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Program extended
Assistance to remove ash trees from private property just got a little easier with the extension and expansion of the removal program funded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry, and operated by WSOS Community Action Commission, Inc.
Widespread infestation of the ash borer has left many homeowners in Northwest Ohio facing unexpected and cost-prohibitive expenses of dead ash tree removal.
The Western Lake Erie Basin Residential Ash Tree Removal Program, provided through the efforts of U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo), will assist in the removal of up to two trees per property owner who has property in Lucas, Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa or Seneca counties.
Applications are available at public libraries; township, village and city offices; county offices of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts; and Ohio State University Extension Offices. They are also online at the WSOS and Sandusky River Watershed Coalition websites at www.wsos.org and www.sanduskyriver.org.
The program requires that households with incomes less than 300 percent of the federal poverty guideline must provide 35 percent of the cost of the tree removal. Those households over the 300 percent poverty guideline must pay 50 percent of the cost of the tree removal. Proof of income is required.
The homeowner may choose to pay the 35 or 50 percent in cash match by paying tree removal only or a combination of stump grinding and tree removal. In addition, the tree must be an ash tree and must pose a threat to a structure or play area.
International Society of Certified Arborist will be used for tree removals. The deadline to apply is June 3.
For more information, call Cindy Brookes at 419-334-5016.
Wildlife Refuge programs
Dr. Kurt Kowalski, research wetland ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, will discuss techniques to restore connections between Lake Erie and its coastal marshes at a seminar entitled, “Strategies to Restore Lake Erie’s Coast Marshes,” April 10 at 2 p.m. at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
Funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative supported construction of a water-control structure at the refuge to restore a hydrologic connection between a diked wetland and Crane Creek, thus allowing full access by fish and variability in hydrologic levels. The structure can be viewed from the refuge’s hiking trails.
This program, which is free and open to the public, is part of the refuge’s “Naturally Speaking” seminar series, typically held on the second Sunday of each month.
Auto tour open
Visitors are invited to drive through seven miles of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge at are normally closed to the public April 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
Visitors can drive at their own pace along a well-marked route, following a self-guided tour brochure found at the route entrance. At the Visitor Center, explore hands-on exhibits and watch a short film about the natural and cultural history of the Lake Erie marsh ecosystem and the Great Black Swamp.
Family Star Party
Join Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge staff and volunteers, as well as members of the Toledo Astronomical Association, to learn about the night sky at a Family Star Party April 30 at 8 p.m.
If weather permits, telescopes will be set up for viewing. Dress for the outdoors. The program is free and open to the public. To register, call Rebecca at 419-898-0014.
For more information about these or other Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge programs, visit www.fws.gov/midwest/ottawa or call 419-898-0014. The refuge is located at 14000 West SR 2, Oak Harbor.
Levy estimator
As part of her pledge to make government more transparent, Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez has made available an online application of the County’s Levy Estimator.
The estimator can serve as an important tool for Lucas County taxpayers as they consider proposed tax levies, offering information about what a levy would cost if it were currently in effect.
For the May 3 election, Lucas County property taxpayers can use the Levy Estimator function, which is part of the AREIS application, to estimate how proposed (and passed) levies affect their property tax. AREIS is located at http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?nid=377. The current version of the Levy Estimator includes the effects of the November TARTA levy that passed in November, which does not go on the tax duplicate until next year.
In addition, the estimator, along with other online tools, including the Tax Distributor and Sales Report, was developed by Lopez’s administration to create a more transparent government. The Tax Distributor breaks out the amount of tax distributed to various subdivisions in Lucas County, while the Sales Report function indicates sales activities that are taking place in each neighborhood.
For more information, call the Auditor’s Department of Education and Outreach at 419-213-4406. If a citizen does not have Internet access, the auditor’s staff is available to discuss individual parcel(s) and/or provide a printout of the Estimator for each parcel requested for those who call.
Breakfast with the Bunny
In association with Pemberville Independent Merchants, Otterbein Portage Valley is hosting the 4th Annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The breakfast will include pancakes, eggs and assorted goodies. The Easter Bunny will arrive at 8:45 a.m. and parents are invited to bring a camera to get a photo.
With a meal purchase, each child will receive a complimentary Easter goodie bag in which to collect treats from downtown Pemberville businesses, which will offer special activities, games, prizes and specials throughout the day.
The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. Individual or group reservations are available by calling the OPV Receptionist at 419-833-7000.
Honor Flight taking off
Thanks to the largest single donation in its history, Honor Flight Northwest Ohio will begin the 2011 flight season with its most ambitious mission to date.
The Northcoast Jobs Connection Honor Flight will take place April 13, with 80 World War II veterans on board to experience their “Trip of a Lifetime.”
This marks the 18th mission for Honor Flight Northwest Ohio, but the first with a 160-seat A320 Airbus chartered from Aircraft Logix.
“Because of a generous donation from the Veterans Services Team of the Northcoast Jobs Connection, we’ve been able to dramatically expand our service to The Greatest Generation,” said Lee Armstrong, president of Honor Flight Northwest Ohio. “The window of opportunity for World War II veterans is closing rapidly, but this flight will certainly help address that issue.”
Honor Flight Northwest Ohio is a 501(c) (3) all-volunteer organization dedicated to flying veterans to see their memorials in Washington, D.C. Flights are funded through donations. Air transportation, luxury motor coach, meals and other amenities are provided to the veterans without charge.
The manifest for the Northcoast Jobs Connection Honor Flight includes 80 veterans who wore the uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Corps and Marines. They served in the European Theater, the Pacific Theater and on the homefront. Among those attending are veterans from Toledo, Oregon, Luckey, Rossford, Fremont and throughout Northwest Ohio.
Each veteran will be accompanied by a specially trained guardian who has donated $400 for the privilege of flying with an American hero.
The Northcoast Jobs Connection provides services and resources to job seekers and employers in a five county region that includes Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca counties. Its Veterans Services Team won a $71,610 Veterans Ohio Network for Employment Incentive Award from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. “We were honored and humbled to be able to present the award money to Honor Flight Northwest Ohio,” said Bonnie Nusser, Northcoast Jobs Connection and Veterans Services Team leader.
This is the fifth sponsored flight in the organization’s history. Owens-Illinois, the Maumee Eagles, the Bert Simko Family and the School Kids Honor Flight were the others.
Honor Flight Northwest Ohio was established in 2008 and has safely escorted 462 veterans to Washington, D.C. on 17 flights. There are still more than 400 men and women on the waiting list. Veterans are selected for flights based on their date of application.
Donations may be sent to Honor Flight Northwest Ohio, P.O. Box 23018, Toledo, Ohio 43623. For more information, visit www.honorflightnwo.org.
Grants awarded
The Board of Trustees of the Toledo Community Foundation, Inc., recently approved grants totaling $9,378 from the Bill Rowles Youth Foundation Fund to support programs in Northwest Ohio that enhance the lives of young people under the age of 18.
Grants were awarded to six area nonprofit organizations, including $2,000 to the East Toledo Family Center to support the Hip Hop Dance Program; $2,000 to Judan Judo to support locker room repairs and the purchase of a new washer and dryer; and $778 to St. John’s Nurturing Center to purchase building materials to expand the playground.
The foundation is a charitable organization created by members of the community to enrich the quality of life for area individuals and families. For more information, visit www.toledocf.org.
Tree City
For the 15th year, the Village of Gibsonburg has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry.
Gibsonburg has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community – having a board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
More information is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.
St. Mark golf scrambles
St. Mark Lutheran Church, 611 Woodville Rd., Toledo, will host its 5th annual golf scrambles May 22 at 2 p.m. at Eagle’s Landing golf course in Oregon.
The event is being sponsored by the church’s Luther League Youth Group. Proceeds raised from the outing will help fund mission work performed by the youth group; offset expenses for the youth to attend the National Youth Gathering and fund a spiritual retreat for the youth.
The cost is $65 per golfer, which includes a box lunch, cart, desserts and prizes. For more information, call the church at 419-691-3597 or e-mail Jennifer at
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. More details are also available at stmarklutheranlive.org/specialevents.php.
Hop Hoppening
The East Toledo Family Center will hold its annual Easter Hop Hoppening April 16 from noon to 2 p.m.
This year’s activities will include an egg hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, arts and crafts, games, music, snacks and more.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free and open to the community.
To volunteer or obtain more information, call Tracy Garufos at 419-691-1429.
Kiwanis awards banquet
The Kiwanis Club of East Toledo/Oregon will celebrate its 30th year of serving the children in the community at the annual Frederic E. Hansen Humanitarian Awards Banquet April 13 at 6 p.m. at Mercy St. Charles Hospital.
Musical entertainment will be provided by the Choraliers. This year’s award recipient is Denise Allan. Scholarships will also be presented to Alexandra Orr, from Clay High School; Christopher Siebenaler, from Cardinal Stritch High School; Amy Patel, from Lake High School; Rebecca Avery, from Northwood High School; and Patricia Castillo, from Waite High School.
For reservations, call Vicky at 419-693-7582. The club meets the second and fourth Monday of the month at Bay Park Community Hospital. Everyone is welcome.
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