Global Village with Robert L. Smith

Column for The Plain Dealer

• People from many cultures voted for Obama for president - Robert Smith's Global Village
It's no surprise that Barack Obama captured the lion's share of the black vote in Northeast Ohio in last week's historic election. But the president-elect also won over nonblack cultural communities, even those specially targeted by the Republican Party.

• Two new publications cater to Northeast Ohio's Slovenian-Americans -- Robert Smith's Global Village
Saddened by the loss of its longtime newspaper, Northeast Ohio's Slovenian-American community suddenly has some bright news. Two new publications will compete for the allegiance of the largest Slovenian population outside of Europe.

• Parma pronounces two-mile stretch Ukrainian Village - Global Village
You've heard of Slavic Village. You've dined in Little Italy. Discover Ukrainian Village.

• U.S. grants visa-free status to 6 European nations, S. Korea
The welcome just grew a little warmer for visitors from Hungary, Slovakia and several other nations with strong ties to Northeast Ohio.