In August 2008, Forbes came up with a list of "America's Fastest Dying Cities". Ohio was the state worst off on the list, with 4 of the 10 cities. Included on the list were (in alphabetical order): Buffalo, NY; Canton, OH; Charleston, WV; Cleveland,OH; Dayton, OH; Detroit, MI; Flint, MI; Scranton, PA; Springfield, MA; and Youngstown, OH. Supporters from each of these cities will join together in early August to show the world that these cities are living, not dying.

The brainchild of Peter Benkendorf and Mike Elsass, the "Ten Living Cities Symposium and Arts Festival" will be held in Dayton, Ohio, Aug. 7-9. By bring together artists and activists, community leaders and organizers, public officials and civic-minded people from the 10 cities, the organizers hope to share ideas, inspiration and create new possibilities for what the futures of these so-called "dying" cities.

There is no charge for registration to attend the event. Here is the schedule for the weekend:

Friday August 7 – Check-in and check out Dayton’s First Friday of gallery openings and entertainment, featuring art and music from the other Forbes cities. Includes creation of a collaborative installation by artists from all ten cities.

Saturday August 8 – Day-long symposium where each city will have an opportunity to share their vision and present some of the most innovative projects currently underway. Special interest luncheon breakouts will allow attendees to make new connections and cross-pollinate ideas. Specific activities will include:

Overview presentations and highlights of the most innovative projects from each cities;
Presentation tables from each city for more idea sharing;
Brainstorming session to generate new ideas;
Networking: New relationships mean new possibilities.
Saturday August 8 – Evening is the time to head out with new-found friends for dinner and entertainment in Dayton’s vibrant night life.

Sunday August 9 – No scheduled activities, but an “official” morning continental breakfast at Riverscape MetroPark will be available to give people time for some further sharing of ideas, a final exchange of contact information and to some grab nourishment before heading back to our respective communities to get on with the work at hand.