Visit the Dowtown ArtWalk this Saturday

I know its winter and I am sure we have all used the temperature as an excuse for staying at home on a weekend evening.  However, I would suggest venturing out of your home this Saturday for the February Downtown Akron ArtWalk.

The ArtWalk is a unique experience.  It is an opportunity to tour local artist’s studios and galleries, chat with the artists and check out downtown restaurant and music venues.

Try something new and come Downtown Akron on Saturday, February 6 from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. for the ArtWalk.  A free trolley runs between galleries and a variety of restaurants are accessible to complete your adventure.

Visit www.downtownakron.com/artwalk for more details.

Kimberly Beckett, Downtown Akron Partnership

Downtown Akron Book Club

It was a dark and wintry night. Rush hour traffic moved carefully along the snowy road leading out of Cuyahoga Falls towards Silver Lake. Travel took longer than usual but the members of the Downtown Akron Partnership Book Club were determined to gather for their monthly meeting. As a member’s daughter said, “What is it about this book club that you’re going out on a night like this?”

Although normally a lunch-time gathering near Luigi’s, tonight was a post New Year holiday dinner with lasagna, salad, dessert, bread and wine provided by the members. Hosted in Michael Owen’s art-filled home along the river, the group gathered first in the roomy kitchen lit mostly by candlelight, then moved to the dining room for food and talk. Tonight would mark the conversation about the ninth book in the member-selected series, Montana 1948, a short memoir from the perspective of a 12 year old boy about shocking events in a small western town in the summer of that year. Clearly and sparely written, the story also illuminated an unromantic version of the interplay between the white members of the community and the Indians from the reservation. As usual, the book discussion recounted memorable scenes from the book, analyzed the portrayal of character, marveled at the direct simplicity of the tale, and served as a springboard into reflections on white/Indian/minority relations, growing up, small town life and America after the war.

We like to say we choose “easy reads”, well-written but shorter reads that are accessible with an emphasis on story. What is also true is the collegial bond that grows among a diverse group that loves to read, enjoys each others company, and whose personalities gradually reveal themselves through the course of the wide ranging discussions that the books inspire. Not all of the books are enthusiastically embraced but, as one member noted, “With the book we liked the least, we had the best discussion.” Sometimes, an interesting work of nonfiction slips into the rotation.

There’s room for more participants or you can start a new group at a time that works for all. Our nine-member club meets the first Thursday of the month at noon in an office above the Akron Glass Works and Millworks Gallery in the Northside area. As noted, each member in turn gets to identify the next book to read. Our next read is from a local author, Karen Hasley, Where Home Is.

Titles from the DAP Book Club

• World’s Fair – E.L. Doctorow
• The Tourist – O. Steinhauer
• City of Thieves – D. Benioff
• In Defense of Food   – M. Pollan
• Sarah’s Key – T. de Rosnay
• Sea of Grass – C. Richter
• The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao – J. Diaz
• Invisible – P. Auster
• Montana, 1948 – L. Watson

Jerry Egan, Book Club Member

Downtown Akron establishments nominated for Metromix Cleveland Best of 2010 contest

The Akron Art Museum

The Akron Art Museum, Canal Park and the National Hamburger Festival have been named among the best in Cleveland in the Metromix Cleveland Best of 2010 contest.

The Akron Art Museum has been nominated in the category of Best Museum, Canal Park in the category of Best Stadium and the National Hamburger Festival, hosted in Downtown Akron each summer, has been nominated in the category of Best Festival.

The contest receives thousands of entries that are narrowed down to create a list of the very best Cleveland has to offer from best restaurant and best bar to best museum and best boutique and everything in between.

Fireworks at Canal Park

Now that the nominees have been selected in each category, Metromix users need to vote in the winners. They’ll make the final call on crowning category winners.

Voting opens up on Monday, January 11th and closes Sunday, January 24th.

Rally your friends, family and fans to visit the site and vote for the National Hamburger Festival to take the title.  Individuals are allowed one vote per day in each category during the voting period, so they should check back each day to voice their support.

The National Hamburger Festival

Voting is easy.  Starting Monday the 11th, just click the link below to review nominees and cast your vote:

http://cleveland.metromix.com/bestof

Cast your vote now for the Akron Art Museum, Canal Park and the National Hamburger festival!

Winners will be announced the week of January 25th.

Most Unique Chili!

Downtown Akron Partnership had a great experience last Friday in the 4^th Annual Firefighters Chili Challenge.  It was exciting to participate in a little friendly competition for a great cause.  Congratulations to the City of Akron Engineering Bureau for taking Judge’s Choice and Taster’s Choice again this year!  DAP was very excited to be a first-time participant and to win the “Most Unique Chili.”  We look forward to participating next year.

Don’t Miss the 4th Annual Firefighters Chili Challenge This Friday at Lock 3

Proceeds to Benefit the Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Unit

Friday, January 8, 2010
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lock 3, 200 S. Main St.
$5 for four samples or one bowl of chili
*Take the FREE Lunchtime Trolley from your office to Lock 3 (see below for details)

During the 4th Annual Firefighters Chili Challenge this Friday, Akron firefighters will challenge the City of Akron Police Department, the Akron Engineering Bureau and city’s Sewer Maintenance Division along with the Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) and Downtown law firms Roetzel & Andress and Brouse McDowell to see who can concoct the best chili in town.

The annual event benefits the Akron Children’s Hospital’s Burn Unit. The contest raised $2,000 in 2009 and since it began in 2007 has benefitted the Burn Unit with more than $5,000.

Cost
Five dollars buys chili eaters four tickets that can be used for four separate tastes or all four tickets can be used for a bowl of chili. Beer, soft drinks, water and coffee will also be available for purchase.

Judges
A panel of celebrity judges will decide the best of the bunch - Akron Beacon Journal Food Editor Lisa Abraham, WQMX morning show host Scott Wynn and Chef Louis Prpich, owner of the Chowder House Café.  A People’s Choice award allows every chili customer to vote for the best chili recipe.

Ride the FREE Lunchtime Trolley
If you work Downtown, ride the FREE Lunchtime Trolley from your office to the Chili Challenge at Lock 3. On Friday, January 8 the trolley will run from VegiTerranean on the North end of Downtown to AES on the South end of Downtown. Free parking is also available in the State Street Parking Deck for the Chili Challenge.

The trolleys are back every Friday to take you to your favorite Downtown restaurants for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The trolley runs on a continuous loop each week up and down Main Street from VegiTerranean on the North end of Downtown to Spaghetti Warehouse on the South end of Downtown. Riders will receive a coupon good for a discount at the participating restaurant of their choice.

For more information about the Firefighters Chili Challenge or other events at Lock 3 visit www.lock3live.com or call the Lock 3 Information Desk at
330-375-2877.

Lisa Knapp, Communications Director, Downtown Akron Partnership

First Night Akron 2010 is 9 days away!

The holiday season has officially started and 2010 is just around the corner! Make plans for New Year’s Eve and join the fun in Downtown Akron! Now in its 14th year, First Night Akron is a New Year’s Eve celebration unlike any other. This family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration of the arts brings the community together to experience a brief moment in time while creating lasting memories. Come in out of the cold and celebrate the New Year! On Thursday, December 31, 5 p.m.-midnight, enjoy indoor entertainment and fun for all ages throughout Downtown Akron featuring music, dance, theater, visual and interactive arts!

A Night of Firsts
Think First Night Akron is the same every year? Well, you’ve never seen it like this before! First Night Akron 2010 is celebrating “A Night of Firsts!” Every artist will premiere something new! Artist premieres range from new songs, performances and dances to new interactive projects and works of art! Whether it’s your first time at First Night or your 14th, you’re sure to have a unique experience! Check the Event Guide to see what each artist will premiere.

Did you know…

• Stay warm all night at INDOOR venues throughout Downtown Akron and on METRO buses that take you to your favorite First Night venue!
• First Night features great original music and covers ranging from The Beatles and Jimmy Buffet to rock, jazz and folk!
• There are activities for everyone to enjoy – couples, singles, families, empty nesters, neighbors, young professionals and friends!
• First Night is new and fresh each year, featuring new projects, artists and musicians!
• Start or end your night at Lock 3 with fireworks! Enjoy the Akron Children’s Hospital Kids Countdown Show and kids fireworks at 9 p.m. and the Midnight Countdown Show and FirstMerit  Fireworks Show at midnight!
• FREE parking in Downtown is available all night long!

Experience the best of the arts for one great price! First Night Akron 2010 admission buttons are only $10 and children under 10 are admitted FREE when accompanied by a button-wearing adult. Buttons are on sale now at  Acme Fresh Markets, participating FirstMerit Bank branches, Akron Art Museum, Akron Beacon Journal Customer Service Desk, Borders Books & Music at Chapel Hill, Carolyn’s Cupboard in Wadsworth, The Library Shop on Main, Lock 3 and Stage Left Boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre.

For a complete list of entertainment and more details, visit www.firstnightakron.org!

The Holiday Season is Here!

Downtown Akron kicked off the holiday season with the lighting of the tree at Lock 3 and a parade to welcome Santa to Akron.  Find unique gifts at the Downtown Akron ArtWalk, Saturday December 5 from 5-10pm.  For events this holiday season, visit www.downtownakron.com.  Close out the holiday season by attending First Night Akron 2010. For more information, visit www.firstnightakron.org!

Kimberly Beckett, Downtown Akron Partnership

Kick-Off the Holiday Season in Downtown!

After all this mild weather it is hard to believe the holiday season is right around the corner.  Downtown is a great place to celebrate the holidays!

After a tasty, warm Thanksgiving dinner it is time to light the holiday tree.  Join the City of Akron and Downtown Akron Partnership on Friday, November 27 at 7 p.m. for the Holiday Tree Lighting event.  Don’t forget to join us again on Saturday, November 28 at noon for the Welcome Santa Parade! Let’s show Santa some good ole Akron pride!

Downtown Akron Partnership will wrap up the holiday season with the 14^th annual First Night^® Akron celebration.  If you haven’t been to First Night before, this is the year to try it out.  Check out more than 90 artists and of course fantastic fireworks.  This is First Night as you have never seen it before!  Many changes and additions have been made to the event and we invite you to experience them all.  This year’s button value is greater than ever before due to the discounts available at participating local businesses.  Buttons go on sale Friday, November 27.

For more information about First Night Akron, visit www.firstnightakron.org!

First Night 2010 Button Art

Kimberly Beckett, Downtown Akron Partnership

Road Runner Akron Marathon an extremely exciting event for Akron!

It was another exciting weekend for the City of Akron.  Over 10,000 runners converged on downtown to take part in the 7^th Annual Road Runner Akron Marathon.  It was tremendous to see so many excited athletes and spectators out and about in Downtown Akron.  Hats off to everyone who participated and those who cheered the runners on throughout the race.  Congratulations to the Road Runner Akron Marathon staff for another well organized, enjoyable event!

I was able to participate in the race as part of the 5 person relay team.  Keep in mind, I am not a runner!  But I made the decision to participate after volunteering last year.  There is something about the atmosphere and excitement that is contagious.  I thoroughly enjoyed my experience this year and look forward to participating next year.  I may never run the whole marathon but I feel a great sense of accomplishment being part of a relay team.  Thanks again to the RRAM staff and to my teammates for an exhilarating and fun Saturday!

Kimberly Beckett

The Zips Win First Game at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field

What an exciting weekend for the University of Akron Zips and the City of Akron!  I was overwhelmed by the energy as I walked from Downtown and entered InfoCision Stadium on Saturday afternoon. To a crowd of over 27,000 the Zips showed their enthusiasm for their new stadium by beating Morgan State 41-0.  I just couldn’t help thinking about how incredible this day was for everyone involved. It was great seeing so many people around town, in a great mood and enjoying such a positive event in Akron. Congratulations to the Zips and all those who made this happen. I am really looking forward to this stadium making a positive impact on Downtown and the City of Akron as a whole. The citizens of Akron should be very proud of the Zips!

Kimberly Beckett, Business Specialist, Downtown Akron Partnership

The Zips win first home game at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field