Is Bali ready to host int'l events? By Rita A. Widiadana NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): The idea to hold Bali Fashion Week emerged a few years ago, but as Indonesia was badly hit by economic, social and political upheavals, Mardiana Ika, or just Ika, had to postpone her plan. Ika is the woman behind Bali Fashion Week 2000, the first international fashion trade event in Indonesia, which ended yesterday.

Typewriter fans spurn computers By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): A young man recalled an experience he had one afternoon of desperately calling his friends one by one, asking them if they had a typewriter. When he found a friend whose father still had his aging typewriter, he rushed to pick it up. Then he had to run to a big bookstore to buy a typewriter ribbon after failing to find one at several photocopy and stationery stores. "It was so unforgettable.

Shaolin's kung fu masters perform fabulous movement By Rika Saraswati SEMARANG (JP): A Buddhist monk moved his hand gently, yet the effect was tremendous. The several small needles which were thrown were able to penetrate a 1 cm thick plate of glass and to pop a balloon hanging behind it.

Astaga!com: An Internet portal company rising at the right time By Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): Astaga is an Indonesian exclamatory word, and it was no more than that until last February, when 27-year-old Jonathan Moriss and 26-year-old Andrew Hayek launched Astaga!com, a general Internet portal company. Now people with Internet access in Indonesia recognize astaga as more than just an exclamatory word.

Questioning Gus Dur's health From Suara Karya Recently a certain newspaper said "Several members of the House of Representatives (DPR), People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the political elite considered that President Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, was still sick after having suffered two strokes." The reporter wrote "In spite of his condition, why did so many MPR members elect him?" Voting by the Assembly took place on Oct. 20, 1999.

A day with an expat English teacher Ross Gulliver, 38, is a senior teacher at The British Council on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta. Originally from Bexhill in the English county of Sussex, he moved to Jakarta almost 10 years ago. He lives in Cipete, South Jakarta, with his wife Rr. Dewi and daughters Jasmine, 2, and Jade, 1. In conversation with The Jakarta Post's William Furney JAKARTA (JP): "Dewi and I share our bed with the two girls. If I'm lucky I'll wake up before they do.

Dodo Abdullah captures street life on canvas BANDUNG (JP): Like other big cities in this country, Bandung also enjoys art exhibition euphoria. Not one day passes without an art exhibition, especially those featuring paintings. About 40 works of Dodo Abdullah are on display at Galeri Bandung from June 20 through July 10.

Imax theater thrills young audience with wild sea film By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): Want to feel the power of thundering waves off of Hawaii or surf to the bottom of the sea and have a close encounter with strange sea creatures? Just visit the Keong Emas Imax Theater at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta. Starting on July 1 and scheduled to run for a year, the theater offers these treats and more with the film The Living Sea, which explores oceans around the world.

Marks & Spencer makes it back to Indonesia By Danielle Bray JAKARTA (JP): After an Autumn departure from Jakarta, the UK- based chain Marks & Spencer is launching a new look, and three new stores around the city. The opening of the first store took place on Friday at Sogo, Plaza Senayan, with two more expected to open July 15 in Plaza Indonesia and July 21 in Pasaraya Blok M.

Gili Trawangan gains more popularity By Wahyuni Kamah MATARAM, Lombok (JP): Mentioning the island of Lombok can conjure up fabulous images of Senggigi beach. But there is more to Lombok than just this famous retreat. There is Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno -- three tiny islands off the northwest coast of Lombok. These islands are still a popular destination among foreign tourists, even after the riot that hit Mataram early this year. Gili means island in the local Sasak language.

Battle of strategy, supporters for league's quarterfinals JAKARTA (JP): The European Championships, better known as Euro 2000, finished up last week with France becoming the new champion. But Indonesia's soccer fever did not die there. In fact, it will be revived with the beginning of the quarterfinals of the Bank Mandiri soccer league starting on Sunday.

The sound of 'typing orchestra' softening By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): Passing through a small neighborhood next to Padjadjaran University, one hears a massive clattering. If you listen a bit longer, you hear it has a sort of orderly beat, like a percussion orchestra. That is the typical sound of typewriters in use.

Are you ill? Pick some leaves in the park By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): If every Indonesian had the knowledge to be able to grow useful plants on every inch of their land, they would certainly be better able to survive the economic crisis. The viability of such a means of survival has been proven by residents of Cipete Utara subdistrict in South Jakarta with their herbal park project.

'MTV' tuning into the needs of fans with radio launch By Hera Diani JAKARTA (JP): Last Saturday night at Bengkel Night Park, South Jakarta, some 5,000 teenagers crowded the indoor concert arena, with their dazzling dyed hair, cargo pants, capri pants, tank tops and tube tops. Most of them were high school and college students. But preteens of elementary school age, who were escorted by their parents or their elder siblings, were also in evidence.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, July 9, 2000 Exhibitions * Sculpture, Sketch Exhibition: Dua Perintis at Mon Decor Gallery, Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya no. 1 blok B 13-14, Central Jakarta (Phone: 6299660), Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until July 9. * Painting Exhibition by Ketut Mastrum, Galeri Milenium, Jl. RS Fatmawati 15, South Jakarta (Phone: 7507828), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 11 - Aug.

Watch out! A beautiful ghost is out and about JAKARTA (JP): A ghost is roaming town, but don't be afraid. She is beautiful and is ready to entertain you. Si Manis Jembatan Ancol (The Beauty of Ancol Bridge), a play featuring the legend of a beautiful ghost who often appears on Ancol Bridge in North Jakarta, is on at Teater Tanah Airku playhouse in Taman Mini, East Jakarta. The play, performed by the Miss Tjitjih Sundanese theater group, is set during the Dutch occupation in Indonesia.

RI 'wushu' team reaches final JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has reached the final of the 2000 Genting World Lion Dance Championships along with China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Macau. Chairman of the Indonesian Wushu Association (WI) Mediteransah said in a fax made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday that he was optimistic about the team's chance to reach the best five of the event. Indonesia is sending two teams from Himpunan Bersatu Teguh school, chaired by Djunaidi Perwata.

N'ice and easy does it at ice carving contest By William Furney JAKARTA (JP): Anyone who has read Paul Theroux's Riding the Iron Rooster, by train through China will know of the wonders of Harbin, the algid Chinese city where remarkable ice sculptures remain all winter long. This was not the case, however, last Wednesday when teams from hotels around Jakarta gathered under the blazing sun in the Karaoke Hall of Hotel Bumi Karsa, Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta.

The check is in the mail ... Getting Paid and Loving it, Your guide to collecting debt with the muscle of the mind By Graham Edwards, Martin O'Shannessy and Rob Goodfellow; Published by Lily Publications, Singapore, 2000; 122 pages; AS$27.75, online at www.getting-paid.com JAKARTA (JP): That four-letter word that makes the world go round, but is most difficult to get your hands on: Moolah, alias bread, dough, spondulix.

Exploring taboos in search of contentment By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): There are many things that bother Rusdy Rukmarata, 37, in life, but what he finds most traumatic is the refusal of people to talk about things that really matter. Rusdy detests taboos, especially taboos concerning matters that are close to the heart.

Indonesia-expat-marriage cinderella stories By Aida Greenbury JAKARTA (JP): "You're kidding right? Tom is going back to Sydney next month? He's getting married this weekend! To whom?" It was 10 a.m. on Sunday. I was trying to concentrate on what Judy was saying on the other end of the line. One second later, she gave the most overwhelming news of the year. "To his caddy!" I finally got it. That's why he'd been so keen to play golf twice a week.

Gus Dur tells Muhammadiyah, NU to increase cooperation JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid urged on Saturday the country's two largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, to step up cooperation for the sake of the nation. In his speech to open the Muhammadiyah's 44th congress at Senayan Stadium, Abdurrahman, who led the NU for 15 years until last November, praised Muhammdiyah's contribution to the nation, especially in the education, health and economic sectors.

RI sends juniors to World C'ships JAKARTA (JP): Ten Indonesian junior golfers, including one girl, will compete in the World Golf Junior Championships on four golf courses in San Diego, California, from July 18 to July 21.

MICE industry increasingly hot in Bali By I Wayan Juniarta DENPASAR (JP): With many national and international events being relocated from Jakarta to Bali primarily on account of security considerations, several hotels in Bali are now giving the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) industry a fresh look. "MICE packages have contributed 30 percent of our total revenue.

Debra sets her sights on being a novelist By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): As if it was not enough being a broadcaster, feminist, wife and mother, Debra Yatim wants to be a novelist as well. A former journalist, Debra has been working on a novel for a couple of years. "I told myself I will finish by the time I am 40 years old.

Prime-time quize makes learning science fun By Sri Ramadani JAKARTA (JP): Learn physics, chemistry and biology and have fun! That's the idea behind the Indosat Galileo Quiz (SCTV, Sunday, 8:30 p.m.) The quiz informs the audience about various theories; such as the those behind movement, kinetics, pressure, weights, the characteristics of chemical elements, energy catalysts, animal behavior etc.

Everybody blames it on (commercial) television By Antariksawan Jusuf JAKARTA (JP): The euphoria of Indonesian politics, which sees demonstrators take to the streets almost every single day, extends to screened entertainment. Indonesian demonstrators see an easy prey in television stations, protesting for almost any possible reason they can find. In the past, people came with a decent reason to lodge a complaint, usually some television program they deemed unsuitable for public viewing.

City bus collision kills five on toll road JAKARTA (JP): Five people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed on Saturday morning when a city bus collided with the car they were traveling in on Jl. Wiyota Wiyona toll road near Jatinegara, East Jakarta. East Jakarta Traffic Police chief Asst. Supt.

Bali strives to be int'l fashion center Bali, long known as an exotic holiday resort, has major potential to play a role in the international fashion industry. Yet it has still a long way to go before it becomes a fashion center. The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana and I. Wayan Juniarta look into the matter.

C. Java provides Rp 2.3b PON bonus SEMARANG (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) Central Java chapter is providing a Rp 2.3 billion (US$247,300) cash bonus to the 15th National Games (PON) medalists. The chapter deputy in charge of athletes development, Dedy Kurniawan Wikanta, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that each gold medalist would get Rp 20 million, silver medalists would receive Rp 10 million and bronze medalists would bag Rp 5 million.