Feel Good in These Challenging Times

There are a few things going on that I would like to bring to your attention to this week. Unfortunately, some of them stem from the ongoing nightmare down in Columbus with the state budget, but others are things to feel good about in these challenging times we face. I'll start with the tough stuff.

As we know, the State of Ohio is facing an unprecedented budget deficit, and the balancing process is going to make life harder for all of us. There are two funding areas close to my heart, though, that are in dire straits and on which I ask you to seriously consider taking action - The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) and your public libraries!

• The OAC is facing yet another round of significant cuts, and I'm not sure how much more lean they can get. PLEASE check out the website of Ohio Citizens for the Arts at www.ohiocitizensfortheartrs.org for more information on this critical funding issue for all of us who participate in the arts and arts education.
• Public libraries in Ohio are our educational life's blood - they are the people's university, providing access to knowledge for all regardless of socio-economic status or resources. As the son, nephew, and brother of librarians, I know well their value to each and every one of us. Some of the latest state budget models being floated right now feature huge cuts in funding for these essential resources, and the impact could be truly devastating.

Here's part of a message I received from a friend regarding the situation:

Many of the Ohio's 251 public libraries could close or face significant reductions in operations as a result of the Governor's latest proposal to balance the state's 2010-2011 biennium budget.

Public libraries in Ohio are funded primarily through the Public Library Fund (PLF), which receives 2.2% of the state's tax revenue. Since 2001, public library funded has been on the decline. As a result of the current downturn in the economy and decreasing state tax revenues, public libraries are currently experiencing a drop in funding from the Public Library Fund (PLF) estimated at 20% or more as compared to 2008. At a news conference on Friday, June 19, the Governor proposed an additional cut in the PLF of $112.5 million in fiscal year 2010 and $114.8 million in 2011 as part of his "framework" to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the budget that must be balanced by Ohio General Assembly's Conference Committee by June 30. This will mean a more than 50% cut in funding for many of Ohio's public libraries.

With some 70% of the state's 251 public libraries relying solely on the PLF to fund their operations, the reduction in funding will mean that many will close or drastically close branches and cut hours and services.

The Governor's proposed funding cuts come at a time when Ohio's public libraries are experiencing unprecedented increases in demands for services. In every community throughout the state, Ohioans are turning to their public library for free high speed Internet to access information on employment opportunities, children and teens are beginning summer reading programs, and people of all ages are turning to the library for information and entertainment.

Please contact your elected representatives to fight for Ohio's libraries - they are the heart and soul of the community!

There are also things that remind us to smile and sing. There's a fascinating show on WVIZ/PBS this Wednesday, June 24th that supports the argument that music is not only hard-wired into our systems, but was probably humankind's first language. This is the rare case when it is OK to stay inside and watch TV on a warm summer night!

The Music Instinct: Science and Song
An exploration of the music-mind interaction that delves into the neuroscience of how melodies and rhythms affect and influence the brain, featuring jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin, classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie and rockers Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley. Included: the link between the brain's auditory and motor regions, which can be used to help people with Parkinson's disease and stroke patients. McFerrin and neuroscientist Daniel Levitin host.

And, finally - my family celebrated the first wedding of Generation X in our family this past weekend when my niece got married. This would be a joyous occasion under any circumstances, but it was made even more so because the rehearsal dinner and the reception took place in downtown Cleveland. The venues were Windows on the River and the Key Center, both of which feature walls of glass that invited all to enjoy the cityscape as dusk and evening settled in. Many of the guests were not from Cleveland, and all proclaimed their appreciation for the beauty of our fair city. Say what you will about Cleveland, but when the sun is setting and the bridges, towers and lakefront come to life, it really is an awesome sight.

Let's take some time this summer to remember that Northeast Ohio has many treasures and vistas; the more we make a point to appreciate them, the more we are sure that it's a great place to live.

Have a great week!