggressive than Clinton off the top, hitting on differences in their health care plans.

Live on TV from Channel 3

Reporter Paul Thomas is preparing to do a live shot on WKYC-TV 3. He and his cameraman are scrambling to set up, gearing up for a start in 30 seconds.

It's interesting to watch them set up, because we at The News-Herald have recently started shooting video for our Web site. I'm hoping to get some clues for how to shoot video from these guys.

They carry heavier cameras than we do, and I'm sure are more steady of hand, but maybe something will stick with me.

The light's on, so we're about to start. I'm chewing gum, which is part of a tick to deal with nervous energy. I guess I'm hoping he doesn't ask me any questions.

Thomas just said he doubts we'll have any real history-making moments tonight. I hope he's wrong, because it would be fun to know we're responsible for something that makes a difference.

An old "friend" takes center stage

When I was a journalism student at Kent State University in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the program had a very quiet booster.

Michael Schwartz was president of Kent State University when I arrived on campus in 1987. He served until he "retired" in 1991, opting to return to the classroom and hands-on education of students. He was replaced by the college's first female president, Carol Cartwright.

Schwartz has always held my fascination. I'm not sure what's longer than arm's length, but if there is such a thing, he was at it. He dealt with one reporter per semester from the college's newspaper, The Daily Kent Stater. The reporter would take questions from multiple reporters' beats at one time, get them answered, then bring the answers back to us.

We knew he was a real guy, but in some ways he was an enigma.

The newspaper received funding from the university, but Schwartz allowed us to operate as though we were an island. Sure, he got upset when we screwed up, or when he thought we were unfair in criticism of the school, but he never threatened to touch us. He told our professors that we had to learn how to work in the real world.

A few years after his retirement from Kent State, he turned up at Cleveland State, filling in as interim president. He took over fully in 2001, and recently signed a contract that will keep him in the job until 2010.

Tonight, he prepares to stand on the dais at Wolstein Center and kick off a nationally televised debate that just could make a woman or a black man the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.

Yeah, Michael Schwartz still knows how to work it.

Snow's brushed off, waiting to go

Driving in to Cleveland from the east side to set up at WKYC-TV 3 to take part in a bloggers' gathering during the Democratic debate at Cleveland State University, I couldn't help but notice the city's skyline was impossible to find.

It was more than darkness that obscured it; the heavy, blowing snow kept Terminal Tower and the BP Building shrouded in gray. So, it's not likely tonight's viewers will have any opportunity to get a peek at the skyline that so beautifully was showcased during the Indians' playoff run in the fall.

Channel 3 is set up at multiple locations around the Cleveland State campus, with live broadcasts taking place up to the moment the debate begins at 9 p.m.

The News-Herald has reporters inside Wolstein Center both in the media room and in the audience. We also will offer, in Wednesday's edition, views from college students on both how they think the candidates did in the actual debate and how vitally important this election is to America's future.

Let's get this party started

It's debate day, and I'm as antsy as a kid on the first day of school.

It's as though I'm moving from grade school to high school, entering the so-called "blogosphere" to join all these hip, happening technology masters who can get their information and opinions on Web sites faster than I usually form my opinions.

Check back here later tonight as the Democratic Debate gets started for my views of the action at Cleveland State.

I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering if the fireworks that sparked over the weekend in Ohio regarding Sen. Hillary Clinton's reaction to a mailing from Sen. Barack Obama's campaign will translate into a great political debate.

Here's hoping there's plenty to write about!!