Some of the highlights of the happenings in the greater Akron area are as follows:  Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - New HQ              The tire and rubber giant, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company's commitment to staying in Akron by having their new World Headquarters constructed along with the adjacent proposed retail and hotel development is terrific for the city and surrounding areas. This will be made possible by an unusual public-private partnership. A California based real estate investment group will take over Goodyear's current buildings and in turn erect a new headquarters building, along with additional commercial space, and then lease the facility back to them. There will be tax incentives and infrastructure improvements that have been committed by both State and local govern... 09/04/2008

There is still plenty to do in Akron and Summit County, Ohio before we are chased indoors! The weather forecast this week is un-believable for our town, get out and do something! Arts / Theatre / Music 9/2/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 9/2/2008 Unveiled Akron Art Museum 9/2/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 9/2/2008 Heartfield vs. Nazi Akron Art Museum 9/2/2008 Bedtime Snack Show (featured event) Mountain Rose Concerts 9/3/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 9/3/2008 Heartfield vs. Nazi Akron Art Museum 9/3/2008 Unveiled Akron Art Museum 9/3/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 9/3/2008 Weekly dance and lessons Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 9/4/2008 Heartfield vs. Nazi Akron Art Museum 9/4/2008 Smells Like Teen Spiri... 09/02/2008

"Run with endurance the race set before you..." Hebrews 12:1 Today was the 24th annual "Labor of Love Run," a fundraising event for Akron Pregnancy Services, sponsored by The Chapel. The event included a one-mile fun run/walk followed by a five-mile race beginning at the Akron Campus. Participants enjoyed music, door prizes, refreshments, and a sports expo! My son Grant ran this five-mile race for the first time, right before a job interview - what a guy - and my daughter and I did the one-mile fun run/walk (it was all walking for me!).    Here is some of the fun on the One-Mile that began at 8:30 a.m.   Spicer Village Townhomes loaned three Segways to volunteers at the race!  We actually made it to the finish line in about 21 minutes (that includes time for taking pix for blogging!). T... 09/01/2008

To me, it is unbelievable what a small town like Akron, Ohio and Summit County, Ohio offers it's residents with all the many events we have to offer our residents! Can you top this list of events? Can you believe this list???? Arts / Theatre / Music 8/26/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 8/26/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 8/26/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/26/2008 Creative Jewelry Design at PAA Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 8/26/2008 The Bedtime Snack Show Mountain Rose Concerts 8/27/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 8/27/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 8/27/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/27/2008 Glenn Miller Orchestra Barberton Parks and Recreation 8/27/2008 We... 08/26/2008

Summer vacation is coming to an end, it's once again time to purchase pencils, paper and backpacks and finish up the last of that summer reading. Take advantage of these last few "lazy days of summer"! You won't want to miss these events coming up this week, click on the link for additional information about the event. Arts / Theatre / Music 8/19/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 8/19/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/19/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 8/19/2008 Creative Jewelry Design at PAA Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 8/19/2008 Firestone Park Concert City of Akron Recreation Bureau 8/19/2008 Bedtime Snack Show (featured event) Mountain Rose Concerts 8/20/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/20/2008 Bi... 08/19/2008

Committed to 100% Customer Satisfaction for Services, Gary goes the extra mile and educates consumers on how to prevent clothes dryer fires                                                             Akron, OH -Homeowners who think its normal for their dryer to take more than one cycle to dry clothes -- think again.  Lint accumulation or blockage in the vent is a known cause of dryers running inefficiently, says Gary Collins, Dryer Vent Wizard, (DVW), Dry Clothes, Safe Homes of Avon Lake, the largest chain of dryer vent specialists in the U.S.   "While consumers are becoming more aware of the need to conserve energy, they are still unaware that yearly dryer and dryer vent maintenance will help cut energy consumption and bills," says Collins.  The average home spends about $1900 on energ... 08/16/2008

We all have hot buttons.  Some of us more than others!  I was wondering what are some of the Hot Buttons of a FSBO.  What words or phrases are they expecting me to say when I approach them.  I know the obvious, they want me to Sell their home quick or what can I do better than them(FSBO) !  I'm tracking all of my FSBO responses for the next 30 days.  I'm probably going to find out that many of their responses are the same.  I will take these responses and build from them, overcome the blow to my ego.  I'm gonna learn how to use my savvy skills and out smart the smart ones and get that listing!  I'm gonna shoot for the sky in gaining insight to the FSBO fear of a REALTOR!  Do anyone find this class of folks difficult to do business with or is it just me? 08/14/2008

As we enter the "dog days" of summer, there are still plenty of activities to keep all of us busy and occupied here in beautiful Akron, and Summit County, Ohio. Arts / Theatre / Music 8/12/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/12/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 8/12/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 8/12/2008 Firestone Park Concert City of Akron Recreation Bureau 8/12/2008 The Bedtime Snack Radio Show (featured event) Mountain Rose Concerts 8/13/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/13/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 8/13/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 8/13/2008 Cascade Plaza Concert City of Akron Recreation Bureau 8/13/2008 Music in the Medow Cuyahoga Valley National Park 8/13/2008 We... 08/12/2008

The Ohio Canal was originally created in the early 1800's to transport goods, and materials North from Lake Erie all the way South across the state of Ohio to the Ohio River. It was completely hand dug, with the aid of farm animals. It was fed with water from the Cuyahoga, and Tuscarawus Rivers, (which run beside it much of it's length).    Many Canal Boats traversed the canal, being pulled by mule or oxen, using ropes to pull the heavy boats down the canal from the adjacent towpath.  The boats had to go through many different locks, as the surrounding terrain changed.    The Canal became obsolete in the late 1800's, early 1900's as steam powered railways took over.       Today, most all of the locks are gone, except for their concrete moorings, but most of the canal still has water, a... 08/07/2008

For a town to make the list, Best Life's editors took into consideration a family's desires to; raise their children somewhere safe, good schools, good test scores, fair budgets and taxes, museums, parks, activities, quality health care and affordable, good housing! Good 'ol Akron, Ohio made the list at 47, not bad. I recognize many cities as home for many of my friends on ActiveRain, also. Congratulations. THE LIST................... 1      Honolulu, Hawaii Schools spend almost $9,000 per pupil, unemployment ranks less than half the national average, and you can play on the island of O'ahu's 125 beaches.2      Virginia Beach, Virginia3      Billings, Montana4      Columbus, Georgia5      San Diego, California6      Des Moines, Iowa7      Minneapolis, Minnesota8      Madison, Wisconsin ... 08/07/2008

Have you all seen Akron, Ohio in the news this last two weeks?? Let's see how a small town can dominate the news for 2 Weeks. We had the All-American Soap Box Derby and Parade.  We had the NFL Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremonies. National TV!  We had the First Pre-Season NFL Football Game. The Redskins and The Colts! National TV! We had the Bridgestone World Golf Championship at Firestone Country Club. National TV! We had Twins Day in Twinsburg, Ohio. Draws thousands to NE Ohio. And Summer is not over, here is our schedule for the next 2 weeks. Enjoy! rts / Theatre / Music 8/5/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 8/5/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 8/5/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 8/5/2008 Firestone Park Concert City of Akron Recreatio... 08/05/2008

Today I saw this story - "Angry Landlord Posts 'Drugs & Sex for Sale 24/7' Sign"  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,396601,00.html Homeowners have been struggling with this for years in West Akron, and many finally lost the battle. We have a lot of vacant homes that are deteriorating and being vandalized. The owners can't continue to put money in them. No one wants to rent the houses, and no one wants to buy them at even a fraction of the value, because of the unsavory condition of the neighborhood. It's not the greatest situation to be in because there are so many factors the owners cannot control - one can't just pull up by their own bootstraps. It's complex. I would like to help be a part of resolving this problem in the Akron area. I'm not unrealistic - I know it won't all go away... 08/03/2008

Akron has lost a son and a great peoples politician. I wish we had this type of man serving on our behalf today. The world would be a better place. Congressman John F. Seiberling has passed away. He was a great American hero and many of you may be benefiting from his vision and not know it. In his 16 years in Congress, Mr. Seiberling helped draft more than 60 parks-related bills, including one that established Ohio's first national park, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which sits between Akron and Cleveland. His passion for preserving our great national heritage spread from Ohio to Alaska. He was a conservationist before we even had a word or movement for it. He did not hear he was "green" until many years later. And he did it without fanfare or bickering. His non-partisan approach ... 08/03/2008

Does your town have THIS much to do? And this is just for the next week in beautiful Akron and Summit County, Ohio. Of course, The Bridgestone World Golf Championship is the biggest event this week. Even without Tiger, it should be exciting and captivating with a world wide audience focusing on our town Akron, Ohio and the gorgeous Firestone Country Club, one of the most challenging courses in Pro Golf. Enjoy and spend time with your families while the weather rocks! Arts / Theatre / Music 7/29/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 7/29/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 7/29/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 7/29/2008 AristoCats & Go, Dog. Go! Weathervane Playhouse 7/29/2008 Firestone Park Concert City of Akron Recreation Bureau 7/30/2008 Sm... 07/29/2008

                                                      Akron City Council, this week, approved a resolution to adopt a program initiated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is called the Dollar Homes program and means that foreclosed government homes can be bought by an approved government entity for $1.00. The homes, depending on condition, will be razed or rehabilitated for resale. These re-habbed or new homes will be made available at reduced market value to low or moderate income families.  This will greatly help the housing market by removing blighted, vacant homes that are eyesores and reducing home values in Akron's neighborhoods. It will also create opportunities for many people to become home owners and realize a big part of the American Dream.  Eight hom... 07/23/2008

Can you believe that summer is half over already? There is still plenty to do in Summit County and Akron, Ohio before our first snowfall. Stay active, stay entertained and stay informed! Arts / Theatre / Music 7/22/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 7/22/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 7/22/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 7/22/2008 Beatlemania Twinsburg Public Library 7/22/2008 Summer Symphonic Band School of Music 7/23/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 7/23/2008 Bill Brandt: Shadows/Substance Akron Art Museum 7/23/2008 Smells Like Teen Spirit Akron Art Museum 7/23/2008 Weekly dance and lessons Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 7/24/2008 Art of Arthur & Lucia Matthews Akron Art Museum 7/24/2008 Smells Like Tee... 07/22/2008

In June, a mission group from The Chapel in Akron went to Juarez, Mexico to build homes with Casas Por Cristo. The Chapel group built two homes in a week. More than 20 teams from other churches and groups came, and built 23 homes during this week. I've never built a home, but my daughter has with her team! The team really poured their hearts into their work on this mission trip. No complaints, not much rest - great results. Compare the completed home to where you live...makes you think about how blessed we are with the lives we have...   These pictures tell the story of our group of students who battled heat, language barrier, fatigue and inexperience to come and show the love of God to a family.     Before the trip, we learned that there had been murders in Juarez, involving decapitat... 07/16/2008

No matter your tastes or preferences,There's plenty to do again this month in July in Summit County and Akron, Ohio! July is a very historic month and here is a little that went on in July, some good, the Moon, and some not so good. like the first train robbery!! On July 15th, 1916 the Boeing Company was founded in Seattle, Washington   The first parking meters were installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on July 16th, 1935.   Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California on July 17th, 1955.   Nadia Comaneci, a 14 year old Romanian gymnast earned the first perfect score in the Olympics on July 18th, 1976. Nadia went on to score six more tens and won three gold medals.   Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was the first to use the two finger "V is for Victory" sign on July 19th, 1941.   Neil A... 07/15/2008

I am a developer and I have been looking at a few home builders and this is the first home builder I have found to offer to make my payments for a year. They are a local and now that I am researching them a growing national builder called Schumacher Homes. Their homes and models are beautiful and when I compare their features to other builders it seems the price per square foot is very reasonable. This is one of the sites I found and I clicked view current promotions, Schumacher Homes. I am finding a lot of good things about them so I think I am going to go talk to them. I will let you know what I find or post back any experiences you have had. 07/14/2008

In our local homes section of the Akron Beacon Journal, I read the best article on giving back that I have seen lately. The City of Akron has just announced a program that provides FREE lawn care services for military families in Akron Ohio that find themselves struggling because their loved one is serving our country overseas! As we all know, lawn care and landscaping can be quite a chore. Just imagine your loved one is not home to take care of all the hard work. This program steps up to the plate to help these great families with their sacrifice. With the help of volunteers, neighbors and landscapers these families can maintain their green spaces. Just one more thing off their minds. How wonderful! To date, Project EverGreen has signed up more than 6,000 military families and over 1,3... 07/13/2008