Many of us have creative endeavors that accompany our day jobs, but the biggest obstacle to creating may not be lack of time, but rather a wealth of distractions in our everyday life. The upcoming Side Project Sessions seeks to address this issue, offering local creatives a distraction-free work zone, with a little bit of productive peer pressure thrown into the mix, says … [Read more...]
Musicians ‘busk for bus passes’ to help area homeless Feb. 23
When he was homeless, Clyde Hensley remembers being drunk and passed out on the railroad tracks, at a true low point, when a Salvation Army pastor pulled him up and led him on a new path of sobriety, which now includes a roof over his head. Hensley now makes it his mission to help others. The songwriter will take part in the “Busking For Bus Passes” event Saturday, … [Read more...]
Local sheroes band together, record song for Akron Women’s March
‘She Bends the River’ will benefit Jan. 19 event The upcoming Akron Women’s March, Saturday, Jan. 19, will uplift the many strong women, non-binaries and allies in the community, while drawing attention to ending violence and discrimination against these groups. To help support the event, a group of acclaimed singers and songwriters have created a new song to celebrate the … [Read more...]
Bikes and Brews celebrates Kenmore Boulevard connection to Towpath Trail, bike-friendly repaving
City and neighborhood leaders are looking to a new restriping and repaving project on Kenmore Boulevard to provide a safer experience for bicyclists and other travelers, along with a connection between the (Kenmore) business district and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail at Summit Lake. Boulevard Bikes & Brew, Saturday, Sept. 22, will help celebrate this transition … [Read more...]
Stoney Pointe Commons offers housing, services for area homeless
A new 68-unit housing development on Vernon Odom Boulevard will offer hope for residents facing homelessness. Stoney Pointe Commons, located near Romig Road, offers permanent supportive housing, which pairs housing with case management, counseling and other services, for people who are chronically homeless, along with those with disabilities. The project was spearheaded by … [Read more...]
North Akron Market seeks vendors, performers
Now that the North Akron Market is up and running, the planners are seeking more vendors and musicians for this weekly opportunity. John Ughrin, executive director of the North Akron Community Development Corp., says the nonprofit, along with help from the Exchange House Akron and other partners, has built enclosed stalls for entrepreneurs seeking to sell their goods, whether … [Read more...]
Mindfulness in the classroom: Is meditation a key to behavioral success?
A quiet classroom can be a refreshing sound for any teacher, but a mindful classroom, while also quiet, could carry a host of benefits for teachers, students, and even parents. Eden Koz, a meditation instructor and owner of Just Be, says her work with local schools has yielded success. And implementation ranges from “quiet time” for children during morning announcements to a … [Read more...]
County officials, safety forces, students celebrate launch of Police & Fire Community Engagement Fund
Held by Akron Community Foundation, fund will help safety forces better engage with neighborhoods -- When Akron Police Officer Lloyd Ford wanted to conduct community outreach, like buying a pizza for neighborhood kids, he would often pay for these activities with money from his own pocket. Ford, whose situation was common among members of the local safety forces, was the … [Read more...]
William Nu’utupu Giles: Reclaiming culture through spoken word
William Nu'utupu Giles never knew what a Samoan poet looked like until he became one. Growing up, did not see himself represented in the arts. Polynesian men are encouraged to either join the military or seeking out football scholarships, says Giles, who recently visited Akron as part of an international tour. Along with leading an event at Summit Artspace that featured a … [Read more...]
New York saxophonist, composer puts heart, personal experience into latest album – #MusicMonday
Caroline Davis performs at BLU Jazz April 19 -- Saxophonist and songwriter Caroline Davis is an award-winning artist who has toured the world and shared the stage with jazz legends, and her approach to music often incorporates other distinct disciplines, like psychology and investigative journalism. Yet her music is easily accessible despite its complexity. “I believe … [Read more...]
