Croatian Relief Services for Tsunami Victims

http://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 Services
225 Anderson Ave.
Fairview, NJ 07022

http://www.croatianrelief.org/

FrGio@aol.com
 

LIBERTAS  FOUNDATION

February 5th 2005, Gala Dinner/Fundraising and celebration of Sveti Vlaho - St. Blaise,

Patron Saint of Dubrovnik

Tel: (310) 548-1446 Fax: (310) 831-8382
e-mail: Dubrovnik5@aol.com
777 W.9th St., San Pedro, CA 90731 USA

December 20, 2004


Dear 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
 

Tax as the first major step!

The 16% Flat Tax will be introduced in Romania on January 1, 2005.

Commentary

Another Wake-Up Call For Croatia's Government and Finance Minister Suker -
Romania's New Reforms Lead To Increased Regional Tax Competition

Romania was certainly at a major crossroad and boldly chose the path to economic freedom and prosperity. The new Romanian government has promised speeding up reforms and introducing the Flat Tax of 16% as the first major step! The Flat Tax will be introduced in Romania on January 1, 2005.

(Please read enclosed Reuters report by Dina Kyriakidou on December 28, 2004 - found at the end of this text).

The economic outlook of Romania is promising as it courageously unleashes free market forces and moves toward to introducing greater economic freedom. This major step in the right direction sends a strong signal to potential investors around the world --- "Welcome to Romania: "Dedicated to implementing real reforms".

Romania certainly has much work ahead of them including strengthening the free market institution of the rule of law and eliminating corruption. From the evidences and experiences of leading Eastern European nations, the "flat tax" certainly augments the movement to eliminate corruption.

Wake-Up Call for Croatia's Finance Minister Suker and Economic Team
Croatia and its neighbors must realize that Estonia, Slovakia, Serbia and now Romania have increased tax competition in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe. In order for Croatia to move forward and advance free market reforms it should embrace the "International Leaders Summit's - Seven Strategic Recommendations for Economic Reform for Croatia"
(www.AdriaticInstitute.org). There is no need to reinvent the wheel and postpone implementing real economic reforms.

Finance Minister Ivan Suker of Croatia and his economic team have an ideal opportunity to embrace free market ideas that are working successfully in transitional nations and bring them home to Croatia! The messages conveyed at the International Leaders Summit (www.ils-wde.org) through Dr. Alvin Rabushka (Hoover Institution), Dr. Daniel Mitchell (Heritage Foundation), Ivan Miklos (Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Slovakia) to Finance Minister Suker were very clear and profound -- it is time to implement free market ideas by introducing the flat tax as the first step!

Croatia's citizens and business leaders are openly frustrated with the status quo and seek economic freedom and prosperity. There is greater urgency for free market reforms in Croatia - now than ever before. As the leaders in Croatia are keenly aware, time is not on their side and bold decisions must be made to unleash free market forces that will lead to economic growth.

Natasha Srdoc-Samy, MBA
Joel Anand Samy
Co-founders of Adriatic Institute for Public Policy and
International Leaders Summit
Natasha.Srdoc-Samy@zg.htnet.hr
JoelAnandSamy@aol.com

www.adriaticinstitute.org
www.ils-wde.org

Op-ed

I am personally trumpeting flat tax for the last 12 years to all the presidents and premiers in number of interviews and directly to them and to people who can make the difference. Simplify the tax code, lower the taxes so that everybody pays them with pleasure. I hope that that day is coming.

Nenad Bach

News Article - Reuters
Romania's young centrists win confidence vote
By Dina Kyriakidou, Reuters
BUCHAREST, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Romania's parliament voted in a centrist government on Tuesday packed with young, Western-educated academics vowing to speed up reforms needed to bring the Balkan country into the European Union.
Forged from four centrist parties, Romania's youngest post-communist cabinet faces two years of hard work to join the wealthy bloc along with Bulgaria in 2007 as planned. A joint session of both houses of parliament voted 265 for and 200 against Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu's government, hailed by many Romanians as a new beginning 15 years after the fall of Stalinist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Voters tired with poverty and corruption punished the outgoing ex-communist PSD for dragging its feet in pro-Western reforms. The young centrists must tackle a mountain of work in revamping rusty public administration and justice.
"Our main mission is EU integration," said Tariceanu, a successful businessman before turning to politics. "The government faces critical challenges, including endemic corruption, heavy taxation and poverty." Tariceanu's alliance of Liberals and Democrats campaigned on a tough anti-graft ticket and vowed immediate pro-business reforms such as drastic tax cuts to undermine the black economy and boost foreign investment. "It's the first time in 15 years that we have a prime minister who has made it in the real world and who has paid his taxes," said political commentator Cornel Nistorescu.
Tariceanu, 53, has made clear his first job will be to introduce as of Jan. 1, 2005, a 16 percent flat tax on income, now at 18-40 percent, and profit, now at 25 percent.
PRESIDENT TIPPED SCALES
Although the Nov. 28 election failed to produce a clear winner, centrist President Traian Basescu's upset victory in the presidential race on Dec. 12 against the outgoing ex-communist PSD tipped the scales for the alliance. Tariceanu picked 36-year-old historian Razvan Ungureanu as his foreign minister, while economist and alliance spokesman Ionut Popescu, 40, will be finance minister in a cabinet largely welcomed by analysts as a clean break from the past.
The outgoing PSD was praised for its economic achievements but criticised for tolerating graft in its ranks and failing to protect human rights and press freedom.
The new government will be sworn in by Basescu on Wednesday.
(Additional reporting by Antonia Oprita and Mirela Roman)
12/28/04 15:56 ET
 

Tele2 Wins Mobile Licence in Croatia

NEW YORK and STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 22, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tele2 AB, ("Tele2") (Nasdaq:TLTOA) (Nasdaq:TLTOB) (Stockholmsborsen:TEL2A) (Stockholmsborsen:TEL2B) the leading alternative pan-European telecommunications company, today announced that a consortium led by Tele2 has been awarded a combined GSM 1800 and UMTS licence in Croatia.

Tele2 will start building out the network in Q1 2005, with a commercial launch planned for 2005. This is the third GSM and UMTS licence to be awarded in Croatia. Croatia's population is 4.4 million and the country's mobile penetration is currently around 60%.

Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, CEO of Tele2 said, "We are delighted to have been awarded this licence and we look forward to providing the people of Croatia with a low priced mobile alternative."


CONTACTS:
Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, Telephone: + 46 8 562 640 00
President and CEO, Tele2 AB

Dwayne Taylor, Telephone: + 44 20 7321 5038
Lena Krauss, Telephone: + 46 8 562 000 45
Investor enquiries

Visit us at our homepage: http://www.Tele2.com

Tele2 is Europe's leading and profitable alternative telecom operator. Tele2 always strives to offer the market's best prices. With our unique values, we provide cheap and simple telecom for all Europeans every day. We have close to 26 million customers in 24 countries. We offer products and services in fixed and mobile telephony, Internet access, data networks, cable TV and content services. Our main competitors are the former government monopolies. Tele2 was founded in 1993 by Jan Stenbeck and has been listed on Stockholmsborsen since 1996. The share has also been listed on Nasdaq since 1997. In 2003 we had operating revenue of SEK 36,911 million and reported a profit of SEK 5,710 million (EBITDA).

This information was brought to you by Waymakerhttp://www.waymaker.net 

The following files are available for download:

http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/WOLReleaseFile.aspx?id=60376&fn=wkr0010.pdf 

http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news_releases.mhtml?d=69975
 

Performers who play Taylor guitars
Recording Artists

Performers who play Taylor guitars are not paid to endorse our instruments, nor do we give free guitars to high-profile entertainers to gain "exposure." Like any customers, recording artists purchase Taylors for all the right reasons — because they meet or surpass the most discriminating musical requirements; inspire them to achieve the highest standards in playing, writing, and performing; and excite the senses with their aesthetic beauty. Considering the multitude of exceptional acoustic guitars currently available, it is gratifying that many of the world's top recording artists (and "civilians") choose Taylor.

Taylor Guitars gave life time warranty to these artists:

311
Will Ackerman
Trace Adkins
Aerosmith
Air Supply
Alabama
Gregg Allman
Ambrosia
America
Trey Anastasio
Jann Arden
Carolyn Arends
Babyface
Nenad Bach
Bacon Brothers
Barenaked Ladies
Beach Boys
Beck
David Beldock
Adrian Belew
John Berry
Better Than Ezra
Stephen Bishop
Clint Black
Mary Black
Blackhawk
Arthur Blanch
blink-182
Blues Traveler
Suzy Bogguss
Karla Bonoff
Edie Brickell
Michelle Branch
Garth Brooks
Meredith Brooks
Jackson Browne
Jimmy Buffett (Baby)
Jeannie Burns (Burns Sisters)
Kenny Burrell
Jon Butcher
Ryan Cabrera
Glen Campbell
Jerry Cantrell
Michael Card
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Paul Carrack
Lionel Cartwright
Cartwright Brothers
John Cephas
Gary Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cheap Trick
Kenny Chesney
Chicago
Chip and Donnie
(Enuff Znuff)
Chronic Future
Stanley Clarke (bass)
Phil Cody
Marc Cohn
Lloyd Cole
Judy Collins
Shawn Colvin
Billy Corgan
The Corrs
Course of Nature
The Cranberries
Dan Crary
A.J. Croce
David Crosby
Christopher Cross
Charlie Daniels
Clay Davidson
Gail Davies
Billy Dean
del Amitri
Tom DeLonge (Blink 182)
Iris DeMent
Neil Diamond
Chris Difford
Dixie Chicks
Anne Dodson
Dogwood Moon
Mickey Dolenz
Pat Donohue
Ranger Doug
(Baby)
Roby Duke
Holly Dunn
Duran Duran
Doyle Dykes
Elliot Easton
Duane Eddy
(Baby)
The Edge
Dave Edmunds
Don Edwards
(Baby)
Jonathan Edwards
Everclear
Ricky Fataar
Ferron
Tim Finn
Tim Flannery
Flea (bass)
Fleetwood Mac
Rosie Flores
John Fogerty
Foo Fighters
Peter Frampton
Russ Freeman
Friday's Child
Richie Furay
Beppe Gambetta
Genesis
Paul Gilbert
Vince Gill
David Gilmour
Andrew Gold
Golden Earring
Graham Gouldman
Amy Grant
Pat Green
Adie Grey
Patty Griffin

Grace Griffith
Nanci Griffith
Sammy Hagar
Merle Haggard
Hall & Oates
Jim Hall
Johnny Hallyday
Ali Handal
Jack & Lon Hannah (Sons of the San Joaquin)
Hanson
Roy Harper
Corey Harris
Jerome Harris (bass)
John Hiatt
Faith Hill
Lauryn Hill
Chris Hillman
Susanna Hoffs
Hoobastank
Hootie & The Blowfish
Buck Howdy
Billy Idol
Tony Iommi
Alan Jackson
Mick Jagger
Brett James
Rick James
Jars of Clay
Jewel
Buddy Jewell
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Richard Leo Johnson
Billy Jonas
Rickie Lee Jones
Laurence Juber
Richard Julian
Led Kaapana
George Kahumoku Jr.
Dennis Kamakahi
Keith Kane (Vertical Horizon)
Mary Karlzen
Mike Keneally
The Killers
Steven King
The Kinleys
Pat Kirtley
T.J. Klay (Western Flyer)
Jennifer Knapp
Mark Knopfler
Peter Koppes (The Church)
Ozzie Kotani
Leo Kottke
Lenny Kravitz
Greg Lake
k.d. lang
Peter Lang
Marit Larsen (M2M)
Max Lasser
Steve Laury
Geddy Lee
Julian Lennon
Michael Lewis
Lifehouse
Alex Lifeson
Lisa Loeb
Kenny Loggins
Patty Loveless
Jeff Lynne
Shelby Lynne
Dougie MacLean
Doug MacLeod
Madonna
Eric Mantel
Maroon 5
Richard Marx
Kathy Mattea
Dave Matthews
Zoe McCulloch
Gerry McGee (Ventures)
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan
Zan McLeod
Travis Meeks
Tim Mensy
Jim Messina
Raul Midon
Steve Miller
Ronnie Montrose
Moody Brothers
Zak Morgan
Alanis Morissette
Franco Morone
Jason Mraz
Native Vibe
Nelson
Mike Ness
Carrie Newcomer
New St. George
Nick Nguyen (Bonepony)
Nils (Jiptner)
Heather Nova
Maura O'Connell
Kristina Olsen
Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears)
O-Town
Gregory Page
Pearl Jam
Jeff Pevar (CPR)
Liz Phair
Kelly Joe Phelps
Mike Pinder (Moody Blues)
Steve Poltz
The Pretenders
Tristan Prettyman
Prince
Chris Proctor
Gary Puckett
Queensryche
Joel Rafael
Bonnie Raitt
Toshi Reagon
Harvey Reid
Vernon Reid
R.E.M.
Tim Reynolds
Marc Roberge (O.A.R.)
The Roches
Jim Rooney
Eugene Ruffolo
Kate Rusby
Richie Sambora
Joe Satriani
Matt Scannell
(Vertical Horizon)
The Scorpions
Darrell Scott
Seal (Baby)
Eve Selis Band
Ron Sexsmith
Christopher Shaw
Jules Shear

Billy Sheehan
Michelle Shocked
Carly Simon
Mark Slaughter
Michael W. Smith
Stuart Smith
Jill Sobule
Something Corporate
Sonic Youth
Soraya
J.D. Souther
Tim Sparks
Rick Springfield
Billy Squier
James Lee Stanley
Paul Stanley
Michael Steele (The Bangles)
Leni Stern (Baby)
Steve Stevens
Al Stewart
John Stewart
Stephen Stills
Sting (bass)
Doug Stone
Story of the Year
Larry Stuart
Peter Stuart
Styx
Sum 41
Andy Summers
Sweet
Switchfoot
James Taylor (Baby)
Livingston Taylor
Sally Taylor
Jack Tempchin
Tenacious D
Terrell
John Tesh
Glenn Tilbrook
Pam Tillis
Michael Tomlinson
Tonic
Trapt
Artie Traum
Happy Traum
Travis
Travis Tritt
Mark Tremonti
Trixter
Joe Lynn Turner
Shania Twain
Uncle Harry
Steve Vai
Suzanne Vega
Julieta Venegas
Wendy Waldman
Billy Joe Walker, Jr.
Clay Walker
Joe Walsh
Wayne Watson
Paul Westerberg
Roger Whittaker
David Wilcox
Jett Williams
Lucinda Williams
Robin and Linda Williams
Robin Williamson
Nancy Wilson
Victor Wooten (bass)
Peter Yarrow
Yellowcard
Jesse Colin Young
Neil Young
"Civilians"
Bobby Bonilla, former baseball pro
Chastity Bono
Russell Branyan, Cincinnati Reds
Jeff Bridges, actor (bass)
Dana Carvey, actor/comedian
David Charvet, actor
Bill Clinton
Kerry Collins, NFL
Ronny Cox, actor
Carson Daly, MTV
Shannen Doherty, actress
Minnie Driver, actress
Bobbie Eakes, actress
Mick Garris, TV/film writer-producer-director
Tony Geary, actor
Greg Giraldo, actor
Shawn Green, L.A. Dodgers
Michael Gogin, actor
Oscar Hijuelos, author (Mambo Kings)
John Hurt, actor
Eric Idle, actor (Monty Python)
Don Johnson, actor
John Kerry, U.S. Senator
Stephen King, author
Christian Riese Lassen, artist
Taryn Manning, actress
Cheech Marin, actor
Rob Morrow, actor
Conan O'Brien, NBC
Mike Piazza, N.Y. Mets
Brad Pitt, actor
Jeremy Piven, actor
Tim Robbins, actor
Rene Russo, actress
Marla Sokoloff, actress
Scott Tinley, triathlete
Bill Todman, Jr., TV/film producer
Robby Unser, race car driver
Robert James Waller, author (The Bridges of Madison County)
Robb Webb, actor (the "voice" of 60 Minutes)
Rusty Wilcoxen, producer/director (Grand Ole Opry Live)
Steve Young, former San Francisco 49er
Barry Zito, Oakland A's

http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/recording.html

Nenad Bach picks up the Grand Prize in New York

at the

New York International Independent Film and Video Festival

on behalf of Brenda Brkusic and Freedom from Despair Film.

In front of the red carpet New York City December 18, 2004

Award was presented by Bradley Balfour, a man who wrote a great review in 1993 for Can we Go Higher? in The New York CD Reviews
 

Dear surprise. Nenad Bach, Bob Foucault and his daughter Margaret. Bob approached me when he heard that I am Croatian. He is as well. Second generation. His grandmother came from Croatia. Bob picked upThe Best Cinematography Award. In this photo on Dec 18, 2004, these are three generations of Croatian-Americans. 1st, 2nd and 3rd, in that order. Check Bob's website and contact.
 

Contact for Bob

Producer/Director
Work (800) 346-9487
Fax (612) 821-6498
Mobile bob@aurorapictures.com

Work Address
5249 Chicago Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55417
United States

www.aurorapictures.com

New York International Independent Film and Video Festival

It was announced yesterday that Brenda Brkusic's feature film Freedom from Despair won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival where it played at the Village East Cinema on November 21, 2004 as a part of the festival. The festival screened and judged over 350 films during its ten day run, making the competition tough for Freedom from Despair which took home the highest documentary honor. A list of winners can be seen on the festival’s website at
http://www.nyfilmvideo.com/2004/ny2004/nyawardsnov04.htm 

Shawn Kittelsen, a staff member for the New York International Independent Film Festival wrote before the festival: “it's quite honestly one of my favorite selections for the festival year. As a former NYU film student I must say you have quite an impressive work here, in terms of both technique and content, something that you should rightfully be very proud of. This film is important in so many ways and I want to make sure it gets the reception that it deserves. On a personal note, I'm looking forward to meeting you and hopefully getting the chance to hear about your experiences
shooting this and what you're up to next. Thanks for making such a great film to celebrate at this Festival.�

"Freedom from Despair"

Directed by Brenda Brkusic

Music by Nenad Bach

All Photos: Dino Rulli
 

Visit Rome & Croatia

Visit Rome, Assisi, Dubrovnik, Medjugorje, Hvar, Split, Plitivice, Gerovo, Karlovac and Zagreb and dinner with the sisters at St. Theresa's orphanage with Don and Mary Wolf from June 17 to July 1.  Send me your e mail address or home address and I will send you details.

Don Wolf
Wolf1936@aol.com 
 

Janica Kostelic on the podium in Zauchensee, Austria

Winner of the women's slalom World Cup race Finland's Tanja Poutiainen, center, celebrates on the podium with second placed Austrian Marlies Schild, left, and third placed Janica Kostelic from Croatia in Zauchensee, Austria, on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Claudio Scaccini)
Sun Dec 12, 7:56 AM ET


Croatia's Janica Kostelic clears a gate during the women's slalom World Cup race in Zauchensee, Austria, on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. Kostelic placed third behind Finland's Tanja Poutiainen and Austria's Marlis Schild. (AP Photo/Claudio Scaccini)
 

Water Polo Coach Rudic Returns to Croatia
 

U.S. Coach Rudic to take over his native Croatia's team

(12-09) 12:22 PST LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. (AP)

Ratko Rudic is stepping down as U.S. men's water polo coach to take over his native Croatia's team.

Rudic's departure comes after he recently signed a four-year contract extension with USA Water Polo. He is the most successful Olympic coach in the sport's history, having won gold medals in 1984 and '88 with Yugoslavia and in 1992 with Italy.

He guided the Americans to a seventh-place finish in the Athens Olympics.

"We are sad to see Ratko leave," USA Water Polo executive director Tom Seitz said Thursday. "He brought innovation to our training and organization that will benefit our program for years to come."

Rudic took over the U.S. men's team in 2001, months after coaching Italy to a fifth-place finish over the Americans in the Sydney Games.

The United States finished second in the 2003 U.S. Cup, won gold at the 2003 Pan American Games and finished third in the 2003 FINA World League Super Final.

Rudic helped launch the American Water Polo League as a way to professionalize the sport in the United States, like it is in Europe.

Rudic will take over a Croatian team that finished 10th in Athens.

A search is under way for his replacement.
 
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/09/sports1519EST0338.DTL

Tajana Raukar Five Time World Champion

http://www.icedreams.cc

Photo: Morris Richardson II / The Detroit News
Ice sculptor Tajana Raukar works on her piece called "Reindeer" in front of her Plymouth home, where she prepares for the Plymouth International Ice Sculptor Spectacular.

Contact:
Address: 1280 Junction St
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: (734) 207-3363
Email: PaulRaukar@aol.com 
Website http://www.icedreams.cc 

Money loss won't stop ice festival
By Shanteé Woodards / The Detroit News

Ice fest details

* The Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will be Jan. 16-21 in Kellogg Park.
* The ice show will feature more than 100 sculptures in downtown Plymouth and an exhibit at the Plymouth Historical Museum, 115 S. Main. Judges will rate sculptures for student, team and individual competitions.

Tajana Raukar uses six blocks of ice weighing 300 pounds to create "Reindeer."

PLYMOUTH -- Tajana Raukar was studying to become a chef when she decided to give ice sculpting a try. She took classes from an instructor she knew and by the beginning of the year, she entered into her first competition -- the Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular. She won second place in the student competition. That was five years ago. Since then, she has opened an ice carving studio and traveled around the world for different sculpting events.
Raukar considers the Plymouth festival one of her favorites, but she wasn't surprised that organizers were having a difficult time raising money for the event. "If money is a problem, we can't expect as much," said Raukar, who will compete in the 2002 ice carving olympics. "(The financial difficulties) are part of living today. There is nothing you can do about it."
Officials at Watts-Up Inc., which promotes the event, said the festival will go on despite the challenges. It has received last-minute help from Plymouth Cadillac dealer Don Massey, who became a sponsor, and a $4,000 contribution from the city's Downtown Development Authority.
Fund-raising for the ice show is down 30 percent this year and it previously lost its largest sponsor, auto supplier Johnson Controls. The festival is not-for-profit and relies on donations and sponsorships.
Mike Watts, head of Watts-Up Inc., attributed the financial situation to this year's harsh economic conditions. Big businesses and corporations are facing tighter budgets and when it comes to donations, many opt to give toward relief efforts for families in New York and Washington, D.C., instead of local events.
But the show will still go on, Watts said.
"Hundreds of people .. are joining hands and making sure the event comes off," Watts said. "It's a tribute to Plymouth and all the people here. This will be the largest and most spectacular event in North America this year." This year's competition will be held from Jan. 16-21 in Kellogg Park. The free show is a 24-hour event and ice carvers come from around the world to display their work. It is billed as the oldest, largest ice carving event in North America. More than $10,000 in prize money, scholarships and awards will be presented. The ice festival began in 1981 as a way to bring in more traffic to downtown businesses. More than 10 million people have come to the event since then, spending their dollars with local retailers. City officials said it has become an even greater boost for restaurants and bars that are able to attract new customers.
Matt Cassidy works at Backyard Birds Garden and Nature Store in downtown Plymouth. He said the store is able to get more customers than usual during the ice festival.
"But most of the people are looking, not buying," Cassidy said. "But (the extra business) doesn't hurt ... a lot of people don't know about the store, because they are not here."
This isn't the first time officials have had a hard time with the event. Ron Loiselle, a festival organizer, said the 1993 event almost didn't happen because of a lack of funds. But Massey, the Cadillac dealer, became a sponsor and helped with a lot of the money problems.
Earlier this year, festival organizers struggled to repay an overdue debt to the city. Organizers owed the city more than $7,000 for providing cleanup, police and road closures for the 2001 festival. That event brought in revenues of $140,000, but another $10,000 was needed to break even. The money was due to the city in May, but it wasn't paid until November.
Like all businesses, ice carvers have been feeling the effects of this year's economic conditions. At this time of year, Raukar is usually working on sculptures for holiday parties and dinners. But that didn't happen this year, since many celebrations have been canceled.
"I hope everything will be fine," she said. "Because of the happenings in September, people are afraid to spend money. It's difficult."

You can reach Shanteé Woodards at (734)354-4049 or at swoodards@detnews.com.

Plymouth Bureau: (734) 354-4048; Fax: (734) 354-4046
235 South Main St., Plymouth, Mich. 48170

http://www.detnews.com/2002/wayne/0201/01/

TAJANA RAUKAR, RODOM S KRKA, U SAD-u IZRAĐUJE SKULPTURE OD LEDA I TROSTRUKA JE SVJETSKA PRVAKINJA U TOM NEOBICNOM SPORTU/ZANIMANJU
Primorka oblikuje ledene blokove na minus 30 Celzijevih

Kad smo suprug i ja 1995. godine preselili u Ameriku intezivnije sam se pocela baviti skulpturama, a ubrzo sam se u Plymouthu posvetila ledenim skulpturama koje se u Americi koriste pri dekoraciji stolova na vjencanjima, prepricala je pocetak karijere Tajana Raukar

Impozantne skulpture od leda, osim na slikama ili televiziji, zasigurno je malo tko u Hrvatskoj imao priliku vidjeti u živo. Vijesti o cudesnim ledenim kreacijama, pa i citavim objektima ťsazidanimŤ od leda, u nas se uglavnom može doznati iz rubrika za razbibrigu, a gotovo nikad u pregledima sportskih dogadanja iako se radi o olimpijskoj disciplini. Autori, pak, cudesnih ledenih zdanja iz hrvatske su perspektive velika nepoznanica, o njima zapravo ništa ne znamo, a i ukoliko su se njihova imena mogla cuti ili procitati, vjerojatno su u trenu zaboravljena. Jer, ipak sve se to dogada u dalekim zemljama, vjecito okovanim ledom, ciji stanovnici, u šestomjesecnim polarnim danima/nocima, ťnemajuŤ što ciniti, pa, eto, vrijeme krate ťsuludimŤ aktivnostima. Medutim, takvo je razmišljanje posve krivo...

Slab interes za rukotvorine u Hrvatskoj

Naime, trostruka svjetska prvakinja u izradi skulptura od leda i sudionik zimskih Olimpijskih igara u Salt Lake Cityju 2002. godine, je iz Hrvatske. Ona se zove Tajana Raukar, rodena je u hrvatskom Zagorju, a odrasla na Krku gdje je upoznala i svog supruga Paula Raukara. Poput mnogih Hrvata, slavu je stekla izvan domovine, u Americi, jer u Hrvatskoj njezina nadarenost nije prepoznata. Za svega šest-sedam godina života u inozemstvu, obitelj Raukar stekla je veliku slavu, k tomu je u gradu Plymouthu pokrenula uspješan posao izrade skulptura od leda, što je danas veliki hit u Americi, te pronijela slavu Hrvatske diljem svijeta.
- U pocetku sam, dok sam još živjela na Krku, izradivala skulpture od gline, zatim voca i povrca. No, interesa za takav oblik stvaralaštva u nas nije bilo. Kad smo suprug i ja 1995. godine preselili u Ameriku intezivnija sam se pocela baviti skulpturama, a ubrzo sam se u Plymouthu posvetila ledenim skulpturama koje se u Americi koriste pri dekoraciji stolova na vjencanjima, prepricava svoje pocetke karijere Tajana Raukar.

Tijekom pet dana cetiri skulpture

U Plymouthu Tajana Raukar prvi put sudjeluje na amaterskom takmicenju u ťIce CarvinguŤ. No, kako je izradila višestruko uspješniju ledenu skulpturu od ostalih sudionika, receno joj je kako više ne može sudjelovati na amaterskim natjecanjima. Prelazak medu profesionalce bio je više nego uspješan, do danas Tajana Raukar osvojila je 40-ak prvih mjesta na takmicenjima profesionalaca. Dakako, s najviše ponosa istice trostruku titulu svjetskog prvaka u ťIce carvinguŤ u organizaciji ťThe National Ice Carving AssociationŤ (NICA). Prvi put u ekipnom takmicenju sudjelovala je 2000. godine na Aljasci. Godinu dana kasnije, takoder na Aljasci, s ledenom skulpturom propetih konja, Tajana Raukar, u momcadi s Aaronom Costicem, Stevom Briceom i Marjom Pohjoisahom ponavlja uspjeh. Pod hrvatskom zastavom prošle godine u Belgiji po treci je put svjetska prvakinja u izradi ledenih skulptura, što je u belgijskom tisku iznimno popraceno. Na prvenstvu u Belgiji, prema propozicijama natjecanja, sudionici su, tijekom pet dana, trebali izraditi cetiri razlicite skulpture tematski povezane.

Cetvrta na zimskoj Olimpijadi

Hrvatska predstavnica predstavila se s ledenim skulpturama naslovljenim - Voda, Vatra, Zrak i Zemlja, cime je oduševila ocjenjivacki žiri. Svemu tome, treba pridodati i cetvrto mjesto na Olimpijskim igrama u Salt Lake Cityju, gdje je s Aaronom Kosticem izradila orla, kao simbola americke nacije, probodenog strijelom, kao njihove posvete tragicnim teroristickim napadima. Tajana Raukar ne krije svoje razocaranje prijemom svih njezina uspjeha u Hrvatskoj. Tim više, jer je ťIce CarvingŤ svojim iznimno zahtjevnim umjetnicko-sportskom karakteristikama stekao veliku popularnost u svijetu. ťLedena umjetnostŤ zahtijeva iznimnu kreativnost, poznavanje crtackih tehnika, izdržljivost na niskim temperaturama (na Aljasci skulpture su radene na temperaturi od minus 30 stupnjeva Celzijevih), te fizicku snagu, jer se stvara u ledenim santama od nekoliko stotina kilograma, i to s alatima koje je potrebno ťukrotitiŤ, motorne pile, bušilice sa svrdlima, specijalni noževi i dizalice pomocu kojih se slažu blokovi.
Srdan BRAJCIC

http://www.novilist.hr/Default.asp?WCI=Rubrike&WCU=285F286328592863285A

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All sculptures are hand carved to perfection by Tajana Raukar.
 

Contact:
Address: 1280 Junction St
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: (734) 207-3363
Email: PaulRaukar@aol.com 
Website http://www.icedreams.cc