Toledo City Paper

     Quiet down and take your seats, folks — the moment is finally here. Ballots have been cast, votes have been counted, and the winners of the 2008 Best of Toledo awards are ready to be unveiled. Within these pages, you'll find the people, places and things that keep the heart of our city beating; the things that make us proud to call the Toledo area our home.

   Thank you for your votes and for giving us plenty of reasons to keep saluting the successes of this city. We hope to see you all in celebration at the Best of Toledo party on Wednesday, February 4, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at The Annex at the Omni.

And now, without further ado, let the festivities begin!

LOCAL COLOR

Way to improve Toledo
Get rid of Carty
Runner Up: Add more shops

Do-gooder
Jon Stainbrook
Runner Up: Ben Konop

Troublemaker
Carty Finkbeiner
Runner Up: Ben Konop

Local sex symbol
Katie Holmes
Runner Up: Tony Shamas

High school
Central Catholic High School
2550 Cherry St.
419-255-2280
www.centralcatholic.org
Runner Up: Whitmer High School

College
University of Toledo
2801 Bancroft
800-586-5336
www.utoledo.edu
Runner Up: Bowling Green State University

County commissioner
Ben Konop
Runner Up: Pete Gerken

Toledoan to exile to Wasilla, AK
Carty Finkbeiner
Runner Up: Joe the Plummer

Person who should never run for mayor but should
Mike Bell
Runner Up: Jim White

COOL PROS

Bank
Fifth Third
Runner Up: Huntington National Bank

Dentist
Dr. Rick Hires
Hires Dental Studio
3951 W. Sylvania Ave.
866-376-1296
www.hiresdentalstudio.com
Runner Up: Dr. Jonathan Frankel

Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Frank Barone
2000 Regency Ct. #204
419-720-2008
www.frankbaronemd.com
Runner Up: Dr. Craig Colville

Lasik eye surgeon
Dr. William Martin
OptiVue
419-693-4444
For locations, visit www.optivue.com
Runner Up: Dr. Stephen Reed

Chiropractor
Dr. Mark Engel
Engel Chiropractic
26597 N. Dixie Hwy., Suite 159
419-874-9744
www.engelchiropractic.com
Runner Up: Dr. Greg Davis

Veterinarian
Bob Esplin
Sylvania Veterinary Hospital
4801 N. Holland Sylvania Rd.
419-885-4421
www.sylvaniavet.com
Runner Up: Reynolds Road Animal Hospital

Real estate agent
Barb Jacobs, Sulpher Springs      
419-479-2227
Runner Up: Nancy & Tom Kabat

Plumber
Mr. Plumber
For numbers and locations, visit www.emergencymrplumber.com
Runner Up: Mike Petrie

Place to get alternative healthcare
Dr. Nick Dumas, Chiropractor
4157 Sylvania Ave.
419-474-6500
Runner Up: University of Toledo Medical Center

Local nonprofit
Paws and Whiskers Cat Shelter
38 Hillwyck Dr.
419-536-1914
www.pawsandwhiskers.org
Runner Up: Planned Parenthood of NW Ohio

IN THE NEWS

Print journalist
Roberta DeBoer
The Blade
Runner Up: Ryan Smith, The Blade

Sportscaster
Rob Powers
13 ABC
Runner Up: Dan Cummins, WTOL Channel 11

TV news anchor
Diane Larson
13 ABC
Runner Up: Jerry Anderson, WTOL Channel 11

Investigative Reporter
Zach Ottenstein
13 ABC
Runner Up: Greg Bazarian

Local TV station
13 ABC
Runner Up: WTOL Channel 11

Radio station
WVKS 92.5 Kiss-FM
Runner Up: 106.5 The Zone

Morning radio show
Andrew Z in the Morning, WVKS 92.5 Kiss-FM
Runner Up: Shores and Steele, K100

Local TV commercial
Appliance Center
321 Illinois Ave., Maumee
419-893-3374
www.appliancecenterdirect.com
Runner Up: Car Stereo One

Local blog
Glasscityjungle.com
Runner Up: Swampbubbles.com

SHOPPING & SERVICES

GETTING GRUB

Bakery
Bakery Unlimited
4427 Secor Rd.
419-472-7098
6636 W. Bancroft
419-720-7565
Runner Up: Wixey Bakery

Grocery
Kroger
For phone numbers and locations, visit www.kroger.com
Runner Up: The Andersons

Ethnic food store
Sofo Foods
5400 Monroe St.
419-882-8555
www.shopsofos.com
Runner Up: Tiger Lebanese Bakery

Natural food store
Claudia’s Natural Food Market
5644 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-534-3343
Runner Up: Bassett’s Health Foods

Butcher shop
House of Meats
For phone numbers and locations, visit www.houseofmeats.com
Runner Up: Meats and More

WHAT TO WEAR

Shoe boutique
DSW
Westfield Franklin Park
419-472-1706
Runner Up: Shi by Journeys

Locally-owned men’s clothier
Damschroders’s Suit Connection
5333 Monroe St.
419-841-5034
Runner Up: Neil’s Men’s Shop

Locally-owned women’s boutique
Bella Brie
4204 W. Sylvania Ave. #103
419-475-2293
Runner Up: Red Envy Boutique

Resale clothing store for adults
Plato’s Closet
9822 US 20, Rossford
419-873-8600
1510 Spring Meadows, Holland
419-861-8336
www.platosclosetcolumbus.com
Runner Up: CJ’s Closet

Jewelry store
Harold Jaffe Jewelers
4211 Talmadge
419-472-4480
www.haroldjaffe.com
Runner Up: David Fairclough Fine Jewelers

PLACES TO GO (SERVICES)

New local store
Bumble
5693 Main St., Sylvania
419-517-5552
www.bumbleonmain.com
Runner Up: Cake in a Cup

Mall/shopping area
Westfield Franklin Park Mall
www.westfield.com/franklinpark
Runner Up: The Shops at Fallen Timbers

Furniture store
Banner Mattress & Furniture
6004 Hill Ave.
419-865-6164
2521 W. Alexis Rd.
419-472-0220
www.bannermattress.com
Runner Up: Value City Furniture

Locally-owned home boutique
Honey I’m Home (Unfortunately, Honey I’m Home closed its doors at the end of January)
Runner Up: Loft and Home

Paint store
John’s Color Concepts
6725 W. Central Ave.
419-843-5600
Runner Up: Sherwin Williams

Book store   
Barnes & Noble     
4640 Monroe St.
419-472-6164
3100 Main St. #1400, Maumee
419-878-0652
www.barnesandnoble.com
Runner Up: Borders Books

Hotel/motel
Holiday Inn French Quarter
10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg
419-874-3111
www.hifq.com
Runner Up: Toledo Hilton Garden Inn

Liquor store
Joseph’s Beverage Center
4129 Talmadge
419-472-1421
www.josephsbeveragecenter.com
Runner Up: Marino’s Beverage Depot

Smoke/cigar shop

Cigar Affair

323 Conant St
Maumee, OH 43537
(419) 891-0109

www.thecigaraffair.com

Runner Up: La Casa de la Habana

Adult book/video store
Airport Adult Video
9410 Airport Hwy., Monclova
419-866-0750
www.airportvideo.com
Runner Up: Cirella's (formerly Priscilla’s)

Photographer
Shutter Love Studio     
419-654-0411
www.shutterlovestudio.com
Runner Up: Grand Lubell Photography

Florist
Bartz Viviano  Flowers & Gifts  
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.bartzviviano.com
Runner Up: Ken's Flower Shop

Place to buy a car
Yark Automotive
www.yarkauto.com
Runner Up: Brown Motors

Motorcycle shop
Signature Harley    
1176 Professional Dr., Perrysburg
419-873-2453
Toledo Harley-Davidson
7960 W. Central Ave.
419-843-7892
www.signaturehd.com
Runner Up: Honda East

Place for cool eyewear    
Optical Arts     
2934 W. Central Ave.
419-535-7837
Runner Up: The Optical Shop

Garden store/nursery   
Black Diamond Garden Center
1964 Tremainsville Rd.
419-473-1409
12320 Eckel Junction Rd., Perrysburg
419-874-3060
www.blackdiamondtoledo.com
Runner Up: The Andersons

Antique store
Maumee Antique Mall    
1552 Reynolds Rd., Maumee
419-893-2468
www.maumeeantiquemall.com
Runner Up: Wildwood Antiques

Place to worship       
Cedar Creek    
29129 Lime City Rd., Perrysburg
419-661-8661  
www.aroundthecreek.com
Runner Up: United Methodist Church

Psychic/astrologer
Janet Amid     
6600 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania
419-882-5510
Runner Up: Kimmie Rose Zapf

Computer service/repair
Virtual PC's   
3550 Executive Pkwy.
419-531-1170   
www.vpc-toledo.com
Runner Up: Stone Computer

Design firm      
Maxx Grafx     
311 ½ Conant Street, Maumee
419-868-6688
www.maxxgrafx.com
Runner Up: Madhouse Creative

LOOKING GOOD, FEELING GORGEOUS

Best Facial/skin care
Shamas   
6407 Monroe St. Sylvania
419-882-1220
102 W. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg
419-872-9908
www.shamas.com
Runner Up: Beauty Bar

Place to get a haircut
Reve Salon & Spa
5633 N. Main St., Sylvania
419-885-1140
www.revesalonandspa.com
Runner Up: Attitudes

Day spa     
Shamas
6407 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-882-1220
102 W. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg
419-872-9908
www.shamas.com
Runner Up: David Broadway

Tanning salon   
Electrick Beach     
2104 W. Laskey
419-473-3333
Runner Up: Tan Pro

Tattoo/piercing shop    
Infinite Art     
3930 Secor Rd.
419-292-1990
www.iatattoo.com
Runner Up: Perfectly Pierced & Permanently Scarred

Yoga/pilates studio
Lotus Yoga Center     
3307 N. Holland Sylvania Rd. #15
419-885-1055
Runner Up: Zen In the District

Massage therapist    
Massage Envy     
3305 W. Central Ave.
419-535-3689
www.massageenvy.com
Runner Up: Rachelle Sikora

Personal Trainer     
Dale Sheppard, Quick Fit
7601 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania
419-517-5035
www.quickfitohio.com
Runner Up: Cindy Fisher

Athletic club      
Wildwood Athletic Club
2865 N. Reynolds Rd. #100
419-539-0235
www.wildwoodathleticclub.com
Runner Up: Lifestyles for Ladies Only

STUFFIN’ YO FACE

Burger
Bergers Olde Tyme
1742 W. Laskey Rd.    
419-473-9541
Runner Up: Nick & Jimmy's Bar & Grill

Steakhouse
Mancy's Steakhouse
953 Phillips Ave.
419-476-4154
www.mancys.com
Runner Up: Ahmed’s

Calamari   
Real Seafood    
22 Main St.
419-697-5427
www.realseafoodcorestaurant.com
Runner Up: Poco Piatti

Sushi    
Kotobuki   
5577 Monroe St., Sylvania
419-882-8711
Runner Up: Sakura Japanese Steak House

Hot dog    
Rudy's Hot Dog
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.rudyshotdog.com
Runner Up: Tony Packo’s

Fried pickles   
Tony Packo's      
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.tonypackos.com
Runner Up: Jed’s Barbeque & Brew

Wings           
Frickers   
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.frickers.com
Runner Up: Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar

Chili     
Tony Packo's   
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.tonypackos.com
Runner Up: Big Apple Deli

Ribs     
Shorty's Bar B Que
5111 Monroe St.
419-841-9505
www.mancys.com/shortys
Runner Up: Famous Dave's Barbeque

Ice cream     
Handel’s Ice Cream
5908 W. Sylvania Ave.
419-882-1118
5655 Secor Rd.
419-474-8861
www.handelsicecream.com
Runner Up: Cold Stone Creamery

Supermarket fried chicken     
Kroger    
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.krogers.com
Runner Up: The Andersons

Supermarket potato salad      
Sautters 5-Star Market
5519 Main St., Sylvania
419-885-3505
Runner Up: Churchill’s

Diner       
Star Diner    
6026 Glendale
419-724-8300
3067 W. Alexis
419-472-5103
6710 W. Central Ave.
419-841-0250
Runner Up: Monroe St. Diner

Italian restaurant    
Mancy's Italian Grill
5453 Monroe St.
419-882-9229
www.mancys.com
Runner Up: Ciao Ristorante

Chinese restaurant       
New Empire Restaurant
6540 Centers Dr., Holland
419-868-6565
Runner Up: Jing Chuan Chinese Restaurant

Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant   
The Beirut Restaurant
4082 Monroe St.
419-473-0885
www.beirutrestaurant.com
Runner Up: The Grape Leaf Diner

Mexican restaurant      
El Camino Real
2500 W. Sylvania Ave.
419-472-0700
www.elcaminorealoh.com
Runner Up: Ventura's

NIGHT LIFE

Best bar      
The Blarney Irish Pub
601 Monroe St.
419-418-2339
www.theblarneyirishpub.com
Runner Up: Six Pack Bar & Grill

Beer selection at a bar      
Easy Street Cafe
822 Washington St.
419-255-0010
www.easystreettoledo.com
Runner Up: Bier Stube

Last call bar
Doc Watson's
1515 S. Byrne Rd. #110
419-389-6003
www.docwatsonstoledo.com
Runner Up: Chuck's

Hole-in-the-wall      
Village Idiot
309 Conant St., Maumee
419-893-7281
www.villageidiotmaumee.com
Runner Up: 19th Hole

College bar     
Mulvaney's Bunker
4945 Dorr St.
419-534-9830
Runner Up: Chasers

40-and-over crowd hangout
Club Soda
3922 Secor Rd.
419-473-0662
www.clubzone.com
Runner Up: Avenue Bistro

Gay/lesbian hangout
Bretz
2012 Adams St.
419-243-1900
www.myspace.com/bretzthebar
Runner Up: Ceasar's Showbar

Place to meet someone you'd never take home to mom
Platinum Showgirls
5801 Telegraph Rd. #24
419-476-6640
www.platinumshowgirls.com
Runner Up: Frankies

Place to meet someone you would take home to mom
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
www.toledomuseum.org
Runners Up: The library, church, a bookstore

Karaoke bar     
Delaney's Lounge
309 W. Alexis Rd.
419-476-2883
www.delaneyslounge.com
Runner Up: Bier Stube

Recurring weekly event     
It's Friday at the Toledo Museum of Art
Runner Up: The Pop Explosion at Wesley's

Live music venue (touring acts)
Frankie's Inner City
308 Main St.
419-691-7464
www.frankiesinnercity.com
Runner Up: The Village Idiot

Live music venue (local acts)
Frankie's Inner City
308 Main St,
419-691-7464
www.frankiesinnercity.com
Runner Up: Murphy's Place Jazz Club

Late night dining
Nick & Jimmy's Bar & Grill
4956 Monroe St.
419-472-0756
www.nickandjimmys.com
Runner Up: Free-Way Drive-In

EAR CANDY

Rock band     
Against Time      
Runner Up: Empire Drift

Blues/jazz band        
Dooley Wilson       
Runner Up: Voodoo Libido

Hip-hop group/MC
My Family Needs Food      
Runner Up: E-mune

Singer-songwriter       
Sarah Cohen      
Runner Up: Nathan Cogan

Cover band      
The Bridges
Runner Up: Noisy Neighbors

Club DJ
Old School Fridays Trio      
Runner Up: Dj Ghost

Most underrated local band/artist       
Empire Drift
Runner Up: We Are The Fury

Most overrated local band/artist
We Are The Fury  
Runner Up: Josh Boyd

Best band name       
Bush League   
Runner Up: Stirred Not Shaken

Open mic night      
Mickey Finn's Brewery (Wednesdays)
602 Lagrange St.
419-246-3466     
www.mickeyfinnsbrewery.com
Runner Up: Manhattan's Restaurant

Most knowledgeable record store staff      
Culture Clash
4020 Secor Rd. #1
419-536-5683
www.thecultureclash.com
Runner Up: Allied Record Exchange

Non-chain music store
Culture Clash Records'
4020 Secor Rd. #1
419-536-5683
www.thecultureclash.com
Runner Up: Ramalama Records

Recording studio       
Firefly Studios
P.O. Box 241, Haskins
419-350-6454
www.firefly419.com
Runner Up: Ape Studios

Local equipment retail/rental      
Prodigy Music Co.
3434 W. Sylvania Ave.
419-473-9993
Runner Up: Peeler Drum Center

Music teacher     
Gene Bohland (Northview High School)
Runner Up: Jean Holden

EYE CANDY

Gallery      
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
www.toledomuseum.org
Runner Up: Space 237

Studio space      
Space 237
237 N. Michigan
419-255-5117
www.space237.com
Runner Up: Secor Studios

Local art event
Crosby Festival of the Arts     
www.toledogarden.org/content/crosby
Runner Up: Artomatic 419

2D artist     
Mr. Atomic
Runner Up: Jay Jay

Sculptor  
George Carruth
www.carruthstudio.com
Runner Up:   
Joe Ann Cousino

Glass artist     
Matt Paskiet, Firenation
www.firenation.com
Runner Up: Baker O’Brien

Fine photography      
Stevie Grand, Grand Lubell Photography
5101 Harroun Rd., Sylvania
419-882-1984
www.grandlubell.com
Runner Up: Scott Hall

Filmmaker    
Above the Shop Studios
425 Jefferson Ave.
419-754-0305
www.abovetheshopstudios.com
Runner Up: Cap Averill

Ballet/dance company  
Toledo Ballet
5001 Monroe St. #R20
419-471-0049
www.toledoballet.net
Runner Up: Cassandra School of Ballet

Local theatre group  
The Village Players    
2740 Upton Ave.
419-472-6827
www.thevillageplayers.org
Runner Up: Toledo Repertoire Theatre

Live theatre venue   
The Valentine Theatre
400 N. Superior St.
419-242-2787
www.valentinetheatre.com
Runner Up: The Village Players Theatre

Place to hear spoken word   
Brewed Awakenings
2636 W. Central Ave.
419-474-5939
www.mybrewed.com
Runner Up: The Collingwood Arts Center

Fine art gift shop
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
www.toledomuseum.org
Runner Up: American Gallery

JOCK STOP

Local sports team  
Toledo Mud Hens
www.mudhens.com
Runner Up: UT Rockets

Team logo/mascot     
Muddy
Runner Up: Walleye

Bowling alley     
Southwyck Bowling Lanes
5255 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-865-8815
www.southwycklanes.com
Runner Up: Imperial Lanes

Golf course    
Ottawa Park Golf Course
2315 Walden Pond Dr.
419-472-2059
www.ottawaparkgc.com
Runner Up: Inverness Club Golf Course

Martial arts    
Martial Arts Center
5122 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-385-1000
www.ohiomartialarts.com
Runner Up: John Penny's Black Belt Academy

Bike shop   
Wersell's Bike and Ski Shop
2860 W. Central Ave.
419-474-7412
www.wersellsbikeandskishop.com
Runner Up: Reggie's Bike Shop

Bike path  
University Trail   
Runner Up: Wabash Cannonball Trail

Skateboard/ski/snowboard shop    
Mountain Man Sports
2735 Reynolds Rd.
419-536-0001
www.mountainmansportsonline.com
Runner Up: Red Sky Surf and Snow

Dive shop
Aqua Hut
2543 N. Reynolds Rd.
419-531-4655
www.aqua-hut.com
Runner Up: Diver's Paradise

Paintball   
Bull Creek Paintball Range
178 S. Main St., Bowling Green
419-353-2176
www.bullcreekpaintball.org
Runner Up: Toledo Paintball Coliseum

CHILLIN’ OUT

Place to shoot pool     
Miss Cue
1720 S. Reynolds Rd.
419-865-3792
www.misscuetoledo.com
Runner Up: Davey K's

Public space (indoor/outdoor)   
Wildwood Preserve Metropark
5100 W. Central Ave.
419-535-3056
www.metroparkstoledo.com
Runner Up: 577 Foundation

Date night destination   
Toledo Museum of Art
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
www.toledomuseum.org
Runner Up: The Melting Pot

Free Wi-Fi   
Panera
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.panera.com
Runner Up: Biggby's

Ethnic/neighborhood festival   
German-American Festival   
Runner Up: Greek-American Festival

Summer activity  
Wildwood Preserve Metropark
5100 W. Central Ave.
419-535-3056  
www.toledometroparks.com
Runner Up: Toledo Zoo

Winter activity   
Zoo Lights Before Christmas   
www.toledozoo.org
Runner Up: Sledding at Ottawa Park

ALL ABOUT US

City paper writer    
Johnny Hildo
Runner Up: Ryan Bunch   

City Paper story/column      
“Taking it to the Streets: Local organizations help restore girls and women exploited by prostitution” (Gina Sares, November 12 – 18, 2008)

Story idea City Paper hasn't covered     
Failing charter schools

Reason to love City Paper    
It's free

Place to pick up TCP
Biggby Coffee
For locations and phone numbers, visit www.biggby.com

Best use for City Paper after you've read it
Recycle