For the boys

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June 21, 2013

Boys and girls are different. Learning how boys develop differently from girls can be valuable to parents and teachers who help them succeed. That’s why St. John’s Jesuit High School is hosting bestselling author Michael Gurian on Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. Gurian will discuss his latest work, The Purpose of Boys, explaining the significant shift in the development of male purpose in America and how to give boys the direction they need.

The presentation is free and open to the public. 5901 Airport Hwy. 419-865-5743 / www.sjjtitans.org.

Toledo teens compete for international title

By

Toledo Parent Staff

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June 21, 2013

Few teens have experienced the thrill of traveling internationally to compete for a world title. But Toledo’s 14-year-old Hannah Wagner will soon discover the excitement. At the end of the month, she will venture to Dublin, Ireland to compete in the World Karate & Kickboxing Council World Championships, October 31 – November 4. Luckily, she’ll have the close support of her friend and instructor, Brandon Allen, who will also be competing for an international title.

The dynamic duo from American Martial Arts will be representing the US along with up to 100 other fellow countrymen and women. Although Hannah is a little nervous about the competition, she’s glad that her instructor will be going with her. “It’s really cool. He pushes me more than I push myself,” she says. For Brandon, competing with his student, who has been studying at American Martial Arts for seven years, is equally exciting. “Hannah trains hard and she truly cares. She has a devotion to the art; she eats, sleeps, drinks and breathes martial arts,” explains Brandon, who was also 14 when he “broke out” through international competitions.

Because of her devotion to the art and her dedication in “passing down” what she has learned, Hannah will be testing for her second dan by the end of the year. She received her black belt on December 16, 2006. “I like the aspect of martial arts and its way of life,” says Hannah. “I use it in everyday life; the respect, the discipline.”

Fundraisers will be conducted throughout October to raise money for competition expenses. For more information, 419-385-KICK (5425).

Wild movies take flight

By

Jane Louise Boursaw

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June 21, 2013

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language. In theaters 10/16. Ok for kids 7+. 4 out of 5 Reels.
It’s a big screen version of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, which follows the story of Max, a disobedient boy who’s sent to bed without his supper and creates his own world — a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler. Cast includes Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker and Lauren Ambrose.

AMELIA
Rated PG for some sexuality, language, thematic elements and smoking.
In theaters 10/23. Ok for kids 9+. 3.5 out of 5 Reels.
Hilary Swank plays Amelia Earhart in the early stages of her illustrious life. The movie follows her life leading up to her disappearance while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937, in an attempt to fly around the world. Directed by Mira Nair, the cast also includes Ewan McGregor, Richard Gere, Christopher Eccleston, and Mia Wasikowska.

JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it. Two Reels – Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Something to talk about.. Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance writer specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com, or email [email protected].

A sweet Tip or Treat

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Toledo Parent Staff

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June 21, 2013

Give a sweet Halloween treat this October with the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund and Central City Ministry of Toledo. On Monday, October 26, they present their fifth annual celebrity wait, Tip or Treat at 6:30 p.m. at Real Seafood at International Park. Money raised at the event will provide tuition assistance for students in the Northwest Ohio area and all tips will be matched by the Children’s Scholarship Fund in New York. Currently, 650 students from Lucas, Wood, and Fulton counties are receiving scholarships to attend private school for grades kindergarten through eighth grade for the 2009-2010 school year.

Tickets are $40. Reserve your seat by calling 419-244-6711, ext. 220.

Not your ordinary dog

By

Karen L. Zickes

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June 21, 2013

Swig
219 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg
419-873-6224
Mon-Sat: 11a.m.-11p.m.

“Hot dogs” are more than a ball game or a roadside stand at one of Perrysbug’s newest downtown restaurants. Swig: Charcuterie and suds for the curious opened this past May in the former Petit Fours location. For you non-foodies, a charcuterie is a place that smokes, dries, and cures its own meat. At Swig, all sausages and hot dogs are ground, seasoned, smoked and cooked in house EVERYDAY.
Owners Jim Hodulik (the man behind Stella’s in Perrysburg) and Tony Bilancini wanted to offer customers affordability, in a place with a different feel. “We felt with the economy as it is there was a need,” said Bilancini. For only $1.50, you can have a homemade all-beef, 90% lean hot dog smoked in natural casing. For those of you who don’t embrace the all-American dog, I’ll tell you more about their unique menu in a bit.

Bilancini sums it up, “It’s a restaurant that just happens to have a bar.” There is an inviting three- sided bar on one end of the restaurant with artwork and flat screen TVs. The front end is the dining area. The black and stainless steel tables and chairs sit on a black and white checkered floor, creating a retro feel, while a juke box begs customers to choose their favorite tunes. Large windows naturally light the dining area. Customers also enjoy Swig’s good size, outdoor patio to enjoy the long summer days or early autumn afternoons. Swig doesn’t transform a bar scene until much later in the evenings; keeping it a great place for families to stop and grab a quick bite for lunch or dinner.

Outside of the basic dog, they offer the Chicago Style Hot Dog, Bratwurst, Coney Dogs, Polish sausage, Gyro Sausage, a Fish “Dog,” a Gypsy Hamburg, and plenty more. All sandwiches are served on a hot dog bun, and come topped with sauerkraut, grilled peppers, creamy coleslaw, or whatever suits your fancy. (They have an extensive list of “Tasty Toppers” if you would prefer to make your own creation.) All of Swig’s special sauces are made in house, too. You can’t find roasted onion chipotle ketchup just anywhere, you know!

If you really aren’t into dogs or sausages of any type, salads and soups are available. Reversed Hot Wings, anyone? They’re tossed in Ranch dressing, and served with a side of sauce. We tried the Swig’s Soup for $3.50. It’s a beer and cheddar cheese soup with browned and crumbled bratwurst. It’s a huge bowl, so be ready to share. Hand cut fresh fries were of generous portions and hit the spot with salt and vinegar for only $2.75. “We hand bread our onion rings,” said Bilancini. That would explain why we couldn’t eat just one or two.

Though there isn’t a kids’ menu, we ordered the kids hot dogs, soda, and shared the fries and onion rings. The kids ate for less than what most restaurants charge for an actual “kids’ meal”. I tried one of Swig’s unique items — a Chicken Sausage sandwich. My chicken dog was seasoned with sun-dried tomato and herbs, and topped with tomato, cucumbers, fresh onion, and aioli for $3.75. My husband finally decided on the Fresh Kielbasa sandwich that came with Swig’s homemade spicy brown mustard for a mere $3. We managed to devour plenty of food with little damage to the wallet.
Now that your mouth is watering, you’re probably wondering just what kind of “suds” Swig’s offers to wash down their hot dogs and bratwursts? Bilancini refers to their beer selection as “an adult candy shop.” They do “musical taps,” meaning that they switch out their beers on tap periodically. No, it’s not switching out the Bud Light for the Miller Light. You’re going to find imports and selections from micro brewers across the U.S. If you still can’t decide, you can order a sampler of five and see what wets your whistle. As with everything on the menu, even their special beers are reasonably priced.
Bottom Line: What kid doesn’t like an all American hot dog and tasty fries? Swig has found a unique niche with its neighborhood restaurant and bar that provides great fresh food at an affordable price. Your kids will stay entertained selecting and listening to their own music on the juke box, too.

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

Fields of Green

By

Toledo Parent Staff

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June 21, 2013

With one in four American children overweight or obese, combating the epidemic takes consistent effort for change. ProMedica Health Sytem’s Fields of Green Program is an umbrella program that includes the majority of the organization’s obesity fighting initiatives. One of their most well known initiatives is their annual scholarship program. Last year, the PB Jammers, a 4-student group from Perrysburg High School, submitted the winning entry for the Lunch 101: Food For Thought Scholarship Competition.

Their 10-day diet plan, which included tasty dishes like ground turkey tacos, build your own salads, and English muffin pizzas, substituted the usual cafeteria food at McKinley Elementary school for two weeks. “The students loved it,” says Stephanie Cihon, ProMedica’s Community Outreach Coordinator. “It showed that several small changes can add up to make a difference. The food still tasted great and made an impact from a nutritional standpoint.”The winning entry also included an exercise component (called the “Pencil Song”) which was used at McKinley until the end of the school year.
This year, the competition is called Fields of Green, and will also include development of a health and fitness plan for elementary school kids, with a 20-30 minute exercise program and nutritious snack options. However, the development of a lunch meal has been taken off the competition menu.

“We wanted it to be different this year,” explains Cihon. Plus, the exercise portion is more flexible for schools. “School districts have to prepare so many meals, and they have particular guidelines that they have to follow. The exercise program can be worked into the gym curriculum, or before and after school programs.”However, ProMedica has collected all of the menus from last year’s scholarship competition as a resource for local schools. “We also have a great group of dieticians that are part of our staff. We’re a great resource for schools.”Members of the winning group will each earn a $5,000 college scholarship, and the schools that the winners attend will each receive a $1,000 cash award for their health and science programs.

Deadline for entries is December 1, 2009. Entry forms and more information can be found at www.promedica.org.