NEWSLETTER Centre of Excellence Polimat in the U.S
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Slovenian Anže Kopitar Idrija Statehood Party Raises the a Mining at the SF Consulate Stanley Cup Town page 3 > page 4 > page 5 & 6 > NEWSLETTER JUNE 15, 2012, VOLUME 8, NUMBER 24 Centre of Excellence PoliMaT in the U.S. The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, DC and its economic department, within the scope of economic diplomacy, assisted in the organization of the business- Ambassador Kirn with Dr. Karin Stana-Kleinschek from the University of Maribor scientifi c visit of the Slovenian and Dr. Zorica Crnjak Orel from Slovenian National Institute of Chemistry. Center of Excellence PoliMaT established in 2010. It is the sustainable technologies, and in the U.S. taking place on leading Slovenian research health and life sciences. June 3–7, 2012, in Boston, MA, institution founded by the public In cooperation with Akron, OH, and Washington, research and development the group of fi eld experts DC. The part of the visit taking sector, and successful small, and entrepreneurs, PoliMaT place in Akron was organized medium and large enterprises organized a number of business by the general consulate in in the fi eld of polymer materials and science meetings presenting Cleveland. and technologies. It focuses the research achievements The PoliMaT Centre of on interdisciplinary research in in the fi eld of polymers and Excellence (PoliMaT, http:// several priority development framed by the Technology en.polimat.si/) is an independent areas: advanced (new) synthetic and Innovation for Global research institute based on metallic and nonmetallic Development, Schumpeter and publicprivate partnership, materials and nanotechnologies, Polymer Research international Embassy of Slovenia 2410 California Street, NW twitter.com/SLOembassyUSA Washington, D.C. 20008, USA T: +1 202 386 66 01 E: [email protected] facebook.com/SLOembassyUSA washington.embassy.si Ms. Maša Šiftar de Arzu with PoliMat representatives. Organizers of the conference Professor Calesous Juma of Harvard and PoliMaT CEO Mateja Dermastia. conference that took place at the medical challenges. It is not At the evening reception premises of Harvard Kennedy enough that only the Slovenian following the conference, Ms. School. The participants at the chemical industry and scientifi c Šiftar de Arzu, in addition to conference were addressed, community be aware of these her formal address, presented through videolink, by the potentials, they must also be Slovenia as a fi rstclass tourist President of the Republic of known to political decision destination as well as a place for Slovenia, Dr. Danilo Türk, giving makers at local as well as variety of business opportunities. the PoliMaT Centre of Excellence international levels. The reception for the partners the honor of special recognition. »Polymers, especially bio was organized by the Polimat Ms. Maša Šiftar de Arzu, polymers, could become top Centre of Excellence with the the economic and science level Slovenian trademark, as is, help of the Slovenian Embassy. counselor at the Embassy of for example, Nokia for Finland« The representatives of Slovenia, on this occasion stated the leading organizer of PoliMaT also participated in spoke about the potential of the conference and Professor various business and scientifi c the polymer industry with at Harvard Mr. Calestous Juma, encounters in Boston, including the aim of coping with global giving a motivation for the MIT, Beth Israel Deaconess ecological, agricultural and Slovenian scientifi c fi eld. Medical Center, and Polymer Consul General Jurček Žmauc, Samuel DeShazior (City of Dr. Zev Gurion, Akron Biomedical Corridor and Robert Bow- Akron), Robert Bowman (City of Akron), Terry Martell (Akron man, City of Akron with PoliMaT representatives. Accelerator) and PoliMat representatives. JUNE 15, 2012, PAGE 2 Science and Engineering representatives of PoliMaT also the scientifi c part of the PoliMaT Department at the University of met with Akron City Mayor Donald team traveled also to Washington Massachusetts Amherst. L. Plusquellic and other infl uential to meet with representatives of The visit by PoliMaT city representatives. There they the National Science Foundation. in Akron, OH, the center of also visited the National Polymer They also had a successful visit polymer industry in the U.S., was Innovation Center, Goodyear to George Mason University, organized through the efforts of Polymer Center, University of the largest public university S-ABA (Slovenian – American Akron, SUMMA Health Campus, in the state of Virginia, where Business Association), by the and Akron Global Business the Executive Director Mateja Consul General of the Republic of Accelerator. Dermastia signed a letter of Slovenia in Cleveland, OH, Jurček The Executive Director of intent of cooperation with GMU Žmauc. Upon his invitation, the PoliMaT Mateja Dermastia and Prorector Roger R. Stough. HONORARY CONSULS SlovenianStatehood Party at the San Francisco Consulate On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the Third Annual SlovenianStatehood Party organized and hosted by Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia Mr. Thomas Brandi and his wife Carol Squires, took place in Healdsburg, CA. Nearly 70 guests, of a lifespan from two weeks to nearly 90 years, enjoyed great food and wonderful weather. Idrija town developed in the midst of a hilly and woody region. Honorary Consul Brandi is Hosts Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brandi. a key person in reviving Slovenian community in the SF Bay area, The event was also Tjaša Deleja Balja, who was also especially by creating bonds attended by the consular offi cer providing consular services on between older generations and from the Embassy of the Republic the occasion. young entrepreneurs. of Slovenia in Washington, Ms. Photos are courtesy of Mr. Tony Ravnik. JUNE 15, 2012, PAGE 3 SPORTS Anže Kopitar Raises the Stanley Cup On Monday, June 11, 2012, the Los Angeles Kings were crowned National Hockey League (NHL) champions, defeating the New Jersey Devils 61 to hoist their Stanley Cup. Last week, they missed two chances to win the title, but, this Monday, the Kings, for the fi rst time, became NHL champions. They had waited 45 years for this to happen, and now the Los Angeles Kings fi nally were able to earn their crown. During their race to the 2012 Stanley Cup Championship, the spotlight was on several players, but there is no doubt that much of attention was focused on 24yearold Anže Kopitar – the fi rst Slovenian to play in the NHL. In trying for the playoff lead, he had a starring performance in points (20) and goals (8). hockey idol vie for the Stanley to win the Stanley Cup –a very Many Slovenians stayed Cup. Kopitar’s home town of prestigious prize in hockey that up all night Monday, so they Hruščica decided to screen the counts as much as an Olympic could watch the Slovenian ice games in the town square, since gold medal. Anže Kopitar so many people already had contributed a pass for the Kings’ been watching them at home. 4th goal that Jeff Carter scored in The problem was that for the the 22nd minute. This Kopitar’s fi rst four games so many people 20th point made him, along with came to Hrušica that the local Brown, the best player. organizers had to cancel the The President of the public viewing of game fi ve on Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Danilo June 10 because they were Türk, has already congratulated unable to provide enough space Kopitar and told him that the for them. When the Kings won entire Slovenia is proud of the game, Slovenians sprang him. He thanked Kopitar for to their feet. Many Slovenians his “immeasurable contribution shared their joy on Twitter, and to the image of Slovenia tweets referring to the game and Slovenian sports in the were some of the most popular world.” Slovenia’s ambassador tweets for the next few days. to the U.S. Roman Kirn, also Kopi, as Kopitar is known recognized Kopitar on his latest in Slovenia, is the fi rst Slovenian achievement. JUNE 15, 2012, PAGE 4 TOURISM Idrija The Idrija region lies at the crossroads of two mighty mountain chains – the Dinaric mountain range and the Alps giving the area its main natural features. Mining in a basin in the midst of a hilly and woody region began after native mercury was discovered in 1490. Centuries of exploitation have resulted in mine tunnels spanning 435 miles and reaching 1370 feet below the surface. The mine has been a lifeline for the town of Idrija, resulting in a number of buildings in its old center that are closely Idrija town developed in the midst of a hilly and woody region. linked to mining and have been preserved to this day. These and the mine is covered by both for propelling water wheels include Gewerkenegg castle, forests, which extend upwards and for fl oating timber (“klavže” built as the mine’s administrative to highlying plateaus and were dams). building and mercury depot – now an important resource for the Nowadays, real miners a museum; the fi rst Slovenian mine’s development (wood for in Idrija are virtually extinct. secondary school for natural smelting, support timber for the Nevertheless, they left an sciences; a number of miners’ tunnels). The streams fl owing exceptionally rich heritage, houses; churches; squares; into the Idrijca River and the which is preserved in technical, and other buildings of interest. Idrijca itself acted as important cultural, and historical The area surrounding the town sources of energy for the mine, monuments, restored buildings The museum experience of the mining tradition. (Photo: Jani Peternel) Idrijca River. JUNE 15, 2012, PAGE 5 Idrijski žlikrofi . Idrija lace. and machinery, ethnological cuisine as well. The most as the principal sites providing assets and curiosities, archival famous culinary specialty is evidence of their mercury documentation, museum “idrijski žlikrofi ”, which are also heritage, their signifi cance in collections, an extensive a national protected dish, made history, and their aim to continue bibliography, and many other of dough fi lled with potato and working together.