Freedom Train
Freedom Train tells the thrilling story of Harriet Tubman, the “Moses of her people.” Born a slave, Harriet was 25 when she made her perilous escape from a Maryland plantation in her first of many journeys on the Underground Railroad. Freedom Train uses a series of highly theatrical scenes that include dance, dialogue and music of the period. This stirring work celebrates the approach of Black History Month by telling a story of self-sacrifice, dedication and survival, laced with warmth and a sense of humor that celebrates the human spirit. All seats: $7. Franciscan Theater and Conference Center, Lourdes College. Sylvania. $7.
www.lourdes.edu/CommunityOutreach/TheaterVision.
Frozentoezen
With half-price admission and all manner of frosty fun, you won’t want to miss this celebration of all things winter. Frozentoesen features Cabin Fever Feeds each weekend, where you can watch some of your favorite Zoo animals chow down. Plus, you’ll see ice-carving demonstrations each Saturday from 11am to 2pm, live performances and more. See website for event schedule. 10am. The Toledo Zoo, 2700 Broadway. Half-priced admission. 419-385-4040.
www.toledozoo.org.
Dining on the avenue
Avenue Bistro
6710 W. Central Ave. Toledo
419-841-5944
www.centralavenuebistro.com
Mon-Fri: lunch 11:30a.m.
Mon-Thur: dinner 4p.m.-10p.m.
Fri-Sat: dinner 4p.m.-11p.m.
Over the years, I’ve decided I’ve become either more desperate, or more daring. Although, it’s possible I’ve become a little of both. I recall a time when the mere thought of dragging my entire entourage to a restaurant decked out in linen tablecloths sent me hightailing in the other direction. But as the kids get older, in many ways, they also get easier. Eating at restaurants nicer than Mickey D’s with children in tow still doesn’t rank at the top of my “Favorite Things To Do” list, but each year it moves on up.
The other week, I was anticipating a long overdue quiet dinner in an upscale atmosphere. You know — candles on the table and no singing waitresses or TVs in the dining room. When my babysitter cancelled, I was so anticipating that nice meal that I dared to take the kids with us. We called it a celebration for their start of a great school year; and a nice break for mommy from having to cook another meal that week!
So off we headed to one of my favorite places, Avenue Bistro. Over the years I’ve enjoyed delectable dinners there countless times, but never with my children. Usually it was a girl’s night out, or date night with my husband. I didn’t recall ever seeing young children there before, but to my relief, they do have a children’s menu and activity sheet with crayons to boot. Yes! I was going to get to enjoy that scrumptious meal after all.
For the last six or seven years, Avenue Bistro has been locally owned by Chuck Mira, Anthony Calamunci, Pat Giammarco, and Ash Banoub, according to manager Linda Kurisco. Their mission at Avenue Bistro is simple: “To maintain our reputation as a premier locally owned and managed restaurant/lounge, serving the finest in foods, desserts, and beverages resulting in great value to our customers.”
A warm, welcoming
setting
They classify themselves as a Contemporary American restaurant. The atmosphere is elegant, yet comfortable with warm colors and a beautiful glass and iron wall separating the lounge and dining area. Booth seating and small tables are available; all of which have a great view of the stone framed open kitchen. I know my children enjoyed getting a glimpse of the cooling action as we waited for our meals. The bistro also has a DJ on Thursday evenings and live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays. Though we missed the music (because it starts after my kids should be in bed), it’s something to keep in mind in case you get out for a date night sometime.
The kids’ menu included staples like chicken fingers, burgers and fries, and pasta for only $3.99 (drinks are extra). All three of my children went for the cheeseburger. Wow. Those burgers were some of the biggest I’ve seen on a kids’ menu, and so flavorful. There was much entertainment value in watching my 3-year-old attempt to maneuver his mouth around his burger. They made for great leftovers the next day — there was no way they could polish them off at dinner.
The menu is quite extensive, including steaks, seafood dishes, pastas, pizza, duck, and more ranging from $13-$26. The Saturday Dinner Special is a fabulous deal that includes your choice of two select entrees for only $29.95. My husband and I couldn’t resist the deal or the choices. I devoured the chicken picatta with a side of fettuccine, and my husband had a pasta special with feta cheese and spinach in a light sauce. It’s a must to opt for their house salad and lobster bisque. They’re definitely memorable. According to Linda, the manager, the prime rib has fast become a favorite of customers as well.
They were the busiest I’d ever seen them the night we stopped in, so our meals were a little slower than usual. However, our waiter was most accommodating by bringing bread out to the table quickly and attending to our drink refills. The service and delicious dishes made our time very enjoyable, even with three young kids in tow.
Bottom Line: All is not lost when your sitter cancels and you had plans for a nice dinner out. At Avenue Bistro, you can enjoy a delectable meal and great service in an adult atmosphere, yet feel comfortable enough to have your children join you.
Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached in c/o [email protected].
Driving the student dropout issue
Increases in Toledo’s high school dropout rate is shocking. The United Way and America’s Promise Alliance are teaming up to correct this problem and to get the local community involved.
Some studies estimate Ohio’s graduation rate to be 79 percent. With a $10,000 grant from America’s Promise Alliance, the United Way held a summit on November 19 to discuss the problem and how to rectify it.
“One of the United Way’s strengths is our ability to convene key players around a table,” said Bill Kitson, United Way of Greater Toledo President and CEO. “Our goal was to come away from the day with ideas and recommendations for strong long-term solutions to continue attacking this issue and I think we accomplished that.”
The summit included community representatives, including educators, parents, students, business owners, officials from juvenile justice and government. Attendees (over 200) divided into groups to discuss improving graduation rates and college readiness. The groups indentified assets in the community and potential solutions, including formal and informal mentoring, parental engagement, and community involvement.
While the initiative is being driven by United Way, Greg Braylock, United Way Community Impact Specialist says that the organization does not want to “own” the task. “We definitely want to have community engagement in this process and the ongoing work of making sure that kids are prepared for post-secondary work and education, and, ultimately, life.”
Kitson agreed. “This is a community issue and we need everyone to reach out a hand, mentor a child, tutor a teen, get involved in the conversation.”
Still compiling information from the summit, United Way is welcoming interested families and community members to join their email list, and to stay up-to-date on developments. Email [email protected]. United Way of Greater Toledo, 419-248-2424/www.unitedwaytoledo.com.
Join in the Black College tour
The Maumee Bay chapter of the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club (NANBPWC), Inc. is inviting students to join in the 7th Annual Black College Tour. The Tour consists of ten East Coast HBCU’s, including Virginia Richmond, NC Howard University, NC A&T University and Morgan State University, from April 4 to 9. Seats are still available. Contact Gwen Banks at 419-944-5912 or Trevor Black at 419-478-7844 for more information.