Our friends S. & A. invited us to the Toledo Club’s 4th of July party on the Willis B. Boyer, which was retired in 1980 and opened as a museum in ‘97.

There was food and a bar, but the most fun came from being able to tour the ship on our own. The river hosted “boatloads” of people waiting for the fireworks.

The sunset was beautiful from the prime spot we carved out for ourselves.

We were on the tippity top of the Boyer facing downtown and only meters from where the fireworks would happen. While waiting, maybe not so patiently, we took photos of the (what I am assuming were) non-legal fireworks happening within the inner-city.

And then… BOOM!

D. took video of the fireworks and then sped the 20-something minute footage up to fit into 3 minutes. It’s disorienting. But great.

My good friend F. came into town via the train from NYC on the same Friday morning that the Crystal Bowersox/American Idol parade was scheduled. His cab driver enthusiastically told him all the details.

Neither of F. nor myself actually watch American Idol but this being his third visit to Toledo, and my love of giving all of my visitors a truely Toledo-centric time, we walked to Summit Street after breakfast to enjoy the parade. Having a mayor on a motorcycle is as good a draw as any.

There were quite a few mascots, and aside from the baseball team and the hockey team I was unable to identify for F. the other, silly tube-shaped characters. Any clues?

The Toledo School for the Arts had a good deal of pride during the parade. And they should have! Crystal Bowersox is an alumni of that fantastic school located in uptown Toledo.

And at the end of the parade, there was Ms. Bowersox. As I post this we know that she is 2nd in place for American Idol. Congrats to you, Crystal! You have a great career before you and Toledo (and all of America) loves you!

Crystal is a positive ambassador for Toledo and the TSA.

Toledo School for the Arts | 333 14th Street | (419) 246-8732

A couple weekends ago, the Toledo chapter of the AIGA hosted a design educators conference at the Crowne Plaza, downtown, for national members of the AIGA. Great for them and great for Toledo for all the visitors!

The opening event was a talk by Joshua Onysko, the CEO and  founder of Pangea Organics.

“Throughout Pangea’s growth, from its inception in 2000, Onysko, 32, has retained private ownership of his company, never straying from its vision.”

His talk, held at the Glass Pavilion at the TMA was open to the public for a small fee, and free to conference attendees.

Joshua’s life story and the story about his company’s commitment to human health as well as the health of our environment was inspirational, compelling, exposed his passion for dedicating oneself to a brand that he built, continues to prune and 100% believes in. All without having to exchange that passion for superficial and “unsustainable” business decisions.

Again, I applaud our young chapter of the AIGA for bringing in the business insights of the founder of Pangea, along with many other heavy hitters over the weekend, like Rick Poyner (”He never jumps the pond!”—in reference to how lucky Toledo is to get an internationally-known designer, so respected, over much larger American cities) and Rick Valicenti (Our own midwest design illuminati).

AIGA Toledo | AIGA National

Last month was 2010’s first Gallery Loop, presented by The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.

Approximately fifteen (15) Toledo galleries opened their doors to the public with free bus shuttles linking them all together. The venues were packed with area folk enjoying arts, entertainment, yummy nibbles and wine. Chilly weather did not keep people away!

There was something for everyone. Like the beautiful diorama above…

…or this curious piece.

I enjoyed the tiny dresses crafted of paper floating in this corner.

Keep an eye open for the next Gallery Loop, as they happen twice a year.

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo | 419-254-ARTS (2787)

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s spring fundraiser was last Saturday.

There was a huge bar in the middle of the main room, yummy bites to eat from Myles Baker Street (and I spotted pizza later in the night), live bands all night (including a local fave-Kentucky Khrome)…

… acrobatics performed by lovely people painted up…

…and, some pretty cool artworks up for auction.

Toward the end of the night, guests started to jump on the trampoline… at least until they were scolded. Alcohol and trampolines don’t mix. YouTube should have taught you that!

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo

The Ottawa Tavern, along with the rest of Adams Street, celebrated Mardi Gras this year with beads, silly hats, “hurricane” drinks, and lots of dancing lights… in the bottoms of the glasses.

Golab played live, as did Detroit’s Charlie Slick. And it was a pretty wild and fun night.

Ottawa Tavern (use < and > arrow keys)| 1817 Adams Street | (419) 725-5483

Friday night was a blast! We started at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion for a wine tasting. After a flight of 4 wines and some tasty cheese, we wandered around the building.

The TMA plays host to live glass blowing all the time. And the wine tastings are going on every Friday, for weeks in a row. Check out the calendar. The house was packed with familiar and unfamiliar faces… all enjoying a wonderful piece of Toledo’s cultural pie.

Our next stop was Space 237 Gallery for the unveiling of Toledo’s Urban Forest Project, another wonderful AIGA Toledo project.

The attendance was impressive, as were the banners designed by a sliver of Toledo’s talented graphic designers. By mid-April these 50 banners, promoting the environment, will be scattered about Downtown Toledo thanks to support from the AIGA and The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.

And once the banners come down, they will be made into tote bags and sold to benefit the Arts Commission of Toledo’s Young Artists at Work program. Good deal, all around.

Toledo Museum of Art | 2445 Monroe Street | Old West End | (419) 255-8000

Toledo’s Urban Forest Project | Downtown Toledo

UPDATE! There is a fantastic video about the Toledo Urban Forest Project filmed at the opening by Toledo.com and viewable here.

Hope everyone has a great 2010!

October 31st was the Glass City Rollers first home game in Toledo–at the SeaGate Convention Centre and the venue was packed. This was my first ever roller derby experience and it was much more fun than I imagined.

It was Halloween so a lot of attendees showed up in costume, including our friends J., J., and M. (above). Keeping in the spirit, there was a costume contest during half-time.

The Glass City girls kicked major butt… but in the end it was the away team (Fox City Foxz) that skated away with the win. Booooo.

Glass City Rollers | This website kicks major butt, too!

This Summer was full of great festivals, but due to travel D. and I missed many of them. Luckily we were able to visit to the Birmingham Festival on the East Side of Toledo. We were treated to a tour from resident superstar B. R. U.–her family has been in the neighborhood for generations. She showed us all the hotspots and cute churches while relaying stories of dancing during hot sweaty summer fests as a child.

The festival is one of Hungarian roots and featured some really amazing foods. Foods that D. and I had never tried before, let alone heard of, like the “hunky turkey”.

Hunky turkey is sliced bread topped with bacon drippings, tomato, onion and green peppers. Pretty epic. But, my favorite dish of the day would have to be the cabbage and egg noodles that came in a little styrofoam bowl at the VFW–best 2 dollars I have ever spent.

Next Summer do not miss out on this festival. Great people watching (like woah), music, dancing, drinking, and food. AND, a hilarious Tony Packos pickle-eating contest.

Birmingham Ethnic Festival | Consaul and Front Street on Toledo’s East-Side

This Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7, the Old West End opens it’s doors (literally) and invites you to festival weekend. Come and enjoy The King Wamba Parade’s 100th Anniversary on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 am. Immediately following will be The King Wamba and Queen Sancha Coronation Ceremony at Mansion View. There will be a Classic and Antique Car Show in front of the Park Lane, Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Both Saturday and Sunday, house tours will be featuring beautiful historic homes. Also to enjoy: an art fair, live entertainment on a stage at Woodruff, children’s activities, food, and of course yard sales.

More information is available on the Old West End Association’s site.

Below is a Google Map of the parade route on Saturday:

D. and I pulled the bikes out Friday afternoon and rode downtown. The city was full of activity, including a MudHens game.

We closed the night with a couple manhattans… at Manhattan’s.

Saturday was the second Artomatic 419! weekend for ‘09, so we spent our day with several hundred fellow Toledoans enjoying local visual and performing arts.

Artomatic has been a complete success… so do come out next Saturday for the final day (May 2nd).

Post-Artomatic activities included dinner at the Oliver House, more bike riding, and cocktails with friends on the back patio of Wesley’s.

D. started his Sunday with a visit to the Toledo Bicycle Co-op!

They have a gazillion bikes ready for you to claim and ride away with.

Next up…

The Ice Cream Social!

Thanks to everyone who came out, supported a great local business, and enjoyed some ice cream! I had a really great time celebrating the 1st birthday of this little Toledo blog with all of you.

… and this entirely pleasant dog! An extra special thanks to Marcia and co. at Lickity Split!

A few hours later had us enjoying R.’s birthday BBQ in the Old West End. A popular dish was the red hot sausages, but they frightened me a little so I declined.

All said and done, it was a great Toledo weekend–we have so many more to come!

Manhattan’s | 1516 Adams St | (419) 243-6675

Artomatic 419! | 201 Morris St | 419-254-ARTS (2787)

Wesley’s | 1201 Adams St | (419) 255-3333

Toledo Bicycle CO-OP | 2272 Collingwood (St. Mark’s Episcopalian Church) | (419) 386-6090

Lickity Split | 2021 Glendale Ave | (419) 382-3285

This Saturday was the opening weekend for Artomatic 419! so we spent a good deal of the day at the building looking at the work, listening to performances, and catching up with friends.

This year’s Artomatic 419! location is in the old “Blade Printing Co.” building. This huge space is filled with photography, painting, sculpture and ceramics, along with art cars, performance art, sketch books and installations.

Works are hung salon-style on the walls (many of which were constructed by volunteers in previous weeks). At the end of the day aprox. 1,500 visitors walked through the doors–fantastic turnout! Don’t miss the next Two (2) Saturdays of FREE art and entertainment.

We took a break later in the day for a bite to eat at The Oliver House, next door. The restaurant was quite busy so we ended up sharing our table with E., and his friends P. + B.–which was nice because the conversation was great, as was the food. I ordered an absolutely delicious white pizza and these curious little fried balls of sauerkraut which were great to share with the table.

The night was capped off with cocktails at Wesley’s on the back patio. Happened into a reader that emailed EnjoyingToledo.com last year, while she was still living in New York. And now she lives down the street in the Old West End. Small world!

In closing… Artomatic is great, the white pizza delish, and new friends wonderful.

Artomatic 419! | Two Saturdays remaining: April 25th and May 2nd

The Oliver House | 27 Broadway | (419) 241 – 1253

Saturday was the last scheduled day to hang work for Artomatic 419! We spent the afternoon with I-don’t-know-how-many fellow local artists, putting finishing touches on our respective works.

This Saturday the event opens to the public, FREE of charge. It will be the first Saturday of Three (3)–April 18th, 25th, and May 2nd–full of arts and entertainment. Check the online schedule for the poetry, music and dance happenings!

This year Artomatic is downtown, next door to the Oliver House (Maumee Bay Brewing Co.), so you can have dinner and a drink and make a day of it!

Visit Artomatic 419!’s online home here.

You’re invited to the first birthday party for EnjoyingToledo.com—and it’s not a birthday without ice cream so fittingly we are having it at Lickity Split, which happens to be the very first post on Enjoying Toledo. Serendipity!

Event details:
Sunday, April 26th, 2009
2pm -to- 4pm
at Lickity Split
2021 Glendale Avenue
off the Anthony Wayne Trail

I hope you can attend, have some ice cream, and support one of Toledo’s great local businesses in the company of other Toledoans enjoying our city.

To download a PDF of the invite, click here.

This Saturday night was The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s annual “Mix UP” party which has been a hit every Spring for as long as I can remember (in my relatively short time in Toledo).

There was a good deal to see, experience, and taste at this event. We walked past fire breathers and jazz onto a tantalizing spread of food, incredible art being auctioned off, dancing people, a large-scale “photo booth”, and open artist studios on the upper floors of The Secor Building in downtown.

It was a veritable who’s who of Toledo, but if you missed it no worries. Simply attend next year’s party as this weekend set a strong precedent for years to come. As in the music was fantastic. The food was totally yummy and flowing. The art exhibited on the first floor, along with the open studios upstairs, was really great. And the energy was bonkers.

The Mix UP! | Presented by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo

Saturday afternoon we picked up R. and M. for a trip to the Chili Cook-Off at the Stranahan. This was the first cook-off D. and I have ever attended.

I didn’t get to sample all the chili’s because halfway through it I was stuffed—like so stuffed that as soon as we got home I had to nap for an hour. The chili I was able to down was great though! The event was packed with Toledoans who had “rented” their own tin trays for only $3 a pop.

The Great Chili Cook-Off was a benefit for Mobile Meals of Toledo—a fantastic local charity.

Last month the Toledo chapter of the AIGA held a design charrette benefiting a local non-profit, MLK Kitchen for the Poor. Approximately twenty graphic design professionals gathered to create a new visual identity with accompanying print materials and website in a one-day design marathon. Everyone split into specialized groups.

Some groups focused on brand identity, while others covered copywriting, stationary and business cards, and a the rest focused on a web presence that allowed for the ease of accepting donations online. It was great to see professionals from several agencies in town gathering together for a common cause, and it’s a testament that the notion of “too many cooks in the kitchen” is not always relevant. An updated branding with supporting materials concepted and implemented in one day! Printing was donated by Homewood Press of Toledo. Amazing work… and kudos to all the participants who volunteered their time on a Saturday afternoon.

Here is the press release for the charrette.

And here is the website the AIGA produced for MLK Kitchen for the Poor.

AIGA, the professional association for design, is the place design professionals turn to first to exchange ideas and information, participate in critical analysis and research and advance education and ethical practice.

Artists are picking their spaces and getting prepared for the 2009 Artomatic 419! event. How exciting! This year’s Artomatic is in an amazing building next to the Oliver House in the Warehouse District, Downtown.

This 100% volunteer-driven and coordinated event is one of the more successful programs supported by The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo. Local artists—both visual and performing—will take over this building and open it up to the public for 3 weekends in late April, early May. Do not miss out on this free cultural event featuring the talents of hundreds of Toledoans. And it’s not too late to get involved! Volunteers are always welcome and it’s a great way to meet other local creative-minded folk.

Artomatic 419! | April 18th, 25th and May 2nd, 2009

Happy New Years Eve, everyone! We stocked up for the night at Joseph’s Beverage Center. It’s bonkers out there!

Josephs Beverage Center | 4129 Talmadge Rd | (419) 472-1421

ps. Don’t drink and drive! ABCO services is offering free towing and a ride home from midnight to 3 a.m. The number is 419-536-6123. Jot it down.

Visit our local animatronic utopia and cacotopia combined.

It’s all sorts of epic. Including wonderful antique diatribes.

And injection molded toy machines. Wow. Kids love it.

Children’s Wonderland | Lucas Co. Rec Center in Maumee | Runs through New Year’s Eve.

Friday night was the Second Annual ‘Tis the Secor Show at the Secor Building downtown. Highlights included an exhibit of works from 40+ local artists, open studios and live music.

One of my favorite pieces was front and center in the lobby — a portrait by Richard Reed of his friend Marty.

It’s beautifully done.

There was live music in the lobby including Toledo’s best experimental group, KDB.

After leaving the Secor show we met up with friends for drinks at Wesley’s in uptown. It’s a sure bet on Friday nights and features some of my favorite pro-Toledo decor, including the infamous “You Will Do Better in Toledo” sign, the original of which is sadly long gone.

We finished things up with a nightcap at The Attic on Adams the new hotspot above Manos. Hope to see you there soon!

The Secor Building | 425 Jefferson St @ Superior | Downtown

KBD | myspace.com/kbdtoledo

Wesley’s | 1201 Adams Street | 419-255-3333

The Attic on Adams | 1701 Adams St. | 419-243-5350