I've written for some time about the importance of Education as the most fundamental need for our region.  Specifically, we need our programs to be intergenerational, experiential, and service-based.   More heartening news comes down the news wire just recently, reported on MSN Careers and local

 It’s not just the loyal group of Melt fans that continues to grow. Since opening in September 2006, Melt Bar and Grilled opened a patio, then expanded the restaurant in summer 2008 to accommodate the droves of hungry Clevelanders, excited to bring an out-of-town friend or spend a mundane any-day enjoying some true laid-back comfort—in the food, drink and vibe.

Norm Roulet - November 5, 2001, Opinion Editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer

Joe Frolik's Oct. 21 (2001) column, "The high-tech route to City Hall," finally starts focusing attention on the Cleveland area's only hope for economic and social renewal: information technology.

Independent studies prove Cleveland is deficient in its use of information technology in government and in supporting the needs and interests of citizens. As a result, the community and the local economy have suffered.

Cleveland must move to the forefront of the information technology revolution by doing two things quickly and effectively:

Achieve universal access for our people.

Develop an optimal virtual community.

ICEarth - Information Community Earth - Conceptual Framework - normALST 02/07/01

The Emergence of “Info Mediated Enterprise”

One of today’s most critical global imperatives is "universal access." In our world’s now thoroughly computerized, internetworked economic, social and cultural environment, all people must have access to like information technology (IT) tools, resources and capabilities. As access becomes increasingly universal, exciting interpersonal dynamics become possible; like distant learning, telemedicine, virtual community, and 'infomediation,' a core interest of this document that enables the other dynamics listed before and many still to be seen on our virtual horizons.

JOIN US FOR CLEVELAND BICYCLE WEEK -- MAY 11-17, 2009. We've got all sorts of interesting events planned!  Visit www.clevelandbicycleweek.org for full details, but here are some highlight events:

* Cleveland Bike to Work Day, May 15th.  Park at the future Bicycle Station at Gateway and see the latest drawings (East 4th Street and High Street, just north of Huron Road).  Bike to Work brought to you about NOACA, visit the Bike Buddy program at: www.Ohiorideshare.com

Meet up with Joan Southgate as she returns from her journey from Canada to University Circle. 

One woman's journey to make change and to restore Cleveland to HOPE!

READ about the mission to help Clevelanders remember the historic role played in the abolition movement in this month's Essence Magazine!

Yesterday was a special day for me - a beautiful day in the region - so I ended it with my good friend Ed Hauser, as I often do. Alone on his own island, he is always easy to find. I was photographing the sunset right by where Ed's boats belong. They are gone... he is now walking on water.

Because of Ed, my heart lives on Whiskey Island too, and I have photographed there scores of times.

Cleveland Bicycle Week is coming, May 11-17! Join us for Northeast Ohio's biggest gathering of diverse cycling interests and activities, with events all around town! 

Dust off your bike and RIDE.

Mark your calendars and check out this super cool new drupal website...

http://www.clevelandbicycleweek.org/about

article questioning why AmTrust was spared while National City Bank got whacked.

online.wsj.com/article/SB124052105775549689.html

From our friend Barb Clint:

Information technology pioneer and visionary - and Oberlin graduate - Marc Canter helped me launch REALNEO.US, in 2004... from San Francisco. Now, five years of social community and technology building and innovation later, I've convinced Marc to personally return to Northeast Ohio to collaborate with government, citizens and organizations in the community to make the open web a core economic and social strength of our region, at the global level.

Location

The Twentieth Annual Harvey Buchanan Lecture in Art History and the Humanities

Location

In today's tough economy, who doesn't want a good deal?  Cleveland  features a variety of interesting taverns, but one of my favorites is The Tavern Company - this little gem lies tucked away near the Cedar-Lee intersection  (2260 Lee Rd) in the Heights. 

MONEY AS DEBT

Location

BMW Welt , Munich 2008

The COSE Arts Business and Innovation Awards recognize the unique point of intersection between the art and business worlds. Award winners will be honored for their success in demonstrating sound business practices within the arts profession. Please join us as we honor top winners in each of the following categories: The Individual Artist, The Arts Business, Young Arts Entrepreneur, Arts and Culture Community Champion.  

Location

For the earliest agricultural communities in Northern Europe, the last six weeks of Winter were the Starving Time. By early February, stored surplus food from September’s harvest was gone or was about to go bad, so there was a last big meal at Imbolc and very short rations to planting time at the Spring Equinox, Ostara. What leadership there was, focused on keeping very hungry people from eating the seed grain and breeding stock, so the community could plant and grow their flocks in the Spring.

This month's April Cleveland Magazine, for once, features some of the folks that make CLEVELAND...

That's right, folks ... in the CITY, not the region, not the suburbs, but CLEVELAND...great.  One of those people is Mitch Paul of Shaker Cycles.

Innovate or Perish: Grow NEOhio as a Global Leader in BioTech w/ Innovating Networks in a Cool, Connected Place