Endangered Species Chocolate Heads to Africa

According to Inside INdiana Business, Indianapolis-based Endangered Species Chocolate will travel to the Ivory Coast and Nigeria next month to continue the company’s mission to produce ethically traded chocolate bars and help support humanitarian efforts.

Officials will visit cacao farms in two Ivory Coast communities and join Indianapolis-based Mercy Foundation on a medical mission in Uromi, Nigeria.

Current Themes in International Public Affairs

"Current Themes in International Public Affairs: an interdisciplinary look at
public policy issues" is the topic for the inaugural conference of the International Public Affairs Association scheduled for Friday (11 April) in the School of Public & Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Topics include the international political economy, global environment and conflict resolution. For additional information, email Nancy Meyer.

The International Public Affairs Association provides a forum for international public affairs issues within the local community, while helping graduate students achieve careers in this field. IPAA is based in SPEA at IU.

Cummins, Anthem Expand in China

Columbus-based Cummins has officially started operations at its new site in Wuhan, China, reports Inside INdiana Business. The Cummins Fuel Systems Wuhan Plant is the company's first fuel systems manufacturing site outside of North America. The facility will produce Cummins Common Rail fuel pumps and CELECT injectors/fuel pumps, primarily for the China market.

Inside INdiana Business also says that Anthem Insurance Co. Inc. has launched its first office in China. China Knowledge is reporting that the Anthem Insurance Co. Inc. Beijing Representative Office will work to improve medical care services in China.

Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Gets Gift

The estate of a University of Notre Dame graduate has given the South Bend institution a $20 million dollar gift, according to Inside INdiana Business. The donation from the estate of Frank E. Eck will support the Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, which will be remained for the Eck family. Frank Eck, who died in December 2007, was a 1944 graduate and was chairman of Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) of Columbus, Ohio.

Indy's Washington Township Links with Taiwan

"Two Washington Township principals are half a world away working to establish international partnerships for their schools," writes Gretchen Becker in today's Indianapolis Star

"Nora Elementary Principal Suzanne Zybert and Allisonville Elementary principal Mike Pomerenke left Friday [4 April] as part of the 2008 American Superintendents / Educators' Project on Chinese Language Teacher Recruitment and Sister School Partnerships [returning 12 April]....

"'Their travels are part of a township-wide goal to have global partnerships in all schools', said Marsha Reynolds, the school district's director of elementary education. Partnerships are in their sixth year and started at Crooked Creek Elementary when Reynolds was the principal.

"'Our goal is for each school to have a global partner in China or Taiwan', Reynolds said....Crooked Creek, Spring Mill and Greenbriar elementaries, Westlane Middle and North Central High schools already have established partner schools in China...."

Lilly's Forsteo Approved by European Commission

Eli Lilly and Company announced today that the European Commission has approved a new indication for FORSTEO(R) (teriparatide [rDNA origin] injection) for the treatment of osteoporosis associated with sustained, systemic glucocorticoid therapy in women and men at increased risk for fracture. Teriparatide stimulates new bone formation by increasing the number and action of bone-building cells called osteoblasts.

Lithuanian Educators Visiting Indiana

A three-member delegation from the Republic of Lithuania is spending this week visiting Indiana classrooms, the Indiana Statehouse and other places dealing with government and legal matters to learn more about civic education in the U.S., reports the Indiana University News Bureau.

Visiting are Giedre Kvieskiene (on the right, in photo at left), professor and director of the Lithuanian College of Democracy at Vilnius Pedagogical University; Elena Urboniene, who directs a school for children with disabilities at Vilnius University Hospital, and Alvydas Puodziukas, Lithuania's Secretary of Education and Science. Their visit is part of a continuing exchange between the IU School of Education and the state of Indiana with Lithuania as part of the Civitas International Civic Education Exchange Program.

On 11 April, the School of Education and Indiana will send its own delegation to Lithuania to continue discussions. Gerardo Gonzalez, University Dean of the IU School of Education, Terry Mason, associate professor of curriculum studies, State Sen. Vi Simpson, as well as Batchelor Middle School social studies teacher Rebecah Boyle and Childs Elementary School social studies teacher Karen Johnson will spend a week discussing the importance of civic education for the young democracy, which broke from the Soviet Union in 1990.

The School of Education has participated in the exchange since 1995, when the U.S. Department of Education funded the Civitas International Program through its Center for Civic Education. The program pairs international educators from Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia and Latin America with partners in states throughout the U.S. Over the last decade, the IU School of Education has hosted and participated in the exchange yearly.

St. Benno Fest Celebrates Spring

The annual St. Benno Fest takes place at the Athenaeum/Das Deutsche Haus, 401 East Michigan Street, Indianapolis, from 6-11:30 p.m. 12 April. Admission at the door is $18 ($15 in advance).

The celebration marks the arrival of spring...and Bock Beer! (That's Herr Bockl and St. Benno in the photo.) Jay Fox and the Bavarian Showtime Band will play for dancing. There'll be entertainment by the Athenaeum Pops German Band, Maennerchor and Dans Norden plus a Polka Contest and Grand March. German food will be available a la carte from the Rathskeller Restaurant.

For information and reservations, call 317:655-2755. Proceeds benefit the Athenaeum Foundation.

Foreign Investments Creates Indiana Jobs

A new Indiana University report says Indiana will gain more than 5,000 jobs created by foreign direct investment that was announced last year, according to Inside INdiana Business. Most of that investment is in the automotive manufacturing industry. Indiana ranked 13th nationally for employment by majority-owned U.S. affiliates in 2005. Majority-owned U.S. affiliates are those in which a foreign investor or company has at least a 50 percent stake.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

An entire April-full of events is planned at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

First up is a "Kick-Off Reception" from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow (1 April) in Room 405 of the IUPUI campus center. Then comes a ladies-only fashion show of Middle Eastern and Asian Vogue at 6 p.m. Friday (4 April) in Room 405C of the Campus Center (tickets are $3).

Other events include a screening of "Bride and Prejudice" at 11 a.m. 8 April in Room 305 of the Campus Center, a discussion of the "Crisis in Burma and its impact on IUPUI" at noon 10 April, a fashion show of traditional dress at 6 p.m. 14 April in room 405 of the Campus Center, and a discussion of henna body art at noon 15 April in Room 305 of the Campus Center.

Also, a discussion of the "Imprisonment of Americans of Asian Descent during World War II and the Post 9/11 Implications for Muslim Americans" at noon 16 April in Room 148 of the Campus Center, screeming of "Memoirs of a Geisha" at 11 a.m. 23 April, a presentation by Lisa Ling at 7 p.m. 23 April in the Campus Center's Multipurpose Room , and "Blended Identity: A Discussion on Transracial Adoption" at 11:30 a.m. 24 April in Room 148 of the Campus Center.

For more information, see website or contact Thint T. Cho, 317:278-6002.

Raúl's Cuba

Marifeli Pérez-Stable (right) will discuss ""Raúl's Cuba: Domestic and International Challenges" at 4:15 p.m. Thursday (3 April) in Room C103, Hesburgh Center, University of Notre Dame, South Bend.

Dr. Pérez-Stable is vice president for democratic governance at the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, DC, and a professor of sociology at Miami’s Florida International University. She is also the director of “National Dialogues on Democracy in Latin America,” a project sponsored by the Inter-American Dialogue with the cooperation of the Organization of American States.

An abstract of her presentation:
"In February 2008, Raúl Castro assumed the presidencies of the Cuban councils of state and ministries, choosing hard-liner José Ramón Machado Ventura as first vice president of both councils. In his inaugural speech, Raúl announced a restructuring of the state administration, hinted at economic reforms, and said he would delay naming ministers until the end of 2008.....

"Raúl’s principal domestic challenges are to maintain political control and improve living standards. His international obstacles include improving relations with the US, and maintaining positive relations with Hugo Chávez, while lessening Cuban dependence on Venezuelan oil."

Two Worlds, One Language Through Art

Watch for announcements concerning a major collaboration of the arts in Indy. In addition to an exhibition of more than sixty paintings by the faculty at the Shandong College of Arts in Jinan, China, an entire calendar filled with activities is planned.

It's being held 28 June through 23 August at the Indianapolis Art Center, in collaboration with the Confucius Institute of Indianapolis, Lilly Chinese Culture Network, Asian American Alliance, Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, Indiana Association of Chinese Americans, Indianapolis Chinese Performing Arts and the International Center of Indianapolis.

A Musical Tour of Three Continents

The University of Indianapolis Faculty Artist Series will conclude its 2007-2008 season 7 April with a whirlwind tour of three continents.

The free concert features music of French, Spanish, Hungarian and Argentinean composers, along with the premiere of a newly commissioned work by Assistant Professor John Berners (at right), who teaches music composition at UIndy.

Highlights will include soprano Kathleen Hacker performing the music of Saint-Saëns, Marko Petričić playing works by Soler and Ginastera on the bayan accordion, and the premiere of Berners’ Divertimento for oboe, trombone and string bass. Harry Miedema and friends conclude the evening with a unique jazz rendition of Gershwin’s “Summertime.”

The concert will take place in the Ruth Lilly Performance Hall of the university's Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis. For more information, call 317:788-3255 or visit the website.

Performers include Kathleen Hacker, soprano; Marko Petričić, bayan accordion; David Bellman, clarinet; Cathryn Gross, clarinet; Louise Alexander, violin; Michael Isaac Strauss, viola; Perry Scott, cello; Pamela French, oboe; Blake Schlabach, trombone; Peter Hansen, bass; Richard Ratliff, piano; Harry Miedema, tenor saxophone; Gary Walters, piano; and Jack Helsley, bass.

Former Mexican President Comes to Indiana

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox (left) comes to Indiana for a two-city event on 10 April. First up, an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at the Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis. Then, he'll be in Evansville for two presentations.

Fox leads off the 2008 International Speaker Series sponsored by the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana at the University of Evansville. His keynote address begins at 7 p.m. in the Victory Theatre in Evansville.

In between the Indianapolis lunch and the 7 p.m. speech, he'll talk to U of Evansville students at 4 p.m. in the Shanklin Theatre, followed by a media presentation there at 4:45 p.m.

For information and tickets for the Victory Theatre presentation, contact Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana, 812:488-2455.

Turkish Consul General Speaks in Indy

Kenan Ipek, Consul General of Turkey, will discuss "Turkish Foreign Policy: Orientations, Priorities and Issues" during a presentation from 3-4:30 p.m. tomorrow (27 March) in Room 405 of the Campus Center at Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis, 420 University Boulevard, Indianapolis.

The event is cosponsored by American Turkish Association of Indiana, Turkish Students Association of IUPUI and the Department of Political Science at IUPUI.

Simon Expands in Japan

Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. has opened a 95,000 square foot expansion of the largest outlet center in Japan, reports Inside INdiana Business.

The Gotemba Premium Outlets near Tokyo now totals 485,000 square feet of leaseable area with 200 stores and restaurants. The center is in a tourist area of Japan that has more than 45 million visitors a year.

ISU Inks Pact with South Korean University Today

Indiana State University is signing a memorandum of understanding today with Sungshin Women's University of Seoul, South Korea, according to Inside INdiana Business.

ISU President Lloyd W. Benjamin III (pictured) and Sungshin President Shim Hwa Jin will participate in the signing. The South Korean education official is leading a 35-member delegation to the Terre Haute campus. The memorandum is a one-year agreement to discuss ways the universities can cooperate.

Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal Dance at Purdue

BJM Danse (Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal) will perform two of its signature works in a program at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (26 March)in the Loeb Playhouse of the Purdue Stewart Center, West Lafayette, according to the Purdue News Bureau.

The performance is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of the World Stage series. The program features "MAPA" by choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras, a creation that combines classical ballet and Brazilian popular dance, and "Les Chambres des Jacques," an intimate work from lauded choreographer Aszure Barton. The musical score, which includes classical music, Québécois folk tunes, as well as klezmer, gypsy and Yiddish melodies, provides a canvas for the choreography.

The event includes a pre-show discussion featuring BJM Danse artistic director Louis Robitalle, who will discuss the works to be performed that evening and the aesthetic direction of the company. The talk will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (26 March) in Stewart Center, Room 320, on the Purdue campus.

Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices, 765:494-3933 or 800:914-SHOW. Tickets, also available through Ticketmaster, are $26 for adults and $19 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students.

The date of this performance was changed from its originally scheduled date of 10 April due to a change in the company's touring schedule.

The Poetic Justice of Immigration Law

Prof. Linda Kelly Hill, M. Dale Palmer Professor of Law, Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis, will speak on "The Poetic Justice of Immigration Law" at 1 p.m. Thursday (27 March) in the Wynne Courtroom of the law school.

Professor Hill joined the faculty in the fall of 2002, teaching family law, immigration law, trusts and estates, and conflict of laws. A former faculty member at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Fla., she has written extensively on issues surrounding immigration law as well as domestic violence and the treatment of domestic violence in immigration law.

For more information, contact Shaun Ingram, 317:278-4789.

Dyngus Day in South Bend

Politics and culture collide in northern Indiana on Dyngus Day -- the day after Easter (this year: 24 March). It's a religious holiday in Eastern Europe (especially Poland) that probably has pagan roots. Celebrations are common in the United States in regions with large populations with Polish, Czech and Slovakian heritage.

But, it takes a particular twist in Indiana. According to Wikipedia, "In South Bend, the day is often used to launch the year's political campaign season (particularly among Democrats)- often from within the West Side Democratic Club, the M.R. Falcons Club or in local pubs, where buying drinks is favored over handshaking."

This year, former President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea will visit South Bend on Dyngus Day to kick off Hoosiers for Hillary at the West Side Democratic Club, 617 South Warren Street (time to be announced).

Sounds like a lot more fun than the traditional celebration in Poland, where, early in the morning, boys awaken girls by pouring buckets of water on their heads and then "beat" them on the legs with switches made from willow, birch or decorated tree branches. The "victim" rewards her "attacker" with a decorated egg, then ties a ribbon to the boy's whip -- more ribbons, more bragging rights. (Girls will save the best eggs for the boys they like best.) Women get revenge in the afternoon by pouring a bucket of cold water on the men. Older men are given Třešňovice (cherry brandy) instead of eggs.

UPDATE:
No matter what it says in The Indianapolis Star this morning (22 March), Easter marks the end of Lent, not Dyngus Day!