No matter how old you are, there’s always something magical about meeting Santa Claus.
He emerges from behind a door at Westfield Franklin Park, looking resplendent in his red coat and carrying a cane. He walks to a beautiful area that’s been prepared for him in the mall, right in front of Macy’s.

Camille Harmon, 2, tells Santa what she’d like for Christmas.

Between preparing for his trip around the world on Christmas Eve and listening to the requests of hundreds, if not thousands, of children here at Westfield between now and Dec. 25, the legendary Saint Nicholas has his hands full.
And yet, Santa was kind enough to grant Toledo Free Press Star a rare interview in the middle of his busiest month. As he sat in his large and comfy chair, cane off to one side, coat neatly hung next to him, he smiled as he thought of the kids he sees every day.
“It’s just their smiling faces, the beautiful children. They come to see me, and they’ve been coming to see me for a long time. I’ve become accustomed to children, and I get to see them grow up through the years. And it’s just the love they have.”
He said his daily routine at Westfield is only part of a much bigger month of activity.
“I come in and meet with the children, then at breaks, I call the North Pole and check on the toy production, make sure the elves load the sleigh in the correct order and I review the naughty and nice list to make sure kids are staying on the nice list. At night, Mrs. Claus and I drink hot cocoa and rejoice at all the toy production.”
The elves must certainly have their hands full this year — kids aren’t asking for a wooden horse or jack-in-the-box much anymore. Santa said his most requested gifts this year are an iPod Touch or a Nintendo DSi. Quite a far cry from the traditional gifts one imagines Santa’s helpers crafting.
Sometimes, though, the children don’t ask for anything at all. “It is exciting when the children are so excited in line to see me, then when they come around the corner and see me, they sometimes scream bloody murder and go running back to Mom and Dad,” he said. “Often I can soothe them and calm them down enough to get a picture with me. Sometimes, the pouting faces are the best memories.”
It’s not just kids who visit Saint Nick at Westfield, however. “I also have a brother and sister who visit me every year even though they are well into their 30s, as well as a group of breast cancer survivors who celebrate each Christmas with a picture with me. A child is never too old to see Santa,” he said. “Earlier this year, a couple that had been married for 60 years had their photo taken with me.”
And kids don’t ask just for presents, of course. Any child who meets Santa is sure to be loaded with questions. “My favorite request was when a foster child asked for his foster parents to adopt him during Christmas,” he said.
Do any of the kids ask if they can pull his beard? He smiled. “No, they don’t ask, they just do that.”
And an answer to the question that everyone has wondered — what does Santa do Dec. 26, when everything is finally done?
“Rest. Just rest and take it easy. Reminisce, think about the things that have happened. And make plans for next year.”

It’s the most wonderful time of the year …for music releases! This is what the industry calls the fourth quarter. It is the end of the year when an onslaught of music that is a mixture of push backs and scheduled releases either stand out or get lost in the sauce. Artists collaborate and work together to create a buzz that will determine if a newcomer gets a shot or if a veteran gets another chance.
Commercially, you will hear about the usual saviors of the industry like Kanye West, Eminem and Jay-Z, but what about the artists who are not afforded the marketing luxuries of the aforementioned? The word for music this season is “nostalgia.” Listed below are a few picks to help you choose outside the box.
Yelawolf, “Trunk Muzik 0-60”
Interscope signed this caucasian and Cherokee Indian skater from Alabama and if there was ever a white rapper I wanted to hear perform with Eminem it is Yelawolf.  Witty lyrics and a 0-60 flow set him up to be compared to Eminem, but subject matter and style keep them far apart. Trunk Muzik; is Rock/Hip-Hop influenced in the same vain as Three Six Mafia, 8Ball &MJG and T.I. If the impressive guest appearances from Hip-Hops most respected like Reakwon, and Bun B don’t make you a little bit curious, maybe “I Just Wanna Party” featuring Gucci Mane will.
Miguel, “All I Want Is You”
I call him “NeoNeo Soul.” You hear the Prince influence and it works with his sexy light tenor. Miguel feels every word and delivers the goods we hoped he would. After releasing the successful title track, ‘All I want is you’ featuring J.Cole, the two new artists showed the industry that if you just put good music on air the response can be great!
N.E.R.D., “Nothing”
Always capable of taking Hip-Hop to another level, N.E.R.D. delivers to their fans in a major way.  Laced in Woodstock-sounding nostalgia, ‘Nothing,’ is impressive track wise in a way that will make you forgive Pharrell’s not so perfect vocals. The fellas of N.E.R.D carry this CD alone with only one guest appearance from Nelly Furtado.  A complete mood of inspiration makes this a great CD in the home or on the go.
El DeBarge, “Second Chance”
Why? Because it’s El DeBarge! Classic El is back with the appropriately titled, ‘Second Chance’. Samples from El’s music provided Hip-Hop and R&B some of its biggest hits in the 90’s from Notorious B.I.G. & Tupac to BlackStreet. With a voice as beautiful as ever his falsetto will show the younger generation who everyone is imitating. Second Chance, provides a sexy, light mood that is sure to make you smile while you listen.
Kid Cudi, “Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager”
With this CD separated into five acts, Ohio’s native son does us proud by providing music that is innovative and entertaining. Opening the album with Cee-Lo sets the tone for listeners getting them ready to accept something different. Random guests are sprinkled throughout the CD with two appearances from Mary J. Blige and Kanye West. Truly theatrical, Cudi’s CD is a style of Hip-Hop that takes you on a musical journey. Even if he isn’t your cup of tea, you will find that this album is as infectious as his debut single, ‘Day N Night.’
Jazmine Sullivan, “Love Me Back”
It’s a bold statement when the first two songs on your album are the first singles released. Jazmine takes us back in time with odes to the   ’70s, ’80s and Prince in this emotionally charged album. A strong vocalist who is unique and unmatched, her sultry delivery begs and pleads like a woman who loves being in love. Jazmine’s voice alone proves why she will be back again and again.
As we continue on …

On Dec. 20, a few of us played holiday hooky and went to see “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the big screen at Levis Commons as part of the Toledo Free Press-sponsored Rave Classic Cinema series.
The glorious black-and-white Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart masterpiece is one of my favorite holiday traditions, and being able to see it on a big screen for the first time reminded me of the many changes Rave Motion Pictures  has brought since they invested in the local movie market by buying the area’s multiplexes from National Amusements last December (and really ramping up in June).
There have been some initial growing pains — employee layoffs, the end of some discount policies and the closing of the Maumee 18 — but a quick look at what Rave has improved is impressive. In less than one year, Rave has:

• Added digital projection capabilites to all its screens at Levis Commons, Fallen Timbers and Westfield.
• Added 3-D capacity to a market where there was virtually none.
• Lowered ticket prices by 50 cents.
• Offered free refills on large sodas and popcorn.
• Continued and expanded art offerings with live events of concerts, operas and special shows.
• Finally brought the area a large-screen format theater
• Donated pianos to the Toledo School for the Arts.
• Established the previously mentioned classic film series, which offers a treasure chest of movies waiting to be rediscovered.
• Offered coupons in local media (Toledo Free Press Star is running a coupon that is worth a free medium popcorn when a medium or large drink is purchased, a generous deal given the price of popcorn).
• On Dec. 20, announced it had sold the Maumee 18 to the Calvary Assembly of God. After watching the area’s other three abandoned theaters sit empty for years, it is impressive how quickly Rave was able to repurpose this property. The deal was reportedly a financial loss for Rave, which illustrates how seriously the company took its promise to find a use for the building.

There are always starry-eyed promises and high hopes thrown about when a new company comes to town. It is gratifying to see that Rave has so far taken its promises seriously and worked to make them a reality. That is what makes Rave a star in the local entertainment scene.

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

Actress, singer and dancer Alyson Stoner is encouraging young girls to give back this holiday season and throughout the year.
The Holland, Ohio, native makes an appearance in a web series episode, “Girl Power,” that discusses the importance of getting involved and making a difference. The episode, which is part of BeingGirl.com’s show “Talk It Out,” went online Dec. 13.
“I think there is always an opportunity to get involved,” Stoner told Toledo Free Press in a phone interview. “There’s always a need somewhere, in small ways or large. When you’re blessed to have two working hands and feet … you have them so you can serve others.”
Stoner, who is passionate in her faith, encourages girls to be the light in their community that sparks others to get involved. Individuals can help in women’s shelters or soup kitchens, or they can explore other ways of giving back, Stoner said.

Alyson Stoner is a native of Holland, Ohio.

“It’s important to not feel age is a hindrance,” Stoner said. “Build a vision and create an action plan and work toward goals each and every day.”
Stoner always carries a box of food in her car in case she comes across someone who is homeless so she can give them something to eat, she said. Additionally, Stoner and her mom just completed gift baskets of toiletries to pass out for the holidays.
“My perspective of the world is I have a glass that’s half full. I’m very grateful and privileged to be in the position I’m in and be used in God’s plan to help others,” she said.
Although she is only 17 years old, Stoner finds herself being a role model for many young girls around the country.

This year Stoner participated in Disney’s “The Magic of Healthy Living” campaign, appearing in public service announcements with other Disney Channel stars and First Lady Michelle Obama.
“When Disney asked me to participate in the campaign, I was both honored and excited. Learning the balance and freedom that accompanies proper self-care is crucial for our well-being but with media pressures and cultural perspectives, sometimes we get lost in achieving a certain “healthy” appearance instead of true physical, mental and emotional wellness. I hope this campaign helps educate my generation as well as enlightens them on the truth that health isn’t defined by one size; we each have individual needs and a unique body to respect and fuel properly. First Lady Michelle was genuine, engaging and clearly passionate about the message behind The Magic of Healthy Living. It was a joy and privilege to join forces with her.”In addition to Disney’s healthy living cause, Stoner has her own cause she promotes — self-respect among young girls. Growing up, Stoner dealt with her own issues with self-image and self-respect, so the cause is important to her, she said. “I speak to encourage and empower girls to celebrate who we are. Each woman is a treasure and a gem. We each have something unique.”

Stoner voices Isabella on "Phineas and Ferb."

Stoner has been involved with the entertainment industry for many years, appearing in everything from Missy Elliot music videos as a dancer to a recurring role on “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”
Stoner’s favorite project was “Step Up 3D” because it posed new challenges, she said. It was cool, too, to see each scene played back instantly in 3-D, Stoner said.
Stoner also enjoyed her time on the “Cheaper by the Dozen” set because there were so many other kids, she said. During that project Stoner had the chance to learn from Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt as well.
Stoner just wrapped up a worldwide tour with the Jonas Brothers and cast of “Camp Rock 2,” which was a lot of fun, she said.
“Touring is a unique lifestyle; traveling overnight on the plane, then performing three hours a night with high adrenaline,” she said. “Each performance has many highs and lows, but I’m thankful for each. I learned so much about performing.”
Stoner also enjoyed traveling and performing in different states and countries because she got to see performances through their eyes, she said.
Currently, Stoner lends her voice to the recurring character Isabella on the show “Phineas and Ferb.” Stoner said working in an animated role she gets to surrender all her inhibitions and act wacky, often jumping around the studio.
“It’s so neat to tell a story through your voice. On camera many actors try to tell a story without speaking. [For ‘Phineas and Ferb’] there’s only a microphone to capture what you share,” she said.
Stoner said she enjoys watching the shows after they’re completed to see how all the components came together.
“I’m one small minuscule detail of the show. I love to see the animators work. They make magic with their hands each and every day,” she said.
In the future, Stoner is looking forward to developing a music career and securing her own sound, she said. Although she is currently singing for a targeted audience, Stoner said she’d explore any genre from folk and soul to pop.
For more about Stoner, visit her official website at www.alysonstoner.com.

I’d like to ask a small favor from those who think that the use of “Happy Holidays” is part of a plot to eliminate Christmas: Please, just relax.
First of all, “Happy Holidays” has been in use for years. Long before it had any connotations of being a relatively “religion-neutral” phrase, in my world the term was primarily used to refer to both Christmas and New Year’s. “Season’s Greetings” was used much the same way. So the argument can’t be against the phrase, but rather the context in which it’s being used, or rather, the phrase it is being used in place of.
Secondly, understand that “Happy Holidays” isn’t excluding your beliefs at all, nor minimizing them. The phrase is being used in an effort to acknowledge the validity and value of the holidays celebrated by many different belief structures, which Christianity is quite obviously one of. It’s not shutting you out, it’s letting other folks in. I haven’t heard anyone say “Happy Holidays, Unless You Celebrate Christmas” yet.
When a stranger says “Merry Christmas” to me, I smile and nod and thank them. I do not turn a cold shoulder and sneer at their wish. I know they mean no harm. I just think that if they took a little time and gave a little thought to what they were saying, they would realize that they are being just a little bit presumptuous and exclusionary. By assuming that I am Christian and therefore open to the greeting which they give, they are, in some small way, assuming that their beliefs are somehow more applicable to me than my beliefs are.
In the same vein, some people refuse to see the use of an innocuous phrase like “Happy Holidays” as anything but an outright affront to what they believe. By gum, you’d better say “Merry Christmas” or I’ll never shop at your store again! Okay, then what? If I don’t somehow acknowledge Easter when that rolls around, you’ll skip town, too? What about All Saints Day? That one doesn’t get much play nowadays. Shall we add that one to the canon? Taken to its logical extreme, these folks are basically insisting we tailor our speech to suit their beliefs alone.
We’re losing sight of a lot of things here. Let us not forget what this wondrous season is truly about: Money. Yep, the almighty dollar. A mass-marketed, corporately driven merry-go-round of homogenized cheer and wonderment designed to separate as many of us from as many of our little green pieces of paper as possible. No matter what the holidays used to mean in society, to anyone, that definition has long since gone the way of the dodo.
Outright cynicism aside, what allows me to relax and enjoy the season is the spirit in which it is intended by the individuals participating in it. For those of us who don’t have a financial stake in the holidays, the joy comes in giving ­— showing our love for others by doing something special, to let them know how much they mean by giving a present, baking a cookie, sending a card or just seeing them and giving them a hug.
As someone who gives a lot at this time of year, nothing does my heart gladder than to see someone I care about smile and say thank you, no matter what I did for them — and any season which gives me the chance to do that, and do it often, is a wonderful time, no matter what I do or don’t believe in.
That, truly, is the Reason for the Season: giving out of love and respect to those who have enriched our lives, and being enriched in return simply through the act of giving. Perhaps those who seem intent on finding fault in an innocently intended phrase should reflect for a second on the fact that, at some level, saying “Happy Holidays” is giving — giving worth and consideration to those who might not believe exactly what you do.
As a few great philosophers on the sadly long-lost TV show “Mystery Science Theater 3000” once opined: “If there’s one point we’d like to make with this festive holiday song, it’s that Christmas comes but once a year, so for a few days, for crying out loud,
can’t we all just get along?”

E-mail Jeff at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.

I recently had a birthday and needed to renew my driver’s license. Besides dinner at the Beirut, going to the License Bureau was the highlight of my day. I’m serious.
Since it was my birthday, I allowed myself to fantasize in symbolic terms all day and considered this an important activity involving philosophical renewal and the beginning of my next exciting year. It also removed the looming responsibility from above my head, which was just a simple relief.
I think it was around my third year of college that my dad stated so forgivingly, “Daughter, you are better at the art of living than you are the business of it.” I believe that may have had to do with past-due parking tickets he would periodically receive from Kent State University, having rarely parked his own car there. So, the fact that I am about to discuss various kinds of licensing and business obligations is, no doubt, making him snicker.
Please don’t look for dollars and sense (or cents) in the following argument. Let’s look at it like an artist. Along with my driver’s license, I also have a busking license. Busking is a fancy word for street performing. This past summer, The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo (ACGT) sponsored the licenses of myself and somewhere around 20 other performers  so we could each set up on sidewalks and play during various events or just whenever we felt like it and maybe finish with a few legal dollars in our respective tip jars.
I’m already calling back to days in July and August when my guitar and I would run into Ben Langlois and his accordion on a Saturday for a few tunes on South St. Clair Street. The prospect of repeating that next summer is what is getting me through this winter. Which reminds me, I need to renew my busking license soon. Not because I think anyone will ever ask to see it or because I am in any danger of punishment for not having it renewed, but because it lends legitimacy to the idea that musicians and other performers are taken seriously around here and are respected as a valuable class with valuable skills.
I do recognize the other school of thought on this issue that would say artists are subversive almost by default and that playing music on a sidewalk shouldn’t require any kind of bureaucratic control. And let’s not forget how fun it can be to “Damn the man!”
I’m even a little surprised at myself for falling on this side of the fence. I’m sure it’s because it is evidence of a solid layer of brick on top of an already strong foundation Toledo has built by being a city populated with artists who are really, actually creating art all the time and really, actually trying to make a living doing it. Which brings me to an area I know     very little about — making money as an artist. Just because I’m lousy at it, though, doesn’t mean other artists should be. And in true ACGT form, the commission is also lending its support and expertise to visual artists who seek to sell their work. The Well-Fed Artist Workshop series is a resource for local artists which provides free education in topics such as marketing and pricing. They also recently presented a workshop on how to get a vendor’s license.
So, again, conceptually as well as very practically, the creative class is being recognized as producers of a valid service in that they are part of the local economic structure. Toledo is not kidding around.
We take our art seriously and we take good care of our artists.  As is the Toledo way (and no ACT column would be complete without mention of) the activists are also being well taken care of.
The Center for Nonprofits Resources is constantly offering workshops in board development as well as fundraising and marketing for local nonprofits. It’s as if art and activism are automatically built into the culture and the big guys really want to see the little guys succeed. They will do whatever they can to help. More of that support and cooperation I’m always singing “Kumbaya” about.

Rachel Richardson is an activist, musician, co-founder and co-director of Independent Advocates, and a product of Toledo, Ohio. E-mail her at star@toledofreepress.com.

Stephen Leggett, former intern for the department of public services, believes he was let go from his internship for supplying Toledo City Council with his report of the streetlight outages.
Leggett, who once ran for Toledo City Council, told Toledo Free Press that he “absolutely” believes he was terminated in connection to the documentation he provided to council.
Deputy Mayor Steve Herwat, told Toledo Free Press that Leggett was let go because it’s the end of the budget year and Leggett had only been working sporadically the past few months.
While working as a full-time intern in the summer, Leggett noticed a number of streetlights out around the city and asked if he could tag them and contact Toledo Edison to get them fixed, he said. Leggett was given permission, so he began documenting lights at night.
Leggett shared what he was doing with Deputy Mayor Steve Herwat when he shadowed him for the day. Herwat expressed an interest in a report on the streetlight problem, so Leggett began compiling one, he said.
“I did not want this to embarrass the administration [with my report]. I did this to help the administration,” Leggett said.
In his report Leggett found roughly 27 percent of the lights sampled weren’t working properly. Leggett tried to provide the information to the administration but was told by his superiors, Tom Crothers, director of public utilities, and David Welch, director of the department of public service, no one would want to know that information so he held on to his documentation, he said.
Earlier this month D. Michael Collins requested “the reports of the private consultant regarding street lighting. Consolidate what the intern did, which identified how severe the problem is,” due to conflicting opinions on how many streetlights were out. On Dec. 9, Robin L. Whitney, Commissioner, Engineering Services sent a memo to Collins and said the administration was never given such a report.
On Dec. 17, Leggett was subpoenaed by Collins to present his information to the Public Safety, Law and Criminal Justice committee. The committee sought the information to determine if council should vote in favor of an assessment of public lights.
Councilman Collins said Leggett’s termination sends a poor message to young men and women who might want to get involved to help the community.
“An internship is really not a position that the intern has a right to employment, however, retaliation and removal is an abuse of authority,” Collins said. “If Stephen Leggett’s report was inaccurate or misleading then of course one could challenge his credibility and therefore define as not worthy of continuing an internship, but that was not the case there was never a demonstration by the city administration that his report was in error.”
Leggett first began to question his internship status when he noticed his city e-mail no longer worked and he could get no one with the city to return his calls, he said.
Leggett finally spoke with Herwat on the morning on Dec. 22.
Leggett said he made arrangements to be Herwat’s intern next summer, but was told the administration decided to go another way, he said. Leggett asked Herwat if that meant he no longer worked in the department of public services and was told that assumption would be correct, Leggett said.
Leggett said Herwat also told him at the end of the call, “Welcome to politics.”

Herwat said Leggett took that comment out of context.

“He told me he never meant to create the storm that occurred over the issue and that he never realized it would come out that way it is and I said, ‘welcome to politics’.”
Calls to Welch have not been returned.

Toledo City Council passed a resolution recognizing Tom Pounds, Toledo Free Press president and publisher, for helping the Toledo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) raise private funds for its trip to Carnegie Hall.

From left, Mike Craig, Tom Pounds, Kathy Carroll and Mike Bell.

On Dec. 12,  Pounds wrote a column challenging area businesses and individuals to raise funds to send TSO to New York, in lieu of using public funds as the TSO had requested. Toledo Free Press donated the first $1,000 and within a week more than $10,000 was raised for the orchestra’s trip.
Pounds presented a check to Kathy Carroll, TSO president and CEO, during the Dec. 21 council meeting.
“[The funding is] wonderful. It’s a great outcome,” Carroll said.
At the same meeting, Council recognized Pounds for his financial contribution to TSO, as well as his encouragement of others to do the same.
“I’d like to thank Tom and the Free Press for going out there and putting their money and their time where their mouth is. They didn’t just go out and write an editorial, but went out and worked hard to have the courage of his convictions,” said Mike Craig, who sponsored the resolution.
Mayor Mike Bell, who also contributed $1,000 as part of the challenge, thanked Pounds for stepping up and helping the city and TSO.
“I was honored to receive the resolution. I never expected this after we made this challenge,” Pounds said.
A total of $11,120 has been raised so far by Pounds through area businesses and individuals. Clear Channel, Fifth Third Bank, Owens Community College, Rohrbachers, Cron, Manahan, Trimble & Zimmerman Co., Romilio “Rome” Marinelli, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Toledo Edison, Dunbar Mechanical, Duke Wheeler Jr., Paul and Carol Kraus all contributed to TSO’s trip.
TSO will perform at Carnegie Hall in May.

Elliston native Crystal Bowersox’s debut album, “Farmer’s Daughter,” sold 58,000 copies and debuted at No. 28 on the Billboard 200, according to USA Today.

The “American Idol” runner up sold more units than her first place competition Lee DeWyze, but debuted lower on the charts. His album “Live It Up” debuted with 39,000 in sales at No. 19.

The sales are more than predictions made last week that said Bowersox was on track to sell 45,000 to 50,000 copies.

Locally Bowersox’s album sold out at many locations around town. Pat O’Connor, owner of Culture Clash Records said the CD was the largest sale they’ve ever had.