Submissions accepted through May 17

Ohio’s neighbor to the northwest, Detroit, proved a catalyst for area professionals with the city’s Emerging Leaders to launch the My Akron initiative.

Kimberly Beckett, director of business relations for the Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP), says of My Akron, “It’s a way to engage the younger demographic to get involved in downtown.”

Still in its infancy and founded in March 2013, My Akron allows participants to weigh in with, “What would you like to see downtown?” by submitting small project proposals to enhance downtown, Beckett says.

A long dining table during lunch time in a Highland Square home is invitingly set with with a big bowl of mixed greens in the center. A heaping plate of freshly grilled chicken and other salad toppings in bowls of shredded cheeses, olives, vegetables and dressings surround it, along with hearty, grain breads and fruity preserves.

Evelyn “Evey” Williams says a blessing while five of her nine children and her husband Michael bow their heads. The table conversation is at first a low whirr, like an airliner idling on a tarmac. But then, after bread is broken, it takes off full throttle down the runway, with laughter, shrieks and gentle ribbing among siblings.

With Mother’s Day approaching, the Williams household recently spent time sharing what’s it’s like to be a part of a large family whose mom wears enough hats to make a milliner blush.

With warmer weather having arrived — and hopefully with no further interruption of a cold flashback — folks young and old will be strapping on their helmets and biking down the area’s many bike paths.

And for those in the market for a ride, the Akron Police Department will provide an opportunity, as it has done for more than 30 years, to purchase one at its annual public bike auction.

The event is free, open to the public and will take place May 18 at 1085 Sweitzer Ave. (corner of East Miller and Sweitzer avenues).

There are two terms that easily may strike fear in any individual: hospice services and palliative care. In part, the former certainly signals finality, that a life will be ending, the latter that there may be pain or side effects to be managed, among other things.

Some patients may start with palliative care and progress to hospice while others are placed straight into a hospice setting. And along the way, some may have the luxury of close friends and family to comfort them during their journey. But try to imagine there are others who do not, who have to go it alone, save for the medical staff overseeing their care.

Sickness and dying creates a host of challenges emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and of course physically, not only just for the patient but for the loved ones in the peripheral as well. And although it would be comforting, and frankly, ideal, for both patients and their loved ones dealing with mortality to know that there will be a strong support system in place, unfortunately, that's not always the case.

About five to six times a year at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, a group of individuals gathers in its sprawling 85,000-square-foot warehouse to help pack meals for the area's hungry. And they do it all during their free time. This group called CORE was started last year by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank (ACRFB) and affords its participants a twofold benefit.

The volunteers not only have the reward of giving back to their community by helping to further ACRFB's mission but the opportunity to network with other young professionals as well. CORE was "created to broaden the engagement of young leaders in our community," said Kat Pestian, communications coordinator for ACRFB.

"The foodbank wanted a space for people to see the tangible difference they make by volunteering, and at the same time, connect to other leaders who deeply care about our community."

Most are familiar with the term "serving the greater good," the basic idea being when someone or something greatly impacts on a positive and substantial level. And United Way would like to honor those individuals who have done as much with its 2nd Annual Pinnacle Awards of Summit County.

"It's a way to recognize businesses and individuals in this community who do a great job in the rapidly growing area of corporate social responsibility," said Michael Gaffney, United Way's vice president of marketing and communications.

Nominations are being accepted through May 31, 2013 at United Way's website by visiting www.uwsummit.org.

It's always nice to give back to one's community whether with hands-on service or monetarily. And for those women who have the time and financial resources to do both, the United Way, since 2003, has graciously acknowledged them annually during its Power of the Purse luncheon, during which time the agency presents its Barbara Mathews Woman Philanthropist of the Year Award.

Currently, the United Way is seeking nominations through April 26 for the philanthropy award. Nominees must live or work in Summit County and part of their philanthropy must include a yearly gift to the United Way.

"The award was established to recognize the special efforts of women who have made an impact in our community through their philanthropy and service to organizations and initiatives that improve lives," said Beth Boggins, United Way's senior director of major gifts.

Once again, bunker boots, batons, stethoscopes and vault codes will be set aside as firefighters, policemen, physicians, bankers and businessmen don an apron for the 13th Annual Men Who Cook.

Sponsored by Summa Health System, the culinary event will play out April 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph's Family Center (610 W. Exchange Street). All of the proceeds will benefit Summa Screens, which provides free cancer screenings and education to the underinsured and uninsured.
And this year's theme is Hooray for Hollywood!

Autism remains ever elusive and on so many fronts, and although progress had been made with this extraordinarily complex disability, it is to a certain extent treatable, but, "We don't know what causes it, there is no cure, and it's a lifelong disability," said Laurie Cramer, director of the Autism Society of Greater Akron. "Now, it's the fastest developmental disability in the country, truly an epidemic."

According to the National Institutes of Health, "Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior."

Cramer and her husband Gregg, who have a 10-year-old son Robbie, know firsthand about autism when their oldest son, Philip, now 12, was diagnosed at age three.

A steady snow was accompanying a large group of visitors walking along Locks 1-4 in downtown Akron. The cold, sleety weather seemed an appropriate backdrop, though some would say unwelcome, on March 25, a supposed spring day, for the gathering.

It was 100 years before that Mother Nature, with all of her unpredictable might and volatility, wreaked havoc with a treacherous flood that devastated not only Akron, but all of Ohio and 14 other states.

Pat Rydquist, a naturalist with Metro Parks, and the Summit County Historical Society hosted a free hike along the downtown towpath for more than 75 people who gathered to commemorate the Great Flood of 1913, which brought an end to the locks of the Ohio & Erie Canal.