06/09/2026
The Old West End Festival has been on my mind since Saturday night. I am incredibly sad for the victims and everyone who was a witness, especially our friends who were there either as vendors or simply as members of the community.
We were not there on Saturday, but only because of a scheduling conflict. It is scary to think how easily things could have been different for us.
I eagerly await the day we all decide we will no longer live under the constant threat of gun violence and finally make policy changes to keep us all safer. Until that time, my thoughts are with everyone who experienced terror in a space we know to be beautiful and kind. We stand with Toledo in hoping for, and working towards, better days.
In service of that, I will be donating a portion of my June sales to a Toledo community-based organization. I've found a couple organizations that I'm considering, but please feel free to share any groups that you know of who are doing great community-building work - things like food assistance, youth programming, or educational resources.
I know we can all do better in Toledo, and I will continue to look for ways that Pastel can do its part.
