SUMMER EVENTS GUIDE

BOOK CLUBS

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS

Toledo-Lucas County Public Libraries, (419) 259-5200 or www.toledolibrary.org.

• Contact local branches and search online calendar for “book group” for book group meeting times.

Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg, (419) 874-3135 or www.waylibrary.info

• Third Monday, 7-8:15 p.m.: “Solar” by I. McEwan (June 20), “Nemesis” by P. Roth (July 18), “1984” by G. Orwell (Aug. 15).
• First Wednesday, 10 a.m.: “Nineteen Minutes” by J. Picoult (June 1), “The Help” by K. Stockett (July 6), “A Reliable Wife” by R. Goolrick (Aug. 3).
• Third Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m: “Birdsong” by S. Faulks (June 15), “To the Lighthouse” by V. Woolf (July 20), “The Namesake” by J. Lahiri (Aug. 17).
• First Thursday, 7-8:15 p.m.: “Birdsong” by S. Faulks (June 2), No meeting July or August.

SUMMER READING CLUBS

• Toledo-Lucas County Public Libraries. “One World, Many Stories.” June 6-Aug. 6. Kids, teens or adult clubs. Register online or at any branch location. (419) 259-5200 or www.toledolibrary.org.
• Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. “One World, Many Stories.” (419) 874-3135 or www.waylibrary.info.

CAMPS/CLASSES

ACADEMY 333

Toledo School for the Arts faculty will offer one- to two-week summer day camps, workshops and evening classes for children (age 8 and up) and adults at the school starting mid-July. Daytime topics include music, visual arts, dance and arts integration. Evening offerings include creative writing, portrait drawing, beginning guitar, steel drum, digital photography, cake decorating and wearable glass art. $25-$175. 333 14^th St, (419) 246-8732 or www.ts4arts.org/academy.

THEATER WORKSHOP

Two-week “Theatre Workshop for Teens and Kids” hosted by Waterville Playshop at Monclova Community Center, 8115 Monclova Road. 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday (grades K-6) or 1-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (grades 7-12) July 11-22. $160. (419) 276-0032 or www.watervilleplayshop.org

HOT SUMMER COOL SCIENCE

Camps and mini camps for ages 7-12: “Catapults, Coasters and Cars!” (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 11-15 or mini camp July 5-8) or “Museum in Motion” (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 18-22, Aug. 1-5 or Aug. 8-12). Includes T-shirt, snacks and take-home activites. Full camps $165 members/$195 nonmembers; mini camps $130 members/$160 nonmembers. Imagination Station, Summit and Adams streets. www.imaginationstationtoledo.org.

TOLEDO SYMPHONY SCHOOL OF MUSIC

For students studying Suzuki Method on violin, piano, viola, cello or recorder or with permission from director. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 18-22 with orientation 3-5 p.m. July 17 and final concert 10-11:30 a.m. July 23. The Professional Arts Building, 1838 Parkwood Ave. $200 before June 1, $225 after June 1. (419) 418-0022 or www.toledosymphony.com.

TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART

Classes and camps for children, teens, adults and families. Art Adventures Camps, mornings or afternoons July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-29 or Aug. 1-5. 2445 Monroe St., (419) 255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org.

WOLCOTT MUSEUM COMPLEX

History Summer Camp for kids entering grades 3-6. 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. June 27-30. $10 per session or $40 for the week. Daily Life (June 27), Native American Indian Days (June 28), Old Fashioned Food and Fun (June 29) or What was School like for children in the 1800s? (June 30). 1035 River Road, Maumee, (419) 893-9602 or www.wolcotthouse.org.

HANDS-ON ART STUDIO

New Hands-on Studio at Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Drive, featuring open studio time and classes, including knitting, felting, spinning and clay. Full list at www.toledogarden.org or (419) 536-5566.

TOLEDO GROWS

Free “Get Growing” lecture series. (419) 260-4615 or www.toledogarden.org.

• 10 a.m. June 11: “Garden Structures,” Oneida Street Greenhouse, 1212 Cherry St.
• 10 a.m. July 12: “Vegetables and their Uses,” location TBA
• 10 a.m. Aug. 13: “Food Preservation,” location TBA.

NEXT STAGE STUDIOS

25581 Fort Meigs Road, Perrysburg, (419) 873-5838 or www.nextstagestudios.com

• 2-3 p.m. May 28: Free Dance Basics class. Email NextStageStudios@gmail.com to register.
• Broadway Bound musical theatre camp, featuring singing, acting and dance training with industry professionals. Aug. 1-12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

HISTORIC ARTVENTURES

Day camp featuring historic folk arts and crafts for students in grades 4-7. June 20-24. Sylvania Historical Village and Heritage Center Museum, 5717 N. Main St. (419) 882-4865 or www.cityofsylvania.com.

BGSU SUMMER MUSIC INSTITUTE

Intensive music camps for high school and junior high school students. June 12-17: Brass Camp, June 12-18: Musical Theater Camp, June 12-16: Double Reed-Making Bootcamp, June 19-24: Recording Studio Camp, Super Sax Camp, Piano Camp and Vocal Arts Camp. $175-$475. (419) 372-8654 or www.bgsu.edu/colleges/music.

UT SUMMER CAMPS

Day camps features games, reading, arts and crafts, snacks and field trips. Ages 5-12. Nine one-week sessions offering a different theme each week. $140/week. (419) 530-3706 or www.utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/rec.

METROPARKS

Hands-on, nature-themed weeklong camps and day camps for kids and teens. Metroparks of Toledo Area, (419) 4107-9701 or www.metroparksprograms.com.

CINEMA

ENCORE! ENCORE! FILM FOCUS

Independent, first-run feature films by independent filmmakers at local Toledo-Lucas County branch libraries. (419) 259-5200 or www.toledolibrary.org. 6:15-7:30 p.m. Free.

• June 27: “Fresh”: A call to action which profiles some of the modern heroes of today’s society: the advocates for and farmers who practice and teach sustainable growing and food distribution. West Toledo auditorium, 1320 Sylvania Ave.
• July 28: “Garbage Dreams”: The incredible story of how an Egyptian community, whose economy is based on collecting and recycling garbage, must adapt to the arrival of allegedly modern practices. West Toledo auditorium, 1320 Sylvania Ave.

FAMILY FLICKS

New outdoor movie series presented by the Croswell Opera House and Adrian Parks and Recreation. (517) 263-6868 or www.croswell.org. Island Park in Adrian. Free.

• June 19: TBA
• July 17: TBA
• Aug. 14: “WALL-E”
• Sept. 4: “Tangled”

LYRIC PHOTOPLAY SOCIETY

Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant St. Includes classic previews, classic news reels or cartoons and a live onstage introduction of film’s background prior to screening. Proceeds benefit preservation of the theatre. (419) 897-8901. $5.

• May 22: “Dark Passage”: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall star in this seldom-seen, hard-hitting 1947 film noir tale of romance and intrigue filmed on location in San Francisco. 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• July 10: “Some Like It Hot”: Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon star in this 1959 comedy. When two musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in. 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT

• July 18: TBA family-friendly film projected on the side of Shutter Love Studio, 108 W. Second St., Perrysburg, with popcorn and refreshments included. 9-11 p.m. Sponsored by Downtown Perrysburg Inc., (419) 872-6246 or www.downtownperrysburg.org.

RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS

Mondays at 1 p.m. Levis Commons, 2005 Hollenbeck Drive, Perrysburg, (419) 874-2154. All films are $3, which include a pop and popcorn.

• May 23: “Delightfully Dangerous”
• May 30: “Charade”
• June 6: “When Harry Met Sally”
• June 13: “Fabulous Dorseys”
• June 20 “Great Rupert”
• June 27: “Kansas City Confidential
• July 11: “Road to Bali”
• July 18: “Yankee Bucaneer”
• July 25: “Call it Murder”
• Aug. 1: “Beat the Devil”
• Aug. 8: “D.O.A.”
• Aug. 15: “Escape from Sobibor”
• Aug. 22: “Eternally Yours”
• Aug. 29: “Inspector General”

SILVER SCREEN CLASSICS

Back by popular demand. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com. All films are $4 and start at 7:30.

• June 10: “The Sound of Music”
• June 17: “Raiders of the Lost Ark”
• June 24: “Jaws”

TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART

Fernando Botero/Colombian Film Series. 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org.

• May 27: “Love in the Time of Cholera”: How long would you wait for love? Based on Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ novel, 7:30 p.m., free.

WAY PUBLIC LIBRARY

101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg, (419) 874-3135 or www.waylibrary.info. Free.

• July 22: Mid-summer classic movie: “The Quiet Man,” 7 p.m.
• Reel Opinions: Documentary viewing each third Thursday of the month (June 16, July 21, Aug. 18) at 10:30 a.m. followed by discussion.

COMEDY

FUNNYBONE AT FAT FISH BLUE

6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or www.funnybonefatfishblue.com for showtimes and prices.

• May 19-22: John Evans
• May 25: Married Guys
• May 26-29: Scott Henry
• June 2-5: Tony Rock
• June 9-12 Steve Byrne
• June 16-19: Josh Sneed
• June 24-25: Tommy Davidson
• June 30-July 3: James Sibley
• July 7-10: Phil Palisoul
• July 10: Doug Benson
• July 14-17: Untamed Shrews
• July 21-24: Alex Reymundo
• July 28-31: Bert Kreischer
• Aug. 4-7: Guy Torry
• Aug. 11-14: Pete Correale
• Aug. 18-21: Loni Love

CONNXTIONS COMEDY CLUB

5319 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. (419) 867-9041 or www.connxtionscomedyclub.com for showtimes and prices.

• May 20-21: Tim Wilson
• May 26-28: Mo Alexander
• June 2: Steve Iott
• June 3-4: Carlos Mencia
• June 9-11: Danny Browning
• June 16-18: Mike Bobbitt
• June 23-25: Dwight York
• July 7-9: Tommy Thompson
• July 21-23: Charlie Wiener
• July 28-30: LA Hardy

CONCERTS

With the snow and ice now a distant memory, we can turn our focus to the summer concert season in Northwest Ohio and Michigan. Invariably, there are lots of familiar names vying for your entertainment dollar. Here are a few for good or bad that caught our eye. Tickets available via all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com

THE ARK
316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, www.theark.org

Crash Test Dummies, 8 p.m. May 26, $27.50-$34.50
If you’re old enough to remember the ‘90s alternative music explosion, odds are you’ll recall the Crash Test Dummies’ lone and annoying hit song “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.” For those too young or in need of a scared-straight evening of music, the Canadian folk-rock act is now touring.

Gaelic Storm, 8 p.m. June 1, $22.50-$29
Popular Celtic-world music act Gaelic Storm got its start by appearing in the blockbuster film “Titanic” more than a decade ago. Today the Los Angeles-based band is touring its latest effort “Cabbage,” which includes a cover of Paul Simon’s hit song “Cecilia.”

Guitar Shorty, 8 p.m. June 20, $15-$20
David “Guitar Shorty” Kearney may not be a household name but the blues guitarist is a throwback to an older era with his Hendrix-inspired sound and power. For years now, the former mechanic and truck driver has been electrifying crowds. His latest effort is “Bare Knuckle.”

Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band, 8 p.m. Aug. 3, $35-$42
The good news is actor Tim Robbins won’t be revisiting whatever he called the musical monstrosity performed at the 2004 “Vote for Change” tour stop at the old Toledo Sports Arena. Instead, Robbins and his new act are exploring a singer-songwriter aesthetic influenced by the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan.

DTE ENERGY MUSIC THEATRE
7774 Sashabaw Rd., Clarkston, Mich., www.theatreclarkson.com

Phish, 7 p.m. June 3, $42-$57
Remember when Phish was on hiatus? Those days are gone, my friend, with the definitive jam band planning a massive summer tour. Trey Anastasio and company’s last studio effort was 2009”s “Joy.”

Tim McGraw with Luke Bryan and The Band Perry, 7 p.m. June 24, $36-$92
In the past, country music artist Tim McGraw has spent the summers touring with his superstar wife Faith Hill. This year the Music City legend, with more than 40 million albums sold and 32 No. 1 singles, is hitting the road solo for his “Emotional Traffic Tour.”

Mötley Crüe with Poison and The New York Dolls, 7:30 p.m. June 29, $36.50-$262
The teaming of Mötley Crüe with Poison for a summer tour isn’t surprising. However, it’s the inclusion of ‘70s punk act New York Dolls as the opener that is somewhat of a head-scratcher. Sure, the influential Dolls inspired the ‘80s glam rock movement, but it’s hard to imagine fans of “Wild Side” being familiar with or wanting to hear the work of David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain.

Sugarland, 7:30 p.m. July 9, $43-$97.50
Known for unexpected covers ranging from Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” to Pearl Jam’s “Better Man,” Sugarland upped the keeping-fans-on-their-toes ante with its latest album “The Incredible Machine,” which includes the auto-tuned and reggae-leaning lead single “Stuck Like Glue.”

Jimmy Buffett, 8 p.m. July 21 (sold out)
All is right in the summer concert world when Jimmy Buffett with booze in his blender brings his Parrothead experience out for what invariably is a hangover in waiting. Naturally the show to see the “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” singer sold out quickly.

Journey with Foreigner and Night Ranger, 7 p.m. July 31, $22-$132
Having seemingly lived off its “Don’t Stop Believin’” history for the past few years, Journey, with singer Arnel Pineda, is testing the new-music waters this spring with the release of its latest album “Eclipse.”

Godsmack, Disturbed, Megadeth and more, 2 p.m. Aug. 6, $36.50-$96
This year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival finds hard rock’s Godsmack back in action, with Disturbed and Megadeth to boot. Expect plenty of black and blues and head-banging fun at this show.

Train and Maroon 5, 7 p.m. Aug. 21, $22-$172
By the time this bill rolls into town, odds are you may have pissed off your mom. Now it’s time for your penance. There’s no better way to show moms or your “Soul Sister,” as she horrifically likes to refer to herself just how sorry you are than by sitting through an evening of Train and Maroon 5.

Ke$ha with LMFAO and Spank Rock, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, $16.50-$46.50
Glitter speculators are expecting the obligatory teen-based product to boom this summer when trashy pop princess Ke$ha brings her “Get $leazy Tour” to Michigan. In a related note, producers of “Teen Mom 2” will be present watching the crowd for what amounts to auditions for its next season.

HUNTINGTON CENTER
500 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com

Michael Bublé, 8 p.m. June 7, $49.50-$85
Michael Bublé continues to parlay his Frank Sinatra sound and demeanor into platinum success, as evidenced by his most recent effort, the 2009 Grammy Award-nominated “Crazy Love.” While his faithful patiently await a new album, the Canadian continues his cash-cow “Crazy Love” tour.

Keith Urban with Jake Owen, 7:30 p.m. July 29, $55 to $70
Known for adding a rock ‘n’ roll edge to his Nash-Vegas sound, Keith Urban is arguably atop the country music world. Currently supporting his sixth studio effort “Get Closer,” the Australian native’s catalogue includes hits “Somebody Like You,” “You’ll Think Of Me” and his latest “Put You In A Song.”

TOLEDO ZOO SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
2700 Broadway Ave., Toledo, www.toledozoo.org

Lady Antebellum with Craig Campbell, 7:30 p.m. July 15 (sold out)
Along with Sugarland and Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum is one of the Nashville bands currently making up the pop-country zeitgeist. The Hilary Scott-led trio is still touring its 2010 monster multiplatinum album “Need You Know,” which includes three No. 1 singles (the title track, “American
Honey” and “Our Kind of Love”).

Steely Dan with Sam Yahei, 7:30 p.m. July 20, $49.50-$79.50
While Steely Dan’s last tour found the legendary rock-jazz-R&B act playing a few of its classic albums in their entirety, this summer Walter Becker and Donald Fagen have booked the more conventional “Shuffle Diplomacy Twenty Eleven” jaunt, which includes both greatest hits and deep cuts.

Poison with Warrant, 8 p.m. July 28, $37.50-$75
Exactly 20 years ago, ‘80s hair metal act Poison was touring its “Flesh & Blood” album with Warrant as its opener. In a related story from 1991, Kurt Cobain’s grunge was waiting in the on-deck circle.

Darius Rucker with Drew Davis Band, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8, $27.50-$42.50
We’re still not sure what’s more of a surprise: That former Hootie and the Blowfish singer has once again become relevant or that he’s gone country. Whatever the case, Darius Rucker has parlayed his “Cracked Rear View” past into a “Learn to Live” future.

–John Benson

BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL

• 4 p.m.-midnight June 11. Featuring Janiva Magness, Tony Monaco, Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle, and The Swamp Kings to benefit Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, (419) 242-5000. $25 advance (available at food bank or Sylvania Recreation)/$30 at door. Centennial Terrace, 5772 Centennial Road, Sylvania. www.toledofoodbank.org

CENTENNIAL TERRACE

5772 Centennial Road, Sylvania, (419) 885-7106, or www.centennialterrace.org.

• May 21: Alice Cooper, 6:30 p.m., $28-$55
• May 28: Jeff McDonald’s Swingmania Big Band, 7:30 p.m., $10
• June 17: Eric Church, 8 p.m., $27
• June 4: Night Session Big Band, 7:30 p.m., $10
• June 10: Boogie Matrix Mechanism, 7:30 p.m., $10
• June 18: Johnny Knorr Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., $10
• June 30: Hiroshima, 8 p.m., $30
• July 7: Umphrey’s McGee, 8 p.m., $20 advance/$25 door
• July 8: Up For Grabs, 8 p.m., $7
• July 24: Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, 7:30 p.m., $28-$47
• July 28: The Beach Boys, 7:30 p.m., $28-$52.
• July 29: Air Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett tribute), 8 p.m., $7
• July 30: 1964: The Tribute (Beatles tribute), 8 p.m., $29.50
• Aug. 5: Happy Together Tour, featuring Flo & Eddie of the Turtles, The Assocation, The Buckinghams and Mark Lindsay from Paul Revere and the Raders, 7:30 p.m., $21-$3750s
• Aug. 6: Eddie & The Edsels (‘50s/’60s dance party), 7 p.m., $10

CRYSTAL BOWERSOX

7 p.m. (sold out) or 10 p.m. May 28. The Elliston native and “American Idol” runner-up will perform “An Intimate Evening with Crystal Bowersox” to benefit Toledo School for the Arts. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St, (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com. $35-$69.

DOWNTOWN SOUNDTREK

7 p.m.-1 a.m. July 22. New event from Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. One-night showcase of 15 Downtown venues and more than 30 regional bands of every genre as well as street performers. $5 per venue or wristbands (for all venues plus bus rides between locations) $15 in advance/$20 day of. Fundraiser for ACGT and Artomatic 419! (419) 254-2787 or www.acgt.org.

JAZZ IN THE GARDEN

Thursday evening music at the Toledo Botanical Garden. 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 7-Sept. 8. Adults $8, students/seniors $7, members $6, 12-younger free. 5403 Elmer Drive, (419) 536-5566 or www.toledogarden.org.

MASTERWORKS CHORALE: COLLAGE IV

8 p.m. June 4. Local performing artists offer a study in juxtaposition: large ensembles give way to soloists, dancers accompany ragtime, 17th century music is followed by jazz. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com. $20-35.

MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

7:30 p.m. July 10, 17, 24 and 31. Free Sunday evening performances by the Toledo Symphony Concert Band at the Toledo Zoo’s historic amphitheatre, 2700 Broadway Ave., Toledo. (419) 241-1272 orwww.toledosymphony.com. Zoo parking $6.

ROCK ‘N’ ROAR

Zoo fundraiser featuring three bands (East River Drive, Johnny Retro and the Hitmen, The Rayz), one DJ and four stages. 7 p.m.-midnight Aug. 6. $20 members/$25 nonmembers. www.toledozoo.org

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Aug. 5-7. Fundraiser at Promenade Park for Greater Toledo Chapter of American Red Cross. Featuring live entertainment, a dozen ribs vendors, corn hole tournament, children’s activities and more. (419) 329-2619 orwww.ribs4redcross.com. Adults $5, kids 12 and younger free. Military personnel and family free Aug. 7 with ID.

• Aug. 5: Green River Ordinance: These Texas rockers have several Top 40 hits, including “Come On” and “On Your Own,” and their songs have been featured on more than 20 TV shows. 2010’s folksy “Acoustic Sessions: The Morning Passengers EP” is their most recent release.
• Aug. 6: Tonic: Tonic stormed the charts with its debut album “Lemon Parade” and its monster hit “If You Could Only See” and now boasts six Top 10 singles, more than 4 million records sold, two Grammy nominations and the No. 1 most-played rock song of 1998. “Tonic,” released in 2010, was their fourth album.
• Aug. 7: John Michael Montgomery: This Grammy-nominated country music superstar has sold more than 16 million records worldwide and produced more than 30 singles on the Billboard country charts, including two No. 1 country singles of the year: “I Swear” (1994) and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” (1995). Five more singles have topped the country charts (“I Love the Way You Love Me,” “Be My Baby Tonight,” “If You’ve Got Love,” “I Can Love You Like That” and “The Little Girl”).

STRANAHAN THEATER

4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 381-8851 or www.stranahantheater.com.

• Dancing with the Symphony: Symphonic Pops star Michael Krajewski leads this program of toe-tapping, hand-clapping tunes accompanied by local dance stars. 8 p.m. May 21, $21-$60.
• Daniel O’Donnell: 3 p.m. May 24-25, $50-$85.
• Kenny Rogers: 7:30 p.m. June 20, $36-56.

EVENTS

A LITERARY BASH

7:30 p.m. July 16. On the rooftop of Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St. Featuring jazz saxophonist Jesse Colman, JAMM and Toledo School for the Arts’ Urban Jazz Collective, literary characters, star-gazing, food, , dancing and raffle. Fundraiser for Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s youth services. $75. Free parking. Presented by PNC Bank. (419) 259-5123 or www.toledolibrary.org.

BAREFOOT AT THE BEACH

Aug. 13. Featuring bonfire, fireworks, tiki bar, live music and local food to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo. Lake Erie at Maumee Bay State Park, 1750 State Park Road, Oregon. 21 and over. (419) 241-4258 orwww.barefootatthebeach.org

CLASSIC CAR SHOW

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 6. Featuring music, vendors, contests and raffle. Louisiana Avenue in Perrysburg, from Front to Third street. Sponsored by Downtown Perrysburg Inc., (419) 872-6246 or www.downtownperrysburg.org.

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE
7 to 9 p.m. June 7. Annual fundraiser for Toledo School for the Arts in the school’s garden, 333 14^th St. Casually sweet evening of flowers, sculpture, music and chocolate. $30. (419) 246-8732 or www.ts4arts.org.

FARMERS MARKETS -TOLEDO

• Flower Day Weekend: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 28-29, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 30. 525 Market St. (Erie Street Market). www.toledofarmersmarket.com
• Downtown: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Erie Street Market.
• Ottawa Hills: 3-7 p.m. Mondays, Epworth United Methodist Church, 3077 Valley View Drive.
• Maumee: Noon-4 p.m. Sundays, The Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St.
• Westgate: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Elder-Beerman, 3311 Secor Road.
• Whitehouse: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays (except June), Town Square.

FARMERS MARKET – PERRYSBURG

• 3-8 p.m. Thursdays, Louisiana Avenue and Front Street. www.perrysburg-farmers-market.com.

MUSEUM SHIP

The Willis B. Boyer museum ship docked at International Park in Toledo will be rechristened to her original namesake, Col James M. Schoonmaker, on July 1, 100 years to the day the vessel was christened. Currently closed for restoration. Starting July 1: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Adults $6, seniors $5, students 11-16 $4, children 10-younger free. (419) 936-3070 or www.willisbboyer.org.

OTTAWA HILLS GARDEN TOUR

8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 18. Tour nine gardens to benefit Toledo Day Nursery. Buses leave from St. Ursula Academy, 4025 Indian Road. $15 in advance/$20 day of. Preview tour: 5 p.m. June 16, dinner and cocktails at Inverness Club, 4601 Dorr Street, followed by tour. $75.

TOLEDO ZOO

Adults $11, seniors/children 2-11 $8, children 2-younger/military veterans with ID free. Lucas County residents enter free 10 a.m.-noon Mondays with address verification. Parking $6. www.toledozoo.org.

• Trip Around the World: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 21. Featuring games, crafts, activities and live cultural entertainment that showcase the cultures of Africa, the Arctic, the islands and the Middle East.
• European wine tasting: 7-9 p.m. June 3. Featuring hors d’oeuvres, live music and socializing. $35 members/$40 nonmembers.
• Garden tours: Third Wednesdays (June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21). Meet in front of Conservatory.
• ZOOtoDO: 6 p.m.-midnight June 17. Chic adult fundraiser benefiting zoo’s community outreach and educational projects. Featuring live music and food from more than 50 area restaurants and caterers. $150.
• Father’s Day: Free zoo admission for dads who come with their children June 19. Featuring inflatable games and activities 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and a barbeque lunch.
• ADA Day: Annual information fair sponsored by The Ability Center of Greater Toledo to celebrate passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (419) 885-5733 or www. abilitycenter.org.
• Fisher-Price Weekend at the Zoo: July 30-31. Fisher-Price will bring its giant Play Space to the zoo, including new toys. Geared for 6 months-5 years. Meet Dora July 30. Dine with Dora July 31 (paid reservations required, $15-19.25).
• Rock ‘n’ Roar: 7 p.m.-midnight Aug. 6. Zoo fundraiser featuring three bands (East River Drive, Johnny Retro and the Hitmen, The Rayz), one DJ and four stages. $20 members/$25 nonmembers.

EXHIBITS

ART ON THE MALL

10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 31. Annual art exhibit and sale features artwork from more than 100 artists, live music and activities for kids. University of Toledo Centennial Mall, 2801 Bancroft St. (419) 530-2586 orwww.toledoalumni.org.

ART WALKS
Every third Thursday May-September (June 16, July 14, Aug. 18, Sept. 15). Tour of the galleries in Downtown, Uptown and Warehouse District. Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. (419) 254-2787 orwww.acgt.org

BODIES REVEALED

May 21-Sept. 18. Ten full-body human specimens and 150 organs permanently preserved using liquid silicone rubber. Imagination Station, Summit and Adams streets. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $6-18 (includes admission to Imagination Station). (419) 244-2674 or www.imaginationstationtoledo.org.

IMAGINATION STATION

Hundreds of hands-on exhibits to help teach science through experience and exploration. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays, but open Memorial Day. Adults $9, seniors $8, children 12 and younger $7, children 2 and younger free. Lucas County residents 12 and younger free on Saturdays when accompanied by an adult with ID and paid admission (two children admitted per adult). Summit and Adams streets, (419) 244-2674 or www.imaginationstationtoledo.org.

KALEIDOSCOPE

The best of Toledo School for the Arts student artwork will be on display in the school’s Gallerie 333, 333 14^th Street, for a month starting June 3. Call for availability. (419) 246-8732.

HUDSON GALLERY

5645 North Main Street, Sylvania, (419) 885-8381 or www.hudsongallery.net, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.

• Through May 28: “Audubon Suite: the Loaned Book”: screen prints byJane E. Goldman

LEVIS COMMONS FINE ART FAIR

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 21: More than 125 artists and artisans will take part in this free juried fair. www.theguild.org.

METROPARKS

Photography exhibits through Aug. 28 at National Center for Nature Photography at Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave. (six miles west of U.S. 23/I-475). Hours: noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. (419) 407-9757 orwww.naturephotocenter.com. Free.

• “10,000 Acres: Protected Forever” by Art Weber, director of nature photography for Metroparks.
• “Dragonflies” by Art Weber and guest photographers Rick Nirschl, Brian Zwiebel, George Sydlowski and others.
• “How Water Speaks To Us” by Shirley Collins.

SPACE 237

237 N. Michigan Ave., Toledo. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday. (419) 255-5117 or www.space237.com

• Through June 24: “Flamingos, Dust Bunnies & Decay”
• July 15: Artist Trading Card Soiree, 7 p.m.
• July 21-Aug. 26: Summer exhibit

TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART

Admission free except for select exhibitions. Parking $5. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays, including Fourth of July. 2445 Monroe St. (419) 255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org

• Through Aug. 7: What’s Wrong With Me? Art and Disease
• Through July 24: Frank Stella: Irregular Polygons
• Through June 12: The Baroque World of Fernando Botero ($5-$15, free for age 6 and younger)
• Limited time: Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb ($5-$10, free for age 6 and younger)

TRUTH GALLERY

Artwork from Ghana. 1811 Adams St., (419) 460-1343 or www.thetruthtoledo.com, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday by appointment.

20 NORTH GALLERY

18 N. St. Clair Street, (419) 241-2400 or www.20northgallery.net, 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, noon-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

• Through June 3: “ARTOLEDO 2011: Emerging Artists,” featuring digital photography by Molly Corfman and Daniel Steck Jr. and mixed media sculpture by Guy Sutherland.

WOLCOTT HOUSE MUSEUM

Guided tours of historical buildings, including log house, train depot and school house 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Group tours other times by appointment. Closed holidays, including Father’s Day (June 19). 1035 River Road, Maumee. (419) 893-9602 or www.wolcotthouse.org.

• Current exhibit: “Hearts and Hands on the Homefront,” about the Civil War.
• June 18: Annual Lawn Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m

FESTIVALS

BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL

Noon-10 p.m. Aug. 20-21. Celebrates the community’s ethnic heritage with Hungarian and ethnic food, vendors, music, dance and contests. Consaul Street between Front and Woodford streets. Free. (724) 875-0963 orbirminghamethnicfestival.wordpress.com

CROSBY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

10 a.m.-7 p.m. June 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 26. Adults $8, children 12 and under free. Features artwork from more than 200 artists, live music, food, children’s activities and more. Free shuttle. (419) 536-5566 orwww.toledogarden.org/content/crosby.

FIRST FRIDAY

6-9 p.m. first Fridays of the month June-October (June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7). Features live entertainment, vendors, horse and carriage rides. Louisiana and Front streets, Perrysburg. Downtown Perrysburg Inc., (419) 872-6246 or www.downtownperrysburg.org.

GERMAN-AMERICAN6 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 26, 2 p.m.-1 a.m. Aug. 27, and noon-11 p.m. Aug. 28. Features ethnic food, live music, rides, raffles, dancing, parade, contests, children’s activities and German church service (10:30 a.m. Aug. 28). Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Road, Oregon. www.gafsociety.org/fest.htm, $7.

GREEK-AMERICAN FEST

Noon-midnight Sept. 9-10, noon-8 p.m. Sept. 11. Featuring ethnic food, live music, dancing, vendors, rides, cooking demonstrations and cathedral tours. Summit and Cherry streets. Sponsored by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. (419) 243-9189 or www.toledogreekfest.com .

LAGRANGE STREET POLISH FESTIVAL

5 p.m.-midnight July 8, noon-midnight July 9, noon-7 p.m. July 10. Adults $4, seniors $3, Sunday admission $2, children 8-younger free.  Features live entertainment, pierogi eating contest, Dancing with the Stars: Polka Edition, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and more. Polish Village on Lagrange Street between Central Avenue and Mettler Street. www.polishfestival.org

LATINOFEST

1-11:30 p.m. June 18. Promenade Park. Featuring Latino music and dance, artwork, food, kids arts and crafts (1-5 p.m.). $12. www.latinofesttoledo.com

LUCAS COUNTY FAIR

Opens 11 a.m. daily July 26-31 at Lucas County Fairgrounds, Maumee. Featuring the Texaco Country Showdown, live local entertainment, rides, contests, animals, exhibits, classic car show, demolition derby and more. Parking $3. Ride tickets $5-12 daily. Free admission 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 26-27, free admission for military veterans July 28. Gate pass $6 at fair, $5 in advance (available at The Andersons). Children under 6 free. Membership pass $15 (six gate admissions and parking). (419) 893-2127 or www.lucascountyfair.com

MAUMEE SUMMER FAIR

5-11 p.m. Aug. 19, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 20. Featuring Taste of Maumee with 18 area restaurants, live entertainment, contests, parade, vendors and kid’s fun zone. Sponsored by Maumee Uptown Business Association. (419) 893-5805 or www.maumeeuptown.com

OLD WEST END FESTIVAL

10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 4-5. Toledo’s largest outdoor neighborhood festival. Includes tours of five historic homes ($10 presale at Downtown Latte, Mansion View or Color Concepts, $12 day of, $4 single house, children 12-younger free), art fair, yard/garage sales, children’s activities, antique and class car show (9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 4), parade (10 a.m. June 4), food, Toledo Symphony Stampede 5K (9 a.m. June 5), vendor marketplace and more. www.toledooldwestend.com

ROCK THE DOCKS

7 p.m.-midnight June 11: Outdoor tent event at Hood Park by the docks in Perrysburg featuring live music, dancing and drinks. Downtown Perrysburg Inc., (419) 872-6246 or www.downtownperrysburg.org.

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Aug. 5-7 at Promenade Park. Featuring barbeque ribs from local and national vendors and live music headlined by Green River Ordinance. Tonic and John Michael Montgomery. Benefits Greater Toledo Chapter of the American Red Cross. www.ribs4redcross.com

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

4-11 p.m. June 15-16, 4 p.m.-midnight June 17, noon-midnight June 18, noon-10 p.m. June 19. Features rides, contests, Strawberry Festival Queen Pageant, Rollie Run 5K (June 18) and strawberry dessert bakeoff (June 19). Community Homecoming Park, 7807 Angola Road, Holland. www.hollandstrawberryfestival.org

TOLEDO SUMMER FEST

Opens 11 a.m. July 21, 6 p.m.-midnight July 22, noon-midnight July 23, noon-5 p.m. July 24. Features food, parade, carnival, beer garden, bingo, karaoke contest, sidewalk chalk contest, bakeoff, 5K and more. $7.50 for three-day pass or $6 per day. Oregon. www.toledosummerfestival.com.

WHITEHOUSE CHERRY FEST

2 p.m.-midnight June 10, 9 a.m.-midnight June 11. Village Park in downtown Whitehouse. Features cherry pie, food, beer/wine garden, rides, vendors, live entertainment, 5K race (8 a.m. June 11), car show (9 a.m. June 11), parade (1 p.m. June 11) and fireworks (10 p.m. June 11). Presented by Steve Rogers Ford. Free admission. Ride wristbands $15. (419) 877-2747 or www.mywhitehousecherryfest.com.

WOOD COUNTY FAIR

Aug. 2-8. Featuring live entertainment from Chris Young and Steel Magnolia (8:30 p.m. Aug. 6). 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green. Daily admission $6 for adults, free for ages 9-younger. Weekly pass $24. Rides $10-$18. www.woodcounty-fair.com.

WOOD COUNTY HERITAGE DAYS

10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 11-12. Wood County Historical Center and Museum, 13660 County Home Road, Bowling Green. Celebrates Wood County’s strong ties with agriculture and the farm. Featuring antique tractors, kiddie tractor pull, live music and more. Barbeque meal to benefit historical society (11 a.m. June 12 until sold out, $10). New this year: barn dance 7-11 p.m. June 10, $6/person, $10/couple advance or $8/$12 at door. Children 12-younger free. (419) 352-0967 or www.woodcountyhistory.org

WOODVILLE MALL CARNIVAL

5-11 p.m. May 25-27, 1-11 p.m. May-28-29. Featuring rides and food. Woodville Mall, 3725 Williston Road, Northwood.

SPORTS

AUTO RACING

Michigan International Speedway, 12626 U.S. Highway 12, Brooklyn, (800) 354-1010 or www.mispeedway.com.

• June 17: RainEater Wiper Blades 200 ARCA Racing Series
• June 18: Alliance Truck Parks 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series
• June 19: Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
• Aug. 19: Meijer Pole Day
• Aug. 20: VFW 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
• Aug. 21: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400

BASEBALL

July 7-10. Midwest Elite Tournament (16U, 17U and 18U) and college exposure combine (8 a.m.-1 p.m. July 8). University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University will host. www.elitebaseballtournaments.com.

BIKE TO THE BAY

June 25-26. Starts at Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee and ends in Gibsonburg (one-day ride) or Port Clinton (two-day ride). Registration fee: $50 for two-day route or $10 for one-day route, plus $250 in pledges. To benefit National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northwestern Ohio. (419) 897-9533 or www.nationalmssociety.org/OHO/home

CLIMBING WALL

University of Toledo Recreation Center, 2801 Bancroft St. Climb horizontally anytime for free. Vertical climb requires attend climb clinic and buy climb card ($35/year or $10/three months). Ages 6-up. Hours: 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 1-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday except when used by classes. (419) 530-3710 or www.utoledo.edu/studentaffairs/rec.

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

July 23. International Park. Teams of 21-25 paddlers race 500 meters on Maumee River to benefit Partners in Education of Toledo. www.partnerstoledo.org/dragonboat.html

50+ SPORTS CLASSIC

Registration 8 a.m. June 11, opening ceremony 9 a.m., St. Francis de Sales High School, 2323 W. Bancroft St. Individual and team athletic events for age brackets 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-90, and 90+. $20 by June 1, $30 after June 1. (800) 472-7277 or www.areaofficeonaging.com.

GLASS CITY ROLLERS

7 p.m. June 4: Doubleheader versus Central Michigan Derby Girls then Killamazoo Derby Darlins Killacrew. Seagate Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave. Doors open 6 p.m. Adults $11, 12-younger free. www.glasscityrollers.com

HORSE RACING

7 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday (through Sept. 18), 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (through June 8). Adults $2, seniors $1 and kids 12-younger free. $1 admission Sundays. Raceway Park, 5700 Telegraph Road, (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com.

MUD HENS

Visit www.mudhens.com or download the team’s new iPhone app to keep up with Mud Hens stats, game times and upcoming promotions, such as Team Autograph Day on May 29, which starts at 4:30 p.m. before the 6 p.m. game.

NATIONAL TRACTOR PULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Aug. 19-21. Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green. Adults $20-$44, kids 10-younger free. www.pulltown.com

RUNNING

Toledo Roadrunners event calendar at www.toledoroadrunners.org.

SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB

Co-ed recreational sports for ages 21 and up followed by socializing. Offers cornhole, basketball, touch football, kickball, softball, bar games, bowling, soccer, volleyball, dodgeball, ultimate Frisbee and golf. (419) 302-5135 orwww.toledosportandsocialclub.com.

SYLVANIA RECREATION

Summer sports camps and teams. 7060 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania. Sylvania Recreation, (419) 882-1500 or Tam-O-Shanter, (419) 885-1167. www.playsylvania.com.

U.S. SENIOR OPEN

July 25-31. Inverness Club. www.2011ussenioropen.com

YMCA NATIONAL GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 21-25. Beginning to elite gymnasts from across the country will gather in Toledo to compete at SeaGate Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave. www.2011ymcanationals.org

THEATER

ADRIFT IN MACAO

A musical parody of film noir set in 1952 Macao, China. 8 p.m. May 21-22, 26-28 and 2 p.m. May 22. Adults $16, seniors/students $14 Village Players Theatre, 2740 Upton Ave. (419) 472-6817 orwww.thevillageplayers.org.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR.

A Young Rep (ages 6-13) production of the classic story of the girl who falls down a rabbit hole, featuring updated dialogue and new song arragements. 7 p.m. Aug. 18-21; 2:30 p.m. Aug. 22. $10 adults, $5 children. Toledo Repertoire Theater, 16 10^th St. (419) 243-9277 or www.toledorep.org.

ANNIE

This tale of a red-headed orphan is family-friendly entertainment at its finest. 8 p.m. July 15, 16, 22, 23; 3 p.m. July 17, 23, 24. Adults $25, seniors (60 and older) and students $22, children 12-younger $15. Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. (517) 264-7469 or www.croswell.org.

CLICK CLACK MOO

A hilarious children’s musical about compromise based on the award-winning book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Levin. 2 p.m. May 21. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com. Tickets range from $8-16. Geared for ages 1 to 6.

43 SUMMERS AT THE CROSWELL

New musical revue will feature an array of musical theatre numbers from past Croswell productions. 8 to 10 p.m. Aug. 26-27, 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 28. Adults $25, seniors (60 and older) and students $22, children 12-younger $15. Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.  (517) 264-7469 or www.croswell.org.

GODSPELL

A Young Rep (ages 14-19) production of the Gospel of Matthew updated to a rollicking musical as Jesus teaches his disciples about love, life, sacrifice and forgiveness to the beat of a pop-rock score. 7 p.m. July 14-16; 2:30 p.m. July 17. $10 adults, $5 children. Toledo Repertoire Theater, 16 10^th St. (419) 243-9277 or www.toledorep.org.

HAIRSPRAY

The toe-tapping musical follows a 1960s Baltimore girl’s journey from outsider to teen TV celebrity. 8 p.m. June 17, 18, 24 and 25, 3 p.m. June 19 and 26. Adults $25, seniors (60 and older) and students $22, children 12-younger  $15. Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. (517) 264-7469 or www.croswell.org.  Opening night fundraiser: “One Big Night”: $100 for pre-party/show/street dance party or $50 for show/street dance party.

RING OF FIRE

Production includes more than 30 Johnny Cash songs. 8 p.m. May 20, 3 p.m. May 21 and 22. Adults $25, seniors (60 and older) and students $22, children 12 and younger $15. Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. (517) 264-7469 or www.croswell.org.

THE SECRET GARDEN

An 11-year-old girl orphaned in India returns to England to live with an embittered, reclusive uncle and his invalid son at their estate with its magic locked garden. 8 p.m. June 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18; 2:30 p.m. June 12 and 19. Adults $22, seniors $20, groups of 10 or more $19, students 13-up $10, students 12-younger $5. Toledo Repertoire Theater, 16 10^th St. (419) 243-9277 or www.toledorep.org.

SINGIN’  IN THE RAIN

The stage version of the classic film takes a look at the transition from silent to talking pictures. 8 p.m. Aug. 5, 6, 12, 13; 3 p.m. Aug. 7, 14. Adults $25, seniors (60 and older) and students $22, children 12-younger $15. Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. (517) 264-7469 or www.croswell.org.

THREE VIEWINGS

An Edgy Rep production of a trio of comic/dramatic monologues set in a Midwestern funeral parlor. 8 p.m. May 21. Valentine Theatre’s Studio A, 410 Adams St. $10. (419) 243-9277 or www.toledorep.org.

– Compiled by Sarah Ottney

The library’s summer reading club isn’t just for kids.
While the traditional club is for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade, there are also clubs for teens and adults and — new this year — a club for kids age 3 and younger called Read to Me, said Nancy Eames, youth services manager at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.
The national theme for this year’s summer program is “One World, Many Stories.” The program runs from June 6 to Aug. 6.
For the first time, reading hours will be tracked online.
Club members will log onto a website, src.toledolibary.org, to enter their reading hours. Web users can also access a summer events calendar, browse lists of suggested books, post book reviews or link their reading record to their Facebook pages, Eames said.
“Anyone who would like to can log in online and keep track of their reading that way,” Eames said. “You can log in 24/7 and even from a smart phone.”
The website will activate at noon June 6 when registration opens.
All four clubs offer incentive prizes for progress as well as regular drawings for more prizes.
Parents and children participating in the new Read to Me Club will focus on early literacy activities, such as reading an ABC book or visiting a library they don’t usually go to, Eames said. If parents read to their children for 30 days in a row, they earn a baby snack container and book.
Kids’ club members who complete 12 hours of reading this the summer — about 15 minutes per day — will receive a drawstring backpack for carrying books, Eames said.
Kids will also have the chance to win drawings for prizes such as gift cards to the Toledo Mud Hens, Barnes and Noble, Toys ‘R’ Us and more. Teen and adult readers will also have the chance to win prizes.
“The more you read in any of our clubs, the better your chances of winning,” Eames said.
Club participants will gain more than just prizes, however, Eames said.
“For kids and teens in particular, reading over the summer can help prevent what’s called the summer reading slide,” Eames said. “If you don’t pick up a book from the time you leave school until the fall, you will find your reading skills declined. Whereas kids who read during the summer will stay on grade level or maybe even advance.”
More than 100 performers and activities are scheduled during the summer, including musicians, puppeteers, storytellers, magicians and more, Eames said.
About 14,000 children and 6,000 teens and adults participate in Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s summer reading program each year, Eames said.
“Adults are the reading role models for kids,” Eames said. “We hope they join, too.”
For more information, visit www.toledolibrary.org call (419) 259-5200 or pick up a free summer program guide at any branch library.
Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave., in Perrysburg, will also offer the “One World, Many Stories” summer reading club. For more information, visit www.waylibrary.info or call (419) 874-3135.

When the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced in 2007 that the 2011 U.S. Senior Open would return to Inverness, it probably registered as little more than a blip on most people’s radar.
But July 28-31, 2011, is a date that the folks at the USGA and Inverness have been looking forward to.
“It’s been seven years since the Senior Open Championship has been here at Inverness, and we are excited to be back,” said Thomas O’Toole, vice president of the USGA Executive Committee. “We are looking to make this a very successful U.S. Senior Open Championship for the Inverness Club and the City of Toledo.”

O’Toole and several members of the USGA, along with last year’s champion Bernhard Langer, were in Toledo on May 16 to begin the final preparations for the 32nd U.S. Senior Open.
Despite the rainy and cool conditions outside, brass inside the clubhouse were beaming about what will occur at the historic Inverness Club.
“The philosophy of the USGA is that the Senior Open should be the toughest physical and mental test that our Champions tour members will play in each year,” O’Toole said. “This title is the most coveted in senior golf, and we couldn’t be more pleased with our partnership with the Inverness.”
No one knows about the test the Open provides every year quite like Langer.
The German golfer won both the Senior British Open at Carnoustie in Scotland and the Senior Open in Sahalee, which is near Seattle.
“It was very taxing last season,” Langer said of pulling off the rare feat of back-to-back major wins in consecutive weeks. “It is a very difficult stretch, especially when you factor in the regular British Open is played the week prior to the Senior British as well. Some of us are playing in three consecutive major tournaments.
“I was very fortunate and blessed to be at the top of my game, to be able to win the Senior Open last year.”
Defending that title will prove to be just as difficult once again this season. Langer is fighting his way back from a torn thumb ligament, which has sidelined him for the start of the golf season.
Langer sustained the injury while riding his bicycle. The incident occurred when Langer pressed the button at a crosswalk to change the traffic light.
“People thought I had really hurt myself, but I must’ve just pressed the button wrong or something,” he said. “I hope to be back playing in a few weeks and by the time we come to Inverness, I hope to be playing at full strength.”
The back-to-back majors will also be a challenge once again as the Senior British Open will be played the week prior to this year’s U.S. Senior Open.
“I am one of those guys that isn’t extremely happy that we have to play back-to-back majors,” Langer said. “When you think about the guys on the regular tour who don’t play in back-to-back majors, but nonetheless it is a challenge that we have to deal with and face this year.”
Langer is no stranger to success. He won the Masters in 1985 and 1993 and he has played for the European Ryder Cup team 10 times.
He said he will use those experiences to deal with the challenging schedule again this season.
“With my Ryder Cup experience and some of the other experiences I have had in my career, I am going to use those to prepare for the challenges I will face again this year.”
Langer said he is looking forward to the challenge Inverness will provide him and other competitors.
“I am going to spend the little time we have studying and looking at the course to get familiar with it,” he said. He played at Inverness in 1993 during the PGA Championship. “This is going to be a tough course and I am going to do the best I can be ready for it.”

Prominent labor leaders, frustrated that Democrats in Washington aren’t aggressively pursuing the union agenda, are threatening to limit their campaign support for Democrats, an act that would hamper the party’s bid to regain control of the House next year and keep a majority in the Senate.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka’s threat of a pullback May 20 was the latest warning to a party that has long relied on labor’s cash and grass-roots support. If it makes good on its threat, labor probably would spend more time and money combating union-busting efforts by state officials.

“We will change the way we spend, the way we do things and the way we function that creates power for workers,” Trumka said.

In a speech at the National Press Club, Trumka called for “an independent labor movement” and said unions were not responsible for building the power of any political party, but for improving the lives of working families. He promised that unions would spend the summer holding leaders in Congress and the states accountable.

If labor makes itself truly independent of the Democratic Party, it would mark a major shift in a long-standing political relationship.

“It doesn’t matter if candidates and parties are controlling the wrecking ball or simply standing aside to let it happen,” Trumka said. “The outcome is the same either way. If leaders aren’t blocking the wrecking ball and advancing working families’ interests, then working people will not support them.”

The AFL-CIO’s executive council is considering a plan that could spend less on congressional races and more on fighting state battles like those in Wisconsin and Ohio, where lawmakers want to weaken collective bargaining rights and reduce union clout.

But Trumka made clear the federation had no plan to follow the lead of the nation’s largest firefighters union, which announced last month that it would halt all political donations to members of Congress because they are not fighting hard enough for union rights. The move has won praise in many corners of the labor movement, where union activists have openly grumbled about House and Senate Democrats being too quiet while unions are getting pummeled in dozens of states.

“We’ve spent money where we have friends and we will continue to do that,” he said.

Leon Fink, a labor historian at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said unions are tired of being taken for granted and discouraged that their influence with moderate and conservative Democrats has been limited.

“Spending a lot of money electing conservative Democrats in marginal districts had no legislative payoff for unions,” Fink said. “They don’t seem to have the capacity to impose their will on the party.”

Unions have been disappointed that Congress has not passed a more ambitious stimulus plan to create jobs, that health care reform didn’t go far enough and that Democrats — when they held a majority in Congress — couldn’t muster enough votes to pass a bill that would make it easier to organize unions.

The AFL-CIO spent more than $50 million to support Democrats in last year’s midterm elections, much of it in critical get-out-the vote efforts in dozens of key races. But a growing number of union leaders remain frustrated at what their money has bought. Some activists want to reallocate resources permanently so that more is spent bolstering grass roots support in the states.

Unions have threatened to pull support from Democrats before, only to come back as election time draws closer when they realize there are few political alternatives.

Asked how seriously Democrats should take the threat, Trumka pointed to former Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln. Unions spent about $10 million last year trying to unseat Lincoln in the Democratic primary because she refused to support a broader health reform package and a bill that would make it easier for workers to form unions. Lincoln beat back the challenge, but lost in the general election.

Yet unions continued to offer support to other Democrats in the 2010 election who also wavered on the health overhaul, as some leaders feared the consequences of a GOP majority would be even worse.

It remains unclear how far the trend on unions trimming back political donations might spread. The politically powerful Service Employees International Union does not intend to reduce its role in federal races, SEIU political director Brandon Davis said.

Guy Cecil, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said organized labor is not just an important part of the Democratic Party, but is “critical to rebuilding our entire economy.”

“We are working closely with labor at every level to build strong campaigns and deliver results for working families,” Cecil said.

Jennifer Crider, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said “labor’s fight is our fight and we’re proud to partner with them.”

Trumka saved his harshest criticisms for Republicans in Congress and dozens of state legislatures for passing budgets that slash pensions and curb bargaining rights of union members while giving tax cuts to “the powerful and well-connected.”

“The final outrage of these budgets is hidden in the fine print,” Trumka said. “In state after state, and here in Washington, these so-called fiscal hawks are actually doing almost nothing to cut the deficit.”

He said these budget deals are sending a message that “sacrifice is for the weak.”

“Powerful political forces are seeking to silence working people — to drive us out of the national conversation,” Trumka said.

Trumka and other union leaders have said they expect the moves in some states to curb union rights will create a backlash that will help organized labor grow stronger.

In 1900, the “Blue House” was a brand-new home in the neighborhood that is now the Vistula Historic District. Today, it faces demolition.
The property is owned by Aurora House, a nonprofit organization — located right next to the Blue House — founded in 1985 to provide housing, resources and learning opportunities to homeless women and children, according to its website.
Richard Martinez, chairman of the Historic Vistula Foundation, appreciates Aurora’s mission. “It’s a worthwhile organization,” he said.
But he doesn’t appreciate what he perceives as Aurora’s lack of care for the 111-year-old property.
According to the city code, he said, Aurora has the responsibility to maintain the house. Martinez said Aurora initially indicated it planned on restoring the house as a charitable residence. “But, unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” he said.

In March, Aurora came to the commission overseeing the Vistula district with a request to tear down the Blue House.
Judy Cattran, the Vistula representative on the City Historic District Commission, said she believes Aurora deliberately let the house decay with the intention of eventually pulling it down.
“To me the big issue here is demolition by neglect,” she said. “They bought the building and they have done nothing to preserve it.”
But Aurora does own the property, which Martinez said made the decision very difficult, given that the committee’s chief responsibility is to preserve historic buildings.
“After a lot of discussion and sweating and squirming, the commission gave them permission to demolish it,” he said.
Martinez voted to pass the request.
“Being the chairman, I try to sense what the committee as a whole wants to do and I go along with that,” he said. “Had there been more members there (only a quorum was present) I may have voted ‘no’.”
But some of the Blue House’s neighbors protested, resulting in a hearing with the Toledo Plan Commission. The commission postponed the demolition permit for two months and requested that Aurora and the Vistula community work together, in the meantime, to find a different solution. The group will meet May 31 to discuss possibilities.
Denise Fox, Aurora House’s executive director, declined to comment on specifics, saying she wanted to “stay on task and on track” with the Plan Commission’s directions.
Martinez said the Blue House is an example of a Toledo-wide problem, a surplus of empty houses.
“The city’s solution is to demolish them,” he said. “Well, that’s not good in a historic district.”

Employees at a southern Ohio pain clinic had strict marching orders, authorities say: Set up enough appointments to fill 30 to 40 prescriptions of powerful painkillers a day at $125 a visit.

Workers who met the quota would receive a week’s pay for three or four days’ work, according to the government. Those who slipped up got less.

Gov. John Kasich signed a bill May 20 cracking down on such operations, dubbed pill mills by their critics and blamed by health officials for contributing to hundreds of overdose deaths in Ohio each year.

The law would require the State Board of Pharmacy for the first time to license pain clinics as distributors of dangerous drugs.

The legislation would also put limits on how many pills a doctor could dispense directly at a clinic, and tries to reduce the illegal distribution of prescription painkillers by creating a statewide system for collecting unused supplies of the narcotics.

“If you overprescribe, we’re going to come get you,” Kasich warned.

The law provides “an opportunity to close some of the loopholes that have caused many of our neighbors, friends or family members to fall victim to prescription drug abuse and related death,” said Rep. Terry Johnson, a Republican from Scioto County and a doctor and former county coroner.

Brett Lute, 29, was a frequent visitor to pill mills in the Portsmouth area in southern Ohio before dying from a painkiller overdose in 2009, said his mother, Barbara Lute, who attended Friday’s bill signing.

“They didn’t do any kind of examination,” she said. “All he had to do was say that his back was hurting or he was having headaches, or pains anywhere, and they would just give it to him.”

Other states have pushed similar pill-mill legislation, most notably Florida, where lawmakers this spring approved stiffer penalties for doctors who overprescribe painkillers and enacted tighter regulation of pharmacies.

The allegations against Ohio Medical and Pain Management in Waverly are similar to charges brought against other pain clinics and doctors in recent months, many of them operating in southern Ohio, considered by the Drug Enforcement Administration to be one of the worst places in the country for prescription painkiller abuse.

“In some cases, customers traveled in excess of 200 miles round trip or in excess of four hours travel time round-trip to be ‘treated’ at the clinic,” according to a 2010 indictment against the clinic’s operators and a physician who worked there.

Each customer, required to pay cash, “would receive at most a cursory examination at the Clinic by someone other than the physician,” the indictment said.

The indictment also alleges clinic operators and employees used the federal prescription-writing certificate issued to the clinic’s physician, Dr. Brenda Banks, to order more than 200,000 painkillers, mainly hydrocodone.

The clinic operators would then keep the pills for themselves or resale to local drug dealers, the indictment said.

“Banks would often allow clinic employees to make their own arbitrary medical determinations on the customers ailments based on a brief interview of the customer and no other type of evaluation,” according to the indictment against Banks and clinic operators Nancy and Lester Sadler.

The state medical board revoked Banks’ license in 2008. Messages left Thursday and Friday for her attorney were not immediately returned.

An attorney for Lester Sadler defended the clinic’s operations.

“They did everything they could to ensure that proper medical care was given to the patients and pills were not given out to people who shouldn’t be receiving them,” said Cincinnati attorney Richard Goldberg.

Nancy Sadler’s attorney did not return phone calls, and attorneys for the other three defendants declined to comment.

Kasich has made prescription painkiller abuse a top priority, visiting Portsmouth in southern Ohio, considered an epicenter of the problem, even before he was sworn in in January.

Community activists say the region’s painkiller abuse, which took off in the 1990s following the introduction of Oxycontin, has created problems that will take generations to fix.

“It affects the schools, it affects the health care down here, it affects employers,” said Bob Walton, a member of the Scioto County prescription drug abuse task force.

“If you were trying to hire 50 people, it would take you a while to get through enough people that would be able to pass a test without that in their system, and maybe would not have a prescription to prove why they’re on it,” he said.

You have 10,570 social media followers. Awesome, you win some kind of social media prize. But how many of those Twitter followers or Facebook friends can you describe in detail?

That’s the point of social media really. How many people can you maintain a stable social relationship with?

I often tell people to build a strong social media core by asking this question with every friend or follower request: Can we share enough valuable information to mutually benefit each other? If you can’t answer that question in the affirmative then resist the urge to win that aforementioned social media prize.

Social Media and broadcasting
Traditional media broadcasts to very large groups of people hoping that a small percentage of that group responds to an appeal.
Now consider social media’s reach. Begin with a theoretical limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships.

How many people can you share one additional piece of identifying info? “Oh, I know Janeile, she’s a member of Social Media Breakfast Toledo. Yes, I know Michael, his wife’s name is Amy and they own a small business. Lorrie’s son goes to Ohio University.”

Dunbar’s Number and your tribe
Dunbar’s Number identifies this core tribe. This theoretical number lies somewhere between 100-230. Let’s make it 150. That’s your core social group – 150 people – that you can offer one additional piece of identifying info.

When someone in your core social group comments on something that interests you, that affirmation comes with “social credibility.” Michael and I are former co-workers. We’ve spent time together, we’ve had lunch.” His comment, appraisal or review of something is elevated by our relationship.

Now Michael has 150 friends in his core. And Janeile is a friend of both Michael and I and she has 150 friends in her core. Now you can see how these social cores (and their conversations and ideas) can extend indefinitely out to the same range as the big media broadcasters. My friends and Janeile’s friends and Michael’s friends and all of our friends and their friends add up.

Reactor core
Now take a good solid social core and put it on steroids? Social Networking channels like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn develop and strengthen this core group. Every time you reveal good, usable information and insight your core rewards you. It’s always good to be affirmed by our social group. These are the people who make us feel at ease – the people we trust. We ask them questions first. We share photos and links and ideas.

That’s the power of social media – affirmation, credibility, knowledge. My group makes me smarter, faster, and stronger. My group has my back.

Can you or your business harness this type of power? Can you make me smarter, faster, and stronger? Will you watch my back? Can you build a stronger tribe?

Kevin Cesarz is the Director of Social Media and Web Project Manager at Thread Marketing Group in Maumee. He writes about social media and content strategy on his blog i scream social (klcesarz.wordpress.com).

Growing your own food can be part of your family’s emergency plan and tips on how to get started is the topic of this month’s Ready U session.
The hour-long event, titled “Victory in the Garden,” is set for 7 p.m. May 23 at the Toledo Botanical Garden conference center, 5403 Elmer Drive.
Horticulture Manager Josh Miller will talk about Toledo Botanical Garden and its community outreach arm, Toledo GROWs, before turning the floor over to two Ohio State University Extension employees.
Extension Educator Amy Stone and Patrice Powers-Barker, program assistant with the Family Nutrition Program, will co-present a program called “From Plant to Plate.”
The discussion will cover the growing process from planting to harvest and what to do after the harvest, including food safety, preparation and preservation.

“It’s kind of geared toward the beginning gardener, but I think the greenest of the green thumbs can learn something and take away something from the information we present. Whether it’s a new vegetable or fruit they haven’t used before or a really great recipe,” Stone said.
Stone hopes attendees will leave with new confidence, new excitement and new ideas for their gardens.
“I want them to leave knowing they can be successful in the garden and to maybe take a plant or a variety of plants they are excited about trying this year,” Stone said. “And then what to do after they harvest it. Maybe they’ve always eaten it fresh out of the garden and maybe they’re interested in canning or freezing or something they haven’t done before.”
If a family’s garden produces more than they need, donation is a great way to give back to the community, Stone said.
“We really want to promote that if you have more than you need or your family needs, to donate that back to the community, to someone in need, whether that’s a soup kitchen, food bank or a next-door neighbor, but just to share that harvest,” Stone said.
Handouts on specific vegetables will be available at the event as well as a guide to the area’s community gardens.
“If you’re interested in learning more about community gardens rather than backyard gardens, we will have resources for those people too,” Stone said.
Ready U, a 10-session yearlong series presented by the Red Cross of Greater Toledo and the Lucas County EMA, is designed to educate the public and prepare individuals and families for potential emergencies in Northwest Ohio.
Attendees will receive reusable grocery bags and have a chance to win raffle prizes, including a gift card from The Andersons, said Sheri Meeker, community disaster education specialist for the Red Cross. 13abc’s Kristin Emery will host the session.
Toledo Free Press is a media sponsor for the Ready U program.
For more information, visit the website ready-u.com.

U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann spoke of Republican compassion May 20 at the 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner, hosted by U.S. Congressman Bob Latta at the Sauder Farm & Craft Village in Archbold.

“It’s conservatives here that are the first ones to pull out a checkbook and write a check,” she said in her speech. “It’s the conservatives who are first ones to pull over and give someone a ride.”

Bachmann, who is set to announce her position in the 2012 presidential campaign in June, said that President Barack Obama has made three strikes against the American people by misdiagnosing the problems of job creation, health care and energy sources.

If a Republican majority were to take the United States Senate, she said, the next 18 months would be extremely important toward the party’s goals, which are a focus on Obama’s health care plan, nicknamed “Obamacare” throughout the speech.

“I am committed to repealing that legislation, and I firmly believe that we will repeal,” she said to a standing ovation.

“Risk”, Bachmann said, used to be a word that meant a gamble for achieving dreams, but the Obama administration has made the word about the future.

To demonstrate her point, Bachmann repeated a question that Latta asked during his introduction of her.

“How many people in this room,” he said, “think your kids will be better off than you?”

There were no raised hands either time the question was asked.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Bachmann provided statistics to emphasize her stance that the president doesn’t care for the American people the way she said the Republican Party would. These statistics included the number $1.38, which she said was the national average price of gas per gallon the day before Obama took office.

She went on to quote Thomas Jefferson and the Constitution, calling for a government of “We, the people.” She referenced her family, consisting of a husband, five biological children and 23 foster children, to say a strong family makes a strong America.

She ended her speech by encouraging the audience to follow her example to “not just curse the darkness, but light a candle” and preserve the liberty of the United States.

Bachmann said in a press conference after the speech that her decision to run for president will depend not on the other Republican candidates but on Barack Obama, saying “we can do so much better,” and that he is a “one-time president.” Her campaign focus would be creating jobs for the American people.

In 2006, Bachmann was the first Republican woman from Minnesota elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and she is in her third term serving the 6th District of Minnesota. She sits on the Financial Services Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Kathryn Zajac’s dreams of becoming a professional singer took root during her days in the children’s choir at Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg.
“It all started at my church, at Zoar. I started singing in the children’s choir and it blossomed from there,” said Zajac, who went on to perform in Perrysburg High School musicals and with Waterville Playshop and The Toledo Opera. “I was always involved in music.”

The classical vocalist, who will graduate from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in June with a master’s degree in vocal performance with a concentration in opera, will return to Perrysburg to perform a free benefit concert.
The concert is set for 6 p.m. May 22 at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 E. Indiana Ave. Zajac, a soprano, will perform arias and classical selections in German, Italian and French as well as English art songs and musical theater pieces. She will be accompanied by local classical and jazz pianist Eric Dickey. A dessert reception will follow.
Prior to the performance, from 4 to 5 p.m., Zajac will conduct a young singers’ workshop for high school students interested in opera or vocal performance majors. She will give an overview and tips regarding the admission process and answer questions.
A free-will offering will be collected during the workshop and performance with proceeds going to the church’s Kids Against Hunger program and to assist Zajac with professional training expenses this summer.
Starting May 31, Zajac will attend a exclusive monthlong professional workshop in California as part of Pepperdine University’s SongFest, giving recitals and working with composers and vocal coaches.
“Ultimately I would love to be performing opera somewhere,” Zajac said. “I have been taking some auditions and I’m hoping to make some contacts in California and have something come of it.”
For more information about the Kids Against Hunger program, visit www.feedingchildren.com.