The Civic Commons: Conversations

Social Media: Trading a real community for a virtual one?

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:48:44 -0400

In her blog, "Engaged...Or Addicted?" Jill Miller Zimon wonders about whether her social media engagement is really an addiction. I have a different, but related question. What is the trade-off between using social media and being fully present wherever I find myself?

We're Looking at a New Way to Engage the Community

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:45:47 -0400

Invite ideas for on-road bikeable solutions and opportunities.

It's OK to FAIL: How can we celebrate failure as part of innovation?

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:46:51 -0400

Woody Allen once said, "If you're not failing now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative." So when it comes to urban innovation, how do we turn failure into a badge of honor rather than a mark of shame? How can we create an environment where people aren't afraid of trying new things?

Pitch your city

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:34:02 -0400

Successful start-up/city = quality products + talent + capital to build ideas + world-class culture. (Jon Bischke) Pitch your city as a start-up in four sentences.

Smart investments

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:56:11 -0400

Warren Buffett just called. He wants to give your city the remainder of his fortune. There's one condition: you have to make your city smarter. What technology(ies) do you invest in and why?

America's got talent

Thu, 17 May 2012 01:26:50 -0400

A recent college graduate has job offers in New York, Chicago, Boston and Silicon Valley. But, she's looking for something different - somewhere she can make a difference. Why should she pick your city?

Akron Area Residents offer Emotional Story

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:01:28 -0400

How do you feel about Ohio.com article titled "Area Residents offer Emotional Stories?" What did you like or dislike?

Petition to make smoking in a vehicle occupied by a minor illegal!

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:14:36 -0400

Make people aware of my petition and to get it signed by as many people as possible.

Collective Impact - A strategy for addressing large scale problems

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:23:54 -0400

70th Annual Human Services Institute - Annual W.T. McCullough Lecture
Presented by: John Kania Managing Director, FSG

John Kania is the well-known co-author of “Collective Impact,” a strategy for addressing large-scale social problems that has been called “one of the most important experiments occurring in the social sector today.” He is on the cutting-edge of this new strategy, which is showing great promise where it is being applied in Ohio and across the country.

The Regional Movement in Northeast Ohio–Part 1

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:33:24 -0400

70th Annual Human Services Institute

Government can play a key role in promoting collaboration to address community problems, but sometimes private cooperative efforts have more staying power. Part 1 of the discussion of the regional movement in Northeast Ohio will examine several existing regional initiatives, their goals, interconnections, challenges, and opportunities.

Nobody Don't Love Nobody

Thu, 17 May 2012 20:51:41 -0400

70th Annual Human Services Institute - Annual Eugene H. Freedheim Lecture
Stacey Bess, Educator and Author, NOBODY DON’T LOVE NOBODY
Stacey Bess is an inspirational educator and author, who speaks on the importance of service, mentorship and leadership, and overcoming adversity. Drawing on her fascinating, inspirational personal story—teaching homeless children in a small shed known as The School with No Name—she offers powerful insights and lessons that audiences yearning to make a difference can apply to their community or organization.

The Regional Movement in Northeast Ohio–Part 2

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:00:30 -0400

70th Annual Human Services Institute
Government can play a key role in promoting collaboration to address community problems, but sometimes private cooperative efforts have more staying power. Part 2 of the discussion of the regional movement in Northeast Ohio will examine challenges and opportunities with Ohio’s two elected county executives and other community leaders.Discussion will include opportunities for expanding initiatives that cross geographic boundaries, and common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

America Today project seeks citizen involvement

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:36:08 -0400

The Questions: How did we as a nation get in trouble economically? Who do you blame? How do we as a nation solve our economic problems? What are you doing differently to get through the downturn?

The Future of Cleveland Schools: Transformation and Response

Sun, 20 May 2012 21:45:53 -0400

There is a minor revolution happening in the second largest school district in Ohio. In early 2012, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson released a new plan for transforming the city’s public schools, representing a major shift in thinking and practice. The proposal is so dramatic it requires legislative approval.

From May 21st to the 23rd, we hosted a three-day online forum featuring some of the plan’s designers and some administrators and teachers who will be responsible for implementing it. There were open invitations to everyone in the community to participate.

More information and resources can be found by clicking explore the whole project above. This forum was the product of a collaboration with Sound of Ideas on 90.3 FM WCPN.

How can we do more with less?

Thu, 24 May 2012 03:29:56 -0400

As demands on the world’s non-renewable and limited resources increase, how can Detroit be a lead innovator in the practice of doing more with less? How do we get the most use out of our limited resources before throwing them away?

Driftwood Feature film - 2007

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:32 -0400

Writer / Director Pete Middleton gives his first official directing debut in this powerful shocker. This Feature film was Written, Directed, Produced, Edited by Pete Middleton (filmed entirely in the west Yorkshire area)without any funding from distribution company's or third party's. We marketed Driftwood ourselves and now you can see it for yourself via our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbEoKRA6agE "Driftwood" the Movie - 2007 He used his Paycheck every month plus a team of cast and crew with dedication and commitment to making a difference and shouting out loud "we can make a movie without thousands of pounds been thrown our way and we did!". He plans to make another Feature length movie for 2013 again filmed with the same principles It can be done and it's about time we showed it. Unnecessary film funding should be stopped and the Directors in the industry shown for what they truly are

Don't gamble with downtown

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:10:14 -0400

The Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland opened to much fanfare last week. There were countless articles and news stories about all the new features of the casino, beefed up police protection, and of course where to park. So we can check that off the list. Now what are we going to do with tax revenues from the casino? That’s the debate currently raging in the chambers of County Council. Should the monies be utilized to bolster downtown or spread throughout the county?

Celebrating the West Side Market

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:26:44 -0400

The West Side Market, described as the “Best Food Lovers Market” in the country (Food Network, 2010) and one of “10 Great Public Spaces” (American Planning Association, 2008) offers an authentic and culturally diverse shopping experience with 100 vendors attracting over 1 million visitors a year. The West Side Market is not only a special place in Cleveland but also the region and the nation. In 2012, The West Side Market will celebrate its Centennial with yearlong activities to commemorate this jewel and is being facilitated by a unique public/private partnership between Ohio City Incorporated and the City of Cleveland.

Advocate for Open Source in Gov

Tue, 29 May 2012 17:41:56 -0400

If open source software is good enough for the U.S. Navy's nuclear submarine fleet, it can be good enough for townships, villages, cities and counties in Ohio. But first, they need open source software policies!