Oct 2009 issue

INSIDE
The Elios Society announces
its 2009 Hellenic Charity Ball
honorees
Ancient Greek Theater
returns
page 12
page 4
W E S T E R N G R E E K A M E R I C A N N E W S M O N T H LY
V O L . X X X V, N O . 1 0 Mr. and Mrs. Fanis Economidis
The Elios Society
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Frangadakis
Mr. and Mrs. John Gumas
Leo Paul Koulos
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Laliotis
Mr. and Mrs. George M. Marcus
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Padis
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony T. Saris
The Andy and Kathy Varlow Charitable Fund
Constance D. Vrionis
Mr. and Mrs. Gary M. Vrionis
Patricia Aleck
Senator Elaine Alquist
Brad and Sue Ball
Mike and Betty Economy
Kenneth Frangadakis, D.D.S.
Isidoros and Maria Garifalakis
Dean and Paula Gassoumis
Louie and Peggy Jo Gundunas
Drs Anthony and Maria Limberakis
John G. Meniktas
Harry and Agopie Pappas
George and JoAnn Sakaldasis
John and Anita Savides
OCTOBER 2009
Thank you
for
John and Elaine Grillos
your
Frosene P. Maniatis
generous
Greek TV
Dr. Nick and Nancy Vidalakis
support!
Archbishop Iakovos – Leadership
100 Endowment Fund, Inc.
Peter N. Allison
Mike and Carol Anton
Clifford and Theodora Argue
Carpet Contractors, Inc.
Dimitri Charalambous
Nick C. Chiotras
J.P. Copoulos, Architect
Dr. and Mrs. James S. Counelis
Bill and Jaci Daskarolis
Constantine Farmans
Gus and Helen Franco
George and Kay Frangadakis
Helen K. Georgilas
John and Pat Georgiou
Holy Transfiguration Greek
Orthodox Church – Alaska
Annie Huntalas Drakos
Gumas Advertising
John T. John
Dr. James and Virginia Kallins
Mr. and Mrs. Terry I. Kastanis
Cecelia M. Koplos
Antonios M. Kounalakis
Zara Kouris
Fr. Stephen and Pres. Aliki
Kyriacou and Family
Michael D. Lagios, M.D.
Jim and Virginia Lagiss
Helen L. Lambros
Tom Lazarakis
Theodore and Angie Leventis
Paul and Mary Ann Mallis
Mr. and Mrs. George S. Marinos
Sophie and Tony Mastor
Gus Matthews
Dean and Ingrid Meniktas
Mary and Kostas Milionis
Melanie Mountanos
Alex and Helen Nickols
Gary E. Pagonis, D.D.S.
Gina Papan
Dino Patas
Paul and Shirley Peters
Gus and Marie Petris
Perry and Sophia Potiris
Alice Ravetti
Alex Rigopoulos
Gene Rossides
Nick and Joy Tamaras
Nick Tentes and Joanne Bortoli
S. Tryphonas
Dean, Dena and Fotis Valavanis
E. Vlahandreas
Jim and Argie Vlamis
Joan C. Ball
Mary Karsant
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Bertolina
Despina Kokalis
Dr. and Mrs. John B. Cladis
Peter and Athena Konstan and
Family
Anastasia Conomos Condas –
Eternal Be Her Memory
Paul Kosaris
Helen “Kelly” Daugherty
Anthony D. Kouzounis
Rev. and Mrs. Constantine
Efstathiu
John Lingas, M.D.
Andrew E. Efstratis
Epsilon Fine Greek Restaurant
Peter Fettis
Fotine’s Simply Greek Cafe
Market and Deli
Bill and Connie Geranios
John Gigounas and Ann
Gigounas
Dorothy Glaros
John F. Gregory, Ph.D
Katherine Johns
Irene Mullin
Tom and Krisoula Natsues
Gregory and Mary Pantages
Rev. Thomas J. and Presbytera
Vaso Paris
Nicholas and Mary Prepouses
Andrew and Niki Saffas
Stephen N. Saribalis, D.D.S.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Stevens
Adrienne and Nick Verreos
Kurt and Garifalia Zeissig
2
Hellenic Journal October 2009
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October 2009 Hellenic Journal
3
contents
Hellenic Charity Ball returns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Letter from the Editor
Celebrating Greekness, Discovering
his Opa, Kids on the Block
HJ ‘09 Donor Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Dear Readers:
St. Photios Essay Contest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Every two years the Elios Society presents its Hellenic
Charity Ball, a first-class event which honors prominent
Frosene
Greek-Americans in the arts and entertainment industry
Phillips
for their professional and civic achievements, and who best
Editor
exemplify the spirit, values and ideals of Hellenism.
The 2009 Hellenic Charity Ball is slated to take place in November at
the historic Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and, once again, the Elios
Society has announced an impressive group of honorees – George Chakiris,
Michael Chiklis, Nicholas Gage and Marilu Henner. Additionally,
American born and European acclaimed singer Kalomira will be recognized
for her singing talent. The evening will be swiftly guided through with entertaining personality and Mistress of Ceremonies Maria Menounos. For more
details on the event and the honorees, please turn to page 4.
In keeping with the entertainment industry, actor Matthew Modine’s
new film Opa opens this month and the HJ’s Mavis Manus caught
up with him. “While I wanted to do this film because it is a good oldfashioned romantic comedy,” said Modine, “it’s also true that I jumped at
the opportunity to travel to Greece where I’d never been before.” The actor
spent three months on the island of Patmos. For the complete story, turn
to page 8.
Aliki Stilianos’ life in teaching included a stint in Japan where she
taught dependent children of Navy personnel at a Navy base. “The children were so worldly, self motivated and well behaved,” said Stilianos, “like
little sponges soaking up everything I brought their way.”
Little would she know that those early seeds planted in her career would
lead her on a journey which would continue to offer inspiration and gifts
for children. “While still actively working as a liaison for the physically
disabled and their teachers, she saw the Kids on the Block program, a
puppet show of 3 1/2 foot puppets which, through skits and stories, shared
the lives of disabled children,” writes Mavis in her Southern California Notes
column. Stilianos was hooked and she did something about it. For her
delightful story, please see page 14.
On a personal note, once again, I offer thanks to our supporters who
grace the cover this month by contributing to the Hellenic Journal, your
voice that continues to keep the Hellenic spirit alive through informing
and uniting our Greek American community.
Efharisto!
Maria Menounos to emcee
Hellenic Charity Ball
page 4
Trojan Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
News from Greece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Orthodox News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Greek Festivals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
FDF Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Did You Say Dance?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Matthew Modine discovers
his OPA
page 8
Southern California Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Northwest and Pacific Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
In Memoriam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Business Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
On the cover:
Razia Israely in “The Dentist”
page 14
Socrates, Aristotle, Homer, Plato and Aesop. Cover
design by Tula Asselanis. Please see page 5 for
more information.
PRINTING
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& MARKETING
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business identity ::: specialty projects
trade show graphics and exhibits
858.292.6070
www.getartworx.com
4
Hellenic Journal October 2009
Hellenic Charity Ball 2009
Elios Society gala to honor four
Greek-American celebrities
Founded in 1975
Board of Directors
• Fanis Economidis, President
• John Gumas, Vice President
• Ted Laliotis, Secretary
• Anthony T. Saris, CPA, Treasurer
• Kenneth Frangadakis, D.D.S.
• George M. Marcus
• Steve Padis
• Gary M. Vrionis
Managing Editor
• Frosene Phillips
Advisory Editorial Board
• Rev. John Bakas, Dean,
St. Sophia Cathedral
• Robert Bruce, Community
Newspapers, Editor Emeritus
• George Korkos, M.D.
• Markos Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis,
Journalist
• Virginia Lagiss, Educator
• Mort Levine, Community Newspapers,
Publisher
• Professor Pan Yotopoulos
The Hellenic Journal
Founder and Publisher,
the late Frank Agnost
Athens Correspondents
• Greg Mazarakis
• Alekos Rigas
U.S. Correspondents
• Theodora Dracopoulos Argue
• Athan Karras
• Mavis Manus
Special Correspondents
•Athan Bezaitis
• Ceil Koplos
• Dena Kouremetis • Virginia Lagiss
• Willard Manus
• Terry Phillips
Greek Language Advisor
• Elena Vlahu
Art Director
• Tula Asselanis
Advertising
• Yvonne Banis
• Teresa Basham
• Angie Leventis
Administrative Director
• Joanna Phillips
THE HELLENIC JOURNAL
is published monthly for
$40 per year by the
Western Hellenic Journal, Inc.,
a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation,
99 Shotwell Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Western Hellenic Journal, Inc.
© 2009 All rights reserved.
Contact Info & Address Changes
The Hellenic Journal,
455 Canyon Del Rey Road, PMB 305
Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940-5705
Tel: 831-899-3699 • Fax: 831-899-3799
Web: www.hellenicjournal.org
Email: [email protected]
Deadlines
Editorial Submissions and Advertising
Space Reservations & Copy
Due: First of every month for the next
month, i.e., 10/1/09 for November.
The Hellenic Journal cannot assume
responsibility for unsolicited items. The
HJ does not necessarily agree with the
opinions expressed herein nor is it to be held
responsible for facts as presented by authors
and/or advertisers.
T
he Elios Society
announced details
regarding the upcoming
Hellenic Charity Ball,
scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7
at the historic Fairmont Hotel
on Nob Hill. The Ball provides
an opportunity to formally
celebrate Hellenic culture by
honoring Greek-Americans
for their professional and civic
achievements, and who best
exemplify the spirit, values
and ideals of Hellenism. This
year’s honorees will include
four distinguished and awardwinning Greek-Americans:
George Chakiris Michael
Chiklis, Nicholas Gage, and
Marilu Henner. Greek American
singer Kalomira will receive
the Elios Spotlight Award.
Television personality Maria
Menounos will serve as Mistress
of Ceremonies.
Widely regarded as one of
the premiere Hellenic charitable
events in the nation, the
Hellenic Ball began in 1997 and
is presented biennially by the
Elios Society. This elegant blacktie affair attracts a veritable
Who’s Who of the GreekAmerican community with more
than 750 attendees from across
the nation.
Proceeds from the Hellenic
Charity Ball provide financial
support for select Bay Area
organizations dedicated to the
promotion and preservation of
Hellenic culture and heritage,
which this year includes “The
Eye of the Painter: Ancient
Greek Pottery Art,” a project
in conjunction with The Legion
of Honor Fine Arts Museums of
San Francisco in Spring 2010.
The Ancient Art Collection
includes over one hundred
examples representing most
periods of Greek pottery art
from prehistoric to the end of
the classical age, including a vase
which will be featured in the
November HJ.
“The Elios Society is proud
of this collaboration with The
Legion of Honor Fine Arts
Museum,” said Elios Society
President Fanis Economidis.
“The exhibit will focus on a
lesser known aspect of Greek
culture, and we are delighted
to be able to facilitate this. We
are also proud to announce this
year’s honorees, four individuals
who have distinguished
themselves in the Arts and
Communications, and who have
brought honor and pride to the
Greek American community.”
This year’s Ball will begin
with a festive cocktail reception
at 6 p.m. at the Fairmont
Hotel’s Terrace and Vanderbilt
Rooms, followed by a sumptuous
dinner at 7 p.m. in the ornate
Grand Ballroom. During
the dinner, this year’s four
honorees will be lauded for
their work and leadership in a
highly choreographed awards
Lolonis Winery’s Greek Heritage
Vineyards are going on their 90th year!
Certified Organically Grown and Unfiltered
Recognized by Wall Street Journal for “Orpheus” as top Petite Sirah in US
About this event
presentation.
The
What: Hellenic Charity Ball
evening will
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, Reception 6 pm,
continue
Dinner 7 pm
with lively
entertainment
Where: Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
provided by
Honoring: George Chakiris, Michael Chiklis,
the acclaimed
Nicholas Gage, Marilu Henner
10-member
Also featuring Kalomira and Mistress of
dance band,
Ceremonies Maria Menounos
Encore,
a group
Tickets: 415-561-9214
produced by
Info: elios.org
the renowned
Dick Bright,
Story that brought him into the
offering up music from the
spotlight, first as Riff, leader of
1940s Swing Era through the
the Jets in London’s West End
Motown Sound, ‘70s Disco and
production,
more. Guests
and then as
will be further
Bernardo,
entertained by
leader of the
the popular
Sharks in
Greek quartet,
the movie
Mediterranean
version,
Soul, providing
which won
the perfect
him an
musical nightcap
Academy
to the Hellenic
Award and
spirit.
Golden
The Honorees:
Globe Award
Academy
for Best
Award-winning
Supporting
George Chakiris
actor George
actor. The
Chakiris has established an
son of immigrant Greek parents,
international career in film,
he was born in Ohio, and raised
television and theater. His
in both Arizona and California.
acting, singing and dancing
He made his film debut at
credits include two-dozen films,
the age of 14 in MGM’s Song
several acclaimed mini-series
of Love, starring Katharine
in Europe and Japan, BBC
HELLENIC CHARITY BALL
performances and concert tours
continued on page 5
worldwide. But it was West Side
John Hatzidakis
Ted Learakos
Kostas Hatzidakis
“Financing Homes to
Hamburgerstands”
Since 1984
Join Our Wine Club and
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Supporting Greeks and Greek Americans
All Across North America
Visit us online at www.Lolonis.com
1401 N. Tustin Avenue, Suite 155 • Santa Ana, California 92705
(714) 547-3444 • [email protected]
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
has been
Bunnies (2000); the
best college
interviewed
independent film
journalist in
on BBC. She
Lost In the Pershing
the country.
won “Best
Point
Hotel
(2000);
He has since
New Artist” at
Gone
But
Not
written for
the LifeStyle
Forgotten
(2004);
the Associated
Awards in
Love Rules (2004);
Press, the
2004, and
Boston Herald Joint Custody
is currently
(2005); Governor’s
Traveler, the
Honoree: Michael Chiklis
hosting the
Wife (2008). On
Wall Street
show “Big
Broadway she
Journal and The New York
Hepburn. Other notable stars
In Japan” in
created the role
Times. His first book Eleni,
with whom he has appeared
Greece.
of Marty in the
about his mother, was a multiinclude Yul Brynner, Richard
Reporter,
original production
award winner, and became a
Widmark, Charlton Heston,
actress and
of Grease; Donna
motion picture starring John
Dirk Bogarde and Lana Turner.
singer, Maria
in Over Here with
Malkovich and Kate Nelligan.
In his spare time Chakiris has
Elios
Spotlight
Award:
Menounos
the
Andrews
Sisters
His subsequent books include A
created a line of Sterling Silver
Kalomira
who will serve
and John Travolta;
Place for Us, Hellas, and Greece,
jewelry which debuted in Japan
as
Mistress
of
Ceremonies
at the
the
revival
of
Pal
Joey;
and
the
in 2008, and will be available in Land of Light a collaboration
Ball,
is
a
special
correspondent
comedy
Social
Security.
She
later
with photographer Barry Brukoff
the U.S this fall.
for Access Hollywood, the
starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago
and Greek Fire, The Story of
Michael Chiklis is
entertainment newsmagazine.
(1997) then played the title role
Maria Callas and Aristotle
best known for his role as
She joined NBC in 2005 to serve
in the National Tour of Annie
Onassis which is also slated to
Detective Vic Mackey in the
as the West Coast Contributor
Get Your Gun (2000); prior to
be a film starring Eva Mendes.
groundbreaking drama The
for Today, to report for Access
returning to Broadway as the
Shield, a role which won him the Gage has used his skills to
and, more recently, NBC Nightly
sensual seductress Lee in Tale
defend Greek rights throughout
Television Critics Association
News with Brian Williams. She
of the Allergist’s Wife (2003). A
the world. Founder and first
Award, an Emmy and a Golden
has appeared in several movies
multiple
president of the
Globe. He played the title role
New York and television sitcoms, and
World Council of
on The Commish from 1991
was selected as one of People
Times
Epirotes, former
– 96, and also guest starred in
Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful.”
best
president of
several popular series such as
Menounos hosted and sang at the
selling
the Panepirotic
Miami Vice, L.A. Law, Murphy
annual 2006 Eurovision Music
author
Federation and
Brown, and Seinfeld. On film,
and health Competition Awards in Athens
an active member
he starred as John Belushi in
to a European audience of 600
advocate
of AHEPA,
the controversial film Wired,
million viewers. Her coverage of
(marilu.
Leadership 100 and
and his other credits include
the AIDS virus in South Africa
com),
the Order of St.
the horror thriller Rise opposite
inspired her to dedicate herself
Henner
Andrew, Gage was
Lucy Liu, The Tax Man, Do Not
to charity work and to create
has
made an Archon of
Disturb opposite William Hurt
the non-profit, Take Action
changed
the Patriarchate 12
and Jennifer Tilly, Last Request
Hollywood! (TAH!).
millions
years ago and given
and Body and Soul, Fantastic
The Elios Society was founded
of lives
a title that reflects
Four and it’s sequel Fantastic
Honoree: Marilu Henner
in 1994, and is comprised of 75
from the
both his work and
Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
distinguished Greek-Americans
eight
books
she
has
written
on
his life: Didaskalos Tou Genous—
On Broadway Chiklis starred in
from the San Francisco Bay Area.
health,
fitness,
and
lifestyle.
the one-man show Defending the Teacher of Generations.
The mission of the organization is
The
Elios
Spotlight
Award
will
Actress, author, and singer
Caveman.
to preserve and promote the spirit,
go to Kalomira, an American
Marilu Henner is best known
Writer and investigative
values and ideals of Hellenic culture
singer of Greek descent who
for her Emmy winning classic
reporter Nicholas Gage was
and heritage for the benefit of
has achieved major recognition
TV sitcoms, first as Elaine
born Nikos Gatzoyiannis in
the Society’s general membership,
in Greece, Cyprus and most of
Nardo in
Epiros, Greece.
Greek-American youth, and the
Europe. Since her success on
Taxi (1978He joined
general Greek-American community
the Greek talent show Famestory
1983); and
his father in
of Northern
(similar to
later as
Massachusetts
California,
American Idol),
Ava Evans
following the
through a process
Newton, the she has released
execution of his
of mutual
four studio
wife of Burt
mother Eleni
enlightenment
albums,
and
Reynolds
Gatzoyiannis
and fellowship.
represented
in Evening
by communist
For tickets
Greece
in
the
Shade (1990guerillas. Gage
and more
Eurovision
Song
1994). She
began writing
information
Contest in 2008
has starred
about his
regarding Elios
in numerous winning 3rd
experiences in
or the Hellenic
movies since place. Kalomira
high school,
Charity Ball,
has appeared on
the late
and went on
call 415-561NBC’s Today
1970s, most
to win the
9214 or visit
Show, Access
recently A
1963 Hearst
Mistress of Ceremonies:
elios.org.
Hollywood and
Honoree: Nicholas Gage
Maria Menounos
Tale of Two
Award as the
5
Hellenic
Journal’s 7th
annual Donor
Drive
T
hanks to a terrific
response from you,
our readers, the
Hellenic Journal’s family
of donors has responded
and appears, once again,
on the cover of this issue.
Over the past three decades,
the HJ has been the voice
to keep the Hellenic spirit
alive through informing and
uniting our Greek American
community.
Being a non-profit
organization, the HJ is
not unlike other quality
organizations such as the
Ballet, the Symphony, and
the public broadcasting
stations which provide
important services to
the community. These
organizations depend heavily
on financial pledges from the
community at large, as does
your Hellenic Journal.
To join the HJ family
at the Socrates ($1,000
+), Aristotle ($500-$999),
Homer ($200-$499), Plato
($100-$199) or Aesop ($60$99) levels, please e-mail
[email protected].
Each donation includes your
annual subscription. With the
holidays quickly approaching,
remember that the HJ also
makes a terrific gift. A gift
card notifying the recipient of
your gift will also be sent.
Thank you again for your
support and welcome to the
2009 HJ family!
– The Hellenic Journal Staff
6
Hellenic Journal October 2009
news from greece
athens news agency
PM announces early
elections on October 4
Prime Minister Costas
Karamanlis officially announced
the holding of early general
elections on October 4 and
the disbanding of Parliament
on September 7, in statements
following his meeting with
President of the Republic Karolos
Papoulias earlier the same day to
inform him of his decision for a
snap early election.
On the Sunday of October 4,
Greek citizens will be called to
choose the prime minister that
will guide them through the great
economic challenges of the time
and make crucial decisions for the
country’s future course, Karamanlis
stressed.
The premier said that he had
outlined to President Papoulias his
reasons for calling early elections
just two years after the 2007 polls
that had renewed his government’s
mandate, saying that it was an act
of responsibility imposed by the
country’s best interests, in order to
clear up the political scene.
More specifically, Karamanlis
said a fresh mandate was
demanded by the challenges of
coping with the global economic
crisis, whose effects were now
apparent in Greece and promised a
difficult two years ahead. He cited
2010, in particular, as the crucial
year for the economy.
The stance of main opposition
PASOK, particularly PASOK’s
stated intention to force early
elections in March by refusing to
cooperate in the election of the
Greek president, also weighed
heavily in his decision, Karamanlis
added.
According to the premier,
dragging the country through six
months of what was essentially
a drawn-out pre-election period
would have a catastrophic impact
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis announced the holding of
early general elections following his meeting with President of
the Republic Karolos Papoulias.
Photo by ANA
on the economy, since the
policies for dealing with the crisis
demanded a politically stable
climate, not one dominated by
tension and election speculation.
Karamanlis stressed that his
original intention had been to use
up his entire four-year term in
order to implement the policies
needed for coping with the
crisis in the next two years, until
September 2011, but that the
country was now up against three
major challenges: reducing publicsector spending, conducting a ‘war’
on tax evasion and carrying out
imperative structural changes.
He also underlined that
the progress made under ND
governments had largely shielded
Greece from the worst effects of
the crisis so far.
“Now, however, difficult and
bold decisions are required. What
is needed is a government with
a fresh mandate that will lead
the country to a way out and to
growth based on firm foundations.
My decision for early elections is an
act of responsibility,” Karamanlis
stated.
The premier stressed that he
could not allow the country to go
through a six-month pre-election
period simply in order to blame
PASOK for forcing elections.
“The citizens now have to
choose between the difficult and
the easy path,” he noted, adding
that the easy path looked pleasant
but led nowhere except to more
difficult problems and a heavier
cost down the line.
“It is now up to the citizens
to choose the prime minister
they want, so that he can more
effectively face the crisis,” the
prime minister added, expressing
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Fax: 408 998 2102
www.lawtaxingreece.com
faith in the voters’ judgement.
The pre-election period
officially began last month in what
promises to be a difficult campaign
for the ruling party, which emerged
severely bruised from the European
Parliament polls in June and took
a further battering during the
destructive fires that swept through
northeast Attica in August.
US official’s talks in Athens
Visiting US new Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State for
European and Eurasian Affairs,
Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, had
separate meetings in Athens with
foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis
and deputy minister Yannis
Valynakis, at the US diplomat’s
request.
Kaidanow paid a protocol visit
to foreign minister Bakoyannis,
and no statements were made after
the meeting.
During his meeting earlier with
Kaidanow, Valynakis was critical of
Turkey’s behavior in the Aegean,
warning that Ankara’s provocations
will not be without consequence.
Recently, efforts have been
made by “certain quarters” to create
tension in the region, Valynakis
said in statements after the meeting
and, citing the Greek adage that
“good accounts make for good
friends”, warned that “when the
account is inflated by violations
(of Greek national airspace),
overflights (of Greek islands in the
Aegean) and buzzings, it is only
natural that all those cannot be left
without consequence”.
“It is self-evident that the
principles and values of the EU
must be respected in our region,
that active application of the
principles of good neighborhood
is required, and it is only on the
basis of these principles that we
can move forward,” Valynakis
explained.
The talks with Kaidanow,
who recently succeeded Matthew
Bryza to the
post, focused
on Greek-US
bilateral relations,
developments
in the region of
SE Europe, the
Cyprus issue and
Wildfires
continued
throughout
Greece.
Photo by ANA
international developments.
“We had the opportunity to
discuss bilateral relations between
Greek and the US, this strategic
relationship, which is at an
excellent level in the economic,
political and military sectors,”
Valynakis said, and noted the role
of the Greek community in the
US as a “bridge in the relations
between the two peoples”.
Valynakis further briefed
Kaidanow on Greece’s positions
on issues concerning the region,
reiterating that Greece “supports
the European prospect of the
Western Balkans and Turkey, on
condition that those countries
respect and abide by the specific
criteria and prerequisites set out by
the EU”.
“Only full compliance will lead
to their full accession to the EU,”
he stressed.
On the Cyprus issue, Valynakis
stressed that Turkey has assumed
specific commitments to the EU
regarding Cyprus “which Ankara
must fulfill”, adding that a Cyprus
solution can only be one founded
on the UN resolutions and the
principles and values of the
EU, and one freely arising from
dialogue between the two sides.
Wildfires mostly under
control
Greek fire brigade officials
on Aug. 31 appeared confident
that efforts to extinguish the last
remaining wildfires in Attica
prefecture would be successful
by nightfall, with the emphasis
now shifting to preventing any
rekindling of fires.
The most ominous wildfire still
not under control was reported
near Mt. Kithaironas, where Attica
prefecture and Viotia prefecture
converge at the Gulf of Corinth.
That blaze caused the evacuation of
GREEK NEWS
continued on page 15
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
7
orthodox news
Twin Cities Host Archdiocese
Oratorical Festival
MINNEAPOLIS – The 26th
St. John Chrysostom Archdiocese
Oratorical Festival was hosted
jointly by the two parishes of St.
Mary’s in Minneapolis and St.
George, in St. Paul.
“You are not simply the
future but you are the present,”
said Archbishop Demetrios
of America, as he addressed
the youth participants of this
prestigious annual youth event. The
Archbishop praised “the exceptional
quality of all the speeches” and said
he enjoyed listening to all of them.
Archbishop Demetrios announced
that each participant would receive
a cash award from FAITH: An
Endowment For Orthodoxy
and Hellenism, and along with
Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago
and Dr. Anton Vrame, director
of the Department of Religious
Education presented the awards.
The participants were extremely
grateful to the Archbishop for the
generous award, whereby he added
he hoped they would “use it towards
pursuing academic studies.”
Receiving first place honors in
the Junior Division (grades 7-9)
and a $2000 college scholarship
was Arianna Aram from SS.
Constantine and Helen Church
in Cardiff by-the Sea, Calif., in
the San Francisco Metropolis;
second place and a $1500 college
scholarship went to Athanasia
Kourtis from St. Demetrios Church
in Weston, Mass., in the Boston
Metropolis and third place and
a $1000 college scholarship was
awarded to Anastasia Zavitsanos
from the Annunciation Cathedral
in Houston, Texas, in the Denver
Metropolis. Those receiving
Honorable Mention recognition
and a $500 US Savings Bond were
from the: Direct Archdiocesan
District – Demetra Skenderis,
Holy Trinity Church, Bridgeport,
Conn.; Atlanta Metropolis – Elias
Selimos, St. Demetrios Church,
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Chicago
Metropolis – Jannika Papas Heide,
Assumption Church, Madison,
Wis.; Detroit Metropolis – Despina
Wilson, Panagia Pantovasilissa,
Lexington, Ky.; New Jersey
Metropolis – Stephanie Orfanakos,
St. Nicholas, SS. Constantine and
Helen Church, Orange, N.J., and
from the Pittsburgh Metropolis
– Spyros Staikos, Annunciation
Church, Lancaster, Pa.
Receiving first place honors in
the Senior Division (grades 10-12)
and a $2000 college scholarship
was Niko Moustakis from the St.
George Church in Clifton, N.J.,
in the New Jersey Metropolis;
second place and a $1500 college
scholarship was awarded to Megan
Dolan from St. Sophia Church in
San Antonio, Texas in the Denver
Metropolis and a $1000 college
scholarship was given to Jennifer
Cokotis from St. Luke Church in
East Longmeadow, Mass., in the
Boston Metropolis. Honorable
Mention and a $500 US Savings
Bond was awarded to: the following
from the: Direct Archdiocesan
District – Katerina Johnson, St.
Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing,
N.Y.; Atlanta Metropolis – James
Carras, St. Demetrios Church,
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Chicago
Metropolis – Maria Tsikalas, St.
Nicholas Church, St. Louis, Mo.;
Detroit Metropolis – Thomas
Bajis, Assumption Church, St.
Clair Shores, Mich.; Pittsburgh
Metropolis – Emmanuel Maginas,
Dormition of the Theotokos,
Aliquippa, Pa., and from the San
Francisco Metropolis, George
Eliades, Nativity of Christ Church,
Novato, Calif.
The Oratorical Festival has
grown in its enthusiasm; this is the
first time that so many relatives
and friends accompanied the 18
finalists for the weekend. The
local Host Committee under
the co-chairmanship of the Rev.
Paul Paris and the Rev. Richard
Demetrius Andrews worked
tirelessly to assure that the weekend
would be perfect. After the finalists
and their families arrived at their
hotel in Minneapolis, a Paraklesis
Service was held at St. Mary’s
Church. A get acquainted dinner
and social immediately followed. On early Saturday morning two
buses brought everyone to the
nearby St. George Church in
St. Paul, which soon filled to
capacity. After the opening prayer
by Archbishop Demetrios and a
welcome by Fr. Andrews the finalists
were introduced by number and
their topic and approached the
microphone to deliver their thought
provoking and inspiring speeches.
The two panels of judges were
faced with the challenging task of
selecting the top three speakers in
each division.
“I thought of my participation
and my speech as just part of the
competition. Yet when I delivered
it in the church, I felt as though
the whole world was listening and
taking it to heart,” said one of the
finalists afterwards.
Following the awards luncheon,
the participants and their families
and friends were given a brief tour
of Minneapolis and then boarded
a paddleboat for a cruise along the
Mississippi River. Underwritten
by a generous donation by “The
Spell Family Foundation,” the boat
cruised the Mississippi and stopped
underneath the reconstructed
Interstate 35-W Bridge, which
collapsed last year, where
Archbishop Demetrios offered
memorial prayers for the victims of
that tragedy. On Sunday morning,
Archbishop Demetrios celebrated
the Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s
Church in Minneapolis. He then
invited the winners of the two
divisions, Arianna Aram and Niko
Moutakis to deliver their speeches
to the entire congregation who
applauded their presentations.
The St. John Chrysostom
Oratorical Festival, a program of the
Department of Religious Education
of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
encourages and motivates teenagers
to speak about their faith and,
at the same time, develop their
communication skills. Although
Fr. John and Presvytera Margaret
Orfanakos serve as Archdiocese
Co-Chairmen, there are countless
others whose efforts each year
enable the Oratorical Festival to
flourish. For more information
about the Oratorical Festival contact
Anton C. Vrame, at 1-800-5661088 or mail to [email protected].
2009 St. Photios Greek
Orthodox National Shrine
Fourth Annual Essay
Contest
St. Photios Foundation is
sponsoring its fourth memorial
essay contest. High school
students are invited to submit
their 1,000-word essay by Nov.
16, 2009. There is no entry
fee and the winners receive
the following: First Prize –
$500.00 savings bond and a
laptop computer; Second Prize
–$250.00 savings bond; Third
Prize – $100.00 savings bond.
The St. Photios Greek
Orthodox National Shrine is one
of the five institutions of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
in America. The Shrine is
located in the Avero House,
in the nation’s oldest city, St.
Augustine, Florida. The original
structure was built in 1740. In
1777, it became a respite for the
survivors of the New Smyrna
Colony. The Shrine opened in 1982
as a memorial to the 500
Greeks who were part of that
endeavor. They came from
Smyrna, Santorini, Crete and
Mani in 1768. The Shrine was
also built in honor of all of our
ancestors who came to America
in search of a better life. Essay Question: What is
the purpose of this witnessing,
this outreach and how do you
witness the Orthodox Faith in
your life?
All essays become property
of St. Photios Greek Orthodox
National Shrine. Writers are
asked to submit a cover page
with name, address, phone
number and email address with
their essay. For composition guidelines
and complete information,
call 1-800-222-6727 or visit
stphotios.com.
Behind the Lines
Seeking funding for
documentary film on the
Greek-American Operational
Groups’ clandestine efforts
in Greece during WWII.
Contact:
James A. Ericson, Kythera Films
PO Box 931555, Hollywood, CA 90093
(323) 851-9949 • [email protected]
Artists
Call to
Hellenic International
Artists’ Foundation
CELEBRATING OUR
CULTURAL HERITAGE
For upcoming shows, contact:
Michael Genung, Executive Director
P.O. Box 303, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
916.342.2971 • 888.439.9998
[email protected]
Orthodox
Bookstore
& Gift Shop
✝
Anastasia
Kalivas
800 N. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA 91206
Phone (818) 551–0544 • Fax (818) 551–9297
www.lifegivingspring.com • Hours: Tues–Sat 9-6
Hellenic Journal October 2009
8
Matthew Modine discovers his ‘Opa’ in Greece
New film shot in Greece slated to
open nationwide in October
By Mavis Manus
T
hree years ago the LA
Greek Film Festival
opened with “OPA!” – a
shout of affirmation of the joy
of life. The film itself begins just
like that, with taverna owner,
Eleni (Agni Scott) fearlessly
riding her bicycle down the
steep hills of Patmos – no hands!
Until now only seen by that
festival audience, Cinedigm is
distributing the movie which
opens in theaters across the
country on October 16.
The movie is set on the island
of Patmos, where St. John had
a vision and wrote Revelation,
the last book of the New
Testament which prophesied
the Apocalypse. Today Patmos
is a place of pilgrimage, and
recently UNESCO declared
its Monastery of St. John the
Theologian and the Cave of
the Apocalypse official World
Heritage Sites. As they have
done for centuries, archaeologists
from all over the world continue
to explore its hills and valleys in
search of ancient treasures.
Off the ferry steps Eric
(Matthew Modine), is an
archeologist who is searching
for the Cup that St. John was
supposed to have sipped from
while writing the final Gospel.
Eric’s father, also an archeologist,
searched but never found the
Cup, but Eric has science and
sophisticated technology in his
corner. He is sure it is buried in
the ruins under Eleni’s taverna,
which the excavation would,
of course,
destroy. As Eric
and Eleni are
strongly attracted
to each other,
Eric has difficult
choices to
make. The film
shows how he
decides what is
important in life.
It is a charming,
positive film.
One of the many
joys is a hilarious
chorus of three
yiayias in black,
commenting
on the growing
attraction
of Eleni and
Eric, quoting
Matthew
Modine in
Opa!
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poetry by Sappho and Robert
Browning, and deciding finally
to run for Mayor.
Matthew Modine has
exactly the right touch as the
archeologist – he is first seen in
a tight jacket
Matthew
and tie but is
Modine (Eric)
slowly seduced
and Agni
by the beauty of
Scott (Eleni)
the island, the
good ouzo, the Greek dancing
and the welcome blandishments
of Eleni.
Modine has featured or
starred in 43 movies, including
Full Metal Jacket, Streamers,
Vision Quest, Married to the Mob
and Orphans. He has directed,
written and produced, and
supports environmental and civil
rights organizations.
Modine is at present rehearsing
for a new play which
will open at the
Geffen Playhouse in
Westwood (also on
October 16), but he
graciously took time
out of his rehearsals to
talk to The Hellenic
Journal.
He is tall, affable, relaxed and
even more handsome in person
than on the screen and happy to
talk about OPA! “While I wanted
to do this film because it is a good
old-fashioned romantic comedy,
it’s also true that I jumped at the
opportunity to travel to Greece
where I’d never been before. I
spent three months on the island
– long enough for me to say that
if I had to choose one place to
spend the rest of my life, Patmos
would be it.” He even tried to
buy a house in the center of the
island, but the owners had died
and the heirs could not come to
an agreement to sell and it now
stands empty and derelict.
“The only thing I didn’t love
about Greece was that I had to
leave!” He found the people to be
kind and generous and genuinely
open-hearted – not because he
was a tourist but really interested
and happy to know he was having
a good time in their homeland.
Modine is delighted that OPA!
will be shown in theatres equipped
especially for digital projection.
“My father was a drive-in
theater manager,” he said, “and I
remember we would receive three
the plight of Matthew Modine
– a celebrity desperately in need
of getting back in the limelight.
He needs a Cause. Luckily (for
him), there is a rare breed of
Chimborazzi Alpacas on the verge
of extinction in the mountains of
Ecuador. So Matthew jets down
south to resurrect the alpacas –
and, more important, his career.
After all, desperate times call for
desperate celebrities. A world
premiere production,
Matthew Modine Saves
the Alpacas is a satire
in which no one is
left unscathed. “The
playwright wanted to
write a play for me,”
explained Modine,
“and didn’t have a
name for the character so he just
put in my name. He decided
to keep it to help blur the
reality – just one more element
in the marvelous insanity! My
admiration goes to the Geffen
Playhouse, which takes chances
in mounting new plays.”
Modine loves the theater and
in fact moved to New York City
to work there and study with the
renowned teacher, Stella Adler.
“Though the work is long and hard
– yesterday, for instance, we started
at noon and didn’t finish until
midnight. The rewards are many
and immediate. We made OPA!
four years ago and it is only being
distributed this month.”
To find a theater showing OPA!,
visit opafilm.com.
Matthew Modine Saves The
Alpacas runs at the Geffen
Playhouse through October 18,
located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue,
Westwood, 90024. Box Office: 310208-5454. Geffenplayhouse.com
“The only thing I didn’t
love about Greece was
that I had to leave!”
or four reels of film weighing 80
lbs. each. Often the film would be
scratched and the sound quality
poor. But with digital there are no
reels and you will be able to see
a movie with pristine qualities
of projection and sound. It was
always Stanley Kubrick’s fantasy
to make one perfect copy and
know that when it was shown
to audiences, it would be the
very best way to experience his
film.” Because of this unique
arrangement, it will be the largest
independent release in film
history.
His current project, the play
Matthew Modine Saves The
Alpacas, written by Blair Singer
and directed by John Rando, is
a rollicking comedy which tells
Fanari Academy of Greek Education, a 501
(c) (3) nonprofit Greek language program, is
accepting applications for teaching positions for
2009-2010. Also needed is a Computer & Greek
language instructor: Applicants must hold a
degree in computer science or related field and
speak Greek fluently. This position is designed
to enhance teaching Greek with the integration
of computers. The school is located at the
campus of Rainbow Montessori in Sunnyvale.
Qualified candidates should be fluent in Greek
and have a university degree. Please register
online www.fanariacademy.org or contact us by
e-mail at [email protected].
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
spotlight
Festival Season Continues 2009
Doxa of Oregon
Greek Festivals
Each month the Hellenic Journal
will identify which Greek American
community is presenting a festival
to its larger community. To list
your festival, call 831-899-3699,
fax 831-899-3799, or email info@
hellenicjournal.org.
By Giuliana Harris
D
oxa of Holy Trinity
Cathedral in Portland,
Oregon demonstrates
tight footwork and kefi. We
sat down with Athan Spathas
(18), Jordan Johnson (21),
Napoleon Tsakis (23) and
Panagiotis Stratis (21) before
the Friday night glendi. The
boys said they love the parea
and as every dancer has said,
the fellowship of other churches
is most meaningful to them.
All four of the boys said their
favorite part of performing is the
adrenaline rush and every year
they look forward to watching
the Advanced Seniors perform
Sunday afternoon.
Friday night after the glendi,
Kristina Bruno (HJ intern) and
I met with the boys at Denny’s.
The entire two hours of our
meal, the conversation was
about what a great start of the
weekend it was and how much
more fun it was going to get.
The glendi we had just been to
was packed and everyone was
Pontic dancing to the live band.
When asked what he loves about
FDF and the glendis, Athan
said: “Once the glendis end, we
don’t want the dancing and fun
to stop. That’s why we all go eat
either at Denny’s or get a pizza
at the hotel. We take the party
outside!” All of us were speaking
“Greek-lish” (Greek/English)
ANNUNCIATION
CATHEDRAL
GREEK
TEACHERS
Wanted
Classes in Modern Greek for
children 5 years old and up
are currently being formed at
the Annunciation Cathedral
(245 Valencia Street, San
Francisco, CA). The Cathedral
is searching for qualified Greek
Teachers available to teach
classes on Saturdays.
To inquire further and apply
please contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]
9
ARIZONA
Greater Phoenix Greek
Festival
Holy Trinity
October 9, 10 & 11
602-264-7863
holytrinityphx.org
Left to Right : Napoleon Tsakis, Jordan Johnson, Athan
Spathas, and Panagiotis Stratis
and talking about how proud
we are of our Greek heritage.
Athan said “It doesn’t matter
if someone is a quarter Greek,
half Greek, or full Greek! If you
have Greek in you that’s all that
counts! For we have the best
food and families other races
could ask for.”
The boys talked about how
excited they were to see Thanos
Petrelis perform at the Awards
Banquet. Thirty minutes later,
Thanos walks into Dennys. All
of our jaws dropped, he sat three
tables away from us! As the boys
fought over who was going to
say something to him first, that
concluded the interview. At this
point, every Greek in the restaurant turned and started talking
about Thanos. Girls whispering
“Isn’t he so handsome! Look at
that smile.” The boys whispering “What do you think he’s
going to order to eat?” Finally,
Panagiotis and Athan went up
to him and said hello and that
they enjoyed his music. I could
only manage to say “I love
Adiorthoti.” Obviously I was star
struck. The boys of Doxa made
it apparent that fellowship and
parea is not only a major part of
the FDF weekend, but a major
part of our culture. Get ready to
meet more friends and maybe
have a Thanos siting next year!
By the way, he ordered eggs and
hash browns.
________________
Giuliana Harris is the HJ’s FDF
youth correspondent.
Golden Gate
Boys Choir and
Bellringers
Currently holding auditions to apply
for membership for ages 7 and older
with unchanged voices
Wide repertoire, vocal skills, and knowledge of
music theory • Performances locally, nationally, and
internationally • Largest collection of handbells and
chimes on the West Coast
1988
OLDEN
ATE
BOYS CHOIR
The Boys learn: teamwork, independence, leadership,
self-esteem, prioritizing, responsible decision making,
and how to present themselves in public with grace
and dignity.
Convenient Rehearsal Locations in San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda or
Hayward • Local Summer Music Camp • Annual Appearances at Ascension
Cathedral and Greek Dinner Nights at Summer Music Camp
We invite you to come to one of our Concerts or Rehearsals
to see what the choir is all about!
For more information view our web page at:
www.ggbc.org or phone us at: 510-887-4311
St. Haralambos
Peoria
October 23, 24 & 25
623-486-8665
peoriagreekfest.com
Scottsdale Festival of Greece
Assumption Church
November 6, 7 & 8
480-991-3009
CALIFORNIA
Resurrection Church
Castro Valley
October 2, 3 & 4
510-581-8950
festival.cvresurrection.org
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox
Church of Temecula Valley
October 3 & 4
951-296-6207
St. Spyridon Festival
Upland
October 3 & 4 • 909-985-4411
saintspyridon.org
OREGON
Portland Greek Festival
Holy Trinity Cathedral
October 2, 3 & 4
503-234-0468
www.goholytrinity.org/cGreekFest.
html
WASHINGTON
Tacoma Greek Festival
St. Nicholas Church
October 2, 3 & 4
253-272-0466
www.stnicholastacoma.org/
GreekFestival2009
Annual “Festivals
Remembered”
feature coming in December!!!
Please submit your community’s festival photos (see
page 4 for address) or email high-resolution digital
photos by Monday, Nov. 2 to [email protected].
10
Hellenic Journal October 2009
did you say dance?
By Athan Karras
Even
MOISEYEV
would
disapprove
Y
ouTube on the Internet
has become a mega hit
and the world is now
exposed to all sorts of experiences
from professional to amateur
entertainment. At times we view
an assortment of antics from idiotic
to nonsensical, while on occasion
some thought provoking ideas
emerge. YouTube is a platform for
exposing and exploring products,
thoughts, concepts with a complex
storehouse of extraordinary variety
of eccentric videos, performers of
every kind of style and persuasion,
some serious talents, others
showcasing outstanding musical
performances, provocative dancers.
Dance troupes are constantly using
this venue looking for exposure,
get a welcoming response, or
secure future audience support.
Truthfully, YouTube has turned
into an international bazaar where
we could easily spend hours
browsing through old movie clips,
comic snippets of oldies or catch a
glimpse of an extraordinary violin
virtuoso, a drummer, a magician
or a mathematician challenging
our intellect in calculating obscure
Join
Triple
enigmas of life. The oyster has
opened to an opportunity for a wide
range of performers thirsting for
an outlet to showcase their unique
talent turning this newly discovered
outlet on the Internet a haven for
dance groups, home movie buffs,
nonsense pranksters, comedians and
everything but the kitchen sink all
who now feel they are ready to be
globally discovered, or have their
“two minutes” of fame (YouTube’s
infamy time – not Warhol).
This is it; a golden opportunity
for “undiscovered” talents anxiously
awaiting to share their precious
aspirations to publicly “audition” on
the open market place of YouTube.
Now that the Internet has become a
way of life and the screens are open
wide willing to provide exposure,
taking a chance is far better than
not trying at all. After all, isn’t life
a crapshoot anyway? This must
be the popular belief; witness how
so many are addicted to lotteries
and gambling casinos. Even after
the constant bombardment by
newscasters and the media that all
of life is going to hell in a handbasket, the economy is drying up,
unemployment is at its highest
levels ever, and prices are going up,
after all this we still have some loose
change to spare at a casino.
But YouTube also has become
a complicated, fascinating and an
interesting phenomenon, if we
can make comparative studies to
carefully examine our evaluations.
In the final analysis we come to
discover that even in this world
filled with an incredible amount
of information freely flying about
in this electronic revolution with
the media and its plethora of daily
invented new devices, it is high
time we stop and become selective
on what and how we spend our
precious time seeing, watching, and
experiencing. We are drowning in
a negligent luxurious spending of
our valuable time, attending You
Tube’s free university, one which
can sharpen our perceptions, or dull
them.
Recently on YouTube I
discovered a version of “Greek
Dances” performed by the
celebrated Moiseyev Russian Folk
Ensemble. My first impression was
they were running out of ideas,
but then I realized the wealth
of Russian folk culture and its
inexhaustible resources. The late
Igor Moiseyev who extended
the screen for folkloric dance
exposed an engrossing cultural
imagination which enriched
humanity, the same Moiseyev
ensemble that rocked the dance
world with innovative theatrical
masterpieces. His choreographies
relied on professionally trained
dancers (staged for the proscenium
stage) was well aware that folklore
is a collective art, intended for
the countryside outdoors. He
never sought to
preserve Russian
folklore, nor was
his interest in recreating authentic
folklore of the Russian people. He
clearly stated that he was inspired
by folklore projecting theatrical
ideas. Being a consummate artist
Igor Moiseyev fully understood
that you do not mix the aesthetic
conventions of the collective folk art
expressions with artistic intentions
of a personal interpretation.
I was astounded if this is the
same Moiseyev Troup. What we
saw on the YouTube, was a version
of Greek dances by the Moiseyev
ensemble was an erroneous
attempt to depict Greek dances
in choreographic form without
any understanding how or why
these dances existed or created.
We saw an attempt to externalize
visual movement ideas absent of
any believability of being Greek,
except for the fact that they relied
on authentic popular folk dance
music. The result was a mishmash, neither Greek, nor Russian.
Dancers linked by holding hands
or shoulders does not constitute
recreating Greek Dances, Moiseyev
over the years worked closely with
his collaborators, carefully defining
the personal vision of an artistic
choreography for the proscenium
stages. Moiseyev worked hand
in hand with composers and
arrangers carefully designing his
us for the
Anniversary
Celebration Marking
The Liberation of
Thessaloniki, Festival of St.
Demetrios, and The Greek
National “OXI” day
MACEDONIAN PARK, Calistoga
Sunday, October 25th, 2009
“You know, the Greeks invented real estate!”
Divine Liturgy at the St. Demetrios Chapel at 10:00 am
Doors will be open at 9:00am
Complete BBQ Chicken with rice pilaf and Greek salad
available. Soft drinks, coffee, and Greek pastries will also be
available.
Music by Helios Greek Band
Free Admission
645 Lommel Road, (off Silverado Trail
and Larkmead Lane) Calistoga, Calif.
[email protected]
Pan-Macedonian Association, Akritai & Neraidai Inc.
personal vision
based on folk
ideas and would
not have dancers turn to face the
audience in a circle dance, he
understood the necessary aesthetics
of creating dance choreography for a
proscenium stage.
Precision dancing may be visually
acceptable but inventing unrelated
movements other than what was
the original dance form, yet relying
on authentic accompaniment
misconstrues the artistic intention
and confuses the artistic aesthetic
result, which is neither fish nor fowl.
By imitating the TSAMIKO dance
steps and executing movements
from another dance form as in the
HASAPIKO distorts not only the
original idiom, but convolutes the
final artistic expression. Moiseyev
would have been most careful to
respect and honor such details, and
would have never relied on using
authentic music while juxtaposing
such ingredients. Authentic folk
music has established set rhythms,
does not deviate in extensive
variances and any improvisation
results from within the form,
spontaneously. These exhibitions
were an abysmal spectacle, by a well
trained group of dancers without
any comprehension of the cultural
temperament, resulting in an
inappropriate “showpiece” defaming
the prestigious work of a legendary
artist in dance.
Broadway musical’s, such Finian’s
Rainbow, Brigadoon, Fiddler On
The Roof to name a few, have
relied on folk themes and dances,
but not on authentic music. Bela
Bartok’s compositions of Hungarian
Dances, the Rimsky Korsakov’s
Song of Scheherazade and many
composers have been inspired by
folk tunes, but would not have
us believe they were recreating
authentic recreations, nor would
we believe that Nikos Skalkotas’
Greek dances compositions would
be considered to be Greek folk
music. Authentic folk dances are
meant to be danced to authentic
folk music and appreciated through
the active participation. Any other
reorganization which assumes a
theatrical presentation with such
innovations would not have been by
Igor Moiseyev which made him the
legendary master he was.
Email Athan Karras at
Serving Los Angeles and Orange County
[email protected]
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
11
calendar
Announcement
Hellenic American
Professional Society
offers High School
Student Scholarships
George Mattis, Scholarship
Chairman of the Hellenic
American Professional
Society of California (HAPS)
recently announced that it is
awarding three $750 scholarships to students of Greek
descent.
Applications are now being
accepted for the HAPS scholarship program for students of
Greek descent whose family
home is in the Greater Bay
Area. The program offers three
one-time scholarships to high
school graduates ages 17-30,
who are entering or continuing
full time students at an institution accredited by the Western
Association of Colleges and
Universities.
Application deadline is
October 17, 2009. Awards will
be announced in December
and an invitation will be
extended to the winners to
attend the annual Greek
Letters Day luncheon of the
HAPS to be held in February
2010.
Scholarship applications
can be downloaded at hapsca.
org. For more information, call
George Mattis at 415-5664308 or email at geomattis1@
aol.com.
Arts, Events, Lectures & Entertainment
October 17
Saturday
San Diego, CA
En Vogue 2009. The
Philoptochos Society of
San Diego presents a day of
philanthropy, fine wine, fine
food and inspiration with En
Vogue. Festivities begin at 11
a.m. at the Manchester Grand
Hyatt San Diego. A vintage
auto display will greet guests
as they arrive. Chef Manfred
Steuerwald has created exciting
Mediterranean Tasting Bars in
a bazaar filled with musicians
and unique one-of-a-kind finds.
Star plastic surgeon Dr. John
Anastasatos, featured on the cover
of Vogue Hellas, and international
designer Konstantino join other
contributors for Shopping by
Chance. Haute couture will be
presented by Lucinda of Couture
Productions. Alexandra Mouzas
and Constance Mastorakos
Ralph, General Chairs. For more
information, call 619-297-4165 or
visit envoguebyanthousa.org.
October 18
Sunday
Seattle, WA
Orthodox Taste of Seattle.
The IOCC Seattle Metropolitan
Committee invites you to its
3rd annual fundraising event at
Saint Demetrios, 2100 Boyer
East. Proceeds benefit the
IOCC (International Orthodox
Christian Charities). Vespers at 5
p.m.; Dinner at 6:15 p.m.; Live
performance at 7 p.m. Tickets
are $25 per person, includes meal
and drinks. Price increases to $30
October 1. For more details, call
Alithia Squires at 206-498-7976 or
visit iocc.org.
October 25
Sunday
Oakland, CA
GDF Fundraiser-Auction. The
George Daskarolis Foundation
(GDF), an educational nonprofit organization established in
honor of the late educator George
Daskarolis, is supporting a group
of students to successfully complete
their K-12 education and continue
on to a university. A fundraising
event will be held in the Paris
Center at Ascension Cathedral,
4700 Lincoln Avenue in the
Oakland hills. Make a donation
or join the festivities. For more
details, visit gdmef.org or interact
with the GDF on Facebook.
October 29
Thursday
San Francisco, CA
Top Dos and Don’ts for
Lawyers. The Hellenic Law
Society will host an evening with
the Honorable George V. Spanos
at the historic John’s Grill in
downtown San Francisco. Judge
Spanos, who serves on the Contra
Costa Superior Court, will share
his insights from the bench. For
more information call 415-2428830 or visit helleniclaw.org.
October 31
Saturday
Pasadena, CA
IOCC’s “Step Up” 5-K WalkA-Thon. Lace up and reach
the world’s most needy with the
International Orthodox Christian
Charity’s (IOCC) first 5-K walka-thon at The Rose Bowl (Parking
Lot B), 1011 Rose Bowl Drive.
Check in begins at 10 a.m.; Walk
begins at 10:45 a.m.; Lunch at
11:45 a.m. $25 includes T-Shirt
and In-N_Out lunch. Contact
Nicolas Nicolaou at 714-280-1310,
Lisa Xanthos at 626-445-6645 or
visit iocc.org to register online.
November 12
Thursday
Beverly Hills, CA
Documentary: The Greeks of
Southern California. The Greek
Heritage Society of Southern
California announces the premiere
of Part 2 of its documentary
series, “The Greeks of Southern
California Through the Century:
The Promise of Tomorrow –
The First Generation” at the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences, Samuel Goldwyn
Theater. For more information,
contact 310-528-8214 or
[email protected].
November 21
Saturday
Philadelphia, PA
8th Annual Conference on
The Future of Hellenism in
America. Save the date! The
American Hellenic Institute
Foundation presents its annual
conference at the Four Seasons
Hotel. Visit ahfworld.org or call
202-785-8430 for more
details.
November 30
Monday
Oakland, CA
Mental Heath Discussion:
Living Peacefully with
Mania. Venetia Phillips and
Dina Platias, two former
Ascension parishioners living
lives that shatter misconceptions
of mania, return to share their
40 years of collective experience
with Bipolar Disorder at 7:00
p.m. in the Richmond Room
at Ascension Cathedral, 4700
Lincoln Avenue. Refreshments
served. Call 510-531-3400 or
email Pres. Elizabeth Tervo at
[email protected].
Hellenic Connection
Hellenic Events,
Restaurants, Businesses
& Organizations. For a
comprehensive list of what’s
happening on the Greek scene in
your town and around the globe,
visit Hellenikozmo.com.
Las Vegas’
3rd Annual Greek Folk Dance Seminar
School
Hellenic
of St. Nicholas
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Church
For further information,
please contact:
Eleni Taptelis
[email protected]
Tel. 408-243-0507 (School Office)
Tel. 408-246-2770 (Church Office)
650~631~8900
www.elenisfavors.com
116 EL CAMINO REAL SAN CARLOS
650.631.8900 | ELENISFAVORS.COM
20, 21, and 22,
2009
Specializing in Weddings & Christenings
November
FAVORS & GIFTS
Classes in Modern Greek for
children, teens, and adults of
all levels of proficiency are
being formed at Saint Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Church (986
Chapman Street, San Jose, CA
95126), starting in September
2009 with open enrollment
throughout the year.
Stimulating and unique material will be taught by our
talented instructors
Featuring Kyriakos Moisidis from Thessaloniki
He will present exciting material from very distinctive areas exclusively for this seminar. (The Second Instructor will be
announced at a later date.) Instruction throughout the entire weeked.
Saturday evening, Nov. 21st - Glendi with LIVE music so you
can dance and sing the night away!
Contact the church at: 702-221-8245 or check the church
website for updates, www.vegasgreekorthodox.com.
If you know anyone that has attended the past
two years, you’ll know you won’t want to miss it!
Hellenic Journal October 2009
12
PAOI welcomes OCF students for the new
academic year
Ancient Greek Theatre returns with Trojan Women
in Oakland. The performance
is sponsored by the Metropolis
of San Francisco, UHAS, and
the Elios Society and will
be free of charge thanks to a
he magnificence of
generous donation by the Elios
Ancient Greek Theater
Foundation.
is returning directly
Following the
from Greece live
overwhelming
on the stages of
success of the
universities and
2008 USA tour of
cultural centers as
Bacchae, Director
part of a U.S. tour
Leonidas Loizides
with the production
and the cast of the
of Trojan Women,
Loizides Theatrical
which is directed by
Group, continue
Leonidas Loizides.
their dedication
The text is by
and commitment
Mihalis Kakoyannis
Ted Laliotis, Producer
to bring the
and the music is by
ultimate form of Ancient Greek
Mikis Theodorakis
culture and heritage, the Ancient
The West Coast tour, which
Greek Theater, to every corner
includes California, Oregon and
of the world where Hellenes and
Washington, is organized by
Philhellenes live.
UHAS President Ted Laliotis.
The Trojan Women tour is
The Nov. 8 performance at 5
under the auspices of the Greek
p.m. will be presented on the
Government with the support
stage of Ascension Cathedral’s
Fr. Thomas J. Paris Event Center of SAE USA and its director
E
T
Photo by Julie Georgantidou
Ted Spyropoulos, the “Paideia”
project of the University of
Connecticut and its director
Elias Tomazos, and UHAS.
The play portrays the
plight of women and children
following the defeat of Troy
at the Trojan war and brings
alive the timeless message that
there are neither winners nor
losers at any war, and that even
through the darkest night and
despair, there is always hope and
catharsis. For more information,
call 650-941-1890.
Trojan Women
tour schedule
Directed by Leonidas Loizides
Text by Mihalis Kakoyannis
Music by Mikis Theodorakis
October 30 November 1 November 4 November 8 November 10 November 12 November 14 November 15 A home cooked meal is provided
offering a variety of different
cuisines. Sponsors provide the
funds and/or cook the meals
each week to feed the group.
Students socialize as they share a
meal together and friendships are
formed and strengthened.
Following dinner the group
gets comfortable in the living
room to discuss a variety of topics.
The interaction is designed to
help students see and thinkthrough the relation of Orthodox
Christianity to their daily
personal lives. A free exchange
of ideas and perspectives helps
members clarify what it means to
be an Orthodox Christian in this
pluralistic and secular society.
The OCF at UC Berkeley
allows students to become part of
the spiritual family of faith, as well
as showing them that their Church
cares about them. This important
ministry is funded with the help
and assistance of many sponsors.
Sponsorship is needed to continue
providing support. A donation
of $150.00 covers the cost of
one evening. If you are interested
in becoming as sponsor, please
contact the PAOI
at 510-649-3450.
very Tuesday evening the
Patriarch Athenagoras
Orthodox Institute
(PAOI) hosts students from the
Orthodox Christian Fellowship
(OCF) at UC Berkeley, CA. They
gather together for the evening
to worship, share a fellowship
dinner and join in a family style
discussion. OCF strives to keep
our college students connected
to Christ and their faith. PAOI
provides a “home away from
home” where students experience
and witness the Orthodox
Christian Church through
community life, prayer and
worship, service to others and
study of their faith.
The evening begins at 6:00
p.m. with a Divine Liturgy in
the chapel of St. Demetrios.
Local area clergy serve as
students participate in the
readings and sing the hymns
and responses of the service.
The intimate chapel setting and
community singing contributes
to a uniquely spiritual
experience.
A fellowship dinner is
offered following Divine Liturgy.
Acclaimed play tours British
Columbia, California, Oregon
and Washington
His Eminence
Metropolitan
Nikitas and
Father Michael
Tervo celebrate
the Divine
Liturgy at the
PAOI.
Vancouver BC
Seattle
Portland
Oakland
Sacramento
Fresno
Los Angeles
San Diego
PHOTO BY NATALIE
KULUKUNDIS
Photo by Julie Georgantidou
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October 2009 Hellenic Journal
13
community
Kids ‘n’ Cancer Reception in
San Clemente
Metropolis of San Francisco 2009 Church Music Conference
His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerasimos, the Metropolis
Philoptochos Board and the Kids ‘n’ Cancer Committee
hosted a reception on the picturesque grounds of the Talega
Golf Club in San Clemente, CA. Each year, the money that
is donated is distributed to the camps in Dunlap, California,
Prescott, Arizona, Seattle, Washington, Portland, Oregon and
San Diego, California to
pay for the use of camp
facilities and to provide
supplies and services
for the entire camping
family. In addition,
they support the Emilio
Nares Foundation “Ride
with Emilio,” which
provides oncology
transportation and
family support systems
to children with cancer,
and their families. These
vital services provided
by the Foundation,
serve the families at
children’s hospitals in
San Diego County. “We are blessed to announce that our
annual fundraiser is about $215,000 to date,” said Jeannie
Ranglas, Chair of Kids ‘n’ Cancer. Pictured: His Eminence
Metropolitan Gerasimos at the Kid’s ‘n’ Cancer
Reception with young attendees.
4.
Saints Constantine and Helen
Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiffby-the-Sea hosted the annual
Church Music Conference which
welcomed choirs from throughout
the Metropolis. Guest Conductor
was Neal Desby, son of the late Dr.
Frank Desby, who conducted his
father’s highly regarded Liturgy at the
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy which
was celebrated by Metropolitan
Gerasimos and visiting Clergy.
Pictured:
1. Guest Conductor Neal
Desby of Los Angeles.
2. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
celebrated.
3. Kristina Thurkhill (center) of
Assumption, Seattle, received
1.
the Xenia Anton Desby
Memorial Organ Scholarship
from Scholarship Chair
and St. Sophia Cathedral
organist Christopher Yokas
(Los Angeles) and Choir
Federation President Kathy
Meck.
4 & 5. Choir members
from throughout the S.F.
Metropolis.
6. Conference Chair Carol
Pekras and her husband,
Phil with Metropolitan
Gerasimos.
7. Youth Choir singing
“Anchors Away”
at the banquet.
8. Anna Counelis,
Organist,
Ascension
Cathedral,
Oakland at the
banquet.
9. Choir
Federation
President Kathy Meck,
George N. George Award
recipient Emily Tcharos (St.
George, Palm Desert), Dr.
Chris Vitakes (Ascension,
Oakland) and Fr. Theodore
Pantels (St. George).
10. Kristen Bruskas, Choir
Director, Holy Trinity
Cathedral, Phoenix receives
St. John the Damascene and
Kosmas the Melodist Award.
Also pictured: Metropolitan
Gerasimos.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE
METROPOLIS CHURCH MUSIC
FEDERATION
2.
5.
3.
6.
8.
7.
9.
10.
14
Hellenic Journal October 2009
southern california notes
By Mavis Manus
A
s a young teacher in Encino,
Aliki Stilianos was offered
the opportunity by the
U.S. Department of Defense
to teach dependent children of
Navy personnel at a Navy base in
Yokuska, Japan for a year. “Teaching
these gifted children was an
absolute dream,” remembers Aliki.
“The children were so worldly,
self motivated and well behaved
– like little sponges soaking up
everything I brought their way.”
Her openness to new experiences
was tested very quickly – just two
days after her arrival in Japan a
stranger, a fellow teacher, knocked
on her door and asked her if
she’d take a group of teachers to a
Greek bar in Yokohama. Being the
Sponsored
by
adventurer that she is, she agreed,
not knowing how to find her own
apartment let alone get to another
town. The place turned out to be
a hovel owned by Charlie Scangis
from Chicago. He had married
a Japanese woman after the war
and taught her to cook incredible
Greek food. “When we entered the
darkened bar,” remembers Aliki ”
there was Greek music blaring from
the jukebox and two kimono-clad
Japanese guys doing the Hassapiko.
It became the monthly meeting
place for all of us.” The teaching
stint concluded in grand style with
a Greek drama performed by her
talented 9-year-old students.
Aliki is the fifth and youngest
child of Greek-born parents – from
Kalamata and Arfara. Growing up
with a large extended family, she
was steeped in Greek culture and
was expected to marry a ‘nice Greek
boy.’ “I didn’t stray too far,” she
said, “I married a man with Sicilian
parents. The last time my husband
and I visited Greece everyone
Fotine’s Simply Greek Cafe Market & Deli
addressed their remarks to him even
though I said I was the Greek. ‘Ah
Sicilian!’ they said, ‘Same thing!’”
Aliki graduated on scholarship
from the University of
Massachusetts (Education and
Social Sciences) and later earned her
Masters from Cal State Northridge.
She had left her home state six
weeks after graduation to head
west for a teaching position and
adventure. The first thing she did in
California was to seek out a Greek
Church – St. Nicholas – to establish
Greek roots and she is still there.
She taught for the L.A. Unified
School District in Special Ed and
eventually became a Consultant.
(Special Ed embraces both physical
learning and mental disorders; even
the gifted are considered Special
Ed). She retired three years ago
after many years of this rewarding
work. But ‘retired’ is only a relative
term. While still actively working
as a liaison for the physically
disabled and their teachers, she
saw a program called Kids on the
Block, a puppet show of 3 1/2 foot
puppets which, through skits and
stories , shared the lives of disabled
children. Most important it showed
what disabled children COULD
do. “I was hooked,” she recalls. “I
thought it was the most incredibly
educational and entertaining
children’s program I had ever seen.
After the show, children would
speak directly to the puppets and
relate their stories about being
learning disabled, suffering from
ADHD or having relatives who
were deaf or blind.
Before retiring, Aliki joined
the Volunteer League of the San
Fernando Valley, which is an
organization of 200 members
whose mission is to clothe needy
children, educate youngsters
about disabilities, and sing to the
elderly in convalescent homes. She
came across an old photograph of
volunteers who had worked on
the Kids on the Block project. She
decided to revive the program and
eventually became the Director and
Scheduler. Even now, eight years
later as President of the Volunteer
League, she continues to be involved
as the Master of Ceremonies of
Kids on the Block. “The script is so
well written and the puppeteers are
fabulous. The presentation makes
it ‘okay’ to speak openly about
what may once have been a secret.
Many times it is the teachers who
are enlightened. Overwhelmingly,
Aliki Stilanos
(seated, center)
surrounded by the
puppeteers and
their puppets.
PHOTO BY BETTY ST.
MARIE
the classes leave with
a smile on their faces
and an awareness not
only of the difficulties
but the abilities of the
disabled. Youngsters
are always enthralled;
they learn a lot and
write thoughtful notes to the
puppet characters they regard as
friends,” she said.
One day a classroom aide in
the audience ran out in tears. She
came back later to tell us that she
had recently been diagnosed with
ADHD and was overwhelmed that
we were educating children about
the disability. She had felt all alone
for years. Aliki emphasizes that these
shows are only possible because she
has the support of the Volunteer
League and of the dynamic and
creative women in the show. “This
is definitely a team effort!” she says.
Aliki concluded, “I am very
proud of my Greek heritage and
always try to find an appropriate
way to share my culture, be it in an
educational, social or philanthropic
setting.” For instance, last January
she chaired a fundraiser for the
Volunteer League with the theme of
A Night in Athens. The Ellinopoula
dancers from St. Nicholas Church
performed the dances they had
prepared for the FDF. “They were
a tremendous hit and soon had
everyone up to take a few dance
lessons. For that evening we were all
Greeks, enjoying the children, the
music and the good Greek food.”
■■■
“THE DENTIST”
Greeks featured in the Fringe
Festival at Edinburgh this year;
in song with soprano Marila
Klambatsea who channels both
Maria Callas and Janis Joplin in
her show entitled “All of Me”; in
comedy with Yianni Agisilaou’s
stand-up spectacular. But the prize
of the whole Festival, for me, goes
to Razia Israely in a one-woman
show. Co-written, directed and
acted by Razia, the 75-minute
monologue is a drama of a rare and
memorable quality.
Razia plays a woman whose
Jewish-Greek father was arrested in
WW II by the Nazis and shipped
from his Thessaloniki home to the
infamous concentration camp of
Auschwitz. The father somehow
survived this experience and, once
the war ended, managed to build
a life for himself again, marrying
and having two children.
It wasn’t a happy life, though.
Beset by fear and resentment,
given to savage bursts of rage,
he abused not only his wife but
his young children, whom he
often tied up in a dark basement
when he left the house. The
marriage didn’t last. His wife filed
for divorce, taking the children
with her. Unlike her mother and
brother, though, the narrator
refused to hate her father. Not
only did she remember the warm,
loving things about him, she was
driven by a need to understand
him, come to grips with the
reasons for his rage and cruelty.
She sets out on a personal
journey of discovery, seeking out
the few people who were friendly
with her late father, including a
fellow-Greek who was with him
in the camps. What she learns
is that the two of them were
sonderkommandos—special helpers
to the Nazis who were forced by
them to do the horrific work in
the crematoriums of stacking and
burning the dead bodies. Her
father was then given an even
worse task, one which plunged
him even deeper into the camp’s
circles of hell.
In all the years she knew her
father, he never once talked about
his experiences in the camps. It
is only now, long after his death,
that she can finally come to
understand and forgive him.
Razia gives a tour-de-force
performance in THE DENTIST,
and her magnificent acting is
matched by the superbly written
and directed script. The theme of
reconciliation and compassion in
the face of unmitigated evil is fully
realized in this deeply moving,
unforgettable play.
Email Mavis Manus at
[email protected]
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
GREEK NEWS
continued from page 6
the Porto Germeno resort earlier in
the day.
Another wildfire on the island
of Hios was under control, while
a wildfire burning hilly brush land
east of the harbor town of Karystos
was still not extinguished.
Earlier, the massive multi-front
wildfire that erupted on Saturday
in several spots of northeast and
east Attica prefecture was reported
as partially under control by early
Monday afternoon, with concern
swifting to the wildfire that
broke out Sunday night near Mt.
Kitheronas.
On the Ionian island of
Zakyntos, a total of four wildfires
erupted and continued to burn in
the areas of Maries and Stroggylo.
Finally, smaller wildfires in the
northern Peloponnese and on the
central Aegean island of Skyros
were under control.
Gov’t defends wildfire
reaction
The government spokesman
emphasized that the state
apparatus and services were fully
mobilized to deal with the scores
of wildfires that erupted in the
country, especially against the
multi-front and massive blaze
that scorched northeastern Attica
prefecture.
Spokesman Evangelos
Antonaros also deflected intense
criticism by some quarters of the
press over lack of coordination by
fire-fighting forces.
“Coordination of the state
apparatus was well organized,
from the beginning... with the
mobilization of all of our forces,
the one was one: to effectively
extinguish the wildfires and to
limit the damages to our natural
environment and properties of
our fellow people. The priority
was to avoid any loss of life,” he
stressed.
Moreover, the spokesman said
reforestation and anti-flood works
will begin immediately.
Asked whether there are
indications of an organized
plan to set fires intentionally,
Antonaros declined to follow up,
saying merely that what is now
imperative is to put out the fires
without any loss of life.
In a related development,
Environment and Town Planning
Minister George Souflias
reminded that legislation passed
GREEK NEWS
continued on page 19
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16
Hellenic Journal October 2009
northwest and pacific notes
By
Theodora
Dracopoulos
Argue
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER FESTIVALS
The Greek Festivals of both
St. Nicholas Church of Tacoma
and Holy Trinity Cathedral
of Portland are happening on
October 2, 3, and 4. St. Nicholas
is donating a portion of the
proceeds of its 47th annual Greek
Festival to The Transitional
Program (TLP) of the Pierce
County Alliance Youth Services.
TLP assists youths when they,
by law, must leave foster care at
the age of 18 until they reach the
age of 21, so they can become
independent and self-sufficient
adults.
ANNUAL BENEFIT: St. John
the Forerunner Monastery
Foundation’s Third Annual
Builders Benefit Dinner
and Auction will be held on
October l1 at 5:30 p.m. in
The Dalles (Oregon) Civic
Ballroom, across the Columbia
River from Goldendale, WA
where the monastery is situated.
Inquire at http://stjohnmonastery.
org. Guest speaker will be Fr.
Timothy Pavlatos of Prophet
Elias Greek Orthodox Church in
San Bernardino, CA. The kellia
(residence building) now under
construction for the nuns has
thirty cells; a library, office, and
reception room; a utility room,
small kitchenette, and a living
room on each floor; various work,
storage, and mechanical rooms,
and a double garage. Plans are to
move in next summer. The next
project is the domed Byzantinestyle church. General donations
and proceeds from the dinner are
helping to bring these structures
to fruition. Monetary gifts can be
sent to St. John the Forerunner
Monastery at P.O. Box 542,
Goldendale, WA 98620.
IOCC IN SEATTLE
The Seattle Metropolitan
Committee of the International
Orthodox Christian Charities
(IOCC) is holding its 3rd Annual
Orthodox Taste of Seattle on
Sunday evening, October 18 at
Saint Demetrios Church, 2100
Boyer Avenue East, with Vespers
at 5 p.m., followed by dinner,
a program, and a folk dancing
performance. The dinner will
consist of a wide variety of Greek,
Mediterranean, and Slavic small
plates and appetizers. Tickets are
(Left) With Metropolitan Gerasimos
by their side, altar boys Noah
Cooley, Nicholas Cooley, and
Alexander Daskalos take their
turn at the groundbreaking for the
new Anchorage Greek Orthodox
Church of their future. They also
were tonsured that day by the
Metropolitan.
Photo by Erik Hill
(Above) Rendering of
Anchorage’s new Holy
Transfiguration Church.
illustration by Krochina
Architects
Yiorgos
1325 Calumet Avenue
Los Angeles, California
90026
US +1-626-379-6671
Greece +30-6944-227-096
[email protected]
$25 per person
before October 1
and $30 after that.
For reservations,
please go to iocc.
org/seattle. All
proceeds will
benefit IOCC, the
official humanitarian aid agency
of the Standing Conference of
Canonical Orthodox Bishops in
the Americas (SCOBA) which has
implemented over $300 million in
relief and development programs
in 33 countries around the world.
BREAKING GROUND
The last weekend in August,
Metropolitan Gerasimos of
San Francisco led the festivities
at the groundbreaking for the
new church edifice for Holy
Transfiguration Church in
Anchorage. Building Committee
Chairman Maria Baskous
and past Building Committee
Chairman Greg Lotakis, were
both instrumental in bringing the
community to the groundbreaking
stage. This small dedicated
community is the only Greek
Orthodox parish in all of the 49th
State. Congratulations!!
PAN-ORTHODOX OLYMPICS
Under the leadership of its
Youth Director Lefteris Sitaras,
St. Demetrios Church hosted
the 4th Annual Pan-Orthodox
Olympics in Seattle on August 22
and 23. Youth and teens from St.
Demetrios and Assumption Greek
(Left) Founders of the
Anchorage Greek Orthodox
Community Jerry Mulenos
and Nikolaos Kollias take
part in the groundbreaking
for Anchorage’s new Holy
Transfiguration Church with
His Eminence Metropolitan
Gerasimos and with Building
Chairman Maria Baskous.
Tagaras, CPA
Tax Services, Film, Property
Matters, Wills, Start Up
Business, Bookkeeping,
License. Legal Advice with
Associate Lawyer
Track winners at
Seattle’s Annual
Pan-Orthodox
Olympics
were: Sophia
Looney, Andrew
Christianson, and
Deanna Siaterlis.
Photo by Erik Hill
IT’S GREEK TO ME
I
M
P
O
R
T
S
John & Parthena Kanelos
510 531-3997 • Oakland, California
Greek Music and Videos
Custom Made Bridal Veils, Candles,
Favors, Stefana, and Stefanothekes
Baptismal Accessories and Clothing
including Lambades and Martirica
Proistamenos Fr. Leo
Schefe of Anchorage’s Holy
Transfiguration Church,
Metropolitan Gerasimos,
and Parish Council President
Diane Primis shovel dirt at the
groundbreaking for the parish’
new church structure
Photo by Erik Hill
Orthodox parishes and St. Paul’s
Antiochian Orthodox Church
participated. Athina ModonasDiafos, Matt Katinas, and Steve
Teodosiadis helped coordinate.
A FOUNDERS’
CELEBRATION to benefit
the University of Washington
Hellenic Studies Program is
coming up on November 21.
Beginning with a reception and
wine tasting, a panel of experts
will discuss “Greece Today: Issues
and Answers,” with discussion to
follow.
BASILE COMING
Buy your tickets now! Come on
Sunday, November 8, to Seattle’s
St. Demetrios Hall for an evening
of laughs with Greek comic Basile. For more information, visit http://
basileinseattle.wordpress.com.
RECENT HAPPENINGS
NEW AHEPA LEADERS
Congratulations to the recently
elected new officers for 2009-2010:
AHEPA District 22 Governor
Peter Amanatidis of Vancouver,
WA, and Daughters District
Governor Katherine Karafotias
of Portland. Other new AHEPA
officers are Lt. Governor Nicholas
Hanches of Portland, Secretary
Gregory Kavounas of Seattle,
and Treasurer Anthony Marousis
of Seattle. New Firwood District
Daughters of Penelope officers are
Janice Konestes of Spokane; Rosa
Barringer of Everett, WA; Neena
Blackwell of Everett, WA; Grand
Governor Zone 4 Jan Spanos of
Portland, Dorothea Fleskes of
Portland, and Sylvia Handris of
Vancouver, WA.
LECTURE IN NORTHWEST
On September 24, His Grace
Bishop Savas of Troas spoke
at Holy Apostles Church,
Shoreline, WA, on “Living in
the LOGOSphere: Living out
NW PACIFIC NOTES
continued on page 17
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
in memoriam
NW PACIFIC NOTES
continued from page 16
God’s WORD in Contemporary
America.” He is Director of the
Greek Archdiocese Office of
Church and Society and an Adjunct
Professor at St Vladimir’s Orthodox
School of Theology, where he has
taught a course on “Looking for
God in Popular Culture.”
NOTABLE LONGEVITY
Congratulations and Chronia
Polla go to Eugene and Ann
Allamano who celebrated their
65th wedding anniversary!!!! They
were married on June 26, 1944, at
Assumption Church in Seattle by
the late Rev.
Fr. Stephen
Phoutrides.
Laura Teresa Choulos
The campers are introduced
to Orthodox iconography
as they “write” their own
Theotokos icons at the
annual summer girls camp at
the St. John the Forerunner
Monastery in Goldendale, WA.
and do cross stitch. The girls
experienced the peacefulness of
God’s love in a beautiful pastoral
setting away from city life. As one
camper wrote, “I learned so much
about my faith
this week…I feel
so much closer to
our Creator now…
Know that what
you do here makes
the world a better
place....”
TROJAN
WOMEN
Plans
still are in
the works—
KICKBALL
watch for
The girls learn how to make
CHAMPS
local publicity prosfora (altar bread) at
St. John the Forerunner
Congratulations
for the
Monastery’s annual Girls
to Kolokotronis’
November 1 Camp in Goldendale, WA.
Mustache-production
Seattle’s YAL Kickball team! The
of Euripides’ Trojan Women at
team, which has participated in
University of Washington Kane
a Seattle-area kickball league for
Hall 130. The troupe of actresses
the past eight years, completed
from Greece also are performing in
Vancouver, B.C.; Portland; the Bay its championship season with
Area; Los Angeles, and San Diego. a record of eight wins and one
loss. Team members are: Teena
Ageladaris, Niko Antonopoulos,
GOLDENDALE GIRLS
Katherine Dikeakos, Vasili
CAMPS
Dikeakos, Ari Diamont, Effy
St. John the Forerunner
Germanis, Demetri Ginosatis,
Monastery Annual Girls’
Retreats were held this summer— Voula Kolios, Stelio Panos,
George Plumis, Kristina
two sessions in July for the older
Plumis, Greg Plumis, Ted
girls and one in August for the
younger girls. Over 100 Orthodox Maroutsos, Yianni Maroutsos,
Lefteris Sitaras, Vlasi Stavros,
girls participated. They attended
services, increased their knowledge and Alexi Stavros.
of their faith, and learned from
Email Theodora Argue at
the sisters of the monastery how
[email protected]
to make prosfora, paint icons,
family finances to buy properties
law firm that he started, Choulos,
Laura Teresa Choulos, the
surrounding her home in Mill
Choulos and Wyle continues in
matriarch of the well-known
Valley so that her children would
San Francisco.
family of attorneys, died on
live close by. All her children
She was inseparable from her
Thursday July 30, 2009.
own and live
distinguished and accomplished
She had just
on properties
husband, Vasilios, and they
celebrated
connected to hers
made a dashing couple. She
her 81st
in Mill Valley.
accompanied him when he traveled
birthday with
Mrs. Choulos
to trials everywhere. She traveled
her extensive
was not only the
extensively to Europe and around
family at her
beloved mother
the world, including Greece,
wonderful home
of five children,
Italy, France and Egypt, as well
“Burlwood”
she had nine
as Asia, including Taiwan. She
in Mill Valley,
much-loved
enjoyed art and was a benefactor
where she had
grandchildren:
of several individual artists. She
lived for 44
James, William,
was an accomplished dancer and
years. She was
Lauren, Sophia,
she attended the theater as often
born in Italy but
Alex, Sienna
as she could. She never said no to
was brought to
Laura Teresa Choulos
and Oliver, and
an invitation to go to the movies
the United States
Samantha and Danielle. She is
– even if she had seen the film
at the age of 6 by her parents,
rejoined with her beloved husband before.
Mario and Stephania Grimaldi.
of over 50 years, Vasilios “Bill”
Funeral services were held on
She was raised in San Francisco
Choulos, who was the founder
Aug. 5 at the Annunciation Greek
in the Marina District and
of the Hellenic Law Society, who
Orthodox Church, 245 Valencia
attended Lowell High School.
passed away six years earlier. The
St. in San Francisco.
She then went to San Francisco
State University and received
her B.A. and masters degrees.
Mrs. Choulos was always
surrounded by her five children:
her daughter, Anastasia, and four
loving sons: George, Alexander,
Ca Licence FD 745
Stephan and James.
Mrs. Choulos was the
Serving the Orthodox
unifying force to the Choulos
Community for over 40 years.
Family and their extended
Available for funeral
family and friends. She radiated
love and sunshine to all and
arrangement and pre-planning.
made everyone feel loved. She
personified beauty and served
(510) 522-5188 or (510) 368-3892 (cell)
as an inspiration to her friends
Email: [email protected]
by her demonstrable love and
selflessness when it came to her
Member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension in Oakland
children. Early on, she stretched
Harry W. Greer
The Duggan Serra family and staff
are very knowledgeable in the
traditions of the Greek Community.
We work closely with the clergy and
families to present meaningful &
memorable ceremonies.
Minutes to Annunciation Cathedral and to Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Church and Greek Orthodox Memorial Park
Duggan’s Serra Mortuary 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City 415/587-4500
Sullivan’s Funeral Home 2254 Market St., San Francisco
415/621-4567
www.duggansserra.com
Kolokotronis Mustache: Seattle’s YAL Kickball Team--the 2009
Champs.
17
www.sullivansfh.com
Lics. FD1098 & FD228
Celebrations of Life – Sharing laughter, tears and beautiful memories
Our family is here to assist your family in honoring your loved one’s life.
Please call for a Free Pre-planning brochure
No obligation home or office pre-planning appointment
18
Hellenic Journal October 2009
business directory
ACCOUNTING
GEORGIA PETRAKOS, CPA
Daoro Zydel & Holland LLP
135 Main Street, 9th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Ph: 415-655-6241 • Email: [email protected]
Law-Tax in Greece Consulting,
Inc.
Katerina Kampitsi
The Knight Ridder Building
50 W. San Fernando Street, Suite 900
San Jose, CA 95113
Ph: 408-918-5388 • Fax: 408-998-2102
40 Kalavryton Str.
187 57 Keratsini, Piraeus, Greece
Ph: (30) 210 400 7919
Fax: (30) 210 400 7710
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.law-tax.gr
YIORGOS TAGARAS, CPA
Tax Services, Film, Property
Matters, Wills, Start Up Business
Bookkeeping, Licence.
Legal Advice with
Associate Lawyer
Greek Orthodox Memorial Park
Mausoleum or ground burial services provided.
Church services available on our grounds.
Protected by Endowment Care Trust Funds.
The only Greek Orthodox Memorial Park
in the United States, offering consecrated burial lots,
dedicated to serving the Eastern Orthodox Faith.
Yidrgos Tagaras
1325 Calumet Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Ph: (626) 379 6671 • Ph: (30) 694 422 7096
[email protected]
ADVERTISING/MARKETING
GUMAS ADVERTISING
John Gumas
99 Shotwell Street
San Francisco, California 94103
Ph: 415-621-7575 • Fax: 415-255-8804
Email: [email protected]
www.gumas.com
ARCHITECTS
CJK DESIGN GROUP
Christ J. Kamages, AIA
594 Howard St., Suite 401
San Francisco, CA 94105
Ph: 415-495-7626 • Fax: 415-495-2788
Email: [email protected]
www.CJKDesign.com
JOHN N SCOURKES ARCHITECT
John N. Scourkes, AIA
PO Box 52090
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Ph: 831-757-7803 • Fax: 831-757-1201
Email: [email protected]
John thodos/aia architect
John Thodos
N.E. 7th and Mission Streets
P.O. Box 7048
Carmel, CA 93921
Ph: 831-624-0866 • Fax: 831-624-8704
Email: [email protected]
www.Thodosaia.com
ATTORNEY
DIMITRAKOS LAW OFFICES
AN INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM
“…with dignity and respect
for those we love.”
Steve Doukas, Manager
Phone: (650) 755-6939 Fax: (650) 755-6109
P.O. Box 333 • 1148 El Camino Real • Colma, CA 94014
Admitted in CA & Greece
111 Deerwood Rd., Ste 385
San Ramon, CA 94583
Specializing in Greek Law (real estate, title
searches, inheritance, tax, citizenship etc.),
CA Probate & Estate Planning (Wills/
Trusts), E.U. Law & U.S. Immigration and
Nationality Law.
Ph: 925-552-9610
Offices in CA & Greece
Kyriacos Tsircou, Esq.
Specializing in intellectual property matters,
particularly in the area of patent law.
TSIRCOU LAW, P.C.
655 N. Central Avenue, 17th Floor
Glendale, CA 91203
323-660-9916
Email: [email protected]
www.tsircoulaw.com
Law & Tax Services (See Accounting)
LAW OFFICES OF
PETER J. ZOURAS
D
Peter J. Zouras, Attorney at Law
20+ years experience in Construction & Real
Estate Law, and assisting businesses.
177 Post Street, Suite 550
San Francisco, CA 94108
Ph: 415-982-2848 • Fax: 415-677-8529
Email: [email protected]
uggan’s Funeral Service
The Duggan Welch Family
William “Bill” and Steve Welch, the fourth and fifth
generation Funeral Directors serving San Francisco and
the bay area Greek Community.
Our friendly, family oriented staff are here to assist
you in your time of need. We are minutes away from
The Annunciation Cathedral and offer many Pre
Arrangement Plans.
3434 17th Street near Valencia
San Francisco, California 94110
Phone: 415-431-4900 • Fax: 415-861-9866
California Funeral Establish License FD44
California Funeral Directors Licenses FDR 394-FDR 395
BAPTISMS & WEDDINGS
Eleni’s Favors & Gifts
Eleni’s Favors & Gifts
Specializing in Weddings & Christenings
Eleni Taptelis
116 El Camino Real
San Carlos, CA 94070
Ph: 650-631-8900 • Fax: 650-631-8910
Email: [email protected]
www.elenisfavors.com
GREEK IMPORTS
Elias Tsiknis
6524 Mission Street
Daly City, CA 94014
Ph: 650-994-3322 • Fax: 650-994-3323
E-mail: [email protected]
www.greekimportsinc.com
IT’S GREEK TO ME
Wedding, Baptism, Music & Video
John and Parthena Kanelos
4061 Barner Avenue
Oakland, CA 94602
Ph: 510-531-3997 • Fax: 510-531-6980
BOOKS & GIFTS
THE LIFE-GIVING SPRING
BOOKSTORE
Anastasia Kalivas
800 N. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, CA 91206
Ph: 818-551-0544 • Fax: 818-551-9297
Email: [email protected]
www.lifegivingspring.com
COMMERCIAL REAL
ESTATE, MANAGEMENT &
DEVELOPMENT
VRIONIS & SON
Gary M. Vrionis
4115 Blackhawk Plaza Circle Ste 250
Danville, California 94506
Ph: 925-736-9300 • Fax: 925-736-9316
Design & MULTIMEDIA
ARTWORX
Providing integrated Graphic Design, Multimedia, Web and Printing Services to Greek
Communities for almost a decade.
Nektarios Tradas
Owner, Art Director
Ph: 858-292-6070
www.getartworx.com
Remodeling, Historic Restoration and Commercial Construction
Bill Baladakis Ballas
1575 Francisco Blvd East
San Rafael, CA. 94901-5503
S.F. / North Bay: 415-460-1575
South Bay: 650-299-9400
www.plathco.com
GREEK STORES/MARKETS &
DELI’S
C&K IMPORTING
Chrys Chrys
2771 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90006
Ph: 323-737-2970 • Fax: 323-737-3571
Email: [email protected]
www.papacristo.com
GREEK IMPORTS
Elias Tsiknis
6524 Mission Street
Daly City, CA 94014
Ph: 650-994-3322 • Fax: 650-994-3323
E-mail: [email protected]
www.greekimportsinc.com
GREEKSHOPS.COM
Greece...delivered to your door with just a click
2665 30th Street, Suite 103
Santa Monica, California 90405
Ph: 310-581-5059 • Fax: 310-581-4290
Email: [email protected]
www.greekshops.com
HELLENIC AMERICAN IMPORTS
Savas Deligiorgis
2365 Mission Street
San Franciso, California 94110
Ph: 415-282-2237 • Fax: 415-282-4250
Email: [email protected]
GREEK WINES
du vin fine wines
Vital Sounds (DJAlex)
Outstanding Greek Wine Selection
Dan Marshall
2526 A Santa Clara Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501
Ph: 510-769-9463 • Fax: 510-769-9443
Email: [email protected]
www.duvinfinewines.com
MEDITERRANEAN SOUL
Elias Tsiknis
6524 Mission Street
Daly City, California 94014
Ph: 650-994-3322 • Fax: 650-994-3323
Email: [email protected]
www.greekimportsinc.com
ENTERTAINMENT
Alexander Mallas
Post Office Box 444
Belmont, CA 94002-0444
Ph: 650-591-1010 • Fax: 650-345-4742
Email: [email protected]
www.vitalsounds.net
Greek/World Music for
Festivals, Weddings, Baptisms,
Private Parties, Special Events
Christos Sarantakis
707-939-9063
www.medsoul.com
Email: [email protected]
FINANCING
COAST FUNDING GROUP, INC.
“Financing Homes to Hamburgerstands”
Since 1984
John Hatzidakis
Ted Learakos
Kostas Hatzidakis
1401 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 155
Santa Ana, California 92705
Ph: 714-547-3444
Email: [email protected]
General Contracting
Plath & Company, Inc.
Custom Home Building, Renovation &
GREER FAMILY
MORTUARY
HELLENIC AMERICAN IMPORTS
Savas Deligiorgis
2365 Mission Street
San Francisco, California 94110
Ph: 415-282-2237 • Fax: 415-282-4250
Email: [email protected]
INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Nick P. Diafos, Licensed Agent
** Specializing in the Self-Employed
Health • Life • Disability
Seattle, Washington
Ph: 425-749-0238
Fax: 425-223-5090
[email protected]
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE
Demetrios Theodoropoulos, Agent
Bay Bridge Office
5890 Horton St., Suite 500
Emeryville, California 94608
Ph: 925-847-4600
Fax: 925-847-4605
Cell: 510-205-5433
Email: [email protected]
VERREOS INSURANCE AGENCY
Serving the Greek Orthodox Community
Your trusted source for providing
Meaningful Ceremonies and outstanding
service through our dedicated staff
GREEK IMPORTS
FD1408
Please visit our web site at www.greerfuneralhome.com
2694 Blanding Avenue
Alameda
Ph: 510-865-3755 Fax: 510-865-1327
Email: [email protected]
Tony Verreos
Value Star Gold Certified
200 Valley Drive Suite 20
Brisbane, California 94005
Ph: 800-464-1397
Fax: 415-467-9605
Email: [email protected]
JEWELERS
JEWELRY PLUS
Steve Padis
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.padisgems.com
San Francisco Jewelry Center
101 Utah Street Suite 201
San Francisco, California 94103
Ph: 415-626-8288
Fax: 415-431-4896
October 2009 Hellenic Journal
JEWELRY PLUS
Steve Padis
San Francisco Gift Center
888 Brannan Street Suite 165
San Francisco, California 94103
Ph: 415-861-2325 • Fax: 415-861-2376
Steve’s Special Selection
San Francisco Gift Center
888 Brannan Street Suite 126
San Francisco, California 94103
Ph: 415-861-5388 • Fax: 415-861-1459
Jewelry
Gallery Byzantium
Exquisitely handcrafted heirloom quality
crosses and jewelry designed in the Early
Christian, Byzantine and Slavic aesthetic
tradition. • Ph: 800-798-6173
www.gallerybyzantium.com
MEMORIAL PARK
GREEK ORTHODOX
MEMORIAL PARK
Steve Doukas
1148 El Camino Real
Colma, CA 94014
Ph: 650-755-6939
Fax: 650-755-6109
www.petrakosfilms.com
Petros Mungridis
422 Tyler Street, Monterey, CA 93940
Ph: 831-655-8108
www.epsilonrestaruant.com
printing & Publishing
ARTWORX
Providing integrated Graphic Design, Multimedia, Web and Printing Services to Greek
Communities for almost a decade.
Nektarios Tradas
Owner, Art Director
Ph: 858-292-6070
www.getartworx.com
Papa Cristo’s
Authentic Greek Taverna Since 1948
Chrys Chrys
2771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006
Ph: 323-737-2970
SHIPPING/APPLIANCES
RADIO
ARIS EXPORT CO., INC.
HELLENIC AMERICAN
BROADCAST
Your Host: Savas Deligiorgis
2365 Mission Street, San Franciso, CA 94110
Ph: 415-282-2237
Email: [email protected]
REAL ESTATE
Isaac Kotev
1453 Doolittle Drive
San Leandro, CA 94577
Ph: 510-636-4646 • Fax: 510-636-4640
Email: [email protected]
www.aris220v.com
TELEVISION
MAKRAS REAL ESTATE
GREEK TV
Victor G. Makras
1193 Church Street
San Francisco, California 94114
Ph: 415-282-8400 • Fax: 415-282-8594
Your Host: Dimitri Carapanos
3653 Walnut Street
Lafayette, California 94549
Ph: 925-858-3334
www.greektv.com
Eva Sogotis
TRAVEL
Personalized care for over 50 years
Paul Larson & Jim Pappas
El Camino Real at Millwood Drive
Millbrae, California
Ph: 650-588-5116
www.chapelofthehighlands.com
Realtor
Servicing your Real Estate needs
in San Francisco and the Peninsula
Alain Pinel Realtors
1440 Chapin Avenue, Suite 200
Burlingame, CA 94010
Ph: 650.931.2953 • Fax: 650.931.2099
Cell: 650.302.8291
Email: [email protected]
www.evasogotis.com
Duggan’s Funeral Service
Jimmy Spathos
Prima capital group, inc.
MORTUARY
Chapel of the Highlands
The Duggan Welch Family
Our friendly, family-oriented staff are
here to assist you in your time of need.
We are minutes away from the Annunciation
Cathedral, 245 Valencia St. S.F.
3434 17th Street near Valencia
San Francisco, CA 94110
Ph. 415-431-4900
Fax: 415-861-9866
Duggan's Serra Mortuary
Free Funeral Preplanning Appointments in one
of our three locations or your home.
500 Westlake Avenue
Daly City, CA 94014
Ph: 650-756-4500 • 415-587-4500
Fax: 650-755-4834
www.duggansserra.com
Greer Family Mortuary
Serving the Greek Orthodox
Community
2694 Blanding Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
Ph: 510-865-3755 • Fax: 510-865-1327
[email protected]
Aster Travel Agency
The Greek Travel Agency
Discount air, cruises & tours
Tim Zaracotas
1961 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, California 94127
Ph: 415-334-5957 • Fax: 415-334-3552
VENTURE CAPITAL
Realtor / Notary
Commercial and Residential Real Estate
in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
8635 Florence Avenue Suite 101
Downey, CA 90240
Ph: 562-861-7257
Fax: 562-861-0285
Cell: 562-400-2148
www.jimmyspathos.com
PRIMARY MORTGAGE
A Real Estate Lending Company For All Your
Real Estate Needs
Taso Manitsas, Owner/Broker
4340 Redwood Hwy, Suite A33
San Rafael, CA. 94903
Ph: 415-472-4572
Fax: 415-472-4575
Email: [email protected]
RESTAURANTS
epsilon
Fine Greek Restaurant
Do you have a bright idea that can become a
real business? Or are you a Greek Angel who
is willing to venture in bright ideas? Can we
talk?
Elias D. Argyropoulos–President/CEO
Nick Gorenc–Financial Consultant
1230 Coast Village Circle, Ste. EMontecito,
California 93108
Ph: 805-969-1370 or 800-600-8599
Fax: 805-565-0557
Email: [email protected]
$300,000 to $10,000,000
Lolonis Winery
Greek Heritage Vineyards going on their
90th year
Certified Organically Grown and Unfiltered
Join Our Wine Club and Receive 25% off
Retail
www.Lolonis.com
HELLENIC AMERICAN
BROADCAST
Monday–Friday
8–9 p.m.
1400 AM
your host, Savas
Deligiorgis
2365 Mission Street,
San Francisco, CA
94110
925-858-3334
HELLENIC AMERICAN
IMPORTS
1001 Greek Items
Plus a full line of Greek Groceries
& Wine
Hellenic Connection
Hellenic Events, Restaurants,
Businesses & Organizations.
For a comprehensive list of what’s
happening on the Greek scene
in your town and around the
globe, visit Hellenikozmo.com and
tonypresents.com.
Advertise in the HJ
Business Directory for $30
per issue.
Call the Hellenic Journal 831899-3699 or info@hellenicjournal.
org. Deadline is the first of the
previous month, i.e.
September 1st for October.
Eva Sogotis
Realtor
1440 Chapin Avenue, Suite 200 • Burlingame, CA 94010
Direct: 650.931.2953 • Cell: 650.302.8291 • Fax: 650.931.2099
[email protected] • www.evasogotis.com
Servicing your
Real Estate needs
in San Francisco
and the
Peninsula.
“My top priority is to provide all my clients with
expertise, superior service, quality and dedication,
so I can always meet their needs and continuously
surpass their expectations.”
Eva Sogotis, Realtor
WESTERN GREEK AMERICAN NEWS MONTHLY www.hellenicjournal.org
✔
✄
Saturdays
3 to 3:30 p.m.
KTSF–Ch. 26
your host, Dimitri
Carapanos
3653 Walnut Street,
Lafayette,CA 94549
Call 925-858-3334
www.greektv.com
Government spokesman
on wildfires
Government spokesman
Evangelos Antonaros said
during a press briefing,
referring to the latest wildfires
that, “wherever there was a
forest a forest will be created
again.”
The spokesman added
that “no exception, no
deviation from this rule will
be tolerated,” and announced
that George Souflias has been
appointed coordinator for
restoration work.
“Our target is for the
environment that was harmed
to return to its previous
beauty,” the spokesman stressed
and spoke of a great disaster
and of considerable damage.
On the question of
compensation, Antonaros said
that in the case of homes that
were completely destroyed
money will be provided for
building new ones of up to 120
square meters and at a cost of
750 euros per square meter,
while up to 450 euros will be
provided for repairs.
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PETRAKOS FILMS
GREEK TV
in November 2007 mandates
the immediate demolition of
any structure built on wildfireravaged land, with the owner
disqualified from seeking judicial
or administrative relief.
wINERIES
PHOTOGRAPHY/
VIDEOGRAPHY
Kostas Petrakos
San Carlos, California
Ph: 650-585-1015
Email: [email protected]
GREEK NEWS
continued from page 15
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Our Showrooms
SAN FRANCISCO JEWELRY CENTER
101 Utah Street
Suite 201
San Francisco, CA
415-626-8288
SAN FRANCISCO GIFT CENTER
888 Brannan Street
Suite 165
San Francisco, CA
415-861-2325
STEVE’S SPECIAL SELECTION
San Francisco Gift Center
Suite 126
d
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Bay Area
1-888-500-GEMS
www.padisgems.com
We are
proud to feature
415-861-5388
The Following Designers:
Tacori • Scott Kay • Michele Watches • Verragio • Simon G. • A. Jaffe • Ritani
Precision Set • Christopher Designs • Jeff Cooper • Memoire • Christian Bauer
ArtCarved • Goldman • Spark • Natalie K. • Diana • Benchmark • Calla Collection
Michael Bondanza • Tycoon • Jean-Francois Albert • Charles Garnier • Michael B.
Furrer Jacot
Fendi Watches
&