David Dean, president of the International Downhill Racing Association (IDRA), said "fast and furious fun" should be expected at the Akron Rubber City Gravity Games. And after looking at the schedule of events, I'd say he's correct.

The International Gravity Sports Association, the world sanctioning body for extreme gravity sports racing, will be sanctioning a "NorAm" stop in their series for this year with the Rubber City Gravity Games. The games will take place in front of thousands on Sept. 22 - 23 at Derby Downs in Akron. More than 150 athletes, ages 8 and up, are expected to compete in three main racing classes, Street Luge, Downhill Skateboarding and Slalom Skateboarding.

"The IGSA World Cup and NorAm ( North American ) series take place at various locations once event organizers have established a race that meets IGSA guidelines," Deans explained. "I have organized several IGSA World Cup events before coming on board with the IDRA in Akron, and with that long history as an organizer, I was able to approach the IGSA to gain NorAm sanctioning for our first Akron event."

The Akron Summit County Public Library presents a free three-month series "Questions about Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income."

The attorneys of Shifrin Newman Smith Inc. will present "Questions about Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income" on the first Tuesday of each month, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the downtown Main Library, Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St.

Attorneys from the law firm have represented disabled individuals before the Social Security Administration for over 30 years. An attorney will be available to answer general questions and inform disabled individuals of their rights.

Akron's downtown panorama on Sept. 15 would have made a postcard blush. Cottony clouds drifted across an unsettling, intense blue sky; the sun shone brilliantly allowing the skyline to shimmer. Towering above so fitting a backdrop was the stalwart 7-acre parcel of green space, Waters Park, which on that day in 1937 was dedicated by city officials.

The park, once the estate of Akron attorney Frank Hyde Waters who died in 1933, had fallen into disrepair with its scrubby, overgrown landscape, and has become a haven for vagrants to use as a crash pad.

In addition to celebrating the park's 75th birthday, it was also a day to enjoy the new landscaping and other upgrades the park has undergone since spring thanks to the efforts of the city and the Waters Park Renewal Society, a nonprofit community group founded by David DiDomenico.

The City of Akron will be administering police and fire examinations with the intent to hire approximately 40 new police officers and approximately 38 new firefighters.

The City recently received a $1.5 million COPS grant from a new federal program developed to promote the hiring of recent U.S. military veterans. This COPS grant is for the purpose of hiring of 12 veterans, over and above Akron's budgeted strength of 447. Veteran officers hired with COPS funds must have served at least 180 days of active military service, any part of which occurred on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

The last police entrance examination was given in 2008, with 17 new officers hired this year from that test. Four more officers will be taking the oath of office in the next two weeks.

Summa Western Reserve Hospital broke yet another blood donation record and exceeded donor expectations during its "Rumble at the Reserve III" Blood Drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross on August 23. With a record turnout of 281 employee and community donors this year, 224 usable pints of blood were collected – surpassing the initiative goal of 194 usable pints.

"There is no better way to show our entire staff's commitment to improving the health of our community," said Dr. Eric Espinal, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Summa Western Reserve Hospital. "Voluntarily taking the time and effort to help others is always extraordinary, and when we experience this level of involvement, it is truly amazing."

On Sept. 18 and Sept. 21 at Christ Is The Answer Ministries, the East South Street Neighborhood Watch and the church are providing free lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please contact Kathy Wilkins, the director of the program, for more information at 330- 375 -1623 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Christ Is The Answer Ministries is also looking for donations such as food or money, and volunteers for the program. The address of Christ Is The Answer Ministries is 379 E. South Street, Akron, Ohio.

The Women's Endowment Fund is partnering with local fitness instructor Jeananne Siegferth to support women and girls across greater Akron.

Siegferth is holding a Zumba benefit on Saturday, Sept. 22, the proceeds of which will support the fund's "For Women, Forever" endowment campaign . The campaign aims to raise $2.013 million by the fund's 20th anniversary in 2013. The goal is to nearly triple the fund's existing endowment, significantly increasing its grants to programs that keep women and girls healthy, protect them from violence, and help them achieve financial independence.

"Zumba focuses on helping people stay fit in a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere," said Kathy Booth, Women's Endowment Fund vice president. "It's the perfect way to support our mission of improving the mental and physical well-being of women and girls, which in turn benefits everyone in Summit County."

The Waters Park Renewal Society is celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Waters Park at 1 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 15.

Admission to the event is free, while Akron's Stray Dog Cart will provide hot dogs and other refreshments for sale. Frank Hyde Waters T-shirts, produced by North Hill's Yellow Jacket T-shirts, will be on sale for $10.

According to a recent article on the Akronist.com and the North Hill Akron website, The 7-acre park in North Akron was set into motion by Frank Hyde Waters, a prominent Akron prosecutor, in 1937. Waters had an affinity for nature and turned the land into a beautiful landscape. When he died, he donated his land for use as a tuberculosis clinic in memory of his wife and daughter. The park and playground uses were a contingency. Eventually, the city health commissioner officials decided to build out a park and playground.

We rely on police officers and firefighters to provide a sense of security in our lives, but where do the first responders go when they need that help?

The Safety Forces Chaplaincy Center provides confidential assistance, free of cost, for all safety personnel in Summit County. Services include counseling, support, education and law enforcement/safety forces advocacy.

Rev. Robert Denton, Ph. D, who is the pastor and executive director of Furnace Street Mission and Victim Assistance Program -- which offers support for victims of crime and tragedy, said the center started a few years ago when five deputies were on trial for the death of an inmate.

On Sept. 13, Akron Film+Pixel Night will feature seven local short films, Q&A with attending filmmakers and acclaimed indie videogames. The free program starts at the Akron Art Museum at 7 p.m. and moves on to Summit Artspace at 8:15 p.m., where free refreshments will be served.

"Our multi-day international film festival returns next year, but this year, we didn't want to miss the chance to showcase the cream-of-the-crop work we're seeing locally," said Steve Felix, executive director. "And we couldn't resist showing off two extremely fun and not-yet-released new games."