9/20/2012 - South Side Leader
     

Amnesty program collects unpaid fines and costs

BARBERTON — The License Forfeiture Amnesty Program brought in more than $70,000 in unpaid court fines and costs and resulted in the release of 243 license forfeitures, according to Diana Stevenson, clerk of the Barberton Municipal Court.

Stevenson explained the program allowed residents whose licenses had been forfeited for nonpayment to have their licenses cleared upon payment of one-half of the amount owed the court. The remaining one-half owed must be paid in $50 monthly increments until it’s paid in full. Not making these monthly payments will subject individuals to future license forfeitures, she said.

Green partners with Area Agency on Aging, LifeLine

GREEN — Green has partnered with the Area Agency on Aging and LifeLine Medical Alert to offer seniors LifeLine Medical Alert service free of charge to those who qualify.

LifeLine Medical Alert is an emergency response monitoring service for individuals with serious life-threatening conditions or for seniors who live alone, according to Green officials. The service is available to anyone in Summit County who may benefit from having help available at the push of a button. Those who most benefit from the system are typically homebound older adults who live alone, as well as those recovering from an illness or injury or who have medical problems or a disabling condition, according to Green officials.

Green is offering the service free of charge to seniors who live in Green that meet the above requirements and have a financial need, according to Green officials.

To learn more about this free program, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 877-770-5558.

Veterans Memorial Park pavers available

GREEN — Orders for memorial pavers to be installed at the Green Veterans Memorial Park on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, are being accepted until Oct. 5.

The Green Veterans Memorial Park, located at 1900 Steese Road, was built and dedicated in 2010. The site includes the Stories of Service Grove walkway, which is paved with more than 400 memorial pavers. To date, the sale of these pavers has raised more than $54,000 for the memorial, and is the largest single fundraiser for the site, according to city officials.

The following pavers are available: 4-by-8-inch brick and 12-by-12-inch limestone. Prices range from $50 to $345, with proceeds benefitting the memorial park and future additions to it, according to city officials.

Paver order forms are available in the city’s Parks and Recreation office, 1755 Town Park Blvd., weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or online at www.cityofgreen.org/veterans-park.

This year, city officials will host their annual Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the John Torok Community and Senior Center after the ceremony.

Green Parks and Recreation offering senior activities

GREEN — The Green Parks and Recreation Division will offer a variety of activities for seniors ages 50 and older.

Activities planned include three day-trips, a free hearing clinic and a holiday luncheon.

According to Green officials, the scheduled bus trips will go to: the Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek, Sept. 28; the Apple Butter Stirin’ Festival in Coshocton, Oct. 19; and the Oglebay Festival of Lights, with stops at The Barn and Lehman’s Hardware, Nov. 8.

All trips will depart from the John Torok Community and Senior Center, 4242 Massillon Road, at approximately 10 a.m. Buses for the September Swiss Festival will return at 6 p.m. after a late lunch/early dinner at Miller’s Dutch Kitchen. The October and November trips will return at approximately 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., respectively.

The September and October trips cost $20 per person, and the November trip is $25 per person. The cost includes transportation. Lunch and admission to the Apple Butter Stirin’ Festival ($3) are additional.

Advance payment is required, along with a reservation. To make a reservation, visit www.cityofgreen.org or call 330-896-6621.

The free hearing clinic will be offered Oct. 11 beginning at 8 a.m. at the John Torok Center. Conducted by Omni Advanced Hearing Center, the event will offer residents free hearing screening with a video ear inspection, and cleaning and checking of hearing aids, according to city officials. Those interested in participating should schedule an appointment by calling 330-896-6621.

The annual Holiday Luncheon will take place Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m. at The 356th Fighter Group, 4919 Mount Pleasant Road. The cost is $7 per person for the buffet lunch. Reservations are required by calling 330-896-6621 or by registering in person at the Parks and Recreation Office, 1755 Town Park Blvd.

Muffins For Mammograms reaches 20-year milestone 

DOWNTOWN AKRON — For 20 consecutive years, Akron General Health System and Main Street Gourmet’s Muffins for Mammograms program have raised funds to help provide free mammograms for nearly 6,000 uninsured women throughout Northeast Ohio.

According to Akron General officials, the Muffins for Mammograms program distributes breast health information with the muffins and raises funds to pay for mammograms throughout the year for women who are uninsured.

This year’s event will feature the two most popular muffins, blueberry and French toast, which are priced at $15 per dozen. Advance orders of $150 or more will be accepted online at www.akrongeneral.org/muffins and will be delivered Oct. 17 to several locations in Summit County. Orders must be received by Sept. 28. Same-day muffin sales of smaller quantities also will be held for customers Oct. 17 from 7 to 11 a.m. at five Akron General locations: Akron General Medical Center, 400 Wabash Ave. in Downtown Akron; Akron General Health & Wellness Centers, including the West site at 4125 Medina Road in Bath, North at 4300 Allen Road in Stow and at 1940 Town Park Blvd. in Green; and Lodi Community Hospital, 225 Elyria St. in Lodi.

For details on qualifying for a free mammogram, call 330-344-5760 or 330-344-2778.

Tickets on sale for Polsky Humanitarian Award event

FAIRLAWN — Tickets are now available for the 2012 Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award Dinner honoring Dr. Terry Gordon.

The event will take place Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn. Tickets start at $150 per person and are available at www.akroncf.org/Polsky.

Gordon will be the 45th recipient of the award, which is named for the former president of Polsky’s Department Store and founding trustee of Akron Community Foundation. The community foundation presents the award each year to the individual or couple who best exemplifies Bert Polsky’s dedication to humanitarian causes in Akron.

Gordon, a Richfield resident and a retired cardiologist, was selected by a committee of past Polsky Humanitarian Award honorees. Gordon is known as a champion for placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in every Ohio school. He has led the way to making AEDs available in every middle school and high school in Summit County, as well as every police, highway patrol and sheriff’s vehicle. He also spearheaded an effort to secure $5 million in state funding to install more than 4,500 AEDs in schools across Ohio.

Gordon also is known as the co-founder and emcee of Docs Who Rock, a fundraiser for the United Way of Summit County, where he has impersonated such musical legends as Michael Jackson and John Lennon. He also is a member of the Youth Motivational Task Force and a founding board member of Stewart’s Caring Place and serves on the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee.

The Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award Dinner will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call Laura Fink at 330-436-5611.

CASA seeks sponsors for annual breakfast event

GREATER AKRON — Summit County CASA/GAL is seeking sponsors to help achieve its goal of at least $50,000 at its annual “I Am for the Child” Fundraising Breakfast Nov. 1 at 7:30 a.m. at The University of Akron Martin’s University Center, located at 105 Fir Hill.

All proceeds from the event will be used for the recruitment, training and support of CASA volunteers to ensure abused and neglected children in the Akron community can receive proper help, according to CASA officials.

Sterling Jewelers Inc. has pledged to match any gift, up to a total maximum donation of $25,000, at the event, according to Beth Cardina, CASA program coordinator.

“We are more than appreciative for Sterling’s generous and long-term commitment to Summit County CASA/GAL,” Cardina said.

In addition, County Executive Russ Pry’s Department of Job and Family Services has committed to a Bronze Sponsorship of $1,000.

“We are so thankful for this sponsorship and look forward to additional support leading up to the event,” Cardina said.

For more information, call Cardina at 330-643-2514 or go to www.summitcasagal.org.

Kathleen Folkerth, Stephanie Kist and Maria Lindsay contributed to these reports.

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