Delizioso!: Dolce Vita Italian

November 30, 2018

The Short Course

Kid-friendly: Yes
To avoid wait: Anytime, or reserve room for large parties
Noise level: Moderate
Bathroom amenities: Changing station
High chairs? Yes
Got milk? Yes
Kids’ menu? Yes
Allergy Info: Alert the server so precautions can be taken in the kitchen; Chef Rob always makes sure to have a couple gluten free options on the special menu.

Italian cuisine is a family favorite. Sure we love a fantastic pizza pie, but we also enjoy a variety of Italian dishes. Toledo has many fine Italian restaurants but on this particular Sunday we were anxious for a change of scenery. With Dolce Vita Italian in Monroe, MI having been awarded “Best Italian Restaurant in Monroe” recently we decided to head north.

Chef has Toledo ties

One of my favorite restaurants in Toledo closed some time ago and I haven’t quite gotten over it. I really haven’t. Revolution Grille was truly one of my favorites. Lucky for me, Revolution’s chef is now at Dolce Vita! Chef Rob Campbell is now serving up fabulous Italian just up I-75. Dolce Vita opened in 2000, was purchased in 2007 by current owner Nino Perna, and Chef Campbell joined them in early 2018. Perna’s business partner is Ryan Philbeck.

Come with an appetite

At Dolce Vita you can find the traditional Italian comfort foods that you crave, such as The Trio that my youngest enjoyed. Most people (other than my youngest who has a bottomless pit) would be full halfway through that entrée, which offers lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and chicken parmesan. The classics were done just right. I loved that it was the daily special for only $12.99. Currently Sundays are also all you can eat pasta for only $10.99.

I couldn’t pass up the gnocchi alla vodka in a cream and tomato sauce with pancetta and peas. Ahhh…..it had peas…so it was hands off to my youngest with the allergies. Nicely done on my part! I didn’t have to share my dinner OR my leftovers!

Our two dinners were reasonably priced so I gave the go ahead to my oldest son to order the shrimp scampi for $22. Chef Campbell put a nice spin on an old favorite. Served over ciabatta toast with sauce which included tomato, garlic, basil and olive oil, the dish was oh so good.

At the beginning of our meal we enjoyed lightly breaded calamari. According to owner Nino Perna, “The menu is always changing with the seasons.” As soon as they begin one season Chef Rob is working on the next menu. Perna said they even grow their own garden in the summertime, and try to support the local farms in the area as much as possible.

I have to comment on the bread, however. I am a lover of all breads, rolls, biscuits, doughnuts, bagels, you name it. That being said, we were disappointed in the bread served on each table. We probably asked for three refills because each basket had one tiny slice for each of us, and it was cold. I won’t lie, I was expecting a bit more than that, but nonetheless was glad that was the one lone drawback.

Bring the kids, your date, or the whole gang!

Perna explained it’s a family restaurant so they regularly have many families dining with them. He said that the biggest misconception is that they are a fancy restaurant. (I’ll admit, I was adamant about what my boys wore to dinner.) They are, however, a casual dining establishment and those dressing up a little bit will feel just as comfortable as the person who stops in wearing jeans and a favorite hoodie.

There’s a nice selection on the kids’ menu for those 12 and under and the prices range from $5 to $9 for the shrimp or sirloin. Of course pasta and lasagna are options as well as the fan favorite, chicken tenders. Dinners other than the pasta dishes are also served with fries.

Dolce Vita offers a large private room, seating at least 40, and on the other side of the restaurant is a beautiful chef’s table. Perna said they have custom dinners throughout the week prepared by Chef Campbell just for your group. That sounds like it could be a lot of fun!

Dolce Vita Italian, 391 Telegraph Rd. Monroe, MI 48162
Sun-Wed: 11:30am-9pm
Thur-Fri: 11:30am-10pm
Sat: 4pm.-10pm
734-241-6100 | monroedolcevita.com

Help from a Man’s Best Friend

Kate Ingersoll

November 30, 2018

Since 1920, the Ability Center has transformed lives of individuals in Northwest Ohio. Through their program Assistance Dogs Achieving Independence (ADAI), the Center has placed service and therapy dogs with individuals, allowing them to achieve greater independence. For more than thirty years, the Center’s highly trained dogs have offered support and companionship to children in schools as well as individuals with developmental disabilities. ADAI’s highest priority is to train service dogs for people with mobility disabilities.

Specialized, loving assistance

Mallory Tarr, Community Relations Specialist, explains the unique training that each dog must complete before being placed in a home. “At ADAI we train each dog to perform tasks that meet the individual needs of the client, both at home and in public,” she says. “These tasks may include opening doors, retrieving cordless phones, activating buttons or switches, tugging off clothing, carrying items, or providing balance while the client is walking.” The wait list for receiving an ADAI dog is 18-24 months. ADAI dogs can be helpful for children with a variety of disabilities such as spina bifida and muscular dystrophy. Ms. Tarr says the dogs have been particularly beneficial for children with autism and Down syndrome.

“The simple presence and loving nature of the dogs can help people with special needs open up to the world around them,” she emphasizes. “Their trained tasks can be used to meet therapeutic goals such as improving speech, coordination, and social skills.”

Community involvement

Parents and other supporters can get involved by donating to The Ability Center or by attending a fundraiser for the ADAI program. For those wishing to volunteer, socialization activities are held at the facility in Sylvania. If families have a home to share, fostering or puppy sitting can be rewarding.

Community outreach is an important part of The Ability Center’s various programs. “ADAI presents to local organizations, demonstrating the impact the dogs have on those who receive them,” Ms. Tarr explains.

Demonstrations and lectures are available for schools, churches, libraries, and other groups. ADAI is especially dedicated to educating the public regarding the benefits of the human/animal bond and the public access rights of people partnered with an assistance dog.

Positive outcomes for kids

For children who participate in the ADAI program, the benefits have been extremely encouraging. “Not only do the dogs support the physical needs of the person with the disability,” says Ms. Tarr. “They also provide comfort in stressful situations and give the child more confidence in social situations. Service dogs improve independence for a child by aiding in physical tasks while therapy dogs provide rehabilitation and companionship.”

ADAI staff take the time to partner each dog with the client that complements them, leading to successful placements and lifetime partnerships. Ms. Tarr says that as clients become familiar with The Ability Center’s programs, staff and culture, they realize that with the Center’s assistance, more is possible. “The work we do today will impact those who will use our services for years to come.”

Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism Welcomes New Director

Kimberly Feldkamp

November 30, 2018

There’s a new leader at the Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism. Renee Palacios started as Executive Director in September and is excited to follow her passion of connecting with other parents who have children on the Autism Spectrum. “Taking that first step to have the evaluation done is daunting, overwhelming,” Palacios said. “I feel tremendously blessed to have been chosen to lead the Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism. I now can help serve families like ours, families desperate for guidance, hope and resources. I’ve been there. I know the isolation and frustration. I am now in a position to help shape the future and care for the 1 in 59 children diagnosed with Autism, and their families!”

The organization conducted an expansive Northwest Ohio Needs Assessment last year to understand what parents, families, professionals and individuals affected by autism really need and want. Using the results, the Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism is working to create programs and services while empowering and strengthening others to best serve people with autism.

Perrysburg Medical Center Offers 3D Mammography

Kimberly Feldkamp

November 30, 2018

Moms, always taking care of everyone else, need to make their health a priority, too. Mercy Health, working to make it even easier for women to have the highest quality of screening mammograms, is now offering 3D mammography at Perrysburg Medical Center. 3D mammography uses X-rays to produce images of breast tissue in order to detect lumps, tumors or other abnormalities. Because it takes images at several angles, a 3D mammogram is capable of producing more detailed images of breast tissue, making it easier for doctors to identify any concerns. The Center accepts most health insurance plans and no doctor’s order is needed for a screening mammogram. In addition to the Perrysburg office, 3D Mammography is also available at Mercy Health St. Anne and Mercy Health St. Charles Hospitals.

Bullfrogs Against Bullying

Randi Petrello

November 30, 2018

Bullying has long been an issue in schools, but with technology at our fingertips, the problem has gone from something that ends when the final school bell rings to an around-the-clock, nonstop force which often hurts today’s children.

One Sylvania-area student has turned her own struggle with bullies into an empowering group that helps local kids face their peers and stand up for themselves. Madi Shook, a sixth grader at Timberstone Junior High, and her friend, Justin Harrison, of Brunswick, Ohio, co-founded the group Bullfrogs Against Bullying in 2015 as a way to cope with issues they were experiencing in school. The two decided they wanted to help other kids in situations similar to theirs.

Youth leadership

The peer-to-peer support group is youth led. They decide together how to hold their meetings, what types of service projects to get involved in, and which outings to attend. The group has meetings here in Toledo, as well as in Brunswick, outside of Cleveland. Monthly meetings recently were put on hold, but the group still has some future events planned.

Most of the group’s events are shared on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

“You can feel comfortable there and talk about your day and be free,” Madi said about the group.

Madi said she has coped with bad days by turning to music, journaling and reading. One of her favorite things to do to overcome internet bullying is to write an inspirational quote on a sticky note and put it on her wall.

Coaching victims and bullies

Kelli Shook, Madi’s mother and advisor to the Sylvania group, helped create lesson plans on mindfulness, self care, art therapy, and topics, to help at the monthly sessions. Shook, a pediatric nurse and certified youth and parent life coach, has experience advising families and schools on how to handle bullying and similar issues.

The group isn’t just about helping victims of bullying, but also helping bullies, as both victims and bullies need to learn healthy coping skills, Shook said. “There are going to be bad days and people will be hurtful,” Shook said. “But we have to move on and not dwell—it’s a reflection of the person doing the bullying and not the person receiving it.” Bullying can affect children of any age. Shook said she has seen problems arise in children as young as five years old.

Teaching respect

Parents can support their children by helping them identify their emotions and teaching them to be respectful of others. Shook said it is important to reiterate school and bus rules to children so they know what is expected. “We can’t expect that our child will get bullied and come home and tell us about it,” she said. Some signs to look for in younger children include being withdrawn and quiet. Parents should ask plenty of questions and be specific, such as, “Is someone hurting you?” If there are physical signs of abuse, the child may not want to talk about where the bruises came from, Shook explained.

For older kids, Shook suggests that parents do plenty of research about apps their children use and take the time to learn the hidden dangers involved, pointing out that open communication is key when combating bullying with both schools and parents playing a vital role in keeping bullying to a minimum.

Madi’s advice for other kids experiencing bullying is to “keep moving forward and learn from any mistakes that happened. Make sure you don’t turn around and do what has happened to you.”

Newly Renovated Children’s Discovery Center Reopens

Kate Ingersoll

November 30, 2018

Children’s Discovery Center aims to provide a safe, nurturing environment for children. Six Centers in the Toledo area provide a strong educational program that allows children time to explore a host of creative modalities. With their project-based learning that has an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Children’s Discovery Center is actively building a strong foundation for learning.

New digs downtown

The newly renovated downtown location offers high quality educational childcare and preschool in a unique setting. As childcare is an important piece in deciding on a workplace, Angel Heath, the director of the center, emphasizes the close proximity of the center to many businesses downtown. “We want to be an important part in the revitalization of Toledo,” she says. “CDC would like businesses to know that we are here to help employees see the benefit of working downtown.”

The downtown location, open for ten years, has recently been remodeled. “Children’s Discovery Center is adding value to families who have chosen to live or work in this exciting time of progress in (downtown) Toledo,” Ms. Heath says. “New activities include sand tables, a heat activated drawing wall, a climbing structure with slide, and an extra large cement tube sitting area. The outdoor rooftop playground is another area that sets CDC apart from other child care centers.”

A separate nursing room is another special feature at Children’s Discover Center. Designed so working mothers can have a comfortable space to spend quality time with their infants, this room has rockers, a water cooler, bibs, burp clothes, and changing areas.

Children’s Discovery Center is proud to be a premier early care provider which respects the child, encourages learning through exploration, and supports families with a nurturing, creative environment. Openings are available in all age groups from six weeks to five years.

Children’s Discovery Center Locations

Downtown Toledo
338 N St Clair St.
Toledo, OH 43604
Ph: 419-255-4890

Franklin Park (Talmadge)
3839 Talmadge Road
Toledo, OH 43606
Ph: 419-474-8303

Holland (Wolf Creek)
1640 Timberwolf Drive
Holland, OH 43528
Ph: 419-861-1060

Perrysburg (Avenue Road)
11090 Avenue Road
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Ph: 419-874-8203

Perrysburg (Harbor Town)
7033 Lighthouse Way
Route 25, South of Levis Commons
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Ph: 419-872-4510

Waterville (Dutch Road)
8011 Dutch Road
Waterville, OH 43566
Ph: 419-878-8689

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