Diana Steele
Robservations on the media beat:
104.3 Jams
Diana Steele, a prominent voice-over artist and former announcer for “The Arsenio Hall Show,” is joining WBMX 104.3-FM as midday personality. Starting today, she’ll be heard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Entercom classic hip-hop and R&B station. Steele, who grew up in Elk Grove Village and graduated from the University of Illinois, previously worked for rhythmic/urban stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Until a permanent midday host is named later this year, Steele will broadcast for 104.3 Jams from her studio in the Bay Area. “We’re thrilled to welcome this legendary voice and mother of two boys and two dogs to the new 104.3 Jams,” said program director Todd Cavanah. With mornings, middays and evenings filled, the station is expected to announce an afternoon host soon.
Chicago Tribune Guild
As expected, Chicago Tribune bosses turned down a request for immediate recognition of its editorial employees’ union Wednesday, prompting the Chicago Tribune Guild to seek an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board. The unit claims “overwhelming support” — with more than 85 percent of eligible staffers signing union cards. “If the company decides to recognize our union effort before then, we are happy to withdraw our petition for an election and begin moving forward in the bargaining process,” Guild leaders said. “They still have the option to change their mind, and we encourage them to do so.”
First Division Museum at Cantigny Park
With the late Colonel Robert R. McCormick and his heirs in the news, it’s worth noting that the former Chicago Tribune editor and publisher’s estate in Wheaton has a milestone coming up. The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park will mark the centennial of the Battle of Cantigny with a daylong commemoration May 28. McCormick fought in the historic World War I battle in France and later named his vast west suburban property after it. The family-friendly event is hosted by the McCormick Foundation, which administers the museum and estate. (Here is the link for information.)
Rose Marie
“Wait For Your Laugh,” a documentary on the 90-year show-business career of Rose Marie, will premiere at 9 p.m. Tuesday on Weigel Broadcasting’s Decades Network. Directed by Jason Wise, the two-hour film traces Rose Marie’s remarkable run from child performer to television star of “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” "The brilliance and talent of Rose Marie spanned nine decades, and her story is really the story of modern show business in America, from vaudeville to radio to film and television," Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, said in a statement. "Being able to premiere this amazing film for television audiences here on the Decades Network is a pleasure. It fits in so well with our mission to relive, remember and relate to the entertainers and pop culture touch points from across the decades." Rose Marie died in December at 94.
Wednesday’s comment of the day: Lissa Druss: Shia [Kapos] has always been one of the best reporters. When we are living in a time of shrinking journalism, Shia is a survivor BECAUSE of her talent. The fact that she is running her own popular blog proves she's a force. Clearly people are still going to her with scoops. Every time you read Shia, it's NEWS — not retread.