(Akron YMCA) All branches of the Akron Area YMCA in Summit and Medina counties are open. The 150-year old association, with the cause of “strengthening communities,” is taking a slow and steady approach to welcoming back members and inviting others to join their fitness centers, child care options and Camp Y-Noah activities.
While the Y operated (4) Pandemic Childcare Centers from March – May, the fitness and day camp side of the business remained closed, with staff assigned to duties of cleaning/disinfecting and preparing for the new normal of social distancing, temperature-taking and mask-wearing. Keeping everyone safe and healthy will be the number one goal for the future.
Today, the membership branches are open for limited hours, allowing for deep cleaning during closed times.
Weekdays 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays 8 a.m. – NOON
Closed SUNDAY
Lap swimming, walking tracks and fitness machines are open. Limited group exercise including water classes are offered at some locations. Family times for the indoor pools and gyms are open at some locations, with a reservation. Summer Day Camp options are open at some locations.
“We are taking a slow and steady approach to everything,” said Judi Christy, Director of Marketing and Communication for the Akron Area YMCA. “By piloting different options at different locations, we can better monitor the staffing, social distancing and safety measures that each of these unique offerings will require before re-introducing them to the whole Association. We want to be 100% certain that we can keep everyone healthy.”
Christy advises that people contact their local branch to find out what is offered. She said there is www.Akronymca.org, including contact information for each branch and child care option and camp, under the LOCATIONS section of the site.
Following is a list of the Akron Area YMCA branches.
Firestone Park YMCA
350 E. Wilbeth Road
Akron, Ohio 44301
Green Family YMCA
3800 Massillon Road
Uniontown, Ohio 44685
Kohl Family YMCA
477 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44304
Lake Anna YMCA
500 W. Hopocan Avenue
Barberton, Ohio 44203
Riverfront YMCA
544 Broad Blvd.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223
Wadsworth YMCA Community Center
823 School Drive
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281
David James Previews Different Overview of Akron Public Schools
Written by Tony MazurSummit County Health Commissioner Stresses Use of Masks
Written by Tony MazurThough it is July and the high temperatures have consistently been in the 80’s and 90’s, this Coronavirus continues to spread across most areas of the country. Donna Skoda is the health commissioner for Summit County Public Health, and she stressed the importance of cloth face masks and social distancing during this time. She also warned parents and grandparents that, though younger children may either show mild COVID-19 symptoms or none at all, they may still be carriers. Skoda also talked about some potential road blocks as far as testing down the pike, and she also shared information on contact tracing.
City Announces First Round of Rubber City Match Winners
Written by Ryan Lang(City of Akron) This week, Mayor Dan Horrigan announced the winners of the first two award levels ofRubber City Match, a new program that pairs emerging and existing businesses with the right resources to propel them forward to the next stage of growth. Rubber City Match includes four possible award levels, which include financial aid, design assistance, technical support, or curated matching with vacant retail properties in one of Akron’s Great Streets neighborhood business districts. The program has been designed to boost Akron’s neighborhood retail zones and remove barriers for new and expanding businesses to thrive locally.
Today, participants are being announced for the 2020 Rubber City Match Business Plan Award and Space Award.
Through the Business Plan Award, accepted business owners will receive free tuition to attendMORTAR at Bounce, a 15-week accelerator that helps both existing and aspiring non-tech entrepreneurs learn the nuances of business ownership and build a comprehensive business canvas; the goal being to launch businesses that create jobs and circulate dollars locally. Businesses receiving the Business Plan Award in 2020 include:
- Purple Butterfly Gallery & Event Center
- 2 Daughters Tea Company
- Kenmore Brew Works
- Cameron Blakey Art
- Clayton’s Laundry Service
Through the Space Award, accepted business owners will have the opportunity to be matched with top commercial properties in Akron and receive technical assistance from Bounce, the Minority Business Assistance Center, or the Small Business Development Center to help them choose their space. Enrolled businesses will also be eligible for micro-grants to have attorneys review their lease documents. Businesses receiving this award include:
- 7th Floor Clothing
- Addie’s Book Store
- All About That Face
- ArtSparks
- Bev Vicky Beauty Bar
- Bondage Breakers
- HomePro Windows Siding & More
- MPGlobal Connect
- Odd Duck Advertising
- Paragon Martial Arts & Fitness
- Shaboys
- Sip.Savor.Soul
Dion Millender, the owner of Shaboys, has been catering weddings, graduations, and private events for several years. Last year, as word of his quality cooking spread, he was able to quit his day job and focus full-time on his growing business. Now, he hopes Rubber City Match will help him fulfill his dream of opening a restaurant in Akron. “Akron is home,” Millender said. “I started my business here and I want to grow it here. I’m excited to meet the other participants, learn from new people, and take the next step toward opening my doors in my hometown.”
Mr. Millender will join the rest of the cohort in trying to find a match among the eleven buildings accepted into the program. Each building is located within one of Akron’sGreat Street Districts and is actively seeking a tenant. The City will provide participants with retail market analyses and opportunities to connect with neighborhood leaders to ensure their business is located in a place where it can succeed.
“The businesses enrolled in this program are representative of a national trend,” Heather Roszczyk, the City’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Advocate said. “Women of color are starting businesses at rates higher than any other demographic. And 80% of Rubber City Match participants identified as either a minority-owned business or a woman-owned business, and just over half of business owners identified as women of color.”
Rubber City Match is based on a successful program launched in Detroit in 2015, which has now served over 1,300 businesses and leveraged over $41 million in investment. As part of the program, winning businesses must agree to locate within the City of Akron for at least two years and demonstrate a benefit to the community. These steps aim to provide a catalyst for a booming local economy with thriving small businesses.
Business owners who find a match among the buildings can progress to the Design award level, beginning in September, and the Cash award level, in November, to compete for grants and loans to fund their project.
For more information on the program, please visitwww.rubbercitymatch.com.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-6-26-20 Featured
Written by Jeanne DestroThis week, more news about technology designed to help keep us safe from COVID-19, the first video game ever approved for kids with ADHD, big changes ahead for Apple, and a major Cyber attack in Australia.
Featured guests include Kent State University Architechture Professor, Dr. Adil Sharag-Eldon, on modifying HVAC systems to help stop the spread of COVID-19, Brian Cooley from CNET on using UV-light to sanitize subway trains, and Vicki Barker from CBS on the first ever video game that has been approved by the FDA for children with A-D-H-D.
We'll also be talking with Nate Meeker, who is the Director of Esports at the University of Akron, about how the MAC conference is now including video gaming to their roster of college sports.
Second Suspect in Na'kia Crawford Murder in Custody
Written by Ryan LangAkron Police say Jaion Bivins, 18, the second suspect in the murder of Na'kia Crawford, is in custody after turning himself in just after midnight Tuesday morning.
Bivins, of Akron, was wanted for more than a week on obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence charges connected to Na'kia's death back on Sunday, June 14th.
At about 1:25 p.m. that Sunday the 14th, Na'kia was shot several times while she sat in her car next to her grandmother at a stop light near East North Street and North Howard Street in Akron. The alleged shooter, 17-year-old Adarus Black, remains at large, per Akron Police. He is charged with murder.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Black is asked to call Akron Police or the Summit County CrimeStoppers.
A third suspect, 24-year-old Janisha George, turned herself in last Friday on obstruction charges.
More...
Part 2 :17 - Getting a glimpse on what’s been on his plate, Congressman Tim Ryan called into the program. Rep. Ryan touched on the ongoing trade talks with China, the civil unrest in the country, and how the auto industry in Northern Ohio will push on. 9:40 - For her weekly hit on the Ray Horner Morning Show, Dr. Debbie Plate touched on the recent spikes of COVID-19 happening across the country, and the continued importance of masks and social distancing. 19:18 - Ray took a stroll through Summit Mall, one of his first indoor excursions since the pandemic began….and he was pleasantly surprised by how the businesses and employees stressed keeping a social distance.
(0:17) Tim Dimoff joined Ray to talk about police and body cameras.
(7:03) Ray talked to Mark Welfley about people working from home during the pandemic.
(13:51) PRESIDENT & Ceo of CC/AG, Dr Brian Harte, talked to Ray about the Covid-19 & the second wave.
(19:27) Ray & Jim Rosenhaus talk baseball and why there hasn't been an agreement.
This Week in Tech with Jeanne Destro-6-19-20 Featured
Written by Jeanne DestroThis week's featured guests include University of Akron Criminal Justice studies professor, Dr. David Licate, and Luke Stedke from DriveOhio.
We've also got some great reports from CBS and CNET on how they're doing whole body disinfection to stop the spread of COVID-19 at the Hong Kong airport, the biggest robocall fine ever, and how the pandemic is changing the auto industry.