Girl power will be on full display at Toledo Public Schools (TPS) graduation ceremonies this spring as every valedictorian and salutatorian except one are female, said TPS Communications Director Patty Mazur.
It’s the first time girls have earned the top two spots at Toledo Technology Academy (TTA), at which 70 percent of the student population are boys, said Director Gary Thompson.
Rachel Ahrendt is TTA’s valedictorian with a 4.3 GPA and Lauren Holder is salutatorian with a 4.26 GPA.
“By the time my girls are seniors they can run with anybody,” Thompson said. “I’m very proud of them.”
Other TPS valedictorians for the Class of 2014 are Tierney McClure at Bowsher High School, Samantha McVey at Rogers High School, Shikera Tall at Scott High School, Leah Thompson at Start High School, Hala Abou-Dahech at Toledo Early College High School, Madeline Bengela at Waite High School and Ivy Watkins at Woodward High School. Salutatorians are Allison Mitchell at Bowsher, Angela Giovannucci at Rogers, Alexus Woodley at Scott, Taylor Hart at Start, Arielle White at Toledo Early College, Elijah Vasquez at Waite and Brittaney Walker at Woodward.
Ahrendt and Holder, both 17, have been friends since childhood, as both their families attend the same church. Both were homeschooled through eighth grade before enrolling at TTA. There are 36 members in the graduating class with a 3:1 ratio of guys to girls, Thompson said.
Ahrendt said she wasn’t sure what gave her the edge to make it to the top of her class, but said she’s driven.
“I’m definitely an overachiever,” Ahrendt said. “I won’t stop. I think that’s part of the reason I got it. I’m excited. It means a lot to me. I’m glad I was able to do that.”
She isn’t sure if any of her male classmates resent being bested by girls.
“I’m sure everybody would have liked to [be top of the class],” Ahrendt said. “[But] they’ve kind of known we were overachievers since the beginning so I think they kind of saw it coming.”
Holder said she’s always felt comfortable at TTA, but sometimes people are surprised to learn she goes there.
“They just sort of just say like, ‘Wow, you go to TTA and you’re a girl? What’s that like?’” Holder said. “I never really took that into consideration. I just went to this school and that’s where I am. I didn’t really think of it any differently.
“TTA is a lot of you get what you put into it,” Holder said. “A lot of it is independent-based where there are teachers there to help you but it’s about what you want to put into it. It definitely prepares you for the real world because people won’t be there to hold your hand.
“It just shows that the effort you put in is going to give you a good outcome,” Holder said. “It’s nice to be able to see that hard work pay off.”
TTA emphasizes math and science and more than half of graduates enroll in engineering colleges, Thompson said.
“We have a very, very rigorous curriculum. They have no choice what they take. Their grades here really depend on them knowing the material. The bar is set high,” he said. “We work really aggressively at recruiting young ladies because it’s a great field for them to be in, especially if they are going into engineering. They are very well-prepared here.”
Ahrendt said her favorite class at TTA was machining, which involved building air motors and robotic arms. Holder’s favorite was industrial automation, which involved operating and wiring machines.
Each spring, seniors swap school for a month-long internship with a local company. Ahrendt is interning with the University of Toledo Medical Center’s nursing department and Holder is interning with the General Motors Toledo Transmission’s human resources and accounting departments.
“It’s not job shadowing; it’s real work,” Thompson said. “We’re starting to have companies who have projects that are requesting them as early as October.”
Holder said she chose TTA because of its smaller class sizes and her interest in math and science. She originally wanted to be an engineer but has changed her focus to business. She plans to attend UT in the fall. Holder said her background in technology has helped her at GM.
“I think it would be harder to be a manager of the people in that area if you didn’t know what they were doing,” Holder said. “Being able to know a little bit about that is definitely helpful.”
As the third of 11 children, Ahrendt said she has grown up helping care for her younger siblings and has always wanted to be a nurse. She also plans to attend UT this fall. Her older brother attended TTA so her parents enrolled her there as well.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect at TTA since I knew I wanted to go into nursing,” Ahrendt said. “I thought, ‘What am I doing at a tech school?’ But technology is involved a lot in medicine and in the long run there are a lot of things that will help me in nursing.”
TTA, located in the former DeVilbiss High School building, started as a two-year program in 1997, expanded to a four-year program in 1998 and became its own high school in 2002.
There have been at least four other female valedictorians at TTA — three of them sisters. Christine Bilby was top of her class in 2001, followed by Melissa Bilby in 2006 and Ericka Bilby in 2008. Erin Orzechowski was valedictorian in 2011 — narrowly beating the male salutatorian, Johnson recalled.
“It was a competition they’d had for years,” he said.
Both Ahrendt and Holder said they’d heard the majority of TPS’ valedictorians and salutatorians were girls, but hadn’t really thought about the significance.
“Honestly I haven’t really thought about the fact that we’re all girls, but I guess it’s pretty cool,” Holder said.
They’ve waxed surfboards, hot rods and poetically about girls. They get around the globe and bring the warmth of the sun to millions. Summer will start early in Sylvania when The Beach Boys play Centennial Terrace at 8 p.m. May 24. Tickets range from $29.50 to $55. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re obsessed with replicating those songs like the record, so we do them in the same keys as we recorded in. And it helps that I’m the lead singer on a lot of songs — ‘Surfin’ Safari,’ ‘Surfin’ U.S.A.,’ ‘I Get Around,’ ‘Fun, Fun, Fun,’ ‘California Girls’ and so on. I sound quite similar to myself today,” Mike Love said and laughed.
Love and longtime Beach Boys’ veteran and keyboardist Bruce Johnston front the band, which is rounded out by guitarists Christian Love and Scott Totten, bassist Randell Kirsch, keyboardist Tim Bonhomme and drummer John Cowsill of The Cowsills.
“I don’t take the job lightly,” Love said. “I look at it as we’re there, we’re performing these songs, let’s do them absolutely the best we possibly can. So we try to keep ourselves in good shape; nobody smokes, nobody drinks to excess. We don’t do stupid things like stay up three days in a row like we might have done when we were young guys just starting out … We live sensible lifestyles,” Love said.
He sounded laid-back and happy during a call from a tour stop in Utah.
“I also do Transcendental Meditation, which I learned in the summer of ’67 from the Maharishi. That’s something that gives you extra clarity and energy and allows you to dissolve a lot of fatigue and stress, leaving your mind and your body clear enough and energetic enough to deal with those 100-plus shows a year.”
Love and his cousins, Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, and their friend, Al Jardine, formed the group in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. Their bright harmonies and surf sound led to a wave of hits — “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” “Kokomo” — and to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
“We’ve kind of represented America through our music around the world, so it’s been by and large an enormously positive legacy,” Love said. “There’s been tragedies and intramural problems over the years, but the music stands for so much harmony and happiness for so many people.”
Guitarist Carl died of cancer in 1998 and drummer Dennis drowned in 1983. Love and Brian Wilson and Jardine reunited in 2012 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. There was a 73-city tour and a new disc, “That’s Why God Made the Radio.”
“The recording of that particular song, ‘That’s Why God Made the Radio,’ I thought the theme was pretty neat, and the harmonies coming back felt like mid-’60s again,” the singer-songwriter said. “Brian Wilson and I remarked kind of simultaneously it was déjà vu time.”
Wilson has said he’d like the band to make a disc of rock songs.
“If I was able to [write songs] with Brian Wilson, I would enjoy that. The problem is he’s often told by other people what to do or led to do other things,” Love said. “But if Brian and I were ever able to get in a room together and create some things, I think our natures would take over and we’d do what comes naturally, which could be fun.”
From left, HoChan Jang of Balance Pan-Asian Grille, Trevor Deeter of Deet’s BBQ, Erika Rapp of Registry Bistro and Tony Bilancini of Swig. Toledo Free Press photo and cover photo by Christie Materni
In a city rich with unique restaurants and creative chefs, it can be easy to get caught up in the spirit of competition. But some events have a way of drawing people together.
Jam City, a fundraiser started last year by local nonprofit Food for Thought, is one such event. Boasting the support of some of Toledo’s best culinary talent, the event brings together local chefs to help fight hunger in Northwest Ohio.
From left, HoChan Jang of Balance Pan-Asian Grille, Trevor Deeter of Deet’s BBQ, Erika Rapp of Registry Bistro and Tony Bilancini of Swig. Toledo Free Press photo and cover photo by Christie Materni
The concept behind Jam City is to create and serve unique variations on an American classic — the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a staple of Food for Thought’s weekly sack lunch giveaway program. This year, the event will take place May 22 at the Secor Ballroom, 425 Jefferson Ave.
Sam Melden, Food for Thought’s Chief Thought Officer, said it is the people who donate their time and talents who make Jam City so successful.
“Last year, we went to launch with some of the best restaurants in Toledo — innovative and historic restaurants. It’s really great that we have that cast returning for the second year.”
This year’s lineup includes Registry Bistro, Balance Pan-Asian Grille, Deet’s BBQ, Swig, La Scola Italian Grill, Burger Bar 419, All Crumbs Artisan Bakery, Ye Olde Durty Bird, El Tipico, The Flying Joe, Grumpy’s, House of Eats, Mancy’s Steaks, Ottawa Tavern, Reverend’s Bar and Grill and Wixey Bakery.
HoChan Jang, executive chef and COO of Balance Pan-Asian Grille, said Jam City is an opportunity to give a boost to the community.
“I know it’s for a great cause. We’re all about local, and whatever we can do to help local businesses,” Jang said. “We don’t mind donating to help stop hunger. To me, it’s all about the cause.
“As a chef and restaurant owner, it’s a constant business. When we have these events, I think it’s a good way to bond, get together and have some fun. It brings us all together as local businesses. I love it.”
Toledo Free Press Cover Photo by Christie Materni
Several of his peers agreed.
“Fighting hunger just comes natural to anyone in the restaurant business and chefs,” said Moussa Salloukh, chef and co-owner of Burger Bar 419 and La Scola. “I think it’s great to give back and help people with simply having daily meals.”
Trevor Deeter, co-owner and managing partner of Deet’s BBQ in Maumee, said chefs and restaurateurs are the perfect people to help fight hunger.
“We try to do everything we can to do our part. Since we’re providing food for so many people, it’s the least we can do to give back,” Deeter said.
Last year, Jam City raised $10,000, and with a new, larger venue this year, Melden said he hopes the sold-out event will continue to fund Food for Thought’s efforts.
“All our fundraisers go toward running our organizations. We run 21 food pantries in the Toledo region, and this helps pay for food inventory, staff and drivers,” Melden said.
Of course, aside from raising money to feed Toledoans, one of the highlights of the event is the food.
The Jam City dish created by Swig features cocoa-coffee-crusted pork tenderloin with roasted pickled grapes and peanut cashew whipped cream, topped with what he calls “hillbilly port,” a redistilled wine. Toledo Free Press Photo by Christie Materni
Erika Rapp, co-owner and executive chef at Registry Bistro, will offer a savory dish and a sweet dish this year — a peanut pilaf with chicken, hot pickles and huckleberries, and a smoked walnut cake with drunken fruit, respectively.
Rapp said, for her, one of the appeals of Jam City is the challenge it provides.
“Being a chef, we get caught up in doing a lot of events, and we love doing them, but when there’s a theme, it becomes that much more fun,” she said.
Jang, who plans to bring a lettuce wrap with chicken breast, peanut sauce and fresh strawberry salsa, agreed.
“A lot of events, they tell you to make what you want to make, and the flexibility is nice, but as a chef, I don’t mind a little challenge,” he said. “That’s what really brings out the creativity for chefs.”
Tony Bilancini, owner of Swig in Perrysburg, said he was initially blown away by the PB&J concept.
“When we first looked at it, we were like, ‘Are you serious?’ It’s just funky as hell. When you’re a kid, you mash up a bunch of stuff, but it’s still PB&J,” he said.
Bilancini said he also relishes the opportunity to hang out with some of Toledo’s best chefs.
“To me, it’s like bringing your marbles to the yard. The big thing is, ‘What can I throw down?’”
This year, Bilancini will be “throwing down” cocoa-coffee-crusted pork tenderloin with roasted pickled grapes and peanut cashew whipped cream, topped with what he calls “hillbilly port,” a redistilled wine.
Kelly Thompson, co-owner of All Crumbs Artisan Bakery, is a newcomer to Jam City, and said she enjoys the chance to work alongside some Toledo legends.
“We’re a small bakery, and we’re going to be right next to places like Mancy’s, who have been around for years,” she said.
“It levels the playing field in a way. They have a variety of people, and by making a common concept, it becomes more about the event, and not about who can show off. I think it kind of negates the ego that can come with an event like this, where there’s a bunch of chefs in the same room.”
Melden said that one of the things he looks forward to is the surprise of what everyone brings to the table.
“I get to be as excited about this as everyone else, to show up that night and see what they come up with,” he said.
Although tickets for the event have sold out, raffle tickets are still available online for two drawings. Winners will receive a $50 gift card from each restaurant involved with Jam City. Tickets for the raffle are $10, and may be purchased from the Food for Thought website (www.feedtoledo.org). Attendance is not required to win.
Melden and the chefs agree that, in the end, it is the tangible results that Food for Thought delivers — feeding those in need — that makes this event worthwhile.
“It seems like everybody comes together when there’s a need for something,” Salloukh said. “That’s where the satisfaction is at the end of it, for us to be able to feed people, give them some nutrition and a reason to smile at the end of the day.”
“We’re trying to feed people and help people make it from month to month, but another thing that is important is we are not providing every calorie that people eat every day,” Melden added. “For us, it’s not about how much food or how often we serve it, but we’re trying to make it a conversation about the quality of food that is served, and about how people are treated when they need food assistance.”
The presenting sponsor for Jam City is Columbia Gas of Ohio. Toledo Free Press is a Jam City media sponsor.
It seems like a lot of people are eating gluten-free these days — some for medical reasons, some because it is the newest health trend.
My husband’s nephew suffers from celiac disease and absolutely must avoid eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Before he was diagnosed, he was losing weight because the autoimmune disease was blocking the absorption of nutrients. The gluten was toxic to his body and damaging his small intestine’s lining.
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By going gluten-free and avoiding gluten-filled bread, noodles and cereals, his quality of life has improved dramatically. He is thriving physically and mentally.
Those who go undiagnosed can eventually develop brain damage because of the lack of nutrients.
But many people not suffering from celiac disease are going gluten-free these days because of the perceived health benefits.
Nathan Drendel, a dietitian and wellness coach with ProMedica Wellness, said this is a fad and not necessarily one that everyone has to follow.
Excluding those who need a gluten-free diet, this urgency to go gluten-free reminds him of when everyone went low-carb with the Atkins Diet. Just like before, grocery stores and restaurants are offering a plethora of products and menu items to cater to this latest craze.
But unlike during the low-carb trend, Drendel said food companies are realizing that celiac disease is being diagnosed more frequently because of increased awareness of the disease so the offerings are good in that sense. However, they are also realizing gluten-free is a trend that people will buy into, with or without a medical problem.
“What I always tell my clients is that food companies are good at using health halos. They know in the public eye that ‘gluten-free’ is a buzz phrase.”
A lot of people will blindly buy gluten-free food because they hear it is good for them, while there is no science that shows that gluten is poor for the human population, he said.
However, some people might have gluten intolerance when eating items like white bread and egg noodles. This is similar to lactose intolerance; it feels uncomfortable, but it won’t cause permanent bodily damage. Drendel’s advice is to eat from all food groups if medically able. Pick lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables and low-fat dairy and cut back on refined foods.
“I encourage people to enjoy food, but my approach is to learn about your food. Don’t let companies tell you about their food. Take an active role to cook and read food labels.”
May 21 will bring the annual FOCUS Spring Luncheon, an event Toledo Free Press is proud to support and participate in. FOCUS (Family Outreach Community United Services), as explained on its website, is a “community based agency called to embrace people in need, bring voice to the voiceless, and restore hope and dignity to the forgotten. FOCUS fosters the skills that enable people to gain control of their lives and their futures by providing the necessary steps to emerge from homelessness and poverty, and gain economic and social stability.”
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FOCUS is an organization we believe in — Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller is hosting the luncheon for a second year — because its people make such a big difference in our community. We support many programs that work with homeless men, women and families—most of them deal with the real-time needs of food, clothing, and making sure each person has a bed to sleep in.
What’s unique about FOCUS is that it takes the next step — it takes each household referred to them and finds them what they want most — a home. FOCUS then pays the rent for the family while FOCUS case managers work on the key problems that put these folks on the street in the first place — they teach their participants how to be good tenants, they help them find and maintain a job, keep a budget and make sure that their kids are succeeding in school.
We also look forward to welcoming Jim Karasek, FOCUS’ new executive director, who takes the reins from the irreplaceable Kyle Grefe.
FOCUS has a goal of ending homelessness in our community. They are passionate, caring and persistent in helping people stabilize their lives. And even more remarkably, they do this for $19 per person per day. Almost 94 percent of FOCUS families remain stably housed six months after FOCUS support ends. We believe, for that alone, FOCUS deserves your generous support. For more information on the Spring Luncheon, contact Janet Fehlen at [email protected] or call (419) 304-0613.
Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
There is nothing funny about racial profiling, so it is remarkable that Larry Sykes has made a joke of the offense. Sykes, one of the Toledo Public Schools Board of Education members who engaged in urban terrorism in 2011 by rushing to demolish Libbey High School, has meandered his way to Toledo City Council, frequent repository for the listless, lazy and criminally insane.
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Sykes was driving home April 24 when a Toledo police officer pulled him over because he could not read Sykes’ rear license plate. The officer had an even tougher time reading Sykes’ front plate, as he did not have one. That’s illegal in Ohio, and while it’s a minor and probably common offense, we have a right to expect our elected leaders to understand and obey basic laws.
Sykes’ license plate is one of those vanity plates the narcissistic indulge themselves with, like “MCLOVIN” or “HI DEBT” or “OMG MOVE.” Sykes’ plate reads “4DRWBLK,” which he says means “For driving while black,” a reference to the heinous practice of black drivers being harassed by cops for no other reason than race. It’s a cryptic plate; without Sykes’ decoding, one might see it and think it means, “For Doctor Weeble Kay” or “Four-Door Warner Bros. Elk.”
Sykes’ history with the Toledo Clerk of Courts includes at least eight guilty dispositions for such violations as speeding (I have one or two of those), running red lights, driving an unsafe vehicle and failure of obedience to traffic control devices. That history might cause some drivers to engage in a bit of introspection, but Sykes seems to believe his history of trouble with the rules of the road has less to do with his apparently careless driving and more to do with his race.
Sykes has continually whined that he was given no reason for being pulled over, but investigators say the officer made it clear at the beginning of the stop that the unreadable license plate was the reason. Sykes was not charged with anything, so end of story, right? No, because Sykes was too indignant to let the incident go.
Sykes wrote a bitchy letter to Chief of Police William Moton, saying his April 24 experiences was attributable to “profiling.” On official City of Toledo letterhead.
“Chief Moton, as I drove away I became very angry, because he had no justification nor did he give me a decent reason for stopping me. Stating that he stopped me because he could not read my license plate, my license plate reads 4DRWBLK which stands for ‘4 driving while black’,” Sykes wrote. “My anger stems from the fact that I did not run a red light, I was not speeding, nor was I weaving or driving recklessly. So why would he need to check the license plate or what cause would he have had, the only reason I can come up with, is that I was profiled.
“I would like an explanation as to why this young officer would search for a reason to pull me over or look at my license plate. My license plates are big and bold, and it makes no sense why he would not be able to read it, I’ve had these license plates for the last 20 years, and it is because I have been profiled so many times and stopped for driving while black. I wasn’t giving a citation, warning or anything, just stopped and delayed for no apparent reason. The only justification I was given for being stopped was that he could not read my license plate.
“I would like a full investigation into this situation, regarding why I was stopped and research as to if others are being treated the same way. This does not make for good police community relations, if an individual can be stopped simply because an officer cannot read a license plate clearly. Furthermore, I would like to know if this is a policy of the police department that allows its officers to randomly stop people without just cause.”
For good measure, Sykes sent the letter to Mayor D. Michael Collins and councilwomen Theresa Gabriel and Paula Hicks-Hudson, a jerk move I suppose was meant to intimidate or impress Chief Moton. I wonder if any city employee time was used to type or send the letter, and if that time would have been better served for citizens and taxpayers than petty vendettas.
It’s not the first time Sykes has claimed a conflict with Toledo police. In 1989 he accused police of physically abusing him during an arrest for drunken driving; that allegation was described by an investigator quoted in The Blade as “frivolous.”
Racial profiling is a very real and very serious issue. But as in any case when someone cries wolf when none is present, the seriousness is diluted for the times when it does happen. Sykes should man up for his record of driving violations and blame them on himself, not his race.
Blaming TPD and making his inability to follow the law a race issue is reprehensible, irresponsible and aggressively offensive.
At a May 14 news conference, Sykes said he claimed “profiling” without using the qualifier of race, but that’s disingenuous and lame. In this post-Trayvon Martin world, such raw emotional claims must only be invoked when they merit the consequences their perpetrators deserve.
“Profiled means like if you stop at the light and turn and go too fast,” Sykes said, backpedaling so hard he time-traveled Lance Armstrong back into Sheryl Crow’s bed.
That is clearly not what Sykes meant in his tattletale letter to Chief Moton and Mayor Collins. It’s like the Boy Who Cried Wolf getting busted and claiming he was just being a concerned shepherd.
Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association, has called for Sykes to resign. If Sykes had any insight into the damage and trouble he has caused the local men and women in blue, he would. His halfhearted and revisionist apology only adds insult to injury.
The voters and taxpayers of Toledo should join the chorus and demonstrate that there is no place in our city for such reckless behavior — behind the wheel or in office.
Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press and news director for Newsradio 1370 WSPD. Email him at [email protected].
As a Libertarian I do not get any joy out of the catastrophe that we call the Lucas County Board of Elections (BOE). While I am neither surprised nor truly bothered when the leaders of the two major parties demonstrate their incompetence, I am disturbed at the effect it has on our system. Party posturing and self aggrandizement over many years has created an unworkable atmosphere. It did not have to reach this level.
Kenneth Sharp, The Libertarian Perspective
This sad scenario has a long history. In 2008, then-central committee candidate Jon Stainbrook and company complained of dysfunction and possibly criminal behavior at the BOE. He, along with Meghan Gallagher and Kelly Bensman (trouble really does come in threes) made the office of the BOE their war zone. At the time it was depicted by some media that they were fighting the good fight. His confrontational style along with constant support from The Blade and Toledo City Paper put him into position to seize control of the State Republican central committee and eventually get a board seat.
From the very start it was about ego. Stainbrook not only got a plum position for himself but also a plum spot for his longtime ally Gallagher. Bensman was never far behind. Unfortunately the Pittsburgh Connection was more intent on ousting Tom Noe than finding suitable replacements.
Many of the names we read about today were the same ones Stainbrook first complained about — Ron Rothenbuhler and Dan DeAngelis for example. However, Stainbrook and company never had any intention of making the BOE a better place, just their place. For some unknown reason the Democrat half of the board took the appeasement approach (that always works so well against tyrants). Gallagher became Director of the BOE, though neither she nor Stainbrook had experience in their new roles. Their previous roles were of agitators, sort of like community organizers.
Apparently experience at the level of a community organizer is only a problem if it is on the left side of the hydra according to the right side. But it was a problem for workers, candidates and voters. It was well known that Gallagher would lock herself in her office, presumably because she didn’t know how to handle the job. In the end she was dismissed, but wouldn’t disappear.
Over many years, through both Democrat and Republican Secretaries of State, our board has needed and been under state oversight. In that time allegations of harassment, illegal taping, fraud, obstruction and more have swirled in a do-si-do-like square dance while at the same time the board members did likewise with their positions. None of it has helped. There is no confidence in the four member board. Over those same years many good and qualified people tried to do the day-to-day tasks within a hostile office environment. For some the atmosphere was too much. They deserve better.
Who should leave? It is my opinion that the entire board should go. I would include DeAngelis as well, simply because of his long involvement with nothing to show for it; at press time he is the only one to resign. The Secretary of State says that Irish should stay as he is new to the board. Well, okay, so is Gina Kaczala. She was installed just weeks before the early voting began and well after the problems had festered. We have a general election in six months. We need some calming experience in these political roles so we don’t lose more of the operational staff. Keep Irish and Kaczala then.
What should really happen? We need to change Ohio law so that minor parties can be represented on the board. Change the number of board members to five from four. Have two minor parties represented. Have three from the major parties with the extra seat rotating between them every election cycle.
That way they must seek coalition building over party obfuscation and more of the voters’ real voices are represented.
A basic spring checkup of standard car maintenance may run $200-$300. Toledo free Press file photo
Spring cleaning should include readying that one place we’ve neglected all winter where we spend a lot of time, converse with family, eat a few meals and sometimes get ready in the morning: the car.
“Really the number one thing is maintenance overall,” said Bob Kazmierczak, AAA Northwest Ohio vice president of automotive services and enterprise development. “The reality is, I think that if people would keep up on the overall maintenance, they would have not as many issues when it comes to repairs.”
While cars are more computerized than ever, the basics still need checked regularly: fluids, tires, belts, hoses, batteries and lights. However, we’re not only wired for procrastination, but to put things off that are out of sight, out of mind and perhaps even to ignore the warning signs.
“That’s like telling a surgeon, ‘I can take out this tumor later,’” Kazmierczak said. “Cars are becoming more and more complex, so when auto technicians are telling you something, it really should be checked.”
We may put off car care because it involves those two factors we can never have enough of — time and money — but if complexity drives us away, there are still plenty of things drivers can do on their own.
“The first thing, and I stress this with family and everybody, is to check tire pressure once a month,” said Ed Meggitt, manager of Goodyear Auto Service Center on N. Alexis Road. “Not only will you make the tires last longer, but it will help with gas mileage.”
Another simple exercise is the tire penny test, according to Kazmierczak, where you insert a Lincoln penny head-first into the tire tread. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and the tire needs to be replaced.
Kazmierczak also suggested looking at the belts, and if you see several cracks within an inch, then those should be replaced. Hoses should also be inspected; a good hose is pliable but strong, and with a bad one you can feel cracking on the inside, or it will be extremely hard.
Furthermore, lights should be inspected routinely.
In spring and summer, we’re all getting ready to do trips we normally don’t do, according to Meggitt, and we want to be safe.
Plus, the hot weather can wreak havoc on the battery, which supplies electric energy to the automobile.
“Batteries die more in the heat than they do from the cold weather,” Meggitt said. “The heat is what destroys the grids and things on the inside. Cold weather lowers cold cranking amps but doesn’t destroy a battery as much as heat.”
A basic spring checkup of standard maintenance items may run around $200-$300, according to Kazmierczak.
Winterizing a car may be important to prepare for the cold, but it’s the endurance of that long, brutal season that makes a post-winter checkup so vital.
“As bad as the potholes were this winter,” Meggitt said. “Every car in Toledo should have their alignment checked.”
The story of 2014’s summer movie schedule is suspiciously similar to the story of 2013’s, and the decade or so before that: a slate of superhero action movies, sequels to previous hits and smaller flicks hoping to grab a piece of the pie. There may be a surprise or two among the summer’s biggest films, but by and large it’s franchises galore. The tone was set by “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” on May 2, and as studios get ready to turn up the heat, here’s what the rest of the season looks like.
May 9
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“Neighbors” — Seth Rogen plays a suburban dad whose life is turned upside down when he moves in next to a fraternity house led by Zac Efron. The film has no relation to the 1981 John Belushi/Dan Aykroyd comedy of the same name, though the basic premise of warring factions who live next door to each other is hardly new. Still, the early reviews have been excellent, indicating that Rogen’s streak of hit summer comedies may continue.
“Mom’s Night Out” — A faith-based film in sitcom clothing, it stars Sarah Drew and Patricia Heaton as moms in desperate need of an evening off, who leave the kids in the care of their clueless husbands. It’s a departure from Andrew and Jon Erwin’s previous film, “October Sky,” but even with the wild success of Christian films like “Heaven is for Real,” “Mom’s” will have to work hard to not get steamrolled this season.
“Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return” — Back to the Yellow Brick Road we go, in an animated film based on L. Frank Baum’s universe. Dorothy returns to Kansas to find it destroyed (well, it WAS hit by a tornado), then goes back to Oz to find things ain’t much better there. A decent voice cast (Lea Michele, Patrick Stewart) does little to dispel the feeling that this is a cheap, early summer kids’ cash-in.
May 16
May 16: ‘Godzilla’ Photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
“Godzilla” — The big guy is back. Sixty years after his first appearance, Godzilla once again stomps into theaters for a new American reboot, with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. trying to erase fans’ memories of the fairly disastrous 1998 film from Columbia TriStar. A first-rate cast (Ken Watanabe! Bryan Cranston!) and a monster design much closer to Toho Pictures’ original beast help give American fans hope. (Read comics columnist Jim Beard’s take.)
“Million Dollar Arm” — Based on a true story, Jon Hamm plays a sports agent who seeks out talented new baseball pitchers by running a reality TV show in India. The loose outline is suspiciously similar to “The Air Up There” and any number of other “unknown talents discovered” flicks, but it may be just the type of feel-good family flick that becomes a sleeper hit.
May 23
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” — The sixth “X-Men” film and the seventh to feature Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (if you count his quick cameo in “First Class”), this one brings both the old and the new casts together. Adapted from a classic comic storyline, the X-Men of the present send Wolverine back to the past in an effort to prevent an event that imperils everyone.
The unanswered question: Will the scandal surrounding director Bryan Singer cause audiences to stay away?
“Blended” — Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore team up for another rom-com with their “Wedding Singer” director Frank Coraci. This time they play a pair of single parents who meet on a disastrous blind date, but find themselves growing closer after they end up together at a family resort. The Sandler/Barrymore pairing has produced box office magic twice before, though it’s an open question as to how much magic is left against a packed summer schedule.
May 30
“Maleficent” — Get ready to see things from the villain’s point of view. Angelina Jolie plays the evil queen who imprisoned Sleeping Beauty, in a story that makes her the focal point. The look of the movie is incredible (as well it should be, since Oscar-winning production designer Robert Stromberg is making his directorial debut), and Jolie is the spitting image of her animated counterpart. How the story will hold up remains to be seen.
“A Million Ways to Die in the West” — Seth MacFarlane has had a remarkably varied year, between his usual animated success, his coolly-received and now-canceled sitcom “Dads” and his critically-lauded reboot of “Cosmos.” Now he tackles that most elusive of prey — a hit Western comedy. MacFarlane stars as a sheep rancher who tries to gain some gumption with the help of a gunslinger played by Charlize Theron.
June 6
“Edge of Tomorrow” — Here’s brilliant marketing for you: This Tom Cruise sci-fi action flick is based on a Japanese novel called “All You Need is Kill.” That is an unforgettable title. “Edge of Tomorrow” sounds like a soap opera that gets canceled in six months. Anyway, Cruise stars as an officer who gets caught in a time loop where he lives the same battle over and over until he finds a way to win. Yep, it’s “Groundhog Day” mixed with “Halo,” though its premise could lead to some stellar battle sequences.
“The Fault in Our Stars” — Author John Green’s novel about a terminal cancer patient who falls in love with a fellow cancer patient and amputee at a support group is adapted for the big screen. Shailene Woodley of “Divergent” stars as Hazel, and her rising Hollywood stock and the much-loved source material may make this a sleeper hit.
June 13
“22 Jump Street” — The surprisingly successful comedy based loosely on the former Fox drama “21 Jump Street” comes back for a sequel. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum both return, as well as original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, for a story about the undercover cops working a case at a local college. It’s tempting to see if comedic lightning can strike twice, though audiences burned by “Hangover 2” and “3” may do well to be cautious.
“How to Train Your Dragon 2” — Here is, pretty easily, the summer’s biggest family movie. The sequel to the wildly popular 2010 animated fantasy, the film will follow its main characters (and their dragon counterparts) five years after the events of the original film. This is being hyped as the second part of a trilogy, with most of the cast and original co-director Dean DeBlois returning.
June 20
“Think Like a Man Too” — Another follow-up to a shockingly successful comedy, the sequel to the 2012 original (based on Steve Harvey’s relationship advice book) sees the original cast return and the setting shift to Las Vegas. Director Tim Story is back, too, as is the original writing team. The first flick made nearly $100 million and helped establish Kevin Hart as a star, so hopes are high here.
“Jersey Boys” — One of the most popular modern musicals makes the transition to the big screen, directed by no less than Clint Eastwood. The story follows the rise and fall of the classic group The Four Seasons, with their most popular songs (“Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “December, 1963″ “Oh What a Night”) peppered throughout. Add in a great cast (Christopher Walken, Vincent Piazza) and this might be poised to rope in the audiences that made “Hairspray” and “Mamma Mia!” such big summer splashes.
June 27
“Transformers: Age of Extinction” — This series just won’t die, will it? The fourth in the Michael Bay robots-in-disguise saga is set four years after “Dark of the Moon,” in a world where Transformers are hunted. Good news: A whole new live-action cast (led by Mark Wahlberg) gives the series a breath of fresh air. Bad news: The writer is still Ehren Krueger, who has written every film since 2009’s “Revenge of the Fallen” — meaning the movies started getting really bad as soon as he took over.
July 2
“Deliver Us from Evil” — Director Scott Derrickson (“The Exorcism of Emily Rose”) returns to the supernatural with this crime-thriller-horror multi-hyphenate. A cop (Eric Bana) teams up with a priest to solve a case that may have some demonic influences. This is a shot of scares in a summer that is surprisingly low on horror films, but on a packed July Fourth weekend and with multiple big flicks before and after, don’t expect this one to *cough!* deliver much.
“Earth to Echo” — “E.T.” meets “Paranormal Activity.” Only not horror. And made by Disney. OK, let’s try this again. This is a found-footage movie about a group of kids who find a lovable little robot from outer space. The trailers are cutesy enough to let you know this is solidly a kids’ movie, and the supposedly “amateurish” filming is way too professional-looking to really have an impact. Still, if the story resonates, it might find a willing family audience.
“Tammy” — Melissa McCarthy has become one of the most bankable comedy stars in recent years, and this one seems to be her baby: She co-wrote, produced and stars in this tale of a woman who decides to leave her old life behind and hit the road with her grandmother (Susan Sarandon). You can bet on the box office success of this one (if McCarthy could make “Identity Thief” a hit, she can do anything), and if the quality’s high enough, this could be the summer’s biggest comedy.
July 11
“And So It Goes” — Director Rob Reiner’s biggest film in quite a while, this is a romantic comedy/drama about a Realtor (Michael Douglas) who gets a visit from a granddaughter he never knew he had. Co-starring Diane Keaton, this seems like perfect movie bait for the older crowd who (with the exception of “Jersey Boys”) seem to have been left out in the cold this summer.
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” — Ten years have passed since Caesar led his rebellion, and the virus that was unleashed has wiped out most of mankind. Now, in this sequel to 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” humans and simians are on the brink of war. Which side will triumph and survive? Well, here’s a hint: A third film in this rebooted series was already announced back in January
July 18
“Jupiter Ascending” — The Wachowskis are back again. It’s been 15 years since the original “Matrix” changed the face of modern action movies, and fans (and studio executives) have waited for the siblings to once more deliver on the promise that first film indicated. Is this movie the one? Starring Mila Kunis as a janitor who learns her destiny has incredible ramifications throughout the universe, the film has amazing visuals and a breathtaking trailer — reasons for hope.
“Planes: Fire & Rescue” — Well, it’s time once again for Disney to squeeze all it can out of the “Cars” universe cash cow. Another spinoff set “above the world of ‘Cars,’” this sequel to 2013′s pleasant and utterly forgettable “Planes” sees lead Dusty (still Dane Cook) suddenly forced to join a gang of rescue vehicles. Be honest: This just screams “straight to DVD but we had nothing else so we’re tossing it into theaters,” doesn’t it?
“The Purge: Anarchy” — Speaking of rushed sequels, last summer’s “The Purge” was a modest horror hit, so it’s time to franchise that sucker. As before, we’re set in a future where America suspends all laws for 12 hours and crime runs rampant. Director/writer James DeMonaco returns for the follow-up, which focuses on a couple whose car runs out of gas as the Purge is about to begin. Another reason to never wait until your tank hits “E.”
July 25
“Hercules” — 2013’s biggest box office star takes a swing at one of the biggest mythological heroes, as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays the Herc. This is the second film based on the character this year alone (admit it, you already forgot about “The Legend of Hercules,” right?), and this one’s directed by Brett Ratner, a name which many feel doesn’t inspire confidence. But hey, Johnson is on a hell of a roll lately.
“Sex Tape” — Speaking of being on a roll, Cameron Diaz just had a surprise hit with “The Other Woman,” and she’s back with a comedy about a couple who record themselves making love and are horrified when the tape accidentally leaks. Jason Segel co-stars, and Jake Kasdan (who directed Diaz in “Bad Teacher”) is at the helm. A few weeks removed from “Tammy,” this one might be perfectly positioned for a good run as a raunchy summer laugh-fest.
“Step Up All In” — Yeah, that’s how the title is written. No punctuation or anything. And yes, it’s the fifth in the long-running dancing series. This one’s kind of a “Fast and Furious”-like gathering of all the most popular characters (well, Channing Tatum is missing, naturally) for a big battle in Las Vegas. Toledo’s own Alyson Stoner is among the crew, giving local fans one reason to be interested, at least.
Aug.1
“Guardians of the Galaxy” — This may be Marvel Studios’ biggest crapshoot to date. The most obscure superhero team to get a movie in a while, the ensemble cast features Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, John C. Reilly, Djimon Hounsou, Vin Diesel and more. Directed by James Gunn (whose highest profile film was “Slither” back in 2006), this film may have an uphill climb in terms of market recognition, but the trailer is a hoot and may reel in fans who aren’t even into superheroes.
“Get On Up” — Hell yeah, it’s a James Brown biopic. Chadwick Boseman, who played Jackie Robinson in last year’s “42,” stars as the Godfather of Soul in a movie directed by Tate Taylor, whose previous film was the crowd favorite drama “The Help.” Can any film truly capture the magic of one of the most dynamic performers of his (or any) era? Well, it’ll be fun to see them try.
Aug. 8
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” — Michael Bay is dipping his fingers into Generation X’s childhood again! Well, he’s not directing this one, but true helmer Johnathan Liebesman’s resume (“Battle: Los Angeles,” “Wrath of the Titans”) doesn’t inspire optimism, either. Still, the effects in the trailer are impressive, and the cast is stellar and expansive (Megan Fox! Johnny Knoxville! Tony Shalhoub! Whoopi Goldberg!), so maybe lightning will strike.
“The Hundred-Foot Journey” — Based on a 2010 book about two rival restaurants in France, the movie version features the stellar Helen Mirren. And you want to talk pedigree? The producers include a couple of people named Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.
“Into the Storm” — Hey, whaddya know? It’s (apparently) another found-footage movie! This one’s about a dad (Richard Armitage) trying to save his son from a tornado-filled storm. The trailer is undeniably intense and seems to indicate the movie might not be adhering to the fauxcumentary genre TOO stringently, so maybe this’ll work.
“Lucy” — Those looking for a Black Widow movie might have to settle for this until the major companies get their head around the fact that women can lead action flicks. Scarlett Johansson stars as a woman who works as a smuggler for an experimental drug, which makes her superhuman when it gets into her system. Those looking for fast-paced adventure can take solace in this fact: The director is action virtuoso Luc Besson.
Aug. 15
“The Giver” — Journey with us to a dystopian future where everything isn’t as it seems. Director Phillip Noyce helms a film version of Lois Lowry’s 1993 young adult sci-fi novel, starring luminaries like Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep and Katie Holmes.
“As Above, So Below” — And wow! What are the odds? It’s another found-footage movie! This one is horror, the genre’s bread and butter, following archeologists trying to find a hidden treasure in the catacombs of Paris. Before you think, “Hey, that sounds at least somewhat interesting,” I must share this tragic fact: Director John Erick Dowdle’s last film was the horrible “Devil.”
“The Expendables 3″ — Does a plot matter? Here’s the cast: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson, Ronda Rousey and Harrison freakin’ Ford. Come on, you’re gonna see it no matter what I say. And so am I.
Aug. 22
“Sin City: A Dame to Kill For” — Nearly a decade later, it’s time to return to the mean streets of Frank Miller’s imagination. This long-awaited follow-up to Robert Rodriguez’s 2005 adaptation of Miller’s noir graphic novels is largely based on the second book in the series, with other original narratives peppered in. Original cast members like Mickey Rourke (Marv!) and Bruce Willis return, while newcomers like Eva Green, Josh Brolin and Joseph Gordon-Levitt sign on as well.
“If I Stay” — Chloë Grace Moretz steps out from behind her Hit Girl mask to star in this adaptation of Gayle Foreman’s young adult novel about a girl trapped between life and death who must choose whether to stay or go. Foreman herself penned the script, usually a good sign for fans of the original book, though director R.J. Cutler primarily has experience in documentary filmmaking. Will the movie capture the poignancy of the original work? We’ll see.
Tallying of primary election results in Lucas County was delayed for hours May 6 in part due to several misplaced data cards that were believed to contain votes.
Jon Stainbrook
Tabulation stalled at 72 percent of votes counted when it was discovered the cards were missing and did not resume for hours. After three hours of searching, a total of seven missing cards were located in a warehouse where the voting machines are kept, said Lucas County Board of Elections (BOE) member Jon Stainbrook. Five were initially found and then two later in the night, he said.
Ron Rothenbuhler, chairman of the BOE, blamed poor inventory control and worker oversight for the issues.
“We look at inventory control. We have part-time workers — not constant personnel. We certainly have some issues,” Rothenbuhler said. “The [missing cards] did delay the election.”
Officials also suspected some of the missing data cards that contained ballot information had been created May 7 rather than in April when the machines were tested, which would suggest dishonesty by personnel. It’s still not clear who might have created fake cards to replace the missing ones and why, Stainbrook said.
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office is investigating.
“The only way the people are going to have faith in this process is to say I feel safe with this election,” Stainbrook said. “I will not feel safe until all these questions are answered.”
The tension at the Early Vote Center late May 6 was like courtroom drama. Stainbrook accused BOE Director Gina Kaczala of lying to the media. Kaczala initially told reporters there were no missing data cards and then changed her statement.
“It’s unconscionable to me that Gina Kaczala, the director, would blatantly lie to the media to say that all cards were accounted for and knew there were five missing,” Stainbrook said.
Kaczala was unable to be reached for comment.
An employee was called in to answer questions about the allegedly forged cards. The employee, whose name was unavailable, reported that the cards were legitimate and was later taken into a separate room with two Lucas County Sheriff’s deputies. Stainbrook threatened prosecution.
The elections board convened three times over the night of May 6 and into early May 7 to officiate several ballots that were damaged or unclear.
Results of the District 2 Toledo City Council race, which was conducted by paper ballot, were not released until about 4 a.m., with incumbent Matt Cherry the clear winner with 40 percent of the vote from a lukewarm turnout.
The race was done using paper ballots because its candidate filing deadline was too late to include it on the electronic ballot, said BOE Deputy Director Dan DeAngelis. But many voters were unaware of this, leading to confusion.
Cherry, a Sheet Metals Workers’ union member, received 1,823 votes, taking the seat by a margin of 303 votes over independent Marcia Helman. Helman won 33 percent of the vote; Bob Vasquez earned 17 percent; and Joe Celusta came in last with 9 percent.
Cherry, who was confident of a win but wary of low voter turnout, said he felt tired but excited about retaining the Council seat he was appointed to in January after it was vacated by Mayor D. Michael Collins.
“Obviously, I’m very excited,” Cherry said early May 7. “I feel the voters of District 2 made a good decision and I’m going to prove that to them. Today, we have a Council meeting. I’m ready to show them I’m there for them and I’m ready to commit and do for them.”
Cherry said he was disappointed in the snafu at polling headquarters.
Bill Delaney, a retired Toledo business owner, is challenging incumbent Jon Stainbrook for the District 11 Republican state central committee seat. Toledo Free Press Photo by Joseph Herr
“I hope for future elections we have to get that back together. It looked like a circus sometimes down there and we have to move to stop that for sure,” he said.
He said he was ready to get down to business by working with Collins on issues, including Toledo’s pothole problem and the vacant Southwyck property.
“I’m going to see what we can do with Southwyck and I’m working with the mayor and I’m doing what I can,” Cherry said.
Incumbent Republican Barbara Sears defeated Scott Allegrini in the race for District 47 state representative. Sears, who had 59 percent of the vote, could not be reached for comment.
Allegrini ran on repealing the Affordable Care Act and his public role as co-founder of the conservative group Children of Liberty.
“I think Barbara is a good woman,” Allegrini said shortly before polls closed. “And she’s been a good representative. I just disagree with a couple issues. It’s time to put my money where my mouth is and run. That is what started it and it’s been a heck of an adventure.”
Republican Kevin Haddad will face incumbent Democrat Carol Contrada in the Lucas County Commissioners race in the fall. Republican Richard May will challenge incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur for U.S. House District 9.
Bill Delaney and Meghan Gallagher will represent District 11 on the Republican state central committee and Mark Wagoner and Dee Talmage will represent District 2. Delaney defeated incumbent Stainbrook. Gallagher, Wagoner and Talmage all retained their seats.
Delaney told Toledo Free Press before the election that he would like to see more communication between local conservative organizations, including Republicans, Libertarians and the tea party.
“We’ve got to draw all these ideologies into one big R because we’re not going to get anyplace being divided,” Delaney said. “There’s too much division. I want to get all these people together in one group. You’ve got to have somewhere where you can talk about it. Right now there’s no talking going on. We have got to form a better organization.”
Issue 1 was approved with 65 percent of the statewide vote. The issue asked voters to approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the borrowing of $1.875 billion to help finance roads, bridges, sewer, drinking water and solid waste projects.
Voters rejected school levies in Sylvania and Bedford. The Northwood school levy passed.
Rossford voters approved levies for city improvements, the fire department and recreation by wide margins.
Only about 10 percent of eligible Lucas County voters showed up at the polls.
