Craftsmanship

Another listener-made ornament from WCLV's collection features wood inlay to illustrate musical themes. The detail is stunning.

The available afternoon light at the time this photo was taken didn't illuminate the subject as I'd wished, but using a flash made the image garish.

But then, we'd ALL be gorgeous if we were properly lit.

Musical Ornamentation

Here's another entry created by a WCLV listener for a long-ago ornament contest. Not every bass clef gets this kind of polish.

WCLV's move to downtown Cleveland is planned for the week of December 6th. The announcers will begin broadcasting from there several days before the rest of the office follows, so we're packing a few reference books and boxes of CDs to tide us over. In the interest of keeping the chaos down to a dull roar, contests will take a hiatus until we get settled in.

I'm taking a few days off. I'll be back on the air December 6th, just in time to start moving.

A Theatrical Tribute

Reuben and Dorothy Silver at Radio Ranch for an interview Thursday, November 18th. Part of the interview was aired on WCLV's "First Program" yesterday. That and a "web extra" segment will be available soon on wclv.com. I'll let you know when they're posted.

Reuben and Dorothy are articulate commentators about theater, and you'll wish the interview was longer. I do.

Reuben and Dorothy are frequently referred to as the "First Couple of Cleveland Theater." They are the honorees tonight at a benefit for their endowed theater scholarship at Cleveland State University.

Don't Blame Aliens

Some might accuse aliens of picking up Hawaii and depositing it at the conference center at Elyria's Lorain County Community College. Yes, aliens do get bad press, but it's not warranted this time. Hawaii has been re-created with balloons at the Spitzer Conference Center for today's blood drive by Lifeshare Community Blood Services. The drive continues until 8 tonight; WCLV broadcasts live until 6.

If you've listened to our prior blood drives on 104.9, you know the drill: Live classical music, interesting on-air guests, great food, the WCLV Prize Wheel and the benefits of donating one pint of blood. This year's goal is 300 pints. I'll be there broadcasting live beginning at 1:30.

Wear that Hawaiian shirt your family will no longer tolerate. We will embrace your island-ness.

Huh?

Beautiful, isn't it? On the way from Cleveland's West Side Market, where there was no snow at noon today, to Radio Ranch, the streets became slushier. The tire tracks became more visible, and the sense of astonishment among Clevelanders became vocal. Despite predictions of a half inch, there is at least an inch on the ground here.

Wet snow will continue in eastern Cuyahoga County, east of Interstate 71, this afternoon. It will make like the Wicked Witch of the West and melt in tomorrow's 50-degree temperatures.

Concert Among the Cabbages

Cellist Alban Gerhardt at Dave's in Ohio City last night, playing Bach cello suites in the produce department. People came and went, shopped and stared. Many came just to hear the Bach because they'd heard about it on WCLV 104.9 FM. Alban is playing tonight with the Cleveland Orchestra at 8.

Bach in the Midst of --

I've always thought a poetry slam would be poetic justice if it took place in the Dawg Pound during a Browns game. But here comes German cellist Alban Gerhardt, whose cello case should read, "Have Bach & Cello, Will Travel."

He played Bach in the control room this morning after we challenged WCLV listeners to suggest where they'd like to see him play Bach. Our 5 winners of Cleveland Orchestra tickets suggested Tower City; Cleveland's Greyhound Station; Stinchcomb Hill's amphitheater in the Cleveland Metroparks; any or all of the three truck stops at the intersection of Hwy. 224 & I-76; and the Building A lounge at Lakeland Community College.

Gerhardt will be the soloist in Matthias Pintscher's "Reflections on Narcissus" at tomorrow night's Cleveland Orchestra concert. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is also on the program. You can hear my three-minute "Quick Insight" into "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" at www.wclv.com.

Gerhardt will also play among the cabbages this afternoon at 5:30 at Dave's Supermarket in Ohio City, near W. 25th and Bridge. For those of you not from Cleveland, Ohio City is the area immediately west of downtown Cleveland. Take the Detroit-Superior or Carnegie-Lorain bridges to W. 25th from downtown.

El Rodento vs. The Voles

Multiple trenches in WCLV's back yard suggest that our corpulent groundhog, "El Rodento," or those pesky voles, the Voltaires, ran amok when no one was looking. But the yellow "caution" tape reveals this was done by humans. It's part of WCLV's office move to Playhouse Square later this year. The tech people are taking over, as the studios will be the first rooms to relocate.