Toledo Free Press - Jan. 29, 2012 by Toledo Free Press

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JANUARY 29, 2012

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Opinion

JANUARY 29, 2012

Publisher’s statement

Restaurant Week

ave Schlaudecker, executive director of Leadership Toledo, is clear about the importance of Restaurant Week Toledo, Jan. 29-Feb. 4. “Restaurant Week Toledo means two things to us,” Schlaudecker said. “One, it gives us the opportunity for people to learn about Leadership Toledo and the way we are changing lives in both our students and the community at large. And two, without raising funds we can’t run the youth programs because we don’t charge the youth to participate in any programs and we do have to cover our costs.” Toledo Free Press and Leadership Toledo, with media partners FOX Toledo and Star 105.5, are Thomas F. Pounds promoting Restaurant Week Toledo as a way to help a great cause while taking advantage of the amazing variety of restaurants our area offers. Participating restaurants for this second annual event include Bar 145, The Blarney Irish Pub, Bobby V’s American Grill, Burger Bar 419, Caper’s Restaurant and Bar, Dégagé Jazz Café, Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge, The Hungry I, ICE Restaurant and Bar, LaScola Italian Grill, Manhattan’s, Plate 21, Poco Piatti, Rockwell’s, Rosie’s Italian Grille, Spicy Tuna Sushi Bar and Grill, Tea Tree Asian Bistro and Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant. More details are on Page A14 and in the Jan. 25 issue of Toledo Free Press Star, on newsstands now. These local restaurants exhibited leadership by signing up, and it has been exciting to follow the buzz and watch the event take root. We are grateful for the opportunity to support Leadership Toledo and appreciate each and every restaurant that partnered with the project. It has been a great pleasure collaborating with Executive Director Dave Schlaudecker, Associate Executive Director Cory Dippold, and event co-chair Margot Estes and Becca Gorman; it was Dippold who first proposed the Restaurant Week Toledo concept. Special thanks to all of you who will try a new restaurant or revisit an old favorite this week to help support the cause. O Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

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LIGHTING THE FUSE

Rolling in the deep

ith the new year bringing a greater focus on health issues, I out loud to make you forget how ugly “apnea” sounds. The “Maverick” am working on a checklist of things that need to be addressed. model formed a tight seal but exhaling through the nose was an effort; it felt like trying to breathe while walking in the hurricane simulator One of those issues is sleep. “Sleep is for the weak!” used to be one of my favorite rallying cries, but booth at Imagination Station. The “Anakin” mask made me feel like I was looking through the wrong side of an aquarium tank; it was all in that has transformed to “I’m weak without sleep!” as the years flow by. If you ask me, I am a sound sleeper; I can drop off in seconds, it my head, but it made me feel like I was drowning, a theme we will retakes a vuvuzela in the ear to wake me up and, when morning comes, I visit. The “Bane” was the least obtrusive; it filled the nostrils but did not bounce up and attack the day. If you ask my wife, I am a terrible sleeper; press on the sinuses or cover the mouth. I chose the “Bane” and the technician then began the monitoring I snore like a vuvuzela and often “stop breathing,” which causes great process, which consisted of attaching a dozen monitor tips to my head, shuddering sighs as my brain jump-starts my respiratory system. The combination of age, extra weight, raising two young boys who neck, chin, abdomen and legs. When she was done, I looked like C-3PO demand more energy than the angels who answer Tim Tebow’s prayers, after the Imperial Stormtroopers shot his inner workings out in “The Empire Strikes Back.” I almost asked about the red ball an intense job (and the pain and suffering of enduring gag, but thought better of it. I was then asked to lie on my a lawsuit designed to terminate that job) have increased back, which is not how I sleep, on a thin pillow, which is the need for sleep while simultaneously decreasing the opnot how I sleep, without my wife, which is not how I sleep, portunity for sleep. After a recent check-up, my doctor covered in wires and modules and straps to hold them suggested I take a test for sleep apnea. Ugly word, apnea. all in place, which is not how I sleep. I reflected on the Say it out loud a few times and see if it doesn’t make your technician’s earlier comments that I would be observed nose wrinkle in distaste. sleeping “naturally,” and marveled at how differently two According to WebMD, “Sleep apnea is a serious sleep people could define one word. disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interThe technician turned out the lights and left, and I tried rupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea to sleep, wired and with a severely limited range of motion. stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain — and the rest Michael S. miller The last image I had seen on the TV was Uma Thurman of the body — may not get enough oxygen. If left untreated, sleep apnea in her yellow “Kill Bill” jumpsuit, and just as I was thinking about what a can result in a number of health problems including: high blood pres- potentially embarrassing chain of events that could lead to and that I had sure, stroke, heart failure, irregular heartbeats and heart attacks, dia- better fall asleep thinking of something less enticing, like maybe Michael Madsen in “Kill Bill,” I dozed off. betes and depression.” The next thing I knew, the technician was bringing up the lights and I checked into a regional hospital’s sleep clinic recently for the test, assuming the apnea diagnosis would be correct. The Sleep Clinic room calling my name over the intercom to wake me up. She immediately looked like a basic hospital room, with its twin bed, a wall TV and a started fitting the “Bane” mask on my face. I knew she wasn’t allowed to bathroom/shower. I checked in, changed into sleepwear and called my share any of the results with me (I was curious to know the little details, like, you know, how many times an hour I stopped freaking breathing) family for a quick good-night. The young female technician came in with a clear plastic bag full of but it wouldn’t be mask time unless I met the criteria. I lay back down, now not only wired but trying to get used to air masks. She explained that for the first few hours, I would sleep naturally and she would monitor my heart rate, breathing and eye movements being forced in my nose, having to keep my mouth closed to maintain via a ceiling-mounted video camera. Harboring no delusions about the the seal and force air back out. I eventually fell asleep, and remember assorted undignified movements, reactions and sounds one uncontrol- just one dream, in which I was drowning with Uma Thurman while lably makes during sleep, I would have preferred a robot monitor or trying to rescue C-3PO. The technician woke me up four hours later, unhooked the mask some sympathetic unattractive man at the other end of the video. After the initial monitoring, if it was determined sleep apnea was an and wires and wished me well. I filled out a form, showered, dressed issue, the technician would wake me up, slip a breathing mask on me and drove to work, thinking about how uneven and lacking in sleep my “sleep test” was. But as I drove, I realized how much more awake I felt. and monitor another few hours of sleep. The technician demonstrated three breathing masks. The first one, Throughout that day’s deadline, housework and family time, I felt more a nostrils-only mask, reminded me of the Venom-dripping apparatus aware and energetic than I had in a very long time; it was like that TV Bane uses before he attacks Batman. The second was a nose-and- commercial for allergy medicine where they peel back the cloudy film mouth-covering suction cup I called “The Maverick,” after the air masks to reveal bright, vibrant colors. It will be a few weeks before I see my doctor to get the test results the pilots wore in “Top Gun.” The third was a full-face windshield that, with a bolt or two and darker shading, could have been called “The and probably my own CPAP machine. It’s my first medical aid of aging (eyeglasses count, but I have worn them for 20 years), and while I know Vader.” But it was more like “The Anakin.” I tried each of the masks, which were hooked up to a machine it won’t be the last, at least I will be able to face the others more awake. O with hoses and a water receptacle (patent pending: Boris Karloff) that pumped air to the mask. That is called a continuous positive airway Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free pressure machine, or CPAP, which is just ugly enough when you say it Press Star. Email him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

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THE HOT CORNER

One of us

othing irks me more than almost to the exclusion of the middle to see a politician like Mitt class that he professes to care so much Romney put on a pair of about. Oh, and according to the Tax jeans, ditch the tie and profess that Policy Center, it’ll add $600 billion to he is “one of us.” It puts me in mind the deficit. I wonder who he’ll expect of a certain rich politician from Ten- to take the hit for that. To be fair, that’s nessee, whose name escapes me at the better than Gingrich’s plan, which they moment, who year after year trotted said would add $1.3 trillion to the defout the same red plaid shirt at election icit (as would Santorum’s plan). That time so as to appear to be a “man of profligate spending socialist Obama’s plan checks in at a svelte the people.” $222 billion. The truth is, none The overriding of these candidates problem with runhas the least bit in ning government common with the like a business is that common man. Newt government is not a Gingrich has amassed business. Government a comfortable forshould be accountable tune, albeit not by to its shareholders, the Mitt’s standards, by citizenry, however, it is parlaying his political Don BURNARD not nor is it intended to contacts into a lucrative consulting and historian busi- be a profit-making venture. The cut, ness. At this writing, it appears that slash and burn tactics of a corporate these two are the front-runners for raider are anathema to effective ecothe GOP nomination. It has been nomic recovery. You cannot grow the economy my belief since before the endless debate cycle began that Romney is the by cutting services for 99 percent choice of the Republican establish- of the citizenry and giving more to ment and, to my mind, will undoubt- the 1 percent. Thirty-some years of waiting for trickle-down economics edly be the nominee. Gingrich carries a lot of baggage to trickle down have proven wasted, into the race, and it is my belief that and the income disparity of today rihis poo-pooing his myriad short- vals any time in our history. This led comings and blaming them on the to the Great Depression in the last elites will not hold up in the long run. century and could very well lead to Rick Santorum and Ron Paul appeal the worst depression yet. Someone to relatively narrow interest groups who has a quarter billion dollars and have shown they are unlikely to socked away in the Caymans and gain traction in the larger upcoming Switzerland can probably weather primaries. In spite of his wooden de- that kind of event, whereas 99 perlivery and constantly changing posi- cent of us probably won’t do as well. The plutocracy that now, by and tions on virtually everything he has ever professed to believe, Romney large, runs our government is large, and for the most part, in charge. This will be the GOP nominee. The George W. Bush guy-we’d- election could very well be the past like-to-have-a-beer-with snow job chance for the middle class to save from the early and mid-2000s has itself. For the past three decades our morphed into the we-need-a-busi- rights and income have deteriorated nessman-in-charge snow job for this and the real elites have prospered at year. There are several problems with our expense. Let’s not be fooled by this. The first problem I see is that those who profess to be one of us putting a corporate raider in charge when they have absolutely no idea of the economic recovery seems what life is like outside the golden bubble. Romney released his last counterintuitive, to say the least. Romney has claimed to be re- two years’ taxes, and all his income sponsible for creating more than came from moving money around, 100,000 jobs, but to date, has of- not from wages. Plus, thanks to our fered no proof of such claims. More bought and paid for legislature, he importantly, he has not told us how paid half the percentage in taxes that many jobs were destroyed in his we did. Don’t let the jeans and plaid dealings with Bain Capital, which he shirts fool you. My father-in-law founded and made hundreds of mil- used to say you could put silk stocklions off of, much of which resides ings on a pig but it’s still a pig, and in the Cayman Islands. The second brother, these are some pigs. O problem I see, and pardon me for being selfish, is that his professed eco- Email columnist Don Burnard at nomic plan will benefit the 1 percent letters@toledofreepress.com.

Opinion

JANUARY 29, 2012

DON LEE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Toledo’s history can be seen TO THE EDITOR, As I read the Jan. 22 Toledo Free Press essay by Ryan A. Bunch, “Toledo’s historical blunders: A plea for preservation,” my rage grew as he tore into our city’s tear-down mentality. Albert Finney in “Network” screamed, “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” and as a native Toledoan, I’m screaming in concert with Mr. Bunch. It matters to me when a historic bridge or some other historic structure is perceived as a blight on our landscape and appears doomed, and it matters that there are Toledoans who, though they may be unable to thwart such action, are nevertheless truly committed to making a positive difference in our hometown. This should lift Mr. Bunch’s spirit: There is an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Toledo’s rich and diverse history: the Toledo History Museum. Although we are not yet in a position to endorse or oppose decisions involving any city-owned property including the Washington Street Bridge, our mission Statement reads, in part: “The Toledo History Museum (THM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Toledo, Ohio, area and will collaborate in this ongoing effort with other historical organizations.” This is our story: “The Toledo History Museum (THM) was founded through a governing board in 2005; incorporated on July 1, 2006; and received federal tax-exempt status in September 2007.” I find it ironic that Mr. Bunch’s essay on Page A3 of Toledo Free Press was juxtaposed on Page A23 with a presentation to create a “cultural, historical and arts district” in downtown Sylvania.

I believe that it is my responsibility as a private citizen to encourage historic preservation in my birthplace, and as a member on behalf of THM, I hope that you will support our vision. Visit us at www.toledohistory.org and please sign our guestbook. You can make a difference. O Edward N. SlacK Founder and Past President Toledo Hisory Museum

Preservation is a racial issue? TO THE EDITOR, I, too, agree that it is sad to see these wonderful old buildings disappear from our city (“Toledo’s historical blunders: A plea for preservation” by Ryan A. Bunch, Jan. 22). I grew up in Toledo and remember the buildings he mentioned. When I saw the news report on the idea to dismantle the Washington Street Bridge, I wondered where the money would come from since the city seems to be financially strapped! What I don’t understand is why Mr. Bunch felt it necessary to include the phrase “predominately and hopelessly white” politicians. I wasn’t aware this is a racial issue! O Judith Mock, Toledo

Submit a letter Letters to the editor are welcome and encouraged. Letters should generally be fewer than 400 words and may be edited for length and content. To submit a letter to the editor, email your text to letters@toledofreepress.com, fax it to (419) 241-8828 or mail it to Letters to the Editor, Toledo Free Press, 605 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43604. O

Opinion

JANUARY 29, 2012

Pursuit of truth

Made in America

e’ve all seen the bumper stickers that say, “Out of ping them over and hoping to find that precious “Made in a Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign” with a patriotic America” stamp. Then I found one! A microwave that was not made in American flag backdrop. It sure is a decent sentiment to encourage buying American-made products, but is China! Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was short-lived. It was made in Malaysia. Not exactly what I was hoping for. I left disit really possible? A while back, my microwave stopped working and I de- couraged and thought about having a beer. At least Budweiser cided to buy a new one. It was the perfect opportunity. I is still brewed here in Ohio. That night I mentioned to a friend how much trouble I would buy a microwave made proudly right here in the good old USA. I did not need anything too fancy, just a regular was having trying to find a microwave made in America. microwave that was made by the greatest work force in the She said, “You should make your own. I’d buy it.” I thought about this for a minute, but then remembered world. I had even decided that I would gladly something that I had recently seen on TV. pay a little more for my new American-made A guy in England decided to make his own appliance, as it would most likely cost me a toaster from scratch. He even tried to smelt little more than its Chinese counterpart. his own metal in his mother’s microwave, That evening I headed out to the store. I which was most likely made in China. As you figured I would start at Menards. They usucan imagine, things did not turn out well with ally have decent prices and often proudly adhis toaster, so I decided against trying to make vertise their “Made in America” sales. When my own microwave. I got there, they only had one brand, and it The next day I started at Meijer. Once again, was made in China. I began to think that this might be a little harder than I anticipated. Matt OPPERMAN there were no microwaves that were not made in Asia. I was seriously starting to run out of My next stop was Best Buy. They had roughly six brands with various models to choose from, but stores in Toledo that sold microwaves. I decided to try Lowe’s, each and every one of them was made in China. I should but ended up at Home Depot instead. I was again disapmention that it was not that easy to find out where the mi- pointed to find nothing made in the USA. However, they crowave was made. The display tags do not say, so you usu- were having a good sale, and I did find by far the best deal I ally have to pull the box off the shelf and flip it over to see. In had seen on a microwave that fit my needs. I gave up. I bought many cases, it only said “Hecho en China,” which my high a microwave that was made in China. I went home discouraged, but knowing that I had tried. school Spanish taught me means “Made in China.” I still see those bumper stickers from time to time. I still I wasn’t giving up. Now I was on a mission to find one single American-made microwave. I wondered if Target appreciate the sentiment, but I have a little bit of a different viewpoint on the subject now. Who knows, maybe Sears sold microwaves. They do — all of them made in China. I left Target and decided to try again the next day, but had the American microwave I was looking for all along. I then I saw Walmart. I did not hold out much hope since will stop and look sometime just for curiosity’s sake. I will Walmart is notorious for selling Chinese-made products, also continue to try to be a conscientious consumer, but I but I stopped and went inside anyway. Before I even looked will always know that it is a lot easier said than done. O at prices, sizes, power levels and all of the other options available, I just started pulling boxes off of the shelf, flip- Email columnist Matt Opperman at letters@toledofreepress.com.

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GUEST COLUMN

Embracing the anger

hile I have to admit that African-American president. Along MSNBC’s election com- with allegations of being Neandermentary resembles the thal-like, the press spoke of the difannual New Year’s dog show more ficulties and unlikelihood that the than a serious political panel, more group could win national elections. In the 2010 elections, the voices often than not small shreds of truth can be detected after canceling out of outrage were heard loud and clear. the intellectual diarrhea of the hosts. Not only did the GOP ride the Tea In the hours following former House Party wave all the way to control of Speaker Newt Gingrich’s landslide the house, but the hotly contested states that have been Palmetto State viccrucial to winning tory, I was one of four presidential races were people to actually tune suddenly in play. in to see the painfully Ohio: Gov. predictable left-wing Ted Strickland was pile-on. thrown from ofIn the wake of fice by Republican Gingrich’s victory, John Kasich and Rob the mission of the Portman retained the left and establishstate’s Republican ment elements in the Michael KATONKA Senate seat. GOP is clear. The Florida: Marco Rubio won a objective is to paint Gingrich as an extremist, car-bombing, heart- three way race for the U.S. Senate less adulterer whose ego balloons and Rick Scott became governor. Wisconsin: Scott Walker is seas his power builds. The architects of the 24-hour information cycle lected to lead the state and Ron are now peddling the image of an Johnson got approval to represent angry white male who is riding a the state in the U.S. Senate. New Mexico: Tea Party fatide of populist agitation at overreaching government. After nar- vorite Susana Martinez is elected rowly surviving the sight of Ed governor. If the election results of 2010 Schultz and Rachel Maddow sitting in the same 20 inch space of are the result of rage and incimy living room, I had to admit vility, I hope to God the Repubthat their assessment of Gingrich lican Party becomes even more angry and mean-spirited in the was absolutely right. Being a struggling college 2012 race. Unfortunately for lefty dropout during the 2008 economic pundits, everyday Americans are meltdown, I could strangely under- starting to figure out that energy stand the basis of my generation’s and momentum can lead to great blind allegiance to then-candidate victories when they are organized Barack Obama. After all, why properly. Every time talking heads try wouldn’t 18-year-old first-time voters believe a politician when to convince conservatives that the he tells them of the glory days he future of the party is in the sissiwill bring about? Unfortunately for fied tone of politicians like Jon the president, young Americans Huntsman and to a much smaller who weren’t taking public urina- extent Mitt Romney, they ignore tion classes as part of their urban the fact that harnessed, Gingrichstudies degree requirements, have style passion and anger have alhad enough hope and change for ready proven successful. Whether Gingrich wins the this lifetime. False promises and empty rhetoric have led to anger nomination or not, the key to taking back the White House later this and cynicism. According to the elites, the har- year is not avoiding the outrage of nessing of populist anger at the ad- real disenfranchised Americans; ministration’s economic record is it is bottling their frustrations and not only racist, but a recipe for elec- turning them into votes in the same toral defeat in November. The only swing states as in 2010. If the road to victory four years problem with their analysis is that it ago was one of hope and promise, has already proven to be false. In 2010, the same wise few the path in 2012 is rightly outrage sought to cast the Tea Party as an and anger. O assembly of racially motivated hillbillies, whose sole mission was to Email columnist Michael Katonka at shout down and embarrass the first letters@toledofreepress.com.

STATE OF THE CITY 2012

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JANUARY 29, 2012

Bell: Toledo will maintain collaborative approach

“

The economy and its effects on the budget have proven to be our biggest challenge.”

My goal is to reach 600 sworn officers before the end of 2013.”

In 2011 the city surpassed all recent records and demolished 412 units.”

We are interdependent with other Northwest Ohio communities.”

reparing to deliver my third state of the city address has served as an opportunity to reflect on the things we have accomplished in the first half of my term as well as the things I would yet like to achieve in my remaining time as mayor. Our position in 2012 has shown improvement in many areas since I’ve taken office, but there continue to be challenges we need to address to ensure our citizens we are working as effectively as possible on their behalf to deliver the services they deserve.

basic city services funded, but also quality of life programs like parks, recreation and senior centers. I look forward to a day when we can be assured that these services are all fully funded and we can again begin depositing money into a rainy-day fund to build a financial future for the next generation.

lieve it is achievable and it will remain a priority for my administration. We must continue to build our fire ranks as well. The merger with the Ottawa Hills Fire Department provided us with an additional fire station and 10 skilled firefighters who today continue to provide compassionate and professional fire protection and emergency medical services to the city. We are also building a new P. BELL fire station on Toledo’s east side. The new fire station will be strategically positioned to respond to our citizens, the new Hollywood Casino Toledo and the Toledo Refining Company. This new building is possible thanks in part to a federal grant. It will serve the city well and provide a facelift for the Fassett and Oak neighborhood where it is located.

make summer recreation activities available for young people and senior centers for our aging population. The private sector is contributing as well. Columbia Gas of Ohio invested $18 million in new capital in 2011 to upgrade infrastructure in Toledo. It will invest another $20 million in 2012. Businesses and volunteer organizations have adopted gardens and flower pots around the city to provide a pop of color on Downtown streets and neighborhood boulevards. And finally, our own Department of Neighborhoods is going through restructuring. An internal review showed that changes were needed in this department and some initial modifications have been made. More will come. New leadership continues to evaluate staff and procedures in the department. My primary goal in reviewing this department and making the changes that have followed is to preserve the federal funding that comes to Toledo for neighborhood and community development. We will continue with this process to ensure that happens and that we are thorough in addressing the problems.

Budget

The economy and its effects on the budget have proven to be our biggest challenge during the past two years, and that is because money impacts our ability to provide service in every other sector of the city. Despite a projected $48 million deficit when we took office in 2010, we have worked to overcome depleted revenues and rainy-day funds by divesting unproductive and unprofitable city assets and cutting nonpersonnel costs. We did not introduce new or increased taxes. We even managed to avoid mass layoffs and continued hiring police and firefighters. The budget continues to be a challenge and we continue to look for new ideas to ensure that not only are

Safety

Ongoing hiring in our safety services must be a priority and my ad- Michael ministration has made it one of the highest as we compile budgets. Despite decreased revenues and increasing demand for services, we have continued hiring police officers and firefighters since I took office. My administration has hired 79 police officers and 97 firefighters; in 2012, we will hire another class of 30 police officers and 30 fire recruits. For too many years, no new police recruits were hired despite ongoing retirement of senior officers in the department. In 2009, the city even laid off 75 officers. Today we are seeing the effects of that depletion of manpower. We will continue to build our ranks in the police department. My goal is to reach 600 sworn officers before the end of 2013. It is a steep challenge, but I be-

Neighborhoods

We continue to work to beautify neighborhoods across the city and remove blight. In 2011, the city surpassed all recent records and demolished 412 units that were bringing down our neighborhoods. Despite tough budgets we have worked to maintain parks, make sure pools are open in each council district and

Still to come

Toledo still faces budget constraints as our revenues catch up and we pursue structural changes to reduce our annual expenditures. Locally

“

I still love this job. Every day is a new challenge and a new reward.”

and nationally, the economy continues to lag behind 2007’s. We will maintain a collaborative approach to economic development. Whether we are working with other agencies or our regional neighbors, it is time Toledo accepts that we are interdependent with other Northwest Ohio communities. We have many resources to market in this area, including our water and land. Working with partners around the region we will find a way to preserve these assets for our citizens, but also ensure that they are shared equitably in a manner that preserves our infrastructure and attracts new development. As our revenues increase and our debt decreases we will be able to make a greater investment in capital improvements. In 2012, the city will pursue a $28 million capital program that includes major street and residential road resurfacing. While we continue to rely on the CIP fund to balance the budget, we will work smarter and more efficiently to ensure that roads are maintained. I still love this job. Every day is a new challenge and a new reward. I appreciate the chance to serve my city and I thank you for that opportunity. O Michael P. Bell is Mayor of the City of Toledo. Call him at (419) 245-1004 or email him at mayor.toledo@toledo.oh.gov.

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JANUARY 29, 2012

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community

A8 n Toledo Free Press

JANUARY 29, 2012

CITY OF TOLEDO

Collins pursues sludge-dumping investigation By Caitlin McGlade

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

Most Toledo City Council members may believe the sludge debate is over, but Councilman D. Michael Collins isn’t satisfied. Council voted 9 to 3 in October to send all of the city’s bio-waste to the man-made island on Maumee Bay. That’s about 50,000 tons a year. COLLINS S&L Fertilizer has leased property on the island for decades, accepting a portion of the city’s waste, mixing it with other materials and sending some remains to the Hoffman Road Landfill. The result is called “Nu Soil.” Until recently, N-VIRO handled Toledo’s bio-waste. The company would take about 50 percent of the waste and mix it with high alkaline products, which raises the temperature and kills E. coli, worms and fecal coliform. The company sent its product to farmers across Northwest Ohio for its fertilizerlike qualities, said Robert Bohmer, vice president of N-VIRO. The city made the deal with S&L on the condition that the company produce at least $200,000 worth of top soil annually. But Collins and Council members Lindsay Webb and Rob Ludeman smell trouble. “I will not give up my pursuit until I can honestly say that the practice is safe,” Collins said.

Adamantly opposed

Collins, who has been adamantly opposed to the practice since council started discussing it, has been requesting records from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scrutinizing testimonies from S&L officials and also Lucas County Port Authority officials. The port authority oversees the island. N-VIRO, which lost the bid to S&L, has also complained to the Ohio EPA that the site is not properly equipped to handle the volume of sludge and that drainage pipe-like systems called weirs could be dripping toxins loaded with phosphorus and E. coli into the bay. Ohio EPA spokesperson Dina Pierce said that these pipes only drain substances if they are activated and that the sites are monitored. But Collins sent records requests to the port authority and the Army Corps of Engineers inquiring about the loca-

tions of the original weirs that were installed in the 1970s. The drainage pipes are one of many concerns among the contract’s dissenters. Webb said she fears that “horrific” odors already emitting from the landfill will worsen as spring approaches and S&L brings a heavier volume of waste to the site. Ed Irelan, manager of the Solid Waste Landfill, said he is waiting on test results to determine whether he can use the Maumee Bay site’s “Nu Soil” as top soil. Numerous constituents have complained to Webb of noxious odors that she, herself, experienced on a 50 degree day in December when she took a walk near the site. The fumes sent her home with a headache and an upset stomach, she said.

A matter of science

For Collins, the debate is a matter of science. When it comes to processing sludge, there are two outcomes, Pierce said. Class A bio-solids and Class B bio-solids. Class A materials have been treated to reduce pathogens to such low levels that anyone can use these materials anywhere. In Class B soil, 98-99 percent of the pathogens have been removed and it is unlikely to spread disease. The city can use Class B material at landfills, but needs an EPA permit to spread the muck elsewhere. Once approved, farmers can use it in fields, depending on the crop, as long as the area is restricted from human contact for a designated numbers of days. Cities can also use the product at places like public parks as long as they fence off the area for a year. S&L’s new permit, which is still in the draft stage, authorizes the company to make Class B product. A letter from the Department of Public Utilities raised alarm in Collins. It stated that no Class B material from N-VIRO or S&L had been delivered anywhere but the landfill. But according to city records, the company made deliveries to Ravine Park in 2007 and again in 2010. Pierce said the city filed the appropriate paperwork for the reclamation project to be approved. Other nonlandfill places the mud has gone include the Retirees Golf Course, a private residence and a cemetery. “This is not dirt,” Collins said. “This is human excrement that has been put through processes but still contains the presence of E. coli.” Collins said his next step is to look through the records to verify whether the EPA approved these sites. He said he

wants to question why and under what circumstances it is acceptable to spread this kind of material at public parks. The councilman asserted that independent scientists should test the mud at S&L’s Facility 3 on Maumee Bay. He talked to two environmental science professionals: Daryl Dwyer from University of Toledo and Jeffrey Reutter from The Ohio State University. He said the two confirmed his concerns warrant a scientific investigation. Neither returned requests for comment. Such a test would cost about $7,000, Collins said. Most other Council members turned him down. Under the current permit, the city is liable for any environmental damage. “The question which they gave to me was, ‘Where are we going to get the money?’” he said. “And my answer was, ‘Where are we going to get the money if we’re wrong?’” Terry Perry, the head of S&L, declined to comment on how the waste is mixed and treated or on Collins’ concerns or the controversy.

Clean results

The city conducted its own water testing and the results were clean, said Councilman Joe McNamara. But Collins is calling for an independent testing. McNamara voted in favor of sending the sludge to the Maumee Bay facility. The EPA has not raised concern and the city’s water test showed that the facility was not causing harm, he said. He has toured the site and said that few people understand just how large and how strong the structures are that are meant to contain the human waste. “The argument that Councilman Collins is making is akin to condemning all airplanes because it’s possible if you fly, you could die in a fiery

crash,” McNamara said. The Water Environment Research Foundation, a not-for-profit research organization, released a study in 2006 asserting that many microorganisms such as bacteria and parasites do not travel far through bio-solids so the potential for groundwater contamination is minimal. Their study also states that these microorganisms in bio-solids are unlikely to become airborne. McNamara cited the study as another piece of scientific evidence that the pathogens in sludge would not become a problem on the bay. Before the facility even receives the waste, the material sits at a wastewater treatment plant for long periods of time. Pathogens die off in this process, Pierce said. The threat of contamination is there, McNamara said. But the likelihood is so minute that he said he is not going to rush to the worst-casescenario conclusion. One report from a company called Blue Water Satellite, Inc. shows high phosphorous content around the island. But the high phosphrus content is not concentrated directly around where Facility 3 is located. McNamara said that it is unfair to attribute the phosphorus to S&L. McNamara said he is willing to reconsider if he is ever shown any alarming scientific evidence that that facility has a pollution problem. “[Collins] will not let this go; it’s like a crusade for him,” he said. Ludeman opposed the change. “I try to be as logical a guy as I can in life,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like a prudent thing to put humanwaste-sludge on the banks of the source of one of largest freshwater sources in the world.” O

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JANUARY 29, 2012

CITY OF TOLEDO

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

n A9

By Sarah Ottney

TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

Small groups of area residents gathered behind yellow caution tape in the chill and light rain Jan. 26 to watch the city begin demolition of a community landmark in East Toledo’s Birmingham neighborhood. The 110-year-old Playdium, located at 1958 Front St., had been vacant for more than a decade and was structurally unsound, said Jen Sorgenfrei, public information officer for the City of Toledo. The owner had OK’d the demolition, so a final inspection and official condemnation of the Ujvagi building was not necessary before proceeding with the demolition, Sorgenfrei said. Michael Mossing purchased the building for $1,500 in November 2010 and has agreed to repay demolition costs, which the city estimated could be $10,000 to $15,000, Sorgenfrei said. Tim Plath, manager of the division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor, said the demolition was going smoothly and was expected to be finished that afternoon. “From what I understand, it was a happening place,” Plath said of the Playdium, which formerly housed a bowling alley, nightclub and other entertainment venues. Lucas County Administrator Peter Ujvagi was among those watching the demolition. A Hungarian immigrant to Toledo who grew up in the Birmingham neighborhood, Ujvagi said he was frustrated with how fast the decision was made to raze the building. “I’m mourning in a whole bunch of ways. This is like a wake,” Ujvagi said. “This used to be the gateway to the neighborhood. It’s been part of our community for 100 years. Why didn’t they give us enough time to save some historic pieces? My frustration is we’re not even in a position to save parts of it. There is increasingly less and less respect for our built heritage. We let it slowly deteriorate. The fact that it’s possible for something like this to happen, and now to save some symbolic elements, we can’t even do that?” Carol Cipolla came with her hus-

band, Joe, to watch the demolition. She said her grandfather once tended bar at the building and her husband set bowling pins and played softball there as a boy. She hoped to be allowed to keep a brick as a souvenir when the work was finished. “I would like a piece of remembrance,” Cipolla said. “It’s a shame. The neighborhood’s going down.” Local resident Juli Bertalan also hoped to salvage parts of the building once the demolition was over. Although she mainly remembers the building as vacant, Bertalan said her mother and uncles have fond memories there and she was sorry to see it fall. “This building has been empty for a long time and it’s been a problem. We knew it was supposed to come down soon, but they didn’t contact hardly anyone in the neighborhood to save any part of it,” Bertalan said. “It’s just so sad.” Not everyone gathered at the site was upset. Chris Escareno, a lifelong resident of East Toledo who lives next door, said the building was an unsafe eyesore and a hangout for drug addicts. “I think it’s safer torn down than left standing,” Escareno said. “It’s just an old, decrepit building, but they can put something else in there.” Boards had been removed from windows and doors and the building was broken into several times, Sorgenfrei said. “There has been a lot of interest from people to secure some of the architectural elements of the building, but it is an unsafe structure at this point,” Sorgenfrei told Toledo Free Press on Jan. 25. “The majority of the roof itself is missing and there are some structural instability issues.” Utility service at the building was discontinued Jan. 24 at the request of the City of Toledo, said Chris Kozak, communications and community relations manager for Columbia Gas of Ohio. Service at the site had been inactive since July 5, 2007, Kozak said. On Jan. 25, Sorgenfrei said demolition of the building would happen sooner rather than later. “I know we’re looking to move rather quickly because it’s an unsafe structure and we don’t want anyone to be injured,” Sorgenfrei said. “There are some community welfare issues at stake.” Toledo Free Press Staff Writer Brigitta Burks contributed to this report. O

toledo free press photo by Sarah Ottney

East Side landmark Playdium demolished

DEMOLITION ON The 110-year-old Playdium BEGAN Jan. 26.

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community

A10 n Toledo Free Press

JANUARY 29, 2012

HEALTH CARE

Local groups offer dental care for Give Kids a Smile Day By Brigita Burks

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer

and Sarah Ottney Toledo Free Press special sections editor news@toledofreepress.com

Area children can receive free dental care Feb. 3 through the Give Kids a Smile program. Give Kids a Smile is part of a nationwide program sponsored by the American Dental Association. Locally, the Toledo Dental Society has sponsored the event for nine years. “The outreach of giving back to people who can’t afford dental services is important and near and dear to my heart,” said event co-chairman Dr. Shea Walkup of the Shadow Valley Dental Group. Eighty percent of childhood tooth decay is found in 25 percent of children, mostly from low-income families, according to a news release. Last year, 450 area children received $700,000 worth of free dental care from 40 dentists. This year’s locations are filling up fast, Walkup said.

Most children receive a cleaning, an X-ray and a fluoride treatment at their appointments. Many children come back for their annual checkup. Parents are often thankful for the dental care provided. “Parents are very grateful because they don’t have to try and find means they don’t have access to,” Walkup said. Many dentists offer to continue the treatment if it requires more than one visit, Walkup said. One year he provided extra dental care to three children and paid for a limousine to take them to and from his office one day. Give Kids a Smile will be at the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio, 2138 Madison Ave.; The University of Toledo Medical Center Dental Residency Program, Main Hospital, Clinic 2-A, 3000 Arlington Ave.; and the Owens Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic, 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg. For appointments, call (419) 725-2522 for the Dental Center of Northwest Ohio and UT Medical

Center Dental Residency Program. Call (567) 661-7294 for the Owens Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic. Dentists and hygienists will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 3.

Owens participates

Owens Community College will host a day of free children’s dental services on Feb. 3 during the nationwide

ings and extractions, for children examined Feb. 3. Give Kids A Smile Day is a national initiative by the American Dental Association held each February in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month. “Owens Community College’s Dental Hygiene program is excited to once again participate in such a worthwhile endeavor and provide dental services to individuals in need,” said Beth Tronolone, Owens’ chair of dental hygiene, in a news release. “Give Kids A Smile Day is also a wonderful opportunity to raise the importance and awareness of preventive dental care such as flossing, brushing and regular dental visits. Our goal is to give each attendee a positive dental experience and help them feel comfortable smiling again.” Owens also offers preventative care and cleaning services to area residents for a $30 fee through its Dental Hygiene Clinic during fall and spring semesters. O

Give Kids A Smile Day. The services are for children ages 6 months to 18 years with limited or no access to care and will be available from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. at the college’s Dental Hygiene Clinic, located in Health Technologies Hall, 30335 Oregon Road, in Perrysburg. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the clinic at (567) 661-7294 or 1-800-GOOWENS, Ext. 7294. Services will include dental education and screening, X-rays, cleanings, limited restorations and dental sealants and will be administered by Owens’ dental hygiene second-year students, faculty and alumni as well as area dentists. In addition, first-year students from the health program will provide educational presentations for parents and children. On Feb. 17, Toledo Dental Society dentists and Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary will provide restorative treatments, such as fill-

HEALTH CARE

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Mercy buys Defiance Clinic, aims to amp up technology All hospital or clinic patients have been there. Barraged with questions they’ve already answered, confused by what tests they’ve already taken, unsure what they’ve forgotten to tell a new doctor about themselves. Mercy’s purchase of the Defiance Clinic is a step toward streamlining technology to address those problems, said Andrea Price, Mercy president and CEO. Defiance Clinic’s satellite campus, the Napoleon Clinic, as well as Mercy Defiance Hospital, the joint venture between Mercy and Defiance, were included in the deal. The health care chain, which encompasses seven hospitals, bought the Defiance Clinic this month. The two entities have had a partnership since 2000 that allowed some Toledo physicians to rotate to Defiance if their specific skills were needed. “With health care reform and the push for a new model of care, it made sense for us to join as a family,” Price said. Defiance Clinic has 30 physicians and 270 employees. The biggest goal is to make communication more “seamless” and to bolster the electronic patient records database. Mercy has used electronic records for seven years, but the new system will track all patients’ records if they visit a clinic or hospital within the Catholic Health Partners system, Price said

Catholic Health Partners includes 24 hospitals and employs 32,000 people between Ohio and Kentucky. Wholly owning Defiance Clinic will make the rotating physician program much easier, said CEO of Mercy Defiance Clinic Chad Peter. About 20 physicians participate but they have not been able to swap spaces often. Peter said he’s already spoken to specialists who will be able to practice more often in Defiance under the new model. A lung specialist indicated to him that the clinic hopes to have a physician make the trip on a daily basis, compared to the typical three times a month under the 50/50 system. Patients probably won’t notice much of a difference after the sale, but physicians will, said Dr. Allen Gaspar, who works in internal medicine in Defiance.

Getting linked to the electronic medical records system is something that independent physicians’ offices can seldom afford to do, he said. “Hopefully things will be more organized; a typewritten or transcribed chart can only be in one place at a time,” he said. “It will save redundancy.” Patients are often subject to repeat blood tests, particularly if they see three or more doctors on a regular basis and they don’t remember what they were tested for during previous visits, he said. Thanks to ever-advancing technology, electronic records made in Toledo should be viewable in Defiance. As for the old-fashioned way? “We can get faxes in 10 to 15 minutes,” Gaspar said. “By the time the appointment is about over.” — Caitlin McGlade

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A12 n Toledo Free Press

toledo public schools

JANUARY 29, 2012

COMMUNITY OMBUDSMAN

Libbey group seeks historic Warmer, snowless January not unprecedented military items from TPS A

By Brigitta Burks

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

After an inventory of Libbey High School memorabilia hit the Web on Jan. 23, alumni asked for two historic items at a Toledo Board of Education meeting the next day. Larry Farren, secretary of the Libbey High School Alumni, Inc. (LHSA), addressed the board on behalf of Sue Terrill, who was active in trying to preserve Edward Drummond Libbey High School. Libbey’s last class graduated in 2010 and demolition on the building began Jan. 9. The two particular pieces are a bronze memorial plaque listing the names of 106 World War II veterans who graduated from Libbey and a memorial honoring Lt. Robert Craig, a Libbey graduate and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. “These memorials need to be placed as close to Libbey High School as possible,” Farren said at the meeting. Terrill said she has asked Sobecki Libbey veterans to take up the cause. She hopes that the two plaques can be placed in a building near Libbey so people from the area have access to them. She learned that her cousin, Lt. Ralph Wiesenberg, is one of the 106 people listed on the plaque. The board directed James Gant, Toledo Public Schools (TPS) chief business manager, to follow up on the two plaques with Farren and Terrill. Gant said he will do so and that “it seems like what [Farren] has suggested is not a bad way to proceed.” Gant and LHSA said they hadn’t heard from other alumni since the list of about 350 pieces of memorabilia went up on site.toledolibbeyhsalumni.com. The trophies are currently in storage. Farren said his emails to about 300 people on Libbey topics often go largely unanswered. “It’s kinda disheartening, you would think people would be more interested,” he said. Lisa Sobecki, president of the board, said she has also asked Gant to contact Larrie Baccus, president of LHSA. Before the list went up, she said she had hoped LHSA would contact her, but it did not. “I have heard nothing from the alumni association in a number of

months,” she said. “If we don’t know anything about it, it kinda makes it hard for us to work together.” Warren Woodberry, a local activist, disputed that alumni haven’t contacted the board, citing an Aug. 19 email from alum Bruce Taylor to Gant and board members. Taylor wrote that he and Woodberry found six trophies in Libbey’s Al Jeffery Memorial Field House and included specific instructions on where to find the memorabilia to remove it before demolition began. Bob Vasquez, board member and then president, replied the same day, thanking Taylor for his help. Taylor received an email from Gant on Sept. 6 that read the “situation is in hand” and confirmation that the trophies were removed Sept. 8. “Although [Gant] did respond, it was like pulling teeth,” Taylor said. Gant said he believes TPS has been responsive to Libbey alumni. “Obviously, this has been a hot topic. We really have prided ourselves that we should be extremely responsive to Libbey folks,” he said. “It’s not just one school that Mr. Gant is responsible for,” Sobecki said. Gant said he is creating a report on what the district could do with the individual trophies and potentially the team trophies for the February committee meeting of the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission chaired by Sobecki. He added that he plans to check with TPS legal counsel to ensure that the individual trophies are distributed properly and then get in touch with LHSA. LHSA has said that it would like to reunite individual trophies with the winners or their families. Gant and Sobecki said TPS would be open to finding a home for the team trophies at a business, library or other organization as suggested by LHSA. Woodberry said he has “no confidence whatsoever” that TPS will display the trophies together as trophies from schools closed years ago are still not on display. He also remarked on the 18 Libbey trophies in a display case at the Toledo Board of Education building. “To have them in that isolated area, that is not a proper display,” he said. Baccus agreed. “I was happy that they were somewhere, but the ideal place we had not sought, and that was to have them placed in the community. Especially since we have been separated from TPS by force.” To house trophies, contact Gant at (419) 671-8414. O

recent Facebook post sums up this winter’s weather perfectly. “Welcome to Ohio — where the weather’s made up and the seasons don’t matter.” Quite appropriate for a snowless Christmas and a January that had only 1.7 inches of snow until a few inches that fell Jan. 20-21 — and promptly melted. So where are the blizzards we expect? “You and everyone else want to know,” Brandi said Jeff Weber, meteorologist with the National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. “It is abnormal, but it is not unprecedented. We have had warm, dry winters in the past and we will have warm, dry winters in the future.” Even so, Weber said it has been a strange year for the lower 48 states. First, it is a La Niña year with a colder than normal Pacific Ocean, which has created a high pressure area in the western United States. This has led to a jet stream that is much farther north than usual. This jet stream has been locked at the Canadian/U.S. border, which means south of the stream is warmer (U.S.) and north of

the stream is colder (Canada), Weber said. While 2011 was also a La Niña year, the Atlantic Ocean was in a negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This year, it is a positive NAO and the storm systems are moving across the country more smoothly. While none of this is simple for a non-meteorologist to understand, Weber offered this message: “The cold area is starting to make its way down and the jet BARHITE stream is coming farther south.” Which means? It will eventually snow, which is good if you want snow. Bad if you thought this lack of snow proved your global warming argument. “Yes, we might be in a planet undergoing climate change, but that doesn’t mean we can link this winter to the climate change,” Weber said. “We don’t know how climate change is going to play out. Oceans are the driving force of our weather. It is hard to contribute a warm winter in Toledo to climate change.” Still, Toledo normally has 10-15 inches of snow by now, so “you are significantly lower than you should be,” Weber said. O

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Concert to benefit musician Claude Black Outreach Center to host By Brigitta Burks

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

University of Toledo Jazz is banding together to play a benefit concert for local legend, jazz pianist Claude Black. Black, who has been with UT for about four years, was hospitalized before Christmas because of failing kidneys, high blood pressure and cancer. The Jan. 31 concert’s proceeds will go toward covering Black’s medical bills. UT Jazz, a group for the UT jazz community and its supporters, hopes to raise “as much as possible. I know [Black’s] hurting. He has quite a few bills that go quite a ways back,” said Gunnar Mossblad, director of jazz studies at UT. “I feel very humbled that [UT Jazz] would do something like that. That’s pretty special. It’s a wonderful thing,” Black said of the department’s decision to play a benefit concert. Black, a Detroit native, began his career as a teenager. He played at the legendary Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit as the pianist five days a week and at Murphy’s Place in Toledo. “He’s been a staple in the greater Detroit/Toledo area for his whole life practically,” Mossblad said. The jazz pianist specializes in bebop. “It was a particular form of music and it took a particular mind to catch on it and Claude was the bebop player

in the Detroit area,” said renowned jazz singer and lyricist Jon Hendricks, Black’s longtime friend and colleague. Black played with Aretha Franklin in the 1960s when she joined Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement. “It was really great, nice, excellent,” Black said of playing with Franklin, getting to talk to King and meeting Harry Belafonte, who also toured with King and Franklin. Black, who is on hiatus from teaching, counts playing during that time as a career highlight. He also points to teaching at UT as another career peak. “Coming to UT has been one of the highlights of my career. I can share my experiences with the students,” he said. The faculty and students love him, too. “Claude is probably one of the kindest, most giving people I’ve ever met,” Mossblad said. “We lovingly joke that we know when he’s in the building, because we always recognize his warm-up exercises on the piano.” Mossblad plans to play at the benefit concert, in addition to Jeff Halsey, Ron Brooks and George Davidson. Mossblad said concert selections and other artists are being finalized. Tickets are $3 for students and seniors and $5 for general admission; additional donations are welcome. The concert is 8 p.m. Jan. 31 in the UT Center of Performing Arts’ Recital Hall. Donations can also be mailed to Gunnar Mossblad at 2801 W. Bancroft St., MS 605, Toledo 43606. O

‘Rip the Runway’ auditions The Canaan Outreach Center will host auditions for Rip the Runway, its citywide fashion, hair and talent show this spring. Auditions will be 5-8 p.m. Feb. 10 at the center, located inside Canaan Baptist Church, 1333 Western Ave., across from the former Libbey High School. The cost to audition is $10. There will be three age groups: 5-10, 11-15 and 16-18. Contestants will be judged on their fashion, hair and talent by a diverse panel of experts in the fields of music, fashion and design, said Executive Director James Easter. A first-place prize of $200 will be

awarded in each age group. The event will help the outreach center raise funds for a van, Easter said. The van will be used to help transport area children on field trips and other educational activities. The Canaan Outreach Center provides after-school activities, tutoring and meals to children ages 5 to 14. The center offers leadership, grooming and etiquette lessons. For more information, call (419) 2445700 or email mizztish@live.com. O — Sarah Ottney

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A14 n Toledo Free Press

JANUARY

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Special deals benefit Leadership Toledo, Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

With participating restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine, price points and geographical locations to choose from, organizers hope everyone who wants to will find a way to support Restaurant Week Toledo. Patrons who order off specially created menus at any of 18 area restaurants during the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 will be doing more than enjoying a delicious meal and supporting a local business — they will also be supporting local nonprofit Leadership Toledo. Participating restaurants include Bar 145, The Blarney Irish Pub, Bobby V’s American Grill, Burger Bar 419, Caper’s Restaurant and Bar, Dégagé Jazz Café, Fifi’s Reprise Restau-

rant and Lounge, The Hungry I, ICE Restaurant and Bar, LaScola Italian Grill, Manhattan’s, Plate 21, Poco Piatti, Rockwell’s, Rosie’s Italian Grille, Spicy Tuna Sushi Bar and Grill, Tea Tree Asian Bistro and Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant. Each of the restaurants — which include venues in Downtown Toledo, Holland, Maumee, Perrysburg, South Toledo, Sylvania and West Toledo — will feature a special menu priced at $10, $20 or $30. (Drinks, taxes and gratuities are not included unless specified.) A portion of the proceeds will benefit Leadership Toledo’s youth programs. Final preparations for the second annual event are coming together, said event co-chair Margot Estes. For more information, visit the websites www.restaurantweektoledo. com and www.leadershiptoledo.org. O

Bar 145°

5305 Monroe St., Toledo; (419) 593-0073 bar145toledo.com Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Saturday.

Caper’s Restaurant

2038 S. Byrne Road, Toledo; (419) 389caperstoledo.com

The Hungry I

6060 Renaissance Place, Toledo; (419) 517-5570 hungryitoledo.com

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursd p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. S

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

ICE Restaurant and Bar At the PNC Building, 405 Madison Ave., Toledo (419) 246-3339; icerestaurantandbar.com

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Rockwell’s

At the Oliver House, 27 Broadway St., Toledo (419) 243-1302; www.theoliverhousetoledo.com Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.

For more information, visit the websites restaurantweektoledo.com and leadershiptoledo.org

Poco Piatti At Levis Commons, 3155 Chappel Drive, Perrysburg; (419) 931-0281; pocopiatti.com Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

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Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.), 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.), 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.), open Sunday on Downtown event nights.

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Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge

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1423 Bernath Parkway, Toledo; (419) 866-6777 www.fifisrestaurant.com

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Manhattan’s

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Plate 21 3664 Rugby Drive, Toledo; (419) 385-2121 plate21.com Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.

10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 to ay-Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Spicy Tuna Sushi

7130 Airport Hwy., Holland; (419) 720-9333 www.spicytunasushi.com Hours: Lunch specials served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner hours are 2:30 to 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday (sushi until 11 p.m.), and 2:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

s Italian Grille

ord Road, Toledo; (419) 866-5007 grille.com a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4 to 10

Tea Tree Asian Bistro

Ventura’s

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At Levis Commons, 4100 Chappel Drive, Perrysburg; (419) 874-8828 teatreeasianbistro.com

7742 W. Bancroft St., Toledo; (419) 841-7523 venturasmexican.com

Restaurant Week Toledo

Burger Bar 419

8165 Airport Hwy., Holland; (419) 491-1795 facebook.com/BobbyVsAmericanGrill

601 Monroe St., Toledo; (419) 418-2339 theblarneyirishpub.com

Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2012: Your guide to the hottest food event of the year.

Bobby V’s American Grill

The Blarney Irish Pub

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Business Link

A16 n Toledo Free Press

JANUARY 29, 2012

DEVELOPMENT

By Duane Ramsey

TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

Almost 500 members of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce are saving on their electric and natural gas costs through special energy programs. “It’s all about pooling our buying power to offer members one more opportunity to save,” said Wendy Gramza, executive vice president of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, about the Chamber Energy Solutions (CES) program. Leveraging the buying power of its membership base helps members reduce the cost of doing business through group programs that offer savings GRAMZA on everything from energy to office supplies, Gramza said. CES was formed to assist local business owners with their energy needs and costs. It partnered with the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce to maximize savings on electricity and natural gas through group programs for each. The CES electric program has secured competitive pricing for electricity through May 2014 for members through First Energy Solutions. There are currently 338 members saving up to 20 percent per year. The CES natural gas program is helping 114 members save on their natural gas costs by negotiating a lower base rate for this group. It not only allows members to buy gas when the pricing is advantageous, but provides insurance against dramatic rate increases in the natural gas market. Paul Gilis, owner of Zoup! in Maumee, said his business has saved 27 percent on the cost of electricity since joining the CES electric program 19 months ago. Gilis also said he changed all of Zoup!’s lighting to LCD and LED lights after having a

toledo free press photo by sarah ottney

Chamber members save on energy costs

OPINION: treece blog

Dock David TREECE

Restating the Union

Paul Gilis, owner of Zoup! in Maumee, cut his electricity costs by 27 percent since joining Energy Solutions.

free energy audit conducted by Gross Electric of Toledo. Gilis said he has taken advantage of other member benefits at the chamber and will be meeting with the chamber soon to discuss participation in its group workers’ compensation program. Tom Weinrich, president of Metal Forming & Coining in Maumee, is another of those benefiting from the CES program. “Participating in Chamber Energy Solutions has been good for our company,” Weinrich wrote in an email to Toledo Free Press. “The Chamber makes it easy to participate so I can concentrate on other aspects of my business. Harnessing the power of business saves Chamber members time and money.” CES is locally owned and operated by Palmer Energy Company of Toledo, a member of the chamber. The company is an outside inde-

pendent source for securing a reliable supply of energy at the lowest practical cost for its clients, according to its website. Founded in 1980 as a gas brokerage firm, Palmer Energy has evolved into a leading energy manager for more than 250 entities with thousands of locations. Palmer Energy is headquartered in Downtown Toledo, with a branch office in Cleveland. Palmer Energy operates two additional energy group programs, Growers Energy Solutions, administered by the Maumee Valley Growers Association, and Alternative Gas & Energy Solutions, administered by Green Energy Ohio. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce also offers its members access to a competitive group health insurance program through Medical Mutual. Medical Mutual offers small busi-

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nesses versatile health insurance options with several plans available, including dental, vision, group life, accidental death and dismemberment and short-term disability insurance. Chamber members can reduce their premiums for workers’ compensation through a group pooling program administered by V&A Risk Services, a third-party administrator for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Ohio’s BWC offers a 10-step “Business Plan for Safety” that provides a framework to help companies develop a culture where all employees learn to manage workplace safety and health. The chamber also offers its members a discounted office supply program through Office Depot, a YMCA discount program and Chamber EDGE, an online education program. For more information about any of the programs, visit the web site www. toledochamber.com. O

Call us for your business needs – Ken Connell 419-259-5945 Rich Heck 419-259-8530 Member FDIC

he big event this week was President Obama’s State of the Union address on Jan. 24. While the speech has been broken down and examined endlessly — and since there have been few developments in global financial markets since last week — it seems both relevant and appropriate to weigh in on a few topics raised that night. Among the most potentially impactive of the points raised was President Obama’s discussion of opening additional federal lands for extracting natural gas. While it’s difficult to argue that — if he follows through — this wouldn’t be positive for the economy, it seems less than likely. Most notably, Obama’s position stands in stark contrast to his refusal to sign off on construction of the Keystone pipeline. Obama’s back-and-forth on energy policy has made him seem inconsistent — and disingenuous. It’s doubtful that anyone but the President’s closest advisers have even a clue as to his real agenda for energy policy in this country. This serves as just one example why business has suffered in this country under Obama; the only thing worse than bad policy is uncertain policy. Another big topic was outsourcing. We were somewhat pleasantly surprised that the president laid out a clear, concise and coherent plan for reversing the decades-old trend of American companies sending manufacturing operations overseas. n TREECE CONTINUES ON A17

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OPINION: A View From the gulch

A corporation is not a government I felt like punishing myself the other day so I picked up The New York Times and read Paul Krugman’s column — oh, I’m sorry, Nobel laureate in economics Paul Krugman’s column. The title of the column was “Resolved: The United States is not a corporation.” About the only thing I agree with him on is the title. The United States is not a corporation, if it were, we wouldn’t have $16 trillion of debt and still be able to borrow money and write checks. According to the Nobel laureate, the “notion that greed is good is the major reason that income has grown so much more rapidly for the richest 1 percent than for the middle class.” Krugman makes the same mistake that others like him make and that is mistaking ambition for greed, confusing the drive to excel with the drive to dominate, and for creating wealth for exploiting employees. They simply assume that if someone wants to produce to the best of his or her ability that he or she is evil, power hungry or, in a word, greedy. The next mistake they make is thinking that the wealth pie is fixed instead of ever-expanding. The wealth pie is limitless, but no one is entitled to a piece — they have to work for it and earn it. Government can only shrink the

pie. The government does not create anything but debt. There is no question that it hires people and thereby create employees, but the government does not produce a product. Does the government create value for its citizens? Certainly, at least it is supposed to, but it should be limited to protecting private property rights. Only private companies can create meaningful jobs that produce products that people need and want. Don’t believe me? Look at what happens every time govern- Gary L. ment gets involved with real business. Solyndra, General Motors Co., Chrysler, Fannie Mae, education, the mail, and soon health care are all failures compared to what private enterprise could accomplish for a lot less money. Profit is not a bad word and altruism/charity is not necessarily a good word (especially at the point of a gun). To extract a few phrases from Krugman: “For one thing, there’s no simple bottom line.” Meaning government has no bottom line and is not accountable to anyone for its spending. Cap-

tain Obvious strikes again. “Consider what happens when a business engages in ruthless cost-cutting.” Ruthless? Cost-cutting is done to keep a business viable and profitable. Only a viable and profitable business can create products and jobs. Krugman feels that the purpose of business is to create jobs. Krugman, excuse me, Nobel laureate in economics Paul Krugman, seems to think that many of the problems that Greece, Spain and Ireland have RATHBUN were caused by implementing austerity programs. Maybe if they went further into debt that would help them. And finally, Krugman has to inject that our problems were made worse because of President Bush, since he was a businessman. I will grant him that President Bush didn’t do much to help capitalism but the people we have in the White House and U.S. Congress now are doing their best to completely destroy capitalism and consequently this country. Business, and especially small business, is the backbone of this country. According to the mainstreetchamber-mn.org website article “America Runs on Small Busi-

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ness,” 98.2 percent of businesses had fewer than 100 employees, 89.3 percent had fewer than 20 employees, 78.6 percent had fewer than 10 employees, and 60.8 percent had fewer than five employees. Small business’ are the job creators in this country, not General Motors or IBM or any of the big companies. That is not to say that the large companies don’t create some jobs but more than 80 percent of all of the new jobs created are created by these small firms. Yet it is the big companies that get the breaks from regulations, government grants and loans and other political favors. As a small business owner myself, I don’t want any breaks from the regulations, I just want the regulations that prohibit me from providing my services and making money to go away. I don’t want government money because not only do I believe it is morally wrong but I don’t want to be obligated to anyone in government. Government is not run like a corporation but it should be, corporations are not run like the government and thank goodness they aren’t. O Gary L. Rathbun is the president and CEO of Private Wealth Consultants, LTD. He can be heard every day at 4:06 p.m. on “After the Bell” with “Brian Wilson and the Afternoon Drive,” and every Wednesday and Thursday evening at 6 throughout Northwest Ohio on “Eye on Your Money.” He can be reached at (419) 842-0334 or email him at garyrathbun@privatewealth consultants.com.

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n TREECE CONTINUED FROM A16 That’s not to say he wasn’t late to the party. Instead of causing a reversal of fortunes for the American manufacturing industry, it seems that Obama is trying his best to position himself to take credit for a trend that is already under way. As I’ve written for more than a year, a number of companies have already begun moving manufacturing from overseas back to the United States. To the president’s credit, this trend should certainly accelerate if a tax credit is created to encourage the resourcing of manufacturing jobs to the U.S. Longtime readers will know that one of the reasons I’ve cited for manufacturing jobs leaving the U.S. in the first place has been the trend of education in this country away from practical skills. Many of the jobs in highest demand — and biggest shortage — are in engineering fields. Instead, in this country has raised an entire generation of sociologists and liberal artists. Most of the points made by Obama should be supportive of American manufacturing. I may not agree with the president’s proposed changes to tax policy — with the exception of the proposed credit for bringing manufacturing back to this country — but what we saw Jan. 24 was at the very least a president acknowledging the failure of many of his longstanding policies, and a big step in the right direction. At a minimum, these policy changes should tide us over until January 2013 and the inauguration of a new commander-in-chief. O Dock David Treece is a partner with Treece Investment Advisory Corp and is licensed with FINRA through Treece Financial Services Corp. The above information is the express opinion of Dock David Treece and should not be construed as investment advice or used without outside verification.

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sports

A18 n Toledo Free Press

JANUARY 29, 2012

ROCKET BASKETBALL

By Jason Mack

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer jmack@toledofreepress.com

It’s hard turning your back on unfinished business. Toledo point guard Naama Shafir had every intention to return home to Hoshaya, Israel, in May after tearing her right ACL four games into her senior basketball season. But with an extra season of eligibility on the table, the temptation to fulfill unreached goals won out and Shafir decided to delay her homecoming one more year. “At the beginning, I was kind of shocked,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do. To be honest, at first I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m coming back.’ After a couple of weeks, I started to think that’s not how I want to finish here. I feel like I still have a lot to give here. I’m excited to come back for another year with amazing fans, an amazing team and coaches. I see it as an opportunity for me, and I’m happy to have a chance to come back for one more year.” Shafir tore her ACL in the first minute of a 69-58 win at Indiana on Nov. 25 and had surgery Dec. 14 to repair the injury. Shafir started the previous 106 games CULLOP in her career at UT and had never missed a game in her life due to injury. “I’m elated that she’s coming back,” Toledo head coach Tricia Cullop said. “She is a wonderful kid and a great player. She brings an awful lot of leadership to our program. She also has a lot of unfinished business. I can’t wait to see her have the senior year she deserves to have.” Shafir joins a senior class with fellow co-captain forward Lecretia Smith along with guard Riley McCormick and centers Kyle Baumgartner and Yolanda Richardson.

“I’m actually going to graduate with Naama,” Richardson said. “It’s a great feeling to know that we have another year together. We’re going to go out with a bang together.” For Shafir, one difficult part of the decision to return will be watching senior guards Courtney Ingersoll and Haylie Linn graduate without her. “It’s really weird,” Shafir said. “I talked to both of them about it. Before I made a final decision, I was like, ‘There’s no way they’re going to walk on senior night without me.’ It’s part of it. I can’t change it. Those are the little things that make it a little upsetting for me. But I’m so happy for them, and I know that they’re happy I’m staying.” “I’m so excited for her,” Ingersoll said. “I’m more excited for our community because they get another chance to come and watch one of the best players in Toledo’s history. I’m going to miss playing alongside her, but it’s going to be another fantastic year because of her.” Shafir, a three-time All-MAC selection, led the Rockets last season with 15.3 points and 5.1 assists per game. She earned WNIT MVP honors after scoring a career-high 40 points against USC in the championship game. Shafir was averaging 9.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game before her injury this season. Shafir was named the 2012 Marty Glickman Outstanding Jewish Scholastic Female of the Year by the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame & Museum Committee. Shafir will receive the award at the 20th annual National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Ceremony on April 29 at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack, N.Y. Sophomore point guard Andola Dortch has picked up her offense to help replace Shafir, leading the Rockets with 13.5 points and 4.6 assists per game this season. Shafir and Dortch frequently teamed up in the backcourt last season, and Cullop is excited to get her dynamic

duo back together. “Those two did a great job last year feeding off each other, and I know that played into her decision, having her sidekick back,” Cullop said. “Andola is going to be a great mentor for her coming back from rehab and the injury, because she’s been through it. They are going to be a great tandem going forward. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coaching both of them, and I can’t wait to have them both on the court again.” Cullop is also excited to see what Shafir can do after learning from a coach’s perspective this season. There is no set timetable for Shafir’s return, but Cullop is encouraged by what the doctors have reported. “They are really excited about where she is at right now,” Cullop said. “If she was going to have this injury, I’m glad it happened as early as it did. In my history with players who have had it, you don’t see them back mentally for a year. It takes a long time. Your body is ready, but your mind says, ‘Don’t cut hard.’” “It’s not just about my knee being ready,” Shafir said. “It’s not going to be easy mentally to come back. It takes a while.” Cullop said the main mental obstacle to overcome is fear of reinjury, which is made worse by scar tissue. “She’s got to learn how to retrain her mind to know she’s going to be OK, and to break up some scar tissue and realize that’s not the ACL tear again,” she said. “When you break up some of that scar tissue, believe me it’s a scary moment. She’ll have plenty of time to fight through that and get strong before we put her back out there.” Once Shafir is back out there, Cullop expects her to play stronger. “Any kid I’ve ever had that comes back from an ACL comes back with a vengeance,” Cullop said. “They cannot wait to get back on the court and they value every second. I think that’s the Naama Shafir you’re going to see when she comes back.” O

toledo free press photo by jason mack

Shafir will return to Rockets; Cullop ‘elated’

Naama Shafir tore her ACL early this season, but will return next year.

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fan — it was the day we welcomed first major league deal, demanded a percentage as a reward, and Prince home a Prince. Prince Fielder signed a nine-year had had enough. Cue winter of 2012 and Prince bedeal worth $214 million, a contract he could have signed in New York or comes a free agent. For weeks, ESPN, Boston, where it almost guaranteed MLB.TV follow the everyday saga of Prince’s agent Scott him a World ChampiBoras as he shouts $200 onship, but he chose Demillion across the league. troit — why? Prince, the Prospective teams inson of Tiger great Cecil cluded the Rangers and Fielder, who ruled MoNationals but the words town during the early “Detroit” and “Prince” ’90s, was raised around were paired with any baseball and spent his regularity. Then Victor summers at the old TiMartinez tore his ACL gers Stadium. At the age and Mike Illich bought of 12, Prince was puta Prince. ting on hitting expos Jeremy BAUMHOWER Prince Fielder’s during pre-game batting practices. There are stories that he World Tour will kick off in the Glass hit moonshot home runs that landed City on April 4 when the Tigers play in the upper deck of left field. Prince the Mud Hens. Not since the notorious went from Tiger Stadium at the age of John Rocker’s Triple A send-down in 12 to being served lawsuit papers for 2000 has there been a media frenzy with TV satellite trucks everywhere. his father by the age of 18. There is something to be said of a I even predict the game may be seen man who named his son Prince and nationwide on ESPN or MLB.TV. That his daughter Ceclynn. I imagine that Wednesday, Prince Fielder will be reif I hit 51 home runs in one season like minded how loyal the baseball subjects Cecil did, my confidence might get a are in this part of the country and will little out of whack and my ego might for the first time see the hopes and allow me to name my son Prince. This dreams of Tigers fans, 50 miles south. Cecil Fielder was my Tiger may come of as a bit of a shocker, but it appears that Cecil never won a Parent growing up. I own a No. 45 jersey that of the Year Award. Cecil’s gambling I wear often. I tell stories to my son addiction and business practices cost Braden about watching him and his his family everything, culminating 51-home run season. That is why Jan. a divorce. A man who made nearly 24 meant so much to me as a father $47 million in his baseball career now and a Tigers’ fan. Now I get to buy my has little to show for it besides an es- son a Prince Fielder jersey and hope tranged relationship with his son. his dreams are realized in October. O After watching Dad blow their family’s entire fortune, after losing their Jeremy Baumhower is a self-proclaimed 50 room “palace” in Florida, Prince media expert who writes and produces still had his father in his life. Finally, for national morning radio shows. Please Cecil, who “helped” negotiate Prince’s follow him on twitter @jeremytheproduc.

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Visit www.toledofreepress.com

Bach to rock Omni

By Vicki L. Kroll Toledo Free Press Staff Writer vkroll@toledofreepress.com

Talking with Sebastian Bach is highly entertaining — just like you

think it’d be. The former frontman of Skid Row who went on to star on Broadway and appear on TV shows chatted during a phone call from Beverly Hills, Calif. “I’ve been very lucky to do things in

my career, that life has imitated art and art has imitated life,” he said. “When I sang the song ‘Youth Gone Wild,’ I was 19 and I was f****** wild; there was no doubt about that. And in my new record, ‘Kicking and Screaming,’ the

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I was the neighbor with a steady job, wife and kids. I worked for the city, then as a cook for Bob Evans. I owned my own landscaping business in the 1980’s. But there was another side, a shadow life of nightmares and sleepless nights. Using drugs was a way to shut out old memories that were beating me down. I ended up homeless. But once I got help for post-traumatic stress, everything turned around—my behavior, sleep habits, the way I dealt with people. Life is a lot better being sober and in recovery.

lyrics totally fit my life.” Bach will bring guitarist Nick Sterling and drummer Bobby Jarzombek to an 8 p.m. show Feb. 3 at the Omni, 2567 W. Bancroft St. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the night of the show. Also on the bill are Sugar Boxx and Stohl-n. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Toledo Free Press: “As Long As I Got the Music” sounds like your theme song. Bach: It’s kind of like my KISS song of the record, you know, get your fist in the air; that’s the anthem of the record. I like the sparseness in the verses where it’s just me and the drums with big power chords. And the lyrics are incredible; they fit me so good: “What you say don’t mean a thing/ I’ve got the open road and my six-string/ Cuttin’ loose is all we know/ Don’t matter where we go/ Out of luck, no soul to spare/ Broke and stranded I don’t care.” It’s saying as long as I got the music, you can’t bother me, and that’s 100 percent true. If I’m having a rough day or things aren’t going my way, I can put in my iPod, listen to music, and it takes me away into another world. I think that’s the best part about all music. It really is so visceral and it makes you feel so much. TFP: Are you planning to return to Broadway? Bach: They’re asking me to be in the Broadway production of “Rock of Ages.” I’m the first person they ever asked to be in that, but, to me, I didn’t know if that was making fun of rock. I’m not interested in making fun of what I do for a living. But I just did the movie “Rock of Ages” with Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-

Jones and Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin, and the movie was incredible. So I haven’t seen the play. Maybe I’ll go watch it and maybe I’ll enjoy it and maybe I’ll do that play. But the plays that I did, “Jekyll & Hyde” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” and to a lesser extent “Rocky Horror,” were totally legitimate Broadway productions … and that interests me more than some rock ’n’ roll Broadway thing. TFP: What Broadway role would you like to play? Bach: I would like to be in the “Spider-Man” musical; I’d like to be the Green Goblin, but I know everybody’s on trapeze, swinging around the venue, so I don’t know if I’d really be into that [laughs]. I’m into the role of the Green Goblin; I’d like to kick the crap out of Spider-Man onstage eight times a week. I’d really love to do that; it’d be a lot of fun. TFP: How did the gig on “Gilmore Girls” come about? Bach: I’m the rock guy that people come to if they need a rocker, that’s what it seems to be, and they were impressed with my Broadway credentials. The producer Dan Palladino called me at home and I read the script and we laughed, thought it was quite funny, and the next thing I knew I was on a plane out to Hollywood. It was a lot of fun; I miss the cast. TFP: Any chance you’d reunite with Skid Row? Bach: Yes, I would consider it if they gave me $5 billion. I think that’s what I’ll do it for, [laughs] that’s a nice round figure. You give me $5 billion, I’m in. O

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ARTS Life

A22 n Toledo Free Press

JANUARY 29, 2012

HEALTH and FITNESS

By Brigitta Burks

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

Two contestants from “The Biggest Loser” will help Tecumseh kick off its weight loss challenge Jan. 29. Marci and Courtney Crozier, who appeared on the 11th season of “The Biggest Loser,” are a mother-daughter duo from Schererville, Ind. While at “the ranch,” where the show is filmed, Marci lost 86 pounds and Courtney lost 110 pounds. “[The presentation] truly has a lot to do with what I learned from Courtney on the ranch. We kinda play off each other a little bit and we’re gonna talk about some future things that Courtney’s doing,” said Marci, who works at a health club. The Kick Off the Weight program at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) starts the Tecumseh Community Weight Loss Challenge. This is the third year that Tecumseh has done the challenge, hosted by Tecumseh Parks and Recreation, said Kathy Field, operations director for the TCA. Last year, about 60 participants lost more than 600 pounds. So far, about 100 people have signed up. The kickoff event will feature a light Subway lunch, area fitness club representatives who will offer discounts to participants, Zumba, Jazzercise and kickboxing demonstrations. “We’re hoping it’s a win-win for

everybody and sooner or later, I’m gonna get my butt down to parks and rec [to join the challenge],” Field said. This year’s challenge will end with an awards ceremony April 27. Before even going on “The Biggest Loser,” Courtney began her own weight loss challenge. “I was sad. I’ve never been a sad girl and I knew I had to make a change,” she said. “At the rate that I was going, I was going to die.” On her 21st birthday, Courtney, who at her heaviest was 435 pounds, made the commitment to lose weight and lost 112 pounds on her own. Courtney, who had tried out for the show’s 9th season, called participating in the 11th season “the greatest experience of my life.” Marci was a little less excited about joining “The Biggest Loser.” “I had a little bit of fear motivation that turned into real motivation. It was scary. It took a lot of courage, and it takes courage for any change,” she said, adding with a laugh that “standing in front of America in my bra and underwear, that was scary.” Business at the health club has picked up for Marci and Courtney also has exciting new prospects. The Indiana University Northwest student plans to open a frozen yogurt shop and start her own nonprofit, SMYLE (Start Marking Your Life Extraordinary). The 12-week program will help preteens and teens who want to make a life change.

Marci and Courtney also offered a few tips for trimming waistlines: O Walk it off. “Walking makes the biggest difference in the world,” Courtney said. She recommended buying a pedometer and setting a goal for how many steps to walk each day. O Eat breakfast. “I was one that didn’t eat breakfast, and people say it is the most important meal and it is the most important meal,” Marci said, adding that eating breakfast is important for your metabolism. O Eat protein with every meal or snack. “If you have an apple, add a piece of string cheese,” Courtney said. “It will keep sugar levels in check so you don’t get as hungry.” The pair also stressed that losing weight in real life is different than on TV. “It’s not what everyday people would do to lose weight,” Courtney said. “That’s why a lot of people leave the show and gain weight.” She advocated not giving up if you have an “off day.” “It took me a while and I still have days where I’m a little off balance. Even if you get off, you can always get right back on track,” she said. Kick Off the Weight begins at 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh. Admission is $5 for challenge participants and $10 for general admittance. Call (517) 4236617 or visit http://thetca.org/ for more information. O

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FAMILY PRACTICE

y family and I have decided to partake in the modernday cliche that is family game night. We may have tried it once or twice before, but now the majority

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Family game night

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Each player dons a plastic headband old middle child would quite enjoy and inserts a card that displays a pic- having the opportunity to hold the ture of an object with the name of the recreational destinies of all her immediate family memobject printed underbers in her hands. neath. You can see all However, as it was her of the objects except turn to act as judge for for your own object. her particular round, You are left to figure out our 6-year-old melted what it is by asking gen(that’s in the bad nueralized questions that, clear meltdown sense, with any luck and/or not the sappy “my heart skill, eventually unravel melted” sense). Apparits mystery. ently having to decide Unless you play Shannon SZYPERSKI which of your oppowith a 2-year-old. nents’ noun cards most If you play with a 2-year-old, she will quickly and me- accurately represents the adjective thodically tell everyone playing what “sweet” is pure torture when you feel their supposed-to-be-hidden object is that you have the obvious winner as soon as the card hits their forehead. (“Disneyland”) just inches away in Her object will be a hot dog. You your own unplayable hand. Being barred from presenting your will forget about the fact that she has thwarted every other player’s chance almighty trump card at just the right of winning by immediately outing moment in time seems to evoke the their objects and do your best to com- most primal of emotions, complete municate to her that there is a cartoon with screaming, crying and whipping version of a hot dog attached to her a plastic card holder across the dining forehead (without actually uttering the room table. Yet, as an old friend of word “hot dog”). She will repeatedly mine and I once concluded, the game doesn’t end until someone throws guess that her object is a hamburger. You will finally give up and tell the game board across the room. At her that her object is actually a hot least now the worst-case scenario for dog. You will discard her hot dog card shrapnel is 20 minutes’ worth of red and exchange it for a fresh start in the and green playing cards instead of form of any other card. You will then three days worth of miniature metal blindly draw another card and place tokens, little plastic hotels and mounds it on her forehead. The card you draw upon mounds of Monopoly money. Even with all of the toddler rulefor her will, indeed, be a hamburger this time. The reaction in your head at breaking and peripheral drama, that moment will be brought to you by there is still no doubt merit in the the letters “W”, “T” and “F”. That has whole family sitting around a table and focusing in on the same task. been my experience, anyway. Family Game Night then entailed When things begin to go awry, an old family favorite, “Apples to there is also ample opportunity for Apples Kids.” Considering all of the practicing patience and working unappreciated, last-minute shenani- together to find solutions to differgans imparted on us by Candy Land’s ences. In our case, more than ample picture cards and Chute and Ladder’s opportunity. Much, much more. O steep, unexpected descents, “Apples to Apples” always aimed to please. Shannon Szyperski and her husband That is, until it became a part of our Michael are raising three children in Sylvania. E-mail her at letters@toledo family game night. You would think that a 6-year- freepress.com.

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A24. n Toledo Free Press

BIFF & RILEY

BY JEFF PAYDEN

JANUARY 29, 2012

Do you need a GREAT part-time job?

be a toledo free press home delivery carrier!

Walking routes available

Please call 419-241-1700 ext. 221

community

employment

adoption

education

General

THE OCEAN Corp. 10840 Rockley Road, Houston, Texas 77099. Train for a New Career. *Underwater Welder. Commercial Diver. *NDT/Weld Inspector. Job Placement Assistance. Financial Aid available for those who qualify. 1-800-321-0298.

HIRING NOW! TRAVEL Today! Seeking Sharp Guys/Gals, Rock-n-Roll Atmosphere, Blue Jean Environment! $500 Sign-on Bonus. Sean 1-800716-0048

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. Adoption, an answer to your prayers. Loving couple, ready to surround your child with love, joy, laughter, family traditions. Expenses paid. 1-888-764-6767 LCFS Lic #012998

wanted WANTS TO purchase minerals and other oil & gas interests. Send details P.O. Box 13557, Denver, Co 80201

employment General

Fork LiFt Mechanic Style Crest Inc. has an excellent opportunity available for a self-motivated and safety conscious individual looking to work in a fast paced environment. Successful candidate must have, 5 years experience, and be familiar with all types/brands of equipment. Style Crest offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package. If you are interested in joining our team, please apply in person to or send a resume to: Style crest inc. 600 hagerty Drive Fremont, oh 43420 www.stylecrestproducts.com Equal Opportunity Employer

Call 419.241.1700, Ext 230 to place a Classified Ad! Toledo Free Press publishes classified ads and cannot be responsible for problems arising between parties placing or responding to ads in our paper. We strongly urge everyone to exercise caution when dealing with people, companies and organizations with whom you are not familiar.

BAD CREDIT OR NO

CREDIT Come to Franklin Park k and Use You Y Yourr

TAX REFUND

to Drive Home the Car of Your Dreams!

• Nice Cars 2006 Models and Newer • $0 DOWN upon Approved Credit

INTERESTED BIDDERS: TOLEDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS – LONGFELLOW ELEMENTARY, MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY, MARSHALL ELEMENTARY, PICKETT ELEMENTARY TABLE PACKAGE Sealed bids will be accepted by the Board of Education of the Toledo Public School District until 1:00 p.m. on February 15th, 2012, at the Toledo Public Schools Treasurers’ Room 3, 420 E. Manhattan Blvd., Toledo, Ohio 43608, for all labor, material and supervision necessary for the table furnishings of Longfellow Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, Marshall Elementary School, Pickett Elementary School, as more fully described in the drawings and specifications for the projects prepared by Vetter Design Group and Munger Munger & Associates. Bids will be opened publicly and read immediately thereafter. Bid Documents for the project may be examined at the F.W. Dodge plan room in Columbus, Builders Exchange in Toledo, University of Toledo – Capacity Building, E.O.P.A. – Hamilton Building, Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and The Plan Room in Ann Arbor, Construction Association of Michigan, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Construction News. Bidders may obtain copies of the documents starting January 26, 2012 which can be purchased from Toledo Blueprint, 6949 Wales Road, Northwood, Ohio 43619, phone: (419) 661-9841. Drawings may be obtained on CD-ROM for no cost with the purchase of the specifications. A PREBID CONFERENCE will be held on February 3, 2012, at 8:30 am at Toledo Public Schools Board Room, 420 East Manhattan Blvd, Toledo, Ohio 43608. If you have any questions or a need for additional information, please direct all questions in writing Dan.Timmons@lgb.llc.com and Patrick.Stutler@ lgb-llc.com , by phone at (419) 776-5600, or fax at (877) 281-0784.

CALL NOW!

Bid Item #2 Longfellow ES, McKinley ES, Marshall ES, Pickett ES Tables Package Total Estimate: $ 347,870.00

franklinparklm.com

All real estate advertised in this paper is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, in the sale, rental, or financing of housing. This Publisher will not knowingly accept any advertising that violates any applicable law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this paper are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you believe you have been discriminated against in connection with the sale, rental, or financing of housing, call the Toledo Fair Housing Center, (419) 243-6163.

419-882-7171

TV Listings

JANUARY 29, 2012 Sunday Morning ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 A&E BRAVO COM DISN ESN FAM FOOD HGTV LIF MTV TBS TCM TNT USA WTO5

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