Reading specialist visits St. Paul of Akron Elementary School in Firestone Park

Sandra Philipson has an obvious passion for teaching. Although not her chosen profession in the classic sense of “being a teacher," Philipson has spent much of the past 12 years visiting more than 450 schools, where she reaches out to children with a variety of writing workshops. She is a reading specialist and literary consultant with an impressive background in the education and publishing fields.

The Firestone Park Home & Garden Club isn’t just another casual group of gardeners with dirty fingernails. The club, established in 2001, is a social group that places importance on camaraderie as well as chrysanthemums. Club President Linda Benson emphasized that "home" is an important part of both the name of the club and the underlying focus of activities. Under the direction of Hospitality Coordinator Teresa Alexoff, the refreshment table became a smorgasbord of home cooking. Hot shredded beef with noodles and homemade strawberry fudge were just two of the tasty choices generous members made available this month.

Dewayne Wheeler is frustrated. A convicted felon who has paid his debt to society, Wheeler has fallen upon hard times, and all he really wants to do is find a job and earn an honest wage. However, he cannot find work and is homeless and depressed. Wheeler was able to vent some of his concerns to Deputy Mayor David Lieberth at a virtual town hall at the Akron-Summit County Public Library’s downtown main library on Wednesday.

A current resident at the Haven of Rest shelter, Wheeler has had problems navigating the system and said he feels alienated from the community. He said has had to panhandle and live on the street as merely a means to an end.

As a retired Akron police officer, John Bailey has seen his share of criminal activity. Much of this activity is the result of repeat offenders with tumultuous backgrounds, some stretching as far back as childhood. Now, as a part-time deputy with the Juvenile Diversion Program, Bailey spends his time working with teens that have put themselves on that same dangerous path, helping them turn their lives around.

Dec. 3

Firestone Park Citizens Council today presented the annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Ceremony for members of the local community at the Firestone Park Community Center and Park.

The entry fee for the event was a donation of canned goods, which were collected by Laurice and Steve Ball, co-treasurers of the Citizens Council. Food donations will go to a local food pantry.

While the city focuses on job growth and creation, a recent study asserts that attention should be given to passion and love of place instead.

Social offerings, aesthetics and openness are more critical to residents than basic services and economy, according to a three-year Gallup study of Akron in coordination with the Knight Foundation.