The Civic Commons: Conversations

Back to the Future

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:48:50 -0400

"...Homes like these, at the ugly edges of urban sprawl, the search for a home nestled in nature, often ends in the empty repetition and tasteless sterility of a suburban tract development. Instead of delighting in natural beauty, urban sprawl defiles it. ..What is the future of the single family home? 'There’s no future to that, because the cost of services to the house is growing by such leaps and bounds, that the taxes on it can no where near pay for the services that the town has to put there, the water, the sewer, the roads…what is interesting is, the push to the city.'” The conclusions of a Vibrant NEO 2040 forum of the NEOSCC? Nope. Try the 30+ year forecast of renown architect Phillip Johnson, talking with Walter Cronkite, in 1967. Watch the entire video if you have the time. Many of the predictions are laughable, as these usually are from the safe distance of almost 40 years. Even the ones that are almost dead on miss the mark because they fail to take other future developments into account (see the part about the home office for a good example.) The point is that straight line projections based on past performance are always flawed, especially when human nature and technological developments are involved. They have been predicting the decline of the single family home, the unsustainability of suburbs from an environmental and economic perspective while forecasting the rise of the cities for almost forty years! They can't predict it with any more certainty now than they could then. The only difference is a political agenda that is creating the "urgency" now. If you don't have time for the entire video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__MGYrcapdk the money quotes are at 2:00 and 23:00. Johnson gives us a candid assessment of the urban future he saw for us: "you spend all your days working in a labyrinth, you see, you're going to spend all your nights there, too. We're just going to make it as tolerable as possible." Onward, to a "tolerable" future!

Time to broadend STEM to STEAM

Sun, 26 May 2013 19:40:05 -0400

Consider this: Today’s contingent economy has people moving constantly from one job to another, one type of work to another, one industry to a different industry. In fact, on average, a person between the ages of 25 and 45 will hold 11 different jobs in their lifetime. Thirty percent of us will work in more than 15 different jobs over the course of our careers. Organizations far and wide--perhaps even yours--will compete intensely for workers who are adaptable, resourceful, and can quickly learn and apply new skills to a variety of challenges. Where can you find such workers? One answer runs counter to much conventional wisdom: Ask an artist.

What Matters to Canton

Mon, 27 May 2013 22:57:23 -0400

So, what really matters to a metro? Jobs, education, innovation, none or all of the above? It’s an important question and one the Fund for Our Economic Future has been working to answer since 2006, when the organization released its first analysis of more than 330 metro areas used to assess how Northeast Ohio’s metros compare to other markets. Economic research guides both the work and investments of the Fund. More importantly, it helps identify what matters in our work to advance a growing, opportunity-rich economy for the people of Northeast Ohio.

Recently, the Fund released What Matters to Metros™ a new analysis of 115 mid-sized metropolitan areas between 1990 and 2011. What Matters to Metros™ suggests that local and regional stakeholders would benefit from a reassessment of what it means to grow and to thrive in a post-recession economy. The What Matters to Metros™ report has specific implications for the four largest metropolitan areas in Northeast Ohio: Akron, Canton, Cleveland and Youngstown. Combined, these metros represent approximately 4 million people and $166 billion in gross product. We hope the report will be a catalyst for civic leaders and citizens to have a data-informed discussion about what is and is not working in your community. Better yet, let’s work together to align and examine growth strategies in a post-recession economy. Read the report (www.whatmatterstometros.org), review the data and tell us what you think matters to Canton.

What Matters to Akron

Mon, 27 May 2013 23:02:27 -0400

What Matters to Youngstown/Warren

Mon, 27 May 2013 23:04:29 -0400

What Matters to Cleveland

Mon, 27 May 2013 23:06:20 -0400

It's #talentdividend alignment time

Tue, 28 May 2013 07:23:43 -0400

The Philly #talentdividend confab is over. Now let's look at how metropolitan strategies align with college completion efforts, workforce development and skills training. Karen Elzey from the Aspen Institute's Skills for America's Future will join us here on Thursday, May 30 from 10:00am through 4:00pm to explore that landscape. Not sure you'll be free? No worries. Just click on "post to this conversation" and add your question. It will be among the first Karen answers.

OSUE: Education & Research Resource for all Ohioans

Tue, 28 May 2013 17:18:19 -0400

For the next couple of weeks, Ohio State University Extension will be discussing the tactical implementation of the second goal of its strategic plan: Goal 2 - Position Extension as the Education and Research Resource Serving all Ohio citizens. The weeks following will focus on goal one.

Ideas for National Day of Civic Hacking

Tue, 28 May 2013 20:08:53 -0400

We need your ideas!

This weekend is the 2013 annual National Day of Civic Hacking.

The event will bring together citizens, software developers, and entrepreneurs from all over the nation to collaboratively create, build, and invent new solutions using publicly-released data, code and technology to solve challenges relevant to our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our country.

Here in Ohio, the intrepid gang of Code for Summit County will be gathering at the Summit Artspace to participate in the event. We will be working on this year's three data challenges:

Summit County Metroparks application similar to that of Cleveland
The Census American Community Challange
Summit County Wiki

We need your ideas!

We have a talented team of designers, programmers, and the civically engaged. We need your help with ideas for what to build to meet these challenges. Know of a civic problem that can be solved with technology? Share it! Have an idea for a community-focussed web site or mobile app? Let us know! Want to take a more active role? Join us!

Perceptions of North Coast Harbor

Thu, 30 May 2013 08:51:53 -0400

Perception can be defined as the process by which people translate sensory impressions into a unified view of the world around them. Though not always based on verified or reliable information, it factors strongly into a person’s view and opinion about a place. In order to identify and clarify what is authentic to Cleveland’s lakefront district, we are seeking to understand what ideas, feelings and impressions people carry about this place.

Kinship Care: challenges and opportunities

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:55:43 -0400

The number of children being raised by extended family members or close family friends has risen by 18 percent over the past decade to more than 2.7 million youngsters, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. September 30th - October 15 Fostering Dialogue invites everyone interested in the topic to offer their questions, concerns and comments, and to rate the contributions of special guests and other community members. Don’t forget to introduce yourself with your first post!

Experiences with Mental Health

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:47:29 -0400

We all have personal experiences that inform and motivate our actions. By sharing a bit about those experiences, and talking more about why we care about mental health issues, we can relate to each other better and develop the kind of common understanding that underlies effective action.

Challenges and Factors

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:50:57 -0400

To make progress on mental health issues, we need to think strategically about the challenges we are facing, and the factors that have the greatest influence on mental health – particularly those that affect young people. In this conversation, we will consider some of those challenges and factors, and begin thinking about how to address them.

Mental Health and Young People

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:53:32 -0400

The National Dialogue on Mental Health has a particular focus on the needs of young people (young people are defined here as persons up to age 25) given they experience some of the highest prevalence rates of mental illness and yet have some of the lowest help seeking rates of any group. Additionally, childhood emotional and behavioral disorders are the most costly of all illnesses in children and youth.

Prevention

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:55:31 -0400

Prevention interventions help to reduce the likelihood of developing a mental health illness or a substance use disorder and can help delay the onset or reduce the severity of mental illness. Prevention addresses problems before they happen by addressing those things - risk factors - that can make it more likely for a person to develop problems.

Treatment and Services

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:57:04 -0400

Most people who experience mental illnesses will improve if they receive appropriate supports, services, and treatment. The first step to getting the right treatment is to see a health care professional and review your symptoms and life circumstances. Treatment options are tailored to each specific person and condition, however, the most common forms of treatment include: psychotherapy, or "talk therapy" (sometimes called counseling), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, rehabilitative services.

Success Stories

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 13:58:29 -0400

Americans across the country have worked to increase the mental health of their communities and individuals. The more we can share our success stories with others, the greater the impact our successes can have on other people’s lives.

Sandbox for experimenting with the Civic Commons

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:48:51 -0400

This conversation is intended solely to give people an opportunity to experiment with the feature of the Civic Commons and gain experience using the tool. The only constraint on the content of comments is that they must conform to the Civic Commons "Rules of Engagement" posted at http://theciviccommons.com/pages/terms and the "Mission & Principles" posted at http://theciviccommons.com/pages/principles Other than that, the contents of posts can be about anything (or about nothing), since this isn't really a "conversation" as much as it is testing and experimental area.

What will a recovery community at UMB look like?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 14:25:10 -0400

Calling all UMass Boston students and advocates! We are trying to start a conversation about RECOVERY at UMass Boston - with the goal of creating a recovery community. What do you think that community should 'look like'? What is your vision? Tell us what you think.

Connections at North Coast Harbor

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:08:17 -0400

In order to demonstrate the value of North Coast Harbor as a place and establish it as a destination, the experience of getting there, navigating and understanding the area, and connecting to other surrounding experiences to extend your stay is critically important. These questions highlight the underlying issue of physical connectivity surrounding North Coast Harbor and other Downtown districts.

Activities at North Coast Harbor

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:29:35 -0400

So much of what defines a place is the way people interact with it. This is your opportunity to present ideas that not only will draw you to North Coast Harbor, but what will ultimately contribute to the identity of this lakefront district, contributing to its definition as a premier destination.

Port of Cleveland Online Forum

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:29:17 -0400

The season to be around water is here, and unlike so many parts of this big country, Northeast Ohio residents have an amazing fresh water resource. How do we make the most of it? Let's engage about that with Port of Cleveland thought leaders who can help us find out.

From June 10 to the 11th, we are hosting a two-day online forum featuring local figures whose work, passions or both, involve the Port's mission and activities. This is an open invitation to everyone in the community to participate.

Our panelists are:

Kevin Brokaw, General Counsel, Geis Companies

Joe Cimperman, Ward 3 Councilman, City of Cleveland

Dwight Clark, Senior Vice President, Business Development, FirstMerit Bank

Will Friedman, President and CEO, Port of Cleveland

Mike Harding, Chair, 2013 Tall Ships Steering Committee; Chief Financial Officer, Capital Works

Fred Hunger, CEO, World Shipping, Inc.

Dennis Mahoney, VP, Vessel Ops, World Shipping, Inc.

Will Tarter, Manager of Business Research & Communication, Downtown Cleveland Alliance

Harvey Webster, Director of Wildlife Resources, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
More information and resources can be found by clicking explore the whole project above.

Mental Health Outcomes if Money Were No Object

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 07:35:32 -0400
Many individuals find themselves homeless because of untreated mental illnesses. Both democrats and republicans have underfunded mental health budgets for decades under the guise that "we cannot afford it." I propose that we "can and must afford it." And here's how... Modern Monetary Theory* states that the US is not revenue constrained. This means that we are not limited to only spend what is collected in taxes or sold in bonds. We have a sovereign floating rate currency with no debt denominated in foreign currency. Money is just keystroked into existence by the Fed. We are not on the gold standard any longer, but as a country we are still acting like it. Disclaimer: I lean—locally conservative, and nationally progressive. Why? States, towns, businesses, and households HAVE to balance their budgets. The Federal government does NOT have to, but they should at least spend enough to give the economy sufficient oxygen to achieve private sector full employment while keeping inflation within desirable levels. Please read the primer on sectoral balances I wrote in the form of a game.** This does not mean that progressives can fund a utopia with indiscriminate public spending. Nor does it mean that government should in anyway compete with the private sector. What it does mean is—when it comes to urgent societal problems unable or unwillingly addressed by the private sector, there is likely nothing stopping the public sector from doing its job. Inotherwords, Modern Monetary Theory is a game changer for poverty, mental health care, and wellness care in general. * http://neweconomicperspectives.org/2013/04/modern-monetary-theory-overview-part-1.html ** http://neweconomicperspectives.org/2013/05/the-penny-game.html If money were no object what would mental health care outcomes look like in America?

Connect Lakefront, Metroparks Zoo and CVNP

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:42:34 -0400
The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath is an economic driver - Cleveland Connects recently discussed our stalled waterfront: How about connecting Egdewater Park-Gordon Square-Metroparks Zoo-Cuyahoga Valley National Park w/resurfacing of Denison-W.65th schedule for 2013-2015??? Amtrak connection could pick up at Battery Park. Capitol Limited bikes could disembark in a real neighborhood. See how Great Allegheny Passage has revitalized communities from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. : http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/life/travel/top-10-highlights-great-allegheny-passage-bike-trail-689122/

spatial orientation

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:15:30 -0400
I've been sucked in to CC by all the notices about the North Coast Harbor discussion, which is great, but people who make maps with north anywhere but at the top make me PULL OUT MY HAIR!!!

Define OSUE as the Premier Extension Program

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:21:03 -0400
For the next couple of weeks, Ohio State University Extension will be discussing the tactical implementation of the first goal of its strategic plan: Goal 1 - Define OSUE as the Premier Extension Program in the Nation.

Why are groups and events "for professionals?"

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:19:58 -0400
My brother, a forklift operator, asked me this recently. We were talking about MeetUp in particular, but we both see this all the time. I told him that often it's because people network for career purposes, but he and I both knew that was only part of the story. To some degree it's about people wanting to attract others from the same social background, which seems harmless unless you're on the outside. He said it makes him feel like an undesirable. I don't blame him. It often hits me that way too, even though I'm now on the "professional" side of the fence. The label makes sense for certain things, like an event for people working in a certain industry, but often it is unnecessary, especially when the group is for people working to revitalize Cleveland. We need a broad range of people engaged and working together. The "professional" label often assumes that professionals are inherently more desirable and have more to offer. I could say plenty more, but I'll leave stop here and see what people say. Why do you think so many events and groups are labeled "for professionals?"

River Clean Up

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:04:25 -0400
I was born and raised in Cleveland Heights, and I love all the wonderful changes that the city has gone through in the last decade. I understand the Port of Cleveland has many ongoing projects concerning the Cuyahoga River and it's conservation and clean up. What can I do as a resident to assist the clean up process of the river? Are there volunteer groups? How often are the Flotsam and Jetsam used, and is there a way we can use them more often?