ASTORIA– Assemblymember Aravella Simotas and Christine Serdjenian Yearwood are co-sponsored a Latch-On event on August 1 at Columbus Triangle at the intersection of 31^st Street and Astoria Blvd. Southin Astoria to kick off and celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 to 8) and to urge support for Simotas’ bill — the Family Accommodation in Entertainment Act (A9775). A good crowd gathered even with the intermittent showers.

Christine Serdjenian Yearwood, founder of Up-Stand, Inc., a pregnancy rights organization,and breastfeeding mothers with their babies were joined by Queens elected officialsCongresswoman Carolyn B.Maloney, Councilmember Costa Constantinides, AssemblymemberNilyRozic, and Councilmember Donovan Richards.Though co-sponsoring the event, Assemblymember Simotas was unable to attend as she is in Greece visiting family members.

Serdjenian Yearwood welcomed everyone to the event, holding her son Antonio, and noting the well-known health benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child and that it is now legal to breastfeed in public in all 50 stateswhich drew applause from the crowd who also expressed support for the Simotas bill. She introduced Rep. Carolyn Maloney(NY-12), co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, and a longtime supporter of women’s rights and breastfeeding.

She was the first member of the city council to give birth while in office and throughout her career has helped passed legislation supporting breastfeedingand working mothers’rights among other important laws in support of families and child care. A mother of two daughters, Maloney noted that women in the past were arrested for breastfeeding in public and if they needed to express milk at work, they could only do so in the bathroom, not a sanitary place. She then read a statement from Assemblymember Simotas, thanking everyone for their support and urging everyone to contact their elected officials and support the bill that promotes the health of children and mothers.

Maloney pointed out that through the Affordable Care Act, breastfeeding at work is a workplace protectionand adequate break time must be provided for expressing milk, and a sanitary room must also be provided. She said, “No breastfeeding mom should feel discriminated against or stopped from doing so. Breastfeeding is a healthy option for mom and baby, and we need to do all we can to make sure that moms who choose to and can breastfeed don’t need to jump through hoops to do so.”

Councilmember Costa Constantinides who brought his son Niko to the event, pointed out that the fight must continue to support breastfeeding rather than the baby milk lobby which puts profits ahead of children’s health. Constantinides told The National Herald that the Simotas legislation “will ensure that public places in our community are family friendly, and women won’t feel frustrated by the lack of accommodation for breastfeeding,” adding that he strongly supports the bill.

Councilmember Richards also voiced his support for the bill, noting the well-documented evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding including brain development. He said the fight must continue to beat the baby milk lobby and break down the stigma attached to breastfeeding in public. Richardsalso pointed out that “Women’s rights are human rights.”

Assemblymember Rozicsaid it is a quality of life issue for families in Astoria and in Assembly District 25 in Flushing which she represents. Accommodation for breastfeeding for working moms is about “work-life balance”and she “will continue fighting to make sure your voice is heard,” she said to all those present.

The new legislation, introduced on February 7, requires places of entertainment (as defined in the New York State Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, Section 23.03) such as stadiums, arenas, convention centers, theaters, gardens or other places of amusement to provide accommodations, if readily achievable, including high chairs and booster seats (where appropriate), changing tables in all public restrooms, stroller parking, and a private, hygienic location for nursing or pumping breast milk. In addition, public restrooms would have at least one stall with a child protection seat mounted on the wall so that parents or babysitters can use the bathroom without having to juggle a baby.

“This is a practical way to ease the burden on parents and babysitters who want to enjoy entertainment outside their homes,” Assemblymember Simotas said when the bill was first introduced.

“If we’re going to claim the moniker of ‘family-friendly’ let’s really help moms and dads who have to grapple with diapers, strollers, feeding, and keeping babies safe just to attend an event,” Simotas said.

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CONSTANTINOPLE – The Ecumenical Patriarchate is getting ready for a series of serious ecclesiastical decisions and events over the next few weeks, out of which the most important ones are the election of a new archbishop for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Throne, the meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, and the granting of Autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine.

The National Herald has learned that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called a meeting of the hierarch who dwells in Turkey on July 28 announced his decision to convene the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne from throughout the World from September 1 to 3.

All the metropolitans and archbishops (approximately 120) will be invited, including the metropolitans of the Untied States,, Canada, Europe, Crete, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, the Dodecanese Islands, and New Lands of Greece. The auxiliary bishops will not be invited this time.

Among the topics that will be discussed will be the life of the Church after the Holy and Great Council (HGC) of the Orthodox Church in Crete in 2016, the imminent granting of Autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine, and the Ecclesiastical Eparchies of the Ecumenical Throne abroad. The last Synaxis of the entire Hierarchy took place in August 2015.

During the July 28 meeting, Bartholomew made reference to the issue of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He reportedly said the issue of America has tired us all we must finish with that. He did not give any time frame but those familiar with the ecclesiastical matters are placing the decision after the New Ecclesiastical year. Also, reference was made to the interview to The National Herald of Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has requested an audience with Bartholomew. They will meet at the Phanar on August 30 and the following day Kirill will meet with the Holy Synod.

The prevalent issue is expected to be Ukraine’s Autocephaly. All indications show that Bartholomew has decided to proceed with Autocephaly so that the schism there will alleviate and the situation will normalize.

This will be Bartholomew’s and Kirill’s first meeting since the 2016 HGC, from which Kirill withdrew the very last moment and unsuccessfully attempted to thwart by including three other Orthodox churches.

Also, the FYROM issue was discussed, but tabled.

Also the issue of the Church of Skopje was discussed but it was sifted for discussion in future time.

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LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – On July 30-31, large trucks and trailers gathered outside of The National Herald’s offices. Many people took lights, wires, chairs, and other things from the trucks and arranged them on the set. Others entered the trailer, perhaps to get the actors ready for their scenes. In a few hours, everything was in place and they began taping an episode of the famous television show, The Blacklist.

The Blacklist is an NBC TV show and it is a crime thriller. The series began in 2013 and they are currently filming the sixth season. Many famous actors and actresses were casted to be in the show such as James Spader, who has won 3 Emmy Awards, 3 Emmy Awards, Μeghan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff and others. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes shows with crime and drama.

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TORONTO, CANADA – The Hellenic Heritage Foundation (HHF) commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Toronto Anti-Greek Riots of 1918 with events culminating in a special commemoration at Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W, on Thursday, Aug. 2 at noon- exactly 100 years to the day Greek business owners had their restaurants and cafes destroyed. The public commemoration by the HHF will include speeches and musical performances and refreshments will be served.

The HHF is also hosting a photo exhibit, free and open to the public, Greeks in Toronto: The Immigrant Experience in the Rotunda at City Hall, 100 Queen St W, from Monday, Jul. 30-Sunday, Aug. 5.

The HHF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting Hellenism throughout Canada and is spearheading a year-long tribute to the events of 1918 Anti-Greek Riots.

The weekend of August 2, 1918 was one of the most violent in Toronto’s history. As many as 50,000 people took to the city streets over three days, rioting and destroying businesses owned by Greek immigrants.

Walking tours held June 17-August 5 explain what happened and why these riots are largely forgotten. Additional tour dates will be added throughout the summer, based on demand. Those interested are encouraged to visit the HHF website for additional dates. Greek language tours will also be available later this summer. Tours meet where the riots began at the site of the former White City Café, 433 Yonge Street in Toronto. A Heritage Toronto plaque marks the location, commemorating the Anti-Greek Riots, in front of the current occupant, Quest Language Studies.

More information is available by phone 416-447-7107 and online: hhf.ca.

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Houston police were on the lookout Aug. 1 for Joseph James Pappas, 62, suspected of killing one of former President George H.W. Bush’s doctors in apparent revenge for the death of his mother who died on the cardiologist’s operating table more than 20 years ago, officials said.

Police Chief Art Acevedo said Pappas should be considered armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal. A tip led police to suspect Pappas, he added, but wouldn’t reveal any more information

“There was a lot of planning that went into this. There was a lot of planning and, sadly, some skill,” Acevedo said of the July 20 attack on Dr. Mark Hausknecht, who was gunned down while riding his bike to work at Houston Methodist Hospital, which is part of the busy Texas Medical Center. Video showed the shooter, believed to be Pappas, riding past Hausknecht on a bicycle before turning around and firing.

Acevedo said the last anyone had heard from Pappas was in a July 31 morning text message in which the suspect wrote that he was going to kill himself and when police searched his home they found evidence tying him to the killing.

The chief said Pappas is white and very fit, and likely getting around on his 10-speed bicycle, which he rides “extensively and almost exclusively.”

Friends and family described Hausknecht as a humble and generous man who was adored by his patients, volunteered in his community and cared about the environment.

Hausknecht was also an avid cyclist and rode his bike to work each morning, as he lived less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from his office.

Police were able to identify Pappas, “thanks to the fact that we have a community that’s cooperative, that is a partner, that understands that they have a responsibility to play a huge role in keeping our neighborhoods safe,” the chief said, NBC News reported.

Acevedo explained that residents close to the shooting examined their home security video, and police were able to obtain an image that led to Pappas’ identification through additional tips.

(Material from the Associated Press was used in this report)

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The recipient of this year’s Rolf Nevanlinna mathematics prize will be 37-year-old Greek computer scientist Constantinos Daskalakis, currently a professor in the MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department.

The announcement was made during a conference of the International Congress of Mathematicians in Rio, Brazil.

As a recipient of the prize, Daskalakis will now be able to participate in the Heidelberg Laureate Forum that is open to the holders of top mathematics prizes (Fields, Abel, Turing and Nevanlinna).

The prize was established in 1981 by the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union IMU and named to honour the Finnish mathematician Rolf Nevanlinna who had died a year earlier. The award consists of a gold medal and cash prize. Like the Fields Medal the prize is targeted at younger mathematicians, and only those younger than 40 on January 1 of the award year are eligible.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In an update on her campaign for lieutenant governor of California, former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Kounalakis announced on August 1 that she received an endorsement for her campaign from President Barack Obama.

She said of the endorsement, “Serving as U.S. Ambassador in the Obama Administration for nearly four years was the greatest honor and privilege of my life, and I couldn’t be more humbled and grateful to have his support.

“I so strongly believe our future depends on strengthening our Democracy and ensuring California can be America’s beacon for inclusion, equality, and progress.”

Of her campaign’s progress Kounalakis noted that “with 33% of voters still undecided, we have a lot of work to do to make sure Californians across the state hear about our campaign.”

Kounalakis also shared the most recent poll results for July from David Binder Research which show her campaign up 16 points in an initial head-to-head vote against Ed Hernandez.

There are 97 days to go until the November General Election, and though at least 33 percent of voters are still undecided, voters are showing support for Kounalakis’ vision for California’s future and her proposals to fight for affordable education, environmental protection, and an economy that works better for all Californians.

The Poll Memo states: Kounalakis has wide leads among Democrats (44% to 26%) and Independents (45% to 22%), and a 3-point lead among Republicans.

She also leads across age groups: by 20 points among Generation X voters and Baby Boomers, 10 points among Millennials, and 5 points among Silent Generation voters. Across regions of the state, Kounalakis leads by 27 points in the San Francisco Bay Area, 20 in the Sacramento/Valley region, and 12 in Southern California—including a 12-point lead in Los Angeles County.

More information about Kounalakis and her campaign is available online: eleniforca.com.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The special counsel in the Russia probe has referred investigations into possible unlawful foreign lobbying to federal prosecutors in New York, two people familiar with the inquiry said Wednesday.

Three veteran Washington insiders — Tony Podesta, Gregory Craig and Vin Weber — are under scrutiny for allegedly failing to register as foreign agents with the Justice Department, the people said. None of the three has been charged with any crimes.

Special counsel Robert Mueller turned over the investigations to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan earlier this year, according to the people, who weren’t authorized to discuss the case and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The same prosecutors’ office is conducting a separate investigation of Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer for President Donald Trump, at the behest of the special counsel. Like the Cohen case, the lobbying inquiries appeared to fall outside the scope of Mueller’s probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Prosecutors and a lawyer for Podesta declined comment Wednesday about the referrals, which were first reported by CNN on Tuesday. Attempts to contact Craig and Weber weren’t immediately successful.

The three men in question cover the political spectrum in Washington: Podesta is a longtime Democratic operative whose brother, John Podesta, ran Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign; Weber is a former Republican congressman from Minnesota; and Craig was a White House counsel for President Barack Obama.

They also all have ties to Paul Manafort, the one-time Trump campaign chairman currently on trial on charges he orchestrated a multimillion-dollar conspiracy to evade U.S. tax and banking laws.

The three did work related to a lobbying effort on behalf of Ukraine’s government directed by Manafort and longtime associate Rick Gates, who has pleaded guilty and is expected to testify at Manafort’s trial.

Two firms at which Podesta and Weber have held executive positions — the Podesta Group and Mercury Public Affairs — were retained through a nonprofit group in Brussels that was directed by Manafort, according to prosecutors’ court filings. Craig oversaw his law firm’s report on behalf of Ukraine’s government that defended the legitimacy of its prosecution of a former prime minister.

Reports first surfaced in 2016 that Mueller was investigating whether Manafort secretly routed at least $2.2 million in payments to the Podesta Group and Mercury. At the time, the firms claimed they were under no obligation to disclose their activities to federal authorities.

As the scrutiny intensified, Podesta stepped down last year as chairman of his firm; it shut down two weeks later. Craig left his law firm in April.

Under federal law, U.S. lobbyists must declare publicly if they represent foreign leaders or their political parties and provide detailed reports about their actions to the Justice Department. A violation is a felony and can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Mercury said that in deciding it didn’t need to register as a foreign agent, it relied on the opinion of its outside lobbying ethics counsel, another Skadden attorney named Kenneth Gross.

Mercury and the Podesta Group both retroactively registered as lobbyists for foreign interests in 2017 after they first came under scrutiny.

Though prosecutors’ court filings in the Manafort case state both the Podesta Group and Mercury worked with Manafort, the firms have taken different — and sometimes contradictory — stances in public.

In a 2016 interview with the AP, Tony Podesta acknowledged that Manafort’s firm had been involved with the Ukraine lobbying work. But Vin Weber and Mercury steadfastly said no such collaboration took place.

“They did not direct our work. We did not work under their direction,” Mercury partner Mike McKeon said of Manafort’s firm in an April 2017 email to the AP. He added that Manafort had “little involvement” with Mercury’s Ukraine work.

McKeon did not respond to phone calls or emailed questions from the AP on Wednesday about whether he and Mercury still stood by those statements, which conflict with allegations in Manafort’s October 2017 indictment.

“In fact,” prosecutors wrote, Manafort and Gates selected Mercury and the Podesta Group and “engaged in weekly scheduled calls and frequent emails” with the companies “to provide them with directions as to specific lobbying steps that should be taken.”

___
By TOM HAYS and JEFF HORWITZ , Associated Press

Horwitz contributed from Washington.

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HOUSTON (AP) — A man suspected of killing one of former President George H.W. Bush’s doctors may have been seeking revenge for his mother, who died on the doctor’s operating table more than 20 years ago, authorities said Wednesday.

Joseph James Pappas, 62, should be considered armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal, Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

“There was a lot of planning that went into this. There was a lot of planning and, sadly, some skill,” Acevedo said of the July 20 attack on Dr. Mark Hausknecht. Hausknecht was gunned down while riding his bike to work at Houston Methodist Hospital, which is part of the busy Texas Medical Center. Authorities say the shooter rode past Hausknecht before turning around and firing.

A tip on Tuesday led police to suspect Pappas, the chief said, though he didn’t elaborate as to the nature of the tip.

Acevedo said Pappas hadn’t been seen in 36 to 48 hours. He said the last anyone had heard from Pappas was in a Tuesday morning text message in which Pappas wrote that he was going to kill himself.

Acevedo said police searched his home at 4 a.m. Wednesday and found evidence that ties Pappas to the killing, but he declined to elaborate as to the nature of the evidence.

The chief said Pappas is very fit, and that he’s likely getting around on his 10-speed bicycle, which he rides “extensively and almost exclusively.”

Friends and family have described Hausknecht as a humble and generous man who was adored by his patients, volunteered in his community and cared about the environment.

Hausknecht was also an avid cyclist and rode his bike to work each morning, as he lived less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from his office.

In 2000, Hausknecht treated Bush for an irregular heartbeat after the ex-president complained about lightheadedness.

Neighbor Jim Herd said he has known Pappas all of his life, having attended the same high school and church as him.

Herd described Pappas as a nice, quiet man who kept to himself and had few close friends.

“He was a loner,” he said.

Pappas’ house, in which no one was found Wednesday, is in an older, established neighborhood in southwest Houston. Most of the homes are single-story ranch homes with neatly manicured lawns.

Indeed, Pappas kept a neat yard, Herd said, and he saw Pappas mowing his lawn a week after the doctor was slain.

The house was home to Pappas’s parents and their family from the time Pappas was born, Herd said, adding that Pappas inherited the house after his father’s death about 10 years ago. Since then, Pappas had lived there alone.

Herd said he and Pappas had few words but would wave at each other in passing — the last time on Saturday, when Pappas waved at him as Herd washed his car in his driveway.

Herd said he does not remember ever hearing Pappas speak bitterly about his mother’s death or place blame for it. But “it hit him hard,” he said, and Pappas stopped attending church for a long time afterward.

After police released photos from surveillance video of the suspect in Hausknecht’s slaying, Herd said he thought it resembled Pappas but brushed the notion aside.

“Never in a million years would I have thought it was him,” he said.

—
By JUAN A. LOZANO , Associated Press

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BOSTON – Greek-American businessman Dennis Mehiel in a letter dated July 30, 2018 submitted his resignation to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America from the St. Nicholas Special Investigative Committee.

Mr. Mehiel wrote in his resignation letter that “It appears my understanding of the Committee’s role in resolving the issues that caused the project to founder is at odds with what Your Eminence had intended when appointed us.”

It should be noted here that Mr. Mehiel was instrumental in achieving an agreement with the Authorities of New York for the rebuild of S. Nicholas. Mr. Mehiel is the second official who resigns from an Archdiocesan Committee. The first one was Mr. Michael Psaros who resigned as treasurer of the Archdiocesan Council at the recent Clergy Laity Congress.

In November of 2017 after The National Herald’s revelations about the dire financial situation of the Archdiocese and the transfer of funds from restricted accounts of St. Nicholas to the operational accounts of the Archdiocese, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios appointed that Special Investigative Committee.

Also the Archdiocese issued the following News Rerelease announcing that Investigative Committee and its mission:

“The Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America formed an independent Special Investigative Committee (the ‘Special Investigative Committee’) related to St. Nicholas National Shrine, at a special meeting on November 21, 2017. The Executive Committee, which includes the Archbishop, the Holy Eparchial Synod and lay members, determined that it is in the best interests of the Archdiocese and Her faithful to form this Special Investigative Committee to investigate and evaluate expenditures related to (1) the St. Nicholas Shrine construction project, and (2) the potential use of certain St. Nicholas Shrine restricted funds for the payment of Archdiocesan general operating expenses. This special committee will make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Executive Committee, which will share the results of the investigation and recommendations with, among others, the legal and audit committees.
The Executive Committee appointed the following individuals to serve on the Special Investigative Committee: Mr. George Canellos, Esq., Mr. Nikiforos Mathews, Esq., Mr. Dennis Mehiel, and Mr. John Pappajohn.
Authorized to engage independent advisors, including its own independent legal counsel, and independent accountant or audit firm if deemed necessary, the Special Investigative Committee has been given full authority to contact, obtain information from and consult with the Archdiocese’s current and former officers, employees, volunteers and contractors, in connection with any matters within its review. It has been asked to provide a preliminary report within ninety days and periodic updates, thereafter. BakerHostetler and PwC will serve as independent legal counsel and independent accountants, respectively.”

On July 30, 2018, Mr. Mehiel’s resigned with the following letter:

“Your Eminence,
I write to submit my resignation, effective immediately, as both the Chair and a Member of the St. Nicholas Special Investigative Committee you appointed this past November.
It appears my understanding of the Committee’s role in resolving the issues that caused the project to founder is at odds with what Your Eminence had intended when appointed us. Unfortunately, I have concluded that the work we had hoped to accomplish will not be possible with the current framework in place.
I am aware that members of the Council have initiated some activity designed to meet the challenges the Archdiocese faces in attempting to complete the project, and I wish you and Council success in this most critical endeavor.
Sincerely
Dennis Mehiel .”

Mr. Mehiel is the former Chairman, CEO and Principal Shareholder of Box USA, which he founded in 1966. The company was built primarily through the acquisition of financially troubled competitors, many in Chapter 11. When sold to International Paper in 2004, Box USA was then the Nation’s largest independent producer of corrugated shipping containers operating 22 corrugated packaging facilities and two containerboard mills, all located within the continental United States.

Mr. Mehiel is also the former Chairman, CEO, and Principal Shareholder of Sweetheart Cup Company, North America’s largest producer of disposable table top products for the away-from-home dining market. The company was acquired by its principal competitor, Solo Cup Company in 2004. Sweetheart was rescued from insolvency when acquired by Mr. Mehiel in 1998. During the course of his career Mr. Mehiel has been instrumental in creating or saving thousands of U.S. based manufacturing jobs. He has long experience in the Public Debt Markets through which his enterprises have typically been capitalized.

Mr. Mehiel has long been active in New York State political life. He served for 12 years as a member of the Democratic National Committee and is a former Chairman of the Westchester County Democratic Committee. For eight years he served as an Officer and Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters. He was the New York State Chair of the Kerry Presidential Campaign in 2004 and was the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor in 2002.

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As a boy and later a student in Athens, 37-year-old Constantinos Daskalakis could never have imagined that he would one day receive one of the most prestigious international mathematics awards in the world. Now, as the holder of the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize for 2018, his thoughts turn to home.

A professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Daskalakis spoke to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) from Rio, Brazil where he received the prize during a meeting of the International Conference of Mathematicians.

“The Nevanlinna is one of the prizes you learn about when you are young and then you look at the list of recipients and decide that the chances that you will ever get it are miniscule. When I heard that my work had been recognised with this huge distinction I felt great joy and greatly honoured. Then I thought of all the people, without whom I could never have got here: my parents and my brother, my grandmother, my girlfriend, my friends, teachers and my students.”

“Then, Greece came to my mind, whose contribution to mathematics and human thought generally has been an inspiration throughout my life. Finally, I remembered the recent tragedy with the fires in Attica and the unjust loss of so many people. All these ideas together were in my mind when I got on the stage to receive the prize and made me feel very moved,” he said.

Daskalakis also expressed his happiness that he was able to contribute to Greek thought: “Greece has a lot of talent and I hope the conditions will soon arise to reduce the ‘brain drain’ so our young people can create in Greece without distractions,” Daskalakis said.

The Rolf Nevalinna Prize is awarded every four years to a scientist under 40 who has made major contributions to the mathematical aspects of computer science.

Daskalakis was honored by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) for “ transforming our understanding of the computational complexity of fundamental problems in markets, auctions, equilibria, and other economic structures.” The award comes with a monetary prize of 10,000 euros.

As a recipient of the prize, Daskalakis will now be able to participate in the Heidelberg Laureate Forum that is open to the holders of top mathematics prizes (Fields, Abel, Turing and Nevanlinna).
The prize was established in 1981 by the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union IMU and named to honour the Finnish mathematician Rolf Nevanlinna who had died a year earlier. The award consists of a gold medal and cash prize. Like the Fields Medal the prize is targeted at younger mathematicians, and only those younger than 40 on January 1 of the award year are eligible.

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ASTORIA – The Greek community worldwide is responding to the fire relief effort. Nonprofit organizations, associations, and individuals are trying to raise funds and collect supplies for those affected by the fires. Greek-American William Philip (Bill) Furnaro lives in Astoria and is among those trying to help the relief effort. He spoke to The National Herald about his Facebook fundraiser and how he hopes to help those affected by the fires.

Furnaro told TNH, “The tragic events of earlier this July prompted me to take action and try to make a difference in the way we nowadays tend to deal with tragedy. Other than thoughts and prayers, I decided to do something about the people who have been impacted by the wildfires in Greece and assist in any way I could. Unfortunately, due to the long distance between us, food and supplies would not necessarily be preferred. Also supplies, shoes and clothing are facing a logistical challenge, therefore, I decided to raise money. Financial aid is always appreciated and can always cover for any needs.”

He said, “I have never made an attempt to raise money before. Facebook seemed like a universal outlet to do it through. Social media, if utilized efficiently can become a tool in cases like this.”

When asked about his background, Furnaro said, “My father is from New York, my mother is from Crete. They are both well, still reside in Greece, not affected by the fires.”

“I am visiting Greece this month on my personal vacation time, which is another reason why I have decided to create this fundraiser,” he added.

“In order to ensure and protect the funds of the people who donate, I will personally hand deliver the funds to the organization(s) that I will eventually select to help,” Furnaro noted.

“I don’t have a final project or organization selected yet. I am doing my online research and also receiving help from my friends and family from Greece on this. Additionally, I have requested from everyone who contributes to the fundraiser to venture ideas and share their take on this. That way, they will feel involved and stay updated with where their money will go,” he told TNH.

More information about Furnaro and his fundraising effort is available on Facebook, search Bill Furnaro and Wildfire Victims.

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BURLINGTON, VT – This year, at our church festival we made less than ever, and we’re really proud. Less garbage, that is! Often, in the rush to prepare gyros, bake karidopita and enlist volunteers, the last thing people may think about is trash… But what is the use of making thousands of dollars for your church, when along the way, you leave behind dozens of bags of trash for future generations?

At the end of our annual Greek Food Festival at the Dormition Greek Orthodox Church in Burlington on July 29, we ended up with one small dumpster of trash (8-9 bags), one modest pile of curbside recycling, two large bags of compostable trays/plates/bowls and about 70 gallons of compostable food scraps.

Why am I sharing all this? I’m not writing to brag (well, maybe a little), but to give some tips to others on how to green up their event. While our festival and small New England city may not be as large as others, we still had hundreds of people passing through.

“Why bother?” some may ask. For one, you may find investing in sorting waste may just save your event money when it comes to dumpster rental and trash removal. Another reason is that your festival will come closer in line with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s frequent calls for greater environmental action.

Here are a few steps your community can take in greening up your festival.

Take stock. How much trash, recycling, compost do you currently generate at the festival, including preparation? What are some obvious ways you can cut down on waste?

Check in with local authorities. Ahead of your event, speak to your area’s waste management organization about how to reduce trash. In Northern Vermont, the Chittenden Solid Waste District gives great tips online about reducing waste at events and lends collection containers for free.
Rethink disposables. Are there any items you don’t really need, like straws or plastic sauce containers? We try to order only compostable plates/take-out trays/bowls. (Be sure to check if containers can be composted locally before ordering). For our festival, we offer metal cutlery that is washed throughout the day, and only provide plastic cutlery if requested for take-out. We phased out small plastic cups for tzatziki and salt/pepper packs. Future goals include phasing out water bottles, with water stations and cups instead, and recycling plastic bags. Compostable containers are more expensive. But these costs can be offset by green savings like no longer needed to rent as large a trash dumpster.

Clean house. If you can, the day before your event, have volunteers bring in all recycling and compost (and even trash) to local collection sites. Or at least have them all packed up and put aside. That way, on festival day, you only have to deal with one day’s waste.

Strategize collection site. Make sure to have clearly-labeled recycling/trash/compost bins side-by-side in as few locations as possible. Do not leave any random trash cans throughout the grounds, as these will fill with random waste. It also helps to have a table for visitors to stack plastic reusable food trays, compostable plates and a container for metal cutlery.

Get the word out. It works best when festival leadership informs the many volunteers in different areas of the festival about what we are trying to do with trash reduction and what waste goes where.
Volunteer power. We have volunteers always manning the trash collection site, giving advice to visitors, helping them sort items. They aren’t afraid to reach (with gloves of course) into clear collection bags to extract items in the wrong place. It helps to have enough space for volunteers to work under a tent, and to consolidate trash, recycling, and compost as you go. We set aside cans and bottles to be redeemed and keep a bucket of water handy to quickly rinse out dirty recyclables, such as plastic frappe cups.

See trash through. Make sure that all your hard work doesn’t go to waste, by ensuring that each type of waste collected goes to the right place. Nothing would be more of a bummer than finding that someone unwittingly dumped a day’s work of sorted compost into the dumpster!

Record your results. After the event, take a final tally of the number of trash bags, recycling and compost produced at your event. Our trash volunteers also keep mental notes on which foods or items are trashed the most, to let festival planners know about for next year.
Pat yourself on the back. Did it involve more work and planning? Certainly. Did it need some education about often complex rules about what goes where? Sure, it did! But was it worth it? What do you think?

Angelike Contis is a journalist and documentary maker based in Northern Vermont. She is the executive director of public access center Mt. Mansfield Community Television and a member of the Dormition Church’s environment committee.

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Greek immigrant Gus Konstin, the ebullient restaurateur who welcomed patrons to his historic John’s Grill in San Francisco for more than half a century, passed away on July 30 at the age of 87.

Konstin, born Constantine Konstantinidis, was known to welcome customers with open arms and a hearty, “Only in America, only in America.” They ranged from tourists to movie stars to local politicians, high-powered financiers, police officers, private eyes and reporters.

He was born to an impoverished family in the Greek village of Matsouki (pop. 75). In World War II, he fought the German occupation with the Greek underground. In 1949, during a period of political unrest in Greece, he left home for the United States.

Arriving in New York with $20 in his pocket, he headed for the West Coast. Before long he was working as a busboy and waiter at Jack’s in San Francisco, frequented by the city’s rich and powerful.

While taking adult classes at Galileo High School to learn English, he met a young Mexican girl named Sydna, a fellow student. Romance bloomed, and they were married February 25, 1955.

“Neither spoke the other’s language, so they always conversed in English,” said their son John Konstin. “It must have worked out, because they had four children and were married for 54 years.”

Gus’s wife saved all of his tip money, and the couple began to invest in San Francisco real estate. In the late 1960s, Sydna’s financial talent and intelligence and Gus’ charm and hard work made it possible for the couple to buy the three-story jewel box restaurant, John’s Grill, founded in 1908.

In 1930, the eatery gained fame for its small role in the detective novel The Maltese Falcon by San Francisco’s Dashiell Hammett. The author was a regular at the restaurant.

In 1990, Konstin turned the business over to his son John. But he continued to drop by, greeting customers warmly with “John’s Grill – nothing but the best!”

Sydna Konstin died in 2009. In addition to his son John of San Francisco, Gus Konstin is survived by his son Constantine of Portland, OR; daughters Christina and Annie of San Francisco; and six grandchildren. The family offers special thanks to Gus’ longtime caregivers, Dora Escobar and Irma Irizarry.

The visitation will take place on Monday, August 6 at 5 PM and a vigil service at 7 PM at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 7 at 10 AM at St. Cecilia Church, 2555 17th Ave in San Francisco. Burial to follow at Cypress Lawn, Colma.

The family prefers contributions in lieu of flowers to the San Francisco Fire Fighters Toy Program, 2225 Jerrold Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124

Condolences may be sent to the Konstin family in care of John’s Grill, 63 Ellis St, San Francisco.

(From the San Francisco Chronicle, published August 3).

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HOUSTON (AP) — A man accused of killing one of former President George H.W. Bush’s doctors fatally shot himself during a confrontation with authorities in Houston on Friday morning, the city’s police chief said.

Joseph James Pappas, 62, was accused of shooting Dr. Mark Hausknecht on July 20, while the cardiologist rode his bike to work at Houston Methodist Hospital. Authorities have said Pappas might have been seeking revenge for his mother, who died on the doctor’s operating table more than 20 years ago, in April 1997.

Authorities on Wednesday had announced Pappas as a suspect in the death, saying he should be considered armed, dangerous and possibly suicidal. Police found him Friday after a city worker reported seeing him.

Pappas died from a single self-inflicted shot to the head, Houston police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters a short time after Pappas’ death, with his body still at the scene. Pappas was wearing a bulletproof vest during the confrontation and shot himself after a second police unit arrived, Acevedo said.

Pappas had worked in law enforcement for more than 30 years and was also a licensed real estate agent, state records show. Friday’s confrontation occurred about 3 1/2 miles (5 1/2 kilometers) from his Houston home.

Hausknecht was shot in broad daylight at the Texas Medical Center, a 1,345-acre (545-hectare) complex of hospitals and medical institutions that in the morning is busy with traffic, medical professionals heading to work, people going to medical appointments and construction workers.

Autopsy results show he was shot three times, including in the head and torso. Police have said the shots that Pappas was accused of firing as he also rode on a bike “took some skill.”

Pappas also put together an extensive intelligence file on the doctor, which investigators found at his home, according to police.

Pappas had worked from 1983 through 1995 as a peace officer with two Houston-area constable offices. He also worked from 1995 through 2013 as a reserve officer for these same constable offices, according to records from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Friends and family have described Hausknecht as a humble and generous man who was adored by his patients, volunteered in his community and cared about the environment.

Hausknecht was also an avid cyclist and rode his bike to work each morning, as he lived less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from his office.

In 2000, Hausknecht treated Bush for an irregular heartbeat after the ex-president complained about lightheadedness.

No disciplinary action had ever been taken against Hausknecht, according to the Texas Medical Board.

—
By JUAN A. LOZANO , Associated Press

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DETROIT, MI – Dr. Steven N. Kalkanis, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Henry Ford Health System and Medical Director of the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, has been elected a director of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS). His six-year term began in July 2018.

ABNS is a non-profit public safety organization dedicated to the protection of patients and the education and elevation of all board certified neurological surgeons. The ABNS is responsible for ongoing professional certification activities including the development and administration of board certification examinations, credentialing, professionalism review and continuous certification for neurosurgeons.

Chair of the ABNS Board of Directors, Dr. Richard G. Ellenbogen, said, “We are honored and thrilled to welcome Dr. Kalkanis as one of the newest members of our board of directors. The directors who are nominated, accepted and ultimately elected to the board are elite academicians and educators. The uncompensated service Dr. Kalkanis will perform over the next six years will be focused on maintaining the highest standards of the practice of Neurological Surgery. As an internationally recognized tumor surgeon and leader in American Neurological Surgery, Dr. Kalkanis will no doubt contribute in significant ways.”

Dr. Kalkanis is recognized as a leader in brain and spinal cord tumors, intracranial and stereotactic neurosurgery, and adult cervical and lumbar spine disease. He wanted to become a doctor from a very young age, he said in a video on the Henry Ford Health System website. An internationally recognized expert in brain tumor surgery, Dr. Kalkanis authored the definitive set of guidelines for the multidisciplinary treatment of brain metastases.

He has published extensively on the topic of brain tumors in many prestigious medical journals, and regularly presents his research findings at some of the nation’s top medical meetings.

Dr. Kalkanis has held many esteemed positions, including his current position as President-Elect of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the largest neurosurgical association in the world, and Past-Chair of the Joint Tumor Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He also served as President of the Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Kalkanis received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, graduating with highest honors with the distinction of a John Harvard Scholar. He then earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, receiving the Linnane Prize for highest overall achievement and serving as Class Marshal. He was recruited to Henry Ford in 2004 after completing his residency training at the Harvard – Massachusetts General Hospital program.

Dr. Kalkanis is Chair of the Henry Ford Department of Neurosurgery, a nationally recognized academic center for research and clinical excellence with 33 physicians and scientists, and he also serves as Co-Director of the Neuroscience Institute.

In addition, he leads 1,300 cancer physicians, nurses, scientists and administrators as Medical Director of the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, which has been recognized for innovations ranging from precision medicine and advanced clinical trials to MRI-guided radiation therapy.

More information about the Henry Ford Department of Neurosurgery is available online: henryford.com.

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THRU OCTOBER 2
ASTORIA – Greek Nights at Athens Square Park, 30th Avenue and 30th Street in Astoria, presents live music every Tuesday at 7:15 PM, July 10-October 2. Thirteen musical events are scheduled, including performances by Nikos Nikolaides and the Cosmopolitans with Olga Pantelis, Giorgos Fotakis and the Laiki Compania, and the Noora Belly Dancers. Free admission. More information is available at athenssquarepark.org.

THRU OCTOBER 6
TARPON SPRINGS, FL – The City of Tarpon Springs will present Night in the Islands –a free event on the world famous Sponge Docks (Dodecanese Blvd. between Athens and Roosevelt Streets) on August 4 and October 6 this year. Enjoy a Greek panygiri with music, dancing, and dining! And we will offer an hour of free Greek dance lessons by the Levendia Dance Troupe from 6-7 PM. Night in the Islands will feature the engaging music of Odyssey in April and May, and in July, August, and September we will feature Ellada in front of the Sponge Exchange. To reserve a table for dinner, please contact participating restaurants Costa’s, Hellas, Mama’s, or Mykonos. This popular event is free, thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Tarpon Springs Merchants Association. For more information, contact Tina Bucuvalas at 727-916-0235 or tbucuvalas@ctsfl.us.

AUGUST 2-10
MANHATTAN and BROOKLYN – The 2018 New York Euripides Summer Festival presents Suppliants, an American Thymele Theatre Production, with six free performances at New York City Parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn and at The Glicker-Milstein Theatre, Columbia University. On Thursday, Aug. 2 and Friday, Aug. 3 at the East River Park Amphitheater: John V. Lindsay East River Park – FDR Drive overpass – Exit 4 (Grand St.), 6 PM; Monday, Aug. 6 and Tuesday, Aug. 7 at The Richard Rodgers Amphitheater: Marcus Garvey Park, 120-124 Sts. Bet. Madison Av. & Mt. Morris Pk. W, 6 PM; Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Almira Kennedy Coursey Amphitheater: Herbert Von King Park 670 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn; and Friday, Aug. 10 at The Glicker-Milstein TheatreColumbia University, 3009 Broadway, Diana Center- Lower Level 2 (118th St.), 8 PM. Amphitheater Listings and Maps: bit.ly/euripidesfest. Reservations are not required but recommended for the August 10 performance. For Reservations by phone: 1-212-868-4444 or visit SmartTix. Just like in antiquity, all performances are free of charge to the public.

AUGUST 10
BRAINTREE, MA – St. Catherine’s Greek School Open Registration, 119 Common Street in Braintree. Register between June 21-August 10 and receive 15% off discount if tuition is paid in full. Register online, at the Greek Festival children’s tent, or at the church office. St. Catherine’s Greek School is a ministry of the church. Its goal is teaching the Modern Greek language, Greek history and culture, as well as the Greek Orthodox faith. Classes from Pre-K to Adult with the ability to receive a Certificate of Attainment in Modern Greek through the Ellinomatheia Track. Contact Greek School Director Maria Dimitriadis for more information: mdimitriadis@bostonpublicschools.org or call 781-843-0047.

AUGUST 10-11
SOMERVILLE, MA – Myrrh Streaming Icon of Theotokos Kardiotissa (Tender-Hearted) from Taylor, PA Viewing at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 29 Central Street in Somerville on Friday, Aug. 10 and Saturday, Aug. 11. Schedule for Friday: 6 PM Icon Arrival; 6:30 PM Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos; 7:30 PM Talk with Fr. Mark Leasure; 8:30 PM Anointing of the faithful. Schedule for Saturday: 8 AM Matins Service; 9 AM Divine Liturgy and Anointing. More information is available by phone: 617-625-2222 and online: dormitionchurch.org.

AUGUST 12
CHICAGO, IL – The Classics Book Club at the National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street in Chicago, discusses The Bacchae by Euripides, translated by William Arrowsmith, University of Chicago Press edition, on Sunday, Aug. 12, 1-2:30 PM. Led by Dan Perkey the book club offers dynamic discussion of classic Greek works in translation for all levels. Free for museum members, $10 for non-members. Register at nationalhellenicmuseum.org.

AUGUST 16
CHICAGO, IL – Thursdays at NHM Sip & Paint at the National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street in Chicago, takes place Thursday, Aug. 16, 6-8 PM. Come join us for BYOB Sip & Paint Classes on the roof! Each session, students will be guided to paint a unique Greek scene such as: Island sunsets and the Parthenon. Cost: $20 Non-Members, $10 NHM Members and Students. Must be 21 and over on or before the day of the event. Those under 21 are not permitted. This event is BYOB and allows wine, wine coolers, beer, and hard cider. Hard alcohol is not permitted. NHM will not serve alcohol nor provide supplies to open bottles or cans. Register at nationalhellenicmuseum.org.

AUGUST 17-19
ANCHORAGE, AK – Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 2800 O’Malley Road in Anchorage, holds the 24th Annual Alaska Greek Festival August 17-19. Enjoy the tastes, smells, sights, and sounds of Greece, Greek music and dancing. Admission and parking are free! Bouncy house for the kids. Hours: Friday, Aug. 17 and Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 AM–10 PM, and Sunday, Aug. 19, 11 AM-8 PM. Car Raffle for BMW X1 xDrive 28i, tickets $100 each, drawing on Sunday, Aug. 19, 7 PM. Winner need not be present to win. More information is available by phone: 907-344-0190 and at akgreekfestival.com.

CASTRO VALLEY, CA – Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church, 20104 Center Street in Castro Valley, holds its Greek Festival August 17-19. Delicious Greek foods and pastries. Coffee bar, shopping, and children’s activities. Free admission, free parking, free shuttle. Live Greek music, dancing, and dance lessons. Hours: Friday, Aug. 17, 5-10 PM; Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 AM–10 PM; and Sunday, Aug. 19, 11:30 AM-7 PM. More information is available by phone: 510-581-8950 and at greekfestival.me.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, 2215 Paseo Road, holds the 20th Annual Greek Festival August 17-19. Enjoy traditional Greek foods and pastries, imports, guided church tours, gift shop, Greek groceries, Greek music and dancing. Free admission. Hours: Friday, Aug. 17, 4-10 PM; Saturday, Aug. 18, 11 AM–10 PM; and Sunday, Aug. 19, 11 AM-4 PM. More information is available by phone: 719-634-5678 and at amgoc.org.

PAWTUCKET, RI – Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, 97 Walcott Street in Pawtucket, holds its 91st Annual Grecian Festival, August 17-19. Authentic Greek cuisine and pastries, baking with fillo demonstrations, Kafenio-Greek Cafe, Agora marketplace, live Greek music and dancing, and church tours, available. Free and open to the public, rain or shine, under the tents, ample free parking. Hours: Friday, Aug. 17, 5-10 PM; Saturday, Aug. 18, Noon–10 PM; and Sunday, Aug. 19, Noon-9 PM. More information is available by phone: 401-725-3127 and at greekfestivalri.com.

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PALM HARBOR, FL – William (Vasilis)Maillis is a child phenomenon who has sparked global interest for his intelligence. At only 11 years old, he recently graduated from St. Petersburg College in Florida with an associate degree, and plans to begin his studies at the University of Florida in a few weeks.

The public school system didn’t know what to do with such ahighly intelligent child, who can only be described as “a miracle.”

He is the son of the Fr. Panteleimon and Presvytera NancyMaillis. Fr.Maillis is the presiding priest for the Church of Saints Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene in Palm Harbor, FL.

Fr. Maillis is originally from the island of Kalymnos and immigrated to the United States when he was only 11 months old. He spoke to The National Herald about his son, noting that Vasilis showed great promise from a very young age, and that he was quite different from other children.

He told TNH, “Vasilis recently received an Associate Degree of the Arts, from St. Petersburg College, which is a two-year college.”

When asked how the boy was able to attend college even though he is only 11, his father told TNH that Vasili knew his numbers at only 6 months old, “I remember when we were with the Presvytera at the doctor’s office and he found the magazine Sports Illustrated, he was sitting on my knee and he was reading the numbers that were on the jerseys.”

“When he was seven months old, he was saying complete sentences. I told him, for example, Vasili go to bed and he responded that he didn’t want to go.”

Fr.Maillis also said that “when he was one and a half years old, he was able to do addition and subtraction. At age 2, he could already read and write.”

When asked how Vasilis learned all this at such a young age when he had not even started school, he responded, “[he learned it] from me and my wife, and he also has 2 older siblings. My daughter Marianna is 30 years old and my son Elias is 28. Vasilis was the surprise after 17 years. We all played with him and taught him and he absorbed the information like a sponge.”

“He also… learned aboutthe planets, how far each planet is from the sun, the names of the moons, and more. At age 3, he had learned the alphabet in 6 languages; English, Greek, French, Spanish, Hebrew. He also went on the computer and he learned sign language by himself.”

“We were surprised when in only one afternoon, he learned to read Greek. Furthermore, when he was 4 years old, he started kindergarten. At age 5 he entered first grade but was placed in 5^th grade English and high school level math.”

He stated that, “the principal of the school was a very good man and when he saw Vasilis, he was very happy and was so enthusiastic about his abilities that he offered to help. His teacher called me and said ‘Father, I don’t know what to do.’ The school principal told us that they didn’t know what to do because they had never seen a child that progressed so quickly.”

“They told me to call the head of the Pennsylvania Gifted Children’s Department (at the time we were living in Pennsylvania). They recommended that he should go to a specialized school for extremely gifted children. Vasilis took the required examinations and passed with excellent scores. He went from 3^rd grade in public school straight to senioryear in high school. He completed high school in May 2016 at the age of 9. Of course, I am very proud of my son and I feel very blessed.”

Now Vasilis is preparing for the University of Florida and in two years he will have earned a Bachelor’sdegree in Astrophysics. Because he is only 11 years old and cannot drive or stay in a dorm, his parents will drive him to and from the University, which is 45 minutes away from home.

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ATHENS – The Onassis Foundation continues to support innovation and research, science and society, art and culture through 145 new scholarships for 2018. In 40 years from 1978-2018, the Onassis Foundation has awarded 7,200 scholarships and the journey continues, the Foundation stated in a news release on August 2. The release continued:

Kyriaki Karagianni, having graduated with honors from the Department of Education of the Democritus University of Thrace and having completed her Masters, is embarking on a PhD researching the socio-psychological processes of Bullying among Adolescent Schoolchildren.

Children are also at the epicenter of the research which Athanasia Kotsiou is conducting at the University of Cambridge concerning the Impact of Social Media Use on the Cognitive Functions and Academic Performance of Primary School Children.

Sofia Konstantinidou has dedicated herself to Clinical Oncology and her research will set out in search of new treatment regimens for lung cancer.

Giorgos Psarellis, one of the top Chemical Engineering graduates of the National Technical University of Athens, will attempt to investigate the secrets of human health. Combining experimental data with machine learning models and data mining algorithms, his research will help proposing prevention strategies and personalized medicine treatments.

Equipped with knowledge and armed with dedication, Kyriaki, Athanasia, Sofia and Giorgos can succeed in their goals. They can bring their research to fruition, achieve their aims and continue their impressive careers. The same applies to all the Onassis Foundation scholars for 2018 who stand out for their excellence but also for their maturity and the decisiveness with which they have elected to develop their knowledge and their talent. The Onassis Foundation will be at their side, as it has been for all 7,200 recipients of its scholarships since1978. It will be there to empower their efforts, to give impetus to their vision, and to release their potential both for their benefit and for the benefit of society.

As it has done every year for four decades now, the Onassis Foundation continues to provide solid support for Education through its Scholarship Programs. It is therefore with pride and with joy that we announce the results of our scholarship selection process for 2018. Applicants can visit our website www.onassis.org  to view the results of their own applications.

The 145 new scholarships were allocated as follows:

1. 135 scholarships to Greeks for studies in Greece and countries worldwide.
2. 10 scholarships to foreign academics and researchers in disciplines related to Greek culture, economy and society – from prehistory/antiquity to contemporary Greece.

The Onassis Foundation wishes all our successful applicants a bright and successful career.

More information is available online: onassis.org.

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NEW YORK – Leadership 100 Chairman Argyris Vassiliou announced on August 6 that the Executive Committee of Leadership 100 unanimously approved an emergency contribution of $200,000, along with a direct appeal to all members for further contributions, to address the devastating fires in Greece. The decision was made during a special conference call convened on August 2 in response to the appeal made by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Vassiliou said, “Today Leadership 100 has responded to a major national tragedy in Greece, the worst wildfires in all of Europe since 1900, with mounting losses of lives and property. Leadership 100 has always come forward in times of major humanitarian crises at home and abroad. We, as Greek Orthodox Christians, join our brethren in Greece to express our heartfelt sorrow and to assist in the recovery efforts.”

Leadership 100 has traditionally made a direct appeal to its members to supplement a major emergency gift during humanitarian crises. The Leadership 100 Office has established a separate account to acknowledge all donations, which will then be forwarded for the relief effort in a manner that will ensure the funds are used for the purpose intended.

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