Message from Mayor Kapszukiewicz
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather that has finally settled over our city. This is a great time to enjoy some of the amazing natural beauties we are fortunate enough to have in Toledo, including Swan Creek, the Maumee River, Cullen Park, Walbridge Park, Ottawa Park, the Metroparks, and much more.

I also want to thank the city employees who used their personal time this week to help Mobile Meals of Toledo serve fresh, healthy meals to those who need them most.

Volunteers are always in high demand, and City of Toledo employees, including many members of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department, stepped up to help. It's a small gesture that goes a long way, and it is another example of how deeply your city employees care about our community. Mobile Meals is always looking for volunteers! If interested in helping out this great organization, call 419-255-7806. Watch more at this link .
Streets
Streets, Bridges, and Harbor crews have filled more than 100,300 potholes so far during the current pothole blitz.

"We have covered 76 percent of all city streets," said Dennis Boyle
public service manager. "The areas where we are working right now consist of South Toledo, the lower East Side, and some parts of Point Place. Once we have completed 100 percent of streets, we will revisit and address any new or recurring potholes throughout the entire city."

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz called the pothole emergency plan in May and said crews were “literally going to drive every street in this city and fill potholes when we see them.”

He said workers will continue the pothole program until they have driven the entire city and filled every pothole.
Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra
The Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra traveled recently as ambassadors to Toledo's sister cities in China -- Nanchong and Qinhuangdao.

While there, the students performed several times and met with local leaders.

Founded in 2013 by conductor Yang Kun Song, The Greater Toledo International Youth Orchestra (GTiYO) is a string orchestra that performs a diverse repertoire, including traditional and modern Chinese music, as well as Western compositions. Mr. Song was the founder and the previous music director/conductor of the Toledo International Youth Orchestra (TIYO). That orchestra achieved considerable musical notoriety over the past 13 years under Mr. Song's direction as they performed in venues throughout the Toledo area and abroad. It had the distinct honor of performing with local talent from the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and the members of the Bowling Green State University Music Department. As TIYO developed over the years, Mr. Song's reach extended to young musicians throughout Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan.
Mark Your Calendars
Ottawa Park Summer Concert Series
Join us for an exciting concert series this summer at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater, 2205 Kenwood Blvd.

All Concert Showtimes: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Boffo performs on Saturday July 27;  The Good, The Bad, & the Blues performs on Aug. 3; Dezire performs on Aug. 10; the Nu Tones perform on Aug. 17; The 25’s perform on Aug. 24; and East River Drive. performs on Aug. 31.

(The Division of Parks, Recreation and Forestry postponed the Ottawa Park Concert Series event on July 20 to Aug. 31.) 
A City in Transit: Gala x Expo
Where is Toledo going? Come to Toledo's annual FREE gala x expo event to find out! It is 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3 at 300 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Drive.

There will be hundreds of stations for local businesses, organizations, nonprofits, and community initiatives, as well as live music from local bands and musicians, food trucks, giveaway contests, student works, interactive art and multimedia story booths, settlement, oral, and natural history showcase, social media activities, children’s exhibit, over 100 “platforms” and much more.
The event is FREE and open to the community. Passengers are asked to RSVP at www.midstory.org/gala/#registration.
National Night Out: two locations
National Night Out is an event on the same day each year across the Country. It is a great opportunity for neighbors, neighborhoods and safety forces to have some fun together and celebrate a common goal: COMMUNITY!

Join us on from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 6 at either the East Toledo Family Center or the Fredrick Douglas Community Center for an early evening of bouncy houses, food, health screenings, music and educational and fun opportunities to meet and talk with Toledo Police Department and Toledo Fire & Rescue Department members.
Going Green on the Green 
Going Green on the Green will take place in Hensville Park 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 8 , prior to the Mud Hens home game.

Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, Inc. will be taking over Hensville, filling the park with more than 30 vendors focused on Recycling Education, Sustainability, Environmental Initiatives, and “Green” Products. \\

The family friendly event will also include live music, mascots, hands on games, and more! The event is free and open to the public.

We encourage everyone to join us inside Fifth Third Field for that evening’s game. Tickets purchased at mudhens.com/gogreen will be discounted and a portion of the ticket sales through this link will be donated back to Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful.

During Going Green on the Green, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful will also be awarding its Jerry Bannister Green Stewardship Award to a local organization that exemplifies its mission of establishing greener communities trough environmental education, litter prevention, and voluntary partnerships.
Movie Nights In The Park
Join us at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug 8 at Ottawa Park, 2532 Upton Ave.., for a FREE movie night in the park - Ralph Breaks the Internet .

DJ Mpress will be spinning the hottest music before the movie and concessions.

Entertainment starts at 7 p.m. The movie starts promptly at 9 p.m.

The city of Toledo supports the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability to fully participate in this or any city program or event, please contact Joan Easler, city of Toledo ADA Administrator, Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 419-245-1059.
Toledo Threat
The final home game for the Toledo Threat is at 5 p.m., Saturday, July 27 at Owens Community College, 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg, Ohio 43551.
Take It Off, Toledo
Participate in free group exercise classes in city parks all summer, co-presented by The YMCA of Greater Toledo ! Check out the schedules at:

Haven't signed up to join the challenge yet? It is not too late. Sign up today at  takeitofftoledo.com .
By The Numbers
(year to date)
124,304 potholes filled
1,654 illegal signs removed
159 water main breaks repaired
936,424  feet of sanitary sewers cleaned
34,925 feet of storm sewers cleaned
2,011,790  pounds of debris cleared from streets with street sweepers
3,787,874  pounds of debris cleared from alleys
775 trees trimmed
5,406 building inspections performed
1,790 contractor licenses issued
3,706  fire runs
30,034  EMS runs
Toledo In The News
Free health screenings part of local effort encouraging black men to go see the doctor Statistics show blacks have higher rates of diabetes and hypertension compared to other races, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every year there's a local walk to bring awareness about those health disparities called the African American Male Wellness Walk Initiative.

TARTA unveils new transit hub in Toledo TARTA, the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority is preparing to open a new transportation hub in downtown Toledo. The new space sits at the corner of Huron and Cherry Streets and is the former Goodwill building. The building cost $1.5 million to purchase. Both state and federal grants covered the cost for TARTA. Construction workers renovated the 5,000 square foot space giving passengers a climate-controlled space to wait for a ride. The new facility opens on Aug. 12.
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