Consumers looking for deals in and around the Akron area and businesses wanting to tender their goods and services to make that happen have a nice outlet in which to do so: Save Local Now ($LN), a mobile app offered by the Greater Akron Chamber.

"We're always looking for ways to add value for our chamber members," said Chad Hamman, vice president of membership for the chamber. "And consumers can download the app for free to find out where there's deals."

Save Local Now is only available for Greater Akron Chamber members and comes at no additional cost. When a business joins the chamber the app is included in part of its annual membership dues.

Consumers can download the $LN app, available for iPhone and Android devices, at www.akron.savelocalnow.com or visit the iTunes store and Google Play.

At one point or another many have witnessed boorish behavior during a business luncheon. And the fact that an attendee may be wearing a silk tie with perfectly shined shoes does not guarantee that same individual won’t also be piling a dozen shrimp cocktail and a half-pound of Swedish meatballs on his tiny hors d’oeuvre plate. While chatting on his cell phone.

“Only seven percent of what we do is verbal,” says Robert Pacanovsky, “The other 93 percent is non-verbal communication.” Obviously appearances do matter. A lot. And Pacanovsky emphasized that during his “Art of the Meal” presentation to members of the Greater Akron Chamber’s Young Professionals Network.

The thrust of Pacanovsky, who owns Robert J. Events & Catering and Robert J. Training & Design, was to educate these folks about dining etiquette.

Bill Manby to lead Service Club as it moves to the Portage Country Club for weekly meetings

As autumn arrives, the Rotary Club of Akron is seeing changes in its leadership and its meeting location. William “Bill” Manby, Jr., a lifetime resident of West Akron and a graduate of Firestone High School, has been handed the gavel to lead the club during 2012-13.

Manby, an Akron resident, is the CEO of Paradigm Equity Strategies, located in the Merriman Valley, and is a partner in the Akron-area venture capital firm, Acquire Wealth Advisory Group. Manby has been married to Suzanne Manby for 16 years and has three children, Ashton (11), Greyson (9) and Tatum (5).

During a regular August meeting of the club, Manby laid out his aggressive plans for the service organization during his term as president. Citing an annual theme of “Get engaged. Be inspired.” he outlined expected growth in all Akron Rotary’s avenues of service while stating that communication will be a top priority.

Free game tokens among perks for startup contributors

Remember the days of the arcade, where kids carried handfuls of quarters to each machine, competing for the high score on Donkey Kong, Centipede or Galaga? David DiDomenico does, and he’s working to launch a local classic-style arcade, with video games, skeeball, pool and possibly a restaurant and bar.

“Growing up every kid wants to do something,” said DiDomenico. “I wanted to work in an arcade. We don’t have an old-fashioned classic arcade in town anywhere.”

DiDomenico, who’s also director of the Waters Park Renewal Society in North Akron, has started an Indiegogo page to try to raise startup money for the Rubber City Arcade, which could serve as a meeting place and offer young people and families a fun alternative for local entertainment.