Toledo City Paper - May 2021

FREE • MAY 2021

CRAB BOIL ODYSSEY

Check out our crab crawl!

P19

TAKE A BOW

Toledo theatre returns!

P21

Numbers are rising.

What can be done? P8

CITYSIPS

Toledo’s coolest bars prepare to celebrate summer P10

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May 1 • May 31

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May 1-May 31, 2021 • Vol. 24 • Issue 05

Adams Street Publishing Co.

Marketplace changes UPDATES IN LOCAL BUSINESS

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream for the summer?

Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledocitypaper.com) Graeter’s Mint Chocolate Chip all year round!

Co-publisher/ Chief Financial Officer

Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledocitypaper.com) Moose tracks.

Editorial

Bringing New Hope to South Toledo

Nueva Esperanza first Latino Credit Union in Ohio, third in nation

Twisted Tales

Local author makes a splash with new collection of stories

Assignment Editor: Jeff McGinnis

(mcginnis@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

Vanilla. I’m a simple guy.

Contributing Writers: Nolan Cramer, Erin Holden, Ashley Hill, Julie Pompa, Sean Nestor, Lila Waterfield, Tanner Wertz and Johnny Hildo.

Advertising

Sales Coordinator & Distribution Shannon Meyer (smeyer@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

Cotton Candy flurry from Mr. Freeze!

Account Executives: Suzanne Bell (sbell@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Strawberry.

Bonnie Hunter (bhunter@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Lemon with Blueberries... thank you Toft’s Jenny Leach (jleach@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Toft’s Lake Erie Cookie Island Monster!

Art/Production

Production Manager: Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Butter pecan.

Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Any fruity sherbert or sorbet.

Digital Media Nate Light (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Zebra Stripes Ice Cream.

Digital Marketing & Social Media Margot Jacobs (margot@adamsstreetpublishing.com) Coffee.

Administration

Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@toledocitypaper.com) Vanilla dipped in chocolate.

MOST READ STORIES:

1. Toledo Food Truck Guide 2. Spring Wedding Guide 2021 3. A Weekend Warrior’s Brunch Bucket List

4. Beyond the Cake 5. Ode to the ZIP Code —

Sample beautiful local art and delicious drinks at Switchboard 419, a new bar opening downtown. Housed at 912 Monroe St., the former site of the Paula Brown Shop, Switchboard will feature live music and an art gallery. Search “Switchboard 419” on Facebook.

A lifelong love of Asian cuisine inspired area entrepreneur Kay Xiong to create Kay’s Table. Located at 6600 W Sylvania Ave., the new restaurant offers authentic Asian cuisine, made from fresh ingredients with a limited, rotating menu. kays-table.com Columbus-based Mexican restaurant chain Condado Tacos has landed at 5215 Monroe St. Known for floor-toceiling mural designs unique to every location, Condado offers a wide variety of taco and nacho varieties, as well as a full drink menu. condadotacos.com The delicious food and winning atmosphere of Hotbox Bistro has found a new home with the restaurant’s move to 1919 Monroe St. hotboxbistro.com Classic American food in a classic Toledo location is available at Hannon’s Block, 619 Monroe St. Housed in the former site of the Black Cloister Brewing Company, Hannon’s Block offers burgers, sandwiches, fries and more, accompanied

2021 Finalists

by plenty of delicious local brews on tap.

Hannonsblockrestaurant.com After a few delays, new eatery and coffee bar Rise ‘N Grind Cafe, featuring freshly brewed beverages and creative breakfast and lunch options, opened on May 1 at 3243 W. Sylvania Ave, across from Perfectly Pierced and Permanently Scarred. facebook.com/RiseNGrind419 Boutique yoga fitness chain YogaSix has opened a new location at 3330 Central Ave, Suite A4. The chain, with locations throughout the midwest, offers a variety of classes for students of all experience levels. For more information, visit yogasix. com/location/toledo.

Classic women’s clothing boutique Sophia Lustig is moving from its downtown Toledo location to a new home at 126 Louisiana Ave. in downtown Perrysburg in June.

Toledo dining favorite Grumpy’s Food and Drink will soon open a second location at 5629 Main St. in Sylvania. grumpys.net Are you so busy that you find it impossible to make healthy meals at home?

MealPreps4Me creates ready-to-eat meals for people who want to eat well but don’t have the time to put into cooking.

Mealpreps4me.com

Know of any changes in the area? Send them to editor@adamsstreetpublishing.com

5 Local Instagrams You Should Be Following!

FOLLOW US! Advertising/General Info: For advertising and general information, call 419/244-9859 or fax 419/244-9871. E-mail ads to adsin@toledocitypaper.com. Deadline for advertising copy 2 p.m. Friday before publication. Toledo City Paper subscriptions are available by mail for $28/quarterly or $75 per year at Toledo City Paper, 1120 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio 43604.

One copy free per person per week; extra copies $1 each. Persons taking copies for any reason other than personal use are subject to prosecution. Letters to the editor must be limited to 300 words, are subject to editing, and should include the writer’s full name and phone number. Any letter submitted to the editor or publisher may be printed at the publisher’s discretion in issues subsequent to its receipt. © 2021 by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

We’ve had our eye on some remarkable area social media creators!

@JupiterOakJewelry: Local mixed media jeweler takes bits of Ohio nature and makes them wearable.

@frogtownphotos: See the city through Frogtown Photos’ eyes with legendary shots of our downtown skyline at sunset.

@Avocado.and.Cheese: Custom charcuterie boards that look as good as they taste.

@mmmearsart: Colorful paintings of your favorite nostalgic items, still lifes & local gems!

Also publishers of:

Member

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Audited by

@imfromthemud: MudMade is a toledo-based clothing company making sweatshirts & tees representing the 419 and area icons!

May 1 • May 31

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May is National Responsible Pet Guardian Month

M

ay is National Responsible Pet Guardian Month, bringing attention to the responsibility involved in tending to the needs of animals under our care.

The term “guardian” encourages us to work for the pet’s benefit, be their advocate and not “own” them like a piece of property. Since the pandemic, there has been a substantial increase in acquiring dogs and are now in nearly 80 million households (AVMA). There are 100’s of ways to be a responsible dog guardian; the following list concentrates on keeping your dog and your community safe when out and about together:

Postel named UT’s 18th president

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Pre-Flight Check: Before you leave the house, make sure your dog’s collar, harness and leash fit snugly so she will not slip out of it. If going to a metro park, be sure your dog’s leash is no longer than 6 feet. Retractable leashes pose a danger when out in public spaces.

Interim no more. Gregory Postel was named the 18th President of the University of Toledo in March, after a vote by the UT Board of Trustees.

Postel had served as interim president since July, 2020 when Sharon Gaber departed. UT conducted a nationwide search for a new president, but by September suspended the search and extended Postel’s interim tenure.

Postel’s new contract as President runs through 2025.

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Keep your dog’s attention on YOU. Most dogs prefer social distance! If your dog starts to stare at another dog as you approach, bring his attention back to you. This can be done by using some yummy treats! If you are using shock (“E”) or correction based methods, you will be giving your dog a punishment in the presence of a dog and this can lead to later aggression.

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Know your dog’s body language! If she is not loose and wiggly in her body language, she does NOT want to say hi to another dog or person. This goes for you hoomans who want to approach every dog you see. A dog that approaches but is stiff or tight is curious but NOT comfortable.

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When approaching a dog, stand sideways, do not stare at the dog, do not bend over the dog and do NOT stick your hand in a dog’s face to “let him smell you”. This is a good way to get bitten by a dog who is shy. Use rule #4 above to decide if the dog wants to “say hi”.

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Please clean up after your dog!

Tina Ferner, CPDT-KA owns Canine Karma. All our trainers are nationally certified and use only force-free and fear-free training methods, building positive relationships to their world. Canine Karma is located at 6549 Angola Rd Holland, OH 419-290-8237 Canine Karma will have a fun outdoor educational and entertaining event to celebrate National Responsible Pet Guardian Month on Saturday May 22nd from 4-6 pm. We will discuss dog safety especially as it relates to kids and dogs. We will also have a pet food drive that will benefit the Toledo Area Humane Society.

e specialize in treating Fearful and Reactive Dogs with tried and true protocols for success. We train using only fear-free, force free and humane methods. We will never use harsh corrections or punishments such as shock/“E”, prong or choke collars.

Puppy Preschool and up to Therapy Dog Tricks Canine Fitness (PupKour)

May is National Pet Guardian Month WHEN: SATURDAY MAY 22 FROM 4:00- 6:00 PM WHERE: Canine Karma: 6549 Angola Rd WHAT: Keeping your dog and community

Nosework Bring cans or bags of pet food for our pet food drive and you will be entered in a drawing to win some special prizes. This is a hooman only event. We will have our working dogs present during the event.

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Home Rescue program to aid low-income homeowners

Site Selection Magazine announced that Toledo was tied for the rank of number one among American mid-sized cities in terms of dollar amount of new business investment. The magazine’s Top Metros rankings are based on the number of major capital investments in corporate end user facilities. Toledo tied with Savannah, GA for number one in the Tier 2 rankings (covering metro areas with populations between 200,000 and one million residents). Chicago ranked at the top of Tier 1 (cities with more than one million residents), while Sioux City, IA topped Tier 3 (cities with less than 200,000 residents).

Commencement exercises return to BG and UT

Students at the area’s two biggest universities will be able to walk across the stage to grab their diploma at an in-person commencement this month. Bowling Green State University holds commencement ceremonies from Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, in outdoor ceremonies at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.

The University of Toledo will hold multiple commencement ceremonies on May 8 at the Glass Bowl. Attendance for the UT events will be limited to 30% capacity, and all ceremonies will also be streamed online.

American Rescue Plan brings $188 million to Toledo

safe when out and about. Learn some basic Dog Body Language and teach children safe ways to approach dogs.

6549 Angola Rd Holland, OH 43528 419-290-8237 www.caninekarma.org | Find Us on Facebook

A new retail and living space will soon occupy the McManus-Troup building at 715 Jefferson Avenue. Completely renovated in a transformation into The Lofts on Jefferson, the project is spearheaded by Talon Renovations, the group which developed The Lofts on Adams at the corner of Adams and Erie. The project will see the interior of the building housing 18 luxury lofts with retail space on the ground floor. The $4 million project is expected to be completed in August.

Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Toledo are working together to assist low-income homeowners with a Home Rescue Rehabilitation program.

The collaboration will focus on homes with housing code violations— faulty electrical wiring, hazardous windows, crumbling foundations and more— by providing a forgivable deferred payment loan for repairs.

Eligible homeowners must have lived in the home for at least three years, and remain in residence for ten years after the renovations for the loan obligation to be forgivable. The program is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

W

TOLED O

McManus-Troup transformed into Lofts on Jefferson

Toledo ties for top of business investment rankings

With the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law on March 11, a total of $11.2 billion in aid is headed to Ohio— with $188 million earmarked for Toledo. The money will arrive in two installments, the first hitting the city this month, with the second installment coming in May 2022. All the funds must be spent by the end of 2024, and must be utilized to respond to the pandemic and the negative economic impact it has caused. City officials announced plans for the money, including investing in capital projects, pay for essential city employees, increased staff for police and fire departments, new housing construction and much more.

May 1 • May 31

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CITY POLITICS Leadership still at large Wide open field in City Politics

By Johnny Hildo It was a typical COVID-19 era meeting of Toledo City Council. A bit phony, a bit droney, a bland, virtual affair.

Until the interloper was discovered.

And all hell broke loose.

No means no, Gary

Gary Johnson in da house! The disgraced and federally indicted former council member showed up to the meeting in all his imperious glory. To the dismay and consternation of actual sitting council members, who refused to continue until Johnson, accused of a bribes-for-votes scheme, winked out of the meeting.

This seemed over the top, considering council meetings are public meetings, and Johnson’s public downfall returned him to John Q. Public status. This could have been a mere footnote in the sordid saga of the Fallen Four. Johnson could have become a sympathetic figure, simply trying to exercise a civic duty and being shut out.

Instead, in typical ignoramus fashion, Johnson doubled down. He released a woe-is-me “open letter” on social media, vowing to return to local politics after he is “acquitted.” Johnson also opined in the letter that he could run for re-election this year if he damn well felt like it, but would graciously spare the voters from giving him a deserved comeuppance at the polls. Okay, that’s not exactly what he said, but he should have.

But no. He babbled incoherently about not forcing voters to decide his guilt before hearing his “side of the story.” He’ll presumably leave it to a federal jury to establish his guilt. Noble move, G!

Rat race

Which brings up the coming spit storm of the election for At-Large members of Toledo City Council. Assuming Johnson makes good on his threat to stay out of the race, the remaining candidates will still serve as a stark reminder of the wretched refuse of local politics. Here’s our peerless analysis of the race.

Typically incumbents are hard to beat.

This year, though, some are in, and some are out. Rob Ludeman is, mercifully, precluded from running by term limits.

He’s out.

Katie Moline has proven a wise and tough champion of fiscal responsibility.

Nick Komives has been a champion of progressive issues, making both friends and enemies along the way. Both will win re-election easily.

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Cerssandra McPherson and Christine Todd Whitman were appointed by Judge Puff as temporary replacements for the suspended, indicted Johnson and Larry Sykes. Oh, wait. Christine Todd Whitman is the former governor of New Jersey. The council member is Dr. Tiffany Whitman Preston. Or Preston Whitman.

Or some such. Anyhoo. Both intend to run for their seats.

McPherson is new to elected office, but has been involved behind the scenes in politics for years. Whitman Preston Whitman, not so much. The former is well positioned to win, the latter faces an uphill battle.

Wild card

The final incumbent, Dr. Cecelia Adams, has not yet declared her intent to run for re-election, and remains this year’s wild card. Dr. Adams was burned

by Wade promising to support the creation of a new Department of Parks, Recreation, Youth Services, and Educational Engagement. This would be the culmination of Dr. Adams’ professional career in support of youth issues, and she pushed hard for the development.

Except Wade pulled out the rug and vetoed the legislation after Dr. Adams introduced it.

Wade said he supported the move in concept, but needed more time to work out the details. It seemed council had the votes to override the veto and create the new department anyway. Then the city law department opined that council could send the legislation back to committee until Wade was ready.

Which they did.

Except they didn’t, because the legislation had already been passed and thus was no longer before council. The only action they had before them was a vote on overriding the veto. Which they didn’t take.

Effectively, that means the legislation is dead. Leaving Dr. Adams frustrated and disillusioned.

So here’s the current scorecard. One incumbent term limited. Two incumbents pretty safe for re-election. One semi-incumbent well positioned, another who has work to do to gain name recognition and support. And one incumbent who might not run, but might.

That leaves a wide open race, and opportunities for ambitious wannabes to jump into the race. We’ll break down the likeliest scenarios next column. Stay tuned.

May 1 • May 31

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CITY SIDE

Toledo Police began utilizing body cameras in 2015, and with the help of federal grants, were able to supply one to each officer on patrol duty by October 2017.

Extra eyes

Police body camera usage rises in Toledo and around the country

By Sean Nestor A number of reforms have been proposed to help heal the growing divide between citizens and police. One that enjoys near universal support is the outfitting of officers with wearable body cameras. By recording video and audio of interactions between police and citizens, these body cameras enable transparency and facilitate trust between the public and law enforcement.

The benefits are so notable that many police departments are outfitting their force with them. However, as the use of body cameras becomes more widespread, questions remain about policies surrounding how— and when— they are used.

A Brief History of Body Cameras

In 2014, President Barack Obama made body cameras for law enforcement a key response to growing calls for police accountability amid the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement.

While warning that body cameras were “no panacea,” the Obama administration nonetheless implemented measures providing over $23 million in federal funding for body cameras to law enforcement agencies across the country.

Toledo Police began utilizing body cameras in 2015, and with the help of federal grants, were able to supply one to each officer on patrol duty by October 2017. Toledo Police Chief George Kral stated that outfitting each officer with a body camera, while interacting with the public, is a policy priority.

Last June, a flurry of police reforms were introduced by Toledo City Council following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Among them was an ordinance (O-229-20) that required Toledo Police officers to wear activated body cameras during all interactions with citizens.

The ordinance was tabled following Mayor Kapszukiewicz’s creation of the Community Police Relations and Reform Committee, a 35-member body charged with considering and recommending a list of policies to the Mayor.

The committee has yet to submit those recommendations.

The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 was passed in February by the United States House of Representatives which would, among other things, require state and local law enforcement officers to wear body cameras. A vote on the bill is pending in the United States Senate.

Perspectives

Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association President Michael Haynes spoke in favor of body cameras, stating that

Spring into a Fresh Look!

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they help skeptics put more trust in the police department. He cited the police shooting of Kwamaine O’Neal at the Weiler Homes in January and of Lamar Richardson on Lagrange St. in July 2018 as prominent examples of how body camera footage allowed the public to see what officers saw, alleviating tension and quelling potential unrest.

Many in the community support the use of body cameras for police as well. “If there are cameras monitoring activities in the police station then there should be no problem with them wearing a camera outside of the station,” reasoned Toledo resident Winona Robinson.

Still, some citizens harbor a more critical view. “Body cameras are themselves a good thing, but the devil’s in the details, especially when it comes to

access to the footage,” said Julian Mack of the Community Solidarity Response Network (CSRN). “The issue becomes who has access to that footage and when, as well as making sure that officers have them on and don’t turn them off.”

“A Good Start”

Can camera footage be released quickly and publicly without sacrificing personal privacy? Can police budgets adapt to growing camera image recorded storage and technical support costs? How much policy will be set at the national level, and how much will be set locally?

Despite their popularity, it’s clear that many questions still remain with the way body cameras are used – and how they will be used in the future.

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May 1 • May 31

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YOUR NEW FAVORITE HANGOVER CURE COMING SOON TO PERRYSBURG’S ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

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May 1 • May 31

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Photo courtesy: Rosa Del.

Gun Violence in Toledo

Numbers are rising amidst pressure to find a solution

by Jeff McGinnis

R

osa Del’s youngest son is three. Even though it’s been months since that terrible night in December, Rosa doesn’t think her boy understands yet that his daddy isn’t coming home.

“Loud music passes by the house and he runs to the window. He thinks it’s his dad. And he starts saying, ‘Dad! Dad!’ And he gives up when he sees it’s not him, or it’s not his truck. He hears me talk on the phone and he hears a deep voice, and he thinks it’s his dad. It’s sad seeing that and it happens every day. He doesn’t understand his dad is gone.”

Rosa’s fiancee, Everardo Cheno, was called “Gordo” by most everyone. The two met in high school. Rosa describes Gordo as a sweet, funny man who went out of his way to make others laugh and feel comfortable. He was a hard worker and a better father. He always wanted to be at home, to be there for his family.

“He was a good dad and a good partner, always supporting me in everything I did,” Rosa said. “(He) always wanted to cater to me. He just wanted to be the dad that worked and provided for his family, and gave them everything.” Gordo was almost always at home, according to Rosa. If he wasn’t working, he was there for her and his kids. He got along with almost everyone. Which makes what happened last December all the more mystifying and tragic.

Rosa Del (left) with Cheno (second from right) and their family.

This is not a specific issue just here in Toledo, but nationwide.”

December 10, 2020

Gordo was in the living room of their home on the 1100 block of Colton St., playing a video game. There was a knock at the door. Gordo asked Rosa if she knew anyone who was coming over. “No, I don’t think anybody is coming,” she replied.

“I was in my room, in my makeup room, so I could see towards the living room, but not the door,” Rosa said.

“Gordo went to go answer the door, and I heard two loud bangs, like pops. And I just froze, but my heart dropped.

I ran over to the door. My son was sleeping in the living room, and he got up and he tried to run toward his dad.

And I didn’t know if that person was still at the door, so I grabbed my son and placed him out of the way, but he wouldn’t stop trying to run over to him. So I just grabbed my son and put him in my makeup room and locked the gate. And then I ran to Gordo, and he was on the floor.”

The shooter, whoever he or she was, was gone. Rosa called 9-1-1 immediately. By the time the ambulance arrived, it was too late. Everardo Cheno was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 29 years old.

Staggering increases

Gordo’s death came toward the end of one of the bloodiest years for gun violence in Toledo history. In 2020, 61 deaths were classified as homicides, 53 of them as a result of a gunshot. By contrast, 2019 saw 38 homicides within the city limits, 28 by gunshot. The 2020 numbers are the highest the Toledo has seen in 40 years.

“You can see that same increase (in gunshot related deaths) across the country,” said Sergeant Paul Davis

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-Sgt. Paul Davis

of the Toledo Police Department. “This is not a specific issue just here in Toledo, but nationwide; violent crimes and homicides have been on the increase.”

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that in 2019, there were 39,707 gun deaths in America, 36% of which — approximately 14,000— were homicides. According to the website the Gun Violence Archive, that number rose to 43,538 gun deaths in 2020, over 19,000 of which were homicides.

These numbers are all early findings, stressed Lisa Geller, State Affairs Manager for the national organization the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. “While we do have some preliminary numbers, and there has been some media reporting on gun deaths in 2020, we won’t have ‘official reporting’ from the CDC until the end of this year, or potentially early January 2022. So there’s a significant lag in the data, which makes it harder in real time to address this problem.”

But even taking 2020 out of the equation (until the CDC numbers are confirmed and made ‘official’), the steady rise of homicides attributed to guns in America is plain to see. 2017 saw 39,773 gun deaths across the country, and in the years following the number has hovered around 40,000 annually. In 2010 there were 31,672 gun deaths. These raw numbers don’t take into account population growth, but even adjusted, the number of deaths per capita attributable to firearms has increased dramatically in the past decade.

May 1 • May 31

The Mayor’s Initiative

The statistical increase in our area spurred Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz to declare gun violence a public health crisis in February. The announcement was accompanied by the launch of a new program: The Mayor’s Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence. JoJuan Armour, a Toledo native and former professional football player, has been hired by the administration to coordinate the program.

“If I feel as effective as I think I am, why not contribute to help provide some solutions to the city I come from? To the families and friends in the community that they live in, where I grew up? So this was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” Armour said.

Armour has participated in a variety of coordination and prevention programs for the past eight years.

The rise in gun violence has touched his life, too. Last year, Jahneil Douglas, a UT football player who Armour coached in high school and in college, was shot and killed after a fight outside a pizza shop on Monroe Street. Douglas was only 22.

“I don’t think there is one particular answer, I think it is the partnership and having the ability to work crosscollaboratively to address it,” Armour said. “It’s legislation that needs to be passed. It is identifying what are the prevalent issues in the community, (like) economic deprivation. The issue is so broad.”

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Objections and first steps

More guns equals more violence

Lisa Geller, with a Masters Degree in health policy, has worked for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence since 2015. She argues that fighting crime at street level is treating the symptoms of the disease, rather than the root cause.

“The overarching issue is, there are a lot of guns in this country. And we know that gun sales were at record highs last year during the pandemic, people were panic buying guns. And including in the mix more guns is going to result in more gun violence, that’s just a fact,” she said.

Stand up, speak out

Photo courtesy: Ignazio Messina.

Choosing Armour to lead the Mayor’s initiative did not come without controversy. In 2011, Armour was convicted of disorderly conduct during a DWI arrest, during which he allegedly told a TPD officer he would shoot him in the chest. A statement issued by the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association explained why the TPPA objected to the hiring of Armour.

“Although this is an outstanding story of personal perseverance and showing no ill will towards him as a person, Mr. Armour’s past is still troubling. It’s not only troubling but is a direct slap in the face considering some of the officers involved in the crimes are still with the department,” wrote Michael Haynes, president of the TPPA. Armour declined to respond to those objections. “I don’t feel any kind of way regarding it. There’s too much work to do, and I don’t really focus on the negative. All I can do is focus on the positive, and collaborating, and making sure that those that are willing to participate and work and address gun violence in Toledo are given all the assistance that they need.”

The Mayor’s Initiative is currently in an assessment period, gathering data to inform strategies going forward. TPD has assigned Armour a liaison, Captain Joe Heffernan, and Armour is also meeting with the chiefs of Crime Intelligence Units.

Sergeant Davis noted that TPD already works to be proactive in deterring gun homicides through their Gun Crime Intelligence Task Force, launched in 2019.

The unit utilizes analytics to know where to best deploy police resources in the most efficient manner. “We’ll use those analytics … so the street crews, the gang unit and other units, know that these are the areas over the last few days or few weeks that are hot spots for crime. We need to focus our attention where so we can be more efficient and employ our resources most wisely. We use that data to assist us to be proactive,” Davis explained.

JoJuan Armour, coordinator of the Mayor’s Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence.

“We’ve had a lot of states that have decreased their rates (of gun related incidents), so we can hopefully attribute that to policy change at the state level.

Some states that have enacted a lot of gun violence prevention policies over the years have seen decreases in their rates of gun violence. And conversely, states that have done nothing have continued to see these rates skyrocket.”

Ohio policies have not trended toward prevention.

In January, Gov. Mike DeWine signed a “Stand Your Ground” law into effect. He’d threatened to veto the bill it was attached to unless Ohio lawmakers also passed gun control proposals he’d recommended, but in the end DeWine backed down. Stand Your Ground laws have been linked to a rise of up to 11% in homicide rates, according to studies cited by the Rand Corporation, a policy think tank.

Gun control policies, like universal background checks or extreme risk protection orders, have widespread bipartisan support— around 90% in some surveys— but always seem to run into difficulties at the legislative level, Geller said. “These policies are supported by the people, but because the gun lobby is so powerful— although, I will say, less powerful than they used to be— they are still influencing these lawmakers.”

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Geller argued that the most effective way for Toledoans— really all citizens around the country— to fight back against the rising tide of gun violence is to use your voice.

“One of the best ways to be influential is to be informed, to be aware of the facts. And we try to provide anyone who visits our website with all the facts that they need about gun violence in general, about policies,” she said.

“Know the facts behind the policies you’re advocating for. And don’t stop calling your legislators and telling them what this issue means to you. Why you believe in universal background checks or extreme risk protection orders, or banning high capacity magazines.”

JoJuan Armour agreed that the participation of the community is critical to inspiring progress. “Even before I grew up, there was always a saying: ‘It takes a community.’ And nothing’s changed. We still need a community.

We still need individuals to participate in the redirection of these kids and our young people. So the biggest thing a citizen that wants to help can do is volunteer, participate and be active.”

Sergeant Davis said the general public is also one of the most important resources available to police on the ground. “Obviously, we can’t be everywhere, all the time, every minute of the day,” he said. “We need help from the community to let us know immediately when crime is happening so we can get crews dispatched to that area and hopefully find the person that’s committing the crimes or at least get good leads and evidence to help us follow up and investigate those leads thoroughly. And (we need the public to) just have trust in us to do that, and trust us that we’re doing the best that we can, and that we’re out there to help them.”

Still waiting

Rosa Del still has hope that the police will be able to give her, and her family, closure regarding what happened to her Gordo last December. But, after months with no arrest in the case, her trust is wearing thin.

“I don’t want to think that maybe it won’t be solved. I’m scared it won’t be. But I don’t want to give up hope. I want to hope that the police are really going to put their all into it, and not just judge him by how he (Gordo) looks, because he has tattoos everywhere and think, ‘Oh, he’s just another guy from the street, this is probably just another homicide, another street thing.’ It’s not. Because that’s not what he was. Yeah, he could have done stuff when he was younger, but now he was a whole different, complete family man.”

If you have any information on the murder of Everardo Cheno, call Crimestoppers at 419-255-1111.

53 homIcides via shooting

28 homIcides via shooting

38 homicides total

41 homicides total

34 homIcides via shooting

29 homIcides via shooting

39 homicides total

May 1 • May 31

61 homicides total

CITY OF TOLEDO GUN VIOLENCE

BY YEAR Source: Toledo Blade Homicide Report

9

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CITYSIPS

Toledo’s coolest bars prepare to celebrate summer

Black Pearl

As Kool and the Gang observed... celebrate, good times, come on! Yep, as the light at the end of the COVID tunnel gets brighter and brighter, plenty of Toledo area residents will be looking for a chance to toast to happier days ahead and enjoy a few delicious cocktails from some of Toledo’s best bars. We gathered Northwest Ohio’s greatest drink slingers and asked them about their drinks of choice!

Read entire interviews online at toledocitypaper.com

Brad Holler, General Manager

4630 Heatherdowns 419-380-1616 4-9pm, Wednesday and Thursday. 3:30-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday. Noon-9pm, Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday (will open for parties). blackpearltoledo.com What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? Tito’s and Cranberry. Just add Tito’s Handmade Vodka and cranberry juice to a glass over ice. Simple and delicious.

Are there any new cocktail trends that readers should keep an eye out for? Wood-flavored bourbons.

Do you have any happy hour specials? We offer happy hour Wednesday through Sunday at Tar Top and Patio until 6:30.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? Our cocktails are affordable but with a generous pour.

You get your money’s worth at the Pearl.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know? Thank you to all our customers, we really appreciate all your support. Our Drink of the Month is a Cleveland Thumper— we made it up watching the Browns in the playoffs.

Carlos Mendez, Owner 27072 Carronade Drive, Suite F Perrysburg OH 419-872-0200 Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-9pm, Closed Monday cocinadecarlos.com

Mancy’s Steakhouse

Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

Yes, very high expectations.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? Smokey pineapple Margarita.

Deborah Walker Bar Manager

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

Mezcal (Smoky Maguey distillate).

953 Phillips Ave. 419-476-4154 11am-2pm & 4:30-9pm, Monday - Friday; 4-9pm, Saturday mancys.com Are you optimistic about your business this summer? Yes, because we are excited everyday to see Mancy regulars and new faces.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? The Lemon Drop Martini.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

Cointreau, it’s my favorite secret ingredient.

10

Cocina de Carlos

Are there any new cocktail trends that readers should keep an eye out for? Yes, the cocktail industry is always changing, right now a very strong trend is the creation of multiple “local” distilleries, with a great variety of high quality spirits.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? Consistency, I’ve tended bar here at Mancy’s for 23 years!

What are five absolutely necessary items for the home bartender?

Martini shaker, muddler, fresh fruit, Cointreau and aspirin.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? We focus on our Latino and Mexican roots, and also, we support local distilleries and micro breweries. For this reason our menu is full of Tequila-base drinks (12-16 Margaritas), and we also offer a long list of local crafted beers.

What’s your favorite summer drink recipe? Cantarito (in the USA it’s best known as Paloma).

May 1 • May 31

Cantarito or Paloma In a tall glass 1. Start with a pinch of sea salt in the bottom 2. Add Ice (Half Glass) 3. 1/2 oz fresh lime juice 4. 1-2 oz fresh orange juice 5. 1 oz fresh grape juice 6. 2 oz of silver tequila (100% agave, I like suavecito) 7. Fill with squirt or grapefruit jarritos Stir and Enjoy Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails? We have specials available all day. We also have a rotation of margaritas depending on the season of the year. Also, in support of our great relation with “Toledo Spirits,” we offer cocktails inspired by their spirits.

What are five absolutely necessary items for the home bartender?

My bar is simple: tequila, limes, Squirt (grapefruit soda), oranges and salt.

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!” What do you serve me? Blue Caribbean Coconut Margarita.

www.toledocitypaper.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Urban Pine Winery

OUR S A T I R A G R MA K! ROd Cwith 100%

Jennifer McAlear, Owner and Winemaker 3415 Briarfield Blvd, Maumee, OH 43537 419-773-4088 Closed Mondays, Noon-9pm Tuesday-Thursday, Noon-10pm Friday and Saturday, 11am-3pm Sundays.

UrbanPineWinery.com

Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

We are excited to open our doors this spring and serve Toledo this summer.

We will have a new fresh menu that pairs with all of our wines handcrafted onsite.

Our most exciting wine for the summer are our sangrias. We hope people will come enjoy a glass or two of sangria on our large patio this summer!

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? I have sangria on tap at home and it is delicious.

Are there any new cocktail trends that readers should keep an eye out for? At Urban Pine Winery we will be introducing wine cocktails so come and check us out!

Perrysburg “THE TRUE TASTE OF MEXICO”

Create Tequila!

Agave

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? All of our wines are made onsite from the finest grapes from all over the world.

NOW OPEN FOR DINE-IN & CARRY OUT!

Do you have any featured summer cocktails? Our sangrias and our new wine cocktails.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know? We will also have a large private party space where you can have any kind of a gathering or celebration. You can also design your own custom label and have it on any of our wine bottles for a gift or any type of gathering. We will also have small plates available on our menu that will pair well with all of our wines. Come try our food and wine experience.

ASK ABOUT OUR ONLINE ORDERING & TOUCH-LESS CURBSIDE DELIVERY

12 LOCALLY CRAFTED BEERS NOW ON TAP MARGARITAS TO GO »

USE PROMO CODE “CARLITOS” AND GET 10% OFF YOUR FOOD ORDER! ONLINE ORDERS ONLY

/CocinadeCarlos

carlosrestaurants.com

Bar 145

Brandon Saba, Owner 5305 Monroe Street 419-266-0478 Kitchen: 4-10pm, Monday-Thursday; 11:30am-10pm, Friday-Sunday. Bar: 4pm-midnight; Sunday-Thursday; 11:30am-1am; Friday & Saturday. bar-145.com Are you optimistic about your business this summer? 100%. Everyday is a step forward.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? The classic Manhattan. You can’t beat a classic bourbon cocktail. It’s the cornerstone of American spirits.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail? Elderflower is always a great addition.

Are there any new cocktail trends that readers should keep an eye out for? I hope it’s anything besides seltzers regardless of cocktails or liquors.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? They’re all created by the staff & the team members here in house.

What’s your favorite summer drink recipe? Jalapeño Cucumber refresher!

Come by 145 to try it.

Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails?

We have an entire happy hour/cocktail menu inspired by the summer!

www.toledocitypaper.com

KAMEY RICHARDS - BARTENDER

Join Us For Mother’s Day

What are five absolutely necessary items for the home bartender?

A good bourbon, bitters, fresh lime, orange, lemon, soda water, a good ice cube (ball or square cube mold) olive juice.

MAY 9 11:30AM UNTIL 8:00PM

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!” What do you serve me? That’s a good one! We have so many well rounded bartenders & everyone has their own specialty!

4630 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo blackpearltoledo.com

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know? All we want to do is provide every individual with the equal amount of love through food, drink, experience & service every time!

RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED

419-380-1616

CATERING AVAILABLE

The Black Pearl is experienced and licensed to offer catering services for any venue or scale.

Cont’d on P. 12 May 1 • May 31

11

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cont’d from P. 11

Hamburger Mary’s

Hannon’s Block Restaurant

Bailey West, bar manager

26 Main St. 419-205-9393 4-9pm, Tuesday-Thursday; Noon-11pm, Friday and Saturday; Noon-9pm, Sunday.

Closed Mondays hamburgermarys.com/toledo

Michael Stancati, owner

619 Monroe St. 419-407-5146 11am-10pm, Wed. through Thurs; 11am-11pm, Friday and Saturday; 11am-9pm, Sunday Hannonsblockrestaurant.com Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

We are so excited for this summer in downtown Toledo and optimistic that all of the big events will bring more people downtown!

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

Black Kite Liqueur from Toledo Spirits.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique?

We use all fresh squeezed citrus and craft spirits to create balanced and delicious cocktails!

Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails?

We will be featuring a list of light, crisp and refreshing cocktails.

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!”

What do you serve me?

We have a great list of off menu cocktails. The favorite at the moment is our Lambrusco cocktail featuring Toledo Spirits East Side Gin, fresh lemon juice and egg white. Shaken and topped with a blackberry forward sparkling Lambrusco.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Hannon’s Block strives to deliver a quality cocktail experience and is committed to using all natural ingredients and house infused simple syrups.

Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

Absolutely! Between the amazing shows featuring some of the best queens in Toledo, amazing guest performers and one of the best patio views of the city— we are positive that this summer will be a good one.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home?

Has to be a classic Old Fashioned!

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

Here at Hamburger Mary’s, we infuse some of our own vodkas in order to create our special-tease cocktails! I love the process of infusing the vodkas along with coming up with new unique creations based around them.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique?

Here in Mary’s house we like to make sure that our cocktails reflect our environment— festive, unique and diverse. Each cocktail is crafted keeping in mind that the customer is here to pair it with having a great time!

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!”

What do you serve me?

The Pretty in Pink, of course! This house-infused raspberry vodka-based drink is paired with a raspberry liquor and lemonade for a sweet cocktail that is regularly enjoyed by customers.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

Eat, Drink and be Mary!

CLEAN. HANDCRAFTED. LOCAL. SPIRITS. (FOOD TOO)

NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH Tuesday-Wednesday Noon -9PM Thursday-Saturday Noon- 11PM

SPACE AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES & EVENTS! 120 W South Boundary St Perrysburg 567-336-6057

sixfifthsdistilling.com

sixfifthsdistilling.com

12

May 1 • May 31

www.toledocitypaper.com

Rosie’s Italian Grille

Barr’s Public House

Matthew Fredericks Bar Manager

Kayci Abayari, Pub Manager 3355 Briarfield Blvd Maumee 419-866-8466 3-10pm, Tuesday; Weds-Friday 11:30am-11pm, Wednesday through Friday; 3-11pm, Saturday barrspublichouse.com

606 N McCord Rd. (419) 866-5007 11:30am-9pm, Sunday-Thursday. 11:30am-10pm, Friday & Saturday. rosiesitaliangrille.com

Are you optimistic about your business this summer? We are all very optimistic about business this summer. Everyone has been stuck inside a lot this past year and now with the vaccinations taking place it seems like there will be a lot of pent-up demand for socializing and seeing people.

We expect to be busy at Rosie’s within our restaurant, the bar, and both of our outdoor patios this year.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? I love dark rum so I would make myself a Dark N’ Stormy. Dark rum and ginger beer served over ice. If I am feeling fancy I would add lime juice and maybe simple syrup. It’s basically akin to a Moscow Mule but with dark rum.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

I love to use Fernet. It is an Italian aromatic spirit that is fierce but also bitter and made from several different types

www.toledocitypaper.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Are you optimistic about your business this summer? I am very optimistic! We have the best guests in town and some exciting events coming up like our Margarita Week and the Launch of Heavy Brewing— Breakfast For Dinner. Every day is starting to feel more and more like the good old times. of herbs and spices. It was originally used for medicinal purposes but it has a great balance of sweetness and bitterness that can really pack a punch.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? Our cocktail menu at Rosie’s incorporates a lot of prohibition-style cocktails like the Negroni made with Beefeaters gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

What’s your favorite summer drink recipe? My favorite summer drink recipe would have to be a Pear Tom Collins. Gin cocktails are such a perfect summer drink. I make my Pear Tom Collins with Hendricks gin, lemon juice, pear juice, soda water, and garnish it with a sliced pear and luxardo cherry.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

Suze, Cynar, or Sfumato Rabarbaro What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? All of our cocktail menus are employee created. We collaborate to keep everything evolving and fresh. I love creating N/A cocktails for people that are looking for a great drink without the booze.

May 1 • May 31

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!” What do you serve me? If you’re looking for a cocktail, for sure something amaro based.

Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails? We have a great happy hour Monday-Saturday 3-6 PM. It has something for everyone, $5 select glasses of wine and beer, discounted specialty cocktails, whiskey singles, appetizers, tacos, and Kobe beef sliders.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cont’d from P. 13

Sidelines Sports Eatery

Vida Cantina Cassi Ysassi bar manager

Annette Fleck Regional Manager

4477 Monroe St. 567-315-8979

5601 Telegraph 419-724-0097 11am-11pm, Monday-Thursday; 11am-Midnight, Friday-Saturday; noon-11pm, Sunday sidelinessportseatery.com

Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

Absolutely! With our killer patio we’re ready for our best summer yet. I think people are eager to get out and back to somewhat normalcy.

Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

Yes we’re very optimistic about business this summer. We believe people are excited to get out and enjoy good times outdoors on local patios. We’ve remodeled our patios to maximize the dining experience at our locations.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique?

We hand muddle all of our signature cocktails. We have over 40 different tequilas, a wide variety of tequila seltzer’s and Mexican beer.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home?

When I am at home I like something simple so my go to cocktail is Captain Morgan and Ginger Ale. That being said I love a good margarita made with 1800 Silver tequila and fresh strawberries. I like to blend that up on warm summer days while we’re grilling out!

on the peach margarita. We add a little pineapple, peach schnapps and Ketel One for a unique flavor.

What’s your favorite summer drink recipe?

My favorite summer drink is a peach margarita. I love our Peach Blossom at Sidelines which is our twist

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?

We love being a hometown favorite and are excited for new people to come check us out!!

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!” What do you serve me?

When a customer walks in and wants us to surprise them you can’t go wrong with the Sidelines Slammer. A sweet drink that never disappoints.

What’s your favorite summer drink recipe?

I like a Lime Chelada. It’s a fresh and tart spiked Mexican beer cocktail.

Fresh lime juice, Mexican beer poured over ice with a tajin rim.

Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails? Yes! Everyday from 3pm-6pm we have 1/2 off apps, $5 Vida Margaritas, and $1 off all drinks. We just created a new menu with refreshing summer cocktails, perfect to sip on Toledo’s hottest patio!

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!“ What do you serve me?

I’d give you our Pink Señorita, it’s one of our new signature drinks. It’s made with Avion silver tequila, triple sec, fresh squeezed lime juice, and pink lemonade. Shaken to perfection!

OPENING SPRING 2021 Join our exclusive pre-opening

FOUNDERS WINE CLUB NOW!

Home of the World- Famous Stuffed Breadstick Serving pizza, pasta, subs, salad, and of course, our World-Famous Stuffed Breadsticks.

UrbanPineWinery.com/wine-club/

NOW HIRING!

Dine in, Pick Up & Delivery

UrbanPineWinery.com/employment/

3415 Briarfield Blvd. MAUMEE

419.773.4088

14

Check our Facebook for Daily Specials 3303 Dorr St, Toledo, OH | 419.754.7849 | campuspollyeyes.com

May 1 • May 31

www.toledocitypaper.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

It’s Margarita Time!

Mancy’s Bluewater Grille

TOLED O Thank you Toledo for voting us BEST MARGARITA the past 8 years!

Alexia Franco, bartender

461 W. Dussel Dr. 419-724-2583 mancys.com 11:30am-9:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday; 11:30am-10pm, Friday; 4-10pm, Saturday

Are you optimistic about business this summer?

I am optimistic about my business always! I enjoy making cocktails that my guests like so they come back for more.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home?

My pomegranate martini! And of course tequila shots!

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique?

I think what makes our cocktails unique is that we are a hand-crafted bar. We make everything in house— syrups, juices— and it’s all in the SHAKE!

Join us daily for Happy Hour 11am-6pm

What’s your favorite summer drink recipe?

Raspberry lemon drop would be my favorite summer drink, or if you enjoy bourbon, I would say Bourbon Smash, which consists of bourbon, mint, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.

I walk into your place and say “surprise me!” What do you serve me?

If a guest were to ask me to surprise them, I would first ask what kind of liquor they prefer and go from there. One of my favorite cocktails to make is an Old Fashioned, along with any martini.

THE ORIGINAL ®

7742 W. Bancroft (1 Mile West of McCord)

419.841.7523 TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY 11 AM TILL 9:30 PM

Cont’d on P. 16

TO-GO ORDERING RESERVATIONS 419.214.0370

plat8toledo.com

@plat8_toledo @plat8

4330 Central Ave. Toledo, OH [ BLUES BRUNCH EVERY SAT. AT 11AM WITH CHRIS SHUTERS ] www.toledocitypaper.com

May 1 • May 31

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Cont’d from P. 15

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Benchmark Restaurant

Join us for

10th Annual

MARGARITA WEEK

Luis Haro, Lead Bartender 6100 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg 419-873-6590 Benchmark-Restaurant.com 4-10pm, daily

MAY 4TH -MAY 8TH

Includes flight of 5 handcrafted margaritas and choice of Latin-inspired entrée.

What did the pandemic teach you about your industry? The pandemic showed us how much love there is for this industry and its people. Our local community came out in full force to rally around local businesses and were so generous supporting individuals. For us industry workers, it allowed us to remember what we love about working in restaurants— taking care of people and building connections.

5/16/21 BREAKFAST FOR DINNER w/

Heavy Beer Co.

5 course beer dinner featuring Toledo Spirits $50/pp. (excludes tax & gratuity) Limited space, reservations required.

What’s your go-to cocktail at home?

Benchmark’s “Old Timer,” a riff on old fashion using Chocolate Aztec bitters, Carpano Antica Formula, and a big ice cube.

Join Our Winning

TEAM

NOW HIRING FOR FOH AND BOH POSITIONS. APPLY WITHIN.

419.866.8466 • 3355 Briarfield Blvd • Maumee, OH 43537

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

I love the botanicals that Fernet Branca brings to a cocktail, a long drink, or simply served neat.

Are there any up-and-coming cocktail trends that readers should keep an eye out for? Tiki drinks.

Basil Pizza & Wine Bar

Emily Gunn, Bartender/ Assistant Manager

3145 Hollister Lane Perrysburg 419-873-6218 11am-9pm, Monday through Thursday; 11am-10pm, Friday and Saturday; 10am-9pm, Sunday basilpizzaandwinebar.com

Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

I am so excited for the new accomplishments and the growth we will be able to achieve this summer. As the confidence of the community grows, I think we will have continuous opportunities to wow our guests.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail? Fernet Branca/Averna (herbal liqueurs). I’m also a

16

May 1 • May 31

sucker for bitters. Give me a new flavor of bitters and I will undoubtedly come up with a quirky and fun cocktail.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? I love that we use local spirits and fresh juices/syrups at Basil. We make almost everything by hand and I think you can taste that when you sip at the Basil bar. Not to mention our extensive wine list!

www.toledocitypaper.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Plat8

Nathan Trumbull General Manager/ Beverage Director 4330 Central Ave. | 419-214-0370 11:30am-2:30pm & 4-9:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday plat8toledo.com Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

Yes, I am very excited about the coming summer. With the new drink menus, wine list and our new food menu we hope it will excite people to get out on the patio for some fun summer cocktails. I’m sure everyone is tired of sitting at home and want someplace to go; I know I do.

What’s your go-to cocktail to make at home? It all depends on the season. At the moment the Last Word cocktail is one of my favorite drinks; but I’m sure as summer hits I will be drinking tiki cocktails.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

Green Chartreuse, it’s a fun herbal liquor with a great story.

Are there any new cocktail trends that readers should keep an eye out for? Cocktails are finally coming out of the dark ages. Cocktails were in their prime before prohibition; then the soda gun was invented and it was another

www.toledocitypaper.com

step back. We are getting back to using fresh fruit and house made syrups.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique? Every cocktail we make is made with fresh juice and house made syrup.

Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails? We have 10 dollar classic cocktails all the time.

It’s our way of getting people to try traditional cocktails made the right way.

THESE BARREL AGED BEAUTIES HAVE ONE QUESTION...

WHO’S LOOKIN’ FOR A GOOD TIME?!

Check our FB for Weekly Specials 3515 W. Alexis Rd. Toledo | 419-690-4280 Mon 3pm - 10pm | Tues-Sat 11:30am - 10pm | Closed Sunday

Cont’d on P. 18

May 1 • May 31

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SIX FIFTHS Distilling

Rachel Ryan & Corda Ryan, Bar Manager & Bartender 120 W South Boundary St., Perrysburg 567-336-6057 Noon-9pm, Tuesday through Thursday; Noon-11pm, Friday and Saturday sixfifthsdistilling.com Are you optimistic about your business this summer?

Yes! We’re absolutely optimistic about this summer! We have a lot of fun summer drinks and shows lined up to make a great summer here.

What’s your favorite uncommon liquor or spirit to use in a cocktail?

We both love using Absinthe in drinks.

We use it as a bitter to give that special twist that helps the cocktail really shine.

What makes your cocktails and drink selection unique?

Our selection is unique because we create every recipe ourselves. Even our classic cocktails are served with a unique twist. We make all our own syrups, use seasonal fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices and fresh herbs. Every cocktail is built and made to order with the freshest ingredients.

Rachael Ryan and Corda Ryan Do you have any happy hour specials and/or featured summer cocktails?

Our favorite happy hour special is our 6/5 House Seltzer. We create a new flavor every weekend that showcases a seasonal flavor, by using fresh fruit and juices, of course! Our special cocktail menu changes every weekend and always features seasonal craft cocktails What are five absolutely necessary items for the home bartender?

A muddle stick (for fresh fruit and herbs), a citrus juicer, a nice selection of flavored bitters, 6/5 Vodka and your favorite person to enjoy with.

T

C C 1897

The perfect venue for your wedding events.

Private events Director Dolly Keyes 419.382.3416 dkeyes@tcc1897.net

THE TOLEDO COUNTRY CLUB 18

May 1 • May 31

www.toledocitypaper.com

CHOW LINE

Crab Boil Odyssey Three new restaurants, same delicious theme

By TCP Staff There seems to be a renaissance of bagged and boiled seafood options in Toledo right now. No fewer than three new restaurants focusing on the classic crab boil have opened recently. Being the crab lovers that we are at the City Paper, we had no choice but to try them all.

Red Crab Juicy Seafood

Boil Shack

4038 Talmadge Rd., Ste. 101 boilshackoh.com In the strip mall near the corner of Talmadge and Sylvania, nestled in the strip next to Panera, the Boil Shack is in a spot that previously housed the Hot Pot. With new owners and a new concept, which is pinching Toledo diners with delight, the Boil Shack is a crab and seafood restaurant with a menu containing several surprises.

Ordering the restaurant’s namesake seafood boil is a three-step process. First, pick your seafood feast consisting of crawfish, shrimp, several varieties of crab, scallops, lobster, clams or mussels (or a combination of those options).

Second, choose your flavor — buttery, lemony, Old Bay or Cajun. Step 3 allows you to choose the heat level, ranging from none to hot, and then, the one that we could not resist, “punish me.” A few side items, such as corn, potatoes and a boiled egg, round out the menu. The food is straightforward and, frankly, spot on.

The staff is friendly and accommodating, although with all of the shells and napkins discarded while getting to the succulent seafood, the table could have been cleared more readily to make room and to allow us to spread out a little.

Note that this location does not have a liquor license, although you can bring in our own beverages (and we did). All around The Boil Shack provided an enjoyable meal and was somewhat less costly than the Cincy Crab and Red Crab eateries that we sampled on this Toledo Crab Boil Odyssey.

4941 Dorr St. 419-407-5390 redcrabseafood.com

Cincy Crab 3535 Secor Rd. cincycrabtoledo.com

Cincy Crab is located in the decidedly former Frisch’s at 3535 Secor. The new tenant has transformed the space into an open, airy dining room with a fully stocked bar lining one wall. The look is clean and light and the menu is straightforward and easy to understand.

This location boasts the pride of the deep including oysters, clams, lobster, crab, shrimp and other delicacies. Orders are available for each mentioned item in half pound or 1 lb. increments and come accompanied, in crab boil custom, with red-skinned potatoes and corn on the cob.

The seafood is boiled before sauce, created in a separate saucepan, bathes the catch. The meals are delivered to the table in plastic bags where they are shaken, to coat the seafood, and then placed in a tray where diners’ fingers are used to remove the delicacies from their shells.

Cincy Crab on Secor is locally owned by brothers, Qin B. and Qin D. Chen, who also own and operate Kira Japanese Steakhouse, located just down the block in the plaza adjacent to El Vaquero. The seafood motif, with nets, shells and starfish throughout, makes for a welcome reminder that this is something otherwise not widely available in Northwest Ohio. This is definitely a place to try, and to love, in the future.

We dropped anchor and threw our crab pot in to see what we could catch at Red Crab, a makeover of a former Irish pub, Mulvaney’s Bunker, on Dorr Street just east of Reynolds Rd. The Red Crab lends itself to a seafood shack atmosphere. The tagline “Juicy Seafood” is well deserved.

The offerings are sauced after cooking with your selection of cajun, lemon pepper, garlic butter or a combination of those. The spice levels run from “no spice,: mild, medium, hot and, our favorite, extra hot. The place offers a full bar and a respectable beer selection along with a variety of seafood combos.

Red Crab’s menu features a slew of options for the adventurous seafood lover, more so than the other stops on our crab tour. The presentation of the food has a flair for the dramatic, as the freshly boiled seafood selections, accompanied by red-skin potatoes and portions of corn on the cob, are brought hot to the table and in a heavy clear plastic bag which contains the seasonings and requested spices. The bag is then “tossed” at the table.

The crab and assorted seafood offerings were delicious, but the included corn was a bit mushy for our taste.

They’ve been open in Toledo for about a year and a half and Red Crab is part of a group that is operating in New York with a number of locations, as well as other states. The service is comfortable and friendly, the atmosphere, relaxed and welcoming, and the seafood is delicious. When you need to get your ‘crab on,’ consider Red Crab.

POPPERS Be Hoppy: The Glass City Beer Festival returns Toledo’s longest-running event dedicated to craft beer returns, albeit in a new month. The 15th Glass City Beer Festival will be held on May 14 at the Stranahan Theater. Featuring more than 200 varieties of brew from over 40 craft breweries, the event is sure to tickle the taste buds of beer lovers. And it’s all for a good cause, too, as proceeds support the NWO Hemophilia Foundation, working to serve individuals affected by blood disorders. $40 in advance, $50 at the door. VIP tickets: $60. 6-11pm. 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., 419-3818851. stranahantheater.com

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Visit Spain on Superior St. with Registry Barcelona Discover new flavors from a familiar Toledo eatery. Registry Bistro on N. Superior St. has launched a new pop-up concept with Registry Barcelona, each Tuesday and Wednesday night.

The new menu features a variety of dishes and drinks inspired

by Spanish cuisine, including tapas, paella and an inspiring assortment of cocteles. The Barcelona makeover is available for dine in or carryout, but only for a limited time. 144 N. Superior St., 419-725-0444.

May 1 • May 31

Toledo Dollar General adds fresh produce to two locations A pair of Dollar General locations in Toledo have made fresh produce available in their stores to address food insecurity concerns.

The stores at 815 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. and 1121 N. McCord Rd. were remodeled in March to accommodate produce selections.

There are now three local Dollar General stores which feature fresh produce, out of the 19 Toledo area store locations.

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THEATER NOTES

CURTAIN CALL

Comedy of King comes to Funny Bone

Exploring New Paths to Audiences

Shuler King will make you laugh yourself silly. The up-and-coming comedian has an interesting side job: He works as a licensed funeral director and embalmer at his family’s funeral business in South Carolina. King will stop at Toledo Funny Bone for three nights beginning May 14. His raw and uncompromising style will have you roaring at the ridiculousness of life— and maybe death, too. $32. 7:30 and 9:15pm, Friday, May 14. 6 and 8:30pm, Saturday, May 15. 6pm, Sunday, May 16. 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. 419931-3474. toledo.funnybone.com

Toledo theatres collaborating, streaming in 2021

By Julie Pompa

Many recall the visual images when New York’s Broadway district went dark in March 2020. Literally dark. The empty streets and unlit marquees were a symbol of what the pandemic took from us all.

While not as visually dramatic, the pandemic had the same effect on Toledo theatre. March 13, 2020 was scheduled to be the opening night of Bedroom Farce at the Village Players Theatre. A year later, the tickets are still sold, the sets are still ready, and the theatre is still dark.

What’s happened in the ensuing year is a combination of reassessment, trial-anderror, collaboration and commitment.

“It’s been very difficult,” said the Village Players’ Barbara Barkan. “We’ve been held hostage by COVID, and we are having to re-invent ourselves.”

Changing Perspectives

The pandemic forced theatre in the Toledo area to make a serious pivot.

Ultimately, according to Matt Foss, Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Toledo, they had to learn “what makes theatre special, and what can we do to translate that for new audiences?”

UT has translated productions into online performances. Foss created Faithful Friends: An Adaptation of the Two Gentlemen of Verona for performance live last year at area elementary schools.

Instead, the production was performed online for students, complete with accompanying workshops. “The pandemic allowed us to innovate,” Foss explained.

Last fall’s production of a contemporary 20K Leagues Under the Sea was recorded by students and faculty from the university’s Department of Communications, and live streamed. It won an award at this year’s Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

The Actors Collaborative Toledo (ACT) began moving online right away.

“We performed online monologues with actors across the country,” said Jeffrey Albright, co-founder and board president. ACT’s live performance home base, Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Toledo, has been closed since March 2020. And ACT collaborated with the Toledo Repertory Theatre to develop performances last fall and earlier this year. “We worked with limited audiences and actors, and garnered a fair amount of interest,” Albright said.

And while “traditional” theatres such as the Toledo Rep have moved towards smaller and outdoor performances, it’s been more difficult at the Village Players theatre. “It’s a huge undertaking for

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Dancing Fairy Tales take flight in Peristyle

Bringing beloved children’s stories to life onstage has long been a part of the theater experience. This month, the Toledo Symphony will join the tradition with Dancing Fairy Tales. Led by the Toledo Ballet’s Director/Choreographer Michael Lang, the show will depict some classic stories by authors such as Hans Christian Anderson, accompanied by music performed by members of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. $25-40 for inperson tickets, $19.99 for streaming. 7pm, Friday, May 14. 3pm, Saturday, May 15. Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, 2445 Monroe St. 419-246-8000. toledosymphony.com

Cindy Bilby in the ACT January performance of Natural Shocks. us to move a production outside, so we couldn’t produce some of the things we wanted to,” Barkan said. “People need to feel comfortable coming together again, and our mission is to do the things that are safer for the audience.”

Adapting as Restrictions Change

UT will continue showcasing student productions this fall, including a series of highly produced short plays that will be presented in a “vibrant theatrical potluck,” said Foss, adding that the plan for the Theatre Department is to “slowly start matriculating to a more normal schedule. And maybe add a musical.”

Albright plans to get ACT back to “semi-normal” in the fall, with reliance on collaborative experiences and modifying the nature of performances (fewer cast members and with smaller audiences). “Live streaming will be with us into the future,” he said, because “it also allows people who may have difficulty getting out to see theatre.” In the meantime, several live performances are planned:

Rep returns with reasons Not To Be in a Play

There are at least “30 Reasons Not To Be in a Play,” according to the comedy written by Alan Haehnel. The Young Rep cast of the Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s upcoming production are ignoring all of them. Directed by Melissa Shaffer, the show is a satirical look at all of the things that can, and do, go wrong, while onstage.

Everything from awkward kisses to inadvertently starting major conflicts are depicted over the course of a hilarious evening of staged comedy. Limited attendance in accordance with CDC guidelines. Friday, May 7 through Sunday, May 9. For the latest information on tickets, visit toledorep.org.

May 14-16, 2021 – The Lonely Planet, performed live by ACT in collaboration with the Toledo Rep, at the Rep. 16 10th St., 419243-9277. toledorep.org June 18-20, 2021 – Accidentally Brave, presented live by ACT at the Ohio Theatre.

A grant-funded performance in cooperation with the Children’s Theatre Workshop and the Black Swamp Players. Ohio Theatre, 3114 Lagrange St., 419-255-8406. ohiotheatretoledo.org The Village Players will be on the road too, bringing back Bedroom Farce and The Sunshine Boys (with an “exciting new twist,” according to Barkan) in September. “We’ve had to look at how we invite people in, how we package the experience, and what type of experiences we’ll be offering,” she said.

Village Players, 2740 Upton Ave., 419-472-6817. thevillageplayers.org

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BOOK NOTES

CITY PAGES

The sisters who brought women to medicine The story of a woman who defied conventions en route to becoming America’s first licensed female physician— and her sister who was even more brilliant— will be the focus of the May meeting of the Gathering Volumes History/Biography Book Club. “The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine” by Janice P. Nimura is the book for discussion. The event, part of Gathering Volumes “Summer of Women” program, is aimed at spotlighting the lives of pioneering and important women in history. 7pm. Wednesday, May 26. Gathering Volumes, 196 E. South Boundary St., Perrysburg. 567-336-6188. gatheringvolumes.com

Bryan hospital spotlighted in new book

A new book casts a light on the healthcare crisis that America faces by showing its impact on a nearby community. “The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town” is a book by acclaimed author Brian Alexander, writer of works like “Glass House” and “America Unzipped.” The book tells the story of a hospital in Bryan, OH, where the doctors and staff are dedicated to delivering top-quality care, but the realities of a free-market economy create endless challenges. $28.99. Available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more.

A Living Legacy

Kenneth Spruce’s “I Apologize: A Black Man’s Plea for Forgiveness”

by Ashley Hill Throughout his lifetime Kenneth Spruce has been a City of Toledo official, Associate Professor of Political Science, Baptist Deacon, political activist, student government leader, author and CEO/ founder of his own agency- UMOJA. Spruce is the namesake and driving force behind The Spruce Report which uncovered injustices in racial equality at the University of Cincinnati (1978) — a subject he is still involved with today. He was also the MC for a Toledo event welcoming the leader of the Black Panther party in the 1970s, a graduate from the University of Toledo and the man who established the Jesse Jackson for President campaign organization (1984).

Years later, former mayor Jack Ford called to recruit Spruce for his cabinet in 2015. Now in 2021, Spruce is running his own agency and helping aspiring authors publish their works, build confidence and open doors.

Lifting spirits by telling the truth

Spruce started his agency UMOJA — which means unity — with his publication of “Love Letters to Sierra: The Affectionate Expressions of a Divorced Father” in 2012. His focus is autobiographical, but his newest book is both fact and fiction.

Spruce wrote the story based on his own life. The apologies are real, and appear at the end of each of the 10 chapters. As the main character navigates successes, failures and temptations, a main message of ‘Life being the choices we make’ inspires the reconciliation of one man’s journey with an ultimate goal of inner peace.

“Between 2012 and 2020 the Holy Spirit came to me and said, ‘In your ascent, in your trials from youth to age, you have slighted, you have hurt, you have disrespected many people during that ascent.

And you need to go back and apologize to those people,” Spruce says. “So essentially what I’m doing is going from age 18 to the present time and literally at the end of each chapter there’s a particular apology to either someone, some group or some particular entity… What I hope to achieve from this is to enter Heaven with peace and a clear conscience.”

From whence leadership

Spruce’s main character Carlos Jordan is inspired by the name the author was given in Spanish class (Carlos) and his mother’s last name (Jordan). Carlos represents Spruce, while other names and places have been changed. Spruce says he wrote this book for his potential grandchildren, and their grandchildren, to know how things were and to understand his journey. The overall arch is of forgiveness but the book also celebrates the successes that came from determi-

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May 1 • May 31

nation, the impact that stemmed from his passion, and the challenges of life that test our faith or cultural upbringing, ultimately being the place to rest.

“I have a very extensive 20 years history of teaching political science and I’ve always been a political activist — a very hands-on, very personally-involved activist,” Spruce says.

In addition to the legacy he is still creating with his work and collections he’s submitted to libraries in Toledo, OH and Atlanta, GA. Spruce hopes to inspire young African American males who can identify with this story. “They have a responsibility to those who fought and died and paved the way before they came along. And they have a responsibility to those who are coming after them,” Spruce says. “My next book will show that historically, young black people have always fought against oppression.”

Spruce and his work has been cited in books such as “Black Toledo: A Documentary of History and Experience in Toledo, OH” and “Black Mayors, White Majorities: The Balancing Act of Racial Politics”. He was awarded the National Newspaper Publishers Association Literary Honor in 1986 and is currently working at his agency, UMOJA Publishing & Speech-making, which assists young writers and scholars who are “looking to break into the literary world.’

“Alan Bakke, Affirmative Action, the University of Cincinnati and The Spruce Report” is slated for publication in June 2021. professorspruce.com

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ART TO HEART

Picking peonies for painting purposes

Supernatural America

Perrysburg’s Create Art Studio + Workshop begins its yearly Pick and Paint series with an event focused on the beautiful peony flower. The event, like all the installments of Pick and Paint this summer, will be held at GardenView Flower Farm in Grand Rapids. Artists will get to pick and create their own bouquet of flowers to provide inspiration for a small watercolor. $42. 6-8:30pm. Wednesday, June 2. 11160 South River Rd., Grand Rapids. 419-873-6240. createperrysburg.com

The paranormal in American art visits TMA

By Ashley Hill Toledo Museum of Art hosts an exhibit for anyone haunted by questions of the paranormal— translated into works of art by American artists from the 19th century to present day.

Beginning June 12th and running until September 5th, TMA visitors will have the opportunity to observe and sometimes interact with 150 objects organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Art. “Anyone who has ever experienced something inexplicable or wondered if we are alone in the universe will want to see this exhibition,” says Lauren Applebaum, Supernatural America exhibit curator. “I hope visitors come away from this exhibition with a more expansive understanding of the varied ways that artists have engaged and explored otherworldly subjects in the United States for the past two centuries.”

Photo by Rebecca on Unsplash

Schedel to host beautiful art in beautiful location

Sample the work of area artists while enjoying breathtaking outdoor views at the Art Loop Art Fair at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens on Sunday, May 16. Organized by local artist Mary Jane Erard, the Art Loop will feature the work of over two dozen artists. The picturesque views of the Schedel Gardens make an ideal backdrop for this display of unique and beautiful artwork. Garden admission: $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and AAA members. 10am-4pm. 19255 W Portage River South Rd., Elmore. 419-862-3182. schedel-gardens.org

From the turntable to the gallery wall

Marvin Cone, “Anniversary,” painted in 1938.

Collecting vintage vinyl records may be all the rage, but what about those records that nobody really wants to listen to? They can be turned into beautiful art— and you can be the one doing it. Gathered Creations in Temperance, MI hosts a class, Stencil Me Crazy, where amateur artists use stencils, paints and fine-tip pens to transform old records into colorful paintings. All experience levels and ages welcome. Educate your kids on the history of records while you paint! $25. 6pm. Friday, May 14. 9037 Lewis Ave., Temperance, MI. 734-347-0242. gatheredcreations.com

What was that?

Supernatural America brings with it interactive elements such as Tom Friedman’s Wall, 2017, where a projection of a ghostly hand appears to reach outwardly, Tony Oursler’s Dust, 2006, a multisensory, immersive installation featuring a foggy shifting mass of body parts with sounds of voices and murmurs, and Bill Viola’s Three Women, 2008, which taps into “the palpable feeling of the presence of the dead” as experienced by Macena Barton, “Untitled.” Barton was a native of the artist working on an instalUnion City, Michigan. lation at a church in Venice.

The exhibit will also feature instruments like planchettes and Manifest, 2017 showing through animaOuija boards, photographs, furniture, tion our country’s history of settler sketchbooks, prints, clothing, textiles, colonialism which forcibly removed and video- all which push the boundarIndigenous peoples from their land, ies of science and psychology to reflect and other works addressing wartime the paranormal from the historical to violence, genocide, enslavement and UFOs. other national traumas.

“Whether through early pseudosciVisitors to this exhibit will be privy entific studies seeking to understand to objects and paraphernalia used to parapsychology, government docusummon spirits and encounter life mentations of UFOs or individual reckbeyond this Earth. “The featured artonings with the spirits of those who ists assert in a variety of ways that the have passed away, American culture supernatural is actually a natural part is filled with tales of the supernatural of lived experience.” and accounts of paranormal experiTickets are free for members and ences,” says Applebaum. $12 for nonmembers. Discounts for military, college students, and seThe past didn’t go niors ($10); youth ages 5-17 ($7); and anywhere children four and younger (free) are Intertwined with Supernatural available.

America are lessons of the past that still haunt our society today. These themes are reflected in works like John Jota Leaños film Destinies

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toledomuseum.org

May 1 • May 31

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LISTEN HEAR Howard’s Club H

A musical history of BG’s iconic venue

By Erin Holden Coming up on a century of influencing the cultural scene in Bowling Green, Howard’s Club H has featured a multigenre array of musical acts, ranging from blues musicians like Luther Allison to Top 40 heavy hitters like Twenty One Pilots and Fallout Boy in the early aughts. Howard’s is equally recognized as a welcoming place for up-and-coming local bands to cut their teeth, as well as being a business known for its support of philanthropic causes and weekend festivals.

Founded in 1928 as a candy shop— Howard’s Confectionary Store— by Fred H. Howard, Howard’s Club H became a bar once Prohibition was lifted, only to be sold in 1938 when Fred, its founder, moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida to become that city’s mayor. Throughout changes in ownership over subsequent decades, Howard’s became known as a welcoming stop for musicians. In the late 1960s, blues musicians traveling between Memphis and Chicago made Club H a regular stop.

“There were some pop bands in the late 70s, but it was in the 80s that a lot of different local bands started play-

ing here, more than only blues music,” says Steve Feehan, booking manager and owner of Howard’s since 2016. “It had moments that it would return to its blues roots like when Michael Katon— a huge blues guy— played there numerous times and still does. He’s in the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has had a very big career.”

Full circle

Though Feehan only took ownership of Howard’s a few years ago, his own history with the place goes back to his time playing with the band Mad Hatter when he was 15 years old. “I don’t know why my parents let me do it,” Feehan says.

“I just happened to be at a music store messing around on a piano when some guys in that band heard me and asked if I wanted to join.”

Prior to taking ownership of the place, Feehan was working a job where he was unhappy and learned that a friend had purchased Howard’s. Feehan was asked if he was interested in running the place.

“I thought about it and decided to take the lead soon after that,” he says. Since then, he’s refurbished the original bar

and takes great effort to keep the same down-to-earth vibe Howard’s has always maintained, with graffitied walls and lowkey decor.

“Howard’s is all about the live music; it just happens to have a bar,” says Feehan.

“We don’t really exist without live music.

By far the most rewarding thing for me is doing sound for all the bands every Fri-

day and Saturday, and I play in a band here on Wednesdays. There’s just a good spirit about the place.”

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc with typical operations, but relying on grants and savings, Howard’s has been able to pull through. The pandemic has also made Feehan more aware that incorporating video of performances at Howard’s could be well received with future broadcasts..

A dedication to the venue’s roots with a continued emphasis on bringing in both new and established talents have kept Howard’s as a mainstay over the decades.

“Both the atmosphere and the bands make it so welcoming for people,” says Feehan. “The history of it draws people in. Parents come in with their kids to show them where they used to hang out, and they’re just amazed that very little has changed.”

Howard’s is always open to bands interested in hitting the stage. Contact Feehan at sfeehan@ outlook.com or via Facebook.com/HowardsBG.

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SATURDAY 5.1 Bar 145: DJ Jimmy Rock Bier Stube: Sugar Pax (pop/rock/country) Benfield Wines: Ramona Collins (jazz) Kobe Bay: Christa McCutchen (folk) Majestic Oak Winery: Scott and Molly (acoustic) Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle: Art and Music Collide (classical) Urban Pine Winery: Mike and Jen Unplugged (acoustic)

SUNDAY 5.2 Thirsty’s Pub & Grub: The Promised Band Open Blues Jam (blues) Winery North of 12: John Roth (guitar)

TUESDAY 5.4 Bowling Green State University: New Music Ensemble

WEDNESDAY 5.5 La Chalupa Mexican Restaurant: HayLite (country) Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar: Aaron Hertzfeld (singer/ songwriter)

THURSDAY 5.6 Bar 145: DJ Brandon Edwards Plat8: Devyn Mitchell (acoustic) Toledo Museum of Art: Ear | Eye: Listening and Looking (contemporary) Winery North of 12: Aaron Rutter (violin) Ye Olde Cock N Bull: Captain Sweet Shoes (acoustic)

FRIDAY 5.7 Bier Stube: Reese Dailey Band (rock) Majestic Oak Winery: Nissa and Zak (acoustic) The Polish Ostrich: Maverick (classic rock) Toledo Yacht Club: Mojoe Boes (guitarist)

SATURDAY 5.8 Bar 145: DJ Jimmy Rock Kobe Bay on the Docks: Steve Kennedy (rock) Majestic Oak Winery: Distant Cousinz Duo (acoustic) The Polish Ostrich: Master TC & The Visitors (pop) Sneaky Pete’s: Married with Children (party rock) Spotlight Lounge: Pre Mother’s Day Extravaganza (R&B) Winery North of 12: Bob Stevens (rock)

SUNDAY 5.9 Majestic Oak Winery: Ramona and Trez (Motown) Thirsty’s Pub & Grub: The Promised Band Open Blues Jam (blues) Winery North of 12: Chris Knopp (guitar)

WEDNESDAY 5.12 Ye Olde Cock N Bull: Danny Mettler (acoustic)

THURSDAY 5.13 Bar 145: DJ Brandon Edwards Toledo Yacht Club: Ramona and Trez (Motown)

FRIDAY 5.14 Jed’s Holland Sylvania: Christian and Ashley (pop) Majestic Oak Winery: Mike Szafarowicz (singer-songwriter) The Polish Ostrich: Buzz Anderson Project (rock/blues) Sandbar Grille: 2 Left Missing (classic rock) Wheelin’ on the Rocks: Kickin Tenders (rock)

MyWay Bistro: WSB (acoustic) The Polish Ostrich: Yesterday’s Hero (with Galatea) Urban Pine Winery: Mike and Jen Unplugged (acoustic) Winery North of 12: Kyle White (acoustic)

SUNDAY 5.16 Majestic Oak Winery: Ashley Kelley (singer/songwriter) Thirsty’s Pub & Grub: The Promised Band Open Blues Jam (blues) Winery North of 12: Kyle Smithers (guitar)

TUESDAY 5.18 The Polish Ostrich: Ethan Timm (guitarist)

WEDNESDAY 5.19 Ye Olde Cock N Bull: Danny Mettler (acoustic)

THURSDAY 5.20 Bar 145: DJ Brandon Edwards Dale’s: Abbigale Rose (blues)

FRIDAY 5.21 Jed’s Holland Sylvania: HayLite (country) Howard’s Club H: Second Hand Mojo (rock) Majestic Oak Winery: Gypsy Luvin (folk/rock) The Polish Ostrich: Twenty TwentyFour (jazz/funk/R&B) The Sand Bar: Married with Children (party rock)

SATURDAY 5.22 Bar 145: DJ Jimmy Rock Kobe Bay on the Docks: Scott Fish (acoustic) Majestic Oak Winery: Engine 19 (acoustic) The Polish Ostrich: Steel Lily (rock) Winery North of 12: Steve Kennedy (rock)

SUNDAY 5.23 Thirsty’s Pub & Grub: The Promised Band Open Blues Jam (blues) Winery North of 12: Jeff Stewart (rock)

WEDNESDAY 5.26 Ye Olde Cock N Bull: Danny Mettler (acoustic)

THURSDAY 5.27 Bar 145: DJ Brandon Edwards

FRIDAY 5.28 Majestic Oak Winery: Mark Elder (singer/songwriter) Toledo Yacht Club: Mojoe Boes (guitarist)

SATURDAY 5.29 Bar 145: DJ Jimmy Rock The Bronze Boar: The Funk Factory (funk) Kobe Bay on the Rocks: Tatum Hartford Majestic Oak Winery: Mojoe Boes (guitarist) Wheelin on the Rocks: RuKus (80’s rock) Winery North of 12: Barile & May (acoustic)

SUNDAY 5.30 Thirsty’s Pub & Grub: The Promised Band Open Blues Jam (blues) Winery North of 12: Lone Wolf Hippies (jazz)

SATURDAY 5.15 Bar 145: DJ Jimmy Rock Kobe Bay on the Docks: Ross Thompson (guitarist) Majestic Oak Winery: Dirty Lies (rock/pop)

Closing time for TSO Beethoven birthday bash

The Toledo Symphony has spent time this season celebrating the 250th birthday of one of the greatest composers in history, Ludwig van Beethoven. The celebrations conclude with a concert on Sunday, May 9 at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. The Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Razumovsky, a string quartet with a Russian theme that is widely considered one of his finest works. Two contemporary American pieces featuring the TSO’s woodwinds will also be performed. Inperson tickets: $20-30. Streaming tickets: $19.99. 7pm. 2445 Monroe St. 419-246-8000. toledosymphony.com

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May 1 • May 31

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On your marks, get set, bark!

DAILY [history] The American Woman & World War II - This exhibit provides a look at the role of women during the war, both locally and nationwide. 9:30am6pm. Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St. 419-2595200. toledolibrary.org Free [art] Student Art Show 2021 & Emily Páez Solo Exhibition - The artwork of Ohio native Páez will be displayed along with Owens’ best student work. Through May 14. 8am-5pm. Walter E. Terhune Gallery, 7270 Biniker Dr., Perrysburg. 567661-7956. owens.edu Free

SATURDAY 1 [misc.]

3 Billy Goats Gruff - Play with live goats, make your own goat or troll mask and plant your own Billy Goat garden at this event. $35. 10am-noon.

Wolf’s Blooms & Berries, 8140 Scotch Ridge Rd., Bowling Green. 419-352-3577. Wolfsbloomsandberries.com [fundraiser] 2021 No Show Gala - This virtual fundraiser for SeaGate Food Bank encourages you to attend by not attending. Buy a “ticket” for a chance to win prizes! $25. Runs through May 3. 526 High St., 419-244-6996. seagatefoodbank.org [business] Expo419: Everything Under the Sun - Featuring vendors from all walks of life and business in the Toledo area, this trade show promises to have a little bit of everything. 11am-7pm. Also Sunday, May 2, 11am-5pm. Stranahan Theater & Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. 419-381-8851. expo419.com [fundraiser] Heritage Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show - This all-ages event acts as a fundraiser benefiting Heritage Children Ministries. 10am2pm. Heritage Church of God, 3520 Strayer Rd., Maumee. 419-861-9520. heritagetoledo.church Free [wine] Kentucky Derby Party - They’re headed for the starting gate! Celebrate the biggest horse race of the year at Majestic Oak Winery. 4-9pm.

13554 Mohler Rd., Grand Rapids. 419-875-6474. majesticoakwinery.com [outdoors] Metropark Archery Programs - Fine tune your Robin Hood skills and rent equipment from Toledo Metroparks. $6. 10am-4pm. Westwinds Metropark, 9918 Geiser Rd., Holland. 419-3609179. Metroparkstoledo.com [misc.]

Toledo Reptile Event - Shop for new scaly friends and get supplies for the ones you already own. $5. 10am. SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave., 419-255-3300. toledo-seagate. com

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Like many events in 2020, the Toledo Humane Society’s annual “Bark in the Park” fundraiser went virtual last year, raising $75,000. For 2021, the Bark is back, in person, held on Saturday, June 5 at the Shops at Fallen Timbers. Featuring 5K and 10K races as well as a mile-long Family Fun Run, the event will also feature live entertainment, food and games. Still uncomfortable about participating in-person? A virtual event is also available. $25 to run in the 5K, $35 for the 10K. 9am-noon. 3100 Main St., Maumee.

419-891-0705. toledohumane.org

road TRIP

Looking for a quick change of scenery and a taste of something different? Visit toledocitypaper.com, or check out our sister publication, Current Magazine (covering Ann Arbor), at ecurrent.com, to explore film, art, music and more.

Our top must-attend, out-of-town events for May:

Take flight with the Falconry Experience The majesty of having a large bird of prey land on your arm is all part of The Falconry Experience, a fundraiser benefiting Nature’s Nursery. Hosted by the Ohio School of Falconry, the Friday May 7 event gives attendees the chance to have up close and personal interactions with various birds, including a trained hawk, and education on the history of falconry. The class runs 90 minutes. $100 per person. 10am & 1pm. Wheeler Farms, 11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse. 419-877-0060 naturesnursery.org

The 2021 Ohio State Fair? Signs are encouraging

We may be moving a bit closer to enjoying popcorn and funnel cakes on the midway. In March, Governor Mike DeWine announced that decreasing COVID numbers mean that the state anticipates that summer fairs will be permitted to operate this year. If all goes as planned, the first county fairs will be held in June. The big one, though, is the Ohio State Fair, still scheduled to take place in Columbus on July 28 through August 8. Official word on tickets and events has not been released as of press time. For the latest information, visit ohiostatefair.com.

Photo by Elisa Stone on Unsplash

[music] Zach Williams Drive-in Theater Tour - Southern rock artist Zach Williams stops by Sundance Kid Drive-In for an outdoor concert. $88-175.

5:30pm. 4500 Navarre Ave., Oregon. 419-6919668. greateasterntheatres.org

SUNDAY 2 [holiday] Cinco de Mayo Celebration - The Toledo Zoo’s 20th anniversary celebration of the holiday features local entertainers and crafts. 11am-3pm.

Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre, 2 Hippo Way, 419-3855721. toledozoo.org [outdoors] Mountain Biking 101 - Riders ages 8-15 can learn the basics of steep incline ascending and descending in this introductory course. $3.

1-2:30pm. Beach Ridge Trail, Oak Openings Metropark, 3520 Waterville Swanton Rd., Swanton.

Metroparkstoledo.com

MONDAY 3 [art] Pottery to Go: Sgraffito Plate or Pot - Create 2D artwork on 3D pottery in this class from the 577 Foundation. $30. 10:30am. 577 East Front St., Perrysburg. 419-874-4174. 577foundation. org

WEDNESDAY 5 [comedy] The Christi Show - Ms. Shirleen - Comedian Christianee Porter brings her viral character Ms. Shirleen to the Funny Bone for a one-night-only performance. $37. 7pm. 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. 419-931-3474. toledo.funnybone.com

[nature] Earth-based Healing - Enjoy a serene early evening visit to Secor Metropark and get in touch with the natural world. $3. 6pm. 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey. 419-360-9179. metroparkstoledo. com [music] TSO Chamber Spotlight - The winners of the Toledo Symphony League’s 2020 Young Artist Competition take center stage. $15-20. 7pm.

Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater, 2445 Monroe St. 419-255-8000. toledosymphony.com

FRIDAY 7 [film] OMSS Watch Party Series - Latinos Beyond Reel, a documentary about Latino representation in the media, will be viewed. 1pm. University of Toledo Office of Multicultural Student Success, 2801 W. Bancroft St. 800-586-5336. utoledo. edu Free

SATURDAY 8 [drink] Margarita Party - Wastin’ away again? Nah, this’ll be a blast of a shindig at Maumee River Yacht Club. 5-9pm. 2735 Broadway St. 419-3823625. mryc.us Free [misc.]

The Toledo Ripper - Join in a city-wide murder mystery as teams try to gather clues and stop a killer. $51 per team. 9am-5pm. Sign up and find more details at cluedupp.com

America’s Rollercoast prepares for season

Although they were open in a limited capacity in 2020, many families didn’t get to make a trip to Sandusky to visit Cedar Point. The park will open for the 2021 season on May 14, kicking off a summer of events including the delayed-continuation of Cedar Point’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Anyone who bought a season pass for 2020 should hold onto it, as those passes are being accepted for the 2021 season. Guests who visit the park will also have an opportunity to win a “Ticket of a Lifetime,” earning free admission to Cedar Point for the rest of their lives. 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky. 419-627-2350. cedarpoint.com

[shopping] BG Flea Market - Two buildings, hundreds of tables, plenty of chances to discover the perfect thing you didn’t even know you were looking for.

9am-4pm. Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green. 419-352-0441. gobgohio.com Free [holiday] Mother’s Day at Majestic Oak Winery - This tribute day to Mom will feature musical performances by Ramona and Trez. Noon-4pm. 13554 Mohler Rd., Grand Rapids, OH. 419-875-6474. majesticoakwinery.com [holiday]

SUNDAY 9

May 1 • May 31

www.toledocitypaper.com

Mother’s Day Brunch at the Toledo Zoo Treat Mom to a special day featuring a buffet, live entertainment and an animal demonstration! $40 for members, $45 for non-members. 9am and 11:30am. Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, 419-3855721. toledozoo.org

TUESDAY 11 [outdoors] Outdoor Interpretive Programs - Take a trip outside your own head with a guided interpretive walk looking at Deep Sky Objects. 10-11pm.

Bend View Metropark, 10613 S. River Rd., Waterville. 567-316-3859. metroparkstoledo.com Free

FRIDAY 14 [theatre] Dancing Fairy Tales - Toledo Ballet and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra join forces to bring some of the most beloved children’s stories to life. $25-40 in person, $19.99 streaming. 7pm.

Also Saturday, May 15 at 3pm. Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, 2445 Monroe St., 419-246-8000. toledosymphony.com [history] Fort Meigs After Dark - Experience the historic battlefield at night as soldiers did during the war of 1812— by lantern light. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 for kids. 8pm. 29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg. 419-874-9147. Fortmeigs.org [drink] Glass City Beer Festival - More than 230 beers from over 40 craft breweries will be featured at Northwest Ohio’s biggest beer festival. $40 in advance, $50 at the door, $60 for VIP admission.

7-11pm. Stranahan Theater & Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., 419-381-8851. glasscitybeerfest.com [history] The Rise and Fall of Napata - The history of an ancient city along the Nile River will be the focus of this virtual lecture presented by the Toledo Museum of Art. 7pm. Visit toledomuseum.org for more information. Free

SUNDAY 15 [the arts] Ballet Theatre of Toledo Double Feature Two Nigel Burgione ballets will be displayed on the Field of Dreams Drive-In’s big screens. $50.

8:55-10:55pm. V602 Township Road 6, Liberty Center, OH. 877-343-5334. fieldofdreamsdrivein. com [health] Medical Mutual Dart Frog Dash 5K - This race offers a competitive 5K run with prizes, as well as a walk and a Kids’ Fun Run. $28 for Frog Dash, $12 for Kids’ Fun Run. 8:30am. Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, 419-385-5721. toledozoo.org [charity] Toledo Freemason Bed Build - An event to benefit Let’s Build Beds will be held at the Toledo Masonic Lodge. 9am. 5025 Secor Rd., 419-4728791. letsbuildbeds.com Free

FRIDAY 21 [art] Uncork and Unwind - Create a spring-inspired landscape painting while enjoying a glass of wine at this two-hour class. $25. 6-8pm. Brookwood Metropark, 5602 Swan Creek Dr., 419-407-9700. metroparktoledo.com

www.toledocitypaper.com

SATURDAY 22 [music] 1st Annual Bernphest - The memory of Toledo music booster Bernie Rachuba will be celebrated at this festival. The Sand Bar, 11840 Toledo Beach Rd., La Salle, MI. 734-243-3824. Search “Bernphest” on Facebook. [fundraiser] Clay High School Athletic Boosters Reverse Raffle Party - This slightly revamped version of the annual raffle will feature music by Puck Daddy. $45. 5:30-11pm. Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon. eventbrite.com [misc.]

Miniature Garden Event - Create your own tiny garden with your choice of kit, plants and more. $35. 2-4pm. Wolf’s Blooms & Berries, 8140 Scotch Ridge Rd., Bowling Green. 419-352-3577.

Wolfsbloomsandberries.com

SUNDAY 23 [fundraiser] Cruisin’ for Hospice of Northwest Ohio Show off your hot ride or see some classic cars at this fundraiser. Also features a craft show and an R/C drag race. 9am-3pm. $10 for car registration. Lucas County Fairgrounds, 1406 Key St., Maumee. 419-893-2127. lucascountyfair.com [misc.]

Mommy and Me Brunch - Mothers and their daughters ages 4-16 are invited to this brunch event with a speech by confidence coach Tiara Armstrong. $50. 11am-2pm. Over The Top Occasions, 5359 Dorr St., 419-245-8650. Search “Over the Top Occasions” on Facebook.

TOLEDO ACCORDING TO...

Giving Back

Retired teacher Lynda Hoffman makes masks during pandemic

by Tanner Wertz In a time where it seemed difficult to do much of anything, Lynda Hoffman decided she had to help.

Hoffman, a retired Toledo English teacher with a passion for gardening, the arts and travel, heard of the need for masks for nurses in the early days of the pandemic. She decided to do something about it and recovered fabrics that she had been saving for decades to create masks for nurses in the area. That effort expanded into headbands and surgical caps.

Soon, people started donating money to thank her for her efforts. But Hoffman was not comfortable profiting from the pandemic. So, she and her husband, Ed, decided to use any money donated to purchase food for the Sylvania Area Family Services Food Pantry.

Name: Lynda Hoffman Years lived in Toledo: Most of my life.

Occupation: English teacher (retired) My story, in one sentence: I have been lucky to have an amazing family who has allowed me to do anything I dream of — from getting my Master’s degree, to pursuing the arts, traveling and doing charity work.

One song lyric to describe my ideal self: “I can change the world, with my own

THURSDAY 27

two hands.” (“With My Own Two Hands” by Ben Harper)

[music] Patriotic Pops - The Toledo Symphony Orchestra honors fallen service members with an all-American musical program. $27-75, in person tickets. $19.99 streaming tickets. 8pm.

Also Friday, May 28 at 8pm. Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater, 2445 Monroe St. 419-2558000. toledosymphony.com

What I’m doing, and what I want to achieve: I’m enjoying retired life with

FRIDAY 28 [wine] WIne Tasting at the Toledo Zoo - Enjoy an evening of socializing and tasting delicious wines surrounded by the breathtaking confines of the Zoo’s Great Hall. Featuring hors d’oeuvres and live music. $45 for members, $50 for non-members. 2 Hippo Way, 419-385-4040. toledozoo.org

SUNDAY 30 [history] First Siege 1813 - War reenactors will commemorate the First Siege of Fort Meigs with recreations of authentic military camps and tactical demonstrations. $11 for adults, $6 for students.

9:30am-5pm. 29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg.

419-874-4121. fortmeigs.org

Hoffman has made over 4,000 masks thus far during the pandemic.

The end result? Over $20,000 in food, gloves, hats, and gift cards for the Food Pantry. And all the while, Hoffman has still been making masks. Current tally: 1 neck gaiter, 12 surgical caps, 178 headbands with buttons and 4,301 masks. A total of 4,492 pieces.

Hoffman’s generosity has extended to folks beyond medical professionals— she has donated masks to local schools and churches, as well. According to Hoffman, many people have been extremely generous with donations to make this possible.

May 1 • May 31

gardening, traveling (currently planning for post-COVID travel), and spending time with my daughters and grandkids. When the pandemic started, I began making masks because I wanted to do something to help frontline workers, and as I started getting donations for the Sylvania Area Family Services Food Pantry, I kept pushing to hit higher and higher donation goals to make the biggest impact.

Making masks that gave so much back to the community made the last 12 months fly by.

If I could change one thing about Toledo: I would like to see more people

working together to bring change to our city, to make it safer, and for people to take greater pride in their neighborhoods.

If I knew I could get away with it, I would: Love to touch old tapestries to find out how they are made.

The artists and musicians I love: Artists: Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Monet.

Musicians: Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.

The Toledoan I’ve met in passing that I’d love to get coffee with: Dr. Janet

Robinson, Provost and Professor Emerita at Lourdes University.

For more information, please visit https:// www.facebook.com/donations4saf

27

SOCIAL STUDIES

Photos by Christine Senack

419 Day at Handmade Toledo Toledo day marked the start of Spring Maker’s Mart. Handmade Toledo celebrated 419 Day in store with a sale on all Toledo merch!

Margot Joniec and Chelsey Vary-Dearing

Anthony & Katie Katafias

Hayze Taylor and Mia Zuniga

Best of Toledo event at Yark Auto

The 2020 Best of Toledo winners were invited to a drive-thru party at Yark in Perrysburg to pick up their awards on April 23!

OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES

Music at the Market HISTORIC DOWNTOWN PERRYSBURG

Presented by Mercy Health

in partnership with Perrysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau The City of Perrysburg Kimberlee Kristoff celebrated her win with her whole team!

June 3 Academy Brass Quintet

June 17 Suburban Legend

June 10 Abbigale & the Fellas

June 24 The Lori LeFevre Group

Please Bring Chair & Blanket

THURSDAYS, 7:00 P.M. Commodore Schoolyard 140 E. Indiana Avenue Parallel to the Perrysburg Farmers Market

28

May 1 • May 31

DJ T.O. won big this year!

Claudia David-Roscoe of Health Foods by Claudia brought her vintage truck to the event!

www.toledocitypaper.com

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

CREATIVE STRUGGLE Across 1. Investment options 6. Thing shown off in a muscle shirt 9. Flimsily made 14. Nigeria’s capital 15. Cost of doing business 16. First thing everybody’s going to do once we’ve achieved herd immunity 17. Online combatant of all things evil on the internet 20. Sylvan ___ (electronic pop act) 21. Cashmere and angora 22. Bonus track on an expanded album reissue, perhaps 23. Cuzco 57-Down 25. Additional playing periods: Abbr.

27. Skirmishes between two 17-Acrosses?

34. Clean up in the tub 35. Storting’s nat.

36. Cancel out 38. “The first mistake of ___ is to assume that it’s serious” (Lester Bangs) 39. At the next available moment 42. The Cavaliers of the NCAA 43. Element with a silvery-blue appearance 45. Wrist action 46. Object 47. Combative spots written by one 17-Across to go after another 17-Across?

50. MMA decision 51. Cabinetmaker’s medium 53. With 68-Across, gauntlet drop by a 17-Across 60. Mash note verse 61. Strictly verboten 62. Inarticulate grunt made after a foolish comment 64. M portrayer between Robert and Ralph 65. Big name in brushes 66. “Sounds fun!”

67. Record label with a snapping fingers logo 68. See 53-Across 69. Lines at the casino

Down 1. Hit the bong 2. Titles bestowed by the Queen: Abbr.

3. Van ___, CA 4. Room with decks 5. ___ Tomé and Príncipe 6. Haircut fluffed out with a comb 7. Mulligan 8. Pet kitten whimper 9. Lifeguard’s qualification, for short 10. Two threes, in craps 11. The lake in “Mistake By the Lake” 12. It gets smashed in a lab 13. One with a lighter touch?

18. No longer with the company, for short?

19. Starting from 24. Driving lanes: Abbr.

26. Schmuck 27. Columnist ___ Weiss 28. Directive on an env.

29. First name on a bomber 30. “America’s Drive-In” 31. Entrepreneur David who started a vacuum company 32. Metal fastener 33. Hold onto 34. Director Luhrmann 37. Sweet potato 40. Frequently, in verse 41. Jimmy Cliff’s genre 44. Betty Crocker product 46. “What? Are you deaf? Forget it!”

48. “Top Chef” judge Colicchio 49. Half of an umlaut 50. Defender’s courtroom opponent 52. Hit below the belt, say 53. Hype up 54. Pack in the overhead bin 55. Old West card game 56. Letter-shaped construction piece 57. Doubloon makeup 58. Quoits pegs 59. Sheepskin holder 60. They’re worn while going undercover 63. Scoreboard nos.

need answers? get ‘em @toledocitypaper.com www.toledocitypaper.com

By Brendan Emmett Quigley (www.brendanemmettquigley.com)

© Copyright 2021 Rob Brezsny

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini poet Buddy Wakefield writes that after the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004, “the only structure still standing in the wiped-out village of Malacca [in Malaysia] was a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. I wanna be able to stand like that.” I expect you will indeed enjoy that kind of stability and stamina in the coming weeks, my dear. You won’t have to endure a metaphorical tsunami, thank Goddess, but you may have to stand strong through a blustery brouhaha or swirling turbulence. Here’s a tip: The best approach is not to be stiff and unmoving like a statue, but rather flexible and willing to sway.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Poet Allen Ginsberg despairingly noted that many people want MORE MORE MORE LIFE, but they go awry because they allow their desire for MORE MORE MORE LIFE to fixate on material things—machines, possessions, gizmos, and status symbols. Ginsberg revered different kinds of longings: for good feelings, meaningful experiences, soulful breakthroughs, deep awareness, and all kinds of love. In accordance with astrological potentials, Aries, I’m giving you the go-ahead in the coming weeks to be extra greedy for the stuff in the second category.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In her poem “Mirror,” Taurus poet Halina Poświatowska wrote, “I am dazed by the beauty of my body.” I applaud her brazen admiration and love for her most valuable possession. I wish more of us could genuinely feel that same adoration for our own bodies.

And in accordance with current astrological omens, I recommend that you do indeed find a way to do just that right now. It’s time to upgrade your excitement about being in such a magnificent vessel. Even if it’s not in perfect health, it performs amazing marvels every minute of every day. I hope you will boost your appreciation for its miraculous capacities, and increase your commitment to treating it as the treasure that it is.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): No educator had ever offered a class in psychology until trailblazing philosopher William James did so in 1875. He knew a lot about human behavior. “Most people live in a very restricted circle of their potential being,” he wrote. “They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and of their soul’s resources in general, much like a person who, out of his whole bodily organism, should get into a habit of using only his little finger.” I’m going to make an extravagant prediction here: I expect that in the coming months you will be better primed than ever before to expand your access to your consciousness, your resources, and your potentials. How might you begin such an adventure? The first thing to do is to set a vivid intention to do just that.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Someone in me is suffering and struggling toward freedom,” wrote Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis. To that melodramatic announcement, I reply, good for him!

I’m glad he was willing to put himself through misery and despair in order to escape misery and despair. But I also think it’s important to note that there are other viable approaches to the quest for liberation. For example, having lavish fun and enjoying oneself profoundly can be tremendously effective in that holy work. I suspect that in the coming weeks, Leo, the latter approach will accomplish far more for you than the former.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo novelist Agatha Christie sold hundreds of millions of books, and is history’s most-translated author. While growing up, she had few other kids to associate with, so she created a host of imaginary friends to fill the void. They eventually became key players in her work as an author, helping her dream up stories. More than that: She simply loved having those invisible characters around to keep her company. Even in her old age, she still consorted with them. I bring this to your attention, Virgo, because now is a great time to acquire new imaginary friends or resurrect old ones.

Guardian angels and ancestral spirits would be good to call on, as well. How might they be of assistance and inspiration to you?

May 1 • May 31

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “To hurry pain is to leave a classroom still in session,” notes Libran aphorist Yahia Lababidi. On the other hand, he observes, “To prolong pain is to miss the next lesson.” If he’s correct, the goal is to dwell with your pain for just the right amount of time—until you’ve learned its lessons and figured out how not to experience it again in the future—but no longer than that. I suspect that such a turning point will soon be arriving for you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In her poem “Every Day,” Scorpio poet Denise Levertov wrote, “Every day, every day I hear enough to fill a year of nights with wondering.” I think that captures the expansive truth of your life in the coming weeks. You’ve entered a phase when the sheer abundance of interesting input may at times be overwhelming, though enriching. You’ll hear— and hopefully be receptive to—lots of provocative stories, dynamic revelations, and unexpected truths. Be grateful for this bounty! Use it to transform whatever might be stuck, whatever needs a catalytic nudge.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I hope you’re not too stressed these days. There has been pressure on you to adjust more than maybe you’d like to adjust, and I hope you’ve managed to find some relaxing slack amidst the heaviness. But even if the inconvenience levels are deeper than you like, I have good news: It’s all in a good cause. Read the wise words of author Dan Millman, who describes the process you’re midway through: “Every positive change, every jump to a higher level of energy and awareness, involves a rite of passage. Each time we ascend to a higher rung on the ladder of personal evolution, we must go through a period of discomfort, of initiation. I have never found an exception.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): We can safely say that Anais Nin was a connoisseur of eros and sensuality. The evidence includes her three collections of erotic writing, *Delta of Venus*, *Little Birds*, and *Auletris*. Here’s one of her definitive statements on the subject: “Sex must be mixed with tears, laughter, words, promises, jealousy, envy, all the spices of fear, foreign travel, new faces, stories, dreams, fantasies, music.” In response to Nin’s litany, I’m inclined to say, “Damn, that’s a lot of ambiance and scaffolding to have in place. Must it always be so complicated?” According to my reading of upcoming cosmic rhythms, you won’t need such a big array of stuff in your quest for soulful orgasms—at least not in the coming weeks. Your instinct for rapture will be finely tuned.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “One is always at home in one’s past,” wrote author Vladimir Nabokov. I agree.

Sometimes that’s not a good thing, though. It may lead us to flee from the challenges of the present moment and go hide and cower and wallow in nostalgia. But on other occasions, the fact that we are always at home in the past might generate brilliant healing strategies. It might rouse in us a wise determination to refresh our spirit by basking in the deep solace of feeling utterly at home. I think the latter case is likely to be true for you in the coming weeks, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Not everything is supposed to become something beautiful and long-lasting,” writes author Emery Allen. “Not everyone is going to stay forever.” Her message is a good one for you to keep in mind right now. You’re in a phase when transitory boosts and temporary help may be exactly what you need most. I suspect your main task in the coming weeks is to get maximum benefit from influences that are just passing through your life. The catalysts that work best could be those that work only once and then disappear.

29

TEN SPOT CAR LOT

Walk (or not) in support of mental health

The National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter of Greater Toledo will once again adapt their annual NAMIWalks fundraiser into a virtual event.

NAMIWalks Your Way will be held on Saturday, May 22 beginning at 8am. Participants can choose to raise money for NAMI by walking a 5K on their own, but it’s not necessary— individuals are invited to be creative and come up with their own ideas for how to participate. Everyone is then encouraged to post about their event on social media using the hashtag #NotAlone. To register or donate to the event, visit namiwalks.org

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Think like a nurse

How does a nurse learn to make decisions on behalf of patients, and how can they continue to sharpen that instinct over time? Bowling Green State University is hosting a virtual symposium, “Clinical Judgment: Thinking Like a Nurse”, on Tuesday, May 18. The event will present strategies to develop decisionmaking capabilities using evidence, experience, communication and other factors. Nursing students and educators, health care professionals and others are invited to attend. The symposium is free, though a donation to BGSU’s Nursing Scholarship Fund is encouraged. Visit bgsu.edu to register.

1995 Volvo 850 Runs Good. $1000 obo Call 419.250.1780 2015 Chevy Cruze LT White; 16,900 miles; tinted windows; still under factory warranty; $13,400.

Call 419-779-3857 2014 Harley Davidson, Sportster Super Low. 483 miles.

Almost Brand New! Loaded. $4800 419-376-9264

2009 Chevy Express 14 Passenger Bus. 29,000 miles, new tires, 1 owner, yearly childcare inpsections. $14,500. Call (419) 654-2124 2008 Ford Focus SE Coupe.

Custom tint, keyless entry, custom interior, blackened rims, DVD/Bluetooth/ Sirius Dash, new ball joints, tie rods, fuel pump, hub. 145,000 miles. $3000. Call 419-932-5311.

SECTION JAM SECTION JAM

MUSICIANS SEEKING

BANDS, ,MUSICIANS, ARTIST’S, DJ’S, CREATIVE PEOPLE, ETC. ROCKN ROOMS & SPACES !! YOU GOTTA SEE TO BELIEVE. Practice, Rehearsal, Recording Studio Rooms, Art & JAM Spaces Etc. Available!! Only $200.00 & Up Per Month…

NO LONG TERM LEASES ! NO CREDIT CHECKS !

ONLY MONTH TO MONTH RENT! ROCK & ROLL AIN’T NOISE POLLUTION ! Play, Paint, Sculpt, Create, Dance, Sing, Yell Or Jam As Loud Or Soft As You Want To ! No Noise Restrictions!

I REPEAT NO NOISE RESTRICTIONS !! NO MORE COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS, ROOMMATES, TENANTS, PARENTS & BEST OF ALL NO TROUBLES FROM THE POLICE!!!!

A PEACE OF MIND YOU’LL APPRECIATE ! 24/7 365 Access! COME ON DOWN & CRANK IT UP ! FREE ELECTRICITY AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT & WIFI !SECURITY CAMERA’S WITH NIGHT-VISION ! SAFE & VERY SECURE LOCATION !! Men, Women, Students, Established Or Beginner Musicians & Entertainers, Artists, Creative & Crafty People Encouraged CALL NOW (419) 346-5803 “Sugarfang” seeks rock drummer for originals. We

have practice space & drums. Bedford area. Call Dan 313-320-5278.

Seeking Musicians of types for live shows.

Jazz, R&B, Blues & Rock influences! Please contact for more info 419.810.8848

call to place your $10 car ad here!

419.244.9859

HELP WANTED

Local musician looking for places to record drums, guitar,

vocals, piano, and bass! 567-202-6515

Experienced Bass Player Looking for fill in work. Blues, Classic Rock, Country. Call 419-917-3507 Skeleton Crue: Now auditioning lead guitarists - Desparately seeking great drummer. Original rock. New booking agent!

Call us ASAP! 419.297.2928 - Find us on Facebook / YouTube / MySpace / Skeleton Crue Nice & Loud.

Rhythm or Lead Guitarist can

also sing, Familiar with many Styles.

Experienced. 567-377-9664 Ads For Local Artists are Free! Ads run for 2 issues and must be renewed after the two issues. You must be: advertising for band members or selling instruments under $200 or just looking to jam. Business related ads run for $20. Limit 20 words per ad; 40 cents per additional word.

Help Wanted Looking for professional, driven members of the beauty industry. Modern Chic houses the most passionate Independent Contractors. We provide Guest Services and in salon education from brands like @moroccanoilpro & @ davineseducation. Contact Ashlee @ 419.277.2373

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ MISCELLANEOUS The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system.

SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-855-900-2894

Help Wanted

HEALTH/MEDICAL Love dogs? Love the outdoors? This job is ideal for you.

We are looking for animal lovers to work part time to help us humanely manage geese populations using our border collies. email contact info/resume to jobs@ohiogeesecontrol.com

CLASSES Natural hair classes for foster and adoptive families are now open for Spring registration. Visit Thekitchensalon.com to learn more.

HEALTH/MEDICAL VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99.

100 pills for $150. FREE shipping.

Money back guaranteed! 1-844-596-4376

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May 1 • May 31

HEARING AIDS!! Buy one/get one FREE! Nearly invisible, fully rechargeable IN-EAR NANO hearing aids priced thousands less than competitors!

45-day trial! Call: 1-877-436-0234

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ MISCELLANEOUS Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase.

10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-791-1626

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ MISCELLANEOUS GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable.

Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions. 1-855-465-7624

Miscellaneous For Sale DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet.

Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 7/21/21. 1-855-270-5098

Miscellaneous For Sale NEED IRS RELIEF $10K $125K+ Get Fresh Start or Forgiveness. Call 1-844-431-4716 Monday through Friday 7 AM - 5 PM PST

Pest Control Find Pest Control Experts Near You! Don’t let pests overtake your home. Protect your loved ones! Call today to find great deals on Pest Control Services - 833-872-0012

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE READY TO BUY, SELL, OR RENT YOUR VACATION HOME OR HUNTING CAMP? Advertise it here and in neighboring publications. We can help you. Contact MACnet MEDIA @ 800-450-6631 or visit our site at MACnetOnline.com

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Line Classifieds: Only $20 per issue for 20 words or less. Each additional word is 40 cents each and any artwork is $5 extra. Display Classifieds: Display classifieds with a box may be purchased for $25 per column inch. Photos are accepted with ads for an additional $5 per photo. ten spot car lot: Only $10 for 20 word or less that WILL RUN UNTIL CAR SELLS. Each additional word is 40 cents and any artwork is $5 extra. Deadlines: Ad copy must be received by NOON on the Friday prior to publication.

Payment: Payment must be received before an ad can be placed. We accept checks, cash, money orders and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard/American Express).Phone: 419-244-9859 EMail: classifieds@adamsstreetpublishing.com Refunds: Sorry, NO REFUNDS given. Misprints: Credit toward future ads.

Pet page

Call 419-244-9859 to advertise your pets and services for as little as $25 per issue

WANTED Buying U.S. Pocket knives and collections. Quick Response 419-360-7082”

For Rent

HEALTH/ MISCELLANEOUS New Hearing Technology Available to Everyone!

WiderSound® Hearing Aids bring you technologically advanced hearing aids at sensible prices. No prescription required! Starting at $69.99. Visit http://bit.ly/WiderSound4U and get yours today!

services

Beautifully Fully Furnished Apartments. No Lease No Credit Check Required!

Pet Friendly w/ FREE utilities & Free cable. Earn FREE rent! Call now! 419-740-4431

Help Wanted Local company needs window and siding installers. Must have own truck and tools. Top pay and mostly all local work. Reply to Bill McConnell at Dunright Building Services @ 419-466-4410 or bill@ toledodunright.com

Al’s Deck and Fence-Install all types of fencing -Repairs-Power wash and/or stain decks & fences 419450-7202

419 Foodie Sink your teeth into our new monthly newsletter, ‘The 419 Foodie’ Dishing out happy hours, specials, new chef intros, redesigns, menu reboots, brand new brews…

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HOSPITALITY MANAGER • • • • • • • •

Do you have an affinity for making guests feel welcome?

A knack for knowing each guest by name?

Can you anticipate needs before they arise?

Do you feel comfortable extending a warm welcome to everyone, even and especially guests who find themselves solo?

Does striking conversation feel as natural as breathing?

Are you comfortable inviting guests to events, dinners, wine tastings, that you just know they will enjoy?

Can you create a list of ideas that promote and utilize a classic and dignified physical facility?

Are you excited by creating new initiatives guests will love?

The ideal candidate will value the guest experience and stop at (almost) nothing to enhance that deliverable. The concept that guests enjoy good times which makes them want to return more frequently is embedded in the psyche of the hospitality guru we are looking for. Detecting trends and responding with ideas to increase involvement and to gauge feedback and to be reflected in future planning will be a must.

This position has a priority of driving guest engagement and utilization of the facility with a secondary focus on coordinating responsibilities and accountability to an open minded and ready-for-innovation management group. Administrative duties, in conjunction with the guest experience, are included, in a flexible design, in the job responsibilities. Working as a member of a team to enhance the guest experience is beneficial and expected.

The facility has a variety of offerings for both older and younger adults, as well as children and families. The offerings include dining and events as well as other social activities.

This position is designed to be outward facing, with opportunities to reach out to the community to attract participation and to act as an ambassador for the facility. Calm, competent, friendly, accommodating and clairvoyant are all descriptors that are possessed by desirable candidates The right candidate will receive a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and benefits including health coverage and retirement contributions .

If you are saying to yourself “that sounds like me!”, send us your resume and salary requirements. We will send qualified candidates a more detailed job description with an enumeration of duties.

Email resume to mijacobs58@gmail.com

May 1 • May 31

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