Month: May 2023

Oddmall returns to The BLVD to kick off Kenmore First Friday!

May 2023 • 2 minutes

Kenmore First Friday is back on The BLVD tomorrow, June 2, from 6 – 9 p.m. and returning to help us kick off the 2023 season is Oddmall to host “The Great Grassman Gathering” market – a block party celebrating Kenmore’s own cryptozoological marvel – The Kenmore Grassman.

Oddmall’s market features dozens of vendor booths showcasing the works and wonders of an abundance of artists, crafters, entertainers, and purveyors of games, toys, comics, and all things awesome and amazingly amazing to fascinate even the most jaded of curmudgeons.

June 2 marks Oddmall’s third appearance at Kenmore First Friday and the first of two appearances in 2023 (they’ll be back on The BLVD August 4 to host “The Rubber City Rumpus” market).

Oddmall began long ago in the ancient times of 2008 when Oddmall founder Andy Hopp and his wife attended Bizarre Bazaar in Cleveland – an event focusing on strange and unusual art.

“It was really, really cool,” Andy said, “but it was in a building that just wasn’t very family friendly. My wife and I thought we should do a similarly weird show, but wanted to make it more accessible for everybody.”

Oddmall hosted its first market in May 2009. It was a success, and they added a second show in November that year. Oddmall now hosts a dozen events throughout the year and has grown from an art show to a full blown market that includes people in costumes, reptile shows, dancers, live music, and other performers.

Andy says Oddmall wanted to host an event in Kenmore for a number of reasons, including the lore of the Kenmore Grassman – a bigfoot-like creature Kenmore residents first spotted inhabiting a swampy area off Manchester Road in the late 20th century.

“Kenmore’s a neat neighborhood,” Andy said. “It’s gotten a bad rap, but I think, especially because of the efforts of Better Kenmore CDC, that image is changing and there’s a lot of really interesting people and stores there. This is the third year [Oddmall has participated in First Friday] and the first year was our first show after quarantine so that was unique”

Kenmore First Friday and Oddmall’s Great Grassman Gathering kick off on The BLVD tomorrow, Friday, June 2, at 6 p.m. The event will feature over 40 vendors, speed dating, half a dozen live music stages – including performances by Detention and Funeral Proposals on the main stage –food trucks, a kid’s zone, the Magic City Brewing Company Beer Garden, and so much more!

And rumor has it that both the Kenmore Grassman and the Kenmore Cardinal will be in attendance.

For the complete lineup and more information, visit betterkenmore.org/first-friday and be sure to visit the Oddmall Outpost sometime!

Kenmore Boulevard’s Oldest Operating Organization Offers More Than You Think

May 2023 • 2 minutes

By Abigail Stopka, Better Kenmore CDC

At 1090 Kenmore Blvd, situated between The Bank Lounge and Todd Young State Farm, sits the oldest organization still in operation on Kenmore Blvd. –The American Legion Firestone Memorial #449.

“A lot of folks think that the American Legion is just a bar for old folks to go drink,” said John Life – immediate past Post Commander & Post Adjutant of the American Legion #449. “I’ve been a member since 2007 and am currently 38 years old. I barely drink anymore, but I enjoy going to our post. We have built a family there. My children are members and enjoy going to the post as well.”

The American Legion post filed for its Charter in 1934 and opened in what many people know as “the house with the two cannons out front” on Kenmore Blvd. in the spring of 1937.

For 86 years it’s been a place for generations of veterans, their families, and friends to make memories. It’s also home to “the canteen” where you’ll find a fully stocked bar, a kitchen, a pool table, memorabilia, darts, and friendly faces.

The best part? You don’t need to be a veteran to join.

“Most people think you have to be a veteran to come hang out here, but that is not the case,” explained Shannon Schaffer, Auxiliary President & Canteen Manager of the American Legion #449 “We have a variety memberships at varying prices for veterans, legionnaires (family of veterans), and social members.”

Shannon and the members are working hard to build a community at the American Legion #449 and host brunches, monthly Euchre tournaments, a weekly happy hour, game nights, pizza nights, corn hole tournaments, annual picnics, and Memorial Day services – which includes placing flags on the graves of the veterans buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Flag placement will happen this Saturday, May 27, from 8:30 a.m. – noon (and they could use some volunteers if you have the time – more info here)

“We are more than a bar,” John said “and I hope to continue the work we do for our veterans and community.”

The American Legion #449 is currently recruiting new veteran, legionnaire, and social members.

For more information, stop by the canteen at 1090 Kenmore Blvd. and ring the buzzer to be admitted.

The American Legion is open Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.- 12 a.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Follow the American Legion #449 on Facebook and stay up to date with all events and happenings.

The Financial Empowerment Center is here for you Kenmore!

May 2023 • 2 minutes

By Abigail Stopka, Better Kenmore CDC

Finances are an uncomfortable topic for many people. Budgeting can be confusing and sometimes it feels like you’re stuck. Luckily, The United Way’s Financial Empowerment Center, located at 1060 Kenmore Blvd, is ready and excited to help you get your finances on track.

The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) opened in 2018 to help Summit and Medina County residents build financial stability by giving them the resources they need to budget and save, pay down debt and boost their credit scores.

Antoinette Dudley, the Director of The Financial Empowerment Center, explained that the FEC employs a team of professional financial coaches trained to help people navigate financial challenges and achieve financial goals. Coaches help FEC clients create budgets, set savings goals, improve credit scores, and reduce debt through free, one-on-one sessions.

Another program the FEC offers is “Bank On Rubber City”- a coalition led by United Way of Summit & Medina Counties and the City of Akron. Bank On educates and connects Summit County residents to safe and affordable banking products and solutions that are key to successful financial empowerment.

“We have a broad goal of financially empowering 11,000 people in Summit County and 2,500 people in Medina County by 2028,”Antoinette explained, adding “since we’ve been open, we have helped clients decrease their debt by $5,395,598 and increase their savings by 2.3 million. We have helped 2,682 clients since opening in 2018 and have done 10,084 sessions since opening.”

The FEC also offers free tax preparation services to those who qualify.

“I used [the FEC] to have my dad’s taxes done for his estate,” one FEC client explained. “The staff was very helpful and courteous! Having his taxes done for free and the quality of the service meant the world to me.”

If you or someone you know could benefit from the services offered by The Financial Empowerment Center, you can visit the office Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 1060 Kenmore Blvd. You can contact them at 330-762-7601 or you can schedule your one-on-one financial coaching session online here. Appointments are offered in person or virtually. FEC’s financial coaching sessions are free for all and have no income restrictions.

Kenmore First Friday returns with new live music, market, food, and beer experiences in 2023!

May 2023 • 2 minutes

Better Kenmore CDC, in partnership with Kenmore Chamber of Commerce and the County of Summit ADM Board, is excited to announce the return of Kenmore First Friday to the historic Kenmore Boulevard business district (aka The BLVD). The events will kick off June 2 with live music from Akron favorite Detention – an energetic band who have been receiving airplay on Sirius XM and played three showcases at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas this March.

Joining Detention on the main stage will be up and comers Funeral Proposals who have just finished tracking their first record with Chris Butler of Waitresses and Tin Huey fame. Emerging Akron bands FourShadow and Duplain will perform in the McCutchan Courtyard and additional live music will be programmed by Buzzbin Art & Music Shop, Juju Bonz Records, Akorn Jammers Open Mic, and the Kenmore Branch Library will host an indoor stage featuring hip hop and urban expression artists presented by First Glance, Glory In The Beat Radio, and Akron Dream Center.

Oddmall will also return in June with its “Great Grassman Gathering” market which will feature over 40 purveyors of art, games, toys, comics, and collectibles, while The Rialto Theatre hosts a Speed Dating event followed by live music from Jim Ballard & the Strangs.

Kenmore First Fridays will take place every first Friday of the month beginning June 2 and will continue through Sept. 1. The free events will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature live music, vendors, family activities, food trucks and the Magic City Brewing Company outdoor beer garden. See the full schedule below:

June 2: Detention with Funeral Proposals, plus Oddmall: The Great Grassman Gathering

July 7: Yankee Bravo with Long Tall Deb & Colin John, plus 720 Market

August 4: The Labra Brothers with Anya Van Rose, plus Oddmall: Rubber City Rumpus, and filmmaker/comic book artist Ted Sikora

September 1: Church of Starry Wisdom with Glenn Lazear, plus Art On The BLVD featuring Trillium Schools of Music. Gum-Dip Theatre, Summit Artspace, Innes CLC, Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Akron Art Museum Keith Haring Chalk Party, and more!

“Our staff, partners, and volunteers strive to consistently bring the best live music, vendors, and food trucks to Kenmore First Fridays,” said Corey Jenkins, Marketing and Events Director for Better Kenmore CDC, “and no two months are ever the same, so we really encourage the community to come down each month to see what’s happening!”

Kenmore First Fridays are FREE and presented by Better Kenmore CDC, Kenmore Chamber of Commerce and County of Summit ADM Board, with additional support from Akron Civic Commons, Peg’s Foundation, Apollo Supply Co., City of Akron, Kenmore Komics & Games, United Way, The Summit FM, Akron Dream Center, Akron Promise, Akron RubberDucks, Bi-02-Tek Services, Big Love Network, First Glance, Glory in the Beat, Innes CLC, Pierre’s Brooklyn Pizza & Deli, Primo’s Deli, Portage Path Behavioral Health, Regina’s Pizza, Rocco’s Pizza, Showcase Meats,Thomas C. Loepp Law Offices, and Trillium Schools of Music.

RSVP to the June 2 Kenmore First Friday on Facebook!

Event information will be posted as it becomes available at betterkenmore.org/first-friday.

Meet Our Community Liaison!

May 2023 • 2 minutes

By Abigail Stopka, Better Kenmore CDC

Better Kenmore is thrilled to introduce its new community liaison, Elisha West!

Elisha has called Akron home her entire life, and has spent years applying her passion for people by working with individuals with developmental disabilities – serving as a group home manager, case worker, and foster care provider.

As Better Kenmore’s community liaison, Elisha works to create and maintain connections within the community, businesses and property owners throughout the Kenmore neighborhood. She is also in charge of beautification efforts and placemaking projects, and is organizing a Beautify The BLVD event this Friday, May 5.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with everyone on The BLVD and I am learning so much about the community of Kenmore and all of the opportunities it has to offer! ” Elisha said, adding “my great aunt Ninnie moved here from Louisiana to work at Goodrich and she lived on 14th street with my uncle Paul who was the President of The Hibernian Club on Kenmore Blvd., I am grateful to work for a place they loved so dearly.”

When Elisha isn’t serving the Kenmore community she enjoys working on her fitness with crossfit, biking and hiking in the beautiful Akron metro parks and spending time with her family.

Be sure to say hello to Elisha and welcome her to the neighborhood the next time you see her enjoying a slice of Pierre’s white pizza or sipping on a cup of peppermint tea from SRINA!

Elisha is diving head first into the beautification of Kenmore Blvd. with a vision of mulching and planting beautiful flowers down Kenmore Blvd. and you can help! This Friday and Saturday, May 5th and 6th from 9am – noon, Elisha is looking for volunteers to help clean up, mulch and plant flowers on Kenmore Blvd. to get it ready for the summer. Sign up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080b4dacaa22a0f58-beautify#/