President
Klaus in Washington, DC
Message from the Ambassador
News in Brief
Palous Commemorates Czechoslovak Independence
Slovakia Appoints New Ambassador to the USA
CR Shaping Up Well for EU Membership
The Czech Automobile Superpower
Czech Auto Manufacturer Marks Production of Four Millionth Car
Economic Digest
Genealogical and Cultural Conference in Houston
Spa Life in Karlovy Vary
Conference on Czech and Slovak American Archival Materials
Fund for American Studies Summer Program in Prague
Czech Events Around the USA
President Klaus in Washington, DC
President Vaclav Klaus arrived in Washington, DC on November 18, 2003 for
a 4 day visit to the United States capital, filled with lectures, meetings,
and conferences.
This was President Klaus’s first visit to Washington, DC as the highest ranking
representative of the Czech Republic, which centered around his meeting with
Vice President Richard Cheney and his appearance at the CATO Institute’s 21st
Annual Monetary Conference. Apart from Vice President Cheney, President Klaus
also met Richard Lugar, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,
Horst Koehler, Chairman of the International Monetary Fund, James Wolfensohn,
President of the World Bank, and Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve
System.
The President was accompanied by Mr. Jiri Weigl, Chancellor of the Office
of the President, Mr. Ladislav Mravec, Head of the Political Department of
the Office of the President, and Ms. Pavlina Kostkova, Deputy Director of
the Political Department. Vaclav Klaus had the opportunity to speak at several
institutes on topics ranging from the Czech perspective on freedom to the
impending accession of the Czech Republic into the European Union.
On November 19, Vaclav Klaus spoke
as the keynote guest at the Fourth Annual Czech and Slovak Lecture Series
presented by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in co-operation
with the Embassies of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Washington and The
American Friends of the Czech Republic as well as Friends of Slovakia. Apart
from a number of distinguished guests, Czech Ambassador Martin Palous and
Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Kacer also attended the event. The president’s speech, entitled “Freedom and Its Enemies (As Seen
from Central Europe)," was followed by a short reception at the Woodrow
Wilson Center. In his lecture, President Klaus conveyed his belief in the
centrality of freedom and human liberty and the danger of political procedures
that may undermine democracy. He stated that certain ideas, interests, and
fears can erode ideals of freedom, and therefore, musn’t be allowed to prevail.
Later in the evening, the Heritage Foundation held a dinner in honor
of President Vaclav Klaus at which he presented his brief address followed
by a discussion with the attendees.
On Thursday, November 20, President Klaus met with Vice President Richard
Cheney at the White House. The meeting, scheduled to further enhance political
relations between the Czech Republic and the United States, took place on
the day of the monetary conference. During their encounter, both officials
agreed that the fight against terrorism must be carried on, and that they
will work as allies towards this goal. Their talks also included exchange
of views on EU issues and transatlantic relations.
The CATO Conference on the Future of the Euro took place at the Renaissance
Hotel, with speakers that included Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal
Reserve Board and James Buchanan of George Mason University. In his closing
address at the conference, President Klaus commented on the rapid economic
integration taking place in Europe, especially with regard to the monetary
union, and laid out his hopes for success of
the central European nations, including the Czech Republic, that are
expected to join the EU in May 2004. Klaus’ speech was received with tremendous
appreciation and applause. Following the CATO event, President Vaclav Klaus
met with James Wolfensohn, Executive
Director of the World Bank. He then attended a dinner organized by the CATO
Institute at which other speakers from that day’s conference, including Nobel
Laureate in Economics James M. Buchanan, were present.
The President’s final day in Washington, DC began with a breakfast event at
the International Republican Institute, where he gave yet another speech and
engaged in discussion with the audience. On his last day, Vaclav Klaus was
also able to devote time to meeting with members of the Czech-American community.
President Klaus, his delegation, and members of the Czech Embassy attended
a ceremony organized by The American Friends of the Czech Republic at the
T.G. Masaryk Memorial on Massachusetts Avenue in northwest Washington. Following
his remarks at the memorial, the President made his way to a reception at
the nearby Hilton Embassy Row Hotel. The reception allowed President Klaus
to meet and speak with Czech-Americans from the Washington, DC area. For the final event of his trip, Vaclav Klaus attended a luncheon for The Fund
for American Studies at the University Club of Washington. The President gave
a brief speech summarizing the events of the week and emphasizing some key
points from his speech at the CATO Institute.
Tim Goeglein, Special Assistant to President George W. Bush and Deputy
Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House, was also present
at the luncheon, to address Vaclav Klaus and the rest of the attendees on
behalf of President George W. Bush. He extended greetings from President Bush
and expressed the U.S. President’s thanks and support of the Czech Republic.
President Vaclav Klaus’s first trip to Washington, D.C. ended on a positive
note and marked the end of a very successful visit in which he was able to
further secure political relations with the United States, as well as convey
the Czech Republic’s stance on issues of economic concern. The Czech President
returned to Prague on November 21, 2003.
Message from the Ambassador
I would like to begin by commenting on the achievements of the Czech Republic
in 2003. This year marked the final
stepping-stone in negotiating our re-entry into the family of modern, democratic,
and prosperous European nations. The
year 2004 will see the momentous accession of the Czech Republic to the European
Union. Only time can reveal what other
significant challenges will emerge for us and for the rest of the world.
I hope for positive progress in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq,
and for greater freedom and democracy in nations such as Cuba, Burma, North
Korea, and elsewhere in the world where freedom is lacking.
To summarize the year 2003 in only a few words, I would say that it was a
very busy time for all of us, and many tasks that were set forth remain to
be accomplished in the future.
The diplomatic events of the fall season have kept my staff and myself in
constant activity. We have enjoyed
political engagements of the highest level – always challenging, always demanding,
and always satisfying.
In November, the capital city of Washington hosted Czech President Vaclav
Klaus. As part of his visit, President
Klaus met with Vice President Richard Cheney, Senator Richard Lugar, Chairman
Alan Greenspan, and the Directors of the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund. He also spoke at a conference
organized by the CATO Institute on "The Future of the Euro." If I were to evaluate the visit in just one
word, I would certainly describe it as a success. Information and pictures describing the four-day presidential visit
have been compiled in this newsletter for your enjoyment.
In July, Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla visited the United States to meet
with President George W. Bush. His
meeting with the president stood as a testament to the best relations between
the Czech Republic and the United States to date.
The two countries stood side by side in Iraq during combat operations
and through the subsequent reconstruction phase.
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to wish all of you a happy and
peaceful holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. I wish for all of us to be blessed with good
health, prosperity, and above all, the gift of an understanding heart in the
coming year.
News in Brief
NATO Launches Rapid-Response Force
NATO has formally launched its rapid response force, which includes the Czech Republic's elite nuclear, biological and chemical unit. The 9,000-strong NATO Response Force (NRF) will be capable of deployment to trouble spots anywhere in the world within five days. When complete, the force should number more than 20,000 troops. Among them is the 500-strong Czech-led anti-chemical unit based in Liberec, which saw action in the 1991 Gulf War and the US-led invasion of Iraq. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999.
Havel Awarded State Distinctions
The former Czech president Vaclav Havel received the country's highest state distinctions in Parliament on Tuesday evening. Mr. Havel was awarded the Order of the White Lion and the Order of Tomas Garrigue Masaryk for his lifelong contribution to democracy and human rights in the Czech Republic. Among those present were Vaclav Havel's wife, Dagmar, his close friends, and former Prague Castle employees.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Albright Arrives in Prague
The former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has arrived in her native city Prague for the start of a five-day visit. Ms. Albright, who was born Marie Korbelova, is in the Czech capital to attend the Forum 2000 conference and to promote her new book of memoirs, Madam Secretary. The book has been translated into Czech by the former ambassador to the United States, Michael Zantovsky. Ms. Albright, who speaks fluent Czech, will meet with a number of senior officials during her visit, including former president Vaclav Havel, who is a close personal friend.
Military Service to be Phased Out by 2004
Defense Minister Miroslav Kostelka has confirmed that he wants compulsory military service to be phased out by the end of next year, as proposed by his predecessor Jaroslav Tvrdik. If the plan is approved by parliament, the very last set of Czech conscripts will begin their military service in April 2004. Minister Kostelka had previously stated that military service should be phased out either in 2005 or 2006.
Vaclav Klaus: October 28 a Significant Holiday
Czech President Vaclav Klaus also considers October 28th a significant Czech holiday. Speaking to journalists after placing a wreath at the statue of Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia, he said it was a day of commemoration and inspiration. As has become tradition, the Czech President received foreign diplomats on the national holiday and awarded state medals to twenty personalities at a ceremony at Prague Castle. Among those honored were oncologist Pavel Klener, Olympic medallist Dana Zatopkova, and Czech actor Jiri Kodet.
Czechs Commemorate Foundation of Czechoslovakia
October 28 is a national holiday in the Czech Republic, celebrating the foundation of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918. Although Czechoslovakia split into two separate states – the Czech Republic and Slovakia – on January 1st 1993, the public holiday continues to be celebrated every year in the Czech Republic. However, it is no longer marked in neighboring Slovakia. On Tuesday, Czechs marked the 85th anniversary with a number of public events across the country. At a ceremony at Prague's National Museum, Culture Minister Pavel Dostal expressed disappointment at the young generation's lack of interest in the holiday and stressed it was important for the Czech people to remember their modern history.
Czech Foreign Minister Meets with Sympathy in Italy
Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda said on November 13 after talks in Rome with his Italian counterpart, Franco Frattini, that some of the amendments proposed by Prague to the draft European constitution currently under debate were met with a positive response from Frattini, CTK reported. Frattini told journalists that Italy and the Czech Republic have similar positions on some of the proposed amendments, specifically those concerning a rotating EU presidency and the role of a future European foreign minister.
Field Hospital Winding Up Mission
The Czech field hospital in Basra is to leave the country before the end of the year, having completed an eight month long mission in the southern Iraqi city. The hospital treated both civilians and soldiers, conducting over 200 operations and treating over 10,000 people. Making the announcement in Prague, Czech Defense Minister Miroslav Kostelka said the hospital staff had done a great job and their work was much appreciated both by the allies and the locals. The field hospital is to be replaced by a Czech military police unit to be deployed 25 kilometers from Basra. The unit is to help train local police officers.
Klaus's New Year Address to be Broadcast on CT, Nova, CRo, BBC
The New Year address of President Vaclav Klaus will be broadcast not only on the public Czech Television (C TV) and Czech Radio (C Ro) but also on the Nova commercial television station and the Czech BBC radio station. This marks the first time in the history of the Czech Republic that the public media’s monopoly on the president's New Year address has been severed.
Palous Commemorates Czechoslovak Independence
On November 5, Czech Ambassador Martin Palous spoke at an annual conference
commemorating the founding of the Czechoslovak state at the Woodrow Wilson
House. Ambassador Richard Kacer of the Slovak Republic was also in attendance.
Ambassador Palous remarked on the existing good relations between the Czech
Republic and Slovakia. He expressed the importance of the founding of Czechoslovakia
to democracy in the 20th century. In speaking to the audience, Ambassador
Palous payed tribute to Thomas G. Masaryk and President Woodrow Wilson for
their roles in creating an independent state for Czechs and Slovaks. Both
men believed that democracy could be achieved in central Europe; indeed, Czechoslovakia
was one of the first democracies to exist in Europe. Masaryk’s vision of democracy
was tested throughout the 20th century, and a clash between two extremes in
international politics, between power games and utopian visions, emerged.
In light of this clash, the Czechoslovak experience is significant, showing
the need for more sober and realistic expectations about the future. In today’s
Europe, he describes younger nations as being stuck in a gap between the past
and the present, emphasizing that “what we know is that we don’t know."
A vision of a world driven by small nations, based on the Czech experience,
should not be overlooked. All nations
must have the fortitude to take risks to make right decisions, following in
the footsteps of men like Thomas G. Masaryk and Woodrow Wilson.
Slovakia Appoints New Ambassador to the USA
On September 8, 2003, Mr. Rastislav Kacer, the former Secretary of State at
the Ministry of Defense, was presented as the new Ambassador of the Slovak
Republic to the United States in Washington, DC. In his previous position,
as the State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, Kacer’s main focus was
Slovakia’s accession process to NATO, a task that ended successfully with
Slovakia’s invitation to join NATO at the Prague Summit last year. Ambassador
Kacer has worked in the Slovak government since 1992, seeing the country through
its tumultuous economic and political development.
Prior to his appointment with the Ministry of Defense in February 2001,
he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he became the Director
General of the Division of International Organizations and Security Policy.
He also served at the Slovak Mission to NATO from 1994 to 1998.
Ambassador Kacer received his education at the Slovak Technical University and at the Institute of International Relations, School of Law, Comenius University in Bratislava
CR Shaping Up Well for EU Membership
The Czech Republic is looking more prepared than ever to join the European
Union according to the November 19 edition of the Financial Times. The four
page Special Report on the Czech Republic cites the strength of the Czech
economy in accounting for the country’s preparedness for European integration.
The country has attracted the most foreign investment per capita in Central Europe for the last five years, and continues
to attract increasing investment as time goes on. It has become Europe’s favorite
for investments in strategic services. Tourism continues to be an important
sector of the Czech economy. The European Commission has been pleased with
the Czech government’s preparations for membership, which include the passing
of a law on public procurement last month that will allow the country to manage
structural and cohesion funds that will be available when EU membership is
finalized. In September, the government was able to pass a fiscal reform package
through parliament. With strong technical skills, good infrastructure and
low wages, the economy has grown steadily and is braced to stay strong even
in times of economic slowdown. Although, the Czech Republic is not at 100%
political and economic efficiency, the government has done a remarkable job
in transforming the nation’s political and economic mechanisms over such a
short span of time. That achievement in itself has made the Czech Republic
the most poised of all the new EU members to join the Union. The Financial
Times Special Report on the Czech Republic can be found at www.ft.com/czechrepublic
The Czech Automobile Superpower
The Skoda Auto company has brought the Czech Republic profits and pride as
it has grown to become a top auto manufacturer in Europe over the past decade.
Skoda’s global market has expanded significantly since the company became
a part of the Volkswagen Group in 1991, but it has managed to retain its own
identity and continues to develop its own models and motors. Eighty five per cent of the 445,500 Skoda cars
produced last year were sold abroad in 78 different countries. 238,000 Skoda
automobiles were sold in 10 Western European countries alone. In Central and Eastern Europe, Skoda accounts
for nearly 20 percent of all cars sold. The high quality and lower cost of
Skoda models, such as Fabia, Octavia, and Superb, has allowed the company
to grow in appeal to international consumers. The Fabia is Skoda’s standard
model hatchback, the Octavia is a mid-range sedan, while the Superb, Skoda’s
newest creation, is a high-end sedan aimed at business managers and executives.
Skoda came into existence in 1925, when Czech auto manufacturers Vaclav Klement and Vaclav Laurin merged their production facilities with the firm Skoda Plzen. World War II put Skoda’s progress on hold. In 1964, Skoda became the first automobile company to manufacture engine blocks from pressure-cast aluminum for mass-produced car models. With the end of the cold war, and the diminishing of its “Eastern" reputation, Skoda has become a highly reputable auto manufacturer, offering a wide range of engines and options that meet the standards of Volkswagen’s models.
Czech Auto Manufacturer Marks Production of Four Millionth Car
Czech automaker Skoda reached a milestone when it produced its four millionth
car since becoming incorporated into Germany’s Volkswagen in 1991. The Fabia
Combi was manufactured at Skoda’s factory in Mlada Boleslav, 25 miles outside
of Prague. Fabia is one of three models that Skoda is currently producing,
the other two being the Octavia and the Superb. Skoda Auto’s chairman, Vratislav
Kulhanek praised the evolution of the company from a local manufacturer of
one vehicle type to a “full-value member of a significant multinational automotive
corporation.” Of the 5 million vehicles produced by Volkswagen in 2002, 442,469 of them were made by Skoda. According
to Kulhanek, Skoda sells nearly half a million modern, technologically advanced
cars in three model ranges in 78 world markets every year.
Skoda has become the Czech Republic’s largest and most profitable exporter
since the being acquired by Volkswagen AG, which was one of the first significant
privatizations in the Czech Republic following the end of communism in 1989. Skoda cars were first produced in 1925 when
Czech car maker, Laurin & Klement merged with Skoda Pilsen, Czechoslovakia’s
largest industrial company at the time.
Economic Digest
October 11 The strong Crown
and heavy discounting has led to record growth in new car sales. Over the
first three quarters, passenger-car sales rose by 4.6%, to 112,998. Skoda
Auto’s market share fell to 48.3%. The leading importers were Renault and
Peugeot. Sales of light commercial vehicles rose 26.7% in the third quarter,
partly due to the expected change in VAT (an increase from 5% to 22% next
year). Small cars from Hyundai and Ford contributed the most to the sharp
rise in passenger-car sales.
October 17 DHL announced that
its new global IT center in Prague-Chodov will require an investment of CZK
16bn (USD 550m) over five years. In the first phase, the investment will be
CZK 5.5bn, and 400 jobs will be created. It is the biggest IT investment in
Europe of the past two years. DHL said the five reasons why the CR was chosen
for a global IT center were: low costs, availability of local labor with IT
experience and skills, good infrastructure, tax incentives and favorable air
connection. It said the overall costs in the CR are 33-36% of those in the
U.K., Germany or France. The company does not expect EU entry next May to
cause wages to rise significantly. The one thing that could push wage costs
up, is competition if more such IT centers are built.
October 20 American based company Accenture plans to invest hundreds
of millions of crowns to expand its existing service center in Prague. Employment
will grow from current 300 to 1.500 in 2008.
The impact of the project could be compared to DHL’s planned five years
investment of CZK 16bn.
November 10 Construction output rose by 14.5% in September. Permits
for more than 4,000 new dwellings were issued during the month, at an average
orientation price of CZK 2.2m (USD 75,000). Average monthly wages in the sector
stood at CZK 17,358 (USD 635) in September, and are rising faster than in
other sectors.
November 11 Unemployment dropped to 9.9% at the end of October largely
because recent graduates who had been on the jobless roll were able to find
a job. However, analysts expect the jobless rate to increase around the end
of the year. The finance ministry expects a rate of 10.5% in November of next
year.
November 12 The Statistical
Office reported that foreign owned companies accounted for 48.6% of the revenue
of Czech industry at the and of the third quarter. This represents a rise
of 100% over the past six years. The average monthly wage at foreign companies
is at CZK 17,800 (USD 655), which is
13% more than national average in the industrial sector.
November 19 The dollar fell to a six-month low of CZK 26.50 and slid
at one point to 1.197 to EURO, which might be a good time for Czechs with
large assets to shift some of them into dollars. Experts say the dollar´s
decline will not have a significant impact on the Czech economy as a whole.
Genealogical and Cultural Conference in Houston
An enthusiastic group of over 300 persons of Czech and Slovak ancestry gathered
in Houston, Texas on October 15 – 18, 2003 to attend the ninth Genealogical/Cultural
Conference held by the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI).
The conference offered 40 sessions on Czech genealogical and historical
topics and featured speakers from the U.S. and the Czech Republic. Dr. Clinton
Machann, Professor at Texas A&M University and author, presented the keynote
address titled Czech Immigration to Texas in the Nineteenth Century: An Overview
and a Case Study From the 1870’s. Evening events included a Parade of Kroje
show, folk dancers and Czech music. Prior to the conference, tours were offered
to three nearby areas: Galveston Island, where many Czech immigrants entered
the U.S.; Czech Painted Churches established by early Czech immigrants to
Texas; and a Houston Library and Museum tour. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Czech Republic and CSA Fraternal Life were major sponsors of this biennial
national conference.
CGSI is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization whose purpose is to promote
genealogical research and to create an interest in Czech and Slovak ancestry
and heritage. Ancestors of CGSI members emigrated from the lands now contained
mostly within the Czech and Slovak Republics. Although based in St. Paul,
Minnesota, the organization has members in all 50 of the United States as
well as several other countries. With nearly 4000 members, CGSI is one of
the largest ethnic genealogical societies in the USA and has the largest active
Czech-American membership in North America.
Our members are actively interested in their heritage, do family history research
and purchase related books and periodicals. The society maintains a library
collection where researchers have access to a wide variety of books, family
histories, maps and periodicals. The society also makes available for sale
books, genealogical research material and other material not commonly available
in the United States. In addition, the society advises members on procuring
genealogical research from the Czech and Slovak Archives as well as through
private researchers in both countries.
Contributed by
Mr. Gene Aksamit
CGSI President,
St. Paul, MN
Spa Life in Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), the most famous Czech spa town, located in the thickly
forested hills of west Bohemia, offers a classic Czech spa experience — complete
with grand colonnades and meandering
forest paths, as well as ample opportunities
for shopping and relaxing in cafes and restaurants.
Legend has it that the town came into being when Charles IV was on a hunting
trip and found one of his wayward hounds
swimming in a pool of steaming water. After getting his dog out, Charles IV
founded Karlovy Vary, meaning "Charles’s Spring." Since that time, Karlovy Vary’s healing waters
have developed a well-known reputation that has attracted many great names,
including Emperor Franz Josef, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, Russian Tsar
Peter the Great, and writer Lev Tolstoy.
Karlovy Vary’s therapeutic waters and charm continue to heal and enchant visitors
today. Healing is a serious business in Karlovy Vary, where the waters are
thought to treat any number of ailments. Doctors prescribe baths, massages,
and drinking cures to aid patients, who ideally stay for about three weeks.
Between treatments, visitors can relax in a cafe over coffee and sweets, or
shop for crystal and porcelain for which the area is famous. Overall, Karlovy
Vary offers a wonderful environment for those seeking "the cure,"
as well as for those who are simply there to enjoy its pleasures.
Conference on Czech & Slovak American Archival Materials
Over sixty representatives of Czech and Slovak American organizations and
experts from the USA, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Canada actively participated
in the "Working Conference on Czech & Slovak American Archival Materials
and Their Preservation" organized by the Embassies of the Czech and Slovak
Republics in Washington, in cooperation with the Czechoslovak Society of Arts
and Sciences (SVU) and the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s
Heritage Abroad, on November 22-23, 2003.
The conference discussed various topics with respect to archival materials
concerning Czech and Slovak presence in America, emphasizing the necessity
of their preservation for future generations. The resolution adopted by the
participants stresses, among other things, the importance of further cooperation
and collaboration among the archives related to Czechs and Slovaks and of
support by universities, public libraries, and various other private and governmental
institutions on both sides of the Atlantic. A coordinating committee to follow
up on the recommendations of the conference will be set up to prepare guidelines
for future activities with regard to the archival issues.
Fund for American Studies Summer Program in Prague
The Fund for American Studies, in cooperation with Georgetown University and
Charles University, seeks outstanding students to participate in the American
Institute on Political and Economic Systems (AIPES), a premier leadership
program in Prague, Czech Republic during the summer of 2004. AIPES brings
together students from the United States, Europe and the former states of
the Soviet Union to explore the political and economic challenges facing Eastern
and Central Europe in the post-Soviet era. Diversity and cultural awareness
are a cornerstone in educating future leaders. Established in 1993, the Institute
allows students the opportunity to discover distant cultures while examining
fundamental principles of the foundations of democracy and free market economics.
Academic credit is available for graduate and undergraduate students through
Georgetown University. As part of the program, students spend 3 weeks in Prague
attending classes, participating in a parliamentary simulation, listening
to prominent speakers and attending educational, cultural and social exchange
events. For more information, please visit www.aipes.org.
Czech Events Around the U.S. A.
December 14
(Washington, DC)
St. Nicholas Traditional party for children of all ages with good food and good time, however this year we have lost the support of members that used to prepare this event and we need a lot of help in order to continue this tradition. Please contact Milos Toth at 301/585-8534 if you can help. www.sokolwashington.org.
December 31
(Cleveland, Ohio)
Ceska Sin Karlin (5302 Fleet Avenue) presents a New Year’s Eve Party. Tickets are $35 per person includes dinner, drinks, and noise makers. Music by Captian’s Crew and Dinner by Bonnie’s Catering. Call 216/883-4760 for additional information.
January 4-11
(Washington, DC)
Ski trip for children to Burke Mountain, Vermont. Prices are still being negotiated. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by at least one adult. If you would like more details or if you would like to register, please contact Pavel Klein at kleinp@epilepsydc.com. www.sokolwashington.org.
January 17
(Cleveland, OH)
Karlin Musicians Appreciation Dinner and Dance, Food. Call 216/883-4760 for details. (Glendale, Arizona) The Czech & Slovak Genealogical Society presents Margo Wilson speaking on the topic of Czech artists. Meeting will begin at 1:30 pm at Glendale Library (5959 W. Brown Street).
January 25
(Cleveland, OH)
St. Joseph and all Czech Catholic Union members are reminded to attend the District Alliance of Czech Catholics Annual Meeting and Party at 2:30 pm in the Czech Catholic Union Building. Dues are $5.00 per year. Ladies are asked to bring a plate of bakery.