Need NCBA Board Members
The current Naperville Council for Business and the Arts Board of Directors' terms are coming to an end in February. The Naperville Cultural Center is currently taking applications for the new NCBA Board of Directors. The application form can be found our website at: http://www.naperculture.org/ncba.html.

Volunteer/Internship Opportunities
Be a part of an exciting new social network in your community while providing important services that otherwise would not be available. The Naperville Cultural Center is the only area not for profit that endeavors to engage populations from all walks of life and from all around the world in international cultural arts and language programs, and special events. The Naperville Cultural Center is currently looking for volunteers/interns. You can find our volunteer form at http://www.naperculture.org/Documents/VolunteerApplicationForm.doc. Please contact us at (630) 696-4177 for more information.

Collecting International Books
In order to enrich our knowlege of other cultures around the world, the Naperville Cultural Center is now taking donations of international books in foreign languages for both children and adults to expand our current cultural library collection.

Join The Mosaic Club
Be a part of the new "Mosaic Club" and you can receive a special deal of $20 discount on your next mosaic project! After joining the "Mosaic Club", you will receive a Mosaic Club Punch Card. You can drop in during any of our open studio times to work on a mosaic project of your choice. For each time you spend $20 on a mosaic project, we will punch a hole in your card. Once you have finished the Mosaic Club Punch Card, you will receive an amazing $20 gift certificate for your next mosaic project!

Figurative Drawing On Thursdays
If you enjoy figurative drawing, then come by the Naperville Cultural Center on Thursdays! We offer open studio times every Thursday from 9:30am to 12:00pm. Please contact us at (630) 696-4177 to make your reservations! 20 students maximum.

Indian Dance Class
You now can drop in for our adult Indian Dance classes on every Saturday mornings from 10:00am to 11:00am. Not only is this a great cultural experience, but it is also a fun and exciting way to stay in shape! You can have a great time learning the ways of exotic and graceful Indian Dancing. For more information on the Indian Dance classes, please visit our website at www.naperculture.org or contact the Naperville Cultural Center at (630) 696-4177.

Posted by grumble at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hello everyone! My name is Xiaowen Sabaj, and I am currently attending Bradley University in Peoria, IL studying International Business. Something interesting about me is that I was born and raised in China, and I had just moved to the United States about 7 year ago. One big reason why I chose International Business as a major is that I do want to take advantage of my bicultural, bilingual background and my personal interest in the field of Business/Marketing and hopefully be able to create value to my future employers. Since December of this year, I have been hunting for that "perfect" internship. You know, one that will provide me with a great learning experience and help me get that much closer to my future career goals. Just about a month ago, as I was just surfing on the internet (still looking for that internship), I came across the Naperville Cultural Center's website and saw the help wanted advertisement for a volunteer marketing assistant. I was immediately interested. So, I stopped by the cultural center and had spoken to Will (another wonderful volunteer here, whom just left us because he had just graduated from North Central College). After talking to Will about his experience working here at the cultural center, I was extremely excited that I had finally found that "perfect" internship! I mean, what more can I ask for? The job included various aspects of marketing, communications, accounting (...which I still need some work on), and to top it all off, the volunteers get to work in a multi-cultural atmosphere. So, after meeting with the amazing Michelle LeBlanc (by the way, I am still shocked until this day of how she single handedly started the Naperville Cultural Center, she must be the present day super-woman), here I am - the new intern at the Naperville Cultural Center! Not only will this look absolutely amazing on my resume, but I also feel like I have learned more in the past 3 weeks of working here than I have in 4 years of high school plus 2 years of college! (okay okay... maybe that was an exaggeration, but I am learning a ton about all aspects of running a business.) Anyway, I am so happy that I found this wonderful opportunity!

Until next time,
Xiaowen Sabaj

Posted by grumble at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was invited to join Ray Chinese School in their 2008 Cuisine Fest held at the Muinicipal Building Saturday, May 10th for lunch. What an extraordinary effort the students, teachers and board members made to bring a little Chinese Culture to the public. Mapo, a unique Chinese restaurant located off Naperville Road, demonstrated the art of noodle making and sponsored the lunch with a wide variety of home made noodles, seared fish, rice, vegetables, beef rolls and appetisers. The food was extraordinary. Because I could only stay for a short while, I went to Mapo that evening for dinner only to find that it was packed. A one hour waiting list for take out. I ordered some familiar items and returned in an hour.

Ray's Chinese School offers a number of classes beyond just language. They also offer art, music and martial arts. They have been in existence for 16 years. There is a principal and 9 board members who are in charge of running this school which currently has no permanent home.

I am very impressed by how very genuinely friendly the people are. And I hope to visit the school again during the school year.

Mapo chef making noodles.

The children (and adults) enjoyed multiplying to keep track of how many noodles the one strand could become... and how thin!


A representative from the Chinese Consulate's office came to address the audience. He took some time to speak with Mayor Pradel as well as Katie Wernberg who attended also.

The students put together a very educational display about true Chinese cuisine, it's history, the recipes and the healing properties of some foods.

Posted by grumble at 11:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

School Prayer. Reminder: there is a separation of church and state in this country. That's a good thing. I like it. The problem I detect is that when we took the prayer out of school we washed it clean of thankfulness and the awareness of individual importance. It may sound strange, but these have got to be the two most important things we need to have when living our lives. Social graces and a good self esteem are a result of awareness: we may be small in the big picture, but we are important and we will be responsible. Do the little people know that? Luckily, in the city in which I live most folks are pretty religious so the children are kinda forced - ok, encouraged - to say prayers at home ... in All the variety of beauiful faiths.... and the children need to dress up for special occasions to show pride in themselves and respect for the occasion, and be thankful, and understand God.

Whatever that is... right... so to heart of the matter.

Understanding God is understanding yourself. It IS understanding that you are in control of your destiny to some extent. It's called free will. And that People are important.... that means YOU. Maybe the idea of God also is supposed to help us understand that we are teeny in the 'big picture', but I'm not yet convinced my children get that from weekly service. The pastor is far away, we have to sit in pues, we have to be quiet (because we're supposed to listen).... and it's one dreaded day per week.

Daily, young people these days get carted around from place to place. Sometimes they get to make decisions: where they go or what they participate in. But do they realize their impact? Are they thankful? Are the aware that what they say - both good and bad - will have a butterfly effect on the recipient? They are important. Not just because if you tell your kid - then yea, ok, mom told me I'm important.. blah blah.. ok. I'm important. They really are because they grow up and affect - and will continue to affect - the world around them.

But what is it to be Thankful? What does that mean? It only means what it means to the extent that goes hand in hand with self awareness. Who are we? Afterall we could be grateful for our blessing regardless of what they are: natural talents, a good home, friends, good looks, athletic abilities, insightfulness, innocence.... food on the table. Gas in the car. Thankful for life. Thankful for the unexpected kindnesses and smiles. It's the idea that there is something for everyone. Open yourself to the good things ~ and the good things will find you! Have Faith. Be thank-ful.

So prayer is out of school, but if the students were asked to pause, for example, before tearing into their short 20 minute lunch period. Maybe for a moment of silence and thanks. Maybe if they were given a little time to follow the home rules like washing hands before and after lunch. Maybe save 60 seconds before walking out the door after classes are over to just exchange a last pat on the back to the kids, a thanks, a last smile, an affirmation that a lot happened in the day both good and challenging encouraging these great young people to be thankful for the good, not fear that which is challenging and live a life in grace.

Posted by grumble at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I know I CAN bite my own toes when I get a hang nail..... but Should I?

Posted by grumble at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Want to try something that will make you feel fabulous and look great? Get Groovy with a raw food diet for summer ~ Don't starve yourself! Scarf down yummy oranges and strawberries in the A.M. blueberries and a nice mixed green salada for a mid day munch~ And if you feel so inspired to splurge (Yes, you CAN splurge as a Grazer too!) Check out the Borrowed Earth Cafe for their sun-dried tomatoe dishes, tacos, and chocolate parfait desserts!

It's my happy thouight fo rthe day~ See ya around the hay stack!

Hasta,
Michelle

Posted by grumble at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My name is Will Murray. I am a student at North Central College and I began my life as an intern on April 5th, 2008. Since early September of this year (actually much longer before that) I began looking forward to ending my life as a student and graduating in June with a degree in Psychology. As the list of classes I needed to complete before graduation grew smaller and smaller, my academic advisor informed me I needed to have an internship to graduate and I should try to find one as soon as possible. I thought to myself, “Yeah, yeah. I’ll get on that eventually… I still have several months before I graduate. That’s plenty of time.” Several months later, while assisting my Cultural Psychology Professor with research, she asked me how my internship search was coming along. When I mentioned that I hadn’t thought much about it, she suggested I look at available positions at the Naperville Cultural Center. What a great idea! While I had never been to the center before, I had visited the website and looked at the different programs and classes the center offers. With my strong interest in culture I thought this would be the perfect internship for me. Shortly after I applied to be a volunteer, and here I am! Working in a cross-cultural environment

Posted by grumble at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)