NEW YORK – Mary N. Apostle, born in Staten Island 103 years ago, the last remaining of nine siblings, passed away on June 5.
Her late husband, Nicholas, was founder of the Riverdale Funeral Home (RFH), located in the Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Inwood, just south of the Riverdale area of the Bronx.
For over half a century, RFH has served various communities in and around New York City, and for decades was the primary source for funeral arrangements by the once-bustling Greek-American community of Washington Heights.
According to RFH’s website, in addition to being Nicholas’ loving wife, Mary Apostle was
“devoted mother of Basil and Maria, Gregory and Maria, and the late Christos and Jim and mother-in-law of Athena Apostle. Loving grandmother of Alexander, Gregory and Cheryl, Nicholas and Nora, Christopher and Stephanie, Andrew and Denise, Maria Nicole and Andrea and Paul Lauterback. Adored great grandmother to Zachary, Olivia, Gregory, Jason, Catherine, Lily, Elle, Gabriella, Daniella, Avery, and Hayden. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces and cousins. She will repose at The Riverdale Funeral Home Inc, 5044 Broadway on June 9, 3-8PM.  A second visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle on June 10, 10-11AM. Service to follow at Holy Trinity Church at 11AM.  Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery.”
In its February 23, 2013 edition, The National Herald wrote about her 100th birthday celebration in New Rochelle. Excerpts from that article follow:
“Mary Apostle was born on February 18, 1913 and 100 years later her friends and family gathered to celebrate her life and reflect back some of the love that has shined from her for a century.
“In the corner of the hall was remarkable photo history of Apostle’s life. Scenes from weddings, community picnics, trips to Greece and across America, and family life as children, nieces, and nephews grew up provided happy punctuation to the timeline of history.
Wars, brutal states like the Soviet Union, and natural and manmade disasters come and go, but the display and the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that filled the hall were a testament to the enduring beauty of life and the life of the beautiful woman they all came to celebrate.
“Apostle was one of nine children. Her parents, Vasilios and Theodora Katsaros, were from the village of Perko near Nafpaktos in Central Greece.
“Their house was also the first home of what became the church of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas, which is where she married Nicholas C. Apostle. The Staten Island Ferry took him to her home for the meeting which ultimately led to an arranged marriage on January 18, 1931. The couple and their guests then made their way to the Times Square Hotel for their reception.
“Nicholas passed through Ellis Island at the age of 13. His family was from Stranoma, another village close to Nafpaktos. He joined his brother George’s funeral business in Manhattan, and he eventually became a funeral director himself.
“Nicholas’ father passed away in 1968 but Gregory, who runs the family funeral home business, the Riverdale Funeral Home, puts what he learned from him into practice every day. ‘Be nice to the people. Service them. Give them what they want. He told me ‘they don’t want to call you, but they have to.’
“The family lived in Manhattan before setting into their home in nearby Riverdale. Mary became a member of the Church of St. Spyridon, as were all the family members until they moved to the suburbs. She was an active member of the Philoptochos Society.
The evening’s commemorative program noted: ‘Over the years, many of Mom’s relatives have left us. Some too young! Her uncles and aunts, siblings and her cousins and nephews and nieces. We are sure they are with us in spirit. They live in all of us.’”

The Greek community of Utah celebrated the construction of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the first Greek Orthodox church in the state, built 111 years ago at 439 W. 400 South in Salt Lake City. A $7,000 loan for the construction was secured by the community, and the church was dedicated on October 29, 1905, according to the late Constantine Skedros author of a history of the Greek Orthodox community in the Salt Lake Valley.

SAN DIEGO, CA – Steve “The Flying Greek” Pisanos, a decorated fighter pilot with both the British (Royal) and United States Air Forces, died on June 6 at age 96, the San Diego Times reported.
Born in Athens in 1910 and the son of a railroad engineer, the young Pisanos was always fascinated with becoming a pilot, and would frequent local military airfields to watch the planes.
His dream was to go to the United States to take flying lessons, and in 1938, while working as a merchant marine, he jumped ship in Baltimore and traveled to New York, where he worked in the shadows.
Well-liked by employers and friends alike, Pisanos (now called “Steve – his birth name was “Spiros”) was able to become a lawful immigrant, though not a citizen.
When WW II broke out, Pisanos, who by then had earned his pilot’s license, wanted to fly for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). But in 1940, with the United States yet to enter the war and still maintaining a position of neutrality, there were no combat missions to be flown. Instead, Pisanos became a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
His success in combat missions became well-known, and even though by 1942 the United States had entered the war the fact that Pisanos, though a legal permanent resident, was not  a U.S. citizen, prevented him from flying full combat missions for the USAF.
The solution was for Pisanos to become a citizen. On May 3, 1943, he did so, and made history as the first person in American history to be naturalized as a U.S. citizen on foreign soil (in London), the Times reported.
Legendary reporters Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, with whom he remained lifelong friends, attended the naturalization ceremony, the Times noted.
Tom Cleaver, Pisanos’ friend for over 30 years, told the Times that Cronkite had described Pisanos as “the single most interesting individual it was my privilege to meet during the entire Second World War.”
Cleaver added: “With Steve’s passing, there are no more Eagle Squadron pilots, and he was the last living ace of the 4th Fighter Group, the most successful American fighter unit ever.”
In 2006, Pisanos was inducted to the International Air & Space Hall of Fame, the Times reported, and  in 2010, Pisanos was awarded the French Legion of Honor, the French Republic’s highest decoration, in a ceremony at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
The award, presented by the consul general of France in Los Angeles, recognized Pisanos’ achievements in World War II as a fighter pilot and in support of the French Resistance, the Times reported.
The Times also announced that hymns will be said at 7PM on June 29 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Encinitas, with a funeral at on June 30 at the Church, with burial following at Miramar National Cemetery
A celebration of life is set for June 30 at 2PM at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

NEW YORK. The Hellenic American Bankers Association (HABA), honoured Dr. Maria Vassalou, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Perella Weinberg Partners, as its 2016 Executive of the Year on Wednesday June 8th at the Union League Club on Park Avenue.

The event coincided with the historic occasion of the designation of Hillary Clinton as the first female presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.  It was also the first time HABA honored a woman in its 34 years of action.

In attendance at the award presentation, besides HABA President Demetri Papacostas, were former HABA president Costas Kellas, John Catsimatidis and James Orphanides, HABA Vice President Fanny Trataros, as well as the 2015 Executive of the Year honoree Michael Tadross.

Dr. Vassalou’s speech was very moving, as she spoke in depth about her family’s flight from Constantinople in 1964, and their relocation to Athens, where her father to the best of his efforts succeeded in inspiring his children by way of his example, passing on to them the determination and passion in whatever they do, and resilience.

In an exclusive interview for The National Herald, Dr. Vassalou expressed her emotions on being honored as Executive of the Year. «I am grateful,” she stated, “to the Bankers Association as well as to everyone who honored me with their presence.” In response to our comment that her reference to the living example of her father is an important lesson for the younger generation, members of which were present at the ceremony, Dr. Vassalou stated, “We the Greeks have great strength within us and we have been through a lot as a country and as a nation, and we have always managed to overcome the hardships, and now the country is once again going through a difficult period and we must draw examples from history and from the teachings of our fathers and grandfathers in order to overcome the difficulties and to build a better future for the children of Greece.”

FLUSHING, NY— The William Spyropoulos School Class of 2016 celebrated its graduation at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of Flushing, NY on June 10. The 33rd Commencement ceremony began with a prayer led by Father Paul Palesty who read from St. Paul’s First Letter to Corinthians, Chapter 13, “Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” Father Paul then gave the graduating class this blessing, “May the gift of love from God always be with you.” Among the proud parents and family members, Father Aristidis Garinis, Father Ioachim Valasiadis, and alumni from the Class of 2012 also attended the ceremony.

President of the PTA Thalia Misthos spoke about her pride in seeing the students graduating, noting the special bond the students will always share as alumni of the William Spyropoulos School, reminding everyone that life is precious and short, especially when she mentioned Katerina Tsiboukis, who would have graduated this year had she not been tragically killed in a car accident with her grandparents while on vacation in Greece in 2009. Later on in the ceremony, the graduating class sang See You Again, dedicated to Katerina. The moving tribute brought many to tears, and everyone to their feet for a standing ovation.

Assistant Principal Mary Tzallas reminisced about the first day of school, observing how hard it is to say farewell. She mentioned the lessons learned from the classic literature they studied during the school year. Sophocles’ Antigone, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird taught the students about faith, humility, and understanding.

School Board Chairman Elaine Mallios gave the students advice on high school, quoting among other notables, A.A. Milne, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” She concluded with best wishes for the Class of 2016 and the exhortation to hold the door open for their parents and grandparents when out shopping together.

Father Paul then presented the Pastor’s Awards to Social Studies teacher Georgia Kakivellis, and to parents with children in the graduating class who were in a sense graduating themselves from the PTA. Father Paul encouraged the parents to continue their involvement with the church and the school even though their children have graduated since a strong school and a strong parish church go together and support each other.

Class of 2012 Valedictorian Alexander Gliagias gave the Alumni Exhortation giving his advice to the students as they embark on their academic journey through high school. Gliagias will be attending New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering in the fall. Among his tips, time management, and trusting in God. He also spoke about friends, and the strange people the students might meet in high school. Gliagias concluded with a quote from Dr. Seuss, “You have to be odd to be number one.” He received an icon of the Panagia Glykofilousa as a gift.

Keynote speaker Nicholas Karacostas, lawyer, Senior Vice President of the Arch Insurance Group, former Supreme President and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AHEPA, and President of the Parish Council, noted how the William Spyropoulos School provides the finest education and instruction in the faith. He noted how he and his wife Anna made sure daughters Georgia and Andreana attended the school and excelled because of it. Andreana was also in attendance, as part of the Class of 2012 alumni. Karacostas urged the Class of 2016 to embrace opportunity, thank their teachers and parents, and appreciate the time they spent at the school. He also noted the value of being able to read, write, and speak Greek. Family, church, and education are the keys to success, as Karacostas himself has found. At the conclusion of his speech, he was presented with a gift from the Class of 2016.

The graduation continued with songs, and the Valedictorian George Kontopoulos delivering his speech in Greek and English, noting the importance of Hellenism and Orthodoxy, and pride in our heritage. Salutatorian Alexis Kalapodis thanked her teachers and parents, and encouraged her classmates to make the world a better place. Medals were given to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Class of 2016’s talented singer Olga Kontos sang the Greek song Elisso.

Principal Athena Kromidas, the heart and soul of the William Spyropoulos School, as Father Paul described her, remarked on the joy and sadness of the day, knowing that the students are ready for the next step of their education, but sad that she will no longer see them on a daily basis. She encouraged the graduates not to forget their heritage since Hellas means light, joy, majesty, and freedom. Kromidas also noted the importance of keeping the Virgin Mary by their side to protect and guide them, and observed that Katerina Tsiboukis was with them and praying for all from above. The graduates received an icon of Christ the Teacher. Among the high schools they will be attending in the fall, Bronx High School of Science, St. Francis Preparatory School, Cardozo, Archbishop Molloy, and Holy Cross High School

For 65 years, Ted and Themis Dimon had the kind of relationship poems and plays and movies were written about, requiring suspension of disbelief because it was so unbelievable. But true.

Children of Greek immigrants, he became one of the most successful Wall Street brokers, staying at the job until 85, almost until he died from cancer on June 5 – in the arms of his wife, who died 22 hours later the next day, at 84. Their family was with them.

His was a prominent name in New York and in financial circles, for his own career and as the father of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Chairman and Chief Executive James Dimon, who said he learned about the arcane business from the source – his dad.

Dimon later said that he learned a great deal about the brokerage industry ‘across the kitchen table,’” according to Last Man Standing, a biography of Jamie by Duff McDonald. They also shared a love of list-making.

Ted Dimon became a stockbroker at Shearson Hammill in 1953, initially as an assistant for his father, a year after his marriage to Themis Anastasia Kalos, taking their homeland with them too.

The second son of Panos Dimon (Papademitrou), an emigre from Smyrna, Turkey and Theonia Mylonas, Ted was born on January 3, 1931 and grew up in New York City.

He learned the financial ropes fast and became a well-known advisor, even dispensing his expertise for free to non-profit organizations, and for having built a team that stayed with him for many years.

He also served as a Trustee on the Board of the St Luke’s Orchestra Society and the School for Strings.

Themis Anastasia Kalos was born on August 26, 1931, the third daughter of Jimmy Kalos and Iphegnia Smyrnis, both emigres from the Greek Peloponnese.

When her children left for college, Themis completed her Bachelor’s degree at New School and earned her Master’s degree in Psychology at Teachers College.

She volunteered at a pre-school program and served on several boards, including SCAN and the New York Psychoanalytic Institute Foundation.

COMMUTING TO WORK

Ted worked at J.P. Morgan for the last several years where his son was boss but they agreed Ted reported to himself.

He had come up the ranks with the humility of his heritage, commuting to Shearson Hammill’s office on 44^th Street and Fifth Avenue from East Williston, Long Island in a gray convertible Dodge, the Wall Street Journal reported in a feature obituary of his life. The family moved to Jackson Heights, Queens, instead of picking the tonier place of Manhattan.

Ted Dimon looked in place on Wall Street, dressing impeccably in striped shirts paired with a bold tie picked out by his wife many mornings, survived many of the mergers and acquisitions that washed over Wall Street, the paper reported.

He eventually found himself working for financier Sandy Weill. Ted and Themis became close with Weill and his wife Joan, ultimately introducing Jamie to the former bank titan.

Ted Dimon made an impression on Weill. “Joanie and I liked that Ted didn’t seem like the typical broker—he was intellectual and enjoyed a talent for playing the violin—while Themis was warm and never put on airs,” according to Sandy Weill’s autobiography The Real Deal.

Dimon sometimes played in a quartet with others in the industry after work, Leslie Schwartz, who worked with him for 34 years told the Journal, adding that he also ran around the reservoir in Central Park.

LIKE FATHER …

Jamie Dimon became his father’s boss soon after Shearson was acquired by Citigroup Inc. predecessor Primerica, which had a retail brokerage business: Smith Barney.

Jamie Dimon became Chairman and CEO of Smith Barney in January 1996. The younger Dimon said of his father: “he would never say I was his boss,’” according to the biography.

Ted Dimon stayed on at what would become Citigroup for several years even after Jamie left in 1998. In 2006, Ted Dimon moved to Merrill Lynch, and in November 2009, at 78 years old, he joined the brokerage unit of J.P. Morgan with three other brokers, all women who have worked with him for more than 20 years.

Schwarz said Ted Dimon went for the long-term and was bullish on America. “When Ted started, there were no desktops; the way you got your information was very different … even years later he insisted on having the ticker tape along his computer,” she told the paper. “This business was his lifeblood.”

Besides Jamie and his wife Judy, they are survived by Themis’ sister, Olga; children Peter, Ted Jr. and his wife Tamara; their grandchildren Julia and her husband Joey, Laura, Kara and her fiance, Conor; and their great grandchild Caroline.

NEW YORK. The Alexander the Great Awards ceremony was a moving event which spread the message of the importance of maintaining the Greek language and cultural heritage, as well as philanthropy and the attraction of the younger generation. The recipients of the Award were Dr. Spiro Spireas, founder, chairman and CEO of Sigmapharm Laboratories, an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company operating out of Bensalem, PA, the President of Pan Gregorian Enterprises of New Jersey George Siamboulis, and philhellene President of the New Jersey Senate Senator Stephen Sweeney.

The award ceremony took place on Sunday during the 6^th Annual Awards Banquet of the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey at “The Graycliff” which is located at 122 Moonachie Ave, Moonachie, NJ.

Next Generation Initiative Advisory Board chairman Nikitas Tampakis mentioned the efforts on behalf of the Federation in order to approach the younger generation, and he pointed out that there are seven student unions active in the Federation which marched together united in the Greek Independence Day parade. He also noted that this year, for the first time, scholarships amounting to ten thousand dollars were awarded to Maria Xarhakis, Maria-Eleni Nikolaidou, Ilias Pappas and Andreas Savvas.

Head of the organizational committee Panos Stavrianidis referred to the visions of the founders of the Federation and stressed that they have achieved a great many things in seven years and that each year the presence of the organized Greek-American community of New Jersey is strengthened at the Fifth Avenue parade.

Consul General to Greece Konstantinos Koutras called upon the expatriates to observe a minute of silence for the victims of the Orlando Florida massacre. He then referred to the role of the Federation and the Greek-American community and noted that it is obligated to honor its roots and to promote the Greek language and religion which are the main components of the Greek character.

In reference to the honorees, he noted that two are businessmen and philanthropists who are gracious and humble and that they have undertaken significant initiatives for the Greek American community in America.

“The new generation should look up to these men as their role models,” Dr. Koutras stated while simultaneously congratulating President of the New Jersey Senate Senator Stephen Sweeney.

Philhellene U.S. Representative Frank Pallone was called to present Senator Sweeney’s difficult job and he stressed that he works hard to bridge the differences.

He also mentioned the contacts they had made the previous week in Washington DC on national issues and their meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry.

President of the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey Savas Tsivicos expressed his satisfaction on the banquet attendance as well as gratitude for the sponsors of the event and noted that the proceeds will be contributed to the fund for the building purchase, to the Scholarship Fund, to the Metropolis camps, as well as the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York City.

Pan Gregorian president George Siamboulis noted that it has been seven years since the establishment of the Federation and that everyone struggles together to keep the flame of Hellenism and Orthodoxy burning.

Furthermore, he referred to the Pan Gregorian and stressed that the founding and success of the Pan Gregorian proves that “Greeks flourish when they are united.”

Senator Sweeney spoke about his relationship with the Greek-American community and his recent visit to the Metropolis of New Jersey, and pointed out that the community has offered so much to the state of New Jersey. In addition, he expressed his gratitude for the Alexander the Great Award and noted that it decorates his office.

Federation president Savas Tsivicos noted that they were honoured by the presence of the publisher-editor of the National Herald Antonis H. Diamataris and invited him to present the award to Dr. Spiros Spireas.

In reference to the National Herald, he pointed out that it is the only and largest Greek newspaper outside of Greece, and that it recently celebrated the 101^st anniversary of its founding.

Dr. Spireas thanked the representatives of the Trenton community, the executives of Sigmapharm Laboratories as well as his wife, Dr. Amalia Spireas and his childen Sotiri and Mary, who shared his anxieties and sleepless nights when he took his first steps in creating his pharmaceutical company.

He also stressed that it is not only important to succeed, but also to share with the community and to support Greek education and the Church.

He spoke in awe of his late parents and pointed out the obligation of the expatriate community to honor the first generation of Greek immigrants who endured hardships and paved the way for the next generations to succeed.

He called upon the Greek-American community to continue their struggle for the language, the religion, the “filotimo” and all the elements which compose the Greek identity and that we must try to pass it on to the younger generations

Metropolitan Evangelos responded to Dr. Spireas’ appeal and pointed out the significance of passing on language, faith and cultural heritage. Addressing the younger generation, he stressed that instead of saying that they are of Greek descent, they should say that they are Greeks, second, third and fourth generation.

In regards to the awards, he mentioned that they are dedicated to Alexander the Great and reminded everyone of the obligation to fight for Macedonia to remain Greek.

Lastly, he called upon the Greek-Americans to request that the US government withdraw the recognition of FYROM with its constitutional name.

BRONX – The largest importer, distributor, and manufacturer of Greek, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern specialty foods, Krinos Foods opened its new facility in the Bronx on June 15.
Two days earlier, TNH toured the facility and spoke with Krinos Chairman Eric Moscahlaidis. The state-of-the-art facility in the Tremont section of the Bronx is an impressive structure. At 100,000 square feet, the facility cost $25 million and will serve as the new corporate headquarters, manufacturing operation, and distribution center for the company.

The Long Island City plant, in use since 1981, was technologically out of date and no longer large enough for the growing company. Moscahlaidis noted that many suggested the company should move to New Jersey, but he was adamant about staying in New York. “We’re a New York company,” Moscahlaidis remarked. The 2.5 acres in the Bronx is an ideal location with direct access to the Cross-Bronx Expressway.

The energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and 1,743 solar panels generating 70% of the new facility’s power are among the green elements of the facility. The solar panel installation is one of the ten largest in New York City. The power generated, 566.475 kilowatts annually, is enough to power 65 residential homes a year. With 55 trees planted on and off-site, Krinos is also helping to create more green space in the community.
Moscahlaidis said “the new facility is a significant milestone for Krinos as we continue to lead within the Mediterranean specialty foods market. The new building and systems will improve and streamline our production and distribution. I am proud of what we’ve built and am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our company.”
Krinos will employ 100 employees in the Bronx when they are at full capacity. A cutting-edge warehouse management system will increase the efficiency of shipping and minimize out of stocks. The manufacturing operation housing production lines for packing jars, tubs, and bags features new equipment and machinery, including a German-designed plastic cup sealing machine, the first of its kind in the United States.

Visually striking murals on the exterior walls of the building by the world-renowned Victor Matthews on the East wall, Moscow-based artist Misha Most on the North wall, and Kenny Scharf on the West wall decorate the facility and also beautify the neighborhood with vibrant color and dynamic imagery. Moscahlaidis highlighted the fact that the company did not want to simply “build a box,” but also connect with the community.
Being a part of the community is important to Krinos, and honoring the history, however sad, led the company to place a plaque on the Northwest corner of the building, to commemorate the six firefighters who perished on April 4, 1956 due to a wall collapse of the previous structure. The ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the tragedy was held on April 4 and included the dedication of the plaque in honor of the fallen firefighters. The lot was vacant for nearly thirty years until the new facility was built.
Famed British-Indian author Salman Rushdie, an avid art collector and fan of Matthews, visited the facility on June 12 to see the artist’s latest work. Most flew in from Moscow to paint the mural on the north wall of the Krinos facility, his first piece ever in New York.

NEW YORK— A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare opened on June 9 at Theater 80 St. Marks in the East Village to a packed house. Those lucky enough to attend the premiere were delighted with the latest incarnation of the much revived, and beloved, romantic comedy with its interconnected plots set in a woodland and in fairyland simultaneously. In this version, the woodland is updated to the concrete jungle of New York’s Lower East Side. The story follows events surrounding the wedding of Theseus, Duke of Athens to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, and the complications of love for four Athenians, the shenanigans of the rude mechanicals, and the fairies toying with everyone’s fate. The show features original music and dance along with an incredibly talented cast of actors, singers, and comedians creating a theatrical experience not to be missed.

The chemistry between the actors is impressive and undeniable, especially between the couples who can’t seem to get their tangled love lives untangled without supernatural intervention. The love quadrilateral of Demetrius and Helena, Lysander and Hermia, skillfully portrayed by Ted Serro, Ruthellen Cheney, John Purdy, and Natalie Hoy, manipulated by the unseen fairies is delightful. Peter Quince (Armand Lane) and his band of players, including Nick Bottom played in a perfect comedic frenzy by Eric Ryan Swanson, planning to perform for the Duke and his bride, become entangled in Oberon’s plot against Titania, played with comic precision by Marisa Brau. Erin Marsz is a rock and roll Puck carrying out schemes not exactly as ordered by Oberon, played with a fun, punk sensibility by Sam Parrott. Music director/composer Thomas Lee has composed original songs for the play. The entire production radiates with the joy.

Following the opening night performance, a Q&A session was held with Executive Producer of Offline Productions Demetri Kofinas, and director Alexis Confer, moderated by Stephanie Simon of NY1. Noting that this year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, Confer remarked on her love for the Bard. Kofinas remarked on theater, the ancient form of entertainment, as an analog experience, and though today we are more connected through social media, we are often alone, the communal experience of theater is unique, creating shared moments, and reinforcing the connection between theater and community. Confer mentioned that this is the third production of Shakespeare by the company and most of the performers and the team have worked on all three of the shows, beginning with Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night both produced in 2015. Kofinas, who previously worked in television, also commented on the three Shakespeare productions, learning how to put on a show, and how he now has to think about the audience and ventilation in the theater, for example. When asked what was next for Offline Productions, Kofinas said he would like to move beyond Shakespeare, to produce an original play. He told The National Herald that he would like to eventually produce some updated Greek classics, possibly a comedy by Aristophanes.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Theater 80 St Marks runs through June 26, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sunday June 26th at 7pm.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians on Wednesday said a historic meeting of church leaders — the first in more than a millennium — will take place despite a pullout by Russia, the fourth Orthodox church to say it won’t attend the June gathering in Crete.

RUTLAND, VT— Greek-American Mayor Christopher Louras of Rutland, VT caused some controversy for his plan to resettle 100 Syrian refugees in the New England town.

Awaiting State Department approval, the plan would begin in October and gradually resettle the refugees in Rutland. Most of the residents are welcoming, after seeing the troubling images of the Syrians fleeing their war-torn country in search of a better life.

One of those welcoming the refugees is Jerry Dubeau, a 59-year-old resident who is in favor of the resettlement and said, “They have nowhere to live.That’s what this country is all about. We’re all from somewhere else.”

There are still others with reservations about the plan and anger that the details were kept quiet for months before the announcement of the plan. Many note the cultural differences as the basis for those reservations, though cultural diversity has long been a a strength for the United States.

Questions about the financial cost of the plan, and fears of terrorists possibly sneaking in amongst the refugees, are worrying for many residents. Months of discussion on the plan were only attended by the mayor, a few city and business leaders, and a nonprofit resettlement agency. Among those who knew about the plan was president of the Board of Aldermen, William Notte who only revealed the information to colleagues a day or so before Mayor Louras’ press conference on April 26. Notte said, “There was no benefit to anyone to spread the knowledge.”

Louras noted, if the proposal had been made public earlier, the debate would have been “about them,” and not on the logistical ability of Rutland to shelter the refugees. Louras said the timing was right for the announcement in the city of 16,500 people, 95 percent of whom are white and of European ancestry.

Addressing the controversy, Louras said “I own it. I took the hits, and I’ll continue to take the hits.” Giving the refugees a home here will put Rutland on the right side of history, both the mayor and Notte agreed.

“The benefits, economically and culturally, that we will recognize is exactly what the community needs at this time,” said Louras, the grandson of a Greek immigrant who fled the Ottoman Turks a century ago. “As much as I want to say it’s for compassionate reasons, I realize that there is not a vibrant, growing, successful community in the country right now that is not embracing new Americans.”

Louras addressed security concerns by noting the federal government’s thorough vetting process of refugees. He said, “I wouldn’t do this unless I knew and could speak with conviction that we are not putting the community at risk.”

The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a nonprofit organization that has helped bring 8,000 refugees to Vermont since 1989, including families from Bosnia, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Somalia, is one of the agencies working with the State Department to resettle the Syrian refugees. The deadline for the federal review of the Rutland plan was May 20 with the decision possible some time in July.

Volunteers in Rutland are already gathering supplies and items to welcome the refugees.

A recent City Hall hearing was attended by twice as many supporters of the plan as opponents who continue to voice concerns. Louras said, “Those concerns are based in fear. When educated, those fears will be abated.”

He told Vermont Public Radio’s Nina Keck, “I’ve been accused of making a unilateral decision for the whole community, but I don’t buy into that. We don’t get to vote on who lives in our community. We don’t do that in Rutland, we don’t do that in the state of Vermont, and we certainly don’t do that in the United States of America.”

ASTORIA– The June 12th mass shooting terrorist attack has been confirmed as the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman and the deadliest incident against the LGBT community in US history. The attack left 49 killed and 53 injured. Thousands of people have expressed their profound sadness and shown support for the victims and their families while making a stand against gun violence in gatherings across the country and around the world. On Saturday, June 18, the community of western Queens will hold a vigil in Astoria Park for the victims of the Orlando, FL shooting at the Pulse nightclub. The elected representatives of the community condemn the attack in the strongest terms possible and are calling for solidarity against the hate that inspired the attack.

Senator Michael Gianaris a leading advocate for stricter gun laws as well as sweeping anti-terror and anti-hate measures said, “I am sickened by how common these attacks have become. While I am proud to have authored key parts of New York’s strictest gun laws in the nation, it is time for our federal government to follow suit and put a stop to these monstrous and inhumane shootings. My thoughts are with those affected by this horrific act and the LGBT community that was targeted.”

The Senator authored two bills included in the New York SAFE Act establishing universal background checks for firearms sales and the regulation of firearm and ammunition dealers. He also authored legislation protecting New York’s sensitive power and transportation infrastructure including the Energy Security Act, the first major anti-terror law after 9/11 and a national model in anti-terror legislation.

Rep. Joe Crowley said, “As our nation mourns the lives lost during yet another brutal, senseless act of violence, we stand united with the people of Orlando and the members of our LGBT community to denounce hate, any attempt to instill fear within our communities, and efforts to undermine the values we hold dear as Americans. But we can also come together to see what steps we can take to help prevent tragedies like this in the future. Gun violence continues to take an incredible toll on our society and we owe to the victims in Orlando and all over the country, to act swiftly and figure out how we can keep dangerous weapons of war off of our streets and from falling into the wrong hands.”

Senator Jose Peralta said, “As we continue to mourn, pray and bury the victims of the heartbreaking massacre in Orlando, I hope that we, once and for all, come together and put an end to gun violence. For far too many times, we have come together to denounce barbaric acts. This has to stop, and it has to stop now. We must work with one voice to prevent crimes of hate, hate against the LGBTQ community, and hate against America, from occurring again and again.”

Assemblymember Aravella Simotas said, “Our hearts are breaking for the victims of the Orlando massacre and for their devastated families and friends. But grief won’t stop the next madman armed with an assault rifle. We need an outright, nationwide ban on the sale of assault rifles. It’s long past time for the U.S. Congress to act. Assault rifles do not belong in the hands of civilians.  Western Queens, like our nation, is a beautiful amalgam of people from all backgrounds, orientations and many faiths. We all share in the blessing that is freedom. We all have the right to live unafraid of being slaughtered by assault weapons because of who we are or where we happen to be at any particular moment.”

Council Member Costa Constantinides said, “We are all saddened by the horrific acts in Orlando.  Our thoughts are with the victims of the massacre and their friends and families.  We stand in solidarity with the LGBT community against this senseless act of violence and terror. This heinous crime shows that we must enact comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation on a national level.”

BRONX – The grand opening of the new facilities of Krinos Foods on June 15 was a magnificent and moving event.

What distinguished this grand opening from so many others was its simplicity. The speeches were not long-winded, as the project spoke for itself.

Over two hundred people attended the ceremony, including Greek-American importers of Greek products, company associates and representatives of the Bronx and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), philanthropist Mary Jaharis, and many members of the press.

The attendees arrived early for a tour of the facilities. They admired the murals by Misha Most, Victor Matthews, and Kenny Scharf, and chatted with and chatted with the latter two, who were on hand.

They also visited the company’s central offices, the warehouse, the refrigerators and freezers, the production units and the laboratory for quality control.

Krinos Chairman Eric Moscahlaidis and NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer were the only speakers.

Moscahlaidis spoke with awe about his father, John, who, he noted, came to America in 1950 and created his own company, Arista, in Tribeca. “In 1989, he spread his wings by building the facilities for Krinos Foods in Long Island City and today we are celebrating the grand opening of the new facilities. My father’s story has a lot in common with the stories of those of you who honor us with your presence here today.” He also spoke of the company’s growth and facilities in other parts of the United States and Canada.

The new facilities are situated on a 2.5-acre property, and “are among the very few eco-friendly facilities not only in the Bronx, but in all of New York City; on one hand, 70% of the power is generated by solar panels which have been installed on the roof, and on the other hand, all of the equipment, from refrigerators to freezers to air-conditioning and heating, is high efficiency,” Moscahlaidis noted.

He pointed out that he invested only in the construction of the state-of-the-art facility, as well as the creation of an electronic warehouse management and distribution system. All the products have bar codes, which increases the efficiency of shipping and minimizing the possibility of human error.

The new facilities can hold 6,900 pallets, of which 4,100 in regular conditions, 2,400 in the refrigerators and 400 pallets in the freezers.

Regarding the murals, Moscahlaidis emphasized that they attract the interest of the Bronx community and expressed his gratitude toward the artists.

Torres-Springer expressed her satisfaction for such a big investment in the Bronx, noting that Moscahlaidis and his team put their heart and soul into every inch of it.

She was happy that Krinos decided to remain loyal to New York City, and now with its presence in the Bronx, turn that borough into one of the most significant in the city in terms of the food industry.

On June 13, The National Herald staff attended a private tour of the facilities, which Moscahlaidis personally conducted.

Mediterranean Foods President Vasilios Memmos, who arrived from Chicago to attend, told TNH that “the Krinos Foods facilities are truly impressive and I can say without a doubt that they are the most modern in all of America. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Moscahlaidis because with his achievements, he has proven that for second-generation Greek-Americans there are no boundaries. The sky is the limit, as Americans say.”

In reference to our description of the new facilities having the highest standards, Memmos corrected us: they are even higher than the “highest” standards, “they are worthy of Krinos standards!”

Loumidis Foods General Manager Aris Papa and head of sales Vlasis Anastasiou told TNH  that the new plant is “truly state-of-the-art and honors  Eric Moscahlaidis and his family, and all of the Greek-American community by extension.

Panatha-USA President Vlasis Anastasiou added: “we wish them him best in the new location, and let me remind of his efforts that have benefited Greece and Cyprus because of the importing and distribution of Greek products in the American market. Every dollar spent by Greek-Americans and, by extension, the Americans who prefer Greek products, reinforces the Greek economy.”

RUTLAND, VT— Mayor Christopher Louras of Rutland, VT caused some controversy for his plan to resettle 100 Syrian refugees in the New England town.

Awaiting State Department approval, the plan would begin in October and gradually resettle the refugees in Rutland. Most of the residents are welcoming, after seeing the troubling images of the Syrians fleeing their war-torn country in search of a better life.

One of those welcoming the refugees is Jerry Dubeau, a 59-year-old resident who is in favor of the resettlement and said, “They have nowhere to live. That’s what this country is all about. We’re all from somewhere else.”

There are still others with reservations about the plan and anger that the details were kept quiet for months before the announcement of the plan. Many note the cultural differences as the basis for those reservations, though cultural diversity has long been a a strength for the United States.

Questions about the financial cost of the plan, and fears of terrorists possibly sneaking in amongst the refugees, are worrying for many residents. Months of discussion on the plan were only attended by the mayor, a few city and business leaders, and a nonprofit resettlement agency. Among those who knew about the plan was president of the Board of Aldermen, William Notte who only revealed the information to colleagues a day or so before Mayor Louras’ press conference on April 26. Notte said, “There was no benefit to anyone to spread the knowledge.”

Louras noted, if the proposal had been made public earlier, the debate would have been “about them,” and not on the logistical ability of Rutland to shelter the refugees. Louras said the timing was right for the announcement in the city of 16,500 people, 95 percent of whom are white and of European ancestry.

Addressing the controversy, Louras said “I own it. I took the hits, and I’ll continue to take the hits.” Giving the refugees a home here will put Rutland on the right side of history, both the mayor and Notte agreed.

“The benefits, economically and culturally, that we will recognize is exactly what the community needs at this time,” said Louras, the grandson of a Greek immigrant who fled the Ottoman Turks a century ago. “As much as I want to say it’s for compassionate reasons, I realize that there is not a vibrant, growing, successful community in the country right now that is not embracing new Americans.”

Louras addressed security concerns by noting the federal government’s thorough vetting process of refugees. He said, “I wouldn’t do this unless I knew and could speak with conviction that we are not putting the community at risk.”

The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, a nonprofit organization that has helped bring 8,000 refugees to Vermont since 1989, including families from Bosnia, Bhutan, Vietnam, and Somalia, is one of the agencies working with the State Department to resettle the Syrian refugees. The deadline for the federal review of the Rutland plan was May 20 with the decision possible some time in July.

Volunteers in Rutland are already gathering supplies and items to welcome the refugees.

A recent City Hall hearing was attended by twice as many supporters of the plan as opponents who continue to voice concerns. Louras said, “Those concerns are based in fear. When educated, those fears will be abated.”

He told Vermont Public Radio’s Nina Keck, “I’ve been accused of making a unilateral decision for the whole community, but I don’t buy into that. We don’t get to vote on who lives in our community. We don’t do that in Rutland, we don’t do that in the state of Vermont, and we certainly don’t do that in the United States of America.”

ANCHORAGE, AK – Dozens of Alaska youth participated in a Saturday basketball clinic to learn more than just basic ball handling skills. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) hosted the one-day event on June 18 with youth basketball and mentoring clinics in Anchorage and the village of Napaskiak providing a fun, sports-focused environment and emphasizing healthy lifestyles and substance abuse prevention. Teaching at-risk youth the value of adopting positive practices in their lives is known to lessen risk-taking behaviors. The game of basketball and positive role models introduced during the clinic will undoubtedly help the youth stay on the right path.

Retired professional and college players Andrew Cladis, Andrew Snelgrove, and Patrick Johnson volunteered as mentors. Former Duke University player and now head coach of Men’s Basketball at Citrus College in Glendora, CA, Johnson said, “The reason I got into coaching was to impact young people, and the opportunity to connect with at-risk kids and hopefully give them some positive messages to take forward in their lives was a no-brainer for me.” Cladis, a former professional player in Europe, added, “basketball teaches qualities of character like working hard and handling adversity, and seeing the young people in Anchorage and Napaskiak demonstrate these traits, even in small ways during the clinics made this a success.”

Double the national average among Alaska Native youth, substance abuse is a serious issue for the community. The majority of Orthodox Christian priests in Alaska are Alaska Natives, so the IOCC has been working with the Orthodox Church of America (OCA) Diocese of Sitka and Alaska and St. Herman Orthodox Seminary in Kodiak, AK, to implement a substance abuse prevention training program for seminarians and clergy. In this way, they will be able to reach some of the most remote villages and communicate with the people of the Alaska Native community to help combat the problem of substance abuse.

His Grace Bishop David of the OCA Diocese of Alaska spoke about the efforts, ”We are grateful for IOCC’s continuing support of our seminarians and clergy to learn the most effective methods in preventing substance abuse and are particularly pleased that these basketball and healthy lifestyles clinics allowed our youth in Alaska to concentrate on building positive habits in their lives that will protect them from so many contemporary negative influences. Battling the effects left from years of negative influences is an ongoing struggle for us, and thanks to the efforts of IOCC, we are now making important steps in the right direction for our clergy and youth.”

As Alaska Native families struggle with substance abuse, Alaska Native youth are eager to participate in the basketball clinic since in the smallest villages it can be difficult to find enough children even in the schools to form teams. Engaging the youth in a positive way through basketball, the clinic provided an ideal environment to learn about topics that are critical to leading healthy lives.

The clinic offered life lessons that apply outside the game as well. A discussion led by Dan Christopulos, IOCC US Country Representative, allowed the young people to interact with the players and learn about the tools for dealing with day to day challenges. Christopulos observed, ”Playing basketball is so much more than sports. This program aims to provide youth with healthier lifestyle choices and the rewards that come with making those choices.”

IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $580 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.

BALTIMORE, MD— The Baltimore Sun inducted 12 remarkable men and women who have made a difference in a wide range of fields into their Business and Civic Hall of Fame. This first dozen notables of Baltimore’s business and financial communities were honored at a ceremony on June 9 at the downtown Center Club. Among the inductees are two extraordinary Greek-Americans— lawyer and Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos and baking mogul and developer John Paterakis, Sr. Both Angelos and Paterakis are decidedly devoted to the city of Baltimore and the community has benefited tremendously by their charitable efforts. One of those who attended the Hall of Fame induction dinner, George Petrocheilos of Camden Partners, noted that when was asked independently to name their favorite charity, both named the Greek Orthodox Church.

Born in Baltimore, Angelos is the son of John and Frances Angelos who emigrated to the United States from Menetes, Karpathos. John was a tavern-owner who spoke Greek at home and the family lived in Highlandtown, a working class neighborhood. Angelos attended Patterson Park High School, then the University of Baltimore where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He then attended the University of Baltimore Law School at night, becoming the valedictorian of his class.

Angelos passed the bar exam in 1961 and opened a law firm taking on product-liability cases for employees, almost always on a contingency basis, in other words, not charging legal fees until after winning the case for the client. One of his most famous cases involved 8,700 steelworkers, shipyard workers, and manufacturers’ employees in an asbestos poisoning consolidated action lawsuit. The case was partially settled in 1992.

Angelos’ law firm has offices in Baltimore, Cumberland, MD, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, PA, Wilmington, DE, and Knoxville, TN.

Lifelong Democrat Angelos was the first Greek-American elected to the Baltimore City Council, serving from 1959-1963. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor as an independent in 1964 and made history in spite of losing the election when he ran for mayor in 1967 on the first interracial ticket in Baltimore.

As principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles since 1993, Angelos refused to sign the document blaming the players for the baseball owners’ cancellation of the remainder of the 1994 season. His experience as a negotiator could have brought the strike to a speedier conclusion, but the other owners kept him off the negotiating committee. When it appeared the strike might continue into 1995, Angelos refused to even consider bringing in replacement players, making him a hero to working class Baltimore and garnering respect and admiration throughout the country.

Angelos married Georgia Kousouris in 1966 and they have two sons, John, who is the COO of the Orioles, and Louis, who works at the law firm. Among his charitable contributions, Angelos supports numerous local causes, including the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in downtown Baltimore, and is the largest individual donor to the University of Baltimore. In 2010, he made an anonymous donation to keep the city pools open during a terribly hot summer. Angelos is often reluctant to boast about his good works. He had to be convinced to reveal he was the donor of a building that bears his parents’ name at the University of Baltimore and finally relented when it became clear that his gift and his name would attract more donors.

John Paterakis Sr. is perhaps not as well know as Angelos, but it is his bakery that supplies McDonald’s with 2 million buns a day. He took a risk buying the necessary equipment even before the deal was made, and it worked out for the best. His investment in the real estate of Baltimore when many doubted that the city could sustain its development also proved Paterakis’ business acumen. As reported in the Baltimore Sun, University of Baltimore President Kurt L. Schmoke was mayor at the time Paterakis began developing Harbor East, and observed, “There were a number of people who told him to send his money elsewhere. They thought the momentum for harbor development had stopped. He had the foresight to believe it was going to continue.”

Paterakis was born in Baltimore in 1929, the son of Isidore (Steve) and Kyriaki Paterakis who immigrated to the United States in 1921. Their roots are in Chios, but it was in Baltimore that the Paterakis and the Tsakalos family established H&S bakery named after Harry Tsakalos, John’s uncle, and Steve Paterakis. Harry had married Steve’s daughter Liberty who also kept the books for the company in the early years. In 1950, John inherited his father’s interest in the business, famously making the deal with McDonald’s in 1965. Since then, the company has expanded and sells products up and down the eastern seaboard and throughout the south to Texas in 23 states and counting. Paterakis married first wife Antoinette Apostolos in 1950, and they had six children together.

The family-owned and operated business continues with many of the children and grandchildren joining the company. Paterakis, with wife Roula, lives modestly and quietly donates to Baltimore’s Greek Orthodox churches and many other local causes. Paterakis said at the induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame, “Remember, I’m just a little Greek baker that got lucky.” He went on to quote his mother in Greek and then translated, “Everything we do in life we do it for our children.”

LOS ANGELES– The tenth anniversary of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) was celebrated in front of a sold-out crowd at the historic Egyptian theater in Hollywood.

Following the screening of Christopher Papakaliatis’ acclaimed film Worlds Apart, the Honorary Orpheus Award was presented to Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairman Jim Gianopulos and to Academy Award Winner J.K. Simmons in a ceremony hosted by Mena Suvari.

Greek Deputy Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura came from Athens to attend the festival and to promote Greece as an ideal production locale for American film companies. New this year was the arrival from Athens of the Gastronomy Days-Athens International Culinary Film Festival that highlights Greek cuisine and presented a live cooking demonstration by Chef Marisa Churchill.

The festival screened a total of 56 films, 24 of those were North American premieres. Opening night started with a live performance from Greek singing star Alexia Vassiliou and Grammy-nominated KCRW DJ Chris Douridas was the closing party DJ.

The opening night film was Tasos Boulmetis’ Mythopathy, Notias is the Greek title, his first film since his groundbreaking Politiki Kouzina.

The movie follows the adventures of a university student during the 1970s and 1980s in Greece after the return of Democracy following the overthrow of the military junta. The film navigates the hero’s coming of age as he embarks in the art of filmmaking, love and politics. Along the way the protagonist loses what he loves most and has to adopt and overcome that reality. Director Boulmetis was very happy with the audience reception at the festival: “the LAGFF is a very important institution. It is vital to have a forum that promotes Greek Cinema in the entertainment capital of the world. We received excellent treatment from everyone involved.”

An Australian/New Zealand co-production, Alex & Eve chronicles the challenges facing a couple with different religious backgrounds. Alex is a handsome and shy Greek Orthodox man who falls in love with Eve, a successful lawyer from a Lebanese Muslim family. Both families furiously oppose the union as their children try to distance themselves by ignoring their feelings. Preceding the film a heartwarming short, Christos and Dimitra. A story of an 8-year-old-boy’s efforts to take his girlfriend to watch a touring theater’s performance of Romeo and Juliet. But when Dimitra is unable to attend, Christos has to make a brave decision.

Athina Tsangari’s much anticipated feature Chevalier presented an ambiguous and inconclusive story of six men competing in a game of superiority during a sailing trip. It was received with mixed reactions by the audience. One of the least appetizing offerings was The Republic. An extremely violent and bloody film about human traffickers and corrupt politicians who intermingle in illegal activities. Unfortunately, the endless barrage of violence overshadows the tragic issue of human trafficking that began since the start of the financial crisis and has skyrocketed with the recent arrivals of thousands of political refugees all over Europe.

Suntan is a film that is set on a beautiful Greek island and follows a middle-aged doctor who falls for an attractive young tourist. The affair is short lived and the obsessed doctor unable to deal with rejection resorts to a violent confrontation that leaves the audience wondering. Perhaps next year we will be treated to a few comedies. The documentary HAIL ARCADIA, a visual and historical journey of Tegea, received very positive feedback from the audience. The closing night film Worlds Apart is Christopher Papakaliatis second directorial effort. Comprised of three separate love stories with one Greek person falling in love with a foreigner in each story that in the end finishes as a single story. The film that has as a backdrop the crisis inflicted city of Athens deals with the loss of human dignity and loss of love but the story is told with pathos, humor and a sense of hope. Music score was the work of Kostas Christides. It received an enthusiastic reception from the audience that propelled the film to winning the Audience Choice Award.

Director Papakaliatis told TNH that “I am very pleased of the positive reception the film has received in the LAGFF, after it was embraced by the audiences in Greece. I am hopeful that the American audiences will have the opportunity to embrace it as well.” Alexander Swart’s short Stagnation received the first Jury prize of the Van Vlahakis Short Film Award. His daughter Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks in an emotional speech said about her late father “I am proud to present this award in honor of my father who was a huge fan of Greek and Greek-American cinema. We are dedicated in supporting the LAGFF and our filmmakers who are spotlighting critical issues affecting Greeks and Cypriots.”

Other awards include Best Fiction Feature Film for Panos Karkanevatos’ Riverbanks and Best Documentary Film Exotica, Erotica, Etc. Maria Kavogianni won the Best Performance award for her excellent portrayal of an unhappy Greek housewife who finds herself attracted to a retired German college professor in Worlds Apart. LAGFF Executive Producer Alex Kalognomos told TNH that “for a decade, LAGFF has been a creative home for a generation of independent Greek filmmakers. When projects that were birthed at LAGFF debut on the silver screen, it helps the festival to attain greater levels of visibility and support. LAGFF also builds and fosters relationships and creative partnerships with filmmakers, businessmen, and talent.”

Preparations for next year are already underway.

A NJ Transportation Department employee discovered the bodies at approximately 9:17AM, about four miles south of the New York State border, the Daily Record reported.

The two young men were found ejected from the vehicle, a blue Lexus, and it appeared that the crash had taken place during the night, the Record wrote.

Vagias, who was a freshman at the University of Rhode Island, was a member of the football team. In 2014 as a Don Bosco senior, he had been voted New Jersey’s Best Kicker, the Record noted.

Andreana Konstantina Tantaros (better known as Andrea) is a nationally-recognized, Pennsylvania-born thirtysomething political analyst, a product of a traditional Greek household for which she is grateful in shaping her to be the woman that she is today, as she discloses in her first book, Tied Up in Knots: How Getting What We Wanted Made Women Miserable (Broadside Books, 2016) which was published in April.

The book’s cover, much like Tantaros herself, is not meek, not subtle, and not understated. It shows the author bound by ropes at the wrists, forearms, and upper arms, with her limbs stretched high above her head, but with a facial expression exuding calm and confidence, hardly what one might expect from a person “tied up in knots.”

Her name adorns the front cover in considerably larger font than the title, and so my own first impressions were that in the book’s pages I would find and enjoy a treasure trove of this political analysist’s best ideas about how to make our country better.

I first became aware of Tantaros when I saw her on a segment on The O’Reilly Factor and I confess that like most Greek-Americans, my “Greek Radar Detector” is finely tuned and well-trained insofar as when I see a Greek-sounding name on the screen, I utter, with interest: “she must be Greek!” After listening to what Tantaros had to say, my interest in our common ethnic heritage as the reason I watched quickly gave way to the content of her ideas. I heard her comments in broadcast after broadcast over the ensuing months, admiring her razor-sharp mind and uncanny ability to pinpoint the essence of an issue, and to use every precious second of available airtime masterfully.

So, after reading through the first few pages of Tied Up in Knots, what should have been clear to me from the book’s subtitle finally hit home: this was not going to be a book about the biggest political issues – from the economy, to illegal aliens, to terrorism – facing our times. And, so, I was disappointed.

But as I came to grips with all of that, something funny happened along the way: I realized I had already devoured a third of a book about a topic – women in America today – that admittedly I wouldn’t have intentionally proceeded to read about (not because I don’t find it interesting and relevant, but because as a presidential political junkie, the limited time I have to read books is almost exclusively limited to that topic).

My disappointment quickly dissipated, and I became absorbed in the book. It caused me to reflect on what it must be like to be a woman in 21^st century America, and it also taught me a great deal about Tantaros that I never gleaned from watching her on television.

HONESTY AND HELLENISM

For one thing, Tantaros comes across in the book as brutally honest. She is not afraid to talk about vulnerability: her failed relationships and broken hearts, the death of her younger brother, Dan, who had special needs, and that her professional success only partially fills her dreams, which include getting married and having children.

Her description of working hard in the family diner, with a very loving but typically old-school Greek father, Kosta, is one of countless similar phenomena experienced by young Greek-American women, the stuff of which makes for great stories on the big screen (i.e., My Big Fat Greek Wedding). But in the Tantaros family, there is also a strong matriarch, Barbara, who encouraged her daughter Andrea to go to Paris and Washington and live her dream – despite Kosta’s grumbling.

Tantaros makes clear that while she comes across as strong (to some people, too prickly), she has a very caring, nurturing, sensitive side.

I noticed in some of her more recent Fox News segments that she’s been smiling more. “I bet someone told her to smile more,” I thought to myself. Sure enough, in Tied Up in Knots, Tantaros reveals which well-known Fox personality told her exactly that!

VENUS AIN’T MARS

Tantaros writes extensively about how in wanting to be treated like men, women got more than they bargained for. She explains how, from the boardroom to the bedroom, women are not wired like men. They are more emotional, and yet they are expected to be as detached as the typical alpha male. Tantaros references popular culture in supporting her theme, including how the HBO hit series Sex and the City brought many of these issues to light.

She also calls out feminists for having sat by idly while Angelina Jolie moved in on Brad Pitt, a married man, essentially stealing him from his wife, Jennifer Aniston. Why weren’t the feminists furious with Jolie, who broke up a marriage, Tantaros asks.

Again referring to her own matters of the heart, Tantaros discusses a time when she thought a boyfriend was cheating on her, and how today’s women are conditioned not to even bring it up, because it would seem like an emotional response.

“TINDERRR!”

In the latter stages of Tied Up in Knots, Tantaros recalls an exchange with Bill O’Reilly, and the generation gap effect with the top-rated political commentator who is almost 30 years her senior: “this is a Tinder nation,” Tantaros remarked, to which O’Reilly responded: “what’s Tinder?”
I have a confession to make: though I am closer in age to Tantaros than to O’Reilly, I, too, had no idea what Tinder was until I read Tantaros’ compelling description and critique.

That alone is good reason to read Tied Up in Knots, but there are many others – not least of which a refreshingly candid discussion about women in America today, from a woman who at least in this book has taken a break from commenting on the political scene (though I think, and hope, that she has many more books left in her).