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101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio

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Toledo Free Press
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Toledo Museum of Art - Photo by @Corib722

The opportunity to compile this year’s “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio” special issue made it evident to me that the Lake Erie region has a whole lot more to offer than many of its own residents realize.

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As a disclaimer, this list does not attempt to provide an exhaustive account of every activity in the region, or even most activities. It could easily be doubled or tripled, and serious points of interest would still be omitted. For a sample of the region’s bustle, just look at July. In addition to all of its ongoing activities, some upcoming events include several live music concerts, an African-American festival, the Glass City Rollers’ first away bout and the Toast of Ohio Wine Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky.

I chose this particular 101 with the intention of accurately capturing a snapshot of local life. The list does attempt to give voice to a diverse litany of interests so that thrill-seekers and nature-lovers alike will discover some new prospect worth trying. It has no particular order or ranking system and groups each of the 101 ways in a category for ease of reading.

Before you naysay it, read it. I am amazed at the flurry of fun going on around us: networking events like Instameet and EPIC Toledo Lunch n Leads, drive-in movies, frequent festivals and fairs, a whole host of historical sites and physical fitness studios … at least 101 ways to make you wish you were here.

What’s missing from “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio”? What should be included next year? Post your suggestions on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/toledofreepress) or email us at [email protected].

– Toledo Free Press Staff Writer and Project Editor Jordan Finney. Read her full column about compiling this list here.

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1. ‘The Nutcracker’

The Toledo Ballet will host its 74th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” the longest-running performance of the holiday favorite in the nation. Dec. 13-14. At the Stranahan Theater.

2. Levis Commons Fine  Art Fair

Spend the weekend with thousands of other local tourists in Perrysburg at the 10th annual open-air art fair. Aug. 16-17. Browse handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, painting, glass photography, fiber and more at The Town Center at Levis Commons. Free admission and parking. At 3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg.

shopleviscommons.com

The Nutcracker - Photo by Photoworks, Inc. Courtesy Toledo Ballet
The Nutcracker – Photo by Photoworks, Inc. Courtesy Toledo Ballet

3. Toledo Opera

Prepare for an evening of fabulous costumes, impressive sets and sonorous music. This season’s offerings include “Tosca,” “Susannah” and “Lucia di Lammermoor,” all with English translations provided above the stage. Closed captioning – opera style.

toledoopera.org

4. Local theater productions

Toledo is brimming with opportunities to attend a theater production, including an upcoming rendition of “The Pirates of Penzance” at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre (Sept. 12-21). In addition, there are ongoing performances at the Stranahan Theater, The Village Players Theatre and Valentine Theatre, not to mention regional and collegiate performances.

Levis Commons Fine Art Fair - Photo courtesy the Town Center at Levis Commons
Levis Commons Fine Art Fair – Photo courtesy the Town Center at Levis Commons

corib722_TMA_WEB
Toledo Museum of Art – Photo by @Corib722

5. Handmade Toledo

This DIY-oriented community of craft artistans will offer a Pop Up Shop during The Arts Commission’s July Art Walk. 6-9 p.m. July 24.

handmadetoledo.com

6. Toledo Symphony

This regional orchestra has been active for more than seven decades and employs nearly 80 professional musicians. This season, the symphony has three main series: Mozart & More, Classics and Pop. Its next free “Music Under the Stars” concert is July 27. At the Toledo Zoo.

toledosymphony.com

 7. Uncork the Artist

Regardless of the depth of your artistic prowess, let a local professional lead your group through a painting lesson. All supplies provided. $35 per person or $65 for two. Furthermore, Uncork the Artist invites you to attend the free grand opening of its new venue in Perrysburg, a night of food and independent art projects during the first week of August. Also, You Can Be An Artist in Maumee.

uncorktheartist.com

youcanbeanartist.com

8. National Center for Nature Photography

The photography center celebrates nature through its themed photo exhibits and shows, annual contests, classes and programs. Its state-of-the-art gallery, closed for renovations, will reopen in September with additional exhibits and space. Free admission. Open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday after renovations are complete. At Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey.

metroparkstoledo.com

9. Art Walks

Thursday art walks showcase  creative art displays in numerous galleries, spotlighting the diverse talents of the region’s artists. The next event is set for 6-9 p.m. July 24.

uptowntoledo.org

theartscommission.org

10. Artomatic 419!

Hosted by The Arts Commission, this grand-scale multimedia event offers space for visual, performing and literary artists to showcase their talents. Its last showing attracted 10,000+ guests who marveled at the imaginative creations of 500+ local artists. Mark your calendars: Artomatic 419! will return spring 2015.

theartscommission.org

11. Art Hours

The Glass City wouldn’t be complete without the Toledo Museum of Art’s hands-on, hour-long art classes that illustrate how to make various glass projects. Sample activities include hot sculpting (for TMA members) and flameworking (open to public), both typically offered on Thursday evenings.

toledomuseum.org

12. Life drawings

The Art Supply Depo sponsors “Drink and Draw,” a $10 life drawing session ($7 with a friend!). The shop provides a model and music while 18-and-older participants bring their own drinks and art supplies. Fourth Tuesday of every month. 7-10 p.m. At 29 S. St. Clair St. The next date is July 22.

artsupplydepo.com

13. Toledo Museum of Art

No Toledo to-do list would be complete without this internationally renowned museum. In addition to free admission to most exhibitions, TMA offers glass blowing demonstrations, docent-guided tours and a Masters Series featuring famous artists, scholars and musicians (the next one is with Brett Leonard at 6 p.m. on Sept. 25). Prepare to spend a day lost in its halls. At 2445 Monroe St.

toledomuseum.org

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Lights Before Christmas (Photo courtesy Toledo Zoo)
Lights Before Christmas (Photo courtesy Toledo Zoo)

14. Banned Books Week

Local residents will join University of Toledo students to celebrate the freedom to read without censorship at the annual Banned Books Week Vigil on Sept. 25.

15. Toledo Pride

The fifth annual LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied) weekend-long event at Promenade Park (Aug. 22-24) will feature live entertainment, a Downtown parade, dozens of vendor booths and Sunday Funday. Kick off the weekend with the Nite Glo 5K at the University of Toledo.

toledopride.com

16. Crosby Festival of the Arts

Northwest Ohio’s annual “premier fine arts festival” highlights the imagination of more than 200 artists from across the country. The event takes place at Toledo Botanical Garden. Final full weekend of June.

toledogarden.org

17. Toledo Walleye Winterfest

Fifth Third Field will become a full-fledged winter wonderland for 10 days (Dec. 26 to Jan. 4) during Toledo Walleye Winterfest, a grand-scale sports event sponsored by ProMedica. Local fans will witness the Walleye hockey team battle the Kalamazoo Wings (Dec. 27) and the Fort Wayne Komets (Jan. 3) in a true outdoor hockey arena.

toledowalleye.com

18. Lights Before Christmas

Need a reason to stick around Toledo for the winter? This “electrical spectacle” takes nearly 10 miles of extension cords and more than 1 million lights to illuminate the zoo. Mid-November to Dec. 31.

toledozoo.org

19. Rifle and pistol matches

First held in 1903, the National Matches have become a shooting sports festival with more than 6,000 annual participants whose skill levels vary from beginner to best in the world. Some matches include expert instruction and dozens of vendors set up shop on commercial row all month. Free to spectators, July 6-Aug. 15. At Camp Perry, Port Clinton.

thecmp.org

20. Ethnic festivals

African American Festival (July 19-20), Toledo Hibernian Irish Festival (Aug. 8-9), Birmingham Ethnic Festival (Aug 16.), German-American Festival (Aug. 22-24), Greek-American Festival (Sept. 5-7), Latino, Polish – spend a weekend celebrating ethnic diversity and culture, dancing to live music, shopping and snacking with friends.

Ghost Walk (Photo courtesy Fort Meigs)
Ghost Walk (Photo courtesy Fort Meigs)

21. NWO Hopheads Festival 

Adults 21 and older are invited to an outdoor concert at Centennial Terrace for a full night of live music, appetizing food and craft beer. This festival (Aug. 8) has become a networking opportunity for nearby craft beer enthusiasts. $25 pre-sell tickets include 20 samples, a souvenir cup and admission. $10 admission at the gate. At 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania.

centennialterrace.org

22. Food-themed fests

A handful of Northwest Ohio’s food-themed fests include Swanton’s 106th Corn Festival (Aug. 16), Oak Harbor’s Apple Fest (Oct. 11-12), Grand Rapids’ Applebutter Fest (Oct. 12) and Whitehouse’s Cherry Fest (June 2015).

23. Whitehouse’s Winterfest

Seriously entertaining cardboard sled races, horse drawn carriage rides, a competitive chili cook-off, music, snowball-throwing contests, dancing, the annual 5K race and more — Whitehouse’s annual Winterfest event is coming your way in February 2015.

whitehouseoh.gov

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24. Ghost walk

Fort Meigs will sport a “spirited stroll” this fall. Oct. 17-18, 24-25. A War of 1812 tour guide will escort guests through the spookier side of this historic landmark. The fort also features costumed historical interpreters (May through October), military history roundtables (the next one is Sept. 18) and a museum full of wartime artifacts. $4-8, children 5 and younger are free. At 29100 W. River

Road, Perrysburg.

fortmeigs.org

25. Party like it’s 1945

The Dan Zola Orchestra will perform at Liberty Aviation Museum’s upcoming Big Band Hangar Dance on Aug 23. Swing dancing and an entourage in vintage dress (think military and zoot suits) will characterize the evening. During the rest of the year, visitors may meander through the museum’s collection of aircraft, vehicles and other historical artifacts, including a refurbished flyable B-25. $5 donation. 3515 East State Road, Port Clinton.

libertyaviationmuseum.org

26. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center

Enter through one of the six sets of original White House gates to see the home, library, museum, tomb and 25-acre estate of the 19th U.S. president. The center’s latest exhibit showcases exclusive archaeological information from the U.S. Civil War prison site of captured Confederate officers. $3-$7.50. Running now through early-January. In addition, GroveFest – an annual fundraising event complete with kids’ activities, music, a popular auction and piles of food – will be on July 26. At Spiegel Grove, Fremont.

www.rbhayes.org

27. Merry-Go-Round Museum

Visit with one of the artisan carvers who restores carousel animals while listening to the “oom pa pa” of a nearby band organ. $4-6 admission, children 4 and younger are free. One of its upcoming events, Toast of Ohio Wine Festival ($5. Noon-8 p.m. July 26), will offer guests wine tasting, an art show and gourmet food. At 301 Jackson St., Sandusky.

merrygoroundmuseum.org

28. Wildwood Manor House

This colonial home has become a celebrated fixture at Wildwood Preserve Metropark. It annually hosts a Tea in the Solarium event, late spring to early summer. Open for free tours April through Oct. 31, Tuesday through Sunday. Noon to 5 p.m. At 5100 W. Central Ave.

metroparkstoledo.com

29. Train-O-Rama

What began as a family hobby has developed into a start-up operation centered around Ohio’s largest multi-gauge model public railroad display. Model train enthusiasts, prepare to drool. $6-8, children 3 and younger are free. At 6732 E. Harbor Road, Marblehead.

trainorama.net

30. The Canal Experience

Providence Metropark’s Canal Experience immerses visitors in a 19th-century lifestyle, complete with mule-drawn canal boats, a working water-powered saw, one of the last functioning limestone locks and costumed characters along the Miami and Erie Canal. $4-6, ages 2 and younger are free. May through October.

metroparkstoledo.com

31. The Blair Museum of Lithophanes

Home to 2,300 lithophanes, the largest collection of its kind in the world. Lithophanes, etchings engraved in translucent porcelain, can only be properly viewed when lit from behind. Spotlighting “Revelations and Withholdings” through Oct. 26. Free and open Saturday-Sunday May through October. Year-round special group tours available at $5 a person. At Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Drive.

lithophanemuseum.org

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32. The 577 Foundation

Unwind during an hourlong tour of this property’s quaint cottage, remodeled machinery room, cow barn, log home, community gardens and curious geodesic dome. At 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg.

577foundation.org

33. Go on an African safari

Drive-thru passengers feed a diverse range of creatures, including alpacas, bongos and camels. The Walk-Thru Safari option feels more akin to a traditional zoo setting, complete with popular pig races and a new white alligator exhibit. The African Safari Wildlife Park is open for the season through Nov. 30. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. $13.95-21.95, children 3 and younger are free. At Port Clinton.

africansafariwildlifepark.com

34. Floating classroom

A 100-passenger cruise vessel, affectionately named The Sandpiper, gives one-to-four hour educational boat tours on the Maumee River. Topics of interest range from eagles to Veterans’ Glass City Skyway bridge to Big Lucas. May through October. $5-11. At the foot of Jefferson Avenue in Promenade Park.

sandpiperboat.org

35. Ogle at the universe

The Ritter Planetarium at the University of Toledo sports the first Spitz SciDome XD projection system in the world, offering visitors a glimpse of the heavens – literally. Its summer program, “Summer Skies Over Toledo,” impresses visitors with an entrancing live-guided tour of the Toledo night sky. Fridays through Aug. 29. 8:30 p.m. $5-7, children 4 and younger are free.

utoledo.edu/nsm/rpbo

36. Frogtown-inspired races

Toledo’s Frogtown Races, one of the most prestigious fall regattas in the Midwest, will take place Sept. 27. High school, college and adult rowers from the U.S. and Canada will compete in a 3-mile course on the Maumee River. At International Park, Main Street.

toledorowing.org

37. Play beach volleyball

There’s something strangely satisfying about diving for a loose ball in the summertime — and even more so when it’s at the beach. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, or simply have mad volleyball skills, sign up for the Battle of Put-in-Bay 2014 volleyball tournament (Aug. 15-16). To make matters more entertaining, the sports event is also a costume contest ­— dress to impress! $200 per team. At the Sand Bar, Put-in-Bay.

lakeviewvb.net

38. The Butterfly House

More than 1,000 free-flying butterflies from around the world flutter about this wheelchair-accessible glass house conservatory. Photography welcome. Open May through October. $7-9, children 3 and younger are free. 11455 Obee Road, Whitehouse.

butterfly-house.com

39. Stroll in an arboretum

The 47-acre R.A. Stranahan Arboretum highlights local urban landscape ecology and an aromatic collection of rare and local trees, shrubs and grasses. Year-round free admission, open Monday through Thursday. At 4131 Tantara Road.

utoledo.edu/nsm/arboretum/

40. Biggest Week in American Birding  

More than 60,000 people from 46 states and 13 countries flocked to this year’s Biggest Week in American Birding” for bird watching and photography. Next spring’s 10-day event (May 8-17) will feature half-day bus tours, speakers, workshops, displays and daily walks at venues including the world famous Magee Marsh boardwalk. Organizers say Northwest Ohio in May is the best place anywhere in North America to observe the spring migration of songbirds.

biggestweekinamericanbirding.com

Bike rides on the Wabash Cannonball Trail (Photo by @jsheath714)
Bike rides on the Wabash Cannonball Trail (Photo by @jsheath714)

41. Go cycling

The University/Parks Trail is a popular trail open to cyclists, walkers, joggers and skater alike. Stretching from University of Toledo’s campus to King Road in Sylvania Township, this six-mile stretch is perfect for outdoor fitness fans ­— and it’s free.

metroparkstoledo.com

42. Ottawa Park

Ottawa Park, home to the Greater Toledo Inline Hockey League, boasts the only open-air ice rink in Northwest Ohio. The park also has a 500-ton stone amphitheater and the only disc golf course in Toledo.

ottawapark.org

43. Fun runs    

A sample of Northwest Ohio’s upcoming fun runs and mud runs includes Black Swamp Dash (Aug. 2, Oak Harbor), Zombie Race (Aug. 16, Holland), The Color Run (Aug. 16, Toledo), The Survival Race (Aug. 17, Holland) and Dance Dash (Sept. 20, Perrysburg).

runningintheusa.com

44. Mountain biking

Toledo’s Jermain Park is the first designated free-to-the-public mountain bike park – and the only mountain bike park in Northwest Ohio. Its more than  six-mile course is the perfect venue for events like the Toledo Free Ride. The bike skills area contains dirt jumps, a pump track and a separate area for progressive stunts and skills.

ottawapark.org

Participate in a fun run (Photo courtesy Black Swamp Dash)
Participate in a fun run (Photo courtesy Black Swamp Dash)

45. Cultivate your green thumb

Toledo GROWs, Toledo Botanical Garden’s outreach program, is a grassroots organization that tends to more than 165 community gardens. Find a garden near you by emailing info@toledo garden.org. Its market stand supplies fresh vegetables and herbs (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays). Tours are available April through October (1-2 p.m. Wednesdays). At 900 Oneida St.

toledogarden.org

46. Find a fossil

Budding paleontologists can dig all day for world-renowned fossils in the five-acre rock quarry at Fossil Park. No tools are permitted, but bring a toothbrush and water to clean off your fossils, and something to carry those little Devonian Era relics home in. Free admission and parking to the fossil pit (April through mid-November) and the park itself (open year-round, except during the Sylvania fireworks display). At 5675 Centennial Road, Sylvania.

olanderpark.com

 47. Watch a Lake Erie sunset

Take the time to venture out to Lake Erie and watch the sun set over the water. There’s a reason that dozens of vacation houses and bed & breakfasts have settled on the shoreline.

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48. Great Lakes Popcorn Company

Interested in sweetening (or spicing up) your weekend movie date? The Great Lakes Popcorn Company has your local grocery store’s pack of Orville Redenbacher’s beat. If for nothing else, swing by the Walleye Capital of the World to try one of the local company’s more than 30 flavors of popcorn: bubble gum, wild walleye, margarita. 115 Madison St., Port Clinton.

greatlakespopcorn.com

49. Savor chocolate history

The South Bend Chocolate Company’s museum explains the growing process, history and production of chocolate from a culinary perspective. Ohio’s first chocolate museum consists of a film about chocolate, exhibits and a photo-opportunity with cardboard cut-out Lucy from “Lucy at the Chocolate Factory.” Open daily mid-May through mid-September, weekends through mid-October. At 820 Catawba St., Put-in-Bay.

chocolateohio.com

50. Toledo Flavors Food Tour

These new three-hour food tasting and cultural walking tours afford partakers the opportunity to eat at six or more venues, explore the Warehouse District with an insider view of its history and architecture and gain a new perspective on Toledo’s culture and culinary scene. $42 for adults, $30 for children. Tours held rain or shine, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through September.

toledoflavors.com

51. Wine and cheese tastings

Local connoisseurs and amateurs gather on Thursdays at Treo Wine Bar to try four different wines and a sample platter of the day’s cheeses. $15. At 5703 Main St., Sylvania.

treosylvania.com

52. Iconic Toledo food

Local residents and out-of-towners alike can’t fully appreciate The Glass City without knocking back a couple of glasses over chow time at one of its widely known culinary hubs. Suggestions include hot dogs from Tony Packo’s, steak from Mancy’s, everything bagel from Barry Bagels, ice cream from Mr. Freeze, chili dogs from Rudy’s and garbage salad from Grumpy’s.

53. Farmers Markets

Wander around one of Northwest Ohio’s open-air marketplaces for an assortment of homegrown and handmade finds. Local markets include Downtown at Erie Street Market (8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays May through November, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays December through April), Perrysburg (3-8 p.m. Thursdays May through early October), Westgate (3-7 p.m. Wednesdays May through October) and Bowling Green (4-7 p.m. Wednesdays May through mid-October).

54. Apple picking and cider making

MacQueen Orchards grows more than 16 varieties of apples and 10 varieties of peaches, and invites you to pick your own fruit from mid-September to the third week of October. In addition, its annual Apple Stir & Crafts Festival set for the first weekend of October will have an apple pie contest, huge play area for children, horse-drawn wagon rides and delicious food. At 7605 Garden Road, Holland.

macqueenorchards.com

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55. See the circus

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is taking “The Greatest Show on Earth” to a new level this fall (Oct. 30-Nov. 2) with its new circus show. Legendary circus icons from 25 countries will come together as one cast for “LEGENDS,” a spectacular mythological production that boasts Asian elephants, a 20-acrobat troupe balanced atop a pair of bicycles and a high-flying trapeze act. At the Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave.

huntingtoncentertoledo.com

56.  Imagination Station

The popular science center offers more than 250 interactive exhibits, including NASA’s “Science On a Sphere” through Sept. 7, a Science2Go! gift shop and several education programs. $8-10, children 2 and younger are free. At 1 Discovery Way, Toledo.

imaginationstationtoledo.org

57. Support a local record store

More than 1,000 independently owned record stores celebrate their unique culture during Record Store Day, an international event on the third Saturday of every April (next year’s date is April 18). Local record stores include Culture Clash (4020 Secor Road), RamaLama Records (3151 W. Central Ave.), AA Records Are Us (3010 Lagrange St.) and more!

58. Leadership Toledo

Leadership Toledo inspires people to become active participants in their communities with a nine-month $2,500 training program for adults and a program for teens. Its annual Restaurant Week Toledo will be March 2-9.

leadershiptoledo.org

59. Infected!

Trapped Toledo has created an interactive adventure that locks a group of people in a small room and dares them to try and escape. Wednesdays through Sundays, ages 15 years and older, $18.50-25. At 4400 Heatherdowns Blvd.

trappedtoledo.com

60. Toledo Zoo tours

As if it didn’t already house the whole animal kingdom, this regional favorite boasts two new exhibits: Penguin Beach and Flamingo Key. The zoo also offers a slew of popular behind-the-scenes tours so visitors can get up close with wild animals: rhinos, giraffes, polar bears … your choice.

toledozoo.org

Toledo Antique & Classic Boat Show
Toledo Antique & Classic Boat Show

61. 419 Day

What was once a savvy social media movement has emerged as a city-sweeping day of love where community members lend support to each other and local businesses on April 19. Snap some photos in the city, pay it forward to a stranger and remember: “You will do better in Toledo.”

62. Glass City Rollers

Metro Toledo’s flat track roller derby league will kick off its traveling season July 26, with an additional away bout Sept. 13. Scheduled home bouts include Aug. 16, Oct. 4 and Nov. 1. At 525 Earlwood Ave. Oregon

glasscityrollers.com

63. Watch fireworks after a Mud Hens game

Mosey over to Fifth Third Field to cheer on your hometown Hens as they outrun other minor league baseball teams. Even better, your $10 admission fee to home games on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will also snag you a front-row seat to a spectacular Downtown fireworks show.

mudhens.com

64. Casino  concerts

Enjoy an evening by the river listening to live music at Hollywood Casino Toledo’s summer concert series. Upcoming performances include Wilson Phillips (9:30  p.m.  July 19), Smokey Robinson (9 p.m.  Aug. 8), Summerland Tour (7 p.m.  Aug. 9) and Travis Tritt (9 p.m.  Aug. 22).

hollywoodcasinotoledo.com

65. Check out the local universities

If you didn’t grow up in the Lake Erie region, take a tour of the local universities to sense the vibe of Northwest Ohio’s younger generation. The campuses at University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Lourdes University offer events throughout the year that are open to the public. Stop by the front office for information.

66. Contemporary dance class

Bird’s Eye View Circus Space quickly became Toledo’s go-to studio spot for lessons in aerial silks, stilt walking, static trapeze, hand balancing and flexibility, acro yoga jam and more. The studio’s newest program, a Contemporary Movement class, provides a fun outlet for dance and fitness enthusiasts to gain strength and flexibility by jiving to a fusion of ballet, jazz and modern styles. $10 a class. 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning July 24. At Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd.

birdseyeviewcircus.com

67. Get tech-savvy

Girl Develop It  aims to make affordable programs accessible to all local women who share a desire to learn about software and digital development. The international nonprofit organization offers free courses that focus on coding, leveraging existing technology and building websites. Upcoming classes will be Introduction to Responsive Design ($20, 6:30-10 p.m. July 28) and Introduction to Javascript  ($50, 6-10 p.m. July 21 and 23).

At Seed Coworking, 25 S. St. Clair St.

girldevelopit.com

68. Join a writer’s forum

The Northwest Ohio Writers Forum meets on the third Saturday of each month (except July, August and December) to discuss everything from freelance writing to copyright law. The group also enjoys listening to presentations by guest speakers. Membership costs $25 a year, $15 for students. At various branches of the Toledo Lucas-County Public Library.

nwowf.org

69. Movies at the Memorial

For the month of August, Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial will screen free films on Saturday nights. Check its website to see which films will be playing. Movies begin at dark. Bring a blanket! At 93 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay.

nps.gov/pevi

70. EPIC Toledo Lunch n Leads

Individuals volunteer themselves to host this local luncheon series. Each attendee purchases his or her own lunch and eats while the host gives a 15-to-20-minute business presentation. Professional networking consumes the remainder of the hour. Meets noon to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

epictoledo.com

71. Attend a networking event

A Toledo-based grassroots organization called So Now creates an alliance of like-minded professional women who network and help each other achieve goals. The next So Now dinner is at 6:16 p.m. July 23. $20, includes buffet dinner and open networking.

sonowcoaching.com

72. $5.50 movie Tuesdays

Cinemark Cinemas at Levis Commons or Franklin Park offer a  $5.50 Tuesday special. Purchase a ticket to any 2-D movie – yes, even new releases – for any showtime. At 2005 Hollenbeck Drive, Perrysburg and 5001 Monroe St., Toledo.

cinemark.com

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73. Toledo Antique & Classic Boat Show

Event organizers describe this regional show as an “extravaganza of antique, classic and historical watercraft through the ages.” Set for Aug. 24-25, the eighth annual show invites all boating enthusiasts to enjoy a day with live entertainment, local vendors and artisans and displayed boats ranging from the 1920s era through modern-day replicas. At The National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St.

toledoboatshow.com

74. Holy Celebration Batman!

Celebrate Batman’s 75th birthday with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library! Free events include a movie marathon (July 21-25 at McMaster Center at Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St.) and a crafts and puzzles celebration (9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 21 at Main Library, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26 at Main Library and Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St.). Local comic book writer and historian Jim Beard and the Bat-Thespians will also present 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 26. At Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave.

75.TedxToledo

Locally-hosted TEDx events combine TEDTalks videos and live speakers to inspire thoughtful conversation about “ideas worth spreading.” Organizers planned the next conference for Sept. 18.

tedxtoledo.com

76. Attend an Instameet

Instameets are popular global events where IGers network and share photography. Touch base with Toledo’s vast Instagram networks (@IGers_Toledo, @owe_grammers) for the next Instameet time and location.

77. Live comedy shows

Need to unwind with a good laugh? Catch a live comedian at Funny Bone Comedy Club. Or, if you’re a starving comic in search of a gig, impress with your best show during Toledo Open Mic Night. At 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg, in Fat Fish Blue. Laffs Inc., 3922 Secor Road, also brings the laughs, including an open mic night on Wednesdays.

fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com

laffsinc.com

78. Befriend a bookworm

Book clubs are offered at numerous Toledo-Lucas County Public Library branch locations (Birmingham, Heatherdowns, Oregon, Point Place, Sanger, Sylvania, Washington and Waterville) as well as Way Public Library in Perrysburg.

79. Drive-in movie

Both Field of Dreams Drive-In Theater in Liberty Center ($4-7, children 4 and younger are free) and Sundance Kid Drive-In in Oregon ($4-9, children 5 and younger are free) offer popular movies in an outdoor atmosphere.

fieldofdreamsdrivein.com

greateasterntheatres.com

80. Go antiquing

Hidden treasures abound in Northwest Ohio antique shops. Whether you plan to buy or just browse, an unbelievable find may catch your eye if you stop by a local venue: Adams Street Antiques & Art (1500 Adams St.), Great Finds in Maumee (1414 Reynolds Road, Maumee), Maumee Antique Mall (1552 Reynolds Road, Maumee), Leffler’s Antiques (2646 W. Central Ave.), Toledo Architectural Artifacts (20 S. Ontario St.), Ancestor House Antiques (3148 Tremainsville Rd.) and HH Antiques (14 N. Holland Sylvania Road).

Fly a kite (Photo by @OhSnapJeff)
Fly a kite (Photo by @OhSnapJeff)

81. Fly a kite

A scattered group of kite fliers called the Black Swamp Air Force meets informally from 1-3 p.m. on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month — some die-hard fliers even participate in “ice flying” during winter’s subzero temperatures. The BSAF also schedules sundry kite-building educational workshops for kids and adults. At Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon.

82. Digitized treasure hunting

Grab a group of friends and go for an outdoor treasure hunt with a GPS-enabled device. More than 6 million geocachers participate in this worldwide modern-age version of hide-and-seek by navigating coordinates in search of hidden treasure.

geocaching.com

83. Try yoga

This dynamic breathing meditation exercise must be a popular pastime for Toledoans. Several yoga studios are active around the Toledo area, including: It Yoga Toledo (135 N. Michigan St.), Bikram Yoga Toledo (5107 Monroe St.), Presence Yoga (3450 W. Central Ave.), Zen in the District Inc. (1700 Canton St.) and many more!

84. CrossFit

The widespread popularity of this strength conditioning program in recent years has inspired CrossFit gyms around Northwest Ohio to launch, including CrossFit Toledo (757 Warehouse Road), Glass City CrossFit (3063 W. Alexis Road), CrossFit LifeSport (3128 Douglas Road) and CrossFit Perrysburg (26963 Eckel Road, Suite 206, Perrysburg).

85. Take flight

Bypass rush-hour traffic by opting to fly thousands of feet in the sky with a certified pilot to coach you along the way. Glass City Flight, a flight training school at Toledo Express Airport, offers a $100 introductory flight to give newbies a sample of small aircraft flight excitement. At 11341 W. Airport Service Road, Swanton. Crow Executive Air at Toledo Executive Airport also offers flying lessons. At 28331 Lemoyne Road, Millbury.

glasscityflight.com

crowair.com

86. Ride on a hot-air balloon

Activities at Findlay’s 2014 Flag City BalloonFest (Aug. 8-9) will include paid helicopter rides, a children’s fair, food vendors, a car show and — you guessed it —  hot-air balloon flights. The festival will be held at 322 S. Main St. in Findlay. The balloon flights cost $225 per person, 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9. Emory Adams Park, Findlay. Proceeds go to Findlay Service League, Special Olympics of Hancock Co., United Way and Voices For Children.

flagcityballoonfest.com

There’s also a balloon festival in Montpelier.

87. Honor Flight Northwest Ohio

This regionally-operated hub has paid for more than 1,800 veterans to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C. The upcoming Sept. 24 flight at the Grand Aire Hangar will be the final flight, largely because the organization accomplished its goal to send any World War II veteran to D.C. who expressed a desire to go. Visitors to this patriotic event will send-off veterans from 7-9 a.m. and welcome them home between 8-9:30 p.m. Don’t be surprised if you shed a tear when the band’s playing, flag are waving and a whole troupe of wide-eyed veterans walks down the runway toward a cheering crowd. At 11777 W. Airport Service Road, Swanton.

honorflightnwo.org

Hairstylist Lavonne Kujawa gives a free haircut, one of Tent City's most popular services (Photo by Dawn Hall)
Hairstylist Lavonne Kujawa gives a free haircut, one of Tent City’s most popular services (Photo by Dawn Hall)

88. Become a Chick

Chicks for Charity is a grassroots movement that lets local women of all ages donate however much money they want to the organization’s charity of choice (the 2013-14 recipient is Shared Lives Studio). Chicks do what they’re already doing – everything from informal card games to dinner parties to lemonade stands — to raise funds for an under-the-radar local charity. Becoming a Chick is easy; there’s no age requirements, fundraising quotas or monthly meetings. Some upcoming events include the annual golf scramble at Chippewa Golf Course in Curtice (9 a.m. Aug.16, $70 per player and $280 per team) and $5 Coffee Fridays noon to 2 p.m. at Shared Lives Studio. 20 N. St. Clair St.

chicksforcharity.net

89. Boxercise for IBC

Get in your weekly workout at the International Boxing Club with this challenging routine. A method that combines aerobic and anaerobic training, boxercise proceeds help fundraise for IBC’s outreach to Toledo’s at-risk youth. $5 a class, Monday through Thursday. At 525 Earlwood Ave., Oregon.

ibctoledo.org

90. Tent City

Local non profit 1Matters invites the community to volunteer at its annual homelessness awareness event Oct. 24-26. At Civic Center Mall. Volunteers will help Toledo’s unhoused population connect with free medical screenings and dental care, haircuts, meals, showers, flu shots, IDs and more. Want to help plan this year’s event? Meetings are every third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. at Red Cross HQ, 3100 W. Central Ave.

1matters.org

91. Light the Night

This is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual fundraising campaign to raise money to find cures for blood cancer. Raise $100 or more and you will receive a commemorative T-shirt, wristband for refreshments at the events and a lantern. Set to start from the SeaGate Centre  5-10 p.m. Oct. 5.

lightthenight.org

92. Human trafficking awareness

The 11th Annual International Human Trafficking, Prostitution and Sex Work Conference is set for Sept. 18-19. Speakers, researchers and survivors will discuss the needs of the various individuals involved in human trafficking. At the University of Toledo. In addition, the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition meets on the third Wednesday of every month. 9:15-11:15 a.m. Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.

traffickingconference.com

101waysHeader_DayTrips

93. Cedar Point’s new rides

Cedar Point’s seemingly endless supply of rides, shows, food options and other attractions just became a little more wild. The “Best Amusement Park in the World” just added Pipe Scream, which twists passengers through 302 feet of track at 43 mph, and a new classic thrill ride called Lake Erie Eagles.

cedarpoint.com

94. Wood County Fair

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend this 140th annual fair, set for July 28-Aug. 4. In addition to its quintessential food, exhibits, rides and prizes, must-see events at this year’s bash include a parade, demolition derby, national horse-pulls, and a new Monster Truck Throwdown. $6 a person, $24 week-long passes, children 9 and younger are free. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. At the Wood County Fairgrounds, Bowling Green.

woodcounty-fair.com

95. Sauder Village

Tourists longing for an up-close experience of rural Northwest Ohio history can travel through Ohio’s largest living history village with costumed guides and working craftsmen. Upcoming events include basket-making workshops (Sept. 17-18), a free evening lecture on the American Civil War (Oct. 6) and the 28th Annual Woodcarver’s Show & Sale in Founder’s Hall (Oct. 25-26). Open April through October. At 22611 State Route 2, Archbold.

saudervillage.org

96. Glacial grooves

The Glacial Grooves State Memorial on Kelleys Island in Lake Erie is an internationally renowned example of glacial grooves. The prehistoric trough, 400 feet long by 35 feet wide, extends over the island’s malleable limestone. And it’s only a ferry ride away.

kelleysisland.com

97. Explore a shipwreck

Lake Erie provides ample opportunities to explore shipwrecks, which are naturally preserved by its noncorrosive freshwater. Local scuba divers, professional wreck dive guides and maritime history buffs await your visit. Become an eco-tourist of Ohio’s underwater history, just for the day – and email TFP if you find any treasure.

ohioshipwrecks.org

98. See the world’s largest geode

Put-in-Bay’s Crystal Cave, below local favorite Heineman Winery, houses the world’s largest geode. A geode is a small, hollowed rock lined with crystals and minerals. This cave’s crystals range from 8 to 18 inches long and its walls are lined with a blue-colored mineral called celestite. $3-7, early May through late September. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. At 978 Catawba St., Put-in-Bay.

heinemanswinery.com

99. Seneca Caverns

Explore one of the area’s largest underground caverns. Depending on water level, walking tour guides will take visitors through seven rooms or levels. At 110 feet below the surface, the lowest level showcases the popular “Ole Mist’ry River,” a flowing underground stream. $8-15, children 5 and younger are free. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Sept. 1 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Sept. 2 through Oct. 12. At 15248 E. Township Road 178, Bellevue.

senecacavernsohio.com

100. Free Comic Book Day

Die-hard comic fans, mark your calendars: The first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day. Line up at most comic shops for the free goods, including JC’s Comic N’ More (6725 W. Central Ave.), Monarch Cards & Comics (4400 Heatherdowns Blvd.), Toledo Game Room (3001, W. Sylvania Ave) and Seann’s Anime and Comics (5805 Monroe St.).

101. National Tractor Pulling Championships

About 60,000 people crowd into the Wood County Fairgrounds for this annual event, one of the largest of its kind in the nation. Aug. 15-17. $20-44 for a single-session pass, three-day passes start at $100, children 10 and younger are free. At 13800 W. Poe Road, Bowling Green.

pulltown.com

Compiled by Toledo Free Press Staff Writer and Hillsdale College student Jordan Finney.

What’s missing from “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio”? What should be included next year? Post your suggestions on our Facebook page (facebook.com/toledofree press) or email us at letters@toledo freepress.com.

Finney: Doing better in Toledo

By
Jordan Finney
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Imagine feeling bewildered by the phrase  “Mud Hens,” suspecting that Cedar Point must be a popular nearby forest and asking someone to please spell “Tony Packo’s.” I spent my first couple of weeks in Toledo feeling just that way: an outsider yanked from my north Idaho roots and dropped in the heart of the Glass City. And I wasn’t confident that I would do well here.

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Toledo perplexes newcomers. Its cultural pulse thrives off contrasts: ancient buildings and grandiose construction endeavors, a vibrant arts scene and an underdeveloped downtown. Its natives embark on a consistent Toledo-shaming campaign, insisting that the city is simply boring, yet share an “I’d never permanently leave the Lake Erie region” attitude.

Let me humbly suggest that there’s a reason so many of you eventually come back to Toledo, if you ever leave at all. The opportunity to compile this year’s “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio” special issue made it evident to me that the Lake Erie region has a whole lot more to offer than many of its own residents realize.

As a disclaimer, this list does not attempt to provide an exhaustive account of every activity in the region, or even most activities. It could easily be doubled or tripled, and serious points of interest would still be omitted. For a sample of the region’s bustle, just look at July. In addition to all of its ongoing activities, some upcoming events include several live music concerts, an African-American festival, the Glass City Rollers’ first away bout and the Toast of Ohio Wine Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky.

Local life

I chose this particular 101 with the intention of accurately capturing a snapshot of local life. The list does attempt to give voice to a diverse litany of interests so that thrill-seekers and nature-lovers alike will discover some new prospect worth trying. It has no particular order or ranking system and groups each of the 101 ways in a category for ease of reading.

Before you naysay it, read it. I am amazed at the flurry of fun going on around us: networking events like Instameet and EPIC Toledo Lunch n Leads, drive-in movies, frequent festivals and fairs, a whole host of historical sites and physical fitness studios … at least 101 ways to make you wish you were here.

Speaking of fun, I recently enjoyed meeting Toledoan Jenn Wenzke (her So Now luncheons are featured as No. 71 on the “101 ways” list). She’s a dynamic force with an optimistic outlook on life despite having been diagnosed with a disease that often kills its victims in less than five years. When I wrote her story for this week’s issue, and thought about it more deeply during the entire “101 ways” compilation process, I felt truly inspired by the way she looks at every idea as a new possibility, an opportunity to become a well-rounded human being.

We could all benefit from approaching life that way. Adopt a possibility-oriented perspective when we meet new people and square new ideas with our own principles and preferences. At worst, life would be more interesting and the daily grind more magical. At best, our entire lives would be saturated with curiosity, adventure, knowledge and happiness. Either way, we’d be doing better.

For what it is

During my first week of work for Toledo Free Press, I noticed a sign in the office that read “You will do better in Toledo.” I took it for granted, maybe even thought it seemed silly or trite. However, somewhere between living here, talking to Wenzke and finishing the final list, I have grown to love Toledo for what it is.

One of those signs is now displayed in my home. It serves as a visible reminder of the possibility-oriented perspective that Wenzke embodies, Toledo needs and I try to emulate when I read through “101 ways.” I hope you try it, too.

Toledo Free Press Staff Writer and Hillsdale College  student Jordan Finney is project editor for “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio.” Email her at [email protected].

What’s missing from “101 ways to spend 101 days in Northwest Ohio”? What should be included next year? Post your suggestions on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/toledofreepress) or email us at [email protected].

Toledo-born, No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis ready to compete

By
Fred Altvater
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In a recent one-on-one interview with Toledo-born Stacy Lewis, the top-ranked female golfer in the world covered a wide range of subjects.

Lewis, 29, just won her third title of the year and has finished inside the Top 10 in 12 of 14 starts in 2014.

After taking the first-round lead with a nearly perfect 3-under-par 67 at the U.S. Women’s Open, Lewis struggled in the second and third rounds at Pinehurst to finish runner-up, two shots behind Michelle Wie.

“You know, I’m a grinder, I’m a fighter,” Lewis said. “I was happy to finish off the tournament strong and just to know that I can miss a few shots and still have a chance to win.”

Asked to rate the best young players on the LPGA Tour right now, Lewis praised Lexi Thompson.

“I think she has the length and is the best ball-striker on tour. She also has the touch around the greens and is figuring out her putting. I think Lexi is going to be around for a long, long time.”

I asked her about teenage sensation Lydia Ko, who has no apparent weaknesses and is solid in every aspect of her game.

“She is very, very consistent. It’s that boring golf when you play with her; she doesn’t do anything flashy, but she is always there.

“Lydia’s biggest thing is how she will transition over the next couple of years. She has turned professional at a very young age and will be growing up in the limelight. It will be important how she and her team manage the next few years and allow her to be a kid and have some fun.”

Lewis feels Wie’s success this season has been something that has been building over the past three seasons.

“She is happy and has taken ownership of her game,” Lewis said. “For example, she chose that putting stroke and stance despite what everyone else was saying, made it her own and made it work for her.”

Lewis, Thompson, Ko and Wie will be in Sylvania July 17-20 for the Marathon Classic.

The complete interview can be heard at http://bit.ly/backninelewis.

Club 14 to energize tournament for third year

By
Tom Konecny
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Caddy races are part of the fun at hole 14 during Club 14 on July 18. Photo courtesy Marathon Classic.

The 14th hole at the Marathon Classic, also known as Club 14, is entering its third year of delivering an amped-up atmosphere often found in stadium sports.

What started as an idea to host business networking on the Friday of the tournament, has now morphed into an exuberant party hole for fans and golfers, fast becoming an event favorite where golf doesn’t necessarily follow tradition or behave itself: prizes are tossed into the stands, interaction is encouraged, cheering is a bit louder and fun is improvised.

“It’s all in good fun,” said Tournament Director Judd Silverman. “It’s been a lot of fun to watch it grow and we’re hoping for a huge crowd out there. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon.”

The quiet, park-like setting of golf offers notable contrast to more raucous crowds found in sports such as football, hockey, or auto racing. So, event organizers are welcoming the new-found Club 14 enthusiasm and hoping to win fans who may not be sure how conduct themselves at a sport that’s known for having the ambiance of an outdoor library.

“Certainly, people who hadn’t been to the tournament before, this might be the reason they come out,” said Jim Decker, director of marketing.

This year, the Marathon Classic builds upon the success of Club 14 by introducing the new Labatt Blue Royale Party Deck, an elevated, covered platform with seating, TVs, and complimentary Labatt beer, drinks and snacks. Party deck tickets are $50 each, and Decker expects them to sell out on Friday due to the networking popularity. The Labatt Bear mascot may make an appearance, as well.

Even the golfers themselves welcome this fresh, new Club 14 attitude toward the game, Silverman said, especially if it means drawing more people to the sport.

“The players have been tremendous and really embraced it,” he said. “It’s just one more great experience for the fans. It’s a little unique and fun.”

Although the crowd at Club 14 is much livelier and more energetic, it’s not as though the hole boasts no rules and an anything goes attitude.

“There’s still rules,” Decker said. “They’re certainly not cheering when players are hitting a shot. They don’t show any disrespect by booing. We have marshals out there to try and make sure they’re showing respect for the players. It’s just a much more lively atmosphere.”

The Club 14 concept originated with the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open, and although one other LPGA event has tried something similar, Toledo’s was the first in the league.

Decker knew the idea had staying power during the first year when caddies – not just the golfers – had their brief moment to be stars and garner cheers.

“The first year we had it, some of the biggest roars were when one of the first caddy races took place,” Decker said. “There was a huge roar and the fans were really getting into it, and the caddies really got into it.”

Marathon Classic planners chose the 14th hole based on its logistics, and due to its ideal length.

“It works best on a par 3 so all the fans see the tee shot, and there’s more excitement,” Decker said. “Last year on Sunday of tournament week there was a hole-in-one.”

Club 14 lasts all day Friday of the tournament, but crowd size and fervor seem to rise especially during the afternoon, Decker said.

If the Club 14 enthusiasm and addition of the party deck wasn’t enough, the Marathon Classic is also expanding its free active military, police, and firefighter admission by offering an accompanying guest for free. Children 17 and under also get in free with just one paid adult.

For complete ticket information, visit marathonclassic.com or call 419-531-3277.

Letters to the Editor, Jul. 13, 2014

By
Dock David Treece
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Remember military beyond July 4

TO THE EDITOR,

I am glad your June 29 issue focused on the debt we all owe the men and women in uniform who protect our country. Our veterans are the ones who make it possible for us to live in a free society and we should never forget the sacrifices they and their families make. Let’s remember them, not just on July 4, but every day of the year. Freedom is not free — it comes at a cost, one which is borne by the heroes in uniform.

State Sen . Edna Brown
District 11

Hensville proposal is ‘mission creep’

TO THE EDITOR,

I have followed with interest the Toledo Mud Hens organization plans regarding its announced Hensville development. As a taxpayer, as well as both a resident and business owner in the Warehouse District, I must object.

While I welcome, and in fact encourage new development in our neighborhood, I find this particular plan unsettling, to say the least. The Mud Hens organization exists to provide an entity to operate the county-owned ballpark. Taxpayers paid for construction of the current park based on a proposal by county officials to relocate the team Downtown as a catalyst for redevelopment in the Warehouse District. More recently, the Huntington Center was built and its operation was added to the Mud Hens’ responsibility.

It seems to be a rather straightforward mission: Provide a baseball field, convince a Major League team to play its Triple-A minor league games here, and the organization sells tickets, food and beverages to cover its expenses, while the community gets an asset that it enjoys, and which draws others to the community to spend their entertainment dollars.

This formula has, so far, worked famously. In addition, and as county leaders envisioned, the influx of fans, coupled with the expanding resident base, has encouraged people like me to invest in building businesses in the neighborhood. Some have prospered and some have not, but overall the neighborhood is thriving and growing.

However, in what may be the most egregious case of mission creep I have ever witnessed, the Mud Hens now want to be in the bar, restaurant and arcade businesses. There is absolutely no justification for them to be involved in any of those businesses, nor anything else not directly involved in operating Fifth Third Field and the Huntington Center.

There is no guarantee that these ventures will succeed, and the odds are greatly diminished when the owner lacks necessary experience. If unsuccessful, taxpayers will be on the hook for the losses. Further complicating things is talk of the project receiving millions in tax dollars for construction via the state capital improvement budget. How on earth could anyone not see this as the inappropriate and ill-advised scheme that it is?

Many individuals, like me, have taken great financial risk in their efforts to start a business here. Those that failed suffered devastating losses. We did not get tax dollars meant for roads, bridges, public buildings and improvements to the physical infrastructure of the state to pay for our construction. But now it seems that some believe it appropriate to risk tax dollars on what should be private sector ventures. Adding insult to injury, all of us who have assumed great financial risk in starting our businesses would then be faced with tax-subsidized competition.

The Mud Hens board needs to understand why it exists, realize that it should stick to its mission and get a grasp of the most basic of business principles: if your revenue does not cover your expenses, it is a bad idea. It appears that, absent tax subsidy, Hensville is exactly that — a bad idea. As a side note, about the Hensville name, the Warehouse District already has a name, and we wear it proudly.

JIM METTLER
Owner, Ye Olde Cock n’ Bull

Thirsty Houligans lament ‘Xmas in Jail’ on CD

By
Toledo Free Press
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Thirsty Houligans is Mic Graves, Kevin “Kehhab” Haberkamp, Sean McMahon, Christopher Zielinski and Kev Tufts. Photo courtesy Mic Graves

“Xmas in Jail” — Thirsty Houligans’ contribution to the American Red Cross benefit CD “Red, White & You, Too!” ­— boasts a country flair that ventures to the fringe of the band’s trademark music style. They call it “Rust Belt Folk ’n’ Roll,” a blend of Irish and Appalachian folk, alternative rock, old-school country and rockabilly.

“It’s a little different than most of the stuff we do — [it] leans more toward country, but I’m really happy with how it turned out,” said Mic Graves.

Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller, who produced the benefit CD, said the Houligans’ song inspired the “Christmas in July” portion of the CD.

“I loved the track but it didn’t fit with the [TFP Make-A-Wish benefit   CD] holiday theme,” Miller said. “Put-in-Bay’s Christmas in July is a fun part of summer, so pairing the Houligans with the Extra Stout version of ‘Christmas in Killarney’ struck me as a quirky and fun touch.”

The lyrics describe how the ex-wife of a “bad old boy” nags him on Christmas Eve about a past mistake, namely spending Christmas in a county jail after getting arrested for drunk driving.

“The lyrics are nothing from personal experience, but everybody knows somebody like that, at least I do,” Graves said.

“I wrote the song on a spring or summer afternoon a few years ago sitting on a sofa in Tokyo, Japan. I don’t know why. Maybe I was feeling a little homesick.”

Graves said he never noticed anything spectacular about Toledo until he left it behind to live in Tokyo for nine years.

After deciding to come back to the Glass City, Graves introduced “Xmas in Jail” to one of his former bands but it didn’t go anywhere. After bringing the Toledo-inspired song to Thirsty Houligans, it was an immediate hit.

“People really like it. Some of the guys would like to play that song at every concert, but I have this thing about confining Christmas songs to Christmas,” Graves said.

“Xmas in Jail” is one of Thirsty Houligans’ many original compositions. The five-man band also plays popular covers.

The members of Thirsty Houligans feel ecstatic that “Xmas in Jail” will be “part of something bigger” as a part of “Red, White & You, Too!,” Graves said.

The CD is available at all local Frisch’s Big Boy and Ralphie’s restaurants for $10, which includes a $4 coupon to those eateries. One hundred percent of sales goes to the American Red Cross of Northwest of Ohio.

Arts Commission’s SoundTrek celebrates local music’s past, present

By
Toledo Free Press
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0

If your taste in music is eclectic and you want more bang for your buck, The Arts Commision’s SoundTrek ’14 will blow your mind. For a $10 advance wristband, locals can watch 37 regional bands play from 7 p.m. to midnight July 19 art venues in UpTown. According to Ryan Bunch, performing and literary arts coordinator for the Arts Commission, this event, now in its fourth year, celebrates the city’s rich musical history.

“A couple years ago we received some funding from the Toledo Community Foundation to help increase opportunities for local performers,” Bunch said. “One of the things the performers were telling us was there’s not a lot of opportunities for them to perform and get paid for doing so.”

This inspired Bunch and his associates to create an event which highlights musicians of all backgrounds and skill sets in order to increase their fan bases and further their careers.

Dolfish, a singer-songwriter in Cleveland Heights, will join the lineup again this year at the Ottawa Tavern.

“He loves the city and has agreed to come back for this,” Bunch said. “He headlines all kinds of events and is really well-known in his genre. ”

Larry Meyer, drummer for acoustic Americana band Old State Line, uses his experience as a musician when serving as a volunteer on the planning committee.

“Playing the festival every year has given me some insight into things that need to be in place in terms of infrastructure, providing a [production assistant] in each venue, and things like that,” Meyer said.

Old State Line will play at The Attic on Adams, which Meyer claims is a rare opportunity since the venue typically doesn’t host live bands.

“It’s really exciting to be part of the festival and to play, but the trade-off is having that block of time spoken for and not being able to go out and see as many other bands as I’d otherwise like to,” Meyer said.

Meyer also stated the beauty of the event is mixing well-known bands in with lesser-known bands, providing opportunity for networking.

Other bands include Nathan Roberts & the New Birds, DJ What the Bleep and Katie’s Randy Cat. The full lineup can be viewed at www.theartscommission.org/programs/soundtrek.

Bunch added any one of these performers can be the next big thing.

A few participating venues are Ottawa Tavern, The Truth Art Gallery, Manhattan’s and Wesley’s.

Although one of the biggest challenges in organizing SoundTrek is coordinating schedules between several bands and venues, Bunch credits the community as a whole for making the event work so well.

Bunch said there will be an after-party at Wesley’s and many other venues will have events following the festival.

Meyer added, “It’s really nice because it’s so concentrated. All these bands are playing at venues on one line of sight up and down Adams Street. It’s like a big party.”

Wristbands to SoundTrek are $10 in advance, $15 the night of show or $5 for individual venue admission. Purchases can be made at www.theartscommission.org or by calling (419) 254-2787.

Sharp: Hobby Lobby lessons

By
Kenneth Sharp
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T  he Hobby Lobby opinion announced at the close of the Supreme Court’s term has ignited a firestorm between deeply divided sides. What is missing from the debate is how the decision illuminates how our system works.

The decision pertains to “closely held” corporations — privately held companies that have 50 percent or more of their stock value held by five or fewer individuals (according to the Internal Revenue Service definition). Closely held corporations still employ a great number of people, perhaps as many as 29 million, according to figures from the U.S. Census  Bureau (according to the Pew Research Center).

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So why do the few shareholders in a privately held corporation get to tell the employees what will be paid for under a government-mandated insurance program? Again, working back from the decision, the grounds were laid by the Affordable Care Act, The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Constitution. The main focus was on the RFRA, enacted in 1993, signed by President Bill Clinton and passed by a unanimous House of Representatives and a nearly unanimous Senate (three dissents). As usual, this law was intended to clean up the mess from earlier sweeping legislation including the misguided and horribly costly War on Drugs.

In a particular example (Employment Division v. Smith), two Native Americans were denied federal benefits for the use of peyote (a traditional natural drug) in religious ceremonies. The RFRA was intended to allow, without federal government intrusion, free exercise of one’s legitimate faith. The Hobby Lobby decision wasn’t judicial activism by the Court, as it usually isn’t. Congress has created more than enough laws with more than enough loopholes to allow nearly any opinion by the Court. Also, as usual, a sweeping government answer has created more problems.

Does Hobby Lobby exercise religion? This brings in the thorny issue of corporate personhood. This is not a new issue and has been before the Court numerous times since the 1800s. The government wants to encourage business. It recognizes freedom of assembly and that when people act in concert toward a specific goal certain rights are beneficial

To that end, among the rights afforded, corporations are allowed to sue and be sued, own property and enter into contracts while the shareholders are not liable beyond their investment for debts. In fact, the U.S. Code § 1, states, when determining the meaning of an act of Congress, “the words ‘person’ and ‘whoever’ include corporations, companies, associations, firms, partnerships, societies, and joint stock companies, as well as individuals.”

However corporations have been denied Fifth Amendment privileges against self-incrimination and the right to vote, as these were determined to be strictly individual rights. So the Court has now determined that the free exercise of religion is a collective as well as individual right for some corporations. But what of the employee’s rights when government mandates? Here we go further down the rabbit hole. Hobby Lobby’s owners aren’t denying access, just refusing to pay.

The real question that needs to be asked is: Why are employers involved in employees’ health care at all? Back to government interference — this time during World War II. When the government established wage controls for the war effort, businesses began to incentivize workers with health benefits to attract and retain workers. Eventually this led to the expectation of these benefits and began to include subsidies from the government to corporations for providing them.

What is the Hobby Lobby lesson? That sweeping government answers to problems like wage controls, drugs, religious freedom and health care often create greater harm than the problems they sought to solve. They do so by concentrating power and further reducing the choice of the individual. The result is usually dependence and calls for more government action.

The Court sought a narrow answer to a question that never should have been presented. Corporations are a fiction of government and government is a fiction of the people. Government is also nothing more than force. To answer how we wish to use that force, we must answer how we wish to be used by that force.

Kenneth Sharp can be reached at [email protected].

Naval Armory at Bay View Park: A return to glory?

By
Lou Hebert
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The Naval Armory at Bay View Naval Armory Park closed to the public in the 1980s. Photo by Lou Hebert

One of my personal missions in recent years has been to help identify some of the local treasures that have been lost in Toledo. I look for buildings and structures that help define the city’s past but have been left to the cruelty of benign neglect and the ravages of time. Some may be worth saving. Others not so much. But as the city debates and argues about the “blight” that has become a far too common part of the city’s landscape, let’s make sure we don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, for there is value in rediscovering and preserving many of these icons of the city’s past.

Hebert-Lou_WEBThe list of these “lost” treasures is impressive. The Erie Street Market or Toledo Civic Theater formerly Toledo Civic Auditorium building, The Spitzer Building, The Toledo Police Department range house at Detwiler Park, the decaying Pythian Castle and the grand Burt Theater on Jefferson Avenue, the old Toledo Edison steam plant on the riverfront, the historic Lucas County Sheriff’s residence, Fire Station No. 3 in North Toledo, the Ohio Theatre on Lagrange St. … the list goes on.

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One building that holds some future promise for rediscovery is currently an empty shell that needs immediate attention if it is going to avoid the pain of a wrecking ball. It may well be one of our greatest treasures: The Bay View Naval Armory Park.

Since it closed to the public in the 1980s, not many people have been inside the armory, which resides along the banks of the Maumee River tucked behind the Toledo Yacht Club, not far from the Bay View Retirees Golf Course and the Toledo waste-water treatment plant.

But once you’ve seen it, you’re not likely to forget it. It is impressive. Displaying the traditional “Navy” look of the 1930s, it offers a touch of Art-Deco and an eye-catching semicircular front portico of reclaimed sandstone.

During its heyday, it was one of this city’s grand places to have dinners, see shows, hear bands, and dance. These attractions were of course, in addition to its regular use as a Naval training station and induction center during World War II.

While there have been some discussions as to what its future holds, I have learned that there is renewed interest to give this monument to our civic pride a new tomorrow.

The nonprofit historical group the Last Patrol is talking with the current owner, Roger Homrich Jr., about purchasing the 100,000 square-foot building and the surrounding property to become a regional training center for young cadets from the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and other maritime training for young people. It would be called Liberty Station and would host thousands of young people to train there every year from across the country. And because of its sheer size and history, it would also be used as a museum venue for this areas’ proud and formidable Navy and Coast Guard heritage. In future years, its deep water frontage could easily accommodate a military museum ship.

The Last Patrol

The Last Patrol is a group of like minded Toledo-area folks, headed up by brothers John and Jeff Nowakowski, who are also very active in the local Sea Cadets program based in Perrysburg Township. The Last Patrol was originally formed to teach and preserve military history and to display that history on the homefront. One of their early goals was to bring a retired Navy or Coast Guard ship to the area, as a floating museum, but that has yet to happen.

Their most recent attempt to acquire the Toledo-built USS Storis, a WWII era Coast Guard cutter, ended late last year when the U.S. government sold the historic Storis to an Australian salvage company, which towed the ship to a cutting yard in Mexico, where it has already been cannibalized for salvage. No doubt that it would have made an impressive display in Toledo, had it been allowed to come home to the city where it was built at the shipyards on Maumee River. Alas, it was not to be and I will write about the tragic demise of the USS Storis in the future.

Naval airman relief on the Upper exterior of the Bay View Naval Armory. Photo by Lou Hebert.

Naval airman relief on the Upper exterior of the Bay View Naval Armory. Photo by Lou Hebert.

Undaunted by the loss of the Storis, the Nowakowski brothers and the Last Patrol remain determined to not only tell the story of the American military, but also to expand the group’s mission: To create a national youth training center at the historic Bay View Naval Armory for the Navy’s Sea Cadet Corps and the Navy League Cadet Corps. Their vision is to create a place where not only the Cadets could train and learn, but would also be a training venue for other youth groups such as local schools, the Sea Scouts, the Girl and Boy Scouts, the Young Marines or the Civil Air Patrol. Students would be housed on a special dormitory barge moored along the riverfront.

While the vision for this center certainly has a big “wow” factor, it will take more than dreams to bring this aging icon back to life. It will require lots of work and time and of course, lots of dollars. Millions in fact. $6 million to $10 million, for a start. But the Nowakowski brothers don’t view the huge price tag as a impossible obstacle.

John and Jeff and other members of the Last Patrol think it can be done through a combination of community support, donations, sponsors, grants and naming rights. John says he and his brother Jeff are committed to this project. “Our parents instilled in us a great love for our nation and our history. Me being a Marine, also helped. We tried doing the museum idea … but then we got involved with the Navy Sea Cadets and saw how much it helped the kids. The idea of combining our dreams with a program that just does good for the community just seemed to make sense.”

The first hurdle is obtaining the money to buy the armory from its current owner, the Homrich family of Monroe, who bought it from the City of Toledo in 2004 for about $100,000. Their hopes of turning it into a boat storage facility never materialized, although they made numerous repairs to the building to keep it from falling into irreversible disrepair. The price tag for the Last Patrol would be about $600,000. John Nowakowski is not sure exactly where that initial acquisition money will come from, but believes that if the Last Patrol can get the word out to the community about their vision and plans for Liberty Station they feel strongly that it could trigger a wave of support to get the money to buy the armory property. Once that is done, then they’ll have something tangible to work with and show to the public.

Here’s what they would see. Built in 1935 and 1936 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the four-story Bay View armory was designed as a training facility and process center for the Navy prior to World War II. Interestingly, like many area structures built by the WPA during the lean years of the Depression, much of the structure was built using salvaged materials from other local historic buildings that were not preserved. The legacies of those old Toledo structures still live on in the brick and sandstone that grace the impressive façade of armory.

The interior of the armory was designed to reflect the interior of a ship, and even featured a ship’s bridge that overlooks the massive drill and parade deck on the second floor . It is so large that it became one of the city’s largest venues for public events during the 1940s and ’50s. Even through the 1960s, the armory’s deck was still being used for high school proms and graduation ceremonies, in addition to its regular schedule of dinners and other public events. The 7-acre grounds upon which it sits, also provides a lush park-like surrounding of greenery, trees and a magnificent view of Maumee Bay and the Maumee River.

But, sadly, the interior and exterior need a lot of labor and love to restore it to a useable condition. The roof has lingering weak spots and some of the façade stone and ornate detail work has been loosened and lost to time and gravity. The interior, I am told, is not much better than it was when I got inside to take photos while the city still owned it 10 years ago. Water damage, cracks in walls and rusted metal are the common sight in the warren of rooms and work areas of the building. But vision and leadership require looking past what something is, and seeing what something can be. That will be paramount here. And certainly what John and Jeff Nowakowski possess as they look beyond the busted windows and the peeling paint of the once-grand armory is a shiny dream. They believe others in the community will see it with them and join them to make it a reality.

Email Toledo Free Press columnist Lou Hebert at [email protected].

Downtown walking tour to highlight food, art, history

By
Erin Holden
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DiAnn Guerrero, left, and Mallory Guerrero of Toledo Flavors Food Tours. Toledo Free Press photo by Sarah Ottney

A local mom and daughter team are set to launch a Downtown walking tour showcasing the neighborhood by way of its food while also highlighting its art, architecture and history.

Toledo Flavors Food Tours will officially kick off July 10. The three-hour tour will be offered 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and will include tastings at six Downtown eateries as well as stops at several Downtown businesses and plenty of historical and architectural highlights along the way.

Culinary samples will include a hotdog and pickles from Packo’s at the Park, a Garbage Salad from Grumpy’s, a danish from All Crumbs Artisan Bakery, fair-trade coffee from Downtown Latte, shepherd’s pie from The Blarney Irish Pub and charcuterie and grape juice from Veritas Cork & Craft, a wine bar opening soon at the Commodore Perry Building. Between food tastings, groups will stop at Fifth Third Field, Erie Street Market, Shared Lives Studio and public art installations like The Arts Commission’s artist-designed bike racks, frogs and yarnbombs.

DiAnn Guerrero of Graytown has been thinking about starting a food tour in Toledo for years, but the business started coming together earlier this year when she and her daughter, Mallory Guerrero of Sylvania, went on a food tour during a family trip to Las Vegas in March.

“My mom likes to go on food tours and she’s done quite a few of them,” Mallory said. “She was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if Toledo had a food tour?’  On the plane ride home we had hours to brainstorm the possibilities, and a month later we were actually starting one. It was just a ‘Wouldn’t it be cool?’ kind of conversation that turned into a full-fledged business.”

“I had actually been thinking about it a long time before then,” DiAnn said. “I’d traveled with some friends to New York, San Francisco, Knoxville. We had done food tours and we always thought it would be cool for Toledo to have one, but the timing never seemed right. Years went by and, with all the stuff happening Downtown now, I thought, ‘Maybe now’s the time.’”

A Garbage Salad from Grumpy’s is one of the tastings on the Toledo Flavors Food Tour. Toledo Free Press photo by Sarah Ottney

To prepare, they attended a food tour seminar in Chicago, then started doing research and talking to restaurants. They also sought information and advice from The Arts Commission, Downtown Toledo Pub Club, the Toledo Warehouse District Association and others.

The goal is to introduce more people to what’s available Downtown and help them feel comfortable there, Mallory said.

“Unless you live or work Downtown, a lot of people are reluctant to come down here outside of an event,” she said. “We just want to help educate people that there is a lot to do down here and it’s really not a scary place and has a lot to offer.”

Some food tours only involve restaurants and are more like progressive dinners, Mallory said, but all DiAnn’s favorites have also incorporated history and architecture, so that’s what they wanted to bring to Toledo.

“That in my mind is the best kind of food tour,” DiAnn said. “The ones I’ve liked the most have been the ones that have gotten us acclimated to the downtown or the city, especially in bigger cities like Chicago or New York, where they take you on the side streets and make you feel like you would be comfortable going back and walking to one of those locations from your hotel.”

DiAnn, an accountant, handles the business side of the venture, while Mallory, who works in human resources and has more than 12 years experience as a server and restaurant manager, is the tour guide.

Grumpy’s launching its Grumpy’s on the Go food truck last month was good timing for the tour, Mallory said.

“We really wanted Grumpy’s to be part of the tour, but they aren’t open on Saturdays, so we were really excited when they decided to open Grumpy’s on the Go because it allowed them to be part of the tour,” Mallory said. “We’ve gotten a lot of really good feedback from that.”

The Blarney General Manager Bill Kline said he was excited to hear about the venture.

“It’s a fantastic way to showcase The Blarney and all the fabulous Downtown hotspots,” Kline said. “We are all for encouraging new business Downtown and assisting those that assist us in bringing new business. It really was a no-brainer.”

Toledo Flavors Food Tours will be offered 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays starting July 10. Toledo Free Press photo by Sarah Ottney

As word has spread, some restaurants and businesses have approached them.

“The Mud Hens actually contacted us,” DiAnn said. “We knew we’d obviously talk about the Mud Hens during the tour, but we didn’t think they’d actually meet with us so we didn’t initially reach out. When they called us and wanted to share their story with us, we were very excited about that.”

Among comments from participants overheard during a recent “practice” tour were: “Wow, I never noticed that till she pointed it out,” “I never had fried pickles before — delicious,” “I’ve never been down here before” and “I’m going to come back here for sure.”

Randy Lake of Westmoreland, who works with DiAnn, took the tour with his wife, Janna, and their neighbor Cindy Cook.

“I thought three hours was going to be too long, but it was perfect,” Janna said. “I cannot wait for Veritas to open and I will come back to The Blarney for the shepherd’s pie.”

“I just liked learning the history of Toledo. There were a lot of things I didn’t know,” Cook said. “As far as food, that danish pastry was really good.”

The tour will likely change as they learn new information or other businesses want to get involved, Mallory said.

“I’ll never proclaim to know all there is to know about Toledo, so as the tour evolves I’m sure I will become even more educated and people on the tours will probably know things I don’t and can add to the conversation,” Mallory said.

The tours will be offered through September, possibly longer depending on weather and interest, Mallory said. Cost is $42 for adults and $30 for children 12 and younger and participants will receive several tour-exclusive coupons to Downtown restaurants. Each tour group is limited to 10 people. Gift certificates are available.

For more information or to make reservations, visit toledoflavors.com or call 866-736-6343.

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