Renaming Woodstock

Unless someone can give me a better reason, this sounds like black mayor recognizing black athlete and nothing more. I have never heard of this guy doing anything for Toledo. I have never heard of him being a guest at any event in Toledo. Other than several TT's posting about him living locally, I never new he even existed.
I would have rather the city did something for Jamie Farr. At least out of the following: Jim Jackson, Katie Holmes, Crystal Bowersox, and Jamie Farr, Farr has at least come back to promote some Toledo events.

I really don't care if someone comes back to Toledo or expresses pride in the city all the time (a la Jamie Farr). That's nice, but not a dealbraker for me.

My problem with it is that he's too young and, really, accomplished too little to have streets named after him. What has he done in his life other than basketball? And I say this as a basketball fan--I mean, he did not transform the way the game is played or anything. He has not influenced the world. And dude is only 40 years old.

Holmes, Bowersox, etc. are also way too young and have accomplished too little (unless your awarding Katie for being married to Tom Cruise).

Now, for a couple of people from Toledo who have some fame and have led influential lives, how about Gene Kranz (flight director of Apollo missions for NASA--Central Catholic graduate) or Gloria Steinem (born in Toledo, attended Waite HS, but moved to Washington where she graduated)?

But, if we're just that much into honoring basketball players around the age of 40, what about John Amaechi, who played at St. John's, went on to a NBA career...and became the first openly-gay professional basketball player. Being the first to "come out" in an entire professional sport seems pretty groundbreaking to me and something you would want to honor.

Any more potential celebs/honorees you can think of?

HOW ABOUT P.J. O'ROURKE????

actually, I've always felt that naming streets after people was worse than lip service. it's dumb, it means less than nothing, especially in this case, because, c'mon, it's Woodstock Ave. that's an honor?

Steinem is a basic loudmouth pain in the ass. You want to name a street in Toledo after her? Fine. Change Canton Avenue to Steinem Boulevard. Then there's Amaechi, the first B-ball player to come out of the closet. Oh, yeah, that's real good.

Steinem is a basic loudmouth pain in the ass.

So were a lot of people in the 60's. Doesn't mean she wasn't (inter)nationally known and highly influential.

Then there's Amaechi...Oh, yeah, that's real good.

So....it would be bad to name a street after someone because he is gay? From high school to the pros, I've never heard a bad word about him or his character. Please explain.

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Perhaps if we're going to name streets after someone, how about putting the dear departed Frank Gilhooley at the front of the line?

Dare I say it, Finkbeiner Way.

I believe the dance team JJ Express, which has performed at the downtown library, OWE parade and other events is sponsored by Jim Jackson. It's quite a sight ... mixed ages and abilities, everyone having fun. Presumably the workouts and performances keep some youth (and their parents!) off the streets. Maybe also teaches leadership, planning skills, benefits of exercise, etc. to people who idolize pro athletes ... seems like a good cause.

"Dare I say it, Finkbeiner Way."

The man, the myth, the legend is honored in Michigan.

JJ Express = future strippers in training

I can see why you'd say that! My friends who have girl children are kind of fretting about suggestive moves that female dancers are taught at a very young age.

There's one high school (not here) which had the entire cheerleading force go back to straightforward, really old-fashioned cheer maneuvers. You know, the two or three routines that just look like jumping jacks and calisthenics? In the era of instant Youtube fame, no one wanted their 15-year-old daughter to be filmed doing superslutty moves in public.

JJ Express is no different from other youth groups I've seen at county fairs, white-bread suburban parades, and shopping malls. At some point crotch-oriented choreography became acceptable for organized youth troupes.

My apologies if this is not the innuendo you intended! ;-)

Linecrosser - puh-leeze !

Do not even get that egomaniac started.

Good thing he still does not know how to use a computer.