There seems to be a recent shift in primetime TV content. After decades of family-centered network television that led the American population from “Leave It to Beaver” to “The Brady Bunch” to “Little House on the Prairie” to “The Cosby Show,” shows about family life somewhat fell off of the primetime map. We were no longer watching families work weekly through the issues we all face as kinfolk. Instead, our attention became focused on friends as a replacement for the too-inconvenient blood-tied units we were once forced to spend our entire lives in.

The definition of family broadened greatly to include six fun and witty twenty-somethings hanging out in a New York City apartment (“Friends”), four fun and witty thirty-somethings hanging out in a New York City apartment (“Seinfeld”) and four fun and witty something-somethings hanging out in a New York City apartment, two of whom happened to be gay (“Will and Grace”). To be fair, each group was sometimes shown hanging out in a New York City coffee shop.

As much as I enjoyed the half hour of amusement each of these well-written sitcoms provided me with each week, by the time “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Happy Endings” rolled around my level of excitement for such show premises had somewhat faded. I have now not only established my own typical parents-and-children household, much like the ones on earlier family sitcoms and much like the one I grew up in, but I had also already experienced the friends-as-family thing from pilot to series finale at least three times before. Aside from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “My Wife and Kids” and a couple of other anomalies, comparatively few network sitcoms of the 1990’s and 2000’s offered up characters who shared a last name. Such productions seemed to have been turned over to the Disney Channel and ABC Family.

The sitcom class of 2009, including “The Middle” and “Modern Family,” began a surprising return to family life as a network series topic, however. “Modern Family” not only focused on a family intimately intertwined in one another’s daily lives, but, even more surprisingly, it also placed a head of household from each of the three extended families into a stay-at-home parent role. Ever since Cliff and Clair Huxtable seamlessly combined exemplary parenting with the demands of a doctor/lawyer professional household, many a family show had taken the both-parents-work-outside-of-the-home approach.

The idea of stay-at-home parenting being portrayed as a normal and acceptable life occupation after years of decline is exciting for those of us in that particular line of work. The fact that “Modern Family” also took a couple of moments to explain that Cameron and Clair both intentionally stayed home for the explicit reason of raising children, as opposed to a coincidental job loss or a work-from-home situation, took me aback even further. The depiction of 21st-century stay-at-home parents on such a popular, award-winning show does for today’s SAHMs and SAHDs what “Taxi” likely did for taxi drivers, “Cheers” likely did for barkeeps and “Six Feet Under” likely did for funeral directors.

In fact, the idea seems to be catching on on the small screen. “Up All Night,” a new sitcom about a couple of Generation Xers adjusting to life with a little one, also uses the professional-intentionally-goes-full-time-parent scenario. Despite using foul language as everyday language, struggling to modify the party life they had grown accustomed to and having a dad at home instead of a mom, “Up All Night” is somewhat reminiscent of the “Leave It to Beaver” days of television.

The old-is-new-again idea of families by blood, marriage and other legal means actually sharing their daily lives with one another is a welcome change after so many years of family just meaning people who happen to work in the same hospital, people who happen to work in the same office or people who happen to live in the same building. Although I also thoroughly enjoyed such scenarios, I certainly appreciate being able to laugh at my own reality once or twice a week. Besides, it’s nice for stay-at-home parents to have some cultural representation outside the likes of “Desperate Housewives” and “Suburgatory.”

Columnist Shannon Szyperski and her husband Michael are raising three children in Sylvania. Email her at letters@toledofreepress.com.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. What did we miss? Email us at star@toledofreepress.com.

BOOK CLUBS

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS

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

• Contact local branches or search online calendar for “book group.”

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

• Third Monday, 7-8:15 p.m.: “The Swan Thieves” by E. Kostova (Oct. 17), “Unbroken” by L. Hillenbrand (Nov. 21).
• First Wednesday, 10 a.m.: “Weight of Silence” by H. Gudenkauf (Oct. 5), “Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by R. Skloot (Nov. 2).
• Third Wednesday, 2-3:30 p.m: “The Snow Leopard” by P. Matthiessen (Oct. 19), “Giovanni’s Room” by J. Baldwin (Nov. 16).
• First Thursday, 7-8:15 p.m.: “The Snow Leopard” by P. Matthiessen (Oct. 6), “Giovanni’s Room” by J. Baldwin (Nov. 3).
• Play Readers’ Group: Read a monologue, dialogue, one-act play or scene from a play.

CINEMA

ENCORE! ENCORE! FILM FOCUS SERIES

Independent, first-run feature films by independent filmmakers at the Main Library’s McMaster Center, 325 N. Michigan St, Toledo. (419) 259-5200 or www.toledolibrary.org. Mondays at 6:15 p.m. Free.

• · Oct. 17: Festival of dramatic shorts
• · Oct. 24: Festival of comedy shorts

FIRST TUESDAY FILM SERIES

Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St, Toledo. (419) 259-5200 or www.toledolibrary.org. First Tuesday of the month, 6-8 p.m., free.

• Nov. 1: “Rebel Fire/Yankee Ice”: Johnson’s Island was an uninhabited piece of land in the middle of Sandusky Bay. By spring of 1862, Confederate officers were held there in a makeshift prison camp. This is their story, told in their own words. Presented by David Bush of Heidelberg University.

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.

• Nov. 6: “It Happened One Night” (1934): Considered one of the pioneering “screwball” romantic comedies of its time, Frank Capra’s film masterpiece starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert is one of the greatest romantic comedies in film history. 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS

Mondays at 1 p.m. (excluding holidays), Levis Commons, 2005 Hollenbeck Drive, Perrysburg, (419) 874-2154. $3 (includes pop and popcorn).

• Oct. 17: “This is the Army” (action/adventure/comedy, starring Irving Berlin, George Murphy and Ronald Regan): In World War I, dancer Jerry Jones stages an all-soldier show on Broadway, then becomes a producer after he is wounded. His son, Johnny, who was his father’s assistant, stages a new all-soldier show, called “This is the Army,” but he has problems in his personal life because he refuses to marry his fiancée until the war is over.
• Oct. 24: “Jackie Robinson Story” (biography/drama/sport, starring Jackie Robinson and Ruby Dee):  Biography of Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player in the 20th century, traces his career in the negro leagues and the major leagues.
• Oct. 31: “The Stork Club” (comedy/musical/romance, starring Betty Hutton and Berry Fitzgerald):  A hat-check girl at the Stork Club (Hutton) saves the life of a drowning man (Fitzgerald). The rich man decides to repay her by anonymously giving her a bank account, a luxury apartment and a charge account at a department store. When her boyfriend (DeFore) returns from overseas, he thinks she is a kept woman.
• Nov. 7: “Angel and the Badman” (romance/western starring John Wayne and Gail Russell): All-around bad guy Quirt Evens is nursed back to health and sought after by Penelope Worth, a Quaker girl. He eventually finds himself having to choose between their two worlds.
• Nov. 14: “His Girl Friday” (comedy/drama/romance, starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell): Hildy Johnson has divorced Walter Burns, a newspaper editor, and visits his office to tell him that she is engaged to another man and they are getting married the day after. Burns can’t let that happen and frames the other man, Bruce Baldwin, for his personal troubles, while he tries to steer Hildy back into her old job as his employee.
• Nov. 21: “Till Clouds Roll By” (biography/musical, starring Robert Walker, and Van Heflin): Light biopic of American Broadway pioneer Jerome Kern, featuring renditions of the famous songs from his musical plays by contemporary stage artists, including a condensed production of his most famous “Showboat.”
• Nov. 28: “Happy Go Lovely” (musical/romance/comedy starring David Niven and Vera-Ellen): B.G. Bruno, a rich bachelor and head of a successful greeting card company in Scotland, is a kind man but respectable to the point of stodginess and extreme stuffiness. An American troupe visiting Edinburgh wants to produce a musical in town but has trouble getting backers. Bruno meets several of the leading ladies of the show and through a misunderstanding he doesn’t correct they think that he’s a newspaper reporter. He falls in love with one of the women, who reciprocates; he grows more lively and friendly, to the surprise of his employees. After a series of mishaps and comic incidents comes a happy ending: a successful show and true love.

SILVER SCREEN CLASSICS

Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com. All films $5 and start at 7:30 p.m.

• Oct. 21: “Frankenstein”

WAY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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

• Reel Art (Foreign/art films): Oct. 14 “Goodbye Lenin!” (Germany), 7 p.m. ; Nov. 18 “Today’s Special (India), 7 p.m.
• Reel Talk (Classic film viewing followed by discussion with guest film scholar): Oct. 6 “Athena” (1953), 10 a.m.; Nov. 10 “Canterville Ghost” (1944), 10 a.m.
• Reel Opinions: Documentary viewing each third Thursday of the month (Oct. 20, Nov. 17) at 10:30 a.m. followed by discussion.

COMEDY

CONNXTIONS COMEDY CLUB

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

• Oct. 12: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Oct. 13-15: Mike Green
• Oct. 19: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Oct. 20-22: Marc Unger
• Oct. 26: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Oct. 27-29: Rocky Whatule
• Nov. 2: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Nov. 3-5: Mike Armstrong
• Nov. 9: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Nov. 10: James Ervin Berry
• Nov. 11-12: Bobcat Goldthwait
• Nov. 16: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Nov. 17-19: Michael Malone
• Nov. 23: Wise Ass Wednesday
• Nov. 30: Wise Ass Wednesday

FUNNYBONE AT FAT FISH BLUE

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

• Oct. 13-16: Mike Merryfield
• Oct. 20-23: Huggy Lowdown
• Oct. 26: Pierre
• Oct. 27-30: Tennessee Tramp
• Nov. 4-6: D.L. Hughley
• Nov. 8: National Showcase
• Nov. 10-13: John Morgan
• Nov. 17-20: Rob Little
• Nov. 24-27: Michael Colyar

HUNTINGTON CENTER

500 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, (419) 255-3300, www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com

• Nov. 27: Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos, 5 p.m.

STRANAHAN THEATER

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

• Oct. 12: Tim Conway and Friends, 2 and 7 p.m.
• Oct. 28: Royal Comedy Tour, 8 p.m.

VALENTINE THEATRE

410 Adams St., (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

• Oct. 22: Capital Steps. Political standup comedy, $35-47.

CONCERTS
(Also see “The Pulse,” published weekly in Toledo Free Press Star and available online at www.toledofreepress.com, for more local concert venue listings.)

THE ARK
316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, www.theark.org.
See website for times and full event listings. Tickets available via all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com

• Oct. 12: Karan Casey and John Doyle, contemporary Irish, $20
• Oct. 13: Tony Furtado, bluegrass/pop/American roots, $15
• Oct. 14: Nervous but Excited, folk group featuring mandolin, violin, harmonicas and choreographed dancing, $15
• Oct. 15: Misty Lyn and Timothy Monger, indie/folk-rock, $15
• Oct. 16: Cairn to Cairn, threesome featuring singer/songwriter, classically trained flutist/vocalist and jazz bassist, $15
• Oct. 17: Tales from the Sahel: An Evening with Baaba Maal, fusion of Western and West African music, plus a discussion of growing up in Africa and current issues, $35
• Oct. 19: Trevor Hall, singer/songwriter/guitarist/reggae, $15
• Oct. 20: James Keelaghan, singer/songwriter from Canada, $15
• Oct. 21: Student songwriter series, Free.
• Oct. 21: Ellis Paul, poetic folk singer/songwriter touring with Sugarland, $15
• Oct. 22: Enter the Haggis, Celtic-based rock, $17.50
• Oct. 23: Robin and Linda Williams and Their Fine Group, Americana duo who are frequent guests on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion,” $20
• Oct. 24: Guitar Masters, featuring Andy McKee, Stephen Bennett, and Antoine Dufour, $30
• Oct. 25: Take a Chance Tuesday with John Francis, folk-country, Free
• Oct. 26: Tim O’Brien and Bryan Sutton, bluegrass duo, $22.50
• Oct. 27: Robin Spielberg, composer/pianist, $20
• Oct. 28: The Verve Pipe, Michigan rockers, $25
• Oct. 29: Ollabelle, bluegrass/alt-country/gospel, $20
• Oct. 30: Hayes Carll, snarky songwriter best known for “She Left Me For Jesus,” $16
• Nov. 1: Joan Baez, legendary 1960s-70s singer, $27-$69; Gregory Alan Isakov, South African songwriter who has shared the stage with Calexio, Mumford & Sons and Fiona Apple, $15
• Nov. 2: The Civil Wars, singer/songwriter duo featured on NPR, $20-$35
• Nov. 3: Tom Chapin, songwriter/storyteller/activist, $22.50
• Nov. 4: The RFD Boys, Michigan bluegrass, $11
• Nov. 5: Theo Katzman, singer/songwriter/classic soul from former Michigan electro-pop guitarist, $15
• Nov. 6: The Devil Makes Three, rockabilly/ragtime/blues trio, $15
• Nov. 8: Howie Day, singer/songwriter best known for “Collide,” $20
• Nov. 9: Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, accordion-driven Creole music mixed with R&B/zydeco/dance, $15
• Nov. 10: May Erlewine and Seth Bernard, Michigan singer/songwriter duo, $17.50
• Nov. 11: The Ragbirds (with Appleseed Collective), folk-rock/pop, $15
• Nov. 12: Dick Siegel, Michigan composer/songwriter, TBA
• Nov. 13: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Scottish fiddler and American cellist, $20
• Nov. 15: The Sweetback Sisters, honky-tonk from Brooklyn, $15
• Nov. 17: Dragon Wagon, bluegrass folk with a shot of Irish whiskey, $15
• Nov. 18-19: Dar Williams, folk/pop/country, $35
• Nov. 20: Pieta Brown, folk singer/songwriter, $15
• Nov. 25: Matt Watroba, Michigan folk, $15
• Nov. 26: Mr. B, boogie woogie/jazz, $20
• Nov. 27: Gemini, family-friendly fundraiser benefiting Mott’s Children’s Hospital, $10; Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Canadian folk, $15
• Nov. 29: John Primer, Chicago blues, $15

COLLINGWOOD ARTS CENTER

2413 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, (419) 244-2787, www.collingwoodartscenter.org

• Oct. 15: ArtRock Music Festival, featuring Sarah and Ben Cohen of The Antivillians, GoLab, Jack & the Bear, Miracle Vitamins, Raq the Casbah, Gold, Ind’ Grass and Matthew James. 4 p.m.-midnight, with an afterparty at the Ottawa Tavern, 1817 Adams St. $5 with a portion of proceeds benefiting Collingwood Arts Center.
• Nov. 4: Music from the Fringe: Violin Masterpieces, featuring solo and duo works performed by Rita Lammers of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra accompanied by Steinway artist Sergio Ruiz on piano, 7 p.m., $7.
• Nov. 13: Matthew Ball performs Midwestern piano boogie, 2 p.m., $10

HUNTINGTON CENTER

500 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, (419) 255-3300, www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com

• Nov. 5: 3 Doors Down, 7 p.m.
• Nov. 16: Trans Siberian Orchestra, 4 and 8 p.m.

STRANAHAN THEATER

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

• Nov. 18: Christmas Fantastic, Ohio/Michigan concert choir, 7:30 p.m.
• Nov. 19: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Show, 8 p.m.
• Nov. 25: The Ohio State Marching Band, 7:30 p.m.
• Nov. 26: It’s a Wonderful Christmas with Michael W. Smith, 8 p.m.
• Nov. 29: The Texas Tenors – A Country Christmas, 2 and 7 p.m.

TOLEDO JAZZ ORCHESTRA

• Oct. 22: “Jazz and Juice.” To benefit Toledo School for the Arts. 7 p.m. at TSA, 333 14^th St., Toledo, $75

TOLEDO SYMPHOHY CHAMBER SERIES

• Nov. 6: Music by Ravel, Crumb and Schubert, at the Toledo Club, 235 14th St., (419) 243-2200, 7 p.m.

TOLEDO SYMPONY CLASSICS SERIES

At the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, 2245 Monroe St., Toledo. (419) 241-1272 or www.toledosymphony.com.

• Oct. 21-22: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto paired with Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6, 8 p.m.
• Nov. 18-19: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerti 1 and 4, Weber’s Overture to Oberon, and Narong Prangcharoen’s Phenomenon, 8 p.m.

TOLEDO SYMPONY FAMILY SERIES

At the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, 2245 Monroe St., Toledo. (419) 241-1272 or www.toledosymphony.com.

• Oct. 30: Halloween Spooktacular, featuring interactive activities for kids at 2 p.m. followed by concert at 3-4 p.m., $25 adults, $10 children.

TOLEDO SYMPONY MOZART AND MORE SERIES

At the Franciscan Center, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, (419) 241-1272 or www.toledosymphony.com.

• 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5: Mozart and Haydn, $30-$35. $5 student rush tickets one hour before showtime.

TOLEDO SYMPONY POP SERIES

At Stranahan Theatre, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., (419) 241-1272 or www.toledosymphony.com.

• Oct. 15: Wicked Divas: Broadway songfest featuring singers Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block, 8 p.m., $27-$57.

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. (419) 385-5721 or www.toledozoo.org.

Oct. 15: Kids Rock The Zoo Hallowtween. Designed for kids age 8 to 12, the event will feature the interactive Radio Disney AM 910 D-tour show, games, music, dancing, karaoke, prizes and other zoo activities. $12 members/$11 nonmembers, children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone, 7-9 p.m., (419) 385-5721 Ext. 2091 or www.toledozoo.org

VALENTINE THEATRE

410  Adams St., (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

• Nov. 19: Toledo Jazz Orchestra’s Rosemary Clooney Tribute (staring Judie Cochill), $22-$32

EVENTS

AUTHORS! AUTHORS! SPEAKER SERIES

At Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. (419) 259-5200 or www.toledolibrary.org.

• Oct. 20: Henry Louis Gates, author, Harvard University professor and director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African-American Research at Harvard. $10 adults, $8 students, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Nov. 3: Local author and Blade outdoors reporter Steve Pollick. $10 adults, $8 students, 7-8:30 p.m.

CHARITY CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Oct. 15. Classic car show benefiting the Firefighters Cancer Network and Code 3 for a Cure. Hickman Cancer Center at Flower Hospital, 5200 Harroun Road, Sylvania, noon to 4 p.m. $20 to enter a car, free to spectators,

CHILI CONTEST

Oct. 15: Best Chili in Toledo Contest, 525 Market St., Toledo, 9 a.m.-noon. Presented by Toledo Farmers Market. (419) 255-6765 or www.toledofarmersmarket.com

HARVEST OF THANKS

Oct. 22. Dinner dance and auction to benefit Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank. At Gladieux Meadows, 4480 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., KGB Band begins playing at 8 p.m. Tickets or information: (419) 242-5000 or www.toledofoodbank.org.

HUNTINGTON CENTER

500 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, (419) 255-3300, www.huntingtoncentertoledo.com

• Oct. 27-30: Ringling Bros. Circus

METROPARKS

Fall activities include programs for children, bike rides, trail rides for equestrians, full moon walk, Side Cut Explorer tram ride and much more. See online calendar for complete listing. Metroparks of Toledo Area, (419) 4107-9701 or www.metroparksprograms.com.

SAPPHIRE BLUES

Nov. 4, featuring modeling, hors d’oeuvres, music and auction, 7 p.m. To support Toledo Opera Guild, at the Toledo Club, $50-$200. Tickets or information: (419) 255-7464 or www.toledoopera.org.

SANDPIPER CRUISES

All cruises depart from Jefferson Street Dock in Promenade Park, Toledo. (419) 537-1212 or www.sandpiperboat.com

• Fall Color Cruises: Two-hour cruise plus hot cidar and donut holes. 1 and 4 p.m. Oct. 8-9, 15-16, 22-23. $19 adults, $9 children 12 and younger.
• Halloween Boo Cruises for Kids. 30-minute, nonscary Halloween experience for kids, featuring fun activities, treats and costumes. Oct. 26-19 (5, 5:45, 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. Oct. 26-28 and 12:45, 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. Oct 29). $5.

SYLVANIA FALL FESTIVAL

Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring parade at 12:45 p.m., costume contest at 12:15 p.m., food, kids’ activities, craft vendors and more. At the Historical Village, 5717 N. Main St., Sylvania. (419) 410-6009 or www.cityofsylvania.com.

TOLEDO AUTO SWAP MEET

Oct. 15-16: Toledo Auto Swap Meet and Halloween Rod Run, Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St., Maumee, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 15 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 16. $6 for adults, children 12 and younger free. Free parking.

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. (419) 385-5721 or www.toledozoo.org.

• Oct. 15: Fall Fur All. Fall festival featuring pumpkin decorating, games, music, magician, crafts, hay maze and more, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Oct. 20-21: Little Boo at the Zoo, Halloween party for preschoolers, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., member kids $5/nonmember kids $11, member adults free/ nonmember adults $11, seniors $8.
• · Oct. 22-23: Pumpkin Path, Halloween party for school-aged kids, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., member kids $5/nonmember kids $11, member adults free/ nonmember adults $11, seniors $8.
• · Oct. 29: Halloween Vineyard Adventure, wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, costumes, socializing, dancing, photobooth, 7-11 p.m., members $35/nonmembers $40.
• · Oct. 29-30: Jumping Pumpkins, zoo animals get pumpkins.
• Nov. 18: Lights Before Christmas begins. Visitors admitted 5 to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Children/seniors $8, adults $11, children younger than 2 free. Group and online-ordering discounts available.

VALENTINE GALA

Oct. 29: 13^th Annual fundraising gala featuring Alvin Ailey II Dance Company of New York City. Proceeds to benefit the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St, 6 p.m. Tickets $150, call for reservations, (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

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 until Nov. 17, when only the house is open for tours, except for school groups. Group tours other times by appointment. Closed holidays, including Thanksgiving and the day after (Nov. 24-25). 1035 River Road, Maumee. (419) 893-9602 or www.wolcotthouse.org.

• Through Nov. 6: “Hearts and Hands on the Homefront” exhibit, about the Civil War.
• Oct. 15: Family Fall Festival, noon-4 p.m., free.
• Oct. 26: Fall tea, 1-3 p.m., reservations required.
• Oct. 28: Wine tasting, 7-9 p.m., reservations required.
• Nov. 17: Holiday exhibit, “Christmas on the Civil War Homefront,” opens, featuring several Thomas Nast Civil War prints.

EXHIBITS

ARTS COMMISSION OF GREATER TOLEDO

• Oct. 14: Gallery Loop, 6:30-11 p.m., free, (419) 254-2787 or www.acgt.org

BODIES REVEALED

Through Nov. 6. 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.

COLLINGWOOD ARTS CENTER

2413 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, (419) 244-2787, www.collingwoodartscenter.org

• Oct. 14: Opening reception for Collingwood Arts Center resident artists fall showcase, featuring visual and performance art and light refreshments. Show runs through Oct. 31. 7-10 p.m., free.
• Oct. 23: Third Annual Hairshow Explosion, featuring Toledo’s Jay Rush Jennings, 7 p.m., $25-50.

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.

HUDSON GALLERY

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

• Through Oct. 29: “Group of Nine”: Featuring the work of nine local, female artists.
• November: Sculptural ceramics by local artist Richard Reed.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography exhibits through October 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 or www.naturephotocenter.com. Free.

• “Nature in All Directions” by Ohio native Amanda Kiplinger.
• “Image of American West” by Rance Rogers.

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 Jan. 8: The Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students
• Through Nov. 13: Facebook “Pride of Toledo” Photo Exhibition
• Through Dec. 31: In the Beginning: King James Bible First Edition
• Starting Oct. 7: Storytelling in Miniature
• Starting Nov. 18: Small Worlds

TRUTH GALLERY
Artwork from Ghana. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Saturday-Sunday by appointment. 1811 Adams St., (419) 243-0007 or www.thetruthtoledo.com.

SPORTS

GLASS CITY ROLLERS

Women’s flat-track roller derby. www.glasscityrollers.com

HORSE RACING

6:15 p.m. Nov. 5: Watch and wager on the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. Raceway Park, 5700 Telegraph Road, (419) 476-7751 or www.racewayparktoledo.com.

RUNNING

Toledo Roadrunners event calendar at www.toledoroadrunners.org.

SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB

Co-ed recreational seasonal sports for ages 21 and up followed by socializing. Offers corn hole, basketball, touch football, kickball, softball, bar games, bowling, soccer, volleyball, dodgeball, ultimate Frisbee and golf. (419) 302-5135 or www.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.

TOLEDO CELTICS

Men’s rugby. www.toledorugby.com

TOLEDO WALLEYE

Oct. 15: Fish Tailgate party before season opener, 4:30-7 p.m. Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. All (419) 725-9255, visit www.toledowalleye.com or download the team’s iPhone app to keep up with Walleye stats, game times and upcoming promotions.

THEATER

COLLINGWOOD ARTS CENTER

2413 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, (419) 244-2787, www.collingwoodartscenter.org

• Oct. 28: Rocky vs. Repo: A True Science Fiction Double Feature, featuring live shadow casts. “Repo!: The Genetic Opera” at 9 p.m. and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at midnight, $10 per show
• Nov. 19: “Staircase to Heaven,” 7 p.m., $5

CROSWELL OPERA HOUSE

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, (517) 264-7469 or www.croswell.org.

• Oct. 7-16: Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps,” adapted by Patrick Barlow. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a spy novel and a dash of Monty Python and you have the fast-paced, Tony Award winning comedy thriller in which a cast of four portrays more than 140 characters. 8 p.m. Oct. 7-8, 14-15 and 3 p.m. Oct. 9 and 16. $20 adults, $18 students and seniors (60 and older).
• Oct. 22-23: “Poe Poe Poe,” a play of Edgar Allen Poe poetry, adults $8, children $4, 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 4 p.m Oct. 23
• Nov. 4-6: “Obsession: The Story of the Family Frankenstein.” A dark and compelling new musical drama adapted from Mary Shelley’s classic novel by Michael and Betsy Lackey of Adrian, including original music. 8 p.m. Nov. 4-5, 3 p.m. Nov. 6, $25 adults, $22 students and seniors (60 and older), children 12 and younger $15.
• Nov. 23: ABBA Mania, 8 p.m., $26 adults, $22 students and seniors (60 and older)

STRANAHAN THEATER

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

• Oct. 13: Spamalot, 8 p.m.
• Nov. 8-13: Les Miserables, times vary
• Oct. 15: Wicked Divas: Broadway songfest featuring singers Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block, 8 p.m., $27-$57, part of Toledo Symphony’s Pop Series

TOLEDO OPERA

425 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, (419) 255-7464 or www.toledoopera.org

• · Oct. 14 and 16: La Traviata, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 and 2 p.m. Oct. 16, at the Valentine Theatre, 411 Adams St. Tickets: (419) 255-7464

TOLEDO REPERTOIRE THEATER

16 10^th St, Toledo, (419) 243-9277 or www.toledorep.org

• Oct. 15: Edgy Rep production of “The God of Hell” by Sam Shepard. An uproarious, provocative farce focusing on the American dilemma during the Bush years. After taking in a friend, Frank and Emma are visited by a government bureaucrat whose aggressive patriotism puts everyone on the defensive. To be performed at Treo Restaurant, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, $10.
• Nov. 4-20: “Bell, Book and Candle” by John van Druten. In this spellbinding romantic comedy, Gillian, a beautiful witch living in 1950s New York City, is smitten with her handsome upstairs neighbor, Shep. $18 adults, $16 seniors, students 13 and older $10, students 12 and younger $5. Group rates available. 8 p.m. Nov. 4-5, 11-12, 17-19, and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 20.

VALENTINE THEATRE

410 Adams St., (419) 242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

• · Oct. 7-28, 30: “Evil Dead: The Musical,” $17
• · Oct. 14-16: La Traviata (Toledo Opera)
• · Nov. 4-6: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film)
• · Nov. 25-27: “The Nutcracker” (Ballet Theatre of Toledo), $20-$40

VILLAGE PLAYERS

2740 Upton Ave, (419) 472-6817 or www.thevillageplayers.org.

• · Nov. 4-19: “Deadly Murder,” Camille Dargus has fought her way up from humble beginnings to a glittering Manhattan lifestyle. She has beauty, brains, wealth, and a successful career as a jewelry designer for the leading lights of New York society. One night at a society gala she meets Billy, a handsome young waiter, and brings him back to her Soho apartment. But there’s more to Billy than meets the eye. Full of twists and turns, bluffs and double bluffs, this brilliantly intricate thriller will be one step ahead of you all the way. 8 p.m. Nov. 4-6, 10-13, 17-19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 13. Adults $14, seniors/students $12.

WATERVILLE PLAYSHOP

At the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St., Maumee, (419) 276-0032 or www.watervilleplayshop.org

• Oct. 21-23: “The Sound of Music,” 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 23. $10 adults/students/seniors, $5 children 12 and younger.

– Compiled by Sarah Ottney

To me, autumn sounds like locusts and school buses. It tastes like squash and apples. It feels crisp and clean. The temperature and leaves both fall, and change permeates the air. If you can’t tell, I love fall. However, I don’t love change. Fortunately and unfortunately, change is something that life is all about, but it seems that just when I get used to a routine or pattern something happens to irretrievably shift this well-working machine. For me, this is when yoga reminds me of its constant, dependable presence in my life.

Yoga helps me adapt with change; my mat a stable refuge where I can always retreat. As I step outside into this comparatively chilly weather of a new season, I feel simultaneously surrounded by fall’s fresh beauty and its uneasy reminders of transition. Rather than allow myself to lament the loss of warm, sunny summer days, I choose to embrace the moment and move mindfully into one of my favorite balances poses, Tree Pose.

I adore balance poses. The reason is simple: you are forced to stay present to be successful. As Americans, we are constantly looking forward, and sometimes behind, but we rarely are truly present and fully engaged in the world around us. Balance poses, on the other hand—or foot, as it may be—require us to show up and stay present. Tree pose, in particular, can be as challenging or as simple as the body and mind are ready for. There are several modifications to make this pose more difficult and many to help a balance novice access his or her current state of mind. Balance poses also serve to remind us to be playful; to not take ourselves too seriously, and to remember that falling is an unavoidable part of life.

“The dilemma that people have is that they think that being happy means you’re always happy or that good things always happen to you,” Kathryn Budig, one of the world’s most recognized yoga faces, said from Santa Monica. “Horrible things happen to teach us many things. They teach us lessons. They teach us to be compassionate. It’s the same with postures. We can’t hit the posture every time. You can’t have the peaks without the valleys.”

To begin, stand with toes touching and heels slightly apart. Engage the legs. Draw the knee caps up into the quadriceps and firm the hamstrings. Draw awareness and presence into each toe, and imagine tracing an outline of your foot onto the floor. Press down into this outline of your feet, but lift up from the arch. This is a challenging mind-body exercise to activate the arches of the feet. If this is not yet accessible to your body, simply feel your feet press into the ground; rooting you to your spot in the world.

Next, take your hands to your hips and find a neutral position of the pelvis. Tuck your tailbone just enough to engage the lower abs and lengthen your lower spine. Knit your ribs together in the front; feeling activation throughout the entire core. Slide your shoulders down your back, away from your ears, and find softness in the base of your neck; feel that suppleness radiate up into your jaw, tongue, cheeks, eyes and forehead. Find a spot on the floor about five feet in front of you and relax the skin around your eyes as you fixate your gaze on this task at hand.

With hands still on hips for the moment, lift your right leg while keeping the left leg firm and grounded. If you’re feeling balance challenged, stand with your back against a wall and simply ‘kickstand’ into Tree Pose by placing your right heel directly above your left ankle; the ball of your right foot still on the floor. Use your hands to keep your hips in line with each other while gently nudging your right knee behind you. Feel the hip-opening aspect of Tree Pose as you slowly take the hands together in a prayer position in front of your sternum. Continue to gaze at your focal point and begin to also concentrate on breathing deeply and fully in and out of your nose; making sure to hold the posture and not the breath.

To move further into Tree Pose, root down through the left leg and work the right foot up onto the right calf muscle; being careful to keep the toes tucked in and not spread over the right shin bone. Continue to move the right foot as high onto the left leg as is comfortable, avoiding the knee. The strong and engaged muscles of the left standing leg press into the right foot as the foot pushes into the leg. Maintain awareness in the core and softness in the base of the neck while feeling the deliciousness of staying present and active in your Tree Pose. Hold for five to eight breaths and switch sides.

Now go outside, take in that earthy, autumnal air and find new balance and joy in your life by staying present. Remember, a Tree Pose a day keeps the stress away.

Visit http://kathrynbudig.com/ to learn more about Kathryn Budig or to buy her new Aim True Yoga DVD.

Arlington Midwest – The Human Cost of Ten Years of War, is an impressive and temporary display that acknowledges and honors soldiers and civilians that have lost their lives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The exhibit was set up this year for one week at BGSU in front of the library, and included thousands of mini-tombstones (made of hand-carved and painted plywood) mounted into the ground. Each tombstone contains the name, age, hometown, date and location of death, and rank for the fallen U.S. service person. Additionally, Arlington Midwest pays respects to the veterans, young and old, that returned home suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments that led to suicide.

Walking into this make-shift cemetery and seeing a visual symbol of the amount of lives war is taking was immediately upsetting and overwhelming. I was angry and sad, and felt helpless and humbled before the memorial for the women and men that died after bravely choosing to enlist and fight, and for the innocent civilians whose lives were invaded and stolen.  On October 9, I helped the Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition take down the traveling Arlington Midwest exhibit. As I pulled the name cards from the plastic sleeves on each tombstone, I read the name and age of the dead soldier to myself and felt connected to the stranger. My breath quivered because so most of the ages on the cards I pulled were 20-28, (some 28-35 with the occasional 19 year old and 43+). Being of the same age, I thought of their families, lovers, and most beautiful dreams.

The stories on plaques next to the suicide tombstones told stories; of a soldier that sat uncomfortably at the Thanksgiving table only days after being in combat; of a young man who screamed the names of his fallen brothers and civilians during his sleep; another who was not able to shake the images of the women and children he was ordered to kill in Iraq. Imagining these lives was particularly heartbreaking and troubling to know these stories continue across America as I write.

On the day our country learned about the death of Steve Jobs, in the midst of Arlington Midwest, how many American soldiers died in Afghanistan? How many innocent civilians took their last breath? With curiosity and with all due respect, I pondered the emphasis of importance our society places on the death of a celebrity or the death of a legend. While the death of one cannot be compared to the death of another, I wanted every person in Toledo and Bowling Green to experience the human cost of war and feel the magnitude of death that war has created since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

A post at Arlington Midwest informed that one walk around the memorial would allow a person to remember 3,670 civilians. Another post read, “While the President has said that as many as 30,000 deaths have occurred since the 2003 invasion, which would be 8 laps around the memorial…a September 2007 study by the prestigious British polling agency, Opinion Research Business, provided independent confirmation that 1.2 million Iraqis have been killed violently since the U.S. invasion.” The memorial at BGSU was roughly the size of two football fields, and to begin to gain a perspective on those 1.2 million deaths (another study by Iraqiyun reports that 55% of deaths are women and children under the age of twelve) an observer would have to walk around the “cemetery” 327 times. A count at Arlington Midwest showed 4,477 U.S. Troops dead in Iraq and 1,796 U.S. Troops dead in Afghanistan.

An anonymous poem and candle were left under a monument at Arlington Midwest, and it reads:

For the one who can no longer sing…

For the arms that are empty…

For those whose love lives on in a child…

For those who weep without ceasing…

For the broken hearts, homes, and dreams that lie silent…

I hope, I dream, I make my home, sing, have full arms, love without ceasing___

I weep without ceasing for your loss___

I care, I feel, I wish it could have been different for you and for me____

This candle is for all of you___

Everyone knows that legendary director Alfred Hitchcock liked to sneak brief on-camera appearances of himself into most of the movies he made. Early in his career, he appeared in short, unheralded cameos with little fanfare. As his fame grew, his audiences grew to love and anticipate his appearances, to the point where they seemed to distract people from the stories being told. Hitchcock began moving his appearances earlier and earlier in his films, so their narratives wouldn’t suffer.

Some of the best cameos in history, however, are not nearly as famous as Hitchcock’s. In fact, if you weren’t paying attention, you may not have noticed them at all. Here’s a short list of some great movie guest appearances — some of them (to borrow a line from Robin Williams) so subtle, they’re practically subliminal.

Dan Aykroyd, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Early on in Harrison Ford’s second outing as cinema’s most famous archeologist, Indy and his crew are trying to make a hasty exit from Shanghai. They are met at the airport by a helpful individual who informs them all he could book was passage on a plane transporting live poultry. There’s never a clear shot, and he’s speaking with a slight accent, but this is indeed the “Ghostbusters” and “SNL” star.

David and Jerry Zucker, “Airplane.” Two of the three directors of one of the funniest movies ever made gave themselves one of its funniest gags. The Zucker brothers, who helmed the film along with Jim Abrahams, can be glimpsed at the beginning as two ground crew members who end up directing a 747 through a terminal window. It’s a family affair for the Zuckers, however — their mother, Charlotte, would appear in small roles in many of their movies, including this one (where she plays an unfortunate passenger trying to apply makeup).

Sam Raimi, “Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn.” Speaking of directors, sharp-eyed viewers can glimpse the “Dead” auteur as a knight in armor hailing Ash after he’s fallen from the sky at the end of this cult classic horror flick. But then, Raimi is a master of cameos: His longtime pal Bruce Campbell famously appears in each “Spider-Man” movie, a “classic” Delta ’88 Oldsmobile shows up in almost every film Raimi’s ever made, and “Evil Dead” fan Bridget Fonda briefly performs in “Army of Darkness.”

Huey Lewis, “Back to the Future.” One of the more famous subtle cameos is the rock star’s brief presence in this wildly successful time travel comedy. Lewis, who contributed several memorable songs to the film’s soundtrack, can be seen as a bespectacled member of the judging panel who tells Marty that his rock band is “just too darn loud.”

Jim Garrison, “JFK.” Oliver Stone’s controversial film on the Kennedy assassination may be one of the most debated and derided films in movie history, but it also has one of the most delicious pieces of casting ever seen. Garrison, played by Kevin Costner in the movie, is the prosecutor whose case was the basis of Stone’s film of wild theories claiming a massive conspiracy. The real Garrison can be seen briefly playing Chief Justice Earl Warren — the man who presided over the Warren Commission Report which fingered Oswald as Kennedy’s lone killer.

Kurt Russell, “Forrest Gump.” Okay, here’s one that requires a bit of explanation, and a sharp ear. You never actually see Kurt in Robert Zemeckis’ romp through American history, but you sure can hear him. Once upon a time, Russell had played Elvis Presley in a famous TV movie directed by his friend John Carpenter. Early in “Forrest,” a young Elvis is seen learning his wild dance moves from a younger Gump. The actor on camera certainly isn’t Russell ? but the actor dubbing over his voice certainly is.

Jim Carrey, “Liar, Liar.” Now, hold on, you say. How could Jim Carrey have a secret appearance in a movie that he was starring in? Oh, ye of little faith. In a scene late in the movie at an airport, Carrey’s character has been placed by a stretcher and is surrounded by his family. If you look to the right of the screen in a few shots, you will see an individual in the background who looks suspiciously similar to Fire Marshall Bill, a famous character played by Carrey on the classic sketch comedy In Living Color. It is indeed Carrey himself, pulling off the neat trick of a cameo appearance in a scene he’s already in.

Opponents to Issue 2 are trying to assign blame for the state’s budget problems. From the We Are (Not) Ohio website, http://action.weareohio.com/page/s/issue2primer, under the screamer headline “HURTS US ALL”:

• “Instead of creating jobs to fix our economy, politicians like Gov. Kasich gave away hundreds of millions in corporate tax breaks—draining our state budget without creating jobs—and passed flawed laws like SB 5 to pay back their campaign donors.
• “Teachers, nurses, firefighters are not the reason Ohio’s budget is in trouble. Big corporations, their high-paid lobbyists and the politicians they fund are blaming middle class Ohioans for a problem they caused.”

The history of politicians doing themselves and their backers favors while shafting everyone else is long and rich, although calling SB5 an example of this is quite a stretch. Given how the growing scandals involving Obama backers who were enriched by the Porkulus bill are illustrating them, the claims quoted above look credible. “Just like the politicians to do that,” you say, so you vote no.

Not so fast.

The politicians are indeed to blame for the deficit, but not because of tax cuts, handouts or any such thing. They are to blame for reckless spending. Quoting a Buckeye Institute report athttp://buckeyeinstitute.org/the-liberty-wall/2011/03/01/new-report-six-principles-for-fixing-ohio/:

Over the last 19 years, Ohio’s budget outpaced inflation by 41 percent even after adjusting for population growth plus inflation. If spending had been restrained to inflation plus population growth, Ohio would have a substantial budget surplus.

In other words, politicians create deficits. No one with any sense is blaming “teachers, nurses, firefighters” (sic) for government budget woes. No public worker at any level gets a dime, be it for inflated salaries, lavish benefits or rich pensions taken at early retirement, without the politicians’ approval. Some spending is mandatory, either to fulfill constitutional responsibilities or because of unfunded federal mandates. Much is discretionary. But a sizable chunk is handouts, not to corporate benefactors, but to public employees who vote to keep the gravy train rolling.

We Are (Not) Ohio decries the lack of jobs in the state. So do I. But it is not the role of the government to create jobs. Indeed: The only jobs the government creates are public employee jobs. This suits the public employee unions just fine, but the rest of us pay for them. Private sector employers are the real job creators, but to do so in Ohio they must bear several burdens: High taxes (in part to pay public employees), high utility costs, high regulation, and high labor costs. The unions can thank themselves for that last, and the progressives they keep electing for most of the rest.

When an evil corporation, to borrow We Are (Not) Ohio’s imagery, can choose between hiring where costs of doing business are higher as opposed to lower, the latter is the only rational choice. Consequently, the land of higher costs has fewer good-paying jobs, and fewer employers making a good profit. As jobs and profits decline, so does taxable revenue; but the politicians continue to spend beyond those revenues, thus creating deficits.

Taxes on high earners can be raised through the roof on the pretext of increasing revenues; but if there are fewer people and, especially, businesses at those earning levels, nothing is gained. Indeed, harm is done because less money will be available in the private sector for job creation and spending.

Thus, politicians, rather than public sector employees, are responsible for deficits because they fail to encourage economic conditions favorable to creation of increased taxable revenue on the one hand, and to limit spending to revenues collected on the other.

We Are (Not) Ohio is marvelously disingenuous in blaming “big corporations” and their lobbyists. It is exactly what it condemns. Over half of its funds come from Big Labor lobbyists – the AFL-CIO, Communication Workers of America, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), all based in Washington, aka Lobbyland.

AFSCME and, through affiliation, the AFL-CIO have a legitimate dog in the fight. I can understand why they don’t want well-paid public employee members to give up anything. But Big Labor, which represents only 13.7% of Ohio workers, is most certainly not Ohio when it wants to protect those glorious perks at the expense of the other 86.3% of us. Even its own members outside AFSCME have to pay for the inflated public sector benefits handed out by the politicians.

Continued irresponsible spending at all levels of government is what truly, in We Are (Not) Ohio’s words, “hurts us all.” Issue 2 is an effort to enforce a semblance of responsibility.

I am Ohio, and so is every Ohioan who favors Issue 2.

Thomas Berry, for the Children of Liberty, http://www.meetup.com/The-children-of-liberty/.

It only took the Toledo Walleye two seconds into the 2011 for its first fight as defenseman Scott Fletcher squared off with Tim Spencer of the Chicago Express.

Toledo rode the momentum and scored 3:34 into the game. Captain and right winger Kyle Rodgers took a wrist shot from the top of the left circle over Chicago goalie Ryan Nolan’s left shoulder. Forwards Aaron Lewicki and Joey Martin assisted on the goal.

Nolan dominated the rest of the game. The Walleye outshot Chicago 35-24, but Nolan did not allow another goal as the Express won 5-1 in front of a record crowd of 8,250 at the Huntington Center.

Chicago tied the game in the first period, took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission and scored three goals in the third period. Left winger Blair Riley and defenseman Drew Paris each scored two goals. Thomas McCollum stopped 19 of 24 shots for the Walleye.

Toledo plays at Kalamazoo Oct. 21 and hosts the South Carolina Stingrays Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. with the first 3,000 fans receiving rally towels.

Toledo scored 28 points in the second half for a 28-21 win at Bowling Green in the Battle of I-75 on Oct. 15.

The Rockets (4-3, 3-0 Mid-American Conference) took over on the ground in the second half and finished with 268 rushing yards. Senior running back Morgan Williams led the way with 19 carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns. Junior David Fluellen had 16 carries for 93 yards and a score, and sophomore quarterback Terrance Owens had six carries for 35 yards.

Owens was also 9 of 14 for 158 yards. Junior Austin Dantin started the game and finished 5 of 8 for 30 yards.

Junior wide receiver Eric Page caught six passes for 37 yards in the first half but was held without a catch in the second half. Sophomore Bernard Reedy had six catches for 108 yards.

Anthon Samuel led BG (3-4, 1-2 MAC) offensively with 25 carries for 105 yards. Matt Schilz went 21 of 42 for 220 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Bowling Green scored with 1 second remaining in the first half to take a 7-0 lead over Toledo.

The Falcons went 3-and-out on four straight drives before picking up their first 1^st down with 10:01 remaining in the half on a wildcat play.

Kamar Jordan caught a 27-yard pass from Matt Schilz on a jump ball with 1 second remaining.

The Rockets tied the game at 7-7 with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter with a 3-yard run on a direct snap to Fluellen, who was stopped short but stretched the ball over the goal line. The play was reviewed and upheld.

The Falcons drove to the UT 26-yard line on the following drive. BG went for it on fourth down, and Schilz was sacked by sophomore defensive lineman Ben Pike to give Toledo the ball at its own 28-yard line. Pike finished the game with two sacks and four total tackles.

Owens came back into the game and completed a 25-yard pass to Reedy on first down. He scrambled for 22 yards later in the drive to set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Williams for a 14-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Bowling Green threw two incompletions to start the fourth quarter, but Schilz completed a 13-yard pass to Hodges for a first down at the UT 7-yard line. The Falcons tied the game 2:01 into the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run by Jordan Hopgood.

With BG facing 3^rd and 5 at its own 43-yard line, senior corner back Taikwon Paige intercepted Schilz. UT took over at the BG 33-yard line, and Williams rushed three straight times for the touchdown and a 21-14 lead with 10:43 remaining.

The Falcons lined up for a punt on 4^th and 6 from its own 33-yard line, and (?) ran up the middle for 18 yards. BG drove to the UT 5-yard line, but on 4^th and 1 Samuels was tackled for a loss by junior defensive tackle Danny Farr.

On 3^rd and 9 from the 8-yard line, Owens completed a 59-yard pass to Reedy. After two carries from Fluellen, Williams bounced a run outside and broke free down the left sideline for a 24-yard touchdown and a 28-14 lead with 1:34 remaining.

BooBoo Gates kept the Falcons alive with an 88-yard return for touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, but BG’s onside kick attempt went out of bounds to seal the win for Toledo.

The Rockets host Miami (2-4, 1-1) at home next Saturday at 7 p.m.

Bowling Green scored with 1 second remaining in the first half to take a 7-0 lead over Toledo.

The Falcons went 3-and-out on four straight drives before picking up their first 1^st down with 10:01 remaining in the half on a wildcat play.

Kamar Jordan caught a 27-yard pass from Matt Schilz on a jump ball with 1 second remaining. Schilz was 12 of 21 in the first half for 134 yards. Anthony Samuel led the Falcons with 44 yards rushing on 11 carries as BG led 179-168 in offensive yards.

Austin Dantin started the game and went 4 of 7 for 27 yards, and Terrance Owens was 7 of 10 for 74 yards. Eric Page caught 6 passes for 37 yards. Desmond Marrow led the Rockets with 7 tackles.

Toledo opened its 2011 campaign on Oct. 14 when the men’s basketball team practiced for the first time this year.

“The first day of any season is a special day,” UT Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk said. “We are excited about the team and the future is finally here. We are going to play hard and we are going to play the right way.”

The Rockets are trying to build off of two consecutive school worst 4-28 seasons. The Rockets will have a new look this year as Kowalczyk, entering his second season at Toledo, has just two scholarship players returning from last year’s squad in sophomore forward Reese Holliday and sophomore center DeLino Dear.

“The spirit of the team is pretty good right now,” Dear said. “We understand how bad last season was and we don’t want to happen again. We know how good we can be with all the pieces we have. I’m just really excited for the season.”

The Rockets will benefit by adding four transfers who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. Junior guard Dominique Buckley (Iowa State) will be joined in the rotation by a pair of sophomores in guard Rian Pearson and forward Matt Smith, who followed Kowalczyk to Toledo from Wisconsin-Green Bay. Junior guard Curtis Dennis (New Mexico) will also be eligible after the fall semester.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Smith said. “Me, Rian Pearson and Dominique have been waiting for this since we left Green Bay and he left Iowa State. That’s all we have been talking about for the past year or so. We are just ready to get back out there.”

The Rockets open the season with an exhibition game against the University of Northwestern Ohio on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. UT officially will enter the 2011 campaign with the Texas-Pan American Tournament held in Edinburg, Texas from Nov. 18-21.