The Akron Racers and 95.5 the Fish and Salem Communications will team up to bring Morning Show host Len Howser and the Fish promotional team to Firestone Stadium for Opening Day June 7, as the Akron Racers play host to the newly formed Carolina Diamonds.

“I look forward to introducing FISH listeners to Racers softball. As a dad with three daughters, fastpitch has been a big part of our family,” said Howser. “It doesn’t take long to fall in love with this sport. These girls earn your admiration and respect from the very first pitch. Lots of speed, skill and power. If you’ve never seen a 70 mph rise ball before you’ve got to come to a game!”

95.5 the Fish listeners will get to see Howser toss the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day for the Racers, and a Fish listener will get the opportunity to be the “Fish Fan of the Game” on June 7. Fans can enter the online contest at www.akronracers.org/home by visiting the ‘Fan Central’ tab.

The Akron Racers will host a coaching seminar May 28 at Firestone Stadium, the home of the Akron Racers, located in Akron. The seminar will provide instruction on how coaches can help their athletes improve their softball skills, knowledge and ability to execute through proper communications with their players.

Instructors are currently scheduled to be Akron Racers’ players Nicole Trimboli (outfielder/first base), Lisa Modglin (outfielder), Taylor Schlopy (outfielder) and Kristina Thorson (pitcher). More instructors may be announced as the seminar date approaches.

The Akron Racers now offers 2012 single game tickets for all 25 regular season home games. The Racers team will begin its 11th campaign in professional softball and its ninth season in National Pro Fastpitch with an exhibition game against the Northeast Ohio All-stars at June 4 at 7:05 p.m.

The 2012 regular season opener will take place at Firestone Stadium on June 7 as the Akron Racers host the newly formed Carolina Diamonds in a four game series.

With the first signs of spring and early sun shining down on the endeavors of one local woman, daring to make a difference, it was a good day. Julie Costell, owner of Ms. Julie's Kitchen -- a local, organic vegan restaurant -- is turning her dreams into a reality.

Costell started her newest endeavor this past Saturday, which left many passersby scratching their heads and doing double takes. It’s not every day that you see two large horses plowing the ground in the city. It didn’t take long for the word to spread and neighborhood children to come running out of their houses, watching from their porch steps, and shouting to others to take a look at what was going on.

Vehicles pulled over to the side of the road, and some even parked for the rare sight. One young boy was climbing a tree in his backyard, setting a leprechaun trap (it was St. Patrick’s Day after all), when he noticed the horses and came running over to take photos.

Just 26 days after placing the franchise tag on Nicole Trimboli, allowing the Akron Racers more time to discuss a contract, Racers’ President/GM Joey Arrietta announced today the two sides had struck a deal for the 2012 season.

Nicole Trimboli is one of the longest tenured players in National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). She began her career in 2004 with the Racers as a pick in the Supplemental Draft. After two seasons with the Racers, Trimboli moved on to the Chicago Bandits where she won a league championship in 2008 and was crown 2008 NPF Championship Series MVP. In 2010, Trimboli moved to the USSSA Florida Pride where she missed the entire 2010 season due to a broken leg she suffered before the season began.

Akron Racers’ General Manager Joey Arrietta took a step forward in an effort to solidify the Akron Racers infield by announcing the signing of University of Florida standout second baseman Aja Paculba.

Paculba comes to the Racers as a free agent after spending one season with the NPF Diamonds.

As the second baseman for the University of Florida, Paculba garnered several achievements including tying the UF softball record for longest hitting streak (16 games), career runs scored (188), on-base percentage (.459) and single-season records for runs (69), walks (49) and stolen bases (27).

Akron Racers’ GM Joey Arrietta recently announced the re-signing of 2010 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Pitcher of the Year, Lisa Norris, and 2011 All-NPF Pitcher Kristina Thorson, to the Racers 2012 roster.

“Thorson and Norris have been our two most dominant pitchers the last few seasons,” said Arrietta. “Our rotation is very solid with these two leading the way from the circle.”

Thorson appeared in 17 games and started 12 of them, which led her to seven complete games and an ERA of 2.12 with a record of 9-3. Thorson earned the most wins on the pitching staff and threw for 89.1 innings. Her 2.12 ERA was the best on the team. Thorson was named to the All-NPF team as a pitcher in 2011.

A group of Christmas elves flew into Akron a bit early to set up shop in downtown Akron. The clanking of wrenches and the ding of bells resonated like holiday carols, as a group of volunteers assembled bicycles that will be distributed to children in need throughout Greater Akron.

Elves & More of Northeast Ohio delivers approximately 1,000 bicycles to local children. The nonprofit’s goal is for every child in town to receive a gift at Christmas time. “And that gift is primarily bicycles,” said Brian Miner, one of the group’s co-founders.

The bicycle also is a symbolic gift to help underprivileged children connect with mentors and embark on a positive path. “What can they do with that bicycle? How can they can get connected to something larger than they may see every day in their neighborhood?” Miner asked.

Putting fresh, local, sustainably grown vegetables on the table of everyone in our community is the aim of an organization called City Fresh.

City Fresh is a Cuyahoga County nonprofit program of the New Agrarian Center that supports the creation of a sustainable local food system in Northeast Ohio. Founded by Brad Masi, the program was meant to address the needs of those who are most at-risk within our community.

The New Agrarian Center is committed to building a stronger and more sustainable regional food system in Northeast Ohio: a food system that promotes health in the broadest sense of the word -- healthy land, healthy communities, healthy individuals and a healthy economy.

Did you know that mushrooms are one of Mother Nature’s best-kept secrets to healthy living? It’s true. Mushrooms contain a great source of phosphorous, potassium, selenium and magnesium, which the body requires for healthy functioning.

It’s also true that mushrooms are 90 percent water, which means fewer calories and a smaller waistline.

These little morsels of natural goodness contain vitamin B, C and D, which means energy, immunity and healthy bones. All it takes is one light-exposed mushroom to provide the 100 percent recommended daily dosage of vitamin D. It’s also a fact that mushrooms are naturally low in sodium and are a great source of fiber. So, instead of eating a fiber bar for lunch just opt for a salad with mushrooms.