O C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek Americans A WEEKLY GREEK AMERICAN PUBLICATION c v www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 12, ISSUE 582 December 6, 2008 $1.25 GREECE: 1.75 EURO John Catsimatidis: Living Olympic Tower is the “Hub of Hellenism” The American Dream The 51-Story Building Is Home to Important Through Hard Work Hellenic Organizations Eleni Kostopoulos succeed him as mayor, I would con- Special to The National Herald tinue many of his policies and By Eleni Kostopoulos plans,” he said, adding that one of Special to The National Herald NEW YORK – For some, the “Amer- his main goals would be to estab- ican dream” is an impractical, unat- lish a World Fair by 2014, similar to NEW YORK – The 51-story, 189- tainable concept. But John Catsi- the one that took place five decades meter tall Olympic Tower, situated matidis, founder and president of a ago. “But if I am unable to run for in the heart of Manhattan, is the holding company for the Gristedes mayor, we are looking at the possi- first building in New York City to supermarket chain, Red Apple bility of other political positions. mesh offices, luxurious apartments Group, traveled a long but ascend- We’ll see what happens while we’re and shops in the same space. This ing road to manifest that seemingly still exploring our options.” gleaming glass skyscraper is home far-fetched dream into a vivid reali- Like Bloomberg, Catsimatidis is to countless upscale shops like A/X ty. a Democrat-turned-Republican Armani Exchange and Versace but This year, Forbes listed 60-year who said his decision to change the more importantly, it is considered old Catsimatidis as the 215th rich- political party he was affiliated to be by many the “hub of Hel- est American (making him the sec- with was based on his idea that the lenism” in the U.S. ond richest Greek American) with a Democratic Party would have never Built in 1976 as a joint venture net worth of $2.1 billion, and with supported a businessman candi- between Arlen Realty and Develop- added aspirations to enter the po- date. ment and Aristotle Onassis, one of litical arena, there’s no stopping “Michael Bloomberg was also a the most prominent shipping mag- this philanthropic overachiever. Democrat and became a registered nates of the 20th century, with his “Money never changed the per- Republican because the Democrat- company Victory Development, the son that I am inside,” said Catsima- ic Party in New York City is too far Olympic Tower has consistently tidis, who has donated large sums to the left. There is no way the par- promoted Greek culture, educa- of money to the G&P Foundation ty would support a moderate busi- tion, history and art and this year it for Cancer Research and is deeply nessman like me for nomination. has much to celebrate: 2008 marks involved in organizations like the For the same reasons, Michael the 10th anniversary of the Alexan- Juvenile Diabetes', Alzheimer's and Bloomberg changed his party. But der S. Onassis Public Benefit Foun- Parkinson's research foundations. whether I’m a Democrat or a Re- dation in the U.S. More recently, he announced a publican, I am still the same person The place that was once home to prospective bid for a NYC mayoral and I’ll continue to hold the same Olympic Airlines, now houses of- candidacy next to other potential beliefs.” fices of prominent organizations candidates like Representative An- Catsimatidis always held an in- like Leadership 100 and the Greek thony D. Weiner (D-Brooklyn, terest in politics but became more National Tourism Organization and Queens), but with Mayor involved after meeting George since 1998, the Greek American ef- Bloomberg’s success in overturning H.W. Bush when Catsimatidis aided fort has been encouraged more the term-limits law, political plans in funding the construction of a than ever — a vision that Mr. Onas- are still in the works. chapel at Camp David. He later sis would have held to high esteem. “Mayor Michael Bloomberg did raised campaign funds for Bill Clin- Located between 51st and 52nd an amazing job at rebuilding city ton's presidential reelection, for streets on 5th Avenue, the Olympic appeal after the tragic September Hillary Clinton's run for the Senate Tower encompasses 225 apart- 11 attacks. He has done an excel- in 2000 and for her more recent ments and 23,000 square meters lent job as mayor and if I were to presidential campaign. used for offices. Originally owned “In my life, I have accomplished by Christina Onassis, daughter of a lot but more importantly, I have Aristotle Onassis, its ownership created a wonderful family,” he was handed over to the Onassis WITH THIS ISSUE said, referring to his wife Margot Foundation after her death in the who he married in 1988 and his 1980s. two children Andrea and John. Within the last decade of the “But that is not enough — there’s 20th Century, the foundation estab- always more to do. We have to fight lished the Onassis Cultural Center, to try for something even better furthering Onassis’ original vision and that’s why I want to become as by organizing events, exhibits, lec- involved as I possibly can.” tures and programs that promote For the 2008 presidential elec- Hellenic culture and provide its tions, Catsimatidis said he was dis- maintenance for generations to satisfied with the victory of Barack come. More than 30 years after its Obama over Hillary Clinton for the construction, the Olympic Tower Democratic ticket. suffices as the torch that keeps the “I chose to support John McCain Hellenic flame lit in New York City, because he is a good American,” he but also as a landmark that gives said, adding that the road to eco- Americans the opportunity to learn nomic recovery is going to be a about Greek culture and what the tough one for President-elect Oba- ideals of Hellenism stand for. The 51-story Olympic Tower, situated in the heart of Manhattan, is home to organizations like the Alexan- Continued on page 5 der S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, Leadership 100 and the Greek National Tourism Organization. Continued on page 6 Greek Studies A Grateful Nephew Remembers his Beloved Aunt Faith Fund At Michigan a By Evan C. Lambrou ficiently, succinctly and forcefully as sister. The original version of “Elis- she couldn’t read or write, readers Donates $750K Special to The National Herald any sergeant-major could. They put abeth’s Gift (To Doro tis Elisavet)” will find Aunt Elisabeth to be a very their tails between their legs and was first published in Greek in wise woman whose guidance and Great Success NEW YORK – “... a Greek Garrison went away wiser, and alive (pgs. 45- 2000. The English translation was influence created the foundations In Grants had been established at Chania. I 46).” published earlier this year. In it, a which helped Dr. Psarouthakis watched one evening as Aunt Elisa- The above is just one of a Greek grateful nephew pays tribute to his overcome and surmount many of By Mark Frangos beth did battle with two Greek sol- American’s many vivid recollec- beloved aunt, who took care of him life’s obstacles. By Theodore Kalmoukos Special to The National Herald diers… The two soldiers were drunk. tions of the remarkable woman after his parents died and played a Dr. Psarouthakis, 76, is the Special to The National Herald They pulled out swords and began to who raised him as a boy on the is- major role in his upbringing. founder of BizVida.com, an Inter- On November 9, 2008 the Foun- hack at each other, missing with land of Crete in the 1930’s and “Elisabeth’s Gift” chronicles the net research service portal. He is al- BOSTON – The Endowment Fund dation for Modern Greek Studies most thrusts and luckily parrying 1940’s. story of an orphan raised by a lov- so the founder of JP Industries, a “Faith: for Orthodoxy and Hel- held a festive dinner at the Mediter- the others… Elisabeth charged out- Dr. John Psarouthakis, an im- ing and caring woman who recog- global manufacturing and distribu- lenism,” of the Greek Orthodox rano Restaurant in Ann Arbor, side and placed herself between them mensely successful scientist and nized his talent and helped him de- tion corporation listed in the New Archdiocese of America announced Michigan, celebrating the 10 years shouting, ‘You’re supposed to be entrepreneur, wrote a book about veloped the qualities of discipline York Stock Exchange, and which at the recent annual Board Meeting of its productive collaboration with fighting the enemy, not killing each his grandaunt, Elisabeth Paleolo- and character which turned virtue of the Founding Members of the the Modern Greek Program at the other.’ She dressed them down as ef- gou, his maternal grandmother’s into accomplishment. Even though Continued on page 9 Fund that it will donate grants of University of Michigan. $750,000 towards educational and The event was attended by a ca- cultural programs. pacity gathering (100 people) in- Archbishop Demetrios of Ameri- cluding 13 students of the Program ca in a written statement said, “on and their parents. Informative pre- behalf of the Greek Orthodox Arch- sentations were given by Professor The Decline of Greek American Entertainment diocese of America, I extend the Artemis Leontis, on behalf of the profound appreciation of the Program, and George Reganis, on By William M.