Staff Writer

Nominations sought
The Better Business Bureau and the Better Business Bureau Ethics Foundation, Inc. in Toledo is seeking nominations for its annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics.
Each year, the BBB accepts nominations for highly ethical businesses and charities in its 24-county region. Winners are recognized at a Fall Awards luncheon.
This year’s luncheon speaker will be Tim Berta, a survivor of Bluffton University’s tragic 2007 bus crash in Atlanta, who will bring a message of perseverance and teamwork.
The nomination categories are small (one to nine employees), medium (10-50 employees), and large (over 50 employees) businesses, and non-profits.
“We believe it’s important to honor the winners, but even the nomination process itself fosters a community-wide appreciation for business ethics,” said Lane Montz, president and CEO, Better Business Bureau.
Community members may nominate a business or charity that they feel exemplifies honesty and integrity online at bbbethics.org. The nomination deadline is Friday, June 30.

Sign-up for TARTA’s
Summer Blast Pass
Whether it’s a job, a game, or any other essential destination, the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) can connect Northwest Ohio’s youths to where they need to be this summer.
TARTA is now accepting applications for its Youth Summer Blast Pass at tarta.com/blast. These passes will allow youths ages 6-19 to ride all TARTA services free of charge for all of June, July and August. The program was approved by TARTA’s board of directors in March, and passes are free this year, thanks to a grant from Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
“This program is designed to put our youths in touch with employment, sports and all of the other great things Lucas County and Rossford have to offer in the summer months,” said TARTA CEO Laura Koprowski.
“We are grateful for the contribution Greater Toledo Community Foundation made to ensure that our young people get where they need to this summer without worrying about finances. We hope this program will open new opportunities for those students and young adults.”
While both digital and physical passes will be available, youth are encouraged to use digital passes for convenience. Starting today, youths can:
• Create an account on the EZFare app.
• Fill out an application at tarta.com/blast and submit an EZFare form.
After the application has been accepted, the pass should appear on the applicant’s EZFare account June 1.
“We’d like to make applying for the program as easy as possible,” Koprowski said. “With so many businesses in the area hiring summer help, we want to greatly expand options for those youths looking to participate in our workforce, build their skill sets and help their families.
“I think the addition of TARTA Flex this year makes this program even more of a value,” she said. “Use of both our fixed-route and Flex services will make it easier and for our young people to reach Sylvania, Maumee, Rossford, Waterville and so many other communities.”
Those who prefer a physical pass to a digital pass can pick an application up at TARTA’s Transit Hub. 612 N. Huron St., Toledo, beginning Monday, May 15.

Perennial Plant Sale
The Black Swamp Hosta and Daylily Society will hold its 26th Annual Perennial Plant Sale Saturday, May 20, in the parking lot at Walt Churchill’s, 26625 N. Dixie Highway, (SR 25), Perrysburg.
The sale will begin at 8 a.m. and run until sold out, which typically occurs by 11:30 a.m. The sale will be held rain or shine. Cash or checks will be accepted for payment.
Shoppers are encouraged to get there early for the best selection of hostas, daylilies, ferns, wildflowers, companion perennial plants, and more. All plants are from society members’ gardens and are offered at reasonable prices.
Proceeds from the sale allow the society to continue our sponsorship of national hosta and daylily display gardens at Toledo Botanical Garden Metropark, the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg, and Simpson Garden Park in Bowling Green.
Members will be on hand to answer gardening questions. For more information, call Charlene at 419-874-8964.

Wildlife Stop & Shop
Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge will host local artists and craftsmen during a Wildlife Stop & Shop May 13-14, 14000 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor – during the Biggest Week in American Birding on World Migratory Bird Day Weekend.
Vendors will be selling unique nature-themed products and crafts, artwork and upcycled/recycled items following the theme of birds and wildlife on the Visitor Center grounds from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.
The Friends Rookery Nature Store will also be open. Sales in the Rookery Nature Store directly support the conservation mission of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
Plant sale
In conjunction with Bench Farms and the Greening UToledo Through Service Learning (GUTS) program, the Friends will host a pollinator plant sale May 5-14. Food vendors will also be on the Visitor Center grounds throughout the sale.
For more information, visit friendsofottawanwr.org/spring-migration.

Bridge testing
planned for
Trowbridge Rd.
The Ottawa County Engineer’s Office has contracted with SME to conduct tests at the bridge on Trowbridge Road over Turtle Creek that will require closing the road between Opfer Lentz and Nissen roads.
Crews are scheduled to work May 18 and 19 and the area will be closed overnight.
The county has also been notified that Plasterbed Road, between Gypsum and Schiewe roads, will be restricted to one lane for pavement repairs related to work on a water line. Crews will be working May 8 and 9.
To contact the engineer’s office, call 419-734-6777.

Owens commencement
ceremonies May 19
Owens Community College will award 533 associate degrees at the 57th Spring Commencement ceremonies May 19 at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg.
The School of Nursing and Health Professions accounts for 255 of the graduating class.
A total of 41 students from the Findlay-area Campus will join the Toledo-area Campus graduates for the ceremonies scheduled at 9 a.m. for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; 12 p.m. for the School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety and School of Liberal Arts; 3 p.m. for the School of Nursing and Health Professions (non-nursing); and 6 p.m. for the School of Nursing and Health Professions (nursing graduates including Nurse Pinning).
For information visit www.owens.edu/commencement.