Norm --

Every year, our family tries to come up with a fun way to wish Barack a happy birthday.

And this August 4th, when he turns 49, I have something new in mind.

This has been a big -- and hectic -- year for him. After signing the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform into law -- and completing his first year as president -- I think it's safe to say we will remember it for a long time.

It seems I suddenly need to go to Washington DC to meet with Federal officials about air pollution in Northeast Ohio. As timing is critical, I need to leave tonight and drive - returning tomorrow night. Rather than make the trip alone, wasting all that gas for just one person, I thought I 'd see if anyone else in the realNEO community would like to share a ride to-and-from DC for a day-trip there - we should be there for full business hours... 8am-midnight.

The Cleveland Public Library Fine Arts Department is pleased to present The Neo-Tessares Saxophone Quartet on August 7th, 2010 at 2pm in the 3rd floor lobby of the Main Library building (325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 44114). The group consists of soprano saxophonist John Perrine, Cory Kasprzyk on alto saxophone, Tom Lempner on tenor, and Richie Gaukin on baritone. They will perform works by Orlando Gibbons, Edvard Grieg, György Ligeti, Mike Mower and John Perrine. This program is free and open to all ages. For more information call 216-623-2848 or visit http://cpl.org/musicatmain. Please join us for this informal, intimate and entertaining concert.

Thanks to the timely, effective intervention of the Sierra Club, the Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to hold a public hearing for citizens to discuss their concerns about the renewal of the permit for the Medical Center Company (MCCO) to burn coal in their powerplant in University Circle (above), harming residents and workers in the densely populated and economically distressed surrounding neighborhood.

Beautifully timed, just days after the EPA Hearing about MCCO's permit to burn coal in excessively polluted Northeast Ohio for five more years, and in the middle of a Smog-Wave and air pollution crisis - as citizens awaken to the fact their air pollution monitoring for Northeast Ohio has been broken by NOACA (Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency - which is responsible for managing air quality here... for as long as there has been a NOACA) - the NOACA Governing Board is meeting on their unluckiest Friday the 13th ever.

The Cuyahoga Democratic Party has asked for the resignation of two of their most powerful and ineffective leaders - Jimmy DiMora is on the NOACA Governing Board and has not personally attended one meeting this year - neither has Tim Hagan. Neither has Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson - his planning Director Bob Brown only attended three... same with Commissioner Jones. RTA Boss Dixon - none. Port representative Raskind - none.  ODOT representative - 2 out of 6 meetings. NOBODY FROM THE EPA.

Citizens must now recognize the breadth of their influence and failure, causing failure of the region and state though such vehicles as the governing board of NOACA.

"about half of the pollutants that cause smog in the Toronto region come from the U.S.,

A kitten would get eaten-alive, at my house... but a tough alley cat, from the streets... like Hill Billy, featured here... would stand a chance on Roxbury. I'm thinking about it, as we have mice, my wife loves cats (I can tolerate a cool one), and there are 100s of homeless cats at the APL (AKA Dog Pound) that need good homes. Even i can offer a better life for a cool cat than the pound - for a dog-smart, fast cat, that is.

Sammy Catania is scheduled for pre-trial on September 1, 2010, 9:00 a.m., Judge Michelle Earley, Courtroom 12 A, 12th floor, Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street.

Sammy Catania is scheduled for pre-trial on September 1, 2010, 9:00 a.m., Judge Michelle Earley, Courtroom 12 A, 12th floor, Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street.

Sammy Catania is scheduled for pre-trial on September 1, 2010, 9:00 a.m., Judge Michelle Earley, Courtroom 12 A, 12th floor, Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street.

Sammy Catania is scheduled for pre-trial on September 1, 2010, 9:00 a.m., Judge Michelle Earley, Courtroom 12 A, 12th floor, Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street.

real NEOans - did you notice difficulty breathing today... all week... especially near downtown?

NOACA has an explanation. The air in urban Cleveland is highly polluted and causing you harm.

Sammy Catania is scheduled for pre-trial on September 1, 2010, 9:00 a.m., Judge Michelle Earley, Courtroom 12 A, 12th floor, Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street.

real NEOans - did you notice difficulty breathing today... all week... especially near downtown?

NOACA has an explanation. The air in urban Cleveland is highly polluted and causing you harm.

real NEOans - did you notice difficulty breathing today... all week... especially near downtown?

NOACA has an explanation. The air in urban Cleveland is highly polluted and causing you harm.