toledoblade.com -- Roberta de Boer

Ever wonder where ideas for local columns come from? How about writer's block - is that myth or reality for a columnist? Do you have a pet peeve about northwest Ohio, or an area treasure that you'd like to share with readers? Send it Roberta's way, and you may see it in print. She shares her opinions three times a week in The Blade, so this is your chance to one-on-one with columnist Roberta de Boer.

Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to today's chat with Roberta de Boer. We are ready to take your questions.

Nancy (Englewood, Fla.) Do you ever have writer's block?? Do you know that your fan club stretches to Florida? Miss you, kiddo!

Roberta de Boer: (12:02 P.M. ET ) Hi, Nancy! Thanks for writing in - and all the way from Florida! (Ain't the Internet amazing?) As for your question, yes, I do occasionally stumble across writer's block. But there's nothing like a ticking clock to cure that ... Thanks for reading! Enjoy your tropical weather.

Christine (Toledo) How did you get your gig on channel 13? It is great to see you in print via the blade as well as see a real "face" on the tv!

Roberta de Boer: (12:06 P.M. ET ) Hey, Christine, good to hear from you. And your question is one I continue to ask myself: What on Earth am I doing on TV? No one was more surprised than me when the Channel 13 folks called to ask if I wanted to do a weekly segment for their newscast. I mean, middle-aged women aren't exactly considered the staples of Must-See TV. But I'm enjoying the gig (it's more fun than it even looks), and I'm glad you both read *and* watch. As for being called a "real" face, I'm taking that as a compliment...

Dana (Toledo) Roberta, Golf is a great game, especially for us females. Give it a chance, you may like it.

Roberta de Boer: (12:14 P.M. ET ) Hi, Dana - or should see I say "Fore!" You must be referring to the segment I did last week for Channel 13, along with Blade sportswriter Dave Hackenberg. Hack took me out to the links and tried ("tried" being the operative word) to give me preliminary instruction in golf. And, hey - c'mon, at least I tried. (I even hit one dandy drive, or so Dave says.) But, Dana, let me ask you: Do you like anchovies? My guess is, probably not (few people do). Well, acquired tastes are like that, and I'm sorry to say (or relieved, actually) that I doubt I'll ever get the golf bug. Besides, it would violate my wedding vows: Yes, the promise to never take up golf was a precondition of marriage forf both me and my husband. Gotta keep up my end of the bargain, as does he. Hope your game keeps getting better, though (or whatever it is golf games are supposed to do). Thanks for writing!

SAW (Sylvania) I really enjoy reading your column on toledoblade.com and have always been curious as to how you keep coming up with fresh ideas?

Roberta de Boer: (12:22 P.M. ET ) You know, if I had a nickel for every time I'm asked that question, I'e be ... well, probably not anybody's full-time employee, that's for sure. And here's the worst part: My answer is always the same, too, namely - I'm not quite sure where those column ideas come from. I mean, writing columns has turned me into a v-e-r-y boring person. I can't even look at a red light without thinking, "Hey, is there a possible column in that red light?" So you can imagine how much fun I am to be around in person... But kidding aside, I just try and keep my eyes open and look around. And, if you've scanned the metro Toledo horizon, then you know there's plenty of goofy/silly/sad/serious/fluffy stuff out there to be mined for columns! (PS - I LOVE hearing from readers who have ideas!)

Maureen (Onsted, Mich.) Who would you support if Carty Finkbeiner ran for mayor against Jack Ford?

Roberta de Boer: (12:27 P.M. ET ) Hey, no fair, Maureen! The Blade's Techno Wizards promised this chat would be FUN. Besides, you're from Michigan; you don't have a dog in this fight. (Do I get an A+ for dodging this one?)

Jerry (Toledo) Which side of the river would you like to see Toledo build a new sports arena?

Roberta de Boer: (12:27 P.M. ET ) The side with the river, Jerry. Yeah, that side.

Rich (Holland) What's your opinion of the smoking ban and the bar owners constantly crying it's killing their business. Have you been to Arnie's lately? It was a nice place 15 years ago but looks like a dump now. Could that be a reason no one comes?

Roberta de Boer: (12:34 P.M. ET ) Well, well, well. It only took seven questions for the ole smoking ban topic to waft over. Thank God we've got the smoking ban here in Toledo - it gives us all something to talk about besides the weather. As for my opinion on the ban, as I've written (over and over and over - will this topic ever go away?) I'm all for it. I don't see it as a personal-rights issue, but as a public-health issue. As for Arnie's, can't say. I think, um, maybe we're all looking a little hang-dog after 15 years, you know?

Eric (Toledo) Since the topic is pet peeves, my question is, Why is that the Toledo Board of Education is saying they will do whatever it takes to keep Dr. Sanders, when no one has mentioned the fact that over 100 Special Ed personnel were laid off? Many these people after promising the union and the personnel in June that there would be no more layoffs? Is the board covering this up to pass there Nov. levy?

Roberta de Boer: (12:38 P.M. ET ) Ah, yes, TPS. Just like the smoking ban, it keeps on keepin' on. I could give you what I *think* the board would say about keeping Dr. Sanders: No sense changing horses midstream; why derail the path of progress (there have been measurable improvements, if you go by things like proficiency tests); plus, I hear he does great karoake at the employee banquets, and anyway, it costs a lotta money to go find another superintendent (just ask D.C. schools). All that aside, the subject of public education (and, specfically, TPS) is waaaay to convulted to be solved (let alone addressed) in a breezy online ChitChat session. So I guess, Eric, that you just have to run for school board....

Victor Bonatista (Toledo) Hey Roberta, What are your thoughts on the development of downtown Toledo?I see so much potential for this wonderful city on the river but Toledo doesn't seem to be able to get its act together.

Roberta de Boer: (12:45 P.M. ET ) Hi, Victor. Great question. Now, listen carefully to My Thoughts on the Development of Downtown. Hmm. Lesseee now. Well, I think we have "a jewel." All we need to do is "work together" and "cooperate." Also, we need to "fully support all feasible endeavors." Plus, I'm thinkin' we need to "pool our resources for the mutual benefit of all the downtown stakeholders." Watch this space soon for the upcoming political announcement of my mayoral campaign, because I think I've got all the platitudes perfected....

Kevin Cesarz: (12:53 P.M. ET ) We are nearing the end of our chat.

Donn (Toledo) Hey troublemaker -- it's your favorite Cher fan from Log Cabin. Thanks for the hard work and perspectives. You are great at bringing people with difference together. So are you voting for W? (LOL)

Roberta de Boer: (12:58 P.M. ET ) Donn! Good to hear from you! Give my regards to everyone else at the Lucas County Log Cabin Republicans (for those of you playing along at home, these are the gay and lesbian Republicans - and no, I'm can't explain `em, either.... ;) Am I voting for W? Boy, you're brave, asking that question, when you know how tight-lipped I am about all matters political...

Paul Hamel (Toledo) What are your least favorite topics of discussion when with friends or even in mixed company.

Roberta de Boer: (1 P.M. ET ) Zowie. What a great question to end on. I think. Hmmm. Least fave topics, eh? Well, there's _____. And, of course, I simply detest _____. Oh! And don't forget _____. Man, I *hate* that! But, um, thanks for asking...

And thanks to everyone for joining us for this online chat. Until next time!

Kevin Cesarz: (1:02 P.M. ET ) Thanks to all our chitchatters. See you in two weeks for a chitchat sports editor Bob Kinney.

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