There is limited availability to attend the following seminar on conflict resolution, without cost. See the details below and, if you are interested, RSVP by Monday afternoon to Laura Steinbrink at laura [at] clevelandbridgebuilders [dot] org

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Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi, and founder of
the M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, will give the inaugural
lecture in the 2005-2006 Cultural Crossings Lecture Series as the

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On October 11, 2005, the NEO Excellence Roundtable will feature City of Cleveland Sustainability Programs Manager Andrew Watterson to discuss successes and opportunities for our core city and region to lead the country and world as an environmentally-friendly and sustainable community. In a presentation Andrew made on "the State of Our Environment", at a recent meeting of the Ohio League of Conservation voters, I learned Cleveland is already a leader with sustainability, in many important ways, by adding hybrid vehicles to the city fleet and enacting an anti-idling policy intended to reduce emissions and fuel consumption (by 10%)... see Hotel Bruce for details. Andrew mentioned plans for wind turbines in the city and indicated many other exciting developments ahead - please join us on Tuesday the 11th, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, at the City Club to discuss these important issues with our "Sustainability Czar".

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On September 22nd, the City Club packed the room with Cleveland's "establishment" and "movement" leaders to listen to the voice of Generation X (born 1961-80). Rebecca Ryan held everyone's attention for an hour with her delivery that is straight to the point with a bit of humor. One of the points that she stressed is that the established leaders and new leaders need each other to make their communities more attractive and sustainable. She also highlighted that the "quality of place" is just as important as quality of jobs when GenXers decide to remain or relocate.

On September 23rd, Cleveland Next kicked off an effort to gather ideas and help put them into action within a one-year time frame. The Cleveland Next program is sponsored by Cuyahoga Community College's Corporate College.

What:
Whiskey Island and Coast Guard Station Walking Tour and discussion of the Next Steps for the future development of Whiskey Island and the historic Coast Guard Station.

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Northeast Ohio leaders have realized we have lessons to learn from afar, as we face changing economic challenges at home, like sprawl and neglected urban assets and strategies. As our urban core, that Cleveland remain strong is essential to the millions of people in the region.

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Based upon numerous conversations I have had with other tech
companies in the region - I wanted to connect with everyone and ask for help in
supporting the tech needs of New
Orleans – its businesses, non-profits, civic
organizations, etc. The City of New Orleans desperately needs to get its tech
infrastructure up and running, and truly there is no better infrastructure and
talent than what we have in the Cleveland region. I am asking for everyone
to join me and the City of Cleveland
in convening an emergency meeting next Tuesday, September 13 @ 10:00am. This
meeting will be held in the Board Room at Thompson Hine – located at 127 Public Square, Key Tower
– 39th Floor.

Immediate needs would be the following:

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In NEO today, we see a growing consciousness in the alternative energy and sustainability movement, a resounding catalyst in the digital cities OneCleveland phenomenum, and many other indicators that we are finally developing a vibrant new economy mentality.

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Images, videos and stories from the 2005 Cleveland Ingenuity Festival

Earlier this month, REALNEO IT Analyst Derek Arnold attended the O'Reilly Open Source Convention and Drupal Conference in Portland, Oregon, and he brought back more than new code, knowledge and relationships - he brought back the State of Oregon's vision of being "an epicenter for Open Technology (Linux and Open Source-enabled hardware, software and services)". The State of NEO needs to embrace such a vision!

As is our tradition, at the NEO Excellence portal, we have posted some notes and an attendee list from the First NEO-X-NY Roundtable, in a book bound at http://neoexcellence.realinks.us/NYNY.

Our roundtables are outcome oriented, and the outcomes we pursue from the first NEO-X roundtable include developing the Community Development Venture Capital (CDVC) Fund we introduced in New York, expanding the NEO-X network in support of economic development in NEO, and assisting NEO Expatriates to return to or collaborate with NEO.

newCAT (New Collaboration in Arts and Technology) CEO William Scheele shared his vision for the future of his not-for-profit arts organization at the 08.23.05 Excellence Roundtable, including collaborating with the Ingenuity Fesitval on an innovative slate of digital arts events not to be missed - see schedule of newCAT Ingenuity events below. Bill also previewed a poster that will be sold for $5 at the Ingenuity Festival to raise funds for newCAT... shared below. See you at the Ingenuity Festival...

Around two dozen NEO arts champions came together for the 08.23.05 Excellence Roundtable, which featured overviews of current work by newCAT, CIA and CPAC, among many important regional, innovative arts initiatives.

A very interesting organization called CoolTown Studios is offering access to $40 million for CoolTown real estate development projects - seems some projects in Cleveland and environs would fit their criteria - and their concept may be a good model for the Community Development Venture Capital Fund we are developing for NEO. See the criteria at the CoolTown website and posted below... 

Akron, Ohio - at the Akron-Summit County Public Library Auditorium
Rebecca Ryan will speak on her work for the Akron Chamber of Commerce

http://www.greaterakronchamber.org/ 

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Our community is being challenged by the migration of homegrown talent to other areas. Join area business leaders Aug. 29 as Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce launches “Brain Drain to Brain Gain,� a major economic development initiative poised at retaining and attracting young talent for the Stark County community. The Chamber has hired Rebecca Ryan, economist, futurist and president of Next Generation Consulting Inc. to lead this effort. Next Generation is a talent cooperative that helps communities uncover the “best of what is� in the community to retain and attract the brightest young talent. In-depth research is conducted to make this happen. Be a part of the solution; ensure the community’s future. Start by attending “Brain Drain to Brain Gain,� a free presentation. Light complimentary refreshments will be available.

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Engaging the Next Generation

Do you think all Gen X'ers are lazy apathetic slackers? Think
again...they are entrepreneurs, stay at home dads, and are making
political waves. In this session, Rebecca Ryan shares the results of
over 7,000 interviews and focus groups with the next generation: what
they think of their politicians, what they're looking for in their
communities, and how they prefer to make a difference at work and in
their neighborhoods.

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The last few weeks have seen the subject of education reach front and center across Northeast Ohio. Public school funding, the end of the BBB era and the hyper-politicizing of the selection of her successor, and the realization we need progress educating the region's children are all important drivers for discussion. The NEO Excellence Roundtable has maintained an ongoing dialogue on such key issues impacting economic development in Northeast Ohio, which we will broaden beginning at the August 16th session.

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The August 11, 2005, NEO-X Roundtable, at the Jones Day building in New York, New York, brought together a fascinating cross section of former Clevelanders now living or working in the New York area, sharing the common bond that we all still care about NEO.

check out ClevelandBikes new website at http://www.clevelandbikes.org for all the info you'll need to know to ride your bike around our beautiful city.

REALNEO is pleased to host a luncheon at the New York offices of Jones Day, 222 East 41st Street, Thursday, August 11th, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, for the NEO-X Roundtable.

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This the start of a two-day planning conference will address a wide
range of planning and zoning topics that affect our daily lives.
Register before August 15th for early bird rates. Check the conference
web page at www.ohioplanning.org for updated and expanded information.
Online registration available.   Contact phone:
216-443-3700.  Contact: khopkins [at] cuyahogacounty [dot] us.

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Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Executive Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Since 1992, Rev. Lynn has headed Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Constitution’s religious liberty provisions. In addition to his work as a long-time activist and lawyer in the civil liberties field, Lynn is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

An accomplished speaker and lecturer, Lynn has appeared frequently on television and radio broadcasts to offer analysis of First Amendment issues. He has appeared on several news programs, including PBS's NewsHour, NBC Today Show, Fox's O'Reilly Factor, Nightline, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, Larry King Live, and the national nightly news on NBC, ABC and CBS.

On the radio, Lynn served for two years as regular co-host of Pat Buchanan and Company and more recently did a weekly syndicated radio program Review of the News with Col. Oliver North. He is a regular guest on nationally broadcast radio programs on NPR, CBS, CNN, ABC, and AP.

Lynn began his professional career working at the national office of the United Church of Christ, including a two-year stint as legislative counsel for the Church's Office of Church in Society in Washington, D.C. From 1984 to 1991, he was legislative counsel for the Washington office of the American Civil Liberties Union.

In 1995, Lynn co-authored "The Right to Religious Liberty: The Basic ACLU Guide to Religious Rights." He writes frequently on religious liberty issues and has had essays published in "USA Today," The "Wall Street Journal" and others. Lynn also has op-eds published frequently by the Knight-Ridder and Scripps-Howard newspaper chains.

A member of the Washington, D.C. bar, Lynn earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1978. In addition, he received his theology degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1973.

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