Toledo Free Press – May 15, 2011 by Toledo Free Press

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Can Kris Berger Long save the Erie Street Market?

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MAY 15, 2011

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OPINION

MAY 15, 2011

The lonesome death of Mike Mulligan

Faces in the crowd

elcome to Richard St. Jean, who has been named general manager of the new Hollywood Casino in Toledo. Penn National Gaming said St. Jean has more than 25 years of experience, which he will apply to recruiting and training the 1,200 employees who will work in the $300 million facility. St. Jean has served as president of Native American Gaming and was in charge of Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, Calif., and the Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Mich. St. Jean also worked at The Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, the Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nev., Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Having once spent a day job-shadowing Tony Rodio, the general manager of Penn National’s casino in Lawrenceburg, Ind., I have a small amount of insight into the major amount of work Thomas F. POUNDS St. Jean faces. We welcome him to Toledo and look forward to seeing what he and Penn National can build in our community. ✯ General Motors Chairman Dan Akerson visited the Toledo Transmission Plant on May 10 to announce GM will invest $204 million and 240 jobs in the plant to manufacture a new eight-speed transmission. “The last time I was here one thing was perfectly clear,” Akerson said. “I was told about 100 times, ‘We need more jobs’ and ‘We need more investments.’ When we made the decision to build an eight-speed transmission, I had heard of ... the outstanding work ethic that is consistently demonstrated with the quality of the product that’s produced. It had to be Toledo.” This is welcome news and a sign there is still plenty of fight left in our city. ✯ Greg Maher, senior vice president of lending for the national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), was in Toledo on May 12 to deliver good news to more than five dozen local mortgage holders who are struggling to keep their homes. LISC is loaning $600,000 to Neighborhood Housing Services of Toledo (NHS) so it can purchase 63 mortgages from Wells Fargo bank to keep financial relationships and service local as the economy continues to challenge some of our hardest-hit citizens. Kudos to NHS Executive Director Bill Farnsel for pursuing innovative methods of community development. ✯ TARTA General Manager James Gee is not riding the wave of good news. First, Rep. Randy Gardner’s amendment to allow individual communities to withdraw from TARTA passed the Ohio House on May 6. Gee described the legislation as potentially “disastrous” to TARTA and that is not hyperbole. Gee is also in the center of an investigation involving public funds that were loaned by TARTA to a TARTA campaign committee for a levy. Ohio Auditor David Yost has declared the loans illegal and the Lucas County Prosecutor’s office is investigating. There are still many unanswered questions, and calls for Gee to be removed or prosecuted are premature. The Secretary of State’s advice which Gee said he followed, is being called into question, but there was no effort to hide the loans or deceive the public. Gee has been a trustworthy keeper of TARTA’s mission and there should be no rush to judgment or condemnation, especially from a prosecutor’s office that sometimes picks or passes on cases based on community and media relationships. We offer a vote of confidence that Gee will do what is best to make this right and to ensure that there will be no further issues with how public money is handled. ✯ Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

EDITORIAL Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com James A. Molnar, Lead Designer jmolnars@toledofreepress.com Brandi Barhite, Associate Editor bbarhite@toledofreepress.com Sarah Ottney, Special Sections Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com

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LIGHTING THE FUSE

PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

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used to be the guy you wanted on your trivia team when in just one day, or he will forgo payment. From sunup to sundown the next day, Mulligan and it came to movies and music (not so much television). But during the past five years as a parent, I find myself Mary Anne dig with reckless abandon; the entire town increasingly out of touch. It’s not a sacrifice; I’d rather spend shows up to watch the fury of the effort. Just before the an hour wrestling with the kids or working on an art project end of the day, Mulligan and Mary Anne proudly show with them. Still, I miss the fun of keeping up with wicked Hol- the perfect four walls and four corners of the cellar. But lywood. Reading about the trends, trysts and twists online there is a terrible catch; Mulligan forgot to leave a ramp to and in Entertainment Weekly isn’t the same as experiencing get out of the cellar, so he and Mary Anne are stranded at the bottom. The town mutters and worries, art and music firsthand. until a little boy in the crowd offers an inInstead of being immersed in Hollytriguing idea (SPOILER ALERT): why not wood’s profane efforts, I am deep into chilleave Mary Anne in the cellar to serve as dren’s books, stories and limited movies and a furnace for the town hall, and hire Multelevision shows. It is difficult to suspend 30 ligan as the janitor so he can stay with her? years of critically deconstructing pop culOn the surface, this seems a novel soluture when experiencing these kid options, tion. The town cheers and Mulligan happily but most of these efforts collapse under the agrees. The book concludes with Mary Anne weight of any sophisticated scrutiny. connected to the town hall’s HVAC system The new Disney show, “Jake and the Never and Mulligan sitting in a chair, smoking a Land Pirates,” for example, follows three young parentless kids as they unfailingly Michael S. MILLER pipe and telling stories of the golden days. The end. outwit Captain Hook. Hook used to be a true villain, one of As I read the book for the first time, it was with dawning Disney’s most loathsome interpretations. Hook chased kids, survived a crocodile attack and did not hesitate to imperil horror that I realized what a terrible fate was in store for tiny pixies. But on “Jake,” Hook is a bumbling goofball who Mulligan and Mary Anne — they literally dug their own can’t do anything right; he’s not a villain so much as a foil, grave. I know Edgar Allan Poe died almost a century before not even as threatening as a 4-year-old with an empty squirt Burton wrote this morbid little book, and Stephen King was gun. It would be like making a “Muppet Babies” version of born nearly a decade after it was published, but this is one of “Star Wars” in which Darth Vader doesn’t murder and ram- the greatest horror stories in children’s literature. Forget the witch who cooks little children in “Hansel page — he just unsuccessfully tries to steal cookies. But as our mantra at home goes, the kids love it, so don’t and Gretel” and the “Red Riding Hood” wolf who preys on little girls and their elderly grandmothers; “Mike ruin it by openly pointing out the artistic atrocities. Sigh. We read scores of books to the boys. It has been a joy Mulligan and His Steam Shovel” is the kid’s version of to revisit Dr. Seuss, discover Sandra Boynton and share the Poe’s “Cask of Amontillado,” in which a blissfully ignofairy tales and morality plays that form the foundation of rant man is coaxed into walking into his own tomb. Think of poor Mary Anne, forced into virtual meso many storytelling traditions. While I try to keep my pop culture dissections from interfering with the kids’ world, chanical slavery, while Mulligan slowly goes insane reliving his shoveling past. the two inevitably collide. I recognize that such an interpretation is a Rorschach Recently, we read “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,” a 1939 book written and illustrated by Virginia look into my mindset on aging, usefulness, mortality and Lee Burton. Mulligan brags that he and his steam shovel, friendship as my brain throttles down to enjoy books and Mary Anne, can dig in a day what 100 men can dig in a art from my kids’ perspective. I suppose if Mulligan and Mary Anne can make the best week. We are told that Mulligan takes great care of Mary Anne, and while other steam shovels rust and break down, of their self-imposed exile, so can I. The difference is, they Mulligan and (his presumably American-made) Mary are stuck in the basement forever. I’ll climb out as my boys Anne just keep digging to make way for the country’s roads grow up and leave the childhood horrors behind. Until it’s time to read “Mike Mulligan and His Steam and railways. But eventually, technology catches up, and new electric Shovel” to our grandchildren. ✯ and gas shovels outperform Mary Anne. This sets up one last showdown, in which Mulligan promises the people of Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and ToPopperville that he can dig the cellar for the new town hall ledo Free Press Star. Email him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com. Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com

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OPINION

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SHREDDING THE CURTAIN

Days of future passed

wo pieces of legislation before ever, to entice a development — It’s Toledo City Council’s May cheaper than us having to install 10 agenda review have a re- the infrastructure improvements,” Peebles said. corded history. Why Toledo believes it can market Brad Peebles, commissioner of development, presented legislation to the property as a greenfield site better Council that would allow Toledo to than the current developers was not purchase 48 acres of land off Angola discussed. Peebles did not respond to Road from Capital Commons Inves- requests for comment. The CIP budget is not expected tors for $1.05 million (split into three yearly payments of $350,000 taken before the middle of June. “It’s a problem ... doing expenfrom the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget). He said the part- ditures out of the capital improvenership between Toledo and Capital ment fund without seeing the whole budget,” Councilman Joe McNaCommons began around 1987. “The city’s commitment to this mara said. “Especially since we took such a massive chunk project was to first and out of the capital imforemost pay for or faprovement program to cilitate the payment of fund the general fund.” infrastructure improvePeebles said having a ments, i.e. roads, sewer, blank site increased the water, into the site,” ability to sell it. McNaPeebles said. “It has not mara did not feel this been completed and to justified an additional date if the city were to drain on CIP. Martinez complete those infrastructure improvements Lisa Renee WARD and McNamara said they’d prefer to have the we estimate those costs CIP budget numbers first. While the to be in excess of $1.2 million.” Councilman Rob Ludeman said legislation asked for emergency pasat one point Toledo and Capital sage, Peebles said first reading was Commons were going to do a land acceptable, this means there will be swap; this 48 acres for land in the at least one more agenda review before it is before council for a vote. Triad Business Park in Monclova. Toledo leasing office space out“Promises made by the city years ago for the infrastructure have not side of One Government Center is come to fruition, which has stalled not a new topic. Legislation for a five-year lease potential development of that Phase with Eyde Construction Company Two of Capital Commons,” he said. In 2002, developers Tom for 25,711 square feet of office and Schlachter and Paul Avery sought a storage space in One Lake Erie zoning change from industrial to res- Center for the Division of Engiidential for manufactured housing neering Services at an average cost of $354,573 a year was also discussed at on Angola Road. It was reported that in 1997 To- agenda review. In 1999, the city’s engineering ledo promised to seek $1 million in funding for the infrastructure im- operations in the transportation provements through state grants or department and the utilities departcity funds, but they did not guarantee ment were merged. Former Toledo Mayor Carty this and that specific projects had to be presented by the developers before any Finkbeiner advocated for engifunding was provided by Toledo. The neering services to be the anchor concern about this land being used for tenant at One Lake Erie Center. While Gov. Voinovich let Toledo manufactured housing still remains. Ludeman said there was a glut of out of its lease for space on the 15th floor so the Department of it in that area. “I think this would be a good Utilities could move in 1997, Gov. idea if we can keep this from being Taft’s administration in 1999 said a mobile home park and use it for Toledo would still be responsible industrial,” Council President Wilma for the 17th floor lease costs. The city later moved other departments Brown said. “I thought we were getting out of into the space. In 2000, the first 11-year lease for the real estate business,” Councilman One Lake Erie Center was said to avAdam Martinez said. “It’s my opinion and belief, by us erage $362,000 a year, the last yearly acquiring and retaining ownership, lease price was $369,750. if we sell and or give away or what■ WARD CONTINUES ON A5

THE HOT CORNER

MAY 15, 2011

Obama on a roll

resident Obama has had a pretty good couple of weeks. this giant wave of cash? Millions of U.S. workers stuck First, he had the state of Hawaii release his “long form” mired in a stagnant job market. Nevertheless, we’ve rarely birth certificate, which while not exactly silencing all seen such a stark gulf between the fortunes of the 500 and of the birthers, it at least seems to have removed Donald those of ordinary Americans,” Forbes reported. These are many of the same corporations that we are Trump as a “serious” candidate in 2012. He followed it up with finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice by ordering supposed to feel sorry for, to the point that in Ohio, we need SEAL Team 6 to take him out, thus ending a decade-long to attack police, firefighters, teachers, public employees, search for the perpetrator of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and a construction workers, and on and on, so they can make even more for the elite. We’re being sold a bill of goods on number of other terrorist acts. Many of the GOP talking heads were upset that W. didn’t behalf of modern robber barons by the elected officials who get his proper due for his part in the hunt for bin Laden. I are supposed to represent us. They tell us that taxes on these profits are bad and will kill jobs! It appears would remind them that the two times (that to me that they’re doing pretty well, so where we know of) that the Bush administration had are the jobs that they promised us in the camhim in the proverbial crosshairs, it punted to paigns? Most of these corporations paid less the Afghans to do the job allowing him to taxes than you did last year! Some even got escape, because the administration feared it millions of our tax dollars back in rebates. would upset the Pakistani or the Afghan govBut it still isn’t enough. Forget your family, ernments if it allowed our military to take him they need more. Let’s talk about King John’s out. Later, when asked about the search for claim that we need to lower taxes so businesses bin Laden, W. said that quite frankly, he didn’t will flock to Ohio. An April 21 article in The lose a lot of sleep worrying about capturing Blade said that two surveys found that Ohio bin Laden, and went so far as to dismantle the Don BURNARD had the third best tax rates on new business team tasked with capturing or killing him. investments, behind only Maine and Oregon, Well, a Democratic president that the GOP continually derided as weak on terror and a weak and the ninth best business tax system in the nation, and the Commander in Chief, managed to do in two years what all best in the Northeast quadrant. This hardly seems to be any the vaunted neocons couldn’t do in eight years. Well done, kind of rationalization for the draconian measures that the Kasich administration is peddling. The truth of the matter is Mr. President. Well done, Special Forces. If we are going to get our own country back on track, it all comes down to basic greed. The public and the public we need the President to pay attention to the economy and good be damned. This is what happens when we elect politithe attack on the middle class by the elite business interest cians who are in it for the money rather than the public good. billionaires that are trying to demonize even the concept of Think of the revenues this state, and most the other states government. Fortune magazine released the 2011 Fortune would have if we had the millions of unemployed working in 500 rankings May 5. It surveyed the growth and profits of decent paying jobs and paying taxes. Think of what our situation would be if these corporations and the elites paid their the top 500 American corporations. “All told, the Fortune 500 generated nearly $10.8 tril- fair share of taxes. Forget the slogans. Where are the jobs? ✯ lion in total revenues last year, up 10.5 percent. Total profits soared 81 percent. But guess who didn’t benefit much from Email columnist Don Burnard at letters@toledofreepress.com.

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OPINION

MAY 15, 2011 ■ WARD CONTINUED FROM A4 Engineering is now the only tenant in the building. “Our landlord was anxious to keep us so we were able to get a lower rate,” said Commissioner of Engineering Services Robin Whitney. “There is increasingly more space in One Government Center, have you done a feasibility study?” Councilwoman Lindsay Webb asked. Whitney said the city had but when it factored in the relocation costs and the secured parking that is offered there, since they lock down the garage at night, which protects the engineering vehicles and equipment, it felt remaining there was the best option. “What would happen if you signed a lease for less than five years?” Webb asked. “I’m not sure if our landlord would be willing to do that,” Whitney said. Deputy Mayor Tom Crothers said he undertook the majority of the negotiations and there were concerns about locating at One Government. “We have questions about the floor loading, we have a lot of plan cabinets that are very heavy, these plans cabinets are tremendously heavy,” he said. Transportation was previously located on the 17th floor of One Government Center. The Lucas County Engineer is also located at One Gov-

ernment Center. The weight of plan cabinets does not appear to have been a concern raised in the past. “The Eyde folks were just absolutely adamant” they would not consider less than a five-year lease, Crothers said. Councilman D. Michael Collins asked Crothers what the city pays per square footage at One Government. Crothers said he didn’t know, that he had been quoted at $13.01 for the space the state will be vacating. Collins questioned the accuracy of the quote and there will be at least one additional agenda review where this can be discussed. When it comes to Capital Commons, what’s said to have been a promise does not appear to be one that previous administrations recognized. The original goal of moving engineering services to One Lake Erie Center was to stabilize a Downtown building, which continues since Toledo is the only tenant. This should place Toledo in a stronger negotiating position. It was also supposed to create additional tenants, which has not been so successful. Council should look at the documentation from the past, but determine what’s best for Toledo today. ✯ Toledo Free Press Web Editor Lisa Renee Ward operates the political blog GlassCityJungle.com.

DON LEE

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COMMUNITY

A6 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

CITY OF TOLEDO

By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

The city’s new event consultant believes she can staunch the flow of taxpayer dollars into Downtown’s Erie Street Market. Kris Berger Long, who has worked in event planning for more than 20 years, follows a string of city-hired consultants and private sector managers who have leased the Downtown space from the city. “There’s never been a focus on the events side and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Long said. Although increasing events revenue will not solve the city’s financial issues with the facility, Long is confident she can help reduce losses by concentrating on booking profitable events in spaces that would otherwise sit empty. The University of Toledo alum, who owns a marketing and event planning company, spends between 20 and 25 hours per week booking events and promoting the Erie Street Market for the city. Long said Mayor Mike Bell — concerned the Downtown facility was “just existing, not flourishing” — approached her in the fall. “They wanted me to come in and give them my opinion of what could be done with this space,” said Long, who was paid a consulting services fee for September through December totaling $9,375, according to city pay records. “I said it’s a phenomenal space — it just needs a new identity and a new brand.” Bell reviewed Long’s recommendations and asked her to implement them in the first quarter of 2011. Long started by renaming the two event spaces: What was known as the Civic Center Promenade is now called The Fountain Room and the Civic Center Auditorium is now the Toledo Concert Hall. She then developed a website, printed brochures and started carrying a city cell phone to field booking inquiries to increase accessibility to the venue. “I don’t have a lot of information [about the past] other than if someone wanted to book an event here it was very hard to track down someone to place the booking,” Long said. ■ MARKET CONTINUES ON A7

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO AND COVER PHOTO BY LISA STANG

Long: Events can improve fortunes at Downtown’s Erie Street Market

MAY 15, 2011

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KRIS BERGER LONG HAS WORKED IN THE EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

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COMMUNITY

MAY 15, 2011 ■ MARKET CONTINUED FROM A6 The changes seem to be working, Long said. Since Thanksgiving, she has secured 69 events for 2011 and six for 2012. “I can’t imagine that we would ever lose money on an event because we’ve got our expenses paid before the doors open and then with each event we know there’s additional potential, whether it be the bar or other services we provide,” Long said. “My monthly fee is paid for well in excess just with bookings.” The new arrangement, which has paid Long $2,500 per month since January, was brought before City Council at its April 26 meeting and approved by a 10-2 vote at its May 3 meeting. Long also gets 10 percent of revenue from the bookings, not to exceed $35,000 per year. Council approved the arrangement for a one-year term along with a one-year extension, meaning Long will hold the position through 2012. The competitive bid process was waived and an emergency declared during the May 3 meeting. Long said the emergency status was pursued because members of Council had publicly stated the building was going to be mothballed, which prompted concerned phone calls from clients.

Venue value Building the venue value of the Erie Street Market is important if the city hopes to find a buyer in the future, Long said. “If someone were to come in and purchase it, at least in January they weren’t purchasing anything of extended value,” Long said. “Now we can show any potential purchaser, any potential leaseholder that we have a plan ... Should someone look to purchase and maintain the leases of Libbey and the antiques and the events side, that’s a much better product that would be out in the marketplace than what was six, eight months ago.” Councilmen D. Michael Collins and Tom Waniewski cast the dissenting votes, though both said they have no issue with Long personally or the quality of her work. Collins said Bell should have notified City Council sooner of the business relationship and terms and conditions of the contract. “My concern is that the city has engaged her as a consultant for Erie Street Market since January 2011 and they now come forward in May asking us to bless a business relationship that’s been ongoing for four months with no knowledge of Council and that has expended more than $10,000 dollars, which is outside the scope and ability of the administration to do,” Collins said. “This is just COLLINS a continuing saga of trying to hide reality and transparency as it relates to the Erie Street Market. This is a continuum of what Carty Finkbeiner did with the Erie Street Market. It’s the same pattern and I find it patently offensive.” Toledo’s city charter allows a mayor to make contract decisions up to $10,000 per purchase or contract before notifying City Council — an amount Long said had not been reached before bringing the matter before Council. Waiting also allowed time to prove the arrangement worked, Long said. “I don’t know why we would go to Council and say we’re going to do this, but we have nothing to prove,” Long said. “If I would have gone to the mayor and said, ‘Look, the phones aren’t ringing, we’ve got no interest,’ then he would

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have said ‘I don’t think we’re going to go to Council, we have no reason, I don’t think we’re going to do this.’ But the proof is really there. People are very excited.” Collins said the Erie Street Market has been a burden on taxpayers for years, with recent administrations trying unsuccessfully to make it sustainable. “Thus far, all attempts have met with failure and it is my position that the City of Toledo has no business engaging in the hospitality industry,” Collins said. “We’ve proven our incompetence time and time again.” Long, however, said the job was not done efficiently or to its full potential in the past. “My question to Mr. Collins would be, ‘What events were the focus in the past? Was this really only just a place for city meetings, departmental meetings, not-for-profit events?’” Long said. “I know from phone calls I’m getting people were allowed to have their events here at no charge. There were not a lot of cost checks and balances.” Waniewski also objects to the city being in the hall rental business. “There are plenty of businesses who rent halls for parties and weddings,” Waniewski wrote in an email. “I am philosophically opposed to the city subsidizing, with taxpayer money, a business that competes with the private sector.” Long countered that the venue expands job opportuniWANIEWSKI ties for local businesses, since all event needs are contracted out, including catering, bartenders and security. “From the position of being in business and competing with businesses, I respectfully disagree only to the point that we are providing income for a number of people ... so we’ve actually increased I think support to the community in a great way,” said Long, who also noted she has no qualms referring clients to another local business if their date is full or she knows another location would be more suitable to their needs. Waniewski also said money spent on the upkeep for Erie Street Market, including utility bills, could be better spent on basic services for all residents, not just those who frequent the market.

Libbey Glass pays $116,523 in rent According to numbers provided by the mayor’s office on May 12, the city’s 2010 operational expenses for the Market were $359,778, with $256,695 going to utilities. Libbey Glass paid $116,523 in rent in 2010. The city must honor a lease obligation with Libbey Glass that lasts through 2012. “The building is designed so you can’t just turn off the lights and heat in three-quarters of the building and still maintain services for Libbey,” Long said. “So if the building has an obligation to stay open, why wouldn’t we maximize all potential revenue we can?” Long said interest she’s witnessed in the Erie Street Market has demonstrated there is a demand and need the venue can fill. “We need a Downtown facility that is run right, provides great service, great hospitality and can make money,” Long said “That’s why The Blarney Bullpen was created, that’s why the Huntington Center was built, that’s why Fifth Third Field was built, that’s why Admiral’s Grille was opened at the former Navy Bistro. People need to have places to have events or we wouldn’t have 69 events booked.” For more information, visit www.esmtoledo.org. ✯

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Blade union talks stall Progress on labor negotiations between The Blade and its unions stalled May 9. Toledo Newspaper Guild Administrative Officer Lillian Covarrubias confirmed that The Blade intends to post a WARN Act notice, which could culminate in the outsourcing of the production of the paper. WARN is designed to protect workers by requiring employers to provide 60-day notices of either closings or “mass layoffs.” The Toledo Council of Newspaper Unions offered $7.2 million in concessions, but Blade negotiators demanded at least $8.8 million, Covarrubias said. The Blade has also insisted on a 15 percent wage reduction and for employees to pay 33 percent of insurance premium costs. In a letter to guild members on May 10, Covarrubias said, “The company is being unfair and not negotiating in good faith.” A message seeking comment was left for Blade President and General Manager Joseph Zerbey on May 11. In a May 12 Blade report, Zerbey was quoted as saying of Covarrubias’ comments, “What she said happened was taken out of context, her comments were inaccurate, and most of them were, quite frankly, patently false.” In 2006, The Blade locked out about 200 workers for nearly nine months. The National Labor Relations Board’s regional office in Cleveland ruled Dec. 22 of that year that the newspaper’s lockouts were illegal. ✯ — Zach Davis

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COMMUNITY

A8 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

EDUCATION

United Way and TPS to implement Hubs initiative By Jason Mack TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER jmack@toledofreepress.com

The United Way of Greater Toledo announced May 10 a communitybased initiative to offer resources to students, parents and residents. The Schools as Community Hubs is a partnership among United Way, Toledo Public Schools, Toledo Federation of Teachers (TFF) and the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel (TAAP). “The Schools as Community Hubs is going to be a very important feature of the Toledo Public Schools as we move forward,” said Jerome Pecko, TPS superintendent. “The local orPECKO ganizations we have met with before are very excited. We anticipate nothing but good coming of this. The concept of a community hub inside a school gives us the opportunity as educators to provide more assistance to the parents of the students that we work with every day. That is huge in terms of the opportunity we think our students will have as a result of that.” The program will be implemented this fall at the Leverette and Robinson buildings with each school having a lead nonprofit organization managing the community involvement. KITSON “The organizations will help deliver core program elements and provide leadership for staffing, program oversight and community outreach,” said Bill Kitson, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo. United Way will put out a Request for Proposals to the community in order to choose the lead organization for each school. “This is going to be led by the teachers, the administrators, the neighborhood, the parents and the kids,” Kitson said. “They’ll co-create the kind of hub they need in their neighborhood. Eventually, what you see at Leverette will be different than what you see at Robinson, because those neighborhoods are different. The programs and services they need

are going to be different.” The goal of the program is to turn schools into the center of their neighborhoods while helping students achieve the ultimate goal of graduation. The program will also lead to additional investing in Toledo communities by organizations such as the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), according to LISC Senior Executive Director Hugh Grefe. “The powerful strength of the idea of schools as hubs cannot be underestimated,” Grefe said. “It is incredibly important to have those schools be hubs of community life in every possible way. We’ll be able to feel confident we can bring even more resources to Toledo to invest in the areas around targeted schools. That makes us more excited.” United Way is also confident in investing and hopes to eventually expand the program beyond Leverette and Robinson. “We’re going to test this at Leverette and at Robinson, see how it works, get a community excited, demonstrate some success then hopefully roll it out to other communities as the success builds,” Kitson GREFE said. “There obviously is cost to this. This is a cost the community is bearing through the United Way. We’re more than willing to continue it as long as it actually works.” The program’s main concepts are inspired by the “Coalition for Community Schools,” which uses public schools as hubs to offer support and opportunity to families and communities. “Connection between our schools, their neighborhoods and our communities is absolutely essential for our students to succeed,” said Francine Lawrence, president of the TFT. “Those of us who work in school buildings and classrooms know that we cannot succeed alone. This is the beginning of a productive partnership that’s going to support our school staff and, most of all, help us support our students.” The hubs will offer members of the community opportunities such as adult education, increased parental involvement and after-school activities along with medical, dental and social services. “Schools and communities are intertwined as we prepare students to be successful during their school

years and to be successful citizens beyond that,” Lawrence said. “Schools as hubs will give our teachers more time and opportunity to teach. It will support our teachers in building trust and relationships with parents

and the community.” Research has shown an integrated focus like Schools as Community Hubs can lead to healthier communities and improved student learning. “It’s a great day when we have the

community stepping up in a real way that is going to help the schools do what is necessary for our students to not only have a great education but to also have a great life,” said Don Yates, president of the TAAP. ✯

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MAY 15, 2011

STORMING BACK

Blanks to participate in 5K race for Walters family Editor’s note: Toledo Free Press will follow the Blank family of Millbury for one year as they rebuild their lives after a June 5 tornado destroyed their Main Street home. By Brandi Barhite TOLEDO FREE PRESS ASSOCIATE EDITOR bbarhite@toledofreepress.com

It has been nearly a year since Robin Arquette lost her brother and most of his young family to the June 5 tornado, a tragedy so unthinkable that she still does BLANK not believe it. Despite the unfathomable grief, she is working to make sure people never forget Ryan Walters and his kindness, his devotion to education and his desire to help people. It is in that spirit the Walters Family 5K is planned for 8 a.m. June 4, beginning at the Millbury Fire Station, 1911 Ayers Road in Millbury. The race is expected to become annual. Robin’s brother, Ryan, his wife, Mary, and their son, Hayden, died as

the result of injuries suffered when the tornado tore through the house as they slept. Their daughter, Maddie, who survived, is expected to give the customary “ready, set, go” at the race. “I decided I needed to do something positive out of this negative. What two items go together? [Ryan] was getting into running and education is important to our family,” Robin said. One hundred percent of proceeds from race entries and activities will go to a scholarship fund for computer and technical studies FAMILY: students attending Owens. The youngest of four, Ryan graduated from Owens and worked at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio. “Every one of my siblings has a bachelor’s and my older brother has an MBA,” she said. “We wanted to benefit youth in the area, especially those who helped clean up from the tornado. My brother and sister-in-law always tried to do positive things. It is important to give back.” Ryan had almost completed his

bachelor’s degree in management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University when he died. Maddie accepted his diploma posthumously in November with Aunt Robin by her side.

Robin shared some excerpts that Ryan had written for a school project about education and helping others. “To embrace a lifelong learning and demonstrate to my children the

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■ BLANKS CONTINUED FROM A10 He also stated: “To look for the good in others and help them achieve their goals by listening to them and connecting their goals with people, projects or resources I may know.” The race for Ryan and his family is part of a weekend of remembrance of the tragedy. The Walters lived next door to Ed and Julie Blank; Ed is planning a block party for later that day with the help of the police and fire departments, the mayor of Millbury and others from Lake Township. Julie and her son, Casey, are participating in the race. Julie talks frequently to Amy Sigler, Mary’s sister and the aunt that 8-year-old Maddie lives with a few miles from her old home. “They were our nextdoor neighbors and they were good neighbors and good friends,” Julie said. “Running meant a lot to Ryan. Although I am not a runner, I will walk in his memory/honor.” Sharon Arquette of Toledo remembers getting that dreadful call from her stepson, Chris Arquette, who is married to Robin. “It was just sad, just very sad. I can only describe it as sad,” Sharon said, who is helping organize the race because Robin and Chris live in the Cleveland/Akron area. Sharon’s house became the headquarters for Robin and Chris, who stayed in town for two weeks combing through the wreckage and visiting Ryan in the hospital before he died a week later. Robin said it is hard to comprehend that this happened to her family. It seems like a fluke, an impossibility to be killed in a tornado. One thing she did in July is release Batman balloons for her nephew, Hayden, who would have been 5. He had requested she make him a Batman birthday cake before the tornado. Mark Beck, race director, said 35 people have registered so far. He expects 200 in total. Most people wait until BECK the day of the race before they sign up, but Sharon said this isn’t a time to wait for blue skies. It doesn’t matter if it rains, she wants people to participate, just like they do in Susan G. Komen. “This is for a good cause,” she said. Race entries are available at Second Sole in advance or on the day of the race at the registration table in Millbury at 6:30 a.m. Preregistration is $20 by May 28; $25 on day of race. Direct any questions to markpbeck@ yahoo.com. ✯

COMMUNITY

A12 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

THE PRACTICAL TRAVELER

Gated community Lakeside is a nearby gem Symphony performs seven concerts. Besides the “official” activities, I have some personal favorites. My afternoons are usually spent sitting in an Adirondack chair on the deck of the

pavilion, reading a page-turner but taking breaks to look out on the beautiful blue lake. This quaint community is also a great base for exploring the peninsula

and making excursions to Put-in-Bay or Kelleys Island. It is truly an ideal part of vacationland for summertime fun but can also be a nice day trip in the spring or fall. ✯

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am often amazed at how few people in the Toledo area are familiar with Lakeside between Catawba Island and Marblehead. It is what is known as a “Chautauqua.” Lakeside is a gated community with a gate fee from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day with the exception of the three weeks for the Ohio Methodist Conferences in early June. The daily gate fee this year is $18 for adults, $12.50 for youth 12-18, and children under 12 are free. It also costs $9 per day to bring your car in. This is certainly not inexpensive, but those who go there to make use of the many facilities and take part in the activities generally believe that it is a good value. The following areas nurture the mind: educational seminars (such as the Civil War, creation and evolution, financial planning, foreign policy), environmental seminars, youth music programs, symphony pre-concert talks, Heritage Society lectures, historic tours, health seminars, and Women’s Club speakers and book reviews. To nurture the body, Lakeside offers shuffleboard, swimming, sailing and boating, tennis, yoga, fitness classes for women, a supervised children’s playground, adult bicycle trips, and miniature golf (extra charge). There is a two-mile walking trail around the perimeter of Lakeside and Life Trail Outdoor Wellness Park featuring 10 exercise and stretching stations. Spiritual life involves Sunday worship, weekday morning chaplain’s hour and evening praise, God Squad for children 4-9, Middle Grade Ministries for ages 10-14 and teen ministries. Other programs are organized playground games, kids’ nature program, family picnics, puppet shows, youth music programs (Fun with Music, Ring and Sing), Where in the World (world geography and culture for kids) Rhein Center arts and crafts (extra charge) and historical tours. During the gated season, Lakeside features a program, included in the gate fee, every night except Sunday in the 3,000-seat Hoover Auditorium. From July 30 to Aug. 19, the Lakeside

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PHILANTHROPY

By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

Ten years ago, reeling from the sudden death of their 10-year-old daughter Claire, Brad and Julie Rubini of Maumee found inspiration in the most unlikely of places. On an airplane, browsing through a Time magazine stuffed into the seat pocket, Julie came across an article about First Lady Laura Bush and her involvement with the Texas Book Festival. “As I read through the story, tears came to my eyes. I handed it to my husband and said ‘I think I found the answer of how we can honor Claire,’” Julie said. “I felt like it was divine intervention and ever since then, throughout all of the challenges, throughout all of the wonderful opportunities, I just felt it was so right and I still feel that way.” The 10th annual Claire’s Day is set for 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 21 at the Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Road. More than 30 children’s authors and illustrators will be in attendance at the free family event, which draws thousands of visitors each year. Each child who comes will be entered into a drawing for a free, signed book. “There’s just such an awesome feeling surrounding Claire’s Day,” Julie

said. “I am often asked what Claire would think about the day. I think she would be so amazed how her friends, family and community are remembering her and honoring her.” Claire Lynsey Rubini died July 6, 2000, of an undiagnosed heart condition while at Camp Libbey. “There were a combination of factors that led to her death,” Julie said. “Very few know the realities of how she actually died, but it was very saddening and it was very angering and I could have buried myself in how she left us, but something in me made me want to remember all the joy outside of how she left us. I know she knows she was loved and I know she had a wonderful time while she was here with us, but I didn’t really get to say goodbye to her, so maybe that’s what drives all of this.” The family was compelled to work through their grief by remembering and celebrating Claire’s spirit and her love for reading and storytelling, Julie said. “I am amazed by those who are inspired by her story because really at the very core of that is a mom who just needed to do what she could to keep her head above the water and to raise her two other children and to remember her child that was gone,” Julie said. “I’m amazingly touched and honored and humbled by those who

Our s facilitieing are gon! gree

are touched by what we’ve done, but it was just a mechanism for me to heal.” Now, 10 years into their grief journey, the Rubinis feel ready to scale back their involvement in Claire’s Day. “It’s an entire letting-go process,” said Julie, who published a children’s book in 2009 and plans to devote more time to her writing. “I keep using the analogy of raising children. It’s like sending our daughter off to college. Sure, I miss her dearly, but I feel confident knowing she is confident and very capable. That’s how I feel about stepping away from Claire’s Day. I am so ready. It hasn’t been easy and there will be tears shed, but I just feel like I’m in a really great place and am so glad to be able to turn over what has grown into something so much bigger than us.” David Justus, a Maumee resident with more than 20 years nonprofit experience, was hired in January as Claire’s Day Inc.’s first executive director and first paid employee. “He is a very nice combination of a visionary who generates ideas as well as someone who follows through on those ideas,” Julie said. Justus said it’s been amazing to see the passion, coordination and effort put into Claire’s Day by everyone involved. “Brad and Julie are wonderful inspirations, I think not only to myself

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY LISA STANG

10th Claire’s Day will be its biggest celebration

■

JULIE AND BRAD RUBINI ARE MARKING THE 10H ANNIVERSARY OF CLAIRE’S DAY.

but to the community,” Justus said. “This is really their project to honor Claire and I’m honored to be a part of it.” The first year after she died, the family took comfort when objects in Claire’s favorite color — purple — kept presenting themselves in unusual circumstances. “We got to a point where we’d just giggle as a family and said, ‘Hey, Claire, thanks,’” Julie said. The inuagural Claire’s Day in 2002 was a resounding success. “It was everything and then some that I could have hoped for,” Julie said. “Still today, with what we’ve created, that very first year remains as the foundation for what Claire’s Day is.” Claire’s Day is held the third Saturday in May because of its proximity to Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Claire’s birthday. “I remember asking one of the committee members ‘How many [authors] should I invite?’ She said, ‘I don’t know, just keep inviting them,’ so I did and they kept all saying yes!” Julie said, laughing. Author Mary Kay Carson said Claire’s Day is special. “There are a lot of book festivals out there, but none other that I know of that was started out of such pure love of reading,” Carson wrote in an email. “Claire’s Day is like nothing else.” People started asking if Claire’s Day would become an annual event. “My response to that question was,

‘She was with us for 10 years, I could see doing this for 10 years,’ and it’s amazing how prophetic those words were,” Julie said. “Claire’s Day has done so much for us as a family than I ever could have imagined and now it’s time to let go.” Although she feels ready, moving on from her role with Claire’s Day is bittersweet in part because a new logo and website, designed by AIGA Toledo, were recently debuted, retiring the original logo featuring a little girl with angel wings. “That’s a huge thing. Talk about letting go — our angel is gone,” Julie said. “I really sense her spirit here and I think she keeps watches over us, but even now, 10 years, it’s still hard. The passage of time helps, but while we are all in many ways the same as when she was with us, we are in many ways very different. She only lived for 10 years, but she has had a tremendous impact on people who have never even met her and I feel honored by that. I feel a tremendous sense of pride to know that who she was as a young lady and as a reader has inspired children to want to read more. “It’s been an awesome and amazing 10 years and I feel very grateful that we have had such incredible support throughout the years and that it’s continuing into the future. It will be very exciting to see how the organization continues to move forward from here.” For more information, visit www. clairesday.org. ✯

HEALTH ZONE

A14 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

A group of Medical Mutual of Ohio employees who on an average workday would have been sitting at desks interacting with computers instead found themselves sitting on child-size chairs interacting with a classroom of excited children in North Toledo. Thanks to a recently launched company initiative, 50 Toledo employees are getting an extra paid day off this year to do volunteer work. Last month, seven of them spent the morning at Toledo Day Nursery, reading to preschoolers and helping repair worn classroom books. Another group kicked off the initiative with a painting project at Padua Center the week before. The 50 employees were chosen at random from more than 100 who expressed interest in participating, said Gary Thieman, senior vice president of the company’s Northwestern Ohio region. One of Thieman’s first goals when he joined Medical Mutual in August was to expand local efforts to demonstrate the company’s commitment to community investment. “The response from our folks was tremendous,” Thieman wrote in an email. “The feedback from both our employees and the organizations served has been unbelievable. I hope they will feel the satisfaction that comes with giving back to our community and maybe seek other opportunities to volunteer their time. In addition, I hope they will share their experiences with friends and relatives to encourage even more people to volunteer.” At least eight more volunteer

events, all coordinated through the United Way’s Day of Caring initiative, are planned through December. Other activities will include gardening, serving lunch and assisting teachers at summer programs. “This is a wonderful opportunity Medical Mutual is offering to its employees,” said Bill Kitson, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo, in a news release. “Gary Thieman and his team set an outstanding example of seeing the value in allowing employees to increase their impact beyond just writing a check.” Medical Mutual employee Amy Hughes, who volunteered at Toledo Day Nursery, said she jumped at the chance to participate. “I love kids and I love to read; I always have,” Hughes said. “My kids are now in their 20s, so I really miss kids and reading to kids. I just thought it was a great way to get involved with the community.” Cherhonda Gunn, another Medical Mutual employee, said she volunteered because it’s good to give back to the community. “When you take the time to get involved, you care more once you’re involved,” Gunn said. “You want to see it prosper and continue to grow.” Lead preschool teacher Heidi Dulaney said the kids were excited about the visitors. “They love having people in the room; they love showing off,” Dulaney said. “There’s lots of energy in the room. You can tell they’re getting everyone ramped up.” The classroom event was developed by Sara Mattson, early literacy program coordinator with the ToledoLucas County Public Library’s Read for Literacy program. Mattson facilitates a program called Creating Young

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TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY SARAH OTTNEY

Medical Mutual employees receive incentive to volunteer

■

MEDICAL MUTUAL OF OHIO EMPLOYEE AMY HUGHES READS TO A GROUP OF TOLEDO DAY NURSERY STUDENTS.

Readers, which pairs volunteers with elementary students for weekly oneon-one reading sessions. “Not everyone can volunteer once a week so this is an opportunity to get more people involved. It’s great to connect with other agencies in the community interested in making a difference,” Mattson said. “I think kids benefit from adults coming into the classroom to get them excited about books. The more times little

A PROVEN LEADER

“It is my hope that Medical Mutual of Ohio’s leadership will encourage even more companies in the Greater Toledo [area] to do so. During a time when it’s needed most, just think of the collective good we can do!” The program will be evaluated at the end of the year to see if the company will continue it. “Based on the feedback we’ve received so far, I am hopeful we will,” Thieman said. ✯

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kids hear that books are important and fun, the more that message will sink in hopefully.” Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. More than 500 employees work at its Toledo office. “There are many Toledo area companies who are extremely generous and committed to supporting community service organizations,” Thieman said.

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Selling your home: Listing/Staging/Pricing Market Trends, Current Statistics Appraisals and Value Assess Maintenance Needs, Importance of an Inspector

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HEALTH ZONE

MAY 15, 2011

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■ A15

By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com

With a career in nursing spanning more than 30 years, Gladeen Roberts has watched new mindsets and technological advancements transform the way patient care is provided. As president of Nursing Excellence at ProMedica, Roberts is charged with integrating nursing practices at all ProMedica facilities to ensure a uniform standard of care. She spearheads collaboration internally among facilities as well as externally with area nursing colleges. The position, created last year, is one of only a handful of similar jobs nationwide. “I always thought I just wanted to take care of people and I am still, but

diff erent kinds of people, not always people in beds,” Roberts said. One of the biggest evolutions for the nursing field has been technology, Roberts said. “In the past, processes took a little longer, but in some ways that was nice because you were hanging an IV or doing a tube feeding and you had to sit there and you talked to the patient at the bedside,” Roberts said. “Now everything’s automated so you go to the machine.” Telemonitors allow nurses to monitor daily blood pressure, weight, blood sugar and cholesterol levels without the patient leaving home. “It transmits over so we can call the patient and say ‘You forgot to weigh yourself today’ and when he does, we can see if it’s a critical value or not and we can call his doctor,” Roberts said.

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Adopting a more patient-centered focus has been another major shift, Roberts said. “In the ’70s, a lot of what we did was based on what physicians wanted. If they wanted daily weights done before they came in, we’d wake the patient at 5:30 in the morning,” Roberts said. “Now we’re about what’s best for that patient, not what’s best for the nurse or the doctor. That’s a different thought process than we’ve had in the past.” Patients are more complex today, said Judy Didion, dean of nursing at Lourdes College. “When I went to nursing school, patients were not as sick as they are today. Now there’s more technology to keep people alive longer and improve their quality of life,” Didion said. ■ NURSES CONTINUES ON A16

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GLADEEN ROBERTS HAS BEEN A NURSE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

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A16 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS ■ NURSES CONTINUED FROM A15 “The kind of patients we may have cared for in a hospital are now in skilled care or home care. Hospitals are for the very critically ill, so everything is more complex.” Today’s nurses specialize in areas like cardiology or orthopedics and their insight is valuable, Roberts said. “We’re relying a lot more on the nurse at the bedside to identify the problems and improve the care than we ever did in the past,” Roberts said. “They’re closest to the patient, they make the biggest diff erence, so let’s empower them.” Nurses are no longer found in just hospitals but in a variety of settings, such as hospice, insurance offices and physician’s offices. Th e face of nursing has also changed. There are more male nurses and more women in leadership roles than ever before, Roberts said. Because of delayed retirements, nurses are also more diverse in age, Didion said. It can be tricky to help a multigenerational staff appreciate each other’s strengths — experienced nurses tend to be more intuitive, while recent graduates are typically better with technology — while also managing their differing expectations, she said.

Navigators — like Lisa Helminski at Toledo Hospital — are nurses who work closely with patients to guide them through the system. Navigators can answer questions about procedures, medication and next steps, remind patients to set up appointments, advocate on their behalf and much more. “It’s a wonderful model. We’re looking at the whole picture as a puzzle and putting all the HELMINSKI pieces together,” Helminski said. “We work with bedside nurses, physicians and social workers right beside them. It’s a huge team approach. We’re very much an advocate for the patient and family. We have time to go in and talk to patients more than the bedside nurses do. I think it’s just an awesome program, I really do.” Not all patients are assigned navigators. Candidates include those with chronic diseases, those whose condition requires many specialists or those

without family. Helminski recalled a patient who had a chronic condition and was told his insurance would no longer cover his specialist, so the man quit going to the doctor, visiting emergency rooms instead. “When he came here I saw that was a problem for him and worked with his insurance case manager to find a physician that would take him and also set up home care for when he went home,” Helminski said. “He was very grateful and we ended up hugging at the end. That was someone who could have fallen through the cracks before because it took a lot of work to put it all together.” ProMedica has 30 care navigators in its hospital system, including outpatient facilities. Mercy’s five navigators work with breast issues in the women’s centers at St. Vincent, St. Anne and St. Charles as well as with cancer patients at St. Anne and St. Charles.

Future demand With the average age of Ohio nurses at 47, and 40 percent indi-

MAY 15, 2011

cating in surveys they plan to retire, demand for nurses will be greater than ever in the next 10 years, Roberts said. Nationally, a shortage of between 300,000 and 1 million nurses is predicted in the next decade — with even the low figure three times higher than any U.S. nursing shortage in the past 50 years, Roberts said. The nonprofi t Institute of Medicine, which conducts research and offers health care policy advice, is calling for greater percentages of nurses to hold bachelor’s and doctorate degrees by 2020. “Patients are becoming more diverse and you really have to have the education and critical thinking to be able to deliver the right care to the right patient at the right time,” Roberts said. However, although the profession has changed, the cornerstone of nursing has remained the same, Roberts said. “The essential reason we exist is to give the safest and best possible care to our patients and that has been true ever since I started working in nursing,” she said. ✯

Urban Active supports fitness program Urban Active is supporting the national eighth annual Get Active America! program by offering a free one-month membership to nonmembers throughout the month of May. The Get Active America! program is part of a continuous effort by the health club industry to improve the health of Americans. The goal of the program is to make exercise more accessible to millions of Americans and help them take the fi rst step toward a healthier lifestyle, according to the nonprofi t International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association. The most cost-eff ective and easiest way for people to get healthy is by exercising and integrating fitness into their daily lives, according to Coby DeVary, chief operating officer of Urban Active. Urban Active operates two locations in the Toledo area, on Conant Street in Maumee and North Holland-Sylvania Road in Sylvania. ✯ — Staff reports

Care navigators One way health systems, including ProMedica and Mercy, are addressing the increasing complexity of health care is by developing navigator programs.

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BUSINESS LINK

MAY 15, 2011

Visit www.toledofreepress.com m

■ A17

DEVELOPMENT

LISC loan helps NHS keep mortgages local By Zach Davis TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER zdavis@toledofreepress.com

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) announced May 12 that it will provide a $600,000 loan to the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Toledo to keep foreclosed mortgages in local hands. With the loan, NHS will purchase the mortgages of 63 homes scattered throughout the Toledo area for 50 cents on the dollar. “This is a brand-new concept,” LISC Senior Vice President for Lending Greg Maher said. “Toledo is on the cutting edge on this program. We haven’t seen it before and we like that. We like to see creative and innovative approaches to community development finance and this definitely presented that and much more.” The city’s mortgage problems began last year with the collapse of the secondary market, which allows for nonprofit lenders such as NHS to issue multiple loans simultaneously. Without the help of the secondary market, if NHS were to loan money to someone to buy a house, for example, they would need to receive all of that money back before having that same amount of money available to loan again. “[The secondary market] made bad investment decisions, they couldn’t make their payments and they loaned money out long but had to make payments and didn’t have the cash,” NHS Executive Director William Farnsel said. “It was a very important mechanism to leverage the loan capital we had in this community. That mechanism that allowed us to leverage the cash locally disappeared.” With the secondary market’s collapse, loans that were previously sold to the entity were being given back to the previous investors, who lost money in the process. To be released from the investment, the financiers began taking on the mortgages of 130 Toledo homes.

“We had about $200 million of mortgages sold to this entity representing about 130 customers,” Farnsel said. “When this collapse occurred, we kind of threw up our hands and said ‘What’s going to happen to our borrowers?’ I really didn’t have a solution. I was a disaster looking for someone to help.” Farnsel’s biggest concern was losing the mortgages to out-of-state entities that would not work personally with the customers and would be less sympathetic to arising problems such as the loss of jobs, injuries preventing one from working or any other financially straining situation as NHS would. “We had a lot of mortgages with this entity and our concern was the customers that we had this long relationship with would now soon be dealing with an investor in California, Texas or someplace else,” Farnsel said. “They would be losing that ability for local flexibility for somebody that might be in trouble.” Desperate to find some way to help, Farnsel had a unique idea. He began searching for a loan so that NHS could buy the mortgaged properties in order to keep the control in local possession. “We had a little money but we didn’t have anywhere near $2 million to buy these mortgages back dollarfor-dollar,” Farnsel said. “We needed to find somebody to loan us some money. We speculated that we needed about $1 million, so my cold call to all my friends at the banking community was ‘Hey, this is Bill. I need $1 million. Can I swing by this afternoon and pick it up?’” Farnsel met with multiple organizations but said that although they were all “intrigued” the state of federal regulations and the tight constraints put on lenders by the government made it too difficult to assist. He then began meeting with more uncommon candidates, including the state of Ohio, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and the Ohio Capital Corporation, but none were able to help.

TOLEDO FREE PRESS PHOTO BY LISA STANG

LISC and NHS officials will be the guests on WSPD’s “Eye on Toledo,” hosted by Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller at 6 p.m. May 16.

■

GREG MAHER, LISC NATIONAL SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR LENDING, WITH GEORGIA KING IN FRONT OF HER HOME.

Then Farnsel found LISC, a nonprofit organization with a local branch in Toledo. “I was crying to [Toledo LISC Senior Program Officer] Kathleen Kovacs and was saying that everyone will take me to lunch and no one will take me seriously,” Farnsel said. “She said ‘I will take you seriously.’” That lunch with Kovacs moved the idea up to Senior Executive Director Hugh Grefe, who was in favor of the unique proposal. “I said ‘This is a great idea, let’s see if we can convince a few of our friends in the home office’,” Grefe said. “We knew this would be a little bit atypical.” The decision went to New York, where LISC’s national office decided to provide the $600,000 loan to NHS, a move that may soon become much more common thanks to Farnsel. “I think it’s entirely possible that we could replicate this in other cities,” Maher said. “We do have our own

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capital constraints but subject to that if there are other opportunities that some of our other programs have with their local NHS’s then we are going to get the word out to our other 29 programs with a quick profile of what this loan looked like and the benefits it provided so that our local staff can think of if there are ways that we can make a loan in those locations.” This wasn’t LISC’s first time assisting Toledo. During the past 20 years, LISC has invested roughly $90 million into the community to effect the building and renovation of 1,500 homes. “We are a corporation that supports initiatives that are local,” Grefe said. “Our job and our mission is to try and empower organizations such as NHS to try and restore strength and vitality in communities and help markets become successful and sustainable to create communities of choice. Places where people want to live, not

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where they are forced to live. “We try to promote reinvestment to reverse disinvestment. Something like this that may not seem to be our typical work is an exact example of something that tries to stem the tide of disinvestment in communities.” Although Farnsel was able to negotiate the purchase of 63 mortgages, that still leaves more than 60 other properties which NHS was unable to obtain. As for their futures, Farnsel hopes to find a solution. “I’m happy for those that we could get control of but I’m disappointed and saddened that we can’t help the people on the other side,” Farnsel said. “Somewhere, someway there’s going to be a solution for the other 60, we just don’t have it in hand right now. “Sixty borrowers may not sound like a lot but it is a line in the sand. It’s what we have to do to preserve this city — one house at a time, one neighborhood at a time.” ✯

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BUSINESS LINK

A18 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

I SCREAM SOCIAL

Why do I need a social media policy?

old on there, cowboy (or cowgirl). You might have already leapt onto the social media horse. You might already have active social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. But do you have a social media policy in place? Social media can help create a buzz around your brand and help small businesses punch harder, but if used haphazardly or irresponsibly these same tools can damage your marketing efforts and your reputation. “I knew there was a catch. This social media is dangerous. That’s why we’ll avoid it.” You can’t avoid it forever and shouldn’t cede this valuable space. This is where your customers Kevin live and the place where they are asking questions. Your company’s social media policy protects you against potential risk when using social media. A social media policy gives your employees parameters and guidelines so they can be more effective voices for your brand. How big is your communications staff ? You might not be able to increase the number of that staff but you could amplify its power to equal the total number of your employees. By giving your employees a social media policy and guidelines — much like you do with HR and other company policies — you will be empowering them with the tools to answer questions.

There are more than 100 social media policies at Social Media Governance’s online collection. Use these ideas to build your own policy. Yes, Yahoo!, Microsoft and Apple are listed, but you’ll also find guidelines for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, the State of Delaware, the Maryland Association of CPAs, The Cleveland Clinic, Ball State University, The American Institute of Architects, The Walker Art Center and Walmart If employees are to be effective and successful you must declare acceptable online behaviors and your rules of engagement. Let everybody know what they can and cannot do and the consequences of breaking your social media guidelines. CESARZ Learn why “personal” and “private” are different ideas in social media. Remember that a social media status or conversation can be found through search engines like Google, Yahoo! and Bing. Even though you may have privacy settings where only your contacts can see what you write, that doesn’t stop your contacts from forwarding what you say to their audience. Consider personal conversation on social media networks to be public rather than private. Now that your social media policy is displayed on your website and social media pages, you’re saddled up and ready to engage. Take this common sense approach: ✯ Always identify your connec-

tion to the brand or company. ✯ Never engage in personal attacks. ✯ Have fun but be smart. A good social media policy will help you get the most out of your so-

cial networking efforts and solidify your reputation as a solid social media citizen. ✯ Kevin Cesarz is the Director of Social

Media and Web Project Manager at Thread Marketing Group in Maumee. He writes about social media and content strategy on his blog i scream social (klcesarz.wordpress.com).

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■ A19

Eggs and Economics to raise funds for ministry The Open Door Ministry in Toledo is presenting Eggs and Economics, a breakfast with a report on economic development in Toledo on May 17 at the Erie Street Market. Eggs and Economics is a fundraising event to help finance Open Door Ministry’s residential recovery programs for homeless men with alcohol, drug or substance abuse problems. “It’s a first-time event that we hope will become an annual fundraiser,” said Daniel Donovan, executive director of Open Door Ministry. The organization also hosts an annual golf outing scheduled for Sept. 16 at White Pines Golf Course in Swanton. Eggs and Economics will feature presentations by Mayor Mike Bell and Dean Monske, president and CEO of the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) in Toledo. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program starts at 8 a.m. with tickets at $50 per person or $400 per table. Donovan invites business and community leaders or anyone interested to enjoy a hearty breakfast while hearing the Bell administration’s economic plans for Toledo and RGP’s program for development in Northwest Ohio. The event is sponsored by local businesses including Directions Credit Union, Huntington Bank, Paramount Health Care and PNC Bank, with support from Hart Associates, Creative Oxygen and Sofo Foods. Donovan said Open Door does not receive any public funding and relies on grants from local foundations, and donations from churches, companies, organizations and individuals. Open Door Ministry operates four residential transition homes for up to 50 addicted homeless men. It currently houses 48 men in three homes on Cherry Street and one on 6th Street in East Toledo. Since it was founded in 1984, Open Door Ministry has helped more than 1,000 men overcome and recover from addictions to alcohol and drugs. To purchase tickets for the Eggs and Economics event, call 800-5172915. For more information about Open Door Ministry, visit www.opendoor-toledo.org. ✯

SPORTS

A20 â&#x2013; TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

BAUMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BREAKDOWN

Hammer nails success after surgery

o matter what the sport or age, player injuries are inevitable and, unfortunately, some come at a crucial point in an athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career. University of Toledo junior outfielder Ben Hammerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collegiate career started on a good note in the 2009 season. Just as things were coming together, Hammerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career was temporarily put on hiatus during his sophomore year after the lefty underwent Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2009. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never really had any other serious injuries that lasted more than maybe a couple weeks,â&#x20AC;? Hammer said in a phone interview with Toledo Free Press. Hammer was a three-sport star in high school, lettering four years in baseball and football and three years in basketball at ElmMike wood. In his freshman season at Toledo, Hammer made 26 starts in the 31 games he appeared in for the Rockets and hit .283 with 17 RBI and 18 runs scored, including a .333 batting average with 13 RBI and 13 runs scored in Mid-American Conference play. He followed that early collegiate success with a nice summer in 2009 as a member of the Winchester Royals in the Valley Baseball League, batting .281 with 17 RBI, 16 runs scored and a team-high four triples in 38 games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it was just like a wear and tear,â&#x20AC;? Hammer said about the injury. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a one-throw type thing like a lot of people do. I remember when I came back in the fall, one of the first long tosses [I did], thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when it really started hurting, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember a pop or anything like that.â&#x20AC;? After the surgery in the fall of 2009, Hammer was back on the field for summer league baseball in 2010, though he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start throwing again until he rejoined his Toledo teammates this past fall. While having Tommy John surgery at the beginning of his sophomore season was a disappointing setback, the nearly yearlong rehab process Hammer endured to get back on the field was eased through a strong support group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a really good physical therapist at UT,â&#x20AC;? Hammer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a very positive experience throughout, and also

I had a bunch of teammates that had the surgery, too, so they kind of helped me out throughout the whole process. You have to work hard at it, but you have so much support that it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too hard getting through it.â&#x20AC;? Also aiding in that process was Rockets head coach Cory Mee, who helped Hammer focus on the positive, telling him to trust in the hard work he put in during rehabilitation and his ability to come back and play again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of funny,â&#x20AC;? Mee said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had that conversation before practice one day, and that day in practice there was a man on second with two outs and Ben was playing centerfield. There was a base hit to center, and he comes up and he threw the guy out at home plate, and I think from that time forward he BAUMAN was fine.â&#x20AC;? Hammer has been more than fine. As of May 12, the Wayne, Ohio, native leads Toledo in batting average (.352) and on base percentage (.438), also ranking second on the team in slugging percentage (.436), hits (58) and RBI (25). In addition to his on-field success, last week Hammer was named to the Capital One Academic All-District IV University Division First Team. An exercise science major, Hammer has a cumulative GPA of 3.81. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very proud of Benny for the accomplishments heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had in the classroom,â&#x20AC;? Mee said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done an outstanding job, and I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be happier with his performance. It takes a certain level of discipline to be successful academically to make sure that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting your work done and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re studying, and I think it relates to success on the field.â&#x20AC;? And while Hammer battled through adversity with Tommy John surgery, as an exercise science major he also took it as a learning experience for his future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My goal is to go to med school when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m finished,â&#x20AC;? Hammer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This whole injury process has actually kind of solidified what I wanted to do. As an exercise science major, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely good in that regard because I kind of learned what actually happened to my arm.â&#x20AC;? â&#x153;Ż

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INDUSTRY

GM invests $204 million in Toledo plant By Zach Davis TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER zdavis@toledofreepress.com

General Motors Chairman Dan

Akerson announced May 10 in front of the Toledo Transmission Plant and its workers that GM will invest $204 million into the facility to produce a new eight-speed transmission.

“The last time I was here one thing was perfectly clear,” Akerson said. “I was told about 100 times ‘We need more jobs’ and ‘We need more investments.’ When we made

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the decision to build an eight-speed transmission, I had heard of the outstanding people in this room as well as the outstanding work ethic that is consistently demonstrated with the quality of the product that’s produced. It had to be Toledo. “Today’s development is not only good for the future of General Motors, it’s good for the future of Toledo and quite frankly it’s good for the United States of America.” GM wouldn’t reveal which vehicle the new transmission would be used in due to competitive reasons, but said the eight-cylinder transmission would improve performance as well as fuel economy. Akerson also said that the revenue brought in by the plant would combine to retain or bring in 240 jobs to the facility. “The only way to keep our customers coming back is to produce great cars,” Akerson said. “It starts with Powertrain. We need to have precise, smooth and fantastic transmissions made in Toledo.” “I wake up every day with a couple thoughts in my mind,” Gov. John Kasich said. “The health of our children and families and that’s all tied to one single thing — moving Heaven and Earth to create jobs so that our families can be stronger.” Since General Motors filed for bankruptcy in June of 2009, the company has begun its climb back. Akerson announced they have already invested $3.5 billion in facilities across the country to create nearly 9,000 jobs

and plan over the next few months to invest $2 billion for 4,000 more jobs. “This is not our last investment in America we will announce,” Akerson said. “We are committed to investing in manufacturing, the infrastructure in this country, manufacturing jobs and the United States of America.” “During the darkest times of General Motors when they faced a bankruptcy, the quality of this plant never dropped,” said United Auto Workers Vice President Joe Ashton, who represents the GM workforce. “That in itself talks about the people that work in this facility and what it means to them. This isn’t only a job, this is something that they are proud of. They go to work every day to make the best transmissions in the country — if not the world.” GM also announced that their sales were up 26 percent during the year’s first four months and that the company took market share last year for the first time in a generation. May 4, they announced a $131 million investment in Bowling Green, Ky., to build the next Chevrolet Corvette. GM hasn’t been the only one to see growth. Toledo Mayor Mike Bell announced a 6 percent growth in the city in its first three quarters. “The city that we have, we’ve had some issues but we are trying to turn this place around,” Bell said. “We are starting to turn it around and come into the direction we need to come in. These type of announcements really help to get where we need to go. We will get there together.” ✯

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MAY 15, 2011

Ex-GM CEO Robert Stempel dies at 77

Liberty NEW YORK (AP) — Former General Motors Co. CEO Robert Stempel, an engineer who led the development of the catalytic converter but was ousted in a boardroom coup, died May 7 in Florida. He was 77. During his three decades at the company Stempel helped develop many of the fuel-efficient and pollutioncontrol technolSTEMPEL ogies still in use today, including front-wheel-drive cars, the catalytic converter, and even battery powered cars. “He was an outstanding Powertrain engineer,” said Lloyd Reuss, who was GM president during Stempel’s tenure as chairman and CEO from

August 1990 to November 1992. But Stempel’s accomplishments as an engineer were overshadowed by his short tenure at the top of the company. He and his management team were forced out after GM’S North American operations lost billions of

by alternative energy innovator Stan Ovshinsky. Stempel, Ovshinsky said, never complained about how he was treated at GM. He was a visionary who saw the need for the U.S. to be independent of foreign oil, Ovshinsky said. ✯

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■ A23

Visit www.toledofreepress.com m

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ARTS LIFE

A24 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

IN CONCERT

TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER vkroll@toledofreepress.com

When it comes to music, Bruce Cockburn is the great equalizer. “You want a balance between lyrical and musical content,” he said. “Sometimes songs have really catchy, great music, but when you actually listen to the lyrics, they’re pathetic, and then that ruins the music for me. Not for everyone, a lot of people don’t care what the lyrics say, but if I don’t like the lyrics, I lose my taste for the song even if I happen to like the music.” That could be because the singersongwriter has a lot to say. On his 31st studio album, “Small Source of Comfort,” Cockburn muses about karma for a disgraced politician and pays tribute to fallen soldiers. On “Call Me Rose,” the 65-yearold sings, “My name was Richard Nixon only now I’m a girl/ You wouldn’t know it, but I used to be the king of the world/ Compared to last time I look like I’ve hit the skids/ Living in the project with my two little kids.” “I just woke up one morning and almost the whole song was in my head, and I thought, ‘Where on earth did this come from’?” Cockburn said during a phone interview from San Francisco. “Shortly before I wrote the song, there was a campaign mounted by someone presumably in the Bush administration or the Republican Party to bring back the image of Richard Nixon,” he continued. “It had all the earmarks of a failed PR campaign; when the budget ran out and it hadn’t been successful, that was it. So I feel that must have set me thinking of what I thought the redemption of Richard Nixon would look like.” While the guitarist includes five instrumentals on the new disc and offers a witty look at trying to connect with a friend on “Called Me Back,” Cockburn takes time to pay his respects. “‘Each One Lost’ came from this trip to Kandahar. It attempts to convey the feeling of being part of what is called the ramp ceremony, a term that doesn’t seem to have much currency in the United States but in Canada it’s a very familiar term because we see our dead soldiers coming back on TV, and anytime it happens there’s a news report and it shows the coffins of the dead being brought off the planes,” he said. “We happened to be at a place called Camp Mirage, which the Canadians run as a base in the Middle

East, that was a staging area for getting in and out of Afghanistan. That base closed actually a few months ago, but it was the main point of access to Afghanistan. So we’re there waiting to get on our flight, and a C-130 came in with the bodies of two Canadians who had been killed that day and were being shipped home. “There was a ceremony on the tarmac to honor them performed by all the personnel on the base. It was at night, they’re all assembled on the tarmac in formation, and there’s a tape of bagpipes playing because they don’t have any pipers there. It just was an incredibly poignant and moving experience.” Cockburn has moved a lot of people during his career. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame member is

known for “Lovers in a Dangerous Time,” “Wondering Where the Lions Are,” “A Dream Like Mine” and “If I Had a Rocket Launcher.” “Ultimately, I want [people] to love me,” he said and laughed. “There’s that, presumably, some inner compulsion that seeks that, but I think if people are touched by my songs, even if they don’t like them, then the song has been successful in some way. If they like them, that’s all the better.” The Canadian icon will play two sold-out shows May 19 and May 20 at The Ark in Ann Arbor. ✯

On the web visit www.brucecockburn.com kb and click on links for more.

■

BRUCE COCKBURN HAS RECORDED 31 STUDIO ALBUMS.

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■ A25

COMMUNITY

Annual AmeriCorps Week honors volunteers May 14-21 By Jason Mack TOLEDO FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER jmack@toledofreepress.com

The fifth-annual AmeriCorps Week runs from May 14-21 to honor AmeriCorps members and demonstrate the impact of the organization. For United Way AmeriCorps in Toledo, the celebration will include honoring members at the May 21 Mud Hens game after volunteering at the Cherry Street Mission. “AmeriCorps Week is an opportunity for recognition for the current members and to educate the public on what AmeriCorps is all about,” said Theresa Ginter, interim project manager at United Way of Greater Toledo. “It’s kind of a recruiting tool. It’s to let the community know AmeriCorps is out there.”

The Toledo branch of AmeriCorps began in 2004. It has 33 members assigned to 23 host sites between Wood, Lucas and Ottawa counties to provide service to residents and communities through focused programs, outreach, and personal development in citizenship. Volunteers receive benefits such as a stipend and an education grant. The organization has been described as the domestic Peace Corps. “I’d argue it’s just as important if not more important than the Peace Corp by making sure our communities are strong and stable,” said Bill Kitson, president and CEO of United Way. “We’ve had amazing AmeriCorps volunteers over the years doing great work in our community. We’re thrilled with the idea of focusing them on something as important as helping

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our kids graduate from school.” One of the main focuses of AmeriCorps in Toledo is to address the United Way Community Impact Plan. “Our agenda for change focuses on education, income and health to make sure kids graduate from our schools, families are financially stable and people have access to health care,” Kitson said. “We’re hoping the new AmeriCorps program will allow us to do dramatic work in education.” AmeriCorps is shifting to make its work more focused in the upcoming service year, and in Toledo it means putting an emphasis on education. “When it came time to pick one, we were really focused on education this year with being a part of the transformation plan with Toledo Public Schools,” Ginter said. The focus on education is reflected in many AmeriCorps volunteers such as Krystal Steuer and Charlotte Jones. “AmeriCorps members are doing great things in our community,” said Michelle Davis, executive director of United Way Community Outreach Services. “They are helping clothe and feed the needy, advocating for do-

mestic violence victims, coordinating community volunteers, mentoring students and much more.” Steuer joined the program in September. She previously attended The Ohio State University and will finish her degree this fall at the University of Toledo with a major in political science and public administration. “I got into AmeriCorps for direct hands-on experience and one-on-one contact with people we’re assisting,” Steuer said. “I just moved back to Toledo after being gone at college and moving around for eight years. I wanted to do AmeriCorps when I lived in Kansas, but there wasn’t anything close by. I was excited there were AmeriCorps host sites when I moved back to Toledo.” Steuer’s host site is United Way 2-1-1, which provides information for people in need of health and human service resources. Jones has a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from UT and plans to go back for her master’s. She joined AmeriCorps in August 2009. “It’s been a great opportunity to build my skills serving at my host site

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and meeting new people and building relationships,” Jones said. “My host site has helped steer me in the direction I want to go in my career.” Jones volunteers through the Greater Toledo Urban League, which provides economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guarantee of civil rights for African Americans and the disadvantaged. With members like Steuer and Jones eventually taking their careers to the next level, AmeriCorps is always looking for new volunteers. “We are looking for someone who wants to change the world,” Ginter said. “Our members come in very enthusiastic, wanting to make an impact, help someone and see change happen. It’s a life-changing experience for members. They get out of their comfort zone but learn a lot from that.” AmeriCorps faces financial uncertainty following the latest round of budget cuts from Congress, but Kitson said he is optimistic about the future of the program. For more information on volunteering, visit UnitedWayToledo.org/ AmeriCorps. ✯

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ARTS LIFE

A26 ■ TOLEDO FREE PRESS

MAY 15, 2011

Janiva Magness concert at Blues & Jazz Festival Award-winning blues and soul vocalist Janiva Magness will appear at the 2011 Blues & Jazz Festival at Centennial Terrace at 10 p.m. June 11. Magness will perform songs from her latest Alligator Records release, “The Devil Is An Angel Too.” The appearance will raise funds for the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. Magness was recently nominated for four 2011 Blues Music Awards: B.B. King Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year (“The Devil Is An Angel Too”); Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (“The Devil Is An Angel Too”). In 2009, she won the coveted Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and for Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007. For tickets, call (419) 242-5000 ext. 212 or visit the website www.toledofoodbank.org. ✯

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Every Friday in May from 4-7 p.m. at both locations MAUMEE Old-Style Burgers Hand-Cut French Fries Chocolate or Strawberry Shake

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

PERRYSBURG Old-Style Burgers Kettle Cooked Potato Chips Ice Cold Soda

Congrats! CLASS OF 2011

Memorial Day ON THE PATIO Special Event at our Maumee location Saturday, May 28th at 1:00 p.m.

A THREE COURSE CAFÉ-STYLE WINE LUNCH

The Patio opens with this casual, yet delicious Café fixed-price menu that recalls the outdoor dining of Western Europe, but with an American flair.

PLACE YOUR ORDERS TODAY FOR:

Graduation Cakes » Party Trays » Subs & Sandwiches Party Supplies » And Much, Much More Maumee 419-794-4000 » Perrysburg 419-872-6900

Each course served with matching wine » Seasonal Vegetables with Gastrique $ » Choice of either (Includes tax Duck Breast with Belgian Fries or & tip) Steaming Mussels and Belgian Fries » Strawberry Shortcake (Chef Bill’s Gourmet Edition) Contact Austin or Chef Bill for complete details or tickets. Limited to 30 people. Must buy tickets in advance.

www.waltchurchillsmarket.com (Visit our website for this weeks Walt’s Weekly Specials.)

26625 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg >gddgo mk gf loall]j 8 oYdl[`mj[`addk

419.872.6900 Hours: Mon-Sun 7 a.m.– 10 p.m.

3320 Briarﬁeld Blvd., Maumee

419.794.4000 Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun 8 a.m.–9 p.m.

Golf’s greatest champions, including Fred Couples and Greg Norman, will return to Toledo’s historic Inverness Club July 25 – 31. Purchase discounted Weekly Grounds and Weekly Upgrade tickets at any Toledo area Kroger store, or buy online at:

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Youth 17 and under get in free with a ticketed adult. To volunteer, call (419) 536-2011

TV LISTINGS

MAY 15, 2011 Sunday Morning 8 am ABC 13 CBS 11 FOX 36 NBC 24 PBS 30 A&E BRAVO COM DISN ESN FAM FOOD HGTV LIF MTV TBS TCM TNT USA WTO5

8:30

May 15, 2011

MOVIES

9 am