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Read all posts by Richard Schlesinger in Couric & Co.
June 7, 2007 5:39 PM
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June 7, 2007 12:17 PM 
Correspondent Richard Schlesinger contributes to 48 Hours and the CBS Evening News. He is based in New York.
I am an unashamed animal lover, so I have a sort of love/hate feeling about the horse racing industry.
I think the animals are magnificent but I’ve always had trouble with the business side of the racing world. Bad things happen to horses who don’t measure up or can’t perform any more. So I was eager to talk to Michael Blowen who runs Old Friends, the retirement home for race horses to see how he squares his love of the animals with the reality of the business. Turns out he’s troubled about it too -- and that’s what motivates him to rescue as many horses as he can. You can see how he's doing it tonight on the Evening News.
It is important to remember that there are some responsible owners who do provide for their horses after the animals’ productive years have passed. But Blowen believes there aren’t enough.
His facility is amazing. He has about 20 horses there, many of them you might remember from their glory days. Blowen has this marvelous relationship with them. He knows each one, knows their personalities, and is eager to meet their needs. He uses words like dignity and respect when he talks about what he wants to give these horses.
I left there grateful for the opportunity to meet him (AND the horses!)
Giddyup! A Retirement Home For Race Horses
(CBS/John Filo)
I am an unashamed animal lover, so I have a sort of love/hate feeling about the horse racing industry.
I think the animals are magnificent but I’ve always had trouble with the business side of the racing world. Bad things happen to horses who don’t measure up or can’t perform any more. So I was eager to talk to Michael Blowen who runs Old Friends, the retirement home for race horses to see how he squares his love of the animals with the reality of the business. Turns out he’s troubled about it too -- and that’s what motivates him to rescue as many horses as he can. You can see how he's doing it tonight on the Evening News.
It is important to remember that there are some responsible owners who do provide for their horses after the animals’ productive years have passed. But Blowen believes there aren’t enough.
His facility is amazing. He has about 20 horses there, many of them you might remember from their glory days. Blowen has this marvelous relationship with them. He knows each one, knows their personalities, and is eager to meet their needs. He uses words like dignity and respect when he talks about what he wants to give these horses.
I left there grateful for the opportunity to meet him (AND the horses!)
February 12, 2007 3:15 PM 
I’m not really much of a napper. I’d love to be able to do it but, knowing my luck, just as I lay down on my couch, the boss would show up. So I was delighted when I heard that there is now scientific evidence that napping is good for you and even MORE delighted when I saw some studies that show it increases productivity.
It’s amazing for Americans to see people snoozing in the office but it’s happening more than you might think. I’ve been to two advertising agencies where they owners encourage the employees to nap and one metal products company. All the bosses say they can tell the difference in the workers who nap and the ones who don’t.
Of course history proves that napping can help you get through the day. You’d be surprised at all the world leaders (think Winston Churchill and the like) who napped regularly. That wouldn’t impress too many bosses so if you want to convince YOUR boss that napping is good for business, have him or her watch tonight's CBS Evening News and see all the forward thinking, cutting edge companies that think one key to success is sleeping on the job.
Zzzzzzzz
(CBS)
It’s amazing for Americans to see people snoozing in the office but it’s happening more than you might think. I’ve been to two advertising agencies where they owners encourage the employees to nap and one metal products company. All the bosses say they can tell the difference in the workers who nap and the ones who don’t.
Of course history proves that napping can help you get through the day. You’d be surprised at all the world leaders (think Winston Churchill and the like) who napped regularly. That wouldn’t impress too many bosses so if you want to convince YOUR boss that napping is good for business, have him or her watch tonight's CBS Evening News and see all the forward thinking, cutting edge companies that think one key to success is sleeping on the job.
February 8, 2007 2:19 PM 
I have to confess, over the years I have developed an odd fascination with Muzak. In earlier years when it really was “elevator music” I wondered…who writes this stuff? Who plays this stuff? Are they real musicians? Actually, back in the 70’s…before Muzak was even owned by the company that owns it now I tried to do a story on it built around a taping session. I wanted to see a conductor stand before an orchestra, wave his or her conductor’s wand and have the musicians play…Muzak. The folks who ran the company at the time wouldn’t hear of it (so to speak) and instead let me interview a very stern lady who had very strong opinions about how music can be programmed to stimulate productivity or calm people down. It was my introduction into the world of Muzak!
Well…many years later, upon my return to the New Muzak, I hardly recognized the place. It looks like a real music company…complete with the kind of grungy/groovy (allow me the use of archaic terms for the sake of alliteration) guys and gals (there it is again) who look nothing like their predecessors in the Muzak biz. Today Muzak is real music. It’s still piped in to almost everyplace you go, but it’s recognizable, with a rhythm and a melody and even lyrics normal people might want to listen to. And it’s paying off. Business is good. They’ll put their system in anywhere you want…except in one place. Guess where that is!
Sorry…you gotta watch to find out.
The Sound Of Muzak
(AP)
Well…many years later, upon my return to the New Muzak, I hardly recognized the place. It looks like a real music company…complete with the kind of grungy/groovy (allow me the use of archaic terms for the sake of alliteration) guys and gals (there it is again) who look nothing like their predecessors in the Muzak biz. Today Muzak is real music. It’s still piped in to almost everyplace you go, but it’s recognizable, with a rhythm and a melody and even lyrics normal people might want to listen to. And it’s paying off. Business is good. They’ll put their system in anywhere you want…except in one place. Guess where that is!
Sorry…you gotta watch to find out.
October 5, 2006 1:23 PM
Lava Among the Ruins
Monday, Richard Schlesinger filed a piece for us on the amazing story of a dog named Lava. The story was supposed to air on Monday's Evening News, but the tragedy in Amish country changed all that. Now, it's once again back in the lineup. For those who missed it, here's Richard's entry again. - Ed.
On tonight’s Evening News you’ll meet Lava, a 2-year-old mutt who was rescued from Fallujah by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman of The United States Marines. He met Lava as a puppy while they were both in the middle of house-to-house fighting. Kopelman started a secret mission to rescue Lava that took 5 months but finally succeeded -- and he has written a book about it. (Kopelman, not Lava!)
Getting to know Lava (the rescued dog) takes a little determination if you meet him at his house. He is very territorial. There is no such thing as sneaking up on the Kopelman house in California. Lava barks loudly and does a not-very-convincing snarl when a stranger approaches. My producer and I had to go out a day early to meet Lava, so we wouldn’t be complete strangers when we came to shoot the story. It was time well-spent. Lava did “greet us” the next day for about 10 minutes when we came back with the camera crew but, I swear, he knew when the red light came on. It’s like this dog poses for the camera. When you see the pictures,you’ll see what I mean. He prances up the street with his “Dad”…and it feels like he’s smiling.
We found out though, that when you’re on Lava’s turf you need to be on your best behavior. My producer, Andy Wolff, and I are both ardent dog lovers. We were both competing to be Lava’s new best friend. I thought I suffered a set back when Lava went to Andy first. I was rewarded, though, when he came and sat by me and let me rub his ears. I won the competition hands down, though when, when as were leaving, Lava took a little nip at the back of Andy’s knee.
Not a bite…just a nip…but I know who Lava prefers!
(CBS/John Filo)
Getting to know Lava (the rescued dog) takes a little determination if you meet him at his house. He is very territorial. There is no such thing as sneaking up on the Kopelman house in California. Lava barks loudly and does a not-very-convincing snarl when a stranger approaches. My producer and I had to go out a day early to meet Lava, so we wouldn’t be complete strangers when we came to shoot the story. It was time well-spent. Lava did “greet us” the next day for about 10 minutes when we came back with the camera crew but, I swear, he knew when the red light came on. It’s like this dog poses for the camera. When you see the pictures,you’ll see what I mean. He prances up the street with his “Dad”…and it feels like he’s smiling.
We found out though, that when you’re on Lava’s turf you need to be on your best behavior. My producer, Andy Wolff, and I are both ardent dog lovers. We were both competing to be Lava’s new best friend. I thought I suffered a set back when Lava went to Andy first. I was rewarded, though, when he came and sat by me and let me rub his ears. I won the competition hands down, though when, when as were leaving, Lava took a little nip at the back of Andy’s knee.
Not a bite…just a nip…but I know who Lava prefers!
October 2, 2006 1:41 PM On tonight’s Evening News you’ll meet Lava, a 2-year-old mutt who was rescued from Fallujah by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman of The United States Marines. He met Lava as a puppy while they were both in the middle of house-to-house fighting. Kopelman started a secret mission to rescue Lava that took 5 months but finally succeeded -- and he has written a book about it. (Kopelman, not Lava!)
Getting to know Lava (the rescued dog) takes a little determination if you meet him at his house. He is very territorial. There is no such thing as sneaking up on the Kopelman house in California. Lava barks loudly and does a not-very-convincing snarl when a stranger approaches. My producer and I had to go out a day early to meet Lava, so we wouldn’t be complete strangers when we came to shoot the story. It was time well-spent. Lava did “greet us” the next day for about 10 minutes when we came back with the camera crew but, I swear, he knew when the red light came on. It’s like this dog poses for the camera. When you see the pictures,you’ll see what I mean. He prances up the street with his “Dad”…and it feels like he’s smiling.
We found out though, that when you’re on Lava’s turf you need to be on your best behavior. My producer, Andy Wolff, and I are both ardent dog lovers. We were both competing to be Lava’s new best friend. I thought I suffered a set back when Lava went to Andy first. I was rewarded, though, when he came and sat by me and let me rub his ears. I won the competition hands down, though when, when as were leaving, Lava took a little nip at the back of Andy’s knee.
Not a bite…just a nip…but I know who Lava prefers!
Shining A Lamp on Lava
(CBS/John Filo)
Getting to know Lava (the rescued dog) takes a little determination if you meet him at his house. He is very territorial. There is no such thing as sneaking up on the Kopelman house in California. Lava barks loudly and does a not-very-convincing snarl when a stranger approaches. My producer and I had to go out a day early to meet Lava, so we wouldn’t be complete strangers when we came to shoot the story. It was time well-spent. Lava did “greet us” the next day for about 10 minutes when we came back with the camera crew but, I swear, he knew when the red light came on. It’s like this dog poses for the camera. When you see the pictures,you’ll see what I mean. He prances up the street with his “Dad”…and it feels like he’s smiling.
We found out though, that when you’re on Lava’s turf you need to be on your best behavior. My producer, Andy Wolff, and I are both ardent dog lovers. We were both competing to be Lava’s new best friend. I thought I suffered a set back when Lava went to Andy first. I was rewarded, though, when he came and sat by me and let me rub his ears. I won the competition hands down, though when, when as were leaving, Lava took a little nip at the back of Andy’s knee.
Not a bite…just a nip…but I know who Lava prefers!
September 20, 2006 4:46 PM
Sit. Read. Stay.
Our good friend and faithful web-izen Richard Schlesinger is filing a report for tonight's Evening News on dogs in the workplace. We hounded him, and he agreed to file the following. Thankfully, he didn't make us sit up and beg. - Ed.
One of the titles I wear most proudly is Chief CBS NEWS dog lover. My office is a destination for colleagues who stop by to tell me their dog stories or admire my museum quality collection of photos of my dog Sally.
So I was delighted to get to this company in North Carolina where the employees are encouraged to bring their dogs. Turns out..it's good for business. Any dog lover knows he or she is happier when they are allowed to be with their hound. That happiness, in many cases means higher productivity! So I argue dogs are good for business. I say this with some risk. CBS frowns on people bringing dogs in. Who knows, maybe the powers-that-be will change their minds when they see how much more productive we would all be. Besides if you knew Sally like I know Sally (Oh, oh, oh what a girl!) You'd want her in your office too.
(CBS/John Filo)
So I was delighted to get to this company in North Carolina where the employees are encouraged to bring their dogs. Turns out..it's good for business. Any dog lover knows he or she is happier when they are allowed to be with their hound. That happiness, in many cases means higher productivity! So I argue dogs are good for business. I say this with some risk. CBS frowns on people bringing dogs in. Who knows, maybe the powers-that-be will change their minds when they see how much more productive we would all be. Besides if you knew Sally like I know Sally (Oh, oh, oh what a girl!) You'd want her in your office too.
September 20, 2006 4:45 PM
Sit. Stay. Read.
Our good friend and faithful web-izen Richard Schlesinger is filing a report for tonight's Evening News on dogs in the workplace. We hounded him, and he agreed to file the following. Thankfully, he didn't make us sit up and beg. - Ed.
One of the titles I wear most proudly is Chief CBS NEWS dog lover. My office is a destination for colleagues who stop by to tell me their dog stories or admire my museum quality collection of photos of my dog Sally.
So I was delighted to get to this company in North Carolina where the employees are encouraged to bring their dogs. Turns out..it's good for business. Any dog lover knows he or she is happier when they are allowed to be with their hound. That happiness, in many cases means higher productivity! So I argue dogs are good for business. I say this with some risk. CBS frowns on people bringing dogs in. Who knows, maybe the powers-that-be will change their minds when they see how much more productive we would all be. Besides if you knew Sally like I know Sally (Oh, oh, oh what a girl!) You'd want her in your office too.
One of the titles I wear most proudly is Chief CBS NEWS dog lover. My office is a destination for colleagues who stop by to tell me their dog stories or admire my museum quality collection of photos of my dog Sally.
So I was delighted to get to this company in North Carolina where the employees are encouraged to bring their dogs. Turns out..it's good for business. Any dog lover knows he or she is happier when they are allowed to be with their hound. That happiness, in many cases means higher productivity! So I argue dogs are good for business. I say this with some risk. CBS frowns on people bringing dogs in. Who knows, maybe the powers-that-be will change their minds when they see how much more productive we would all be. Besides if you knew Sally like I know Sally (Oh, oh, oh what a girl!) You'd want her in your office too.
September 20, 2006 4:32 PM
Sit. Read. Stay.
Our good friend and faithful web-izen Richard Schlesinger is filing a report for tonight's Evening News on dogs in the workplace. We hounded him, and he agreed to file the following. Thankfully, he didn't make us sit up and beg. - Ed.
One of the titles I wear most proudly is Chief CBS NEWS dog lover. My office is a destination for colleagues who stop by to tell me their dog stories or admire my museum quality collection of photos of my dog Sally.
So I was delighted to get to this company in North Carolina where the employees are encouraged to bring their dogs. Turns out..it's good for business. Any dog lover knows he or she is happier when they are allowed to be with their hound. That happiness, in many cases means higher productivity! So I argue dogs are good for business. I say this with some risk. CBS frowns on people bringing dogs in. Who knows, maybe the powers-that-be will change their minds when they see how much more productive we would all be. Besides if you knew Sally like I know Sally (Oh, oh, oh what a girl!) You'd want her in your office too.
One of the titles I wear most proudly is Chief CBS NEWS dog lover. My office is a destination for colleagues who stop by to tell me their dog stories or admire my museum quality collection of photos of my dog Sally.
So I was delighted to get to this company in North Carolina where the employees are encouraged to bring their dogs. Turns out..it's good for business. Any dog lover knows he or she is happier when they are allowed to be with their hound. That happiness, in many cases means higher productivity! So I argue dogs are good for business. I say this with some risk. CBS frowns on people bringing dogs in. Who knows, maybe the powers-that-be will change their minds when they see how much more productive we would all be. Besides if you knew Sally like I know Sally (Oh, oh, oh what a girl!) You'd want her in your office too.
Ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy 