Not sure if you all are like me, but this month has been absolutely flying by. Definitely have been enjoying the business of life as we get into the middle of summer! Hopefully many of you have been able to get some vacations in or planned before the end as beautiful has been seen across the country as of late!
This week we got a few different things to take notice of!
• Akron METRO edges closer to a strike vote
Akron Public Schools tries to get ahead of AI in the classroom
$25 million in Stark County road work is on the way
Restaurant of the Week: a new cheese-and-charcuterie café in Akron
And a bigger list of events through Saturday
-JJ
Akron METRO heads into another tense week
The Akron transit standoff still isn’t cooling off. Signal Akron reported that METRO bus drivers and workers are planning a strike vote on June 30, while the Akron Beacon Journal reported that METRO and the union are still split on something as basic as when to return to the bargaining table. A strike is not set, but the temperature is clearly rising, and for riders that matters now, not later. If this gets worse, it stops being a labor story and turns into a daily-life story for people trying to get to work, school, or appointments.
Akron Public Schools wants AI rules before the next school year gets away from them
Akron Public Schools is working on a policy that would put real guardrails around how students and staff use artificial intelligence. The school board is considering rules now, which is probably the smartest play as of now. Too many districts wait until a tool is already everywhere before they decide what counts as acceptable use. This feels like Akron trying to get in front of a change that is only going to get bigger.
Especially with the rate that AI is improving, many schools across the country have been seen to show a massive variance in decisions; some massively promoting observed use to help kids learn for the future, while others have completely banned any use.
$25 million in Stark County road, bridge, and intersection work is on the way
Quick story to help explain all of the construction many of you have seen, especially if you driving between 10:00 pm- 6:00 am. Stark County’s summer construction season is underway, with about $25 million in projects tied to roads, bridges, and intersections across the county. It is the kind of update that matters because it is both annoying and necessary. There will be delays, detours, and roadwork headaches, but it also means long-promised infrastructure work is finally showing up where people can see it.
Constance Fromagerie & Café brings a little European energy to Akron
If you like the idea of slowing down over coffee, cheese, or a good-looking charcuterie board, this one belongs on your list. Constance Fromagerie & Café in Pilgrim Square, is a new spot bringing a more European café-and-market feel to Northwest Akron. It is not trying to be loud or trendy for the sake of it. It sounds more like the kind of place you end up wanting in your regular rotation once you’ve been there once.
A Vacant Canton church is getting a second life as a childcare and community hub
One of the more encouraging Canton stories from the last few days, it is reported that the former Calvary church is being repurposed as the Gibbs Avenue Center. Instead of another empty building sitting in place, the site is headed toward something more useful: childcare and broader community use. It is the kind of redevelopment story that feels smaller than a headline.
Events!
-Food Truck Wednesdays | 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, June 24. Bounce Innovation Hub, Akron. A simple downtown lunch break with food trucks and easy midweek energy.
-Midday on Main Lunchtime Concerts | 12-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 24. Lock 3, Akron. Grab lunch and catch Anna Beau during Downtown Akron’s free lunchtime music series.
-Summer Serenades in the Park | 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 24. Hall of Fame Village Amphitheater, Canton. Stark Parks is bringing a free woodwind quintet performance to the amphitheater.
-Wicked, Centennial Plaza Movie Series | Pre-show 6:15 p.m., movie 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 24. Centennial Plaza, Canton. Free outdoor movie night downtown, and this week’s pick is a big one.
-Free Thursday at Akron Art Museum | 12-9 p.m., Thursday, June 25. Akron Art Museum. If you want a low-cost downtown outing, this is a good museum night to build around.
-Killer Competition: The Musical | 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27. Wild Oscar’s, Akron Civic Theatre. A brand-new musical built around a televised singing competition and a murder mystery is about as specific as it sounds.
-Party on the Plaza | 6-7 p.m., Friday, June 26. Akron Civic Theatre, Akron. Victor Samalot Duo takes the stage for this free summer downtown set.
-Gin Blossoms | 7 p.m., Friday, June 26. Lock 3, Akron. One of the bigger Akron shows of the week if you want a full summer-night concert. Lock 3
-ACME Fresh Market Foundation 8K and 1 Mile | 7 a.m., Saturday, June 27. InfoCision Stadium, Akron. An early start, but a good one if you want something active on Saturday morning.
-Discover Downtown Akron Walking Tour | 12-1 p.m., Saturday, June 27. Lock 3, Akron. A good excuse to slow down and look at downtown a little more closely.
-ChamberFest Color Run and ChamberFest | 2-5 p.m. and 4-10 p.m., Saturday, June 27. Metzger Park, Louisville. Family-friendly color run first, then food, music, activities, and fireworks into the evening.
-Carl Thomas with Marilyn Oliver | 7 p.m., Saturday, June 27. Lock 3, Akron. A strong Saturday-night option if you want to stay local and keep the weekend going.
Hope this summer has kicked off great for everyone and let me know if you have any thoughts!