The Ethnic Hoosier��..�August 2003

Published by the Nationalities Council of Indiana

 

You can find us on the Internet at

http://www.nationalitiescouncil.org

(for information about NCI, Indiana and the world)

 

 

President�s Message�.

 

NCI is now an official Indiana 2016 Community, a wonderful program sponsored by Indiana's first lady, Judy O'Bannon. It's recognition of the state's important international communities, and so the honor goes to each of our member organizations for which we serve as a point of contact.

I see in the news that another group has also recognized that we are an international community, because a new anti-immigration group will soon be rearing its ugly head in
Indianapolis. Ironic, because each member of that group is here because he had an immigrant ancestor!  I'd like to think that kids who go to the International Festival and get to know people of different cultures become immunized against the irrational fear that feeds groups like this. One reason they have so little support here is the work we all do! Please join us between 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, 24 August, at the Summer Celebration of Diversity at the Indianapolis City Market to demonstrate, once again, that there is a rich mix of cultures and heritage in our hometown � and we like it!

KUDOS:

  • To The Indianapolis Star for a wonderful profile of the NCI on the 31 July diversity page.
  • To the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Although comparatively few immigrants are food stamp recipients, the USDA has translated all its Food Stamp materials into 28 languages (see www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/translations.htm). Thanks to Gilda Karu of the USDA Food & Nutrition Service for telling us about it so we can spread the word.
  • To Governor Frank O'Bannon, Mayor Bart Peterson and all the other Indiana mayors who have agreed to accept the Matricula Consular from our new Mexican Consulate as a valid ID. This is as win/win as any program ever developed. Despite the rumor mill, nobody gets any special privileges from it: it's just an official, well-researched and well-documented piece of ID that will allow people to open checking accounts who have been carrying their cash around on their person or stashing it in their apartments and becoming victims of crime, often violent, as a result. It also saves steps for law enforcement and other officials. It does NOT serve as primary proof of identity for a driver's license, but is a secondary source, roughly equal to a gas bill.  Nice work by all concerned!

 

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Gene

����������������������������������������������� Eugene Maresca, President

 

Did you know�.

 

Chinese classes for children are offered on Sundays of every semester at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis as an outreach program taught by volunteers? The Chinese School at IUPUI adds an adult class for Fall 2003. Tuition is $100 per semester. See http://www.iupui.edu/~chinese1.

 

Eleven 13 and 14 year old boys from Denmark attended basketball camp in Plainfield last month with the International Sports Exchange headed by former Plainfield high school football coach Kermit Davis?

 

The board of directors of the Hispanic Center/El Centro Hispano has named the following officers: Mario Garcia, president; Enrica Ardemagni, first vice president; Natalie Stucky, second vice president; Brian Knapp, treasurer, and Karen Burns, secretary? Board members include Al Aldridge, Delois Berry, Manuel Gonzalez, Anna Hail, Anita Harden, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and Dr. Wilfredo Torres.

 

"Deutsche Kultur in Amerika", a Fall 2003 400-level course at IUPUI taught in German concentrates on the Midwest, especially Indiana, and includes field trips? Contact Prof. Giles Hoyt, [email protected].

 

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico will offer courses from high school to graduate level beginning next year through a collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis and the university's extension branch in Chicago?

 

Andy Ording, president of Zipp Speed Weaponry (which manufactures some of the world's fastest bicycle wheels in Speedway), is from South Africa? Tyler Hamilton rode Zipp wheels in the Tour de France.

 

Sotiris H. Avgoustis, a native of Cyprus, has been named chairman of the Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis?

 

Anthem Inc. is spending more than $500,000 to launch a leadership training program through the American Institute for Managing Diversity in Indianapolis?

 

 

August�s International Calendar for Indy�

(for more details about these and many other events, see the complete calendar at http://www.nationalitiescouncil.org)

 

1-3: Serb Fest. Saint Sava Serbian Hall, 4101 West 49th Avenue, Hobart. 2: Leiderkranz Summerfest. 5 p.m. $2. German Park, 8600 S. Meridian St.

3: Annual POW Chapel Mass and Picnic of Italian Heritage Society of Indiana and Indiana German Heritage Society. Camp Atterbury, Ind.

11: Regular meeting, Nationalities Council of Indiana. 7 p.m., Willkie Room, Athen�um, 401 East Michigan Street, Indpls. All are welcome.

13: Stammtisch and Program on "German Lutheranism and the Indiana Frontier" by Pastor John Fiene. Indiana German Heritage Society.

13: Regular meeting, Scottish Society of Indianapolis. 6:30 p.m. Indianapolis Firefighters Union Hall, 748 Massachusetts Ave., Indpls.

16: India Independence Day Celebration. Pike Performing Arts Center, Indianapolis. Sponsored by India Association of Indianapolis.

22: "Radha Krishna," a classical Indian ballet. Benefits American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Charitable Foundation.

23: Ambassadair Travel Show. Benefits Ambassadors for Children.

24: Summer Celebration of Diversity. 1-3 p.m. Indianapolis City Market, downtown. Foods and entertainment from around the world. Free.

29: "Polka Jam." 7 p.m. Slovenian Nat'l Home, 2717 W. 10th St., Indpls.

29-31: Oktoberfest of German-American Klub in German Park, Indpls.

31: Indy Slovene Fest Picnic. Slovenian National Home picnic grounds.

 

 

Do you have an item for the next issue of The Ethnic Hoosier?

E-mail: [email protected].Deadline: 29 August 2003