Toledo Free Press - Aug. 30, 2009

First look at the Lucas County Arena, Page A15

A Toledo tradition since 2005 august

30 2009

FREE www.toledofreepress.com

On the morning of July 13, Andrew VanHorn played and won prizes at Bible School.

Hours later, he was found dead.

His death has left a neighborhood in shock and a grieving family looking for answers.

Story by Julia Torres, Page A6

Tickets now on sale for

Jamie Farr Narrates the Planets, Handel’s Messiah, and Rhapsody in Blue!

Call 246-8000 today to secure the best seats to all TSO events or visit www. Toledo Symphony.com

A2 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009

get up,

get active, get healthy Win a $5,000 Scholarship Program

college scholarship!

As the leading health care provider in the region, ProMedica Health System is proud to announce an exciting program, which can earn students $5,000 for college! The program encourages healthy lifestyles, while promoting solid nutrition and exercise habits which will continue throughout the lives of the individuals and families that we are privileged to serve.

To enter, teams of two to four students in grades 10 – 12 will design a 20 – 30 minute fun and interactive exercise program for elementary school students. The program will also include the creation of a healthy snack. Each member of the winning team will receive a $5,000 college scholarship, and the team’s school gets $1,000 for its health and science curricula. The winning exercise program will be implemented in an elementary school within the 27-county area that ProMedica Health System serves.

All entries are due by Dec. 1, 2009.

Log onto www.promedica.org/fieldsofgreen for contest guidelines, entry form and more!

© 2009 ProMedica Health System

LM-149-09 FOG_TFP (9.5x10.5) AD.indd 1

8/26/09 5:05 PM

OPINION

AUGUST 30, 2009

PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

Invest in change

A

few weeks ago, the Toledo Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) sent the Toledo mayoral candidates some suggestions for “proven approaches that offer realistic, achievable improvement” for our community. These are not, as LISC is quick to say, “quick fixes,” but are compass points for longterm development.

LISC maintains that people chose communities based on common characteristics: quality of schools; crime; and economics, defined as affordability, shopping, market stability and neighborhood completeness.

The full essay will be linked to this editorial at www.toledofree press.com, but here is an outline of the LISC suggestions: ■ Support community land use plans that have been developed by businesses and residents, approved by the Plan CommisThomas F. POUNDS sion and adopted into the Toledo 2020 Plan. This includes avoiding “granting special use permits and variances in areas where overlay or neighborhood plans have been adopted,” and facilitating “comprehensive community planning for commercial and residential areas, especially those suffering from disinvestment.”

■ Reinvest in existing infrastructure — “Fix it First.” This includes prioritizing projects, obtaining government funds and re-using existing buildings, and improving current elements of infrastructure before investing in new developments.

■ Concentrate and coordinate resources. This includes increasing collaboration among city departments, eliminating duplication of city efforts and allocating specific federal funds to Community Development Corporations.

■ Budget for investment in change. This is a plan to “Set aside 8 percent of operating and capital budgets in each department for innovative, collaborative and strategic investment in projects and practices that increase local competitiveness in the future,” to supplement venture capital from private sources.

The LISC also recommends embracing such efforts as the New Schools New Neighborhoods initiative, which has been the focus of a yearlong Toledo Free Press special series written by Mike Driehorst.

I know the mayoral candidates are busy and their attentions are being pulled in myriad directions, but it would greatly benefit each of them to read and assimilate these suggestions. With their own creative spin and close collaboration with LISC and its many community partners, there could be a concerted effort to move our neighborhoods forward, one at a time.

It also behooves the candidates to be familiar with these points, as they may be topics for questions at our Sept. 8 live televised debate on FOX Toledo — hint, hint.

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press.

Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol. 5, No. 35. Established 2005.

EDITORIAL Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com Brandi Barhite, Special Sections Editor bbarhite@toledofreepress.com ADMINISTRATION Pam Burson, Business Manager pburson@toledofreepress.com

ADVERTISING SALES Renee Bergmooser, Sales Manager rbergmooser@toledofreepress.com Casey Fischer cfischer@toledofreepress.com Brittany Roberts broberts@toledofreepress.com Matt Mackowiak mmackowiak@toledofreepress.com

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A3

LIGHTING THE FUSE

YMCA: CYA or C-YA Andersons? How many Blocks work at The Blade? What is the threshold for judgment? Who is qualified to judge? I understand the argument that the Y is a nonprofit organization, but these days, so is The Blade.

Alexander is also apparently a hothead, and I don’t use ormer Blade editor Tom Walton published an opinion piece Aug. 17 titled, “Think of newspapers as flash- that term disparagingly; as a fellow member of the “Subtle as lights shining in darkness.” That’s a humble take on it, as a Cornered Wolverine Club,” I empathize with the impulse to speak loudly and carry a big stick. This many people in this community think of The trait, however admirable for its honesty, hasn’t Blade specifically as a giant halogen spotlight helped Alexander, who was noticably absent strapped to the front of a hell-bent machine from an Aug. 26 public rally. A cooling-off akin to Stephen King’s murderous Christine; period is smart; when The Blade is shining most people scurry in fear to hide in the darkits Unblinking Eye of Righteous Vendetta on ness, leaving the unfortunate souls caught in you, it’s best to not give it anything to make the glare to burn to a crisp in the unrelenting, that light brighter. focused heat.

■ Cooper Suter has become — with supThe Blade’s current obsession is with the port from fellow neighborhood activists Gary closing of the South Toledo YMCA, a story that provides a convenient vehicle for its deBatts and Mark Hertzfeld — the face of the cades-long feud with YMCA leadership. No Michael S. MILLER community movement to keep the South Y one in this situation looks clean. The Y is not opening all open. Suter and I have spoken directly three or four times, of its financials and there are legitimate questions about its and I believe he is sincere in his original quest to keep the operations. The critics are a blend of well-meaning activists South Y open because it greatly benefits his neighborhood. and political opportunists who bluster and fight about ev- He is to be applauded for standing up and fighting for a cause erything, except the true priority — the young people being he believes in. But I also believe he has been caught up in affected by the imminent loss of the South Y (one can legiti- the rush of the media attention and has internalized the way mately wonder where some of these headline-chasing politi- Y leadership has, until Aug. 26, failed to communicate to cians were when the Connecting Point was shuttered). The his group. I agree with Suter that the Y has been clumsy in Blade’s news coverage is so intertwined with its editorial slant dealing with its critics, especially if you boil it down to a basic that it warrants extreme scrutiny. customer service level. Suter and his friends feel slighted and As day after day of front page YMCA coverage induces disrespected, and I do not argue that point. outrage in some quarters and yawns in others, it is more difSo, Suter and I have a handshake deal: He will underficult to keep track of the various players’ motivations. Here stand that my criticism of The Blade’s tactics is not an indictis a scorecard to help you keep the players straight. ment of his cause, and I will not judge his efforts based on his ■ Robert Alexander is president and CEO of the YMCA involvement with The Blade’s gamesmanship. of Greater Toledo. He helped oversee the merger of the Y ■ Teresa Fedor, Anita Lopez and Mike Bell (and Ben and the Jewish Community Center, an effort that resulted in “Task Force” Konop and Jim Moody and on and on and on) a national award from the Lodestar Foundation earlier this have jumped into the debate, demanding things they have year. In 20 years, he has grown the Y’s budget from $4.8 mil- a right, albeit no authority, to demand. The Blade has suclion to $33 million. As The Blade will tell you every chance it cessfully mashed the South Y closing with its quest to oust gets, Alexander 1) makes more money than any YMCA chief Alexander, and these public officials have taken up the cause in Ohio and 2) works with a number of his family members. with lemming-like fervor. Many observers have been waiting The Blade hammers home his salary as if it should shame our for Bell to take a substantial stand, and when he finally does, community to have the highest-paid YMCA exec in Ohio. I it’s to smack a business in the mouth. That is disappointing. suppose if you know exactly what Alexander’s job entails and Fedor, who may seek Konop’s Lucas County commissioner exactly what his worth is to the Y, you would be qualified to seat next year, seems to have taken great personal offense at her judge how much compensation is “too much,” but outside rocky public interaction with Alexander. She described him, in of the Y’s board of directors, who is qualified to decide that? a moment of semantic eloquence that rivals Abraham Lincoln, As for the family issue, understand that Alexander did as “off the hook.” Business leaders and voters in general should not take his position in 1992 and then bring his family — or take note of Fedor’s eagerness to impose her will on the Y, and “clan” as The Blade calls them — into the Y like Jed Clam- her subsequent behavior as she does so. pett loading up the truck and moving to Beverly. Hills, that ■ JC Reindl has been reporting this story for The Blade. is. Stephanie Dames, who is now Alexander’s wife, already In a clean journalistic environment, that would not — should worked at the Y when Alexander assumed the presidency. not — make him a player in this story, but anyone taking his Does it look odd that three other members of Alexander’s reporting as Gospel needs to pay closer attention. family work at the Y? How many Andersons work at The ■ YMCA CONTINUES ON A4 “There ain’t no good guy/There ain’t no bad guy There’s only you and me/And we just disagree.”

— Dave Mason

F

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

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

STAFF WRITERS news@toledofreepress.com DISTRIBUTION Charles Campos (419) 241-1700, Ext. 227 Jim Beard • Mike Driehorst • Lori Golaszewski• Aya Khalil ccampos@toledofreepress.com Laura Kruse • Vicki L. Kroll• Caitlin McGlade • Vanessa Olson PRODUCTION Duane Ramsey • Alissa Romstadt • Dave Woolford Charlie Longton, Photographer Chris Kozak, Staff Writer Emeritus Kelly Heuss, Graphic Design COPY EDITORS/PROOFREADERS Lisa Renee Ward, Brandi Barhite, Alissa Romstadt, Lauren Bee

Toledo Free Press is published every Sunday by Toledo Free Press, LLC, 605 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43604 Phone: (419) 241-1700 Fax: (419) 241-8828 www.toledofreepress.com. Subscription rate: $150 /year. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2009 with all rights reserved. Publication of advertisements does not imply endorsement of advertisers’ goods or services.

OPINION

A4 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

CONNECTING THE DOTS

A Downtown Mayor

T

he Toledo mayoral candi- again and small businesses are trying dates had their first broad- to become part of it. With the near completion of the arena and renovacast TV debate last week. tion of the former Fiberglas Tower (Hmm …) and other landmarks, we’re seeing The candidates were polite. an upswing and a (Yawn) trickle of downtown Painfully polite. business immigra(Should have tion. But sustaining invited Opal Covey. growth has been the Would have made blind spot in so many this interesting.) previous downtown No one exresurgence visions. changed barbs.

What our next (Maybe I can find mayor must do is “Wheel of Fortune” on make sure this upa Detroit station …)

Jim HARPEN swing is sustainable.

Not a single canSo, Mr. Next-Mayor, hire prodidate revealed anything new about what they’d do as Mayor of Toledo. fessionals to do the job. Not profes(Nice outside, maybe I’ll go for sional civil servants who’ve drawn government paychecks for decades. a walk.)

But, then they finally got to Not your top campaign volunteers. something that I really care about. Not the daughter of a political ally.

The state of Downtown Toledo and I’m talking real “in the trenches” development professionals. their plans to liven it up.

“I don’t think there should be Downtown Toledo is important to me. So much so that I’m moving anyone in economic development my new business into a grand old who hasn’t been in commercial real building in the heart of the city. But estate,” says Steve Lennex, President downtowns are vitally important of Lennex Realty, a commercial to any city. As Winnipeg Free Press real estate brokerage. “We’re on the columnist Nicholas Hirst wrote front lines. We have a skill set and of his city, “Winnipeg has many a mindset that people in governthings going for it, but without that ment don’t have. We know how to vibrant downtown, it remains a city get deals done. And there’s always a without a soul: more a collection of sense of urgency because we don’t suburbs, shopping malls and big- get paid unless we produce. With box sites than a true urban centre.” [government] economic developWhen I moved back to Toledo ment people, it’s a matter of who’s from Fort Lauderdale three years going to get the credit.”

Credit = News Conferences ago, I was bummed out on my first foray back into the Central Business = Re-election, and maybe even District. Downtown Toledo prob- higher office. So politicians typiably hadn’t changed much since I cally spend all their might swinging moved down south, but the contrast for grand slams that garner the between up here and down there most credit. Bunts and base hits was depressing. Where were the that create just a few jobs don’t get businesses? Where were the jobs? them on the all-star list.

Toledo needs to make it easier Where were all of the people?

The people went with the jobs, on small businesses, particularly and the jobs that stayed in the Toledo those looking to locate Downtown. area went to the ’burbs. According Downtown Toledo is not going to to the latest census figures, there land a new world headquarters from are about 12,000 people working out of town. No company is going in Downtown Toledo — by some to plop down a few thousand emestimates about 60 percent of them ployees at the corner of Adams and government employees. By contrast, Huron. The Downtown work force is Maumee’s Arrowhead Park has about going to be rebuilt by small business, 14,000 workers — very few of them one employee, one square foot of office space, one block at a time. drawing government paychecks.

Here’s an idea for our next Like any other near-lifelong Toledoan, I’ve seen the ups and mayor to consider: There’s nothing downs of Downtown. I’m old enough wrong with taking credit for staying to remember when Downtown was out of the way. Let small businesses dying in the 1970s. I saw it emerge do what small businesses do best — as a source of pride and the hub-of- grow, make money and create jobs. fun in the mid ’80s, only to see it slip again during the downsizing of the E-mail columnist Jim Harpen at 1990s. New life is coming Downtown letters@toledofreepress.com.

AUGUST 30, 2009

THE COMMUNITARIAN SOUL

When principle rubs up against pragmatism

F

or as long as I can remember, Sen. Ted Ken- ways dancing in the winner’s circle. But winning can be nedy was there ... an unapologetic liberal voice addictive. Sooner or later, the victory dance becomes in an unrepentant conservative age. For those more important than the actual cause. The winning of an election becomes more important of us who believe deeply in progressive and than a resolution to a problem. communitarian values, he was a durable To wed principle to pragmatism is and reliable soul. The fact that he was able a difficult thing. It is also an essential to rise above the pain, tragedy and messithing if one is going to be productive in ness of his own personal life to keep the a democratic society. This is especially progressive dream alive is a testament to true for one of Kennedy’s greatest pasall of this. God bless him. sions: the development of a national But he was also a pragmatist who enhealth care policy. joyed an exceedingly productive career The debate surrounding this issue in the Senate. Though he would eagerly does involve principle. We lefties believe carry the spear for the cause, he would not that health care is much too important fall on it. At the end of the day, he knew Eric MCGLADE an issue to be left to the whims and fanthat is was always better to walk away with something. So, it is reported that he befriended the likes cies of the marketplace. My conservative friends tell of Orrin Hatch, Trent Lott and President Bush 43 (an me that health care is much too important an issue to unholy triumvirate to most of us lefties) to negotiate a be left to the dictates of government bureaucrats. We better deal for America’s children, poor, disabled and lefties believe health care ought to be a right. My conthe rest of those who, for whatever reason, have been servative friends tell me that it should be a privilege unable to make the prevailing political and economic for those who have worked for it. We want a public systems work for them. There would always be to- option because we believe government can resolve problems; they don’t because they believe government morrow to get what couldn’t be gotten today.

This blending of idealism with pragmatism may be is the problem. And so it goes.

The debate also involves the practical. Our system one of his greatest gifts. It is so easy to live and die for principle. There is an odd and pathetic comfort found is broken. Ask accountants who pay the bills for their in being on the losing side of a great moral struggle. company, or agency or religious community. How many It can make us feel morally superior. I know; I have doctors feel frustrated when the insurance company been there. It is equally easy to allow every prevailing tells them they cannot do what they think best? wind to toss us to and fro. The upside is that one is al■ McGLADE CONTINUES ON A5 ■ YMCA CONTINUED FROM A3 Reindl was The Blade reporter who so badly botched a March “story” about my interaction with Jon Stainbrook at Maumee Valley Country Day School that the students in the class felt compelled to come forward and correct the record. Even unbiased observers should carefully consider his (and his editors’) word choices and understand there is an over-eagerness to serve the editorial stance being layered on the news coverage. Here are just a few quick examples of opinionated words and comments Reindl has not attributed in his news reports: “... neighborhood residents voiced skepticism of the membership challenge imposed on their community ...” (Aug. 21) “... the $100,000 yearly deficit at the South Toledo branch amounts to a mere 0.3 percent of the organization’s $33.3 million budget ...” (Aug. 9) “The YMCA and Jewish Community Center of Greater Toledo confirmed Friday the ties of yet another member of its chief executive’s family to the nonprofit organization.” (Aug. 15) “This is not the first time Mr. Alexander has exhibited threatening and erratic behavior when he’s been criticized.” (Aug. 22) Such words pale in comparison to a Reindl sentence such as: “Working at the Y has become a family affair for the Alexander clan,

which pulls down nearly $560,000 a year in salary ...” (Aug. 9).

Would an intelligent reader deny that “family affair” “clan” and “pulls down” make the Alexanders sound like the Sopranos?

Reindl’s stories have quoted as sources attorneys Fritz Byers (working with Suter) and Justice Johnson (working with the Y), without identifying both men as longtime representatives of The Blade and Block Communications. I guess that demand for transparency only works one way.

Reindl’s most egregious breach in judgment was Aug. 19, when, after the announcement that the South Y needed 500 memberships, Reindl followed Alexander (who called out Reindl) into the Y and purchased a membership. That purchase, from a journalist who is supposed to observe and report, illustrates an inappropriate (and unreported by The Blade) action that discredits any pretense of objectivity.

Reindl says he is a graduate of Yale University, so I contacted Mark Oppenheimer, director of the Yale Journalism Initiative, and asked him what he thought of Reindl’s Aug. 19 action.

I expected quick condemnation of Reindl’s judgment, but Oppenheimer directs the internship program that sends two Yale students to The Blade each summer, so it was apparently in his best interest to remain neutral.

“The biggest question is, how

much does he disclose in subsequent articles,” Oppenheimer said Aug. 26. “What this reporter did doesn’t strike me as problematic, as long as it is not affecting his coverage. Unless exactly 500 people end up buying memberships, his action leaves a very light footprint on the story. It’s not an ethical issue, but a question of judgment; is it a good idea after a heated rally to take such an action with other media watching? I do not see an ethical conflict.”

Ask yourself if you want your news reporters leaving any footprint on a story, and remember your answer as you read future YMCA stories written by Reindl.

The best solution for the community is for the Y to open its books to an independent audit, but, assuming nothing untoward is found, to retain Alexander. This gives the public what it needs, while denying The Blade what it wants.

One of the Y’s critics says, “Just because The Blade is on a vendetta doesn’t mean it has its facts wrong.”

As long as you’re on the right side of the approaching headlights, that end-justifies-the-means philosophy probably lets you sleep at night.

But if you ever look up and see those red-rimmed orbs bearing down on you, you’ll feel differently.

Michael S. Miller is Editor in Chief of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

OPINION

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A5

■ McGLADE CONTINUED FROM A4

BRIDGE TO DUBAI

We spend twice as much per person on health care in this country as do our European friends and, according to the World Health Organization, their outcomes are far better than ours.

In my conference of my own church, we spend more on medications to treat high blood pressure, gird and depression than we spend on our reason to be to serve others and to share hope.

Clearly this can not go on. On this, most of us agree.

Getting the mix right between principle and pragmatism is the challenge facing our leaders. As much as I wish otherwise, America may not, or ever, be ready for a single payer plan.

As much as my conservative friends wish otherwise, America will never be comfortable with allowing an unfettered and free marketplace make the decision as to who gets care and who doesn’t.

Somewhere between these two principled places lies a path that may not satisfy either side, but will begin a process that will lead us out of this mess. That path will only be found by those principled souls who understand the need for pragmatism.

Sen. Kennedy, I hope you taught your colleagues well. We will miss your passion, your pragmatism and your leadership on this.

Defining the ‘Spirit of Toledo’

Eric McGlade is a United Methodist pastor living in Bowling Green. E-mail him at letters@toledofreepress.com.

A

s a young boy, I always enjoyed spending time at my grandparents’ house. Their small home in Springfield was filled with interesting objects and a few antiques. One of my favorites was a small bronze bust of Charles Lindberg that was used as a doorstop. I really liked it for what it was, but I came to admire the Lindberg bust even more when I learned the story about his famed flight to Paris in a small plane he called the “Spirit of St. Louis.”

I’ve often thought about the vision, courage, confidence and tenacity demonstrated by Lindberg and his team that led to his historic, transatlantic flight. Interestingly, many of these same qualities and others came to be associated with the city of St. Louis because of the name of this small plane. True, the flight itself was historic: the plane, its engine and the technology became objects of great curiosity and interest. I think, however, we continue to be fascinated by this event, not so much because of the equipment or the fact that Lindberg crossed the Atlantic — thousands of people now do it everyday — but because of the qualities of vision, courage, confidence and tenacity that powered this inspiring event. Indeed, it was the “spirit” behind this adventurous

“The Best Bet in Toledo”

question undergirding economic development. In addition to the products and services that must find their way to the marketplace, the world is looking for those qualities that create the environment within which these products and services are provided. These qualities of “spirit” include, among others, vision, creativity, talent, courage, willingness to take risks, opportunity and leadership.

Cities and regions that are recognized for these positive qualities of spirit are the ones most attractive to business, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. They are also the cities and regions most attractive to creative people. Like the UT billboard, Toledo can “create its future.”

What does this really mean in practical terms? Florida puts it this way: “For cities and regions, it means that their leadership — political, business, and otherwise — must be aware of the powerful role played by psychology. Places really do have different personalities. Those personalities stem from their economic structure and inform and constrain their futures.

It is a lot easier to go out and attract a new company or even build a new stadium, than it is to alter the psychological makeup of a region.

Regional leaders must become more aware of how their region’s collective personality shapes the kinds of economic activities that it can do and the kinds of people it can attract, satisfy and retain.”

The destiny of any community, region and state is in the hands of its citizens and leaders. Research, experience and common sense reinforce this proposition.

We can “create our own futures” if we truly decide to do so and are willing to make the kinds of changes that will make our community and region more attractive.

Do we as a community and region have the kind of personality that is attractive to talented, creative, innovative people and companies?

Do we as a city have the qualities of spirit that will enable us to create a dynamic, engaged, economically successful future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren?

This is the perfect time to create the “Spirit of Toledo” that we want and believe we should have.

5700 Telegraph Road 419.476.7751 www.racewayparktoledo.com

Dan Johnson is provost and COO, Zayed University, U.A.E. and UT president emeritus.

feat that captured the imagination of are drawn to them and want to be around them because of these qualithe nation and the world. ties. There are other For nearly a decities and regions — cade, I’ve followed again, like some people the work and pubwe know — that are lications of Richard unattractive, negative, Florida and have overly critical and unlearned from his inforgiving. Some even sights into economic seem to take satisfacdevelopment and the tion by attacking those growth dynamics of individuals who want cities.

Remember to try something new when Florida came to Toledo to talk about Dan JOHNSON or different or simply want to break out of the research findings captured in his book, “The Rise the mold created by the personality of the Creative Class?” Florida’s and culture of the city or region. latest book, “Who’s Your City?” These negative qualities often drive makes the argument that cities more people away than the positive and regions have “personalities,” qualities can attract.

All this begs the question that or what we might also call qualities of “spirit.” His description of Florida asks, “Who’s your city?” cities and regions-based on ex- What is the “personality” of our city? haustive research-reveals these Or, what is the “Spirit” of Toledo?

I love the UT billboards scatqualities or personalities and how they differ from city to city and tered around the city that read, region to region all across the na- “CREATE YOUR FUTURE!” As a tion. He argues rather forcefully city and region, we, too, can create that “personality plays a signifi- our future. Our city can have the cant role in understanding cities, type of personality that would be attractive to potential newcomers regions ... and economic growth.”

Cities are, in many ways, like and those companies that want to people. They have these person- be in a positive, progressive region. alities and qualities of spirit that, As we enter the mayoral campaign like people, can be attractive, posi- season and look to the future, pertive, nurturing and forgiving. We haps this would be a good time for us to evaluate our city’s personality or the qualities of spirit that characterize our community and region.

Are we, as a city and region, who we want to be?

In an earlier Toledo Free Press column, I asked the question, “Are we [Toledo] selling what the world is buying?” This is the fundamental

LIVE RACING EVERY WEEKEND Post Time Saturday at 6 pm Sunday at 5 pm

Every week in print. Every day online.

Join Rewards Mall at

Sign up for 24/7 breaking news updates on our Facebook fan page and Twitter exclusives or join our RSS feed at www.toledofreepress.com.

toledofreepress.com

COMMUNITY

A6.

Mayoral debates scheduled Toledo Free Press, FOX Toledo, Glass City Jungle and Columbia Gas of Ohio are sponsoring two mayoral debates. A pre-primary debate is 4:30 p.m. Sept.

8. A pre-election debate has been scheduled for Oct. 27. Both debates will take place at the McMaster Center of the Downtown Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and both will be open to the public. Mike Bell, D. Michael Collins, Ben Konop, Jim Moody and Keith Wilkowski have agreed to participate.

COVER STORY

By Julia Torres TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

On the day he died, 11-yearold Andrew VanHorn enjoyed his first day of vacation bible school, where he’d won an award and insisted on cleaning up a mess left by other kids.

He spent the early afternoon playing with his baby ANDREW VANHORN brother in the backyard, cheerfully saying goodbye to his mom, Amy Peterson, as she left for work at 3:30 p.m.

Before Amy headed out, she reminded her son that he’d need to water his beloved tomato plants and she told him she loved him.

Andrew put on the new watch he’d bought himself with his birthday money because he liked to be on time and went outside to play with a playmate who he’d had skirmishes with in the past.

They went down the street together to play in the South Toledo field near Ventura Drive and Chorus Lane, a vast open area with a cluster of trees where kids would sometimes play. They stopped at Andrew’s friends’ house to ask if they could join them, but they were grounded and couldn’t come out to play.

At 4:30p.m., when Andrew didn’t return home when he was supposed to, his stepfather, John Peterson,

went looking for him. From his van, he could see Andrew in the trees and called out to him several times.

When his stepson did not respond, John got out of the car, picking up speed with each step as he realized Andrew was in trouble.

He found Andrew, all alone, dead in a grove of trees. The boy was on his knees with the lower loop of a rope swing around his neck.

Unanswered questions The question of how Andrew died on July 13 continues to haunt his family, his friends and his community. The last person who saw him alive is a child under 10 years of age with a documented history of bullying Andrew and other children.

The child (name withheld by Toledo Free Press) is on record with the police saying, “Andrew said he wanted to kill himself,” but has changed subsequent testimony numerous times. The inconsistencies in the child’s accounting of what happened is wreaking havoc in a community traumatized by the loss of an 11-year-old honors student, who wanted to grow up to be a video game designer.

Andrew was on medication to help him focus better in school, but his mother Amy, a mental health nurse, refuses to believe the witness’ claim that her son wanted to take his own life.

“There were no signs. None. We even searched Andrew’s room afterwards and didn’t find anything — not even a drawing or a doodle,” indicating that he might want to harm himself, she said.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JULIA TORRES

Family, neighbors question details of child’s death

■

JOHN AND AMY PETERSON ARE QUESTIONING HOW POLICE HANDLED THE INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR SON ANDREW’S DEATH.

Her husband John agreed, saying Andrew was looking forward to starting middle school and had a crush on a girl in the neighborhood to whom he’d given his first valentine.

Another witness also dispels the idea that Andrew would want to end his life. Mike Keller lives directly across the street from the field where Andrew was found. The crisis unfolded as he was at a nearby neighbor’s house cutting down a tree while his wife Jeanette was gardening in the front of her home.

They were the first on the scene after John discovered Andrew’s lifeless body. John screamed to Jeanette to call 911, while she yelled for Mike, who immediately began performing CPR when he saw Andrew. Toledo fire and rescue were on the scene within minutes.

Jeanette recalls greeting Andrew and his playmate when they arrived at the field when the two children came over to ask if her children could play.

“He seemed OK then,” she said.

In responding to the question of what she thinks happened to Andrew, she said “as far as I’m concerned, that [playmate who witnessed Andrew’s death] was the last person that was with him. Either they knew something, they saw something or they did something. It doesn’t look good.”

In referring to Andrew’s playmate at the scene, Mike said, “the child told the detective our children were with them and they were not.

■ ANDREW CONTINUES ON A7

ONE STANDARD. ONE SPIRIT. ONE NAME. mercyweb.org

St. Anne St. Charles St. Vincent Children’s Defiance Tiffin Willard ©2009 Mercy

COMMUNITY

■ ANDREW CONTINUED FROM A6 They were stuck in the house and could not go out. I don’t want to ostracize a child but, in my heart I feel this was a very grave accident or something was done to him.”

or additional information comes forward, that manner can be changed,” Scala-Barnett said.

She said there was no physical evidence that another person was involved at the scene.

‘I wish I could have been there’

Adults and children in the neighborhood knew that Andrew and the child who would witness his death had had problems in the past. One incident at the bus stop resulted in the police being called in February. Amy also went to Andrew’s school to discuss the problem with the principal and his teacher.

The child’s grandmother, Johnnie Mae, said, “[Amy] could have come talked to me,” while Demetra said, “[Amy is] in denial. He had a problem. He wasn’t a happy little boy.

Every child ain’t perfect.”

When asked, given the troublesome history Andrew shared with his playmate, why would Andrew’s parents have allowed him to play with the child on that fateful day, Amy said, “we felt sorry for the child. We’re Christian and we wanted to give the child another chance.”

Other children in the neighborhood also report that this child frequently picked on Andrew. One 8-year-old (name withheld by Toledo Free Press), witnessed the problem “almost every day. They fought a lot,” he said, as he demonstrated the physical position Andrew would have to take to “protect himself.”

Another child, 11 years old (name withheld by Toledo Free Press) began sobbing uncontrollably as she described how her life has changed since the day Andrew died.

When asked if her child receives counseling, Demetra said, the family is counseling.

Rose, a teacher who lives nearby, said she

Johnnie Mae Cullars is the grandmother of the child who witnessed Andrew’s death, as well as the mother of 13 children and a foster parent who has lived in the neighborhood for years. Among the many photos of family scattered throughout the shuttered and dark living room, she said she feels sadness for Andrew’s family and has cried over the way he died. Her family also donated to the impromptu donation collection for Andrew’s family. She said her grandchild doesn’t want to talk about the incident.

“We can’t bring it up because [the child] walks out of the room,” said Johnnie Mae, expressing concern because the child is still grieving the loss of a father three years ago.

The child’s mother, Demetra Cullars, is certain that her child didn’t have anything to do with Andrew’s death and is upset by the accusation that her child was in some way responsible for what happened on that day at the field.

“I know my child didn’t have anything to do with it,” Demetra said. “My child wouldn’t be capable of that. I wish we could go back in time and change that day. I wish I could have been there to save him.”

Demetra’s belief is supported by the autopsy report issued by Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Diane Scala-Barnett.

“The manner of death has been ruled ‘undetermined.’ If any other information is developed

Child with problems

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A7

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY JULIA TORRES

AUGUST 30, 2009

■

MIKE KELLER STANDS BESIDES THE TREE WHERE HE HELPED TRY TO SAVE ANDREW VANHORN.

is deeply concerned about the perceived bullying problem existing in her neighborhood.

She fears reprisal and asked that her full name not appear in print.

“I’ve taught hundreds of children and a bully is a bully and that’s what I think this child is,” she said, in describing the playmate who was with Andrew when he died. Rose said she has heard the child threaten to kill other children during playground arguments.

As she shared the news with her children, she instructed her kids to let her know if they heard anything from other children that

might help determine how Andrew died. On July 14, one of her children did hear something she thought was relevant to the case and wrote a note about it.

Rose said her child claimed the child who witnessed Andrew’s death told a mutual friend, “There was an accident ... I didn’t think I would hurt Andrew with the rope.”

Rose waited to share the note with the police, assuming that they would come to interview her as Amy had requested of the Toledo Police detective assigned to the case.

■ ANDREW CONTINUES ON A8

Moon Mountain Fresh, NEVER Frozen!

Cabernet Sauvignon Boneless, Skinless Save Was $19.99 Chicken Breasts 10% on Wine

1

$ 77

lb

Top Choice New York Strip Steaks

7

$ 99

lb

Fresh, Meaty Baby Back Spare Ribs

3

$ 49

lb

NOW $

7

99

By the Case Mix & Match

Home Grown Jumbo Peaches

Chardonnay

1

$ 29 lb

Was $15.99

NOW $

699

Picked & Delivered Daily!

Fresh, Home Grown Sweet Corn

2

$ 49 dozen

Jade Mountain 2007 Syrah Was $31.99

NOW $

8

Jumbo Home Grown Sugar Sweet Cantaloupe

99

Good things to eat since 1927!

www. sauttersmarkets.com Sale dates: Sunday, Aug. 30 through Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009

2 for $5

Sautter’s Markets

Homemade Potato Salad!

Voted Best in the City

by City Paper!

Two great locations near you.

SYLVANIA • 419.885.3505 • 5519 South Main St. WATERVILLE • 419.878.7691 • 9533 Waterville-Swanton Rd.

COMMUNITY

A8 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009

CHARITABLE GIVING

■ ANDREW CONTINUED FROM A7

United Way changing its 2009 campaign to needs-based goal

But, a week later, after the police never came, she decided to share the note with Amy. At press time, the police have not followed up on the note or interviewed Rose, even though Amy requested that Detective Dan Navarre interview her and several others immediately after Andrew died.

“I don’t understand why the police haven’t interviewed me,” she said. “Amy needs closure [on what happened to Andrew]; the kids need closure. Who’s to say this isn’t going to happen again?”

Navarre did not return calls seeking comment.

In response to this concern, Sergeant Tim Campbell of the Toledo Police Department, after an Aug. 26 meeting with Andrew’s parents and Deputy Coroner Scala-Barnett, said, “there was no bullying involved on that day.”

At the same gathering, TPD Capt. Ray Caroll said there is no

By Mike Driehorst TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

The United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT) will announce its 2009 campaign goal at its Lucas County kick off Sept. 2 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Maumee. Recently, Wood County kicked off its own campaign with an event at Bowling Green State University. The Wood County campaign is lead by Jill Kegler of Kellermeyer Inc. The Ottawa County effort is lead by Steve and Megan Lovitt of Gem Beach Marina.

Last year, United Way of Greater Toledo raised $13.5 million in its campaign — about 10 percent short of its 2008 goal, and 7 percent less than it raised in 2007.

United Way’s efforts in 2008 echoed a national trend that saw total charitable giving drop 5.7 percent, according to Giving USA. “The needs of the community far surpass what our recent United Way campaigns can provide,” said Bill Kitson, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo, in an e-mail interview.

In Lucas County, the campaign chairman is Richard Hylant, president of Hylant Group-Toledo.

Because the community needs typically surpass the annual campaign goals, Kitson said United Way is moving to a needs-based goal. Typically, each year’s campaign goal is based on the preKITSON vious year’s totals. A needs-based goal, according to Kitson, is determined by the amount of funding requests United Way receives from the programs it plans to serve for the following year.

“There are 600,000 people in Northwest Ohio, and only 30,000 actually give. Can you imagine what our campaign would look like if even just half of the rest of those people gave $50?” Kitson wrote.

Given the current uncertain and unsteady economy, Hylant said giving to United Way is like an “insurance policy.”

“Giving back to help fund United Way 2-1-1 or another agency is almost like an insurance policy for someone you know or maybe even yourself,” he said.

One of the main efforts for 2009, Hylant said, is to get more of Toledo’s larger employers involved.

“We want more penetration among our larger employers in town,” Hylant said. “About 60 percent of employers offer payroll deduction, and that needs to be higher.”

One new twist for the 2009 United Way campaign is the assistance from Toledo-born celebrities and public figures.

“We’ve had pretty good success with our native sons and daughters. They all have been pretty responsive and open to what role they can play and some are even giving their time,” Hylant said.

He said the positive responses from native Toledoans includes the likes of Jamie Farr, who hosted a United Way event during the summer’s Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic golf tournament; author and columnist Christine Brennan; Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton; Middle East Region Division Chief, U.S. Joint Staff Colonel David Sutherland; journalist and author P.J. O’Rourke, and WJR radio host Paul W. Smith.

Already, fundraising efforts for the 2009 campaign are under way, according to Kitson. In working with the Toledo Mud Hens, United Way initiated Strikeout Paycheck. Companies agreed to sponsor each month of the Mud Hens’ season and donate $10 to United Way each time a Mud Hens pitcher struck out an opponent.

As of early August, that effort has raised nearly $8,000, Kitson said. The sponsoring companies include Columbia Gas of Ohio, BP, The Tyo Team of RE/MAX Preferred Associates, and the Lathrop Group.

In an economy where every dollar does count, Hylant said he can understand that prospective donors want to be sure their contributions are well-spent.

“For those employed in the community, if they subscribe to United Way’s role of efficient giving, of being a watchdog and want to get the biggest bang for their buck, the United Way is definitely doing that job,” he said. “And, it’s doing a pretty good job of it.”

The Beer & Wine Cave

Come to the place all your friends have been telling you about!

Mon-Fri: 9-8 | Sat: 8-5 | Sun: 10-4 (wine sales after 1pm)

Tastings Weds. 6-8pm & Thurs. 5-7pm Wines $15.00 • Beers $10.00 4400 Heatherdowns at Key • Toledo, OH 43614 Located next to Meats & More

(419) 351-3335 • www.ToledoMeatsAndMore.com

Kilgus Choice Meats Olde World Sausage Shoppe

September 5-7 Bag Sale

September 7-11 Turn for Troops: Jump Start

September 12 Discovery Center: Power Tool Tune Up

September 19 Demo: Selecting the Right Lathe and Tools

Don’t Miss Our Upcoming Tastings!

September 2 & 3 German Beers and French Wines September 9 & 10 Fall Harvest Beers and New Arrival Wines

Mark your calendars!

Don’t miss the fun and education at Woodcraft of Toledo.

criminal code in Toledo related to bullying. “Bullying [in its different forms] has to be reported and then it is investigated like any other crime,” he said.

Amy came away from the meeting more frustrated than before, saying, “I don’t understand why they conclude that the psychological status of my child matters, but doesn’t seem to matter in the case of the other child,” the last person seen with her son Andrew on the day he was found dead. “I want to believe this was an accident.”

Despite the police opinion, Amy said she is taking steps to launch a bullying initiative at the middle school her son would have attended, in his memory.

She said she is also determined to turn the field where her son died into a park.

“After the dust settles, we’re going to try and make that happen because it can’t just be the field where my little boy died,” she said.

September 26 Discovery Center: Dovetails

Kielbasa Traditional $3.29 lb.

Grill this Labor Day! • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.99 lb • Ground Chuck Patties 5 lbs $16.95 • Ground Beef Patties 5 lbs $15.95 • Choice Angus Beef • Homemade Lunch Meats • Homemade Brats • Imported European Foods

HOURS: Come to our beer and wine tastings, and help needy pets at the same time.

10% of the tasting profits from September will be donated to Maumee Valley Save-A-Pet

5311 Airport Hwy. Toledo, OH 43615

419.389.0560

www.stores.woodcraft.com/toledo

Tues. - Thurs. 8:30-5:30 Fri. 8:30-6:00 Sat. 8:00-4:00 Closed Sun. & Mon.

3345 W. Laskey Rd.

(419) 472-9721

COMMUNITY

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A9

EDUCATION

Celebrate Customer Appreciation Week at the

HEATHERDOWNS

Toledo Public Schools’ expulsion rates decline, described as ‘racially skewed’

By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS news@toledofreepress.com

Monday - Sunday 8/31/09 - 9/06/09

99¢ Mini Hot Fudge Cake Dine-in, drive-thru, or carry-out.

Big Boy & Fries Just $3.75 Drive-thru & carry-out only.

Make Any Sandwich A Combo + $1.80 Dine-in only.

Combo = sandwich, fry, soft drink. No substitutions.

Tuesday 9/01/09 Kids 10 & Under EAT FREE with adult meal purchase 1 for 1.

All day Tuesday dine-in only.

Saturday & Sunday 9/05 & 9/06/09 Weekend Breakfast Bar $6.45 Available regular breakfast bar hours.

Regular price $7.45.

What’s Your Favorite Thing?

Though some Toledo Public School (TPS) institutions received high grades on the annual state report card, the district as a whole continues to maintain higher expulsion rates than the five Ohio districts deemed most like Toledo’s.

In 2008 to 2009, 390 students were expelled, for a total of more than 10,600 days.

More than 5,020 students received susp ensions, missing school for a combined 38,646 days. A punishment qualifies as exFOLEY pulsion if the principal sentences the student to 11 or more days out of school.

Out of every 100 students in the 2008-09 school year, 1.6 got expelled and about 38 received outof-school suspensions.

The number has steadily decreased, compared to the previous year’s 1.7 expulsions and 44 out of school suspensions per 100 students, according to an Ohio Department of Education (ODE) database. The 2008-09 school year recorded a year-to-year 20 percent decline in suspension days and an 18 percent drop in expulsion days.

“Over a period of time in the last three years those numbers have gone down,” Superintendent John Foley said. “We’ve done more in terms of educating our students and parents; we’ve tried to encourage the schools to use alternatives prior to suspension so if they have kids with chronic problems we try to help them.”

Advocates seek change

3535 Heatherdowns Toledo, OH

419.382.3469

Out of the larger school districts in Ohio, Toledo has a higher expulsion rate than Akron, Cincinnati and Cleveland, but is lower than Dayton or Youngstown.

“For more than a decade, many of us have pointed out to TPS and asked them to address the high rates of suspensions,” said Steven Flagg, communications chairman of the Urban Coalition of To-

ledo. “In the end, if we don’t find ways to keep kids in school and learning, we will pay a far greater price given the direct and indirect costs of incarceration to our society.”

He said recently he has seen more cooperation FLAGG to cut down suspension and expulsion rates, especially after school board members Darlene Fisher and Jack Ford made it their personal missions to improve the situation.

New initiative This school year, the district launched a new initiative called the Positive Behavioral Support Program. TPS’s Chief of Staff Lonny Rivera said this will encompass procedures teachers have used in the past few years with new ideas to change administrators’ and teachers’ mindsets from reactive to proactive. “ M a n y times, we react to students’ behavior, but FISHER we think it’s appropriate to take a proactive approach,” Rivera said. “Many times we’re dealing with the symptom, not the cause and we’re quick to deal out the discipline.”

This year, more dialogue between teachers, cooks, bus drivers, custodians and administration members will open so everyone will understand exactly what type of behavior is expected. Starting at the elementary level, teachers can participate in training to help them better understand how to deal with delinquent children and emphasize the need to physically demonstrate how to behave in the classroom, rather than posting rules or reading them to students, Rivera said.

The program will also instate a new data-collecting system that will track each child’s specific offense so the administration can analyze who has which problems and where they’ve occurred the most, he added.

“One thing we are doing is that we have to start looking at data,” Rivera said. “A lot of decisions are made on gut feelings.”

He said this year the administration will develop a group to study principal referral forms. When a child is suspended or expelled, the principal must document specific details about the students’ actions and the reason for the punishment, he added. Diversity training, however, is not mandatory and has not been in the past, he said.

‘Alarming discrepancy’ Twila Page, the secretary of the African American Parents Association, said she has helped numerous students appeal suspensions and has noticed an “alarming discrepancy” in punishment given to black children versus white.

For every 100 white students, .7 were expelled and 15.8 were suspended during the 2008 to 2009 school year. For every 100 black students, 2.6 were expelled and 62 were suspended, according to ODE databases.

“I’m going to be very blunt — the blacker the school, the more suspensions you have,” Page said. “Black children are seen to be more disruptive, more disorderly, more unsafe; they drink more alcohol, have more weapons, they gamble, and white males and females don’t do that. We all know that’s not true. Kids are kids regardless of what color they are.”

Students can be expelled or suspended for truancy, fighting, vandalism, theft, possessing a weapon, tobacco, drugs or being disruptive, according to the state’s database.

Page said too many students she has worked with have been punished for the broad “failure to follow directions” violation — and a discrepancy between races is apparent in this category as well.

Two hundred two black children were expelled in TPS last year for disobedient or disruptive behavior, compared to the 30 white students punished under the same violation, according to the ODE database.

The racial makeup for black and white students for the 2008-2009 school year was 45.5% black and 40.9% white.

Learning the rules Page’s organization works with parents and students to educate them on the rules, their rights and

“

I’m going to be very blunt — the blacker the school, the more suspensions you have ... kids are kids regardless of what color they are.”

— Twila Page how to advocate for their children.

She said a lot of students she has helped were unclear on rules before they were suspended. Many students she has represented were suspended for two or three days because of dress code violations — which starts a habit of disobeying the rules, she said.

“When we started out, I always thought it was the high school student that would get expelled,” Page said. “We found out that it was the other kids in grade school — what does that teach a child when you’re taking his education away? They don’t have to give them the homework; they don’t have to teach them what they’ve missed when they get out of school; to me that just makes no sense.”

The junior high schools have the highest total number of students expelled — with 40 from East Broadway Middle School and Deveaux Jr. High School following close behind with 35 last year, according to Toledo Public School records. Waite Learning Community Elementary Schools tops off the elementary level with 279 students suspended from 2008 to 2009.

Fisher said she is confident that the Positive Behavioral Support program will help reduce the numbers but that she thinks the district still has a lot of work and cooperation to do.

“I think this has really been a big issue for us in the Toledo Public Schools compared to outlying schools, especially when we have such a large number of students our issues get blown up in public,” Fisher said. “We need to see the source of these problems and I don’t think as a district we are to that point yet.”

COMMUNITY

A10 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009

YMCA to meet with critics, postpones drive

By Evan Goodenow SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS news@toledofreepress.com

The official start of the membership drive to save the South Toledo YMCA is on hold.

Shortly before an Aug. 26 rally to save the Y on Woodsdale Park Drive, board members announced the delay and plans to meet with several vocal critics soon.

“Are we going to get together on this?” critic Cooper Suter asked Mark Brunsman, YMCA vice president of association after the rally. “We didn’t throw any bombs today.”

The answer was yes, although Brunsman said the meeting date hasn’t been decided yet.

“We disagreed on some things, but at the same time, I know we’re willing to listen and work them out,” Brunsman said.

Citing approximately $1.5 million reduction in the state’s Early Childhood Learning Initiative payment to the YMCA — $167,842 of which went to the South Toledo Y — at least $680,000 in repairs needed to the 55-year-old building and the relatively low

amount of members, YMCA officials announced the planned closure in July. The plan called for giving the building to the CedarCreek Church.

Suter is among members who felt blindsided.

“It just felt like one of those classic Toledo deals,” Suter said. “Closed rooms. They form the scrum. They run it down the center with no chance to say anything.”

“Maybe we reacted too quickly, but at the same time, we had to do something,” said Brunsman, adding that the YMCA had cut $800,000 from its overall budget before announcing the closure.

“We couldn’t continue on as business as usual.”

But speakers at the rally, attended by some 200 people, struck a more conciliatory tone after learning of the decision by the YMCA Board.

“Your voices have been heard,” said State Sen. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo. “We really give credit to the Y leadership.”

While the closure would inconvenience some members, Suter, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1992 and has three children who’ve used the Y, said the protest has a deeper meaning.

Suter said the Y acts as a neighborhood anchor.

INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE!

YMCA “task force” proposed A nine-person citizen’s task force is being proposed by Lucas County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Ben Konop to recommend how to improve the YMCA, but many suggestions could fall on deaf ears.

“We’re not a public entity, so the Y respectfully declines to be involved,” said Todd Tibbits, YMCA chief operating officer and senior vice president of operations, after Konop proposed the idea Aug. 27.

Konop said he expects fellow commissioners Pete Gerken and Tina Skeldon Wozniak to approve the task force. Each commissioner would choose three members for the task force, which Konop said would be modeled after a body that made suggestions to the Toledo Zoo. Tibbits said his organization has met all legal disclosure rules required for a nonprofit group.

Konop said he is checking whether the YMCA has met all legal requirements.

Tibbits said he feels no obligation to release additional information saying the Y is subjected to stringent internal and federal audits. “The YMCA operates in a very moral way,” he said.

September 14th and 28th at 6:30 pm Guest Speaker: Stephen Wise ®

Room-Size Remnants from $8000 (Perfect for College Dorm Rooms!)

Closeout Pricing on Select Hardwoods from $299 sq. ft.

RESTAURANT Since 1955 “Bien Venidos Amigos”

Specializing in MEXICAN FOOD Lunch & Dinner 11 a.m. - Midnight Closed Sundays & Holidays

419-865-5455 10400 Airport Hwy. (1/2 mi. East of Airport)

MEXICAN & GERMAN CUISINE Mon. - Thurs. 11-10-pm •Fri. - Sat. 11-11pm Open Sunday 3-9 • Closed Holidays No Reservations ORIGINAL RECIPES FROM BOTH MEXICO AND GERMANY CASUAL DINING

419-729-9775

Brought to you by:

Famous Maker Carpets from $200 sq. ft.

mexico

™

FREE Veteran’s Benefit Seminar

AT LEVIS

BRINGING THE FLAVORS OF

COMMONS

If you can answer YES to any of these questions, then you should apply for your benefit!

Are either you or your spouse a Veteran with 90 days of consecutive, active military service, one day served during wartime?

With a discharge of any kind other than dishonorable?

At least age 65?

Join Us. Maximize Your Benefits.

North Summit St Near Point Place

BARRON’S CAFÉ Mexican Restaurant

When life hands you a lemon ...

You make MARGARITAS! COME and ENJOY ...

Everything Mexican from tacos To enchiladas to delicious burritos.

We’ll spice up your life.

Come anytime for a HOT TIME! 13625 Airport Hwy., Swanton (across from Valleywood Country Club)

419-825-3474 Hours: Mon-Thu: 11-11 Fri-Sat: 11-12 Closed Sundays and Holidays

VENTURA’S® THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTE & CANTINA IN TOLEDO

RSVP

419.874.2564

Visit Our New Location!

27072 Carronade Dr. • Perrysburg, OH 419-872-4911

MOHAWK • SHAW • KARASTAN

Refreshments will be served.

7100 S. Wilkinson Way Perrysburg, Ohio 43551 A Capital Senior Living Community www.waterfordatleviscommons.com

All Major Credit Cards Accepted Mon-Sat from 11 a.m.

Closed Sundays & Holidays

419-841-7523 7742 Bancroft (1 mi. West of McCord)

www.Toledostripletreat.com

COMMUNITY

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

â– A11

By Duane Ramsey TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER

55 N. Dixie, Perrysburg ~ 12

...got gyros?

TM

*-;< /aZW[

/ZMMS ;ITIL[ 1V <W_V ;QVKM !

Back to school Kids 1/2 off Specials breakfast

$1.99 on at Charlies at all Charlieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Monroe locations for a limited time.

407 Airport Hwy., Swanton ~ 6605 Lewis Ave. ~ 6945 W. Central Ave ~ 5228 ~ 26555 N. Dixie, Perrysburg

5228 Monroe Street ~ Spring Meadows ~ 6945 Central Ave ~ 5228 Monroe Street ~ Spring Meadows ~ 265

dramsey@toledofreepress.com

9LVLW XV RQ WKH ZHE IRU FRXSRQV ZZZ FKDUOLHVRIWROHGR FRP

Two of the newest eateries in town are family-owned and operated and bring with them more than 100 new jobs.

Lesley and Tom Rekkas opened the Spring Gardens Restaurant in the former Big Boy location on Summit Street at the foot of the High Level Bridge.

The couple has 22 years of restaurant business experience in the Chicago area and relocated their family to open the new family dining place in Toledo, according to Lesley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thought Toledo would be a good place to open a restaurant with our menu,â&#x20AC;? Tom said.

They advertised the jobs on Craigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List and received about 200 applications for 30 to 50 positions, including cooks, servers and hostesses, Lesley said.

Tom handles the cooks and kitchen, while she is responsible for the hostesses, servers and customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to serve food the way we like to eat at home, only the restaurant is our home,â&#x20AC;?

Lesley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to offer

old-fashioned family dinners at affordable prices with 200-plus items on the menu. We make our own bread, gravies, sauces, soups and salad dressings.â&#x20AC;?

She said they chose the vacant restaurant because of its location near an older neighborhood and its proximity to the Downtown community, ballpark and new arena. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want low-income people from this area to afford to eat here regularly,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Spring Gardens is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It could remain open later on nights with Downtown events, she said.

Brothers open barbeque The Schiavone brothers, Antonio Jr. and Dean, recently opened the Flaming Pit Barbeque & Blues restaurant on The Docks at International Park in the location of the former Dirty Martini and Gumbos.

Chef Tony, as Antonio is known, runs the kitchen and Dean, the front end of the business. The brothers previously operated a Flaming Pit Barbeque on Sylvania Avenue near Jackman Road in Toledo and one in Fostoria.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTOS BY CHARLIE LONGTON

New restaurants find it best to stay with family

â&#x2013;

FROM LEFT, TOM, ZOEY, NASH, SOPHEE AND LESLIE REKKAS AT SPRING GARDENS.

Tony said they grew up in the restaurant business with their parents, Tony and Judy Schiavone. Tony cooked alongside his father at the old Hillcrest Hotel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When this location came up, people kept telling us we should open a restaurant here, so we checked it out and decided to do it,â&#x20AC;? Tony said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Business has been steady TONY SCHIAVONE with new faces every day.â&#x20AC;?

All meats are cooked with home-

made 18-season rubs and slow smoked over low heat provided by burning special woods for smoking.

The smoked meats include brisket, chicken, pulled pork, ribs and sausage. All appetizers are battered inhouse, he said.

The Flaming Pit Barbeque is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday with about 67 full and part-time employees. It could be opening for lunch in the near future, Tony said.

The restaurant has live blues music on Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The upstairs bar is available for catering private parties.

MEDIA

TFP debuts David Broadway fashion magazine

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

Beautiful people arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just walking the streets of New York City and Los Angeles. They are turning heads in Northwest Ohio, too, according to local salon owner and national fashion expert David Broadway.

They are at the mall, in supermarkets and at the movies.

And now these beautiful people will be in Free Style, a new full-color, glossy monthly magazine Toledo Free Press is producing in conjunction with Broadway.

The magazine debuts Aug. 30 with Corey Woods, a BGSU student Broadway discovered at Kazmaierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Perrysburg.

The magazine makes note on the makeup, hairstyles and clothing worn by the models. Copies of the fashion magazine are inserted into selected ZIP codes that receive home-delivered copies of Toledo Free Press.

Broadway said Woods will be shocked when she sees these photos,

which he compared to those that run in Cosmo and Vogue.

Broadway said the purpose of the magazine is as much about local beauty as it is about interesting stories and people. Woods and her boyfriend, who also works at Kazmaierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, are a little love story themselves, he said.

Broadway doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plan to limit his models to young and thin, either.

He said he recognizes beauty in all ages, all figures and all races.

An upcoming issue might feature a learning disabled resident from East Toledo and her athletic boyfriend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is beautiful and has a body like Marilyn Monroe,â&#x20AC;? Broadway said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a runway model, yet she has the looks where she could be a print model. Not everyone is 6 foot 3 inches tall.â&#x20AC;?

Broadway has worked with local photographer Rick Luettke for years. Luettke is the person who shot Woods and will take photos of future models. Broadway and Luettke want to hear from Northwest Ohio residents about people who should be featured in Free Style.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to keep all of our shenanigans in the city,â&#x20AC;? Broadway said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize how beautiful people are in Toledo.â&#x20AC;?

One way Broadway plans to recruit models is through David Broadway Salon. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how he has discovered beauties in the past. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They come through the salon,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is the great part.â&#x20AC;?

He also wants them to share

more than their /," 1

°°°Ă&#x160; " , 9Ă&#x160;7 "" good looks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is the whole deal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tell us [your] story,â&#x20AC;? eventually do, Broadway said, the main purpose of the new Broadway said.

Part of Woodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appeal was magazine is to show the city that her Ralph Lauren look, which beautiful people live and work in includes a lean physique and Northwest Ohio. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If nothing else, it will be a self-esfreckles, he said.

While some of his models may teem boost and something that they aspire to work beyond Toledo, and can keep forever,â&#x20AC;? Broadway said. Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x203A;Â&#x2C6;`Ă&#x160;

Ă&#x2022;}Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;äÂ&#x2122;

Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x153;>`Ă&#x153;>Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;

*Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x153;`Ă&#x2022;VĂ&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153; Â&#x2DC;

A12

BUSINESS LINK

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

CITY OF TOLEDO

By Duane Ramsey TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

Mayor Carty Finkbeiner introduced Ricci Gardner Sr. as the new director of development for the City of Toledo at an Aug. 27 news conference.

“Gardner brings immense experience and knowledge in transportation. He is a quick learner in economic development and is already familiar with many of our projects,” Finkbeiner said.

Gardner spent the past several years working in Toledo for Dana Corporation as global vice president of logistics since 2007, vice president of human resources (2005-2007) and vice president of product development and strategic planning (2002-2005) for the Tier 1 auto supplier.

He previously served as vice president of the automotive business unit of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Gardner earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in transportation and economics at the University of Tennessee.

“We realize the importance of economic development, transportation and logistics in this region, where we have some of the best assets. We want to finish as many projects as we can this year to maintain and obtain jobs here,” Gardner said.

Garnder’s annual salary of $90,000 will come from the City of Toledo’s

block grant funds and not from the general fund, Finkbeiner said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get him for the modest amount of $90,000. He is a strong leader with a reputation for proactive, creative solutions leading to bottom line results,” the mayor said.

Finkbeiner said that Gardner will work closely with the Joint Task Force on Intermodal Logistics in partnership with the ToledoLucas County Port Authority, Lucas County Improvement Corp., Regional Growth Partnership and UT. “Gardner is already involved in the project,” said Jim Tuschman, a local attorney who serves as chairman of the intermodal task force.

“The intermodal project is just a small step in a long walk to economic recovery,” said Jim Tuschman, referring to the Airline Junction Intermodal project with Norfolk Southern in Toledo.

The Airline Junction Intermodal project has the potential to create 893 permanent new jobs, including 438 in transportation and logistics and 455 new indirect positions in an eightcounty region during the next seven years, according to Finkbeiner.

“We have to maximize the use of all our assets for Toledo to become a center of transportation logistics,” said Richard Martinko, director of the Intermodal Transportation Institute at UT and a member of the task force. “The University has been involved in this intermodal project

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY DUANE RAMSEY

Toledo hires new director of development

■

TOLEDO MAYOR CARTY FINKBEINER WELCOMED RICCI GARDNER SR. AS THE CITY’S NEW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AUG. 27.

from the beginning.”

“The intermodal is an extremely important project for the City of Toledo and Ricci’s 15 years of proven success in the intermodal industry will significantly assist this project,” Finkbeiner said.

The mayor said there are another “15 hot projects” in economic development, including an auto-related deal that involves an existing employer adding 125 to 200 jobs. He said the city

expects to make an announcement about it in the near future.

“There’s a lot of work to be done in economic development by the end of 2009. We’ll be busting our tails until the last day of my term because that’s what the taxpayers want,” Finkbeiner said.

When asked why he would accept a job that may only last for four months, he said, “The time frame works for me as

it’s critical for me to stay in this area.

If I’m out the door in four months, that’s OK.” The mayor also said that he would not be surprised if whoever is elected mayor in November would decide to keep Gardner in this position.

“Ricci has the skills, knowledge and leadership that will inspire the Development Department to close this year with a strong job creation record,” Finkbeiner said.

Mercy Health Partners change name; Mickus says Mercy is ‘in the black’ Mercy Health Partners is reducing its name, but not its community commitment, the hospital chain’s president said Aug. 27.

The seven area hospitals now have shorter names, such as Mercy St. Anne Hospital and Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. Steven L. Mickus, Mercy CEO and president, said the change symbolizes the hospitals efforts to better serve the community with a unified approach.

In his remarks, Mickus alluded to criticism of the nation’s

for-profit health care system of which hospital care accounted for 31 percent of the approximately $2.2 trillion annual costs in 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mickus said half of U.S. hospitals are losing money, but Mercy, a nonprofit organization, remains in the black, while still maintaining a commitment to treat uninsured or under insured people.

Mickus said the hospitals provided approximately $78.7 million in community benefits last year, including

More businesses are banking with Key. Shouldn’t you?

$17.7 million to treat poor and underserved people.

“It doesn’t matter whether you have money or not, we accept everyone,” Mickus told the approximately 100 employees who gathered for the name changing ceremony outside Mercy St. Anne Hospital on West Sylvania Avenue. “The national debate can rage and rage and rage, but no one goes without health care in Northwest Ohio because we treat everyone who comes to our facilities.”

— Evan Goodenow

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

KeyBank

BUSINESS LINK

AUGUST 30, 2009

wishes to recognize the acheivement of

Daniel Killam MAI Senior Appraiser of The William Fall Group, Danial Killam was granted the Appraisal Institute’s prestigios MAI membership designation on June 4, 2009. The MAI designation is earned upon the successful completion of a graduate level curriculum, including a written demonstration of competency appraisal report, comprehensive examination and completion of 4,500 hours of qualifying experience. Designees are considered expert in appraising commercial, industrial, residential and specialized properties, and regularly advise clients on real estate investment decisions. Currently only 6,000 real estate appraisal professionals hold the MAI designation.

MONCLOVA REAL ESTATE

AUCTION

9921 LaPLANTE ROAD MONCLOVA, OHIO 43542 SUN. SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Improving your relationship with the economy

“I

t’s not you, it’s me.” The words with your company? When times are have been spoken so often, tough, we covet greener grass that they’ve become famous (or must exist somewhere. We look at infamous). The phrase is often used as what we’re missing instead of what we have. No, Mr. Ema way to soften the bad ployer, “it’s not you, it’s news when breaking up me.” Heeding this truth a romantic relationship. can once again help But the words are applius to see that we have cable to other types of things to work with; we relationships. have tools and opportuLook at your renities that, if we actually lationship with the fought a little, we would economy. We blame be able to utilize. the economy for our It’s strange that a moods, our lack of enTom RICHARD simple phrase could thusiasm at work and have such special for keeping us from taking that family vacation. No, Mr. powers, but its potency lies in the Economy, “it’s not you, it’s me.” It’s realizations that necessarily follow. a sharp but honest statement. This It forces action on anyone who is admission can re-ignite our busi- discontent with a deteriorating situness enthusiasm and suddenly make ation. Refuse to be a victim of your environment; it’s only a way to make those vacation plans feasible again.

What about your relationship failure comfortable.

Ranch home built in 2003, that is impressive and nestled on 1.65+/- acres with 3 beds and 2 full baths . Kitchen has custom cabinetry, center island, large eat in area and tile floors. Large four season all glass sunroom overlooking lush landscape. Master bedroom features tray ceilings and master bath with Jacuzzi tub. Owners moving and selling at auction. Any buyers in Monclova, Whitehouse, or Waterville looking to move up can call to be pre-approved to trade in their home.

View A Color Brochure and More Information Online!

www.pamelaroseauction.com CALL FOR MORE DETAILS

419.865.1224

Pamela Rose, Auctioneer CAI AARE

Dawn Rose-Sohnly Auctioneer, Broker AARE CAI

©2009

commercial showcase OREGON INDUSTRIAL - CEDAR POINT RD.

1040 Wynn Rd., Oregon 80,000 Square foot industrial/ distribution center in Lucas Co., Close to BP refinery.

Block/steel construction built in 2005. Fenced lot. 8 dock doors and 1 overhead door. 2500 SF offices. Industrial zoned.

OREGON INDUSTRIAL - OFFICE

215 N Lallendorf Rd., Oregon 3,000 SF. $2,000 /Month. Also lease exterior large vehicle parking/interior equipment bays. Office Area-8 private offices, 1 conference area, 2 restrooms. Work bay for indoor parking, storage, or light assembly.

Metal building rehabbed.

TOLEDO EXPRESS AIRPORT

11362 S Airfield Rd., Swanton 40,000 SF Available.

Concrete construction adjacent to Toledo Express Airport and with easy access to I-80/90.

Land is owned by Toledo Port Authority and property is within Foreign Trade Zone.

Ed Harmon 419.392.5838

■ A13

SELLING POINTS

The William Fall Group

Pame a Rose

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

Jim Steinwand 419.466.3941

Call 1-877-AT-LIBERTY

But the idea doesn’t need to have such a negative tone. Flip it around; put it in a positive situation. Imagine winning an account others thought was impossible. Taste sweet victory when others lacked the bravado to even make an attempt. “It’s not you, its ME!” is much more refreshing from a positive perspective. You were the one who made the decision to do something, while others dragged their feet; you were the one who saw water, where others saw desert.

We’re talking about personal responsibility, but we’re also talking about a different kind of responsibility. Not the “remember-to-takeout-the-trash” kind of responsibility — the type of responsibility that puts you in control of your own success no matter what.

Every moment of every day, you have a choice to make. You can take what you’re given in life or you can decide to do as much as possible with what is available. Your responsibility is simple: You must make a choice.

It’s quite simple, but difficult. All you need to do is to constantly find the brighter side of the situation, but that is not at all natural. Saying you are going to find the positive side of things is easy; truly believing is an entirely different challenge.

It’s been said that worthwhile accomplishments are never easy, but that hasn’t stopped you before.

Thinking positively, feeling grateful and seeing opportunity is no different than any other challenge you’ve pursued. If you’ve tried and found yourself slipping back to the negativity, then you simply haven’t understood the challenge properly.

The challenge is to catch yourself when you slip, redirect your thoughts and stick to it. The trick is to not condemn yourself when you slip. Condemnation and guilt are not positive thoughts. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, forgive yourself, thank yourself for catching it and put a smile back on your face.

Like any relationship, you need to work at it; you cannot give up when times are tough. The more committed you are to your relationships, the better they’ll become.

Receive tips on improving your relationships by going to www. boltfromtheblue.com and entering the word RELATIONSHIP into the blueprint box.

Tom Richard is a Toledo-based sales and marketing consultant, keynote speaker and owner of Bolt from the Blue direct response advertising.

For more information, visit www.

BoltFromTheBlue.com or call (419) 441-1005.

A14 â&#x2013; TOLEDO FREE PRESS

BUSINESS LINK

AUGUST 30, 2009

Your First and Only Stop Before and After Every Event at the New Arena!

Try Our Famous 11 oz.

Legend Burger on a Pretzel Bun!

Great Drink Specials • Live Music • Open 7 Days a Week Weekly Lunch & Dinner Specials • FREE Parking

Daily Lunch Specials Under $500 Corner of South St. Clair and Washington

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA FIRST LOOK: New Arena set to open in October

By Duane Ramsey TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

The Toledo Walleye hockey team will break in the new Lucas County Arena with its season opener Oct. 16.

“We’re ready for the public to experience the new arena,” said Steve Miller, general manager of the Lucas County Arena and SeaGate Convention Centre for SMG, the company that manages both facilities.

A public open house will be hosted Oct. 3 from noon to 4 p.m.

Miller will be responsible for the daily operations of the arena, as well as all events other than Walleye hockey and Bullfrogs arena football. More than 70 events have been booked for 2009 and 2010, he said.

The Lucas County Arena will seat 7,500 fans for sporting events and 9,000 for concerts, replacing the former Toledo Sports Arena’s 5,230seat capacity.

More than 500,000 people are projected to attend events annually at the new arena, according to Gateway Consultants Group, which is promoting the arena as it has Fifth Third Field.

“We have a banquet facility that can seat between 200 to 250 people,” Miller said. “We have a couple of other party areas around the arena where we can do pre-game and post-game parties and will also have four party suites that can be rented as well.”

The building has also been de-

signed to attract big-name talent like Daughtry, comedian Jeff Dunham and the tour cast of “So You Think You Can Dance.”

The arena has a “great rigging grid [to] be able to accommodate large shows that tour the United States,” Miller said. “We have plenty of dressing room space. We’ve got a great acoustic building as well. It’s going to be very acoustically sound for the artists. They’ve done a great job designing the acoustics, so that you’re going to have a great concert experience when you come.”

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

A15

First-class facility The arena joins the Downtown entertainment district that includes Fifth Third Field, the SeaGate Convention Centre, Valentine Theatre and Toledo Museum of Art. More than 2.5 million visitors are expected to visit these attractions annually, according to SMG. “It’s a first-class facility and a positive change from the old sports arena,” said Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop. “It was not an easy project to plan, pay for or build, but it will be the top facility of its size in the country.”

The Lucas County Arena is a 270,000-square-feet facility with an overall price tag of $105 million. The cost of construction materials and labor will total about $75 million, according to SMG. The arena includes 20 private suites and 850 club level seats located above the main seating area.

■ ARENA CONTINUES ON A16

■

LUCAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER BEN KONOP SAID THE NEW ARENA WILL BE ‘THE TOP FACILITY OF ITS SIZE IN THE COUNTRY.’

official nightlife navigator stop!

1516 adams st., toledo 419.243.6675 free parking www.manhattanstoledo.com

after-work cocktails relaxed urban atmosphere toledo’s best jazz and blues music thursday-sunday

stop by before and after every Walleye game

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

A16 â&#x2013; TOLEDO FREE PRESS

BVS bVW\Ua eS R] T]`

AUGUST 30, 2009

W ceh[ cWdW][WXb[ cehj]W][$

â&#x2013; WALLEYE FAN MARK HUMMER OF PERRYSBURG SHAKES HANDS WITH MASCOT SPIKE AT THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;LAST SEAT INSTALLEDâ&#x20AC;? CEREMONY AT THE LUCAS COUNTY ARENA.

â&#x2013; ARENA CONTINUED FROM A15 Four additional party suites, two on the club level and two on the main concourse, will be available for rental to the public on an individual game basis.

Club level seats offer a separate concourse, lounge and access to two outdoor terraces that can be rented for private parties. The club level lounge features a semi-circular bar and overlooks the entire playing surface.

The private concourse provides concessions, restrooms and television monitors that will show all major sporting events on cable and closed circuit telecasts.

A 20-by-30-foot electronic video board is located on the wall at the opposite end from the club lounge.

It will serve as the main scoreboard, while simultaneously showing replays and other video features.

A 600-foot-long ribbon video board runs around three sides of the arena on the facing of the club level.

It will flash scores, statistics, sponsorships and special promotions.

Miller and Joe Napoli, president and general manager of the Toledo Walleye hockey, said they had options for a traditional four-sided scoreboard hung over center ice. However, they chose the large screen at one end with the ribbon boards because of the flexibility and technology.

Miller said fans will appreciate the wide concourses, concessions and restrooms on both levels of the arena. A special lounge, named The Aquarium, is located on the main concourse with large glass doors that will open onto a patio on Huron Street.

Exceed expectations â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better than I envisioned and exceeded all my expectations,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Hummer of Perrysburg, the Walleye season ticket holder who recently became the first fan to sit in the last seat installed in the arena.

Hummer represents about 2,000 fans who have already purchased season tickets for the Walleye. The team is aiming to sell 2,500 season tickets by the opening of hockey season, said

Napoli, who is also president and general manager of the Bullfrogs arena football team that will begin playing in the spring of 2010. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They certainly did it right. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fabulous facility that will be great for hockey fans,â&#x20AC;? said Hummer, a longtime season ticket holder of the former Toledo Storm and Goaldigger teams.

Walleye Head Coach Nick Vitucci said the new arena will be a good place to play and watch hockey games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a great recruiting tool and provides players with an opportunity to play in an arena of this quality,â&#x20AC;? Vitucci said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be no better place to play in the ECHL than Toledo with the Lucas County Arena,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Bernard, general manager of minor league hockey operations for the Chicago Blackhawks, who announced an affiliation agreement with the Toledo Walleye. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I played and coached in Toledo,â&#x20AC;? Bernard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nick is a great coach and the hockey fans here are knowledgeable and passionate. The Chicago Blackhawks are thrilled with this agreement.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special for me because Mark and I grew up together in Hamilton, Ontario, and played hockey together,â&#x20AC;? Vitucci said.

The Walleye are excited to be affiliated with two of the original six NHL teams with the agreements they have with Chicago and the Detroit Red Wings, Vitucci said.

Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken said the opening of the arena has been a long time in coming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we started in 2006, we had talked about it for six or seven years. My first, immediate goal was to stop the conversation and start the project,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My next goal was to bring it in on time and on budget, which I think we have.â&#x20AC;?

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer Alissa Romstadt contributed to this story.

On the web

visit www.lucascountyarena.com and click on links for more information.

3/AG 6=;3 @347 :=/< A;

#

;OfW[c[

1Z]aW\U 1]aba

/ 4WTbV BVW`R 3Oag 6][S @SÂż :]O\ QO\ VSZ^ g]c W\ [O\g eOga CaS Wb b] Z]eS` bVS `ObS ]` ^Og[S\b ]\ g]c` SfWabW\U []`bUOUS ^Og ]TT VWUV W\bS`Sab PWZZa ]` Âż\O\QS V][S W[^`]dS[S\ba /Z]\U eWbV Z]e 1Z]aW\U 1]aba g]c USb O Z]e ÂżfSR `ObS O\R ^Og[S\b T]` bVS ZWTS ]T bVS Z]O\ /^^ZgW\U Wa _cWQY O\R SOag O\R g]c` QZ]aW\U eWZZ bOYS ^ZOQS Ob g]c` Z]QOZ 4WTbV BVW`R 0O\YW\U 1S\bS` 5WdS ca O QOZZ Ob &$$ #! :=/<A ]` dWaWb #! Q][ b] aSS eVOb eS QO\ R] T]` g]c

=TTS` Oa ]T & $ ' AcPXSQb b] Q`SRWb `SdWSe O\R O^^`]dOZ =TTS` OdOWZOPZS ]\ Âż`ab ZWS\ `SÂż\O\QSa ]\Zg 7\bS`Sab [Og PS bOf RSRcQbWPZS Q]\acZb g]c` bOf ORdWa]` @ObS bS`[a O\R Q]\RWbW]\a O`S acPXSQb b] QVO\US eWbV]cb \]bWQS 7\ 5S]`UWO W\bO\UWPZS bOfSa O^^Zg O\R eWZZ US\S`OZZg `O\US T`][ ! b] # 7\ BS\\SaaSS `SQ]`RObW]\ bOfSa O^^Zg O\R eWZZ US\S`OZZg `O\US T`][ ' b] "%% # BVS b]bOZ Q]ab ]T bVSaS bOfSa Wa POaSR c^]\ bVS Z]O\ O[]c\b bVS VWUVSab \c[PS` Wa POaSR ]\ O " % Z]O\ O[]c\b BVS bOfSa T]` ^`]^S`bWSa W\ 5S]`UWO O\R BS\\SaaSS O`S \]b ^O`b ]T bVS # 1Z]aW\U 1]aba O\R O`S `S_cW`SR b] PS ^OWR W\ ORRWbW]\ b] bVS # 1Z]aW\U 1]aba =TTS` ]\Zg dOZWR ]\ ^`]^S`bWSa Z]QObSR W\ 5S]`UWO 7ZZW\]Wa 7\RWO\O 9S\bcQYg ;WQVWUO\ ;Waa]c`W <]`bV 1O`]ZW\O =VW] A]cbV 1O`]ZW\O BS\\SaaSS O\R ESab DW`UW\WO 4WTbV BVW`R 0O\Y ;S[PS` 4271 3_cOZ 6]caW\U :S\RS`

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

â&#x2013; A17

Take the short walk to the new Lucas County Arena KWIK in

KWIK out

500+ spaces surrounding the arena ONE BLOCK WEST OF ARENA *NW corner of Erie & Jefferson

*NW corner of Erie & Madison

400+ spaces Commodore Perry Parking Garage 1/2 BLOCK SOUTH OF ARENA

1

12

MONROE

We are proud to welcome the Lucas County Arena!

SUPERIOR SeaGate Convention Center

JEFFERSON

HURON Commodore Perry Parking Garage

New SUPERIOR Lucas County Arena

ADAMS

ERIE

1 MADISON

check out our complete map kwikparking.com or 419-327-2500 for locations

JEFFERSON

*entrance on Superior

A18 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

e were sitting over a without the professional organizacouple cups of Joe and tion behind him and the positioning I said to Nick, “Nick, in of the right people in the right areas.

Now, with the manage875,000 words or less, ment team and all of its what goes into starting patronage in place, all a hockey franchise Vitucci has to do is sit from scratch?” back, wait for players to He doesn’t hesitate. arrive, pick 18 and con“Caffeine,” he said, sliding his cup my way tend for an ECHL title.

And if you believe for emphasis. “A lot of caffeine.” that, you’re childish well Nick Vitucci is the beyond your years. stimulant that will make Dave WOOLFORD Scouting Toledo’s return to the ECHL this year succeed after hockey During the past two years, Vitucci left town for two years to recoup, re- has attended about 200 hockey games. group and kill time until the soon- He has a scouting staff of six people to-be unveiled Lucas County Sports who have seen another few hundred, Arena could stand on its own. bringing the total to about 500 games Vitucci’s specific “Joe” is Joe per year seen by both Vitucci and his Napoli, president and general staff as they search every frozen nook, manager of the Toledo Walleye cranny and hockey haunt for the perand the Toledo Mud Hens. He fect, unequaled, ultimate Walleye. had the foresight and intuition Once Vitucci has the prospect’s to make sure that the high-spir- attention, there’s the dickering ited and hard-working Vitucci, with his agent, the gathering of the former Toledo Storm coach, background information from his would stick around to re-energize former coach and the cajoling of his hockey in Toledo. mother, for starters.

Vitucci maintained that the entire process wouldn’t be possible ■ VITUCCI CONTINUES ON A19

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY LAD STRAYER

Coach Vitucci familiar with miracles on ice W

■

NICK VITUCCI HAS WORKED ON BUILDING THE WALLEYE HOCKEY TEAM WHILE THE LUCAS COUNTY ARENA WAS CONSTRUCTED.

■ VITUCCI CONTINUED FROM A18

Dream team

Then, we’ve got to make arrangements to get the prospect here for a tryout. What about immigration? Vitucci, take care of all of that, get him signed to a contract and don’t forget the salary cap.

And what about the budget, scheduling bus travel, player per diem when on the road, hotels, equipment pickup and drop off, and where did Pierre leave his cell phone? Nick, check into all of that.

And then there are the phone calls. No cauliflower ears yet, but Vitucci is working on it when you consider that during an eight-hour day in his office, he’s on the phone six hours, by his own estimate, followed by another two hours on the horn at home each night.

Let’s not forget about our NHL affiliations with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. Vitucci has to keep in constant contact with them, so he has a idea of how many players they’re going to send to his main training camp starting Oct. 2.

And there’s always the task of pinpointing players who might be worthy of sending up to the NHL affiliate’s training camps in an effort to impress Big Brother, which is always a concern.

Vitucci recently invited 60 sort of, off-the-street players to a two-day mini-camp where he sifted through the goods in pursuit of one or two morsels of hockey talent.

Actually, Vitucci and his staff discovered eight or nine players who they might invite to their regular training camp. Vitucci hopes to have about 40 players in camp, which is more than a lot of ECHL coaches care to deal with.

“I would like to have 40 in camp because I would like to have a brandnew team to have good competition right from the get-go,” he said.

“I want people looking over their shoulders saying, ‘Wow. There’s six other left wingers here. I’ve really got to step up my game if I want to make this club.’”

There will be four exhibition games in four consecutive nights starting Oct. 8 with mix-and-match lineups involving all 40 players.

Who’s going to handle all of that, including the logistics? Hey, Nick. Got a minute?

“There’s been so many coaches from our level that have advanced to the NHL and American Hockey League in different capacities other than coaching because those leagues recognize that these people at our level work hard, there’s a lot on their

plate and they can multitask. Once you get up to the NHL it’s, ‘Here’s your team. Go coach.’” Vitucci said.

“Coaches at that level don’t have to do any of these other things. At our level, there’s so much more that goes into it.

“I’ve learned you have to turn it off for an hour or so. You’ve really got to be in the right frame of mind as well.

If you’ve got an interview and there’s a million things on your mind, like mowing the lawn or getting an oil change, I’m sure it becomes hard to really get into asking the right questions. To me a lot of that applies to recruiting. You’ve got to be ready to go, to be sharp. Which reminds me, I’ve got to brush the dog. She’s shedding all over everything.”

Ice breaker So I said to Nick, exhausted from just listening to him describe his countless duties, “Nick, do you suppose I could walk into the new Lucas County Arena and grab a quick peek?”

Vitucci was on his feet immediately. He’s ready to turn it off for an hour or so and do a personal tour, something that stimulates his enthusiasm even more. It’s as if he’s also seeing it for the first time as we tour every level of this extraordinary hockey emporium.

Vitucci pointed out all the

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■

■ A19

FROM LEFT, BLACKHAWKS’ MARK BERNARD, NICK VITUCCI AND JOE NAPOLI.

amenities, how it helps recruiting, how it impresses the NHL affiliates and most importantly the size of the ice surface. It’s regulation size, 200-feet-by-85-feet, something Toledo hockey fans have never seen here.

What a great home-ice advantage the old, undersized sports arena ice surface was when all our hulking hitters on defense stalked the visiting forwards, luring them into the corners for loose pucks and then wrinkling them like an old towel accidentally left in the washer.

But Vitucci was quick to point out that the same style was a big detriment on the road where the rinks were bigger, the players faster and the inclination for goon and doom not as prevalent.

The Sports Arena’s stunted ice surface also deterred NHL affiliates

from stocking Toledo with quality prospects because developmental players couldn’t play the same style that’s required of them at all the higher levels.

Speaking of size, the dimensions of the Walleye dressing room and, yes, even the ancillary dressing room, are extremely impressive when compared to the broom closet that served as the dressing room in the Sports Arena. Let’s just say that the new trainer’s room is just as big as the old sports arena dressing room.

As we took off our hardhats, glow-red vests and goggles (you’re welcome, OSHA), Vitucci proudly proclaimed, “That’s our barn.”

And that’s our coach, someone Toledo hockey fans should already know is definitely the best man for the job. Make that jobs — lots and lots of jobs.

A Green Lucas County Arena ° It’s a Gas, Gas, Gas KEEPING THE LUCAS COUNTY ARENA GREEN The world’s greenest arena will get the majority of its energy from natural gas. This helps keep our arena, our community and our planet green.

KEEPING LUCAS COUNTY GREEN Utilizing natural gas helps keep energy bills at the arena low. Lucas County will save 72 percent vs. current natural gas bills, allowing them to keep some green.

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

A20 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009

Happy Labor Day from WCM!

From Reihms Farm!

Seedless Whole Watermelon

2

$ 99 ea.

5

2/$

Blackberries or Raspberries 6 oz.

HOMEGROWN Local Sweet Grape Tomatoes 1 pint

WCM Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns 8 ct.

$ 99

4

2/$

lb.

3

2/$ Produce Manager Perrysburg Hank

Made in Perrysburg!

5

2/$

Garlic Expressions Salad Dressing & Marinade 12.5 oz.

3

$ 49

13

$

USDA CHOICE Strip Steaks

12 oz.

4

$ 49

Special recipe from the world-famous restaurant in NYC since 1977!

Roadhouse BBQ Sauce

Santa Barbara

18 oz.

12 oz.

8

3/$

8

$ 99

Salsa

5

2/$

Heinz Bush’s

Baked or Grillin’ Beans

Mayonnaise

Tomato Ketchup

30-32 oz.

40 oz.

22-28 oz.

5 $399

3/$

5

2/$

Quaker Pringles

Life Cereal

Potato Crisps

15 oz.

5.71-6.45 oz.

4

3/$

or Granola Bars 8.4 oz.

4

2/$

Thumann’s Natural Casing Hot Dogs

6

2/$ USDA Inspected Whole Beef Tenderloin

USDA CHOICE Angus Ground Chuck Family Pack

$ 99

$ 99

4 4

2/$

lb.

1

Nathan’s All Beef Franks 16 oz.

BUY ONE, GET ONE

FREE!

lb.

Organic Canned Beans 15 oz.

3

2/$

Quaker

Instant Oatmeal 10.5-16.2 oz.

5

2/$

Classic Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns 8 pk.

99¢

WCM 100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread 16 oz.

1

$ 49

1299

$

lb.

Deli/Seafood Manager - Maumee Nickolai

8x8

2

$ 49 WCM HOMEMADE Bratwurst

1

$ 99

All-Natural Boneless Pork Chops

2

99

$ 49

lb.

Miller Amish Drumsticks or Thighs

¢

lb.

BBQ Beef, Turkey or Pork

lb.

4

$ 99

E-Z Peel Raw Shrimp

lb. 16-20 ct.

9

$ 99 lb.

3

Sashimi-Grade Swordfish

9

$ 99 lb.

AT WALT CHURCHILL'S MARKET, IT DOESN'T COST MORE ... JUST TASTES BETTER!

Kraft

6

Money-saving coupons available at

2/$

Hot Dog Sauce 7.5 oz......$1.69

Planter’s

Dry Roasted Peanuts 16 oz.

5

2/$

www.waltchurchillsmarket.com Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, or MGD 64 12 oz. 24 pk. cans

16

$

99

Bogle Phantom

Oatmeal

2/$

lb.

ALL-NATURAL Dry Sea Scallops

lb.

WCM Snack Cakes

State Liquor Agency Now Open at our Maumee Location!

Tony Packo’s Pickles 24 oz.

Quaker Quick or Old-Fashioned 18 oz.

2

$ 99

U10 8-10 lb.

lb.

WCM Cut-Out Cookes 6 ct.

2

No Fillers, NO MSG & Gluten-Free!

2 $499

$ 99

ALL-NATURAL Pork Baby Back Ribs 3 pk.

lb.

Wonder Hellmann’s

7

Walt’s HOMEMADE lb. Potato Salad

$ 99

Westbrae

Sticky Fingers

Steak Sauce

4

Wisconsin Medium lb. Cheddar Chunk

$ 99

12 in.

WHERE SHOPPING IS EASY FOR GREAT MEALS AT HOME

Smith & Wollensky

“Sliced to Order” Thumann’s Rare Roast Beef

3/$

99

Packaged in Bowling Green!

Green Line Green Beans 12 oz.

Scratch Daily!

■ A21

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

No MSG & Gluten Free!

Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce

Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie

4

HOMEGROWN Local Muskmelons ALL-NATURAL Niman Ranch

1

5 oz. Clamshell

7

Our baked goods are made with the finest ingredients from

2/$

12/$ 99

Earthbound Organic Salads

USDA CHOICE Angus Strip Steaks

From Fall’s Family Farm!

HOMEGROWN Local Bi-Color Sweet Corn

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

Domino

Cane Sugar 5 lb.

5

2/$

3320 Briarfield Blvd., Maumee - 419.794.4000 | 26625 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg - 419.872.6900

750 ml

18

$

99

Save $1.00

Velvet

Klondike

Healthy Choice

Marie Callender

Ice Cream

Ice Cream Bars 6 pk.

Steamers

Cream or Fruit Pies 27-46 oz.

1.75 qt.

8

Kraft

6 nr.

5-8 oz.

7

$ 99

8

6

3/$

Goose Island Beer

9.5-10.4 oz.

Shredded or Chunk Cheese

Dannon Jell-O

Gelatin or Pudding Snacks

4

2/$

6 ct.

2/$

5

Yogurt

2/$

5

Gatorade

10.7-12 oz.

5

3/$

2/$

American Slices

3

$ 99

5

10/$

6 oz.

2/$

Daisy

Sour Cream

Simply

Lemonade or Limeade 59 oz.

16 oz.

4 2/$3

2/$

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay 750 ml

1499

$

Save $4.00

Lay’s

Potato Chips 10.5-11 oz.

BUY ONE, GET ONE Nabisco

FREE!

Ritz or Snack Crackers 7-11 oz.

Thirst Quencher 32 oz.

| We double manufacturer coupons up to 50¢ | PRICES EFFECTIVE AUG. 31  SEPT. 7, 2009

5

5/$

Coca-Cola or Pepsi Products 12 oz. 12 pk. or 24 oz. 6 pk.

10

3/$

Aquafina

Purified Water 16.9 oz. 24 pk.

3

$ 99

We reserve the right to limit quanities. No sales to vendors. No rainchecks.

Not responsible for pictorial or typographical errors.

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

A22 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009

New arena brings jobs, business to area companies

By Duane Ramsey TOLEDO FREE PRESS SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER dramsey@toledofreepress.com

The new Lucas County Arena isn’t open yet, but its effect on the local economy has been notable.

The $105 million project is nearing completion with the finishing touches being made on the details and features of the arena, according to Tim Meyer, project manager for The Lathrop Company, which is the construction management firm for the arena.

More than 2,000 construction trade workers were involved in the total arena project with a peak of about 280 working at one time.

Most of the 30-plus companies that provided products or services for the project were from this area or the surrounding region, Meyer said.

Lathrop has had 14 employees working on-site throughout the project with support from staff at the company’s offices in Maumee, according to Meyer. Lathrop also served as construction manager for Fifth Third Field.

The project began with a team of architects led by HNTB of Kansas City, Mo., serving as the architect of record for the design team that in-

cluded The Collaborative and Poggemeyer Design Group in Toledo.

HNTB is a national leader in the planning and design of entertainment and sports facilities, including Fifth Third Field in Toledo and the expansion of Ohio Stadium at The Ohio State University, according to the company’s Web site.

The Collaborative participated in the design of the building and site by providing urban planning, site design, and landscape architecture and construction documents for the project.

Paul Hollenbeck, senior partner, and Ray Micham, partner, of The Collaborative led a core team of four or five professionals with additional employees who contributed to the firm’s “unique partnership with HNTB and Lucas County,” according to Micham.

Poggemeyer Design, with offices in Toledo and Bowling Green, contributed civil and structural engineering, interior and site design services for the new arena, according to Greg Telecky, managing partner of the firm. Sonny Hamizadeh, project manager, led a team of 12 to 15 employees involved at various stages of the design work.

Several of the contractors involved cited the collaboration among

the various suppliers with the client, Lucas County, as the primary reason for the results of what was described

as a “charmed project.” Many of the contractors and designers worked with the county on Fifth Third Field

and were familiar with the process required for success.

■ BUSINESS CONTINUES ON A23

Celebrating the continued growth of Downtown Toledo as a partner in building the Lucas County Arena

www.mossergrp.com

Building with Integrity Since 1948

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009 ■ BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM A22 “So many people worked hard on the planning and leadership, making it a ‘charmed’ project that is ahead of schedule and under budget,” said Mike Beazley, administrator and chief of staff for Lucas County.

Bridgette Kabat, assistant county administrator and chief of staff, supervised the project for the county on a daily basis and “she did a great

job,” Beazley said.

Some of the contractors on the arena project included the following local companies.

■ Mosser Construction of Fremont provided more than 10,000 yards of concrete for the structural columns and decks with up to 50 employees working on the project, according to Matt Wolfe, project manager for the concrete work.

The company also installed more

ager for the company. A subsidiary, Chapel Romanoff Technology, installed all of the voice-data structured cable and fiber optic lines.

Hostetler said about 40 employees were involved at the peak of the work, but they averaged 20 to 25 workers throughout the project.

“It took a real teamwork approach with The Lathrop Company and Lucas County leading the team. It was great to be part of it,” Hostetler said.

■ Harmon Sign Company of Toledo provided all of the interior signage for the arena, producing the signs from designs created by a graphic design firm in Cleveland.

The sign company had up to 25 employees and 1,200 employee hours involved in the project, according to president Jeff Kasper.

Harmon Sign is among the largest custom manufacturers of signs, architectural and environmental graphics for commercial, entertainment, educational, and institutional clients, Kasper said. It created the signage for Fifth Third Field, Comerica Park and Ford Field in Detroit, the Fifth Third Bank sign on top of One SeaGate and is working on projects for the renovation of

than 200,000 concrete blocks for interior walls with 60,000 bricks and 50,000 square feet of stone on the exterior. Greg Brown, project manager for the masonry work, said a total of 60 people worked on that part of it.

■ Romanoff Electric of Toledo provided all electrical distribution, interior and exterior lighting including the sports lighting package, low voltage and LED controls, said Dana Hostetler, lead project man-

FOOTBALL

■ A23

Arrowhead Stadium for the Kansas City Chiefs and the new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins.

■ AB&B Ergonomics, a local materials handling company, was awarded a $39,000 contract to install an on-site trash compactor at the arena. The compactor will be similar to units the firm installed at Fifth Third Field and SeaGate Convention Centre.

“As a Toledo-based certified minority business, I am excited that my company was able to play a small role in the development of the new arena — something very important to our region and downtown development,” Betty Osenbaugh, president of the company, stated in a press release.

About $1.5 million in infrastructure improvements were made, including replacement of curbs, sidewalks and pavement of the streets around the arena. The Greater Downtown Business Partnership worked with the City of Toledo and Lucas County to obtain the capital improvement matching grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission, said Tom Crothers, president of the Downtown organization.

TFP PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

Headquarters

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

EVERY GAME IN HD! 4-15 ft. HD Projection TV’s Pick a Seat and Request the Game of Your Choice!

■

FROM LEFT, TIM MEYER OF LATHROP, BRIDGETTE KABAT OF LUCAS COUNTY AND RAY MICHAM OF THE COLLABORATIVE IN THE NEW ARENA’S LOBBY.

Live Entertainment Friday & Saturday

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

419-724-7437

Ask about our FREE shuttle service!

3150 NAVARRE IN OREGON Right off 280, 15 minutes from West Toledo

419.691.8880 www.YEEHAS.com

myspace.com/YEEHAS1

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

New Gourmet Pizza and Exotic Drink Specials Every Sunday!

Open every Sunday at 5:00pm 28 South Saint Clair • Downtown Toledo

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

A24 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009

Once upon a time, there was a walleye ...

By Alissa Romstadt TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

The newest Toledo mascot found his calling when he ran into some local celebrities.

One day while fishing on the Maumee River, Toledo Mud Hens Racing with the Stars Kitty Holmes caught a walleye that was “taller than most and big around the belly,” according to Bethany Couts, assistant promotions manager for the Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Walleye and Toledo Bullfrogs.

That day, Holmes, along with friends Jamie Farmadillo and Jim Flealand, were enjoying a fishing trip when Holmes caught this big one, Couts explained.

When he came out of the water, the three mascots were scared and took off running, she said.

But then they turned around, and met Spike the Walleye and he explained he was only trying to be their friend.

The four became fast friends, and now Spike, mascot for the Toledo Walleye hockey team, is the newest addition to the Toledo mascot lineup, joining Holmes, Farmadillo,

Flealand and Mud Hens mascots Muddy and Muddonna, and their mischievous cohorts from outer space, Muddiva and Muddevious.

“We wanted to take into account something that would appeal to all ages, but that would convey the whole aspect of the mascot being our No. 1 fan,” Couts said.

“So, we took all the criteria, as well as the names and suggestions that people had given us throughout the year,” said Cheri Pastula, manager of community relations for the Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Walleye and Toledo Bullfrogs. “We took it all into consideration and had the committee review all that and move forward.”

“First and foremost, we wanted him to be appealing and friendly to our youngest fans,” Pastula said.

“Knowing that so many kids come to the games to see the mascot, we wanted him to be someone who would appeal to our younger fans and audience, but not just them, to the older group, too.”

Walleye is an appropriate mascot for a hockey team, Couts said.

“It is somewhat of a fierce fish.

It’s got spiky teeth; the mascot does not, and they’re known as a scrappier fish, and we thought that ap-

plied to hockey,” she said.

The name “Spike” was the result

of much consideration and community involvement.

■ WALLEYE CONTINUES ON A25

REUPARK A Division of The Reuben Company

Only 1 Block Away!

Parking for All Events at the New Downtown Arena.

Valet Parking • Special Events 24 S. Huron • Toledo, Ohio 43604 • (419) 241-3400 www.reubenco.com

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

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Thurs - Fri - Sat

Friday, Sept. 4th Ras Riddim “Reggae Night” Red Stripe Promo!

Saturday Sept. 5 Resonant Soul

HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri 4-7pm

ve We Ha I

WI-F

Great Food.

Great Drinks.

Great Time.

GOOD LUCK WALLEYE!

Your First & Only Stop Before & After Every Walleye game!

601 MONROE STREET • RIGHT ACROSS FROM FIFTH THIRD FIELD • For music listings, drink and food specials, go to theblarneyirishpub.com

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009 ■ WALLEYE CONTINUED FROM A24 “We decided to pick a name that would appeal to all age groups that … had some history or some connection with the region,” Couts said.

“The term ‘spike’ is actually used to describe walleye that are about the diameter of a railroad spike. They are below the 15-inch minimum that a walleye fisherman would consider a keeper, but they’re scrappy enough

submit names, we took those names to some local schools and had the children vote on which name they liked the best,” Couts said. “And Spike was the most popular name among the kids; he had about 75 percent of the vote.”

Spike has been at all the home Mud Hens games since he was revealed July 27. He has been busy making appearances throughout the community and will continue to appear. Those who have not yet met Spike can find him

to take on fishing lures meant for larger walleye. Because of that, we like the name.”

“It was also a suggestion from the ‘name the mascot’ contest that we had and, after we had people

www.CousinosRestaurants.com

■ A25

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 2 at Wendy’s on 5560 Central Ave. He will also be at Mud Hens home games, including the Sept. 3 game, which will be a hockey night, Couts said.

“Head coach Nick Vitucci will be throwing out the first pitch. There will be autograph opportunities and foam pucks distributed upon entry,” she said.

For a full Spike schedule, visit www.toledowalleye.com.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLES LONGTON

Before & After

Cousino’s Family Restaurants

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■

SPIKE THE WALLEYE IS READY TO REPRESENT TOLEDO’S NEWEST HOCKEY TEAM.

Park undercover for all arena events.

ParkSmart facilities conveniently located next to the new downtown arena.

Downtown Toledo Parking Authority • 227 North St. Clair Street • Toledo, Ohio 43604 • 419-242-7515

A26 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

D

ale “Mugsy” Mugler’s trips to the East Side are few and far between these days.

When his car rumbles over the Martin Luther King Bridge, 17 years of memories wash over him.

He flashes back to his time on the job.

He begins to reminisce of the friends he Ryan made along the way.

He recalls the bright smiles on the children’s faces.

He remembers her.

Inside his west Toledo home, photographs in frames capture their time spent together.

But in these pictures, Mugsy isn’t standing next to his wife, but the other love of his life.

Mugsy was the last Zamboni driver at the old Toledo Sports Arena.

After working in a factory for more than two decades, Mugsy began his tenure at the old arena as a forklift operator in the early 1980s.

He worked concerts and tradeshows, helping set up and tear down.

That was until one day his boss asked him if he would like to learn how to drive the Zamboni.

Mugsy’s rookie season driving the “Z-train” was the final year of the Toledo Goaldiggers.

He followed it up with 16 dedicated years with the Toledo Storm.

As is the case with most Zamboni drivers, Mugsy became a hit with the fans, but the kids in the stands were always the most enthusiastic.

“Little kids were fascinated with the Zamboni,” he said. “I would give them high fives over the glass and hand out pucks to the kids.”

During his tenure as the ice man, Mugsy also received some

very unique requests.

“Do you think we could put his ashes in the ice?”

The question was no joke. A hockey family, whose father had passed away, wanted their loved one buried in the ice.

Without thinking about it, Mugsy obliged. He drilled a hole in the ice and the FOWLER ashes followed.

“These people were dressed up for the memorial service,” he said.

“We took pictures and everything on the ice.”

Later came the 2006-07 season and the death of another loved one. It was announced that the Toledo Storm franchise would become defunct and the Toledo Sports Arena would be torn down following the season. It was an emotional last day on the job.

“The last time I went around the ice, I was honking the horn,” Mugsy said. “It kind of brought tears to my eyes.”

And to this day, Mugsy still remembers what Sports Arena general manager Gary Wyse told him at day’s end.

“All right guys, go turn out the lights.”

“All the memories, all the concerts,” Mugler said. “It was sad.”

But Mugsy admits the amount of money spent on maintenance at the old Sports Arena was proof that it was time to shut her down.

“It was sad to see her go, but I think it was her time,” he said.

So we fast-forward two years, the now 63-year-old Mugsy claims he’s staying retired.

But guess what? As I write this, the Toledo Walleye and new Lucas Country Arena do not have a Zam-

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

Zamboni driver would cherish a return to icy lanes

■

DALE ‘MUGSY’ MUGLER WITH A SOUVENIR FORM HIS DAYS DRIVING THE ZAMBONI AT THE TOLEDO SPORTS ARENA.

boni driver.

So is there a little Favre in the old Zamboni driver?

“I’ve never drove a new Zamboni,” Mugsy said. “I’ve always drove the ol’ girl.”

Mugsy does admit he would like to be involved with the new arena in some way this winter.

He wants to be part of the new chapter as he remembers the old.

One of the many reasons Mugsy tears up while driving over the MLK, gazing over to his left to where it all began.

“She served her time.”

Ryan Fowler is the weekend sports anchor at NBC24 and can be reached at bgsualum03@hotmail.com.

Spacious, contemporary living in the heart of Downtown Toledo

145 South St. Clair St. Toledo, OH 43602

www.riverwesttownhomes.com

Immediate Occupancy. Unique floorplans ranging in size from 1,680 to 2,160 square feet. Priced from $211,000. Rooftop deck.

Private parking. Fireplaces. Tax abatement. New Construction.

Huge builder incentives offered on all purchases through the end of 2009!

To view our model unit contact: Mark Remeis, A.A. Green Realty, Inc. (419) 931-7355 or (419) 601-0479 • e-mail: mremeis@aagreen.com

Good Luck Walleye!

Specializing in: •

Hospitals Corporate Offices Schools & Universities Banks • Office Workstations Reception Areas Bookcases & Built-Ins

Top off your perfect evening in Downtown Toledo with a romantic stay at the Belemere Suites hotel.

12200 Williams Rd.

Rivereast Custom Cabinets, Inc. 221 S. St. Clair Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604 • 419.244.3226 • Fax 419.244.3234 Email info@rivereastcab.net • www.rivereastcab.net

Perr ysburg

WWW.BELAMERESUITES.COM

■

■

■

■

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A27

Lifelong hockey fan ready to pledge allegiance to Walleye TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

Mark

Pedersen

is

eagerly

awaiting the Toledo Walleye’s debut on Oct. 16.

Pedersen is the proud owner of Walleye season tickets, and with

of “the athletic ability it takes to play the game.”

A hockey fan from as far back as

seats in Row A near the glass, he’s about as close to the ice as one can get. Which is all the better for Pedersen, who enjoys hockey because

he can remember, as well as a former Toledo Storm season ticket holder, ■ FAN CONTINUES ON A29

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

By Lori Golaszewski

■ MARK PEDERSEN IS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER FOR THE WALLEYES HOCKEY TEAM.

The Associated General Contractors of Northwestern Ohio A A Boos & Sons 2015 Pickle Road Oregon, OH 43616

Bostleman Corporation

Anderzack-Pitzen Construction Inc. 424 East Main Street Metamora, OH 43540

PO Box 1330 7142 Nightingale Drive, Suite 1 Holland, OH 43528

ARCO Inc.

Dotson Company

Henry Gurtzweiler, Inc.

P O Box 2429 6848 Providence Street Whitehouse, OH 43571

McNerney & Son, Inc.

3254 Hill Avenue Toledo, OH 43607 921 Galena Street Toledo, OH 43611

Industrial Power Systems, Inc

Gleason Construction Co. Inc. 1529 Kieswetter Road Holland, OH 43528

Lathrop Company 460 W Dussel Drive Maumee, OH 43537

Mosser Construction 122 S. Wilson Avenue, Drawer D Fremont, OH 43420

Rudolph/Libbe, Inc

6970 McNerney Road Northwood, OH 43619

410 Ryder Rd. Toledo, OH 43607 419-531-3121

6494 Latcha Road Walbridge, OH 43465

The Delventhal Company

L-G-B

5966 Heritage Court Toledo, OH 43612

3796 Rockland Circle Millbury, OH 43447

OCP Contractors Inc. 1740 Commerce Road Holland, OH 43528

The Spieker Company 8350 Fremont Pike Perrysburg, OH 43551

701 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 302 Toledo, OH 43624

Van Tassel Construction Corp.

P.O. Box 698 Sylvania OH 43560

Comte Construction 912 N Summit Street Toledo, OH 43604

Willson Builders, Inc. Lakeside Interior Co. 6630 Maumee Western Rd. Maumee, OH 43537

R L Gant, LLC 111 Wamba Ave. Toledo, OH 43607

To find out who the best contractors are in Northwest Ohio call 419-241-3601 or check www.cccouncil.com

A28 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

AUGUST 30, 2009

Cowboys Stadium’s flaw not in Lucas County Arena

B

ack in March on our blog (which facility that opened in June.

(While researching how much the enjoyed a very relaxing summer vacation), I warned the Lucas Cowboys Stadium cost, I Googled “Cowboys Stadium milCounty Arena architects lion” and the result was to ensure that the Bull“did you mean: Cowfrogs’ punter, whoever he boys Stadium billion?” may be, will have room Why, I guess I did.) to actually kick the ball, The new Lucas after having seen punts County Arena will not hit an overhead scorehave the same problem board during a game in Cowboys Stadium Muskegon, Mich. Toledo may have to address, Free Press later learned that, no, the arena builders Matt SUSSMAN if future punts clank off that huge video were not that dumb. They will not have an overhead scoreboard screen dubbed the JerryTron. But at all, thereby protecting the sanctity of there are always unforeseen faults in a new building that can only be fourth down.

Unfortunately, creators of the ex- discovered with a dress rehearsal. travagant Cowboys stadium didn’t Some of you may remember when think of this. In an NFL preseason Savage Arena was renovated, the game last week, Tennessee Titans 20-ounce soda bottles it sold didn’t punter A.J. Trapasso, an Ohio State fit in their armrests.

Here’s my suggestion. Run a grad, hit the underbelly of the ginormous video screen. In response, Dallas beta test. Invite two teams to play Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said they arena football on the field. (Hey, the won’t raise the behemoth at all, be- parent league isn’t exactly playing. cause the only way a punter could hit It’s not like there aren’t people availthe screen is if he was trying to. Or, I able for this.) Perhaps bring in some members of the media to cover the guess, if his name’s A.J. Trapasso.

I bet the Cowboys dissenters game, for the purposes of testing out can’t help but smirk over this po- the press box. Invite a few hundred tential disaster, considering $1.2 bil- fans and even a blogger from the Tolion was spent on their brand-new ledo Free Press to live blog it.

That way, when Lucas County Arena debuts, there will be no embarrassing headlines, such as “Arena

forgets to buy kickoff tees,” “Media gets obstructed view from press box” or “Lucas County Arena accidentally

Play Hard.

We’ve got you covered.

Sports Medicine Shoulder Arthroscopy Knee Arthroscopy Foot & Ankle Joint Replacement

419.578.7200 GO WALLEYE!

STEPHEN R. SADDEMI, M.D. ANTHONY D. FROGAMENI, M.D. PAUL J. FENTON, M.D. THOMAS G. PADANILAM, M.D. LUKE M. RAGAN, M.D DAVID C. ERVIN, M.D.

new home of Detroit Lions.”

Did you mean: Cowboys Stadium billion?

AUGUST 30, 2009

LUCAS COUNTY ARENA

■ FAN CONTINUED FROM A27 Pedersen said he bought the Walleye tickets as a way to bond with his 16year-old son.

“With the environment that we’re exposed to Downtown, we can make it more than just a hockey game,” he said. “We can make it a whole night out.”

Father-son bonding, however, may soon include Mom. After taking a tour of the Lucas

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

County Arena with his wife, who was impressed with how the building has taken shape, Pedersen said he’s thinking of increasing his season tickets from two to three.

A licensed contractor with Mark Curtice Construction, Pedersen has been following the arena’s progression and is particularly interested in its designation as a “green” facility.

■ A29

He’s hoping his enthusiasm for the new arena, which he describes as “clean and crisp” and on par with any NHL arena, catches on with other fans.

“I am so geeked about going to the new arena,” he said. “If the Walleye can put half as good a product on the ice as the arena they’re going in to, it’s going to be a hard time getting a ticket down there.”

2 Banquet Facilites available

1430 Holland Road • Maumee, OH 43537 419-897-6811 • Fax: 419-897-6813 maumee-chophouse.com ROMANOFF ELECTRIC IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE LUCAS COUNTY ARENA PROJECT.

Sidelines Ready for Downtown Arena Opening Sidelines, long known for their award winning ribs and family friendly atmosphere, has opened a new location at 233 N. Huron Street (formerly Jackson’s Lounge) in downtown Toledo. “We are very excited about being downtown so close to both 5/3 Field and the new sports arena” says Eric Sitter, part owner of Sidelines. “We are right across the street from the new arena, and 5/3 Field is only a block away!” If you have been to a Sidelines, you are familiar with their diverse menu which includes appetizers, soups, sandwiches, wings, and of course their Award winning baby back ribs smothered in BBQ sauce. There is also a kids menu which includes two sides and a drink for only $4.49.

The biggest suprise to Mr. Sitter is the popularity of the fish items on the menu. “We have really been selling a lot of Perch Platters and Fish sandwiches, and not just on Fridays.”

Sidelines will also have a Walleye sandwich in honor of the local Hockey team. It will feature a fresh, hand breaded to order, Walleye filet on a kaiser bun with homeade Tartar sauce on the side. Another feature of the downtown location that Sidelines is excited about is “The Loft” located on the second floor. The Loft will allow Sidelines to expand it’s seating on event days and is available as a banquet facility for private events. They will also feature live entertainment Thursday through Saturday. For more information on Sidelines, please call 419-244-5151 or visit their website at www.sidelinessportseatery.com.

Paid Advertisement

GOOD LUCK TO THE WALLEYE AND BULLFROGS!

Visit komennwohio.org to: "$./ -Ĵ!*-Ĵ/# Ĵ ĴĴ ĴĴ *'0)/ / -/Ĵ*-Ĵ *$)Ĵ Ĵ (ĴĴ ĴĴ & Ĵ Ĵ *) /$*)

Sunday September 27, 2009

Downtown Toledo

[OHUR `V\

3<*(: *6<5;@ *6440::065,9: MVY JOVVZPUN HY[ PYVU The smART way to do business.

Driven by smart thinking, reliable management teams and timely results, our performance is solid. From the inception of a project, we partner with you to reduce time and save you money.

For more information, please call Bob Schlatter at 419.241.1261 Art Iron | 860 Curtis St. | Toledo, OH 43609 | www.artiron.com

In Celebration of Kathryn Ann Thompson In Memory of Leslie Droll

Mud Hens Schedule Muddy™ is a trademark of the Toledo Mud Hens. All rights reserved.

SUNDAY – 8/30 vs. Indianapolis 6:00 pm Home

MONDAY – 8/31 vs. Indianapolis 7:00 pm Away

SPORTS

A30

TUESDAY – 9/1 vs. Indianapolis 7:00 pm Away

WEDNESDAY – 9/2 vs. Indianapolis 7:00 pm Away

Week of 8/30/09 THURSDAY – 9/3 vs. Columbus 6:30 pm Home

FRIDAY – 9/4 vs. Columbus 7:00 pm Home

SATURDAY – 9/5 vs. Columbus 7:05 pm Away

Owens Express soccer opens season Owens Community College men’s soccer will contend for its first-ever conference title by opening the 200 schedule at the Delta College Invitational in Midland, Mich., Aug. 29-30. The Express will take on Kellogg Community College on Aug. 29 and Delta College on Aug. 30. Both matches will begin at 1 p.m. The Express will open its home season against Lorain County Community College on Sept. 2. The home opener will start at 4:30 p.m. All home matches are played at the College’s Soccer Field on the Toledo area campus.

Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Admission to all home matches is free.

COMMUNITY

By David Steffen TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

When Toledo police faced their Spanish counterparts on the basketball court at the World Police and Fire Games in Vancouver, Canada the teams shared at least one common trait — a city of “Toledo.”

But the Toledo team soon realized it shared a more profound connection with the rival Spaniards through their dedication to protect.

“We all knew on the court it was competitive, but afterward, we respected each other because we’re all in the same profession,” said Ralph Green, deputy sheriff for the Lucas County Sheriff ’s Office. “We all realized our lives are on the line based on the profession we do.”

Law enforcement and firefighting officials from around the world converged in Vancouver from Aug. 3 to Aug. 10 to compete in the World Police and Fire Games.

Ten thousand participants from 45 nations competed in 65 sports, including basketball.

The “Toledo Pride” played various teams, including those from Spain, New Caledonia and Seattle, among others, to win the gold medal. It took months of preparation — financial and physical — to compete in the World Police and Fire Games.

“We had no idea what we were getting into,” Green said. “We had no idea what level of competition and talent we’d run into.”

The team had played successfully for seven years at the Ohio Fire and

Police Games in Columbus. They decided to go one step further to the world games.

It took months of independent fundraising to gather the $17,000 needed to send the 10 Toledo law enforcement members to Vancouver. Meanwhile, the team had to practice five hours a week on the court for months. Green’s nephew is Tennessee Titans NFL player Nate Washington. He coached the team in basketball. The men were between 35 and 45.

“We practiced against some guys a lot younger and athletic than us,” Green said. “They challenged us to the fullest.”

After months of practice, team members were prepared.

“When that plane landed, I was ready to put my uniform on and go play,” Toledo Police Officer Andre Cowell said.

Cowell and Green said it was a powerful moment when they realized they had taken the gold. Twenty basketball teams from around the world had competed.

“When that last horn goes off, and you know the game’s over, emotions kicked in,” Cowell said. “We laughed, joked and shook hands with other teams, but then you get your medal.

It’s all worth it in the end.”

Cowell said he was excited after the victory, as were his relatives.

“They were excited,” he said. “As soon as the game ended, I sent many texts at a time, and I texted, ‘World champs, baby.’”

When “Toledo Pride” received the gold, the national anthem played in the stadium.

Providing quality service, competetive pricing, and the convenience you deserve to 34 area BP locations.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

Toledo police take basketball gold at world games

■

TOLEDO PRIDE: BACK ROW, FROM LEFT, WILLIE CARPENTER, MIKE CAMPBELL, DEREK KIZER, ANTHONY AMISON AND ANDRE COWELL. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, EDDIE NORRILS, RALPH GREEN, WILL YOUNG AND MARK BARNES.

“Emotions kind of took over, and reality set in that we’re representing the city of Toledo, the state of Ohio and the United States of America,” Green said.

Despite the competition on the court, “Toledo Pride” enjoyed socializing with foreign rivals off the court. Green and Cowell said defeated rivals would show up to cheer on “Toledo Pride” and bestow mementos. They exchanged pins and jerseys with their on-court rivals.

“It’s hard to believe that you beat someone, and in the aftermath, they

present you with gifts as an act of kindness,” Cowell said.

While walking alone to a bar, the Spanish team recognized Cowell and circled him, he said.

“I saw guys from Spain we just beat the day before, and they formed a circle and started chanting, ‘U-SA!’ Cowell said. “[At first,] I thought I was going to get robbed.”

Green said it was rewarding to meet with their foreign counterparts and learn about their cultures.

“Whether you win or lose, the experience of dealing with law

enforcement officials from other countries builds everlasting relationships,” he said.

He said he was glad to represent his hometown on the world stage.

They’re looking forward to the 2011 games in New York.

Green and Cowell said many foreigners weren’t familiar with Toledo, but they were happy to help put it on the map for them.

“We are very proud to be from Toledo, Ohio,” Green said. “For those who don’t know where Toledo is located — they know now.”

Marlboro Carton $49.50

VB Carton $35.70

Monarch Carton $39.95

Kool Carton $48.00

Sign up for your Barney’s Rewards Card Today!!

SPORTS

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A31

TV TIME-OUT

BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS GERM-WARFARE FOR PARENTS Kids may dread going back to school this fall, but parents dread the germs that kids catch in the classroom.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold. Bacteria thrives in schools, where they can survive for hours on desks and cafeteria tables.

However, a few simple steps can keep kids healthier. First, proper hand washing is vital.

Always wash with warm water and soap for 20 seconds – the time it takes to sing the alphabet song. Kids need to wash their hands frequently, especially before they eat, after they use the restroom and after they play with class pets.

New SHS head coach weathering the storm

I

t was hot. It was humid. It was nightmare practice conditions for the Springfield Blue Devils football team.

But relief was on its way. No more than 15 minutes into practice, dark ominous clouds rolled over the field, as thunder rattled the grandstands throughout the stadium.

“Beat those pads,” yelled the head coach.

Ryan It was as if the team was challenging the thunder to a duel. Who could rumble the loudest?

The Devils first-year head coach has endured his share of practices in the sweltering heat, had coaches bark at him like drill sergeants and

Most germs enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth. It’s important for kids to remember not to touch their faces with dirty hands, and to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they sneeze or cough, then throw the tissue away.

Sometimes, all the precaution in the world can’t keep a child from getting a bug. If your child is sick, it’s best to keep him or her out of school. Staying home will help your child recover faster and keep germs from spreading.

Finally, give children an extra boost by making sure they get plenty of sleep, stay physically active and wellhydrated, and eat healthy meals to keep their immune systems strong.

Sean Rae, MD Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

PROMEDICA PHYSICIAN GROUP Call 1-800-PPG-DOCS www.promedica.org © 2009 ProMedica Health System

PF_Gerlach_Sept_TFP.indd 1

8/27/09 12:35 PM

in Carolina, Chicago, San Francisco, Frankfurt (NFL Europe) and even a season in the now defunct XFL with the Orlando Rage.

With his playing days behind him, Marrow quickly jumped into coaching, working with some schools outside of Columbus.

After mentoring some of the best tight ends in the country at Jim Tressel’s summer football camps, he started to get a craving for more teaching. He crossed the pond again to tackle coaching in NFL Europe before jet- setting back to the states to become the tight end coach at his alma mater, UT, where he spent last season. Now, Coach Marrow begins to write a new chapter, a fresh start with the Blue Devils, coaching the sport he loves, in his home state. His high school was Cardinal Mooney in Youngstown.

“High school football is tradition, especially in Ohio,” Marrow said. “Coming back to Friday nights is going to be exciting.”

Marrow is not the only new face at Springfield. The football field received a major cosmetic restructuring during the off-season. New field turf has been installed, making the Devils’ den the envy of many local high schools.

“I’ve been recruiting Ohio the last two years,” Marrow said. “I’ve seen a lot of high school stadiums. This is

stood up to any and all challengers.

Even Mother Nature.

It’s with that strong will, Springfield head coach Vince Marrow managed to defy the odds, silence the critics and find himself in the NFL after the Buffalo Bills drafted the tight end in 1992.

Though his playing time was minimal throughout his eightFOWLER year career, Marrow was a member of two of the Bills’ Super Bowl teams.

“Next to having kids, that was a great feeling to be a part of a team like that,” Marrow said.

Before retiring in 2000, Marrow bounced around the NFL with stops

BEER OF THE MONTH

Gut Bier, Ja? Warsteiner Pilsner Bier has been brewed in a little town in the heart of Germany since 1753. It has been the absolute dominating brand among all German beers for many years. The German Purity Law of 1516 dictates this beer is brewed with no chemicals, additives or preservatives.

by far one of the better stadiums.”

So, Springfield has their coach; they have their new field. Now, the players have to react and respond to an ever-changing program.

“When you come with my background, I get a lot of credibility,” Marrow said with a laugh. “They just suck it up. They are young guys ready to learn and listen.”

“There’s a lot of respect knowing everything he’s gone through and everywhere he’s played,” said junior defensive end Drew Weimer. “We listen to him a lot more.”

Marrow’s lengthy résumé allows him to find similarities between the professionals he has coached and the program he runs.

“The only difference is high school kids are hungrier,” Marrow said.

That hunger motivates not only the players, but this coach to improve his team for the better, on and off the field.

“You get excited because somebody put you in charge to change these young men’s lives,” he said.

After 10 years of rumbling the loudest on any given Sunday, Marrow’s football story has come full circle, back to where and when it all started: Under Friday night’s lights.

Ryan Fowler is the weekend sports anchor at NBC24 and can be reached at bgsualum03@hotmail.com.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY CHARLIE LONGTON

PHYSICIAN FOCUS

Pouring a light straw color it has a smooth, rich full bodied taste wrapped in a thick creamy head. The ingredients lend themselves to the smooth taste with its forest spring water, two-row malted summer barley and all German hops. This beer is perfect for lazy summer days because of its clean, crisp flavors and a refreshing hop finish with no aftertaste.

Warsteiner Pilsner tastes best when chilled to a temperature between 46 and 50 degrees. As the dog days of summer approach what could be more appealing than a light dinner accompanied by the refreshing light taste of an icy cold Warsteiner Pilsner Bier.

Why not try one today?

ADVERTISEMENT

■ SPRINGFIELD COACH VINCE MARROW WENT TO TWO SUPER BOWLS WITH BUFFALO.

A32 â&#x2013; TOLEDO FREE PRESS

WHEELS

AUGUST 30, 2009

AUTO SENSE

Women becoming more savvy about car care

T

here are about 102 million schedules. It is also very important licensed women drivers in that women know and understand the United States, according their rights when service work is being performed. to the 2006 census.

A woman should Today, women are be aware of what more likely to be inOhio law demands volved in deciding of service repair where and when to shops. You have the have their vehicles right, under Ohio serviced than ever law, to request a before. Automobile written estimate if care and maintenance the expected cost was once almost exof the service reclusively handled by pairs will exceed the man of the house.

Nick SHULTZ $25. You further Not anymore.

A recent study conducted by the have the right to be notified if the Automotive Service Association in- initial estimate of repairs will be dicated that in some types of repair exceeded by 10 percent. Always shops as much as 64 percent of the execute this right. Do not leave service and maintenance work was the service repair shop without a being authorized by women. In written estimate, no matter how most independent repair shops that well you know the people you are number is closer to 50 percent. Still, dealing with. You should also dethatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an astounding turnaround mand that the service repair shop from the models of a few years ago. call you if the estimated cost of It means that service repair facili- repairs will be exceeded.

Furthermore, Ohio law demands ties have had to learn what it takes to satisfy their women clients versus that the service repair shop include the traditional male customer they on the repair order an exact description of your concern. Make sure the had been servicing for years.

Those numbers also suggest that full description of your concern is women are much more comfort- clearly outlined on the face of the able discussing their vehicle main- repair order before you sign it. Once tenance needs and concerns with repairs have been completed by the repair facility, they are required by service shops.

I am a firm believer in regular Ohio law to detail clearly the work maintenance. Apparently, not ev- that was actually performed. The eryone is. The Independent Garage complete description of work done Owners of America (IGOA) recently must also include the name of the contracted to have a survey done technician who performed it. Before on preventive maintenance trends you pay for the service work make in the United States and their find- sure you can understand everything ings were astonishing. According detailed of the repair order.

You also have the right to carry to the IGOA survey, more than 60 percent of scheduled maintenance home with you, or look at, any parts goes unperformed each year. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that were replaced. I urge you, ladies, an amazing figure. The survey in- to also exercise this right. Take the dicates that about 60 percent of the parts home with you just in case any used cars on the road have not had issues should develop with the work performed. You can always dispose proper maintenance. Scary stuff!

With more and more women of the used parts at a later date.

Having your vehicle serviced being more involved in the vehicle service work and maintenance deci- should not turn into a nightmare. sion making process these days, it is Understanding your rights as a conimportant that women be educated sumer, and then executing them, is a in how to follow vehicle maintenance great way to ensure that you are not

taken advantage of by unscrupulous service repair shops, regardless if you are a man or a woman.

Nick Shultz is an instructor of Auto-

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, a Toledo native, will take questions from readers at letters@toledofreepress.com.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody Treats You Better!â&#x20AC;?

GROGANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOWNE OFFERS

CLUNKER CA H

ON ALL NEW & USED VEHICLES! Receive a minimum of $3,500* from Groganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Towne when you trade

your old vehicle and purchase or lease a New or Used Vehicle!!!

ALL CLUNKERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR GROGANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

CLUNKER CASH! NO MPG RESTRICTIONS!

Ohio Turnpike E-ZPass users can shop for bargains (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Drivers who plan to use the Ohio Turnpikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E-ZPass prepaid toll system that goes into operation Oct. 1 can find bargains. Motorists can establish an account with any of 13 states that will be compatible with Ohioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s system. Account fees differ by state with Massachusetts charging nothing. The Ohio Turnpike will charge a $3 shipping and handling fee for the transponder windshield tag and a 75 cent monthly service fee or $9 a year. The system allows drivers to cruise through toll plazas, where antennas pick up account information from the transponder. The Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a $3 annual account fee, discourages out-of-state bargain hunters but cannot stop the practice.

* Consumer will receive the minimum $3,500 credit at the time of purchase plus any advertised rebates and incentives. $10,000 purchase minimum on pre-owned vehicles. Not valid with employee pricing or friends & family. Must present trade in at time of negotiation.

Not valid on prior sales. Not valid on-line. Only valid at Groganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Towne Chrysler Jeep Dodge, 6100 Telegraph Road, Toledo.

See dealer for more details. OďŹ&#x20AC;er expires 8/31/09 or while supplies last.

/ 5&-&(3"1) 3% t www.groganstowne.com

TV LISTINGS

AUGUST 30, 2009 Sunday Evening 7 pm 7:30 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

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30 Defying Gravity (N) Cold Case (CC)

Amer Dad News

Seinfeld

News News

Movies CSI: NY

Boston Legal (CC)

NFL Preseason Football Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos. (CC) Nature (CC) (DVS) Masterpiece Mystery! (N) Art

News Paid Prog.

Austin City Limits (CC)

Countdwn Report Friends Friends

NFL Preseason Football Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions. (Taped) Monk (CC) Payne Payne Half Half

›› The Sentinel (2006) Monk (CC)

CSI: Miami “All In” ›› Idiocracy (2006)

Criminal Minds (CC) Criminal Minds (CC) Criminal Minds (CC) Futurama Futurama Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009)

Criminal Minds (CC) Futurama

Suite Life

Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie (2009)

Wizards

Montana

Jonas

Montana

Hollywood Murder Billion-Murder Kourtney Kourtney Kourtney Reality Baseball Tonight (CC) MLB Baseball Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies. (Live) (CC) ›› Sky High (2005) ›› Ella Enchanted (2004) Anne Hathaway. › Because I Said So (2007) Diane Keaton.

Drop Dead Diva (N) P. Diddy’s Starmaker Best Dance Crew Best Dance Crew

Montana

The Soup Chelsea SportsCenter (CC)

›› Legally Blonde (2001) Reese Witherspoon.

Army Wives (N) (CC) Drop Dead Diva (CC) P. Diddy’s Starmaker Best Dance Crew

›› Phone Booth Meteor (2009) Christopher Lloyd. A space collision sends a meteor hurtling toward Earth. ››› Men in Black (PA) ›› Men in Black II (2002) (PA) ›› Men in Black II (2002) (PA) ››› Men in Black (PA) Mr. Smith Goes ›››› You Can’t Take It With You (1938) ››› The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936) If You ››› Hitch (2005) (CC) ››› The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Will Smith. (CC)

››› The Pursuit of Happyness

››› GoldenEye (1995) ››› Casino Royale (2006, Action) Daniel Craig, Eva Green. (CC)

8:30

9 pm

Insider

Fortune

Jeopardy! How I Met How I Met Two Men

Deal No News

TMZ (N) News

››› Licence to Kill

August 31, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

Entertain

9:30

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock (N) (CC) House “Saviors” (CC) Law Order: CI

Big Bang

Lie to Me (CC) Law Order: CI

News

Nightline

CSI: Miami (CC)

News

Late Show

News Dateline NBC (CC)

Seinfeld News

My Wife Tonight

NewsHour Business

Antiques Roadshow

History Detectives (N) Great Performances (N) (CC)

Law Order: CI Friends Friends

Twilight Twilight

Magics Secrets Magics Secrets

Twilight Twilight

Criminal Minds (CC) Intervention “Jeff” Intervention “Nikki” › Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (CC) Larry, Cable Wizards Montana ›› Eloise at the Plaza (2003) Julie Andrews.

Movie News

Scrubs

Fam. Guy

Toledo Punk’d

Hoarders (N) (CC) Paranorml Paranorml The Comedy Central Roast (CC) Comedy Wizards Montana Suite Life So Raven

E! News Daily 10 Countdown ’70s Show ’70s Show How I Met How I Met True Life Meteor (2009) Seinfeld Seinfeld The Man Between

Michael Jackson Kourtney Kourtney Soup Soup Chelsea E! News NFL Preseason Football Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans. (CC) SportsCenter (CC) Secret-Teen Greek “The Day After” Secret-Teen The 700 Club (CC) Reba (CC) Reba (CC) Army Wives (CC) Army Wives (CC) Grey’s Anatomy (CC) P. Diddy’s Starmaker Best Dance Crew Making His Band (N) Making His Band The Storm (2009) Treat Williams. Premiere. Forces of nature combine to threaten humanity.

Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Name Earl Name Earl Engvall Sex & City ››› The Spy Who Came in From the Cold ››› The Haunting (1963) Julie Harris. (CC)

Bones (CC) NCIS “Kill Ari” (CC)

The Closer (CC) NCIS “Kill Ari” (CC)

The Closer (CC) The Closer (CC) WWE Monday Night Raw (S Live) (CC)

9 pm

Raising the Bar (CC) Royal Pains (CC)

September 2, 2009

MOVIES

8:30

9:30

Entertain Insider Wipeout (N) (CC) Crash Course (N) (CC) Fortune Jeopardy! Christine Preview Criminal Minds (CC) Deal No TMZ (N) You Can Dance Glee “Pilot” (N) (CC) News News America’s Got Talent America’s Got Talent NewsHour Business American Masters “Trumbo” (N) Parks Law Order: CI World’s Fun Magics Secrets Friends Friends World’s Fun Magics Secrets Criminal Minds (CC) Bounty Hunter Dog Dog Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009) S. Park S. Park

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30 Primetime: Crime (CC) News Nightline CSI: NY (CC) News Late Show News Seinfeld My Wife Law & Order: SVU News Tonight Wide Angle (N) (CC) Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Movie News Scrubs Fam. Guy Punk’d Criss Angel Mindfreak Criss Angel Mindfreak The Comedy Central Roast (CC) Comedy

Wizards Montana ›› The Thirteenth Year (1999) Phineas Wizards Montana Suite Life So Raven E! News Daily 10 Reality Soup Christina Aguilera: True Hollywood Story Chelsea E! News MLB Baseball Teams TBA. (Subject to Blackout) (Live) (CC) MLB Baseball Teams TBA. (Live) (CC) ’70s Show ’70s Show Funniest Home Videos America’s Funniest Home Videos (CC) The 700 Club (CC) Medium (CC) Medium (CC) › The Messengers (2007) Kristen Stewart.

Will-Grace Will-Grace Best Dance Crew Jazmin Daddy The Real World (CC) The Real World (N) The Real World (CC) CSI: Crime Scn CSI: Crime Scn UFC Unleashed (CC) Surviving Disaster UFC Unleashed (CC) Seinfeld Seinfeld Payne Payne Browns Browns Payne Payne Payne Payne ›› The 27th Day ›››› Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) ›››› Casablanca (1942) Humphrey Bogart.

Bones (CC) Bones (CC) Leverage (N) (CC) Dark Blue (N) (CC) Leverage (CC) NCIS (CC) NCIS “Honor Code” NCIS “Forced Entry” NCIS “Chained” (CC) ›› Bruce Almighty

Friday Evening 7 pm 7:30 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

Shark Tank (N) (CC) Neighborhood

Amer Dad Simpsons Simpsons Fam. Guy

Wednesday Evening 7 pm 7:30 8 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

Dateline NBC (CC) Nova (CC) (DVS)

Monday Evening 7 pm 7:30 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

8:30

Funniest Home Videos Extreme-Home 60 Minutes (CC) Big Brother 11 (N) ’Til Death

August 30, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

Entertain Insider Fortune Jeopardy!

Deal No Paid Prog.

News News NewsHour Business Law Order: CI Friends Friends Criminal Minds (CC) Scrubs Scrubs Suite Life Suite Life E! News Daily 10 SportsCtr. Football ’70s Show ’70s Show Medium “Coded” (CC) MTV Spec Daddy Sniper 3 (2004) Seinfeld Seinfeld So Well Remembered CSI: NY (CC) Monk “Biggest Fan”

September 4, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

9:30

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Supernanny (CC) Ugly Betty “Curveball” 20/20 (CC) News Nightline Ghost Whisperer (CC) Medium (CC) NUMB3RS “Disturbed” News Late Show You Smarter?

Glee “Pilot” (CC) News Seinfeld My Wife Southland “Westside” Dateline NBC (CC) News Tonight Wash Wk Deadline Bill Moyers Journal (N) NOW Plugged In Charlie Rose (N) (CC) WWE Friday Night SmackDown! (N) (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) UFC Wired WWE Friday Night SmackDown! (N) (CC) News Scrubs Fam. Guy Punk’d Criminal Minds (CC) Criminal Minds (CC) Criminal Minds (CC) Criminal Minds (CC) Scrubs Scrubs Jeff Dunham: Arguing Michael Loftus S. Park S. Park Suite Life Suite Life Phineas Phineas Wizards Montana Suite Life So Raven Keep Up Keep Up Kourtney Kourtney The Soup Comedi Chelsea E! News College Football Tulsa at Tulane. (Live) SportsCenter (CC) Funniest Home Videos Funniest Home Videos Funniest Home Videos The 700 Club (CC) Medium (CC) Project Runway (CC) Models Project Runway (CC) Models ›› Can’t Hardly Wait (1998), Ethan Embry Degrassi Goes Hollywood (2009) Premiere. ››› First Blood (1982) Sylvester Stallone. ›› Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) (CC) Fam. Guy Fam. Guy ›› Failure to Launch (2006) (CC) Sex & City Sex & City ››› The War of the Worlds (1953) ››› The Time Machine (1960) Rod Taylor.

Houdini CSI: NY (CC) ››› Runaway Jury (2003, Suspense) John Cusack. (CC) Runaway Monk (CC) Monk (CC) Monk (CC) Psych (CC)

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A33

at least where the Eye network is concerned.

Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a sneak peek at CBS’ new offerings, which include the “NCIS” spinoff “NCIS: Los Angeles,” the medical drama “Three Rivers,” the sitcom “Accidentally on Purpose” and the drama “The Good Wife.”

Critic’s Choice

Monday 8 p.m. on ABC 13 CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock: Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Julianne Hough, Kid Rock, Lady AntebelThursday lum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, 9:31 p.m. on NBC 24 Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Sugarland and Taylor Swift are scheduled to 30 Rock: Jack (Alec Baldwin) starts to perform during this three-hour special culled build a relationship with his biological father from the perennial popular country music (guest star Alan Alda). Despite her own misConveniently just north of Sylvania festival held in Nashville, Tenn.,located last June. erable Avenue track record, Liz (Tina Cameron Mathison hosts. gets a relaMon. – Fri.: 5 – 11 p.m. • Sat.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. •Fey) Sun.: 11attention a.m. – as 7 p.m. tionship expert after appearWednesday 8:30 p.m. on CBS 11 ing on a talk show. Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) helps Tracy CBS Fall Preview: Still trying to (Tracy Morgan) overcome emfigure out which new fall shows barrassing memories of high are worth investing your time in? school in “Kidney Now!” This special may help you decide,

For life’s little urgencies...

4235 Secor Road, Toledo 419-720-3989

Member of ProMedica Health System

Tuesday Evening 7 pm 7:30 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

9:30

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Insider

Crash Course (CC)

Shaq Vs. (N) (CC)

Primetime

News

Nightline

Fortune

Jeopardy! NCIS “Legend” (CC)

Big Brother 11 (N)

The Mentalist (CC)

News

Late Show

Deal No News

TMZ (N) News

Hell’s Kitchen (N) (CC) More to Love (N) (CC) News America’s Got Talent America’s Got Talent (S Live) (CC)

Seinfeld News

My Wife Tonight

NewsHour Business

Nova (CC) (DVS)

Charlie Rose (N) (CC)

Law Order: CI Friends Friends

Street Pat Street Pat Jail (CC) Street Pat Street Pat Jail (CC)

Criminal Minds (CC) Greg Giraldo Wizards Montana

The First 48 (CC) The First 48 (N) (CC) Patton Oswalt S. Park S. Park ›› Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) Wizards

E! News Daily 10 SportsCtr. NFL Live ’70s Show ’70s Show Medium “Pilot” (CC) Made Deadliest Warrior Seinfeld Seinfeld Above and Beyond

Billion-Murder Kendra Kendra Kourtney Kourtney Chelsea E! News World Series World Series Baseball Tonight (CC) SportsCenter (CC) 10 Things Ruby ››› Matilda (1996) Mara Wilson. (CC) The 700 Club (CC) Medium (CC) Medium (CC) Medium (CC) Will-Grace Will-Grace Best Dance Crew Jazmin Daddy Daddy Jazmin Daddy Jazmin Deadliest Warrior Deadliest Warrior Surviving Disaster (N) Surviving Disaster Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy Fam. Guy The Office The Office Seinfeld Seinfeld ››› Hangover Square (1945) ››› The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) (CC) Citizen K

Bones (CC) NCIS “Switch” (CC)

Bones (CC) Law & Order: SVU

Nova scienceNOW (N) P.O.V. (N) (CC) Jail (CC) Jail (CC)

Bones (CC) Law & Order: SVU

8:30

9 pm

Movie News

Scrubs

Fam. Guy

Punk’d

The Cleaner (N) (CC) The Cleaner (CC) The Comedy Central Roast (CC) Comedy Wizards Montana Suite Life So Raven

HawthoRNe (CC) Law & Order: SVU

Saving Grace (CC) Law Order: CI

September 3, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

9:30

Entertain Insider Grey’s Anatomy (CC) Grey’s Anatomy (CC) Fortune Jeopardy! Big Brother 11 (CC) CSI: Crime Scn Deal No TMZ (N) Bones (PA) (CC) Fringe (CC) News News 30 Rock Parks The Office 30 Rock NewsHour Business Toledo Stories (CC) MI-5 (CC) Law Order: CI ›› Loverboy (2005, Drama) Kyra Sedgwick.

Friends Friends ›› Loverboy (2005, Drama) Kyra Sedgwick.

Criminal Minds (CC) The First 48 (CC) The First 48 (CC) ›› Legally Blonde (2001) Reese Witherspoon. S. Park S. Park

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30 Private Practice (CC) News Nightline The Mentalist (CC) News Late Show News Seinfeld My Wife Law & Order (CC) News Tonight Artists Den Charlie Rose (N) (CC) Movie News Scrubs Fam. Guy Punk’d The First 48 (CC) Crime 360 (N) (CC) The Comedy Central Roast (CC) Comedy

Wizards Montana ›› Ice Princess (2005) Joan Cusack. (CC) Wizards Montana Suite Life So Raven E! News Daily 10 15 Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies Jackson Kendra Chelsea E! News College Football South Carolina at North Carolina State. (Live) College Football Oregon at Boise State. (Live) ’70s Show ››› Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) (CC) Funniest Home Videos The 700 Club (CC) Medium “Jump Start” Medium “Lucky” (CC) Project Runway (CC) Project Runway (N) Models Runway Pranked Beatdown Nitro Cir Fantasy Fantasy Beatdown Nitro Cir Pranked Fantasy Beatdown CSI: Crime Scn UFC Unleashed (CC) TNA Wrestling (N) (CC) Surviving Disaster Seinfeld Seinfeld Friends Friends ›› The Ringer (2005) Johnny Knoxville.

Sex & City Sex & City ››› Hell Below Zero ››› The Magnificent Seven (1960) (CC) ›› Return of the Seven (1966) Yul Brynner.

CSI: NY (CC) CSI: NY (CC) Bones (CC) ››› The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) (CC) NCIS “Under Covers” ››› Blood Diamond (2006) Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly. (CC) Monk (CC)

Saturday Evening 7 pm 7:30 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

8:30

Entertain

Thursday Evening 7 pm 7:30 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

September 1, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

September 5, 2009

MOVIES

8 pm

8:30

9 pm

9:30

10 pm 10:30 11 pm 11:30

Entertainment Tonight College Football Alabama vs. Virginia Tech. From Atlanta. (S Live) News Fortune Cash Exp. Ghost Whisperer (CC) 48 Hours Mystery (CC) 48 Hours Mystery (CC) News CSI: NY Raymond My Wife Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Cops (CC) News Seinfeld MADtv (CC) News Paid Prog. Law Order: CI Law & Order (CC) Law & Order: SVU News Sat. Night Lawrence Welk Show The Story of India Antiques Roadshow TimeGoes Keep Up The Vicar of Dibley Movie ››› The Commitments (1991) Robert Arkins. Cops (CC) Cops (CC) Movie Fam. Guy Work ››› The Commitments (1991) Robert Arkins. ›› Light It Up (1999, Drama) Usher Raymond.

CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami (CC) CSI: Miami “10-7” The Sopranos “D-Girl” ›› National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (2002) Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj Van Wilder Legally Blondes (2009) (CC) ››› The Parent Trap (1998, Comedy) Lindsay Lohan. (CC) Suite Life So Raven Kourtney Kourtney ›› Never Been Kissed (1999) Premiere.

Kendra The Soup Chelsea College Football BYU vs. Oklahoma. (Live) Score College Football ›››› The Sound of Music (1965, Musical) Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer. (CC) ›› Snow Dogs (2002) Cradle of Lies (2006) Shannon Sturges. (CC) Hush (2005) Tori Spelling, Victoria Pratt. (CC) Army Wives (CC) Fantasy Fantasy Nitro Cir Nitro Cir ››› V for Vendetta (2006, Action) Natalie Portman. Premiere.

Band of Brothers “Currahee” (CC) Band of Brothers (CC) Band of Brothers “Carentan” (CC) Surviving Disaster Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Engvall Engvall Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Support-Sheriff ››› The Guns of Navarone (1961) Gregory Peck, David Niven. (CC) ››› I Aim at the Stars › Twisted (2004) (CC) ››› Panic Room (2002) Jodie Foster. (CC) ›› Trapped (2002) Charlize Theron. (CC) House “Half-Wit” (CC) House (CC) House (CC) House (CC) House (CC)

ARTS LIFE

A34

Chop House opens for lunch A new option for lunch launches Sept. 2 when the Chop House at 1430 Holland Road begins opening its doors at 11 a.m. The new lunch menu will feature Chop House burgers and sandwiches in the $7 to $9 price range, main courses like salmon or tenderloin from $9 to $17, soups, salads and vegetarian items, Manager Ahmed Sous said. The restaurant will host an open house to kick off its lunchtime service on Sept. 1 beginning at 11 a.m.

MEDIA

By Evan Goodenow SPECIAL TO TOLEDO FREE PRESS news@toledofreepress.com

Ft. WAYNE, Ind. — “And they’re off!” WFFT anchor Jim Blue exclaimed introducing a story on ostrich racing on the fledgling FOX55 television news station in Fort Wayne, Ind. The ostrich segment on Aug. 10 was a kicker, the term newscasters use for an amusing story that ends their newscast.

While the 57-year-old Blue has a sense of humor, he takes journalism seriously and hopes his new station flies better than ostriches.

The new gig began less than a year after Blue’s contract wasn’t renewed after six years at WNWOTV NBC24 in Toledo.

The nonrenewal was disappointing for Blue, a former Toledo Free Press columnist, who has a home in Toledo and had no desire to leave.

“On the other hand, it opened up this opportunity here and this is the most challenging and exciting thing I’ve ever done,” said Blue, who, in addition to anchoring the station’s nightly 10 p.m. newscast, is also the news director. “To start up a newscast from absolute scratch, just the very beginnings and to be able to use some years of experience to do that, I’ve found to be very gratifying.”

Blue — whose career began in 1989 and includes stints in Columbia, S.C., and Dayton — said he loves getting out from behind the anchor desk and into the field. And in one case, into the water. Blue, an avid scuba diver, reported underwater for NBC24 for a 2007 story on the Anthony Wayne, a steamship that sank in Lake Erie in 1850.

Stories like that made Kevin Kistner, NBC24 senior producer, admire Blue’s drive. And Kistner relied on Blue’s experience.

“I always turned to him to help me in terms of knowing whether to put a story on the air,” Kistner recalled. “He was a good teacher, a good journalist and he has great journalistic instincts.”

But, despite his credentials, anchors like Blue are becoming extinct as newsrooms contract because of budget cuts. Well paid, veteran anchors in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and St. Louis all left their jobs this year. Last year, 1,200 employees

PHOTO COURTESY WFFT FT. WAYNR

Former Toledo anchor starts from scratch in Ft. Wayne Rundgren ‘happy and successful’ in Texas

By Caitlin McGlade TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

■

JIM BLUE MOVED FROM NBC24 IN TOLEDO TO WFFT IN FT. WAYNE, IND.

lost their jobs, approximately 4.3 percent of the local TV industry, according to the 2009 Radio-Television News Directors Association/ Hofstra University annual survey.

Despite the industry decline because of the distractions of the Internet, corporate news monopolies and the recession, WFFT believes people in Fort Wayne will tune in.

While age and experience work against some veteran journalists as stations turn to younger and cheaper reporters, Blue’s veteran status made him attractive to a startup newscast relying on rookie reporters.

“He’s a fantastic journalist and that demeanor translates well for mentoring some of our young V.J.’s (video journalists),” said Bill Ritchhart, WFFT general manager. “He has a ton of leadership and that adds integrity to our staff.”

Initial reviews for the newscast, which debuted on April 6, are positive. Citing Nielsen ratings, Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly reported Fox-55 recently won the 10 p.m. time slot versus Indiana’s News Center, Fort Wayne’s ABC affiliate which airs a 10 p.m. newscast for the CW Television Network.

Rich Reynolds of Fort Wayne Media Watch, a blog with an often

acerbic take on local media, says initial feedback about Blue from blog contributors has been positive.

“Blue has credibility cachet because of his dignified demeanor,” Reynolds wrote in an e-mail.

“We have tremendously popular anchors in Northeast Indiana, so they made a wise choice in hiring a veteran,” said Jerry Giesler, Indiana’s News Center manager and president.

Facing well-established stations, Blue, who hired the station’s four reporters, said the newscast will try to be different. Reporters are asked to enterprise and avoid press releases and routine news conferences when possible. Accidents, crashes and crimes, staples of local TV news, will be shied away from unless they’re serious. Reporters describe Blue as hands on, but not a micromanager.

While the new job is time consuming, Blue says he tries to visit Toledo — where his wife Kay teaches writing at Owens Community College — every couple of weeks. Despite the demands and pressures, Blue said he has no plans to leave journalism anytime soon.

“I love the news business and getting out into the community and talking to people,” he said. “I’ve never really wanted to do anything else.”

Karl Rundgren might have left FOX Toledo a year ago, but he took what he learned from Toledo’s fast-paced news scene with him to pick up the speed of his television station in Odessa, Tex., WKMID. After leaving his position as FOX’s anchor and managing editor for a news director position at Odessa’s ABC affiliate, he said he misses reporting on Toledo politics, but has obtained a level of happiness he and his wife, Jordan, couldn’t find anywhere else.

“When you’re in the media, there are two goals,” said Rundgren, a former Toledo Free Press columnist. “Make it to a giant network and be with your family. I accomplished one of those things; we never saw this as a step back. We looked at it as a success.”

Rundgren said he moved to Texas to be close to the numerous family members who live in the area.

WKMID, known as “Big 2,” once dominated the television news market in Odessa but recent setbacks left the station in second place, so Rundgren said he is constantly experimenting with news content to compete RUNDGREN with other stations.

“My challenge is to rebuild this station and bring it back to what it used to be; obviously, that’s no small task,” he said.

“The thing about working for a station that’s not in the lead is you can try things and you can be a little more tenacious.”

He has used specific techniques he learned in Toledo to improve his Texas station. When he moved to Odessa, the newscast was slow-paced and focused on a single person behind the desk. He used what he knew about fast-paced newscasts from working in Toledo to speed up the news and energize the setting.

He said he even had the anchor desk ripped out to ramp up energy.

Now, his reporters write brief scripts, packed full of information opposed to the longer, wordy forms of newscasts he saw at the station when he moved there, he added.

He also took the necessity for balanced news from the Toledo area as well, something that can be difficult in his town because most people share the same views.

“In Toledo, you have a very democratic area but the surrounding areas are conservative so being fair was not just an option, it was a necessity,” Rundgren said. “Out here in Texas this is a conservative area; the Democrats in west Texas tend to be more like Republicans. Because of that, there is a temptation to lose a little bit of that fairness to play to the crowd. But that’s the thing I took from Toledo — being fair is not an option, this is a necessity.”

Though he misses Toledo and has been “admiring the mayoral race from afar,” he said he plans to stay in Odessa with his wife and 4-year-old son Dane and continue his career with WKMID. His hottest topics on his station right now are the oil industry and the economy and health care reform, he said.

“To me, the most important thing is to listen; I’ve been amazed when I go through this industry how many people go in and do interviews and they’re waiting to hear that one magic thing they are looking for. If you listen, sometimes you get whole other ideas from interviews,” he said.

“The other thing is to be fair. As long as you give people your fair shake, most people are appreciative.”

ARTS LIFE

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A35

FAMILY FUN

New traditions meet old at German-American Festival

By Shannon Szyperski TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER news@toledofreepress.com

The German-American Festival Society is throwing its 44th celebration of German and Swiss culture

Aug. 28 through 30 at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon.

The event is rich in history. Festival chair Timothy Pecsenye said by 1966, the Toledo area was home to seven different German and Swiss ethnic societies. In an attempt to es-

tablish a sense of unity among the organizations, representatives from each group came together to create Toledo’s first German-American Festival. The success of that initial collaborative venture resulted in a more permanent association of the

Where Shopping is Easy for Great Meals at Home

Upcoming Events Labor Day

Picnic Preparations with Chef Kolhoff Stop by and Pick Up a Few of Our Favorites for Your Picnic Deviled Eggs .......................................... $6.00 Dozen French Syle Potato Salad ............................$4.99/ lb.

Lebanese Couscous Salad ..........................$3.99/ lb.

Texas BBQ Baked Beans .............................$3.99/ lb.

Watermelon Gazpacho 16 oz............................. $4.99

Fall Dinner Series with Chef Kolhoff

seven original ethnic societies in the form of the German-American Festival Society (GAF).

Pecsenye said the GAF Society continues its mission of promoting its collective ethnic heritage by offering up the entertainment, Germanic fare and extensive beer and wine collection festivalgoers have come to expect over the years.

The festival continues in its tradition of lively musical performances by showcasing five-piece headliner band Die Sandler, straight out of Steinach, Germany, and homegrown Pink Floyd-inspired, accordion-meetsrock ‘n’ roll group, Polka Floyd. Music will continue live on three stages throughout the weekend.

The festival’s commitment to making each year’s festivities better than the last continues this year with several new offerings. Pecsenye said he is excited to announce that the festival is taking on a fresh look this year with the switch to a new amusement ride operator. A first-ever baking contest is slated for Aug. 29.

Through an exclusive deal with the Build-a-Bear company, event mascot Moritz the raccoon and his sweetheart, Mitzi, will be available for purchase at this year’s festival.

Also of interest to children will be the 18th Annual Hummel Look-Alike Contest for children ages 2 to 10. Roughly a dozen pint-

sized entrants will don the attire and strike the pose of a figurine of their choosing. Adults will battle it out in the Swiss Steinstossen stone-throwing contest. Men and women will compete to see how far they can toss 138-pound and 75-pound stones.

Pecsenye emphasizes the dedication of those who make the festival possible each year.

“The festival is a labor of love for our volunteers,” he said.

In an attempt to give something back to those helpers, the festival began offering a German language Sunday morning service for members eager to work but wanting to worship. This year’s worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and is open to the public. Anyone attending the worship service will receive free admission to the festival.

The Toledo German-American Festival’s reach extends beyond the northwest corner of Ohio.

“It’s very much a regional festival,” Pecsenye said. Visitors are expected to arrive from Illinois, Indiana and from as far away as Texas.

The 2009 German-American Festival runs 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 28; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Aug. 29; and noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 30. For more information, visit www.German AmericanFestival.net or www.GAF Society.org/fest.htm.

A to Z Health Care, Inc. Health Care - We Bring It Home To You

Amuse-Bouche Series at WCM Briarfield

The Gourmand Dinner Series at WCM Perrysburg

JCAHO Accredited • Medicare Certified • 22 Years of Excellent Service

9-Course Tasting Dinners with Wine Accompaniments

5 Course Wine & Food Dinner

We provide quality, safe and cost effective homecare services in your place of residence to promote health, independence and dignity.

Flavor-concentrated tasting of impeccable design meant to titillate & tease taste buds & eyes, and reflect the good life well-savored.

Complete well-balanced meal to accompany favorite wines meant to reflect “the good life well lived.”

955 Commerce Dr. • Perrysburg, OH 43551 419-874-5227 • www.atozhealth.org

Chef Bill Kolhoff Please contact Chef Kolhoff at the Maumee Location for Dates & Reservations • 419-794-4000 Beginning Early September • Limited Seating

www.waltchurchillsmarket.com

SQUABBLES Written by Marshall Karp Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Directed by Wes Skinner

Sept. 11 - 26, 2009 Thurs., Fri., Sat at 8pm Sun. Sept. 20 at 2pm

3320 Briarfield Blvd., Maumee 419.794.4000

26625 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg 419.872.6900

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sun. 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Hours: Mon.-Sun. 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Effective 8/31/09 - 9/07/09 | We reserve the right to limit quantities. | No sales to vendors. | Not responsible for pictorial or typographical errors.

General Admission $14 Seniors (60+) & Students $12

2740 Upton Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43606

www.thevillageplayers.org

419-472-6817

COMICS

A36 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

GAMES

AUGUST 30, 2009

BIFF & RILEY

BY JEFF PAYDEN

Aug 28 - Sept 3, 2009

Doug MOATS

Chief Meteorologist

BY KEVIN THRUN

Third Rock

Almanac

BY ELIZABETH HAZEL

YOUR TAROTGRAM AND HOROSCOPE

Aug 30-Sept 5, 2009

Events: Full Moon in Pisces (4th)

What’s in Your Backpack?

by Ann Fisher

What might be in your backpack that…

SOLUTION, TIPS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM AT WWW.SUDOKU.COM

■ ANSWERS FOUND ON A38

1. begins and ends with the letter R? 2. contains the letter S four times?

3. costs less than a quarter?

4. costs more than $10?

5. is spelled with 10 or more letters?

6. you can wear?

7. Important activity: Load your backpack for school.

Guess how much it weighs.

Put it on the scales to check, then weigh yourself. Doctors recommend you carry no more than 10 percent of your body weight. So if you weigh 70 pounds, make sure your backpack weighs no more than 7 pounds.

(Your answers may be different.)

1. ruler 2. scissors 3. a pencil, a pencil top eraser, etc.

4. an iPod, a cell phone, a $20 bill, etc.

5. highlighter, protractor 6. gym clothes, art shirt

THE HUMAN FOOTPRINT

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Feeding the fire. A short temper can spoil potential long-term gains. Be persistent and keep people talking and negotiating. Midweek discussions help pinpoint obstacles. Avoid road rage on Thursday! The full moon reveals secrets and healing needs.

Tough customer. Your ability to be courageous and forthright is being tested. You’re on the hot seat from Tuesday to Thursday: no guts, no glory. Voice tone must be firm and confident. If you waffle or quit to avoid conflict, the full moon will shine on regrets.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Escalating tensions. Your heart is in one place, while your head needs to be in another. It’s a struggle to complete mandatory tasks. Drive carefully all week! You turn a corner on Thursday and as the full moon arrives accomplishments yield returns for efforts.

Suspicious clouds. People can be unreliable this week, and can catch you unawares. If you focus on your frustration, you’ll miss out on some very welcome opportunities on Wednesday. Flush the mental and emotional toxins from your system under the full moon.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Healing thoughts. Be clear about what you need, as you may not get what you want. Clashes over money or responsibilities reveal diametrically opposed belief systems. The full moon illuminates different sides of issues, emotional triggers and sensitive buttons.

Indy 500. This week’s pace is brutal, but every step is exhilarating and opens new doors for the future.

Luck comes your way on Wednesday as gifted friends collaborate with you. Attend to family matters and domestic duties under the full moon.

Cancer (June 22-July 22)

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Distant hopes. It’s a physically and emotionally demanding week. Organization helps but isn’t foolproof.

Be flexible about your priorities and approaches.

Contemplate the big picture as the full moon arrives; seek healing on emotional and spiritual levels.

Roll the dice. Separations, exits and changes with loved ones make this an emotionally rocky period. Be extra cautious around noon on Thursday, as disruptions and accidents are possible. Reconnect with old friends as the weekend arrives.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Momentous decisions. This week’s rapid fire demands can be hindered by late-night disturbances or insomnia.

Conflicts are mired in bigger issues. As the full moon approaches, you’ll be annoyed if you have to fix all the problems and pick up the tab.

A stubborn man. Your creative skills flow as the week begins. An uncompromising situation arises on Tuesday, with consequences no matter what you do. A friend gives good advice on Wednesday. Pick what stays and what goes under the full moon.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Think fast! It’s difficult to stay the course when others change the rules without warning. Your flexibility is stretched to the snapping point, especially midday on Thursday. The full moon sheds light on where your relationships flow freely and where they’re clogged.

Contradiction wrapped in an enigma. Tasks and ideas that seem straightforward are met with a perplexing series of complications this week. Factor in extra time to complete your objectives. The full moon shows how reliance on others has benefits and liabilities.

Elizabeth Hazel is a professional tarotist-astrologer and author. She gives readings every Wednesday at Attic on Adams above Manos Greek Restaurant. She may be contacted at ehazel@buckeye-express.com (c) 2009

COMICS

AUGUST 30, 2009

TFP CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

BY DAVE DECHRISTOPHER 5

6

7

8

12

14

16

N

13

18

27

19

20

21

28

22

23

24

25

26

29

30

31

32

33

34 35

36

39

37

40

38

41

42

43

44 45

46

Identity ACROSS 1. Little white lit 3. Outlaw shot by Pat Garrett in 1881 10. “Wheel of Fortune” purchase 11. Soothing action for baby 12. Neither partner 13. Money player 14. Cowlicked imp created by Hank Ketcham 16. No spring chicken 19. “Bride of Frankenstein” Lanchester 22. Dahl or Francis 27. Professional wrestler and actor, “The Princess Bride” 30. Decided against execution 31. Scored high on a test 32. ---- Na Na 35. Infamous Russian czar of the 16th century 39. Possess 40. Pronoun for Miss Piggy 41. Artistic arrangement 44. 50s President 45. Mischievous feline who dates back to silent films 46. 6-pt. plays DOWN

1. Where to hear Bob Kelly 2. Morning rasher

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

15.

17.

18.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

28.

29.

30.

33.

34.

36.

37.

Actress Ling “Newhart” setting Most like air?

Over there Derby winner Greek letter Church district “If ---- a rich man...”

Sitter’s creation Genetic fingerprint Guided “Of course!”

Ripen Contract addendum “---- Law” Minnesota twins Ultimate degree St. V’s worker Having diverse interests “Joey,” vis-a-vis “Friends” Sylvania and Southard High point Undo a marriage Brand that “takes a licking and keeps on ticking” 38. Goat’s cry 42. Alias initials 43. Wager ■ ANSWERS FOUND ON A38

■ A37

Laney in the middle

9

15

17

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

FAMILY PRACTICE

10 11

GAMES

o matter what the circum- I had thought, I do realize the signifistance and no matter what cance of Elaine’s here and there efforts the degree of uneasiness, it to find out who she is. One minute she’s trying to squeeze always hurts when you her way into every bahave to watch your bies-only item in our child struggle. My 6house and the next year-old son is already she’s trying to prove experiencing those just how grown up she twinges of discomfort can be. It’s hard not we all encounter when knowing which way to someone we love just turn when you hit that can’t quite get to where fork in the road. they want to be.

On top of trying to Jack’s 5-monthShannon SZYPERSKI figure out how she fits old sister, Lucy, is still fighting to roll over with any sort of into our family since the addition of consistency because of his unwilling- Lucy, Elaine’s propensity toward shyness to let her try. It’s not a case of him ness makes it difficult for her to know not having her best interest in mind. how to fit in anywhere. As many times It’s quite the contrary, actually. He just as I have attempted to teach her how can’t stomach watching her writhe to respond when a friendly little girl around in what he perceives as pain approaches her along the way, I can as she grapples with figuring out how still just see her brain yelling at her the world works. As much as I plead to remain as invisible as possible. She with him to let her labor through it, just stays as still as she can because he always pulls out his chivalrous she just doesn’t know exactly how to sword and saves her at the very first be who she wants to be.

I know how she feels. As an sign of struggle.

I know how he feels. His 3-year- adult, I know that this is just the beold sister, Elaine, seems to be strug- ginning. I know that there is not one gling, too. She’s stuck between that single fork in the road; there is fork big brother rock and that baby sister after fork after fork. It seems that hard place that is middle child land. just when we gain the confidence to It’s difficult for me to stand back and choose a path and get going along at a steady, comfortable pace, the crossstomach her pain.

As dense as I was to not realize that roads catch up to us once again.

The great advantage of getting past our cat’s urinating in the baby’s car seat was a not-so-subtle indicator of how he fork after fork after fork in the road was adjusting to our new addition in- is that the more forks you maneuver stead of the random act of unkindness through, the more quickly and confi-

dently you make it past the next one.

The great disadvantage of just starting out on your road like my daughter is now, is that you just can’t see past that very first one. As far as she can see, not knowing if she’s a baby or a big girl is the worst thing that’s ever going to happen to her.

As her mother, I wish it were.

I know what’s coming, though. I’ve already been through it all. All of the insecurity and the loneliness and the fear that visits each of us from time to time or all the time throughout elementary school and adolescence and young adulthood. You would think that such a resume of emotion would give us some sort of ability to take our children by the hand and walk them right past any such melodrama and heartache to a place of clarity and wisdom. It doesn’t.

We could tell them how to roll themselves over from here to eternity. But without letting them go through those motions and build those muscles, they will never learn to do it themselves with any sort of consistency. I have to admit that although I want Elaine to grow up and be the big, strong, wonderful girl I know she can be, some days I’m just as happy as she is to hold her and rock her and enjoy that little piece of pre-fork-in-the-road, mother/baby bond we’ll hopefully always keep.

Shannon and her husband Michael are raising three children in Sylvania. Email her at letters@toledofreepress.com.

Full Lebanese Menu Italian Specialties

Full Lebanese Menu Daily Luncheon Specials

Mon.-Thurs. 4 p.m.-11:30 p.m.

Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. beirutrestaurant.com

Mon.-Fri. 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

Sat. 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m. e-mail: labibh@aol.com

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

Full Bar & Large Selection of Domestic & Imported Beer

(419) 473-0885

(419) 382-1600

4082 MONROE

1050 S. REYNOLDS

Just East of Douglas

North of Airport Hwy.

Featuring “small plates” of the Mediterranean.

Large selection of Italian, Spanish, Middle East, and Greek specialties.

Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-11pm Saturday 5pm-11pm Full Bar, Sangria, Imported and Domestic Beer & Wines

(419) 931-0281 LEVIS COMMONS NEW BANQUET ROOM

CLASSIFIEDS

A38 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

AUGUST 30, 2009 ■ CROSSWORD ANSWERS FROM A37

AUTOMOBILES

EMPLOYMENT

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

RENTALS

PARTS

DRIVER/DELIVERY/COURIER

LANDSCAPE

APARTMENTS

GOT WEEDS? Sue’s Etcetera! Inc., “Your Personal Gardening Service” Specializing in Garden Maintenance and Indoor Plant Care. 419-727-8734. Fully Insured and BBB Accredited.

1 BED UPPER DUPLEX - BENNETT/SYLVANIA AREA - $425/mo. inc. water Basement with storage and washer/dryer 1 car off street parking For appointment, call Cindi – 419-392-1000 Re/Max Preferred Associates

HI-PERFORMANCE TOYOTA 22re & Suzuki Samurai motors, rebuild kits, Weber Carbs, headers, low-mileage Japanese engines, online catalog, www.22re.com, www.sammypro.com, 1-800-456-9645

COMMUNITY ADOPTIONS *ADOPTING YOUR newborn would be our greatest joy.

Secure future & endless love awaits your precious baby.

Liz & Mark 1(800)630-2353 Expenses Paid. *ADOPTING YOUR newborn is life’s greatest joy. Endless love, security awaits your precious baby. Nancy & Andrew 1-800-421-0174. Expenses Paid.

ATTN: NEW DRIVERS TRAINCO AND OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL DAY-EVE-WEEKEND CLASS • CDL Testing on site • Lifetime Job Placement Assistance • UAW Welcome • Ohio Job and Family Services Approved • Company Paid Training PERRYSBURG, OH 419-837-5730 TAYLOR, MI 734-374-5000 Train Local Save Hassle www.traincoinc.com

PAINTING

F M R A D I O

B B A A O C K I O E N N I W L D E A N D R S P A R E P I V A N T N N I O WN M F U E F E L I X

1 BED NEAR UT/TOLEDO HOSPITAL $425.00/mo. includes HEAT/water On site laundry. Covered parking.

Call Cindi for appt. 419-392-1000 Re/Max Preferred Associates

I

Nice Section 8 approved, East Toledo, two bedroom, completely remodeled, fenced yard. One level, pets OK. $550/mo. 2620 Norwalk. 419-410-7193

I L N D N G H S T E L S E T D Z H E N O I T T H

L Y O N D H E R A H E A C L T E C T I E C

T H E K I D O A I O R P R O S P C M E N A C E S A R L E N E G I A N T E D S H A E V R R I B L E L N A B L E A U K E A E A T T D S

■ ANSWERS FROM A36

GENERAL HEALTH & WELLNESS FREE SIGN-ON. One day only! When you join Curves, August 31. Get fit in 30 minutes! 1734 Laskey. 419478-8112

PUBLIC NOTICE THE FOLLOWING STORAGE UNITS WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION BY LOCK-IT-UP SELF STORAGE ON OR AFTER 9/16/09 AT LEONARD’S AUCTION SERVICE 6350 CONSEAR RD OTTAWA LAKE, MI RICHARD LEONARD AUCTIONEER. 6424 MEMORIAL HWY OTTAWA LAKE 49267.

6303 & 6346 STANLEY ALLEN 4664 TALMADGE #2C HOUSEHOLD. 4601 JACKMAN TOLEDO 43612. 1022 TRINA TRIPLETT 3341 N DETROIT HOUSEHOLD. 1058 OPHATH VIENGMANY 1563 ELEANOR HOUSEHOLD. 4304 DANIEL SKEENS 4043 CAROLINA HOUSEHOLD. 4709 AMANDA KING 300 MAIN OAKWOOD OH HOUSEHOLD. 6126/6125 CRYSTAL PARRAZ 340 RICHARDSON HOUSEHOLD. 802 S REYNOLDS TOLEDO 43615. 7009 OMAR ATALLAH 41252 RAYBURN NORTHVILLE MI HOUSEHOLD. 8008 MARK SZAKOVITS 4820 PARKGATE PL #3 HOUSEHOLD. 10135 MELODY POPE 4401 ROSE THORN #2 CHARLOTTE NC HOUSEHOLD. 3032 AIRPORT HWY TOLEDO 43609. 4105 CARMEN WILSON 1028 BRICKER HOUSEHOLD. 5203 LINDA SHAFFER PO BOX 300 HOUSEHOLD. 5701 ROY BENOIT 773 DURANGO HOUSEHOLD. 7132 BRIAN SWOPE 324 E THIRD PERRYSBURG HOUSEHOLD. 8224 CONNIE JUAREZ 531 EASTERN HOUSEHOLD. 5401 TELEGRAPH RD TOLEDO 43612. 1001 DWIGHT NUNN JR 264 FERRIS HOUSEHOLD. 1601 DOROTHY BROWN 4805 PAISLEY HOUSEHOLD. 3018 TIMOTHY TRACY 2033 GREENWICH HOUSEHOLD. 4011 FLEASHA CURTIS 8925 E JEFFERSON #14W DETROIT HOUSEHOLD. 1046 S BYRNE TOLEDO 43609. 3011 DON MORROW 1339 LUSCOMBE HOUSEHOLD. 7840 SYLVANIA AVE SYLVANIA 43560. 4157 ANDREW MELICK 39 WOODFOREST PKWY HOUSEHOLD. 10740 AIRPORT HWY SWANTON 43558. 10003 GEORGE PROBERT 2410 NEBRASKA #7 TRUCK/PLOW.

AWESOME JOB! Hiring 18-25 Girls/Guys, Travel Entire U.S. Representing Major Publications, Training/Transportation Provided. Start Immediately! Debbie #888515-5770. Monday-Friday 11am-4pm Only!

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.

HAULING AND DUMPSTER RENTAL

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

#1

in Service Best Prices!

419-824-6400 www.haidumpsters.com • 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 & 40 yd. containers • Special Weekend Rates • Discount Prices *credit cards accepted

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS For Turnkey Security Solutions (Security Systems Installation – Intrusion Detection Systems Digital VideoManagement System and Recording The Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) is soliciting Request for Qualifications from qualified Security Design firms for installation of security systems, intrusion detection systems, and digital video management. A solicitation manual is available for pick up at the Modernization Department, 201 Belmont Street, Toledo, OH 43604. You may also download a copy of the RFQ from our website at www.lucasmha.org. If further information is required, call Joseph Barringer at (419) 259-9550 - FAX (419) 259-9494 – or email: jbarringer@lucasmha.org. Qualification statement is to be submitted no later than 03:00 pm on Thursday, September 17, 2009.

INTERESTED BIDDERS: TOLEDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS – NEW RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTV FREE 4 Room System! 265+ Channels!

Starts $29.99/month. Free HBO + Showtime + Starz!

Free DVR/HD! 130 HD Channels! No Start Up Costs!

DirectStarTV Local Installers! 1-800-973-9027.

FREE DIRECTV 4 Room System! 265 Channels!

Starts $29.99/month. Free HBO + Showtime + Starz!

Free DVR/HD! 130 HD Channels! No Start Up Costs!

Local Installers! DirectStarTV 1-800-306-1953.

Sealed bids will be accepted by the Board of Education of the Toledo Public School District until 1:00 p.m. on September 24th, 2009, at the Toledo Public Schools Treasurers’ Room 3, 420 E. Manhattan Blvd., Toledo, Ohio 43608, for all labor, material and supervision necessary for the New Riverside Elementary School, as more fully described in the drawings and specifications for the project prepared by Munger, Munger & Associates, Inc and will be opened publicly and read immediately thereafter.

Bid Documents for the project may be examined at the F.W. Dodge plan rooms in Columbus, Builders Exchange in Toledo, University of Toledo – Capacity Building, E.O.P.A. – Hamilton Building, Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and The Plan Room in Ann Arbor, Construction Association of Michigan, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Construction News.

Bidders may obtain copies of the documents starting August 27th, 2009 which can be purchased

from Toledo Blue Print, 6964 McNerney Road, Northwood, Ohio 43619 Phone: 419-661-9841.

Drawings may be obtained on CD-ROM for no cost with the purchase of the specifications.

A MANDATORY PREBID CONFERENCE is scheduled for September 11th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Toledo Public Schools, 420 E. Manhattan Blvd., Toledo, Ohio 43608 If you have any questions or a need for additional information, please direct all questions in writing to justin.hammerling@lgb-llc.com, by phone at (419) 776-5600, or (fax) (877) 281-0784.

Sealed bids will be received for: Bid Item No. 1 - Site Work Bid Item No. 2 – Concrete Paving and Curbs Bid Item No. 3 – Asphalt Bid Item No. 4 – Landscaping and Grass Bid Item No. 5 – General Trades Bid Item No. 6 – Metal Studs and Drywall Bid Item No. 7 – Acoustical Ceilings Bid Item No. 8 – Painting Bid Item No. 9 – Flooring Bid Item No. 10 – Fire Protection Bid Item No. 11 – Plumbing Bid Item No. 12 – HVAC Bid Item No. 13 – Electrical Bid Item No. 14 – Technology

Estimates $494,529.00 $140,804.00 $120,529.00 $55,770.00 $4,404,954.00 $216,189.00 $118,358.00 $89,629.00 $225,303.00 $132,440.00 $442,640.00 $1,839,200.00 $1,002,980.00 $557,696.00

FUN TRAVEL job. Hiring 18-23 individuals to travel USA. Two weeks paid training, transportation, and lodging furnished. Toll free 866-234-3225.

Total

$9,841,022.00

REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSES

AREA

DAY/TIME

ADDRESS

DESCRIPTION

Perrysburg

Sunday 2-4

25039 Saddle Horn

4 BR, 2.1 Baths, 2567 sf, 2+ Car Gar

PRICE $259,000

LISTED BY

AGENT

PHONE

Assist2Sell

Robin Morris

419-310-3272

Perrysburg

Sunday 2-4

7346 Winding Brook

3 BR, 1.1 Baths, 1716 sf, 2+ Car Gar

$163,900

Assist2Sell

Cindy Morlock

419-601-1261

Swanton

Sunday 2-4

6122 Prov Neap Swanton Rd.

4 BR, 4 Baths, 3159 sf, 3+ Car Gar.

$289,900

Assist2Sell

Robin Morris

419-310-3272

AUGUST 30, 2009

Visit www.toledofreepress.com

■ A39

same as cash for 36 months*

labor day

great style doesn't have to be expensive.

Landon Salsa 85" Sofa

Wow! great price!

399

$

99

Available Only at Participating Stores.

Furniture so beautiful & affordable.

499

Amazing deal! $

Cordova Gunsmoke 88" Sofa

99

Available Only at Participating Stores.

Ashley designers create our unique designs. Ashley engineers check every last detail. Every piece is carefully delivered in our own Ashley trucks, passing the savings to you.

North America’s best selling furniture brand | delivering the largest selection of great style & value 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 $499 required. Financing provided by CitiFinancial Retail Services. 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. 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 09/14/2009.

AUGUST 30, 2009

A40 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

It’s hard to contain a rate this big.

Huntington is offering a great interest rate and ready access to your cash.

Open a new Huntington Premier Plus Money Market Account and your money can start earning at twice the average market rate, when you also have a qualifying Huntington checking account. Take advantage of this rate today.

Stop by a Huntington banking office, call 1-877-480-2345, or visit huntington.com to apply.

2.00% 2 X *

APY

HUNTINGTON PREMIER PLUS MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT

THE AVERAGE MARKET RATE

$20,000 MINIMUM BALANCE

*Annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of date of publication. All rates shown below are variable and subject to change without notice. Initial minimum opening deposit for the Premier Plus Money Market Account is $20,000.00, must be new money to Huntington, AND customer must also have, or open, a consumer checking account with a $1,500.00 balance to qualify. Different rates apply to different balance tiers. If at any time the balance in the account is or becomes $2,000,002.00 or more, the interest rate for the entire balance tier will be the interest rate in effect for that balance tier. The interest rate for balances $0.01-$19,999.99 is 0.00% (0.00% APY); the interest rate for balances $20,000.00 to $49,999.99; $50,000.00 to $99,999.99; and $100,000.00 to $2,000,001.99 is 1.98% (2.00% APY). The interest rate for $2,000,002.00 to $999,999,999.99 is 0.95% (0.95% APY). We reserve the right to limit acceptance of deposits greater than $100,000.00. Interest is compounded and paid monthly. Some methods of withdrawal on this account are restricted to no more than six per month; see Agreement and Disclosure of Account Terms and Rules and Regulations for complete details. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. An Early Account Closing fee will apply to accounts closed within 180 days of opening. FDIC insured up to applicable limits. “2x the Market Average” comparison is based on survey of competitors’ standard, non-promotional money market account rates. Market rate comparison source: Informa Research Service, Inc., Calabasas, CA., www.informars.com. Although the information has been obtained from the various institutions themselves, the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The Huntington National Bank is a Member FDIC. ®, Huntington® and A bank invested in people.® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2009 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.