Henry Torres keynote speaker for launch of IT association
Henry Torres, director, Interactive Teaching and Technology Center (ITTC), recently served as the keynote speaker for the launch of the Silicon Hollow Association, a new non-profit group. The Silicon Hollow Association will focus on marketing eastern and south-central Kentucky as an IT and computing science outsource destination. The Silicon Hollow Association was officially launched at an event and luncheon Monday, June 21, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky. Torres was instrumental in the founding of Rural Sourcing Inc., a software outsourcing company upon which the Silicon Hollow Association is modeled. During its first two years in business, Rural Sourcing, Inc. had more than $1.2 million in sales. Torres’s address was "Rural America: An Alternative to IT Outsourcing." The Silicon Hollow Association, founded by several IT companies and the Center for Rural Development at Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, and Ashland Community and Technical College, is a network of IT and computing science firms based in eastern and south central Kentucky. The association’s two main goals are marketing the skills and expertise of member businesses, and utilizing the association’s diverse skills and expertise to businesses needing help in IT, computing science and marketing. For more information about the event and the Silicon Hollow Association, visit the Silicon Hollow Association (www.siliconhollowky.org) online.

ASU Museum receives $150,000 grant from institute
The ASU Museum will receive $150,000 in a Museums for America (MFA) grant, awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). 178 museums across the country will receive the Museums for America (MFA) grants. These museums, chosen from 510 applicants, represent 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Grants will support high-priority activities that advance the missions and strategic goals of these museums, helping them to serve the public more effectively. The ASU Museum will target children (Pre-K through eighth grade) in rural communities of northeast Arkansas by creating interactive exhibits that enrich existing collections-based exhibits on the history and natural history of the region. The eleven hands-on exhibits, which will include a Plot a Basket weaving station and an activity to match animal songs to the correct animal, will connect people with their history and will support curriculum standards in social studies, math, and language arts. The museum will hire a full-time educator to oversee public delivery of programs associated with the new interactive modules and to collect data to evaluate the project’s impact. Complementary programs to the exhibits will include a traveling suitcase exhibit, teacher in-service, scout patch, a children’s illustrated history of Arkansas, and monetary support for school field trips. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. Museums for America is the largest museum grant program administered by IMLS. For details, contact Dr. Marti Allen, director, ASU Museum, ext. 2074. Visit the ASU Museum online for information on current exhibits and educational programs, collections, membership, or to print a 2010 Museum Events calendar. 

ASU pottery sale begins July 22 at the Edge
The ASU Pottery Guild is holding its annual summer pottery sale at the Edge Coffee House, 1900 Aggie Road, beginning Thursday, July 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The sale continues Friday, July 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, July 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Summer Children's Theatre presents 'Pippi Longstocking'
The Arkansas State University Theatre will close the 2010 ASU Summer Children’s Theatre season with "Pippi Longstocking" by Wesley Van Tassell, arranged and adapted from the stories of Astrid Lindgren. Pippilotta Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim’s Daughter Longstocking is the strongest girl in the world and a beloved heroine of children's fiction. All performances will be held at Fowler Center. Performance dates are Wednesday, July 28, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Thursday, July 29, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Friday, July 30, at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. All seating is reserved, and tickets for reserved seating may be purchased in advance at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center or by calling 972-ASU1. Tickets are also available online. Reserved seating tickets (if available) may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance. Ticket prices for ASU Theatre’s 2009 Summer Children’s Theatre performances are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. This production of "Pippi Longstocking" is sponsored by the Golden Grotto and the ASU Theatre Guild, a community support group of the ASU Theatre program. For details, see the NewsPage release.

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