Best of the City 2013

You may have thought Akron’s natural resources were orange highway barrels

and sauerkraut balls, but you’re mistaken.

This “Best of the City” issue — the one you’re holding in your hands (or reading

on your eReader) right now — is Akron’s natural resource.

And it’s a self-sustaining natural resource because each year our readers share their local favorites (This year, we received nearly 1,000 nominations!), giving us a whole new crop of places to explore, food to sample, people to meet and events to attend.  

This “Best of the City” issue (like its predecessors) will find its place on many a coffee table, nightstand or tucked into that space in the kitchen with all the take-out

menus you’ve collected. And, as in past years, these pages bear the answers to Akronites’ age-old Questions of Life, like “What’s the name of that dentist everyone goes to?” and “I don’t care … Where do YOU want to go to dinner?”

You’ve earned this treasure, my friends. It is a great and valuable tool. Use it wisely.

Seasonal fun

Most Relaxing Place to Have a Picnic

First: Sand Run, Metro Parks Serving Summit County (Metro Parks), Akron

Second: Virginia Kendall, Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP),

Peninsula

Third: Hudson Springs Park, Hudson

Most Challenging Spot to Hike in the Fall

First: The Ledges at Virginia Kendall, CVNP, Peninsula

Second: The Gorge, Metro Parks, Cuyahoga Falls

Third: Brandywine Falls, CVNP, Peninsula

Fastest Hill for Winter Sled Riding

First: Virginia Kendall Cliffs, CVNP, Peninsula

Second: Goodyear Heights sled hill, Metro Parks, Akron

Third: Sand Run, North Hawkins sled hill, Metro Parks, Akron

Honorable Mention (tie): Cascade Valley/South, Metro Parks, Akron

AND

Firestone sled hill, Metro Parks, Akron  

Best Place to See Spring Flowers

First: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron

Second: FA Seiberling Nature Realm, Akron

Third: Akron Zoo, Akron

Honorable Mention: Daffodil Trail at Furnace Run, Metro Parks, Richfield

Entertainment

Coolest Live Music Venue

First: Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls

Second: Musica, Akron

Third: Lock 3, Akron

Honorable Mention: Rockin’ on the River, Cuyahoga Falls

Most Entertaining Theater Company

First: Weathervane Playhouse, Akron

Second: Magical Theatre Company, Barberton

Third: Actors’ Summit, Akron

Honorable Mention: Hudson Players, Hudson

Best Art or Craft Programs

First: Akron Art Museum, Akron

Second: Akron-Summit County Public Library, multiple locations

Third (tie): All Fired Up!, Copley

AND

Peninsula Art Academy, Peninsula

Honorable Mention: Downtown Akron Artwalk, Akron

Best Local Radio Station

First: 91.3 WAPS, Akron

Second: 89.7 WKSU, Kent

Third (tie): 94.9 WQMX, Akron

AND

98.1 WKDD, Akron

Honorable Mention: 100 WNIR, Akron

Most Fan-Friendly Place to Watch Sports on TV

First: Winking Lizard, multiple locations

Second: Canal Park, Akron

Third: BW3, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: Barley House, Akron

Best Place to Learn a New Sport

First: YMCA, multiple locations

Second: Pinnacle Sports, Medina and Twinsburg

Third: University of Akron, Akron

Honorable Mention: Akron Celtic Guards Hurling, Tuesday nights at Hardesty Park, Akron

Best Golf Course to Break Par

First: JE Good Park Municipal Golf Course, Akron

Second: Brandywine Country Club, Peninsula

Third: Firestone Country Club, Akron

Honorable Mention: Fox Den Golf Course, Stow

Coolest High School Marching Band

First: Hudson High School

Second: Stow-Munroe Falls High School

Third: Cuyahoga Falls High School

Honorable Mention: Copley High School

Best Free Event

First: Summer concerts at Lock 3, Akron

Second: Rockin’ on the River, Cuyahoga Falls

Third: Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: Akron Arts Expo, Hardesty Park, Akron

Services

Best Dance Lessons

First: Martell School of Dance, Akron

Second: Christine Jones-Meneer School of Dance, Munroe Falls

Third: Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance, Cuyahoga Falls

Easiest Place to Buy a Car

First: Ron Marhoffer Auto Family, multiple locations

Second (tie): Mike Pruitt Honda, Akron

AND

Don Sitts, Cuyahoga Falls

Third: Van Devere, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: Klaben, Kent

Best Florist

First: The Greenhouse, Hudson

Second: Pam’s Posies, Akron

Third: Molly Taylor Designs, Hudson

Honorable Mention: Every Blooming Thing, Akron

Best Pet Groomer

First: Celebrity Pets, Akron

Second (tie): Wizard of Paws, Stow

AND

Doggie Go Go/Kitty Ga Ga, Stow

Third: Salon De Pooch, Stow

Honorable Mention: One of a Kind Pets, Akron

Best Spa

First: The Spa at Yellow Creek, Bath

Second: Falling Waters Spa, Hudson

Third: Gavin Scott Salon and Spa, Stow

Honorable Mention: A White Pond Paradise, Akron

Best Hospital to Direct the Ambulance Driver

First: Summa/Akron City Hospital, Akron

Second: Akron General Medical Center, Akron

Third: Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron

Honorable Mention: Cleveland Clinic, multiple locations

Best Agent to Sell Your House

First: Eric Cooper, Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty, Akron

Second: Richard Lubinski, Stouffer Realty, Stow

Third: Ted Olson, Keller Williams Chervenic Realty, Hudson

Honorable Mention: Jan Brenneman, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Akron

Best Dentist to Do Your Root Canal

First: Dr. David Harris, Stow

Second: Dr. Kyle Eberhardt, Akron

Third: Dr. Bryan Stephens, Akron

Most Fun Indoor Playspace

First: Amazone, Medina

Second: Pump It Up, Hartville

Third: Fun-n-Stuff, Macedonia

Honorable Mention (tie): Romp n Stomp, Medina

AND

Akron Zoo’s Komodo Kingdom and Journey to the Reef exhibits, Akron

Kid-Approved Birthday Party Venues

First: Akron Zoo, Akron

Second: Pump It Up, Hartville

Third: Laser Quest, Montrose

Honorable Mention: Fun-n-Stuff, Macedonia

Best Class for Kids

First: Akron Zoo camps, Akron

Second: Weathervane classes, Akron

Third: Swimming at the YMCA, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: The Goddard School, Akron

Most Educational Storytime for Kids

First: Akron-Summit County Public Library, Main, Fairlawn, Ellet, Tallmadge and Northwest branches

Second: Hudson Library and Historical Society, Hudson

Third: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow

Honorable Mention: Cuyahoga Falls Library, Cuyahoga Falls

Best Jeweler

First: Kimberly Jewelers, Akron

Second: Jewelry Art, Hudson

Third: Taylor Made Jewelers, Akron

Honorable Mention: Sam’s Emporium, Akron

Antique Shop with Undiscovered Treasures

First: The Bomb Shelter, Akron

Second: Stagecoach Antiques, Akron

Third (tie): Abbey Ann’s, multiple locations

AND

Givits Thrift and Recycle, Hudson

Honorable Mention: The Hidden Pearl, Cuyahoga Falls

Most Customer-Friendly Boutique

First: NOTO, Akron

Second: In Style Accessories, Hudson

Third: Carnaby Street Style, Kent

Honorable Mention: The Grey Colt, Hudson

Best Gallery to Buy Art

First: Don Drumm, Akron

Second: Hudson Fine Art and Framing, Akron

Third: Harris Stanton Gallery, Akron

Honorable Mention (tie): We Gallery, Akron

AND

The Box Gallery in Summit Artspace, Akron

Independent Bookstore with the Best Selection

First: The Learned Owl, Hudson

Second: The Bookseller, Akron

Third: Last Exit Books, Kent

Honorable Mention: Logos, Kent

Best Place for Splurge Shoes

First: Lucky Shoes, multiple locations

Second: Carnaby Street Style, Kent

Third (tie): Second Sole, Akron

AND

Vertical Runner, Hudson

Honorable Mention: Long’s Shoes, Stow

Best Indie Toy Store

First: My Little Red Wagon, Hudson

Second: Thinker Toys, Montrose

Third: Off the Wagon, Kent

Honorable Mention: The Land of Make Believe, Hudson

Best New Store (last 12 months)

First: Carnaby Street Style, Kent

Second: Barbers West, Akron

Third: J. Paris Designs, Cuyahoga Falls

Food and Drink

Best Place to Buy Sweet Corn in the Summer

First: Szalay’s, Peninsula.

No matter how our readers spell it (Zaylees, Szlazys or – Good grief! — Sleazys), this farm’s sweet corn won by a landslide.

Second: Graf Growers, Akron

Third: Bender’s Farm Market, Copley

Honorable Mention: Dussell Farm, Brimfield

Most Colorful Farmers’ Market

First: Hudson Farmers’ Market, Akron

Second: Szalay’s, Peninsula

Third: Haymaker Farmers’ Market, Kent

Honorable Mention: Countryside Conservancy, Howe Meadow, Peninsula

Tastiest Slice of Homemade Pie

First: Hartville Kitchen, Hartville

Second: West Side Bakery, Akron

Third (tie): Waterloo Restaurant, Akron

AND

Gardner Pie Co., Akron

Honorable Mention: Aladdin’s, multiple locations

Best Place to Get Hot Chocolate in the Winter

First: Angel Falls Coffee Company, Akron

Second: Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, Akron and Stow

Third: Akron Zoo, Akron

Honorable Mention: Snack bar at Lock 3 Ice Skating Rink, Akron

Best Ethnic Market

First: DeVitis Italian Market, Akron

Second: Hana Asian Market, Akron

Third: West Point Market, Akron

Honorable Mention: The Near East Market, Cuyahoga Falls

Best Ethnic Restaurant

First: Aladdin’s, multiple locations

Second: Saffron Patch, Akron

Third: Laziza, Kent

Honorable Mention (tie): New Era, Akron

AND

Pad Thai, Hudson and Fairlawn

Best Vegetarian Menu

First: Aladdin’s, multiple locations

Second: Mustard Seed Café, Fairlawn

Third: Miss Julie’s Kitchen, Akron

Honorable Mention (tie): The Lockview, Akron

AND

Saffron Patch, Akron

Dining Spot where Omnivores, Vegetarians and Meat-Eaters can Coexist Peacefully

First: Aladdin’s, multiple locations

Second: DBA, Akron

Third (tie): The Lockview, Akron

AND

Crave, Akron

Honorable Mention: Mustard Seed Café, Fairlawn

The Hannibal Lecter Award goes to the person who wrote, “Rather watch meat-eaters eat vegetarians.”

Best Breakfast

First: The Blue Door Bakery and Café, Cuyahoga Falls

Second: Wally Waffle, Akron

Third: The Eye Opener, Akron

Honorable Mention: Yours Truly, multiple locations

Best Family-Friendly Dining

First: Hudson’s, Hudson and Akron

Second: Rockne’s, multiple locations

Third: Luigi’s, Akron

Honorable Mention: Yours Truly, multiple locations

Best Pizza

First: Luigi’s, Akron

Second: 3 Palms, Hudson

Third: Gionino’s Pizza, multiple locations

Honorable Mention: Mr. G’s, Fairlawn

Juiciest Burger

First: Flip Side, Hudson

Second (tie): Swenson’s, multiple locations

AND

The Rail, Fairlawn

Third: Louie’s, Cuyahoga Falls

Honorable Mention: Whitey’s, Richfield

Best Place to Burn Your Taste Buds

First: Saffron Patch, Akron

Second: Cilantro, Akron

Third: Heather’s Heat and Flavor, Hudson

Honorable Mention: Winking Lizard, multiple locations

Best Bakery

First: West Side Bakery, Akron

Second: Great Lakes Baking Company, Hudson

Third: Tiffany’s Bakery, Akron

Honorable Mention: Crest Bakery, Akron

Most Interesting (Unofficial) Food Truck

First: The Orange Trük

Second: Zydeco Bistro

Third: Stray Dog Cart

Honorable Mention: La Loma

Most Inventive Chef

First: DBA, Akron/Dante Boccuzzi and Torsten Schulz

Second: Hudson’s, Hudson and Akron/John, JJ and Kevin Altomare aka “The 3 Foodies”

AND

The Orange Trük/Jeff Winer and Scott Sabo

Third: Beau’s Grille, Akron/Beau Schmidt

Honorable Mention: Edgar’s, Akron/Glen Gillespie

Best New Restaurant (last 12 months)

First: DBA, Akron

Second: 3 Palms, Hudson

Third (tie): Lager and Vine, Hudson

AND

The Office, Cuyahoga Falls

Honorable Mention: On the Rocks, Akron

Best Independent Coffeehouse

First: Angel Falls Coffee Company, Akron

Second: Nervous Dog Coffee Bar, Akron and Stow

Third: Tree City Coffee and Pastry, Kent

Honorable Mention: Mocha Joe’s, Stow

Best Wine Bar

First: 750ML, Akron

Second: Uncorked, Akron

Third: Riverside, Kent

Honorable Mention: Regency Wine Bar, Fairlawn

Best Place to Get a Beer

First: The Lockview, Akron

Second: Winking Lizard, multiple locations

Third: Ray’s Place, Kent

Honorable Mention (tie): Frank’s Place, Akron

AND

Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., Akron

Best Bartender

First: Michael Radic from Square Bar

Second (tie): Jimmy Finley from Hudson’s

AND

Nick Kaluger from The Basement at Waterloo

Third: Casey Treen from DBA

All About Akron

Best Local Nonprofit Organization

First: Akron Zoo, Akron

Second: PAWSibilities, Humane Society of Greater Akron, Twinsburg

Third: Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, Akron

Honorable Mention: Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Akron

Best High School Sports Rivalry

First: Archbishop Hoban vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Football)

Second: Copley vs. Revere

Third: Cuyahoga Falls vs. Stow

Honorable Mention: Hudson vs. Stow

Coolest Reason for Waiting in Line

First: The pizza at Luigi’s, Akron

Second: A new exhibit at the Akron Zoo, Akron

Third: A concert at Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls

Honorable Mention (tie): The Orange Trük, always on the move

AND

Strickland’s Custard, Montrose

Other Cool Reasons:

•  “Donate blood”

•  “Get ice skates to skate at Lock 3”

•  “To see Bill Clinton stump for Barack Obama before the election!”

The Voice of Reason: “It’s never cool to wait in line”

Best Blog/Podcast

First: akronempire.blogspot.com

Second: awkwardlyaliveandpleasantlypeculiar.com

Third (tie): alovelylittleblog.com

AND

AkronOhioMoms.com

Best Place to Buy Akron-centric Products

First: Rubber City Clothing, Akron

Second: Don Drumm, Akron

Third: Crafty Mart, Akron

Honorable Mention: Akron Zoo gift shop, Akron

Best Way to Improve Downtown Akron

First: More retail: boutiques and reasonably-priced shops

Second: More restaurants: vegetarian/vegan, family-friendly, reasonably-priced and high-end

Third (tie): More police presence/security

AND

Allow food trucks

Honorable Mention: More parking/free parking

Other ideas we like:

• Add a new hotel

• Ask the biggest employers to change their work shift up or back one hour to relieve rush-hour traffic

• Add bike lanes

• Build a Children’s Museum

• Give incentives or cheap leases for businesses to open downtown

• Weird, but Not Completely Insane: Underground tunnels for walkers to connect North End with rest of the city

• The Who Asked You? Award goes to the person who wrote, “Knock it down and start over.”

Best Thing to Happen to Akron (last 12 months)

First: New additions at the Akron Zoo: the Journey to the Reef exhibit, birth of the snow leopard cubs and construction of Grizzly Ridge

Second: Akron Aeros win the 2012 Eastern League Championship, get a new owner with Ken Babby and install a $1.65 million video scoreboard at Canal Park.

Third: University of Akron Zips basketball team and Coach Keith Dambrot win the MAC title and go to the NCAA Tournament.

Honorable Mention (tie): The Black Keys wins a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album for “El Camino.” Band member Dan Auerbach wins Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.

AND

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Bridgestone Corporation headquarters remain in Akron.

Local Personality

Best Artist

First: Don Drumm

Second: Marie Helene Lambert

Third: Amy Mothersbaugh-Roos

Honorable Mention: Joan Colbert

Best Athlete

First: LeBron James, Miami Heat and formerly with the … You Know Who

Second (tie): Josh Cribbs, formerly with Kent State Flashes and Cleveland Browns

AND

Zeke Marshall, University of Akron Zips basketball

Third: Demetrius Treadwell, University of Akron Zips basketball

Honorable Mention: The St. Vincent-St. Mary football team, 2012 Division III, OHSAA State Champions

Best Sports Announcer

First: Steve French, WNIR radio

Second (tie): Jim Donovan, WKYC-TV

AND

Tom Hamilton, WTAM radio

Third: Austin Carr, Fox Sports Ohio TV/radio

Best Author

First: Deborah McVay-McKinney

Second: David Giffels

Third: Joanna Wilson

Honorable Mention (tie): James Renner

AND

Les Roberts

Best Band/Musician

First: The Black Keys

Second: Freez-R-Burn

Third: Mo’ Mojo

Honorable Mention (tie): Bethesda

AND

Red Sun Rising

AND

Shivering Timbers

AND

The Speedbumps

AND

Zach

Note to Cleveland: The Gods of Rock ‘n’ Roll shine on the Rubber City too!

Best-Dressed Akronite

First (tie): Brenda Hughes, In Style Accessories, Hudson

AND

Lauren Ward, NOTO, Akron

Second: Mayor Don Plusquellic, Akron

Third (tie): Blake Babcock, Fast Switch, Akron

AND

Richard Lubinski, Lubinski Real Estate, Stow

Best Tweeter

First: Akron Zoo

Second: Pat Carney of The Black Keys

Third (tie): Akron Empire

AND

Todd V

Best Entrepreneur

First: Deborah McVay-McKinney, Time to Spare LLC, Akron

Second (tie): Emma Day, Carnaby Street Style, Kent

AND

Brenda Hughes, In Style Accessories, Hudson

Third (tie): Michael Grguric, Valley Animal Hospital, Akron

AND

Tony Troppe, United 1 LLC, Akron

Best Humanitarian

First: Zach, musician, Akron

Second (tie): Kristie Warner and Anne Davis, Gavin Scott Salon and Spa, Stow

AND

Roger and Judy Read, community leaders and philanthropists, Akron

Best Power Couple (business owners)

First: Michael and Laura Grguric, Valley Animal Hospital and Celebrity Pets, Akron

Second (tie): Liz Tyran and Jason Scala, Urban Eats, Akron

AND

Karen Starr and Jon Haidet, Hazel Tree Interiors, Akron

Third: Claudia Zeber-Martell and Michael Martell, Zeber-Martell Clay Studio, Akron

Honorable Mention (tie): Paul and Kathie Testa, Testa Companies, Cuyahoga Falls

AND

Dick and Tamara Brown, Givits Recycle and Thrift, Hudson

AND

Barbara Johnson and Georgianna Bojtos, daughter/mother owners of Jewelry Art, Hudson   

Best Blog/Podcast

akronempire.blogspot.com

Joanna Wilson and Brit Charek believe there’s more to Akron than what lies within city limits.

They started their blog, Akron Empire, to share their view of the Akron area. Having recently celebrated the blog’s first anniversary, the pair continues to bring attention to the undiscovered people and places of Akron.

Wilson, a nonfiction writer, and Charek, a high school English teacher, started blogging about Akron because they recognized a hole in the blogosphere when it came to local attractions. Cleveland had plenty of blogs, but what about Akron and its surrounding “empire”? To jumpstart the project, they wrote about the people and places they were already visiting.

The bloggers post twice a week and enjoy connecting with people and starting conversations about what the area has to offer. Akron Empire has given them an excuse to go to different places and events.

“I look forward to doing my post each week,” Wilson says. “That was unexpected for me. I actually get a lot more out of it than I ever thought I would.”

They also welcome reader suggestions.

“My usual response is, ‘Well, why don’t you guest blog for us?’ ” Charek says. “As much as we enjoy blogging, it’s been nice to open it up to our friends and others who have things that they’re excited about.” — AF

Coolest High School Marching Band

Hudson High School

The Hudson High School Marching Band, 78 years old and 240 members strong, knows why “Loud is Good.”

And the band’s motto describes exactly what they do.

“It’s hard not to be affected by our performance when your hair is blown back from your face at our first note,” says Hudson band director Beverly O’Connor.

O’Connor says the band wants its performances to sound and look good as well.

“We believe that our function during performances is to get the crowd excited and even to involve them in our performance,” she says. “We want to see the audience on its feet.”

The director says students in the band know how to have fun, but they’re also highly disciplined. Planning for the big fall season begins in May, and at the end of July, the band travels to Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. for one week. There, the students learn all their music and maneuvers.

“We come back to Hudson tired, blistered and sunburned but as changed people,” O’Connor says. “In our week away, we become a band.”

This year, the Hudson High band is looking forward to playing “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons, a piece that was arranged by the band’s assistant director, John Burrington. — AF

Best-Dressed Akronite (tie) 

Brenda Hughes, In Style Accessories, Hudson AND Lauren Ward, NOTO, Akron

The fashion style of Brenda Hughes, owner of In Style Accessories, consists of classic, neutral clothing accented by interesting accessories for polish but, she says, her style has been fine tuned with age.

“Women often become more confident in themselves as they age,” Hughes says. “In that aspect, my style has become more confident over time.”

Because she loves necklaces and scarves, she often wears a good representation of the ones sold at her store, but before any accessory goes on the sales floor, it must meet her high expectations.

“I have to be thrilled with quality and the design for it to be represented in my boutique,” Hughes says. “I’m not going to sell something that I wouldn’t want my name tied to.”

When it comes to creating a wardrobe, Hughes says every woman should own a black dress, black pants, neutral sweaters, interesting jewelry and a good quality handbag for each season.

Lauren Ward is a fashion lover with an eclectic style.

“I can truly find things from every era that speak to me, but what you can find me in on a daily basis could be as simple as a tunic top, skinny pants and boots,” says the owner of NOTO.

Running her own boutique in downtown Akron has affected Ward’s style. She used to look for trendy pieces but now she prefers more classic styles and describes herself as “a kid in a candy shop” when she shops for clothes.

“I become a fashion groupie to certain brands,” she says. “I’ll become obsessed with a particular brand for a few months and then get bored and find something new.”

So what’s her favorite piece of clothing? She says she could never give up her olive green bomber jacket her husband bought for her in the beginning of their courtship.

And what about hairstyles and accessories?

“I always rock a messy top knot in my hair,” Ward says, “And I’d have to say that my kids are my best accessories!” — AF

Best New Store

(last 12 months)

Carnaby Street Style, Kent

Located in the heart of downtown Kent, Carnaby Street Style brings a taste of Europe to Northeast Ohio. Inspired by the hip shopping atmosphere of London’s iconic Carnaby Street, this store features women’s and men’s clothing and accessories coupled with great customer service.

Born in England, Emma Day moved to Hudson, Ohio with her family. Last summer, she saw the redevelopment happening in downtown Kent and decided it was the perfect place for her store. After a few months of planning, the store opened Dec. 17.

Carnaby Street Style only receives six units of each item, which Day says is something that her customers appreciate.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” she says. “Not everyone in Kent or everyone in the area is wearing the same thing, and because we have such limited inventory in everything, we get new things every single week.”

In the back of the store, Day has a chalkboard where employees can write clothing requests, either from themselves or from their customers. If a customer is looking for a specific item, Day tries to find it and get it into the store.

“We’re a family,” she says. “We like to have our customers be like our family too.” — AF

Best High School Sports Rivalry  

Archbishop Hoban vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary football

The rivalry between the Archbishop Hoban Knights and the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish is not to be taken lightly. Some even call it the “Akron Holy War.”

St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Dan Boarman says this game draws large crowds each season. Throughout the week before the matchup, each school has pep rallies, bonfires and other events to get everyone fired up.

“We try to keep the week at an even keel in terms of the kids,” Boarman says. “We want to make sure that we don’t get too high, we don’t get too low.”

On game day, Hoban has Mum Day during which students and teachers remain completely silent for the whole day before erupting into cheers at the end of the pep rally.

This season, Hoban has a new coach, and Tim Tyrrell says his team has already begun to prepare for fall.

“The biggest part of the season is the off-season when it comes to the sport of football,” Tyrrell says. “The hard work now hopefully pays off in the end.”

The winner of the Big Game receives the Shillelagh Trophy, presented by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and of course, bragging rights throughout the year. The Fighting Irish have won each game since 2007, following the Knights’ nine-year winning streak.

This fall, the teams will face off for the 37th time on Sept. 27, at InfoCision Stadium on the University of Akron campus. — AF

Best Spa The Spa at Yellow Creek, Bath

Since opening in 2005, The Spa at Yellow Creek has pampered guests from throughout the Greater Akron area. With its serene and tranquil atmosphere, clients feel relaxed the moment they walk in the doors.

The spa’s mission is healthier living, and everything about the facility is designed to achieve this. All staff members are trained to help clients determine which services best suit their needs.

Scott Vazinski, the spa’s executive director, says in an average year, the spa’s employees perform close to 20,000 services with just over 15,000 spa visits. But, he adds, the most standout quality of the spa is the quality of its staff.

“Not only do we look for team members with diversified experience and expertise who deliver amazing services, but we also look for individuals who have a true passion for what they do and are committed to providing excellence every day,” he says.

Each staff member goes through rigorous training before working with clients.

“We’re always courteous and go way above and beyond for our clients,” Vazinski says. “Our business philosophy is to always respond to every request with ‘yes.’ ”

For the ultimate experience, Vazinski recommends clients arrive at the spa early and start with a yoga or workout class. Then, he suggests relaxing in the steam room before beginning treatments. — AF

Best Local

Radio Station

91.3 WAPS

91.3 WAPS has been bringing music to Akron since 1955. Today, its airwaves reach all the way to western Pennsylvania.

Catering to passionate, music-loving adults engaged in the community, WAPS is a commercial-free, member-supported public radio station.

Known for playing regional artists alongside bands like Coldplay and U2, WAPS disc jockeys try to play five new songs each hour — a risky move, says general manager Tommy Bruno, because listeners are sometimes unwilling to try new music.

“But with that comes an importance of supporting the regional arts scene,” he says. “That involves helping out the local venues and local artists.”

WAPS, owned and operated by the Akron Public Schools, also streams special programs online and on its mobile app, such as Summit Flashbacks, KIDJAM! Radio, and Rock & Recovery.

Rock & Recovery was developed after a community-needs assessment showed addiction to be a community-wide problem. With support from The Alcohol Drug Addiction & Mental Health Service Board, The Summa Foundation, Glenbeigh, Oriana House and others, this radio program combines positive messages from healthcare providers, addicts, comedians and family members with music that is hand-picked for that audience.

WAPS also works with the Akron Public Schools, Akron Symphony and Taylor Band & Orchestra on Music Alive, a project that acquires and refurbishes musical instruments before donating them back to the public schools.

“The station really prides itself on being engaged in the community,” Bruno says. — AF