GFI NEWS AND EVENT LISTINGS NOW AVAILABLE AT FINDLAYLIVING.COM In addition to GFI's E-briefings and website, GreaterFindlayInc. news and events can also be found at www.findlayliving.com under Business>GFI News. Also, be sure to look for GreaterFindlayInc.'s feature spread in each monthly publication of Findlay Living Magazine.
TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH OPENS EDUCATIONAL FACILITY-JULY 6
Trinity Baptist Church will hold a dedication ceremony for their new Educational Facility on July 6 located at 7839 CR 236 in Findlay. Food and fellowship will be offered after the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. For more information call 419-422-8462.
CRUISE IN FOR CAUSE-WEDNESDAYS, JUNE 18-JULY 23
Come to Cruise in for a Cause, 5-8 p.m. on the following Wednesdays at City BBQ, 15033 Flag City Dr. Findlay.
June 18: Best Under the Hood. Entertainment: Time Warp Mobile DJ.
June 25: Best Original Style Paint. Entertainment: Fuzzy Samuel.
July 2: Best Custom Interior. Entertainment: Time Warp Mobile DJ.
July 9: Best Ground Effts. Entertainment: Jaded.
July 16: Exhaust Contest. Entertainment: TBA.
July 23: Best Custom Pain, Best Custom Wheels, Best Original Style Interior. Entertainment: Jaded.
Each week and "Iron Man" will be awarded to the person who comes from the furthest distance. Best of Show will also be awarded each week.
The event is open to the public. All cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome.
City BBQ will donate 10% of the evening's proceeds to Findlay Area Civitan. The show is open to cars and trucks of any make and model for a $5.00 donation to Civitan. For more information, please visit
www.cruiseinforacause.com.
CATERPILLARS TOPIC OF HPD TODDLER PROGRAM-JULY 7
Bring your toddler, ages 3-6, to the Hancock Park Districts' July Discovery Story to be held Monday, July 7 at Litzenberg Memorial Woods. The program is scheduled to place in the McKinnis Historical Garden and seating will be provided. Please meet at the garden gate at 10 am, 1pm, or 7pm where you will be greeted by HPD Living History Coordinator Casey Lauger.
Participants will hear a story about caterpillars and then participate in a short related activity. All children must be accompanied by an adult companion and a bug repellent application before attending is recommended for comfort. The program will last approximately 30 - 45 minutes. HPD reminds interested persons to please arrive in a timely manner before the story begins.
Litzenberg Memorial Woods is located at 6100 US 224, west of Findlay. The site is handicap accessible with restrooms available behind the Activity Barn. For more information about other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com under the "What's New" section or call the HPD office at 419-425-Park and "Discover Your Hancock Parks".
GARDEN PROGRAM DISCUSSES HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING IDEAS-JULY 8Join the Hancock Park District as they host "Holiday Ideas from Your Garden" on Tuesday, July 8. The program is slated to take place at the McKinnis Homestead Historical Garden at Litzenberg Memorial Woods. The public program will be present by Ann Boyd of My Own Backyard Herbs & Flowers.
Boyd will be discussing everything from decking the halls to treating your family and friends to delicious and thoughtful gifts from your garden with an array of recipes to taste, smell and touch. Learn plans you can begin now to stock your Christmas pantry.
Advance registration is necessary to attend by Thursday, July 3 with a fee of $3 per person at the HPD office. Reservations can be made at the HPD office, with the correct amount of cash or checks are preferred made payable to the Hancock Park District, and are not taken until fees are paid. Space is limited.
Litzenberg Memorial Woods located at 6100 US Rte. 224 west of Findlay. The site is handicap accessible with restrooms available inside the Activity Barn. For more information about other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at www.HancockParks.com under the "What's New" section or call the HPD office at 419-425-Park and "Discover Your Hancock Parks".
OWENS FINDLAY-AREA CAMPUS OFFERS MICROSOFT PUBLISHER CLASSES-JULY 8
Area residents interested in enhancing their computer knowledge and becoming more proficient in Microsoft Publisher are invited to participate in new continuing education computer classes at the Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus on Tuesday, July 8.
The Microsoft Publisher Program will be offered through Owens' Community and Corporate Education in July at the College's Community Education and Wellness Center. Owens' Findlay-area Campus is located on Bright Road in Findlay.
The College's Microsoft Publisher Program will offer two classes on July 8. The first class, titled Creating and Editing a Publication, will introduce attendees to Microsoft Publisher terminology and the screen to create an advertising flyer. Individuals will also learn about using the task pane for color and font decisions, editing text and objects, editing graphics, creating bulleted lists, formatting, printing and saving publications, and opening and modifying a publication. The beginning Microsoft Publisher class will occur from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Owens' second class is titled Designing a Newsletter. The advanced course, which will occur from 1-5 p.m., will focus on creating a two-page newsletter using a Microsoft Publisher-designed template. Additional topics will include identifying typical newsletter features such as mastheads, multi-color columns, sidebars, pull quotes and graphics, as well as importing text and graphic files using WordArt.
Registration for the computer classes must be completed by July 3. The registration fee for each class is $69 and/or $129 for the two sessions.
For more information, or to register for either class, call (567) 429-3152 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 3152.
CHOPIN HALL SEEKING PARTNERSHIPS TO CONDUCT MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
Unfortunately, hunger is a reality for many of our Hancock County neighbors.
Chopin Hall, a local agency staffed by 120 loyal volunteers and funded through the generosity of the local community, has a 24 year legacy of sharing food with our neighbors in need. During 2007, Chopin Hall provided a three-day supply of food 45,864 times to an individual living in Hancock County.
Chopin Hall is always looking for opportunities to partner with local businesses. One opportunity would be to host a mobile food pantry, a 10,000 pound free food giveaway open to anyone who needs additional food. Some businesses and employee groups are beginning to see mobile food pantries as a great way to give back to the community while providing teambuilding opportunities for staff. A $1000 donation will provide 10,000 pounds of food to share with our neighbors. The entire event is completed between 8 a.m. and noon on a Saturday morning and provides food for 600-800 individuals. If your organization would like to participate in a mobile food pantry, please contact Chopin Hall at 419.422.6401 or visit
www.chopinhall.org.
Upcoming mobile pantries:
July 12 at Marathon Oil lot on corner of East Street and Hardin Street.
Funded and staffed by Marathon corporate employees.
July 26 at College First Church of God.
Funded and staffed by congregation of College First Church of God
SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM SLATED FOR RIVERBEND-JULY 12
Interested participants are invited to attend a public astronomy program hosted by the Millstream Astronomy Club and Hancock Park District on Saturday, July 12 in Shelter #5 at Riverbend Recreation Area. The program is scheduled to begin at 9 pm.
Millstream Astronomy Club member, Jerry Gunnett, will be presenting on Astrophotography with a Digital Camera. If you bring your digital camera, you may get a shot of the 1st quarter moon through a club member's telescope. Weather permitting, stargazing will be held afterward. Riverbend Recreation Area is located at 16618 TR 208, off SR 568 to TR 241 east of Findlay.
For more information about this program or other upcoming programs, view the HPD Seasonal Guide at
www.HancockParks.com or call the HPD office at 419-425-PARK and "Discover Your Hancock Parks".
FREE CERTIFIED NETWORKER FREE EDUCATIONAL PREVIEW-JULY 15
Certified Networker invites you to attend a free educational preview 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 15 at GreaterFindlayInc. This special course offers priceless information to help you grow your business. Advanced registration is required as there is limited seating at this event. To register or for more information, contact Debby Peters at
[email protected] or call 419-833-5182.
PLANTING THE SEEDS OF WELLNESS: COMMUNITIES UNITING-AUG. 14The Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services along with the Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Addition Recovery Board of Putnam County will host "Planting the Seeds of Wellness: Communities Uniting to Restore Hope Following a Disaster". The program will take place August 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Programs speakers include Michael Duffy, assistant secretary, and Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, Medical Director, both of the Louisiana Office for Addictive Disorders in the Department of Health and Hospitals. Dr. Larry Burd, principal investigator for the Robert Wood Johnson outcome study of the 1966-1997 floods in Grand Forks, ND and Ellen Anderson, PHD, SPCC will also speak. A brochure can be downloaded off of
www.paragonapproved.org under the trainings/workshops tab.
OWENS FINDLAY-AREA CAMPUS PARTNERS TO PROVIDE FREE COLLEGE EDUCATIONOwens Community College and three Clear Channel radio stations are partnering in a contest to award free college education to four area residents, with two winners receiving the grand prize of two semesters of free Owens tuition.
92.5 KISS-FM, 104.7 WIOT and 103.7 WCKY will begin airing promotional announcements for the contest on Monday, June 30.
Individuals can enter the contest by logging onto any of four Web sites-
www.owens.edu,
www.925kissfm.com,
www.wiot.com or
www.1037wcky.com - clicking on the "Tuition is Right" and correctly answering three questions. Applicants also can enter by completing a paper entry form available at the Enrollment Services Office on the Owens Toledo-area Campus, Information Desk on the Findlay-area Campus or the Reception Desk at the Owens Learning Center at The Source in downtown Toledo. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 28.
All qualifying entrants will be eligible to attend the first final on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Community Education and Wellness Center on the Owens Findlay-area Campus. One grand prize of two semesters of free tuition and one runner-up prize of one semester of free tuition will be awarded by random draw.
All qualifying entrants who do not win a tuition prize Aug. 5 are eligible to attend the second final on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Student Health and Activities Center on the Owens Toledo-area Campus. The second grand prize of two semesters of free tuition and final runner-up prize of one semester of free tuition also will be awarded by random draw.
At both finals, various other prizes will be drawn and awarded at random as well.
The contest is open to residents 16 years of age or older. This marks the seventh occasion since 2003 that Owens has partnered with Northwest Ohio media and offered a tuition contest.
NEED A RENTAL CAR? GFI MEMBERS GET 10% OFF ALL RENTALS
LaRiche Chevrolet is renting out late model vehicles for all needs. Vacation? Breakdown? Business trip? LaRiche wants your business. Choose from the Aveo, Cobalt, Malibu and Impala which all get over 30 mpg or for larger families, rent the Uplander, Silverado, Suburban and luxury Conversion Van with a 17" flip-down DVD. There is also a 15 passenger van for larger parties. Plus, GFI members get 10 percent off ALL rentals! For more information, or to rent a car, contact Chase at LaRiche Chevrolet Rental Department at 1-866-291-7987.
BRIDGE HOSPICE BENEFITS FROM PRIMROSE, FASTER FLIPPER
Primrose Retirement Communities on Township Road 237 donated a gift of $585 to the Bridge Hospice Care Center. The money was raised at Primrose in May at their 1st annual 'Magic In May' pancake breakfast to benefit the Bridge Hospice Care Center.
"This was our first 'Magic In May' breakfast open to the community. Our turnout was better than expected and we hope to continue to grow the event each year to benefit Bridge Hospice", said Shelly De Vreese, Marketing Manager for Primrose Retirement Communities. "We had a strolling magician and hired Chris Cakes, Guinness Book of World Records holder for the fastest pancake flippers in the world. The event was a good time for not only our residents, but everyone who walked through our door. It is our hope to raise double next year, with an increase each year after that", said De Vreese.
Primrose Retirement Communities is Findlay's newest retirement community located at 8580 Township Road 237. Primrose houses 68 Independent and Assisted Living apartments, as well as 12 villas. For further information on Primrose, contact Shelly De Vreese at 419.422.6200.
FIRE PERMITS NO LONGER REQUIRED IN HPD LOCATIONSFire permits for the Riverbend Campground, facility fireplaces and fire pits within Hancock Park District locations are no longer required according to the HPD office. In previous years, HPD required all visitors to purchase a $5 Fire Permit precluding building fires within HPD parklands. With the purchase of the permit, firewood was also provided to the user by HPD.
Due to the fact that Hancock Parks are located within the quarantined area and with rising overhead costs to administer the program, it was determined that these measures are no longer necessary. Visitors can continue to enjoy fires within the parks for a variety of recreational activities. Visitors wishing to build a fire within HPD park locations will now be required to bring their own firewood. Caution should however be used to burn all wood that is brought in and scavenging wood/limbs is prohibited from HPD park locations so as not to disturb any natural resources.
For additional information contact the HPD office during open hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., located at 1424 East Main Cross St., Findlay.
FINDLAY ANNOUNCES NEW JUNIOR HOCKEY CLUB: NEWEST TEAM ADDED TO THE UNITED JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUEThe city of Findlay is excited to welcome the newest member of the United Junior Hockey League. The team will bring a high level of Tier III junior hockey to Findlay as well as be an active member of the community. The team will be owned by Barry Soskin and Pat Pylypuik who successfully managed the ECHL's Toledo Storm for over 10 years. They are committed to the highest standards of hockey excellence and academic aptitude.
The team conducts functions at The Cube located at 3430 N. Main St. Findlay.
For more information about the team, or to schedule an interview with Jeff Zunich, please call (734) 624-1998 or email
[email protected] FINDLAY JUNIOR HOCKEY CLUB.
CHARLES CONSTRUCTION SERVICES TURNS 25
Charles Construction celebrated 25 years in business with an Open House held on June 12, 2008 at their offices located at 811 E. Bigelow Ave, Findlay OH. The Open House featured music by local artist, Eddie Molina. Comments were given by Chuck Wenner, President / CEO, thanking clients, subcontractors and employees for making the past 25 years successful, he also addressed what the future holds for CCSI. Charles
Construction Services, Inc., formerly known as Charles Associates, has been doing business in NW and Central Ohio since 1983. From its home offices in Findlay, Charles Construction has completed projects ranging from $100,000 to $32 million. These include new industrial, institutional, commercial and medical construction, as well as renovation, modification or expansion of existing facilities. The company has grown from an initial staff of 6 to over 55 full time employees.
Charles Construction has received several coveted construction awards including: the 2005 Build Ohio award as well as the Associated Builders and Contractors "Excellence in Construction for Owens Community College, Findlay campus, the ABC "Excellence in Construction" award for the historic restoration of the Ritz Theatre, in Tiffin and an additional "Excellence in Construction" for the Silgan Plastics formerly RXI Plastics in Ottawa. For more information contact Leslie at 419-423-5090.
DESPITE HIGHER TRAVEL COSTS, SUMMER GETAWAYS ARE STILL IN THE PLANS FOR A MAJORITY OF FAMILIESA recent survey conducted by Zoomerang for Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Inc. reveals that, despite higher travel costs this summer, a majority of families are planning on or still considering taking their annual family trip.
Forty-one percent of those surveyed say they plan on taking a vacation with their family this summer and another 28 percent are undecided, but still considering it. The remaining third of consumers surveyed noted they will not take a trip this summer, citing budgetary concerns. For families that still plan to get away over the next few months, 54 percent will travel more than 500 miles and nearly 70 percent plan to do so by car.
A recent travelhorizons survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association of America and Y partnership also found that six of ten Americans who are currently planning a trip with their car, truck or SUV this summer will not change their travel plans even with additional increase in the price of gas. Visit
www.tia.org to learn more.
To help families with higher cost of this summer's vacation trips, Country Inn & Suites is offering a special TravelValues coupon book to guests that make a reservation on www.countryinns.com or by calling 1-800-456-4000 from now through Sept. 30, 2008. The coupon book-valued at more than $200-provides family travel offers from a number of companies including Dollar Rent A Car, Thrifty Car Rental, Sylvan Learning, Scholastic, Creative Memories, AudibleKids.com and Papa John's. For more information guests can visit www.seeyouontheporch.com, where they can also send vacation postcards, get travel tips, and learn how sharing their vacation memories can win them a three-night stay at any Country Inn & Suites location in North America.
For reservations and information, visit
www.countryinns.com or call Paul Whitson at 419-422-4200.
7,183 STUDENTS CHOOSE OWENS TO PURSUE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Owens Community College continues to provide Northwest Ohio residents excellence in higher education with 7,183 students choosing to attend the academic institution for Summer Semester classes.
Since becoming a comprehensive community college in 1994, Owens has nearly doubled its Summer Semester student enrollment by an astounding 183 percent. The College enrolled 2,538 students for Summer Semester classes 14 years ago.
The combined Summer Semester enrollment of 7,183 students on the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses surpasses the enrollment of 6,558 students during Summer Semester 2007. Owens' Toledo-area Campus has 5,596 students attending classes, while on the Findlay-area Campus 1,587 students are enrolled. On both campuses, Summer Semester enrollment increased 9.53 percent from last summer.
In two new Summer Semester educational choices for students, Owens enrolled 101 students in its first Summer Weekend College offerings and 189 students at the Owens Learning Center at The Source, Lucas County's One-Stop Employment Center on Monroe Street in downtown Toledo.
Since opening the Learning Center at The Source in Fall Semester 2007, the College has enrolled 786 students at that location. Additionally, 3,242 students are pursuing Owens online classes for Summer Semester.
Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students. For more information, visit
www.owens.edu.
HANCOCK COUNTY SUPPORT/ADVOCACY SERVICES SCHEDULE-JULY 2008
National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) of Hancock County Educational Presentation. Tuesday, July 1, 7p.m. at (NEW LOCATION) First Presbyterian Church (2330 S. Main St.) Group Cancelled Tonight! Please attend support group on JULY 15. Call Gina Lewis at 419-429-1423 w/ questions.
Dual Recovery Anonymous-Every Monday, 3-4p.m. at The Family Center (1800 N. Blanchard Street), ROOM 111. A 12 step group for individuals and their loved ones living with both a mental health and substance abuse issue. Call Don Illif (425-5050) or Deb Twining (422-3711) w/ questions.
FREE Eating Disorder Support Group-1st and 3rd Thursdays, 7-8:30p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (2330 S. Main St). Call or email Joy Anderson, LSW with any questions or concerns at 419-425-8709 or
[email protected]. (Affiliated w/ ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders - www.anad.org)
Develop your Advanced Directive for Mental Health Treatment-2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 1-2p.m. at Focus On Friends (509 Trenton Ave.). With Wanda Baughman and Jim Martin, trained facilitators. Call Wanda at Focus On Friends at 419-423-5071 w/ questions or to sign up.
Flood Survivor's Support Group-Every Tuesday, 6- 7p.m. at the Campfire Building (305 W. Hardin). Share your ideas for rebuilding with other community members affected by the flood. Call 419-306-4176 with questions.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)-Tuesday, July 8, 7p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, ROOM 209. Dr. Don Evert, Medical Director of Orchard Hall, will be the speaker. Open to the public. No pre-registration required. Call Becky Hickle at 419-422-9381 w/ questions.
PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) monthly support group-Saturday, July 12, 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church (2415 N. Main St.). Group is open to anyone who is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) or questioning and people who have family or friends who are LGBT. Call Jennifer Payne (419-425-5050) w/ questions.
NAMI Support Group-Tuesday, July 15, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, ROOM 209. Facilitated by Carole Cleary, Esther Luth, and Gina Lewis. Open to any family member, friend, support person, or individual diagnosed with a mental illness. No pre-registration required. Call Gina Lewis at 419-429-1423, Carole Cleary at 419-889-9257 or Esther Luth at 419-957-7941w/ questions.
Autism Support Group-Tuesday, July 15, 6:30-8 p.m. at Blanchard Valley School. For children with Autism and their parents / guardians / family. Contact Dodi Newcomer at
[email protected] w/ questions.
DBSA Support Group-Tuesday, July 22, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (ROOM 209). Open to individuals diagnosed with Depression or Bipolar Disorder and their friends, family members, or supportive others. No pre-registration required. Call Becky Hickle at 419-422-9381 w/ questions.
Persons Affected by a Loved one's Suicide (PALS) support group-Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m. at Blanchard Valley Hospital - 2nd floor Ruse Bldg. - above the emergency room. This support group is free and open to anyone dealing with grief following a suicide. For more information, call Nancy Stephani at Century Health, 419-422-3711.
VISIT Focus On Friends Drop In Center (509 Trenton Ave.) - providing a unique mix of education, leisure, friendship and support for people living with a mental illness - we invite you to "Just Be Yourself".
*Visit
www.ohio.networkofcare.org - Ohio's Network of Care for Behavioral Health!!*
**Look for daily schedule of 12 - Step meetings (AA, NA, Al-Anon) in The Courier. Meetings designated as "open" are open to the public.
- Questions about the above or other Support and Advocacy Services, call Gary Bright, Director of Support and Advocacy Services at Century Health (419-425-5050 off. Or 419-889-8367 cell). Email Gary at
[email protected] to be added to this email list and get the schedule electronically each month.
