Personally I have been feeling a resurgence of positive emotion for my fair city. Whether it is due to actually being able to work on things I find interesting in a manner that I appreciate or that coming off of a 6 month tour of "the dumps" is up for debate. However as I currently approach and pass through downtown many times a week from various directions and have taken to trying to explore a bit more I find that things are definitely looking more positive for the Sixth City (or Mistake by the Lake if you prefer). Regardless, the reason I make my commuting travels through downtown is multi-fold.
1. I do not like highway commuting during rush hour. Without going into the vast vagarities of driving habits I will just calmly avoid the other commuters. I don't need the stress.
2. Lake Erie. I approach Cleveland from the West Side and leave Cleveland heading home along the Shoreway near Edgewater. There is something about passing a beach that just calms the soul. Too bad it isn't a boulevard, yet.
3. The Cuyahoga. What a magnificent river. On the rare occasion that the Fireboat has its pumps on spraying the River back into itself is worth the slow crawl and quick glance every morning.
4. Veteran's Memorial Bridge. Fantastic bridge. Be careful of cyclists (especially heading eastbound as they don't have a lane to work with) and give them the right of way when you are merging across their lane to turn right. Use a signal. Slow down. Everyone wins.
5. The canyons of buildings. What isn't to like? The knife edges looming over you, the cliff faces articulated with a steady rhythm of windows? I love me some cities.
Most of the items that make my commuting bearable (and actually enjoyable) are seen as vast assets to the local community, mainly the river and lake which is why I am posting about Great Lakes Week 2012 a couple of months ahead of time (so you have time to register and get involved).
Taking Action, Delivering Results
September 10-13th, 2012
Great Lakes Week gathers the annual meetings and conferences of the diverse groups leading the fight to restore the Great Lakes. The week features meetings and conferences of individual groups as well as a Joint Session, Joint Reception, and Joint Boat Cruise. You can register for all of the meetings, conferences, and joint events being offered during Great Lakes Week from this site.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Please Read!
1. You only need to register for each specific conference, event, or session once.
2. All participants of Great Lakes Week conferences and events are welcome to attend any and all of the meetings or workshops being offered at any time throughout the week. However, meals are only provided for conference participants who have registered and paid (meal tickets will be provided upon check-in) for a specific conference. In other words, if you register for the Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting, you may not eat at the Healing Our Waters or Areas of Concern Conferences, but you may attend workshops for either. Conferences offer meals only on the days they are in session, so please plan your meals accordingly.
Great Lakes Week Schedule and Registration
All events will take place at the Renaissance Hotel unless otherwise noted
SEPTEMBER 10, 2012
International Joint Commission Meeting (MORE INFO): 1-5PM, Ambassador Ballroom
- The International Joint Commission Meeting is being held jointly with the Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting on Monday afternoon.
Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting (REGISTER NOW): 1-5PM, Ambassador Ballroom
- The Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting on Monday afternoon is being held jointly with the International Joint Commission Meeting.
Great Lakes Commission Reception (SAVE THE DATE): 5-7PM, Idea Center at Playhouse Square
- You must register for the Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting in order to RSVP for this reception. This event is for Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting attendees and their guests (guests are $15 each, which must be paid as part of your registration).
Great Lakes Week Town Hall: 7-9PM, location TBD
- Free and open to the public, no registration required.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
Great Lakes Commission Annual Meeting (REGISTER NOW): 8AM-NOON, Ambassador Ballroom
HOW Coalition’s 8th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference (MORE INFO): 10AM-5PM, Grand Ballroom
- The Joint Session and Joint Session Lunch are included in the HOW registration fee.
Great Lakes Week Joint Reception (REGISTER; $30 per person): 6-9PM, Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Great Lakes Week will host a joint reception at the BRAND NEW Greater Cleveland Aquarium, starting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, September 11th and it is open to all. Thanks to the generosity of the Aquarium, guests will have the opportunity to tour the historic and beautifully restored First Energy Powerhouse building, home to the aquarium, and located on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River in the city’s flats district, while reuniting with friends. Registration for the reception is required. The cost of the reception is $30 per person.
- Pre-registration and payment required for this event.
- Transportation will be provided to and from the Reception.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2012
Great Lakes Week Joint Session: 8:30AM-1:30PM, Grand Ballroom
Great Lakes Week will host a Joint Session for the Great Lakes community to come together and discuss some of the most pressing issues threatening the health of the Lakes. The session will feature discussions around nutrient pollution, Asian carp, and will include a panel with U.S. and Canadian government officials.
- Entire program is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, no registration required.
Great Lakes Week Joint Session LUNCH (REGISTER; $25 per person): 12:30-1:30PM, Grand Ballroom
- Pre-registration and payment required to partake in lunch during the Joint Session.
HOW Coalition’s 8th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference (MORE INFO): 10AM-5PM, Grand Ballroom
- The Joint Session and Joint Session Lunch are included in the HOW registration fee.
Great Lakes Areas of Concern Annual Conference (REGISTER): 2-6PM, Gold Room: 3rd Floor
- Onsite registration will begin at Noon in the foyer of the Gold Room for this event.
Great Lakes Week Boat Cruise (REGISTER; $25 per person): 6:30-9PM, Goodtime III.
Great Lakes Week groups will also host a sightseeing boat cruise on Wednesday, September 12th from 6:30- 9:00pm (boarding starts at 6:00pm) and the cruise is open to all. Thanks to the generosity of the Cleveland – Cuyahoga Port Authority, Cleveland’s largest sightseeing vessel, the Goodtime III, will take guests on a 2 1/2 hour tour of the Cuyahoga River Shipping Channel and North Coast Harbor. The cruise features Captain Jim’s Favorite dinner, cocktails and DJ – a guaranteed goodtime to be had by all!
- Pre-registration and payment required for this event.
- Transportation will be provided to and from the Boat Dock.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
HOW Coalition’s 8th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference (MORE INFO): 8AM-Noon, Grand Ballroom
Great Lakes Areas of Concern Annual Conference (REGISTER): 8AM-3:45PM, Gold Room: 3rd Floor
- Onsite registration will begin at 7:30am in the foyer of the Gold Room for this event.
Great Lakes Week is hosted by: the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, the Great Lakes Commission, the International Joint Commission, the Great Lakes Areas of Concern Annual Conference, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. and Canadian federal environmental agencies participating in Great Lakes restoration work.
For more information on Great Lakes Week activities, contact:
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
8th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference
Martha Borie Wood (312) 239-3202
