WHAT:
Barefoot Wine is teaming up with the Alliance for the Great Lakes and UT Lake Erie Center to host a public Adopt-a-Beach™ cleanup at Maumee Bay State Park Beach. Following the cleanup, volunteers ages 21 and older are invited to attend a celebration featuring Barefoot Wine and surf-inspired fare at Maumee Bay State Park Lodge.

The event is part of a partnership between Barefoot Wine and the Alliance’s Adopt-a-Beach™ Program to help clean up Great Lakes beaches and shorelines and offer a special celebration to recognize volunteers’ efforts. In 2011, more than 8,000 Adopt-a-Beach™ volunteers removed 32,668 pounds of trash at 254 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin.

This cleanup is part of a series of events this summer with Barefoot Wine and the Alliance for the Great Lakes. For more info on additional events in your area, visit: GreatLakes.org

WHO:
Barefoot Wine, fun, flavorful and affordable wines and bubblies.

Alliance for the Great Lakes, a nonprofit organization with the mission of conserving and restoring the world’s largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife.

UT Lake Erie Center. Part of the mission of the UT Lake Erie Center is to engage secondary school students, teachers, and the public with environmental education, sustainable living, and informed outreach awareness programs.

WHEN AND WHERE:

Friday, August 3, 2012
Cleanup                                                     Celebration
4 – 6 p.m.                                                   6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Maumee Bay State Park                               Beach Maumee Bay State Park Lodge
1750 State Park Road                                  1750 State Park Road
Oregon, OH 43616                                      Oregon, OH 43616
Meet at the Barefoot Wine tent

EVENT COST:
No charge and open to the public; celebration is open to participants 21 years of age or older

CONTACT:
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly: Brent Bowen, brent@barefootwine.com, 614-312-0854.
Alliance for the Great Lakes: Hyle Lowry, hlowry@greatlakes.org, 216-630-8140.
Hunter Public Relations: Blaine Rueber, brueber@hunterpr.com, 212-679-6600.

Music Fest at The University of Toledo will feature musical performances by pop punk band Bowling for Soup and country artist Gloriana, as well as HotSauce, K’JON, Alexander Zonjic and Jeff Lorber, Tyler Hilton and local band competition winner The Dumb Easies.

Music Fest 2012 is set to take place Friday, Sept. 14 in the grassy area south of the Memorial Field House, adjacent to Centennial Mall on the UT Main Campus.

The free, public event will begin at 3 p.m. with this year’s Local Band Challenge winner, The Dumb Easies, voted on by the Music Fest Facebook community. Thousands voted, and this band was chosen to kick off the event by playing its music — inspired by pop from the past music – until 3:45 p.m.

“The Local Band Challenge allowed for the community to have a voice in the musical talent of Music Fest, and we are excited to have The Dumb Easies kick off Music Fest,” said Lawrence J. Burns, UT vice president for external affairs. “The diversity of this year’s talent will attract a crowd of both student and community members that willcome together to generate what we are anticipating to be the largest crowd at Music Fest to date.”

Next on stage will be HotSauce, an R&B band from Detroit that has been around since 2001, who will perform 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.

K’JON will follow with more R&B from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Alexander Zonjic and Jeff Lorber will play some smooth jazz for an hour beginning at 7:15 p.m.

At 8:30 p.m., Tyler Hilton will perform a few of his indie/pop songs. This jack-of-all-trades is both a singer-songwriter and actor, appearing on popular shows such as “One Tree Hill” and in movies including the Johnny Cash biopic, “Walk the Line.”

Gloriana will bring some country music at 9:15 p.m. This Nashville-based band will play music that has been on the Billboard Country charts with hits that include “Wild at Heart” and “(Kissed You) Good Night.”

Bowling for Soup, the American pop punk band known for “1985,” “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “Almost,” “Punk Rock 101” and “High School Never Ends,” will headline the show. The group will take the stage at 10:45 p.m. for the grand finale of Music Fest 2012.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 26, 2012)
The Independent Collegian (Sept. 12, 2012)

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of The University of Toledo’s Art on the Mall on Sunday, July 29.

A total of 105 artists specializing in acrylic, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil, pen and ink, photography, pottery, textiles/fibers/basketry, watercolors and wood will display and sell their works from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday rain or shine on UT’s Centennial Mall.

Many of the presenting artists are alumni, former or current students, faculty or staff, or parents of UT students.

“Art on the Mall has been successful for 20 years because of the support that is received from the wonderfully generous sponsors, the dedicated community and our talented artists,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming in the UT Office of Alumni Relations. “The fact that this show continues to be free and open to the community is a testament to this resounding and continuous support.”

This year’s extravaganza also will feature food vendors, children’s activities, live pottery demonstrations and musical entertainment.

The Blade will sponsor a young artist area in the center of Centennial Mall for children to create their own artwork, receive face paintings, and engage in other activities and games.

The musical groups that will showcase their talents are the Toledo School for the Arts student group, the Urban Jazz Collective, which will perform from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; the 14th St. Revival, which will take the stage from 1 to 1:45 p.m.; and Glass City Steel, which will play from 2 to 4:45 p.m.

Festival food will include kettle corn from Karen Anne’s Kettle Korn, Greek cuisine from Opa! Gyros, shave ice from Everhart SnoBiz, smoothies from Maui Wowi, elephant ears from K & K Concessions, and German roasted nuts from Let’s Go Nuts.

The presenting sponsors are The Blade and Huntington. The supporting sponsors include Buckeye CableSystem, Toledo 5, Clear Channel Communications, WGTE Public Media, Mail It! and Lesher Printers Inc.

Parking is free; there will be a courtesy cart shuttle running from three lots to Centennial Mall for the convenience of visitors.

For more information on the free, public event, contact Abrams-Frederick at 419.530.4316 or ansley.abrams@utoledo.edu.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 26, 2012)
The Blade (July 26, 2012)
The Blade (July 30, 2012)
The Blade (Aug. 6, 2012)

The University of Toledo, Blue Water Satellite, Inc. and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) have launched a pilot program of satellite monitoring that can provide early bloom daily tracking of the harmful algal blooms (HABs) that have been increasingly threatening Western Lake Erie for the last several years.

“This experimental research project uses collaboration between public and private entities to push the state of the art,” said Dr. Marie Colton, director of the NOAA GLERL lab in Ann Arbor, Mich. “GLERL, University of Toledo, and Blue Water Satellite each bring their unique knowledge and experience to the collaboration. This public-private sector collaboration can pave the way to new knowledge creation, and processes that may ultimately lead to job growth as the project transfers from research to commercial production.”

Using data from the NASA MODIS satellite, United States Geological Survey (USGS) LANDSAT 7 satellite and the DigitalGlobe WorldView 2 satellite, researchers from The University of Toledo and Blue Water Satellite, Inc., of Bowling Green, Ohio, will combine the data from each of the satellites. This data may in the future provide the public and governmental agencies additional ability to see toxic algae early bloom formation conditions in the entire Western Lake Erie region within 24 hours of each satellite overpass.

Low resolution satellite data will be processed daily by Blue Water Satellite using algorithms developed by Dr. Richard Becker, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at UT. High resolution satellite imaging will be processed every 16 days and on demand by Blue Water Satellite using algorithms developed by Dr. Robert Vincent at Bowling Green State University and by Blue Water Satellite.

“The fusion of this low resolution and high resolution satellite data can provide additional insights into early HAB formation never before possible,” Becker said.

“Blue Water Satellite is pleased to be collaborating with NOAA and Dr. Becker at UT, and the opportunity to pursue a public-private collaboration,” said Milt Baker, CEO of Blue Water Satellite.

In addition to the HAB imagery and data, Blue Water Satellite will provide measurements of total phosphorus for the entire area. Increasing levels of total phosphorus are contributors to the severe HAB outbreaks in Lake Erie in recent years. BlueWater Satellite has developed the only algorithm in the world that performs this total phosphorus detection and measurement function using satellite data.

The Harmful Algal Blooms, which have formed in Lake Erie in recent years commonly contain cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Many cyanobacteria release toxins which are known to cause liver and nerve damage in humans, and kill pets and other animals.

This University of Toledo work is supported through the Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research (CILER), as part of their goal to assist the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) with near shore water quality management as a part of the US EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Once proven successful, the fusion monitoring project may become an ongoing service during HAB outbreak season, roughly April through October each year.

For more information contact Steve Holland, Blue Water Satellite, at 419.575.6563.

About The University of Toledo
Established in 1872, The University of Toledo is home to nearly 22,500 students across 13 colleges and six Ohio campuses. The University offers more than 230 doctoral, professional, graduate and undergraduate programs. Nearly 350 student athletes comprise 15 Division 1 Rocket athletic teams. UT has earned national and international acclaim for its expertise in solar and advanced renewable energy, environmental sciences, astronomical research, translational research and biomarkers. For more information visit utoledo.edu.

About Blue Water Satellite, Inc.
Blue Water Satellite, Inc. uses satellite images and patented image processing algorithms to monitor land and water resources for government agencies, utilities, environmental firms and lake managers around the world. Blue Water Satellite has a track record of serving some of the largest commercial firms in the world over the last four years. Blue Water Satellite is headquartered in Bowling Green, Ohio and is the only company in the world that offers satellite image processing for cyanobacteria, chlorophyll-a, phosphorus in water, phosphorus on land, and submerged aquatic vegetation. For more information visit bluewatersatellite.com.

About Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL)
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory is one of seven federal research laboratories within the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research line office of NOAA. GLERL was formed in 1974 to provide a focus for NOAA’s environmental and ecosystem research in the Great Lakes and coastal marine environments.During its history, GLERL has made many important scientific contributions to the understanding and management of the Great Lakes and other coastal ecosystems. GLERL scientists thus play a critical role in academic, state, federal, and international partnerships, and GLERLresearch provides information and services to support decisions that affect the environment, recreation, public health and safety, and the economy of the Great Lakes. For more information visit www.glerl.noaa.gov.

Rapp

University of Toledo sports law professor Geoffrey C. Rapp is available by phone today to comment on the sanctions issued by the NCAA against Penn State.

Rapp, an expert on sports law and editor of the popular Sports Law Blog, has called for a shutdown of Penn State’s football program, as noted in the Bloomberg article “Penn State Urged to Shut Football Before NCAA Sandusky Penalties.”

“The failure here was at the highest levels of Penn State’s leadership, and as the Freeh Report indicates, the only solution involves a major change in institutional culture,” according to Rapp. “Anything less than a break from football would not address the fundamental cultural shift needed. The NCAA’s imposed punishment, while it will hurt Penn State on the field, will not bring about the cultural change needed.”

More than 30 area high school students are immersing themselves in modern technology at the second annual Technology Camp presented by The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation.

The camp, which continues through Friday, July 20, has participants learning about modern business applications of technology on campus 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three days.

** MEDIA OPPORTUNITY **
Today until 3 p.m. the students will be working on website and app development in room 1100 of the Savage and Associates Complex for Business and Learning Engagement.

“Social media is essential to teenagers today, but we also want to show local high school students the technology behind applications like Facebook, Twitter and smartphones,” noted Dr. Seth Powless, department of information operations and technologymanagement.

“COBI’s Technology Camp is a wonderful opportunity for students to discover, in a very hands-on way, both the power and the fun of information technology (IT). We know that some of the students will become so enthralled by this experience that theywill decide to study IT.”

For more information contact Bob Mackowiak, COBI marketing and communications specialist, at 419.530.4032.

A nurse, surgeon and fire chief will be recognized at the second annual Emergency Medicine Wall of Honor induction ceremony Tuesday, July 17, at noon in the Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom on The University of Toledo’s Health Science Campus.

The new inductees are:

Barbara J. Hogan, a Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center nurse who spent her career practicing and teaching in the emergency department and the aeromedical and emergency medical services environments. She was a leader in local, state and national EMS and trauma organizations. For her help with creating the foundation for the trauma network in the region and the state,Hogan received awards from the Ohio Nurses Association and the American Trauma Society.

Dr. John M. Howard, a faculty member at the former Medical College of Ohio from 1973 to 1993 who revolutionized trauma care inboth the combat and civilian sectors. The renowned surgeon and educator helped establish an EMS system that was integrated with the northwest Ohio health-care system. His efforts led to the 9-1-1 emergency system, mobile intensive care units, and ambulance and air transport after traumatic events. During the Korean War, he and his team began repairing blood vessels in the field, saving lives and limbs. For his work, Howard received the Legion of Merit from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Donald E. McConnaughy, chief of paramedics and fire chief in Maumee. He has dedicated his life to practicing and teaching fire fighting and pre-hospital care. McConnaughy was a member of the Ohio disaster medical assistance team that helped victims of Hurricane Marilyn in 1995. He introduced disaster medicine and management concepts to Maumee.

Hogan and McConnaughy will be at the induction ceremony; family members of Howard, who died at age 91 in 2011, will be in attendance.

Plaques for these three individuals will be added to the wall of honor, which is located at the side of the Emergency Department at UT Medical Center where the ambulances come in.

The Wall of Honor was dedicated Friday with a ceremony with Joseph H. Zerbey IV, president and general manager of The Blade. The newspaper’s support made the wall possible.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 16, 2012)
WTOL 11 and WNWO (July 16, 2012)

The new specialized cardiovascular unit at The University of Toledo Medical Center will focus a team of health care professionals trained in cardiovascular medicine to provide the best level of care to patients with heart illnesses.

UTMC will open its new cardiovascular unit with a ribbon cutting 9 a.m. Monday, July 16 on the third floor of the hospital.

With 47 new beds, the unit will offer patient’s private rooms, a decentralized nurses station and more personal care and attention. All doctors and nurses in the unit will have a specialization in caring for patients with cardiovascular health needs.

“The new cardiovascular unit brings highly trained physicians and nurses specialized in cardiovascular care and equipped with the latest technology to patients in a remodeled area of the hospital focused on also increasing their comfort during their stay,” said Dr. Scott Scarborough, senior vice president and executive director of UTMC.

UTMC has been advancing cardiovascular care for some time and was the first in the region to offer the left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to the community at the end of 2011.

“We are excited about this addition to the hospital as part of our ongoing efforts to continue to offer patients not only the safest clinical care available at our academic health center, but also an exemplary patient experience during their course of treatment,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, chancellor, executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs, and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Media Coverage
WNWO, 13 ABC and FOX Toledo (July 18, 2012)

The grand opening of the new Barnes & Noble in the UT Gateway Project will be celebrated today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon Wednesday, July 11 at the corner of Dorr Street and Secor Road.

The Barnes & Noble, which offers best-sellers, bargain books and gifts as well as textbooks for students, will include a full-service Starbucks café, an expanded general reading area and a children’s area.

Dr. Tom Barden, dean of the UT Honors College, will sign his book titled Steinbeck in Vietnam 1-3 p.m. There also will be a book signing with one of UT’s mascots, Rocky, for his book titled Here’s Rocky!

Special appearances will be made by Rocky, Rocksy, Blue Crew and the UT cheerleaders, and entertainment will be provided by the University’s radio station WXUT.

“The opening of Barnes & Noble is a great way to kick off Gateway phase one and to showcase the institution’s commitment to creating a student-centered environment,” said Matt Schroeder, vice president for real estate and business development at The University of Toledo Foundation. “The Gateway Project will be a much-needed destination for students and help to stimulate investment within the Dorr Street commercial corridor.”

In addition to the Barnes & Noble bookstore, the Gateway Project will include Gradkowski’s Sports Grille, Jimmy John’s, Great Clips, YogurtU and other retailers. The upper floors are Lofts at Gateway apartments for UT students. The 48 units will house 112 students in two- and four-bedroom modern, fully furnished apartments.

Click here for more information on the grand opening celebration.

httpv://youtu.be/q-42Hx21_2c

Media Coverage
13 ABC, WNWO and WTOL 11 (July 12, 2012)
The Blade (July 12, 2012)

Most people are familiar with the signs of a heart attack, but few fully understand the signs of a stroke. However, knowing the signs and putting yourself immediately in the hands of medical professionals who know how to react can make all the difference in achieving a full recovery.

The University of Toledo is raising the region’s health care to a higher degree of healing with new neurovascular X-ray technology and a comprehensive stroke network that will enable more rapid identification and treatment intervention for patients who show signs of stroke.

The University of Toledo Medical Center hospital leaders will introduce a new team of stroke neurointerventionalists and showcase the new technology during a ribbon cutting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 9, in the cardiovascular laboratory.

If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms like sudden numbness or weakness of face, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or sudden severe headache with no known cause, a neurointernventionalist may be able to rapidly provide treatment using minimally invasive techniques to avoid the potentially devastating consequences of stroke.

“By developing this robust network that includes the expertise of these highly specialized physicians, UTMC is able to bring to the community and the region the absolute best care for those suffering a stroke,” said Dr. Scott Scarborough, senior vice president and executive director of UT Medical Center. “Our team approach is simply the best way to ensure that your loved ones have the greatest likelihood of identifying signs of stroke and limiting its damaging effects.”

“Intervention is the key to limiting the effects of stroke,” said Dr. Jeffery P. Gold, chancellor, executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs, and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences. “By bringing together our outstanding group of neurologists and neurointerventionalists, and leveraging the latest technology, we are seeing in real-time what issues exist and are able to provide treatment unlike any other in the region. Simply put, if you show signs of a stroke, having access to an interventionalist significantly enhances your chance for full recovery.”

The new Philips Allura Xper FD20/20 equipped biplane suite will be unveiled at the event. The machine offers the ability for a full “north-to-south/east-to-west” view of the brain, giving physicians a complete picture to the team that can react immediately.

Media Coverage
13 ABC, WTOL 11 and WNWO (July 9, 2012)
The Blade (July 10, 2012)