I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight SEE’s recent Spring Dinner and make you all aware of upcoming events next week (Aita Tillous Memorail Mass Viewing April 24th), in May (Mus) and in June (Dance).

UPCOMING EVENTS

AITA TILLOUS MEMORIAL MASS VIEWING-APRIL 24th, 3PM-?, $-DONATIONS APPRECIATED
It has been just over a year since the passing of Aita Tillous the Basque priest that  served the US Basque communities from 1994 until his cancer prevented him from doing so. In order to honor his memory  SEE members Toni Sabarots Etulain and Jon Etulain will be hosting a viewing of the Aita Tillous Memorial Mass, Saturday April 24th @ 3:00pm. More details to come.  Please e-mail Toni to RSVP and with questions: asabarots@seanet.com

MUS IN MAY-$20, 3-4 meetings, TBD
Ever wanted to learn how to play mus? Know how to play but were never comfortable enough to play in a tournament? Want to get some practice throughout the year? Willing to teach what you know? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions then Mus in May is for you!

The intent of Mus in May is to teach mus, so that more players will continue to play in our semi-annual tournaments and so we can increase the level of play coming out Washington. Although played by many Spaniards and latinos, mus is uniquely Basque and it is a complex game in the style of poker, but with more betting rounds for various “hands”. Played in pairs it is ubiquitous with almost any Basque gathering, next to bread and wine. Mus in May will include becoming familiar with the traditional card set, mus vernacular from the various Basque regions as well as Spanish, how to count points and basic strategy. A mus “cheat sheet” will be provided.

If you’d like to take part in Mus in May please e-mail me, Joe, at president@seattleeuskal.org and let me know your availability in May. I will attempt to put together 3 or 4 meeting times that will accommodate the most people. All proceeds will be used to support continued mus activities such as annual travel to the NABO mus tournament. Mus decks for purchase will be available to players at cost.

JOTAS IN JUNIO-$20 3-4 meetings, TBD
Ever want to learn a Basque dance? Know how to dance but its been years and you think you might roll an ankle? Willing to teach what you know? Now is your chance! If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions then Jotas in Junio is for you.

The intent of Jotas in Junio is to teach everyone a basic jota (fandango) and as time permits a basic porruslada (arin arin). Traditionally danced in pairs or groups these two dances are the most popular and can get you through just about any Basque festival, street dance or informal Basque affair where music and wine are present.

If you’d like to take part in Jotas in Junio please e-mail me, Joe, at president@seattleeuskal.org and let me know your availability in June. I will attempt to put together 3 or 4 meeting times that will accommodate the most people. All proceeds will be used to support continued dance activities.

PAST EVENTS

SPRING DINNER
Mil esker to everyone who helped to make the Spring Dinner a success. This includes everyone who helped set-up, clean-up (taking trash home in some cases and all who attended. Your continued support makes SEE and events like the Spring Dinner possible. The SEE Board would especially like to thank Nora Leech for her gracious hosting of the event, Conchita Michelena for her culinary delights which continue to grace our events, Brandi Peetsch and Jennifer “Mackie” MacDougal for tireless kitchen support, Mary Guerricabeitia Murelaga for helping fill the house with Basque music and a few “gringo” tunes and Lindsey Boldrin for acting as an unofficial child wrangler for all of the little kids. Thank yous also go out to everyone who brought a side dish to share. Lastly, a big eskerrik asko to all members of the Board who worked before, during and after the event to make sure that everything went smoothly. I look forward to continue to work with you all in 2010.

MUS TXAPELDUNAK
The turnout for mus was exceptional this year! Fortunately we were able to use an extra room at PRAG house to accommodate all of the players. After several hours of play Jose Mari Guerricabeitia and Fidel Michelena were crowned the 2010 Mus Txapeldunak. Zorionak to them both as this is their 2nd year in a row as champions! We wish them luck at the NABO national mus tournament, June 12th in Winnemucca, NV.

BYLAW REVISION
In conjunction with the Spring Dinner SEE was able to update our bylaws to better reflect the historic practices of the club and remove prescriptions that were in place that only made it more difficult for the SEE Board to be successful. Thank you for the great turn out! Without a quorum of voters this would not have been possible. Shortly, we will be adding a page to the SEE website which will list the current bylaws.

ELECTIONS
SEE elections were held at the Spring Dinner and the work of the Board was reaffirmed as all prior members were re-elected with one positional shift. Danielle Bock-Grande, who has served successfully as President for the past several years is now Vice President, and I, Joe M. Guerricabeitia, am President. A big thank you to Danielle for her tenure as President. I look forward to continue working with her and the other members of the Board to promote the Basque culture in the Washington state.

Hope to see many of you soon for Mass, mus or dance!

Ondo segui!

Joe

Born Martxel Tillous in  Eskiula, Xiberoa, Aita Tillous . Following his calling Aita entered the priesthood and began work as a missionary for 26 years in Africa .  Returning to Europe he served four years as the Basque chaplain for the Basque community of Paris from where he came to the United States.

Aita Martxel was the last in a line of earlier Basque chaplains. His ministry as chaplain to the Basques of the United States had him criss-crossing the country averaging 60,000 miles a year!  He usually spent 200 nights a year sleeping in his van—with the license plate “Pottoka”—as he traveled from his base in San Francisco, California to the scattered Basque communities of eleven states of the American West.  All of this to serve the spiritual needs of Basque-Americans—from celebrating Mass in the Basque language to baptizing, marrying Basque couples and consoling us at funerals.

Adapted from:   www.nabasque.org/NABO/tillous.htm     Aita Tillous (1934-2009)

12:30  Mus Registration ($20 per team)

1:00 Mus Tournament

4:00 Socializing

5:00 Elections and by-law voting

5:30 Dinner – Entrée, bread, salad and beverages are provided.  Please bring a side or dessert to share

$20 Members, $25 Non-members, $40 Member Family, $50 Non-Member Family (12 and under free)

 747 16^th Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98112

Please contact Amaya at secretary@seattleeuskal.org or 321-662-8049 to RSVP or with any questions

2.1. Minutes approved w/ minor corrections.

2.2. Treasurer’s report-Grace Manvil

2.2.1. Pelota-Annual Federation Fee is $600. Six (6) clubs have frontons. Each pays $100 annual dues, which directly cover the international federation dues. Jean Leon Iribarren Memorial Fund is applied to pelota.

2.2.2. Mus-Dues are $10/player, minimum of $100 annually.

2.2.3. Educational account- SEE bought 50 calendars. With shipping total was $268.46

2.2.4. NABO dues- $100 per club; $1 member  ($0.75 to NABO; $0.25 to Aita Tillous Fund)

3.0 Committee Reports

3.1. Video-Jesus Pedroarena

3.1.1.      NABO owns a lot of outdated VHS equipment.

3.1.2.      Jesus authorized to dispose of dated equipment as he sees fit.

3.1.3.      A few newer pieces of equipment (CD/DVD) will be maintained.

3.2. Calendars-Mary Lou Urrutia in absentia

3.2.1.      Going forward clubs will review proofs prior to printing.

3.3. History-Argitxu Camus Etchecopare in absentia

3.3.1.      California Basque Heritage Project is looking for immigrant info from 1850 onward. Project to expand to other states upon completion.

3.4. Pilota-Evelyne Etcharren

3.4.1.      Pilota Txapelketa will be held in conjunction w/ Jailadi July 29^th & 30^th; categories will include: Esku Pilota, Paleta Goma (mens/womens) and Women’s Baleen

3.5. Udaleku-Valerie Arrechea/Kate Camino

3.5.1.      Application online; due May 1

3.5.2.      Tuition $300; Aita Tillous Financial Aid available; App due April 1^st

3.5.3.      Dates: June 21^st-July 2^nd

3.5.4.      Questions: Kate Camino kcamino@unr.edu

3.5.5.      Udaleku 2011 SF, CA June 19-July 2^nd; Udaleku 2012 ID or WY?

3.6. Beti Gazte-Vasco Bilbao (in absentia) presented by Tyler Smith

3.6.1.      Beti Gazte will hold 1^st event July 3^rd 4-8pm in Elko, NV in conjunction with Elko festivities.

3.6.2.      Target demographic: 15-25.

3.6.3.      NABO voted to give Beti Gazte $1000 in seed money.

3.6.4.      Clubs asked to publicize.

3.6.5.      To get involved e-mail: Vasco Bilbao-Bastida at bilbao@post.harvard.edu , with “Attn: Beti Gazte”

3.6.6.      Looking to create a commemorative scarf/bracelet.

3.7. Mus Tournaments- Pierre Etcharren

3.7.1.      June 12^th; names due by June 1 to etcharren@msn.com

3.7.2.      International Mus Tournament 2010

3.7.2.1.http://nabasque.org/LA-MUS-2010.htm

3.7.2.2.Hosting country (US) allowed 2 teams

3.7.3.      San Francisco has mus cheat sheets

3.8. Euskara-Martin Goicoechea/Izaskun Kortazar

3.8.1.      Logo is being created; current idea is “EITB” formed to Euskal Ikasi

3.8.2.      Basque Singles website: www.kaixomaitia.com

3.8.3.      Several Basque teachers are interested in summer exchanges

3.8.4.      Bertso Jaialdia 50 urte Celebration in S.SF March 13^th 2010

3.8.5.      NABO won the 2009 Eusko Ikaskuntza (for Basque) from Eusko Jaurlitza.

3.9. Kantari Eguna-Noel Goyhenetche

3.9.1.      Will be hosted by Iparreko Ibarra Basque Club in October; info to follow.

3.9.2.      Children encouraged to participate; all clubs encouraged to participate.

3.9.3.      NABO will provide airfare for singers (Errmanu Marticorrena+)

3.10. Basque Governement/Diaspora-Benan Oregi

3.10.1.  New General Secretary vested Reno in July 2009

3.10.2.  No cuts have been made to Diaspora funding; all others affected (e.g. 20% cut in culture funding)

3.10.3.  Gaztemundu will have a new format with extensive travel all around Euskadi (July 18-30^th)à Promote image of the Basque country abroad.

3.10.4.  Jailadi Committee has requested plane tickets for performers (cultural tour)

3.10.5.  General grant info will be published in March.

3.10.5.1.        New receipt list will require (expense, CK# & date); audit only some.

3.10.5.2.        Extreme need grants exist

3.10.6.  World Congress is discussing having upwards of 600 attendees. 3 delegates per club (NABO is US club).

3.11. NABO Facilitator’s Report-John Ysursa

3.11.1.  Euskaltasunaren Erronka “Basque Continuity Challenge”;  Our challenge to continue the promulgation of Basque culture.

3.11.2.  UNR has Basque Online Bookstore

3.11.3.  Hartza-Hybrid dance group from all over US

3.11.4.  Iparhaize II

3.11.4.1.        Ages 16-??

3.11.4.2.        Return to Mar del Plata

3.11.4.3.        App Due March 15^th

3.11.5.  Singing/Songs-Provided on flash drive to Danielle-Will copy

4.0 Old Business

4.1.   Ellis Island $1000-Approved (SEE supported)

4.2.   Global Association-Approved continued discussion w/o any additional cost (SEE supprted)

4.3.   2011 trip to Euskadi-Anita Anacabe is organizing atrip to Euskadi 2011

4.4.   NABO Flag/Pilota Flag-US Flag was used; similiar to other countries. No NABO other flag was created.

4.5. Finance Committee

4.5.1.      Will review general fund

4.5.2.      TBD 

5.0 New business

5.1.   NABO meetings 3 meetings to 2 a year? Failed-SEE voted against (still 3)

5.2.   Raise NABO president spending limit from $500-$1000-Approved (SEE voted against)

5.3. Bizi Emankorra Nominations-3 selected

5.4. New club applications-Miami approved

5.5.   Should NABO try to continue Lokaria info (births, deaths, weddings, etc)-Failed. Much discussion alluding to difficulty of task and Aita Tillous unique position in gathering and fulfilling the role (SEE voted against).

5.6. Future meetings discussed; 2012 convention in Elko; 2013 convention in NYC.

5.7. Open items

Join us on Wednesday, January 20th at TXORI                                 for our 3rd Annual Tamborrada Fiesta!

From  5pm  to 11pm we’ll have pintxos at the ready as servers weave their way through the festive throng with platters full from which to order. Drummers clad in chef’s whites will be marching through Belltown from 6pm to 9pm, and we will all don chef toques and be cooks for a day!

At  9pm we will be serving a special txoko communal dinner in the back room. $45.00 per person plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. Last year this dinner sold-out in 2 days!                       Reservations are required. Please call TXORI at 206-204-9771

Tamborrada is THE festival of San Sebastian, Spain — the bars of which were the inspiration for TXORI.  One legend says it began in the 19th century. The city was about to be invaded so all of the cooks and chefs of the city left their kitchens and joined the drummers of the regiment which was defending the city. As they beat on wine casks and pots and pans in concert with the military drummers, the invading army was convinced that the force defending the city was considerably larger than they had expected and then retreated. So, the cooks saved the city!

Beginning at the stroke of midnight each January 20th cooks are honored as the event is reenacted. Groups of drummers dress as chefs and march through the city drumming for 24 hours straight! To learn more, click here:es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamborrada_de_San_Sebasti%C3%A1n

Winter Schedule of Classes and Chef Dinners

Chef Joseba is offering a new series of cooking classes and chef dinners at Txori and The Harvest Vine. Prices do not include sales tax. Beverages included in classes held at The Harvest Vine. Please call for more information or to reserve your spot.

At Txori Saturday, January 23rd at 11am:                                                                 Cooking Class: Seafood in Donostia, fine pintxos $40

At The Harvest Vine Saturday, January 30th at 10 am:                                          Cooking Class: Spanish breakfast $60

At The Harvest Vine Tuesday, February 9th at 6:30 pm:                                             Chef’s Dinner:   Cuisine from the Catalan Region                                                               5 courses $75.00 + tax, gratuity and beverages

At Txori Saturday, February 13th at 11 am:                                                             Cooking Class: French Basque cuisine $40

At The Harvest Vine Wednesday , February24th at 6 pm:                                         Chef’s Dinner:   Dinner in Bayonne                                                                                         5 courses $70.00 + tax, gratuity and beverages

At The Harvest Vine Saturday, February 27th at 10 am:                                         Cooking Class: Paella $60

Early arrivals to the Seattle area were greeted at a reception held at the Belltown flat of local SEE members Ray & Edith Azpiri. Over full glasses of red wine a bountiful spread and beautiful view were enjoyed by all attendees. Following the reception many chose to make the short walk to the local Basque pub, Txori. There delegates continued to reconnect and relax before Saturdays meeting.

Saturdays meeting begun with a light breakfast and coffee to fuel the days activities. The meeting was convened at 8am and broke for lunch around noon. Lunch included catered chicken and the culinary delights of SEE member Conchita Michelena. Following lunch the meeting resumed.
Although many topics were covered most notable were the agreement to the first ever increase in NABO membership dues from $0.50 a member to $1.00 and the external proposal to form a world federation of Basque clubs. NABO representatives were chosen to represent the organization in Argentina this Fall.

Following a few unscheduled hours for rest and relaxation an optional dinner was held at local restaurant Bilbao. Owner/operator Juan Hontanilla and his crew kept wine flowing and created the largest paella this writer has ever seen. Throughout the meal NABO members broke out in old Basque songs and enjoyed each others company. A great time was truly had by all. Some revelers continued the party by visiting post-dinner bars in Belltown.

SEE enjoyed hosting our brothers and sisters from around the US and look forward to seeing you all soon.

For NABOs recap of this event visit here

FRIDAY OCTOBER, 9th, EVENING

7pm-Reception (RSVP Req’d) Ray and Edith Aspiri have kindly offered to host a small evening reception for those that have arrived into Seattle early. (Their condo is upstairs from where we will be having the meeting on Saturday. -SEE Members Welcome-

-Location: 2125 First Ave. (Suite 2704)
Seattle, WA. 98121

*** Send RECEPTION RSVP to Marilu Michelena at board1@seattleeuskal.org ***

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10-MORNING

-7:30am-Breakfast A light Breakfast will be provided on site

-8:00am-TBD pm NABO Meeting

-12:00pm-Lunch- Lunch will be provided on site

Location: 2125 First Ave., 5th Floor Meeting Room

Seattle, WA. 98121

*** Send MEETING RSVP to Marilu Michelena at board1@seattleeuskal.org ***

AFTERNOON

2:30 pm (boat leaves @ 3pm)-Optional-(Reservation Required!) Duck Tour-$25/per person-Tour Seattle by land and water on a WWII amphibious landing craft! -SEE Members Welcome-

Location: 516 Broad Street

Seattle, WA Directions

DUCK  RESERVATIONS

CALL 1-800-817-1116 and request BOAT A at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 10.  Give NABO as the company name.

OR

ONLINE Tickets Request BOAT A at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 10.  Enter NABO as the company name.

EVENING

7:00 pm-Optional-(RSVP Required!) Dinner @ Bilbao-$25/per person includes family style meal with wine; bar available at additional cost.

*** Send BILBAO DINNER RSVP to Marilu Michelena at board1@seattleeuskal.org ***

Check or cash required upon arrival.

BELLTOWN BARS

Link to Belltown Bars

Link to Basque Bar “Txori”

BUS MAPS

Downtown Seattle (Including Belltown) Map

Bus Free Ride Area

HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Rate: $99.00 (prior to tax) per night / double queen size beds
*Must Cancel by 4:00 pm on October 7*
Block Reservation: NABO
Block Confirmation Number: 63755528
Location:
Ramada Seattle Downtown
2200 5th Avenue (5th Ave & Blanchard Street)
Seattle, WA 98121
To Reserve: 1-877-361-2502

Contact Marilu Michelena at board1@seattleeuskal.org with any questions.

BBQ at 12:00 noon, $20 members, $25 non-members, $40 member family, $50 non-member family

Mus registration 12:00 – 1:00, play starts at 1:00. $10 per person

Park address:
904 University Parkway
Yakima, WA 98901

From I-82:
Take exit #34. Travel east approximately one mile to Keys Rd. (first road after crossing). Turn left, and go approximately one mile to park entrance. Turn left into park.

Questions or to RSVP, call Amaya at 321-662-8049

Map of Yakima Sportsmans Park

Each team played 9 other teams in their randomized bracket for a best of three series. Mus play started at 8:30am and broke for lunch at 12:00pm. After a rocky start with a two match loss, SEE was 2:2 at lunch. Following the wonderful meal of chuleta, chorizo, morcilla, tortilla, ogia and ardaua (can you have a Basque meal without wine and bread?!?) SEE continued winning with a 3  match streak and were  leading the bracket with a record of 5:2. Ultimately SEE’s team ended with a 5:4 winning record in a 3 way tie below the winners of the bracket. Not bad considering that I haven’t played a single hand of mus in 2009 and haven’t played with my father in even more time!

All of the mus players were very friendly. Sadly many were not aware Seattle or WA even had a club, a fact we hope to change by holding the 1st WA based NABO meeting this October and by continuing to attend events like the annual mus tournament where club members, not just board members, meet face-to-face.

At 7:30pm the national mus champions were announced. Two women from Winnemucca carried the title and will be representing NABO in the international tournament which will be held this Fall in Bizkaia Spain. Second place went to Jean Flesher (the lead of the band entertaining the evening at 9pm) and his partner of Salt Lake City. I am unsure who 3rd place went to. Fourth place was held by Jose Maria Artiach and Xanti Alcelay of Boise, ID.

When the results are published by NABO I will post the final standings. Zorionak to the team from Winnemucca. Not only is this the 1st  female team to win a NABO tournament, but I think this gives pause to all of us to realize our Basque women can bluff and bs just as well as the men

At San Fermin I recognized SEE members (and former board members) Jon Etulain and Tony Sabarots Etulain. We chatted and watched the bull running, appropriately with drinks in hand. Before I departed they wished me luck in the NABO mus tournament, which I was attending later in the week.

I also met Ray Azpiri, a SEE member I previously only knew in name. Ray is originally from Emmett, ID, (near my home town of Boise) but a long time Seattlite (since ’52). For those who don’t know Ray is a big supporter of all things Basque and a successful local entrepreneur.

Lastly I introduced myself to Caroline of Txori who was bustling about working the event. Txori was packed with San Fermin’ers, and the staff did a good job of taking care of everyone. In addition to drinks and food San Fermin shirts were sold to raise money for a local blood bank.

My only complaint was I ordered 2 kalimotxos at Txori and they were not up to par. How one can mix up the the 50-50 ratio of Coke to cheap red wine, sometimes with ice and a garnish of orange or lime, I don’t know…I’ll stick to my home version with a nice Franzia merlot and some Coke. We’ll be sure to have some at the SEE picnic in Yakima, August 8th!