THE NATIONAL HERALD WISHES Bringing the news ITS READERS A to generations of HAPPY NEW YEAR! The National Herald Greek Americans c v A WEEKLY GREEK AMERICAN PUBLICATION www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 14, ISSUE 690 January 1-7 , 2011 $1.50
TNH Man of the Year Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou
ATHENS – It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times. That was 2010 for Greece, and Prime Minister George Papan - dreou, who tried to bring his country through an unprecedented economic crisis and the worst times that Greeks have faced since World War II and the 1967-73 Junta years of dictatorship. There were parallels not just to ancient Greek dramas and tragedies, but also to Charles Dicken’s Tale of Two Cities, Pa - pandreou perhaps the unwitting protagonist who falls victim to the wrath of a revolution despite his personal virtuous nature. He said he inherited the fiscal woes left by the scandal-ridden tattered legacy of his predecessor Costas Karamalis’ New Democracy Conservatives, forgetting, as politicians conveniently do, that it was Papandreou’s PASOK Socialists who - as did their rivals - fake the figures that helped Greece get into the Eurozone of countries using the euro as a currency almost 10 years ago, setting the stage for ruin by profligate spending, packing the payrolls with patronage hires of workers with noth - ing to do except smoke and drink coffee and ignore customers, PHOTOS: TNH ARCHIVES left to wonder what the hell happened when there was no The smiles of Rodia and Elena Kalamara grace the scene domi - Greek Orthodox faithful carry icons as they participate in the money left to pay them and he imposed strict austerity mea - nated by the proud Evzones of the Greek Presidential Guard dur - service of Great Vespers during a rally near Ground Zero in sures, pay cuts and tax hikes and pinning pensioners to a wall ing the raising of the Greek Flag at Bowling Green in Manhattan, New York City to try to get St. Nicholas Church, destroyed in of fright and worry. April 16, 2010, before Greek Independence Day celebrations. the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, rebuilt near where it stood. Winning election in October, 2009 on the back of Socialist platforms to help the workers and poors, Papandreou had to abandon his party’s principles to keep Greece from defaulting and to get out from under a 15.1% deficit and $360 billion Greek America in 2010: Scandal, Shame, debt that crippled the present and threatened to bankrupt the future. He almost did it, and for that reason alone – political courage in the face of generations of political cowardice – he was not the obvious choice as The National Herald Man of the Defeat, But Hope and Charity Too Year for 2010, he was the only choice, and nobody else was
For Greek Americans like the niency and accepted Paisios’ res - light to build a mosque near campaign. rest of the Diaspora, from Johan - ignation, but then suspended him Ground Zero, not far from where But Greek American business - nesburg to Melbourne and back, and Bishop Vikentios from any St. Nicholas’ was felled. Even man George Maragos began his 2010 was the year when they had further involvement with the protests and the presence of Arch - tenure as Nassau County Comp - to sit on the sidelines and watch Church. bishop Demetrios in one demon - troller in New York and Ted Gat - as their home team, Greece, was TNH’s intrepid religion re - stration on the site didn’t sway sas became New Hampshire’s first trounced 2010-0, routed at every porter Theodore Kalmoukos also New York and New Jersey Port Greek American Mayor when he turn, and all they could do was uncovered the Church of Amer - Authority officials to do anything. won in the state’s biggest city, wring their hands, sigh, try to ex - ica’s refusal to take on the case It was not a good year for Manchester. Assemblyman plain to friends not all Greeks are of two 10-year-old twin boys from Greek Americans in politics either, Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) won like that. It was almost enough the Peoples Republic of Congo; with Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe a spot in the New York State Sen - to take their minds off all the the issue of whether or not Arch - initially voting to extend unem - ate; Aravella Simotas won his old troubles at home, especially a se - bishop Demetrios, 83, would ployment benefits for the jobless State Assembly seat, where she ries of sexually-tinged scandals in leave his position and other sex - before changing her mind, and was joined by Nicole Malliotakis. the Church that left the faithful ual molestation accusations, in then with the defeat of three George Sava lost to fellow Greek shaking their heads and wonder - Texas, against Deacon Bithos, as hopeful candidates for higher of - American Dean Skelos in a bid ing what was going wrong. The well as the unpopular decision of fice, including two for U.S. Sen - for his NY State Senate Seat and most sensational – and tawdry – Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver to ate, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias Vermont elected Jim Condos as tale involved allegations against divide the Holy Trinity Cathedral for U.S. President Barack its Secretary of State. Metropolitan Paisios, a co- parish in Salt Lake City in Utah Obama’s old seat in Illinois, and Thankfully, Greek philan - founder of the St. Irene Chryso - into two. Detroit's Annunciation Independent Charlie Crist, the thropy continued, with the Hel - valantou Monastery in Astoria, Cathedral celebrated its 100th an - Florida Governor who switched lenic American School in Lowell, N.Y., who resigned hurriedly and niversary in one high note for re - from the Republican party when Massachusetts getting a $280,000 went to Greece just before ligion, but the Church’s woes con - it became apparent he wouldn’t grant from the Stavros Niarchos charges by a nun under his tinued with the long-running get the nomination. Harry Wil - Foundation, which also gave a charge, and Bishop Vikentios, his drama of St. Nicholas in New son, a Wall Street whiz, couldn’t’ $750,000 grant to the Cathedral associate there for 40 years, that York City, destroyed in the terror - parlay that experience into win - School in New York and everyday Paisios was running more of a ist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 and ning the job as New York State Greek Americans kept showing AP PHOTO/PETROS GIANNAKOURIS brothel than a House of Worship, which officials promised to help Comptroller, and the three de - they were hard working, decent Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou speaks during a seamy story that allegedly in - rebuild. Nine years later there’s feats were particularly bitter as it people dedicated to their Church, the annual economic conference of the American-Hellenic volved sexual affairs with young not even an agreement or a blue - seemed Giannoulias and Wilson families and community, celebrat - Chamber of Commerce, in Athens, Nov. 30, 2010. men and women. The Patriar - print as both sides charged each especially had a strong chance for ing festivals and life, so even as chate, which had jurisdiction, ini - other with bad faith, all while victory, while Crist hoped he was they were taking shots, they kept close. The selection is not made on virtue or for exemplary ser - tially offered ecclesiastical le - Muslims were getting a green cresting toward the end of the giving. vice, although he is said to be incorruptible even while allowing those around him to be lesser than him, his Administration said to be full of the tax evaders who deprive Greece of at least $30 billion a year while living high above the fray. The Man (or Woman) of the Year is the newsmaker whose presence The Stormy Year of 2010 Changed Greece dominates the landscape, and no face was more prevalent in Greece than his, and, for better or worse, it was also a world - wide countenance as he tried to steer Greece both between Scylla and Charybdis and the Sirens who beckoned an economic – and Greeks Lives, But Not For Good shipwreck. He’s the Man of the Year not only for his inexplicable shortcomings, but for his achievements, preaching calm in the midst of chaos, again extending his reach to Turkey, bringing his counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Athens, and then By Andy Dabilis welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an historic visit to Athens – and Chinese Prime Minister Wen ATHENS – What a year. Lighting Jiabao to Greece, triumphs that can’t be diminished by the fact struck again and again and again that while he seemed to be everywhere, he was not out among in Greece. Scandal. Austerity the people, as any good General would be in a war, as U.S. measures. Another scandal. President Obama was in Afghanistan. More austerity measures. An - During a crisis such as this, people need hope and to see other scandal. Pay cuts and tax those presumably leading them, to understand that the sacri - hikes. Another scandal rekindled. fices being asked are by all and for all, and not just those who More pay cuts and higher taxes. have no power nor voice nor the access that money can buy, Another old scandal resurfaces. something Papandreou, for all his pedigree and upbringing, Riots, pensioners marching, so apparently forgot that when he was having fancy lunches with to speak, in the streets, holding influential Greek American businessmen instead of a souvlaki signs denouncing the govern - on the street so he could know what people were really thinking ment for robbing their present, and feeling, not what his well-off advisors were telling him side-by-side with workers and what they were. You can’t live on rarified air or joust when students denouncing the govern - you’re on a high horse, and he shouldn’t let calm be confused ment for robbing their future. A with placid complacency. former prime minister who dis - THAT SINKING FEELING appeared off the map after his The perhaps cruel irony is that Papandreou is dismantling scandal-ridden administration the system his father and former prime minister, Andreas Pa - brought Greece to the brink of pandreou, put in place to improve the lot of the common man, economic collapse. His successor, but by mortgaging the country’s future with social programs George Papandreou, renouncing and hiring workers Greece couldn’t afford. History can be cruel his Socialist party values to try so George Papandreou will be judged not by his accomplish - to keep Greece from defaulting ments but for what happens to the Greek economy, whether it and collapsing, sinking under the survives, is restructured, or even, as he has repeatedly said weight of a 15.1% deficit and would never happen but which many economic analysts advised $360 billion debt. A Dark Day ABOVE: An employee of a – goes back to the ancient drachma Greece gave up for the for Democracy when three inno - Marfin Bank Branch is still euro that proved too heavy. He stood steadfast in pushing cent bank workers killed in an dazed after being rescued from through the austerity measures Greece needed for a long time, anarchist firebombing during a fire that broke out when the but refused to lay off redundant workers, making everyone protests against the government, bank was attacked during anti- sacrifice through pay cuts and tax hikes, penalizing the pro - trapped in their offices while the government protests in central ductive while protecting the incompetent to save his party’s murderers danced in the streets Athens, May 5, 2010. Three of constituency base of voters, allowing him to say he didn’t care and yelled at them to die, wit - her colleagues died inside. No for the political cost of imposing Draconian measures on work - nesses turning away instead of one has been arrested yet. ing Greeks while trying to insure PASOK would go on. That turning in the perpetrators. The RIGHT: A flash of lightning il - didn’t sit well even in his own party, with some Socialist Parlia - news business loves dirty laun - luminates the sky over the mentarians complaining they were just empty seats in a cham - dry and bad news, but 2010 was 2,500-year-old Ancient ber where Papandreou took marching orders from The Troika a year that couldn’t be made up, Parthenon temple, on the – the European Union, European Central Bank, and Interna - even in a movie or bad tabloid Acropolis hill during heavy tional Monetary Fund – that loaned Greece $150 billion over or even the Fox News Network. rainfall in Athens, June 28, three years so the economy wouldn’t collapse. To get what he The world turned its eyes to 2010, mirroring a year of polit - wanted in a 300-member Parliament where PASOK had 156 Greece, which set the news stan - ical storms across the country. seats, down after he booted a couple of rebels who didn’t like being told how to vote, he declared that the laws he wanted to dard, its society on the verge of satisfy the Troika were emergencies, leaving the body little For subscription: unraveling and threatening to time to debate and his majority to rubber stamp what became 718.784.5255 bring Europe with it, the country fiats or Papandreou Bulls. The Vatican could learn from him. [email protected] the butt of lines whenever an Greece is not a true Democracy, as the head of PASOK’s Parlia - economy anywhere was disinte - mentary group, Christos Protopappas, noted when he said: grating: “California the New Greece?” Around the world, Continued on page 10 Continued on page 7 2 COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011
GOINGS ON...
n THRU JANUARY 3 lymnian House from 8:00 – NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Onassis 11:00 p.m. Tickets are $5. Hors Cultural Center explores the d’ouveres and drinks will be role of heroes in society in the served. The Kalymnian House exhibition, Heroes: Mortals and is located at: 42 W. Morgan St., Myths in Ancient Greece, on Tarpon Springs, Fl. For more view in Manhattan from Octo - information, call: (727) 937- ber 5, 2010 to January 3, 2011. 1130 or visit: The exhibition is supported by www.tarponarts.org. Tarpon an indemnity from the Federal Springs Cultural Treasures, PO Council on the Arts and Human - Box 5004, Tarpon Springs, ities. Highlights of the exhibition Florida 34689. Telephone: include a bronze Corinthian hel - (727) 942-5605. met from 700-500 B.C.; a black- figure amphora depicting n JANUARY 9 Achilles and Ajax playing a OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. - The board game outside Troy (late Greek Women's University Club sixth century B.C.); a black-fig - is hosting a special Annual ure column krater (c. 510 B.C.) Scholarship Luncheon, “Cele - TNH/COSTAS BEJ TNH/COSTAS BEJ depicting Odysseus escaping brating 80 Years of Greek Snow Slams East Coast; New Yorkers Want to Smack their Leaders from the cave of the Cyclops Women's University Club - Pro - Polyphemos; and a gold medal - moting the Arts, Culture, and The light is green for "GO!" but the drivers of these vehicles With a smile on her face, Helen Spetseris of Queens, N.Y., has lion with the bust of Alexander Education," at Mike Ditka's are long gone as the streets of Brooklyn, New York are littered to do the heavy digging out herself after a big snowstorm blan - the Great (c. 218-235 A.D.); Restaurant on January 9 at with buses, cars and trucks abandoned during the Christmas keted the East Coast the day after Christmas, leaving so much among many more. Guided 12:00 p.m. Guest speaker will Blizzard of 2010. Two days later, streets and mass transit were white stuff a snow blower was better than a shovel. On many tours of the exhibition will be be NBC Channel 5 Reporter Kim still a mess, and New Yorkers were furious with their officials. streets car traffic was replaced by children making snowmen. offered to the public every Tues - Vatis. The Restaurant is located day and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at: Two Mid America Plaza Tours can also be organized (22nd St & Rte 83), Oakbrook upon request for school groups. Terrace, IL. It will be $45 per A comprehensive brochure will person. For further information, In the Spotlight: Markos Kaminis, God ’s Blogger also be offered free to visitors. contact: Maria Kallis at: (630) For additional information, con - 455-1688. tact: Lillian Goldenthal at (212) By Constantine S. Sirigos after graduate school and a one- 593-6355 or email: golden - n JANUARY 12 TNH Staff Writer year job search, I joined Stan - [email protected]. NEW YORK, NY – The Hellenic dard & Poor’s. My work and American Bankers Association NEW YORK – Markos N. toolset were so novel to man - n DECEMBER 31 in collaboration with the Hel - Kaminis is a Greek American fi - agement that I was promoted NEW PORT RICHEY, Fl. – St. lenic America Chamber of Com - nancial expert who lives and into a special role among a George’s New Year’s Eve Dinner merce, the Hellenic Medical So - breathes the information-laden group of three stock pickers and Dance will be held on De - ciety, the Hellenic Lawyers air of the blogosphere. His brain handpicked to serve our short cember 31 at St. George’s Greek Association and the Cyprus-U.S. contains a clear picture of the fi - list of institutional clients. Orthodox Church from 7:00 Chamber of Commerce, are nancial world whose concepts TNH: What’s the greatest les - p.m.-1:00 a.m. The party will hosting their traditional cutting and practices make otherwise in - son you've ever learned? feature Florida’s top Greek of the Vasilopita event at the telligent peoples’ heads hurt, but MK: That nothing is possible band, Ellada with Dino Theofi - Holy Trinity Cathedral Hall on his sights are also set on a higher without God’s blessing. Through los, Elias Poulos and Georgos January 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. realm with a different kind of blood, sweat and tears, I carved Soffos. The dinner will include There will be a wine and meze knowledge. This is one of those my way through a mountain, hors d’oeuvres, a prime rib din - reception. The event is free for times of year when Orthodox rather than climbing it. And ner, champagne and vasilopita. members and $40 for non-mem - Christians are told that we do in then when I reached the pinna - Space is limited and tickets will bers. Visit: fact dwell in two worlds. cle from within its heart, I was not be sold at the door. Tickets haba20110112.eventbrite.com, “Simeron O Christos en Bithleem reminded about God, his plan for Adults are $50.00 and to register. Holy Trinity Cathe - Genate ek parthenou – Today and his will. It was like a big $25.00 for children 12 & under. dral Hall is located at: 337 East Christ is born of the Virgin in joke revealed to me, that the fi - To RSVP, call: Koula Mitchel at: 74th Street, Between 1st & 2nd Bethlehem” intones the great Or - nancial security I sought all my (727) 844-0620. Avenues, New York, NY 10021. thodox Christmas hymn that re - life was actually meaningless minds us that God once dwelled and worthless, and that I had n DECEMBER 31 n FEBRUARY 5 among us in the flesh. And even nearly lost the riches of faith in TORONTO, Canada – The Pan - EDISON, NJ – The White Moun - outside church, watching the Markos N. Kaminis is a Greek American financial expert. the process. messinian Association of tains Cretan Fraternity is host - football playoffs, we will see fans TNH: Do you have a role Toronto “Papaflessas-Ipapanti,” ing their Annual Dinner Dance holding placards that read “John cultural fields. can to now raise the standard model? is hosting their New Years Eve on February 5 at 7:00 p.m. at 3:16” which points to the Gospel TNH: How do you help the of how modern Greeks are MK: In the past I might have Celebration on December 31 at Pines Manor. There will be a verse "For God so loved the people who devote a share of viewed by contemporary society, said my father and the work The Grand Luxe Event Boutique variety of mouth-watering world, that he gave his only be - their valuable time to your blog? because this perspective has ethic I witnessed in him; or Pe - at 7:00 p.m. Cocktails begin at Greek foods served and Cretan gotten Son.” We are also taught MK: Our blog is an indepen - been recently distorted. My ter Lynch, the famed portfolio 7:00 p.m. followed by dinner at music and Laika will be pro - that a Christian should be careful dent endeavor. It’s not a branch Modern Greek heritage and up - manager of the Fidelity Magel - 7:30 p.m. There will be an open vided by George Boyiatzhs and of the world, to be in it, not of it. or vehicle of large investment bringing has also shaped my lan Fund, and author of Beating bar for adults and a Champagne Xristos Zabolas. Donations: $80 Kaminis pushes that guidance to organizations, like some blogs. character. the Street, the book that guided toast at Midnight. Opa Opa DJ and $40 for children up to 11- its limits, and tries to keep his My independence and this latest TNH: What has been your me toward portfolio manage - services will be playing a variety years-old. For further informa - finger on the pulse of the mater - endeavor of mine have been in - greatest achievement so far? ment. However, at this juncture of Greek and English music tion and to make reservations, ial and the spiritual life. He ac - fluenced by the rude awakening MK: If you asked me 10 of my life, the answer is just as throughout the night. There contact: Soula Kantilierakis at knowledges that he may end up I received on Wall Street where, years ago, I might have said clear and much different. Now, will also be a spectacular silk (732) 819-0563; Irene Kanter - in seminary one day, but today even while employed by an “in - landing a job on Wall Street, a I favor modeling my life after aerial performance by Femmes akis at (732) 297-8321; or Takis he is dedicated to helping people dependent research provider,” I lifelong struggle that involved that of Saint Nikolaos or Jesus du Feu and arts and crafts will Psarakis at (908) 256-6813. with their material needs. He’s a found gross and broad negli - emerging from a blue collar Christ. be available for children. Prices Pines Manor is located at: 2085 financial columnist and the gence of fiduciary responsibility. background, where my best TNH: What’s your ultimate are: $95 for adults, which in - Route 27, Edison, NJ 08817. founder & chief editor of Wall This experience so tainted my friends moved on to delivering goal in life? cludes open bar and a 3 course Street Greek, the globally syndi - view of my lifelong dream, that packages and reading gas me - MK: Sainthood. Does that dinner and $45 for children un - n FEBRUARY 19-20 cated and expert-authored blog, I determined never to work for ters. I chose my career goal at sound ridiculous or cocky even? der 12 which includes dinner NASSAU, Bahamas – The Greek which can be found at Wall - another organization without the age of 13, after a fictional I believe Sainthood should be only. Tickets will not be sold at Orthodox Church in Nassau is StreetGreek.com and www. Wall - serious consideration of the peo - investment project in school. I the ultimate goal of every life, the door. To purchase tickets, hosting their annual Greek Fes - StreetGreek.blogspot.com. As an ple involved in overseeing made my first investment by age and every child, when asked this contact: Peter Panagiotopoulos tival on February 19-20. Enjoy analyst for seven years on Wall things. I would rather be finan - 16, and every dollar earned question in school, should give at: (416) 887-1601; Rita a variety of mouth-watering tra - Street, as contributor and editor cially bankrupt than morally so. went into the stock market, the same answer. When I was Valasiadis at: (416) 817-3413 ditional Greek foods, Greek beer to institutional newsletters, as TNH: Has your life path been which helped finance my col - asked this question as a child, I or email: messini - and an assortment of delicious well as a columnist for Business - influenced by your Ancient lege education. rattled off eight different jobs, [email protected]. Greek pastries. There will be week.com, RealMoney.com, Mot - and/or Modern Greek and Or - TNH: How did you begin in and they told me that it was For further information, visit: an ouzeri and kafenio on church leyFool.com and others, he was thodox heritage? the field? good because I had many op - www.panmessinian-toronto.org. grounds, as well as, cooking able to syndicate the blog. Initi - MK: My life has most defi - MK: My journey required ex - tions. Then I answered, “But I demonstrations. There will also ated as a one-man show covering nitely been affected by my treme determination, because want them all.” Now I only want n JANUARY 8 be a live bouzouki band and tra - the global economy and equity Greek heritage. First of all, I’m without any contacts in the in - to be appreciated by the Lord, TARPON SPRINGS, Fl. – Tarpon ditional Greek dancing. En - markets, the blog has since ex - so proud of what ancient Greeks dustry, I was left to my own lim - whose sole opinion matters. Be - Springs Cultural Treasures pre - trance fees are: $3 for adults panded to include expert authors have accomplished. I believe ited devices while competing fore achieving Sainthood sents an evening of lively music and $1 for children. Festival covering numerous financial and that we must do everything we against Ivy Leaguers. Eventually, though, I plan to and am devel - and dance from the Dodecanese hours are: February 19 at 11:00 oping businesses from the web Islands of Greece. Feature mu - a.m. and February 20 from down to the street. My goal is sicians are, Kalymnian violin 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. The fes - not to get rich, but to create a player, Michalis Kappas, who tival will be located at the Greek source of capital, which I plan will journey from Greece to join Orthodox Church Grounds on to put to work for God by creat - Laouto musician, Panayotis West Street, Nassau, Bahamas. ing a non-profit international League in playing nisiotika, the Orthodox Christian-affiliated music of the Aegean Islands. n NOTE TO OUR READERS philanthropic organization. My Performing with them will be This calendar of events section goals have always been big and Tarpon Springs' Tsabouna is a complimentary service to impossible, yet somehow possi - player, Skevos Karavokiros and the Greek American community. ble. traditional vocalist, Irene Kara - All parishes, organizations and TNH: If you could change vokiros. The event is supported institutions are encouraged to something about yourself, what in part by grants from the Na - e-mail their information regard - would it be? tional Endowment for the Arts, ing the event 3-4 weeks ahead MK: Well, I always joke that SouthArts, the Sister Cities of time, and no later than Mon - God broke my nose as a child, Committee of Tarpon Springs day of the week before the playing street hockey, to keep and the Kalymnian Society. The event, to english.edition@then - my ego in check, but it would event will be held at the Ka - ationalherald.com be nice to fix that. More seri - ously, I wish I could be more courageous for Christ, which I’m working on. QUESTION OF THE WEEK TNH: What’s your most en - joyable pastime? Vote on our website! MK: Delivering bread and/or sandwiches in the dark to home - You have the chance to express your opinion on our website less people on the streets of New on an important question in the news. The results will be pub - York City. Secondarily, I have a lished in our printed edition next week along with the question great passion for the art of danc - for that week. ing zeimbekiko, and enjoy any - The question this week is: Do you think your life will be thing that brings peace and better in 2011? serenity. o Yes TNH: Share with us some o No words of wisdom. o Maybe MK: In life, you will find an The results for last week’s question: Should Greece support abundance of people to tell you the building of mosques in Athens? that you cannot accomplish 23 % voted "Yes" what you want to do. However, 77 % voted "No" there is only one voice which 0% voted "Maybe" determines if you can or not, and that is your own. Therefore, Please vote at: www.thenationalherald.com do not seek the approval or ad - vice of people who do not share the passion of your dream. Fear nothing, and trust in God and book · worm. - noun His will. 1. One who spends much time reading or studying. 2. Any of various insects, especially booklice and [email protected] silverfish, that infest books and feed on the paste in the bindings. If you'd like to nominate a no - Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, table member of the Greek 4th Edition American community for “In the Spotlight”, please contact The National Herald Bookstore english.edition@thenationalher - (718) 784-5255 ald.com with your suggestions. [email protected] THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW: COMMUNITY 3 A Greek American Year in Review: The Highs and Lows of 2010
POLITICS bravery of her late father, Horst • A portrait of John G. Ran - hattan’s New Museum; “Percy • On January 3, Greek Amer - B. Lantzsch, who saved his Jew - gos was unveiled in September Jackson and the Olympians: A ican businessman George Mara - ish friend Freddi Ascher from at the Children’s Hospital of Look Inside the Lightning Thief” gos was sworn in as Nassau the Nazis. Pittsburgh thanking him for at Hellenic Museum Chicago, County Comptroller in New • Ismene L. Petrakis, Profes - three decades of support. Ran - which broke ground on its new York. Ted Gatsas became New sor of Psychiatry at the Yale Uni - gos is making a unitrust gift of building, planned to open in Hampshire’s First Greek Ameri - versity School of Medicine, as - $1 million to the hospital for re - April, 2011; “Heroes: Mortals can Mayor on January 5. sumed the post of Chief of search, in addition to the $8 mil - and Myths in Ancient Greece” • On November 2, Assembly - Psychiatry, Veterans Administra - lion that Children’s has already was the Onassis Cultural Cen - man Michael Gianaris (D-Asto - tion of the Connecticut Health - received from the Rangos’ fam - ter’s exhibit of the year in New ria) won a spot in the New York care System on July 1. ily foundation. York; Greek American artist State Senate; Aravella Simotas • The Association of Greek • Mary and Michael Jaharis DeAnna Maganias’ design came won his old State Assembly seat, American Professional Women donated $3 million for the con - to life as Athens’ first Greek where she was joined by Nicole or AGAPW was inaugurated; it struction of the Mary Jaharis Holocaust memorial opened in Malliotakis. George Sava lost to honored TV journalist Tina San - Center for Byzantine Art and May. fellow Greek American Dean torineou on October 26. Culture Hellenic College/Holy • Singer Ariana Savalas, 22 Skelos in a bid for his NY State • Frances Frangos Town - Cross in Brookline, Massachu - year-old daughter of actor Telly Senate Seat. Vermont elected send, former Homeland Security setts. Savalas, sang in Manhattan Jim Condos as its Secretary of Advisor to President George W. • The estate of Dr. Spyro and clubs. CSI actor George Eads State. Bush, received the Pan Hellenic Helen Gevas of Roseland gave was awarded at 19th Annual • Among those defeated, na - Scholarship Foundation’s Para - the Greek Orthodox community Hellenic Times Scholarship tion-wide, were Charlie Baker digm Award in November. of Saints Nicholas, Constantine Fund dinner in New York. Ac - (R), running for governor in • Many Greek Americans cel - and Helen in Orange, New Jer - tress Olympia Dukakis pre - Massachusetts, Chicago Trea - ebrated the vote by U.S. House sey $2 million. sented her upcoming Greek film surer Alexi Giannoulias, Charlie of Representatives (23-22) on • Nicholas Goudes passed project The Journey in May and Crist and Harry Wilson. The March 4 to condemn the mass away in on April 5, 2010, leav - was honored as woman-of-the- Demos vs. Cox race sent both killings of Armenians in 1915 as ing $500,000 to the Holy Trin - hour at Houston’s Hellenic Cul - home to ponder their political genocide. ity Greek Afternoon School in tural Center of the Southwest future while Cox’s fiancee, • March of Dimes N.Y. made Charlotte, North Carolina. gala. mogul John Catsimatidis’ PHOTOS: TNH ARCHIVES Atlantic Bank CEO Spyros • For another year, San • The first TNH No Limits daughter Andrea, began on her Hellenic Lawyers Association in New York 2010 Honoree Con - Voutsinas its Man of the Year on Diego’s Stacy Matseas remained Teen Video Showcase, featuring own path, being elected Presi - gressman John Sarbanes and 2010 Attorney of the Year George November 8. at the top of the American Can - videos by three Greek American dent of NYU Republican club. Stamboulidis • In November, we reported cer Association Making Strides teens, took place within the suc - • In Rhode Island, Leonidas that astrophysicist Prof. Vassilis for Breast Cancer event volun - cessful 4th New York City Greek P. Raptakis was defeated in Sept. cipal Betsy Sideris was honored February 17 of two men. He was Angelopoulos heads the NASA teer fundraisers. She’s collected Film Festival. The 4th Los An - in his bid for Secretary of State. for her 25 years of service on freed on bail in March. team that saved spacecraft $800,000 to date. geles Greek film festival was In Hawaii, Panos Prevedouros, October 31. • “Hairy Greeks” was among THEMIS P1 and P2, allowing also a success. a professor of civil engineering, • St. Basil’s Academy cele - the slanders allegedly hurled at them to head to the moon. SPORTS • Greek singers Dimitris lost his attempt to be Honolulu’s brated its 65th Anniversary in four New York brokers working Meanwhile, the Hellenic Amer - • The Order of AHEPA sent Mitropanos and Yiorgos Dalaras mayor. March. The Koraes Elementary at Independent Financial Group ican Women’s Council (HAWC) 70 runners to the Athens performed in the U.S., while J- • In February, George J. and School, affiliated with SS Con - Inc/LPL Financial Corp. They awarded former NASA scientist Marathon, which celebrated the Lo cancelled her plans for a con - Olga Tsunis, John A. and Margo stantine and Helen Greek Or - sued on March 1 in the U.S. Dis - Catsimatidis and Dennis Mehiel thodox Church in Palos Hills, trict Court of the Eastern District were listed among the top po - Illinois, celebrated its 100th an - of New York in Brooklyn. litical donors to House and Sen - niversary in November. • Nick and Chris Giannis, a ate members in New York in • In Lowell, Massachusetts, father and son who operated 2009 in a study by The Center The Hellenic American School Chicago’s Boston Blackie's for Responsive Politics and The of the Church of the Holy Trinity burger restaurants were charged New York Times. (Hellenic American Academy) with taking nearly $1.9 million became a middle school, thanks from two banks in a check-cash - RELIGION to a grant of $280,000 by the ing scheme. • On August 18, a Fox News Stavros Niarchos Foundation. • On July 20, attorney Athan broadcast regarding the much- • Dora Kontogiannis was se - Tsimpedes filed a class action delayed building of the St. lected by the New Jersey Prin - suit in Washington, D.C. against Nicholas church destroyed on cipals and Supervisors Associa - the Turkish Republic of North - September 11, 2001 brought at - tion as the 2010 Visionary ern Cyprus (TRNC) and HSBC tention to the issue. Questions Principal of the Year. Bank, representing 97 Cypriots about why the building has been asking for compensation. delayed and the Port Authority BUSINESS • At the Bergen County Jus - abandoned negotiations with • Great third-quarter results tice Court in Hackensack, New the parish and the Archdiocese of Navios Maritime Acquisition Jersey, the former boyfriend of slayed waitress Thalia Stathis, Hugues Francois, on August 31, was given the maximum sen - tence on six counts, including 30 years for aggravated manslaughter. • In October, New York City real-estate developer Thomas Kontogiannis, 61, pleaded guilty to masterminding a $92 million mortgage-fraud scheme.
LEADERS/COMMUNITY Anthony Papadimitriou, (R) President of the Onassis Foundation USA, admiring one of the • In January President works of art, Herakles wearing a cap, with Greek Minster of Culture Pavlos Geroulanos. Barack Obama appointed Paul Anastas, a/k/a The Father of Joan Vernikos with this year’s 2,500th anniversary of the fa - cert in Northern Cyprus. Green Chemistry, to the role of Aristeon Award. mous battle and the legendary • New York University Prof. Assistant Administrator of the • On November 12, the Hel - of Pheidippides. Peter Meineck’s Ancient Office of Research and Develop - lenic Lawyers Association • May Kotsopoulos, the Greeks/Modern Lives: Poetry- ment of the Environmental Pro - toasted Congressman John Sar - AHEPA-awarded UVM star bas - Drama-Dialogue was awarded a tection Agency (EPA). banes of Maryland and George ketball player graduated with major grant from the National • Phil Angelides spent the Stamboulidis, Esq., Managing honors and landed a deal to Endowment for the Humanities year chairing the Financial Crisis Partner of Baker Hostetler’s New play professionally on Greece’s to bring 10 classic Greek dra - Inquiry Commission, which pre - York office. Ano Liosia team. matic works to 100 cities in 20 sents its report on the causes of states. the U.S. financial crisis in Janu - PHILANTHROPY CULTURE ary. Nineteen days of public • In 2010 – to name a few of • On February 27, Colorado- BOOKS hearings and some 700 inter - its gifts- the Niarchos Founda - based former photographer (TNH SHORTLIST FOR 2010) views were conducted by the tion offered $500,000 to the vic - Louis Psihoyos earned the Doc - • No One Would Listen: A commission, which also in - tims of the Haiti earthquake, umentary Oscar for The Cove, a True Financial Thriller, by Mad - cluded Byron S. Georgiou. $750,000 to the Cathedral film about an annual dolphin off whistleblower Harry • It was cold, but the Greek School in Manhattan, which un - slaughter in a sleepy Japanese Markopolos. Independence Day parade took veiled its new learning center in town. • Eleven Weddings and a place in Manhattan on April 18. December, and $500,000 to the • Writer/actress Tina Fey Sacrifice, the story of business - Sadly, by the time many of the Tenement Museum for an ex - was on the cover of Vogue’s man John Catsimatidis’ mother, marchers reached the V.I.P. hibit bringing to life the story of March issue. by Justine Frangouli-Argyris grandstand, much of the en - a Jewish family from Kastoria. • There was a revival of • Photos of Prominent tourage from Greece, including • The N.Y. Federation of Hel - France-based, mathematical Greeks in the USA, by Maria several MPs flown in at Greek lenic Societies thanked Nicholas composer Iannis Xenakis works Yanna taxpayers’ expense, had left. Bouras for contributing $30,000 in New York, with a major ex - • The First Victory: Greece • Nicholas Karakostas was annually to cover live television hibit at The Drawing Center in the Second World War, by re-elected Supreme President of coverage of its annual parade. (January 15 – April 8); and, on George C. Blytas, Thalia Stathis’ mother, Joanne, holds up a picture of her slain AHEPA. In November, he was • Between May 13 – 23, the June 21, a performance on the • The Lucky Child by Mari - daughter in the courtroom where her killer, a former boyfriend, honored by NY nonprofit Hellenic Medical Society’s Team water – literally - in Central Park anne Apostolides was convicted. HANAC. Aegean visited 10 small Greek of his percussion piece • Greek Revival: Cooking for • Cypriot American engineer isles, offering medical care. Persephassa, as a part of Make Life, by Patricia Moore-Pastides continued through the Septem - (NNA) were celebrated in a Jerry Lastihenos was named to • Roy and Diana Vagelos Music New York. • Marathon: How One Battle ber 11, 2010 tribute and the lat - lunch at the New York Stock Ex - the Hall of Fame of the Interna - gave a $50 million donation to • Talked-about exhibits in - Changed Western Civilization by ters’ December decision to sue change in December. In October, tional Water Environment Fed - Columbia University’s Medical cluded: “Called to the Holy Richard A. Billows the Port Authority. the Hellenic-American Chamber eration. School. Mountain: Mount Athos” (Wash - • Greek Orthodox Churches • TNH’s intrepid religion re - of Commerce made Sophocles • On October 7, Ursula E. • The Annunciation Cathe - ington, D.C.), with National Ge - of New England; The Metropolis porter Theodore Kalmoukos also N. Zoullas, President and CEO Andreas of Virginia was hon - dral of New England in Boston ographic photos; “Skin Fruit,” of Boston and its Parishes pho - uncovered: in January, the of Eagle Bulk Shipping, its Per - ored by the Jewish Anti- received a contribution of for which Cypriot collector tos by George Panagakos Church of America’s refusal to sonality of the Year 2010. Defamation League with the $500,000 from an anonymous Dakis Joannou controversially • Coming soon: Jeffrey Eu - take on the case of two 10-year- • Evripides Kontos was hon - Courage to Care Award for the donor. loaned over 100 works to Man - genides’ third novel... old twin boys from the Peoples ored at a gala organized by Republic of Congo; the issue of Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Com - whether or not Archbishop merce, and short seller James S. Demetrios, 83, would leave his Chanos accepted the Hellenic position; sexual molestation ac - Bankers Association (HABA)’s cusations, in Texas, against Dea - Executive of the Year Award on George Delis, LLC con Bithos; and allegations of May 13. major sexual improprieties by • Among the nine Greeks on Metropolitan Paisios, former ab - Forbes magazine’s Billionaires Consultant, Public Relations bot of the St. Irene Chrysovalan - List, George Phydias Mitchell, Land Use tou Patriarchal and Stavropegial 90, was the top Greek Ameri - Monastery in Astoria, NY. He can, at $2.2 billion. Meanwhile, also reported, in November, on millionaire C. Dean Metropou - the unpopular decision of Met - los purchased PBR’s parent com - ropolitan Isaiah of Denver to di - pany, Pabst Brewing Co., for a www.GreekKitchennyc.com vide the Holy Trinity Cathedral rumored $25 million in June. 1-917-696-0975 parish in Salt Lake City in Utah • Greece’s innovative mat - into two. tress and housing goods com - • Detroit's Annunciation pany Coco-Mat opened its first Cathedral celebrated its 100th U.S. showroom at New York fur - anniversary. niture store ABC Home. • Stephen Katsaros invented EDUCATION his 2-Watt solar light bulb in • The Greek financial crisis January. By year’s end the was keenly felt at Greek Nokero bulbs received press as parochial and charter schools, alternatives to kerosene lamps with the numbers of dispatched for developing countries. Greek Education Ministry teach - ers greatly reduced. At St. LEGAL Demetrios of Astoria, for in - • Greek American business - stance, the number of dis - man Nicholas D. Kiriakakis, 25, patched teachers was more than of Richmond Hills, New York, halved. was charged by New Jersey po - • The school’s Assistant Prin - lice in the double murder on 4 YEAR IN REVIEW: COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 Will Ground Zero Mosque Battle Help St. Nicholas Rebuild?
TNH staff writers Against the din of construction communique sent by The Na - if an agreement is not reached at Ground Zero, opponents of tional Herald requesting an in - during negotiations with the NEW YORK – At Ground the mosque and supporters the terview with the Archbishop re - Port Authority. Couloucoundis Zero, the site of the World Trade church have found common garding this issue, the insisted that, “It’s illegal; what Center’s twin towers that were ground, if for different reasons, Archdiocese’s Press Officer the Port Authority is doing is il - destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001 and both went to the sites to Stavros Papagermanos replied legal.” When asked how he terrorist attacks, a new building, make their case last week. “The that “for the moment, and as plans to react, he replied that 1 World Trade Center, that will only house of worship destroyed long as the issue continues to “we are discussing our course be 1,776 feet tall to mark the on September 11” is how both develop, His Eminence will not of action.” (SEPT. 4) year of American independence, George Demos, a Republican give any interviews regarding has hit the 34th floor. Two candidate for Congress in Suf - the issue of St. Nicholas.” Mean - St. Nick’s Fires Legal Notice blocks away, plans for Islamic folk County, and former New while, St. Nicholas’ Parish Coun - at Port Authority For Center Park51, a religious and York Governor George Pataki, cil President John cultural center for Muslims, who was in office in 2001, re - Couloucoundis called the under - Rebuilding Church which will include a mosque, ferred to the church. (AUG. 28) ground Vehicle Security Center has been given rapid initial ap - that the NY/NJ Port Authority By Constantine S. Sirigos proval by city officials. But in Archbishop Demetrios Mum has already begun construction the shadow of the fast-rising 1 on St. Nicholas’ Future on at the initially agreed upon NEW YORK – Defamation. World Trade Center, and not far site for the new church “illegal.” Fraud and Misrepresentation. from the proposed home of Speaking to TNH from Singa - Trespass. Unjust enrichment. Park51, all that’s left of St. By Theodore Kalmoukos pore, where he is away on busi - Bad faith. Arrogance. With these Nicholas Greek Orthodox ness, Couloucoundis reminded strong words in the text of a no - Church, also felled that fateful BOSTON – Archbishop that the Port Authority pro - tice of their intention to sue the day, is an empty lot. Church of - Demetrios of America is refusing ceeded with this decision uni - Port Authority of New York and ficials have now stepped up to inform the Greek American laterally and had not reached New Jersey and several other St. Basil’s Academy and the Archdiocese said they could their ire too, complaining the Community about the status of any agreement with the Arch - entities, the Greek Orthodox not help 10-year-old Demetris and Konstantinos Sporides city has stalled plans for its re - plans to rebuild the St. Nicholas diocese. He also refused to rule Archdiocese of America and the building, even while giving the Church at Ground Zero in New out any option, including seek - parish of St. of Nicholas have Muslim center a green light. York. In a response to a written ing legal recourse in the courts, taken the gloves off in their dis - pute with those agencies over A Case of Need delays in the rebuilding of the Church at Ground Zero. The pa - pers were served on the PA on From the Congo December 6, 2010 and consti - tute 60-day notice of the Church’s intention to go to BOSTON- Two 10-year-old twin boys from the Peoples Republic court, which is required by law of Congo born to a Greek father and a Congolese mother are for certain actions against the enduring a painful life-drama. They lost their father (Stylianos PA. Father Mark Arey, Director Sporidis) in 2002 and now face the grim reality of losing their of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical beloved mother, who is terminally ill with cancer. and Interfaith Relations at the Their mother’s health has deteriorated to the point where Archdiocese said the Archdio - she can no longer take care of the 10 year old twins, as was cese and the parish took that ac - stated in a letter sent by Metropolitan Ignatios of Central Africa tion “very reluctantly and sor - to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, in which rowfully because we must he asks the Archbishop to open his heart and extend shelter protect the interests of the St. and protection for the twins at St Basil’s Academy in N.Y. Nicholas parish.” The legal pa - Mr. John Sporidis (the brother of the twins’ deceased father pers state, “This claim arises out who resides in Philadelphia, Pensylvania) is retired, legally of the arrogance, bad faith, and blind and advanced in age. Mr. John Sporidis called on St. fraudulent conduct of the Port Basil’s Academy as well as the Archdiocese of America with a Authority in preventing Saint request for help to save the orphan twin boys and help them Nicholas from re-building its find shelter. He also offered to contribute to the best of his church at Ground Zero after it ability, given that he is retired and on a fixed income. However, was crushed by a falling tower after the passing of several months, on December 21, 2009, he in the attack on the World Trade received a final negative response to his plea from Archbishop Center on September 11, 2001” Demetrios. and that in March 2009, the PA The Archbishop wrote to Mr. Sporidis that, “With much sor - “summarily disavowed a long- row, I learned about the terrible position in which your two standing agreement” to rebuild nephews, Kostakis and Demetris, have found themselves.” He the church at 130 Liberty continued by acknowledging “the situation for the boys is truly Street,” and “without permis - difficult and I truly hope that a solution is found that will pro - sion, notice or any legal justifi - vide a secure future for them.” The Archbishop stated that “this cation whatsoever has sent its request of yours is in conflict with, among other things, the PHOTOS: TNH ARCHIVES bulldozers onto both the land fact that the boys are not United States citizens and hence can - A Shipping Giant owned by the Church at its orig - not live permanently in the United States.” inal site...and the land promised Mr. Ioannis Sporides, the children’s uncle, told The National Sophocles N. Zoullas, CEO of Eagle Bulk Shipping, one of Greece’s most noted companies, to the Church... and conducted Herald that “if the Archdiocese wanted to help, we could have honored by the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce in New York, is seen here together extensive excavation that has found the solution.” He made a plea for help to other Greek with this wife Sylvia and mother Marianna Zoullas. rendered both sites unbuildable American organizations such as AHEPA and SAE to “help these by the Church.” (DEC. 10) two children,” saying, “I want to save these children.” In a news release, the Archdiocese declared: “Saint Basil Academy never refused to accept the children and has been in communication with the family over the past seven months. There was never any question of financial resources in accepting Greek American Parochial Schools Hope for Better Year the children. The Academy has been informed by the family that they are currently working toward securing guardianship of the children in order for them to be placed at Saint Basil. By Stavros Marmarinos and reach the same as last year’s ages of three and four have al - not have any teachers on dis - Both the Archdiocese and the Academy look forward to receiv - TNH Staff Writer total of 700 students.. A total of ready registered. We have also patch from Greece. The Hellenic ing Kostakis and Demetris as soon as possible.” 60 teachers will hold classes at inaugurated or are continuing Classical Charter School opened Eventually the boys were received by the philanthropic or - NEW YORK - St. Demetrios St. Demetrios this year, includ - programs with a variety of for the new school year on Sept. ganization Ark of the World, headquartered in Athens, Greece Greek American School in Asto - ing 5 teachers dispatched from American colleges,” he added. 8, offering classes for Grades K- at the initiative of its founder, Father Antonios Papanikolaou. ria, N.Y. once again boasted the Greece. A sixth teacher on dis - The William Spyropoulos Day 8. largest number of students patch from Greece is being paid School in Flushing, N.Y. also Some 385 students will attend among the local area Greek directly by the school, due to opened on Sept. 8, with the ha - the school this year in compari - parochial school. The school, budget cuts in the Greek Edu - giasmos service scheduled for son to 358 students last year. which runs all the way to the cation Ministry. Last year, there Sep. 14th. The school runs from There are still 450 students on Twelfth Grade, has 600 regis - were 11 teachers on dispatch Grades K to 8. The number of the waiting list. A staff of 50 tered students this year. Princi - working at the school. “We had students is roughly the same as teachers will work in the school, pal Anastasios Koularmanis told a big surge in Kindergarten stu - last year, with 450 children reg - including seven teachers on dis - The National Herald that he be - dents,” Koularmanis said. istered and a staff of 37 teach - patch from Greece. (SEPT 10, lieves that the number will grow “Eighty students between the ers. This year, the school does 2010) AHEPA Runners Head The Marathon Line
By Sylvia Klimaki that raises money for various nomenal success.” Adding, “Hey, history of Greece, they learned TNH Staff Writer Hellenic causes internationally there is much more going on in the story behind the Marathon, making funds available to assist Greece than what we just see there are very few modern civi - individuals of all races, color, on news (…) I watch the finan - lizations that can boast a history ATHENS- “When you cross a and creeds.... cial news every morning before of 2,500 years.” George Vassilas, marathon line the feeling is With 70 runners from Japan, going to work and they show the AHEPA District 23 District great but when you cross THE Brazil, Dubai, Canada, and the the same riots every morning Governor, added. “As (Kirkelis) marathon’s line it changes you United States, the AHEPA they send their reporters at the said after the end of the race, for ever,” Demetrios Kirkiles, marathon team had all ages and Grand Bretagne balcony video - “The inaugural AHEPA Governor of the Order of AHEPA abilities. Kirkiles said, “If you taping the protesters, then they Marathon Team experienced of District 2 and a member of agree to help raise money for go home and win a free trip to lasting memories, new friend - the 2010 AHEPA Athens the AHEPA charitable founda - Greece, that is so frustrating,” ships, and the filoxenia (hospi - Filo King Humbled by Marathon team told The Na - tion you earn the right to par - he said. This is the first year tality) from the people of Greece tional Herald about the impor - ticipate in the marathon, so we AHEPA team ran the Classic (…) making this marathon tance of participating in the approached marathon runners marathon, and “A few of us stand out from all others in the Outpouring of Love event in his family’s homeland. and asked them to go back to were suppose to come anyway world.” He was part of the 70 runners their communities and ask for and we said why don’t we do it So far the foundation has By Constantine S. Sirigos who participated at the Athens support showing what AHEPA for a cause,” he explained. With managed to raise $225,000.00 TNH Staff Writer marathon representing the Charitable Foundation does (… this trip to Athens, “We did char - for Hellenic Charities. (NOV. 6, AHEPA charitable foundation ) and as a result we had a phe - ity and also people learned the 2010) NEW YORK - ...Evripides Kontos made his fortune as the founder of the Apollo filo dough production company, but on May 7 he was also honored for philanthropy and patriotism, and his undying support for the Orthodox Church, Greece and Stay informed all year round, anytime, anywhere Cyprus.... Steve Kontos expressed his pride in his father’s achievements. When the elder Kontos arrived in the U.S. he Become an online subscriber of The National Herald and get... showed the in-laws who owned the Constantinoupolis bakery - in what was then known as New York’s Greek Town, on 8th * daily updates with news covering the community, Greece and Cyprus. avenue in Manhattan - a more efficient way to make filo by ONLY* hand. Eventually, he left the filo business, though he hoped to * immediate access to our previous editions. return. He did so in 1968 and by 1972 he and his future busi - ness partner developed a way to completely mechanize the $34.95 * edification that every Greek American should have! production of filo. By 1983 he sold his new business to Pillsbury, staying on a few years as a consultant, but by 1988 he wanted a Year! to start a new business. That’s how the filo king became the Visit us online at flat bread-pita king. At the time Steve had concerns about the new project, but the elder Kontos said, “I’m 58. The Colonel (Col . Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame) was 58. We www.thenationalherald.com are going to do it.” ...When Mr. Kontos himself finally reached the podium, he smiled and said, “I lost my speech,” adding “I or call us: 718-784-5255 ext.108 don’t know how to thank everybody,” but proceeding to touch - ingly note all the important people in his life. “My success does *The price indicated above is for current subscribers. Regular price is $45.95/year. not belong only to me. I share this honor with my wife Eva, Alternative for current subscribers is per 3 months $14.95, per 6 months $23.95 and my son Steve, who was with me from when he was 12 years old, my supervisor of quality control, running around WR The National Herald telling me “daddy, there is something wrong…this is too dry… Από το 1915 για τον Ελληνισμό Bringing the news to generations of Greek Americans this is not good.” (MAY 10, 2010) THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW: COMMUNITY 5 The Sad Saga of Metropolitan Paisios …..
Astorians who worshipped at the made a crown of thorns for me to wear,” Christonymphi’s testimony, apart from tape - live and unconditionally at the Irene Chrysovalantou Patriarchal and while two ladies were collecting signa - saying the money she gave them “is for headquarters of TNH in New York, Stavropegial Monastery in New York and tures at the entrance of the church to the third floor we wanted to build.” He Bishop Vikentios made revelations of al - Orthodox Christians everywhere are still send them to Ecumenical Patriarch also stated that the approximate amount leged serious excesses by the Metropol - stunned by what has transpired there Bartholomew in support of Metropolitan of money in the briefcase “should be itan, including that he was involved with since the puzzling announcement of Paisios and request that the Patriarch around $285,000 or something like people of both sexes, including the their beloved Metropolitan’s retirement not accept his resignation. (OCT. 30, that.” young nun, Christonymphi, who now in October, 2010. TNH’s coverage by 2010) When asked why the funds were be - has given up the Monastic vows and Theodore Kalmoukos follows: ing held in cash, Metropolitan Paisios talked to the police. Bishop Vikentios Nun Alleges Abuse at N.Y. Monastery said, “Because we did not want them to also revealed that, according to his in - “Crucified” Paisios Leaves the Altar be used.” He said he knew nothing about formation, the former nun had been With Bitter Blast BOSTON - Sister Christonymphi Fitz - what she may have told the police.(NOV. pregnant but did not know by whom. patrick, a nun at the St. Irene Chryso - 13, 2010) (DEC. 18, 2010) Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana cele - valantou Patriarchal and Stavropegial brated his farewell Divine Liturgy as Ab - Monastery in Astoria, N.Y., has left the Bishop Vikentios Levels Shocking Patriarchate Suspends Metropolitan bot of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Pa - monastic life after giving police a seven Sex Charges Against Paisios Paisios and Bishop Vikentios triarchal and Stavropegial Monastery in hours testimony about the Monastery. Astoria, N.Y. on Sunday Oct. 24, 2010. Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, who left NEW YORK - Bishop Vikentios of BOSTON - The Ecumenical Patriar - Holding back tears during his sermon, for Greece, saying he was resigning for Apameia has made stunning allegations chate has levied the canonical punish - Metropolitan Paisios said that, “Every - “health reasons.” Fitzpatrick’s testimony about Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana ment of an indefinite suspension upon thing has a beginning and an end, and was given to police over a seven hour tenure at the Saint Irene Chrysovalantou Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and so my service which began 40 years ago period from Nov. 6 until 2 a.m. the next Monastery and its Dependencies in As - Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, meaning has come to an end today.” However, day. toria, N.Y., including charges that the that the two hierarchs are forbidden the Metropolitan urged the faithful, to Saying she feared for her life, Sister Metropolitan sexually abused the from celebrating the Divine Liturgy, holy respect his successor. “Whoever the Ec - Christonymphi, 26, who became a nun Bishop’s brother, Spyros Malamatenios, sacraments, and any other Sacred Ser - umenical Patriarchate shall send, respect at 14, left for an undisclosed location. who was 17 at the time. In a long inter - vices of the Church. This decision was him; even if they send him who betrayed That happened as a three-member view with The National Herald, Bishop reached during an emergency meeting and crucified me, because he is going to Patriarchal Exarchy team of official rep - Vikentios (Malamatenios), a close asso - of the members of the Hierarchy residing be your new spiritual father,” he said, resentatives of the Ecumenical Patriar - ciate of Metropolitan Paisios (Loulour - in Constantinople. Sources told The Na - making reference to his deputy, Abbot chate came to New York to investigate. gas) for 40 years and co-founder of the tional Herald that Ecumenical Patriarch Bishop Vikentios of Apameia. Paisios also The National Herald spoke with Met - Monastery, outlined a sordid tale of sex Bartholomew plans on revisiting the is - said, “I want to thank all those who up - ropolitan Paisios in Athens, but he re - and other alleged wrongdoings. In the sue involving the Monastery of St. Irene. set me, crucified me, and all those who fused to talk about Sister lengthy interview - which was taken on (DEC. 25, 2010)
Times, the Daily News and the Giannoulias, Crist, Wilson New York Post, but it was not enough to overcome the incum - bent, Thomas DiNapoli. The race Go Down, New Hopes Emerge was too close to call for most of the evening, One frustrated [sup - porter] did not blame Wilson. As he bolted through the exit doors By Constantine S. Sirigos and did some ruminating on Sarbanes of Maryland, and Niki he raised his fists in mock tri - and Andy Dabilis what went wrong, Greek Ameri - Tsongas of Massachusetts. Of the umph and shouted “yay New can Congressional candidates four, only Bilirakis is a Republi - York State Republican party,” on NEW YORK - It was not the across the country fared better, can. a night where other candidates showing they’d hoped for, espe - with four wins and six losses, Giannoulias’ loss in particular for statewide office were also de - cially with prospects for at least and the community made gains was a major heartbreaker, as feated, included Carl Paladino’s a couple of wins looming, as De - in New York State, where polls showed him running neck controversial if not bizarre bid mocrat Alexi Giannoulias nar - Michael Gianaris won his bid for and neck with his Republican op - to become governor, leaving a rowly lost his bid for the U.S. a State Senate seat and Aravella ponent. Crist, who was running once-proud party in disarray on Senate seat in Illinois once held Simotas and Nicole Malliotakis as an Independent, had a a night when Republicans tri - by now President Barack Obama, were elected to the State Assem - tougher challenge in Republican umphed from coast to coast.In Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s bid bly. Other losses came for two- Marco Rubio, who enjoyed the Florida, Crist never recovered as an Independent candidate af - time House Rep Zack Space of backing of the Tea Party. from his decision to bolt the GOP ter bolting the Republican party Ohio, along with his colleagues It was also bad timing for Gi - and run as an in a bid to gain a Florida U.S. in the House of Representatives annoulias as the President took Independent...Crist said he does - Senate seat came up empty, and Dina Titus of Nevada, Suzan Kos - what he said was a “shellacking” n’t know what he’ll do next. He Republican Harry Wilson fell a mas of Florida, and Dean Scon - at the hands of voters across the gave an answer that anyone who little short in his campaign to be - tras in Maine, the lone Republi - country who swept Democrats has followed his career for a come New York State’s comptrol - can. Winners included House out of the Congress and took while probably could have pre - ler in last week’s elections. But Reps. Gus Bilirakis of Florida, control of the House of Repre - dicted, word for word, without even as they consoled their staffs Shelley Berkley of Nevada, John sentatives. Harry Wilson charged hearing him say it: “I don’t know. into election day riding an ad - The only thing on my mind right vertising campaign fueled by an now is to work very hard for the impressive treasure chest and an next 60 days for the people,” he unprecedented string of endorse - AP PHOTO/M. SPENCER GREEN said. “The future will take care ments from more than 30 news - Illinois Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias hugs of itself,” the news service re - papers, including the New York his mother Anna Giannoulias after addressing his supporters. ported. (NOV. 10, 2010) The Vagelos Gift of Giving Gifts To Others: Philanthropic Lives Well Lived
By Constantine S. Sirigos TNH Staff Writer
NEW YORK - Dr. P. Roy Vagelos and his wife Diana are wealthy enough to be among the biggest George Lois, alongside some of his most iconic magazine philanthropists in the Greek covers for Esquire featuring his anti-Normal Rockwell style. American community, but said they learned who would get their generosity by the largesse Legendary Greek Mad they gave to each other, and knowing the causes they would support. “One rule we hold true Man Lois Had it all to is we are charitable to those we are engaged with. We are very familiar with their mission Covered for Esquire and interests and their gover - nance. Unless we are very in - By Constantine S. Sirigos volved and know exactly what the needs are we are not in - NEW YORK - There are musicians whose songs become the clined to become donors. So far soundtracks of our lives: Sinatra, the Beatles, Bee Gees, wher - we’ve been pretty accurate,” Di - ever your taste leads, and then there are artists whose images ana Vagelos said. When they orient generations, that become signposts on the bumpy roads give, they often give big, the lat - of American history. That’s Greek American George Lois, known est being a $50 million gift they as the Golden Greek of Madison Avenue, the master ad man recently made to the Columbia PHOTOS: TNH ARCHIVES and cover designer for Esquire magazine, whose iconic images University Medical Center Dr. P. Roy and Diana Vagelos insist on being involved with organisations when they exercise of pop stars, politicians, celebrities, and ordinary people struck (CUMC) will help it to continue charity. Among the institutions they support is Columbia University Medical Center. a chord that still reverberates. When you view his ads today, to produce many of America’s you will smile and nod in recognition, but the covers he created top physicians and researchers los: Earl Stadtman. Although a edge of science,” Vagelos said. in-law would often chide him, for Esquire magazine in the 1960s and early 1970’s will trans - far into the future. veteran at his family’s restaurant, He noted “I was lost in science “and worry that I spent too port you back into those times whose meaning we still wrestle Vagelos, former Chairman Vagelos said, “I was a complete as a young kid,” with science much time at work but I could with. He was the anti-Norman Rockwell, finding the dark side and CEO of pharmaceutical gi - clutz when I started in the labo - class’s rote memorization and never convince her that for me of a turbulent time. ant Merck & Co. Inc. who was ratory ... scrambled eggs and bio - classifications, but “When it it was not work.” One of Vagelos’ What becomes a legend most? Giving credit to those who graduated from Columbia’s Col - chemistry experiments are some - came to understanding how big concerns today is the sad helped them become successful is a good start. Lois had nu - lege of Physicians and Surgeons what different.” But he caught something develops and how the state of math and science edu - merous mentors and partners, but idolized his father Harry, in 1954 and his wife is a gradu - on fast from Stadtman and they molecules are put together, that cation and the decline in what who he credits for many of his most important life lessons. ate of Barnard College, invited became life-long friends. was a different thing. That’s he calls the feed stock of science Harry was from Kastania near the picturesque and historic TNH to speak with them about With Stadtman, “We were when I understood I was meant research and high tech industry town of Nafpaktos. “My father came to America when he was their philanthropic activities and doing experiments right on the to be a scientist.” His mother- skills. (OCT. 14, 2010) 13. His father sold some sheep and goats to buy him passage other concerns. and he came alone. He didn’t know anybody. He worked at The quintessential New York - Coney Island where there were a lot of Greeks who sold hot ers were both born in the Met - dogs, met a lot of Greek florists here and there, worked in ropolitan Area. Diana Vagelos florist shops, and by 21 he had his own florist shop on Broad - was born in Inwood in upper Law Firm way,” he recalls. The roots of an artists’ genius are a mystery, Manhattan and, at age two, J O H N S P I R I D A K I S by ties to nature are part of many biographies. “My father “moved onto higher ground” in The Law Firm the Community Trusts loved nature. Whenever I was with him in the country he said, Washington Heights, where she ‘Giorgo, let’s go for a walk,’ and he would talk about this and lived though her studies at that, and he would always look for a piece of wood that he Barnard. Dr. Vagelos was born ACCIDENTS - MEDICAL MALPRACTICE could carve. He would cut it - it took about 15 minutes - and in Westfield, N.J. and went to • Construction • Slip & Fall • All injuries he would make a flute out of it, and he would play these beau - high school in Rahway, “Where • Car/Motor Vehicle • Wrongful death • Estates & Wills tiful tunes, mythic sounds. intensely beautiful and earthy,” leav - my family had a luncheonette.” • Head injuries • Divorces ing you to wonder how many generations of humble Loises He was the first family member made flutes and became, or created, virtuosos by entertaining to go to college. Free consultations • Home & Hospital visits • 24 Hours • 7 Days their families, planting artistic seeds that would sprout far When it was pointed out that away in space and time. his family’s entrepreneurial back - Legal expenses are payable at TNH asked him what he’d be doing in a parallel universe ground must have come in handy where he didn’t become an art director. The surprising, but not in his rise to CEO of Merck, Vage - Mr. Spiridakis the conclusion of the case only if you win shocking answer was “movie director.” Lois’ music video Joker los replied, “I’m really mostly a and his colleagues Man, starring Bob Dylan, won the MTV Best Music Video for scientist who went into the cor - have successfully “To receive our special care” the Year award in 1983. Lois is still rockin’ too. To learn more porate side because I was a bio - won over $50 million Call us at (212) 768-8088 or (718) 204-8600 b about him and the nine books he’s published, visit: chemist who understood how for clients Toll-Free 1-888-SPIRIDA (774-7432) www.georgelois.com. new drugs could be discov - the past 24 years Asked about helping Greece during its current crisis, he told ered...My greatest interest is un - a [email protected] • www.lawhelp1.com of a campaign he prepared for the Olympic in 2004. But if he derstanding disease.” were asked again, he told TNH, “I’d love to do it.” (SEPT. 13) Talk of mentors evoked one OFFICES: Manhattan, Queens (Astoria), Brooklyn, Long Island, LICENSED: New York, New Jersey big name in the life of Dr. Vage - 6 YEAR IN REVIEW: GREECE CYPRUS THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 Greece: A Masterpiece You Can Avoid – And Many Did
Two days after the May 5 and restaurateur’s fancy toward mass demonstration against tax welcoming tourists, nearly 18 hikes and public sector wage cuts million of who come each year, to keep Greece’s economy from bringing in more than $43 bil - collapsing sparked skirmishes in lion, or 18% of the country’s Syntagma Square and spilled Gross Domestic Product, and em - over into anarchy, leaving three ploying, directly or indirectly, bank workers dead after a fire - about 16% of the country’s work - bomb was tossed into their office, ers, many of whom are now fear - the plaza in front of the Parlia - ful they will stand idle if the ment where the proud Evzones tourists don’t come. Government stand on guard was nearly empty officials estimate a 7-8% drop in of tourists. It’s an image that has visitors this year for a country, scared Greek officials almost as which has ranked as high as 14th much as the scenes of clashes be - in the world as a tourist attrac - tween workers and anarchists tion and advertised as “A Mas - with police, the square filled with terpiece You Can Afford.” “We'll stun grenades and tear gas filling see a big drop in revenues be - TV screens and fired off across cause prices are down,” said An - Twitter and Facebook with the dreas Andreadis, head of the Hel - unwritten message: don’t come lenic Hotel Federation and Vice to Greece. And people are not. President of Greece's Tourism En - Even before the teargas had terprises. Government spokes - evaporated, so too had reserva - man George Petalotis said, “The AP PHOTO/DIMITRI MESSSINIS tions for visitors, as more than incidents that stigmatized Greece Piles of Garbage, Piles of Debt 20,000 room night stays were internationally were decisive in cancelled. The troubles hadn’t creating a climate of uncertainty A woman exits a children’s hospital holding her baby as she 2010 as government workers and garbage collectors were on come at a worse trip, as the warm and fear for visitors who had walks past a pile of garbage in Athens on Thursday, Dec. 9, strike against ongoing austerity measures. Spring weather turned hotelier made bookings.” (MAY 22, 2010)
AP PHOTO/THANASSIS STAVRAKIS, POOL Advice not taken
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou passes behind International Monetary Fund head AP PHOTO/PETROS GIANNAKOURIS Dominique Strauss-Kahn prior to a joint news conference in Athens Dec. 7, 2010. Strauss- We’re old! Help Us! Kahn was in Greece to negotiate the terms of the repayment of the $150 billion bailout loan that saved the debt-ridden country from default. Pensioners chant slogans during a protest against the Greek government's austerity measures, outside the Ministry of Finance in central Athens, Dec. 7, 2010. Many Greeks Will Greece Lose Its Marbles? Denies Deal is Made
Now Face A ATHENS – Greeks may get to other antiquities to fill the space demand they come back to see the marble friezes stolen occupied by the stones, which Greece. from the Parthenon by British the British call the Elgin Marbles Curiously, Minister Ger - Grim Future diplomat Lord Elgin from 1801- but which Greece calls The oulanos himself did not address 12 while Greece was under the Parthenon Marbles. Once word the report, but his office issued yoke of the Ottoman Empire, got out a deal was possibly in the statement denying it was giv - but it could be in return for re - the making, Greek officials ing up the claim to the world- ATHENS – Even as Finance linquishing claim to the national quickly moved to quash the no - renowned sculptural master - Minister George Papaconstanti - treasures to the British Museum, tion it was giving up the fight, pieces nsmed outside Greek nou said Greeks would not face where they are housed, al - but only through press releases. circles after the diplomat who even-tougher austerity measures though Greek officials quickly British Museum officials had stole them. The Times wrote that to keep the economy afloat and denied a report in a British long maintained they obtained “Greece was trying to break international emergency loans newspaper the deal will be the marbles lawfully, although decades of stalemate with Britain coming, workers heading for re - made. The Times of London they are stolen antiquities, and over the Elgin Marbles by drop - tirement were hit with the news published a report claiming that that Greece had no proper place ping its long-standing claim to that their benefits could be Greek Culture and Tourism Min - to exhibit them, a stance that ownership of the sculptures in slashed by as much as 50% - ister Pavlos Geroulanos has lost its standing when Greece return for the British Museum and the European Union kept made an offer in which Greece two years ago opened the New Marbles to the new Acropolis be only loaned to the country, sending the Acropolis artifacts pressing for Greece to hold the will relinquish its 200-year-old Acropolis Museum, partially de - Museum remains the steadfast which owns them. The Times back to Athens on a long-term line on its program of tax hikes claim to the Parthenon Marbles signed to hold them. demand of the Greek state.” But reported that Geroulanos had loan.” The report said that and public sector wage cuts. housed in the British Museum The Athens News Agency the statement also said that, entered into the agreement to Greece, in return, would offer “Greece will not need addi - in return for a long-term loan, quoted the Greek Culture Min - “Greece is prepared to offer the abandon the claim to the prop - the British Museum some of its tional measures, especially and that Greece would also then istry as saying that the “perma - British Museum classic master - erties that are a national symbol best classical artworks, "changing ‘painful’ measures. I see only have to loan the British Museum nent return of the Parthenon pieces of the country for peri - of Greece, and whose return the exhibition every few years to one option ahead, delivering on odical exhibitions,” a position was championed by the late ac - give London one of the richest our targets with consistency,” Fi - similar to what the Times re - tress Melina Mercouri, who permanent displays in Western nance Minister George Papacon - ported was part of the deal for served as Culture Minister and - Europe of sculpture, carvings stantinou said. But he also said which Greece's marbles would was passionate in her unceasing and art from ancient Greece.” the drastic plan put in place by Neither Jew Nor Greek, Prime Minister George Papan - dreou to cut public workers salaries by 10%, reduce bonuses A Holocaust Memorial by 30% and across-the-board tax hikes was not on target to meet its goals to help Greece re - By Sylvia Klimaki memorial, located in a quiet, duce its 13.7% deficit and $380 TNH Staff Writer tree-surrounded herb garden, billion debt. ATHENS - On a sunny Monday beside a cemetery, in the archae - Greece has promised to slash morning a few months ago, ologically rich Kerameikos its budget deficit to less than 3% Athens unveiled its first Holo - neighborhood of Athens, not far in three to four years in ex - caust memorial, the last Euro - from where Pericles gave his fa - change for a $146 billion finan - pean Union capital to commem - mous funeral oration in 430 cial bailout from the EY and the orate its Jewish population that B.C., still perhaps the greatest International Monetary Fund was imprisoned, tortured, and speech ever delivered. Albalas (IMF) who are pushing Greece the 65,000 Greek Jews executed said it’s where his people to keep its foot on the necks of by the Third Reich. Greece stood wanted it to be. “The location workers in the face of strikes nearly alone in condemning the the Jewish community insisted and protests. actions of the Nazis and trying the memorial to be built upon “We are close to our revenue to save its Jewish community was of high archeological inter - targets but not quite there. during the dark times of World est and therefore the protests of However, we have exceeded on War II, but it took 65 years be - the archeologists were intense,” our efforts to cut back on budget fore that defiance was symbol - he said. The site has certain par - expenses,” Papaconstantinou ized too in the simple memorial, ticularities: it is close to the syn - said, reiterating Papandreou’s a shattered Star of David, split agogue where Greek Jews, un - statements that continued tax into seven large pieces of white der the ruse of food handouts evasion is still keeping Greece marble pointing in all directions, by the Nazis were rounded up from gaining enough revenues the names of regions of Greece on March 23, 1944. An esti - to right itself. Greece’s economy, where Jews once lived inscribed mated 1,000 Athenian Jews which makes up about 2.5% of there, the country’s once vast were packed off to the concen - the Eurozone, the 16 countries and thriving numbers, a linger - tration camp in April 1944 after who use the euro, is expected ing legacy of 2,000 years of liv - thousands fled or went under - to stay in recession for a second ing in Greece, is down to about ground. Arriving there after a year in 2010 after a 2% slump 6,000, according to Benjamin two- week train journey, they in 2009, but Papandreou said Albalas, President of the Athen - were met by Dr Josef Mengele. Greece would consider new aus - ian Jewish Association, and only “He selected 320 men and 328 AP PHOTO/ALKIS KONSTANTINIDIS terity measures only if it can’t nine of 29 Jewish communities women for his own ‘research,’” The thick blue line meet its budget targets or im - that existed in Greece in 1942 the historian Mark Mazower plement all its reform and fis - were re-established after the wrote in his acclaimed book In - Police clash with demonstrating students outside Greece's Parliament, Dec. 2, 2010 in another cal-consolidation efforts. (JUNE war. The dead are at rest, but side Hitler’s Greece. (Oct. 2, protest against austerity measures, in Athens. Police fired tear gas and clashed with youths 5, 2010) now their memories live in the 2010) during the brief incident after some 1,500 people marched through the Greek capital. THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW: GREECE CYPRUS 7 The Stormy Year of 2010 Changed Greece – and Greeks
Continued from page 1 there would never again be a tence and integrity in a country reason for war – except class war where corruption is as common there were earthquakes, iPads, that looms across the entire re - as poppies in a field in the spring. Toyota recalls, the Winter gion, starting with Greek work - Giolias was the first reporter to Olympics, terrorism so common ers who took to the streets, their be murdered in Greece in more people became inured to it, and arguments weakened by their re - than 25 years, and it wasn’t long never-ending wars in Iraq and dundancies, the polemics turned before a mini-manifesto popped Afghanistan, but when it came to violence as they blamed politi - up in a newspaper in which ter - to economic news, no one beat cians and the rich for making rorists said everyone was a target Greece. There was only one story them sacrifice while the privi - now – journalists, business exec - in Greece: the economy, and all leged continued to live above the utives, bankers, politicians – and else was a tangent for what that fray, a sentiment shared in that tourists should stay away. wrought. Strikes shutting down France, where hundreds of thou - And stay away they did in droves the Metro, buses, trains, trams, sands took to the streets, mirror - in 2010, the scenes on television trolleys, buses, the airport, ing the Greek Anger, furious over and the Internet of the down - demonstrating workers wielding pension reforms and austerity town of Athens burning and an - wooden staves menacing tourists measures there. And that was the archists, for a while, running who couldn’t get on ferry boats word of the year: Austerity, one amok, enough to scare them off. shut down by the crisis, cruise the disadvantaged said was not If that didn’t the closed ports and lines stuck in the harbor of Pi - in the vocabulary of the Haves, airport did as Greece suffered yet raeus or avoiding it altogether, who didn’t understand the plight another bad year for tourism, Greece seen in the news as a of the Have-Nots, and for that losing ground in the world list country at war with itself. Greeks got notice for transmo - of most popular places to visit. A Parliament under siege, an - grifying tomatoes into brickbats, It seemed all that was absent in gry workers pelting riot cops and then picking up real bricks Greece in 2010 was the annual with stones, bottles, oranges, while lawmakers hid inside the rite of arson in which people pieces of marble, spitting at Parliament and the rich sipped who want to develop forested them, trying to storm the build - cappuccinos in luxury neighbor - land burn it down so they can ing while yelling “Thieves!” at hoods a few streets away from put up buildings and make lots the lawmakers inside who the tear gas and people gasping of money, the national sport, would not come out. Seven gen - AP PHOTO/PETROS GIANNAKOURIS for air, and life. Greeks up to even bigger than football, espe - eral strikes, the worst on May 5 Demonstrators from the Greek Association of Large Families chant anti-government slogans their eyes in debt, using one cially since Greece’s national that killed the bank workers, during a protest in central Athens, , Dec. 15, 2010. Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot po - credit card to pay for another, team, apart from the miracle of others dwindling in intensity, lice, smashing cars and hurling gasoline bombs during a massive labor protest against the gov - lining up at banks to either re - winning the 2004 European discredited anarchists now a real ernment's austerity measures. structure or default, options championship, flopped again, fringe element, disowned by so - open only to the government, it both in the Champions League, ciety and the workers they lawyers, civil servants, police, mas, about 10 cents at the time, lises and PASOK Socialists and seemed, as the Papandreou Ad - and at the World Cup in South marched with, slinking deeper everyone it seemed. is now the equivalent of 660, New Democracy governments ministration had to acknowledge Africa, bowing out in the first into their black hoods and A YEAR TO REMEMBER more than 20 times the price, kept packing redundant workers it needed more time to pay the round after losing to South Korea netherworld. The National Herald has as - and everything from tomatoes to onto payrolls, Greece had to turn EU-IMF loans because the aus - and Argentina by 2-0 scores, but It was the worst year for most sembled a record of the most im - yogurt takes a bigger bite out of itself into a receivership, asking terity measures had backfired as managing to beat Nigeria, 2-1, Greeks since the days of World portant stories from Greece and Greeks’ pockets than Greeks take the EU, the European Central Greeks stopped spending. The before going home. War II and the Civil War that en - Cyprus for the tumultuous year out of them. And therein lies the Bank and the International Mon - worst part, it seemed, was that Apart from the riots and sued, or the terrible time of the of 2010 so that this generation – problem for what happened in etary Fund (IMF) for $150 bil - there was no end in sight to the protests and strikes and general Junta of the from 1967-74 and and those succeeding – will have 2010. lion in loans over the next three sense that their lives wouldn’t disharmony, perhaps nothing ex - the invasion of Cyprus by Turkey even a thumbnail understanding IT WAS A YEAR TO FORGET, years to reduce the deficit to the get better and that 2011 would plained why Greece doesn’t work that toppled them, no resolution of how critical the times were, BUT THE WOES KEPT EU’s imaginary ceiling of 3%, a be worse than 2010, people left as much as a simple smoking ban in sight to re-unification of the and how it molded a different MOUNTING IN GREECE, figure routinely violated by even to hang onto the words of Pa - – the fifth in 10 years – which island, apart from a United Na - country – even if it doesn’t last. CYPRUS Europe’s biggest economies, such pandreou that things would get was ignored just like all the oth - tions veiled threat that Greek It was, perhaps, cruelly ironic EU Economic and Monetary as Germany and France. But the better, somewhere around 2014. ers, leaving the Papandreou Ad - Cypriots would have to give in that the year ended a free-wheel - Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn Greek Contagion spread to Ire - Greeks, weary of the street ministration to throw up its more than they get in return be - ing, free-spending decade in put it this way in an interview land, which had to ask for a sim - strife and trying to balance their hands and surrender to smokers cause the UN, United States and which Greece admitted it lied with Kathimerini, Greece’s most ilar bail-out, and the sinking EU budgets, seemed at times to just just two months after proclaim - European Union want Turkey and faked its economic figures esteemed daily newspaper. “You economy threatened Spain, Por - give up, the declining numbers ing a war on smoking, Greeks yanked into the western world. to get into the Eurozone, a deci - were living beyond your means,” tugal and Italy too, and, as Ger - of protesters showing that many puffing away as if there were no Those past times were wars and sion many Greeks blame for sky - he said. Indeed, as the grim news man Chancellor Angela Merkel believed nothing could be done law, and it seemed there often a dictatorship in which scores of rocketing prices when Greece grew that Greece was nearing warned, all of Europe, putting at because the EU-ECB-IMF Troika wasn’t, unless it was clamping thousands of people died and lost its ancient drachma. A gyro bankruptcy because generations risk a union formed from the effectively ruled Greece and the down on the pay of workers, you can’t compare that tragedy that 10 years ago cost 30 drach - of Papandreous and Karaman - ashes of World War II so that government had to do what it raising taxes, and reneging on to what working people, pen - wanted because the bankers pension rights. sioners and the poor are suffer - wanted their money back before CYPRUS IS STILL THERE ing today in Greece, unless you anyone else, the same way in the There was a high note, when want to weigh up the broken United States the Internal Rev - Greek Cypriot Christopher Pis - lives and homes and shattered enue Service is always in first po - sarides shared the Nobel Prize futures for the young, 70% of sition – even ahead of banks – for Economics for developing a whom say they want to flee their when someone goes bankrupt theory that explains why many homeland to find better jobs and and the court orders who gets people remain jobless despite work in a country where talent paid first. many jobs being available, al - is more appreciated than politi - WE DID START THE FIRE though his advice to Greece to cal connections. For many If it wasn’t the economy, it get rid of redundant workers in - Greeks, their pay cut, their hopes was violence or terrorism related stead of cutting everyone’s pay crumbling, the National Anthem to the economy. Blogger journal - was ignored because it would might as well have been Don’t ist Sokratis Giolias was gunned have affected the voting con - Fear the Reaper or It’s The End down outside his home on July stituency of the ruling political of the World As We Know It, as 19 shot approximately 15 times party. He was the singular shin - unemployment passed 12%, up at close range. Typically in ing moment for Cyprus as Greek to 30% for young women, Greece, where arrests are rare, Cypriot President Dimitris 621,000 people in a country of even in capital cases, no one was Christofias continued to flounder 11 million without a job, walk - apprehended, although the in his attempt to re-unify the is - ing past 50,000 closed store - weapons used were linked to land and faced a diplomatic quiet fronts with windows so grimy previous attacks by the Sect of dressing-down by the United Na - they couldn’t see their future, Revolutionaries, one of the dead - tion’s otherwise timid Secretary apart from the ominous num - liest terrorist groups currently ac - General Ban ki-Moon to reach a bers of beggars on the streets, tive in Greece. A month before settlement with the Turkish homeless on park benches, jux - that, a Greek police officer was Cypriots by the end of January, taposed with the undiminished killed when a booby-trapped par - 2011 or the UN might take a lifestyle of the rich and protected cel exploded in the office hous - walk and leave the dilemma to and tax evaders trying to hide AP PHOTO/THANASSIS STAVRAKIS ing then Public Order Minister the Cypriots to figure out them - their yachts from tax inspectors A riot policeman reacts during clashes with youths in Athens, Dec. 6, 2010. Youths hurled rocks Michalis Chrysohoidis, who had selves. It was pretty much what they couldn’t bribe, everyone and oranges at a government building in central Athens during a student protest to mark two been unrelenting in pursuing ter - happened to Greeks too, in a with their hands out: doctors, years since the fatal police shooting of a teenage boy that sparked Greece's worst riots in decades. rorists, a rare figure of compe - year they’d like to forget. A Dark Day For Democracy
For a country which brought much of the civilized world its method of government of the people, by the people and for the people, it almost unraveled for a few hours in Athens on May 5 when street protests against gov - ernment measures to raise taxes and cut the wages of public workers erupted into deadly vio - lence, with demonstrators trying to storm the Parliament and the firebombing of a bank killing three people, including a woman who was four months pregnant. A stark photo of the shod feet of one of the victims showing under the railing of a second-story bal - cony where workers fled, waiting to be rescued, shocked the na - tion, as did the level of violence. “This is a black day for Democ - racy. Powers that seek blind vio - lence against democracy and so - ciety took advantage of a peaceful demonstration of em - ployees, caused the death of three people and endangered more lives. I reassure that those responsible will be brought be - fore justice” Civil Protection Min - ister Michalis Chrysohoidis said. There was fear that the deaths TNH PHOTO ARCHIVES of the bank workers could amp ABOVE: A bodyguard (L) leads Costis Hatzidakis, former development minister in the previous, up the violence. Trade unions, conservative government, away after he was attacked by protesters in Athens on Dec. 15, 2010. while condemning the actions of RIGHT: A petrol bomb explodes next to riot police during a student protest to mark two years what police said were anarchists since the fatal police shooting of a teenage boy that sparked Greece's worst riots in decades, in mixed in a crowd of nearly central Athens, Nov. 6, 2010. Police closed roads and deployed several thousand officers around 100,000 demonstrators, said the city, amid events to commemorate the death of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. they would take to the streets again. anarchists smashed the windows attempts to save the workers. the members to approve auster - of the city’s busiest streets as a the stun grenades stopped, and The dead were identified as and threw in firebombs. Outside “Several crucial minutes were ity measures as a condition to get “raw murderous act.” In a tense the morning broke to reveal the the 32-year-old pregnant the bank the next morning, many lost,” a senior fire official said. $146 billion in emergency loans meeting with Parliament, he charred remains of the bank, woman, Aggeliki Papathana - people gathered to gaze and “If we had intervened earlier, the from the European Union and In - said: “Nobody has the right to vi - Greek President Karolos Papou - sopoulou, and her colleagues, gawk and lay flowers on the loss of life could have been pre - ternational Monetary Fund olence and particularly violence lias, surveying the damage to the 35-year-old Paraskevi Zoulia and charred windowsills while inves - vented.” (IMF) to keep Greece, staggering that leads to murder.” The deaths debt-drowning country and its 36-year-old Epaminondas tigators were visible inside sifting The deaths were denounced under a 13.7% deficit, from de - were the first in protests in nearly reputation, said the violence over Tsakalis. They were inside a the rubble for clues. Four bank as “murder” by Prime Minister faulting on its loans and going 20 years in Greece, where vio - protests against wage cuts and branch of the Marfin Egnatia workers were rescued, even as George Papandreou in a grim bankrupt. lence during demonstrations is tax hikes for workers had put bank on a main street near firefighters said demonstrators presentation to Parliament, Papandreou condemned the frequent but rarely results in ca - Greece at “the edge of the abyss.” Athens’ center when police said blocked the exit and delayed the where he then turned to urging firebombing of the bank on one sualties. As the tear gas lifted and (May 8, 2010) 8 YEAR IN REVIEW: GREECE CYPRUS THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011
Hold that pose Where is Everybody? Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou arrives for an EU to fight Europe's debt crisis deepened at a two-day summit of The Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos is seen summit in Brussels, Dec. 16, 2010 as disagreement over how European leaders. almost deserted during a 24-hour strike in Spata, near Athens, Dec. 15, 2010 when another general strike hit Greece, ground - ing flights and disrupting hospital and transport services as unions protest against the freshly approved labor reforms amid U.N. Plan for Stalled Cyprus Talks: More Talks painful austerity and rising unemployment. Ban Puts The Big Squeeze on Christofias, Eroglu
NEW YORK - A three-way meet - what would happen did not ing between United Nations Sec - come true, the protests to the dif - retary General Ban ki-Moon, ference notwithstanding. “There Greek Cypriot President Dimitris are no timeframes, there is no Christofias, and his Turkish coun - threat from anywhere, and there terpart Dervis Eroglu has led only is no intention on behalf of the to promises for “intensified” talks Secretary-General to exert pres - to settle the long-standing prob - sure.” lem of how to unify the island But the Mail reported that ac - that’s been split since a Turkish cording to one European diplo - invasion in 1974. Christofias and mat, the result was a “forceful” Eroglu were summoned, report - message by Ban for the two lead - edly under the warning that the ers to basically “get on with it,” U.N. would pull its offices out of the usually timid U.N. leader ex - Cyprus, unless the two men, who pressing the frustration of the have been hemming and hawing U.N. and other Western leaders for months as talks stalled, who had been more direct in agreed they’d get serious and telling Cyprus this could be the ramp up their negotiations. “The last chance for a mediated set - people of Cyprus and the inter - tlement and that the option was national community want a so - Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias a permanent partition of the is - lution, not endless talks,” Ban land, with Turkey controlling the said, as U.N. frustration goes that northern one-third, where it talks have failed for years and diately said to be exactly what and close associates of the UNSG keeps a standing army and where that negotiations have become happened to him. The Cyprus tried to lean on Christofias on Turkish Cypriots occupy proper - even worse since Greek Cypriots Mail reported opposition DISY this point, as well as make an ef - ties stolen from Greek Cypriots. in 2004 rejected a U.N. unifica - leader Nicos Anastassiades said fort to upgrade the UN’s role so “The result was not as apocalyp - tion plan supported by Turkish an “informal timeframe” had it could submit proposals, set tic as some circles suggested or Cypriots. been set for January while gov - timeframes and arbitrate. That as bland as some thought it might AP PHOTO/THANASSIS STAVRAKIS Christofias said he felt “very ernment partner DIKO, through sounded very different from the be. Ban was forceful. He deliv - Ah, Honey, I’m going to be a little late… satisfied,” after the meeting and its leader Marios Garoyian said spin put on the talks by ered strong messages but no insisted he came under no pres - the President came under Christofias. “I am leaving New threats,” said the diplomat. Ban A woman speaks on her cell phone outside a closed gate of a sure or threats and that no time - “strong pressure” in New York. York very satisfied with the re - was forceful. He delivered strong Metro station during a 24-hour strike by public transport in frames were imposed on him – He said “some powerful players sults of this meeting,” he said, messages but no threats,” said Athens, Dec. 8, 2010 in another display of union opposition to all of which were almost imme - in the international community” adding that ominous tones of the diplomat. austerity measures in crisis-hit Greece. Cypriot Pissarides Picks Up Economy Nobel
Perhaps just in time to help foundations of so-called search professor at Northwestern Uni - find new homes even though Greece get out of its fiscal dol - markets, while Mortensen and versity in Evanston, Illinois. He there are a number of unsold drums – and he’s already offer - Pissarides expanded the theory is now a visiting professor at the properties available. Another is ing advice – Prof. Christopher and applied it to the labor mar - University of Aarhus in Den - the labor market. Because Pissarides, a British-Cypriot has, ket. They won $1.5 million mark and was told he had won searching for jobs takes time along with two Americans, Peter along with the prize. the prize before a lecture, uni - and resources, it creates friction Diamond, Dale Mortensen Pissarides, a 62-year-old pro - versity spokesman Anders Cor - in the job market, helping ex - shared in the 2010 Nobel Prize fessor at the London School of rell said. “He was very, very plain why there are both job va - for Economics, prize for devel - Economics, told The Associated happy but composed at the cancies and unemployment si - oping a theory that helps explain Press that the win was “a com - same time,” Correll said. multaneously, the academy said. why many people remain unem - plete surprise.” Speaking from Their work sheds light on This search process meant there ployed despite a large number his London home, he said: “The why the classical view of mar - would inevitably be job vacan - of job vacancies. They were hon - happiness is even more when it kets, in which prices are set so cies and unemployment. “The ored for their analysis of the fric - comes as a surprise.” Diamond, that buyers and sellers always laureates’ models help us under - tion involved when buyers and 70, is an economist at the Mass - find each other and all resources stand the ways in which unem - sellers are paired up in markets. achusetts Institute of Technol - are fully utilized, doesn’t always ployment, job vacancies and Diamond, a former mentor to ogy, and an authority on Social apply to the real world. One ex - wages are affected by regulation current Federal Reserve chair - Security, pensions and taxation. ample is the housing market, and economic policy,” the cita - Prof. Christopher Pissarides man Ben Bernanke, analyzed the Mortensen, 71, is an economics where buyers can struggle to tion said.
TNH ARCHIVES Streets of Fire ABOVE: A protester throws a stone as a kiosk burns during a student protest to mark two years since the fatal police shooting of a teenage boy that sparked Greece's worst riots in decades, in central Athens, Dec. 6, 2010. LEFT: A riot police officer runs to avoid a protester during clashes in Athens, Dec. 15, 2010 as hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police, smashing cars and hurling gasoline bombs during a massive labor protest against the government's austerity measures. THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW: OBITUARIES 9 Rethinking Billy Loes, the Daffy Dodger
By Constantine S. Sirigos in earnest in 1953. New York of the Times wrote that, “The write what you want about me Daily News sportswriter Bill aura of Loes the loopy Brooklyn and say I said it. You’ve been do - NEW YORK – Billy Loes, a star Madden wrote that “news of Dodger gained national exposure ing it right along anyway.’” pitcher with the Brooklyn Loes’ death didn’t surface until with an August 1953 article by He was a Greek American Dodgers Boys of Summer 1950’s nearly two weeks after the fact Jimmy Breslin in The Saturday original with a side that few un - fabled team, was an only child came as no surprise to his Evening Post titled The Dodgers’ derstood and it seemed nobody of immigrants and one of the friends, who regarded him as a New Daffiness Boy.” When Loes got him. Chris Martin, who first Greek Americans to enter delightful eccentric, self-es - was asked by [The Times] about played softball and baseball the consciousness of the Ameri - tranged from society.” his flaky reputation in 1957, he with Loes from the age of 14 can sports world and the back Loes was born on Dec. 13, said, “When they asked me a and was his teammate on the pages of New York’s tabloids. He 1929, in Astoria, Queens and question, I answered them hon - Bryant HS team the year Loes passed away this past summer was a star pitcher on its sandlots estly. But most of them turned it pitched FIVE no hitters and the at a hospice in Tucson, Arizona, and for Bryant High School. The around because they knew it team won the city champi - on July 15, perhaps as misun - media established his reputation would make better copy that onship, described him as a derstood by the media today as for daffiness early, and he never way. It got to the point where I “good kid, with a good heart,” Remembering when they first wrote about him forgave them. Richard Goldstein told a few writers, ‘Go ahead, but a kid who never grew up. Athan Karras: Artist, Hellene Limberakis’ Death Leaves Church Void By Dan Georgakas PHILADELPHIA - Father John worship. A senior priest in the and at age 16, graduating high finally in Philadelphia. He re - AMHERST, Mass. - Athan Karras A. Limberakis, 84, a leading Philadelphia area since 1970, he school in his junior year, he en - ceived Bachelor of Arts (BA) enjoyed far more fame among priest of the Greek Orthodox served in various leadership and rolled in Holy Cross Greek Or - and Bachelor of Divinity (BD) his professional colleagues than Archdiocese of America for ecclesiastical capacities for the thodox School of Theology degrees from Holy Cross School in the general public, even more than 60 years. passed Greek Orthodox Church. when it was located in Pomfret, of Theology and a Master of Arts though he was a well-known away on June 10 in Philadel - Father John was born on Oc - Connecticut. (MA) degree from Temple Uni - performer on stage, in film, and phia, with his wife Elizabeth and tober 7, 1925 in Boston, Massa - Upon graduation in 1948, he versity. on television. Through his ac - children and grandchildren at chusetts of immigrant parents, was appointed registrar of the Prior to his ordination into tivities in a variety of founda - his bedside. Known as a builder Anthony John and Evangeline Seminary, serving as executive the holy priesthood on Novem - tions, studios, and university po - of churches, he led four Greek Karadimitriou Limberakis, who secretary to the late Dean, the ber 8, 1949, The Feastday of the sitions, Karras became Orthodox parishes (Fresno, Cal - left their homeland of Alatsata, Rt. Rev. Athenagoras Cavvadas, Archangels, he married Eliza - universally recognized as Amer - ifornia; Cranston, Rhode Island; a suburb of Smyrna, Asia Minor who was also Bishop of New beth Constantine, a native of ica’s premier authority on Greek Elkins Park, and Valley Forge in 1922. The eldest of four chil - England. He pursued graduate Los Angeles, California. They folk dancing. Not least of his (Jeffersonville,) both in Penn - dren, he attended public schools studies, first in Fresno, then in raised four children, two girls many accomplishments was sylvania, in building houses of in Somerville, Massachusetts Providence, Rhode Island and and two boys. Karras’ role in bringing impor - tant Greek dance troupes to the United States and arranging for their Greek American counter - CLASSIFIEDS parts to appear in Greece. Hol - Farewell to Fr. James Moskovites lywood insiders frequented the various studios and other dance FOR RENT FUNERAL HOMES venues Karras established over NEW YORK - There was not its glowing Tiffany windows de - do that.’” the years. These “students” in - a cloud in the sky on the day picting the life of Christ, over - Archbishop Demetrios con - LONG ISLAND CITY CONSTANTINIDES cluded dancers as talented such when family, friends and brother flowed with clergy, people, flow - cluded his words of praise by ob - Beautiful second floor OFFICE FUNERAL PARLOR Co. SPACE. for rent. Has 10 offices, 3 as Ginger Rogers, eccentric clergy, led by Archbishop ers and love for its pastor of serving of priests like Fr. James, 405 91st Street megastars such as Marlon Demetrios of America, gathered almost two decades "They don't come in large quan - bathrooms, server room, lounge area, reception area etc. Spacious, Bay Ridge - Brooklyn, Brando, and phil-Hellenes such at the Church of the Evangelis - His Eminence Archbishop tities. They come as exceptions." modern, freshly painted, close to all NY 11209 as Omar Shariff. mos/Annunciation to bid a lov - Demetios declared, “He was "an The attendees were visibly amenities. Some offices are already (718) 745-1010 Athan Karras was the author - ing farewell to Rev. James exemplary priest at the Annun - moved and eager to express furnished with custom desks and Services in all localities - ity on Greek dance in the US. Moskovites. As if opening a clear ciation, an innovator who im - their love for Fr. Moskovites and matching cabinet files. Easy move High-powered egos frequently view to heaven for the spiritual proved not only the historic the void his loss represents. in. Great for Electrical contractors, Low cost shipping to Greece cause bitter jealousies and dis - children of the man who tire - building [having overseen the Penny Kostaris, a leadership and Architects, Engineers, Lawyers, Ac - putes in the entertainment lessly strove to show them the renovation of the community career management consultant countants, etc. Call Demetrios at ANTONOPOULOS world. This was not true of the path to salvation and a better center] but the parish," through said, "I was touched by how (646) 732-9572 or email: con - FUNERAL HOME, INC. charismatic Karras, who enjoyed way of life on earth, an infinite the programs he developed, es - many of his spiritual children troller@ekirikas. com for a walk Konstantinos Antonopoulos - through. We are offering a 1 to 5 particularly good relationships blue sky crowned the morning pecially for young adults. "He came up to pray for him, whom year lease for the premises, 2 month Funeral Director with most of his Hellenic col - of Saturday, March 6 in Manhat - looked inexhaustible... always we know is praying for us all security deposit required once lease 38-08 Ditmars Blvd., leagues. tan for the funeral and burial of thinking, with his Presbytera, of now." One man declared, “We is signed. Premi ses are available. Astoria, New York 11105 When I was interviewing a beloved priest and dear friend new programs. He never said no are not spiritual orphans. Each Asking $7,000 per month. (718) 728-8500 Hermes Pan, Fred Astaire’s per - to many. to anything, to any Church as - of us is a bearer of his words 467367/2/06-26 Not affiliated with any sonal choreographer, Pan told The landmark church, with signment, always, ‘yes. Yes I can and witness to his life." other funeral home. me that if I wanted to under - HELP WANTED stand the Hollywood dance scene, I should make it a priority LEADING GREEK AMERICAN APOSTOLOPOULOS to meet with Athan Karras. I got NEWSPAPER SEEKS Apostle Family - the same advice when talking George K. Chimples is Mourned Full-time AD sales representa - Gregory, Nicholas, Andrew - with Telly Savalas and a Greek tives for both GREEK and ENG - Funeral Directors of American columnist who wrote LISH language publications. Ap - RIVERDALE for the Hollywood Reporter. In CLEVELAND, OHIO – George Grant and Thomas Chimples. plicants should have some sales FUNERAL HOME Inc. his various activities, Athan Kar - K. Chimples, a Founder of the As a leader in the Greek and/or marketing experience. 5044 Broadway ras, an immigrant from Thessa - Archdiocese’s Leadership 100 American community, he was el - Fluency with computer use and New York, NY 10034 loniki, managed a feat that endowment fund and its co- evated to Archon Megas Prim - knowledge of Internet a plus. Bi- (212) 942-4000 eludes many immigrants. He be - chairman from the inception of ikirios of the Ecumenical Patri - lingual command of both lan - Toll Free 1-888-GAPOSTLE came quite successful in an im - the organization in 1984 until archate and was a great guages preferred. This position portant mainstream American 1996, died after a brief illness benefactor of Sts. Constantine offers base salary, plus commis - LITRAS FUNERAL HOME profession, yet he retained and on March 13. He was 91 years and Helen Greek Orthodox sion, and/or marketing experi - ARLINGTON advanced his Greek culture, of - old. Archbishop Demetrios of Cathedral of Cleveland, having ence. Fluency with computer use ten incorporating that Greek America presided at the funeral donated its iconostasis in honor offers base salary, plus commis - BENSON DOWD, INC culture into mass media cre - at SS. Constantine and Helen on of his father. He served that sions. E-mail resume and cover FUNERAL HOME ations. Few people can boast of March 16 in Cleveland Heights, parish as Trustee, President, letter to [email protected] or 83-15 Parsons Blvd., enriching Hollywood, Greek folk Ohio. Vice President and Chairman of fax to : (718) 472-0510 Attn. Jamaica, NY 11432 lore, and the lives of ordinary A great churchman and de - the Board of Education and Publisher or call (718) 784-5255 (718) 858-4434 citizens. Athan Karras was such voted family man, Chimples was Building Fund. Chimples was and ask for Veta. • (800) 245-4872 a rarity. In dance, he was one of the beloved husband of Janet one of the founders of Leader - a kind. (Karras passed away Feb. (nee Shields) Chimples, the lov - ship 100, a founder of the Kar - 12, 2010) ing father of Evgenia and her damylian Foundation, a mem - TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD, CALL: (718) 784-5255, husband George Hasiotis, Con - ber of the Chios Society of EXT. 106, E-MAIL: classifieds@ thenationalherald.com stantine Chimples and his wife America of AHEPA. Kathleen, Christine and hus - He was born in Kardamyla, band Peter Anzo and Thomas Athanasios and George Hasiotis, on the island of Chios in Greece, REAL ESTATE Chimples and his wife Theresa. Janet Chimples and husband was graduated from the gymna - He is also survived by the grand - Vasili Kosteas, George Chimples, sion in Chios and the Merchant children who were dear to him, Jennifer and Alexis Anzo, and Marine Academy in Piraeus. Community Mourns 41-Year-Old Professor
NEW YORK – Little over one year tors told him that the cancer he took his last breath at the Merri - ago Dr. Angelo Kontarinis, 41, a originally was originally diag - mack Valley Hospice House in professor at the New Hampshire nosed with in his kidneys and Haverhill, Mass. He is survived by PRINTED EDITION OF THE NATIONAL HERALD Institute of Art had beaten cancer later his lungs, had not disap - his wife, Melissa (Cooperman) VIA THE POST-OFFICE: and gained fame as the author of peared as they had told him a year Kontarinis of Exeter, NH; his three o1 Month $11.00 o3 Months $22.00 a well known blog on the Internet earlier. This time, it had metasta - children, Jack Theodore Kontari - o6 Months $33.00 oOne Year $66.00 which documented his journey sized to his brain. nis, Tess Irini Kontarinis, and Pearl VIA HOME DELIVERY (NY, NJ & CT): with kidney cancer, for which he Despite the shocking news, the Ilyana Kontarinis; his parents, o1 Month for $14.00 o3 Months for $33.00 was first diagnosed back in 2007. Greek American academician did Dennis and Androniki (Matzoros) o6 Months for $48.00 oOne Year for $88.00 He had come to New York to cel - not give up his struggle, and Kontarinis of Queens; two sisters, ebrate Easter with his family, who dreamed of returning to the uni - Spy Kontarinis and her husband VIA HOME DELIVERY were left amazed by the zest that versity in September to teach his John Tsantes of Queens, and Lisa (New England, Pennsylvania, he showed to return to his teach - beloved history classes and com - Kontarinis and her husband Washington D.C., VIRGINIA & MARYLAND) ing duties and publish his work. plete the book he had begun to George Lagos of Queens; nieces o1 Month for $18.00 o3 Months for $41.00 A few days after returning to Ex - write shortly after completing his and nephews, Nikoletta and o6 Months for $57.00 oOne Year for $109.00 eter, N.H., he felt dizziness, which doctoral dissertation. Sadly, his Steven Tsantes, and Deanna and ON LINE SUBSCRIPTION was the start of new health trou - condition took a turn for the Cecilia Lagos; and many aunts, e www.thenationalherald.com Student’s bles. After a series of tests, his doc - worse, and on Oct. 8, 2010 he uncles, and cousins. NON SUBSCRIBERS: oOne Year for $45.95 o6 Months for $29.95 Death Shakes o3 Months for $18.95
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NAME: ...... NEW YORK - Artemis Makas, NEW YORK – Astoria, Queens around,” Gianaris told TNH. ADDRESS: ...... 20, was a beautiful young girl and the Greek American Com - Aravella Simotas, N.Y. State r who was full of kindness. She munity of Greater New York will Assemblywoman-Elect for Asto - CITY: ...... STATE: ...... ZIP: ...... managed to win over the hearts miss the energy, love and dedi - ria said the community will not TEL.: ...... CELL: ...... of everyone who got to know cation of Dr. Mary Maragos, be the same without the woman E-MAIL: ...... her last year, when she was long-time member of the staff of whose “entire mission in life was c PLEASE SEND A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO: named runner up in the annual Congresswoman Carlolyn Mal - to help others. She was a really NAME: ...... Miss Greek Independence Con - oney who passed away on Friday, remarkable person, full of life ADDRESS: ...... test held by the Federation of December 17 after a heroic fight and a positive outlook despite s CITY: ...... STATE: ...... ZIP: ...... Hellenic Societies of Greater against cancer. The funeral was her illness.” Simotas told TNH N.Y. But that same heart of gold held at Astoria’s Cathedral of St. that she was a role model for TEL.: ...... CELL: ...... failed her early on Thursday Markella on Tuesday morning, women and that when Simotas E-MAIL: ...... March 18, as she took her final December 21. decided to run for office she and Please specify method of payment breath in the ambulance that N.Y. State Senator-Elect Dr. Maragos “had a frank discus - b I enclose a check/money order for $ ...... was taking her to the hospital. Michael Gianaris was one of sion about the rewards and chal - made payable to: The National Herald, Inc., The results of the autopsy many members and leaders of lenges of public office.” Simotas 37-10 30th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101 - 2614 showed that Artemis suffered an the community who were sad - said Dr. Maragos, who has or please debit my o Mastercard o Visa aneurism. Her funeral was held dened by the loss. “Mary was al - Cypriot family roots, loved her o American Express u at the Zoodohos Peghe Church ways protecting the interests of heritage and Orthodox faith and CARD NUMBER: ...... in the Bronx on Monday March the Greek American community. that she was excited that another EXPIRATION DATE: ...... 22, and was attended by family She will be missed - there are Hellene was running for office SIGNATURE: ...... members and fellow students. not a lot of Mary Maragoses in Astoria. s 10 EDITORIALS LETTERS THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The National Herald A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. The Road to Perdition Starts Vikentios work with Paisios for come insensitive to their salva - the world will be encircled by all (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), in the Church forty years and not know what tion from the many worldly con - types of calamities.” May the reporting the news and addressing the issues of paramount interest was going in that monastery? His cerns they have. The people to - Light of Jesus Christ bring us to the Greek American community of the United States of America. To the Editor: silence all those years makes him day are given over to hoarding back to our roots of Christian I received the weekend edi - an accessory to the sexual crimes treasures and surrendering morality and enlighten us to fi - Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris tion of The National Herald of that went on in that institution. themselves over to perdition nally understand the reason for Assistant to Publisher, Advertising Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos December 18-24 and I was left How could the Patriarchate sim - through looting, betrayals, lies, the Incarnation of our Lord and Executive Editor Andy Dabilis speechless with what I read ply accept the resignation of homosexuality, gluttony, pride, Savior Jesus Christ. May God On Line Assistant Editor Christos Tripoulas about the sex scandal at the Paisios without punishing him, hardness of heart and over - have mercy on our souls. Production Manager Chrysoula Karametros Chrysovalantou Monastery in As - without a spiritual court to judge whelming avarice. When the Fr. Constantine J. Simones, Webmaster Alexandros Tsoukias toria, NY. What is happening to the charges against him? What world becomes impoverished of retired our Church? There is one sex about the violation of the laws the Grace of the Holy Spirit, then Waterford, CT The National Herald (USPS 016864) is published weekly by scandal after another that is rear - of this country perpetrated by The National Herald Inc. at 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 ing its ugly head in the Christian Paisios with the perverted Tel: (718)784-5255, Fax: (718)472-0510, Church. The repetitiveness of lifestyle that he lived as leader e-mail: [email protected] these scandals is destroying the of the monastery? The clergy of credibility of the Orthodox our Church are not above the Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, Athens, 10671, Greece Church when the world needs it laws of this land. When is the fotograffiti Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776, e-mail: the most. Is there any wonder Church going to learn to do a [email protected] that a recent poll taken by the proper vetting of all the candi - National Herald reported that dates for the priesthood through - Subscriptions by mail : 1 year $66.00, 6 months $33.00, 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, 52% of Orthodox Christians in out the world in order to weed 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 America do not trust the ecclesi - out all these sickoos before they Home delivery New England States, Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland : astical leadership of the Church? get into positions of leadership? 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 And to think that at one time the This whole issue reinforces my On line subscription : Subscribers to the print edition: 1 year $34.95, 6 months $23.95, 3 months $14.95; Non subscribers : 1 year $45.95, 6 months $29.95, 3 months $18.95 Church was the most trusted in - opinion that there are two stan - stitution of our society. Is there dards of justice in the Orthodox Periodical postage paid at L.I.C., N.Y. and additional mailing offices. any wonder why the many Church, one for priests and an - Postmaster send change of address to: Greek-American millionaires other for bishops. If a priest is give huge grants to many uni - caught in a similar situation the THE NATIONAL HERALD, 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 versities and colleges in America Church throws the book at him. and not a penny to Hellenic Col - If a bishop does something as lege/Holy Cross School of The - terrible as Paisios they tap him ology? Hellenic College/Holy on the wrist and send him off to TNH Man of the Year Cross School of Theology is the retirement with a fat pension. only institution of higher learn - I could go on forever about ing of our Archdiocese that per - the rot that is afflicting our Greek Prime Minister petuates our Hellenistic Ortho - Church and our world today but dox Christian Heritage and it is I will let the prophecy of St. Nilus treated like a poor relative by the (1700) speak for me. “They will George A. Papandreou wealthy segment of the Greek not respect the sanctity of mar - Orthodox community. It is a pre - riage and they will gravitate to - AP PHOTO/PETROS GIANNAKOURIS cious jewel in our midst and wards perdition which will be Calling Mr. Godot! Godot! Continued from page 1 most of our faithful seem to ig - worse than during Sodom and nore it. Why? Gomorrah, committing many The last person trying to get out of Greece at the end of “We are not a production line for legislation and what people have The interview of Theodore more evil works. The more evil 2010 wasn’t told the train wasn’t coming because the dri - to understand is that a bill has to mature and be debated so that a Kalmoukos with Bishop Viken - works, the more calamities will vers had been on strike – since 1912. difficult political decision can be explained and be understood by tios is very troubling. How could befall the world. People will be - the Greek people.” Papandreou’s answer: nice speech, now do what I said, although he opened the door a bit to allowing debate before the pre-ordained answer is given. In Papandreou’s Greece, it’s his way or the highway, and if you vote against him you get the boot, ΛΟΓΟΣ so he’s just a tank in the streets away from being his own junta, taking advantage of the worst of times. Because he’s let the rich alone, and hasn’t come out from his of - fices – except to talk to more rich people and politicians, including In 2011, Don’t Be Like The Lone Fly On the Window the Greek Diaspora - the Greek people don’t understand what’s go - ing on and that’s why the disaffected and disenfranchised took to the streets in a nasty cauldron that included hooligans and anar - Have you ever seen a dead are now staring at know, people try - pacity and therefore don’t share chists taking advantage of their plight to attack the government, fly on a windowsill? Sure you a dead fly on a win - ing to get “out” the same manifest destiny as hu - bomb cars and banks and stir up trouble for trouble’s sake, making have. At one time or another, I dowsill. What through a closed mans, unless of course the latter it difficult to discern the real travails of workers and pensioners bet that you’ve also seen a fly thoughts or images window. We may choose to behave like flies! fearful their lifestyle was disappearing while the politicians and buzzing so frantically against a about life in general even know people Unlike the fly who saw the rich and tax evaders remained unaffected, the loophole in Papan - closed window that it looked and about your life who “died” in window as a way out and was dreou’s Law. Even the head of the IMF, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, like it was trying to escape from in particular fill mind, body, and/or determined to go through the who came to Athens to meet Papandreou, noted that Papandreou prison. Drawn by the seductive your mind? I’m not spirit trying to do window even if it killed it (and hadn’t met the promise the Greek leader delivered at the Brookings light outside and fixated on asking you to be - so! What seemed it did kill it,) we have not only Institution in Washington, D.C. early in the year, to go after the tax what seemed to be its one and come the character like a desirable the freedom of will but also a evaders and the corrupt elite who have been allowed to get away only path to freedom, the fly played by Jeff Gold - “exit strategy,” one will to meaning that, if we use with what they want, empowering everyone else to cheat too, mak - eventually succumbed to forces blum in the 1986 that promised true these powerful resources, can ing Greece the most corrupt country in the European Union. What greater than its own. Ironically, movie, The Fly, only by Dr. ALEX freedom and a bet - lead us to unlimited possibili - a statement for the land where democracy was born and which many of these poor souls - and to reflect upon PATTAKOS ter quality of life, ties. And while we may not al - saved Western Civilization through its principles and ideals. I’m still talking about flies - ap - what life from a proved not to be ways have control over the cir - In an interview with Kathimerini, in reaction to a question about pear completely unaware that fly’s perspective Special to one after all. These cumstances within which we his feelings personally as well as the head of the IMF to the demon - there were other “escape” routes may have to do The National Herald poor souls (now I find ourselves, we always have strations and strikes, Strauss-Kahn was very telling: available to them, such as an with the meaning am referring to the ultimate freedom to choose “Demonstrations are part of any healthy democracy. It is only open door or window on the of your life. people not flies) invested every - how we will respond to them, natural that some people are unhappy about the changes that need other side of the same room. Al - Let me try to jumpstart your thing they had into getting even if only through our choice to be made. I understand that. This is a very difficult situation for though I’ve freed many flies thinking. I think that we all can through the closed window but of attitude. the Greek people and I do not underestimate the efforts they are from captivity over the years, agree that the fly expended or were only able to die trying. Fortunately, in most cases, making. In fact, I commend them on those efforts - as I believe the I’ve also witnessed the remains exhausted all of its life energy And like the fly who died on the we can do more than simply ex - rest of the world also is beginning to do. I would only emphasize of many who obviously weren’t on a futile, joyless undertaking. windowsill, these individuals, ercise the freedom to choose our this point again: when you have to make tough decisions and take so fortunate. Indeed, it doesn’t Let’s face it, there was no way despite giving all they had, attitude towards a situation con - difficult measures, it must be done in a socially just manner. From take long for many windowsills, that the fly was going to break ended up leaving it on their field fronting us. Unlike the fly, we the beginning, we- and the government - have stressed the issue of especially around spring clean - through the closed glass win - of dreams unfulfilled; that is, on have options; that is, creative li - fairness. ing time, to look like graveyards dow, even though the view from the windowsill of life. Fortu - cense to find alternatives to the Ordinary workers and pensioners have done their part. Now, for flies whose lives ended trag - outside may have been very at - nately, we are not flies even if closed windows that separate others in Greek society- including the high-income earners - must ically and prematurely due to tractive and seductive. What - we sometimes behave like one. and prevent us from where we’d do their part too. That is why, for example, strengthening tax ad - basic instincts that did not in ever the fly’s “vision” at the As humans, we do have the in - like to go. ministration, and coming down hard on tax evasion, is so important. the final analysis serve their best time, there was no way that it nate capacity to learn, to be cre - Equipped with the benefits Yes, this will help increase needed revenues but, more than this, it interests or highest good. Exis - was going to achieve its ultimate ative, and to grow in productive, of faith and reason, we can get will help enhance fairness. I believe that, ultimately, people will tentially-challenged, flies don’t aim. Metaphorically speaking, meaningful ways. Whereas the to our destination even if it support reforms - even very difficult reforms--if they feel they are have the capacity to learn from the windowsill became the fly’s fly never heard someone say, means rethinking our strategy in the best interest of their country and if everyone is contributing experience, gain insight into “field of dreams” that would “Hey fly, you cannot get through and taking a course that is much their fair share. their personal circumstances, never be realized. Despite the that window, it’s crazy to keep different and maybe less obvi - If Strauss-Kahn can see that, why can’t Papandreou? It’s what is and grow or consciously evolve fly’s unrelenting, Herculean ef - trying, so why don’t you try the ous than the window to keeping him from becoming a modern day Pericles instead of a as a result. Flies, in other words, forts to reach its goal on the door or something else,” I sus - nowhere. And because we are Draco. One way to discern the difference and what people want appear to be doomed to repeat other side of the window, free - pect that over the course of our human, we have the added ben - would be for him to get out of the Prime Minister’s mansion and their past mistakes no matter dom proved to be an illusion lives, each of us has received efit of enjoying and discovering his own very finely appointed home and meet Greeks face-to-face what the consequences. that was out of reach. Indeed, such guidance from someone at the deeper meaning of the jour - and make himself available to speak to ordinary working people in Now think about how the fly unbeknownst to the fly, things some time. Moreover, because ney along the way. So remem - the Diaspora as well instead of handpicking journalists to write and the behavior just described are not always what they seem! we are blessed with reasoning ber, you are not a fly; therefore puff pieces about him. The most effective leaders, in business and represent so much of life as it is And, sadly, because it is inca - (critical thinking) and creative don’t get stuck and die like a fly the military, know that you can’t be an armchair general and that lived by we human beings. As pable of stopping, listening, and abilities, we’ve also been able to on the windowsill of life! worse than being feared or hated is being disdained and disre - we begin 2011 this kind of learning from its predicament, navigate our way through life’s spected, held in contempt because you’ve asked others to do what thought-provoking exercise is it isn’t able to take corrective ac - challenges and learn practical Dr. Pattakos, author of you won’t. If the people eat gruel, you can’t have caviar. especially fitting and may help tion that may save and extend lessons along the way. These life Prisoners of Our Thoughts, is HOLD THAT RUDDER to put those New Year Resolu - its life. lessons, in turn, provide a plat - co-founder of a business initia - For all that, Papandreou has shown himself to be the Phil Jackson tions, along with the stresses So what does this little fly form for future thinking and ac - tive on how to live a meaningful of Heads of State, akin to that winningest of all National Basketball and challenges at this time of teach us about life? To be sure, tion enabling us to learn and life based on Greek culture. Association coaches, the Zen Master, whose spiritual approach to year, into their proper context. we all know people who live grow further as a result. As we Readers may contact him at: that hectic game has won him kudos and 11 championships. So Imagine for a moment that you their lives like this fly did! You know, flies do not have such ca - [email protected]. where does Papandreou go from here? He’s also President of the Socialist International, although almost everything his Adminis - tration has done is antithetical to its ideals. He has enough honors ANTILOGOS and awards to plaster a very big wall, including the Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award, named for the great African-American base - ball player who broke the color barrier in 1947 when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, so Papandreou should not forget there is a Turkish Grinches, Boutaris, the Patriarch Money Line in Greece, workers and the poor and pensioners being hurt on one side, and most of his allies and rich pals on the other, and if he does, he stands the chance of becoming a memorable ON TURKISH CUSTOMS ON INTERVIEW WITH tunate the goal of so many is a loving, culturally sophisticated leader instead of just another opportunist who put his party before CLAMPDOWN IN CYPRUS THESSALONIKI MAYOR civil servant’s career and a life people to live in and to visit. his country. He should keep open the open mind, the one that, as 'Kktc' is sinking deeper and YIANNIS BOUTARIS of minimal stress. Where and This location would also provide Minister of Education in a previous administration, allocated 5% deeper into economic catastro - Boutaris seems to have a when did the nation lose it's the opportunity for the center of university posts for the Muslim minority in Thrace, who under - phe. And it isn't the so-called problem with that old affliction- way?? to be on the East River, visible stood that dialogue with Turkey was better than bombast behind Cypriot blockade. It's the fact mouth in 'Drive', brain in 'Park'. - Philip Vorgias from Manhattan and provide a closed doors, who was a listener instead of a screamer, and praised that 'kktc' is not ecomomically Folks need to realize that, even great architectural view. as a “Bridge-Builder” and Diplomat of the Year, all that glory ringing viable in the first place. They if they're politicians, they are ON HELLENISM WORLD - Dionysios Markopoulos in his ear, deafening him to the cries of the powerless. He shouldn’t live off of Turkish 'baksheesh' held accountable for what they CULTURAL CENTER IN N.Y. forget that he was a two-time loser in previous elections to head for the most part and the Turks say. He's had his Mulligan, we This is indeed a good idea, ON EFFORTS TO REBUILD his country. have cut way back on that. It's won't be so charitable in our but also quite expensive. It can ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH So does the man make the times or the times make the man, es - only going to get worse. comments next time-Mr. be done though. The key deci - These agencies are full of ar - pecially when it’s the worst of times? Papandreou has shown a - Philip Vorgias Boutaris. sion will be where to put it? rogant people. In this issue, keen ability to keep an even keel, much as in Rudyard Kipling’s fa - - Philip Vorgias Manhattan is the busiest place, where are former mayor Gu - mous poem “If,” which declares that, “If you can keep your head ON PATRIARCH’S DIALOGUE but also the most expensive. A liani, President Bush, Mayor when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you WITH POPE AND ISLAMD ON TURKISH GRINCHES site of this scale in Manhattans Bloomberg, Governor elect can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance The Orthodox Church has STEALING CHRISTMAS will cost hundreds of millions. Cuomo and others. Saint for their doubting too,” and for that he deserves kudos because contributed tremendously to Edrogan demands an apol - Finding the appropriate land Nicholas is in fact a national and another man might have let Greece be dashed on the rocks instead civilization and as the Patriarch ogy from Israel? Is Erdogan go - will be difficult in Manhattan as international issue, and our of at least trying to avoid them. If he were not in office, Greece said has a "duty" to speak out ing to apologize for this? well. Placing this center in the elected officials need to be in would be in default and disgrace, its economy destroyed for and engage on all issues and Shameful and disgusting! outer boroughs may work, but the forefront of rebuilding this decades, the country’s image and reputation in ruin, a pariah with all faiths for the benefit of - Niko Seretis the wow factor of Manhattan tiny church destroyed on 9/11. among nations. peaceful coexistance. With en - would be lost as well as the I am pleased that the Archdio - What does he want his legacy to be, that he killed the country gagement, with dialogue, with ON GREEK SHIPPING sheer number of people that cese has finally engaged a legal to save it? Instead of sycophants surrounding him telling him not sharing of our faith and with INDUSTRY DOMINANCE Manhattan has to offer. An in team to deal with this matter as to look out the window at the chaos on the streets, he should have foemulating solutions to today's If Greeks as a nation were as between location may be Long well as the services of a public a Greek Chorus reminding him that fame is fleeting and, as Kipling issues based on our fath, we can hard working and aggressive as Island City where PS1 is located. relations agency to get the mes - also wrote in that poem, to remember that when you meet with move Orthodoxy towards a those in the shipping industry There are plenty of affordable sage out to the world. It's about Triumph and Disaster to “treat those two imposters just the same.” good future. the nation would have no eco - sites to purchase there and that time! If he does, that would make him a Man of the Ages for Greece. - Dionysios Markopoulos nomic problems now. It's unfor - area has become a haven for art - Dionysios Markopoulos THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011 VIEWPOINTS 11 Just When You Thought It Couldn’t Get Any Worse For Greece… It Did
The Year that Went: I am ap - retary of State and Defense and seems to have be - politicians fear to chair of the House Foreign Af - not private sector inefficiencies. palled. My 2010 predictions, the uniformed military per - come the Democra - endorse them. The fairs Committee has already Unlike the US, Ireland and which I thought erred on the suaded enough patriotic Repub - tic substitute for report of the Na - made it clear that her highest Spain, Greece’s banks stayed worst-case side, proved far too lican Senators to put America’s policy. Although on tional Commission goals for the next two years will solvent and there was no real rosy. The top two percent of the interests above their desire to balance a good on Fiscal Responsi - be to ensure the political sup - estate bubble. Greece’s civil ser - US population, which created deny Obama a victory. thing, the tortuous bility, made up of port of the Israel and Cuban lob - vice is far too big but underpaid, the Great Recession in the first This column also grossly un - legislative process those few remain - bies. The outlook for Greece encouraging corruption and place, not only salvaged its out - derestimated the Greek eco - to pass it ruined its ing thinking and may be even murkier. The economic distortions. For exam - rageous lifestyles but also lob - nomic crisis. While France and public appeal. Nei - patriotic Republi - M.O.U. between the Greek Gov - ple, the 1980’s decision to avoid bied to keep their taxes low. For Germany, as predicted, pre - ther party has seri - cans and Democ - ernment, the European Central raising teachers’ salaries but to the rest of Americans, unem - vented Greek (and later Irish) ously looked at fix - rats, laid out a path Bank and the IMF imposed an allow teachers to supplement ployment increased, foreclo - insolvency, the cure seems as ing our balance of to reduce the fed - austerity so strict as to dramati - their income by forcing students sures proliferated, and the gap bad as the disease. Prime Min - payments deficit. by AMB. PATRICK N. eral deficit by $4 cally reduce economic activity into private tutoring; - the infa - in family income grew. Lobbying ister George Papandreou has The GOP, in its free- THEROS trillion over the and make deficit reduction im - mous “frontistiria” – sent a once remains the single most prof - dramatically reduced Govern - market obsession, next decade. It will possible. The few growth-creat - very good public school system itable investment in America; ment spending, pushing the av - sees further gutting Special to probably be emas - ing measures imposed by the into a death spiral. The Greek $50 million dollars to lobbyists erage citizen closer towards American industry The National Herald culated on Capitol IMF and ECB will not show pos - deficit was driven by a revenue netted investors about $70 bil - poverty, but has neither in - and enriching the Hill. On foreign af - itive results for years, long after shortfall more than unsound ex - lion in tax savings. The GOP re - creased tax revenues from the financial sector as a solution fairs, neither political party the austerity measures sink the penditure. mained master of the sound- rich nor punished the corrupt while it is difficult to discern any wants to do anything unless it economy. Ultimately, the M.O.U. Tax collections were esti - byte and the Democrats politicians who precipitated the Democratic policy. Fiscally serves a domestic constituency. failed to address Greece’s essen - mated at 32% of what was due. remained inept and leaderless. crisis. The GDP continues to de - sound proposals abound, but The putative new Republican tial problem: bad governance, There is some evidence that fu - President Barack Obama’s inspi - cline and the usual tools for eco - ture tax collection will improve rational skills did not translate nomic recovery, e.g., currency (newly-rich Greeks are dumping into the hard political skills devaluation, no longer apply. yachts right and left to avoid the needed to break the partisan Greek-Turkish relations took “appearances” tax) but no evi - deadlock. By November, the bizarre twists in 2010. Turkish dence that the government now public bought the line that this Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Er - has the guts to go after known dark-skinned, Socialist President dogan undermined the Turkish tax cheats and self-admitted cor - of suspect parentage really military domestically, but al - rupt officials. The current riots caused our problems. Ugly par - lowed Turkish provocations in are the outward expression of tisan rhetoric reached lows not the Aegean to continue. He has deep public anger. The only rea - seen since the run-up to the made only small, symbolic, pos - son that they are burning shops Civil War. Internationally, things itive gestures towards the Patri - downtown is that the corrupt did not fare much better. De - archate. Most amazingly, Erdo - Leftist trade union leaders who mocrats undercut the President gan manufactured a crisis with direct the riots reside in high- on Guantanamo Bay while Re - Israel that undermines the Turk - rent neighborhoods. My direst publican support for a surge in ish Generals while deluding the prediction is that failure to Afghanistan failed to impress Greek lobby into believing that throw some high-ranking crooks the Taliban. Israel defied the US Israel is their salvation. in jail and to bankrupt others Government and snuffed out WHAT’S NEXT? by collecting back taxes will lead any hopes for peace in the next The Year to Come: The politi - to class violence on an unprece - decade. At least, we have not cians can turn around 2011 only dented scale. The likelihood of been stampeded into attacking if they forgo their favorite pas - these brutal predictions coming Iran. At the final hour, some time of telling the public that it true depends entirely on a com - signs of sanity appeared in can have everything it wants for bination of voters waking up Washington. The President free. The GOP would have us and politicians learning to tell crafted a last-minute tax com - balance the budget by cutting the truth. Past history imparts promise with the Republican taxes for the wealthiest two per - little confidence. leadership that outraged the cent and cutting government core of both parties; usually a spending. However, they will The Hon. Ambassador Theros is good sign. The Congress re - not talk about cutting anything president of the U.S.-Qatar Busi - pealed the military quasi-ban on (e.g., defense, Medicare, social ness Council. He served in the gays, the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” security, farm subsidies) that U.S. Foreign Service for 36 policy for the practical reason might cost it votes. The Democ - years, mostly in the Middle East, that it added a big burden on rats seem to have articulated no AP PHOTO/J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE and was American Ambassador an already overstretched US policy at all. They simply want President Barack Obama, joined by Republican and Democratic lawmakers, signs the bipartisan to Qatar from 1995 to 1998. He military. At least the Senate ap - to avoid confronting important tax package that extends tax cuts for families at all income levels, during a signing ceremony also directed the State Depart - proved the Strategic Arms Re - constituencies such as the trial on Dec. 17, 2010 at the White House. The massive tax law signed is filled with all kinds of ment’s Counter-Terrorism duction Treaty (START) because lawyers and the teachers’ holiday stocking stuffers for businesses, including: tax breaks for producing TV shows; grants Office, and holds numerous U.S. every previous Republican Sec - unions. Health care reform for putting up windmills; and rum subsidies for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Government decorations.
LETTER FROM ATHENS The First Annual TNH Ostrakon Awards, May I Have The Envelope Please
The Ancient Athenians knew the democracy (January or Feb - unimaginable sex old now, being failure Panathinaikos soccer ulty work, even if you don’t. what to do with corrupt and in - ruary in the modern Gregorian acts. Instead of a held by a mother, team, and Chairman of Olympic BIGGEST SELL-OUT: Whew! ept leaders. They ostracized Calendar.) If they voted “yes,” broken piece of pot - but maybe the Air, he would still have plenty to Where to begin? Culture Minis - them, expelled them from the then an ostracism would be held tery with his name killers and the do destroying those franchises in ter Pavlos Geroulanos was re - city for a nice little 10-year two months later. In a roped-off on it, he will receive many who know absentia. Better hope there’s no portedly ready to desecrate the freeze-out so they could rethink area of the agora, citizens a special gold os - who they are and terrorist threat against Olympic memory of a former holder of their crimes and stupidity – that scratched the name of a citizen trakon, made from share this igno - Air on a day you’re supposed to that office, the late brilliant ac - was the theory. Unfortunately, they wished to expel on pot - one of the icons he minious prize fly because everyone shows up tress Melina Mercouri, who just as in Greece today, where shards, and deposited them in was charged with lifted a glass of to work for Vgenopoulos, unless fought with her last breath to the poor are just interchange - urns. The presiding officials melting down, per - beer to remember they’re murdered, and then they bring back the Parthenon Mar - able sidewalk tiles, the needs of counted the ostraka submitted; haps figuring God them before burp - get all the next day off. And the bles from the thieves at the the common citizen could be if a minimum of 6,000 votes wouldn’t notice it ing and planning next and the next. For Greeks British Museum. When word got overridden by petty concerns were reached, then the os - was missing. Imag - by ANDY the next attack. who believe in Hades, they can out he was ready to relinquish and the process would be hi - tracism took place: the officials ine how dishonor - DABILIS Exile is too good rest assured he’ll meet the anar - the claim if he begged the Brits jacked to get rid of a rival by sorted the names into separate able you have to be for them, unless chists there one day and face the to lend them to Greece, his office accusing him of aspiring to piles, and the person receiving to win this one Special to it’s in a bank office fires of eternity because The put out a statement to the con - tyrant status or threatening the the highest number of votes was when your competi - The National Herald that’s been fire - Devil’s Branch never closes ei - trary, but he never came out in state in other ways. It was a con - exiled. Today, only one vote is tion includes the bombed and the ther. public to show himself. But the venient tool; there was no real needed – mine. And, unlike the monks of Mt. Athos, who fig - doors are locked so they’ll know LOWER EDUCATION: To al - winner (loser) is …… Greek charge, or even a defense, just ostraka, which exiled only one ured out land deal swaps to gain what it’s like. Let’s stop pretend - leged Minister of Education Cypriot President Dimitris simply a command from the person a year, there’s no limit themselves billions of dollars, ing the anarchists are anything Anna Diamantopoulou, who Christofias, who, his words to the people of Athens that someone to the TNH Ostrakon because and the line of priests waiting but spoiled, bored nihilists sit - proved if not for politics that contrary notwithstanding (politi - was getting a decade-long vaca - the candidates just keep pouring for a fresh supply of altar boys, ting around sipping capitalist politicians would be selling hot cians always have position pa - tion from the city, which didn’t over the transom like Chinese besmirching the reputation of cappuccinos in their Che Gue - dogs somewhere. Her response pers supporting all sides) means want his services anymore. Let’s soldiers in the Korean War and those who toil for the Church vara T-shirts, reading Marx and to dwindling enrollments at the you’re likely to see a Turkish bring it back, even with its ex - you need an endless supply of honestly and believe in their Mao and spouting pretty slo - abysmal national colleges was President on the divided island cesses, to deal with the excesses ammunition to stop them. vows. gans, skipping over the part to abolish academic standards, one day, or Greek Cypriots will of the past decade, where even Enough talk, these are the peo - MOST COWARDLY: The an - about how many millions of just a transparent sell-out to be told their homes stolen by the “innocent” cashed in. In that ple we’d like to see ostracized archists hiding behind hoods people their idols killed in the save failing institutions such as Turks after the invasion of 1974 spirit, we’re announcing the (or jailed in perpetuity in some who threw firebombs into a name of helping “the people.” the TEI of Western Macedonia now belong to the Turks as a First Annual Ostrakon Awards, cases) so let’s proceed to the branch of the Marfin Bank office Because of what they did, for - in her former constituency. Can’t condition to re-unify the island. named for the simple broken awards. on May 5 during protests mer prime minister Costas Kara - spell your name? Don’t worry, MOST IGNORANT: Those piece of pottery that was the THE OSTRAKA FOR... against the austerity measures manlis, who was a shoo-in to you’re admitted under the Dia - Greek politicians who came to voting tokens on which some - DIS-SERVICE TO GOD: Met - that have drained the lifeblood win this award because he went manatopoulou Criteria! Her re - New York City for the annual In - one’s name was written, and, if ropolitan Paisios, who fled the of the working-class, the people into hiding after his scandalous sponse to criticism that she was dependence Day parade, stood enough Athenians jotted you Chrysovalantou Monastery he the anarchists allegedly are administration brought Greece diluting academic standards by around on the reviewing stand down, you were gonzo. co-founded in Astoria, N.Y. just aligned with. The petrol bombs to his knees, can remain invisi - opening the doors to anyone to take a breath and then hot- It seems fitting that the ahead of charges by his own killed Paraskevi Zoulia, 35; ble for another year, and, if who knew how to open a door footed it to Macy’s and Fifth Av - award be given at the end of the Bishop Vikentios, and a nun Epameinondas Tsakalis, 36, and there’s any real justice in the (some are still outside trying to enue to shop or wherever idle year so that a whole year’s who came into Paisios’ charge Aggeliki Papathanasopoulou, world (there isn’t) will not be figure it out) was that: “In the politicians go, leaving students worth of ineptitude and greed as a 14-year-old, that the 32, who was pregnant. Her remembered. past, failures would go to pri - and children who worked for can be calculated on our abacus, monastery was really a cover for child would be several months MOST ARROGANT: This one vate … institutions and abroad.” months on costumes and floats which, unlike computers, never is retired in its first year and will Great idea, let’s keep the failures to impress them walking by a crashes and is more accurate go every year - although that at home instead. This from a reviewing stand as empty as the and often faster. The Ostrakon spoils the suspense - and unless woman who wrote a book called heads of those who abandoned is a dishonor even worse than there’s someone more shameless Exinpni Ellada (Intelligent them. Class act, but you’re not the Dodo Awards I’d given out on this planet, the loser will al - Greece) that most of those she welcome back for 10 years be - while working for another Eu - ways be Andreas Vgenopoulos, allowed into university will be cause … you’ve … been….. os - ropean newspaper, the award 56, Chairman of Marfin Invest - able to read anyway. But what tracized! Say that a few times named for the goofy-looking ment Group that owns the do you expect when she over - and see how good it feels. bird that lived on the island of Marfin Bank where his workers sees a university system in And lest the winners forget, Mauritius and became extinct were killed because he wouldn’t which the best in Greece, The in Ancient Athens, The Ostra - by trusting mankind. The Dutch close the branch on a day when National Technical University of cized could return in 10 years called the Dodo the “loathsome it was known by everyone else Athens, ranks 340th in the without stigma, but had only 10 bird,” because of its tough tex - in Greece that banks would be world. There’s better high days to leave the city when ture and foul taste, so, like targeted. Unfortunately, he schools in the United States, but voted out, and if they attempted politicians it wasn’t good eating. wasn’t in it at the time to feel at least it’s better than Haroko - to return, the penalty was death. Too tough. Alas, unlike the the heat and smoke and showed pio University of Athens, that Let’s give ‘em til sundown to Dodo, hypocritical politicians up a while after the murders, but ranks 4,846th in the world. Nice ride out of Dodge and hope a will never become extinct be - had to be hustled away by police going, Anna. When you come few of them try to come back cause they, like cockroaches, can and bodyguards after a mob had back in 10 years maybe Greece before their time is up, so their survive a nuclear explosion or lynching on its minds He did will finally allow real private time will really be up – ask even bad publicity, as was evi - pause, however, to answer a universities as required under Messieur Sartre or Signior denced by what happened in question from one of them, European Union law because Dante what comes next. Greece this year, where there “How many yachts do you own?” there’s nothing like competition seemed to be no end to people He smiled even more smugly and to make your students and fac - [email protected] trying to disgrace themselves held up three fingers, one for and their country. If one of each of the dead so we know the Greece’s greatest Generals, currency exchange at his bank. Themistocles, could be ostra - Any chance one of those yachts cized, why not a politician or could sink with only him on it, GUEST EDITORIALS someone unworthy of note to - clutching his Ostrakon? Other - The National Herald welcomes manuscripts representing a variety of day who’s done nothing except wise, let’s make it a Triple Os - views for publication in its View Points page. They should include enrich himself? traka and keep him away from the writer’s name, address, telephone number and be addressed to Each year the Athenians Athens and Greece for at least were asked in the assembly 30 years. The Ostraka are re - the View Points Editor, The National Herald, 37-10 30th St., LIC, NY whether they wished to hold an served for humans, not snakes, 11101. They can also be e-mailed to english.edition@thenational - ostracism. The question was put You think you had a bad year? Metropolitan Paisios, formerly but he sneaked in through the herald.com. Due to considerations of space we enforce a strict 850- in the sixth of the 10 months of Astoria, N.Y. and now of Athens, Greece, isn’t talking about zoological door. Since he’s a ma - word upper limit. We reserve the right to edit. used for state business under how bad his was. jor shareholder in the frequent 12 YEAR IN REVIEW: GREECE THE NATIONAL HERALD, JANUARY 1-7, 2011
• Greece has the highest proportion of work - economic crisis, these numbers will increase in ing poor in the EU27. In-work poverty is directly The Hurtful Numbers the future. It is estimated that approximately associated with low wages, inability to find a 4,400 proportions of food are distributed to full-time job and low skills. It is also associated homeless, poor and elders by the parishes in with the existing system of taxation and the lack Athens on a daily basis. During the Christmas of an effective, well-planned social policy. • Unemployment rose to 12.4% in the third Papandreou said, “Tax evasion is top of the list and New Year holidays, more than 50,000 poor • About two out of 10 Greeks under 17, or quarter, with the number of people without a job of reforms. We will be prosecuting offenders, no people turned to the commons organized by the about 450,000 children, live in poverty, and the hitting 621,938. The unemployment rate for fe - matter how rich or powerful, to show that we Greek Church and the local municipalities in numbers are rising since the country has been males (16.1%) is considerably higher than the mean business.” No one of any stature has been Athens and Greece. hit by an acute economic crisis this year, analysts unemployment rate for males (9.7%.) The high - charged. • The suicide rate has doubled in two years, said. Some 14.6% of Greek children do not finish est rate is in the 15-29 age bracket, at 24.2% for • Fewer than 5,000 Greeks declare annual according to Klimaka, an organization that runs secondary school, but that number is 71.2% males and 30.6% for females. incomes of more than $135,000 although more a helpline in Greece for people considering sui - among poor children, surveys show, and more • In the first six months of the year, 17,000 than 60,000 Greek households have investments cide, with more than two people a day taking than 20,000 underage Greeks work legally. businesses shut their doors and the estimates in cash and securities exceeding $1.35 million. their lives, an unusual spike as Greece has the • The poverty threshold stands at 6,000 euros are it will surpass 50,000 for the year. • Athens now has the biggest number of smallest number of suicides in Europe, about ($7,943 annually, or $17,977 for a family of • Tax evasion costs Greece $30 billion a year homeless and poor people since the 1940 Ger - 3.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 12 in Ger - four.) in lost income. In March, Prime Minister George man Occupation. Experts predict that due to the many and 38 in Lithuania.
TNH PHOTO ARCHIVES Even international chains are empty in Athens these days, as the number of businesses closed after the government imposed austerity measures on workers sent their sales plummeting, one empty window after another, bracketed by growing numbers of homeless, some with only a park bench for a bed, and a paper bag from a luxury store for a pillow, more beggars appearing on the streets, the decline and fall of Greece symbolized (top photo) by the May 5 riots in which 100,000 people took to the streets in protest, workers mixed with anarchists, throwing stones and battling police, three innocent bank workers killed, all in vain as Greece just kept on cutting spending and people’s hopes dried up.