Did you know that there are more than eight times the number of people in the United States who claim Irish ancestry than there are people living in Ireland today? Most people know about St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, but fewer people are aware that all of March is Irish-American Heritage Month. In honor of the month, the US Census Bureau’s “Facts for Features” column provides interesting statistical information about the Irish in the United States. To learn more about Irish immigration, check out the Library of Congress American Memory site. Patrons can learn about early Irish immigration, the Irish-Catholic experience and even the Irish influence. They also have an interactive map showing where many Irish immigrants settled once they came to the country. The site also features prominent citizens of Irish descent, from Andrew Jackson to Ronald Reagan. For a brief article about various ethnicities in Indianapolis, see the National Park Service’s website.
In Indianapolis, the Irish Festival isn’t until September. However, patrons don’t have to wait until then to learn about the Irish in America and to celebrate their heritage.
Facts for Features: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/013130.html
LOC: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/irish.html
Map: http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/irish_map.html
NPS: http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/indianapolis/ethnicindyessay.htm
Indy Irish Fest: http://www.indyirishfest.com/
INDIANA STADIUM AND CONVENTION BUILDING AUTHORITY
The Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority (ISCBA) was established in 2005 to build the Lucas Oil Stadium; now that Lucas Oil has been built, Indiana has more exciting projects designed to promote the convention industry and stimulate Indiana’s economy. With projects such as the Convention Center expansion and others, the ISCBA has implemented six workshops to help women and emerging minority-owned businesses remain or stay competitive in the construction and building industry. These workshops are being conducted by the ISCBA and in conjunction with the Indiana Construction Roundtable (ICR). In light of the recent stimulus bill, these workshops and roundtables are critical for small businesses in Indiana.
For those who are interested in the progress of the Convention Center expansion and other projects, be sure to check out ISCBA’s website.
Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority: http://www.in.gov/iscba/index.htm
IC 5-1-17: http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title5/ar1/ch17.html
Lucas Oil Stadium: http://www.lucasoilstadium.com/
Workshop Press Release: http://www.in.gov/iscba/files/ISCBA_Workshop_for_Feb__24.doc
Convention Center Expansion Update: http://www.in.gov/iscba/2358.htm
MBE/WBE Initiatives: http://www.in.gov/iscba/2345.htm
NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK
March 1-7 is National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). The goal of NCPW is to promote consumer protection as well as education efforts across the nation. 2009’s theme is “Nuts and Bolts – Tools for Today’s Economy.” Their website has information for both consumers and for businesses and is divided up by topic, including Banking, Investments and Identity Theft & Fraud. It also has information in various formats – viewers can watch videos, listen to audio and also read documents on the topics they are interested in. The site provides links to both government and commercial websites that contain additional information. Outreach toolkits are available for download for those organizations wishing to further promote the week.
You can also visit USA.gov to find consumer protection information. The site has a list of consumer links ranging from topics such as Attorneys General, by State to Workplace Safety Complaints. The United States Postal Inspection Service’s website also gives information about how to protect consumers. It gives detailed information about Ponzi schemes, Identity theft and Charity fraud.
Of course, the Federal Government’s Consumer.gov is always available for citizens to peruse. Here you can find information on a variety of products as well as the latest news as it relates to consumers.
Nuts and Bolts: http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw/index.html
USA.gov: http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Consumer_Safety.shtml
USPIS: https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/
Consumer.gov: http://www.consumer.gov/
TURN UP YOUR SMILE POWER!
You can’t deny it – none of us had perfect teeth when we were children. We might have forgotten to brush, we might have been afraid of the dentist, and we might have had cavities. Most children need special encouragement when it comes to dental health. While Saturday is technically the last day of the American Dental Association’s National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), we can still remain vigilant in March by getting the children we know and love to take care of their teeth. Put up posters around the library and hand out activity sheets especially for kids on How to Brush, How to Floss, and Parts of a Tooth. Check out the Healthy Smile Certificates for Youth and Teens. These are all available on the NCDHM website. The Indiana State Department of Health also provides information on Caring for your baby’s mouth, Oral Health in Children, and a Tooth Arrival Chart.
ADA, National Children’s Dental Health Month: http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp
Indiana State Department of Health, Toddler Tidbits: Caring for your baby’s mouth: http://www.in.gov/isdh/18719.htm
Tooth Arrival Chart: http://www.in.gov/isdh/18715.htm
Oral Health in Children: http://www.in.gov/isdh/19603.htm
by Katharine Springer, Elisabeth O’Donnell, & Kimberly Brown-Harden