Americans and people around the world, who follow current events in America, are today digesting George Bush's veto of House Bill 801, killing the Congressionally approved expansion of stem cell research in America. People who think are trying to understand what that veto means for the future of scientific research and health care in America and around the world. Once viewed as a progressive nation, for better and worse founded on exploration of “new frontiers”, America's withdrawal from serious scientific and medical research is perplexing and in ways troubling to those hoping to help cure diseases and save lives globally. I learned about the veto on the BBC news and the look of bewilderment on the British reporter's face was all telling... “what the hell is going on with America these days”, he was thinking. Perhaps he doesn't realize, American political and economic policy is now entirely based on "Rapturenomics".

This is significant, from the Case University News Center:

Listening to music can reduce chronic pain by up to 21 percent and depression by up to 25 percent, according to research published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing by Sandra L. Siedlecki, a nurse researcher at the Cleveland Clinic. Siedlecki collaborated with and used tapes from previous pain studies by Marion Good, professor of nursing at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

Siedlecki and Good found that listening to music can also make people feel more in control of their pain and less disabled by their condition.

 I was sad to learn that the Fulton Street Bar and Grill was closing this Spring, as that was an Ohio City institution and great place to stop for a drink or meal in one of my favorite neighborhoods.. within a few blocks offering great locally owned, high quality dining options, from landmarks Johnny Mangos, Hecks, Great Lakes, and Parker's to relative newcomer Le Oui Oui Cafe. But as a destination and neighborhood, Ohio City can benefit from as much great culinary density as possible, and the loss of the Fulton seemed tragic. But what's new in this oldest part of town is definitely NEO and Ohio City's gain, as the fantastic "modern.mex" joint Momocho (slang for small boy, named in love of the chef/owner's son) is unique to the region and will be a major draw that is already attracting crowds in on the buzz. Momocho also comes in through a very friendly transition - the owner bought the restaurant from the owners of the Fulton, and one Fulton owner John McDonnell is well managing Momocho for the new chef/owner Eric Williams, who is busy in the kitchen making the food... well, hot!

On realneo, I recently coined a new term 'burbilly", which Phillip Williams found hilarious. He asked if I made this term up, which I did, and I explained to him the origins of the term, which are very serious.

Burbilly is a term for people who dwell in remote, exurban, sprawl areas. In particular the term refers to residents of exurban Northeast Ohio in the United States. Usage of the term "Burbilly" generally differs from other terms referring to rural people in the United States in that it can be used for sprawl-dwelling people anywhere but is generally not used to refer to rural people in non-sprawl areas outside Northeast Ohio. Further, terms like redneck and cracker, often connote rejection of, or resistance to assimilation into the dominant culture, while burbillies theoretically are merely isolated from the dominant culture, despite attempting to assimilate with the rural culture, for which they are generally not competent. Nevertheless, the term is sometimes considered derogatory depending on the manner in which it is used or the attitude of the target.

No recognition of the arts as important to the world, much less Cleveland, may overlook Derek Hess, who first was widely known for powerful, angst-filled figurative music posters promoting shows he was then booking at the old Euclid Tavern, which became a fine art business for Derek, which allowed him to grow his global impact to a level few artists in Cleveland have ever achieved, all while staying in and investing in Cleveland, organizing the Strhess Tour, and Strhess Clothing, and making Gallery 1300 happen and happening (opening there this Friday, July 14th). Read more about Derek below, visit the links, and if you are smart buy some of his work while you still may.

As an economist, I've always been fascinated by the wealth of value our foundations provide this region, including funding arts and culture, supporting innovation in education, catalyzing the economy and leading government transformation, and most remarkably forming The Fund For Our Economic Future and funding global change leaders America Speaks to lead the Voices and Choices collaboration now poised to revolutionize our regional insight and economic development. As an open source economic developer for the region, I've had significant opportunity to work on many projects funded by local foundations that are truly transformational, including Voices and Choices, so I feel I must speak up in complete support for this initiative of America Speaks.

I have many good friends who work at the Plain Dealer, I've been published there, including a "Quiet Crisis" feature on bridging the digital divide, I considered their now deceased Washington Bureau editor Tom Brazaitis the most enlightened man I've ever know of NEO, and I respect Editor Doug Clifton very much. I do not agree with everything they do and am critical when I feel that fits, but I am much more often impressed with their work than disappointed, and a feature in Forum today, July 8, 2006, provided more value to the people of Northeast Ohio than any printed words I've read in NEO, ever. As it is from the LA Times, it is not published on cleveland.com, so you will need to go and buy a paper, and turn to page B9, or read on below...

Today's Plain Dealer has an editorial about the selection process for the new President of Case University that I find very exciting - partly because it shows great progress with Case, partly because it promotes a concept for the selection process that I initiated on realneo in March, and mostly because I agree completely with the PD position - "Lessons learned? - Case trustees' chairman is making the right moves as the search for a new president gets under way", and I support that "Linsalata also promised to allow the university community - both alumni and those on campus - ample opportunity to provide input on the search this fall."

I am really appreciative, this morning. After posting what was certainly the saddest news I can imagine, about the hardship my staff has suffered as a result of a lack of appreciation from my former business associate, Peter Holmes, I opened up this week's CoolCleveland and found that their crew had featured TWO postings from REALNEO. I am very touched and thankful to Thomas and his team for noticing REALNEO and taking an interest in the thoughts posted here - thank you. Please show appreciation back to CoolCleveland... if you are not a member, see what you've been missing... subscribe at CoolCleveland - all free - this is a real NEO must,  and send feedback to CoolCleveland letters at the links below, and supporting the upcoming CoolCleveland/Tech/Ingenuity party at Fat Fish Blue, July 13, and the Ingenuity Festival, as described below... but first, here's the nice write-up about REALNEO from CoolCleveland today, July 5, 2006:

In a really fascinating development, the Plain Dealer attempts today to structure a deal whereby Cleveland citizens accept the idea that the former press secretary to the very dubious former Mayor Mike White, highest-level PR-statute Nancy Lesic is now under contract with the President of the Cleveland City Council, for $48,000, while also being PR-statute  to the Port Authority, and the Clev

Day two filming "The Man With The Magnetic Brain", and the economic impact on NEO is adding up. There's the dozen or so people running around town (gas and RTA), and the meals (Rascal House and the grocery store), film and processing (Dodd's), and a hat at Mike-The-Hatter - so, it's only hundreds of dollars, but that's more than would have been spent without the film industry happening here, today. And we had fun, scared a few cops, and entertained a homeless couple on E. 19th - I'd say... all that makes Cleveland a better place to be... and if you're cruising around E19th and Superior tonight, stop by and be in pictures...

While looking for lead testing kits and information in East Cleveland, at Silvermans, I slipped into paparazzi mode as I spotted three future leaders of our NEO new economy, chilling on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. They let me snap their pictures, which will be worth a fortune when these guys are famous. It can happen, when we keep our kids lead free.

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...

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.

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.

Having Citizen Hauser work for our organization, it has been impossible not to be drawn into his social concerns. I met Ed as he was finally winning the War for Whiskey Island, so I have enjoyed his plunder without having suffered his battle scars... I stop and enjoy Whiskey Island every chance I have.

The NY Times featured an interesting editorial on "Aging in Place", published 04/22/06, raises many issues to address in NEO right now. The editorial is promoting "reverse mortgages" to allow older homeowners to tap into the equity in their homes to pay for their living costs, ideally until the end. It is very sad the end costs to live and die now eclipse the lifetime wealth and accrued assets of most Americans, who will hope at best to die without major financial hardships - increasingly, dying at home. There are many reasons for these irreversible trends, from the disproportionately aging population (also causing SS crisis) and exploding healthcare expectations and costs to overall longer lifespans.

ONE: Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. TWO: Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other. THREE: Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.