The Greater Toledo Train and Toy Show is the only train and toy show in the tri-state area that specifically serves a younger audience. Family members who love trains and their tiny toy counterparts can enjoy a day filled with interactive exhibits that encourage imagination and support core learning skills. Parking included with price of admission.Early-Bird discount available.
March 8 | 9am-3pm
SHAC 156 Owens
30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg
toymasters.org
Lutheran Services in America and local Genacross Lutheran Services have been awarded a grant from Aetna Better Health of Ohio to work together on a framework to strengthen families and improve overall health in 10 targeted communities throughout Ohio. This will be the first major step in creating what will be the new Partners in Treatment Preservation Program (PTPP). PTPP will build on the Partners in Treatment Program Genacross currently offers, which “provides family preservation and reunification programming along with individual family therapy, multi-family group therapy, and Community and Psychiatric Supports and Treatment for youth and their families,” said Rick Marshall, president and CEO of Genacross Lutheran Services.
This free training, designed for parents and professionals, will discuss autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and educational services for children with autism. Learn about the five types of autism and the three developmental areas most commonly affected by an autism diagnosis. Discussion will address Individual Education Program (IEP) goals along with strategies for educating children identified on the autism spectrum. Register by calling Wendy Smenner at 419-214-3066 or emailing
[email protected].
March 25 | 6am-8pm
Lucas County Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West
2275 Collingwood Blvd, Conference Room 1
ocecd.org
Kid-friendly: Yes.
To avoid wait: Anytime.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate.
Bathroom amenities: Very clean, no changing station.
High chairs? Yes.
Kids’ menu? Yes.
Allergies? Items are marked on the menu if they are vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or contain nuts. Always alert your server so special precautions can be taken in the kitchen.
Situated at the end of the SouthBriar Shopping Center in Sylvania, in the former PaPa G’s Pizza, you may have missed the new Mediterranean bistro that opened in late October. Ameera Mediterranean Bistro owner, Nassif (Nick) Chamoun, a Sylvania resident, is excited to open his newest restaurant where he lives. “[Sylvania residents] love to support local businesses,” said Mr. Chamoun who will be sure to meet you before you leave. “Come as a customer. Leave as a friend,” is what they say at Ameera.
Chamoun (Nick, as he prefers to be called) was born in Lebanon and moved to Boston in 1999. After relocating to Toledo, he owned Aladdin’s near the mall for about 11 years. However, he longed to make his Mediterranean cuisine with his own family’s recipes. Ameera, meaning princess, was his grandmother’s name. “I loved her more than anything,” said Nick, getting a little sentimental thinking about his beloved teta (grandmother). He told me she had a passion for excellence and so many incredible recipes.
The menu combines typical Mediterranean cuisine with a few surprises. No matter what you find on the menu, Nick believes in providing his customers with only the freshest of ingredients.
Besides the traditional fare of tabouli, hummus, and falafel, the cauliflower appetizer was a hit. Cauliflower florets are lightly fried and topped with Nick’s special seasoning and tahini yogurt dressing. Rolled pitas came in 12 varieties, with seven vegetarian versions. Pita pizzas, salads, and specialty plates were also on the menu. For a small restaurant, the menu packs a punch.
As the mother of a child with food allergies, I am always extra careful about where we choose to eat and how our meals are prepared. With allergies that include ALL nuts, legumes and sesame, a Mediterranean restaurant can be a little scary for me, but Nick assured me that my son’s meal would be prepared separately and not near any of the allergens. Menu items are also clearly marked as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or if they contain nuts. I was confident about my son safely enjoying a meal.
Though not able to enjoy many of the dishes we ordered that evening due to allergies, my youngest loved the Ameera’s Pita Pizza for $8.25. It included honey Dijon dressing, curried chicken, banana peppers, fried onions, and cheddar cheese. I shared with him some of my meat from my Ameera’s Favorite Combo. The beef kafta, shish kabob and shish tawook were tasty with garlic sauce and tahini sauce that really enhanced the flavors.
The other two enjoyed the rolled pitas. My daughter loved the variety of vegetarian choices on the menu. Sticking by the mantra of healthy eating and healthy lifestyle, you won’t find anything fried on the kid’s menu. The six options are $5.25 or less and include things such as beef kafta, grilled chicken tenders, chicken and cheese pita, and sides such as fresh fruit, rice, or vermicelli.
Ameera Mediterranean Bistro
5127 Main St. Sylvania, OH
SouthBriar Shopping Center
419-517-9999
www.facebook.com/AmeeraMediterraneanBistro/
Mon-Thur: 11a.m.-9p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11a.m.-10p.m.
Sun: 11a.m.-4p.m.
SafeSplash + SwimLabs Swim School teaches water safety and swimming skills. The Holland location is one of a number of branches across North America — but the only one in Northwest Ohio — teaching swimming skills.
“Swimming is the only thing we do,” explains Chris Peters, the school’s owner, adding, “…we’ve consciously made the decision to be singular in our focus and direct all of our energy in becoming the experts [for swimming] in the area. We focus on swimming, that makes us a unique addition to the Toledo area.
Swimming instruction is available for all ages and ability levels, starting with ParentTot classes (parents with infants) to individual instruction for adults. After a student learns all four swimming strokes, they have the option to have their strokes filmed and analyzed.
“We can have kiddos learning how to swim… who have aspirations of becoming an Olympian in the water,” explains Peters.
To ensure every student has the chance to learn to swim, they have numerous instructors who are skilled in teaching students with special needs. “Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible and offer the learn-to-swim experience to everyone in our community,” Peters said.
SafeSplash + SwimLabs Swim School understands how busy life can be, so lessons are scheduled for days and times that work best for the learner, and times can be changed if needed.
For those interested in signing up for lessons
you can call 419-370-2801 or register online at
safesplash.com/locations/holland.
F3 and FiA, local organizations focused on fitness, faith, and fellowship, have joined efforts with Wood County Plays to raise $25,000, toward a goal of $750,000, to build an all-inclusive playground in Perrysburg that allows all to enjoy the benefits of a playground, no matter their level of ability. A fundraising event, featuring The Skittle Bots, is on March 14 at 7PM at Graystone Hall in Perrysburg. The $40 admission includes food from area restaurants, adult beverages, games of chance and raffle gift baskets.
Explore
Magazines
© 2026 ToledoParent.com. All Rights Reserved. Website development by Web Publisher PRO