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Honors for Stan ‘The Man’ Musial

Sportsmen Get Long Overdue Honor
By Raymond Rolak

Wash. D.C.– It took the encouragement of some U.S. Senators and the entire ‘Cardinal Nation’ but Stan Musial was finally awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was included with a very distinguished group. President Barack Obama presented to the 90 year old Musial in the East Room of the White House. Musial was one of 15 recipients of the medal and one of two sports greats. Also honored was Boston Celtics Hall of Famer, Bill Russell.

Musial and Russell were included with a very distinguished group including former U. S. President George H.W. Bush. Interestingly, the senior President Bush, 86, had played baseball at Yale and participated in the NCAA finals in 1947 and 1948. The former collegiate first baseman talked about the great experiences he had at the first College World Series. The first two CWS were at Hyames Field on the campus of Western Michigan University. Yale had been runners-up to California and USC in 47 and 48, respectively. “We got our picture taken with Babe Ruth and I thought that was heady stuff but here I am with Stan-the-Man,” said the former President. “I am so honored to be here today.”

Also receiving the award were former President George H.W. Bush, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, John H. Adams, Maya Angelou and financier Warren Buffett. Also included were Jasper Johns, Gerda Weismann Klein, Dr. Tom Little, Sylvia Mendez, Jean Kennedy Smith, John J. Sweeney and world renown musician Yo-Yo Ma.

President Bush, who played baseball at Yale, kept a George McQuinn style first baseman’s glove in the Oval Office desk drawer when he was in the White House. “When I was stressed, I would pull it out and pound on it,” said the former President.

Musial, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1969 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (NPASHF) in 1973 was humbled. Seated with Lil, his wife of over 70 years, Musial said, “I am proud to be a Cardinal.”

Russell was the centerpiece of 11 championship seasons for the Celtics. Also, he won two NCAA basketball championships at the University of San Francisco. One of Russell’s high school teammates in Oakland, California was future baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

Russell, who also coached for the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA, was also a national basketball broadcaster. He complimented President Obama about reaching the top of his field based on intelligence, ingenuity and hard work.

Throughout the 2010 baseball season, thousands of Cardinals fans from around the world took part in the team’s social-media based ‘Stand for Stan’ campaign. The players also joined in the campaign. “For us, Stan embodies all that is good about the game of baseball and what it means to be a St. Louis Cardinal,” wrote the 2010 Cardinals players in a letter to President Obama supporting Musial for the Medal of Freedom. “Stan is a role model for players and fans alike, embodying the qualities of good sportsmanship, self-discipline, hard work, consistency, grace, humility and excellence.”

The grass roots effort blossomed and helped the decision of the President regarding Musial. Ron Watermon of the St. Louis Cardinals was the point man for the ‘Stand for Stan’ project. Cardinal supporters and Musial admirers were encouraged to take their picture of with the caricature of the ‘Stand for Stan’ and forward the photo’s on. Folks were lobbying and encouraging others in the effort with their picture of ‘Stand for Stan’. “The day we started the project, the team (Cardinals) was in San Diego, and there were fans already in the stadium with ‘Stand for Stan’ posters,” said Watermon. “It took a life of its own and just grew.”

The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is bestowed to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the best interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public endeavors. Though individuals may be honored for singular acts of momentous achievement, it is generally presented for a lifetime of service or at the conclusion of a distinguished career. It was long overdue for Musial.

Musial joins other baseball greats who have been awarded the Medal of Freedom, including Hank Aaron (2005), Roberto Clemente (2003), Joe DiMaggio (1977), Buck O’Neil (2006), Frank Robinson (2005), Jackie Robinson (1984) and Ted Williams (1991).

A Pennsylvania native, Musial enjoyed a 22-year Major League Baseball career as an outfielder and first baseman with the Cardinals. He started out as a promising pitcher. With his unorthodox coiled stance, he batted .300 or better in each of his first 16 seasons and finished with a .331 career batting average. His average ranks 32nd all-time in baseball history and fifth highest in Cardinals history.

Musial won the National League batting title seven times. He was a three-time National League Most Valuable Player (1943, 1946 and 1948), accumulated a career total of 3,630 hits and 475 home runs.

Musial also was on three World Series teams as a player and one as the Cards’ general manager. His great sports appeal was national in scope. Musial became part of the fabric of American culture, when in 1946 the spectators in Brooklyn, New York gave him his now famous nickname, ‘THE MAN’.

Musial recalled his induction into the NPASHF in 1973 and the anniversary celebration of the Museum 25 years later. He remembered fondly regaling the audience with his harmonica. “Ray, Polish food is still my favorite,” he added while smiling. “I watched the 2006 series on TV,” referring to the Tigers-Cards matchup.

Off the field, Musial’s accomplishments are still impressive. Other activities and charities fond to Musial are the USO, Senior Olympics, the Boy Scouts, the Crippled Society of St. Louis, and Shelter the Children. He always has stayed connected to baseball and operated a hotel in retirement and lent his name to a restaurant in suburban St. Louis.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, missing the entire 1945 season. While still playing he recognized the great importance of off season training and nutrition. In 1959 Musial hired a personal trainer to get his hitting eye back on stroke. He was awarded Comeback Player of the Year in 1962 when he hit .330 at age 41. After his playing days he served as chairman of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s President’s Council on Physical Fitness from 1964 to 1967.

Musial wholeheartedly helped the growth of Little League baseball in Poland and has acted as an unofficial emissary to Poland. He was awarded the Cavalier Cross of the Order of Merit, the Polish Government’s highest civilian honor.

The Medal of Freedom was established in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman to honor service during World War II. The medal was re-established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and the scope by which it is awarded was broadened.

“Throughout his life, Stan has never sought recognition for his good works,”’ said Cardinals Chairman William DeWitt Jr. in a released statement. “Stan has been a true role model exemplifying the humility, grace and generosity we so desperately need to see in our American sports heroes.”

Musial’s decency as a gentleman was legendary. Musial stood by his beliefs of treating people right. In 1947 when some Cardinals wanted to boycott an upcoming game against the Brooklyn Dodgers because they had African-American Jackie Robinson on their roster, he took action. Unaffected by the pressure, Musial adamantly refused to follow suit. The Cardinals played the game, a testament to the respect he commanded in the clubhouse. He was also highly valued for mentoring rookies with advice and tips. He would include ‘the rooks’ for dinner invites when traveling on the road. Years later, Hank Aaron said that Stan Musial was one of his favorite Major League players because he treated all men equally and with dignity.

Musial was the first player in Cardinals history to have his uniform number retired and in 1969 won first-ballot election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On Oct. 2, more than 39,000 fans paid tribute to Musial at ‘Stan for Stan’ Day at Busch Stadium.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “On behalf of all of Major League Baseball, I am truly thrilled that The White House has honored Stan Musial with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stan Musial is an extraordinary human being, a great American and one of the best players in the history of the game. He has long been a treasure of St. Louis, but he represents all the best of our national pastime. Today, our game salutes Stan Musial on this highest honor from our country.”

I joked with Bill Russell that Musial had been offered a basketball scholarship in 1938 to the University of Pittsburg. “Russell smiled, “I would have gotten more boards.” The normally very intense Russell was very gracious and we compared some University of San Francisco and University of Detroit sports stories. We shared about the Jesuit Basketball Initiative, a new promotion to highlight Jesuit colleges that have varsity men’s and women’s basketball programs. Russell had as two of his guests, football great Jim Brown and baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.

There is a statue of ‘Stan the Man’ outside of Bush Stadium in St. Louis. It is inscribed with this quote by former baseball executive Ford Frick, “Here stands baseball’s warrior. Here stands baseball’s perfect knight.”

Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Editors Note: Raymond Rolak is a Sports Writer and was a past Chairman of the NPASHF.

Art, Christian Witness, Perspective, Xpost to PGF, , ,

It’s Not Just Black And White – Jailing Everyone

The Arizona State University Art Museum presents It’s Not Just Black And White by Gregory Sale – Social Studies Project 6, February 1 – May 14, 2011. The Season Opening Reception will be held Friday, February 18th from 7-9pm. Social Studies Project 6 will be installed in the Turk Gallery of the ASU Art Museum’s Nelson Fine Arts Center location.

With a population of roughly 6.5 million, (Arizona has) over 40,000 inmates. The state of Washington, with a population slightly larger than Arizona, has roughly 18,000. — The Arizona Republic, January 28, 2011

A recent Pew Center report indicates that in 2008, one in 33 adults in Arizona was under correctional control, which includes jail, prison, parole and probation. Twenty-five years ago, this number was one in 79. What has changed so much is not human nature, but the offenses for which we incarcerate and the imposition of mandatory sentences. — Rep. Cecil Ash, R-Mesa (Ariz.) quoted in the Arizona Capitol Times, December 11, 2009

It’s not just black and white is a three-month-long residency exhibition with Gregory Sale, a Phoenix-based artist who will work through artistic gestures to initiate and host dialogue, aspiring to give voice to the multiple constituencies of the corrections, incarceration and criminal justice systems. The ASU Art Museum gallery space will operate as a site for developing and displaying visual and mediated exhibitions, dance and other staged events, discussions and readings.

As the title It’s not just black and white implies, the intent of the project is to expose and examine the many often conflicting viewpoints, perspectives and values that are generated from serious considerations of justice and public safety. The project will provide the opportunity for the public to explore the impact of modern criminal justice through fact-based tours, dialogues and programs – offering more first-hand experience of the many strands that make up this complicated narrative.

ASU Art Museum Social Studies Initiative

The Museum’s Social Studies initiative is a series of residency exhibitions, begun in 2007, that explore this dialogue-based, process-oriented context by literally bringing the studio into the museum, and by engaging the public directly in the creative process of exhibition-making in the space where “the art object” is usually found.

The ASU Art Museum continues to transform museum traditions by returning to the original sociological function of the institution – to encourage the circulation of ideas embedded in the archive, to provide a safe place for curiosity and to create an exchange point for the flow of conversation between and among artists, curators, collectors, students, social and governmental institutions, and the public.

It’s not just black and white is supported by grants from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and Friends of the ASU Art Museum.

Other events:

Collecting Contemporary Art: The FUNd at ASU Art Museum
Curator: Heather Lineberry
Dec 18, 2010 – May 14, 2011
Location: ASU Art Museum
Cost: Free

Collecting Contemporary Art features a selection of works acquired in part or in whole by the FUNd at ASU Art Museum, an endowment established by the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation. From monumental found-object installations to print portfolios of etchings and lithographs, the international pieces share a current of experimentation and an exploration of social and political concerns. The exhibition charts the Museum’s collecting goals and exhibition history over the past 15 years, with significant representation of Latin American and Latino artists, artists from Arizona and artists in residence at the Museum. Artists represented include Kim Abeles (Los Angeles), John Ahearn (New York), Abel Barroso (Cuba), Sandow Birk (Los Angeles), Xu Bing (China), Deborah Butterfield (Montana/Hawaii), Enrique Chagoya (born in Mexico, active in the U.S.), Colin Chillag (Phoenix), Sue Coe (born in England, active in the U.S.), Jon Haddock (Tempe), Kcho (Cuba), Los Carpinteros (Cuba), Aimee Garcia Marrero (Cuba), Paulo Nenflidio (Brazil), Adriana Varejao (Brazil) and Kurt Weiser (Tempe).

Citadel: An Installation by Patricia Sannit
Curator: Peter Held
Feb 5, 2011 – Apr 9, 2011
Location: Ceramics Research Center
Cost: Free
Opening Reception: Feb. 18, 2011, 7-9 p.m.

Patricia Sannit, a Phoenix-based artist whose vessels are influenced by cultures worldwide, is literally breaking new ground for her installation Citadel — with the assistance of scores of community volunteers. Citadel is a 10-foot diameter structure inspired by an Iraqi archeological site called the Citadel at Erbil, in the Kurdish region. Sannit’s new direction explores the layering of time and history through the medium of clay.

Re-Thinking the Faculty Exhibition 2011
Feb 19, 2011 – Apr 30, 2011
Location: ASU Art Museum
Cost: free
Opening Reception: Feb. 18, 2011, 7-9 p.m.

This year, the faculty show takes a new direction. It represents the beginning of an exciting set of possible partnerships, exchanges and experiments between the School of Art and the ASU Art Museum. It’s also the first instance of the museum’s rethinking and revitalizing the way we do things, as part of our Re-Thinking the Museum initiative.

Art historian and writer Robert Atkins was selected to open Re-Thinking the Museum as juror/curator of the ASU School of Art Faculty Biennial Exhibition. During the month of November, Atkins reviewed submissions, visited artists’ studios and discussed opportunities for site-specific installations as he selected work for the 2011 exhibition.

Arizona State University Art Museum
Mill Avenue at 10th Street
Tempe, AZ 85287-2911
Telephone 480-965-2787

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , ,

Valentine’s Dinner & Dance at the Albany PCC

The Polish Community Center, 225 Washington Ave Ext, Albany NY is presenting a Valentine’s Dinner & Dance! This night of romance, fine food, music and fun will take place on Friday, February 11th from 7pm to 12:30 am at the PCC Grand Ballroom.

Tickets are $59 per person for singles and $54 per person for couples. Those reserving a table of 6 or more are $49 per person.

The evening includes a Rose, Music & Entertainment by Legendary DJ Ric Mitchell, a Four Course Dinner, Dancing, Late Night Buffet, Cash Bar, and Couple Photos by Chris Milian Photography.

Reservations are required in advance and tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, February 8th. Please phone (518) 456-3995 or contact Charles Newton. Cash, Check, and Major Credit Cards accepted.

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Game time and a cover shot

Polish National Contributes to NCAA Win
by Raymond Rolak

YPSILANTI– Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan University always have intense games. Every sport and every game is magnified. Not only is it an NCAA special rival game but each contest is for in-state bragging rights.

Kamil Janton, the junior, 6’10” center for Eastern Michigan and hailing from Tarnow, Poland only had two points, but they were huge points. More importantly and even with only seven minutes of hard work relief time, he got high praise from his coach.

Janton, who went to high school in Chicago, was also featured on the EMU game day program titled, ‘United We Hoop’. “Kamil’s playing time really gave us some center relief help,” said Eastern Michigan University Head Coach Charles Ramsey. “He allowed some rest time for our guys underneath the basket and those two points were important.”

The Mid-American Conference game wasn’t pretty for either squad. The Eagles came out on top, 41-38. It was a hard defensive match-up but both teams shot cold on a very-very cold and chilly Michigan afternoon. CMU was only 14 of 60 from the field for 23%. EMU was slightly better at 14 of 42 for 33%. Ramsey gave some deserved credit to his swarming defense which helped contribute to the ‘Chips’ poor showing from the field. High heralded CMU freshman, Trey Zeigler was held to only 13 points.

Eastern’s big gun, Brandon Bowdry was pressured hard from Central and held to six points but he did have eight boards. Derek Thompson picked up 11 much needed points and Darrell Lampley also added 11 for EMU. While Bowdry was often swarmed he was able to dish off and create opportunities for other Eagles.

The Chippewa’s made the last two minutes tension filled as they cut the lead to three points twice. It was excitement to the max, and they made their free throws to tighten the pressure. Zeigler hit the second of two free throws for CMU. That cut the lead to four, 39-35, with 29.4 left on the clock.

The Eagles had trouble in-bounding the ball, and Central’s Finis Craddock picked up the errant pass and bombed in a long sky three from the top of the circle. That cut it to one, 39-38, with 24.9 left.

Central was then forced into a fouling situation and Lampley would connect on both free throws to put Eastern up by three, 41-38, with 22.3 left. That sealed the victory for Eastern Michigan.

EMU Coach Ramsey was optimistic about finding things to highlight about his team’s performance. “We did just enough to win and hold on,” he said. He did smile when pressed more about Janton and the irony of being the ‘Cover Boy’ on the game day printed program. “He has earned playing time, and everyone contributed today.” added Ramsey.

The 38 points scored by CMU was an EMU Convocation Center low for a visiting team while EMU’s 41 points was also a team low for the season. “Defense by both teams contributed to the low score of the game, and Central did a good job of concentrating on shutting Bowdry down. Everyone else stepped up.” continued Ramsey. CMU Coach Ernie Zeigler did not attend post-game.

EMU sophomore, Jamell Harris has recorded 47 blocked shots this season. He had five in this game.

Media, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , ,

The Way Back – now in theaters

“The Way Back” just opened last Friday across the United States. The film, directed by award-wining director Peter Weir, is loosely based on the book called “The Long Walk” about a Polish Army officer who escapes from a Soviet camp in Siberia during WWII with a group of prisoners. Those who survive the journey end up making their way to freedom through the dessert and the Himalayas.

The film Stars Colin Ferrell, Jim Sturgess and Ed Harris.

This is the first widely distributed film that shows the Polish WWII story from the side of the Soviet occupation and persecution. Those of you who are familiar with the Kresy-Siberia Group, will be pleased to know that they advised Peter Weir in the making of the film.

Anne Applebaum, a Washington Post Reporter who recently wrote the book “Gulag”, and is married to Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radek Sikorski, wrote in her review of the film: “…The Way Back” is a unique and groundbreaking film: It represents Hollywood’s first attempt to portray the Soviet Gulag, in meticulously researched detail.” Another review can be found here, and two in Polish here and here.

In the Buffalo, NY area, the film is being shown in Regal Cinemas (Galleria, Orchard Park, Williamsville and Elmwood).

Christian Witness, Xpost to PGF, , , , ,

A Semester of Service

Semester of Service 2011 launches on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 17, 2011). This year, Youth Service America (YSA) Grants will provide approximately $500,000 to nearly 500 schools and organizations to lead Semester of Service projects.

Semester of Service projects address meaningful community problems and their root causes – problems such as childhood obesity, hunger & homelessness, illiteracy, natural disasters, and environmental degradation. Semester of Service incorporates the practice of sustained service over a period of significant “duration and intensity” (typically at least 70 hours over several weeks or months), in order to provide enough time for students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to understand and impact challenging community problems.

YSA encourages educators and service organizations to participate by launching and culminating efforts for a Semester of Service on significant national days of service:

  • The King Day of Service (January 17, 2011)
  • Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17, 2011
  • 9/11 Day of Service (September 11, 2011)
  • The King Day of Service (January 16, 2012)

In a successful Semester of Service, students follow the IPARD/C stages of the service-learning process:

  • Investigation
  • Preparation & Planning
  • Action
  • Reflection
  • Demonstration/Celebration

Educators wishing to plan a Semester of Service may obtain resources through YSA including:

The Semester of Service Strategy Guide [PDF] and Semester of Service Classroom Poster [PDF] are available and provide detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to develop and implement meaningful service and learning experiences using the IPARD/C process. Other resources are also available.

YSA provides a variety of grants (applications available), planning tools, training, and technical assistance to help Semester of Service participants plan, lead, and implement high-impact service-learning programs.

Art, Events, Xpost to PGF, ,

Sustaining Arts Education Through Collaboration

From the New York State Alliance for Arts Education (NYSAAE):

December 15 is the early registration deadline for the National Guild for Community Arts Education’s institute, Powerful Partnerships: Sustaining Arts Education Through Collaboration, to be presented January 18 and 19, 2011 at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City.

This two-day, highly engaging hands-on workshop will explore how nonprofit arts education providers can more deeply engage their communities; gain access to a broader array of resources including expertise, credibility and funding; and increase sustainability through internal and external collaboration. The Institute is supported by the NEA, New York Community Trust and New York State Council on the Arts.

John McCann, president of Partners in Performance, is designing and facilitating the workshop. He will be joined by a faculty of experts, including Beth Vogel, the director of the Guild’s Partners in Arts Education program.

Collaborating effectively may require the acquisition of new skills and a profound shift in perspective. To take maximum advantage of this opportunity, arts education organizations are therefore encouraged to register three person teams.

After completing the institute, each team will be better able to:

  • Identify their organization’s core institutional and programmatic assets
  • Identify potential partners (other organizations, funders, advocates, etc.) with whom they can work to ‘co-create’ sustainable programs
  • Understand what is required (e.g., sharing authority, trusting others) to achieve sustainable collaborations
  • Understand common challenges to collaboration and learn methods of overcoming them
  • Capitalize on “lessons learned” through prior experiences, and
  • Develop an action plan for execution upon return home.

Each team will receive a set of tools for assessing institutional and programmatic assets, identifying prospective partners and “lessons learned,” planning collaborations, and developing an action plan.

Institute Location:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 W. 55th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10019

Register by December 15, 2010 and Save! You may download the Registration form [PDF]. Questions about the Institute may be directed to National Guild program manager, Jay Samios, at (212) 268-3337 ext. 12.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF,

Ś+P Roy Zurkowski

Exercise and Health Had His Star Shine In Hollywood: Also owned the trendy NYC Vertical Club
By Raymond Rolak

Photo courtesy of the family
BLOOMFIELD HILLS– He had a spectacular business model and it took him amongst the glamorous of Hollywood. Roy Zurkowski took his hobby to a success level that he never imagined was possible. The Chicago native passed recently and had turned 81 on October 10, 2010.

His marketing model was to use Hollywood spokespersons that were just on the edge of super-stardom. Some of the celebrities that he convinced to promote Vic Tanny’s on national television included Cher, Lynda Carter, and Farrah Fawcett. He also signed Raquel Welch, Victoria Principal and Arnold Schwarzenegger to market the health clubs. “I would sign them before they went galactic, I couldn’t afford them later,” Zurkowski had said. All went super-nova and all fulfilled their contracts.

Schwarzenegger, now the Governor of California said, “Roy was a great fitness leader, a great entrepreneur, and a fantastic friend. We had a wonderful friendship and Maria and I were sad to hear of his passing.”

Zurkowski was also a champion body-builder and won the Mr. Chicago and Mr. Illinois titles in 1953. When Vic Tanny, an early pioneer of New York health club franchises over-extended his expansion, Zurkowski and two partners bought the company.

Roy moved to Detroit in the 1960’s and kept the Vic Tanny brand and renamed the Illinois facilities as the Chicago Health Clubs. This became the nation’s largest health and fitness operation with more than 380 locations. Roy later formed a holding company called the Health and Tennis Corporation of America. He and partner Donohue Wildman also took over the Jack LaLanne clubs and the popular New York celebrity destination, the Vertical Club.

In 1983, the partnership sold to the Bally Entertainment Corporation for 72.4 million. Through 1987 there were contingencies for another 56.3 million, based on company performances. Both Wildman and Zurkowski stayed on as executives for a million plus per year, and they exceeded goals for the parent Bally Entertainment. By 1984, all the clubs became Bally’s Total Fitness.

After giving discounts to new club members and creating another wave of cash flow, expansion renewed. Bally’s acquired American Fitness Centers and Nautilus Fitness Centers.

Former Detroit Lion star, Mike Lucci, who was President of Bally’s said, “Roy was a dream to work with and after we acquired Lifecyle, (an exercise bike manufacturer), we got back into celebrity marketing.” Bally’s marketed a promotion featuring the slogan “Turn on Your Life” with television’s Terri Hatcher. She at the time was starring in the hit show ‘Lois and Clark’. She became another Hollywood ‘A’-lister that went super-nova after an inspired merchandising campaign.

A world traveler, he kept his mansion in Bloomfield Hills and after retirement in 1990, split his time in Florida at a luxury condo.
Roy served on several charitable boards including ‘Best Buddies’ in Washington, D.C., the National Special Olympics, the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Beaumont Foundation, and the Michigan Cancer Foundation.

He valued education along with fitness and donated exercise equipment to various institutions throughout the country. Zurkowski was a supporter at the former Orchard Lake St. Mary’s College and had special friendships with Walter Ziemba and former celebrity TV-Chef, ‘Duglass-Duglass’ Grech.

Zurkowski always tan and fit was adamant about his own workouts. “The atmosphere of a club should make you want to exercise,” he had said. He stressed the ambiance of a workout facility. “It should be, 90% environment and enthusiasm and 10% equipment,” he relayed in a People Magazine article about celebrities and their fitness regiments. “Changing up routines is the key.”

Longtime secretary, Janice Broniak said, “Roy was blessed to have great friends and caregivers and Rick Murphy was such a devoted friend.”

Zurkowski, also an army veteran is survived by former wife Lucia, a sister, Patricia, and a brother, Dan. A memorial was held at St. Thomas More Parish, Troy, Michigan.

Art, Events, Media, Poetry, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , , , , , ,

Catching up with the Cosmopolitan Review

The Cosmopolitan Review is published by the alumni of Poland in the Rockies, a biennial symposium in Polish studies held at Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Here is a video from last summer’s sessions:

Each Review is a wealth of information on everything from books to politics, history to poetry. The following are links to articles from the Summer 2010 and Fall 2010 editions I thought you might find interesting and enlightening:

Summer 2010, Vol. 2, No. 2

Poland

… And beyond

Art

Essays

Books & Docs

Poetry

From the Past Into the Present

Fall 2010 Vol. 2, No. 3

Poles & Poland

… And beyond

Books, language, poetry…

Events, PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , , , ,

Upcoming events – activism, authors, food, and more

At Good Shepherd PNCC in Plymouth, PA: Potato-Cheese Pierogi Sale on Sunday, October 31st from 3-5 p.m. at the Parish, 269 E. Main St., Plymouth, PA. To place pre-orders, please call 570-690-5411.

At All Saints PNCC in Rome, NY: Parish Dinner and Food Sale: All Saints will be holding a fund raiser to raise money for a new heating system for the Parish on Sunday, November 7th from 12 noon to 3pm, or until sold out. A choice of Chicken Riggies or Pork Chops will be served with tomato basil soup, and salad. Appropriate side dishes will be served. Homemade desserts will be included. Orders for Thanksgiving pierogi and galumbki will also be taken. Cost for the dinner is is $10.00 per person. For more information, please call 315-337-2382 or send an E-mail.

From IWJ: National Day of Action Against Wage Theft: A National Day of Action Against Wage Theft is being scheduled for Thursday, November 18th. November 18 is one week before Thanksgiving, a time when we celebrate our plenty at feasts throughout the nation. But workers who have had their legal wages stolen will be struggling to provide for their families this season. IWJ and workers across the country whose wages have been stolen need your help.

A Conference Call discussing the event will take place next Thursday, November 4th where you can learn what you can do in your community on that critical day. Please join in at 2pm EST. The call-in number is (760) 569-0111 and the Participant Access Code is: 1085004#. Groups across the country are organizing rallies, bus tours, prayer vigils, educational forums and legislative visits to highlight the ongoing crisis of wage theft and the many ways that workers and communities are fighting it.

From Duke University: An evening with Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk: One of Poland’s best contemporary writers, Olga Tokarczuk, will be reading from her work at The Perkins Library, Duke University on Thursday, November 11th at 7:30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about contemporary Polish culture, the literary scene, and to meet the author of Primeval and Other Times. Please E-mail Beth Holmgren for more information.

Olga Tokarczuk was born in 1962 in Sulechów near Zielona Góra, Poland. A recipient of all of Poland’s top literary awards, she is one of the most critically acclaimed authors of her generation. After finishing her psychology degree at the University of Warsaw, she initially practiced as a therapist. Since the publication of her first book in 1989, a collection of poems, Tokarczuk has published nine volumes of stories, novellas, and novels. In English her work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, as has her novel House of Day, House of Night. In 1998 Tokarczuk moved to a small village near the Czech border and now divides her time between there and Wroclaw. For her latest novel, Bieguni [The Runners], she received Poland’s top book award, the Nike Prize, in 2008.

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