Black Friday in Cleveland

My family has no tradition of shopping for retail items on Black Friday but we do like to help the local economy - by drinking beer. I'm not sure how many years ago we started heading up to Cleveland - but I remember my Florida cousins wanting to see the West Side Market and get a Christmas Ale at the source(Great Lakes). This year my cousins weren't in town and the nieces and nephews didn't come ....so the trip turned into an impromptu brewery tour.

Lock 4 Lights

The Ohio and Erie Canalway and Knight Foundation held a Harvest Festival to celebrate the lighting of Lock 4 Park and the Towpath Bridge over State Route 59. Groundswell Design Group designed the urban park with plenty of color changing LED lights. The projects is one of many that are planned with the Reimaging the Civic Commons grant of 5 million dollars. The weather was perfect for the evening - and even though I couldn't get there until later - there were still lots of people hanging out.

Akron Auto Club HQ

Last Saturday I covered the grand opening of the beautiful new Akron Auto Club HQ in downtown Akron. It really is a great looking facility - inside and out. I was also impressed to learn that i in 5 Summit County residents is a member of Triple AAA. I should sign up myself - considering the age of the cars I drive!
Here are a few photos from Saturday morning.

UpCycle Art Project

ReWorks sponsored an art project that involved 15 local artists making a piece out of only reused items. The point was to turn items destined for the landfill into art and raise awareness in the process. I followed the project from Goodwill Industries of Akron's Outlet Store(where the artists could pick up items), to the third floor of the Summit ArtSpace where the artists constructed their works, to the opening night at the Transition Gallery on the first floor of the ArtSpace during the November Art Walk.

Coffee Tasters

On Saturday night I went to Akron Coffee Roasters for the 'Flight of Fancy' coffee tasting contest. There were four kinds of beans that needed to be matched to corresponding cards. I tasted the coffees but would have had an easier time matching the hops to the beer I was drinking. It was interesting to watch the experts in the room discuss the flavors and possible origins - even though it was mostly over my head. The educated guesses are submitted and the winners announced on November 18th and various prizes awarded.

Akron Spirit

Akron Canton Airport threw a party/press conference to welcome Spirit Airlines. Spirit will be flying to four non-stop destinations right off the bat with more added shortly. They are an ultra-low cost carrier - I found round trips to Florida for under 100 bucks($80 to be exact(now I just need to figure out how to work a trip into my schedule)). CAK went all out in welcoming Spirit - beach volleyball, a lifetime free flying contest, a water canon salute to the first plane and more. 

I've said it before - my job gets me into some cool places.

Virtues and Vices

Last Saturday evening I shot Child Guidance and Family Solution's fundraising event at Portage Country Club. There was gambling, food, drinks, music, magic raffles and more - all to raise money for a good cause.

The Pump House

As this amazing run of Summer in Fall weather continues I had another great opportunity to take it in. The old Pump House on Summit Lake is soon to be turned into a community event space. Exactly what that is going to look like was the point of the party last Saturday. Hunter Franks and his group, The League of Creative Interventionist, along with Lets Grow Akron, The Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition, The Knight Foundation and more were gathering information on what the neighborhood would like to see happen there. They had pizza, music, storytelling, and more on a perfect day.

The Beyonderers CD Release Party

On Friday I went to Musica to see The Dreemers and The Beyonderers. The Beyonderers were releasing their new CD, 'Estimate of the Situation'. Neither band dissapointed. 

Musica actually had enough lights on this time that I didn't have to use a flash - which was nice since I didn't bring one(I was on my bike).

Russel Ave Ribbon Cutting

Yesterday I rode my bike out to the Russel Avenue underpass on the Towpath(near Summit Lake). The Ohio and Erie Canalway was holding a ribbon cutting for one of their iTowpath projects funded by the Knight Foundation. The landscaping in the area was improved, a mural was painted, and colorful LED lights were added under the bridge. It was a nice way to spruce up a fairly drab stretch of the bikeway. They also had music, hot dogs, smores, and a campfire. It was a beautiful evening for a ride and cool event.

Lieberth Award

Theresa Carter received this year’s Lieberth Community Vision Award from Leadership Akron during an breakfast yesterday morning at the John S. Knight Center. The organizers of the event pick a theme based on the interests of the recipient - this year they focused on Theresa's love of dance. This was my third time at the event and it is always a really touching morning - albeit one that presents challenges for a photographer. The recipient's family beams with pride, laughs, and struggles to keep their eyes dry. The event was co-MC-ed by Leadership Akron president Mark Scheffler and Heather Burns.