Eight cities win NLC Awards for Municipal Excellence.

• Position: National League of Cities

Eight cities received the National League of Cities (NLC) 2009 Awards for Municipal Excellence. These cities demonstrate outstanding programs that enrich the quality of life in their communities in the areas of economic development, community and neighborhood development, children and families, home ownership, water treatment, and sustainability

Slidell, Louisiana, won for its Strengthening the Community and the Economy through the Arts program. The city has made a commitment to creating a sense of community and strengthening the economy with cultural events that are accessible to all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Recognizing that many of its poorer neighborhoods were in a downward spiral, Savannah, Georgia, developed Neighborhood Renaissance Savannah, a neighborhood revitalization model which includes the human and financial capital needed to revitalize distressed inner-city neighborhoods.

Creating a Youth-Driven Career Center is a reinvention of the Long Beach, California, workforce development agency's youth service strategies, which provides opportunities to engage youth in the design and creation of physical spaces and other ares.

New York City's Homebase is a network of 13 homelessness prevention centers that provide case management and financial assistance to help families avoid homelessness.

The Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership in Estes Park, Colorado, applies the six principles of restorative justice (repair of harm, reconciliation of relationships, reintegration into the community...