"Star" from The Toledo Free Press

Might be the knock out punch for the City Paper.

Or the knock out punch for the Blade. Either way, I think we'll benefit from the expanded culture coverage! I'm looking forward to checking it out!

"Either way, I think we'll benefit from the expanded culture coverage! I'm looking forward to checking it out!"

Me, too. I was never a big fan of the City Paper.

I heard their new slogan will be " The Toledo Free Press is going to twice a week before the Tolede Blade does"

When we launched Toledo Free Press 5 years ago, I posted to ToledoTalk that we were looking for help guiding content. With the new "Star" arts paper, I have the same request: What do you want to see in local arts coverage? What is missing? What genres/scenes/gigs are not getting a spotlight? I will check back here and I can be reached at mmiller@toledofreepress.com.

Michael Miller, Toledo Free Press/Star

I love the freepress. They have a better feel for the community than all the others. The TFP does an outstanding job of keeping in touch with the community and publishing stories.

I was deeply impressed and amazed that the TFP covered Bashcons 25 year anniversery. Others media....nothing, same doom and gloom media coverage that depresses us all. TFP is a part of the community, and it shows.

Excerpts from my July 2004 shutdown posting for ToledoArts.com :

I realize the Star will also contain sports and maybe columns or articles on other subjects. What about a nature-related column? Many local nature areas exist to explore year-round, and this area is blessed with several people who are very knowledgeable on nature.

The Toledo Naturalists Association has existed for more than 70 years. People like Lou Campbell and Harold Mayfield, who both have passed on, came from this area and contributed greatly to nature studies. Lou Campbell wrote what might be called the "manual" for nature fans of the lake shore area in the book titled The Marshes of Southwestern Lake Erie. And Mayfield's research only helped save the Kirtland's Warbler from extinction. Campbell and Mayfield helped influence other generations of nature admirers in the Toledo area who are now doing the same for the next generation.

The only national wildlife refuge in Ohio is in our area at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex.

We have state wildlife areas, such internationally-known Magee Marsh Wildlife Area that's visited by thousands of people from all over the U.S., Canada, and beyond during the spring bird migration.

At the entrance of Magee Marsh exists private non-profit Black Swamp Bird Observatory, which is engaged in research and education.

Fine county park systems exist in Lucas and Wood counties.

The Nature Conservancy manages one of my favorite places the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve, which exists in the fascinating geological oddity known as the Oak Openings Region, which the Nature Conservancy called "One of the Last Great Places on Earth."

What ever it takes to kick the Block Family in the pants and make them retreat to PA.

I really do think kick in the pants like this will make all of our local media coverage better.

yesterday on the Toledo City Paper's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/toledocitypaper

they posted the question: "It's time to get serious. TCP needs your honest (but not brutal) opinion on how we can keep being a quality entertainment news source. So tell us friends, what would you like to see more of in our paper?"

So clearly this has got them thinking.

JR: There are a number of niche arts topics we plan to cover every week, emphasizing local talent. We have an exhibit writer who lives at Collingwood Arts Center, and I can't keep up with his ideas; now, there will be a place for that coverage.
The calendar is a challenge. Balancing the tons of events we list now (http://www.toledofreepress.com/2010/02/26/calendar-of-events-feb-28-2010/) with a desire to make the pages attractive is proving to be a fun design project.
A nature and MetroParks column is a great fit for the Wednesday and Sunday publications.

And nature can be art. Some photographers, painters, poets, sculptors, etc. make nature their subject. Secor Metropark is home to the Nature Photography Center. I have photos hanging in our home taken by local nature photographer Brian Zwiebel who continues to gain national recognition. Local sculptor George Carruth has created a nice business that includes nature-themed subjects.

Art Weber has written for us and shot photos. Our current format doesn't usually allow for big photos or spreads, but this new edition will. I agree it is an under-reported facet of life here.

Art Weber's work is frequently featured in the Maumee Bay Press on the East Side. I would like to see something like the Maumee Bay Press cover events in northwest Ohio, though, not just the east side. I would support an art/nature themed publication by the Toledo Free Press. I love the TFP, and Mr. Miller for his guts. Thank you for a great paper!

I'm not ready to release the details, but we have arranged for a regular feature covering local nature/parks issues. I would not have thought of this without your input here, so thank you, and feel free to send along comments as the new edition takes shape.

tfpstar - One of the things that I began to dislike about the Toledo City Paper was that it became more advertising than content. I'm just saying.

I eagerly await a new voice in local culture, but I've need to say, that has got to be the lamest possible name they could have chosen. It's sounds like a early 80's TV entertainment tabloid. I'm pretty sure that's where Bob Goen was discovered.

- One of the things that I began to dislike about the Toledo City Paper was that it became more advertising than content. I'm just saying-

That's what I think, too, about the TCP. I'm very excited about the TFP getting a REAL culture publication going in northwest Ohio.

We look forward to the Star! Hopefully Toledo City Paper will finally give up their long time futile battle to keep their doors opened. Toledo deserves better than A family owned Mom and Pop paper that lost interest in Toledo, it's people and it's advertisers a long time ago.
We can't wait for some fresh blood! Best of luck!
Sorry TFP...I agree that the name seems like a bad after thought. We are after all, talking about "ARTS" and Entertainment.
Perhaps a contest with some of our local talent? We have plenty!

The Texas star has been the centerpiece of the TFP logo from Day One; this spin-off product uses that imagery to keep it tied to the Sunday edition. There were also trademark problems with some of the other "working title" ideas. But suggestions are welcome.

MM