Friday, March 30, 2007

Annual St. Benno Fest is Saturday at Athenaeum


A typical German-American celebration of spring is scheduled from 6-11 p.m. Saturday (31 March) in the Athenaeum/Das Deutsche Haus, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

The St. Benno Fest ($15 at the door) is sponsored by Athenaeum Turners and Athenaeum Foundation, with proceeds to benefit Athenaeum Foundation. For more information and reservations, call 317:630-4569, ext. 1.

The Annual St. Benno Fest will bring again Munich's Patron Saint and Herr Bock to the Athenaeum. There will be food, fun, music, polka contest and grand march. The Athenaeum Pops orchestra, the Indianapolis Maennerchor and Dance Norden will entertain, dancing will be to Jay Fox and the Bavarian Showtime Band. Food a la carte by the Rathskeller Restaurant.

Legend has it that St. Benno was inspired with a recipe for a delicious Brown Nectar, known today as Bock, a dark beer made before Easter. This is the oldest Fest at the Athenaeum dating earlier than 1913 and celebrates St. Benno and his special spring brew!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Purdue grad volunteers in Uganda


Mark Weaver of West Lafayette returned 22 March from the first half of a six-month mission at the Canaan Children's Home in Buziiki, Uganda (photo, right), according to an article in today’s Indianapolis Star.

A volunteer intern, he works with about 400 children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic and war. In May, he will join 27 Purdue students and four Purdue Christian Campus House staff members in Uganda. Weaver, 26, is a 2004 graduate of Purdue University.

Last year, according to The Star, he won almost $58,000, including two cars, on “The Price is Right” television game show. After taxes, he said he had about $15,000 remaining, and used most of that money on trip expenses and to help the children.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

IU's Moi University Partnership lauded in WSJ


"In Kenya, AIDS Therapy Includes Fresh Vegetables"
By Roger Thurow
Wall Street Journal
Wednesday, 28 March 2007

"ELDORET, Kenya -- Just beyond the morgue of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Dr. Joe Mamlin, a professor of medicine at Indiana University, questions his staff on their latest progress in the war on AIDS.
"How much food are we harvesting today?" he asks. "How many people are we feeding?"
Stretching over two acres of the hospital grounds is a garden of carrots, onions, cabbage, collard greens and fruit trees. A stream meanders by, providing water for drip irrigation. This land and other farms around the city tilled by Dr. Mamlin's team yield four tons of vegetables and fruit each ...."

Unfortunately, one must be an online subscriber to read the whole article, which started on page one of today’s Wall Street Journal. For more on the partnership between the IU School of Medicine at IUPUI and Moi University, click here.

Heroes of Humanity Award to Children's Bureau


According to Inside INdiana Business, the Children's Bureau, Inc. in Indianapolis receives an international award today from The Art of Living Foundation.

The Heroes of Humanity Award is given to organization committed to improving human values. The Children's Bureau is one of 34 organizations and individuals nominated for the award and will be honored at an event in Washington, D.C.

Tragedy for recent Somalian immigrants to Indy


According to a report in today’s Indianapolis Star, “Two Somalian children who have been in Indianapolis for a week were hit Tuesday by a car whose driver apparently fell asleep, crossed lanes and struck their bicycle, police said. A 9-year-old girl died, and her 14-year-old brother was critically injured….The children were part of a family who had been brought out of Somalia, which has been in a state of conflict and near-civil war for nearly two decades….Police said the family -- a mother, father and five children who speak no English -- had moved into the Central Avenue house a week ago.”

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Enzastaurin gets orphan status from European Medicines Agency


Eli Lilly and Company announced yesterday that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has granted enzastaurin, an investigational, multi-targeted, oral, cancer agent, orphan drug designation for the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Although rare, DLBCL is the most common sub-type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of which approximately 50% of high-risk patients (high-risk is defined as having an International Prognostic Index score of 3-5) relapse within three years after receiving first line therapy.

Orphan medicinal products are for diagnosing, preventing or treating life- threatening or very serious conditions that are rare and affect not more than 5 in 10,000 persons in the European Union.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

From Iran to South Africa in one Indiana evening

On 30 March, two completely different films will be screened at two different Hoosier universities.

"Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony", a film from South Africa, starts at 6 p.m. in IT 152, Informatics Auditorium, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Directed by Lee Hirsch, this award-winning 2002 documentary tells the story of black South African freedom music and the central role it played in the struggle against apartheid. Includes extensive interview footage with South African musical giants such as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, and Abdullah Ibrahim.

It´s part of 'South Africa on Film', an IUPUI Public Film Series organized by David Hoegberg in conjunction with I300: South African Literature and Society Spring 2007.

Meanwhile, in the northern part of Indiana, "Children of Heaven (Bacheha-Ye aseman)", a film in Persian with English subtitles, begins at 7 p.m. in 234 Neils Sciencenter Valparaiso University, Valparaiso. Part of Valpo´s International Film Series, tickets are $6.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

¿Got Passport?

Six central Indiana post offices will be accepting passport applications between noon and 5 p.m. on Sunday (25 March).

To see the requirements, including a list of appropriate documentation, see the official website.

Where:

Bacon Station (46220)
2727 E. 55th Street, Indianapolis

Castleton Branch (46256)
8701 Bash Street, Indianapolis

Eagle Creek Branch (46254)
6401 Gateway Drive, Indianapolis

Southport Branch (46227)
1701 E. Edgewood Ave, Indianapolis

Brownsburg Post Office (46112)
411 Northfield Drive, Brownsburg

Mooresville Post Office (46158)
345 W. Carlisle Street, Mooresville

Watch for an announcement Monday!

Connersville Mayor Max Ellison, Jr. tells Inside INdiana Business that on Monday the city will announce an international company is expected to create 150 new jobs. Ellison says the company will locate in the former Fifth Third Bank building, which the city owns.

UPDATE:
Inside INdiana Business reports today (27 March): The Connersville Board of Works has approved a lease with Virginia-based Issues and Answers Network, Inc., a global marketing research company.

Friday, March 23, 2007

World TB Day is 24 March


Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company announced plans to invest an additional $50 million in an innovative, global partnership to fight Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The announcement is being made in conjunction with World TB Day activities.

The Lilly MDR-TB Partnership is an international alliance of 14 public and private organizations, including businesses, humanitarian organizations, academic institutions, and professional health care associations.

For more on World TB Day, 24 March, click here.

An Afternoon with Italian Authors


An Afternoon with Italian Authors begins at 1 p.m. Sunday (25 March). James Divita and Carol Faenzi will combine stunning photography and inspirational storytelling from their respective books, the recently released Indianapolis Italians and the popular historical novel, The Stonecutter’s Aria.

This program, in Room 141 of Jordan Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis, is designed for all those who love Italian culture and especially art, architecture and the contributions Italians of all walks of life have made to the City of Indianapolis.

Ms. Faenzi’s program is entitled “The White Gold of Carrara” and she will share her own ancestral beginnings, that of her great grandfather who mastered gothic tracery in Carrara, Italy before moving the family to Indiana to carve in Indiana limestone.

Professor Divita, will present “Indianapolis Italians” featuring people and places that demonstrate cultural influences on the City’s art, architecture and music.

This two hour program will include refreshments and a book signing. The event is free and open to the public.

It is sponsored by the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana, is a non-profit organization consisting of persons of Italian descent dedicated to promoting the values and traditions of their Italian heritage.

For information, call Dr. Mary Grace Pennella, 317:508-3956.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

World Water Day is 22 March


The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.

In Indianapolis, there'll be a free screening at 7 p.m. 22 March in Keystone Art Cinema (at the Fashion Mall) of three shorts about the most basic of potables: "Running Dry," "One Water" and Kenya: An Ethos Water Film".

Details on local events are here.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

More "Great Decisions" Discussions Scheduled


Four “Great Decisions” topics are still ahead for the Mid-North Shepherd Center at North United Methodist Church, 38th and Meridian Streets, Indianapolis.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday (11 April), Dr. Pierre Atlas, head of Marian College's Franciscan Center for Global Studies, discusses what can be done in the Middle East.

Dr. Steve Jones of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis talks about the causes and possible solutions of Mexico’s crises at 11 a.m. Wednesday (18 April).

Migration – the movement of people across international borders – is the topic for IUPUI’s Susan Erickson at 11 a.m. Wednesday (25 April).

Explore South Africa with Kelly Campbell, vice president of operations for Ambassadors for Children, at 11 a.m. (2 May)

Information, email or 317:924-0959. You can read more at John Clark’s IndyBuzz.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Governor Headed to Europe and Asia

The Indianapolis Star reports that Gov. Mitch Daniels will lead a trade delegation to Europe in May.

Daniels, with a small group of business and local leaders, will travel to Germany and the United Kingdom, with a possible short stop in Paris, during a weeklong trip that will begin 12 May.

Also, Daniels will travel to Japan for a third consecutive year in the fall.

Friday, March 16, 2007

England Comes to Carmel

Inside INdiana Business reports that Oxford BioSignals Medical will move its global headquarters to Carmel from England, and create 120 jobs in Carmel over the next five years.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

"An Orphan Boy of Vienna"


The next film in Valparaiso University's Austrian Film Festival is the 1937 classic, "An Orphan Boy of Vienna", directed by Max Neufeld (in German with English subtitles).

The screening starts at 8 p.m. 22 March in German House on the university's campus in Valparaiso, Ind.

A homeless boy is taken into a Vienna orphanage where it is discovered that he has a beautiful singing voice; featuring the Vienna Choir Boys and beautiful scenes in the Austrian Alps.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

International Adoption Awareness Week

KidsFirst Adoption Services, LLC, will hold a series of seminars in Indianapolis during International Adoption Awareness Week 17-24 March.

The seminars will include information about a new KidsFirst Foundation grant program to provide financial assistance to families that adopt older children or those with correctible medical issues.

The complete schedule is here.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

eSkye Opens Office in Bangalore


According to Inside Indiana Business, Indianapolis-based eSkye Solutions, Inc. has opened an office in Bangalore, India. The company, which provides software and services to the beverage industry, has formed eSkye Software Private Ltd. in India.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Two Speakers Worth a Trip to Greencastle


DePauw University hosts two presentations today (12 March).

First up is Fatima Sadiqi (pictured), feminist scholar and president of the Centre for Studies and Research on Women, who will speak at 4 p.m. in the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media's Watson Forum on "Islam and the Women's Movement in Morocco."

Then, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Richard E. Peeler Art Center, Mary Ellen Fieweger will discuss, "Community Journalism, Popular Education, and Fighting for the Future: The Story of Periodico Intag in Ecuador."

Both events are free and open to the public.

Bios and more information are here.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

"Exploding Stereotypes: Behind the Myths"


Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (right), best-selling author and one of Time Magazine’s “25 Most Influential Hispanics in America,” will speak about “Exploding Stereotypes: Behind the Myths” at 7:30 p.m. 20 March in Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University, Indianapolis.

Admission is free, but a ticket is required. Tickets are available at the Clowes Hall box office during regular box office hours. See announcement or call 317:940-6444 for more information.

The Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series is a collaborative diversity initiative between Butler University and the Office of the Mayor.

Everyone is invited to Nationalities Council meetings

The next meeting of the Nationalities Council of Indiana is 7 p.m. Monday (12 March -- tomorrow!) in the Max Kade Room on the first floor of the Athenaeum/Das Deutsche Haus, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis.

Information, Ahmet Fer, president.

The March edition of "The Ethnic Hoosier" newsletter has been posted to the website.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

From Sarajevo to Indianapolis


Today's sports section in The Indianapolis Star has a feature on Adnan Hodzic, a 6'8" tall senior at North Central High School in Indianapolis who's the starting center for the Panthers.

He and his family fled Sarajevo, Bosnia, in the early 1990s.

Check out their story while it's still online at The Star.

Friday, March 9, 2007

A.L.M.A. officers and directors for 2007

A.L.M.A.; the “Association of Mexican Leaders in Action" of Indiana announces the election of its new executive board and new board members that will lead this not-for-profit organization and support its mission to “Advance the well being of the Mexican Community in Indiana through a focus on social, cultural, educational, economic, civic, health, and organizational activities".

A.L.M.A.; La "Asociación de Líderes Mexicanos en Acción" de Indiana" tiene el agrado de anunciar la elección de su nueva mesa ejecutiva y nuevos miembros de la mesa directiva que dirigirán esta organización, sin fines de lucro y sostendrán su misión de "Avanzar el bien estar de la comunidad Mexicana en Indiana por medio de un enfoque social, cultural, educativo, económico, cívico, de salud, y por medio de las actividades de la organización."

President: David Hernandez
Vice-President: Olga Villa Parra
Treasurer: Rafael Mendez
Secretary: Karla Reyes

Board Members:
Jose Luis Alcauter Sr., Margie Chavez, Russell J. Dodge, Julian Saavedra, Pamela Valdes, Francisco J. Valdiosera, Frances Vega, Susana Williams, Nora Willman

Thursday, March 8, 2007

An Irish Fest Actually on St. Paddy's Day!

The 10th annual Indianapolis Downtown Irish Fest takes place right when it should – on Saturday, 17 March: St. Patrick’s Day. (The Germans know when to schedule a party!)

Hosted by the Rathskeller in the historic Athenaeum/Das Deutsche Haus, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, the festivities begin at 11 a.m. with entertainment from Brian Cunningham & the Irish Aires followed by the Irish Dancers of Indianapolis.

At 5 p.m. the Gordon Pipers take the stage with Polka Boy following at 6 p.m. End the night with all your favorite cover hits performed by Brenda Williams and The Soul Providers starting at 9 p.m.

Admission is free, but you’ll have to pay for your vittles and drinks (of course). Enjoy authentic Irish food including corned beef & cabbage, Irish red potatoes, Irish stew, soda bisquits and shamrock cookies. Drink specials will also be available all day long.

Child Soldiers in Africa, International Law and War Crimes


Two related events on these topics are scheduled next week.

First, on Tuesday (13 March), the Indiana Council on World Affairs will discuss war crimes with an expert in international law, an activist working to prosecute a Congolese warlord before the International Criminal court, and a former child soldier from Congo.

The next evening (14 March), the same three presenters will appear at the Old Centrum for a film screening and further discussion.

This information comes from John Clark, who invites all interested to attend either or both programs.

Tuesday's event, part of the ICWA's Great Decisions Series, takes place from 7-9 p.m. in Room 103 of the Pharmacy Building on the campus of Butler University, Indianapolis.

Wednesday's film and discussion takes place from 7-9 p.m. in the Old Centrum, 520 East 12th Street, Indianapolis.

Here's what John Clark has to say:

"The systematic and widespread use of children—the most vulnerable members of the population—in armed conflict is not new. The plight of these children continues to shock the conscience and demands immediate and urgent action.

"The International Criminal Court is launching its first case, formally charging Thomas Lubanga Dyilo (the onetime leader of the country's Union des Patriotes Congolais) with 'war crimes of enlisting and conscripting of children under the age of fifteen years'. Although the US has opposed the ICC, fearing that American soldiers or policymakers could be subject to prosecution, it has cooperated in the case against Lubanga.

"On Tuesday, March 13, Golzar Kheiltash of Citizens for Global Solutions will explain what this means. Golzar combines a rigorous academic legal background with strong advocacy skills to promote international legal norms and mechanisms that can prevent and punish the most heinous crimes such as genocide. Golzar has researched, analyzed, and advocated for the ICC in a personal and professional capacity for the last seven years, and currently coordinates the Washington Working Group on the ICC (WICC).

"At her March 13 talk at Butler University, Golzar will be joined by two special visitors to Indianapolis. In a recent visit to the ICC, she met Bukeni Beck, an activist and filmmaker who seeks to revealing the plight of child soldiers and to give these children a second chance. They will be accompanied by 'Madelaine', a fifteen year old former girl soldier from Congo.

"Beck documents the stories of hundreds of child soldiers on film, revealing a stark and systematic cycle of recruitment and conscription, narrated by the children and their families in their own words. His films demonstrate the difficulties of many children who want to reintegrate into their communities after leaving the camps. This is especially true of girl soldiers who have suffered the added brutality of rape and sexual violence at the hands of their commanders.

"What a fantastic opportunity to hear how these terrible issues are being addressed at a global and multilateral level, and at a local level as well.
"The event Wednesday March 14 should be even more interesting. At the Old Centrum, Bukeni will show films of the plight of child soldiers, programs that are helping restore them to a life resembling normal, and with Golzar and Madelaine we will brainstorm about what we can do to help," Clark concludes.

An Evening of Classical Music

The Indiana University School of Music at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis cellist Biljana Bozinovska, a native of Macedonia at 7:30 p.m. Monday (26 March) in Room 152 of the IT Building, 535 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis. Tickets, available at the door, are $5.

Speedway Connects with Ireland


The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has reached a licensing agreement with Waterford Crystal to produce crystal awards, premiums and consumer products for all IMS events.

Waterford Crystal is headquartered in Waterford, Ireland, a center of crystal making since the late 1700s. The company designs, manufactures and markets an extensive range of crystal objets d’art, stemware and gifts for distribution throughout the world.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Inuit Art Exhibit at National Art Museum of Sport


NUVO Newsweekly reports that the National Art Museum of Sport, located in the University Conference Center on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, has an exhibit up through 15 June of Art of the Inuit People of Northern Canada.

Call 317:274-3627 for the hours you can go and see the “53 prints, 22 sculptures and tapestry in the collection [that] capture the action and joy of such games as blanket tosses, drum dances, acrobatics and wrestling”. The museum, 850 West Michigan Street, is usually open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and sometimes on the weekend.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

7th annual Lotus Blossoms Educational Outreach


Lotus Blossoms, the seventh annual celebration of cultural arts and diversity sponsored by the Lotus Education and Arts Foundation, takes place this month in Bloomington and south-central Indiana.

Outreach programs visit more than 20 schools, but there are also events for the general public: two concerts, a lecture, and an array of free "meet the artists" Q&A sessions and demonstrations.

A "world bazaar" is open to the public on 24 March.

Featured artists are Indian singer Kiran Ahluwalia (pictured); Ecuadorean folk group Andes Manta; Rwandan singer, dancer, and drummer Jean-Paul Samputu; and storyteller-musicians Sparky and Rhonda Rucker.

The Schedule of Public Events gives the details. The first one is tomorrow (7 March) and the last one 27 March.

For information on the schools schedule, click here.

Emmis Communications Invests in Canada


According to a report by The Indianapolis Business Journal, Emmis Communications Inc. announced that it made the first in a series of small investments in new technology by buying a "significant" stake in Exponentia Communications Corp., a Vancouver, B.C., Canada, developer of
online interaction software for sports and entertainment clients.

Jischke to discuss Purdue's international programs


Purdue University President Martin C. Jischke (pictured) will discuss the university's various programs that bring thousands of international students to the campus and send Purdue students abroad from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday (14 March) during WBAA radio's live call-in show "AM 920 Magazine."
According to the Purdue News Bureau, Jischke will field questions from host David Bunte and the listening audience.

This year nearly 5,000 international students from 130 countries attend Purdue, the second highest international enrollment among all U.S. public colleges and universities. The Study Abroad Office offers 200 programs to give Purdue students learning opportunities in 45 countries.

To ask questions during the program, local listeners can call (765) 496-1999. Listeners outside the local calling area can call toll-free at (866) 922-2101. WBAA's AM signal reaches approximately two-thirds of Indiana and can be heard globally via the station's website.

Monday, March 5, 2007

AIDS Testing in Nigeria


Purdue University reports that its researchers will meet with Nigerian officials and health-care professionals this month to introduce a new low-cost technology that would make it possible to perform affordable, widespread medical testing for millions of AIDS victims in Africa.

The effort to manufacture the low-cost instruments is called the Cytometry for Life program. Discovery Park's Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering has joined Bindley researchers as a project partner.

J. Paul Robinson (pictured), a professor in Purdue's schools of biomedical engineering and veterinary medicine, will travel to Nigeria on 12 March with Hildred Sarah Rochon, research coordinator of the Cytometry for Life program, and Gilbert Rochon, Purdue's associate vice president for collaborative research.

They will meet with several leaders, health-care officials and philanthropists, including the governor and deputy governor of Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city; health-care professionals at the National Hospital in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria; traditional rulers in Imo State in southern Nigeria, where the Cytometry for Life Program has an office; and health-care workers and officials in the city of Owerri, the capital of Imo State. The meetings and visits are being coordinated by Prince Ikenna Nwaturuocha of the Royal Kingdom of Aboah-Mbasie in Imo State.

Read more about the initiative here.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

St. Patrick's Day Parade


We all know St. Patrick's Day is 17 March -- except the planners for Indy's St. Patrick's Day Parade must be confused about the date.

For obviously indefensible reasons, they have decided to begin the 27th annual St. Pat's event along the downtown Indianapolis parade route at 11:30 a.m. on Friday (16 March).


2008 UPDATE:
The 2008 St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Indy begins at 11:30 a.m. on St. Patrick's Day (17 March). Wow!

Cummins buys out Indian turbocharger partner


According to The Indianapolis Business Journal, Cummins Inc. has bought the 50 percent stake in a turbocharger manufacturing operation in India that it didn't already own.

The Columbus diesel engine maker didn't disclose the price it paid to assume total ownership of Tata Holset Limited, a unit of Tata Group of Companies.

Tata Holset will be renamed Cummins Turbo Technologies.

VIVA il Violino 2007


A black tie benefit for the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis takes place Saturday (10 March) at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.

The second annual fundraiser includes a cocktail reception, Silent and Live Auctions, a gourmet dinner accompanied by wine, and a performance by acclaimed trio Time for Three, a cross-over group blending bluegrass, gypsy music and jazz into a non-traditional program.

For tickets ($150 per person), call 317:637-4574.

International Violin Competition of Indianapolis programs are supported by the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, and with support from the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the City of Indianapolis.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Belgian beer to be brewed in...Terre Haute!


According to Inside INdiana Business, Brugge Brasserie, Indianapolis, is currently in final negotiations with Terre Haute Brewing Company to launch the bottling and distribution of its Belgian-style brews for a wider statewide audience.

The Terre Haute Brewing Company was established in 1837, and is the second oldest active brewery in the United States.

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Go to Scotland with University Professors!


Indiana University Kokomo professors Robert Strikwerda and Terri Bourus are collaborating with Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis professor Erik Lindseth to take students, alumni and community members to Scotland 23 July - 3 August.

IU Kokomo and IUPUI students going on the trip must take one of several classes that will be held on their respective campuses during the second summer session prior to departure.

Students may choose from three classes including H399 and F200: "Tartans, Bagpipes, and Cloned Sheep; L383: "Early Scottish Literature, Shakespeare, and Macbeth," and H425: "The Scotland of Mary, Queen of Scots."

The trip includes a visit to Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Culloden near Inverness, and Glasgow. Travelers will visit Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House, Linlithgow Palace, Loch Leven, Dunfirmline Castle and Dryburgh Abbey, to name only a few.

The deadline is 20 March. Here are the details.

An American's Global Perspective


"An American's Global Perspective, a conversation with Lee Hamilton, is set for Thursday (15 March) in the Westin Hotel, downtown Indianapolis.

The evening is presented by the International Kidney Stone Institute in partnership with the Methodist Health Foundation and Clarian Health.

Tickets for the reception, at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation, at 5:30 p.m., are $50. Tickets for the reception, presentation and a private dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. are $125. For reservations, call 317:962-0647.

Lee H. Hamilton, a former U.S. Congressman from Indiana, was co-chair of the Iraq Study Group, Baker Hamilton Commission.

The International Kidney Stone Institute is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting clinical and basic science research and education for the detection, management and prevention of kidney stone disease.

Sweden's take on integrating work and family


Linda Haas, Professor of Sociology, discusses "Integrating work and family: Social policy, corporate culture and fatherhood in Sweden" at 4:30 p.m. Friday (9 March) in Cavanaugh Hall 508, Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Her presentation is part of the Sabbatical Speaker Series sponsored by the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. Information: Annette Hill, 317:278-1839.

"Israel/Palestine: Seeking Peaceful Coexistence"



A video conference on seeking peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine sponsored by the Office of International Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis (as part of the Spring 2007 Speaker Series) features Prof. Zvi Bekerman, School of Education, the Melton Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Prof. Muhammad M. Haj-Yahia, School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The live link will be activated from noon to 1 p.m. in Global Crossroads Lab ES2132 at IUPUI on Thursday (8 March).

Information, Craig Lee, 317:418-1982, or Ian McIntosh, 317:274-3776.

Oz in Indy -- it's official!


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Trustees of Indiana University today (March 1) unanimously approved the appointment of Michael A. McRobbie (left)as the 18th president of the 187-year-old institution with eight campuses and more than 97,000 students.

McRobbie, currently the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at IU Bloomington, has been a senior administrator at IU for 10 years. With an education grounded both in philosophy and science, he came to IU in January 1997 as vice president for information technology and chief information officer. Six years later, he was given the additional responsibilities of vice president for research.

McRobbie, 56, a native of Australia, will replace Adam W. Herbert, who announced last year that he would not serve beyond the end of his contract. Although Herbert's five-year contract runs through June 2008, he has said he would step down earlier if a replacement were found. McRobbie will officially take over as president on July 1, 2007.

And, that's the official word from Indiana University's press release, issued today.