Akron Today Magazine

Akron Lifestyle and Entertainment

Fairlawn

Shopping Around – The New Norm

Shopping around for items is normal, but many people are moving towards shopping for items and services that used to not be questioned.  Prices can be very different from one place to another depending on the vendor. And things that used to be a monopoly have a high degree of competition now.  This week I saw a friend on Facebook complain about a new medication he needed be $500 a month and not covered by insurance.  Within an hour he had people telling him how to get it for $60 and places he could maybe get it free (from manufacturer) and how to do it.

Facebook and other social media channels are helping people collaborate and share information to find better deals on things.  But are you looking for better deals when it comes to some of these things?

  1. Utilities – By shopping for utility providers, you can reduce your rate significantly.  Put when your contract is up on your calendar and reshop for it once it expires or your rate will go up and not one will notify you.
  2. Medical – The exact same procedure can be radically different from place to place.  Some people even find it cheaper to go to another country and have a medical vacation versus just taking the first offer on a medical procedure.  (Please do not shop around if it is an emergency though!)
  3. Auto Repairs – If you are one of those people still going to the dealer, you are paying too much for some things.  I do like the dealer for maintenance but not for big jobs unless it requires a specialist.  That said, this is one area asking around is very important.  Just taking the cheapest person to fix your car can be a nightmare.
  4. Prescriptions – Not only does the place matter, but there are programs that will give you a discount at your pharmacy, whether in Akron, Hudson, Fairlawn or Aurora.
  5. Cars – Sure we all shop around for cars already, but did you know if you know what you are looking for and you start calling dealerships (especially if you are a little flexible) you can get a great deal without ever setting foot on the lot (until you buy)?
  6. Entertainment – I cannot even say “TV” or “Cable” anymore because there are so many options for entertainment.  Do you just watch movies and tv shows?  You probably only need a streaming service.  The trick here is to know what you can’t live without and then shop around for the entertainment necessities and cut out the unused stuff.
  7. Insurance – If you got the best price on insurance more than a year ago, why have you not shopped it around again?  For example, we got a great deal on insurance a year ago and this year they raised the price about 30% for no reason.  Clearly the first year was a discount to get the business and they hope people will not move after year one and the price increase.  Time to start calling around.

I wish it was not such a hassle.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of our hyper capitalistic economy that businesses are always using gimmicks, specials and tricks to squeeze more money out of you.  You can either accept the games and pay more or you can manage your buying and pay less.  The choice is yours.

10 Ways To Free Up Your Time

Let’s talk about how to free up a bunch of your time.  Most people feel overwhelmed and busy most of the time and there are ways to put more minutes back into your day and they do not take too much effort.

There are a lot of reasons you should want to free up your time.  Even if you just want to have more fun and enjoy life more, freeing up time is a noble en-devour.  Another reason you might want to free up time is to do more side gigs and make some extra money to pay down bills.  Either way, well worth doing.  Here are 10 ways to grab back those minutes.

  1. Live close to work – Have as small of a commute as possible.  If you are living in Hudson and working in Fairlawn, why?  You can change your job or your home.  Cutting your drive can add an hour or more a day to your free time.
  2. Work from home – Better yet, make your commute a short walk to your home office.  You may be able to work from home all the time or only some days a week, but cutting down on drive time can free up your day.  Also, less office chit chat might make you more productive.
  3. Plan your meals – Do you go to the store every day or two?  Plan out your meals for the week and shop once.
  4. Get up early – Get up earlier and go to sleep earlier.  Chances are you are more productive in the morning and even if your sleep hours remain the same, the morning hours will probably be more productive and free up time later in the day.
  5. Time your errands – Do your errands, such as going to the post office, the bank and shopping during times when other people are working.  This cuts down on lines and waiting.
  6. Prep outfits – Know what you are going to wear for the week and prep them all at once.  The less you need to think about your clothes the better.  There is a reason that many great leaders have worn the same outfit most of the time.  They save their time and energy for more important things.
  7. Declutter your home – In our article on decluttering your home, we talk about how having less stuff saves time and money.
  8. Automate finances – One of the best things I ever did was automate most monthly financial transactions.  I know how much money I need to have in my account and everything happens automatically, saving me time and avoiding late fees.
  9. Hire help – If you are not an expert on something, don’t try to do it yourself (unless you truly enjoy figuring it out.)  You can find people to do thing much more affordably than before with sites for people doing gigs like tutoring, handyman, lawn care, etc.  Know what your time is worth and don’t waste it when you could hire out more cheaply.
  10. Limit Non-work Screen Time – Whether it is binge watching Netflix or reading fake (or real) news, limit your time in front of screens and get back hours a day.

All of these things individually are fairly minor habit changes or location changes that can vastly free up your time and improve your life.

Accounting Checklist for Business Startups in Akron

There are a few steps that you should take to ensure that your small business is successful. Organizing your accounting practices early will assist you to concentrate on the important work of growing your company. You will realize that there are a number of finance software applications that you can use for your accounting practices.

Bookkeeping is an essential part of any company because it helps in controlling the operations of your company and avoids an audit by offering the IRS what they require. Therefore, in order to attain your long-term objectives, increase your sales and organize your company’s accounting practices, ensure that you consider the following factors;

  • Make sure that your small business is legally registered and thereafter open a bank account for your company. The bank account for your business should be separate from your personal account including checking and credit card. Separating your company and personal expenses will give you peace of mind in the future.
  • It is critical for you to keep a record of all your expenses so that you can be certain that your business will be successful. This activity will assist you to track the development of the organization, organize your financial statements and also the deductible expenses. Therefore, keep all the important receipts of your business.
  • Develop a bookkeeping system through the different kinds of software that are available or simply an Excel worksheet if you have a very small number of monthly transactions. Additionally, you can hire a temporary bookkeeper that is based near your business.
  • The next step is to create a payroll system that will assist you to assign different roles in your small business and then compensate them for their input. Create a payroll system for all employees including permanent staff members and independent contractors. There are many companies that offer payroll solutions and your accountant can recommend one.
  • You should produce accurate and detailed invoicing so that you can easily answer questions from your clients in case of a misunderstanding. In addition, you should consider online payments so that you can automate your bookkeeping process.
  • You need to be ready to receive large expenses such as computer upgrades and equipment repair. These kinds of major expenses can come up in a slow month and therefore, you should be ready to avoid a cash crisis.
  • Devote some time to update your books. Dedicate a few hours per week to clear out your paperwork so that you can avoid a long pile up. It is important that you stick to the days that you have set aside so that your books can be updated at all times.  If you have hired a bookkeeper this is easier for you as you just need to be organized and get information to them, and keep an eye on their work.
  • Re-evaluate your accounting practices regularly. At the start, you will only use an Excel worksheet; however, as your company grows you will need to use more improved methods. Therefore, when you realize that an Excel worksheet is not adequate for you and needs a lot of effort; you should begin to look at the Internet-based bookkeeping platforms. Continue to reassess the effort and time that you use for your company’s bookkeeping so that you can save time for other more relevant activities.

Not taking accounting seriously is a huge risk for businesses.  It can lead to lost money, paying too much in taxes, poor business performance and even large penalties and fees simply by not paying things on time. If you are not able to conduct the bookkeeping process on your own then you should seek the assistance of an expert. That way, you will have a chance to concentrate on running your small Akron, Stow or Fairlawn business and try to get ahead of your competitors.

 

 

 

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: allfiredupakron@gmail.com

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.

Akron Business Networking

Akron is full of things to do.  But if you are starting a new business or if you want to get out and meet more people because you are in sales, you have to know where to go.

What many people do not realize is that not only is there an Akron Chamber of Commerce that provides business networking opportunities in Akron, but there are many other chambers as well in all the surrounding communities.  I have been to Fairlawn, Kent, Stow, Ravenna, Streetsboro and more different chambers.

Beyond that, Rotary is in many of these same communities.

Then you have professional networking organizations that provide specific networking opportunities.  One I was in was B to B Connect which generated a lot of referrals for our business to business marketing agency at the time.  They had groups in Kent, Stow, Akron, Streetsboro,  Aurora and more locations.  Because the same group meets every two weeks, you get to know people better and even if you do not get business, you will probably develop some good business friendships.

Network After Work puts on events in Akron and Cleveland as well and you do not have to be a member to attend and meet some new people.  The combination of events to meet new people and other events where you get to know people better is very powerful over time.

Then you can check Facebook Groups, LinkedIn and MeetUp to find even more things going on in Akron for business networking.  If you want to go to something new every few days you should be able to find something.

Some tips to networking better:

  1. Follow up the next day – nothing is more frustrating when people do not follow up after meeting.
  2. Do not expect sales – look to grow your network of connections and keep them fresh (reaching out regularly) and the sales will come over time.

Sure you can go to Cleveland which has come great events as well.  But chances are you can find all the new customers you want in the greater Akron area if you just know where to look.

Programming Classes For Kids In Akron

A Google search for computer programming classes for children will give you a very good starting point if you are interested in signing up your little Einstein for computer programming classes, Lego robotics, video game design, or other programs that they are interested in learning.

Many of the companies advertising these programs offer age appropriate programs tailored to your child’s age and in some instances your child’s skills. So, whether your child is a novice or an expert in computer programming and wants to learn more, some of these programs may be the solution for you.  Here are two companies that offer summer camps, winter camps and after-class courses for your children.  They are not free, and if your child wants to try them, make sure you check reviews and testimonials from other parents to see if that is what you’re looking for.

  • Classroom Antics – Cleveland-Akron Area

http://www.classroomantics.com/cleveland-akron-ohio/

  • iD Tech-Summer Technology Camps in Ohio

https://www.idtech.com/locations/ohio-summer-camps/

Do you want your child to try coding for free before you commit to other paid programs?  Then, this is the place you need to be.  Check these sites, and encourage your child to try some of them before deciding which summer camp they will be attending next year.

  • Khan Academy-Whether you are learning history, algebra,art or any other school subject, this is the place for you. A free, amazing site that will make you learn in a fun, easy to understand format.  Do you want to learn computer programming? Then Khan Academy is the place to start.

www.khanacademy.org

  • Apple Store-Summit Mall

A very nice, friendly place to start your child’s inquiring mind. Go to the free programming classes (call ahead) and have a great experience in Fairlawn.

http://www.apple.com/retail/summitmall/

  • Code.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to expand access to computer science, and increase minority and women participation in this science. Go visit and choose a subject for your child that they are interested in learning. Code.org gives you the option of filtering you choice by grade level, topic, experience level, and technology you will be using. This is a site you really need to go and visit and let your child explore and learn.

https://code.org/promote/oh

Regardless of what place you choose for your child to explore coding, you cannot go wrong.  Children are inherently curious and love a challenge, and many of these places start by teaching them the logic behind the coding.  Let them have fun while learning.

Akron Indoor Soccer

Looking for indoor soccer this fall and winter? Here is a list of facilities that are in the Akron-Canton area or neighboring cities that offer soccer leagues for children and young adults.  Prices, leagues’ information, and ages are posted on their websites. You can visit them by clicking the links below.

Akron Indoor Soccer Incorporated
73 W Rosewood Ave
Akron, OH 44301
Phone: (330) 785-0552
http://www.akronindoorsoccer.com/home/index.php
Email:  info@akronindoorsoccer.com

Canton Akron Soccer Club
PO Box 36296
Canton, Ohio 44735
http://www.caksoccer.org/
caksoccer@caksoccer.org

NORTH CANTON YMCA SPORTS
200 South Main Street
North Canton, OH  44720
Phone: 330.499.2587
http://www.ymcastark.org/north-canton-community-building
jmilam@ymcastark.org
Fax: 330.499.4019

NC SOCCER CLUB
PO Box 2168 (mail)
5661 Stow Road
Hudson, Ohio 44236
Phone: 330.650.2554
Fax: 234.380.5054
http://www.ncsoccerhudson.com/
brian@ncsoccerhudson.com

FORCE-SPORTS
215 Springside Dr
Fairlawn, Ohio 44333
330-576-3460
http://www.force-sports.com/Default.aspx?tabid=208813

Hall of Fame Fitness Center
2700 Roberts Ave.
Canton, Ohio 44709
Phone (330) 455-7788
http://www.hoffitnesscenter.com/field.htm
contact page: http://www.hoffitnesscenter.com/contact.htm

Do you belong to a facility that is not listed here? Would you like us to include it? Get in touch with us here.

Cold Weather Activities To Keep Kids Active

You need to get creative when cold weather hits so your kids don’t just sit in front of a device all day long.

One of the hardest things about a four season climate like Akron, Ohio is the changes in season disrupt good habits.  Maybe in the warm months you hike, and in the cold months you binge on Netflix.  Maybe not.  But kids need to have good cold weather habits to stay healthy and be social.  Sure, school has gym for the younger kids but are you providing enough additional activities to keep the colder months active and engaging?

We assembled this list of possible things you can have your kids do during colder months.  Enjoy.

  • Swimming – Many indoor pools have swim teams during the Winter months, including the Kent Seariders.
  • Indoor Tennis – available in many locations such as Stow, Fairlawn, Medina, Hudson, Aurora and Green.
  • Karate – Lots of local martial arts studios.
  • Basketball – This time of year most community centers and YMCA’s are going to have Basketball going on.
  • Dance – year round exercise in every town.
  • Theater – You might not think of this as a physical activity but if it is a musical they will spend hours a week working on dance moves, as well as singing and memorizing lines.  Many community theaters exist around Akron.
  • Indoor Volleyball – popular with adults and older kids.
  • Pickle-ball – Sure there is going to be an older crowd, but they usually love getting younger people in there too.  Pickle-ball is all over the Akron area.
  • Gymnastics – There are many gymnastics centers in the Akron area, including Flytz in Cuyahoga Falls.  They not only have more advanced gymnastics training but also tumbling classes for the younger kids.
  • Yoga and Zumba – Classes kids can participate in are all around.
  • And finally, there is always the option of hooking your laptop to the computer, going on YouTube and finding workout videos the whole family, or a group of friends together after school, can do together.  A great workout and zero cost.

Whatever you decide, now is the time to develop good cold weather habits so you maintain good health and fitness all Winter long.

Ken Stewart’s Lodge – Private Dining Room

This month I have had the pleasure of being at two events in the private dining room at Ken Stewart’s Lodge.  It is not always easy to find a place to have a meeting for 15 or so people that is private, has good food and is respectful of a meeting being conducted but still keeps drinks full and expedites food service with barely a pause in the proceedings.  We experienced that both times we had annual board meetings for two boards.

One reason it was chosen is the location which is convenient for both Akron and Cleveland people to reach.  We had people coming from Fairlawn, Kent, Cleveland and Green and no one had more than a 30 minute drive which made the location perfect.  Ken Stewart’s Lodge is located in Bath, Ohio at 1911 N Cleveland Massillon Rd, Akron, OH 44333.

So first, let me start by saying it is not a place I would take MY kids.  The food is great (get to that later) but the theme is a lodge and my mostly vegetarian and animal loving kids would not like a hunting lodge theme.  The men’s bathroom alone has 4 mounted animals.  It reminds me more of my childhood of camping and outdoor kinds of places, but today’s vegetarian, cell phone loving kids may not appreciate it as much.  It is definitely an experience you do not get every day though.

My first experience there I was adventurous with the appetizer and safe with the dinner.  The fried calamari appetizer was really nice and I would definitely have it again.  It had just the right amount of ingredients to make it interesting and it was cooked just right.  Shame on me for getting the 10 oz Lodge burger after that – only because it was a perfectly good burger but I should have had something more special.  What I really did enjoy with it was the truffle fries.  They were delicious.

When I went back the second time everything was just as perfect and I had the Potato Encrusted Halibut at the recommendation of a manager in the restaurant.  Fish is never my first choice but I wanted them to tell me which dish they felt is a signature dish.  It turned out to be a great recommendation.  Definitely one of the best fish dishes I have ever had.  Moist, tasty and much bigger than I thought it was going to be. I love that dish.

While that covered what I had, I was there with about 15 people on two different occasions and I can tell you not a single person did not like their dish.  The entire evening went smoothly, had a wonderful atmosphere and everyone left satisfied and happy.  If you are looking for a nice place to have a small group private get together in Akron that is also convenient to Cleveland, Ken Stewart’s Lodge should be your first choice.

Northeast Ohio Is Tennis Hotbed

Northeastern Ohio, including the Akron area, is full of good tennis players passionate about the game.  This can be seen by the large number of indoor private tennis clubs around the Akron area in Medina, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Hudson, Aurora and Fairlawn.  What is especially noteworthy this year is that many teams from our area have won regionals, districts and now some are playing at the national level.

This does not take into consideration that junior players often start here and move to Florida eventually to improve their craft.

Lauren Davis is a professional tennis player from NE Ohio in the top 100 on the WTA circuit.  She grew up in Mayfield.  Now she travels the world playing tennis,  Not a bad gig.

So while Florida remains the Mecca of tennis in the US, NE Ohio is producing a lot of great players.  We recently went to Miami to get some specialized training, and had a great time.  Part of our time was at the Rick Macci academy and part in a private residence with specialist Brian Gordon.

Sports, and in particular tennis for us, has given vacations a purpose and the opportunity to meet people and have goals beyond laying on the beach or visiting tourist traps.  We still go to the beach, but between tennis matches and training.

Whether you are a junior player, a high school player, a college player or part of the adult team tennis leagues, you can get a lot of value out of the sport if you enjoy it.  There is the fitness aspect which is valuable.  If you are limited in movement, try doubles which is less running.

LaTuchie Tennis CenterIn the greater Stow area there is no better place to play indoor tennis than Latuchie Tennis Center - open year round.

LaTuchie Tennis Center

Then there is the competitive aspect.  Don’t ask my why, but we humans like to compete.  And tennis will give you competition that is fierce like combat.

If you are worried about the fact that Winter makes it hard to play year round, consider joining an indoor club where you can play under a roof and with heat.  Junior memberships can be very affordable and it is a great way to stay active during the colder months.  It is also convenient for rainy days.

Lastly, unless you live in a city where there is a lot of tennis, it is a great sport for kids who want to play on a varsity high school team but do not have one sport they are itching to play.  Tennis in many smaller communities will be easier to make the team as long as the player has some experience.  Often kids show up and try out for the team without any experience, so someone who has played in the summers during the middle school years goes out for the high school team, they have a good chance of being an athlete their freshman year.