Comes 2017 SPRING BREAK CAMP
Comes 2017 SPRING BREAK CAMP
March 27 – 31, 9 AM – 4 PM
Spend Spring Break exploring Evansville’s treasures! Campers will spend one day each at five of the area’s best day camp destinations: Angel Mounds, cMoe, the Evansville Museum, Mesker Park Zoo, and Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve.
Camp includes discounts for members of host organizations, a central drop-off location each day, camp T-shirt, and morning / afternoon snacks (parents provide lunch).
For children ages 5 – 11 (campers must be enrolled in kindergarten). Extended care available. For more information, call 812 479-0771 x102 or download a brochure and registration form below.
Ivy Tech Community College Celebrates Disability Awareness Month
Evansville, Ind..- Ivy Tech Community College Southwest will celebrate Disability Awareness Month with events throughout the month of March.
All events will take place at the Evansville main campus on First Avenue, and are free and open to the public.
Events include:
March 6, 2017: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.in the Koch Student Center (Commons).
Trivia game with prizes, TED Talk video viewing with Comedian Stella Young, free popcorn and drinks.
March 20, 2017: Noon in the Koch Student Center (Commons)
Unveiling of the displays depicting the inclusion of disabilities across our campus.
March 23, 2017: Noon-1 p.m. in the Lamkin Center for Learning and Student Success (Room 228).
“From Surviving to Thriving: Trauma, College Life, and the Brain.†Presented by Camilla Swain-LeDoux, associate professor, SI coordinator and one-on-one tutoring coordinator
and Leah Davis, disability support coordinator.
March 29, 2017: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Vectren Auditorium.
Screening of the film Invitation to Dance, and wrap up Disability Awareness Month with a Dance Party in the Koch Student Center (Commons) at 12:30 p.m. led by the Children’s Center for Dance Education!
Town Hall Mob Explodes at the Name of Jesus
Town Hall Mob Explodes at the Name of Jesus
A group of enraged protesters exploded in anger after a chaplain prayed in the name of Jesus at a town hall meeting in Louisiana hosted by U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.
The verbally-abusive crowd also heckled a Vietnam War veteran who attempted to lead the group in the pledge of allegiance.
It was one of the most heinous acts of un-American, anti-Christian behavior I’ve ever seen, folks.
Louisiana State chaplain Michael Sprague and the unidentified Vietnam War veteran should be commended for maintaining their composure in the face of such verbal barbarism.
The Feb. 22 town hall meeting in Metairie, was quickly overrun by the angry mob – much like other town hall meetings hosted by Republican lawmakers across the country.  The Mainstream Media would have us believe the unruly demonstrations are part of an organic, grassroots effort.
But I sincerely doubt many in the mob were actually residents of Louisiana – because I know the good people of Louisiana and nobody behaves like that in the Bayou State.
Folks are raised right in Cajun Country. There’s no way anybody would embarrass their mommas by acting the fool in public.
I’d be willing to bet a cup of Community Coffee that the Jesus-Hating rabble-rousers were shipped in from some God-forsaken place like Berkeley or Brooklyn.
Chaplain Sprague had barely invoked the name of the Almighty when the heckling began. “Pray on your own time. This is our time,†someone shouted. “Amen. Let’s get on with it.† Others chanted, “Separation of church and state†and so on and so forth. Someone filmed the prayer and words do not do justice to the amount of hate directed at the chaplain.
“I’ve never been shouted down throughout a time of prayer like that,†Chaplain Sprague told me. “I’ve never been in a situation like that. It’s sad there wasn’t honor and respect for God.â€
But they became absolutely unhinged when he concluded his prayer in the name of Jesus.
“Wow, they booed the name of Jesus,†Cassidy said in remarks reported by the Times Picayune.
I thought several of the agitators were going to spontaneously combust.
The chaplain said the overwhelming majority of people in the room were causing a disruption – but he harbors no ill will toward the mob.
“I’m not mad at people. My heart is bigger than that,†he said. “My heart’s prayer is that everybody be treated with dignity and respect.â€
The chaplain was especially disappointed by how the mob insulted the Vietnam War veteran.
“There was a lot of shouting. Some turned their backs. Many didn’t stand or put their hand on their heart,†he said. Infuriating, but not surprising
As I wrote in “The Deplorables’ Guide to Making America Great Again†liberals have a strong aversion to President Trump, Jesus and Old Glory.
But I still have hope in America.
Is it possible that liberals will one day pledge allegiance to the flag instead of burn the flag? Is it possible that liberals will one day revere the name of Jesus? Is it possible that liberals will one day respect President Trump?
It is possible, but to be honest – it would take a miracle of biblical proportions — a yuge miracle.
4th Annual Eco-Science Fair
April 21, 2017
Deadline to apply April 1, 2017
Innovative Hoosier students are invited to get involved in becoming the solution to global climate issues. Students can submit science fair projects on a range of topics including aquaculture, vermiculture, composting, social awareness, urban farming, alternative fuel, and recycling initiatives in their schools and communities. Scholarships are awarded to winners across age categories.
Click here for the application. Completed applications may be sent to Katelyn Coyne, Public Programs Developer at KCoyne@indianamuseum.org
Skill Up Classes Kick Off Monday A.M.
First Day of Skill Up Classes; Manufacturing companies on hand to meet students
Monday, March 6 – 7:45-8:30 a.m.
Where: Room 164, Ivy Tech Community College
3501 N. First Avenue, Evansville
Background:
Students to Get Paid to Learn; Potential for Job Offer Through New Manufacturing Program
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Skill UP Indiana!, a unique manufacturing program allowing students to learn and earn, will begin classes Monday morning, thanks to the collaboration of local industry, community, education, and business partners in the newly created Southwest Indiana Workforce Coalition (SWIWC). Skill UP is designed to educate and inform students, and will pay students $12.50 per hour during their entire enrollment in the 11-week program, which includes five weeks of class time (40 hours per week) as well as 6 weeks of on-the-job learning training, and potential for direct hire with local companies.
“We are excited to spearhead this initiative that can potentially change the way employers hire in the future,†Weinzapfel said. “Giving potential employees the opportunity to learn skills and habits essential to the manufacturing workforce will hopefully have a positive hiring, retention, and advancement impact for local business and industry.†Targeted participants include high school youth, and unemployed/underemployed adult workers. Ivy Tech is continuing to take applications for future classes. The application can be found at www.ivytech.edu/skillup.
In late 2016, Ivy Tech Southwest received a grant for the Skill UP Indiana! Program totaling $666,506 from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to provide sector-focused training and education programs for in-demand occupations in the Southwest region. Skill UP will focus on this region’s third largest area for employment opportunities – advanced manufacturing. Manufacturing in Southwest Indiana is expected to grow by 5.8% during the next decade and the field is experiencing a gap in employment due to the aging workforce and brain drain within existing talent; a challenged work ethic of incoming generations, as well as high turnover of under-skilled, uninformed workers, and misperceptions regarding manufacturing work. Regional employers have expressed a need for programs outside of the standard post-secondary education academic model to train and retrain workers in order for their sector to maintain a competitive edge in an every changing marketplace.
Weinzapfel said that the Indiana Chamber’s most recent annual employer workforce survey noted that 45% of jobs remain unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants.
“The SWIWC is committed to educating and preparing this region’s middle to high school youth and adult workers through educational and experiential training; as well as development and personal empowerment to generate a thriving employee in the advanced manufacturing industry,†said Bo Drake, executive director of workforce development.
SWIWC partners include:Â ORG CHEM Group, BWX Technologies, Inc., FLANDERS, Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana, Koch Enterprises, Inc., Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Toyota Boshoku Indiana, LLC., Wabash Plastics, Berry Plastics, Mead Johnson Nutrition, WorkOne Southwest, and Ivy Tech Community College Southwest. Additional opportunities for other business and industry involvement is available.
Junior Achievement of Southwest Indiana is creating an Advanced Manufacturing curriculum to be delivered in area schools to help create awareness in the types of jobs and careers in the field, Drake said.
“The Southwest Indiana Workforce Coalition has developed an expansive plan for Southwest Indiana to not only educate students in manufacturing, preparing them for good paying jobs available in industry in our communities – but also to compensate them during these class times, so that they can continue to meet their personal and family needs,†Weinzapfel said.
Through the New Hoosier Apprenticeship Model, a combination of training, education, career counseling, group activities, and on-the-job learning, will take place with the goal of improving employee retention and reduce turnover from the misaligned and temporary workforces.
Training will include:
- Fundamental workforce skills – also referred to as soft skills
- OSHA 10-hour general industry certification – teaching safety awareness and reducing jobsite hazards
- Southwest Indiana Manufacturing Training, also referred to as Manufacturing Skills Standards Certification (MSSC) – this is a nationally recognized certification, which can be used toward 6 credit hours of a college Advanced Manufacturing Certificate at Ivy Tech
- On-the-job work – the participant will work for 6 weeks, 40 hours per week, at a manufacturer.
Interviews will be available with employers and students.
Contacts at the event: Bo Drake, executive director for workforce alignment at Ivy Tech; Glen Muehlbauer, vice president of Human Resources for Koch Enterprises.
ST. MARY’S WELLNESS CENTER TO HOLD TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS SAMPLER CLASS
(Evansville, IN) – St. Mary’s Wellness Center will hold a four-week “Tai Chi for Arthritis Sampler & Refresher†class beginning the first week of April. Shortened from the standard 8-week program, this four week class is designed to be a sampler experience for new students and an opportunity for current students to deepen their skills.
This course is supported by the Arthritis Foundation as a safe and effective way to ease the symptoms of arthritis – including pain, depression, and decreased range of motion. It is designed to be easy and enjoyable for people of all ages, physical conditions, and experience levels.
The cost is $25 for all four classes. Registration is required by Thursday, March 30. Certified Instructors are Mike Goebel and Susan Reid and class is held at St. Mary’s Wellness Center at Epworth Crossing. Class times are:
- Mondays from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., April 3 – April 24
- Thursdays from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., April 6 – April 27
Please call 812-485-5725 to reserve your spot. Other class listings are available at StMarysEpworth.com/classes.
Help us welcome Emily & Matt!
We are happy to announce Emily Daniels and Matt Humm as the newest additions to Team Messer. We are excited about the energy and expertise Emily and Matt will add to our team as we continue to share our positive message rooted in conservative principles.
Emily Daniels comes to Team Messer after serving as campaign manager for Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN2).  Previously, she worked on Capitol Hill as a scheduler and legislative aide. She was Deputy Campaign Manager and Finance Director in 2014 and a Field Director in 2012 for Rep. Walorski.  Daniels also worked for Gridiron Communications and has advised various state and local campaigns. Daniels is from South Bend and a graduate of Bethel College. She is also an alumna of the Lugar Series, Women’s Campaign School at Yale, and RNC Campaign Management School.
Matt Humm, of Hamilton County, Indiana has been working on political campaigns since graduating college in 2010.  In 2015, Humm managed Mayor Winnecke’s re-election campaign in Evansville, the first time a Republican had been re-elected as mayor of the city in 40 years.  In 2016, he worked as the political director for Todd Young’s successful U.S. Senate campaign, leading a grassroots effort that mobilized 1300 volunteers to make 2 million voter contacts.
Please help us welcome Emily and Matt!
USI salvages a doubleheader split at Trevecca
The University of Southern Indiana baseball salvage a doubleheader split with Trevecca Nazarene University Saturday afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee. USI, which goes to 3-5 to start the year, lost the opener, 6-3, but bounced back to take the series finale, 9-3. Trevecca finishes the day, 4-9.
Game 1:
The Screaming Eagles posted a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, but saw Trevecca outscore USI 6-1 over the next six-and-a-half innings and lost the opener, 6-3. USI was led in the opener by junior designated hitter Nathan Kuester (Rockport, Indiana), who was two-for-four with two runs scored, two RBIs, and first inning two-run home run.
On the hill, sophomore right-hander Kyle Griffin (Morganfield, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles. Griffin (0-3) allowed five runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out six over 3.2 innings of work.
Sophomore right-hander Austin Krizan  (Mt. Vernon, Indiana) followed Griffin to the mound, going 3.1 innings and allowing a run on five hits. Junior right-hander Mitchell Powers (Newburgh, Indiana) finished the game on the mound for the Eagles with a scoreless eighth.
Game 2:Â
USI junior rightfielder Grant Malott (New Castle, Indiana) and Kuester hit home runs as the Eagles broke a two-game skid by posting a 9-3 win to salvage a victory in the nigntcap and the series with Trevecca. The Eagles scored seven times in the first three innings and added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to close out the 9-3 victory.
Malott went two-for-three with two runs scored, two RBIs, and a home run in the victory, while Kuester was two-for-four with two runs scored and his second home run of the doubleheader. Junior third baseman Sam Griggs (Evansville, Indiana) also had three hits in four at-bats, scoring twice in the win.
On the mound, senior right-hander Mike Ringer (Springfield, Illinois) picked up the win in relief. Ringer (1-0) went 2.1 innings, allowing a walk and striking out three.
USI senior right-hander Lucas Barnett (Silver Creek, Indiana) started the game for the Eagles, giving up two runs on two runs on four hits and three walks. Barnett also struck out three in his 3.2 innings of work.
After USI returns to Evansville on Saturday, the Eagles return to the road Tuesday and Wednesday when they play in the Perfect Game Spring Swing in Marietta, Georgia. The USI opponent on Tuesday is still to be determined, while it will play Young Harris College Wednesday at 3 p.m. (CST).
The Eagles come back to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field March 10-12 for a three-game non-conference series with Drury University. Game times for single games each day are 5 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday; and noon Sunday.
USI Softball Tops Cedarville, Falls To MSU Mankato
 University of Southern Indiana Softball settled for a split to the opening day of The Spring Games Saturday as the No. 13 Screaming Eagles defeated Midwest Region foe Cedarville University, 9-2, before suffering a 2-1 setback to Minnesota State University Mankato.
USI (8-2) returns to action Sunday when it takes on the University of Minnesota Duluth at 2:30 p.m. (CST) and Midwest Region foe Ashland University at 5 p.m.
Southern Indiana (8-2): 9, Cedarville (2-2): 2
Senior catcher Haley Hodges (Portage, Indiana) hit her 36th career home run as the Screaming Eagles earned a 9-2 win over Midwest Region foe Cedarville to open The Spring Games. Hodges, who is just two home runs shy of matching Rachel Bowling’s all-time school record of 38, went 2-of-4 at the plate with the home run, a double and three RBIs.
After senior shortstop Lexi Reese (Lebanon, Indiana) had an RBI-single in the first inning, the Eagles used a two-out rally to plate five runners in the bottom of the second inning and build a commanding 6-0 lead.
Sophomore second baseman Claire Johnson (Pittsboro, Indiana) began the rally with a two-out triple, her second of the year, while sophomore utility player Caitlyn Bradley (Forest, Indiana) pushed the first run across with an RBI-single.
USI capitalized on a pair of errors to push across three more runs, while Hodges’ RBI-double completed the two-out rally for the Eagles.
Cedarville (2-2) answered with a pair of runs in the third inning, but Hodges’ two-run home run in the fourth inning stole momentum away from the Yellow Jackets and put the Eagles up, 8-2.
Bradley (2-0), who earned the win in the pitcher’s circle, drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning to cap off the Eagles’ scoring. Bradley scattered the two runs along with eight hits, a pair of walks and four strikeouts throughout seven innings as she earned the complete-game victory.
Minnesota State Mankato (9-3): 2, Southern Indiana:Â
Minnesota State Mankato (9-3) took advantage of a lead-off error and three first-inning walks to score a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning. Those tallies held up as the Mavericks handed the Eagles a 2-1 setback Sunday afternoon.
USI was held without a hit throughout the first four innings, but a single by senior outfielder Grace Clark (Indianapolis, Indiana) broke up the no-hitter.
The Eagles rallied in the seventh inning as an RBI-single by Johnson cut MSU Mankato’s lead in half with one out. MSU Mankato pitcher Coley Ries, however, got back-to-back strikeouts to quell the Eagles’ surge. Ries (5-1), who had 14 strikeouts, earned the win after allowing just one run off three hits.
Sophomore pitcher Courtney Atkisson (Bringhurst, Indiana) took the loss for the Eagles after allowing two unearned runs in 1 1/3 innings of work. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt (Louisville, Kentucky) finished the game, holding the Mavericks scoreless off four hits through 4 2/3 innings.