Harbor of Toledo is now offering two new programs for individuals and families in need of help. The first, Parents Helping Parents (PHP), is a 3-decades old Toledo program that has recently moved into the Harbor offices. This program offers a place for parents to gain help from other parents, especially those with special needs such as legal troubles, mental health issues, and substance abuse.
The other program is a new comprehensive Bereavement and Loss Assistance Program, helping individuals through various forms of loss, including the loss of a loved one, those experiencing divorce, and families who have lost their home due to an economic downfall. The goal of the program is to help these individuals or families function in the short term while adjusting long-term to deal with the situation. Harbor offers individual, group and family counseling, as well as referrals to other community support groups.
For more information on either program, please contact Harbor at 419-475-4449. 4334 Secor Rd.
www.harbor.org.
Programs for parents
total green
Can a t-shirt save the planet? Barley and Birch, a line of eco-friendly childrenswear, thinks so. Their motto of “unabashedly organic, planet-saving clothes” pretty much says it all. Defiance native Kyle Smitley began B&B in January 2009 with the goal of giving children the safest, most organic, and least environmentally harmful clothing possible. In that quest, the California-based company has made a commitment to deal with manufacturers and suppliers that use solar energy. They use certified organic cotton and water-based inks without chemicals. The clothing line is also produced in the United States, to reduce the pollution of trans-ocean shipping. The line offers tees, lapneck tees, dresses, sweaters, and onesies in several sizes, colors, and designs. Barley and Birch will launch their online store on November 1 and are sold through 30 retailers nationwide, including locally at Phoenix Earth Food Coop at 1447 W. Sylvania Ave. in Toledo. A portion of the proceeds from the line also helps fund schools and clinics in Haiti and El Salvador, with plans to expand their work to Kenya in 2011. www.barleyandbirch.com.
1st Annual Dads & Kids Kamp Out
1st Annual Dads & Kids Kamp Out
R.E.S.T.OR.E., Inc. is a nonprofit organization that helps men get the support, education and services they need to be the best fathers they can be. Since Mayor Mike Bell has proclaimed October 22 Dads and Kids Day, R.E.S.T.O.R.E. Inc. is hosting the 1st Annual Dads & Kids Kamp Out. All dads and their children are invited. Children attending the Kamp Out will be roughing it with dad under the stars, pure quality time, good old fashion fun, food, games, contest, and giveaways. Price includes meals, snacks and entertainment. Fri. 6pm-Sat. 6pm. $25. 567-698-3788. www.restorefathers.org. Lutheran Church of the Master, 28744 Simmons Road, Perrysburg. Registration deadline is October 8.
A change for the better
ABC’s Extreme Makeover began airing in 2002 and has since transformed the look of dozens of individuals. As of mid-April, Mercy and 13abc have teamed up to makeover the interior heart health of three local women in My Mercy Makeover. Robin Perry, Kathy Saco, and Earlean Belcher have committed to make changes in their lifestyles over the next 6 months and to have their cardiac journey documented in a series of mini-videos hosted by 13abc’s Kristian Brown as well as on personal blogs. “I would like to re-develop healthy habits so I can drop some weight and feel better,” said Perry, whose busy schedule as a mother of three and a full-time elementary school aid for autistic children has squeezed out any time to focus on healthy living. With slightly different angles for pursuing personal health, Saco is vowing to be active and healthy in her retirement and Belcher is hoping to reduce the amount of prescription medication she needs to treat her recently diagnosed Type II Diabetes. The mini-video updates air in commercial blocks during Live with Regis and Kelly and The Rachael Ray Show, and will begin during Entertainment Tonight in mid-July. Past mini-videos and blog updates can be found online, the links to which are posted at Mercy’s website, www.mercyweb.org
Oh, mamma!
You’ll be wondering if someone’s Italian grandma is in the kitchen. That’s exactly what Mamma Mia owner Dennis Selman and chief operations officer Gene Jensen were hoping you’d think when you try Mamma Mia’s pizza and other Italian faves. “We brought in an Italian chef from Italy,” said Jensen. “What he did just blew us all away.”
Joining the many pizza joints around town, Jensen knew they needed to stand out. “I made it a different concept,” Jensen said. You can have your meal delivered, get it “to go,” or eat in, where you’ll enjoy lots of Toledo memorabilia dating back to the 1850s. Beyond great pizza, Mamma Mia offers freshly made lasagna, and five different hand-made pastas, including chicken carbanara; personal or family size. Salads, subs, pizza wraps and more continue to be developed. And what could top a pizza and pasta dinner better than ice cream? According to Jensen, Mamma Mia has partnered with Toft’s ice cream. Yes, you can even have dessert delivered to your door. Now that’s one sweet ending!
Mamma Mia plans to expand its restaurants to include more locations in Northwest Ohio and beyond. For now, its single location in Maumee’s Parkway Plaza is ready to serve you. Check out their menu online at www.themammamiapizza.com. 419-887-1330