Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Compiled by "Smart Mouth" columnist Amelia Robinson, Seen and Overheard is fueled by juicy tidbits, oddball tales and strange sightings.
Home > Blogs > Seen and Overheard > Archives > 2009 > August
August 2009
Chris Brown said he doesn’t remember attacking Rihanna, still loves her
In an interview set to air on CNN 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, singer Chris Brown tells Larry King that he still loves former girlfriend Rihanna.
Wonder how hard he would have popped her if he hated her?
Brown was recently sentenced to five years probation and community labor on a felony assault charge.
The 20-year-old batted the pop princess around the inside of a car in February, leaving her bleeding and bruised.
Brown tells King that the whole thing was shocking and out of character.
“I just don’t know what to think. I’m just like, wow,” Brown said. “It’s crazy to me.”
Jeez, it’s ‘crazy’ to a lot of people.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Anne Heche rips into ex
Anne Heche has advice for anyone looking to get married…. don’t do it.
“I said it the last time I was here,” The Star of HBO’s Hung told David Letterman during an appearance on his show Wednesday, Aug. 26. “Don’t get married. Forever engaged is a wonder, romantic thing to do.”
Heche called her ex-husband, Coley Laffoon, a ” lazy ass” and said he simply won’t leave her be because she’s so “fantastic.”
“I can’t even get a divorce… I divorced you, I don’t want to see you on Saturday,” she said of her ex-coaching 7-year-old soccer.” I don’t want to come to rehearsal and watch you run around in your tight shorts like trying to pretend you know how to play soccer.”
Heche broke it down when Letterman asked what Coley does for a living.
“He goes out to the mailbox and he opens up the little mailbox door and goes ’ Oh my god, I got a check from Anne! I got a check from Anne’,” Heche said. “Yay!’ ”
Heche has not exactly kept Laffoon’s, ah, short comings… to herself.
During their child custody battle, she indicated that he was a porn-addicted, chronic masturbator.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Lane Bryant to unveil ‘high-end’ collection for curvy gals
Fashion-forward curvy girls will have a new option beginning Monday, Aug. 31.
Columbus-based Lane Bryant will introduce its first high-end collection.
The icon Collection is inspired by the runways of Paris and Milan, the company says.
No area Lane Bryant will carry the line, but the it will be offered online at lanebryant.com and at Polaris Fashion Place and Easton Town Center in Columbus. Items will range from $68 to $178.
Pieces featured in the icon Collection include harem pants, a cold shoulder blouse and a long, double-placket riding jacket.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Who needs bread? KFC tests Double Down sandwich’ with bacon
KFC is crazy like a chicken.
After rocking the public with its grilled chicken meal giveaway earlier this year, The Colonel is going a, er, very fried way.
Kentucky Fried Chicken is testing the Double Down ‘sandwich’ in Providence, R.I., and Omaha, Neb., according to the Los Angeles Times.
No bread is involved in the making of the sandwich, just lots of fried.
Who needs bread when you can have fried chicken fillets, cheese, bacon and a mysterious sauce? It looks yummy and I don’t even like chicken.
Oh yeah, and it sounds low fat right. (wink)
Someone’s heart may just explode with this one.
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth.
Bill Maher calls Bill O’Reilly a ‘doody face ’ on “Tonight Show”
The intellectually stimulating exchange between HBO host Bill Maher and Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly continued last night on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.”
Maher, responding to a question about a CNN appearance in which he called America stupid, took a little jab at O’Reily.
“Bill O’Reilly called me a pinhead, which is a) not true and b) really funny coming from a doody face like him,” Maher said.
Maher said he could defend his statement that America is stupid and offered a handful of examples, including that a third of Republicans don’t think President Obama was born in Hawaii.
“You could have a video of Obama emerging from the womb with Don Ho singing in the background. Jack Lord could be filming ‘Hawaii Five-O’ behind the birth and they would not believe it,” Maher said. “I make a bargain with these people, I will show you Obama’s birth certificate if you show me Sarah Palin’s high school diploma.”
Watch the clip above.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth.
Are your wheels hot? List of the most stolen vehicles in the state
It seems Ohio car thieves love taking their kids to soccer practice.
The 2000 Dodge Caravan tops the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2009 “Hot Wheels” for vehicles most targeted by thieves in Ohio.
The 1994 Honda Accord tops the list nationwide ( see other results below.)
The bureau released the list of most stolen cars on Monday, Aug. 24.
The report is based on data reported to the National Crime Information Center.
For 2007-2008, the most commonly stolen vehicles in Ohio were:
OHIO 2008 RANKING
1. 2000 Dodge Caravan
2. 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass
3. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
4. 1994 Buick Century
5. 1997 Ford Taurus
6. 1994 Honda Accord
7. 2000 Honda Civic
8. 2000 Dodge Intrepid
9. 1994 Plymouth Voyager
10. 2002 Ford Explorer
Ohio 2007 Ranking
1. 1994 Dodge Caravan
2. 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass
3. 1994 Buick Century
4. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
5. 1997 Ford Taurus
6. 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
7. 2000 Dodge Intrepid
8. 1989 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup
9. 1998 Honda Civic
10. 1995 Plymouth Voyager
For 2007-2008, the most stolen vehicles* in the US were:
US 2008 Ranking
1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 1999 Ford Taurus
10. 2002 Ford Explorer
US 2007 Ranking
1. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1991 Honda Accord
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup
5. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup
6. 1994 Acura Integra
7. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
8. 1994 Nissan Sentra
9. 1988 Toyota Pickup
10. 2007 Toyota Corolla
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Naked New York exhibit opens, watch for subway pole dancing
I don’t like to touching subway poles with my hands.
The people featured in in one of the latest stories by CNN’s Jeanne Moos touch it with there, ah, er …
The story features all sorts of folks stripping on NYC poles (see video below of the Pole-itegirls who won $10,000 for their subway pole dancing ), but it is mainly about 22-year-old photographer Zach Hyman’s new exhibition “Decent Exposure,” which opens today, Thursday, Aug. 20.
Hyman has snapped photos of naked people posing everywhere from Chinatown to the subway.
He allows himself no more than 30 minutes to take 10 photos, according to NBC New York.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Costco pulls ‘Lil Monkey’ doll parents called racist, story makes rounds
Not every dolly is cuddly.
![IMG_4877[1].jpg](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/seen_and_overheard/upload/2009/08/costco_pulls_lil_monkey_doll_p/IMG_4877%5B1%5D.jpg)
Costco Wholesale may have pulled the controversial ‘Lil Monkey” doll from its shelves, but the story about it continues to travel through cyberspace thanks to a chain letter.
The company is still catching flak from those who say it should have known better in the first place.
A customer from Greensboro, N.C. first complained about the “Cuddle with Me” Lil Monkey doll, the subject of the email chain letter that asks recipients to call Costco to complain.
There are no Costco stores in the Dayton area, but the popular discounter has locations nearby in the Cincinnati and Columbus areas.
The offending doll is black, holding a banana and is surrounded by several brown monkeys.
There are apparently white and Hispanic versions of the “Lil Monkey” dolls well and the “Cuddle with Me” dolls come with other animals. One features pandas.
Costco and the doll’s makers have apologized, according to news reports, saying it was not their intent to offend. The dolls were only on the shelves for about a day.
“Immediately Costco and our company made the decision to pull the product off the shelves,” Mary Gustaff, CEO of the company’s designer The Brass Key, told the Seattle Times .
But seriously come on, a black baby doll and monkeys?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Donate dress Saturday and receive free ‘Disney on Ice’ ticket
— From Meredith Moss, Staff Writer
Disney wants to sprinkle fairy dust on your old party dress.
Chances are there’s a party dress that’s been sitting in your closet and chances are you’ll never wear it again.
You won’t find a better use for it than this: donate that gently-used prom or bridesmaid gown to Clothes That Work and it will allow a local high school girl to feel and look pretty when she attends her prom or homecoming.
And for doing that good deed, you’ll win a free ticket to Disney On Ice.
The exchange takes place from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Clothes That Work, 1133 Edwin Moses Blvd.,Dayton.
The special promotion is available to the first 250 people who bring in their gowns.
One ticket will be given per person, regardless of the number of gowns they donate.
Disney On Ice will be held at Hara Arena from Sept. 17 to Sept. 20. This year’s theme is “100 Years of Magic.”
Clothes That Work is a non-profit organization that provides interview appropriate clothing to referred clients.
New “couture” shop comes to Dayton
Who says you have to go to New York for high fashion?
Discount designer looks are now available in downtown Dayton.
Couture Closeout opened here last month said Brian Sharp, a store employee.
“We decided to bring a piece of New York to (Dayton),” he said.
The store at 114 N. St. Clair St. is now selling wears from French designer Louis Feraud for $60 to $200.
Next month they plan to sell Armani.
These good were in Neiman Marcus, Sax Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom,” he said. “They are all first quality.”
Couture Closeout has a location in New York and plans to open soon in Florida.
The shop is open Thursdays and Fridays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
For appointments call (800) 697-0456.
Beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Search on for Grande Illumination Tree
Is your evergreen a super model? Would Trya Banks love it the most.
The Dayton Holiday Festival is searching for the perfect tree to stand tall on Courthouse Square this holiday season.
The selected tree will be cut down, hauled to Courthouse Square and decorated with more than 50,000 lights. It will be unveiled in all of its wonder at the Grande Illumination ceremony on Friday, November 27.
The ideal tree will be 45-60 feet tall and 25 feet wide, located on your property in a side of front yard and be a Colorado Green Spruce or Blue Spruce.
Other evergreens will be considered if they are cool enough.
For more information, call the Downtown Dayton Partnership at (937) 224-1518, ext. 227 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.
Does first lady have the right to bare legs?
Who cares about finding an answer to this whole healthcare thingy. The most pressing issue of the day is “does the first lady have the right to wear shorts”
Really, that’s the question.
We’re already addressed Michelle Obama’s arms. Now we’re on to her gams.
The first lady caused earthquakes and sandstorms when she was spotted early this week in shorts during a trip to the Grand Canyon. And this isn’t the first time she’s been spotted in shorts. She’s also been seen doing the unthinkable, walking her dog in shorts.
Wearing shorts to the Grand Canyon in the summertime, does Michelle O think she’s a person or something?
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth.
Bride spends wedding night with true love, a crate of vodka
At some point, every girl would rather be married to a big crate of vodka, right?
A German bride was still wearing her wedding gown when she realized that dream in Cologne, Germany.
The 30-year-old passed out in the backseat of a BMW with a crate of vodka, according to Reuters.
When the car began to overheat in the sun, Cologne police broke out the windows of the car to rescue the drunk and unconscious bride.
“Only after being shaken several times did she eventually regain consciousness,” police said in a statement recounted by Reuters.
Her human groom was no where to be seen. This story confirms what they’ve always said about vodka - it will never leave you, not for better and not for worse.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
City seeks mural submissions for Urban Nights Wayne Avenue overpass contest
Artists are being sought to make one of Dayton’s most visible structures floral.
A group of community volunteers is seeks submissions from local artists willing to paint a series of 10 murals under the train overpass near the Fourth Street and Wayne Avenue intersection.
Winning artists will receive $125, eight gallons of paint to complete their work and a $50 supply stipend.
This project hopes to create a more attractive walkway between the Cannery and Oregon Arts District.
A garden theme has been selected because the overpass is near Garden Station and new sidewalk planters. A new small urban garden is planned near the overpass.
The theme can include flowers, fountains, gazebos as well as abstract and non-conventional interpretations of gardens, according to a Downtown Dayton Partnership press release.
The 10 spaces are about by 8’x 8’ squares.
A committee of artists and area city and business leaders will pick eight of the 10 winning designs.
The public will be invited to vote for the final two mural designs during Dayton’s Urban Nights on Sept. 11.
Submissions are due by 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4.
Email submissions to hissinglawns@yahoo.com or mailed them to: Adam Coatney 6240 Far Hills Ave. Dayton, OH 45459
Winning artists will have until Friday, Nov. 6, to finish their work. The murals will be unveiled that evening at First Friday festivities. For more information, call Kristen Wicker at 937-224-1518, ext. 228
What do you think? How would you make the overpass more attractive?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth.
ThinkTV and Time Warner at odd over plans to drop public TV channels
UPDATE 4:23 p.m.: Think TV Communications manager Sue Brinson said that a Time Warner Cable official contacted Public Media Connect shortly after this article was posted. No decision has been made about the proposal discussed below.
After getting no response from Time Warner Cable about alternatives to dropping seven local public television channels, ThinkTV is taking its message to the public.
“Because the changes are so imminent we thought it was important to inform our viewers,” said David Fogarty, president of Public Media Connect which operates ThinkTV and CET.
Fogarty said an alternative proposal to the cuts was left with a Time Warner executive July 30. The executive also took notes.
“He said he would get back to us,” Fogarty said.
Michael Pedelty, a Time Warner vice president of communications, said Fogarty’s proposal is not clear.
Under the proposal, Fogarty said everyone in the Cincinnati and Dayton markets would continue to get at the very least the three basic public channels - ThinkTV 14, CET and Think 16 on basic cable.
Digital cable would be consistent throughout the region.
Area viewers will lose significant public television programming if Time Warner Cable drops seven of the 16 public television channels it offers locally on Aug. 25, Fogarty said.
“Folks have been watching theses stations for decades,” said Fogarty said. “We want to make sure they will still be accessible to viewers.”
The video above and a brief explanation of the situation as well as contact information to Time Warner has been posted on ThinkTV’s website.
Public Media Connect manages ThinkTV16/WPTD, ThinkTV14/WPTO and CET in the Dayton and Cincinnati market.
“It is very important to us that everyone get their public television station,” Fogarty said adding that he’d like to work with Time Warner on a solution that meets all needs.
Despite Fogarty’s insistence that a study requested by Time Warner shows that neither ThinkTV nor CET have duplicated programming under rules established by cable providers, Pedelty said the public channels will be removed to reduce programming duplications.
“We are very comfortable with the robust PBS offering we will have after the 25,” Pedelty said.
Time Warner drew heat last late month in both cities after the public learned of cut to public television service.
Read more about the cuts in Dayton here.
Read more about the cuts to Cincinnati here.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Man sentenced to 30 years after admitting to kiddy porn during job interview
This is why they tell you not to open up too much at job interviews.
A 21-year-old Deatsville, Ala. man who told police during a job interview that he had a collection of kiddy porn was sentenced Monday, Aug. 10, to 30 years behind bars.
Max D. Hinton also told his would-be employers that he had sex with an underage girl, The Birmingham News
He was convicted of sodomy, second-degree rape, producing and possessing child pornography and enticing a child for immoral purposes.
The girl testified that she had sex with Hinton when she was 15 and he was 17, the News article said. Children under age 16 can consent to sex in Alabama.
Hinton’s child porn collection include photos of girls as young as age 6.
What do you think? Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
We very comfortable with the rubust PBS offering we will have after the 25
customers will have vastablity of PBS offe
I am not clear what he wants us to respond to
Local hotel offers way to get away from the kids, stress
The Double Tree Hotel is offer a way to get away from it all - the kids, the house, the stress - etc.
The hotel, 11 S. Ludlow St., Dayton , has a “Daycation” deal through Sunday, Aug. 16.
For $89, you receive a a room, parking for one vehicle, one large 1-topping pizza, pop, one movie-sized box of candy, one bag of popcorn, one in-room movie rental of up to $15, and breakfast coupons for four people.
You can bring the kids and the stress with you if you want.
Click here for more information.
What do you think? What do you want to get away from?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth.
Order pizza and help the Humane Society
Ordering a pizza from a Dayton area Papa John’s restaurants today, Aug. 11, and you will help the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
Papa John’s will donate $1 to the agency for every order placed in the Dayton area today, according to a Tweet by the Human Society of Greater Dayton.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Drag troupe to support charity with 2010 calendars
From Laura Houser, Staff Writer
In 2010 it will be possible to see one the nation’s premiere drag troupes everyday.
Dayton’s Rubi Girls are selling a 2010 wall calendar, “The Many Faces of the Rubi Girls” to support AIDS Resource Center Ohio.
The agency provides services for those infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS.
The Rubi Girls have been raising money for those living with HIV since the mid-1980s, and have been working on the calendar since March.
A local business sponsors each month, allowing the Girls to put 100 percent of their profits toward charity, Rubi Girls member Jonathan McNeal said.
The calendars are available at Square One Salons in downtowns Dayton and Centerville, The Neon in downtown Dayton, and at AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s Web site.
The calendars are $20 each.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Store selling national shopping channel clothing at deep discount
Clothing like those found on a popular national shopping network is being sold at a new Tipp City boutique for 40 to 50 percent of retail.
Steven Burger of Tipp City launched Designer’s Fashion Outlet, 259 North Forth St., last week with a soft opening. The grand opening was Monday, Aug. 10.
The 43-year-old said sizes in his store range from extra small to XXX.
Articles range from swimsuits to coats. He said he purchases the items from a national shopping channel he is not allowed to mention.
Brands include Bob Mackie, Dennis Basso, Victor Costa and Pamela Dennis.
Burger has sold merchandise online for sometime now.
“I just wanted to have a small retail shop to interact with the customers and get some of the local business,” he said.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Is your debt making you fat? Study says yes
Over using your credit cards may be linked to loosening your waistbands.
A recent German study published in the journal BMC Public Health says that the recent credit crunch is making people even fatter.
“Over-indebtedness was associated with an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity that was not explained by traditional definitions of socioeconomic status. Over-indebtedness should be additionally considered when assessing health effects of socioeconomic status,” the study says.
It should come to no surprise that one theory is that hard times force people to change their eating habits.
Do you want extra cheese with that?
Is weight loss book motivator or meany
From Jordan Pridemore, Staff Writer
If you’ve got pounds to shed and you include yourself in the same group as the millions of American’s who have tried every diet trick, weight loss gimmick and celebrity get fit-quick scheme, then Steve Siebold’s controversial new book could be the answer to your prayers.
He’s not a fitness expert or dietitian and he won’t help boost your self-esteem or get to the emotional root of your over-eating issues.
He’s a mental toughness coach who will teach you to take responsibility for yourself and your weight.
He separates the fat people way of thinking with the fit people ways of thinking. His statements may seem offensive but according to his online site, they’re meant to be the “2,000 volt cattle prod to your consciousness” that spurs you to action.
Here’s just a few examples of um… revolutions from “Die Fat or Get Tough: 101 Differences in Thinking Between Fat People and Fit People” (London House Press, $25).
Fat people see themselves as failures. Fat people are mentally unorganized. Fat people quit easily. Fat people see themselves as victims. Fat people lack hope.
The statements are meant to motivate overweight people, but are they simply mean? What do you think? Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Here comes the sun
The sun may rise yet at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
The museum has received a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to begin a reconstruction Sun Room in the Hall of the Universe. The exhibit had been closed.
“In this space, we will create hands-on experiences that allow us to demonstrate some truly complex concepts in a straightforward way,” said Cheri Adams, Director of Astronomy at the Boonshoft Museum.
The Sun Room will include a sun sphere, that uses internal projectors to demonstrate rotations, magnetic fields and sun spots. It also will include a heliostat, cloud chamber and star cube. We can only give you a sneak peek. You’ll have to visit to learn more.
The grant requires that the funds are used between Sept. 1, 2009 and Aug. 31, 2010. A late fall 2010 opening is tentatively scheduled.
— Kim Margolis
See Wright Brothers awards for yourselves
If anyone won a lot of awards, it was the Wright Brothers.
The Wright Brothers were honored with a lot of medals during their careers and now you can have a chance to view them.
Wilbur and Orville’s Congressional Medals of Honor, State of Ohio and City of Dayton medals, the French Legion of Honor, and many others will be on exhibit at Wright State Universities Libraries Special Collections and Archives at Wright State University.
This event is free and open to the public on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. There also will be photographic exhibits displayed in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library lobby.
For additional information, call (937) 775-2092 or go to libraries.wright.edu/about/events
- Kim Margolis
RadioShack wants you to drop the radio and call it “THE SHACK”
And you thought it was video that killed the radio star.
Nope, its RadioShack.
The struggling electronic chain store will start emphasizing the “Shack” part of its name when it launches a new print, television and digital media branding campaign Thursday, Aug. 6.
“This creative is not about changing our name. Rather, we’re contemporizing the way we want people to think about our brand,” Lee Applbaum, RadioShack’s chief marketing officer, said in a press release. “THE SHACK speaks to consumers in a fresh, new voice and distinctive creative look that reinforces RadioShack’s authority in innovative products, leading brands and knowledgeable, helpful associates.”
RadioShack want you to be its friend. Friends often call each other cute nicknames - Fat Tony, FedEx, Jimmy Boy or Coke for instance.
The Fort Worth, Texas- based company isn’t exactly changing its name, but in the digital world, would clearly rather be associated with a chantey than an old fashion radio.
To kick things off, THE SHACK will hold Netogether, a three-day event taking place in New York City’s Times Square and San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza August 6 to 8.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
Time Warner to drop seven PBS channels locally, realign digital TV
Local cable customers will have to retrain their remote control fingers in a matter of weeks.
Time Warner Cable will drop seven of the 16 public television channels it offers locally on Aug. 25 and unveil a major realignment of it digital cable line, said Michael Pedelty, a vice president of communications.
Local public television stations are concerned about the changes.
David Fogarty, President of Public Media Connect, said he has been in meetings with Time Warner concern the impact on ThinkTV16/WPTD, ThinkTV14/WPTO and CET.
“There will be significant impact on our stations,” he said declining further comment.
While most of the public television changes will affect digital customers - about half of Time Warner’s customer base -, basic cable and those who watch high definition channel will also experience cuts.
WOSU, which is airs in Troy, Piqua, St. Paris, Tipp City, West Milton, Covington, Sidney, Anna, Rosewood, Urbana, will be cut from the basic cable line up and WCET from the high definition line up.
The company will add The Big Ten Network HD, Starz HD and Cinemax HD will be added.
WCET Create, WPTO Digital, WPTO Prime, WPTO Learn and WPTO World will be dropped from the company’s digital cable while Daystar, Word, Inspiration Network, TBN and Sundance will be added.
When all is said and done, nine public television stations, three on basic cable, two for HD users and four for digital cable subscribers will remain.
The three basic public channels will be WPTO, WCET and WPTD. Basic cable cost about $59.
Pedelty said the stations will be removed to reduce programming duplications and to streamline service.
A simular reduction was announced in the Cincinnati market last week.
“We still have an abundance of PBS options,” he said.
In the Miami Valley, Pedelty said the realignment means, some digital cable channels will change location.
Channels will be lumped together based on themes such as “Kids and Family,” “Learning and Discovery,” “Shopping,” “Movies” and “News and Weather.”
“We are trying to make it easy on customers,” Pedelty said. “It is definitely in the customer’s benefit in the long term.”
for instance, QVC, HSN and Shop NBC are grouped together under the catogory “Shopping.” Their channel designations are in sequence, channel 175, 176 and 177.
Pedelty said that several stations will be added to special packages, including Telmundo to the Spanish language packet, Nuestra Tele.
Customers in Warren County, which is in the Cincinnati cable market, will lose Dayton based CW affiliate WBDT and be shift to received Cincinnati’s WKRC.
What do you think?
Seen & Overheard runs daily in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
