The past few weeks many investors have learned a valuable lesson: safety comes at a price. Since the beginning of the year, the prices on 30-year Treasury bonds have been steadily falling. When we made our New Year’s predictions we stated that, in our opinion, bonds, particularly Treasury bonds, would be the worst investment for 2009.
Now, less than six months later, the 30-year treasury bond has lost nearly 40 percent of its value year-to-date. Hit particularly hard are those investors who rode the stock market down in fall 2008, decided to make a change at the end of the year, after suffering 30 percent losses or worse on average, only to buy “safe” treasury bonds and compound their losses with another 40 percent so far this year.
This scenario is a sobering illustration of why we constantly tell investors that they can’t make money investing for the past. In order to be successful, investors must look forward, anticipate future market conditions and invest accordingly.
For example, at the turn of the New Year, we predicted that oil would creep up and end the summer somewhere in the range of $70 to $85 per barrel. Currently, it’s just more than $62/barrel, up from its low near $35, and gas is more than $2.60/gallon at the pump. Furthermore, oil looks poised to move higher, especially considering current events in the Middle East and the Far East.
Recently, Iran sent six warships out into international waters. One is causing particular worry as it headed straight for the Gulf of Aden, directly adjacent to the Red Sea. Of course, if it made its way up the Red Sea it would be capable of firing rockets into Israel.
Making even more headlines was North Korea’s nuclear test, followed by the firing of three short-range missiles from its east coast. North Korea also stated that it would no longer honor the 1953 armistice agreement that ended the Korean War. All of these events seem to be signs that the country is preparing to resume its conflict with the south.
Many of these events, despite their implications, are not overly surprising. Even Vice President Joe Biden has said that President Barack Obama would be tested. It’s seems now that there is a race to see who will test him first. While we may not agree with Obama’s policies, we wish him the best of luck, as our national security depends on his ability to guide us through this tough time.
Despite tense foreign relations, however, things seem to be looking up at home. The economy is beginning to pick up again as credit is resuming a normal flow and consumer confidence recovers. In fact, consumer confidence numbers released on May 26 show the biggest one-month jump since 2003, when the United States was coming out of its last recession
The stock market continues to surprise people on the upside. Many investors thought of recent market action as simply a bear market rally that should have turned back down by now. However, the market seems content to continue its upward trend, supporting our view that this could be the start of something much bigger than people think.

Dock David Treece is a stockbroker licensed with FINRA. He works for Treece Financial Services Corp., www.TreeceInvestments.com. The above information is the express opinion of Dock David Treece and should not be used without outside verification.

LAST-MINUTE EVENT
Missionary spaghetti dinner: Visitors can support the Shackle family’s summer mission trips @@ Jim and Andrea to Italy; Kayla to Scotland, Courtney in Panama and Jacob in Alaska @@ at this all-you-can-eat meal. 5-7 p.m. May 29, Mayfair-Plymouth Congregational Christian Church, 5253 Bennett Road. $6. (734) 854-2567.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Northwest Ohio Woodland & Wildlife Family Festival: Seminars on composting, container gardening and “concrete creations” are planned, as well as garden tours, artists, plant sale and kids’ activities. 9 a.m.-noon May 30, Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River Road, Elmore. (419) 862-3182.

Old West End Festival: Get a peek at some of the area’s historic homes, snag some unique art and yard-sale knickknacks to take home, and try to find out just who King Wamba is. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6-7; parade, 10 a.m. June 6. Tours of six homes and Glenwood Lutheran Church: $10 presale at Downtown Latte, 44 S. St. Clair, Mansion View, 2035 Collingwood Blvd., or Color Concepts, 6725 W. Central Ave.; $12 day of the tour; or $4 for a single house. www.toledooldwestend.com.

LatinoFest: This event spices up the summer season with a blend of Tejano, Latino, Mariachi, Salsa and Reggaeton music, plus food and an art tent for family entertainment. Noon-11:30 June 13, Promenade Park, Water Street. $8. latinofesttoledo.com.

Natural Family Fest: Free talks and demonstrations about cloth diapers, baby-wearing and natural living are scheduled, as well as children’s activities, craft tables and garage sales. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 13, Integration Yoga Studio, 4633 W. Bancroft St. (419) 266-9642 or www.ktholistictherapy.com/Events.htm.

Wood County Heritage Days: Compare farming practices of yesterday and today, see homestead demonstrations, listen to music and play kids’ games. A highlight is Antique Farm and Tractor Show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 13-14 at the Wood County Historical Center & Museum, 13360 County Home Road, Bowling Green. (419) 352-0967 or www.woodcountyhistory.org.

SPORT
NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships: Tomorrow’s duffing legends will compete for the collegiate crown. Ends May 30, Inverness Club, 4601 Dorr St. $15 day, $35 tournament. (419) 530-4653 or www.utrockets.com.

Border Battle: Some of the country’s top teams and players will compete in this AAU basketball tournament. 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. May 30 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 31, UT’s Savage Arena, 2801 W. Bancroft St. Call for ticket information: (419) 530-4653. www.utrockets.com or insideprepsports.net.

Maumee River Canoe Float: Explore the scenic Maumee River from its surface. 1-3 p.m. May 30. $10. Call for location details, restrictions and reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Golfing for Goldens: Duffers can compete in this men’s, women’s and mixed scramble format. A silent auction is held after the teeing ends. The event benefits Golden Retriever Rescue Resource, the fair-haired dogs’ best friends. Noon June 6, Fallen Timbers Fairways, 7711 Timbers Blvd., Waterville. $75. (419) 215-7684 or www.gr-rescue.org.

UT athletics summer camps: Clinics will be offered for sports including tennis, volleyball, soccer, softball, baseball and football. For more information about dates and availability, visit tinyurl.com/ccjecm.
> Football: One- and multi-day and overnight camps are being offered starting June 6. $40-$275. (419) 530-3612.
> Boys’ basketball: Multi-day camps are offered for kids in kindergarten to ninth grade starting June 8. Lead by Gene Cross. $50-$215. (419) 530-5461.
> Girls’ basketball: Dribblers from age 5 to high school can participate in day camps to summer shootouts starting June 8; lead by MAC Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop. $95-$350.
> Soccer: Camps are offered for boys and girls ages 5-7 and 8-14 in sessions starting June 8. (419) 530-6251.
> Volleyball: Tentative dates start June 22. (419) 530-2534.

50+ Sports Classic: A friendly athletic competition of olympic-type events in several age brackets for the area’s older adults. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. June 13, St. Francis de Sales High School, 2323 W. Bancroft St. (419) 382-0624 or www.areaofficeonaging.com.

ON STAGE
Connxtions Comedy Club: Comedians bring their best yuks for your amusement. 5319 Heatherdowns Blvd. $12-$14. (unless noted otherwise). (419) 867-9041.
> Mark Poolos, 8 and 10 p.m. May 30.
> Marc Unger, 8 p.m. June 4-6 and 10 p.m. June 5-6.
> Bryan Cork, 8 p.m. June 11-13 and 10 p.m. June 12-13.

Funny Bone: 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. $12-$14, unless noted otherwise. (419) 931-3474.
> Derek Richards: 7 and 10 p.m. May 30 and 7 p.m. May 31.
> Rick Tempesta & George Kanter: 7 p.m. June 4 and 6-7; 8 and 10:30 p.m. June 5; and 10 p.m. June 6.
> Lavell Crawford: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. June 12 and 7 and 10 p.m. June 13-14. $25.

“All Shook Up”: Inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley. 8 p.m. June 5-6, 12-13, 18-20 and 2:30 p.m. June 14 and 21, Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St. $5-$24. (419) 243-9277.

“Annie Get Your Gun”: Broadway stars Cristen Paige and Nat Chandler will bring to life the musical about Annie Oakley and husband Frank Butler. 8 p.m. June 11-13 and 2 p.m. June 14, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. $23-$39. (419) 242-2787.

“Mamma Mia”: The music of ABBA is turned into a musical about a young girl hoping to discover who, among a trio of men, is her father before her wedding. 8 p.m. June 16-20, 2 p.m. June 17 and 20-21, Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. $22-$58. (419) 381-8851.

ART & EXHIBITIONS
Toledo Museum of Art exhibitions: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.
> “Look What’s New”: Discover new purchases and get behind-the-scenes stories of significant works added to the mix since 2001, the museum’s centennial. Ends May 31, Canaday Gallery and through the museum.
> “Archaeology in the Golden Age: Toledo Explores Iraq, 1929-1932.” A political and trading hub for more than five centuries, Seleucia-on-the-Tigris was capital of one of Alexander the Great’s successors. The TMA was part of an excavation in the 1930s; this exhibit displays what was uncovered. Through June 28, Little Theater Gallery.
> “The Spirit of Creativity”: High school students serve as curators and organizers of this exhibition of their peers’ work. Through July 19, Community Gallery.
> “Radiant Ensemble”: The Glass Pavilion sparkles with historical jewelry made between 1785 to 1885 from the collection of Nancy and Gilbert Levine. Through Aug. 9.
> “Juneteenth: Photography in Focus.” Local African-American photographers’ work will be displayed in an intimate exhibition showcasing their diverse styles. June 5-July 19, Community Gallery.
> Sylvania Senior Center Artist Group: These seniors explore varied styles and subjects, but share the enjoyment of creation. That enthusiasm is on display in this exhibition. June 5-July 19, Community Gallery.

Detroit Institute of Art exhibitions: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Regular admission: $4-$8; special exhibition prices include general admission. (313) 833-7900.
> “American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell.” The artist’s works invoke a sense of nostalgia whose popularity has worn well through the decades. Ends May 31; $15.
> “Learning by Line: The Role of Drawing in the Eighteenth Century.” Art created during the 18th century was more than an aesthetic exercise; it was a way of obtaining and conveying knowledge in the rapidly changing world. Through June 14.
> “Of Life and Loss: The Polish Photographs of Roman Vishniac and Jeffrey Gusky.” Both men photographed Jews, Vishniac to raise money for humanitarian aid, Gusky to define the culture and identity. But the lapse between the efforts provides the drama of this exhibition. Through July 12.

“Co-Opt”: An array of artists will exhibit their diverse perspectives on our relationship with and impact on the natural world. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and noon-4 Saturdays, through June 5, Space 237, 237 N. Michigan St. (419) 255-5117.

UT Student Exhibit: Bachelor of fine arts students will display their work. 9-10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 10-10 p.m. Sundays, through June 7, UT’s Center for the Visual Arts, 620 Grove Place. (419) 530-8300.

“Derby Days”: The best in local, regional and national equine art will be on display. Noon-4 Tuesdays-Fridays and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays through June 13, 20 North Gallery, 18 N. Clair St. (419) 241-2400.

Prizm Art-a-Fair: It’s the third year for this juried fine arts exhibition created by PRIZM Creative Community. 2-8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays through June 20, Dorothy Uber Bryan Gallery, BGSU’s School of Art, Fine Arts Center, between Ridge and Wooster, next to the Jerome Library. (419) 372-8525.

“Three Women in the Woods: Preservation and Conservation of Ohio’s Woodlands.” Jane Rogers, Jill Sell and Barbara Krans Jenkins are working together to help preserve beautiful and endangered landscapes. This exhibition of photography, fine art and poetry tries to educate and encourage others to express their own appreciation for nature and raise the level of caring for the natural world. Noon-5 p.m. weekends and during special events, through June 28, National Center for Nature Photography, Secor Metropark, 10000 W. Central Ave., Berkey. (419) 829-2761.

Outdoor Writers Photo Show: Winning entries in the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual photography contest will be on display. Noon-5 p.m. weekends and during special events, through June 28, National Center for Nature Photography, Secor Metropark, 10000 W. Central Ave., Berkey. (419) 829-2761.

“America’s National Parks: A Monumental Vision.” Clyde Butcher’s black-and-white photographs draw the viewer into a relationship with nature, inspiring others to work to save nature’s places of spiritual sanctuary for future generations. Noon-5 p.m. weekends and during special events, through June 28, National Center for Nature Photography, Secor Metropark, 10000 W. Central Ave., Berkey. (419) 829-2761.

Karl Mullen: This Irish painter’s works tell a colorful story, rich with poetry, dreams, mythology, whisky, love and invention. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, through June 30, Hudson Gallery, 5645 N. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 885-8381.

“Terrific Teens”: Area teens have compiled diverse oral histories and archival materials to produce this community-based exhibition that explores the lives of teenagers in northwest Ohio over the past 50 years. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, through July 18, Walter E. Terhune Gallery, Owens Community College, 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg. (567) 661-2721 or www.owens.edu.

“Flowers From Rome”: Gary Bukovnik’s watercolor floral imagery is clear and refreshing. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays through July 30, Paula Brown Gallery, 912 Monroe St. (419) 241-2822.

“First-Lady Style: White House Gowns.” This display examines the role of the First Lady using fashion as a focus, exhibiting 33 original or reproduction gowns designed for American first ladies. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and noon-5 Sundays, through Aug. 2, Hayes Museum, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. (419) 332-2081, (800) 998-7737, www.rbhayes.org.

“Rock Stars’ Cars & Guitars 2″: Eye-popping cars, iconic guitars and a dizzying array of rock memorabilia, such as Billy F. Gibbons’ 1932 Ford coupe, “Eliminator”; Gene Simmons legendary axe bass; and one of Pete Townshend’s Rickenbackers, smashed to smithereens, will be on display. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Sept. 7, Henry Ford Museum, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. $10-$14; $5 parking. (313) 982-6001 or (800) 835-5237.

Art Hours: Would-be glass artists now can reserve spots in the TMA’s popular hour-long studio sessions. 2445 Monroe St. $25. Reservations start the Tuesday before the event: (419) 254-5771, ext. 7448.
> Hot glass flowers: 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 28; 2 and 4 p.m. June 6.
> Various flame-working projects: 7 p.m. June 5.
> Flame-worked beads: 1, 2 and 3 June 6-7.

Fiber Arts Show: A juried showcase for innovative uses of fiber media from regional artists. Music, children’s crafts, demonstrations and more are planned, too. Noon-5 May 30-31, 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. (419) 874-4174 or www.577foundation.org.

TMA Tours: Get the inside scoop on what’s new, interesting and artful during docent-led tours. Most start from Libbey Court, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.
> “Look What’s New” exhibition, 2 and 3 p.m. May 30; and 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. May 31.
> Dresses, Vessels and Other Glass Tales, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. June 5 and 12.
> Glass Pavilion Experience, 2 and 3 p.m. June 6; 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. June 7.
> African and African-American Art, 1:30 p.m. June 13.
> Atmosphere and Light, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. June 14.

Nature Shoot: Oak Savanna. Lupine, along with a host of other spring species, should be at its best in one of the area’s best savannas. 6-9 p.m. June 4, Kitty Todd Nature Preserve, 10420 Old State Line Road, Swanton. $15. Registration: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

TMA workshops: Springtime classes for the artistically inclined. 2445 Monroe St. $65. Registration: (419) 254-5080.
> Forged Steel Campfire Utensils: 6-9 p.m. June 5.
> Cast Metal Pendants: 6-9 p.m. June 12.

Art on the Line: Community members, local artists, employees of local companies and visitors to the TMA can contribute to paintings on fabric panels made from recycled plastic bottles to create outdoor galleries this summer. Completed works will be hung on clotheslines scattered throughout the campus as the museum attempts to install more than 200 new works of art. Contribute at the Old West End Festival (10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6-7) or the Juneteenth Celebration (noon-5 June 13), 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.

Open Art Day: Visitors can let their inner artists out at these demonstrations, hands-on activities and live performances. Noon-4 June 7, Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr. (419) 536-5566.

Doodlebug Art Camp: The Perrysburg Area Arts Council will help kids entering first to fourth grades discover the arts and their own creativity. 2-3 or 3:30-4:40 p.m. Wednesdays, June 10-July 1, Youth Activity Center, Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. $3 a session. Registration: (419) 874-3135 or www.waylibrary.info.

Local glass artists: Workers in silicon-based media will be spotlighted. 7-10 p.m., TMA, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.
> June 12: William Poceta, Albert Young and Leslie Patron, Michigan
Hot Glass Workshop.

Pre-Juneteenth Kickoff: Contribute to the Jazz Band Mural. Decorate an instrument made of felt and add it to the mural. 7-9 p.m. June 12, TMA’s Libbey Court, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.

FAMILY TIME
Spring Season: Families representing 18th-20th centuries on the farm will bring the diverse aspects of America’s agricultural history @@ fields to plant and plow, farmhouses to clean, sheep to shear and new baby animals to greet @@ to life. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through June 12, Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Mich. $16-$22; $5 parking. (313) 982-6001 or (800) 835-5237.

Fossil Park @@ You’re Gonna Dig It: Visitors can hunt for and keep relics from the 375-millon-year-old Devonian era. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 18, 5705 Centennial Road, Sylvania. (419) 882-8313.

Don’t Duck, Look Up: A precocious little duck learns about the sky along with a barnyard full of animal friends. 1 p.m. May 30, UT’s Ritter Planetarium, 2801 W. Bancroft St. $4-$5. (419) 530-4037 or (419) 530-2650.

Eco Hikers: Young nature lovers (ages 6-12) will learn about the ecological and historical importance of the Metroparks through games, activities and hands-on exploration. 1-2:30 p.m. May 30, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark’s Pine Ridge Area, 4139 Girdham Road off SR-2, Swanton. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Moon Jar Savings Program: This program is a first step in teaching young children about money; they will learn to save using their very own banks.
> May 30, Wauseon Public Library, 117 E. Elm St., Wauseon. Registration: (419) 335-6626.
> 3-4 p.m. June 10, Lagrange Branch Library, 3422 Lagrange St. Registration: (419) 259-5280.
> 1-2 p.m. June 16, Mott Branch Library, 1085 Dorr St. Registration: (419) 259-5230.

Sunday Samplers: Visitors can bring picnic dinners and try a different experience each week. 5-6 p.m. (unless noted), meet at Wildwood Preserve Metropark’s Visitor Center, 5100 W. Central Ave. (419) 535-3056.
> Lupine Hike: Take a relaxing stroll on the yellow trail to enjoy the signature flower of the Toledo area’s famous Oak Openings region. May 31.
> Beams ‘n’ Bulbs: Find out how the Manor House grounds blends 1930s technology with Georgian Colonial architecture and the work of a pioneer landscape designer. Until 6:30 p.m. June 7.
> Backyard Wildlife: Look for signs of wildlife and learn ways of attracting friendly visitors. June 14.

TMA Family Center programs: Hands-on art activities for children. Noon-5:30 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org.
> Make a Picnic Set, May 31, June 2 and 4.
> Art on the Line painting, June 9 and 11.
> Make a Juneteenth-Related Work of Art, June 14, 16 and 18.

Peter Rabbit Tea: Naughty Peter and other characters from Beatrix Potter’s children’s books will greet children ages 4-6. 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. June 1, McKinnis Homestead, Litzenberg Memorial Woods, 6100 US 224, Findlay. $2. Register by May 26: (419) 425-7275.

Ice cream social: Barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, ice cream and desserts will be available. 4:30-7 p.m. June 2, Erie United Methodist Church, 1100 E. Samaria Road, Erie, Mich. No admission; food priced individually. (734) 848-4470.

Family Pottery: Kids and adults will explore hand-built pottery projects. Preschoolers and kindergartners, 9:30-11 a.m. June 1-2 or June 9 and 12, $20; First- through fifth-graders, 10 a.m.-noon June 27, $18. 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg. Registration: (419) 874-4174 or www.577foundation.org.

Community Scavenger Hunt: Pick up a list from the library, scour the neighborhood for the items, and bring the list back to be entered in a drawing. June 1-15, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. (419) 259-5390.

Grandparents Mondays: Grammy and Gramps will be admitted half-price when their grandkids tag along. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, June 1-Aug. 25, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Hayes and Buckland avenues, Fremont. $4-$10.50. (419) 332-2081, (800) 998-7737 or www.rbhayes.org.

Toddler Trails: Children 18 months to 3 years old and their adults can go on outdoor nature adventures. 10-11 a.m. June 3, Metz Visitor Center courtyard, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, 5100 W. Central Ave. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Summer Skies Over Toledo: A look at the stars, constellations and planets visible from the Glass City and an examination of ancient mythologies associated with the constellations. 8:30 p.m. June 5 and 12, UT’s Ritter Planetarium, 2801 W. Bancroft St. $4-$5. (419) 530-4037 or (419) 530-2650.

First Fridays: Music, carriage rides and art exhibits will enliven downtown Perrysburg. 5-8 p.m. June 5, Aug. 7 and Sept. 4, Louisiana Avenue. (419) 872-6246 or www.downtownperrysburg.org.

Boogie on Main Street: Streets will shut down for a summery celebration with food, drinks and entertainment by The Newcomers and Fred Shafer and the Sunseekers. 6 p.m.-midnight June 5, 300 block of Main Street, downtown Findlay. $2-$5. (419) 422-4624 or www.artspartnership.com.

Point Place Days Parade: Library staff will march in the parade and readers can join them. 11:30 a.m. June 6, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. Registration: (419) 259-5390.

Tomahawks and Tinsmithing: Experts will demonstrate how to make pioneer-era tools and decorations. 1-4 p.m. June 6, Isaac Ludwig Mill, Providence Metropark, 13827 US 24 West (at Route 578), Grand Rapids.

Walk With Me: Saunter or amble along to help the Easter Seals provide local services for children and adults with disabilities. Lunch provided by Tony Packo’s. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6, Toledo Zoo, 2700 Broadway. (419) 535-5750 or noh.easterseals.com.

Walk for Wildlife: A 1-mile walk-a-thon will raise money to care for injured, ailing and orphaned wildlife. The course will feature stations to view native wildlife close up, and conservation education displays. Participants must raise $20 or more in pledges. 9 a.m. June 6, Blue Creek Conservation Area, 7790 Schadel Rd., Whitehouse. Reservations: (419) 877-0060.

Eastern Woodland Native American Gathering and Pre-1840 Encampment: Native American drumming and dancing are the highlights. “Living historians” will host skill demonstrations, and music, children’s activities and cannon firings are planned. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 7, Steyer Nature Preserve, 5901 N. County Road 33, Tiffin. $3. (419) 618-5437 or SteyerGathering@gmail.com.

Saturday chess: Players 12 and younger of any skill level can practice basic moves and learn some advanced strategy. 9-11 a.m. June 6-Aug. 29, children’s library, Toledo Lucas County Main Library, 325 Michigan St. (419) 259-5207.

Kids’ Klub: Little ones will make summer sundaes, get their faces painted and participate in other activities. 1-2 p.m. June 6, Red Robin at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee. (419) 878-2944 or (419) 878-6255.

Splish! Splash! Fun with Paint: Parents and their kids can experiment with balloons, marbles, squirt bottles, sponges and other wild ways to use paint at this family camp. 1-3 p.m. June 6, TMA, 2445 Monroe St. $25 for parent-child pairs; additional children are $5. Reservations: (419) 254-5080.

Wee Workshop: “Trails and Tales.” Children 3-5 and their adult companions will l listen to stories about local wildlife, take a walk to search for signs of wildlife and make some trail mix. 10-11:30 a.m. June 6, Secor Metropark’s National Center for Nature Photography, 10000 W. Central Ave., Berkey. $5. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

In the Park After Dark: Glimpse nature at night by the light of the full moon on this guided exploration. 9:30-10:30 p.m. June 7, Swan Creek Preserve Metropark, Airport Highway Airport Highway parking lot. $5. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Ice Cream Social: Readers can sign up for the summer club, create sundaes and win prizes. 1-3 p.m. June 8, Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd. (419) 259-5283.

Barefoot Sandals: Teens will create these unique shoes. Materials will be provided. 7 p.m. June 8, Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Road, Oregon. (419) 259-5250.

Tie-Dyed T-Shirts: Teens will make designs as original as themselves. 2-3:30 p.m. June 8, Mott Branch Library, 1085 Dorr St. (419) 259-5230.

Create a Sun Catcher: Young readers can sign up for the summer reading club and make a sunny masterpiece to display in the library. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 8, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. (419) 259-5390.

Creative Magic: Kids will get to help Jim create the magic, and will even learn a magic trick they can perform!
> 2-2:45 p.m. June 8, Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Road, Oregon.
> 10:30 a.m. June 9, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. (419) 259-5290.
> 2-3 p.m. June 10, Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave., Waterville. Registration: (419) 878-3055.

Creative Cats: This contest tests teens’ knowledge of cats. Noon-9 June 8-9 and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 10-13, South Branch Library, 1736 Broadway. (419) 259-5395.

Protest Song Match-Up: Can you name the controversy that inspired each song? 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 8-11 and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 12-13, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. (419) 259-5290.

Cre-activities: Heatherdowns Branch Library will offer teens the chance to express themselves with a variety of weeklong contests during regular hours, 1-5:30 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 3265 Glanzman Road. (419) 259-5270.
> Haiku to You: Write and submit one of these lyric verses in Japanese style. June 8-14.
> Roll Over Beethoven: Test your knowledge of musicians. June 15-21.

Expressions & Explorations: Teens have a chance to win in these weekly contests at Holland Branch Library. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturday, 1032 S. McCord Road, Holland. (419) 259-5240.
> Explore the Teen Web Page: Log into the library Web site and find the answers to questions on the entry sheet. June 8-13.
> Express your artistic side: Match paintings to the artists’ portraits. June 15-20.

Raising Readers: Special activities and games for kids ages 2-8 will be available with favorite PBS characters. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 8-Aug. 29, South Branch Library, 1736 Broadway. (419) 259-5395.

Kick-Off Carnival: Games, crafts and treats will be offered to kick off the summer reading club. 2 p.m. June 9, Toledo Heights Branch Library, 423 Shasta Dr. (419) 259-5220.

In the Beginning: Get introduced to this summer’s reading club, programs and volunteer opportunities. 2-3 p.m. June 9, Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5295.

Andrew Martin: This magician will conjure up comedy, music and creativity.
> 2 p.m. June 9, Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Road, Maumee. Registration: (419) 259-5360.
> 6:30 p.m. June 9, Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd. (419) 259-5283.
> 2 p.m. June 16, Locke Branch Library, 703 Miami St. (419) 259-5310.
> 7 p.m. June 16, Toledo Heights Branch Library, 423 Shasta Dr. (419) 259-5220.
> 1:30 p.m. June 17, Toledo Lucas County Main Library, 325 Michigan St. (419) 259-5207.
> 2-2:45 p.m. June 18, Heatherdowns Branch Library, 3265 Glanzman Road. (419) 259-5270.
> 7-7:45 p.m. June 18, Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania. Registration: (419) 882-2089.

Wilson Lake and the Rock Bass: An interactive musical experience that takes listeners on a toe-tapping adventure about growing up at a Michigan cottage. 7-8 p.m. June 9, Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5295.

“The Bees, the Wolves, and the Birthday Cake That Wasn’t”: North Coast Theater will present this original play different groups celebrating in entirely different ways.
> 1-2 p.m. June 9, Mott Branch Library, 1085 Dorr St. (419) 259-5230.
> 1:30 p.m. June 16, House of Bread Kids Zone, 1430 W. Bancroft St. (419) 259-5315.
> 3-4 p.m. June 17, Lagrange Branch Library, 3422 Lagrange St. Registration: (419) 259-5280.
> 1:30-2:30 p.m. June 18, Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5295.

Young Artists Club, Summer Edition: Kids 11 and younger are invited to show off their artistic talents. 3 p.m. every other Tuesday, June 9-July 28, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5290.

Knitwits: Learn to knit by making an easy washcloth with soft blue cotton yarn; supplies provided. This Tuesday knitting club is for anyone in fourth grade and up. 2-3 p.m. June 9-July 28. Heatherdowns Branch Library, 3265 Glanzman Road. Novices must register; advanced knitters can stitch along without registering. (419) 259-5307.

Be a Gardening Bug: Kids 8 and older will making patio planters. Meet at 2 p.m. June 10 by the tennis courts at Southview Horticultural Center, 7225 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. Registration: (419) 882-2089.

School’s Out Party: Tunes, snacks, games and prizes will get kids 4 and older in the mood for a creative, fun-packed summer. 6 p.m. June 10, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. (419) 259-5290.

Tie-dying: Anyone who brings something mostly cotton can try out this technique. 4-7 p.m. June 10, Wauseon Public Library, 117 E. Elm St., Wauseon. Registration: (419) 335-6626.

Grandma Science: Join Dawn Shock will amaze and astound with the daily wonders that surround us. 2 p.m. June 10, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. Registration: (419) 259-5390.

Be Creative with Jazz: Discover which instruments are part of the jazz band with Chuck Taylor and the Dixie Squid. Learn about each instrument, the role it plays in the band and maybe even get the chance to play along. 1:30 p.m. June 10, Toledo Lucas County Main Library, 325 Michigan St. (419) 259-5207.

Summer Reading Club Kickoff (10 and younger): Stuff the Summer Right. Stop by for a slice and register for the club. 2 p.m. June 10, Birmingham Branch Library, 203 Paine Ave. (419) 259-5210.

Tattoo Guess Who: Learn about the history of the tattoo, then match the tat to its corresponding celebrity. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 10, Washington Branch Library, 5560 Harvest Lane. (419) 259-5330.

LEGO Contest: A number of branches will hold preliminary contests; the winners in grades three-five will face off in a 30-minute “things that take you places” challenge. 2 p.m. June 10, Locke Branch Library, 703 Miami St.; championship to be held Aug. 1 at the main library. (419) 259-5310.

Name the Picture Book Characters: Kids could win prizes in this contest at the Kent Branch Library. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 10 and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 11-16, 3101 Collingwood Blvd. (419) 259-5283.

Wacky Wednesday: A random activity @@ games, books, crafts or movies @@ will be offered. 3-4:30 p.m. June 10, Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd. (419) 259-5283.

Summer Reading Club Kickoff: Joyce Davis and her puppet friends will help participants celebrate.
> 2 p.m. June 10, Holland Branch Library, 1032 S. McCord Road, Holland. Registration: (419) 259-5240.
> 2-2:45 p.m. June 11, Heatherdowns Branch Library, 3265 Glanzman Road. (419) 259-5270.

Children’s Tea: Kids can get a dose of history with the spoonfuls of sugar in their drinks; includes entertainment. 1-3 p.m. June 10, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Buckland Avenue, Fremont. $12-$20. Reservations required: (419) 332-2081, ext. 38, or (800) 998-7737.

Jimity’s Juggling Workshop: Teens will get some tips for keeping all the balls in the air. 3 p.m. June 11, Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Road, Maumee. (419) 259-5360.

Summer Reading Club Kickoff (11 and older): Creative Dancing. Bust a move and groove with Dance Dance Revolution and refuel with pizza. 2 p.m. June 11, Birmingham Branch Library, 203 Paine Ave. (419) 259-5210.

Expression Through Dance: A dance instructor will teach teen participants the latest moves in hip-hop to kick off the summer program. 3-4 p.m. June 11, Lagrange Branch Library, 3422 Lagrange St. (419) 259-5280.

Teen Time Gaming: Youths can play video games on the big screen or old-school board games. 3-5 p.m. June 11, Locke Branch Library, 703 Miami St. (419) 259-5310.

Wood County Historical Center & Museum teas: Themed social events with refreshments. 13360 County Home Road, Bowling Green. $3-$12. Reservations: (419) 352-0967 or www.woodcountyhistory.org.
> “Tea with Jane Austen”: A first-person narrative of this English author. 2 p.m. June 11.

“A Day With No Crayons”: Enchanted Entertainers will tell this tale of about a girl whose world goes gray when her preferred artistic tools are taken away. 3 p.m. June 11, South Branch Library, 1736 Broadway. (419) 259-5395.

Chalk It Up: Artists can spruce up the library sidewalks with this ephemeral medium. 2-3 p.m. June 11, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. (419) 259-5390.

Meet Your Neighbor from Italy: Sylvania resident Carlo Gibellato will take visitors on a tour of Italy, including facts about its people, culture and history. 2 p.m. June 13, Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania. Registration: (419) 882-2089.

One-room school open house: Experience an authentic 1890s one-room school, where schoolmarms dressed in period clothing will explain the methods of teaching and visitors can slide into the desks, work on slate boards and open a McGuffey reader to practice their spelling skills. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 13, Oak Grove School, Wildwood Preserve Metropark’s east entrance, 5100 W. Central Ave. (419) 535-3056.

Ice Cream Social: The Polish American Concert Band will keep toes tappin’ as visitors try ice cream, cakes and brownies. 6-8 p.m. June 15, Manor House, Wildwood Preserve Metropark, 5100 W. Central Ave. 50 cents per item. (419) 535-3056.

Beaded Jewelry Design: Teens will create bracelets or earrings. 2-3 p.m. June 15, Mott Branch Library, 1085 Dorr St. (419) 259-5230.

Fear Factor Feast: Prizes go to the bravest contestants willing to try the foods served up. 7 p.m. June 15, Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Road, Oregon. (419) 259-5250.

Model Landfill: Participants will create a landfill out of pudding and piecrust. 3-4 p.m. June 15, Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd. (419) 259-5283.

Hot Shot Basketball: Teens will create make-and-play hoops. 2-3 p.m. June 15, Toledo Heights Branch Library, 423 Shasta Dr. (419) 259-5220.

Tie-Dye Mania: Teens and tweens should dress to get messy and bring a clean white T-shirt. They’ll even design their own tie-dye cupcakes. 2 p.m. June 15, Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave., Waterville. Registration: (419) 878-3055.

Music Makers: Teens who know their musical instruments could win. Noon-9 June 15-16 and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 17-20, South Branch Library, 1736 Broadway. (419) 259-5395.

Unexpected Inventions: Teens can test their knowledge of inventions that were “mistakes.” 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 15-18 and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 19-20, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. (419) 259-5290.

Yo-Yo Fun: National champion Robb Kitts will perform yo-yo tricks from easy to complicated. Visitors can enter a drawing to win a yo-yo.
> 2-2:45 p.m. June 15, Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Road, Oregon.
> 7-7:45 p.m. June 23, Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania. Registration: (419) 882-2089.

Body Art: Teens can learn the origin of henna and other temporary body art, and get designs of their own.
> 2-3 p.m. June 15, Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania. Registration: (419) 882-2089.
> 3-4:30 p.m. June 17 and 3-4 p.m. July 15, Washington Branch Library, 5560 Harvest Lane. Reservations: (419) 259-5330.
> 2-3 p.m. June 18, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. Registration: (419) 259-5390.

Match games: Sixth-graders to high school seniors can participate in Birmingham Branch Library’s series of games, held during regular hours, and win prizes. Noon-9 Mondays-Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 203 Paine Ave. (419) 259-5210.
> Masterpiece Matchup: Match the artist with his or her work. June 15-20.

Death by Chocolate: A sweet evening of live music, visual arts and a decadent dessert buffet to please chocolate connoisseurs while supporting the Toledo School for the Arts music program. 7-9 p.m. June 16, 333 14th St. $30. (419) 246-8732, ext. 2.

Park Pals: “Blue Butterflies.” Children 3-5 and their adult companions will read stories, play games, make crafts and take a nature walk with a naturalist. 10 to 11:30 a.m. and noon-1:30 p.m. June 16, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark’s lodge, 4139 Girdham Road off Route 2, Swanton. $5. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Tell Me a Story: Barbara Britsch, a lifelong storyteller, will tell participatory magical tales accompanied by drums and bells and rattles. 7-8 p.m. June 16, Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5295.

Creative Art of Nature: Jerry Schneider will bring some live insects for an exploration of nature’s brilliant colors and outdoor songs. A T-shirt craft will conclude this program.
> 10:30 a.m. June 16, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. (419) 259-5290.
> 2 p.m. June 16, Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Road, Maumee. Registration: (419) 259-5360.
> 2 p.m. June 17, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. Registration: (419) 259-5390.

“Jack in the Sky Place”: Joyce Davis will use her puppets to tell the story of a farmer with animals that mysteriously disappear and his quest to reclaim them.
> 2-2:45 p.m. June 16, Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2089.

Dairy Days: Celebrate National Dairy Month with demonstrations and hands-on activities, gaining a better understanding the role dairy played in the lives of pioneers. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 16-20, Sauder Village, 22611 Route 2, Archbold. $6.50-$12.50. (800) 590-9755.

Reading Circle: Children who will enter second grade can practice their literacy skills. 2 p.m. June 16-July 28, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. Registration: (419) 259-5390.

MOVIES
“From Here to Eternity”: Pearl Harbor casts a shadow over a Hawaiian Army station. 2 p.m. May 30, Ritz Theatre, 20 S. Washington St., Tiffin. $3. (419) 448-8544.

Silver Screen Classics: Classic movies at classic prices. 1 p.m. Mondays, Showcase Cinemas Levis Commons, 2005 Hollenbeck Dr., Perrysburg. $2. (419) 891-5039.
> “This Is the Army,” June 1.
> “Til the Clouds Roll By,” June 8.
> “Love Laughs at Andy Hardy,” June 15.

Silent shorts with organ accompaniment: Brian Bogdanowitz will play along with four 1920s films, including works by Buster Keaton. 3 p.m. June 7, Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. $10. (419) 244-2787.

“Kung Fu Panda”: Po’s dreams of becoming a martial arts master are put to the test when he is chosen to study alongside his idols. 2 p.m. June 8, Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave., Waterville. Registration: (419) 878-3055.

Spring Silent Comedy Film Festival: Organist Brian Bogdanowitz will play along to four 1920s films, including works by Buster Keaton. 3 p.m. June 7, Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. $10. (419) 244-2787.

Saturday matinees: Locke Branch Library will screen movies on its big screen. Noon June 13, 703 Miami St. (419) 259-5310.

Movie Madness: Visitors bring the sodas, the popcorn’s provided at this series of G-rated Disney flicks. 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Road, Maumee. (419) 259-5360.
> “The Shaggy Dog,” June 15.

“Wall-E”: After hundreds of lonely years, a waste management robot finds true love in another robot sent on a mission to Earth to see if it is safe for human life. 2 p.m. June 16, West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. (419) 259-5290.

“A Star Is Born”: This original, Oscar-winning version of this film stars Janet Gaynor and Frederick March. 2 p.m. June 14, Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd. $4-$15. (419) 244-2787.

MOSTLY FOR ADULTS
Parents should determine appropriateness for children

Get Active America! Campaign: Designed to combat American obesity and sedentary lifestyles, this drive has been taken up by fitness chain Urban Active, which will offer free workouts all month. Through 10 p.m. May 31, 2859 N. Holland Sylvania Road, (419) 535-6669; or 1361 Conant St., Maumee, (419) 482-7740. www.urbanactive.com.

Farmers Market: Join us every Tuesday for our Farmers Market. Vendors will line Main Street with fresh produce, flowers, beads, jams, and so much more! 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 29, Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee. (419) 878-6255 or www.toledofarmersmarket.org.

Creole in the Attic: New Orleans-style food, an in-house “good witch” to read fortunes, music and live crawfish will bring the feel of the Big Easy to Toledo. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 26, The Attic on Adams, 1701 Adams St. (above Manos). (419) 243-6063.

Perrysburg Farmers Market: Locally grown and produced annuals, perennials, herbs, baked goods, garden art, produce and gifts will be available. 3-8 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 15, Louisiana Avenue at Second Street, downtown Perrysburg. (419) 874-9147 or www.visitperrysburg.com.

First anniversary Luau: Puttin’ on the Glitz will celebrate its first year in business with Hawaiian decor, island music and tropical appetizers, plus a raffle to benefit the Victory Center, a nonprofit organization that aids cancer patients. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 30, 120 W. South Boundary, Perrysburg. (419) 874-3334.

Euchre tournament: Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Post 587 hosts this monthly card competition. 7 p.m. May 30, 2020 W. Alexis Road. $10. (419) 471-0587.

Party @ the Park: Raceway Park will kick off its third annual summer concert series with Hoozier Daddy. The track will feature live music every Saturday night all summer long. Track opens at 11:30 a.m.; post time is 6 p.m. Saturdays; 5700 Telegraph Rd. $1-$2. (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com.
> May 30 and June 13: Hoozier Daddy
> June 6: Beer Thirty

Migratory bird self-guided tour: Birding brochures and maps featuring potential designated sighting areas will be available, and a naturalist will be on duty for updated bird sightings and questions Noon-4:30 p.m. May 30-31, Buehner Center, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, 4139 Girdham Road off SR-2, Swanton. (419) 407-9700.

DeWalt Guarateed Tough tour: Visitors can see exactly how strong this line of tools is with a variety of events, including the tire change challenge, and displays, such as the No. 17 NASCAR racing show car. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 31, The Andersons, 530 Illinois Ave., Maumee. (419) 891-2700.

Super Savings Sundays: Race fans can collect dollar deals (admission, hot dogs, beer and programs) while taking in some harness action. Track opens at 11:30 a.m.; post time is 5 p.m. Sundays, May 31-June 28, 5700 Telegraph Rd. $1-$2. (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com.

Sandpiper cruises: Take a float up or down the Maumee. departing from the Jefferson Street dock in Promenade Park. $39. Reservations: (419) 537-1212.
> Discover the River/picnic lunch cruises: Two-hour cruises go either down the Maumee to see the Veteran’s Glass City Skyway Bridge, port, shipyard and drydocks or up river to see stately homes and yacht clubs, marinas and wildlife. 10 a.m. Saturdays, June-September; $7-$15. Picnic cruises include casual lunches catered by Superior Catering: noon Thursdays, June-September; $14-$22.
> Sunset & City Lights Cruises: Listen to love songs while enjoying a two-hour, up-river cruise with sunset around Walbridge Park and city lights shimmering on the water. Snacks included. 8 p.m. Sundays, June-September; $20.

Celebrate Movement and Creativity Workshop: Discover ways to use deep stretching and extending in conjunction with breathing to generate power and fluid movements. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 2, Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr. $25. (419) 536-5566.

Solar Toledo: Learn how to power your home and car using the sun. 7-8:30 p.m. June 2, Toledo Lucas County Main Library, 325 Michigan St. (419) 259-5207.

Bird walk and feeding seminars: A stroll to see the springtime singers and migrators will be followed by seminars with Scotts¨ ornithologist John Robinson. Friends of the feathered who buy feeders or bring theirs in can get free bird food. Walk, 7 a.m. June 2, Side Cut Metropark window on wildlife, Anthony Wayne Trail level of the park in lot No. 2, 1025 River Road, Maumee; seminars to take place at the Andersons, 530 Illinois Ave., Maumee. (419) 891-2700.

Wine Tasting Wednesdays: Grape groupies can try five wines selected by Uptown Vineyard and appetizers. 6-7 p.m. June 3-Dec. 16, Manhattan’s, 1516 Adams St. $10. Reservations: ty@uptownvineyard.com. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com.

Metroparks Seniors: “Hidden Treasurers.” See how animals use cryptic coloration to stay hidden. Optional walk to follow; for those 60 and older. 2-3:30 p.m. June 3, Secor Room, Secor Metropark, 10000 W. Central Ave., Berkey. $2. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Dillon House Victorian Teas: One of Fremont’s finest examples of Victorian-era architecture is the setting for a formal event that features all the fineries of a 19th-century tea, including entertainment and presentations, such as storyteller Barb Sutton. 1-3 p.m. June 3, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Buckland Avenue, Fremont. $12-$20. Reservations required: (419) 332-2081, ext. 38, or (800) 998-7737.

Tea in the Solarium: Delicious sandwiches and desserts served in an elegant manner. Noon-3 June 5, Wildwood Preserve Metropark’s Manor House, 5100 W. Central Ave. $7. Prepaid reservations available, but not required: (419) 508 0951.

Jazz & Art: The Bob Rex Trio will provide the tunes for visitors to view oils and watercolors by local artist Frank Pinciotti. 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 5, Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts, 311 Conant St., Maumee. (419) 891-8888.

Schedel Gardens tour: Get a peek at this botanical gem and its sculptures, then finish with lunch. 10 a.m. June 5, Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, 19255 Portage River Road, Elmore. $30. (419) 885-1413 or gburke@lourdes.edu.

The Financial Crisis Explained: Dr. Tom Warneka, with more than 30 years of experience as a corporate financial officer, will discuss what happened. 2-3 p.m. June 6, Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania. Registration: (419) 882-2089.

Belmont Stakes simulcast: Raceway Park will host live music and offer food and drink specials for the last jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown. Post time is 6:27 p.m. June 6; the track will open at 11:30 a.m. 5700 Telegraph Rd. $1-$2. (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com.

GED preparation classes: Area residents interested in enhancing their English or math or their employment skills, are invited to attend these classes. Orientation @@ the next is scheduled for 11 a.m. June 6, Workforce and Community Services Room 167 @@ is required for all new General Education Development
students. Subsequent classes are held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Owens Community College, 30335 Oregon Road, Perrysburg. (567) 661-2708, (800) 466-9367, ext. 2708, or www.owens.edu.

Walk For Wildlife 2009: Participants will travel along a one-mile course, stopping along the way for ongoing programs and activities at education stations. Walkers are asked to raise $20 in pledges. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6, Blue Creek Conservation Area, 7790 Schadel Rd., Whitehouse. natures-nursery.org.

Poker tournament: The Toledo Area Humane Society invites players to ante up for animals in this fundraising event. Buy-in is $85 for $15,000 in chips until May 29 and $95 thereafter; for $40, $7,500 in additional chips is available. 11 a.m.-midnight June 6, Maumee Elks Lodge, 139 W. Wayne St., Maumee. (419) 482-7101 or www.toledoareahumanesociety.org.

Helping Hands: Aid naturalists and land management staff in restoring natural areas to preserve rare and endangered plants. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.
> 9-11 a.m. June 6-7, Buehner Center porch, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, 4139 Girdham Road off SR-2, Swanton.

Victory Gardens for Today: Master gardeners will address variety of vegetable patch topics, such as recipes, herbs and composting; the second in a series. Keep on Growing: 6:30-9 p.m. June 10, Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr. $15. Registration: (419) 578-6783 or (419) 536-2860.

Yoga on the Roof: Hour-long programs with Glass City skyline views for everyone from namaste newbies to practiced yogis. Noon June 10 and 24 and 7 p.m. July 14 and 21 and Aug. 12 and 19, Civic Plaza rooftop, Toledo Lucas County Main Library, 325 Michigan St. Registration: (419) 259-5209.

Yoga for Everyone: Explore the physical and mental benefits of yoga, which can help anyone, no matter their age or physical state. 7-8:30 p.m. June 10, 17 and 24, Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5295.

ZOOtoDO: White Night. A black-tie affair featuring food from more than 50 restaurants and caterers, plus live entertainment and dancing. Proceeds support zoo programs and exhibits. 6 p.m. June 12, Toledo Zoo, 2700 Broadway. $150. (419) 385-5721, ext. 2091.

Helping Hands: Aid naturalists and land management staff in restoring natural areas to preserve rare and endangered plants. 2-4 p.m. June 13, Side Cut Metropark, Riverview area, 1025 River Road, Maumee. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Bird Hikes for Adults: Bird lovers will enjoy these monthly outings to explore the world of birds. Binoculars and bird guides welcome. 9-11 a.m. June 13, Swan Creek Preserve Metropark, Airport Highway parking lot, between Byrne and Reynolds Roads. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Garden Helping Hands: Gardeners and wannabe gardeners can help prepare the parks’ native wildflower gardens for the upcoming growing season. 9-10:30 a.m. June 13, Buehner Center porch, Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, 4139 Girdham Road off Route 2, Swanton. Reservations: (419) 407-9700 or reservations.metroparkstoledo.com.

Qi quong: Pronounced “chi kung,” qi quong is the art of developing vital energy for health, vitality, mind expansion and spiritual cultivation. 7-8:30 p.m. June 15, 22 and 29, Sanger Branch Library, 3030 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 259-5295.

Point Place History: Ken and Bonnie Dickson, authors of “Point Place & Its Many Yesterdays,” will present for a multimedia program. 7 p.m. June 15, Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St. (419) 259-5390.

37th Sandberg Literacy Institute: Two weeks of workshops with authors and illustrators of children’s literature, as well as educators whose work enhances the use of literature in classrooms. Presenters include James Bruchac, Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, Wendy Halperin, Marc Tyler Nobleman and Yona McDonough. 1:30-5:15 p.m. June 15-19 and 22-26, UT’s Scott Park Campus Auditorium, off Parkside Blvd. $10 (with UT student identification)-$30 a day, plus parking. www.utoledo.edu/education/sandberg/index.html.

The Toledo War: Author Don Faber will discuss his book, “The Toledo War: The First Michigan-Ohio Rivalry” and sign copies. 7-8 p.m. June 16, Oregon Branch Library, 3340 Dustin Road, Oregon. (419) 259-5250.

Dana Corp.’s Fine Art & Antique Auction: In anticipation of the company’s move to Maumee, a vast collection of items, including prints and watercolors from Audubon, Thomas Thiery, Chet Reneson, Harold Roe, period furniture and a bronze stagecoach statue, will be sold. 5 p.m. June 16-17, Carranor Hunt & Polo Club, 502 E. Second St., Perrysburg. (419) 865-1224.

MUSIC
Blarney Irish Pub: Catch local acts while taking in the pub’s modern Irish and American fare. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www.theblarneyirishpub.com.
> Chris Shutters Band, May 30.
> Jeff Stewart: June 4.
> Empire Drift: June 5.
> The Kreelers: June 6.
> Rick Whited: June 11
> Resonant Soul: June 12.
> Celtic Cross: June 13.
> Battle of the Bands: June 16-18.
>

Bronze Boar: Be sure to check out this Warehouse District tavern’s namesake, overhead near the entrance. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com.
> Tim Morrissey, Thursdays.
> Dave Carpenter & Jaeglers, May 30.
> Gentlemen and Scholars, June 1.

Fat Fish Blue: Serving blues and similar sounds, as well as bayou-style grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474.
> East River Drive: 9 p.m. May 30.
> DJ Rob Sample: 9:30 p.m. June 5.
> Johnny Reed & the House Rockers: 8:30 p.m. June 6.
> Ana Popovic: 8:30 p.m. June 11, $10.
> Hepcat Revival: 9:30 p.m. June 12.
> Voodoo Libido: 9:30 p.m. June 13.

Frankie’s: Toledo’s venue for rock. 308 Main St. (419) 693-5300 or www.FrankiesInnerCity.com.
> Skeletonwitch, Black Tusk, Secret Stones: 9 p.m. May 30, $10-$12.
> The Murder Junkies, Full Scale Panic, Infernal Names, Stained Glass Torture, Confront the System, Shake Division: 8 p.m. June 2, $8-$10.
> The Hard Lessons, Frank & Jesse: 9 p.m. June 4, $5.
> Man Down, Same as Sunday: 9 p.m. June 5, $5-$7.
> Wolf Eyes, Puffy Areolas: 9 p.m. June 6, $10-$12.
> The Cartridge Family, Slick, Infernal Names: 9 p.m. June 6, $5-$7.
> The Scenic, the Status, Zenadare: 6 p.m. June 8, $8-$10.
> The Appleseed Cast, Words After: 9 p.m. June 9, $10-$12.
> Punchline, Socratic, the Red Scare, the Closure Rule, the Light Ahead: 8 p.m. June 11, $8-$10.
> NOMO: 9 p.m. June 13, $5-$8.
> T-Town Tuesday: Infernal Names, Loops & Stars, Thunder Power, the Hat Co. 9 p.m. June 16, $2-$4.

Manhattan’s: This “slice of the Big Apple” in the Glass City provides entertainment most weekends. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com.
> Vytas & His Electric Outfit: May 30.
> Quartet Bernadette: 5:30 p.m. June 3.
> Quick Trio: June 4.
> Jeff Stewart & Greg Leonard: June 5.
> Yes, I Said Yes: June 6.
> Dave Carpenter & the Jaeglers: June 12.
> On the Beach: June 13.
> Cynthia Kay Bennett: 6 p.m. June 15.

Mickey Finn’s: A variety of genres to wash your drinks down with. Open mic nights (no cover), 8 p.m. Wednesdays. 9 p.m., 602 Lagrange Street at North Huron Street. $5-$7 cover. (419) 297-1943.
> Cryptozoology, the Dougouts, Peregrine: May 30.

Ottawa Tavern: Casual meals with weekend entertainment. 1815 Adams St. (419) 725-5483 or www.otavern.com.
> Kari Nichole: May 30.
> Chris Knopp: June 11.
> Frostbite Blues Band: June 13.

Ragtime Rick’s Second Edition: The tavern/restaurant devoted to jazz and ragtime has reopened in a new location and rededicated itself to music and fun. 301 River Road, Maumee. (419) 389-0956.
> Gene Parker & the Jazz Trio: 8:30-11:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
> Ragtime Rick & Wes Linenkugel: 8:30-11:30 p.m. Thursdays.
> The Cake Walkin Jass Band: 8:30 p.m.-midnight Fridays.
> Ragtime Rick & Banjo Betsy: 8:30 p.m.-midnight Saturdays.

Bluegrass concerts: Local musicians will bring the sounds of the South to life. 5-10 p.m. Thursdays through July 30, Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Post 587, 2020 W. Alexis Road. (419) 471-0587.

Lunch at Levis Square concert series: Eat to the beat while taking in free lunchtime entertainment. Noon-1:30 Thursdays through Aug. 27, Levis Square, Madison Avenue and North St. Clair Street. (419) 249-5494.

Organ concert: Father Andrew Rogers will play the former Rivoli Theatre pipe organ and accompany a silent short comedy featuring Buster Keaton. 3 p.m. May 30, Historic Ohio Theatre, 3114 Lagrange St. $10-$12. (419) 478-5959.

The Toledo Clarinets in Concert: Members of the Toledo Symphony and BGSU, will perform original works and arrangements by William Grant Still, Alec Wilder, Jerome Moross and Christopher Dietz. 3 p.m. May 31, Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. $1-$12. (419) 246-8000 or (765) 494-3961.

The Dick Lange Trio: This jazzy combo will perform. 6-10 p.m. June 2, the Annex at the OMNI, 2567 W. Bancroft St. $35. (419) 535-6664.

Brown Bag Concerts: Grab a blanket or lawn chair, your favorite co-workers and munchies for free lunchtime tunes. 12:15-1:15 p.m. June 3-Aug. 5, Toledo-Lucas County Main Library north lawn, 325 Michigan St. (419) 259-5209.
> Elixer (acoustic Beatles): June 3.
> On the Beach (acoustic pop): June 10.

Jimmy Keys: This “musical impressionist” entertains with the sounds of Elton John, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles and more, then adds a heaping dash of comedy, too. 6-9:30 p.m. June 5, Ramada Hotel, 3536 Secor Road. $55. (419) 535-7070.

Club Friday: Some of the city’s most talented performers entertain museum-goers during TMA’s It’s Friday events. 6:30-9:30 p.m., 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000.
> June 5: Roman Griswold, Dave Kuntz & the Griswold Band (blues).

Dark Side of the Moon: Pink Floyd fans can pay their respects at this tribute show. 8 p.m. June 5, Zodiac, Building F, 135 S. Byrne Road. $7. (419) 536-2582.

The Music of Aaron Copland: SonoNovo Chamber Ensemble perform works by the American composer; Ballet Theatre of Toledo will join the group with original choreography to “Appalachian Spring.” 7 p.m. June 5-6, Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Trinity Plaza. $15-$20. (419) 246-8732, (419) 243-1231 or www.trinitytoledo.org.

Let’s Do Lunch: Pack a lunch or dine on a restaurant patio for these free concerts. Noon-1:30 Fridays, June 5-Aug. 28, the Town Center at Levis Commons, Interstate 475 and Route 25, Perrysburg. (419) 931-8888 or www.shopleviscommons.com.

Disco Parking Lot Party: RSO and DJ Jim Lieber will help anyone with boogie fever get down. 5 p.m.-midnight, June 6, Catholic Central High School, 2550 Cherry St. (419) 255-2280.

Rock-the-Block Concert: Haywire and the Reaganomics will perform. 5-11 p.m. June 6, 100 block of West Dudley Street, Maumee. $4; for those 21 and older.

Crosby, Stills and Nash: From “Woodstock” to “Southern Cross” this band has provided a soundtrack for life from the ‘60s to the present. 7:30 p.m. June 7, Toledo Zoo amphitheater, 2700 Broadway. $43.50-$70.50. (419) 474-1333 or (419) 385-4040.

Barbershop Showtime: The Seaway Commanders Chorus will be joined in its 42nd annual concert by Novelty Shop, a women’s comedy quartet, and The Buzz men’s quartet for an afternoon of barbershop harmony. 3 p.m. June 7, Maumee Performing Arts Center, Door 16 at Maumee High School, 1147 Saco Dr. , Maumee. $15. (419) 531-5678 or www.harmonize.com/mvsc.

Music by the River: Blankets and chairs will dot the library’s lawn for this concert series featuring the Maumee Community Band. 7 p.m. June 9 (June 16 if rain), Maumee Branch Library, 501 River Road, Maumee. (419) 259-5360.

Summer Sings: UT’s department of music will present major choral works (Mozart, Haydn and Rutter) to interested singers. Scores and refreshments will be available. Registration, 6:15 p.m.; event starts at 7 June 9, 16 and 23, Center for Performing Arts choir room, 2801 W. Bancroft St. $11-$30. (419) 726-1290 or (419) 530-4558.

Sunset Serenades: Eddie Boggs. Take in sweet sounds as the sun sets over Lake Olander. 7 p.m.-dusk June 10, Nederhouser Community Hall deck, Olander Park, 6930 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. $3 a car; or park at Tam-O-Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Ave. (419) 882-8313.

Verandah Concerts: The presidential porch of Rutherford B. Hayes becomes the stage for free outdoor concerts, such as the Fremont Community Theatre performing excerpts from “Cinderella.” 6:45-8 p.m. June 10, Hayes Presidential Center, Buckland Avenue, Fremont. (419) 332-2081, ext. 38, or (800) 998-7737.

Tracy “The Rarebreed” Haynes album release parties: To celebrate his three-years-in-the-making latest effort, this R&B artist will hold three parties. He and rapper Cuntry will perform and sign autographs. m3m419 @yahoo.com.
> For high schools students: includes performances by young artists. 6-11 p.m. June 10, Erie Street Market, 237 S. Erie St. $5.
> Also featuring performances by Tempest, DJ Lyte N Rod, Glass City Band and summer fashions by Ollie Nicole: 7 p.m. June 12, Erie Street Market, 237 S. Erie St. $15.
> Old Skool Crowd party: Also includes Bruce Sims. 9 p.m. June 14, Toledo Artists’ Club and Gallery, Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr. $15.

David Rovics: This musician claims to offer a breath of fresh air, energy and truth as he combines acoustic guitar and vocals. 8 p.m. June 11, The Original Sub Shop & Deli, 402 Broadway. Cover charge. (419) 243-4857.

There’s No Business Like Show Business: Broadway star Nat Chandler will lead a troupe in performing numbers from musicals presented at the Valentine over the past 10 years. 8 p.m. June 11-13 and 2 p.m. June 14, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. $23-$39. (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

Gospel Music Concert: The sounds of beautiful gospel music will fill the air as pianist Jim Stewart, 1 A.D. and The Messengers take the stage. Concert, 12:30 p.m. June 13, Founder’s Hall; village hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sauder Village, 22611 Route 2, Archbold. $6.50-$12.50. (800) 590-9755.

Summer concert series: Music lovers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, friends and family for live tunes. 6-8 p.m. Saturdays, Lake District amphitheater, Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee. (419) 878-6255 or www.theshopsatfallentimbers.com.
> June 13: Johnny Rocker & the Hitmen.

Kaleidoscope of Music: The Clarence Smith Community Chorus will present an extravaganza of jazz, Broadway and gospel featuring vocalist Tymara Spears and dancer Tyree Bell. 7-9 p.m. June 14, Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. $15-$20. (419) 534-3370, (419) 534-2299 or www.cscchorus.com.

Toledo choral open house: Toledo’s Seaway Commanders Chorus, known for its barbershop harmonies, is looking for men of all ages who love to sing, no experience necessary. Vocal instruction is included in weekly rehearsals. 7:30 p.m. June 15, Maumee Performing Arts Center, Maumee High School, 1147 Saco St., door 16, Maumee. (419) 699-0445 or www.harmonize.com/mvsc.

IIIrd Tyme Out: This national recording artist will perform, courtesy of Glass City Opry. 7 p.m. June 16, Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee. $20. (419) 897-8902.

Concert on the Lawn: Celebrate the library’s 10th year in its new building with cake and music. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome. 7 p.m. June 16, Point Place Branch Library and Kleis Park, 2727 117th St. (419) 259-5390.

WHEEL FUN
Murder Mystery Dinner Train: Two brothers fight over control of their father’s newspaper after his death in “Headline: Deadline.” 7-10 p.m. Saturdays, Blissfield Old Road Dinner Train’s depot, 301 E. Adrian St., Blissfield, Mich. $70. (888) 467-2451.

Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum: Board the Bluebird for a trip on the Nickel-Plate Railroad to a time when passenger trains where a primary form of transportation. 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays and holidays and 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, June-August, 49 N. Sixth St., Waterville. $7.50-$11. (419) 878-2177 or www.tlew.org.

Train rides: Visitors can hop a ride on the rails, via a train with diesel engine 101, 5-8 p.m. Saturdays; or steam engine 901, 1-4 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 6, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, 11600 County Road 99, Findlay. $1. (419) 423-2995 or www.nworrp.org.

Ride for Alexandra’s Heart: This poker run and silent auction will raise money for 14-year-old recovering from a heart transplant. Ride, 10 a.m. May 30; auction/hot lunch, 2 p.m., Homecoming Park, Angola Road, Holland. alexandrasheart.com or lcchoppers.com.

Pemberville Cruisin’ Nights: Check out the tailfins and chrome while music from the ‘50s and ‘60s plays. Giveaways, a farmers market, antiques, ice cream and kettle corn are planned as well. 5-8 p.m. June 4, Main Street, Pemberville. (419) 287-3236 or (419) 287-3274.

The British Return to Fort Meigs car show: Two hundred classic British cars @@ Triumphs, MGs, Austin Healeys, Jaguars and more @@ will be on display. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 7, Fort Meigs State Memorial, 29100 W. River Road, Perrysburg. (419) 855-8567 or lakeeriebritishnews.home.att.net.

Caboose Tours: The best part about the train? Arguably, the end. Take a peek inside on these tours. Sundays 1-4 p.m. June 7, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, 11600 County Road 99, Findlay. $1. (419) 423-2995 or www.nworrp.org.

Phantom Fireworks and Car Show: It’s the fifth year for this celebration of vroom and boom. Dusk June 13, Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Road, Oregon. (419) 836-7758.

Bike Rodeo: Young bicyclists (kindergarten through sixth grade) can learn basic riding techniques and safety rules. Goodie bags will be available upon completion. 9:30 a.m.-noon June 13, AAA Northwest Ohio, 7150 W. Central Ave. Registration: (419) 843-1200 or (419) 843-1287.

Classic Car Show: Autos of yesteryear will be on display to the music of Cruisin Zeake and his oldies machine. 3-8 p.m. June 13, Main Street, Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee. (419) 878-6255 or www.theshopsatfallentimbers.com.

Toledo giveth, and Toledo taketh away.
Last December, a man phoned Toledo Free Press and left a message on my voicemail. He expressed concern that one of our contributors was taking credit for material he was not writing. The caller left his name and phone number, and during our subsequent conversation, directed me to source material that was intended for dissemination — with proper attribution. Financial adviser Troy Neff subscribed and paid for that material, but turned it in as his own work, under his own name. Upon verifying this with Neff, Toledo Free Press immediately made a public statement and dropped Neff’s weekly column.
The caller who alerted us to this did so out of respect for Toledo Free Press’ efforts to operate a clean and transparent newspaper. There was no “gotcha” attitude or glee in seeing Neff take a public hit.
A person with opposite motivations posted a notice on SwampBubbles May 22 that accused an opinion column by former Lucas County Commissioner Maggie Thurber, “A History of Memorial Day,” of plagiarizing several lines. I checked the post, saw there was cause for concern, contacted Thurber and told her that pending an investigation, I intended to pull that column from the Toledo Free Press Web site and suspend her contributions.
Before an investigation could be launched, Thurber immediately e-mailed a resignation notice, which read in part, “My Toledo Free Press column, ‘The History of Memorial Day,’ was a compilation of various facts and information from various sources. Because of the numerous sources of the same specific facts and similar information, I did not include in the article the various attributions as I should have. For that, I apologize.
“Alternatively, in order to avoid any misconceptions, I could have stated at the start of the article that the facts and information which followed were a compilation from multiple resources. I’m sorry for not making that clear. I have the training and experience to know better and make no excuse for this error.”
Thurber’s column is a popular destination for Toledo Free Press readers, in print and online. She has been a regular contributor since early 2006, and there is no columnist in this market writing the kind of governmental watchdog criticism at which she excels.
On top of her value to our publication and our community, I like Maggie Thurber. She has taken some deserved public lumps but not gone into hiding, as her more vocal critics would prefer. She remains a strong and influential voice on radio and in the blogosphere, and it is my fervent hope that she continues writing about our dysfunctional local government.
She just won’t be doing it on these pages.
I am not a legal expert on plagiarism, but at this publication, I have the responsibility of defining these matters. Thurber failed to cite a source, and in the parameters I have set, that’s a one-strike offense. Mistake, oversight or sloppiness, it is a disservice to readers and will not be tolerated. Resignation accepted.
Toledo Free Press paid for an audit of its content going back 24 months, checking a sampling of each contributor’s work. That investigation revealed two more instances — Dec. 21, 2007 and Dec. 19, 2008 — in which Thurber failed to cite a source. Those articles have been amended online.
We do not blame the anonymous messenger for the message; the offense is greater than the motives behind the discovery process. I may disdain the anonymous sniping that colors local blogs, but I recognize that we serve and are beholden to those people as much as we are our supporters — maybe more so, as their criticism and contempt drives our quest to be that much more accountable and transparent.
Nor do we set our standards by the low and getting lower all the time shoddiness of other local print publications. Print products in this market are often allowed to slide by with ethical standards too low to register on any professional scale, but that has never and will never define who we are and how we serve you.
Moving forward, we are taking a number of steps to protect our publication and its audience from such lapses.
We are now running every Toledo Free Press submission through a Web site filter designed to spot strings of text that already exist.
We are working with the University of Toledo to plan a workshop for all new and future Toledo Free Press contributors to review the rules of attribution. As a prelude, I have personally spoken with all current contributors and fervently reminded them that no text from any Web site, news release, published article, e-mail or Chinese fortune cookie may be printed without proper attribution.
Lastly, I am reaching out to our readership with this promise: From this issue forward, if you spot an instance in which a Toledo Free Press contributor has used another writer’s work without proper attribution, and you are the first to notify us, we will make a cash donation to the charity of your choice. We will ask that you provide your name, occupation and e-mail or phone number for our records, along with evidence of the offending material and its original source.
All we ask of you is what we hope you demand of us: honor, accuracy, accountability and the integrity to face each other, not behind screen names or anonymous writings — but openly, with respect and the common goal of creating a constructive dialogue.
Because we know you giveth, and you taketh away.

Michael S. Miller is editor in chief of Toledo Free Press. Contact him at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

If you didn’t know it by now, a lot of moms are online.
According to a May 2008 eMarketer report, moms make up 43.7 percent of all females who go online, which is about 35.3 million mommies.
More recently, a May Nielsen online report stated that “power moms — women age 25-54 with at least one child — represent 19.2 percent of the active online population.”

One is BareFootfoodie.com’s Brittany Gibbons, a 28-year-old mom living in Delta. Her sarcastically funny, blunt blog with a bit of adult language draws 3,100 visits a month, according to Compete.com.
“My blog is absolutely a form of therapy,” Gibbons said. “I can’t talk to [my kids] like that. When I get them to bed, it’s the only time I can let spew from my head.
“It’s the only way I can keep it all together and be myself, and still be respectful during the day,” she said.
Gibbons has two sons, age 3 and 2, and a daughter born April 30. She’s a stay-at-home mom who said her blog earns upward of “a few hundred dollars” a month from the ads on it.
She started blogging in November 2007 with a focus on recipes and Toledo area restaurant reviews.
“At  first, I wanted to it to be more local because I didn’t see anything else like it,” Gibbons said. “But it was so boring. It was getting lost in the sea of legitimate food blogs that were legitimately good and mine was crap.”
It was the middle of last year when Gibbons changed the focus. From then, site traffic and comments really grew to where readers will leave 40, 50 or more comments on each post.
Holly Whitney — more commonly known as “pixie” — started Pixie’s Temple, her first blog, in August 2005. The focus was to document her interest in the Yourself Fitness video game forums she belonged to.
Whitney, 32, of Toledo, has a son, 2, and teaches at Davis College. She started The Wee One blog in August 2007 to document her pregnancy. She stopped posting at The Wee One within a few months and changed the focus on Pixie’s Temple.
“Once I  started seeing changes [during pregnancy] and started writing about preparing for our baby, the blog turned to a way to document his growth,” she said. “Motherhood was such a huge part of my life that it was unnecessary to post at both blogs.”
During his first year, Whitney posted weekly pictures of her son, posed with a stuffed monkey to show how he’s grown, along with observations and experiences each week. Once he turned 1, Whitney started posting monthly pictures.
“I write a letter every month to him, writing about the changes I see in him and reflections on the past month,” Whitney said.
Whitney merged her Pixie’s Temple blog into her latest online incarnation in March at ArtistMotherTeacher.com, which gets about 2,500 visits per month.
“My main purpose in my blogging now is to leave a legacy for him to pass on,” said Whitney, who plans to use an online tool at Blurb.com to turn her online content into a book.
Through her blog, she’s able to talk about parenting issues and get feedback.
“I’ve been able to make more connections with other mothers. It’s like a nontraditional play group. It’s very therapeutic to get my words out,” she said.
Gibbons said she is surprised at the impact her blog has made.
“I’m daily shocked that anyone reads what I write and that they’re touched on any level,” she said. “I stay at home and weird things happen. It’s tough to think that’s normal.
“I get e-mails from people feeling that the same situations are happening to them. The community that’s come out of it is amazing,” Gibbons said.

Matt Wieters will always remember Fifth Third Field.
Norfolk’s starting catcher was told during the game against the Mud Hens on May 26 that he would make his major league debut for the Baltimore Orioles on May 29 versus Detroit. He celebrated with his teammates in the clubhouse at the end of the game, which they won 9-5.

“It feels great; it’s a dream I’ve always had since I was a kid,” he said.
Wieters is the reigning minor league player of the year, according to Baseball America. He has been a nightmare for pitchers since being drafted fifth overall in the 2007 first-year player draft.
In his first professional season at Class-A Advanced Frederick, he hit .345 with 15 homers and 40 RBIs in 69 games. After being promoted to Double-A Bowie, he hit .365 with 12 homers and 51 RBIs in 61 games. This year, he is hitting .305 with five homers and 30 RBIs in 39 games for Norfolk. During the aforementioned game against the Mud Hens, Wieters went 4-4 with a walk and four RBIs.
He is widely considered to be the top offensive prospect in baseball, and possibly the top prospect overall.
Wieters is rare in that few players get the attention he receives. The Web site, mattwietersfacts.com, boasts outrageous things Wieters can do. One saying on the site is that even atheists believe in Matt Wieters.
“It’s guys getting on their blogs and having a good time,” he said. “It’s fun for the fans in the organization. It’s always a good feeling [to hear things like that], but you still have to go out and work hard.”
For Wieters, baseball is a passion and has been ever since his dad, Richard, a former minor league baseball pitcher, taught him the game. Wieters perfected his swing in a batting cage at his home in Goose Creek, S.C. In many facets, his passion for baseball can be compared to Bennie “The Jet” Rodriguez, the fictional character in “The Sandlot.”
“I’m somebody who loves playing the game,” Wieters said. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a baseball player. I dreamed of it ever since I was little.”
With his father’s instruction, Wieters has always had a good eye at the plate. His on-base percentage in the minors is .519. In 2007, at Georgia Tech, he reached base safely in 55 straight games. Wieters said it’s something that he has always done.
“It’s just something where at a young age I really worked at trying to get a good pitch to hit, and if I didn’t get it, I would try to be patient and take my walk.”
It’s his talent and love for the game that makes Wieters a prized signature for autograph seekers, as well. He has even signed several life size cardboard cutouts of himself.
“I get people popping out of cars and getting here six hours before the game starts,” he said. “It’s different, but the fans are what we play this game for.”
Norfolk manager Gary Allenson said he thinks Wieters might struggle at first in the major leagues, but will overcome it.
“He’s got a lot of tools and he’s got a really good head on his shoulders. He’s a switch hitter who knows how to hit,” Allenson said. “Also, he’s a pretty good catcher with a quick release and there’s not too many of those guys walking around. So, barring injury, he’s going to be a really good major league player.”
Although he has finally made it to the majors, Wieters said he only focuses on continuous improvement.
“It’s getting there and staying there. The game will let you know whether or not you can still play because it will get you out of it fast if you can’t play. So, I want to stay as long as possible.”

The Toledo Zoo offers a wide range of special events for the family to enjoy, ranging from the opening of the new children’s zoo to a black-tie affair for adults.
The new Nature’s Neighborhood children’s zoo is scheduled to open June 19.
“Nature’s Neighborhood creates a unique opportunity for children to connect with animals and nature,” said Anne Baker, executive director of The Toledo Zoo. “This fully interactive, year-round children’s zoo is going to inspire children for generations to come, and it’s all possible thanks to the voters of Lucas County.”
Voters approved the zoo’s capital levy request in 2006 that provided funding for the children’s zoo, in addition to other improved exhibits.
Nature’s Neighborhood re-imagines the traditional children’s zoo with a fully interactive and 100 percent “explore-able” exhibit, according to Baker. Youngsters will encounter animals from goats and guinea pigs to exotic birds and insects, learning about the natural world by playing in it, according to the zoo.
A Mediterranean Vineyard Adventure will be hosted May 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the zoo’s Rose Garden. Adults are invited to sample wines from that region at a cost of $35 per person for zoo members and $40 for non-members.
The “ZOOtoDO: White Night” is a chic, black-tie top and shorts-bottom affair for grownups set for June 12, with more than 50 of the area’s caterers and restaurants providing the food with live music on multiple stages.
The evening begins at 6 p.m., with a reception featuring specialty appetizers from 10 establishments until 7:30 when guests can dance and sample the wares of 40 additional caterers and restaurants through midnight, the zoo said on its web site.
The net proceeds from this event presented by National City Bank directly support the continued development of the zoo’s exhibits and programs.
Tickets for the “ZOOtoDO” are $150 per adult (21 or older), which includes food and entertainment. VIP seating for tables of 10 and sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,250.
For tickets or more information, contact Robin Guidera at (419) 385-5721 Ext. 2091 or by e-mail at robin.guidera@toledozoo.org.
A Father’s Day celebration and barbecue will be June 21, when dads are admitted to the zoo for free. The zoo is home to its own dads from Boomer the orangutan to Simon the saddle-billed stork.
The zoo will help celebrate the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act with ADA Day at the Zoo on July 27. The Ability Center of Toledo will hold its annual information fair to educate the public on a wide range of goods and services for people with disabilities.
The annual Arts Gone Wild Festival will celebrate Toledo’s artistic talents on Aug. 7 and 8 at the Toledo Botanical Gardens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each day will feature free stationary and strolling performances and hands-on activities with 13 local organizations showcasing cultural experiences.
More events will be scheduled during the summer months, with information available at the Web site www.toledozoo.org/events.

It was a small building with gray shingles sitting in the middle of a corn field in the South End. Under 1,000 square feet and not much bigger than the old Koral Hamburg on Detroit Avenue. The mailing address was and still is 3225 Arlington Ave. It was in this one story structure that radio history was made.
The building was situated behind Southland Shopping Center at the corner of Byrne and Glendale and was home to SuperTalk 1560 WTOD-AM. With two broadcast towers spiraling skyward only a few hundred yards away, it had the classic look of many famous radio stations in the 1950s and ’60s.
Did you ever see the shack Wolfman Jack did his show from in “American Graffiti?”
It looked just like that.
The station was owned by Booth Broadcasting in Detroit. John Lord Booth, who inherited his fortune from the family newspaper chain, operated seven AM radio stations, including WJLB, his namesake in the Motor City. In Toledo, WTOD stood for “Top of the Dial.”
In 1959, WTOD changed its format to Top 40. Two years later, a wild and brilliant bunch of disc jockeys got together and launched one of the greatest success stories in broadcasting history.
At one point WTOD held a nearly 60 percent share of the total listening audience, according to Hooper, the only reliable rating service at the time. No other station in America could make that claim.
Even more amazing, WTOD was a “daytimer” that was on the air only from sunrise to sunset.
Bob “Mr. Music” Parkinson worked the afternoon show from 2 to 6 p.m. John Garry did the midday show, and the morning man was Bob Martz. A true legend in his own time, Bob would have been 77 in May.
On this week’s May 29 edition of Limelight America and again June 3, we will devote our show to “Bob Martz, A Sentimental Journey,” a tribute originally broadcast in 2008 to mark Bob’s 50th Anniversary in radio.
During the show, you will hear many familiar voices, past and present, talking about Robert F. Martz and the impact he had on Toledo radio. It is a heartwarming and hilarious story, and I hope you will listen.
As Toledo Free Press reported when Bob passed away in 2008, he received induction into the Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio in 2004 for his work, which began as a disc jockey in 1958 at WSPD. He also served as program director and general manger for other local stations.
His penchant for cleverness and ability to stretch a radio station’s limited budget earned him kudos from his audience and his employers.
Limelight America can be heard on Fox Sports Radio 1230 WCWA-AM, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. and online at www.limelightamerica.com.

E-mail Michael Drew Shaw at mds@limelightamerica.com.

The rhetoric is beginning to wind up to the level of a storm in TARTA’s push to move from its current form of revenue generation, which comes from a property tax levy, to a new form of revenue generated by a county sales tax. TARTA has long pushed for an alternative means of funding, and not long ago paid for a study to determine the best way to move forward.  Amazingly, this study confirmed TARTA’s hopes and desires. Such self-fulfilling prophecy always tends to bring out the cynic in me, so I found myself asking a number of questions.
The most obvious reason appears to be that moving from a property tax levy to a sales tax removes the periodic review that the levy process gives voters to comment on the level of service that TARTA provides to the community and to use that review process to decide at what level (if any) TARTA should be funded in the future. The change to a countywide sales tax would take away this last check on an organization that some feel has proved itself unresponsive to the requests and needs of its member communities.
We are told that by moving to a sales tax, the individual contribution will be based on consumption, which is a much fairer system. Fairer to whom? Fairer to the more rural communities in the county that will receive little or no service from TARTA, yet will be taxed at the same rate as those in the city of Toledo? Fairer to those in the county, wherever they live, who are consuming everything but service by TARTA? Fairer to communities in the county that may not want TARTA service, but will be forced into it if Lucas County becomes a member?
All of this discussion on fairness begs the further question, that if the fairest system is based on consumption, why aren’t we talking about charging more of it to those “consuming” this service? Why isn’t the first consideration the concept of  raising fares to cover costs of its operation (or at least more of them) rather than simply broadening the tax base on which you place the burden?
We are told that public transportation is a service required for those less fortunate. Even if this argument is granted however, it should then follow that TARTA should be given nonprofit status and treated as such. Perhaps no taxes would be required if TARTA could ask for tax-deductible contributions from personal and corporate sources like any other non-profit organization.
We are told that by switching to this system, those more well off will shoulder their fair share of the burden. This begs the question, fair by whose judgment? Those earning a decent living in Lucas County are already paying the greater percentage of the bills for its operation. Property taxes, the levies that those in Northwest Ohio appear to be so found of, and income and sales tax are already onerous in Lucas County and at much higher levels than those of some of our neighboring counties. Further Increasing the level of taxation in Lucas County to fund TARTA could very well perform the same function for it that raising city taxes has done all too well in Toledo. Perhaps rather than put up with this new level of taxation, many in Lucas County will simply do the same as many in Toledo have done before them and vote with their feet. If this is in fact the effect, what will TARTA and the county be looking for down the road from taxpayers?
We are told that funding for public transportation is simply a necessary evil in an area the size of Lucas County and that we should simply reconcile ourselves to the burden that must be born for it as a consequence. We are then told that switching to the sales tax system for TARTA and having the all of Lucas County participate in funding it is simply the lesser of two evils. Now I could be wrong here, but the last time that I looked, the lesser of two evils was still evil.

Tim Higgins blogs at http://justblowingsmoke.blogspot.com.

Memorial Day signals the unofficial beginning of summer, so perhaps you now have more free time to explore some fantastic websites that may have eluded you. Time for some summer surfing of the best of the best… well, at least the best according to Webby Awards voters!

Everyone loves a winner… especially when you voted for one, right? From American Idol to Dancing with the Stars and even the last presidential election with the highest voting turnout ever. We are wired to care and then let others know just how much. So, did your favorites win?
(http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=13) (Be patient for all the links and logos to load…)

Unfortunately, you are too late to vote for this year’s winners (or maybe you did), but you can still reap the benefits by visiting the winners and “almost winners” (aka – nominees). Most of these sites promise to at least entertain and at most educate or even transform your life.

From Activism and Art to Travel, Weird, and Youth… over 70 categories to explore and surf to your little (or big) heart’s content, including a list of “Bests” for any aspiring web designer to admire. There are even different sections for Interactive Advertising, Online Film & Video, and Mobile award winners, the last being a burgeoning “frontier” for future online experiences.

Plus, for more surfing fun, be sure to check out all the winners going back to 1997, which is apparently the time when the World Wide Web (WWW) really began (thus, no awards previously). Back then there were only 15 categories (not surprisingly, “Weird” has always been popular!). Only problem with the older listings is that some of the winning sites no longer exist. So goes the evolving webscape… Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame, then poof! (But you may be able to find them using the Wayback Machine at Archive.org).

In addition to the website award winners (who then get to put a cute Webby logo on their site for as long as they want to gloat), other awards are awarded by a select committee (aka – not you or me). This year, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the so-called inventor of the WWW (no, it wasn’t invented by Al Gore) will be awarded with a Webby Lifetime Achievement Award. Other awardees this year include Seth MacFarlane, Lisa Kudrow, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Fallon, and Trent Reznor.

Futhermore, if you’re looking for a summer travel idea… you can attend the Webby Awards Celebration Gala (http://www.webbyawards.com/resource_center/tickets/), which is June 8th in New York City. Or, if you can’t make it, you can at least make plans to be a voter for next year’s slate – sign up at the site (http://www.webbyawards.com) – in the left margin under “GET THE 011.”

The Webby Awards are more than just another example public participation through voting for your favorite web sites. They are a classic display of a growing part of today’s connected global culture where our daily lives increasingly intertwine with online resources and people. The WWW is now more than a novelty, it’s quickly becoming a daily necessity!

Happy surfing and be sure to hop on in the voting wave next spring! Then you can say, “I voted for a winner!”

Waterville resident Corina Pfleghaar doesn’t give out lollipops after a visit; she’s already delivered hope.
Pfleghaar started a Tutor Doctor franchise in April. What’s different about Tutor Doctor is the tutors go to the students’ homes, she said. They don’t come to the tutors.
“We do consultations to match tutors with students and try to get students to be able to interact with the tutors, so they can help them build a relationship and get the most out of their study skills and comprehension,” Pfleghaar said.

“A lot of students are shy and don’t want people to know they are being tutored. This way it’s done in their own home,” she said.
Meanwhile, parents go on with their chores, and there’s no need for extra driving, she said.
Tutor Doctor offers summer programs because a lot of students forget what they learned over the previous year, she said. Many of the tutors are already teachers, and all tutors are trained and certified.
“Students go eight weeks without education and that’s a lot,” Pfleghaar said. “Kids lose an average month of learning during the summer.”
Usually the tutoring is twice a week for an hour each time. Some families with more than one student split the time among their children. ACT and SAT prep are also available.
Pfleghaar, who worked 22 years in the medical field and owned a business with her husband, saw the need for such a tutoring business. After all, she raised three children of her own.
“I like the idea of tutoring at home,” she said. “I think that’s a unique idea. I really strongly believe parents need help with children, especially when parents are busy.”
Will Kanwischer has been with Tutor Doctor for three weeks.
“So far, he likes it a lot; he’s very comfortable,” said his father, Charlie.
“You can choose the area of expertise of the tutor,” he said. “The tutor talks to Will about math, works with the school teacher [and] contacts the teacher to see what assignments and lessons they have.”
Charlie plans to keep the Tutor Doctor for Will through the summer.  He pays $40 each session and thinks it’s a reasonable price.
“It’s a great service and we’re very pleased so far,” he said.
For more information, go to www.tutordoctor.com or call (419) 297-0511.