They’ve got breakfast wrapped up

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June 21, 2013

Executive Diner
2516 Sylvania Ave. Toledo, 43613
419-472-EGGS
Mon-Sat: 7a.m.-2p.m.
Sun: 7a.m.-2:30p.m.

All too soon, summer vacation is a thing of the past. In the blink of an eye, we are again slaves to the school schedule and countless activities. However, before we succumbed to our impending reality that the end of vacation was looming, the kids and I headed out for one more summer celebration: BREAKFAST! Even with the start of school, weekends and the occasional teacher conferences days lend a morning to splurge with this going out treat.

We took a short drive to West Toledo to try Executive Diner. The diner opened last December on Sylvania Ave. near Douglas in the former Friendly’s building. The outside of the diner was dressed with beautiful flowers and a brand new patio which included umbrella tables and a white pergola. The first thing you’ll notice when you enter Executive Diner is the beautiful woodwork and the stained glass drop ceiling. Turns out, Executive Diner is owned by Jesus Angel who also owns the ever popular El Camino Real restaurant just across the parking lot. According to the diner’s manager, Jennifer Hurst, some of Angel’s family did the woodworking, and Angel himself laid much of the beautiful tiles in the open air kitchen. They consider it a “New York style diner.”

We were greeted and seated immediately in one of their booths that line the sides of the diner. Tables and chairs occupy the middle and can accommodate larger parties if necessary. I was intrigued by the many Mexican breakfast options on the menu. Of course, the usual diner standbys are also available for both breakfast and lunch. However, there are Authentic Specials on the menu, including Yucatan Eggs (huevos motulenos, made with eggs, cheese and beans on tortillas), Tex-Mex Burrito, and Divorced Eggs (huevos divorciados, covered in red and green salsas). Omelets and waffles are great, but they had me at the Authentic Specials. Hurst said their Mexican breakfast items are some of their best sellers.

Our friendly waitress brought out packs of Goldfish crackers for the kids along with crayons and an activity sheet. I can’t recall the last time I’d been out to eat where a complimentary snack was given to the kids as soon as we sat down. Thank goodness, too, because they were starving and needed a little something while I was taking what seemed like an eternity to decide what I wanted to try.
The kids’ meals include a drink, and lunch meals also include fries. My kids were all about the waffles and pancakes; which were really good! The three mini cakes meal (which I didn’t think were that mini) were only $2.50. I thought, “Why aren’t we going out for breakfast more often?” My daughter was extra hungry, so instead of the half waffle and drink for $2.50, she ordered a full size waffle for $4.25.
I felt compelled to try the Mexican Burrito. The burrito was filled with homemade chorizo (a blend of spicy seasonings and sausage), scrambled eggs, potatoes, and topped with cheddar cheese. Everything you want for breakfast, all wrapped up! I enjoyed it with mild salsa on the side. For only $5.50, it was grand in size, and very filling. Actually, I looked around, and everyone’s orders were rather grand in size. A bit unusual for a diner, they also have a liquor license. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are on the menu as well as Bailey’s and coffee, and a selection of beer. “This place is very unique,” said manager Jennifer Hurst. I would have to agree.

She said ticket times are only 6-8 minutes (from order until food served), so you can really be in and out in short order if necessary. However, with five churches in a one mile radius of the diner, Sundays often require a short wait. Saturday mornings are busy too. “Everyday we get new customers,” said Hurst. With the increase in regulars, they recently began handing out Frequent Diner Cards to customers. You can use them Monday through Friday and eventually earn a free meal.

The lunch menu has a large selection of sandwiches, salads, and they’ve recently added a rotation of six homemade soups. They’ve become a hit with customers. “We listen to the customers and see what they have to say,” commented Hurst. Since they are locally owned, they can make any changes rather quickly. That has undoubtedly contributed to the growing list of regulars they serve on a daily basis.
Bottom Line: Treating the family to breakfast or lunch is a great (and more economic) alternative to dinner, and a welcome change of pace. The atmosphere, service, and unique extras on the menu will make Executive Diner a winner with everyone in your group.

Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached c/o [email protected].

The Wright stuff

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Digital Media

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June 21, 2013

It’s been a long time since Sarahanne Wright first discovered the secret to happiness. Since the day she learned what it was, her life has never been the same.

“I like being in a community where I can see the difference I make,” said Wright, 30, a Ypsilanti, MI resident, who works as the catering director for ARAMARK at the University of Toledo. Recently, Wright was honored for her efforts with a silver Jefferson Award, a national recognition for people performing community service. Wright has earned other meaningful rewards as a volunteer for the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees. “We run the Easter egg hunt for the city. We have a helicopter drop thousands of marshmallows over a park,” said Wright. “The kids turn them in for candy.”

Wright also lends a hand at the event with youngsters posing for pictures with the Easter bunny. “Two years ago, we had just finished and there was a little girl about 5. She was just sobbing,” said Wright. The child’s mom told Wright they didn’t have enough money to pay for the photograph. (Families are charged $1 for the photo to cover the cost of the film.) “Another volunteer and I scrambled in our pockets and were able to put together the dollar fee and the little girl got her picture with the Easter bunny,” said Wright. “If you can put a smile on one kid’s face you’ve done your job.”

Wright and her fellow Jaycees also produce the city’s Heritage Festival parade, when politicians, boy scouts, baton twirlers and marching bands take to the streets. Volunteers turn the area into a family paradise with carnival rides, pioneer history reinanctors and a baseball game played in uniforms and with rules from 1910. “Most of what we do revolves around families and children,” said Wright. “Ypsilanti has been hit hard by the economy and discontinued a lot of its programs. The Jaycees have stepped in to help.” One of the highlights of the parade is the Precious Pets contest. Youngsters submit photos voted on by residents, with the winners earning the right to march down the avenue with their best friend. “Last year, someone entered a snail in the Precious Pets. To that kid it was precious,” said Wright. “I think he carried it in his hand in the parade.”

Wright doesn’t only volunteer for the Jaycees. Her charitable efforts through her employer, ARAMARK, have also produced results. Employees are encouraged to help out at community centers.
“We do gardening and maintain buildings,” she said. “Next weekend we’re doing a nutrition fair for kids and families. We’ll show them how to cook healthy simple snacks.” Last winter, Wright took it upon herself to engage students and coworkers at The University of Toledo to donate over 2,000 pounds of perishable food to the Cherry Street Mission (a homeless shelter in Toledo) so it wouldn’t go to waste when the residence halls shut down over winter break.

Throughout her volunteering, Wright has gained unexpected rewards. “First, you get the intrinsic happiness of helping someone out. That’s something money can’t buy. Your career is the second reason,” she said. Unemployed volunteers can make contacts and gain skills that will help them land a post. “If you have a job, you’re improving your people skills, learning how to organize projects, how to stick to a timeline and budget,” she said. “All those skills could help you get your next promotion.” Wright isn’t going to stop her efforts any time soon. “I want to be out there helping humanity,” she said.

Walkin’ with your buddy

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Toledo Parent Staff

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June 21, 2013

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT), in conjunction with the National Down Syndrome Society, hosts its 8th Annual Buddy Walk on Sunday, October 4 at The University of Toledo’s Rocket Hall (corner of Dorr and Secor). Expecting to gather over 1,000 participants, the walk calls together individuals with Down syndrome, their families, friends and all supporters to walk in support of DSAGT’s local programs and NDSS’ education, research and advocacy efforts. Walk begins at noon.

Registration is $15 for adults and $8 for children; forms are available at www.dsagt.org.

Steps for Sunshine

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Digital Media

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June 21, 2013

Since 1950, Sunshine Inc. of Northwest Ohio has been a caring, living, working, community for people with developmental disabilities. The organization offers residential, vocational and family support services to over 1,000 people. This year, the organization will celebrate its 12th Annual Walk With Sunshine on Saturday, September 12. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Monclova Elementary School. The 5K stroll through scenic Monclova Township along the Wabash Cannonball Trail kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $15. Proceeds from the walk benefit Sunshine Acres, home to the animal activities programs.

Sign up online at www.WalkWithSunshine.com.

Toys for your tot

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Toledo Parent Staff

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June 21, 2013

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is teaming up with Toys “R” Us to help them promote their annual “Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids.” This 2009 guide features toys that promote fun, education and skill development for children with mobility or cognitive challenges. Each featured toy has been evaluated by National Lekotek Center, a nonprofit organization that promotes the inclusion of children with special needs into family and community life.

Copies of the guide are available for distribution at Toledo’s local MDA office at 4540 Heatherdowns Blvd. or on Toys “R” Us’ website, www.toysrus.com/differentlyabled.

Primped out

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Mary Helen Darah

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June 21, 2013

I tried not to panic as my 15 year old emerged from her room to report that she was unable to attend school because of a waxing malfunction. Being a light-haired woman, I tried valiantly to relate to my little Mediterranean-looking furball as I assessed the damage. She attempted to “borrow” her sister’s hot waxer and use it on her eyebrows, arms and some region where it is still too early in the morning to mention. She did not wait for the wax to cool, so you can only imagine what she looked like.

I allow my children one “mental health day” per semester. I started this because my other two daughters are academic machines. I found it helpful for them to learn to express themselves when they were experiencing overload and to chill out. The baby of the family is in a constant state of “chillness” and certainly does need a free day, but I need to be consistent. I have informed her she is currently banned from anything involving a cord until further notice.

I come from a long line of “primping”-challenged women. My mom bought an eyelash curler and neglected to insert the protective pad in the device before use. Her attempts at longer lashes resulted in a rather scared “freakish” look as her poor little “nubs” grew back. My Gram had the brilliant idea of soaking her infected earlobes in Methiolate, a bright orange liquid put on wounds back in the 70s, that has a mercury content that could explain some of my family’s behavior. Her pumpkin-colored ears didn’t fade for months.

After completing four rounds of chemo, I was ecstatic to discover little sprouts emerging out of my baldness. The wig I wore felt as if I had an unruly rodent nesting on my head. I couldn’t wait to give it the toss. I darkened my new growth with mascara to make it appear “fuller”. Great concept if you live in an area abundant with sunshine. As I walked to my meeting on a typical drizzly day in Toledo, I was unaware of the dark streaks that were making their progression down my forehead.

Why do we do it? The straightening, curling, plucking, perming, shaving, exfoliating, conditionin. Maybe this should be the year, we as woman, liberate ourselves from a life of devices and potions and rely on our intelligence and wit to see us through our journeys. A girl can dream. I am off to get some aloe for the “waxed wonder” and pray that she doesn’t find my electric razor in my absence.