Teach yourself Croatian - one possible answer

Dear all (especially Michael Spudic),

for any interested in learning Croatian without attending a course I would
like to suggest to ask the  "Hrvatska Matica Iseljenika", an organization which takes care for Croats all over the world (have a look  at: www.matis.hr ), for further advice in this context.

I myself have bought two books with which I tought myself some more Croatian
grammar and use of  language. They are called: "Dobro Dosli", which means "Welcome". Written in
Croatian, English, German, French and Spanish they offer not only one person the possibility to improve
her/his Croatian but equally gives other admirers of Croatia and its culture a good tool to learn the language.

In addition, I definitely can recommend the dictionaries offered by "Skolska Knjiga Zagreb", available for  German, English, Spanish, French, Italian and a lot of other native speakers. The most useful book thou  might be: "Razlikovni rjecnik" (a monolingual dictionary which
differentiates Croatian words by their semantic roots).

I am sorry for not being able if and where you might buy the literature I
have listed above, but I am sure
the "Hrvatska Matica Iseljenika" will be pleased to help you where as well
as whenever necessary.

Hoping I was of use to you I remain with kindest regards to all of you,
especially to Nenad

Valentina Brajko

PS
In case you have further questions do not hesitate to contact me via e-mail:
valentina.brajko@gmx.de .
But please be aware that I am living in Europe and do not have a single clue
about the U.S. trading markets.

BUILDING GLOBAL BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIPS WITH ITALIAN MUSIC

The Honorable Helen M. Marshall
Queens Borough President
&
the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc.

cordially invites you to enjoy an evening of music " al fresco" by

" I Music Piemonteis"
Banda Orchestra Giovanile e Coro di Cirie', Torino, Italy

Friday, Augustu 15, 2003
Reception: 6:00pm / Concert 7:30pm

Queens Museum of Art
Unisphere Gallery - 2nd Floor
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Flushing, New York

An Italian musical gift presented by the region of Piemonte, the Minister Antonio Bandini, Consul General of Italy to the United States and the
Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc.

RSVP by August 11, 2003: (718) 286-2857
 

Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc.
29-21 21st Avenue, Astoria, New York, 11105
Tel. 718 204-2444, Fax 718 204-9145

Federation of Italian American Organizations, inc. - ITALIAN NIGHTS:  BUILDING GLOBAL BRIDGES OF FRIENDSHIPS WITH ITALIAN MUSIC
QUEENS COUNTY IN CONCERT WITH THE MUSIC PIEMONTEIS ORCHESTRA FROM TORINO, ITALY.

An Italian musical gift presented by the region of Piemonte, Italy, the Minister Antonio Bandini, Consul General of Italy to the United States and the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc.

Friday, August 15, 2003
6:00pm  - reception
Queens Museum, Unisphere Gallery, 2nd Floor
Flushing Meadows Corona Park

7:30PM - Music Piemonteis Concert
By the Unisphere Fountain, Flushing Meadows Corona Park

RSVP before August 11, 2003: (718) 286-2857


Contact: Wanda S. Radetti, Public Relations Director
Voice/Fax 718 932-6893, Mobile 917 257-5777
E-mail: WandaSRadetti@aol.com


In Astoria, Queens, for the last seven years, on the Wednesday evenings of summer from 7:30pm to 10:30pm, The Federation of the Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc., presents the program Italian Nights.  It takes place at the Athens Square Park, 30th Street and 30th Avenue, Astoria.  (Attached I am sending you a copy of the detailed program for the 2003 Season and a bit of information regarding history of the event)

In 1999, The Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens was honored to host the Music Piemonteis to perform for the Italian Nights.  The performance of that very special evening was dedicated to the honor of the Policemen and Firemen of New York City.  On that occasion, the Orchestra was officially greeted and welcomed to the Borough of Queens, by Honorable Claire Shulman, at the time, the President of the Borough of Queens.

The ensemble "I Music Piemônteis" was founded as a Youth Band Orchestra of Cirič, in 1976, by Maestro Ugo Bairo. The aim was to favour the socialization among young people of different realities through music and rediscovery of the cultural heritage. In the first years the group had great success in Piedmont. The activity of the ensamble is now mainly concerning international exchanges. The vast repertory of " I  Music Piemônteis " ranges from classical, opera, jazz, pop, light music. A few years ago, a choir has been added to the Orchestra. The new pupils are prepared by a school with classes of wind, drum, keyboard instruments and singing.

The Music Piemonteis, had its headquarters in Cirie, a town in the province of Torino, in the region of Piemonte, Italy. (The capital of the region, Torino, has been chosen as the location for the 2006 Winter Olympics) 
The Orchestra and Choir is comprised of more than 70 performers, musicians and singers and will be accompanied by approximately 20 to 30 family members and chaperons.  (  http://english.musicpiemonteis.it/foto_gruppo.htm )


The Executive Board of the Music Piemonteis, with as its head Maestro Ugo Bairo, were introduced by Wanda S. Radetti, the Founder and Coordinator of the Italian Nights, to the Honorable Helen Marshal on the occasion of the Columbus Day Parade, organized for the country of Queens, by the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens.  It must have been love at first sight, because Ms. Marshall on the spot invited Maestro Bairo to bring his orchestra to play for the citizens of Queens County.  The invitation was accepted and we now are ready to celebrate the new friendships that will be created when the Music Piemonteis perform at the Flushing Meadows Park in honor of Ms. Helen Marshal, the President of the Borough of Queens.  It is a time to come together and although the language might be different, it is for sure that the language of music and song will communicate and convey, love and friendship.


FEDERATION OF ITALIAN AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS OF QUEENS, INC.
29-21 21ST Avenue, Astoria, New York 11105
Tel. 718 204-2444    - Fax 718 204-9145
Presents
ITALIAN NIGHTS 2003
Wednesday evenings of summer
Starting June 18th to August 27th

At Athens Square Park, 30th Street and 30th Avenue, Astoria, New York
Conceived and Coordinated by
Wanda S. Radetti

The ITALIAN NIGHTS, presented and offered gratis to the community by the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, Inc., is a series of delightful evenings of entertainment with an Italian flavor.  It takes place, weather permitting, on Wednesday evening during the late spring and summer.

In the cool breeze of the summer nights, The Italian Nights makes it possible for so many to enjoy the fresh air, to meet their friends and neighbors and share a magic moment of pleasure. The elderly citizens of our community with limited incomes and isolated lives come to enjoy the music and friendly atmosphere - they sing and dance, for a moment, the pain of loneliness is assuaged.  Little children, teenagers, the parents, and grandparents, entire families, friend and neighbors, they come to enjoy the company and pleasure.

Seven years ago, Wanda, Public Relations Director of the Federation of Queens, Inc. was invited by Mr. Denis Scyntillas, the Chairman of the Athens Square Committee to explore ways of using Athens Square Park in ways that would be fun and would benefit the communities of Astoria and Long Island City. 

In "small town Astoria", lovely Athens Square Park brought to Wanda's mind visions of the small towns of Italy, the Italian Piazzas, the center, the community's social and cultural hearts.  A piazza to stroll to after dinner... a place to meet friends without having to make appointments…A wonderful opportunity for the Italian Federation to bestow an Italian cultural gift on the community…A way to present the explosion of Italian culture expressed through music, song, dance, and poetry…

A showcase for talent with an Italian taste, The Italian Night event attracts a large multi ethnic audience and many wonderful performers/acts of great generosity and fantastic talent.

This year we celebrate the seventh anniversary of our Italian Nights. On Wednesday evenings, during the summer, in Queens, everyone is Italian.

*The Athens Square Park was the dream that became the mission of Mr. Denis Scyntillas, a leader of the Greek community in Astoria.  He worked long and hard and made the Square a reality. Mr. Scyntillas, his committee, and the entire Greek community created a haven for all to enjoy.  The Federation is proud and honored to have provided the support and cooperation that helped to make Mr. Scyntillas dream come true and is happy to continue such support through the presentation of the ITALIAN NIGHTS at the Athens Square Park in Astoria.

The Queens Museum of Art was established in 1972 to provide a vital cultural center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for the borough's unique, international population. The Queens Museum of Art is home to the Panorama of the City of New York, a 9,335 square foot scale model of the five boroughs, and a collection of Tiffany glass from the Neustadt Museum of Tiffany Art. The museum presents changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art that reflect the area's cultural diversity. Visit http://www.queensmuseum.org  for more information about upcoming exhibitions and events.

The Queens Museum of Art is housed in the New York City Building which is owned by the City of New York. With the assistance of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and the New York City Council, the Museum is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional funding is provided by the New York State Legislature and the New York State Council on the Arts. Press Contact: Carolyn Bane, (718) 592-9700 ext 147 orcbane@queensmuseum.org .

Directions
BY SUBWAY
Via #7 Flushing IRT. Exit Willets Point/Shea Stadium. Descend the platform on the park side, not the stadium side. Follow the yellow signs on a ten-minute walk through the park to the museum, which is located next to the Unisphere.
BY CAR
From West and midtown Manhattan: via Long Island Expressway (LIE) to exit 22B (Grand Central Parkway/Triborough Bridge), then exit GCP at Tennis Center (9P) and follow signs to Museum.
From Brooklyn: via Brooklyn Queens Express way (BQE) to LIE Eastbound, to exit 22B exit 22B (Grand Central Parkway/Triboro Br), then exit GCP at Tennis Center (9P) and turn right to the Museum
From North and Triborough Bridge: via Grand Central Parkway, exit at 9E or 9W and follow signs to Museum.
From East and Long Island: via LIE to GCP West, exit GCP at Tennis Center (9P) and follow signs to Museum. Free parking.
BY BUS
Q48 to Roosevelt Ave and 111th Street. Walk south through park (toward Unisphere)
Q23, Q58 to Corona Ave and 51st Ave, walk east through park.

Croatian lodge to host concert in St. David

ST. DAVID -- The Patria tamburitza ensemble from the Slavonia region ofCroatia will present a concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, at the St. David Optimist Club Pavilion.

For the seventh year, Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 367 of Canton has been chosen as a host for a Croatian group's musical tour of the U.S. and Canada. The tour is sponsored by the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, which is based in Pittsburgh.

There is an admission charge for adults, but children will be admitted free of charge. Seating is available, but personal lawn chairs may be more comfortable.

Lodge members at 5 p.m. will start serving a light meal of bratwurst or hamburger, chips and dessert for a price. Coffee, tea and water are available for free to all in attendance. Other beverages may be brought individually (BYOB), a press release said.

St. David is located three miles south of Canton, along Illinois Route 100. For more information, call Andy Sepich at 309/263-1193.

http://www.cantondailyledger.com/articles/2003/08/14/news/news4.txt

Pope leads prayers for rain inCroatia, Europe

Forecasters have warned the heat is set to continue

Pope John Paul II has led prayers for rain as temperatures across Europe continue to soar.

Speaking to hundreds of pilgrims and tourists visiting him at his summer residence south of Rome, the Pope expressed sorrow for deaths caused by the relentless heat.

He also regretted the damage wreaked on the environment by forest fires which have destroyed woodland from Portugal to the Netherlands and Greece.

Forecasters have warned that the high temperatures are unlikely to drop until mid-August.

"I ask you to join me in my prayer for the victims of this calamity and urge all of you to ask the Lord fervently to grant the thirsty Earth the coolness of rain," the Pope said.

He was speaking in Castel Gondolfo, a lakeside town where the weather is generally much cooler for the 83-year-old Pontiff.

Raging wildfires

Temperatures across the continent have regularly exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) over the past two weeks, leading to some 40 deaths. It is not just humans who are suffering in the heat

Summer fires have also destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of pinewood and brush across the continent, most of it in Portugal.

They are still burning in Spain, Croatia, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, and France.

The extreme heat is being partly attributed to intense monsoon activity in sub-Saharan Africa which has poured hot desert air over Europe while keeping out cooler Atlantic lows.

Also across Europe:

* French police arrested five suspected arsonists in connection with a forest fire which broke out near the southern city of Nice on Friday
* In the Paris area firefighters say they are dealing with 600 calls every day for people suffering from the heat
* The UK recorded its highest ever temperature, with a temperature of 37.9 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) recorded at Heathrow airport, west of London

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3139549.stm

Rare animal species in Drava river basin face extinction

VARAZDIN (Croatia) -- Work on regulation of the Drava river sparked outrage among environmental organisations, warning that it might lead to extinction of numerous protected species.

Drava's valuable wetlands and natural habitats are being endangered by the large-scale extraction of river gravel directly from the riverbed inCroatia's part stretching 20km from the northern town of Varazdin to the border with Slovenia, the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature said.

Croatian authorities claim that the works on the river regulation are necessary to protect the area from the floods.

But according to the WWF, it leads to the destruction of the natural habitats for almost 50 rare species including white-tailed eagles, black storks, beavers, otters and turtles.

The gravel extraction from river beds and banks apart from directly causing biodiversity loss also causes the groundwater tables to fall and the drying out of forests.

'This outstanding natural area could soon be lost if Croatian authorities do not take a more responsible attitude to managing their natural resources,' David Reeder, a WWF expert leading a protection of Drava project, said.

Environmental groups have urged an immediate halt to the work and are calling for a parliamentary debate to ensure the protection of the river's natural richness.

The environmentalists explain that the river's ecosystem has just begun to adapt to the changes caused by the construction and working regime of three hydroelectric plants in the area, and that the continuation of works on river regulation could thus have disastrous effects. -- AFP

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/techscience/story/0,4386,204033,00.html

Husband to Wife, Croatian life story

Posted on Sun, Aug. 10, 2003
Husband-To-Wife Liver Donation Successful
JIM FITZGERALD
Associated Press

VALHALLA, N.Y. - Teddy Mocibob gave up smoking and drinking, then he did a little gambling.
He surrendered 60 percent of his liver to his wife, Elena, despite doctors' warnings of the possible risks to his health and even his life - and having to cast aside his longtime vices.

"They said we were a 100 percent match and I said `Set up the date and let's go," Mocibob recalled Friday. "I love her. If I had to do it again next week, I would do it."
There won't be any need for that, since doctors have declared the July 29 procedure a success.

"The surgery went extremely well and they're doing extremely well," said Dr. Patricia Sheiner, Westchester Medical Center's director of liver transplants. "There's no evidence of any rejection."
In three months, she said, the transplanted piece of liver that Elena Mocibob received will regenerate to 90 percent of normal size. Elena, 43, who suffered from a liver disease, would have lived only a few years without a transplant, doctors said.

Before her husband could be a donor, he had to be in good enough health to withstand the surgery and recovery. That meant a cold turkey approach to alcohol and tobacco, habits he picked up in his native Croatia.

Teddy Mocibob, 50, who speaks with a heavy accent, said he knew he could give it all up for her.
Sheiner said it was clear that Teddy Mocibob was willing to do anything for his wife, but that wasn't enough. "We have to make sure they know the risks," she said.

Potential donors undergo significant screening for more than just physical readiness. Criteria such as how they will handle the emotional and psychological impact of the procedure, and basics like whether they can afford to be out of work for months and if children depend on them also are evaluated.

The intensive screening process was put in place statewide after the death last year of a donor who gave part of his liver to his brother at a New York City hospital.

The Mocibobs have been married less than four years and their four children, all teenage or older, are from previous marriages.

Mocibob, who now has a large Y-shaped scar on his chest, walked slowly into a news conference and sat gingerly. He was released from the hospital August 4.

"I don't think I'll go back to smoking," Mocibob said. "Drinking, I might have a beer or two."

His wife, her skin still slightly yellow, was in a wheelchair and hooked up to an intravenous tube. She will leave the hospital on Monday.

She said she was most looking forward to holding her granddaughter.

"Before, I wasn't able to do anything with them," she said of her grandkids, ages 5 and 2.

Her daughter, Helen Curtin, said she was deeply grateful to her stepfather. Her children "have never seen my mother healthy," she said.

More than 90 percent of all liver transplants are done from cadavers. Of live donations, there's only about one case a year nationwide involving husband and wife.

Elena said she worried about accepting her husband's gift, but said she joked that a main concern was waking up with an accent like his.

In the end, though, Teddy's decision didn't surprise her.

"We're husband and wife," she said. "We're one."

photo credit and caption:
Teddy and Elena Mocibob, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., speak to the media Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, before being released from the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., following a successful rare spouse-to-spouse liver transplant. Dr. Leona Kim-Schluger, director of transplant hepatology at the Westchester Medical Center is seen at left. (AP Photo/Westchester Medical Center, John Hogle)

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/6503014.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030810_284.html

Croatian Love Story

This is the best love story I've read in a long time.

Husband-To-Wife Liver Donation Successful
Sun Aug 10,11:22 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!

By JIM FITZGERALD, Associated Press Writer
VALHALLA, N.Y. - Teddy Mocibob gave up smoking and drinking, then he did a little gambling.

He surrendered 60 percent of his liver to his wife, Elena, despite doctors' warnings of the possible risks to his health and even his life — and having to cast aside his longtime vices.
"They said we were a 100 percent match and I said `Set up the date and let's go," Mocibob recalled Friday. "I love her. If I had to do it again next week, I would do it."
There won't be any need for that, since doctors have declared the July 29 procedure a success.
"The surgery went extremely well and they're doing extremely well," said Dr. Patricia Sheiner, Westchester Medical Center's director of liver transplants. "There's no evidence of any rejection."
In three months, she said, the transplanted piece of liver that Elena Mocibob received will regenerate to 90 percent of normal size. Elena, 43, who suffered from a liver disease, would have lived only a few years without a transplant, doctors said. Before her husband could be a donor, he had to be in good enough health to withstand the surgery and recovery. That meant a cold turkey approach to alcohol and tobacco, habits he picked up in his native Croatia.
Teddy Mocibob, 50, who speaks with a heavy accent, said he knew he could give it all up for her.
Sheiner said it was clear that Teddy Mocibob was willing to do anything for his wife, but that wasn't enough.
"We have to make sure they know the risks," she said.
Potential donors undergo significant screening for more than just physical readiness. Criteria such as how they will handle the emotional and psychological impact of the procedure, and basics like whether they can afford to be out of work for months and if children depend on them also are evaluated.
The intensive screening process was put in place statewide after the death last year of a donor who gave part of his liver to his brother at a New York City hospital.
The Mocibobs have been married less than four years and their four children, all teenage or older, are from previous marriages.
Mocibob, who now has a large Y-shaped scar on his chest, walked slowly into a news conference and sat gingerly. He was released from the hospital August 4.
"I don't think I'll go back to smoking," Mocibob said. "Drinking, I might have a beer or two."
His wife, her skin still slightly yellow, was in a wheelchair and hooked up to an intravenous tube. She will leave the hospital on Monday.

She said she was most looking forward to holding her granddaughter.
"Before, I wasn't able to do anything with them," she said of her grandkids, ages 5 and 2.
Her daughter, Helen Curtin, said she was deeply grateful to her stepfather. Her children "have never seen my mother healthy," she said.
More than 90 percent of all liver transplants are done from cadavers. Of live donations, there's only about one case a year nationwide involving husband and wife.
Elena said she worried about accepting her husband's gift, but said she joked that a main concern was waking up with an accent like his.  In the end, though, Teddy's decision didn't surprise her.
"We're husband and wife," she said. "We're one."

http://www.sunspot.net/cgi-bin/ultbb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=32;t=021759

Trazi se soba u Puli za dvoje 17 Kolovoza 2003

Trazim sobu u Puli, za jednu noc, 17/08/03, dvije
osobe. Molim da mi javite na Email adresu:

Maria
zaluka@yahoo.com
Puno hvala.