Northern Ohio Live Magazine has created the awards program to honor the people and organizations whose talents and industry enhance the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.

Mayor Don Plusquellic’s project, Neighbors Day, has been selected as the award winner in the category of Community Events/Urban Issues.

In the category of Dance, the City of Akron is receiving an honorable mention for the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival.

Neighbors Day is an idea the mayor picked up from colleagues--- mayors in Europe--- where during the last week of May they celebrate Neighbors Day. In Germany, France, England and other countries, citizens find Neighbors Day a good a way of bringing citizens closer together and to promote peaceful living.

The theme for Neighbors Day Akron is Living Together Better, and the concept, the mayor said, is simple. Know your neighbors, and a safer community will follow.

Sponsored by the City of Akron, The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has been established to honor the legacy of the legendary founding Artistic Director of Ohio Ballet, and continues the tradition of free public performances by respected dance companies, each presenting a unique dance experience, but all sharing the common thread of Poll's commitment to the highest artistic standards. The Festival is a tribute to Poll's legacy and a gift of the performing arts to the people of Greater Akron.

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