No, I DO NOT disagree...I would LOVE to keep the rib-off downtown as I would also like to see MORE EVENTS downtown...
I had mentioned in a post on another topic sometime ago...I would LOVE to see Party in the Park comeback as well as a club like Shooters...those were the days!
I LOVE CARTY!!!
posted by MARIELORA at 07:13 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
Started a thread on the riboff quite some time ago. And I still say the same thing: I will never attend this function unless they change the date to earlier in the year (say April/May) or later in the year (say, Sept./Oct.). When the weather is hot and muggy-look at this year's ungodly 'useless summer'-the furthest thing from my mind is eating something hot, messy,sloppy, and spicy -outside. It keeps MANY older people who feel the same way (who might otherwise check it out) from attending. But, they never will change it, because that's the attitude of the powers-that-be in town now-my-way-or-the-highway. JRB and his arrogant hand-picked politicos have their collective heads up their ass.
posted by Foolkiller at 07:18 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
And, by the way-I'd be more inclined to attend it if it were held in Maumee. Actually, doesn't matter to me where it's held, since you'll never see me there with its present date,but most of us old fogeys have no use for downtown toledo.
posted by Foolkiller at 07:21 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
I still don't buy needing a new ampitheatre downtown but that's OT. I think the rib off should stay downtown too, though I think something needs to be done about using the Rec Center more especially since the Fair is considering moving the rib off equals downtown.
posted by psyche777 at 08:49 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
I e-mailed the Rib-Off organizers today and told them that I thought it should be held downtown. This year's attendance was around 90,000 people, which is very good. But if they move it to Maumee or some other place then they'll see that number drop to 60,000-70,000 in my opinion. Having it downtown is fun and special.....but having it at the fairgrounds would be BORING. My parents were in town for that weekend, and we attended. But there is no way we would have gone if it weren't held downtown. If they can't hold it at Promenade park then move it to International Park across the river. Downtown is centrally located and easily accessible from all the suburbs.
posted by HeyHey at 10:49 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
Finkbeiner says if elected, some improvements could be made at Promenade Park[.]
Sure, knowing Carty, he'd start a "Drug Dealer Tour" that piles people in buses to ride through PP viewing the dark underbelly of America's economy in action.
NO! No, wait, that's not it. Carty would instead bulldoze the park to put in a housing development subsidized by the city treasury. He'll just "relocate" the drug dealers.
Seriously, people need to wake the fork up and realize that except for some crazy people and poor Blacks, only select yuppies want anything to do with downtown ... leaving the vast mass of the working class completely uninterested in anything downtown. Anything Carty does will simply fall into the gentrification category, which will have few beneficiaries.
The downtown is so decrepit overall that a building was torched in broad daylight recently, and nothing's been done about it except to tear it down and wait for the next Detroit-style arson event. And I'm not even going to mention the DECOMPOSED body found near Greenbelt Pkwy. We can all TRY to ignore these strong signs of social decay, but that good ol' reality's gonna have a wickedly sharp bite on our arses eventually. Why not suck it up and face the truth now?
The Rib-Off folks are apparently facing reality. Why won't you?
posted by GuestZero at 10:54 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
Now that I have your attention with my drivel, whatever happened to Toledo's "First Night" events? I recall going to one of those and I actually had a good time, considering. I remember seeing singers, ballet dancers, a Tai Chi instructor, various dinner options, jugglers, ice carvers, horse-drawn buggies, etc. When did they stop? Why?
posted by GuestZero at 10:57 P.M. EST on Fri Oct 07, 2005 #
Published on December 31, 2002, Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
JAZZ FEST GETS FIRST NIGHT FUNDS
The Toledo Jazz Society will receive $15,000 originally earmarked for the now-defunct First Night, courtesy of Toledo city council.
The council approved at its Dec. 17 meeting a request from TJS executive director Jori Jex to give her group an extra $15,000 so that it can add a second day to this summer's Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival....
Published on August 15, 2002, Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
FAREWELL TO FIRST NIGHT
IT'S regrettable that area residents won't be able to ring in the New Year by celebrating at First Night Toledo anymore. Even though entertainers performed free and thousands of dollars in debt were no longer an immediate issue, the attraction has succumbed to financial woes.
posted by psyche777 at 12:45 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 08, 2005 #
Published on December 3, 2001, Blade, The (Toledo, OH)
A FUTURE FOR FIRST NIGHT
IT IS good news that one of Toledo's more popular local celebrations will survive to ring in the new year. First Night, the non-alcoholic, family-friendly New Year's Eve bash held since 1993, will return again despite lingering financial debt that had threatened its existence. Now it's up to the community to show its spirit - especially this year - by attending the event.
So, it died because not enough people supported it.
posted by psyche777 at 12:47 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 08, 2005 #
Seriously, people need to wake the fork up and realize that except for some crazy people and poor Blacks, only select yuppies want anything to do with downtown ... leaving the vast mass of the working class completely uninterested in anything downtown.
-------------------------------------------------
DING DING DING!! WE HAVE A WINNER!! Damn, GZ, you are one smart dude! Your brilliance & insight never ceases to amaze me. My apologies to any here who do like the riboff, but for the vast majority, he's hit it on the head. That's yet another reason why more older people don't want to go down there.
posted by Foolkiller at 08:05 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 08, 2005 #
"The downtown is so decrepit overall that a building was torched in broad daylight recently, and nothing's been done about it except to tear it down and wait for the next Detroit-style arson event." posted by GuestZero
Could that building have been in an area where they might want to build an arena? If so, I don't think they'll try to hard to find that suspicious man wearing an apron seen walking away from the building.
posted by SherryET at 08:57 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 08, 2005 #
Even though entertainers performed free and thousands of dollars in debt were no longer an immediate issue, the attraction has succumbed to financial woes.
I think that statement in the Blade is misleading. Maybe some of the entertainers performed free, but definitely not all of them, particularly musicians. The band I worked for never was paid in full for their performance in 2000 and still was nice enough to go back in 2001 for half the amount they'd been promised the year before. I think a lot of the entertainment people probably did the same.
I never really heard if the financial problems were due to low turnout or due to mismanagement on First Night's part, however. The event seemed very well-attended in 2000. I can't speak for 2001 because I didn't get out of the convention center much that year. Maybe because there wasn't as much happening outside? I'm not sure.
posted by valbee at 09:56 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 08, 2005 #
Why do we have to pay to attend all these events downtown on the river? Shouldn't they be free like they are in other big cities?
posted by Toledolaw05 at 10:32 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 10, 2005 #
I don't really care if the RibOff is downtown or in Maumee or in Point Place (Toledo speedway) so long as it's not in Rossford and outside the county. I just don't want to lose another thing to Wood County (OI anyone?)
Actually, though, the Fair Grounds are already set up to be able to handle the electrical and water needs and their newly painted bathrooms are better than the portapotties. But I'm sure that the Maumee residents would complain about the noise and smells - just like they do with the Fair.
posted by intrepid at 10:43 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 10, 2005 #
Toledolaw,
Don't we have to pay because it's for charity? If we didn't pay to attend then there wouldn't be a point in having it other than other than eating good food (which IMO is a good enough reason by itself).
For those that say downtown doesn't hold an appeal to most people, you need to check out the cover story in the Toledo City Paper this week. It recounts the successful move of the ballpark downtown despite many people saying no one would want to travel downtown because of the supposed lack of parking, crime, etc. Attendance has gone up 50% since four years ago.
posted by HeyHey at 11:43 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 10, 2005 #
I think charging to get into the Rib-Off is relatively new, isn't it? I didn't pay admission the last time I went a few years ago.
Taste of Toledo is definitely for charity, but I'm not sure about the Rib-Off.
posted by valbee at 01:23 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 10, 2005 #
I don't know when they started charging. I don't mind if the money goes to a charity. However, almost every event downtown you have to pay to get in which is why I think most have dismal attendance. Living downtown, I know most of us that live downtown don't pay to go to the majority of them. Coming from Detroit, we were never charged an entrance fee for the weekly festival that went on at Hart Plaza.
I say turn them all into free events to get in and make your money off sponsers and food and beer sales.
posted by Toledolaw05 at 01:44 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 10, 2005 #
Oct 11 Blade story:
"The Ford Administration offered a much larger space than Promenade Park, including some downtown streets, yesterday to keep the Northwest Ohio Rib-Off in Toledo next year."
I know I shouldn't be, but I'm just stunned that a rib-off has become such an important political issue that it made the front page of last Friday's Blade. And now Ford responds to what Carty. Stunning. Mind boggling.
It's frigging ribs.
Have you noticed that everything is a priority with Carty? Southwyck, Westgate, Erie Street Market, Marina District, and the new sports arena. And Ford always follows Carty with something like, "We're already working on that."
In last Friday's Blade, Carty discussed another item from his mission statement.
"Mayoral candidate Carty Finkbeiner said [Thursday] that if elected he would make a proposed Toledo area research and technology corridor a high priority in his administration."
And now the rib-off has been elevated to a status equal to the rest of these issues. When you think Toledo politicians can't get any more rediculous, just wait a day or so.
posted by jr at 09:32 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 11, 2005 #
Well said jr.
I would submit the reason for all of the concern is that the rib-off leaving is another example of the exodus from downtown Toledo and both mayoral candidate seems to realize this and want to stop the bleading, at least for political purposes.
posted by lloyd at 04:34 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 11, 2005 #
"United Health Services announced Thursday morning that its Board of Directors and its Rib-Off Committee have decided to move the "Rib Off" from downtown Toledo to the county Recreation Center on Key Street in Maumee."
"Proceeds from the Northwest Ohio Rib-Off support the mission of United Health Services, which provides professional administrative support to other social service agencies."
Patty Mazur, Director of Events for United Health Services said:
"The Fairgrounds are centrally located, offers more room to our vendors, access to ample power and water and on-site parking for the public."
If politics somehow needs to be combined with ribs, Ford should declare this move a victory for his unigov plan.
posted by jr at 04:11 P.M. EST on Thu Oct 13, 2005 #
just goes to show - the last three weeks before an election aren't called the "silly season" for nothing!
posted by intrepid at 05:40 P.M. EST on Thu Oct 13, 2005 #
So Pete Gerken decides he's going to FORCE the rib-off back downtown.
Rumor has it that he held a meeting Thursday with all parties and said that he'd never allow the rib-off at the Rec Center because it shouldn't move from downtown.
He threatened - saying he was speaking for at least 2 of the commissioners - to not allow use of the Rec Center parking area for the event.
Rumor has it he also put out calls to try and get Toledo Speedway to withdraw their offer for the rib-off to go there, leaving only the downtown location as an option.
According to what I heard, the retort to all this was - "fine - then we'll go to Wood County." But that didn't seem to stop the effort.
This is disgusting! Perhaps Pete should have stayed on City Council if he's so interested in putting the interests of the City of Toledo before the interests of the County as a whole...
oh my - I forgot - personal political interests are always foremost in his mind - can't let another event leave Toledo under Ford - it might impact the mayoral election and even though Pete and Jack are not the best of friends, they're allies in the Toledo take-over...
So instead of attracting the rib-off back downtown, we're going to use force and intimidation to try to accomplish it.
No wonder Toledo is in such a mess.
posted by intrepid at 06:09 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
And Lucas County may head into Toledo's messy state. Unigov, baby. Gerken wants unigov, so does Ford and the Blade. This is unigov in action. Toledo's secret government.
To hell with the rest of Lucas County. Under the Toledo regime, only Toledo matters. That's why the Toledo unigov plan calls for as many Toledo government officials as possible to obtain county-wide positions. I hope this is an eye-opener to the rest of Lucas County who isn't paying attention.
You know what, the official name of the event is called the "Northwest Ohio Rib-Off." Not the Toledo or Lucas County rib-off, but Northwest Ohio. I'd love it if the group moved it to Wood County. The problem is, the rib-off group wants an area like the old Mud Hen stadium so they can bring in bigger music acts.
Still, move it to Perrysburg. Did you see the special section in the latest Toledo Free Press about Perrysburg's Levis Commons? That is one major happening and growing place.
And as always, remember the proposed new flag design for the People's Republic of Toledo:
posted by jr at 08:52 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
Did someone say "Pete Gerkin"?
If anyone connected with the Rib-Off takes ANYTHING that worthless tripe has to say to heart, hasn't the strength to fight their way out of a wet paper bag. It's no surprise Pete speaks for Tina the Lemming.
Pete has absolutely NO credibility delegating his children to do chores, let alone tell a fundraiser how to do their own business. Pete, with your track record, it'd be best if you just quit and fix flat tires, the County will be more effecient that way.
I have so much venom for that unqualified puddle of anal seepage, it amazes me Tina even allows herself to be set up for holding Pete's coattails. Maggie must have the strength of Samson.
I hope you citizens enjoy what happens when you stay home and don't vote.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 09:04 A.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
Seems to me I recall you predicting once the Rag & our 'politicians' would quietly force Unigov down our throats behind the scenes, Brian.
posted by Foolkiller at 12:51 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
Thank you, Foolkiller, I appreciate you.
Shhhhhhhh, we sheeple can't see it comming. We're not allowed. If Lucas County think the fun has started, be patient, the "B" team is on it's way to drive NorthWest Ohio into the ground..
Explain to me again why a County Treasurer is piping up about something that dosen't even pertain to him? Jack got busted via your budro Frank, Wade, get o-o-o-o-over it, dolt. I've already predicted Wade getting caught doing something so stupid that Lucas County will smack themselves with a skillet in the face for running Ray out of town. Time will tell.
Explain to me why a County Commissioner, who isn't even the PRESIDENT, is the voice of the Lucas County Commissioners Office? Helloooooooooo Tina? Where are you? Pete was dead weight for the City, and he's taken his scumbag show and has become dead weight for the County. I am not kidding, people, this is TAME what you've endured. Wait till after the elections. Better start getting your spreadsheets and buttplugs ready.
Even though the business of the County is self-explainatory, why do these former City Officials worried about Toledo's business? I ain't heard squat from those pinheads about any other suburban issues. Matter of fact, the Rec Center is STILL in Lucas County and Pete should be happy it didn't go to Wood County. Wave Bye-Bye as Pete pull his head from within his sphincter while Perrysburg wins another Toledo event.
Along with the other ignorant ideas Jack has conjured up, had he kept his fool mouth shut instead of pandering, he wouldn't have set fire under the asses of United Health Services and scared them to a more stable environment. Jackass goes and sucks the ass of the Blocks, presenting the gift of a personalized amplitheater for the almighty JRB, unwittingly starting a chain of events which will alter the face of Toledo and it's events schedule, just to change his mind after the fact and claim he was kidding. Jack, you pathetic loser, take responsibility for screwing Toledo over AGAIN.
Someone needs to beat the living hell out of the "B" team with "intelligence" and "common sense" sticks.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 01:46 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
I think there are a whole bunch of much more pressing public issues facing the City of Toledo than the Rib-Off, Rally-by-the-River, and the likes.
Why does the general public get entrapped into and entralled with such trivia???
posted by RolandHansen at 03:59 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
Agreed.
It just that 85% of Toledo needs something to do.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:10 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
Obviously so, BrianInFlorida, Today's events in Toledo...tells us that!
Possibly...if there were other choices than Gang Violence and Marchs to do in Toledo...
posted by MARIELORA at 04:28 P.M. EST on Sat Oct 15, 2005 #
I heard it is official - is the Rib-Off definitely going to Lucas County Fair grounds?
posted by alexandra at 01:31 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 16, 2005 #
BrianinFlorida...you keep talking about the B-team, but Gerken, Ford, Wozniak, Sleazy and Skippy are all A-team...Did I miss something?
posted by intrepid at 01:42 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 16, 2005 #
Yeah, how bad I am thinking off the cuff.
I hearby apologize to those I may have misled. I am stupid, incomp-eh-tent and afflicted.
Other than that I stand by what I say, :D
posted by BrianInFlorida at 07:30 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 16, 2005 #
lol
posted by RolandHansen at 08:36 P.M. EST on Sun Oct 16, 2005 #
I understand Brian - they (A-team) drive me to distraction as well :)
posted by intrepid at 06:24 A.M. EST on Mon Oct 17, 2005 #
Explains why I was humming the theme to The "A" Team during my diatribe.
I still feel stupid. I wept softly to myself last night as I went to sleep at how humiliated I was sending false information to the community.
I strive to offer factual statements and commentary without having the reader take the time to cross-reference my comments.
I can imaging HORDES of readers going to the Lucas Democratic page just to make sure, and I let them down. Weep.
I have failed, therefore I am a failure. I can no longer face this group of educated, yet opinionated, folks.
As I lean against my trusty scabbard, I hope you all can find it within yourselves to forgive my something....my....umm....transgressions? Nope. My....umm....disappointments? Dad's line....my DISTRACTIONS!! THAT'S IT!
posted by BrianInFlorida at 03:24 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 17, 2005 #
For goodness sake, Brian - they're not important enough for this kind of behavior...A-Team/B-Team - all it takes is a national election and they'll be back together (or one strong Republican in Lucas County).
You're forgiven!
:)
posted by intrepid at 09:14 P.M. EST on Mon Oct 17, 2005 #
Thank you! (Prancing about with a light skip to the step) YIPPEE!! :D
posted by BrianInFlorida at 03:48 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 18, 2005 #
Oct 16 Blade column by Russ Lemmon:
"A double thumbs-down to United Health Services for moving the Northwest Ohio Rib-Off from downtown Toledo to the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. For me, the opportunity to be near the water — the Maumee River — was always more of a draw than the ribs."
Russ has his thumbs in the wrong place. The double thumbs-down goes to Gerken if he's trying to block the move. Why do you need a rib-off or any festival to go to the river? You can go down to the river anytime. I don't go to the rib-off because I don't care for ribs. The fact that it's along the Maumee River isn't going to make me go. Weird.
Oct 18 Blade story:
"With the Northwest Ohio Rib-Off moving to the Lucas County Recreation Center, the city of Maumee is reviewing the use of the complex. Mayor Timothy Wagener told City Council that other events at the recreation center have created noise, litter, and parking problems, and suggested that council’s land-use and zoning committee study the issue. Council President Richard Carr said he would like some idea of where all the visitors to the Rib-Off will park."
posted by jr at 08:51 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 18, 2005 #
Syndicate ToledoTalk
