Toledo Free Press - Dec. 21, 2005 by Toledo Free Press

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December 21, 2005

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■ RETAIL REPORT: Westgate struggles with uncertainty as Levis Commons and Westﬁeld enjoy a sales surge, page 6

YES,TOLEDO,

THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS Toledo Free Press photo by DM Stanﬁeld

INTERVIEW BY MICHAEL S. MILLER, PAGE 24

MHP-ChestpainMfullFreepress

11/28/05

3:50 PM

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OPINION

December 21, 2005

Toledo Free Press ■ 3

LIGHTING THE FUSE

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC Vol. 1, No. 41, Established 2005

Thomas F. Pounds President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com Michael S. Miller Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com Kay T. Pounds Vice President of Operations kpounds@toledofreepress.com

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A savior’s birth, sponsored by Coke

hen I see you and offer an enthusiastic “Happy holidays!” I’m not trying to start a debate about the state of Christianity. I’ve always meant “Happy holidays” to encompass the corridor from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Lately, when I offer a handshake and a greeting of “Happy holidays,” a number of people correct me by saying, “Merry CHRISTmas,” emphasizing “Christ” with a pointedly contemptuous huff. I’ve heard some talk radio pundits discussing the conspiracy to remove Christ from Christmas. They say retail stores, government ofﬁces, schools and society in general are becoming so politically correct, Jesus is being forgotten as the reason for the season. They say the rush to be inclusive is favoring Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Festivus over Christmas. The watering down of Christmas as a celebration of Christ’s birth was inevitable. Anything a commercial society gets its mitts on is doomed, whether it’s an art form such as the movies and television, a sporting

Michael S. Miller event such as the college football season or a dimension of humanity such as sexuality. Once there’s money to be made, the product has to appeal to as many people as possible to maximize proﬁts. I do not blame other belief systems for the fading of Christ as the focus of Christmas; I blame Madison Avenue, Disney, Coca-Cola and their ilk. The modern nature of the holiday as a time to buy presents demands a secular take. This year, Coke is showing a commercial in which a polar bear cub slides into a partying group of penguins. The awkward social situation is solved when a fuzzy lil’ penguin chick ﬂippers over

a Coke. The commercial ends, not with the reunited bear family feasting on penguin innards, but with a pop song dance. “Happy holidays from Coke,” the ad reads. What is Coke to do? Scene: Bethlehem. Fade in to manger. Mary and Joseph are beaming. They step aside as the Little Drummer Boy steps up, smiles and hands the baby Jesus a Coke. Baby Jesus turns the Coke into wine and everyone laughs as the screen fades to: “Celebrate the birth of our Lord with a crisp, refreshing Coke. It’s Savior-ifﬁc!” That would be blasphemy, right? Unthinkable. Yet Coke and the 3 million other products demanding our attention need to capitalize on the season, so they created another savior. Here comes Santa Claus! Money and greed are strangling the spirit of Jesus from Christmas, not just political correctness. All you can do is maintain your faith and keep that spirit alive. But please don’t spit Christ’s name at me if I’m wishing you a happy holiday.

Hey, anonymous Nazi supporters who are sending me letters: If you have something to say, why not put your name on it? I stick my chin out here every week, with my name and picture. Why are you boys hiding behind made-up names and misspelled obscenities? Your words don’t upset me; I’ve been threatened by Disney. That’s scary. You guys are just mildly amusing. And to that speciﬁc anonymous writer who said, “I’d kick your ass if I knew where to ﬁnd you,” I say, hey, Adolf, check the masthead. My address is right there. If anyone in your brain-dead, in-bred, bile-infused group of pals can read, have them read it to you. Idiot. Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press. He may be contacted at (419) 241-1700 or by e-mail at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

COMMON SENSE

’Twas the night before some holiday ...

’T

was the night ’fore a holiday, and all through the nation, Busy people were planning inoffensive celebrations. The season was unlike what they’d seen in the past, Father Christmas was dying, and fading away fast. They sighed, stringing lights on their non-denominational tree, And they did so with frowns, where once there was glee. “What will Santa bring me?” A child asked of her dad; Her father just shrugged, with a look that was sad. “Honey,” he said, “I wouldn’t count on a gift; “For if Santa comes here, our friends may be miffed. “One neighbor’s a Jew, he solemnly said; “For him there’s no Christmas, it’s Hanukkah instead. “And while he still celebrates, as he’s always done, “It would be quite offensive if he sees reindeer one. “The Muslim down the street doesn’t like Christmas, either, “And it would hurt him to see a red-suited non-believer.” As the father explained the new holiday season, To his child, who tried, but could not grasp the reason, He comforted her, with a hug that was strong, But the moment was soon interrupted by song.

Bob Frantz His eyes, how they shined, when he knew what was coming; There were kids! They were singing! And playing and drumming! “Carolers!” he shouted. “They’ll bring Christmas back! “They’re not afraid to endure the attack! “Let’s go out and greet them,” he said smiling wide; “Let’s show them that we still have our own Christmas pride!” He ﬂung open the door, and not a moment too soon, For the kids had just started a special new tune; And the children, they sang, their voices still rising; But with words unfamiliar; with lyrics surprising. “You’re not carolers at all!” the father said with a shout, “You’re the PC Police, now go on and get out!” But the children explained it was their civil right, To sing “Quiet Evening” and kill “Silent Night.”

Dismayed, the man turned, gently closing his door, He hadn’t the strength to fight any more. “It’s all right,” he assured his sweet little one, “We’ll finish our lights; we’ll still have our fun.” And far, far away, an old man dressed in red, Prepared for his ride, and did so with dread. “What did I do wrong?” he wondered to himself, As he sobbed in his hands, and blew his nose on an elf. “They all used to like me,” he said through a tear; “This used to be everyone’s best time of year. “But now if I’m spotted, they’ll send me away, “They’ll say I’m not welcome, that I’m spoiling their day. “I wish I could show them, I know just how they’d feel; “They’d love me forever, if I showed them I’m real.” And somewhere in paradise, in Heaven above, A Savior looks down, His heart filled with love. He knows the plight of the man dressed in red, And with sadness He listens, while nodding His head. “They’ve locked me out too, so I understand; “They once sang my name all over this land. “And now they just want me ... out of the way; “They hardly remember that my name’s on this day. “They’d love and adore you if they knew you were real? “Believe me, my friend, I know how you feel.” E-mail Frantz at letters@toledofreepress.com.

4 ■ Toledo Free Press

A LOT LIKE LIFE

I’

A passage from India

m writa dozen arms ing from outstretched northwest and pawing. India, though I “Don’t give them anything,” don’t know where I’ll find an Interour guide net connection to commands. “It will keep the file this column. It’s a cliché cycle going.” that American But how customer serlong will it take Barbara vice has been ’til it’s broken? outsourced to Goodman Shovers Even if Bill Gates drops Indian call centers, but in the by, as he did almost-week I’ve been traveling, this week, and commits a pot of even water and electricity have money to tech infrastructure, it’s been iffy quantities. The high-tech gonna be one heck of a long time revolution that has American before it dribbles down to the flyecon pundits so impressed must infested masses. have its staging ground far from If there’s anything comparable to the poverty, the cow- and camel-packed highways I’m traveling. it’s the traffic. Many Delhi Specifically, I’m in the Delhi vehicles run on cleaner-burning area on a two-week visit with my compressed natural gas, which mother and dad, and a dozen othis improving air quality. But it er well-fed American tourists. took us two hours to go about as many kilometers yesterday. Why India? Why not? It sounded interesting. I like the The government has committed food. I’ve always thought I’d look money to an interstate system between the country’s major good in a sari. To prepare for the journey — cities, Delhi, Calcutta, Mombai 38 hours and 10.5 time zones — I and Chennai, but at least some talked to people from here. Subur- of its hires are clearing rocks ban Toledo is home to a fair-sized by hand. Indian population, many of whom According to our guide, a man who comes from the same town I count as friends. You’re going to love it, they assured me: The as the Taj Mahal, less than 300 million Indians are considered, by beauty. The culture. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. local standards, “middle class.” That was an understatement. That’s only a quarter of the Indian population, a third of which is Yes, the colors are amazing, the curries delicious and the under 14. rituals fascinating. I know it’s politically incorrect and culturally imperious to But the standard of life? Ohmigosh. I’ve done my comment on other societies. I share of railing against our know I’m only touching one part of the elephant that is India. But administration’s social policies, but I’d be willing to bet that all first impressions generally contain but the sorriest welfare mother or some scintilla of truth, and mine is that this is no place I’d want Katrina victim has it better than at least half a billion Indians. to live. Come to think of it, those The dirt and poverty in India friends who briefed me on India’s wonders left it themselves. is like nothing I’ve ever seen. In the cities, people live on the Eventually this country will no doubt join the superpower sidewalks. In the country, women de-stem chilies for a dollar a ranks. But eventually is an openended date. Right now what India day. School children have no pens to write with or mats to needs is clean water, paved walks, sit on. The sanitation of entire dependable power and a 10-year neighborhoods revolves around a moratorium on procreation. solitary pump or water reservoir, The Web is nice, but sanitation is necessary. To every American and bundles of exposed wires hang carelessly in the streets of with a crummy job, a terrible Delhi’s Chandni Chowk like limbs commute, and clogged arteries: off a banyan tree. you don’t know how good you’ve Wherever we go, people mob got it. us. Men hawk tschotschkes and Barbara Goodman Shovers postcards. “Good price,” they shout. is Contributing Editor “Best quality.” Kids are more for Toledo Free Press. direct, they just demand rupees. She may be contacted at We can’t walk anywhere without bshovers@toledofreepress.com.

OPINION

December 21, 2005

NICK ANDERSON

JUST THINKING

Why politicize Christmas?

origin of the term. Those who want to replace “Christmas” with “holiday” probably don’t know where the term “holiday” originated. The word derives from an old English word that literally means “holy day.” Let’s take a brief glance at the economics of Christmas. The Sirius Satellite company did not sign Howard Stern to a $100 Berry million contract because of the offensive nature or the repugnant antics on his show. They did so because they expect to make a considerable proﬁt on subscriptions sold to people who are entertained by disgusting humor. Likewise, the Hallmark Company is not concerned whether the phrase “Merry Christmas” is offensive. Hallmark is primarily concerned that they’re projected to sell more than a billion cards with the word “Christmas” in them. It would not be practical for Congress to revoke Christmas as a federal holiday and put another less distasteful term in its place. The Congressional agenda is already overloaded. Even if Congress solved all the nation’s problems, it would still be unreasonable to remove Christmas. I wish a very Merry Christmas to Christian readers. So as not to exclude anybody, I wish you a happy Holy Day.

TO THE EDITOR, Dec. 10, the City of Toledo once more had to endure the message of hate proclaimed throughout the streets. The National Socialist “Move-Meant Nothing,” as their rally on a larger scale was ignored by Toledo citizens. It was the Nazis aim to ﬁnancially drain the city, while stirring up trouble in hopes that there would be another disturbance. They even brought their friends, which included the Ku Klux Klan, Retaliator Skinhead Nation, and the World Church of the Creator, all of whom dressed in their silly uniforms. Most of the people present at the rally were not Toledo residents, and because of the distance between the Nazis and the protesters, along with the faulty sound system used by the Nazis, no one could hear or make out what they were trying to communicate anyway. I commend the Mayor, city ofﬁcials, community and religious leaders and residents for all the dedication and hard work they put forth in making sure that there was not another disturbance. I applaud and thank the young people in the North End for staying home and not coming Downtown. You really showed the city that you are not the X-generation, and that you value your time more than just to play into the hands of some hate group. This situation has allowed the City to solidify like never before. It is time for us to address the issues. There is a growing need for more community centers, mentorship and after-school programs in

TO THE EDITOR, Your Dec. 14 article, “’Priests react to Vatican banning gays from priesthood,” had me feeling disappointed in the local priests response, for what they did and didn’t say. The overwhelming view of area priests was a resounding empathy for how the homosexual priest will feel slighted and have low morale as a result of the ban. Not once did one of the priests say, “Well, this is what God or the Bible says about homosexuality.” It appears the local priests interviewed are

Old-fashioned winning

TO THE EDITOR, I read with interest your Dec. 7 article about the accomplishments of Richard Kazmaier (“Winning the Heisman the oldfashioned way”). While I have no quarrel with Mr. Kazmaier or his accomplishments on or off the ﬁeld, I did take great exception to your characterization of winning the Heisman “the old-fashioned way.” Your characterization implies that “the old-fashioned way” was better, more fair and was truly earned by winners of the day. This characterization is completely false, when you consider that most black (and other minority) athletes were barred from attending the big football schools

because of legalized race segregation. This effectively prevented these athletes from even being considered for “earned” honors such as the Heisman. Those who were allowed to attend some of these schools faced great adversity and discrimination. My grandfather, Franklin Lett, was a member of the University of Michigan football and basketball teams in the early 1930s, but was cut from the basketball team. The coach was quoted as saying, “There has never been a colored boy to play in the Big Ten.” (See article by Frank Fitzpatrick, “A ﬁghter for rights,” Philadelphia Inquirer, July 11, 2004.) He was second string on the football team behind another black player because two blacks could never be in the starting lineup. Although reinstated to the basketball team after the NAACP intervened, he never played a game. When you characterize or imply that collegiate athletics held a higher standard in those days, you do a great disservice to the thousands of black athletes who were excluded due to institutionalized racism. DR. KAREN D. JOHNSON-WEBB, Toledo

A reason for war

TO THE EDITOR, One of the reasons we went to war in Iraq is so we won’t have to ﬁght terrorists over here; destroy them in their own territory. Preemptive strike or invasion is great when properly employed and directed at the right target. Get rid of the enemy before he gets us. We can’t wait for that smoking gun of a mushroom cloud. By then it will be too late. But, where is their territory? Is not

the whole world the territory of the terrorists? How will you know where to attack? We invaded Iraq. Why not also invade Iran? Or Pakistan or Korea, or anyplace else. Is Iraq the only possible place a terrorist could have come from with a bomb? Cannot a terrorist come from somewhere else? Say maybe Iran, or maybe Syria, or even Saudia Arabia, or Palestine, or Lebanon, or Singapore? How is it that we are so absolutely certain that attacking Iraq prevents a terrorist coming from somewhere else? If all ﬁghting stops in Iraq and we have killed all those insurgents, will we have completely prevented the terrorists from getting a nuclear explosive and blowing it up here? Is Iraq the only place our enemies could get a nuclear device, dirty bomb or anything else? Is Al-Qaeda limited to obtaining weapons from Iraq only? Other countries already have nuclear bombs — Russia, Korea, Iran, Pakistan, India and even Isreal. Why could not terrorists get some devastating weapon from one of those countries and sneak it over the Mexican border? If you don’t get every one of those terrorists, wouldn’t it be better to also shore up our borders just in case? It only takes one successful terrorist to detonate a device. And they will not be coming from Iraq, just like the ones on Sept. 11, 2001, didn’t come from Iraq. Al-Qaeda is the real enemy and they are worldwide. This is not only a military battle. It is a spiritual battle for minds and needs to be fought with our total resources: law enforcement, immigration, port security, ﬁnancial assets, intelligence, diplomacy, etc. MATTHEW PERKINS, Toledo

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aligned with the secular culture and even some protestant churches regarding homosexuality and any other form of sin ... they simply ignore what the Bible says about it, their concern is focused on how not to offend the sinner, rather than making him aware of his sin, so he can get right with God. I would suggest that their low morale is not because the Vatican wants to ban them from leadership, it’s because they’re living a lifestyle that is in complete opposition to the truths they have pledged to uphold. “What about me?” Seems to be the overwhelming message these priests convey. BILL KUDZIA, Toledo

the inner city. We as parents and leaders must step up to the plate, teach and lead by example and provide a safe atmosphere for our children to learn and play. Stop judging them and assuming they are all bad, because they are not. Some adults are more of the problem than the kids. They only act out what they see adults do. We need to swallow our pride, put our egos and political agendas aside and take heed to what our youth are saying. Toledo’s future rests in the hands of the youth. They want to learn, they want to be involved, but we must engage them in issues that not only affect us, but them. Don’t sit back and keep them isolated. I ask the City, religious and community leaders: Where do we go from here? PASTOR STEPHEN WARD Associate Pastor Northgate Community Church/(NEMA) North End Ministries Alliance

HAPPY NEW YOU!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Disapointed in priests

Toledo Free Press ■ 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Nazis are gone: now what?

n unfortunate by-product of the two-party system in the United States is polarization. Regardless of the importance or insignificance of an issue, it is defined by either side so as to incite reactionary tendencies within their respected constituencies to gather support for their cause. Pundits from both sides can characterize benign Ernie matters in such extreme ways so as to cause divisiveness over something that literally amounts to naught. So it is with the word “Christmas.” To listen to commentators on the radio talk-show circuit, one would think an epic battle is being waged. The battle of the millennium: the Neo-Cons, protectors of tradition, are fighting to prevent the atheistic heathens from trampling their most sacred of traditions under foot. They fight the Ultra-Libs, protectors of the Constitution and the separation of church and state, who pledge to guard against a Christian theocracy. Though these descriptions are not an accurate depiction of reality, they make you feel like you should pick a side and join the crusade. The matter boils down to nothing more than semantics. Although “Christmas” is a term steeped in religious tradition, most Bible-thumpers would tell you it has been so secularized and commercialized, most people don’t even know the

OPINION

December 21, 2005

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SPECIAL REPORT: WESTGATE ON THE BRINK

Independents deal with uncertainty By Scott McKimmy Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

With Toledo City Council approval of Costco Wholesale Corp.’s development plans at Westgate Village Shopping Center, independently owned businesses move closer to losing a niche to market their specialty wares. The debate surrounds the publicity the situation has received in the media, according to Donna Cohen, co-owner of COHEN the Happy Badger. She said Westgate management claims the decline proves the need for change, but she believes it’s all part of the agenda. “The say that Westgate is dying, but I think it was murdered,” she said. Cohen and her husband plan to move their store early next year, but not by choice. The niche the plaza has provided can’t be duplicated anywhere in the city. “We really love Westgate; I’ve always wanted to be at Westgate” she said. “To me it’s the epitome of the creative small business niche. It’s just sadly ironic that of all the plazas in our whole town, it has to be Westgate.” Many tenants suggest Westgate spokespeople blame poor occupancy, but proprietors such as Jerry Johnson of The Vineyard claim otherwise. Reasons behind the center’s demise fall on the

management and owners’ shoulders. “[Westgate] left the impression that the retailers are abandoning the center; that’s why they’ve had to go this way,” Johnson said. “We aren’t abandoning it; we’re being forced out because they haven’t been willing to write any leases or do anything for the last five years. So they really haven’t put any money into the center to maintain it.” Liz Holland, president of Abbell Credit Corp., a Chicago firm that owns Westgate JOHNSON Village, confirmed the change in leases, saying both parties can terminate with a predetermined amount of notice. The policy allows flexibility while Westgate negotiates the development. “That’s both to enable us to redevelop as well as to give our tenants the opportunity to move to another location on their time frame,” she said. Holly Podzinski, owner of Red Sky Surf and Snow, said the encroachment of bigbox stores with out-of-town owners leaves little room for independents. Costco’s arrival marks yet another chain elbowing the small retail business owner in the ribs. “It seems like all the independent stores in Toledo are getting pushed out by all these big-box stores so all the Toledo dollars are going somewhere else. So I’m just not real pleased about that at all,” Podzinski said. “There’s nothing that can

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Westgate special report photos by Ryan Hufford

Ben Savino is owner of The Toy Store Collector’s Gallery at Westgate. be done; we just seem to be forced out.” Holland said she must consider tenants’ credit history because of the size of the loans her company will make to ﬁnance the project. Westgate could accommodate every business owner meeting the credit requirements. “Because we are going to be borrowing a great deal of money to do this project, I’m going to have a lender looking over my shoulder and making sure that every lease that I sign is with a credit-worthy tenant. Because the only way I can pay that lender is if I can collect the rent,” she said.

point out there are alternative vacant sites within walking distance (Showcase Cinemas, Foodtown Plaza) that would encourage an independent and giant business balance in the area. Westgate is and has been an integral heart and soul of the surrounding residential community as well as a commercial home of dozens of independent businesses. Like the neighborhood bar on “Cheers,” everybody knows your name. In the case of former 22-year tenant, Bassett’s (which saw the warnings and left), they even knew your personal health. It is not hard to compare the endangered shopping center’s current state of uncertainty to the last voyage of Titanic. As the big ship Westgate and the gigantic iceberg called Costco are getting closer, shopkeepers are trying to keep a happy face during the holiday season, but everyone knows there is a collision ahead.

Neil McGregor, owner of Port Royal, expressed his stance against the project because of the impact on small business. While Costco will appeal to many local shoppers, he said, small retailers will struggle. “It’s just another big box. For the people who like big boxes, that’s great. It’ll change the texture of retail not only at Westgate, but all of Toledo,” McGregor said. “It’s another indicator of the demise of independent businesses. I’d like to see more independent businesses, but that’s not happening.” Please see WESTGATE, page 8

The lights are up at Westgate. Holiday music pours out of the sidewalk speakers. There is an air of celebration and fun. Then, there’s that big shiny package lying there. It may be too late to resist it, now that so many political kids and local media have hyped it as a “must-have” present. It whirls (higher-than-average boxstore wages), it spins (low product prices) and it relieves landlords of hassle and fatigue (one solid giant monthly rent check). Maybe it should come with a warning label; “This product may be hazardous to small local businesses and surrounding neighborhoods.” “They heard Costco exclaim as it rode into sight, Merry Christmas to all and to Westgate ... Good night?”

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Alan Cohen owns and operates the Happy Badger at Westgate.

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Costco at Westgate: A titanic change “It was the night before Costco and all through the town, not a creature was stirring, not even a Carty ...” While much of Toledo is sleeping, a giant “box” labeled Costco has been placed under our area’s most traditional business tree, Westgate Village Shopping Center. It hasn’t been opened yet, but once the “present” is unwrapped, there will be no returns or exchanges. Westgate is advertised as “Your Neighborhood Specialty Center,” but a Costco will fast make the shopping center at Central and Secor just another crossroads. Adored, abhorred or ignored, the invasion of stores such as Costco, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club is like living in a world shared by giants. Why does it have to be at Westgate Plaza? People

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GUEST OPINION

By Alan Cohen

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SPECIAL REPORT: WESTGATE ON THE BRINK

December 21, 2005

Westgate Continued from page 6 Westgate management met with storeowners in the plaza to make arrangements for some merchants to stay. But, according to Jerry Grindstaff, owner of Culture Clash, the inevitable increase in rent further discourages independents. “I’m not sure that Costco is the answer, although I certainly feel that Costco is a better alternative than some,” Grindstaff said. “But I think what we’re finding sad here is the lack of concern for the small, independent stores. GRINDSTAFF Obviously, they’re going to make changes, which will create a situation that will make it less advantageous for the small, independent store.” With many owners planning relocation or already leaving, the fate of Westgate may draw bleaker for those remaining until March, when development is expected to begin. Ben Savino, owner of The Toy Store Collector’s Gallery, said he anticipates departing after the holidays, mostly because of the dramatic inconvenience of packing up for about 12 to 16 months during the construction process. “In general, the independent business man is very disappointed in the fact that for years Westgate was going to be developed with the specialtystore neighborhood community plan in mind,” Savino said. “And now what Toledo is going to get is a big-box, mass-merchant store that will take a significant amount of land and space and leave very little room for the independent specialty store.” Holland said plans consist of two phases, allowing tenants to relocate temporarily to other units within the plaza while new units are under construction. No tenants will be forced out of business, she said, for longer than it takes for them to move. Compounding the problem has been a lull in holiday sales, which has hurt the smallbusiness owners, according to Out of Africa’s Francis Nimene. He said he’ll have to relocate. Another move, his fourth, after low revenues from the shopping season, will have its impact. “Last year at this about this time, this place was booming. Because of this bad news, people are not coming here any more,” Nimene said. “My neighbors had to move. That reduces the traffic. Most people who come here buy from us and buy from them. Since they moved, we have lost 50 percent of our customers.” Please see WESTGATE, page 11

Westgate tenants may feel relocation pinch As Westgate struggles, Levis Commons, Westﬁeld surge By Russ Zimmer Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

Businesses in Levis Commons are reaping the holiday rewards from the exposure the open-air shopping center in Perrysburg is getting. “This is huge. This is the future,” Italian restaurant Biaggi’s managing partner Jason Levy said. “People can’t wait to get here.” Several managers in the center, from dining to children’s clothing, all said sales have been strong this season. Rick Clayton, general manager of Books-A-Million, said the store is preparing for the final sales push leading up to the location’s first Christmas in Levis Commons. “Traffic is great, the customers are great and the sales are excellent,” Clayton said. A good mix of retailers and strong promotion of the shopping center has brought out more people this season to Brighton Collectibles, assistant managing partner Cindy Tyson said. The weather hasn’t affected customer flow significantly, the managers said, and the close parking to the businesses make the center that much more attractive. On snow days, restaurants and the movie theater see

increased business and, once “cabin fever” sets in, people just want to get out of the house, Levis Commons marketing director Casey Irons said. Horse-drawn carriage rides and Santa strolling around the storefronts are events designed to make the center feel “like being inside a snow globe ornament,” Irons said. “Even with the weather, the events the center has have brought in a lot of people,” Sharon Thomas, manager of Strasburg Children, said. About 40 percent of the primary customers are coming from the Perrysburg area, Irons said, but some are noticing a different trend. Customer traffic from Toledo shoppers is increasing, according to Levy. “This time of the year is like our Super Bowl,” Levy said. The area’s largest mall, Westfield Franklin Park, is seeing a holiday sales surge. “We have seen a number of new shoppers along with the new expansion and new retailers,” said Sara Young, marketing director for Westfield Corporation. Managers of Westfield stores such as Brookstone, Ann Taylor and Build-A-Bear are reporting a strong sales season, according to Young.

The development of Westgate has led Miranda Johnson, owner of Papaya Island, to wonder if area commercial property owners have taken the opportunity to raise rates excessively. Tenants who decide to return after Costco opens face potentially high rent, as much as twice the current rate. “We don’t know how much rent is going to be. I’m expecting it to be at least double,” Johnson said. “We’ve told Westgate we’re interested in coming back when they rebuild, because we do expect a lot of people, but you know money talks, and it really depends on how much it costs.” She’s priced area property and cited an average of about $14 per square foot. At locations across from Westgate, she

said she looked at rates of about $16 to $18 plus common area maintenance fees of $3.50 per square foot. “If I wanted to rent a 1,000- or 1,200-square-foot store over there, it was going to cost me well over $2,000 a month, which to Costco or Stein Mart or McDonalds that’s not a lot of money, but to mom and pop it is. I’d be paying a whole lot more for a whole lot less space than I have now,” she said. Current demands don’t necessarily justify higher rents, according to Johnson, because of the abundance of suitable locations throughout the area. Certain features affect price as well, such as convenient parking, road access and security. However, she said none of the current

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available sites compare dollar-for-dollar to Westgate. “There are just tons and tons of small shopping centers around Toledo. I can’t believe they’re building them all over, then they wonder why they’re half empty,” Johnson said. Glenn Fitkin, owner of Cricket West, said his rents have remained the same since raising them “a little bit” about six months ago. He thinks a rise in demand may spur an increase in the next two or three years. While rents are lower along parts of Sylvania Avenue about a half-mile north, he said his are still below those at Westgate because of the smaller shops he has as tenants. — Scott McKimmy

Allegiant begins Orlando, Vegas service From Staff Reports

Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based airline, is offering nonstop jet service between Toledo and Orlando and Las Vegas. New flights to Orlando will depart Toledo Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 7 a.m. and arrive in Orlando at 9:25 a.m. Returning flights will depart Orlando at 4:20 p.m. arrive in Toledo at 6:50 p.m. In addition, Allegiant will expand its Orlando service to six days a week starting Feb. 8. The new Wednesday and Saturday flights will depart Toledo at 6:05 p.m., arriving in Orlando at 8:30 p.m. Flights leaving Orlando will depart at 3 p.m., arriving in Toledo at 5:30 p.m. For the Las Vegas service, flights operate four times weekly, with service Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Flights depart Toledo at 7:30 p.m. and arrive at McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas) at 8:45 p.m. Flights leaving Las Vegas will depart Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:25 p.m. arriving in Toledo at 6:15 a.m.

December 21, 2005

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Continued from page 8 The paramount issue for Ben Roby, sales manager for Hardware Unlimited, is whether Toledo really needs another big box. And how does it affect Toledo’s economy? “Simply and plainly, I think Toledo needs more shopping centers with small shops where people can walk around and take their time outdoors, and needs less of the box stores because you lose sight of the local economy when you do that,” Roby said. Holland countered by saying DuVALL the big-box format applies to any larger retailer and should not be confused with discounters. A big box is a big box, she added, citing the former Lions Store as an example. “And there’s no question that the vacant Dillards store is a bigger box than the box we’re proposing to rebuild on that site,” Holland said. “Now when you look at the type of tenant that we’re bringing in, we’re not duplicating something else that’s already in the Toledo market.” As a result, not all shop owners completely oppose the arrival of Costco. John DuVall, owner of Honey I’m Home, expects a good draw from the

Christopher Perry, DO

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Toledo Free Press ■ 11

box-store crowd if he decides to remain. He said his main concern surrounds losing the plaza’s independent flavor, which management has addressed to him. “I’m not opposed to Costco. I would prefer if it wasn’t here, but if it is then I’m hoping they’re going to work with independents here to try to keep that flavor,” he said. “I talked to the owners, and they said that’s their goal. They want to keep some of the small businesses here as well as bring in a big, national chain that would be a big draw.” Sami Saleh, of New York Collection, emphasized the lack of information from Westgate management throughout the SALEH ordeal. He noted his reluctance to move, especially considering that management has said little to help tenants form plans. “It’s been known all over the city that Costco’s already got the plaza, but the management of the plaza’s not saying anything. All they said was they were gonna let us know by the end of the year what they’re going to do. But obviously it’s a done deal,” he said. Holland said no contract has been signed yet, and Westgate intends to notify tenants when a deal has been reached officially. She said she answers tenants’ questions as thoroughly as possible, but the public already knows most of the information available.

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12 ■ Toledo Free Press

ANIMAL CONTROL

Cat population challenges TAHS By Myndi Milliken Toledo Free Press Managing Editor mmilliken@toledofreepress.com

The Toledo Area Humane Society’s board of directors, citing a growing cat problem, will consider a proposal to place tracking microchips in all cats that come through the Humane Society’s doors. The microchips are tiny devices inserted into a cat’s skin. Already commonly used in dogs, horses and cattle, these chips can be scanned to reveal the owner’s information. Despite several low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter programs throughout the community, cat intake at TAHS has doubled in the past year. “We have too many free-roaming, homeless cats,” said Gregory Bloomfield, TAHS president. “The Humane Society has been looked at to be responsible for all these cats. This is without any funding as there has been for dogs. I personally feel it’s a community problem, and that it’s a government issue. The root of the problem is that Ohio has done nothing to emphasize that cats should be treated with respect and provided with shelter and food.” The City of Toledo does carry cat legislation on its books, but laws have not been enforced for years. This, Bloomfield said, has left many departments and agencies caring for cats. TAHS has begun meeting with politicians and agencies to address the problem. “We’re talking to fire departments, police departments and health departments,” Bloomfield said. “After a couple of meetings, it’s amazing how much resources are spent to deal with cat issues.” Natasha Bailey, TAHS director of operations, cited a recent call from the Health Department concerning a hoarder. There were 84 cats in a home

barely more than 1,000-square feet. Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon has been criticized for his refusal to scan incoming dogs for microchips, but said cats are a different issue. “I’ve got a whole list of why-nots for dogs, but they don’t apply for cats,” he said. “With cats, there is no state-mandated licensing program. Identiﬁcation is positive.” Currently, the dog warden doesn’t deal with cats, as the Ohio Revised Code states cats cannot be taken to the dog pound. Skeldon said he recognizes something needs to be done on a state level. “With cats, it’s a numbers and accountability problem that mushrooms; something needs to be done,” he said. “It’s a problem, but so far I don’t know of anybody who’s addressed it well. It’s a tough issue to handle, but it needs to be handled by legislation state-wide and with a funding source.” Skeldon applauded the action taken after the City of Toledo cat legislation was initially put on the books. “I was part of that group. The city, for about two years, entered into a passive relationship with the Humane Society. They would set traps after they received a complaint and then do whatever they needed to do with them. The calls about cats diminished by 80 percent. It was no longer an issue,” he said. But the Humane Society “had a hell of a time getting paid by the City of Toledo. In the third year, they quit. I think that program was working.” Skeldon said cat control is a hot-button topic. “It’s one of those things where it’s about 50/50,” Skeldon said. “It’s the kind of thing that makes politicians leave the room. For every person that thinks something should be done, there’s someone else organizing a candlelight vigil against euthanasia.”

December 21, 2005

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STAFF NEWS Toledo Free Press holiday publication schedule

Staff writer Zimmer leaves for Review Times

Toledo Free Press will maintain its regular publishing schedule for the holidays, according to publisher and president Thomas F. Pounds. “News and business do not take a week off; neither will we,” he said. “We intend to be a weekly newspaper every week, all 52 weeks, to serve our readers and advertisers.” Toledo Free Press will publish issues on Dec. 28 and Jan. 4, when it will begin its second volume of publication.

Toledo Free Press staff writer Russ Zimmer, a recent graduate of BGSU, has accepted a reporter position at the Fostoria Review Times. “Russ brings great insight and context to the stories he works on, and we will miss his contributions,” said Michael S. Miller, Toledo Free Press editor in chief. “Russ is not the ﬁrst reporter we’ve had scooped up by a daily paper, and he won’t be the last.”

Toledo Free Press ■ 13

New facilities in Toledo for persons with mental illness By Shannon Wisbon Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

Neighborhood Properties Inc, a private non-proﬁt housing development organization, recently received $1.2 million to develop affordable housing for persons with mental illness. “These projects have been underway for a couple of years. This money will allow us to decrease the debt in the properties, and put more money into the services we are able to provide for our clients,” said Peg Morrison, Communications Director for NPI. During the next year, NPI will develop two new housing facilities in Toledo and Fostoria for persons who live with mental illness. NPI owns about 650 units in Lucas County. The ﬁrst project, Safe

Haven, will be located on 21st Street. It will provide 12 one-bedroom apartments for chronically homeless individuals with mental illness. “This project is about reducing the number of homeless and giving them an opportunity to rejoin our community as healthy, productive citizens with housing and support services,” said NPI Executive Director John Hoover. A second project, The National Alliance on Mental Illness Project, will be built on a three-acre site in Fostoria. Like Safe Haven, the NAMI Project will serve individuals with a mental illness who need a more structured environment to live healthy lives. Tenants of the NAMI Project will be able to live near their home communities to increase their mental health recovery.

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December 21, 2005

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14 ■ Toledo Free Press

December 21, 2005

Arrested protesters speak out against police response By Michael Brooks Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofereepress.com

Some protesters are questioning if there were infringements upon civil liberties at the Dec. 10 neo-Nazi rally at One Government Center. Nearly three dozen anti-Nazi protesters were arrested on an assortment of charges. One of the arrested was Scott Rogers, who traveled with three friends from Illinois to take part in the protest. “We saw some notices on the Internet that people were meeting at local libraries and then heading Downtown,” he said. “We showed up at the West Toledo branch on Sylvania Avenue and a police ofﬁcer told us to leave, and that he could have a paddy wagon there in two minutes.” Rogers said several local residents asked them for a ride Downtown and climbed in their station wagon. “As soon as we pulled out onto Sylvania, a police car pulled us

over. He said we had too many people in the car,” he said. “Within five minutes there were over 20 officers on the scene.” Officers made the group get out of the car and walk into a nearby parking lot. “We were forced to kneel on the parking lot for an hour with our legs crossed behind our backs,” said Alex Maromyguin, also an Illinois resident. “They tied our hands with plastic restraints that cut off the circulation of my fingers. Between the cold and the plastic ties, it got to the point where I couldn’t even move my fingers.” Another member of the group, Rehana Khan, said the police refused to tell the protesters why they were being detained. Jeremy Hammond, among the seven protesters arrested on Sylvania Avenue, said there are many misconceptions about the protesters. “There were outrageous media reports — planted by Bill White of

�� “A friend of mine was forced to use a nationally owned title company for the sale of his residence. My response was to remind him that he had the right to choose who provides these services to him, and further to consider these facts which I believe to be very accurate: • $7.00 out of $10.00 spent in a national title company leaves our local economy • $7.00 out of $10.00 spent in a locally owned title company stays in our local economy. • National title companies tend to use out of town banks, insurance companies, advertising firms, payroll services, accountants and attorneys. • Locally owned title companies use local people in all the industries mentioned above. • Additionally, a local title company supports local charities, civic endeavors, and schools and universities.” -John Martin, President and Legal Counsel Please consider Louisville Title for your title and escrow service provider- your locally owned and operated title company for 60 years.

the NSM — that we were planning to ‘attack’ the Nazis, and that we were transporting weapons,” he said. “The police seized a can of black spray paint we used for protest signs and a $5 slingshot I bought at Meijer many months ago. The idea that we were here for violence is preposterous.” Hammond said the arrests will also be the subject of protest. “We plan to hold a short rally

in January when our cases come before the court,” he said. Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre defended the department’s actions. “We were very pleased with how the rally went on Dec. 10,” he said. “We made it very clear in the days and weeks before the rally that there would be zero tolerance for criminal behavior.” Navarre said he believes the

department’s approach to the second rally was critical to avoiding a repeat of the October violence. “The zero tolerance policy was very successful. No one was injured, no police ofﬁcers were injured and there was no property damage,” he said. “As for individuals who feel they were unlawfully arrested they are certainly entitled to due process, and that is what the court system is for.”

New Year Investment Resolutions You Can Follow All Year Long By Gregory E. Shemas,

Vice President - Investments Financial Planning Specialist Here are a few New Year resolutions that are easier to stick with than many of the traditional January vows. You do not have to overcome big obstacles to follow these tenets of investing, just develop a few good habits. Re-evaluate Your Portfolio Analyze your portfolio holdings considering your investment objectives, time horizons and life stage. If you have invested heavily in stocks and are approaching retirement age, you may want to consider reallocating a portion of your portfolio into high-quality bonds. Their long-term return potential may not be as high as stocks, but neither is their short-term volatility. As you get closer to the time when you will need these assets, you may want to consider shifting to more conservative investment vehicles to help reduce risk. Take The Long-Term View Consider the quality of a company before you invest and research its track record over ﬁve to10 years. Resist judging an investment solely by last year’s returnpast performance is no guarantee of future results. A good investment can have an off year and still provide outstanding returns over the long term. Keep an Emergency Fund Be prepared for unexpected cash needs: emergency medical bills, child care, home repairs and living expenses in case of a sudden job loss. Always keep a portion of your portfolio liquid. Invest in a Blend of Securities One time-tested way to help reduce risk in a portfolio is to diversify. That means holding a mix of stocks, bonds and cash-equivalent instruments from a variety of issuers. Younger, conservative investors who want to invest in stocks for long-term growth may want to consider investing a portion of their portfolio in corporate and government bonds. Investors of retirement age should

keep in mind that inflation could erode the returns on shortterm securities. Maintaining at least a minority portion of a portfolio in equities could improve the chances of keeping total return (yield plus capital gains) ahead of inflation. Watch for Tax Developments The amount you keep after taxes is the most accurate measure of your investment’s performance. Your tax bracket, investment objective and changes in tax codes could make changing your investment strategy worthwhile. Consider speaking with your personal financial and tax advisors about whether tax-advantaged investments may be suitable for you. Leave a Legacy In today’s environment, it may be a good idea to consider investment strategies that allow you to leave an estate for your children, grandchildren, other heirs or a favorite charity as part of your overall financial plan. Such plans may not require as much updating as altering your investment objectives. A conversation with your tax and financial advisers could help your beneficiaries eliminate probate (a lengthy procedure whereby a court handles distribution of assets not designated to a beneficiary) and other estate planning issues. Save Time and Money Take advantage of the services offered by your brokerage firm. You could save yourself the trouble of delivering stocks and bonds to your financial consultant each time you’re ready to sell an investment by having your securities held in the firm’s street name. When you’re ready to sell, just call your financial consultant. Or, consider consolidating your banking and investments into a central financial brokerage account. You may be able to manage all your investing, savings, borrowing and spending in a single account. And, some brokerage firms may supply you with an ATM card for convenient access to your funds.

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BUSINESS COLLECTING

THE WALKING CURE

We don’t need no stinkin’ living wage

Club offers worldly gift idea By John E. Johnson IV Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

Jim Bolone, a reading and drama teacher at Anthony Wayne Junior High School, started the Coin of the Month Club from his Toledo home about two years ago. A coin collector since childhood, he is especially enthusiastic about his product’s educational aspect. “[With] my foundation as a reading teacher, I’ve come across a lot of kids who really don’t understand geography, and they don’t understand a lot of parts of what geography means. It’s not just place name: it’s about climate, it’s about people, it’s about reality,” Bolone said. “I wanted to be able to offer kids an opportunity to receive a gift that might just spark their interest in looking up a country and maybe studying something more than just seeing it on a map.” Bolone said subscriptions to the Coin of the Month Club are sold in increments of one, three, six or 12 months. The initial shipment comes with a magnifying glass, a coin pouch and a couple of static decals. Each coin comes with a card of information about the coin and its country of origin. Members will also be able to read the journal

of Anna Windwrite, a character Bolone created to be the spokeswoman for the club, who is modeled and named after his daughter. The other character on the site, a Piper Cub airplane that ﬂies Anna around the world to ﬁnd the coins, is named for Bolone’s son, Charlie. Terry Cicala, who ordered a subscription for her niece, said she stumbled onto the Web site when she was searching for sites on stamp collecting. “I like it, because it’s something the kids can actually touch, and it’s a learning experience,” Cicala said. “My niece Olivia is only two, but I thought this is something her parents will save and when she gets to be 6 or 7 it’ll be a nice little collection.” Bolone said he has sold subscriptions all over the country and in other parts of the world, including to places in Russia and South Africa. “It’s about discovery,” Bolone said. “I want to be able to connect adults with kids and kids with geography and hope they can discover new things about the world, new things about places, from coins.”

ON THE WEB www.coinofthemonthclub.com

y work career started the day I turned 16. I was part of a small crew that would clean a pizza crust factory at the end of the workweek. Looking back, that job provided me with valuable work skills and knowledge. I also quickly recognized that I did not want to make this, or something comparable, my career. After several small under-thetable type jobs, my next employer was Value City department stores. There, I found opportunity. I believe had I continued my career in retail that it would have provided a comfortable middleclass lifestyle. Many of us have benefited from bottom-of-the-ladder jobs. It helps develop basic skills such as showing up on time, working well with others, operating machinery and taking direction from bosses. It is what we learn, not what we earn at that point, that is of most value. The so-called living wage is an answer promoted by the left. The dictionary defines it as a wage sufficient to provide minimally satisfactory living conditions. It is defined by its advocates as a wage a full-time 40 hour-a-week worker would need to support a family of four above the federal poverty line. Left-leaning think tanks now actively promote studies purportedly showing this additional cost was absorbed easily by the employers affected. Further scrutiny revealed contractor costs did rise. In Baltimore, the city’s economy crashed in the mid 1990s and almost 60,000 jobs disappeared. This was at a time when the rest of Maryland prospered. The living wage law acted as a catalyst for the city’s economic collapse. The truth is, only a small number of those earning minimum wages are trying to

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Troy Neff support a family. Most are kids just getting started. Only 15 percent are still earning minimum wage after three years and well over half are given a raise in the ﬁrst year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Several times I’ve interviewed scholars of the American Enterprise Institute on poverty and related subjects. Dr. Charles Murphy has argued it is the destructive behavior of the lower class. Failure to show up on time is the major cause of unemployment, not the shortage of jobs. Murphy has written, “ the statistical reality is that people who get into the job market and stay there seldom remain poor unless they do something self-destructive.” In the left-wing Economic Policy Institute Issue Guide on the living wage, several surprising statements can be found. They tout no job losses but nowhere hail job gains. An argument is made against wage laws creating a hostile business environment because the number of laborers affected is to small. I question who are we helping. The answer is no one. This is one component of a much larger agenda of extreme liberalism. Troy Neff is managing director of Advanced Retirement Solutions. He also hosts “The Troy Neff Show” each weekday 6 to 9 a.m. on WCWA 1230 AM. He may be contacted by e-mail at Troy@TroyNeff.Com.

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ECONOMY

If market cools, who will be hiring? The Associated Press

Ever since the labor market began improving 2 1/2 years ago, the housing boom has supplied an outsized share of new jobs. But if red-hot real estate is cooling, who will be hiring? In fact, many employers will likely continue adding workers in 2006, but hiring will probably be spread more evenly across the economy than in the past few years, experts say. Demand for construction workers, mortgage brokers and others could slow. Manufacturing jobs will probably decline. But a wide range of companies and industries will likely add jobs, including health care, accounting, engineering and other services. “Job growth will be broad-based,” said Marisa DiNatale of Economy.com, a research and forecasting ﬁrm. “We do expect total employment growth to slow down, but generally, we still expect to see gains.” Employers could add 2 million or more

new jobs in 2006, economists say, putting it roughly on par with the year just ending. The economy has gained 1.8 million jobs through November, and a total of nearly 4.5 million since the labor market reversed its decline in mid-2003. Employers, faced with spiraling health costs, have been conservative about hiring. But as JOERRES corporate worries about the price of energy ease, service businesses may be more willing to add workers. “Manufacturing is still a somewhat difficult area, but services can make that up,” said Jeffrey Joerres, president and CEO of staffing firm Manpower Inc. “We would look at it [the job market] and say, you know what, 2006 has the likelihood of

creating as many jobs as 2005 did.” Even as companies like the major airlines and General Motors have been cutting jobs, a few industries have been the source of much of the nation’s net job growth. Housing and related industries have produced nearly one in four new jobs since 2003, DiNatale said. The largest number were in construction, which has added about 660,000 jobs. There are some signs the hiring is moderating. But the pace of homebuilding and buying is still so strong, that some employers say they’ll need new workers well into the new year. “We have contracts on over 8,000 homes. They have to be built. I can’t stop hiring,” said Jon Downes, vice president of human resources for builder Toll Brothers Inc. Housing is hardly the only industry that has been adding workers. Health care, which continued growing during the recession, has added nearly 600,000 workers since the labor market

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began improving, a mix of both lowerpaying and better paid jobs that should continue to multiply as aging baby boomers drive demand. Temporary agencies have signed on 400,000 more workers, with caution by companies prolonging demand. Restaurants have added close to 600,000 new workers since mid-2003. But the mix of new leisure and hospitality jobs could change in the coming year, with more hiring by hotels and resorts, experts say. Demand is also strengthening for other types of workers. Companies plan to hire 15 percent more new workers from the nation’s colleges next year than in 2005, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Those in the highest demand are students ready to work in mechanical and electrical engineering, accounting, business administration and ﬁnance.

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Continued from page 16 That demand is evident at accounting ﬁrms like BDO Seidman, which plans to add 300 employees in the coming year after adding 400 in the past 12 months. The hiring is driven largely by the new laws requiring more thorough audits by public companies, according to Tom Murphy, director of human resources for the company. Demand for experienced accountants is as hot now as “what it was for programmers in the dot com boom in Silicon Valley,” he said. “If you’re somebody with ﬁve to 10 years of experience, you are getting weekly phone calls from a headhunter.” Still, for most workers, the job market is very different

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BAKEHOUSE BREADS

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Toledo Free Press ■ 19

REAL ESTATE CAFÉ

Resolution No. 1: Get lucky

recently bought something I probably didn’t need. It’s a coaster with a message that’s proved to be inspiring to me lately. It reads: “Luck is good planning carefully executed.” It sits on my desk and has prompted some thought as to why some people seem luckier than others. Is success just dumb Jody luck? In some cases, probably (How else could you explain the success of those people you don’t like?). Here’s the real truth: Some people don’t really get all the breaks — they help create the breaks they get. They’ve actually planned for them. Especially when it comes to real estate investing. So, let’s plan. You’ve talked about it for years. Don’t you wish you’d invested in real estate when you were really young? 2006 is the perfect time. While you may not be ready to purchase, let’s start planning. 1. Form many friendships. The luckiest people are the ones who have many friends and acquaintances. They talk to strangers. They meet and greet. The larger your network of friendly contacts, the better your odds of ﬁnding that pot-ofgold opportunity. They can also help give you some education. Surround yourself with a team of good people. Start with a mortgage professional. Find a good Realtor who understands your needs. Get to know a home inspector, an attorney, an appraiser and insurance agent. Get referrals from friends. Consider a ﬁx-it crew and/or property management company if you’re not planning to manage the

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property on your own. 2. Check your credit report at least once a year (Do it for free at annualcreditreport.com). Being pro-active can prevent identity theft from wreaking havoc on your ability to buy. It also prepares you for a clean bill of credit health. Get your finances in order by living below your means, paying off debt and saving for a down payment. Zink It’s what lucky folks do. 3. Research your options and determine which to pursue: Maybe you’d like to buy foreclosures to fix up and resell. Or rent out a duplex. Gathering knowledge is bound to improve your luck. 4. Actually meet with the people mentioned above. Instead of buying one more book or searching for one more Web site, call the mortgage guy or gal to know what is required of you. Talk with the Realtor about your goals. Meet with a contractor to see how much it really costs to fix a leaky pipe or replace a roof. As you invest in real estate, invest in yourself, too. That means gathering knowledge and recognizing a break when you see it. Whatever you do, don’t do nothing. That’s not lucky-like. You must execute the good planning. Just like the coaster says. Jody Zink is a licensed Realtor in Ohio and Michigan with the Loss Realty Group. She justifies buying the overpriced coaster because it provokes thought and keeps her desk coffee-cup ring free. She needs both of those things. Jody can be reached through her Web site at www.jodyzinkrealtor.com or (419) 725-1881.

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PRICES EFFECTIVE:

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from what it was at the height of the economic boom. Most have seen their paychecks grow very slowly, even as inﬂation climbs and other costs, like health care and housing, have jumped. That is likely to stay the case through much of the next year, in a continuing employer’s market, observers say. If employers continue to add jobs the way they did in November — when 215,000 were added to the nation’s payrolls — even that could change by a year from now, said Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors. By then, the unemployment rate, now 5 percent, could tighten. “That would tell me,’’ Naroff said, “that businesses are going to have to start bidding a little more for workers.”

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December 21, 2005

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WHEELS

SUPPLIERS

Dana to close three more automobile parts plants

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The Associated Press

Dana Corp. said it will close three more plants as part of its ongoing efforts to cut costs. The auto parts maker will close plants in Danville, Ind., Shefﬁeld, Pa. and Burlington, Ont. The moves affect about 200 hourly and salaried employees. The plants are part of the company’s thermal products group and produce small radiators and heat exchangers. They will close by the middle of next year. Dana said in October it would close two Virginia plants and sell parts of its business. The company said reductions were needed after cutting its proﬁt forecast for the year in half because of soaring energy and steel costs.

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chief executive. The company employs 46,000 people in 28 countries.

ON THE WEB www.dana.com

DETROIT — General Motors Corp. has reportedly told its white-collar workers it will suspend making matching contributions to their retirement savings accounts and will reduce the severance beneﬁts it pays. The world’s biggest automaker is under pressure to cut costs as it lost $1.6 billion in the third quarter, and has seen erosion in its U.S. market share to Asian-based automakers. GM distributed an information packet on the beneﬁt changes for its 36,000 U.S. salaried employees. GM told the employees it would stop contributing 20 cents for each $1 that employees put into the company’s 401(k) retirement savings program, starting Jan. 1. “Based on current business conditions ... the GM matching

contribution ... will be temporarily suspended,” The Detroit News said, citing the document. “We will continue to monitor the business outlook in determining the appropriate time to reinstate GM’s matching contribution.” In April, GM cut its 401(k) match from 50 cents on the dollar to 20 cents. The match covered contributions of up to 6 percent of salary. GM said white-collar workers no longer must put part of the company-supplied portion of their 401(k) accounts in GM common stock, which has been losing value. The company also said that white-collar severance packages will limit payments to one month’s base salary for each year of work up to 15 months.

ON THE WEB www.gm.com

Are mechanics a product of breeding or environment?

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was born on a cold winter morning in 1959 to a young couple, by today’s standards, still children themselves. Everything I ever needed was always available to me. Not in the excesses of today, just the things I actually needed, like a warm bed, food on the table and when required, a word of encouragement. Of all the things my parents bestowed on me, the most significant was opportunity. My father was a hard-working soul who found his calling wrenching on cars, first at a Chevrolet dealer and eventually, fired by entrepreneurial spirit, his own service station in West Toledo. I was 10 years old by then and did not see as much of dad as I would have liked. My dad, like many others in that day, was the sole bread earner for a family of six, requiring he worked long hours. Those long hours became his inspiration for starting his own business. He figured if he was going to work 60 hours a week, he would be better off doing it for his family, not his bosses. During my first decade, I came in contact with a variety of mechanical things and could not wait to take them apart and try to put them back together. My parents were intrigued by my interest in all things mechanical and today will suggest that since I drank a quart of used gear oil when I was 2 years old, this must have been the commencement of my

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MICHAEL BURNS

The Associated Press

MOSES ON WHEELS

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Many other auto parts suppliers are struggling as well because of increased costs. Dana earlier this year also said it will cut its salaried work force by 5 percent and restate its financial reports from 2000 through the first part of 2005 because of an accounting requirement. Dana plans to narrow its focus on its light- and heavy-vehicle drivetrain products and sealing and thermal products. Work from the three latest closings will be shifted to plants in St. Clair, Mich., and Cambridge, Ont. “The intense competitiveness of today’s automotive industry requires continuous costreduction and efficiency efforts across the board,” said Michael Burns, Dana’s chairman and

GM suspends match to white collar workers’ 401(k) savings

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Mark Moses future. Really, I just wanted to be like my Dad. He liked oil and he could fix anything, even a broken heart, so I gave it a try. The lessons of childhood ... I started working at Dad’s gas station when I was 13 and it was like heaven — cars, gears, noise and even some more gear oil. A kid’s life could not be much better. After many lawnmower to go-cart conversions and a few motorcycle-building ventures, I bought my first car at the ripe age of 15. Of course it was just a matter of days before it was all over the garage at home. Obvious to anyone who has ever been 15, I thought I knew it all and figured I could get the car back together before my folks came home from a weekend trip. Boy was I wrong! Everything went just fine until it was time to put the distributor back in the engine. I realized the engine must be “in time” but did not understand the relationship between all the parts and

various systems and just knew that my dad was going to kill me for all the parts all over his garage. Much to my surprise, dad was not mad at all and instead took the opportunity to teach his know-it-all son how the systems all worked together. From that day forward, I was inspired to absorb as much information I could about anything with an engine. I was also excited to know my dad was so smart. Most of what I had learned from him up to then was by observation and just trying to duplicate what I saw him do. I also learned that we shared a common outlook on life — we were mechanics. Let me explain; a mechanic does not look at anything in life like most people do. We are bred and/or schooled to focus on what doesn’t work or what is broken. Things that work smoothly or correctly barely require acknowledgement, but this goes beyond just engines or cars. Life in general receives the same scrutiny, if things are going well; we just look deeper as we are sure to find something that needs fixing. This realization was a big deal for me. It helped me understand my Dad, and for the first time, myself. It takes intentional focus to see and absorb all that is good or normal in our lives and that is OK, as long as we understand how we work. My dad has fixed a lot of stuff in his life. Tens of thousands of cars, thousands

of customers, four sometimes broken children, and later in his life, even crooked drywall are all better off from his efforts. He also is noteworthy for what he has never broken. Dad’s unending support and love for my Mom, my trust and admiration, and his true love for helping others, just to name a few. At this special time of year I think a lot about my opportunities and what really matters. Dad, you really matter! Thanks for everything you ever gave me, most importantly, a true understanding of the real opportunities you passed on to your child. I will try to continue to make you proud and aspire to follow your course with my child. I hope your mechanic may just appear a bit different in your eye when you see him next. That’s not a bad thing! I truly appreciate the opportunity to pen a few important words about someone so extraordinary to me. Perhaps you may consider this precious time of year to do the same and thank those special people in your life. Merry Christmas to all. Mark Moses, who has been an ASE master technician for more than 28 years, is the owner of Moses Automotive and North Coast Motorcycle, both in the Toledo area. If you have a car or motorcycle question, e-mail him at Mark@MosesAutomotive.com.

SPORTS

Werner named Toledo Athlete of the Week

JUMP SHOT

From Staff Reports

Junior Savannah Werner led the Rockets with a career-high 21 points and 10 rebounds in an 83-59 victory at St. Francis (PA) on Nov. 30. Werner shot 7-of-12 from the ﬁeld and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe to help the Rockets (3-1) shoot a season-best 55.2 percent (32-of-58) from the ﬁeld and connect on an impressive 84.6 percent (11-of-13) from the free-throw line.

WERNER

KOZ’S CORNER

Ryan Lewis says ‘adios’ to football career By Chris Kozak Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

I couldn’t come up with a better story about a football career if I made it up. Ever since he was a youth, Ryan Lewis has played sports. It’s been his life, his passion and the proof he could overcome any challenge. Hailing from Holland, Lewis was diagnosed with Crohn’s LEWIS Disease as a 7th grader. Affecting nearly 1 million Americans, Crohn’s is a lifelong condition that causes painful inﬂammation of the bowels. Despite side effects that kept him from putting on weight or the loss of white blood cells that caused him to be anemic and tire quickly, Lewis pushed on with his athletic career. “I never tried to use it as a crutch. I took it in stride,” Lewis said. “I never wanted to bitch and moan about it.” Maybe his opponents should have bitched and moaned, because at Springﬁeld High School, Lewis excelled in three sports. Raking in varsity letters in

football, volleyball and wrestling, he excelled at all. With All-League, All-State and academic accolades pouring in, Lewis felt it wasn’t time to hang it up. He settled upon BaldwinWallace College, a liberal artsbased school located in Berea that plays football at the DivisionIII level in the Ohio Athletic Conference. There he was looking to continue football, playing defensive end. His size, 6’2, 220 tough-tomaintain pounds due to the Crohn’s, isn’t exactly intimidating for a Dlineman, but Lewis made up for it with intelligence and technique. “I really don’t like to get hit by the big guys. I use my speed to my advantage. Rush the outside, get them on their toes. Then bullrush them.” Two weeks into his freshman year, at practice, Lewis got hit and blew out his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. “Unfortunately, I got hit in the wrong spot,” he said. Good-bye, freshman season. Hello, rehab. “I’d never had any serious injury like that and I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Lewis said. “So I really tried to dedicate myself to rehab.” In the movie about his life, this is where the training montage would go, encapsulating the three to four hours a day, ﬁve days a week of rehab during what was

Daily Catholic Mass

SPORTS

December 21, 2005

supposed to be his freshman season in two or three minutes, with music from Survivor playing. “It was tough. But if you sit there and cry about it, ‘why me, why me,’ you’ll get nowhere. I didn’t feel like I had proved myself yet. I decided if I’m going to do it, I’ve got to do it all the way,” Lewis said. Fast-forward to the end of his senior season, where Lewis is regarded as the one of, if not the best defensive linemen in the history of his school. He is second in school history with 28 sacks, had 176 career tackles, was a threetime All-OAC selection and won the Paul Hoernemann Best Defensive Lineman Award his senior season. Icing the cake of his career was the selection to play in the 2005 Aztec Bowl. Nominated by his coach, Lewis helped lead a team of D-III All-Stars to a 53-15 victory over a team of Mexico’s best college football players last weekend in Toluca, Mexico. It was the perfect scene to roll the closing credits of his career. “I’ve had a great career,” he said. “I’m happy going out knowing this is my last game.”

Photos of Ryan Lewis courtesy Baldwin-Wallace College

Christmas Greetings from Dave’s Home�cooked Foods!

ART WEBER

WEEK FOUR Chippy. That’s what they call a game that’s unusually physical. That’s the way it was when Anthony Wayne’s Generals met Rossford’s Bulldogs in a varsity boys basketball game. Clutching, grabbing, tussling over loose basketballs, banging under the boards, full-contact basketball. AW defeated the Bulldogs, 69 to 52.

SLAM DUNK

SOME CHUNKS. ��

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Cherry and Superior Streets

Monday through Friday

11:45 a.m. - Noon ~ Confessions 12:05 p.m. ~ Mass

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Sports writers pick bowl favorites Game

Rossford junior guard Jimmy Bell gets past a pressing Andrew Riley, a junior guard for the Generals.

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES CHAPEL

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Bowl Season. Toledo Free Press sports writers Chris Kozak and Scott Calhoun have looked deep into their crystal balls, and here’s how they see things:

Art Weber may be contacted at aweber331 @adelphia.net.

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Toledo Free Press ■ 23

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Toledo • Oregon • Maumee • Perrysburg • Marion • Lima • Findlay

Kozak

Calhoun

Dec. 21

GMAC BOWL

Toledo vs. UTEP

Toledo

Dec. 22

LAS VEGAS BOWL POINSETTIA BOWL

BYU vs. Cal Colorado State vs. Navy

Cal Navy

Cal Colorado State

Dec. 23

FORT WORTH BOWL

Kansas vs. Houston

Kansas

Houston

Dec. 24

HAWAII BOWL

UCF vs. Nevada

UCF

Nevada

Dec. 26

MOTOR CITY BOWL

Akron vs. Memphis

Memphis

Dec. 27

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL INSIGHT BOWL

Clemson vs. Colorado Arizona State vs. Rutgers

Colorado Arizona State

Dec. 28

MPC COMPUTERS BOWL ALAMO BOWL

Boise State vs. Boston College Michigan vs. Nebraska

Boise State Michigan

Boston College Michigan

Dec. 29

EMERALD BOWL HOLIDAY BOWL

Utah vs. Georgia Tech Oregon vs. Oklahoma

Georgia Tech Oregon

Dec. 30

SUN BOWL INDEPENDENCE BOWL MUSIC CITY BOWL PEACH BOWL

Northwestern vs. UCLA South Carolina vs. Missouri Minnesota vs. Virginia Miami vs. LSU

UCLA South Carolina Minnesota LSU

Northwestern South Carolina Minnesota Miami

Dec. 31

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL HOUSTON BOWL LIBERTY BOWL

South Florida vs. NC State Iowa State vs. TCU Tulsa vs. Fresno State

NC State TCU Fresno State

Jan. 2

COTTON BOWL OUTBACK BOWL GATOR BOWL CAPITAL ONE BOWL FIESTA BOWL SUGAR BOWL

Texas Tech vs. Alabama Iowa vs. Florida Virginia Tech vs. Louisville Auburn vs. Wisconsin Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Georgia vs. West Virginia

Alabama Florida VA Tech Auburn Notre Dame Georgia

Texas Tech Florida VA Tech Wisconsin Ohio State Georgia

Jan. 3

ORANGE BOWL

Penn State vs. Florida State

Penn State

Jan. 4

ROSE BOWL

USC vs. Texas

USC

Texas

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ARTS&LIFE ARTS ■

TEAR SHEET: Your tour of the Toledo zeitgeist, page 26

‘Twilight Zone’ kids’ music for grown ups

Brian Nupp leads Lazerlove5 through esoteric and eclectic music, page 28

COVER STORY

Claus: ‘I’m as real as you want me to be’ By Michael S. Miller Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com

NORTH POLE — The warmth of a roaring fire and a steaming cup of hot chocolate are almost enough to make one forget the outside temperature dwells at 60 degrees below zero. The wooden arches that frame the cavernous workshop protect an organic factory of scurrying elves, some pulling wagons filled with freshly painted toys, some carrying armloads of doll parts, toy car parts and the puffy stuffing of countless teddy bears. The chaos explodes into cheers as curved wooden doors open to reveal a figure in fire-engine red pants and a matching coat, trimmed neatly with white fur. His presence is overwhelming, even to the workers who have served his cause for centuries. He carries himself lightly for a man of such girth; his smile is directed at no one in particular, but has the effect of a strong and comforting hug. He shakes off clinging snow, removes his crisp red hat and slips out of his voluminous coat. He is wearing black suspenders with gold buckles over a thermal underwear shirt. He crosses the room in three great strides, and despite the red marks of freezing cold on his cheeks, offers a surprisingly warm handshake.

He smells of apples, cinnamon and pine needles, with a faint hint of chimney soot. His frame fills a green upholstered chair; he pushes his oval glasses up on his nose and surveys the busy workshop with lucid blue eyes. His legend, which dates back to the 4th century, is as pervasive as any secular figure or religious icon in Western civilization. He is man, myth and magic. He reportedly fills a single sleigh with toys each Christmas Eve, harnesses it to eight reindeer and flies around the world, sliding down chimneys and slipping through doors to deliver toys to good boys and girls. He is Father Christmas. St. Nicholas. Kris Kringle. Jolly Old St. Nick. He is Santa Claus. Toledo Free Press: Have you made your final decisions on who has been naughty and who has been nice? Santa Claus: We evaluate that up to the very last minute. The closer we are to Christmas, the better behaved most children are. We average the entire year’s behavior, so the holiday spike doesn’t let any naughty children slip through, but I make the final call, not the numbers. There are very few truly naughty children. Children often have circumstances that make me wonder how they retain any joy and hope. TFP: Do kids believe in you like they

used to? It would seem today’s kids are more informed, to say the least. SC: It’s a challenge. Kids see Toys ‘R’ Us, TV commercials, online stuff. They know about Hasbro and Mattel; they see “Made in Taiwan” and it pushes our workshop right out of their minds. The trends are the same as they have always been; kids stop believing as they grow, but they always come back when they have children of their own. And we’re always here for them. TFP: How do you compete with some of the media you mentioned? TV, Internet, etc. SC: We don’t compete. We’re not Disney, trying to burn a brand name into kids’ brains. We cooperate with all the major toy manufacturers to make sure we have everything we can’t make here; we’ve never been big on electronics, for example. Elves have only four ﬁngers, and they have a difﬁcult time with the tiny wires. I have never worried about being forgotten. Our work has lasted through world wars, social revolutions, disaster of every magnitude. When a child is born, his or her belief in me is in their heart, just like love, friendship, joy of living. They have to learn about Xbox and Barbie and Hot Wheels and Star Wars. I’m there from the start. TFP: Do you use technology to make your yearly trip easier? SC: Technology? Ho, ho, ho! We don’t

The Naughty List Ten things that will land kids of all ages on Santa’s Naughty List: ■ Hit a sibling ■ Backtalk parents ■ Smoke ■ Drive like drunken elf ■ Lie ■ Cheat on schoolwork ■ Cheat on taxes ■ Cheat on spouse ■ Hurt a pet ■ Be greedy Source: Santa Claus

deal in technology. We deal in magic. I don’t need circuits or Pentium chips to look into a little child’s eyes and listen to a whispered wish list. Hugs do not require high-speed Internet. Has Bill Gates ﬁgured out a way to peer into every home in America? Well, ho, ho, maybe that’s a bad example. The point is, I am powered by faith and belief, not wireless computers and cell phone ringtones. TFP: Who pays for all of this? SC: Who pays for the season’s ﬁrst snow? Who pays for a rainbow? Who pays for a smile? Who pays for magic? Please see SANTA, page 32

Toledo Free Press photos by DM Stanﬁeld • Special thanks to Santa Tom, www.toledosanta.com

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“Our work has lasted through world wars, social revolutions, disaster of every magnitude.”

“I have a purpose and focus that keeps me feeling young and loved and ready for anything.”

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

“The trends are the same; kids stop believing as they grow, but they always come back.”

“I don’t need Pentium chips to look into a little child’s eyes and listen to a whispered wish list.”

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STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!

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> NEW IN THEATERS: ‘FUN WITH DICK AND JANE’; ‘CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2’; ‘MUNICH’; ‘BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN’

DEC

21-22-23-24-25-26-27

THURS DEC 22 Ice Lounge

Hugh Rock

Indigo Blue

Hip Hop Thursdays with DJ “Lyte-n-Rod”

FRI DEC 23 Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Cleveland

Amy Rigby

S HOT

Russel Martin & The Relics “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” Headliners

ROCK WITH THAT LATTE? Tim Oehlers and Friends will feature their brand of folk/ rock music from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Downtown Latte, 44 S. St. Clair St.; (419) 243-6032.

Get your Marilyn Monroe ﬁx with the “I Wanna Be Loved By You” exhibit featuring photographs of Marilyn Monroe from the Leon and Michaela Constantiner Collection. Exhibit runs through Dec. 31 at the Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.

WINTER WOODS After the bustle of the holidays, enjoy a walk in the woods to discover how nature meets the challenges of the season. Walk begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 26 at Oak Openings Preserve, Buehner Center.

The Jeff Williams Band Margaritaville, Sandusky

Evolve, Imperium, Dying to Know, Prologue to Spring House of Blues, Cleveland

Red Wanting Blue Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

Holiday Jam Tour featuring Bow Wow, Chris Brown, Ciara, Marques “Batman” Houston, Omarion,

Technical information: this photo was taken at 1/8 sec., ISO 200, f/3.5 and 180mm with a Minolta Dimage 7Hi.

DM Stanﬁeld is Toledo Free Press photo editor. He may be contacted at dmstanﬁeld@toledofreepress.com.

must DO Fashions for Compassion Motivated to action from the devastation of the hurricanes, Marijane Relth has initiated the “Fashions for Compassion” program to provide new working wardrobes to help women get back to work. The idea began with one school, Gulfview Elementary, where 54 teachers had lost their homes and were living in tents or sleeping in cars. 600 teachers have now been served by this grassroots program. The organization is now accepting cash donations to help ﬁll “wish lists” for professional women needing clothing. One-hundred percent of each donation goes toward sponsoring clothing. For more information on how you can help, call (419) 575-0908.

Czechoslovakian �� Black Light Theatre

The Toledo Zoo will host the Czechoslovakian Black Light Theatre, which combines elements of puppetry, pantomime, dance, special lighting effects, and music, suitable for the whole family. Black Light Theatre will be featured every Saturday and Sunday during Frozentoesen at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. beginning January 1 in the Indoor Theatre. Admission varies; (419) 382-5721.

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MAS FiNA

Pub St. George

Vytas

Toledo Museum of Art Great Gallery

Ballet Folklorico Imagenes Mexicanas, First Creation The Underground

The Hansons X-Mas Reunion Show

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The Club, Grand Rapids

Murphy’s Place Pub St. George

School of Rock All-Stars, Backbeat-Beatles

Manhattan’s

Dave Grohl Tribute

The Murphys Frostbite

The Suicide Machines

Murphy’s Place

MON DEC 26 Ed Levy

The Palace, Auburn Hills, Mich.

Murphy’s Place

Harlem Globetrotters

The Murphys

TUE DEC 27 House of Blues, Cleveland

Trippin’ Billies

Magic Stick, Detroit

Mustard Plug Manhattan’s

Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Cleveland

Crossroads Ceili, Brian Conway, Barbara Magone, Nick Gareiss

FRI DEC 30

Bluegrass Jam — musicians welcome

Cool Moose Big

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Brewed Awakenings

Waylon Crause

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

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• Creative Appetizers & Salads • Exotic Desserts • Vegetarian & Health Dishes • Lamb Specialties • Homemade Pizza & Sauces • CATERING & BANQUETS FOR ANY OCCASION - CARRY OUT AVAILABLE •

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Manhattan’s

Peabody’s Down Under, Cleveland

The Ark, Ann Arbor

Conn-Weisenberger VFW

Murphy’s Place

Lawrence Arms, The Suicide Machines

Chimaira

Matisyahu

Todd Snider

Kelly Broadway

Magic Stick, Detroit

The Odeon, Cleveland

Crossroads Ceili, Brian Conway, Barbara Magone, Nick Gareiss

Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday 4 p.m.-11:30 p.m. beirutrestaurant.com

Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m. e-mail: labibh@aol.com

FULL BAR & LARGE SELECTION OF DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED BEER

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Featuring the “small plates” of the Mediterranean.

Large selection of Italian, Spanish, Middle East and Greek specialties. Monday-Friday 11:30-11pm Saturday 5-11pm Full Bar, Sangria, Imported and Domestic Beer & Wines

(419)

885-0101

5333 MONROE

Keith Bergman

Clutch, Fireball Ministry

Murphy’s Place

Voodoo Libido, Harmonica Shawn Mickey Finn’s Pub

St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit

The Ark, Ann Arbor

Box of Cats

Headliners

Jimmie’s Chicken Shack

THURS DEC 29

Bronze Boar

Liz Carroll

The Murphys with Roosevelt Hatcher

Ryan Erard Trio, The Murphys

Manhattan’s

Detroit Institute of Art

Mickey Finn’s Pub

Quartet Bernadette

Bluegrass Jam — musicians welcome

Vytas

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Take part in hands-on activities and arts and crafts of The Americas. Then experience a performance, “Ballet Folklorico Imagenes Mexicanas” and a tour of the “American Identity” exhibit beginning a 6 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Toledo Art Museum; (419) 255-8000.

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Magic Stick, Detroit

5-Headed Donkey Murphy’s Place

The Murphys with Roosevelt Hatcher The Odeon, Cleveland

Chimaira

The Palace, Auburn Hills, Mich.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special

BE THERE. Jesus, on the other hand, DO THAT.

trinitytoledo.org � downtown toledo

Winter Legacies

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Russel Martin & The Relics

House of Blues, Cleveland

Chris Knopp & Friends

Christmas Eve at 11 pm

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Ekoostik Hookah

Bronze Boar

“Radio City Christmas Spectacular”

Christmas Day

Mutt Lynch’s Old Dog Saloon

Bronze Boar

Fox Theatre, Detroit

Mickey Finn’s Pub

The Murphys with Roosevelt Hatcher and Glenda Biddlestone

WED DEC 28

House of Blues, Cleveland

loves you regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice.

Toledo Opera presents “The Greatest Wagner Concert Ever” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 as part of Opera Gala 2006. Richard Wagner’s music has been on TV and in the movies accompanying the helicopters in Apocalypse Now to Bugs Bunny’s famous “I killed the wabbit!” The highly acclaimed young soprano Erin Wood, a frequent guest at Lyric Opera of Chicago and other major companies, will be featured along with the Toledo Opera Chorus and the University of Toledo Concert Chorale, accompanied by the full Toledo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Grammy Award-winning maestro Thomas Conlin. For an additional $75 a ticket, concertgoers can also attend Toledo Opera’s Gala Celebration beneﬁt party at the Toledo Club. For tickets to both, call Toledo Opera at (419) 255-7464.

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SAT DEC 24

SUN DEC 25

Reserve your seats Whether you call the holiday season Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Festivus, clearly it’s a holiday for family. And especially for children. The opening of gifts is for the kids, but mainly for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to see a child’s look of glee and twinkle in the eye. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes!

COMPILED BY VICKI L. KROLL

B.E. Mann

Murphy’s Place

Fox Theatre, Detroit

top of the LIST

Manhattan’s

CL-1, Bullet Teeth

Bronze Boar

exhibits

Trey Songz, Dem Franchize Boys Louis G’s

Margarita Rocks

Y O U R W E E K LY T O U R O F T H E T O L E D O Z E I T G E I S T PARTING

MUSIC NOTES

TOLEDO CONFIDENTIAL

MUST-SEE GMAC Bowl: Toledo vs.

UTEP in Mobile, Ala. on ESPN at 8 p.m. Dec 21.

Extreme Monster Trucks:

Jan. 6-8, SeaGate Centre. Times; (419) 321-5007.

PERFORMANCES Clutch: 8 p.m. Dec. 30

at Headliners. All ages welcome. Fireball Ministry opens. $17 advance, $20 at door; ticketmaster.com. Jeff Tucker: solo performance, Dec. 21 at Spring Meadows Brew House, 6609 Airport Hwy., Holland. Times vary; (419) 866-1344.

NATURE Longest Night: 6 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 21 at Oak Openings Preserve, Buehner Center; (419) 407-9700. Planetarium Program: “Holiday Lights.” Learn how the

calendar and holiday customs are related to the night sky, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 at Ritter Planetarium. Observing at Brooks Observatory follows program, weather permitting. $4 for adults; $3 for seniors and children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and younger; (419) 530-4037. Calling All Bear Cubs:

“Sharing Your World,” 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 29 at Swan Creek Preserve, Yager Center. Enjoy a hike in the woods. Bring an empty milk jug. Material fee: $2 per scout. Reservations; (419) 407-9700.

Rock the halls

o it’s four days before Christmas, and you still don’t have anything for the rock ‘n’ roll hero on your list. Last year’s tie with musical notes on it was a flop, although wrapping it in job applications may have been a little, shall we say, unsubtle. You don’t want to chintz out and get a gift certificate, mainly because setting foot in music stores gives you the heebie-jeebies (don’t feel bad, it does that to most musicians I know, too). What to do? If you’re lost, chances are so is grandma, Uncle Lou and your weird cousin who stunk up the futon last year. Get together with these people, pool your resources and go in on one big gift that’ll actually make a difference in your favorite rocker’s life. After all, from a strict profit-and-loss standpoint, the rock game is more rigged than three-card monte and a Nigerian email scam rolled into one. The obstacles are numerous — but so are the opportunities to help. Does the band have a good van? Does it need four new tires, a tuneup and a noncracked windshield? You could literally be a lifesaver by hauling that rolling scrapheap in for some much-needed TLC. Has your proud progeny been able to record a demo yet? Studio costs have come down a lot in the past 10 years, but are still painfully high — and it’s very much a case of getting what you pay for. A good demo unlocks doors when it comes to booking shows, talking to record labels and securing management. No one’s greased my palms enough to make me recommend a studio publicly, but drop me a line if you’d like pointed in the right direction for your budget. Does this hot combo have a Web site? Maybe you work with someone who could design one for them on the cheap, or host it in exchange for help on a project. Or how about you collar that photographer buddy who still owes you a favor from college, so the band can ditch that ridiculous digitalcamera photo of the four of them standing against a brick wall like shmucks? An intangible gift like a Web site, or one as practical as snow tires, may not seem fun or Christmas-y to you. Rest assured, if the rocker in your life has been doing this for any length of time at all, you’ll be the hero of the holiday. Most of the time, artists of all persuasions feel like it’s them against the world — and most of the time, they’re right. Showing your support for their crackbrained, quixotic dreams is the coolest thing you could do at this time of year. Merry whatever-you-celebrate, everyone. Get where you’re going safely, take it easy on the pie and vodka, and if you’re a big fan of columnists who write run-on sentences, gifts of booze and drum sticks are cheerfully accepted, care of the home office.

ARTS&LIFE

28 ■ Toledo Free Press

MUSIC

CD REVIEW BY MICHAEL PUNSALAN

Lazerlove5 focuses on CD Flicker Mask By Michael Punsalan Toledo Free Press Staff Writer events@toledofreepress.com

“I don’t know how to explain it,” muses Brian Nupp, the droll frontman of the rock band Lazerlove5, when questioned about his group’s odd moniker. “How do I put this politely? I guess the name comes from my e-mail address back in the ’90s. I hung out with a lot of ravers. Everything had ‘5’ in it back then.” Originally from Akron, UT grad Nupp calls Toledo home. A producer, Nupp recently released Lazerlove5’s sophomore album, Flicker Mask, on the Maumee label Red Velvet Records. “The music is like ‘Twilight Zone’ kids’ music in a grown-up world,” Nupp said. Lazerlove5’s songs have been compared to Talking Heads — a few notches beyond esoteric. With song titles referencing Freudian terms, aliens, lizards and one writer’s obsession with baldness, Flicker Mask will appeal to a diverse crowd. “The song “Grouch” is about a kid who looks for his dog, but then ﬁnds that his dog hung himself. So he hides this from his family but ends up cooking the dog like a piece of beef and serving it to his parents,” Nupp said. “I guess the themes of the songs are about ironic things that don’t normally happen.”

Also performing on Flicker Mask are Matthew Seligmann from the Soft Boys, and Bid from the Monochrome Set, both legendary British punk rock bands. “When Bid came to play in Toledo,” Nupp said, “It was the first time he played in the United States in 20 years.” Heavily influenced by these bandmates, Nupp also cites John Lennon and the Beatles as musical inspirations. Despite having recorded with legendary musicians, Nupp disdains public performances. “We’ve played Mickey Finn’s Pub and Diva, but I really don’t like to play out,” Nupp said. “It’s weird, but it’s kind of a phobia. I feel out of place. I really feel my home is in the studio. If a gig finds us, we’ll play it. But we don’t actively seek them so much. It’s very hard to create some type of a cult following. I would never want to be as famous as Britney Spears or Michael Jackson. But a little recognition is nice and it’s rare.” Nupp said the band is building an international following. “We virtually have no fan base here in Toledo,” he laughed. “We’ve had offers to play in England, though. The CDs don’t sell well here, but they sell in England, Germany, France and even Japan.” Flicker Mask is available at www.lazerlove5.com.

December 21, 2005

The Producers Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Mel Brooks said the only reason to ﬁlm another version of the Broadway hit musical, “The Producers,” was to record Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick into immortality as the stars. Lane and Broderick highlight the album with their Broadway veteran voices, while Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell impress the unacquainted. To those unfamiliar with the play, the music comically circumvents the topic of Hitler as the centerpiece of a Broadway musical. Not offensive, the album delights with laughs of irony.

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50982.indd 1

12/19/05 11:00:45 AM

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Bringing a Slice of the Big Apple to Downtown Toledo

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featuring. . .

Favorite appetizers Over-stuffed Mushrooms Mozzarella en Corrozza Delectable Salads Broadway Chicken Salad Park Avenue Passion Salad Pizzas and Pastas Mona Lisa of Toledo Lasagne LaGuardia Parmesan Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Together Again!

Scrumptious Entrées Long Island Scallops New York, New York Strip Madison Square Chops Hudson Bay Chicken Staten Island Salmon ‘To Die For’ Desserts Grandma’s Rum Cake Kendall’s Cheesecakes Decadent Chocolate Cake

Sunday Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. “Not just your traditional buffet” Also featuring LIVE JAZZ & BLUES Monday-Saturday nights

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1516 Adams Street • 419.243.6675 www.manhattanstoledo.com 50982_c.indd 1

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TV LISTINGS

December 21, 2005

Wednesday Evening 7 pm 7:30 8 pm ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 UPN 48 WB 5 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

MOVIES

8:30

9 pm

December 21, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Fortune

Jeopardy! Home, Holidays

Lost “Abandoned” ’ Criminal Minds (CC)

My Wife

Raymond ’70s Show Stacked

Trading Spouses

Extra (N)

Hollywood Deal or No Deal (N)

App.: Martha

Entertain

Insider

NewsHour Business

Lopez

Freddie

Chanukah Celebration Christmas With

Lost ’ (CC)

CSI: NY ’ (CC) News Law & Order ’ (CC) St. Olaf Christmas

News (CC) Nightline News (CC) Late Show Seinfeld

Seinfeld

News

Tonight

Charlie Rose (N) (CC)

Girlfriends Veronica Mars (CC) Ed Buggs American Cheaters Eye Eye Judge Mathis ’ (CC) Chris Friends Sex & City One Tree Hill ’ (CC) Related ’ (CC) Friends Will-Grace Sex & City Will-Grace Amer. Justice Bounty Hunter Inked (CC) Inked (CC) Inked (CC) Inked (CC) Crossing Jordan (CC) Presents

Comedi

Daily

Colbert

Mencia

So Raven So Raven ››› Hercules (1997) (CC) E! News E! News Oprah Winfrey Dr. 90210

South

Dragon

Life Derek Sister, Sis. So Raven So Raven

Drawn

Big Bad & Best

Daily

Colbert

Howard S. Howard S.

NFL Live (CC)

College Football GMAC Bowl -- Texas-El Paso vs. Toledo. From Mobile, Ala. (CC)

Jack Frost

›› A Very Brady Christmas (1988) (CC)

SportsCtr.

›› A Very Brady Christmas (1988) (CC) Inside the NFL (N) ’ Middle Sexes

Day-Tomorrow ››› In Good Company (2004) Dennis Quaid. Deck the Halls (2005) Gabrielle Carteris. (CC) › Holiday Affair (1996) Cynthia Gibb. (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace Wild & Out Wild & Out Wild & Out Challenge Challenge Challenge Jackass Jackass Direct Effect ’

CSI: Crime Scn CSI: Crime Scn ›› Scarface (1983, Crime Drama) Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer. Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Sex & City Sex & City Daisy Rat Race Law & Order “Shield” Law & Order: SVU

Thursday Evening 7 pm 7:30

››› Pretty Woman (1990) Richard Gere. (CC) ››› Pretty Woman (1990) (CC) Law Order: CI Law & Order: SVU Law & Order: SVU Law Order: CI

MOVIES

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

December 22, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Entertain Insider Primetime (CC) News (CC) Nightline Extreme Makeover: Home Edition ’ (CC) ABC 13 Fortune Jeopardy! Without a Trace (CC) CSI: Crime Scn Without a Trace (CC) News (CC) Late Show CBS 11 My Wife Raymond The O.C. ’ (CC) News Seinfeld Seinfeld The O.C. ’ (CC) FOX 36 Extra (N) Hollywood Deal or No Deal (N) Joey (CC) Will-Grace ER “’Twas the Night” News Tonight NBC 24 NewsHour Business Toledo Stories Christmas at Belmont Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Maigret ’ (CC) PBS 30 Love, Inc. Eve (CC) Cuts (CC) Ed Buggs American Cheaters Eye Eye Judge Mathis ’ (CC) Chris UPN 48 Friends Sex & City Smallville “Mortal” ’ Everwood ’ (CC) Friends Will-Grace Sex & City Will-Grace WB 5 American Justice Cold Case Files (CC) The First 48 (N) (CC) The First 48 (CC) Crossing Jordan (CC) A&E Presents Reno 911! Daily Colbert Premium South Mario Cantone Daily Colbert COM So Raven So Raven ›› Full-Court Miracle (2003) Alex D. Linz. (CC) Maggie Sister, Sis. So Raven So Raven DISN E! News E! News 50 Most Outrageous TV Moments Divas Bad Gastineau Howard S. Howard S. E! SportsCtr. Gameday College Football Pioneer Purevision Las Vegas Bowl -- BYU vs. California. (CC) SportsCtr. ESN Rudolph’s-New Year ›› How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Jim Carrey. How the Grinch Stole Christmas FAM U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Producers Cathouse: The Series ›› First Kid (1996) ’ Inside the NFL (CC) HBO TTH 100 Ad_4c1/2pg_TFP.eps 12/19/05 4:13 PM(CC) Page 1 His and Her Christmas (2005) Will-Grace Will-Grace ›› Christmas in My Hometown (1996) (CC) LIF MTV Cribs Diary (N) True Life ’ Jackass Direct Effect ’ True Life (N) ’ Diary ’ MTV CSI: Crime Scn CSI: Crime Scn MXC (N) Wildest Police Videos MXC ’ MXC ’ MXC ’ SPK Raymond Raymond Friends Friends Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld The Mask of Zorro TBS NBA Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls. (CC) NBA Basketball Law & Order ’ TNT ET Extra-Terr. Law Order: CI Law Order: CI Law Order: CI Law Order: CI USA

Toledo Free Press ■ 29

Critic’s Choice Wednesday 8 p.m. on CBS 11 The 7th Annual A Home for the Holidays: Actress Jamie Lee Curtis hosts this year’s edition of the special with a cause: finding homes for children. As usual, musical performances are interspersed with stories from and about adoptive families and children waiting for them. The musical lineup includes Sheryl Crow, the Goo Goo Dolls, Yolanda Adams and Toni Braxton.

ley leads the cast as young Ralphie, who yearns to find a Red Ryder BB gun under the Christmas tree. Sadly, everyone — even Santa — has only one answer for him: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” The film is based on a book by Jean Shepherd, who narrates the action as grown-up Ralphie. Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon also star. Sunday 9 p.m. on CBS 11 Finding John Christmas: Peter Falk spreads his wings as an angel in this 2003 holiday movie co-starring Valerie Bertinelli. When a man performs a heroic act, an emergency-room nurse (Bertinelli) suspects he may be her brother, who has been missing for a long time. With the help of an angel (Falk) and a photographer (David Cubitt), she goes in search of the nameless hero.

Saturday 8 p.m. on TBS A Christmas Story: Let the marathon begin! Starting now, TBS airs this beloved 1983 comedy for the next 24 hours. Peter Billings-

Friday Evening 7 pm 7:30 ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 UPN 48 WB 5 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

Entertain Fortune My Wife Extra (N)

MOVIES

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

December 23, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Hope Properties 20/20 (CC) Supernanny ’ (CC) Jeopardy! Ghost Whisperer (CC) Close to Home (CC) NUMB3RS (CC)

News (CC) Late Show

Raymond ››› Ice Age (2002) Voices of Ray Romano. News Hollywood Deal or No Deal (N) Dateline NBC (N) (CC) Law Order: CI

Seinfeld

News

Tonight

Insider

NewsHour Business Wash Wk NOW (CC) Editors WealthTrk ››› Meet Ed Buggs Judge Mathis ’ (CC) WWE Friday Night SmackDown! (N) ’ (CC) Friends Sex & City ›› Like Mike (2002) Lil’ Bow Wow. ’ (CC) Friends American Justice ›› Batman Returns (1992) Michael Keaton. (CC)

News (CC) Nightline

John Doe (1941) Gary Cooper. American Cheaters Eye Eye Will-Grace Sex & City Will-Grace The First 48 “A Serial Killer Calls”

Presents

Reno 911! Daily

Brett B.

Presents

Suite Life

So Raven Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas Phil

Suite Life

Sister, Sis. So Raven So Raven

E! News

The Soup “Best of...”

SportsCtr. Gameday

Girls

Com.-Presents Girls

Girls

Presents Girls

Comedi

Premium

Howard S. Howard S.

College Football Fort Worth Bowl -- Houston vs. Kansas. From Fort Worth, Texas.

SportsCtr.

››› Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Willy Wonka & Chocolate › Catwoman (2004) Halle Berry. ›› Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid Exorcist

Rudolph-Island of Misfit Toys Inside the NFL (CC)

Will-Grace How Clean ›› Anastasia (1997) Voices of Meg Ryan. (CC) ›› If You Believe (1999) Ally Walker. (CC) Laguna Laguna ET Rumor Gauntlet II Challenge Challenge Challenge Made ’ From Rus. ››› The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) ’ ››› You Only Live Twice (1967) Sean Connery. ’ Raymond Raymond Friends Law & Order “Expert” Law & Order: SVU

Friends

Law & Order ’ Law Order: CI

››› Forrest Gump (1994, Drama) (PA) Tom Hanks, Robin Wright. (CC)

›› Legally Blonde (2001) Reese Witherspoon. ›› Call Me Claus Law & Order: SVU Monk (CC) Law Order: CI

ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV ■ SPK TBS TNT USA

SportsCtr. College Football Pioneer Purevision Las Vegas Bowl -- BYU vs. California. (CC) How the Grinch Stole Christmas ›› How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Jim Carrey. Producers Cathouse: The Series U.S. Women’s Soccer Team ›› First Kid (1996) ’ Inside the NFL (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace His and Her Christmas (2005) (CC) ›› Christmas in My Hometown (1996) (CC) Jackass MTV Cribs Diary (N) True Life ’ Diary ’ True Life (N) ’ Direct Effect ’ Wildest Police Videos MXC (N) CSI: Crime Scn CSI: Crime Scn MXC ’ MXC ’ MXC ’ The Mask of Zorro Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Friends Raymond Raymond Friends NBA Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls. (CC) NBA Basketball Law & Order ’ Law Order: CI Law Order: CI Law Order: CI Law Order: CI ET Extra-Terr.

SportsCtr. Gameday Rudolph’s-New Year

ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 UPN 48 WB 5 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

December 24, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

News (CC) Joy World Funniest Home Videos › I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998) ’ (CC) 48 Hours Mystery (CC) News (CC) No Room Apex Apex NUMB3RS ’ (CC) Seinfeld Mad TV ’ (CC) ›› Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) Eddie Murphy. ’ (CC) News Christmas ›››› It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) James Stewart, Donna Reed. (DVS) News TimeGoes Austin Cty Antiques Roadshow Keeping Up Great Lodges Dont-Basement Movie Soul Train ’ Sex & City Sex & City Will-Grace Friends Smallville “Redux” ’ A Chance of Snow (1998) JoBeth Williams. City Confidential (CC) Cold Case Files (CC) Cold Case Files (CC) Cold Case Files (CC) Cold Case Files (CC) South South South Chris Rock: Bigger ›› Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie (CC) South So Raven Suite Life Sister, Sis. Phil Suite Life So Raven ›› ’Twas the Night (2001) Bryan Cranston. Dr. 90210 Saturday Night Live Gastineau Gastineau Fashion Dos Dr. 90210 College Football Sheraton Hawaii Bowl -- Central Florida vs. Nevada. (Live) (CC) SportsCtr. NFL Primetime (CC) Videos Rudolph’s-New Year Videos Without Santa Santa Claus Night Frosty’s Dr. Seuss-Cat ››› The Phantom of the Opera (2004) Gerard Butler. (CC) Anchorman: Legend of Ron Crazy for Christmas Recipe for a Perfect Christmas (2005) (CC) ›› Noel (2004, Drama) Penélope Cruz. (CC) Sweet 16 Sweet 16 Sweet 16 Sweet 16 Sweet 16 Laguna Laguna Laguna Laguna Laguna TNA iMPACT! (N) (CC) ›››› Goldfinger ’ ››› Diamonds Are Forever (1971) Sean Connery, Jill St. John. ’

Monday Evening 7 pm 7:30 ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 UPN 48 WB 5 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

MOVIES

Entertainment Tonight Cash Expl. Fortune Simpsons Simpsons Eddie Boggs Lawrence Welk Show The Tom Joyner Show

››› Forrest Gump ››› Twister (1996) ›› 2 Fast 2 Furious

››› A Christmas Story (1983, Comedy) (CC) ››› A Christmas Story (1983, Comedy) (CC) ›› First Knight (1995) ››› Gladiator (2000) Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix. (CC) ›› The Hulk (2003) ›› The Mummy Returns (2001) Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz. (CC)

MOVIES

8 pm

8:30

Wife Swap ’ (CC) How I Met King Arrested Arrested Crossing Jordan (CC) Antiques Roadshow All of Us One

9 pm

December 26, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

NFL Football New England Patriots at New York Jets. (S Live) (CC) News (CC) Late Show CSI: Miami (CC) Two Men Practice Seinfeld Seinfeld House “Fidelity” (CC) News Tonight News Medium ’ (CC) Las Vegas ’ (CC) Charlie Rose (N) (CC) American Experience “Reagan: Lifeguard” Ed Buggs American Cheaters Eye Eye Girlfriends Half Judge Mathis ’ (CC) Will-Grace Sex & City Will-Grace Sex & City 7th Heaven ’ (CC) Friends Supernatural ’ (CC) Friends Crossing Jordan (CC) Flip This House (CC) Cleavage Mankind’s fascination with breasts. 24 ’ (CC) Bill Engvall: Here’s Your Sign Live Blue Coll Blue Coll Bill Engvall: Here’s Your Sign Live Jeff Foxworthy Suite Life Suite Life So Raven So Raven So Raven So Raven ›› Max Keeble’s Big Move (2001) (CC) Howard S. Howard S. Dr. 90210 Dr. 90210 Divas Bad Dr. 90210 Surgery Figure Skating Grand Prix Final. From Tokyo. (Taped) (CC) Monday Night Countdown (CC) Football The 700 Club (CC) Whose? Whose? Whose? Smallville “Redux” ’ Adam Sandler’s-Crazy Nights Boxing’s Best of 2005 Rome (CC) Syriana Rome ’ (CC) Rome ’ (CC) ›› The Big Bounce Will-Grace Will-Grace One Special Night (1999) Julie Andrews. (CC) Home for the Holidays (2005) Sean Young. MTV Cribs Punk’d ’ Punk’d ’ Punk’d ’ Challenge Challenge Challenge Challenge Made ’

Entertain Fortune My Wife Extra (N) NewsHour

Insider Jeopardy! Raymond Hollywood Business

›› A View to a Kill (1985) Roger Moore. ’ Friends Raymond Raymond Friends

Law & Order ’ Law & Order: SVU

SportsCtr. SportsCtr. Gameday College Football Fort Worth Bowl -- Houston vs. Kansas. From Fort Worth, Texas. Rudolph-Island of Misfit Toys ››› Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Willy Wonka & Chocolate Inside the NFL (CC) ›› Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid Exorcist › Catwoman (2004) Halle Berry. Will-Grace How Clean ›› Anastasia (1997) Voices of Meg Ryan. (CC) ›› If You Believe (1999) Ally Walker. (CC) Gauntlet II Challenge Challenge Challenge Made ’ Rumor ET Laguna Laguna From Rus. ››› You Only Live Twice (1967) Sean Connery. ’ ››› The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) ’ Friends Raymond Raymond Friends ››› Forrest Gump (1994, Drama) (PA) Tom Hanks, Robin Wright. (CC) Law & Order “Expert” Law & Order ’ ›› Legally Blonde (2001) Reese Witherspoon. ›› Call Me Claus Law Order: CI Monk (CC) Law & Order: SVU Law Order: CI Law & Order: SVU

TV LISTINGS

30 Toledo Free Press

Saturday Evening 7 pm 7:30

ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

Law & Order ’ Law Order: CI

››› Octopussy (1983, Adventure) Roger Moore, Maud Adams. ’ Commercials Family Family Friends Friends Without a Trace (CC) Wanted “Judas” (N) Law & Order ’ WWE Monday Night Raw (S Live) (CC) ›› Blow (2001) (CC)

December 21, 2005

Sunday Evening 7 pm 7:30 ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 UPN 48 WB 5 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

December 25, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Grey’s Anatomy (CC) News (CC) Ebert News (CC) CSI ›› Finding John Christmas (2003) ’ (CC) Cold Case ’ (CC) Seinfeld King-Hill News Simpsons Family Packers 24 ’ (CC) Outdrsmn. Crossing Jordan (CC) News The West Wing (CC) Law Order: CI Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Nature ’ (CC) (DVS) Great Performances: The Nutcracker From Paid Prog. Paid Prog. Grace Living Movie Farscape “The Flax” Supernatural ’ (CC) Smallville “Lineage” Charmed ’ (CC) Intervention (CC) Star Wars: Empire of Dreams (CC) CSI: Miami ’ (CC) Merry F... Christmas Dave Attell’s Insomniac Tour (CC) Jeff Foxworthy So Raven Suite Life Sister, Sis. Phil ››› Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella True H’wood Story The Soup “Best of...” Who’s the Boss?: True H’wood Story SportsCtr. NFL Football Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens. (Live) (CC) NFL Videos Videos Whose? Whose? Borrowed Hearts (1997) Roma Downey. Women Soccer The Sopranos ’ (CC) Deadwood (CC) ›› I, Robot (2004) Will Smith. ’ (CC) Missing (CC) ›› The Dive From Clausen’s Pier (2005) (CC) ›› Odd Girl Out (2005) Alexa Vega. (CC) Music Awards Punk’d ’ Punk’d ’ Punk’d ’ Challenge Challenge Challenge Real World Austin World Is Not Diamonds Are Forever ›› The World Is Not Enough (1999, Action) Pierce Brosnan. ’ A Christmas Story ››› Home Alone (1990) (PA) Macaulay Culkin. ›› Jumanji (1995) Robin Williams. (CC) (DVS) Law-Order Law-Order Law & Order “Floater” Law & Order ’ Law & Order ’ Law & Order ’ Law SVU Law & Order: SVU ›› How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days ›› Bruce Almighty (2003) Jim Carrey. (CC)

Funniest Home Videos Makeover: Home

Housewives

60 Minutes ’ (CC) NFL Football: Bears at Dateline NBC (N) (CC) Raleigh Ringers: One Veronica Mars (CC) Reba (CC) Reba (CC) Cold Case Files (CC) Blue Collar Suite Life So Raven Home Improvement Figure Skating The Christmas Secret

Tuesday Evening 7 pm 7:30 ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 UPN 48 WB 5 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM HBO LIF MTV SPK TBS TNT USA

MOVIES

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

December 27, 2005 9:30 10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

News (CC) Nightline Boston Legal ’ (CC) The 28th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (N) News (CC) Late Show Seinfeld Seinfeld News House “Acceptance” Bones ’ (CC) Tonight News Name Earl The Office Law & Order: SVU Fear Factor (N) (CC) Frontline “Diet Wars” Independent Lens (N) Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Nova ’ (CC) (DVS) Judge Mathis ’ (CC) ›› All About the Benjamins (2002) Ice Cube. Ed Buggs American Cheaters Eye Eye Will-Grace Sex & City Will-Grace Friends Sex & City Gilmore Girls ’ (CC) Supernatural “Pilot” Friends Crossing Jordan (CC) Airline Airline Dog Dog Cold Case Files (CC) San Francisco Vice Dave Chappelle: Killin Chappelle Chappelle Chappelle South Colbert Reno 911! Daily Yankers Suite Life Suite Life So Raven So Raven So Raven So Raven ›› The Cheetah Girls (2003) Raven. (CC) Gastineau Big Buzz Howard S. Howard S. Who’s the Boss?: True H’wood Story E! News E! News College Football Insight Bowl -- Arizona State vs. Rutgers. From Phoenix. (CC) College Football The 700 Club (CC) Whose? Smallville “Lineage” ›› Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July Whose? Real Sports (N) (CC) Boxing’s Best of 2005 Alexander Rome ’ (CC) Anchor Rome ’ (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace Circle of Deceit (1998) Janine Turner. (CC) ›› Beauty (1998) Janine Turner. Premiere. Barkers Barkers Barkers Barkers Barkers Barkers Barkers Barkers Direct Effect ’

Entertain Fortune My Wife Extra (N) NewsHour

Insider Jeopardy! Raymond Hollywood Business

Rodney Jim NCIS “Switch” (CC)

››› Octopussy (1983) Roger Moore. ’ Friends Raymond Raymond Friends Law & Order “Stiff” Law & Order ’ Law Order: CI Law & Order: SVU

December 21, 2005

Toledo Free Press ■ 31

IN CONCERT

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››› For Your Eyes Only (1981) Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet. ’ Seinfeld Seinfeld Daisy Sex & City Sex & City Daisy

The Closer ’ (CC) Law & Order ’ › Friday After Next (2002) Ice Cube. (CC)

ARTS&LIFE

Cold Case ’ (CC) Law Order: CI

5-Headed Donkey ready to rock By Vicki L. Kroll Toledo Free Press Staff Writer events@toledofreepress.com

How 5-Headed Donkey got its name last April depends on which band member you ask. “We were sitting around our practice place trying to come up with names. We had about 20 to 30 names, and we sort of combined a couple of them,” said Nate Woodward, keyboardist and singer. “I’ve never got a straight answer on that one,” said Matt Schieferstein, drummer and singer, who has been with the group six months. “We met up at the bar to discuss what we wanted to do, see if it would work. We had a few pitchers going. We started just coming up with funny stuff, joking around with bizarre names. I’m not sure who brought up 5-Headed Donkey,” said Rick Caswell, bass player and singer. “Only one or two of us remembered the name the next day. We thought it sounded alright.” “It was a joke, and it just stuck,” said guitarist Melissa Moore. Guitarist and singer Evan Bates had no comment, but only because he missed the interview due to his job. 5-Headed Donkey will be at Mickey Finn’s Pub, 602 Lagrange St., Friday, Dec. 30, at 10 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge. “We play a mixture of cover songs and originals. Everything we do is blues or rock,” Woodward said. “When we do cover songs, we try to do them differently than they’re written, more fun, updated.” “Our music is deﬁnitely audience-friendly,” Schieferstein said. “We put individual touches on the cover songs, and we do some extended jam kind of stuff. You’ll never be bored at one of our shows.”

NATE WOODWARD “We like to play music that we can improvise on. If we play straight-up covers, we get bored,” Moore said. “I don’t think anything is ever the same every time we play.” Listen for “Lookin’ for a Ride,” an original written by Caswell and arranged by Woodward. “The idea of playing original music is something I like,” Caswell said. “Myself, I don’t write anything complicated. I get a blues riff and try to put a lyric to it.” The local band pays tribute to some of its favorites by covering The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. Starting in January, 5-Headed Donkey will perform Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. at the Village Idiot, 309 Conant St., Maumee.

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ARTS&LIFE

Santa

BUSINESS CARD BLAST

December 21, 2005

Toledo Free Press ■ 33

BUSINESS CARD BLAST Thursday

Friday

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Christmas Day

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Partly sunny HI 33° LOW 14°

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Third Rock Your Tarotgram

and Horoscope Dec. 22 - Dec. 29, 2005

Events: Venus retrogrades in Aquarius on Dec. 24th Aries (March 21-April 19)

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Self knowledge enhances decisions. After a hectic week you’re ready for the holiday. The joys of the present are ﬂavored by memories of Christmas past. Savor magical moments. The 26th is a rude awakening; pressure builds to make commitments. The 2829th are lucky days.

Wishful thinking. Smooth issues with a young rebel on the 23rd. The holiday weekend is infused with laughter and companionship, but you’ll need a nap to keep going. Avoid repeating a mistake on the 27th. Happy gatherings on the 28-29th extend the spirit of giving.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Devil with the blue dress. Underneath the mask of holiday spirit, turbulent thoughts and desires are brewing. Let down your guard and relax for the holiday. Exit the gate roaring on the 26th, with ardent determination to overcome obstacles and secure goals.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You are my sunshine. Your determination to share the holiday spirit helps everyone set aside their worries. Different folks at the table generate unusual conversations. Rest and solitude appeal on the 26-27th. Spend time with a lonely older person on the 28th.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

It’s all good. More than most you enter into the holiday spirit with childlike wonder and appreciation. Your good mood infects ever yone over the weekend. Post-holiday blues hit hard on the 2627th. Make uplifting plans for the 28-29th, good days to talk and visit.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

A frenzy of delight. While feelings about altered holiday plans are mixed, you’re ready for good cheer by Christmas Eve. It won’t be easy to refocus on duties on the 26th — extend holiday for a lazy day. Partner/ spouse will help resolve questions on the 28-29th.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Cut and paste. Children, friends and relationships are your main focus through the holidays. Enjoy whatever happens over the weekend. By the 26th, a major personal/career shift is in the works, perhaps through obnoxious proclamations. Find the humor in it on the 28-29th.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Everything changes but sea and sky. At moments through the holidays, you may feel a thousand miles away from it all. Children have surprises for you on Christmas. Emotional detachment can help you form worthy resolutions about the future around the 28th.

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Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Traditions ensure continuity. Try to rest on the 23rd, as the holiday weekend holds happy, if frenetic, activity. Children are a great blessing and source of pride. Getting back to workaday patterns is tough. Small adjustments on the 28-29th make work easier. Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Mix the old and new. Your excitement and enthusiasm build as the holiday weekend arrives. Strong connections on personal/community levels inspire generosity. You’re ready to soldier through major changes as the year ends, but respect the tender sentiments of others. Pisces (February 19-March 20) Tweak as necessar y. Your capacity for ﬂexibility aids in the ﬂow of holiday activities. Cherish each moment of time with loved ones, faces new and old. Travel carefully on the 26-27th. Distant places beckon on the 28-29th, and others cooperate in planning adventures.

Elizabeth Hazel is a professional tarotist-astrologer and author. She gives readings every Wednesdayat Pub St. George above Manos Greek Restaurant. She may be contacted at ehazel@buckeye-express.com. (c) 2005

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Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Overﬂowing joys. Your generous spirit and merriment are a gift to all. You spring delightful surprises on Christmas morning, and may donate to the needy. You’re ready for challenges after the 26th; actions undertaken generate worthy triumphs on the 28th.

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Continued from page 24 TFP: What’s the most-asked question children have for you? SC: They always ask about the reindeer. What they eat, where they play, can they come over for a birthday party, that kind of thing. They want to know if Rudolph is real. TFP: Is Rudolph real? SC: There is a Rudolph, and while he doesn’t ﬂy with the team every year, he’s always ready if we expect fog or heavy snow. TFP: Do you have Christmas music playing all year? SC: 365 days a year! We love the holiday music, and it keeps us motivated. TFP: What's your favorite carol? SC: You gotta love the classics. “Silent Night.” “Deck the Halls.” “Frosty the Snowman.” Mrs. Claus is partial to “Here Comes Santa Claus,” but I have a difficult time walking around singing my own name. The elves keep me up to date by playing the new stuff. I enjoy the jazzier music. I was disappointed by last year’s Christmas CD by the Barenaked Ladies. They’re good boys, but that wasn’t their best effort. TFP: What about the TV specials and movies? SC: After the big trip, the large radar screen shows movies. We run the Charlie Brown and Grinch specials, mixed with just about every Christmas movie you can imagine, except that terrible Tim Allen movie from last year. TFP: Which actor did the best

job of portraying you in a movie? SC: I don’t like to play favorites, but I’ve liked seeing Ed Asner play me over the years. He has a good Santa stomach. TFP: Does it bother you to see people dressed as you in shopping malls and parades and parties? SC: Not at all. It’s confusing to the children sometimes, but there’s something transcendent and eternal about the suit. It makes people happy, both the wearer and the audience. I don’t like it when I hear of someone dressed as me being grumpy or unkind, but I learned a few hundred years ago that I can’t control everything. TFP: What do you think of the illustrations that show you bowing at Christ’s manger? SC: I reﬂect and respect the beliefs of the families who believe in me. Every religion of the world places me subservient to its icons, as they should. I bring joy and happiness, but spiritual fulﬁllment does not come from toys and games. TFP: After all these years, do you still enjoy your work? SC: It’s not work. Making children happy is the easiest thing in the world. I have a purpose and focus that keeps me feeling young and loved and ready for anything. The hard part, the real work, is on your end. You have to struggle to believe in me, to keep me alive. You have to push aside the delusions and cynicism of adult life to breathe life into me, to keep me real. And I am real. I’m as real as you want me to be.

December 21, 2005

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32 ■ Toledo Free Press

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CLASSIFIEDS

34 ■ Toledo Free Press

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2321 Georgetown West Toledo Code #30064 $114,000

3635 Terrace Toledo Code #30024 $79,900

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3305 Westchester Toledo/Sylvania Schools Code #30114 $284,500

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