NEW YORK – The ARCAthens (Artist Residency Center Athens) launch event took place on January 22 at R & Company in Tribeca to introduce the inaugural Fellows of the Pilot Program and support the nonprofit organization’s future programming. Founder and Executive Director Aristides Logothetis welcomed everyone to the event in his remarks and thanked the hosting committee, board members, advisory council members, and all the supporters of ARCAthens.

He introduced the inaugural Fellows, artist Cullen Washington, Jr. and curator Larry Ossei-Mensah, who spoke about the program. Logothetis also introduced Pedro Barbeito, Assistant Professor of Art at Lafayette College where he is also the Director of the Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI). Logothetis and Barbeito created the ARCAthens at EPI residency program which Washington will attend following his residency in Athens.

Zesty Meyers, co-founder of R & Company and treasurer of ARCAthens’ Board of Directors gave the welcoming remarks. ARCAthens Board member and Director Emeritus of The Drawing Center George Negroponte spoke about the importance of supporting the nonprofit organization, adding that he was pledging $5,000 and invited everyone join him in making a gift.

The inaugural Fellows, artist Cullen Washington, Jr. and curator Larry Ossei-Mensah, spoke with The National Herald about how they got involved with ARCAthens and what they look forward to in Athens.

Ossei-Mensah told TNH, “Aristides and I have known each other for several years, I actually wrote an essay for an exhibition he had at the Bronx Museum, and we’ve always been in constant dialogue and conversation. He mentioned to me that he was starting an organization and explained to me the vision. I was very excited by it and was actually on my way to Athens because I was going to Hydra for the DESTE Foundation.

“I spent about two days in Athens and I got to begin to understand what’s happening particularly in the art community there, beginning to build relationships.

“Some of those artists were at the New Museum’s Triennial last year, another artist was in a show I curated in Harlem last year, so I became very curious about what’s happening in the Athenian art scene particularly and he asked me if I would be interested in participating in the fellowship and I was excited he accepted the offer.

Ossei-Mensah explained, “For the pilot, I will be going as a curator fellow and Cullen Washington Jr will be going as the artist fellow and we’ll spend about 5-6 weeks there and part of that is doing studio visits, getting to know the artists, getting to know curators, and using art to create this cross cultural dialogue/conversation.

“We’ll be totally immersed in what is happening in the Athenian art scene, so for me I have a bit of a head start because I’ve already built some relationships with artists, I’ve kept in contact with them, so when I go, it’s me engaging with them but then them introducing me to another set of artists, curators, writers in addition to the artists, curators, and writers that the organization wants us to be in contact with.”

About the Greek artists, Ossei-Mensah said he found them “energized coming out of the crisis, really thinking about what is the next chapter and how do we tell that story through artistic practice.

“I was really impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit, a lot of the artists had their own spaces that they created whether it’s in their apartment, a loft, one used to be a mechanic’s shop, so I was impressed that they were not waiting for people to help them get a show, they were just doing it, working together, and the community is very tight-knit, from what I’ve observed. I’m excited.

“For me, it’s an opportunity to continue to learn, build relationships, try to find opportunities with things I’m doing or recommending to colleagues, because when I come back they’re going to ask, so you went to Greece for six weeks, tell us what happened in Greece who are the artists we need to know, who are the curators, the writers, so you’re a bit of a reporter in a way.”

Cullen Washington Jr told TNH, “I think it was really an appropriate connection because my work is about the Agora. City Square is the title of my work. I use the Agora as a metaphor for humanity which I believe is that the city square is the nexus of humanity, it’s where you see the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you have protests in the city square, you have military pageantry, people watching, you have all these different facets of human behavior that kind of organically intermix in this open space.

“I was speaking to Aris about it and he said, ‘we’re coming up with this residency program and I’ll keep you posted, I think you’d be a good candidate for it.’ A few weeks later he calls me and says ‘guess what, we’ve got the funding and we would like you to be the inaugural artist,’ and, of course, I’m ecstatic about it, this is really a treat and a privilege to go to the birthplace of the Agora. I’ve never been to Greece.”

He looks forward to seeing “the roots of where this took place and actually stand in that place, so it’s not just a thought, it’s an actuality.”

When asked about his research on the Agora, Washington noted that he read about “the importance of the city square in cities around the world, especially in areas that don’t have democracy, but even here protests take place in Washington Square, so it’s neutral ground where maybe the rules subside just a little bit and it’s a place of free speech.”

He continued, “I read that in certain Muslim countries, the city square is the only place where women can be seen in public, and even in some refugee camps they created a sort of a square, you find it’s a human need to have a square, this facilitator of human behavior, so I thought it would be a great idea to kind of use that as a jumping off point for the work.”

Washington told TNH, “I have an interesting relationship with Greece because my dad was a minister and theologian and in the mornings on Saturdays, he would transliterate the Greek New Testament, so he put me in a chair next to him as he was drawing these picture words and I started copying, emulating, mirroring him, and that’s how I learned to draw, so all throughout my childhood I heard my dad talk about Greek and Greek culture and the words because it has this relationship to the Bible, searching for truth.”

The Alexandria, Louisiana-native told TNH that he began drawing at the age of three and had his first art show when he was 9 at the elementary school where his mother taught. “My mother is an educator and she would buy me art supplies, for Christmas, that’s what I got, art supplies,” Washington said.

Among those present were Consul of Greece in New York Lana Zochiou, ARCAthens Board of Directors President William Fagaly, EMBCA President Lou Katsos, AGAPW founder and President Olga Alexakos, Argyris Argitakos, community members, and many artists, including Philip Tsiaras, Masaaki Noda, Aphrodite Navab, and Giorgos Taxidis.

More information about ARCAthens is available online: arcathens.org.

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NEW YORK – Persephone Pia Drown is a creative and thoughtful seven year old child who steals the heart of everyone she meets. Pia acquired severe aplastic anemia four years ago and was placed on immune suppressant therapy that is no longer effective. Recently, she relapsed and is need of a bone marrow transplant. Today Pia is waiting for her perfect match. With your help she has a fighting chance!

Pia’s parents, Penelope (nee Kasolis) and Robert Drown, have been right alongside their daughter every step of the way, eagerly waiting for the moment when they know she will be cured, free to run, play and enjoy being a kid again!

They thank you for your support!

How can you help? Join the Be The Match registry by following the link:

http://join.bethematch.org/ForPia

Seeking: Ethnic Background: 50% Greek 50% European (Italian, English, etc.)

Donors should be between ages18-44, though ages 45-60 are asked to make a $100 tax deductible payment to cover the cost to join.

Following online registration, participants receive a simple cheek swab kit they use and return to bone marrow registry, and if found to be a match, they will be notified to donate bone marrow and help save a life.

The post Be The Match for Greek-American Girl, 7, Suffering from Severe Aplastic Anemia appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – Yannis Psathas, one of the official photographers for WOMEX (the World Music Expo) and Thessaloniki native, spoke with The National Herald about his life and work. He started out studying chemistry, but his career path took a dramatic turn via music and photography.

Psathas discovered his passion for music photography while taking his first steps in Thessaloniki’s music scene in 1997. After finishing his photography studies in Spain in 2004, he worked for the national edition of Rolling Stone magazine for almost three years, covering many major music events and artists. Recently, he has completed assignments for artists, record companies and media from Greece, Spain and overseas. Since 2007, he lives and works in Thessaloniki as a freelancer specializing in landscape, architecture, advertising, and music photography.

His extraordinary images capture the heart and soul of music, the spirit and energy of the music makers and the audiences that love them. Psathas’ work takes him around the world. Each year, he travels to New York City for three months invited by his photography mentor, friend, and renowned Greek-American artist Philip Tsiaras. In New York, he utilizes his photographic and digital post-processing skills to collaborate with Mr. Tsiaras on a range of international exhibition projects.

Psathas spoke with TNH about his journey and his upcoming projects, noting that his association with music began in 1997 when he was working at Mylos, a cultural venue/club in Thessaloniki which was unique at the time for bringing together artists in a repurposed building, a former mill, where each floor offered artists in various mediums the opportunity to display their work, collaborate with other artists, and reach audiences who appreciated art and the creative spirit in its many incarnations. It happened that on one occasion, a photographer was unable to make it and Psathas stepped in and found his passion. Self-taught, he worked for a time there gaining valuable experience before his military service after which he went to Spain to study photography.

As part of his studies, he sent out his work for external review and he was hired at various media outlets, among those in Spain, collaborating with Grupo Prisa (El Pais), La Revista Cuarenta Principales (edition of the Spanish Top 40 radio), and through the years he continues to collaborate with the most famous artists right now. Among his work, a dynamic cover photo of U2 for Rolling Stone.

“In 2007, I had to interrupt my career and move back to Thessaloniki… and one of my major projects was Thessaloniki360º and Halkidiki360º,” he told TNH. Offering virtual tours of the cities with updated information, maps, and text in Greek and in English, the sites showcased another aspect of Psathas’ work and opened up new opportunities through his photographs of architecture, landscapes, hotels and tourism in general.

“Since 2012, I got invited to join WOMEX which is one of the biggest expositions and [music] festivals at the same time, worldwide, and I’m back into the performing arts photography again,” Psathas noted.

He added that “it’s not that much rock and roll anymore, it’s more like the world, ethnic scene.”

WOMEX is the most international music meeting in the world and the biggest conference of the global music scene, featuring a trade fair, talks, films, and a showcase festival.

Over 2,700 professionals (including 300 performing artists) come together every October from more than 90 countries, making WOMEX not only the number one networking platform for the world music industry, but also the most diverse music meeting worldwide. Its musical spectrum is unparalleled in the international showcase festival scene, ranging from the most traditional to the new global local underground, embracing folk, roots, local and diaspora cultures, and urban and electronic sounds from all over the globe as well as all musical juxtapositions of these. Jazz and classical are also welcome. WOMEX features seven stages, 750+ exhibiting companies, 100 speakers, films, an opening concert, and an award ceremony.

Of his upcoming projects, Psathas told TNH that WOMEX will be in Finland next and in 2020, he will likely exhibit his work on the life of Madrid and street portraiture. Pointing out that it will be 15 years since he shot these photos and 40 years after the Movida counterculture movement in Spain following the death of Franco in 1975, Psathas will likely take new photos in Madrid to compare and contrast then and now.

He said, “Imagine spontaneous street portraits of people, music fans who belong to certain music tribes, rockabilly to punk to goth, all these things side by side with people that still on Sundays were very classic Madrid, Christian, they would go out, the everyday people and immigrants.

“Madrid was special as a landscape of faces and souls since there is more contrast between the traditional and the new, there is even more contrast than in New York which has a fantastic multitude, but the contrast you come across in Madrid is more edgy, one next to the other,” Psathas noted.

More information about Yannis Psathas and his work is available online: www.littleplanet.gr/music

www.littleplanet.gr/womex

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NEW YORK – The Hellenic American Association of Professionals in Finance (HABA) will honor Dr. George Hadjinicolaou as Executive of the Year at their 37th Annual Award Dinner on Thursday, April 4 in Manhattan.

Dr. Hadjinicolaou is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Piraeus Bank and Athens Stock Exchange.

Online registration is now open online: Eventbrite, search HABA 2019 Executive of the Year Award Dinner.

HABA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1982 to promote the professional and educational interest of Greek-Americans, Cypriots, and philhellenes in the banking and finance industries. The current active membership consists of over 300 professionals representing more than 50 institutions across the financial spectrum.

Since its inception, HABA has strived to serve the professional and educational interests of the Hellenic community by sponsoring lectures, seminars, receptions with guest speakers and other events such as book-signings, holiday celebrations, and job fairs.

More information about HABA and the upcoming Executive of the Year Award Dinner is available online: haba.org.

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LOS ANGELES – The popular game show Deal or No Deal featured restaurateur and newlywed George Stathoulis and his big Greek family playing for the top prize of $1 million on January 23. The episode, entitled My Big Fat Greek Game Show, featured plate smashing, Greek dancing, and Stathoulis calling out “Opa!” and presenting the show’s host, Howie Mandel, with a mati charm to protect him from the evil eye.

Also adding a Greek presence to the show is Greek-American Deal or No Deal model Patricia Kara who presents briefcase #9.

Newlywed Stathoulis told Mandel that he and his wife would like to have seven children, “to help out in the restaurant,” he joked, but then was visibly moved when he spoke about having a big family. “It’s an amazing experience,” he said.

Famous not only as a comedian but also as a germaphobe, Mandel raised an eyebrow when Stathoulis gave briefcase #7, the one he chose at the start of the show, a “ftou, ftou,” explaining that it was “for luck” and urged Mandel to also spit on the case. Reluctant at first, the host gave in and added a “ftou, ftou.”

The high energy show kept the audience riveted until the very end with the family chanting, “Georgie, Georgie,” as Stathoulis pondered the offers made by the banker. Since the episode is available for viewing online and many may still have the show on DVR, we won’t reveal how much prize money Stathoulis took home.

In case you missed the “Big Fat Greek” episode, it is available for viewing online: cnbc.com.

The post Stathoulis Family from LA Takes over Deal or No Deal appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The Consulate General of Greece in New York presented a moving commemoration once again at this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day of Greek Jewry on January 23. The event was held at Hebrew Union College in Manhattan for the third straight year and included remarks from distinguished speakers, a clip from an upcoming documentary, and a touching musical tribute.

Robert Shaw, managing director of Sea Trade Holdings, Inc. and a director and vice chairman of the Hellenic American Cultural Foundation, served as Master of Ceremonies and gave the welcoming remarks. Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras also welcomed everyone to the commemoration and reminded everyone to continue to stand up against intolerance. He quoted the writer Heinrich Heine, who said, “Where they burn books, they will, too, in the end burn people,” and also quoted Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about the power of words and silence. Noting that “words are tools meant to shift us from our slumber,” Koutras concluded his remarks by saying that intolerance can never and will never be tolerated.

Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan spoke about Thessaloniki, known as Salonica in the Ladino language spoken by the once-thriving community there, and as “the Mother of Israel.” He pointed out that the port was closed on the Sabbath because the workers were mostly Jewish before the community was devastated by the Holocaust.

Dayan then spoke about Zakynthos and how the small Jewish community was saved by Bishop Chrysostomos and Mayor Loukas Karreris who when the Nazis demanded a list of the names of all the Jews on the island gave their two names only while the Greek Christians hid their fellow Greeks who happened to be Jews in the mountain villages. The bishop and mayor were later honored as “Righteous Among the Nations,” an honor given to non-Jews who, at personal risk, saved Jews during the Holocaust.

Dayan noted the responsibility to combat anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its forms everywhere and added that as the representative of Israel, “when we say ‘never again,’ we mean never again.”

Rabbi Dr. Martin A. Cohen then thanked all those for their presence, especially his good friend Archbishop Demetrios and also Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and all the dignitaries and representatives from Greece and Israel. He led the prayers, first explaining the meaning of the memorial prayer and the affirmation of faith in God.

Rabbi Dr. Cohen also recounted his time as a young man in the Air Force when he volunteered to help fight wildfires in California, dousing the embers that could re-ignite at any moment, and noted we all have “the collective responsibility to douse the embers of hate.”

Solomon Asser, President of the American Friends of the Jewish Museum of Greece, thanked all those present and spoke about the nearly 2500 year presence of Jews in Greece. He noted that in remembering the Holocaust, we have prevailed and led a moment of silence. Asser concluded by saying, “We must never forget.”

Greek filmmaker Steven Priovolos then introduced a clip from his documentary film about Zakynthos, Life Will Smile. The moving story of survival brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience.

Keynote speaker Katherine E. Fleming, Alexander S. Onassis Professor of Hellenic Culture and Civilization and Provost of New York University spoke about the remarkable letter written by Marcel Nadjari, a Greek Jewish prisoner in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and a member of the Sonderkommando work detail. The farewell letter addressed to his friends was unearthed in 1980 at the concentration camp but was almost completely illegible. Recently modern technology has made the letter 85 percent legible. The 12 pages reveal the horrors of the concentration camp and also Nadjari’s Greekness.

Composer/pianist Phyto Stratis on piano and singer Nektarios Antoniou then presented a beautiful and moving musical performance, the Greek lyrics offering a poignant tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios gave the closing remarks, praising the event and the presentations, and noting that he was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Salonica, and the Jewish community had 31 synagogues and two newspapers which were “very cosmopolitan.” He offered his memories and thoughts on the war and the devastation of the Holocaust. “Never again,” His Eminence said.

Among those present were the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Maria Theofili, Consul of Greece in New York Lana Zochiou, Atlantic Bank President Nancy Papaioannou, David Harris, Prof. Demetrios Argyriades, Olga Bornozi, Dr. George Liakeas, Marilena and Ari Christodoulou, and many members of the community.

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JANUARY 24-27
BOCA RATON, FL – St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, 2100 NW 51st Street in Boca Raton, holds its 37th Annual Greek Festival. Enjoy homemade Greek food and pastries, tavernas with live music, Greek dancing, sanctuary tours, rides, vendors, VIP parking on grounds, free parking at Patch Reef Park (adjacent to church) with shuttle, raffles, Greek grocery store and market. Come to South Florida’s largest Greek Festival and experience authentic Greek heritage, culture, and Orthodox Christianity. Hours: Thursday, Jan. 24, 4-9 PM; Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26, 11 AM-11 PM; and Sunday, Jan. 27, Noon-9 PM. More information is available by phone: 561-994-4822 and online: greekfestivalboca.org.

JANUARY 26
CAMBRIDGE, MA – Greek Night to Benefit Kalesma on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Saloniki Greek – Harvard Square, 24 Dunster Street in Cambridge. Food sponsored by Saloniki Greek with passed meze all night, Cash Bar, includes all Greek wines, Greek beer and cocktails. Live music by Pharos Ensemble with Vasilis Kostas on laouto, Eirini Tornesaki on vocals, Panos Aivas on qanun, and George Lernis on percussion. All ticket sales will be donated to Kalesma, a humanitarian project in Athens, Greece which transforms children’s lives through music. Tickets: $50, available on Eventbrite, search Greek Night in Benefit of Kalesma.

JANUARY 27
ASTORIA – Hellenic Film Society USA presents two screenings of Maria By Callas at the Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Avenue in Astoria, on Sunday, Jan. 27, 3 PM and 6 PM, part of the Always on Sunday film series, featuring monthly Sunday afternoon screenings of Greek films. Tickets available online: hellenicfilmusa.org and use discount code SUNDAY20. Additional information is available by phone: 917-710-3027.

JANUARY 28
MANHATTAN – Hellenic Professional Women Inc. invites you to a panel discussion on Work – Life Balance featuring: Maria Georgiades Sfakianos, MD; Joanna Diakos Kordalis, Partner at K&L Gates, and Evangelia Leclaire, Coach/Trainer, on Monday, Jan. 28, 6-8 PM. Please visit www.hellenicprofessionalwomen.org for details.

JANUARY 30
BOSTON – Greece Animated: A Presentation and Short Film Showing of Greek Animation from the 1930s to Today takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6-7:30 PM at the Bright Family Screening Room, The Paramount Center at Emerson College, 559 Washington Street in Boston with Dr. Anastasia Dimitra. Hosted by WLP, ASIFA HELLAS, and the Circle of Hellenic Academics in Boston, the event is free and open to the public. Seating begins at 5:30 PM. More information and registration at Eventbrite, search Greece Animated.

FEBRUARY 2
CLIFTON, NJ – The Hellenic Musical Society presents “O Elios tha Xanafanei,” a concert directed by Yannis Magiros, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 7 PM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 818 Valley Road in Clifton. The concert features Chris Papson on bouzouki and David Stolarz on piano. Tickets are $15 per person. Your welcome donations will support the “Dr. Tzanakos Scholarship Fund.” For more information contact Yannis Magiros by phone: 973-214-3848 or email: yannis52@verizon.net or Sophia Logothetis by phone: 973-216-9574 or email: slogothetis68@gmail.com.

FEBRUARY 7-10
SARASOTA, FL – St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota holds its 35th Annual “Glendi” Greek Festival, February 7-10. Enjoy Greek food and pastries, guided church tours, marketplace, and Yiayia’s Attic Treasurers. Entertainment includes live Greek music and dancing and Kids Adventure Zone. Raffle for Mercedes Benz GLC300 or C300. Admission: Adults: $4, Children under 12: Free. Free parking on-site and off-site with shuttles available from Church of the Trinity, 7225 N. Lockwood Ridge Rd (1 mile. north of St. Barbara’s). Hours: Thursday, Feb. 7; Friday, Feb. 8; and Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 AM-9 PM, Sunday, Feb. 10, noon-8 PM. More information is available by phone: 941-355-2616 and online: stbarbarafestival.org.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 815 N.E. 15th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, holds its annual Greek Festival, February 7-10. Enjoy traditional Greek foods, Greek music, traditional Greek dancing by all our “Palazakia” and “Kamaria” dancers; an indoor marketplace full of vendors and an outdoor area for kids with carnival rides, games, and other children’s activities, and much more. Hours: Thursday, Feb. 7, 5-10 PM; Friday, Feb 8, 12-11 PM; Saturday, Feb. 9, 12-11 PM; and Sunday, Feb. 10, 12-7 PM. More information is available by phone: 954-467-1515 and online: fortlauderdalegreekfestival.org.

FEBRUARY 8
MANHATTAN – The Hellenic Initiative invites New York City New Leaders for some cocktails, nibbles, and networking with a purpose on Friday, Feb. 8, 7-10 PM at Amali, 115 East 60th Street in Manhattan. All proceeds will benefit The Hellenic Initiative’s programs for crisis relief and economic development in Greece. More information is available on Facebook and online: eventora.com, search THI New Leaders Cocktail Party.

FEBRUARY 8-10
PEORIA, AZ – St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church’s Annual Peoria Greekfest, 7950 W. Pinnacle Peak Road in Peoria, takes place February 8-10 with delicious traditional Greek cuisine, live music, folk dancing, shopping, children’s activities, and more. Admission is $3 for adults, children and active military are free. Credit and debit cards accepted. Greek music by Sinthesis. Hours: Friday: Feb. 8, 4-10 PM; Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 AM-10 PM; and Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 AM-7 PM. More information is available by phone: 623-486-8665, on Facebook, and online: peoriagreekfest.com.

NAPLES, FL – St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 7100 Airport Road North in Naples, holds its annual Greek Festival, February 8-10. Enjoy delicious food, authentic Greek Taverna, Greek music and dancing, church tours, artists, and more! New Drive-Thru take-out also! Come and be Greek for a day or a weekend. OPA! Free Parking. Admission is $5 for adults the entire weekend. Children under 12 admitted free. Hours: Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 AM-9 PM; and Sunday, Feb. 10, 12-7 PM. More information is available by phone: 239-591-3430 and online: stkatherine.net.

FT. PIERCE, FL – St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Pierce, holds its 40th annual Greek Festival, February 8-10. Enjoy Greek foods, pastries, gift shops, and church tours as well as Greek music, Greek dancing with daily dance performances. Free parking. Admission $3/person, 12 and under free. Free admission Friday until 4 PM. Hours: Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 AM-10 PM; and Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 AM-7 PM.

FEBRUARY 16-17
PALM DESERT, CA – St. George Greek Orthodox Church of the Desert, 74109 Larrea Street in Palm Desert, holds its 23rd annual Greek Festival on Saturday, Feb. 16 and Sunday, Feb. 17, 11 AM-8 PM. Enjoy authentic Greek food, appetizers, heavenly pastries, Greek wine, Greek beer, Greek coffee, souvenir Agora Market with over 20 unique vendors, complimentary Church Tours with Byzantine Art and Mosaic Iconography, Greek Grocery, Book Store, and Greek Novelties, live Greek music and Greek dancing demonstrations of traditional and folk dances, and Hercules Kids Zone. Admission $3, Active U.S. Military, Police, Firefighters, and kids under 12: Free. More information is available by phone: 760-568-9901 and online: pdgreekfest.org.

FEBRUARY 17
TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Music of the Dodecanese Islands, instrumental performance and dance, takes place on Sunday, Feb. 17, 7-11 PM at 42 W. Morgan Street in Tarpon Springs. Levendia Dance Troupe and the City of Tarpon Springs present an evening of lively music and dance from the Dodecanese with Michalis Kappas from Kalymnos, Greece, on violin, and Panayotis League on laouto (Greek lute) playing nisiotika, the music of the Aegean islands. $10 Admission, $10 mezedes (appetizers plate), cash bar. For more information, contact Tina Bucuvalas by phone: 727-937-1130 or email: tbucuvalas@ctsfl.us.

FEBRUARY 22-24
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church, 3600 76th Street N. in St. Petersburg, Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, 11 AM-11 PM; and Sunday, Feb 24, 11 AM-6 PM. Enjoy the food, music, and culture of Greece! Homemade Greek foods and pastries, church tours, Kids Zone, raffle, silent auction, vendors selling various hand-crafted art and jewelry, and so much more. Greek DJs spin lively beats amid other live performances by Greek musicians. Free Greek dance lessons from seasoned instructors. More information is available by phone: 727-345-8235 and on Facebook.

The post Going on in Our Community appeared first on The National Herald.

ALBANY, NY – The Albany AHEPA Family made a welcomed and generous donation of gifts and toys for the children and young adults being treated and cared for by the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center on January 9. They and the Albany Medical Center thank the St. Sophia Community for its generosity.

Special thanks and recognition are given to the Arthur Kontogiannis Family for its continuous support and dedication to the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, and to the following individuals from Albany Medical Center for their leadership and support of the Children’s Hospital, as well the hospital’s Robert Saba, Director of Development, Grateful Patients and Families; Ryan Watroba, Associate Director of Development; and Jessica Lohre, Certified Child Life Specialist.

The post Children’s Hospital Receives Albany AHEPA Family Support appeared first on The National Herald.

STOCKTON – George Gus Spanos, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all, passed away on December 29, 2018 at the age of 94, surrounded by his family. George was born and raised in Stockton, California where he spent most of his adult life. He lived the last four years in Walnut Creek, California, where he and his wife, Mary Boonos Spanos, moved to be near their grandchildren. He was Alex Spanos’ brother.

Born September 21, 1924, George Gus Spanos was one of six children raised by Evanthia and Constantino “Gus” Spanos, pioneer Greek immigrants who came to this country in the early 1900s to pursue the “American Dream”. Waking up at dawn and working at his father’s bakery every morning before school and selling newspapers on street corners through the Great Depression, George and his brothers at an early age experienced the entrepreneurial drive of their father while learning the importance of hard work, education, and discipline.

George enlisted in the Navy during World War II, defending his country as part of the “Greatest Generation”. He was a naval officer and flight navigator as well as a champion “light-weight” wrestler. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and the College of the Pacific, and received his law degree from Hastings College of the Law in 1949.

George returned to Stockton, eventually setting up his own private law practice in partnership with Harvey Hakeem and later with Harvey’s son Michael. George provided early legal assistance to his brother Alex’s growing business and eventually left private practice to join his brother full time as General Counsel for his rapidly growing real estate development company, A.G. Spanos Construction, which eventually became the largest apartment builder in the nation.

It was in 1955 that George met his partner for life, Mary Boonos. Although their families knew each other for many years, George and Mary did not meet until they both attended an AHEPA dance in Modesto, where Mary grew up. They married in 1956 and created a loving partnership that lasted for 62 years.

George was active in the Stockton community. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Stockton Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. He was actively involved at Saint Basil’s Greek Orthodox Church and a member of the Order of AHEPA. He had a passion for gardening and played racquetball for more than 50 years, well into his 80s. A “lefty” and force to be reckoned with on court, he twice won the San Joaquin County Open Racquetball Championship. Additionally, George was an avid Los Angeles Chargers football fan.

George was a student of history and taught his family the importance of their Greek heritage. He was a man of limitless love, genuine kindness, and compassion, strength and integrity, humility and gentleness, loyalty and faith. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to follow their dreams and to venture out into the world, providing his love, support and guidance along the way.

George is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his three children Evanthia (Steven Austin) of Orinda, Andrea (Luigi Ottieri) of Santa Barbara, and Gus (Martha) of Alamo; grandchildren Ariana and Helena Austin, Alejandro and George Spanos; step-grandchildren Mia, Tim, Luisa, Bobby and Mia Catherine; sisters Stella Graham and Madeline Madsen; and countless nieces and nephews. George’s death closely follows the recent passing two months ago of his brother Alex, and earlier of brothers Danny and Leo. The family wishes to thank George’s caregivers who provided loving and devoted care over the last few months and years of his life: Mercedes Hape, Evelyn Brody, Mimi Voltaire, Edward Manolo, Cooky and Frederick.

George lived a selfless life giving to his family, colleagues, community, church and friends. His wise counsel, infectious smile, mischievous sense of humor, and twinkling blue eyes will be missed.

The post George Gus Spanos, Alex Spanos’ Brother, Dies at 94 in California appeared first on The National Herald.

Hard to believe but Jan. 22 marked 25 years since the death of actor Telly Savalas, who

became famous for his lollipop-chewing role at the hard-boiled New York police detective in the 1970s TV show Kojak, where he uttered his signature line, “Who Loves Ya, Baby?”

He passed away from complications of cancer the day after his 72^nd birthday, leaving an indelible mark as the 8^th greatest TV detective, according to Screen Rant.

He was proud of his heritage, quoted as saying “Our father raised us with great pride in being Greek, to never lose our Greek language, to never lose our religion, and the Greek pride…blood doesn’t become water…Hellenism will never be lost.”

He was said to have left a celebrity event to attend a nearby Greek-American gathering after being invited, saying when he arrived, “The blood drew me.”

The post Who Still Loves Ya, Baby? Remembering Telly Savalas appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – EMBCA with AHEPA’s Hellenic Cultural Commission (HCC) and Delphi Chapter #25 hosted the 3rd AHEPA Seraphim Canoutas Lecture, entitled “The International Contribution and Sacrifice of the Hellenic Merchant Shipping Fleet During World War II and the “Blessed” Liberty Ships,” on January 24 at the 3 West Club in Midtown Manhattan.

EMBCA President and HCC Vice-Chair Lou Katsos gave the welcoming remarks and a history of the modern Hellenic Shipping Fleet. AHEPA Supreme Vice President James Kokotas offered his remarks, noting the importance of learning the lessons of history. Chairman of AHEPA’s HCC Joseph C. Keane in his remarks spoke about the HCC’s efforts to raise awareness of the contributions and history of Hellenism. He said that he became interested in the history through his wife Demetra’s writing about Hellenism.

Author/historian Alexander Billinis, who teaches at Clemson University and is also studying for his master’s degree in history, presented the Hellenic Merchant Mariners, Unsung Heroes of a Heroic Nation. Highlighted by slides, photographs, charts and graphs, the presentation brought to life the vital contribution to the Allied war effort by the remarkable Hellenic Merchant Marine and the Greek nation, from the very beginning of WWII, even before the renowned “Oxi” on October 28, 1940.

Billinis shared his own family’s connection, his roots in Hydra, and the story of his namesake grandfather, Alexandros Billinis, who was in the Hellenic Merchant Marine and was one of the over 2,000 Merchant Mariners who perished during the war. His uncle and father, too, were in the Hellenic Merchant Marine and settled in the United States.

Billinis referred to his website, alexanderbillinis.com, and his latest project to record the stories of the individuals who served during the war and put a human face to the statistics and numbers and finally tell the story of those unsung heroes. The stories will eventually be published as a book including Billinis’ research into the subject.

Rhode Island State Sen. Leonidas Raptakis spoke about the Liberty Project, his own roots in Andros and his father’s remarkable story of serving in the Hellenic Navy just before the war, the Merchant Marine on the Nea Hellas just as Greece entered the war, and in the U.S. Army for the duration of the war. He pointed out the historic friendship between the U.S. and Greece and the recently signed agreement between SUNY Maritime and the National Merchant Maritime Academy of Hydra, Greece, signed in Hydra, to develop further partnerships and find additional areas of cooperation. Sen. Raptakis also spoke about the effort to bring one of the last three remaining Liberty Ships, the SS Arthur M. Huddell (renamed the Hellas Liberty), from the James River in Virginia to Greece and the establishment of the remarkable museum in Piraeus.

Marine Spares International Owner James Tampakis spoke in greater detail about the effort, the refurbishing and prepping of the ship with an impressive slideshow featuring the transformation of the SS Arthur M. Huddell into the Hellas Liberty museum. Tampakis encouraged everyone on their next trip to Greece to visit the museum which also hosts events as well as offering a unique experience to learn about the history of the Liberty Ships.

As Katsos noted, the presentation further expanded “on the topic EMBCA has introduced in the past, and now with AHEPA’s Hellenic Cultural Commission, on the important international significance of the history of the Hellenic Merchant Marine, its extraordinary sacrifices during WWII, and the story of the Liberty ships, a key component of restarting world trade after the war. It was the basis of the reestablishment of the modern Hellenic owned fleet, one of the greatest entrepreneurship successes globally.”

The presentations tied into what EMBCA has previously discussed in other Hellenic Shipping panel discussions relating to the importance of erecting a monument in downtown Manhattan (working with the appropriate government agencies in identifying the space) that will have two purposes: 1. To commemorate the Hellenic Merchant Marine sailors and Hellenic shipping fleet targeted (over 2,000 killed and 70% of the fleet decimated) by the fascists during WWII (Hellenic ships carried most of the supplies for the Allied forces), and 2. To express gratitude to the United States for supporting the creation of the modern Hellenic Merchant Marine fleet through the “Blessed” Liberty ships after the war and the historical friendship between the two nations.

Katsos pointed out that “this help with Hellenic entrepreneurship in shipping has created what is now the largest merchant fleet in the world.”

The next event for EMBCA is the 3rd Annual Hellenic Shipping Industry Panel Discussion which will be held at the Hellas Liberty Maritime Museum in Piraeus, Greece for the 10th anniversary of the ship leaving Norwalk, Virginia and entering the Port of Piraeus.

More information about the invitation-only event is available online: embca.com.

For more information on Billinis’ presentation and an interactive map on the Hellenic Merchant Marine in WWII: http://clemson.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=48837445f2a24e57b8986a0b4398d086.

The post EMBCA and AHEPA Host Presentation on Hellenic Merchant Marine and Liberty Ships appeared first on The National Herald.

Martial arts muscleman Stefanos Miltsakakis, 59, a native of Greece who became a noted action actor and fighter in a number of films, died Jan. 10 in Santa Monica, California, leaving behind a legacy as a movie villain to be feared.

A native of Greece and a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, he squared off against Jean-Claude Van Damme in Maximum Risk, The Quest and three other action films.

As the Russian thug Red Face in Maximum Risk (1996), the hulking Miltsakakis fights Van Damme in a blazing building, in a sauna and finally in an elevator, where the quick-thinking hero stabs him in his foot, then his chest, The Hollywood Reporter said in a story on his passing.

He met Van Damme onscreen in the post-apocalyptic thriller Cyborg (1989), launching an attack on Van Damme.

The post Noted Action Star Miltsakakis Dies, Battled Van Damme appeared first on The National Herald.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, during the chaos of civil war and foreign invasions and adopted during his infancy by Leo and Sophia Lemonis, a Greek couple living in Miami, Marcus Lemonis, star of the CNBC reality show The Profit, has his The Simple Greek franchise for Greek food, often compared to Chipotle, popping up around the country.

On the show, Lemonis turns around a struggling business and buys a stake in it, something he did for The Simple Greek, then known as My Big Fat Greek Gyro. It was converted into a fast casual, serving customizable bowls and pitas, hummus, lentil soup and desserts. Since then, the chain has been in growth mode, its site said, becoming one of the best known so-called “fast casual” restaurants, offering Greek food he said he loves and wants to share with customers.

The post The Simple Greek Franchises Greek Food appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – While real Greek yogurt made by Greek companies lost out on capturing a big share of the American taste for the product to competitors offering watered-down versions, a trend is developing toward what’s made by other countries and flavored versions and offshoots.

In a feature, Agence France Presse noted that rapidly replacing Greek-style yogurt are attractions such as cotton candy and creme brulee flavors, yogurts made with whole, ultra-filtered or coconut milk, Icelandic, French or Australian style offerings, and low-fat, low-sugar or high-protein versions sold in square, tubular or glass containers.

Greek companies such as Fage, which make real Greek yogurt that is extra strained and needs more milk, making it more costly, didn’t promote themselves aggressively.

Danone, Chobani and General Mills, maker of Yoplait, had about 70 percent of sales last year, said Euromonitor International, a market research provider. Sales were about $8.7 billion.

The post Americans Losing Their Taste for Greek Yogurt appeared first on The National Herald.

YOU ALREADY KNOW THE NUMBERS OF THE YEARS

Can you say in Greek the number of the New Year, 2019, after studying the example of year 2018?

2018 = δύο χιλιάδες δέκα οκτώ (DEEo hiliAdes DEka okTO)

Δύο means two. The word is familiar to you from the word dialogue, which originally meant a discussion between two persons and is a composite one from the dia-  =δύο, the Greek word for number two and -logue = λόγος, talk.

Χιλιάδες means thousands. The word is familiar to you from the prefix kilo-, which means a thousand. (kilo+gram, kilo+meter).

Δέκα is found in the word decathlon, which comes from the Greek word δέκαθλον (DEkathlon). It is a composite one from the number δέκα (DEka), ten and the word άθλος (Athlos), the achievement.

Εννέα (eNEa), the number nine, is the root of enneagon, a polygon with nine sides.

Οκτώ (oKTO), the number eight, is familiar to you from words like octa+pus, the fish with the eight legs, and octagon, the polygon with the nine sides.

8 WAYS TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR IN GREEK

In Greek we have four different words that mean the year and the years. Their meaning is exactly the same, but we usually use each one of them in a different phrase. Note that the word the year exists in Greek in all three different grammatical genders. The masculine, ο χρόνος, the feminine η χρονιά and the neuter το έτος. The neuter τα χρόνια exists only in the plural number and its only difference from the feminine word is in the syllable that takes the accent: τα χρόνια, η χρονιά.

Τα χρόνια is used in the wish «Χρόνια πολλά!», while η χρονιά is used in the wish «Καλή χρονιά!». Ο χρόνος is used in the phrase ο νέος χρόνος.

Ευτυχισμένος, -η, -ο and χαρούμενος, -η, -ο mean happy.

Note that we can use any gender of the word year in the wishes below. The endings and the articles change accordingly. Nevertheless, they all mean Happy New Year!

«Ευτυχισμένος ο νέος χρόνος!», «Χαρούμενος ο νέος χρόνος!»

«Ευτυχισμένη η νέα χρονιά!», «Χαρούμενη η νέα χρονιά!»

«Ευτυχισμένο το νέο έτος!», «Χαρούμενο το νέο έτος!»

«Ευτυχισμένο το έτος 2019!», «Χαρούμενο το έτος 2019!»

Greek word   Pronunciation           Meaning

Ο χρόνος       o HROnos     the year

Η χρονιά        ee hroniA      the year

Τα χρόνια      ta HROnia     the years

Το έτος           to Etos            the year

Τα έτη             ta Eti               the years

ΝEO- MEANS NEW

The Greek adjective νέος, -α, -ο is the root of many English words that begin with the prefix neo-. Innumerable companies have incorporated the prefix neo- in their brand names, in order to indicate how innovative and new in the market their products are.

English word Greek word   Pronunciation

Neon το νέον           to NEon

Neolithic        ο νεολιθικός  o neolithiKOS

-lithic  ο λίθος           o LEEthos

Neoclassical ο νεοκλασικός           o neoklasiKOS

Classical       ο κλασικός     o klasiKOS

Η εποχή (ee epoHEE) is the Greek word for the era, which has been transliterated in English in the word epoch and η αρχιτεκτονική (ee arhitektoniKEE) is the architecture.

EXERCISE

Add the correct words in the phrases below.

1. Χαρούμενη η … …. 2019!
2. Ευτυχισμένος ο … … 2019!
3. …. πολλά!
4. Χαρούμενος ο …. …. 2019!
5. Χαρούμενο το … έτος 2019!
6. Ευτυχισμένη η … … 2019!
7. Χαρούμενο το … … 2019!
8. Η νεολιθική …
9. Η νεοκλασική …
10. Καλή …!

PRONUNCIATION KEY

i (idiom), ee (needle), e (energy), o (organism), oo (boot), y (yes), h (helium), th (theory), d (the). The capitalized syllables are accented.

The post Our Everyday Greek: Greek you already know: 8 ways to say Happy New Year 2019 appeared first on The National Herald.

KAMBURIS, ELEFTHERIA
MONTGOMERY, AL (from the Montgomery Advertiser, published on Jan. 16) – Eleftheria Mellos Kamburis, Ria, fell asleep in the Lord at Baptist East Medical Center on Thursday, January 10, 2019 with her loving family by her side. Ria was the daughter of the late Thomas and Anthi Mellos of Epirus, Greece. She was the devoted wife of 50 years to Danny A. Kamburis, loving mother of Angela K. Kleitches (Tom), son, Michael T., beloved granddaughter Demetra (Demi) Kleitches. Ria cherished her family, her church, and embraced her Greek heritage – especially the dancing! She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend to all. Her beautiful smile was radiated by her vibrant spirit, grace, and kindness. The Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 14th at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. Father Paul Costopoulos and Father Paul Ludenburg officiated the service. May her memory be eternal.

KOTANIDIS, ANTONIOS
PENNSVILLE, NJ (from the South Jersey Times, published on Jan. 2) – Antonios Kotanidis, his family’s patriarch, passed away peacefully in his home in Pennsville, NJ, on Sunday, December 30. Lovingly known as “Papou” by friends and family, Tony was a devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather and great-grandfather, loyal family member, and generous friend. He immigrated to the United States in 1970, looking to start a new life in a new country, and in the process established a legacy on two continents. In 1974, he co-founded Pat’s Pizzeria with his brother-in-law, Joe, and his nephew, John, a chain which now spans four states. While Tony embraced his new home and country, he never forgot his roots in Koromilia, Greece. Tony visited his homeland as frequently as possible and it didn’t take much to make him happy. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, playing cards and backgammon, and drinking Greek coffee. Tony was an avid golfer and travel enthusiast; he once made a hole-in-one at a local country club and often shared stories of his travels. Tony’s joie de vivre was contagious and never failed to infect those around him. He is survived by his wife, Roula; his 3 daughters, Jenny (Ilias) Stamatiadis, Alexia (Theo) Roustopoulos, and Maria (Kleo) Pechlivanidis; his sister, Irini; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and countless nieces, nephews, and relatives.

LAPPAS, MARIANTHI
SOMERDALE, NJ (from the Courier-Post, published on Jan. 1) – Marianthi Lappas (nee Toutourou), age 81 of Somerdale passed away on December 30. Beloved wife of the late Markos Lappas. Devoted mother of Vaia (Ed) Gilchrist of Cleveland, OH, Zino Lappas of Somerdale, Anna Lappas of Florida and Loukia (Andy) Likogiannis. Loving grandmother of Nicholas, Marc P., Maria, Ryan, Christian, Markos Z. and Michael. Dear sister of Evania and Angela both of Greece. To share condolences with the family please visit www.murrayparadeefh.com.

NICHOLAS, STEFANOS
CANTON, OH (from The Plain Dealer, published on Jan. 3) – Stefanos “Steve” Nicholas, 1925-2019, of Canton, OH, joined our Lord the evening of January first. He was born February 18, 1925 in Oinoussai, Greece. He was preceded in death by his parents Nikola and Sophia, brothers, Stefanos, Mihalis and Yianni, sister Athipi and beautiful wife of 65 years, Anastasia “Tasoula.” Stefanos left behind his son Michael (Cynthia), daughter Sophia (Michael) Kazes, his two granddaughters Marissa and Anastasia, whom he loved dearly. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Eftichia Lemos, and countless nieces, nephews, and friends. A Veteran of the Greek Navy, Stefanos served during WWII and eventually made his way to Cleveland, where he met his lovely wife, and began his family, which brought immense joy to his life. More recently, they moved to Canton to be closer to their daughter. He loved gardening and spending time with his friends, especially in the mall food court, chatting for hours over coffee. He had an immense pride in where he came from and his family. Stephanos was a member of Saint Paul and Saint Haralambos Greek Orthodox Churches, a member of Senior Citizens, Oinoussian Society and the Agia Markella Chios Society. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, Saint Haralambos Hellenic Dancers or Saint Jude Children’s Hospital. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Bethany Nursing Home and Crossroad Hospice for their wonderful care and support, as well as Fr. Nick for his numerous visits, prayers and comforting words.

PSALIDAS, VASSILIKI
SOUTH BEND, IN (from the South Bend Tribune, published on Jan. 3) – Vassiliki “Betsy” Loezos Psalidas Jan. 28, 1937 – Jan. 1, 2019. Vassiliki “Betsy” Loezos Psalidas, 81, passed away on Monday, January 1 in her home. Vassiliki was born on the Island of Ikaria, Greece on January 28, 1937. She moved to Gary, Indiana on August 13, 1938. Her name was Americanized to Betsy Logan. She married Julius Psalidas on January 19, 1958 at St. Helen & Constantine Greek Orthodox Church in Gary, Indiana. Vassiliki is survived by her husband, Julius; her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Michele Psalidas; two grandchildren, Alan and Brycelyn; and her sisters, Alice DeVreese and Frances Kalantzis with their families. Also surviving are her extended family members, D. Neos, T. Weldy and family, G. Kallimani and family, C. Polimus and family, P. Rogers and family, and the Mosko family. She is also survived by her three best friends, Connie Hume and family, Helen Plensner, and Sandra Quinones. Vassiliki enjoyed traveling to Greece, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands. She also enjoyed road trips in the USA, where she and Julius got lost a lot. Vassiliki loved being at home and cooking Greek meals. She will be missed by all who knew her. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church or the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To send online condolences, please visit kaneiwski.com.

STAVRAKOS, CHARALAMBOS
CHICAGO, IL (from the Chicago Tribune, published on Jan. 1) – Charalambos “Harry” Stavrakos, MD, 89 of Palos Park, born in Mavriki (Tegea) Greece May 17, 1929 and at rest December 29th, 2018. Beloved husband of Maria nee Tsinonis. Loving father of John (Joanna) Stavrakos M.D. and Evonne (Timothy) Iannone. Cherished pappou of Charalambos and Kostantinos. Dearest brother, brother-in-law, and uncle to many. Harry’s undying dedication to his profession, his patients, and his church was selfless and humble. It was more than a career, it was truly his vocation and his calling from our Lord. May his memory be eternal. In lieu of flowers, memorials to be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. 877-974-9201 or 815-462-0711 or www.orricofuneral.com.

The post Obituaries in Greek-American Community appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON – Surgeon Dennis Begos, formerly of Winchester Hospital in Winchester, MA, has been accused of attempting to videotape hospital employees who were members of the surgical unit while they were undressing.

The story was broken by the Boston Globe on January 18 and was picked up by other other media outlets such as the local CBS TV station. The Globe’s initial article by reporter Liz Kowalczyk stated among other things that, “Last May, a nurse at Winchester Hospital noticed an odd-looking clothes hook inside a staff restroom in the surgical unit. She inspected it more closely and saw a tiny lens embedded in the plastic. It turned out to be a hidden camera…Now, nearly nine months later, a well-known surgeon has been charged with trying to secretly record staff undressing. Dr. Dennis Begos, who was the hospital’s chief of surgery from 2007 to 2017, was arraigned last month in Woburn District Court and is awaiting trial. Begos, 56, is a Yale School of Medicine graduate.”

The Globe article continued, “’He is a prominent and gifted surgeon who pled not guilty,’ said his attorney, Paul Cirel, who would not comment further on the case. Winchester police charged Begos with one count of attempting to commit secret sexual surveillance…The nurse who found the device on the restroom door on May 1 immediately gave it to a hospital security official. Among the deleted files from the camera, he discovered a photo of Begos and his wife on the beach, leading police to suspect him, according to a police report filed in court.”

Hospital Chief Executive Dr. Richard Weiner suspended Begos’s medical staff privileges three weeks later, and reported him to the Board of Registration in Medicine. “Begos, who was not employed by the hospital, signed a voluntary agreement not to practice medicine in July while the licensing board investigated,” The Globe, noted, also reporting that “Winchester police did not publicly release information on the Begos case. And while hospital executives notified staff about the hidden camera on the bathroom door, they did not offer information about Begos’s involvement or why he was no longer on staff,” according to the Globe.

Lahey Health spokesman Christopher Murphy told the newspaper, “This incident is incredibly disturbing and a severe breach of privacy…The safety and security of staff and patients at Winchester Hospital is of critical importance to leadership.’’

The Globe quoted Murphy, who said “the device did not contain any images from the restroom,” and the newspaper further reported that “On the evening the camera was discovered, Weiner confronted Begos before a dinner for medical professionals at the Seasons 52 restaurant in Burlington, according to the police report. Begos told him he did not know about the incident. The report said Weiner later told police he should not have spoken to Begos about the camera and that he was not trying to interfere with the investigation. Murphy said Begos’s privileges were not suspended for three weeks after the allegations surfaced because Weiner believed he needed more information to carry out such a serious action. On May 22, the hospital said, police shared additional information and Weiner suspended him. Later that day, Begos crashed his car on Interstate 93 and was hospitalized, according to the police report. In their investigation, police had found other photos of Begos on the camera…During his Dec. 18 arraignment, Begos was released on conditions that he not commit any crimes or contact any witnesses in the case. He also was required to continue mental health counseling.”

The post Surgeon in Massachusetts Accused of Videotaping Employees appeared first on The National Herald.

BALTIMORE, MD – On January 28, three U.S. governors, the Republican Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan, the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf, and the Republican Governor of New Hampshire Chris Sununu, will have an open, public discussion on cooperation across party lines in these states where the opposing party controls the legislature.

The event, entitled “Divided Nation, United States,” will be hosted by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the PBS NewsHour. The discussion, moderated by NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff, will be held at 7 PM at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway Theatre in Baltimore and broadcast live online as part of the NewsHour LIVE series.

The event is available to watch live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhhbgFKsfMo

The shutdown of the United States government is sure be a focus of the discussion, at a time when intensifying political polarization endangers social cohesion and the smooth functioning of democracy.

Drawing inspiration from the Agora of ancient Athens, which was a hub of conversation and debate and the center of the city-state’s democratic governance, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) committed $150 million to a joint effort with Johns Hopkins University to create the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Agora Institute. The SNF Agora Institute brings together experts from fields such as political science, psychology, and philosophy, in order to facilitate the restoration of open and inclusive discourse.

More information is available on snf.org.

The post A Discussion with Three U.S. Governors at the SNF Agora Institute Tonight at 7 PM (Video) appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The first Bareburger opened in Astoria in 2009 by a group of Greek friends who wanted to produce and serve superior quality burgers at reasonable prices. The response was huge and in less than a year, a second Bareburger opened in Manhattan. Today, the company counts 40 restaurants around the world, including in New York, Connecticut, Ohio, New Jersey, Toronto, Santa Monica, Miami, Tokyo, and Frankfurt.

One of the Bareburger’s six partners, Michael Pitsinos left his hometown of Athens about 19 years ago for New York in order to go to college. At Baruch, he met brothers Euripides and Eftychios Pelekanos, the co-founders of Bareburger, and along with other friends, they partnered to build the chain.

The “biggest New York franchisee,” Pitsinos owns five Bareburger Manhattan locations and court records reveal that he sent three of them to bankruptcy, the New York Post reported.

A feud among the owners has apparently led to this situation, Pitsisnos said, the Post reported, noting that “a lawsuit Pitsinos filed last fall claims Bareburger brass deliberately ran his locations ‘into the ground’ by systematically failing to pay necessary expenses including rents, payroll taxes, and food suppliers.”

“The idea, court documents allege, was to cripple Pitsinos with debt and eviction notices, then swoop in to buy his restaurants on the cheap,” the Post reported, adding that “as the unpaid bills piled up, the Bareburger owners continued to pay themselves management and licensing fees, according to Pitsinos’ attorney, George Sitaras.”

“There has been such dirty business dealings and fraud on the part of the Bareburger franchisor over the past few years,” Sitaras told The Post.

Bareburger Chief Executive Euripides Pelekanos said, “I’ll let a court decide whether Bareburger ran his restaurants into the ground. All of our restaurants in the city have done very well for close to a decade,” the Post reported.

“Like every other restaurant group, we have had our challenges,” Pelekanos told the Post. “But we have a recognizable brand and we are doing some cool stuff with our menu this year.”

According to his lawyer, Pitsinos has spent close to $10 million on the business and “had the exclusive franchise rights to develop Bareburgers in Florida,” the Post reported, adding that this is not the first time a partner has sued, citing the 2015 case of another founding partner, John Stavroulakis. Pelekanos had served as Stavroulakis’ best man for his wedding, but sued his former business partners, alleging that “five of the partners created a separate company called Bareburger Group without telling Stavroulakis, who had moved to Greece at the time and became a passive investor,” the Post reported, adding that they had “transferred the Bareburger trademark to the new entity without compensating Stravroulakis for his share except for a nominal amount including his original $6,000 investment as a founder, court papers allege.”

The ruling from the New York Supreme Court judge noted that the partners did commit “trademark infringement and cited their own language in her decision that they tried to ‘screw’ their partner,” the Post reported.

That case could help Pitsinos in his lawsuit since “the company should have disclosed the litigation in its franchise disclosure agreements as well as the dispute over the use of the trademark,” Pitsinos said, the Post reported.

Bareburger customers have the choice of beef, chicken, turkey, bison, elk, duck, or wild boar meat for their burgers. All Bareburger meats are free-range, pasture raised, humanely raised, antibiotic, and gluten- and hormone-free. There are also many vegan options on the menu like sweet potato and wild rice, black bean, and farmers quinoa patty. Customers have further options in building their burger by choosing from among an array of buns, patties, cheeses, veggies, and extras.

As for beverages, organic shakes, beer, wine, and more than 20 specialty cocktails are served.

Organic and healthy ingredients, great food quality, and reasonable prices are the reasons why Bareburger is considered one of the most successful and popular burger chains.

The post Bareburger Feud Could Close Some Locations appeared first on The National Herald.

MINEOLA, NY – The induction ceremony at the Nassau County Supreme Court on January 25, had a decidedly Greek aspect as two Greek-American women were sworn in to their new posts, Hon. Helen Voutsinas as Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, New York, and Hon. Catherine Rizzo (nee Stefanatos) as Judge of the County Court.

Among the speakers, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas and Nassau County Bar Association President Elena Karabatos, as well as Fr. Theofanis Papantonis, presiding priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Hicksville, who gave the benediction at the ceremony, also added to the Greek community’s presence.

The jury room was filled with family, friends, and colleagues for the induction of three judges, including Voutsinas and Rizzo, and Hon. Norman St. George, as Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, New York, who is also the County’s new administrative judge as well.

Karabatos congratulated the three judges on behalf of the four thousand lawyers she represents in the Bar Association, noting that “we are lucky to witness the installation of three fantastic judges who are already hard at work. We’re privileged to have them.”

DA Singas congratulated the judges on their induction, noting that she only recently found out that she has something in common with Judge Rizzo, being the daughter of Greek immigrants. Singas said, “My wish to all of you is strength, the strength and perseverance to withstand the difficult days because it’s not easy, all of us see sometimes the worst of humanity and people come to the courts in desperate states and you need a lot of strength to be able to withstand that and then still go home to your families and do the amazing jobs that you do. It takes strength to constantly be apprised of the law and be curious, and always be a student because the law is always changing. And it takes strength of character to put aside public opinion and make sure that you’re doing the right thing every day for the right reasons.”

Hon. Sharon M.J. Giannelli, Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, spoke about Voutsinas in the most glowing terms, highlighting her achievements as the daughter of immigrants, her father Gerasimos Voutsinas from Greece and her mother Denise from the Dominican Republic. Judge Giannelli noted that Judge Voutsinas was “the highest vote getter in the November 2018 elections,” and the first female Hispanic judge elected in Nassau County when she was elected to the District Court.

The oath of office was administered to Voutsinas by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, who pointed out that she swore him in about two weeks ago and he was returning the favor.

Following the swearing in, Voustinas congratulated her fellow judges Hon. Norman St. George and Hon. Catherine Rizzo on their impressive achievements. She thanked God first of all, “for making all things possible because without God this is not achievable,” and her family, friends, colleagues, and elected officials, for their support, including her new supervising judge, Hon. Jeffrey Goodstein. Voutsinas especially thanked her immigrant parents, Gerasimos and Denise, as their first-born, fulfilling this particular American dream, and her husband Tony and their two “campaign babies” Daphne and Dean.

She said, “I was the first-born of immigrants who barely spoke the language, I still don’t grasp how they communicated with each other, my identity like everyone was nurtured by their parents, I have fond childhood memories of riding horses on a farm with my great-grandparents in the Dominican Republic and reflections of following my Yiayia and Pappou in Greece as they tended to land and picked the grapes.”

Voutsinas continued, “My parents taught me to love my culture but also to love America. It is here where my immigrant parents would become successful business owners and raise a loving family. They taught me the principles of hard work and the importance of education.”

“I will always remember the strong roots and wonderfully diverse background that enable me to understand and grapple with difficult issues to meet the standard of justice as I have done on my journey thus far. I promise to do my best and work hard for you and all the people of the state of New York as we shape our future. Thank you and God bless,” she concluded.

Nassau County Republican Committee Chairman Joseph G. Cairo, Jr. spoke about Hon. Catherine Rizzo and noted that the Republicans also want to keep good judges on the bench, referring to the cross-endorsement of St. George and Voutsinas “because you both earned it.”

He said of Rizzo, “I’m so proud of you, we’re all very proud of you, congratulations, may you have many years of success on the bench doing the right thing, let your conscience be your guide, and more importantly, may you have many, many years of good health and happiness.”

Hon. Thomas A. Adams, Presiding Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Term, 9th and 10th Judicial Districts, administered the oath of office for Judge Rizzo. In her speech, she said, “I cannot tell you how thankful and how honored I am, today, to be in this position.”

She thanked her family, friends, colleagues, and fellow inductees, noting that “it’s kind of cool that we all go around saying ‘yiayia and pappou,’” referring to the fact that St. George who is of Jamaican descent, also called Greek friends of his “yiayia and pappou.”

“Nobody gets here without the help of a village,” Rizzo said, thanking everyone who helped her along the way, especially her husband Craig for his support through their 21 years of marriage and a battle with cancer, and acknowledged the presence of her mother, sisters Mina, Rosy, and Joyce, her treasurer, and daughter Nicole, a top Lacrosse player at her school. Her late father, Michael Stefanatos, passed away over three years ago, but would undoubtedly be proud of his daughter’s achievements.

Of her new role, Rizzo said, “I will not take the responsibility lightly, and I will always be fair and just, thank you.”

A reception followed the ceremony at the North Ritz Club in Syosset.

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