Mayor Don Plusquellic has brought home a number of ideas from his business trips overseas. One that he discovered in Europe is the relatively new observance in May called "Neighbors Day."
Plusquellic told a group of citizens meeting at a fire station that the city will distribute packets with invitations so they can get together and meet their neighbors for a simple cup of coffee or a picnic.
22 countries, including Canada, now mark the day. This year, it's May 29th - a Tuesday - but Akron will celebrate it on May 26th, a Saturday. The Mayor lives in an apartment building but will participate himself.
He's also running for reelection. Officials hope the observance will encourage people to also get involved in neighborhood crime watches.