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I’ve been a fan of TobyMac, one of the headlining acts for Winter Jam, for many years. Formerly a member of the Christian rock group dc talk, TobyMac has returned to Fort Wayne many times to offer upbeat Christian music to fans of all ages.

In my freelance writing career I’ve interviewed him on two occasions for stories in newspapers and magazines. It was interesting to hear him voice the challenges he feels at trying to balance everything in his life. With a wife and five children awaiting him at home, TobyMac admitted he felt the pain of separation from those he loves most.

“I hate being gone from my family,” he said. “It breaks my heart when I’m on the road four, maybe five days a week. I’m sharing God’s love and music, but it kills me to be away from my kids. I always ask myself, how long should I do this? My kids know why I go. They know it’s more than making music. But if God told me to change one thing about my parenting style, I think He would tell me to be in their lives more consistently.”

When he is home, TobyMac concentrates on his family. “We sit down to dinner together,” he said. “After dinner, we go outside to play. I run around with them, and we play baseball. Then I read to them at bedtime and pray with each one and tuck them into bed. I love that routine. It kills me to miss it.”

With those kinds of thoughts running through my head each time I hear one of his songs on the local Christian radio stations WBCL FM 90.3 and WLAB 88.3 I appreciate this guy’s dedication to not only his career and craft as a singer/songwriter, but also his dedication to his family. It makes Winter Jam that much more meaningful to me, knowing each performer is making the same sacrifice.

Other singers at WinterJam 2013 in Fort Wayne include Matthew West, Jamie Grace, Royal Tailor, Sidewalk Prophets, NewSong, and speaker Nick Hall.

As always tickets are free but organizers ask for a $10 donation. A love offering will be taken during the concert. Note: These concerts can be quite long (4 hours), so plan accordingly.

Winter Jam will be held at
Memorial Coliseum
4000 Parnell Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
260.483.1111
JANUARY 20th ~ 6 PM ~ Doors 5 PM

My husband and I discovered the restaurant Las Lomas on Fairfield Ave several years ago after it was recommended to us by friends. Afterward, we ate there often and were always pleased. Then, as our work schedules changed, we took a break from eating there for a few years.

Painting of Las Lomas’ exterior

Recently, we decided to see if Las Lomas (meaning ‘The hills’) was still as good as it had been in the past. The same bold yellow exterior was easy to spot on the street. A large parking lot adjacent to the restaurant is available on its south side.

The minute we walked through the doors, we were again wowed by the interior’s attractive décor. I like bright colors so the profusion of them on the chairs and walls was appealing. Everything was clean and the smells coming from the kitchen made our mouths water.

Las Lomas features many Mexican dishes on its menu.

The food did not disappoint. I ordered an appetizer of Nachos Supremos — Beef, chicken, beans, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. While it may not have been the most creative dish on the menu, it was a full plate and scrumptious. Half was loaded into a Styrofoam container to take home. I love leftovers! Cost: $7.99

My husband ordered Enchiladas al Carbon — Two enchiladas stuffed with a choice of chicken or beef along with fajita veggies, topped with cheese sauce. Served with lettuce, guacamole and choice of beans or rice. He ate every bite. Cost: $8.29. Talk about reasonable prices!

Las Lomas décor is colorful and fun.

The service was great. It was a relaxing meal and we plan to return. Check out the menu on the restaurant’swebsite: http://www.laslomasmexicangrill.com/.

The owner posted this little saying there: “No extra charge for the pleasant surroundings, hospitality and fun.” And my bet is that’s exactly what you’ll find – pleasant surroundings, hospitality, fun and good food at Las Lomas.

Las Lomas Mexican Grill: 2202 Fairfield St at Dewald – 260.744.6896

Las Lomas North: 1535 N Coliseum Blvd at Lake – 260-426-1118

Retro signs cover the walls at Mad Anthony’s.

Yesterday after finishing my holiday shopping, my two grown children and I thought about where to go for lunch in Fort Wayne. We actually only thought for one minute because both of them piped together: “Mad Anthony’s!”

This restaurant on the corner of Broadway and Taylor Streets in Fort Wayne has been a family fave of ours for many years.

Crab cakes are a delicious appetizer at Mad Anthony’s.

We love the funky, retro interior with signage posted everywhere. The walls are covered with maps, bumper stickers, license plates, political posters, and handwritten messages even on the ceiling. A seating area separate from the bar makes it perfect for families with young children to dine. In warm weather, outdoor seating on the restaurant’s west side invites customers to enjoy the fresh air.

Pizza is a family fave for the Reussers.

We usually order a pizza, but only if we have at least an hour to sit there, because preparation takes approximately 30 minutes. Each time we have ordered a pizza our waiter mentioned this to make sure we knew the length of time it will take. The pizzas are always worth the wait! I love the crusts– this is usually the main factor for me with a pizza, I don’t know why. Plenty of toppings and cheese too. Yum!

Over the years we have also ordered sandwiches and appetizers at Mad Anthony’s. The only type of food we have yet to try is a dessert, but we’re always so stuffed from Mad Anthony’s great entrees, we have no room left for more!

Prices are really reasonable. We ordered a 10-inch pizza, cheese curds appetizer, tilapia sandwich and one cola drink. Cost: $33.00. It was too much food so we had it boxed up and we plan to eat leftovers today.

Political and street signs add visual interest to Mad Anthony’s decor.

Service has always been good. When we asked for directions to a destination across town, our waiter came back twice to provide details.

Another time my mother who uses a walker maneuvered easily across the floor and had plenty of room when seated which was helpful. We don’t find those factors at every dining establishment. Mad Anthony’s is a fun, delicious, reasonably-priced place to eat in Fort Wayne. Try it with friends or family.

Location
2002 Broadway
Fort Wayne, IN  46802
(260) 426-2537
www.madbrew.com

Gourmet pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and munchies. Live entertainment, family dining, carryout and catering. Also, in Auburn, Warsaw and Elkhart. Sunday carryout Fort Wayne only.

OK, I admit it, I’m not a shopper. My poor daughters had to drag me to the mall each year for prom dresses. We went through the same procedure in winter to do an annual Christmas shopping trip.

So why am I writing a post on shopping in downtown Fort Wayne? Because I just spent an entire day shopping there and loved it!

As one who is stringent with driving because of the cost of gas, I loved it that we could get to Jefferson Pointe to go to Dick’s Sporting Goods at Apple Glen for a gift certificate for my husband (he wants hunting gear) and new walking shoes for me, then be back downtown in 10 minutes.

Tickets to a Broadway show at the Embassy Theatre for my sister—Check.

Gift certificate to J.K. O’Donnell’s Irish Pub for my daughter who spent a semester in Ireland and loved it—Check.

Purchase of post cards of Fort Wayne at the Fort Wayne Visitors Center for my other daughter who currently lives in Vienna, Austria—Check. (Hint: The Visitors Center has many gift items available for purchase from TinCaps hats and sweatshirts to cookbooks by area chefs and aerial views of Fort Wayne.)

By then, the three of us were ready for lunch. We stopped in at the Lincoln Tower Soda Fountain for malts and sandwiches. Love this cozy eatery!

While downtown, we visited The History Center’s new exhibit on Fort Wayne Innovations. Who said shopping can’t be educational? It’s the Mom in me.

Other shops awaited us downtown, but by then we were tired and ready to plan them for another day. What is your favorite downtown place to shop?

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

So says Linus, the blanket-carrying character after relaying the biblical account of the birth of Christ in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’. The plot revolves around a young boy, Charlie Brown, who, repelled by the commercialism he sees around him, tries to find the true meaning of Christmas. This show was first shown on TV in 1965. It is replayed on TV annually as a holiday favorite.

More than a decade earlier in 1951, a group of people in the Fort Wayne area were also concerned that Christmas was becoming too commercialized. Their solution was to create a Christ Child Festival, an event that would focus on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ.

This festival has been held every year since 1951, making it one of Fort Wayne’s oldest festivals.

The message of the festival is revealed through the dozens of displays, games, crafts, and musical performances offered during the weekend of December 14-16. There is even a live nativity with animals.

It doesn’t matter what church you attend or if you don’t attend a church. This festival is a non-denominational religious event for the entire community.

Another appealing aspect is that the event is free and refreshments are provided at no charge. Keep in mind parking at the Coliseum will cost you $4.00 per vehicle. Attendees are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Associated Churches Food Bank or a baby item to be donated to local crisis pregnancy centers.

My must-do of the event will be stopping by the Veterans Tree to write a note of encouragement and thanks to our active service members from the community.

Could this become a traditional event for your family?

Date(s):
Friday, December 14, 6-9pm
Saturday, December 15 Noon-8pm
Sunday December 16, Noon-6pm

Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
4000 Parnell Ave
Fort Wayne
260.482.9502

Parking: $4.00 Main Lot / $8.00 Preferred Lot