By Eleni Sakellis

ASTORIA – The Sounds of Cyprus drew music lovers of all ages on Thursday, March 9 at Ovelia, 34-01 30th Avenue in Astoria. Musician/educator Peter Douskalis spoke with The National Herald about the event, an evening of Cypriot music and culture, hosted by the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce’s Cypriot Young Professionals (CYP).

The event not only promoted the traditional music from the island of Cyprus, it raised funds for a good cause, the Olympism For Humanity Alliance (O4H). O4H Alliance embraces the relationship between the ancient Olympic idea and the modern world by cultivating international collaborations, to educate youth and people of all ages through lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.

By sponsoring Cypriot youth to attend O4H training, Cypriot youth will have the opportunity to implement the ACE (Accessible Cypriot Education) project at the Tochni Village School. Sounds of Cyprus will include a live band performing traditional Cypriot music.

Douskalis told TNH this was one of the first, if not the first, “Cypriot Night” celebrating the traditional music of Cyprus in the style of the many “Greek Night” events with the added benefit of raising funds for a worthy cause. Among the songs performed were Tillirkotissa, Triantafilleni, and Ta Mavra Matia.

Douskalis noted that while the songs are classic, paradosiaka, they are played with a modern twist that appeals to all ages. He also observed that the journey is a learning experience for him as well. Douskalis’ background is Greek on his father’s side and Cypriot on his mother’s side and in playing the traditional songs, he learns more and more about his roots.

Douskalis on guitar, Cypriot musicians Renos Efthymiou and Elena Christou, along with viola-player Alex Tasopoulos, who is half-Greek, performed beautifully. Their spirited renditions led to dancing and singing along among the audience. One attendee noted that the musicians are too young to be able to play the classic Cypriot songs so well and with such feeling. Douskalis also told TNH that the tickets sold reached the venue’s capacity well before the night of the event. Those in attendance shared the same sentiment about the successful event, that they look forward to the next Cypriot Night.

The Olympism For Humanity Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization in the United States. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Douskalis performs and records professionally as well as teaches music in the New York City Department of Education. Besides authoring the Hal Leonard Essential Elements for Guitar series book Multicultural Songs, he has published his philosophy on multicultural music education curriculum design in the 30th World Conference Proceedings of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) and has further presented his philosophies in Thessaloniki at the 30th ISME World Conference, a TEDx Talk, and the 32nd ISME World Conference in Glasgow.

He currently performs in New York City, primarily working as Assistant Director and Guitarist for Pericles Kanaris and Synolon. He also volunteers as the President of the New York City Chapter of the charity Guitars Not Guns and also partakes in Olympism For Humanity Alliance, Inc. projects.

His solo jazz guitar CD The Dance of the Sea has received national and international acclaim in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, Los Angeles Jazz Scene, Jazz Journal (UK), and Cadence Magazine. More information on Peter Douskalis and his work is available online at www.douskalis.com or www.douskalis.gr.

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NEWARK, NJ – Emirates Airline is launching a new route between Athens and Newark, N.J., intensifying a fight with U.S. rivals that say the Middle Eastern carrier is unfairly subsidized by its government.

Twenty-five members of the New York and New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter asking President Donald Trump to stop a Gulf-based airline from starting a roundtrip flight between Newark, New Jersey, and Athens this month, the latest salvo in a dispute over claims of unfair competition.

The letter released late Tuesday contends Emirates and other Gulf airlines have an unfair advantage over American air carriers because they receive billions in state subsidies, Associated Press reoprts.

The group wants Trump to delay the scheduled Sunday commencement of the flight until his administration can negotiate a resolution with the airlines.

United Continental Holdings. Inc. employees plan to rally at Newark’s airport with labor leaders and politicians on Sunday, the first day of Emirates service between there and Athens, according to Wall Street Journal.

In a statement Wednesday, Emirates said Sunday’s Newark-to-Athens flight is scheduled to operate as planned. “We have the full approvals and support from the relevant authorities, airports, and travel communities in both Newark and Athens,” the airline said.

“It is imperative that your Administration take quick and decisive action to defend U.S. interests abroad and ensure that U.S. airlines and their American workers have a fair and equal opportunity to compete,” the Congressional group wrote.

The leading American airlines have said Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have received billions of dollars in subsidies from their governments, allowing them to offer below-market fares and violating so-called open-skies treaties.

They say that allows the Gulf carriers to offer below-market fares, which could force American carriers to discontinue some routes and cut jobs.

Tuesday’s letter estimated that “for every long-haul route lost or foregone as a result of subsidized Gulf carrier competition, more than 1,500 American jobs are lost.”

Some smaller U.S. airlines, and some consumer advocates, have taken a different view and say the competition would lead to lower fares generally.

American, Delta and United asked Washington to open negotiations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, but the Obama administration didn’t take action before leaving office.

Emirates and other state-owned Gulf carriers deny accusations they focus on stripping market share and driving out competition.

U.S. carriers worry Emirates’ entry will pull down fares on routes to Athens, a seasonal, vacation-driven market. United and Delta Air Lines Inc. operate flights from the New York area to Athens during the summer; seasonal flights from American Airlines Group Inc., leave from Philadelphia.

Emirates said the Greek government asked it to add the route. Aegean Airlines SA, the Greek flag carrier, doesn’t fly to the U.S. at all, WSJ reports.

The post Trump Urged to Stop Emirates New Athens-Newark Route appeared first on The National Herald.

BERLIN (AP) — A 19-year-old man arrested in the death of a neighbor’s boy has admitted to killing the child and a 22-year-old acquaintance, citing frustration over a rejected bid to join the German army and the recent loss of his internet connection, authorities said Friday.

The case has shocked the western German city of Herne, not least because the suspect allegedly circulated photos of the bloodied crime scenes online. Hundreds of officers spent three days hunting the suspect, identified by police as Marcel Hesse, until he gave himself up late Thursday.

Hesse called police from a Greek restaurant Thursday evening to turn himself in, and informed officers of a fire in a nearby apartment. Police found the body of an adult male in the apartment, believed to be a 22-year-old acquaintance of Hesse’s.

Bochum prosecutor Danyal Maibaum said Hesse made a comprehensive confession following his arrest and was being held on suspicion of murder.

Hesse allegedly lured a 9-year-old boy out of his home under a pretext Monday, Maibaum said. The child’s body was found in a basement with 52 stab wounds, following a tip from a member of the public.

Klaus-Peter Lipphaus, the head of the police homicide department for Bochum, told reporters the suspect was speaking freely to investigators and was “ice cold, emotionless” as he detailed his crimes.

During his interview with police, Hesse claimed that he had attempted to kill himself recently after his application to join the German army was rejected and a recent move to a new home resulted in him being unable to access the internet, Lipphaus said.

Hesse said he spontaneously decided to kill somebody else after he failed to take his own life and sought out the neighbor’s child, Lipphaus added.

After slaying the child, Hesse contacted a nearby friend, Lipphaus said. They ate dinner and played computer games together before Hesse killed the 22-year-old the following morning, he said.

The post German Arrested in Greek Restaurant Admits to Killing Two appeared first on The National Herald.

In January, upon returning to his University of Missouri–St. Louis office for the first time after winter break, Greek-American Professor Michael Cosmopoulos found an unusual message waiting for him in his campus mailbox. It had arrived from Austria, UMSL Daily reports.

“I had been told that I had been nominated, but knowing how strict the criteria for election are, I had not seriously thought that it was going to happen,” said Cosmopoulos, a UMSL faculty member based in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology. “The letter was a wonderful surprise.”

Sent by the president of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the letter notified Cosmopoulos of his election to the prestigious academy, with a formal ceremony set for March 4 in Salzburg, Austria.

Last weekend’s induction puts Cosmopoulos, the Hellenic Government-Karakas Foundation Endowed Professor in Greek Studies, among the ranks of top scholars and scientists including 33 Nobel Prize winners and one pope (Benedict XVI).

“There is certainly a sense of satisfaction that scientists and scholars derive from the recognition of their work,” Cosmopoulos said while traveling home from Austria this week. “Beyond that, there is also the sheer intellectual pleasure of belonging to a group of leading scientists from different countries and of being able to exchange ideas, knowledge, information and the fruits of our research.”

Europe’s premier research academy and think tank, the academy pursues a mission to promote and facilitate interdisciplinary and transnational research in a wide range of disciplines.

Cosmopoulos has worked tirelessly for the promotion of Greek studies in North America. He said membership in the academy opens new doors and new ways of looking at the sciences, including how the disciplines interact with each other and affect lives.

“The bigger picture here is that all of us serve a common purpose, which is to enhance our understanding of life and the world for the benefit of humanity,” he said. “The academy is a great vehicle for this.”

Held in the Great Hall of the University of Salzburg, the induction ceremony included speeches and musical performances.

Cosmopoulos – who teaches Greek history, culture, religion, technology, archaeology, art, language and mythology at UMSL and directs major excavations in Greece – said his experience in Austria was also a reminder of the enduring value of the liberal arts.

“We live in an era when the humanities and the liberal arts are under threat,” said the professor, who is also a fellow of the Academy of Science of St. Louis. “There is a widespread impression among politicians and administrators that universities are supposed to teach only specific job-related skills. In this rapidly changing world of ours it is, however, vital that we teach our students lifelong skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, self-motivation, improvisation and the ability to keep on learning. This kind of education is what our students really need, and it can only be achieved with the inclusion of strong liberal-arts programs.”

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NEW YORK – In a small, well-stocked cellar on Manhattan’s Seventh Avenue, just a few blocks south of Central Park, beneath the sprawling, business-cozy Greek restaurant Molyvos, lies one of the greatest compilations of modern Greek wine.

The restaurant’s general manager, Kamal Kouiri, gathered and watches over each bottle, all of them available to be poured for diners. “New Yorkers like to taste something different and unique,” Kouiri says of his list, which transforms his restaurant into a stateside tour of Greece and its wines.

The backbone of Molyvos’ kitchen, Executive Chef Carlos Carreto has been with Molyvos since the beginning, joining the team in 1997. Proudly upholding the integrity of authentic Greek cooking techniques and flavors, Chef Carlos learned the art of Greek cuisine in-house from Founding Chef Jim Botsacos, according to Molyvo’s website.

Rising through the ranks, Chef Carlos worked side-by-side Chef Jim until he was hand-selected to succeed him to helm the restaurant. Now, Chef Carlos adds his own inflection to our traditional dishes as he executes the daily menus and develops new recipes.

ABOUT

Inspired by the traditions and heritage of the Greek islands and mainland, Molyvos has been one of New York’s most beloved Greek restaurants since its opening in 1997. Named after the seaside village on the Greek island of Lesvos where the Livanos family roots originate, Molyvos is known throughout Manhattan for its rustic Greek country cooking.

Executive Chef Carlos Carreto takes diners on a Grecian culinary journey through a variety of mezedes and appetizers, as well as hyper-local specialty Greek cheese and honey, fresh fish, wild greens and savory pies – all accompanied by the largest all-Greek wine list in the U.S.

Molyvos is proud to have won numerous awards, including Wine Enthusiast’s “100 Best Wine Restaurants” in 2015 and 2016 as well as making their “Five Best Wine Bars in New York City.”

Celebrating the lifestyle and food that represents the delicious, healthful way that people in Greece eat, Molyvos’ main goal is to bring filoxenia – the Greek style of hospitality – to the heart of New York City. The warm, friendly service makes guests feel as if they’re in a Greek home, and the food forms a paean to the variety and seasonality inherent in Greek cuisine.

Nestled in Manhattan’s Midtown West neighborhood, just a block away from Carnegie Hall, Molyvos was a pioneer when it first opened, bringing rustic Greek cuisine to a new level of elegance and sophistication amid décor inspired by Greece’s romantic seaside villages. It has held fast to that vision for nearly two decades, serving innovative but authentic Greek fare that continues to evolve today.

The post Molyvos, A World of Greek Wine in Midtown Manhattan appeared first on The National Herald.

By Eleni Sakellis 

NEW YORK – The New York premiere of the award-winning documentary Ludlow: Greek Americans in the Colorado Coal War, a 2016 production directed by Leonidas Vardaros took place on Thursday, March 9 and drew a crowd of film enthusiasts to New York University.

The non-profit company “Apostolis Berdebes,” producer of documentaries on the history of Greeks in America, produced this remarkable film. In attendance at the premiere, Co-Producer and researcher Frosso Tsouka who spoke with The National Herald about the film, noted the tremendous appreciation it has already received in Greece and is now receiving worldwide.

There was barely an empty seat at the premiere which drew Greek-Americans from all walks of life including supporters of the film from Kefalonia and the Kefalos Society of America, its President Nikos Alissandratos, friends and family, as well as non-Greeks who appreciated learning about the little-known chapter of American history and the labor movement.

As Tsouka told TNH, “Ludlow tells the story of Greek immigrants who found themselves in distant Colorado working for many years under inhuman conditions of semi-slavery. They eventually united with thousands of other immigrant miners and took part in a long strike that started peacefully in 1913 and developed into an armed confrontation in April 1914, after the Ludlow Massacre and the murder of the Greek leader, Louis Tikas.

The film has received awards at all the documentary festivals in Greece and has been embraced by the public of Greece and of the Greek Diaspora. The film has been shown in Zurich, Munich, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, and Australia.

Here in New York, we have the honor of being included in the Spring 2017 film series Greek Cinema Today, an important cinematic event curated by visiting professor Eleftheria Astrinaki, and organized every year by the A.S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies at NYU, under the direction of Dr. Liana Theodoratou.”

The National Herald contributor Dan Georgakas is one of the historians who appears in the film and offers his insights into the Greek-American experience. Georgakas noted that due to the success of the community, many Greek-Americans would prefer to leave the past behind, but it is important to remember the struggles the immigrants suffered.

The history is not well-known, even in the United States, Tsouka noted, but the film resonates powerfully in Greece wherever it is shown because Greeks, from Crete especially, were in the leadership roles in this landmark event of the labor movement. Their heroism inspired the movement, and led to the passage of laws protecting workers from unsafe conditions.

Tsouka observed that after seeing the film, Greeks in Greece were surprised that there was such a strong labor movement in the United States, “they want to know more about it, and ask questions.” She also told TNH that the films are made in Greece with Greek filmmakers, but the support of the Greek-American community is essential to the process. Tsouka noted the dedication, “Ludlow is dedicated to the Greek American Community whose support made this film possible.”

Including the testimony of witnesses to the historical events and their descendants, Ludlow is a poignant reminder of the struggle for a better life that immigrants suffered in the early part of the 20th century and about how much they fought for that we take for granted today.

At the conclusion of the film, the audience applauded enthusiastically. A Q&A followed the screening and many simply offered their thanks for bringing the story to their attention, noting that young people in the community should definitely see the film, and if Hollywood had any sense, they would make it into a movie.

When asked about upcoming projects, Tsouka said the next project on the Greek-American experience in the 1950’s through the 1980’s is just getting underway. Alissandratos noted that the Greek-American community is ready to support the wonderful work of Tsouka and the team and the audience responded with more applause.

In March 2016, Ludlow was selected as Best Historical Documentary in the 18th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. In August 2016, the film received the 2nd Award for Feature Documentaries at the 3rd Ierapetra International Documentary Festival and in October 2016 it received the Best Editing Award at the 10th Chalkis Documentary Festival.

The film team, consisting of director Leonidas Vardaros, cinematographer Prokopis Dafnos, researcher Frosso Tsouka, editor Xenofon Vardaros, sound engineer Andreas Gkovas, and narrator Rigas Axelos, gave its best in this truly collective effort. The production management was carried out by the members of “Apostolis Berdebes” non-profit, Stefanos Plakas, Frosso Tsouka, and Lina Gousiou.

The producers give special thanks to the music group Romiosyni for the first ever professional recording of the Colorado strike song The Union Forever. More information about the film, is available online at www.ludlow.gr and on Facebook.

More information about the film series Greek Cinema Today is available by phone 212-998-3979, email: vt507@NYU.edu.

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NEW YORK –  Suntan, the award-winning Greek film directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos has begun its American premiere engagement at New York’s Village East Cinema, Second Avenue and 12th Street. Adding to the excitement is a strong review in The New York Times as well as the news that the film has been nominated for 11 Hellenic Film Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor (Makis Papadimitriou) and Best Actress (Elli Tringou). Five performances daily through March 16.

Manodopera, a 28-minute film by Loukianos Moshonas, will be shown in this year’s New Directors/New Films series presented by the Museum of Modern Art and The Film Society of Lincoln Center. The short focuses on a young man renovating an Athens apartment. During his breaks, he joins in rooftop conversations in which nothing short of the world is reconsidered.Part of “SHORT PROGRAM 1” the film will screen on Fri. March 17, 9:15 pm, at the Walter Reade Theater; and on Sat. March 18, 3:45 pm, at MOMA. Tickets at: www.newdirectors.org

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MADISON, WI – Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, was invited to the Chazen Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Friday, March 10, as a Guest Speaker at the Mount Athos in Context: Art, History, Ritual and Spirituality of Eastern Orthodox Monasticism Symposium.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Art History has organized an exhibit Holy Mountain: Icons from Mount Athos and Photographs by Frank Horlbeck in the Oscar F. and Louise Greiner Mayer Gallery at the Chazen Museum of Art. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Athos is a beautiful, wooded, and mountainous peninsula in Northeastern Greece that constitutes one of the most sacred sites for Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It includes twenty working monasteries and their dependencies and a rich cultural heritage dating back as far as the tenth century.

Warmly welcomed by University Dean Karl Scholz, Professor of Art History Thomas Dale, Professor Emeritus Frank Horlbeck, Madison Parish Priest Michael Vanderhoef, and many of the other presenters, Bishop Demetrios said, “I will conclude this most cursory introduction to what is perhaps of greatest importance and influence of Mount Athos on the faithful of my Orthodox tradition: the beauty of the Holy Mountain – its physical beauty in its landscape and in its ancient architecture, in its iconography, and the beauty of its liturgical life – is one that inspires every pilgrim and visitor and moves the imagination of those who learn of it from afar.”

Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos serves as the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, under the leadership of Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago. In his position, he travels throughout the Metropolis of Chicago to visit most of the parishes annually. He has received nationwide recognition for his human rights activities and interfaith outreach, including his leadership in ending the death penalty in Illinois, state resolutions calling for Religious Freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and just recently last year for the official recognition by the United States of the Genocide by ISIS against the Christian minority population of Syria and Iraq.

The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian denomination worldwide. The Metropolis of Chicago oversees all Greek Orthodox Parishes within Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, as well as large portions of Missouri and Indiana. More information on His Grace Bishop Demetrios and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is available online at: www.chicago.goarch.org.

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By Phyllis “Kiki” Sembos

There seems no shortage of people saying stupid things, me included. But, when it is said by someone in public life – that’s embarrassing! Anyway, I’ve collected a few to just entertain you.

The American Library Association has contributed these from Library patrons: I have an emergency and I need the telephone number of 911. Another patron: Can you tell me why so many Civil War battles were fought in National Parks?”

This from the great baseball player Yogi Berra: “We made too many wrong mistakes!”(Thank goodness for car manuals) Honda CRX owner’s manual: If you crash, you can be injured.”(Really?) And: The fuel level gauge indicates the quantity of fuel in the tank.This from a Volvo manual: “To stop the vehicle, release the accelerator pedal and apply brakes.”

Food labels can be helpful. This one from Nabisco’s Easy Cheese label: “For best results, remove cap”. From a bottled soft drink label: “Twist top off with hands, throw away top.” On a cereal box: “To best enjoy our cereal, open box.” (Now, that’s being helpful)
President George W. Bush: “Our nation must come together to unite.” (Gee, I wish I’d said that.) Police detective questioning wounded officer:“Can you hear me? Squeeze once for yes and twice for no.” Vice President Dan Quayle at job training center in Atlanta: “If you give a person a fish, they’ll fish for a day. But, if you train a person to fish they’ll fish for a lifetime.” (No time off?) Classified ad in England’s, Evening Mail: “For sale, 20 toilet rolls, hardly used, Xmas bargain”. (I’ll pass)

Phone company sent this letter: Dear Mr. Cook; we have attempted on several occasions to reach you by phone to discuss payment of your telephone account – which was recently disconnected.”Here’s another from Vice president Dan Quayle: “It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”

Headline in the Hendersonville Times (Mississippi): Illiteracy is still a poblem among Mississippi adults. (I think he’s right!) Headline in Norfolk, VA pilot pamphlet: “How to speak and write like a colleg graduat.”(No diploma for them)

On an American Airlines packet of nuts: Instructions: “Open packet, eat nuts”. (Why didn’t I think of that?) From President Gerald Ford: “Mr. Nixon was the thirty-seventh president of the United States. He had been preceded by thirty-six others.”(We can tell math was his good subject).

Bank robber in Maryland to teller: “Give me $418 – and, no ones”. Another bank robber who handed this note to teller: “Milk, loaf of bread and pick up laundry.”Newspaper headline on perpetrator, Harris Pope: “Pope to be arraigned for allegedly burglarizing Clinic” (I guess anyone can be a criminal).New Jersey Police Department announcement: “We shall offer police jobs to qualified women regardless of sex”. Detective unit in Miami:“We have a lot of factual information that has led to speculation.” (That clears things up.)

Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld at a pentagon briefing on what President George W. Bush had said: Needless to say, the president is correct – whatever it was he said.” (That’s clarifying things.)

Sportscaster, Ray French: “And, he’s got an ice pack on his groin there, so it’s possibly not a shoulder injury.” Ohio newspaper:“He told police that one of the men menaced him with a wench while the other covered him with a revolver.” Speed checked by police officer questioned by lawyer: “Yes, my radar was malfunctioning correctly.”

From the Literary Review: “For most people, death comes at the end of their lives.” (Timing sounds right!) And, my favorite: “What would you like most for Christmas”, was asked of various ambassadors: French Ambassador: “Peace in the world.” Russian Ambassador: “Freedom for all people enslaved by imperialism.” British Ambassador, Sir Oliver Franks: “Well, it’s very kind of you to ask. I’d quite like a box of crystallized fruit.”

The post Greek-American Stories: More Stupidity appeared first on The National Herald.

By Vasilis Papoutsis

PALM DESERT, CA – The upscale community of Palm Desert in California has a small but vibrant Greek-American Orthodox contingent, and the center of it is the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, steps away from the famous shopping district of El Paseo.

The city is mostly known as a retreat for the many seasonal residents who are known as “snowbirds,” and arrive during the winter to enjoy the beautiful desert weather and the picturesque mountain and valley views, a welcome escape from the cold Northern climes.

President Obama is expected to reside in Palm Desert, as did President Gerald Ford.Most people are more familiar with the city of Palm Springs, which is about a 20 minute drive away, and has been the gateway to many Hollywood celebrities, especially in the Golden age of Hollywood. Stars like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Dinah Shore all had homes there.

The Greek community in the desert has been there for more than half a century. Anne Boukidis Michas along with Ann and Harry Cosmos were the nucleus that initiated the beginning of the parish. Priests from the St. Elias Greek Orthodox church of San Bernardino assisted in the spiritual aspect. In 1978, the first Divine Liturgy was held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and the Nicholas family hosted the first parish luncheon. In 1983, the land for the current site was purchased.

Michasre calls when Metropolitan Anthony “called me at home and asked me to come and visit a prospective site for a future church. The next day I went with my husband, Harry, and met the metropolitan at the site. Jim Kalyvas and Kerri Ayianopoulos were also present and we agreed to make an offer for the land. I negotiated the deal and couple days later our offer was accepted and with a down payment of $50,000 the site of our current church was purchased for $156,000 down from the $185,000 they were initially asking.”

Chicago banker James Kostakis donated a million dollars that got construction underway. Significant contributions were also made by real estate tycoon Alex Spanos, owner of the Chargers football team and his friend Leonard Firestone. The parishioners’ hard work was also important in the construction.

“The Nicholas family worked very hard during the construction. George Nicholas built the church’s first altar,” Michas said. Shortly thereafter, Metropolitan Anthony appointed Michas as the first Parish Council President. George Tcharos was the first Vice President and Fanny Nicholas was the first Treasurer.

“Actor Telly Savalas attended services regularly as did Vice President Spiro Agnew’s wife, Judy,” Michas told TNH.

Today, the parish consists of 120 families, mostly English-speaking; thus the liturgy is in English, except for of the hymns, which are in Greek. Despite the economic crisis in Greece over the last seven years,few Greeks find the way to the desert:“We only have a couple of families from Greece, most of the families are mixed marriages,” Fr. Theodore Pantels, who has been the priest since 2004, told TNH.
“We only have Sunday school because we cannot get teachers to teach the Greek language or folk dancing. We are a little too far away.” The St. George Philoptochos Society reaches out regularly to the desert community with philanthropic missions.

The Philoptochos donates to homeless shelters such as the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and offers money contributions to Visiting Nurses. Through the Knitting Project they provide blankets for the City of Hope. Philoptochos also contributes to The Ophelia Project a nonprofit that empowers teenage girls to increase their sense of self worth, and collaborates with the Catholic Church in a pro-life ministry program.

The Greek festival that just ended was a major success and it is “one of the major fundraisers of the church. During the two days, we get about 6,000 people to visit the grounds and enjoy our food and music,” Fr.Pantels said.The church tours that are offered during the festival are particularly fulfilling to Fr. Ted because “they give me the opportunity to show our church to new people, talk to them about our faith, answer their questions and invite them to a service.” One of this year’s festival attendees was George Stephanopoulos, the producer of the sports comedy Swing Away that was filmed in Greece and had a well attended local screening. Jenni Pulos, the reality celebrity star who has family in the desert, has attended and entertained the crowds in the past.The Golf tournament is the other major fundraiser for the Church and it will take place at the Desert Willow Golf Resort April 21-22. The weekend will conclude with liturgy for the Feast Day of Saint George on April 23.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will be in attendance to mark the 20th Anniversary of celebrating St. George, the Church’s patron saint.

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By Eleni Sakellis

Titles, Offices, & Ranks in the Byzantine Empire and Orthodox Church by Rev. Dr. Milton Efthimiou and Dr. Matthew Briel is a remarkable achievement that took years to produce. For those interested in the history of the Byzantine Empire and the Orthodox Church, the book promises to offer fascinating insights and explanations by the two authors and distinguished scholars of Church History. The foreword to the book was written by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople.

As noted in the book’s description, “The Patriarchal Archon Offikia (Offices) for the Order of Saint Andrew derive from some of the most prestigious of offices of the ancient world. Originating in the Ancient Greek City-States, these civic offices were transformed when the Roman Empire embraced the Christian faith during the fourth century. As a consequence of this transition, not only were the office holders important leaders of the Christian community, the offices themselves took on specific religious responsibilities for the service and promotion of the faith in the Roman Empire. The ancient order of Archons is, in fact, the oldest and most prestigious honor that can be bestowed upon a layman in the entire Christian world.”

Rev. Dr. Efthimiou told The National Herald about the book, “At present, it is distributed, gratis, to all Archons, by the Office of the Archons at the Archdiocese. All Archons and clergy may get one or more copies, by calling the Archon Office.”

He continued, “This project began during the tenure of Archbishop Iakovos, of blessed memory, and when Dr. Anthony Borden was National Commander. It was a complicated project, worked on by several people, using as a basis the work, (in Greek), of bishop Iakovos of Catania, (retired). Credit must be given to the late Dean Timothy Andrews, of the first graduating class of Pomfret, who began the first translation. When he became ill and passed away, I continued what he started, and after many years brought the project to fruition, with the help of my co-author, Dr. Matthew Briel of Fordham University. (Eventually, we had to condense many pages into what is now the present book).

Although a reading audience for such a book might be limited, it is, nevertheless, I believe, an important document which, as Archbishop Demetrios writes, ‘…this publication will be a substantive resource…,’ which not only honors Archons, but as His All-Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew also cites, ‘…the book expresses the essential features of a particular centuries-old diakonia.’ The book, in essence, defines the Byzantine period, reminiscent of the book I wrote years ago, Greeks and Latins on 13^th Century Cyprus, which defined Cyprus in medieval times. To understand Orthodoxy, one must understand the mechanics of how Orthodoxy worked 1000 years after Christ.”

He concluded by saying, “I have received much positive feedback from many Archons, as well as brothers who have also requested copies for their Church bookstore/library.”

More information about the Archons is available online at www.archons.org. Greeks and Latins on 13^th Century Cyprus by Rev. Dr. Milton Efthimiou is available online at Amazon.com.

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Northern Epirotans Association Pyrrhus and Daughters of Epirus organized the special “Tsipourovradia” event, March 11, Astoria, New York.

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MARCH 5 TO APRIL 2

NEW YORK – The Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated at 9:30 AM every Lenten Sunday (from March 5 to April 2) at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Avenue, East Meadow. Various themes are highlighted every Sunday as part of the Orthodox Tradition of Great Lent. All services are conducted in English. The liturgy is followed by coffee hour with Lenten foods. The full schedule for Great Lent and Holy Week can be found on the parish website’s calendar at www.htocem.org. For more information, contact us at 516-483-3649 or info@htocem.org.

MARCH 13

NEW YORK – 5:30-7:30pm: The American Hellenic Institute Business Network requests the pleasure of your company at its Monthly Informal Networking Reception at Avra Restaurant in NYC. Please RSVP to csirigos100@aol.com

MARCH 14

SOMERVILLE, MA – Swing Away Greek Movie Screening at the Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square in Somerville, on Tuesday, Mar. 14 at 7 PM. Swing Away is a unique inspirational sports comedy set in Greece. Following a meltdown that leads to a suspension, professional golfer Zoe Papadopoulos travels to her grandparents’ village in Greece to escape the harsh spotlight of the international sports world. Between baking bread and eating baklava, she meets and mentors a ten-year-old girl who is determined – against all odds – to become the next golf sensation. Along the way, Zoe rediscovers her Greek heritage, her love of the game, and the hidden strength within herself as she inspires the townspeople in an epic showdown against a greedy American developer.  More information is available online www.swingawaymovie.com and by phone: 617-625-5700.

MARCH 15

NEW YORK – 6:30-8:30pm: Hellenic Professional Women Inc. (HPW) is hosting a “Cocktails & Connecting” event at Thalassa (179 Franklin St, NYC). Please stop by to network, meet someone new or catch up with a friend. “Small bites” will be provided by Thalassa and there will be a cash bar. Please visit www.hellenicprofessionalwomen.org for details.

NEW YORK – 6:30pm: Wall Street Rocks invites you to its 2017 Spring Show with The Bands Of Wall Street at The Cutting Room in NYC. Please visit www.wallstreetrocks.org for tickets.

MARCH 16

ALBANY – 7-9:30pm: The Hellenic Medical Society of New York invites you to honor Maria Theodoulou, M.D., Medical Oncology, Albany, New York, with the Dr. Mary Kalopothakes Distinguished Female Physician Award, at Lenox Hill Hospital – Bruno Conference Room in NYC. Please RSVP to (718) 398-2440 by March 14th.

MARCH 18-19

BROOKLINE, MA – Annual Maliotis Greek Dance Workshop on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19, at the Maliotis Cultural Center 50 Goddard Avenue in Brookline. Learn a variety of regional dances from experienced and talented instructors. Saturday’s workshop will include 1¼-hour classes, rotating through specific regions of Greece. Classes are designed for participants ages 13 and older, all skill levels. Saturday evening, there will be a glendi with mezedakia. Sunday’s workshop will include basic Greek dance classes as well as master classes in dances of Pontos, Crete, and Thrace. Fee per person: $100 for Saturday classes, glendi, and Sunday classes; $75 for Saturday classes and glendi; $40 for Sunday master class only. Pre-registration and advance payment is required. Register and pay online at MaliotisCenter.org. Deadline for registration is March 14. Phone: 617-522-2800

MARCH 19

ASTORIA – March: Greek Cultural Month Maria Callas Documentary and Reception takes place on Sunday Mar. 19 at 2 PM. Free event – Reservation is required. More information is available by phone and/or to reserve a table, call 718-204-6500.

MARCH 20

NEW YORK – 8am-7pm: Capital Link, Inc. invites you to its 11th Annual International Shipping & Offshore Forum at The Metropolitan Club in NYC. The Capital Link Shipping Leadership Award will be presented to Mr. Richard T. du Moulin, Owner of Intrepid Shipping. Please visit http://forums.capitallink.com/shipping/2017newyork/index.html for details.

NEW YORK – 6:30-8pm: Philo4Thought is hosting its March 2017 Workshop titled Establishing Yourself Financially with guest speaker Karen Kalkines at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Media Room in NYC. Please visit https://p4tmentoringmonday2017.eventbrite.com to register.

MARCH 22

MANHATTAN – Capital Link’s Invest in Cyprus Forum will take place on Wednesday, Mar. 22 from 8:30 AM until 4:15 PM at The Metropolitan Club, One East 60^th Street in Manhattan. The Forum aims to raise awareness of Cyprus as an investment and business destination among the U.S. investment, financial, and business communities. The Forum will be followed by a networking cocktail reception. More information is available online at capitallink.com. For additional information, contact: Olga Bornozi, Managing Director at obornozi@capitallink.com or Eleni Bej, Director of Event Operations at ebej@capitallink.com or by phone: (212) 661-7566.

NEW YORK – 7-10pm: The Design, Development & Construction Committee of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce invites you to Network & Mingle at The Harp Raw Bar & Grill in NYC. Meet like-minded professionals from various fields, including engineers, architects, contractors, developers, real estate professionals, attorneys, bankers and more. Don’t forget your business cards! Cash bar. Please RSVP to info@hellenicamerican.cc
MARCH 25

NEW LONDON, CT – Saint Sophia Church, the Order of AHEPA, and the Greek-American community invite all to join the flag-hoisting ceremony on Saturday, Mar. 25th at 11:30 AM as we gather to celebrate Greek Independence Day. The ceremony will take place at Saint Sophia Church, 200 Hempstead Street in New London, CT with a reception to follow in the Community Center. Phone: 860-442-2377.

ASTORIA – Pre-Parade events- 2017 Flag Raising Ceremony at Athens Square Park, 30th Ave and 30th Street in Astoria, on Saturday, Mar. 25 at 12 Noon. Join the Greek community for this free event. Open to the public. A Traditional Greek Dance Exhibition will be held at Cretan House “Omonoia” at 32-33 31st Street in Astoria on Saturday March 25 at 2 PM. More information on all the pre-parade events is available at hellenicsocieties.org.

LOWELL, MA – Pan Messinian Federation Greek Dance at Olympia’s Zorba Music Hall, 437 Market Street in Lowell on Saturday, Mar. 25 from 7 PM to 11 PM. Georgio Karatza and his orchestra Athenian Entertainment will be performing at the event. For reservations and more information, phone: 978-459-7652 or 978-569-7233.

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Mario Frangoulis Concert at Sanders Theatre Memorial Hall – Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street in Cambridge at 8 PM on Saturday, Mar. 25. Ticket information: boxoffice.harvard.edu, mariofrangoulis.com, or on Mario Frangoulis on Facebook. Phone: 617-547-4770. Prices: $95; $75; $65; $45, and $5 discounts available for Senior Citizens and Students for any ticket level. Groups of 10+ people are eligible for a 10% discount.

MARCH 26

MANHATTAN – The New York Greek Independence Day Parade will march up Fifth Ave. in Manhattan from 64^th to 79^th Streets on Sunday, Mar. 26 starting at 1:30 PM rain or shine, celebrating Greek heritage. More information is available at hellenicsocieties.org and by phone: (718) 204-6500.

DETROIT, MICH.
The Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Committee is announcing the date for this year’s annual parade, set for Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET, which marks the sixteenth year of celebrating Greece and Greek-American culture in Detroit.
The annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade features traditional Greek dancers and musicians, handmade floats by local schools and businesses, a variety of church and non-profit groups, collegiate groups and Michigan State University’s “Sparty”, characters from Detroit’s famous “Big Head Corp,” and more. More info: http://www.detroit.greekparades.com/

ASTORIA – The extremely popular Greek play, the Cockroach by Vassilis Mavrogeorgiou, starring Thodoris Petropoulos and Fanis Gkikas, is produced for the first time in New York. The Cockroach is the story of Ioanna, a small red cockroach who struggles to achieve her life goad: travel to the moon. Ioanna wanders around the sewers and dark allies, she is crossing the ocean, she is dancing and singing, she meets other insects, rodents and humans, while she has an unshakable faith in her great dream. In fact, faith is all she has. The performance is in Greek with English subtitles. Directed by Thodoris Petropoulos, the play features original music by Kostas Gakis. The Production Manager is Helen Driva. The show runs Friday, Mar. 3 to Sunday, Mar. 26. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 5 PM at The Greek Cultural Center, located at 26-80 30th St, Astoria, NY. For more information call 718-726-7329 or email info@greekculturalcenter.org. Tickets are $15 for Students, $25 General Admission and are available at brownpapertickets.com.

MARCH 27

MANHATTAN – 6-8pm: The Manhattan Chapter of AHEPA, Delphi 25, invites you to its Monthly Social & Networking event, which regularly takes place every last Monday of the month, at Kellari Taverna in NYC. All existing members and those interested in joining are invited to attend. Complimentary hors d’œuvres; cash bar. Please contact ahepa25.delphinyc@gmail.com for details.

MARCH 29

NEW YORK – 7-9pm: The Association of Greek American Professional Women (A.G.A.P.W.) invites you to its signature annual “Greek American Woman of the Year” Award Gala, honoring Dr. Miranda Kofinas, MD, President of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ladies Philoptochos Society, at 3 West Club in NYC. Please visit http://agapw.org/site/events for details.

MARCH 30

NEW YORK – 6pm: The East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) invites you to “The State of NYC Development, Design & Construction 2017 Spring Panel Discussion” at The Russian Tea Room in NYC. Please visit http://embca.com/event/the-state-of-nyc-development-design-construction-2017-spring-panel-discussion/?event_date=2017-03-30 for details.

THRU MAY 4

MANHATTAN – The A.S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies at NYU presents Greek Cinema Today Spring 2017 Film Series on Thursdays through May 4 at 6:30 PM at 12 Waverly Place, Room G-08, in Manhattan. Curated by Visiting Prof. Eleftheris Astrinaki, the series includes unique films such as Ludlow: Greek Americans During the Colorado Coal War directed by Leonidas Vardaros on March 9, The Lobster on March 23, Raw Material directed by Christos Karapelis on March 30, 4.1 Miles by Daphne Matziaraki and 722 TMX Engineer Battalion by Yannis Koufounikos on April 6, Spring Awakening on April 13, Golden Dawn: A Personal Affair on April 20, and Park on May 4. The film screenings are free and open to the public and include appearances by the filmmakers. More information is available at vt507@nyu.edu or (212) 998-3979.

MAY 18

MANHATTAN – On Thursday, May 18 at 6 PM HABA invites you to save the date for our 35th Anniversary and our Executive of the Year Award Dinner 2017, honoring Alexander Navab, Partner and Head of Americas Private Equity, KKR & Co. LP, at the Union League Club of New York. Details forthcoming at haba.org.

The post Going On appeared first on The National Herald.

By Steve Frangos

In 1898, Peter Vrinios arrived in Champaign, IL and quicker than it takes to tell the tale he rented a store near the local railroad station and opened a fully-appointed confectionery. Such was Vrinios’ success that very same year he also purchased the entire building. For the next 100 years the Vrinios family owned and worked out of that building.

As in all things truly Greek, the tale of Peter Vrinios and his family is complicated. Yet again as with all things Greeks it is an account of tradition in various forms that continues to this day. I offer this account in two forms first the material and then what I call the spirit.

In terms of material achievements by 1983, the Vriner building (an Americanization of the Vrinios name) complex was designated a historic building. Monuments to Greek-Americans can be found all across the United States.

Diverse in their expression, these monuments include statues, public buildings, pools, athletic fields, gardens, fountains, rooms, homes, plaques, straits, sports stadiums, war memorials, streets named after local Greeks (both in the forms of proper named thoroughfares and as honorable titled avenues), grave sites (inclusive of one cemetery named specifically for a local Greek), several sponge boats, islands (individual and group), public artwork, historic districts, at least one United States war ship, public parks, historical markers, and other commemorative sites specifically dedicated to the memories of Greek-Americans.

Over the years I have tried to not only identify these varying forms of monuments but to raise awareness that Greeks have been specifically so honored, literally all across the nation.

Among this vast collective is the Vriner Confectionery Building located at 55 Main Street in Champaign, Illinois. Today, this structure is on the National Registry of Historical Places. Once the history of Greek-American monuments is finally compiled a fully-illustrated chapter will have to be exclusively devoted to ice cream/candy/confectionery stores.

To its enduring shame, Greek-American Studies have yet to fully recognize let alone assess the bone-deep historical impact of such local Greek-owned businesses on the self-identity of Americans around the country. No more authoritative source into the American Imagination needs to be cited than Sinclair Lewis’ 1920 international recognized masterpiece of American fiction Main Street. As we learn in Lewis’ novel, among the stores found around every main square in any American rural town was the Greek immigrant-owned confectionery.

And what is perhaps even more infuriating for those who have a sure grasp of Greek-American history is that not all these businesses have disappeared. Just a handful of these ongoing family-owned businesses that you can walk into any day of the week would have to include (but is most certainly not limited to) Flesor’s Candy Kitchen (101 West Sale St. Tuscola, IL 61953); Costa’s Candies and Restaurant (112 North Cedar Ave. Owatonna, MN 55060); Temo’s Candy Company (495 W. Exchange St. Akron OH 44302); Voula’s Greek Sweets (439 Monroe Ave. Rochester NY 14607) and many, many others.

A Nomination Form for the National Register of Historic Places must be submitted to the Department of the Interior for every location. Within the nomination form are several pages devoted strictly to a concise account of the history and architectural significance of the structure. In this case Carol Bolton Betts researched and wrote the history and conditions of the building as she saw and learned of them in 1983.

“Vriner’s Confectionery is a historic confectionery store located at 55 Main Street in Champaign. The building was constructed in 1890 as a clothing store; Vriner’s opened in the building in 1898. One of five or six candy shops operating in Champaign at the turn of the century, Vriner’s was the longest-lived. The shop was located next to a vaudeville theater and near Champaign’s railroad station and it became popular with patrons of both. The store also led to an influx of Greek immigrants to Champaign, as Vriner’s promised jobs to many of the new immigrants. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 9, 1983. The confectionery store closed in 1997; while the Vriner family still makes candy, they no longer have a permanent storefront. A bar now occupies the building.”

Longtime residents and untolled numbers of college students each have their favorite memory/ies of Vriner’s Confectionery. Among the many framed tributes and autographed photographs of notables once found framed on the walls of the store was a 1983 column by the late film critic Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times. Ebert, an Urbana native, reminisces about going to Vriner’s regularly with fellow reporters when he worked at the News-Gazette in 1963.

Vriner’s also has its enduring place in the annuals of American confection history. On the Crawford County Illinois Historical Society webpage we find a historical overview of the Heath Candy Company (rootsweb.ancestry.com).

Speaking of a traveling salesman, “The most popular recipe he shared was for “Trail-Toffee” carried from an enterprise operated by some Greek candy-makers in Champaign. The Heath brothers took this recipe and developed it further. After several months of trial and error, the brothers declared their formula for “English Toffee” to be “America’s Finest.” The year was 1928.” The Greek Champaign makers referred to here were the Vriner’s.

As we here in the 2007 news account, “Vriner’s Confectionary: Age Old Sweet Makers without a Home,” by Seth Fein we hear more of this shop’s influence: “Legend is, during prohibition, Al Capone came to Vriner’s regularly to conduct business with his partners from St. Louis. It’s said that the chubby criminal would put away one, two, and sometimes three chocolate marshmallow sundaes while planning out heists and murders. It’s said that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt demanded a soda upon her arrival to Champaign in 1942. She proclaimed Vriner’s to be the finest she had ever had. Someone offered JFK a Vriner’s candy cane in 1960 during a campaign stop, lore has it; he scarfed it down faster than you could say ‘peppermint.’”

And another way to assess the strong local identification residents have with Vriner’s was the decision in 1972, by the then-up-and-coming Champaign/Urbana rock band REO Speedwagon to have their group photograph taken sitting at Vriner’s soda counter for their second album; entitled aptly enough, Two. As far as I can now determine this was the first appearance of a rock group with a Greek-American owned business. Phish’s 1992 album, “A Picture of Nectar” was released in 1992 on Electra with a picture of the Greek American restaurant owner as part of this album’s cover.

At some point Peter Vrinios and his immediate family moved to Florida. As far as I can tell, Vrinios has never stopped making candy – especially candy canes. Various online videos show Vrinios in Florida making and explaining the fine points of candy cooking at various temporary locations during the holiday season in “Vriner’s Candy Canes Parts 1-3” and “SNN Only Man in the USA Making Candy Canes by Hand is on the Suncoast.”

As we hear from Vrinios himself, he still possesses many of the tools from the original store including a cane burner, a copper kettle, utensils to stir the candy, a hook to twist the candy as well as a 3 by 8 foot marble slab measuring more than half a foot deep (which weighs roughly one ton). As Vrinios speaks, we can hear not just the factual details of the science of candy cooking but this man’s obvious love and determination to keep this sweet family tradition alive. No monument made of stone or steel could ever match such feelings, nor should it.

The post Vriner’s Confectionery: Another Sweet Greek-American Historical Tradition appeared first on The National Herald.

NEWARK, NJ – Emirates on Sunday commenced daily passenger service between Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai International Airport, via Athens International Airport.

“This new route will connect America’s largest metropolitan area and Dubai through one of Europe’s great capitals,” said Hubert Frach, Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West, Emirates.

Athens’ strong traffic volumes to/from the US, underpinned by the vibrant Greek-American community, signify the potential and the success of the route. We wish to our airline-partner all the best to this ground-breaking endeavor”, said Dr. Yiannis Paraschis, CEO, Athens International Airport.

At the same time, some 200 employees of Newark Liberty’s main carrier, United Airlines, gathered at the company’s behest inside Terminal B to protest the launch of service between Newark and Athens, Greece, by Emirates Airline, a state-owned airline of the United Arab Emirates, according to local media.

Last week, twenty-five members of the New York and New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter asking President Donald Trump to stop a Gulf-based airline from starting a roundtrip flight between Newark, New Jersey, and Athens this month, the latest salvo in a dispute over claims of unfair competition.

The letter released late Tuesday contends Emirates and other Gulf airlines have an unfair advantage over American air carriers because they receive billions in state subsidies, Associated Press reoprted.

“It is always a great pleasure to announce new air services, route expansions and partnerships at our airport,” said Diane Papaianni, the General Manager at Newark Liberty International Airport, accordin to Emirates press release.

“Emirates’ direct, year-round operations on the Athens-New York route is a spectacular development for the Athens’ market, enhancing its connectivity and presenting the traveling public with new travel options on Emirates’ excellent product.”, said Dr. Yiannis Paraschis, CEO, Athens International Airport.

“The United States is a priority market for Greece,” said Consul General of Greece in New York, Konstantinos Koutras. “Greece has experienced a double-digit increase in arrivals from the United States in the past two years. The establishment of the new direct flight Dubai-Athens-New York will significantly empower Greece’s appeal among the U.S. travel audience.”

United President Scott Kirby says Emirates will lose an estimated $25 million to $30 million annually on its Athens-Newark route.

Nevertheless, Emirates opened the route “to see what the U.S government will do,” Kirby said, in an interview to Forbes. “It feels like a test of the political will of the United States.”

The leading American airlines have said Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways have received billions of dollars in subsidies from their governments, allowing them to offer below-market fares and violating so-called open-skies treaties.

They say that allows the Gulf carriers to offer below-market fares, which could force American carriers to discontinue some routes and cut jobs.

Tuesday’s letter estimated that “for every long-haul route lost or foregone as a result of subsidized Gulf carrier competition, more than 1,500 American jobs are lost.”

Some smaller U.S. airlines, and some consumer advocates, have taken a different view and say the competition would lead to lower fares generally.

American, Delta and United asked Washington to open negotiations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, but the Obama administration didn’t take action before leaving office.

Kirby said United makes money on the route in the summer, but in the winter, demand is limited to about 100 passengers a day. Yet Emirates will operate a Boeing 777 seating 354 passengers.

“If they got 100% of the market, which of course they won’t, that’s less than a third of the seats on the airplane,” Kirby said. “That’s evidence that they are not focused on profitability. They are just focused on flying the airplane somewhere and having the government subsidize it.”

Emirates could fill the airplane if it lowers fares sufficiently, but “If you’re doing that, you are still losing money,” Kirby said.

Emirates and other state-owned Gulf carriers deny accusations they focus on stripping market share and driving out competition.

U.S. carriers worry Emirates’ entry will pull down fares on routes to Athens, a seasonal, vacation-driven market. United and Delta Air Lines Inc. operate flights from the New York area to Athens during the summer; seasonal flights from American Airlines Group Inc., leave from Philadelphia.

Emirates said the Greek government asked it to add the route. Aegean Airlines SA, the Greek flag carrier, doesn’t fly to the U.S. at all, WSJ reports.

The post Amid Protests Emirates Touches Down in Newark via Athens appeared first on The National Herald.

Jeff Inglis, The Conversation – (AP)Editor’s note: The following is a roundup of archival stories.

On March 14, or 3/14, mathematicians and other obscure-holiday aficionados celebrate Pi Day, honoring π, the Greek symbol representing an irrational number that begins with 3.14. Pi, as schoolteachers everywhere repeat, represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

What is Pi Day, and what, really, do we know about π anyway? Here are three-and-bit-more articles to round out your Pi Day festivities.

A silly holiday
First off, a reflection on this “holiday” construct. Pi itself is very important, writes mathematics professor Daniel Ullman of George Washington University, but celebrating it is absurd:

”

The Gregorian calendar, the decimal system, the Greek alphabet, and pies are relatively modern, human-made inventions, chosen arbitrarily among many equivalent choices. Of course a mood-boosting piece of lemon meringue could be just what many math lovers need in the middle of March at the end of a long winter. But there’s an element of absurdity to celebrating π by noting its connections with these ephemera, which have themselves no connection to π at all, just as absurd as it would be to celebrate Earth Day by eating foods that start with the letter “E.”

And yet, here we are, looking at the calendar and getting goofily giddy about the sequence of numbers it shows us.

There’s never enough
In fact, as Jon Borwein of the University of Newcastle and David H. Bailey of the University of California, Davis, document, π is having a sustained cultural moment, popping up in literature, film and song:

”

Sometimes the attention given to pi is annoying. On 14 August 2012, the U.S. Census Office announced the population of the country had passed exactly 314,159,265. Such precision was, of course, completely unwarranted. But sometimes the attention is breathtakingly pleasurable.

Come to think of it, pi can indeed be a source of great pleasure. Apple’s always comforting, and cherry packs a tart pop. Chocolate cream, though, might just be where it’s at.

Strange connections
Of course π appears in all kinds of places that relate to circles. But it crops up in other places, too – often where circles are hiding in plain sight. Lorenzo Sadun, a professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin, explores surprising appearances:

”

Pi also crops up in probability. The function f(x)=e-x², where e=2.71828… is Euler’s number, describes the most common probability distribution seen in the real world, governing everything from SAT scores to locations of darts thrown at a target. The area under this curve is exactly the square root of π.

It’s enough to make your head spin.

Historical pi
If you want to engage with π more directly, follow the lead of Georgia State University mathematician Xiaojing Ye, whose guide starts thousands of years ago:

”

The earliest written approximations of pi are 3.125 in Babylon (1900-1600 B.C.) and 3.1605 in ancient Egypt (1650 B.C.). Both approximations start with 3.1 – pretty close to the actual value, but still relatively far off.

By the end of his article, you’ll find a method to calculate π for yourself. You can even try it at home!

An irrational bonus
And because π is irrational, we’ll irrationally give you even one more, from education professor Gareth Ffowc Roberts at Bangor University in Wales, who highlights the very humble beginnings of the symbol π:

”

After attending a charity school, William Jones of the parish of Llanfihangel Tre’r Beirdd landed a job as a merchant’s accountant and then as a maths teacher on a warship, before publishing A New Compendium of the Whole Art of Navigation, his first book in 1702 on the mathematics of navigation. On his return to Britain he began to teach maths in London, possibly starting by holding classes in coffee shops for a small fee.

Shortly afterwards he published “Synopsis palmariorum matheseos,” a summary of the current state of the art developments in mathematics which reflected his own particular interests. In it is the first recorded use of the symbol π as the number that gives the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

What made him realize that this ratio needed a symbol to represent a numeric value? And why did he choose π? It’s all Greek to us.

The post 3.14 Essential Reads About Π for Pi Day appeared first on The National Herald.

ATHENS (ANA)- Twelve dynamic Greek startups will have the opportunity to present their products and services in the “Greek Booth” of South By Southwest (SXSW), one of the largest and most important innovation and technology conferences and festivals held annually in Austin, Texas, on March 10-19.

Greece’s participation is supported and funded by The Hellenic Initiative (THI) and the U.S. Embassy in Greece, with a grant of 50,000 euros.

“THI supports Greek startups, reaffirming its belief that entrepreneurship is a key element in building a new generation of creative and innovative business projects that can contribute to Greece’s future prosperity,” the initiative said in a press release.

The startups participate in this year’s SXSW conference are ASN.gr, Infitheon, Aspalis Concierge, InSybio, Athlenda, SIBA Soft, Centaur Technologies, Tactical Systems, Filmografik Productions, 100mentors, Hopwave and Boardmaps.

In the three previous years, through THI’s support, more than 80 Greek startups had the chance to participate in SXSW Interactive and commence a successful business course. Indicatively, online training and education company Schoox, has managed to raise a total 6.5 million dollars, further boosting and expanding its operations, currently employing over 40 employees in Thessaloniki.

Gridmates, an energy donation platform, received the second prize in 2015, for the U.S. Department of Energy in clean tech startups in the US, and was granted a prize of 105,000 dollars.

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Speakers and participants in the events are from the interactive, film, and music industries.

The post Twelve Promising Greek Startups Travelling to SXSW Conference in Texas appeared first on The National Herald.

By Eleni Sakellis

ASTORIA – The Federation of Dodecanese Societies USA celebrated the 69th anniversary of the unification with Greece on Sunday, March 12 at St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria.

The day began with the Divine Liturgy presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan of New Jersey Evangelos, a proud Kalymnian who spoke eloquently about the meaning of the day for all those from the Dodecanese and those who fought for the freedom and unification of the islands with the motherland Greece.

He noted that when his parents immigrated to the United States for a better life like so many Greeks, they also brought a piece of the Dodecanese with them, and he was raised with pride in his Greek and Dodecanese heritage.

His Eminence mentioned the many saints from the islands, including St. John the Theologian associated with Patmos, St. Savvas in Kalymnos, and St. Fanourios in Rhodes.

Metropolitan Evangelos noted the strong emotions of the day and the special nature of our islands, and that it is also a holy day and thanked God for it, quoting the words of the King of Greece at the time who said that the day of unification with Greece was paid for with many tears and much blood, and the Greek spirit is not only present in the islands, but the Dodecanese is Ellas, it was and always will be Greece.

Taking up national issues, the traditions, language, and faith in the Orthodox Church, the people of the Dodecanese even if we are far away, we can still smell the Aegean Sea, and feel the Greek sun shining on us, all this the community has bestowed on its children.

Long live Greece, and long live the islands of the Dodecanese. Metropolitan Evangelos thanked those in attendance including the Consul General of Greece in New York, Konstantinos Koutras, Consul of Greece Manos Koubarakis, Dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral Fr. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, President of the Federation of Dodecanese Societies George Andriotis, and then led the congregation in the singing of the Greek National Anthem.

The celebration continued after the church services with a reception and presentation in the Petros G. Patrides Cultural Center of St. Demetrios. Also in attendance at the event were the Federation of Dodecanese Societies Vice President John Sakellis of Kos and his wife Nancy, St. Demetrios School Board President Nick Andriotis, and from Greece, the Mayor of Nisyros Christofis Koronaios. John Sakellis welcomed everyone to the event and asked Metropolitan Evangelos to lead the prayer to start the event.

The National Anthems of the United States and Greece were sung by talented soprano Flora Kirou.

The President of the Federation George Andriotis then spoke about the history of the Dodecanese, going back to ancient times, noting that the islands have always been a part of Greece and kept the language and traditions throughout their turbulent history.

The islands are mentioned in Homer’s Iliad as part of the Greek forces who fought against the Trojans in the Trojan War. Andriotis noted the contribution of Greek-Americans to the fight for freedom and unification with Greece from the earliest Dodecanese Society efforts in the 1910’s, 20’s, and 30’s against the Italian rule at the time and throughout World War II. The Greeks of the Diaspora have done a great deal for the Dodecanese, and though the situation is better today, there is still more help needed for our islands.

Above all, the Greek language and culture is what our ancestors fought for, he said, and what we owe them is to continue the fight.

Keynote speaker and Mayor of Nisyros Christofis Koronaios spoke in detail about the struggle for unification with Greece, noting the high literacy rate in the Dodecanese which continued to maintain the Greek language and culture throughout and in spite of occupations over the centuries. He noted that the light of culture and language remains lit by efforts of the Diaspora as well and may the islands always remain free and Greek.

Consul General of Greece Konstantinos Koutras noted that the Dodecanese are at the crossroads and bear the heavy burden of the refugee crisis, and those Greeks in the United States are uniquely positioned to help form the new administration’s foreign policy when we see an angry and threatening Turkey not only in relation to Greece but the EU as well in recent news. Greece, he noted, is holding back the gates, like the Spartans at Thermopylae. Koutras quoted Thomas Jefferson, “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.”

The event continued with the singing of the Dodecanese anthem by Melinda Tziropoulou, a poem on the unification recited by Maria-Spiliani Karpathiou, and the poem Hymn of the Dodecanese Youth recited by Vasilis Michaelides.

The celebration concluded with traditional dances performed by dancers in the unique traditional costumes from the islands of Symi, Tilos, Kalymnos, Nisyros, and Leros. The entire Dodecanese Youth dance group then joined together to perform the final Dodecanese sousta. Many of the attendees and members of the various societies also joined the dance including John Sakellis who performed with grace and skill. The music was performed by Andreas Goustas on lyra and John Themelis on laouto.

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BY STEVE FRANGOS

James Doumakes (1879-1956) was a Greek immigrant candymaker who eventually established a business and a family in Los Angeles, CA. As with so many aspects of the Greek-American experience, the average American knows more about James Doumakes than does the average Greek-American. Doumakes and his descendants are known the world over and especially by residents of Southern California as well as individuals in the confectionary business. How the accomplishments of this notable family became lost to Greek-America given their level of success is more than a little surprising.

Like all those of his generation and chosen profession, Doumakes made candy entirely by hand. But he was deeply dissatisfied with this most basic requirement of his daily trade. His solution to finding a new way to make candy solved a fundamental problem that dated back quite literally to Ancient Egypt.

By 1900, Doumakes arrived in the United States and was presumably soon plying his trade as a confectioner. We do know that by 1914, Doumakes had a partner, cited in the available documents only as Coulures. We read that “in 1914, Doumakes & Coulures leased a store at 314 W. Seventh Street in Los Angeles for the purpose of candy manufacturing. In a Los Angeles City Directory from that year, James Doumakes’ occupation was listed as candy maker. The business section of a 1922 city directory listed James “Doumak” under the heading “Confectioners—Manufacturers and Wholesalers” at 1739 W. 22nd Street, with his residence across the street at 1722 W. 22nd Street. The company moved sometime after 1922 and by 1928 was located at 711 E. Jefferson Boulevard…The marshmallow company remained at the location on Jefferson Boulevard for an indeterminate number of years, before the company moved from Los Angeles in 1961(doumakeshouse.com).”

Curiously, Doumakes’ life sees episodic outlines not in a history devoted to his accomplishments as a confectioner, but for the various pieces of property that he once owned or built. “Most of the other buildings in Los Angeles associated with Doumakes and with the Doumakes Marshmallow Company (and its predecessors) have been demolished. The commercial building in which the business was located in the 1920s on 22nd Street was demolished by 1964, when the entire north side of the street was cleared for the construction of Interstate 10. The building where the company was located in its earliest years before Doumakes established his own business specializing in marshmallows at 711 E. Jefferson Boulevard was demolished sometime between 1972 and 1980. Of the historical buildings associated with the Doumakes family and its marshmallow business, only the family house on 22nd Street and the View Park house at 4918 Angeles Vista Blvd remain (doumakeshouse.com).”

On April 8, 2016, the Doumakes family home was officially declared as became the First Historic Home (Landmark #1) in Unincorporated Los Angeles County. The Doumakes family occupied this residence from 1928 until 1958. According to the 1930 U.S. Census, Doumakes had married a woman who is only identified as Maria, and the couple had four sons John, Alexander, Milton, and Arthur, as well as one daughter, Frances.

For a family that was to accomplish so much, there is little to no agreement in public documents in terms of the calendar dates when key business-related events took place. It is said that the Doumakes Marshmallow Company, was founded in Los Angeles in 1921. At least two patents associated with the production of marshmallows were issued in 1928 and another issued sometime in the 1950s, with dates varying from 1954 to 1958. In some accounts, Doumakes shares the patent credits with his son Alexander and in other accounts Alexander (b. 1912) is cited as the sole inventor.

But let us step back a minute to provide some background on what the Doumakes clan has really accomplished. A confection made from the marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) plant’s root is said to date back to Ancient Egypt, where the recipe called for extracting sap from the plant and mixing it with nuts and honey. Another pre-modern recipe uses the pith of the marshmallow plant, rather than the sap. The stem was peeled back to reveal the soft and spongy pith, which was boiled in sugar syrup and dried to produce a soft, chewy confection.

James Doumakes would cook his version of a marshmallow confection and pour the mixture into a cast mold where it took up to 24 hours to properly set. Obviously with this kind of time intensive aspect to the manufacture of marshmallows they were a very expensive and not often made confection. In 1932, Doumakes’ business was specified as “marshmallow manufacturing,” and by 1934, the listing was “Doumakes’ Marshmallow Co.,” with James and his son Alexander listed as owners with Alexander further cited as “foreman.”

As reported in The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets, “In 1954, Alex Doumakes, of the American marshmallow company Doumak, invented an extrusion process by which marshmallows were forced through a chute and cut to their desired size. The innovation reduced the time required to make a marshmallow from 24 hours to 1 hour (Darra Goldstein, ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015: 431).” The upshot of this new method of mass-producing marshmallows is that the extrusion process was the breakthrough that allowed the mass production of marshmallows in a cost-efficient manner. Marshmallows went from being an expensive confection to an everyday sweet treat and favorite ingredient for many recipes. There is no debate about it the Doumakes Company is credited with making the marshmallow a household treat.

In 1961, Alexander Doumakes moved the family company to its current location 1004 Fairway Drive in Bensenville, IL just outside Chicago. In 2003, Doumak acquired the Campfire brand and the Rocky Mountain brand and opened its second manufacturing facility at 2201 Touhy Ave, in Elk Grove, yet another suburb of Chicago. As Doumak Inc. describes itself: “It is a family-owned company that operates multiple manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. The company offers its products under the Campfire, Fireside and Rocky Mountain labels, as well as under various other private labels. Doumak also produces pork skin and fish gelatin marshmallows for customers who are on a halal diet. It exports Rock Mountain and Campfire products to more than 30 countries throughout the world. The company’s clients include industrial food manufacturers, schools, recreational centers, bars, restaurants and other confectionery outlets (nca.myindustrytracker.com).”

All that Doumak, Inc. produces today are marshmallow products. There are three major marshmallow manufacturers in the United Sates: Favorite Brands International (manufacturers for Kraft brand marshmallows), Doumak, Inc., and Kidd & Company. Together, they produce the approximately 90 million pounds of marshmallows consumed annually. According to the National Confectioners Association, Americans consume more marshmallows than any other nation, buying more than 90 million pounds annually (www.country-magazine.com). Doumak Inc. profits circle around 50 million a year.

Each summer, more than 50% of the marshmallows are toasted over a fire. As such, August 30 is National Toasted Marshmallow Day, a fitting celebration for the last official weekend of the summer.

The next time you sit around the campfire with your non-Greek friends, be sure to tell them the tale of the Doumakes family and how they eventually mastered the marshmallow – for all to enjoy.

The post The Doumakes Family: Grand Masters of the Marshmallow appeared first on The National Herald.

WOODSIDE, NY – Borough President Melinda Katz, Council Member Costa Constantinides, and Schools Construction Authority (SCA) President Lorraine Grillo announced on Monday, March 13 that all 11 Transportable Classroom Units, or trailers, will be removed from the PS 151 playground. They were joined by the Department of Education (DOE) Deputy Chancellor Elizabeth Rose, PS 151 Principal Maisonet, PS Q255 Principal Richard Marowitz, parents, and concerned citizens.

Originally built as temporary units to house students due to overcrowding, classroom trailers have become a serious challenge to educators and students. They frequently lack adequate lighting, ventilation, heat, and bathrooms. Many trailers were built to be in service for a decade but most continue to be used for years after their original expiration date. The placement of trailers also renders many schoolyards less useful for outdoor physical activity.

Constantinides and Katz repeatedly heard from constituents, parents, educators, and students about the need to remove the trailers from PS 151 and reopen the playground for physical activity. They made their removal a key priority and worked collaboratively with the SCA to make this a reality.

At its April policy meeting, the Panel for Educational Policy will vote to approve the re-siting of PS Q255, which is co-located at PS 151’s building but occupies the trailers in the playground. The re-siting provides Q255 students with permanent instructional space and improved learning conditions at the PS Q397 building and increase outdoor space for PS 151 students.

There is currently only a Pre-K program at Q397, sight of the former Most Precious Blood Catholic School, and this re-siting would better utilize space at Q397. All instructional and extracurricular activities offered to Q255 students would continue at the new permanent, long-term learning space. There is enough space at Q397 for a projected enrollment of about 100 students.

Constantinides said, “Our community has long advocated for the removal of trailers from the PS 151 playground to create more much-needed outdoor space and to find a permanent learning space for Q255 students. We have been working with our partners Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and SCA President Lorraine Grillo to find a long-term solution.

Our students require permanent educational space that’s indoors, rather than in temporary units or trailers. All children should have adequate recreational and playground space. I am proud that this plan will improve the learning conditions for Q255 students and better utilize space at Q397 and the PS 151 playground. I thank Queens Borough President Katz, SCA, Department of Education, Councilman Dromm and all our partners for their dedication to keep the promise to remove these trailers and provide a solution to this decades-old dilemma.”

“Classroom trailers should never be a permanent solution to school overcrowding,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “We are thrilled for the students and teachers of PS 255 who will be able to resume in real school buildings. Thank you to the School Construction Authority for prioritizing the removal of classroom trailers for our kids.”

“Today marks a great moment for both the PS 151 community and the students of PS Q255. By removing the Transportable Classroom Units (TCU’s), we will be able to bring new and needed play space online for the students at PS. 151 to enjoy as well as ensuring that the students of PS Q255 have a new permanent home that meets their needs” said, Lorraine Grillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority. “Thanks to our strong partnerships with local leaders, parents, and community members, we were able to make this day a reality.”

DOE Deputy Chancellor Elizabeth Rose said, “We are thrilled to support two schools today by providing PS 255 students with improved facilities and removing the TCUs from the outdoor space at PS 151, and look forward to continuing to work closely with families throughout this process. This is part of our ongoing work to remove TCUs and we remain dedicated to continuing this work across the City.”
“The PS Q255 school community is thrilled to be moving into a new building.

The school staff is dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education and ensuring the needs of every student are met. The new facility will provide additional resources and opportunities for the school community and we’re grateful to the DOE, SCA, Councilman Constantinides and BP Katz for their support,” said Principal Marowitz.

Council Member Costa Constantinides represents the New York City Council’s 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria along with parts of Woodside, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights. He serves as the chair the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee and sits on six additional committees: Civil Service & Labor, Contracts, Cultural Affairs, Oversight & Investigations, Sanitation, and Transportation. For more information, visit council.nyc.gov/costa.

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