02/23/2009

On Saturday February 21st, little Sebastian lost his battle with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) a rare immune deficiency syndrome. His only chance of survival was to receive a marrow transplant and in spite of a large campaign on his behalf, organized in Basque communities in the US and abroad, a suitable donor was not found in time and Sebby passed away in the arms of his parents.
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02/23/2009

The Universities Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) at the University of Nevada, Reno has been providing US students the opportunity to study abroad for over twenty five years. Now USAC and US Magistrate Judge Valerie P. Cooke are joining forces to provide study abroad opportunities in Reno, NV to law students from Chile and Donostia-San Sebastian. The program initiated in these two places due to Cooke’s experience in the USAC programs in both Donostia and Santiago. The externships offered by Cooke allow interested participants to work with her in the Reno District Court with accommodations being arranged by USAC. According to Lucilla Talamazzi, participant from the University of the Basque Country, “Working and learning next to Judge Cooke everyday is probably the best experience that has happened to me so far.”
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02/19/2009
Dr. Jeronima “Jeri” Echeverria, daughter of Basque immigrants and an expert on Basque settlement in the American West, was named associate vice chancellor for academic affairs in the California State University (CSU) system. Her principal role will be as advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on policy development and strategies, and to provide operational direction and management to departments in this area. The California State University is the largest system of higher education in the US, with 23 campuses, approximately 450,000 students and 46,000 faculty and staff. Echeverria officially began her job on February 1, 2009 being welcomed by tight budgets and potential cuts. Now in Long Beach she will be closer to her southern California roots.
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02/17/2009

The Basque Government has published, through the Department of Culture, the book "To know the Basque Country", a work that is intented to be used as a manual for immigrants and Diaspora Basques to better know the diverse aspects of the Basque Culture. The book has been published into the principle languages of the locals, immigration, the Diaspora, and for tourism (Basque, Spanish, English, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Romanian) and topics like the culture, language, society, values, institutions, economy, and the political system of government are discussed. The Basque Government has published the first 12,000 copies, but you can also download the whole book from www.euskadi.net. The authors are Ramon Zallo and Mikel Ayuso.
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02/09/2009

Members of Reno’s Zazpiak Bat Basque club gathered at Louis’ Basque Corner on Saturday January 24th to honor and thank out-going board members as well as welcome the newly elected board. The board consists of 14 individuals, 8 elected at large to serve as directors and 6 officers, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two NABO representatives. Out-going president Javier Narvarte has served in that capacity since 2002 and in appreciation was presented a plaque and gavel in recognition of his years of service.
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02/06/2009

The San Francisco Basque Cultural Center always plans varied activities to please a wide number of people on its anniversary weekend. This year’s celebration (February 12-15th) is no different offering pilota, pala, dance, music and a lot of good food over the three days. The anniversary traditionally celebrated on President’s Day weekend, a three-day holiday in the US, is the Center’s largest annual event and brings Basques together from all over the Western states. Next Sunday the Center will deliver its 2009's 'Bizi Emankorra' (BE) Award to Anita Arduain, Pierro Etcharren and Mayi Etcheverry.
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02/05/2009

Mendiko Euskaldun Cluba was founded by Anita Izoco and Jeannette Blanco in 1981, with an original membership of ninety. The club’s original goal was to provide social gatherings for Basques in the area, since the hour drive north to Reno was too far for many to travel. This Saturday, February 7th, club members will gather at the Country Club at 11:00 to enjoy homemade tripota (a Basque delicacy), mus and good company. The luncheon is only open to paid members of the club. Membership dues are $20 for a single or $25 for a family annually.
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01/19/2009

The Oinkari Basque Dancers were formed in 1960 by a group of young Basque-Americans who were eager to preserve their heritage in the United States. On the occasion of the group’s 50th anniversary a call has been made to all current and former members to participate in the organization and celebration of the “Year of the Oinkari” which will take place from July 2009 to July 2010.
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01/19/2009

Danborrada or San Sebastian Day is gaining popularity in more and more Basque communities in the US, and this year Reno will join New York and Seattle in celebrating on January 19th. As in New York the Danborrada was first introduced to the Basque community in Reno by the Gaztelubide Choir during a visit in 1998. Last year the group visited New York which inspired the local Basque club to establish the celebration as an annual event. In Seattle however, the celebration has been imported by one of Donosti’s own, Joseba Jimenez owner of the Txori Bar. Jimenez will open his doors at 5am for all who would like to participate in the festivities there. January 19th is a holiday for many in the US (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday) which should allow many to participate.
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12/19/2008

Amuma Says No has recently published its debut CD, 'Frontoitik kalera', where the band from Boise, Idaho, presents its 'Basque music with a kick'. The group is composed of Boise's Basque Block classics Dan Ansotegui (trikitixa), Sean Aucutt (tambourine), and Jill Aldape (vocals), as well as Spence Basterrechea Martin (drumms), Dave Manion (guitar) and Erik Snodgrass (bass). "We're trying to fuse a Basque rock sound with our own American rock/pop/country ideas, all the while mixing in traditional Basque folk music to create our own thing", Basterrechea explains to EuskalKultura.com. The group has been playing at the Basque festivals in the US all summer long and they were invited to perform at the San Antonio International Accordion Festival, Texas last October. Next stop, the Basque Country? 'If the opportunity presented itself, we would love to!! '
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