Education
The New Music Program at Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), a two-year old initiative that pairs budding CIM composers with student artists from another discipline to create new work, plans to screen a series of short, original films featuring new music at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Planetarium on Thursday, February 23rd.
"It's very important for students to collaborate with other artists outside of the school so they have that experience when they leave here," explains Keith Fitch, Head of the Composition Department at CIM and Director of the CIM New Music Ensemble. "I believe that students need to have as many tools as they can in their compositional toolbox."
The experience of creating a short film paired with original music is not unlike completing an internship in the commercial film industry, a business that many of his students are keenly interested in, Fitch says. "I've been lucky to find work as a composer, but the days when you get a job right out of school are over," he says. "As the world becomes more connected and the role of the composer changes, students need to have one foot in the concert world and one foot in the commercial world."
The Planetarium Project will be unveiled on Feb. 23rd in CMNH's planetarium dome. The filmmakers are students at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). The films will screen several times throughout the evening, and after the premiere, they will become a part of the planetarium's regular programming.
Source: Keith Fitch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"It's very important for students to collaborate with other artists outside of the school so they have that experience when they leave here," explains Keith Fitch, Head of the Composition Department at CIM and Director of the CIM New Music Ensemble. "I believe that students need to have as many tools as they can in their compositional toolbox."
The experience of creating a short film paired with original music is not unlike completing an internship in the commercial film industry, a business that many of his students are keenly interested in, Fitch says. "I've been lucky to find work as a composer, but the days when you get a job right out of school are over," he says. "As the world becomes more connected and the role of the composer changes, students need to have one foot in the concert world and one foot in the commercial world."
The Planetarium Project will be unveiled on Feb. 23rd in CMNH's planetarium dome. The filmmakers are students at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). The films will screen several times throughout the evening, and after the premiere, they will become a part of the planetarium's regular programming.
Source: Keith Fitch
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Last year, Kasumi, a local filmmaker, artist and associate professor at Cleveland Institute of Art, won a Vimeo award in the Remix category for her film short, “Breakdown, the Video,” which recasts old footage from the 1940s and 1950s. Since then, her career and reputation have soared. She returns to Vimeo this year as a judge.
“It was a total shift in how I thought about my work being online,” says Kasumi of winning the award. “Having my work online exponentially expands the audience. After winning the Vimeo Award, 'Breakdown' has been screened in scores of film festivals throughout the world, on countless blogs, and played almost 2.5 million times in 150 countries.”
Kasumi is now working on her next masterpiece, “Shockwaves.” “'Shockwaves' is the impressionistic story of two lovers, both victims of traumatized childhoods,” she explains. “By weaving a unique cinematic tapestry out of archival found footage, modern cinematic techniques, and original dance choreography, the film follows the lovers’ journeys as each seeks answers to the origins of their abuse through a surrealistic Mobius strip of alternate realities, shifting times, and multiple dimensions.”
The Vimeo award has motivated Kasumi to keep exploring her distinctive approach to film. “It made me realize that my unique style was now in peoples' consciousness -- in a big way,” she says “It gave me the courage to forge ahead with more exciting work, knowing that there was a substantial audience for it.”
Image from Shockwaves ©kasumifilms
For more info, click here.
Source: Kasumi
Writer: Karin Connelly
“It was a total shift in how I thought about my work being online,” says Kasumi of winning the award. “Having my work online exponentially expands the audience. After winning the Vimeo Award, 'Breakdown' has been screened in scores of film festivals throughout the world, on countless blogs, and played almost 2.5 million times in 150 countries.”
Kasumi is now working on her next masterpiece, “Shockwaves.” “'Shockwaves' is the impressionistic story of two lovers, both victims of traumatized childhoods,” she explains. “By weaving a unique cinematic tapestry out of archival found footage, modern cinematic techniques, and original dance choreography, the film follows the lovers’ journeys as each seeks answers to the origins of their abuse through a surrealistic Mobius strip of alternate realities, shifting times, and multiple dimensions.”
The Vimeo award has motivated Kasumi to keep exploring her distinctive approach to film. “It made me realize that my unique style was now in peoples' consciousness -- in a big way,” she says “It gave me the courage to forge ahead with more exciting work, knowing that there was a substantial audience for it.”
Image from Shockwaves ©kasumifilms
For more info, click here.
Source: Kasumi
Writer: Karin Connelly
rock hall's new library and archives officially opened its doors this week
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's new Library and Archives opened its doors this week. Inside this most unusual of public reference libraries lie such treasures as Jerry Wexler's personal correspondence, music moguls' day planners, a CD and LP collection that music fans will love and, of course, music books galore.
All of this and more can be accessed for free by obtaining a library card at the facility, located in the new Tri-C Center for the Creative Arts (2809 Woodland Ave.). The library and archives are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
"This will be the leading research center for rock and roll in the world," says Andy Leach, Executive Director of the Rock Hall's Library and Archives. "It includes everything from library materials to archival materials that have been donated to the Rock Hall from the collections of people in the music industry."
Leach says the new facility will be used by academic researchers, the general public and students. The Rock Hall is also planning to create new educational programming at the library and archives, such as meet-the-author events.
The unveiling of the new facility allows vast truckloads of books, LPs, CDs and other materials to be moved from off-site storage facilities to a pleasant, sunlit reading room where viewers can browse and listen to their hearts' content.
So far, the library and archives contain about 5,500 items, yet there are tens of thousands of holdings yet to be catalogued. "I'd like to say we could kick back now, but most of the work is ahead of us," says Leach. "A library's work is never finished."
Although access is free, materials cannot be checked out. Also, patrons caught whistling or humming a bar from "Stairway to Heaven" will be heavily fined .
Source: Andy Leach
Writer: Lee Chilcote
All of this and more can be accessed for free by obtaining a library card at the facility, located in the new Tri-C Center for the Creative Arts (2809 Woodland Ave.). The library and archives are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
"This will be the leading research center for rock and roll in the world," says Andy Leach, Executive Director of the Rock Hall's Library and Archives. "It includes everything from library materials to archival materials that have been donated to the Rock Hall from the collections of people in the music industry."
Leach says the new facility will be used by academic researchers, the general public and students. The Rock Hall is also planning to create new educational programming at the library and archives, such as meet-the-author events.
The unveiling of the new facility allows vast truckloads of books, LPs, CDs and other materials to be moved from off-site storage facilities to a pleasant, sunlit reading room where viewers can browse and listen to their hearts' content.
So far, the library and archives contain about 5,500 items, yet there are tens of thousands of holdings yet to be catalogued. "I'd like to say we could kick back now, but most of the work is ahead of us," says Leach. "A library's work is never finished."
Although access is free, materials cannot be checked out. Also, patrons caught whistling or humming a bar from "Stairway to Heaven" will be heavily fined .
Source: Andy Leach
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Two local student-led teams, NanoHarv Technologies and Amplified Wind solutions, have made it to the semifinals of the Clean Energy Trust’s Clean Energy Challenge.
NanoHarv Technologies, a group of graduate students in CWRU’s Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP), investigates new techniques that could potentially deliver cost efficient methods for the production of algae biofuels and other valuable by-products.
Amplified Wind Solutions is a group of CSU students and professors who have developed a wind speed amplification system that, when installed on a cylindrical structure such as a silo or water tower, can provide three times the electricity production of a typical wind turbine in low or marginal wind areas.
“The quality of the applications was fantastic,” says Amy Francetic, executive director of the Clean Energy Trust. “We had over 100 applications.” Only 16 teams were chosen to move on to the finals and present their business plans in Chicago on February 29 and March 1.
“This is a great opportunity for us to gain insight into the challenges of business plan development and new venture creation,” says Justin Isaacs, co-founder of NanoHarv. The winners in Chicago will go on to the national competition in Washington, DC, this summer to compete for $150,000.
While Niki Zmij, CEO of Amplified Wind Solutions, would like the prize money to help bring her company to commercialization, she is also happy in the lessons she’s learning.
“Whether we win or not this competition has been an incredible lesson in entrepreneurship,” says Zmij. “I’m a firm believer that we all learn best by doing -- and this process has allowed me to gain a very clear picture of what it takes to develop a new technology, start up a company, and put forth the dedication and hard work that it takes to make it successful.”
Source: Amy Francetic, Justin Isaacs, Niki Zmij
Writer: Karin Connelly
NanoHarv Technologies, a group of graduate students in CWRU’s Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP), investigates new techniques that could potentially deliver cost efficient methods for the production of algae biofuels and other valuable by-products.
Amplified Wind Solutions is a group of CSU students and professors who have developed a wind speed amplification system that, when installed on a cylindrical structure such as a silo or water tower, can provide three times the electricity production of a typical wind turbine in low or marginal wind areas.
“The quality of the applications was fantastic,” says Amy Francetic, executive director of the Clean Energy Trust. “We had over 100 applications.” Only 16 teams were chosen to move on to the finals and present their business plans in Chicago on February 29 and March 1.
“This is a great opportunity for us to gain insight into the challenges of business plan development and new venture creation,” says Justin Isaacs, co-founder of NanoHarv. The winners in Chicago will go on to the national competition in Washington, DC, this summer to compete for $150,000.
While Niki Zmij, CEO of Amplified Wind Solutions, would like the prize money to help bring her company to commercialization, she is also happy in the lessons she’s learning.
“Whether we win or not this competition has been an incredible lesson in entrepreneurship,” says Zmij. “I’m a firm believer that we all learn best by doing -- and this process has allowed me to gain a very clear picture of what it takes to develop a new technology, start up a company, and put forth the dedication and hard work that it takes to make it successful.”
Source: Amy Francetic, Justin Isaacs, Niki Zmij
Writer: Karin Connelly
The prevailing impression of regionalism that has been bandied about Northeast Ohio for the better part of a decade is all wrong, says a collaborative group of area nonprofits. While the consolidation of countless municipalities is useful, it is not intrinsically regionalism. True regionalism, they argue, is defined by economic activity -- not political boundaries.
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) is about to offer a 14-week network support specialist training program to meet the high demand for IT specialists in Cleveland. The technology jobs are out there, but companies are having a hard time finding qualified candidates.
In fact, the more recent quarterly survey conducted by the COSE Technology Network (NEOSA) showed that 82 percent of companies surveyed had current job openings in IT. As a result, local companies have had to rely on foreign H1-B visa candidates to fill the positions.
“This program will reduce the number of H1-B visas that companies depend on to help fill these positions,” says Tri-C executive director Linda Woodard.
The Tri-C program is geared toward creating a local talent pool in the long-term unemployed. The program is funded through a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, which will cover all costs associated with the training. “We will be training 650 individuals over the four years,” says Woodard.
As part of the training, Tri-C has partnered with COSE to place participants in four-week unpaid internships as part of the program. “We will place them in COSE technology companies as well as larger area companies,” explains Ann Marie Powers, COSE manager of board and external relations. “This is geared toward displaced workers. We’re trying to put people back to work in Northeast Ohio.”
“We’re really excited about being able to help,” says Woodard. “The jobs are out there. If you have no IT experience coming into the program you can make a salary in the low $30,000s with this program, $45,000 or more with some IT experience, and up to $75,000 with a BA and experience.”
Classes start in March. Tri-C plans to offer a similar program later this year in health information technology.
For more info, inquire here.
Source: Linda Woodard, Ann Marie Powers
Writer: Karin Connelly
In fact, the more recent quarterly survey conducted by the COSE Technology Network (NEOSA) showed that 82 percent of companies surveyed had current job openings in IT. As a result, local companies have had to rely on foreign H1-B visa candidates to fill the positions.
“This program will reduce the number of H1-B visas that companies depend on to help fill these positions,” says Tri-C executive director Linda Woodard.
The Tri-C program is geared toward creating a local talent pool in the long-term unemployed. The program is funded through a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, which will cover all costs associated with the training. “We will be training 650 individuals over the four years,” says Woodard.
As part of the training, Tri-C has partnered with COSE to place participants in four-week unpaid internships as part of the program. “We will place them in COSE technology companies as well as larger area companies,” explains Ann Marie Powers, COSE manager of board and external relations. “This is geared toward displaced workers. We’re trying to put people back to work in Northeast Ohio.”
“We’re really excited about being able to help,” says Woodard. “The jobs are out there. If you have no IT experience coming into the program you can make a salary in the low $30,000s with this program, $45,000 or more with some IT experience, and up to $75,000 with a BA and experience.”
Classes start in March. Tri-C plans to offer a similar program later this year in health information technology.
For more info, inquire here.
Source: Linda Woodard, Ann Marie Powers
Writer: Karin Connelly
You'd never know it by looking at her, but Julie Foucher is the "Fifth-Fittest Woman on Earth." Weighing in at a trim 130 pounds, the 5-foot, 4-inch 23-year-old battled her way to the fifth-best spot among women at last year's Reebok CrossFit Games. Foucher isn't just wicked fit; she's wicked smart, too. The University of Michigan graduate is a first-year med student at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.
While we pride ourselves here at Fresh Water in having crisp, professional prose, the truth is, without art, a feature is just font on a page. Pictures tell a thousand words, we're told, but the best ones simply leave us speechless. Every masthead and feature image since we launched this pub over a year ago has been shot by Fresh Water shooter Bob Perkoski. Here is a collection of some of his finest work.
It only takes 10 minutes to walk from St. Vincent Hospital at E. 22nd Street and Community College Avenue to Cleveland State University on Euclid Avenue. Yet few people do it, in part because it is not a pedestrian-friendly experience. A new $4.2 million plan to redevelop E. 22nd aims to change that by creating a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly boulevard and green space that could spur over $100 million in new development.
"We really see E. 22nd Street as a spine for the Campus District neighborhood," says Rockette Richardson, Executive Director of the Campus District, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization. "We developed this plan because we recognized the need for a north-south gateway to our neighborhood."
The plan re-envisions the street as a multi-modal boulevard with bike lanes, landscaped median and new retail, housing and green space development. Fresh opportunities may exist on land that will become available when the ODOT completes the Innerbelt Bridge project. The plan already has $780,000 of committed funding since ODOT is using the street as an alternate highway route and therefore must resurface it in 2013.
"The investment that is taking place by our anchor institutions -- Cleveland State University, St. Vincent and Cuyahoga Community College -- will strengthen their individual campuses and the entire area," says Richardson. She noted that St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is in the midst of a 10-year, $100 million renovation project and Tri-C recently spent $34 million on improvements.
The East 22nd Street plan is part of a larger effort to reconnect these institutions to their communities, Richardson added. "They're deeply rooted here, and they're investing in their campuses and adjoining neighborhoods so they all prosper."
Source: Rockette Richardson
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"We really see E. 22nd Street as a spine for the Campus District neighborhood," says Rockette Richardson, Executive Director of the Campus District, Inc., a nonprofit community development organization. "We developed this plan because we recognized the need for a north-south gateway to our neighborhood."
The plan re-envisions the street as a multi-modal boulevard with bike lanes, landscaped median and new retail, housing and green space development. Fresh opportunities may exist on land that will become available when the ODOT completes the Innerbelt Bridge project. The plan already has $780,000 of committed funding since ODOT is using the street as an alternate highway route and therefore must resurface it in 2013.
"The investment that is taking place by our anchor institutions -- Cleveland State University, St. Vincent and Cuyahoga Community College -- will strengthen their individual campuses and the entire area," says Richardson. She noted that St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is in the midst of a 10-year, $100 million renovation project and Tri-C recently spent $34 million on improvements.
The East 22nd Street plan is part of a larger effort to reconnect these institutions to their communities, Richardson added. "They're deeply rooted here, and they're investing in their campuses and adjoining neighborhoods so they all prosper."
Source: Rockette Richardson
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Photo - Rockette Richardson, Executive Director of the Campus District, Inc.
guide book written for new arrivals and those who'd like to rediscover cleveland
A new Cleveland-centric book joins the slowly growing bookshelf of info-packed guides to our fair city. Written and self-published by Cleveland State University urban planning grad Justin Glanville, New to Cleveland: A Guide to (re)Discovering the City is targeted both to new arrivals as well as those who'd like to rediscover their city.
Readers will find general information about various Cleveland neighborhoods, including listings of restaurants, stores and cultural institutions. But also advice on where to send your kids to school, insights on the Cleveland real estate market, and the best neighborhoods for students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light.
The 250-page book includes more than 50 full-color illustrations by local artist Julia Kuo. The book is also printed in Cleveland.
The guide book is only the second to be written specifically about present-day Cleveland, the other being Avalon Travel's Moon Cleveland, penned by Fresh Water editor Douglas Trattner.
There will be a launch party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Happy Dog.
Books are available online and at this weekend's Bazaar Bizarre.
Readers will find general information about various Cleveland neighborhoods, including listings of restaurants, stores and cultural institutions. But also advice on where to send your kids to school, insights on the Cleveland real estate market, and the best neighborhoods for students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light.
The 250-page book includes more than 50 full-color illustrations by local artist Julia Kuo. The book is also printed in Cleveland.
The guide book is only the second to be written specifically about present-day Cleveland, the other being Avalon Travel's Moon Cleveland, penned by Fresh Water editor Douglas Trattner.
There will be a launch party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at Happy Dog.
Books are available online and at this weekend's Bazaar Bizarre.
What's the best thing a city can do to achieve more economic success? Increase its number of college graduates. Simply put: The most prosperous cities have the highest number of college grads. Efforts by CEO's for Cities and our own NOCHE -- dubbed the Talent Dividend -- are designed to up college attainment and thereby boost everybody's bottom line.
Global Cleveland, a regional economic development organization, has launched a pilot program: English and Pathways for Healthcare Professionals. The six-month program, launched in October, is designed to help immigrants with their English and find jobs that match the skills they developed in their native countries.
“The objective is to find immigrants jobs in healthcare who were healthcare professionals in their home countries but haven’t been able to find work here,” explains Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “By the time they get out of the program we will help them find jobs, although maybe not at the level they were initially."
The pilot program has 21 participants from around the globe. Among them are four doctors, one RN, one dentist, one dietician and one physical therapist. None of them have jobs in their respective fields. During the six months the participants will study English medical terminology, learn about the U.S. healthcare system, get coaching on finding a job, and have networking opportunities.
“The stories I hear from the program so far is that it’s a frustrating situation for some of them and they’re excited about this program,” says Miller. Participants will also get help in transferring their credentials from their home countries to the U.S.
The program is run in partnership with The Ohio Board of Regents, Cleveland State University, Polaris Career Center, the World Education Services and NE ABLE.
“It’s a really nice partnership,” says Miller. “Everything’s coming together really nicely.”
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
“The objective is to find immigrants jobs in healthcare who were healthcare professionals in their home countries but haven’t been able to find work here,” explains Global Cleveland president Larry Miller. “By the time they get out of the program we will help them find jobs, although maybe not at the level they were initially."
The pilot program has 21 participants from around the globe. Among them are four doctors, one RN, one dentist, one dietician and one physical therapist. None of them have jobs in their respective fields. During the six months the participants will study English medical terminology, learn about the U.S. healthcare system, get coaching on finding a job, and have networking opportunities.
“The stories I hear from the program so far is that it’s a frustrating situation for some of them and they’re excited about this program,” says Miller. Participants will also get help in transferring their credentials from their home countries to the U.S.
The program is run in partnership with The Ohio Board of Regents, Cleveland State University, Polaris Career Center, the World Education Services and NE ABLE.
“It’s a really nice partnership,” says Miller. “Everything’s coming together really nicely.”
Source: Larry Miller
Writer: Karin Connelly
deadline looms for orgs to apply as host sites for cleveland foundation summer internship
The Cleveland Foundation is in the process of recruiting organizations to host interns for its popular Summer Internship Program. The deadline is November 30.
The foundation's Summer Internship Program provides a limited number of college students or recent graduates an opportunity to work in Cleveland-area nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies during the summer months. All interns are required to work full-time as designated by their host organization. In addition, interns attend a weekly seminar highlighting key organizations and programs being conducted in the local nonprofit and public sectors. The Foundation provides funding to the organizations to host the interns.
For more info click here, or contact Nelson Beckford, Program Officer at The Cleveland Foundation.
The foundation's Summer Internship Program provides a limited number of college students or recent graduates an opportunity to work in Cleveland-area nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies during the summer months. All interns are required to work full-time as designated by their host organization. In addition, interns attend a weekly seminar highlighting key organizations and programs being conducted in the local nonprofit and public sectors. The Foundation provides funding to the organizations to host the interns.
For more info click here, or contact Nelson Beckford, Program Officer at The Cleveland Foundation.
cleveland public library ranked one of the top four libraries in the country
Cleveland Public Library (CPL) was ranked one of the top four libraries in the country, receiving the highest possible rating of five stars in the Library Journal’s America’s Star Libraries 2011.
Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service ranks more than 7,000 library systems in four categories: library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet usage. Cleveland Public Library ranked 4th out of all library systems nationwide in its category and improved its overall ranking because of increases in circulation and higher usage of computers as even more community members turn to libraries for resources in these tougher financial times.
“The Library Journal’s ranking is just more proof that Cleveland Public Library is providing superior service and value to our city and region by promoting both a love of books and reading while propelling Cleveland forward through our community-based programming,” CPL executive director Felton Thomas said. “It’s exciting to see that our signature collections and progressive community agenda are making a difference.”
Check out the rest of the rankings here.
Library Journal’s Index of Public Library Service ranks more than 7,000 library systems in four categories: library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet usage. Cleveland Public Library ranked 4th out of all library systems nationwide in its category and improved its overall ranking because of increases in circulation and higher usage of computers as even more community members turn to libraries for resources in these tougher financial times.
“The Library Journal’s ranking is just more proof that Cleveland Public Library is providing superior service and value to our city and region by promoting both a love of books and reading while propelling Cleveland forward through our community-based programming,” CPL executive director Felton Thomas said. “It’s exciting to see that our signature collections and progressive community agenda are making a difference.”
Check out the rest of the rankings here.
It’s hard enough in today’s economy to find a good job. It’s even harder if you can’t read. Nearly half the adult population in Cuyahoga County has literacy levels that are below the state minimum requirements and 270,000 people in the county have no training beyond a high school diploma or GED.
The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland just released the first of three briefs, “The Economic Case for Literacy,” which points out the need for continued literacy training in the workplace. Even one year of post-secondary education can lead to better pay for the employee and increased productivity for the employer.
“Let’s say someone is currently employed, is a good worker and shows up every day,” says Robert Paponetti, executive director of the Literacy Cooperative. “But they aren’t advancing because of literacy issues. There is often a disconnect between education and training, where they can’t get the training they need.”
The Literacy Cooperative is working with employers to implement workplace literacy programs. Paponetti says healthcare is one industry where literacy is lacking, especially in the terminology of the field. “We’re looking at how we help provide workplace literacy programs so employers who might be able to contribute to their employees’ advancement can,” he says. “We have to look at the people who are in the workforce today and build the skills they need to advance.”
In time, Paponetti hopes such programs will lead to a better trained workforce that can succeed in the changing economic climate. “There aren’t instant solutions to adult literacy issues,” he says. “We have to start putting out resources together to make the best impact.”
Source: Robert Paponetti
Writer: Karin Connelly
The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland just released the first of three briefs, “The Economic Case for Literacy,” which points out the need for continued literacy training in the workplace. Even one year of post-secondary education can lead to better pay for the employee and increased productivity for the employer.
“Let’s say someone is currently employed, is a good worker and shows up every day,” says Robert Paponetti, executive director of the Literacy Cooperative. “But they aren’t advancing because of literacy issues. There is often a disconnect between education and training, where they can’t get the training they need.”
The Literacy Cooperative is working with employers to implement workplace literacy programs. Paponetti says healthcare is one industry where literacy is lacking, especially in the terminology of the field. “We’re looking at how we help provide workplace literacy programs so employers who might be able to contribute to their employees’ advancement can,” he says. “We have to look at the people who are in the workforce today and build the skills they need to advance.”
In time, Paponetti hopes such programs will lead to a better trained workforce that can succeed in the changing economic climate. “There aren’t instant solutions to adult literacy issues,” he says. “We have to start putting out resources together to make the best impact.”
Source: Robert Paponetti
Writer: Karin Connelly
Anyone who has ever been in college knows the benefit of using a classmate’s notes to catch up on what’s going on in class or to study for a test. Dave Petruziello and Mike Matousek have created a way to share those notes -- and make some money at the same time.
FlashNotes came out of a class project Matousek was working on for business class while at Kent State University in 2009. The company is a virtual marketplace where students can buy and sell study materials -- notes, book notes, study guides, custom flash cards, and book summaries.
The two launched FlashNotes last spring at four universities in Ohio and Michigan and the site instantly went vital. “We’re like Amazon or eBay for class notes and study guides,” says CEO Petruziello. “We’ve had a lot of success with it.”
FlashNotes is now at 44 colleges and universities across the country. “We never did any promotion,” says Petruziello of the company’s success. “People just grabbed it and have taken it to new locations.”
Users sell their notes at $1.99 and higher, depending on content, difficulty of the class and length. FlashNotes takes a 20 percent commission on the sale, the seller keeps the rest. “We’ve had students make over $500 a week selling their notes,” says Petruziello. “We provide a service for students.”
Petruziello stresses the social networking aspect of the concept. “It’s not about whether you missed class, it’s just additional study materials,” he says, noting that they have added a feature where users can search for notes by ISBN number for specific textbooks being used by different classes.
FlashNotes is growing quickly. Petruziello and Matousek plan on opening additional offices in Boston and they are in the process of hiring a CTO. Additionally, they plan on bringing their web development team in-house and hiring student reps on campuses.
Source: Dave Petruziello
Writer: Karin Connelly
FlashNotes came out of a class project Matousek was working on for business class while at Kent State University in 2009. The company is a virtual marketplace where students can buy and sell study materials -- notes, book notes, study guides, custom flash cards, and book summaries.
The two launched FlashNotes last spring at four universities in Ohio and Michigan and the site instantly went vital. “We’re like Amazon or eBay for class notes and study guides,” says CEO Petruziello. “We’ve had a lot of success with it.”
FlashNotes is now at 44 colleges and universities across the country. “We never did any promotion,” says Petruziello of the company’s success. “People just grabbed it and have taken it to new locations.”
Users sell their notes at $1.99 and higher, depending on content, difficulty of the class and length. FlashNotes takes a 20 percent commission on the sale, the seller keeps the rest. “We’ve had students make over $500 a week selling their notes,” says Petruziello. “We provide a service for students.”
Petruziello stresses the social networking aspect of the concept. “It’s not about whether you missed class, it’s just additional study materials,” he says, noting that they have added a feature where users can search for notes by ISBN number for specific textbooks being used by different classes.
FlashNotes is growing quickly. Petruziello and Matousek plan on opening additional offices in Boston and they are in the process of hiring a CTO. Additionally, they plan on bringing their web development team in-house and hiring student reps on campuses.
Source: Dave Petruziello
Writer: Karin Connelly
Urban Community School recently announced it has received a $5 million pledge from an anonymous donor. That pledge, the largest in the school's history, will allow the well-regarded institution to expand by one-third and serve an additional 150 children.
"This gift will help us to continue to provide quality education to kids that don't otherwise have access to it," says Sister Maureen Doyle, Director of Urban Community School, which is located in Ohio City and serves mostly low-income students who live in the immediate area. "We're focused on the children who need us most."
Urban plans to construct a two-story addition off W. 50th Street, in the rear of the school's campus. Doyle says the new classroom space, which will add a state-of-the-art middle school that will complement the existing building completed in 2005, will "meet the needs of city kids for the 21st century."
"We're redesigning not only the facility but also the program to meet the needs of our students," explains Doyle. "We're looking at things like writing and science labs, meeting space, expandable walls and state-of-the-art technology. We want to make sure what we're providing kids helps them to be successful in high school."
Other options under consideration include extending the school day for middle school students, creating a leadership program to involve them in the community, and promoting shared teaching responsibilities to ensure an integrated curriculum.
Fortunately, Urban need not develop new designs for the facility since it had planned the expansion when it originally broke ground on the existing building.
Although Urban does not have a specific timeline for its expansion plans, Doyle expects the school to complete the project within the next three years.
Source: Sister Maureen Doyle
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"This gift will help us to continue to provide quality education to kids that don't otherwise have access to it," says Sister Maureen Doyle, Director of Urban Community School, which is located in Ohio City and serves mostly low-income students who live in the immediate area. "We're focused on the children who need us most."
Urban plans to construct a two-story addition off W. 50th Street, in the rear of the school's campus. Doyle says the new classroom space, which will add a state-of-the-art middle school that will complement the existing building completed in 2005, will "meet the needs of city kids for the 21st century."
"We're redesigning not only the facility but also the program to meet the needs of our students," explains Doyle. "We're looking at things like writing and science labs, meeting space, expandable walls and state-of-the-art technology. We want to make sure what we're providing kids helps them to be successful in high school."
Other options under consideration include extending the school day for middle school students, creating a leadership program to involve them in the community, and promoting shared teaching responsibilities to ensure an integrated curriculum.
Fortunately, Urban need not develop new designs for the facility since it had planned the expansion when it originally broke ground on the existing building.
Although Urban does not have a specific timeline for its expansion plans, Doyle expects the school to complete the project within the next three years.
Source: Sister Maureen Doyle
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Michael Christoff and Bradley Fink are all about using imagination to create the unthinkable. That’s the idea behind the Cleveland Design Competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition invites people to address the city’s underused sites and come up with new architectural ideas for their uses.
Every year, the competition has brought entries from around the world. This year’s project was the Cleveland K-12 schools of the future. “Our intent is to get people to look at the different problems at hand,” says Christoff. “We involved education experts and asked participants to produce a public school of the future.”
This year, 92 submissions from 20 countries came in -- 11 from Ohio. Submissions explored how the design of better learning environments -- and their ability to connect with the city -- might help to slow or reverse the population exodus from the public school system in Cleveland and many other urban areas throughout the world.
The winning design this year was submitted by Michael Dickson from Brisbane, Australia. He received $8,000 for his entry. The winners were selected by a jury of representatives from the architectural and educational fields. “The whole idea is to get people to say, ‘wow, I never thought about it that way,’” explains Christoff. “It’s a different way to think about problems.”
Christoff and Fink are already thinking about next year’s competition theme: What should be done with the upper and lower levels of the Detroit Superior Bridge.
Source: Michael Christoff
Writer: Karin Connelly
Every year, the competition has brought entries from around the world. This year’s project was the Cleveland K-12 schools of the future. “Our intent is to get people to look at the different problems at hand,” says Christoff. “We involved education experts and asked participants to produce a public school of the future.”
This year, 92 submissions from 20 countries came in -- 11 from Ohio. Submissions explored how the design of better learning environments -- and their ability to connect with the city -- might help to slow or reverse the population exodus from the public school system in Cleveland and many other urban areas throughout the world.
The winning design this year was submitted by Michael Dickson from Brisbane, Australia. He received $8,000 for his entry. The winners were selected by a jury of representatives from the architectural and educational fields. “The whole idea is to get people to say, ‘wow, I never thought about it that way,’” explains Christoff. “It’s a different way to think about problems.”
Christoff and Fink are already thinking about next year’s competition theme: What should be done with the upper and lower levels of the Detroit Superior Bridge.
Source: Michael Christoff
Writer: Karin Connelly
What do hot dogs, running shoes and wooden cutting boards have to do with bringing about community change? Sponsors of the Challenge Cuyahoga promise to answer that question and more during the official Kick-Off Party, which takes place on October 28 at Legation Gallery in the 78th Street Studios.
In an effort to inspire area students to think about clean energy, this year's Clean Energy Challenge will be open to local college students. NorTech is heading up Ohio’s participation in the business plan contest, sponsored by Clean Energy Trust in Chicago.
“The point of the challenge is to institute more technology transfer out of the universities,” explains Dave Karpinski, NorTech vice president. “It’s a business plan competition that focuses on clean energy technology.”
Students from Ohio colleges are invited to submit their plans in five categories: renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, Smart Grid, energy efficiency and carbon abatement. Participants in the first round submit their ideas and video presentations to compete for $10,000. The top three teams from Ohio will then go on to the regional competition, where they will receive extensive mentoring and compete for $100,000.
“They have an intense mentoring team and help fine tune their ideas,” says Karpinski. “They get lots of support behind them to develop their ideas. That’s what’s really exciting about this competition.”
Although there is a cash prize involved, Karpinski says the competition is really about encouraging new ideas and encouraging students to think about clean energy technology. “It’s not about the prize, it’s that students can get exposure to the different sectors,” he says. “It’s a great and noble mission.”
Source: Dave Karpinski
Writer: Karin Connelly
“The point of the challenge is to institute more technology transfer out of the universities,” explains Dave Karpinski, NorTech vice president. “It’s a business plan competition that focuses on clean energy technology.”
Students from Ohio colleges are invited to submit their plans in five categories: renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, Smart Grid, energy efficiency and carbon abatement. Participants in the first round submit their ideas and video presentations to compete for $10,000. The top three teams from Ohio will then go on to the regional competition, where they will receive extensive mentoring and compete for $100,000.
“They have an intense mentoring team and help fine tune their ideas,” says Karpinski. “They get lots of support behind them to develop their ideas. That’s what’s really exciting about this competition.”
Although there is a cash prize involved, Karpinski says the competition is really about encouraging new ideas and encouraging students to think about clean energy technology. “It’s not about the prize, it’s that students can get exposure to the different sectors,” he says. “It’s a great and noble mission.”
Source: Dave Karpinski
Writer: Karin Connelly