Former SIA President Returning to Japan

A Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA) executive who was instrumental in bringing Toyota Camry production to the Lafayette plant is going back to Japan at the end of the month, reportsInside INdiana Business.

Hiroyuki Oikawa (pictured) is SIA's chairman and former president. He will continue to serve in several capacities for SIA and its parent Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd (FHI). Oikawa became president and CEO of SIA in 2003.

Acoustics and Engineering Meet Biomedicine

American and European experts in acoustics and bio-engineering will present novel approaches on the emerging biomedical field of audible acoustic measurements and analysis during a symposium 8-9 September at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

According to the report from the Purdue News Bureau, breakthroughs in the field of sonic measurements and analysis are leading to new medical treatments in critical care; heart-related issues; sleep disorders; orthopedic and sports injuries; ear, nose and throat maladies; hearing problems; and speech disorders.

The conference will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the Martin C. Jischke Hall of Biomedical Engineering.

Presenters include researchers from Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as key universities in the United States, including Purdue, Dartmouth College, Boston University, Binghamton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago.

While the symposium's registration is free, students and researchers are asked to register before a 15 July deadline. Deadline for abstract submissions of poster presentations is 1 July.

Russian Automobile Quarterly Planned

An Indiana publisher has established a partnership to publish a Russian edition of AQ/Automobile Quarterly, reports Inside INdiana Business.

New Albany-based Automotive Heritage Publishing & Communications LLC is joining with Luxocrat Media and Moscow-based Mediacrat for Russian version. It will be published four-times a year and has an initial circulation of 55,000.

Valpo Students Travel to Switzerland

Members of a research team from Valparaiso University's College of Engineering will travel to Switzerland next month with a solar reactor they've designed to test it at one of the world's premier solar energy research institutes, reports Inside Indiana Business.

The school's solar energy program was launched in 2006 with a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study a process that has the potential to make large storage and transportation of the sun's energy practical.

Humanitarian and Cultural Exchange Journey Underway

International Interfaith Initiative's humanitarian and cultural exchange journey to the Middle East returns to Indianapolis on Friday (27 June).

A group of 15 representing Muslim, Jewish and Christian faith communities departed on 13 June to build a Habitat for Humanity home for a needy family, carry medical and educational supplies to Iraqi war refugees in Jordan and visit the holy shrines of each of their faiths in Israel. See the blog about their journey.

If you'd like to know more, contact Charlie MacDonald, 317:283-2730.

Rakugo Comes to Indy

Rakugo -- Japanese "Sit-Down" Commedy -- comes to Central Indiana tomorrow (24 June) when Katsura Kaishi (pictured, at right) performs in the auditorium of Carmel High School, 520 East Main Street, Carmel.

Nothing is lost in translation as Japan's premier English rakugo master takes his audience along on a ride through his imagination. Kaishi has performed more than 200 times in 12 different countries. Last year, he was appointed Cultural Exchange Ambassador by the Japanese Ministry of Culture.

Rakugo is stand-up comedy, performed in the traditional Japanese-style: sitting down!With only a towel and a fan as props, Kaishi tells fascinating tales using voice, gestures and facial expressions. The main performance is in English, with a short section in Japanese.

The event is sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Indiana in partnership with the Indiana Japan Chamber, Indiana Japanese Language School and the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago.

Tickets are $15. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7 p.m.

For information, call 317:635-0123.

Indiana Attracts Global Companies

"Foreign firms' investments create Hoosier jobs," reads the headline in the Indianapolis Business Journal's "Indiana 100" supplement this weekend.

"State officials have rolled out the red carpet for foreign companies to invest in Indiana," writes Katie Mauer, "paving the way for those firms to announce plans for nearly 5,000 new jobs here in 2007 alone."

The report continues, "Overall, the biggest sources of those jobs are firms in the United Kingdom and Japan. Germany is a close third, employing a total of more than 26,000 Hoosiers and investing $8.7 billion in the state."

Indian Market

This weekend is the 16th annual Indian Market and Festival at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, White River State Park, Indianapolis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (21 June) and tomorrow (22 June).

Jewelry, pottery, paintings, beadwork and carvings are featured, with items from more than 140 artists spanning 60 different Native American tribes.

Entertainers include Eagle Wings Pageant Dancers, Tony Showa (Navajo), Harvest Moon (Quinault), Pamyua and Harvest Moon. In addition, Jody Naranjo will give a pottery demonstration, and Tony Showa will demonstrate drum making.

Tickets at the gate are $10, with children 17 and under admitted free.

IUPUI Students Head to Jamaica

"Global Learning in Jamaica: Service and Culture" will take students from Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis to the Caribbean for a month beginning in mid-July.

The program begins with six class hours in the U.S. prior to departure for Jamaica, and students will attend four class-hours in the U.S. upon their return. Both classroom and service-learning are planned in Jamaica.

The students will journey to a small fishing village in southwestern Jamaica, where they will coordinate and teach at a youth day camp for 7-12 year olds, live with local families, and gain a global education from within the specifics of Jamaican culture.

The program is looking for donations of items for the day camp, which can be brought to either IUPUI or Indiana University Bloomington: arts and crafts supplies, athletic equipment, prices, school supplies and other necessities.

For details, contact the instructor, Hilary E. Kahn, an anthropologist.

Art of China's Ming Dynasty Comes to Indy

"Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty" is the first exhibition in the United States to focus on the full range of art from China’s Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

Organized by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the exhibition marks the first collaboration with three of China’s most prestigious institutions: The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) in Beijing, the Nanjing Municipal Museum, and the Shanghai Museum.

Ming artworks from these museums will be featured along with some of the finest items owned by the Asian Art Museum, such as the item at left.

"Power and Glory" opens at the Indianapolis Museum of Art 26 October, closing 11 January 2009.

Hispanic Chamber Names New President

Wilson Reyes has been named president of the Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce by its board of directors. A native of the Dominican Republic, Reyes graduated from Indiana University.

The ISHCC is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization founded in 2001 to identify and serve the needs of Hispanic and minority small business.

Two Events in Indy Mark World Refugee Day

"My Home is Your Home: Refugees in Indy" is the theme for a 6-10 p.m. event Friday (20 June) in the Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis.

This year, Indiana expects to welcome more than 900 refugees from Burma alone. These, and other refugees, will be celebrated in a night of food, dancing, fashion, music and storytelling. It's free, and if you would like more information, send an email here.

The following day (21 June), World Refugee Day will be commemorated from 1-5 p.m. in Southport Christian Church, 201 East Epler Avenue, Indianapolis. The afternoon is sponsored by Exodus Refugee Immigration.

Enjoy live music, featuring bands from the Chin and Karen communities, witness the first annual presentation of the Friends of Refugees Award, and experience international cuisine at a pitch-in dinner. For more information, email or call 317:921-0836.

"Sunny Sports China" Gets Help from IU

Public health expert Lloyd Kolbe (left) has been asked by the Chinese government to help it implement new national guidelines requiring the country's 1.6 million schools to provide students with daily physical activity, reports the IU News Bureau.

Kolbe is a professor of applied health science in Indiana University Bloomington's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER).

The Chinese initiative, aimed at the nation's 320 million school children, is called "Sunny Sports China." Kolbe said government officials want their sports universities to continue producing elite athletes. But they also want them to focus more on helping citizens to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines through programs such as "Sunny Sports China," which will also include a recreational component for leisure time.

Kolbe traveled to China and Taiwan recently with a delegation of HPER administrators including Dean Robert M. Goodman. They met with various government officials involved with this initiative and visited several universities.

The School of HPER signed or renewed international agreements with six universities in China, including Peking University School of Public Health, Hong Kong Baptist University in Hong Kong, Beijing Sport University and Shanghai Sports University. The School of HPER also renewed an agreement with Taiwan National Sports University.

Immigration and Higher Education in Indiana

"Immigration and Higher Education in Indiana," an Ideas in Indiana breakfast discussion sponsored by the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research, is set for 8:15 a.m.-noon 26 June in the Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis.

Featured SIPR researchers are Dr. John Clark, Justin Heet, Courtney Burkey and Alberto Hernandez.

This “Ideas in Indiana” event will explore the issues addressed by Sagamore’s research on “Immigration and Higher Education,” an 18-month project funded by Lumina Foundation for Education. Sagamore researchers will discuss the findings of their three working papers, offering their assessments of the challenges facing immigrants and their children in obtaining a good education and what the State of Indiana and its educational system will need to do in order to ensure an educated, well-trained workforce for the 21st Century.

They will also offer their thoughts on issues requiring additional research to assist decision-makers in making a difference in the future of the state’s workforce and educational system.

To attend, contact Susan Stinn, 317:472-2053. Please include your name, affiliation, address, email and phone number; deadline is 23 June.

Business Immigration & Immigration Strategy

Business Immigration and Immigration Strategy are the topics for a seminar from 2:30-5 p.m. Tuesday (17 June) in the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 West Maryland Street, Indianapolis.

Offered in English with Japanese interpretation, the presenter will be Anthony L. Ray of Fakhoury & Ray P.C. Cost is $20 per person. The seminar is cosponsored by the Japan-America Society of Indiana.

For more information, contact Takako Ito, 248:560-1020.

Kobayashi Kiyochika: Bridging East and West

Check out the Gallery of Asian and Ancient Western Art, second floor, Indiana University Art Museum in Bloomington this week.

Featured is the work of Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847–1915), a Japanese artist who produced woodblock prints during the Meiji period (1868–1912), a time of increased economic and cultural exchange between Japan and the West. Although Kiyochika was largely self-taught, evidence suggests that he studied not only with masters of traditional Japanese painting, but also with the English news illustrator Charles Wirgman (1832–1891).

Kiyochika successfully bridged eastern and western artistic approaches by fusing the schematic, linear designs associated with traditional Japanese art with western conventions of depth and shading. This installation was organized by Liz McGoey, Art History graduate student in the Henry Hope School of Fine Arts.

Chinese Visit Indiana Firm

A delegation of 30 executive staff from China’s largest soybean crushers visited Indiana today as part of a 10-day trip to the United States, according to Inside INdiana Business.

The delegation will tour Beck's Hybrids in Atlanta, the Louis Dreyfus biodiesel facility in Claypool and Dow AgroSciences global headquarters in Indianapolis. Since 1990, China’s soybean oil consumption has increased by 800 percent and its soybean meal consumption by 2,800 percent.

A Quarter-Century of Ravioli and Italian Ice

The twenty-fifth annual Italian Street Festival is this weekend. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. both Friday (13 June) and Saturday (14 June) in front of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 520 Stevens Street, Indianapolis. (It's six blocks south of downtown just east of East Street.)

Ravioli, antipasta salads, Italian ice, fetuccine, tortellini, lasagna, cannolis and meatball sandwiches are just a few of the Italian-American specialties for sale. There's also live music, dancing and amusement rides.

Admission is free.

UPDATE:
Due to rain, the Italian Street Festival has been postponed for this evening (Friday, 13 June), Indianapolis Downtown reports.. The festival will resume from 3 to 11 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) and will extend into Sunday (15 June), also from 3 to 11 p.m.

Foreign Tongues and Chinese Art

The June issue of Indianapolis Woman has two "don't miss" articles.

The first is a profile of Betsy Hall Fehsenfeld, an artist whose ties to the world have resulted in a blockbuster cultural exchange. She facilitated the connections between Shandong University in China and the Indianapolis Art Center, resulting in "Two Worlds, One Language". The series of events and exhibits runs 28 June through 23 August.

(See also this post and this one for more posts on this groundbreaking event.)

The second, titled "Foreign Tongues", explains why everyone should learn a second (or a third or a fourth or...) language. Even those of us who live in the Hoosier heartland!

Farewell, Friend!

An early supporter of the celebration of ethnic diversity in Indiana has died.

Cecelia (Cele) Schnelker was laid to rest today during services at St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church in Indianapolis.

A volunteer for the International Center of Indianapolis in the 1970s, she originated the Parade of Nations -- the cavalcade of Indy residents in ethnic national costumes -- during an annual fundraiser, the Crystal Ball.

The parade continues to this day as part of the International Festival.

Nationalities Council in the News

Inside INdiana Business interviewed Allen Galloway, president of the Nationalities Council of Indiana in connection with Asian-Pacific Heritage Month.

"One group recognizing the contributions of Asian immigrants in Indiana is the Nationalities Council of Indiana, led by President Allen Galloway.

"Galloway says the non-profit, all-volunteer educational foundation comprised of more than 50 ethnic or national affinity organizations plus other groups, corporations and individuals interested in celebrating Indy's diversity was formed in 1976. It is the leading, largest and oldest pan-ethnic organization in Indiana.

"Galloway says the Council strives to increase the visibility of and participation by ethnic groups in the community life of Indiana. The Council's web portal includes links to hundreds of multicultural and international organizations in Indiana, as well as a comprehensive calendar of events, he says.

"The Council's signature event is the annual International Festival, held this year at the Indiana State Fairgrounds 20-23 November. The festival's features include continuous ethnic entertainment on two stages, craft demonstrations, food vendors, cultural displays and an international marketplace, says Galloway. "It enriches the community by providing a positive, educational event where individuals learn about other cultures in an open and friendly setting."

"The Council also publishes a monthly electronic newsletter, the Ethnic Hoosier."

Indy's Grant Lin President of Key Club International

The Indianapolis Star profiled Grant Lin in today's paper: "The Lawrence North High School senior is president of Key Club International, guiding the budget and governance for its 250,000 members worldwide."

According to The Star, Lin is the first Hoosier to serve as president of the leadership and service organization for high-schoolers affiliated with Kiwanis International (headquartered in Indy).

"Lin is valedictorian at Lawrence North and one of three Presidential Scholars in Indiana this year," The Star reports. "In the last year, he traveled to Uganda for a Key Club project to build a school, and most weekends are spent around the country for various meetings."

"Latin Celelebration" for Canal Series

Guitarist John Alvarado (left), Flamenco dancer Melissa Perez and Orquesta Bravo will present a "Latin Celebration" 21 August as part of the Indiana Historical Society Concerts on the Canal series. It's outdoors, on the Canal Plaza next to the Indiana History Center, 450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis.

Sponsored by the Indiana University School of Music at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, the presentation begins at 6 p.m. You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages to the concert, but all alcohol must be purchased on site. A café, cash bar and outdoor grill are open from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Free seating is available on the Plaza steps and on the greenway across the Canal. You can reserve tables for four ($30) or eight ($40) by calling 317:232-1882.

Traveling to Italy?

Conversational Italian I begins 7 August at the Community Life and Learning Center, 515 East Main Street, Carmel.

It's just one of the foreign language offerings for Summer 2008 from Continuing Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

The course is a series of six classes from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays from 7 August through 11 September. Instructor is Cristiana Tielmann, and the fee is $139.

Online enrollment is available, or call 317:278-7600.