Beginning July 17-31 rethink your commute. Take the Commuter Challenge and try a more sustainable form of transportation for at least one day. Bike, walk or carpool. Try public transit. Alternative transportation can have an important effect on Northeast Ohio's air quality and your health and your wallet.

“For every 20-mile round trip you eliminate, you save a gallon of gas and keep about 25 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe,” explains Amy Wainright, an environmental planner at the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).

NOACA’s Air Quality Programs are excited to announce this year’s prizes! By participating in Commuter Challenge, and completing the survey at the end, you will be registered for a drawing that includes the following prizes:

• Cleveland Indians Baseball Tickets
• Mr. Hero Sandwich Gift Certificates
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Admission Tickets
• Bodies Exhibition Tickets

In addition, NOACA has a limited number of Laketran bus passes for use during Commuter Challenge. These are available first come, first served, by emailing your name and address to aschmitt@mpo.noaca.org.

Participating organizations:

For our sixth EcoTuesday monthly we feature the one and only Pat Conway, co-owner of the Great Lakes Brewing Company - one of Cleveland's great sustainable design and business stories.
Pat has led the way to sustainable success with co-owner and brother Dan as President of this beloved brewery. 

We are honored to have him speak to the many ways GLBC has made significant moves to lead the industry in sustainable operations that drive efficiency and profitability.  Through smart green strategies including organic ingredients, bio-fueled vehicles, energy efficient design and waste-to-food models, GLBC has set a great example for other businesses both locally and globally. We also look forward to learning what's 'on tap', as we take a look at the future for both Great Lakes and our community.

Be sure to join our Meetup group here and RSVP soon.  This is our final FREE session before we migrate to mandated fees ($5 advance, $10 door).  Q and A session and our unique discussion circle to follow Pat's 20 minute talk!   We are mandated by charter to hold our event every Fourth Tuesday at this same time along with our eight sister cities nationally.   We aim to celebrate Cleveland's sustianable successes nationally and generate unique value for all who attend.  Join us!   Complimentary appetizers and soft drinks with cash bar.

Learn more about the Neighborhood Connections program and completing an application. Neighborhood Connections, the small grants program affiliated with the Cleveland Foundation intended to benefit grassroots neighborhood groups in the city of Cleveland, is requesting proposals for their next round of funding. The program offers grants of $500 to $5,000 twice a year to groups that organize projects to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood.  Groups are encouraged to work with partners, and to propose creative solutions to challenges in their neighborhood. Grants are available to any group of residents in the city of Cleveland. Groups do not need to be recognized as an official 501(c)(3) organization to receive a grant. Neighborhood Connections does not provide funding for individuals, individual businesses, or for capital projects. The deadline for proposals is Friday, August 13th, 2010. Visit www.neighborhoodgrants.org or call 216.393.4642 for more info.

Do you have an interest in becoming more energy independent? Would you like to increase your home's value while helping the environment? If so, join GEO at the July Clean Energy Network Meeting with featured speaker, Brad Yocum. Brad is the Division Director at Astrum Solar (www.astrumsolar.com). Brad will provide an overview of the technology, costs, incentives, and both economic and environmental benefits.

The event is FREE and open to the public. REGISTER HERE.