This just in, from Greater Ohio... these economic incentives are important to historic preservation - perhaps it's not to late to save the dozens of historic buildings in and around the Flats and downtown Cleveland that are currently doomed to demolition by community planners... at least folks seem to care about preservation in Columbus... anyone care here?

Historic preservation tax credit passes Ohio House

Am Sub HB 149 passed the Ohio House with a unanimous vote Tuesday morning, May 16, marking an important victory for Greater Ohio and other groups supporting redevelopment of older communities. It now goes to the Senate where a companion bill, SB 60, has been considered but not passed. The Senate will take up the House version. (Compare the two bills.)

While I'm not a pro sports expert, I was very pleased to see today, having coffee at A. J. Rocco's, a friendly table of local sports experts including at least one of the Cleveland Cavliers - probably the only one I'd recognize out of uniform (and I don't mean King James). I asked if they minded me taking a picture but they weren't dressed for the press. So, if you want to hang out with the Cavs, in their hangouts, you'll have to come downtown to A.J. Rocco's yourself. Or, you could reach out to them...

Date: Wednesday, May 17

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

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

3921 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Map Link

Software and sensor technology has progressed where in the near future games will be able to sense the emotional state of the player and modify the behavior of the game accordingly. We are on the verge of a new level of man machine interaction according to an interview with Mike Zyda, who heads up the University of Southern California's video game development program.  Weekend America host Barbara Bogaev conducted the interview and is pictured trying out an early prototype of this emotion-reading technology. Click here to listen to the broadcast.

The May meeting of the Ohio Venture Association at Lockkeepers featured presentations by two entrepreneurs seeking capital and the innovative story of Summa Enterprise Group.

OVA Board President Ben Calkins brought the meeting to order at Lockkeepers and allowed each person in attendance to introduce him or herself, following OVA's usual custom.

There were two Five-Minute Forum presentations. These speakers typically represent companies that are looking for start-up or expansion capital.

Sherry Aronson is president of Cure Systems, a company that provides enterprise software for hospitals that improves the quality of health care while enhancing cost efficiencies. Her company uses predictive analytics to anticipate and mitigate the risks in acute care environments. The result is a ten-fold return for its hospital clients and better outcomes for patients. The company has a partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Health System. They are looking for additional capital to complete product development and intellectual property protection.

Thanks to all those who helped propel Cleveland into visibility on the 43 things and 43 places websites, our new version of the 43 places site is now online! It has a local emphasis on neighborhoods, venues, restaurants, and other places to go and things to do. Cleveland was second to get a local site, after only Seattle (which is the hometown of the Robot Coop, a small group of programmers who have developed the interconnected sites called 43places, 43things, 43people, allconsuming, and listofbests). 

East Cleveland Theater's current production of "The Wiz" is an abolute delight and great family entertainment, as the story and song will appeal to audiences from nine to ninety.  

Now playing weekends (Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinee) thru May 21, 2006, "The Wiz" is a great Mother's Day gift idea as the cast showcases wonderful talent living in our midst. 

Date: Wednesday, May 10

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

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

3921 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Map Link

Maybe this Current.tv pod can help dispell some myths, or maybe confirm them?

Members of the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative presented thier vision for a better East Cleveland.

Date: Today, Wednesday, May 3

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

Place:

3921 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Here's an interesting collaboration between the Cleveland Clinic and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Read more.

One of the major challenges in Northeast Ohio is a lack of collaboration and alignment.

This dynamic is slowly changing, however. Here's some evidence of the shift. Team NEO, the region's's economic development organization, has formed a partnership with two major port authorities. The agreement establishes a structure to share prospects opportunities in a cooperative way.

Saturday and Sunday, April 29 & 30, 2006, the Tri-C JazzFest took the spectacular stage at the East Cleveland Public Library, custom built for jazz by world-class library leader Greg Reese, for two major FREE concerts that drew full house crowds to a community few know and so most don't appreciate. After this weekend, many more people understand East Cleveland is the coolest city in NEO.

Valdis Krebs, June Holley and Jack Ricchiuto have come together to create the Network Weaving Blog. This is a great knowledge resource for learning about other communities applying new techniques to their activity, network building, and social network mapping. Read their white paper on Networking here.

I wanted to share what I wrote about the Global Night Commute which will take place tonight in downtown Cleveland and in cities around the world with all the readers of RealNEO.

When I heard Rebirth Brass Band was planning a second line jazz parade in Cleveland, to raise awareness of the Tri-C Jazz Fest, I was thrilled - not only is Rebirth awesome, but living in NOLA gave me a real appreciation for the energy such an event can create. I certainly expected Cleveland music fans, and promoters of a more enlightened community, would turn out in droves to support this great band, this free parade, and a good time. Well, 100s of fans and lucky by-standers lucked out, and the rest of the region missed out - but here are some shots in appreciation to Rebirth Brass Band and the organizers of the Tri-C Jazz Fest - I hope more people make their way to the other events scheduled in the coming days.

How do we reinvent the Midtown economy? What are our opportunities to expedite services in government, commercial, and education? What are our opportunities to design new approaches to visualization, conceptual learning and virtual experiences? (If you haven't had a chance to read the article "Digital Natives" yet, go here.)

WHAT’S IN A BRIDGE ABUTMENT?

Keep a bridge abutment without the bridge…why? A pile of rocks or a concentration of feng shui? That’s the question the Cleveland Landmark Commission will consider TOMORROW: should the remaining  Central Viaduct bridge abutment in front of the Broadway Mills Building be committed to the historic register?

On Thursday April 13 Ed Hauser, with support from the Gilotta family, made a presentation before the Cleveland Landmarks Commission, nominating the old Broadway Mills building, now homebase to Gilotta Fuels, for landmark status.  Hauser nominated both the building, built in 1894, and the remaining portion of the old central viaduct at the building’s base.  Motivated by a communication from ODOT, sent at 5:33p.m. on the evening before the hearing, a majority of  Landmark Commission members voted to table the nomination until ODOT could make a presentation at the Commission’s next meeting. That’s right, the Commission that is supposed to protect Cleveland’s landmarks decided not to even begin consideration of potential landmark status because of ODOT’s request.

It has been a long time since I have blogged about car shopping, but I have n't forgotten that I need a new car. The squeeling bearing, rusted out muffler and check engine light on my car remind me of that every time I drive anywhere.

Press Release: Cleveland.-- April 24, 2006 -- The Center for Regional Development at Purdue University has appointed Ed Morrison to the position of Economic Policy Advisor. In the role, Morrison will assist the Center and the governor's office in the implementation of new regional models of economic development and workforce development.