ETC: FantastiCon returns to SeaGate Convention Centre March 14-15

        Calling all comic book, anime, sci-fi, pop-culture and cartoons fans – FantastiCon S8-E23 is returning to Toledo March 14-15 at the SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo.
        Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
        Catering to true comic book and pop culture collectors, FantastiCon will bring together more than 100 dealers and artists in sci-fi, superheroes, horror movies, anime and cartoons, and will showcase comic books, action figures, vintage toys, art and other memorabilia and collectibles available for sale.
        Attendees can join in the fun with cosplay contests for both kids and adults, Nerd Trivia, Q & A panel sessions, a road rally and Saturday’s Comic Creators Karaoke After Party.
        Special guests will include:
        • Jim Shooter: Stan Lee passed the torch to Shooter in the `70s to take over as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He’s written several notable series, including the Avengers and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, and led the creative teams that developed G.I. Joe and Transformers.
        • Daniel Phillips: The world-famous makeup special effects artist has worked on productions all over the world including “The Hobbit” Trilogy and “Oz the Great and Powerful.” Phillips will lead a panel discussion where he’ll demo his special effects magic transforming a person into a movie monster.
        Guests will fan out at the Optimus Prime Replica Truck, the world's first fan-built full-scale replica of Optimus Prime from “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and “Transformers: The Last Knight.”
        Saturday admission is $9 in advance and $15 at the door. On Sunday, admission is $6 in advance and $10 the day of the show. A two-day advance purchase pass is $12.50. Kids ages 5 and under are admitted free.
        To purchase tickets and for complete show details, visit http://www.fantasticon.net.
 
African Safari to open March 13
        African Safari Wildlife Park will open for its 52nd season on Friday, March 13.
        The park will be open daily, rain or shine, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the last car admitted at 4 p.m. until May 22, when the Summer Season begins.
        The events of the 2019 Thanksgiving fire caused the Park to delay their planned opening 2020 date to mid-March.
        “We are so appreciative and incredibly touched by the support African Safari Wildlife Park received from our community and from friends around the world after the fire,” said African Safari president and co-owner, Holly Hunt. “We are excited to open for the 2020 season and to once again deliver an incredible, interactive animal experience that promotes the appreciation of wildlife to visitors from around the country.” 
        Community members, friends, and animal lovers will once again be able to drive through African Safari Wildlife Park and be nose-to-nose with over 400 individual animals in the Drive-Thru Safari.
        Guests will have the opportunity to view and feed alpacas, llamas, guanacos, bactrian camels, fallow deer, sika deer, elk, bison, and zebra every day in the Drive-Thru Safari. Giraffe and African antelope species will return to the Drive-Thru once the weather permits, expected to be early May.
        The Walk-Thru Safari, which features exotic birds, gibbons, kangaroos, warthog, a walk-through aviary, camel rides, and educational animal shows is scheduled to open on May 9.
        “The park is thrilled to bring new exhibits, animal species and unique experiences to guests again for the 2020 season,” Hunt said.
        African Safari Wildlife Park is located at 267 S. Lightner Rd. in Port Clinton, Ohio. Visit www.AfricanSafariWildlifePark.com for more details.
 
Bicentennial Walking Tour
        Celebrate Sandusky County’s 200th birthday with a walking tour of historically significant places in Fremont led by local historians Larry Michaels and Mike Gilbert on Saturday, May 30.
        Learn about Sandusky County’s first courthouse, the cemetery under Arch Street, businesses that used to be downtown and much more.
        Tours will be offered at 10 a.m. and noon and will begin and end at the Sandusky County Historical Society, 514 Birchard Ave., Fremont. The walking tour is about a half mile to three-quarters of a mile and lasts about one hour.
        After the tours, refreshments will be served at the historical society.
        Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased online at www.bicentennial2020.org/. Tours are limited to 25 people. Advanced reservations are required.
        The bicentennial committee is planning numerous events throughout the year around the county. A schedule of events and details are available at www.bicentennial2020.org. Like the bicentennial on Facebook at @SanduskyCounty2020 for updated news and information.
 
Zoo Job Fair
        The Toledo Zoo will host a job fair on Wednesday, March 4 from 3-7 p.m. to fill more than 200 part-time and seasonal positions.
        The Zoo is looking to hire outgoing individuals with customer-focused attitudes to fill a variety of guest service positions.
        Job fair attendees are asked to park in the Anthony Wayne Trail parking lot, enter through the main gates and follow the signs to the Malawi Event Center. Zoo parking and admission fees will not apply. Business casual attire is preferred. Attendees are requested to bring a professional resume or completed Zoo application, available at toledozoo.org/jobs. The last walk-in time will be 6:45 p.m.
        Most positions require a minimum age of 16, however, some require candidates to be 21 with a valid driver’s license. Those interested must be able to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays. Some positions may also require working in all weather conditions, the ability to stand for extended periods of time and extensive walking on Zoo grounds.
        For more details, email toledozoojobfair@toledozoo.org or refer to toledozoo.org/jobs for details and position descriptions.
 
Live! in the House
        The Pemberville Opera House will welcome Lone Raven Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is part of the ongoing Live! in the House series.
        Rapidly becoming one of the top bands in the Midwest, Lone Raven performs an eclectic blend of traditional music from the Celtic lands and various areas of the world, as well as their own original compositions.
        Their instrumentals are fueled by the twin fiddles of Elizabeth Blickenstaff and Kara Markley Sterling, while being driven by an explosive rhythm section consisting of Craig Markley and the award-winning guitar playing of Neil Jacobs. Learn more about them at www.loneraven.com/
        Tickets are $12 and are available in advance at Beeker’s General Store, 226 E. Front St., Pemberville, or by contacting Carol at 419-287-4848 or carol@pembervilleoperahouse.org. Tickets are also available at the door.
 
“Black Sabbath”
        Investigation Discovery network will premiere a new episode of “The Lake Erie Murders” featuring the Toledo murder of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl.
        The episode, “Black Sabbath” will air Sunday, March 1 at 10 p.m.
        The episode will recount how on Holy Saturday morning, one day before Sister Margaret Ann Pahl turned 72, the devout nun entered the chapel of Mercy Hospital. Minutes later, she’s found murdered. As Sister Pahl's heartbroken family and close-knit sisterhood mourn her violent death, police mount an investigation that unearths lies and secrets.
        New episodes of the series, which explores murder cases in the region, premiere Sundays at 10 p.m. on Investigation Discovery.
 
5th Maumee Film Festival
        The Maumee Uptown Business Association will present the 5th Annual Maumee Film Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7 at the Maumee Indoor Theater, 601 Conant St.
        Film Screenings will take place Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
        More than 50 short films will be featured at this year’s festival, including documentary, short narrative, science fiction and films created for the 48-Hour Film Challenge.
        Telesonic 9000 will perform in a special musical performance live on Friday evening. This film-concert combines original music with retro video clips to create a unique and immersive live experience. The live music is synchronized to real time onstage video editing with footage assembled from over 400 archival films.
        General admission tickets are $8 for both Friday and Saturday screenings. Tickets are on sale now at the theater box office or online at www.maumeefilmfestival.com.
        This film festival is not recommended for young viewers as some of the films contain strong language and have adult themes.
 
Dig in! 2020
        Be the first to discover what’s new for gardeners in 2020 at “Dig in! 2020,” which will be held Thursday, March 12 at Owens Community College, Audio/Visual Classroom Center, 30335 Oregon Rd.., Perrysburg.
        Admission is $5 to the event. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. The event schedule includes:
        6 p.m. – welcome.
        6:05 p.m. – Proven Winners: New Annual Varieties for 2020, presented by Josh Miller, New Product Development.
        7 p.m. – Owens Community College: Decorative Container and Garden Design, presented by Chris Foley, assistant professor at Owens Community College.
        7:30 p.m. – Wrap-up/raffle.
        The first-time event is presented by Maumee Valley Growers Association, Owens Community College and The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
        Admission fees go to the Norm Moll Scholarship Fund to support students going into horticulture.
        For more information, contact Joe Perlaky at 419-356-4847 or perlaky@bex.net.
 
Slow Brew at Toledo Zoo
        Savor Toledo’s first-ever coffee tasting event, Slow Brew at the Zoo, on Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Toledo Zoo.
        Sample and celebrate all things coffee with local roasters and coffee exhibitors in the Malawi Event Center and the ProMedica Museum of Natural History.
        This “coffee for conservation” event will offer live animal demos, unlimited coffee samples, a “grounds in gardening” talk and more. The cost to participate is $15 for Zoo members and $25 for non-members and includes Zoo admission and parking and a collectible coffee mug.
        The event will also feature food trucks including Doughin’ Crazy, Lyle’s Crepes, 2nd Chance Food Truck and Holey Toledough.
        Additional activities include:
        • Yoga in the Aquarium from 9-10 a.m. Break from the daily grind in this instructor-led relaxation session. There is an additional fee of $15 per person to participate.
        • Slow Brew & Stroller Too from 11:30 a.m.-noon. Meet in Museum lobby for a morning pick-me-up. Bring the littles along for an educator-led Zoo tour. There is an additional fee of $5 to participate.
        Learn more and purchase tickets to Slow Brew at the Zoo and additional activities at toledozoo.org/slowbrew.
 
Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner & Silent Auction
        The 8th Annual Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner & Silent Auction presented by Paws & Remember will be held Saturday, March 21 from 5-9:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Perrysburg.
        The event, a benefit to support Humane Ohio in its mission to end pet homelessness in Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, will include a buffet-style pasta dinner, games, live music by the Toledo School for the Arts Steel Drums and a silent auction.
        The menu will include vegetarian three-cheese ravioli with red pepper vodka sauce or vegan pesto pasta with roasted vegetables, bread sticks, salad and dessert. The evening will also include games, live music, a photo booth and caricatures.
        Tickets are $50 per person or $350 for a table of eight. Visit https://humaneohio.org/spayghetti for tickets and more info.
        Last year’s event raised over $35,000 to save the lives of cats and dogs.
 
Gulburger Nite
        St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Seaman and Yondota, will be cooking up the famous “Gulburger” again this year on Thursday, April 2 from 4-7:30 p.m.
        The one-pound hamburger, cooked with the Gulish family recipe, comes with cheese and grilled onions, served on a Kaiser roll with chips, pickles and peppers plus a choice of coffee or punch at a cost of $10. Fresh-cut fries and sodas will be available at an additional cost.
        Dine in or carry out.
        Tickets, available by advance-purchase only, can be purchased from any church member or by calling 419-691-1918.
 
Historian to discuss legends of giants
        For centuries, legends have persisted that giants once walked the earth. Local historian Mike Gilbert has researched these stories and will share his findings during a special program on Sunday, March 22, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont.
        Gilbert’s talk will begin at 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the museum/library building. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at https://www.rbhayes.org/events/2020/03/22/events/legends-of-the-giants-t... or by calling Jacque Baker, reservations coordinator, at 419-332-2081, ext. 238.
        Tickets will also be sold at the museum front desk the day of the event, pending availability.
        The talk is a companion program to the special exhibit “Ohio: An Unnatural History,” which profiles the legends of the Lake Erie sea monster, Dogman of Defiance, Loveland Frog and other creatures from Ohio folklore.
 
Whiskey tasting event
        The Wood County Historical Society will host a whiskey tasting at the Wood County Historical Museum Wednesday, March 25 from 7-9 p.m.
        The event will feature local historian Elliot MacFarlane (Whisky Wizard), for a talk about Wood County's history and how whiskey, whisky and other spirits hold a lot of details about our county’s DNA. The program also includes a tasting of five selected whiskeys (or whiskys), appetizers, and a self-guided museum tour. (Must be age 21 or over to participate in the tasting.) The event is limited to 30 people. 
        Tickets are $40 per person. To purchase tickets, please visit woodcountyhistory.org or call 419-352-0967.
        All events detailed at woodcountyhistory.org or by following the Wood County Historical Museum on social media.
 
Easter Egg Hunt
        The Genoa Area Kiwanis’ Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. at Veterans Park. In case of rain, the event will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 204 Main St., Genoa, 600 Washington St.
        Age categories for young egg hunters include ages 1-2, 3-4, 5 and kindergarten, first grade, second grade and third grade.
 
“Revenge of the Raven”
        The Toledo Swiss Singers, one of the area’s oldest singing groups, will be asking the question, “who dunnit?” at their sixth annual dinner-theatre mystery event on March 7 and 8 at the Chalet at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon.
        The evening, titled “Revenge of The Raven,” will feature a pirate-themed murder and a mysterious cold-blooded killer on the loose. Written and directed by Swiss Singer Jane Williams, “Revenge of The Raven” will challenge audience members to use evidence and keen observations to conduct their own investigations. There will also be musical performances.
        The theatre presentation will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Dinner will be served during the performance. A cash bar will be available.
        Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children 13 and under. Reserve seats by March 2 by calling Elaine at 419-206-0975.
        Currently under the direction of Micah Graber, the choir has been celebrating the Swiss culture in the area since 1869. The chorus in its current form has been around since 1924. Its aim is to retain and preserve the culture and songs of Switzerland, to live up to the singers’ ancestors’ tenets of faith and behavior, help others, and to be good citizens.
        The Singers perform two concerts annually, including a wide variety of traditional Swiss, Broadway, Gospel and American music, as well as a special performance in February.
        The group is part of the North American Swiss Singing Alliance (NASSA), made up of 14 choirs from Canada and the U.S. Singers compete internationally every three years; the next competition will be held in June 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
        The nonprofit organization is also part of the larger German American Festival (GAF) Society, which most people associate with the festival held annually in August. The society consists of seven German-speaking societies.
        The Swiss Singers practice Wednesday evenings at 7:30 at Oak Shade Grove from September to May. Visit www.yodeltoledo.com for more details.
 
Toledo Rep 88th season
        The Toledo Rep announced its upcoming 88th Season lineup.
        The slate of performances includes:
        • “Chess” (London Version), Sept. 4-20. This highly acclaimed, international blockbuster musical weaves the ancient game of chess into a metaphor for romantic rivalries and East-West political intrigue.
        • “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Fallen Soufflé,” by David MacGregor, Oct. 23-Nov. 1. The sequel to David MacGregor's hit play, “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear,” presented at the Toledo Rep in October 2019.
        • “A Christmas Carol,” adapted from the novella by Charles Dickens, Dec. 4-6. A Toledo Rep tradition for more than 30 years.
        • “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” by Mathew Lopez, Feb. 26-March 7, 2021. A gender-bending, feel good tribute to the art of drag.
        • “Our Town” and “Middletown” performed in rep, April 9-25, 2021. The Toledo Rep and Actors Collaborative Toledo present their first-ever repertory productions with the staging of “Our Town,” by Thorton Wilder and “Middletown" by Will Eno. Audiences will have several opportunities to see both performances offered during the run on alternating dates.
        • “Something Rotten,” June 4-20, 2021. Two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of 16th-century Shakespeare and 21-first-century Broadway.
        For tickets and more info, visit www.toledorep.org or call the Box Office at 419-243-9277.
 
Vendor registration open
        Vendor registration is now open for “Stroll the Street Wednesdays” in Downtown Rossford, a free family event which returns June 17 through Sept. 2.
        The event, which runs weekly from 4:30-7:30 p.m., features a farm market, musical and art entertainment, food trucks and arts and crafts vendors.
        Musical entertainment and free children’s activities, like face painting, are held at the Edward Ford Memorial Park. Farm market vendors and arts and craft vendors are invited to rent a 10’x 10’ space for the first or second six weeks of Stroll the Street Wednesdays for $99 or $160 for all 12 weeks. Online registration forms can be found at strollthestreet.com or contact Julie Jardine at jjardinerossfordcvb@gmail.com or 419-343-8636.