This week’s broadcast of Peter Greenberg Worldwide comes from the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio. Originally opened in 1991, the hotel recently underwent major renovations which were completed in October 2017. The 206-room hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Cleveland and has views of the city, river, and Lake Erie. Joining us this week is author of the Crash Detectives, who joins the show to talk about airline expansions and one of the major issues with their rapid growth: staffing qualified pilots who have the required 1500 hours of flight time under their belts. Then we speak with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO & President, Greg Harris, about the museum’s origin, artifacts that have the biggest draw, and the induction process for musicians. Also joining us is Cleveland City Historian, John J. Grabowski, who details the most historic areas of the city, like the Playhouse Square, and the importance of architectural preservation. There’s all of this and more as Peter Greenberg Worldwide broadcasts from the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland in Ohio.
Click here to listen to the show streaming from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 30, 2017.
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Susan Glaser, Travel Editor of the Plain Dealer, talks about Cleveland’s major draws, which include more than just the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There is a budding cultural scene with museums, theater, and a diverse residence. She also talks about some of her favorite spots to eat in town including a Cleveland institution, Tommy’s on the Eastside.
Christine Negroni, Author of The Crash Detectives and journalist for The New York Times, discusses how airlines are pushing to get more planes and more capacity. They have a problem though, as airlines rapidly expand they are having trouble finding qualified pilots. Currently one of the largest stalls in this is the training process for commercial pilots which requires 1500 hours of flight time before they are eligible.
John J. Grabowski, Cleveland City Historian and history professor, expounds on the cultural history of the city and architecture that dates back to the early 1900s. Like many cities, it had an urban renewal in the 1950s and 1960s but when the 1970s rolled around, people began to put more effort into preservation. One example is Playhouse Square, where old vaudeville movie houses from the 1920s are located. They were going to be destroyed, but a grassroots effort started by the Cleveland Foundation and the community saved them. Now it is revitalized and is one of the largest entertainment districts in the United States.
Heather Lemonedes, Chief Curator of the Cleveland Art Museum, describes the standout pieces in the museum’s collection, including the only altarpiece Caravaggio in the United States and African American impressionist Norman Lewis’ “Alabama.”
Doug Trattner, Cookbook Author & Dining Editor at Cleveland Scene Magazine, talks about Cleveland fighting against old stereotypes in the city and rejuvenating areas that were previously run down, such as the well known “Flats” by the river. The city also has a diverse food scene including a China Town where you can get amazing soup dumplings and a nearby Amish community for your standard—and delicious—comfort food fare.
Greg Harris, CEO & President of the Cleveland Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, declares this the world’s central location to celebrate music’s rock genre. Inductions to the Hall of Fame began ten years before the founding of the museum and many attribute Mick Jagger with the creation of the awards. Currently only ten percent of the museum’s collection is on display.
Cleveland Fire Chief Angelo Calvillo is proud to share that the Cleveland Fire Department was the first to start the Save a Life program in partnership with the Red Cross of America. Through the program, the fire department will install smoke detectors in a person’s home for free. Although these battery powered smoke detectors help save thousands of lives a year, the Fire Chief says that hardwired alarms and detectors are best.
John Nahm, Chef de Cuisine of the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland’s TURN Bar + Kitchen, walks us through some of the restaurant’s top selling dishes, such as the deep fried walleye sandwich. He also lets us know the one item almost everyone wants—the tom ka soup.
By Darra Stone for PeterGreenberg.com
