“If they can get you asking the wrong question, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”

Thomas Pynchon, Gravity’s Rainbow

There is much effort put into rationalizing our current economic conditions in NEO, but I don't see anyone in NEO analyzing our genuine progress... our GPI (see America, above... how's NEO doing?). At the core of this challenge is, what's the economy for in the first place? An article at the New Dream website asks that question, and states "It’s time to demand that champions of the status quo defend their implicit answer to that question.  Do they actually believe that the purpose of the economy is to achieve the grossest domestic product and allow the richest among us to multiply their treasures without limits?" "But what if we answer the question... The greatest good for the greatest number over the long run.” "In that light, economic success cannot be measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or stock prices alone.  It must take into account the other values that constitute the greatest good — health, happiness, knowledge, kindness — for the greatest number — equality, access to opportunity — over the long run — in a healthy democracy and sustainable environment." Based on that, are the NEO and American economies healthy? Read the rest of the article to see what you think...

While hard to compare to shootings and murder, I can't think of a worse development for NEO, local arts and culture and my neighborhood than the news I recieved just now - Gallery 1300 is closing. I don't know enough details to know if it is "our" fault - not enough money flowing from the community to the gallery and artists - or just that the smart, great people who have made 1300 a core part of the NEO scene have other opportunities to pursue, but I know we all owe it to their team to really put out for them in their closing months. More to come on this as I learn details... for now: the Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Title of the Exhibit: Leave ‘Em Wanting More – The last shows of 1300

Opening Reception: 

5 - October 20, 7-10 – Grant Smrekar, Paul Sydorenko, Bill Rupnik

CLEVELAND, OH—Ronald “Ronn” Richard, president and CEO of The Cleveland Foundation, will speak on the topic “Revitalizing America’s Post-Industrial Cities: Some Lessons from Cleveland” at noon on Friday, September 8, 2006, at The City Club of Cleveland.

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As I drove from the site of the murder of Detective Schroeder, on West 98th Street, I passed the park dedicated in the honor of the murder of John Jackson and Masumi Hayashi on West 65th, and it occurred to me that there must be a similar park dedicated to Detective Schroeder. This is a fitting way to memorialize the victims of murder, and all violent crime, in our city, as it replaces death with life, and sorrow with joy... it gives people young and old a place to move on in the most healthy possible ways. I do not believe the people of Cleveland want to brush away such tragedy, but rather they want to have a remembrance of those who we lose, and a bright spot to remember that... and they want their neighborhoods to grow stronger so there will be less tragedy there in the future.

THIS IS A FIRST TIME EVENT: See Cleveland in a whole new way: WITHOUT YOUR CAR!

Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens will be open for you to enjoy

because MLK Dr will be closed to cars... TWO SUNDAYS IN AUGUST!

New for 2006, “Walk and Roll Cleveland” will be Sunday August 6th and Sunday August 13th, from 11am until 5pm. MLK Drive between Rockefeller Greenhouse and the tennis courts is 2.1 miles which is a perfect distance to encourage bicycle riding, rollerblading, walking, jogging, picnicking and exploring.

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THIS IS A FIRST TIME EVENT: See Cleveland in a whole new way: WITHOUT YOUR CAR!

Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens will be open for you to enjoy

because MLK Dr will be closed to cars... TWO SUNDAYS IN AUGUST!

New for 2006, “Walk and Roll Cleveland” will be Sunday August 6th and Sunday August 13th, from 11am until 5pm. MLK Drive between Rockefeller Greenhouse and the tennis courts is 2.1 miles which is a perfect distance to encourage bicycle riding, rollerblading, walking, jogging, picnicking and exploring.

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I am really appreciative, this morning. After posting what was certainly the saddest news I can imagine, about the hardship my staff has suffered as a result of a lack of appreciation from my former business associate, Peter Holmes, I opened up this week's CoolCleveland and found that their crew had featured TWO postings from REALNEO. I am very touched and thankful to Thomas and his team for noticing REALNEO and taking an interest in the thoughts posted here - thank you. Please show appreciation back to CoolCleveland... if you are not a member, see what you've been missing... subscribe at CoolCleveland - all free - this is a real NEO must,  and send feedback to CoolCleveland letters at the links below, and supporting the upcoming CoolCleveland/Tech/Ingenuity party at Fat Fish Blue, July 13, and the Ingenuity Festival, as described below... but first, here's the nice write-up about REALNEO from CoolCleveland today, July 5, 2006:

 The following story with its links ran in CASE Daily (Case's online newpaper) today. Do feel like you have entrepreneurial genes? I think I do! Please post your thoughts
"Do genes influence who will be entrepreneurs?"

ABC News (Reuters), June 5, 2006
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2041245

The Coit Road Farmers Market
15000 Woodworth (between E. 152nd and Coit)
East Cleveland, Ohio 44112
(216) 249-5455
Map at www.coitmarket.org

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Used books are the best, so don't miss the best used book sale in Cleveland!

60th Anniversary Case Book Sale 2006, sponsored by The Association for Continuiing Education

Saturday, June 3rd 10 am -12 noon Preview ($20 Fee), 12 noon - 6 pm Free admission Begins

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People on REALNEO’s website are used to thinking about new ideas and the way we can help create the city and region we want to live in. Rather than passive acceptance, readers at REALNEO are active shapers of the community.  Our area is increasingly considering the importance of health activities, lifestyle and the comfort and attractiveness of the region.  As a region, we are focusing on regional assets, including our parks and lake.  With that in mind, I want to discuss ClevelandBikes, a two year-old nonprofit, and our project to develop an asset to meet these goals…a bike station, a new piece of the transportation infrastructure.

Come and meet serial and aspiring entrepreneurs, supporters of entrepreneurship, community leaders, business leaders, deal makers, and investors at Northeast Ohio's premier networking event at Pickwick & Frolic. Make new contacts and connections while enjoying an assortment of drinks and hors d'oeuvres.Individuals from JumpStart's new portfolio companies will also be present to share their stories and insights.

Over 600 are expected. Space is Limited. Register Now!

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<>Full house at the Trinity Commons for the Civic Innovations
Lab “Meet the Champions� breakfast.
CIL’s Jennifer Thomas spends a few minutes to introduce the
purpose and intent of the Civic Innovation Lab, thanks everyone for coming to
this event, and congratulate and introduce the champions of the latest three
projects CIL has funded. Some quick observation from this part of the event…

CIL only reviews proposals they receive over their website
so the first place to go to see if they are a good fit for a project is online
at http://www.civicinnovationlab.org/
- good, informative site.

The Cleveland Foundation established the Civic Innovation Lab (CIL website) to nurture "Civic Entrepreneurship" and CIL has in its first year provided $200,000 to 8 civic projects - details about CIL activities and outcomes are posted in this COIL  

Meet the Champions

Come hear the Civic Innovation Lab's newest
champions share their exciting initiatives and how they will contribute
to economic development in Greater Cleveland! Learn why these champions
received mentorship and funding!

The champions are:
* Erin Johnson, Founder, BackTalk Magazine
* Terry Travis, President, Cleveland365.com
* Randy McShepard, Tim Goler and Marc Batson, co-Founders, Policy Bridge

This event is FREE, but you MUST REGISTER!
Send an email with "Register" in the subject line to info [at] civicinnovationlab [dot] org.
Please include your name and company.

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