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🗞️Snow, Showstoppers, and Thanksgiving Feasts 🍂❄️

🗞️Snow, Showstoppers, and Thanksgiving Feasts 🍂❄️

November 22, 2024

Good Morning!

There’s snow place like Akron! The first snow of the season has officially arrived, setting the perfect scene for a Thanksgiving week packed with cozy takeout options, neon-lit art vibes, and epic live music.

If snow is not your thing, there is only 116 days until spring.

Let’s dive in.

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The Digest

Bridgestone’s Green Innovation Rolls Into Akron

Bridgestone Americas is building a $9.3M pilot plant in Akron to explore a greener way to produce butadiene, a key rubber ingredient for tires. Funded by the Department of Energy, the project aims to convert ethanol—sourced from recycled tires or crops like corn—into butadiene, reducing carbon intensity by up to 85%. Partnering with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Bridgestone plans to design the plant in year one, build in year two, and launch operations by year three. This aligns with its goal of using 100% sustainable materials by 2050. According to Crain’s Cleveland Business, this is the first time in 70 years that a major tiremaker opened a new plant in Akron.

Allegiant Brings New Nonstop Flights to Akron-Canton Airport ✈️

Allegiant Air is adding two highly requested nonstop routes from Akron-Canton Airport (CAK). Starting in May 2025, you’ll be able to fly directly to Jacksonville, Florida, and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, with one-way fares starting at just $59. This is part of Allegiant’s massive expansion, which includes 44 new routes and three new destinations nationwide.

Ohio Man Sentenced for Crypto Laundering Scheme

Akron native Larry Dean Harmon, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison last week for running Helix, a cryptocurrency mixer tied to over $300 million in illicit Bitcoin transactions. From 2014 to 2017, Helix was a go-to platform for darknet drug dealers and cybercriminals, using "mixing" to obscure funds' origins. In addition to prison time, Harmon must forfeit $311 Million. 😲

Zips Beat Kent State, Claim Wagon Wheel Again

Akron Football steamrolled Kent State 38-17 Tuesday night to secure the Wagon Wheel for the second consecutive year. Powered by a dominant rushing attack, the Zips racked up 277 yards on the ground, with Jordon Simmons (113 yards) and Charles Kellom (104 yards, 1 TD) leading the charge. QB Ben Finley added 250 passing yards, including a 36-yard TD strike to Jarvis Rush, while kicker Garrison Smith nailed three field goals.

What’s Happening?

Here is a breakdown of events happening this weekend:

What’s Brewing? 🍺

A three-course beer dinner The 1 Food & Spirits, featuring specialty brews from Brew Kettle Brewery. Expect delicious food, perfectly paired beers, live music (on select dates), and good vibes all around. A ticket covers it all—dinner, drinks, tax, gratuity, and fees. Happening through Sunday. Limited Availability. Tickets Here

Sip Happens 🍷

If wine is more your speed, cozy up at Nauti Vine Winery for an evening of fine wine, great company, and a great view of Portage Lakes—all from the comfort of your own heated Wine Bubble. Perfect for up to six people, each two-hour reservation promises a warm, memorable night. Tickets Here

Level Up 🕹️ 🎵

The Video Game Symphony hits Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday at 7:30 PM, delivering epic live orchestral and choral renditions of iconic game soundtracks. Think Super Mario Bros., Zelda, Pokemon, Final Fantasy, and more—all brought to life in a dazzling symphonic showcase.

The Bonus Round: Tickets include admission to the Oddmall Festival. Grab yours now for a nostalgic night of gaming magic and musical brilliance! Tickets Here

Get Lit 💡

GLOW: Neon & Light brightens up the Akron Art Museum this fall with dazzling, immersive installations of neon, mirrors, and electrified glass. This boundary-pushing exhibition features works from artists like Sarah Blood, Mona Hatoum, and Keith Lemley, exploring the science, art, and perception of light in 3D space.

On view through February 9, 2025. Open Wednesday-Sunday (Thursdays are free!). Info Here

Live Music Breakdown

Here is a summary of live music happening all around Akron:

Sunday
The G.A.R. Hall | Amythyst Kiah | 8:00 PM

Thanksgiving Sides 🍠

Swensons unveiled their “Thanksgiving on a Bun” Burger - which is a turkey burger with swiss cheese, sweet potato waffle fries, stuffing, and a cranberry mayo.

Akron Beacon Journal did us all a solid this year and put together a terrific breakdown of takeout options for Thanksgiving Dinner. If your want to outsource the Turkey this year, check out their list.

They didn’t stop there - they also put together a list of stores that will be open Thanksgiving day if you find your self in need at the last minute. Here is the cheat sheet:

Happy Thanksgiving, Akron! Remember - it’s an election year, so try to keep the peace at the dinner table and only argue about pie preferences 😃

Weather

Today

45 🌡️ 42 | 🌧️ | 94% 🌧️

Saturday

45 🌡️ 36 | 🌧️ | 46% 🌧️

Sunday

48 🌡️ 42 | ⛅️ | 10% 🌧️

Thanks!

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Talk to you next Friday!