by Brenda Raymond-Ball

Families Thru International Adoption Events

FTIA Families Educational Seminar

All FTIA families, pre and post adoption, are welcome to join us on Saturday, September 18 from 12:30-3:30 pm at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cincinnati for the seminar "Parenting to Promote Attachment" presented by Dr. Gregory Keck. For more information, email ohio@ftia.org or call 513-794-1515.

Informational Seminars

Saturday, September 11, 2004 - Ascension Lutheran/Cincinnati, 10:00 - 11:30 am

Thursday, September 30, 2004 - Vineyard Church of Columbus, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Thursday, October 21, 2004 - Southminster Presbyterian Church/Dayton, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

For details visit the Seminar Schedule on our FTIA website.

Adoption / Parenting Events

International Adoption Workshops--Adoption Education Center of Greater Dayton
Educational workshops for families preparing to adopt internationally will be offered throughout the year. Workshop #1 includes information regarding institutionalization, child development, attachment and bonding, heritage and cultural issues and adjustment and transition, and will be offered September 18. Workshop #2 includes understanding the lifelong journey of adoption, building family identity, core issues and talking about adoption, and will be offered Aug 21 and October 16. For more information contact Lynn Wenstrup at the Adoption Education Center at 937-438-3073 or email her at lwenstrup@woh.rr.com.

Abroad & Back--Attachment & Bonding Center of Ohio-Cleveland Office
On Friday, August 13 and Saturday, August 14 in Cleveland, the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio is presenting "Abroad & Back". Three sessions will cover Orphanage Life; Attachment: It Takes Time; and Adoption-Bringing Your Child Home is Just the Beginning! Please contact Regina Kupecky at 440-230-1960, ext. 5 or reginku@msn.com for more information.

Medical Issues in Adoption from China--Cincinnati
Dr. Debbi Borchers will present this topic on August 14 to prepare waiting families for travel to China and to help new families with any adjustment issues upon their return to the U.S. For more information please visit www.fcc-cincinnati.org.

Adoption Academy--Columbus Children's Hospital
The Academy will offer educational programs for prospective adoptive parents through three tracks: The CORE Track, beginning September 8, will examine issues all prospective adoptive parents need to address; the Domestic Track, beginning September 29, is for those interested in adopting children in the United States; and the International Track, beginning October 27, is for those interested in adopting abroad. For more information please call 614-722-4949, or visit the following websites www.columbuschildrens.com or www.law.capital.edu/adoption.

Jane Brown's Parent & Children's Workshop--Columbus
On October 1-3, children will be given the opportunity to explore adoption issues with Jane Brown through playshops. Ms. Brown will then meet with the parents to discuss observations from the playshops and offer advice for handling various issues. For more information please visit cofwcc.tripod.com.

2004 Tri-State Fair & Conference--Northern Kentucky
Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana public and private adoption and foster care agencies who represent children for special needs, international, open and foster parent adoptions will be present at the Fair on October 30 to answer your questions and to provide you with information about their programs. The "Celebrating Families" Conference portion will offer a keynote speaker, lunch and workshop sessions covering both pre and post adoption topics. Come find out what resources are available to help you along the way! For more information please visit www.tristateadoptionfair.com.

Cultural Events

Dinosaur Dynasty: Dinosaur Discoveries from China--Columbus
See real dinosaur bones including 20 skeletons! China holds the history of dinosaurs. This exhibit will be on display from May 7 thru September 6 at the COSI Museum in Columbus. For more information please visit www.cosi.org.

Sabrina's Children's Language Class--Columbus
Central Ohio Families with Children from China (COFCC) is sponsoring classes for children of all ages to learn about Chinese vocabulary, games, and culture on August 7 and 21. For more information call 614-470-3870.

Mahjong Game Nights--Cincinnati
FCC-Greater Cincinnati is sponsoring Mahjong Game Nights. Come and learn how to play the "National game of China" on August 28. For more information please visit www.fcc-cincinnati.org.

Pan-Asian Cultural Festival--Kettering
Come enjoy Asian traditional dancing, music,and crafts on August 15 at Lincoln Park in Kettering. For more information please visit www.fraze.com.

Halupki Festival--Marblehead
Celebration of Carpatho-Russian foods and music will take place on August 15 at the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church in Marblehead. This festival will feature traditional food, polka music and dancing, children activities, games, and much more. For more information please visit www.marbleheadpeninsula.com.

Israeli-Russian Festival--Loveland
Food, music, crafts, and cultural activities will be provided by Beth Messiah Messianic Synagogue in Loveland on August 22. For more information please call (513) 683-8817.

India Festival--Columbus
The annual India Festival will be held on September 11 in Columbus and will celebrate the art, food, music, and culture of India. It will provide a place to embrace diversity and learn more about the people from India who call Ohio their home. For more information please visit www.indiafestival.org.

Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival--Cleveland
The 6th annual Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival is scheduled for September 18-19 in Lincoln park. This multiracial and multicultural festival features fine art, sculpture, original jewelry, childrens' activities and programs, ethnic food booths, musicians, and performers. For more information contact Scott at 216-575-0920.

Autumn Moon Festival--Columbus
Central Ohio Families with Children from China (COFCC) is sponsoring an Autumn Moon Festival on September 25 at the Franklin Park Conservatory. For more information visit cofwcc.tripod.com.

PACO's Hispanic Festival--Dayton
September 25 will be a Fiesta! The best salsa, meringue, mariachi, and Latin jazz in town. For more information call 937-236-6314 or email jgonzalez3@woh.rr.com.

Middfest International-featuring Chile--Middletown
Enjoy the food, art, science, history, music, dance and more of the country of Chile, The Land of Contrast, on October 1-3. For more information please visit www.middfestinternational.org.

Clermont County Multi-Cultural Day--Batavia
This annual family oriented celebration spotlights the rich and varying ethnic community. Culturefest will transport you on October 9 to Scotland, Greece, India, Africa, Germany, Latin America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere through music and dance demonstrations. For more information email dc@visitclermontohio.com.

World Festival Day--Cleveland
On October 10 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum will celebrate Cleveland's diverse cultural communities with entertainment from dance groups and bands that represent over a dozen countries. For more information please visit www.rockhall.com.