Supporting local small businesses and artisans will be more of a priority than in the past among many shoppers, with the goal of helping struggling small businesses and artisan friends stay afloat amid the pandemic’s economic strain. With safety at the forefront of all of our minds, three regional market organizers have collaborated to create a comprehensive shopping … [Read more...]
Community Tool Library offers home improvement access for residents
The Well CDC, a place-based community development corporation devoted to the Middlebury neighborhood, has launched Akron’s first Community Tool Library, which offers more than 500 tools available for a nominal fee – particularly for Middlebury residents, but also available to the Greater Akron area. In a long-forgotten neighborhood with little to no focus on … [Read more...]
Mustard Seed Highland Square reopens cafe
Mustard Seed Market & Cafe has reopened its Highland Square café. In an effort to create the safest environment possible, the company has transitioned away from the past traditional café model to a “touch-less” experience. In addition to the café following the state and CDC guidelines for food service, patrons will now order from their mobile phones and receive their … [Read more...]
Boys & Girls Clubs open doors to area students who are learning virtually
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio (BGCNEO) is providing in-person help for kids in digital-only education environments by creating at least 11 school-day learning centers in Clubs across the region, including the Steve Wise Club in Akron. Jeff Scott, BGCNEO’s president and CEO, said the organization has opened ClubSmart Learning Centers in Cleveland, Lorain County, … [Read more...]
UA School of Art exhibit offers photographic response to current events
In solidarity with recent world and domestic issues, the Emily Davis Gallery’s new exhibit, “Bearing Witness: A Response to Current Events by Regional Photographers,” investigates the topics of social justice, pride, police brutality and a world pandemic impacting lives of essential workers and those at home. “Bearing Witness” is available for viewing through Oct. 9 at the … [Read more...]
Stan Hywet cancels 54th Annual Ohio Mart due to coronavirus
Ohio Mart, scheduled for Oct. 1 through 4, at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Presented by Stan Hywet's Auxiliary Board, this would have been the 54th annual year of the fall artisan festival. All components of the weekend have been canceled, with the exception of “Inspiration in Bloom,” which will go on as planned in the Manor … [Read more...]
Social service, education, arts organizations launch free digital class series
Service and cultural organizations have banded together to produce a digital workshop series, taught by professional artists, to residents in Summit County. Running weekly starting in August, two separate digital classes will launch, including Aging is an Art Form, hosted by Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, and Live From the Living Room: … [Read more...]
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream cools taste buds, connects with community
This article is part of a series on local businesses. Bruce Hill is a strong believer in bringing families together to enjoy ice cream. Not only is the business he owns, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Stow, a community gathering place for families, baseball teams and even pets, it is also a place that caters to people who are allergic or intolerant of dairy or added sugar. … [Read more...]
Area runners, organizations band together for community, common fitness goal
When the first two races of the Akron Children’s Hospital Akron Marathon Race Series, the National Interstate 8k & 1 Mile and the Goodyear Half Marathon & 10k were canceled, key members of the Akron running community rallied together to ensure those focusing on their fitness goals had an outlet to continue their race training—and the Akron Running Project was … [Read more...]
Akron Civic Theatre was born out of 1918 flu pandemic, plans to survive COVID-19
The fear of an invisible enemy stalked all of humanity during the 1918 flu pandemic, and Akron was not spared. Only after killing between 25 and 50 million people worldwide did the enemy seem to disappear, but the fear still lingered for years among residents as many businesses, especially those in the entertainment and service industry, struggled to survive. In 1919, an … [Read more...]
