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Featured Articles

Coffee: The Pros and Cons

Many people, from adults with full-time jobs, or college kids with packed schedules, rely on coffee as a source of energy. People not only depend on the effects from the caffeine, but genuinely enjoy the flavor. Coffee can be comforting, especially during the cooler months, when it feels even better to sip on something warm. According to an analysis by the European Journal of Epidemiology and a study conducted by the McGill University Health Centre, coffee’s benefits outweigh its risks.

  1. Coffee consumption helps prevent against cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
  2. Smoking decreases the benefits that coffee has for your body.
  3. Despite popular belief, there is no correlation between coffee and its link to the probably of getting gastric cancer.
  4. Can help prevent diabetes by increasing plasma levels and boosting your metabolism.
  5. Can aid/prevent damage in the liver.
  6. Drinking coffee can help stimulate the central nervous system which can protect against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
  7. A single cup of coffee also contains many nutrients such as Riboflavin, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and niacin.
  8. According to a 2011 study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health, women who drank at least four cups of coffee per day, were 20% less likely to become depressed.

When coffee might not be the right call for you…

  1. There is a very small link between coffee and miscarriage, so if you’re expecting, coffee might not be your #1 go to beverage.
  2. Caffeine can raise LDL cholesterol, however proper filtration of the coffee grounds can help eliminate most of the risk.
  3. If you have trouble sleeping at night, or suffer from anxiety, coffee might not be the right drink for you.

In conclusion, although coffee has a multitude of benefits, those benefits can also be overshadowed by how you drink it. Many of the pros that are related to coffee are not included in high-calorie options from popular coffee shops. When drinks contain more milk, than coffee, it is likely that you are just getting more sugar and fats than any real health advantages. Be wary of flavored creams and artificial sugars, instead, opt for a splash of milk, or even some honey or agave nectar for added sweetness.

Akron is full of wonderful coffee shops and cafes.  Near colleges, like Kent State University in Kent you can find local, one of a kind places to get a fresh cup.

A Retirees Holiday Adventure

Chris R. Pownall frequently visited the Akron area on business over the years and is fond of the area.  He submitted this article for Akron residents to learn about this unique holiday option.

Since our retirement in 2008, my wife and I have enjoyed many holidays with P&O cruises, but recently, we have considered other holiday options, including UK hotels and coaching itineraries, and then, we had the idea of taking a cruising type holiday upon the inland waterways of England. We have a 45 year old son Rob who has mobility limitations resulting from a near fatal head injury when he was 18 years of age, and when my wife Pat mentioned the idea of us taking a holiday on a narrowboat to him, he surprised us by saying he would love to join us.

We asked Rob to conduct some research and he came up with a plan for a seven day narrow boat holiday on the Oxford, Coventry and Ashby Canals. We hired a boat named ‘Beatrice’ from Willow Wren, which had been specifically constructed with wheelchair access, and our canal cruising adventure began on the 9th June 2017.

Rob boarding on his mobility scooter.

Rob was able to access the boat on his mobility scooter via a ramp from the wharf, onto a platform at the same level as the rear decking. This particular boat is laid out at the rear so that it can be controlled by someone sitting either in a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. The boarding platform sits over a hydraulically operated lift, which provides access to the main boat deck, situated approximately 4 feet below. Once on board, Rob was able to move around and there was adequate space to park his scooter inside the cabin alongside his double bed.

Before embarking upon this exciting adventure, we obtained an instruction video by the ‘Canal & River Trust’ on boating for beginners, and I would strongly recommend that anyone planning a similar type of holiday for the very first time, should view this video several times before setting off, as there is quite a lot to learn. Our boat is 53 feet long and weighs approximately 19 tons, therefore, it is important that you understand how to manoeuvre and control a vessel of this weight and size.

Skipper Chris at the controls.

As well as understanding the rules about sailing along inland waterways in the UK, you will need to tie certain rope knots, to ensure the boat is secure whenever you are mooring alongside. There are locks and tunnels to be navigated and again, you will need to have specific knowledge to ensure you understand how these work as well as the rules relating to who has the right of way etc.

We admit that we all three had a degree of apprehension before setting off, but having studied the contents of the instruction video numerous times, plus a short training session from the boat operator before casting off, we soon gained confidence and settled down to enjoying the experience.

In addition to the rules and regulations of operating the boat, there is quite a bit to learn about taking on board water, pumping out sewage, emptying the bilges, and generally controlling the on board facilities such as the toilet, shower, and domestic appliances etc. None of this is complicated, but it’s wise to make a few notes at the instruction stage, so that you are not overly stressed, when carrying out these various activities for the very first time.

Whilst our Narrowboat is specially adapted for disabled access, it is vitally important that one member of the crew is fully mobile and strong, as there is a physical amount of effort required when mooring the boat and operating the locks. For our part, Rob was the main driver throughout, and Pat and I attended to tying up and casting off. I shared some of the driving, but I didn’t pick it up as quickly as Rob and I didn’t feel comfortable when there were other boats around and tricky corners to negotiate. It’s not like steering a car, as these long boats pivot around the centre and they don’t respond like a vehicle on the road. Another thing to remember is there are no brakes other than reversing the propeller and although you are moving at no more than 4 miles per hour, and often considerably slower than that, things seem to happen very quickly, so the best advice is to take it steady, and keep control. Speed plays a big part in the steering and the tendency at max speed is to over steer and it becomes difficult to maintain a straight course, whereas, at tick-over revs, the boat becomes much easier to handle.

The Beatrice control station.

Having received all our instructions, before setting off from Rugby Wharf, we were accompanied by a representative from the boat hire company as Rob steadily manoeuvred our way past many moored boats on either side, until we turned left into the North Oxford Canal heading towards Coventry. As soon as we completed the turn, we dropped off our instructor who wished us “bon voyage”, and we were on our way.

We cruised steadily for a few hours, before mooring for our first night at the large village of Anstey, where we dined out at the Rose & Castle, and we found the food to be excellent.

Day 2 involved cruising much further, so we set off at eight o’clock in the morning, arriving at the village of Bulkington about five hours later. Along the way we had to navigate our one and only lock on our planned route, and this went with relative ease. There was another boat at the lock, so I was able to seek a little re-assurance from someone more experienced and everything went to plan. By this stage in our big adventure, Rob had grasped complete control of the boat, so I was able to focus upon my lock keeping duties, before hopping back on board to continue a journey. The lock is located at Hawkesbury Junction where the North Oxford Canal meets the Coventry Canal. It is a very pretty and historic location with a cast iron bridge dated 1837 and a disused engine house. There is a canal side pub and restaurant named the ‘Greyhound Inn’, which we intended visiting on our way back. Despite being such a picturesque location, Hawkesbury Junction is a tricky canal manoeuvre involving a very tight turn, plus a narrow entrance into the Coventry Canal.

Returning to Beatrice after dinner.

Not far along the Coventry Canal, there is another tight turn and narrow access, as you enter the Ashby Canal. We passed through some amazing countryside and having tied up safely at Bulkington, we ate out at the nearby pub named ‘The Corner House’, where we found the food to be of a high standard, offering a two for one price on all main course meals. When planning a trip like this with a disabled person, you need to check out whether there is wheelchair access at your planned eating venues, plus, if there are any canal bridges to cross, as these are not always suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and we were caught out a couple of times as some bridges only have steps. The bridge at Bulkington has a footpath but it is very steep and uneven and we had to provide Rob with some assistance as he accessed the bridge up onto the main highway.

Day 3 involved five hours steady cruising along the Ashby Canal to Stoke Golding where we were able to moor alongside the main road leading into the centre of the village. Less than ten minutes’ walk from the boat, we discovered the ‘Three Horse Shoes’ pub with the ‘Mango Tree’ Indian Restaurant alongside.

Having surveyed the Indian Restaurant, we decided to do something different and we ordered an Indian takeaway, and whilst it was being prepared, we had a pint in the adjoining pub. The food was exceptionally good both in quality and value.

Approaching Snarestone Tunnel.

Day 4 was to take us to the end of the Ashby Canal, which took about another five hours cruising. As you approach the end of the canal there is the 250 yards long Snarestone Tunnel, which was another amazing new experience for us. We had already passed through the Newbold Tunnel shortly after leaving Rugby on day one, but this one was longer and it was very dark towards the middle. Before entering a canal tunnel, you have to illuminate your front headlight and sound your horn. There is only width for one boat passing through the Snarestone Tunnel, so it is important that you follow the rules precisely, otherwise you could easily end up in trouble. It is an eerie experience and we were somewhat relieved as we approached the exit of the tunnel. We made our way through at tick-over speed, but it was impossible to avoid the occasional scrape with the sides, but travelling at minimum speed this causes no damage to the boat side fenders.

First sight of light as we transited Snarestone Tunnel.

Having passed through the tunnel there is a turnaround location and this was yet another new experience for first time canal cruisers like us. It takes the form of a vee shape expanse of water and you steer the boat into the point and then bring the rear steadily round until you are pointing in the opposite direction. At least that’s what the theory tells you, whereas in practice, we needed a little assistance from me with the punting poll to push the front end around. This was a little hair-raising, as I had to walk halfway along the four inches wide gunwale at the side of the boat in order to collect the poll from its mounting brackets. Another of those first time situations, where you need to be sure footed and hold on tightly so as to avoid falling into the water.

We were now heading back towards Rugby and we once again passed through Snarestone Tunnel before mooring for the night not far from the ‘Globe Inn’ located adjacent to the canal side. This is a 19th century coaching inn with lots of character and excellent food.

The aggressive swan

As we were moored at Snarestone, a huge swan came tapping its beak on our windows and we soon realised it was asking for food. One of our windows was slightly open and its head appeared inside the boat, and although we had been feeding ducks at other locations, Pat and Rob suggested the swan was best left alone. I decided to venture out on deck where it approached me in an aggressive manner and I made a speedy return to the safety of the cabin. Eventually it moved on and as we sat watching from a safe distance we observed two Alsatian dogs on the tow path barking at it and behaving in a threatening manner. We were fearing for the swans safety, when it moved to the middle of the canal, spread out its huge wings and charged at the dogs, who soon realised they had met their match and wasted no time in making a hasty retreat.

It was now day 5 and we sailed as far as Hinckley, where we tied up near to the Trinity Marina. We needed to cross over the canal to access a ‘Brewers Fayre’ restaurant but unfortunately; the canal bridge had steps, which ruled it out for Rob. We enquired from a passer-by, who informed us of a footpath not far away that would lead us to the main Coventry Road from where we could reach the restaurant. Disappointingly, the food was not good so if we were to do this trip again, we would either moor somewhere else, or find another place to dine. We did find a nearby Co-operative food store so we were able to stock up on bread, milk, and of course, beer! etc.

Day 6 was to take us back to Hawkesbury Junction where we moored just beyond the lock. We visited the ‘Greyhound Inn’ for dinner arriving at five thirty pm. We hadn’t booked and it appeared very busy. When we asked about a table, we were offered one for three which had already been booked for another party arriving at seven o’clock. When the waitress has to refer to a book and there is just one available table that you will need to vacate in an hour tells you a lot. The food was amazingly good and if you intend visiting the ‘Greyhound Inn’ for a gastronomic treat, it would be advisable to book in advance.

Robs mobility scooter on the stern deck

Rob had planned that day 7 would take us back to bridge 51, on the North Oxford Canal, which is no more than fifteen minutes cruising back to Rugby Wharf, where our holiday would come to an end the following morning. We dined at the ‘Barley Mow’, which was disappointing; however, we made the best of it, and then crossed it off our list if ever we do this trip again.

In summary, it was a most enjoyable holiday experience and we were delighted that Rob was able to move around the boat and travel on dry land by means of his mobility scooter. There is quite a lot to learn and although a boat of this size can be safely crewed by two individuals, I would recommend a minimum of three, with one really strong person capable of hauling a circa 19ton vessel alongside during mooring and lock manoeuvring procedures.

If you search the Internet there are other companies with hire boats adapted for wheelchair use, but you would need to check if it was possible to drive the boat either from a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. Remember that our boat ‘Beatrice’ was specifically designed and built for a disabled person, making it possible to operate the drive controls from the comfort of a wheelchair at the level stern deck area. Also note that ‘Beatrice’ can be steered either from the usual tiller, or separately, by an integrated steering wheel.

It’s not a cheap holiday, particularly so, if you are dining out each evening. We had a great time and the reason for writing this magazine feature is for the benefit of other retirees, who have never sailed on a narrow boat before, and especially for those who use a mobility chair or scooter and feel they might enjoy this type of holiday.

Beatrice moored alongside

The flora and fauna are spectacular at this time of year and in my journal for the week, I was able to record many species of birds and animals including two water voles, something I have not seen for over half a century. Baby ducklings are everywhere, and we saw numerous swans with their signets. The overgrown hedgerows are a perfusion of colour right now, with pink and white wild roses and bramble. In one morning I was able to list seventeen species of wild flowers in less than one hour, and they were only the ones that I could identify. It really was a nature lover’s paradise.

If you try it, I hope you enjoy it, we certainly did!

Published with Permission – Copyright – Chris R. Pownall  June 2017

Find out more about Chris Pownall at chrispownall.weebly.com

Contact Details:- 3 Limestone Close, Woodsetts Worksop Nottinghamshire S81 8RU United Kingdom

Basic Healthy Living Roadmap

The Cleveland Clinic and many other hospitals and organizations across the country offer programs on health and nutrition that can help you live a healthy life.  The Cleveland Clinic lists 7 things you need to eat and do to live a healthy life.

  1. Eat at least 7 helping of fruits and vegetables daily.
  2. Choose whole grain more often. Packages  are now labeled with whole grain, multigrain , etc. Read the labels!
  3. Limit your meat consumption.  Chicken and fish are the recommended meats by every organization that deals with healthy living.  Processed meats are not to be included in your diet, or to be kept to a very minimum.
  4. Consume foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.  While exercising, aim to get fifteen minutes of sun exposure
  5. The way you cook your meals is important.  Poaching eggs instead of frying them can help you maintain a healthy weight.  Steaming vegetables instead of frying them, or microwaving them is always preferable.
  6. Get active.  If you start slowly is better than not starting at all.  Dedicate a set  time where you exercise regardless of whether you have dishes in the sink, or laundry to switch.  Choose a time where it’s very probable you’ll make it.  It will become a habit if you stick to it for a week or two.
  7. And last but not least, Keep a healthy body weight.  It is so hard to start when you have 30 or more pounds to loose, that you get discouraged.  But, remember the weight didn’t come overnight, and having a healthy body weight lets you live longer.  Isn’t that worth the effort?

Before I close this, there is something you need to check out as well. The trackers online allow you to create a profile to find out what and how much to eat. You can enter basic information, and they will have a personalized plan for you to explore. Check it out and see if it fits your lifestyle. GO! and let us know if it works for you.

Literacy in the United States

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a division of the U.S. Department of Education states that children that are read by a parent or guardian develop stronger reading skills than those whose parents do not read to them.  The advantages these children develop over the course of their lives are significant.

The children that are engaged by their parents in any literacy activity, are better prepared when they enter kindergarten, and are able to cope with the academic rigors that have become standard in the United States.

Many of the literacy activities are easily done by a parent, guardian, or older sibling.  Reading or telling stories, teaching letters and words, and recognizing numbers are some of the most  basic activities that these children can be engaged  in to become proficient readers.

Some studies suggest that the literacy rate in the United States hasn’t changed in the last ten years, while other studies have shown that among the 20 “high Income” countries, the United States ranks 12th. 

Literacy in the United States is a serious problem that is easily overlooked during these uncertain times. In this country, there are 44 million adults unable to read a simple book or story to their children, and  60% of households in the United States do not or cannot buy a single book in a year. With these grim statistics, literacy in this country have to begin at home regardless.

Children of families that lack the means necessary to foster a love for reading or books, should not be an excuse to let these children fall thru the crack of  an educational system that is failing them.  By helping these families find other means to help their children to read, we can do a lot of good for our society as a whole.

Libraries across the country, offer programs that help introduce children to story time sessions and by doing so, helping them get involved in books. By the time these five year olds go to kindergarten, an emphasis should be put in reading to them and with them.

The statistics of school youth unable to read the most basic books and still graduating from high school are appalling. We need to expect more from them, and as a society, we need to help them achieve the most basic of skills of all. Reading is obviously not for everyone.

Saving Tips For The American Family

Many companies try to entice the consumer into buying their particular brands over those of the competition regardless of the value or the quality of their products.  A pretty product that is packaged well and looks pretty may perform worse than the simple packaged one.  As a consumer, you may fall for the marketing and buy the pretty package over the better one, but hopefully, you will make the mistake only once.

Many Americans are struggling with mortgage payments, car payments, insurance payments etc, to worry about other things like comparing prices, weight or performance of the products they are buying, but being savvy about the products they are using should save a buck or two, and in the long run, make us better consumers.

What are some of the items we use daily that can save us some money?

Gas and Electricity: Comparing prices for gas and electricity can save hundreds of dollars every year for the average American family.  There are many companies one can choose for gas and electricity, and even if entering into a contract with a particular company, it will save you money.  Be choosy when signing a contract, and make sure the penalty for canceling it early is not too much.

Car Insurance: If you want to save in car insurance, you need to shop around.  If you have a good history of no accidents or other claims within your company and you do not get any discounts with them, you need to shop around with other companies.

Dishwashing Soaps: According to a Consumer Report test, all dishwashing soaps perform equally well and according to them you should really buy what’s on sale because all dishwashing soaps perform equally well.

I can personally tell you that I do not agree with their results.  I can tell you for example that for me Palmolive, does not perform better or equally well than Dawn.  And some generic brands that you find on the shelves at the grocery stores, pharmacies or Wal-Marts require almost double the amount that you would need for Dawn.

Very recently, I tried a brand called “simply done” a registered trademark of Topco Associates LLC.  By simply looking at the bottle, it reminds you of the generic brands you see at the store.  I expected the same results as well.  The truth is that you do not see a difference between “simply done” and Dawn.  Is there a difference?  There may be a difference between the dishwashing soaps, but the price does not warrant buying the most expensive brand.

Restaurants: Despite having issues with money, Americans are spending over $3,000 eating out according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The convenience of having food readily available without having to cook it is very enticing, but the convenience of having no dirty dishes or cooking chores come with a steep price. Eating out should not be abandoned by families but should be treated as a treat instead of a necessity.

Saving is very smart, try to practice the habit.


Which Food to Shop For a Healthy Liver

Still trying to get healthy for the New Year?  Today we focus on the second largest organ in your body – the liver. Considering that your liver has to work overtime filtering chemicals from the blood, you shouldn’t take this particular organ for granted. Like everything else in your body, the key to ensuring that your liver stays healthy is eating healthy and not indulging in substance abuse. As a part of the whole digestive process, everything that you consume, whether it may be food, drink or medicine, goes through your liver. This means that when you put too much harmful stuff into your system, your liver will have to filter those through and prevent those from coming into your bloodstream. Do note that while the food listed below will help in ensuring that this vital organ remains healthy, everything will be useless if you make your liver work overtime when you consume harmful substances for your body. With that in mind, let’s begin our list of food for a healthier liver.

  1. Turmeric. The Global Healing Center has named turmeric as the “liver’s favorite spice”. Turmeric helps the body process fats and will encourage bile production. Adding turmeric into your diet will help your liver detoxify by getting rid of carcinogens.
  2. Green leafy veggies. Remember when your mom would force you to eat your green veggies and you grudgingly obey? Well, as it turns out, that simple act done regularly will help you avoid issues with your liver later on in life. It’s even better if you consume organic products. Why so? Well, as previously mentioned, you liver filters everything you put in your mouth, including some possible leftover pesticides that may have been left there from non-organic veggies. Leafy vegetables have a neutralizing ability, which will help your liver when it encounters metals, chemicals and pesticides that you have consumed through food.
  3. Cruciferous vegetables. You can almost never go wrong with veggies. Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower belong to this category. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in compounds called glucosinolate, which helps the liver get rid of toxins you have ingested into your system.
  4. Grapefruit. This is not the first time that eating vitamin C rich food has proven to help your body. Grapefruit contains vitamin C and glutathione, which has been found to be helpful in aiding the liver do its job of filtering harmful toxins in the body.
  5. Walnuts. Fond of munching on these? Like grapefruit, walnuts are rich in glutathione, which as mentioned above, will help your liver do its job. Plus, walnuts also contain Omega-3 fatty acids, so consuming it will not only ensure your liver’s health, but also that of your heart.

With the many unhealthy food and substances we tend to consume daily with our diet, you can imagine how much a football-size organ has to do in order to filter those from our bloodstream. Remember, eating food such as the ones mentioned above in a regular basis is only a part of the whole process in ensuring that your liver remains healthy. With proper diet and avoidance of harmful substances as much as we can, there is no reason why we cannot save ourselves the trouble of dealing with liver disease in the future.

Akron Boxing and Kickboxing

For a lot of people, boxing paints a mental image of two individuals beating each other into a square ring on national TV. Recently however, the sport of boxing has become more available and tapered to any kind of individual. Kickboxing first seemed to spur the initial boxing trend, but then eventually, boxing and kickboxing clubs started popping up everywhere. On social media, you began to see your favorite stars donning boxing gloves and posing by bags. It’s all for a good reason too, boxing has some major mental and physical benefits that can burn a ton of calories as well.

  1. Boxing helps lower stress levels. The amount of adrenaline you get from punching a bag after a long, stressful day is incredibly rewarding. The hormones and chemicals released afterwards are a great way to boosting your mood and feeling incredibly productive.
  2. Boxing is a great workout, and works the entire body. Not only does it work your arms and shoulders. But continuously hitting the bag, and rotating your body, works out your entire core, and makes your heart rate skyrocket. All of this results in a killer workout for your entire body, and ends up burning a ton of calories. This is also great for keeping a healthy heart and mind.
  3. Boxing is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination. Many of the moves in boxing require a focused eye and a good mind and body connection. Constant drills, and routines that have set moves are great for this, and continuous practice will really help improve these skills.

Now that boxing has become more available, and friendly for everyday people, it is a great way to mix up your workout routine, and get yourself in a friendly environment with people who are trying something new, and trying to improve themselves.

Remember to check with your doctor before trying anything new like boxing or kickboxing.  You want to be sure you are ready for a good workout and you do not have any issues that might be made worse by the repetitive motion or the types of movements you will be making.  Most clubs ease you into the sport and make sure you are ready, so do not worry that you are going to be fighting people.  You move at your own pace.

Flooring For Every Room In Your House

Many people make New  Year resolutions to begin the year with a bang.  Many of us do not stick to them, and some of us make resolutions that are bound to fail from day one. If you made a resolution this year to spruce your home and declutter, that’s a resolution that makes sense and that you might be able to accomplish.  If you are replacing the flooring of a room in your house and don’t know where to begin, read ahead.

Depending on the room in your home, flooring can be an easy decision to make but also it can present itself with questions about what it’s best for your family.   

Kitchen and bathrooms: These wet areas require flooring that is sturdy, and won’t be damaged by water spills.  Some flooring can become slippery when wet and can be very dangerous for your family.  The best flooring for these type of rooms are:

  1. Vinyl
  2. Laminate
  3. Tile

Keep in mind that there is some specific laminate flooring you can use in these rooms.  Normal laminate flooring can become very slippery and warps rather easily with small amounts of water on it.  You need to find the laminate flooring that can withstand water or other types of liquid spills without damaging it.

Living Room, Dining Room, and First Floor Rooms: These high traffic area rooms need a more sturdy, high-quality flooring that will not only be durable for your home but can make your home look beautiful as well. These are some of the types of flooring that are most commonly used for these rooms in your home:

  1. Hardwood
  2. Bamboo
  3. Laminate
  4. Vinyl
  5. Carpet

For many environmentally conscious homeowners, hardwood does not seem like a very likable option.  Many of these homeowners have chosen to opt for the more environmentally friendly bamboo flooring. If you are thinking about vinyl flooring for some of these rooms – especially for dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and the main entrance of the home- vinyl has come a long way from the one sheet vinyl flooring our parents and grandparents grew up with.  The look of vinyl is not what it used to be, so choosing it over other types of flooring is not outdated.

Carpet for the bedrooms of the home has been the main choice for many homeowners though out the years, but if you have children with allergies or other respiratory problems, laminate or bamboo flooring can be a very nice second option for you.

There are many pros and cons you have to consider with every choice of flooring there is. Price, durability, ease of installation, look.  But, remember, buy what you love for your home.

Kids Art In and Around Akron Ohio

The educational system in the United states has for many years now shifted resources to teach and test children in common core areas like reading,writing and math, while leaving art and music education behind.  And while many people do not appreciated the impact music and art education have in a child, these teachings constitute some of the most important building blocks in their development. From motor skills, decision making, and language development to visual learning, and cultural awareness, art and music education provide the child with the tools necessary to succeed in life. That said, this is a list of art instructions facilities in and around Akron that can be of interest to you and your family.

Canton Museum of Art

Address: 1001 Market Avenue North Canton, Ohio 44702

Tel: 330.453.7666

Website: http://www.cantonart.org/

The Canton Museum of Art offers classes weekdays and weekends throughout the day and evening to fit your busy schedule.  They offer classes geared to all ages, and all budgets. They offer classes in drawing, jewelry,painting and textiles.  If you are planning ahead and want to enroll your child in a summer art camp, then the Canton Museum of Art is a very good choice for you.


Palladian Palette

Address: 106 N Main St, Akron, OH 44308

Phone:(330) 730-0334

Website: http://www.palladianpalette.com/open-studio-membership.html

A beautiful place where memberships can be tailored to the  individual or families, and walk-Ins are welcome. A place where five days a week offers you a 2-3 hours of painting, clay, wood working, or stamping experience with a local artist.  Do you have questions or want to visit their site to learn more? Then follow the link above.


Akron Art Museum

address: One South High, Akron, Ohio 44308

Tel: 330.376.9185

website: https://akronartmuseum.org/calendar/list/demos-workshops-classes/10/


Cuyahoga Valley Art Center

Address: 2131 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221

Tel: (330) 928-8092

website: http://www.cvartcenter.org/classdescriptions.html

The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center is a wonderful place for adults to learn a variety of art expressions. From  acrylic, mixed media, collage journaling, drawing, ceramics and painting, the center truly offers a wide range of art instruction.  They seem to geared more to the adult population, although they do say they can accept responsible 12 year olds, and do have classes for 13-18 years old. But, if you are looking for a younger child art instruction class, this may not be the place for you.


All fired Up

Address:  30 Rothrock Loop, Copley, OH 44231

Tel: 330-865-5858

website: http://www.allfiredupakron.com/  contact: [email protected]

All Fired Up is  creative studio located in the Akron/Montrose/Fairlawn area.They have called this area their home for the last 15 years, and they offer classes for all ages and all skills levels. When considering classes for your young ones, this is a bit of information you appreciate when researching art classes and studios in the area.They offer painting, pottery, glass fusing and canvas painting classes for you and your children to explore.


Art in Action

http://artinaction.org/#pricing

Art online? You bet!  If you don’t have the time to take your child to an art class outside the home? No problem. Art in Action provides an online curriculum with a nine level program, and  age appropriate lessons for your child.  From Kindergartner to 8th. Grade, this place is sure to provide some alternatives for you and your child.

 

We sincerely hope you have found the art place you’ve looking for, and to email us if you would like to be included.

What is Probate and why should you care?

Many people do not know about probate until a person has died. When a person dies, their will and other legal assets have to go through the probate process. This is often done by a probate lawyer because the process can become very complicated. When family members are involved it can create tension so having a neutral third party can help the process along.

Akron families can protect themselves with planning and finding an Akron probate lawyer.

When a person dies they leave behind debts, tax bills, property, and other assets. All of this is called a person’s estate. When a person dies with a will in place, by law the estate needs to be administered. This is done by a person called an executor. The executor will read the will and notify the beneficiaries that the process has begun.

Many people do not understand that even if they die with a paid off home and cars that their debts still need to be resolved. This is why most probate lawyers ask people to give a specific percentage of their estate’s value to each beneficiary. This way it does not become too confusing to administer after the debts are paid off.

This process can be lengthy because creditors need to be notified of the deceased person’s death. Some creditors will even ask for a death certificate as proof that the person has in fact passed away. If the person has a life insurance policy then that needs to be administered either by the insurance company itself or the executor. Some people decide to leave their life insurance proceeds to one person or to their estate so that it is divided equally among the beneficiaries.

The first thing that needs to be done is to submit the will to the court in the state where the will was filed. A petition will need to be filed with the court that states the deceased person’s full name, if there is a will, and when the death occurred. Then, the court will review the information, appoint the executor of the estate, and see if a bond needs to be given to the estate. After this process is completed, people who are related to the deceased, those individuals named in the will, and creditors will be notified by mail that the court has received the will and that the estate is now being dealt with.

After this, the probate process begins; it can take more than a year to get a will through this process. It depends on how well the parties that are involved deal with each other. If someone challenges the will then it can take years to close the probate process. When dealing with the probate process it is a good idea to consult a probate lawyer. They can help guide people through the process to make it easier and much less stressful.

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