Jared Diamond, the world-class observer of societies and cultures, told a well-packed Severance Hall audience Wednesday, that "consumerism"  and "isolationism" threaten the future well-being of America.  He called for a "reappraisal" of the nation's citizens' core values, because the oceans no longer  insulate the U.S. from the world and physical resources are being used at what Diamond called an "unsustainable rate."

The February 28, 2006 Excellence Roundtable on the film industry was unique. One local film maker at the roundtable explained this was the first time he had sat down with the industry.

For an outsider, like myself - a fan of film and an economic development professional who recognized the broad value of the film industry - this roundtable was a thrill in that we had so much talent in the room - accomplished film professionals who have shown in the world's festivals and distribute product globally. These successful artists are invisible (often struggling) entrepreneurs in this community, and this was the first time I'd met nearly every one.

Please join a casual collaboration of Northeast Ohio leaders interested in supporting "Film" as a cultural, educational, technological and economic engine of this community. "Film" is an important factor in the NEO economy, with many talented "film" professionals involved here in management, production, creative and other roles, creating $ millions in spending and wealth and making NEO a more interesting and fulfilling place to grow up and live. But, what is film, and what matters to the community and our economy?

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Please join a casual collaboration of Northeast Ohio leaders interested in supporting "Film" as a cultural, educational, technological and economic engine of this community. "Film" is an important factor in the NEO economy, with many talented "film" professionals involved here in management, production, creative and other roles, creating $ millions in spending and wealth and making NEO a more interesting and fulfilling place to grow up and live. But, what is film, and what matters to the community and our economy?

Date: Wednesday, March 1

Time: 5:00 P.M. - 6:45 P.M.

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

3921 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH

African American community leaders came together at Myers University to make new connections, share an appreciation of Cleveland's rich history of African American cultural institutions and long standing leadership contributions to the history of American innovation and entrepreneurship.

Huge news in Rhode Island today - "Jury holds 3 ex-makers of lead paint liable" - will have major impacts in Cleveland. Cleveland is one year into a major regional initiative to eradicate lead poisoning in Greater Cleveland, where elevated blood level rates are some of the highest in the country, and it is very important that the paint companies are part of the solutions being developed. Rhode Island is where the battle against lead poisoning has proceeded the furthest in court, and now a jury has ruled against three paint companies, including our home-town Sherwin-Williams. Imagine some possible next steps... lead goes the way of asbestos and the old paint companies go bankrupt, and so goes away Sherwin-Williams and all its jobs in the region, with the assets going to our next Mittal... yet the bankruptcy settlement and asset sales help pay to eradicate lead poisoning here so our next generations are not mentally impaired and are able to contribute to the economy. What do the people of NEO rally around - saving jobs or saving minds... I can see the fanatical lines being drawn now. Is that the best we can do? Or can lead be viewed as a new frontier for open, responsible collaboration across our community (as is already happening in Greater Cleveland) AND with one of the biggest players on the industry - our own Sherwin-Williams - allowing us to respond here to our dirty laundry being aired in the RI courts, and in the process making Sherwin-Williams a stronger corporate citizen, in a safer, healthier, smarter community more worth living in. Read the complete story, from the Providence Journal.

"Film" is an important factor in the NEO economy, with many talented "film" professionals involved here in management, production, creative and other roles, creating $ millions in spending and wealth and making NEO a more interesting and fulfilling place to grow up and live. But, what is film, and what matters? Read on below:

Join us today for Midtown Wednesdays to learn about Cleveland's rich history and bright future supporting African American culture.  
Date: February 22 

A community of interest focused on developing an African American Cultural Center and driving innovation in the sharing of understanding and strengthening of African American and all culture in Northeast Ohio.

Hello all,

 

Just wanted to let you know that the 2006 CAAO Online Silent Executive Auction website is up! The web address is www.caao2006.cmaket.com  I am really excited about the auction this year.  Black Enterprise Magazine has donated 3 half-page ads in their magazine on the auction.  This is a huge opportunity to put the African American professional organizations in Northeast Ohio in the national spotlight.  CAAO is already getting calls from all over the US about the auction.

 

Here is yet another version of the Midtown Innovation Map. Colors have been added for a visually interesting affect.

Software designer, Valdis Krebs, likens these portraits of communities to works of art. Snapshots of social relationships.

In 1915 a pair of Oberlin graduates, Russell and Rowena Woodham Jelliffe, established a place where people of different races, creeds and religions could seek cultural excellence together. The location later became known as Karamu House. Join us to celebrate Cleveland's rich history of African American institutions continuing to strengthen culture and history.

Be a part of envisioning a new African American Cultural Center and brainstorming new ways of sharing knowledge and resources for a dynamic entrepreneurial place in NEO.

Thank you for the comments and insights. All maps should be considered open community contributions and resources. We can post Maps with Names every week. Let us know what would be most valuable to you. If you have questions, contact myself (betseymerkel [at] aol [dot] com) or Dennis Coughlin (denniscoughlin [at] i-open [dot] org) for a copy.

Hello all, I attended a Cleveland Bridge Builders session today on collaboration.They asked the invited guest what needs to in place to have a successful collaboration. I spoke on two; Honest dialog and Inclusion.

Green Chemistry Institute leader's talk launches 2006 series

More and more chemists are "going green"—thinking about the environment when they design new molecules, compounds and products. Paul Anastas, director of the American Chemical Society's Green Chemistry Institute, will give the first of a series of talks on this theme when he leads off the Frontiers in Chemistry Colloquium at Case Western Reserve University on Thursday, February 23, at 4:30 p.m. in the Goodyear Lecture Hall of the Agnar Pytte Science Center on Adelbert Road. This free, public event, sponsored by the Case chemistry department and Engelhard, is geared toward a general audience interested in learning how chemists are working for a safer environment.

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To begin, this week's session includes several updates and quick takes of information.

Rich Brhel, Dir. of Library, Myers University, reminds us of Myers' historical place in Cleveland history since 1848. Rich continues and provides a quick clip about the Ohio Memory Project a cool repository of Cleveland history.

"Computer games have now been with us for over 30 years. The Atari 2600 is nearly 25 years old. Civilization is now nearly 10 years old. Yet, many Americans fail to recognize these complex achievements as more than fads or child's play. Ask most people what they think about video games, and many will respond that they're a waste of time..."

 

What does it take to build tomorrow's innovation zone?

An environment with diversity, creativity and endless opportunities to participate in new business mediums.

I  will confess up front - I don’t know the deep background. Nevertheless, I was struck by a comment attributed to Fanny Lewis, Cleveland City Councilwoman, in today’s CPD article on locating the Myers U. fieldhouse.  It seems that Myers U wants to locate its fieldhouse on the same piece of land that Lewis has been promoting for  a jail to house nonviolent criminals.  Ms. Lewis is quoted as saying, “We have more men in prison than we have in college so there’s a need.”  This may, very unfortunately, be true; but aren’t we hearing from all sides that education, from pre-school on is a huge problem in Cleveland; that to compete locally, nationally and globally, we have to provide better education to everyone. If we want to reverse this proportion, shouldn’t we be favoring the school’s needs?   The fieldhouse for a school should be as close as possible to the main campus. Cleveland does not lack for empty space.  In seven years of searching for a place to build this type of jail in Cuyahoga County, is the location on Chester at 49th the only viable alternative?

June Holley was leading this week's forum. June is a nationally recognized researcher and practitioner in identifying, leading and coaching innovation networks.

Our first question from June: What would you like to see happen in Cleveland?

Date: Wednesday, February 8

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Pictured from left to right: Julius Ciaccia- Director of Public Utilities, Councilman Matt Zone, Andrew Watterson- Cleveland Sustainability Manager, and David Beach- Director, Ecocity Cleveland.

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