LONG ISLAND CITY – The Carnival of Love Foundation held its 10-year Anniversary Fundraiser on April 27 at Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City with over 300 guests in attendance. The event raised $45,000 to benefit families living with autism or special needs in our local community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (3/31/16) “1 in 68 US children have autism” www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism.

“We at the Carnival of Love are doing our part to create awareness and looking to open the first ever Healing Arts Community Center in the Astoria/Long Island City areas so that we may offer special needs families access to unique programming such as music + therapy, educational workshops, parent support meetings and fun, family activities,” said Dennisia Slabakis, the Carnival of Love Foundation President and co-founder.

The Fundraiser with a Spanish Flamenco theme this year drew an impressive crowd of supporters for the Foundation. Among the highlights of the event were DJ Savas along with a live Gypsy Kings tribute band- the Los Cintron Brothers Band, flamenco show, casino, bull rides, and a fun photo booth.

A special presentation was made by two young artists with autism. One of the guest stars, Benjamin Giroux, is the 12-year-old author of the poem “I am odd” written for National Poetry Month about his experience with Asperger’s Syndrome, a type of autism.

The National Autism Association posted the moving poem on its Facebook page and it went viral with tens of thousands of likes. The international press reported on the young poet who is inspiring people around the world. Among those inspired by Giroux’s poem is renowned Greek musician Spiro Cardamis who composed an original song for the poem, setting the words to music. The song was performed for the first time ever at the event by the talented young singer, Kyle Baptista, who is also living with autism. Musical direction was by Olympia Milonas who founded and leads the Foundation’s musicLAB, a music therapy and movement class for special needs families.

The successful event celebrated the charity’s success over its ten-year history, while toasting to a bright new future as it embarks on a new journey towards the opening of a Healing Arts Community Centerin the LIC/Astoria areas for families living with autism and special needs. The $45,000 raised at the event will give the foundation a head start in that direction.

The Foundation’s Co-founder and President, Dennisia Slabakis, thanked the community for their love, generosity, and support over the past decade, as their collective contributions brought them to this special moment in time, and has allowed them to fulfill their mission of bringing community, love, and joy to those in need.

The organization’s main goal in opening the Healing Arts Center is to create a safe and welcoming space where special needs families can come together in a beautiful, artistic, and suitable environment that is sensitive to their collective needs. Programming will include, but is not limited to, art and music therapy, educational workshops, parent support groups, and fun, family activities.

For more information about the Foundation and the Healing Arts Center please contact: info@carnivaloflove.org, (347) 927-6444, or visit, www.carnivaloflove.org.

Founded in 2008, The Carnival of Love Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit charity, dedicated to bringing community, love and joy to the lives of children and families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other special needs.

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WASHINGTON – Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis visited Hellenic House to meet with American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis and members of the Board of Directors, May 2, 2018.

“We thank Admiral Apostolakis for taking time from his itinerary in Washington to meet with us,” President Larigakis said. “We appreciated the opportunity to be briefed on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the close-working cooperation between the militaries of longstanding NATO allies, Greece and the United States.”

Admiral Apostolakis’ visit to Washington comes at a critical time in U.S.-Greece defense cooperation as Greece approved the upgrade of 85 F-16 fighter jets this week. In Washington, the admiral also met with his U.S. counterpart, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, held meetings on Capitol Hill, and made a presentation at a roundtable discussion hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), according to the AHI’s press release.

Admiral Apostolakis thanked AHI for the great work it does to promote Greece around the world. He also discussed the daily multi-faceted challenges that Greece faces in the Eastern Mediterranean including from its NATO ally, Turkey.

“Greece is an immensely valuable, proven, and reliable strategic ally for the projection of U.S. strategic interests in the region, and Greece is a frontline state in the fight against terrorism,” Larigakis said. “These messages are central to the policy agenda AHI promotes so strongly in Washington.”

AHI Board Members Athina Balta and Peter Bota, and AHI Legal Counsel and Board Treasurer Nick Karambelas, joined AHI President Larigakis at the meeting.

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BOSTON – His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was taken to the American Hospital in Constantinople on Sunday afternoon of May 6th, after he felt intense dizziness, possibly vertigo.

He remained in the hospital overnight as a precaution and after the appropriate examinations he was released on Monday, May 7 and is now at home.

Bartholomew I (born on February 29, 1940) is the 270th and current Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, since 2 November 1991. He is widely regarded as the primus inter pares (first among equals) in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and as the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Born Dimitrios Arhondonis (Greek: Δημήτριος Αρχοντώνης), in the village of Agios Theodoros on the island of Imbros, after his graduation he held a position at the Patriarchal Theological Seminary of Halki, where he was ordained a priest. Later, he served as Metropolitan of Philadelphia and Chalcedon and he became a member of the Holy Synod as well as other committees, prior to his enthronement as Ecumenical Patriarch.

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ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ – The Hellenic Women’s Club of Bergen County recently held their Spring Charity Luncheon at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, NJ.

Guest speaker was Chef Maria Loi, restauranteur, cookbook author, and TV personality. Proceeds from the event went to benefit ELPIDA (Friends of Children with Cancer in Greece).

Chef Loi spoke about the healthy Mediterranean diet and about the Greek cuisine and culture.

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NEW YORK – The Cyprus- U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored Nicole Petallides- Fox Business anchor, with the Distinguished Merit Award at the 2018 Gala in Manhattan.

Visibly moved by the honor and supported by many of her relatives and friends, Petallides warmly thanked the Greek American and Cypriot community for providing the principles she grew up with. At the same time, she also referred to the difficult road in her early years in the highly competitive TV news industry which required many hours of hard work, until she stepped in front of the camera and received recognition.

“Thank you very much for this distinction, there are many people here who are distinguished in their field and also the struggle for the freedom of Cyprus, it is an honor that they have chosen me. I should also emphasize, especially to the many women in the audience that we are leading today, as I am the first woman honored with the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber Distinguished Merit Award since 1997,” Petallides said.

Television producer and childhood friend Leslie Perez presented the award to Petallides who noted their acquaintance since childhood, her professionalism, and the great love she has for Cyprus which she visits frequently and recommends it as a tourist destination.

“Nicole is an example to be imitated. Over the years I have seen her evolve into an amazing woman. Whether I see her live at the New York Stock Exchange, on her show or when she hosts the parade, I feel proud of her,” she said, also referring to Petallides’ husband, Nicholas Tsiolas, and their two sons, Eric and Michael.

During the event, the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce awarded the “Emerging Leadership Award to Christina Karapatakis, who, despite her young age, is considered by executives as “key” to invest in the energy sector worldwide, having made last year’s Forbes 30 under 30 list.

“I have attended this event since 2013. Thank you very much to the President for the reception, acquaintances and contacts I have made but also the youth section, which includes a total of 600 members, of which 40 are in the administrative council. I come in contact with big energy entrepreneurs investing in start-up companies, especially in the U.S., and I hope soon to promote an investment in a Cypriot start-up,” said Karapatakis.

The presentation of the event was made by the former President of the Chamber, Nicholas Karacostas, while the Executive Director, Despina Axiotakis gave the welcoming remarks.

Among those present were the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus, Vasilios Philippou, UN Permanent Representative, Kornelios Korneliou, Deputy Minister Menelaos Menelaou, the Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras and the president of PSEKA, Phillip Christopher.

“Break the Wall of Bureaucracy”

During his speech, the President of the Cyprus- U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Nicolas Nicolaou, noted the role of the organization and the need to benefit Cyprus through its new activities through new investments.

“If you find the wall of bureaucracy, break it. If you cannot break it, look for the door. There will surely be a door,” he said.

As Nicolaou said, the Chamber takes care of the promotion of Cypriot start-ups to American investors, giving as an example a recent event organized with invited representatives of five companies from Cyprus who were also present at the gala.

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LONG ISLAND CITY – The students of St. Demetrios Greek Afternoon School in Astoria visited the offices of The National Herald to compete in the finals of their Greek Spelling Bee on May 4. The tense competition included the top spellers among the students from the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades who had to study 100 Greek words and compete in two phases. After the first phase of the competition, the top 10 were selected to continue on into the final phase.

All the contestants received a certificate of merit for their participation while the top three received a financial prize as well.

The first prize, $500 was donated by Dr. George Tsioulias, the second $250 prize by Mr. George Kitsios, and the third $200 prize by Prof. Frederica Sagiani. Dr. Tsioulias and Sagiani attended the event and handed out the prizes to the winners.

The pupils did their best in the tough competition, and when the 100 words they had studied ran out, they continued the spelling bee with unknown words.

The students were accompanied by St. Demetrios Greek Afternoon School Principal Angeliki Agka and the teachers Chrysa Kokolis and Anna Dogias.

The proud parents were also in attendance, watching intently as their children competed and were then awarded for their efforts.

At the end of the competition, the awards were presented by the sponsors as well as the participation certificates. The students left with their heads held high, proud of their success but also their knowledge of the Greek language, knowing very well that the historical spelling of the Greek words and words in every language, is part of the cultural heritage.

The ten students who participated in the final phase of the competition were:

Dimitris Vasilopoulos

Konstantina Vlachou

Zacharoula Giannopoulos

Daphne Konstantinis

Christodoulos Konstantinou

Dimitra Kostaridis

Alexandros Bouzalas

Jason Pappas

Stamatia Tsamplakou

Ioanna Foukis

The winners of the competition were: 1st Zacharoula Giannopoulos, 2nd Alexandros Bouzalas, and 3rd Stamatia Tsamblakou.

Principal Angeliki Agka thanked The National Herald for hosting and supporting the spelling bee and the students’ efforts. She also thanked the sponsors of this year’s awards Dr. Tsioulias, Mr. Kitsios and Mrs. Sagiani and hopes that this effort will become an annual event and an institution with the participation of students from all the Greek schools in the area.

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NEW YORK – A Nassau County jury convicted Robert Crumb of fatally stabbing his wife, Maria Kontonis and wounding his daughter, Tiffany, in a 2016 attack before leading police on a high-speed chase in which he crashed into a gas station.

Crumb was remanded and faces a maximum sentence of 25 years-to-life in prison when he is sentenced on June 14, Newsday reports.

A jury in Nassau County Court in Mineola deliberated for less than five hours on Monday, May 7 before convicting Crumb, 45, of second-degree murder, one count each of first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest. Jurors acquitted Crumb of criminal possession of a weapon and another count of second-degree assault, Newsday says.

“Robert Crumb, age 44, fatally stabbed his wife Maria Kontonis-Crumb, age 41, at their suburban Bethpage, Long Island home then led a 25-mile police chase that ended in a fiery crash at a Brooklyn gas station on November 4”, The National Herald reported on November, 2016.

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NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who held himself out as a champion of women and a liberal foil to President Donald Trump, resigned from office after four women accused him of physical violence during intimate encounters. It was a swift and stunning fall for a Democrat who had pledged to use the power of his office to hold others accountable for abusing their power.

The state Legislature will fill his seat in the short term and several names already surfaced as possible replacements.

Among them is the Greek-American NY State Senator Mike Gianaris, “a Queens Democrat was geared up to run for attorney general in 2006, but bowed out to make way for Cuomo. But he never stopped pining for the job or raising money to run for it. As of January, ‘New Yorkers for Gianaris’ had $2.17 million in the bank,” the crainsnewyork.com reports.

“Names immediately began to surface for potential replacements — New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, state Sen. Mike Gianaris, former senior Cuomo aide and one-time superintendent of the Department of Financial services Ben Lawsky and former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara,” the POLITICO said, while the “New York Daily News” reported that “likely candidates include City Public Advocate Letitia James; former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara; Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Nassau County); Fordham Law Prof. Zephyr Teachout; state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Nassau County Dem who is a former federal prosecutor; state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens); and former Cuomo chief of staff Ben Lawsky.

The Democrats are slated to endorse an attorney general candidate at their May 23-24 convention in Uniondale.

“The state Legislature — not the governor’s office — can vote to appoint someone to fill the vacancy, as it did in 2007 to replace former Comptroller Alan Hevesi. Technically and legally, it would be a joint vote of the Assembly and Senate, which has a combined 213 seats,” the Newsday said. “Practically, however, the Assembly Democrats have the power. That’s because they are the largest single bloc of lawmakers, 104. Together with the Senate Democrats (who number 31), the party has 135 votes. Though the Senate Democrats will get input, Assembly Democrats would need only a few of their colleagues’ votes to win a majority.”

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LOUIS, MO – The annual Catherine Pelican Memorial Lecture in Greek Culture was held at the University of Missouri-St.Louis with this year’s speaker Dr. Haskel J. Greenfield, University Distinguished Professor, Co-Director Near Eastern and Biblical Archaeology Laboratory, Professor, Anthropology; Associate Member, St. Paul’s College; Coordinator of Judaic Studies of the University of Manitoba.

Prof. Greenfield presented “Peoples of the Sea, Philistines, and the Greeks of the Bronze Age: view from the recent excavations at Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel.” There was a large turnout for the annual event which honors and memorializes the late Catherine Pelican. The audience enjoyed the lecture presentation which included a vivid slide display for an extra level of understanding.

Prof. Greenfield’s studies and research delved into one of the most fascinating problems in ancient history and the possible connection between the Philistines and the Mycenaean Greeks. He discussed the origins and nature of Philistine culture and its connection with Greece, using evidence gathered recently at Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel- the Canaanite precursor of the famous Philistine site of ancient Gath (home of Biblical Goliath).  

Prof. Greenfield is a distinguished anthropological archaeologist whose research focuses on the evolution of early agricultural and complex societies in the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia) from the Neolithic through the Iron Age. Geographically, his research covers a large swath of Old World societies, from Europe (Bosnia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Serbia), to Africa (Morocco, South Africa), and Near East (Israel and Turkey).

In addition, he has conducted field work in various parts of North America (Manitoba, New York, New Jersey, and Mexico). He is currently the co-director (with Prof. Aren Maeir, Bar-Ilan University, Israel) of the excavations of the Early Bronze Age city at Tel es-Safi, Israel. He is also part of the team excavating the archaeological site of Huqoq.

Catherine Pelican, the daughter of Greek immigrants, was born and raised in St. Louis. She married James Pelican who came to America from Greece in 1906. The couple owned and operated Pelican’s Restaurant in south St. Louis from 1945-78. To honor Mrs. Pelican’s memory and her love of Hellenic culture, the annual lectureship was established at the University of Missouri- St. Louis. Recent Pelican lecturers include the distinguished professors Katherine Fleming, Amikam Nachmani, Vassilis Lambropoulos, and Margalit Fox.

Professor Michael Cosmopoulos, renowned for his archaeological work at Iklaina, Greece and other important sites, is the Hellenic Government-KarakasFoundation Professor of Greek Studies and Professor of Archaeology at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. The Greek Chair sponsors numerous programs during the University’s academic year as part of its outreach activities to the community in the St. Louis area.

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ATHENS – Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura met on Wednesday with visiting officials of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).

Speaking to Athens-Macedonian News Agency, head of AHEPA Carl Hollister noted that the aim of the visit was to discuss the World Congress of AHEPA in Greece in 2020 which will coincide with the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence.

The specific event, said Hollister, will attract over 600 people from the United States, while the participants are expected to exceed 1,000.

In any case, said Hollister “there is no other country with so much beauty and history”, adding that “we must educate Americans on the benefit of a visit to Greece”.

He also noted that Greece is a counry that supports investments, not only in tourism or hydrocarbons, but in industry as well.

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CHICAGO – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago today announced the formation of its new Metropolis Council. The Metropolis Council is the advisory and consultative body to the Metropolitan and is concerned with the life and growth of the Metropolis, its ministries, institutions and financial condition.

“In forming the new Metropolis Council, we sought members from across the Metropolis’ Midwest region, not just the Chicago area. It’s important to bring new voices to the table, including people with professional expertise who had not previously been asked to serve the church,” Metropolitan Nathanael said. “Having a council that is diverse in age and gender is also important as it allows us the opportunity to consider a broad range of perspectives as we labor to transform the world through our people’s God-given gifts and talents.”

In his search for new members of the Council, Metropolitan Nathanael sought faithful Orthodox Christians with backgrounds in a number of areas, including: finance, real estate, education, communications, law, security, development and management.

“As we set a course to build upon past achievements and bring about important changes to the Church, it’s important to work with experts who could provide new ideas for consideration,” His Eminence said.

The Metropolis Council met for the first time on Monday evening, May 7. The Metropolis Council approved the issuance of a Request for Proposal for financial auditing services to audit the Metropolis’ finances; reviewed the current financial condition of the Metropolis; and agreed to begin a yearlong Strategic Planning process, among other agenda items. The Metropolis Council also acknowledged the need to convene a Metropolis Clergy-Laity Congress after Pascha, 2019. Metropolitan Nathanael also announced the formation of a Young Professionals Advisory Board, which will work closely with the Metropolis Council to ensure that the emerging leaders of the Metropolis are active participants and stakeholders in the future of the Church.

Members of the Clergy on the Metropolis Council include:
• Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Paul, MN
• Fr. Stephen Bithos of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Joliet, IL
• Fr. Nicholas Georgiou of Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, Westchester, IL
• Fr. Nicholas Greanias of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Kankakee, IL
• Deacon Paraskevas Hamalis of Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, Westchester, IL
• Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
• Fr. Ciprian Sas of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Peoria, IL
• Deacon Vasilios Smith of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL

Members of the Laity on the Council include:
• Nick Boosalis of Saint Mary Greek Orthodox Church, Minneapolis, MN
• Gus Chafoulis of Saints Kosmas and Damianos Greek Orthodox Church, Rochester, MN
• Lori Chiampas of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
• Athan Demakos of Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, Glenview, IL
• George Kafkes of Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
• George Korkos, M.D. of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Milwaukee, WI
• Lou Laros of Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church, Champaign, IL
• Michael Laudizio of Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
• Andrew Limoures of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, IL
• John Manos of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, IL
• John Mercuris of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Des Moines, IA
• Kosmas Pablecas of Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, Palatine, IL
• Rachael Pontikes of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
• Maria Schultz of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Sioux City, IA
• Chris Varones of Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL
• Angela Zotos of Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, Chicago, IL

Georgia Loukas Demeros of Thompson Coburn LLP serves as the non-voting legal advisor to the Council. Other non-voting ex officio members include the President of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, the President of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Metropolis Director of Ministries and the officers of the Metropolis Young Professionals Advisory Board.

“I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has agreed to give of their time and talents by serving on the Metropolis Council. Together we will assess, plan and implement positive and necessary changes for the good of our people and parishes across the Metropolis of Chicago,” Metropolitan Nathanael said.

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Andreas Akaras, a Maryland lawyer who’s worked in Congress, helped recover unpaid wages for thousands of workers, and defended people seeking asylum and immigration privileges, doesn’t think it’s overwhelming to go after a whole government – Turkey, whose security agents in Washington, D.C. beat protesting American citizens outside the Embassy in May, 2017.

“If you look at it from a purely political context there would be horse trading and see the State Department or Justice (Department) or anyone else soft pedal the issues,” he told The National Herald, with the charges dropped against 15 of the 19 Turks who rampaged on the streets of the nation’s Capital. Two pleaded guilty and received a year sentence each.

Akaras is part of an extensive team which includes his Bethesda firm,  Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday and also Steven Perles, who has won judgments and damages against Libya under the Foreign Sovereignties Immunity Act (FSIA), being used in this case.

The lawsuit filed remains under seal until the judge rules on a motion to keep the names of some of the plaintiffs secret.

The suit is being brought in US District Court in Washington, a rare action against a foreign government but not unprecedented and claims, on behalf of five American citizens, that Turkey and its agents committed assault, battery, conspiracy and terrorism.

One of the victims, Lucy Usoyan, 35, was among Kurdish protesters outside the residence of Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States, protesting the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who was in the city to meet US President Donald Trump.

“Kurdish bitch!” Usoyan told The Washington is what she heard as the demonstrators crossed Massachusetts Avenue. In front of the residence, a large group of men had gathered. “Die, Kurds!” they shouted. “Kill the terrorists!”

She’s ethnically Kurdish, which makes her a blood enemy to Turkish ultra-nationalists and that made her a target.

Erdogan’s guards swarmed past outnumbered police officers and attacked protesters in a vicious five-minute swirl of brutality captured on video. Nine protesters were hospitalized, a police officer and a Secret Service agent were hurt and Usoyan suffered a brain injury.

And so far, the Turks have mostly gotten away with it.

Seeing the video enraged Congress, which approved by a unanimous 397-0 vote a resolution calling “for perpetrators to be brought to justice and measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Akaras, who was a non-resident Fellow & Professor of Practice, Innovation and Public Policy at the Dukakis Center for Public and Humanitarian Service at the American College of Thessaloniki, Greece, is one of a team trying to make sure there is justice yet.

“There continue to be many members of Congress who were incensed over what happened,” he said, fully aware of the US’ need for Turkey as a geopolitical ally but wanting to hold the state to account for the actions of its agents on American soil, act off bounds even for the spy community.

“I don’t think we’re tilting at windmills and don’t want this case to be confused with politics as usual,” he said, adding that FSIA gives his clients standing against Turkey which could, of course, ignore the suit as Erdogan is wont to do – “at their peril,” he added.

“It’s really a fundamental case where you have agents of a foreign government conducting themselves in a manner that assaulted individuals expressing their rights of free speech,” he said, the kind of demonstration that in Turkey has brought violent police responses, tear gas and jailing of dissidents.

“The FSIA is not meant to be a foil to protect rogue countries or the leadership of any state from being sued in US courts,” Akaras told The Washingtonian in another story about the incident.

Michael Tigar, a Washington attorney who successfully sued Chile over the assassination of Orlando Letelier in 1976, is representing another set of victims of last May’s attacks. That lawsuit has not yet been filed, the site said.

It’s taking a team to go after a state, including Douglas Bregman, the principal counsel in his firm, which has 26 attorneys, as well as Perles, who has won more than $6 billion in civil suit judgments, including $2.6 billion against Iran for a 1983 bombing in Beirut, Lebanon that killed 240 US Marines.

“Both of these men deserve a lot of credit for taking on the case, bringing their expertise to the issue, and committing resources to it,” said Akaras, who said he knows what he’s up against but is just as committed.

“It’s not so far fetching or challenging,” he added, even when you’re going up against a state like Turkey.

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NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of abuse by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman .

Cuomo late Tuesday said Greek-American Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas will investigate and possibly prosecute “any and all matters concerning the public allegations” against Schneiderman.

Cuomo says Singas also will probe whether Schneiderman used his staff or office resources to facilitate the alleged abusive liaisons.

Singas is the former head of the Special Victims Bureau at the Nassau district attorney’s office.

Cuomo said the special prosecutor will work with the other district attorneys, including the district attorney in Suffolk County on Long Island, where one of the women detailed alleged abuse by Schneiderman after a party in the Hamptons.

Cuomo said he appointed the special prosecutor in part to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest with the attorney general’s office, which is currently investigating the actions of the Manhattan district attorney’s office and the New York Police Department in their handling of the Weinstein sex allegations.

Four women accused the Democrat of physical violence in a New Yorker article.

Schneiderman, who has resigned, has implied his conduct was either welcomed by the women, or was not as they described.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Detailed accusations that state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman abused women were enough to force him to resign, but are they enough to charge him with a crime?

Investigators say they are just beginning to look into the allegations made by four women who told The New Yorker magazine they were slapped, choked and verbally abused by the Schneiderman, often during sexual intercourse. The women strongly rejected the Democratic politician’s explanation that any abuse was the result of consensual, intimate “role-playing.”

One of the women told the magazine Schneiderman hit her so hard her ear bled, and another said he left on her face a mark that was still visible the next day. At least one said she took a photo of her injury.

The chief of detectives for the New York Police Department, Dermot Shea, said investigators would interview the women in detail, but he couldn’t say whether any charges would result.

Legal experts say that based on the stories, the most likely charge would be a lower-level assault. And since Schneiderman was accused of choking at least one woman, he could potentially be prosecuted under a 2010 law he helped pass, which made choking a misdemeanor. The statute of limitations is two years to bring charges for such crimes.

Strangulation or an assault that causes a serious physical injury has a five-year window to bring charges.

If investigators find evidence Schneiderman verbally abused someone but did not cause visible physical injury, it would be considered harassment, a violation that has a statute of limitations of one year. That could come into play because some of the abuse the women allege happened in 2016 and possibly earlier.

Another complication is that the women didn’t go to the police at the time, which is common among victims of domestic violence.

“People think it’s so simple to leave. But it’s really very complicated,” said Judy Harris Kluger, a former sex crimes prosecutor and current executive director of Sanctuary for Families, which aids domestic-violence victims. “Let’s start holding the men accountable and stop saying, ‘Why don’t the women walk away?'”

She noted that there’s an added stigma of violence that occurs during sex: Women often feel as though they can’t say anything in the moment and are embarrassed later by what happened.

On Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was taking the case away from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. and was appointing a special prosecutor, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. All three are Democrats.

Cuomo’s decision came about seven weeks after he asked the attorney general’s office to look into how Vance handled a 2015 harassment investigation against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein that resulted in no criminal charges. Both moves were highly unusual, and some critics have accused Cuomo of meddling in the work of independent prosecutors for political gain.

On Tuesday, Cuomo said he appointed the special prosecutor because “I don’t even want the whiff of the perception of conflict of interest or impropriety.”

Vance strongly objected.

“Charging and jurisdictional decision making should be left to independent prosecutors who are answerable to their local constituents,” Vance wrote. “Interference with law enforcement investigations by an elected chief executive should always be viewed with great care, especially these days, given the propensity of our elected executive at the federal level in Washington to make statements and take actions that jeopardize the independence of our criminal justice system.”

The governor’s counsel, Alphonso David, issued a scathing response Wednesday, accusing Vance of a “blatant conflict of interest.”

“Your original actions and omissions in the Harvey Weinstein matter caused the distrust of women’s organizations,” he wrote. “That distrust is your creation, not ours.”

Schneiderman’s resignation Monday night, just three hours after The New Yorker’s story appeared, was a stunningly swift fall for a politician who put himself at the forefront of the #MeToo movement and had cast himself as a defender of women. His accusers said the hypocrisy of his speaking out on such issues was part of what pushed them to come forward.

Schneiderman, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, has denied abusing anyone. His attorney, Isabelle A. Kirshner, declined to comment.

The 63-year-old Schneiderman, who is divorced and has a daughter, emerged from his Manhattan apartment building Wednesday for the first time since the scandal broke. He rushed through a pack of news photographers, telling them, “Thank you. Have a nice day.”

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WASHINGTON – The Washington, DC chapter of the National Hellenic Society (NHS) is excited to announce the Third Annual NHS Heritage America Program in collaboration with Manatos & Manatos, a leading public policy firm. This unique program will take place from July 18-21, 2018 in Washington, DC and reconnects college-age Greek-American students with their roots, heritage, culture and Hellenic identity. The NHS underwrites all program expenses and arranges for transportation to and from meetings and events.

(Click here to read The National Herald’s coverage of last year’s program)

Students participating in this exciting educational program will meet with Greek-Americans who have reached the pinnacle of success in America, including:
The highest-ranking Greek-Americans in the US Government
Younger Greek-American government officials
Former high-ranking Greek-American government officials
Prominent national businessmen
Owners of area professional sports teams
Prominent lobbyists and lawyers
Prominent on-air news personalities and editors
Directors of some of the country’s top think tanks

For a list (and pictures) of all those prominent Greek-Americans with whom students met at the First and Second Annual NHS Heritage America program, please click here (2016) and here (2017).

Eligibility:
Enrolled undergraduate college student of Greek-American descent
Age 18-26
GPA of 3.0 or greater
Provision of physician’s letter confirming ability to participate
*Greek-American descent is defined as having one or more parents, grandparents or great-grandparents born in Greece.

For more information about Heritage America and to apply, please click here.

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ANDOVER, MA – Over 500 people of all ages and walks of life, from Arlington, MA, Lowell, and the Greater Boston area, attended a dinner held on April 29 at the Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, MA, owned by Market Basket head Arthur T. Demoulas, in honor and support of Fr. Nicholas Kastanas.

Fr. Kastanas was priest of the St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox parish in Arlington for 28 years, but was dismissed last July by Metropolitan Methodios of Boston.

The dismissal created turmoil in the parish, with the vast majority of the parishioners reacting via mass exodus, creating dire consequences for a parish that was one of the most promising in the entire Archdiocese. Some now attend neighboring parishes, such as Annunciation of Woburn, Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Somerville, Sts. Constantine and Helen in Cambridge, and others simply do not attend church services at all anymore.

Over 50 families removed their children from the St. Athanasius Greek School and established their own called Greek Group Tutoring, teaching the students Greek language, history, and culture. The local hierarch unsuccessfully attempted to ban the Group from marching in Boston’s Greek Independence parade on April 22; the prudent decision of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of New England, led by Bill Kafkas, ensured that the children were included. At the April 29 dinner, the children said the Lord’s Prayer and chanted “Christos Anesti.”

Fr. Kastanas and his wife, Litsa, children, and grandchildren, were present at the dinner.

Hundreds ran toward them and greeted them, hugging them, and many were crying. Kastanas also found it difficult due to the emotions to express a few words of thanks.

Speaking on behalf of the families, former St. Athanasius parishioner Despina Makredes said: “for those of us who know, Fr. Nicholas Kastanas, formerly serving as parish priest at St. Athanasius the Great in Arlington, MA, fully embodies the definition of goodness and character. Over the years, Fr. Nick has inspired his parishioners not only through his preaching but by his example of true goodness. Despite Fr. Nick’s outstanding reputation, last summer the Metropolis of Boston terminated his pastoral duties at St. Athanasius, for reasons that still have not been proven nor satisfy the majority of our parish body.

“Now, sadly, a vast majority of the parishioners have left the parish and are either attending other churches or not attending church at all… Many may not be aware that since his abrupt dismissal, Fr. Nick’s salary was terminated, his health insurance was taken away, his vehicle was confiscated, and his right to perform priestly duties was forbidden.

Additionally, his role as a well-loved professor at the Theological School in Brookline was also terminated. He has been abandoned by the Boston metropolitan and left with absolutely nothing.”

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NEW YORK – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Nassau County District Attorney and Greek-American Madeline Singas as the Special Prosecutor to investigate allegations against former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on May 8 and just a day later, legal experts began voicing their reservations about the case, Newsday reported.

Singas faces “many legal, political and logistical obstacles,” the report said, noting that the allegations that Schneiderman physically abused four women date back to 2013, so there may be a time limit concerning criminal charges. “The statute of limitations for misdemeanors in New York is two years, and five years for many felonies,” Newsday reported, adding that, “the incidents outlined in The New Yorker occurred between 2013 and 2017” and that “it still must be determined how and if they translate into criminal charges.”

The New Yorker broke the story of the alleged abuse of four women who had been involved with Schneiderman which led to his resignation. He denied any wrongdoing, however, and said “I have not assaulted anyone. I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross,” Newsday reported.

Singas released a statement saying, “The governor asked me to investigate these allegations as a special prosecutor, which is a responsibility I take very seriously. We will thoroughly review the facts and the law and take whatever action is appropriate. But because this is a sensitive and ongoing investigation, I cannot comment on the substance of our review,” Newsday reported.

Among those commenting on the challenges, Eugene O’Donnell, former police officer and now a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told Newsday that “Singas will also have to gain the cooperation of the NYPD and Manhattan prosecutors because some of the assaults allegedly took place in Manhattan.”

“These types of cases have a lot of emotion and feelings are very raw,” O’Donnell told Newsday, “And the expectations to bring charges, some of which may not be prosecutable, are very high. Singas was handed a high-profile, hot potato case in which she is going to have to reinvent the wheel to some extent.”

Professor Ellen Yaroshefsky teaches legal ethics at Hofstra University and told Newwsday, “The credibility of the witnesses is critical in ‘he said/she said’ cases,” adding that “this will be a very interesting case.”

Defense attorney Isabelle Kirshner has been hired to represent Schneiderman, she said, “We are at the very beginning of what will likely be a long and detailed investigation. It’s difficult to predict at this point what will happen,” Newsday reported. Schneiderman is also being investigated by Suffolk District Attorney Timothy Sini concerning a 2016 incident when the former Attorney General allegedly slapped a woman at a house in the Hamptons, Newsday reported adding that “the existing probes will be consolidated and funneled through Singas, officials said” and “Singas will work with Sini to investigate” that incident as well.

Concerning the cost of the investigation, Newsday reported that “Cuomo spokesman Richard Azzopardi said the state will provide resources to Singas ‘as needed.’”

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LONDON – A distinguished Greek diaspora scientist specialising in cardiovascular genomics, Professor Panayiotis Deloukas of the William Harvey Research Institute and Queen Mary University of Medicine, London was elected a member of the internationally renowned Academy of Medical Sciences in the United Kingdom.

Deloukas is among the top 48 scientists (16 are women), most of them British, who were selected as new members of the Medical Academy among 410 candidates. Following their election, the total number of members in the Academy will be 1,262. The ceremony to welcome the new members will be held on June 27.

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ALBANY, NY – The Albany Sons of Pericles, Ahepans from New York State, and an exceptionally large representation from the community, gathered on April 29 in the church social hall of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany for a testimonial luncheon in honor of Chris Pappis, a fourth generation member of the Albany AHEPA Family.

Every year the Sons of Pericles recognize someone in the community for their exceptional performance. The person chosen is a selfless, caring individual who is appreciated and admired by his peers. Chris Pappis embodies all of these qualities, and makes the honor even more meaningful, not only for Chris, but for the Sons and for all young Americans. In addition, Chris Pappis, has a unique vision about where technology can take Hellenism in the 21st Century and displays his impressive talents as a generous, compassionate human being.

Three AHEPA key note speakers, James Zafiros- Director of Membership, Ted Stamas- District Governor, and Jimmy Kokotas- Supreme Secretary, inspired the event with very moving tributes of the honoree. Zafiros, congratulated Brother Pappis for his unwavering contributions to AHEPA, his community, and to the much broader segments of society.

District Governor Stamas, spoke about working with Pappis, supporting AHEPA Chapters to promote and market the AHEPA brand, helping them expand the districts visibility. Supreme Secretary Kokotas, presented a plaque to Pappis and talked about his contribution to Hellenism. Collectively, this three-tier, key note tribute inspired the community and elevated the event. The Master of Ceremonies of the event was Michael Ziamandanis, Albany Sons of Pericles President.

The infectious Philanthropic spirit reminded all who attended this beautiful, well-earned tribute, that no matter your craft or passion, our most noble calling as human beings is to selflessly foster hope in and chase despair from the lives of others. Chris Pappis is a model 21st Century Hellene, who proudly captures the American Spirit. The event concluded with these words and a standing ovation for Brother Chris Pappis.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Fire Department says a blaze that broke through the roof of a house in Queens critically injured one person and seriously injured 10 others, including seven firefighters.

More than 100 firefighters converged on the blaze early Friday. It was reported around 5 a.m. in the Elmhurst neighborhood. WCBS-TV footage showed flames shooting through the roof at one point.

It happened hours after a fire in an apartment building elsewhere in Queens critically injured two people.

That fire was reported around midnight on the second floor of a building in Jackson Heights. It was under control in about a half-hour.

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