Akron Today Magazine

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Exploring Nature Spots Near Akron

Akron, Ohio is home to some amazing bike, hike, and walk trails in Ohio. A short distance from
the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and housing a few of its own lengthy hiking trails, there are
plenty of opportunities, and gorgeous hidden nature spots in, and around Akron.

1. Portage Lakes State Park — Wingfoot Lake State Park —993 Goodyear Park Blvd. Suffield,
OH 44260

If you’re looking to do it all, kayaking, boating, swimming, hiking, and having a large group of
people, Portage Lakes State Park will be able to accommodate all of your needs. It features
many different lakes as well as a wetlands area that attracts many different species to the
surrounding area. There are also events that take place in the park which showcase the multipurpose
use of the park.

2. Cascade Valley Metro Park

Located in south Akron, this metro park offers a large range of different trails for you to explore.
The Overlook area offers amazing views and a relatively easy trail which is great for children or
beginners. More experienced hikers might enjoy the moderately challenging Highbridge Trail
which has some beautiful views of the Cuyahoga river.

3. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm —1828 Smith Rd. Akron, OH 44313

As well as having three walking/hiking trails, this park and nature realm is a great place for
children or adults who want to learn while they hike. There includes seasonal exhibits as well as
a great kids adrea and a on-site naturalist who is happy to answer any kinds of questions about
the area and wildlife. This area houses many beautiful observation decks, ponds, and even a
large ravine. This is a perfect place to take the whole family to enjoy and learn about the
outdoors.

4. Treaty Line Area in Sand Run Metro Park —995 Treaty Line Rd. Akron, OH 44313

For those wanting to work up a sweat, the Treaty Line Area inside the Sand Run Metro Park
might be right for you. It features several challenging hills and workout stations that can further
challenge you during your walk. This trail is also pet-friendly and features restrooms and a
picnic area which makes it well suited for groups.

Celebrating 200 Homes Built in Akron, Ohio area

Recently Habitat For Humanity Summit County completed their 200th home in the Akron area.  Akron Today Magazine interviewed Habitat For Humanity Summit County CEO and President, Rochelle Sibbio. Here is the Q&A.

1) In 2018, Habitat For Humanity Summit County is building it’s 200th home. How does that feel and what are the goals for the next five years?

It feels amazing to know that we have helped 200 families become homeowners in our community! From the beginnings of the Summit County Habitat affiliate to today I don’t know that the founding board members thought we would get this far in our history. Our very first project was a rehab of a home on Sylvan Avenue and Dorothy Connelly is still the owner of that home today. In the next five years aggressively we would like to build 10 new homes a year, repair 20 homes a year and continue our deconstruction program as a leader in the industry and with Habitat around the US. We are projected to grow our ReStore to $2 million in gross revenue in the next five years and we started that this April by opening an additional day a week.

2) How has your mission changed over the years and what is the primary focus now?

Habitat’s mission has been steadfast for 42 years since it was founded in Americus, GA in 1977; to eliminate substandard housing and a vision where everyone has a decent place to live. While the language and sentencing may have changed over the years the mission and vision remain rooted in homeownership. In the last several years, many affiliates, including ours, began an exterior home repair program. Our goal is to keep families warm, safe, and dry in their homes which many times can lessen the utility bills and maintain the home as an affordable place to live and raise a family. The Summit County affiliate was more of an in-fill builder (one home here one home there) and over the last five years we have focused more on specific neighborhoods where we can do Neighborhood Revitalization which can mean building new construction homes, home repair and deconstruction/demolition work to make way for development once the blight is removed. With the opening of the Summit County ReStore in 2007 the community has supported this venture to provide the necessary funding to continue our mission and expand our mission to do more. But there is always more to do!

3) What does your organization need most? Money? Volunteers? Donated Items?

I would say all of those are highly needed by our affiliate. The funding is needed to build each home, repair each home in advance of the project completion. Habitat is not made whole at the closing of a mortgage since we act as the developer, general contractor, and mortgage holder and servicer. Our families pay us back over the 30 year life of the zero interest mortgage but our building materials have to be paid for as the home is built. Volunteers build nearly 80% of each home from raising walls, hanging siding, installing insulation, putting up drywall – mudding it and finishing it, prime and paint walls, to installing windows and doors and completing the landscaping. It’s a heavy lift! Approximately 2,500 hours to build a home with volunteers and generally over 300 volunteers per project. The donated items that aren’t geared for new construction are placed in our ReStore for sale to the general public. Those dollars fill our gaps in construction and keep the lights on and a roof over the head of the staff that work side by side with families.

4) How do your homes help the greater neighborhoods they are in?

Habitat homes raise property values, especially when we are blessed to build more than one or two homes on a street or in a particular neighborhood. For example, we recently completed two homes side by side in Cuyahoga Falls on Magnolia Street. They were the first two new construction homes on the street since 1987 and prior to that one house built the housing stock on the street dated into the 1940’s and 1950’s. The homes appraised at $145,000 each and will help to increase property values of the neighboring homes. We inspire in neighborhoods as well especially when we do Neighborhood Reborn projects which are our exterior home repair which takes place in specific neighborhoods. We are highly focused with this work in Akron’s Middlebury area and will be doing NRVII in May and moving up to the University Park Neighborhood for the August and October NRVIII and NRIX. While we may be able to complete upwards of 10 home repair projects for homeowners we work with the tenant occupied properties to install solar powered security lights, plant flowers and flower bulbs, and some other general landscape and empower all residents of the street whether homeowners or renters to come together for the betterment of their neighborhood.

5) How can people find out more about you and get involved?

Our website is a wealth of information on being a volunteer on the job site or in the ReStore. We also have a weekly electronic newsletter that is pushed out to our subscribers every Tuesday afternoon that is filled with information about what’s coming up and items that are new in the ReStore. We are also happy to come to workplace, church, service club or community meeting and tell our story and offer ways that people can sign up to join our efforts in making sure that everyone has a decent place to live.

What is External Benchmarking and How Does it Help?

Many small business owners think that external benchmarking is a complicated process, which only large corporations can benefit from.  They believe that there’s no advantage to be gained for their small company by doing it.  Also, even if they wanted to do it, they think the process is cost prohibitive, in addition to requiring time and manpower they don’t have.

And while this can be true, one methodology has a 12 step procedure, it doesn’t have to be that way.  There’s no universally accepted template for the process.  In its most basic form external benchmarking is simply a way to measure your company’s performance in a certain area (i.e., operations, quality, profit and loss, technology) against the best practices of other companies.

Comparing your company practices to another’s best practices provides you with 2 important things.  One is benchmarking gives you insight into how your procedures, operations and costs compare to other companies who’re “doing it right”.  Small business owners who lack basic, broad based knowledge of standard business practices, let alone best practices, is epidemic.

Secondly, benchmarking is a way to learn from the mistakes and experiences of others, without having to go through them yourself.  If you’re willing to learn from the process it’ll give you the perspective, insight and knowledge you need to stay competitive through effective management of goods, services, operations and costs.  External benchmarking provides numerous competitive advantages.

For example, a fictional Akron machine shop had significant employee theft.  The owner learned the best practices for correcting the problem from the owner of a plastics fabricator in Elyria.  However, when the problem was maintaining calibration of his machines, he sought out the best practices of the non-competitive machine shop 2 streets over.

External benchmarking doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.  It can be a onetime event related to a specific problem or an on-going course of action focusing on one or more problems.  It’s impossible for a small business owner to know everything he needs to know to stay competitive and make a profit.  Therefore, it’s worth the time to learn if external benchmarking is right for you.

 

Akron Jobs


Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Address: 714 N Portage Path Akron, OH 44303

Phone: 330-836-5533

Website

Built during the years 1912 to 1915, this manor was formerly owned by F.A. Seiberling, founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and his wife Gertrude. Stan Hywet means stone quarry in Old English, which is a natural feature of the property. As most of the estates similar to Stan Hywet have been demolished over the years, the property and a few others have been preserved as historic estates and are therefore protected by the organizations that handle them.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is considered as Akron’s sole National Historic Landmark. More than fifty years ago, the Seiberling family donated the estate to a non-profit organization, allowing the public to see what it is like inside the manor.

To support its day to day expenses, they have allowed some parts of the estate to be rented out for special occasions, such as weddings and corporate events. The lush garden surrounding the estate is perfect as backdrop for events and gatherings. They also offer tours around the estate from April to December.

If you’re an architectural buff and you enjoy visiting houses steeped in history and built with that authentic classical design that today’s classic houses could not emulate, then you must not fail to visit Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens when you find yourself in Akron.

For inquires regarding events and tours, you may call their office today.

Get Fit For Spring Hiking

Fitness and endurance are important as you move into the spring, and you must begin by finding places where you will get the best workout. You need not spend your time int he gym if you do not wish to, and you may begin to hike instead. The Akron area has many good hikes, and you will find that hiking is often better for then going to the gym if you are not the fitness type. This article will show you all that is beneficial about hiking, how you must hike and where you may go in the area.

#1: Why Hike?

You may hike for a number of reasons. You may not be a runner, and it is easier to hike because you are not going as hard as you may for many miles at a time. The hiking that you do will be quite a lot of fun because you will see all the sights that you go near, and you will have time to stop and rest while you are moving. Hiking is an event that you may bring the whole family around for, and you will quite enjoy going on hikes that you have selected for their beauty.

#2: How Hard Is Hiking

Hiking is easy for the whole family to, but it is hard on your body. You will get a full workout that pushes you quite hard, and you will feel the burn in all your muscles when your are done. It is wise for you to hike for small periods until your re strong enough to go on for longer, and you will quite enjoy the way it feels to get through a hike where you got a workout without wearing yourself out.

#3: Hikes In The Akron Area

“We hike every week and go to so many different trails in the Akron area. It is amazing there are so many options.” – Ron McDaniel

There are three very good hikes in the Akron area that you must try. You may go to Cascade Metro Parks North and South for your next hikes, and they have many trails that you will quite enjoy, and you may bring your children to play in the park at the same time. This is a lovely time for all, and it is a strong hike for someone who loves being on the trail.

You may go to the Sieberling Nature Realm when you wish to be on the trail among all the nature and animals that you may find. The Akron area is filled with wonderful wildlife, and you will quite enjoy seeing the park from a new perspective every time you take a hike there.

Each of these hikes will help you get the workout that you need, and you will feel much better about your body once you are finished.

Make Your Basement a Sports Bar

Your Akron home probably has a boring basement with a bit of mildew and a bunch of boxes and dusty things you are not using. However, it does not have to be that way. You can transform your Akron basement into a sports bar and have friends over all the time. The first thing you want to do is check the foundation and dampness of the basement before you start doing any Akron basement finishing work.

If you notice water in your basement, contact an Akron basement waterproofing company to have them look at it. Likewise, if your basement wall is deteriorating or you notice cracks or bowed basement walls, contact a professional to repair your Akron basement foundation. You do not want to invest time and money into finishing the basement until that is done.

When setting up a basement bar there are some must-have items you must have around or your basement bar won’t really be a bar but just a basement pretending to be. Of course, there are some extras like a jukebox and pool table that will really set the bar off. However, consider the following 5 must-haves in order to set up your very own basement bar to enjoy a night with your friends, parties, game days, and then add the extras when you can afford to.

Must-Have #1 – A Basement

This might seem obvious, but to have the best basement bar ever you really need a traditional basement. There are many benefits to this that include being on a completely different level than the rest of the house so noise wont be transmitted and bother those above you. Of course, you can make a basement bar in whatever space you call the basement, but a true basement bar needs a basement.

Must-Have #2 – A Bar

Ok, obvious requirement number two is a bar. A basement bar (see images there) needs a bar that is set up to serve beer and give the appearance that your basement bar is really authentic. You can buy a ready-made bar, hire a carpenter to build you one, or give it a go yourself by buying the lumber and downloading step-by-step instructions from the Internet. As long as you have a basement and a bar your basement bar just needs some accessories.

Must-Have #3 – A Kegerator

A kegerator is a refrigerated keg that will keep your beer cold at all times and be ready to serve anytime the basement bar is open. You don’t want to have to buy six-packs and litter your bar with bottled beer when you can serve beer straight from the keg. Keg beer is special and will make your basement bar even more so.

Must-Have #4 – A Big TV

No, you don’t have to have the biggest screen television on the market, but it will help. Buy the largest screen television you can afford for your basement bar or one that fits the space well if your basement is really small. This will allow for a great game watching like the Superbowl, Basketball National Championship, and other great games.

Must-Have #5 – Comfortable Seating

This might seem generic, but it really is a must-have for your basement bar. If your friends are joining you for a night of poker or Monday night Football they need a place to sit back and relax while drinking some of your keg beer. So, be sure to have some bar stools around the bar as well as comfy couches and chairs surrounding the TV, with your poker table nearby so there is plenty of seating wherever the action is taking place.

Get a Jump On Spring Cleaning

It’s getting to be that time of year again, and you’re probably thinking about doing some spring cleaning. We all are. You don’t have to wait until the weather hits a certain temperature to get started.

Before it’s even warm enough to clean your yard there are a lot of things you can do inside to get your house in tip-top shape for the coming year. For example, you might want to pick one room or one closet or one drawer or cupboard in your kitchen and think about cleaning out very thoroughly and throwing a bunch of stuff away as part of your spring cleaning before even getting to the yard.

Inside you may want to do some things like dust the fans and hire someone to clean out your ventilation. Getting rid of the dust can help when allergy season hits.

The next thing you might want to do is look at cleaning your garage, shed or mud room to get ready for the spring cleaning of the yard that’s to come. Before the grass is even ready to mow you might want to start your weed eater and your lawnmower to make sure they’re running. Make sure you use fresh gas or they will probably not start. And if they’re not running to have them serviced so that they’re ready when it’s time to cut the grass or trim the sidewalk edges. If you wait until the last minute you will find a backlog of people also getting repairs and the wait will be longer.

This is also a good time to look at your patio furniture and see if replacement or repairs are needed before it warms up too much. Sometimes simply sanding the rust or problem areas and painting them will be enough to make your patio furniture seem like new. At the hardware store, you can buy metallic paint was specifically designed to do just this. If the umbrella to your patio table is faded or broken you can also get out and get a replacement before and really want to use it so you have it ready.

When you get a random nice day even if you’re not ready to start cleaning the entire yard you can break up a small bunch of leaves and throw them away or pick up sticks and pile them neatly someplace where you can either throw them away, mulch them or burn them later. This way when you start cleaning the yard for real some of the initial work is already done.

And how about that old swing set in your backyard – do your kids still use it? Maybe it’s time to cut that up into pieces and get rid of it. Or if it’s something that comes apart maybe you can donate it to someone who will use it. Often there is a spring trash pickup day for big stuff like that and that is the time you want to get rid of those sorts of things.

We all know what it’s like the first day you start really spring cleaning in your yard. You’re sore and you feel like you haven’t exercised in a year and at the end of the day, you feel like you’ve been run over by a truck. While the exercise is good for us, too much all at once after getting a little bit out of shape over the winter can be dangerous, or at least unpleasant. By doing a little bit in advance you can lighten the load and be a bit more active in advance. And you always have the option to hire a landscaping company, handyman, or some kids from the neighborhood to come and help you so that you don’t hurt yourself or overexert yourself all in one day. There are plenty of landscaping services in Akron and every suburb around Akron and you can simply do a web search to find these people and hire them now before they get too busy in order to get your yard in the best shape possible to enjoy on those first warm weeks.

Akron Family Resource Guide

This is the ultimate family resource guide for Akron Families.

Are you  in search of a better bank for you? Do you want to know if there are close banks near your home, or if they offer a better rate to refinance your home mortgage? Are you looking for a better price or company  for your electric or gas supply? This small list will give you the places you need to go to compare your current rates, prices, and services from other banks and energy suppliers. Check them out and compare.

Interested to know how your school district is doing? How about your particular school?

To find a better bank. Go to:

FindABetterBank.com.  You can find the locations, fees, and best bank options after you enter basic information for them to you your search.  They offer you many choices and even after that you can compare up to 3 banks to see who offers the best deal for you.  This is truly a no brainer.

To compare Electric or Gas suppliers rates. Go to:

http://www.puco.ohio.gov/

Check the prices, contract’s lengths and fees, and take the best option for your family.

Do you want to compare your child’s school?

There are several places that you can go and check out the place where they are educating your children.

  1. U.S. News &World Report – Best School Districs

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/ohio/districts/akron-city-102127

  1. Akron City District-If you are looking for the best high school.

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/search?district-id=102127&state-urlname=ohio

Middle school Ratings –http://www.greatschools.org/ohio/akron/schools/?gradeLevels=m

  1. The Ohio Department of Education offers resources for testing and to find your district’s or school’s 2016 report card.

http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Data/Report-Card-Resources

Do you have a junior or senior in high school looking for a college? Here is a link to the National Universities Rankings for them to pick and choose.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

Do you want to have your school conduct surveys with parents and students to improve the school?

Would you like a resource you would like us to include? Send as an e-mail. We would be happy to include it in a future article.

Now Is The Time For Waterproofing Your Akron Basement

As a homeowner in the Akron Ohio area, you have a high chance you have had to deal with a wet basement.  Older homes, harsh winters and basements that have not been inspected for many years can lead to a very dangerous wet environment.  It could include mold, deteriorating home foundation, bowed walls or even more problems.

The good thing about the winter is you usually do not have to think about it much.  But you should.

Akron basement waterproofing companies are often slow in the winter months because the problem is not as sever.  Once spring hits and the snows thaw and the rain starts, everyone begins needing the services of a basement waterproofing company almost on the exact same day.

This can lead to long waits to get the help you need.  And you could have gotten immediate service most likely had you called in the winter and had them come out.  If you can see water damage, bowed walls or other problems, you can have it inspected in the winter and either have it fixed before more damage is done, or at the very least jump to the front of the line to have your repairs done once the temperature allows them to.  In most cases repairs can be done in any temperature – it is just not top of mind for Akron homeowners when the leak is not visible due to colder weather.

If you wait until full spring, the ground will warm up, contracting and leaving a gap between your home and the ground.  This is the perfect place for the rain and groundwater to leak into your home if it is not properly sealed.  And this is why finding a waterproofing company in the spring can take so long.

Basement waterproofing costs in Akron can vary, but what is certain is that prolonging getting your basement waterproofed risks further damage and destabilization which will increase the costs down the road.  Putting it off could even lead to a more major flood and much higher costs in the form of damage to foundation and belongings.

This article is just to give you a head’s up.  If you already know you have water issues in your basement, and you know you will probably do something about it in the near future, today is the day to give your local basement waterproofing company a call and get started.