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2009 turned out to be a far better year than anyone expected. The news of the recession has been all doom and gloom, and yet we have had a great years’ hunting!

We would say that one of the most exciting things for us has been the fact that we have had so many wives and families come on safari this year. As we tailor-make our safaris for each individual, we are flexible and are able to make the experience unforgettable for each client.

100_1164Our youngest ‘hunter’ this year was a 6 year old and have even had an 8 year old girl shoot an ostrich! Most memorable was Caleb who arrived on crutches with a broken leg, but was out there every day and even shot a few himself. On one occasion when they were stalking, he and Jonathan, the PH, did some kind of ‘leopard crawl’ with Caleb on Jonathan’s back!

Although the rains have not been as plentiful as we had hoped, our veld is looking good and the animals are in good condition. We have had some excellent trophies this year and have shot some exceptional buffalo, all well over 40”. We are very pleased that the herds are breeding well, and a magnificent 46” bull was spotted recently!

As Ezulu is a new reserve, we are thrilled that the place has matured on all levels. We offer a truly unique experience in that we have the 3 hunting areas, and each place complements the other, offering a broad hunting experience, never allowing one to get bored.

Our generous sponsors and donors continue to support the Ithemba Trust, and allow many disadvantaged children the opportunity of an excellent, well rounded schooling.

We were honoured to have a visit from the Wheelchair Foundation, who spent some time here and did some hunting. A function was organized and some clothing and 14 wheelchairs were handed over to locals in need. Among those was a 68 year old grandmother who had her leg amputated 6 months beforehand, and had been struggling to get around. Her new wheelchair would change her life and that of her family who were caring for her.

2010 has arrived, and South Africans are looking forward to hosting the Soccer World Cup in June and July. Our hunting days are filling up fast for next year, so suggest you reserve your dates timeously. Some exciting packages are on offer, so best contact us for details if you are interested.

We wish all our clients, family and friends a happy and blessed 2010.

As usual we will be exhibiting at the SCI Reno Show, so please pay us a visit.

The Swarkei/Ezulu team.

SOURCE: Safari News Reel

“Without the help and care of the Wheelchair Foundation and the Shuangliu County Disabled Persons’ Federation, I’m afraid that I would spend the rest of my life in the bed and never go out.” ,“I am so appreciative that the Wheelchair Foundation and Shuangliu County DPF provided me with a wheelchair to give me mobility. Now I really feel that life is great again .”…… These words are the inner confessions from the bottom of the heart from Zheng Wen Bin, a disabled 90-year-old woman living in Shuangliu County, Chengdu City.

image001In 2009, Zheng Wen Bin lost her walking function for age and infirmity as well as lost her eyesight more ten years ago due to an eye disease. She can only sleep in bed and wait for her children’s care. Zheng Wen Bin moaned and groaned all day long and lost the confidence of life in that she considers herself as a heavy burden of her children.

As soon as getting word about Zheng Wen Bin’s situation, the Shuangliu County DPF sent the missionary to her family to console and comfort her. Besides that, a new wheelchair was given to Zheng Wen Bin as a courage of life. Sitting in the wheelchair, Zheng Wen Bin gave thanks to the missionary repeatedly with her eyes full of moving tears.

In 2009, with the support of the Chengdu Disabled Persons’ Federation and the Wheelchair Foundation, the Shuangliu County DPF has distributed 130 wheelchairs to the disabled in total.

The sixth annual Junior Achievement Professional Connection “Networking to a Tee” Golf Tournament Presented by AT&T was played on December 7 at Coral Ridge Country Club where 28 foursomes help raise more than $25,000 for Junior Achievement of South Florida. To date this tournament has raised almost $100,000. This years Associate Sponsor was Phil Smith Acura, who has supported this tournament since the inception. The day began at 10:30 a.m. with a lunch provided by Blackberry all golfers and volunteers before the noon shotgun scramble start followed by a dinner awards reception, where the Founding Hosts were recognized which included James Constantine, Dean Baker, Joe Hess, Jason Welch and Jeffrey Weinstock.

Junior Achievement was proud to honor JA Board Member James Franskousky of BNY Mellon Wealth Management at the awards reception following the day of golf for his continued support of Junior Achievement. Past Honorees were invited to help welcome this years Honoree which included Richard Rosser, Brian Smith, Andy Cagnetta, Matt Becker, Les Campbell and Gary Ellis.

First place awards were given to the foursome sponsored by Gold Coast Parking Systems. The second place foursome was sponsored by Rick Case Automotive Group and the third place foursome was sponsored by Spectrym Property Management. Special thanks to AutoNation for sponsoring the hole-in-one contest, Coral Ridge Country Club for hosting the event, Loud Mouth Golf for sponsoring the on course contests, National Beverage Corporation for sponsoring the on course beverage stations, Norwegian Cruise Line for sponsoring the Bahamas Cruise Raffle as well as all of the companies that provided items for the silent auction. Golden Tee Sponsors included: Community Bank of Broward, Rich Case Automotive Group, Transworld Business Brokers and the Wheelchair Foundation-Jack Drury.

Foursomes sponsorships included: Aflac, Ahearn Jasco + Company P.A., AshBritt, AT&T, AutoNation, CB Richard Ellis, Community Bank of Broward, Florida Marlins, Gold Coast Parking Systems, Mass Mutual Financial Services; Phil Smith Acura, Relocation Strategies, Rhon Ernest-Jones/IBI Group, Rick Case Automotive Group, R.I.C. Executive Search, Transworld Business Brokers and Wheelchair Foundation.

For more information and naming opportunities, contact Kathryn Cousins at 954 979-7110 or visit http://www.jasouthflorida.org.

After hundreds of performances with several famous groups, George Komsky, of Danville, is going solo.

The 24-year-old tenor takes the stage March 19 at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek.

komskyHe will perform songs he describes as “opera, pop opera, Neapolitan classics and musical surprises.”

George was the lead soloist for the North American tour of Riverdance, the internationally acclaimed Irish dancing show, in 2004. He also starred in “Twelve Irish Tenors,” a Dublin Worldwide Production, touring throughout the U.S., and was one of the contestants on “America’s Got Talent” in its first season (as George Kelly).

George and his parents, Henry and Irene, have lived in Danville since 1991. They moved to the Bay Area with George’s grandparents and other family members.

“We’re blessed to be here. We were immigrants right after the (Berlin) Wall fell,” said George. “It was very difficult to leave Russia; my family was denied a visa for 10 years, and it was like nine years of hell. It’s difficult to understand when you live in an open society.”

Inspired by his pianist grandfather, George began vocal training when he was 11. Even then, he dreamed of performing in the Bel Canto singing style made famous by Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Tito Schipa. He is a 2003 graduate of Monte Vista High School in Danville, where he was chosen to be in the school’s renowned Chamber Choir and travel with them to Italy in 2001 to perform Verdi’s “Requiem” in St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome.

George graduated in 2007 from UCLA, where he was in the opera program. He said that 25 minutes after his last college final, he auditioned for the “Twelve Irish Tenors” tour.

“I just knew I hadn’t gotten it,” he said. “I’d gone without sleep for two days, studying my hardest subject (economics), and it showed in my tryout. Then six or seven weeks later, I got the call that I’d made it.”

George now studies with Seth Riggs, a world-renowned vocal teacher whose students have included Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole and Josh Groban.

He said working with Riggs has changed his life and his understanding of the Italian style of singing. He works with Riggs in Los Angeles, but comes back to Danville often. At the request of family friend Joyce Tucker, George sang two romantic arias at the recent wedding of Tom and Malissa Behring. Tom is the oldest son of Kenneth and Pat Behring and the wedding and reception took place at their Blackhawk estate.

“George Komsky Live in Concert” begins at 8 p.m. March 19 in the Margaret Lesher Theatre at the Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.lesherartscenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469.

A portion of the proceeds from George’s concert will be donated to the Wheelchair Foundation, which was started by Kenneth Behring. The foundation’s mission is to provide a wheelchair for everyone in the world who needs one but can’t afford it.

George will also perform at the eighth annual Wheelchair Foundation charity ball, “Chilean Delights,” on Feb. 27 at the Blackhawk Museum. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres, wine-tasting, dinner, live music, a stage show, and live and silent auctions.

The cost per person is $150. For ticket information, contact Jeff Behring at 925-648-3829 or

je*********@wi***********.org











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SOURCE: Contra Costa Times