Free June Workshops to Strengthen Finances, Health and Career

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May 15, 2025

pexels-karolina-grabowska-5900228 (1) — Learn to navigate your finances better with a free workshop.

This June, TriUnity Strategies invites the community to take part in a free, month-long series of workshops designed to make life a little easier. As a parent, there is a lot of value in feeling confident and empowered when navigating finances, cooking and other areas of adulthood.

The workshops will be held at the ProMedica Ebeid Center (1806 Madison Ave) with an online component.

“People accomplish incredible things once they have the right tools,” said Zach Keeney, founder of TriUnity Strategies. “These workshops put practical know-how within walking distance, so neighbors can keep winning even when times are tough.”

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Free workshops

June 2, 6:30 p.m. – Personal Finance: Managing Your Money in a Tough Economy
This workshop provides participants with actionable guidance on monthly budgeting, debt management, smart spending, emergency savings and long-term financial planning to help them build financial stability during challenging economic times.
June 14, 2 p.m. – Strength Building for Balance
This workshop equips adults with safe, adaptive exercises to improve strength, mobility, and balance — reducing fall risk and supporting greater independence in daily life.
June 28, 11 a.m. – Smart Savings Cooking Demo: Stretch Your Dollar at the Store
This interactive cooking workshop teaches practical strategies to cut grocery costs, reduce food waste and boost flavor.
June 30, 6:30 p.m. – Effective Hiring: Build Your Dream Team

This workshop offers practical strategies for cost-effective hiring, teaching participants how to identify top talent, conduct efficient interviews, and build a motivated, high-performing team aligned with their organization’s goals.

May/June 2024: What’s Briefly Happening

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Mary Genson

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May 13, 2025

5-1 What's Briefly happening_Kids mayor — Dashiell “Dash” Harden is the 2025 Kid Mayor.

Perrysburg spreads lifesaving devices throughout the city

The city of Perrysburg is enhancing public safety by installing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at key locations, including parks and municipal buildings, in response to Ohio’s House Bill 47. The law mandates AED placement in public schools, chartered nonpublic schools and municipal sports/recreation areas. AEDs are accompanied by Stop the Bleed kits and clear signage is provided to guide usage. The City encourages dcommunity members to familiarize themselves with the locations of AEDs and learn how to use them. The Perrysburg Fire Division offers CPR classes that include AED training throughout the year.

Monac Elementary student named kid mayor

In March, the 2025 Kid Mayor went to Dashiell “Dash” Harden, a student from Monac Elementary. Harden is the first boy to be named kid mayor. This is the fourth year for the Kid Mayor program. Previous mayors include Evelyn Bush, Gabrielle Mukiira and Lillian Joseph. Harden was selected out of hundreds of applicants who went through the interview process. He will lead the 2025 Kid Council, which includes 12 students from Washington Local and Toledo Public Schools. Throughout the year, Harden and the Kid Council will engage in hands-on activities, meet with city officials, present community improvement ideas, attend special events, and participate in community projects.

Law firm provides high schoolers helmets

Charles Boyk Law Offices donated helmets to the Sylvania Northview High School Girls’ Lacrosse team to improve player safety, as helmets are not mandated for girls’ lacrosse in Ohio. While head injuries and concussions are not uncommon in the sport, only Florida requires helmets for high school girl lacrosse players. Coach Greg Price advocates for mandatory helmets in Ohio, citing a reduction in concussions in Florida since the law was implemented. “Charles Boyk Law Offices is happy to provide these helmets to help protect these young women from potential injury,” explains Attorney Chuck Boyk. “We hope this will inspire other teams to take similar steps to enhance player safety.”

Polar bear conservation efforts continue

The Toledo Zoo is continuing its polar bear conservation efforts by facilitating a breeding program for Crystal, a 26-year-old polar bear, with a male named Kali from the Saint Louis Zoo. This is expected to be her final breeding recommendation. Her twin cubs, Kallik and Kallu, born in November 2022, have been relocated to the Saint Louis Zoo as part of a carefully planned transition.

Win Tickets to The African Safari!

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Digital Media

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May 12, 2025

New Play Space Helps Children with Disabillities Defy the Odds

By

Dennis Bova

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May 9, 2025

Screenshot — DOT Playspace is located at 6544 W. Central Ave.

DOT Playspace is billed as an indoor space, providing a safe place for children with disabilities to play and receive occupational and speech therapy.

Operating in a former pediatric optometrist’s office at 6544 W. Central Ave., DOT welcomes children with disabilities and their families for services provided by Erica Zimmerman, founder and licensed occupational therapist, and her team.

The DOT in the name stands for “defying odds therapy,” a term Zimmerman coined as a therapist, “to help a child defy the odds. We need to defy those odds for them to reach their potential.” She added, it’s a nod to the song “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked.”

“Playspace” is a place where clients can play. “The main occupation for childhood is play – that’s what a child should occupy their time with.” Zimmerman’s clients include children on the autism spectrum, those with sensory processing disorders, development delays or other disabilities.

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Zimmerman began with a mobile therapy clinic in 2020 where she would visit clients in homes or schools or through Zoom. She wanted to have her own clinic, in part so, as a new mother she, could care for her child in between meeting with clients.

The parents often told her that their children “have no recreational opportunities just to be a kid.” The existing indoor play spaces were too noisy and crowded for the comfort of children with disabilities. “That was the drive to create an inclusive play space,” Zimmerman explains.

Sensory friendly, encouraging play

So began DOT Playspace, with the mission “to create a sensory-friendly environment that fosters self-regulation while encouraging play. By providing a calm atmosphere and diverse equipment, we aim to support all developmental and sensory needs.” Zimmerman adds that the space is open to all children, not just those with disabilities.

DOT Playspace has three rooms. One is set up playground-style with a climbing structure, slides and swings to develop gross motor skills. There’s a section devoted to children 24 months and younger for soft play, crawling and rolling.

Another is a sensory room with calm music, bubble tubes, dim fiberoptic lighting and books to provide a tranquil setting.

A third room is called the Creative Café, where families can enjoy food and beverages and children can do arts and crafts.There’s also a room for nursing moms, along with restrooms with changing tables and diaper genies.

Zimmerman saw a need for an inclusive indoor play space in the region, especially one that includes the therapy components. DOT Playspace addresses needs by providing a place where “families with kids with special needs can go to play. While there are pediatric clinics, they can have a six-months to a year waiting list. There’s a big need for occupational and speech therapy. That’s a need we’re meeting.”

DOT Playspace will also offer drop-in play, themed workshops, sensory- friendly playdates and birthday parties. The grand opening will be announced on DOT Playspace’s social media.

Private therapy sessions can be scheduled by emailing Zimmerman at [email protected]; more details are available at dotplayspace.com or @DOTPlayspace.

Ellie Martin Hits All The Right Notes on Motherhood With Her Newest Album, Morning Glories

By

Mary Rose Kulczak

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May 8, 2025

5-1 Family Matters 1 — Ellie Martin, with daughters Luciana (6) and Mariela (4). Martin will release her newest album,”Morning Glories,” on Mother's Day.

Toledo area jazz vocalist Ellie Martin has an impressive resume. She has performed with jazz legends like Jon Hendricks, Claude Black and Clifford Murphy. She has trained with Peter Eldridge, Nathan Davis, Geri Allen and many others. But it was the lessons she learned as a mother that inspired her latest recording.

“Morning Glories is an album that captures my journey through mother- hood-its beauty, its chaos, and its deep well of love,” Martin explains, adding “Each song reflects different facets of my experience, from utter exhaustion of those early days (which inspired the song Shattered Snow) to the unexpected strength I found in vulnerability (the title track Morning Glories).”

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The album’s expected release is on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025 on all streaming platforms.

Martin will begin touring with her quartet in May to promote the album to audiences around the country.

“With Morning Glories, I want to challenge the idea that motherhood and artistry are at odds. Instead, I see them as intertwined, fueling each other in the most unexpected ways. My journey as a mother has made my art more honest, more vulnerable, and more meaningful. I hope my music resonates with other parents and artists who are navigating this balance, and I want them to know that their creativity doesn’t have to stop. It can evolve and grow in incredible ways.”

Creating harmony in everyday life

Martin tries to balance the many aspects of her career while celebrating the everyday moments of motherhood. “In addition to performing and writing music, I also teach at three schools, so I’ve had to get really good at prioritizing tasks,” she said. “My house is often a mess, but I’ve learned to be more accepting of getting done what I can in a day and letting go of perfection.”

Get to know Ellie Martin

Tell us about yourself!
I was born in Florida, but spent my early childhood in Portland, Oregon. In the 90’s, my family moved to Toledo when my mom got a job at the University of Toledo. We lived in Old Orchard, where I still live today. Education? I studied classical voice at McGill University, pursued my master’s degree in jazz performance at the University of Toledo, and later earned my PhD in Jazz Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Tell us about your family!
My family is full of love, music and a little bit of chaos! My husband, Olman Piedra, is a percussion professor at the University of Toledo, and music is a huge part of our lives. Together, we have two wonderful daughters, Luciana, 6, and Mariela, 4, who bring so much joy, curiosity and energy into our home. We also have a growing pack of three dogs. Are you a book person or a movie person? I’m definitely both! Dream vacation? A dream trip would be to Japan during cherry blossom season. Honestly, for me, a dream vacation has to involve food!

Favorite Toledo area restaurant?
I love Kengo. It’s absolutely delicious! The sushi is top notch, and I always look forward to a meal there.

Hidden talent?
I can ride a unicycle! Hobbies? I love traveling and watching movies.

Do you have a mom superpower?
I think being a mom is a superpower in itself! Balancing work, art and my kids’ needs all at once is no small feat. It’s a constant juggling act, and somehow, we make it work.

What do you like to do with the family on a day off?
I love spending time outside with my kids, especially walking around Ottawa Park, and letting them explore.

Newborn Essentials Giveaway

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Mary Genson

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May 7, 2025