Toledo Free Press - Feb. 22, 2009

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22 2009

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‘Joe the Plumber’ talks about his new book, Sarah Palin, suing Ohio and what it means to be an American.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009

OPINION

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

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LIGHTING THE FUSE

Highs and lows Foolish fairness S O hakespeare said it is better to be a witty fool than a foolish wit, but there are plenty of folks in both categories chiming in on the socalled Fairness Doctrine.

It is amazing that a Federal Communications Commission policy from the late 1940s could be invoked as a standard today; the Fairness Doctrine, and its similarly censorial cousin, the Mayflower Doctrine, were enacted when the “rule of scarcity” could be applied to media. In today’s world of hundreds of TV choices, broadcast and satellite radio and programming on demand — not to mention that little engine of information dissemination, the Internet — there can be no intelligent argument made that any single point of view can go unchecked or unanswered.

Of course, Toledoans have been raised to believe that a single media source can dominate the culture, but that vestige of belief now only rattles around in the heads of those who control the larger media Thomas F. POUNDS sources in town. For either The Blade or WSPD to claim the other has any impenetrable lock on news or influence is laughable in a city where news often breaks through blogs, social networking Web sites, the Web sites of TV stations and, yes, weekly newspapers with a daily Web presence.

When you hear someone — a politician, a pundit, a newspaper publisher — tell you we need a Fairness Doctrine, what they are telling you is that you are not capable of reasoning and judgment. It is grossly paternalistic and didactic for an elected official or media blockhead to wag a finger in the name of fairness, when what they are really revealing is a lack of self-confidence in their own point of view and their ability to force it on you.

Foolish wits and witty fools abound; none of them should be allowed to tell you what you can hear, how you can hear it or what to believe of what you hear.

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

BLOG IT, TOLEDO

Glass City Googling

By Lisa Reneé Ward SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS

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very so often I get an e-mail from someone looking for a price for some type of glass.

Recently it was an e-mail from a man looking for a price on glass patio doors.

While I haven’t gotten into selling

glass as a side job, I wondered what would I find when I googled “Glass City.” The results of this Web adventure can be found only at www. toledofreepress.com and some of the results may just surprise you.

Lisa Renee Ward operates Glass City Jungle (www.glasscityjungle.com).

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol. 5, No. 8. Established 2005.

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Hours later, in the much less breathtaking atmon the roof of One SeaGate, the January wind cuts through skin like the barbed tip of a viciously sphere of the Costco gas station on Central Avenue, I snapped whip. Thirty-two stories above the notice a woman pumping gasoline into her car, which ground, the scales of distance and horizon warp percep- sports a bumper sticker I have to lean forward to read.

It says: “I’m only speeding cause I really tion. The Maumee River flows deep under a have to POOP.” frozen surface of ice that stretches for miles The all-cap emphasis is not mine. like a thick, white rope. The city streets are Next to the phrase is a helpful illusgray, the sky is gray and breath leaves the tration of said poop, complete with little body in urgent billows of gray steam that stink lines emanating toward the sky. dissipate into the unforgiving cold.

This makes me sound like a judgmental Surveying the city from such heights, prig, but why is that sentiment plastered one might reasonably expect a patina of across someone’s vehicle bumper? peace and purity to color the life below.

I feel compelled to defend my sense But there is too much knowledge for that. of humor by offering Exhibit A: Sam It is impossible to look down on the stagnant facade of One Government Michael S. MILLER Kinison is the funniest comedian I have ever heard; and Exhibit B: I’ll watch any Center and ignore the swirling torrents housed within its walls. A Shakespearean tragedy of “Family Guy” episode, any time. So I’m all for coarse and lost leadership, of competence long ago drained away, rude and raunchy. But on a bumper sicker for the whole of failure and ignoble ending, is playing out in that city to see? Yikes.

Follow the chain: Someone at 1-800-GetSilly.com went stolid white box.

It is impossible to look down on the Lucas County to work one day, charged with writing a bumper sticker to Courthouse and admire the architecture without recog- sell. After a few hours of soul searching, said writer jots this nizing the shattered lives seeking justice inside its domed down: “I’m only rushing home because I have to crap!”

Said writer takes this creative breakthrough to his or structure. How many victims, how many criminals, how many weary prosecutors and defenders trudge through her supervising editor, who says, “I like it! Now, this will go on cars, so we should change ‘rushing’ to ‘speeding.’ the system every day?

It is impossible to look down on the dishwater gray Not everyone is driving home — we don’t want to alienate Blade building and ... well, actually, it is possible to just the car-driving, bumper sticker-purchasing apartment dwellers — so we’ll drop ‘home.’ It’s a golden rule of look down on the Blade building.

The frigid reverie is interrupted by the headlong bumper sticker writing that ‘cause’ is always funnier that approach of a brown-feathered falcon. It flies from the ‘because,’ and crap is harsh, so let’s change that to the south, with nothing as cinematic as majestic grace; it flies much funnier ‘poop.’ Throckmorton, you’re a genius!”

At that point, a factory somewhere fires up its printer with a purpose that shatters such contrived language. It is three-and-a-half feet from wing to wing, gliding at and thousands of “I’m only speeding cause I really have rooftop level on unseen currents of wind, effortlessly to POOP” bumper stickers are manufactured, boxed and sent to places like the Zazzle.com warehouse. gliding alongside its unexpected human visitors.

From there, either online or in a truck stop or novThe falcon looks serious; its talons flex as it circles, seeking any morsel it may capture. It lands on the edge of elty store counter, someone saw the “I’m only speeding the roof on the far side of One SeaGate, uninterested in cause I really have to POOP” bumper sticker, chuckled, picked it up, placed it on the counter without any embarthe tons of blue glass and blue steel that supports it.

My first thought is to approach the falcon as it ob- rassment, paid for it, walked out to the parking lot and serves the city to snap a cell phone photo. My second, proudly plastered it on the car.

Again, at the risk of sounding snooty, why did any of wiser thought is to cajole one of my companions to do it.

He demurs, and by the time I stalk over the ice and snow these things happen? It’s “Idiocracy” come to life, right?

Is that the sliding scale for humanity, somewhere to within 20 yards, the falcon lifts off and soars over Summit Street, swooping a few dozen feet before arcing between the inspiration of a soaring falcon 32 stories back toward the Fifth Third letters that keep watch over high and the sewer-level sentiments on a street-level One SeaGate. bumper sticker?

For a heartbeat, I wonder what that feeling of If those are the parameters, we all have to choose swooping and flying is like, and feel compelled to leap at which end we want to exist. As the rooftop of One after the falcon, to catch its draft and follow it through SeaGate will attest, there is poop at both extremes, but the freezing January air. the view is much sweeter from the top.

It would take just one running jump over the edge.

I find I lack the courage to fly.

Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press.

Because I lack the courage to die.

Contact him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com

Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com

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JUST BLOWING SMOKE

OPINION

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

TAKE BACK TOLEDO

Positive sides of Political football: The TBT Bowl negative thoughts Y

I

have come to believe (mostly leave it as a positive.)

Violent crime is up in Toledo because people have told me so) that I have been far too negative recently and that’s bad, but overall crime is down in in recent columns the city and that and on my blog. I has to be good. I have to say, having know this because gone back over both Dan Wagner, head for the past couple of of the Toledo Police months, there may Patrolman’s Assobe something in ciation informed all what they say. This of us of the first and does not mean that Mayor Carty FinkI still don’t believe beiner explained completely in the the second to us. things that I wrote Tim HIGGINS We don’t have in these pieces, but it does mean that I will concede the 700 police officers that the that there are times when negative mayor said we needed when attitude can become a self-fulfilling he last ran for office, and that’s prophecy. As a consequence, I de- bad, but maybe it’s not as big cided to see if I could write some- a problem as we thought, and thing a little more positive while that’s good. I mean, it must be OK to be at the current 630 ponot abandoning my core beliefs.

The economy as it stands now lice staffing level (and maybe a is bad, but we just pumped in al- bit less, as the mayor is threatmost 2 trillion dollars in the past ening layoffs for police if the year that the government insisted firefighters don’t give in to (both administrations) will fix, so manning concessions in the contract that they are currently that has to be good.

Of course all of that money negotiating). Surely the mayor will have to come from someone, wouldn’t be threatening police somewhere and that will prob- layoffs if it was bad for the city.

City council doesn’t seem to ably be from us, our children and our grandchildren. But the be able to do much about all of government is printing money as the budget problems that the city fast as it can, so inflation is prob- is dealing with in recent years, ably not far around the corner and that’s bad, but plans to reand that will reduce the actual duce the size of the council are size of the accumulated debt, so under discussion and that at least means that there would be less of that’s good.

Gas prices are creeping up, them around not making progwhich is bad, but oil prices con- ress, and that’s probably good. tinue to hold steady or even lose a (Less government in general, bit, which is good. In addition, the and less politicians in particular, overall demand for gasoline in this is always good.)

Less in council could mean country (and the world for that matter) is down, and no matter less representation, however, and that would be bad, but that lower what the cause for it, that’s good.

Automakers are laying people number would mean a decrease off in record numbers, and that’s in their part of the cost of governbad, but the price of a car for ment, and that’s good.

You know, looking back on anyone who can or wish to buy this column, I’m not sure that this one is way down, and that’s good.

Global climate change does is really any better. I have to admit, seem to be occurring, and that’s however, that it does improve my bad, but in fact it appears that attitude about some of these situtemperatures are going down ations. There are indeed positive instead of up, which ought to be things to see as we look ahead, good. (No wait, this one may not both for the nation in general and be good if you are selling carbon Toledo in particular. credits or are invested too much intellectually in global warming. Tim Higgins blogs at the Web page Oh, the heck with it. I’m going to justblowingsmoke.blogspot.com.

ou’ll never see a Mondaymorning quarterback on a box of Wheaties because, after all, it’s still “the Breakfast of Champions.”

But most anyone can be a varsity commentator in Toledo. With the bar perpetually set at “mediocre,” too many have no trouble finding a springboard to belly-flop into the Toledo wading pool of uninformed opinion.

At this point, from what I’ve seen during the Brian Take Back Toledo initiative, that maxes out citizen “talent:” second guessing, grand blatherings based largely on aggressive ignorance, contagious apathy and arrogant incompetence. Taken together, it adds up to the same content of a peeled balloon.

Fortunately, Michael S. Miller’s Feb. 15 column, “A Recall to Arms,” raises issues and worthy questions for reasonable analysis. Without publicity, most of Miller’s questions and suggestions have already been considered by the Take Back Toledo Committee, of which I am a member. Let’s look at some of the “plays” Michael called and see if any “yardage” has been lost or gained.

Will Carty Finkbeiner “jump in the race” circa July as a result of the “audacious challenge” raised by the TBT effort? ¿Quién sabe? Rumors abound. One thing is certain: Only a preening megalomaniac with such a track record of utter failure and toxic fraud would do so. But Carl’s questionable mental stability has been on public display for much longer than the three years I’ve lived here.

The real issue would be the nationally embarrassing picture it would paint of Toledo voters if he was reelected. The Marines would rejoice they were thrown out lest they became infected with the same brain-eating disease that has already destroyed much of what passes for reason among the majority required to vote him back in. Miller’s grander statement that a Finkbeiner candidacy would be “... tantamount to an act of political and economic terrorism against Toledo, its residents and the region” is more eloquent and accurate. We’re on the same page.

The bulk of Miller’s other “woulda, coulda, shouldas” can be explained but it is a sad and tragic story.

When it comes to Toledo governance, indeed “The Emperor” has no clothes — but, alas, the citizens have no guts. When Miller said, “But the nature of its approach, especially through Wilson, is colored by a

coarseness that is antithetical to the business intellect Take Back Toledo most needs to reach,” the giant Oxy Moron lights up the scoreboard! That isn’t Midwestern gentility being offended by a “colorful and accurate” wordsmith. That’s a smoke screen used to hide the bright yellow racing stripe that runs up the backs and colors the bellies of way too many Toledo business owners who don’t have WILSON the guts to take a stand against the political killing machine decimating their market and their ability to be successful in it.

They’re going to keep their distance because of some creative “namecalling?” That’s not an explanation — that’s an excuse. And a damn poor one at that. The mayor and his minions are gang-raping your business, your job, your income! What are you going to defend them with — a copy of “Miss Manners?” If finesse and panache, diplomacy and tact, reason and intellect had any traction here, Finkbeiner would still be peddling his dismal résumé to Amway or Burpee Seed, not stifling Toledo’s economic development with his petty politics, ego masturbation and legendary fiscal irresponsibility.

“Here in the Midwest, we’re honest but polite.” Bulletin news: The “polite” part ain’t workin’ for ya. Your “political leaders” gave up “polite” for Lent years ago. Better to cozy up to the new reality: “Ye shall know the truth and the truth will make you mad.” At least, it should.

Right again, Miller suggests this isn’t so much a political movement.

This is the last desperate attempt at economic survival using the awesome gold-plated resources held hostage by Finkbeiner & Co. If the black and Latino voters give a damn, if they’ve had enough of a mayor with no less than three pending civil rights suits against him, get up. Get involved. Takebacktoledo. com hasn’t been hiding somewhere — unless you have your eyes wide shut or your brain is “out to lunch.”

If Councilman Michael Ashford gave a principled damn about his constituents, he wouldn’t need special “outreach” or posture himself as some deal maker. The welfare and future of the entire community is at stake here, not just one race, gender or income bracket. Regardless of whatever someone’s future political dreams may be, everyone should be working to scrub the Finkbeiner stain from Toledo. Individually and collectively, the black

and Latino communities have every reason to be involved with Take Back Toledo right now. Do you really need a special invitation? There’s an opportunity for “Hope and Change” right here, right now. Call your neighbors!

Tell your friends! So far, it has fallen to a tiny group of businessmen who have already “invested” close to five figures along with the guts to “stand tall for all of Toledo,” while the majority hobble themselves with apathy, ignorance or fear.

And I can’t emphasize “fear” enough. Miller wants “supporters to reveal themselves ... past and present public servants and private businesspeople would go a long way toward further legitimizing the cause and keeping it in the public spotlight.”

The committee has been supremely aware of this. Why do you suppose that hasn’t happened? Simple: the palpable fear of government reprisals. The Finkbeiner Administration’s demonstrated willingness to practice its art form of political extortion is so well known, so pervasive, so ubiquitous, it can’t even be called a “dirty little secret” anymore.

“I love what you’re doing but .. but ... but I can’t get involved” is the whispered response to 90 percent of our requests. With that mindset, Toledo is about to become Kitty Genovese lying on its own sidewalk, repeatedly knifed and hacked by a serial killer duly elected (again) by the same people who fear and loath him. And you know who just started dancing for joy with that last sentence? Carlton “S For Brains” Finkbeiner and his publisher puppeteer, the media-government cabal with distinctly outof-town membership. Miller is correct: “That argument collapses once a dozen voices become a score, then a hundred.” And I would add to that: “There is safety in numbers.”

Well? Where are you? Have you found that intestinal fortitude yet?

Are those lumps up your back the “spine” you’ve been hiding? Rather than bitch about the “lack of leadership”, how about becoming a leader — a leader of one: yourself? This is a tough-love situation: Is the love and passion for your future, your family, community, neighbors, business, job and career finally going to jump-start the engine of personal pride to get you off your glutials and do something — like Take Back Toledo? (www.takebacktoledo.com) Or will you settle for the Heisman Trophy for “Mondaymorning quarterback?”

Brian Wilson is host of “Brian Wilson and the Afternoon Drive,” weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. on WSPD.

OPINION

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

MACARTHUR’S SPARK

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

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GUEST COLUMN

On the Living Wage and Toledo’s budget 1. Commissioner Konop made the front page With his proposal for a “living wage” Now $8.38 For some might be great But I live at a more expensive gauge.

2. Our city is scrambling for cash And has asked us for places to slash The switchboard is broken For the people have spoken Asking, “When do I put out my trash?

— MICHAEL MACARTHUR, TOLEDO www.pglimerickcenter.blogspot.com

GUEST COLUMN

Keeping the promise to Ohio’s kids Editor’s Note: This column was submitted in rsponse to Maggie Thurber’s Feb. 15 Toledo Free Press column, “Obama’s sinking SCHIP.”

By Amy N. Swanson SPECIAL TOLEDO FREE PRESS

I

n his State of the State address, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland pledged to provide all Ohio children with access to health coverage. His vision is commendable.

Thanks to reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which Congresswoman Kaptur supported and President Obama signed into law on February 4, it is closer to becoming a reality.

CHIP already provides coverage for approximately 230,000 Ohio kids each year, but at last count, Ohio was still home to approximately 154, 000 uninsured children.

These days, that number grows with each new round of layoffs, plant closings and cutbacks in employer coverage.

Each challenge creates new obstacles for uninsured kids and families. Despite the economic crisis, however, real solutions for each group of uninsured children are well within our reach:

Counting on our commitment Governor Strickland has pledged to fulfill the General Assembly’s 2007 bipartisan commitment to cover uninsured children in families with incomes between 200 to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Fulfilling that commitment would cover at least 35,000 uninsured children in this income range — a number that grows as parents lose jobs, the cost of private health insurance skyrockets and the cost of dependent coverage becomes increasingly prohibitive for more small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Federal roadblocks delayed implementation of coverage for these children, but now the barriers have been lifted and the expansion will be paid for by federal CHIP funds at a rate of about 72 1⁄2¢ per dollar and by the premiums that families will pay to enroll their children.

Moving swiftly to cover these additional children is an investment in the health of Ohio’s children and the financial stability of working families, many of whom are just one emergency room visit away from bankruptcy or foreclosure.

Eligible but unenrolled About 105,000 of Ohio’s uninsured children already meet the requirements for Medicaid/CHIP coverage but are not enrolled. The bulk of these kids remain uninsured because their parents have been left in the dark.

Medicaid/SCHIP does relatively little promotional outreach and even less advertising. Community-based outreach efforts need much more funding to find and reach families in communities that are isolated by geography,

poverty, or language barriers. So it is no surprise that many parents of eligible children have never heard of the program, do not know that their children are eligible, or have no idea how to apply.

The stimulus package just passed by Congress provides additional Medicaid funds for states to cover many of these already-eligible children. Ohio can also make use of outreach funding in the new CHIP bill to step up its promotional efforts. Enrolling more of these children can also make Ohio eligible for additional federal funds offered as enrollment incentives in the new CHIP law.

Trapped by red tape Some Ohio children remain uninsured, even though their parents know about Medicaid/CHIP and have done their best to enroll them. These parents’ hands are tied by the system’s red tape, and their children go uninsured as a result. Some parents wait weeks or months for coverage decisions. Others must apply over and over again as applications vanish into the bureaucratic void.

And others are frustrated by confusing and sometimes repetitive requests for documents.

These children are entirely eligible, but red tape keeps them uninsured.

The new CHIP program provides incentives for states to cut red tape and streamline enrollment processes in specific ways. Ohio has made a good start on implementing these reforms, but even more cost-effective and efficient measures are possible.

Out of reach Even once the reforms outlined above are implemented, some of Ohio’s uninsured children will remain out of reach. About 20,000 live in middle-income families whose parents typically cannot buy insurance because of their employment situation or due to serious and costly medical conditions that make private coverage unaffordable or impossible to get. Ohio’s program for chronically ill children in middle-income families can be redesigned to cover a broader range of kids and provide an economic lifeline for the families who struggle to care for them.

Thanks to CHIP, the stimulus package, and bipartisan support in Columbus, Ohio can see the finish line in children’s coverage.

In these tough economic times, access to coverage for all children is essential to stabilizing Ohio’s working families. What’s more, keeping our commitment to cover all children will pay off when today’s kids grow up healthy, take their places as productive citizens and become the workforce we need for a brighter future in Ohio.

Amy N. Swanson is executive director, Voices for Ohio’s Children.

Should you vote?

I

walked away from our con- sulted in the election of John versation, irritated and an- Adams in 1796 and 1800, a great noyed, unable to grasp the man and president whose fingerreasoning behind my coworker prints were all over the successful Jason’s apathy. I did not under- American Experiment. Low voter stand how someone could just turnout did not result in disasnot care. I had described several trous electoral results.

The focus should not be on dire and apocalyptic political the percentage of circumstances if he voters that turnout. and other people In 1930 and 1932 were to remain Germany, voter apathetic, but after turnout percentage all my effort, Jason that put Adolf Hitremained steadfast ler’s party in power in his political abwas above 80 perstinence. I sarcascent. The turnout tically shot at him, was actually higher “If the Republic than elections in the fails, it will be 1920s, as the Nazis your fault,” and he Tom MORRISSEY arguably pioneered shrugged.

I remembered the same ir- modern political campaigning. ritated feelings that assailed me The Nazis were effective at getting and my wife after an earlier failed out the vote and taking advantage petitioning experience. The feeble of the 1920s failed government reasons to avoid signing my pe- — the Weimar Republic.

This fall, Toledoans will head tition included, “I just don’t get involved in politics,” to which I to their polling locations to vote would mentally reply, “Politics for mayor. A few candidates have certainly involves you whether already entered the race, while you choose to participate or not.” others are testing the water. I imSimply by existing we are political plore all those who are apathetic beings, and sitting out is a politi- or uninformed to stay home and not vote. Last mayoral eleccally ignorant move. Or is it?

In November of 2008, ac- tion in 2005 less than 80,000 out cording to Dr. Michael McDonald of 200,000 eligible voters voted. at George Mason University, Three-fifths of Toledo did not only 61.5 percent of the voting vote, and we ended up with a naage population actually cast a tional embarrassment on the 22nd ballot for president. With a war floor at One Government Center. waging, a sagging economy, and Without an educated electorate, myriad pressing issues, 38.5 per- Toledo will not get anywhere, and cent of the United States’ voting jobs will continue to flee.

If one is not going to take the population did not vote. The 38.5 percent ignored the campaigns time to thoroughly educate himand the media, as the apathetic self beyond what he sees on the sidestepped the get-out-the-vote local news stations, he does not belong at the polling place. The campaigns.

In the light of my conversa- number of people that shows up tion with Jason, the 38.5 percent to vote does not matter if the mawho chose not to participate last jority does not understand what November is a depressing statistic. they are voting for.

Large electoral turnout does But, is the fact that people who do not care do not vote really an issue? not guarantee wonderful electoral results — Germans are still living Is voter apathy a good thing?

In the 1796 and 1800 elections, down the wretched legacy Hitler turnout of eligible voters — white left. A dismal voter turnout in land-owning males — was dismal. 1796 and 1800 America resulted The 1790s was one of the most tu- in the election of a great presimultuous decades our country has dent and Founding Father, John ever faced, with the United States Adams.

I beg more people to follow my Constitution being ratified only a couple years prior to the decade. coworker’s apathetic example. If you The elections were important and do not care, and if you do not edupivotal to the future of the young cate yourself, please do not vote.

Republic, yet only 30 to 40 percent Tom Morrissey is a Lucas County of eligible voters cast a ballot.

An awfully low turnout re- resident and lifelong Toledoan.

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A6

COMMUNITY

PEOPLE

Joe the Plumber fights for ‘practical good’

By Julie Ryan TOLEDO FREE PRESS NEWS EDITOR jryan@toledofreepress.com

Six weeks after he became a household name, Samuel Wurzelbacher was making a sandwich in the kitchen of his Holland, Ohio, home. His son sat on a couch in a nearby room. Suddenly, it hit him: He was “Joe the Plumber.” He had caused a controversy and was sought after by reporters across the nation — and worldwide — all because of one question.

“I realized how sad we had become when just a straight question caused so much controversy,” Wurzelbacher said.

On Oct. 12, Wurzelbacher had the opportunity to ask Barack Obama one question during Obama’s campaign stop in Toledo.

He questioned Obama’s tax plan and how it would affect his plumbing business. The Democratic nominee gave an answer that Wurzelbacher said sparked the controversy.

“I hate how politicians double speak and don’t give straight answers — that goes for Democrat or Republican,” Wurzelbacher said in a Feb. 16 telephone interview. “The questions I heard being asked were not very difficult and he was just hitting them hard. My boss and I, about two weeks before this, were talking about putting the wheels in motion for me to buy the company, so those thoughts were on my mind. Otherwise, I would have asked about immigration.”

Infamy The event gave the media, especially FOX News, the chance to

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ASSOCAITED PRESS/ AMY SANCETTA

Wurzelbacher to file privacy-invasion lawsuit against state of Ohio within days.

■

REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ALASKA GOV. SARAH PALIN IS JOINED BY SAM WURZELBACHER AT A RALLY AT BGSU OCT. 29.

make Wurzelbacher infamous and cause his name to evolve from “the plumber” to “Joe the Plumber,” a representative of conservative middle America.

In his new book with co-author Tom Tabback, “Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream,” released Feb. 6, Wurzelbacher encourages Americans to step up to hard work to combat politi-

=

cians from “spreading the wealth” and driving America to socialism.

Americans don’t need a New Deal for the 21st century, he writes, but instead they must take care of each other — by hiring and avoiding laying off workers — and realize the American Dream.

In the book, Wurzelbacher answers the questions the American people ask about him: Is he a dead-

beat Dad? Does he have a plumbing license? Tax evader? Racist? He weaves in his political ideas and beliefs that politicians are corrupt.

Throughout the book, Wurzelbacher, a native of Northwest Ohio, shares the life experiences that shaped him into a man inspired by his faith, family and ideals.

“This is an American who has lived the American experience. He is

not a kid, he has had his share of life’s challenges, and he believes in the American Dream,” Tabback said.

Wurzelbacher explains many of these challenges, such as his naiveté with the media and the issues surrounding his former boss, Al Newell, and his work as a plumber — which he said he had the credentials to be.

■ JOE CONTINUES ON A7

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009 ■ JOE CONTINUED FROM A6 Tabback and Wurzelbacher wrote the book shortly after the election season. However, it was the weeks leading to the election, and the time Wurzelbacher spent on the campaign trail, which made him a household name.

Campaign Trail In October, Wurzelbacher committed to campaigning with McCain.

“When my name hit public airwaves, a lot of people wanted to interview me and talk to me. I had the RNC in Toledo stop by and interview me.

But I didn’t want to supMcCAIN port anyone.

I didn’t like McCain’s politics but Obama’s scared me more.

“As it got closer and closer it looked like McCain needed more and more help. People kept calling me and I decided I would go, so I said, ‘I’ll come with McCain and do what I can to help.’”

Wurzelbacher joined Sarah Palin Oct. 29 in Bowling Green, where he spoke with her and her husband.

“I think Sarah Palin is just too big for the things that McCain wants to do,” Wurzelbacher said.

Wurzelbacher said he followed and admires Palin’s desire to serve the country. Her work in Alaska interests him, as the state is his favorite place in the world ever since reading

Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” at age 8.

The next day, McCain addressed an audience in Defiance. Assuming Wurzelbacher was there, McCain asked for him to stand.

“I was at Schmucker’s on Reynolds eating pancakes and eggs when McCain called from Defiance,” Wurzelbacher said.

He said the McCain campaign hadn’t asked him to be in Defiance. In his book, Wurzelbacher describes communicating with the campaign like “pulling teeth.” His willingness to attend the rally was lost when the McCain campaign failed to confirm with him.

Along with facing the media, and miscommunication with the McCain campaign, Wurzelbacher was challenged when the director of an Ohio human services agency wrongly authorized searches of his personal records.

Ohio’s inspector general issued a report Nov. 20, stating that Helen E. Jones-Kelley, director of Ohio’s Department of Jobs and Family Services, wrongly authorized searches of government databases and records of Wurzelbacher’s child support payments, unemployment benefits and temporary aid to families.

Wurzelbacher is now working with James Peterson, an attorney with Judicial Watch in Washington, D.C., to file a lawsuit at the end of the month.

“We are preparing a lawsuit to address the violation of his rights by state officials accessing confidential information merely because Mr. Wurzelbacher exercised his First

Amendment rights,” Peterson said.

Miriam Wilson, visiting instructor in political science at the University of Toledo, said she watched the Wurzelbacher saga unfold in the media.

“What I think the McCain campaign was trying to do was really portray him as being an average Joe who would vote for Republicans, which would make the Republican Party seem to be a party not of the elite and the wealthy but of the people. In that regard I think it was effective for a certain segment of the population,” she said.

Wilson said Wurzelbacher captured the “American Dream in his head but not the American reality” and that he would have been better off voting for Obama instead of pursuing an ideal situation where he could work hard to get ahead.

Yet Wurzelbacher committed to McCain. He said he thought going on the McCain bus was the right thing to do because of what he believes, not what McCain does.

He pursued opportunities as they came, joining McCain at his stop in Cleveland and interviewing on television shows such as “Hanity & Colmes.”

Through it all, though, Wurzelbacher said he wanted to use his popularity for “the practical good.”

“When everything happened, the book was the last thing on my mind — until I went to the “Huckabee” show where I had about four different people ask me for the rights to my book and I said, ‘Well, what book?’ ” Wurzelbacher said he felt like these publishers were treating him as a “shiny piece of metal” and trying

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■ A7

Joe for sale Joe the Plumber T-shirts for people — and their pets — may be found online.

Sweatshirts, stickers, bobbleheads, throw pillows, pins, mugs and other memorabilia are available as well.

Wu r z e l b a c h e r started a Web site, www. secureourdream.com, where you can follow Joe The Forum, Joe The Blogger and Joe The Reporter. You can also purchase his book at the site.

Visit www.eBay.com to bid on a painting of Joe the Plumber on black velvet.

There are more than 6,000 hits on YouTube for Joe the Plumber, including clips from his interviews and “Saturday Night Live” skits. to make the most of his 15 minutes of fame.

“I didn’t pay much attention to it.

My phone was ringing off the hook and actually broke. I had to get a new phone because I received so many calls,” he said.

Meaningful Story Tabback approached Wurzelbacher and introduced himself as a small publisher who could not offer many benefits — including an advance check — but said he could write a good book.

“We found Joe like the rest of America did: his story on the TABBACK news,” Tabback said.

“We felt he had a compelling story to tell — it was just a hunch — but something more than the tabloid story. We called Joe up, said, ‘we want to write your story. We will write you a story that is meaningful and has a purpose.’”

Wurzelbacher was impressed and said he and Tabback clicked with each other over their religious beliefs, interest in home schooling and ideals.

“We worked on it for a month. Tom flew up and we were joined at the hip for the ride of the election. Tom was on McCain’s bus and at the Palin rally.

We were taking notes and talking the whole time and coming up with ideas for chapter headings. He went back to Texas and we would be on the computer for half the day together.”

For Wurzelbacher, the book

There are Joe the Plumber businesses across the nation in more than eight states.

— Julie Ryan touches on a personal note. He said the main idea of the book is “striving to do what is right even if doing right is hard,” a lesson he also tries to instill in his 13-year-old son, Joey.

“Tom Tabback pulled a lot of information out of me,” Wurzelbacher said.

“He pulled a lot of stories from my life that I would never share with anybody because I am a very private person.

“The book talks about how hard work is the way of going about things. Getting things easy is never worth it. I learned a lot of my lessons hard, like a lot of people do. It talks about a lot of the different trials I went through growing up.”

Wurzelbacher said his life changed at age 17 when he was trusting science to solve life’s struggles. Monte McCune, his Toledo area youth pastor, pointed out to him, however, that his science book was revised eight times and the Bible had no new edition coming out.

“Man is always revising: We thought it was this but now it’s this.

The Holy Bible is what it is. I believe that it’s factually what our country was based on. And I believe it’s what you need in order to have a good life,” he said.

A good life Wurzelbacher tries to keep his “good life” private and said his son has already been overexposed to the media while they camped outside of his home hoping for an interview.

“I have a mom and dad and a great son, two beautiful labs and a brother who is a baseball coach in Holland.

We’re very involved in the community — that’s where it all starts at.”

■ JOE CONTINUES ON A8

COMMUNITY

■ JOE CONTINUED FROM A8 Just like Wurzelbacher, the book is about being an American and traditional American values, Tabback said.

“It’s a book about here are the challenges we face today as Americans. We need to get ourselves out of this mess. We need to turn back to our tradition American values.”

Tabback said the book challenges Americans to not give in to government bailouts, but to think independently and remember the traditions America was founded on.

“The book is insightful because Joe, a plumber, always on the lower end of the middle class, is someone who doesn’t believe in government bailouts,” he said.

For the next month, Wurzelbacher will put the “grass root” ideals of his book into action as he launches a book tour. At the end of the month he will be in Washington, D.C., for a book signing and the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he will sit on panels and attend Q&A sessions. Wurzelbacher will travel to West Chester and Fairfield, Ind. before heading to Wisconsin, Texas and California in March.

Through it all, Wurzelbacher said he remains true to his ideals.

“When people talk to me on an individual basis, they realize I’m just a regular guy.”

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

ASSOCIATED PRESS/JAE C. HONG

A8 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

■

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SEN. BARACK OBAMA, D-ILL., LEFT, TALKS TO PLUMBER JOE WURZELBACHER IN HOLLAND, OHIO, OCT. 12.

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A10 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA

By Brandi Barhite TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR bbarhite@toledofreepress.com

Editor’s note: This is a continuing series on Toledo International Youth Orchestra’s planned trip to Tanga.

Toledo Free Press Special Sections Editor Brandi Barhite plans to travel to Africa with the group.

Recent UT graduate Rachel Dove is paving the way for a group of Toledo musicians to join her in sister city, Tanga, Tanzania. It hasn’t been a smooth road.

“I came here with less than $4,000 and I have been able to live on that for the past nine months, but I won’t last too much longer, which is why I am looking for a job,” Dove stated in e-mails to Toledo Free Press during the past month. A power outage and her travels to an island with no electricity hampered communications.

“I survive on very little, but I am comfortable and I have made very many close friends each place I have been in Tanzania and Zanzibar,” Dove wrote. “Often, friends like to teach me how to make local foods so being invited over to friends’ houses usually means we will cook together, which has helped me a lot.”

Dove said her life changed forever when she met John Henry Fullen of Toledo Sister Cities International. Fullen’s brother, Louis, was volunteering in Tanga with an organization called Tanga Youth Development Association (TAYODEA). Fullen asked Dove if she would be interested in finishing his brother’s work and facilitating the logistics of bringing over Toledo International Youth Orchestra (TIYO) and the medical mission.

Dove, 23, lived meagerly when still in Toledo, meeting with TIYO in April 2008 before leaving for Tanzania. She worked at Goodwill Industries in Bowling Green and saved just enough for her flight and small expenditures. Dove thought once she arrived in Tanzania, everything would fall into place. Unfortunately, TAYODEA’s promise of room and board, in addition to a volunteer permit, did not happen.

Dove has lived in two orphanages; numerous hotels; with Swahili, Indian, Hindu and Muslim families; in a tent where all of her belongings got wet; in the back of vintage British Army Land Rover; and in an African mud hut.

She’s gotten used to taking showers out of a bucket and brushing her teeth with bottled drinking water.

The native language is Swahili, but many speak English. When she first arrived at UT, she was pursuing a career in biomedical engineering, but she became interested in learning the Arabic language and changed her major to political science and international relations with a focus on the Middle East, also taking Arabic classes for two years.

Dove said she wants to help the region, in addition to preparing the day-to-day program for TIYO, including housing, meals, safaris and performances.

Dove answered additional questions about Tanga and her experiences. Here are some excerpts: Toledo Free Press: What is most remarkable about the Tanga people?

Rachel Dove: I think the most remarkable thing about the Tanga population is that there is such a wide diversity of cultural groups coexisting peacefully. There is a small community of each of the following: Borha Muslims, Hindus, Singhs, Goans, Swahilis, Indians, Ismailis, various Christian groups, Sunnis, Shiites and people from the neighboring countries of Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zanzibar, Pemba and also a number of expats, many of whom come from the German sister city of Tanga, Eckernförde. There are so many different ethnicities, and with what has happened in Rwanda and Sudan and Somalia, it is amazing that Tanzania, as a whole, remains so peaceful and accepting. Even more amazing, is the fact that everyone wants to share their culture and teach you what it is about them that makes them so unique.

TFP: Tell me about how the Tanga people react to Americans?

RD: Tanga people have much respect for Barack Obama and the American people who come to volunteer and help. They seem to be very politically aware of America’s involvement in other countries, how much we have given in aid, and they draw a lot on past experiences they have shared with volunteers and tourists coming from America. However, they do seem to perceive all Americans as filthy rich, and some seemed to be shocked when I told them about how we have similar social problems plaguing our society (drug abuse, homelessness, unemployment). The people in Tanga also really like American rap artists and famous black American entertainment personalities. When I tell people in Tanga where I am from, they always say it is their dream to make it there someday.

However, most people in Tanga are completely unaware of Toledo and Tanga being sister cities.

TFP: What type of work are you performing in Tanga?

RD: In Tanga I was working and living in an orphanage, teaching English and mentoring boys and girls, ages 6 to 20 with varying educational backgrounds. I then went onto teach English at the Toledo Secondary School to Form 1, 2 and 3 students (equivalent to 8th, 9th, 10th grade) and also work on alternative disciplinary methods rather than caning.

Then, I started working with the Civil Affairs Unit, which was teamed with USAID to have nine cases of storybooks donated to the Toledo Secondary School, which we used to set up a library and incorporate the books into the current curriculum.

TFP: What surprised you there?

RD: I was very surprised at what people carry on the backs of their bicycles in Tanga. I saw a man use coil rope (rope made from coconut husks) to attach a stingray to his bicycle, and I also saw a man attach a refrigerator with the rubber from spare tires sewn together and strapped tightly to the frame of the bicycle. I was also very surprised by how many questions people ask in a matter of seconds as you are just passing by. Where are you going? Where do you live? How long have you been here? What is your name? What do you do?

TFP: When TIYO travels to Tanga in June, how will you suggest members share their musical talent?

RD: TIYO will be sharing its valuable musical knowledge and expertise in a variety of ways. First and foremost, TIYO will have performances for the Tanga International School, as well as the Toledo Secondary School, in order to raise funds for electric outlets, textbooks and possibly a computer, by charging entry fees for the concerts. After the concerts, TIYO students will hold short classes for students from both schools about their instruments and a baseline explanation of how their instruments are played, made and maintained. As there are no musical programs for youth in Tanga, this will be monumental, but the classes in Tanga will be of a more introductory level. However, when TIYO comes to Zanzibar, it will be working with the Dhow Countries Music Academy. They will be able to be more interactive with the audience as they will be playing for other music students from around the Dhow Countries. We are still

PHOTO COURTESY RACHEL DOVE

UT grad living in African sister city Tanga

■

RACHEL DOVE IS LIVING AND WORKING IN AFRICA.

putting together the framework for the classes, and the venue in Dar es Salaam is still being decided.

TFP: What do the people of Tanga need?

RD: This is an exhaustive list, but most importantly I think learning the value of sustainable management of resources and accountability would benefit the people most. Too often, NGOs (nongovernment organizations) and other organizations in Tanga rely solely on external funding, which cripples and debilitates the ambition and motivation of people as they are expecting and waiting for more external funding rather than coming up with sustainable programs that need only “seed money.” More effort seems to be spent on seeking external funding rather than effec-

tively managing and strategizing the use of available resources. Also, the educational system is in dire need of books and classroom materials, as well as teachers passionate about affecting the future through proper education and guidance. The agricultural sector in Tanga is at a crucial point right now in which they would benefit greatly from expertise in the areas of co-op farming, sustainable farming techniques and how to farm in an environmentally safe manner. And to those who donate to charities ... be conscious of where the money is going and keep in mind it is always better to send resources and materials or yourself as a volunteer.

Follow Rachel Dove’s work in Tanga, Tanzania, by visiting racheldove85.blogspot.com.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009

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■ A11

P R O M E D I C A H E A LT H S Y S T E M

February is

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Heart attacks often feel different to a woman than to a man. Women are more likely than men to have “silent” or unrecognized heart attacks (myocardial infarction). Not all heart attacks begin with sudden, crushing chest pain, the way they are often shown in the movies and on television.

Heart attack symptoms may be severe from the start, or they may be mild at first, and then gradually worsen.

Common heart attack symptoms are chest discomfort, nausea, upper body pain or shortness of breath. Women are more likely than men to have symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as pain high up in the abdomen; fatigue; and neck, jaw and shoulder pain.

The stage for heart disease is set before menopause by factors such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, extra weight (especially around the waist) and smoking—all factors that play a part in plaque buildup.

Before menopause, for instance, an upper number of 120 to 140 on your blood pressure reading may indicate that you face an added risk. Any time a woman visits a doctor, including her OB/GYN, she should have her blood pressure checked. If it’s high, it should be treated aggressively. This often means medication, but with mildly elevated numbers, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthy eating plan, quitting smoking, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight may help.

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A12 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY LAD STRAYER

HEALTH CARE

■

JACK DERMER HOLDS A PHOTO OF HIS DAUGHTER, CHRISTY, WHO DIED WHILE GIVING BIRTH IN 2007. JACK AND CHRISTY WERE AFFLICTED BY MARFAN SYNDROME, WHICH STRETCHES AND WEAKENS ARTERIES.

New aortic center gives family fresh hope

By Bridget Tharp TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

Christy Dermer, 28, knew her pregnancy could kill her.

The doctors told her so. Her genetic connective tissue disorder, Marfan syndrome, had enlarged her aorta, making it vulnerable to tear during childbirth. Several refused to treat her. Some recommended she terminate the pregnancy.

She wouldn’t.

“She knew the risk going into it,” her boyfriend, Todd Brickman, 33, said. “She loved Olivia basically from conception, that’s all she wanted.”

Since she died giving birth in October 2007, medical advances and specialized care available at Toledo Hospital’s new Aortic Center have renewed hope for the Dermer family, especially Christy’s father, Jack Dermer, older sister, Sarah Auger, and niece, MaKenna, also diagnosed with the disorder.

Marfan syndrome affects about one in 5,000 people, according to the National Marfan Foundation. First identified in the late 1800s, the disorder has claimed the lives of comedian Lucille Ball and actor John Ritter.

In October 2006, a University of Toledo basketball player suddenly collapsed and died during a practice. An autopsy revealed that his death was caused by an aortic dissection, which could be related to Marfan syndrome, said Dr. Michael G. Moront, co-director of the new Aortic Center at Toledo Hospital and a cardiothoracic surgeon treating the Dermer family.

Tough to catch The syndrome is often tough to identify. Many of the physical signs — tall and thin stature, fallen arches on the feet, weak joints, being unusually flexible or double jointed — aren’t obvious or life threatening.

The true danger is unseen. As Marfan weakens the body’s connective tissues, those near the heart dilate or stretch over

time. A healthy aorta is about 2.5 centimeters in diameter, but those in Marfan patients may stretch 6 to 8 centimeters, said Moront.

The stretching makes the aorta prone to “split like an onion,” which could be fatal, Moront said.

“The aortic wall can rupture immediately. But a lot of times what happens is they don’t actually rupture, but destroy the strength of the aorta,” Moront said.

Living with Marfan Jack’s parents were hesitant to accept his childhood diagnosis that his hyperactivity and weak joints were related to a disorder they’d never heard of: Marfan syndrome.

But his prognosis took on a new meaning at 28 years old, when an uncontrollable nose bleed interrupted his shift at General Motors Corp. A family doctor recognized Jack’s apparent aneurysm after listening to his chest.

■ CENTER CONTINUES ON A13

COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 ■ CENTER CONTINUED FROM A12 “I was going to be having a massive heart attack. At 28, I was unstoppable because I went 24/7 back then,” Jack, 53 of west Toledo, said of his former habit to shrug off his symptoms.

After that first surgery, Jack’s mother recalled that he was originally diagnosed with Marfan syndrome as a child.

Having difficulty concen-

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That’s what the doctor explained to them. That’s why I didn’t catch on right away.”

The family dismissed the diagnosis because Jack’s father didn’t trust the young doctor treating his child.

“He had real long hair, Beatle glasses, moccasins,” Jack said of the doctor who first diagnosed him in the late 1960s. “My dad said, ‘We’re outta here. That hippie don’t know what the hell he’s talking about, and we ain’t going back.’ ”

trating in school and prone to ankle and leg injuries — all symptoms now known to be related to the syndrome — Jack’s parents took him to a specialist at the University of Michigan hospital.

“A lot of it had to do with school,” he said. “The comprehension wasn’t there. I grew out of it, but education was very hard back then. You know, very hard.

And that has something to do with the Marfans and all that.

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Jack’s mother, a nurse, said later that she regretted her husband’s bias. It would be decades before Jack would, again, be diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

“No one could diagnose what was wrong with me,” Jack said.

Instead, his childhood doctors in Toledo would use sedatives to “slow me down,” he said.

By the time Jack had children of his own — both his girls, Sarah and Christy, were also diagnosed with the syndrome — the diagnosis and treatment of Marfan syndrome had come a long way.

Doctors used diagnostic scans to monitor his daughters’ hearts, and advised against certain athletic activities that could cause unnecessary cardiac stress.

Female Marfan patients are typically told to avoid pregnancy because there is an increased risk of aortic tear during childbirth.

Sarah Auger, 31, was monitored as “high risk” as a precaution during her pregnancies with Kelsey, 10, and MaKenna, 8.

After giving birth naturally to both, she joked with her doctors at Toledo Hospital that it had been silly to fuss over the Marfan syndrome.

Her sister’s pregnancy wasn’t so simple.

Christy Dermer, 28, was about 15 weeks pregnant with her daughter, Olivia, when a scan of her heart first revealed she may be especially vulnerable to an aortic tear.

“I recommended that she should terminate the pregnancy,” Moront said.

Christy refused.

“I can still remember her saying it to me,” Jack said of his daughter’s reaction to the medical advice; I will not give this baby up. I will not take this baby’s life.”

“I think she thought that even if something happened, they could fix her,” Auger said.

The plan was to take the baby weeks early by Caesarian section.

But when the time came, the decision was made that she was healthy enough to wait, her family said.

About 2 a.m. that night, her boyfriend called an ambulance after she complained of difficulty breathing.

Christy died October 2007 of an aortic dissection at the University of Michigan hospital.

“They always said they were going to take that baby like a month early and they didn’t,” Auger said, shaking her head.

“And that’s one of the things that still gets to me. Had they done that, would it have changed the outcome of this?”

“That’s like flipping a coin,” her father said.

■ A13

New hope The new Aortic Center at Toledo Hospital opened a month before the first anniversary of Christy’s death.

The center brings together the talents of Moront, co-director of the center and cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. John Pigott, co-director of the center and vascular surgeon specializing in endografts, and Dr. MORONT Ken Rousch, co-director and cardiologist specializing in diseases of the aorta.

The center is especially equipped to treat disorders PIGOTT such as Marfan syndrome, which affects the aorta, Pigott said. “ These aortic problems are very complex, and sometimes you need more than ROUSCH one of these specialties,” Pigott said. “There’s really not an aortic disorder that can’t be treated at home with a high level of expertise.”

The Dermer family hopes the center will outfit the hospital with new tools to help patients in cardiac crisis survive while avoiding travel out of the region for emergency care.

“Hopefully this new heart wing brings that to the area,” Sarah said.

Meanwhile, the family is focusing on the positive as Jack prepares for another aortic surgery later this year. He’s enjoying his 16-month-old granddaughter, Olivia, who through genetic testing has also been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

Olivia “is perfectly normal; you wouldn’t tell by looking at her,” the girl’s father, Todd, said.

The family is also arranging a golf outing at Giant Oak Golf Club in Bedford Township, Mich., on June 27 to raise money for Marfan research and the medical bills for Sarah’s daughter, MaKenna, also diagnosed. MaKenna will soon take part in the medical study of a new drug to treat Marfan syndrome.

“It’s good to be around good people, just the support that you get,” Jack said. “And I’ve got a great family.”

For more information about the golf outing, e-mail jan.dermer@yahoo.com.

A14 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Sylvania Rotary hosts Monte Carlo Night The Sylvania Rotary Club will host its fifth annual Monte Carlo Night and Reverse Raffle fundraiser March 7 at 6:30 p.m. The club was chartered in 1953 and serves the Sylvania community through volunteer work and student scholarships. According to a news release, the fundraiser will raise money for a capital improvement project for the Sylvania Area Family Services.

Tickets cost $100 and include admission to the event, one dinner and gaming chips.

The Monte Carlo night will take place at Central Park West Banquet Hall located at 3141 Central Ave. For more information on the Sylvania Rotary Club visit their Web site, www.rotarysylvania.org.

Wolfgang concert The Sylvania Community Orchestra, sponsored by the Sylvania Community Arts Commission (SCAC) will present its second concert of the season on March 1.

The orchestra, under the direction of Kathleen Hafner, will perform the Overture to “The Magic Flute” and several other works. The concert is free.

The program will begin at 4 p.m. at McCord Road Christian Church, 4765 McCord Road in Sylvania. For additional information call (419) 517-0118 or e-mail at sylvaniaarts@bex.net.

Toledo Opera announces season The Toledo Opera announced its 2009-2010 season Feb. 17, according to a news release, a season that promises to “inspire Toledo’s opera lovers.”

Beginning in November, the Toledo Opera will open its season with Giuseppe Verdi’s “Falstaff.” Performances run Nov. 7 through 13 in the Valentine Theatre.

To kick off 2010, the Toledo Opera’s 2010 Opera Gala will feature “April in Paris” only once, Feb. 13, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. at The Peristyle at the Toledo Museum of Art. Benjamin Britten’s ancient Roman tale, “Lucretia,” will be performed in March. To end the season, the Toledo Opera will perform Gaetano Donizetti’s comedy, “The Elixir of Love,” will be sung at the Valentine Theatre on May 1 and 7, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. and May 9 at 2 p.m.

Visit www.toledoopera.org or call (419) 255-7464.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009

COMMUNITY

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A15

HOLLIDAY TRAVELS

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Whatever the package, whatever that, like some friends of ours, you’ve just signed up for an all- the destination, chances are you chose this parinclusive package ticular kind of tour to “Someholiday because: place Special.”

■ A similar Maybe it’s tour you took a whistle stop before worked romp through out well enough. fertile tourist You liked the territory with pace, the people one of the popyou traveled ular package with and the tour operators Roger HOLLIDAY price was right.

— 10 cities in 10 ■ This is days — through Claudia FISCHER your first trip to Britain or Gera foreign country. You don’t know many or Spain.

Maybe it’s a smaller, more inti- where to start. And it seems like a mate tour — a more upmarket me- good idea to begin with an overview, ander featuring a river cruise or a to “hit the high spots.”

■ The idea of the security and train ride and better hotels, but still covering a lot of territory in a short full-time services of an experienced

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tour guide has a lot of appeal. It makes for a stress-free, fun-filled holiday with little or no effort or expertise required on your part.

■ Your regular travel agent stepped up to the plate with several options in a range of price categories.

From our experience, it works pretty much like this: A group of tourists, numbering anywhere from 15 to 50, meet at a central location, usually an airport or hotel, have an introductory dinner or cocktail party, meet the tour leader and fellow travelers and learn about the specifics of their upcoming trip. They learn about the range and cost of optional tours, the policies about seating on the bus, luggage, smoking and never being late.

With an ambitious itinerary and many miles to cover, the daily routine has by necessity to be fairly rigid: wake-up call at 6 a.m., bags out at 6:30, breakfast at 7, on the bus at 8 o’clock sharp. The bus pulls into a parking lot every one to one and a half hours or so for sightseeing, a meal, a shop-op or if nothing else, a toilet break. Around 6 p.m., the group unloads at the new hotel — after 10 hours in transit.

The first few days go well, everyone is still excited and energetic, but as time moves along it becomes more and more difficult to distinguish one stop from another. And there’s a lot of sleeping on the bus.

The problem with a trip so highly orchestrated is that it’s a completely passive experience.

And the whole concept encourages it. Hotels located far from city centers, communal meals, long periods of inactivity — and the overriding fear of missing the bus.

But forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes.

Get involved in the action from the beginning. Bring a detailed road map so you can follow the route and always know where you are. Pack at least one guidebook and use the tour director’s spiel as a supplement to what you’ve already read.

Pick up maps at small town tourist offices and track your own walking tours. Break from the group and eat in restaurants that feature local specialties.

And above all, have a great time, pay attention and get ready for your next, more independent trip. It might still be an all-inclusive, multicity package tour, but at least you’ll be prepared.

E-mail travel columnists Roger Holliday and Claudia Fischer at RogerHolliday@wcnet.org.

COMMUNITY

A16 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

CITY OF TOLEDO

Council concerned about cuts

By Carmen A. Paillie SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS

Toledo City Council members are trying to figure out how to salvage essential services in the midst of the budget crisis.

“Police, fire and refuse and collection, those are all things that must continue to happen,” said Toledo Councilman George Sarantou. chairman of the budget committee.

“That is a top priority.”

“Very frankly, I am hoping that we can find a way to put more safety forces on the streets, but my major concern is whether or not we will have the funds to do so,” said Toledo Councilwoman Betty Shultz.

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner announced Feb. 12 a combination of cuts and new revenue streams to fill a $14 million budget deficit. The mayor wants to reduce overtime in the fire department, reassign more firefighters to the line and take a fire truck out of service. The fire department is fighting to keep the fire truck in service.

“The ladder truck that they are

going to put out of service is the closest ladder truck to Westgate Shopping Center, to the University of Toledo and to Toledo Hospital,” said Capt.

Jim Martin, president of Toledo Firefighters Local 92.

Martin said the mayor wants to reassign several employees, including the department’s last public educator, three members from the training bureau and three members from special operations.

“I think some aspects of the mayor’s plan are aggressive, such as the retirement of the ladder truck is pretty aggressive, and we are going to continue to monitor that and talk about that with the fire chief,” Sarantou said.

On Feb. 15, Councilman Tom Waniewski sent a letter to Finkbeiner proposing $1.4 million in budget cuts that would allow the ladder truck to stay.

“With the reduction in roll calls at the northwest district station, and now the proposed elimination of an engine ladder at 25, you are sending the wrong message to residents of west Toledo when it comes to public safety. This area continues

to provide, I would argue, one of the strongest revenue streams to city and county government. Thus, the residents deserve their money’s worth,” Waniewski wrote.

According to Local 92, it is a requirement to have 103 members to protect civilians of Toledo. Under the mayor’s proposal, this number would be reduced to 99.

Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre said with the $787 billion stimulus passed and signed by President Barack Obama on Feb. 14, he is optimistic about his department’s future. Navarre thinks he might be able to hire several officers who went through training last year.

“Crime rate in the city of Toledo is amazingly low compared to other same-size cities and demographics,” Navarre said. “We have far fewer homicides than cities our size, such as Dayton or Youngstown. We do remarkably well with what we have.

“Unlike the firefighters here in the city, the police had no layoffs, no apparatus or vehicles taken; however, their overtime account was reduced by $150,000,” Navarre said.

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TARTA contemplates sales tax Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority’s (TARTA) public comment meetings continued Feb. 18 in attempts to give the public and transit riders a chance to voice their opinion and give suggestions.

GEE TARTA General Manager James Gee, announced possibly adopting a hub system in Downtown Toledo and a sales tax covering Lucas County and Perrysburg and Rossford in Wood County. Smaller changes could occur as early as April, and routes could see effects in June.

“Our region is changing around us,” Gee said. “TARTA as an organization needs to change as the region changes and as the passengers change.”

TARTA hired Parsons Brinckerhoff to conduct a $140,000 study funded by Federal Transit

Administration funds, a news release said.

Gee said sales tax is the preferred way to fund transit systems statewide as it allows each community’s needs to be addressed. He said there would be a .5 percent increase in sales tax, or 1 cent on every $2, on taxable items such as electronics and clothing. Food, prescriptions and health care would not be taxed.

A second source of change is the proposed adoption of one transit hub downtown and the elimination of the current downtown “loop.”

TARTA will also look to improve the Call-A-Ride system, bus fleets, Route 3, internet and technology communication and routes to Perrysburg.

The last of three public comment meeting Feb. 18 at the Maumee Branch Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. Comments can be filed by mail or online at info@tarta.com until March 31.

— Julie Ryan

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009

COMMUNITY

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

â&#x2013; A17

A18

BUSINESS LINK

EDUCATION

Students explore engineering careers TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

Local high school students aspiring to become engineers embraced opportunities to examine that profession during National Engineers Week.

About 230 students from 29 area high schools participated in “Engineer for a Day” on Feb. 18 at UT’s College of Engineering. The students toured the college, learned about educational opportunities and were paired with local professional engineers for the afternoon.

Relana Reid, a senior at Scott High School, plans to enroll at UT in the fall to study electrical engineering.

“I like to work with my hands, find out how things work by taking them apart and putting them back together,” Reid said.

Reid spent the afternoon with Katie Puffenberger, an engineer with Jones & Henry Engineers in Toledo.

Kyle Crayne, a senior at Springfield High School, spent the afternoon with Travis Rhodes, a design engineer with The Mannick & Smith Group of Maumee. Crayne has declared his major in engineering at Michigan State University.

Attracting students to engineering fields is important for the future of business, despite an estimated 2 million engineers practicing in the United States.

A shortage of as many as 70,000 engineers is possible by 2010, according to the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Sciences.

The American Society for Quality reports that a career in engineering is not commonly considered by most preteens and teenagers. In fact, 85 percent of students surveyed were not interested in pursuing an engineering degree.

The median annual salary for all engineers in the United States increased 5 percent from $75,000 in

Exclusively online: Fifth Third Bank’s Stephen Sherline discusses asset allocation.

BRIEFCASE Metzgers honored Metzgers is ranked as the 370th largest printer in North America.

The list is published by Printing Impressions magazine. Metzgers has one location in Toledo and is a privately held company. The only other Toledo printing location to make the Top 400 list is Cenveo, which has its corporate office in Stamford, Conn., and one of its 80 printing plants is located in Toledo, according to a press release.

No other printing firms in Toledo made the list.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY LAD STRAYER

By Duane Ramsey

W W W. T O L E D O F R E E P R E S S . C O M

FirstMerit appoints Toledoan as VP

■

FROM LEFT, TRAVIS RHODES, KATIE PUFFENBERGER, RELANA REID, BRIAN RANDOPH, KYLE CRAYNE..

2006 to $79,000 in 2008, according to a survey conducted by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

The median annual salary for engineers in the Toledo area is $79,480. In some regions of the United States, the median salary is as high as $89,000.

“The profession of engineering is about innovations to improve the quality of life in our society,” said Nagi Naganathan, dean of UT’s College of Engineering. “National Engineers Week not only recognizes the accomplishments of engineering professionals, but also highlights the relevance and importance of the profession in our everyday lives.”

SSOE, ranked eighth largest among the nation’s engineering and architectural firms, hosted 30 students Feb. 18 as part of Engineer for a Day. Students from Notre Dame Academy, Tiffin Columbian and the Monroe County Intermediate School District learned what it takes to become an engineer.

SSOE officials discussed the

company’s student co-op program that is considered an important source for hiring new engineers.

The company has doubled in size since 2004, posting its largest revenue ever in 2008 and is predicting additional growth in 2009.

“We have numerous job openings throughout the country for positions averaging $60,000 a year. Clearly, engineering remains a solid profession and an exciting career path,” said Donald Warner, chairman of Toledo’s Engineers Week, who is a senior account executive with SSOE. “We made a strategic decision to engage students in the work force at SSOE by giving them a chance to work at the firm through co-op programs and hiring many of them after graduation. The increase in youthful presence has invigorated the older work force,” Warner said.

Engineering students at UT are required to work in their field of study while in college. The degree requires

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three semesters of co-op work for undergraduates in all engineering fields except for engineering technologies.

The students work 40 hours a week in engineering-related jobs with companies for three semesters beginning in the sophomore year of their four and one-half years of study.

“It’s an awesome opportunity and program for the students,” said Vickie Kuntz, director of the Engineering Career Management Center at UT. “Many companies look at the co-op program as a recruiting tool and rotate several students to have someone working fulltime and yearround. Some students are offered full-time positions by the firms after graduation.”

In other engineering news: The 2009 Engineer and Young Engineer of the Year Awards were presented at a lunch banquet Feb. 16.

C. Michael Smith was named 2009 Engineer of the Year recognizing his 30-plus years in the profession.

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

FirstMerit Corporation announces the promotion of Rob A. Thomas as vice president, commercial banking, Toledo region.

Prior to joining FirstMerit in 2005, Thomas served as a relationship officer for Fifth Third Bank in the Toledo region and has more than 11 years experience in the banking industry. Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UT. He serves on the United Way of Toledo’s Community Impact Council, the American Red Cross’ “Smoke on the Water” committee and is involved in the West Toledo Rotary. He resides in Toledo with his wife and three children.

Columbia Gas: natural gas prices continue to fall Continuing a trend of falling natural gas costs, Columbia Gas of Ohio on Feb. 16 announced a March Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) that is the lowest March GCR since 2005. Filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the GCR adjustment of $.95 per Ccf (100 cubic feet) is effective March 2 and continues through March 30.

KeyBank

BUSINESS LINK

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A19

What’s behind these three simple letters?

Strength. Stability. Leadership.

{And now, the people of National City.} For over 150 years PNC has operated according to a very simple, customer-driven philosophy: Deliver value. To us that means providing the leadership and solutions that most benefit our customers in the long run. It means a disciplined, down-to-earth approach. It means lending to hardworking families looking to own their own home, and to creditworthy businesses looking to grow. It’s a way of doing business that has strength and stability at its very core.

The success of this approach has helped PNC earn wide recognition, including the designation as one of FORTUNE® magazine’s “Most Admired Companies.”1 More important, it has helped us earn the confidence of millions of individuals, families and businesses of all sizes, for more than a century and a half.

PNC is one of FORTUNE® magazine’s “Most Admired Companies.”

corporate-sponsored program of its kind in the United States. We see it as nothing less than an investment in the future.

PNC has more LEED-certified green buildings than any other company on Earth.

We also consider the environment we all share to be an investment in our common interest. That’s why we’ve been at the forefront of green building practices for more than a decade. Today, PNC has more LEED-certified green buildings than any other company on Earth.2

Helping build communities, one future at a time.

A firm foundation at every step along your journey.

Like National City, we have always believed that strong communities are built from the ground up. To ensure that the National City tradition of supporting important local causes and programs endures, PNC has pledged $28 million in support of National City’s foundation for 2009.

This level of community support is nothing new for PNC. At the heart of our efforts to foster educational opportunities and personal growth is our “Grow Up Great” initiative. This 10-year, $100 million program works to develop school readiness in children through the first five years of their lives. It’s the most comprehensive

As a National City customer, you should continue to bank at National City branches, with the same accounts you currently hold.

While doing so, you can continue to earn and redeem your points just as you always have. And you now also have access through your National City ATM card to the entire PNC network of over 3,900 ATMs—with no transaction fees.

National City’s becoming a part of PNC presents a world of possibilities for our customers, and for the communities where we all live and work. Starting with a firm foundation, we’re building an even brighter future. Let our strength and stability be the basis for your own.

Keep up to date with all the exciting news on the National City-PNC transition at www.welcometopnc.com.

1 According to FORTUNE® magazine, March 17, 2008, issue. 2 According to the U.S. Green Building Council, September 2008. National City Bank, Member FDIC. ©2009 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

69369_PNC_PN9-8820.indd 1

2/10/09 5:00:00 PM

BUSINESS LINK

A20 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

SELLING POINTS

The one thing you need to win the week I

n football, there are dozens of sion of their own time. Every busistatistics that you can pay atten- ness week contains a finite amount tion to while watching a game. of time, and you are the person who makes the decision of Of course, the team how this time is spent. with the best statistics You can do things that typically is the victor. make you look busy Of all of the statisor you can spend your tics that are tracked time doing things that throughout the game, accomplish your goals. my favorite statistic The time you has always been time spend each week can of possession. Time be tracked, but you of possession shows not want to see how long your team Tom RICHARD may the results laid out in a has control of the ball. spreadsheet. Imagine With control of the ball, you can control your own des- seeing your statistics set before you tiny. You can do the same in busi- right now. How much time have you ness, but you need to understand logged surfing the Internet, having who you are competing against and unproductive conversations with colleagues or having fruitless meetings? which statistics you can control.

Numbers do not play favorites, Contrary to popular belief, you are not competing against other are not swayed by office politics and businesses in your pursuit to make cannot be talked into something a buck; you are competing against they are not. Your numbers will alyourself. The main reason business- ways give you an accurate reading people are not able to win during on how your week turned out. You their normal business week is be- only need to focus on one number: cause they lose the battle for posses- time spent in front of people who

can say “yes” to you. The true number is most likely much lower than you would like it to be.

When you are in front of people who have the ability to say “yes” to you, you are moving toward success.

This one number will prove to be the most important business number you monitor; this one number holds the power to transform the effectiveness of your week and the amount of money in your paycheck.

Being in front of somebody who can say yes to you means that they are thinking of you, they are learning about you and they are connecting with you. People buy from people they know and trust, and the more you are able to connect with everybody, the more known and trusted you become, the more sales you make, the more people you help and the more product you move.

In today’s business world, there are countless new ways to put you in front of these people. You can use Web conferencing, host teleseminars, post online updates about new developments, produce an on-

BOOKS

Local author takes women through life’s challenges

By Brandi Barhite TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR bbarhite@toledofreepress.com

A local author is guiding single mothers through the next phase of their lives: the empty nest years.

Michele Howe’s “Still Going It Alone” is a follow-up to “Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom.” In her newest book, Howe addresses topics like adjusting to a quieter home; helping children make marriage and relationship deciHOWE sions; caring for aging parents; and considering remarriage.

Two of her closest friends became single moms 15 years ago and were thrust into single parenthood, career changes and financial issues. Since then, her friends’ children are almost grown, but the challenges never go away. They morph and change. This is what she addresses in “Still Going It Alone,” mothering with faith and finesse when the children have grown.

Even though Howe is married with four children, she relates to what she writes. She is at a midpoint

in her own life and basic heart issues like caring for parents and kids leaving home are common married and single women.

“It is so gratifying to come along with them and say, ‘You are not alone and you are feeling what everyone else is feeling,’ ” she said.

As single moms, her friends made a choice to focus on parenting their children and now that they are

grown, they are open to remarriage.

“Not everyone chooses that ... they have accepted their lives and made hard and good choices,” Howe said.

Howe also wrote “Prayers to Nourish a Woman’s Heart,” and writes a weekly lifestyle column, “Embracing Life’s Curves.” “Still Going It Alone” was published by Hendrickson Publishers.

NOW’S THE TIME TO BUY! Let me represent you on your sale or purchase

line newsletter or a number of other things. However, there is a great deal of potential in the recent emergence of social networking sites and it is largely untapped by the business world.

Social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, have more power than you may realize. In addition to the fact that they provide you with a way to stay in front of those who matter most to your business, these sites also provide you with a platform to develop who you are as a businessperson.

These new sites allow you to show the passion you have for your business and your product. They allow your passion and your personality to read as clearly as a marquee

above your head. Said most simply, these sites allow people to learn who you truly are: a passionate, competent businessperson.

Success in business comes with lasting professional relationships.

Develop them by utilizing every method available to connect with potential clients. Don’t wait for others to push you onto the field; get out there, take the ball and run with it.

Tom Richard is a Toledo-based sales trainer, gives seminars, runs sales meetings and provides coaching for salespeople. For more information, visit www.TomRichard.com, call (419) 441-1005 or e-mail him at tom@tomrichard.com.

Loss of Production Productio n…

Those three little words may be the most feared in any company’s vocabulary. Now, more than ever, your business needs to operate at peak capacity in order to compete. Loss of production time impacts your bottom line, and even more critical, may impact your relationship with customers who are dependent upon you.

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NOTE: This bar graph combines the “sold” listings of all office locations and independent offices of each multi-office or franchise organization identified, which listings were sold by such organization itself, or with the aid of a cooperating broker, according to data maintained by the Local Board or Multiple Listing Service for the geographic area indicated. The bar graph compares all those listings that were “sold” by each organization during the period 01/01/08 – 12/31/08. This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Northwest Ohio Real Estate Information Systems, Inc. (NORIS) and the Toledo Board of REALTORS and their Multiple Listing Service. Neither the Associations nor its MLS guarantee or are in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Associations may not reflect all real estate activity in a market. ©2008, RE/MAX Central and Northern Ohio Region. Each RE/MAX® office is independently owned and operated. 081942

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■ A21

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RETIREMENT GUYS

Timing your taxes

D

uring the course of helping folks with their estate and financial plan design, it is important that we get all of the proper information before making any recommendations. It is like a doctor making a diagnosis. If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know all the symptoms, we run the risk of prescribing the wrong medicine.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay income taxes on Mark money that you are not using. As Nolan we gather this information, we ask a lot of questions to determine what steps should be included in the planning process.

One of the questions is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What are you going to do with your money and when will you need to use it?â&#x20AC;? Most folks have plans for their savings, short term and longer term. Time after time, we see folks with large sums of money in various bank accounts. If these are not retirement accounts, they are typically income taxable each year, whether you are using the money or not. In most cases, people are not using the money, but may have plans to use it in the future.

The bottom line is they are paying taxes on money not in use.

Do you want to earn interest on your money or do you want Uncle Sam to? If your money is for longer-term use, why pay taxes on it? Most of the time, it is a comfort level knowing that money is at your fingertips. In most cases, there are plenty of other liquid assets to deal with any unexpected emergencies.

So the choice is to pay taxes on it now or pay taxes on it later. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I just pay the taxes now? I will have to pay it later anyway, right? I might as well get it over with.â&#x20AC;? You may be a lot better off paying it later. Here is an example. If you had a dollar in your hand and could pay it to Uncle Sam now or years from now, what would you do? Consider this: If you pay the dollar now, you never see it again.

You no longer have use of it. If you pay it later, you keep the dollar in your account and continue to earn interest on it as long as you leave it there. You get to create interest that you never would have had. This is often referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the magic of compounding.â&#x20AC;? This can be accomplished by deferring taxes until deciding when you want to pay it. You control when you pay the taxes.

Uncle Sam got friendlier. You may

not consider Uncle Sam a friend, but in the past few years, he got friendlier. Some of the rules have changed to the taxpayersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; advantage. One of the law changes that many do still not know about occurred several years ago. It allows the taxpayer to stretch out paying taxes on an inherited retirement account over a lifetime.

This can mean a CLAIR huge, huge difference in how BAKER meaningful this account becomes to your children or grandchildren.

Before leaving office, President Bush signed into law the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008. This law is designed to help retirees who have been affected negatively by the current recession.

Folks over the age of 70 and a half are required to take a required minimum distribution each year from their retirement account and pay the income taxes on the distribution. The account holder can defer taking a distribution for 2009 and start taking the required distribution again in 2010. In effect, it is one year off. You will be deferring the taxes and allow the tax money you would have paid to stay in your account and earn interest for another year. Same concept as we pointed out earlier in this article. The difference is that for non-retirement accounts, like savings, CDs and money market, if you reposition these monies into a tax-deferred account, you can defer taxes for not just one year, but for many years to come.

Do you want to pay taxes now or later? The choice is up to you. Seek advice of a qualified financial professional to see what is right for you.

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at noon on 1230 WCWA and every Sunday at 11 a.m. on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio. com. Securities are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., Member FINRA / SIPC. The Retirement Guys are not an affiliated of NEXT Financial Group. 7135 Sylvania Ave, 2B, Sylvania, OH 43560. Neither NEXT Financial Group, Inc. nor its representatives are qualified to give tax advice. Please consult your tax professional regarding your particular situation before making investment decisions.

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■ A23

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A24

GM talks with Delphi about retaking parts plant TROY, Mich. (AP) — General Motors Corp. says it may take back some factories from Delphi Corp., the partsmaking unit it spun off 10 years ago. GM executive Fritz Henderson said talks are under way for possible transfer of some plants should Troy-based Delphi fail to emerge from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection it entered in 2005.

Henderson said Delphi’s financial woes must be solved, and GM’s bailout plan has money for that purpose. He said if no deal is reached, GM will take back an unstated number of plants and inject cash into Delphi.

AUTO SENSE

Operating a motorcycle safely is an art Y

ou love them or hate them. Ei- unpleasant truth.

I drive about 150 miles to and ther way, motorcycles will be from work each day. I often leave on the road again soon. early in the morning, It’s nearly springwell before sunrise, time, and motorcycle and return well after owners around the dark. I have learned country are uncova thing or two about ering their bikes being conspicuous and getting ready while riding my bike. for riding weather. I I call it the “art of have already seen a conspicuousness.” few in the parking lot That is the ability to at work. be noticed while on I ride motorcyNick SHULTZ the road. cles. I have most of It is a necessary talent when you my life. I put about 30,000 miles a year on a motorcycle. I have done so ride as many miles as I do. I belong for many years, and that adds up to to the BMW Motorcycle Owners a lot of miles. I’ve learned that a lot of America riding club (BMW of drivers just don’t look for motor- MOA). I generally ride as many, cycles. I am not sure why, but it is an if not more miles each year, than

any other BMW MOA member in Michigan and Ohio. I have done so relatively accident free. Every time, I have had an incident, it has been because an operator of a car did not see me. That is generally the case when motorcycles and cars collide. The driver of the car just doesn’t see the bike.

During early morning and night riding, I run auxiliary lighting. I have two extra sets of lights on my bike and I turn one set on when I am driving in the morning or at night. I use the second set to flash any vehicle operator who looks to enter the roadway in front of me. A brief flash of the lights is usually all it takes to make the driver aware of my presence.

During the daylight, I gener-

ally drive with both sets of lights on. The extra lights annoy some drivers, but I would sooner they are annoyed than try and dodge them at road speed.

My helmet and my riding clothing are highly reflective. I have added reflective tape to my helmet so that drivers approaching from the rear will easily see me. I learned this lesson on a lonely stretch of Interstate 75 in northern Michigan.

It was late at night, and a speeding motorist approached from the rear and nearly ran me off the road.

I also ensure that any of my riding apparel has the reflective material built into it. I may not win any fashion shows, but I do light up at night like a Christmas tree when headlights shine on me.

I have attached the reflective tape to the rear and the sides of my bike at conspicuous points to ensure I am seen from the rear and sides. Since the I-75 incident, I have also installed a flashing brake light, which I apply to let a driver approaching from the rear know I am ahead.

Being seen is often as much about riding style as it is about lights and gear. Where we place our bikes on the roadway can allow other drivers to see us more clearly. I try not to position myself behind trucks and vans. Drivers approaching from the other direction can’t see us and may turn into our path before they are aware we are there.

■ SHULTZ CONTINUES ON A25

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009 ■ SHULTZ CONTINUED FROM A24 If it necessary to follow these vehicles, please slow down. Allow plenty of room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Give approaching vehicles an opportunity to see us as they approach. The more distance between our bikes and the vehicle ahead, the better.

Some riders use the “if you can hear me, you can see me technique.”

I am not a big fan of this approach.

However, there is some legitimacy to the idea. I have asked some of my friends who have loud pipes if it bothers them while they are riding.

They all seem to say the sound remains behind them. The sound being behind them could be why so many vehicles try to pass them as well. This can be a problem on narrow roads.

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

Motorcyclists as a whole are much more aware of traffic than other drivers. They have to be. There is no amount of gear that can protect the careless operator. Perhaps the best technique for safe cycling is to slow down.

Riding is a fuel-efficient and enjoyable way to travel. I have crossed the Arctic Circle on my way to the Arctic Ocean and toured the Amer-

icas on my bike. I have ridden my bike mile after mile on every kind of road imaginable. I have managed to return safely. Many of us love the openness of motorcycling. Using common sense and making ourselves conspicuous to other drivers is a key component in returning home safe.

Nick Shultz is an instructor of Auto-

■ A25

motive Technologies at Owens Community College. He is an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau who specializes in cases involving the Ohio and Michigan Lemon laws.

He is a certified master automotive technician by ASE, General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Shultz will take automotive technical questions from readers at letters@toledofreepress.com.

INDUSTRY

Communities edgy as automakers give plans to government

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DETROIT (AP) — For one community, the map tells the story of its dependence on the U.S. automotive industry.

At the heart of Warren, Mich., is General Motors Corp.’s one-squaremile Tech Center. To its south is a GM transmission plant. South of that are two Chrysler LLC facilities.

The facilities and overall industry represent 15 percent of the Detroit suburb’s roughly $100 million fiscal budget. So Warren Mayor Jim Fouts was on edge Feb. 17 as GM and Chrysler were preparing to submit restructuring plans to the federal government expected to include factory closures.

Communities such as Warren with major automotive operations are used to feeling tension these days, with the constant drumbeat of plant shutdowns, closures and blue-collar and white-collar layoffs.

But they are steeling themselves for more tough blows from the U.S. auto industry, whose sales are at a 26-year low.

Fouts said he doesn’t know how the plan will affect his city. But he says residents overall are feeling “fatigue based on fear.’’

“It’s almost overwhelming the amount of bad economic news that my citizens have had to contend with,’’ he said.

“People are tight right now, hanging in. They’re worried about having to pay their bills and whether their home is going be foreclosed. People are frozen in time right how ... hoping the (federal) rescue will allow them to be thawed out.’’

The same wish comes from a GM employee and union official in Shreveport, La., where an as-

“

Whatever happens, we’ll just have to deal with it. We’re looking forward to the day the economy improves and people start buying cars. We hope and pray that the policies coming out of Washington will help.’’

— Morgan Johnson, president, UAW Local 2166 sembly plant employs about 800 workers. The plant shut down in December in a cost-cutting move, and now they’re waiting to hear if the plant is in danger of closing for good.

“Whatever happens, we’ll just have to deal with it,’’ said Morgan Johnson, president of the United Auto Workers Local 2166, who has worked for GM for 28 years.

“We’re looking forward to the day the economy improves and people start buying cars. We hope and pray that the policies coming out of Washington will help.’’

The Shreveport plant, which produces the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks along with the Hummer H3 and H3T, once employed 3,000 hourly workers. About 1,000 jobs were cut last year. The facility is scheduled to reopen Feb. 23.

■ FEDS CONTINUES ON A27

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FEBRUARY 22, 2009 ■ FEDS CONTINUED FROM A25

Losing the plant altogether would deal a sharp blow to the region’s economy, he added.

“Because of the diversity in employment, we’re actually in a little bit better situation than many other parts of the country,’’ he said.

One city working to diversify its economy is Sterling Heights, a Detroit suburb north of Warren. It has

Richard Bremer, president of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, said the plant was the area’s largest manufacturing employer before last year’s job cuts but said the economy is diverse thanks to jobs in the oil and health care industries as well as on a local military base.

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two Chrysler plants and two Ford Motor Co. plants.

Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool said the auto industry used to represent close to 20 percent of its tax base 10 years ago, and now it’s less than 10 percent.

One area of progress has been in defense manufacturing. The city on Feb. 25 is planning an official

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groundbreaking for a $60 million research-and-development center for defense manufacturer BAE Systems Land and Armaments on the site of a former TRW Automotive plant. The project is expected to generate $44 million in new investment and could create up to 460 new jobs.

“These tough economic times give us an opportunity to do things that we might not otherwise have been able to do under normal circumstances,’’ Vanderpool said. “It is, in some strange way, an opportunity to better position ourselves for the future.’’

GM’s metal stamping plant in Ohio accounts for about 40 percent of the income tax that comes into Ontario, a small town that’s midway between Cleveland and Columbus.

Workers at the stamping plant threatened to strike over local contract issues last April.

Then after car sales plummeted

“

The working person is being wiped out.”

— Jerry Motter,

in recent months, there were layoffs and temporary shutdowns.

“It has really taken a toll on the employees,’’ Mayor Ken Bender said.

“They’re almost exhausted from the whole ordeal they’ve gone through over the last year.’’

Jerry Motter, who has worked at the GM Truck Plant in Pontiac for 30 years, said the problems go much deeper than the auto industry.

“The working person is being wiped out,’’ said Motter, 48, of Clinton Township.

He ticked off a list that included the dwindling values of homes and retirement accounts. “How much more can you take?

“I think everything is up in the air on how to make plans.’’

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INSIDE I UT BASKETBALL

Towering talent For Justin Anyijong, height is not always an advantage, Page A30.

SPORTS

A28

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Texas girl finds temporary home at Owens

By Nicholas Huenefeld SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS

Brittany Simon is always moving, whether it is on the court or to another school.

The 20-year-old guard on the Lady Express basketball team transferred to Owens Community College in the fall to complete prerequisites for a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.

Her goal was to get into the pharmacy program at UT, but she has since decided to transfer to North Texas University in the fall.

Simon will be missed.

“She is the player on our team that, when it comes down to it, is the soul of our team,” said Mike

“

The coaches call me the mother hen ... I am not a selfish player.”

— Brittany Simon

Llanas, Owens women’s head basketball coach. “We have a lot of younger players that have had successful high school careers last year and they love the game, but things kind of went their way because they were

the best on the team. With Brittany, she just lays her heart and soul out on the floor.”

That’s high praise for a player who wasn’t even a scholarship player until this semester. Simon averages 14 minutes per game, 3 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound per game.

“She’s really focused and driven,” said Stephen Perry, assistant women’s basketball coach. “She was really concerned academically if it was going to be a good fit. Also, she was really outgoing and asked a lot of questions.

My first question to her was, ‘Why are you coming to Toledo?’ ” It ended up being a long story.

Simon graduated from Lewisville High School in Texas with a 3.76 GPA and a top 10 standing in her class. Those honors earned her admittance to the University of Oklahoma; however, after seeing 500 kids in her chemistry class, she bolted after two days.

“It was too expensive,” she said.

“I wasn’t ready to pay $20,000 for my freshman year in college.”

Simon then decided to give Southwestern Oklahoma State University a try. That didn’t work out, either.

“It just wasn’t my time to go to school yet,” Simon said. “I just wanted to rest and sleep all the time.

I wasn’t ready to start taking life more seriously.”

Eventually, Simon enrolled at

Western Oklahoma State College in spring 2007, where she earned a 4.0 GPA her first semester. She spent one and a half years there, including one year on the basketball team.

During her time at Western, Simon earned a 3.7 GPA and was accepted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. At the same time, she realized Western didn’t offer all of the prerequisite classes she needed like organic chemistry and calculus.

“I thought I was headed to Fargo, N.D.,” she said. “I certainly wanted to choose something different, someplace where I had never been.”

Ultimately, she didn’t end up going to Fargo because her friend, Chris Wade, discovered Owens Community College on the Internet.

The two of them, after checking out the school, decided to come together. Wade plays for the men’s basketball team.

“It makes it easier having someone to support me and enjoy the experience with me,” she said.

Shortly before their departure, a tragic event almost made Simon rethink her decision.

Her grandpa was murdered a week before she was supposed to move. Teenagers had robbed and beaten her grandpa to death in his bedroom.

“It really made me think a little

about whether I should stay with my family. In the end, I decided that I was already in the process and I was going to follow through.”

Northwest Ohio ended up being a good fit, she said.

“When I first got here, I loved the weather — 80 degrees in the summer is totally different than 110-degree weather.

“Owens seems more organized,” Simon said. “The basketball program is one example. Everything seems handled properly. Coach talks to us and makes sure you know what you’re supposed to be doing. He sets goals for us. I’ve had none of that since high school.”

Simon said she is a teammate who is willing to help others.

“The coaches call me the mother hen because I’m not a selfish player,” she said. “I’m always trying to make sure everyone is up on the board.”

“We have a lot of nicknames for her — B-Lo, mother hen and the professor, just to name a few,” Perry said, laughing.

But Simon is getting ready to leave those roles behind. It’s time to focus on pharmacy.

“My parents have been supportive,” she said. “Although I like being out here, the further I am away from them, I realize that I can’t take them for granted. It makes me understand I should be closer.”

This Week’s SONIC High School Athletes of the Week Nate Brubaker, Junior, Start

Liz Speweik, Senior, Cardinal Stritch

Nate is a junior and a member of the Start varsity wrestling team.

At this year’s Catholic League Championship,he won the 171-pound division for the second consecutive year by pinning St. John’s junior Kevin Schoen in 1:15 of the title match. He was also the only unbeaten wrestler in the tournament , with a record of 32-0 and was ranked No. 1 in the Greater Toledo High School Wrestling Coaches Ass. prior to the event. Sonic congratulates Nate Brubaker and Start High School for their outstanding performance.

Liz is a senior and a member of the Cardinal Stritch girls varsity basketball team. She helped lead Cardinal Stritch to a 41-38 victory against rival Northwood with 20 points. She is also the co-captain of the team and is averaging 9.3 points a game and 8.5 rebounds per game. She has played basketball for four years and is also a member of the golf, cross country and track team. Sonic congratulates Liz Speweik and Cardinal Stritch for their outstanding performance.

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SPORTS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A29

TV TIMEOUT

Economy may force players into pro leagues I “

f the saying is true, and money isn’t everything, then our country’s infatuation with the current economic crisis would be pointless.

The truth of the matter is money isn’t everything, but it is something.

Whether it’s taking advantage of the dollar menu at your favorite fast-food joint or supporting the nearly $790 billon stimulus bill, the impact of a dollar is strong.

If you were to ask me one year ago if a college athlete should turn pro as early as possible, my Ryan answer would have been an emphatic and resounding “no.”

Don’t be a fool, stay in school.

If you were to ask me today if a college athlete should turn pro early, my answer would be “yes.”

My reasoning is simple. At this point and time, it’s obvious that for the rare and talented few, the ability to run 40 yards in less than 4.5 seconds or dunk a basketball is more valuable than a college diploma.

It may sound cynical to preach economics over education, but try telling that to the

600,000 people who lost their jobs in January.

I’d be willing to bet most of those people had some form of college education, perhaps a diploma. I’d also be willing to bet if those unemployed college grads had the chance to hit the lottery tomorrow, they’d take it.

Break down a professional athlete’s paycheck and he or she is hitting the jackpot every day.

So if you have the talent, why not cash in while the country irons out its financial mess?

FOWLER Not to sound like Debbie Downer, but a recent report said the unemployment rate is the highest since 1992, and if it keeps up, it could be as high as it was during the Great Depression.

If athletes know they are going to be drafted or earn a free-agent contract, they need to take it. They run the risk of returning to school and blowing out a knee or breaking an arm, and then the dream of reaching the NFL or NBA evaporates.

In the latter scenario, the athlete finishes school, diploma in hand, and heads out into

the real world. Before he knows it, he’s waiting tables at a local restaurant because it’s the only place hiring.

The average salary for an NFL player in 2008 was about $500,000. The average NBA salary is well more than $1 million. Even a mediocre professional athlete can survive one or two years in the league. During that time, he has job security and the chance to build a nest egg. It’s a safe situation foreign to many Americans living off unemployment checks these days.

In April, University of Missouri red-shirt sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will anxiously wait for his name to be announced at the 2009 NFL draft. He will then place the ball cap of his new team on top of his head and hold up a jersey while wearing a milliondollar smile.

If you read Maclin’s biography on Missouri’s athletic Web site, it says the 21-year-old has an interest in accounting or marketing at Mizzou’s School of Business. I’d say he already passed macro-economics by turning to the NFL for a guaranteed paycheck.

Look all around. Our friends, our parents

It doesn’t matter if you are white, black, male, female, high school dropout or a college graduate. We are all in this sinking ship together.”

and our co-workers have all been slapped in the face by an economy in the toilet.

It doesn’t matter if you are white, black, male, female, high school dropout or a college graduate. We are all in this sinking ship together.

Athletes are the ones who can plug the holes, bucking the trend and creating a stable life for themselves and their families in these unstable times.

Class dismissed.

Ryan Fowler is the weekend sports anchor for NBC 24 Sports. He can be reached at bgsualum03@hotmail.com.

ROCKET DOUBLEHEADER SATURDAY, FEB. 28TH Women’s basketball vs. Eastern Michigan at 4:30 p.m.

Men’s basketball vs. Western Michigan at 7:00 p.m.

Family Day $5 Admission (Buy one ticket for $5 and bring up to 9 additional First-Year Head Coach Tricia Cullop

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SPORTS

A30 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

UT BASKETBALL

Height not always an advantage for UT cager

By Scott McKimmy TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JOHN POLLOCK

At 6 feet 9 inches, UT forward/ center Justin Anyijong may stand closer to the basket than most players, but the sophomore said he still has his “ups and downs.”

Anyijong overcame an early-season slump to become a productive shooter, and his height had little to do with the turnaround.

“Yes, I am tall,” he said, “but I’m always giving up weight [to opposing centers]. I have to use my quickness and athletic ability. I struggled shooting the

first couple of games during the year and couldn’t make shots. Some games were like 3 of 15 or 1 of 11, and just lately I have my shooting percentage way up. Those are the ups — my shooting percentage being high and making shots for the team.”

His career took an upswing long ago and far away. His family moved to the United States from Khartoum, Sudan, when Anyijong was a young child. At 12 years old in Grand Rapids, Mich., he was invited to join a youth basketball program. His ability to block shots and defend opponents quickly drew attention, eventually from college recruiters who offered him a full

scholarship with the Rockets.

And while he credits the United Nations for helping his parents immigrate to the states, he attributes his on-court success solely to his fellow Rocket cagers.

“I have to give credit to my teammates and the coaches, who just kept on having faith in me, and that gave me a lot of confidence,” Anyijong added. “So once you earn your teammates’ trust and your coaches’ trust, your confidence is going to always rise up.

“There’s been a couple ups and downs, but it seems like I’ve come a long way and I’ve started picking it up and learning more about what’s going on and understanding my position and my [role on] the team.”

With two more seasons ahead of him, Anyijong has time to leave

his legacy in Rocket history. Each year, he gains strength through offseason workouts, hoping to level the playing field against bigger — but not necessarily taller — players he squares off against on the court.

His academic studies are developing as well, although he hasn’t committed to a major. For now, Anyijong said he’s sticking to general studies with his main goal to walk away with a degree. He emphasized that his college career focuses on preparing him for a future in which basketball may or may not be on his list of things to do.

“Basketball is something I love doing,” he said. “And after I graduate — I just want to get my degree — and if teams out there are willing to pay me to play basketball, I’m willing to do it.”

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ARTS LIFE

WGTE highights ■ “Electronic Currents,” 9 p.m. Feb. 22 on Public Radio FM 91: Join Richard Paton for an hour of ambient, chilled, house, techno and dance music.

■ “Toledo Stories: Undefeated: The Chuck Ealey Story,” 8 p.m. Feb. 26 on WGTE TV: The story of the undefeated quarterback and his University of Toledo winning streak.

A31

IN CONCERT

By Vicki L. Kroll TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER vkroll@toledofreepress.com

“Wishing You Were Here.” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day.” “If You Leave Me Now.” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” “You’re the Inspiration.” “Glory of Love.” “The Next Time I Fall.”

Peter Cetera has written and cowritten some big hits.

“I don’t care if it’s fast, slow, in the middle, screaming — whatever it is — if it doesn’t have a good melody, to me, it’s never going to be a memorable song,” he said. “I can’t remember the last song — or any song for that matter — that people can quote it word for word for word and not remember the melody. However, every song ever written, I guarantee you somebody knows the melody to that, but they don’t know the words.”

The 64-year-old added, “I think I’ve managed to combine emotion and true feelings with memorable melodies, and the words just happen to get dragged in there along the way.”

It’s been quite a musical path for Cetera. The bass player was the last original member to join the Chicago Transit Authority in 1967. He stayed with the legendary band that shortened its name and had a long string of hits until 1985, when the singer-songwriter wanted to work on a second solo record.

Cetera’s 1986 disc, “Solitude/ Solitaire,” included “Glory of Love,” which was featured in “The Karate Kid II.” The song went to No. 1 and Cetera received an Academy Award nomination.

The blond tenor will perform songs from his solo career and revisit Chicago favorites with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. March 7 at Stranahan Theater.

Tickets are $45 and $35.

Cetera answered questions for Toledo Free Press from Nashville, Tenn., where he was rehearsing with his band and visiting one of his daughters.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Peter Cetera to sing with Toledo Symphony

■

PETER CETERA WILL SING WITH THE TOLEDO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AT 8 P.M. MARCH 7 AT THE STRANAHAN THEATER.

TFP: The first instrument you played was the accordion?

Cetera: My parents would not buy me a guitar. In the year between grammar school and high school, I was working as a stock boy in the supermarket and made enough money and went to Montgomery Wards or Sears or wherever it was and bought a $25 guitar and kind of learned those first position chords and then realized at that time in music, you could play just about every top 10 song there was with three, four, five, six chords.

TFP: Is that a true story about how you came to have that clenched-

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jaw singing style? You, a Chicago Cubs fan, were at a game in Los Angeles in 1969 and got into a fight?

Cetera: Yeah, let’s just say some Marines didn’t like my long hair and we got into a little beef, and I had a broken jaw and I was wired shut for a few months. And when they cut the wires off, I was always afraid of my jaw sticking open again, so I don’t really open my mouth a lot when I sing.

TFP: You’ve sung so many duets over the years — with Amy Grant, Cher, Chaka Khan, Alison Krauss.

What makes them special?

Cetera: I think people just love

duets. And when you combine duets with a great song, it’s magic. What’s always been fun with me is it gives you a chance to sing with someone — and in my case, outside of the Cher thing [“After All”], which was they came to me — I pick the duets just by luck, and it’s always a surprise, and when you get into the studio, it’s a unique experience.

TFP: Would you consider reuniting with Chicago for some concerts?

Cetera: I don’t think so. ... I tried to put something together with them years back when I had my first album out — the first two songs from my album were No. 1 —

about doing a joint billing and then for us getting together for the end of the evening and do a few songs together, but they didn’t want to do it, so that was that and this is now.

You know, it’s all about the money anyhow, so it’s not about the love; all these people aren’t doing this for the love, they’re doing this for the money. And I just haven’t gotten to the point and I can’t see myself getting there where I would just do it for the money because I love what I’m doing now.

On the web

visit www.petercetera.com

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ARTS LIFE

A32 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

HOME VIDEO

Ohio horror hosts reach from the grave in new documentary SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS

In the glory days of local broadcasting, a cadre of cadaverous characters stalked the late-night airwaves of most cities in the United States. They were TV horror hosts — ghoulishly attired masters of ceremony with a taste for bad movies and even worse puns who introduced horror films during the final hours of the broadcast day.

While most of these hosts went off the air in the 1980s, they have been resurrected in the new documentary “American Scary,” which arrived on DVD Feb. 17. Filmmakers Sandy Clark and John Hudgens corralled and interviewed dozens of hosts from across the country, as well as famous fans like author Neil Gaiman and comedian Tim Conway, to present an oral history of this uniquely American form of entertainment.

Clark was inspired to make the film when he noticed fans lining up to get autographs from San Francisco “Creature Features” host Bob Wilkins at a California comic convention and after seeing a relatively reserved friend become giddy at the mention of Nashville horror host Sir Cecil Creape.

“I wondered, what is this kind of

magical power these people have to transport men back to their childhood hearts?” said Clark, a writer who lives in Springfield, Mo. “That really fascinated me.”

The earliest horror hosts, like Vampira (Maila Nurmi) in Los Angeles, emerged in the early to mid-1950s, but the idea took off nationwide in 1957, when Universal Studios released its classic horror titles (“Dracula,” “The Wolf Man,” etc.) to television under the “Shock Theater” banner.

Ohio had more than its share of hosts, and the Buckeye State is well represented in American Scary through interviews with Cleveland’s The Ghoul, Son of Ghoul from Akron, Chuck Schodowski and Jon Rinaldi (of “The Big Chuck and Lil’ John Show” in Cleveland), Dayton’s A. Ghastlee Ghoul and Dr. Creep, Defiance’s Dr.

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Mor B.S. and Toledo’s Dr. Shock.

The documentary also includes ample footage of the legendary Ernie “Ghoulardi” Anderson, a Draculavoiced hipster in a goatee and fright wig who practically ruled Cleveland from his perch hosting Shock Theater from 1963 to 1966.

While other hosts engaged in a sort-of-mock anarchy during their shows, Anderson was the real deal. Broadcasting live from WJW, Ghoulardi openly detested the films he showed, nearly burned down the studio while lighting fireworks on his set and regularly skewered local politicians and TV personalities.

“Ghoulardi utterly obliterated tradition and propriety,” said Michael Monahan, “American Scary’s” associate producer. “The crime rate dropped significantly when his

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show was on. Ultimately, he was much more than a horror host, he was a cultural phenomenon.”

Ghoulardi appeared in Toledo during a short stint hosting “Maverick” reruns on Channel 13. But the hosts most Toledo fans remember were from Michigan: Sir Graves Ghastly (the late Lawson Deming), who appeared on Detroit’s Channel 2 (WJBK), and Ghoulardi protégé The Ghoul (Ron Sweed), whose show was syndicated on Channel 50 in the 1970s.

“There was a connection with the host,” says Doug Agosti, whose Dr. Shock character on WUPW was inspired by The Ghoul. “They were there for the audience that was watching. They made you part of the show. You could send things in, and sometimes you’d see it on the air. If your name got announced on the show, you were the talk of the school on Monday because other people saw it.”

Increased competition from “Saturday Night Live,” cable and home video put an end to many of these hosted programs in the 1970s, with infomercials pushing the remaining hosts (including Dr. Shock) off the air in the 1990s.

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“Someone would send in a tape with $2,000 to put it on overnight,” Clark said. “What station could say no? It was free money.”

A new generation of hosts has soldiered on in the new m i l l e n n iu m , though, taking their acts to public access DR. SHOCK stations and, increasingly, the Internet. Dr. Shock, meanwhile, has remained active making lowbudget horror films and through his regular appearances on WGTE. There have been more than 300 horror hosts in the United States since the original “Shock Theater” package premiered.

“I hope the film inspires people to go back and maybe look into their own local history,” Clark said. “Ultimately, the history of these hosts belongs to us, the fans, and we’re the only ones who can protect it.”

On the web

visit www.americanscary.com.

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ARTS LIFE

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A33

EXHIBITS

TMA offers patrons a glimpse at recent acquisitions

By John Dorsey TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER jdorsey@toledofreepress.com

The face of modern art is everchanging. Nowhere is that more

evident than the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA). The TMA’s latest exhibition “Look What’s New!” offers a rare exploration into the world of art acquisitions. The exhibit, which highlights more

than 1,100 original works of art acquired since the museum’s centennial anniversary in 2001, will open Feb. 27.

“We’ve been thinking about putting this exhibit together for quite

some time. We want our patrons to know that we are actively out in the marketplace collecting. We really do have very little in storage, and when we buy a piece it is with the intent to display it,” said Exhibit Co-Curator Jutta Page.

Page, who put together the exhibition with Lawrence W. Nichols, the museum’s curator of European paintings and sculptures before 1900, worked with an intern to find out everything the museum had collected in recent years.

“The most difficult part of the process of putting together an exhibit of this size, which takes works from every part of the museum, is making sure that it retains a clear focus. You have also to examine conservation issues, such as sensitivity to light, which was a real concern with our collection of drawings. Other pieces, such as some of the works of Japanese art, were just very difficult to move into a space like the Canaday Gallery and were best suited where they already were,” Page said.

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While the majority of the works in the exhibition have been placed in the Canaday Gallery and the Graphic Arts corridor, the exhibit is truly wide-reaching into all of the galleries, including the outdoor Georgia and David K. Welles Sculpture Garden and the Glass Pavilion.

Gallery 18 has been designated for the installation of works of art acquired during the run of the exhibition. Labeled “Look What’s Really New,” this gallery invites visitors to watch the collection “grow” over multiple visits. The exhibition will also feature talks by a number of the museum’s curators.

To go along with the exhibit, the museum has decided to publish a book of the highlighted works, which will be available for purchase in March. There will also be an exhibition celebration/80s party on from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 6 Admission is free for museum members and $15 for non-members. The exhibit will be on display through May 31.

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ARTS LIFE

A34 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

ARTIST

Nationally acclaimed artist to exhibit at Terhune Gallery

By John Dorsey TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER jdorsey@toledofreepress.com

The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery’s ongoing Black History Month celebration will host an exhibition by nationally acclaimed portrait painter Beverly McIver. The gallery, which is located in the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts, is set to open Feb. 23.

In addition to the exhibition, Owens is also offering patrons the opportunity to attend a luncheon and lecture with the artist on Feb. 26, at 11:30 a.m. in the College Hall Terrace View Café. Reservations must be made prior to the event. McIver will also be giving a free lecture presentation that evening at 7 p.m. in the College’s

Center for Fine and Performing Arts Room 111.

“Owens Community College’s Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery is proud to welcome such a widely accomplished and profound artist as Beverly McIver to Northwest Ohio,” said Wynn Perry, Owens part-time coordinator of the Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery. “McIver is best known for her paintings addressing issues of racial identity. Her current body of work, “Coming Home,” which is being exhibited at Owens, looks at

the love, hope, joy and sorrow experienced by all families, crossing racial boundaries to express commonalities universal to humanity.”

According to a description McIver gave author Catherine King in 2003 for the blog The Tears of Things, “I am known as a portrait painter. All of my portraits are self-portraits.

That is, I use the faces of others who reflect my most inner being.”

McIver’s work has been exhibited at the Asheville Art Museum,

the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, among others. Over the years, she has held teaching positions at Pennsylvania State University, North Carolina Central University and Duke University, as well as artist residences at placesranging from YADDO in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to the Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, Calif. Additionally, McIver’s honors include the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, a fellowship at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies and the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award.

McIver’s work will be on display through March 26. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

For more information, call (567) 661-2721 or visit www.owens.edu.

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The Toledo Clinic is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Oliver H. Jenkins and Dr. Christopher B. Perry to its staff, beginning February 1, 2009.

Dr. Jenkins is Board Certified in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery by the American Board of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery Dr. Perry is Board Certified in Otolaryngology & Facial Plastic Surgery by the American Osteopathic Board of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jenkins or Dr. Perry please call 419-724-8368 4405 North Holland-Sylvania Road Suite 101 Toledo, OH 43623 Now Accepting New Patients

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www.Toledostripletreat.com

TV LISTINGS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 Sunday Evening 7 pm ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

Walters 60 Minutes (CC)

8 pm

8:30

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30 News (N) CSI: NY

Boston Legal (CC) News (N) Paid Prog.

Nova (CC) (DVS) Nature (CC) (DVS) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Movie Friends Friends Monk (CC)

Lincoln

Austin City Limits (CC)

Half

Monk (CC)

Masterpiece Classic (N) Movie Payne Payne Half

CSI: Miami (CC) › How High (2001)

CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) The Sopranos (CC) ››› Scary Movie (2000) Shawn Wayans. (CC) Katt Williams

Wizards Wizards Red Carpet-Awards NBA Basketball

Sonny Wizards ›› The Lizzie McGuire Movie Phineas Suite Life Montana Soup Awd The Soup 20 Most Horrifying Hollywood Murders The Soup After Party NBA Basketball Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers.

SportsCenter (Live) (CC)

The Sopranos (CC) Katt Williams

››› Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) (CC) ››› Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) (CC) ››› What She Knew ›› Normal Adolescent Behavior (2007) (CC) Army Wives (CC) Grey’s Anatomy (CC) The Real World (CC) UFC Unleashed Payne Payne

Nitro Cir Fantasy Fantasy College Nitro Cir News Fantasy College UFC Unleashed UFC Unleashed Ways Die Ways Die MANswers MANswers ›› Men in Black II (2002) (PA) ›› Men in Black II (2002) Tommy Lee Jones. SpiderMan

Bad-Beautiful ››› Twister (1996)

››› Stage Door (1937) (CC) (DVS) ››› The Dresser (1983) Albert Finney. (CC) Star-Born ››› The Rock (1996) Sean Connery. (CC) ››› The Rock (1996) Sean Connery. (CC)

NCIS “Bloodbath”

NCIS “Jeopardy” (CC)

NCIS “Hiatus” (CC)

NCIS “Hiatus” (CC)

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

Psych (CC)

February 23, 2009

MOVIES

7:30

9:30

Entertain

Insider

Fortune Deal No

Jeopardy! Big Bang How I Met Two Men Christine TMZ (N) House (N) (CC) 24 (N) (PA) (CC)

The Bachelor “The Women Tell All” (N) (CC)

True Beauty “Finale”

News (N)

Nightline

CSI: Miami (CC) News (N)

News (N) Seinfeld

Late Show My Wife

Chuck (N) (CC) Antiques Roadshow

Heroes “Cold Wars” Medium (N) (CC) News (N) Tonight American Experience History Detectives (N) Charlie Rose (N) (CC)

Law Order: CI Friends Friends CSI: Miami “Deviant”

Twilight Twilight Twilight Twilight Intervention “Nicole”

Masters of Illusion Masters of Illusion Intervention (N) (CC)

Scrubs Suite Life

Scrubs Scrubs Futurama S. Park The Proud Family (2005) (CC) Phineas

Scrubs Montana

E! News Daily 10 Kardashians College Basketball Louisville at Georgetown. ’70s Show ’70s Show Secret-Teen

Movie News (N) Scrubs Fam. Guy Punk’d Paranorml Paranorml Paranorml Paranorml Futurama Martin Daily Wizards Life Derek Suite Life

Colbert Montana

The Girls Next Door Fashion Police Chelsea E! News College Basketball Kansas at Oklahoma. (CC) SportsCenter (CC) Kyle XY (N) (CC) Secret-Teen The 700 Club (CC)

How I Met How I Met Rita Reba (CC) Wife Swap (CC) The Real World (CC) Best Dance Crew Hedsor Hall

DietTribe (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace The City Aftershow The City Aftershow

CSI: Crime Scn Seinfeld Seinfeld ››› Arizona (1940)

CSI: Crime Scn ›› Lucky Number Slevin (2006) Josh Hartnett.

MANswers Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Name Earl Name Earl Seinfeld Sex & City ››› The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) ›››› East of Eden (1955) James Dean.

Law & Order “Fixed” NCIS (CC)

Law & Order NCIS “Family” (CC)

7 pm

7:30

The Closer (N) (CC) Trust Me (N) (CC) WWE Monday Night Raw (S Live) (CC)

8:30

Entertain Fortune

Insider Lost “316” (CC) Jeopardy! Christine Gary

Deal No News (N)

TMZ (N) News (N)

9 pm

Saving Grace (CC) Burn Notice (CC)

February 25, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

9:30

Lost (N) (CC) Criminal Minds (N)

American Idol Semifinalists perform. (CC) The Biggest Loser (N) Life “Hit Me Baby” (N)

Life on Mars (N) (CC) CSI: NY (N) (CC)

News (N) News (N)

Nightline Late Show

News (N) Seinfeld Law & Order (CC)

Seinfeld News (N)

My Wife Tonight

Secrets of the Dead World’s Fun World’s Fun

America’s Ballroom Challenge (N) (CC) Shaken Not Stirred Movie Shaken Not Stirred News (N) Scrubs

Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Fam. Guy

Punk’d

CSI: Miami (CC) Scrubs Scrubs

Dog Daily

Dog Dog Futurama S. Park

Exterm Daily

Exterm Colbert

Dog S. Park

Exterm Martin

Suite Life Montana ›› The Color of Friendship (2000) Wizards Wizards Life Derek Suite Life Montana E! News Daily 10 True Hollywood Story ›› Beauty Shop (2005) Queen Latifah.

Chelsea E! News College Basketball Connecticut at Marquette. College Basketball Duke at Maryland. (CC) SportsCenter (CC) ’70s Show ’70s Show ››› Matilda (1996) Mara Wilson. (CC) Funniest Home Videos The 700 Club (CC) Still Stnd Still Stnd Reba (CC) Reba (CC) ›› Wisegal (2008) Alyssa Milano. (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace Made CSI: Crime Scn Seinfeld Seinfeld

From G’s to Gents CSI: Crime Scn Payne Payne

Dr Ehrlich’s Law & Order

››› Dark Victory (1939, Drama) Bette Davis. ››› Men in Black (1997) Tommy Lee Jones.

››› Awakenings (1990) Robert De Niro. (CC) Star Wars Star Wars Trust Me (CC)

NCIS (CC)

House (CC)

NCIS “Escaped” (CC)

Friday Evening 7 pm Entertain Fortune

7:30

The Real World (CC) The Real World (N) UFC’s Ultimate Fight Night Payne Payne Payne Payne

NCIS “Shalom” (CC)

8:30

Insider Wife Swap (N) (CC) Jeopardy! Ghost Whisperer (N)

9 pm

The Real World (CC) Ways Die Ways Die Seinfeld 10 Items

Law & Order: SVU

February 27, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

9:30

Supernanny (N) (CC) Flashpoint (N) (CC)

20/20 (CC) NUMB3RS (N) (CC)

News (N) News (N)

Nightline Late Show

Sarah Connor Dollhouse (N) (CC) News (N) Seinfeld My Wife Howie Do Howie Do Friday Night Lights (N) Dateline NBC (CC) News (N) Tonight Wash Wk Deadline Bill Moyers Journal (N) NOW Plugged In To Be Announced

Law Order: CI Friends Friends

WWE Friday Night SmackDown! (CC) WWE Friday Night SmackDown! (CC)

CSI: Miami “Driven” Scrubs Scrubs Suite Life Montana

CSI: Miami (CC) Daily Colbert Suite Life Phineas

UFC News (N)

Scrubs

CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami “Lost Son” Futurama Presents Presents Presents Life Is Ruff (2005) Kyle Massey.

Suite Life

NurseTV Fam. Guy

TBA Punk’d

Criminal Minds (CC) Jo Koy: Angry Suite Life Montana

E! News Daily 10 15 Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies (N) The Soup Dating 2 Chelsea E! News NBA Basketball Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic. (Live) NBA Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers at San Antonio Spurs. ’70s Show ’70s Show ’70s Show ’70s Show ’70s Show ’70s Show Funniest Home Videos The 700 Club (CC) Still Stnd Still Stnd Reba (CC) Reba (CC) Racing for Time (2008) Charles S. Dutton. (CC) Medium (CC) Jonas MTV Spec The Real World (CC) MTV Special MTV Special Fantasy College CSI: Crime Scn Fam. Guy Fam. Guy

DEA Real Vice Real Vice Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Disorderly Con. Sex & City Sex & City

››› 1776 (1972) (CC) ›››› Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) ››› All the King’s Men (1949, Drama) (CC) Law & Order ››› The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Elijah Wood. (CC) Cast Away NCIS (CC) House “Mob Rules” Monk (CC) Law & Order: SVU House “Unfaithful”

we’re paraphrasing the gist of President Barack Obama’s address to Congress and the nation, but we bet we’re close. In this historic moment, President Obama’s gift of oratory will surely come in handy when he outlines the challenges and opportunities we face in the year ahead.

Look for a shout-out to Oprah.

Wednesday 8 p.m. on CBS 11 The New Adventures of Old Christine: Someone needs to give Richard (Clark Gregg) an etiquette book and highlight the part about gifts. Once you give something, it belongs to the recipient. But that doesn’t stop him from trying to get Christine (Julia LouisDreyfus) to give him back his mother’s wedding ring; he wants it for New Christine (Emily Rutherfurd). Sure, every girl wants to wear a ring from a marriage that ended in divorce.

Tuesday 9 p.m. on ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 State of the Union: “Yikes.” OK,

Tuesday Evening 7 pm ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

7:30

8:30

Entertain

Insider

Fortune Deal No

Jeopardy! NCIS (N) (CC) TMZ (N) Bones (PA) (CC)

Homeland-USA

9:30

State of the Union

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30 To Be Announced

State of the Union “2009” (CC) State of the Union “2009” (CC)

Two Men News

News (N)

Nightline

News (N)

Late Show My Wife

The Biggest Loser (N) State of the Union Nova “Rat Attack” (N) Frontline (CC) (DVS)

Law & Order: SVU News (N) Independent Lens (N) (CC)

Law Order: CI Friends Friends CSI: Miami “Collision”

Street Pat Street Pat Videos Videos Street Pat Street Pat Videos Videos The First 48 (CC) The First 48 (CC)

Movie News (N) Scrubs Fam. Guy Punk’d Manhunter Manhunter The Beast “Hothead”

Scrubs Suite Life

Daily Colbert Futurama S. Park ›› Beethoven’s 5th (2003) Phineas

Carlos Mencia: Strings Daily Wizards Life Derek Suite Life

Scrubs Montana

Tonight Indian

Colbert Montana

E! News Daily 10 Natalee Holloway THS Investigates Kidnapping Chelsea E! News College Basketball Penn State at Ohio State.

College Basketball Florida at LSU. (Live) (CC) SportsCenter (CC) ’70s Show ’70s Show Funniest Home Videos Funniest Home Videos Funniest Home Videos The 700 Club (CC) Still Stnd Made

Still Stnd

Reba (CC) Reba (CC) The Tenth Circle (2008) Kelly Preston. (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace True Life TI After Dark TI From G’s to Gents (N) From G’s to Gents

CSI: Crime Scn Seinfeld Seinfeld ››› Gervaise (1956)

CSI: Crime Scn Ultimate Knockouts Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy ››› The Burmese Harp (1956) Shoji Yasui.

DEA (N) Real Vice The Office The Office 10 Items ›››› Rashomon (1950, Drama)

Leverage (CC) NCIS “Identity Crisis”

Leverage (CC) House “DNR” (CC)

Leverage (N) (CC) House “Detox” (CC)

7:30

Leverage (CC) House “Histories”

8:30

9 pm

9:30

Entertain Fortune

Insider Ugly Betty (N) (CC) Grey’s Anatomy (CC) Jeopardy! Survivor: Tocantins (N) CSI: Crime Scn

Deal No News (N)

TMZ (N) News (N)

American Idol (CC) Furious Kath-Kim

Real Vice Sex & City 7 Samurai

Bones (CC) Law Order: CI

February 26, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30 Private Practice (CC) News (N) Eleventh Hour (N) (CC) News (N)

Hell’s Kitchen (N) (CC) News Seinfeld The Office 30 Rock ER “T-Minus-6” (N)

NewsHour Business Law Order: CI Friends Friends

Toledo Stories (CC) Masterpiece Theatre (CC) (DVS) › The Street King (2002, Drama) Jon Seda.

Movie › The Street King (2002, Drama) Jon Seda.

News (N)

The First 48 (CC) Scrubs Scrubs

The First 48 (CC) Daily Colbert

The First 48 (N) (CC) Futurama S. Park

Seinfeld News (N)

Nightline Late Show My Wife Tonight

Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Scrubs

Fam. Guy

Punk’d

The Beast “Capone” The Beast “Capone” S. Park Futurama Daily Colbert

Suite Life Montana The Cheetah Girls: One World Wizards Wizards Life Derek Suite Life Montana E! News Daily 10 Hulk Hogan & Family: The E! THS Soup Awd Girls Extra Girls Chelsea E! News College Basketball Teams TBA. (Live) (CC) College Basketball Teams TBA. (Live) (CC) SportsCenter (CC) ’70s Show ›› Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992, Comedy) (CC) Funniest Home Videos The 700 Club (CC) Still Stnd Still Stnd Reba (CC) Reba (CC) ›› Angel Eyes (2001) Jennifer Lopez. (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace Made CSI: Crime Scn Seinfeld Seinfeld

Making the Band 4 CSI: Crime Scn Friends Friends

Making the Band 4 (N) Best Dance Crew Best Dance Crew TNA iMPACT! (N) (CC) Toughest Cowboy (N) Friends Friends ›› Enough (2002) (PA) Jennifer Lopez. (CC)

››› The Rains Came ›››› The African Queen (1951) (CC) ››› A River Runs Through It (1992) (CC) Law & Order “Gaijin” NBA Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets.

NBA Basketball: Suns at Lakers NCIS “Lost & Found”

House “Cursed” (CC)

Saturday Evening 7 pm ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

9 pm

News (N) News (N) NewsHour Business

7 pm ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

February 24, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

Thursday Evening

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Deal No TMZ (N) News (N) News (N) NewsHour Business

CSI: Crime Scn Seinfeld Seinfeld

Sunday 7 p.m. on ABC 13 The Barbara Walters Special: She’s done it again! How does she land these people?

Oh, yeah, she’s Barbara Walters. Now in its 28th year, the pre-Oscar special features Oscar nominees Anne Hathaway and Mickey Rourke, Oscar host Hugh Jackman, and teen heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers. Which one of these is not like the others? OK, so maybe the Jonases won’t have a lot to say, but it’s certainly been an interesting year for Hathaway and an interesting life for Rourke.

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

NewsHour Business Law Order: CI Friends Friends

Dog Colbert

Critic’s Choice

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

News (N) News (N) NewsHour Business

Wednesday Evening

ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

9:30

NASCAR Racing Sprint Cup -- Auto Club 500. (S Live) (CC) News (N) Seinfeld Dateline NBC (CC) 100 Most Outrageous Moments 2 (N) (CC)

7 pm

ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

9 pm

Carpet The 81st Annual Academy Awards Achievements in film. (S Live) (CC) The Amazing Race 14 Cold Case (CC) The Unit (CC) News (N)

Monday Evening ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 MNT 48 MNT 20 A&E COM DISN E! ESN FAM LIF MTV SPK TBS TCM TNT USA

February 22, 2009

MOVIES

7:30

■ A35

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

7:30

House “Control” (CC)

8:30

9 pm

Law & Order: SVU

February 28, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

Burn Notice (N) (CC)

9:30

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Entertainment Tonight Funniest Home Videos ›› Bewitched (2005) Nicole Kidman.

Fortune Cash Exp. Cold Case (CC) 48 Hours Mystery (CC) 48 Hours Mystery (N)

News (CC) Monk (CC) News (N) CSI: NY

Raymond My Wife Cops (N) Cops (CC) Most Wanted News (N) Paid Prog. Law Order: CI Law & Order: SVU To Be Announced Soundstage (CC) To Be Announced

News Law & Order “Zero” To Be Announced

MADtv (N) (CC) News (N) Sat. Night To Be Announced

American Idol Rewind ›› Girl 6 (1996, Drama) Theresa Randle.

Fam. Guy Paid Prog. ›› Girl 6 (1996, Drama) Theresa Randle.

Cops (CC) Cops (CC) American Idol Rewind ›› Blankman (1994, Comedy) Damon Wayans.

CSI: Miami (CC) National-Van Wilder Suite Life Montana

CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: NY (CC) ›› Legally Blonde (2001) Reese Witherspoon. Dane Cook Vicious Circle (CC) Waiting ...

Dadnapped (2009) Emily Osment. Suite Life Suite Life Cory Suite Life Montana

E! News (N) College Basketball

›› Beauty Shop (2005) Queen Latifah.

Saturday Night Live College GameDay College Basketball UCLA at California. (CC)

The Soup Chelsea SportsCenter (CC)

The Next Karate Kid ›› Happy Gilmore (1996) Adam Sandler. (CC) ›› Happy Gilmore (1996) Adam Sandler. (CC) Twelve Mile Road (2003) Tom Selleck. (CC) America (2009) Rosie O’Donnell. Premiere.

America (2009) (CC) Making the Band 4 › Not Another Teen Movie (2001, Comedy) Best Dance Crew Red Bull BC One (N) Ways Die Ways Die ››› Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith (2005) Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby ›› Old School (2003) Luke Wilson. (CC)

Real Vice Real Vice Commercials

››› The Natural (CC) ››› Fat City (1972) Stacy Keach. ›››› Rocky (1976) Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire. (CC) ››› Cast Away (2000) ››› The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002, Fantasy) Elijah Wood. (CC) Jurassic 3 NCIS “Sandblast” (CC) NCIS “Once a Hero” NCIS “Twisted Sister” NCIS “Smoked” (CC) Burn Notice (CC)

COMICS

A36 â&#x2013; TOLEDO FREE PRESS

GAMES

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

BIFF & RILEY

BY JEFF PAYDEN

DIZZY

BY DEAN HARRIS

Feb. 20-25, 2009

Doug MOATS

Chief Meteorologist

BY ANN RICHMOND FISHER

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â&#x2013; ANSWERS FOUND ON A38 SOLUTION, TIPS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM AT WWW.SUDOKU.COM

Third Rock

Almanac

Events: New Moon in Pisces (on Mardi Gras, 24th)

Circus Animals

by Ann Fisher How many questions can you answer about animals at the circus?

1. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the largest animal in a circus?

2. What animal sometimes bounces a ball on its nose?

3. Name at least four circus animals that have four legs.

4. How much food do you think an elephant eats in a day: 2 pounds, 25 pounds or 250 pounds?

5. Which circus animal can run the fastest: an elephant, a lion or a zebra?

6. Would you rather train elephants or lions? Why? 7. What large, spotted cat might you see in a circus?

8. Can you think of two animals with stripes that might be in a circus?

â&#x2013; ANSWERS FOUND ON A38

YOUR TAROTGRAM AND HOROSCOPE

Feb. 22-28, 2008

BY ELIZABETH HAZEL

ANSWERS: 1. elephant 2. seal 3. elephants, tigers, lions, bears, horses, dogs, etc. 4. 250 pounds 5. A lion. (It can run up to 50 mph, a zebra can run 40 mph, and an elephant can run 25 mph.) 7. a leopard 8. tiger, zebra

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Diamond-tipped drill. Whatever you want to accomplish must be accompanied by intensity of purpose and able partners. Wednesday and Thursday favor deals and dynamic actions. Romance sparkles over the weekend, but worries loom in the background.

Flash of recognition. Relationships and love are chief topics of discussion this week, and can lead you to consider your own in a new light. An older woman experiences status changes midweek. A man near you struggles with stubborn personal patterns over the weekend.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Providential good fortune. Tuesday is an excellent day for meeting fascinating people and discovering opportunities; attend Mardi Gras parties. Good luck continues through Friday; messages and meetings deliver favorable, lucrative and possibly romantic bonuses.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Wise old owl. Your outgoing personally is a big benefit when you go out this week. Old friends lead you to new acquaintances. Big ideas are in the wind, and require ingenuity and flexibility. Some health or emotional issues crop up as the weekend arrives.

Wisdom and wealth. Sparks fly this week, so get ready for action! Travel and new projects line up swiftly, while an old project may bring surprising and welcome returns. Know a crisis magnet when you spot one over the weekend; avoid pointless confrontations.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Animal magnetism. Long term plans are considered under the new moon; old business is finally completed.

An energetic woman is the key to admission to new networks midweek. Mix business with pleasure in a dynamic public environment on Friday evening.

Vessel of love. People scatter in new directions this week, and may introduce you to fresh resources and interesting people. A clever person fulfills a pressing wish or desire on Wednesday. Relatives discuss legal or medical matters as the weekend arrives.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Baby pictures. This week reveals significant growth and development in personal affairs and around loved ones.

Travel plans gain added options midweek; try to hone in on specifics. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as the weekend arrives.

A faithful reproduction. Good fortune blooms on Mardi Gras, and delivers a new job or romantic interest. Your singular or unusual interests attract others with similar proclivities all week. Make sure you get business cards or phone numbers for future contacts.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Barber, tailor, shoemaker. If the job doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit the person, awkward matches will be noticeable this week. You can see the inner workings of various relationships midweek; peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choices are revealing. Friday night favors friendly gatherings and short journeys.

Unshakable loyalty. The new moon signals a period when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re switching gears from one focus to another.

Buying, selling, and exchanges are highlighted from Tuesday to Thursday. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let grumpy people spoil your good mood over the weekend.

Patron of the arts. Water finds its own level this week; people reveal their true colors through word and deed. Care for the young or elderly requires planning midweek. After Thursdays, discussions may touch on dangerous or touchy topics. Avoid toxic environments.

Elizabeth Hazel is a professional tarotist-astrologer and author. She gives readings every Wednesday at Pub St. George above Manos Greek Restaurant. She may be contacted at ehazel@buckeye-express.com (c) 2008

COMICS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

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Subject ACROSS 1. Toledo-born founder of Dischord Records and drummer for Minor Threat 7. Made Tracks 10. Dobbs or Costello 12. Extreme 13. ---for Living (7640 West Bancroft) 14. Toledo born bassist for rock band Weezer 18. With 31-Across, heavy metal band formed in Toledo in 1996 21. The Beaver State 25. Ortiz of "Ugly Betty" 26. Carpet Surface 28. Books, in brief 29. Buffalo hockey squad 31. See 18-Across 33. Toledo-born R&B singer ("Will I Ever"), born Chester 38. He lost to Clarkson in the first "American Idol" final 40. Progress 42. Salonga or Thompson 43. Little One 44. Toledo-born R&B singer, winner of eight Grammys DOWN

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2. Where the envelope is licked 3. Profit after expenses 4. Any of the three most important factors in house sales 5. Senior 6. Toledo felon still in the news 8. Godless type 9. Put into a bad temper 11. Addict 15. It doesn't pay 16. Torch, stateside 17. Spill the beans 19. Three/match link 20. Crony 22. Change the price of 23. Smooth-talking 24. Lubricate 27. Toledoan Wilbert McClure, for one 30. Wish to take back 32. Ohio American Leaguer 34. Emeritus Toledo newsman Venner 35. Hoosegow 36. Ottawa or Sidecut 37. Obsolete autocrat 39. Fed. funders of culture 41. Massage ■ ANSWERS FOUND ON A38

My childhood home was no exception. All seasons y children went ice-skating for the first time this week. It has been quite awhile since I even dressed involved an ongoing interior tug-of-war between our air myself to ice-skate, so I wasn’t exactly sure how to conditioner and furnace, humidifier and dehumidifier to see which ones could provide us the ultimate prepare them for the big event. I was confilevel of comfort at any given time. The first dent that socks put on in triplicate were no lion’s roar in March still coincides with the doubt in order, but that is where my dressing first simultaneous roar of my parents’ extenconfidence abruptly stopped. Did they need sive network of window air conditioners. If multiple layers of other clothing? Should global warming is man-made, I know the they wear hats and gloves? And then the big address of ground zero. question popped into my mind: “Are they My mom’s insistence upon supreme clisupposed to wear helmets now?” mate control came with rules that I find difWe have Canadian relatives, so they are ficult to shake even today. For instance, the my model for all things winter sport. I cerrule of warm weather was that shorts only tainly never popped on a helmet to ice-skate Shannon SZYPERSKI came out when the temperature reached 70 as a child, but I also never put one on to ride a bike, either. I did vaguely remember seeing a photo of my degrees. I still can’t witness another human being wearing Canadian nieces ice-skating with helmets on, so I thought shorts when its 68 degrees without wondering what is this might be the new norm. Of course, Canada does lean wrong with them and how they can even stand to be outto the socialist side, so for all I know, the government may side in such ill-suited attire.

I sometimes wonder if I am the only one embroiled just hand out helmets as you enter the rink.

I had faced the same dilemma just last month when in this daily pursuit of comfort and safety.

Then I saw a fairly rugged-looking man walking his we took to the sledding hill. Sadly, my high school instinct to not have my kids be the only ones wearing hel- tiny dog in a doggy rain coat one misty morning. Since mets overrode my motherly instinct to throw them on. when do dogs need raincoats? At that moment, I came About 10 minutes into the sledding excursion, my son to realize that my mom was simply way beyond her time came to me rubbing his head and informed me that he with her comfort and prevention obsession. It is now had smacked it on the ground. I decided to not let his- more American to insulate yourself, your loved ones tory repeat itself in a more unfortunate way and took the and, apparently, your pets from any and all possible calamity than it is to take on the world with unadulterated bike helmets to the ice rink.

As much as I’d like to wrap my children in insulated strength and fearlessness.

Part of me would love to raise children with the fortitude bubble wrap when sending them off to do anything with even the remotest possibility of injury or temperature vari- of our pioneering days and pop this bubble we have placed ation, I realize that it would be ridiculous. I also want them ourselves in. However, judging by the fact that my son spent much of his first ice-skating experience on the verge of tears to avoid taking on the climatic wimpiness I often exude.

I was raised at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. My mom took her because the knit gloves I insisted would be enough seemed Girl Scout training to heart and was almost always prepared, to fail to reach his ideal comfort level, I may have missed my especially for weather. Extremely rare was the occasion that chance. Oh, well, maybe the next generation.

I found myself away from home without a pair of shorts under my pants in case the weather turned balmy or a hat Shannon Szyperski and her husband Michael are raising two children in Sylvania. and gloves nearby in case Jack Frost arrived unexpectedly.

CLASSIFIEDS

A38 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

COMMUNITY

EMPLOYMENT

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

RENTALS

ADOPTIONS

DRIVER/DELIVERY/COURIER

HAULING & DUMPSTER RENTAL

HOMES FOR RENT

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PERRYSBURG, OH 419-837-5730 TAYLOR, MI 734-374-5000 Train Local Save Hassle www.traincoinc.com

Safer than a Trailer Metro Toledo’s H.A.I. Roll-off Dumpsters Fast Delivery!

LEGAL NOTICE THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION BY LOCK-IT UP SELF STORAGE ON OR AFTER 3/11/09 AT LEONARD’S AUCTION SERVICE 6350 CONSEAR RD OTTAWA LAKE, MI RICHARD LEONARD AUCTIONEER

You’re only a hops, skip, and jump a whey from the barley and a good time.

Great Food.

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4601 JACKMAN TOLEDO 43612. 1025 RANDAL HOLIDAY 1455 PROUTY HOUSEHOLD. 2007 CARLITA’S 4709 DOUGLAS RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT. 2013 CATRINA WORMLY 3547 WERSELL HOUSEHOLD. 2602 JAMES KOHLER 520 W ALEXIS #8 HOUSEHOLD. 4403 ALICIA BANKS 2612 SCHROEDER HOUSEHOLD. 5418 MICHEAL JIMINEZ 4043 CAROLINE HOUSEHOLD. 4609 PAMELA MCCONNELL 2746 ARLETTA HOUSEHOLD. 4501 PATRICK ELSON 1956 W ALEXIS #308 HOUSEHOLd. 6010 MICHAEL DARR 160 GRANDOLPH LOWER HOUSEHOLD. 802 S. REYNOLDS TOLEDO 43615.

3519 MYRTLE SPARKS 2360 FULTON HOUSEHOLD. 1035 THERESA HITE 1517 SECOR #335 HOUSEHOLD. 12400 WILLIAMS PERRYSBURG 43551. 3011 DONALD HUMPHREY 125 EDGEWOOD #3 HOUSEHOLD. 10008 MARY SKIBSKI 2318 VALLEYBROOK HOUSEHOLD. 3032 AIRPORT HWY TOLEDO 43609. 7229 PEGGY MATNEY 1117 COLTON HOUSEHOLD. 6222 ALICIA SMITH 2624 AMARA #1 HOUSEHOLD. 4307 REBECA RUIZ 3310 ARLINGTON #5 HOUSEHOLD. 2441 ALFREDA HOWZE 1831 FAIRFAX HOUSEHOLD. 2301 HELEN CAIN 1793 1⁄2 W BANCROFT HOUSEHOLD. 1112 TYERINA QUARLES 1216 FOUR SEASONS #3 HOUSEHOLD. 5401 TELEGRAPH RD TOLEDO 43612.

5011 WARREN HAWKINS JR 7429 LUNITAS LN #63 PERRYSBURG HOUSEHOLD. 1046 S BYRNE RD TOLEDO 43609. 2006 TERRANCE JOHNSON 1936 AIRPORT HOUSEHOLD. 3060 S EBER RD MONCLOVA 43542.

2018 DAWN ROBINSON 10430 AIRPORT #124 SWANTON HOUSEHOLD. 7840 SYLVANIA AVE SYLVANIA 43560. 3262 LEGAL SEARCH 608 MADISON STE 1310 HOUSEHOLD/FILES. 10740 AIRPORT HWY SWANTON 43558. 4045 RANDY THATCHER SR 6725 PROVIDENCE NEAPOLIS SWANTON HOUSEHOLD. 3316 DUSTIN RD OREGON 43616. 4015 RENEE EDWARDS RUPLE 6849 US HWY 223 PALMYRA MI HOUSEHOLD.

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS for Architectural / Engineering Services.

The Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA), in anticipation of receiving Capital Fund Grant from the U.S. Department of HUD is soliciting Statement of Qualifications from qualified Architectural/Engineering firms for design services. Solicitation manual is available for pick up at the Modernization Department, 201 Belmont Street, Toledo, OH 46304. If further information is required call Pamela Sims, (419)-259-9462 or FAX (419)-254-3495 or email: psims@lucasmha.org.

Qualifications Statement is to be submitted no later than 02:00pm on March 6, 2009. All offerors shall be required to meet the Affirmative Action Requirements and Equal Employment Opportunity requirements as described in Executive Order #11246. Each offeror must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, handicap, age, or ancestry.

For music listings, drink specials, and weekly dining specials, go to:

theblarneyirishpub.com FRI. FEB. 27 High Country Ramblers 9pm-1am

Only 24 Days until St. Patty’s Day!

Go to www.toledofreepress.com and click on the iSavers button to download money-saving coupons!

SAT. FEB. 28 Kentucky Chrome 9pm-1am

601 Monroe St. Right Across from Fifth Third Field

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Supplement your income. Drive a Taxi Cab. Part-time drivers wanted. No more than 2 points on driving record.

419-471-2378

GENERAL EMPLOYMENT 1000 ENVELOPES= $10,000 guaranteed! Receive $10 for every envelope stuffed with our sales material. Free 24 hour recorded information. 1-800-491-9377.

OCEAN CORP. Houston, Texas. Train for New Career.

Underwater Welder, Commercial Diver, NDT/Weld Inspector. Job placement and financial aid for those who qualify, 1-800-321-0298.

FOR SALE FURNITURE $150 Queen pillow top mattress set. Never used, in plastic. Hand delivered. 419-707-2954.

Bedroom set. 5 piece “solid wood”. New in box.

List $1,800. Sell $695. 419-897-9062 7 piece new queen and style dining set. Upholstered chairs, Still in boxes. $450. 419-707-9970

#1

in Service

House in West Toledo for short term lease or lease purchase. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2 car garage, central air. 419-872-5567 House in Maumee for short term lease, lease purchase, or land contract. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2.5 car garage, central air, approximately 1600 square feet.

419-872-5567 Collingwood, Dorr Area. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.

Enclosed porch, fenced yard. $650/month plus security deposit. Section 8 ok. 734-748-4066.

Best Prices!

419-824-6400 www.haidumpsters.com

■ ANSWERS FROM A36

• 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 & 40 yd. containers • Special Weekend Rates • Discount Prices *credit cards accepted

■ CROSSWORD ANSWERS FROM A37 J E F F A L D R A S E P S F B L O L L A N A S A B R H U L Y F E I R G U A R H N T Y K E

N E L E O T I C A C O T R I I P O M N E S I J E N A D I N I L E A A N

S O L D E T S T P A P L U G N I L I S I T

N S O U E S I E H R I C O R E E S T K A N G S

P E D A I G N S A G N E R U G O N L I T I L L B E

P N R O A D U R A B A K E

T S A R

Microfiber living room 5 piece set. Never used, in box. List $1,499. Sell $575. Hand delivered. 419707-2954.

MISCELLANEOUS GOODS DIRECTV FREE 4 Room System! All 265+ Channels Free 4 Months! 130 HD Channels! Ends Soon, Ask How! Free DVR/HD! Packages Start $29.99/Month! No Start Costs! Were Local Installers! 1-800-973-9027.

FREE DIRECTV 4 Room System! All 265+ Channels Free 4 Months! 130 HD Channels! Ends Soon, Ask How! Free DVR/HD! Packages Start $29.99/Month! No Start Costs! We’re Local Installers! 1-800-306-1953.

WANT TO Purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests. Send details to: P.O.Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

419-724-7437 Your wallet won’t need a bailout with our Happy Hour Prices! $1.00 Domestics & Wells Monday - Friday

■ ANSWERS FROM A36

ANSWERS: 2. platoon-O 3. notable-L 4. tedious-O 5. synapse-Y 6. Odyssey-E 7. igneous-G BUZZWORD: ECOLOGY

WEEKLY LUNCH SPECIAL:

2 SLICES OF PIZZA AND A SODA FOR

$4.95

Tuesday to Friday until 2:00 PM Pick Up Only - Must Bring Coupon COUPON EXPIRES: 2-28-09

28 South Saint Clair • Downtown Toledo

REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSES HOUSES AREA

DAY/TIME

ADDRESS

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

LISTED BY

AGENT

PHONE

Maumee

Sun 2-4

320 Clinton

2 BR, 1 Bath, 726 sf, 1 Car Gar

$110,000

Assist2Sell

Stephany Williams

419-376-0318

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A39

free FEBRUARY

IT’S

Come in for FREE items & easy financing with Ashley!

free

DURAPELLA® Microfiber Oyster 2 Piece Sectional Includes 2 Loveseat Sectional w/ Half Wedges

5 Piece Living Room Includes 2 Piece Sectional, Cocktail Table & 2 End Tables

Pair of Lamps with any 5 Piece Living Room Purchase

699

$

740

$

Sectional & Sofa available in DURAPELLA® Microfiber Oyster, Cocoa or Red

Includes 2 Piece Sectional or Sofa & Loveseat, Cocktail Table & 2 End Tables. Select lamp styles only.

90" Sofa Only $399

Valued at $199

no interest if paid in full by February 2011* 23

State Rt 224 Tiffin Avenue

Cable Rd

Eastown Rd

State Rt 236

23

Diller Road

Meijer

y wa ig h rt H po Air

475

Lima Mall

State Road 309

AMERICAS’ 75

475

75

7450 Timberstone Dr (Behind Wal-Mart) Findlay ı 419•423•2323

3223 Elida Rd (Across from Meijer) Lima ı 419•331•3131

Hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm • Sat: 10am-6pm • Sun: 12-5pm

1520 Spring Meadows Dr. Toledo ı 419•868•5600 Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm Sun: 12-6pm

Looking for a NEW CAREER? Ashley Furniture HomeStores

are always looking for great people, apply within.

*On approved credit. Minimum purchase of $999 required. Financing provided by Citicorp Trust Bank, fsb. Finance Charges will accrue on the purchase from the beginning of the credit promotional period, and minimum payments will be due each billing cycle. However, if you pay the purchase price in full by the expiration date of the credit promotional period, all of the accrued Finance Charges will be waived and no Finance Charges will be assessed on the purchase. Otherwise, all of the accrued Finance Charges will be assessed. Credit promotional period may be terminated if you default under your account agreement. Standard APR 24.99 %, Default APR 29.99%, minimum FINANCE CHARGE $2.00. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS. Some pieces and fabric prints may vary by region. Selection may vary by store. Although every precaution is taken, errors in price and/or specification may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. Prices valid for a limited time only. Participation times may vary. HomeStores are independently owned and operated. An amount equal to sales taxes and delivery charges must be paid at the time of purchase. Previous purchases excluded. Picture may not represent item exactly as shown, advertised items may not be on display at all locations. ©2009 Ashley HomeStores, Ltd. Expires 3/02/2009.

A40 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

FEBRUARY 22, 2009

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