Latest news with #JASI
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
22nd annual CelebrAsian festival takes over downtown Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa — Hundreds are making their way to downtown Des Moines for the 22nd annual CelebrAsian festival. The two-day festival kicked off on Friday and showcases Asian culture through food, music, dance, crafts, and more. On Saturday, the festival goes from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m. near Wester Gateway Park. As a result of the festival, some roads downtown will be closed. The closures are mainly focused between Grand Avenue and Walnut Street, from as far east as 10th Street to as far west as 14th street. Organizer Jade Cal told WHO 13 News that 15 different villages are being represented this year. Villages include different countries or ethnic groups, like Indonesian, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and so many others. She also said there are over 80 vendors this year, and 55 of them are food vendors. 'We want everyone to be immersed in the villages culture as well as their cultural backgrounds. We want you to explore all of their food options as well as getting to know a little bit more about their culture,' said Cal. One of the vendors is the Japan America Society of Iowa, or JASI. Yoko Tanaka, the Executive Director, showed WHO 13 News the Japanese drinks and snacks that they were selling to visitors this year including Pocky and Ramune. However, their biggest attraction is a Japanese puppet show. This year is the 65th anniversary of Iowa's sister-state relationship with Yamanashi, Japan. This is also the longest-running sister-state relationship in the state of Iowa. In celebration of the relationship, JASI organized two projects. The first is an origami crane project where over 1,000 origami cranes will be displayed at the Iowa State Fair this year, and the other is a puppet show in Des Moines. The Sasago Oiwake Puppet Theater came to Iowa all the way from Yamanashi. According to Tanaka, this is their first time performing outside of Japan. They will perform at the Des Moines Community Playhouse on Sunday, May 25th at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission or $10 for students. Tanaka said this show is interesting for Iowans because western puppets are nothing like Japanese puppets. That's because in this performance, three puppeteers control just one puppet. This allows the doll to look realistic by making more expressive facial expressions. The puppets and the puppeteers came out to CelebrAsian on Friday, and they gained the interest of many Iowans. Several were impressed with how realistic they looked and the teamwork that went into moving just one puppet. Tanaka said she hopes to bring the puppets back on display at CelebrAsian on Saturday, but that will depend on the weather. The puppets are over 100 years old and are made of wood, so rain can be detrimental to their condition. For more information on the Sasago Oiwake Puppet Theater performance, click here. The festival's theme this year is Celebrasian in Full Bloom. Flowers representing the different ethnic groups can be seen around the villages. This theme is a nod to the 50th year of the Southeast Asian resettlement in Iowa. 'A lot of the communities here would not be here without the resettlement,' said organizer Lisa Thai. 'My dad was a Vietnamese refugee who came over here in the 80s. I wouldn't be here in Iowa if it wasn't for him and the resettlement.' There will also be cultural dances, music, and performances throughout the day. The festival goes from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m. near Wester Gateway Park in Des Moines. For more information on CelebrAsian, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
New class of deputy sheriffs set to graduate from Penn State-run training academy
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) — After 19 weeks of intensive law enforcement training, 38 newly hired deputy sheriffs from across Pennsylvania are ready to return to their communities with new skills, certifications and a shared sense of purpose. The group will graduate at 11 a.m. on May 16 at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, marking the completion of the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Program, administered by the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute (JASI). This is the 70th class to graduate since the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency designated JASI as the academy's administrator in 2000. The program certifies and recertifies approximately 2,100 sheriffs and deputies across the commonwealth. Class President Madison Rush, from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, said the training was both a personal milestone and a family honor. Her peers selected her to lead the class through the academy's rigorous curriculum. The trainees received instruction from law enforcement professionals throughout Pennsylvania. The curriculum included courses on crime codes, civil procedures, ethics, diversity, first responder skills, firearms, defensive tactics, courtroom security and physical training. Cambria County's Nathan Fisher served as class vice president. Mercer County's Joseph Buccini, a former military police officer and class platoon leader, said returning to serve at age 50 was especially meaningful after previously attending Penn State and working in the private and public sectors. The program combines classroom instruction with real-world training from judges, attorneys and officers from all levels of law enforcement. Upon graduation, the new deputies will begin work in counties across Pennsylvania. To learn more about the academy, visit the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Over 1,000 origami cranes to be displayed during Iowa State Fair as tribute to Japan
DES MOINES, Iowa — Over 1,000 origami cranes made by Iowans will be displayed during the Iowa State Fair to honor Iowa's sister-state relationship with Yamanashi, Japan. The Cranes of Friendship Project was organized by the Japan America Society of Iowa (JASI). It started after an Iowa delegate visited Yamanashi, Japan, last year. He was gifted 1,000 cranes to bring back to Iowa. In return, JASI wanted to do something special in honor of the 65th anniversary of their sister-state relationship. In Japanese culture, 1,000 cranes are made when people want to celebrate something. Scholastic Spotlight follow-up: Crestview GOAT Party JASI's Executive Director, Yoko Tanaka, started holding workshops across the state at different high schools, colleges, organizations, and even people's homes. During these workshops, she teaches Iowans how to make origami cranes and gets them involved in the project. Her most recent workshop was held at the Zen Center in Des Moines, where 14 participants made 80 origami cranes. JASI has already exceeded its goal and made over 1,100 cranes. 'I was not sure if I could make it all the way to 1,000 at the beginning of the project and I was thinking, if I couldn't make it then I have to take care of the rest of it,' said Tanaka. She said she will continue to host workshops for people to be involved in the project. Their new goal is to have as many cranes as possible. Tanaka will soon start to thread all of the cranes together. 'Making the cranes is one thing, [but] threading them is going to be another daunting task,' she said, A Japanese company based outside of Cedar Falls, Iowa makes fermented thread and they are gifting one spool of this thread for JASI to complete the display. The finished product will be on display during the Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Building. Tanaka will also hold a crane-making workshop in the 4-H Building on August 15. Tanaka will soon hold workshops in Muscatine and Sioux City, showing that she travels anywhere in the state from as far east as Muscatine to as far west as Sioux City. Iowans can schedule a workshop by emailing info@ Buttigieg gives a strident anti-Trump message in Iowa, demands Democrats make their agenda clear Over 1,000 origami cranes to be displayed during Iowa State Fair as tribute to Japan Madison County leaders have a vacancy to fill, how that will happen is unclear Iowa crops planted ahead of schedule thanks to dry weather Work requirements for state Medicaid sent to Gov. Reynolds Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Austin Justice Coalition partners with Tolbert Law Firm, giving minorities legal service access at reduced rates
AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a strategic new partnership, the nonprofit, Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) will use its connection to the community to work with a black law firm to give more people in minority communities better access to legal services. The Tolbert Law Firm — based in Dallas but serving clients in Austin and Atlanta as well — has already been working informally with AJC for some time now. On Tuesday, the Justice Access Support Initiative (JASI), officially launched. It's a formalized initiative in which Tolbert Law will now connect with clients facilitated by AJC, offering clients reduced legal fee rates, the firm said Tuesday. Those reduced rates will be dependent on the case, the firm told KXAN. 'The Justice Access Support Initiative is a direct response to the systemic barriers that prevent many in our community from obtaining fair legal representation,' Chas Moore, Organizing Director of Austin Justice Coalition said. 'This partnership with Tolbert Law Firm allows us to provide crucial legal support while continuing the fight for a more just and equitable legal system.' As the duo prepares for more outreach to come up with a fund to immensely support legal services for minority clients at a reduced rate, Moore said AJC will use its funds, most of which comes from community donations, to support formalized legal efforts for JASI. 'Justice should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it,' Chris Tolbert, Managing Partner of Tolbert Law Firm said. 'We are honored to partner with AJC on this initiative to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial status, has access to quality legal representation.' Austin NAACP calls for 'thorough' investigation into killing of a Bastrop man Tolbert Law Firm is already representing the family of Stephen Smith, facilitated by AJC. Smith was shot and killed on his own property in October last year. According to the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office, a 13-year-old boy is accused in the case, as of Sept. 16. However, it's unclear whether there have been any arrests or charges. It's cases like these that Tolbert Law Firm will continue to take on, through JASI, in partnership with AJC. Tolbert said his team is in the process of creating an intake form, for those who would like access to their services through 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Jordan Times
29-01-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Heritage in Action: JASI's sustainable solutions for Petra's preservation
PETRA – Jordan's iconic archaeological site, Petra, continues to be a living testament to human ingenuity and resilience. From monumental theatres to intricately carved tombs, the preservation of these landmarks is essential to safeguarding their historical and cultural value for future generations. After more than two years of dedicated efforts, Sela for Training and Protection of Heritage, in collaboration with the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), announced the successful conclusion of the Jordan Archaeology as a Sustainable Industry (JASI) project, demonstrating an innovative approach to heritage conservation, prioritising local community engagement, advanced training, and sustainable management practices. The JASI Project Launched in October 2022, the JASI project has served as a beacon of innovation in heritage management, with the aim of increasing employment opportunities for Jordanian jobseekers in the Cultural Resources Management (CRM) sector. Funded by the Swiss Drosos Foundation and PDTRA, the project has provided over 230 job opportunities in the Petra region, trained more than 250 community members, and documented and maintained 30 archaeological monuments. These efforts are not only preserving Petra's rich legacy but also creating sustainable career paths for local communities. The initiative represents a new model of cooperation between public and private sectors in managing and sustaining Jordanian cultural resources. JASI introduced multidisciplinary training programmes targeting youth, artisans, and heritage workers, with the goal of empowering local communities and building a sustainable cultural resource management sector. By blending theoretical and practical components, the project ensured participants gained hands-on expertise in conservation techniques, including plaster conservation, mosaic maintenance and mortar repairs. Key Conservation Milestones The Main Theatre As one of Petra's most iconic landmarks, the Main Theatre underwent vital conservation efforts to combat water erosion and salt damage. After decades of neglect, the last substantial restoration effort dates back to the 1960's and the 1990's. The recent initiative, supported by JASI, involved community training programmes that emphasised mortar repair, cleaning, and consolidation work. Participants carried out a detailed condition assessment, created 3D models, and tested mortar samples to match the original texture and colour. The project also underscored the importance of hands-on training for local workers, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Techniques such as joint cleaning, moisturising, and layered mortar application were employed to restore the northern half of the Theatre, with plans to expand these efforts. The Tomb of Sextus Florentinus A symbol of Nabatean craftsmanship, the Tomb of Sextus Florentinus posed unique challenges due to its difficult-to-access façades. For the first time, rope-access conservation techniques were implemented, empowering a new generation of heritage professionals. Notably, five women received certifications in rope-access techniques, breaking barriers and pioneering the role of women in heritage conservation. The rope-access training equipped participants with advanced skills such as anchor-point setups, knot systems, and rescue procedures. The initiative culminated in an independent descent on the tomb, marking a significant milestone in conservation practices. The initiative leveraged expertise from Amman's Polygon Training Centre and Acrobatica, Europe's leading rope-access training company, whose specialists provided on-site mentorship in Petra. The Byzantine Church Dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, the Byzantine Church in Petra boasts intricate mosaics and marble floors. Conservation work over the past year and a half focused on cleaning, drying, and chemical treatments for the mosaics, while detached opus sectile pieces were meticulously reattached. For slab floors, water pooling issues required removing and reassembling the stones with new mortar lines, preserving the integrity of this ancient structure. Community Engagement and Sustainability A cornerstone of the JASI project was its commitment to engaging Petra's local communities, particularly the Bedouin groups who have long faced economic instability due to fluctuating tourism markets. For years, many locals relied on offering donkey and camel rides, selling trinkets, or participating in seasonal archaeological projects, earning limited incomes with few opportunities for sustained engagement. This lack of stable involvement often fostered indifference toward cultural heritage preservation efforts. By providing training and job opportunities, the JASI project sought to change this narrative, encouraging community members to view heritage preservation as a viable career path. Over two years, the project trained more than 132 individuals in various fields, created 35 job opportunities, and documented and preserved 21 archaeological monuments, including the Roman bath in Petra. It also launched the Cultural Ambassadors Programme, training 48 school students, and developed a bilingual digital archive. The success of the JASI project underscores the transformative potential of combining local expertise, international collaboration, and innovative techniques to protect Jordan's rich cultural heritage while empowering the very communities that call Petra home.
