Published: October 14, 2009 10:10 pm         

Valley Briefly: Oct. 18, 2009

Indianapolis

Three Valley men to hold state positions

Indiana Arts Commission serves as a public catalyst, partner and investor in the arts, and serves the citizens of Indiana by funding, encouraging, promoting and expanding the arts. There are 15 gubernatorial appointees. Daniels appointed Jonathan Ford of Terre Haute. Ford is the president of All State Manufacturing.

The mission of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health is to prevent and suppress contagious and infectious diseases among livestock and enhance Indiana’s economy through protecting Hoosiers’ investment in animal agriculture and protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal disease. There are 11 gubernatorial appointments. Daniels appointed veterinarian Dr. Ted Harpold of Rockville.

The state examiner and deputies examine all accounts and financial affairs of every public office and officer, state office, state institution and entity.

The governor appoints one state examiner and two deputy examiners to oversee the State Board of Accounts. Daniels appointments include Bruce Hartman of Rockville.



Terre Haute

Union plans free parenting workshop

Union Hospital’s Maternal Health Clinic is sponsoring a free parenting workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The workshop, staged at the Landsbaum Center, 1433 N. 61/2 St., will feature keynote speaker Pamela Hood who has 28 years of experience caring for mothers, babies and families. There will also be sessions on SIDs, breastfeeding, and panel discussions.

Car seat inspections will begin at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling (812) 238-7301. This workshop is funded by a grant from Eli Lilly; there is no charge to attend.



Terre Haute

CASA introduces new volunteers

Vigo County CASA is proud to introduce 12 new CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers. The primary responsibility of a CASA volunteer is to ensure that the wishes and needs of abused and neglected children do not go unnoticed while they are going through the juvenile court system. The volunteer does this by meeting with the child or children and other persons involved in the child’s life, and writing reports to the court that focus on the best interest of the child.

CASA serves hundreds of abused and neglected children per year, and often there is a list of children waiting for their special volunteer to be assigned.

The new volunteers have undergone extensive background checks, and a 30-hour training curriculum. They are: Barbara Alcock, Rachel Carl, Jerry Lou Jeffers, Carla Kinman, Frank Limas, Deborah Lindley, Catha McCarty, Teri Niebrugge, Teri Parsons, Karen Rothrock, Mary Lou Tenbrink and Frank Young.

Gaining volunteers makes a big impact on the list of children waiting for a volunteer already; however, the need for more CASA volunteers still exists with a range of 35 to 50 children waiting at any given time.

Consider volunteering. If there is enough interest, another training class will be offered in November.



Terre Haute

Next Christmas in April work day set

The next work day for Christmas in April has been scheduled for April 17. Christmas in April is a one-day event designed to repair and rehabilitate the homes of low income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, who are not able to do the work themselves. Repairs are paid for by local sponsors at no cost to qualified homeowners.

Volunteers perform various tasks ranging from carpentry, plumbing, painting, landscaping, weatherization and general cleaning.

Persons interested in receiving an application for assistance must call (812) 231-8190 and leave their name, address and phone number. The deadline is Nov. 8.

Organizations or individuals wanting to volunteer or make a donation to Christmas in April should call the same number.