Capricorn & Aquarius : Horoscope

January 1, 2021

Capricorn

December 22 – January 20

Your little Capricorn is charismatic and consistently the center of attention. Whether it’s a simple illustration alongside a writing prompt or a detailed art project, his/her work is always noticed. This month your little Capricorn will be full of “I want to GO” energy. Be mindful of honoring that need to discover, learn and move and take some excursions, like visiting the Toledo Zoo or taking a self-guided tour of Holy Toledo!(holytoledo.com). Caregivers should get their rest because that little Capricorn is going to be full of mental AND physical energy this month!

Aquarius

January 21 – February 20

Your people-pleasing Aquarius child strives to make sure everyone is happy. Aquarius children are sensitive and empathetic and often uncannily in touch with the emotions of those around them (sometimes to their detriment!). Teach your little empaths to give themselves the same compassion and understanding that they unhesitatingly give to those around them. Often perfectionists and in general more concerned with the welfare of others, it’s important to teach Aquarius children the necessity of self care for their own emotional health. Help your child experience the interconnectedness of nature this month by bundling up to explore one of the Toledo Metroparks (bonus: playgrounds are typically empty during winter months!) or take a day trip to Cuyahoga Valley National State Park.

The Sylvania Toy Company

Erin Schoen Marsh

January 1, 2021

Visit the new locally-owned toy store located at 5929 W. Sylvania Ave. at Holland-Sylvania Rd., for all of your vintage and collectible toy needs. From the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Smurfs to GI Joe, Sylvania Toy Company likely has the toy you coveted as a kid. Have some collectibles that you’re ready to part with? Bring them in as they are always looking to buy. Follow them on Facebook for sales and toy postings.

Covid Brings New Puppies…and Dog Bites

Digital Media

January 1, 2021

By Lindsey Self

The benefits of a family pet are endless: pets teach children responsibility and patience, reduce stress and improve one’s overall mood. It’s not surprising that during the pandemic, dog adoptions have soared. But with all of the benefits of owning a dog, there are also risks, especially for children.

Trainers here to help

Tina Ferner, a local dog trainer and owner at Canine Karma, works with hundreds of dogs in the community. Ferner began her dog training career after working with her own dogs and their “unique behavior problems.” She tried several training methods and programs and found that harsh corrections weren’t working. “This sort of training did not work; it backfired on me,” Ferner explains.

After one of her dogs bit her while using an aggressive training technique, she discovered Ali Brown, a dog trainer from Pennsylvania. “I brought her into town and studied with her and then created our Reactive Dog Protocol.” Since then, in addition to conducting group training sessions for all dogs, Ferner has specialized in helping reactive and fearful dogs and their families live and work together without fear or force.

It’s all in the body language

Ferner says not understanding dog body language is the most common factor that leads to dog bites. “Body language is a dog’s primary way of communicating,” Ferner says, “they give signs of stress or discomfort prior to the bite.” Lip licking, yawning, tight ears and tail, and tight closed mouth are all signs a dog isn’t happy, and people intensify the dog’s anxiety with their own behaviors, like bending over or reaching for the dog. Involving children in training can help them learn the skills necessary to reduce the risk of dog bites.

The pick of the litter

Ferner says the first step in picking a dog that will live harmoniously with your family is to research the breed. “Many people fail to do this and get dogs that are bred to have a high prey drive, so they may be a little more mouthy than other breeds.” If adopting from a shelter, opt for the pup that approaches each family member with wiggly, loose body language. If adopting a dog with young children at home, to be on the safe side, avoid dogs that are apprehensive or have stiff body language.

Canine Karma offers a variety of group classes from puppy to therapy dog training. The Fearful and Reactive Dog protocol has graduated over 300 dogs and their handlers. Canine Karma also offers Lunch and Learn presentations for one-hour of continuing education credit to veterinarians and veterinary technicians. caninekarma.org

Q&A with Kristin Winovich

Digital Media

January 1, 2021

What’s your favorite activity to do with your family?

Visit the Metroparks.

What was your favorite book?

“What Do You Do With an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada.

Best holiday memory (or local memory) from when you were a kid?

Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with my brother is still a favorite holiday tradition. We got so excited for the big balloons.

What’s your go-to activity when you have a few minutes to yourself?

Going for a jog.

Describe your life in five words or less.

A wild ride.

What is your favorite Toledo hangout?

The Toledo Club, Downtown

Describe Toledo in a sentence?

A city full of heart.

Words Matter

Erin Holden

January 1, 2021

When her daughter, Joanna, was born five years ago, Lindsey Melden was prepared for the fact that she would be born with spina bifida, a spinal condition that can affect those living with it in very different ways. Melden says she was already aware that her daughter would have an extreme case with physiological effects.

“In January 2016, I was thrust into this new world of disability,” says Melden. “Being non-disabled, it was my privilege to never have to think about things like accessibility and the language we use surrounding it.”

As she delved whole-heartedly into educating herself about spina bifida and the differently abled community, she quickly realized how much the words we use matter. Melden feels that too often people don’t expose their children to the reality that there are kids who are wheelchair users, or who may have different abilities than themselves.

“For example, people will use words like ‘wheelchair bound.’ That’s one negative phrase I feel is changing, but you’ll still even see ‘confined to a wheelchair,’” says Melden. “Obviously, my daughter will have her own journey in terms of what language she prefers as she grows. But, how people refer to wheelchairs is a big one.”

For parents who don’t have a child with a disability, it can be intimidating to broach the subject with their children, so they sometimes avoid what could be potentially uncomfortable. Unfortunately, it’s this discomfort that can lead to awkward situations when their child does encounter a differently abled child for the first time.

This is why representation is so important in the media kids consume, with books being an ideal way to educate them about kids who are different from themselves, adds Melden.

“I think if you’re talking to them and sharing language with them before they meet a child with a disability, it’s gonna be much easier for everyone to feel comfortable.”

Susan Hagemeyer, an active board member of the Avalon Foundation who has a rare form of hypophosphatasia (HPP), feels that the most important thing when it comes to using correct terminology is to simply ask the person with a disability what they would prefer. It’s especially important, she says, to be aware of how words can affect kids with disabilities.

“I think that the term ‘disabled’ diminishes all the things that somebody can do, even if you do have a disability,” says Hagemeyer. “That was one that always stood out to me a lot because I know I’m perfectly capable of doing many things. When you’re younger, you put so much meaning into everything you hear; it can be easy to let it define you.”

As an advocate for children in the rare disease community and someone who has lived with HPP her whole life, Hagemeyer thinks most people have good intentions. She says the most important thing is “not to avoid the disability altogether, but don’t make it the main topic of conversation, either. Get to know them as a person.”

Sidebar 1: Safe Language Choices

Don’t Say: Wheelchair bound or Wheelchair confined

Do Say: Wheelchair user

Don’t Say: Disabled (though some people do embrace this term)

Do Say: Differently Abled or Person with a Disability

Don’t Say: Hearing Impaired

Do Say: Hard of Hearing

Don’t Ask: What happened to you? Or What’s wrong with you?

Instead: Get to know the person first, then ask questions you are curious about regarding their wheelchair or other mobility device later.

The trick is to avoid negative words. When in doubt? Just ask!

Sidebar 2: Books to teach your kids about disabilities

Absolutely Awesome: A Charlie and Emma Story

What Happened to You?

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability

All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything

Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability

Zingo’s: Reliably Tasty and Consciously Safe

Erin Schoen Marsh

January 1, 2021

Zingo’s Mediterranean

Cricket West Shopping Center | 3154 Markway Rd. | 419.407.5586

Downtown Perrysburg | 106 Louisiana Ave. | 419.872.5800

Monday – Saturday 11AM-8PM

eatzingos.com

Between teaching and taking classes at Yogaja Yoga and frequenting Sip Coffee on a regular basis, Cricket West Shopping Center felt like my home away from home (before the pandemic, anyway). There was a buzz of excitement awaiting the opening of Zingo’s second location, and once the doors opened, they did not disappoint.

Erika DeWood, Zingo’s owner, explains, “We had been throwing the idea of opening a second location around for a few years, but nothing felt right. When my brother and his business partner bought Cricket West and brought it back to life, we felt like this was the right fit. We love all of our locally-owned neighbors [in Cricket West Shopping Center].”

Fast, delicious, healthy, conveniently located and consistently good, Zingo’s is a good spot to grab a quick lunch on the go. Several months after COVID-19 restrictions were put into place last March, we hesitatingly started ordering takeout from a few eateries, and Zingo’s was the first we tried.

Maximum safety protocols in place

Online ordering is easy, and Zingo’s offers the option of carryout or curbside pickup for online orders. Tips can be left directly on the bill to minimize interaction. The staff always arrive at the car wearing a face mask and maintain their distance, as best as possible. I felt so comfortable with their conscientious carryout protocols that we now order takeout on a consistent basis.

DeWood adds, “We have been very fortunate to be set up to switch to carryout and curbside easily without too much trouble. We have an amazing staff that has worked incredibly hard throughout this whole thing.”

Zingo’s doors to the restaurant are clearly marked “enter” and “exit” to keep the flow of customers socially distant. A hand sanitizer station is at the door, and all staff members wore masks covering their noses and mouths. Only a few customers were eating inside, and tables were spaced 6 feet apart. While I appreciate carryout containers for minimizing germ cross-contamination, I dislike the environmental effect of waste. Zingo’s uses compostable containers and recyclable plastic containers. Win win!

Something for everyone

My kids are picky eaters, and one of them is lactose sensitive as well. Zingo’s offers several kids menu items for $5, including dairy-free options: chicken or gyro chunks, grilled cheese pita and a kids mini-Zingo (a kid-sized chicken, gyro or spinach pie Zingo). Sides include carrots, apples, hummus or rice plus a small drink. My kids both opted for the grilled chicken, and while they prefer fried chicken chunks to naked, they unanimously agreed they were “the best chicken nuggets that aren’t chicken nuggets!” My 5-year-old loved the rice and said it was “the best.” The chocolate chip cookies are mouth-watering good and the size of your head!

I ordered my Zingo favorites: pick-a-pair with spinach pie Zingo and feta salsa ($9.25) plus the Mediterranean junk salad ($13). The vegetarian spinach pie is a mixture of baked spinach, feta and egg in a thin grilled pita (similar to markouk bread) that comes with a tomato dipping sauce. The Mediterranean junk salad includes all my faves: lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber, radish, chickpeas, red pepper, kalamata olives, feta, grilled chicken, gyro meat and crumbled pita chips. It was all delicious and provided us with leftovers for the following day (a huge time saver when working from home with children!).

My husband opted for the original gyro ($8): tender slices of gyro meat with lettuce and tomato (he specified no onions) and a cucumber sauce. Everyone was happy with their choices but, much to my dismay, I forgot to order smoothies for the kids (with a cost of an extra $1 when ordered with a kids meal). Next time!

Bottom Line:

If Zingo’s Mediterranean isn’t in your COVID carryout rotation, it should be. The staff is wonderful, the safety protocols are reassuring, the food is consistently good and there is such a variety of healthy options that even the pickiest of eaters will be happy.

The short course:

Outdoor dining: Weather permitting.

Online ordering: Yes.

Carryout: Yes.

Curbside: Yes.

Kids’ Menu? Yes.

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