Akron, OH

As you read in my last post, Fourth of July Fireworks Over Akron Ohio , there will be a lot of people in downtown Akron Ohio for this great week end celebration. Fireworks, ribs, bands and more. Here are the street closings and how to get around this large event.

ENJOY!!

Street closings for Fireworks and Rib Fest July 1-5 Closing Wednesday 7/1 through Sunday 7/5:
Main Street - State to Bowery
Church Street - Main to High
University Avenue - Main to High North bound lane of Main Street between Bowery and Mill reserved for motorcycle parking.
(South bound lane open to trolley, buses, and emergency vehicles only).

Closing Thursday 7/2
Rand Avenue - Glendale to Center Street bridge.

Closing Independence Day:
Route 59 will be closed from Cedar Street to Main/Howard at 6:30 AM. It will be closed to all traffic at I-76 beginning at 8:30 PM. It will revert back to being closed at Cedar Street after the fireworks and it will reopen to all traffic for the whole length at 6:00 AM on 7/5/2008. Emergency vehicles will be given priority access to the trauma centers at the hospitals.

Watch for additional street closures over the next three weekends for the Summit County Italian-American Festival July 10,11,12 and the 4th Annual National Hamburger Festival July 18, 19.

See Lock3Live.com for event details.

Update from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office

With our neighborhoods suffering from neglected, vacant bank owned homes, Ohio is trying to make them liable under the law. I think this is a great idea. If they were challenged and threatened with action the banks would be more co-operative with Realtors and buyers in all facets of the process; foreclosure, short sales, etc. It is time for the banks to be held responsible for the aftermath of the sub-prime debacle.

July 1, 2009 ·

From the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, Richard Cordray:

"My office recently filed an amicus brief with the Ohio Supreme Court supporting an effort by the city of Cleveland to hold criminal trials of high-volume real estate wholesalers who fail to appear in court when facing housing code violations.

The case, City of Cleveland v. Destiny Ventures, LLC, arises from the city's efforts to hold banks and other corporate property-owners accountable for the large numbers of vacant properties they own and fail to maintain, contributing to the deterioration of our neighborhoods. At issue in the Ohio Supreme Court is whether holding a trial in a corporation's absence is unconstitutional because it violates the Sixth Amendment.

We have argued that it is properly constitutional to put an absent corporation on trial when it fails to appear in response to a criminal summons. In fact, 27 other states have statutes or rules similar to Ohio's law, and none has been found constitutionally problematic. This is one of the only tools available to hold lenders and real estate wholesalers accountable for the masses of vacant properties they neglect. Their behavior is devastating many Ohio communities, worsening the damage already caused by the foreclosure crisis."

Loads of fun this weekend in Akron Ohio. Here is a list of events for the weekend, including one of the best Fireworks displays anywhere. Usually lasts almost a half hour. Gorgeous fireworks with synchronized music and tons of food. Always a blast in Akron Ohio....... Here is a small sample of last years celebration………………

• The Rib, White & Blue Food Festival kicks off activities on South Main Street in Downtown Akron July 2. The three-day festival will feature a record number of barbecue vendors from around the country - including Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina - as well as music, inflatable’s and rides. The Magical Train also will be available for rides along the canal.

The festival will be open with free admission July 2-3 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Musical entertainment at Lock 3 Park July 2 will begin at 7 p.m. with Cletus Black, followed by The Machine, America's Premier Pink Floyd Experience. On July 3, The Juke Hounds and Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones Experience, will perform, beginning at 7 p.m.

The festival will open July 4 at 11 a.m. with free admission. After 1 p.m., admission is $5. Taking the stage will be The University of Akron Steel Drum Band at 2:30 p.m. and Mo' Mojo at 4:30 p.m. Headlining will be the Rebirth Brass Band at 7:30 p.m. The national touring act is based in New Orleans and has been a staple on the music scene there for 25 years.

• Also on July 4, on the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, the Akron Recreation Bureau will host Twist & the Classic All Star Revue at 8 p.m., followed by Akron's annual fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Fireworks will be synchronized to patriotic music provided by WKDD 98.1 FM. The rain date for this event is July 5.

The celebration continues in Akron July 5 at Lock 3 with a free performance by the Akron Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Gates will open at 6 p.m., followed by music at 7:30. Akron trumpet player Jack Schantz will join with the ASO on several numbers, including a premiere of a "Porgy and Bess" medley. The ASO, to be conducted by Christopher Wilkins, also will play selections from the Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Harold Arlen songbooks. Gospel Meets Symphony singers will be on hand with a couple of favorites from past Gospel concerts and ASO officials promise a surprise ending. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Gary Collins spoke to a group of homeowners and explained the importance of proper dryer exhaust systems meeting current UL safety standards

Akron, OH - A fire hazard may be lurking in your clothes dryer exhaust system, according to Gary Collins, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Cleveland, Ohio. Up to 15,000 dryer related fires occur in the U.S. each year with devastating results. Dryer Vent Wizard specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation in homes and commercial buildings in the Greater Cleveland area.

"I am committed to increasing public awareness in my community," said Gary Collins. "By providing our service and explaining the importance of proper dryer vent installation to our customers, we are doing our part to keep our community safe and help prevent fires."

According to Collins, many dryer vents are not up to code because they are made of plastic, vinyl or flexible foil which is no longer acceptable today. "The plastic and vinyl material deteriorates over time as it becomes brittle and cracks, causing exhaust leaks into your home," Gary explained. "The dryer ducts are responsible for carrying heat and moisture from the dryer drum to the vent outside. If you have a gas dryer the system also removes gas by-products including carbon monoxide. You don't want dryer exhaust to leak into your home."

In addition, Gary also explained that the longer the dryer duct the harder your dryer works to expel the heat, "A proper dryer duct is as short and straight as possible. The inside should be smooth; pieces should be joined with metal tape instead of screws which protrude to the inside and catch lint allowing it to build up. When your dryer is venting properly it works more efficiently, saving money on utility bills and reducing the chance of a dryer fire."

Gary Collins owns Dryer Vent Wizard of Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in all dryer exhaust issues. Gary provides dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation while educating consumers on dryer fire prevention and energy savings. For more great tips and information visit http://dryerventcleaningakronohio.blogspot.com/

Dryer vent cleaning is recommended each year to remove lint build-up that reduces air-flow and causes your clothes dryer to work harder. If neglected, this could lead to a dryer fire. Proper Installation that meets current safety codes is also a concern.

Improper dryer ducts or incorrect installation also leads to problems. The old flexible foil, plastic or vinyl material is no longer acceptable for the use of dryer exhaust venting. One problem with this type is that it is often crushed behind the dryer, preventing heat and moisture from escaping the dryer drum. Also, this type is often installed as-is, without cutting it down to size. The excess hose is left coiled or crushed behind the dryer. The longer length and the twists and turns make your dryer work harder to expel the hot air.

The plastic or vinyl type of system creates the same problems as the flexible foil. In addition, it deteriorates and becomes brittle and cracks. Now, the air that should be vented outdoors is leaking into your home. Moisture builds up in the line and mold and mildew grow here too. If you have a gas dryer you can be concerned about carbon monoxide as well.

A proper dryer duct is solid metal and it should be as short and straight as possible. The inside should be smooth; pieces should be joined with metal tape, not screws that protrude to the inside to catch lint.

When the dryer is venting properly, it is working more efficiently. If you notice your dryer taking more than one cycle to dry a load of laundry then it is likely that lint has built up in the dryer ducts creating a venting problem.

A professional dryer vent cleaning and repair service can inspect your system to be sure it meets today's safety standards. Your clothes dryer is one of the most expensive appliances to operate when it is not properly maintained. The service fee paid for dryer vent cleaning quickly pays for itself in money saved on energy bills.

Gary Collins owns Dryer Vent Wizard of Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in all dryer exhaust issues. Gary provides dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation while educating consumers on dryer fire prevention and energy savings. For more great tips and information visit http://dryerventcleaningakronohio.blogspot.com/