Toledo Free Press STAR – December 15, 2010

Holiday

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Dec. 15, 2010

Tricky Mickey GIFT GUIDE: ‘Epic Mickey’ leads season’s video games.

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2 . n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” — CHARLIE BROWN TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

All leases are for 39 months with $1500 due at lease signing 10k miles per year, upon approved credit. Tax and title extra, all rebates to dealer. Buy prices include bonus rebate for financing with Ally.

MUSIC: Faux Paus are straight outta UT 4 CLUBS: King hails Frankie’s 6 EXHIBITS: ‘Gloom’ at the OT 8 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TALENT: Happy holidays 9 THE PULSE: Events calendar 12 GLASS CITY MUSE: Getting published 18 COMICS RACK: The Greatest vs. The Man of Steel 19 POP GOES THE CULTURE: Video game stories 22

Fantasia at Fox Theatre • Mickey unleashed • faux paus • Jeremy Lindsay debuts solo CD • Ali vs. Superman comic reissued DEC. 15, 2010 • Episode 1 Chapter 41 • Toledo Free Press Star, Toledo, OH: “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!” — All the Peanuts gang, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Toledo artist Beverly Wills to perform on BET By lilD Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

He’s a 21-year-old who dreamed of being a high school guidance counselor — and HipHop pays his bills. Talk about an oxymoron.

If you knew Beverly Wills when he was just Brandon, you probably don’t talk to him very often today. The Toledo rapper says, “people don’t call and ask about my daughter or how my days went,” but are offended when he charges them for his musical services.

After performing all across Ohio and winning an Ohio Hip-Hop Award for Best New Artist, why would his services be free? Oh, yes, that’s right: you’re not allowed to take your craft seriously before you leave your city and become a national superstar.

And that’s single-handedly why most artists never leave their city and become national superstars.

Beverly Wills has come a long way from the kid who rapped in high school for fun, looking up to Ma$e because he looked like the urban kid’s dream: flashy, rich, a braggadocio and a ladies’ man. Nowadays, Wills is seeking more intangible measures, like his daughter’s affection, or seeing his music help people going through the same struggles he has survived.

Honesty is a quality too often lost in HipHop, masked by desperate attempts at success through a make-believe life. But with his personal style of music, Beverly Wills says he “can’t rap about a Maybach because I don’t have one.”

It’s because of Beverly Wills’ ability to

reach people through his dynamic personality and raw emotion that his popularity has grown, not only in Toledo, but internationally.

Social networking plays a huge part in his success, garnering him “more attention from an ethernet card than pressing CDs.” A month ago, he learned he has fans in Croatia, who eagerly pass his music around. Hope he has a passport.

Never forgetting where he comes from, Beverly Wills’ new project is titled “T.O.L.E.D.O.,” an acronym for “This Opportunity Lets Every Demon Out.” This is his first true representation of himself, with completely original music and very personal lyrics. After trying to follow trends and only make club music, he is now only focused on being himself and showing the world that he’s more than just a “swagger rapper.” As the world will see very soon.

On Dec. 22, Beverly Wills will compete on the highest-rated television show on BET. “106 & Park’s Wild Out Wednesday” is a segment for artists to display their talent, then berated by a studio and at-home audience via text message.

Wills says he expects to win, but “making it there speaks volumes.”

However, if he wins, to him it only means to “keep pushing.”

Beverly Wills understands what most artists don’t; a television appearance doesn’t guarantee success, and the bills come every month regardless. So while being on the show is an honor, it doesn’t put a recording contract in his hands.

But that doesn’t mean he won’t need your support. Watch BET’s “106 & Park” on Dec. 22 and vote for him. O

Star of the Week

4 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “Rats. Nobody sent me a Christmas card today.” — CHARLIE BROWN TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

The Faux Paus, from left, Amanda Thompson, Carrie Theirin and Hannah Fritch outside Downtown Latte.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

UT students turn Faux Paus into rock-folk sensation

By Jeff McGinnis Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer popgoesJeff@gmail.com

The history of rock is littered with bands who made beautiful music together but couldn’t stand one another offstage. Not so with local rock-folk band The Faux Paus.

Hanging out with the Paus is like chatting with

a group of college pals — which is no coincidence, since that’s exactly what the three of them are. The 20-something female band mates laugh easily and smile a lot when in each others’ presence.

“We’re all best friends,” said Amanda Thompson, vocalist and guitar player. “It’s not the kind of thing where, oh, yeah, this is my band mate, and I don’t ever see ’em outside of the band.

We see each other all the time.”

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So, they never get on each other’s nerves?

Nope. Never. Not at all. Well …

“On our New York trip, it was smooth sailing until an hour away from home,” laughed Carrie Theuring, the group’s drummer.

“I think all of our trips, we always fight that last hour,” added Hannah Fritch, vocals, guitar and keyboards.

Well, even the best of friends can get on each

other’s nerves. But the members of The Faux Paus have built on a bond that formed while all three were attending film school at the University of Toledo.

“We were all taking a class together, and these two were in a computer lab. And I went in there to edit, and I didn’t really know them, I knew they were in my class,” Theuring said. n FAUX PAUS CONTINUES ON 5

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“What’s a Christmas shepherd gonna look like holding a stupid blanket like that?” — LUCY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 5 n FAUX PAUS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 “And I was like, ‘Oh, what are you guys working on?’ And they were, ‘Oh, we’re writing a song.’ And I was like, ‘You guys write music?’

And they were like, ‘Well, kinda.’”

Fritch and Thompson played her the song they were working on. Theuring was immediately impressed. “And I was like, well, I drum, do you wanna start a band?”

All three women chuckle at how corny this sounds in retrospect, then say in unison, “Archies”-style, “Hey, let’s start a band!”

The energetic nature of all three members really comes through in their music, which is influenced by legendary and contemporary artists.

“You can’t help it. Whatever you listen to just tends to come out in your instruments,” Fritch said. “Amanda’s a fan of Simon and Garfunkel, I like Bob Dylan a lot. Even a lot of our modern influences are sort of folky. And then we’ve got the rock edge with what Carrie likes to hear.”

“A lot of what we’re making right now is heavily influenced by a fusion of the new kind of modern stuff that’s coming out, and what we started out doing,” Theuring added.

Their unique sound was honed through many local gigs, though the group’s members say their first step into live performance came about much earlier than anticipated.

“We wanted to keep the band a secret for at least a year,” Thompson said. “We didn’t want to tell anybody. We didn’t even tell our closest friends that we were doing this, because we were still learning, and we had no idea what we were doing, basically. And a friend from film school found out about it, and he said, ‘You guys have to play this show!’”

Nowadays, the band’s live shows focus mainly on its original work, which has garnered the group a small but devoted local fan base. A debut EP, which was released earlier this year, features seven original compositions.

“We had a friend, Dan Brenner, who is beginning in recording at UT. And he was trying to make a portfolio, and he said he’d record us for free, so we jumped on it,” Theuring said.

“I feel like we, as independent musicians, have so much more freedom, because I’ve heard a lot of horror stories about bands that are involved in the music industry, and they just get sort of shot down,” Fritch said. “But at the same time, it’s a lot more footwork.”

Music is only part of the long-term goal for the band mates. Their roots as film majors are still prominent, and the three have produced numerous videos promoting the group and its songs for YouTube. Their stated goal is to become both successful musicians and start their own production company. They’ve even got a new short film in the can which, because of their schedule, has yet to be released.

“That’s the thing that we’ve run into — we are so busy, we’ve just come back from a tour, and getting these new jobs, and playing shows out all the time, and so many things that we really haven’t had a chance to just sit down and score it,” Thompson said.

Being too busy, however, is probably a nice problem for the three friends to have — especially when they’re in front of an audience.

“Any time the fans are so into it, it gets us into the music,” Theuring said. “And you have those moments where you’re saying, ‘I’m playing music! For fun! And people want to hear it!’” O

From left, Hannah Fritch, Carrie Theirin and Amanda Thompson.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAR PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

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6 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January.” — LUCY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM FoodTowns (1235,1243,1247) 12_12_10_ PAGE 1

Long live the King Flint band brings metal crunch to Frankie’s Dec. 22.

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“Sonic methamphetamines.” That is the best way to describe the music the Flint, Mich., natives in King create. Our northern neighbors will drive to Frankie’s on Dec. 22 to assault ears and mutilate the textbook definition of hardcore.

King’s guitars are big, brutal and potent. With riffs and guitar technique that hearken back to early Korn and rival those of later Slipknot, it’s easy to get wrapped up in King’s style. Massive drums and airtight bass are elemental of course, but ensure that the head-imploding rhythm that King generates hits you squarely in the chest.

While it’s unfair to compare King to other bands, it’s hard to ignore the influence you hear in the guitars, drums and bass style. What is wholly unique to King is the vocals. Purposely raw and underproduced, the emotion conveyed is real and tangible.

Of course King has its own sound and it is built on an iron core, but the sound isn’t so extreme that only a small pocket of die-hard metal fans would appreciate it. Listeners familiar with

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what some metal fans may call “commercial” will find that King is writing material that is sufficiently heavy with melodies and breakdowns that are likely to cause neck injuries.

At this point King only has two songs available on its MySpace page (myspace.com/ king810) thanks to the recent serverwide updates, but fans of anything from Slipknot to Thy Will Be Done will certainly want to take a listen.

There is little reinvention to speak of, which is absolutely fine. When you want a cheeseburger you don’t want it re-engineered, you want a piece of beef with some cheese on it. King delivers the beef and serves it up hot.

Formed in December 2007, King has been playing locally and regionally since the summer of 2008. While King’s members spent the better part of 2010 writing and hashing out song arrangements, this stop in Toledo marks the beginning of King’s refreshed determination and new touring regimen.

Doors for the King show open at 6 p.m. on Dec. 22. Advance tickets are $8 and can be purchased from any Ticketmaster outlet, Culture Clash Records and Ramalama Records. Tickets at the door will be $10. O

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“Pig-Pen, you’re the only person who can raise a cloud of dust in a snowstorm.” — CHARLIE BROWN TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 7

Soul meets folk

By Caitlin McGlade

Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

Imagine a cabin in Wisconsin stuffed full of guitars and drums, an upright bass, an accordion, a piano, an organ, a banjo and a hodgepodge of musicians with stories to tell.

Then cram all of that into a compact disc.

The result is 10 songs rolled up in a thick blanket of soul and folk patchwork: Toledo native Jeremy Lindsay’s newly released “solo” project “Mountains/Forests.”

Lindsay, who now lives in Chicago, has recorded three albums with his band JT and The Clouds, featuring a rocking, upbeat tone.

His latest work feels more intimate, meshed with members of the band, musician Michelle McGrath of Athens, Ohio, and the band Po’Girl.

“It’s a little softer, a little sadder, a little weirder,” Lindsay said. “I definitely wanted to do something more reflective. I think there’s a little sadness throughout that record but there’s also some kind of peace with things.”

“Mountains/Forests” was released Dec. 10 but Lindsay and the crew have toured North America for weeks to share the work they concocted in the cabin. Last week they trekked as far as Nova Scotia — but this week, Lindsay’s coming home.

The group will perform at Manhattan’s, 1516 Adams St., in the Union Square Room at 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Allison Russell of Po’ Girl said Toledo fans won’t be disappointed.

“It’s going to be really harmony-driven,” Russell said. “Maybe a little more stripped down.”

The album relies on heavy harmonies, often harkening to Mo-

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town-style backdrops and mingling with Lindsay’s dry folk vocals.

Singing helped Lindsay start down his musical track. He said he was always singing as he grew up, but didn’t learn guitar until his 20s. His parents are both retired English professors who taught at the University of Toledo, so he also grew up writing, he said. He completely committed to the music business just last year, after recording a few albums with JT and The Clouds. Now writing and playing is a full-time career.

“I can’t imagine life without it,” Lindsay said of music.

“Many times, when people are in their early 20s, there’s a constant thought of ‘I’m going to do this for so many years and if it doesn’t work out, I’m going to go to this real career.’ For me, I realized it was my craft.”

Russell and her band mates Awna Teixeira, Benny Sidelinger and Mikey August have toured for a while longer, taking soul-laden vocals and eclectic instruments on the road for about four years.

She tours for about 300 days a year, she said.

The name Po’Girl is a tribute to New Orleans.

“We wanted to give a nod to New Orleans, as a big inspiration musically; everything comes from New Orleans,” she said. “It’s one of those major melting pot places.”

Her band takes “bits and pieces of musical inspiration from different places,” just like how a po’ boy sandwich is thrown together, she said.

Russell is from Montreal. She met Lindsay on the West Coast in the early 2000s, when Lindsay lived in San Francisco, she said.

“Mountains/Forests’ is a bunch of really good friends, sitting in a room, and playing music,” Lindsay said.

Tickets for the Dec. 17 show cost $12 in advance and $15 at the door. O

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8 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “I’ve killed it. Oh! Everything I touch gets ruined.” — CHARLIE BROWN TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

Gloom, no doom

By Caitlin McGlade

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

If the holidays feel too warm and fuzzy to you, local artist Jules Webster has a remedy — “Gloom.”

Webster’s line of cups, which she calls “Gloom Ceramics,” will descend upon the Ottawa Tavern Dec. 18 with no shortage of angry birds, upset rain clouds and hungry spiders. The local design masters of Devicious, a hip T-shirt and tote-bag line, will also set up shop at the Adams Street bar.

The tavern will host the sale from 9 p.m. until midnight. Meg Piotrowski of Red Poppy Apothecary & Boutique will also have new body butters and lip balms among her other products, along with local Allison Dow who will have vintage jewelry for sale. Piotrowski’s line includes artesian healing products crafted with medicinal plants and organic oils.

“What we tried to put together is an urban craft fair of contemporary folk art for 2010,” Webster said.

Webster will also bring her “Shine 419” cups, hoodies and jackets that show Toledo pride, a response to her irritation of young hipsters fleeing Toledo for “more trendy” cities.

One mug displays the shape of Ohio on one side and “Ohio doesn’t suck, you do!” on the other.

“If you want to be part of a vibrant scene, you

have to make it,” she said.

Webster makes 2,000 to 3,000 ceramic pieces a year. She began her work with “Shine,” a collection of lovebirds, happy turtles, flowers and lily pads. But after some time at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, she turned a little more cynical.

Now she has mugs with “birds flipping the bird,” or spiders claiming that they will “eat you for breakfast.”

Part of her inspiration came from the cramped quarters at Penland.

“We were piled on top of each other and the birds went from happy to birds squawking in each other’s faces,” she said. “[Shine] felt a little bit like a falsehood; there are days that are not just the pristine, nice part of life.”

Matt Taylor and Micah Lindenberger of Devicious work with clean lines and colorful designs.

They will have four or five of their shirts on sale Dec. 18 for $18. They have about 20 designs total.

“We’re very straight down and to the point with what we do,” Taylor said. “We try to get the idea across in a simple way as possible and that means simple shapes and concepts.”

Overall, the night will represent a collaboration of unusual products often unseen in the general market, Webster said.

“The pieces we make are influenced by our culture,” she said. O

Art show and boutique sale to hit Ottawa Tavern Dec. 18.

‘Gloom’ cups by Jules Webster feature hungry spiders and bird-flipping birds.

PHOTO COURTESY JULES WEBSTER

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“In spite of my out ward appearance, I shall try to run a neat inn.” — PIg-Pen TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 9

Consideration is a sign of intelligence H

appy Holidays, everyone. What an exciting time of year, with so much excitement in the air. But are you living with an attitude of gratitude? With all the positives that we see in this season, the stress level is high and many people get very lonely. Sometimes we overlook what is important as human beings — other human beings.

We are so caught up in the hustle and bustle and pursuit of the next item to make this season. You think you are doing the right thing, but what really is the right thing? Society will tell you it’s spending money on frivolous items and events. So off to the mall holiday soldiers go to battle every other holiday army to get that prize and present before it sells, and any other holiday soldier seems to be the enemy. That doesn’t seem right, does it?

This is a season in which we all have an opportunity to make a difference. Consider the “5-Foot Rule”: When you come within 5 feet of anyone, make eye contact and say, “Hi” or “How are you doing?” thus acknowledging their existence and then them, in return, acknowledging yours. If you are not used to it, you will feel a warm, fuzzy happiness the more you encounter more people.

You might just catch yourself smiling. Cost: Free.

Family time should be fun time. As we all know, friends we choose, family we are born into and many family gatherings get so

stressful because society says you have to spend lots of money you may not have that, quite frankly, you should be spending on more important things: bills, education and enrichment — things that blossom long after you invest (well, not the bills, those are like weeds — best bet is not to take them on — because once you get them in, they never leave).

If you have the less-thanperfect atmosphere, maybe Kc SAINT doing something new might give you different results. A conversation with the host and guests may ease the stress and maybe everyone can bring a dish to pass. Instead of buying expensive, half-desired gifts, either put a cap on gift spending and focus on the people rather than the product or discuss doing a full-family event where every member shares a memory, thus steering away from a material holiday. When you stop listening to what the ads are programming you to do and start using the brain gifted to you, you are going to see

that, especially in Toledo, you can find fun free or inexpensive entertainment and activities for every age.

Everyone is right where they are supposed to be. As human beings, we are meant to encourage and develop each other. You are probably better at many things than many other people giving you a special responsibility, you are the mentor.

For some reason, human nature makes us criticize. Well, your responsibility is to overcome that urge to put down others and I hope you do realize that that is your insecurity and ego. You may feel better for a minute, but by criticizing you just poisoned your well.

Get a hold of your ego. If you were to overcome that devil, your job is really to “water that seed.”

Encourage and assist others. You overcame fear and obstacles to become the master of your domain; you have inspired many to pursue their dreams; now you can take your talent

JOHN SUPPORT YOUR

LOCAL TALENT

one step further and help that person, band, group you briefly thought you were better than to reach their next level. Many hands make for light work, and when you move in this direction, a positive direction, you just became part of the Big Team. The reward is an outside admiration for your maturity and a that warm, fuzzy feeling. Cost: Free.

Together we have made Toledo a diverse and opportunity-laden community. Appreciating other Toledoans for their ambition, passions, dreams and endeavors is what makes Toledo an amazing city in which to live, raise families and encourage tourism. The more we consider the results of our everyday actions, and make positive decisions, the better we all make our world around us. Remember, we do it to ourselves. Reward: Priceless. O Kc Saint John is a glass artist and fire breather who enjoys teaching and creating with a focus in glass. He works to develop talent and promote unity and information within the community. He is a former Chicago WEA A&R Rep and major label multiplatinum talent manager of Chicago’s infamous cabaret Metro Smart Bar and is now back in Toledo’s Old West End, “Enjoying Toledo and all it has to offer.” Kc owns Lost Peninsula Arts & Glass; a music/art school and gallery and manages The Glass Dojo, a collaborating artists’ group. Visit www.kcsaintjohn.com.

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Life after ‘Idol’ Fantasia to play Detroit’s Fox Theatre on Dec. 31.

By Alan Sculley Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

“American Idol” has been proven time and again to give its winners the kind of immediate success that very few artists achieve at the outset of their recording careers.

Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and even Clay Aiken scored major successes with their first post-“Idol” albums.

Fantasia Barrino, the 2004 “Idol” champion, was no exception. She became the first-ever artist to have a first single (“I Believe”) debut at No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart. Her first CD, “Free Yourself,” sold more than two million copies worldwide.

But Fantasia has found that winning “American Idol” also presents problems for artists who want to follow their own musical visions.

“Especially when you’re coming from a show like ‘American Idol,’ people would think that makes it easy,” Fantasia said during a teleconference interview with several reporters. “No it doesn’t. It makes it harder because a lot of times, they (record labels, management, producers) don’t take you that seriously and just stick you in that ‘Idol’; she’s an artist, but not quite like most of the artists that fought their way here, who worked their way here.” n FANTASIA CONTINUES ON 11

Associated Press

10 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “Ugh! I’ve been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs!” — LUCY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

“Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.” — LINUS TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 11 n FANTASIA CONTINUED FROM 10 As a result, Fantasia has spent much of her career battling with industry professionals whowanted to mold her into a sound or style that she didn’t want.

“After I won the ‘Idol’ and having so many opinions that people felt like ‘Let’s take it this way’ or ‘Let’s take it that way’ or ‘Let’s make it like this,’ I always knew in the back of my mind and deep down from the bottom of my heart that they can’t make me a pop artist,” Fantasia said. “I’m not a dancer. I’m not this and that.”

What Fantasia is can be summed up in three words.

“I am soul,” she declared.

And with her third CD, the recently released “Back To Me,” Fantasia said she made exactly the kind of album she has wanted to make and has been able to define herself as an artist.

“It’s truly everything I wanted,” Fantasia said of “Back To Me.” Fantasia, however, nearly didn’t get the chance to experience the positive response that has greeted “Back To Me,” much less the chance to perform her newest songs on tour.

On Aug. 9 — just three weeks before the new CD was being released — Fantasia was rushed to a hospital in Pineville, N.C., after overdosing on aspirin and an undisclosed sleep aid.

In interviews just before the release of “Back To Me,” Fantasia confirmed that she had tried to commit suicide.

One factor in the incident was discovering that the man she had dated for the previous year, Antwaun Cook, was still married and she was being accused of having an affair. Fantasia le

has said Cook had told her when they started their very public relationship that he had separated from his wife.

Fantasia didn’t address the attempted suicide in detail when asked about it during the teleconference interview, but she did say she is doing better and learning to ignore what people say about her personal life.

“I really don’t care anymore,” she said.

“Every day I wake up and I just take baby steps and I do what makes ‘Tasia happy, and I focus on my music and my daughter (she had her child, Zion Quari, at age 17), and that’s about it.”

The suicide attempt was the latest in a string of events that has dogged the singer since she rose to prominence on “American Idol” and enjoyed her initial blast of success.

In 2006, after she wrote her biography, “Life is Not a Fairy Tale” — in which she detailed her struggles growing up and the fact that she was functionally illiterate — she was sued by her father for $10 million, who charged that some of Fantasia’s unflattering statements about him were false.

She was also dropped by her management company, 19 Entertainment (which manages the careers of several “American Idol” alumni), in 2008. The move came after her second CD, “Fantasia,” although it went gold, fell well short of the success of “Free Yourself.”

“They kept switching up managers for me, just trying to figure out who could do something with me to take me to the next level,” Fantasia said. “What kind of look is she going to have? What kind of sound is she going to have?

So eventually that ended up not working and we ended up splitting.”

It was also widely reported in late 2008 that Fantasia was having financial problems and that she narrowly avoided having one of her two homes in Charlotte, N.C., put into foreclosure and being auctioned off.

Along with those controversies came some considerable triumphs. A movie based on her autobiography, “Life Is Not A Fairy Tale: The Fantasia Barrino Story,” became Lifetime Network’s second-most-viewed program when it aired in August 2006.

In 2007, she was cast in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple,” and earned strong reviews for her performance as Celie. That run, however, was interrupted when Fantasia needed surgery for a cyst on her vocal cords.

And while the “Fantasia” album represented a dip in her fortunes, she was nominated for three 2008 Grammy awards, including “Best Contemporary R&B Album” for “Fantasia.”

Having gone through those ups and downs, Fantasia was determined to make her “Back To Me” CD a true reflection of the music she loved. Its opening song, “I’m Doin’ Me,” serves as a statement of purpose.

“I always talk about how I grew up on great music,” she said. “No. 1, I grew up on gospel music. So that’s always in me. I was always a young lady who would listen to artists that my friends my age were not listening to. I’d always be listening to Aretha Franklin. Musically, I loved how Stevie Wonder and Elton John would put their albums and their shows

together. James Brown had so much soul to me.

He was just church and anointed. I would listen to all of these artists who, again, kids my age probably weren’t listening to.”

Those classic influences are apparent on “Back To Me,” in songs like “Move On Me” and “Collard Greens & Cornbread” (which includes samples of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell). Several of the songs were even recorded live in the studio — an old-school approach to recording.

“I was so, so, so psyched about it because, again, for years I had been wanting to just do me and be me, which is soul music,” Fantasia said. “This album reminds me so much of ‘Free Yourself ’ because ‘Free Yourself ’ was such a strong album and very personal for me. And so is this album. It’s personal, it’s true situations, and also it’s good music.”

Fantasia’s fall tour is the first production that she has put together, and it promises to blend elements of Broadway, with the look of 1950s/1960s jazz and soul, with several filmed scenes (including one that recreates a juke joint) being interspersed through Fantasia’s set.

“I wanted to bring that to my show, the Cab Calloway outfits, the flapper dress, the spectator shoes,” Fantasia said. “All of that is going to be a part of my show, and I’m going to be dressed like that.

“I wanted that ‘Color Purple’ Broadway feel, the big-band feel,” she said. “That’s why we’ve been in rehearsals for so long because it has to be perfect when you come in and you start to play like that.” O

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12 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share.” — SALLY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

GamIng Guide Xbox Kinect, PS3 Eye Camera lead innovations.

By Michael Siebenaler Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com

Holiday game hunters can find new motion controllers, special editions and several quality games in stores this Christmas.

The Microsoft Kinect tracks movements on the Xbox 360 game console without a controller and features different activity levels.

This new system includes the “Kinect Adventures” game while other Kinect titles include the crossboarder “Adrenalin Misfits,” “Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout,” “Dance Central,” and “DECA Sports Freedom.” “Sonic Free Riders” has a convenient pick-up-andplay interface with 10 characters including Sonic, Knuckles and Tails.

The PlayStation Move motion controller and navigation controller starter bundle comes with a “Sports Champions” game. Other PS Move games include “The Fight: Lights Out,” “The Shoot,” the intense shooter “Time Crisis Razing Storm,” which includes two bonus games and “Get Fit with Mel B,” which features a detailed profile to create customized workouts with approximately 200 different exercises. “DanceDanceRevolution” players can upload their own recording to YouTube and Facebook.

Check out PDP.com for special afterglow remotes and nunchucks for the Nintendo Wii, and controllers for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Music fans get the “Power Gig: Rise of the SixString” — a functioning six-string electric guitar controller on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. “EA Sports Active 2” expands various workout routines and includes a special heart-rate monitor.

Companies are laying out the red carpet on several consoles with special game packages including “Dragon Age Origins Ultimate Edition,” “Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Collector’s Edition,” “Fallout: New Vegas Col-

Xbox 360 game console and Microsoft Kinect

lector’s Edition,” “Halo Reach Legendary Edition” and “Call of Duty Black Ops: Hardened Edition.” “Call of Duty also comes in a “Prestige Edition” which features a functioning RC video surveillance vehicle.

Action titles available on several different consoles include the military strategy game “R.U.S.E.,” “Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions,” “Castlevania Lords of Shadow,” “Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2,” “Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon” and “Medal of Honor” featuring a 24-player online multiplayer mode.

“Enslaved: Odyssey to the West” presents a futuristic adventure featuring Monkey, voiced and motion-captured by Andy Serkis from the “Lord of the Rings” film series. The futuristic shoot ‘em up “Vanquish” has stylistic slow-motion combat options while memorable characters team up and grow stronger together in “Majin & Forsaken Kingdom.”

Racing games include “Nail’d” (Nov. 30), “Split/Second,” “Monster Jam: Path of Destruction” and “Need for Speed Hot Pursuit,” which expands races with an Autolog system for online play plus exclusive content on the limited edition.

Sports fans can try out “EA Sports MMA,” “NBA 2K11,” “Tiger Woods 11 PGA Tour” and “Little League Baseball World Series 2010.” Music lovers can groove to “Michael Jackson the Experience,” “DJ Hero 2” and “Rock Band 3.”

“Create” gives players the chance to build customized challenges on their own while discovering hidden areas within the imaginative game play, including special recording and upload

capabilities. “Nat Geo Challenge!

Wild Life” features vivid images and videos in an interactive trivia game format for up to four players.

“The Sims 3” hits consoles with special karma powers and easy exchange options. Game show fans can test their skills in “Family Feud Decades” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” while board game enthusiasts can walk through “Monopoly Streets” or enjoy five classics and their variations including “Clue,” “Life” and even “Twister” in “Hasbro Family Game Night 3.”

Adaptation games include “CSI Fatal Conspiracy,” “Despicable Me,” “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure,” “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1,” “James Bond 007: Blood Stone” and “TRON: Evolution” (Dec. 7), and a special “Sesame Street” game set — “Cookie’s Counting Carnival” and “Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure.”

New Nintendo Wii hardware includes the “uDraw GameTablet” which includes a base studio game; “Pictionary” and “Dood’s Big Adventure” are sold separately. The new “FlingSmash” game

Scribblenauts: think it, solve it This all-ages Nintendo DS exclusive is an essential addition to any game library and is the worthy sequel to last year’s “Scribblenauts” game, which also features the main character Maxwell and contains tens of thousands of words with hundreds of possible solutions.

“Super Scribblenauts” (Warner Brothers/5th Cell) transforms even more words into action with approximately 10,000 adjectives and 800 new objects. Players can earn up to 60 merits among the new 120-level cache while retaining the ability to create custom levels and even share them with

includes a Wii MotionPlus controller while “EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp” lets players pick an NFL team and work out with their favorite players.

“Kidz Bop Dance Party! The Video Game” offers kid karaoke with songs like “Thriller” and “Paparazzi.”

“Just Dance 2” and “Just Dance Kids” keep the beat while “Jillian Michaels: Fitness Ultimatum 2011” now includes a story mode plus more workout routines.

The fun continues with “Donkey Kong Kountry Returns,” “Metroid Other M,” “Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011” and “NBA Jam” that has outrageous basketball moves, boss battles and secret characters. “ Su p e r Mario AllStars Limited Edition” (Dec. 12) and “Disney Epic Mickey” (Nov. 30) are also available in special collector’s editions.

Multiplayer-focused Wii games include “Wii Party,” “Super Mario Galaxy 2,” “Rayman Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time,” “Pac-Man Party,” “Namco Museum Megamix” and “Active Life Explorer” which includes a special mat controller and game play setting in the jungle, under water and in the snow for up to four players at the same time.

“Karaoke Revolution Glee” lets players build their own scrapbook, belt out 30 hit songs and uncover unlockable video clips, while

friends via Wi-Fi connection. The only real limitations on this portable prize are no places, proper names, suggestive material, shapes, Latin/Greek root words, alcohol, race/culture elements, vulgarity or copyrighted materials.

Players start with ten different “playground” areas to test their mettle then move forward with tutorials and finally begin this entertaining journey. In single player mode, players navigate through constellation maps to choose challenges. The common-sense icons include the hourglass (time limit), magnifying glass (object identification) and pencil for writing all those words swirling around in the brain. Game producers use colors well to distinguish different objects and great sound prompts for choices made or time running out. Producers

“BEETHOVEN never got his picture on bubblegum cards, did he?” — LUCY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 13

Tricky Mickey ‘Epic Mickey’ romps through Disney archive

By Lou Kesten Associated Press

PlayStation 3 system with Playstation Move motion controller and Playstation Eye camera

“Grease” has classic sing-anddance fun for up to eight players.

Nintendo Wii and DS link capabilities on “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” to expand the experience while other games on Wii and DS include “Ivy the Kiwi,” “Gormiti: The Lords of Nature!,” “GummyBears Minigolf,” “iCarly2” and the latest “Zhu Zhu Pets” games available with or without a Zhu Zhu Hamster toy.

The Nintendo DS game “WarioWare D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself )” lets players create their own games while “Super Scribblenauts” lets also throw out lifesaving hints for players and give simple thumbs up or down performance feedback. Players can use the directional pad or the touch stylus for movements and easily switch back and forth if desired.

Everyone can enjoy rewarding experiences using considerable logic, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to solve satisfying challenges like curing the plague. Conquer each challenge to get the prize Starites and Ollar currency.

The open-ended solutions also yield scores and rewards to unlock items including 50 different avatars. Players can continuously make solution attempts and erase unneeded items in the environment. Options include three player profiles and English, French, Portuguese and Spanish languages (****, rated E10+ for cartoon violence and cartoon mischief). O — Michael Siebenaler

players solve challenges using their own words.

“Noah’s Ark” begins the Tap and Teach series that promotes reading, spelling, music, coloring and eye-hand coordination for young players.

“Fancy Nancy: Tea Party Time!” and “The Penguins of Madagascar” feature special DSi camera capabilities while “Mario vs. Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem!” has special environment customizations. Players can also enjoy “Backyard Sports Sandlot Sluggers,” “Art Academy,” “Heathcliff: Frantic Foto,” “100 Classic Books” and “Silly Bandz” and the hidden-object puzzler “Midnight Mysteries the Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy.”

PlayStation Portable games really take off with “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker,” “Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3” and “Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team” which offers new Dragon Walker Mode featuring entire story arcs among 70 characters. “Ace Combat Joint Assault” has a cooperative play mode while “Ys: Seven” and “Ys: The Oath in Felghana” feature limited editions including soundtrack CDs. Players can take some extensive mobile phone games on the go with “Ninjatown: Trees of Doom!,” “Tekken Resolute,” “Sushi Go Round,” “Spore Creatures,” “The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition,” “SimCity Deluxe,” “Harry Potter: Spells,” “Plants vs. Zombies” and real life challenge game “Girls Night Out” where women advance by completing special challenges.

The all-ages “Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Galactic Passport” gets players into a huge online world on the computer. “LEGO Universe” and “Petz World” offer more online experiences.

Simulation fans can unwrap deep experiences in “Victoria II,” “Sid Meier’s Civilization V,” the “Sims 3” expansion packs “Ambitions” and “Late Night,” which incorporates cool pool designs, music clubs, celebrity encounters and even vampires into the game play.

Save those gift cards for “Lost in Shadow” on Wii and “Two Worlds” (PC, PS3, and Xbox 360), both releasing on Jan. 4 or “Mass Effect 2” (Jan. 1) and “Little Big Planet 2” (Jan, 18), both on PS3. Gamers can also consider “Kingdom Hearts Re:coded” on Nintendo DS (Jan. 11) and “Michael Jackson The Experience” on Xbox 360 (Feb. 15) and PS3 (March 1). Happy Holidays! O

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit has the most ironic name in animation history. His co-creator, Walt Disney, lost the rights to Oswald in the 1920s, so he started over with a new character: Mickey Mouse.

Oswald stumbled through the ’30s and eventually faded into oblivion.

Mickey became the most famous ’toon in the world. You can hardly blame the rabbit for developing a severe case of sibling rivalry.

In “Disney Epic Mickey” (for the Wii, $49.99), Oswald has become ruler of the Wasteland, home to all the neglected characters from the studio’s early days. When Mickey gets sucked into the Wasteland, he discovers he has inadvertently unleashed an inky monster called the Shadow Blot. So it’s up to the mouse to stop the Blot, restore the Wasteland and find his way back to his own magic kingdom.

His main weapon is a brush filled with two liquids: paint, which can be used to rebuild decrepit areas in the Wasteland, and thinner, which dissolves obstacles.

Mickey can use either fluid to defeat the Blot’s minions: thinner melts them, while paint makes them turn friendly.

The highlight of “Epic Mickey” is the exploration. In the Wasteland, lead designer Warren Spector and his Junction Point Studios have created an alternate-world Disneyland that adds an undercurrent of menace to The Happiest Place on Earth. Main Street is now Mean Street. Tomorrowland is now the decaying Tomorrow City. The Matterhorn is now Mickeyjunk Mountain, a dumping ground for 80 years worth of discarded Mickey merchandise.

The portals between these worlds are a series of brief, two-dimensional games based on classic cartoons like “Steamboat Willie” and

“Jungle Rhythm.” But the bulk of “Epic Mickey” takes place in the 3-D Wasteland, where the hero helps out old friends like Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow and fights bad guys like Pete, the villainous cat from dozens of Disney shorts.

Spector was given extensive access to the Disney archives, and his geeky enthusiasm for the studio’s history shows in every level of “Epic Mickey.” Even with some of the liberties Spector has been granted — Goofy, for example, first appears as a disembodied animatronic head — animation buffs will eat it up. Indeed, anyone who grew up with the mouse will have plenty of memories reawakened.

However, “Epic Mickey” suffers from technical issues that prevent it from being one of the year’s top games. Camera placement — that is, the perspective from which you view Mickey — is awful; more than a few times I sent Mickey to his demise because the camera wouldn’t let me see where he was heading.

Combat would be improved immeasurably with the ability to lock onto an enemy, something I’d thought would be standard in 3-D action games by now. And the controls are somewhat sluggish. Such drawbacks are tolerable early on, when things are fairly easy, but by the time you reach the endgame, they’re a major source of frustration.

Still, Disney deserves a great deal of credit for putting its franchise character in the hands of Spector, a designer best known for brooding mysteries like “Thief ” and “Deus Ex.” And if “Epic Mickey” leads to a career revival for Oswald, well, he’s one lucky rabbit.

Rating: Three stars out of four. O

14 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “If you’re afraid of cats, you have ailurophasia.” — LUCY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

((((((((((((( THE PULSE

DEC. 15-22, 2010

What’s what, where and when in NW Ohio

Bronze Boar

Compiled by Whitney Meschke Events are subject to change.

MUSIC The Ark This small venue offers a showcase for lesser-known acts, as well as folk, bluegrass and acoustic acts. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. (734) 761-1451, (734) 761-1800 or www.theark.org.

O Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band: 8 p.m. Dec. 16, $15.

O Crossroads Ceili: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18, $15.

O Riders in the Sky: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, $25.

The Blarney Irish Pub Catch local acts while taking in the pub’s modern Irish and American fare. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www. theblarneyirishpub.com.

O Dave Carpenter: Dec. 16.

O MAS FiNA: Dec. 17.

O Cluster Folk: Dec. 18.

O Nathan Cogan: Dec. 23.

Blind Pig A variety of rock, soul, pop and alternative acts perform at this bar. 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor. $3-$20 unless noted.

(734) 996-8555 or blindpigmusic.com.

O Thrill Train, Origami Cat Plan, Gostbustaz: 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 15.

O Algernon: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

O Tom Slovinski, Denny Green, Dan Currie, Jake Zamonski, Dave Donaldson, Jordan Jones, Zak England, the Bobby Electric, Silk Filled Stilts, the Outliers: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

O Nervous but Excited, Drag King Rebellion, Jess Klein: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

O Small Noises, the Vagrant Symphony, Nae Smiles, Death Wish Squirrel: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 21.

O The Finer Things, We Set Sail, Luke Jackson: 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 22.

O Suicide by Cop, 7 Chakraz, the Jobys, Duke Nukem: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 23.

Brooklyn’s Daily Grind Coffee and music, what more can one want? If a snack is the answer, this is your spot. 723 Airport Hwy., Holland. (419) 724-1433 or www.brooklynscafe.com.

O Simply Poetry: 8-11 p.m. Dec. 15.

O Rebels Without Applause: 8-11 p.m. Dec. 16.

O Tom Harms: Dec. 18; 8-11 p.m. Dec. 23.

O Gene Zenz and Friends: Dec. 19.

The Distillery Karaoke is offered Tuesdays, but paid entertainers rock out Wednesdays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistilleryonline.com.

O Nathan Cogan: Dec. 15.

O Jeff Stewart & the 25s: Dec. 16-18.

O Greg Aranda: Dec. 21.

O Nathan Cogan: Dec. 22.

O 56 Daze: Dec. 23.

O DJ Party: Dec. 24.

Fat Fish Blue Serving blues and similar sounds, as well as bayoustyle grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com.

O Tantric Soul: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 9 p.m. Dec. 18.

Caesars Windsor

Frankie’s

If you have your passport, consider hopping the Detroit River for this casino’s entertainment offerings. Ticket prices, in Canadian dollars, are for the cheapest seats; attendees must be 19 or older. Caesars Windsor Colosseum, 377 Riverside Dr. East, Windsor, Ontario. (800) 991-7777 or www.caesarswindsor.com.

O X Burlesque “X”mas Show: 9 p.m. Dec. 18, $15.

Toledo’s venue for rock. 308 Main St. Tickets vary between $5 and $15, unless noted. (419) 693-5300 or www.

FrankiesInnerCity.com.

O Auto Tune karaoke: 9 p.m. Mondays.

O Windsor Drive, Fierce on Friday, Ryan Started the Fire: 6 p.m. Dec. 15.

O Violent Stars: 9 p.m. Dec. 16.

O Punchline, the Composure, Lyle Exile, Greyline, Lame-O: 9 p.m. Dec. 17.

O Legacy, Get Up Texas, Armastus, Amistad: 5 p.m. Dec. 18.

O Micah Schnabel, J.W. Carlson, Sea of Bears: 9 p.m. Dec. 18.

O Koffin Kats, Stealin’ Patsy: 8 p.m. Dec. 19.

O Teamnate, Hobo Stew, Great Lakes Crew, After the Grave, the Infernal Names, Buried but Breathing: 9 p.m. Dec. 21, free.

O King, Legion, Kansas City Shuffle, Trust Me I’m a Doctor, Pitbull Spit: 6 p.m. Dec. 22.

O “Ugly Xmas Sweater” dance party: 9 p.m. Dec. 23.

Cheetah’s Den A different band performs each week. 702 E. Broadway St. (419) 754-1903.

O DJ Lamont: Tuesdays.

O Devious: Thursdays (also open mic night)-Saturdays.

Dégagé Jazz Café Signature drinks, such as pumpkin martinis, plus live local jazz performers. 301 River Road, Maumee. $5 TuesdaysThursdays. (419) 794-8205 or www.degagejazzcafe.com.

O Gene Parker & Friends: Dec. 15.

O Michael Peslikis: Dec. 16.

O Pete Siers: Dec. 17-18.

O Jason Quick: Dec. 21.

O Gene Parker & Friends: Dec. 22.

French Quarter J. Pat’s Pub Live entertainment at 9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Holiday Inn, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg. (419) 874-3111 or www.hifq.com.

O Noisy Neighbors: Dec. 17-18.

Friday, y, December 17th

Saturday, December 18th

6601 01 M Monroe nrroooee SSt.

Ice Restaurant & Bar This local, family-owned enterprise offers food, drinks and music in a sleek atmosphere. 405 Madison Ave. (419) 2463339 or icerestaurantandbar.com.

O Organissimo: 5 p.m. Dec.16.

O Freak Ender: 8 p.m. Dec. 17.

O Herbie Russ: 5 p.m. Dec. 23.

Kerrytown Concert House This venue focuses on classical, jazz and opera artists and music. 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. $5-$30, unless noted.

(734) 769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

O Mad About Chamber Music Schumann Festival Concert: 8 p.m. Dec. 15, free.

O Ellen Rowe Trio: 2 p.m. Dec. 19.

Manhattan’s This “slice of the Big Apple” in the Glass City puts on a show for the weekends. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www. manhattanstoledo.com.

O Quick Trio: 6 p.m. Dec. 16.

O Quartet Bernadette: Dec. 17.

O Jeff Williams Group: Dec. 18.

O Cynthia Kaay Bennett: 6 p.m. Dec. 20.

O Kyle’s Christmas Jazz Trio: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21.

Mickey Finn’s A variety of genres to wash your drinks down with. Open mic nights, 9 p.m. Wednesdays, no cover; $5-$7 cover other nights. 602 Lagrange St. (419) 246-3466 or www.mickeyfinnspub.com.

O Chris Bathgate, Go Rounds, Small House: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 16.

O Mach III, Jingle Balls: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

O DJ and Estelle: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

O SS Fame: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 23.

O Soldier Side: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

8-9 P.M. FREE PIZZA FOR S.I.N. 9-10 P.M. POWER HOUR $1 DOMESTICS & $2 WELL DRINKS

Go Walleye!

www.theblarneybullpen.com

All ages, all genres are welcome. 4500 N. Detroit Ave. Ticket prices vary between $5 and $15, unless noted otherwise.

(419) 269-4500 or www.headlinerstoledo.com.

O Taproot, Cold Conspiracy, After the Grave, Weep the Beldam, Seasons: 7 p.m. Dec. 19.

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA 419-724-7437 NEW SPECIALS: MONDAY:

LIVE MUSIC: THIS WEEK AT THE BLARNEY

NOW !

OPEN Blarney Bullpen

Headliners

O Cynthia Kaay Bennett: Dec. 23.

Be sure to check out this Warehouse District tavern’s namesake, overhead near the entrance. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com.

O Jerod: Wednesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 24-25.

O Open mic night with Chris Knopp: Mondays.

O Karaoke: Tuesdays.

O 427 Band: Dec. 17.

O Stone House: Dec. 18.

TUESDAY:

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CHUBBY PICKLES

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SATURDAY:

28 South Saint Clair DOWNTOWN TOLEDO

9-10 P.M. POWER HOUR $4 MARTINI, $2 DOMESTICS $5 LARGE PIZZA 1 TOPPING PIZZA $4 TOP SHELF & PREMIUM BEERS

“Don’t you know sarcasm when you hear it?� — CHARLIE BROWN TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 15 Murphy’s Place

The Village Idiot

Jazz — straight, smooth, bebop or traditional — all kinds are played here. 151 Water St. $4, unless stated otherwise.

(419) 241-7732 or www.murphysplacejazz.com.

O Clifford Murphy and Claude Black: 8 p.m. Dec. 15, 20-22 and 24.

O Ellie Martin: 9 p.m.

Dec. 17.

O Ramona Collins: 9 p.m.

Dec. 18.

Tunes combined with pizza and booze, some would say it’s a perfect combination. 309 Conant St., Maumee. (419) 8937281, (419) 740-2395 or www.villageidiotmaumee.com.

O Old West End Records: Wednesdays.

O Mark Mikel: Friday afternoons and Tuesday nights.

O Bob Rex: Sunday afternoons.

O Frankie May, Ben Barefoot: Mondays.

O Kentucky Chrome: Dec. 17.

O Reese Daily Band: Dec. 18.

This club is a venue for music (and music lovers) of all types.

2567 W. Bancroft St. (419) 5356664 or omnimidwest.com.

O Ozzmosis the Ozzy Experience: 8 p.m. Dec. 17; $7.

Ottawa Tavern Casual meals with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com.

O Miracle Vitamins: 10 p.m. Dec. 17.

O Holiday art show: 8 p.m.

Dec. 18.

((((((

Omni

FREE FOR ALL Ongoing

A Christmas Tree Carol: The Time Traveler’s Guide

Eight trees will feature traditions of holidays past, present and future.

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (until 8 p.m. Wednesdays) through Jan. 6, University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens conservatory, 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor. (734) 6477600 or www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg.

Woodchucks The place to go for an eclectic mix of people and music. 224 S. Erie St. (419) 241-3045.

O Blood of Prophets: Dec. 17.

O Ugly Tribe Revival: Dec. 18.

Yeeha’s

Pizza Papalis

Country and rock with a little “Coyote Ugly� style. 3150 Navarre Ave., Oregon. (419) 691-8880 or www.yeehas.com.

O Big Ticket: Dec. 17.

O Mas Fina: Dec. 18.

Get slices with a topping of entertainment. 519 Monroe St. (419) 244-7722 or www.pizzapapalis.com.

O Gin Bunny: 8 p.m. Dec. 17-18.

Jeff McDonald’s Big Band Revival Party

8 p.m. Thursdays, South Briar Restaurant, 5147 S. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-1111 or (419) 708-0265.

Toledo’s Mainstreet Bar and Grill Ronn Daniels performs weekly at this pub. 8-11 p.m.

Thursdays, 141 Main St. (419) 697-6297 or www. toledomainstreet.com.

Jeff McDonald’s Big Band All Stars Dancing is encouraged. 8-10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Trot-

NS SERVATIO -AKE RE OUR NOW FOR Y

ter’s Tavern, 5131 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-2079 or (419) 708-0265.

TMA concerts Visual and audible arts combine for a new experience. Great Gallery (unless noted), 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or toledomuseum.org.

O The Lourdes College Chorus and Good Company Ensemble: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

O Alliance Francaise de Toledo: 11:15 a.m. Dec. 21.

GROOVE in 3-D Musicians and artists perform using traditional and non-traditional instruments; blend comedy and choreography; do skits; and show videos. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. $5-$8. (734) 768-8397, (734) 668-8463 or www.michtheater.org.

Unity in the Community fundraiser A benefit for families with children with cognitive disabilities will feature entertainment by Moondogs, Mikal, Outfield Reggae, Bert Cooker and East River Drive. 7 p.m. Dec. 18, Toledo’s Mainstreet Bar and Grill, 141 Main St. (419) 697-6297, www.toledomainstreet.com or toledosnightout.com.

Memorize the Sky This New York trio will perform in support of its new CD, “Creeks.� Jason Alder will open. 9 p.m. Dec. 18, Robinwood Concert House, 2564 Robinwood Ave. $5. donation. toledobellows.wordpress.com.

Richard Barone The front man of the Bongos will perform. 9-11:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Grounds for Thought, 174 S. Main St., Bowling Green.

(419) 354-3266 or www.groundsforthought.com.

The Keller Brothers This talented sibling trio blends voices in performance of operatic songs, hymns and pop tunes. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Heatherdowns Branch Library, 3265 Glazman Road. (419) 259-5270, www.toledolibrary.org or www.thekellerbrothers.com.

Winter Holidays

WINTER HOLIDAYS

“Old Home� holiday tours The former Wood County Infirmary will be decorated for Christmas. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 1-4 p.m. weekends, through Dec. 18, Wood County Historical Center & Museum, 13360 County Home Road, Bowling Green. $1-$4. (419) 352-0967 or www. woodcountyhistory.org.

Additional activities: O Visits with Santa: 5-8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

O Polar Express railroad display: 1-4 p.m. weekends.

O Christmas Tea & Tour: Holiday teas and treats with a selfguided tour of the museum decorated in holiday splendor. 2 p.m. Dec. 16, $3-$12. Reservations requested.

O Toraigh an Sonas performance: 7-8 p.m. Dec. 17.

O Back Porch Dulcimers performance: 1-4 p.m. Dec. 18.

“The Joys and Toys of Christmas Past�

Rooms of this museum have been decked out to represent different eras with the playthings popular during those times. Tours, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 19, Wolcott House Museum, 1031 River Road, Maumee. $1.50-$3.50. (419) 893-9602 or www.wolcotthouse.org.

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17TH & 18TH

NEIGHBORS

•REMEDY OF DETROIT NEW YEAR’S EVE •GREEN EYE SOUL •NIGHT LINE

DEC. 31ST

FRENCH QUARTER

(419) 874-3111 | 10630 Fremont Pike (S.R. 20 @ I-75 Exit 193) | Perrysburg, Ohio FULL BAND LINEUP AT WWW.HIFQ.COM

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16 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “Do innkeepers’ wives have naturally curly hair?” — FRIEDA TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

Carriage rides Visitors can glide through this shopping center as jingling bells and clip-clopping hooves provide the soundtrack. Proceeds will benefit Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity. 5-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 19, pickup location is next to the Gap, Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee. $5 a family. (419) 878-6255 or www.theshopsatfallentimbers.com.

Wolcott House Museum Complex The house will be decorated for the holidays, and visitors also can examine “The Elegance of the Edwardian Era” exhibit and get guided tours at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Noon-4:30 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 20, Wolcott House Museum, 1031 River Road, Maumee. $2.50-$5. (419) 8939602 or www.wolcotthouse.org.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland The Man in Red will be available for snapshots. Noon-8 p.m. (break 3:45-4:45 p.m.) through Dec. 18 and 20-23; noon-5 p.m. Dec. 19; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (break 1-1:45 p.m.) Dec. 24, Shops at Fallen Timbers lake district kiosk, 3100 Main St., Maumee.

(419) 878-6255 or www.theshopsatfallentimbers.com.

Secret of the Star The star of Bethlehem and other traditions of the season will be explained. 8 p.m. Fridays and Tuesdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays; 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 21; and 2 p.m. Dec. 24, BGSU Planetarium, Room 112, Physical Sciences Lab Building, near North College Drive and East Merry Avenue, Bowling Green. $1. (419) 372-8666 or physics.bgsu.edu/planetarium.

Lights Before Christmas This Toledo tradition, now celebrating its 25th year, is all about illumination — a million lights, lighted animal images, dancing lights — as well as ice-carving, model trains, visits with Santa (through Dec. 23; photo packages may be purchased) and

more seasonal activities. 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 5-10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 24-25); gates close an hour before the zoo. Toledo Zoo, 2700 Broadway. $7-$10. (419) 385-4040 or toledozoo.org.

Rave Cinema Classics – Levis Commons

Dec. 20: “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Holidays in Henry Ford Museum A giant Christmas tree is decked with American-made ornaments, children can visit with Santa (11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mondays-Thursdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, through Dec. 24) and drop off their wish lists, and a Lego train layout and other displays will be open, as well as a construction zone. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Jan. 2, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. $11-$15; $5 parking. (313) 982-6001, (800) 835-5237 or www.thehenryford.org.

1946 — Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed.

Tickets are $2 for the Cinema Classics series, which runs Mondays at 1 p.m. The lobby opens half an hour before the show. The Rave Motion Pictures Cinema Classics series is sponsored by Toledo Free Press Star and the Area Office on Aging. JB’s Sarnie Shoppe at Levis Commons will join Toledo Free Press Star in a social networking promotion that will award a weekly winner with free lunch for two.

For more information, call (419) 874-2154 and watch www.facebook.com/toledofreepress for contest and weekly promotion details. O

A Christmas Tree Carol: The Time Traveler’s Guide

Eight trees will feature traditions of holidays past, present and future and offer tips for creating and decorating at home. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays (until 8 p.m. Wednesdays) through Jan. 6, University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens conservatory, 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor. (734) 647-7600 or www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg.

Hayes Train Special “The spirit of holidays past is revived” with an operating 12-foot-by-24-foot, three-tier layout and model trains in styles relating to the life of 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes; visitors can act as engineers. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 9, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. $3-$7.50. (419) 332-2081, (800) 998-7737 or www.rbhayes.org.

Parade of Trees A holiday buffet will be available for visitors who wish to

mexico

BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF

see more than 35 “elaborately decorated trees” donated by local businesses; if they see one they like, they can bid on it. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 15 and 21, Toledo Club, 235 14th St. $12$25. Reservations: (419) 243-2200 or www.toledoclub.org.

Sylvania Ave. $10. (419) 478-2374.

O 4 p.m. Dec. 19, All Saints Catholic Church, 628 Lime City Road, Rossford. $10. (419) 666-1393.

Library holiday concerts

The Toledo tradition has moved to a new site, but aims to retain all the “holidays in motion” joy. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m-8 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 15-30, Tam-o-Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. $2-$5. (419) 885-1167, ext. 313, or www.playsylvania.com.

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library will celebrate the season with this series of performances. 12:30-1:30 p.m., Wintergarden, Toledo-Lucas County Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St. (419) 259-5207 or toledolibrary.org.

O St. Ursula Academy Concert Choir: Dec. 15.

O Ottawa Hills High School Choir: Dec. 16.

O Susan Hedley, harpist: Dec. 17.

Toledo Symphony community concerts The musicians of the city’s orchestra will perform holiday music out and about within the region.

O 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, Augsburg Lutheran Church, 1342 W.

“BIEN VENIDOS AMIGOS”

Specializing in Mexican Food since 1955

419-865-5455

10400 Airport Hwy.(1.2 Mi. East of the Aiport) Lunch & Dinner, 11 a.m. to Midnight Closed Sundays & Holidays

BARRON’S CAFE

Everything Mexican From Tacos to Enchiladas to Delicious Burritos

419-825-3474

13625 Airport Hwy., Swanton (across from Valleywood Country Club) Mon. - Thurs. 11-11 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11-12 a.m.

Closed Sundays and Holidays

• 20TH ANNIVERSARY •

THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTE & CANTINA IN TOLEDO

419-841-7523

7742 W. Bancroft (1 Mi. West of McCord) Mon. - Sat. from 11 a.m.

Closed Sundays & Holidays

ARTURO’S

FRITZ & ALFREDO’S

Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the gang demonstrate the ability to change for the better in this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic. 8 p.m. Dec. 15-17 and 21-23; 2 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18-19, Meadow Brook Theatre, Oakland University, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester, Mich. $25$40. (248) 377-3300 or www.mbtheatre.com.

Toledo, Ohio

419-381-2079

experience the

Loma-Linda’s

“A Christmas Carol”

5131 Heatherdowns

t o n o r th w e s t o h i o

Northwest Ohioans have always enjoyed the hot flavors of Mexico, and our warm hospitality.

Come to one of our restaurants and experience a delicious dining adventure tonight!

Children’s Wonderland

SATURDAY, DEC. 18TH THE MERRY CHRISTMAS

Colossal Extravaganza avaganza Featuring

Nine Lives Rock Band

Original Recipes from Both Mexico and Germany

419-729-9775

3025 N. Summit Street (near Point Place) Mon. - Thurs. 11-10 p.m.

Fri. - Sat. 11-11 p.m., Sun. 3-9 p.m.

Closed Holidays

Casual Dining • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

T Trotter’s ’ Holiday Gift Certificates Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

“I never get what I want.” — LUCY. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” — CHARLIE BROWN. “REAL ESTATE.” — LUCY. TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 17

A Breath of Fresh Winter Air

Holiday dinner dance

Visitors can learn how household plants and natural fragrances can be used to improve the air in their homes, plus make decorative fragrance stones. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Wildwood Preserve Metropark farmhouse, 4830 W. Central Ave. $10. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations. metroparkstoledo.com.

The Northwest Ohio Dance Club will host this night of food, cocktails and swing, hustle, Latin, ballroom, countrywestern and line dancing. 6 p.m. Dec. 18, Zeke’s, 1950 Eber Road, Holland. $15. (419) 376-6071 or northwestohiodanceclub.shutterfly.com.

TMA Family Center programs

Visitors can hear about how Santa Claus lost his way one winter, but used the stars to find his way home to the North Pole. Ritter Planetarium-Brooks Observatory. 1 p.m. Dec. 18, UT’s Ritter Planetarium, 2801 W. Bancroft St. $5-$6. (419) 530-4037, (419) 530-2650 or www.rpbo.utoledo.edu.

Hands-on art activities for children. Noon-5:30 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org.

O Gift boxes: Dec. 16.

O Wish Upon a Star: Dec. 19, 21 and 23

“It’s a Wonderful Life” A musical version of the story about a good man in hard times and the angel sent to help him see the value of life.

7 p.m. Dec. 16; 3 p.m. Dec. 16 and 19; 8 p.m. Dec. 17; 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 18, Encore Musical Theatre, 3126 Broad St., Dexter, Mich. $25-$28; $35-$38 for the Dec. 18 cabaret night. (734) 268-6200 or www.theencoretheatre.org.

Bittersweet Holiday Shop Proceeds from the sales of Bittersweet Farms artists’ oneof-a-kind pieces will help to maintain the art studio, wood shop and horticulture programs, which assist individuals with autism. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 17, administration building, Bittersweet Farms, 12660 Archbold-Whitehouse Road, Whitehouse. (419) 875-6986 or www.bittersweetfarms.org.

The Old Lights of Holiday Nights This program traces the origins of the modern calendar and holiday celebrations. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, UT’s Ritter Planetarium, 2801 W. Bancroft St. $5-$6. (419) 530-4037, (419) 530-2650 or www.rpbo.utoledo.edu.

Gingerbread Shop Handmade gifts by local artists will be offered, and crafts and refreshments will be available. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 17, Arts in Common Gallery, South Main School, 437 S. Main St., Bowling Green. www.artsincommon.org.

“The Nutcracker” The Ann Arbor Ballet Theater will bring this story of a little girl’s Christmas Eve dream to life. 8 p.m. Dec. 17; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 18; 2 p.m. Dec. 19, University of Michigan, Power Center for the Performing Arts, 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor, Mich. $14-$24. (734) 763-8587 or www.mutotix.com.

Holly Day Camp Parents can get last-minute holiday shopping done after dropping their 4- to 10-year-old kids off for a winter nature camp. 10 a.m. Dec. 18, Metz Visitors Center, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, 5100 W. Central Ave. $35. (419) 407-9700 or metroparkstoledo.com.

Jazz ’N’ Silver Bells 25th anniversary concert

Alvin Jones, Brian Wood, Calvin Hughes, Katrina Barnhill, Vickie McClellan, Ron Martin, Andrew Henderson, Calvin Reese, Anthony Watkins and Eric Dixon, Michael Darby, Marvin Dodd and Claude Black will perform, with assistance from members of the Toledo Ballet. 7 p.m. Dec. 18, Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. $10. (419) 244-2787, (800) 838-3006 or www.cactoledo.org.

Santa’s Secret Star

The Mystery of the Christmas Star This astronomy show will demonstrate how sky signs could have been remarkable enough to spur three men to travel from Babylon to Bethlehem for the arrival of a baby. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Appold Planetarium, McAlear Hall, Lourdes College, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania. $4-$5. (419) 5178897 or www.lourdes.edu/appold.

Santa Express Christmas carols, pictures with Santa, cookies and milk. 1011:30 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. Dec. 18, Old Road Dinner Train’s depot, 301 E. Adrian St., Blissfield, Mich. $15-$20. Reservations: (888) 467-2451 or www.murdermysterytrain.com.

Christmas with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra

Bill Tole will lead the band and featured singer Nancy Knorr in performances of classic songs such as “I Remember You,” “Tangerine” and “So Rare.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18, Ritz Theatre, 20 S. Washington St., Tiffin. $15-$50. (419) 4488544 or www.ritztheatre.org.

Holiday concert Dance Steps Studio will celebrate the season with a holiday performance. 3 p.m. Dec. 18, Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh, Mich. $10. (517) 423-6617 or www.thetca.org.

Winter Fest The winter solstice and the longest night of the year will be discussed as kids make evergreen swags and decorate wrapping paper. 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 18, University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor. $7. (734) 647-7600 or www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg.

“Stories for the Season of Light” Storyteller LaRon Williams will share tales from around the world about “extending the waning light of the day.” 1 p.m. Dec. 18, Performance Network, 120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, Mich. $7-$10. (734) 663-0681 or www.performancenetwork.org.

Tower Brass Quintet Holiday Concert This Chamber Music Toledo program will feature classical and sacred music, brass arrangements of traditional carols and jazz renditions of popular tunes. 3 p.m. Dec. 19, First Presbyterian Church of Maumee, 200 E. Broadway, Maumee. $1$15. Toledo Symphony box office: (419) 246-8000.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

“Miracle on 34th Street”

Down-on-his-luck George Bailey gets a reality check when an angel erases his life and shows him the consequences.

O 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, Mich. (734) 768-8397, (734) 668-8463 or www.michtheater.org.

A 6-year-old (and her mother) has trouble believing in Santa, so he tries to convince them, with the help of a young lawyer.

10 a.m. Dec. 18, Rave Motion Pictures Franklin Park 16, 5001 Monroe St., second floor, Sylvania Avenue side. Free.

(419) 472-2324 or www.ravemotionpictures.com.

Check out Bowling Green and surrounding area listings online at www.toledofreepress.com

Comments & tweets from TFP readers on Twitter, Facebook & the website.

Compiled by Lisa Renee Ward, Social Networking Manager

Twitter:

@toledosymphony @ToledoFreePress thanks for the $1000 Challenge.

Toledo Symphony

Dec. 10

@RobinLynneS @ToledoFreePress The @crystalbowersox cover is beautiful! Grabbed me 4 copies. Would be too cool 2 get autographed :) Robin Lynne S Dec. 10

@The_VI_Poser @RobinLynneS @crystalbowersox .... great article too! ... thanks @ toledofreepress !!!

The Poser, in reply to Robin Lynne S Dec. 10

Facebook:

“Has a lack of social tolerance for the youngest and oldest among us really become not only acceptable, but applaudable?” Shannon Szyperski asks in her Dec. 12 “Family Practice” column - Lydia Moore: I see less tolerance, too, Shannon. And oddly enough, people are even more impatient during the holiday shopping season. Maybe it’s an underlying sense of Rush-Rush to buy gifts before Christmas. … Everyone needs to stop and take a breath and try to help these special people in our society.

- Derek Mungons: I don`t think it is just directed at only them. People in general have had enough of poor behavior and a lack of respect that seems to be the norm now days and accepted.

@MamaSoxNation #FarmersDaughter CD tells shares Bowersox’s life story // @ToledoFreePress // Writer of story sat with VI’s in Aug!!

Danny Latham Dec. 11

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RT @ToledoFreePress: Huntington Bank unveils a new brand and a refreshed branch

Huntington Bank Dec. 11

@goldknightblog #GoldenGlobes Movie Tally: 7: King’s Speech; 6: Fighter & Social; 4: Black Swan, Inception, Kids; 3: 127 Hours, Alice, Burlesque, Tourist The Gold Knight, James A. Molnar Dec. 14 - Patricia Gusman: Hmmm, but remember...there’s always “Towanda” <chuckle> to take down the intolerante and rude among us. I just loved Fried Green Tomatos!!!

- William Barry Roberts: …what was once only reserved for serial killers and Ebeneezer Scrooge, proclaiming to “hate children” has become an acceptable social comment....

- Don Lee: I think it’s more selfishness and self-importance than any particular disdain for the very young or very old — having been guilty of the described behavior myself, much to my eventual chagrin. …

- Russell Montgomery: Shannon, I am glad that you wrote this article, this is an issue that does need to be addressed in our culture today.

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18 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “Christmas is not only getting too commercial, it’s getting too dangerous.” — LUCY TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

Chasing success W

hat does it take to become a successful writer? Well, that depends on your definition of success. I’ve always believed that just putting pen to paper every day is a silent victory. There are others who live and die by seeing their name in print. I won’t lie to you — publishing your work can be sweeter than that first schoolboy crush could ever hope to be. In my Nov. 18 column, “Community Responsibility,” I talked about many of the ways Toledo’s literary community has been coming up short; this time out let’s focus on what we’re doing right.

While poetry readings around the city have been closing down at a rather alarming rate, that is sure to change. In the meantime, a number of our community’s finest wordsmiths have been finding other outlets for their work, in print. I recently opened up my e-mail to discover that Rusty Truck Magazine had published a new poem by local favorite Michael Kocinski.

Kocinski may live in Michigan now, but he left his heart here in Toledo. Publishing our local authors seems to be a growing trend for Rusty Truck publisher Scot Young, who has also run work by Michael Grover,

Craig Firsdon and myself.

Firsdon, a Holland native, has also recently had work in the online magazine Red Fez; the same issue included work

by UT student Nick Bruno and Simply Poetry’s Michelle “Mikki” Williams.

The past few years have also seen work published by Caroline Gauger, Timothy Geiger, Star Bowers, Bob Phillips, Ray Patrick, and the late Rane Arroyo. The JOHN list goes on and on. There are countless others who I’ve spoken with, who have sent work out and who are now just waiting by their virtual mailbox for reply.

Now, I’m not saying that publishing is anything new to the area. Etheridge Knight once called our city home, and poets like Nick Muska and Lucas County Poet Laureate Joel Lipman

Getting your works published.

have certainly done their share to make our region’s literary community more visible. What excites me most about this latest wave of activity, however, is that it seems to be all about new blood and on a national level.

When I started bringing in published poets from out of town a few years ago, what I wanted the local authors to see is that this city can be bigger than itself, that if we reach out, others will reach out to us. While this experiment has had mixed results, our community is expanding and going out into the larger world and I couldn’t be prouder.

Now, if we could do the same thing in terms of readings, we’d really be cooking.

DORSEY

Glass City

MUSE

So just how can you get involved in publishing? There are a number of resources available to you just by going online or visiting your local library. Here are just a few: O Duotrope’s Digest, www.duotrope.com O Writer’s Digest Magazine, www.writersdigest.com O Poets and Writers Inc., www.pw.org O Laura Hird, www.laurahird.com O Poet’s Market, www.poetsmarket.com Do any of these resources actually work for the unpublished writer? I can tell you from personal experience that they do. When I started submitting my own work back in the early 1990s, I found my very first publishing success as a result of a listing in Writer’s Digest.

You’re afraid that you’ll be rejected ... you probably will be. I was the first few dozen times. All you can do is move forward and find moments of success where you can.

Until next time … keep your pencil sharp. O Toledo Free Press Star contributor John Dorsey resides in Toledo’s Old West End. His work is widely published and has been nominated several times for the Pushcart Prize. E-mail him at jdorsey@toledofreepress.com.

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In 1978, while Muhammad Ali defended his heavyweight boxing championship from numerous challengers, the self-proclaimed “Greatest” also entered the ring to confront Superman and defend the Earth from a horde of alien warriors.

What? You don’t remember this? It was in all the papers!

Everyone was talking about it!

OK, in reality, “Superman vs. Muhammad Ali” was just a comic book ... but what a comic book it was. Issued in ’78 as a whopping 13-inch by 10-inch “treasury edition,” it blew readers’ minds and went down in comics history as one of the most outrageous comics ever printed. Now, just in time for the holidays, DC Comics has finally reprinted the issue in two different deluxe editions, one that retains the original size and a smaller hardcover with extra material. Now, an entire new generation can witness the “Fight to Save Earth from Star Warriors.” No, as far as we know, George Lucas did not litigate.

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Well, one must dive into this book with an open mind and discover its treasures, both in story and art.

Written by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams and illustrated by Adams and the late Dick Giordano, “Superman vs.

Muhammad Ali” is a one-two punch to the gut of comic storytelling. Even today, it stands as a masterpiece — despite its goofy pedigree. What one must remember is that in 1978, Muhammad Ali was one of the most popular sports stars around and putting him in a comic with Superman wasn’t then as weird as it sounds now. This book must be seen to be believed; its scope and story are epic, covering everything from the streets of Harlem to galaxies beyond your imagination.

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22 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. Holiday 15, 2010 / CATCH JEFF McGINNIS TUESDAYS ON ‘THE ANDREW Z SHOW’ ON 92.5 KISS FM TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM Gift Guide

‘Red Dead’ redundancy Video games have a way to go with storytelling.

O A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol. 1, No. 41. Established 2010.

Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com EDITORIAL

Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com James A. Molnar, Lead Designer jmolnar@toledofreepress.com Brandi Barhite, Associate Editor bbarhite@toledofreepress.com Kristen Rapin-Criswell, Special Sections Editor krapin@toledofreepress.com Chris Schmidbauer, Sports Editor cschmidbauer@toledofreepress.com Andrew Farr, Bowling Green Editor afarr@toledofreepress.com Lisa Renee Ward, Social Networking Manager star@toledofreepress.com ADMINISTRATION

Pam Burson, Business Manager pburson@toledofreepress.com CONTRIBUTORS star@toledofreepress.com

Jim Beard • John Dorsey • Matt Feher • Jerry Gray Dustin Hostetler • Stacy Jurich • Vicki L. Kroll lilD • Martini • Jeff McGinnis • Whitney Meschke Rachel Richardson • Julie Webster • Don Zellers Chris Kozak, Staff Writer Emeritus Lisa Renee Ward, Darcy Irons Sarah Ottney, Proofreaders ADVERTISING SALES

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Toledo Free Press Star is published every Wednesday by Toledo Free Press, LLC, 605 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43604 • (419) 241-1700 Fax: (419) 241-8828 www.toledofreepress.com. Subscription rate: $100 /year.

Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2010 with all rights reserved.

Publication of ads does not imply endorsement of goods or services.

n Dec. 11, cable network Spike TV hosted its annual Video Game Awards. From the goofy production numbers to the host’s overwritten jokes and even the palpable disdain from knowledgeable fans, the VGAs are the closest thing to the Oscars that interactive media has.

The ceremony — rather a JEFF big word for this event, to be sure — saw the usual level of fluff and gaming hype, with videos promoting upcoming games sprinkled throughout, and awards presented in a haphazard manner with little consistency. (How can a game win “Game of the Year” and not win “Best Game” on any individual console?)

But one thing struck me as I looked at the results of the show — if gaming really is making strides to be taken seriously as an art form, why are there no awards given to best scriptwriting or storytelling on its most prominent show of the year?

Granted, the VGAs are hardly the most comprehensive platform for awards, and other interactive media ceremonies do give prizes for script.

But here is the industry’s most prominent televised show, meant to celebrate excellence in the field.

What does it say when prizes are given for “Best Graphics” and “Best Downloadable Content” but no acknowledgment to a game’s narrative?

Maybe it says something that video game fans, myself included, don’t necessarily want to hear — that to the industry, storytelling isn’t nearly as prominent as we’d like to think it is.

Take the game which won the VGA’s “Game of the Year” award, “Red Dead Redemption.”

Made by acclaimed (and controversial) publishers Rockstar Games, “Red Dead” is a Western set in the early Twentieth Century. Using the same open-world philosophy that made its “Grand Theft Auto” series gaming blockbusters, “Red Dead” gives players free rein to travel in a vast landscape. It is beautiful, it is visionary, it is groundbreaking.

It is also one of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had as a gamer.

I wanted to love it so much. There were so many fantastic elements, from the look of the prairies to the numerous mini-games which captured everything from playing poker at the local brothel to herding cattle. So much imagination was clearly used to create this world and I loved walking around in it.

But then, the story began to intervene. The plot of the game is dirt simple, really — the hero’s family has been kidnapped by nefarious government agents and he has to take out members of his old gang to get them back. But as I played, it

felt like the game was doing little but making me run in circles, like a lab rat trying to earn a food pellet.

“If you help me with this task,” a character would tell me, “I’ll help you find who you’re looking for.” I would help them.

So, where is my target, I would ask? “Patience, and I’ll help you later,” they would say. Then I’d have to help them again with another task. Lather, rinse, repeat — this would happen over and over again, until the game decided I was ready to face my first target. Then, of course, my target escaped during the attack and I had to chase after him all over again. A new set of tasks, a new round of running in circles and a new level of frustration soon followed.

Most every game design is some variation on

mCGINNIS

POP GOES THE

CULTURE

this theme. You have to do A, B, C and D before you get to E. But few games have made it feel quite as arbitrary as “Red Dead.” And yet, ever since its release, critics and fans have praised its “engrossing and powerful story” and it seems a shoo-in to win game of the year honors from almost every source.

If “Red Dead’s” story was published in any other media, it’d be laughed at as simplistic and redundant. But because the game play is fun (which it is), fans tend to overlook its storytelling flaws.

The game’s issues are not uncommon in the industry. There are many games tht=at have incredibly compelling stories, to be sure — ones that stretch the limit of what can be accomplished with interactive media. But even the best of them still are chained to the requirements of a traditional gaming structure. Until their design has taken a leap of evolution, freeing it from such arbitrary standards, storytelling in games may continue to be constrained.

Perhaps game publishers really don’t want to spotlight storytelling just yet. Maybe they know it’s not quite ready for prime time. O E-mail Jeff at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.

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2004 & NEWER!

Choose from Northwest Ohio’s best used cars.

WE SPECIALIZE IN SUPER CLEAN, ALMOST NEW 2004 AND NEWER PRE-OWNED VEHICLES 5272 Monroe St. • Toledo, OH 419-882-7171 franklinparklm.com

“Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?” — LINUS TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 n 23

Lifetime Warranty

Ø

2YR FREE

MAINTENANCE

DOWN SIGN &

& ROADSIDE

ASSISTANCE°

DRIVE

NEW ’11 CAMRY LE

$20,098 $229

per mo.*

or

Ø

WRIVN DSO E IGN & D Lifetime Warranty

• Air Conditioning • Anti-Lock Brakes • Power Windows • AM/FM/CD • VSC

• 6 Speed Auto TRANS • Cruise • Keyless Entry • Auto Transmission

2YR FREE

MAINTENANCE

& ROADSIDE

ASSISTANCE°

NEW ’11 RAV4 AWD

$22,199 $249 or

• Air Conditioning • Anti-Lock Brakes • Power Windows • Power Locks • Cruise • VSC • Side Air Bags

SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN

• Air Conditioning • Anti-Lock Brakes • Power Locks • Cruise Control • Keyless Entry • Power Windows • AM/FM/6Disc CD • Tilt Steering Wheel • VSC • Side Air Bags • All Weather Package

per mo.*

$14,987 +Tax

Ø

DOW N SIGN & DR IVE

• Automatic • ABS • 10 to choose from • AM/FM/CD/Radio • Stability Control • Side airbags

’11 Mazda 6i Sport Ø per mo.* OWN

$199

DSIGN & DRIVE

• Keyless entry • Automatic • ABS • Pwr Windows, locks • Side airbags • Cruise • AM/FM/CD/Radio

*42mo/10k a year. Plus tax. O down Sign and drive plus plate, title and $190 doc fee. Tier 1+ credit.

In stock vehicles only Sale ends 12/31/2010.

SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE •

TIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME

$15,718 $206 or

’11 Mazda 2i Sport

DRIVE DRIV VE • S SIGN IGN TH THE THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN N DRIVE VE • S SI SIGN IGN GN TTHEN HEN DR DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE •

NEW ’10 COROLLA LE

THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE • SIGN THEN DRIVE RIVE • SIG SIGN G TTHEN HEN

per mo.*

Ø

DOWN SIGN & DRIVE

Lifetime Warranty

2YR FREE

MAINTENANCE

& ROADSIDE

ASSISTANCE° *Purchase price plus $190 doc fee, plate, title, 6% sales tax. All rebates bates to dealer dealer.

In stock vehicles only. Lease: 36 mo 12,000 miles per year. $190 doc fee plus plate and title due at signing. Payment plus tax. Security deposit waived. Tier 1+ credit. Sale ends 12/31/10. °All customers will receive a 2 yr free TAC premium plan with any purchase or lease of a Toyota.

’11 Mazda 3i Touring g

$187

per mo.*

Ø

WIVN DSIO E GN & DR

• Automatic • AM/FM/CD/RADIO • Side Air Bags • ABS • Stability Control • Cruise • Alloy Wheels • Fog Lights *42mo/10k a year plus tax. O Down Sign and drive plus plate, title and $190 doc fee. Tier 1+ credit.

In stock vehicles only Sale ends 12/31/2010.

’11 VW Jetta S

$229

3Y YEAR EAR

CAREFREE MAINTENANCE CA

on all Volkswagen

WHOLESALE PRICES TO THE PUBLIC!!

2004 TAURUS S Auto, Air, Well-Equipped, Clean................. $4,995 1997 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA ED. Hardtop, 4x4, Auto .................................... $5,995 2001 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 4X4, Loaded ............................................ $6,995 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA Gas saver, Well-Equipped, Manual............ $6,999 2003 HONDA ACCORD Auto, Air, Loaded ...................................... $7,900 2005 CHEVY MALIBU MAXX V6, LT, Moonroof ...................................... $8,995 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY Only 50K, Fully Loaded, 1-Owner ........... $10,550 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA Certified, Low Miles, Auto, Air, Cruise ..... $10,900 2008 MAZDA 6i Extra Clean, Reduced Price .................... $10,980 2006 VW BEETLE Only 44k, Auto, Leather .......................... $10,988 2006 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER 4X4 Low Miles ....................................... $13,900 2008 TOYOTA RAV4 4X4, Only 36K Miles, Certified ................ $17,995 2009 VW CC Certified, Leather, Roof........................... $24,900

’11 VW CC Sport

$299

per mo.**

• Full Power • ABS • Automatic • Leatherette • AM/FM/CD • Well Equipped pp

ELITE PRE-OWNED FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY!

Ø

• Auto • 17” Wheels • Touch Screen Radio • Over 30 MPG • Leather

3 YEAR YEAR

DOWN

CAREFREE MAINTENANCE CA

SIGN & DRIVE

** 36mo/10k a year 0 down sign and drive pymt plus tax, title, plate and $190 doc fee. Tier 1+ credit dit th throughh VCI VCI, all rebates to dealer. In stock vehicles only sale ends 12/31/2010.

per mo.**

on all Volkswagen

Ø

DOWN SIGN & DRIVE

** 36mo 10k a year 0 down sign and drive pymt plus tax, title, plate and $190 doc fee. Tier 1+ credit through VCI VCI, all rebates to dealer. In stock vehicles only sale ends 12/31/2010.

MAZDA TOYOTA SCION VOLKSWAGEN 1-800-968-4933

734-242-3900

14975 S. Dixie Hwy. Monroe, MI 48161

SHOP US 24 HOURS AT WWW.BEST2BUYAUTO .COM

POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME

POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME

POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY • HOME OF THE LIFE

24 n WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15, 2010 / “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. Maybe it just needs a little love.” — LINUS TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM

Tomb recreations, mummies, and elaborate art reveal ancient Egyptian preparations for the afterlife

toledomuseum.org 419-255-8000 2445 Monroe St. Toledo, OH 43620