Panel speaks to Leadership Akron about the importance of volunteering

Being a community leader and volunteer entails more than just showing up and putting in hours, said Betty Dalton, who recently spoke to the current class of Leadership Akron.

In fact, one should take a community leadership position as seriously as his or her job. And those who do will be paid back in dividends, said Dalton, a former Akron Public Schools board president and local philanthropist. “Akron is a giving community; it’s a remarkable place to live.”

Dalton was one of four past winners of the Polsky Humanitarian Award who conducted a panel presentation on community involvement and volunteerism for the current class of Leadership Akron.  The group spoke at Stan Hywet Hall, and offered a wide range of advice and ideas.

Akron-based Packard Institute hits the trail June 11

Working with adolescents who have substance abuse problems can be an arduous journey for any practitioner. But Raynard Dean Packard’s recovery space will encompass mountains, winding trails and wildlife rather than plush couches and doctors.

Packard, CEO and director of Akron nonprofit counseling agency the Packard Institute, and his recovery group of adolescents and young adults will hike the Appalachian Trail starting June 11, an excursion that celebrates the transitions of the young participants.

“By transitions, I mean staying clean and sober could be one,” said Packard. “But we have other kids who are overcoming some astonishing barriers in life, whether it’s poverty or abuse within the family or post traumatic stress disorder, or a combination of these things.”

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.

City hosts ribbon-cutting to celebrate the Village at New Seasons

The site at the corner of Vernon Odom Boulevard and Hawkins Avenue sat vacant for years, collecting trash and graffiti. Now, the space houses the Village at New Seasons, a new $11.4 million complex with senior living apartments, retail space and a health center.

The city recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the development.

The more than 115,000-square-foot facility was developed through the combined efforts of the House of the Lord, who owns the land; the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation; Testa Companies; and Summa Health System, among other investors.

Educating young women of the Akron area to listen openly, evaluate wisely, speak bravely, lead justly and serve compassionately has been the mission of Our Lady of the Elms High School since its inception in 1923.

The school was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, New Jersey when they purchased Elm Court (located on West Market Street) from Arthur Hudson Marks. The mansion on the grounds became the convent, and the first project of the Sisters was to open a school. Opening on Oct. 15, 1923, 15 girls in grades one through 12 attended school at the convent, thus beginning the Elms’ legacy.

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.

Make the most of your 15 Year First Night Akron button long after the New Year is old news. Enjoy free admission to these great Akron venues and events when you show your 15 Year button.

One of a Kind Pet Rescue recently hosted a “Sneak Peek” Open House for its new 9,000 square foot, state-of-the-art adoption center and retail outlet at 1929 W. Market St. For the past five years, One of a Kind Pets has operated its adoption and retail center out of a retail store front located on one side of a gas station at the intersection of West Market Street and Hawkins Avenue in Akron.

MOMS Club of Akron-West will hold its annual preschool fair at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, January 13 from 4:30 to 6:30pm. The fair will showcase preschool programs in and around the west side of Akron including Fairlawn, Copley and Bath. The fair is open to all parents and caregivers. Preschool representatives will be on hand to describe their programs and explain the registration process.

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.