Children's birthday parties have a fairly standard menu: pizza, cake, and cookies are always expected, and in demand. But for kids with celiac disease, that standard menu can leave them feeling excluded and anxious — celiacs must eliminate all gluten, a protein found in wheat flour and many other ingredients, from their diet to avoid serious problems with their digestive systems. Local mom Cheri Shinaver learned firsthand how difficult the radical dietary changes can be for parents and their children when her daughter Kaylee was diagnosed in late 2011, after years of stomach pain and sick days taken off from school. “I cried at the grocery store — it was super hard, it was overwhelming,” she explains. But Shinaver wanted to connect with parents experiencing the same challenges, so she teamed with school teacher Holly Welsch to create The Celiac Support Group, which meets quarterly at Sylvania First United Methodist Church. Families join together to trade advice and taste-test gluten-free products, with the goal of helping each other confront the diagnosis. Shinaver is making other efforts, as well, hosting the first ever “Beat the Wheat” race to raise awareness about the autoimmune disease on Sunday, May 19 at 9am at Olander Park. For more information on the race, email [email protected]. The Celiac Support Group’s next meeting is Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30pm at 7000 Erie St., Sylvania. For more information about the group, email [email protected].
“Beat the Wheat”
Sal's Pals Annual Dinner and Auction
In the past eleven years, Sal's Pals Annual Dinner and Auction has helped raise nearly one million dollars to fund medical research to cure cystic fibrosis. This year’s event on Saturday, April 13 will be no different — Sal’s Pals founders Jenny Pinardo and her husband, Rick, have worked tirelessly to raise funding for research since their son Sal was diagnosed, shortly after his birth in 2001 with cystic fibrosis. The chronic disease impairs the lungs and digestive system and at the time, his life expectancy was less than 30 years. Though treatments developed over the past decade have advanced to extend that number, the Pinardos won’t be satisfied until a cure is found. “To be honest, my husband and I, the way we look at it is, we are not doctors, we can't do the research ourselves to find a cure,” Jenny says, “but we can't sit back and do nothing.” Despite the seriousness of the cause, the event’s success is attributed to its casual, familial atmosphere. “It's kind of like a big Italian wedding,” Jenny explains. This year's dinner will feature catering by Sofo Foods, a live auction, and a cash bar from 6 to 11 pm at St. Francis De Sales High School, 2323 W. Bancroft St. Sal's Pals will also participate in the Great Strides National Walk Event at the UAW/GM Powertrain Park on Jackman Rd. on Saturday, May 4. For more info, call Rick Pinardo at 419-360-7732 or visit www.salspals.org.
Build It!
Toys and learning go together at Build It! in Perrysburg. Long-time Fort Meigs School 5th grade teacher Kelisa Boden started a Lego Club at school in 2011, and found lots of interest and plenty of fun ways to teach concepts required by state education math and science standards using the toys. When her husband Bill lost his job in October 2012, the couple developed the idea of opening a business together that the entire family could enjoy, and BuildIt! was born.
The center offers drop-in classes for preschoolers and students in grades K-5 (schedules are available on their website), using Boden’s experience to teach all levels of science — physical, life, earth, and space — as well as math. She uses the building blocks to teach measuring, scale modeling, counting, patterns, volume and arrays. Lego lovers can celebrate birthdays at BuildIt! and summer campers will work on Star Wars and robotic activities. Open family time is available, too, for moms and dads who want to share the fun. —CH
Open play time is $5 per child per hour; classes are $8 each or four for $30. BuildIt! at Levis Commons is located at 5180 Chappel Dr., Perrysburg. 419-690-9311. www.builditperrysburg.com.
Crystal Jozsa Photography
Light is the name of the game for good photography, and Crystal Jozsa has found all the light she needs at the new brick and mortar location of her photography business. She recently opened a studio on the 7th floor of the Secor Building in downtown Toledo, recognizing that the high ceilings and abundance of natural light there will enhance her photos of babies, children, and family groups.
Jozsa had always enjoyed photography as a hobby, but didn't consider it as a career until her father died at age 60. That event served to remind her that life is too short not to do what she really loved, so she left her career in banking and opened her own business. She especially loves photographing her youngest subjects as they interact naturally with their surroundings inside or outdoors (no "sit still" commands here!) and she expects the new location will provide interesting settings.
"It doesn't seem like Toledo," she noted. "You get to ride a fancy elevator to get to the studio, and there are plenty of cool stairways and nooks and crannies that provide great atmosphere. Even the outside of the building and the alleyways nearby will be great locations for black and white or color shots." Packages start at $75. —CH
Crystal Jozsa Photography is located on the 7th floor of the Secor Building, 413 Jefferson Ave. in downtown Toledo. 419-460-3866. www.crystaljozsaphotography.com.
Fun, games, and therapy
Board games have long been known as "smart" fun — old-school recreation that teaches kids valuable social skills, too. Local therapist Jennifer Dubow wanted to capitalize on that idea with the creation of a new board game, Stress Quest, which teaches children ages 5 to 11 helpful skills to reduce anxiety. Stress Quest is intended as a tool for therapists and counselors to combat growing levels of worry among children, which can affect their ability to function academically and socially — symptoms can manifest themselves in the form of stomach aches, headaches, nail biting or excessive crying. Dubow teamed with local artist Paula Ashley to create the game's look, with the hopes that area intervention specialists can help students absorb important coping skills. For more information, call 419-699-3659 or visit buychildtherapygames.com.
Family Zoo Snoozes
The time-honored sleepover gets a much-needed (and super cool) overhaul from the Toledo Zoo this season. Family Zoo Snoozes, overnight experiences that were previously reserved for youth groups of 25 or more, are now open to families and their children, 5 and up. Kids and their parents bring sleeping bags and camp out at the Forest Room of Nature’s Neighborhood or in tents, enjoying a behind-the-scenes experience of animal interaction, keeper talks, tours and of course, the all-important snack time. The season’s first Family Zoo Snooze will be themed “Playful Primates” and takes place Saturday, April 6; pre-registration is required, as event reservations are expected to fill quickly. For May through November event themes and times, call 419-385-5721 ext. 2042 or visit toledozoo.org/snooze.