Family briefs: Zoo to celebrate creatures that creep, crawl, float and flutter

        The Toledo Zoo will present BUG Fest – a day dedicated to the little creatures that creep, crawl, float and flutter – on Saturday, Aug. 26.
        Visitors will be busy as bees, with activities taking place in the ProMedica Museum of Natural History and Nature’s Neighborhood.
        BUG Fest highlights include:
        • Make cricket flour cookies
        • Live insect meet & greets
        • Plenty of bug-themed games & crafts
        • Cockroach races
        • Pop-up tour opportunities
        Schedule of events:
        • 10:30 a.m., Archerfish feed, Aquarium; Feeder bug propagation tour, Nature’s Neighborhood Beach.
        • 11 a.m.: Monarch release and talk, Nature’s Neighborhood Backyard.
        • 11:30 a.m.: Reptile feed, Reptile House; Meet an insectivore, Nature’s Neighborhood.
        • 12:30 p.m.: Bird feed, Aviary - Open Flight Exhibit.
        • 1 p.m.: Prairie walk – Meet at native prairie in ProMedica Museum of Natural History.
        • 1:30 p.m.: Amphibian feed, second floor of ProMedica Museum of Natural History; Meet an insectivore, Nature’s Neighborhood.
        • 2 p.m.: Tamarin cricket enrichment, Nature’s Neighborhood Forest Room; Monarch release and talk, Nature’s Neighborhood Backyard.
        • 2:30 p.m.: Meet an insectivore, Nature’s Neighborhood.
        • 3:30 p.m.: Meerkat mealworm feed, Tembo Trail.
        Visit toledozoo.org/events/bugfest to learn more and to register for the Mason Bee House Workshop and the Bugs in Frame Photography Workshop. (Registration required for workshops; separate fee applies.)
 
World Series of Chili
        Do you have the best chili east of the Mississippi? If so, the East Toledo Senior Center invites you to enter in their World Series of Chili cook-off, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 from 6-10 p.m. at the center, located at 1001 White St.
        There is no cost to enter the cook-off, however, everyone attending must purchase a ticket for $20, including entrants.
        All proceeds raised from the event will benefit the center at 419-691-2254. The deadline to enter is Sept. 1.
 
Author Fair set
        Gathering Volumes, 196 E. South Boundary, Perrysburg, will present its annual Author Fair Sunday, Sept. 3. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held Sunday, Sept. 10.
        More than 20 local authors will be on hand at the event – a celebration of books and reading. From children’s picture books to horror, science fiction/fantasy to regional nonfiction, and everything in between, there will be something for every reader. Once again, University of Toledo Press will be joining the event.
        Food will also be available, with proceeds going toward funding the third annual Northwest Ohio Teen Book Festival. There will also be craft beer samples from the Glass City Mashers, a lemonade truck (The Rolling Lemon), and donuts (Detroit Mini Donut).
        The Author Fair, one of the only larger-scale book events in the area, is presented as a way to support local authors and get literature into the hands of local readers.
        Of Rust and Glass, a Midwest publisher based in Maumee, is Gathering Volumes’ co-sponsor.
        For more information and updates on participating authors, visit https://fb.me/e/O6mJGNuq.
 
Ability Center seeking donations
        The Ability Center, located at 5605 Monroe St., has issued an urgent request for essential items including:
        • Manual wheelchairs to enable mobility and freedom.
        • Knee scooters to support injury recovery.
        • Portable bedside commodes to ensure comfort and dignity.
        • Tub transfer benches to enhance safety during bathing.
        Call 419-885-5733 to arrange pick-up or drop-off of items.