MEXICO AHORA: PUNTO DE PARTIDA--Visitors view the work of Mexican artist Yishai Jusidman during the opening of "Mexico Now: Point of Departure," at the Riffe Gallery, in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Jan. 24, 1997. The show by 13 contempory Mexican artists is organized by the Ohio Arts Council and sponsored by Phillip Morris Companies Inc. The 40 piece exhibit will remain at the Riffe through April 5 before touring the United States and Puerto Rico.

ART TALK--Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Wayne Lawson, (right) and Puerto Rican Culture representive Dr. Luis Diaz Hernandez exchange ideas, during the preview of "Mexico Ahora: Punto de Partida/Mexico Now: Point of Departure," at the Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Jan. 24, 1997. After it's run ends at the Riffe, on April 5, the show will travel throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

BEATING THE DEADLINE--Franklin County Court of Claims clerk Mindy Conrad, right, processes a claim for Jan Daniele at the Franklin County Courthouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday, Jan. 24, 1997. Today was the last day to file claims before Ohio's new tort reform law goes into effect. The new law places caps on the amount of money that may be awarded to plaintiffs for medical malpractice, product liability, and personal injury.