Good morning, Akron.

Holly Wiley bought a seven-bedroom house at 74 Maplewood Ave in Highland Square to create Willows Haven, a transitional home for abuse survivors, using a Dept. of Justice grant and a purchase price of $289,000.

Renovations will start in four to five months so survivors can have a safe place to heal.

South Point Tavern is opening at 32 Sand Run Road (former site of Pavona's Pizza Joint that burned down in 2022) in northwest Akron; the whiskey bar offers cocktails, wine, and beer with operating hours from 5-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Two summer events will frame the lead-up to Cleveland Beer Week with a Lager Fest at Akronym Brewing in Akron on Sunday, Aug.

2 from noon to 4 p.m. and a golf outing featuring Ohio craft-beer tastings set for Saturday, Aug. 15 at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina.

Hoppin’ Frog Brewery will host a retirement party for founder Fred Karm at the brewpub, 1680 East Waterloo Road, on Saturday, Aug.

8 from 5 to 8 p.m. as the brewery marks its 20th anniversary and readies for new ownership under longtime employee Zachary Bastin.

SPARK provides free kindergarten readiness for Akron families with monthly in-home visits that include a new book, educational materials, and lessons following state standards (managed by the Early Childhood Resource Center in Canton).

The program is available year-round for preschool and non-preschool children, including those with special needs.

Yours and Mine Akron United Communities Civics will meet on Aug.

13 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Community Learning Center (1156 Fourth Ave.) to discuss boosting revenue from Akron's waterways while keeping the water and land safe, with Deputy Service Director Jeff Bronowski as the speaker.

Akron homeowners face rising property taxes as home values climb.

Larry Zvara — who lives in a multi-family home he rents out — said the increase challenges his monthly budget.

Akron-area residents can vote for the 2025-26 high school girls athlete of the year with nominees from local schools.

The poll remains open until 5 p.m. Thursday and winners will be announced Friday morning on BeaconJournal.com — make sure to vote.

East Nash Grass Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — G.A.R. Hall — Cost info not provided — Experience tight harmonies and stellar picking from the acclaimed East Nash Grass band.

Meadow Music Concert Series

6:00-8:30 p.m. — Crown Point Ecology Center — Free entry — Experience live music by Richfield Circus in a scenic outdoor setting.

Cleveland Orchestra - Schumann's Second Symphony

7-10 p.m. — Blossom Music Center — Tickets required — Experience the emotional depth of Schumann’s Second Symphony performed by the renowned Cleveland Orchestra.

Summer Parks 2026—Goodyear Metro

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Sledding Hill at Goodyear Heights Metro Park — Free entry — Experience the Akron Symphony Orchestra performing classic masterpieces under the stars.

Nike Basketball Camp at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. — St. Vincent-St. Mary High School — $320 — Improve your basketball skills at this comprehensive skills camp led by experienced coaches.

Chicago and Styx Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Blossom Music Center — Ticket prices vary — Rock out to classic hits from Styx in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Happy Together Tour

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Hard Rock Cafe — Tickets vary — Relive classic 60s and 70s hits with renowned pop and rock acts in an unforgettable nostalgia concert.

Five Finger Death Punch Concert

6:00-8:15 PM — Blossom Music Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a night of heavy rock with Five Finger Death Punch alongside country star Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire.

The Stray Cats Concert

7-10:30 p.m. — Northfield Park Racino — Cost info not specified — Experience the legendary rockabilly sounds of The Stray Cats in an unforgettable live performance.