Hey neighbors,

We’re Kassi and Reegan here for a Thursday takeover of the newsletter to help with your weekend plans while Brittany is away.

One of those things could be to begin a new hobby, like growing a kitchen or container garden this spring. To help those new plants thrive, you might want to start composting.

Earlier this month, we caught up with Ben McMillan of Rubber City Reuse (RCR), who showed us his composting process. It was so cool — did you know that a compost pile heats up to temperatures between 130 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit at its core, even in the winter months, thanks to the bacteria production? It is hot enough to turn leaves to ash. Wild.

Rubber City Reuse also has a significant number of apple trees looking for new homes – free of charge! If you or someone you know wants one (or two) for your yard, reach out to RCR.

Your weekend plans

The Akron Summit County Public Library is hosting “Paws for Reading” this Saturday at the main library. From 11 a.m. to noon, children and families can read a book to one of the library’s therapy dogs

The 2024 Akron Drip Drive launches Saturday. Coffee shop patrons have until Dec. 13 to make a purchase at 19 of the 23 stops (four are new this year) to earn a limited-edition “The Drip Drive” coffee mug and be entered in the $500 Drip Drive raffle. The event is celebrating five years of “being very, very perky.”

Head out with a naturalist from the Summit Metroparks on Sunday for a Wetland Walk to scout for birds and amphibians. The walk begins at 1 p.m. and goes until about 2:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Heights Metropark Pioneer Area at 550 Frazier Ave.

Signal background

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.

Multimedia reporter/producer (she/her)
Kassi Filkins strives to be an active part of whatever community she finds herself in and joins Signal Akron in its mission to bring accessible and community-focused news to all Akronites.

Kassi was born and raised in Central Ohio and is a photojournalism graduate of Kent State University. She was a staff member at the Southeast Missourian and the Hartford Courant before working in non-profit communications.

Kassi lives in Highland Square and enjoys local coffee shops, walking along trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and hanging out with her dogs, cat and husband.