The UT men and women’s basketball programs began their seasons under similar circumstances: each with a new head coach, both playing home games in a new arena.
Months later, however, only the Lady Rockets hung up their jerseys with a winning record at 18-13 overall, 11-5 in the MAC.

Gene Cross

Toledo reached the semifinals of the conference tournament, losing 79-66 to BGSU. Despite their elimination, according to head coach Tricia Cullop, the Lady Rockets gleaned more positives than negatives from the 2008-2009 season. The team outperformed expectations by vying for a first-place MAC West Division finish when preseason predictions put them in sixth.
The experience introduced Cullop to a league rife with talent in coaches as well as players.
“What I’ve learned about the MAC is that you better come ready to play,” she said. “I think Buffalo proved that in the conference tournament. No one thought they were going to go a couple rounds and they did. You’ve got to be prepared every single night to play.”
With season’s end still close in the rearview mirror, the Lady Rockets forge ahead with optimism. All but one player returns next year, which may help maintain the chemistry they have already developed. Cullop said the team never quit, despite losing close contests, such as a 1-point game against Cincinnati and 2-point squeakers against Miami and Akron.
Far from damaging team morale, she added, tough losses merely add motivation to next year’s agenda.
“If today’s any indication,” Cullop said in a March 17 phone interview, “I’ve already got kids in the gym shooting, and we didn’t require it today. So I think that tells you our kids are very hungry for next year.”
Fans have been hungry for the Lady Rockets’ success, too, a fact that pleases Cullop as much as winning. In her last coaching position at the University of Evansville, she said, games filled far fewer seats, even though the Indiana school had made concerted efforts to draw a crowd.
In Toledo, not even inclement weather would keep fans from piling into Savage Arena.
“In my time at Evansville, we broke six consecutive season attendance records, and that was to get us up to 1,500 a game,” she said. “And then I come here, and at our first game we had 2,300 people — and that was in a snowstorm.
“We are trying to not just get wins but build the whole program, and attendance is part of that because you want an outstanding home-court advantage. And for 19 years straight, we’ve owned the attendance record in the MAC, and that’s something that we’re proud of.”
Upside, downside
The men’s team drew a conference-high average of about 5,600 spectators per game during the season, despite suffering a 7-25 overall record and 5-11 MAC finish. Yet, according to head coach Gene Cross, the players progressed throughout the year, improving their game, finding a niche and gradually moving toward a “culture of work.”
Unfortunately for him, like most first-year coaches, Cross had no opportunity to recruit when he arrived in June.
To complicated matters, he inherited a team with injuries to key personnel and more freshmen than all other classes combined.
The formula created an uphill challenge, even for a coach whose résumé includes two years as an assistant at Notre Dame, when the Fighting Irish reached the NCAA tournament both seasons.
“We didn’t have all the bodies that we needed in order for us to be as successful as I would have liked,” Cross said. “We had a few injuries that really handcuffed us. That by no means is an excuse, but it’s just a reality. In order to be successful, you have to be healthy.”
With the first season under his belt — one he described as a huge undertaking — Cross looks forward to continuing to instill into his players a mentality of discipline and accountability. He believes they better understand how hard they must work to satisfy his high standards, set new goals and dedicate themselves to achieving them.
Though the 2009-2010 season is months away on the schedule, in reality it began at the final buzzer of 2009, when the Rockets lost to Akron in a 93-92 overtime heartbreaker. Cross said the focus shifts to “conducting our business off the court and in the classroom.”
“I think you come in with a basic philosophy as a coach, what you have to do. And what most coaches do is you adapt to your personnel,” he added. “I thought that we were able to figure what guys were good at and what they were poor at, and then kind of keep them away from what they were poor at and keep them successful.
“You’re not just coaching here; you’re mentoring. You’re a psychologist, a sociologist, a leader. You have so many hats that you wear.”

Nationally, we have seen the media frenzy surrounding a void in leadership of the Republican Party, most notably a clash between Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and radio show host Rush Limbaugh. While the national party fights to find its way, the same battle has been taking place in Lucas County for several years. The Lucas County Republican Party has lost its way, and the younger generation needs to step up and take the reins.
I joined the University of Toledo College Republicans in 2006 to make a difference in local politics. I felt that helping at the local level would be the best course of action for effecting change in an otherwise left-leaning campus and city.
I volunteered for the campaign of then-state Rep. Mark Wagoner, as well as other state and local candidates I deemed worthy. Wagoner came to a few of our meetings that year, and as we helped stamp envelopes for campaign materials and volunteered to walk in parades on his behalf, I felt that this was what politics was all about: grassroots activism that informed the community of conservative ideals.
I was later named chairman of the UT College Republicans for the 2007-08 school year, and that led to helping the campaign of Toledo Municipal Court Judge Michael Goulding. Just before graduation in summer 2008, I was presented with the opportunity to be the campaign manager for state Rep. Barbara Sears, a journey that brought many lessons and great experiences.
And yet throughout all these things, one thing remained the same: conservative ideals distributed through grassroots efforts.
The Lucas County Republican Party has lost its core principles in recent years. Local Republican standard holders are fighting new party leadership, candidates are weighing the options of accepting help from the local party or doing it on their own, and party leaders are feuding through local newspapers rather than face to face. This is not what the Republican Party stands for.
Conservatives in Lucas County should have a collective voice of principle and character. They deserve that voice.
The first step to solving this dilemma is calling a meeting of all Republican Central Committee members and elected officials in Lucas County. Nothing will be accomplished until grievances are put on the table and debated.
We cannot continue as a party if candidates are faced with the decision of running as a Republican or an Independent.
Candidates should not be afraid of the Republican label in our community.
It is the job of the next generation of Republicans to move forward. Support local politicians who uphold the Republican voice. Encourage your local central committee member to request a meeting of the group. Organize conservative campus rallies to help build the next generation of Toledo Republicans. Invite media to events to show that conservatism is alive and well in the youth of Lucas County.
Lucas County Republicans have been waiting for a change from the bickering politics of late. It’s time that the younger generation shows them how to take action.

Contact columnist Joseph Pellman at letters@toledofreepress.com.

I recently attended what used to be a major gathering of newspaper people from around the world.
Known by various names over the years, this year’s MediaXchange Conference confirmed the abysmal financial state of the newspaper industry.
The New York Times, Journal Register Company and Tribune Company have all filed for bankruptcy in recent months.
Other newspapers, such as the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, The Capital Times in Madison, Wis., and Seattle Post-Intelligencer have stopped printing entirely, with some remaining online only.
Many, including the Detroit Newspaper Partnership, have reduced the days for home delivery and the print orders for those days as a consequence.
Far more are combining and consolidating print facilities in the hopes of creating a more profitable environment.
No one, however, knows if any of these moves will ensure long-term viability. To a younger generation, none of this questioning means anything.
“You people who still read newspapers are obsolete,” they say.
“Newspapers are dead, man,” they tell us.
“We get our news from surfing the Internet,” the youngsters say.
The question then becomes: Where does the Internet get its news?
If you look at Google News, most of the stories are from Web sites operated by daily newspapers. Even while newspapers have been dying, they have been trying to salvage a future in electronic media.
Weekly newspapers contribute to news content posted online, too. Their knowledge of the local scene and ability to work longer in between print cycles gives them greater ability to investigate and greater insight than their daily counterparts. Budget restrictions, however, limit both efforts.
Another source for Web news is television and radio Web sites. They, too, can be informative but are often secondary sources. Because their own staffs have been cut in recent years, the stories reported on TV and radio often also come from newspapers.
What about the wire services like The Associated Press and Bloomberg? They are excellent sources of primary news and are often used by newspapers, but they rely on money generated from the sale of their product to newspapers and other media to survive.
And then, of course, blog sites “report” news. But do they actually report, or are they merely linking to stories from other sources like newspapers?
Links to press releases by politicians and organizations or transcriptions of city council meetings are important, but blogs will never be able to replace the full form and function of a newspaper.
I believe that those who host blogs sites would be the first to agree. Instead, I believe they are trying to create a forum for discussion that has never existed before, although talk radio has come close.
Furthermore, the opinion pieces from such blog sites will not be able to replace the function of a newspaper for readers. They are at best, one person’s editorial opinion, even when the writer is well-informed.  At worst, they become unsubstantiated nonsense not worth the time it takes to read them. Ultimately, if they are to be of any use, they must rely on facts. Those facts in many cases come from newspapers.
And therein lies the dilemma for newspapers. Financial cutbacks have led to cuts in news departments that leave them with little ability to do their job properly. Editorial bias is becoming a more serious issue every day, with many community members questioning the ability of the daily newspaper to maintain any level of journalistic integrity.
With all of its flaws, however, the question still remains: If newspapers go away, where will we get our news from?

Tim Higgins blogs at http://just blowingsmoke.blogspot.com.

When you think of strategic planning does it invoke the following mental picture for you?
Happens only at the end of the year, generally in the November/December timeframe.
Conducted as an off-site retreat — with too little accomplished.
Visions of aimless wandering, lots of brainstorming, flipcharts, too many items to act on and nothing that sticks.
Frantic business plans – top-down, budgets, spreadsheets – and lots of caffeine
A plan sitting in a binder, put on the shelf, destined to collect dust for remainder of the year.
Let me begin by asserting that strategic planning is not – and should not be -an annual event. Many organizations have traditionally waited until year-end, but why?  Why wait, particularly when pressing issues and the velocity of change are not necessarily in your favor?
So, when’s the best time to conduct strategic planning? Now. Don’t wait. Your organization’s health and future are at stake. These days, procrastination, much like hope, is not a strategy. If you have not yet taken the time for strategic planning, don’t wait another day. For every day you wait, company objectives remain stalled, measures go unchecked and employees stray further from your goals.
But what if your previous experiences and outcomes of strategic planning have been less than stellar? What’s the problem? It’s probably not that you don’t have the smartest people in the room. It’s more likely that the process you’re using for conducting strategic planning is flawed.
So what does an effective strategic planning process look like?
First, what is needed is an external facilitator, professionally trained in the art and science of strategic planning. This should be someone who is objective and experienced in keeping the objectives of strategic planning in perspective. This person can run the logistics of the strategic planning process — bringing in the correct people, organizing meetings and facilitating the process so that it remains on track.
Second, a straight-forward, proven, repeatable process for strategic planning is necessary. This process should be one that can be used continually without changing major elements based on management whims or MBBS (Management By Best Seller). It should include a consistent method for reviewing external factors (economic, competitive trends), as well as internal factors (achievement of current year goals, key performance measures, stakeholder satisfaction surveys).
Plus, it should include a process to prioritize long list of actions into a reasonable, achievable list. The process must also include a predictable, repeatable method for assessing your organization’s mission, shared values, vision, strategic position, and vital few objectives.
Also, important is a process to determine and agree upon what to stop doing, a consistent method to set goals that are measureable, a way to develop clear targets and deadlines, and a means to develop initiatives that help to drive activities of every person, every day.

OK. So you say you’ve already gone through your strategic planning for this year? Have you? Really?
* How often do you review your strategic plan?  (Monthly? Quarterly?)
* How do you know you’re on track?
* What measures are you using?
* How frequently are you monitoring/measuring against the plan?
* What incentive process do you have to reward adherence to the strategic plan?
To recap, strategic planning is a not an annual event – it’s an ongoing process. While most organizations conduct strategic planning annually, that’s not enough. It needs to be revisited on a quarterly basis in order to measure progress, align resources and implement necessary adjustments.
Let’s not forget, however, that strategic planning is only half of the equation. While the CEO and leadership team own the strategic plan and are accountable for it, they cannot be completely responsible for its proper execution.  Even the most well-crafted strategy is subservient to superior execution.  And, most successful business leaders agree, they’d rather have a “B” strategy and “A” execution than the other way around.
The tougher, more critical side of the strategy/execution equation is making it work, getting it done, measuring progress along the way, finding what doesn’t work early enough to make course corrections, aligning resources (people, technology, policies, processes, and measures) continually so that initiatives can support vital few objectives.
It’s the delicate balance of both strategic planning and execution that separates good organizations from great organizations.
In my next article, I’ll focus on this other half of the equation:  executing the strategic plan.

Eric Kurjan is the president of Six Disciplines Northwest Ohio. Six Disciplines brings “big company” process improvement to organization looking break beyond the status quo. For more information, visit www.SixDisciplines.com/Toledo or call (419) 581-2823.

Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) will visit Owens Community College at 7 p.m. March 24 as part of its seven-week, 11-state national tour.
Barbara Barkan, operations manager for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Owens, said the New York ensemble will perform various pieces it developed for the tour, mostly ballet-inspired. DTH is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
“These are some of the most brilliant and highly trained dancers in the nation — in the world — one of the oldest and most prestigious dance companies in the country,” she said. “Anyone interested in the beauty of dance and the performance shouldn’t miss this.”
Keith Saunders, director of the DTH ensemble, said the performance will run 90 minutes, and the audience will see five ballets from its neoclassical repertoire. He said the evening performance will encompass a “behind-the-scenes and educational sensibility,” and the audience will be able to ask questions during a Q-and-A session at the end.
The ensemble from DTH will be at Owens at noon March 24 for a lecture demonstration, Saunders said.
“It will be an hour-long performance on the art of the dance in which we show and explain what we do as classically trained dancers,” he said. “We talk about different elements, such as women dancing on pointe and partnering.”
The lecture demonstration is open to the community, Barkan said.
Tickets for the evening performance are $26 for adults, $24 for seniors and $20 for Owens students and employees. To purchase tickets, visit www.owens.tix.com or call 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2787.

I may not be Irish, but over the past week I sure did feel lucky to have such a great time celebrating with friends, family and thousands of New Yorkers for a few days in Buffalo, N.Y., as Mark held down the office back home.
As I traveled home, most of my thoughts were on the fun things that we did, but then I started to think about the accident we saw in Cleveland.
At the start of our long weekend vacation, we found ourselves stuck in traffic in Cleveland. At first, I was annoyed at what I thought was rush- hour traffic, until I saw it was a motorcycle versus a car.
Like many, when we see an accident, I wondered about those involved. Were they OK? Was anyone killed? I said a little prayer for them and sped away. I was concerned for everyone in the accident, but I kept coming back to the guy on the motorcycle, knowing he probably took the brunt of the accident.
It was only a little more than two years ago when my father-in-law was run over on his motorcycle while on a Sunday drive. He was broken, bruised and battered, but after about six months was able to return to work; unfortunately, he still has lasting effects from the wreck.
When there is an accident  will everyone be protected with the right insurance? And you can’t buy insurance after the fact. Think about all of the challenges the people in this accident and their families could be facing in the months ahead. Did they gamble on their insurances?
One area that we see messed up is people paying for the wrong kinds and the wrong types of insurance, or just not getting coverage all together.
Too many find out too late, after an accident or a life-changing event, that they don’t have the right insurance coverage.  People often have insurance policies that haven’t been reviewed in years. A gap here, a forgotten update there and just not having the proper information to make a smart financial decision, and life can be turned upside down in seconds.
Did the driver on the motorcycle have good coverage through work?  If the guy on the motorcycle was one of the unlucky people who lost his jobs, he may not have been able to afford or opted to pass on health benefits.
If the short-term loss of a job didn’t force him into bankruptcy, the long-term medical bills could.
If he is employed, there is the issue of losing income while recovering. My father-in-law had disability insurance, which helped him recover financially.
Worse yet, does the biker have enough life insurance?  Even with several thousands of dollars of coverage, many are still shocked at how fast the money goes. I hope he had taken the time to talk with his financial professional about buying personal coverage after running a life insurance needs analysis.
Was the driver in the car at fault?  Or was the motorcycle zipping through traffic on his first trip of the year and the one to blame. One of them could be facing a major lawsuit.  Having the correct amount of auto insurance could be vital to protecting personal assets. Opting for state minimums may be a financial disaster.
A review could result in lower cost, better coverage, the correct coverage or a combination. In the past decade, insurance has become less expensive thanks to the growth of the Internet, which has forced competition. Insurance is also less costly because of better safety features and the fact that people are living longer. Those savings could be used to build savings, for living expenses or redirected toward additional coverage.
Now that I’m home, my thoughts are still with those involved in the accident, but my focus quickly shifts to day-to-day life. The same will probably be true for you once you finish reading this column. Over the years, I have seen the devastating impact on a family without the proper insurance. If it has been more than two years since an insurance review, it’s time for a spring checkup.

For more information about today’s column and The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at noon on 1230 WCWA and every Sunday at 11 a.m. on 1370 WSPD or visit. www.retirementguysradio.com. Securities are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., Member FINRA / SIPC.  The Retirement Guys are not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group.  The office is located at 1700 Woodlands Drive, Suite D, Maumee, OH 43537.

As I sat down to write this week, I knew a few blogs I was definitely going to cover, then when I was searching to see if I had missed any additional new blogs, I came across a few twitters that just might be of interest to you as well.

I teased in the shortened print edition of this column that there is a police department that is using Twitter as a way to update citizens to important information. Unfortunately I can’t tell you that it’s here in Toledo, but is in Ohio. The Bath Police Department which is in Akron, Ohio is twittering. With the way so many people are accessing Twitter on the go, the information related to accidents, suspects, etc., is pretty neat.

The blog, The Certain Sound is more than what the description states, “Reflections on the issues facing a contemporary ministry in an urban small-membership church that is socially conscious as well as salvation conscious.” It’s a look into a very thought provoking point of view on a variety of topics by “Revvy Rev” and at times it’s also a musical memory adventure. This is one of my favorite new blogs for many reasons.

Are you a serious political junkie? Then don’t wait for the media to report to you what Congress is doing, turn to Twitter. Both the House and the Senate provide updates on Twitter. Even the Department of Homeland Security has gotten into the Twitter act.

Looking for something a bit more amusing than Congress, though at times they are hard to take serious…I recommend True Stories where of course it has to be true because the Blog Title wouldn’t lie. Though I have to admit I wonder, a recent story about dinosaurs could be just a little bit stretched, or bongs were created much earlier than I remember.

Back in the land of politics with a focus on Ohio politics is Blue Ohio Blog where Nick is sharing the news and his view on what’s happening in the world of politics. You can guess what the color blue means.

Whether you are into blogs or you prefer the short and sweetness of Twitter, more are appearing daily, especially when it comes to Twitter, will our area catch up to the twitterness as far as any of our local government or agencies? Stay tuned…

Realizing the reason she will never be a good twitterer is difficulty saying it in under 140 characters, Lisa Renee can be found on Glass City Jungle and you can reach her by email at glasscityjungle@gmail.com if there’s a new blog or hot Twitter you want her to know about.

Aries (March 21-April 19)
Captain Adventure. A reality check hits hard on Monday morning. Friends, especially women, are incredibly helpful on Tuesday. The new moon brings a slight slowdown midweek. Weekend peregrinations lead to fateful meetings and flashes of inspiration.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Twinkle toes. Stressful situations fray tempers as the week begins. After Tuesday, enlightening conversations offer good ideas, laughter and new clients. Two important people give excellent suggestions over the weekend – listen with an open mind.
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Hens and chicks. Spring’s arrival results in packed schedules, with layers of activities and obligations. Invitations lure you into unplanned fun midweek, but deadlines slam hard on Friday. Reestablish contact with a long lost friend on Saturday.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Hollow shell. Make peace with unyielding circumstances for now. Redirect your attention to critical meetings and important news flashes midweek. Abandoned notions are re-examined for viability. Discuss concerns with family members over the weekend.s.
Leo (July 23-August 22)

Instruction manual. Grim determination haunts the workplace as the week begins. Educators and information people are valuable contacts midweek. Keen concentration is necessary on Friday. Plan activities for a wonderful weekend with loved ones.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
The blue lagoon. If the chain of command at work is shaky, move carefully this week. Impromptu discussions on Tuesday reveal an insider’s viewpoint. Amazing disclosures arrive on Friday. Have a delightful (possibly romantic) weekend; keep close track of personal items.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Wonder Woman. Tough times bring out the best and worst in people, and you’re in the front row this week. Miraculous events are possible after Tuesday, as unseen portals open up marvelous possibilities. You’ll have plenty to share during weekend conversations.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Chairman of the board. You begin the week determined to tackle some unpleasant task. Your mood lifts sharply on Tuesday, as some long-awaited solutions come into view. Share progress reports with others over the weekend. Missing items turn up in funky places.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
State your preference. No more procrastinating: it’s time to do your taxes, or some other detestable job you’ve been avoiding. Once you’re started, everything goes easily and may yield unexpected rewards. A good angel brings you luck or good news as the weekend arrives.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
Glorious sunshine. You burst out of your winter cocoon now that spring is here. People are willing to make dynamic decisions after Tuesday, and a sticky problem is resolved on Friday. Refresh yourself by spending time outdoors over the weekend.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Wistful little thoughts. A panicky call hits as the week begins, but don’t get caught in the anxiety storm. This is an incredible week for friendship, love and uniting with others to accomplish goals. You discover something new about a loved one over the weekend.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Couch potato. A fanciful goal becomes possible this week, if you can arrange all the little details to make it so. Contact with people at a distance is another source of uplifting news. Music, film and art are supreme weekend attractions; shift into culture chameleon mode.

Chocolate to benefit Sylvania Area Family Services

Chocolate Affair, a fundraiser for Sylvania Area Family Services (SAFS), will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. March 29 at the Richard T. Wurzel Family Center, St. Joseph School Campus, 5411 S. Main St., Sylvania.
Guests will have the opportunity to sample chocolate donated by local restaurateurs, bakeries and candy makers, while bidding on hand-painted items for the home and garden, throwing the first pitch at a Mud Hens game, University of Toledo football tickets, an ice skating party and unique handcrafted jewelry.
Jeff Smith, 13abc anchor, will be the event’s master of ceremonies and America’s Pride will provide entertainment.
Sylvania Area Family Services, formerly known as Huntington Community Farms, is a non-profit organization and offer emergency food and personal care items, financial resource information, after school youth programs, summer camps and the Sylvania Youth Diversion program.
Tickets are $20 and may be purchased from SAFS by calling (419) 882-8415 or at the door.  All proceeds benefit SAFS. Visit the Web site www.sylvaniaareafamilyservices.org for additional information.

Mott Branch Library celebrating women with art exhibit

For one night only on March 24, the Mott Branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library will be exhibiting the work of local artist Alice Grace. Grace’s exhibit is part of the library’s month long celebration of women. The presentation will begin at 6pm. There will be a reception to follow at the Kwanzaa House located at 1849 Ottawa Drive. The Mott Branch is located at 1085 Dorr Street. For more information, call (419) 259-5230.
art faculty members Thomas Lingeman, Karen Roderick-Lingeman and Patrick Dubreuil last semester.

Film series to address history, culture of LGBT community

The University of Toledo will host a four-week film series titled “LightsOUT,” featuring movies that address the history, culture and contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the United States.
The films will screen Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Memorial Field House Room 2100 on Main Campus.
Listed by date, the films are:

• March 24: “Milk” reveals the struggles of San Francisco’s first openly gay public official, Harvey Milk, in 1977. The film is based on a true story and stars Academy Award winner Sean Penn.
• March 31: “Ke Kulana He Mahu” is a documentary about the relationship between the gay and transgendered communities among Hawaii’s indigenous people, the Kanaka Maoli. The film examines how Western colonization and modernization gave rise to the intolerance and homophobia in Hawaii.
• April 7: “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” is about the work of Bayard Rustin, an activist who has been called “the unknown hero” of the civil rights movement.
• April 14: “But I’m a Cheerleader” is a comedic film about a teenager who is sent to a gay rehabilitation camp by her strait-laced parents when they suspect she is a lesbian.

Each screening will be followed by an in-depth discussion facilitated by Tammy Kinsey, UT associate professor of film.
The free, public film series is sponsored by the UT Office of LGBT Initiatives.
For more information, contact Anthony Kapp of the Office of LGBT Initiatives at anthony.kapp@utoledo.edu.

WGTE highlights

Powder & The Glory
Monday, March 23 at 10:00 p.m. on WGTE TV
Tells a story of women’s entrepreneurship through the lens of the creation and development of the rival business empires of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein.

Frontline: Ten Trillion and Counting
Tuesday, March 24 at 9:00 p.m. on WGTE TV
Investigates the causes and possible solutions to America’s 10 trillion dollar debt.

Great Performances: King Lear
Wednesday, March 25 at 8:00 p.m. on WGTE TV
Ian McKellen gives a tour-de-force performance as Shakespeare’s tragic titular monarch.

Electronic Currents
Sunday, March 29 at 9:00 p.m. on Public Radio FM 91
This special edition of Electronic Currents features dance remixes by Stevie Nicks, Queen, Snow Patrol, J-Lo, and other top artists.

During a recent Limelight America show, I talked with retired UT Professor Perry Johnson, who is finishing a new book about winners and losers. He e-mailed me after the show:
“I’ve given many speeches, been on TV, but was never interviewed by phone. I was curious about what in the world I had said! Then I thought, “Wouldn’t it be interesting to be able to hear a recording of everything we said at the end of each day?”

• Coming attraction: Perhaps better known to millions as the “Mayflower Madam,” Sydney Biddle Barrows is a unique American success story. She started her business career as a retail executive at Abraham & Straus, at the time the jewel in the crown of Federated Department Stores. She then moved onto May Company Corporate and became the divisional merchandise manager at a nationwide buying office. Barrows is probably the most unlikely authority on sales you’ll ever meet. For all of you who are thinking, “but my business is different,” and that you couldn’t possibly learn anything from a former madam, be sure to listen to Limelight America on April 3. You’re going to hear just how much your business and the world’s oldest profession have in common.
• Our regular radio and online features include mini-biographies about American business pioneers. Here’s one worth sharing. Jim Henson started his brilliant, 34-year career in 1954 on a morning TV show in Washington, D.C., when he was still in high school. The show needed a part-time puppeteer, so Henson fashioned a hand puppet out of an old, green coat and two pingpong balls. It turned out to be the forerunner of the now famous Sesame Street characters. Henson once said, “Nobody creates a fad. It just happens. People love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig.” At the heart of his success was the warmth and consideration the Muppets showed for each other. A wonderful example for children and adults alike in the often crude and cynical age we live.
• Our current economy inspired NBC “Nightly News” to do a series on helping each other, things like people paying the toll for the car behind them. But what about those who are considerate even when there’s no crisis? In the early 70s, Michael Herbert and Larry Adelsperger started PT Services Rehabilitation with five employees and a focus on rural northern and central Ohio. They did well and opened offices in Defiance, Tiffin and other small towns where the relationship among these entrepreneurs and their growing number of employees evolved into one big family. They sold their successful venture in 1998 to a much larger company. But that’s not the end of the story. Over time the health care industry underwent major changes that began to impact how PT Services functioned on a day-to- day basis. Concerned that industry demands and evolution would limit the kind of one-on-one philosophy that was the heart of the company they founded, they bought it back and have never regretted it. Nobody forced Herbert and Adelsperger out of retirement and there wasn’t a crisis inspiring them. They just did it because it was the right thing to do. Amen.

Listen to Limelight America on Fox Sports Radio 1230 WCWA, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 5-6 pm and online at www.limelightamerica.com. E-mail Michael at mds@limelightamerica.com.