RECIEVED THIS TODAY FROM OUR LISTENER PAUL.  It's too good. Here's the link: http://www.rockinghammemories.net/chevybillboards.html. Enjoy and have a great weekend! Jim

WELL WHO'D A THUNK IT!  JIM Tressel coming back to the Univerasity of Akron.  It became official earlier today at a press conference at the 'U'.  He will not be involved with the football team but will instead be a vice president of something.  John will have the full story on our newscasts throughout the day today as well as tomorrow on the 'Morning Show'.

IF YOU ARE ONE WHO TAKES advantage of our Quinn and Rose podcasts at 640whlo.com, I must tell you we are having all kinds of problems with our website and related sites.  Some listeners have been missing our listen on line feature, and that's just another part of the problem.  You'll find the Q&R podcasts on the site, but you won't get the whole hour.  Our wiz-bangs in the IT department are working on these issues and hopefully we'll get everything up and running again in short order.  In other words, the problems you may be encountering are NOT a problem with your computer.  The fault is ours!

THE GROUNDHOG SAY'S WINTER IS OVER.  Would someone tell me when winter STARTED.  Talk to you in the morning on 640 WHLO.  Jim

ON FEBRUARY 9 - 11, OUR SISTER STATION 98.1 WKDD will host the annual 'Have A Heart, Do Your Part' radiothon for Akron Childrens Hospital.  Hosts Keith Kennedy and Jen Ryan will once again broadcast live from the event.  Keith wanted me to let 640 WHLO listeners know that they can become 'change bandits'.  These are volunteers who go all over town collecting change ($$$) for the hospital.  If you would like to volunteer, go to www.akronchildrens.org/changebandits.  So do your part and have a heart.  By the way, this radiothon was started by 640 WHLO back in the 70's.  Over the years the event has raised millions of dollars for the kids!

ANOTHER SIGN THAT THE ECONOMY MAY BE improving...WALL STREET.  January of 2012 was the best start to a year on the market since 1997.  The pros say this isn't fantastic news, but it IS a step in the right direction with things slowly 'Grinding Along'.  Hey, any port in a storm.

IF YOU ARE A BUCKEYE FAN AND HAD HOPES that a miracle would occur, such as Jim Tressel returning as head football coach,  forget it...he just sold his 1.4 million dollar house in Upper Arlington.  The Columbus Dispatch doesn't say where Tressel is going.  This story reminds me of Massillon, where people unhappy with the Washington High football coach would put 'For Sale' signs in his front yard.  Ahhh the good ole days!

THE WARMER WINTER WEATHER looks to be with us through the weekend.  Not as nice as yesterday, but still warmer than normal...and NO snow.  High's in the 40's through Sunday.

I'LL TALK TO YOU IN THE MORNING on 640 WHLO.  Jim 

WHILE I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE it's been a rough time for the Akron Canton economy the last 4 years, there has been an amazing amount of GOOD news lately.  Diebold announced they were building a new headquarters in Green, Allstate announces a $20 million investment of their operation in Hudson, the Bridgestone research center is about to open in Firestone Park, new Goodyear HQ going up in east Akron, the locally owned Acme stores are expanding and renovating existing stores, Rubbermaid announced an expansion of their operations on Gilchrist Road.  Are you getting my drift.  All indications are that the local economy is improving.  Let's hope so!

IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE LISTENING TO MY101.7 FM some weeknight, you may hear a familiar voice.  That's me!  Yes I'm moonlighting as a DJ.  First time I've done that since 1979.  Tune in sometime and hear all your favorite songs from yesterday and today.

TODAY IS THE MUCH ANTICIPATED FLORIDA primary.  All indications are a big win for Mitt Romney.  Now as I said on the air this morning, polls don't win elections...votes do.  Tune in tomorrow morning and we'll break it all down for you.

ENJOY THE APRIL WEATHER AND you DO have my permission to leave work early today.  JIM 

ANYTIME YOU THINK THAT THIS COUNTRY is going down the tubes, think about this story.  A man in Afghanistan has been charged with killing his wife.  Why?  Well that's easy, she gave birth to his third daughter, and he wanted a son.  Police have arrested the man's mother, but the killer has not been caught because he's a member of a militia and they're protecting him.  Now if I remember my high school science, isn't it the male who largely determines the sex of the child?  Regardless, why in the hell are we waisting resources and soldiers lives in a country that hasn't advanced past the 10th century...and doesn't want to!

HERE'S A PIECE YOU MIGHT FIND interesting...Alejandrina Cabrera WAS a candidate for city council in Yuma, Arizona.  The reason I say WAS is because she was thrown out of the race by a judge who said she didn't have the ability to speak english proficently enough to serve on the council.  The law in Arizona says you must be able to speak english in order to serve.  The woman says she must work on her english but still believes she should not be banned from running.  Her attorney is working on an appeal.

LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE IN THE 50's tomorrow afternoon, but only the 30's today.  No rain or snow however, so let's enjoy the March weather as we end Jaunary.  I'll talk to you in the morning on 640 WHLO. 

A WILD STORY OUT OF CUYAHOGA FALLS today.  Falls city workers were called to the intersection of Highpoint Road and Marian Lake Blvd.  The problem?  Flooding!  The workers thought the problem was leaves and other junk blocking a storm sewer.  Imagine their surprise when they encountered a snapping turtle the size of an automobile tire.  The turtle was causing the flooding so the men captured the beast and set it free in Waterworks Park.  It then wandered into the Cuyahoga River.  Nobody seems to know how the snapper wound up in the sewer.

OHIO TREASURER JOSH MANDELL WAS invited to address the Akron Press Club back in December, but he declined to accept the opportunity.  His people said that he was too busy.  Imagine that, a man running for the United States Senate turning down an invite to drum up support for his candidacy.  Well he was apparently able to free up some time and will appear at the press club on March 1...five days before Ohio's primary.  The general public is invited.  The luncheon program starts at 11:45am and admission for non club members is $20.  If you would like to attend call 330-564-4211.

I KNOW A LOT OF 640 WHLO LISTENERS were big fans of Margaret Thatcher.  With no REAL football this weekend, you might want to catch the flick 'Iron Lady' starring Meryl Streep.  The movie has been nominated for Academy Awards, and is now playing in the Akron Canton area.  This story depicting the life of Thatcher is getting rave reviews from film critics all over the world.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND JOIN ME on Monday morning at 6am for 'The Morning Show' on 640 WHLO.  Jim

AS I MENTIONED ON TODAY'S 'Morning Show', very big doings this Saturday in Akron.  I have mentioned in the past "The Valor Home" a new  place for American vets who are down on their luck, ie homeless etc.  The house is located at 617 Carroll Street in Akron.  This is a most worthy cause, and your help is needed.  If you're good with a hammer and nails, show up at 10am and help other volunteers rehab the place and make it ready for the guys who have done so much for our country.  If you're NOT good at construction, you can help another way.  The home needs EVERYTHING from lamps and rugs to measuring cups and wall clocks.  You get the idea, if you have it at your home, the vets who will live there will need it in their place.  I mean tooth brushes, cleanser, coffee, fly swatters and on and on.  Simply show up anytime after 10am and someone will be there to accept your donation.  I learned over the holidays that WHLO listeners are the most giving people on earth.  Don't let the vets down.  That's 'Valor Home', 617 Carroll Street in Akron.  Everything gets underway at 10am.  Thanks in advance!

DID YOU HEAR WHAT Tony Grossi tweeted about Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner?  "Lerner is a pathetic figure, the most irrelevant billionaire in the world".  What's wild about this story?  The tweet was suppose to go to one individual.  However Grossi sent it to EVERYBODY.  Lerner isn't happy and Grossi has been pulled from the Browns beat by 'The Plain Dealer'.  Lerner must be pretty thin skinned!

TALK TO YOU IN THE MORNING on 640 WHLO.  Jim

WHY IS IT THAT SOME PEOPLE MUST RUIN a good thing?  The city of Kent was providing FREE rock salt to residents for their icy walks and driveways.  Folks were invited to take a bucket of the salt to use at their property.  HOWEVER, according to Kent officials, private contractors were driving away with truckloads of the stuff.  When residents would drop by the bin was always empty.  Officials said that residents were frustrated and it became a full time job for the city to keep it going.  Like most cities, Kent couldn't afford to monitor the process 24/7 because of budget cuts.  The result...no more rock salt for ANYBODY.  So much for the honor system!

THOSE UNITED STATES NAVY SEALS HAVE done it again!  The same force responsible for offing Osama Bin Laden has saved the life of an American and another man being held hostage by pirates.  The nighttime raid into Somalia required two helicopters and lots of shooting.  While all the details are not yet available, we hear the mission was a success.  The two men had been held by the pirates since October. 

SOME GUYS JUST DON'T GET IT.  Adam Ashe was serving time in an Oregon prison on an arson charge.  He was released yesterday morning and given a bus ticket back to his hometown.  Police report that upon his arrival in Eugene around 10am, he went straight to a local bank and robbed it.  A police officer happened to be sitting in his patrol car right in front of the bank at the time.  By 10;03am, Ashe was back in police custody on bank robbery charges.  What a guy.

SHOULD KIDS COME WITH A RETURN POLICY?  A Tennessee woman adopted a young boy from Russia and decided he was defective.  Soooo she sent him back...on a plane...alone...with a note telling authorities in Moscow that she didn't want him anymore.  I'm NOT kidding.  The woman, Torry Hansen, was never charged with a crime, but the adoption agency that arranged the adoption has filed a lawsuit against Hansen seeking child support.  Hopefully she can't produce any kids of her own.

WE HAVE AN IFFY WEATHER FORECAST FOR Thursday morning.  Right now the weather service is predicting freezing rain overnight and into tomorrow morning.  Join me at 6am for all the latest weather and traffic info.  If you don't hear from me in the AM, I'm probably in a ditch somewhere.  Talk to you in the morning.  Jim  

HAD A GREAT AFTERNOON IN CLEVELAND yesterday.  Payed a visit to the West Side Market and spent way too much money...but it was worth it!  Fresh produce, baked goods, every type of meat known to man (including a skinned rabbit...ouch).  If you're into fresh and ethnic foods, or just wandering around looking for something that strikes your fancy, it's on West 25th street in Ohio City.  Oh, free parking too!  Then it was off to the new Greater Cleveland Aquarium.  Located in the old power house on the west bank of the flats, this is something kids of all ages will love.  An amazing number of youngsters there yesterday (I thought Monday was a school day) and they were having a ball, especially when they got to the shark tank.  Many displays throughout the place with a great atmosphere.  The staff was very friendly and helpful.  All in all it was a great visit although the admission price was a little steep ($22 for adults, $5 less for the kids) and they charge you $3 for parking.  You could also buy a yearly pass that would be more economical if you plan on going back. 

THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT IS GETTING somewhat heated between Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.  The two are going for broke.  However I wonder how much damage they will do to each other before we finally have a winner.  One thing that will happen (trust me on this), the Republicans will bury the hatchet and pull together in the end...they always do!  Politics IS a strange game, one day there killing each other and the next, buddies forever.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND JOIN ME for the 'Morning Show', 6am to 9am Wednesday on 640 WHLO.

CAN'T SAY I WAS SURPRISED AT THE outcome of the South Carolina primary on Saturday (if you check this blog on Friday, you'll see I predicted a Gingrich victory).  However, I must admit to thinking it would be closer than the final tally.  In case you missed the results from the weekend, Newt Gingrich won with 40% of the vote.  Mitt Romney took second with 28%, Rick Santorum had 17% and Ron Paul scored 13%.  On today's 'Morning Show' we asked listeners to vote for their favorite candidate, and Newt won easy.  Our listeners seem to like his spunk are also anticipating a Newt Gingrich / Barack Obama debate.  That WOULD be entertaining...Newt is very bombastic and the president more reserved.  Two radically different styles.  Will we ever see that confrontation?  Only time will tell.  My thought is if Newt wins Florida the way he won South Carolina, look out Mitt Romney, that's the Gingrich express coming right at ya!

AFTER WE TALLIED ALL THE VOTES from this morning, here is the final tally....

Newt Gingrich         54%

Rick Santorum       32%

Ron Paul               12%

Mitt Romney            2%

One final comment on the results of this unscientific poll, who the heck wants Mitt Romney.  We've taken a number of these polls over the last year, and among our listeners, no matter who was in the race, Romney has never finished at or even near the top.  As you can see from the latest results, Mitt Romney is bad news as far as our listeners are concerned.  This could change of course, but if Romney is still in the race on March 6, he had better not need Ohio.

ENJOY THE WARMTH AND THE SUNSHINE today, because we have a cold front coming in tonight, and you WILL notice the difference in temperatures by Tuesday.  Talk to you in the morning on 640 WHLO.  Jim