GreaterFindlayInc. E-News, January 7, 2009

Member Press Releases

UF STUDENTS LOOKING FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES TO COMPLETE CLASS PROJECT
Students of The University of Findlay's Emergency Management Finance course are looking for your help. The goal of this course is to acquaint students with financial preplanning for incidents and disasters, and responding to the financial aftermath of these situations with the goal of lessening their financial impact.

As a part of a class assignment, students must prepare a "checklist" of real-world financial items that a business should consider in planning for disruptions, disasters and catastrophic events. To complete the project, students are in need of local businesses to participate in a workplace observation and interview.

In February, students would visit participating businesses to discuss and analyze/audit what actually takes place in the real workday world. Students would then determine what actions the business has, or has not, undertaken to prepare for emergencies and prepare a report of findings and recommendations.

In addition to helping students complete their project, participating business would also learn what proactive measures are available to lessen the financial shock of a disaster.

To participate in the University project or for more information, contact professor Jim Jaffe at jaffe@findlay.edu or 419-434-4655.

MATCH DAY FINAL TALLY TOPS $768,000
On Match Day, December 17, The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation matched donations to local nonprofit agencies dollar for dollar on a first-come first-served basis. It took only two hours to deplete the $300,000 in Match Day funds offered by The Community Foundation, but individuals continued to deliver checks to the foundation office throughout the day. In the end, $768,514 was raised to support local nonprofit agencies.

More than 1,000 gifts were received, with most donors choosing to deliver their checks directly to the agencies prior to that date. Agencies then brought the accumulated checks to The Community Foundation office on Match Day.

For a list of agencies who received Immediate Need Funds and agencies who received contributions to their Endowment Funds contact The Community Foundation. For more information on Match Day or The Community Foundation, visit www.community-foundation.com or call 419-425-1100.

HPD PRESENTS TRACKING & SIGNS-JAN. 11
Been cooped up in your house for too long? Then it's time to get outside and stretch your legs as we look to see what animals are still active in the winter time. The Tracking and Signs open house will be taking place on Sunday, January 11, 1-4 p.m. Join HPD's Michelle Rumschlag for two hikes at 1:30 and 3 p.m. to look for tracks and animal signs. Information and activities will be available in the Discovery Center during the open house. The Discovery Center is located at the Oakwoods Nature Preserve. Please wear appropriate foot wear if coming on the hikes.

The Oakwoods Nature Preserve, "Doc" Phillips Discovery Center is located at 1400 Oakwoods Lane, off West Sandusky Street off CR 144 west of Findlay. 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".

WEE ONES IN THE PARK: LOOK AT WINTER-JAN. 12
Let's take a look at winter and see what makes it so neat. Winter is being highlighted in January's Wee Ones in the Parks on Monday, January 12. The program will be taking place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for toddlers three and under with an adult companion. Wee Ones take place at the Oakwoods Nature Preserve's Discovery Center.

HPD PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST DEADLINE APPROACHING-JAN 15
Amateur photographers, both youth and adults, are invited to participate in the Hancock Park District's 13th Annual Photography Contest. The contest deadline to drop off photos is 12:00 p.m. Thursday, January 15 at the Hancock Park District office located at 1424 East Main Cross Street, Findlay, with an entry form securely attached to the back.

Over $500 worth of prizes will be awarded to winners. Categories, rules, and prizes are all outlined in the 2009 Contest Brochure. Interested photographers need to read the brochure thoroughly to follow current guidelines.

Entry forms may be obtained at the Park office, on the Park website, or at the following sponsor locations: Gaslight Gifts, Hochstettler's Old Mill, and Rieck's Gallery. All of the sponsors, including Blanchard River Watershed Partnership, Hancock Park District, Hancock Friends of the Parks and Hancock County Naturalists, have donated over $500 in cash, gift certificates, and prizes that will be presented to the winners at the Open House.

For more information about the Photo Contest 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".

OWENS NOW OFFERS WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES TRAINING
The Workforce and Community Services Department at Owens Community College now offers a variety of training and development options including business communications, leadership supervisor, computer skills, critical thinking and problem solving, workforce diversity and more.

The Workforce and Community Services can also conduct training at your facility or at Owens Findlay facilities at 3200 Bright Rd., 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

To customized the specific needs of your organization call Peter Palko at 567-429-3152 for more information or email peter_palko@owens.edu.

BGSU ATHLETICS OFFERS GFI MEMBERS SPECIAL TICKET PRICING
Receive 50% off of original pricing!
BGSU Athletics is offering all GFI members special pricing for the following Falcon Club 'Above The Rim' men's basketball and BGSU Ice Arena hockey games.

For just $9 per ticket, sports fans will gain admittance to both the BGSU Falcons v. Lake Superior men's hockey match Saturday, January 24 at 7 p.m. and the BGSU Men's Basketball v. Eastern MI on Sunday, February 15 at 7 p.m.

Group Ticket Pricing is as follows:
Advanced            $ 9 each
20+ tickets          $ 7 each
50+ tickets          $ 6 each

Save 50% off game day walk-up prices by ordering your tickets through Cheryl Henke at cherylh@bgsu.edu or at 419-372-4349.

CENTURY HEALTH PRESENTS JOURNEYING THROUGH GRIEF
Century Health presents Journeying Through Grief, an educational series designed to provide information regarding special topics related to the grief process. Presentations will be held 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hancock Historical Museum 422 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio. Sessions are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bridge Home Health and Hospice, program sponsor, at 419-423-5351.

Dates and topics for 2009 are scheduled as the following:
January 19, The Journey through Grief: What to expect along the way, Maggie Allard, LPCC-S, Allies in Mental Health, LLC
February 16, How Children Deal with Grief, Dr. Mary Goebel-Komala, The Sophia Center
March 16, TBA
April 20, The Spiritual Aspects of Grief, Rev. Wayne Albertson, 1st United Methodist Church, Ada Ohio
May 18, TBA
June 15, Personal Experiences with Grief, Panel Discussion
July 20, The Healing Power of Humor, Michael Thompson, Chaplain, Jack Schaefer Birchaven Ret. Village

HANCOCK COUNTY SUPPORT / ADVOCACY SERVICES SCHEDULE-JANUARY 2009
Circle of Hope-Monday, January 5, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Fifth Third Hub, Birchaven Retirement Village, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, OH. An on-going support group for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Childcare w/ adv. notice-call Carmen(419-423-5351).

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-Every Monday, 4-5:30 p.m. at Century Health Annex (1908 N. Main St.) Hancock County's "NAMI Connections" peer support group. Open to any individual diagnosed w/ a mental illness. Call Gina Lewis (419-429-1423) w/ questions.

National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI) of Hancock County Support Group-Tuesday, January 6, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (2330 S. Main St., rm. 209). Open to any family member, friend, support person, or individual diagnosed with a mental illness. Call Gina Lewis(419-429-1423), Carole C.(419-889-9257) or Esther L.(419-957-7941) w/ questions.

Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA)-Every Monday, 3-4 p.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 T.(422-3711) w/ questions.

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(419-423-5071) w/ questions to sign up.

Celebrate Recovery worship & open share-2nd and 4th Weds, 7-9p.m. at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church; Benton Ridge. A biblically based 12 step support group aimed at helping people on their recovery journey w/ their hurts, habits, & hang-ups. Call 419-859-2000 w/ questions.

Reformers Unanimous-Every Friday, 7-9p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church (8630 CR 140). A faith-based addictions program for people living with any addiction / habit. Open to the public. Call Mike Kissell (419-427-1400) w/ questions.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)-Tuesday, January 13, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, ROOM 209. Viewing of DVD: "What Brain Do You Want?" by Dr. Daniel Amen, then a facilitated discussion with Nancy Stephani of Century health. See the effects of drugs & alcohol on the brain through brain scans and learn how to take care of your brain. Open to the public. Call Becky Hickle(419-422-9381) w/ questions.

De-Escalation Techniques Workshop follow-up-December 11 & 15. Both sessions were full and all who attempted to register were not able to get in. Please contact Gary Bright (419-889-8367 or gbright@centuryhealth.net) if you would like to be placed on a waiting list for the next training or if you would like technical assistance in working with angry / volatile clients.

Support for L.I.F.E. (Love. Inspiration. Friendship. Encouragement)-Thursday, January 15, 3-4p.m. at Focus On Friends. Call Pastor Jim Williams w/ questions at 419-694-4435

Eating Disorder Support Group-Thursday, January 15, 7-8:30p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (2330 S. Main St) Call or email Joy Anderson, LSW with any questions or concerns (419-425-8709) or findlayanad@yahoo.com. (Affil. w/ ANAD - www.anad.org)

"The Journey of Grief: What to expect along the way"-Monday, January 19, 7-8:30 p.m. at Hancock Co. Historical Museum (422 W. Sandusky St.). Presented by Maggie Allard, LPCC-S of Allies in Mental Health, LLC. Part of "Journeying Through Grief", a monthly educational group that discusses special topics related to the grief process. Call Carmen (419-423-5351) w/ questions.

NAMI Support Group-Tuesday, January 20, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, ROOM 209. Open to any family member, friend, support person, or individual diagnosed with a mental illness. Call Gina (419-429-1423), Carole (419-889-9257) or Esther (419-957-7941) w/ questions.

Autism Support Group-Tuesday, January 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Blanchard Valley School. For children with Autism and their parents / guardians / family. Contact Dodi Newcomer at bnewcomer@thewavz.com w/ questions.

Persons Affected by a Loved one's Suicide (PALS) support group-Thursday, January 22, 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. Members of the group are also available for outreach to persons not yet ready to attend group. For more information, call Nancy Stephani at Century Health, 419-422-3711.

DBSA Support Group-Tuesday, January 27, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (ROOM 209). Open to those diagnosed with Depression or Bipolar Disorder, their friends, family members, or supportive others. No pre-registration required. Call Becky (419-422-9381) w/ questions.

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Group-Friday, January 30, 11 a.m. at Birchaven Retirement Village (Wenner Conference Room), Findlay. Contact facilitators Jane Sherrick (419-425-3259) or Mike Thompson (419-425-3233) with questions. Also, contact Marty Williman (419-425-5409) for information about support groups in surrounding areas.

Look for daily schedule of 12 - Step meetings (AA, NA, Al-Anon) in The Courier. Meetings designated as "open" are open to the public. Also, check out http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/findlayohioaa/ or call the AA hotline for Hancock & Wyandot counties: AA District 17: 888-683-9768.

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 gbright@centuryhealth.net to be added to this email list and get the schedule electronically each month.