Indian restaurant opens in Fargo

Passages to India, a restaurant specializing in Indian cuisine, has opened at 855 45th St. S. in Fargo.

"We serve South Indian, North Indian and Indian-Chinese food," said owner Dana Srivastava.

The new restaurant seats 90 people and employs about five people, she said. "We are still hiring."

Passages to India is in the former site of Taste of India, which closed almost a year ago after being in business nearly six years.

It is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday.

For more information call (701) 281-0277.

Shopping for men's fashions in Europe

Straus Clothing co-owner John Stern is headed to Florence, Italy, to attend Pitti Umo, the ultimate men's fashion trade show in Europe.

"I'm really excited," said Stern, who with his brother, Rick Stern, runs the Fargo men's clothing store that got its start in 1879 in Sanborn, N.D. It's first Fargo store opened in 1939.

"This is the men's fashion show in Europe," Stern said. "This is the big one."

Stern said he will be attending fashion shows and visiting clothing factories.

"We will be looking at what they think are going to be the best-selling things and trends," Stern said. "They think Europe. I have to translate that into what our customers are likely to buy in the U.S."

Stern attends U.S. men's fashion shows annually in places like New York, Chicago and Las Vegas.

The Florence show runs Wednesday through Saturday.

Winter Ag Expo kicks off Tuesday

The Winter Ag Expo will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Jamestown (N.D.) Civic Center.

The seminar kicks off 9 a.m. Tuesday with a seminar by Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple titled "Growing the Market for Corn - Ethanol Update in North Dakota."

A free farmers' luncheon will be held at noon each day.

The expo features more than 11,000 square feet of agricultural equipment displays, free seminars, agri-business booths and a new women's division booth area.

For a schedule of events, log on to www.amfmradio.biz/agexpo

Learn to sell products globally

The Fargo-based Northern Crops Institute is sponsoring a daylong seminar, "Increase Your Success in the International Arena," Feb. 27 at the Fargo Holiday Inn.

NCI Director Pat Berglund will lead the seminar. Berglund is a corporate etiquette and international protocol trainer.

The seminar will address many areas of international protocol, including how to present a business card, make introductions, present gifts, and appreciate cultural differences.

During a noon luncheon, Berglund will demonstrate appropriate table etiquette for a formal meal.

Peter Geib will share his perspective on the business climates in China and India. Geib has studied the economies of Central Europe and the Far East for more than 16 years. He is a professor of management and international business at Minnesota State University Moorhead and coordinates MSUM's International Business Program.

Cost for the seminar is $100. More information and registration forms are available online at www.northern-crops.com or by calling (701) 231-7736.

Readers can reach Business Editor Craig McEwen at (701) 241-5502 and business reporter Teri Finneman at (701) 241-5560