http://www.croatia.org/crown en-us http://www.croatia.org/crown N/A letters@croatia.org Fri, 01 May 2026 10:54:43 +0000 20 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11449/1/The-Apostle-of-the-Sunderbans-The-Life-and-Mission-of-Fr-Ante-Gabric-Servant-of-God.html The 176-page biography vividly depicts the holiness and Spartan lifestyle of Fr Ante Gabriæ, whom Mother Teresa (now St Teresa of Calcutta) hailed as the "living love of Jesus." Fr Ante's tomb at Maria Palli has become a place of pilgrimage, which people of all faiths visit to pray for his intercession. To Croatians and to the faithful of Baruipur Diocese, he's already a saint. He set sail for India on October 20, 1938, at 23. On October 20, 1988, exactly fifty years later, he breathed his last at Mariapalli parish, which he had founded on January 20, 1975. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Sun, 15 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11394/1/Humanitarni-koncert-za-Opaeu-bolnicu-DUBROVNIK.html Najavljujemo poèetak humanitarne akcije uglednih umjetnika razlièitih profila ali s istom srdaènom ¾eljom u ova sveto doba: "Kupnja suvremenog aparata za kardiolo¹ki odjel Opæe bolnice Dubrovnik". Pozivamo svih da nam se pridru¾e u hvalevrijednoj akciji: samostalne graðane, poduzeæa i sve pojedince da doprinesu koliko bili u moguænosti. Upravo Bo¾iæ nas uèi biti boljima, biti dijelom velike ljudske obitelji. Podupiru: Klapa Ragusa, Radojka ©verko, Vladimir Babin, Suzi Sokol, Ivana Marija Vidoviæ, Dijana Hilje. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Sun, 24 Dec 2023 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11371/1/Elizabeth-Kera-recipient-of-Croatian-Womens-Network-Award.html Members of the Croatian Women's Network are successful women from around the world, who share Croatian heritage and ancestry and come together to celebrate achievements, to inspire, champion and mentor younger generations. The aim is to connect like-minded members around the world. The Croatian Women's Network was founded by Caroline Spivak in Canada in 2015. One of the recipients of the Croatian Women's Network Award for 2020 is dr. Elizabeth Kera (on the photo) from New Jersey, USA, who is a specialist in the field of neuropsychology. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Tue, 14 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11321/1/Vesna-Skulic-Croatian-cinderella-participating-in-White-Path-humanitarian-action-in-BiH-1993.html Vesna ©kuliæ is living in the village of Ra¾anac near the city of Zadar, Croatia. As an amateur radio operator, she She trasfered more than hundred thosand humanitarian messages. She actively participated in solving numerous problems related to the humanitarion action of White Path in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993. According to late Professor Slobodan Lang, Zagreb, who was the chief organizer of the action, this was the first ever successful joint Christian - Muslim humanitarian operation in history. Vesna Skuliæ, a courageos and charming Croatian woman, is a paraplegic. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Tue, 02 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11276/1/Poziv-Hrvatima-u-iseljenitvu-koji-su-prikupljali-donacije-Neka-vaa-pomoae-trajno-ostane-zapisana.html Nenad Bach, osnivaè œCROWN-a (Croatian World Network) pokrenuo je akciju pomoæu koje bi pomoæ Hrvata iz iseljeni¹tva stradalima u potresu, ali i inaèe pomoæ Hrvata iz iseljeni¹tva Domovini, trajno ostala zapisana, te pomoæu koje bi svima bilo vidljivo koliko je tko i iz koje dr¾ave uplatio. Bach smatra kako je hrvatsko iseljeni¹tvo uvijek pomagalo i poma¾e kad je najgore, bezuvjetno, od srca i velikodu¹no, a za uzvrat nikad nije tra¾ilo ni¹ta. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Sat, 02 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11273/1/GoFundMe-Campaign-Launched-To-Assist-With-Croatian-Earthquake-Relief-Efforts.html We are monitoring the situation in Croatia following the devastating earthquake that struck near the towns of Petrinja and Sisak, and caused major damage and loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died and are injured, all those impacted, as well as with the first responders and volunteers who continue their search and rescue operations. As global Croatian organizations, we stand united with our homeland. We call on all of our members and friends to join us. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Tue, 29 Dec 2020 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11253/1/Damjan-Rodin-1910-1968-Croatian-priest-in-Brasil-founder-of-Vila-Croacia-in-Rio-de-Janeiro.html Damjan Rodin was one of the first Croatian priests to move to Brazil after the Second World War, where he organised the religious and community life of the ethnic Croatian community in Sao Paulo. In Rio de Janeiro he continued his important work for Croatians and Brazilians. He was born in the ©ibenik hinterland (in the town of Prviæ Luka on the island of Prviæ) and moved to Brazil in 1947, working as parish priest in Sao Paulo. He raised a favela in Rio de Janeiro now known as Vila Croacia, part of the Senador Camara district. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Fri, 11 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11195/1/Ivanka-Bubalo-i-njezina-bijela-kosuljica-jos-bdiju-nad-Bosnom.html Ivanka Bubalo je poput ostalih Plehanèana protjerana s Plehana, ali se ona nikad nije rastala, ni svojim umom ni srcem odvojila ni od Plehana, ni od Plehanèana. Susreti s Ivankom bili su bogatstvo. Opredijeljena za trajne vrijednosti, bila je pravi prijatelj, u svakom, ba¹ svakom na¹la je bar zrnce dobra. Krhka izgledom, sna¾na duha, spremna svakom i uvijek pomoæi... Provela je i pomagala mnoge humanitarne aktivnosti, poticala na povratak prognanika kuæama, tje¹ila, hrabrila, pa je nisu bez razloga zvali Majkom Terezom Posavljaka. Mario Essert nam je poslao svoj èlanak objavljen u èasopisu Prsten. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Thu, 02 Jan 2020 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11189/1/Marys-Meals---a-fruit-of-Medjugorje-initated-by-Magnus-MacFarlane-Barrow-of-Scotland.html In 1992, the MacFarlane-Barrow family from Scotland, launched an appeal to help the people of war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mary's Meals is today reaching more than one million children across four continents. Those involved in the first Mary's Meals projects were all people whose lives had been changed by pilgrimages to Medjugorje. They chose, therefore, to name the organisation in honour of Mary, the mother of Jesus. They consist of, respect and reach out to people of all faiths and none. Mary's Meals are celebrating its 10th anniversary in Croatia, 2009-2019. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Thu, 12 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11188/1/Sandra-Wigh-Hrascanec-reviving-Croatian-composer-and-benefactor-Luisa-Erdoedy-Lios-born-in-Vienna.html U Velikoj koncertnoj dvorani Hrvatskog narodnog kazali¹ta u Vara¾dinu, 30. studenoga 2019. odr¾ala se grandiozna Glazbeno-dramska veèer "Lujzina ko¹arica", posveæena ¾ivotu i stvarala¹tvu Luise Erdoedy-Lios, na kojoj je nastupila mezzosopranistica Sandra Wigh Hra¹æanec, koja ¾ivi i djeluje u Beèu. Grofica Lujza, naime Luisa Erdoedy Lios (1853-1924), roðena je u Beèu i nakon smrti svog prvog supruga, udala se za hrvatskog grofa Rudolfa Erdoedya, gdje je provela dio svog ¾ivota u njegovom dvorcu u Novom Marofu blizu Zagreba (na slici). darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Thu, 12 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11166/1/Vladimir-Paleeek-Croatian-humanist-and-founder-of-quotHungry-Childquot-international-fund-in-Croatia-1969.html Vladimir Paleèek: "A catastrophic earthquake hit Sicily in 1968 in which many men, women, and children lost their lives. Gibellina, Salaparuta, Santa Margarita, and Montevago were wiped off the map. ... When I walked through these places, when I saw hundreds of tents which had to replace warm homes, when I saw children without parents, when I saw children naked, barefooted, and hungry, who crowded around me, I came to the idea of creating a movement which would have one goal - TO HELP CHILDREN." With this article we mark 50 years since founding "Hungry Child", the only humanitarian NGO ever behind the "Iron Curtain". darko.zubrinic@gmail.com (Darko �ubrini�) Fri, 19 Jul 2019 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11052/1/Help-needed-with-crowd-funding-a-Croatian-translation-of-the-book-quotHealth-at-Every-Sizequot.html Can you help? Jasna Roy is trying to rise funds necessary to acquire copy rights, translate to Croatian, and publish a book "Health at Every Size" by Linda Bacon Phd. This book inspired a new, groundbreaking program of the same name, meant for treating non-specific eating disorders, practiced in the Psychiatric hospital Sveti Ivan in Zagreb, Croatia. Every participant of the program, and also every other person struggling with any eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and non-specific disorders) would greatly benefit from having the book available in their mother tongue. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Sat, 17 Mar 2018 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11044/1/London-piano-recital-by-Stefan-Warzycki-in-aid-of-the-International-Trust-for-Croatian-Monuments-28-Feb-2018.html The recital of distinguished pianist Stefan Warzycki is being given in aid of the International Trust for Croatian Monuments, which was founded in 1991 under the auspices of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (UK) in response to damage and destruction of monuments of culture in Croatia caused by war. It has supported the restoration of churches, cathedrals, museums, libraries and works of art. All of the music in this recital is for the left hand alone, composed by J.S. Bach (Brahms's superb arrangement), F. Bridge, D. Lipatti, M. Moszkowski, L. Godowski, P.Z. Novak). The concert will be held at Leighton House Museum, 12 Holland Park Road, London, W14 8LZ, on Wed 28 Feb 2018 at 7:30 p.m. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Sat, 10 Feb 2018 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11042/1/Senoa-House-in-Zagreb-The-Museum-of-August-Senoa-described-by-Lady-Jadranka-Beresford-Peirse.html Lady Jadranka Beresford-Peirse, b. Njer¹, of Croatian origin, lives in London, and is a founder of The International Trust for Croatian Monuments already in 1991. Since then, she has organized numerous humanitarian and cultural events and undertakings. Here we reproduce her very interesting article published in London by "The Bridge", a journal of Croatian community in England, which deals with The ©enoa House, which is a private museum in the city of Zagreb, directed by Mrs. Jasmina Reis. August ©enoa is significant Croatian writer from the 19th century, one of the trademarks of Croatian literature. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Thu, 01 Feb 2018 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/11004/1/NFCA-Newsletter-Summer-2017.html We are proud to announce that the NFCA is working directly with the NY City Croatian Catholic community at Sts. Cyril Methodius Church to host a Sunday 1:00 pm, October 1st music event-fundraiser-salute to honor NFCA's "40 Under 40" winners and to benefit the Banja Luka Catholic Diocese. Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011 will be one of the featured Croatian American guests in attendance. Next, the NFCA continues a myriad of projects to help Bosnian Croats within political, diplomatic and humanitarian projects. ruksj@aol.com (Steve Rukavina) Fri, 11 Aug 2017 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10951/1/Vukovar-Water-Tower-Restoration-Project-Fundraising-Report.html On September 30, 2016, the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Sounds of Croatia Radio Program in Toronto launched the Vukovar Water Tower Restoration Project Fundraising Campaign. Through the fundraising efforts of the Chamber and the Sounds of Croatia and, thanks to the overwhelming support of the Croatian-Canadian community living primarily in Toronto and surrounding areas in Ontario, we were honoured to present the City of Vukovar with a donation of C$205,000 (approximately 1,100,000 kunas). stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Thu, 02 Feb 2017 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10921/1/OZANA-nonprofit-organization-for-persons-in-need-founded-in-1991-in-Croatias-capital-Zagreb.html OZANA is a non-profit organization for persons in need founded in 1991., upon the initiative of Katica Radoniæ, who worked in the Camphill, in Scotland, and wanted to share her great experience in her native city. OZANA was founded with the mission to enhance the quality of lives of children and young persons with developmental difficulties, as well as of their families. Various activities are organised through different workshops, using mostly natural materials. In 2016, OZANA celebrates 25 years of existence. On the photo Vjera Lukaveèki, director of OZANA. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Wed, 16 Nov 2016 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10917/1/Astrid-Kuljanic-participating-A-Concert-Benefiting-the-Syrian-American-Medical-Society-in-NY-Nov-29th-2016.html Featured performance, of which Astrid Kuljaniæ will be a part of: "He Will Be Our Brother," A Concert Benefiting the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Tuesday, November 29th, 2016, Saint Peter’s Church at 619 Lexington Ave, New York, NY. Special performances by renowned New York City musicians, including Edmar Castañeda, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Kevin Hays, Gregoire Maret, John Ellis, Matt Clohesy, Magos Herrera, Vitor Gonçalves, Rogerio Boccato and Asaran Earth Trio. The admission is free and open to public. Hope you can join us in helping this extremely important fundraiser! darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Wed, 02 Nov 2016 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10893/1/Mother-Teresa-proclaimed-a-saint-in-2016-and-her-connections-with-Croatia.html Saint Mother Teresa was deeply connected with Croatian people. Croatian Jesuits stand at the beginning of her spiritual path, and her close collaborator in India was Ante Gabric, SJ, Croatian missionary and a good spirit of Bengal. In 1995, in Kolkata, she obtained an official Croatian passpoirt from the then Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia dr. Drago Stambuk, as an authorized representative of the Republic of Croatia for Humanitarian Aid. Saint Mother Teresa had spiritual speaches in Croatian language in the Zagreb Cathedral on several occasions. The photo on the left is from her Croatian passport. We also provide some anthological photos of Mother Teresa by Zvonimir Atletiæ, distinguished Croatian photographer. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Mon, 05 Sep 2016 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10834/1/St-Leopold-Bogdan-Mandic-Croatian-saint-visited-Croatia-in-April-2016.html St Leopold Bogdan Mandic (1866-1942, memorial day 30th July) was born in Herceg Novi in Boka kotorska, and died in Padova, Italy. Physically malformed and delicate, having height only 1m 35cm, with clumsy walk and stuttering, he developed tremendous spiritual strength. Although he wanted to be missionary in Eastern Europe, he spent almost all of his adult life in Italy, and lived in Padova from 1906 until the end of his life. He spent also one year in Italian prison during the WWI, since he did not want to renounce his Croatian nationality. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Tue, 26 Apr 2016 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10832/1/Yoko-Nishiis-humanitarian-concert-in-Zagreb-during-the-Japanese-Culture-Week-in-March-2016.html   This humanitarian concert of Yoko Nishii, Japan, has been organized by the Embassy of Japan in Zagreb in cooperation with Croatian Society for Training Guide Dogs and for Mobility. She played the works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt i Ferrucci Busonij, Frédéric Chopin, Eric Satie, Dora Pejaèeviæ, Kozaburo Hirai, Kosaku Yamada i Tooru Takemitsu. In Tokyo in 2015, she published the first CD in the world, which includes all pianistic compostions of distinguished Croatian female composer Dora Pejaèeviæ. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Sat, 16 Apr 2016 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10719/1/Almae-Matris-Croaticae-Alumni-AMCA-Toronto-published-Collection-of-Documents-1990-1999.html AMCA Toronto, an association of students and friends of Croatian Universities, founded in 1990, has become the centre of intellectual life of the Croatian community in Southern Ontario (Canada). During the Homeland Liberation War, AMCA Associations played an important role worldwide by providing systematic help to Croatia. AMCA Toronto concentrated itself on delivering humanitarian aid to Croatia and B&H and on lobbying and spreading the truth about the situation in Croatia. An enormous number of letters and proclamations have been pubished in Zagreb, Jan 2014, in two extensive volumes. The editor is Vladimir Benkoviæ, while an associate editor and sponsor is Dr Ivan Hrvoiæ (on the photo). Both of them are Croatian emigrants in Canada and experts in technical sciences. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Fri, 04 Dec 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10761/1/The-Story-of-Ilija-Letica-by-distinguished-Croatian-filmmaker-Jakov-Sedlar-.html We present the readers of the CROWN a fascinating documentary by Croatian filmmaker Jakov Sedlar about the life and work of Ilija Letica in the USA, about his very successful LETICA CORPORATION in the USA, with a special emphasis on his ties with Croatia and on his life philosophy. LETICA is a multi-faceted packaging company with diverse talent and technologies to support business on a number of fronts. The company works in multiple technologies such as thermoform, injection mold, paper-forming and sheet extrusion as well as with multiple mediums including paper, rigid and thinwall plastic, reclaimed post-consumer fiber, and other environmentally-friendly materials. darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Sat, 14 Nov 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10743/1/Bring-the-story-of-Mia-Slavenska-home-to-Croatia-and-to-a-worldwide-audience.html Mia, a dancer’s journey is the story of Mia Èorak Slavenska, Croatia's greatest ballerina and a pioneer in American dance. The film is voiced by Emmy® award-winning actress Blythe Danner and features a daughter’s promise to tell her mother’s story, which becomes a fascinating and moving reflection on historical memory, national identity, and the power of dance. Now, In order to make sure that Mia's story doesn't fade away with the last PBS broadcast, we are asking you to help us to raise the funds necessary to take the next step in distribution. Poorhouse International, a prestigious arts films distributor, wants to distribute the film internationally through T.V. broadcast and DVD/Blu-ray and Video on Demand. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10685/1/Sarma-and-Bebek-in-Haiti.html Forty-five children- Haitians by birth and origin, and their favourite song is "Sinoæ sam pola kafane popio" - transl. Last night I drank half of the bar' - by ®eljko Bebek (former lead singer of Bijelo Dugme). They are orphans in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and were rescued by the Croatian Relief Services, Inc. The Children’s Home was founded by reverend Giordano Belanich, a priest with an American address and of Croatian heart. He was five when his family was forced to flee communist Yugoslavia. Fr Belanich oversees the orphanage while servicing three parishes in the United States. sputniksandra@gmail.com (Sandra Stanic) Tue, 12 May 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10671/1/Help-Portal-Dobrote-feed-schoolchildren-in-Croatia.html The indiegogo campaign 'No Child Left Hungry & No Person Left Powerless' for hungry Croatian school children created by Tajci, has successfully closed. The campaign was created by Tajci after the women behind Portal Dobrote reached out to her for help to raise money for hungry children and to help bring greater awareness to the issue. The results of the campaigns are amazing but unfortunately, there are still some children on the waiting list, and Portal Dobrote are a few thousand Kuna short of helping two other schools who requested help for remainder of this school year - 2014/2015. If you are in Croatia, or can easily donate to a Croatian bank account, please consider donating directly to Portal dobrote's Croatian bank account. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Tue, 14 Apr 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10668/1/Help-Croatias-Special-Olympics-Team-get-to-Los-Angeles-for-2015-Games.html Croatia's Special Olympics delegation of thirty one, including 23 athletes and 8 coaches will be headed to the worldwide Special Olympics 2015 in Los Angeles from July 25th to August 2nd. Croatia will be represented by a volleyball team, soccer team and by two swimmers. As you can imagine, the overall cost for airline travel and flights is very expensive. Please consider making a donation via credit card or by sending a tax deductible check to the Special Olympics in Washington, DC - all donations will be 100% earmarked for Team Croatia. Thank you in advance for any consideration or donations! ruksj@aol.com (Steve Rukavina) Mon, 13 Apr 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10665/1/Robert-Benmosches-family-appoints-Libertas-Foundation-to-administer-donations-in-his-memory.html Libertas Foundation is accepting donations honoring Robert Benmosche's amazing life. The Benmosche family would like to use funds raised to help the Dubrovnik hospital - Children's Unit and other humanitarian causes in Dubrovnik and Croatia that he cared about dearly. All donations are tax deductible. Dubrovnik5@aol.com (Niko Hazdovac) Fri, 03 Apr 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10656/1/Goran-Vinjiae-Joins-World-Stars-in-Fight-to-Protect-Elephants.html Famous Croatian actor Goran Vi¹njiæ has joined a host of stars as ambassadors for one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world – The International Fund for Animal Welfare – in its aim to protect the world’s elephants. Vi¹njiæ, who rose to fame in his role as Dr. Luka Kovaè in the American television series ER, has warned the world about the threat to elephants in a video which also features a number of stars. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Sat, 14 Mar 2015 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10563/1/Diljem-Hrvatske-prikuplja-se-pomoae-stradalima-od-poplava.html Caritas Zagrebaèke nadbiskupije poziva ljude dobre volje na solidarnost i djelotvornu ljubav prema stradalima u poplavama. Svi koji ¾ele pomoæi mogu to uèiniti na dva naèina: uplatom na raèun Caritasa Zagrebaèke nadbiskupije: IBAN HR1823600001101340277, poziv na broj 05400; donacijom hrane koja mo¾e du¾e stajati, vode, odjeæe i higijenskih potrep¹tina, koje su sada najpotrebnije. Donacije je moguæe predati sljedeæih dana od 8 do 18 sati na ovim adresama: Gajnice (Crnojezerska 20), Tre¹njevka (Selska cesta 165), Dubrava (Avenija Dubrava 220) i Rakitje (Ribièka 4). darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Tue, 20 May 2014 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10552/1/Goran-Visnjic-in-an-appeal-for-the-Croatian-Scholarship-Fund.html The Croatian Scholarship Fund recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner in Sacramento. The crowd was surprised with a video message from movie and television actor Goran Visnjic congratulating the Croatian Scholarship Fund on its many years of success. Goran in the video reminds the audience to bid early and often for a special live auction item, which is lunch in Los Angeles with Goran. This item received the highest bid in the live auction with spirited bidding for several minutes before the final winner was announced at the CSF Gala Dinner. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Tue, 29 Apr 2014 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10549/1/8216Everything-is-Forever8217-biographic-film-about-Nenad-Bach-wins-international-filmfest-top-awards-in-Houston.html   The journey of Croatian-American composer/singer and writer Nenad Bach through war and peace, and rock and roll captured in the documentary/feature film ‘Everything is Forever’ won top awards at the 47th Annual Worldfest Houston International Film Festival (April 4-13). The feature film garnered the prestigious Platinum Remi Award for Theatrical Feature Film & Video Award and the Special Jury Remi Award for Music Video Award – Stage Concert/ Performance. Written by Violi Calvert. On the photo Stehanie Silber, Victor Zimet and Nenad. violicalvert@optusnet.com.au (Violi Calvert) Fri, 18 Apr 2014 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10523/1/Screening-of-documentary-film-quotMany-Voices-One-Songquot-March-8-2014.html "Many Voices One Song" is a 2007 documentary film that follows the journey of one hundred thirty women in the Portsmouth, NH-based women’s chorus “Voices from the Heart” who make a life-changing connection with Croatian villagers who live surrounded by landmines left from the war of the 1990’s. Through the universal language of music this community of American women raised funds to clear the mines in their adopted Croatian village and sang their way across Croatia. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Fri, 21 Feb 2014 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10513/1/Karlo-J-Mirth-1917-2013-distinguished-Croatian-writer-and--lifetime-president-of-Croatian-Academy-of-America.html Karlo Mirth was born in Otoèac in Croatian region of Lika, where also Nikola Tesla was born. He studied Forestry and Civil Engineering at the University of Zagreb. Forced to leave Croatia after 1945, he studied  Journalism at the University of Rome. He later studied at the Universities of Barcelona and Madrid, and the Library Sciences at Columbia University. Karlo Mirth was a prolific writer of many articles related to Croatian culture and history. He was very active in Croatian Academy of America, and in 2013 published his autobiographical book ®ivot u emigraciji (Life as an Emigree). darko.zubrinic@gmail.com (Darko �ubrini�) Sun, 02 Feb 2014 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10439/1/Fr-Ante-Gabric-SJ---An-Apostle-of-the-Sundarbans-Croatian-missionary-in-Bengal-India.html Many among those who worked and lived with Fr. Ante continue to give witness to the holiness of this great missionary they knew, and some are convinced that âGod visited us in the form of Fr. Ante Gabricâ. The work started by Fr. Ante and other missionaries is being continued today among the Santals, who are much more deserving and are still in the periphery, but witnessing to the faith by their lives. The Calcutta Jesuit province while thanking the Lord for giving a worthy and zealous missionary to Bengal thank also the Croatian Province and the people Croatia for their continued prayerful support for the ever growing mission today. The article was written by Fr. Irudaya Jothi SJ of the Calcutta Jesuit Province. jothisj@gmail.com (Fr. Irudaya Jothi SJ) Sun, 07 Jul 2013 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10412/1/Don-Wolf-author-of-autobiographical-photo-monograph-Croatian-Love-Story.html Long before Don Wolf was born, the outline for A Croatian Love Story was formed in the 1900’s. An ethnic neighborhood was the site where determined women and men struggled to build, to educate and to become citizens. These Croatian immigrants formed the strong shoulders supporting cherished traditions as they learned to live in and to love their new country. Don’s photographs depict Croatian life both in the United States and in Croatia. His writing preserves generations of memories. This book is a tribute to those who came before and a blessing to those who are yet to come. darko.zubrinic@gmail.com (Darko �ubrini�) Sun, 26 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10371/1/Concert-broadcast-of-Nenad-Bach-Band-and-Friends-in-Croatia-Feb-17th-at-015-am--615-pm-EST-on-HTV2.html Respected Croatian musician and world promoter or Croatian culture, Nenad Bach and Friends, entertained us all with his charity concert in Zagreb for the abandoned children of Nazor street, November 2012. They say Nenad is an artist with a Croatian soul and an American passport. The footage of the Zagreb concert will be shown on February 17th 2013 on HTV2 at 0.15 a.m. in Croatia and 6:15 p.m. EST on HTV2. darko.zubrinic@gmail.com (Darko �ubrini�) Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10333/1/Nenad-Bach-Band-in-Zagreb-at-the-Vatroslav-Lisinski-Concert-Hall-on-Friday-30-November-2012-20pm.html We are pleased to announce the forthcoming concert of Nenad Bach and the Nenad Bach Band in Croatia's capital Zagreb, on Friday 30th November 2012, 20 pm. His special guests will be distinguished Croatian musicians Arsen Dediæ, Klapa Sinj, Radojka ©verko, Miroslav ©koro, and Marko Tolja. It is for the first time that Nenad Bach has a soloist concert in his native city of Zagreb, after about thirty years of very successful career in the USA and worldwide. Through his singing and songwriting, Nenad’s goal is to spread the message of joy and universal peace. darko.zubrinic@gmail.com (Darko �ubrini�) Mon, 26 Nov 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10318/1/Drago-Stambuk-a-samurai-poet-connecting-Japan-and-Croatia.html Dr. Drago ©tambuk, Croatian ambassador to Japan until 2011, is an expert in medical sciences, and a haiku poet of international reputation.  His book From Nowhere has been published in Japan in 2011, prepared by Mr. Shokan Tadashi Kono, in three languages: original Croatian, Japanese and English. The book was published in time when the earthquake, followed by disastrous tsunami, shook Japan. darko.zubrinic@gmail.com (Darko �ubrini�) Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10255/1/The-Society-to-Preserve-the-Millvale-Murals-of-Croatian-painter-Maxo-Vanka.html  Maxo Vanka's murals for Millvale's Croatian Church of St. Nicholas are a unique contribution to the American mural movement of the 1930s and 1940s. The Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka is a nonprofit public supported historic art preservation organization. Vanka's work touches upon common themes of his era, including family, labor, and war, but with a focus upon the disenfranchised and the dispossessed. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sun, 06 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10211/1/Msgr-John-E-Kozar-Croatian-American-appointed-president-of-the-Catholic-Near-East-Welfare-Association.html Msgr. John E. Kozar, former national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, has been appointed president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine. John E. Kozar: "Family. It is, perhaps, what comes to mindmost often during the Christmas Season. So at this time of year then, I think often of my visits with our mission family..." ... "Family in need. Family offering loving service. And through it all, you are there - at Christmas and all through the year - supporting, in prayer and generous sacrifice, the Church in the Missions in its outreach to the poor. May the hope and peace of the Lord be with you in the coming year!" darko@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach and Darko �ubrini�) Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10172/1/Epidaurus-Festival-in-Croatia-for-littlest-residents-of-Dubrovnik-region-in-Pridvorje-16-Sep-2011-at-8pm.html The most precious things begin and end at home; all else is secondary. Je¾urka Je¾iæ, the popular character from Branko Æopiæ's “Je¾eva kuæica” (The Hedgehog's Home), understood this.  So shall we, and our children; I'm not afraid for the children - they will understand if they have a chance. A beautiful interpretation of this timeless text takes the form of a musical in the enchanted surroundings of Konavle's Pridvorje on Friday, September 16th 2011 at 8pm. This lovely and important presentation is a gift from the Epidaurus Festival to the kindergarten in Konavle. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10162/1/Concerts-for-Japan-in-Croatia-2011.html Humanitarian concerts for Japan have been organized in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Osijek, Vara¾din, Ðakovo, Opatija, Virovitica, Rab. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10136/1/Branka-Kandic-Splavski-and-her-Croatian-fairy-tales-as-medicine---Bajka-kao-lijek.html Branka Kandiæ-Splavski is a specialist in family medicine and in her soul, a fairy tales writer. In 2004 after her first book ANDREA'S SHELL had been published her personal and professional life took a new direction: one of her patients was dying of brain cancer. She was no longer able to move, or speak, she was laying motionless and communicated only with her eyes. In the process of catching the public ear and eye, informing and educating the society about the patients' rights and neccessity for dignified care in the lives of severely ill people the fairy tale idea once again served as a bridge. vladom@xnet.hr (Vladimir Mihajlovi�) Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10118/1/Don-Wolf-Croatian-photographer-and-benefactor-in-Kansas-City-USA.html Don Wolf is a professional photographer living in Kansas City, USA. His family is from Gorski Kotar, a mounatinous part of Croatia. His greatest comfort was to help Croatian orphans via the vehicle of photography, showing their needs and presenting them to the good people of America. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Mon, 23 May 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10098/1/Humanitarian-concert-for-Japan-in-Zagreb-4-April-2011-20-pm.html Duboko suosjeæajuæi s narodom Japana i njihovom stra¹nom tragedijom, najavljujemo veliki humanitarni koncert Play & Pray for Japan koji æe Zagrebaèka filharmonija prirediti u ponedjeljak 4. travnja u Koncertnoj dvorani Vatroslav Lisinski u Zagrebu u 20 sati. S Japanom nas povezuje i veliki japanski maestro Kazushi Ôno na slici, koji je u najte¾im godinama, u jeku Domovinskoga rata - bio ¹est godina dirigent Zagrebaèke filharmonije, od 1990. do 1996. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10076/1/Appeal-for-Matijas-Derek.html  Matijas Derek (left)36, father of two children, has been stricken by ALS -  "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" or Lou Gehrig's desease. Matijas', relatives and friends are hoping for increased research of the disease and have launched a petition the German Parliament with that goal. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/10049/1/Mime-Cuvalos-FireFTP-downloaded-almost-18-million-times-by-the-end-of-2010.html Mime Èuvalo's FireFPT was downloaded 17,845,269 times by the end of 2010! To see the trend, the number of downloads until September 2004 was 4.5 million. Just in the course of the last month and a half the number of downolads was more than half a million. Half of all proceeds go towards helping various orphanages in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina and in Vukovar, Croatia. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9973/1/CACF-raises-over-150000-at-8th-Annual-Golf-OutingAwards-Dinner.html The Croatian American Charitable Foundation held its 8th Annual Charity Golf Outing and Awards Dinner at North Hills Country and Cherry Valley Club in Long Island, New York. Over 230 golfers and 60 companies help raise money to help the American Cancer Society, Doctors Without Borders, The Cam Neely Foundation and Croatian Mine Action Centre. jperos@croatiancharities.com (John Peros) Mon, 24 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9972/1/Branimir-Kvartuc-of-StandUpCroatiacom-to-cross-the-Adriatic-Sea-for-charity.html Croatian American Branimir Kvartuè, an award-winning photojournalist, two times cancer survivor, StandUpCroatia.com founder and  philanthropist, will be crossing the Adriatic Sea on June 25-27 of 2010, from Venice, Italy to Pula, Croatia on a Stand Up Paddle board, setting a world record, in the process. See some of his beuatiful photos from the Ðakovo Embroidery folklore festival. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sun, 23 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9965/1/Davor-Suker-to-Hold-Mini-Clinic-for-Charity-in-NYC-May-15-2010.html Davor Suker (left) will be holding a “Mini Clinic for Charity” on Saturday, May 15th 2010 at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) campus in Old Westbury, Long Island from 10am-1pm. The clinic will be for children between the ages of 9-14 and all proceeds will benefit the CACF and its ongoing battle for removing mines in Croatia. jperos@croatiancharities.com (John Peros) Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9808/1/Mime-Cuvalo-Croatian-expert-for-GoogleU-Tube-and-benefactor.html Mime Èuvalo is not only successful Croatian computer science expert in the USA, employed at prestigeous Google/U-Tube in California, but also an active member of the Franciscan community. In the course of last 3 years this young man donated nearly $35,000 for his Croatian homeland, mostly for the needs of children. On the photo Mime with a Bosnian child that he adopted. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9780/1/FOR--FROM-CROATIA-WITH-LOVE-Croatian-Jazz-Gala-at-the-Lincoln-Center-.html  The AIC Foundation is launching a concert series "For | From Croatia With Love" which promotes Croatian culture, art and heritage in the United States. Its first concert will be a Jazz Gala at the Lincoln Center featuring Jazz musicians from Croatia and the United States. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9739/1/Lady-Jadranka-Njers-Beresford-Peirse-promotor-of-Croatian-culture-in-GB.html Lady Jadranka Njer¹ Beresford Peirse of London is a fascinating personality and a great Croatian patriot, whose efforts  have been engaged in raising funds both for the restoration of the damaged monuments that form such an important part of Croatian heritage and in finding ways to promote Croatian culture in Great Britain. She is recipient of the 1999 INA Award for international promotion of Croatian culture. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9696/1/Ivana-Marija-Vidovic-Croatian-pianist-touring-Pennsylvania-NC--January-14-21-2008.html Ivana Marija Vidoviæ is Croatian pianist and poet, born and living in Dubrovnik. We are happy to announce her USA tour in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, January 14-21, 2008. She is a young pianist with great natural instinct, a beautiful musicality, lovely desire to express herself artistically, with taste, poetry and extroversion. She is the founder and artistic director of the Epidaurus Festival, and involved in humanitarian work. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9675/1/Martin-Kotarski-Croatian-pupil-winner-of-prestigious-humanitarian-award-in-Japan.html We are proud to report in more detail about prestigious Japanese humanitarian award conferred by the Goi Peace Foundation to Martin Kotarski, a very young Croatian student. Martin is on the photo with Natalija Juri¹iæ, his prof. The report has been prepared on the bases of material submitted upon our request by Martin himself, exclusively for the readers of the CROWN. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9655/1/Croatian-pupil-Martin-Kotarski-and-Bill-Gates-awarded-in-Japan.html   Martin Kotarski, 14 years old Croatian pupil, and Bill Gates (both on the photo), are recipients of a recognition from the Goi Peace Foundation in Japan. Martin received Children's Category 1st Prize for his essay Joined by a Cookbook. He prepared a cookbook with traditional Croatian meals in order to get money for poor people of his school. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9639/1/Ante-Gabric-the-Saint-of-Sundarban-in-India.html  Fr. Ante Gabriæ (Metkoviæ, Croatia 1915 - Bengal, 1988) lived like a  Bengali, and he worked tirelessly for the spiritual development of  the Bengali community in India. People in Bengal consider Fr. Gabriæ should be beatified like mother Teresa and all the people are praying for for this. He was very much related to Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata  and they worked hand in hand. nema@nema.in (Fr. Sylvester Xavier) Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9555/1/Appeal-for-Stephen-Dorcich.html Hi.  My name is Stephen Dorcich.  I live in San Jose, California and I am a pretty normal kid except that I have Primary Immune Deficiency called Hyper IGM, CD40 Ligand. My immune system doesn’t communicate the right way, so I cannot fight off bacteria, viruses and other bad things that make us sick. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Fri, 16 May 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9503/1/Mother-Teresa-and-Croatians.html The Croatian Jesuits had a great role in spiritual development of Mother Teresa in her youth. Her spiritual father was Fr. Franjo Jambrekoviæ. The first monument in the world honouring this famous Albanian woman was carved in Croatia, in Supetar on the island of Brac (2002), by Petar Jak¹iæ. It was unveiled by Martin Sheen. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9473/1/Alpine-skiing-legends-to-take-part-in-Croatia-charity-race.html Sixteen alpine skiing legends including Italy's Alberto Tomba and Sweden's Ingemar Stenmark will take part in a charity race in Croatia on February 17, 2008. They will race in a mixed-sex giant slalom event with Ivica Kosteliæ (left), among others. Money collected from the race will be donated to a hospital for chronic child diseases in Gornja Bistra near Zagreb. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9425/1/Mime-Cuvalo-web-developer-and-proponent-of-open-web-standards.html Mime Cuvalo, on the photo with small Stipo Adzaip, is a young Croatian web developer and proponent of open web standards. He is currently employed at three jobs: YouTube/Google, finishing up FireFTP, and creating the online music database The Rock Hard Times. His "charityware" FireFTP has been downloaded over 4.5 million times! darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9408/1/Nopoki-University-for-Peruvian-Indians-founded-by-Msgr-Gerardo-erdin.html Msgr. Gerardo ®erdin, Croatian bishop and missionary in Peru in the region of the Amazon river, founded the Nopoki Center for Investigation and Intercultural Formation. The aim is to educate future school teachers for work within their native communities, in order to preserve their roots, language and customs, and ensure material and cultural prosperity. See also 32 Krekoviæ's paintings. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9325/1/Benefit-Gala-in-Zagreb-honoring-the-Croatian-House-in-Padova-Italy-Nov-12-2007.html "Croatian House" is a humanitarian association, whose current project is to buy a house in Padova, Italy that would be used by Croatian citizens that face difficult circumstances and would have to go abroad to get treatment, which in many cases is long term. (left) President of Croatian House Dr. Nela Sr¹en. stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9313/1/quotPhiladelphiaquot-Jerry-Ricks-is-recovering-from-a-brain-tumor-operation-in-Croatia.html For the last nine weeks he's been hospitalized in the port city of Rijeka, Croatia recovering from brain surgery to remove a tumor that doctors say was benign. Friends are arranging a benefit for the 67-year-old bluesman, to be held at the Commodore Barry Club in Philadelphia on Sunday 2-9 PM. vnazor@yahoo.com (Vedran Joseph Nazor) Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9179/1/Globmedorg-One-Child-at-a-Time.html   The Global Medical Relief Fund has now helped over 70 children, from Bosnia & Herzegovina, to El Salvador, one child at a time, where this type of care and rehabilitation was not necessarily available in their own home countries. The children come for treatment and refitting for their prosthetics. During this treatment, these children stay at Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat. aconvenientgenocide@mac.com (Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey) Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9155/1/Birthday-Party-Raises-20000-in-donations-for-Montreal-HIV-Kids--Families.html   The Sports Performance Centre a donation of $20,000 to Les Enfants de Béthanie charitable organisation in Montreal. kat.coric@videotron.ca (Kat Coric) Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8972/1/Ivanisevic-Ljubicic-to-Play-for-Children.html Croatian tennis players Goran Ivanisevic and Ivan Ljubicic were set on Friday to play each other in an invitational match in Sarajevo dedicated to children of the city.   letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8928/1/Chicago-Avon-Breast-Cancer-Walk-Fundraiser-Saturday-March-3-2007.html    stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Wed, 07 Feb 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8909/1/quotBeyond-the-Callquot-on-PBS---Check-Local-Listings.html     Wadirum1@aol.com (Adrian Beli�) Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8881/1/An-on-line-auction-for-48-hours-Famous-artists-helping-other-artists-Unity-Through-Music-Dec-27-29-2006.html   Dino Zoniæ on Golden Karma Awards on WGN, 9pm EST. Dec 27th 2006. www.givinghearts.net will be hosting an on-line auction during the Special and for 48 hours after the Special. Unique opportunity for you to buy famous paintings of Berber, Ibrulj, Trnski...    gshep2005@netzero.net (Becky Garrigus - Success for Good) Sun, 24 Dec 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8865/1/Reclaiming-the-lost-harmony-of-the-world-CROWN-goes-behind-Golden-Karma-Awards-with-winner-Dino-Zonic.html Reclaiming the lost harmony of the world is our mission . We are presenting gala concerts worldwide, celebrating the spirit of life, which will symbolize a unique, magnificent and unifying message for the world. Music is our deepest connection and most powerful tool of unity and peace among all people. It gives a voice to our deepest sorrows while opening our hearts to forgiveness. www.UnityThroughMusic.org   edzonic@yahoo.com (Dino Zoni�) Sun, 10 Dec 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8833/1/Bologna-Italia-Lara-Orekoviae-organizira-AUKCIJU-UMJETNIEKIH-SLIKA-U-KORIST-DOMA-ZA-DJECU-8221VLADIMIR-NAZOR8221-KARLOVAC.html     info@ensofgallery.com (Lara Oreskovi�) Thu, 23 Nov 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8831/1/Rijeka-Croatia---Fundraiser-for-Autistic-Children.html     NancyM3292@aol.com (Nancy (Andjelich) Margraff) Thu, 23 Nov 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8809/1/8220Croatia-My-Lovequot---the-truth-about-the-Homeland-War-in-Croatia.html "Croatia My Love", the film, depicts the truth about the Homeland War in Croatia. The proceeds from the sale of entry tickets to Jakov Sedlar's film, "Croatia My Love" ("Hrvatska ljubavi moja") will be paid into a 'foundation fund for the truth about the Homeland War in Croatia', located in Zagreb. antem@westnet.com.au (Jean Lunt Marinovic) Fri, 10 Nov 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8740/1/Detroit-14th-Annual-Benefit-Fashion-Show.html Croatian Woman Branch 32 will host its annual fashion show. Proceeds will benefit Childhelp USA - Detroit Chapter and the Orphanage and Abused Children in Croatia. Read more... stecak@sbcglobal.net (Marko Pulji�) Thu, 05 Oct 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8524/1/H-Myeloma-Euronet.html Myeloma Euronet    www.myeloma-euronet.org Thu, 15.06.2006 10:02 Nizozemska - mielom - lijecenje - razlicitosti OTS: Myeloma Euronet osposobljava pacijente i rasvjetljava razlicitosti u pristupu lijecenju i brizi za pacijente u Europi oboljele od mieloma Amsterdam (ots) - Myeloma Euronet, rastuca europska mreza koja trenutno okuplja 15 grupa pacijenata oboljelih od mieloma iz 11 zemalja, prvi puta je na jednom mjestu okupila pacijente oboljele od te bolesti i njihove obitelji zbog upoznavanja s novim dostignucima u lijecenju mieloma i medjunarodne panel-diskusije o pristupu lijecenju i brizi prema oboljelima od mieloma u Europi. Ta ce se zbivanja odvijati 17. lipnja od 9 do 16 sati u hotelu NH Barbizon u Amsterdamu. Myeloma Euronet nastoji na pravom mjestu objediniti sve sto su pacijenti rekli o postojecim razlikama u pristupu lijecenju i brizi za oboljele od mieloma na ovim prostorima. U Europi postoji oko 77.000 pacijenata i njihovih obitelji oboljelih od visestrukog mieloma, u blazem obliku i moze se lijeciti, ali jos uvijek neizljecivom obliku karcinoma kostane srzi. U svakom slucaju, mnogi pacijenti u Europi jos uvijek nijecu uporabu najsuvremenijih oblika lijecenja ove bolesti. "Moramo podici stupanj znanja o visestrukom mielomu, educirati pacijente dajuci im pristupacne informacije o novostima u lijecenju te razmotriti problematiku postojecih razlika u lijecenju i brzi," izjavila je Anita Waldman, predsjednica udruge Deutsche Leukaemie- und Lymphom-Hilfe (Njemacka udruga za pomoc oboljelima od leukemija i limfoma) i clanica Upravnog odbora Myeloma Euroneta te Radne grupe oboljelih od karcinoma Europskog udruzenja za medicinsku onkologiju (ESMO). "Svjesni smo da troskovi lijecenja nisu mali, no svaki pacijent zavrjedjuje najbolji moguci tretman za njezin ili njegov stadij bolesti. Nacionalne zdravstvene agencije moraju prihvatiti nacine lijecenja mieloma kako oni postaju dostupni, a trosak ne smije biti glavni faktor kada se odlucuje o nacinu lijecenja," nastavila je. Vise informacija o ovom dogadjaju te najnoviju medjunarodnu anketu o preprekama u dijagnosticiranju mieloma, njegovu lijecenju i brizi za oboljele dostupni su na stranici www.myeloma-euronet.org  . Daljnje informacije:   Robert Schaefer Tel.: +49(0)1716204591 e-mail: info@myeloma-euronet.org http://ots.hina.hr/cgi-bin/ots/disp.cgi?NID=T6150611 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 14 Jun 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4514/1/H-Ruke-koje-vide---Udruga-slijepih-i-moda---rukom-pod-ruku.html  'Ruke koje vide' nude ljepotuUdruga slijepih i moda - rukom pod rukuÂRijeka (ots) - Mlada rijecka modna kreatorica Maja Vizjak ovihce dana u sklopu projekta 'Ruke koje vide' Hrvatske udruge prijatelja bijelog stapa HOMER iz Rijeke, poceti s odrzavanjem radionica modnog redizajna ukljucivanjem slijepih i slabovidnih u sve one radnje koji oni mogu obaviti i tako od neceg starog, nemodernog napraviti neki novi model ili neki novi proizvod kojice rado ponijeti svatko tko ih prepozna kao novostvorenu ljepotu.ÂInace, Maja Vizjak se svojim dvjema kolekcijama predstavila prosloga tjedna posjetiteljima Opium Buddha bara u Rijeci. Njezini povijesni kostimi te spavaÃice i donje rublje predstavljeni su uz unikatni nakit izraÃen u radionici 'Ruke koje vide' cime se zeli potaknuti mlade ljude osteÃena vida na rad rukama u funkciji mnogih vjestina svakodnevnog zivljenja.ÂMaja Vizjak pozeljela je bas nakit iz radionice 'Ruke koje vide' i tako dokazala kako samo zajednistvo onih koji vide i onih koji ne vide ili vide slabo mogu dati vrlo vrijedne rezultate u socijalnoj integraciji i stvaranju jednakih sansi svakom pojedincu u nasem drustvu.ÂÂNAPOMENA O IZVORU:ÂHOMER - Hrvatska udruga prijatelja bijelog stapaÂJelacicev trg 151000 Rijekatel/fax: 051 / 211-607tel: 051 / 211-633mobi: 091 / 211 60 77 ili 098 / 929 22 28web: www.homer.hr e-mail: homer@homer.hr  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 15 May 2006 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4515/1/E-Auction-Of-Photos-Raises-Money-to-buy-wheelchairs-for-children-in-need.html ÂAuction Of Photos Raises Money For Needy Children10/28/2005 More than 25,000 euros has been raised for children suffering from cerebral paralysis in Croatia by the auction of photographs of world famous football stars in the Adriatic port of Split.Images of Brazilian strikers Ronaldo and Adriano, Swedish national team and Juventus striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sienna’s Igor Tudor, Shakhtar Donetsk’s Darijo Srna, Hajduk Split and Croatian national team midfielder Niko Kranjcar were included in the humanitarian auction. Croatian photographer Vladimir Dugandzic and his Japanese colleague Junichi Yamazakioffered their work at the auction at the Albatros Club in Split. The proceeds will be used to buy wheelchairs for children in need. A number of Croatian footballers attended the auction. Photos of different Olympic medal winners were also included in the auction. http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=96991&progr=0 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 28 Oct 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4517/1/E-Big-Croatian-Heart-in-New-Orleans.html ÂBig Croatian Heart, Croatian-American restaurant in New Orleans reopened and is giving away food for freeBy Mark EganTue Sep 6, On a devastated street corner in a gritty New Orleans neighborhood an impromptu shrine stands as testament that even during the horrorvisited upon this city by Hurricane Katrina, kindness is notforgotten. Made of bricks from a nearby building destroyed by thestorm, the improvised structure protects a body that lies covered bya white sheet. A cross fashioned of two pieces of wood found amongnearby debris marks the site as a grave, albeit a temporary one. Onthe sheet covering the corpse are written the words "Here Lies Vera,God Help Us." Before locals built this shrine, the woman had lain dead on the street. Her body was bloated and brutally distorted, untouched and ignored for almost a week by authorities who were working slowly to evacuate the thousands left homeless. Since Katrina and the floods that followed hit New Orleans, the city has been struck by unexpected hardships. Looting was rampant, refugee camps became the scenes of rapes, murders and robbery. Many lost everything and lacked even food and drinking water. But as the worst appears to have passed and most of those left stranded have been evacuated, acts of kindness abound. Dmitri Kachkov, a 35-year-old man who uses a wheelchair due to extreme physical disabilities, knows about hardship -- his family became refugees from Russia in 1997 and moved here. When Katrina made them refugees again, they expected to sleep in their van. Just before the storm hit, Kachkov and his parents drove north and took refuge in a roadside truck stop. Then a stranger -- Diana Cantello of Gramercy, Louisiana -- invitedthem to stay at her home. "My mother cried at such unexpectedhospitality," Kachkov said. They spent nine days and nights atCantello's home, where a mother and her two children had also beeninvited to stay. "Then yesterday it was my mother's 69th birthday andthey baked her a cake and bought her small presents. My mother neverexpected such kindness, especially during this disaster," Kachkovsaid on Monday after his family returned to Metairie, Louisiana, tosee how damaged their rental apartment was. Near the Kachkov home isDrago's Seafood Restaurant. Since the storm raged more than a weekago, five employees of the upscale eatery have lived on the premisesto protect it from looters who have destroyed businesses across thecity. Then on Monday the restaurant reopened, serving charred chickenon pasta with a Cajun marinara sauce and ice-cold water -- a rare luxury in this city in recent days. The food was free to anyone who wanted it. "We have decided that we will serve free food as long as our resources last, probably until we give away $20,000 of free food," said owner Klara Cvitanovich. Cvitanovich, 66, who came here from Croatia in her youth, was also shipping food out to poor neighborhoods. "I can honestly say I have lived the American dream, and now I have to give something back," she said.  2005 Reuters letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 09 Oct 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4516/1/H-Veliko-srce-Hrvatice-tjesi-ocajnike-New-Orleansa.html ÂVeliko srce Hrvatice tjesi ocajnike New Orleansa UGLEDNA agencija Reuters objavila je toplu ljudsku pricu iz New Orleansa, grada duhova i leseva, vezanu uz hrvatsku obitelj Cvitanovic koja se odlucila pomoci u nevolji svojim sugradjanima i besplatno im omoguciti ono najpotrebnije, hranu i vodu.Grad je potpuno devastiran, leseva ima posvuda, sto najbolje ilustrira slucaj zene cije je mrtvo tijelo tjednima lezalo na ulici. Njeno tijelo je nabreklo i jako se izoblicilo, no vlasti su ga tjedan dana ignorirale sporo evakuirajuci prezivjele. Izbjeglicki kampovi postali su mjesta silovanja, ubojstava i pljacki. Mnogi su izgubili sve, a najvise nedostaju osnovne potrepstine poput hrane i vode.Restoran s morskim specijalitetima Drago u ulici Arnoult, poznat kao jedan od najboljih ribljih restorana u gradu i okolici, ponudio je preostalim gradjanima New Orleansa pogodjenog uraganom Katrina besplatnu hranu za sve koji to zele.Nakon sto je pred vise od tjedan dana uragan poharao grad velicine Zagreba, hrvatska obitelj Cvitanovic otvorila je svoj restoran kako bi servirala tople obroke piletine i tjestenine uz pitku vodu, sto je ovih dana pravi luksuz u gradu."Odlucili smo da cemo servirati hranu tako dugo koliko ce trajati nase zalihe, vjerojatno dok ne podijelimo hrane u iznosu od 20,000 dolara." - izjavila je vlasnica restorana Klara Cvitanovic, a prenosi Reuters.Gospodja Cvitanovic ima 66 godina, a iz Hrvatske je "trbuhom za kruhom" otisla kao vrlo mlada djevojka. "Da budem iskrena, zivjela sam americki san i sad im se imam priliku oduziti" - dodala je Hrvatica velika srca.Pomoc u kriticnim trenucima najvise se cijeni, a kad se vec americke vlasti ne brinu za svoje gradjane, moraju to ciniti sami. Prepusteni su sami sebi i ako si nece medjusobno pomagati, uz sve sto su do sada izgubili, ostaje im jos jedino ostaviti svoje zivote u gradu uzasa.ÂReuters letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 09 Oct 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4518/1/E-Blind-Childrens-Center-and-Croatia-Connection.html     Blind Childrens Center in Los Angeleswww.blindchildrenscenter.org  Croatia Connection:The Croatia community continues to grow its support for the Blind Childrens Center of Los Angeles. It started over 37 years ago, when a young family from Croatia had dreams andexpectations, anticipating the birth of their child with joy and excitement. They imagine what the infant will look like and plan for the future. In most cases, these hopes are fulfilled with the birth of a healthy child.But what if the baby was visually impaired? No parental reaction is typical, for everyone deals with feelings in a personal way. One thing, however, is certain: the impact of child blindness upon the family can be devastating due to the demands that are made on each family member in terms of time, energy and emotions.The Blind Childrens Center (BCC) is non-profit family-centered agency which serves children with visual impairments from birth to school age. The programs and services help the children acquire skills and build their independence. Founded by the Delta Gammas of Southern California, the Blind Childrens Center is the only agency in the greater Los Angeles area that provides an extensive range of services to children who are blind and partially sighted and their entire family.The Center utilizes its expertise and experience to serve families and professionals worldwide through support services, education and research. The BCC is considered a model educationalinstitution. As a matter of fact, we were the first to introduce cane use to children under the age of 3.Today, many members of the Croatia community have come together to help in all aspects of the Blind Childrens Center including leadership in our Board of Directors, funding research at the Los Angeles ChildrenÀ™s Hospital, volunteering and running in the Los Angeles Marathon to raise funds and participation at our Annual Golf Event at the Riviera Country Club. This golf event draws golfers from all over America including celebrities like Peter Falk, Joe Mantegna, Pat Boone, Mike Shanahan, and many others.The Croatia connection with our Center is strong and continues to grow on a yearly basis. To find out more about the Blind Childrens Center, please visitwww.blindchildrenscenter.org  or contact us at 323-664-2153.   Mission StatementThe Blind Childrens Center is a family-centered agency which serves children with visual impairments from birth to school-age. The center-based and home-based programs and services help the children acquire skills and build their independence. The Center utilizes its expertise and experience to serve families and professionals worldwide through support services, education, and research.  GeneralThe Blind Childrens Center was founded in 1938 by members of the Southern California Delta Gamma Fraternity under the leadership of Dr. Lillian Ray Titcomb. The Center serves over 100 families every year through the infant and preschool programs. The majority of children served live in the greater Los Angeles area. Fifty-two percent of the students are totally blind, 28% have functional vision, and 20% are reverse mainstream. The client population reflects the diversity of Los Angeles: 66% Latino, 22% Caucasian, 4% Asian, and 8% African American. Center and home-based services are free of charge. The Blind Childrens Center is funded entirely by private philanthropic support. It receives no financial support from federal, state, or local governments and it is not a United Way agency. Support, with the exception of modest revenues from the sale of the CenterÀ™s publications, is derived from volunteer and staff fund-raising efforts, which are supported by corporations, small businesses, civic and employee groups, charitable foundations and concerned individuals. Dear Nenad,Ina Zec asked that I get in contact with you and introduce myself. Ina and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Blind Childrens Center in Los Angeles. Besides the Center, we also share a special connection - my wife's family is Croatian. Her uncle Nicky was also a very noted authority on Tesla and did much research on his life's accomplishments. He recently passed away, but left his research with my wife's cousin Brian who is also very knowledgeable on Tesla and his work. Brian has held several Tesla conventions and currently provides special effects in Hollywood using the Tesla Coils he has built. His work was most recently featured on the show - Fear Factor.(op-ed:www.brianb.org/tesla.htm )I'm continued to be amazed how we are able to bring together a sense a community regardless of where we live. Over the many years Ina and I have served at the Center on behalf of the children, we continually meet folks within the Croatian community. I would welcome an opportunity to speak with you more about the work we are doing at the Center and to learn more about you.Kindest regards,Mark WestPresident, Blind Childrens Centermarktwest@socal.rr.com   Your help is deeply appreciatedThe Blind Childrens Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; IRS Tax ID # 95-1656369. We rely completely on private contributions. Supporters include individuals, civic and employee groups, foundations, and corporations. We take no government funding and we are not a United Way agency. Your contribution goes a long way. One-hundred percent of donor contributions directly support the Center's programs. Administrative costs are supported through earnings on investments. The Center's home and center-based educational and family programs are free of charge. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 04 Aug 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4520/1/E-Goran-Visnjic-and-Don-Wolf.html ÂDon Wolf and Goran VisnjicÂÂOn the ship from Split to the island of Hvar, I had the opportunity to discuss St. Theresa's orphanage with Goran Visnjic, international TV and movie personality. He was delighted that Croatian Americans were helping support St. Theresa's and that third and fourth generation Croatian Americans were still able to sing Croatian songs and enjoyed their Croatian heritage. Don letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 19 Jul 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4519/1/E-Elevator.html ÂElevatorDear Nenad,Perhaps your CROWN readers would be interested in these images fromSt. Theresa's Dom.The nuns looking through the hole with the child are anticipating the day when the hole will transform to an entrance to an elevator which will carry children, food, clothes and bedding up and down 4 stories. Sister Andrea on the left and Sister Victoria on the rightAnyone that wants to help pay for the completion of the elevator can make out a check to St. Theresa's Orphanage and send it to ÂDon Wolf3535 N 63 TerraceKansas City, Kansa66104When I get an appropriate amount, I wire it directly from our bank into the bank of the Sisters and it goes into their account.Don letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 19 Jul 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4521/1/E-Andrew-Bogut-4-Foundation-to-help-underprivileged.html ÂAndrew Bogut 4 Foundation to help underprivilegedBucks sign Bogut to multiyear contract(Agencies)Updated: 2005-07-02 16:33MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Bucks signed the NBA's No. 1 draft pick Andrew Bogut to a multiyear contract Friday. The 20-year-old Australian, who was college player of the year at Utah last season, will take part in the Bucks' summer camp workouts and play in the Minnesota Summer League July 15-19, general manager Larry Harris said. "This is a dream come true for me," Bogut said. "I've worked extremely hard to get to this point and I'm honored to be a member of the Milwaukee Bucks organization." The Bucks did not reveal the details of the contract for the 7-foot-1 center.Although the exact figures won't be known until after the NBA's new collecting bargaining agreement is finalized, Bogut's agent David Bauman said he expects Bogut to get around $4.2 million in his first year, $4.55 million the second year and $4.85 million the third year. The figure should go to about $6 million in the fourth year, the team's option year, he said, while a fifth-year qualifying offer would be 30 percent higher than the fourth, or $7.8 million. Bogut has formed the Andrew Bogut 4 Foundation to help underprivileged youths in Australia, Croatia, Utah and Milwaukee. He is of Croatian descent and played college basketball at Utah. Harris said the team expects "a long and promising career" for Bogut with the Bucks. Bogut has said he's not afraid of the expectations he faces as he joins a team coming off its worst record (30-52) in nearly a decade. Harris now will focus on re-signing top scorer Michael Redd and other free agents, and hiring a replacement for Terry Porter, the second-year coach who was fired last week. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-07/02/content_456564.htm  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 02 Jul 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4522/1/E-Rats-are-called-in-to-defuse-landmines-in-Croatia.html ÂRats are called in to defuse landmines ÂJune 1, 2005Zagreb - Croatia is considering using specially trained rats to help neutralize unexploded landmines left over from the 1990s Croatian-Serbian war. A media report yesterday said that Belgium had offered to provide Croatia with the trained African rats.Rats have been described as a cheap and efficient way to remove landmines.After being released into the minefield, they sniff out the landmines and after detecting one they start to scratch the ground, alerting their handlers. "Basically, it's the same principle as with dogs, but unlike dogs, which sometimes got blown away due to their weight, rats do not have such problems and rats also do not get bored so easily," Nikola Pavkovic, an official of the Croatian Demining Centre, told a German news agency. He said the large African rats, each weighing 3kg, would first have to undergo a period of adjustment to south-eastern Europe's climate and environment. The demining rats have already been used successfully in Mozambique in a project funded by the Belgian government and the European Union. - Sapa-DPAhttp://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=132&fArticleId=2541843  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 06 Jun 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4524/1/E-Celebrity-supporters-create-the-Adopt-A-Minefield-Artists-Committee.html letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 05 Jun 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4523/1/E-Maradona-to-play-charity-soccer-match-in-Novi-Vinodolski-Croatia.html ÂMaradona to play charity soccer match inCroatia ÂAssociated Press ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) - Diego Maradona will play in a charity soccer match in Croatia on June 17 with several other retired soccer stars, Croatian newspapers reported Wednesday.Maradona, who captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup, agreed to play in the northern coastal city of Novi Vinodolski to raise money for a local orphanage.Others involved are former Croatia internationals Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban."I'm happy to come again to Croatia," Maradona was quoted as saying by two leading Croatian dailies. "It makes me even more happy to do a good deed. Humanitarian matches have become the meaning of my life."The match is planned to accompany an ATP Senior Tour event in Novi Vinodolski on June 15-18, which will gather retired tennis stars such as Goran Ivanisevic, Boris Becker, and John McEnroe.Organizers also hope to arrange a tennis match between Maradona and McEnroe.The soccer match would be one of the few times Maradona, rated one of the greatest players ever, has been seen on a field since his retirement in 1997.Maradona became obese under the weight of cocaine addiction and, on March 5, successfully underwent gastric bypass surgery to help try and reduce his weight by 50 kilograms (110 pounds) within a year.Before the operation, the 1.68-meter (5-foot-6) Argentine weighed 121 kilograms (266 pounds).http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/3655786  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 05 Jun 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4529/1/E-St-Theresas-Orphanage.html  St. Theresa's Orphanage http://www.sttheresasorphanage.org/ Thank you for visiting - Hello. My name is Sister Kristina Piskovic. I am the director of St. Theresas Orphanage in Zagreb, Croatia. Although the war is now over, our country is still feeling its after effects. Joblessness and poverty are common, especially among the young, and some unfortunate parents cannot provide for their children. Our government, which is still struggling in this "new economy" provides very little help, so we (the sisters), and the children, rely on our benefactors abroad. Presently, we care for 35 children --- the youngest is a 3-month old boy and the eldest, a girl who has just graduated from secondary school. There is a lot of love here in our house, and a lot of happiness. The sisters are all young and we have the energy to love the children like they were our own. We wish to make their childhood as nice and carefree as possible. We also try to heal the wounds left over from the war and from being abandoned by their parents. Children are the flowers of the world and they are the jewels of our nunnery. As I stated, love and care is not a problem for us. But, a shortage of money is a major concern. Since our government does not help us very  much, we rely very heavily on the good will of our friends so that we can continue our work. If you are willing to help us help the orphans, we will be very grateful and we will include you in our every day prayers.Thank you and may God Bless. http://www.sttheresasorphanage.org St. Theresa's Orphanage Dom Sv. TerezijeSister Kristina PiskovicVrhovec2910000 Zagreb Croatia How To Give The Campaign for Saint Theresa's Orphanage has no paid staff. Every penny raised goes directly into an account that is accessed only by the sisters who operate the orphanage. We respond to the needs of the orphanage as they arise. If the roof needs repair, we raise the money. If the children need clothing, we find the clothes and send them. It's success depends on the commitment of volunteers and the generosity of those who can spare a few dollars. It's very simple: Our volunteers work hard. Our donors give generously. The children benefit.The Campaign for Saint Theresa's is affiliated with the Croatian Council of Kansas City, your donation is tax-deductible. More importantly, it will do much to help the children of Croatia. Please send your donation to:Christ the King Catholic ChurchMemo: St. TheresaÂsc/o Don Wolf3535 North 63rd TerraceKansas City, KS 66104 Croatian connection endures through yearsBy DAWN BORMANN The Kansas City Star - 2004 Ten years ago, Don Wolf didn't need to remind donors that the residents of Croatia needed a hand. Newspaper headlines spoke for the Kansas City, Kan., man. The Balkan states were devastated by war. Croatia was left with burned-out homes, hospitals and schools. Refugees had no place to return. Back then, Wolf went back to the country that his grandparents had emigrated from a century ago. He looked for ways to help. "What could I do? I didn't think there was anything I could do. I was so far removed," he said to himself before his trip. The professional photographer soon discovered that his pictures were the best way to humanize the story for Americans, who were eager to help. But when the gunfire quieted and the bombing siege stopped, donations dried up. Years later, the problems linger, Wolf said. The Croatian economy continues to struggle, crippled by inflation and riddled with unemployment. And Croatia has been denied access to the European Union and NATO. Wolf's award-winning fundraising efforts have become considerably more difficult. Americans have refocused their efforts to other war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. "The war is over. It's out of the front pages," he said. "People are tired of me." When his work began, it was a different story. Wolf started a non-profit group, the Croatian Council of Kansas City, and began writing to every American-Croatian organization he discovered. He scanned newspapers and magazines weekly, looking for potential donors. Slowly, Americans and many others began sending back the small church envelopes he had enclosed in each letter. The envelopes contained letters of encouragement and small donations. He researched worthy causes in Croatia and with the help of a Croatian cousin found St. Theresa's Orphanage run by Catholic nuns. Wolf visited the orphanage to judge for himself. He found a building packed with mothers, fathers, families and orphans. In a laundry room, he discovered a mother and her six children who called the small area home. At the time, deteriorated plumbing posed the biggest problem at the orphanage. So Wolf raised $25,000 and helped repair the pipes. "I thought it was going to be the end of it. Then they needed medicine, baby food," he said. "Little by little, they needed a stove. They needed a washing machine." Before he knew it, the tile roof needed to be replaced at the cost of $300,000. The Croatian government gave the orphanage $150,000 and Wolf launched a major campaign in America to come up with the balance. The photographer took snapshots of the children and sent pamphlets out across the country. "By taking pictures of these kids, people see their faces," he said. "These aren't just statistics. These are real people." Donations rolled in from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida, Texas and beyond. "So then, now I think I'm all done," he said. But his work, it seems, has only begun. The orphanage building still suffers from years of neglect. The children bear the emotional trauma of war and abandonment. The nuns, whose mission has become more respected throughout the country, have started outreach programs to help pregnant mothers. And the Carmelite sisters have another pressing request for Wolf. "Mr. Wolf, this is a four-story building. We carry food up and down .we need an elevator," one of the nuns told Wolf. The orphanage receives some help from the government, but the nuns depend on Wolf's fundraising work. There is little hope that the Croatian government could spare the money for the elevator, so without Wolf, the project is doomed. "We rely on God's providence and we believe that he sent us Mr. Don Wolf. His love and care for us helps us to go on, to continue with helping and living for abandoned children in Croatia," said Sister Victoria Sanjkovic, who helps to run the orphanage. At the orphanage, Wolf is well-known to the children. They call him Papa Wolf and send thank-you letters to him and every donor. Wolf's work is followed closely by others as well. He has received numerous awards for his charity work and has earned the respect of many. Wolf and his wife, Mary Wolf, have also led several tours for Americans with Croatian roots. The tours always include a stop at the orphanage, where Americans can see firsthand how their donations are used. The tours have inspired many others to lead similar trips through the country. Last week, Wolf received a letter from Barb Perisin, a supporter from Joliet, Ill., who had just returned from a visit with a tour group. She told Wolf that visiting the orphanage was the most memorable stop on the tour. When it came time to leave, she said, "There wasn't a dry eye on board that bus." The experience reinforced their decision to donate money to the orphans, Perisin told him. "Everyone agreed that the money they gave was well worth it and that the nuns really need that elevator," she wrote. "I hope they will continue to get enough donations to make that dream possible." Letters like Perisin's remind Wolf that the 20 to 30 minutes he dedicates to the charity each day are well worth his time. "It's a joy. This is so fulfilling I can't explain it," he said. "It's almost like a mandate from God." For many, the philanthropy is easy to support, considering that 100 percent of donations are directed to the orphanage. In order to pay for postage, Wolf sells a videotape that teaches the delicate art of preparing povitica bread. He also sells Christmas cards to benefit the children. While the donations inside the church envelopes have grown smaller, there are still surprises, he said. When he retires, Wolf will dedicate even more time to Croatia and the orphans. Still, he sometimes tells the Carmelite sisters that someday he will retire from the philanthropy business. Of course, he can't speak those words without flashing a bright mischievous smile. He knows leaving the orphanage isn't really an option. "I asked the sisters, when can I quit? She said, 'When we do.'" (E) Don Wolf of Kansas City - A Croatian you should know! 11/25/01  Culture And Arts Contact Don Wolf: Wolf1936@aol.com  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 09 May 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4528/1/H-Croatian-Mine-Action-Centre-CROMAC.html  Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC)Address : Ante Kovacica 10 PO BOX 8 Sisak 44000 Croatia Tel : 00385 44 554 101Fax : 00385 44 554 142 URL : http://www.hcr.hr/  E-mail :hcr@hcr.hr  Zahvaljujemo svim sudionicima na izuzetnom zanimanju, dobroj raspravi i prezentacijama. Zamoljavamo ih takoer, da eÃÂe posjeuju Internet stranicu HCR-a ( www.hcr.hr  ) i HCR-CTRO d.o.o. www.ctro.hr , te da nam svojim sugestijama pomognu u kreiranju III. Meunarodnog stru nog savjetovanja "Humanitarno razminiranje 2006.".Oto Jungwirthravnatelj HCR-aMirko IvanuÃÂiPredsjednikOrganizacijskog odboraNikola Pavkovidirektor HCR-CTRO-a  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 09 May 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4527/1/E-Norwegian-Peoples-Aid-Mine-Action-Programme---CROATIA.html  Norwegian People's Aid Mine Action Programme - CROATIA Norwegian PeopleÀ™s Aid is the Norwegian labour movementÀ™s humanitarian aid organization which was established over 60 years ago, the basis for all its activities is to improve conditions under which individuals live and contribute to a more humane society for all. NPA has been involved in mine action since 1992, conducting mine action operations in 16 different countries covering three continents. Cambodia was the first country where NPA started mine clearance operations and since that date the organization has set up operations in: Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Kurdistan, Laos, Lebanon, Mozambique, Kosovo, Thailand and Western Sahara. NPA works in adherence to the United Nations definition of mine action as being, Àœall those activities geared towards addressing the problems faced by populations as a result of landmine contamination. It is not just about mines as it is about people and their interaction with a mine-infested environment. Its aim is not purely to survey, mark and eradicate landmines À“ but humanitarian and developmental - to recreate an environment in which people can live safely, in which economic, social and health development can occur free from the constraints imposed by landmine contamination, and in which victims' needs are addressed.Accordingly, NPAÀ™s mine action activities included survey and task impact assessments, mine clearance involving manual, mechanical and mine detecting dogs), mine awareness and community liaison activities, advocacy and mine policy related work, research and development initiatives, landmine survivor assistance (to a limited extent) and support and capacity building to national mine action capacities.The overall objective of any NPA mine action programme is, to facilitate, support and contribute to a sustainable improvement of the socio-economic living conditions for target populations in mine affected areas. To accomplish this we work within two major programme areas: the first focuses on the landmines already in the ground and the second on the prevention of further use of landmines. The former refers to all our work in the mine-affected countries including survey, clearance, and mine awareness activities. The latter refers to our engagement as one of the key organisations in the Ottawa Treaty Process and the international campaign to ban landmines (ICBL). Since the ratification of the treaty and the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the founding organisations and their Ambassador Ms. Jody Williams, NPA and its partners in ICBL have continued to lobby the non-signatories as well as supporting countries like Croatia, who have signed and ratified the Treaty. NPA also assist in the production of Landmine Monitor, which gives the annual overview of the mine problem worldwide. In addition to ICBL, NPA is also a member of other international mine action committees and working groups including the UNMAS Steering Committee and the GICHD Advisory Board. According to the estimated figures presented by the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) around 700,000 mines and UXOs still remain undetected in Croatia. Out of the 21counties in Croatia, 14 are still mine contaminated from the conflict between 1991 and 1995. CROMAC estimates that the mine suspected area covers 1,350 km2, 10% of this area is considered to be actually mine contaminated. According the Croatian Mine Victims' Association there have been 1,880 mine victims since 1991.http://www.npaid.hr/   letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 09 May 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4526/1/E-Fundrraiser-for-the-City-Museum-of-Vukovar-SUCCESS.html  Fundraiser for the City Museum of Vukovar SUCCESSDear members of AMAC Mid-Atlantic and the Croatian-American Chamber of Commerce,It is a pleasure to announce that thanks to your generosity we managed to raise $11,110 for the City Museum of Vukovar, at the fundraiser held in the restaurant The Terrace in the Sky in Manhattan, on May 1, 2005. The fundraiser was organized by AMAC Mid-Atlantic http://www.amac-ma.org/headlines/ , with the cooperation of the CACC http://www.croamchamber.org/ . Thirty donations have been received, ranging from $25 to $2,500. They were collected mostly during the fundraiser, but some major donations were also sent by the people who were unable to attend. Each donation, regardless of its size, is valuable since it was given from the heart, and will be received with gratitude by the people of Vukovar. To them, the funds we raised will mean a great deal not only financially but also, and perhaps even more, morally and emotionally, a tangible evidence that the Croatian community here, although far away, stands with them.The donations will soon be sent to Vukovar. Every donor will be personally recognized and thanked in writing by the director of the Vukovar museum, Mrs. Ruzica Maric. Our hope is to repeat this fundraiser next year, and make it a regular annual event.Thank you all once again, and have a great summer.Sincerely,Zlatko Bacic, PresidentAMAC Mid-Atlanticzlatko.bacic@nyu.edu    letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 09 May 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4525/1/E-Croatian-American-3rd-Annual-Golf-Outing-New-York-May-23-2005.html  Croatian American 3rd Annual Golf Outing May 23, 2005 at North Hills Country Club, Manhasset, New YorkTel: (516) 627 9100For registration donation and further information call (718) 539-2391Dinner tickets still availableCharity event for American Cancer Society and Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 09 May 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4530/1/H-Preporucamo-vam-Fundaciju-Ruzickina-Kuca-u-Vukovaru.html ÂAMAC:Preporucamo vam Fundaciju "Ruzickina Kuca" u VukovaruFrom: Zlatko Bacic bacicz@mindspring.comDate: March 19, 2005 1:09:55 PM ESTTo: AMAC-members@mx1.nyu.eduSubject: AMAC: Preporucamo vam Fundaciju "Ruzickina Kuca" u VukovaruDragi clanovi i prijatelji AMACa,Zelimo Vam svratiti pozornost na Fundaciju "Ruzickina Kuca" koja djeluje u Vukovaru, buduci da smo uvjereni da zavrijedjuje Vasu podrsku. Fundacija je osnovana u svrhu obnove rodne kuce prvog hrvatskog nobelovca, i jednog od svjetskih velikana kemije, Lavoslava Ruzicke, koja je bila potpuno razrusena tijekom srpske agresije na Vukovar, za vrijeme Domovinskog rata. Obnovljena kuca biti ce muzejski prostor koji ce svjedociti o zivotu i radu Lavoslava Ruzicke. Inace, uz obnovljenu kucu bit ce izgradjena moderno opremljena dvorana, u kojoj ce se odvijati razne kulturne i obrazovne djelatnosti, narocito okrenute mladima, kao i znanstveni skupovi. O Fundaciji, njenom projektu, i napretku obnove Ruzickine kuce, mozete vise saznati na vrlo informativnoj web stranici Fundacije, http://www.fundacijaruzickinakuca.hr/index.htm . Posjetite Foto galeriju,http://www.fundacijaruzickinakuca.hr/foto.htm Takodjer, mozete kontaktirati gdju. Maju Rendulic maja.rendulic@diners.hr , upraviteljicu Fundacije, koja azurno i srdacno odgovara na e-mail poruke.Lavoslav Ruzicka jedan je od samo dva hrvatska znanstvenika nagradjena za svoj rad Nobelovom nagradom. Drugi je Vladimir Prelog, takodjer organski kemicar, kojem je Ruzicka bio mentor. Lavoslav Ruzicka je rodjen 1887. u Vukovaru. Nakon velike mature u Osijeku, otisao je na studij u inozemstvo. Iako je tada zauvijek napustio domovinu, nikada ju nije zaboravio i do kraja zivota je odrzavao cvrste i ceste veze s njom. Gotovo cjelu znanstvenu karijeru proveo je kao profesor organske kemije na znamenitoj ETH (Visoka Tehnicka Skola) u Zuerichu, u Svicarskoj. Nobelovu nagradu za kemiju dobio je 1939., za svoje pionirske radove iz sintetske organske kemije prirodnih spojeva. Umro je 1976. Kod njega su se decenijama usavrsavali gotovo svi vodeci organski kemicari u Hrvatskoj. Dobitnik je brojnih najvisih svjetskih priznanja. Za pocasnog doktora Sveucilista u Zagrebu izabran je 1940.; iste godine postao je i pocasnim gradjaninom Vukovara. Opsirniji zivotopis Lavoslava Ruzicke nalazi se takodjer na web stranici Fundacije, http://www.fundacijaruzickinakuca.hr/index.htm Nadamo se da ce te pozeljeti ukljuciti se u projekt obnove rodne kuce ovog hrvatskog velikana. Ako se odlucite, Vase donacije mozete uplatiti u korist deviznog racuna Fundacije "Ruzickina Kuca":71304-737761 kod Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. ZagrebSWIFT code: RZBHHR2XKorespondentne banke u US su:The Bank of New York, NYWachovia Bank, NYAmerican Express Bank, NYUz srdacan pozdrav i postovanje,ÂZlatko Bacic, PredsjednikAMAC Mid-Atlantichttp://www.amac-ma.org/headlines/ letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 21 Mar 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4531/1/E-Taina-Franjevic-in-Action.html ÂTaina Franjevic in Action letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 13 Feb 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4532/1/E-Looking-for-Bone-Marrow-transplant-for-my-father.html ÂBone Marrow Search for my fatherSubject: FW: From Blaz Grizelj: Important Information Regarding My FatherFor those of you who don't know, my father, Mladen "Zuka" Grizelj has beendiagnosed with a form of Leukemia. Right now he is going throughchemotherapy and will receive a bone marrow transplant in the near future.We are asking all of our friends and family if they can help us out bydonating their bone marrow to the National Marrow Donor Program. It's ananonymous donation, so you won't know exactly who you'll be helping out.Hopefully, it will be my father. You can contact your local hospital tofind out where you can give the donation.The donation is a simple withdrawal of blood that won't take up too muchof your time. It doesn't involve taking any of your bone marrow out.Evenif you are lucky enough to be a match, the transplant process onlyrequires you to withdraw blood again. So there is no surgery, orpainful procedure of any kind. There are a few criteria to becoming adonor:1. You can't have asthma, AIDS, or diabetes2. You can't have serious hip, neck, or heart problems3. You have to be between the ages of 18-60If you fit this criteria, then PLEASE help by donating your blood. Forthose of you who live in the Bay Area, you can contact Diane Hill ofStanford Hospital at (650)723-5532. You can give your bone marrowdonation there, or she can direct you to a place that is closer to you.You can also go to www.marrow.org to locate any bone marrow donationcenters near you. There is no cost to you for the donation. Thank youfor your support and help, if you have any questions, please call.Sincerely,Blaz Grizelj408.398.4112michael@intersp.com CroNetwork: The Croatian-American Organization for Young Professionals. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 24 Jan 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4534/1/E-Croatian-Relief-Services-for-Tsunami-Victims.html ÂCroatian Relief Services for Tsunami Victimshttp://www.croatianrelief.org/ Croatian Relief Services was founded at the basement of St. John Catholic Church in Fairview, New Jersey on June 7, 1991 in order to help the refugees of Croatia and Bosnia. Since that time it has become "An Apostolate of Mercy" created to help the destitute victims of natural disasters and war refugees throughout the globe. We work with local clergy in many countries and joins in saving lives of the poorest of the poor. The driving force behind our ministry lies in the challenge presented in Matt. 25: 31-46. We are a ministry of compassion and mercy binding the bleeding hearts and comforting the widows and the orphans. We are restoring broken families, mending broken hearts, and bringing hope to the hopeless, especially the war refugees who have been suffering persecution. We wish to be the voice for the voiceless in many parts of the globe. We serve the people God places before us.At the present time, we are faced with the most horrible natural human tragedy. It took place a day after Christmas in Asia. The Tsunami Waves after the Indian Ocean Earthquake has devastated many countries in Asia, India and Sri Lanka. We are sending to you the information about this tragedy on the other side of this letter. We are aware that you have heard of the situation through the media. What remains of us to do at the present time is to open our hearts for the most desperate people of the globe. They need our comfort and support. Please, join our hands in helping the victims of this tragic natural disaster. Any donation to Croatian Relief Services is tax deductible.Immediately after I heard of the tragedy I called a my friend Bishop Jude Pauluraj of the Diocese of Palayamkottai in India. Bishop Jude visited Croatian Relief last summer and we became good friends. Here is a part of the e-mail letter which Bishop Paulraj sent to me after I spoke to him and promised help from our CRS, the Apostolate of Mercy."Dear Father Gio, It is really amazing to see your good timely self action on behalf of our critical situation in India and Sri Lanka! You are responding to the Lord's invitation to bring Jesus in the hearts of all who suffer! I appreciate your action. Your generous heart is an example to me as a bishop. I have just returned home from the neighboring diocese of Kottar. I was giving out rice bags, beans, clothing and blankets to the Tsunami Wave Victims who are now homeless. Today we have distributed humanitarian aid worth 3, 500 US dollars. The neighboring Bishop told me that they need many more blankets and food. Tomorrow we are going to another neighboring diocese of Titicorin. We will distribute more humanitarian aid worth some 2, 000 US dollars. The money was collected from our diocese, and other institutions in a period of last 6 months. This is not a big deal but it is an immediate relief to the 2 dioceses. Some 20 camps are there in Kottar and each camp holds some 150 people. The Government will do what they can but it takes time! The people need an immediate relief and rehabilitation will take place later and it will be a very big undertaking. Several villages here are totally washed out to sea! God shell help them through wonderful people like you! I shall contact the Bishop of Sri Lanka who is my classmate and will also distribute help to the victims there. Through your help we will also help them. Please send us what you can because the situation is very critical. I will keep in touch with you daily and I will fill you on all the projects and details of our humanitarian distribution. Once again I have no words to express my gratitude and appreciation for your kind and timely gesture to the suffering humanity. God bless you and your mom. My wishes to all your helpers and donors. Kindly pray for us . We wish you all a healthy and holy new year". (Signed by: Bishop Jude Paulraj) - FROM ALL YOU HAVE HEARD BY THE US AND WORLD MEDIA I DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO ADD FOR THIS URGENT APPEAL. By Phone: Please call (201)945-4891 for any questions about donations.Mail your check or money order to:Croatian Relief Services225 Anderson Ave. Fairview, NJ 07022 http://www.croatianrelief.org/ FrGio@aol.com  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 02 Jan 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4533/1/E-Libertas-Foundation-Fundraiser-Feb-5th-2005.html ÂLIBERTAS FOUNDATION ÂFebruary 5th 2005, Gala Dinner/Fundraising and celebration of Sveti Vlaho - St. Blaise, Patron Saint of DubrovnikTel: (310) 548-1446 Fax: (310) 831-8382 e-mail: Dubrovnik5@aol.com 777 W.9th St., San Pedro, CA 90731 USA December 20, 2004Dear Friends,On February 5th 2005, another Gala Dinner/Fundraising and celebration of Sveti Vlaho - St. Blaise, Patron Saint of Dubrovnik is coming. Mark your calendar and reserve this evening for fabulous Croatian food, dances, music and friendship.To commemorate our 14th anniversary at St. Anthony's Croatian Center in Los Angeles, Libertas Foundation will publish a program and souvenir book. We invite you and all Croatian-American businesses, organizations and their friends to help in our fundraising effort by placing an ad, greeting, letter, poem, recipe or anything that may be interesting for our Souvenir Book. In order to reserve space in our Souvenir Book, please contact us ASAP and no later then January 20,2005. This event is a sell out every year -- we anticipate over 450 people from the Greater Los Angeles area to attend our "festa", which has become one of the premiere events in the Croatian- American community of Southern California. The souvenir book will be distributed to all attendees and advertisers, giving you and your business tremendous exposure and recognition.We are pleased to report that our scholarship fund, which awards financially challenged students money to attend local trade schools, awarded ten (10) deserving students $1000 each in Dubrovnik this past August. The names of the students are: Stijepo Mage, Ivan Zec, Miso Tepsic, Antun Strazicic, Andela Kurelja, Ivo Morlais, Damir Miljevic, Niko Lujo, Ivo Penetra and Petar Zlosilo.Though we have all accomplished and contributed generously, we are continuing with these programs as long as there is need for it and ask for your help and support in any way to make these programs most beneficial to the needy people of Croatia.We thank all of you that have helped in the past and hope you will continue to support our humanitarian projects. Since we are all volunteers, we can assure you that every dollar you donate will reach the people and charity of your choice. The holidays are around the corner. At this time of joy and celebration let's remember our less fortunate brothers and sisters and share the joy of Christmas with them. Your generosity and continued support is greatly appreciated.MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! SRETAN BOZIC I NOVA GODINA!Niko Hazdovac Tony Bendewish President/ Libertas Foundation “Ante & Evelyn Mrgudic” Scholarship Fund Humanitarian, Non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible. Federal ID#:33-0496929 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 02 Jan 2005 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4535/1/E-SERVING-CHILDREN.html ÂSERVING CHILDREN: ANDREA JAEGER & MAJA MURICBy Katarina TepeshIn the 1980's Andrea Jaeger was a tennis phenomenon - she turned pro at the age of 14 and was the #2 ranked female tennis player in the world. When, at the age of 19, a career-ending injury set her on a new path, Andrea gave her earnings and pension to co-found The Silver Lining Foundation, benefiting children with life threatening illnesses. This year, Andrea released autobiography, "FIRST SERVICE - Following God's Calling and Finding Life's Purpose" www.firstservicebook.com "In our nonprofit organization, in one of our many programs, children participate in weeklong sessions at our 18,000-square-foot permanent facility, built in Aspen specifically for children with life threatening illnesses. For these youngsters, weary of sterile hospitals, painful procedures, and the loneliness and trauma of dealing with a life-threatening disease like cancer, the Ranch and activities provide a welcome relief amid the beauty and serenity of the Colorado Rockies. While some children are from loving families with great community and parental support, others arrive from foster care and harsh, broken family environments. We help children find peace, have fun and share similarity of their experiences with fellow cancer patients," says Andrea. www.silverliningfoundation.orgPart of Andrea's team is also another former tennis player MAJA MURIC, born in Zagreb, in 1974. Since 1995, Maja serves as the International Program Coordinator and camp videographer at the foundation. "In 1994 when I met Maja at the Hilton Head, South Carolina, Maja spent the evening passionately describing why the programs were needed in her native country. She told me of bombings, mortar shells and sniper shootings, and how this had an effect on the country's children. The exclusive vacation environment of Hilton Head Island was a far cry from her homeland - war-battered cities with buildings that were reduced to rubble; hospitals lacking basic supplies; shortages in food and clothing - but Maja refused to forget the children so desperately in need. Maja felt assured I was going to be someone who could help make a difference," recalls Andrea. Equally important, Maja told Andrea her own deeply painful story. "Maja's mother had tried to abort her when she found out she was pregnant with her. The abortion plan didn't work and Maja's entry into the world was not very welcomed by her natural family. Maja's mom left her when she was eight and Maja's dad soon after that, even though he stayed in her life in some ways. Maja's grandparents raised her, but it was still not a good situation. Maja was severely abused by her father - whenever he was around - throughout her childhood and adolescence. The experiences were so traumatic that she blocked many of them out in order to survive. Despite all the pain and suffering she endured, her spirit was never broken. Maja had a heart as big as a mountain."By autumn of 1994, Maja and Andrea arrived in Zagreb to deliver medical supplies, clothing and toys in excess of $50,000 to give to children in Croatia and Bosnia. The cargo vessel was paid by GORAN IVANISEVIC. For international children's programs, please send your tax-deductible donations to: Little Stars, PO Box 11569, Aspen, Colorado 81612. Federal Tax ID is: 86-0947944 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 21 Oct 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4536/1/E-Doctor-comes-to-aid-of-Croatian-student.html ÂDoctor comes to aid of Croatian studentBy Ann Strosnider, Sun StaffSeptember 25, 2004Croatian student Boris Marosinac will be able to stay in Bremerton and complete his education at Olympic College, thanks to a generous retired doctor. Dr. John Stanley of Bremerton came forward to put up the $15,000 required by student visa rules after a story about Marosinac's plight appeared in The Sun Sept. 17. Stanley said he was happy to help and said Marosinac is helping him as well. "We discovered that this young fellow is very good with computers," he said. Stanley has a Russian student, Katerina Korosteleva of Vladivostok, staying with him, and Marosinac was able to set up her computer with the Cyrillic alphabet.Marosinac, 20, had begun college in Michigan but moved to Bremerton after members of a church that sponsored him lost their jobs and were unable to keep up the funding. The Stanley family (no relation to Dr. Stanley) knew him slightly and agreed to take him in without knowing about the financial requirements. He is part of OC's fledgling international student program. Dr. Stanley said he got involved with international students through Rotary. He began traveling to Russia to help set up Rotary clubs about six years ago. Kathy Stanley said Friday that the response from the community has been overwhelming. "In addition to Dr. Stanley, we've had dozens of calls," she said. "Some people wanted to offer money, some just offered their prayers that Boris would be able to stay in this country. I would like to thank Gerry Stamm of Olympic College and everyone who called. It has meant so much to us and to Boris." One woman even called to see if the young Croatian could help her translate some letters from her deceased father. She was born in Croatia but moved to the United States after being adopted in 1956 and never learned to read and write the language. Marosinac grew up in a time of war and dislocation in his native land. The fighting among Serbs, Croats and Muslims in the former Yugoslavia left 20,000 people dead and more than a quarter-million homeless. When it looked like he might have to return home without a degree, he was discouraged because unemployment in Croatia is about 45 percent, he said. "Beyond the education that Boris will be able to get, the lesson that there are good people out there means everything," Kathy Stanley said. Reach reporter Ann Strosnider at (360) 792-9219 or at astrosnider@thesunlink.com.http://www.thesunlink.com/bsun/local/article/0,2403,BSUN_19088_3209626,00.html  letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 25 Sep 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4537/1/E-Croatia-Treats-Iraqi-Children-Trains-Doctors.html ÂCroatia Treats Iraqi Children, Trains Doctors In Forensic Techniques AFP: 8/26/2004 ZAGREB, Aug 26 (AFP) - Seven Iraqi children were hospitalized in Zagreb Thursday for life-saving surgical operations, Health Minister Andrija Hebrang said. He said the government had budgeted 270,000 euros (326,000 dollars) this year for medical care for Iraqi children who cannot be treated in their own country. The seven children admitted to three hospitals Thursday are aged between two and 11. Hebrang did not give any details about their condition. He said six Iraqi doctors arrived Thursday to begin training in forensic techniques, including the use of DNA tracing to identify victims in mass graves. http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=25601 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 26 Aug 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4538/1/E-Nita-Gizdich---Ag-Against-Hunger-Woman-of-the-Year.html ÂNita Gizdich lauded as Ag Woman of the Year - Against HungerÂThe following comes from the Santa Cruz Sentinel. John Peter Kraljic, Esq.Nita GizdichBACKGROUND: Owner of Gizdich Ranch, a pick-it-yourself farm and tourist destination in Watsonville. AWARD RECEIVED: 2004 Ag Woman of the Year, given by the nonprofit group Ag Against Hunger based in Salinas, serving Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties.NOMINEE CRITERIA: Demonstrates commitment to the betterment of the agricultural community; displays community leadership, professionalism and dedication; demonstrates the highest level of ethics and integrity.OCCUPATION: Semi-retired farmer.HOMETOWN: Watsonville.OTHER HONORS RECEIVED: First woman to be named Farmer of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, 1987; named Direct Marketing Person of the Year by National Farmers' Direct Marketing Association, 1994; inducted into the Watsonville High School Alumni Hall of Fame, 1999; named Woman of the Year by Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, 2002.INFORMATION: www.gizdichranch.com ;www.agagainsthunger.com .By GWEN MICKELSONSentinel staff writerWATSONVILLE - Sitting at a long picnic table in the bake shop at Gizdich Ranch, a pick-it-yourself farm and tourist destination selling jams, pies and antiques, Nita Gizdich's blue eyes sparkled behind rimless spectacles.A recurring smile sent laugh lines across her tanned face as she talked about the people, particularly schoolchildren, who come to the ranch to experience a farm firsthand and learn where their food comes from.Tuesday, Gizdich, owner of Gizdich Ranch and tireless champion of agricultural issues, was named Ag Woman of the Year, an award given annually by the nonprofit group Ag Against Hunger. The award is given to an outstanding woman who has made a significant contribution to the agricultural community within Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties."I'm very excited," said Gizdich, 69. "I'm very surprised. I hope I can live up to all these honors."That kind of selfless spirit in promoting and celebrating agriculture and keeping the pioneering tradition and agricultural history alive are what Ag Against Hunger looks for in the nominations for its award."The people who are selected are the hardest-working women in the industry, and they tend to keep a low profile," said Bernadette O'Keefe, executive director of Ag Against Hunger, which collects and distributes farms' surplus produce to low-income, hungry people in the community and throughout the state.The award has honored women with outstanding contributions to agriculture since 1994, beginning with Sharan Lanini, an agricultural consultant in Salinas. Other women who have received the award since include Claudia Smith of Paraiso Vineyards of Soledad in 1995, Karen Miller of Clint Miller Farms in Watsonville in 1996 and Elia Vasquez of Vasquez Farms in Watsonville in 2000."Nita has done so much in her career of farming that it was natural nomination," said Jess Brown, executive director of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau, which nominated Gizdich for the award. "She's been a leader in so many areas, especially in the direct marketing arena - Gizdich Farms was only the second in Pajaro Valley that sold directly to the public. Plus, in agricultural issues, she's also been a spokesperson not just for the benefit of her own farm, but for farming in general."Watsonville nativeGizdich Ranch was founded 69 years ago, when Gizdich's father-in-law bought the land.Gizdich explains her background simply."I was born and raised right here in Watsonville," she said. "My father came from Croatia and was a farmer when he came. We lived in the city limits the first 13 years of my life, yet we farmed down the slough area of Watsonville. It was all farmed by my father under dry beans and zucchinis and tomatoes. Then he was able to buy a 15-acre farm, and he farmed there until he was 75 and retired."I married after graduating from high school, and here I am at the Gizdich Ranch."Her grandchildren are the fourth generation working on the farm.Gizdich's contributions to the agricultural industry include outreach to the community through the farm's open-to-the public presence and being outspoken on issues that affect agriculture and the local area.In 1995, Gizdich was one of 25 California farm delegates who traveled to Washington, D.C., to talk to legislators about issues facing agriculture, including the endangered species reform act and immigration reform. She has served on the Farm Bureau, the Agricultural History Project and the Country Crossroads map organization.Staying activeGizdich says she plans to keep an active schedule during her year of honor."I speak at many functions," she said. "I'm always out speaking in our community or very active working on different ag programs. I think that's what keeps me busy."With her oldest son, Vince III, having taken over the farm since Gizdich lost her husband, Vincent Jr., almost two years ago, she doesn't have the responsibility she used to out in the field or managing the farm, and she says she gets to do the things she likes the most.Going into the future, Gizdich sees herself staying right on the farm, continuing to work with children and on issues of importance to the agricultural industry."How do you preserve ag if you don't get out there and speak about what agriculture is to the public?" she said. "I think that's the big thing we're trying to do right now with tourism, educating the public of where their food comes from and how important it is to be raising it right here in our own valley."Contact Gwen Mickelson at gmickelson@santacruzsentinel.comContact Gizdich Ranch:postmaster@gizdichranch.com ÂThe central coast of California offers an abundance of natural resources. ÂAmong the resources it provides are the fertile Salinas and Pajaro Valleys where more vegetables are grown, packed and shipped than in any other region in the world. ÂYet, in the midst of plenty there are those who are hungry. ÂAG Against Hunger was founded to address these concerns.In May 1990, members of the local agricultural community saw a need to join forces with food assistance agencies to funnel donations of fresh, surplus produce to food banks and community pantries in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. ÂIn 1998 two small food banks began participating in the AG Against Hunger program, Food Bank Coalition for San Luis Obispo County, and Madera County Food Bank. ÂThe program is simple. ÂWhen growers have a surplus they notify AG Against Hunger. ÂOur truck collects the produce from approximately 50 different growers and shippers in the tri-county area. ÂIt is then distributed to participating food banks and pantries, which make it available to over 175,000 low-income people each month. ÂWhen food banks are full, the excess is donated to California Emergency Foodlink who takes it to food banks throughout the State.Because AG Against Hunger is strongly supported by the agricultural community through donations of crops , and is independent of any single food assistance program, the amount and diversity of produce made available has grown enormously since the program's inception. In 1990, 500,000 pounds of produce was distributed compared with more than 11,000,000 pounds in 2003.AG Against Hunger is not a food bank. ÂWe are a food recovery program that collects and distributes produce to food banks and pantries. ÂFood banks feed hungry people through their own distribution process by giving directly to kitchens and shelters. ÂThey are community-based organizations. ÂAG Against Hunger is a regional program with a priority of distributing produce in the tri-county area of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties and broadening the area of distribution according to available supply.FOR MORE INFO PLEASE EMAIL US AT: bokeefe@agagainsthunger.com letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 17 Jun 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4539/1/E-Run-for-Croatia.html ÂRun for CroatiaÂEILEEN and Andy Dixon, from Barnstaple, are spending part of their holiday driving aid across Europe to Croatia.They are taking part in the Relief Run Rally organized by charity Give Youth a Hand.They will join about 30 other owners who will drive 1,200 miles across Europe in their motor homes, carry tools, clothing, toys and other items to help refugees and destititute families.Eileen and And are doing the run in May entirely at their own expense and have been collecting items and raising money for various projects.To find out more about the charity, log on towww.giveyouthahand.co.uk http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/archived/2004/wk12/news/12news3.asp letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 15 Mar 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4540/1/EH-Prijatelji-Kresimirgrada---Charity.html ÂPrijatelji Krešimirgrada&Gift and Breath of Life Foundation Cordially Invite all Croatians and friendsTo Šibenska NoćGala Banquet With"Special Surprise GuestDirect from Croatia - Renowned Singer"Gourmet Chef Ivo Svirčić from the Croatian Embassy in Washington, DC will create gourmet fish dishes, risotto and other Croatian culinary delightsAll proceeds from this event will benefit Šibenik HospitalSaturday, April 24th, 2004St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church and Cultural Center712 Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012Holy Mass - 6:30pmSocial Hour Reception - 7:00pmDinner & Entertainment - 8:00pmReservations: $50.00 (tax-deductible) for Full Event (Entertainment after dinner only: $25.00)Table Reservations:Natalie Sutlovich - 310.547.5391Sandra Prebanda - 310.514.2629Further Information, Tickets and Advestising:Mato Cvjetković- 562.884.4456Mirjana Grgas - 310.548.4536Jožica Mijat - 310.833.4717Croatian Consulate General Office - 310.477.1009 St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church - 213.628.2938To make reservations by e-mail, forward message to: mijat@cshs.org (Advertise in our booklet: $100 full page, $50 half page and $25 business card size) Prijatelji KrešimirgradaDear Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure for us to announce and invite you to join us on Saturday, April 24th at our Šibenska Noć Gala Banquet.Come enjoy an evening of festive melodies by our very special surprise guest singer from Croatia to celebrate this special event. Sveti Ante Kolo Group will further entertain us with traditional Croatian folk music. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet some old friends and make some new acquaintances. We are hopeful that this event will continue serve as a reunion of Croatians from all the beautiful regions of our beloved homeland. In the same fashion, may this event serve to bring together Croatians and our friends from Los Angeles, San Pedro, Orange County and other regions of Southern California and beyond.All proceeds from this event will be donated to Sibenik Hospital which is in much need of renovation and upgraded equipment to better serve people in need. Thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated. Respectfully, Prijatelji Krešimirgrada Organizing Committee letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 04 Mar 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4541/1/E-Jan-Mihelich-helps-Croatia-clean-landmines.html Eating out can help effort to clear minefield in CroatiaLocal activists make the pitch to raise funds for worthy causeBy TERESA FALKTribune Staff Writer Jan Mihelich and the South Bend Adopt-A-Minefield committee are raising money to clear a minefield in Croatia. Tribune Photo/GREG SWIERCZ How to help Send donations to the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign at the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 7878, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Make checks payable to Eliminate the Land mines. Contributions are eligible for a tax deduction. Another way to help Eat at the Hacienda Mexican restaurant at 5836 Grape Road today or at Barnaby's restaurant at 713 E. Jefferson on Feb. 3. Hacienda will donate 20 percent of meal and drink costs to Eliminate the Land mines. And Barnaby's will donate 10 percent of all meal and drink costs served that day to Eliminate the Land mines. To donate by eating at Hacienda, a coupon is required. This can be found at Martin's Super Markets. To learn more, call (574) 232-3844 or (574) 273-5354. Or go online at www.landmines.org. Croatia land mine facts Total country area: 56,538 km Number of suspected mines: 400,000 Types of mines: 10 identifiable types of mines, including the Yugoslav-made MT-4, PMA-2 and PMA-3. Sources of mines: Land mines were deployed by Croat, Serb and Muslim forces during the former Yugoslavia conflict in the early 1990s. Location of mines: The most heavily mined areas are in eastern and western Slavonia and coastal areas north of Split. United Nations presence: A mine action center was established in 1996 to help develop a national demining capacity, to provide advice to the government and to maintain a database of land mines. The center activities have since been transferred to the Croatian Mine Action Centre. -- Source: Adopt-A-Minefield of the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. After visiting Croatia and seeing firsthand the devastation that land mines can cause to innocent people, Jan Mihelich of South Bend decided to take action."I have been there, and it's the only place I've been with land mines, so I felt a connection," Mihelich said. "I've long been concerned about land mines."Mihelich started a branch of the Adopt-A-Minefield organization in South Bend after seeing an advertisement for the national organization in a magazine. Mihelich is chairwoman of the nine-member committee."The ad told me there is something I can do," she said. "There's this little voice inside of you that says, 'I can help.' "An estimated 26,000 innocent people are killed or injured every year in land mine explosions around the world, and a third of these are children, according to the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign."The land mines don't know that the war is over, so they detonate," Mihelich said. "We have to get rid of land mines so children can play and people can work in the fields."These minefields have been placed during past wars in about 70 countries, including Bosnia, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Croatia."When there's a war, one of the ways they fight is with land mines," Mihelich said.Land mines come in various sizes and strengths. They explode when a person walks or a vehicle drives over them.Each one only costs $3 to make but $300 to $1,000 to remove. The local Adopt-A-Minefield committee is hoping to raise at least $25,000 to clear one minefield in Croatia, Mihelich said. The community has responded generously since December, with about $3,000 raised so far.A minefield in Croatia was chosen because the money donated to Croatia will be doubled by the International Trust Fund, Mihelich said.The national Adopt-A-Minefield organization will decide which minefield will be cleared with the money. For instance, a minefield that sits between a village and its water supply desperately needs to be removed, Mihelich said.Mihelich encourages the public to give because all money donated goes directly to the land mine clearing efforts in Croatia."Other causes are worthy, but for some, about 70 percent (of the donation) goes to overhead (costs)," she said. "For this, you know every penny you give goes to clearing land mines because we have a couple of 'angels' who are taking care of postage and other overhead."This is saving lives, so people are not blinded, injured or maimed."Staff writer Teresa Falk:tfalk@sbtinfo.comEditor's Note:Fact is that 99% of the landmines in Croatia have been planted by Serbs. Also, fact is that the UN has no charter or any kind of document in preparation, that I know, which will make people who planted the landmines, first give data of where they are, and second clear them on their expense. In this case government of Serbia and Montenegro, should as soon as possible give data, where the landmines are and secondly, but not after, PAY for the clearing the land. Is our government asking for it? Suing them in Hague etc...plus WAR REPARATIONS. It is evident that Croatian community around the world is getting together to clear our own homeland. Wonderful effort from Ms. Mihelich. We should get her address and thank her.Nenad BachEditor in Chief letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 20 Jan 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4542/1/H-Karta-Mina-u-Hrvatskoj.html ÂMine u HrvatskojLandmines in CroatiaKriticne tocke Kriticna mjesta u Karlovackoj županiji su oko Turnja, u medurjecju Kupe i Korane te drugim mjestima, u zadarskoj oko Škabrnje, Gornjeg Zemunika, Kašica i na potezu prema Novigradu, a u Zagrebackoj županiji od Jamnicke do Pokupskog, Kobiljaca i kanal Kupa-Kupa. ÂBlue dots - cleared , Red dots - landmineshttp://www.vecernji-list.hr/MINE/index.html Editor's note:Serbs who put over ONE MILLION mines in Croatia in less than 4 years should dig them up and clean the land they polluted. And also, they know where they put them. Isn't that obvious? Why are we paying so much money, time and with our own lives. Nenad Bach letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 03 Jan 2004 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4545/1/E-Croatia-sends-aid-to-Iran-quake-survivors.html ÂCroatia sends aid to Iran quake survivors Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - ©2003 IranMania.com ZAGREB, Dec 31 (AFP) - Croatia on Wednesday sent 13.5 tonnes of relief aid to victims of the earthquake in the Iranian city of Bam, the foreign ministry said.A cargo plane left Zagreb with antibiotics, food, tents and blankets worth 1.3 million euros (1.6 million dollars), the ministry said in a statement.It said a second shipment would be sent in the coming days to Bam, where Friday's quake killed an estimated 40,000 people and left thousands homeless in freezing conditions. The Croatian plane was due to land in the Iranian city of Zahedan, from where the aid would be taken to Bam. In neighbouring Bosnia, the Islamic community has sent 25,000 euros worth of urgent aid. Mosques across the country are due to say Friday prayers for the victims and collect further donations for them. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 31 Dec 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4544/1/E-Spreading-joy-in-Christmas-boxes.html ÂSpreading joy in Christmas boxesCHRISTMAS appeal gifts from Normanton residents are winging their way to needy children in eastern Europe.Boxes collected from Norman-ton schools, churches, community organisations, businesses and residents as part of Operation Christmas Child are in the first batch of 250,000 shoeboxes en route to 14 countries.The gifts are in 19 lorries. The first deliveries were made in Bosnia, Croatia and Romania last week.Further deliveries will take place in 11 other countries with the final handover taking place in Russia between January 6 and 9, as part of the main Christmas celebration period in that country.Operation Christmas Child area co-ordinator Janet Walker said: "We are still processing shoeboxes for the later distribution trips, and anyone who still wants to make a contribution should get in touch."We are going all-out to beat last year's UK and Ireland total of 1.3 million shoeboxes, and the local support this year has been just fantastic."Anyone wishing to participate should contact the helpline on 0870 011 2002.19 December 2003http://www.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=706&ArticleID=713761 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 31 Dec 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4543/1/E-Paul-McCartney-And-JT-Play-For-Adopt-A-Minefield.html ÂPaul McCartney and James Taylor played Live for first time in 25 years for Adopt-A-Minefield - 23rd September 2003. Paul remembers the special night !Many of you will know of my support for Adopt-A-Minefield and its work clearing minefields and helping landmine survivors. Each year since 2001 I have performed a live show in LA to raise funds for Adopt-A-Minefield. The first year I played with my longtime friend Paul Simon and last year Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys joined me on stage.In 2003 I hooked up with my old friend James Taylor. Not only was James Taylor one of the first artists that the Beatles' Apple Record Label signed, but I also sung back up vocals for James in the past and played bass on his 1991 track Carolina In My Mind. We both also performed separately at the "Concert for New York" to raise money for the victims of the September 11th attacks. I have always been an admirer of James's work, but not since 1968 have we shared the stage and sung together. So it was a pleasure to perform with him again and to relive some old memories.James's set included Fire And Rain, Carolina In My Mind and Country Road.Following the performance, Jay Leno conducted an auction for Adopt-A-Minefield, then my current band and I took to the stage. We greatly enjoyed performing 10 tracks for the nearly 1,200 attendees. Included in the set were Calico Skies, Blackbird, Eleanor Rigby, Michelle and Let it Be. A highlight for me was James joining me on stage to perform Two of Us.The evening was a great success raising over $ 1.2 million for Adopt-A-Minefield. It's not too late for you to take action and join in the great success of the Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign. With the Christmas and New Year holidays fast approaching do your shopping with Adopt-A-Minefield. There are many options such as: the "no more landmines" T-Shirts, which I designed and wear at all my concerts (in all sizes including a baby size - I wonder why?), Gift Vouchers for friends, colleagues and loved ones or simply give a donation in the name of someone special. All proceeds go to support Adopt-A-Minefield's work to clear minefields and provide assistance for survivors of landmine accidents. For details please visit www.landmines.org or www.landmines.org.uk Heather and I hope you and your families enjoy the holidays and the New Year.All the very best,Paul McCartneyÂÂNenad Bach and Brenda Brkusic at the 2003 Adopt-a-Minefield gala benefit in Beverly Hills. ÂThe event took place on September 23, 2003 at the Beverly Hills Hilton. The money raised will go towards the removal of landmines and the fitting of prosthetic limbs for landmine survivors in war torn countries such as Croatia. I have to say that the evening was a very positive and moving experience. A touching documentary by Heather Mills McCartney outlining her work to help landmine survivors in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Croatia brought tears to my eyes. The evening was topped off with memorable performances by Jay Leno, James Taylor and Paul McCartney. Brenda Brkusic letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 31 Dec 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4547/1/E-Libertas-Foundation-Fundraiser.html ÂLibertas Foundation FundraiserÂDear Friends,On January 31, 2004, another Gala Dinner/Fundraising and celebration of Sveti Vlaho - St. Blaise, Patron Saint of Dubrovnik is coming. Mark your calendar and reserve this evening for fabulous Croatian food, dances, music and friendship.To commemorate our 13th anniversary at St. Anthony's Croatian Center in Los Angeles, Libertas Foundation will publish a program and souvenir book. We invite you and all Croatian-American businesses, organizations and their friends to help in our fundraising effort by placing an ad, greeting, letter, poem, recipe or anything that may be interesting for our Souvenir Book.This event is a sell out every year -- we anticipate over 450 people from the Greater Los Angeles area to attend our "festa", which has become one of the premiere events in the Croatian- American community of Southern California. The souvenir book will be distributed to all attendees and advertisers, giving you and your business tremendous exposure and recognition.We are pleased to report that our scholarship fund, which awards financially challenged students money to attend local trade schools, awarded five deserving students $1000 each in Dubrovnik this past August. The names of the students are: Stijepo Mage, Josip Kurelja, Ivan Zec, Miso Tepsic and Jozo Cupic.Another project which we supported alongside the Rotary Club, Wheelchair Foundation and the Croatian community was the donation of 240 wheelchairs. These wheelchairs were delivered and distributed to needy people all over Croatia in August and September of this year.Currently we continue to raise funds to help the needy people of Knin. Flour is one essential item that is greatly needed by these people. By buying flour from local Croatian farmers and donating it to the people, we help not only the less fortunate but also the Croatian farming community.Though we have all accomplished and contributed generously, we are continuing with these programs as long as there is need for it and ask for your help and support in any way to make these programs most beneficial to the needy people of Croatia.We thank all of you that have helped in the past and hope you will continue to support our humanitarian projects. Since we are all volunteers, we can assure you that every dollar you donate will reach the people and charity of your choice.The holidays are around the corner. At this time of joy and celebration let's remember our less fortunate brothers and sisters and share the joy of Christmas with them. Please send your tax deductible donation as soon as possible so that we can buy and send the food to Knin by Christmas. Your generosity and continued support is greatly appreciated.MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! SRETAN BOZIC I NOVA GODINA!Niko Hazdovac Tony Bendewish Vladimir LonzaPresident Scholarship Fund Knin FundLibertas Foundation777 W.9th StreetSan Pedro, CA.90731Tel:(310) 548-1446 x120Fax:(310) 831-8382e-mail: Dubrovnik5@aol.com Humanitarian, Non-profit organizationFederal Tax I.D.#: 33-0496929 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 07 Dec 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4546/1/E-French-Donated-25K-E-for-the-Children-of-Land-Mine-Victims.html ÂFrench Government Donated 25,000 EUR for the Children of Land-Mine VictimsIvana Novakova08 December 2003Children and mines The French Ambassador to Zagreb, Francois Bellanger and the De-mining Advisor to the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dijana Plestina, signed the agreement for cooperation between the MINE AID NGO and the Republic of France. On the basis of that agreement, the French side donated 25,000 EUR to the Regional Centre for Psycho-Social Rehabilitation of the Victims of Land-Mines in Rovinj. The money will be used to finance the work of the Centre that should be opened in Spring 2004. Having in mind the fact that this is the first institution of its type in the world, the children of the victims of land-mines from Croatia, the region, but also the world, will receive treatment at the Centre. This is not the first donation to the future Centre, and it is added to the total of over 700,000 EUR collected so far through grants and donations. The donors' list includes the Governments of Norway, Italy, Luxembourg and Japan, as well as numerous companies and institutions from Croatia and the world. Countries like B&H, Albania, Nepal, Iraq and Colombia already expressed their interest for sending children to the Centre. The plans for the Centre are for it to be open throughout the year, and it will host about 40 participants per shift. The children in Rovinj will have a chance to use workshops, gatherings and relief techniques as means for their psychosocial rehabilitation. The French donation will be used to set-up a room adapted to children with special needs which will host 6 to 8 visitors of the Centre, said Ms. Plestina. During the official signing, the French Ambassador expressed his pleasure at the fact that his country could participate in such a project. He emphasized that France has maintained good cooperation with the Croatian De-Mining Centre and it assisted the de-mining of the agricultural land in Slavonija. http://www.oneworld.net/article/view/74698/1/ letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 07 Dec 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4548/1/E-Viduka-plans-Croatia-orphanage.html ÂViduka plans Croatia orphanageBy Petr KogoyNovember 14, 2003MARK VIDUKA says Australia is still the lucky country.Melbourne-born Viduka's next goal is to establish an orphanage in Croatia, to help house displaced kids following the years of internal conflict following the break-up of Tito's Yugoslavia. The third of five children, Viduka has four sisters. He was born at Footscray but raised at St Albans, in Melbourne's outer west. A product of the Melbourne Croatia (Knights) junior ranks, the striker spent three seasons in the National Soccer League before heading overseas in 1995. Viduka spent the next four seasons with Croatia Zagreb before moving to Britain, signing with Glasgow Celtic in 1998 where his 30 goals in 37 games caught the eye of then Leeds manager David O'Leary. It was O'Leary who gambled on the big Australian by paying Celtic $14 million on today's exchange rate, to get him to move to the west Yorkshire club. "I love Australia," Viduka said. "It is a rich country. I love playing for the Socceroos, but there's not much money in Croatia. "You have to go there to see the number of kids left without parents and fending for themselves since the war ended. "I get paid well. I want to use some of this money for what I believe is a worthwhile cause." Other projects on Viduka's agenda include investing in Croatia's burgeoning tourism industry. He sees Croatia's Adriatic coastline as potential for massive growth. "Tourism brings a lot of foreigners to the country," Viduka said. "I'm looking at maybe building a hotel or getting someone to build for me a cruise boat which would sail the many islands found off the Dalmatian coast."The Australianhttp://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,7857903-23215,00.html letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 12 Nov 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4549/1/E-Ebay-for-Charity---Fire-Relief-Fund.html ÂFIRE RELIEF FUND CharityNenade, molim te proslijedi ovaj link za moju eBay aukciju u humanitarne svrhe. Ja sam se, na srecu, izvukla...iako je bilo grdo koja dva-tri dana jer smo bili pred evakuaciju. Puno hvala unaprijed,Astahttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29216&item=3563126951ASTAZG@aol.com letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 03 Nov 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4551/1/E-CROATIA-Gift-of-Life.html  Press Release - Rijeka, Croatia – October 16th, 2003 CROATIA GIFT OF LIFE A project of the  Rotary Club, Rijeka – Sv. Vid - Croatia - Mr. Dean Trbovic, President  Prof. Dr. Vladimir Ahel, Director Klinika za Djecje Bolesti “ Kantrida”, Rijeka, Croatia  Mario Picinich, Trustee The Rotary Clubs of Rotary International District 7490 - United States of America  Wanda S. Radetti, Commercial and Cultural Attaché’ City of Rijeka, Primorsko-Goranska County, Republic of Croatia - United States of America  Presentation to the Media: Monday, October 21, 2003 – 11:00 am Grand Hotel Bonavia – 4 Dolac, Rijeka Tel. 385 51 357 100 For information please contact: Mr. Ivan Miljenovic, Project Manager Tel. GSM:++385 (0)98 328 206 Rotary Club Rijeka-Sv. Vid e-mail: ivan.miljenovic@ri.hinet.hr  Wanda S. Radetti Tel.: GSM -Croatia: ++385 (0) 91 580-4040  GSM - USA: ++ 917 257-5777  e-mail: WandaSRadetti@aol.com “ Gift of Life" is a program begun in 1974 by several American districts of Rotary International. Since then some 3000 children from 36 countries have received cardiovascular life saving operations in the United States and just recently, and for the first time, a little girl from Croatia, Ms. Matea Kristof of Rijeka.  In 1985, District Governor Nominee Arthur Scialla was looking for a project for his year as governor. After much discussion among Rotarians, and help from District 7470, the program was started in Mario Picinich’s District and the Rotary International District 7490 Gift of Life Foundation was founded. ÂRotary International District 7490 Gift of Life Foundation has hosted currently over 300 children. Children who come to the United States with heart defects are usually referred by physicians or participating groups in their home country to Rotary District Gift of Life Foundation who forward their medical information to participating hospitals. ÂDoctors and hospitals receive a nominal fee of $6,000 for the valuable services they render. After cases are approved for surgery by attending physicians, they are assigned to local Rotary Clubs, Interact Clubs or auxiliary organizations. They in turn provide any additional funds for medical care (prescriptions, etc.) and host the child with a parent while they are in this country. The Foundation or individual Rotary Clubs raises the monies needed to finance the program. District Foundations are responsible for administering the programs. This includes communicating and coordinating with Rotary Clubs over-seas or with groups such as the Korean, Polish or Ukrainian Gift of Life in the U.S. Now we are happy and grateful to also be able to include in our list the Rotary Club Rijeka –Sv. Vid, Rotary International District 1910. These organizations often provide transportation from the home country and the services of interpreters. One does not have to be a Rotarian to participate in this program. It is the District Rotary Foundation's responsibility to oversee the visit, hospital stay and safe return of the child. Volunteers and Rotarians who participate do not receive any pay for their services.  The Rotary Gift of Life program has been a great success because it functions at a grass roots level with direct people to people; contact between the Foundations, Clubs, hosts, medical personnel and the friends and families of our children. It promotes lasting friendships between participants of different nationalities. The children that are served, are from where cardiovascular procedures for children are not available. The children have come from Anguilla, The Dominican Republic, Armenia, Ecuador, Egypt, Kosovo, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, India, Jamaica, Korea, Peru, Poland, Philippines, Russia, Trinidad, Ukraine, Croatia and even the United States. The Doctors that participate in our program have traveled world wide to educate local doctors in the procedures.  CROATIA GIFT OF LIFE Mario Picinich, Trustee, Gift of Life Foundation – Rotary Clubs of District 7499, a native of island of Susak in the Gulf or Kvarner, Croatia, has been an involved and a contributing participant to the Gift of Life. He has organized and hosted in his home children and accompanying family members. Mario left Susak with his family when he was 4 years old, spent one year in Italy and arrived in the United States at the age of five. His family settled in the State of New Jersey. Like all the people that have to leave their country of birth, no matter where in the World, a piece of Mario’s heart was left in the island of Susak. He returns to his island regularly. So many children where being helped by the program to which Mario was dedicated and to which he contributed so much, they came from every part of the World. Not one from Croatia. Knowing that so many of our children could be without access to help, Mario saw the need for incorporating Croatia in the Gift of Life Project. To this end Mario contacted Wanda S. Radetti, a native of Rijeka residing in New York. Although, Wanda was also very young when her family left Rijeka, she too was conscious of the missing bit of her heart that was forever left in her city of Rijeka. She too returned, and continues to return… as often as possible… always searching for the grounding that only Rijeka can provide for her, she returns to identify and recapture her soul, she returns to bring love to the family left behind and to make Croatian friends to love. Mario and Wanda met about a year ago in New York to talk about the Gift of Life Program for Croatia. Wanda’s interest in helping was immediate, and on one condition, that is: that the program be first introduced to the City of Rijeka and that Rijeka retain the lead and the ultimate administrative control of the program for the Country of Croatia. On her next visit to Rijeka, Wanda met with Prof. Dr. Vladimir Ahel, the Director of the Children’s Hospital of Kantrida. Wanda proposed to Dr. Ahel that he take on the responsibility of leading the program “medically”. Dr. Ahel, understood the importance of such an opportunity and was delighted to accept the responsibility and promised to provide his full cooperation. It was necessary that the information about the Gift of Life reach the members of the Rotary Club Rijeka – Sv. Vid. Wanda elicited and immediately received an invitation to be a visiting guest at the meeting by Dr. Ivan Modric, Assistant Governor of Rotary International District 1910. The presentation was made, the response was positive and we were on our way. At the time of the very first meeting, Dr. Ahel already had under his care two little children from Rijeka that were in urgent need of cardiac surgery. The medical records were submitted by Mario Picinich on behalf of the Gift of Life Foundation of the Rotary Club International District 7490 for review and consideration by Henry Issenberg, M.D., Director, Pediatric Heart Station, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Cardio thoracic Surgery and Radiology of the Children’s Medical Center at Montefiore of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York City. Both children were chosen to go to the Montefiore Medical Center for surgical correction; Matea Kristof for admission on August 28, 2003, which was eventually postponed to Thursday, September 4, 2003, and Mia Baric for admission on September 23rd, 2003. Both children’s operations would be under the auspices of the Rotary Gift of Life program, which would provide all needed funding. Before Mia Baric could come to the United States for her operation, she was suddenly subject to a worsening of her condition and was transferred urgently to Italy for the required operation, which, Dr. Ahel advises went very well. Matea Kristof, came to the United States accompanied by her mother Vlasta on the appointed time. The Rotary Club of Rijeka, under the leadership of Dean Trbovic, the President, helped the family with the gathering of the documents required for the Visa to enter the United States, the cost of local transportation and travel to and back from the United States. When Matea and her mother Vlasta arrived in the United States, they were the guests of Mr. Sam Mustafa and his wife Eli of Rutherford New Jersey for their entire stay. Mr. Mustafa and his wife are Muslim, Palestinian, immigrants that settled in New Jersey and are members of the Rutherford Rotary Club. The program does bring people in peace, together. Matea’s operation was a success and, on Friday, September 19th, 2003, Mario Picinich organized a Dinner and Dance party to introduce Matea and her mother Vlasta to the community and to raise funds that will help bring into the fold of the Gift of Life Program other Children from Croatia. Matea and her mother Vlasta have returned to Rijeka, Croatia on Monday September 22, 2003. On October 16th, 2003, Matea celebrates her 2nd Birthday. CROATIA GIFT OF LIFE - EXPANSION With the Rotary of Rijeka firmly behind the Gift of Life Program, it is expected that in not too long they will reach out to the other Rotary Clubs of Croatia and invited them to join the effort, while at the same time providing information and instructions. To be noted that a presentation regarding the Gift of Life Program has already been presented this past July to the Rotary Club of Opatija that has shown serious interest in following the lead of the Rotary of Rijeka. Upon the invitation of Dr. Dusko Vrus, President of the Lions Clubs, District 126 – Croatia, Wanda was invited to speak about the Gift of Life Project at their meeting just before the beginning of this past summer. Confirmation was provided that the invitation to participate would be brought to the attention of the members when the Lions Club reconvenes again in the fallCROATIA GIFT OF LIFE “TENTATIVE” RESPONSIBILITIES CHART letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 31 Oct 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4550/1/E-Landmine-sniffing-pigs.html  Bomb-sniffing pig roots out danger ÂCRAIG NELSONSPECIAL TO THE STARKIBBUTZ LAHAV, Israel- Israel boasts of giving the world many great inventions, including drip irrigation, the Uzi submachine gun and the "electrical hand-held leg-hair removing device," otherwise known as the Epilady.Now come bomb-sniffing pigs.If Geva Zin, 26, has his way, a creature that is largely taboo in Israel will be its next gift to the world. At this collective farm in southern Israel, Zin is training pigs to sniff out land mines and the other discarded garbage of modern warfare that maim and kill long after the guns have fallen silent."The pigs are for Angola and Mozambique. We're going to use them for humanitarian missions ... We're training them, not for food, but to save lives."During a stint in the Israeli army in the late 1990s, Zin trained dogs to detect land mines. Last year, he travelled to Croatia to train dogs to detect mines in that battle-scarred Balkan nation. It was there, where pigs flourish like sheep in the Middle East, he had a revelation about a new use for the pig's powerfully probing proboscis.Back in Israel, he approached the Institute for Animal Research at Lahav with the idea of training boars to sniff out explosives. The institute approved."There's no doubt. Look at their noses! God designed them to go into the field and find mines."COX NEWS SERVICESource: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1067209807918&call_pageid=968332188854&col=968350060724 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 27 Oct 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4554/1/E-Mccartney-Again.html ÂFormer Beatle Paul McCartney during a visit to Zagreb, Croatia, on Dec. 14, 2001. On Sept 23, 2003 he held another benefit dinner and performance for Charity Adopt-A-Minefield in Los Angeles. Thank you, from all Croatians around the world. More to follow on Adopt-A-Minefield letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 01 Oct 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4553/1/E-Croatian-American-2003-Golf-Outing.html ÂÂSeptember 30th 2003In my opinion one of the quantum leap for Croatian community. Not just a charitable but important for our community to feel equal and good about themselves. Val Blaskovic, Vedran Nazor and many others brought this event together. We are becoming friends to ourselves. Few people that I spoke with have been overwhelmed by generosity and interest of our people and their friends. Charity for clearing landmines and cancer research was a subject of this event. Clearing the mines is one of the steps towards world peace. People talked about it in a serious and direct manner. A lot of optimism and pride and sincerity. Intelligent, warm, elegant and casual. I am pleased and proud beyond words ! BRAVO !Nenad BachRead more under title (E) $ 20K for Cancer Research and Adopt-A-Minefield. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 01 Oct 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4552/1/E--20K-for-Cancer-Research-and-Adopt-A-Minefield.html ÂÂTuesday, September 30th over 136 golfers participated in aninaugural Croatian American 2003 Golf Outing. CroatianAmericans and their friends raised over $ 20,000 at theLong Island's Colonial Springs Golf Course to benefit twocharities:- American Cancer Society - "Babe Zaharias MemorialTournaments of Long Island" This fine organization fundsbreast and prostate cancer research and is dedicated toeliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventingcancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancerthrough research, education, advocacy and service.- Adopt-A-Minefield - United Nations Association of theUSA. U.S. Department of State has taken a lead role byproviding matching funds for mine clearing projects inCroatia. There are still more than a million landminesunremoved in Croatia. During the last eight years more than1034 people have been injured and 410 were killed. Demining is a very long and expensive project and it has along way to go.Ms. Beth Sachs of American Cancer Society/Director BabeZaharias Memorial Tournaments thanked Mr. Vladimir ValBlaskovic, Chairman of the Golf Outing on a $ 10,000donation. Ms. Nahela Hadi, Adopt-A-Minefield Executive Director wasgrateful for the $ 10,000 donation Adopt-A-Minefieldreceived.Over 200 in attendance saw a beautiful example of CroatianAmericans of greater New York together with their Americanfriends raise funds for 2 noble causes. They promised tocome back next year.Â2003 Golf Outing CommitteeExecutive CommitteeVladimir "Val" Blaskovic - ChairmanJoseph Grgas - TreasurerVedran Joseph Nazor - SecretaryNick Penava, Tom Nogalo, Frank Perkovic,Ivan StarcicCommittee MembersJohn Belanich, George Druzic, Ilana Gavin, Ivica Kajic, John Kalinic, Gerald Maric, Mladen Marinic, Michael Matura, Mike Perkovic, Romeo Pericic MD, Mario Peruc, Luke Raguz MD, Luigi Romic, Darko Smilovic, Zivko Strika MD, Branko Zivkovic.Sanja Bogovic, Val Blaskovic, Beth Sachs, Vedran Nazor, Nahela Hadi, Nenad Bach letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 01 Oct 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4556/1/E-Adopt-A-Minefield-E-Newsletter.html Adopt-A-Minefield E-NewsletterThis is the first edition of the Adopt-A-Minefield® E-Newsletter. Thiscommunication will serve to provide updates on one of the world'sleading mine action programs as well as alert you to opportunities foryou to get involved. About Adopt-A-Minefield (AAM)Adopt-A-Minefield is a public-private partnership between the UnitedNations Association of the USA, the United Nations, Ted Turner's BetterWorld Fund, and the U.S. State Department to clear minefields, provideassistance to landmine survivors, and raise awareness of the globallandmine crisis. Since its launch in 1999, the Campaign has raisednearly $10 million for mine clearance and survivor assistance andcleared over 16 million square meters of land with about another 3million currently under clearance. Adopt-A-Minefield is the onlynongovernmental funder in the top donor list in six of the most heavilymined countries in the world, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Cambodia, Croatia, Mozambique, and Vietnam.Third Annual Adopt-A-Minefield Los Angeles Benefit GalaTuesday, September 23, 2003 Goodwill Ambassadors and Patrons Paul McCartney and Heather MillsMcCartney will host the third annual Adopt-A-Minefield® Benefit Gala inLos Angeles on Tuesday, September 23, 2003. Once again, the eveningpromises to be outstanding, with exciting entertainment and inspiringinformation on AAM's important work to clear minefields, assistsurvivors of landmine accidents, and raise awareness of the globallandmine crisis. This year during the gala dinner, UNA-USA will present awards speciallydesigned by Paul McCartney to Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones,Bobby Muller, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation,and the International Baccalaureate Students.In addition, this year's gala will mark the official rollout of theCampaign's annual Night of a Thousand Dinners™ initiative, which will beheld on Thursday, November 6, 2003. For further information on the benefit gala please contact Levy,Pazanti, and Associates at 310-201-5033. Night of a Thousand Dinners: A Great Way to Get Involved Night of a Thousand Dinners (N1KD) was developed so that people all overthe world could come together on a single night, enjoy a meal and takeaction toward eradicating the landmine crisis. This initial idea hassince evolved and expanded to include any sort of gathering, cocktailparty, barbeque, wine tasting, tea party, luncheon, clambake, etc.anywhere in the world on or around the first Thursday in November. Asimple concept - gathering with friends and family and building a globalcommunity to support a common cause - N1KD has energized tens ofthousand of caring citizens and has grown into an internationalphenomenon! Since its inception in 2001, nearly 2000 dinners (orgatherings) held in over 50 countries has raised over $2.3 million.N1KD gives people everywhere an opportunity to make a difference and itsfun! Be a part of this global community and take a step to clearing apath to a safer world - Host a dinner!Become an N1KD AffiliateAll UNA chapters or organizations interested in participating in thethird annual Night of a Thousand Dinners can do so by becoming anAffiliate. The Affiliate Program enables organizations to partner withAAM on N1KD and use the event as a marketing tool to raise awareness andfunds for their own organization. Affiliates will gain special accessto the registration database and be able to track dinners registered onbehalf of their organization. Become an N1KD Media AmbassadorAs part of this year's promotional efforts, we are looking to identifypeople willing to work with our Public Relations firm as N1KD MediaAmbassadors to promote the event through their local media. The PR firmwill identify media opportunities - television, radio, publications - inthe participating areas. As an N1KD Media Ambassador you would makeyourself available to speak on behalf of Adopt-A-Minefield. Prior toyour interview or appearance, the PR firm and AAM would provide you withinstruction on how to deal with the media and information about AAM. Inaddition to raising awareness about N1KD, this is a tremendousopportunity for you to promote your own dinner (or gathering) or localAAM campaign, as well as your affiliate organization. For more information about how you can participate in Night of aThousand Dinners visit the website www.1000dinners.com , or contact Laura Kane at 212-907-1307 orLkane@unausa.org .Minesweepers: We're Looking For a Few Good Runners!Minesweepers® is the world's first and only running charity dedicated toraising funds for Adopt-a-Minefield®. This group was started in the fallof 2001 as a project of the United Nations Association-San FranciscoChapter's Young Professional Group. In June of 2002, 16 runnersparticipated in the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. Half of the teamhad never run a marathon and all proudly wore finisher medals. The fundsthey raised will be pooled with the funds raised from the 2003 LondonMarathon to benefit a mine affected community in Vietnam.There is currently a team of 12 runners from all over the United Statestraining for the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on October 26.We have a training program for all types or runners and will support youboth in your fundraising and training efforts. Our goal is for eachteam to raise over $30,000 to clear at least one minefield. And if youcannot participate in this event, we are looking for runners for ournext team for the Napa Valley Marathon on March 7, 2004.Whether you want to run, sponsor a runner, or simply donate to ourprogram, your contribution will go a long way to making the world asafer place to live. For further information and to make a donation,visit www.runningtoclear.org. Help the United States Campaign to Ban Landmines Reshape US LandminePolicyUNA Chapters have historically participated in political events,especially those with an international and global agenda. Accordingly,The US Campaign to Ban Landmines (USCBL) would like the participation ofCalifornia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Arizona chapter members inmaking sure that the next administration takes responsibility for thereality of landmine use. Since the summer of 2001 the Bush Administration has been conducting aformal review of US landmine policy. This is an opportunity for landmineactivists and American voters to take action and inform Presidentialcandidates about the dangerous reality of landmines and impressing uponpotential candidates the urgency of prohibiting a weapon that leaves upto 20,000 civilian dead annually.If you are interested in participating or would like furtherinformation, please contact Ms. Gina Coplon-Newfield, Coordinator forUSCBL, at 617-695-0041x228 or banmines@phrusa.org. For further information on AAM or to start a campaign visitwww.landmines.org or contact Kasara E.Davidson at 212-907-1305 or Kdavidson@unausa.org. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 21 Sep 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4555/1/H-AMERIKANCI-DONIRALI-800-INVALIDSKIH-KOLICA.html ÂAMERIKANCI DONIRALI 800 INVALIDSKIH KOLICAZAGREB. Dvadeset invalidskih kolica, dar americke zaklade "Wheelchair Foundation", dodijeljena su u srijedu clanovima Hrvatskog saveza udruga tjelesnih invalida. Time je, kako je istaknuto, zavrsena podjela ukupno 800 invalidskih kolica koja je nepokretnim hrvatskim gradanima darovala zaklada "Wheelchair Foundation" u suradnji s Rotary Clubom iz San Pedra. Ukupna vrijednost donacije iznosi oko 170 tisuca dolara, od cega je 560 kolica darovao utemeljitelj zaklade Kenneth E. Behring, a preostalih 240 Rotary Club iz San Pedra. U prikupljanju sredstava za kupnju kolica sudjelovala je i hrvatska zajednica iz toga kalifornijskoga grada. Na ovoj vrijednoj donaciji, koju je urucio Niko Hazdovac, predstavnik Rotary Cluba iz San Pedra, zahvalila je predsjednica Hrvatskog saveza udruga tjelesnih invalida Mirjana Dobranovic. Prigodnoj svecanosti u zagrebackom hotelu Opera nazocni su bili potpredsjednik hrvatske Vlade Ante Simonic i predsjednica Povjerenstva za osobe s invaliditetom Adinda Dulcic. S.Du.SLOBODNA DALMACIJA broj 18891 11.09.2003 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 21 Sep 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4557/1/E-Join-us-for-Adopt-A-Minefield-2003-Galla.html ÂAdopt-A-Minefield's® 3rd annual gala benefitSeptember 23, 2003 Los AngelesÂAndrea Capachietti, Nenad Bach, Paul McCartney, Heather Mills McCartney, Ina Zec - 2002 GalaDear All,If you can, please join us at the 3rd annual benefit for the Adopt A Minefield organization. Plate is $500. Not cheap, but worthy. Each year we collect around a million for a cause and Croatia is one of the few recipients. We as Croatians are present from the beginning. Let's continue the tradition. I am not sure if I will be able to carry it on for the next year, after three years in a row, so please step up and take the road already traveled. This year besides Paul McCartney and Jay Leno as a regulars, we have James Taylor performing as well. One table takes 10 seats. We are filling the second table as of now. If you are interested, please email me toLetters@CroatianWorld.net and in the subject write Landmines Benefit for Croatia. Act soon, because the seating is limited.Best,NenadÂDear Nenad,We invite you to join us on September 23, 2003 at the Hilton Beverly Hills Hotel for Adopt-A-Minefield's® 3rd annual gala benefit. This cause is truly unique as its outcome is measurable and globally important. Your leadership and participation will help save lives, remove a significant threat, protect the environment and put land back into productive use.Knowing firsthand about the atrocities caused by landmines in Croatia, we cannot look the other way. We hope you won't either. The global landmine crisis is one of the most pervasive problems facing the world today. In one-third of the world's nations, landmines kill and maim unsuspecting men, women and 10,000 children per year.ÂWe, who are fortunate enough to be living in the West, must join together to address the threat of these indiscriminate weapons of war. With your help, people can begin to put their lives back together, reclaiming their land and knowing that their children will no longer be at risk of losing their lives or limbs every 22 seconds.The Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign is a public-private partnership between United Nations Association of the USA, the United Nations, Ted Turner's Better World Fund and the U.S. State Department, which seeks national and international sponsors to adopt minefields and provide survivor assistance. Since its launch in 1999, the Campaign has engaged over 200,000 people in 35 countries to clear 3 million square meters of land in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Mozambique and Vietnam.We are personally committed to Adopt-A-Minefield and we hope you will join us by creating a legacy of clearing the Earth of landmines, providing survivor assistance and raising awareness about the landmine crisis. You will become a part of the solution. With our combined efforts, "we can work it out." We thank you in advance for your generosity and support, and we so look forward to seeing you on September 23, 2003.Best regards, ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂHeather Mills McCartney Paul McCartney ÂAdopt-A-Minefield® would like to thank thefollowing Artists for joining us to end the globallandmine crisis. Your invaluable support providesmomentum to our efforts, bringing the terror oflandmines to an end and restoring hopefor millions of people.Nenad BachAlec BaldwinEd Begley Jr.Peabo BrysonSteve BuscemiGary BuseyChubby Checker & Catharina EvansEric ClaptonCameron Crowe & Nancy WilsonDana DelanyLeonardo DiCaprioPhyllis DillerMatt DillonFats DominoMichael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-JonesAlyson FeltesHarrison FordKim & Art GarfunkelJames GarnerMel GibsonWhoopi GoldbergTom Hanks & Rita WilsonAnjelica HustonNorman JewisonBilly JoelAngelina JolieQuincy JonesSally Kellerman & Jonathan KraneKris KristoffersonJay & Mavis LenoLucy LiuJulia Louis-DreyfusPaul McCartney & Heather Mills McCartneyPaul Newman & Joanne WoodwardWayne NewtonJulia OrmondDonny OsmondR.E.MRobert RedfordPaul Simon & Edie Brickell Jacylyn SmithBarbra Streisand & James BrolinLucy Webb & Kevin PollackBrian WilsonOprah Winfrey letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 02 Sep 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4558/1/E-Neighbours-get-together-to-clean-park-clear-minefield.html  Neighbours get together to clean park, clear minefield ÂNeighbours get together to clean park, clear minefield Community LISA RAINFORDAug. 6, 2003 Thinking globally and acting locally is the philosophy of a group of volunteers from the Canadian Landmine Foundation, an organization whose mission is to eradicate human and economic suffering caused by landmines. They have organized an event christened 'Clear a Park to Clear a Minefield,' that will see volunteers cleaning up Rennie Park, not far from the Swansea Community Recreation Centre on Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is the first event of its kind for the landmine foundation, according to spokesperson Elisabeth King. "We have a group of volunteers who have decided to create a volunteer fundraising committee. They wanted to do something that would become meaningful not only in our neighbourhood, but in others as well," she said. "They were looking for an area with a supportive community." Rennie Park is a popular destination place frequented by many residents of the area. It just needs a little tidying up, King indicated. Approximately 10 volunteers associated with the Canadian Landmine Foundation will be taking part along with two friends they each recruited. They are appealing to the local community for help as well. Each person who would like to participate will be given a pledge sheet - the foundation will issue tax receipts for any donation over $10. Pledges can also be made online. Volunteer Leah Loewith admits that because this is the group's first event, they don't have any monetary expectations. It is more to raise awareness, but at the same time, any funds that are raised will be greatly appreciated and will go to a good cause. "This is a great thing for a company or school group to participate in," she said. Landmines are one of the most pervasive problems in the world today. It is estimated that there are between 45 and 50 million in the ground in at least 70 countries including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Cambodia, Mozambique and Vietnam, according to King. Landmines injure or kill 10,000 civilians every year. Those who survive endure a lifetime of physical, psychological and economic suffering. Landmines can be laid anywhere including roads, paths, fields, buildings, waterways, bridges, forests and deserts. They cost as little as $3 to produce and are fairly easy to deploy compared to the $300 to $1,000 to locate and destroy a single mine. Usually it's a complex and time-consuming job. An international treaty to ban landmines - known as the Mine Ban Treaty, went into effect March 1, 1999, faster than any other international treaty in history. Canada has for a long time been at the forefront and has encouraged other nations to join such an important humanitarian cause. The Canadian Landmine Foundation, a registered charity with the mission to raise awareness and funds, was officially launched in June of 1999. "Now that we've completed the first step by banning them, we're onto the next step, getting rid of existing ones," King said. For more information, to participate or to sponsor a participant in the 'Clean a Park to Clear a Minefield' event, call the foundation at 416-365-9461 ext. 24. For further details, log onto www.canadianlandmine.orgSource: http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/story/1242843p-1480311c.html letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 06 Aug 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4559/1/E-Landmines---GIS-Helps-Harvest-the-Dragon-Seed.html  Landmines! - GIS Helps Harvest the Dragon Seed ÂBy: Jim Baumann letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 05 Aug 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4560/1/E-Heather-Mills-McCartneys-Biography-for-charity.html Â"A Single Step" to Benefit Adopt-A-MinefieldHeather Mills McCartney autobiographyDear Friends of Adopt-A-Minefield:Patron and Goodwill Ambassador Heather Mills McCartney is generously donating all net proceeds from the sale of her autobiography, “A Single Step”, to Adopt-A-Minefield. This touching and inspiring memoir can be purchased atwww.landmines.org for 30% off the retail price with FREE shipping!Told in a wonderfully vivacious, candid voice and illustrated with sixteen pages of personal photographs, “A Single Step” is the story of a remarkable woman who proves that adversity can help a person grow in surprising and rewarding ways...and that love can come when least expected to change both destinies and hearts.Heather Mills was already a recognized leading landmine activist and a successful model and businesswoman when she and Paul McCartney fell in love—and made headlines all over the world. Her story is extraordinary by any standards, a rags-to-riches account of a remarkable young woman with unusual strength and courage, compassion and humanity.By purchasing this book at www.landmines.orgyou will be helping to clear a path to a safer world.All net proceeds from the sale of “A Single Step” are donated to Adopt-A-MinefieldÂBest regards,The Adopt-A-Minefield Team letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 28 Jul 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4561/1/E-Press-Release-from-the-Croatian-House-in-Washington-DC.html ÂPRESS RELEASEÂFundraiser Forthe CroatianHouse in Washington, D.C.Contact:AnnePavlich-CH TreasurerCroatianHouse@aol.comÂÂOne Dollar aMonth For theCroatian House in Washington, D.C.The Croatian House is a Washington-based privatenonprofit corporation that has been established to provide a Washington presenceand facilitate the efforts of already existing Croatian organizations dedicatedto promotion of Croatia and its people in the USA.Several local Croats came up with the idea ofestablishing a Croatian House in Washington, D.C., which will require the buyingor building of a property. The Croatian House will be of inestimable benefit toall Croatian Americans in promoting Croatia in the nation's capital. Washingtonis not only the capital of the U.S. but one of the most important world centers. A Croatian-American presence here is vital!!!!ÂÂOther European nations already have similar houses in the D.C. and NewYork area.The house willhave several rooms for the low-cost lodging of Croatian Americans, students,visiting scholars and guests. There are plans for a business center and aprivate chapel that will be used by the local Croatian Catholic Mission of St.Blaise as well as visiting Croatian pilgrims and clergy from outside the D.C.area. Also planned are a library,press room, and office space for interested existing Croatian-Americanorganizations.We are initiating a nationwide and worldwidefundraiser for this project. The local Croatian community and several Croatianartists have already joined us in some early fundraising efforts (please checkour web site at www.croatianhouse.org).Now we are appealing to all Croatians and friends ofCroatia to help us in our efforts. Weare asking for a donation of one dollar per month for one year, i.e. only $12per year. Please send your donations to CroatianHouse, P.O. Box 34546, Bethesda, MD, 20827. Your donations will make adifference. Via our web site, we shall keep you informed on the progress of theproject and our activities. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 17 Jun 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4562/1/E-UK-firefighters-hold-fund-raiser-for-Vukovar-fire-house.html UK Firefighters splash out for Croatian kitÂApr 30 2003By Katherine SimmonsFIREFIGHTERS from Lingfield (East Grinstead, UK) swapped their usual hoses forÂbuckets and sponges on Saturday.The crew set up a sud-cessful car wash in the car park of the Star Inn whichÂraised towards equipment that will be donated to Vukovar fire station inÂCroatia.Volunteers at the Lingfield station have been raising cash for the VukovarÂstation since 1991. Two years ago they bought the town a new appliance as theÂvehicles they had been using were 30 years old.On May 8, new cutting equipment will be delivered to their Croatian colleagues,Âwho will then be trained by four Lingfield firefighters.Sub officer Sean Vatcher said the team had raised 00 since last year to payÂfor the equipment and its transportation. The aim is to donate equipmentÂcarried as standard by British crews to the Croatian firefighters.He added: "Raising money for Vukovar has been an ongoing project. In three orÂfour years when they have the equipment we carry we will support another fireÂstation."Future events will raise money for hydraulic cutting equipment.Story from http://www.icSurreyOnline.co.ukÂÂhttp://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0600eastgrinstead/page.cfm?objectid=12905657&method=full&siteid=50101 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 26 May 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4563/1/E-The-Croatian-Academy-of-America---Last-Call.html  The Croatian Academy ofAmericaLast CallDear Friends, I know it's last minute, but I thought you should know. I'mPresident of The Croatian Academy of America, and this Saturday, May 17 isFiftieth Anniversary (1953-2003). It's going to be around 120 people, manyyoung professionals of Croatian-American descent, chance to meet people(guests from throughout US, 12 states so far and Canada). The program is inEnglish, you might find it interesting. The aim of the Academy to publish inEnglish about Croatian history, language, culture, literature, arts andsciences. It's been doing just that since 1960 thru Journal of CroatianStudies (42 annual volumes so far). Check out the websiteÂwww.croatianacademy.orgÂÂGala Dinner and Recital by Croatian tenor KrunoslavCigoj, opera singer young Tanja Simic and Terezija Cukrov on piano.Price $125 ($ 50 tax deductible), students $ 75. To make a reservation call:212-957-5808 or e-mail: vnazor@yahoo.comÂvedranÂIn New York City. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 16 May 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4564/1/E-CLOTHING-DRIVE-FOR-CROATIA--B-H.html ÂTHE CROATIAN NEW YORKER CLUB in conjunction with Croatian Relief Services of Fairview, New Jersey is having a clothing drive for people in need in Bosnia andSlavonia.The wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are over, but people still have basic needs for clothing, food and shelter.If you have any winter or summer clothing to donate, volunteers from our organization are willing to pick them up in the New York metro area on or before MARCH 29th.If you can help us transport donations to New Jersey on Saturday March 29th - help is needed.To arrange for a pick- up or to volunteer to help - please contact via this e-mail address ( e-mail;aangelich@aol.com ) or call 718 549 4604 and leave a message.Thanks!Anton AngelichCROATIAN NEW YORKER CLUBAAngelich@aol.com letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 30 Mar 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4565/1/E-GLOBAL-VOLUNTEERS-FOR-CROATIA.html ÂGLOBAL VOLUNTEERS FOR CROATIAWorking for a non profit organization in finance / accounting, I have spent years searching for a program that would benefit both Croatians and Americans.ÂGlobal Volunteers, a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization for more then 20 years, works in emerging democracies and developing countries and communities in 18 countries, but not yet in Croatia.ÂThis program is free of charge to Croatians. American volunteers pay for the entire program and as US taxpayers, it is tax deductible.ÂShort term volunteers spend their vacations of 2 or 3 weeks, teaching "conversational English" or number of other programs including business experience, work in libraries, orphanages, with elderly, disabled adults, building and painting projects, etc. No teaching license is necessary for this short term volunteering, but you do need a lot of good will to share your talent and money for Croatians.ÂWhile the volunteers work on various projects in the morning, in the afternoon they are free to explore the country, go to the beach, meet with long lost relatives, etc.ÂFor this project to take off in Croatia, the following is needed: A group of people in Croatia has to decide a location, choose a program and sign up students and/or adults. They also need to send a formal letter to the Global Volunteers organization, inviting them into the community. For more information on Global Volunteers see www.globalvolunteers.org or call toll free for a brochure 800-487-1074, fax (651) 482-0915. Global Volunteers organization is located at 375 East Little Canada Road, St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USAPlease forward this information to everyone you know in Croatia.Contact Katarina Tepesh tepeshk@aol.com letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 11 Mar 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4566/1/E-US-Public-Private-Donations-Help-Demine-Area-in-Croatia.html Distributed by CroatianWorldU.S. Public-Private Donations Help Demine Area in Croatia13 February 2003Â(Combined total of $50,000 from State Department, U.S. Tennis Association)The State Department will match a $25,000 grant from the U.S. TennisAssociation to help rid Croatia of landmines, and the combined $50,000will be used to demine a 48,000-square meter area in the village of Mekusje.The U.S. Tennis Association's donation will be routed through theInternational Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistancebased in Slovenia, which supports humanitarian mine action in theBalkans and the Caucasus.Following is a State Department announcement:U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEOffice of the SpokesmanFebruary 13, 2003Media NoteU.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE DOUBLES U.S. TENNIS ASSOCIATION'S GRANT TO CLEAR CROATIA'S LANDMINESThe U.S. Department of State's Office of Humanitarian DeminingPrograms will match a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Tennis Associationto help rid Croatia of landmines. The combined $50,000 will be used todemine a 48,000 square meter area adjoining a once popular tenniscourt in the village of Mekusje, about 30 miles west of Zagreb.The U.S. Tennis Association's grant was inspired by a February 5, 2003visit to a mine clearance operation in Croatia by a delegation led byWarren Kimball and Allen Kiel, Chairmen of the U.S. TennisAssociation's Davis Cup Committee. The visit, encouraged by U.S. DavisCup coach Jim Courier and organized by the U.S. Embassy and Croatianauthorities, occurred during a trip by U.S. Tennis Associationofficials who were accompanying the U.S. Davis Cup Team for the UnitedStates vs. Croatia Davis Cup first round. Team players planned toparticipate in the minefield visit but a snowstorm and conflictingpractice schedule prevented them from doing so.The U.S. Tennis Association's donation will be routed through theInternational Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistancebased in Slovenia. This fund, which is backed by the U.S. Departmentof State and other donor nations, supports humanitarian mine action inthe Balkans and the Caucasus. Grants from other governments, privatecitizens and non-governmental organizations that are made via theInternational Trust Fund are eligible for matching grants from theUnited States."We deeply appreciate this valuable contribution and the fact that theU.S. Tennis Association has prudently chosen to leverage it throughthe International Trust Fund, thereby doubling its impact," saidDonald "Pat" Patierno, Director of the Office of Humanitarian DeminingPrograms in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs."This is another win for the public-private partnership concept witheveryone working together as a team to help rid Croatia of the lastdeadly vestiges of conflict," said James Lawrence, Director of theBureau of Political-Military Affairs' Office of Mine ActionInitiatives and Partnerships. "I hope that this heartfelt gift willinspire the worldwide tennis community to further support mineaction."(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)http://usinfo.state.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=03021308.wlt&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 15 Feb 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4567/1/E-Tennis-USTA-donates-money-to-clear-Croatian-land-mines.html Distributed by CroatianWorld The United States Tennis Association donating $25,000 to remove the land mines In CroatiaOp-edHow noble of you. Thank you USTA,ÂNenad BachEditor in Chiefp.s. I urge all Croatian American organizations to send a thank note to the USTAhttp://www.usta.com/feedback/default.sps?feedbacktype=otherÂZAGREB, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is donating $25,000 to a Croatian government project to remove the one million land mines remaining from the war which ravaged the region in the early 1990s, officials announced on Sunday.The USTA, whose donation will be matched by the U.S. government, made the decision after a visit to a minefield clearing operation near the village of Gajine on Wednesday."This is our way of showing support to the people of Croatia, who have been such incredible hosts to our Davis Cup team and the USTA contingent this week," USTA president Alan Schwartz said.The donation will help clear land mines in a 48,000 square metre area surrounding a once-popular tennis court in the village of Mekusje, about 30 miles west of Zagreb, venue for this weekend's Davis Cup first-round tie between the two countries.02/09/03 07:38 ETCopyright 2003 Reuters Limited.ÂÂDear USTA,As an Croatian American, I am deeply moved by your generous donation while visiting Croatia. Let that be the sign of long lasting friendship between two peoples.ÂNenad BachEditor in Chief, CROWNwww.CroatianWorld.netÂp.s. As a Trivia, I bet you didn't know that the Croatian Republic of Dubrovnik was the first country in the world to recognizeThe United State of America. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 09 Feb 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4568/1/E-WORKING-VACATION-in-Croatia-WITH-THE-VOLUNTEERS.html Distributed by CroatianWorldÂIs there a community in Croatia which could use assistance in the following categories:" Business Experience" English Conversation" Community Infrastructure: Building and Painting Projects" Improve Basic Health Care" Nurture at-risk ChildrenÂ" Work with Disabled Adults" Work in LibrariesSince 1984, the "Global Volunteers - Partners in Development" set the standard for "volunteer vacations" as the first private, non-profit, non-sectarian organization providing short-term volunteer teams to host communities in 18 countries, including Italy, Romania, Greece, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Ireland, etc.As a non-governmental organization, the Global Volunteers is an accredited charity in Guidestar. Please see their web site and financial statement onhttp://www.globalvolunteers.org/ÂÂBy working hand-in-hand with local people who are in charge, volunteers are simply there to assist them using their own vacation time and money. By encouraging and enabling residents of the United States and Canada to spend short periods of time working with and learning from local people in communities around the world, volunteers pay their own airfare, program and lodging costs which are tax deductible to US tax payers. The cost could be anywhere from $500.00 to over $3,000 depending on the location. All contributions and program related expenses are deductible because volunteers do the work of Global Volunteers.ÂGlobal Volunteers philosophy of service is to wage peace and promote justice. Local people are in charge! Local people are the source of development. Individuals, families and neighborhoods must initiate and conduct their own development efforts through community based organizations. Effective development is initiated at the local level and requires the full participation of local people.ÂThe Global Volunteers have been invited to teach English in the classroom, tutor English teachers, explain how North Americans employ the basic principles of free enterprise and sound business practices via seminars and one-on-one consultation, provide agribusiness instructions, train home gardeners in the field, teach planning and problem solving by facilitating community forums, help local people build schools and health clinics, identify crop diseases, construct water purification systems, etc.ÂGlobal Volunteers does only what local people ask them to do. The reason is simple: in order for people to become self-reliant, they must be in charge.ÂGlobal Volunteers provides some capacity in the form of materials, tools, etc. Where the project is ongoing and there is a need for funding to complete it, Global Volunteers may provide financial assistance on a matching basis.ÂThis program requires 5 hours of work during the week and then volunteers are free to enjoy the rest of their day on their own.ÂI know there is many Croatian Americans interested in volunteering to work and vacation in Croatia. I'm one of them. This year, I'm going to Greece, but I would prefer to go to Croatia. I hope that very soon a host organization or a community in Croatia will invite Global Volunteers to establish a partnership. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 19 Jan 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4569/1/E-Please-Help-Radio-Vrhbosna.html ÂPlease Help Radio VrhbosnaÂRadio Vrhbosna is the only Croatian and Catholic voice that can be heardon the air waves in Bosnia. Radio "Vrhbosna" was established by theArchdiocese of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo) and the Croatian Cultural Society"Napredak" during the war years. "Vrhbosna" was a voice of comfort anda beacon of hope for many during those tragic days. Now, Radio "Vrhbosna" is looking to upgrade its existing equipment and is asking us to help. Radio "Vrhbosna" has made a list of equipmentthat they would like to upgrade as well as an estimate as to how muchthis will cost. If anyone is interested in more information or to contribute, contact Dr. Ante Cuvalo at: cuv@netzro.net letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 11 Jan 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4570/1/E-LIBERTAS-FOUNDATION-SvVlaho-Annual-Festa.html Distributed by CroatianWorldÂSveti Vlaho 2003 LIBERTAS FOUNDATIONÂ777 W. 9th Street, SAN PEDRO, CA 90731,ÂTel: (310) 548-1446, Fax: (310) 831-8382, E-mail: Dubrovnik5@aol.comÂJanuary 1, 2003Popular Croatian Singer Matko Jelavic will perform for Sv. Vlaho "festa" in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, San Jose on Feb. 2, and New York on Feb.8, 2003Another Gala Dinner/ Fundraising and celebration of Sv.Vlaho - St.Blaise, Patron Saint of Dubrovnik is coming soon!To commemorate our 12th anniversary, on February 1, 2003 at St.Anthony's Croatian Parish Center in Los Angeles, Libertas Foundation will publish a Souvenir Book.We invite all businessmen to help us in our fundraising efforts by placing an ad in the book.This event is a sell-out every year. We anticipate 450 people from Greater Los Angeles area to attend our " festa", which has become one of the premiere events in the Croatian-American community of Southern California.The Souvenir Book will be distributed to all attendees and advertisers, giving you and your business a tremendous exposure and recognition.We hope you will consider helping us raise funds for newly established scholarship fund "Ante & Evelyn Mrgudic", Caritas Knin Soup Kitchen, Wheelchairs for Croatia and many other humanitarian projects.At this holy time of the year, when we celebrate holidays with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate and in need of help. You can help by placing an ad in the Souvenir Book, attending our fundraising dinner or by sending a tax-deductible donation.ÂPlease feel free to email us at Dubrovnik5@aol.comÂor call any of our volunteer Committee member for any questions or suggestions you may have.Due to time constraint, we urge you to contact us regarding advertising in the Souvenir Book as soon as possible but not later than Jan.10, 2003. Your generosity and support will be very much appreciated.ÂSRETNA NOVA GODINA!ÂNiko HazdovacÂPresidentProgram/Souvenir Book Committee:ÂVladimir Lonza - (310) 547-2128Vesta Lobro - (310) 514-1807Dubravka Taylor & Yul B.Draskovic - (818) 240-7702 Libertas Foundation is 501(c)(3) non-profit humanitarian organization.Your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law. (Federal ID #:33-0496929) letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 06 Jan 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4571/1/E-Building-a-Culture-of-Peace.html Distributed by CroatianWorldÂBuilding a Culture ofPeace.The theme of the event is "Building a Culture of Peace." As part of the program, coalition members Mario Spalatin and Jean Ranallo plan to talk about the coalition's project to help to remove land mines from Pakrac, Croatia.Church leader at Peace Day eventRev. Fahed Abu-Akel will speak at Englewood's World Peace Day event.By KARA CHALMERSkara.chalmers@heraldtribune.comÂENGLEWOOD -- The national leader of the Presbyterian Church will speak at a World Peace Day celebration scheduled for New Year's Day in Englewood.The Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel, moderator of the 2002 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, will join the Rev. Fred Morris, executive director of the Florida Council of Churches, in addressing participants at Englewood United Methodist Church, 700 E. Dearborn St. The event, which is open to the public, is slated to begin at 11 a.m.Three Englewood-area organizations devoted to peace -- the Southwest Florida Peace Education Coalition, the Englewood Ministerial Association and the Prayer Day for World Peace Committee -- came together to stage the event.The coalition started World Peace Day in Englewood 14 years ago as a way for people of different faiths to pray for peace at the same time, said coalition member Peter Duisberg."The basis is if we all pray together regardless of our beliefs, maybe we'll have some impact," Duisberg said. "The idea is to have people pray at approximately the same time for peace in the world. … They might inspire us and our politicians to really work on it."Moderator is the highest elected office in the Presbyterian Church, and Abu-Akel is the first Palestinian-Christian-Arab ever elected. Abu-Akel is a U.S. citizen who spent part of his childhood living in a Palestinian refugee camp. He is scheduled to talk about his view that peace is possible between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He may also speak about his opposition to a war between the United States and Iraq, Duisberg said. Abu-Akel is a minister in Atlanta.Morris was a Methodist missionary in northeast Brazil, one of the poorest areas in the world, Duisberg said.The theme of the event is "Building a Culture of Peace." As part of the program, coalition members Mario Spalatin and Jean Ranallo plan to talk about the coalition's project to help to remove land mines from Pakrac,Croatia.Prayers stressing commonalities among different religions' peace doctrines will be offered by members of the Baha'i, Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, Duisberg said. There will also be music at the event.A post-program reception will feature a slide show of Ranallo's visit to Croatia, as well as paintings by artist Linda Ohlson Graham. There will be an opportunity to sign petitions against violence and war.For more information, call the church at 474-5588.Last modified: December 31. 2002 12:00AMhttp://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=SH&Date=20021231&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=212310382&Ref=AR&Profile=1005&SectionCat=NEWS0104 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 01 Jan 2003 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4572/1/E-Share-what-youve-learned.html New Page 1 Share what you've learned Contribute to the community Lend a handCopied from "O" the Oprah magazine, founder and editorial director Oprah Winfrey"Giving back" is the new buzz phrase, but the idea's an old one: Share what you've learned. Contribute to the community. Lend a hand. Offering your time, expertise, and caring where it's needed can give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Volunteering is just an organized way of being a good neighbor.ÂWhat causes or issues do you care deeply about? Since volunteering is also a good way to try a new field and learn skills, list the areas of interest you might like to investigate.How motivated are you to help out? How much time do you have to give without shortchanging yourself or others? (Volunteering requires a commitment of time and energy, so if your only motivation is a sense of obligation, think twice before signing up.)To find an organization that needs volunteers, scan the internet. The following web sites will help you get started.Service leaderÂwww.serviceleader.orgComprehensive site with everything you need to know about volunteering, including cyber service. (The main requirements for virtual volunteering are internet access, good writing and communications skills, and the ability to work unsupervised.) Sponsored by the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin.Idealist.orgwww.idealist.orgOldest and largest Web database of volunteer opportunities. Connects volunteers with more than 30,000 nonprofit and community organizations in 153 countries. Volunteer activities include everything from helping build a school for the handicapped in India, to being an English-conversation partner for an immigrant in New York.Volunteer Matchwww.volunteermatch.orgOne of the Web's largest databases of on-site and virtual volunteering opportunities. Connects volunteers with more than 22,000 nonprofit and public sector organizations.Interactionwww.interaction.orgÂSite of the American Council for Voluntary International Action, a coalition of some 160 United States-based development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Lists how organizations respond to disasters; you can contact the one of your choice to see how you can help.City Careswww.citycares.orgÂÂProvides links to affiliates in 31 cities, including New York (where the organization started). Offers information on local volunteer opportunities for community service projects and events.Nonprofit organization accepts donations of gently used furniture, housewares, clothing, books and other salable items to Housing Works Thrift Shops. Help make a better life for homeless women with children and men. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. See www.housingworks.org letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 26 Dec 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4574/1/E-Host-a-Dinner-Save-Lives.html  Night of a Thousand DinnersÂDear Friends,We want to remind you that the second annual Night of a Thousand Dinners (N1KD II) is only two weeks away! We already have close to 700 dinners registered worldwide. If you are hosting a dinner, but have not yet registered your dinner, please do so immediately (www.1000dinners.com ) to be sure that you get your host kit on time. If you are having problems registering your dinner, please call us at 212-907-1307 and we'll be happy to help you sign up.ÂHost kits include a T-shirt designed by Heather Mills McCartney, a landmine video to watch with your guests and other goodies. Please note that the T-shirts are limited to the first 1,000 who sign up, so please register quickly!ÂThank you for your continuing support and we hope you're joining us for dinner.Best wishes,Nenad BachAdopt-A-Minefield®info@landmines.org letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 23 Nov 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4573/1/E-PARCELS-OF-LOVE-THIS-CHRISTMAS---from-England--UK.html ÂPARCELS OF LOVE THIS CHRISTMASÂOp-edDear All,Please respond with a kind words to this charity, as well as to one forlandmines. We need your respond to IMDb too. Croatian language is our languageand there is NO alternative.ÂMy comment is this. we cannot only complain. We have to be gratefultoo, for every word or deed that sends a message of love to Croatia andCroatians around the world. Fighting for our right should never cease. Onedoesn't exclude the other.Nenad BachEditor -in-chief, CROWNPARCELS OF LOVE THIS CHRISTMASÂMARY O'LEARY, HEATH REPORTER12:00 - 20 November 2002ÂA plymouth nurse is preparing to deliver Christmas gifts to hundreds of children in Bosnia and Croatia, after her latest charity appeal produced record results.Jill Baird, who works as a theatre sister at Derriford Hospital, has managed to collect a staggering 1,370 boxes, each packed with toys and treats for youngsters in schools, hospitals and orphanages.The boxes are sent to Eastbourne, base of the Mustard Seed Relief Missions; and on December 16, Mrs Baird is flying out with a team from the appeal organisers to distribute each one personally.Mrs Baird collected the boxes after appealing to hospital colleagues and large businesses in Plymouth for help.The 41-year-old mother of two, from Eggbuckland, wrote letters to everyone at Derriford Hospital and in local NHS organisations, as well as to her neighbours, friends and to eight large companies in the city.She asked people to fill a box with toys, toiletries, pens, paper and gifts suitable for children within an age bracket of two to five, six to 11 or 12 to 15.Hospital staff responded immediately, along with city residents. Generous staff at B &Q Warehouse filled 50 boxes after Mrs Baird gave a presentation at the store.ÂThe total number of boxes collected is more than ever before.Mrs Baird said: "The response has been terrific. Three years ago we got about 65 boxes, then last year I went around the hospital and collected 1,015. This year I emailed everyone at the hospital and wrote to my neighbours and businesses in the city, and people have been brilliant, especially B &Q," she said.ÂThe campaign, known as Love in a Box, is organised by the Mustard Seed Relief Missions, based inEastbourne. The aim is to share seasonal support with children living in in Bosnia and Croatia.Mrs Baird said the campaign was vital to the youngsters who benefited.She said: "Every single box makes a difference, and that is our motto - living to make a difference."I am going out with the team in December and we will fly to Zagreb, then travel 900 miles to distribute all the boxes directly to children. There is no halfway house: we do it all ourselves."I have also had to raise money to pay for my flight and accommodation, and I have had fantastic support to do this."My family are behind me as well and the support and help from everyone has been immense," Mrs Baird said. "I'm really looking forward to taking the boxes out."http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=103351&command=displayContent&sourceNode=103340&contentPK=3081458ÂYou can contact our newspapers directly at:ÂNorth Devon JournalÂ96 High Street,ÂBarnstaple ,ÂNorth Devon,ÂEX31 1HTÂTel: 01271 343064ÂTorquay Herald ExpressÂHarmsworth HouseÂBarton Hill RoadTorquay TQ2 8JNÂTel: 01803 676000ÂExpress & EchoÂHeron RoadÂSowtonÂExeter EX2 7NFÂTel: 01392 442211ÂEvening HeraldÂ17 Brest RoadÂDerrifordÂPlymouth PL6 5AAÂTel: 01752 765500Western Morning NewsÂ17 Brest RoadÂDerrifordÂPlymouth PL6 5AAÂYou can contact us here at the This is Devon website at:ÂWeb Editorial: kscrivener@nepdc.co.ukÂÂWebmaster: jperrett@nepdc.co.ukÂNorthcliffe Electronic Publishing Devon & CornwallÂHeron Road Sowton ExeterÂDevon EX2 7NF letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 23 Nov 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4575/1/E-Kindness-of-Croatian-Sailors.html ÂKindness of Croatian SailorsÂGreek sailors keep watch over ghost ship in CroatiaBy Igor Ilic (AOL NEWS)SPLIT, Croatia, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Every morning Paraskevas Liakakos rows from his stranded ship to the nearby harbour in search of free coffee and the company of locals sympathetic to his plight."My muscles are so strong now I could compete at the next Olympics in Athens, but under the Croatian flag," joked the 52-year-old Greek sailor with his only regular visitors, members of a Croatian sailors' union who bring in fresh supplies twice a month.Liakakos is one of five Greek sailors aboard the Elpida, a tug which broke down on May 21 near the Adriatic port of Split and has been anchored a mile off the coast ever since. Liakakos may sound cheerful, but his mood is grim."I see black when I wake up and I see black when I close my eyes at night. My family in Greece fell apart because of this," he said.Under international maritime law a ship must not be left without the crew at any time. If it is docked, someone has to remain on board and the cost of docking must be fully covered.Since the boat broke down, Liakakos and his companions, having spent what money they had, have had to stay anchored outside the harbour and wait, entirely dependent on the mercy of strangers.AT MERCY OF FELLOW CROAT SAILORSWhen the boat's engines failed in May, two people were sent to try to fix the generators but without success. The boat has been without power since and no further repairs have been attempted.The crew say the owners, the Portolos Tugs salvage company from Piraeus, have not contacted them and they have not been paid. The company was not available for comment.The Greek embassy in Zagreb has offered to fly the men home but they cannot leave the boat.Milko Kronja, a member of the local sailors' union and an inspector with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), said the Elpida had been abandoned by everyone."We are the only ones who look after the crew. We provide them with petroleum lamps, canned food and water every two weeks, sometimes more often, when there are donations from local people or the Red Cross," he said.Fresh food is rarely taken aboard because there is no refrigeration. Union members bring mobile phone cards to enable the stranded Greeks to call home.The Elpida set sail from Piraeus for Rhodes on May 10 only to change course -- on instruction from the owners -- for the Croatian port of Zadar, where the crew were to load cages for tuna fish and take them to Malta.Between Zadar and Split the engines failed.POSSIBLE ECOLOGICAL THREATThe port authorities in Split want a quick solution to the problem, not only for the sake of the sailors but because the Elpida represents a potential ecological threat to this Mediterranean tourist resort."Six tonnes of oil, 15 tonnes of fuel and 30 tonnes of muddy water could badly affect the sea if the ship is left to rot here," said crew member Georgios Mutsakis.Greek embassy representatives have visited the Elpida twice but left only with promises of help, Liakakos said."They brought two bottles of whisky and 200 euros for each of us but said we should repay it once we got back home," said Mutsakis."I am deeply disappointed by the Greek authorities. If it wasn't for my three children, I would stay in Croatia," he said.The rusting Elpida was built 21 years ago in Romania and first named Alexandria 3.Kronja said repairs would cost some $50,000 while towing the boat back to Greece would be $30,000."However, the Greek side has showed no interest in covering the expenses apart from the air tickets home for the sailors," he said.SOLUTION BEFORE WINTER?The five crew are keeping the ship clean and in good shape, but it is hard work.They have turned one of the cabins into a larder and started preparing for what might be a difficult winter.On sunny days they wash their clothes and bed linen and hang them on ropes spread along the deck. Their supply of washing powder is giving out and the water tanks are running dry.Occasionally, each man leaves the ship for a few hours to take a stroll around Split and have coffee in their preferred coffee shop -- the Moby Dick, owned by a former basketball player who once lived in Greece."It is for the sake of our mental health, although you can't do much but walk when you are out of money," the captain said.While the local authorities step up efforts, including talks with the ship's owners, to have the Elpida brought into dock by the end of October, before winter sets in, the sailors remain sceptical."After five months like this, how could one be optimistic about a quick and happy outcome?," the captain said. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 29 Oct 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4576/1/E--1-Million-for-Croatia-from-Adopt--A---Minefield.html ÂÂÂAdopt-A-Minefield raised nearly $1 million for ourCroatiaEstimated mined area 4,000 km2Number of suspected mines 400,000Area cleared with AAM funds 129,404 m2Amount raised by AAM $950,000Adopt-A-Minefield® would like to thank thefollowing Artists for joining us to end the globallandmine crisis. Your invaluable support providesmomentum to our efforts, bringing the terror oflandmines to an end and restoring hopefor millions of people.Nenad BachAlec BaldwinEd Begley Jr.Peabo BrysonSteve BuscemiGary BuseyChubby Checker & Catharina EvansEric ClaptonCameron Crowe & Nancy WilsonDana DelanyLeonardo DiCaprioPhyllis DillerMatt DillonFats DominoMichael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-JonesAlyson FeltesHarrison FordKim & Art GarfunkelJames GarnerMel GibsonWhoopi GoldbergTom Hanks & Rita WilsonAnjelica HustonNorman JewisonBilly JoelAngelina JolieQuincy JonesSally Kellerman & Jonathan KraneKris KristoffersonJay & Mavis LenoLucy LiuJulia Louis-DreyfusPaul McCartney & Heather Mills McCartneyPaul Newman & Joanne WoodwardWayne NewtonJulia OrmondDonny OsmondR.E.MRobert RedfordPaul Simon & Edie Brickell Jacylyn SmithBarbra Streisand & James BrolinLucy Webb & Kevin PollackBrian WilsonOprah WinfreyThe United Nations responded by establishing a mine action center in 1996 to begin rebuilding cities and towns in Croatia devastated by the conflict. Adopt-A Minefield has raised nearly $1 million for our Croatian mine clearance partners, enabling reconstruction to begin in dozens of communities. Demining also restores a sense of safety and normalcy in everyday life in this ravaged country. Working with the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance, Adopt-A Minefield has helped clear over 13O,OOO square meters of land to date. Croatia is poised for economic and social recovery, all that remains is to clear the thousands of landmines that contaminate its farmland, roads, and communities. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 11 Oct 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4577/1/E-Wheelchairs-for-Croatia.html ROTARY CLUB OF SAN PEDROP.O. BOX 1021, SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA 90733September 3, 2002Dear Friend:We are writing to ask for your help with a project we are undertaking to send critically needed wheelchairs to disabled men, women, and children in Croatia. In addition to those born with disabilities, many other people have been injured in Croatia during the war and due to landmines. Often the innocent victims of landmine eruption are farmers at work in their fields or children at play. We know the difference a wheelchair can make in the life a person who was once confined to remaining at home or crawling. These wheelchairs are key to giving them increased mobility, independence and hope.Our San Pedro Rotary Club has the opportunity to have the dollars we raise matched by organizations also working to help the disabled to become more independent. Money raised in the Croatian community will be matched by Rotarians in San Pedro and Los Angeles and then matched again by the Wheelchair Foundation. Our goal is to raise $6,000 from Croatian Community. Through the matches described above, this money will be increased to $36,000 and will pay for full container of 240 wheelchairs to be sent to Croatia. Your donation of just $25 will buy a new wheelchair costing $150, donation of $250 will buy 10 wheelchairs and so on.We would like to appeal to all Croatian clubs and organizations to support this worthy cause.ÂOur community in San Pedro has so many ties to Croatia. We hope that you will give generously to help with this project. Please make your check payable to the Rotary Club of San Pedro, P.O. Box 1021, San Pedro, CA 90733, with note: wheelchairs for Croatia.The Rotary Club of San Pedro is also sponsoring "An Evening in Croatia" - dinner on Saturday, October 19th, celebrating 80th Anniversary and honoring past presidents at the Dalmatian - American Club to raise money for this cause. Family-style dinner and entertainment will be provided featuring Croatian musicians and dancers.If you would like to attend, please call Chuck Hanchett at (310) 547-1973.Help by sending your gift today... Your donation will make a difference in so many lives.Very truly yours,Andrea Marincovich ClarkÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂNick HazdovacPresident, 2002 - 2003ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂCommittee Co-chairÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂAdriaticSP@aol.com letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 27 Sep 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4578/1/E-Adopt-A-Minefield-Annual-Gala-in-LA---IMPORTANT.html ÂÂÂÂÂÂDear All,Last year we had three Croatian Tables. I know this is the last moment, butwhoever is interested, ($500 per plate and yes, the price is little bit high,but for the right cause), PLEASE email me as soon as possible. We HAVE to bepresent. I desire that CROATIA becomes the firstcountry in the world to be free of landmines.And this is not a pipe dream. It is feasible and possible in 5-10 years. Let'shelp and support people who have been so generous to us.Best, svako dobro,Nenad Bachtel: (914) 479-1009ÂÂor email: Nenad@NenadBach.comLetters@CroatianWorld.netÂOpen Hearts. Clear Mines.ÂSecond Annual Los Angeles Benefit GalaÂ18 September 2002ÂOpen Hearts. Clear Mines.Adopt-A-Minefield and Goodwill AmbassadorsHeather Mills McCartney & Paul McCartneyinvite you to open your hearts and join usas steward of the earth to clear minefields, save lives,and return land to productive use.Wednesday, September 18, 2002Century Plaza Hotel2025 Avenue of the StarsLos Angeles, CA6:30 pm Cocktails7:30 pm DinnerSpecial PerformancesÂPaul McCartney & Brian WilsonMaster of CeremoniesJay LenoBusiness AttireFor more information, please contactLevy, Pazanti & Associates310.201.5033 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 07 Sep 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4579/1/E-Two-Appeals.html ÂCHARITYIn the April issue of the Matica magazine were two appeals to which theCROWN readers might wish to respond:The first is from the Zagreb Rebro hospital, the oncology andradiotherapy clinic, which is in desperate need to have some repairs madeto the building, as some ceilings are peeling and in danger of crumblingand the rest of the interior is also in poor shape. Sister Alberta isasking for our help for this 53-bed clinic that provides treatmentannually for over 3000 hospitalized patients.You can send a check to:Zagrebacka Banka d.d.SVIFT ZABA HR 2X, 7026-VAL-0941778(za Onkologiju Rebro)orDOBROTVORNA UDRUGA "ADOR"10000 Zagreb,Kanalski Put bbCroatiatel/fax 2404-864ÂThe second appeal is from the society "PAKS" consisting mostly of marinebiologists, geologists and divers/researchers, interested in pursuingthe research and preservation of the Adriatic Sea, which has fallenmostly on deaf ears in the Ministries where such interest and initiativeshould be present.ÂThis society has dedicated itself to document all the unusual aquaticflora and fauna as well as rock and cave formations indigenous to theAdriatic. They have filmed the last four years a documentary film"Secrets of the Adriatic" (Tajne Jadrana") which required much know-howfor underwater filming as well as financial means. They have receivedsome aid from UNESCO and the Ministry of Science and Technology as wellas a few private companies, but it is not sufficient for the program theyare trying to achieve. The purpose of the filming is to produce anddistribute a permanent promotional, popular science documentary, such asare shown on Public TV and the Discovery Channel , which would acquaintthe world with the beauties of the Croatian Adriatic Sea - the cleanestof the Mediterranean seas. The documentary would undoubtedly be the bestpromotion for Croatia as a Mediterranean country and move it away fromthe "Balkans"!If you wish to support this worthwhile project please send yourcontribution to:DRUSTVO ZA EKOLOSKA ISTRAZIVANJA PAKSS Vojnovica 1910362 Kasina GajecCroatiaTel. 098 673 622 098 204 042Op-edI get between 10-20 letters a week about different needs from Croatia. It isvery difficult to be compassionate and just at the same time. I want you tocheck on your own people and organizations that ask money from you. SUPPORTTALENT !Nenad Bach letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 19 Jul 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4580/1/E-Local-peace-activists-plan-trip-to-Croatia.html Local peace activists plan trip to CroatiaCourt House in PakracENGLEWOOD -- Local residents who helped raise more than $30,000 to clear a mine field in Pakrac, Croatia, now have the opportunity to see the fruits of their labor.ÂIn September, Mario Spalatin, president of the Croatian-American Society of Sarasota, will volunteer as tour guide on a two-week trip to the former Yugoslavian republic. The cost of the trip, which will include no fees to any travel agencies, will be approximately $2,100 per person.ÂBesides visiting the 3.5-acre defused mine field adjacent to Pakrac's only hospital, the group will also travel to Preko, Croatia, the birthplace of the Rev. Sebastian Loncar, former pastor of Englewood's St. Raphael's Catholic Church.At Preko, located on the island of Ugljan in the Adriatic Sea, the group will dedicate a memorial plaque in honor of Loncar. Ordained a priest in 1937, Loncar moved to the United States in 1940. He served as administrator at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Port Charlotte and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice before taking over as St. Raphael's second pastor from 1970 to 1977.Loncar moved back to Croatia in 1999. There, he died of cancer in February 2001."He was a great believer in peace," Spalatin said. "During the war, he put a lot of monetary support toward helping the refugees in Croatia."Peter Duisberg, a longtime member of the Florida Southwest Peace Education Coalition, said the Croatian trip would appeal to "people who are interested in a vacation with a purpose.""We're hoping they will come back with ideas on how we can have a sister-type relationship with that city (Pakrac)," Duisberg said. "We hope to follow through. We don't expect this to stop with this trip."The Englewood community's involvement with Pakrac began on New Year's Day 2001, the 15th annual World Day of Prayer for Peace. That day, Jo Williams of the Sarasota-Manatee chapter of United Nations Association-USA appeared at St. Raphael's to talk about the land mine clearing project.ÂAt the time, Duisberg said that chapter's fund raising effort was stalled at about $8,000. Within months, the group had the $30,240 necessary to clear the mine field, including $8,000 in contributions from the Englewood area."The whole thing picked up steam again because of that," Duisberg said. "It showed the power of prayer and dedication."ÂA British firm hired by the Croatian government cleared the Pakrac field in late 2001. On January 1, 2002, the 16th annual World Peace Day, Pakrac Mayor Damir Spancic and his wife, Dubravka, traveled to Englewood United Methodist Church to thank the community.ÂSpalatin has also made several trips to Pakrac and has toured the mine field.Â"I noticed when I was there, that there were several other areas of the city that were being de-mined," he said.During his visits, city officials told Spalatin that 114 people in the city suffered fatal injuries from mines and other unexploded munitions, with one out of five victims less than 18 years old. He said that, prior to clearing, the mine field was also covered with other unexploded munitions, many of which were World War II vintage.ÂBefore the fighting between Croatia and Serbia broke out, Pakrac had a population of more than 27,000 people. By 1995, the population had shrunk to 4,700.Now the town is working to rebuild. Duisberg said that United States Ambassador to Croatia Lawrence G. Rossin wrote in a letter that the U.S. planned to give a grant to the city to build a factory, contingent on that both Serbians and Croatians be employed there. The trip to Croatia will also include a visit with Rossin in Zagreb.ÂFor more information on the trip, call Peter Duisberg at (941) 474-5204.You can e-mail Chris Curry at ccurry@sun-herald.comÂBy CHRIS CURRYStaff Writer© 2002 All rights reserved.Your Local Internet Service ProviderA division of Sun Coast Media Group Inc.Publishers of the Sun newspapers.http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/070302/np6.htm?date=070302&story=np6.htm letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 05 Jul 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4581/1/E-Goran-Visnjic-donates-quiz-show-money-to-Croatias-theatres.html ÂGORAN VISNJICGood All The WayGoran Visnjic donates quiz show money to Croatia's theatresÂER's Goran Visnjic has donated £1,000 prize money he won on Croatia's version of Wheel of Fortune to the country's theatres.Visnjic, who plays Dr Luca Kovac in the American TV show, had never taken part in a quiz show before."I was happy to do it when I saw the chance of helping out the local theatre scene," he said."I am delighted to be able to help the theatres where I grew up and learned my profession. I have never forgotten my past."Sunday 26th May 2002 letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 11 Jun 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4582/1/EH-New-York--Benefit-Concert-Rijeka---beba-treba-operaciju.html ÂÂMolim vas proslijedite svojim prijateljima.ÂHvala.ÂFr. Robert ZubovicÂ*********************************************ÂÂDear friends,ÂÂIt saddens us greatly to have to tell you that a Croatian friend of ours has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is already undergoing chemotherapy. She is only 29 years old. And she is a really great person with a beautiful heart mind. Full of life and joy. Dijana WILL heal. She is a fighter and we, her friends, will help her on this difficult journey. Unfortunatley beside a good heart and will, we also need some money to fight battles in life, so I invite all of you to help us help Dijana out and have a really good time while doing so.ÂÂDijana's friends are organizing a benefit concert for her this Sunday, May 26th in Astoria, Queens in the "Most Precious Blood" Hall. This precious place is on 37th Streeet between Broadway and 34th Avenue, couple of blocks away from the Stainway train station on the R line. The concert starts at 4PM and goes on and on, late into the evening.ÂÂThe suggested ticket price is $10, however if you feel you can give more, please don't let anything stop you. Our friend Dijana is a drummer, i.e. a poor, struggling artist, so she will need every bit of help she can get. If you are a poor, struggling artist yourself, instead of money you can perhaps donate some of your work, which will then be sold off in a raffle for Dijana's benefit. Or, if you are a performing artist, you can bring your instrument of choice and join other musicians who will play at this event, among them Victor Jones, an excellent perfomer who used to play with Miles Davis. There will also be a number of Croatian, Japanese and overall international, New York style bands playing, so bring your dancing shoes and lots of good spirits!ÂÂThank you,ÂGod bless us all!ÂÂ*********************************************ÂÂDragi Nenade,ÂPrimila sam ovo pismo i clanak od mog necaka iz Rijeke. Da li bi bilo moguce taj apel staviti na web?ÂSa srdacnim pozdravima,ÂHildaÂÂÂDEVETIPOLMJESECNOJ BEBI LARI PEŠUT NUŽNA JE OPERACIJA U PARIZU ZA KOJU NJEZINI RODITELJI NEMAJU NOVCAÂMala Lara vodi bitku za životÂÂMala Rijecanka boluje od rijetke bolesti, teške crijevne pseudodestrukcije, stanje joj se pogoršava, a za transplantaciju jetre i crijeva treba oko 170.000 euraÂÂÂRIJEKA - Maloj Rijecanki Lari Pešut, devetipolmjesecnoj djevojcici, život visi o koncu. Ona boluje od izuzetno rijetke bolesti, sindroma teške crijevne pseudodestrukcije, koja joj onemogucava normalno hranjenje i pražnjenje. Djevojcici su dani odbrojeni ako je hitno ne operiraju strucnjaci za kombiniranu transplantaciju jetre i crijeva. Kako se takve operacije u Hrvatskoj ne rade, majka Olivera i otac Nikša, obratili su se s molbom Hrvatskom zavodu za zdravstveno osiguranje da njihovoj kcerki omoguci operaciju u inozemstvu. Prema preporuci prof. dr. Sanje Kolacek voditeljice Referentnog centra za djecju gastroenterologiju i prehranu, Klinike za djecje bolesti Zagreb, kod koje se Lara lijeci, roditelji su kontaktirali parišku kliniku Hopital Necker- Enfants Malades, u kojoj se takve transplantacije vec duže vrijeme uspješno rade. Pregled je zakazan za dva tjedna, buduci da joj jetra iz dana u dan sve više propada i, ako sve bude po planu Lara bi odmah potom bila i operirana. No, kako odgovora od HZZO-a još nema, osim što je od roditelja još jednom zatražena cjelokupna dokumentacija, njih pomalo vec hvata strah da ce u trci za život njihova kci stici na cilj prekasno. Oni, naime, nisu u mogucnosti platiti ni pregled, ni operaciju, cak ni putovanje, a inozemna klinika zna se, ne operira besplatno. Olivera je djelatnica Rijecke banke i prima 1.600 kuna porodiljske naknade, a tata Nikša je kuhar na brodu, zaposlen tek odnedavna. Žive u stanu s Oliverinim roditeljima i sa starijom kcerkicom, cetverogodišnjom Nikom. Lara u stanu s roditeljima i mlaðom sestricom nikada i nije živjela, jer od rodjenja dane provodi u bolnici, najprije na Kantridi, a sada u Klajicevoj, u Zagrebu. Olivera je posjecuje tri puta tjedno, ali uz tako malo dijete i još uz to bolesno, majci ne bi bilo dovoljno ni da je posjecuje svaki dan, pa makar sama snosila sve troškove putovanja, kao što ih i snosi . Djevojcica je operirana vec pet puta, sve je pokušano ne bi li joj se pomoglo, no jedino što su lijecnici uspjeli jest da joj omoguce da malu kolicinu hrane uzme i na usta, sve ostalo dobiva umjetnim putem, intravenozno.ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂRoditelji male Lare otvorili su žiroracun za svoju kcerkicu, s nadom da ce se humanost drugih ljudi i ovoga puta pokazati na djelu. Drugih mogucnosti da pomognu svojoj kcerkici više nemaju, osim ako HZZO ne ucini iznimku i plati njenu operaciju u inozemstvu, a što je malo vjerojatno jer se radi o velikom novcu i praznoj zdravstvenoj kasi. Osim toga, roditelji nemaju više što cekati, jer je odlazak u parišku bolnicu zakazan za dva tjedna. Broj kunskog žiro racuna je: Rijecka banka d.d. Rijeka 2300007-1000000013 05 027-2001-582855. Broj deviznog racuna u istoj banci je: 7001-95695-1, s naznakom: za Laru Pešut.ÂÂÂÂÂÂ- Iscrpljene su sve druge mogucnosti, govori majka, Olivera Pešut, svjesna da sama ne može skupiti ni dio novca potrebnog za operativni zahvat u inozemstvu. Vremena za cekanje više nema, nalazi su sve lošiji. Laru u bolnici u Parizu ocekuju 4. lipnja i kako iz HZZO-a još nema odgovora, roditelji su u strahu odlucili poceti skupljati novac. Za pregled i dvotjedni boravak u bolnici je potrebno platiti 22.921 euro, a za operaciju 140.000 eura. Novac koji ne bi prikupili ni da prodaju sve što imaju, a zapravo nemaju ništa.ÂÂÂÂÂ- Poslali smo molbu lijecnickoj komisiji za lijecenje u inozemstvu HZZO-a prije 10 dana, sve do tada smo mislili da se takva operacija može obaviti i bliže i jeftinije, u Italiji na primjer. Vjerovali smo i da ce neki od operativnih zahvata koje je imala, Lari popraviti stanje, jer su u to vjerovali i lijecnici. Kod ostale oboljele djece u Hrvatskoj, stanje se poboljšalo ili se barem ne pogoršava, oni barem mogu nastaviti uzimati umjetnu hranu, ali to se s Larom na žalost nije dogodilo, govori mama Olivera, dok pokazuje kcerkicu Laru snimljenu na videokasetu u kreveticu u zagrebackoj bolnici. To je zapravo jedini nacin da i ostali clanovi obitelji budu s bolesnom curicom, a koliko im znaci makar i samo ta videosnimka, vidjeli smo po Nikinoj gesti cim se Lara pojavila na ekranu - podignula se s kauca, prišla ekranu i poljubila lice svoje sestrice. Hoce li ga uskoro moci i dotaknuti, ovisi o procjeni lijecnicke komisije HZZO treba li maloj Lari platiti transplantaciju u inozemstvu ili o dobroj volji ljudi, koji se uvijek organiziraju brže od zdravstvene birokracije kada je u pitanju djecji život.ÂJelena SEDLAK© Copyright 2002 NOVI LIST d.d. Sva prava pridržana.ÂÂDistributed by www.CroatianWorld.net. This message is intended for Croatian Associations/Institutions and their Friends in Croatia and in the World. The opinions/articles expressed on this list do not reflect personal opinions of the moderator. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, please delete or destroy all copies of this communication and please, let us know! letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 24 May 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4583/1/E-FLOWERS-TOWARDS-DEMINING--FTD.html Dear Nenad,Please network our NEW Roots of Peace FLOWERS TOWARDS DEMINING--FTD site onyour fabulous network...it is a wonderful way to give back to the earth.www.ftd.com//rootsofpeace.See attached for details...Heidiwww.@rootsofpeace.orgÂOp-edThese flowers are helping demine Croatia. Can't think of anything better thenthat!Help Root of Peace !NenadDear US Department of State/UN Supporters Supporters,Please visit our new website that went LIVE today atwww.ftd.com//rootsofpeace, as it demonstrates another innovativepublic-private partnership raising 15% of every FTD purchase for deminingprojects through this website.As we prepare for our May 7th event, we would like to formally incorporatethis new partnership into our "gardening theme" of nurturing the excellencethat comes from the earth when cultivated--in sharp contrast to the plantingof landmines.With 10,000 women and children stepping on landmines each year, it would beideal to promote our FTD website for Mother's Day purchases (May 12, 2002).Let's discuss ways in which we may leverage this innovative partnership toraise significant demining dollars--while raising global landmineawareness... by sending a lovely FTD/Roots of Peace bouquet of Springflowers!Our CLEAR goal for the May 7th event is to inspire corporations/donors toGIVE generously to demining...this is a most unique approach that may beintroduced to Rotarians, Kiwanis, Lyons and other NGO community mindedorganizations that take a leadership role!Please let me know your thoughts in getting this NEW site out into the "mainstream"...Sincerely,Heidi Kuhn letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 08 Apr 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4584/1/E-CROATIAS-HUMANITARIAN-WORK-IN-AFGHANISTAN.html VeleposlanstvoRepublike Hrvatske u Sjedinjenim Americkim Drzavama Embassy of theRepublic of Croatia to the United States of America2343Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008 ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂPress office, ÂPhone:(202) 986 9476ÂÂÂÂÂÂFax.: (202) 588 8938 ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂE-mail: press@croatiaemb.org ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂwww.croatiaemb.orgÂPRESS RELEASECROATIA TAKES PART IN ANTI-TERRORIST COALITION'S HUMANITARIAN WORK IN AFGHANISTANZagreb, April 5 - Republic of Croatia will deliver humanitarian aid to Afghanistan as an active involvement in dealing with the damaging consequences of the Taliban regime there. Upon the Resolution of the Croatian Government on Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan, Croatia will deliver a donation of medical supplies and equipment, tents, blankets and food, promply gathered by several Croatian ministries. The value of the donation is more than 52,000 US dollars, which rangs it among most generous donations being delivered so far. It is also the only similar donation being transferred to Afghanistan from South and East European region.Republic of Croatia has recognized the need for and importance of humanitarian activities aimed at alleviating dire implications of the refugee crisis in Afghanistan, including to the security and stability of the region. Croatia will thus get actively and involved in USA and other anti-terorist coalition members' activities.In joint effort with the Government of Iceland, that has graciously made an military aircraft available to Croatia, the Croatian humanitarian aid for Afghanistan will be transported to Pakistan tommorow, on April 6, 2002. The help has also been provided by the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb and the American command of NATO Air Forces.H.E. Dr. Ivan Grdesic, Croatian Ambassador to US said: The humanitarian aid that is being transported from Croatia to people of Afghanistan is both a contribution to anti-terorist coalition's activities in Afghanistan and a expression of solidarity Croatian people feel for those in need. It is not a mere gesture as, indeed, all Croatians deply relate to human suffering, due to Croatian Homeland War..ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ####Media contact: Alan Vojvodic, (202) 986 9476, press@croatiaemb.org letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 05 Apr 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4585/1/E-Demining-Croatia---swords-to-plowshares.html ÂUN Global CompactÂ&ÂRoots of PeaceÂUnited Nations EventÂNew York City, New YorkÂMay 7, 2002ÂÂBACKGROUND-Not since the death of Princess Diana Spencer has the media devoted such significant coverage to the issue of landmines. As the public is now learning about the scourge of landmines in Afghanistan, they are also recognizing that landmines are a global problem, where an estimated 80 million landmines are in 80 countries.ÂÂBecause Roots of Peace works on the full circle of demining, replanting and rebuilding sustainable communities, the organization's mission will resonate with a public eager to offer a modern "Marshall" plan to countries like Afghanistan. Therefore, Roots of Peace has embarked upon a Demining Campaign to raise one million dollars for the demining of the once rich agricultural lands of the Shomali Valley, 30 minutes north of Kabul.ÂÂRoots of Peace has successfully demined over 200 acres of agricultural land in Croatia-returning "Mines to Vines" by replacing the scourge of landmines with the nectar of grapes-turning killing fields into productive vineyards symbolizing "blood to wine".ÂNow, Roots of Peace aims to expand our program to the vineyards of Afghanistan, where the grapes will not be fermented with respect to the Muslim culture. Proud Afghan farmers claim there were once 26 varietals of delicious grapes, which created economic viability for local communities as they exported their product to Pakistan and India.ÂÂRoots of Peace was selected by the UN Global Compact as a model project for creating "Public-Private Partnerships in Zones of Conflict". Our case study will be presented at the United Nations in April 2002 featuring the grapes, olive trees, marichino cherries, and other agricultural fruits of the earth which now grow on former minefields. These demonstrated efforts truly embody the words etched in stone on Isaiah's Wall at the United Nations converting "swords to plowshare" by turning "mines to vines". Ultimately, Roots of Peace will plant rice in Cambodia, coffee in Angola, cashews in Mozambique and productively treat the mine-affected lands around the world.ÂÂRoots of Peace has joined the US Department of State on two missions to Croatia in January 2000 and May 2000 to see the devastation caused by an estimated 1.2 million landmines silently poised in 14 out of 21 counties in this scenic Adriatic country. Through the support of the California wine industry, Silicon Valley, Digitas, Ruder Finn,ÂRotary Clubs, and other public-private partnerships, we have successfully demined four Croatian villages through matching funds from the International Trust Fund in Slovenia.ÂÂÂ"Mines to Vines" EVENTÂMay 7, 2002ÂÂ11 o'clock --ROOTS OF PEACE GARDEN DEDICATION-ISAIAH'S WALLÂÂThe New York City Parks Commissioner of Manhattan, Mr. William Castro, will join UN officials, US government officials, Ambassadors from Mine Affected countries, corporate leaders, NGO's and international media for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the Roots of Peace Garden symbolizing our global effort to remove the deadly "seeds of destruction" caused by landmines and replace them with the "seeds of hope".ÂThis UN motto calling upon the world to convert "swords to plowshares" is proudly placed beneath an unmaintained, vacant parcel of soil with dead, unwatered plants.ÂÂThis is a wall of opportunity, and Roots of Peace is proud to be actively working with the Office of the Secretary-General and the NYC Parks Commissioner/Manhattan to create a viable garden of hope featuring the American Beauty rose, Peace rose, English rose (in honor of the late Princess Diana and her efforts to remove landmines), black Iris of Jordan (in honor of Her Majesty Queen Noor and her leadership in landmine removal), jasmine (Afghanistan), lavendar (Croatia), and, of course, vineyards inspired by our Mines to Vines initiative. This garden is poised to inspire the world to plant the roots of peace, by returning demined land to productive agricultural use-swords to plowshares.ÂFrom the productive soil of New York City, we hope this Roots of Peace garden will inspire global citizens to remove the deadly seeds of terror from our planet.ÂÂThe ribbon-cutting ceremony will feature red tape from a minefield surrounding the Roots of Peace Garden, and our partner HALO Trust will provide "Landmine Warning" signs featuring various languages around the world-Spanish, Croatian, Arabic, Asian, Russian, English, African, etc. Rather than a traditional velvet ribbon cutting ceremony, the red landmine tape will visually symbolize our efforts to convert swords to plowshares by replacing the seeds of destruction cause by landmines with the seeds of hope.ÂÂAn ecumenical blessing of the Roots of Peace Garden will be arranged, along with inspiring words from the mayor and other distinguished guests (to be determined).ÂÂRuder Finn will coordinate international media "pro bono" for Roots of Peace, in collaboration with our partners with the UN Global Compact & US Department of State.ÂHigh level media visibility is expected showcasing "public-private partnerships".ÂÂUnited Nations ushers will guide all dignitaries and guests WILL PASSES & PHOTO ID only across the street to the 1st Street Entrance through VIP security up to the 4th Floor.ÂÂ12:00 NOON---"MINES TO VINES" RECEPTIONÂÂThe UN Delegate's Dining room will have a special area designated for a "Mines to Vines" reception, where owners/vintners from Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley and New York wineries will feature a wine tasting describing the art-form of cultivating grapes.ÂThis will be a unique opportunity for guests to meet the "names behind the labels" and become familiar with leading wine makers as we toast "from coast to coast" to global peace. Of course, grape juice and sparkling water will be served to honor international guests whose cultures prohibit fermented grapes-respecting the various choices intertwined through the vine.ÂÂThe "Mines to Vines" theme will be carried forth into this venue, where HALO Trust, UN Mine Action groups, and US Government Mine Action supporters will prepare an official demonstration of inert landmines for display. Again, red-tape from minefields will surround the room, to bring in the serious tone of the landmine awareness raising event, as guests enjoy the fruits of the earth-symbolizing swords to plowshares.ÂHand-crafted art will also be on display from Afghanistan and Croatia, to show the opportunity lost when innocent limbs are viciously removed by landmine explosions.ÂÂ12:45 LUNCHEON-UN Delegate's Dining RoomÂÂUN ushers will guide the guests into the UN Delegate's Dining Room on the same floor.ÂHermes of Paris has graciously offered to provide all the fine porcelain china from France to decorate each table in a different pattern, symbolizing the global diversity and excellence that comes from the earth when nurtured and cultivated. All flowers and linens will also be donated by Hermes of Paris to create a feeling of elegance and bounty. The capacity for the room is 270 guests, and the US Department of State has offered to sponsor the private luncheon.ÂÂKeynote speakers will deliver inspirational words, and a song of peace will be performed.ÂÂOp-edÂPlease be aware of this event and SUPPORT Roots of Peace organization.ÂNenad BachÂÂDistributed by www.CroatianWorld.net. This message is intended for Croatian Associations/Institutions and their Friends in Croatia and in the World. The opinions/articles expressed on this list do not reflect personal opinions of the moderator. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient,Âplease delete or destroy all copies of this communication and please, let us know! letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 12 Mar 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4586/1/E-St-Theresas-Dom.html ÂMy name is Don Wolf. I am a third generation Croatian American who has visited Croatia fourteen times, as I still have many relatives in Zagreb, Gerovo (Gorski Kotar) and Rijeka. As a photographer I had the opportunity to go to Croatia during the war with Dr. Miroslav Kovachevic, a pediatrician from Chicago who was born in Croatia.ÂÂBy showing my images I was able to raise funds for Croatian orphans. With the help of Stephen Fracol and Emily Novak, I produced a video tape on How to Make Croatian Nut Bread (Povitica). The profits from the sales, over $30,000 went to purchase new plumbing and replace all the old rusty plumbing in St. Theresa's Orphanage (Dom).ÂÂRight now the roof of the dom is leaking water into the children's bedroom whenever it rains or snows.The dom was built in 1924 and has been patched so many times and must now be replaced. I have talked with the constructon supervisor and he has shown me the evidence.ÂÂI have, with the help of Suzana Ryan (a third generation Slovenian American), produced a small flyer (brochure) about St.Theresa's. If you would be so kind I would ask you to do one or two things if you can.ÂÂIf you send me your address I will send you the flyer.ÂIf you feel more energetic and really want to help, I could send you many flyers for you to redistribute to your family, friends, club, church etc..ÂÂThese efforts are through the Croatian Council of Kansas City and we do have a tax exempt status if you need it. The Croatian Council is a group of various Croatian organizations in Kansas City and not a political group.ÂÂI know that the word Croatian was spelled as Croation and I will never hear the last of not catching it before it went to press so I ask for your leniency in advance.ÂÂSincerely,ÂÂDon WolfÂÂgrandson of Rudolf Volf, Mato Cop, Marija Stimac and Lena MuhvicÂÂwolf1936@aol.comÂ913 788 7649ÂÂ3535 N 63 TerraceÂKansas City, KansasÂ66104ÂÂAll checks are made out to St. Theresa's Orphanage (NOT DON WOLF) They are then wire transferred from Industrial State Bank by Mr. Stephen Bozic Galvin directly into the orphanage account in Zagreb. Third generation Croatian Americans are doing our part the best we can.ÂÂDistributed by www.CroatianWorld.net. This message is intended for Croatian Associations Institutions and their Friends in Croatia and in the World. The opinions/articles expressed on this list do not reflect personal opinions of the moderator. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, please delete or destroy all copies of this communication and please, let us know! letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 11 Mar 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4587/1/E-Croatian-surgeons-need-help.html ÂFrom:feldwoj2@SLU.EDU (Judy Feldworth)ÂTo:CroWorldNet@aol.com (Nenad Bach)ÂÂDear All,ÂHere's a problem I would like some insight on from my fellow Croatians . . .ÂI work with an internationally recognized surgeon who is now collaborating (or trying to) with prominent Croatian surgeons in Zagreb. The Croatian surgeons want him to work on a number of projects with them, attend meetings on the Adriatic coast, and speak. When he diplomatically writes to them inquiring about funding for the trips, he receives no answer. (Well, that's typical.) The surgeons talk about everything else but NEVER address the issue of funding, if it is available, where it will come from, etc. Frankly, I am sure that the people in Croatia are waiting for him to pay his own way and that is not going to happen. Anyway, he finds this extremely frustrating and doesn't know what to do, say, or how to handle this situation.ÂPersonally, I find this extremely rude and very unprofessional behavior on the part of the Croatian surgeons. Educated Croatians are not stupid. They know the USA is not paved with gold and that we, too, have to pay our bills. And, when you invite someone to your country to offer his professional services for your benefit, you don't duck around the issue of how they are going to get there.ÂAny suggestions?ÂÂJudy FeldworthÂfeldwoj2@slu.eduÂÂÂÂtel;fax:314-268-5113Âtel;home:314-664-3292Âtel;work:314-577-8314ÂÂorg:Saint Louis University;SurgeryÂadr:1320 S. Grand Blvd;St. Louis;Missouri;63104;USAÂÂÂDistributed by www.CroatianWorld.net. This message is intended for Croatian Associations/Institutions and their Friends in Croatia and in the World. The opinions/articles expressed on this list do not reflect personal opinions of the moderator. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient,Âplease delete or destroy all copies of this communication and please, let us know! letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 23 Feb 2002 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/4588/1/Croatian---Flemish-association-provides-financial-aid-to-orphans-in-Croatia.html Click Here: Crown Home PageEdmond Jardas Parents Plan The Edmond Jardas Parents Plan v.z.w. is a Croatian - Flemish association based in Flanders (Belgium) which provides financial aid to orphans and humanitarian projects in the Republic of Croatia. Humanitarian Organisation http://www.ejpp.ca.tc/ kuna@online.be Dear friends, The long awaited UPDATE of our webiste is done. All those who want to help us : all needed information and documents are NOW online. Have a look at http://www.ejpp.ca.tc/ Kindest greetings, Vercruysse David - Edmond Jardas Parents Plandistributed by CROWN - www.croatianworld.net - CroWorldNet@aol.comNotice: This e-mail and the attachments are confidential information.If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail and the attachments is strictly prohibited and violators will be held to the fullest possible extent of any applicable laws governing electronic Privacy. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify the sender by telephone or e-mail, and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 19 Jan 2002 07:00:00 +0000