Newsletter August 15, 2008 Page 1

Among the many credits that are our young, cheered our youth, Current Events due to the American proudly posted our Home/Ameriška Domovina is the accomplishents, enouraged all, June 25 - August 31 - promotion of positive relations tended to the infirm, and buried "Two Capital Cities: - between the United States and the dead, even as many said Washington." An exhibit of the Republic of . nasvidenje to her when they contrasting photos from Because of the American Home/ ventured forth on their own. Her Ljubljana and Washington. Ameriška Domovina, Slovenians heart has pumped the blood of Embassy of Slovenia. living outside of Slovenia were our Slovenian-American informed of current events in community for 110 years. Time Upcoming Events Slovenia, student exchange has taken its toll on this heart as programs, scholarship her pace has slowed. Is it time September 25 - November opportunities and seminars for us to say to her nasvidenje? 10 - A River's Gifts: specifically designed for Perhaps, but not today. Rather Archeological Excavation of the Slovenians living abroad. For it is time to say hvala lepa for Ljubljanica River in these and many other reasons, the many sacrifices, toils and Photographs the American Home/Ameriška troubles which can never be fully Domovina will be sorely missed. repaid. We can only say boglonaj, or may our good God * Compliments to publishers, repay you and only He can. The Closing of the owners and English language Newspaper editors, Mr. & Mrs. James 'Ameriška Domovina' Debevec, to Slovenian editor Dr. Slovenia Wins First Rudolf Šušel, and to all previous Olympic Medal by Ms. Johanna Bajc publishers and editors who gave so generously of themselves to , August 13 - Winning a The American Home/Ameriška create and maintain what is truly gold medal is often considered Domovina is closing after over a a Slovenian-American institution. the standard of excellence at the century of service to countless Olympics. But sometimes placing Slovenians living outside of The following recent message second is a huge victory. Sara Slovenia. Not only has the from "Friends of Ameriška Isakovič steamed to second place American Home become a true Domovina" is a fine example of in the women's 200 meters Slovenian-American and just how incredibly meaningful freestyle to win Slovenia's first Slovenian-Canadian institution, the American Home / Ameriška medal at the Beijing Games and uniting Slovenians in those Domovina was to Slovenians its first ever in swimming at the countries, but it has also reached living in North America: Olympics. Slovenians in South America, Australia and beyond. The American Home/Ameriška American Home/Ameriška Domovina is our Statue of Domovina has made many rich Liberty. Her beacon beckoned us contributions to the preservation to come to a land of freedom and of Slovenian culture and heritage opportunity. She chronicled the and provided news and waves of immigrants and knowledge of all things emigres that washed ashore. Slovenians to Slovenians living Her open arms welcomed us into abroad. America's bosom. She nursed us into the American way, nurtured Sara Isakovič, 13 Aug 2008

www.washington.embassy.si Newsletter August 15, 2008 Page 2

Often buried behind the headlines "I really gave out all my best second judo medal for the of world records and well-known until my last molecule of energy," country ever. athletes are the stories of first- she said. "So I just tried to finish time medalists at the Olympics. it. And I was second. If maybe Polavder, who is ranked fifth in In Beijing, Sara Isakovič added you are thinking I am the world, suffered defeat in the her name and her country to the disappointed for not winning semi-final at the hands of list. gold, totally not. Because a silver reigning Olympic champion Maki medal is a huge achievement for Tsukado. "This is the first time in Slovene me." swimming that someone has In the fight for third place she achieved a medal," she said. Isakovič says friends and family was far superior to the much "And it is a big honor for me." were getting up at three in the heavier Kim Nayoung, but she morning local time in Slovenia to was unable to get the Korean to Isakovič won the European title watch her race. the floor and ended up winning in the 200-meter freestyle earlier on account of a koka or penalty this year. On Wednesday, she "I have many supporters from all point for inactivity. was the silver medalist in the around the world too," said event. She finished only 0.15 of a Isakovič. "I know my ex- "I have realised my dream and second behind the world record schoolmates watched me. Also in what I'm going through right set by Italian Federica Pellegrini Australia, New Zealand, now will be hard to repeat," a in the race. Isakovič touched the Germany, England, also in Serbia shining Polavder said after the wall in 1:54.97. since I am half Serbian. My whole fight. family there supported me. So it means a lot to them of course." Polavder's had less than half an hour to recover after the Following her silver medal crushing defeat against Tsukado, performance, Isakovič is already who scored an ippon three thinking of an upgrade. minutes into the fight.

"Definitely in the next Olympics, I "It was tough to concentrate am going for gold," she said. after this fight. Everyone helped: the coach gave me final And should she qualify for the instructions and Urska [Zolnir] 2012 London Games, her family massaged my arm." will likely not have to cope with as large a time difference to Tong Wen of won by watch her. scoring an ippon against Tsukada just 16 seconds from time. Sara Isakovič wins Olympic silver for Sara Isakovič is after the games Cuban Idalys Ortiz won the Slovenia in the women's 200m heading for California where she second bronze. freestyle. will study at Berkeley University, joining Slovenian swimmers Slovenia now has one silver, won "This is fantastic. My dreams Jernej Godec and Damir by swimmer Sara Isakovic, and have come true," said Isakovič, Dugonjic. one bronze at the Olympic who just could not believe her Games, with several other amazing result: "I wouldn't even prospective medalists yet to dare to predict 1:54. I had not Polavder Wins Judo Bronze finish competition. expected we would swim this fast." in Beijing This is also the second Olympic judo medal for Slovenia after The 20-year-old Slovenian swam Beijing, August 15 - Slovenian Urska Zolnir won bronze in true to her style, touching as only judoka Lucija Polavder won in 2004. the sixth after the first 50 meters bronze in the +78 category at and then slowly progressing the Beijing Olympics on Friday, towards the top places. earning the second medal for Slovenia at the Olympics and the

www.washington.embassy.si Newsletter August 15, 2008 Page 3

The Empire State Building The first and last day's lights in the Republic of Slovenia, but Shines in Slovenian Colors honor the U.S. and China. temporary living abroad, can send the claim for mail-voting via New York City, August 13 - The Empire State Building on mail either to a diplomatic- The Empire State Building is Wednesday was lit from sunset to consular representation of RS or shining with Olympic spirit: Each midnight to salute Cuba on its directly to the National Voting of its top four sides are being lit north side, Slovenia on its west Commission at the afore- with the different colors of 66 side, Ukraine on its south side mentioned address. The claim competing countries. and Spain on its east side. can be found on the website of the National Voting Commission The Empire State Building's at www.dvk.gov.si and should be manager says it is the first time Slovenian Parliamentary filed by August 21, 2008. the iconic building has split the Election 2008 Slovenian citizens, with a tower's sides with four separate permanent residence in the country's lights. The next parliamentary election Republic of Slovenia, deciding to in Slovenia will be held on vote at the diplomatic-consular Sunday, September 21, 2008. representation of the Republic of Should the voter decide to cast Slovenia, will be entered into the the vote via mail, he or she is special election registry. required to file the claim for mail- voting with the National Voting For more information, please Commission by August 22, 2008. visit: http://www.dvk.gov.si/. The claim should be send directly to the Election Commission at: Slovenian Food Products in Državna volilna komisija the United States Slovenska 54 1000 Ljubljana For those of you who are Slovenia interested in buying Slovenian The Empire State Building food products in the United The claim can also be sent in by States we are providing you with The lighting honors the top 66 fax at 011 386 1 43 31 269 or by a link to an online shop countries taking part in the email at [email protected] (however, igourmet.com: Summer Games in Beijing, based due to the signature http://www.igourmet.com/shopp on the number of athletes from requirement, only scanned e/prodview.aspx? each country. The lights began documents may be emailed). cat=&subcat=&prod=3759. on Aug. 7 and continue through the end of the games on Aug. 24. Slovenian citizens with a registered permanent residence

The weekly e-Newsletter is produced by the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington. The archive of the e-Newsletter is now available online. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the e-Newsletter please send an e-mail to: [email protected].

www.washington.embassy.si