NEWS Make sure to attend Boston's Greek Independence Day Parade this Sunday! oCV ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald www.thenationalherald.com April 25 - May 1, 2015 anniversary 1915-2015 A weekly Greek-AmericAn PublicAtion VOL. 18, ISSUE 915 100 th cv $1.50 1 Crisis Whirlwind: Greece Scrambles for Funds, Risks U.S. Ties Greek Gov’t Seizes State Reserves to Avert Default ATHENS — Greece’s cashstrapped government has ordered reserves from state agencies to be placed in a basket account to help the country meet obligations, officials said as bond market traders fretted over the risk of default. Following an emergency decree, which has been sent to Parliament for ratification, the funds from anything from hospitals to local government will be moved to an account at the Bank of Greece to be made available for short-term loans to the state. The move is the latest sign that Athens’ coffers are running dry in the wake of the new leftwing government’s dispute with creditors over an economic reform program deemed necessary to get remaining bailout funds paid. The dispute has held up the payment of 7.2 billion euros ($7.7 billion) from Greece’s international bailout, money it will most likely need to pay loans due over the coming few weeks. Greece’s lenders from the 19country Eurozone and International Monetary Fund are demanding reforms that include sweeping changes to pensions and labor rules. Tsipras' demand that cities, towns and state enterprises turn over all their money so he can make a debt payment to international lenders and pay obligations is being fought by Mayors who said they won't comply. Greece is running out of cash fast while locked in stalled talks with international lenders who won't release a 7.2-billion euro installment because the government refuses to administer reforms. Locked out of markets because of prohibitive interest rates and Continued on page 11 U.S. Blacklists Two Terrorists Following Softer Greek Law that all the economic problems will be resolved effectively. In his remarks he said “we believe in the Resurrection, therefore the issues of the religious freedom of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, the persisting Cyprus tragic division, the financial crisis in Greece and the continuous dispute over the name of FYROM, can be successfully WASHINGTON, DC – The Obama Administration placed two Greek far-left militants on a terrorism blacklist April 21 amid concerns that a third could soon be released from prison to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. The State Department added Christodoulos Xiros and Nikolaos Maziotis to the blacklist that freezes any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdictions. It also prohibits Americans from any transactions with them. Xiros was a member of the November 17 group that killed more than 20 people, including Americans, between 1975 and 2000. Maziotis is the leader of Revolutionary Struggle, a group held responsible for a 2007 grenade attack on the U.S. Embassy in Athens. The designations come as Washington has complained that another November 17 member, Savvas Xiros, may complete his prison term under home confinement. Xiros, who is disabled, could benefit from new Greek legislation that would allow him to serve the remainder of his five life sentences under home confinement. Savvas Xiros, a member of the Marxist-nationalist November 17 group, lost most of his sight and hearing when a bomb exploded in his hands in 2002. The explosion led to his arrest and the dismantling of the group, which killed 23 people between 1975 and 2000, including U.S., British and Turkish nationals. U.S. Ambassador David Pearce said that allowing Xiros, 53, to leave prison would be regarded by the U.S. as “a profoundly unfriendly act” and that the new Greek law is “inconsistent” with the good partnership between the two NATO allies. The issue was discussed dur- Continued on page 2 Continued on page 11 AP Photo/Andrew hArnik U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and Greek Foreign Minster Nikos Kotzias remain composed amid tensions over a new Greek law that would send November 17 convicted killer Sav- vas Xiros home to serve his sentence under house arrest. U.S.Greece relations were affected for years because of Washington’s anger over Athens’ delay in capturing the terror gang. White House Hosts Greek-Ams. and Varoufakis By Lena Argiris WASHINGTON, DC – “The Greek people should know that the United States, as a longstanding friend and ally will stand by them on their difficult way to economic recovery” President Barack Obama said to the hundred prominent GreekAmericans who gathered at the White House’s 29th consecutive Greek Independence Day cele- bration. He also said that “this day we honor the deep connections between the two nations and we celebrate the democratic ideals at the heart of our shared history.” He concluded his short but warm speech by saying “Zito I Ellas.” Vice President Biden talked about the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries and emphasized the critical role the Greek-Americans played over the last decades. He then welcomed the Archbishop Demetrios of America and thanked Andy Manatos for creating and maintaining this annual celebration, which honors one of the most important days of Hellenism. Demetrios discussed the importance of this strong relationship and expressed his wish, Zagat Rates Kokkari No. 1 Restaurant Overall in San Francisco SPC Tarpon: Philotimo is Resplendent By Penelope Karageorge When Greek meets Greek they might open a restaurant, but it is rarely as fabulous, its food as succulent, its ambiance as special as Kokkari Estiatorio on Jackson Street in San Francisco. In a city known for exceptional cuisine, Kokkari has captured the Number One Rating by Zagat, meaning it is the best among the best. Along with its sister restaurant Evvia, in Palo Alto, there is plenty for Dr. Kenneth Frangadakis, a leading cosmetic dentist, and George Marcus, real estate mogul, to celebrate. They created the special dining estab- For subscription: 718.784.5255 [email protected] lishments, ignoring the naysayers who said “don’t go into the restaurant business.” The restaurants reflect the personalities of the two gentlemen and their wives, whose families struggled as kids, but who grew up to unusual success through hard work, zeal, and imagination. Frangadakis and Marcus went to Greek school together, played basketball together, and with their careers underway, enjoyed dining out. In the 1960s, San Francisco could not lay claim to an outstanding Greek restaurant. They felt the lack. “The Greek restaurants were take-out, with paper tablecloths, Parthenons and bouzouki players,” Frangadakis says. “And so George and I said, ‘why doesn’t somebody do a Greek restaurant that’s scaled up? A nicer environment. Just great food, great ambiance and a lot of fun.’ And we kept talking to everybody, and everybody said ‘that’s a stuContinued on page 6 By Constantinos E. Scaros TARPON SPRINGS, FL – In September, shortly after becoming Provost of St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) campus in Tarpon Springs, FL – a community so deeply immersed in the Greek culture and lifestyle that the term “America’s Greek Island” is an apt phrase to describe it – Dr. Marvin Bright enthusiastically proclaimed to The National Herald: “Greece has given so much to the world in terms of history, culture, education, that it is a natural fit” for SPC to become the premier institution of higher learning in America in terms of infusing Hellenism into the curriculum (“Tarpon’s SPC to Feature Hellenism,” Sept. 27). A few months away from completing his first year as SPCKokkari has earned the prestigious Zagat rating as the number one restaurant in San Francisco. Continued on page 6 COMMUNITY 2 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 GOINGS ON... Hellenic Happenings from Coast to Coast TNH Staff NEW YORK, NY John Turturro is turning Greek for a week. Zorba the Greek, that is. The veteran actor will star in the title role at the City Center’s May 6-10 production of the musical, which will include a full orchestra along with, naturally, a bouzouki. Turturro got his start in Hollywood in 1980 as an extra in Raging Bull, an iconic film that resulted in Robert DeNiro’s first and todate only Academy Award for Best Actor (he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1974 for his portrayal of a young Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, Part II. Turturro’s cousin, Aida Turturro, played Tony Soprano’s sister, Janice, in the HBO hit series The Sopranos. HOUSTON, TX Artist Fotis Gerakis, Greekborn and Houston-based for years, has taken his skateboard art around the world, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) publication The National reports. His exhibition will be on display at Dubai’s Galleria Mall until April 29. An Art Director for the Houston Affiliate of CBS, Gerakis won six Emmy awards, three Telly awards, and a silver BDA/Promax award. “Gerakis’ exhibit promises to be a fascinating showcase of urban style meets design,” the Khaleej Times reported. “His skateboard collection features a number of iconic women presented in fine art style on a piece of wood.” Gerakis is now based in Riyadh and Beirut. n APRIL 24 MANHATTAN – Uniquity is pleased to present a Night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, at 6:15PM on Friday, Apr. 24. We will meet at the museum, Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, at the "Tours" sign on the left side of the Great Hall (just past the ticket sellers). RSVPs are required for this program. We need to provide Group Registration with the number of our group a week in advance, so please RSVP by noon on April 17. (Please do not RSVP affirmatively if you are not confident of your attendance!) Houston-based Fotis Gerakis has taken his skateboard art across the world, where it is featured in the Galleria Mall in Dubai. An an Art Director for CBS, he has won six Emmy Awards. LOS ANGELES, CA The Mistress of Ceremonies for the Chicago-based Panhellenic Scholarship Foundation’s annual Awards Gala on June 20 is Krystal White, a Californiaborn actress of Greek and African-American descent, who among other films appeared in the short Persephone with two My Big, Fat Greek Wedding alumni, Greek-Australian actor Louis Mandylor and Lanie Kazan (who is often mistakenly associated with Hollywood’s Greek Kazan family, whose patriarch and best-known member was famed director Elia Kazan; she is not related). White lives in Los Angeles, but has lived in Greece, “where the hospitality is unmatched,” she said, the Foundation announced. As White’s biography on her website, krystalwhite.net indicates, she “started writing screenplays as a vehicle for her creativity. This past Fall, Krystal wrote her first short film, The Interrogation, in which she stars with Michael B. Silver (Leo Cohen in NYPD Blue) who also directed. The Interrogation is currently being submitted to festivals. “Krystal has found her creative passion in filmmaking, and the art of storytelling. However, if she is not on a set or glued to her computer, she spends her time playing the cello, dancing the tango and horseback-riding.” PHILADELPHIA, PA The Philadelphia 76ers closed out the NBA’s regular season on April 13 as they hosted the Milwaukee Bucks, whose player Giannis Antetokounmpo, born in Athens to Nigerian parents, is a fan favorite. The Philadelphia Greek Basketball League (PGBL) hosted its first Greek Heritage Night at the event, honoring Antetokounmpo, affectionately known in the basketball world as “The Greek Freak” because of his imposing near-7-foot frame and tremendous athletic prowess. Amid a sea of fans sporting Greek flags – and there was a Greek band on hand, too – Antetokounmpo said, in Greek, how proud he is to be honored and to thank everyone for turning out to support him. “The people make me feel even more Greek,” he said. There was Greek dancing, by dancers in traditional Greek village attire, in the middle of the Sixers’ court. tnh StAFF Prominent Greek-Americans were welcomed by President Barack Obama to the White House’s 29th consecutive Greek Independence Day celebration. VP Joe Biden thanked Andy Manatos for creating and maintaining the annual celebration. White House Hosts Greek-Ams. and Varoufakis Continued from page 1 confronted and resolved.” Obama met with Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who represented the Greek gov- ernment and they talked about the latest economic developments and the ongoing negotiations with the Institutions. Varoufakis said that President Obama shared his tough expe- rience with American economic crisis back in 2008 and reassured him that Washington remains committed to help Greece. Also attending were TNH Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris, various U.S. officials, diplomats, business leaders, and other important members of the Greek-American community. Welcome Spring with The National Herald E LD TH NA TI O E N AL H RA 100 th anniversary n APRIL 25 MANHATTAN – Celebrate spring with the Greek-American Writers Association. Award-winning story-teller Barbara Aliprantis and Nick Zaharadakos will demonstrate dramatic yarn-spinning originated by the ancient bards. Aliprantis is the artist of humor and pathos. Nick’s known for his wonderful New York stories with a unique ethnic twist. Singer/guitarist/composer Aristides DuVal, “Mr. Music,” will debut new songs including “Walkin’ Thru the Park,” an American Pop Anthem dedicated to saving the NYC Central Park Carriage & Horses Industry. Saturday, 6-8 p.m., Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia Street (between Bleecker and West 4th Street). Subways A, C, E, B, D, M to West 4th St. or 1 to Christopher Street. $8 admission includes a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. n APRIL 30 MANHATTAN – Archbishop Iakovos – a Musical Tribute, presented by the Education and Culture Committee of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Apr. 30 at 7PM at Saint Peters Church, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street in Manhattan. Limited seating: RSVP by Apr 15 at [email protected] (212) 629-6380. No charge for admission. n MAY 2 PORTLAND, OR – The HellenicAmerican Cultural Center & Museum, 3131 N.E. Glisan Street in Portland, is proud to announce the exhibition of Katherine Pappas-Parks, "Treasures of Age: Carriers of Memories Past and Present." Opening reception Saturday, May 2 6-8PM. Katherine Pappas-Parks is an accomplished artist whose Greek culture has shaped her artistic vision. The other-worldliness, surrealism and intensity in her landscapes have their roots in her experience of being raised in a Greek immigrant home. Her artwork is influenced by the art and traditions of ancient Greece and Byzantium and by folklore and superstitions of a culture connected to the land in a way that has remained virtually unchanged for over 3000 years. Her paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States. She currently displays at the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City. n MAY 15-17 ANAHEIM, CA – Join us for Orange County's premiere Greek Festival, the OC Greek Fest! Experience the flavors, sights and sounds of Greece and enjoy the very best of Greek food, music, dancing and culture right here in Orange County at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 405 N. Dale Street in Anaheim. Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17: Fri 310PM; Sat and Sun, Noon10PM. Free parking behind WalMart at the Buena Park Mall; free shuttle service to and from the Buena Park Mall to the festival grounds. Live music; Traditional Greek dance performances scheduled each day; Authentic Greek foods, appetizers and homemade pastries; Greek wines, beer, spirits, and coffee. Great shopping at our outdoor marketplace; dozens of unique vendors; Carnival rides and games for all ages; Complimentary guided tours of our Greek Orthodox church scheduled each day. LITTLE ROCK, AR – Join us this year at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Napa Valley Drive, in Little Rock from Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17 for our annual Greek Festival! Fri and Sat: 11AM9PM, Sun: 11AM-3PM. The Annunciation's International Greek Food Festival is the largest ethnic Food Festival in the state of Arkansas! Every year our Festival sponsors a number of AR charities and celebrates the diverse cultures of our Little Rock community. It features a scrumptious medley of Greek and Mediterranean menu favorites, including gyros, calamari, pastitso, sourouta, Greek pizza, and much more. All of this mouthwatering cuisine can be enjoyed at the Festival or picked up at our Drive Thru. The Festival will again feature our popular Old World Market, offering specialty foods such as falafel, Greek olive oil, hummus, dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), cheeses and the popular Pete’s Famous Salad Dressing that is handmade and bottled at the parish. Frozen dinners to go, pastries, Russian collectibles, fine jewelry and an array of imported gift items from around the Mediterranean will also be available in the Market. In addition to great activities for children to enjoy throughout the grounds, our huge stage highlights our famous Greek dancers along with performances from a wide array of other international entertainment. Our Festival also features our very popular Old World Market, that includes our famous handmade Baklava along with a wide array of other pastries together with a unique shopping experience that highlights imported gift items from around the world. Free admission, free parking and free trolleys to and from the Church grounds! As in years past, one of the most wonderful parts of the International Greek Food Festival is YOU, our friends! When you visit the Festival with your family and friends, a good time is guaranteed. In addition, you can make new friends at the Festival by enjoying a wide array of international entertainment while reveling in all of the food & shopping available. You can even learn more about your neighbors by taking a tour of the Annunciation Church and discover the rich history and tradition of the Orthodox Christian faith as well as enjoy the largest collection of Byzantine iconography in Arkansas! n MAY 16 MANHATTAN – The Orpheus Foundation and Kyrenia Opera present the 90th Birthday Celebration of Mikis Theodorakis on Saturday, May 16 at 8:30PM at the Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 W. 67th Street in Manhattan, featuring Betty Harlafti, acclaimed interpreter of Theodorakis’ songs and a permanent member of his ensemble. The Opera Orchestra and Chorus is directed by Constantinos Yiannoudes. For tickets and other information, contact the Center at http://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org. n MAY 22-24 NEW ORLEANS, LA – Opa, opa, opa! The annual New Orleans Greek Festival is Memorial Day weekend. This event is filled Greek food, music, culture and fun for kids and adults alike. New Orleans's connection with Greece dates back to the mid1800s when large numbers of Greeks immigrated here, bringing along their storied culture and traditional heritage. The Greek Festival celebrates that culture and heritage every year on Memorial Day Weekend at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70117), which is on the banks of Bayou St. John. Free off-site parking and shuttle service is also available. FOOD: Kali Orexi! This popular phrase means "Bon Apetit" or "good appetite". In other words - you better come hungry. Trying a gyro sandwich is a must. The Goatburgers, which is a hamburger the Greek way, are also delicious. For dessert, try a Loukoumades, which is like a beignet topped with honey and cinnamon. For a caffeine fix, pick up a Frappe (no relation to Starbucks), which is basically an iced coffee. MUSIC: Every year, people come together to perform and dance to traditional, live Greek music. Kostas Kastanis will be playing this year, and guests will have the chance to learn the Zorba and other traditional dances out on the Bayou. SPECIAL EVENTS: For all the runners out there, the annual Greek Festival Walk/Run will take place that Friday! Participants can either choose to walk/run one mile or 5k. Cash prizes will be given to the winners. Registration is open until the day of the race. The 1 mile participants start at 7 PM and the 5k starts at 7:20PM. Back this year by popular demand is Toga Sunday! Anyone wearing a toga gets free admission. There will also be a Best Toga contest with some great prizes. Fun For The Whole Family! 1915-2015 1 For advertising opportunites contact: [email protected] or call at: 718-784-5255, ext. 101 QUESTION OF THE WEEK Is it too soon to pay attention to the 2016 presidential race? Please email your response to [email protected] We may publish some responses as Letters to the Editor in a future issue. COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 3 PhotoS: tnh/coStAS beJ LEFT: Maria Farantouri and her colleagues dazzled at NUY. Achilleas Wastor, who was also music director, was the master of Steinway and David Lynch was hypnotic on saxophone. RIGHT: Maria Farantouri was delighted by the children, directed by Alexandra Skendrou at right, of the Children's Choral Academy of Hellenic Paideia, a new cultural initiative. Maria Farantouri Warms Hearts and Inspires Minds at New York Univ. TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – Being a passionate, personal and idealistic people, Greeks easily turn heroes into symbols. On April 18 the audience at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts of poured out reverence and love for singer Maria Farantouri, as much an icon as musician, and she rewarded them with a radiant journey deep into their youth through her evocative, resonant voice. The concert titled “Songs of Greece and of the World,” which was dominated by the music of Mikis Theodorakis, reflecting the international celebration of his 90th birthday, was also designed a tribute to the beauty and ideals of Greece. Dr. Liana Theodoratou, Director of the A.S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies, which presented the concert in collaboration with Aphrodite Daniel and Syn-Phonia Entertainment, said the presentation was timely given media distortion of Greece’s crisis and indifference to the humanitarian emergency there. Farantouri entered the darkened stage to applause of appreciation for her sacrifices, and achievements and in anticipation of a singular evening – a promise she delivered. She is one of Greece’s most celebrated artists and during the junta she recorded protest songs in Europe with Theodorakis, being a voice of freedom then and in the context of the current crisis. The concert, which Farantouris dedicated to all Greek poets – Theodorakis immortalized the works of many of the with his music – began with pianist Achilleas Wastor’s low notes rumbling on the Steinway and David Lynch’s saxophone introducing Theodorakis’ Baptism. Shouts of “brava” and “bravi” and expressions of love were heart throughout the night. Some of its most touching moments, however, featured the Children's Choral Academy of Hellenic Paideia, directed by Alexandra Skendrou. The children, who attend various Greek schools and ranged from 6-13 years of age, delighted the audience with three songs, beginning with Theodorakis’ Myrtia - with Skendrou and the children alternating verses – and concluding with Hadjidakis “Persephone’s Nightmare” for which Farantouris joined them. Lina Orfanos was invited to the stage by Farantouri for “I Mikri Rallou and “Where Did My Boy Fly Away,” and the soprano was aslo warmly received by the audience. Farantouri’s s rich, resonant voice with its hypnotic melismas and subtle tremolos evoked emotional responses all night long. Wastor, who was also the musical director, was an exceptional accompanist and Lynch’s soulful sax – he also added flute and percussion to the artistic mix. Known as the soul of Greece, Farantouri, paid tribute to New York of Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere,” a stirring rendition that felt like a prayer. The more light-hearted songs included “Thalasaki Mou – My Little Sea” which was one Farantouri invited Orfanos to the stage for another solo turn and the concert reached its thrilling conclusion with “Synefiasmeni Kyriaki – Overcast Sunday” and Romiosini mi tin Kles – Don’t cry for Greece.” The beloved artist dedicated songs three people in the audience. “Wraia Poli – Beautiful City” which is about Athens, was offered for Rena Dourou, the recently elected Attica regional governor, to whom she exclaimed “good luck,” prompting laughter and applause. Farantouri also honored Nikos Papaconstantinou on the occasion of his retirement from the Greek Foreign Ministry, and Panos Adamopoulos, outgoing president of the Athenians’ Society. Most of the concert’s music was composed by Theodorakis and Nikos Gatsos and Yannis Ritsos were the poets most represented by the songs – some of the poems were recited by Theodoratou, who also offered commentary. Theodoratou, who thanked all who helped, said she had been trying to bring Farantouri to New York for many years and added that they also aimed to highlight the continued vibrancy in Greece and to spotlight the new government, which she said restored people’s hope. New York’s Famed Town Hall Gets its Greek on with Gaitanos Petros Gaitanos thrilled at Town Hall on April. 16. Shown onscreen in his youth with Mikis Theodorakis, he performed with Spiros Exaras, the concert’s music director and arranger on guitar, clarinetist Lefteris Bournias, Christos Papadopoulos on bouzouki, keyboardist Dimitris Lambrianos, and drummer George Maniatis. Bassist Charilaos Pantazis is not shown. tnh/coStAS beJ By Constantine S. Sirigos The Archangel Michael Church Seated: Maria Farantouri and Nikos Papaconstantinou, who retired from Greek government service on Mar. 17. Standing (L-R) Annamaria Koutsouras, Aphrodite Daniel, Malvina Kefalas, Grigoria Kamaterou, Lina Orfanos, Dr. Liana Theodoratou, and Panos Adamopoulos. Farantouri Speaks with TNH About the Giants of Greek Music By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – It may be that the only thing more delightful than a conversation Maria Farantouri is one of her concerts. The Greek musical icon held court during a press conference at the Greek Press office on March 17, a day before she celebrated her half century career with “Songs of Greece and of the World,” at NYU and like her audience, nobody wanted to leave. Nikos Papaconstantinou, the Director of the Greek Press Office, introduced Farantouri, who preceded talking about her life with an informative and touching overview of the Greek music industry’s monumental half century. She spoke about its golden age highlighted by the music of giants of Hellenic culture like Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hadjidakis, and left no doubt that the triumphs were earned by the artists, noting that that Greek governments – even during economic good times – did not invest in culture. “I suppose they had other priorities,” she said. The singer, who always supported young artist by including them in her shows, also spoke the current struggles of musicians and composers to survive the tumult caused by new technology and the Greek crisis. The latter has a silver lining, however: “The skiladika [dog music] places by the sea are closing,” she said with a smile. The beloved singer lauded the composer who set to music the work of modern Greece’s great poets, including Nobel laureates Odysseas Elitis and George Seferis. While Hadjidakis and others embraced this “melopoioisis,” it was originally Theodorakis’ great dream after he returned from studies in Paris. Farantouri said that Theodorakis sent Hadjidakis his “Epitaphios,” the latter was thrilled to orchestrate it and got Nana Mouskouri to sing it. “They had a deep love and respect for each other despite their political differences. The composers borrowed elements of Greek folk music and rebetika to bring the Greek people into closer contact with both the older and contemporary poets and when Theodorakis was seeking musical vehicles for his cultural move- ment, he picked Farantouri out of a choir. He once said to her “did you know you were born to be my music’s priestess? ” She modestly emphasized that, “These songs are unforgettable and they also have a spiritual dimension,” but her fans would say that as a musical goddess she too had power to bestow some immortality on them. Just as Theodorakis tapped Farantouri decades ago, he now delights in the interpretations of Greek-American Lina Orfanos. “She has an exceptional voice” Farantouri said of Orfanos, who joined her onstage at NYU. Orfanos told the gathering “I am so honored to be part of this concert,” and Farantouri praised diaspora singers for their dedication to Greek music. “It’s so important for young people to learn the Greek language and what better way is there to teach it than through the Greek songs,” especially the ones that are the receptacles of poems that will never die because they express great truths,” Farantouri said, adding, “Although much of Theodorakis’ work was inspired by political struggle…there is much more,” to his music.” Dr. Theodoratou said she had been trying to bring Farantouri to New York for many years,” and she too said how important is for the community’s youth to gain an appreciation of that the concert will present. She thanked all the people who worked with her to make the concert possible, including Malvina Kefalas, the Onassis program administrator, as well as the Provost's Global Research Initiatives program and Rutgers University, which will reprise the program on April 25 at the Nicholas Music Center and Rutgers University. It will also be presented in Boston. Aphrodite Daniel of Syn-Phonia Entertainment is coordinating the tour. Annamaria Koutsouras, a history and political science major at Rutgers, thanked the principals on behalf of the Hellenic Cultural Association, of which she is president, and the Rutgers Modern Greek Studies Program. “It is not easy for a university to present a concert,” Dr. Theodoratou said, noting it would have been much easier to just host a lecture, but they wanted to present something special and to honor the 90th birthday of Theodorakis, whose music dominates the concert. 100 Fairway drive, Port washington, ny 11050 • tel: (516) 944-3180 it is with joy that we, the community of the Archangel michael of Port washington, extend a warm invitation to our faithful and dedicated members as well as to the entire God-loving Greek-American community to the consecration of our newly erected church dedicated to the Living God on Saturday, April 25. his eminence Archbishop demetrios of America will preside over the Service assisted by his Grace Bishop Antonios of Phasiane and the parish clergy, Fr. Dennis Strouzas, preceding priest and Fr. Nikolas Karloutsos, assistant priest orthos: 7:45 a.m. followed by the holy consecration Service and the divine liturgy. Οn Friday, April 24 Vespers begin at 7:30 p.m., his Grace bishop Antonios of Phasiane, chancellor of the holy Archdiocese of America presiding. The Consecration of our church, the most Sacred and historic milestone for our parish, will be added to the shining pages and will be recorded in the history of our church. COMMUNITY 4 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 Documentary: Celebrity Women Chefs Transforming the Food Industry By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – It’s called Val’s and if you are ever hungry in Worcester, MA that is the restaurant to look for. Valerie James is the owner. Her son Christos is the chef and her daughter Joanne sings its praises. Not literally. Joanne is not a singer; she is a filmmaker, and her documentary about the trials and triumphs of women chefs highlights her mom. Joanne, whose website, alianaproductions.com, talks about the company she runs with Anastasia Ganias Gellin, a Greek-American Actress, and about the film’s Kickstarter campaign, was born and raised in the restaurant industry and worked by her mother’s side. “As I got older and saw how hard she worked, 80, 100 hour weeks, bearing all the pressure and making a big sacrifice for us, I was inspired to share her story. She endured adversity and 25 years later she is a successful restauranteur.” Joanne beamed as she told TNH, “Val’s is elegant and top of the line. My mother has fine taste but she also wanted a place where people would feel comfortable, but the reason it took off is because of its Greek hospitality, which is very important to her.” The business environment she faced was not as welcoming. Before Joanne began her research “I was not aware of the staggering statistics about women in the culinary industry. Only 15 percent of executive chefs are women.” Even in the classic male dominated fields like engineering or computer science have more women she said. Change is coming however, as more than 50 percent of culinary school students are women. “Our film is looking to explore how we can help and empower this new generation. Valerie’s story is the central narrative, but the film weaves in numerous renowned restaurateurs and celebrity chefs who have already been filmed. Food Network TV personality Michelle Bernstein of Miami, Diane Cochilas who is well-known through her cookbooks, and Cat Cora will also be spotlighted. Most of the filming is complete and everything is scheduled to be finished by summer. The Kickstarter campaign will help get the film finished in time for release and film festival submissions early in 2016. It is shot documentary style but it won’t be news style. They are targeting the film festival circuit so “It will be very artistic. We are working with a Tribeca Film Festival veteran editor,” Joanne said. Joanne and Anastasia trace the women’s sources of inspiration and the obstacles they over- kimberly PetAlAS (L-R) Joanne James, who now lives near St. Eleftherios in Manhattan, holding her daughter Mariella James Moschos, Valerie James and Executive Producer Anastasia Ganias Gellin. came. Joanne told TNH, “our mother was influenced by her Greek upbringing…her family is in the industry but she also learned just observing Greek holiday hospitality.” The movie, whose subjects “pay tribute to women who came before them and who played central roles in kitchens that did not translate into careers,” is a classic American suc- cess story, with the additional dimension of the challenges faced by single mothers. Valerie opened her famous Val’s in her home town of Worcester, MA after she was divorced. She was raising two kids and was carrying half a million dollars of debt. After 10 years of successfully opening pizzerias – she learned the business from father Demetrios Pantos immigrated in the 1950s – Valery felt it was time for a restaurant. BANKS TO BUSINESSWOMEN: GOOD LUCK! It was, Joanne said, and still is difficult for women to start their own businesses. “No bank was willing to lend to her and it was hard to obtain property.” But there was an angel in the wings. “One of my mother’s best customers, Robert Erickson, just trusted her based on her character and reputation for success,” and helped her get started. Thus, Val’s Restaurant was born. “She kept working hard… paid off her debt and paid him rent, but was shocked when he told her ‘you should own this’ and urged her to work towards buying the whole strip mall that housed the restaurant,” Joanne said. Of course, she succeeded. “It’s about entrepreneurialism and passion and believing in yourself.” The movie also explores Greek culture. Some of its more dramatic moments entail family crises and turmoil, but viewers will also feel the love and support she got from her parents. “She could not have done it without their help watching me and my brother,” Joanne said, adding that in those scenes the film explores what can be done to help women in business. Joanne was born and raised in Worcester, MA. She studied journalism, began as an intern with the Boston Globe and covered the 2004 Olympics for the Hellenic Voice in Greece. Later, she got a Master’s in international communications media with an emphasis in film production and began Aliana with Anastasia so that – like good Greeks – they could call the shots on what stories to present. Rena Dourou Describes Attica Challenges, Warns against Drachma Option By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer Liana Theodoratou (L) said that as a student Rena Dourou (R) had academic, not political ambitions, but while she was en- couraged to pursue a PhD after her master’s at the Univ. of Essex, she decided to return to Greece in 2004 to join SYRIZA. she faces as the governor of the country’s largest region where 4 million of Greece’s 11 million people live. is fighting against stereotypes of the extreme left, that condemns foreign direct investment, as well as Greece’s political right, The audience, comprised mainly of non-Greeks and dominated by students, heard Dourou emphasize that SYRIZA JoAnne trikouliS NEW YORK – Rena Dourou, the new Governor of Greece’s Attica region, gave a presentation titled “The Dawn of Another Attica” on April 17 at New York University as part of the series of events sponsored by the University’s A.S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies called “Greece Strikes Back.” Liana Theodoratou, the Onassis Program’s director, introduced Dourou and thanked the NYU Provost's Global Research Initiatives program for supporting the event. The talk presented an opportunity for some vital straight talk to fans of the drachma. “I am almost rude when I respond to people who want to go back to drachmas …it’s a good idea,” she said wryly “if you don’t need to eat for a few months, and for people with money in New York and Switzerland, but not for people on pensions. The Greek people did not vote for us to return to the drachma, but to negotiate with the European Union.” Dourou spoke passionately about the practical and political challenges confronting Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and that Law Firm Greek Horsemen Ride Through Annapolis Children and adults alike are thrilled when Greek heroes arrive on horseback. The horse and George Lagadinos, representing Theodore Kolokotronis were sponsored by the Korologos Brothers, and the Pan-Peloponnesian Society of Baltimore followed. The day began with Doxology at St. Nicholas and Mike Pantelides, Mayor of Annapolis, was the Grand Marshal. whom she said idea of investment is sweetheart deal and used the Ellinikon airport project as a notorious example. Emphasizing that she supports legitimate reform that will modernize Greece, attract investment, and make government more effective for its people, Dourou said the real debate “is not whether we have money or not. If we continue to run the state the way it was run in the past, there is not enough money in the whole world to help.” Investment is critical, but she said, “New Democracy told fairy tales about big investments from Saudi Arabia and America, and they did not try to create the and framework needed to create investments that will create jobs.” She echoed the words Tsipras spoke during his visits to the United States, saying, “In Greece there are no real capitalists,” as in people who take POCKET-LESS PITA BREAD G. 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Kontos Foods, Inc box 628, Paterson, nJ 07544 tel.: (973) 278-2800 Fax: (973) 278-7943 kontos.com risks and are creative, but rather there are oligarchs who trade on their influence with governments. “You need democracy,” and transparent and credible governance, to attract serious investment in Europe, Dourou said. To be elected, Dourou fought a “David versus Goliath” campaign against the mainstream parties and media and said she won because she reached out to people of all 65 municipalities of Attica and addressed their problems. “Without the support of people it is impossible to change things, and change and renewal are important to us,” she said. And urgent. “Attica is the first region to be hit and is paying a very heavy price,” and is hobbled by a severe lack of infrastructure. When she took office in September, her team acted on three levels: 1) response to the immediate humanitarian crisis; 2) creation of conditions for a new model of economic growth where markets do not impose their will on governments; and 3) creation of a new and more moral political paradigm to restore the credibility of politics. Dourou noted that she gave up her seat in Parliament when she ran for governor to demonstrate that politicians should not be a privileged class. “There is a lot to be done and you must set priorities,” she said. Drawing on the region’s funds, she increased social welfare spending for the needy from 1 to 13 million euro, funding food banks, healthcare and the restoration of electricity to all households shut off due to poverty. She has also focused on practical changes, such as fighting waste caused by overlapping jurisdictions and cooperating with NGOs, educational institutions and the Church. “We have worked hard and gotten green lights from the EU for a number our programs… we have proven that with hard work and serious planning we can achieve results.” She sought to show what SYRIZA can do for development in the context of the neoliberal environment Dourou said now prevails in Europe. Their efforts include not only fighting corruption, but boosting the private sector, “especially with initiatives for young men and women who have chosen to not leave our country, a reality this government must grasp” because the country needs to retain its youth and they need jobs. TNH asked Dourou what her administration was doing about making it easier for entrepreneurs, especially the young, to open and expand business in light of the failure of ND and PASOK to keep their promises about it. Dourou noted that it is her “habit” not the criticize rival parties when she travels abroad, but she told TNH she has generated 32 initiatives in that area. She concluded by talking about what is at stake not just for SYRIZA but for Greece.”If we fail to change the moral example in politics, that mean not just another political failure, but it will pave a path to the politics of hatred,” and referred to Golden Dawn. “The resurgence of Nazism is ironic in a country that put up such a valiant fight against it in WWII.” COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 5 Diaspora Greeks Can Jumpstart Greece with Spirit, Ideas, and Success By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – Among the many successful Diaspora Greeks who want to help build the New Greece is Sam Stathis. “Building” is a key word in his biography. The inventor and serial entrepreneur, founder of Stathis Enterprises, is a building technology pioneer. Born Soterios Stathopoulos, his was the seventh generation of talented, gritty Greeks who lived in the same house in Analtsi in Central Greece. Like many Greek-Americans, he was frustrated by the failures of the Greek establishment that led to the crisis, but he is believes that maverick Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras can break down the barriers to change that will liberate its valuable human resources. Stathis, believes, however, that it is the Greeks’ very selfconfidence that has been targeted before and during the crisis, so he welcomes the new government’s aggressiveness abroad, which he believes is backed by many unappreciated positives at home. He told TNH “Greece is not starting from scratch, but they don’t know it…The Greeks have a great legacy and well educated young people in mathematics and technology…but Greece has done a terrible job marketing itself in what our strengths are.” Greeks are also more united than they were in 1940 and Tsipras’ party may be in a better position to do battle with opponents of change, Stathis told TNH. The lessons of the power of the unity and mental toughness is written throughout his family history. His father is partially lame from polio or stroke – they were never sure which – but he was a workhorse with The road to victory for Greece is a long race but Sam Stathis believes the country and the diaspora have the right horses. He loves owning race horses and he just bought the South Florida Trotting Center. Stathis is seen with friends and trainers at the Winners Circle in the Pompano Racetrack, 2nd from L. Connie Stathis is 4th from L. determination driven by power from the left side of his body. Numerous observers analogously believe that what is good about Greece and Greeks can overcome what is bad. SECRET WEAPON But first, Stathis is, “We need to lift the heads up of young Greeks…to show them examples of Greek success around the world…. I would like them to tell young Greeks their success stories, and the challenges Greeks abroad have overcome.” Stathis also has developed programs that can be replicated in Greece, spearheading conferences which focused on the con- struction and technical revolution he participated in and its job and business creation dimension. Stathis helped develop websites such as IntelligentJobSites.com and contributed to the creation of Startup New York, which helps people “start, expand or relocate your qualified business to a tax-free zone in New York State,” an agenda long pushed by economists for Greece. He said the tools Greece needs already exist. “I am an inventor and an innovator, but I also like being practical….what I learned from these initiatives is that we do not need to create new systems in Greece or America…we have enough technology, we just need to get people to adopt it… we just need to take that best that currently exist and apply them. Demographics pose a challenge to both countries’ economic future. The baby boomers, the mechanical generation, are retiring in the construction, agriculture and most industries. Greek firms can become global leaders in responding to this challenge. Stathis’ answer was to forge bridges “between the mechani- cal generation of baby boomers and the digital generation.” In the old days there were apprentices but Stathis said in his projects they no longer give a mechanic an apprentice, “we give him a co-mentor. The mechanic does the mechanical stuff and the co-mentor does the digital work – we create a hybrid that I call green collar worker – it’s a symbiotic relationship and you transfer knowledge more quickly.” Stathis Enterprises’ Theometrics University provides young people with training and certification for the new economy. Inspired by the devices he invented, he coined Theometrics for “the art and science of precision measurement and navigation in and on construction sites.” He also highlighted some of the mayoral initiatives of Michael Bloomberg, like the $5 billion joint venture between Cornell University and Technion University of Israel. Stathis called it “an incubator for developing technology,” that can be replicated in Greece, whose new SYRIZA government is pursuing public-private sector partnerships. Another Bloomberg priority that applies to Greece is STEM emphasis (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). “America has fallen to 17 in mathematics, 27 in science,” and Stathis’ contribution to the debate is his belief that students and teachers alike would benefit from continuing education classes to keep pace with a fastchanging world. He hopes Tsipras will lead a technical and education revolution that will be a secure foundation for the future and a powerful response to Greece’s critics. Stathis developed the entrepreneurship in his genes as soon his uncle Dino, who owned diners in New Jersey, brought his family to America in 1969 when the former was seven. “We collected worms from my grandmother’s garden and overcame the language barrier to sell them.” He, his brothers and his friend Michael Giris made the astonishing sum of $300 that summer. He has two older sisters, Sotiria and Spiridoula, and two younger brothers, Tommy and Dino. Right from the start he loved and exceled in science and math. After high school he worked at Hellenic Electric for Billy Kontorouchas – “the only person I ever worked for.” Their projects included the City’s top nightclubs, but when the guests were partying Stathis went to school at night school at the humble Mechanic’s Institute of Technology, a trade school. Stathis’ own lawsuit won the school its college level accreditation. He ended up buying Hellenic but the excitement was tempered by the economic downturn of the early 1990s. It cost George H.W. Bush reelection and sent the company into Chapter 11 just after Stathis married the love of his life, Connie Antzoulis following a long courtship and they have two children, Christina and Yianni. So Stathis knows all about being knocked down and getting up again. He started all over – as his family did after WWII wiped them out – with zero credit and living with his in-laws. He rose to ever-greater heights, also thriving in land development and business management, and active in philanthropy, Stathis never forgot his roots or the importance of “giving back.” Manny Demos’ Life, Work Honored with a Lecture Series at Queens College By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – Among GreekAmericans, a conversation about paragons of dedication to the community would quickly include the name of Emanuel George Demos, distinguished attorney and churchman. On April 16 the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies (CBMGS) of Queens College with the support of the Kallinikeion Foundation presented the first annual lecture in his memory. George Demos, attending with his mother, Helen, his wife, Chrysa, and other family members, thanked the hosts for the event and the speakers “for their touching and beautiful words.” When friends and family sought an appropriate lecture topic for the celebration his life in the Ballroom of Holy Trinity Cathedral, they agreed it should reflect Demos’ tireless work as General Legal Counsel of the Archdiocese of America. They invited the Rev. Dr. Patrick Viscuso, an Orthodox priest and a specialist in Byzantine history and Orthodox canons as the featured speaker. He explained that Demos’ work ranged from composing regulations for the archdiocese, informed by his legal mind and his experience as a member and leader of the community to successfully defending the positions of the Archdiocese in a lawsuit in New York. Attorney Christ Stratakis, Demos’ co-laborer in numerous organizations, highlighted Demos’ work on the legal committee of the Order of St. Andrew in defense of the Ecumenical Patriarchates and religious freedom in Turkey. Fr. Viscuso said Demos asked for his help on the lawsuit. He provided the necessary canonical and historical background for the complex case that turned on the judge being able to properly understand the hierarchical character of the Orthodox Church and the roles of clergy and laity. “I will present Manny Demos’ portrait of what a parish should be within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and what was in him mind, as he defended “against ideas that are foreign to our orthodox conception of church.” Demos understood that in America the Church needed to steer a middle path between its Protestant and Catholic neighbors. Fr. Viscuso explained the danger posed by ideas that separate the spiritual and material, contrary to Orthodox theology which places such ideas in the context of the incarnational reality of Christ and His two natures, human and divine. According to Orthodox anthropology, man is a unity of body and soul, which makes it wrong to say, as many do, that the priest should be exclusively concerned with services and theology while the laity have the first and last say on administrative and financial matters. He said the clergy share the stewardship responsibilities in the financial realm and that for laypersons “to serve on the parish council is also ministry.” By also emphasizing the importance of transparency and cooperation between clergy and laity in the operation of the Church, he noted that there is common ground between priests and laypersons concerned about the governance of the church but which were expressed in a misguided way through the lawsuit. Fr. Viscuso pointed out the sources of misunderstandings and explained that Orthodoxy and Catholicism have very different conceptions of the canons. “Canons in the Orthodox Church are standards by which we live, not laws," he said. From the Protestant side the Church must fight “congregationalism” that puts the laity in complete control of the parish and neglects of oversight role of the bishop. Rev. Dr. Robert Stephanopoulos, the Cathedral’s Pastor Emeritus who worked with Demos for many years, spoke about the man who became a dear friend, a title many of his acquaintances aspired to. He informed that Demos grew up in New Britain, CT, where his devotion was born that “led him to use his skills and training as a lawyer for the best interests of the church.” (L-R) Nikos Papaconstantinou, Effie Lekas, Christ Stratakis, Theodore Kusulas, Prof. Warren Woodfin, Fr. Patrick Viscuso, Helen Demos, Chrysa Demos, Dr. Christos Ioannides, Orestes Fr. Stephanopoulos said that as a Board member and president of the Cathedral Demos offered many services but he was especially concerned about education. Christos Ioannides, the Director of the CBMGS, said of Demos, "I witnessed the modesty of a remarkable man, and I was blessed with his friendship. I consider myself fortunate that our paths crossed.” As a member of the Board of Advisors of the CBMGS and president of the Kallinikeion Foundation, Demos spearheaded the effort to establish the chair of Byzantine Studies at Queens College currently held by Prof. Warren Woodfin, who served as the evening’s Emcee. Dr. Ioannides praised Demos for his work in behalf of the Center and also spoke of his knowledge and appreciation of Byzantine Civilization. “With the Kallinikeion chair Byzantine studies became institutionalized at the Center. Dr. Ioannides thanked the Kallinikeion Foundation and acknowledged the CBMGS board members in attendance, Markos Marinakis, Leandros Papathanasiou, and Orestes Varvitsiotes. He also thanked Effie Lekas, his Assistant Director, for organizing the event. Theodore P. Kusulas, Head of the Cathedral School praised Demos for laying “a wonderful foundation as school board chairman,” – indeed, many call Demos the School’s savior. The National Herald Bookstore (718) 784-5255 • [email protected] Stratakis marveled that, “he always spoke in measured terms, made valuable and sen- Varvitsiotes, George Demos, Emanuel Demos, Fr. John Vlahos, Markos and Mary Marinakis. sible suggestions and made us think when he spoke.” More than one person during reception that followed spoke of how much those qualities are missed by the community. ADVERTISEMENT THE SICKNESS OF THE MIND OF DARWIN BY PROOFS AND BY FACTS The sickness of the mind of Darwin is spreading rapidly to most of the population of this earth and it is causing a major catastrophe. Because Darwin’s mind was governed by foolishness he couldn’t discover the truth of the origin of man, therefore he lied to himself and he lied to the world because he said that man originated from physics only. Human beings are not only physics but are physics and knowledge together (perfect knowledge)… Knowledge and physics together make the perfect personality… Knowledge produces technology not physics. So by fact, before technology, knowledge must have existed. The very first perfect knowledge that is what we call the true God and the true Creator of mankind. It is a fact that man’s body is the highest technology in the world. And the second fact is in order to discover technology we need the proper wisdom. Technology cannot be recognized by foolishness. That is why Darwin’s foolishness could not recognize that man’s body is the highest technology. THE SICKNESS OF DARWIN STARTED WHEN HE DENIED HISTORY… When someone denies history he proves to be a spiritually sick person. For someone to say that Moses or Alexander the Great or Caesar of Rome or even Jesus Christ never existed, for sure they prove they are sick in their mind. Today we have a much bigger surprise and a much bigger catastrophe because most of the leaders of the world, most of the professors in universities are sick in the head and at the same time they are worshipping their sickness and their own catastrophe. Those sick leaders and professors of the world are destroying our children because they are teaching them their foolishness and the biggest lie ever concerning their life, concerning the true origin of man. THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD SAYS BEFORE CHRIST AND AFTER CHRIST…. Can anybody with a sound mind say that Jesus Christ never existed?? Only a sick and paranoid person can say no! Only people that are locked up in insane asylums can say no. So historically Christ exists and historically Jesus Christ proved the perfect education for the mind so we can govern our mind always with a perfect knowledge, including perfect communication among human beings, perfect peace and happiness. Second he proved God’s power, healed all sickness, raised up people from the dead, and also he himself was resurrected. “IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT???? Jesus proved and gave us perfect and everlasting life and you don’t have to pay a penny for it. THIS FOR SURE IS THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE”. When we say we must accept Christ as our own savior, that is what we mean… to accept what Christ offered… that is what Christ offers to the world (and to you that is reading these lines) perfect education, perfect law, and perfect and everlasting life. And if anyone including yourself does not accept Christ, you prove that your mind is governed by the wrong knowledge, the unjust, which is the spiritual sickness like Darwin had. But if you are a wise person, at this moment, you could be saved forever, living with God always. By accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour… “So pray and say, Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world, I accept you as my Lord and Saviour with all my heart, please forgive all of my sins; thank you, amen… Nikos Papadelis 8075 Broadview Rd Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 «I serve the highest authority that governs the mind perfectly without any foolishness or evil» COMMUNITY 6 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 “The Fox and Boulder,” by Greek-American Playwright Sarah Bennett By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – Surveying the fate of individuals and nations who love flirting with disaster, even skeptics might come to believe that there really are higher powers looking out for us. In “The Fox and Boulder,” a new original play by GreekAmerican Sarah Bennett, who was also its executive director, deep humanitarian concerns and the challenges of everyday life are in play with unseen strings being pulled in the tavern that lends the play its name. The puzzling action takes place on the border of the enemy kingdoms of Garell and Eliopah and even after everything is revealed the audience might wonder, did they witness an obsessive busybody in action…or an angel? Bennett has a gift for creating characters one cares about and their stories unfold with wit and warmth, accompanied by music written by Bennett (Life is Good) and John Robert Hoffman (The Man from Garell) orchestrated by Ryan Kimble. Hepley is the ornery proprietor with a heart of gold played with perfect deadpan by Jon Schaller. He would love to shoo away the customers who rarely pay, but loneliness is worse than poverty. As the audience enjoys the witty banter they are also trying to unravel who the puppeteer is affecting the characters’ lives behind the scenes. Among the candidates are Strock (AJ Pacheo), an orphan whose indomitability is partly fueled by a good soul and partly by the alcohol he sometimes pays The band of gypsies that invades Fox and Boulder tavern transforms the prevailing anxiety and confusion into revelry. The play by Greek-American Sarah Bennett enjoyed a monthlong run in March at the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria. for and sometimes does not. He recently had a vision of a lovely lady in blue who told him he will become king of Eliopah. Hepley pours as much scorn as his good soul could muster on that, but wise barmaid Gretchen (Layla Sutton), and others treat him with enough respect to make one wonder if these are magic kingdoms where anything can happen. Fear seizes the gathering when soldiers from Garell led by Sir Holloway burst into the tavern – war is in the air – but Strock, with remarkable post-vision self-confidence, disarms them, and they turn into friends. Holloway’s motives are unclear. He is played with humanitarian intensity by Landon Sutton the wild night that is developing will not be a complete disaster. Lilac, a sharp-minded, tarttongued but kind peddler (Taryne Kellogg) is not welcomed by Hepley, but she becomes useful and he warms to her. Eventually an outrageous party breaks out but secrets abound in that nest of busybodies that could prove calamitous for the mission (whatever that might be) of Sir Holloway and the personal and professional life of the local Abbot (Glenn Stoops). Scenic Designer Eric Marchetta created a tavern audience members would enjoy visiting and Costume Designer Rebecca Joy Wallace adds flashes of bright color accented by the lighting of Shelby Lee Loera. The actions is and he is definitely on a secret mission, but he devotes most of his energy to keeping an eye on Sir Dashley (Michael Tubman) and Sir Arrowood (Kevin Ruiter), a Rosencrantz and Guildestern kind of pair with the zaniness but not the nefarious streaks of Shakespeare’s or Tom Stoppard’s characters. Simon (Ian Peterson) wanders in from a land far away in search of an almost mystical love. He says he is a farmer bored by his life and clings to a book. Is he a spy? Then there is the band of gypsies who storm onto the scene and are almost as quickly bounced off the stage by Hepley – until a bag of gold coins appears that gives him hope that well-coordinated by stage managers Sarah Peterson and Shairi Turner and the sound was managed by Dave Green. Additional cast members include: Brittney Moss, Logan Sutton, Megan Magee (keep an eye on her), Billie Aken-Tyers, Peter Sanzone and Madeline Lewis – who does wonderful tarot readings during intermission. GO EAST YOUNG PEOPLE Bennett has been singing and writing since her childhood in Lake Elsinore, CA. She was directing and producing original plays by high school that were so successful that there was no looking back. Ophelia Theatre Group was established when Bennett was 21 and she has produced, directed and often performed in its wide variety shows. The group’s success prompted Bennett to move the remarkable troupe of actors, singers and dancers to New York in 2011, where her younger brother Micah was already established. Fifteen core members migrated to New York, many living in Astoria, where Bennett is also a popular Astoria karaoke impresario. She attracts a lot of people who are actually good singers, but some guests come just for her fine voice and wonderful style. Her parents were born and raised in California and many nations and a lot of talent streamed into Bennett’s upbringing and gene pool. Both her parents’ families are musical and her mother, Stacie Macias, is also a writer. She has written a suspense novel and is currently in graduate school studying American history. Bennett’s father Russ, who is part Mexican, Spanish and Apachee, was in the mortgage business and is a classic rock musician. He sings and plays saxophone, flute drums. For 10 years Stacie sang in Russ’ band that had the felicitous name “Partyzon.” Her roots in Greece – the village of Sofiana which is near Corinith – and the American Midwest, mainly of English extraction. Her mother’s name is Victoria Theodoropoulos and her uncle Ilias Theros was a distinguished radiologist in Washington, DC. “The Fox and Boulder” finished its run at the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Astoria the weekend of March 27. For more information visit www.opheliatheatre.com. Kokkari Voted by Zagat as Number 1 Restaurant Overall in San Francisco Continued from page 1 pid idea. Restaurants are a terrible business. You’re not going to make any money.’ The thing is, we never did it to make money. “That was never a motivating issue, why we did these restaurants at all. It was always about showcasing the food of our mothers and grandmothers, and putting that food in an environment that was absolutely beautiful.” Founding partner Marcus told Zagat, “Kenny and I envisioned sharing our family food with our community. We did not believe Greek food had ever been represented with traditional family recipes. We wanted to make our main focus on the customer, and do everything first-rate with the best produce, preparation and service, so we thought it would take three to four years to get to a profitable state. We have been extraordinarily fortunate to have wonderful managers, chefs and servers who believe that we are on a special mission to make the Hellenic cuisine exceptional. We simply kept our eye on the customer with Greek hospitality and mom’s cuisine.” Frangadakis and Marcus set out to do their restaurants in their own way, starting from scratch. “There were no Greek cooking schools. Nobody was really into Greek cuisine,” Frangadakis says. “So a real estate guy and a dentist went looking for a top chef, and we had no takers. What we did was find an excellent Italian chef. I have a backyard kitchen. My wife Angie and Judy Marcus, as well as my mother-in-law – three fantastic cooks – worked with the chef, teaching him our family recipes. “We would go to the market and buy whole fish and lamb chops and everything else needed to make great Greek food. Of course, the chef had to translate the recipes to serve 500 people, but after we got over the initial phases, we were in business. All of us are foodies. George and his wife Judy. My wife Angie has an impeccable palate. Kokkari was named after her home town on the island of Samos. Evvia was named after George’s Greek island home. Occasionally chefs like to get out of the box – add their own twist to one of our classics. We don’t mind them getting creative as long as they keep it in the Aegean mode.” When Frangadakis talks about Kokkari, his voice rings with enthusiasm. “At Kokkari, we have a large fireplace where we actually rotisserie. It’s the most beautiful element in the restaurant. You can sit in front and see the meat being cooked – ducks and goats and lambs and pigs. You get the smells, the spices, the ambiance.” Frangadakis takes pride in what he Kokkari’s impressive ambience and fresh, authentic dishes combine the flavor of a homemade meal in an upscale setting. calls the “fifth dimension. It’s the entertainment aspect, the service, the atmosphere that’s so important. We want people to have a good time. We want to make people feel warm. Hospi- tality and philotimo are what Greeks are all about. It’s a special feeling.” Reading the menu makes you want to grab the next plane and head out to sample the charcoal grilled octopus, the zucchini cakes with mint dressing, the goat stew, the fish, the lamb roasted in a spit in the restaurant. Marcus, a business maverick, also brought innovations to dining scene. Says Frangadakis, “My partner George loves octopus, nobody was serving octopus before we did, nobody was serving smelts before we did this, so we brought all of this to the forefront, and now everybody copies this.” Speaking of his own favorites, Frangadakis says, “There’s a goat stew that’s phenomenal. Our lamb chops are the best. That’s a favorite dish. The fish can be done on a grill or cooked in the oven. The whole fish is a number one seller. It can be done with potatoes and tomatoes but it’s very light. There’s the octopus appetizer. Zucchini cakes are a favorite of vegetarians. We make our own pita bread, our own ice-cream. Our spreads are the best.” He adds: “I hate to be prejudiced, but I think it’s the best Hellenic restaurant – we call it Hellenic for non-Greeks – in the world.” If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can consult the cookbook, Kokkari, Contemporary Greek Flavors, written by Erik Cosselman and Janet Fletcher. This gorgeous tome could grace any coffee table but a note at the beginning advises: “This is not a cookbook we want you to leave on display on the shelf. We want it to be stained with olive oil and splashed with wine, a source of laughter and pleasure at the table as you journey through Greek cooking.” Both Frangadakis and Marcus have been awarded many honors for their work and contributions to the community. Marcus, co-founder with Frangadakis of the National Hellenic Society, also helped fund the Modern Greek Studies Program at San Francisco State, his alma mater. Says Frangadakis: “We do a lot of special events for the Greek community. George and I both belong to the Elios Society . At the Elios Charity Ball bi-annually, we honor people in the theater arts -- Alexander Payne, Jim Gianopulos. George and I sponsor a VIP cocktail party at Kokkari for honored guests and their friends.” The restaurant frequently hosts celebrities and politicians. “George is very involved politically, and he was a regent at the University of California. He’s good friends with Gov. Jerry Brown, who dines with us. All the politicos come. “When we opened Evvia in Palo Alto 20 years ago, our first chef was the grandson of Mayor Joe Alioto. We had George Christopher, the Greek-American and extremely well-known mayor of San Francisco and Alioto at the same table. So we had two former mayors of San Francisco debating the qualities of Italian and Greek cooking. It was really special.” At St. Petersburg Coll. in Tarpon Springs, Philotimo and Hellenism Abound Continued from page 1 Tarpon Springs Provost, Dr. Bright now provides an update about how that important initiative is progressing. CONTAGIOUS ENTHUSIASM It was as if we never ended our conversation from last fall, as things picked up right where they left off, seamlessly. Along with the Greek-American community, including the district’s Congressman Gus Bilirakis and his father and predecessor, Mike, along with former Tarpon Springs Vice Mayor and current mayoral candidate Chris Alahouzos, Consul General of Greece in Tampa Adamantia Klotsa, and countless academics from the surrounding area, Dr. Bright beamed about the “tremendous strides” in terms of further infusing Hellenism into SPC’s curriculum. “We have cleared the hurdle” of incorporating Greek language-based courses into the mix, Bright told TNH, and now the plan is to get everyone on board – including academic advisors – to get the message out to everyone that these are readily available. PHILOTIMO DAY Particularly exciting was this year’s academic forum at SPC by the American Foundation for Greek Language and Culture (AFGLC) a few weeks ago. The theme, and title, this year was: “The Virtue of Philotimo.” A short film released last autumn, directed by Andy and Mike Manatos and John Kinhard and produced by the OXI Foundation, titled The Greek Secret, focused on that uniquely-Greek word, and its widespread popularity raised the national consciousness – in and out of the Greek community – about philotimo. Accordingly, the topic was quite timely, eminently appropriate, and Bright said the feedback he received was that it was AFGLC’s “best conference thus far. The energy, the topics – you really had to be there to feel the energy,” Bright continued. “I could talk about it for hours, but you really had to be there to experience it.” Bright spoke about AFGLC Past President Dr. Byron Palls, who is staunchly dedicated to the AFGLC Mission in general, and specifically as it pertains to Hellenism in the SPC curriculum. Dr. Palls was unable to attend the event live, but he attended via Skype. “The technology was fantastic,” Bright said. The event “had a good scholarly feel. There was a great deal of research-based information on the topic of philotimo, but it was all quite nurturing. My goal is to grow it even more for next year.” Palls shared a good deal of information about AFGLC and the Philotimo conference with LEFT: Dr. Marvin Bright, Provost of SPC-Tarpon Springs, says the energy about infusing Hellenism into the curriculum is “contagious.” ABOVE: The letters proclaiming SPC’s Tarpon Springs campus are emblematic of its Hellenic identity, energy, and enthusiasm. RIGHT: Dr. Byron Palls, past AFGLC President, is committed to seeing a Hellenic Studies Center established at SPC’s Tarpon Springs campus. TNH. He explained that Dr. John Ballis, his predecessor as AFGLC President, died in 2010 before he had a chance to realize the collaborative growth of AFGLC and SPC. To that end, Palls was determined to fulfill Ballis’ wishes. Palls has continued to work diligently to ensure that SPC continues to host the AFGLC forum, and that SPC will create a Center for Hellenic Studies. In his presentation, Palls described that existing courses at SPC include Ancient Greek Mythology, Introduction to Greek Culture, and Introduction to Greek Philosophy, and additional courses in Greek history and language are planned. Moreover, Palls outlined some of the contributions Greeks have made to civilization that are perhaps not as well-known as history, medicine, philosophy, and theater. These include: alarm clocks, automatic doors, odometers, public education, showers, and vending machines. “BIG INITIATIVE” One of the programs Dr. Bright is most supportive of is SPC’s Early College Program, which continues to do well. Essentially, high school students enroll in SPC courses simultaneously, thereby graduating from high school with a diploma and an associate degree. At that point, he says, “they can enroll in a four-year college as first-semester juniors.” Bright is also very excited about an upcoming “big initiative” regarding Hellenism and the SPC curriculum. He plans to reveal more to TNH as details develop, but for now, he shared that “it is driven by the community, by the citizens,” and he calls it “an educational ecosystem.” Numerous community leaders, not least of which both Congressmen Bilirakis, are involved. Further developments may emerge as soon as this summer. COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 7 ALL HISTORY “Who Loves Ya Baby!” Kojak was Only the Start of the Greek Gumshoe By Steve Frangos TNH Staff Writer CHICAGO- It is impossible to tell when, where or why popular culture will attribute some attitude or object as undeniably Greek. At the moment we are living through a time when commercial after commercial loudly asserts that the best yogurt imaginable is Greek. No matter that the product(s) so identified in no way resembles traditional Greek yogurt. That there is little or no rhyme or reason for the vast majority of these assertions of Greekness is not the point. When popular culture strikes all we can do is watch as it unfolds and try to come to terms with its unexpected manifestation(s). Such is the case with the current gaggle of Greek and GreekAmerican detectives. I have no idea why we are now facing a virtual herd of Greek and GreekAmerican crimefighters, but they are appearing in print all around us. And their numbers show no sign of disappearing any time soon. Surprisingly some of these tales are written by serious writers whose every publication elevates their work to the highest levels of literature. Others are solid tongue in cheek creations meant as nothing more than passing confections. But one and all consciously choose Greeks as their central character and the adventures they live are done in what we are told/ or at the very least shown is/are a Greek fashion. I cannot hope to unravel all the nuances evident in this unlikely collective of gumshoes. My efforts here will be simply to assemble the known suspects and let you come to your own conclusions about what the appearance of all these new personas might convey about how the world now sees us. Fictional depictions of Greeks as detectives, criminals, and the victims of crimes is nothing new. For those of you wishing to get a grounding in this subgenre I would suggest reading two chapters out of Alexander Karanikas’ book length study Hellenes and Hellions: Modern Greek Character sin American Literature (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1981): Chapter 12 is entitled “Private Eyes and Victims” and then the next chapter “Thrillers Set in Greece.” While even Karanikas’ fine account is dated if will situate you in the older material before the appearance of this new generation of sleuths. While undoubtedly many of you have already thought of George Pelecanos’ twenty-one novels and one book of short stories this outstanding author was not the first to present a Greek-American character as a detective from among this new wave of Greek crime fighting figures. I hesitate, especially with Pelecanos, to call these writings strictly “crime novels.” To be sure we are in the same general genre or thematic area as fiction involving some kind of crime or at the very least mystery but also adding the words “solved” or “detective” somehow seems off the mark. More and far less is at work in these volumes than finding “the killer” or “locating the stolen money.” Let us instead offer up something of the principal authors and their works to first demonstrate the body of work at hand and then move on to possible similarities and/or differences in their collective works. Paul Kemprecos (born March 11, 1939) is the author of the long running Aristotle “Soc” Socarides series. The character of Socarides is a Cape Cod fisherman, diver and sometimes private investigator. As of this moment the "Soc" Socarides series includes: Cool Blue Tomb (1991), Neptune's Eye (1991), Death in Deep Water (1992), Feeding Frenzy (1993), Mayflower Murder (1996), and Bluefin Blues (1997). The newly-released Grey Lady is the seventh book in the popular Socarides detective series. Kemprecos is himself the son of a Greek immigrant and a lifelong resident of Cape Cod. Next we have Stamatios T. Iakovou (b. 1950) and Judith Kerley Iakovou (b. 1949) and their creations of Nick Lambros, Greek immigrant and cafe owner, and Julia Lambros, cafe owner and part-time speech pathologist in Delphi, Georgia. George Pelecanos’ Stefanos-centered novels include: A Firing Offense (1992), Nick's Trip (1993) – its cover is seen above, This crime stopping duo are found in the novels: So Dear to Wicked Men (1996), Go Close Against the Enemy (1998) and There Lies a Hidden Scorpion (1999). Takis and Judy Iakovou have owned and managed restaurants for nearly twenty years, but only recently have they put this experience to work writing mysteries. “Tori Carrington” is the pen name of yet another husband and wife writing team formed by Tony Karayianni (b. Smila, Greece) and Lori Schlachter Karayianni (b. Toledo, Ohio, United States). Since 1998, the couple have proven both productive and popular having completed over 28 romance novels. For our interest here Tori Carrington is the author of the Sofie Metropolis series: Sofie Metropolis (2005), Dirty Laundry (2006), Foul Play (2007), Working Stiff (2008) and Love Bites (2011). Sofie Metropolis, is a Greek-American private investigator (well sorta), in Queens, New York City working out of her uncle’s agency. This series is interesting if for no other reasons than every popular culture cliché from films, news accounts and other novels sees expression in Sophie’s everyday life. And dubious as it may seem, to the best of my knowledge, the offering of “real” Greek recipes began in this series. Gus Leodas, an Amazon bestselling author is the creator of the Mitchell Pappas mysteries. Such as A Tide for Renata (2000), as well as other novels. Yet another husband and wife writing team is Cordelia Frances Biddle and Steve Zettler writing under the pseudonym of Nero Blanc. Their creation is Rosco Polycrates who is not only a third generation Greek-American but also a professional private investigator. In this series of books it is crossword puzzles that provide the important clues. Beware Polycrates is for super-serious crossword buffs. This series includes: The Crossword Murder (1999), Two Down (2000), The Crossword Connection (2001) and A Crossword To Die For (2002). Then we have Georgie Nikolopatos the main protagonist in the Greek To Me! series: Feta Attraction (2015) and Olive and Let Die (2015) by author Susannah Hardy. Nikolopatos manages the Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant and historic landmark in beautiful upstate New York where the action of this series takes place. This tongue in cheek series is another that “includes delicious Greek recipes!” George Pelecanos’ (b. 1957) intent and writing style place his work on a far different plane than the other authors so far considered. Pelecanos' first three novels were written in the first person voice of Nick Stefanos, a Greek-American D.C. resident and sometime unofficial investigator. The Stefanos centered novels include: A Firing Offense (1992), Nick's Trip (1993), and Down by the River Where the Dead Men Go (1994). Other Greek characters and social settings see presentation in his ongoing writings. Pelecanos is a writer of the first rank whose talent seems to have no limit. To simply illustrate that this surge in Greek sleuths is not limited to American shores let us quickly review some authors whose work features detectives based in Greece. Undoubtedly the writer with the greatest attention right now is Anne Zouroudi and her “Greek Detective,” e.g. Hermes Diaktoros novels. Zouroudi was born in Britain and married a Greek. The novels dealing with Diaktoros, better known by his enemies as “the fat man” is one of the most popular detective/mystery series now being published. While Zouroudi originally conceived of her Diaktoros series as seven novels, each based on one of the Deadly Sins and set mainly in the Greek islands, the overall popularity of the fat man may well prove to extend this original plan. Paul Johnston (b 1957) has given the world Alex Mavros a half-Scots, half-Greek private investigator living in Greece. His adventures have been read in seven novels: Deeper Shade of Blue (2002), The Last Red Death (2008), The Golden Silence (2004), The Silver Stain (2012) The Green Lady (2012) The Black Life (2013) and The White Sea (2014). Petros M rkaris (b 1937) is a Greek writer of considerable note who has written along the way seven detective novels plus one book of short stories which feature the exploits of Athenian police investigator Costas Haritos. Markaris has considerable literary chops having written several plays as well as working with Theo Angelopoulos on a number of film scripts. Markaris has translated several German dramas into Greek and in August 2013 was awarded the prestigious Goethe Medal. Markaris’ novels involving Costas Haritos are especially noteworthy for including current events such as the economic crisis in the storyline. More names could well be added to this all too brief survey. How and why these GreekAmerican and Greek gumshoes have come to seize the public’s attention is still a matter for study. All feature to one degree or another central characters just outside of everyday life. But this is a core element in most crime novels where the character’s marginality allows them to see/understand what is happening in a way the other characters (and supposedly the readers) cannot. But why Greeks? And why did this use of Greeks begin in the 1990s and only increase over time? And here we have a cultural mystery, yet to be solved! hero bread, salad, a coconut custard pie and coffee in celebration, telling me, ‘Always happy to oblige a friend,’ ” George cudgeled his brain. Did Yiannis’ talent prove effective? Did he choose the honest worker? Should George be magnanimous and accept that as fact? He rubbed his chin, still uncertain. Dimos had accepted his friend’s abilities while, mentally, tallying the four sumptuous lunches Yiannis had consumed. Then, Yiannis entered and sat among them, gratified that everyone had unanimously acknowledged his timely intervention – even George, whose disquieting reflections pondered long on the riddle. Had Yiannis hoodwinked them all in some way? How? Fact was, he hadn’t, really, chosen the worker. But this extraordinary talent he claimed to have did, indeed, approve the counter man. Right? Wrong! Dimos had the last word. That’s when a flash of enlightenment came. Yeah! That’s it! What was certain was that the ol’ fox, indeed, had a talent. That talent was freeloading! [email protected] GREEK AMERICAN STORIES Talents By Phylis (Kiki) Sembos nod of Ok. So, after he’d left, I called the agency and hired someone who came that same day. I called Yiannis and told him he didn’t need to come. But, he came, anyway. Observing the new counter man, he said, ‘Bravo, Dimos! He’s perfect! He’ll work out! I’m certain of it! My intuition says you’ve got the right man this time! Yes, he’s the one!’ ”Kipreos’ eyes widened.“So, Yiannis approved? Is he working out like Yiannis said? ” “He did! And, yes, the worker is O.K. But, then, Yiannis ordered roast beef on Italian Special to The National Herald his neighbors afterwards. “I’m never wrong!” Sipping his coffee, he continued, “The next time you want to hire anyone… call me. I’ll have a look at him and tell you what my sixth sense tells me. You’ll see I’m on target. One look…I’ll know!” “Ok Yiannis. Tell you what! I’m expecting two counter men Monday. You can stand by the kitchen where you can’t be seen and look them over. Then, tell me what your sixth sense tells you.” George’s eyes narrowed; suspicious at what scheming snake oil salesman idea he’d hatch. He asked, “What do you expect in return for your services, Yiannis? Surely, you’d not do something without compensation of some kind.” “I expect nothing!” he replied, sounding offended. “But, I did think it would be better if I looked like a customer than a spy - looking more natural like...eating at the counter.” He looked at Dimos, expectantly. “Well, a sandwich and coffee is not unreasonable compensation.” Dimos agreed. Not one to kick a free lunch away Yiannis was more than pleased. But, the wheels in his brain churned harder than a cement mixer. Next Sunday saw them all gathered in Dixon’s - eager to hear about Yiannis’ sixth sense. “Well? Did you hire anyone using Yiannis’ extraordinary talent?” John asked Dimos. “I’m still trying to figure that out!” Dimos said, hesitatingly. “He didn’t like the two who had come Monday - had lunch and left. Tuesday, another applicant came for the job. He warned against him - after lunch. When I complained that his intuition was eating my profits, he said, ‘my sixth sense is very sensitive on these matters, Dimos. I’m uncanny, I tell you. We can’t risk having you hiring another thief.’ Wednesday went by with no THE NATIONAL HERALD BOOKSTORE Exercise your mind with the latest books from The National Herald Collection FLAVOURS & DELIGHTS Tastes and pleasures of Ancient & Byzantine Cuisine FLAVOURS & DELIGHTS elizAbeth conley/the detroit newS Dimos sat, glumly, in his place in Dixon’s cafeteria airing his latest concern to his friends. “I had to fire him! I mean, he was the only one in the store when I went to the bank to deposit the day’s receipts,” he told his listeners who were equally concerned. “A whole ham disappeared. What else was I to think? – especially, when the waitress saw him go outside to a parked car holding a large bag; then, came back empty handed.” “Well, you did the right thing, Dimos!” John consoled. Dimos relaxed to some degree, touched by their understanding. “I, usually, can spot a shifty face before hiring. But, this one fooled me, completely.” Yiannis’ mouth formed a sardonic curl, “There are other ways to judge a person. Now, I have a special talent that senses a shady character on the spot. I have infallible intuition.” George raised a dark brow, somewhat enigmatically. “You have a special talent to catch shady characters?” “I do!” assured Yiannis. “When someone comes to my door asking for something I look hard at him, notice his body language, his clothes, his eyes, mostly. Then, I know what to do.”“What do you do?” asked Kipreos, wide eyed. “It’s a sure thing he wants something. So, I shut the door.” “Before you find out what he wanted?” asked George. “Suppose you were wrong!” Yiannis responded that he’d, later, ask Hellenic in Detroit: Evzones take Monroe St. Members of the Detroit Evzones march down Monroe Street in Greektown during the 14th annual Greek Independence Day Parade in Greektown on April 19. Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit led marchers from dozens of organizations and AHEPA Supreme President Philip Frangos was Grand Marshal. Festivities included dance groups and marching bands. $46.99 the flavours of classical Greece Makedonisi(on). Parsley, the macedonian herb. byzantine diet and cuisine. in between ancient and modern gastronomy. All in the cooking pot. Advances in the study of byzantine diet. eating flowers byzantine aphrodisiacs & delicacies. liutprand of cremona. A critical guest at the byzantine emperor's table. Timarion hens, cockerels and other choice fowl. everyday food and gastronomic pretensions in byzantium Pallikaria of lentils. the "brave boys" of beans. everyday food in the middle byzantine period dining with foreigners Food for Saints the emperor's salad "the raw and the cooked" way of cooking and serving food in byzantium O R D E R F O R M Please return this form with your check or money order payable to: The National Herald, 37-10 30th street, Long Island City, NY 11101-2614 or charge your credit card: o American express o master card o Visa o discover αCCOUNT: εXPIRATION DATE: ναμε: αDDRESS: CITY: PHONE # / CELL: BOOKS: SIGNATURE STATE: zIP CODE: FAX: E-MAIL: OBITUARIES CLASSIFIEDS 8 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 Chris Nicholson, Greek-American Tribune Editor, was 95 Chris Nicholson, 95, of Sheboygan, passed away March 28, 2015. Born February 5, 1920, in Albert Lea, MN, Chris was the son of the late Nick and Christina Nicolopoulos. After the death of Christina on February 17, 1920, Nick took Chris and Chris’s sister back to Greece, where Chris was raised until he returned to the United States in 1945. He studied law at the University of Athens. death by his parents and by his sister, Kathryn Vasiliou. A family service will be held at a later date. The Olson Funeral Home and Cremation Service has been entrusted with arrangements. The family would like to thank the staff at Countryside Manor, the nurses and staff at Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Hancock for their loving care and support. Chris worked as a journalist in other countries and in the United States. He lived in New York City most of his adult life. In New York City he was the editor of The Greek-American Tribune. Chris knew several languages and loved classical music. He is survived by his nieces, Pat (Wayne) Sather, Sheboygan, and Maria Vasiliou of Wayzata, MN, as well as by relatives in Greece. He was preceded in Bill Arhos, Founder of TV’s Austin City Limits, Dies at 80 By Sam Roberts AUSTIN, TX (From the New York Times, published on Apr. 20) – Bill Arhos, a frustrated guitarist whose long-running television show, Austin City Limits, introduced much of America to the sound of redneck rock and progressive country and prompted Austin, TX, to proclaim itself the “Live Music Capital of the World,” died on April 11 in suburban Austin. He was 80. His death, of heart disease, was announced by KLRU, the public television station in Austin, his hometown, which originated the show. Armed with a pilot featuring Willie Nelson that he produced for $7,000, Mr. Arhos (pronounced AR-hoes) convinced public broadcasting stations in 1975 that the rest of the nation was ready for the emerging home-brewed regional mix of rock and counterculture lyrics by country singer-songwriters, a marked contrast to mainstream Nashville music. By 2010, Austin City Limits had become the longest-running live musical concert show on television, surpassing the Boston Pops’ 34-year record on WGBH. “Bill got it launched as a series, Bill kept it going as a series for 25 or more years,” said Terry Lickona, the show’s current producer and Mr. Arhos’ former colleague. “That was an important part of Bill’s legacy.” The genesis was collaborative. Inspired by Jan Reid’s 1974 book, The Improbable Rise of Redneck Rock, Paul Bosner, a producer for the Austin station (originally called KLRN), and a colleague, Bruce Scafe, suggested that they start a music Bill Arhos (L) with Willie Nelson, who appeared on the very first episode of Arhos’ television show Austin City Limits. series. Mr. Arhos submitted a proposal to PBS, which awarded a grant and featured his pilot in one of its first national on-air fundraising drives. Introduced with Gary P. Nunn’s London Homesick Blues, Austin City Limits went on to feature performances by country stars like Chet Atkins, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, the Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris and Reba McEntire, as well as rock and blues acts including Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen, Sheryl Crow, Fats Domino, Foo Fighters, B. B. King, Roy Orbison, Pearl Jam, Robert Plant, Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 2002 the show spawned the Austin City Limits Music Festival. “What was the most visible cultural product of Austin? Music,” Mr. Arhos was quoted as saying in the 2010 book “Weird City,” by Joshua Long. “It was obvious. It would be like ignoring a rhinoceros in your bathtub.” In 1995, Mr. Arhos told Texas Alcalde, the University of Texas alumni magazine: “There were probably more blues and jazz musicians here than country musicians, but the only moneymaking gigs were in country. So they played jazz and blues inside the country music, and that developed a new art form.” Billy Philip Arhos was born in the East Texas town of Teague on Nov. 3, 1934, the son of Greek immigrants. His father, Philip Arhos, was a restaurateur. His mother, the former Helen Bournias, was a courthouse administrator. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rice University and a master’s in education from Texas A&M. He is survived by two daughters, Leslie Lucas and Laura Jenkins; a son, Damon Arhos; six grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Hardy. Mr. Arhos joined public television shortly after it began broadcasting from the communications building at the University of Texas in Austin, and through “Austin City Limits,” his former colleague Mr. Lickona said, “he was able vicariously to live a lot of his musical fantasies.” He was president and general manager of the station from 1986 until his retirement in 1999. He also served on the boards of PBS and the Country Music Association. As executive producer of “Austin City Limits” from 1975 until his retirement, he was credited with setting the program’s cutting-edge tone. “Here was a show that you could watch an entire live performance of a band — not just one song after Johnny Carson walks off the couch — in front of an intimate audience,” Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters told Rolling Stone magazine. “Those experiences translate,” he said. “When I was young, I was like: ‘Wow, that’s music! That’s how it’s done! Now it’s in my living room, and it makes me want to do that, too.’ You watch these brilliant musicians ripping on that stage week after week, and it could only inspire young musicians. Maybe that’s what it was for.” Sophia “Mimi” Paul, Concert Pianist, Passes away at 107 CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Notice Of Formation, ROBINSONGAL43 LLC. (DOM. LLC). Articles of Organization Filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/19/2014. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to: c/o: United States Corporation Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful Purpose or activity. 274380/19477 LEGAL NOTICE Notice Of Formation, ANTLIA CAPITAL LLC. (DOM. LLC). Articles of Organization Filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/17/2015. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to: Murat Omur, 863 45 Street, Floor 1, Brooklyn, NY 11220. Purpose: any lawful Purpose or activity. 274372/19470 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION, P&P estates, LLC. Articles of Organization Filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/04/2015. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to c/o: THE LLC, 87 Georgia Dr., Syosset NY, 11791. Purpose: any lawful Purpose or activity. 274370/19467 LEGAL NOTICE family moved to Washington, DC. In 1935, she married James D. Paul, founder of Paul's Wholesale Florist Company and real estate investor. A classically trained concert pianist, Mrs. Paul chose not to pursue a career in music in favor of a life devoted to her family. She remained active in the arts throughout her life, and was a long-time member of The Arts Club of Washington. She was on the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra. She was a patron of the American Heart Association's Annual Luncheon Honoring the First Lady and Congressional Wives. She also volunteered her time with the Salvation Army. Following her husband's death in 1961, she moved to The Westchester, her home for the next 52 years. A gracious presence in Washington, Mrs. Paul was a refined woman known for her elegance and romantic style, always seen with miniature orchids in her hair. Her family and friends remember fondly many pleasant afternoons spent together enjoying high tea in the Garden Terrace at the Four Seasons in George- town. Mrs. Paul was the devoted mother to Dennis and his wife Georgianna of Washington, DC, and to Nicholas and his wife June of Annapolis, MD. She was adored by her grandchildren: Catharine, Denisse, Dennis and wife Coralie, Georgianna and fiancé Bryan, the late James II and wife Christiana, Mary Elizabeth and husband Andrew, Nicholas and wife Melissa. She was the loving great-grandmother to Anais, Ann, Emelia, James III, James, Maximilien, and Robert. She attended the Fifth Church of Christ Scientist in Georgetown. DEATH NOTICES n ANAGNOS, PARNASSOS RUTLAND, VT (From the Rutland Herald, published on Apr. 17) – Parnassos Peter Anagnos, 78, of Rutland, VT, died April 11, 2015, in Mountain View Center Genesis Eldercare Network, after a short illness. He was born on March 16, 1937, in Sparta, Greece, the son of Petros and Fotini (Bouthouni) Anagnos. For many years, he was a chef at The Rutland Restaurant. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Katherine Anagnos, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 939, Rutland, VT 05702. n BALAOURAS, ELEFTHERIA (MALLIOS) WINTHROP, MA (From the Boston Globe, published on Apr. 7) – Balaouras, Eleftheria (Mallios) Of Winthrop, April 4. Devoted wife of George Balaouras. Loving mother of Helen Balaouras of Winthrop, Barbara O'Donnell and her husband James of Winthrop and Stephanie Balaouras and her wife Helena Johnson of Reading. Dear sister of Athena Thanou of Greece and the late Michael and Anastasios Mallios. Cherished grandmother of Mary, Ellie and Marie. Memorial donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, days and dates of funerals, memorials, and other events directly correspond to the original publication date, which appears at the beginning of each notice. Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston MA 022849168 or go to www.danafarber.org. n COMPGIANNIS, STEVE SANTA BARBARA, CA (From the Santa Barbara News-Press, published on Apr. 16) – Was born November 8, 1923 in Sacramento, California to Thomas and Eugenia Compogiannis who emigrated from Greece in 1910. In 1924 the family moved to Santa Barbara, where Steve attended La Cumbre Junior High School and Santa Barbara High School where he was active in student affairs. Steve graduated from Stanford University and did graduate work at the University of Southern California in order to prepare and qualify to become a Certified Public Account. During World War II Steve served in the U.S. Navy being stationed in Europe. As an active Naval Reserve Officer, Steve was called up during the Korean War, and served as a Cost Inspection Officer for Procurement in Japan. Upon completion of his active duty, Steve resumed his career as a CPA, opening his own office on Anapamu Street, where he wistfully remembered the rent being a whopping $25.00 per month. In 1960 Steve married Anne Pomeroy Jordan and became a stepfather to her two children, Julie and Jim. Steve and Anne had a son, Thomas in 1964. Steve was very proud of his Greek Heritage and was an active and lifetime member of the Greek Fraternal Organization, The Order of AHEPA, whose organization he served as a local and a district officer. Despite his preoccupation with his accounting practice, Steve enjoyed playing bridge, bike riding, and walking. Son Jim taught him to windsurf, with which he persevered despite the many "dips." Tennis was also a favorite family sport at the La Cumbre Country Club. Steve and Anne enjoyed traveling and were able to do so extensively. Steve was dedicated and loved his profession, meeting clients and crunching the numbers. Steve, to the frustration of the Internal Revenue Service, continued to prepare and calculating tax returns by hand contending the computers were not reliable. On April 3, 2015 when Steve passed he had been at this office doing what he loved to do for over 60 years, his old heart so full of generosity, joy and compassion finally gave out. Steve is survived by his loving family, wife Anne, children Julie Hamlin (Howard), Jim Jordan (Bonita), Tom (Robyn), sister Helen and brother Chris, Grandchildren Lauren, Nick, Camryn and Chase Compogiannis. n KOLOVANI, KYRIAKI CAPE COD, MA (From the Lebanon Daily News, published on Mar. 25) – Kyriaki Kolovani LEBANON It is with heavy hearts that the family of Kyriaki A. "Kiki" Kolovani share the passing of their loving wife, mother, yiayia and sister on March 23, 2015, at 78 years of age. She was the oldest daughter of Aristodimos Vafiadis and Anthoula (Homatopoulos); and the wife of Roland C. Kolovani and the late Nikolaos S. Frangiadis. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, April 6, 1936, she lived through great poverty due to the war and disliked watching movies about that period of time throughout her life. She wed Nikolaos in 1962 and went on to give birth to three children, Vasilia, Dimitrios, and Anthi. With her immediate family, she emigrated to the United States in 1974 in pursuit of the American Dream - to make the lives of her children better than her own. She worked as a seamstress and a homemaker, raising her family in Lebanon, Pa.; later opening her own tailor shop. She was widowed in 1985 while two of her children attended university and the third was in elementary school. While many in her extended family encouraged her to return to Greece, Kiki persevered and chose to remain in the United States, fulfilling their goal to provide each of their children with a college education. It was in her shop where she met Roland and they wed in 1988. With Roland, she travelled throughout the country and the world, enjoyed gardening and many visits to her beloved Longwood Gardens, while cooking and baking her cherished Greek recipes for all to enjoy - her kourabiedes were second to none and she introduced yialanzi to many. She struggled with many medical conditions throughout her lifetime. It was her family devotion and Orthodox faith that remained in the forefront. Kiki is survived by her spouse, Roland C. Kolovani and his family of Lebanon, Pa. and Florida; her children, Vasilia "Bess" Kara and her husband Gerald of St. Jacob's 274331/19442 LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of 719 PINE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/25/14. Office location: Kings county. SSNY is designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: Ramin Gold, 139 -43 86 Ave, Brairwood,NY 11435." Purpose: any lawful act. 274330/19441 LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of MREG RSG-SHEF 298 WEIRFIELD MEMBER LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/23/15. Office location: Kings County. Princ. office of LLC: 360 Lexington Ave., 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Mack Real Estate Group, 60 Columbus Circle, 20th Fl., NY, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 274329/17976 LEGAL NOTICE Notice of formation of JONNY HIRSCH MUSIC LLC a (DOM. LLC). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/31/2015. Office location: Kings County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Jonny Hirsch Music LLC, 80 Meserole Street, Apt. 4C, Brooklyn, NY 11206. Any Lawful Purpose. 525 MYRTLE AVENUE CONDOS REALTY LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY ON 02/10/14. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 37-36 75th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 274323/17973 274363/19466 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of Y&F FAMILY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/31/15. Office location: Kings County. Princ. office of LLC: Joel Frankel, 74 Ross St., Apt. 5-F, Brooklyn, NY 11249. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of formation of VIA ATALANTA PRODUCTIONS, LLC a (DOM. LLC). Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/26/2015. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: VIA ATALANTA PRODUCTIONS, LLC, 3616 Henry Hudson Pkwy, Suite 5EN, Bronx, NY 10463. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. 274355/17976 274315/19429 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of B & B Money Management, LLC Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/16/2015. Office location: BX County, SSNY designated agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to principal business address: 3000 Park Avenue, #4D, Bronx, NY 10451. Purpose: any lawful act. Planning Change LLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ NY Sec. of State 3/9/15. Office in NY Co. SSNY designated agent for service of process and shall mail to 375 Greenwich St. Ste. 802, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 274309/18796 LEGAL NOTICE 274356/19459 LEGAL NOTICE IRAM LLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ SSNY 1/12/15. Office in NY Co. SSNY designated for service of process and shall mail to Reg. Agent: Corporation Service Co, 80 State St. Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Aerobic Sports Dance & Music Exercises Group LLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ NY Sec. of State 3/10/15. Office in NY Co. SSNY designated for service of process and shall mail to 1641 3rd Ave. #16F, New York, NY 10128. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 274308/18796 274350/18796 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of KIT & TOD LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secre- tary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/23/15. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: KIT & TOD LLC, 3062 Harding Avenue PH, Bronx, NY 10465. Purpose: any lawful act. 274339/19447 Otero Law Firm, PLLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ NY Sec. of State 3/9/15. Office in NY Co. SSNY designated agent for service of process and shall mail to 222 Broadway 25th FL, New York, NY 10038. Purpose: Law Practice. 274307/18796 FUNERAL HOMES LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of DC’s DELIGHT, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/03/15. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful act. 274337/19445 WASHINGTON, DC (From the Washington Post, published on Apr. 12) – Sophia Camarinos Paul, known as "Mimi" to her grandchildren and their friends, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at her home in Washington, DC, having recently celebrated her 107th birthday. Born and raised in Williamsport, PA, Sophia was one of six children of Vasiliki and Emmanuel Camarinos. She studied piano and graduated from the Dickinson Conservatory (now Lycoming College). During the Great Depression her "Notice of Formation of Mega Club Fashion, LLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/07/11. Purpose: any lawful act. Office location: Kings county. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: 2204 Ave. U, Brooklyn, NY 11229." LEGAL NOTICE GAB PROPERTIES LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/04/15. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2050. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 238 91st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. APOSTOLOPOULOS Apostle Family Gregory, Nicholas, Andrew Funeral Directors of RIVERDALE FUNERAL HOME Inc. 5044 Broadway New York, NY 10034 (212) 942-4000 Toll Free 1-888-GAPOSTLE CONSTANTINIDES FUNERAL PARLOR Co. (718) 745-1010 Services in all localities Low cost shipping to Greece 274335/17973 LEGAL NOTICE ABSTRAKT PICTURES LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/24/15. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 57 Thames Street, Apartment 4B, Brooklyn, NY 11237. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 274334/17973 LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Formation of PHRENE CONSULTING LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secre- tary of State of New York (SSNY) on Office location: NEWY County. 02/24/15. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 630 West 246th Street, Riverdale, NY 10471. Purpose: any lawful act. ANTONOPOULOS FUNERAL HOME, INC. Konstantinos Antonopoulos Funeral Director 38-08 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, New York 11105 (718) 728-8500 Not affiliated with any other funeral home. to PlAce your clASSiFied Ad, cAll: (718) 784-5255, ext. 106, e-mAil: classifieds@ thenationalherald.com 274338/19446 ON, Dimitri N. Frangiadis and his wife Laura of Landenberg, Pa., and Anthi Frangiadis of Onset, Mass.; her grandchildren, Nathaniel and Lydia Kara; Alexi and Gabriel Frangiadis; and her siblings, sister Olga Ousantzopoulos and brother Elefterios Vafiadis and his wife Anneta, all of Thessaloniki, Greece. Funeral Service Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m. in St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Cape Cod, 1130 Falmouth Road Rt. 28, Centerville, Mass.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Cape Cod. n KRIKORIS, ANASTASIA LOWELL, MA (From the Lowell Sun, published on Mar. 28) – Mrs. Anastasia (Halamoutis) Krikoris, 83, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side. Anastasia was born September 23, 1931 in Siatista, Greece, a daughter of the late Nicholas and Soultana (Papakosta) Halamoutis. this is a service to the community. Announcements of deaths may be telephoned to the classified department of the national herald at (718) 784-5255, monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. eSt or e-mailed to: [email protected] Beloved wife of 34 years to the late Vasilios Krikoris. Anastasia came to the United States from Greece in 1967 with her husband, Vasilios, and son Gregory settling in Lowell. She has been a resident since that time. She worked for many years in the local mills as a stitcher in the shoe industry. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed cooking for her family, gardening and attending church. Anastasia was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell. The Krikoris family would like to thank Commonwealth Nursing Services Aides for providing exceptional care and kindness to our mother and in particular Michelle Almeida who took care of mom daily. Anastasia is survived by her son, Gregory Krikoris and his wife, Antonia of Dracut; two grandchildren, Vasilios and Katherine Krikoris; a brother, George Karafilides and his wife, Roula of Lowell; two very special friends, Tasoula Kanavas and Chrysanthe Dikos; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Naoum Halamoutis, and her sister-in-law, Electra Halamoutis, and many loved ones in Greece. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, donations may be made in her memory to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Lewis St., Lowell, MA 01854. THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 COMMUNITY 9 My Big, Fat Greek Bubblicious: on Chios, this "Candy"Grows on Trees By Chrysa Pikramenos Growing up as a first generation Greek-American, one of my most distinct cultural recollections that I remember as a child, is chewing on this gum-like substance that my parents referred to as “masticha.” Now, excuse me if I might sound like the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but, the word, “mastic” comes from the Greek word mastichein, which means, “to grind the teeth,” which in turn, is the definition of the English word, “mastichate.” I vividly remember the taste of masticha, because of its unique pine or cedar-like flavor, which was unlike anything I had ever tried before. And, it wasn’t actually “gum” in the sense of a substance that children would chomp on, corrupted by artificial additives and preservatives, but rather a whole substance that you could simply chew, without disrupting its cohesive properties. Imagine that: eating something whole, without any preservatives! As a kid growing up in the United States, my parents, who emigrated from Greece, reluctantly caved in to my addiction for overly-processed sweets, particularly from the candy food group. As a result, I developed into a full-fledged sugar junkie and frequent visitor to the dental office. But even while my main choices of gum consisted of Watermelon Wave Bubblicious or Big League Chew, I ironically developed a liking to the sugarless masticha. I originally came to try it as my curiosity was provoked by my mother’s baking of a traditional sweet bread, Tsoureki, commonly made for Greek Easter. One of the distinct ingredients added to Tsoureki is none other than, masticha. I remember the exact moment, as I snuck up behind her on my eight-yearold toes, as she was cooking in the kitchen of our two-bedroom apartment in Astoria, where I grew up. I wondered about the crystal-like drops that she was folding into the bread mixture, and so she let me sample the masticha. To this day, I can still recall that memory, because of the unique aromatic flavor that enchanted my senses, a flavor far different from what my young Westernized palate was accustomed to. As the years passed, I never actually revisited the mystical allure that I once had with masticha. It simply left my mind, probably because I was so distracted by the all-American, cavity-inducing treats that I became addicted to, distorting my impressionable taste buds. However, I was surprised, as an adult, that I would once again become curious in revisiting my long-lost childhood tooth companion, but for altogether different reasons. Flash forward, I became in- LEFT: Trees produce masticha exclusively in the Southern region of Chios.ABOVE TOP: The masticha trees “weep” masticha drops, which harden fected with Lyme disease while on a camping trip in the Catskills, and had no choice but to undergo long-term antibiotic treatment, which left me with digestive problems, killing much of the friendly flora that supports digestion. Well, much to my surprise, after doing some extensive research, I realized that masticha, or “mastic gum,, as commonly referred to in the English language, specifically for health supplements, is used as a therapeutic substance, ingested for digestive disorders. According to various scientific studies, it helps with indigestion, bacterial infections, and even has anti-cancer benefits. Supposedly, there are compounds called triterpenoids that may help inhibit cancer cells and tumors from growing. Mastic gum is also used to treat Helicobacter pylori, (H.pylori), stomach bacteria known to cause ulcers, gastritis, and various digestive and physical disorders. While traditional medical doctors would routinely prescribe you a round of antibiotics to kill the H.pylori, a naturopathic doctor may suggest mastic gum as part of your treatment protocol, along with other supplements, and also accompanied by a well-balanced diet. More antibiotics would only exacerbate digestive issues. Now, I don’t remember Bubblicious having all of these amazing health benefits. And the best part is, unlike sugar-laden gums, chewing on masticha actually fights cavities. Due to its bacteria-fighting abilities, it will clean your mouth and freshen your breath. Aha! Now here is the missing link I thought to myself, as I can hear my grandparents speaking to me from above, and guiding me in the right direction towards good health. I need to find where I can buy myself some masticha to help me with my digestive problems. So what do I do? I ask some of Greek friends and family for advice on where to locate the elusive masticha. Online sources reveal it is sold at independent sites and Amazon as well, but many of them are coming directly from Greece, and shipping can take quite some time. The best places, in my opinion, to get Greek items are authentic Greek specialty stores. While I was familiar with Titan Foods in Astoria, I was looking for something a little closer to where I was residing at the moment, which was further east on Long Island. I heard of a place not too far from me, so I go. It’s a small place in Hicksville, NY, by the name of Bakaliko Greek-American Store. As I walk in, I see a Greek man seated behind the counter, who I believe is the owner. His name is George. He is somewhere in his 60s, seated behind the counter, while a Greek lady close to his age is working by his side. These could be my aunts and uncles. Ahh, it feels like home. A small mom and pop Greek store, where the people speak Greek to you and treat you like you’re family. So, I asked the seemingly nice fellow if he had any masticha, and he shows me the gum on the counter, but in chiclet form. I realized, however, that this was not pure masticha, but instead commercialized chewing gum with other additives, like sugar and flavorings, and with minimal amounts of masticha. I nod my head in disapproval. “The one for cooking?” he asked, in his Greek accent. I had to think about it, but then remembered that this is the form that my mom used when she cooked with it, and that is exactly what I chewed as a kid, back then. So, yes in fact, this and crystallize. ABOVE: BOTTOM: Pure masticha crystals have tremendous health benefits, and taste good, too! would be what I was looking for. “Yes, for cooking!” I said. He then walks to the side where his female associate is, and picks up a white bucket filled with small soufflé cups. He takes one out and hands it to me. I look inside because part of me wonders if it still looks as I remember it, and I see that they are tiny translucent balls, resembling crystal-like pearls. I feel like a kid again, transported to that time in the Queens kitchen, when I was eight-yearsold. “How much?” I asked. He replied: “7.99.” “Wow”, I thought to myself. “That is some expensive gum!” The price of masticha brings me to discuss its intriguing history. As my mother tells me, it is actually limited to grow in just one place, from the trees that grow only on one side of the island of Chios, Greece. But, I can’t solely take my mother’s word on it, although I can in fact vouch for her that she is a trustworthy source. So, I do some research, and find some very fascinating information, to not only support my mother’s wisdom, but add to it, as well. Legend has it, that after Saint Isidore was killed on Chios, by the Romans during the 3rd century, all the trees on the South side of the island, started weeping in response to his torture and death. It was commanded at that time, during the ruling of the Roman emperor Decius (249251), that all soldiers were to worship the Roman pagan gods and to offer them sacrifice. Saint Isidore, referred to now as a Holy martyr, not only confessed his faith in Christ, but refused to offer sacrifice to idols, thus refusing to renounce his faith as a Christian. He was subsequently tortured and beheaded. And to this day, it is only those trees on the South side of the island of Chios that can produce mas- ticha. Understandably, the limited amounts of masticha and the therapeutic need for health stores to sell its extract in capsule form, would drive the price to be higher. In terms of how to supplement with mastic gum I am not a medical professional, but my advice is based on my own personal treatment, and many other people I have met on health forums that have posted their positive experiences with the substance, in both capsule and resin form. I advise that if you have digestive problems, such as an ulcer or H.pylori, and can afford to purchase both the resin and the capsules, I would consider using both forms. I have personally tried the two at the same time, so I would say that the gum is great for cleaning the mouth and treating a mild digestive problem, but in the case of something more serious, such as an H.pylori infection, ulcer, serious indigestion, or cancer, I would say that one would need to couple it with capsules. A bottle of capsules could cost anywhere from 17 dollars to 60 dollars. Vitamin Shoppe sells a few different brands ranging from $22.99 to $51.99. They typically come in 500 mg doses, and should be taken on an empty stomach. Dosing really depends on the individual and the condition, but I would start off slowly, and gradually build up. I personally took 1000mg doses two to three times a day, and found this worked for me. But, remember that everyone is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Always start off slowly and pay attention to symptoms. Seeing a naturopathic doctor for a condition is always ideal, but if it is not an affordable option, it is definitely possible to do it on your own, as long as you are careful, add one new supplement at a time, and pay attention to symptoms. And a healthy diet, without refined sugars, flours, or preservatives, would be needed in conjunction with any digestive problem. Therefore, one should not rely solely on a supplement, because it will most likely not be as effective. It is optimal to eat whole foods that are not processed, if you are trying to get your body to heal. Doughnuts and pizza are good examples of what not to eat. The raw chewing resin can be purchased from a place called Mastihashop in New York City, which also has an online store. They refer to their masticha as “masticha tears.” This store also sells the capsules and a wide assortment of other masticha specialty products like toothpaste, hair products, lotions, etc. Also, check for local Greek specialty stores in your area for the raw resin, since they would typically sell it, and you could always call in advance and ask for it. I actually have made a habit out of chewing the resin. I find it to be very refreshing, and I don’t feel bad chewing it since it has no sugar or other chemicals added. I definitely have felt a difference and overall improvement in my digestion since I incorporated it into my treatment, along with the capsules, and I can’t recommend it enough. While I advise people with certain illnesses and ailments to try masticha, I also recommend it to people without any problems. It can help with oral hygiene, optimize your overall health, and possibly prevent any diseases in the future. Just don’t be surprised if you develop an acquired taste for it. And I’m not just saying this because I’m Greek! ABOVE LEFT: Rhodes’ Aquarium Beach, seen here from the North, features calm, tranquil waters along its Eastern shore (L on this photo), whereas the Western Side (R) is a windsurfer’s delight. ABOVE: Rhodes’ earth-tone aquarium contrasts beautifully with the island’s magnificent blue sea and sky. RIGHT: The famous “Trampolino” diving board at Elli Beach, adjacent to Aquarium Beach, has been a favorite fixture for the islands locals and tourists alike for generations. LEFT: In many ways “the world’s most convenient city,” Rhodes features an array of amenities and attractions just steps away from the beach, including this casino. With 2 Different Types of Water, Aquarium Beach on Rhodes Has it All By Constantinos E. Scaros The Northern tip of Rhodes, aptly diamond-shaped, as it is the jewel of the Dodecanese Islands, has a mustard-colored structure sharply contrasting the tri-colored blue Aegean water forming the “left and right field lines” alongside it. It is the “Enidrion – Aquarium” and its lucky visitors not only get to see the fish inside, but are able to enjoy two radically different types of beaches just steps away. Walk along its Eastern side and you’ll see a calm, tranquil sea, ideal for swimmers. It gets deep very quickly, but is serene enough where you can float on the water all afternoon long – no touristy brightly-colored plastic inflatable raft needed. On its Western side, the winds kick in, forming an amazing opaque turquoise color that appears to turn a deeper blue farther in – and that’s the side for windsurfing. What looks like a sandy beach is deceptive, as the “grains” of “sand” are really tiny pebbles. Soft enough to walk on, but coarse enough not to stick to every part of your body, and your clothes rolled up in a ball on your chair or straw mat. You will also find so many bars, restaurants, shops, ATM machines, fish pedicure spas, and anything else you’d like a few feet away, you’d think you were in Times Square. Except this is better: there are the two excellent beaches, a casino, and not a cloud in the sky! COMMUNITY 10 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 Woman Who Jumped onto ECB President Draghi’s Desk Talks to TNH By Constantinos E. Scaros HAMBURG, GERMANY – “I was focusing on his facial expression, and it was priceless,” said Josephine Witt, a 21 yearold activist/protester, about the reaction of European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi when she leaped atop his desk, towering over him as he sat, speaking at a press conference, and showered him with confetti, the Times of Change (TOC) reported. Witt conducted this protest on April 15 at ECB Headquarters in Frankfurt, the footage of which has been rebroadcast throughout the world ever since. “He was so scared,” Witt continued on a video interview broadcast by TOC, in a mocking tone: this “most powerful” man, scared of tiny pieces of paper. In an exclusive interview with The National Herald, Witt elaborated: “the bankster scared by tiny pieces of confetti and a young woman jumping on his desk is a very symbolic image of a moment of truth inside this clean and hygienic ivory tower.” She added: “this is my way of protest: radical, fearless and non-violent at the same time.” Emphasizing that she strives to be heard loud and clear, but in a non-violent way, how did Witt know ECB security wouldn’t consider her a violent terrorist? “There is no way to smuggle any piece of weaponry inside the ECB,” she explains. “They have airport-type X-ray control at the entrance. Accordingly, it never entered her mind that she might be shot by security, because “I knew it would not happen. I am a peaceful protester, not a martyr or terrorist. Everybody could spot this right LEFT: Activist/protester Josephine Witt leaps onto Mario Draghi’s desk and stuns the ECB President, showering him with papers, confetti, and demands to abandon dictatorial governance. ABOVE: Witt later amusingly describes how the “powerful” Mario Draghi “is scared of little pieces of paper” that she through, as she towers over him. BELOW: Surprised and delighted that her plan worked perfectly, Witt is whisked away by ECB security, as she sports a satisfied “mission accomplished” facial expression. away.” Witt wore an attention-grabbing t-shirt bearing the message: “End ECB Dick-Tatorship,” a play on words referencing a derogatory slang adjective. Her colorful and powerful statement reached an international audience. But what exactly is her problem with the ECB? “The ECB reacted towards massive recent protests in March with indifference or even arrogance,” she told TNH. There is widespread criticism about their policies, but they are not even obliged to listen because they are not democratically regulated. The ECB’s Quantitative Easing program feeds money into the hands of bankers and endangers our savings. Their policies have a direct effect on our everyday realities, but yet Mario Draghi can simply hide from the criticism? I could not tolerate that and decided to say it right in his face.” Witt’s words are music to many Greeks’ ears, particularly as that nation’s populace to a great extent blames the ECB for Greece’s unsustainable loans and debt, and praises Witt’s demonstrative assailment. “I did not do the attack to be considered a hero,” she tells TNH. “I simply tried my best that day as a political activist and I am surprised myself that it worked. But I’m really flattered by the huge solidarity I receive now from the Greek people.” THE HERALD SQUARE TNH's Crossword Challenge 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 29 22 23 26 31 35 36 40 41 45 43 47 51 67 57 58 34 44 52 49 53 55 59 68 13 39 48 54 56 33 38 42 50 12 28 32 37 46 11 24 27 30 10 60 61 62 63 69 70 64 65 66 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 DOWN 1 Greek god of war 2 Greek prefix meaning air or space 3 Isaac's first born 4 Highest or lowest card 5 Nixon's famous dog, inspired speech 6 Hellenic American Republican Assn. (abbrev.) 7 Except 8 Spread 9 Mattress corner support 10 Wood chopper added, “and grew up in a united Europe and have many friends all over the continent. My generation will not be so easily fooled by Nazi-propaganda, which tries to divide the continent.” Is only the ECB to blame for Greece’s problems? “We can spend days, months, years discussing who’s to blame,” she responds, “but I am more interested in finding solutions. Greece will never be able to pay back the money that it never received, because it went straight to the banks. We should finally accept this reality and not try to kill the Greek economy for good with the ‘Destroika’s’ measurements of austerity (another play on words, referring to the Troika of the ECB, European Union, and International Monetary Fund).” Even if she did not necessarily intend it that way, Witt’s ECB desk-leaping feat transcends Europe, and multinational banking conglomerates. In a broader sense, it is populism in its purest form. Most people only fantasize about standing up the “Mario Draghi” in their own world, but Witt actually made it happen. We asked her: “What drives you? Is there an inner passion for social justice? Is it the enjoyment of being in the spotlight? Or a combination of both, and other factors?” Witt acknowledged that “it’s probably a combination. I’m not scared of the spotlight, even though I don’t want to use it for selfish interests. It’s also a passion for truth and performance art. I ask myself the same question sometimes, particularly because it seems that there is so much more to lose than to gain for me. I can only answer with another question: ‘Why not me?’” Witt also expressed “my deep sorrow about the tragic news about the deaths of 700 people [that drowned off the Libyan coast] in the Mediterranean sea. This ocean has become the greatest mass-grave for refugees worldwide.” So, if Witt were in charge of the ECB, or the EU, the IMF, Germany, Greece, etc., what would she do differently? What solutions would she propose so that life would be better for so many people than it is right now? Strongly hinting that she will talk to TNH again, Witt responded: “That question is too big – let’s do another interview to answer it!” This Week in Greek History: www.CrosswordWeaver.com ACROSS 1 American Assn. of Endodontists (abbrev.) 4 Sound of a sneeze 9 Fabric 14 Radio Equipment Syst. (abbrev.) 15 Chafe at the bit 16 Gas company 17 Baseball stat. (abbrev.) 18 Uncanny 19 "Prime Time" Sanders 20 Broth 22 Doze 24 Sign language 25 Greek soccer tm. (init.) 27 Direct Observation Unit (init.) 29 Ms. Bacall 32 Beantown 35 Cntr. for Investigative Reprtng. (abbrev.) 36 Draw 38 Music cassettes 40 Lotion ingredient 42 Man 44 Snake sound 45 Eleventh Greek letter 47 Unit 49 North American Indian 50 Starred in Angels with Dirty Faces 52 Shines 54 Good listener? 55 Dig. Audio Interface (init.) 56 Kimono sash 59 Calm 63 Greek fast food 67 Impressionist painter 69 Oak nut 71 Crowd 72 __ Saxon 73 "Maniacal" Greek professional wrestler John 74 Canadian Auto. Assn. (abbrev.) 75 Wanders 76 _____ Gay 77 Boat As Witt explained to TOC, she thought about bringing a cake with her instead, and shoving it in Draghi’s face, but realized they wouldn’t let her into ECB headquarters with a cake. Identifying herself as a journalist, Witt had no problem walking in armed only paper. “There has not been much solidarity towards [Greece] since the crisis,” Witt said. Is it especially poignant, then, that she, a German – i.e. a citizen of the country Greeks most negatively associate with the crisis – is the one who comes to their defense? Witt told TNH she does not particularly see it that way. “I think if we would not care so much about our nationalities but more about human rights, justice, and solidarity among each other, we could solve many problems more easily and quickly. Right now, we have racism dividing the Northern and Southern European countries, blaming Southerners for poverty and telling lies about everybody. We also have a disgusting rise of nationalism and anti-Semitism growing again in Europe. I strongly oppose this as a feminist and an anti-fascist. “I was born in 1993,” she The Trojan Horse 11 Touristy Rhodes village 12 Where animals are kept 13 Eng. as a Non-Native Language (abbrev.) 21 NBA's Gasol 23 "Much ___ about Nothing" 26 Defunct Greek TV Station (abbrev.) 28 Salt Lake City's state 29 Spring flower 30 Perfume 31 Fashionable 32 Confuse 33 Narcotic 34 Bird homes 35 California (abbr.) 37 Automobile 39 South southeast 41 The ____ of Night (soap opera) 43 Useless accessory 46 Newsman Ernie 48 Pod dweller? 51 Bard's before 53 Multinational Ins. Org. 56 Actor Sharif 57 Lead singer of U2 58 Acress Swenson 60 Rank 61 Economics abrv. 62 ____ Contendere - Agnew's plea 64 Song by the Village People 65 Lion's sound 66 Baseball card company 68 Street of many a nightmare, in horror flicks 70 U.S. intelligence agcy. (init.) This week, on April 24, 1184BC, was the day the Trojans learned, the hard way, to “beware of Greeks bearing gifts,” as the famous adage goes. That was the day most widely attributed (other dates are mentioned) to the Trojan Horse – a wooden horse containing soldiers) that the Greeks used to enter Troy in the Trojan War, as depicted by Homer in the Odyssey. Odysseus’ plan was to present the horse as a trophy to the unsuspecting Trojans. Virgil’s Aenid aptly describes the rest (“Ulysses” is a reference to Odysseus): After many years have slipped by, the leaders of the Greeks, opposed by the Fates, and damaged by the war, build a horse of mountainous size, through Pallas's divine art, and weave planks of fir over its ribs: they pretend it's a votive offering: this rumor spreads. They secretly hide a picked body of men, chosen by lot, there, in the dark body, filling the belly and the huge cavernous insides with armed warriors. [...] Then Laocoön rushes down eagerly from the heights of the citadel, to confront them all, a large crowd with him, and shouts from far off: "O unhappy citizens, what madness? Do you think the enemy's sailed away? Or do you think any Greek gift's free of treachery? Is that Ulysses' reputation? Either there are Greeks in hiding, concealed by the wood, or it's been built as a machine to use against our walls, or spy on our homes, or fall on the city from above, or it hides some other trick: Trojans, don't trust this horse. Whatever it is, I'm afraid of Greeks even those bearing gifts." Solution to last week’s puzzle N O A A B O S H A N N A B S A C A C H I U N I T D E C A I D O L I P I C C H L I O I N K N A D A E D I T M A A R S I L L U I A N O L N A Y S B A S E R T Z T B A Y I N G D O S E S T N I T E D D E S L A M E M A O S L S A T A N N I K E I N A W L A L E N Y U G A S P E M I R T I N A S A W P H I N A G A F F O L E O D A W N A T E D E R A G A C E S G A R O E A R S Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, especially a giant wooden horse during wartime. GREECE CYPRUS THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 11 Secretary of State Kerry Sees Cyprus Reunification Hopes on the Horizon WASHINGTON, DC – Despite four decades of failed talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he believes there could be progress this year on reunifying Cyprus. Speaking before a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the State Department, Kerry said the dispute over ethnically split Cyprus had gone on for too long. “It is begging for international efforts to try to help bring about a resolution, a lasting settlement,” Kerry said, Reuters reported. “We believe that the parties can make real and lasting progress in the year 2015,” he said. That comes as Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, who had walked away from the bargaining table after Turkey sent a research vessel and warship into Cypriot waters to look for oil and gas pulled them. Anastasiades had tried to kickstart stalled talks but now has to wait until Turkish-Cypriots hold a second round of Presidential voting to select their leader. Hardliner incumbent Dervis Eroglu is standing for reelection. The United Nation’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Norway’s Espen Barth Eide, has alternated between saying he sees hope and then sees little progress be- AP Photo/Andrew hArnik Secretary of State John Kerry gestures while speaking to members of the media before a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias at the State Department in Washington. cause the basic disputes between the two sides haven’t budged an iota for generations. Cavusoglu said the U.S. had a role in helping to resolve the dispute. “We want to reach a lasting solution in Cyprus,” he said. “We are hoping to reach a solution within 2015. ... we are waiting at the negotiating table,” he said, adding that talks should resume after the Presidential elections in the unlawful Turkish Cypriot state. Cyprus was split by an unlawful Turkish military invasion in 1974 which followed a brief Greek-inspired coup and Turkey still keeps a standing army of some 30,000 soldiers in what were Greek-Cypriot lands. Only Turkey recognizes the territory as a legitimate government. The international community regards the Greek Cypriot government in southern Cyprus as the sole legal representative for the island. A long line of diplomats and officials have tried and failed to get Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots to get past sticking points, such as Turkey’s refusal to remove its army and as TurkishCypriots don’t want to give back the homes and properties stolen from Cypriots. Even the offer of allowing a Turkish-Cypriot to be the country’s President every other term couldn’t close the gap. Cypriots in 2004 voted down a plan offered by then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan after the Turkish side approved it. Anastasiades said earlier this year that he felt the U.S. and European Union – to which Cyprus belongs and which Turkey wants to join – were unfairly squeezing him to make concessions to end the decades- AP PhotoS 126 Migrants Reach Greek Shores, a Day After Fatal Sinking Migrants swim to reach the shore as others remainare on a listing vessel that later sunk in the eastern Aegean island of Rhodes, Greece on Monday, April 20, 2015. Greek authorities have picked up more than 120 migrants who illegally entered the country by sea on three separate vessels, a day after a yacht with 90 people on board foundered just off the island of Rhodes, drowning three. The Merchant Marine Ministry says 42 people, including seven children, were taken off a small boat near the eastern Aegean Sea islet of Agathonissi. All are in good health. A further 84 people were located in separate incidents earlier Tuesday on the islet of Farmakonissi and the island of Lesvos. About 550 migrants have reached Greek shores over the past three days, amid a surge of illegal immigration that has seen arrivals exceed 12,000 so far this year — a nearly threefold increase over 2014. Witnesses Attacked, Golden Dawn Trial Postponed ATHENS – The trial of 69 members and leaders of the ultra-extreme right Golden Dawn Party that was set to open on April 20 was suddenly set back to May 17 after one of the defendants said he didn’t have a lawyer and witnesses to the murder of an anti-fascist hip-hop artists were attacked outside the court. The government has been accumulating evidence for almost two years to build a case that the party is really a criminal gang, a process that has taken so long that its leader, Nikos Michaoliakos, and other party hierarchy had to be released from pretrial detention and are under house arrest for now. It wasn’t explained why he and most of the party’s 18 Members of Parliament, all of whom had been arrested, didn’t appear for the beginning of the trial that came as hundreds of protesters in the neighborhood around the high-security Korydallos Prison where the proceedings are to take place demanded it be moved. Only 44 defendants were taken to the court, with 25 absent, with no explanation why they didn’t have to show up for their criminal trial. AP Photo In Occupied Cyprus, Eroglu v. Akinci, Round 2 Turkish Cypriots leadership candidate Mustafa Akinci speaks to his supporters outside of his campaign office in divided capital Nicosia at the Turkish Cypriot breakaway north part of the divided island of Cyprus, Sunday, April 19, 2015. The election for the Turkish Cypriot leadership will go to a second round after none of the candidates managed to garner enough votes Sunday to avoid a runoff, authorities said, as talks to reunify the ethnically-split island of Cyprus are expected to resume next month. The hard-line incumbent, Dervis Eroglu, and challenger Mustafa Akinci will vie for the leadership of the breakaway north in next week's runoff. Eroglu edged out Akinci by a slight margin, according to an official statement. Among the charges are that the party has conducted assaults on immigrants and others including one member, Giorgos Roupakias, charged with killing hip-hop artist Pavlos Fyssas in September, 2013, stabbing him to death in a fracas outside a cafe. Journalists were told that witnesses of Fyssas’s murder were attacked by Golden Dawn supporters as they arrived at Korydallos Prison. Details of the alleged incident were not immediately available but the police were notified. The first day of the trial was attended by Fyssas’s mother, who appeared shaken and had to be helped by relatives. Others who came were representatives from political parties, as well as Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis, who also had been attacked by a Golden Dawn member, who was released. HISTORY OF VIOLENCE Prosecutors said that Golden Dawn used a Nazi methodology and carried out a campaign of violence against immigrants and left-wing opponents. The trial is expected to last up to 18 months as the judicial system in Greece is painstakingly slow and defendants often are granted continuances for almost any reason, which caused the new delay after the trial had already been pushed back five months. First appearing as a tiny neoNazi organization in the mid1980s, Golden Dawn transformed from a marginal far-right group into a popular political party during the financial crisis that started in 2009. It won 6.28 percent of the vote in a general election three months ago, despite having state campaign funding axed. The trial is being held inside Korydallos maximum-security prison near Athens, where nearby schools and municipal services had to be closed for what was supposed to be the opening day. It wasn’t reported if they would have to stay closed for the duration of the trial as pro-and-anti-Golden Dawn protesters are expected to clash daily. Police cordoned off streets around the jail, about 10 kilometers (six miles) west of the capital, while several antiGolden Dawn rallies attended by more than a thousand protesters remained peaceful. “The town is like a fortress ... The trial should not take place here,” Korydallos Mayor Stavros Kasimatis said. Michaloliakos, a 57-year-old anti-immigrant firebrand, and 12 other Members of Parliament each face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. Politicians and legal experts are divided over whether convictions could lead to the party being outlawed, with most opposing a ban. Although Greek authorities don’t keep official records on racist violence, human rights groups say a surge of attacks has occurred since 2010, typically against dark-skinned immigrants in Athens and frequently resulting in serious injury. Victims have reported that attackers — often in groups and using brass knuckles and baseball bats — have often identified themselves as Golden Dawn supporters. The party denies any involvement in attacks, however, claiming political opponents conspired against them after Golden Dawn exceeded 10 percent in opinion polls in 2013. “They decided to put us in handcuffs ... but in the face of all the mudslinging, Golden Dawn is the third strongest party in the country whether some people like it or not,” Michaloliakos said after his release from prison last month, having served the maximum 18 months permitted under Greek law in pre-trial detention. (Material from the Associated Press was used in this report) long division. He also has warned that if Turkey sends its ships back into Cypriot waters that he’d walk again and the talks would be stymied. After a Milder Greek Law, U.S. Blacklists 2 Terrorists Continued from page 1 ing talks in Washington between Secretary of State John Kerry and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. Kotzias, in an interview with The Associated Press, said that if Xiros seeks a change of confinement under the new law, the request would have to be approved by a Greek court. Moreover, Kotzias said he told Kerry that Greece would seek U.S. cooperation to obtain technology for a house arrest ankle bracelet. Kotzias said the new law was a response to a European court of human rights decision criticizing conditions in Greek prisons. “So the government, after the decision of the European court of human rights, took the humanitarian decision that people who have an 80 percent disability or more can go to other forms of being prisoners,” he said. Savvas Xiros, blind and suffering from multiple sclerosis, is 98 percent disabled, Kotzias said, without mentioning he did to himself and is asking mercy while unrepentant for his murders, including car bombings. Greek opposition parties and relatives of November 17’s victims have also strongly protested the new law. Kerry, in diplomatic language, showed American displeasure at the move while trying to maintain, as best he could through the tension, relations between the countries as critics said the new Radical Left SYRIZA-led government Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras harbors sympathies for anarchists and terrorists and wants to empty the jails of them. “Our efforts on counter-terrorism could not be more important together in the future. Obviously, we’re very concerned that those who have committed acts of terrorism who’ve been incarcerated need to remain incarcerated,” said Kerry. OPPONENTS MOCK SYRIZA The move to free Savvas Xiros was ridiculed by political opponents in Greece who said that releasing Xiros because he’s disabled - from a bomb he was making to kill others - was like a boy killing his parents and asking the court for mercy because he’s an orphan. Kotzias tried to explain that house arrest was incarceration although Pearce had said it’s not the same when Xiros’ victims are dead and he can be in his own house. “I’m here as a friend – as a friend with somebody who’s working together with us for democracy and peace against terrorism,” Kotzias said. “And I hope that our relations will be deepened and that we will find new feat of cooperation. “I think I can – we can be sure that the new law in Greece about the prisoners will not let any terrorists become free. It will be not only a test of the detention of – the way of this detention, nobody will become free,” he said, trying to assure Kerry and the The unprecedented plan to allow a notorious terrorist out of jail has infuriated the U.S. and the backlash created some rethinking in the Greek government, although so far it’s sticking to its plans. The State Department, using Executive Order 13224, freezes any assets the terrorists may have in America but while it’s practical effect is limited the strong symbolism was apparently designed to send a message to Greece the level of anger that’s being felt. The U.S. is also concerned because so far Greece has no security bracelet program and is asking help in designing one. It wasn’t reported whether Xiros and others, including jailed family members of terrorists also slotted to go free, would do so without monitoring or if there were worries they’d escape, as Xiros’ brother did from a Christmas vacation he was given. Government sources told Kathimerini the Greek government tried to ease concerns by referring to a “slow process,” noting that a proposal hasn’t been put out yet to develop the ankle bracelets and that “second thoughts” might slow the process further. (Material from the Associated Press was used in this report) Desperate Greece Seizes State Monies to Stay Afloat Continued from page 1 with depositors yanking billions of euros out of bank accounts, the government has ordered all state cash apart from pensions be deposited in the Bank of Greece and promised to return it with 2.5 percent interest. MAYORS SAY NO In a tense meeting of the Union of Municipalities (KEDE), the Mayors said they would refuse the order to turn over their municipal monies until meeting with Tsipras. They bitterl- criticized Alternative Finance Minister Dimitris Mardas for the government's action in issuing a Presidential decree which would force them to turn over their money, leaving them unable to operate and fearing it wouldn't be returned and be lost in a one-time payment to the troika. KEDE’s executive board approved a resolution calling on all municipalities to refuse to hand over the cash until a general meeting. The only dissension was from Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris said he understood why the government needs the money, even though he didn't like the decree demanding it. Mardas assured the Mayors that they would not lose their cash and said it's needed so the government pay its debt and meet its obligation. “We did not want to catch you by surprise but I assure you there was no other choice,” he said, adding that the government could gain 2.5 billion euros to cover payments until the end of May. "I want this 2.5 billion euros to cover any needs that may occur, I repeat, taking into account the worst case scenarios and the needs for May," he told Star TV, adding that he was confident that Greece and its lenders would reach a deal. The government is so desperate it has also ordered state enterprises to turn over all their money. Mardas said earlier that the government needs 350-400 million euros to meet obligations, including salaries and pensions, this month. A BIG DILEMMA For Greece’s SYRIZA government, many of the demands are considered counter to its electoral mandate. SYRIZA was elected on a promise to bring an end to stifling austerity that many in the country blame for the severe economic hardship of the past few years. Greek Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis said in a weekend interview that lenders were seeking “submission and surrender” from Greece and not a fair compromise. The impasse between Athens and creditors has ratcheted up fears that Greece will run out of money soon and leave the euro currency. That’s evident in the bond markets where Greek borrowing costs – a gauge of default risk – spiked higher once again April 20, with the rate on three-year bonds touching 28 percent. Many in the markets think that April 24 could be the latest crunch point. Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis is due to meet his counterparts from the Eurozone at a meeting in the Latvian capital of Riga. Some hope of progress emerged with comments from a senior IMF official that bailout talks had gathered “a little more momentum,” but that pressure was growing on Greece. Poul Thomsen told the German business daily Handelsblatt in an interview that Athens could have enough money to meet debt and other commitments until June but would need to reach an agreement before then. Greece has to pay around 1 billion euros to the IMF by mid-May. “We are making progress, but we are far from the destination,” said Thomsen, who led most of Greece’s bailout inspections before taking up his current post as head of the fund’s department in Europe. (Material from the Associated Press was used in this report) EDITORIALS LETTERS 12 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The National Herald A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), reporting the news and addressing the issues of paramount interest to the Greek-American community of the United States of America. Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris Assistant to the Publisher, Advertising Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos Executive Editor Constantinos E. Scaros Religion Editor Theodore Kalmoukos Senior Writer Constantine S. Sirigos Online Managing Editor Andy Dabilis Production Manager Chrysoula Karametros Marketing & Design Director Anna Angelidakis The National Herald (USPS 016864) is published weekly by The National Herald Inc. at 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 Tel: (718)784-5255, Fax: (718)472-0510, e-mail: [email protected] Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, Athens, 10671, Greece Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776, e-mail: [email protected] Subscriptions by mail: 1 year $66.00, 6 months $33.00, 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 Home delivery New England States: 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 On line subscription: Subscribers to the print edition: 1 year $57.60, 6 months $39.50, 3 months $25.00; Non subscribers: 1 year $90.00, 6 months $45.50, 3 months $22.50 Periodical postage paid at L.I.C., N.Y. and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send change of address to: THE NATIONAL HERALD, 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 The Crisis Brews… Multiple Bridge-Burning An inviolable rule of military strategy is that you must not open two or more fronts at the same time. That is equivalent to suicide. Yet the government in Athens seems to believe that the more opponents you engage simultaneously, the more victories you can accumulate . It is almost as if they are entertaining themselves by causing crises. Let us be clear: one must go beyond the limits of reason to imagine that a government facing an economic crisis, such as Greece is, would jeopardize its relations with the United States, essentially the only ally it has left, by releasing a convicted murderer – a terrorist – from prison. The climate in Washington has suddenly turned heavy with respect to U.S.-Greece relations. It is somewhat reminiscent of the period of PASOK's rise to power, but with some major differences. First, at the helm of the state then was Andreas Papandreou, a man who knew very well what he was doing and why he was doing it. Second, Papandreou was not facing an economic crisis, despite his rhetorical references to Greece’s "scorched earth." And third, he had complete control of his party. Today it seems that ministers are competing among themselves to see who can do the most damage, to see who takes second place in causing the most crises in the world… after Russia. In the halls of the IMF at the end of last week, the main topic of discussion was the economic crisis in Greece. But those discussions, unlike the ones in the past, were melancholic, pervaded by disappointment and even anger – which is unusual among technocrats. They are unable to negotiate with the government in Athens because basically, the Greeks do not want to negotiate. The only message Greece sends is "save us, we have an urgent need for liquidity.” The Eurozone is unlikely to back off without an agreement by the government on a specific course of action, and the IMF will definitely not relax its position, as that would be contrary to its regulations. At the Greek Independence Day reception it hosted last week, the White House insisted that the conversation between President Obama and Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis lasted four minutes, not 12 as, amazingly, the Greek government reported! Even dress code was an issue, as there was some doubt whether Varoufakis – who wore no tie and an unbuttoned shirt collar – would even be allowed to enter. In the end, however, they decided they had no choice but to let him in, because of his position. This is how far things have gone. And as that Varoufakis left there, “another” Varoufakis, who insisted on lecturing – he is a professor, after all – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. He must think Americans are idiots, or uniformed, and cannot understand why Savvas Xiros is being released from prison. Naturally, Kerry was furious. We close by emphasizing that all the evidence shows that great damage is being done to Greece, and this course cannot continue without long-term adverse effects. Let the prime minister understand and honor his responsibility. Semper Infidelis The United States has demonstrated many times that it does not leave its dead on the battlefield, or forgive killers of the men and women who serve in its Armed Forces or its security and diplomatic services. We fear that some members of the Greek government do not realize this, so they do not fully understand the seriousness with which Washington looks upon the case of Savvas Xiros, who murdered four Americans, including Greek-American George Tsantes. We hope that the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias grasped the message sent to him during the meeting with his U.S. counterpart, John Kerry, through words and body language. And we hope he relays that message to his colleagues in Athens. For better or for worse, Kerry send a message of his own by putting Xiros’ brother Christodoulos Xiros and Nikos Maziotis on the U.S. terrorist list. While that in itself does not mean very much, it constitutes a warning shot that Washington’s response might reach as high as the level of a travel advisory. (Remember what President Reagan did in 1985, when he called upon American airlines to “review the wisdom” of flying to Greece because of lax airport security?) It is the last thing the Greek tourism industry needs. Xiros is serving six consecutive life sentences plus an additional 25 years for taking part in six assassinations, bombings, and robberies, among other criminal activities. On January 6, 2014 he was declared wanted by the police when he did not report to the police station as he was required to do after being given a furlough on January 1. Only a case of collective amnesia to the highest degree would explain exhibiting apathy toward such news about a member of the November 17 terrorist gang. One would need to be completely insane not to take into account that November 17 killed 23 people and caused untold suffering to their families and untold damage to the country, during its operation from 1975 until 2002. Moreover, all of us would be complicit if we allowed some officials of the Greek government, for their own dark purposes, to again raise the issue of terrorism in the country. Accordingly, we hope that Prime Minister Tsipras himself will personally look into this matter and put an end to an issue that should never have arisen in the first place. National security matters should never become entangled in internal partisan games or for the satisfaction of ideological druthers. It is one of those issues about which politicians, no matter what their personal feelings, ought to adopt the position of the military. And the military will defend its people until the bitter end. Dokos/Kantzavelos Scandal Damages Parish in Illinois To the Editor: The removal of Fr. Angelo Artemas and his replacement with Fr. James Dokos by Bishop Kantzavelos has caused irreparable and immeasurable harm to my parish, Sts. Peter and Paul in Glenview, IL. The spiritual damage of being ministered by a priest for two years who has been charged with felony theft by the Milwaukee, WI District Attorney is incalculable. My parish lost 54 donor families between 2012 and 2014. The scandal has divided the faithful between those who are calling for the removal of the Bishop/Chancellor [see the website: goccl.org] and those who have succumbed to TO OUR READERS the national herald welcomes letters from its readers intended for publication. they should include the writer’s name, address, and telephone number and be addressed to: the editor, the national herald, 37-10 30th Street, long island city, ny 11101. letters can also be faxed to (718) 4720510 or e-mailed to [email protected]. we reserve the right to edit letters for publication and regret that we are unable to acknowledge or return those left unpublished. hierarchical-induced feelings of impotence and resignation. The damage includes significant financial losses. Stewardship receipts for 2011 and 2012, before the Bishop/Chancellor removed Fr. Artemas and imposed Fr. Dokos on our parish, averaged $758,349 per year. Receipts for 2013 and 2014, after the arrival of Fr. Dokos, averaged $630,818 per year. My parish experienced an average reduction of $127,531 per year for that two-year period – a loss of $255,062. Those losses are a direct cost of the Dokos/Kantzavelos Scandal. Aside from these losses, the issue of justice must be addressed. Bishop Kantzavelos is an Auxiliary Bishop. Archbishop Demetrios has the authority to remove and suspend him . The archbishop should remove him from the Chicago Metropolis and suspend him from any duties where he can make parish clergy assignments to reward his friends, and should punish those who resist pressure to cover-up wrongdoing. Your newspaper has reported on the scandal and the threats and intimidation the Bishop made against Fr. Artemas. Removing and suspending him will help my parish to start healing and more broadly, will help all of the parishes in the Chicago Metropolis. Moreover, it will do justice to Fr. Artemas and the parish council of the Annunciation Parish in Milwaukee, who stood up to his threats and bullying. George D. Karcazes, Esq. Chicago, IL George Karcazes served on the Parish Council of Saints Peter & Paul for more than 20 years (three years as President) and currently serves on the Parish Stewardship Committee. Bravo, Amb. Theros, For Your Insights To the Editor: I wanted to compliment your editorial staff in regards to the articles from Patrick Theros in your paper. The writing is outstanding and I always find his articles historically interesting and thought provoking, and hard to dispute based on his career and what he has most likely experienced in his life. Though as a former military officer and proud American of Greek ethnicity, I don't necessarily agree with all of his points or conclusions but he at least makes me think about the other side and what they have endured. Kudos again and keep them coming. I'm sure there will be no shortage of them, considering all the craziness going on in that area now and for the foreseeable future, unfortunately… Will Ticoras Mequon, WI GeorGe SArAFoGlou / SPeciAl to the nAtionAl herAld ECONOMY & POLITICS What is GOP’s Platform for 2016? Do They Have One? What will Republicans run on? More importantly, what can they run on? This is the question that will ultimately determine the outcome of the 2016 election. Jog your memory back a little over six years ago. Democrats were solidly unified against George W. Bush and his neoconservative crowd – a crowd that even President Bush himself chose to sideline toward the end of his tenure – and were offering a stark contrast on foreign policy. If you recall, a major issue in the Democratic primary was Barack Obama’s early opposition to the Iraq war, contrary to Hillary Clinton’s Senate vote in favor. What was probably Mr. Bush’s best decision as commander-in-chief, his gamble with the troop surge (as opposed to a troop pullout) at a time when American casualties were at their peak, has almost been relegated into obscurity, as the mess ended up being so big that making an argument with context still is a luxury reserved for historians. A radical rethinking of foreign entanglements and cowboy diplomacy is exactly what Democrats were offering. Add to that reigning in on Wall Street and expanding healthcare coverage, and Democrats ended up having a genuine counteroffer to Republican governance. Unlike 2008, one can now observe an unusual development: Republicans may very well have the stronger candidate, but Democrats (presumably under the unequivocally polarizing Hillary Clinton) will have the stronger case. Consider, for example, the Affordable Care Act, or, as it is more commonly known, Obamacare. Republicans have spent so much time, effort, and rhetoric on demonizing the law ahead of its implementation. Then, Obamacare comes into effect, and despite a disastrous online rollout, meets and exceeds its goals. What will Republicans tell the 9 million or so people who are now covered under the Act? Besides calling the law a “monstrosity,” what will Republicans offer instead? Vouchers? This “monstrosity” works for a lot of people and, coming the brightfactually, has reest spot in the deduced rates. veloped world. In The “repeal Obafact, Romney’s macare” platform own unemploygenerally that ment rate goal was served Republicans years reached well in 2012 will no ahead of the timelonger be an urgent line put forth by concern to the elechis campaign. Yes torate. Also worth – the energy sector noting is that the fiis experiencing a nal draft of the Afhit from lower oil by STEFANOS fordable Care Act is and gas prices KASSELAKIS a lot closer to 2008 (which are actually candidate Hillary owed to the secSpecial to The National Herald Clinton’s plan than tor’s own engineerto Obama’s own ing success) and original plan. the housing market is feeling a Consider then the economy. bit “toppy,” but job creation has During the last election, Mitt been very strong and financial Romney repeatedly lamented markets are hot, despite the the lackluster growth experi- (also demonized by Republienced during President Obama’s cans) regulations on Wall Street. first term. Ironically, this unin- So what case will Republicans spiring growth would have been make? That Obama’s economy considered a lofty goal had is terrible? That simply does not Romney’s initial ideas being reflect reality. adopted, namely, letting the auConsider, finally, foreign poltomobile industry collapse and icy. There, too Republicans have homeowners enter into foreclo- expended a lot of effort on blastsure. Romney was right about ing the administration’s “leading regulations standing in the way from behind.” The emergence of growth acceleration, but of ISIS is indeed a very unfortumany of those regulations nate development, partly caused Obama had inherited, not cre- by the withdrawal of American ated. The simple truth is that combat forces, something any economy cannot recover in Barack Obama had promised full force after one of the deep- before being elected in 2008. est recessions in decades. And But honestly – should the since then, the U.S. economy United States ever have a forhas surprised to the upside, be- eign policy that requires indefi- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is seen here railing against Obamacare, but recently he signed up for it himself. nite presence of American troops? Would that not blatantly encourage freeriding by other countries? The United States should not be the world’s policeman and certainly not free of charge. President Obama’s choice to support the fight against ISIS only from the air while letting regional powers assemble and deploy ground troops may actually turn out to be a wise one – and one that came against the recommendations of his own generals and, of course, Republican Senators and policy experts. Do Republicans really think it is best to marginalize Iran forever? Iran had started a process of rapprochement with the United States at the turn of the century, until 9/11 happened and President Bush’s “axis of evil” kicked in. It is about time that process resumes in a farreaching way, such as with the agreement recently negotiated. The same can be said about not bombing Syria in 2013 following the chemical weapons attack and about not overreacting to the great “strategic mind” of Vladimir Putin following the annexation of Crimea. Was either of those choices commensurate to America’s moral, strong global leadership? No, not really. But they both are decision fit for the long game. To put all this in perspective, a few years ago Republicans were making amends for President Bush’s policy choices by arguing there was no attack on U.S. soil after 9/11. By that standard, President Obama has kept the country safe, too (so far – knock on wood). So I guess they should be supporting his policies? I could write five times the size of this column about the things the Obama administration has done wrong and about the President’s own drawbacks. Nevertheless, the truth is President Obama has not been all that bad. Hillary Clinton may be a deeply-flawed candidate, but Republicans will lose to her if they try to run against the eight years of Barack Obama. Their best shot is coming up with a new governance framework altogether. Observations By Antonis H. Diamataris Greece in Isolation One after another, the most important players in the Eurozone and the world economy are warning and urging Greece to hurry up and reach an agreement with its lenders before it is driven into bankruptcy. Messrs. Obama, Lagarde, Draghi, Schaeuble, Sapen, with one voice, are saying the same thing: find a compromise urgently. Implement reforms. Avoid bankruptcy. Otherwise, you will do real damage to the international economic system, but the damage you will do to your people will be much worse. That the situation is urgent is illustrated by the fact that President Obama in his speech at the ceremony commemorating Greek Independence Day at the White House last week departed from the usual written speech and referred to the current crisis in Greece. He placed particular em- phasis on reforms. He said the same a little later during his conversation with Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis – who appeared with no tie and an unbuttoned shirt collar. What are the Greek responses to all these statements? What is the government planning to do? This is where things get confusing, or so they seem to the outside observer. The government is talking about "red lines," meaning that it precludes further reductions in public sector wages and pensions, and labor market liberalization. We will find solutions, Varoufakis said, and we will make concessions, but not included in concessions, or something to that effect…it was difficult to grasp what he was saying. Varoufakis seems to emit an unusual calm-before-the-storm type of energy. And he exudes the certainty of a man who believes – he either knows it or believes he does – that he will ultimately find a solution, just before the big cannon starts to fire. Maybe, but if not? Is he not even concerned that he finds himself in complete isolation? Is he not aware of all the negative leaks in the international media? Are they all "lies?” Have the forces that want Greece's exit from the Eurozone in the end succeeded in causing that unpredictable "accident"? Time is running short. It is no longer counted in days, but in hours. This applies even if you believe that they are deliberately creating a mini-panic to strengthen their negotiating position. But the clock is also ticking for the government, which still acts like the opposition instead of the ones governing. It could be that its popularity is very high at the moment – something that can change very quickly – but it is losing international credibility that it needs in order to be effective. To the degree that there is time remaining, now is the time for decision. THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015 VIEWPOINTS 13 The Paschal Celebration as Want to Beat Hillary? Then Stop Linking Her to Obama An Empirical Participation tionale of religion This Pascha, (not faith), we rereaders were main mired deep in treated to two semthe darkness of iginal texts, one in norance, lost in a English from Giles sea of false solace. Fraser, which apThe language of peared in the post-Newtonian British newspaper physics appears to Guardian, entitled manifest more than “Arguments over the language of inGreek debt echo dividualistic reliancient disputes by Christopher gious “convictions.” about Easter,” and TRIPOULAS In the study of natthe other by Prof. Special to ural phenomena, Christos Yannaras, The National Herald only the relationwhich appeared in ships that are the Greek language newspaper Kathimerini on April formed within the framework of 12th. Readers are strongly en- the different systems of refercouraged to read Fraser’s article ence seem to have any actual on their own, while this column properties. If we seek to locate will endeavor to loosely trans- a “position,” we discover a parlate some excerpts of Yannaras’ ticle, and if we are seeking “motion,” then we encounter a article. Today the greeting “Christos wave. Every measurement or Anesti” seems to have been rel- any other type of observation egated to a formality, without forms a relationship between inviting the interlocutor to par- the observer and the informaticipate in the joy. It perpetuates tion being recorded. The relathe remnants of an erstwhile tionship is what creates the feast, which, today, have noth- knowledge of reality, inasmuch ing to do with existential chal- as the knowledge represents the lenges: the realities of despera- connections drawn between the tion, absence of communication, different studies made by the and loneliness, the tragedy of observer. From a religious standpoint, terminal illness, the panic that Christ’s Resurrection is an inexdeath brings to our souls. In the best-case scenario, the plicable ‘miracle’ that compels declaration “Christ is Risen” us to accept it as a “belief.” From manifests a priori individual be- an ecclesiastical viewpoint, it is liefs and a psychological cling- a mode of existence, which is ing to ideological “convictions” known to us not from descripmeant to reassure the ego; con- tions and abstract formulas, but victions tantamount to those solely through participation in possessed by sports fans or faith- this mode or manner. And semful voters of a particular political inal meaning is lent to this mode party. The reassurance that via the language of love, ‘Christ defeated death’ is under- through the “kenosis” or empstood by many today like the in- tying of every individualistic dividual triumphant boast of selfishness. This manner is recfans, that team xyz beat another ognized only when this loving one, or that some political party offering of the self takes place, liberating us from slavery to the triumphed over another. We hear and read the annual absolute necessities of survival. Paschal encyclicals of Church of- The empirical measure for apficials and desperately (but to proaching the ecclesiastical rano avail) search for even the tionale and language of the Resslightest traces of empirical con- urrection is self-emptying love, tact that can be found therein. participation in the feat and joy Drifting aimlessly as we are in of offering up one’s own self. This means that the Resurthe head-spinning void of historic materialistic nihilism, with rection is not remanded as a the sole “meaning” of life and “miracle,” but rather, attained, exclusive nonstop concern being like every beloved thing: with the inhumane machinations be- the voluntary acceptance of ing billed as “economics” and death; that is, the relinquishing “politics,” we might surely wish of self-centered life for the sake to find some shred of realistic of life itself. In the language of integrity beneath the phrase the Gospels, Christ did not rise on the third day in order to con“Christos Anesti.” If Christ died on the cross tinue the historic path of indiand came back to life on the vidual existence. He appeared third day, why should this event embodying freedom from the concern us today? How does it boundaries of nature. The relate to us? People continue to Church sings an hymn saying die, as was the case before that “the boundaries of nature Christ’s Resurrection. No one have been defeated.” That goes has come back to life after their for all nature – human nature death, so why should we cele- as well as the boundaries of dibrate the fact that death was de- vine nature. The Incarnate Lord feated because Christ resur- is free from the rational prescriptions of divinity, as well as rected Himself? Perhaps our problem lies in the necessities (time, space, corthe loss of the ability to distin- ruption, death) of humanity. The declaration “Christos guish the use of language, or the difference in prevailing “ra- Anesti” must have come about tionales”: There is a rationale from the manifestation of a conbehind survival and a rationale scientious and realistic joy. What behind life; a rationale behind people thirst for is not an endutility and a rationale behind re- less (hence nightmarish) surlationships. The rationale be- vival of some shadow or overhind productivity is radically dif- tone of our existence in “a place ferent that the rationale behind of repose” serving as some eterintegrity. The rationale behind nal ‘resting’ place for retirees; conduct is different that the ra- no. We thirst for freedom from tionale behind participation, in- every constraint and necessity. We want to exist because we teraction. If we want to talk about love wish to do so of our own free with the language of utilitarian well, and we wish to exist berationality, we will immediately cause we love and are loved. We show ourselves to be clueless, thirst for “the fullness of love.” The declaration “Christos and hence, loveless. And if we create architecture, paint, or Anesti” quenches this thirst. The make music using the language Paschal Celebration is an inviof sensationalism, we show our- tation to participate empirically selves to have never tasted the in the joy of freedom. manifestation of beauty. If we speak of the Gospel of the Follow me on Twitter Church in the language and ra- @CTripoulas GUEST EDITORIALS the national herald welcomes manuscripts representing a variety of views for publication. they should include the writer’s name, address, and telephone number, and be addressed to the editor, the national herald, 37-10 30th St., long island city, ny 11101. they may also be e-mailed to [email protected]. we reserve the right to edit any manuscripts that we publish, and we do not return or otherwise acknowledge unpublished ones. due to considerations of space we enforce a strict 850-word upper limit. Hillary Clinton, it is fair to say, is a “polarizing figure.” Her husband, President Bill Clinton, is not. Neither is the elder President (George H.W.) Bush, nor his son, Jeb. But the younger President (George W.) Bush, Sarah Palin, and President Barack Obama most certainly are. In terms of her now-official 2016 presidential bid, then, tens of millions of Americans are overjoyed at the prospect of President Hillary, whereas tens of millions more are utterly horrified by it. For the latter group, please take note: if you want to beat Hillary Clinton, you’re not going to do it by linking her to President Obama. And if you’ve got ties to any GOP movers and shakers, please get this article to them – quickly. You see, when it comes to winning elections, Republicans, just like Democrats, haven’t got a clue. They simply get lucky from time to time, by being blessed with an eminently electable candidate. Other times, they are in the enviable role of being the alternative: much like the Democrats of 2008, or the Republicans of 2014. If either of those parties’ strategists try to take credit for those election year victories, that’s like 19th century campaigns in agricultural America, when candidates and their camps would take credit for bountiful crops – when the real hero was…lots and lots of rain that year! Therefore, if Republicans can accept the fact that there are in desperate need of advice about how to win, then hopefully they will take some – do not link Hillary to Obama. And here’s why: Fox News-watching, talk radio-listening, churchgoing, nonmarijuana-smoking, gunowning, suburban-dwelling voters with an opposite-gender spouse, children, and a dog, are already not going to vote for Hillary Clinton. They do not even need to hear her name linked to Obama’s – not even once. Sure, it might make them angrier than they already are, but that won’t make their vote count for more. They can only vote once. But a Hillary-Obama link will only serve to alienate Obama supporters who plan to vote for Hillary’s opponent (whoever that may be), not for her, who are insulted by that conflation. paign-launching Yes, provideo about “real Obama/antipeople?” Could it Hillary types do exhad been any more ist. I know several, obviously-scripted personally. A link in terms of diversity such as that would composition? I sat perpetuate the there watching it stereotype that and thought to myevery Republican self: “an Asian is simply hates every coming up next, Democratic candifollowed by a gay date, no matter couple.” Bingo! what. It would by CONSTANTINOS E. Right on cue! I’m send a message of: SCAROS surprised she left “we don’t like out a paraplegic Hillary, and we Special to The National Herald and a Muslim. don’t like Obama, To clarify: of because they’re Democrats.” And that is not a win- course her message – that America belongs to everyone, not just ning message. Also, please stop talking the well-connected white folks about Benghazi. Give it up – no – is admirable. It is not her one but the conservative media words that are revolting. It is hosts and their loyal listeners the artificially-scripted compascare. The more damaging issue sion she injects conveying them. is Emailgate. That one is a no- It is even more nauseating than brainer: Hillary was subpoenaed Bill Clinton biting his lower lip by Congress to turn over her to feign concern as he says: “I email server, and what did she feel your pain.” For more examples, see William Hurt in the do instead? She erased it. Hillary also said she was un- film Broadcast News, in which der enemy fire in Bosnia, when he played an anchorman who CBS News showed footage re- applied water around his eyes vealing nothing of the kind. “I to make it look as if he were misremembered,” she said – crying while reporting on a story even though she (and husband of date rape. Real tears over Bill) repeated the story count- rape are human. Fabricated less times. Forget Brian ones are subhuman. This is the point, RepubliWilliams, when it comes to selfaggrandizing lies, Hillary is in cans. If you really want to beat Hillary in 2016, focus not on her own league. And what about her cam- what makes her similar to Obama – who in 2008 and 2012 received more votes than any presidential candidate in American history, by the way – but what makes her different from him. Whereas, like most politicians, he is guilty of contradicting himself from time to time, Hillary (just like Mitt Romney, Al Gore, and John Kerry), is the quintessential “phony politician.” And that is the number one reason why she should not be president. Those who paint politics with broad Republican Red or Democratic Blue strokes already know whom they’re voting for: the candidate – whoever he/she is – whose name appears directly below “Republican” or “Democrat” in the voting booth. But it is the vast middle, the undecided voters, not the predictable partisans, who decide presidential elections. And those undecideds are far too nuanced to link one candidate to another because of party. They are far more likely to be repulsed by pretentiousness and disingenuousness, which Hillary possesses, in droves. Constantinos E. Scaros’ latest book, about the 2016 presidential race, will be published this summer. It is titled Grumpy Old Party: 20 Tips on How the Republicans Can Shed their Anger, Reclaim their Respectability, and Win Back the White House. Linking Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama in order to damage her campaign will backfire. A bigger liability to Hillary’s presidency than Obama is Hillary herself. LETTER FROM ATHENS SYRIZA’s Flailing: Get Ready for Big, Fat, Greek Default This is what happens when you bring guys up from the Minor Leagues before they’re ready to hit curveballs. Unless the Gods intervene or Prime Minister and Coalition of the Looney Left leader Alexis Tsipras takes his sanity pill, Greece will likely be the first allegedly civilized country to default on loans to the International Monetary Fund and change its name to Eastern Venezeula. That is unless Turkey takes advantage of a vacuum of Greek leadership and invades, as it keeps testing Greek waters and airspace, and then declares Greek is Western Turkey. You can’t make this stuff up and even the usually conservative Greek newspaper Kathimerini bannered a headline that “Greece Enters Twilight Zone as Visions of Euro Exit Take Shape.” At this point, you can almost hear Rod Serling offstage like a Greek chorus in a stage whisper: “Submitted for your approval: a country that can’t pay its bills or loans and spends money like a drunken sailor has taken a detour down a road and entered ….. doot doot doot doot doot doot doot doot …. DA DUN! The Twilight Zone.” Tsipras has completely lost control of his own party and ministers who are undermining and defying him at the same time as they stab him and each other in the back. That’s what happens when the political party running Greece is a composite of cuckoos, a loose collection of war- Now caught bering factions of tween varying sets Maoists, Stalinists, of broken Leninists, Trotpromises and lies, skyites, Anarchists, he’s about to fall Communists and on his sword, people so strange which will hit only they could be extras his far left side, in Rob Zombie’s The and bring Greece Devil’s Rejects. down with him to They’re out there save his false past Pluto and pride, and workthey’re running a ers, pensioners country into the by ANDY and the poor he ground, at least DABILIS vowed to save go what’s left of it. under so that he SYRIZA is the Special to The National Herald can raise the Hamprime example of mer and Sickle what happens when you try to have a committee and declare he was true to his reach a consensus and they word even it killed 10 million build a camel instead of a horse. other people. Unless Tsipras again changes They’re so busy fighting amongst themselves they forgot his mind and agrees to impose what’s at stake here and it’s more heartless reforms denothing less than the survival of manded by the soulless troika, Greece, which many of them are Greece will fail. If he sticks to willing to sacrifice on the altar his guns without ammunition, Greece will fail. Either way, orof Che Guevara. Tsipras won power on Jan. dinary Greeks are screwed but 25 on the back of his promise the argument is only over to not to negotiate with interna- what degree. What Greece is staring at is tional lenders, to walk on at least half the country’s debt of a default and economic chaos 240 billion euros ($260 billion) and catastrophe for most, except to the troika of the European politicans, the rich and priviUnion-International Monetary leged who long ago moved their Fund-European Central Bank laundered money to foreign tax (EU-IMF-ECB), and to reverse havens and will, as usual, be the austerity conditions that held harmless and prosper. Tsipras and Greece are caught came with the money. Once he realized you can’t in a Hobson’s Choice, which run a country without moolah means there is no choice, no anhe reneged on his promises and swer, no salvation and no hope. changed his mind then reneged Millions of Greeks will pay the on his reneged promises and price for generations of wild overchanged his mind again, just the spending and runaway patronage kind of mindset you want in a caused by alternating administrations of the New Democracy leader you can depend on. Capitalists and PASOK Anti-Socialists happy to let SYRIZA take the fall and all the blame. Without more aid, Greece just can’t pay $763 million due the IMF on May 12 and there’s no way in hell it can meet $11 billion due the ECB, IMF and Treasury bills in June or July so that’s Tsipras’ out: we can’t pay. The reason default could happen, barring a last-second compromise, is because both the government and the lenders are correct: Greece badly needed critical reforms but there isn’t enough money to repay the debt even if all the nearly 800,000 public workers have their pay cut 100 percent and Greece stops paying pensions. The austerity measures have been savagely cruel to the people least able to afford it and if your pay or pension has been cut 30 percent, your taxes almost doubled in some cases, or you lost your job, how can you pay what you owe? Banks – some of them – will restructure debt to give people either more time to pay or lower interest or both because they don’t want them to default, so why can’t the troika do that? It’s because the taxpayers in the other 18 Eurozone countries would pick up the tab for the difference so in the end this isn’t about fairness or economics, but who wins. When it comes to that, it’s always the poor, workers, pensioners, and people without political protection who will pay. Unless they default. [email protected] 14 THE NATIONAL HERALD, APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2015
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