Croak Asset Management celebrates one-year in downtown Toledo. As an industry veteran, Tim Croak decided to move his firm downtown to join in the revival of the Toledo community. They have done just that, donating funds to multiple non-profit organizations and even volunteering weekly to help the community through the recent pandemic. For more information about Croak Asset Management, visit their website at camtoledo.com.

The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) continues to reopen areas of its campus that were previously shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. TMA reopened in a limited capacity at the end of June with new hours and procedures. In July, the Glass Pavilion, Classic Court and the popular exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water reopened, along with limited dining in the Café, outdoor programs and glassblowing demonstrations. In August, more galleries and special exhibitions opened, and classes for youth and families resumed. Visitors are still required to reserve a free museum pass to enter the Museum. Twenty passes are available each half hour and can be reserved online at tickets.toledomuseum.org or by phone at 419-255-8000 ext. 7448. Face coverings are required for entrance.

The Junior League of Toledo established As We Grow, a diaper bank that distributes essential infant supplies, such as diapers, wipes and diaper rash creams, to Lucas County residents. These supplies are integral to healthy infant development and the mental health of mothers. It’s estimated that 1 in 3 American families experience diaper need. Babies without clean diapers are exposed to more potential health risks and are less likely to be accepted to daycares, leaving parents unable to attend work. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, Ohio has 411,064 children under the age of 3. Keeping these children clean, dry and healthy is key to building a solid foundation. What’s more, women who have diaper needs for their children report more difficulty with stress management, postpartum depression and trauma, all of which also impact a child’s health and development.  The Junior League of Toledo will be raising money along with soliciting diaper, wipes and diaper rash cream donations from the community.  Social service agencies and other community partners will distribute the supplies to clients who have diaper needs. Donations can be made at JuniorLeagueToledo.org.

Launched in 2017, the Momentum Festival has been presented as a three-day festival of music and art along the Maumee River, celebrating the revitalization in downtown Toledo.  With a spotlight on the arts, Momentum has provided free and accessible programming to thousands of attendees. This year, the Momentum Festival will be shifting to a combination of virtual and discoverable elements to safely engage attendees in arts and cultural experiences while complying with COVID- 19 restrictions. Festival activities will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 17 in downtown Toledo and continue through mid-October. Through a blend of safe and separate virtual experiences, as well as discoverable artwork that graces public spaces, the goal is to “keep the momentum going” during the pandemic. 

Discoverable activities are self-guided and promote exploration in the downtown and uptown areas and include existing public art infrastructure along with new projects and activities. Virtual experiences are designed to promote artists and provide safe access to artwork, as an opportunity to connect visual artists with sales opportunities and performing and literary artists with access to an audience. All Momentum Festival events are free and open to the public. Additional information is available at momentumtoledo.org.