art hounds sneak a 1st peek at the Crosby fest

Tag : peek parts
Ms. Schroeder chatted with Susan and Keith Burwell, thanking him,the president of the Toledo Community Foundation, for the donationthat paid to rebuild a decrepit bridge that leads to the conferencecenter. Enjoying the evening were Karen and Carlton Fraker, Barb and PeterMachen, Olivia and Eric Summons, Marsh Manahan and Tom Killam. JudyBowles and Melissa Shaner, in their eighth and third yearsrespectively of organizing this weekend, say the toughest parts arecoordinating the artists and the week the jurors review artistapplications. Also challenging are the two days preceding the event: managing thechaos of getting the 240 artists situated. Directing them are about 15 TBG staff, Ms. Shaner said. Uponarrival, some artists want to change their location: some can't bein the sun; others, who use wheelchairs, require a location nearamenities and the parking lot. "We try to accommodate them," said Ms. Bowles, attired in a long,bare-shouldered black dress and clutching a walkie-talkie. "We bendover backwards to keep the artists happy," added Ms. Shaner, towhich the creatives sent up a resounding "Yea!" Barrie Lynn Bryant, who lives near Kirby, Wyo., population 59,said, "Honestly, this is probably the most polite show." He makesthoughtfully crafted frames of wood, steel, stained glass, andsculpting compound to surround the storybook pastels his wife, A.B. Word, paints. Ms. Word was in a wheelchair because of hip surgery in March.Because of her lengthy recuperation, the couple had to cancel 10shows, so were delighted to be on the circuit again and lookingforward to their first time selling at the upcoming Ann ArborStreet Art Fair. Plenty of local artists, looking but not selling, attended,including Toledo's Grand Dame of Pottery, Edith Franklin and MaryDawson. Leta Coyle, a plein air painter and member of the ToledoArtists Club, was with husband Bill Coyle, a jazz bassist andretired president of Coyle Funeral Homes, founded by hisgreat-grandfather in 1888. Mr. Coyle said he turned to the electricbass after one of his stand-up basses drowned and the othersuffered a broken neck, a fate common to many hapless basses. Encircling a tall cocktail table was a bevy of lovely blondes,friends from their days at St. Ursula Academy and Little Flowerschool: Mary Beth Schoen, Dian Liber, Barb Hurt, and CarolynNewell-Turner. Walter Krueger, one of 19 TBG board members, chatted the night awaywhile his better half, Mary, their son, Michael, and friend SarahCox, munched and visited with John and Paula Ross - who hadpurchased two gorgeous handmade jackets. The Kruegers purchased apopular item: an 18-by-24-inch poster of depicting 16 sunny imagesof gerbera daisies. For Shaila and Karl Fernandes of Perrysburg, the gala is an annualdate night where they unwind by window-shopping. The youngphysicians planned to return over the weekend with their fourchildren, ages 2 to 11, to make their purchases. A legion of volunteers helped the party, which aims to raise 10percent of TBG's budget, net about $168,000. Those volunteersincluded Sue and Ken Kreuz, and Libby McClelland, who raked incompliments on her fun hat, crafted by South Toledoan and mother ofthree, Juliette Quinlan. Shanelle Smith, TBG develpment coordinator, accompanied by AmandaTomsik, a 2007 TBG intern, said the garden has about 2,500 members. - Tahree Lane
Patio playgrounds
We who live in the North dont want to miss a single chance to getoutdoors when temperatures finally climb into the comfort zone.Even rain and weve had plenty lately cant always keep usinside.

Want proof? Just look at the bustling, buzzing patio scene atrestaurants around town.

Big or small, covered or open, sedate or rocking, on the downtownriverfront or a busy suburban street, northwest Ohios restaurantpatios are some of the places to be this time of year.

At Capers Restaurant in South Toledo, many people are willing towait for a table outdoors, says co-owner Sue Meadows. Its popularwith the lunch crowd as well as in the evening, when littlegrapevine lights shine on the good times.

The weather doesnt have to be perfect to take to the patio atShortys on Monroe Street. Let the rain fall  diners stay dryunder the roof. And if it gets a little chilly, the staff will turnon the gas fireplace, says manager Danielle Hutton. A couple ofTVs, a full bar with daily drink specials, and live music thefirst Thursday of every month keep people coming back. Regularpatio entertainers include The Kirbys and Jeff Stewart.

Big umbrellas top the wrought-iron tables outside CousinosSteakhouse in Oregon,
beckoning patrons to the patio for dinner, drinks, or both.

Ive got regulars who come in and just sit there at night,GregCox, manager, says. Live entertainment three nights a week adds tothe ambiance on the patio at Casa
Barron in downtown Perrysburg.

The musical menu might be blues, jazz, or classic rock for thestrictly casual clientele in the large covered seating area orsidewalk-side at one of the intimate tables for two.

As long as the weathers good, thats where people hang, saysMichelle Myers, manager.
 Ann Weber