Damir Simic - Shime

S.Stevens, D Simic - Shime, S. Lukather

Damir Simic - Shime is an extraordinary musician and an intelligent man who was able to developed his talent to the world class level. The best is yet to be shown.

On a more personal note, my trips to Los Angeles are always enhanced when I see Shime and his family. You support artist by buying their art.

Nenad

Book review "The Turk and My Mother" Mary Helen Stefaniak

Reviewed by Katarina Tepesh

"The Turk and My Mother" opens up with author's note explaining to the reader how "Staramajka" is the Croatian word for Grandmother.

When Josip, or in rarer moments of affection, Joza leaves for America in the spring of 1914, leaving behind his wife, a touching love story describing four generations begins.

Stefaniak describes Croatia from a long time ago, where her ancestors came from, "as people who lived hard lives in tiny villages, in a part of Europe that was so used to being cut up and handed around like cake, at the end of every big and little warâŚ.."

Written with humor and affection, describing with details the immigrant neighborhood in Milwaukee, the novel encompasses a family's secret history, forbidden love, passion, loss, nostalgia for home, and the sorrow and pain and complexity of life.

A journey across continents, the book is full of familiar memories about the rural village of Novo Selo, where people used to live without heat, no lights, no running water and mud in the street to your knees every spring.

Much later, when Stefaniak travels to Croatia, to unravel the family mystery, she visits the four-hundred-year-old church, sees storks nesting on their chimneys and houses with ancient well in back yards. She sleeps on the big straw mattress layered with featherbeds.

Mary Helen Stefaniak is the prize-winning author of "Self Storage and Other Stories." She teaches creative writing at Creighton University and lives in Omaha and Iowa City with her family. See her web site atwww.maryhelenstefaniak.com

"The Turk and My Mother" published by Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc. $24.95. See www.amazon.com for discounts. A paperback edition is coming out in June of 2005.

Little Stars shine BIG in New York City for the second time

By Katarina Tepesh

Croatians from the New York City welcomed for the second time the "Little Stars" or "Zvjezdice" choir from Zagreb.

With their glorious voices and strict discipline, the talented "Little Stars" are cultural ambassadors for the European Union and one of the top performing choirs in the world. They are again visiting America to promote peace through musical performance and cultural exchange.

"Zvjezdice" choir, made up of 43 girls aged 10 to 18 have appeared on December 17, 2004 at the Holy Family Church located at 315 East 47th Street in Manhattan.

The concert started formally with "Alleluia", proceeded with Franz Schubert Kyrie and Credo from Mass in G major, followed by sacred works by Ivan Lucacic, "Oci Joj Gorski Izvori" by Josip Magdic, Mozart's "Ave Maria", phenomenal artistic range in "Annen Polka" by Johan Strauss, Pero Gotovac and "Stabat Mater" by Giovanni Pergolesi.

Second portion of the concert included Croatian Christmas songs such as "Svim na Zemlji Mir Veselje", "Veselje Ti Navjescujem", "U To Vrijeme Godista." and "Radujte Se Narodi." Followed by all time favorite "Tiha Noc" sang by the choir in a beautiful high tone along with their superb soloists.

This special concert was also a 50th birthday celebration for conductor Zdravko Sljivac, who leads "Zvjezdice" since 1985. After standing ovation, each "Little Star" received a red rose, compliments of Wanda Radetti, public relations director of Istrian and Italian events.

Julliard String Quintet and organist Bozica Tudjen accompanied this joyous concert.

The large modern church of "Holy Family", perfect for musical concerts, was less then half full due to wrong address listed on the internet and Croatian newspapers. Several Croatians were searching for the "right" church near the United Nations.

The "Little Stars" performed on Long Island on Saturday and were welcomed to the Croatian church on Sunday. With every seat taken, the Croatian audience was treated to an hour-long concert, including with "new" conductor Father Ivica Majstorovic during the song "Radujte Se Narodi."

The founder and conductor of "Zvjezdice" Zdravko Sljivac carefully select the talent. Choir pre-admission requirements are indeed stringent, requiring the highest personal dedication and professionalism of choir member candidates. Every candidate is required to maintain excellent school grades for as long as they are member associated with the choir.

"Zvjezdice" traveled all over Europe and Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Chicago. Now they have added more stars with the spirit of love and peace to the glorious Christmas decorations all over New York City - the greatest city in the world!

Trening program za razvoj lokalnih zajednica

ODRAZ organizira trening program za razvoj lokalnih zajednica
ODRAZ, odrĹživi razvoj zajednice, je udruga cija je misija poticanje i jaĂ¨anje inicijativa te suradnje u lokalnim zajednicama, u cilju dugoroĂ¨nog razvoja na odrĹživ naĂ¨in.
ODRAZ i ove godine raspisuje natjecaj za polaznike
TRENING PROGRAMA ZA RAZVOJ LOKALNIH ZAJEDNICA
OZUJAK - STUDENI 2005.
* ako radite na razvoju svoje zajednice i pokretanju lokalnih resursa
* ako zelite steci nova znanja i vjeĹĄtine zajedno s 20-ak ljudi iz cijele
Hrvatske
* ako ste propustili proĹĄlogodiĹĄnji rok za prijavu na ovaj etablirani
program obrazovanja za aktiviste i djelatnike koje rade na razvoju lokalnih
zajednica
POZIVAMO VAS DA SE PRIJAVITE NA OVOGODISNJI TRENING PROGRAM
- Cilj Trening programa
Edukacija dvadesetak predstavnika javnog, gospodarskog i civilnog sektora,
koji ce kroz nova znanja i vjeĹĄtine potaknuti pozitivne promjene u
zajednicama u kojima zive i rade.
- Nacin provedbe
Trening ce biti organiziran od ozujka do studenog 2005. godine, u 5 blokova.
Svaki blok sastojat ce se od trodnevnih radionica na sljedece teme: Kako
identificirati potrebe u zajednici, Metoda javnog dogovaranja, Kako
pisati/provoditi/pratiti/evaluirati projekte, Razvoj partnerstva,
Participativno donoĹĄenje odluka i drugo. U razdoblju izmedu trening blokova
polaznici ce raditi na prakticnoj primjeni stecenih znanja.
Na kraju trening programa polaznici stjecu diplomu "organizatora zajednice."
- Obrazovni tim
Strucni tim ODRAZ-a, Udruga za razvoj civilnog druĹĄtva SMART, udruga MI iz
Splita te ODRAZ-ovi vanjski suradnici - strucnjaci iz razlicitih podrucja
(npr. dr. Dubravka Miljkovic). Bit ce takoder predstavljeni dobri primjeri
iz prakse (npr. gradonacelnik Crikvenice Ivica Malatestinic govorit ce o
reformi lokalne samouprave na primjeru grada Crikvenice).
- Kriteriji za odabir polaznika:
DosadaĹĄnji rad u lokalnim zajednicama i spremnost na daljnju izobrazbu,
ispunjena prijavnica te selekcijski razgovor s kandidatima koji su uĹĄli u
uzi izbor.
Ohrabrujemo prijavu dva kandidata iz iste zajednice, koji dolaze iz
razlicitih sektora (civilni, javni ili poslovni), koji su spremni zajedno
pokretati aktivnosti u zajednici.
Odabrani kandidati moraju imati pismenu podrĹĄku organizacije iz koje dolaze.
-Skolarina
OvogodiĹĄnja ĹĄkolarina iznosi 6.950,00 kuna (mogucnost placanja u 4 rate), u
sklopu koje je ukljuceno:
* 5 trening blokova po 3 dana - 15 dana nastave, smjeĹĄtaj i prehrana
* pruzanje tehnicke pomoci pri osmiĹĄljavanju i provodenju procjene potreba u
zajednici te pripremi prijedloga projekta,
* ukljucivanje u Mrezu za lokalni razvoj,
* besplatne publikacije i materijali vezani za razvoj organizacije,
ucinkovit rad lokalne zajednice, lokalnu demokraciju, pisanje projekata,
prikupljanje sredstava i dr.
ODRAZ raspolaze malim fondom za stipendije.
Nakon zavrĹĄetka treninga polaznici ostaju u Mrezi za lokalni razvoj koju
facilitira ODRAZ, u sklopu cega dobivaju informacije o daljnjim treninzima,
natjecajima, interesantnim publikacijama. Clanovi mreze se povremeno sastaju
i organizira se dodatna edukacija i prezentacije.
- Kako se prijaviti? Kontaktirajte Gordanu Radonic, ODRAZ, Ljudevita Posavskog 2/4, 10000 Zagreb, telefon 01/46 55 149; 46 55 203, telefax 01/46 55 200, email:odraz@zg.htnet.hr Na naĹĄoj web stranici www.odraz.hr mozete pronaci i evaluacije prijaĹĄnjih Trening programa iz 2003. i 2004. Takoder mozete pronaci podatke o dosadaĹĄnjim polaznicima. Pozurite !Zadnji rok za VaĹĄu prijavu je 31. sijecnja 2005.

Bill Belichick & Nick Saban two Croatians Coaches in the NFL

Host: Coach, Nick Saban, who was a protĂŠgĂŠ of yours â you had him in Cleveland as your defensive coordinator â had a tremendous success obviously at LSU, and now he's going to be in the division at Miami. How about that? What kind of a head coach do you think Nick's going to be in the NFL?

BB: I think Nick's an outstanding coach, I don't think there's any question about that. I think he's one of the very best I've ever had the opportunity to work with. Nick is strong in every area of the game â personnel, strategy, motivation. He has a lot of experience, and he's very good at, as I say, at everything he does, and he can truly get all the bases covered.I think it just makes this division, which is already very tough, even that much tougher. You know, two Croatians in the division, Joe, that's not something you see everyday. [Laughter]

Host: That's got to be a first, right Coach?

http://www.allthingsbillbelichick.com/transcripts/joebenignotranscript.htm

Bill Belichick with Joe Benigno and Sid Rosenberg
WFAN, Sports Radio 66AM New York
January 5, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Host: ...the best coach that there is in the business right now, and that is the head coach of the World Champion New England Patriots, Bill Belichick. Coach, how you doing? Happy New Year.

BB: Thank you Joe, Sid. How you doing?

Host: Good. Nice to talk to you, Coach. And congratulations again. Let's start right here. Everyone's talking, obviously, about the Steelers' 14-game win streak, and Peyton Manning's record-breaking season. But somehow or another, through it all, your New England Patriots went 14-2, and looks like you're well on your way to another championship â at the very least at least vying for one. So congratulations on a great regular season.

BB: I think it's a real accomplishment for our team. You know, they've gone through a lot of adversity, and met a lot of challenges along the way. But right now we're just where a lot of other teams are right now, we're 0-0. The team that wins will be the team that plays the best from here on out. So everybody that's in, is in. Nothing really matters except how we can each do going forward. That's where our focus is, to try to get our game to its highest level.

Host: Coach, I know you don't like to lose, and I know you haven't done much of that lately â what is it, 29 out of the last 31? But I thought one of the best things that happened to this team was going down to Miami and losing that game to the Dolphins. Because it seemed like you came right back and smacked my team next week, of course. And then you win the final game of the season to go 14-2. But it seems like maybe that kind of refocused your team again, Coach. Do you agree with that or not?

BB: Losing down there was tough. You got an 11-point lead with four minutes to go in the game, and end up losing to Miami. That was pretty disappointing.

Host: I guess his answer's no. [Laughter]

BB: Yeah, I don't think there were a lot of positives on that one.

Host: How about the Steeler game? Let's talk about them for a little bit. Because the chances are, at least if you're asking me, I think the AFC title game is going to be you guys and the Steelers in a couple weeks in Pittsburgh. What happened in that game? Was it just a case that maybe you'd won 21 in a row, and you were due to lose, and you kind of ran into a bus? I mean, what happened that day in Pittsburgh, Coach?

BB: You know, they played a lot better than we did. We didn't play very well defensively. We turned the ball over on offense â they ran one back for a touchdown, and recovered another two fumbles inside our 30. We just didn't play well. We got outcoached, outplayed, and they deserved to win, they were the better team. And there was no question about it that day. That's why they're the #1 seed. They're 15-1. You've got to give them all the credit in the world, they've had a tremendous regular season.

Host: They did, they won 14 straight games. And everybody's talking about that matchup, Coach, with you and Pittsburgh. But...

BB: I wouldn't worry too much about that one right now.

Host: Right, that's what I'm saying. There's a good chance you're going to see Peyton Manning along the way, again, and you guys have been very successful here against Peyton Manning. [Both hosts talking at once] He's watching film on Manning right now. I know he won't admit it. Probably so. He's got the projector on as we speak watching Manning, figuring how we're going to beat him again. Now you guys have been very successful against him, Coach. Including back to Week 1 in this regular season, you won that game as well. But you went on to the record-breaking season. I mean, do you think that at this point that you can be successful against Peyton doing the same things you've done in the past, or has his game really gotten to the point now where you're going to have to make some changes?

BB: Oh, I think there will have to be some adjustments made. I'm sure they will make some, and I'm sure we will make some. We didn't exactly â I mean, that game came down to a field goal on the last play of the game, and that was the difference. So that could have easily gone either way. I think that at this point we're prepared to play all three teams â the Jets, San Diego, and Indianapolis â depending on how things turn out this weekend. And we have a lot of respect for all three of them. We know that no matter who we play at this time of the season, they're all good. And I think if you look at â you know I'm not a big stat guy, but when you look at the league stats after 16 regular season games, and you see all those teams bunched up there in terms of turnovers, and rushing defense, and red area production, and all those kind of things, they're all right up there at the top. It doesn't really matter who you play at this time of year â everybody's good. It's just a question of which team goes out and plays well. And can you get your best performance on the field at this point in time. And that's really what it comes down to. There's plenty of talent on every team, and I'm sure we'll have some very competitive games as we go through the playoffs. But it'll just come down to the team that can execute the best at critical points in the game.

JB: Coach, you know Andy Reid, Philadelphia, had everything wrapped up a couple weeks ago. Andy Reid had his team basically mail it in that game against the Rams and certainly last week against Cincinnati they got killed 38-10. You know, no Westbrook, no McNabb. And even though you really had nothing to play for â you were locked in last week against the 49ers â you still played Brady three quarters in that game, Coach. I mean, how about that? What's your feeling on, you know, do you feel maybe if you don't play your best players in these kind of games that maybe you lose momentum going in to the playoffs?

BB: Well I think, Joe, that every coach does what he thinks is best for his football team. And whatever any other coach did, I respect that 100% because I know that that coach is doing what he thinks is best for the team. And where one team is, and where another team is, can often be two different things. In our case, our players are used to being in a routine, they're used to getting ready to play, and playing. They want to play. I don't think that they would have really accepted any other approach. To them it's football season, it's a game, and they want to play in it and they want to be prepared when they walk out on the field to play in it. That's the way we approached it. But we just do what we thought was right for us. I'm not saying that another team should have done it differently, or could have done it differently. We just try to make the decisions in the best interest of our organization. I don't want to tell anybody else how to do their job.

Host: We are talking to the coach of the defending World Champion New England Patriots, Bill Belichick. Coach, lots of adjustments you had to make this year, especially on the defensive side of the football with the injuries, Ty Law going down in that Steeler game. And a guy like Troy Brown is out there picking off passes at the cornerback position. And a couple youngsters had to step in for you this year â the kid Wilfork from Miami, and Randall Gay as well. Last couple of years in New England, was this the toughest job you've had to do to kind of patchwork this defense together to get you through the second half of the season?

BB: We've had to make some adjustments in the secondary, but on our defensive front we've actually been pretty consistent there with our defensive line and linebackers. We've had a lot of the same guys pretty much every week. So it seems like every year you've always got something, or one position, and sometimes a little more than that. But every team goes through that, and we just have to work our way through it. But Troy's done a nice job for us. And Randall Gay is an undrafted rookie, so he stepped in and probably given more than anybody would have expected from. Although once he started playing, he's played at a good, competitive level. Asante Samuel was our nickleback last year, and has got a lot more opportunity this year, and he's been able to take advantage of that playing time. So that's what a lot of just competitive sports is, are guys preparing and then getting an opportunity. Then a lot of times when they get that opportunity they're able to raise their play to a high competitive level. And that's been the case with some of the players for us in the secondary this year.

Host: Coach, how tough has it been with the situation with Charlie Weis? You know, he accepts the Notre Dame job a couple weeks ago, but he's still your offensive coordinator. I guess he's kind of been shuffling back and forth between Foxborough and South Bend. How difficult has that been for you, and more specifically, for Charlie?

BB: I think it's been probably more challenging for Charlie. My job hasn't changed a lot, and neither have the players' or any of their coaches. But Charlie's had to manage another situation. But I think all in all that it's gone fairly smoothly. We all know what it is, and there's no question that he's added some responsibilities. But he hasn't really been shuffling back and forth. He's basically been here, and he's done all the things that he would normally do. And he's done a good job. So I think that we can certainly work within the situation that we have to deal with. And I think we can handle that.

Host: Talking about Charlie Weis and the offense here, Coach, let's stick with the quarterback position. You know obviously this year Ben Roethlisberger is getting an incredible amount of play. In fact, they started the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award back in 1957, and this year Ben Roethlisberger was the first quarterback ever to win that award. So he has the big year, everybody's talking about him. Peyton Manning breaks the record, everybody's talking about him. And there's the guy that plays for you that's won two Super Bowl MVPs in the last three years, who at least, in my opinion, never seems to get that respect. Tom Brady's name is never mentioned at the top of the list. Now with his accomplishments the last couple of years, do you think it starts to bother Tom at some point, or is he just so business-like it doesn't really matter?

BB: Well I think Tom's focused on winning. And I think his record there speaks for itself. Tom's a winner. He prepares hard, he's a great leader, he's good with his teammates, and is a well respected team captain and teammate really from all quarters â offensively, defensively, guys on special teams. He's a player that I think everybody's glad is on this team, and has contributed a lot to our victories. I think that he understands that, and in the end that's the way he wants to be measured. And I think he's done a pretty good job of it.

JB: You know, Coach, one thing that I'm sure bothers you â I know it's all about winning championships, obviously, for you â but I take a look at the Pro Bowl voting every year, and I think the only guy on the defense that makes it to the Pro Bowl is Richard Seymour. And I look at guys like McGinest, I look at guys like Tedy Bruschi, and I don't know if there's a better linebacker in the NFL right now than Tedy Bruschi. Does that kind of motivate these guys even more? I mean, you've got so many top-flight players on that defense, yet Baltimore's got like five guys going, and they're not even sniffing the playoffs. And you got one guy from the defense. How about that?

BB: Well, Joe, you know, the Pro Bowl voting and all comes from a number of different areas â you know, the fans, the coaches, the players â and so that's the way it's set up. It's really hard, I know just from my standpoint, I don't get to see every single player in the AFC play. I see the ones that we play. So it's a hard thing to get totally accurate, because I don't think everybody gets a good full view of the league. You know, and then you start going on stats and reputation and so forth. So I'm sure that every team in the league has a couple players that they feel like should have gotten more recognition than they did. But, you know, unfortunately that's the way it goes.

JB: But I would think, Coach, that that's the way you like it â again, talking to Bill Belichick from the New England Patriots â because going back to when you won the Super Bowl a couple of years ago, and you were kind of introduced as a team, and not the individuals. And you guys, in the last couple of years, have kind of epitomized what the team is all about in an era where it seems like it's all about the selfish individual. That's not your football team. So is it fair to say that maybe at the end of the day you're kind of happy? You know you guys are all-pro players, but you're still a team, and not a bunch of individual superstars?

BB: I think that our players take a lot of pride in the success of the team. And I think it's important to them to support their teammates, and do their job, and not let their teammates down. So when we all walk out at the end of the day, I think number one you want to feel good about yourself and what you've accomplished. And you know you can't always react to externally what the judgments are â good or bad. I think our players are pretty mature about that, they have a good perspective on it. As long as they feel like they're doing all they can, then that's what counts the most for them.

Host: Coach, Nick Saban, who was a protĂŠgĂŠ of yours â you had him in Cleveland as your defensive coordinator â had a tremendous success obviously at LSU, and now he's going to be in the division at Miami. How about that? What kind of a head coach do you think Nick's going to be in the NFL?

BB: I think Nick's an outstanding coach, I don't think there's any question about that. I think he's one of the very best I've ever had the opportunity to work with. Nick is strong in every area of the game â personnel, strategy, motivation. He has a lot of experience, and he's very good at, as I say, at everything he does, and he can truly get all the bases covered. I think it just makes this division, which is already very tough, even that much tougher.You know, two Croatiansin the division, Joe, that's not something you see everyday. [Laughter]

Host: That's got to be a first, right Coach?

BB: Probably is.

Host: Alright Coach, let you go here. But as you're about to embark here on the playoffs â you're not doing a road game at the very least to get to the Super Bowl, but I think your team is certainly capable of doing that. And you've got all these great players, and Corey Dillon is here this year. You know the one thing that I guess we have to talk about is â no disrespect to Mike Vanderjagt in Indianapolis, or Jeff Reed in Pittsburgh â but the one guy we've got to talk about this time of year, maybe the most clutch kicker in the history of the game, and that's Adam Vinatieri. This is a guy that's made more big kicks for you than anybody can ever remember.

BB: Well, you get in a very competitive situation like the playoffs where a lot of times teams are so close, and it comes down to a play or a kick, there's nobody we'd rather have than Adam. He's been familiar with kicking in the weather that we have in the northeast at this time of year â you never know what you're going to get. So, you know, he's a football player. He's not really a kicker, he's a football player. He has a lot of poise, has good talent, and has obviously come through for us in a lot of big situations. But again, his work ethic and his demeanor and what he puts into the game is really just as impressive as his performance. And we'll need everything we've got at this time of year. As I've said, every team we play we know is good, and we'll need every ounce and every resource that we have available.

Host: Coach, before I let you go, I've got to ask you about the quarterback of my Jets, Mr. Pennington. Who every time you play him now recently finds the open Tedy Bruschi on a regular basis. What's your feel on him right now, where he is? Give me a little feel on what you think about Pennington right now.

BB: I think that offensively the Jets are a good football team. They have a lot of weapons. It starts with Curtis, naturally. I think it always has. And then everything works off of that â the play action game, the vertical routes to McCareins and Moss, the utilization of the tightends, Becht and Baker, especially on those bootlegs and things like that. And they have a good offensive line, so the complementary plays and the complementary part of the offense flows very well together most of the time. Now sometimes when one aspect of it isn't really being productive, then that can effect another aspect. But I think overall the Jets are a good offensive football team. I think they have a lot of balance â one of the better balanced teams in the league â going even to their second tightends, and their fullbacks like Sowell, two good running backs. And a good set of receivers, Wayne as a third receiver, and even the whole receiving crew, Carter, I mean the whole works. So I think they're a good, balanced offensive football team, and I have a lot of respect for them. I have a lot of respect for what they do. And I think Chad's very accurate, and as long as, like any team, as long as you can keep those passing situations to manageable yardage â I mean there's not any quarterback that's really very good on 3rd-and-15 â but you know when it's 3rd-and-four, five, six, and you have a couple different guys that you can throw to, and you got the threat of the running game and all that, then those situations are advantageous for any quarterback in any offense.

JB: Coach, you know you chopped him up pretty good two weeks ago. I mean he's got problems with the shoulder. Do you think he's playing hurt right now, in your mind, Pennington?

BB: You know, it's hard to say, Joe. I don't know. I think that at this point in the season, every player who's playing a lot is less than 100%. I mean 16 regular season games against this competition, everybody's got bumps and bruises, everybody's sore, everybody would love to feel a lot fresher than they feel right now. But you know what, it's football time of year. It's crunch time, it's playoff time, so everybody just puts that behind them, they reach down, they suck it up. And you know, you're going to see the teams that play their best football now are teams that are going to be mentally tough, they're going to be physically tough, and they're going to be resilient. And I wouldn't worry too much about what happened last week or what happened two weeks ago. You know, it's about right now what every team can muster up and generate going forward. And they're all good, so whichever one of these 12 teams comes out on top, that team will deserve it because they will have mustered up the most energy and the best performance in the coming weeks. And that's what championship football's all about.

Host: Coach, you breaking out a new sweatshirt for the playoffs?

BB: No, probably not.

Host: Did you get rid of that red one that you had on down in Miami when you lost? Did you burn that one? You must have.

BB: Yeah, we'll move on from that one.

SR: Will there be a 60 Minutes II with Lesley Stahl if you win the Super Bowl again this year? That was fascinating that piece. I love that piece you did last year.

BB: No, that's not my call. You know, that's not really my thing, Sid.

SR: I know, but you were great. I've got to tell you, Coach, I thought that was fascinating how you go about your work everyday. Even watching Tedy Bruschi a couple of weeks ago during the Monday night game â before the game, Coach, against the Dolphins â how he breaks down video every week. I mean, I don't think the average fan really realizes, Coach, how many hours you put in every single day. How many hours your players put in every day. We all know about practice, but I don't think the average person realizes, Coach, you know, 16, 17, 18-hour days that you guys put in. Do you ever sleep, Coach?

BB: It's a very competitive league, and you're going up against the best every week. And every other team that you play, their coaching staff, their players, they're working just as hard as you are. And you just can't leave a stone unturned. You want to make sure that you've got your execution up to its highest level, because that's where it needs to be. It's such a competitive league, especially now. We go to this time of year where one play can mean everything. It determines the whole course of your season. So it's important, and you just want to put everything you have into it and get it right.

Hosts: Coach, a great job as always. Appreciate you coming on. Thank you very much, Coach. Good luck in the playoffs.

BB: It's a pleasure. And Joe, it's great to talk to you when the sun's up. I don't think we've ever done this before.

Host: How about that? Well, you know, this is actually like late in the day for you. Do you ever sleep, Coach? I mean you never do, right?

BB: Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Host: What, an hour a day? An hour a week? What?

BB: Oh, no. When I run low at the end of the day, that's it for me. I just sometimes I get an early start. Not as early as you start it though. Great to catch up with you, too.

Host: You too, Coach. Good luck. We'll talk to you down the road, alright?

BB: OK. Thank you.

Hosts: Alright, there he is, Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots. And he gave us quite a bit of time there, Joe. He did. Big fan of Joe Benigno, Bill Belichick. I tell you what, there's no question about it â THE best in the business right now. Yeah, it's not close. I think Parcells really took a beating with Dallas this year. Shanahan â Denver's falling off. Andy Reid â no, he's never even won a Super Bowl. Only guys who have won Super Bowls. You're right, you can't get that level till you win a Super Bowl. Mike Holmgren â you know, forget about it. This guy [BB] is the best right now. He's the best without a doubt. You and I've been saying this for a couple of weeks now, don't be surprised â three times in four years. Absolutely. We'll see, Belichick.

Transcribed by the webmaster.

Full audio available at www.WFAN.com

http://www.allthingsbillbelichick.com/transcripts/joebenignotranscript.htm

Love Senior Citizens!

A college student at a recent USC football game challenged a senior citizen sitting next to him, saying it was impossible for their generation to understand his. "You grew up in a different world," the student said, loud enough for the whole crowd to hear.
"Today we have television, jet planes, space travel, man has walked on the Moon, our spaceships have visited Mars, we even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing and uh.."
Taking advantage of a pause in the student's litany, the geezer said, "You're right. We didn't have those things when we were young, so we invented them. You little twit! What the hell are you doing for the next generation??"

Michael Mamas, to Film Public Television Special in Los Angeles

'The Golden Frog'

Distribution Source : PRNewswire
Date : Tuesday - January 11, 2005

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally acclaimed author and spiritual teacher, Michael Mamas, will film a three-part television special in Los Angeles on January 22nd and 23rd. The three-part series -- oriented and formatted for public television as well as for a video/DVD release -- will coincide with the introduction of Michael's latest book, "The Golden Frog." The themes of the television programs and the video/DVDs are: 1) Angels, Einstein and You; 2) Desire, Love and Longing; and 3) Healing, Parenting and Relationships.

Michael Mamas, who dedicates his life to bringing forth a wise and refined understanding of human development, simplifies complex and abstract concepts so they can easily be understood by a multitude of people. His unique way of teaching enables people to not only get an intellectual understanding of a myriad of subjects, but to experience the meaning of his words within the depth of their own being. Michael addresses all fields of human interest. Areas of thought that are often seen as conflicted are brought together. He unifies apparently contradictory religious teachings, merges Eastern and Western thought, and unites pure science with sublime spirituality.

The Golden Frog book follows the friendship of two boys in a series of enchanted childhood summers ... and beyond. Though each pursues his own quest for truth, Bruce and Nathaniel's paths entwine throughout life. Bruce becomes a psychotherapist trapped in the web of conditioning, while Nathaniel ventures to India, emerging as a revolutionary thinker. During his journey Nathaniel meets Surya, a spiritual master who teaches him extraordinary lessons and profound knowledge. As Nathaniel awakens to the wisdom deeply rooted within him, mysterious events unfold. With gripping passion, he penetrates the veil that cloaks spiritual wisdom. Through insightful and heartfelt interactions, he challenges all notions of reality. Witnessing Nathaniel's remarkable journey from ordinary to extraordinary, Bruce is changed forever.

The Michael Mamas television program and video/DVD special is entitled "The Golden Frog Lecture Series." It will be filmed in front of a live studio audience in a live-to-tape format. Capistrano Films, known for its PBS holocaust special "Fate Did Not Let Me Go" and other uplifting programs such as "Spiritual Trekking" and "Unsung Heroes," is producing the series. Directing areJakov Sedlar and Antonio Soave. Jakov, a native of Zagreb, Croatia, has directed over 70 feature films, television specials and documentaries, including his latest docudrama, "Syndrome Jerusalem" -- winner of the First International Peace Award at the 2004 Venice Film Festival. Antonio has co-directed "Spiritual Trekking" and "The Soccer Academy." He has also written the screenplay for the Paulo Coelho biblically inspired novella, "The Fifth Mountain."

http://press.arrivenet.com/bus/article.php/557768.html

China Philharmonic Plans Nine-Country Tour
By Emily Quinn
13 Jan 2005

The China Philharmonic Orchestra will tour Europe and North American this year, the Xinhua News Agency reports.

Yu Long, the founder and artistic director of the five-year-old orchestra, announced that the Philharmonic will give 25 concerts in the United States, Canada, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, the U.K., Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The tour dates are February 23-April 8.

The tour repertoire will include Rachmaninoffâs Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and DvorĂĄkâs Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor as well as a number of Chinese works, such as the violin concertos Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai (Butterfly Lovers) and the erhu composition Moon
Reflects in Er Quan.

Pianist Lang Lang, cellist Wang Jian, violinist Augustin Dumay, and soprano Ke Luwa will make guest appearances.

http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/1161.html

Croatians in London Newsletter No. 5 January 2005

Welcome to the fifth issue of Croats in London. CIL appears in the first week of every month. This month: The Croatian Presidential Elections in London Noticeboard: Croatian-British cultural links talk. Special Notice: Presidential election - voting in London

The Croatian Presidential Elections in London

Left to Right: Zeljko Toth, Renata Jukic and Mladen Bruning.

Croats went to the polls on Sunday 2 January to elect a president. But it wasn't only in Croatia that Croats were voting. Croatian citizens overseas are able to vote, and a polling station was set up in the Croatian Embassy in London to cater for UK Croats. CIL visited the polling station on election day.

The Croatian Presidential election took place on a Sunday; this is very different from the UK where elections are usually held on a Thursday. Other than that, the process was very similar to what one would encounter in a British polling station.

We spoke to Marina Rogina of the Croatian Embassy, who was co-ordinating for the embassy. She informed CIL that there are six people running the election, split into two groups of three. One group did the morning, the other did the afternoon.

Regarding how Croatian citizens could vote, Marina said "Everyone who votes must prove citizenship and identity."

CIL was curious as to the make-up of voters. "Most of the voters are long-term residents and students. Some tourists were allowed to vote - but they had to present a special certificate from Croatia." Marina told us.

CIL was in the Embassy during the afternoon, about 70 people had voted so far. Marina told us that most had appeared before Mass (at the Croatian church, in the afternoon) and more were expected when Mass ended.

The election group supervising the ballot box at that time consisted of Zeljko Toth (Presiding), Renata Jukic and Mladen Bruning.

This was Zeljko Toth's fourth election acting in such a role. We asked him about the importance of the vote being held in London. "It's very important to exercise the right of an election. We didn't have free elections until 1990. Previously we had one candidate with one choice."

A number of voters came in while CIL were there, some came from places as far off as Darby to vote. Everything was conducted quite efficiently and quickly whilst CIL was there. The Croatian ambassador was also present earlier in the day.

The first round of elections had thirteen candidates and ended with incumbent President Stipe Mesic attaining 49% of the vote, with Jadranka Kosor (HDZ - Croatian Democratic Union) coming in second with 20% of the vote. As no candidate gained over 50% of the vote, Mesic and Kosor will face off in a second round on January 16. The other candidates will not go forward.

It's good to see that Croatian citizens in the UK have an opportunity to vote in person. It is clearly appreciated by the people who came out to vote on a rather cold and miserable day for weather.

Check the special notice below for further information on voting on 16 January.

CIL thanks Marina Rogina at the Croatian Embassy for her help.

Noticeboard

Only events run by known and reputable bodies will be listed here.

13 January 2005: Talk by Dr Tomislav Sunic, Minister Counsellor of the Croatian Embassy entitled British-Croatian Cultural Links: A Brief History, 6.30 pm for 7 pm. At the Croatian Embassy - address in useful information below. R.S.V.P. tel: 020 7387 2022 Refreshments will be served

Special Notice

Croatian Presidential Elections 16 January 2005

Croatian citizens in London will be able to cast their vote at these elections. Proof of citizenship will be needed. Please contact the Croatian Embassy (contact details in useful information) for more information. Details are also available at: www.izbori.hr

Useful Information

Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Ambassador: Josip Paro
Address: 21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BN
Tel No: 020 7387 2022
Fax No: 020 7387 0310
Email: croemb.london@mvp.hr

Consular Dept:
Tel No: 020 7387 1144
Fax No: 020 7387 0936
Email: consular.dept.london@mvp.hr

Working hours: Monday - Friday 9.00-17.00
Working hours (with clients): Monday - Thursday 11.00-14.00 Fridays 10.00-12.00

Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network
Website: www.csypn.org.uk
Email: info@csypn.org.uk
Address: PO Box 36126, London SW7 2RH

Croatian Catholic Mission
Father Drago Berisic, 17 Boutflower Road, SW11
Tel: 020 7223 3530

Sunday service at 4 pm:
Church of Sacred Heart, Horseferry Road, SW1P 2EF

http://www.easycroatian.com/newsletter/newsletter5.php

Searching for Croatian Roots

Hi: my name is Rosa Maria Serka , and I hope you can help me in my investigation of the origin of my last name "Serka", sorry my english, but i dont
speack it, ok?
thank you

...Gochy...

Rosa Maria Serka Navarro
rserka@hotmail.com