Designing Akron's Future: Join Us for a Creative Chat!

It's the akron podcast for April 25, 2025.

More work on the logo Some strange stuff at Booktool.

We've updated some things on the website including the event calendar.

Let's get to it.

A meeting is happening on April 29 called Designing Akron's Future, A Creative Community Conversation where you can join Akron Black Artists Guild, Arts Now, Summer Art Space and the City of Akron for an exciting and informative virtual conversation designed specifically for the creative community on Tuesday, April 29 from 5 to 6pm the gathering is your opportunity to learn more about the City of Akron's request for proposals to design a new city logo.

Explore how community input and insight will shape the design process.

Hear from partners and city representatives about the goals and vision for this initiative.

Connect with fellow creatives and understand how artists, designers and cultural workers can get involved.

Whether you're a graphic designer, a community based artist or simply passionate about Akron's visual identity, this is your chance to be part of something meaningful that reflects the spirit of our city.

I'll have a link out in the show notes where you can register.

I guess we should be happy about this.

Last week Akron police arrested a student at Buktul after a teacher went in to break up a fight.

These students were 15 and 16 in the girls restroom, so I don't know if this one would assume they were girls, but you never know.

But they were 15 and 16.

The teacher, who was unnamed in this report from Fox 19, went in to break up the fight and got hit in the head with a Stanley Cup.

Now if you're thinking hockey, no this is but it is stainless steel and ended up going to the hospital.

So here's the good news, they didn't pull out a gun and shoot each other.

Speaking of shooting each other, back on April 13, Aharon Pittman Sr.

Of Akron and what's really weird is the Beacon Journal said that he was basically shot.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.09am he had been shot in the head and torso and they've just now identified him and I'm like okay.

But they said it was in the 1300 block of Britain Road.

Well if you go to the 1300 block of Britain Road, it's a bunch of Asian food stores and restaurants and I'm like what is open at 4 in the morning?

And they found this guy on the dance floor and I'm like oh, there is a strip Club at 13:36 and that is Danielle's Dolls.

So I'm not saying that's where it was, but it would make me think maybe that's where it was, but just sad that here again guns come into play and people die.

Let's talk about some good things.

The Akron Area Interfaith Council Hunger Walk is happening right around the corner May 4th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron.

The walk, which is open to individuals and groups of any faith or no faith, just to raise funds for the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank.

Participants can choose the amount they want to donate to take part in the walk, which has 1 mile and 2 mile options.

All donations and funds that are raised go directly to the food bank, according to the chair of the Hunger Walk committee, Nancy Williams.

She said we have 14 different congregations representative, you do not have to be a member of a faith group or have any faith to go on the walk, Williams told cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer.

Many people like the walk because they know that their money goes directly to the food bank.

There's no middleman and we don't take out money for expenses or anything like that.

Last year's walk raised $18,000 for the food bank and the Walk Committee is hoping to raise more funds this year to help the food bank.

So if you're interested in this, I'll have a link out in the show notes.

Go raise some money for the food bank.

This is from the Akron Signal.

That's a cool local website and they're talking about their $17 million sitting in a pot of money for Akron Community Learning Centers.

Remember when all the schools we all got roundabouts and we all renamed our schools Community Learning Centers and they said for the first time in nearly three years, okay, the Akron Joint Board of Review, better known as jborg, formed to oversee the partnership between the Akron Public Schools and the City of Akron.

And this is all related to the construction and renovated of the again Akron Community Learning centers.

They met April 4 to re establish regular meetings and determine the best use of 17 million in unallocated funds.

Yeah, if there's a bunch of money sitting there, somebody better keep their eye on that, you know.

Now, members of the JBOR include the president of City Council, the chair of Council's Finance Committee, three members appointed by the mayor and five appointed by the Akron Public Schools.

And they basically, if you're not familiar, the jbor again, Joint Board of Review.

They created it back in 2003 following the approval of a 25% income tax that was an increase by Akron voters to support the renovation and rebuilding of nearly all schools in the district.

And this was at the time spearheaded by then mayor Don Pasqualec, Akron Public Schools and the city agreed to a 30 year formal partnership where the district would receive updated schools that would also function as community centers for Akron.

But they said due to changes in administration and an inability to find convenient time to meet.

Oh, I'm sorry, I've got yoga that day.

Like what?

The J.

Bor has not met since.

You want to guess how long has it been since the Akron Joint Board of review, while there's $17 million waiting to be spent.

When was the last time they met?

Yeah, August 2022.

Yeah.

Check your calendar on that.

Hey, I wanted to know.

I've updated a couple things.

The first one, and this is always sad, but the Akron shootings, that map has been updated.

The tool I was using for that kind of went out of business.

And so I've updated to the new one.

So every time I see, it's not a complete list, but every time I see someone has been shot, not necessarily killed, but somebody got shot, I add that to the map.

So that's out in the resource section.

And then I thought I would mention the community calendar because tonight, as I record this Friday the 25th, good old Peter Noon from Herman's Hermits is at the Civic.

Tomorrow at the Civic, comedian Brian Regan as we look into May, May 14th.

Gene Simmons, you might remember him, the bass player of kiss is at MGM Northfield.

Then Breaking Benjamin and Stained are May 19th at Blossom Music Center.

Jason Aldean, the Full Throttle tour is at Blossom.

And I don't know any of these bands.

Sasanta Primus, I know of and Pucifer.

And A Perfect Circle is at Blossom on May 25.

Dave Matthews will be May 30.

But there are some big names coming to Akron.

Like I know, Louis CK Is coming to the Civic.

Tom Segura is coming, I believe to Hilarities.

There are a bunch of big people coming out.

If you want to check it out, go to akronpodcast.com events are you ought to be in pictures.

That's right.

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood captures the attentions of Americans starting from an early age and beyond.

Celebrities, Instagram stories and of course, red carpet poses, there are actors out there playing, paying their dues and honoring their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or fulfilling sideline.

And submitting to casting calls is part of that journey.

And there's some casting calls coming right here to Akron.

Whether you're a working actor or an aspiring one, you might be curious to know which movies and TV shows are casting roles near you.

And so Backstage compiled a list of projects casting right now in Akron, near cities and nationwide.

And they have which roles and what they're looking for.

So one here, Night of the Living Diwali.

It's a promotional photo shoot.

They're looking for an Indian female, 20 to 30.

Basically, you know, females that are 20 to 30 as well, an Indian male.

Again, 20 to 30 of them that are around 20 to 30 in age.

The average hourly rate is 20 bucks.

The casting location is Akron, Ohio.

Another one, Mall Santa.

Now, this isn't like mall, like mall, but mal.

And they're looking for an elf.

This is a supporting role, five to 12 people.

Joe is the role.

Supporting male, someone 18 to 30.

Indigo, which is a lead female.

A trans female, 18 to 30.

And the average hourly rate is not available.

But they are casting here in Akron, another film called My Dog.

They're looking for Rachel, who's lead in the film, 21 to 31 female.

Alec is a supporting role, 21 to 31 male.

Sheridan is a supporting role female, 21 to 31.

The average rate, $12 an hour.

And again, they're casting here in Akron.

Man's best friend is another short film, Dogman.

That's the name of the character.

21 to 30 male.

The average hourly rate is not available.

But if you're looking to act, you know, there's a lot of things coming.

I'll have a link to these out in the show description, but you never know.

This could be a break that leads to another break that leads to another break.

And the next thing you know, everybody knows your name.