posted Feb 11, 2012 2:59 PM by Andrew Jones
Esl Classes are starting again on Feb 28th. Classes will be held every Tues and Thurs at 6-8pm at the Valparaiso International Center at 309 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso In 46383.
Please Call 219-464-1122 to register for the classes.
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posted Jan 17, 2012 9:58 AM by Andrew Jones
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updated Jan 17, 2012 9:59 AM
]
Friday,
1.27.12
@
7-8:30 pm
Come listen to Osmo Paavola give
an overview of Scandinavia and his home country of
Finland. Learn about the different
customs, histories, and the more equal societies of Finland and Sweden.
Key Speaker
Osmo Paavola Osmo Paavola emigrated to Sweden from Finland
in 1969 after having completed military
service at 19. He came to Chicago and USA in 1976 and for the last 30+ years has worked in IT, as a Business Applications Architect. He moved from the Chicago area to Valpo in 1994. |
posted Jan 13, 2012 3:50 PM by Andrew Jones
This week as we all dive head first into the new years resolutions and making a difference in our lives The Welcome Mat would like to highlight Asha Handicrafts, a fair trade company making a difference in the lives of many artisans in India. By investing in products made with a wide variety of materials, Asha Handicrafts is able to harness a broad spectrum of giftedness in India, and in particular has supported work opportunities for women and education.
Since 1975, this innovative company has been giving marketing support to different groups of small producers and craftsman cooperatives in order to aid small scale producers. It houses two separate divisions, one overseeing trade, and the other overseeing welfare programs including training activities and producer development. Asha pays for products in advance, and orders from the artisans directly so as to minimize debt accumulation on behalf of the artisans. And by providing training and teaching facilities, Asha is able to empower more and more artisans, continuing the positive effect in the community, as well as the diversity of their products.
Asha artisans work in wood, metal, cloth, bone, stone, ceramics, and paper mache and produces products of other kinds such as incense and chutney. Jewelry, musical instruments, food products; Asha helps develop and sell such a wide variety of things that it is hard to imagine there not being something for everyone. By developing in different parts of India, Asha is able to support pieces that have been produced by those local people for centuries. Such as the leather work of Rajasthan or Beads from the Indus Valley  Civilization or as we've spoken of before in this blog, the block printing of Jaipur. On their website, Asha Handicrafts introduces you to a few of the artisans whose handiwork they employ. While each group employs many artisans and workers who create the beautiful pieces unique to their local cultures, one group in particular embodies the fair trade spirit through its equal opportunity endeavors. The Women's India Trust (WIT) is a non-governmental self-help organization for the women of India. WIT helps to educate and train women so they can gain employment in several fields such as nursing, screen printing, and even catering and food processing. They can also receive training as teachers for Balwadi, an education program for children providing them with a good foundation for further education when they get older. At any time there is at least 100 students in Balwadi schooling.
Asha Handicrafts does more than just buy products at fair prices. They empower small scale artisans of India to compete in the mainstream global economy, and continue to make further progress in the developing the equality of and equal opportunity for women, as well as the development of education. It is companies like this that is continuing to make fair trade a beneficial movement for global society. |
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posted Dec 8, 2011 12:30 PM by Andrew Jones
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updated Dec 8, 2011 12:31 PM
]
Free handcrafted holiday card Sun. Dec. 11: 11a-5p Free newspaper gift bag Sat. Dec. 17: 9a-8p Free sustainable notebook Sun. Dec. 18: 11a-5p Free 1.5 oz. chocolate bar Fri. Dec. 23: 9a-8p 5% off purchase
With purchase of $10 or more. Limit one per customer. Valid in store only. |
posted Oct 31, 2011 8:39 AM by Andrew Jones
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updated Oct 31, 2011 8:40 AM
]
Soccer
Parents and Players… Don’t throw away your old soccer
cleats, jerseys, balls, shorts or other gear.
Please
support this local organization, founded by two current NWI United Soccer
Players (Steven Gerry and Michael Gerry), and consider donating your lightly
used equipment to ReCleats. ReCleats was established in 2011 as a
non-profit organization to provide youth soccer players across the globe with
new and lightly used sports equipment. The emphasis is on communities
which are under served or where economic conditions are weak and youth sports
equipment is essentially seen as a luxury. 100% of the funds and gear
will go to the target groups. No management fees, salaries, or any other
benefit will flow to the directors, leadership or volunteers. This will
remain a community driven organization. Our
first collection will be heading to Costa Rica, with the support and
coordination of the Valparaiso International Center.
In general the premise is that most soccer gear does not get worn out, it needs
repetitive replacement due to child growth. In the United States
especially, the tendency is to discard these items. The underlying
desire of the program is to teach American Youth that manufactured goods have a
very long life and that even though a product is not brand new, it still may be
of great value to someone in the broader world community.
Soccer is the worlds’ most popular
sport, so it’s a natural way to connect children across cultural boundaries and
the organization provides an opportunity for youth to become engaged in a
worthy community driven program. There are many life lessons available
through the implementation and outcome of this project for those who donate and
for those who receive the goods. The
launch and direction of the program locally will be managed by two local boys,
both long time youth soccer players, Steven and Michael Gerry. Please
join with us in supporting a fantastic cause for all involved. Drop off all soccer equipment at the Valparaiso International Center during our hours. Mon-Fri: 10:30-6:00pm, Sat: 10:30-5:00pm |
posted Oct 11, 2011 2:44 PM by Andrew Jones
Friday, October 28 · 7:00pm - 8:30pm, at the VIC!
Come listen to Surjit Patheja give an overview of the country of Burma and trace his family’s steps through the country since they moved from India, then Pakistan, to seek a better future. He will also lead a discussion on the country's most recent changes.
About our Speaker: Surjit Patheja is a retired Radiologist. He was raised and educated in Burma. He owned and operated a family practice in Burma till he immigrated to the USA in June 1964 after the Army revolution. Surjit has lived in Valparaiso since 1970. He practiced at Porter Hospital till he retired in 2002. He and his wife Mindy have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
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posted Oct 5, 2011 3:47 PM by Andrew Jones
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updated Oct 5, 2011 9:34 PM
]
The Welcome Mat held it's Grand Opening earlier this month and by all accounts it was a tremendous success. Thanks to some tasty food, a fun evening of  fair trade shopping, and a great speaker event The Welcome Mat's Grand Opening was a fun night. We were pleased to see many new faces at that evenings 4th Friday Series: Focus on India. As Valparaiso Chamber Members, The Welcome Mat held a small Chamber Ribbon Cutting to introduce the store to Valpo's business community. Below are links to the original releases of the events, as well as some great photos. Chamber Ribbon Cutting Album
In Addition we wanted to share link to a radio interview about the VIC and the Welcome Mat on WVLP 98.3 here in Valpo that had just been released. For those of you that might have missed the original broadcast it is available below.
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posted Sep 20, 2011 9:37 AM by Andrew Jones
Indian Economics
Success. The past 2 decades have
radically changed the Indian economic landscape. High growth rates, rising income, improving
standards of living and a general sense of optimism permeates Indian society. Yet at the same time, there is trepidation
about the problems facing India and its capacity to overcome them. I will focus on the India’s recent economic
history and events relating to the economic liberalization policy.
Professor Raman received his B.A. in
economics from Bombay University, M.A. in economics from Fordham University,
and Ph.D. in economics from the University of Notre Dame.
He joined the
Valparaiso University faculty in 1995 and has taught courses such as principles
of Economics, International Economics, Development Economics and Intermediate
Economic Theory. His research interest focuses on economics of liberalization,
market reforms and their impact on economies (India, Mexico and China), and role
of the State in economic development |
posted Sep 7, 2011 2:06 PM by Andrew Jones
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updated Sep 7, 2011 2:21 PM
]
The Welcome
Mat, NWI’s newest retail store, invites the community to its Grand Opening on
September 23, 2011. The Welcome Mat isn’t like any other retail store – it’s
the first international fair-trade store in NWI and it’s a tax-free nonprofit
initiative of The Valparaiso International Center (The VIC).
On Friday,
September 23, The Welcome Mat will have extended hours from 9 AM – 9 PM.
Throughout
the day customers will enjoy 10% off purchases and will receive a free recycled
newspaper tote with each purchase (while supplies last).
Starting at
6 PM, The Welcome Mat will serve delicious tapas from the first and only
Spanish restaurant in Indiana, Don Quixote. A $3 donation per plate is
suggested. There will be outdoor seating on Valparaiso Street, which will be
blocked off for the occasion, under a tent lit with colorful string
lights.
At 7 PM
dinner will conclude and everyone will be invited to turn their attention
towards guest speaker Valparaiso University professor and Indian native,
Shankar Raman, for The VIC’s September “4th Friday Series” event, Focus on India. Hot tea will be served
$1 a bag, BYOM (bring your own mug). (Disposable cups will be available for
those that do not bring their own mug). The Welcome
Mat had its soft opening on July 15, 2011 and has been wonderfully received by
the community. Customers often note the beautiful variety, the astoundingly
reasonable prices, and the fascinating rich stories that come with every
product.
The Welcome
Mat Grand Opening is open to the general public. Food and giveaways are
first-come first-served.
Also, starting
now till September 23, enter to win a handmade Thai stool when you 1) “Like”
The Welcome Mat on Facebook (www.facebook.com/valpowelcomemat), 2) Follow The Welcome Mat on
Twitter (www.twitter.com/valpowelcomemat), and/or 3) Join The Welcome Mat
mailing list (Facebook page tab, “Like Us!”). Each counts as one ticket for the
drawing, so do all three to maximize your chances! The winner will be announced
through e-mail and social media the day after the Grand Opening! |
posted Jul 16, 2011 12:02 PM by Andrew Jones
 This Sunday the 17th at 1:30pm
At Uptown Cafe!
1400 E Lincolnway Valparaiso, IN |
Free Food and Drinks while they last! Join us as we watch the Women's World Cup with International students from Mongolia and Pakistan!! |
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110016539094387 |
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