The monthly General Membership Dinner Meeting will be held on Friday, January 8, 2010. On this night, we invite all of our members to start the new year off right and invite a family member or friend to attend the dinner with them as a prospective member.

As always, a traditional, delicious fish dinner will be served. Social hour is at 6:00 pm with dinner at 7:15 pm. Dinner will be served upstairs in the Dining Room. Tickets are $18.00 each and may be purchased at the door. Please note that tickets will be collected just prior to dinner being served. Members and guests will be expected to present their ticket at their dinner table seat.

Last month, our attendance was 145 members and guests for our Election Night dinner. For the Election itself, 101 members were in attendance.

In December, the "50/50" drawing for $185.00 was won by Pete Blagaich, Jr. who donated $80.00 back to the Club. Congratulations and thank you, Pete! The "keg" prize for $300.00 was lost by Zivko Gojanovic because he was not present. Sorry, brother Zivko. The "second chance" keg drawing for $100.00 was lost by brother Ken Vukov because he was not present. Sorry, brother Kenny. This month, the keg prize will grow to $400.00 and will increase in $100.00 increments until it reaches $500.00.

The monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM. Members wishing to have an issue discussed by the board should present their request in writing to the office no later than Monday, January 18th for consideration.

The 4th Annual Croatian Cultural Extravaganza: Sunday, January 17, 2009. This wonderful event is being sponsored by the St. Anthony’s Tamburica & Kolo Club "Croatia" at the historic Warner Grand Theater located at 478 West 6th Street in downtown San Pedro. Special featured performing groups include Croatian Folklore Ensembles Kraljica Jelena of Kitchener, Canada and "Koraci" of San Jose, California and many more. The program begins at 3:30 PM. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for children under 12. For tickets and information, please contact Mate Dusevic at (818) 761-7706 or (310) 951-4529 or Niko Hazdovac at Adriatic Travel at (310) 548-1446.

Community Fish Luncheon: Friday, January 22, 2010. Our first Fish Luncheon for 2010 is scheduled for this day - but with a few changes for the better! Effective for this lunch and all lunches in 2010, the price for individual lunch tickets has been reduced from $23.00 to $20.00 each. This is the Club’s way of recognizing the current economic climate that we are facing to stimulate more attendance. The menu remains the same: Green salad, mostaccioli pasta with red clam sauce, bar-b-qued swordfish, green beans, rolls and butter, wine, coffee and a cookie for dessert. Moreover, the menu has improved in regard to how the soup, pasta sauce and fish are prepared. We are confident that those in attendance will not be disappointed. Also, beginning at this lunch, we will introduce the "50/50" raffle to those in attendance. Half of the ticket proceeds will go to the Club and the other half to the winner. This should prove to be great fun! Tickets are now on sale in the Club office.

San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Forum Luncheon: Thursday, January 28, 2010. The Chamber is chosen the Club to the site of their Leadership Forum Luncheon featuring new Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck on this date. Social hour is at 11:30 AM with lunch at 12:00 noon. Tickets are $30.00 for chamber members and $35.00 for non-members. The lunch will feature green salad, mostaccioli pasta with meat sauce, baked chicken, green beans and potatoes and dessert. Tickets are available through the chamber office by calling (310) 832-7272. We are very honored that the chamber close our Club to host this event thanks to the hard work of Third Vice-President Augie Bezmalinovich. We encourage our members to call the chamber and reserve your tickets (or tables) asap.

84th Officers’ and Directors’ Installation Dinner Dance: Saturday, January 30, 2010. Our Club will again celebrate this time honored tradition by installing our new officers and directors for 2010. Social hour will be at 6:00 PM with dinner at 7:00 PM. Music for dancing afterward will be provided by John Brunac and The Original Time Machine. Our menu for the evening will be prime rib and rizot with all of the trimmings. Tickets are $50.00 each and are now available in the Club office. Please plan to attend this wonderful event and show your support for the new board of directors for 2010. Tickets are now on sale in the Club office.

Valentine’s Day Dinner-Dance: Saturday, February 13, 2010. Want to re-kindle that romance and treat that special someone in your life to a very special evening? If your answer is "yes", does your Club have a deal for you! A great dinner consisting green salad, mostaccioli with meat sauce, baked chicken, sauerkraut, vegetable, wine, coffee, rolls and butter and a special dessert will be the fare for only $40.00 per person! Each lady in attendance will also receive a red rose. Now that’s a deal. Spend a wonderful evening at the Club with the one you love to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Music for dancing will be provided by Mate Caric. Tickets are now available in the Club office.

Christmas Family Night Re-Cap: On December 18th, over 250 persons attended this ever-popular holiday event. There were Christmas stockings full of "goodies" for the over 100 children in attendance and a special early visit from Santa Claus (who was assisted by Matt Manestar) was the highlight of the evening. Linda Pesic did as superb job as always providing the entertainment. Special thanks to President Emily Manestar and her Auxiliary ladies, Irene Kostrenich and Electra Bakic and everyone else who made Christmas Family Night a huge success.

Gala New Year’s Eve Dinner-Concert-Dance: On New Year’s Eve, popular singer Bosko Ciklic outdid himself once again and provided the wonderful entertainment for our Club. The food was superb and the more than 100 persons in attendance had a great time. Happy 2010 everyone!

More Komiska Noc Thanks: The Club would like to thank the following individuals who helped make Komiska Noc a success on December 5th: "Pogaca Crew": Chair: Marcia Inman, Jerry Bogdanovich, Vince Marinkovich, Dr. Joe Mardesich, Dorothy Inman, Nada Autanic, Frank Bonacich, Electra Bakic, Joe Borelli, Gorana Bolta, Beba Vojkovich and Katica Bozanic. "Cardboard Fish & Crepe Paper Decorating Crew": Chair: Jerry Bogdanovich, Dr. Joe Mardesich, Pete Dragich, Vince Marinkovich, and John Klarin. "Club Decorating Crew": Chair: Irene Kostrenich, Ted Ursich, and Electra Bakic. "Baking Crew": Chair: Madeline Bogdanovich, Teri O’ Donnel, Rose Bozanich, Inez Kordich, Dora Marovich, Helene Manestar, Irene Kostrencich, Electra Bakic, Emily Manestar, Lu Kusar, Thelma Felando, Mary Vidovich, Antoinette Roje, Lillian Marovich, and Tereza Stipicevich.

Upcoming Trips: "Traveling with Irene"

Harrah’s Rincon Casino: Monday, February 15, 2010. $22.00 per person with a $10.00 "slot play". Bus leaves Peck Park @ 8:00 AM and should return fully loaded with "loot" at 6:30PM. Persons wishing to order a Brinks Armored Truck to carry their "loot" back for them should inform Irene when they make their reservation!

Please call Irene Kostrencich for reservations at 310-833-7767.

Monday Night Kolo Dancing: Start the New Year off right and come on down to the Club every Monday night and have fun with your fellow dancers. We have a real nice group of folks who really have a good time. So why not join them? It’s also great exercise! Class begins at 7:30 PM and goes until 9:30 PM.

Ballroom Dancing Class: The Club continues a "Ballroom Dancing" class on Wednesday evenings. We have the opportunity to learn from the same instructors as the San Pedro Elks Lodge – Past Auxiliary President Ann (Bruce) Sing and her husband, Ken - and they are great_ Music from the 1940’s to the present day will be offered. Instruction would be from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesdays with general ballroom dancing from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The cost per class would is only $10.00 per person. If you are interested in participating, please come on down to the Club every Wednesday. It’s our version of "Dancing with the Stars"! For further information, please call Ann or Ken at (310) 547-4387.

Please Note: Any member who has an idea for an activity that the members would enjoy are asked to contact Activities Chair Irene Kostrencich at (310) 833-7767.

This month, we have no new applications for membership. However, we have begun our 2010 Membership Drive whereby the $25.00 "initiation fee" is being waived through February 28th. All new members will be sworn in at the March General Membership Dinner. In March, both the candidate’s and sponsor’s dinner are complimentary as the Club’s way of welcoming the new members to our ranks. Please make every effort to sponsor a new member in the next two months.

To our knowledge, we had one member pass away last month - Betty Burich Main. Our sincere sympathy is extended to sister Betty’s family. May she rest in peace. Also, we want to send continuing best wishes to Former First Lady Bertha Malnar who is undergoing chemotherapy. We would also like to extend get well wishes to Dinko Bilicich, Jr. - son of Dinko Sr. - who recently suffered a stroke. He is now recuperating. Get well wishes are also extended to Virginia Brownell - mother of Past President Bill Brownell who fell and broke her hip in a home accident. She is currently undergoing rehab therapy at Little Company of Mary San Pedro Hospital. Get well soon, Virginia! The Club is also pleased to hear that brother and new board member Hon. Gerald Felando, D.D.S. is doing much better after emergency intestinal surgery at the beginning of December. We hope to see you soon, brother Jerry!

If any member knows of a member’s passing or if they know of a member who is seriously ill, please let the office know as soon as possible.

Honor Guards Needed: The Club is in need of growing our corps of Honor Guards. If you would like to serve in this capacity, please call the Club Office. One of the most respected services the Club provides is an honor guard to departed members. If you have some spare time, we sure could use your services now and then. Member Welfare Chairman and Past-President Vince Zabica reports that more and more members are assisting with Honor Guard duties. This is wonderful. Thank you for paying this final tribute to your fellow members.

Remembering the Club: When a loved one is lost due to their passing, it is a very difficult time for their family. The Club would like to remind members and their families that the Club has a Scholarship Fund and a Building Fund which are wonderful lasting testimonies to the memory of a loved one. Also, we offer a special discounted rental and meal rate to the families of members who wish to host their memorial reception (wake) at the Club.

Dues Notices: At our October meeting, the General Membership voted not to approve a dues increase in 2010 from $75.00 to $100.00 per member. As such, dues will remain the same for 2010 and persons with 20 years of membership and at least 80 years old will receive "Life Memberships". Due notices have been sent out and were due by January 1, 2010. If you have not paid your dues, please do so immediately.

2009 New Car-50/50Cash Raffle: At the Komiska Noc Dinner-Dance, a 50/50 raffle prize in the amount of $2,500.00 was won by Dolores Matich of Harbor City, CA. She immediately donated $100.00 back to the Club’s Scholarship Fund. The 50/50 prize substituted for the new car prize as the minimum amount of tickets were not sold to raffle the car. We would like to congratulate Dolores and thank her for the generous donation.

2010 Board of Director Nominations: The Nominating Committee consisting of our Past-Presidents met on October 28th to review all applications for officer and director positions for 2010. This year, we actually had more candidates than offices available (which hasn’t happened in years!) No officer positions were contested, but we have 15 candidates for 12 director offices. Ballot placement for the directors was done by random drawing. The newly elected officers and directors for 2010 are as follows:

President: Gojko Spralja, First Vice-President: Hon. Rudy Svorinich, Jr., Second Vice-President: Hon. Anthony Misetich, Third Vice-President: Augie Bezmalinovich, Secretary: Nicholas Mardesich, Financial Secretary: Robert Tupajic, Treasurer: Dr. Joseph P. Mardesich, Historian: Jim Frlekin. Directors:Gene Gimenez, Vince Trudnich, Louis Malnar, Hon. Gerald N. Felando, Vince Zabica, Robert A. McVey, John Zlatic, Ken Bezich, George Kettel, Andrew F. Bonacich, Irene Kostrencich and Anthony Santich. Immediate Past-President will be Andy Simon. Ex-officio board members will be Rudy Svorinich, Sr. as President of Dalmatian-American, Inc. (our property holding company) and Emily Manestar as Auxiliary President.

Members were asked to vote by secret ballot "Yes" or "No" on each officer candidate - a 50% plus 1 vote was needed to be elected an officer - and to vote for no more than 12 out of 15 directors. Each candidate was offered - and accepted - to give a brief reason on why members should cast votes for them. 101 members attended the election meeting and 99 turned in ballots. Special thanks to election "marshals" Frank Barich, Jr., Tom Dragich, Andy Miles and Don Matulich for tabulating the ballots. However, since the election, 2nd Vice-President Anthony Misetich has had to resign his office due to his busy schedule as a new Rancho Palos Verdes City Councilman. As such, per the By-Laws, 3rd Vice-President Augie Bezmalinovich was nominated by the Board of Directors to the 2nd Vice-Presidency and Don Matulich was nominated to the 3rd Vice-Presidency. Don will be conformed by a vote of the General Membership on January 8th. The new corps of officers and directors will take office on January 30, 2009.

2009 Member Survey Results: Last year, the Club sent anonymous surveys out to all members to garner their opinion on a variety of issues regarding our Club. Ninety-one (91) were returned to the office. The results are summarized on the center-page section. The results were very interesting and will help the Board of Directors chart a course for the future. Full copies of the results with all comments are available in the office.

Office Hours: Please remember, the Club Office is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Office hours are Tuesday thru Friday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

New Croatian Consul General: The Croatian Government has announced the appointment of a new Consul General in Los Angeles - Ilija Zelalic - who has assumed his consular post upon the re-assignment of Ante Barbir. The Club would like to welcome Mr. Zelalic to Los Angeles and thank Ante Barbir for his service and wish him well in the future.

The Club would like to congratulate brother Don Kusar and his wife, Lu on the celebration of their 60th anniversary at Komiska Noc on December 5th. We wish the both of you many more years of happiness together!

Congratulations to John Felando and Past Auxiliary President Lillian Marovich on the celebration of their recent wedding. Our best wishes are extended to this happy couple!

Also, congratulations to Mike and DeeDee Medak on the arrival of their first great-grandchild - Kendall Malahni who was born on November 6th. The Medak’s donated $500.00 to the Club in celebration of his arrival! Thank you very much for your generosity!

The Club has received a "thank you" note from Ally Jabuka-Godwin in regard to her receiving a scholarship from our Club. She is studying civil engineering and is loving school! It is always nice to hear from our scholarship winners!

Wall Plaques: Thinking about what to give a loved one who has everything for their birthday? How about purchasing a wall plaque in the Club lobby in their honor? Plaques are $100.00 each (stars are $100.00 for each one) and are a lasting tribute to the recipient. It’s a great gift and many folks do this every year. With the holidays soon upon us, this would be a nice gift.

Hospitality Fund: So far, members have donated $180.00 toward the Club’s "hospitality fund." These funds will purchase snacks, coffee, beverages and supplies for all members when visiting and enjoying themselves in our Club (Patio) Room. We will ask for donations at every membership dinner meeting as a way of making our Club members "feel at home" when enjoying their Club.

Know of something significant in the life of a brother or sister member that they wouldn’t mind being mentioned in the Club Bulletin? An anniversary? Birth of a child or grandchild? Promotion? An engagement? Please let the Club Office know by the last Monday of every month for publication in the Bulletin.

Consular Days: The Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia will host office hours at the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles located on 7th & Pacific in San Pedro on Every Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Member Thanks

The Club will announce the many donors to our various "funds" in the February Bulletin as part of their dues payments for 2010. Space was limited in this month’s edition. However, we would like to thank Don and Lu Kusar for their recent donation to the Club.

The Club would also like to thank Hon. Rudy Svorinich, Jr., Dr. Joe Mardesich, Andy Bonacich, Don Matulich and John Zlatic for their assistance in processing the Almanac for mailing out to our members and advertisers.

The Club would also like to very much thank brother Miljenko (Mel) Bobich for his painstaking and tedious work compiling all the answers for our member survey that is enclosed. This work took many, many hours and we are very appreciate of his effort. Thank you, brother Mel.

The Club is pleased to report we have 575 members currently on the rolls - 453 are Regular Members and 56 are Life Members. To our knowledge, we had one member pass way last month. Also, we have 60 Auxiliary Members and five (5) Junior members. In addition, we have 78 widows of members receiving the Bulletin..

Congratulations to the following members who are celebrating their birthdays in January: Larry Allen, Sharon Bilicich, Dinko Bilicich, Adam Birkenbach, Jerry Bogdanovich, Pete Bosnich, Si Clark, Sam Domancich, David Felando, Jim Frlekin, RalphGalante, Rick Garcia, Carlos R. Gonzalez, Dorothy Inman, Brian Karmelich, Mark G. Karmelich, Steven Kuykendall, Wayne Mague III, Robert McVey, David Mihaljevich, Andrew C. Miles, Christina Misetich, Nick V. Mosich, Andrew A. Nadalin, Steve Ostrich, Kenton R. Pope, Jr., Petar Reskusic, Scott Robinson, Ronald M. Rodin, Petar Sardelich, Mitchell M. Savar, Michael Sokolich, Sam M. Sumich, Gordana Swanson, Nicholas A. Trutanich, Kenneth M. Vukov, Janet Young, Tonko Zaninovich, Nick Zuvich.

The three winners of the complimentary birthday dinners for our January Membership Dinner are Sharon Bilcich, Steven Kuykendall and Gordana Swanson. Winners may claim their prize at the ticket window on the night of the membership dinner.

The oldest member birthday this month belongs to Andrew Nadalin (87 Years Old) and the youngest is Nicholas Trutanich (30 Year Old). Our best wishes for a happy birthday to all.

President’s Message

Draga braco i sestre_ My dear brother and sister members! January is always a very busy month for the Club and this year is no exception. We have four social activities - the General Membership Dinner, Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon, Community Fish Luncheon and Officers’ Installation. The Christmas Family Night was great fun for the children and everyone had a great time! Bosko Ciklic did a great job once again on New Year’s Eve. Once again, I would like to mention that I have taken the liberty to begin a personal campaign to raise monies to fund a new elevator project. As we all know, the membership voted down the project last year because of the dislike of the financing of the construction. However, if we can raise enough money and build it with cash up front, I am sure the members would approve. To date, I have over $30,000.00 in pledges. I personally have pledged $2,500.00 - winnings from my recent trip with Irene Kostrencich’s "casino travels". I ask our members to join me in making a generous pledge. Once we raise the money up front to avoid high interest payments, we will ask the membership to reconsider the project. Please contact me at the Club Office if you would like to make a pledge. I would like to thank the hard working members of the Board of Directors, Auxiliary and Club staff who make our Club second to none in our community when it comes to food and hospitality. We are very fortunate to have a facility in which we can take pride and in which many people come to enjoy one another’s company. Last year alone, we made over $100,000.00 in improvements to the Club which included installing a new front canopy, a new kitchen floor, electrical repairs, painting, new kitchen equipment, refurbishing both bars, a new entry chandelier- just to name a few. Without the proceeds from Irene Kostrenich’s "travels" and the Auxiliary, many of these projects would not have happened. So, I would personally like to thank Irene and our ladies for their hard work. On behalf of First Lady Betty and myself, please come down to the Club at one of more of our upcoming events. We really would like to see you here! Until then, I hope your Christmas and New Year’s holidays were enjoyable with your families. May God Bless all of you and your families and may God continue to Bless America as I am honored to serve as your president once again! Hvala lijepa_ Sretna Nova Godina!

- Gojko Spralja, President