Dawn - Photo:Gary Tacon
 

HRVATSKI SPORTSKI KLUB
PRESENTS

ZLATKO PEJAKOVIC
& ASPALATHOS BRASS

HUNTERS DINNER

SAINT ANTHONY’S CROATIAN PARISH CENTER

DECEMBER 4, 2004

7:30 PM

TICKETS $45.00

MEMBER

Petar Biscan (909) 596-4557
Meri Andabaka (310) 521-1905
St. Anthony’s Church (213) 628-2938

CROATIAN pianist Mrvica has second album

Maksim Mrvica releases second album Variations Part I & II.
 

The album includes a collection of classical and pop themes, recorded in Britain and Croatia with internationally renowned producers and writers including Youth, Tonci Huljic and Tolga Kashif.

The young pianist has also written his own composition for this album, based on a theme by Paganini, which features other popular classical works including Liszt's Totentanz, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and Scriabin's Etude in D Sharp Minor.

You stand a chance to see him perform some of these pieces live on Dec 4 at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands.

To pick up an invite, all you need to do is purchase a copy of Variations Part 1 & II album.

There is a voucher, which can be redeemed for invitations to the showcase.

The voucher in the cassette redeems one invitation while the voucher in the CD redeems two invitations.

The redemption period is from now till Saturday. Seats to the performance are on a first-come first-served basis.

http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2004/11/24/music/9475757&sec=music
 

IVAN PAVLETIC

Introduction of the young Croatian - American artist ( painter, actor and film maker)
" a star on rise " Ivan was born in Karlovac, Croatia and spent his childhood between Munich, Germany ,
Denver, Colorado and Croatia. His talent for visual arts was early recognized and at the age of
10 he was appearing first time in a TV shaw at Littleton, Colorado Cable TV as a painter and cartoon drawer. During a half hour interview he was drawing " life" the cartoon characters , charming the audience.
By the age of 16 Ivan participated in staging of several Theater dramas and Musicals as actor and
scenarist. In Thomas Jefferson High school, Denver he was also cartoonist for their news paper.
In 1990 Ivan was pursuing his art education at the School for Applied Art in Zagreb. Although troubled with the war years in Croatia , he succeeded to graduate from the Art school in Zagreb,
High school in Denver and from the Career Education Center in Denver with Award in Motion Picture Production.
 

Ivan Pavletic drawing

Since 1994 Ivan participated as actor and director in several short films and Documentaries. His short films were mostly shown on Colorado Public Access TV stations. In 1998 He started to work with John Casablanca's Agency as professional model. In 2002 to 2004 he decided to pursue the education in one of his strongest talents- acting. At John Robert Powers International Academy in Denver, he was studying acting and situation comedy. His instructors find Ivan as a strong and charismatic personality with ability to perform character roles. Having a good ability to change various accents and dialects, Ivan can play a variety of demanding roles.
 

In 1996 Ivan joined the management of ARTISK Corporation and this summer he had the opportunity to play in several film and TV productions in Croatia. He is very enthusiastic about the great potential which Croatian film industry has in co productions with American actors and film producers and possibilities to participate in US film and TV markets. Ivan Pavletic is the name we will hear more and more in the film industries on both sides of the Atlantic.

Contact: artisk@sbcglobal.net
 

Zvjezdice

World champion girls choir from Croatia

On the US Tour December 2-19, 2004

Zvjezdice in Kentucky, USA 2002

Dear All,

To contact Zvjezdice (Little Stars), call or email Erin Foster. If you have a contact at the local newspapers, Radio or TV, please put an effort in promoting this already INSTITUTION. Zdravko Sljivac is the genius behind this success who created an Institution of Girls Choir that has a deep foundation. Support him and the girls in whichever way you can. They deserve our attention. If you need something today, you can still call them in Zagreb. Schedule and contact sheet is either on the link:http://www.vizija.net/zvjezdice/  or/and below. Culture is our best presentation and promotion. And this is where we are talented and strong.

best,

Nenad Bach

Erin Foster
Executive Assistant for the US Tour
513 / 515-9436; 212/330-8129
erin.foster@us.army.mil
 

Dear all,

I just wanted to let you know that the world champion girls choir from Croatia -- the Little Stars, or Zvijezdice -- is touring in the US over the next few weeks. Since my cousin, Iva Sucic, is a member, I thought I would inform everyone of their upcoming tour!

Zvijezdice will be performing in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City from December 2-19, 2004.

You can check out their schedule and contact details for the concerts online at:
http://www.vizija.net/zvjezdice/

Please come out and support the girls!

Best wishes
Sanja
 

Zvjedice in New York 2003
 

DAILY SCHEDULE FOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND CINCINNATI
SSG Erin Foster
Erin.foster@us.army.mil



Thursday, December 2
7:45 p.m. – flight DL 131 arrives from Munchen to Cincinnati Bus takes girls to SPX.
8:30 p.m. – bus arrives at SPX; girls are matched/go home with families
* (possibility to match and pick up girls directly at Delta Baggage Claim or Airport Chappel at Delta Terminal?)
9:15 p.m. – buss arrives at STI girls are matched/go home with families

Friday, December 3
7:15 a.m. – Bus pickup at St. Ignatius
8:00 a.m. – Bus pickup at SPX
8:45 a.m. – arrive at CCM for lecture (beginning at 9:00 a.m.), tour, etc.
9:00 a.m. – Lecture for CCM Choral Department
10:30 a.m. - Tour of CCM
11:15 a.m.– Lunch at UC (courtesy of Dean Lowry and Dean Hillner)
12:30 p.m. – Bus to Newport on the Levee for free time—shopping, etc.
3:45 p.m. – Bus leaves Newport for SPX
4:00 p.m. – SPX Families pick up girls at SPX
4:15 p.m. – Bus leaves for St. Ignatius
4:30 p.m. – St. I Families pick up girls at St. Ignatius

Free time with host families

Saturday, December 4
Time with host families until

2:30 p.m. – Van pickup at St. Ignatius. Families can choose to bring girls to St. Pius X in Edgewood KY. Directions

3:00 p.m. – SPX families bring girls to SPX
3:30 p.m. – rehearsal
4:30 p.m. – mini concert at SPX
5:00 p.m. – Mass
6:30 p.m. –families pick up girls at SPX;
6:45 p.m. - Van leaves for St. Ignatius at 6:45
7:00 p.m. – STI families pick up girls at St. Ignatius

Sunday, December 5
9:00 a.m. – Bus pickup at SPX – back parking lot

10:00 a.m. – St. I families drop girls off at St. Ignatius (this is the last the families are involved)
10:45 a.m. – rehearsal
12:00 p.m. – Mass
1:00 p.m. – Mini Concert
2:00 p.m. – Bus to Vinoklet
2:15 p.m. – Lunch at Vinoklet Restaurant
3:30 p.m. – bus to CCM
4:15 p.m. – rehearsal at Corbett auditorium 5:00 p.m. – Concert
6:30 p.m. – departure bus to Pittsburgh (dinner en route)

DAILY SCHEDULE FOR PITSBURGH

Mr. Vjeko Dimter
vdimter@davidsoncapmgt.com

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Daily Schedule for Chicago
Mr. Joe Kirin
jkkirin@ameritech.net

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Daily Schedule for LOS ANGELES
Mr. Jeffrey Bacic
jbacic1@yahoo.com

Friday December 10

Arrive at LAX at 12:34PM and go to the hotel. (40 min bus ride)
Meet the people who will be taking in some of the girls at the hotel
After that its up to you what you would like to do because I am not sure what time the flight arrives

Saturday December 11
10:00 AM Everyone will get on the bus at head toward Santa Monica (45 min - 1 hr drive)
11:00 AM Arrive at Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade. Its about 3 long blocks of shops closed off to traffic. Its all outside and hopefully it'll be a sunny day.
4:00 PM Leave to return to San Pedro
5:00 PM Arrive and prepare for the performance
6:00 PM Leave for Mary Star of the Sea Church in San Pedro (5 min drive)
7:00 PM Concert starts
Afterwards you can sell CDs

Sunday December 12
9:30 AM Leave for sv Ante in Los Angeles (40 min drive)
10:30 AM Mass
11:00 AM Mini Concert
12:00 PM Childrens program / sale of Little Stars CD’s
1:00 PM Lunch at Sv. Ante?
3:00 PM ? Zvijezdice can go to Beverly Hills or somewhere up there since its close to sv Ante. Sightseeing or shopping at a large mall in LA.

Monday December 13
8:00 AM Leave for Universal Studios (1:15 min drive)
9:15 AM Arrive at the park. It has some rides, tours and plenty of things to do. We are looking to get discount tickets, maybe $15.00 for the girls. Its much cheaper than Disneyland ($40.00 +)
5:00 PM Leave to return to San Pedro
7:00 PM Dinner for the girls at Croatian American Club in San Pedro. The girls can eat and perform a little afterward. We will help to raise some money for them and they will have an oppertunity to sell CDs.

Daily Schedule for NEW YORK
SSG Erin Foster
Erin.foster@us.army.mil

Friday, December 17

1:43 p.m. – flight arrives at LGA; bus pickup to St. Cyril
3:00 p.m.– arrival at St. Cyril. Unload luggage, lunch at church, change into concert attire.
4:45 p.m. – Bus to Church of the Holy Family
5:15 p.m. – arrive at Church; rehearsal
6:00 p.m.- Holy Name Church Concert
7:00-7:30 p.m. – Bus to St. Cyril
7:30-8:30 p.m. –dinner at St. Cyril / meet host families

Saturday, December 18
Morning with families.
2:00 p.m. – families drop off girls at St. Cyril to take bus to St. Aidan
*Families who are closer to St. Aidan may prefer to drop girls off there directly at 4:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m. – arrive at St. Aidan for rehearsal
5:00 p.m. – Mass, followed by the mini-concert
7:00 p.m. – dinner/ reception provided by Church of St. Aidan
9:00 p.m. – bus leaves for St. Cyril
10:00 p.m. – St. Cyril families’ pickup

Sunday, December 19
9:30 a.m. – families drop girls off at St. Cyril; rehearsal
11:00 a.m. – Mass and mini concert
1:00 p.m. – Lunch at St. Cyril
2:30-3:15 p.m. – folk concert at the Croatian Center
4:00 p.m. – bus leaves for St. Aidan
5:00-5:30 p.m. – bus arrives at St. Aidan
6:15-7:30 p.m. – FEAST OF CAROLS
7:15 p.m. – small dinner at St. Aidan
8:30 p.m. – bus leaves for St. Cyril
9:30 p.m. – St. Cyril families’ pickup

Monday, December 20

12:30 p.m. – families drop girls off at St. Cyril
1:00 p.m. – bus departs for JFK airport
4:45 p.m. – flight to Munich

CINCINNATI
Dean Douglas Lowry 513/ 556-6000
Dr. Earl Rivers 531/556-9419 Director of Choral Activities CCM
Dr. Steven Coker 513/556-9421 CCM Seminar

Ms. Elaine Sanson 859/331-4885
Anne Marie - Crosswell Bus Co. 859/724 2206anne@croswell-bus.com
Fr. Robert Wehage 859/3414900 Pastor, St. Pius Xrwehage@stpiusx.com 

Patty Stretch, Music Director, St. Ignatius Church
Fr. Tom Bolte, Pastor St. Ignatius
tel: 513/6616565

PITTSBURGH
Vjeko Dimter
610/ 256 2006 / 353 8859

CLEVELAND
Fr. Mirko Hladni
216 /431 1895 fax 4311128

LOS ANGELES
Jeff Bacic
310 /619 8166 jbacic1@yahoo.com 
Dr. Mate Bizaca
Don Ivan Babic 213/6282938 fax 6281635

CHICAGO
Joe Kirin
708/655-9915
Fr. Jozo Grbesa
312/842-1871


NEW YORK
Fr. Bruno Dekrem, Assistant to Archbishop Megliore
516 746 65 85
Msgr. Robert Hayden 516 / 7466585
Drago Bubalo 516/ 746-6585 (w) 212/330-8129 (h) 718/683-0732 cell
bubalo@bubalo.net
Fr. Ivica Majstorovic, OFM pastor, St. Cyril Church NYC
212/563-3395 crkva.nyc@verizon.net 

Erin Foster
Executive Assistant for the US Tour
513 / 515-9436; 212/330-8129
erin.foster@us.army.mil

CONTACTS IN CROATIA
Zdravko Slljivac, Music Director
Home: 011/385/1/653-7041
Cell: 011/385/98/904-4118

Tihana Jokic, Producer
Cell: 011/385/98/834-953
Work 011385 1 370 5574 (w)
 

A North Oaks resident's dream for Croatia

Boris Miksic fled his homeland 30 years ago to start a new life in Minnesota. Now he is a long-shot candidate for president of that country.

BY MARY BAUER

Pioneer Press

Personal wealth has distinct advantages for political underdogs. One, you can fund the campaign. Two, you can claim the high road against special interests and bribes.

North Oaks resident Boris Miksic is counting on both benefits, spending millions of his own money in his quest for the presidency of Croatia.

"A guy told me the other day that he'd vote for me because I have enough money that I won't have to steal," Miksic said.

Kickbacks are common in Croatia, he said, and some candidates see national public office as the road to self-enrichment or to lucrative government contracts for their own companies.

As he ticks off Croatia's strengths — vast stretches of Adriatic Sea shoreline, natural resources and an established manufacturing sector — it's clear he never really left home.

"If I can fight off corruption, Croatia is on its way to becoming the most successful nation in Europe."

Building Croatia's economy is the chief platform for Miksic, 56, who has spent most of the past two months in the country he fled 30 years ago. His returns to Minnesota to see his family and to touch base with his business in White Bear Township are brief.

With the Jan. 2 runoff election bearing down on him, Miksic has no time to spare. In a field of six candidates, the most recent official polls give him just 5 percent of the vote. The top two candidates will advance to the final vote.

The leading contender is President Stjepan Mesic. If Mesic wins more than 50 percent of the vote in the runoff — a possibility, according to polls — he returns to office without a runoff.

Miksic bristles at comparisons to Ralph Nader, who, like Miksic, ran as an independent.

He discounts the official polls as biased, and said his own poll gives him 14 percent of the vote. Informal polls by radio and TV talk shows rate him even higher, he said. And, he points out that Mesic won the 2000 presidential election after a similar start in the polls.

Miksic takes a recent break-in at his Zagreb offices as further proof that his star is rising. Thieves stole computers that held campaign materials.

"It's a sign we're becoming dangerous," he said.

But his larger opponent remains recognition. His standing is shaky even among Croatian expatriates living in Minnesota, who are allowed to vote in Croatian elections.

Biba Stefnovski, 33, a recent emigrant from Croatia living in Forest Lake, said Miksic is an enigma.

Her Croatian friends in the Twin Cities and relatives back home know his name, but not much else.

"I talked with my mom and dad," she said. "They say he has no chance in Croatia. People don't know much about him."

Miksic is trying to counter that with 17-hour days of speeches and appearances. He's also handing out a half million copies of his book "American Dream: A Guy from Croatia," which details his rags-to-riches story. "I think the fact that I succeeded in the largest economy in the world works for me," he said.

Miksic came to the United States in 1974, fleeing what he said was a sure death because of his activism against communism while he was a student at the University of Zagreb in Croatia.

"I had to disappear or they'd make me disappear," Miksic said.

After brief stints working as an engineer for others, in 1977 he founded Cortec, a solvents and chemical company that emphasizes water-based paints and cleaners.

"I figured I came here anyway, so let's try the American way," he said.

The company employs 150 people at five plants in Minnesota and Wisconsin. But Miksic remained active in Croatian politics, acting as an unofficial ambassador. In 1995, he opened the first honorary Croatian consulate in North America, and vehicles with honorary consulate license plates dot the parking lot at Cortec in St. Paul, where the consulate is housed.

Miksic said his dual loyalties mirror those of another Minnesota-Croatian ex-patriot, the late Rudy Perpich. After losing his last run at the governorship in 1990, Perpich returned to Croatia, where he worked at getting the fledgling country on its feet.

He refused the post of Croatia's first minister of foreign affairs for fear he would have to renounce his U.S. citizenship, a decision that broke Perpich's heart, Miksic said.

"Before his death in 1995, he told me, 'Boris, someday you should run for public office there.' "

Miksic made an unsuccessful run at the Croatian parliament in 2003, but said if he loses this race, he's retiring his political aspirations in his homeland.

If elected, he'd turn Cortec operations over to his wife, Anna, the company's vice president of sales and marketing. And after one term, he'd be back in North Oaks.

"I love this place," he said. "Five years is not too long."

Mary Bauer can be reached at mbauer@pioneerpress.com   or 651-228-5311.

BRIEF REPORT: FIRST INTERNATIONAL LEADERS SUMMIT
Strategic Focus: Economic Growth - Unleashing Free Market Forces
Nov. 5 and 6, Zagreb, Croatia
Sheraton Zagreb Hotel

The first International Leaders Summit (ILS) began on Friday, Nov. 5 with brief remarks from co-founders Natasha Srdoc-Samy and Joel Anand Samy encouraging leaders of Croatia to focus on economic growth and unleashing free market forces. The two-day conference commenced with the opening speech delivered by John Blundell, Director General of Institute of Economic Affairs, titled: "Waging the War on Ideas." Discussion times and Q & A breaks during the two day conference were maximized.

Highlights:

1. On Thursday, November 4, 2004 prior to the first day of the summit, HRT - Croatian Radio Television - Croatia's largest television featured ILS Speakers - Dr. Alvin Rabushka, Dr. Dan Mitchell, Dr. Eamonn Butler (UK) on prime time "Otvoreno" with Croatia's State Secretary for Economic Strategies - Dr. Babic (Prime Minister's Office), Mr. Vidosevic (President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce) and a member of parliament, Mr. Cehok.
ILS Speakers promoted free market economy and the rule of law with an emphasis on economic growth - unleashing free market forces.
Debates and discussion regarding the challenges within Croatia and specific free market policies that could benefit Croatia.

2. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Slovakia, Ivan Miklos shared experiences in his transitional nation and conveyed evidences of how Slovakia is benefiting from implementing the "Flat Tax" and unleashing free market forces in their nation during the keynote lunch address.
During the ILS Strategic Session, Miklos encouraged panelist - Croatia's Finance Minister to embrace free market ideas and to adopt the "Flat Tax" that will benefit Croatian individuals.
Significant media exposure through broadcast and print media during Miklos' visit affirmed the importance of free market initiatives that directly impact former communist nations. Evidences and experiences of other former communist states and how they have benefited over the years by implementing reforms received great attention in Croatia.
3. Croatia's Prime Minister - Ivo Sanader, Foreign Minister Zuzul, Finance Minister Suker and State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Mr. Vrankovic stated their plans for Croatia. Minister Suker and State Secretary of Economy -Mr. Vrankovic were seated on ILS Strategic Panels and heard about the major changes taking place in former communist nations that embraced free market ideas.

4. Dr. Rabushka, Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution and known as the "Father of The Flat Tax" clearly explained the successful initiative that has been implemented in nations of Eastern Europe. Dr. Rabushka chaired the ILS Strategic Session: "The Role of Tax Policy in Influencing Economic Growth". The Flat Tax was well received by leaders in business and the media.

5. Dr. Daniel Mitchell, Senior Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, clearly articulated the significance of limited government, lowering taxes, and relayed examples of what is working in nations experiencing economic growth. He advocated the importance of tax competition among nations, the rule of law and through one of the ILS Strategic Sessions unveiled the "2004 Index of Economic Freedom", published by The Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Mitchell also delivered an inspiring keynote address on the "Legacy of Ronald Reagan" and the significance of values, character and leadership in advancing free market reforms. He also stressed the urgency for Croatia to implement reforms in the areas of taxation, to move away from the welfare state mentality and raised concerns regarding the EU regulations that will hurt individual Croatians on the long run.

6. Dr. Butler, Director of Adam Smith Institute (UK), delivered a keynote address and articulated the fundamentals of the "Rule of Law." Dr. Butler's message was concise and impactful as Croatia's struggles to deal with over 1.5 million court cases back-logged in the system (Croatia's population: 4.4 million).

7. Dr. Jan Oravec, President of the F. A. Hayek Foundation (Slovakia), stated the experiences of Slovak's leadership boldly implementing economic reforms that transformed the nation and has created the "Tiger of Europe." Dr. Oravec stated Slovakia's benefits in implementing the "Flat Tax" and reducing bureaucracy and limiting government. He challenged Minister Suker on the ILS Strategic Panel to seriously consider free market ideas to bring changes to Croatia.
Joseph Mohorovic, former state representative of New Mexico, USA and now serving in Washington, DC, provided examples of how legislators and political leaders benefit from free market think tanks. Mohorovic shared the examples of how state/regional governments can benefit from free market economy.
Martin Chren, Director of F. A. Hayek Foundation, addressed the ILS Session on Labor Law Reform since Croatia's rigid laws and high employee tax burden (100% contributions from salary: $100 dollars wage for person + $100 taxes).
Croatian born business leaders Matt Sertic (President of Applied Ceramics, USA) and Antun Duzevic (Bermuda) communicated the need for a favorable economic environment prior to attracting investors who will most likely will reject the notion of doing business in Croatia today.
Goran Gazivoda, Deputy CEO of HVB Splitska banka brought up for discussion and review the condensed version of the 55 recommendations prepared by the National Competitiveness Board founded by the Croatian business and political community. The objectives of these recommendations is to improve Croatia's competitiveness. The ILS speakers and Adriatic Institute's Board of Advisors recognized the vagueness of the recommendations and no clear plan of action stemming from National Competitiveness Board.
8. The first ILS gathered over 80 leaders from business, government, academia and experts and nearly 20 journalists from around Croatia covered the ILS. During the two-day conference, over 30 students from the University of Zagreb and the University of Rijeka volunteered at the Summit and were introduced to free market ideas.

9. John Willman (Financial Times), Helen Disney (The Stockholm Network) and Udo Prenzel (DW-TV), panelists on the ILS Strategic Session of Free Media - Economic Reporting stressed the importance of free media, greater transparency in the government arena, proper legal framework so that journalists can report accurately and clearly without the fear of imprisonment and retribution. Free Media has been a major issue since Croatia slipped in the Corruption Perceived Index through Transparency International's report and also the journalists' report.

10. The most recent update on the ILS media impression through broadcast and print media included HRT Radio and TV, Nova TV, RTL-TV, OTV, Dnevnik, Jutarnji list, Vecernji list, Vjesnik, Slobodna Dalmacija, Privredni Vjesnik, HINA and BBC Monitoring European. The Advertising-Awarness Campaign through print media advertising and billboards (jumbos) were provided through Europlakat Proreklam and Print Studio.

11. ILS Speakers and Advisory Board Members of the Adriatic Institute, Dr. Rabushka, Dr. Mitchell and John Blundell spoke to university students, academia and a few business leaders at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management on November 8, 2004.

12. The concluding remarks at the Summit delivered by Natasha Srdoc-Samy, President of Croatia's first independent free market think tank affirmed the great need for free market ideas in Croatia that will benefit individuals and empower them to advance positive changes in the former communist state. Natasha Srdoc Samy and Joel Anand Samy adjourned the first International Leaders Summit and announced next year's Summit - June 2005 in Croatia.

The organizers and board of advisors attending the ILS will shortly unveil a detailed report and present to the media and leaders of business and government the "ILS Seven Strategic Recommendations to Croatia's Leaders."

Most importantly, the organizers of the ILS express their deep gratitude to speakers, partners, supporters and volunteers that came together in Zagreb thus voluntarily contributing their time, abilities, knowledge and resources to advance free market economy and the rule of law in Croatia! We wish to thank the following partners including HVB Splitska Banka, Maglite Instruments, Letica Corporation, Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, Tiskara Impress, Vecernji list, Europlakat Proreklam, Print Studio, Deutsche Welle, HRT, Hauska and Partner, Fed Ex - Rhea Express, HP, British-Croatian Business Network, American Chamber of Commerce - Croatia, HUP- Croatian Employers Association, Yoppi, Sheraton Zagreb Hotel, Arcotel, Rijeka Tourist Board, Makol Marketing, FotoElf and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Croatia.

----
Natasha Srdoc-Samy, MBA
Co-founder and President, Adriatic Institute for Public Policy
Co-Director, International Leaders Summit

Joel Anand Samy

President, World Development and Empowerment
Co-Director, International Leaders Summit

Adriatic Institute
WDE/International Leaders Summit
37736 Starflower Street
P.O. Box 964
Newark, California 94560
USA

Adriatic Institute - International Leaders Summit
Zagreb, Croatia

Adriatic Institute-International Leaders Summit-WDE
Markovici 15
51000 Rijeka
Croatia

Cell: +385-98-351-080 (Croatia)
T/F: +385-51-626-582 (Croatia)
www.AdriaticInstitute.org
www.ils-wde.org
www.wdeusa.org
 

MIME STIPE CUVALO - BECOMING A WELL-KNOWN NAME

IN THE WORLD WIDE WEB
 

From personal communications, travel directions, maps, buying, selling,
and data search to airline tickets, hotels, and banking we turn to the
internet. Although it's a novelty for some, it can be a powerful
instrument in making our lives more productive, efficient, and faster.
However, the web is a mysterious world for most of us. It is a world
somewhere "beyond" the "real" world. It has its own reality, its own
language(s), and its own "society."

A large number of brave and idealistic computer scientists believe that
the world of the internet must be the property of everyone in the world
and not appropriated by a few for their own gains and interests. Such
"idealistic geeks have been gathering silently in internet cafes and
plotting to 'take back the web.'" They believe in an "open source"
ideology that "software and the technologies that computer scientists
develop should not be proprietary. It would be like Einstein keeping the
proof for his famous E=mc2 equation a trade secret....The “open-sourceâ€?
community believes that such secretiveness hinders progress." Thus,
these enthusiasts have been contributing their talents and time in order
to provide the world wide web with the newest and best tools free of
charge. One of these computer scientists is a young Croatian
American, Mime Stipe Cuvalo.

Mime is from Chicago, Illinois. He graduated summa cum laude in May of
2004 from Ball State University, Indiana, majoring in computer science.
He finished his undergraduate studies in three years and has received
many university recognitions for scholarly excellence. Since his
graduation, he has been in Croatia. His intentions were to enroll in
graduate school at the University of Zagreb. However, after the initial
promises on the part of the University, things didn't work out, so he is
coming back to Chicago, and he will continue his studies in the USA.

While living in Croatia, Mime did not waste his time but developed a web
browser program (fireFTP - the FTP client for Mozilla Firefox) that put
him on the map of the world wide web. It was lunched in October 2004 and
became an instantaneous success. It received great reviews and comments
from the users. Soon after it was posted, it was chosen as the "Current
Featured Project." So far, Mime's program has been translated into many
languages, including German, French, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Russian,
Turkish, Italian, and others. Hopefully, someone will translate it into
Croatian too. So far, over 100,000 people have downloaded his program.

Mime and other computer scientists like him are sharing their talents
and knowledge with people in every corner of the world. By doing so,
they are protecting the world wide web from becoming a monopoly of a
few. These idealist are asking others to join the movement.

We congratulate Mime Cuvalo on these successes quite early in his life.
We believe this is only the beginning! Zagreb University missed the
opportunity of getting a superb graduate student and scientist.

Those interested in further information about Mime's program please go
to: http://chasaidthekitty.com/firefox/nov9.html  and
http://www.getfirefox.com

Marko Puljic - St. Louis
 

Croatian inventors won 36 awards

Croatian inventors won 36 awards at the World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and New Technology in Brussels. The Croatian team won four gold, 10 silver and 22 bronze medals in competition with 800 participants from 40 countries.

The World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and New Technologies at Brussels Expo, more snappily described as the Eureka Fair, appeals to the mad professor within all of us.
The fair brings together around 800 participants from 40 countries and showcases more than 1200 innovations and inventions. The world's most renowned researchers, inventors and official bodies that register applications for patents are in attendance. Hot on the trail of new technology and nutty inventors, the world's media always make a beeline for the event too.

Op-ed
If someone knows more about the names and inventions of these Croatian winners, please send it to Letters@CroatianWorld.net
Nenad Bach

Contact Details
Name:CPE Exhibitions sa (Orienta)
Email:orienta@cpexpo.com
Fax:+32 (0) 2 732 05 09
Phone:+32 (0) 2 741 61 62
Address:Brusselsesteenweg, 539 B-3090 Overijse
Venue Information: Brussels Expo
Name:Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium
Directions
About 15 minutes from Brussels International Airport by car or taxi (exit 7bis Expo).
From central Brussels, take the metro or tram 23 or 81 to the Heysel stop.
Nearest Airport
The nearest airport is in Brussels
Contact Details: Brussels Expo
Email: sales@bruexpo.be
Phone:+32 (0) 2 474 82 63
Fax:+32 (0) 2 474 83 90
 

Croatia & Hungary Plan Joint Euro Bid
 

11/28/2004 12:51:00 PM
Croatia and Hungary are planning a bid to jointly host the European Football Championships in 2012, Croatia minister of Education and Sports Dragan Primorac revealed to journalists after contacts with Hungarian partners. Minister Primorac announced that the two countries would give a final decision on becoming joint candidates for Euro 2012 on December 16th.

’’I’m convinced we would place a bid to organize the European championship together with Hungary’’, said Primorac.

He added that he expected to have a positive reaction from Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader as well.

http://www.goal.com/NewsDetail.aspx?idNews=36041&progr=1