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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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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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!

This is a special bike ride where participants will begin their journey from the lower Harvard Avenue Canal Reservation Trailhead, just below ALCOA. (A) (9 a.m.) From here, they will bike 6 miles to Rockside Rd. and board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railrod with bike (10:15 a.m.) for a trip to Peninsula. At Peninsula they will depart, (11:15 am) and cycle back to Zeleznick's (Z) for a Bar-B-Que (1-4 p.m.).

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Learn why collaborative planning for our waterways and greenspace is vital to building a sustainable community. Ed Hauser, with the Friends of Whiskey Island, will share his thoughts on this topic and give an update on the latest Whiskey Island issues.

A discussion about how we should plan for the future of our waterways and greenspace will follow the presentation. The forum is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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With interest growing in bioswales, green roofs, etc., comes the need to better understand on-site conditions and vegitative components to produce the desired effect on water quality in post construction. The meeting is from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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From Public Square to University Circle, a number of large-scale investments are being made in new development, research, and health care that will have long-term impacts on our region's economy. Join us to learn more about how these exciting new projects are changing the shape of the region. Free and open to the public. The dialogue will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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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.

People across Northeast Ohio are talking
about new ways to make our economy more competitive and sustainable
over the long-term. Part of this discussion involves making the region
a place in which people choose to live and plan to stay. Join us for an
international exchange of ideas for creating a more sustainable built
environment, focused on the Lakefront and Cuyahoga River Valley.

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People across Northeast Ohio are talking
about new ways to make our economy more competitive and sustainable
over the long-term. Part of this discussion involves making the region
a place in which people choose to live and plan to stay. Join us for an
international exchange of ideas for creating a more sustainable built
environment, focused on the Lakefront and Cuyahoga River Valley.

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"BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES" EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE DIKE 14 NATURE PRESERVE

An opportunity to learn about
and celebrate this unique 88-acre former dredge disposal site that has
become naturalized. Everyone is welcome to come and discover the past,
present, and hopes for the future for this hidden treasure located in
the heart of Cleveland's lakefront.

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from waste comes incredible opportunity, right on our lakefront...... click HERE for more info.

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... 

*It seems like there's something quite cool going on in the city of McKinney, Texas. First there was the prototype of an eco-Walmart, then the eco-dealership by Toyota, and now - thanks to reader littleCatalyst for pointing it out - we learn that the city also has a sustainable elementary school that has been named (pdf link) one of the ten Most Environmentally Responsible Design Projects in the Nation by the American Institute of Architects. They have some great green architecture and landscaping, harvest rainwater in 6 cisterns (10,000 gallons capacity) and produce electricity with a wind turbine, but most importantly, they teach the kids about sustainability (it warms my heart!). Read more about it here >>http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/ed1article.php?id=art_1158&issue=sept_04

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 08.23.05 NEO Excellence Roundtable will feature leaders of new arts innovations and movements in NEO, including William Scheele of newCAT, the New Collaboration for Arts and Technology, who will be able to update attendees on Ingenuity Fest, with which he is affiliated - we'll invite other Ingenuity spokespersons to attend as well.

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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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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is calling for public comments on “The
Great Lakes Restoration Strategy,� which would clean up pollution, end
untreated, raw sewage dumping into the lakes, prevent the introduction of

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The Great Lakes are a
bi-national public treasure and are held in trust by the Great Lakes
states and provinces. For the last twenty years, the Great Lakes
Governors and Premiers have followed a set of principles included in
the Great Lakes Charter to guide them in developing, maintaining and
strengthening the regional management regime for the Waters of the
Great Lakes Basin.

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NOON - 2 PM: Celebrate this historic event and show your support to keep our waterfront parkland and public access marina. In 2004, Cuyahoga County acquired the 20-acre parkland and 10-acre marina for continued public access and recreation. In June 2005, Wendy Park at Whiskey Island was dedicated. The initial cleanup and restoration efforts of the parkland, the only natural shoreline in downtown Cleveland, and the River Boardwalk are complete.

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