ETC:

Public lands photo contest
        Visitors to federal public lands are invited to feature their best nature photos in the 2022 Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest.
        The contest is open to entries of photos taken on federal public lands, which include national parks, national forests and wildlife refuges like Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
        Entries are being accepted on the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge website through Sept. 6. Categories include Birds, Landscapes/Plants, People Enjoying Nature and Wildlife Other Than Birds.
        The contest is free to enter. Photographers may submit one photo per category. Entries will be accepted in three age categories: Youth (5-12 years), Teen (13-17 years) and Adult (18+).
        Photos will be judged in early September. All entries will be displayed on the Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife
Refuge’s website. Winners will be included in a 2023 Public Lands Calendar, which will be made available for purchase later this year.
        Prizes, including a free calendar, will be awarded for the winning entries. The Best of Show will be featured in the Friends Annual Report and will include a private bus tour of the refuge for up to 14 people.
        Full contest rules and more information are available at friendsofottawanwr.org/photography-contest.html.
 
Oak Harbor Log Cabin
Summer Concert Series
        David T. Lester will kick off the Oak Harbor Log Cabin Association’s 2022 Summer Concert Series July 31 at 6 p.m.
        The Sunday-evening programs begin at 6 p.m. at Kraemer Park, located across from the Oak Harbor Post Office on Church Street.
        The schedule includes:
        • Aug. 7 – Bradley Hoffman.
        • Aug. 14 – Ottawa County Bluegrass Band.
        • Aug. 21 – Dave Ninke.
        Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket. A sign will be posted if the concert is canceled.
        For more information, visit sites.google.com/view/oakharborlogcabin.
 
“Blue” exhibit
        The Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council presents “Blue” – an exhibit featuring the works of resident artists at The Arts Garage (TAG), located in the city’s old street department garage, 317 W. Perry St., Port Clinton.
        An opening reception the exhibit will be held Friday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at TAG. The exhibit will be on display Aug. 5-31.
        The public is invited to check out this unique show featuring some of Ottawa County’s most talented artists. Mediums range from abstract to realism and from pencil to oil.
        The GPCAAC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2009 to support Ottawa County communities in fostering a cooperative effort between artists and the public to promote the creative arts in the region.
        Visit GPCAAC.org for more details.
 
Concert planned to
benefit Ukraine students
        An outdoor concert featuring award-winning Latino band Yvonne Y Fuego will be held to benefit three American Cultural Exchange Services (ACES) students from Ukraine Saturday, Aug. 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 5757 Starr Ave., Oregon.
        In addition to the concert, the event will feature food trucks, henna tattoos and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
        Admission to the concert is free; donations will be accepted. No firearms or pets will be permitted.
        In addition, ACES will present its annual Haunted Glow Trail at Maumee Bay State Park Oct. 7 and 8. Ukraine students will receive a percentage of the proceeds with Friends of Maumee Bay State Park, World Affairs and ACES Youth activities. Highlights of the event will include a scary Glow Trail, a Kiddie Mountain Climb for those under 5 years. old, Halloween games, face painting, Henna tattoos, bake sale, and food trucks.
        ACES notes the Ukrainian students will remain in Northwest Ohio until it is safe for them to return home.
 
Jazz in the Garden
        Enjoy warm summer nights and cool jazz in the garden at Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo.
        A number of regional artists will entertain Thursdays at 6 p.m., including:
        • Aug. 4 – Gene Parker Quintet
        • Aug. 11 – Mike Lorenz Trio
        • Aug. 18 – Jason Quick Trio
        • Aug. 25 – Zen Zadravek Quartet
        • Sept. 1 – Travis Auckerman’s Spruce and Mahogany Trio
        • Sept. 8 – Tumbao Bravo
        Food trucks will be available on site. Attendees may bring chairs or blankets for seating.
        Admission is $5 for Metroparks Toledo members and $10 for non-members. Members can purchase two tickets and receive 50% off the ticket price. Proof of membership is required for discounted admission. For membership information, call 419-407-9712.
        On Thursdays through Sept. 8, TBG will close to the public beginning at 1 p.m. to set up for Jazz in the Garden.
        Parking will be disabled at the Elmer Drive entrance; parking will be available at the Bancroft Street entrance. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
       
Music Under the Stars
        Enjoy summer evenings sitting in the historic Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre, listening to live music while surrounded by family, friends and…the entire animal kingdom.
        This year, the Zoo is highlighting the many musical talents found in community bands throughout our region at the Music Under the Stars concerts, which are a long-standing Toledo tradition.
        The free concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. on the following Sundays:
        • Aug 7 – Genoa American Legion Band.
        • Aug 14 – Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra.
        Gates open at 6 p.m., the Amphitheatre will open at 6:30 p.m. Zoo parking rates and policies apply. Zoo admission does not apply, as concerts happen after Zoo hours.
 
Girl Named Tom 
to perform Aug. 30
        The Dana LPGA Open presented by Marathon has announced concert featuring Girl Named Tom, the sibling trio from Northwest Ohio that recently captured nationwide attention on NBC’s “The Voice.”
         The concert, presented by Mercy Health, will take place Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo.
        Girl Named Tom is comprised of three siblings – Bekah, Joshua and Caleb Liechty, from Pettisville. They got their unique name as Joshua and Caleb used to call their younger sister “Thomas” when they were young kids. All three siblings had plans to become doctors before pursing music full time. During their first year as a band, they played 67 shows in 27 cities throughout the U.S. before the pandemic brought everything to a halt – then there was “The Voice.”
        In their first performance on the show, the trio received the ultimate endorsement from celebrity coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, John Legend and Ariana Grande. All four superstars turned their chairs with hopes of becoming Girl Named Tom’s coach. The trio selected Clarkson and, as they say, the rest is history.
        Girl Named Tom made history on season 21 by becoming the first trio to make it to the finale and win the overall competition.
        Tickets area on sale at Ticketmaster and girlnamedtom.com.
        The Dana Open Presented by Marathon has ticket and hospitality packages available for this year’s tournament, Sept. 1-4 at Highland Meadows Golf Club. Information can be found at danaopen.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @danaopenlpga.
 
Let’s Get Lit(erary)
        Perrysburg’s local independent bookstore, Gathering Volumes, will host its second Author Fair since the re-opening of public spaces after COVID-19.
        On Sept. 11 (Sept. 18, if weather does not cooperate), join owner Denise Phillips and more than 20 area authors to celebrate what they love most – books. From children’s picture books to horror, science fiction/fantasy to regional nonfiction and everything in between, there will be something for every reader.
        This year’s fair will include the addition of parking lot games (think giant Jenga, Connect Four, cornhole), a coffee truck (AYZO Heavenly Brew), live painting by local artists, author readings inside the bookshop and more. Food will be available, with proceeds going toward funding the 2nd annual Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival. There will also be craft beer samples from the Glass City Mashers.
 
Imagination Stationc
August events
        Looking to beat the heat? Imagination Station in downtown Toledo has cool, hands-on science fun for youngsters and the young at heart.
        The KeyBank Discovery Theater is screening “Journey to Space 3D” and “Dinosaurs of Antarctica.” Visit imaginationstationtoledo.org/keybank-discovery-theater/showtimes for showtimes.
        Other August highlights at the science center include:
        All month long:
        • Tinkering Activity in IDEA Lab. Light play encourages kids and adults alike to find new uses for everyday objects. Seeing common objects such as strawberry baskets, plastic mesh, toys, doilies behave in surprising ways in the light. It’s a playful and inventive approach to exploring light, shadows, reflections, refraction, symmetry and motion.
        • Game On! (ages 9-13). Unleash curiosity and creativity and discover the elements of game design. Campers will design (and play) their own board, arcade and video games while learning about programming, tinkering and design.
        On Aug. 2 at 6:30 p.m., the KeyBank Discovery Theatre will screen, “Erie Situation.”
        Imagination Station will once again host the Jeep Fest Kids Zone in Festival Park Aug. 13-14.
        On Aug. 18 at 7 p.m., see “A- League of Their Own,” in the KeyBank Discovery Theater. Tom Hanks, Gina Davis and Madonna lead the all-star cast in this feel-good classic that will remind you that there’s no crying in baseball.
        Imagination Station hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Lucas County kids 12 and under get free admission to the science center every Saturday. Lucas County residents also get $2 off admission every day.