Reel Big Fish

The ska-punk band Reel Big Fish known for songs such as “Sell Out” and “Take on Me” will perform at Music Fest 2013 at The University of Toledo.

The free outdoor music festival will take place Friday, Sept. 13 on UT’s Main Campus and will feature Reel Big Fish and a variety of other to-be-announced musical guests.

Reel Big Fish released last year its seventh studio album Candy Coated Fury (Rock Ridge Music). It is the band’s first album of newly recorded material in five years.

They first hit the music scene in 1995 with the self-released “Everything Sucks” that gained word of mouth attention and led to their sophomore studio album “Turn the Radio Off” and future success.

Reel Big Fish also is known for its appearance in the movie “Baseketball” and their song “Take on Me” was featured on the movie’s soundtrack.

The band tours continuously playing more than 250 show a year all over the world and Toledo area fans will have the opportunity to hear them live 9-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at Music Fest 2013.

Stay tuned for future performer announcements and the complete lineup.

For more information about Music Fest 2013 visit utoledo.edu/musicfest or follow the event on Facebook at facebook.com/UTMusicFest.

Click here to download a promotional photo of Reel Big Fish.

Media Coverage
The Independent Collegian (Sept. 11, 2013)
The Independent Collegian (Sept. 11, 2013)

Bruce

The city of Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection yesterday, making it the largest city in U.S. history to do so.

“Municipal bankruptcies are relatively rare, and Detroit is significantly larger in terms of debt than any municipalities that have sought bankruptcy protection in the past,” said Kara J. Bruce, associate professor in the UT College of Law. “Detroit is in many ways entering uncharted territory, and will likely set precedent for large-scale municipal bankruptcies in the future.”

Assuming the bankruptcy filing is approved, the move will allow the city additional restructuring alternatives and centralizes its obligations so they can be resolved collectively, Bruce said.

She is available today to discuss the legal process of municipal bankruptcy and what it means for Detroit.

To schedule an interview with Bruce, contact Meghan Cunningham at 419.530.2410 or meghan.cunningham@utoledo.edu.

The Lonely Friends, a band formed in 2011 for a fundraiser for their high school, won the UT Local Band Challenge to perform at The University of Toledo’s Music Fest 2013.

The band, described as “old-school rock with influences of blues and some metal to keep it fresh,” was selected from performance videos uploaded to the Music Fest Facebook page July 1-7. The community voted the next week for which local band they wanted to see perform at Music Fest Friday, Sept. 13 and the majority of votes – more than 8,000 – came for The Lonely Friends.

The Lonely Friends

“I was surprised that we won,” said Travis Geiman, the band’s guitarist. “We kept posting the competition to Facebook throughout the week, and were in the top ten, but we didn’t think it would be us. Everyone is happy that we won.”

The band came up with its name from the game Rock Band. The Lonely Friends was processed one time by the name generator and band mates thought it was kind of funny. They have stuck with it ever since.

In addition to Geiman, The Lonely Friends features Michael Barlos on vocals, Anthony Kitts on bass and Nick Duszynski on drums.

The group formed in 2011 when Maumee High School needed a band to play for a marching band fundraiser. Alumni of the school, Geiman, Kitts and Duszynski had previously been in the marching band and Barlos in choir, so they gave it a shot, thinking at the time it was temporary.

They are currently in the process of mixing their first album, which will be released this summer, Geiman said. The band also has the first few songs finished for a second album.

The Lonely Friends has performed one or two shows per week since the summer started. Music Fest 2013 will be the biggest show they have played to date.

“I hope everyone enjoys Music Fest, and hopefully they take something away from the music we play and can relate to it in some way,” Geiman said.

For more information about Music Fest 2013 visit utoledo.edu/musicfest and for more about The Lonely Friends visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/TheLonelyFriends.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (July 17, 2013)
The Independent Collegian (Aug. 14, 2013)

For the third straight year, U.S. News & World Report has recognized The University of Toledo Medical Center as one of the best hospitals in the region.

The magazine ranked UTMC as a high-performer in six clinical specialties, as many as any institution in the area for 2013-14.

“U.S. News has recognized that The University of Toledo Medical Center offers patients superior care, a great experience and a higher degree of healing,” said Norma Tomlinson, UTMC interim executive director.

“Caring for patients is a team effort, and this is an accomplishment that the entire team should be proud of,” she said.

U.S. News listed UTMC has a high-performer in:

• Geriatrics;

• Kidney disorders;

• Neurology and neurosurgery;

• Orthopedics;

• Pulmonology; and

• Urology.

“Hospitals across the nation look to America’s top tier academic health centers to set the standards for health care, and Toledo is no different. It is the blend of educational programs, innovative research and patient-centered clinical care that sets the stage for this recognition,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, chancellor, executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs, and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

“This is one more example of the incredible momentum that our UT team has created. I want to thank and congratulate everyone who works so hard to provide this quality of health care one patient at a time.”

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 16, 2013)
The Blade (July 16, 2013)
13 ABC (July 17, 2013)
The Independent Collegian (Nov. 13, 2013)

The University of Toledo Medical Center caregivers and staff are celebrating today following an outstanding three-day, unannounced, random Patient Safety Institutional Survey completed Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Health on behalf of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A formal report detailing UTMC’s performance is expected in the next month or two.

Surveyors evaluated UTMC’s infection control efforts, its discharge planning and its quality assessment performance improvement — a total encompassing more than 40 health-care categories and some 335 elements — based on interviews, observations, and document and policy reviews.

Gold

“We are very proud of our efforts to ensure patient safety, but the feedback we received from the survey team are a welcome third-party validation of the effort of thousands of employees on our health-care team,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, chancellor and executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs, and dean of the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

“Out of every item they reviewed, the survey team found only two minor elements that needed to be addressed, and we have already changed our policies and processes to do just that,” he said.

Gold pointed out that in the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement area, possibly the most important and surely the most complex of piece of the survey, there were no elements identified to be addressed.

“We are so very proud of our health-care system, and particularly proud of all of our caregivers. The Ohio Department of Health team was complementary of our systems, policies, procedures, and particularly the warm, caring team of physicians and nurses, pharmacists and therapists, social workers and dietitians, and hosts of others who every day care for our patients and support their families,” Gold wrote in a letter distributed to UTMC employees Wednesday evening.

“Every day, we, together, define university quality care, the higher degree of healing. This is defined with every patient interaction, every outpatient visit, every procedure, every medication we dispense, every patient room we sanitize, everything every day.

“On very special days, we have the opportunity to show the outside world how we define this quality of care and set the standards for our regional community and the national community of health-care delivery systems. Remarkable quality, safety and patient experience are all of what we expect for ourselves and our families when care is needed and is how we define true excellence.

“A very special thank you to all of our health-care team and particularly those who went so far out of their way to warmly greet the survey team, demonstrate our approach to our patients, and exemplify our pride,” Gold wrote.

The University of Toledo Medical Center has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality” in the Healthcare Equality Index 2013, an annual survey conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization.

UTMC earned top marks for its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing adequate health care.

“One of the most important values of The University of Toledo is to treat all persons equally, regardless of characteristics, including but not limited to age, gender, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,” said Norma Tomlinson, executive director of UTMC. “A visit to a health-care provider is often stressful as it is, and the last thing any patient or family needs to worry about is being treated differently.”

“We are very proud of the role we play in the community as a place where anyone can come and feel safe and feel accepted,” said Lawrence J. Burns, vice president for external affairs, who oversees UT’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement. “It is through our hospital and health-care services that the community most frequently interacts with The University of Toledo, and this recognition is one more example of UT employees living out our values and commitment to equality.”

UTMC was one of a select group of 464 health-care facilities nationwide to be named Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality. Facilities awarded this title meet key criteria for equitable care; these include non-discrimination policies for LGBT patients and employees, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for key staff members.

“LGBT patients deeply appreciate the welcoming environment provided by a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” said Shane Snowdon, director of health and aging at the Human Rights Campaign. “It makes a big difference to know that your local health-care facility is fully committed to giving you the same care it gives your neighbors and co-workers.”

For more information about the Healthcare Equality Index 2013, or to download a free copy of the report, visit hrc.org/hei.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (July 16, 2013)

This year’s African-American Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 20 and 21, on The University of Toledo Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation.

The festival is the annual fundraiser organized by the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union. It also will include a prayer breakfast Friday, July 19, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Bethlehem Baptist Church New Life Center, 1430 W. Bancroft St., and a parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. that will start at Dorr Street and Detroit Avenue and end at Nelson Grace Park.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year,” said DeLise Simmons of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, who coordinates the festival. “This is a thank-you to the community and our members for their continuous support, and a chance for us to all come together as a family.”

Musical performances over the weekend will take place from 2 to 10 p.m., and gates will open at 1 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s musical acts will be Zapp, jazz saxophonist Joseph Vincelli, singer Ramona Collins, The JAMM Band, Imagine Schools, Jay Rush Jennings, and The Five Deep Band. Taking the stage Sunday will be the The Dramatics, Toledo Youth Choir, The Rance Allen Group, Debra Brock, Darius Coleman and the D.C. Singers, and The JAMM Band.

Children’s rides are free and sponsored by State Farm Insurance.

Food will be sold by local vendors, including Black Kettle Barbeque, Ruby’s Kitchen and K&K Concessions. Because it is a family event, there will be no sale of alcoholic beverages.

Other local vendors and organizations that will be at the festival will include the Lucas County Workforce — The Source, Sprint, Genesis Village, Kids Unlimited Academy, Imagine Schools, Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio, Toledo Public Schools and the Toledo Fair Housing Center.

“We look forward to hosting this festival every year,” said Dr. Shanda Gore, UT associate vice president for equity, diversity and community engagement. “The yearly estimated attendance of 12,000 individuals brings a richness of food, music, culture and the strong sense of community to campus.”

Gore added, “Our office, in collaboration with Rocket Wellness and the College of Medicine Student and Faculty Diversity, will be providing free health screenings right at the festival. We hope that the screenings will not only be informational, but instrumental in the prevention of any life-threatening health situations.”

For more information on the African-American Festival, visit toledourban.com/TUFCU/AAF.aspx.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 18, 2013)
The Blade (July 18, 2013)
The Blade (July 21, 2013)
WNWO, WTOL 11 and 13 ABC (July 22, 2013)

Explore downtown Toledo this summer with free, guided lunchtime tours starting Thursday, July 11.

The walking tours will be held every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. through Aug. 29. Some of the tours include the Adams Street uptown neighborhood and the Oliver House, Toledo’s oldest commercial building.

“The walking tours give us all a chance to take a closer look at what makes our city beautiful and unique,” said Sue Wuest, assistant director of the UT Urban Affairs Center. “New to this year’s tour is the uptown Adams Street tour and what makes the area so hip, which I think people will enjoy.”

Tours will take place rain or shine and are sponsored by UT Urban Affairs Center and the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

The tour schedule is:

• July 11 — Wright Harvey House, one of Toledo’s finest examples of early 1880s architecture. Meet at 1822 Cherry St. Park next to house on the east side of the building.

• July 18 — Casey Pomeroy House. See what comes after an extreme makeover. Meet at 802 Huron St.

• July 25 — Revealing a Panther: Owens Corning World Headquarters. Meet at main entrance and park in main parking lot. Reservations are required and the tour is limited to 30 people. RSVP by Tuesday, July 23, to irene.martin@toledolibrary.org or 419.259.5233.

• Aug. 1 — Discover the Oliver House, the oldest commercial building in Toledo. Meet at 27 Broadway St. in the parking lot near the entrance to the Maumee Bay Brewing Co.

• Aug. 8 — Scott High School at 100. Come and see how great the building looks after its renovation. Meet and park in the school parking lot at the back of the building.

• Aug. 15 — The Blade Building, home to one of Toledo’s longest running businesses. Meet at main entrance, 541 N. Superior St.

• Aug. 22 — Unmasking the Warehouse District: St. Clair “Hipster” Village. Meet at Downtown Latte, 44 S. St. Clair St.

• Aug. 29 — Uptown Adams Street … not Downtown Adams Street. What makes uptown hip? Meet at 17th Street and Adams Street.

“I hope the tours help people gain an appreciation for the history of the city and the variety of buildings that we have,” said Irene Martin, a preservationist at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. “Toledoans should see a structure’s possibilities and not tear down every old building. Many can be saved and renovated.”

For more information on the Discover Downtown Walking Tours, contact Martin at 419.259.5233 or irene.martin@toledolibrary.org.

Art on the Mall, an iconic tradition for more than 20 years at The University of Toledo, returns Sunday, July 28.

The free, public event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Centennial Mall on UT’s Main Campus where more than 112 booths will feature unique works of acrylic, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil, photography, pottery, textiles, basketry, watercolor, wood and more.

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy not only works of art but also music, live pottery demonstrations, children’s activities, food and new this year — a beer garden. Guests who are 21 and older with a valid ID can buy three types of beer from Great Lakes Brewing Company.

“We have some folks who have been with us for a long time and we also have some new artists, which is great,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming in the Office of Alumni Relations. “It’s exciting to see some work that you haven’t seen before.”

Artwork will be for sale at each booth and for customers who don’t typically carry cash, credit cards can be used at a payment booth set up inside the Student Union.

Artists have the chance to win awards including first, second and third place prizes. UT’s Best of Show is the highest award and goes to the best artist with an affiliation to the University — current students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni and parents are eligible.

Throughout the day, the UT Ceramics Department will have pottery demonstrations near its booth where guests can watch them work and ask questions. There also will be stations for children to create their own art and take it home or get their faces painted.

Guests will be entertained by music throughout the day with performances from the Toledo School for the Arts; the Jazz Collective with Christy Lanning from 10 a.m. to noon, Afro-Caribbean Dance and Drum from noon to 2 p.m. and Glass City Steel from 2 to 5 p.m.

Food vendors will be open all day including previous years’ favorites: Karen Anne’s Kettle Corn, Opa! Gyros, Everhart SnoBiz, Maui Wowi, K & K Concessions and Let’s Go Nuts. Two new booths will join the event this year: Asia Fusion Elite and Jeanie’s Weenies.

Parking is free for guests in Lot 1 South, Lot 1 North and Lot 13 with free shuttles provided for rides to and from Centennial Mall that also can help transport large purchases if needed.

This year’s presenting sponsor is The Blade; other sponsors include ProMedica, Buckeye CableSystem, Toledo 5 The CW, WGTE Public Media, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Mail It! and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Clear Channel Communications and Homewood Press.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 18, 2013)
The Blade (July 24, 2013)
The Blade (July 26, 2013)
The Blade (July 29, 2013)
WTOL 11 and WNWO (July 29, 2013)
WTOL 11 and 13 ABC (July 29, 2013)
The Independent Collegian (July 31, 2013)