Office of Fleet Management wins award for alternative fuels

State of Ohio wins national award for alternative-fuel-use scorecard

Efforts by the State of Ohio to increase the use of alternative fuels in state vehicles has captured national recognition.

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services’ Office of Fleet Management has been named a winner of the 2009 Larry Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award from the NAFA Fleet Management Association for the creation and use of a scorecard measuring the use of alternative fuels in state vehicles.

This international competition recognizes creative ideas that improve productivity and/or favorably impact bottom-line cost savings.

“This national award further confirms that the State of Ohio has made great strides during the past two years in our efforts to increase the use of alternative fuels. There is more work to be done, but we accept the responsibility of being a leader among our peers,” said Director Hugh Quill of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

The Ohio Revised Code mandated the use of alternative fuels in capable state vehicles in October 2006. The code spelled out the minimum amounts of biodiesel and E85 fuel required to be used annually. To illustrate usage in an easy-to-read format, in 2007 the Office of Fleet Management created a scorecard indicating each state agency’s alternative fuel use and its progress toward reaching its goal. The scorecard has been shared with agency fleet managers and posted to the State of Ohio Web site at http://das.ohio.gov/gsd/Fleet/pdf/E_85_Bio_Feb_09.pdf.

The results of the implementation of the scorecard have been astounding. During calendar year 2008, E85 use increased 701 percent and biodiesel use increased 2,364 percent.

The State of Ohio was one of two winners of the 2009 Larry Goill Memorial Quality Fleet Management Idea Award. Applications were accepted from anyone employed in a vehicle management role by any company, utility, government agency or not-for-profit organization in the United States or Canada.

The awardees were announced April 27 at the NAFA Institute and Expo in New Orleans.

Underground Railroad Lantern Tour

If you have never taken the Underground Railroad Lantern Tour offered by the Metroparks of the Toledo area? I highly recommend it and it is coming up this May 2nd:

Take a walking tour at an actual site where runaway slaves hid on their journey to freedom. Historical figures will transport you back in time to share two very different stories during the Underground Railroad Lantern Tour, Saturday, May 2 at the Lathrop House, located inside Harroun Community Park on Main Street in Sylvania.

Join Metroparks and Friends of the Lathrop House for a night of dramatic history and discover northwest Ohio's important role in battling slavery. You will hear two very different stories that span generations: one follows a slave family from Africa to Canada, while the other chronicles an abolitionist family's difficult journey from England to Sylvania, Ohio. These very different stories are fated to collide in northwest Ohio.

Available time slots from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Fee: $5. Register Here or call 419-407-9700.

Arts organizations celebrate legacies and the future

Recommended article by Christine Senack in this week's Toledo Free Press on Arts organizations celebrate legacies and the future. Part of what was shared there as it relates to upcoming events:

Upcoming Events

May 2 Paw Hoorah. Enjoy cocktails and your gourmet grazing delights while bidding on hundreds of silent auction items at. Proceeds benefit Planned Pethood’s low-cost spay/neuter programs. Tickets are $60 with a cash bar. Country club casual attire. Call (419)826-fixx or visit plannedpethood.org for more information.

May 16 Raise Some Cash. Back for a second year, this event is organized by members of Augsburg Lutheran Church to benefit the Feed Your Neighbor pantry in the 43612 zipcode. The will be held at the Blarney and features several popular local bands, and each act is slated to perform at least one song by Johnny Cash. Casual attire. $5 cover charge. For more information call 419.410.1117.

Glass City Rollers "full contact musical chairs"

This sounds like a fun one!

The Glass City Rollers are putting on the skates Friday, April 24, 2009 for full-contact musical chairs at Mickey Finn’s Pub, 602 Lagrange Street in Toledo. There will be a 50/50 Raffle and official Glass City Rollers merchandise on sale. Members of the all-women flat-track roller derby league will be available for questions about the team throughout the evening starting at 9:00 p.m. The Glass City Rollers are always seeking skaters, staff, and sponsors to keep them rolling! Friday night’s music will be provided by The Zimmerman Twins.

Visit www.glasscityrollers.com for more information.

Artomatic419! Has begun!

It's that time again Toledo for Artomatic 419! Presented by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo Artomatic 419! starts this Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. and ends Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:00pm. The location for 2009 is right next to the Oliver House at 201 Morris Street and there is no admission cost. Visit the website, www.artomatic419.org for more information and there is a commercial done by Above the Shop Studies after the fold...

Earth Day event sponsored by Black Swamp Conservancy

In via e-mail:

Black Swamp Conservancy to hold Earth Day event at Forrest Woods

Perrysburg, Ohio (April 7, 2009) - Black Swamp Conservancy will host an Earth Day celebration at Forrest Woods Nature Preserve on April 25, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. The celebration will include a seed planting and nature walk. There is no charge to attend and the event is open to the public.

Forrest Woods Nature Preserve, a state nature preserve owned by the conservancy, is located near Antwerp in Paulding County, Ohio. The preserve is one of the few sites that retain the characteristics of the historic Great Black Swamp, which once stretched from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline. A variety of native plants and animals call Forrest Woods home, including many rare, threatened and endangered species.

Along with its partners at the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves and at Defenders of Wildlife, the conservancy has been restoring several fields in the preserve to a natural condition. The fields, which had been farmed before the conservancy acquired the property, are being allowed to revert back to woodland. In an effort to maintain the local genetics of the land, the conservancy collected several hundred tree seeds from the old growth woods last fall. The seeds were stored over the winter and will be planted during the Earth Day event.

After the planting, participants are invited to join the conservancy on a nature walk through the preserve. John Jaeger, former director of natural resources for Toledo Metroparks, will lead the walk. Known for its brilliant spring wildflower displays and diverse bird population, Forrest Woods Nature Preserve was named the “best spot to step into spring” by Ohio Magazine in 2007.

Those interested in participating in the Earth Day event should meet in the parking lot of Bethel United Methodist Church at the corner of Paulding County Roads 73 and 192, at 10:00 a.m. on April 25th. Participants are encouraged to bring a shovel or spade with them for the planting. The conservancy also suggests that you dress appropriately for the weather and cautions that it may be muddy in the restoration areas and on the nature walk.

For more information about the Earth Day celebration, please call Rob Krain at Black Swamp Conservancy, (419) 872-5263.

Black Swamp Conservancy, founded in 1993, is a non-profit land trust whose mission is to conserve and protect natural areas and farmland in northwest Ohio for the benefit of future generations. The conservancy has permanently protected 7,522 acres of family farms, woods, meadows and wetlands at over 70 locations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The conservancy’s territory covers the Oak Openings region, one of Ohio’s biologically most unique areas, as well as the area of the former Great Black Swamp. More information about the conservancy is available online at www.blackswamp.org.

19th Annual Heartwood Forest Council

This in via e-mail describing last years event:

Just days after the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division Of Forestry revealed plans to initiate major burning in the Shawnee State Forest , local, state and regional environmental groups announced the convening of the 18th Annual Heartwood Forest Council. The event, which will take place, Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26, 2008, is to be held at Boy Scout Camp Oyo in the Shawnee State Forest near Portsmouth, Ohio. The theme of this year's Forest Council is "Burning Issues: Climate is a Forest Product."

The Heartwood Forest Council is the largest annual gathering of citizens from across the Eastern, Midwestern, and Southern United States who care about the health and well being of our nation's forests. This will be the second time this event has taken place in Ohio, the first being at Camp Oty Okwa in 1992.

“We are expecting more than 200 participants from communities in Ohio and nearly two dozen other states,” said Andy Mahler of Heartwood. “We had hoped to showcase the beauty and splendor of the Shawnee State Forest. With the threat of these burns, we are not sure what we will encounter in the Forest."

“We will focus on threats to our region and to human and community health, in an atmosphere of collaboration designed to form stronger personal and organizational connections,” Said David Maywhoor, Executive Director of Buckeye Forest Council. “While addressing the issues we face and celebrating the work that we do, the Forest Council will offer participants an opportunity to identify lasting solutions and proven action steps that will move us as a community toward a shared vision of a healthy, just, and sustainable society.”

The program will begin the afternoon of Friday, May 23, and continue through mid-day, Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), and will be interspersed with ample social time, leisure, lively local music, dancing and great food. The Forest Council will be family friendly - kids of all ages are encouraged to attend.

“This year's Forest Council will explore how we can nurture sustainable local and regional networks and a culture of cooperation and care,” said Mr. Mahler. “Together we will identify viable alternatives to the dominant economy and its toxic legacy of waste and prepare ourselves with the knowledge and tools to protect ourselves, our communities, and our planet.”

“Since the 2003 ice storm, Shawnee State Forest has been devastated with nearly 7,000 acres of logging and now an open-ended experimental prescribed burning plan which could last decades.” said Cheryl Carpenter, Voices for the Forest. “In the first five years alone, 7,868 acres are scheduled to be burned. This Forest Council will bring this issue front and center nationwide.”

“This Council has something for everyone, environmentalist or not.” Ms Carpenter continued, “On Friday, Dr. Andrew Feight, Shawnee State University Associate Professor of History will be sharing the history of the Scioto River Valley and Dr. Tula Cora Watters, Chief of the Shawnee Nation, Blue Creek Band, will be speaking on the Shawnee Nation. Additionally Jenny Richards and Kevin Bradbury, Shawnee State Park, will offer a colorful presentation on the flora and fauna of Shawnee State Forest. On Saturday, there is an array of talented, local musicians including Steve Free, John Simon & Band and Mothman. And one of Ohio’s best naturalists, John Howard will lead a hike on Sunday.

The program will consist of three days of workshops, discussions, keynote speakers, and field trips. Key program elements will include:

Forest Issues: public lands management, roadless and other special areas, prescribed burning on state and national forests, genetically modified trees, sustainable forestry and low impact logging, land certification, and land management strategies and opportunities including the value of non-timber forest products.

Coal, air, energy and climate issues: coal mining and processing, including mountaintop removal, room and pillar, and longwall mining, coal-fired power plants, air pollution and global climate change. We will also talk about resurgent efforts to promote nuclear power, the alternatives to fossil fuel such as wind, solar and hydropower, and the connections between forests and energy production including cellulosic ethanol and biomass.

Sustainability issues: creating viable communities and taking responsibility for our own future; localized economies, permaculture, local and regional food production and distribution, alternative energy and transportation, traditional uses of plants and their preservation, religion and environmental protection, alternatives to the corporate control of food and seed supply; and how to sustain our minds, bodies and spirits as we seek environmental justice and transformational change.

Hosts for this year’s event include Heartwood, the Buckeye Forest Council, Save Our Shawnee State Forest, Voices for the Forest, Meigs Citizens Action Now, Protect Biodiversity in Public Forests, EarthWatch Ohio, Sierra Club, Ohio Chapter and Ohio Environmental Council.

This year's event will be held at:

We would like to invite you to the 19th annual Heartwood Forest Council, to be held Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25, 2009, at Camp McKee near the Red River Gorge in Appalachian Kentucky. The theme of this year's Forest Council is Defending the Earth, Sustaining Ourselves.

Camp McKee, is a great location just seven miles south of Mt. Sterling, with over 800 acres of forests and trails, a large lake, and sits adjacent to Pilot Knob State Nature Preserve and just a stone’s throw from the beautiful and unique Red River Gorge.

Visit www.heartwood.org/forestcouncil for more information and how to sign up.

Buckeye Forest Council announces...

Our good friend Barbara Lund, Save Our Shawnee Forest, has scheduled three hikes in the Woodland Altars forest which will be held Sundays – March 22nd, 29, and April 5th from 1:00 – 4:00 rain or shine. Woodland Altars is located at 33200 Ohio Route 41 north of Peebles in Adams County, Ohio. Participants should meet at the lodge parking area and wear appropriate footgear and clothing.
Come early and view maps and photographs.

Hike leaders include:
March 22nd – Paul Knoop
March 29th – Martin McAllister
April 5th - Brian Truitt

There are five major loop hiking trails, four through hilly forestland and one in a large prairie. The trails vary from ½ to 1 ½ miles in length and are easy to moderate difficulty. Depending on weather and trail conditions part or all of one loop will be covered on each hike.

About recent logging at the Woodland Altars, in a February 12 letter to the editor in The People’s Defender Paul Knoop wrote “…over the years I have observed numerous Boy Scout camps and other outdoor education facilities cut their large, old trees. Formerly these cut areas were dark and green and cool and lush with beech ferns, club mosses and the song of deep woodland birds. Now, after cutting, these areas are a tangle of Multiflora rose, scattered small trees and scars from the logging operation. In almost every case the money derived from the harvest was a short-term fix and the affected agency regretted the loss of their best trees. It must be remembered that once 100-year-old trees are cut it takes a full human lifetime to replace them. Several generations of children (and adults) will not see the big trees ever again.

I also want to dispel the myth that the forest will deteriorate unless it is managed by humans. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Forests left to their own devices will do perfectly well just as they did prior to humans arriving on the scene. Forests in wilderness areas, state parks and preserves and other "no cut" areas continue to be healthy and viable.”

Toledo will support Earth Hour 2009

CITY OF TOLEDO ANNOUNCES IT WILL SUPPORT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND'S EARTH HOUR 2009

Joins Tens of Millions in Turning Off Lights for Largest Climate Event in History

The City of Toledo announced today it will officially support Earth Hour 2009, a global climate event led by the World Wildlife Fund. More than 240 cities around the world have already committed to go dark for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., as tens of millions of people from all corners of the world unite in a call for global action on climate change.

Today, Mayor Finkbeiner released the following statement - "Toledo is known all over the world as one of the leading producers of clean, green, renewable alternative energies, and our participation in Earth Hour reflects our commitment to energy efficiency and natural resource conservation. We are proud and honored to be part of this international effort to raise awareness about climate change."

From Amman to Warsaw, city skylines will go dark for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history. The list of participating cities in the US includes Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville with more signing up every day.

"World Wildlife Fund is pleased that Toledo is taking part in Earth Hour 2009. As lights go out in cities around the U.S. and the world on March 28th, Earth Hour will provide world leaders with an unmistakable mandate to take action," said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. "The climate crisis threatens the ability of our planet to support its inhabitants. We want the world to know that Americans care about saving the planet and stand united in seeking to find solutions to climate change."

During Earth Hour 2008, more than 50 million people in 400 cities on all seven continents turned off their lights as major icons also went dark, including the Sydney Opera House, the Coliseum in Rome, Stockholm's Royal Castle, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Google turned its homepage black for an entire day in tribute.

The City of Toledo is asking all citizens, businesses, and organizations to turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour on March 28, 2009 between 8:30 - 9:30 PM. The City of Toledo also encourages citizens and businesses to commit to actions they can take in the coming year to reduce their carbon footprints and conserve energy.

The re-awakening begins...

I've started out with a new template, changed the links around a bit and now I'm working towards adding the content that will focus on Toledo with some other interesting tid bits now and then. There are so many releases that I get that at times are not politically related but that might be of interest that I plan to list those here.

This is also a place for me to focus on some of the things that matter to me, like 1Matters and some of the other community things that I get involved with. Take now as an example, a few of us are working on the concept of a street paper with the goal of getting some of our local homeless involved in the writing of the paper as well as giving them a chance to sell the paper. Other cities have been successful in this type of a endeavor.

Perhaps time to re-awaken

I'm still debating what I can do with this blog, I'd like to re-awaken it in a bit of a different format than the political version, with a focus on local community events, but unfortunately I haven't found the time to start.

So, perhaps I need to either do it or forget it..

Tower Brass Quintet to play December 19th

Nationally-known and Bowling Green-based brass ensemble The Tower Brass Quintet will return to Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowling Green on Wednesday, December 19 at 7:00 pm. to offer their very popular holiday concert — The Spirit of Christmas Brassed. Trinity United Methodist Church is located at 200 N. Summit St. in Bowling Green. The December 19 concert will mark the Tower Brass’s eighth annual appearance at Trinity. Admission is free and there will be a free-will offering at intermission of the concert. For information, call Trinity Church at 419-353-9031.

Christmas Brassed offers a full spectrum of holiday music, including classical and sacred music, brass ensemble arrangements of well-known traditional Christmas carols, and jazz renditions of popular tunes of the season.

Art in TARTA

If you have ever noticed some of the great artwork that is on some of our local TARTA buses it's the work of the Art in TARTA group. Our Art Community is one of the fantastic things about the Toledo area, so I urge you to visit their website and learn more:

www.artintarta.org.

Holiday Craft Show

It's time once again for the Toledo Craftsman's Guild's free holiday craft show. Each year new and repeat crafters sell their holiday and gift wares at this even and admission is free. It's a great way to see some of the talent of Toledo area residents and buy some unique gift items. It's being held again at the Lucas County Recreation Center on Key Street in Maumee, Ohio.

Listed Hours:
Friday, Nov. 23, 10AM -5PM
Saturday, Nov. 24, 10AM -5PM
Sunday, Nov. 25, 11 AM - 5 PM

Still no re-direct code

Lefty Blogs has the new Glass City Jungle linked up. Blognet News Ohio doesn't yet but I'm not going to create a post double up over on Lefty Blogs sooo until I find a re-direct code that will work with blogger without causing a syntax error? If you visited here? Head on over to the new Glass City Jungle and thanks to those of you who have updated your links.

:-)

Jack Ford makes his recommendation for the State School Board

And I disagree with him….

In this week’s Sojourner’s Truth, Jack Ford discusses the State School Board elections and makes his recommendation. While I’m glad to see the topic of this opening for the State School Board discussed, I’m disappointed that our former Mayor doesn’t even mention any other of the candidates.

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Howard Dean in Toledo...

Marcy Kaptur spoke first with quite a bit of applause, then there were two speakers, one was Jacob Smith who was in the military and spent 14 months in Baghdad. He is now attending BGSU Firelands and was very well received by the crowd. I don’t have the spelling of name of the next speaker but she was a former UAW worker who gave a very passionate speech on what our area has gone thru as far as manufacturing job loss and the importance of talking to our friends and family about the importance of voting.

Marcy Kaptur then introduced Howard Dean...

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Human Billboarding in Lucas County

Today, Libertarian candidate for Governor Bill Peirce was covered in the Toledo Blade. There is a photo shown of him in Toledo yesterday doing what many local candidates have been doing as well, it’s known as “Human Billboarding”.

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Dansack District 46 Campaign Media Release with Reason #3..

From the Mark Dansack for District 46 Campaign:

Mark Dansack Stands for Change in Ohio, Mark Wagoner protects the status quo.

Beginning October 31, Mark Dansack will be recapping over the next several days the reasons why residents of District 46 will be better served by electing a voice for positive change in Ohio rather than his opponent, who embraces the present “pay to play” dynamics now running rampant in Columbus.

Reason #3, Life experiences

Mark Dansack has long been involved in the Northwest Ohio community. From his early years on, Dansack has been working in his community for positive change. As a teenager, he served as a volunteer athletic coach in his community giving back to his hometown. As a young adult, Dansack became involved in campaigns of Democratic candidates who stood for positive change and also volunteered for the American Heart Association and American Leukemia Society.

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Nookular Option Podcast with James Nusbaum interview

Don has the podcast from this morning’s interview with Jim Nusbaum, judicial candidate for the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas up here for those of you who didn’t get a chance to tune in earlier. It’s a great interview and I hope you take a listen.