Toledo Free Press - June 22, 2005 by Toledo Free Press

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Bob Frantz offers a current events pop quiz, page 3

The dawn of a Toledo tradition

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June 22, 2005

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IMPACT PLAYERS

Chris Kozak names Toledo’s 25 most inﬂuential sports ﬁgures, with Mud Hens GM Joe Napoli taking the gold, page 16

UNDER THE GUN

Toledo Free Press photos by DM Stanﬁeld

TINA KIELMEYER is the recently appointed interim administrator

of the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation. “It’s just been non-stop working with the attorney general, working with the inspector general and at the same time, I’ve got to keep my 2,600 employees focused on BWC,” she said. “Taking over the bureau at a time where we’re going through a situation like this is a phenomenal task.” Story by Matt Zapotosky, page 5

BRUCE BEATTY is a concealed carry advocate. His trial for

carrying a gun in a Toledo Metropark could set precedent in Toledo when his case is decided. “I am planning on civil action against the City of Toledo at the state and possibly the federal level,” he said. “It is my intent to pursue this matter as far as it needs to be pursued. I will take this to the U.S. Supreme Court if I need to.” Story by Scott McKimmy, page 8

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OPINION

June 22, 2005

LIGHTING THE FUSE

Toledo Free Press Special

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

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Edward Shimborske III Entertainment Editor es3@toledofreepress.com Adam Mahler Food/Dining Editor amahler@toledofreepress.com DM Stanﬁeld Photo Editor dmstanfield@toledofreepress.com Nate VanNatta Photographer

STAFF WRITERS news@toledofreepress.com Joe Bellfy • Keith Bergman Michael Brooks • David Coehrs Scott Calhoun • Lauri Donahue Chris Kozak • Vicki Kroll Scott McKimmy • Heather Nash Mark Tinta • Dave Wasinger Dave Woolford Holly Abrams • Jacqueline Rabe Julie Restivo • Zach Silka Matt Zapotosky Editorial Interns Christopher Burke Contributing Ad Designer Maggie Gerber • Bari Scheinbach Administrative Interns ADVERTISING SALES Renee Bergmooser rbergmooser@toledofreepress.com

June 27, 2005.

Mike W. Bush mbush@toledofreepress.com Casey Fischer cfischer@toledofreepress.com Toledo Free Press is published every Wednesday by Toledo Free Press, LLC, 300 Madison Avenue, Suite 1300, Toledo, OH 43604. www.toledofreepress.com Phone: (419) 241-1700. Fax: (419) 241-8828 Subscription rate: $35/year. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2005 with all rights reserved. Publication of advertisements does not imply endorsement of advertisers’ goods or services.

50293.indd 1

The Tom and Katie Diaries

A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC Established 2005

6/21/05 10:11:48 AM

TOLEDO, 3018 A.D. — The following manuscript was found in the cornerstone time capsule of Finkbeiner Coliseum, which was constructed in 2009. Sept. 12, 2005 - Dear Diary, Tom ﬁnally met my family today. We all gathered in Toledo, and Tom says he could live here! He loved the people of Toledo, the landscapes of Toledo and the architecture of Toledo. It’s expensive to ﬂy my family to Spain, but Tom says he’ll do it as often as I wish. Oct. 14, 2005 - Dear Diary, I am now Mrs. Tom Cruise. I am the luckiest girl in the world. Except maybe for Laura Bush. Tom and I talked about his previous marriages for a long time before our wedding. He says Mimi couldn’t adjust to his growing fame, and Nicole was angry he was always “chasing Oscar.” He means the award, right? Dec.18, 2005 - Dear Diary, For my birthday, Tom bought me the Vatican. He says now that we own it, we can tear it down and build the Katie Cruise Scientology Visitors Center. Sigh. I’m in love, love, love, crazy love!

Michael S. Miller Feb. 14, 2006 - Dear Diary,

James Van Der Beek keeps calling my cell phone. He knows it’s over, but he won’t stop asking me to sign up for the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion. I’m afraid if Tom ﬁnds out James is calling, he’ll send Spielberg’s goons to rough him up. For Valentine’s Day, Tom bought me the rights to all future “Batman” movies. Isn’t he sweet?

April 3, 2006 - Dear Diary,

So, like, Tom’s in Europe ﬁlming “Cocktail 2” and I’m stuck in L.A. waiting for my agent to call. The night before he left (Tom, not my agent), we were making love and he called me “Oscar.” It’s so sweet how much that award means to him.

June 12, 2006 - Dear Diary,

Sad news today. Tom lost his lawsuit against “Ebert & Tinta.” The case went all the way to the Supreme Court! They said ﬁlm critics have no right to harm a ﬁlm’s commercial prospects by criticizing it. The Bush Administration’s lawyers said if free speech doesn’t apply to any other writers, it shouldn’t apply to reviewers. Diary, did you ever look at a word over and over until it stopped making sense? Ebert. Ebert. Ebert. Ebert. Yogurt. Yogurt. Ebgurt. Yobert.

July 3, 2006 - Dear Diary,

Tom’s birthday today. It went mostly well. He and Oprah made up for that incident last year when he jumped on her couch and squashed that box of Twinkies she had hidden under the cushions. I gave Tom a bottle of English Leather and the new “Batman Begins” DVD. He’s still a little taken aback by Nicole marrying Will Ferrell, but he put on a brave face.

Feb. 12, 2009 - Dear Diary,

I solved that physics problem today. It turns out I underestimated the arc of decent and left out the fourth quadrant exponent. Oops!

July 21, 2014 - Dear Diary,

Filmed the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion. I’m pretty sure Michelle Williams had her face lifted. James seems happy. It was very strained between us. We had a moment of silence for the WB.

March 3, 2025 - Dear Diary,

Tom broke his hip during a stunt for “Mission Impossible 7.” He’s going to have Harrison Ford surgery to repair his left hip. His limo driver, Oscar, is taking care of him while I’m ﬁlming my segment of VH-1’s “I Love the 80s Strikes Back Again, One More Time.”

Aug. 4, 2031 - Dear Diary,

Where did the years go? Tom and I marked our 25th anniversary today. I can’t believe we’ve been divorced for 25 years. At least I’ve got James. And the Church has forgiven me for tearing down the Vatican. The Pope seems very comfortable in his new ofﬁces at the old WB studios. Michael S. Miller is Editor in Chief of Toledo Free Press. He may be contacted at (419) 241-1700, or by e-mail at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

COMMON SENSE

A current events pop quiz, TFT style

ith summer’s official arrival this week, Toledo’s teachers are recharging their batteries and gearing up for another year of doing the very least they can under the terms of their contracts. It might benefit us all to keep our minds as sharp as we can during the dog days, so what say we take a little pop quiz? The answers to today’s test appear at the bottom of the page, but I’m trusting you not to cheat! Do the very best you can and remember to use a No. 2 pencil when circling your selection. And here we go: 1. 42-year-old movie star Tom Cruise proposed to Toledo’s favorite daughter, Katie Holmes, because: A. He’s in love with her charm, her beauty, and her intellect B. He needed to stay in the spotlight to promote his new movie C. He was behind in his quota of Scientology converts, and when they’re that young, they don’t ask questions 2. Jay Black Jr. resigned his position as Mayor Jack Ford’s chief of staff because: A. He called a television talk show under an assumed name to defend the mayor’s track record on crime B. He didn’t want to become a distraction as Mayor Ford campaigned for re-election C. He felt his voice-over talents would be better utilized on the new Jerky Boys CD 3. The Michael Jackson jury acquitted the star on child molestation charges because: A. The prosecution didn’t present enough material evidence to prove Jackson touched the boy B. The accuser’s mother had a history of filing civil lawsuits for monetary gain C. White defendants always get preferential treatment from all-white juries

Bob Frantz 4. Toledo lawyer Keith Wilkowski, in announcing his candidacy for mayor, said he will run on a platform of: A. “Better schools for Toledo’s kids, lower taxes for Toledo’s parents” B. “More jobs for Toledo workers, less holes in Toledo roads” C. “More of a pulse than Jack Ford, less insanity than Carty Finkbeiner” 5. Red light cameras are mounted at various Toledo intersections because: A. Statistics show a significant decline in accidents at intersections with cameras B. City council is using technology to take pressure off of Toledo’s understaffed police C. Unsuspecting visitors to Toledo should make up the lost income tax revenue as residents continue to flee the city 6. The Blade’s ongoing coverage of the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation investment scandal is motivated by: A. A genuine desire to ensure that Ohio’s injured workers and their families are not hurt by the bureau’s lost funds B. The prospect of true reform at the state’s highest levels, where both parties can work in an effort to benefit all Ohio residents C. Michael Moore, who wants to show the world how George W. Bush stole another election with Tom Noe’s money

7. President Bush allowed porn star Mary Carey to pay $2500 to attend the GOP’s fundraising dinner in Washington D.C. last week for what reason: A. To show the nation the Republican party truly embraces diversity B. To offer Ms. Carey a chance to turn her life around, and leave the decadent world of pornography behind C. To extend a bipartisan peace offering to former President Bill Clinton 8. Antonio Gonzalez, who was allegedly caught in the act of raping a 5-year-old girl by the victim’s mother, ﬂed and was severely beaten by whom? A. A mob of ruthless vigilantes who should serve decades behind bars B. A group of neighborhood bullies who unjustly took the law into their own hands C. A superhero named Citizen Justice who decided it was time to rise up and defend Gotham’s, er, Toledo’s, children 9. The Democratic Minority Whip in the United States Senate is: A. Responsible for providing necessary checks and balances so the majority party cannot impose its partisan will upon the Senate B. Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois C. What Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who called American soldiers Nazis, should be beaten with Well, how’d you do? If you want to go ahead and grade yourself, the correct answer to every question was “C.” But don’t worry — like a loyal TFT member, I won’t sweat it if you failed. Bob Frantz hosts “Bob Frantz and the Morning News” each weekday on WSPD 1370 AM. He may be contacted by e-mail at letters@toledofreepress.com.

OPINION

June 22, 2005

NICK ANDERSON

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NEWS MAKERS

Kielmeyer seeks to steer BWC beyond controversy

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Democracy gives us right to change gun laws

“A

well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free

state...” Read that again. Ask yourself whether anything that follows it could mean what it did more than 200 years ago? I would argue no. Gun advocates champion the Second Amendment as giving us the right to own ﬁrearms, but they ignore the above language that precedes, “the right to bear arms shall not be abridged.” At the time the Second Amendment was written, this country was still developing. It had no strong federal government and it was under a persistent threat to its survival. Against that backdrop, the framers understood the need to maintain militia was vital. Today, the militia is known as the National Guard, and the men and women who serve in it perform an invaluable service. Outside of the National Guard and law enforcement, is there a “need” for individuals to own guns? I think not. Today’s reality is that guns do not protect us. They kill us. Given the astounding rate at which that happens, it is time to start a serious dialogue about guns and their continued existence in our society. The right to own them is not divine. It is law, and the law can be changed. When the Second Amendment was passed, slavery was legal and women could not vote. The arguments in favor of guns are wholly unpersuasive. “Guns don’t kill people, people

Steve Hartman kill people.” Dirty bombs and biological weapons, by themselves, do not kill people, but does that mean you don’t mind if your neighbor keeps them in the garage? How about guns for home protection? Law enforcement ofﬁcers warn that pulling a gun on an assailant or intruder is more likely to get you shot than your attacker. Is the killing actually caused by guns? Of course not. But guns make it so easy to kill that they perpetuate the killing. I am not saying that getting rid of guns would end killing. But it is impossible to imagine that if we removed guns from our society, the rate of homicide would not drop dramatically. We, as a nation, have the most liberal gun laws in the world and we also have the highest murder rate. Do you not see a connection? Deer hunters are quick to argue that they use their guns for sport, and it is important to keep the deer population under control. This past hunting season, one man shot and killed several people because they all wanted to

hunt from the same deer stand. I am sure we can ﬁgure out other ways to thin the herd. (Perhaps we should try tasers. They have proven quite effective as tools for killing.) When a right, even one stemming from the Constitution, can lead to the deaths of roughly 30,000 Americans per year, it is time to rethink the right. Ironically, Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the most conservative 50290.indd members of our current Supreme Court, has (perhaps unintentionally) given us the rationale for changing the Second Amendment. In a dissenting opinion in a case involving gender discrimination in higher education, he wrote: “The virtue of a democratic system ... is that it readily enables the people, over time, to be persuaded that what they took for granted is no longer so, and to change their laws accordingly. So to counterbalance the majority opinion’s criticism of our ancestors, let me say a word in their praise: they left us free to change.” And time to change it is. We can no longer sit idly by while Americans are killed by guns in unfathomable numbers. The right to own guns stems from a need for militia in 1789. The gun lobby is powerful and will ﬁght tooth and nail, but enough is enough. It’s time to get rid of private ownership of guns.

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“Nobody Beats Eldens” Comfortex

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CENTER

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Critics call interim chief ‘assistant gatekeeper of corruption’ versy involving the bureau’s investment portfolio. The bureau has admitted to losing $215 million in a Bermuda hedge fund managed by MDL Capital Management of Pittsburgh and $4.8 million in two American Express Asset Management funds. The bureau is also being investigated by several state agencies for investing $50 million in two rare coin funds managed by local coin dealer Tom Noe. Noe’s lawyer has said that up to $12 million is missing from the funds. But for Kielmeyer, who has been with the bureau for 23 years, the controversy and negative publicity is nothing new. She said the recent controversy reminds her of controversy 10 years ago, when the bureau was constantly derided in the media for being unable to pay providers or for paying providers too much. “I was here back in the days when BWC was on the front page and it was never a good thing,” she said. “We had constant changes of administrators. We did not have a good business model for sure. We were not focused on our customers ... when we were in the newspaper, it was because we couldn’t Please see BWC, page 6

By Matt Zapotosky Special to Toledo Free Press

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BlindCrafter ��

Removal of ash trees could leave Native American culture forever changed, page 10

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GUEST COLUMNIST

Neighbors riled by Secor Road construction, page 12

Decimated

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Becky Moores Co-Owner

COMMUNITY ■

Toledo Free Press photo by DM Stanﬁeld

Tina Kielmeyer in her Columbus ofﬁce on Friday.

COLUMBUS — With weary eyes and a tired smile, Tina Kielmeyer laughed as she moved a Christmas tree from behind a chair in her office. Kielmeyer, the recently appointed interim administrator of the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, did not want her mom to see in a newspaper photograph that she had yet to take down Christmas decorations. But in recent weeks, Kielmeyer has simply not had time to put away the tree. “In the past two weeks, it’s just been non-stop working with the attorney general, working with the inspector general, working with the auditor’s office and at the same time, I’ve got to keep my 2,600 employees focused on BWC,” Kielmeyer said. “Taking over the bureau on a good day is a tremendous task, I mean, huge shoes to fill. Taking it over during at a time where we’re going through a situation like this ... is an absolutely phenomenal task.” Kielmeyer was appointed administrator of the bureau June 3 after former administrator James Conrad resigned in the midst of a growing contro-

6/17/05 12:44:48 PM

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Steve Hartman is a trial attorney with the Toledo ﬁrm of Kerger & Associates.

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COMMUNITY

BWC Continued from page 5 pay providers or everyone remembers the time we paid everybody twice and made USA Today.” However, Kielmeyer’s experience in the bureau has raised doubts among some officials about her ability to assume control of the bureau and about her involvement in the investment losses. Ohio Senator Teresa Fedor, DToledo, said she questions Kielmeyer’s ability to do her job because Kielmeyer served in the bureau when all the money was lost. “I don’t have confidence in her leadership at the helm,” Fedor said. “I consider Jim Conrad the gatekeeper of corruption, and now we have the assistant gatekeeper of corruption.” Kielmeyer had been serving as chief operating officer of the bureau and assistant administrator to Conrad since April 2004, and she was one of the first high-level bureau employees to be informed about the MDL loss. Kielmeyer said one of her employees came to her with information about the MDL loss after having a conversation with other low-level bureau employees in the investment department. “The nurse called me I believe the same day she learned about it and she told me that little bit of information, and she said, ‘I don’t know who I should’ve told,’” Kielmeyer said. “So I called Mr. Conrad and I left him the message ...

I think that once I contacted Mr. Conrad, he took all appropriate and responsible steps to get special counsel [and] begin the investigations.” But Kielmeyer said as chief operating officer, she handled more day-to-day operational concerns and insurance claims and was not involved in the bureau’s investment department. “This investment problem is in one part of BWC,” Kielmeyer said. “It does not impact our operations. It does not impact our insurance business. I have never overseen the investment department. Like most employees at BWC, I hear the updates of how the portfolio is performing when they give it to the oversight commission and that’s probably the extent of my involvement.” Since Conrad’s resignation, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro filed a lawsuit against MDL Chairman Mark Lay to recover the lost $215 million on the grounds the hedge-fund contract was fraudulent and evaluated exclusively by Terrence Gasper, the former chief investment officer of the bureau who was forced to resign because of the loss. The bureau is being investigated by several state agencies for its investments with Noe.

Pinball machine

Though some have questioned Kielmeyer’s appointment, the former bureau COO is not without her supporters.

Tom Hayes, director of the governor’s management review team, a group put together by Governor Bob Taft to investigate all of the bureau’s investments, said he has been impressed with Kielmeyer’s ability to handle a “very difficult situation.” Hayes has worked closely with Kielmeyer in recent weeks to look into the bureau’s investments. “Tina has shown a remarkable ability to come into a very difficult situation and get things done,” Hayes said. “She’s kind of in the middle of the pinball machine.” Hayes’ team will be instrumental in selecting a permanent bureau administrator. Hayes said after a search is conducted, his team will interview all the candidates and present a recommendation to the governor, who will appoint the next administrator. Hayes said the scope of the search was not yet determined, but an independent search firm might be hired to aid in the process. Hayes said Kielmeyer would have to express interest in being the permanent administrator if she wanted to be considered. Kielmeyer would not say whether she was interested in removing her interim status, but she said she would give “thoughtful consideration” to keeping the job if it was offered to her. “I’m focused on what I need to do to help address this investment situation but also to keep BWC’s insurance operations focused and moving in the direction our cus-

June 22, 2005 tomers need it to move,” she said.

Intense scrutiny

Kielmeyer’s main task in the coming weeks will be to handle intense scrutiny from the media and from government and independent organizations. All of the bureau’s investments are being evaluated by Governor Taft’s three-person management review team and Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles. The bureau has also hired Ennis Knupp & Associates, an independent investment consulting ﬁrm from Chicago, to look into its investment portfolio. The management review team is scheduled to present its initial ﬁndings to the Governor on July 18, and Ennis Knupp will complete its analysis sometime after that. Additionally, Democratic legislators are proposing a bipartisan committee be formed to look into the bureau’s operations. Fedor and Representative Peter Ujvagi, D-Toledo, said they support the creation of such a committee. Kielmeyer said she would support a bipartisan committee. “BWC welcomes the scrutiny that it’s getting right now, and we welcome the recommendations that can be made,” she said. “We will implement those that the General Assembly and the Governor feel are appropriate.” Senator Jeff Wagoner, D-Sycamore, said he does not feel forming another committee to investigate the bureau is necessary. “As far as another committee,

let’s see what the Inspector General ﬁnds when it’s all said and done,” Wagoner said. “The Inspector General is doing his job, so let’s let him do his job and let the chips fall as they may.”

The ‘lion’s mouth’

With multiple investigations proceeding and public records requests by media still pending, Kielmeyer said more losses might be discovered. She said until she receives a final report from Ennis Knupp on the status of the bureau’s investments, she cannot say all the lost money has been discovered. “When I receive that information, that is when I’ll be able to tell you with 100 percent certainty that there are no other situations,” she said. Hayes, who has been looking into the investment situation in preparation for Ennis Knupp’s analysis, said he expects the controversy to die down in the next couple weeks, though media investigations might reveal losses in contracts previously terminated by the bureau. “As far as active accounts, we’re confident that we’ve identified at least most of it,” he said. In any case, Kielmeyer remains a busy woman thrust into the spotlight. And the Christmas tree remains in her office. “[Kielmeyer is] a solid person; she does a great job,” Hayes said. “She’s stuck her head in the lion’s mouth and hopefully she’ll be able to withdraw it.”

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COMMUNITY

June 22, 2005

DEVELOPMENT

Pollution, jobs leave divide over coking plant

As elected ofﬁcials put their stamp of approval on the construction of a coke plant in Toledo in the name of jobs, some Oregon residents said the area has enough pollution. The partially ﬁlled Clay High School auditorium seemed split down the center as people spoke at a public hearing June 14. The hearing was to receive public comment on the revised draft air pollution permit for the proposed coke plant in East Toledo. “My wife happened to die last year from an asthma attack,” James Manning of Oregon said. “We already have a serious problem here.”

Many residents who spoke out against the plant — which would manufacture coke an ingredient used to make steel — took issue with what they perceive to be relaxed pollution rules. “Let’s face it,” Manning said. “Once this place gets up and running, any environmental infractions or concerns will be irrelevant.” Oregon Mayor Marge Brown was one of many elected ofﬁcials offering their support of the plant. “It’s a tough decision: jobs or what might harm the environment,” Brown said, noting most people have less concern about harmful pesticides they spray into their own yards.

Toledo City Councilman Bob McCloskey said, “There is no pride in unemployment. To see what is going on in Toledo just breaks our hearts.” Paul Urbaniak, a member of the Northwest Ohio Building and Trades Council, said, “We want this work. Why on earth would this country want to depend on Red China for our most basic needs?” Oregon resident Sandy Bihn said the OEPA should keep its restrictions on the proposed plant’s air quality controls. Bihn is a member of Sierra Club, an environmental protection group. “Any other company would have to meet more stringent requirements than this

coke plant ... that is simply wrong.” Residents have until the close of the business day June 22 to write or fax their comments to the Toledo Division of Environmental Service before the OEPA decides on the permit. According to Mary McCarron, hearing ofﬁcer, comments will be taken into consideration. “The OEPA can only look at technical aspects, not how unpopular the site is,” she said. “Zoning, property values, compliance past and revenue concerns cannot be considered.” The proposed $350 million plant would provide nearly 150 jobs. It is expected to produce 1.44 million tons of coke each year. —Myndi Milliken

Pacifist speaker tours area to discuss wars effects in Iraq She lives outside the safe “green zone” in Baghdad. That means sporadic electricity and other inconveniences. It also means the constant fear of bombings, gunfire, terrorist reprisals and possibly losing her life. But in her personal and professional quest for peace through non-violent means, Sheila Provencher doesn’t see another way. A member of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Provencher will speak about life among Iraqi citizens in “NonViolent Peacemaking in Iraq: Stories of Struggle and Hope,” 7 p.m. June 29 at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center, 127 N. Monroe St., Monroe, Mich. “We believe that the use of violence is morally wrong and makes the situation worse,” Provencher said. “CPT was TART132-10x6-0015Bpaths.fh11 5/27/05 4:27 PM Page 1 founded on the principle that peacemakers have to be as willing to risk their lives for peace as soldiers risk their lives for war.” CPT is a 200-member pacifist organization that has worked in international hot spots for about 20 years. It has

had a presence in Iraq since 2002, where it has recorded abuse of Iraqi detainees and sent detailed reports to U.S. military leaders and politicians. A CPT member for more than a year, Provencher traveled previously with Catholic Peace Journey, a delegation of Catholic leaders. “We’re trying to show particularly how the violence of war affects ordinary citizens,” Provencher said. “I went there to meet normal Iraqi citizens, who are known [in war] as ‘collateral damage’. When ‘collateral damage’ has a name and a face and a story, it’s unacceptable. There are numerous examples in recent history of non-violent resolutions [to conﬂicts], but [the U.S.] did not even try to foster such a movement. Whatever it is that we’re trying to do, it’s not working. Most Iraqi citizens ... ﬁnd the situation unbearable. The reality is, right now they don’t feel liberated. They feel like they’re living in their own prison.” The CPT team is currently the only international team living in Iraq outside the “green zone.” Provencher lives with up to eight other team members; one colleague recently left the

country after appearing on a terrorist hit list. Their residence receives electricity about 10 hours each day. Provencher said her speaking engagement “shares the human beings that I know” and offers creative alternatives to violence. She also will speak at venues in Indiana, California, and Washington, among others. Jenny Discher, St. Mary’s campus minister, said, “Sheila, is one of the brightest and most compassionate people you’d ever want to meet. She’s very sincere. She’ll capture your attention because of the intensity of her message and the authenticity of her person. She makes things concrete.” Provencher said she doesn’t seek martyrdom but is willing to take personal risks. “It’s a long road, but it’s worth it in the moment,” she said. “We can’t be just results-driven. People, human relationships ----- that comes ﬁrst. I think we’re making a difference.” A free-will offering will be requested at the presentation. All proceeds will go to CPT. — David Coehrs

COMMUNITY

June 22, 2005

GUN CONTROL

Many families preparing for a pleasant day at one of the nearby city parks are packing their picnic baskets with popular staples such as hot fried chicken and potato salad. Meanwhile, concealed carry advocates such as Bruce Beatty, a Luckey resident, may include one item not normally associated with blue skies and sunny Sundays. They could be packing heat in the form of a handgun BEATTY — legal according to Ohio House Bill 12, which prohibits carrying in many public places, but does not mention parks and TARTA buses. The City of Toledo disagrees with the state and passed an ordinance preventing concealed handguns in city parks under a provision known as Home Rule, a stipulation that allows municipalities to decide local matters as long as the legislation does not conﬂict with prevailing state laws, among other criteria. The proverbial stage has been set with the recent citation against Beatty for violating the city’s ordinance. Toledo Municipal Court Judge Gene A. Zmuda may or may not strike down the law based on Beatty’s claim it violates his civil rights. Beatty’s trial August 5 could set precedent in Toledo when his case is decided. Described as criminal by the City of Toledo Department of Law and as a hybrid between a civil infraction and minor misdemeanor by Bill Stephenson, Beatty’s attorney, the case is pending with a pretrial scheduled for July 22. Beatty said that he expects the court to favor his opinion that the law violates his constitutional rights. “I have every reason to believe that I will be found not guilty because the Toledo City ordinance is constitutionally void,” he said. “It is invalid because it is overwritten by a general law the state passed with a majority of the legislature and signed into law by Governor Taft.” House Bill 12, informally known as “concealed carry,” went into effect April 2004. One year later, Beatty organized what he called a “Pistol Packin’ Picnic,” intended to raise awareness of the city’s attempt to supersede state statute, he added. On April 9 of this year, Toledo Police responded to his invitation to Mayor Ford to attend and enjoy

COMMUNITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Concealed-carry advocate targets Toledo’s park ban By Scott McKimmy Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

June 22, 2005

a piece of cake. Instead, ofﬁcers approached Beatty, accepted the handgun he willfully relinquished and cited him before returning it. About 40 supporters — several licensed to carry — watched the scene as it was recorded on video, but no others were cited.

Power to enforce

Stephenson, a former assistant prosecutor for Paulding County and former public defender for Wood County, said he and his client have researched the issue, concluding Toledo lawmakers clearly overstepped their boundaries and are now hiding behind the Home Rule clause despite the fact that Section 3 of Article XVIII grants municipalities the “power to adopt and enforce local police, sanitary and other similar regulations that are not in conﬂict with general laws.” General laws apply equally across the state and, according to an Ohio Supreme Court ruling, are “not statutes which purport only to grant or to limit the legislative powers of a municipal corporation ...” Stephenson bases his client’s case on the concealedcarry statute itself as well as a legal brief submitted by the Ohio Attorney General’s ofﬁce for a similar case in Clyde. “In my legal opinion, the citation issued by the city against Bruce Beatty for a violation of the city park regulations is blatantly illegal,” he said. “The state legislature has very carefully delineated the rights of concealed-carry holders and where they can carry and where they cannot. That’s the be-all and end-all of where you can carry. Cities are not empowered under the Ohio Constitution to tamper with that or modify it.” Home Rule, however, does allow Toledo to create the legislation, according to Toledo City Law Director Barb Herring. She declined to discuss details of Beatty’s case because it is still pending, but she did release a statement supporting no-carry regulations in parks or TARTA buses, both within the city’s jurisdiction. “The city posture in this has always been that the Home Rule amendment to the Ohio Constitution Article XVIII, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution permits cities to control activity on their own property, and that what we did was enact a measure to control activity on our own property, and that this is a matter of local concern within the Home Rule authority of the city under the Ohio Constitution,” Herring said. Toledo City Chief Prosecutor David Toska did not respond to phone calls from Toledo Free Press inquiring into the case nor any gun-control issues indirectly related to the case, including a

complaint that Beatty said he ﬁled against city ofﬁcials.

A lot of noise

Outspoken gun-control advocate Toby Hoover, executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, supports the city’s ordinance, emphasizing her organization’s stance against the state’s concealed-carry law

since its inception. She said she believes carry permits fail to improve the safety of the community and that only a small percentage of citizens support them. Hoover and Beatty have met at public forums including Toledo City Council meetings and state legislators’ open debates while House Bill 12 sat in the

state congress. “I think that this is deﬁnitely a pre-thought challenge on his part just to make a lot of noise to say that guns ought to be allowed to be carried everywhere,” she claimed. Though not involved in the case against Beatty, Hoover has CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

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tracked the developments of the suit brought forth by Ohioans for Concealed Carry Inc. (OFCC) against the City of Clyde, as well as other related legal actions. Her group lobbied for three local ordinances passed by the City of Toledo preventing child access to ﬁrearms, banning “Saturday Night Specials” and banning assault weapons. She said Toledo is merely saying “the community ought to be able to decide what’s good for the community,” and she questions Attorney General Jim Petro’s intervention into the Clyde case in support of the state’s concealedcarry statute. “I’m aware that they’ve gotten opinions from the attorney

9 general, who also is going to be their speaker at their next annual picnic,” she added, referring to an OFCC event in July. “There’s a little bit of bias going on.” In opposition, Stephenson said there are more than just legal issues surrounding the case, issues that can be traced back to Toledo ofﬁcials themselves. He explained that municipalities often write local legislation reiterating the language of a new state law for revenue purposes. Fines imposed under state codes ﬁll state coffers, but if a local law exists, then the municipality can claim the revenues. “It is really not about guns; it’s really not about the Second Amendment,” Stephenson said. “It’s really about whether the City of Toledo can be its own little

ﬁefdom.” If Stephenson and Beatty succeed in mounting an unbeatable defense, not only will Toledo feel the impact, but so may numerous Ohio communities where similar local ordinances emerge. To date, Beatty has “kicked the anthill over” in Clyde, Arcanum and several villages, towns and cities by challenging local gun-control laws that he said are unconstitutional. To him, Toledo may be bigger but no more intimidating. “I am planning on civil action against the City of Toledo at the state and possibly the federal level,” he said. “It is my intent to pursue this matter as far as it needs to be pursued,” he said. “I will take this to the U.S. Supreme Court if I need to.”

Legacy project seeks building for records, meetings Keeping in stride with its motto, “Preserving the past; gifting the future,” the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio is working to obtain a building to house its records and use as a meeting place. “It’s necessary to have a home where we can document history for the entire community,” said founder Robert Smith. “Without an ofﬁce we are limited in what we can do.” Board members have used their homes and ofﬁces on a temporary basis. The organization also has met in public places such as the library. The organization is looking to obtain a commercial property at

2501 Upton Ave., which was once used as a medical ofﬁce. “What we intend to do is create an online archival system,” Smith said. The group also plans to archive hard copy documents. The AALP has agreements with the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Owens Community College to help with the project. “They’re helping us construct and maintain the archival system,” Smith said. In addition to the AALP, Smith hopes to offer the ofﬁce to other groups. By having a building to house

its organization, the AALP will be better able to carry out its goals, Smith said. “My focus is organizing the infrastructure of the African American Legacy Project,” he said. “We haven’t done a good job presenting our history. This is a step to correct that.” Having a permanent place to house their records would be beneﬁcial, said Toledo City Council member Wilma Brown. “It’s a good idea and a good beginning,” she said. “There’s so much history we’re losing. We’ve lost pictures, newspaper clips and other information.” — Holly Abrams

COMMUNITY

June 22, 2005

ENVIRONMENT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Decimation of trees destructive to tribe’s culture By Myndi Milliken Toledo Free Press Managing Editor mmilliken@toledofreepress.com

Marclay Crampton comes from a long line of basket makers. His mother, Anna M. Crampton, is well known for her signature baskets. Both artisans, of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, learned the art of basket weaving as many Native Americans learn their trades — by working alongside family members. But the widespread removal of ash trees, due to the havoc of the emerald ash borer beetle, may leave a Native American livelihood and culture forever changed. It is estimated nearly four billion ash trees occupy Ohio’s forests. Since 2002, thousands of ash trees in Michigan and Ohio have been stripped to control the spread of the Asian bugs. “I’m still using baskets from my ancestors for the purposes for which they were created,” said Crampton, who works with the Great Lakes Indian Basket and Box Makers Association. “My mother can relate stories of my

grandmother learning from her grandparents. Our family has been making baskets from the mid-1800s.” The Cramptons gather materials and weave the baskets much like their ancestors. The process includes identifying proper trees, harvesting and pounding ribbons from the wood and weaving the ribbons in BURGDORF traditional patterns. Baskets, which once brought ﬁve cents to their ancestors, now bring hundreds of dollars. “During the turn of the century, the historical Americanization of the Indians, basket weaving was a good vocation,” Crampton said. “It kept families together and reintroduced families that had been pulled apart.” Crampton said he hopes to share basket-making traditions

with his children, and pass on stories of his ancestors while doing it. “The importance of these baskets is not only monetary. It’s who we are — our culture, the teaching of our children. It encompasses the whole family aspect,” Crampton said.

An idea

Dave Burgdorf, plant materials specialist for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), faced a dilemma. The destruction of the ash trees was depleting resources, and the coveted black ash tree’s future looked bleak — the tree only goes to seed every six to eight years. “Anna Crampton is my neighbor,” he said. “We have to work with the tribes to preserve these trees, or their basket industry and culture could be wiped out.” Burgdorf introduced the idea of having people voluntarily collect seeds from ash trees to store for future use. The DNR put together a program promoting the collection, which will be stored at the

basket weaving unless the borer is eradicated and the seed collection comes to fruition,” Crampton said, estimating that millions of dollars would be lost. Not all Native Americans agree with the seed idea, according to Stacie Crampton, Marclay’s wife. “There’s a lot of tradition with basket making,” she said. “In storing seeds, they could lose their genetic quality. Indian women feel the tree picks them; there’s a spiritual quality. Women won’t use trees that are sick.”

Personal responsibility

Toledo Free Press photos by DM Stanﬁeld

Kris and John Pupos of Metamora plan to collect seeds late this summer from their only ash tree. National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation Center in Ft. Collins, Colo. Residents along the Great Lakes basin are encouraged to participate in a six-step process

outlined in an information packet offered by the DNR. “It could put an end to CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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COMMUNITY

June 22, 2005

Restrictions have been implemented to reduce the spread of the deadly ash borer. Many of the restrictions, such as not taking ﬁrewood over state lines, are voluntary. Burgdorf said people are still not doing enough to prevent the spread of the pest, even though harsh ﬁnes could result. “We as individuals need to be aware and know of the impact we make,” he said. “How would you like to be the one that is responsible for wiping out the species?” Burgdorf said if the ash trees are eliminated, he expects an invasive species will take its place. “Our landscape will be different; many levels of our ecosystem will be changed,” he said. “We have people who complain about what it costs them to remove a tree, but they need to ask what is

it costing society.” So little is known about the emerald ash borer (DNR was only able to locate one page of research in China), studies are just beginning in the U.S. on ways to control it. Trees are grown in pest-free greenhouses at DNR’s facilities and testing is done on young and mature trees to determine various forms of resistance. For now, collecting seeds will have to do. “If we can get folks educated to help solve the problem by becoming volunteers to identify trees and collect seeds, it would be a big help,” Burgdorf said. “The worst invasive species on this Earth is you and I. We don’t live in harmony, we try to conquer our environment and our resources.” “We say that what you do on this earth today affects seven generations,” Crampton said. “A lot of questions have to be answered as to where one little bug can hitch a ride.”

A helping hand

In Metamora, Kris and John Pupos plan to collect seeds late this summer from their only ash tree — one of ﬁve trees that grow on their 150-by-50-foot lot. “I hope they will hold onto these seeds,” Mrs. Pupos said. “Once the emerald ash borer has been eradicated, hopefully my grandchildren will know what an ash tree is.” Mr. Pupos said he takes pre-

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A downtown Realtor retained by Sports Arena owner Tim Gladieux confirmed that the Columbus firm hired to help develop the Toledo Marina District has expressed interest in purchasing the facility property. Steve Serchuk, of Signature Associates, a realty company representing Toledo Sports Inc., said Pizzuti Companies is expected to issue a letter of understanding by next week regarding possible acquisition. “The property is listed with us,” Serchuk said. “It’s been listed with us within the last seven days. We’re trying to negotiate a deal with Pizzuti Development of Columbus.” He said Gladieux has listed a purchase price of $5 million for the building and 25 1/2 acres of property. That includes 900 feet of frontage on Main Street and 1,200 feet of frontage on the Maumee River. Gladieux confirmed he has retained Signature Associates and met several times with Jim Russell, Pizzuti vice president of development services. But he added no decision on whether the developer would purchase the Sports Arena outright or the facility would be part of a reinvestment deal has been made. “Both of our mutual goals is for our property to become part of the Marina District,” Gladieux said. “We haven’t really clearly defined how the whole transaction would work. I’m flexible.” He said he has contacted of-

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cautions to keep the tree borerfree, but he is concerned about losing the tree. If an ash tree is found infected with the borer within a half-mile of his residence, their tree will have to be cut down. “I’m more concerned with losing a healthy tree to the DNR than to the ash borer,” he said. Burgdorf applauds the Pupos’ efforts. “We want them all, from the people who have forests to those with one tree in their yard,” he said. While DNR is not sure what they will do with the seeds, there is satisfaction that the seeds will be preserved. “Someone will have that genetic material to use in the future, once this bug is eradicated,” Burgdorf said. “Our goal is to secure seed over the next several years and afford future generations the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate ash trees.” The white ash, one of four varieties common to Ohio, is the wood of choice for Major League Baseball bats. Ash wood is also commonly found in cabinets, furniture, and ﬂooring. The ash tree replaced the Dutch elm as a landscaping staple after that species was wiped out by Dutch elm disease. The black ash tree is primarily used for basket making, since its wood has high long-tensile strength, is easily harvested and readily holds dyes.

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COMMUNITY

June 22, 2005

CONSTRUCTION

Residents, business owners angered by road closure By Michael Brooks Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

The decision by the City of Toledo’s Engineering Services to close Secor Road between Sylvania and Laskey roads for construction has angered residents and business owners in West Toledo. One of the most irate is Scott Nugent, owner of Bakery Unlimited on Secor Road. “Look at my lot. Have any trouble parking?” he said. “Business is down 80-85 percent since the closing.” The independent bakery’s business depends on rush hour trafﬁc, said Nugent. “We do most of our sales in the morning rush,” he said, adding that he was consulting an attorney about his loss of business revenue. Nugent took issue with the City’s decision to completely shut down the major north-south artery. “I see no reason why they couldn’t keep half the road open for two lanes. This is a major route into Michigan.”

Hussein Abounnaj, commissioner of the City’s engineering division, said the decision to close was based upon two factors: time and cost. “Keeping Secor open would have cost an additional $165,000,” he said. “This would have added two weeks to the construction, and caused backups on Secor.” Tim Voyles, corporate manager of Seven Eleven at Secor and Laskey, said his store is down 100 customers a day. “We usually do several hundred dollars worth of coffee sales in the morning,” he said. “Today we did only $50 in coffee.” At the Sylvania end of the closure, Shell station manager Ahmed Elhag said his sales were also down. “It definitely has affected us,” he said. “I’m just glad this is only for a week.” An unintended consequence of the closure has been the dramatic increase in traffic on nearby residential streets, as motorists seek a quick detour. Harvest Lane is among the streets most affected by the extra traffic.

Harvest Lane residents, such as Stephanie Fondren, are not pleased with the City’s decision. “The traffic is backed up for blocks south of Laskey,” she said. “During rush hour Harvest is like a parking lot, and I can’t even back out of my driveway.” Fondren said she was worried about neighborhood children due to the extra traffic and added there has also been a considerable increase in noise. “I have a newborn baby who wakes up every time drivers blare their horn or blast their stereo,” she said. “This has been a very rough week with this extra traffic.” Cars on Harvest routinely ignore the stop signs at Quinton and Ariel streets. Janet Hoyt, who also lives on Harvest, shared similar sentiments.

BUSINESS IN FOCUS

REALTY&HOMES COMMENTARY

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Port grants available By Susan Ford Toledo Free Press Contributing Editor sford@toledofreepress.com

Toledo Free Press photo by Michael Brooks

The residential street, Harvest Lane, at 5 p.m., June 15. Hoyt was unhappy Toledo police have not been visible during the construction. “You would think that the city departments could let each

other know about things like this,” she said. “If the police had been out, people would not be speeding or running the stop signs.”

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Property repairs force temporary closure of popular Arnie’s saloon

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Toledo Free Press photo by DM Stanﬁeld

Arnie Elzey has operated Arnie’s Eating & Drinking Saloon for 25 years.

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A broken sewer line and leaking roof at Arnie’s Eating & Drinking Saloon near Westgate forced regular customers to watch the NBA ﬁnals elsewhere this year. Arnie Elzey, owner of the saloon, reopened his doors last Friday after spending three weeks renovating many parts of the building that simultaneously required repair. “Everything that could happen, happened,” Elzey said, referring to the sewer lines, a leaking roof, the sand Roto-Rooter found in the pipes and other furnishings that needed repairs. Elzey said he was aware of rumors implying the saloon was

closed permanently, but he “never considered closing down.” “I have four to ﬁve years left on this lease and I am working on getting an extension on that,” Elzey said. Elzey asserts the repairs were the cause of his shutdown, not debt owed for utilities, lease and taxes. He added that he paid off a $4,717 debt last Friday and would operate under a temporary permit until back taxes were settled. Elzey’s Saloon has been under the public eye in recent years, as Elzey was one of the strongest opponents of the smoking ban that city politicians have been trying to pass. “It was really hard to make up that 30 to 40 percent loss,” Elzey said about the effect the

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smoking ban had on business. The money lost from shutting down during NBA ﬁnals adds to the 30 to 40 percent loss Arnie’s is struggling with. Bill Leroux, night manager at Arnie’s, said Elzey did seem a little nervous during the temporary closing, but he said that since Friday’s reopening, a lot of regulars have returned and nearly all of their employees chose to stay. Elzey has owned Arnie’s for nearly 25 years and is a winner of multiple lifetime achievement awards in the service industry. “These past 25 years went pretty quick; I have seen lots of changes including the smoking ban and DUI law changes,” Elzey said. “We’ve outlasted a lot of bars.”

When voters approved the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority levy renewal last fall, they did so with the understanding that a chunk of that money would be invested in neighborhoods. This month, neighborhoodbased community development organizations are filling out grant applications to compete for $350,000 in economic development funds to develop vacant commercial or industrial buildings or sites. Preference will be given to projects in distressed areas that “support employment and business development” and “make a comprehensive impact on their surrounding areas.” The grant program is really meant to redevelop the area’s many small neighborhood strips, said Local Initiatives Support Corporation program officer Kathleen Kovacs. “We need to find a way to stabilize those business districts,” she said. “You have to have those goods and services where people live.” LISC has worked under contract with the Port on the program. “They have experience in giving out grants and we haven’t,” said Jim Mattler, vice president of new project development for the Port Authority. LISC also has experience with small neighborhood settings. They helped the Port set up eligibility requirements and held workshops for community groups on how to fill out the grant application. The priority of the program will be on pre-development. “What we’re trying to do, since this is the first year, is get some things in the pipeline,” said Mattler, “to encourage folks that have good ideas, to give them seed money to get going.” There isn’t much funding available for that kind of work, according to Terry Glazer, president of Toledo CDC Alliance, an umbrella organization of 11 community development corporations. The alliance worked hard last year to assure that some of the levy

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funds were channeled to older neighborhoods. Development funding will require three dollars from other sources for every dollar of port levy operating money. A threeto-one match is not uncommon, according to Glazer. “I think what we’re trying to show is that the Port money is attracting other money,” he said. But these are projects that need some subsidizing to be feasible, he added. Lagrange Development Corporation has options on four buildings totaling 10,000 square feet in the 2800 block of Lagrange Avenue. The neighborhood organization already has a commercial building on that block and has done streetscaping as well – upgrading sidewalks, installing brighter decorative lighting and adding benches and trash receptacles. “That’s our priority project,” said Glazer, who’s also director of Lagrange Development Corporation. He referred to it as “a project of scale.” Some feasibility work has already been done, but the group is applying for predevelopment money to pay for speciﬁcations, an appraisal and a phase-two environmental study. The project has attracted some money from the Ohio Community Development Finance Fund but still has gaps to cover. Glazer is optimistic that Lagrange will be one of the neighborhoods chosen to receive funding. “I think our chances are fairly good, given the importance of the project and the fact that we’ve attracted some other money,” he said. Whether a 2005 recipient of predevelopment money is funded as a development project in 2006 will depend on the number and quality of the applications received, said Mattler. “We’re trying to have an impact and we’re trying to be fair,” he said. The Port Authority expects to announce the grant recipients by early fall. Completed applications are due June 30. A PDF version of the application can be downloaded at www.toledoportauthority.org.

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BUSINESS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Back in business

Arnie’s Sports Bar deals with ﬁnancial and property repair challenges, page 13

ENTREPRENEURS

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Keller carves choice post in meaty role By Julie Restivo Special to Toledo Free Press

Mark Keller spent most of his career working for Food Town, and has parleyed that experience into a fulltime opportunity at the Erie Street Market. At age 16, Keller began working at Food Town as a bagger. He is originally from Toledo, but 30 years in the Food Town business sent him to many Midwest locations. He said the “ongoing training” he spent cutting, packaging and selling meat at Food Town did not go to waste. On June 2, he debuted Market Meats and Seafood. According to Keller, the opening went well. Pat Nowak, executive director of the Erie Street Market, said after the Rohr ﬁsh stand announced its closing in the spring, she knew who to turn to for a new meat seller. In Nowak’s previous public relations position for Food Town she met and became impressed by Keller’s work. Nowak said Keller was always in the handful of Food Town managers who stood out. She asked him almost immediately if he was interested in opening his own meat market at her location. “When Pat Nowak approached me with this idea, I saw it as a great opportunity and I grabbed it,” Keller said. Keller and Nowak are optimistic about the market’s business. One reason they believe it will remain marketable is the new area residences being built in the Downtown area. “These new residences are all either under construction or are already sold,” Nowak said. Marcia Amstutz, owner of Tanks Meat Inc., used to owned a market at the Erie Street location for nearly 20 years. Amstutz said they decided to close in 2003. “There was not enough business,” Amstutz said. “There is nothing to bring repeat business back.” Amstutz said the new residences Downtown “will help.” Nowak said the market is the perfect place for people just getting off work Downtown to buy meat. The hours are consistent with the Erie Street Market’s hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. “Summertime is a lot slower, but we are looking at the entire market to stay open later,” Nowak said. She said she realized that 6 p.m. is early for customers who stop by the market on their way home from work and that she is considering extending hours.

ON THE WEB www.eriestreetmarket.org

Growers prep for herb fair

By Susan Ford Toledo Free Press Contributing Editor sford@toledofreepress.com

Toledo Free Press photo by DM Stanﬁeld

Mark Keller offers a cut at his new stand at Erie Street Market.

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BUSINESS

June 22, 2005

n the greenhouse, the herbs are arranged alphabetically from African mallow and aloe vera to valerian and wild indigo. They all look healthy — deep green and springy. There are 13 varieties of mint, rosemary topiaries and landscaped fairy gardens. “I grew up on the farm, so I’ve always been involved in agriculture,” said Karen Langan, co-founder of Mulberry Creek Herb Farm in Huron. She started vegetable gardening at about age five. “I tagged along with dad and he put up with me and gradually I became a good partner for him,” she said. “So I’ve been gardening for 35, 36 years.” Karen met her husband Mark in Seattle. They both studied horticulture and always had visions of having an herb greenhouse. So they returned to Karen’s family farm and started Mulberry Creek in 1995, adding on a mail order business three years later. Karen describes her prices as “reasonable,” comparable to other organic sources. “But cheap is not our focus,” she said. “I think of investing in the future, so our inputs are more expensive. I’m going for quality ... and not polluting the environment in the process.” She describes organic as a more intelligent way of growing. “It’s basically creating the most ideal situation for the plant so that it doesn’t get sick. And that’s the way we try to eat and heal ourselves as well.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

Because there is no commercial soil mix that’s certiﬁable as organic, Mark puts together the soil for Mulberry Creek. “He has perfected four different soil mixes,” said Karen. There’s a KAREN LANGAN light, welldraining mix he uses for cactus and succulents in the winter. Tropicals get a moister, heavier mix. “But he’s got to change over in the spring,” she said, “because he wants something that’s not going to dry out as quickly.” Watering is the biggest challenge the Langans face. In the greenhouse, because the herbs are alphabetical, “we have basil next to a cat mint, where the basil likes it moist, the cat mint wants it dry. So we have to hand water,” explained Karen. “But that’s once again, trying to create the ideal condition for that plant.” The Mulberry Creek green-

house is open April through July and another two weeks in late fall for a Christmas open house. In September they start propagating for the following year. Being organic, one of their goals is to do as much in-house propagation as possible. “We have 500 or more variMARK LANGAN eties and we want to keep them true,” said Karen. “And the only way to do that is to take cuttings.” This year Mulberry Creek will hold its annual herb fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 25 and noon to 5 p.m. June 26. The theme is “Celebrate Greece and the Mediterranean Diet.” There will be garden tours, dulcimer music, storytelling, a Greek buffet, vendors of herbal products, and workshops in cooking, decorating and crafting with herbs. Admission is $5; kids get in free. The farm is located just 10 minutes from Cedar Point. Call (419) 433-6126 for information.

Kimmet named to Owens board Owens Community College has named Daniel E. Kimmet, CEO for Dillin Corp., to serve on the Board of Directors for the Owens Community College Foundation. The College’s Foundation Board of Directors approved the new appointment during the recent quarterly meeting. The Owens Foundation was incorporated in April 2002 and has over $1.5 million in assets.

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eople call the Better Business Bureau with all kinds of questions. “Can a company charge for a service call if they didn’t ﬁx anything?” (Yes). “Don’t I have three days to cancel any contract?” (NO!) “Is there a lemon law for old used cars?” (Sorry, again the answer is no). One of the most common — and difﬁcult — questions we receive is, “The salesman told me his company would give me extra merchandise. Now they are refusing to honor their man’s promise. Isn’t there a law that companies have to honor verbal promises?” “The salesman said ...” What does this mean? Is it binding? Well, my attorney friends have always said that technically a verbal promise by a salesperson is a valid contract ... sort of. They also are quick to add, “A verbal agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” How do you prove what a salesperson told you? Can you dictate exactly what she said, word for word? Did you have witnesses? Does their recollection agree with yours? Does the verbal agreement differ from the written contract you signed? These questions give me a

Dick Eppstein headache. Recently at the BBB we received several complaints against a remodeling company. Now, most companies never have serious problems, but this one is unique. Each customer tells us that they called the company out to their home for an estimate. The salesman inspected the home, discussed the kind of remodeling each customer wanted, and then wrote up what the salesman verbally insisted was “just an estimate.” In each case, he asked the homeowners to sign his estimate, all the while explaining that this was just a formality and that the papers were not actually contracts. Now, the company calls the homeowner to schedule the construction and set up the payment schedule. The customers tell us that they are upset. They

never ordered anything; they just signed an estimate. The salesman told them this. But examining the paperwork indicates that they each really signed a regular remodeling contract. What now? Well, we are working with both sides to resolve these cases, but the issue in each dispute revolves around, “the salesman said.” What did he really say? We don’t know. He doesn’t work for them anymore. But we have a serious dispute because consumers didn’t read their own paperwork but instead relied on the verbal promises of a complete stranger. Any important promise you need from a company, whether in cars, home repair or anything else, should be obtained in writing. If the salesman refuses to put his promises on the paperwork, what does that tell you? Verbal agreements may be enforceable on “Judge Judy” or “Law & Order,” but I suggest you stick to getting everything in writing. Dick Eppstein is president of the Toledo Better Business Bureau.

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SPORTS IN FOCUS

IMPACT PLAYERS The 25 most inﬂuential people in Toledo Sports By Chris Kozak Toledo Free Press Staff Writer ckozak@toledofreepress.com

oledo is a town of sports diversity, where the fans’ attention is drawn in a thousand different directions. Still, there are uniting facets, teams, players and personalities that define the scope and scale of our fandimonium. Here is a list of the 25 most influential people on the Toledo sports scene; a snapshot of who defines us, who entertains us, who informs us and who champions our city.

1. Joe Napoli General Manager, Toledo Mud Hens As the driving force behind “the world famous” Toledo Mud Hens, Joe Napoli has utilized his position as a means for greater things for Toledo. His greatest achievement will forever be the hand he played in helping create what Newsweek called “the best minor league park in the country,” Fifth Third Field. Napoli has ensured that the crowds keep coming downtown, spawning a community around the ballpark the city desperately needed. He’s done such a great job running the team, the Toledo Storm begged to be taken over and run the way the Hens are.

2. Mike O’Brien Athletic Director, UT In three short years, O’Brien has hemmed in a budget deﬁcit that was spiraling out of control, placed in motion plans for a major overhaul of Savage Hall, and helped place Toledo athletics on the national map. He’s done such a great job, he’s had two job offers in the past month. Overseeing an NCAA Division I program is no easy task, yet O’Brien has helped the University grow in national prominence in a short time. Through on-ﬁeld success and national television exposure the Rockets football team could appear on TV 17 times between 2003 and the end of this season. 3. Judd Silverman Tournament Director, Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger It sounds like a Cinderella story from “Caddyshack”: Twenty-six -year-old caddie in the spring of 1982 borrows a jacket and pitches a golf tournament in his hometown of Toledo to then-LPGA Commissioner John Laupheimer. It’s in the hole! Twenty one years later, the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger is one of the most popular stops on the LPGA tour, with a total purse in excess of $1 million and nearly $4 million given to local charities. 4. Edward Scrutchins Director of Athletics and City League Commissioner, Toledo Public Schools Scrutchins has been responsible for the spectrum of all the athletic happenings of Toledo Public Schools and all competition in the Toledo City League since 1986. He’s well respected and it’s never in doubt who’s in charge, but most importantly, he’s a role model and mentor to area athletes.

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5. Tom Amstutz Head Football Coach, University of Toledo The University of Toledo has appeared on national television 10 times the past two seasons, and has the potential for seven more in 2005. When the nation sees Toledo athletics, they see Toledo Tom. Most of the time he’s on the winning end, and that brings pride, prestige and prominence to the University, alumni and the city.

6. Frank Corsoe Sports Editor, The Blade New to Toledo from Dayton, where he had baseball Hall of Fame writer Hal McCoy on his staff, it’s Corsoe who determines the lead sports story in your daily newspaper. Too much Tigers and not enough Indians? Girl’s sports buried? Sick of Notre Dame? Talk to Frank. 7. Jimmy Jackson Phoenix Suns All-City and a state championship at Macomber, All-American at Ohio State, a distinguished 13-year NBA career, Jackson plays for the Phoenix Suns and is arguably the greatest basketball player in Toledo history. Jimmy remains a Toledoan, and has invested heavily and prominently in his hometown. He’s also the most prominent Toledoan to “make it” in professional sports, and serves as an inspiration to all local hoopsters with NBA dreams. 8. Walter (Chip) Carstensen, President, Buckeye CableSystem True, the idea belonged to Alan Block, but as president of Buckeye CableSystem, Carstensen is responsible for ensuring that the allToledo, all-the-time sports channel reaches approximately 134,000 subscribers. Though just over a year old, BCSN has had a tangible impact on the local athletic scene.

while others would say the job is more difficult (Detroit is only 45 minutes away). Miller has recently staved off extinction of the team. He has fielded a competitive team, despite crumbling accommodations. 12. Dick Cromwell Head Football Coach/AD, St. Francis High School With two state championships and 12 state play-off appearances, Cromwell is the dean of City League Football coaches. Just because he’s a member of the Ohio High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, doesn’t mean you should write him off as past his prime, as the Knights are as competitive as ever on the gridiron. 13. Rich Arbinger Head Baseball Coach, Start High School In 30 seasons, Arbinger has amassed a 685-185 record, the fifth best in Ohio GA1021-R SavageAd_4x7.5_b&w High School baseball history. With 14 dis-

trict championships and two state championships, Start baseball is truly a dynasty. 14. Rob Powers Sports Director, WTVG-13 Never mind awards (Rob has received an Emmy and has been awarded ﬁve First Place Ohio Associated Press Awards, including the Ohio Best Sportscaster Award) or the personality (Powers is so entertaining and engaging he ﬁlls in the anchor chair), the Power Pack is mustsee TV on Friday and Saturday nights for high school sports. 15. Ed Heintschel Basketball Coach, St. John’s Jesuit High School Coaching the Titan hoopsters for 26 years, Heintschel won 11 City League championships, though he lacks a state title to complete his resume. He’s also sent a number of players 6/14/05 AM furthering Page 1 to Division9:18 I schools, their careers while cementing him

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9. Norm Wamer Program Director WLQR He not only co-hosts the only local Toledo sports talk program, Wamer also determines what else you hear on Toledo’s only allsports-talk station WLQR (1470 AM). Be it Tigers, Mudhens, pro sports or ESPN talk radio, Norm makes sure The Ticket is your ticket in Northwest Ohio. 10. Ben Williams Former Scott High School Basketball coach He retired in 1998, but after his 24-season career, which includes 11 City League Championships and a state title, Williams is still a looming ﬁgure not only at Scott High School, but in the local community as well. 11. Mike Miller Vice President/General Manager, Toledo Storm Some would say Miller has an easy job selling hockey to Toledo (Detroit is only 45 minutes away),

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as a coach who develops talent. 16. Stan Joplin Men’s Basketball Coach, University of Toledo Sure, half the town wanted him gone after last season. But Joplin has a year left on his contract, perhaps his career. He has the second most wins (153) in Rocket hoops history. His nine years have also helped restore the program to respectability after a long drought. 17. Jim Tichy Sports Director, WNWO-24 The dean of local sportscasters with more than 30-years at Channel 24, Tichy is rock solid and has received countless awards. He is one of two broadcasters enshrined in the City League Athletic Hall of Fame and remains a staple of WNWO.

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18. Devin Vargas Boxer, Promoter The Glass City’s Olympic hero has turned his attention to beating the hell out of people for a paycheck and is doing so in his own backyard. Vargas has also moved into the promotional side of the game, as his company, ‘Devistatin’ Promotions,’ hopes to make Toledo a town full of ﬁght fans. 19. Dan Cummins Sports Director, WTOL-11 The face of Big Board Friday Night, Cummins has been with WTOL for 25 years and is perhaps the most-seen face of all

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Libbey high school has a lot to cheer for, as Bates has built a program as competitive as any surrounding school in the area. With 13 years of superior teams, Bates has a program that attracts legendary players, and is well on his way to creating a legendary program.

19. Leroy Bates Basketball Coach, Libbey High School

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local sports anchors, as Channel 11 regularly wins the ratings war. 21. Arthur Hills Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest and Associates A world-class golf course architect, Hills has designed more than 160 courses around the world and in our backyard including Brandywine Country Club and The Legacy. His team is also called in to get a course into shape for PGA and USGA Championships and has done work on Inverness (in preparation for U.S. Senior Open), and Oakland Hills Country Club (in preparation for U.S. Open and Ryder Cup). 22. Jamie Farr Actor, Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger Look at it this way; if it weren’t for Jamie Farr, the LPGA would play at the Danny Thomas Tournament. Farr has been a tireless supporter of not only the LPGA, but is the main reason the Mud Hens are world famous, thanks to his prominent wearing of Hen memorabilia on M*A*S*H. 23. Michael Rickard, Athletic Director, Owens Community College Michael Rickard has served the Owens athletic programs full-time for 20 years. He was named “Athletic Director of the Year” for 1995-1996 and 1999-2000 by the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC). Under his guidance the program has thrived and grown in stature and numbers. 24. Christine Brennan Columnist, USA Today/Author Granted, Christine Brennan writes for a national newspaper, but this Ottawa Hills native has frequently dropped Toledo sports stories into her column. She’s also gracious with her time, returning to the area to lend her name to worthy causes. 25. Bruce Gradkowski Quarterback, University of Toledo As he enters his senior season, Gradkowski is on the Heisman watch and NFL Draft radar, making him the highest profile football player to emerge from the University of Toledo since the early ’70s. If all goes well, Gradkowski may one day join Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and Ben Roethlisberger as NFL superstars from the MAC.

SPORTS

June 22, 2005

PREP SPORTS

Basketball standouts switch teams during break By David Gatwood Special to Toledo Free Press prepsports@buckeye-express.com

The summer sports season is well under way. The boys are playing baseball in the ACME league; the girls are playing for their travel softball teams; and the activity level at the Steve Mix basketball center is non-stop. Yet these activities have not slowed down the migration of players from one City League school to another. The departure of Libbey’s Nate Miles is well documented but there have been other developments. The biggest is the enrollment of former Bowsher standout Chris Wyse at St. Francis. Wyse had an outstanding freshman year at Bowsher and it was expected that he would lead the Rebels to contention in the City League.

Unfortunately, young Wyse experienced some problems along the way and, as a result, spent the past year at a military school in Texas. If the year away has contributed to Wyse’s maturation, the St. Francis Knights should be a major player in the Toledo City League basketball race next year. The Knights made a remarkable run last year on the strength of Daryl Roberts’ shooting, but the Knights came up short at tournament time when teams began to double and triple team Roberts. With the addition of Wyse, the Knights will have an additional “go-to” person and teams will be forced to play a more straight up defense. Wyse will also help considerably on the inside with his size (6’4”) and leaping ability. Across town, Coach Ed Heintschel has

come up with a quality transfer as well. Sophomore Matt Collins, who was a major contributor on a strong Central Catholic JV team last year, is playing on the St. John’s Jesuit summer team. Collins shows considerable promise, but he is stepping into a position in which the Titans are already strong. A third, and MAXEY a most intriguing transfer, is the unconﬁrmed transfer of Start senior Grant Maxey. Maxey has reportedly been playing with Scott’s summer team but attempts to contact Start head basketball coach Gil

Guerrero to conﬁrm Maxey’s transfer have been unsuccessful. If Maxey has transferred to Scott, the immediate effects on the Start program will be considerable. Maxey is a proliﬁc scorer and the one player that Guerrero could rely upon for consistent play. However, Maxey’s departure might actually expedite the rebuilding process at Start by allowing other players to receive valuable playing time. As always, expect additional changes in the City League before the new school year commences. The present state of the rules governing such activities, as established by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, is such that preventing indiscriminate transfers is nearly impossible.

ACADEMICS

New UT VP plans role in raising athletes’ grades By Jacqueline Rabe Special to Toledo Free Press

Soon-to-be UT Vice President of Student Life Dr. Kaye Patten Wallace plans to help raise student athlete grades, speciﬁcally �� for the football team. �� In the 2005 �� spring se�� mester, 322 �� student ath�� letes aver�� aged a 2.92 �� WALLACE GPA, while �� the football team averaged a 2.4 GPA. “It doesn’t matter what sport it is, academics come ﬁrst,” Wallace said. “I will meet with coaches and athletes to plan their success and to make sure UT and NCAA standards are met.” � One of these meeting she plans �� is with Assistant Athletic Director �� for Academics, Mike Meade. �� “The responsibility for edu�� cating students in the classroom �� individdoes�� not just rest in �� the ual, but with the�� entire team and ��

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department. We have requested additional resources from UT such as tutorial funding and additional summer school,” Meade said. “We have addressed the issues and this coming year will show the positive effects. Hopefully, an academic culture within the teams will sprout.” The October 2004 NCAA Graduation Report reported that 69 percent of athletes graduated com-

By Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief

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�� A collection of more than 60 columns �� by Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. �� Miller. ��

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pared to 54 percent in spring 2003. The national average for athlete graduation was 62 percent. Wallace said she plans to address several other obstacles facing UT. First, she will ease her transition to UT by “ being visible on campus,” she said. “I plan to meet with several people to get to know them, and also so they get to know me.” Wallace was named to the office June 20. She will start July 15. She was the associate vice president for student services and acting director of residence life at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. before coming to UT. The vice president for student life “provides executive leadership, definition and organization to the services and programs related to student services and student centered learning,” according to the UT Web site (www. student-services.utoledo.edu/vicepresident). Wallace will report directly to UT President Dan Johnson and serve as senior student affairs officer with administrative responsibilities that include working with

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the dean of students, recreation center, counseling center, medical center and student housing. “I am genuinely excited that we’ve been able to attract a person with the experience, qualiﬁcations and passion to lead our division of student life,” Johnson said. Johnson Wallace said she is looking forward to assuming her new duties. “What really caught my eye about the University of Toledo was its urban mission and ethnic diversity,” she said. “I can really embrace the lively environment that UT offers.”

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AUTO RACING

NASCAR’s treatment of veteran not sterling BROOKLYN, Mich. — If going from the frying pan into the fire isn’t enough, poor Sterling Marlin went from the fire into more fire last Sunday at Michigan International Speedway. Sunday morning it was announced that the veteran NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver was fired as the pilot of the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge at the end of the season. Sunday afternoon he was involved in a fiery spin during the Batman Begins 400. The flames were fortunately confined to the undercarriage of his mount. “I’ve never had a race car do that before,’’ he said. “Racecar’’ spelled backwards remains the same, but NASCAR considers itself as accelerating forward into the next marketing millennium. Traditional, folksy folks such as Marlin no longer fit the profile. Marlin, 47, is a good-looking, affable guy with a down-home sense of humor. He’s a guy who got into racing from the ground up, helping his father, Clifton (Coo Coo) Marlin, build race cars that Coo Coo eventually campaigned

Dave Woolford on the NASCAR circuit. You wrecked ’em, you fixed ’em. Sterling talks with a native Tennessee drawl that makes him even more engaging, but not to the marketeers of the sport today. The “good ol’ boy image,’’ the drawl, the slang — all gotta go. Marlin has won 10 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races during his 20-year full-time career including two Daytona 500s. He brought Dodge its first victory after returning to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing in 2001 at MIS and has finished among the top 10 in driver’s points five times. But he has struggled this season and was an easy target for NASCAR’s total makeover program.

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Named to replace Marlin last Sunday is up-and-coming NASCAR Busch Series driver David Stremme, who was also celebrating his 28th birthday. He’s good-looking, articulate and never once approached anything close to a drawl in stating how happy he was to be part of Chip Ganassi Racing, with junior partner Felix Sabates and Coors sponsorship. He’s new NASCAR, where the average age of the top 12 drivers in points is 33. Take out Mark Martin, 46, and Rusty Wallace, 49, both stating they will retire at the end of the season, and that average age drops to 30. You have to give some props to Sabates, the longtime NASCAR NEXTEL Cup team owner, who admitted last Sunday that it was marketing, not performance, that parked Marlin in favor of Stremme. “That was the only reason,’’ he confessed. ‘’Coors came to us and said their marketing strategy had to be changed to young people. That’s who buys the beer today. You don’t ﬁnd many 50-year-old men, old guys, drinking beer.

“This business is a young man’s sport today. Coors’ brand is catering to the 22 to 30-year-oldcrowd. Unfortunately we all get old. Not that Sterling is old, but he’s not a marketing dream.’’ Another young racer, Shane Hmiel, who is trying to get his feet wet in the NEXTEL Cup Series, had a run-in with veteran Dale Jarrett in a recent race. When Jarrett responded with some ﬁnger-pointing and a little lecture through the side window opening of Hmiel’s car, the youngster retaliated by saying that if Jarrett was going to get even he had better do it soon because Jarrett, 48, is all but over the hill. Wisdom, folklore, privilege, they’ve all gone the way of Sterling Marlin in the New World Order of ovals blessed by the NASCAR NEXTEL series.

MARLIN How about a little respect, anyway? Yes, these young purveyors of whisk have answered the call, but it should still not be too late to be older, wiser and more experienced. In a happier moment last year, Marlin, the star high school quarterback and linebacker, told me with a smile, “I’ll take them young guys on in football anytime.’’ That may be all Sterling has left to challenge NASCAR’s new breed. What a shame.

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dress 10 Bob, e.g. 11 Presque ___, Maine 12 The Sail (southern constellation) 13 Wingshaped 21 Wrestling hold

ARTS&LIFE

June 22, 2005



Toledo Free Press Crossword: ‘Shadowy’

Please see ANSWERS below

Robert Shiels

“SHADOWY” by Gayle Dean

Robert Shiels’ Weather Tip: In Northwest Ohio, more tornadoes occur in June than in any other month.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

TEAR SHEET: Your guide to Toledo’s zeitgeist, page 24

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3rd ROCK

Almanac By Elizabeth Hazel 22 Hailey novel 51 What one 25 Symbol of Castro calls 48 Hand thinness home? wringer’s 26 Mervyn 52 1995 feeling Peake novel hurricane 50 Direction “Titus ___’’ 53 West from Eden? 27 Ruffled African 51 Shadow feathers republic 58 Indepen28 Gray 54 Mediterdently 29 Marina ranean port 59 Musical feature 55 Temp’s pad McEntire 31 She was 56 Get closer 60 Watch part jilted by to 62 Ointment Jason 57 Knock for a 63 “I second 32 Secret one loop that!’’ 33 From 61 Salinger’s 64 Cloudy Bergen grain 65 Completely 35 Preminger unfamiliar or Graham 66 Indicates yes, in a way 36 Dog topper 67 Your family 39 Dentist’s is part of request one 40 Like some DOWN alibis 1 Massenet’s 45 Deviate “Le ___’’ 47 Praiseful 2 Juilliard songs co-founder 49 Time and 3 Large jug again 4 Hereditary 50 Slackened 5 Rock-strewn and steep PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER 6 First word Puzzle Answers in magic 7 Dodge City lawman 8 Ukulele feature 9 Made a dress 10 Bob, e.g. 11 Presque ___, Maine 12 The Sail (southern constellation) 13 Wingshaped © 2005 Universal Press Syndicate 21 Wrestling www.upuzzles.com hold

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Libra (September 23-October 22) Endings are a part of your current path. Your exciting prospects may cause resentment on the 25th - 26th: deﬂect sour grapes with praise and love. The success of your efforts becomes visible after the 27th — new environments are a source of great enthusiasm. Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

The pursuit of new ventures leaves you drained. Nevertheless, desired results ﬂow on the 24th. Overexertion may cause injuries on the 25th — knees are vulnerable. New friendships blossom over the weekend. Visible achievements boost your reputation on the 27th-28th.

Your shrewd suggestions provide a focus for others. Work through issues with loved ones over the weekend; you may need to limit your involvement. Careless remarks may cause damage on the 29th - 30th — don’t allow hurts to fester into resentment.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Intellectual challenges beneﬁt from child-like imagination. The 24th brings needed luck to help you overcome serious issues — shed unnecessary items and responsibilities. A new circle of friends opens to you after the 27th, and hidden talents may emerge.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Reﬂect on profound changes in your home and family. On the 25th-26th, avoid urgency and impatience, as injuries/quarrels are possible. Inspiration fuels spurts of genius that are your trademark through the 28th. Offer sincere apologies if necessary on the 29th.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Visible beneﬁts accrue each day. The 23rd - 25th requires stamina and ruthless streamlining, but you’ll be better off with less. Your plans fall into place perfectly after the 27th, although there are parts of the past that you’ll miss a bit.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Resist pernicious gossip or jealousy. There is more than meets the eye on the 23rd — appearances aren’t the whole story. Open, honest dialog on the 25th prevent conﬂicts from getting out of hand. Social options brings multiple beneﬁts on the 27th - 28th.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Enjoy hospitality offered by friends. Hidden details offer clues to future changes on the 23rd - 24th. The weekend brings emotional highs and lows, and spotlights control issues. New people enter the work environment after the 27th — you may discover a new friend.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Nurture others by being there. You’re a popular guest and friend over the weekend, but assiduously avoid getting into other people’s conﬂicts. A project turns out better than expected on the 27th - 28th. Don’t take sour remarks personally on the 29th - 30th.

“FAMOUS HOMES” by Norman S. Wizer

“Mary Worth’’ cartoonist 21 Adam of rock 22 November 13th, e.g. 23 Rattled off 26 Some eBay users 28 ___ alba (gypsum) 30 Two or three bucks 31 Mirror 34 Type of brick 36 Wrinkleresistant fabric 39 Busy activity 40 They may cause tearing 42 Compass pt. 43 It can be past or present 45 Add booze 46 Financial section letters 47 Village

66 Chihuahua tip? 67 Arm of a knight in arms 68 Place for Bruins 69 Impetuous ardor 70 Ooze out 71 Snit DOWN 1 Thread puller 2 ___ Boothe Luce 3 Out of harmony, briefly 4 Mass-tovolume ratio 5 “She Done ___ Wrong’’ 6 Turkish noble 7 Arm bone 8 Birds on Golden Pond 9 Separated, as laundry 10 Auto option 11 Famous

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

of children’s literature 32 “___ to a Nightingale’’ 33 Famous ranch 35 Coffee choice, briefly 37 Org. in old spy tales 38 Once named

55 Interrelate 56 Bracelet site 57 Further shorten, as a piece of wood 60 Options list 64 Digital watch part, briefly 65 Churchillian sign

(Editors: For editorial qu webmaste

“SHADOWY” by Gayle Dean

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Current choices may shape the next few years. Your vitality is high on the 24th, but watch for injury and conﬂict on the 25th. A combination of good advice and brilliant thinking help resolve domestic issues on the 27th - 28th.

(Editors: For editorial questions, contact Amy Harding, webmaster@upuzzles.com.)

Edited by Timothy E. Parker June 2, 2005

ACROSS 1 Staff member? 5 Puck, e.g. 9 “The Destroyer’’ 14 The 29th state 15 Blast furnace sound 16 Exhibit supporter 17 Form an opinion 18 Something to grow on 19 American novelist Cather 20 Shadow 23 They’re supportive 24 Kind of duck 25 Cautiously 28 Unusually intelligent 30 Muscat’s milieu 34 Swindler’s name, perhaps 35 Basketmaker’s willow 37 Narcissist’s problem 38 Shadow 41 Weather vane letters 42 Explosives ingredient 43 Encumbrances 44 John Reed film bio 46 Syndicate head 47 William Kidd, for

June 23 - 30, 2005

The ﬁrst line given for each sign is from the tarot oracle. Notes: Moon is waning in 3rd - 4th quarters. Mercury and Venus enter Leo on June 27th.

Universal Crossword

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Family blossoms with fresh potential. People are changing on the 23rd — actions speak louder than words. Fierce intellectual challenges bring out the best in you over the weekend — you’re able to resolve sticky issues within tight limits through the 29th.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Ambitious plans show the range of your talent. Speedy results over the weekend won’t be a net gain if feelings are hurt in the process — explanations ensure cooperation and dissolve resistance. Happy endings on the 27th; make the most of what you have on the 28th.

Elizabeth Hazel is a professional tarotist-astrologer and author. She has been giving tarot-astrology readings at Manos Greek Restaurant every Wednesday night since 1990. She may be contacted at ehazel@buckeye-express.com. (c) 2005

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Toledo Free Press delivers! �� 6/21/05 10:04:38 AM

Shaw aims for local ‘miracles’ By Holly Abrams Special to Toledo Free Press

Arts Center presents the unexpected n both senses of the word, The Collingwood Arts Center is a funky place. Formerly the Ursuline Convent, the 113,000-square-foot building has a Transylvania meets Victoriana exterior and a dusty public school interior. Its residents and tenants, a motley group of visual and performance artists, are about as far removed from the mainstream culture as, well, “Revenge of the Sith” is from the Aeolus Festival. The latter was a weeklong new music festival that played houses like Trinity Church, The Happy Badger and a compact UT recital hall. Unlike the zillion cinemas packed with “Star Wars” fanatics, each AF event entertained, at most, a couple dozen Birkie-soled enthusiasts. Although I swing all ways on the culture spectrum, given the choice, I embrace the eccentric. A lot of times it lets me down — my spouse still hasn’t forgiven me for the New York weekend I dragged him to the Ontological Hysterical Theatre instead of getting tickets for “The Wiz.” But Big Bang amusements are gonna be around forever. It’s the quirky stuff that’s more ephemeral. The problem is that quirky rarely gets the press or budget. To ﬁnd it, you’ve got to scour the six-point Weekend listings and generally endure performances

MEDIA

Toledo Free Press photo by DM Stanﬁeld

Michael Drew Shaw began career in radio.

From even a young age, Michael Drew Shaw dreamed of a career in radio. “When I was 12 years old, I knew what I wanted to do,” he said. But what began as a career in broadcasting has since developed into being a ﬁlmmaker, writer, producer and entrepreneur. Describing his career as “checkered,” Shaw has dabbled in nearly every area of media and communication. “I have all these different pieces on the board, but they’re not all the same and what I’m trying to do lately is step back and get focused on one idea,” he said. “It’s just trying to plow new ground and try things that haven’t been done before.” Shaw is president and co-founder of American Retrospects/NewStar Productions, located in Toledo. It is through the multitude of projects Shaw takes on that he has become a modern-day Renaissance man, said Janice Weber, director of operations for NewStar Productions. A distinguished man in appearance, Shaw looks the part of an entrepreneur, sitting tall with legs crossed and a formal air about him. He is currently working on several projects including an upscale entertainment venue called Fantasy, to be built in the Perrysburg area. “There is not a lot to do in the Toledo area in terms of a really cool night club or place where you can dress up and dance to a live band,” he said. “We’re trying to ﬁll that void and give people a place where they can go to.” He is also working on a documentary titled “Miracle on the Please see SHAW, page 22

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ARTS&LIFE

Shaw Continued from page 21 Maumee,” about the design and construction of the cable-stayed bridge. Shaw is also leading an effort to build a visitor’s center as part of the Marina District Project. The ﬁlm will be shown on PBS and The Discovery and History channels. Shaw may be best known for his radio show “Dream Warriors,” which began in 1999 as 60-second mini-biographies and has since developed into a PBS television program, to premiere this month. Shaw said he hopes to have the show air nationwide on radio also, but is still looking for a sponsor, he said. Shaw and his co-workers try to develop proﬁles on a diverse range of people. “We want to prove that entrepreneurs are not just Bill Gates or Oprah,” he said.

Studying entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs have always been of interest to Shaw. “I was always fascinated and motivated by what made them tick, what put them on the line,” he said. “I began reading about entrepreneurs and in every case there was something unexpected that happened to inspire people from all walks of life. They’re all interrelated to some degree or another.” The first program will profile Worthington Steel Industries, Shaw said, followed by a profile on Tom Kiser, of Professional Supply Incorporated, located in Fremont. Shaw published a book, “Slider, the Leo Butterburger Story,” released in 2001. He is now talking with 20th Century Fox and several other sponsors about making a

film based on the book. The character Leo has a local connection, Shaw said, as he is named after the White Tower hamburger. With such a resume, some may wonder why Shaw has never branched out to work in New York or elsewhere. Born and raised in Toledo, Shaw said he has never had the desire to leave permanently. “I didn’t need to go to major markets to be successful and years later it turns out that’s the truth,” he said. Staying in Toledo has never been as issue for Shaw, said friend Joe Perlaky, project manager for alternative energy systems at the University of Toledo. “He’s very much committed to Northwest Ohio, both in his projects and in his family life,” he said. “He’s a good asset and a good person to have in Toledo.” Despite numerous current projects, work has been difficult for Shaw, as he lost his son Stephan Michael Shaw recently. “Needless to say it was a parent’s worst nightmare,” he said. “Under the circumstances it has been very difficult. I’m trying to get back to my work and my projects with more enthusiasm.” This loss has been another learning experience for Shaw. “I’ve had challenges all my life and I’ve had to learn to never give up,” he said. “And this is the biggest challenge I’ve had by far.” But it’s through such tragedy that Shaw said he has plans to help others. Since the loss of his son, Shaw has had trouble sleeping and during a restless night he came up with the idea for a meeting place for people with insomnia. He has since purchased an Internet domain and may develop

it into an informational and self help Web site. Few have such enthusiasm as Shaw, said longtime friend and past co-worker, Bob Martz, president of Martz Productions. “His desire to create is over and above what other people do,” he said. Shaw possesses many qualities that aid him in his work, Perlaky said. “He’s extremely creative and very tenacious and a multi-tasker,” he said. “He likes to have several things going on at once and he follows a project to the end.” Independence has been a favorite part of his job, Shaw said. “I don’t work for a corporation, I don’t work for the man,” he said. “It feels good to be in control to some degree of my own career destiny.” Some words of advice Shaw has to entrepreneurs are foremost, “don’t panic.” “I think you shouldn’t necessarily equate success with material objectives,” he said. “Don’t fall in love with your idea whether it’s a project or a concept because people will shoot holes in it.” There are a few things Shaw said he would still like to do. Shaw has written commercial themes for Publix, Burger King and the MGM Grand Hotel but has yet to write a hit song. Shaw said he also desires to publish short stories. “I always try to have some element of the project make some contribution,” he said. “Literally a big part of the company is to inspire people to pursue their dreams.”

ON THE WEB www.americanretro.net www.dreamwarriors.com

June 22, 2005

Shaw’s ‘Miracle on the Maumee’ Two projects Shaw is undertaking are evolving around the construction of the Maumee River I-280 Bridge. About two years ago, Shaw entered into an agreement with ODOT and Procon Engineering to become the authorized producer of a film documentary about the conceptualization and construction of the new bridge. Shaw partnered with WBGU to obtain footage of the bridge construction, for a film to be titled, “Miracle on the Maumee.” “We began securing video of the ongoing process,” he said. He has been archiving the film for one and a half years and has accumulated about 20 hours of video. The documentary is expected to be finished shortly after the bridge’s completion in 2007. “Our ultimate goal is to release an hour-long documentary to distribute to PBS stations nationwide and to the Discovery and History channels,” he said. From the work he has already done, Shaw has noticed a strong bond among those working on the bridge. “We’re looking to include not just the technical side but also the personal side,” he said. Through working on the film, Shaw discovered there were no plans to build a visitor’s center. “We have developed a separate project from the film, to be a multi-million dollar structure that we call the ‘SkyWay Visitor’s Center,’” Shaw said. To be located at the far end of the marina district, adjacent to the current Craig Memorial Bridge, the center would include corporate offices, hotel rooms and retail stores, he said. Shaw is looking to fund the center through private investors. “We are not seeking taxpayer money to build this; this will be a private endeavor,” he said. Although he is not yet certain how to address the tragedy in relation to the project, Shaw plans on

paying tribute to the several workers who lost their lives while working on the bridge. “We have offered to create an appropriate monument at our SkyWay Visitors Center to everyone who is working on the bridge, including those who lost their lives,” he said. Other options he is considering for the documentary are a moment of silence during the ﬁlm paired with a picture to honor those who lost their lives and a notation in the closing credits, Shaw said. Shaw has secured an Internet domain, www.SkyWayToledo.com, that he said he hopes will soon evolve into a Web site about the project. — Holly Abrams

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Goodman Continued from page 21 in dusty, unheated halls with grungy ladies’ rooms. Which is what I expected when I chose to forego a flick at the new Westfield Shoppingtown multiplex for a fiddle performance at the CAC. The last time I’d been to a performance there, 1995 or so, the crumbling plaster and eon-old seating put me off for a decade. But the performer’s bio sounded interesting — the BBC and the WB — so my daughter and I decided against “Monster-in-Law” and opted for Maria Millar’s violin recital. “Don’t wear anything good,” I warned. So imagine my surprise when we en-

tered the Lois M. Nelson theatre at the CAC, and the nasty wooden seats of my memory were reupholstered in a comfortable weave. Whoa, I thought, someone came into some money. Which is not the norm in the arts these days. Everyone in town, even our premier institutions, are scrambling for bucks. And places like the CAC — which covers most of its operating budget with rents from the 40-odd artists who work and/or live there (as well as fees from theatre bookings) is particularly low on the fundraising ladder. But not, it seems, on the ingenuity scale. The seats, it turns out, were scavenged — from the very same people who bring us Darth Vader and Jane Fonda. When the Franklin Park 6 adjacent to the mall was scrapped for the Franklin Park16 Deluxe

inside it, its fixtures were slated for the rubbish bin. But through a series of fortuitous events that involved the generosity and elbow grease of National Amusements, Perrysburg Jeep workers and CAC residents, about 550 padded maroon seats were salvaged from the suburban-y cinema, then retrofitted and reinstalled at the inner-city arts complex. I overheard this story while we were waiting for the performance to begin and it intrigued me. I love the recycling and trickle-down aspects which Joe Zsigray, the CAC’s new executive director, verified on a tour the next morning. A dulcimer impresario, composer of liturgical music and balloon artist, Mr. Zsigray is a perfect representative of his organization: creative, dedicated, and a

little nuts. But he also has a vision for the CAC which he hopes to inaugurate at a fall fundraising kickoff. He didn’t say anything about selling naming rights for the nice, new seats, but in case you haven’t thought of it, Joe, that might be a good idea. The performance, as anticipated, was slight but enjoyable. The 27-year-old Millar plays — and plucks — a mean violin, but at times the show seemed like her senior thesis recital. Still, I expect it was more memorable than another ho-hum Hollywood blockbuster. And equally as comfy to sit through.

Barbara Goodman Shovers is a Contributing Editor for the Toledo Free Press. She may be contacted at bshovers@toledofreepress.com.

FILM

Zombie movies sink teeth into mainstream By Mark Tinta Toledo Free Press Staff Writer news@toledofreepress.com

With George A. Romero’s “Land of the Dead,” the horror legend’s return to the zombie genre (after a 20-year absence,) hits theaters Friday, interest in the films featuring the undead has reached an all-time high. Confined mainly to cult circles, zombies are now mainstream thanks to hits such as “28 Days Later” and Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake of Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead.” Here’s a look at some of cinema’s most memorable zombie offerings. “Night Of The Living Dead” (1968) This wasn’t the first time zombies were on the big screen,

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ARTS&LIFE

June 22, 2005

but Romero’s debut film is unquestionably the most influential. Filmed in black & white, it still packs a wallop. Available in various versions (because the producers never secured a copyright) — avoid the colorized or the “30th Anniversary Edition,” which adds pointless, newly filmed footage.

but angry police inspector and five-time Oscar nominee Arthur Kennedy sees fit to blame a bearded hippie passing through town. Of course, said commentary eventually takes a back seat to moments like a zombie tearing off a piece of a woman and eating it, but hey, they tried to be serious.

“Let Sleeping Corpses Lie” (1974) The rep of this Italian/Spanish imitation of “Night of the Living Dead” has grown over the years. Director Jorge Grau doesn’t shy away from the rough stuff, and this time, it’s in bright, bold color. There’s actually an attempt at social commentary as a sonic pesticide awakens the newly dead,

“Dawn Of The Dead” (1979) When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the earth. “Night” may have been the most influential, but this is probably the most famous zombie film of all. Zombies have overtaken, and Romero has four renegade survivors take refuge in a Pittsburgh shopping mall. A pointed critique of consumerism (oh yeah, and lots of flesh-eat-

ing) ensues as zombies wander aimlessly around the mall. The 2004 remake was better than it had any right to be, but still pales next to this.

is one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorites (his Rolling Thunder Pictures re-released it on the midnight movie circuit several years ago).

“Zombie,” aka “Zombi 2” (1979) The first foray into zombiedom by Italy’s Lucio Fulci, dubbed “The Godfather of Gore.” Italian zombie films are just as famous (or infamous) as Romero’s original trilogy, and this entry kickstarted the subgenre. “Dawn of the Dead” was released ROMERO in Italy as “Zombi,” hence this film also being known as “Zombi 2,” after it was initially advertised as a “Dawn” sequel in Italy. Available on DVD under both titles — you’re better off getting Shriek Show’s “Zombi 2,” because there’s a second disc full of bonus features. Regardless, “Zombie” and “Zombi 2” are the same movie.

“Day Of The Dead” (1985) The third in Romero’s “Dead” series. Humans are vastly outnumbered and are hiding in an underground military installation where a mad scientist is trying to humanize one zombie, Bub, memorably played by Howard Sherman. Criticized upon its release, appreciation for this ﬁlm has grown in the ensuing two decades, and today it’s regarded almost as highly as “Dawn.”

“Nightmare City” (1980) aka “City Of The Walking Dead” Remember how everyone saw “28 Days Later” and thought the aggressive, sprinting, quick-thinking zombies were an innovative concept? Guess again. That idea started here with this Italian/Spanish offering from Umberto Lenzi, best known for notorious films like “Cannibal Ferox.” The ending to this is lame beyond belief, but check it out for the hysterical sequence of zombies attacking an aerobics TV show. “The Beyond” (1981) Probably the most atmospheric of Fulci’s zombie offerings. A New Orleans hotel houses the entrance to Hell, and the zombies takeover. Ominous and quite well-done, this has an unforgettable final scene and

“Re-animator” (1985) Stuart Gordon directed this modernized version of H.P. Lovecraft’s story, where twitchy med student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) creates a serum that revives the dead, with horrific results. The film’s most unforgettable moment is when a lecherous, zombified prof doesn’t let a little thing like his own decapitation get in the way of his lust for the dean’s nubile daughter. “28 Days Later” (2003) These aren’t really zombies, but they exhibit undead characteristics. The “Trainspotting” team scored with this very nicely done throwback to the zombie films of old (well, 20 years ago at least), and it’s largely credited with reviving interest in these classic films. “Shaun Of The Dead” (2004) Yes, this is a spoof of zombie films, but what’s most surprising is how well its horror scenes work. There are moments of violence and tension that rival anything done by Romero or Fulci. Director/co-writer Edgar Wright and co-writer/star Simon Pegg deftly succeed at paying homage to zombie films while simultaneously making a thoroughly credible one.

> NEW IN COMIC BOOK STORES: ‘BATMAN BEGINS’ (DC); ‘ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC 4, VOL. 4’ (MARVEL)

JUNE 22-23-24-25 -26 -27 -28 05

tear sheet

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

Mickey Finn’s Pub

TEAR SHEET SPONSORED BY

SH OT

Vistula Film Showcase Cheap Date Night!

Admission free, showtime 9 p.m.

Lagrange at Huron

(419) 246-3466

1st Mon: Independent ﬁlms (every Monday) 2nd Mon: Dr. Shock’s Tales of Terror 3rd Mon: Rocky Horror Picture Show 4th Mon: Three Stooges Extravaganza

CHECK OUT THE MENUS

One of these things is not like the others. Look carefully at the back center of this picture. Among an array of hand-woven Native American baskets, you’ll ﬁnd a disposable plastic container. Owner of the baskets and bowl, Saginaw Chippewa Tribe member Marclay Crampton, explains, “It’s pretty simple. The plastic bowl makes sense. It keeps the materials we work with dry.” To paraphrase Freud, sometimes a bowl is just a bowl. Technical information: this photo was taken at 1/60 sec, ISO 100, f/3.5 and 200mm with a Minolta Dimage 7Hi.

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

Spanish wine tasting

A Spanish wine tasting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. June 23 at Walt Churchill’s Market on Briarﬁeld Road. $12 for samples of 8 wines. Call (419) 794-4000 for info.

DECLINING BY DEGREES The PBS documentary “Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk,” will be broadcast at 9 p.m. June 23 on WBGU and at 9 p.m. June 25 on WGTE. For information, visit www.decliningbydegrees.org.

Play the Field

Fireworks Can’t wait for the 4th of July? Get your fireworks fix early at the Washington Township Fire Department’s Summerfest. Summerfest offers live music, rides and games for the kids, and refreshments at Shoreland Park from 2-9 p.m., June 25 and concludes with fireworks from the Fred Young (Summit Street) Bridge at dusk. For more information, call (419) 726-2453.

The Paula Brown Gallery will host an exhibit: Audubon and Botanical Prints from Oppenheimer Editions, from June 23 through August 15, 137 N. Michigan St. Joel Oppenheimer of the Oppenheimer Gallery and Ben Williams, librarian for Chicago’s Field Museum, will be at the exhibit’s opening, 5 to 7 p.m., June 23. For more information, call (419) 241-2822.

Cincinnati band, the Menus serves up cover songs with a side of fun. “We play songs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’60s that you haven’t heard in a while, thrown in not with glam but like the circus has come to town. There’s never a dull moment,” said lead singer Tim Goldrainer. He’s not kidding. Goldrainer dons women’s clothing and makes more costume changes than Cher. “I normally pack at least 80 costumes for a show,” he said. “I try to get in between 15 to 20 costumes a night.” That includes homemade hats. “Of the hats, I make 80 percent, and some have been thrown at me. People are always throwing something at me,” Goldrainer deadpanned. The son of a seamstress, Goldrainer said he was inﬂuenced by his father. “My dad sold produce, but he’d walk into a room and people couldn’t wait to talk to him. He had a magnetic personality. He did a Frank Sinatra routine for years,” Goldrainer said. “I’m in another band, Curly and the Q Balls, that does nothing but Frank, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. I can wear a prom dress with the Menus one night and a tuxedo with Curly and the Q Balls the next night.” Lately, he’s been sporting a shopping bag. “I’ve been wearing an oversized Target bag, which seems to go over nicely,” Goldrainer said. “I got home and looked at the bag and thought, ‘You know, I think I can get away with that.’ ” And he does — complete with black high-tops and a hat with dots. The Menus play anything from The Grass Roots and Neil Diamond to Talking Heads and The Clash. They throw in Elvis, Wilson Pickett and Queen. “We try to pick songs that will spark good memories,” Goldrainer said. His bandmates are drummer Brandon “Spike” Ryan, keyboardist Jimi Orwig, guitarist Steve Chiodi, and bassist John Castetter. Take a look at The Menus at Rally by the River at 5:30 p.m. July 1 in Promenade Park. Admission is $5. — Vicki L. Kroll

Youth Quake Teens can shake it at Centennial Terrace and Quarry teen dance, June 24, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania. Tickets are $5; (419) 882-1500.

Do the time, pay the fine Read off your ﬁnes at any Lucas County Public Library through August 6. Patrons up to age 17 can read up to 15 minutes per day to reactivate library cards rendered inactive by overdue fees. Since its inception in 2004, more than 1,000 youth have logged more than 700 hours to alleviate over $3,000 in ﬁnes. Sign up at your local library or call (419) 259-5207 for details.

Major munchies, free kisses

From pizza to pierogis, pita to pad thai, the annual Taste of the Town festival offers something delicious for every appetite, with booths from two dozen local restaurants and other food vendors. Visitors can vote for their favorites, with the results to be announced Saturday at 5 p.m. Some bite-sized “tastes” are free, while more substantial portions can be purchased. The event is a fund-raiser for United Health Services, a non-proﬁt organization dedicated to helping social service agencies throughout Northwest Ohio. Musical performances on two stages will include pop, classic rock, reggae, pop and blues. The 26-foot-long Hershey’s Kissmobile will be the center for children’s activities including karaoke and kisscrafts. Taste of the Town runs from June 23 to June 26 on Jackson Boulevard Downtown. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For information, see http://www.uhs-toledo.org/Taste/Taste.htm or call (419) 242-9587.

MUSIC NOTES FRI JUNE 24

Red Metric

World Project, Crazy eDdie, Fate of Apollo

Louis G’s

RFD Boys

Nighttown, Cleveland

Death Festival, Cleveland

Lyman Harbor, Sandusky

Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Cleveland

Origin

Pete Schlegel

The Doors of the 21st Century

The Odeon, Cleveland

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkson, Mich.

Manhattan’s Restaurant

House of Blues, Cleveland

The Ark, Ann Arbor

Ann Peebles Club Bijou

Fenetik, Fifth Floor, Falls of Grace DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkson, Mich.

Laser Spectacular featuring the Music of Pink Floyd Grog Shop, Cleveland

Bettie Serveert Headliners

Adema, Emok, Shortie, Intentions of Nothing House of Blues, Cleveland

Collective Soul, Silvertide Louis G’s

Mike Whitty Quartet Mickey Finn’s Pub

CROSBY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS CELEBRATES

40TH YEAR

TOLEDO — Crosby Festival of the Arts is celebrating its 40th birthday this year by returning to its traditional format.The festival, held on the grounds of Toledo Botanical Garden, begins with the Preview Party 6-9 p.m. June 24, and continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26. Ohio’s oldest outdoor juried fine arts festival features 250 of the best artisans from across the United States. The show features fine arts and crafts in 10 mediums, from massive sculpture to delicate jewelry, from functional furniture to whimsical pottery, from lifelike paintings to breathtaking photographs, from wearable fiber to decorative glass. As has become the tradition at the Crosby Festival of the Arts, the Children’s Artistic Playhouse will have a variety of arts activities for children to express their creative side. Organized by Common Space/Arts Council Lake Erie West and Project ABC, the “young at art” can dabble in puppetry, painting and more. Refreshments at the Festival range from the typical fare — funnel cakes and French fries — to the more unusual — gyros, grouper sandwiches, and crepes. A beer garden is also available to Festival goers 21 and over. Admission is $7 for adults or $10 for a two day pass and is free to children under 12 and TBG members. Free parking and shuttle service is available at the Kmart parking lot, located at the corner of Central Avenue and HollandSylvania Road. At the Preview Party, guests have the opportunity to sample fine hors d’oeuvres by Gladieux Catering while browsing the artists’ booths and purchasing selections without a crowd. Tickets for the Preview Party are $75 and are available by calling TBG at (419) 936-2986. The Garden is located at 5403 Elmer Dr., between Reynolds and Holland-Sylvania roads, just south of Central Avenue.

— Lauri Donahue

COMPILED BY VICKI L. KROLL

Murray’s Reﬁnery, Tifﬁn

Desolation Row

Lizz Wright

Latium World Tour featuring Baby Bash, Frankie J, Natalie Toledo Museum of Art Libbey Court

Dry Bones Revival Wilbert’s Food & Music, Cleveland

James Cotton

Santana, Los Lonely Boys Fox Theatre, Detroit

Cedric the Entertainer Harpo’s, Detroit

Daysend, Devilinside, Otep Headliners

The Winchester, Cleveland

Bel Auburn, Minds Eye View

SAT JUNE 25 The Ark, Ann Arbor

Repercussions Chene Park, Detroit

Two shows: Hit the Lights, Time and Distance, The Weakend, The Drama Summer, Won by Another; Mindshift, After Alice, Diesel Burner, ...In Cold Blood Jazzin’ on Jefferson, Detroit

The Gap Band Club Bijou

Jimi Hendrix Tribute with Tony Campbell & Purple Haze, Huge

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Johnny’s Speakeasy, Ann Arbor

Jeff & Vida

BE THERE. DO THAT. EVENTS Lunch plans: Mike Coulter and Bob Stevens from Skoobie Snacks will entertain at the Levis Concert Series, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Levis Square at the corner of Madison and St. Clair streets. Bring your own lunch or check out the $5 boxed lunch options from local restaurants.

FUNDRAISERS ReMax Preferred Golf Outing:

beneﬁting The Children’s Theatre Workshop, 8 a.m., June 28 at Bedford Hills Golf Club. $75 per person,

includes lunch, steak or chicken dinner, driving range, cart, and greens fees; (419) 277-4516. Jess Hurt’s steel guitar showcase fundraiser: for the Steel Gui-

tar Hall Of Fame, 12:30 p.m., June 26 at the VFW Hall, Piehl and Summerﬁeld roads, Lambertville, Mich. Adults $10, Under age 16 $3; (734) 847 8621 or e-mail jesshurtpsg@ mycidco.com.

MISC. Sheila Provencher: lay minister

and human rights worker, will share her ﬁrsthand experiences, “Nonviolent Peace-

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkson, Mich.

Kelly Broadway

Johnny Reed and the House Rockers

Meat Beat Manifesto Stranahan Theater

Mickey Finn’s Pub

Agora Theatre, Cleveland

Palace Theatre, Cleveland

Michael Feinstein

St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit

The Ark, Ann Arbor

The Village Idiot, Maumee

Citygoat

Wilbert’s Food & Music, Cleveland

Gongzilla, Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat The Winchester, Cleveland

Anne E. Dechant

SUN JUNE 26 The Ark, Ann Arbor

Guy Clark

Cowboy Crush

WED JUNE 29 RFD Boys

MON JUNE 27 As Cities Burn, Brandtson, Dead Poetic, The Beautiful Mistake

Meat Beat Manifesto

Kelly Broadway

The Ark, Ann Arbor

John Fogerty

Four on the Floor, CL-1, Lance Hulsey

Manhattan’s Restaurant Wilbert’s Food & Music, Cleveland

Maumee Indoor Theater

Dance F X

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkson, Mich.

Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago Grog Shop, Cleveland

Do Make Say Think, Plants For Animals

Lizz Wright, Teddy Thompson

Hart Plaza, Detroit

Blind Pig, Ann Arbor

Manhattan’s Restaurant

Little Brother

Burnadette Quartet

Manhattan’s Restaurant

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library North Lawn of Main Library

Rare Earth

The Bob Rex Trio

TUE JUNE 28

Bonkers

The Ark, Ann Arbor

The Village Idiot, Maumee

Wild Band of Snee

ind’grass

DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkson, Mich.

The Winchester, Cleveland

The Doobie Brothers

Ken Anderson, Rebecca Hall

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT INFORMATION TO EVENTS@TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM making in Iraq,” 7 p.m., June 29 at St. Mary Parish Life Center, 127 N. Monroe St., Monroe, Mich.

FAMILY Summer sun print: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 23, Toledo Museum of Art Family Center. Free; (419) 255-8000. Make underwater sea creatures:

June 26, 28, and 30, Toledo Museum of Art Family Center. Free; (419) 255-8000.

ENTERTAINMENT Dry Bones Revival: 6:30 to 9:30

p.m., June 24, Toledo Museum of Art. It’s Friday! Also features African Art

public tours, and demos from local glass artists; (419) 255-8000. Toledo comedian Jason J. Benci:

will be at Connxtions Comedy Club, June 22. Benci has been on tour across the U.S. for three years, and has performed for troops overseas. He has worked with comedians Doug Stanhope, Bob Zany, and Heywood Banks. Call (419) 867-9040 for information. Twelfth Night: at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 7 p.m., June 24-25, and 2:30 p.m. June 26, 16 Tenth St. Twelfth Night is a comedy

by William Shakespeare. Tickets $10 for adults, $8 seniors; (419) 243-9277.

EXHIBITS Public tours: African Art

exhibit, June 25 and 26, Toledo Museum of Art; (419) 255-8000. Collections Exhibit: See what local collectors posses: 1939 World’s Fair memorabilia, antique model trains, salt and pepper shakers, and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 23, Owens College, Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery; (567) 661-2721.

BLUESMAN KEEPS ROCKIN’ WITH NEW CD Johnny Reed & The Houserockers cater to its fans. The group just released its third disc, “Most Requested,” which features 10 favorites and ﬁve unreleased tracks. “Some of the most requested songs are ‘Hot Date,’ ‘That’s the Blues,’ ‘Slick Woman Blues’ and ‘Bye-Bye,’ ” Reed said. If he’s not singing, Reed is playing some hot harmonica. He picked up a mouth organ in 1989 to keep up with a friend while working in housekeeping at a local hospital. “We used to play in the stairwells,” he recalled. “I never dreamed I’d be playing harmonica in a band.” That was before he heard Art and Roman Griswold playing on the patio at the former Theo’s. “I was too young to get in, so I sat outside and played my harmonica along with them,” Reed said. “One day Art had a microphone brought out to me, and then he asked me

to be in the band.” He played with the Griswolds from 1991 to 1993. “Art did everything for me. He brought me into the music scene, taught me showmanship, how to keep eye contact, how to dress. It was an important time for me ------ I was 19, 20 years old. It was a big transition for me, growing into a man.” Reed is backed by the Houserockers ------ guitarist Ian Lawler, bass player “Wild” Bill Cherry and drummer Rolly Rayman. The band’s new disc is available at all shows and will be for sale soon at www.jrhouserockers.com. In addition, Reed and

The RIMMEL London Bus Tour will be making a stop from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., June 23, at 5821 W. Central Ave. This interactive bus will be giving out free makeovers by a professional makeup artist and virtual makeovers for women who want to try out new cosmetic styles. The top level of the bus will feature a DJ spinning tunes to keep the party going.

Rayman play the open blues jam with guitarist Buzz Anderson and bassist David “Catﬁsh” Warner at 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Nick & Jimmy’s, 4956 Monroe St. — Vicki L. Kroll

25 TOLEDO CONFIDENTIAL

CURTAIN CALL

Village Players Theatre will host auditions for “Monky Business” from 2 to 4 p.m., June 26, and 7 to 9 p.m., June 27, 2740 Upton Ave. The theatre will need ﬁve men of various ages, who are able to sing, dance and act silly. “Monky Business” is about fun loving monks of Saint Bernard’s Monastery who have to raise $250,000 by midnight or lose their monastery to a real-estate developer with plans to turn it into Bernie’s Casino Royale. The show runs from Sept. 9 to 24. To audition, bring an up-tempo musical number; (419) 472-6817 or www.thevillageplayers.org.

Keith Bergman

Rock Tour

very week I rattle off the best shows for every weekend, hoping you’ll go to one — two, if you’re feeling frisky. But you know what would rule? If some hardcore scenesters made a point of going to every show in my column, every week. It could start a trend — we’d print up maps to each venue, with stickers you’d get at the door, and a ﬁlled-out map would get you a prize the following Monday. There’d be T-shirts for troupers who’d made every stop of the Toledo Conﬁdential trek for eight weeks or three months, without interruption. Your number of weeks would give you bragging rights. Sure, it’d take a toll on your ears, wallet and liver. But it’d be a lot cooler than watching “The Daily Show” in your underwear for the 47th night in a row.

Get off the couch

The band to see this Thursday is the Wide Awakes, a rockin’ pop group featuring the newly married Brandon Boltz and Liz Owens. They’re my recommendation for three reasons. One, drummer/vocalist Tim Bueter actually sends out e-mails to promote his shows, unlike 99 percent of the bands around here. Two, hopefully this mention will help make up for the fact that I missed the aforementioned wedding. And three, they write and play damn good songs. Friday, there’s always the prospect of seeing former majorlabel hopefuls Adema at Headliners. Their second-tier radio rock still has some fans, although their new album, “Planets,” on indie Earache Records, has been met with middling reviews and sales. Want something a little more out there? The Underground is the place and Rope is your band. This trio (two Polish expatriates on guitar and bass, and a drummer on “household percussion”) create some seriously creepy tension-andrelease music, very cinematic. Visit www.ropetheband.com for sound samples — you’ll love it, or feel like you’re at an exam you didn’t study for, without any pants on. Saturday, head to the Longhorn Saloon. Legbone is coming, and these Dayton vets have been knocking out fast, furious, gasoline-spitting punk rock since some of you were in short pants. They’re celebrating a new record deal, so do your part to keep the Ohio rock circuit cranking. Highbinder, Yeti Machete, SBU, and a promising band from Tennessee called Scull Soup open the night.

> NEW IN BOOKSTORES: ‘A LONG WAY DOWN’ BY NICK HORNBY; ‘FREAKONOMICS’ BY STEVEN LEVITT

short list

REVIEWS OF MOVIES, MUSIC, VIDEO GAMES & MORE NEW DVDS

NEW MUSIC KEM: Album II In 2003, Motown Records struck gold with Detroit musician Kem Owens, whose buzz and success peddling his self-produced Kemistry CD led the label to sign him to a five-album deal. His “Love Calls” quickly became an Urban AC staple and fans flocked to his concerts. Kem’s formula: mixing R&B and jazz to create grown folks’ music — simple, Fender Rhodes-laced grooves that serve as a backdrop for his elastic tenor and seductive falsetto. On “Album II,” the laid-back “Find A Way (Back in My Life)” sets the mood for a series of slow jams, including the hit “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Throughout the disc, Kem’s confidence — bolstered by lots of road work in the wake of Kemistry —- is apparent as he plays around in his amazing upper range. His falsetto is sweet, coy and convincing —- a nice contrast to his brassy lower register, which recalls Al Jarreau ... a whole lot. “Into You,” one of the few midtempo tracks here, is one of the best examples of Kem’s vocal dexterity. He sings the verses in a seductive falsetto, stepping easily into his lower range, where he moans, whispers and grunts percussively (like Jarreau). On “True Love” he purrs alongside a sneaky, bass-propelled groove, before losing a bit of momentum with the well-meaning but maudlin “Each Other.” Motown legend Stevie Wonder’s seal of approval is a haunting harmonica solo on the inspirational “You Might Win,” undeniably the album’s “rewind cut.” “I Get Lifted” closes Album II on a high note. Nothing groundbreaking here, but hey, if it’s not broke, why fix it? Kem’s 20-city “Find Your Way” tour, beginning June 8, features Rahsaan Patterson and Fantasia. — Brett Collins

Verve Remixed 3: Various The latest disc in the label’s Remixed/Unmixed series is another solid piece of recorded art. Darlia Ambach Caplin and Todd C. Roberts have compiled another diverse list of standards and classics for a new crop of DJs and producers. Postal Service delivers a Eurodisco version of “Little Girl Blue” by Nina Simone, a re-mixer’s favorite. Similarly, the Album Leaf remix of her “Lilac Wine” is given a snappy Kraftwerk-over, a nice counterpoint to Simone’s hypnotic drone. Billie Holiday (pictured above) and Sarah Vaughn are also featured on two tracks each. The best works feature the sparest vocals, including the Sugardaddy remix of Shirley Horn’s “Come Dance With Me” and Astrud Gilberto’s “The Gentle Rain, which is amped up with simple drums and piano licks by RJD2. The best track on Remixed 3 is Hugh Masakela’s “The Boy’s Doin’ It,” funked up by Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig. Masakela’s vocal and trumpet solo are layered with African chants over a steady, Moog-based groove. The moody Bent remix of “Speak Low” is quiet and Latintinged; Barney Kessel’s original guitar part mixed down so as not to distract from Billie Holiday’s vocal. And there’s much more where that came from; Verve’s vaults are very deep, so it will take awhile before they run out of tracks to work over. — Brett Collins

Kelly Buchanan: Bastard Daughter Combine the songwriting angst of Alanis Morrisette into a singer songwriter archetype like Jewel, and you’ll come across the moody and openly blunt Kelly Buchanan. “Bastard Daughter” leaves little to the imagination, as songs like “A**hole of the Year” and “I Don’t Want to Know You” implant frenzied feelings of sympathy and guilt-ridden emotions into your conscience as if someone were punching you in the gut. The gritty and screaming angry vocals do not overshadow the well constructed rock sound. — Michael Punsulan

Hot Hot Heat: Elevator More rousing than most pop rock acts on the airwaves and escalating toward a worldwide following, Vancouver native rock band Hot Hot Heat irrefutably makes you move and groove. Between catchy melodies, danceable beats and lead singer Steve Bays’ clamoring vocals, Hot Hot Heat delivers a basic pop rock formula eerily similar to another new wave band, Franz Ferdinand. Songs like “Middle of Nowhere” stand out with addictive and indelible piano riffs, while the track “Goodnight Goodnight” will leave you humming in the ofﬁce. — Michael Punsulan

Marathon: Marathon With its self-titled debut album allowing these upstate New Yorkers to demonstrate their pop-punk background, Marathon busts out onto the scene with eccentric yet self-proclaimed poignant music. Although the fast drum beats and iconic power chords echo the likes of mindless and thoughtless rock, the lyrics conversely attack or touch everything in politics from the war to anti-Bush rhetoric. Although the basic elements of rock are present, the band too easily blends into the woodwork of modern day pop rock to be distinguished as “exciting.” — Michael Punsulan Kottonmouth Kings: Kottonmouth Kings This hip-hop rock band continues to put out albums full of nonsensical banter. Although they have moved away from the intentionally phonetic, yet hip misspelling of song titles, the band stills manages to amaze listeners with great hooks and beats that seem to be out of place next to their lyrics. The album’s melodies stand out, but intent and lyrics fall shor t. — Michael Punsulan Big B: White Trash Renegade Labeled as an executor of hiphop without the proverbial “bling bling” that dominates the scene, Big B’s sophomore album “White Trash Renegade” promises to deliver rap to a crowd yearning for a large white man covered in tattoos. Much like the popular hiphop star Bubba Sparxxx, Big B hits fans with loud anthem songs that showcase decent rhymes and a smooth ﬂow. The song “Hooligan” highlights a respectable hook and exists as the album’s best. — Michael Punsulan

NEW VIDEO GAMES Madagascar This one-player game, based on the DreamWorks movie, switches among the four main characters ---- Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo and Melman the Giraffe ----- for a colorful mix of action, stealth, collecting, racing ... even ﬁshing. Gamers can interact with many environmental elements and even ﬁnd some nice minigames such as “Armor Madness.” Experience more than 10 repeatable environments, including New York, the ocean and a jungle, all nicely presented in an animated 3-D map. The only area where gamers might lose patience is navigation. Shortcuts are meant to be helpful, but sometimes make pro-

gression difﬁcult. The Nintendo DS version allows gamers to switch characters in the middle of levels and play exclusive mini-games including a wireless cooperative minigame. (Game Boy Advance, Game Cube, Nintendo DS, PC, PS2, Xbox. Rated E for mild cartoon violence, crude humor)

Medal of Honor: European Assault In this great military ﬁrst person shooter, you are U.S. Army Lieutenant William Holt, part of the Ofﬁce of Strategic Services unit trying to free Europe in the midst of World War II. You get by with a little help from your Allied friends as you command your squad’s movements, or they just follow your lead. The best additions are the adrenaline and revive power-ups that work on you and your squad members (though it’s a challenge to get them to sit still and take their medicine). These additions create a lasting effect, especially when combined with a special “slow-mo” sound phase when you’re weak or just had your ears

rung by an explosion. Great music, in-depth research and historical narration. (Game Cube, PS2, Xbox — rated T for violence) Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Frustrating controls and environments with an awkward 2-D feel spoil the usually solid gameplay. Combination moves help you achieve “masterful” high scores and dispatch droids more quickly, but the relentless action gets a little tiring. The unlockable characters and a multiplayer mode can’t save this title from mediocrity and a low replay value. (PS2, Xbox - rated T for violence, GameBoy Advance and Nintendo DS versions also available). — Michael Siebenaler

The Jacket (Horror drama, R, 102 m., 2005). Adrien Brody plays a wounded soldier who is taken for dead, recovers from his amnesia, ﬁnds himself framed as a cop killer, and is sent to an asylum where the beady-eyed Dr. Becker (Kris Kristofferson) thinks it will help the patients to be locked, cold and wet, in morgue drawers for hours or days at a time. In the morgue drawer, his traumatized mind can view the future, or maybe even travel there, but we lose interest with too many time-travel paradoxes. Sincerely acted, well-crafted, but lugubrious and mournful. Rating: Two stars. Miss Congeniality 2 (Comedy, PG-13, 115 m., 2005). After becoming famous for going undercover at a beauty pageant in the earlier movie, FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) can’t work undercover anymore, so is made “the Face of the Bureau.” When Miss United States (Heather Burns) and the pageant manager (William Shatner) are kidnapped in Las Vegas, she begins solving the crime just like Nancy Drew would. Humor often comes from tension between who the character is and what the character does. Since Miss Congeniality is never other than a ditz, that she acts like one is not hilarious. Rating: One and a half stars. Hostage (Action thriller, R, 113 m., 2005). Bruce Willis stars as a police chief who takes command when three gormless teenagers get in over their heads with a home invasion that turns into a hostage situation. Kevin Pollack is the rich man who is taken with his two children; another kidnapping puts double pressure on Willis. The movie is dark, taut and hard-edged, even if some details (like a small boy with a cell phone, roaming at will through air ducts) seem to be for the convenience of the plot. Rating: Three stars. Coach Carter (Sports drama, PG-13, 140 m., 2005). Samuel L. Jackson stars in a story based on real events, about a high school basketball coach who insists his students get decent grades to stay on the team, and padlocks the gym when they don’t live up to the deal. Jackson has powerful moments, and there are effective subplots, involving one in which a star player (Ron Brown) has a pregnant girlfriend (Ashanti). Directed by Thomas Carter (“Save the Last Dance”), no relation to the coach. Rating: Three stars.

TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD, CALL (419) 241-8500. ANNOUNCEMENTS DONATE YOUR CAR To the Cancer Fund of America. Help those suffering with cancer today. Free towing and tax deductible. 1-800-835-9372 www.cfoa.org

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Roger Ebert

CLASSIFIED

June 22, 2005

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BUILDINGS FOR SALE 3 STEEL BUILDINGS FACTORY CLEARANCE! 24 x 28 $3,980 38 x 44 $6,945 49 x 86 $13,850 Call Joe 1 (800) 863-9128

3 ALL STEEL BUILDINGS Up to 50% off! Call now! 30 x 40, 50 x 75, 70 x 160 Call Keith at 1-800-839-1073

EMPLOYMENT BOOKKEEPER Part-time position in an attractive environment. Must be experienced, trusting, reliable, organized, and accurate. Skills required are Macintosh, Quicken, and Accounting through Trial Balance. Contact Renhill Stafﬁng Services for other positions: Payroll, Human Resources, Administrative, Data Entry, Legal Secretary, and Graphic Design. Call (419) 254-2820 or (419) 254-2816 MOVIE EXTRAS Earn $150 - $300/Day All looks/types needed. No experience necessary. TV, Music Videos, Commercials, Film, Print. Call Toll free 7 days! 1-800-260-3949 Ext. 3100 FEMALE MODELS NEEDED New video company. No experience required. Fee negotiable. Call for appointment. (419) 656-1800 TIRE TECH Speedco Truck Lube is hiring a Tire Tech to performs tire services directed by supervisor. Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with medium truck tire specs & services. LUBE TECH This position performs the application and preparation of all oil and lube requirements related to semi tractors. Both positions require drug screens. CASHIERS Responsible for cash register operations, experience with computers and 10-key calculator preferred. Background check/drug screen required. All positions require the ability to work 1st or 2nd shift. Apply in person only: Speedco, 26313 Baker Rd., Perrysburg. Located at I-280, Exit 1B West. EOE, M/F

PRODUCT ASSURANCE Automotive manufacturer seeking individual who is experienced in developing, implementing, and coordinating product assurance program to prevent defects in management, and formal training in DCP, SPC, FMEA, DOE. Please e-mail resume to Jackie.Barnes@renhill.com $50,000 FREE CASH GRANTS - 2005 Never repay! For personal bills, school, new business. $49 Billion left unclaimed from 2004! Live operators! 1 (800) 785-6360 Ext. #115 ONLINE JOBS! eBay workers needed. Work with us online. $$$$$Weekly. Use your own computer or laptop. No experience necessary. Call Online Supplier at 1-800-693-9398 ext. 1889 PLANT POSITION We are recruiting serious minded persons with a proven employment track record. Candidates should have HS diploma or equivalent, clean criminal record and six continuous months of employment at one company within the last year. Two professional references necessary. EOE. Renhill Staffing Svcs. (419) 254-2840 Since 1970 NEW PLANT POSITIONS $7.00 to start. Long term. HS Graduate or GED a must. Clean criminal history. Renhill Staffing Svcs. (419) 254-2840 LOVE TO SHOP? Get paid to be a Secret Shopper. Evaluate local stores, restaurants & theaters. Flexible hours, training provided, e-mail required. 1(800) 585-9024 ext. 6262 COMPANY EXPANSION IN PROGRESS Due to an increase in product demand, this large electrical firm has many openings for both men & women. These positions are not temporary,

but are permanent and full time. Setup & display service, sales & management positions. Hiring for all departments immediately. No previous experience or degree required. All applicants selected will receive full company training. Applicants will start work with immediate earnings & bonuses. $400/WK TO START! No strikes or layoffs. Call for immediate interview! (419) 539-7204 SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL SYSTEM POSITIONS Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Educational Aides, and Food Service Workers are needed for the 2005-2006 school year. Positions available in Erie, Lucas, Ottawa, and Wood counties. Commitment to education required! Interested candidates please contact Renhill Stafﬁng Services (419) 254-2801

GARAGE SALES MULTI-FAMILY SALE 1584 Fox Run off Ft. Meigs Rd. in P’burg. June 23-24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Piano, weight bench, car seats, furniture, housewares, toys, pool, clothing (Gap, Nautica, Polo) and misc.

MERCHANDISE MINI-FRIDGE & MICROWAVE Apartment size or perfect for the camper. Call for details. (419) 297-8161 AA-1 APPLIANCES Washers $70 & up. Refrigerators & ranges $100 & up. Appliance repair. 3328 Lagrange. (419) 244-0202 STEEL BUILDINGS: FACTORY DIRECT! Liquidation Sale. 25 x 32 $3,950; 30 x 42 $5,100; 40 x 58 $6,700; 50 x 140 $18,900 1-877-728-4807 NEW EXTERIOR CHIP BOARD .5 x 12, 3/4, White $13.75; Plain $12.50. Smaller sheets available. Cell: (419) 957-4555

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Meeting notice The Greater Toledo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, June 30 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Region 2-B UAW, 1691 Woodlands Drive. This meeting is open to the public. If you would like to attend, please call at (419) 329-2596 by Friday, June 24.

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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS BLOWOUT! Guitars, amps, keyboards, digital pianos, drums, P. A. equipment. Karaoke rentals. School instrument rentals Brand names - Alvarez, Tacoma, Washburn, Hamer, ESP, B. C. Rich, Ernie Ball, Suzuki, Honer, Yamaha, Crate, Huges Kettner, Randall, Rivera, Kustom, Casio, Zoom, Dod, Boss, Sound Tech, Oscar Schmidt, Applause, Takamine, Sabian, Zildjian, Paiste. Richard’s Music (419) 537-9166 PLAYER PIANO Aolein, excellent condition, just tuned. $3,000 ﬁrm. U Haul. (419) 836-5884

PETS NEWFOUNDLAND PUPS AKC, black, black & white, guaranteed. $800 (517) 592-6058

LAB PUPPIES Black, AKC, OFA Certiﬁed. Champion bloodline. English style. Vet checked, dewclaws removed. $250 - $275 Call (517) 436-3772 BERNESE MOUNTAIN PUPS Parents are AKC registered. Extra females. $550 ea. (517) 869-2685 POM PUPPIES Several colors. (517) 869-2685 ALASKAN MALAMUTE PUPS AKC/OFA, 11 wks., shots, dewormed, dewclawed. $550 ea. (517) 688-3318 or (517) 812-2918 GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPS Born May 8, 2005 Ready for pick-up. $300 - $350 (419) 825-3561

REAL ESTATE

SUMMER SPECIAL Spotless. Two bedroom upper. All utilities paid. Kitchen appliances. Air-conditioner. Garage locks. 444 1/2 E. Striker (419) 269-0955 $395 + deposit FOR RENT OR SALE 2-Bedroom in Springﬁeld Twp. $530 + Deposit. (419) 865-5289 SEEKING ROOMMATE Nice, South Toledo home off Heatherdowns. $300 per month, $150 deposit. Great fenced-in yard for your dog. Smoking ok. (419) 380-8513 A RARE FIND! 5 Wooded acres in Southern Hillsdale Co. Terms. $36,500 Faust Real Estate Adrian, MI (517) 263-8666 LEASE-TO-OWN 6201 Garden Road 2 Bdrm./1 Bath New kitchen, Central A/C, Washer/Dryer. Springﬁeld Twn. School District. (419) 290-4926

SERVICES OLD FASHIONED HOUSE CLEANING Not “A Lick & A Promise” Free estimates. Call (419) 514-6573 $$CASH$$ Immediate cash for structured settlements, annuities, lawsuits, inheritances, mortgage notes & cash flows. J. G. Wentworth #1 1(800) 794-7310 $50,000 FREE CASH GRANTS ***2005! Never repay! For personal bills, school, new business. $49 BILLION. Left unclaimed from 2004. Live operators! 1 (800) 785-6360 Ext. #105 $50,000 FREE CASH GRANTS ***2005! Never repay! For personal bills, school, new business. $49 BILLION. Left unclaimed from 2004. Live operators! 1(800) 785-6360 Ext. #65 AFFORDABLE ROOFING New roofs, repairs, flat-decks, garages, new gutters. Licensed/insured. Free estimates. (419) 242-4222 STOP FORECLOSURE Guaranteed. This is not bankruptcy. We do not buy houses. 800-771-4453 ext. 2525 www.house911.com FREE $$ CASH $$ GRANTS! For 2005! Never repay. For personal bills. Home buying. School! New business! $5,000 - $500,000. Live Operators! Call NOW! 1-800-860-2187 Ext. 101 EXPRESS SEAMLESS GUTTERS Complete gutter service. No frills. No hidden costs. Top quality fine mesh gutter screens at a fraction of the cost of helmets & covers. Great work @ low rates. Over 20 yrs. experience. Call for free estimate. (734) 850-0362 Temperance, MI

IMPACT BUILDERS Additions, pole barns, garages, roofs, siding, decks, etc. 20 yrs. exper. Insured & licensed. 419-874-4368

LANDSCAPE VAUGHN’S TREE SERVICE Tree removal by bucket. Tree topping, trimming, pruning. Lot clearing. Licensed & insured. Free estimates. 419-466-9632

MISC. SERVICES HEALTHCARE for $59.93/ month!! NEW LOW PRICE! For entire family! Prescriptions, Dental, Vision, Hospitalization, more! Pre-existing conditions okay! Call P. S. Family Healthcare! (800) 531-2630 sc.-W1034 SHARPENING SERVICES MANCILLAS SHARPENING Saws - Scissors - Shears Carbide blades - Knives Lawn & Garden Tools Almost anything with an edge! Call Gilbert Mancillas (419) 283-0685 HEART ATTACK? Did you suffer a Heart Attack, Stroke, Clot or Heart Surgery while taking VIOXX, CELEBREX, or BEXTRA? You may have a claim worth $250,000+. Toll-free 1-877-833-0926.

VEHICLES 89 FORD TAURUS SE 3.0 V6 - Green Power windows & locks. Runs great! Only $2,500 (419) 509-8916 ‘86 HARLEY SPORTSTER 1200 Black, extra chrome. Good starter bike. Runs great. 32K mi. Only $5,000 (419) 509-8916 FIBERGLASS TRUCK CAPS & LIDS New & Used (419) 472-5030

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