FROM COAST TO COAST
WASHINGTON, DC – GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, Chief Anchor of ABC News and host of that network’s Sunday morning political show THIS WEEK is now the senior anchor among the Sunday morning non-cable network shows, considering that CHUCK TODD took over for DAVID GREGORY on NBC’s MEET THE PRESS a little over a year ago, and JOHN DICKERSON replaced CBS’ longtime FACE THE NATION host BOB SCHIEFFER, who retired this summer.
But Stephanopoulos has yet to capitalize on his seniority, trailing both his CBS and NBC counterpart. He was in second place behind Schieffer when Gregory hosted Meet the Press. Unable to fill the shoes of TIM RUSSERT, who led the Sunday morning shows by an overwhelming margin until his untimely death in June 2008, Gregory was unable to retain the show’s popularity, and was replaced last year by Scott.
Nonetheless, Stephanopoulos’ provocative questions to top-ranking politicos have kept him within striking distance of both Dickerson and Scott, overall and particularly regarding the all-important 27-54 age demographic.
Also, when factoring into the equation that Face the Nation is only ranked for its first half hour (because unlike the other two, the full 60 minutes is shown in only about half the country), its numbers are somewhat inflated, making the competition among the three network shows even tighter.
The Fox News Channel’s CHRIS WALLACE is a distant fourth, easily leading the cable networks and showing the most growth overall.
BRONX, NY – The Pelham Bay-based pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade school GREEK AMERICAN INSTITUTE recently celebrated its twelfth annual READER’S DAY, dedicated to the principles of Hellenism, the Pelham Bay Times reported. The attendees included NYC Councilman COSTA CONSTANTINIDES, authors GUS CONSTANTINE< EFFIE KAMMENOU and NICK KATSORIS, and writer/producer YVETTE MANESSIS CORPORON.
As the Times reported: Katsoris explained the central theme of his book LOUKOUMI: “to believe in yourself and what you want to do” and he had “students actively reciting the recurring mantra in the story, believe in yourself and dreams come true during his reading.
“Constantine, a Lehman High School Class of 1974 alum and former truck driver, read from his historical non-fiction novel Escaping Cyprus, where 12-year old Haji witnesses the brutal atrocities committed by Turkish soldiers invading his Cypriot village in 1974 and struggles to survive as he and his 27-year old school teacher Rebecca flee their village.
“‘I spoke with the 8th graders today and what I emphasized more than anything else was that the biggest negativity I experienced was when I told people I was writing a book. I told them ‘don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything’ whether it’s academically or professionally,” the Times reported.
Kammenou, who wrote Evanthia’s Gift, discussed with sixth graders the premise of living in a world devoid of emotion,” the Times reported.
“I wanted to get their take on how they would feel if they didn’t have to deal with any pain or suffering especially with what’s going on in the world today and if that was a good trade off; not having any joy and not having any pain or suffering either. I did a little reading, but did more discussion with them which I felt was much better for them because it was more of a give and take.”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – “CANAL BISTRO” in Indianapolis may not scream “Greek Restaurant” but a closer look reveals that in fact it is – and broadens its appeal with a nontraditional “Greek-sounding” name. Actually, its cuisine is officially listed as Mediterranean. The owners, in fact, have Egyptian and Lebanese roots, but the reviews are top-notch for the Greek specialties, including DOLMADES stuffed with rice, chick peas, and tomatoes. Another favorite delicacy is the FETA grilled with onions, cucumbers, and KALAMATA olives. In addition to other distinctively Greek classics, such as the appetizer SAGANAKI and the entre MOUSSAKA, there are a variety of broader Mediterranean fares that render Canal more diverse in its offerings than the traditional Greek restaurant. But as the YELP reviews suggest by Greek-Americans, the authenticity of their Greek favorites is not lacking. Particularly complimentary are reviews by Greeks visiting Indianapolis, who say Canal is just as good as “my favorite Greek restaurant back home.”
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