The Distinguished Service Award

The Cleveland Orchestra's Distinguished Service Award given to WCLV's president, Robert Conrad, right before the January 8th Severance Hall concert, is an etched glass bowl. It's now on display in our vestibule, sitting atop a classic cabinet radio. While the bowl's beauty is evident, and its value as an expression of appreciation for Bob's career as commentator of Cleveland Orchestra broadcasts over the last 45 years is unquestioned, it does seem to be missing M&Ms.

What YOU Look Like

We found that out last night at Severance Hall, as many of you stopped by the WCLV table in the Smith Lobby downstairs prior to the concert. Lots of you entered our drawing for lunch and a tour of our new Idea Center studios. Many of you picked up your Cleveland Orchestra CDs of Mahler 1. Even if you hadn't signed up to receive the CD, we gave away hundreds of WCLV pen lights, which fit on a key chain quite nicely. I use mine it to peer into the abyss of my purse, but only when I have the stomach for it.

Onstage before the concert, WCLV's President, Robert Conrad, the Cleveland Orchestra's broadcast commentator for nearly 40 years, received the Musical Arts Association's Distinguished Service Award, while the orchestra's executive director, Gary Hanson, opened the live broadcast from the booth. Bob said a few words in gratitude, then he returned to the broadcast booth before the orchestra tuned up. We presume Gary gave up the microphone willingly.

The award is a beautiful glass bowl, which Bob held aloft so the audience could see. If he brings it to work, I'll post a photo here. Any chance he'll put candy or fruit in it? Stay tuned.

Lessons Learned on my Last Trip to the Garden

Last summer, anticipating our departure from Radio Ranch, from my garden there I dug up a small clump of chives, which is now growing on my kitchen windowsill. The photo is last summer's crop in its original habitat.

Last Friday, I took my last trip to WCLV's former office to walk through the empty studios and say farewell. With temperatures in the 50s, the melted snow made the ground squishy, just like it is in Ohio every spring. At great risk to my shoes, I squished out to the garden and pulled out the remaining zinnia and sunflower stems, while remembering last summer's glorious blooms, many photos of which I posted here.

Thoughts of spring-like weather brought to mind my frustration last fall in trying to dig up spring bulbs I had planted there over the years. I couldn't find the grape hyacinth, snowdrop and squill bulbs, which are tiny. And let's look at this from the bulb's point of view: If you were underground for a few years, you wouldn't be all that distinguishable from dirt, either.

But miraculously on Friday, the warmth brought up all the green shoots, which peeked through the sodden soil. I dug all of them up and took them home, where they'll join the windowsill chives to remind me of my beloved garden.

I guess some plants won't reveal themselves until you're ready for them.

Wonderful Snow

I realize I'm in the minority here, but when the big flakes fall, I love to watch out the window, this one in WCLV's Music Library.