Deadline for nominations is July 30th! This year's Torch Event is September 22. If you have been treated really well by a company or supplier, take a moment and nominate them for this sensational honor. They will be thrilled at your thoughtfulness. And if your company/medical practice/legal firm follows the highest ethical standards with your customers or patients or clients, why not nominate your own company?

BBB Torch Awards Luncheon Event:
Thursday, September 22, 11:45am, Hilton Garden Inn, Levis Commons, Perrysburg, Ohio

TORCH AWARDS NOMINATION FORM

https://s3.amazonaws.com/toledo-bbb/public/7/2021_Nomination_Form.pdf

For more information about the Torch Awards, contact Diana at BBB Foundation for Ethics 419-720-7173
FAX 419-578-6001
E-MAIL to the BBB at diana@toledobbb.org

Bowling Green's 2021 Farmers Market will run every Wednesday from May 12-October 20st from 4pm-7pm. It is hosted by Work Leads to Independence, a non-profit agency, located right here in Bowling Green! If you are interested in becoming a vendor contact Lori Hines at lhines@wlijobs.com.

Vendors for the Market on June 16:

• Riehm Produce Farm - Variety of produce including watermelon and fresh picked peas
• Bella Cuisine - baked breads, sweets, jams, big variety of cookies
• Steven's Gardens - Flowers, potted vegetable plants, vegetables, and honey (strawberries?)
• Clay Hill - Bouquets, produce, and vegetable plants
• Anderson's Farms - All types of fresh meat and brown eggs
• Sobee Honey - Various types of honey products and mugs
• Great Lakes Sharpening - Sharpens knives, scissors, and more
• Kettle Corn - Tall bags of kettle corn made at the market
• Angry Irishman - Variety of mustards, rubs, seasonings, and sauces
• Calico, Sage, and Thyme - Variety of mixed spices, granola bars, and River Valley Pasta
• wli Cookies - 3 types of cookies, water
• Dirty Feet Gardens - Variety of produce including fresh picked peas, and more
• Deep Roots Cafe - Handmade earrings, cookies, and lemonade
• Kessler Farms - Variety of honey products (bringing a nice honeycomb and bees in an enclosed case to watch)
• Victoria Arendt - Her published book "The Broken Pencil" - an amazing true story
• 7th Heaven - Delicatessen sweets including gluten free
• Just Jammin - Jellies, jams, suncatchers, and many other craft items
• Sunsations - Suncatchers to hang and place in pots
• Beyond Laser Creations - Variety of laser printed items to choose from - first time at market with her amazing creations
• Z Farms - Popular variety of home-grown mushrooms
• Da Boujie Hippie - Sea moss gels, waist beads, and more
• Wood'n Airplane - Variety of handmade wood products

Live music will be performed by Dan Cadaret, Classic Rock, Jazz, & Pop (4:30-5:30p) / Austin Mcgrath, Original Folk & Jazz (5:30-6:30p).  Two Community Tents hosted by Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities and The Salvation Army. The Wood County Health Department will be administering vaccinations during the Market. No appointment necessary.

Food Trucks:

• Manny's Munchies
• Joe's Juice Bus
• Lyle's Crepes

Farmers' Market Sponsors

• Newlove Realty
• First Insurance Group
• Huntington Bank
• Stone's Throw Grill and Tavern
• Anderson's
• Hartung Brothers
• The Copy Shop

As a reminder, East Clough will be closed to vehicles from South Prospect to South Main from 3:30pm until 7pm.

Downtown BG S.I.D. has invited the community to their Downtown BG LIVE series. During these events, live music performances can be enjoyed free of charge (a total of 15 weekends or 30 concert dates)!
The kickoff is on Friday, May 28 at 5PM in the parking lot next to McKenzie’s Flower Basket and BG Graphics Company on Main Street. The dates will be Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 7 pm, starting on Memorial Day weekend Friday, May 28 and ending on Labor Day weekend Saturday, September 4, 2021.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Downtown Bowling Green SID has a page on their website dedicated to commercial space that is available for rent/sale. If you have commercial space located in the Special Improvement District that you would like showcased, you can contact them at info@downtownbgohio.org.

For a limited time, Efficiency Smart will reward small businesses with an increased incentive for purchasing qualifying LED bulbs or fixtures from a designated local supplier or contractor. Standard incentives still apply for all other qualifying purchases. Contact Efficiency Smart at 877-889-3777 to get started.

Efficiency Smart has launched an exciting promotion on Facebook – the Tip Jar contest.  For the Tip Jar contest residents can nominate a local and independently owned restaurant to win up to $1,000 in energy efficiency improvements. Restaurants can also self-nominate. Nominations will be open through June 30. Efficiency Smart will then select five restaurants as finalists and will hold a vote on its Facebook page between July 15 and 29. The restaurant that receives the most votes will win up to $1,000 towards energy efficiency improvements. In addition, three people will be selected to win a $50 gift card to the restaurant that they nominated.

The Wood County Suicide Prevention Coalition is a community of citizens from diverse backgrounds who are united in their resolve to save lives. The coalition is committed to increasing public understanding of depression, mental illness, alcohol, and drug abuse as treatable health conditions, and not as signs of personal weakness. As part of their mission, the Wood County Suicide Prevention Coalition promotes different support groups available for those who may have lost a loved one to suicide or are struggling with mental health concerns or suicidal ideation. Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group is for individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide and is held the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month at 6:00p.m. at Unison Health in Perrysburg. Contact 419-352-4624 to learn more. S.I.R.S. Group (Suicidal Ideation Recognizing Self) is a clinician-led group for individuals who have attempted suicide in the past and is held every Thursday from 5:00-7:00p.m. at Unison Health in Bowling Green. Contact 419-352-4624 to learn more. Lastly, NAMI Connection recovery support group is available for adults living with mental illness and is held every Wednesday at 12:00p.m. on Zoom. Visit www.namiwoodcounty.org for more information. Please visit www.woodcountysuicideprevention.org/support-groups/ for more details on these and other support groups in the Wood County community.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wood County is a leading self-help organization offering free events, educational classes, support groups, and other programs that address mental health for the Wood County community. NAMI Wood County has a variety of programming available in May and June. This programming is FREE and available to Wood County residents. The following program will be offered virtually:

• On Tuesday, June 15th from 5:00-7:30p.m., NAMI Wood County will be hosting an in-person Nite Out with NAMI event. There will be yard games and Subway sandwiches available for this socially distant picnic. RSVP by phone, email or on their website: www.namiwoodcounty.org
• NAMI Wood County has started hosting a second NAMI Connection Group targeted for masculine identifying individuals. This is a recovery support group for adults living with a mental illness. This support group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30p.m.
• To promote social connection, health and wellness, NAMI Wood County is hosting their second annual PreBurn Virtual 5K. Complete the 5K (3.1 miles) all at once or over several sessions. Participants can complete the race anyway they want, whether it is running, walking, biking, dancing, etc. As part of this event, individuals can also purchase a t-shirt in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month. T-shirts are available until June 30^th.
• Save the date! On Friday, October 1, 2021, NAMI Wood County will be hosting their annual AfterBurn fall event at the Wood County Fairgrounds. This event includes a 5k/1 mile run, chili cook-off, and activities for the whole family! Stay tuned on NAMI Wood County’s website for more details.

If you are interested in becoming a NAMI Wood County member, visit their website for more details. There are many benefits included in a NAMI Wood County member including: discounts on programs, newsletter subscriptions and more. Membership levels range from $5 to $60.

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of volunteers, organized locally to improve the health and safety of their communities. MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds. MRC units engage these volunteers as well as local and state-level partners to strengthen public health, improve emergency response capabilities, and build community resiliency. MRC units prepare for and respond to natural disasters, such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and floods, as well as other emergencies affecting public health, such as disease outbreaks.

Once you've registered or if you have any questions, you can reach out to Julie Kauffman at the Wood County Health Department.