Marin Cilic of Croatia will play for his second Grand Slam title on Sunday after beating 24th seed Sam Querrey 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday. Meanwhile, number four seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo will square off against number sixteen seeds Oliver Marach of Austria and Mate Pavic of Croatia, on Saturday in the men’s pairs finals. This is Marach’s and Pavic’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final.
Author: Marko Puljić
Ping Pong Parkinson Hosted by Westchester Table Tennis Center
The Westchester Table Tennis Center seeks to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease and improve health of those diagnosed by hosting a Parkinson’s Night every Wednesday at 7:30 pm, starting on March 1st, as part of the ‘Ping Pong Parkinson’ campaign. Will Shortz, owner of the center, crossword editor of the New York Times, as well as puzzlemaster for NPR, and Nenad Bach (left), a Croatian American recording artist, composer, performer, producer, and peace activist, are both avid ping pong players. They have joined hands to use ping pong to combat the scourge of Parkinson’s disease.
Bill Belichick Croatian American, wins 5th Super Bowl with New England Patriots
Congratulations to Croatian Americans Bill Belichick and Rob Ninkovich, and the New England Patriots on their amazing come-from-behind 5th Super Bowl victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Superbowl 51, played in Houston Texas. Belichick has a total of 7 Super Bowl wins including 2 as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants and linebacker Rob Ninkovich has Super Bowl two wins with the Patriots.
Vukovar Water Tower Restoration Project Fundraising Report
On September 30, 2016, the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Sounds of Croatia Radio Program in Toronto launched the Vukovar Water Tower Restoration Project Fundraising Campaign. Through the fundraising efforts of the Chamber and the Sounds of Croatia and, thanks to the overwhelming support of the Croatian-Canadian community living primarily in Toronto and surrounding areas in Ontario, we were honoured to present the City of Vukovar with a donation of C$205,000 (approximately 1,100,000 kunas).
Nenad Bach International Newsletter No. 47 Life is Beautiful, Vukovar, micro:bit
We have seen a lot of change since my last newsletter was published. A new year, new challenges, and the passing of dear friends. March 17, I will be performing with Neno Belan and Olja Desic in Osijek to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Poduzetnik magazine. April 22, I will be in Dubuque for a private performance at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. On April 28, I will be in Washington, D.C. to give a performance and discuss how to be a catalyst for world peace, for Hrvatska Ura.
BBC micro:bit – Support the STEM revolution in Croatian Schools via Indiegogo
Nenad Bakic (left) a Croatian entrepreneur and investor, is spearheading the largest educational initiative in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field in the Croatian school system via Indiegogo. This initiative aims to deploy Micro:bit technology in Croatian schools to aid in the modernization of the Croatian educational system in order to develop modern competencies, and a growth mindset and a strong character which will give Croatian students an equal footing in the society and economy of the 21 st century.
Giovanna Drpic moves to CBS46 in Atlanta
Giovanna Drpic (left) can say she’s from the South and South America. She grew up in Texas, but she was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Giovanna is now proud to call Atlanta home as CBS46’s political reporter. She previously served as host/producer of the Emmy-nominated business show, “Money & Main$treet”, on Verizon FiOS1 News Long Island. Giovanna has also been honored by the NY Associated Press Awards, Folio Awards, the Press Club of Long Island and the Garden State Journalism Association.
Ivan Rakitić's launches Scorrers app to connect fans and celebrities
Loyal fans will know how annoying it is to apply for every competition and giveaway going, only to be pipped at the post by someone more web-savvy or quicker off the mark. Now entrepreneurial FC Barcelona footballer Ivan Rakitić (left) has gone to extreme lengths to stop his fans missing out – creating a new mobile app and business that he says will shake up the celebrity giveaway market. His start-up, Scorrers, aims to connect sports stars, musicians and other celebrities with their fans by giving away prizes and memorabilia in a fair, free and convenient way.
Marinko Marco Radakovic to appear in the film "Patriot's Day"
Marinko Marco Radakovic (left) will appear in the film “Patriot’s Day” directed by Peter Berg, and is about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent terrorist manhunt led by Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Dawhich. This visceral and unflinching chronicle captures the suspense of one of the most sophisticated manhunts in law enforcement history and the strength of the people of Boston. Radakovic will be playing a Boston police officer.
Training with Andrej Gacina at Westchester Table Tennis Center, September 24-25, 2016
This weekend the Westchester Table Tennis Club in Westchester, New York is proud to welcome one of the top table tennis players in the world, Croatia’s Andrej Gacina. Gacina is world-ranked #20 by the ITTF. He is five-time national champion of Croatia, a medalist at two European championships, and a three-time Olympian. He’ll play in the open event on Sunday, starting at 2 pm — competing for the grand prize of $1,500. For more information keep reading.
Amira Medunjanin Tour October-November 2016
In recent years, singer Amira Medunjanin (left), an outstanding successor of the Bosnian traditional music Sevdah, has become one of the most important voices of the Central Europe. Her dignified voice is as smooth as silk yet at the same time as solid as rock, and is able to interpret the strength of fearless emotions. In the form of a trio, Amira Medunjanin will be accompanied by: Ante Gelo (guitar) and Zvonimir Sestak (Upright bass). She will be touring North America for the first time from October 28 to November 20th. Read on to see the complete list of cities and dates.
Josip Glasnovic wins Croatia's first gold of the 2016 Olympics
Croatian army officer Josip Glasnovic won Croatia’s first gold of the 2016 Olympics in the trap-shooting, beating Italy’s Giovanni Pellielo in a four-shot sudden death shootoff. Edward Ling of Great Britain took home bronze. Glasnovic, a 33-year-old who also competed in Beijing in 2008, hit a perfect 15 of 15 in the semi-final but missed two in the final. He then fired four of four in the sudden death round. Glasnovic succeeds Giovanni Cernogoraz who won gold for Croatia in London 4 years ago in the same event.
Steve Gadd to Headline the 10th Croatia Drum Camp in Groznjan August 1-10, 2016
Steve Gadd, Clapton’s favorite drummer with whom he recorded eleven albums – along with seven with Chick Corea, seven with Paul Simon, eight with George Benson, eight with Al Di Meola, four with Al Jarreau, two with Paul McCartney as well as one with James Brown, Patti Austin, B.B. King and Charles Mingus – was announced as Headliner at this year’s 10th Annual Croatia Drum Camp in Groznjan, (left), often labeled a ‘Leading Drum & Percussion Summer Camp in Europe.This ten-day-event, dedicated to the Art of drumming and promoting drummers as musical artists, includes a series of drum-clinics, seminars, masterclasses, concerts and VIP appearances from music industry executives.
Brenda Brkusic won her 5th and 6th Emmy Awards at the Television Academy's LA Area Emmy Awards
Croatian American Brenda Brkusic (left) won her 5th and 6th Emmy Awards at the Television Academy’s LA Area Emmy Awards held on July 23, 2016. She was recognized as Executive Producer of “Variety Studio: Actors on Actors” and “China’s Challenges: Can China Be Harmonious?” Last year she took home an Emmy for Producing “Mia: A Dancer’s Journey” a film about Croatian-born ballerina Mia Corak Slavenska.
Srdjan Bulat to perform in Yerevan, Armenia July 2016
The young guitarist from the city of Split and graduate from the Royal Academy in London, Srdjan Bulat, will hold a cycle of chamber recitals in the capital city of Armenia, Yerevan. As part of the Hassfest guitar festival July 4-9, 2016, he will hold a solo recital, in which he will perform works from Spanish, Armenian and Croatian composers, thus contributing to this first joint festival of music and visual art which will be attended by numerous young artists from 15 countries worldwide.
17th Dance & Non-Verbal Theatre Festival in Svetvineenat July 22-25 2016
Save the date! The 17th Dance & Non-verbal Theatre Festival Svetvineenat (San Vincenti) will take place from July 22th to July 25th. 2016. We are preparing the program with a lot of dance treats from around Europe and Croatia!
We learn from others – edible six pack rings
Most of these plastic six-pack rings end up in our oceans and pose a serious threat to wildlife. Together with Saltwater Brewery, a small craft beer brand in Florida whose primary target are surfers fishermen and people who love the sea, decided to tackle the issue head on and make a statement for the whole beer industry to follow. This is a solution that could be implemented to keep harmful pollutants out of the Adriatic Sea and Croatia.
The 3rd International Flute Summer Academy in Karlovac, Croatia July 3-10th 2016
The Croatia Flute Academy is an international flute summer course, which presents a week full of intensive workshops, flute-clinics, seminars, shows, masterclasses, concerts, 1-1 Lessons, round-tables & ensemble-rehearsals. Flutists of all ages and levels are welcome to apply for a place. It will also feature guest professors from all over the world including Pierre-Yves Artaud (left) of France.
Marinko Marco Radakovic Croatian American Actor
If Marinko Radakovic looks familiar, you may have seen him in recent movies and on TV. The Croatian born actor was recently seen in the Johnny Depp movie, Black Mass, RIPD, and Ted. He was also on TV in The Blacklist, Elementary, Daredevil and in Person of Interest. Marinko attended the 2016 SAG awards and was in a recent Visa commercial featuring Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots. He is also set to appear alongside Melissa McCarthy and Matt Walsh in the new Ghostbusters reboot directed by Paul Feig.
NFCA January 2016 Newsletter
The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation has released their end-of-the-year 2015 newsletter highlighting many activities promoting Croatian causes within the United States including: Pittsburgh convention, NFCA meeting with U.S. Ambassador Julieta Valls Noyes, NFCA collaboration with Team Croatia at the Special Olympics Summer World Games in Los Angeles and a UN meeting in New York City with Dragan Covic, the Chair of of the Presidency in Bosnia and Herzegovina.