Girls living in Akron will have a unique opportunity to help shape the direction of their city, with the launch of the Girltopia program. Joining is easy and FREE.

GIRLtopia: Akron will kick-off on Sept. 15 with 75 Akron girls in grades 6-12 learning persuasive speaking, planning and networking – skills that will prepare them to complete 'Take Action' projects and become the women leaders of tomorrow.

"Girl Scouts have been committed to serving their communities for 100 years," said Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Chief Executive Officer Daisy L. Alford-Smith, Ph.D. "When you enlist help from girls who have a vested interest in the future of the city where they live, they will become engaged and feel empowered to make a difference."

The City of Akron Recreation Bureau is participating in the Summer Food Service Program by providing meals to all eligible youth (18 years and under) and summer day camp programs that meet the income guidelines for reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program.

Children who are part of households that receive foods stamps or benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

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Summit County Children Services will host a free foster care and adoption information meeting at the Northwest Akron Branch Library, 1720 Shatto Ave., April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.

As of the end of February, 75 children in agency custody were waiting to be adopted -- and of those, 61 were age 12 and older. Residents who attend the information meeting will learn more about foster care and adoption, including what and how long the process is, what kind of support is provided by the agency and the costs involved with adopting a child.

Agency staff will also share basic information about the children coming into care, and guests will view the agency's recruitment DVD that features children in permanent custody who are waiting to be adopted. This event is free and open to the entire community and reservations are not needed.  For information, call (330) 379-1994 or visit www.summitkids.org.

A Halloween event this weekend at the Akron Dog Park will offer games, prizes and a costume contest for canines.

The Howl-O-Ween festival and fundraiser takes place Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Akron Dog Park, 499 Memorial Parkway, and is free and open to the public. Along with baked goods and raffle prizes, the event also features games and contests for humans and their four-legged companions, like a costume contest category for "Best Human and Dog Combo."

Other dog costume categories include "Most Scary, Most Funny" and "Best Overall." Vendors also will be on-hand, as well as the Akron Police Department's K9 Unit.

Akron Inner City Soccer Club has received a $10,000 grant from Akron Community Foundation, which will support thr group's fifht annual free soccer camps in Akron, to take place for five weeks during the 2012 summer.

The group also announces that more than 800 young people and their parents, representing 27 teams, participated in 41 games in Akron Inner City Soccer Club’s Second Annual Akron Unity Soccer Tournament in August at the Copley Road Complex in Akron. Teams travelled as far away as Willard, Ashland, Parma and Cleveland to experience soccer in a tournament atmosphere.

Attention nonprofits: if you want to make an impact on your donors and with your planned giving programs, it helps to be edgy, said Viken Mikaelian, founder of plannedgiving.com.

Some nonprofits center their missions on emotional stories and issues, and Mikaelian recommends shaking up the potential donor a bit, using anger, empathy or other emotions to stir up passion for your organization.

“You’ve got to have an edge in your marketing,” said Mikaelian, who also has published “Planned Giving Tomorrow,” a marketing resource for planned giving geared toward nonprofit and fundraising professionals. “The more you push, the more you are going to pull.”

The Summit County Health District will spray for mosquitos on Copley Road and West Akron Aug. 3, and in Northwest Akron and in the Merriman Valley Aug. 4. Spraying will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. and continue until completed. In the event of bad weather, the spray schedule may be modified. according to city officials.

Residents may also take personal safety precautions to protect against mosquitoes. They can wear light-colored clothing, long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes, stay indoors during dawn and dusk hours, keep window and door screens in good condition, and use repellents that contain Picaridin or DEET. The amount of DEET in a repellent should be 30 percent or less for adults and 10 percent for children.

Anyone with questions or concerns may call at (330) 923-8856.

Little infielders, outfielders, pitchers and catchers will be lined up on South Main Street this Saturday for the annual All American Baseball and Softball Parade in downtown Akron.

Leagues from around the city -- Goodyear Heights, North Akron, Ellet, Kenmore, West Akron Little League and West Akron Baseball League -- will send a total of 1,200 youngsters to parade down Main Street and be cheered on by family and fans Saturday morning beginning at 11 a.m..

The route begins at Cedar and Main streets, heads north on Main to Bowery and then west on Bowery to finish at Lock 4.

Neighbors who know one another better tend to build safer overall neighborhoods, according to the city of Akron, which encourages each area to promote their own event for the fifth annual Neighbors Day. The celebration takes place May 28, Memorial Day weekend, and centers around residents getting to know their neighbors better.

This year's theme is Living Together Better: 5 Years of Strengthening Neighborhoods. Once residents decide their preferred activity,  city officials encourage organizers to choose a location, adding they may want to host it on their porch, front yard or driveway. Neighbors Day Akron is designed to help residents get to know one another, especially those in closest proximity.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve will renovate 3,800 square feet of the Joy Park Community Center into dedicated club space for homework and programs, an art and music room, game room, technology lab, and teen lounge.

The announcement, made by Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic and teen representatives of current Boys & Girls Club members on Monday, is the result of a lead gift from the LeBron James Family Foundation and a partnership with the City of Akron. The Joy Park Community Center is located at 825 Fuller St. in Akron.