Docs Who Rock 5!

United Way of Summit County’s fifth annual ‘Docs Who RockTM’ physician talent show was all new this year, with five new bands and unique new performances by the six returning bands. The show featured 75 musicians and singers, including 25 physicians. In the end, the winning band was ultrasound, a high-energy R&B band.

Sponsored by The University of Akron, the show was held Saturday, October 25 at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall before a raucous crowd of more than 1,500.

The 12-member ultrasound features seven local physicians – Dr. Akida Green, vocals; Dr. George Kefalas, bass & vocals; Dr. Costas Kefalas, drums; Dr. Michael Wells, congas/bongos; Dr. Matt Taylor, guitar; Dr. Nick Papas, first trombone; Dr. Edward Esber, second trumpet; along with Khary Green, vocals; Jan Goddard, saxophone; Greg Kefalas, keyboards/vocals; Costa Papas, second trombone; and Steve Hadgis, first trumpet.

In second place was V-Taccent, with Dr. Fred Slezak, Dr. Tom Javorsky and Dr. Joe Pietrolungo and in third place was Jersey, featuring Dr. Joe Pietrolungo.

In just five years, Docs Who Rock has grown from a free show at the Downtown Akron Main Library’s 430 seat auditorium to a major theatrical production at one of the region’s top venues.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “We’re very proud of the way this event has grown throughout the community. The sponsorship by the University of Akron makes it possible for us to hold this event at beautiful E.J. Thomas Hall. And the willingness of these talented doctors and other musicians to donate their time and talent is what has made Docs Who Rock the ‘must-see’ event that it has become.”

To purchase a DVD copy of this year’s Docs Who Rock show for just $17, call United Way at 330-643-5533. Pictures from the event will soon be available online at www.docswhorock.com.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY ENDORSES ISSUE 5

The United Way of Summit County Board of Directors approved a resolution in support of State Issue 5, the reform of payday lending act.

The Resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the 246 member Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending worked three years to reform payday lending in the State of Ohio;

WHEREAS, Governor Ted Strickland, Speaker of the House John Husted, Senate President Bill Harris, and overwhelming numbers of the Ohio General Assembly joined in a bi-partisan effort to pass H.B. 545, payday lending reform;

WHEREAS, H.B. 545 caps interest rates on payday loans at 28%, increases the term of such loans to 31 days, limits such loans to $500, prohibits a borrower from taking out more than four loans per year, provides access to other small loan lending, and bans internet lending;

WHEREAS, Yes on Issue 5 represents fair small loan lending, protects borrowers from the exploitation of payday lenders and will safeguard the reforms passed in H.B. 545;

WHEREAS, a Yes vote on Issue 5 will prohibit payday lenders from charging 391% APR on a two week payday loan;

WHEREAS, Yes on Issue 5 is supported by the AARP, religious leaders from around the State, the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, and other state-wide organizations;

THEREFORE, be it resolved, that the Public Policy Committee and the Board of Directors of United Way of Summit County urge all voters in the County to vote Yes on Issue 5 during the 2008 General Election.

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY’S DOCS WHO ROCK 5 - OCTOBER 25

United Way of Summit County’s Docs Who RockTM 5, sponsored by The University of Akron, will be held at E.J. Thomas Hall on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 7:00 pm.

Tickets for the show are available now at the E.J. Thomas box office or at ticketmaster.com for $12 and $25. For more information, visit http://www.docswhorock.com/.

The event is an annual opportunity for local doctors to showcase their musical talents. The event has grown each year, from an intimate show before a crowd of 400+ at the Main Library Auditorium in 2004 to last year’s audience of nearly 2,000 at E.J. Thomas Hall.

Eleven acts will be competing in this year’s show to be named champion of Docs Who Rock. Each band features at least one Doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who lives or practices in Summit County. The acts are: defending champions ultrasound featuring Dr. Akida Green, Dr. George Kefalas, Dr. Costas Kefalas, Dr. Michael Wells, Dr. Matt Taylor, Dr. Nick Papas, and Dr. Edward Esber; V-Taccent featuring Dr. Fred Slezak, Dr, Joe Pietrolungo and Dr. Tom Javorsky; Big Adventure with Dr. Andrew McIntosh; Collideascope featuring Dr. Rob Hermanowski; Zobapago featuring Dr. Eric Jagar and Dr. Tony Sterns; Brutus & the Reluctant Bystanders featuring Dr. Joe Kirk, Dr. Natalie Bowersox, Dr. Georges Markarian, Dr. Thomas Ruzics, and Dr. Susan Shondel; Code Blues featuring Dr. Paul LeCat, Dr. Todd Kettering, Dr. Debbie Plate and Dr. Elliot Davidson; Get Back featuring Dr. Dan Cannone; Jersey featuring Dr. Joe Pietrolungo; Freez R Burn & the Cryonics featuring Dr. Dennis Wright; and the HHC Café Band featuring Dr. Richard Brower and Dr. Troy Sand.

And no Docs Who Rock show would be complete without a brand new performance from the irrepressible Dr. Terry Gordon, the retired local cardiologist. In past Docs Who Rock shows, Dr. Gordon has performed as Mick Jagger, Austin Powers, Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, Michael Jackson and even Tina Turner. As is the tradition, Dr. Gordon’s ‘persona’ for the upcoming show will remain a closely-guarded secret.

United Way of Summit County President Bob Kulinski said, “Docs Who Rock is not only a ‘must see event’ here in the Summit County, but since we have trademarked the name and logo, we have authorized United Ways and other non-profit organizations to host Docs Who Rock shows in communities around the country. United Way’s collaboration with the local medical community has resulted in this annual evening of great entertainment and a renewed effort to improve people’s health year round.”

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information, call 330-762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.

United Way needs your gifts of time and money

(from Akron Beacon Journal's editorial page 10/02/08)

By Theresa Carter

Our United Way is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, providing outstanding programs and services that continue to improve people's lives right here in Summit County.

Over nearly a century of existence, the mission of our United Way has transformed into an ever more focused effort to target and meet the critical needs of our community.

Our success over the many years has been realized because of those in our community who continue to give so generously and passionately of their resources and time. And for that, we are most grateful.

As we embark upon this 90th year of service, we have become even more focused, joining others like us around the country in a new social movement called Live United, which takes a comprehensive view of ''giving'' that advances the common good and creates opportunities for a better tomorrow for us all. Under the Live United banner, we are encouraged to give, advocate and volunteer, understanding that these are all essential components to ensuring a vibrant, sustainable community.

Funding these efforts is still a critical component and, after a thorough assessment of our community needs, we have established a goal for this year's United Way/Red Cross of Summit County campaign of $11,600,900.

This will allow us to continue our support of the many agencies and organizations that are providing the programs and services to those who need them the most. Our funding will support initiatives that have been identified as critical needs in the community: education — helping children and youth achieve their full potential; income — promoting financial stability and independence; and health — improving overall mental and physical wellness. These are the building blocks for long-lasting positive changes in our community.

There is no doubt that these are very challenging times in our economy, but that makes the need all the more urgent. Many of our agencies are overwhelmed with the increased volume of need from working families and individuals who require extra support to help make ends meet.
We want our United Way and its agencies to be able to continue to answer the call and to provide the services when needed. This is why it is so important for those of us who can give, to give generously.

As the cost of nearly everything we buy continues to rise, even the most generous among us may find ourselves with less discretionary income. But a contribution to United Way makes the greatest impact helping the most people across the community.

It is indeed an incredible honor for me to serve as this year's chair of the United Way/Red Cross campaign of Summit County. I am also very proud of, and grateful to, the 90-plus volunteers who have joined the campaign and are advocating every day on behalf of our United Way. However, we can't do it alone. We need the generous, continued support of our entire community to meet our goal.

Our appeal is that you will join us in keeping this vibrant United Way legacy alive, to inspire hope and to provide a better tomorrow for us all.

Carter is the president of the OMNOVA Solutions Foundation and chair of the 2008 United Way of Summit County Campaign.