Rapunzel

May 6, 2013

April 17
Rapunzel
Based on the Brothers Grimm tale, this adaptation of Rapunzel by local author Dottie Zimmerman tells the moving tale of evil, consequences for actions, perseverance and the redemptive power of true love. Come and enjoy this engaging story presented by the Children’s Theatre Workshop. Seating is first come, first serve. Public performances are at 1pm and 3:30pm. $4.50-$7. Collingwood Arts Center, 2413 Collingwood Blvd,
Toledo. 419-244-5061.
www.collingwoodartscenter.org.

Aloe us to remind you: Sunscreen basics

Digital Media

May 6, 2013

Spring has sprung and soon it will be summer — time for tee-ball games, visits to the park and fun at the pool, lake or pond. Like any good mom, sunscreen remains a staple in your summer tote bag. You slather the kids in it before sending them off into the sun’s rays — but are you protected?
While the sun might feel good shining on your face after a long Ohio winter, the perceived benefits are only short term. Exposure to the sun actually accelerates the effects of aging and increases your risk for developing skin cancer.
Preventing wrinkles and age spots might be of some importance, but even more important is preventing skin cancer. More than one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. There are also many studies that have found an association between sunburns and an enhanced risk for melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer.

Protect yourself
If someone told you that there was an inexpensive magic potion to slow the aging process and possibly prevent cancer, wouldn’t you jump at the chance to use it?
The good news is that this magic potion is right at your fingertips — sunscreen.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that, regardless of skin type, a broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays) water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 should be used year-round. This will help protect against sunburn, premature aging (including age spots and wrinkles) and skin cancer.
Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. When using sunscreen, be sure to apply it to all exposed areas and pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands, and arms. Rub it in thoroughly, including the newer spray versions. Don’t let the spray sit on the skin’s surface. Children especially might rub it off accidentally or on purpose.
Coat the skin liberally. Most people apply only 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Don’t forget that lips get sunburned, too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Sunscreens should be reapplied at least every two hours or after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even “water-resistant” sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water. Sunscreens rub off as well as wash off, so if you’ve towel-dried, reapply sunscreen for continued protection.

Tanning beds
Despite claims, there is no “safe” way to tan. A tan is actually the skin’s response to injury caused by UV exposure. Tanning occurs when UV rays penetrate the skin’s outer layer causing the production of melanin as a response to the injury. Exposure to UV rays, both natural (the sun) and artificial (tanning beds), results in a change in the skin’s texture, causing wrinkles and age spots. Therefore, tanning to improve your short-term appearance actually causes long-term skin damage. Studies have also shown that UV exposure during indoor tanning can damage the DNA in the skin cells, suppress the immune system, and cause eye damage, including cataracts and ocular melanoma.
With so many risks, outdoor and indoor tanning are simply not safe or healthy ways to feel good about yourself. They will only hurt your appearance in the long run. If you feel the need to bronze your skin, opt for spray-tanning, self-tanning lotions and make up, and always use sunscreen.
It’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun and minimize your future risk of skin cancer. Before you step outside, remember — sunscreen isn’t just for kids.

Sleeping soundly

Digital Media

May 6, 2013

Many parents are comforted and amused by the snoring of their child. However, the noise that your little one makes while “sawing logs” can be a sign of a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is commonly associated with overweight adults, but many parents don’t know that children can experience obstructive sleep apnea, too.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which normal upper airway breathing is restricted or blocked during sleep. Signs of obstructive sleep apnea in children include snoring, restless sleeping, bedwetting, night terrors and, of course, observation of brief periods of apnea. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in children include irritability, hyperactivity, mouth breathing, headaches, daytime sleepiness and learning difficulties.
If you suspect that your child may have obstructive sleep apnea, you may want to start with an evaluation by your primary care provider or an ENT specialist. A polysomnogram (sleep study) is often performed to confirm obstructive sleep apnea. A complete examination of the anatomy of the nose and throat is important to identify structures that can cause narrowing or obstruction of the upper airway, which can lead to obstructive sleep apnea. An X-ray or CT scan can also be used to examine the internal facial and neck anatomy. While this may sound like a scary experience for children, some places, including the Toledo Clinic ENT, offer friendly solutions like an in-office sit down CT scanner to examine internal structures of the head and neck.
The treatment for OSA varies depending on the cause. In many cases, enlarged adenoids or tonsils or swelling in the nose from allergies can be to blame. Allergy testing and treatment to identify and address environmental factors is important. Medical treatment can involve antihistamines, decongestants or steroid nasal sprays to reduce nasal swelling from allergies.
Weight loss through exercise and smart dietary choices is beneficial. In cases where medications or lifestyle modification is not enough, sometimes upper airway surgery is indicated. Outpatient procedures include adenotonsillectomy, which alleviates the obstruction of the nose and throat, and turbinoplasty, which reduces intranasal tissue swelling. These procedures can often cure or significantly improve pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition, but one that can be successfully treated in children. So next time you watch your little one sleep, take note of their breathing habits. If you think your child may have obstructive sleep apnea, a trip to your primary care provider or an ENT specialist can ease your mind and help your child sleep better.

Melissa Harris-Martorana, MD is an internal medicine physician and member of ProMedica. Physician Group.

Just say “YESS”

Clara Engel

May 6, 2013

In 2007 Michael Ziegler began Young Adult Enrichment and Support Services (YESS) to combat the growing number of economically affected and developmentally challenged youth in Toledo and surrounding areas. “I started the YESS Program with an idea that the young adult population of the Developmentally Disabled community was in need of a program that better suited their needs in transitioning into adulthood and the many responsibilities that come with the move from youth to young adult,” says Ziegler.
His grandmother, Charlotte, founder of YESS’s parent company Ziegler Habilitation Homes Inc. and Ziegler’s former employer, exposed him to spending time with the developmentally disabled and inspired him to support these community members and help them achieve their goals. His grandfather and parents were also heavily involved. “My family has always had a passion for helping others with disabilities by offering support for them,” he says. “And as third generation in the field, I also have the same passion that my grandparents and parents have for the Developmentally Disabled population.”
YESS provides Lucas County’s only day programming for young adults ages 18 through 35 with developmental disabilities, including training in adult daily living skills through recreation, enrichment and community involvement; vocational training; supportive employment; and a Saturday recreation/enrichment program. In addition, YESS offers Urban Youth Works, a new jobs program created by Zeigler for young adults of all abilities based at the St. Stephens Training Center. Other programs in development include Media Mentor, a program that allows young adults to explore and develop their talents, as well as special courses for adults with autism.
With the national unemployment rate soaring to nearly 10 percent, and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an unemployment rate of over 11 percent in the Toledo Metropolitan area, more and more job seekers are finding it hard to land jobs on their own. “Presently, during the current recession and the lack of employment,” says Ziegler, “jobs for disabled people are scarce and with fewer vocational opportunities available, YESS offers an age appropriate day program, as well as some work opportunities for young adults with developmental disabilities. When (the recession eventually ends), young adults who’ve acquired the necessary skills to secure employment in a better job market (can) fulfill their dreams of living independently in the community.”
When asked about YESS’ accomplishments, Ziegler points to the young adults enrolled in the program who have taken what they’ve learned and applied it to their lives. “It gives you the skills you need to be a mature adult,” says Kristina, who has moved into her own apartment since being enrolled in the YESS program.
Adding to the excitement of the organization’s success, Ziegler and his wife Patricia just recently welcomed their first child, Michael R. Zeigler III.

If you’d like to enroll in YESS or learn more, please call 419-535-5603.

Yeeeeeeeeha!

Karen L. Zickes

May 6, 2013

Yeeha’s Buckin’
Bar & Grill
3150 Navarre Ave.
Oregon, OH 43616
Mon-Sun: 11a.m.-2a.m.
www.yeehas.com

I have to admit, I had some serious reservations about taking my family to an establishment with “buckin’ bar” in the name. And well, it doesn’t exactly scream “family restaurant” at the entrance, either. Upon pulling up to the building, my daughter kept saying, “Maybe we shouldn’t go in there. I’m not sure it’s a place for kids.” I know, for a 10-year-old she needs to chill out a bit, but I, too, was a tiny bit hesitant. As I slowly opened the door one Saturday night I was half expecting everyone to turn their heads and shoot un-approving glances my way. What I got instead was a good meal at a great price and a very enjoyable time. Lesson learned: Never judge a book by its cover.
Yeeha’s claim is “Northwest Ohio’s ONLY full service Country Western Restaurant, Sports Bar, Dance Club and Event Center.” However, if you’re in there before 9 p.m. on a weekend, it’s really not any different than any other bar and grill type restaurant around town. Well, okay, the waitresses wear tight black tank tops that say “Buckin’ Babe,” but other than that… There is a large horseshoe bar in the middle, and on one side tables and booths, on the other a wood floor for dancing and plenty of pub tables and chairs.
After getting settled at our table, I took a look around and to my surprise, I saw a few families hanging out with friends and another having dinner in a booth. Our waitress, Heather, who was great by the way, said families stop in to eat frequently. You can’t beat the Little Bucks menu, for cowboys and cowgirls 12 and under, for $2.99 including drink. My Wild West bunch got a kick out of the corn dog bites, and my cowgirl enjoyed a grilled cheese. Of course, burgers and chicken tenders are also available.

Kid-friendly service
My children enjoyed their meals, but I really can’t say enough about our waitress. It was obvious from the second we sat down that she had young children of her own. She didn’t ask if we’d need a few more napkins. That was a given. She was very chatty with the kids, joking around with them, and making them feel right at home. She even asked ME about soda refills for them, knowing I just might want them to switch to water. She knew if she asked them about refills they’d say yes, mom would say no, and that harmony at the table would cease.
The other side of the bar/restaurant had a fun lobster tank. For $2 you can try your skill (or luck in my opinion) at using the little crane and outsmarting the lobsters. If you can successfully snag one, it’s yours for the $2 and they’ll cook it up for you. Sure enough, someone caught a lobster that night and before taking it back to the kitchen, Heather, knowing the kids would love getting an up close look at the live lobster, stopped by our table to show the kids. You know she made an impression with the kids!

A variety of food choices
The menu is loaded with an array of bar food, such as angus sliders, chili cheese fries, potato skins and the like. Move down to eight salad options, chicken chunks served eleven different ways, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and countless entrees including steaks, chicken, and fish. I had a bowl of French onion soup, a side of mashed potatoes and a 6oz. bacon wrapped filet all for only $8.99. My husband dove into the half pound mushroom and Swiss burger with seasoned fries for $7.99. He, of course, had to throw in some Wild West Wings with Yeeha’s signature sauces as well. Too much food for one meal, but it made for a great snack the next day.
By the time we were ready to leave, the boys were begging to listen to the band that started to set up for an evening of partying and dancing. We left with our ‘lil bucks before the clock struck 9 and they turned into pumpkins. They’ll have to wait a few more years before seeing the “rock stars,” as they called them, perform.

Bottom Line: If you’re comfortable taking your family to a bar and grill atmosphere, you will undoubtedly enjoy the good food at reasonable prices that Yeeha’s offers. You and your kids will enjoy the fun, friendly wait staff as well. Don’t forget to have them take a peak at the lobster tank, too.

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].

Equality is a lightswitch away

Mary Helen Darah

May 6, 2013

I am one of the fortunate ones in life to lay claim to a lifelong friend. Sherri and I have known each other literally, our entire time on this great earth. Our dads caused major havoc together in art classes and in Sunday school since they were seven. We have been sharing family vacations and holidays ever since we were infants. In my family filled with testosterone, Sherri was my source of “all that is girl.” She still nabs me poolside on spring break to complete the annual toenail painting of her non-primping friend. She serves this up with a side of “I have tweezers and I know how to use them!” and “How can you go so long without shaving?”
It was with great pleasure that I began the preparations for her couple’s bridal shower. I prayed that things would go smoothly especially since Sherri was marrying a wonderful man who, never the less, fell outside the proverbial “box.” Sherri is, as we women of height like to say, 5”12”, and Donnie is well, not. He is also a person of color. I knew my little family would welcome their new uncle with open arms, but would the rest of the world?
The big evening arrived. Crisp white linens (with all the stains strategically hidden with scattered rose petals) were draped over my card tables to cover the remnants of finger paint and glitter glue. I hung so many twinkle lights in the backyard that a small plane could make a landing. It may not have been a perfect “Martha Moment,” but things were looking pretty darn good.
My first indication that things would head south was with the arrival of the cake. The bakery tried, but did not succeed, in playing up the “shower” theme by putting what were to look like dainty rain drops made of sugar on the cake. Unfortunately, the affect made it look like dried contact lenses were sticking out of the frosting. Nan, Sherri’s Mom, who is always the voice of calm in a crisis of any proportion, dealt with the issue at hand. Meanwhile, Uncle Todd decided after one too many glasses of champagne, to darken the plastic groom that stood on top of the confectionary nightmare, with a black Sharpie to make things more believable.
It was then that my dear friend whispered in my ear ten minutes before the guests were to arrive, that her parents and the mother of her future husband had never met. I said calmly, “NEVER, AS IN NEVER?” and immediately joined Uncle Todd at the champagne table.
Guests and beautifully wrapped packages that put my crumpled, used gift bag to shame arrived. I barely had time to take a sip of bubbly, when a wind that could have blown Dorothy back to Oz began to sweep across my Martha-wanna-be backyard haven. We all worked together to bring what we could indoors before the lightning started its impressive display giving my twinkle lights some hefty competition.
Having 40 guests now crammed inside should have been the end of the unexpected, at least so I thought. Gram always said, “If you want to give God a good laugh, tell Him your plans!” Sure enough, a large flash in the sky followed by a thunderous boom, found us in the dark. In those brief moments my mind was racing. Even though somewhere, my deceased perfectionist Grandmother Scheib was shaking her head in disbelief, I realized that the evening was indeed PERFECT. Nothing like a little electrical storm to solidify in forty people’s minds what we already knew. Equality is an electrical outage away. We didn’t need a flashlight to see the immense love of two people who were meant to share one life.

Mary Helen Darah has been in marketing and development for nonprofit organizations for the past six years, but her greatest role is being a mom to three amazing and diverse young women. Mary Helen has an innate ability to find humor in her trials, and hopes her writing will give others comic relief and insight through the challenges of parenthood. Mary Helen can be reached c/o
[email protected].

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