S o C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news W ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of E ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek- Americans N c v A wEEkly GREEk-AmERicAn PublicATion www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 18, ISSUE 896 December 13-19, 2014 $1.50 Tarpon Springs Mired ND vs. SYRIZA Presidential Election Showdown In Controversy about Samaras Gambles On Dimas to Thwart “Unreal” Reality Show Tsipras’ Momentum By Constantinos E. Scaros – are the sons of the owners of ATHENS – Prime Minister An - the very real Mama’s Restaurant tonis Samaras is trying to rally TARPON SPRINGS, FL – A re - at the Sponge Docks. Also seen lawmakers outside his coalition ality show called Growing Up is the very real Zorba’s night - government to support his New Greek premiered on MTV on De - club. What is unmistakably un - Democracy party's Vice-Presi - cember 3, much to the outrage real is the “Tarpon Springs Air - dent Stavros Dimas for the of thousands in the Greek-Amer - port” shown at the beginning country's symbolic president to ican community, who blast the (Tarpon Springs doesn’t have an prevent the major opposition show as a besmirching of their airport – what they show is Coalition of the Radical Left proud Hellenic heritage. Tampa International Airport). (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras Reality television – where There is also a false impression from forcing early national elec - cameras follow around cast created that Tarpon Springs is a tions. members, recording purportedly party town – sort of a Greek- The battle begins Dec. 17 unscripted situations – took American version of New Or - when the 300-member Parlia - American popular culture by leans. It’s not. It is idyllic and ment will vote on Dimas as the storm about a decade ago, with picturesque, and filled with choice of New Democracy and shows such as The Osbournes – many tourists by day (most non- its coalition partner the PASOK which featured the life of out - Greek, and many retirees), but Socialists to replace the outgo - rageous rocker Ozzy, his wife, usually after 10PM you can hear ing Karolos Papoulias, from PA - Sharon, and their children a pin drop. SOK, whose term runs out in around the house, leading their The show’s stars are Tarpon March, 2015. everyday lives. Other shows de - Greek-Americans in their early But New Democracy has only picting the home lives of celebri - 20s, whose lives are shown to 128 votes and PASOK 27 for a ties followed, including Chasing revolve around drinking, smok - total of 155 and 200 is needed Farrah, about the iconic megas - ing, partying, gossiping, and on the first and second ballots tar of the original Charlie’s An - threatening to brawl. And that to get someone elected. If that gels, Farrah Fawcett, and about is exactly what has many in the AP PhoTo/ThAnASSiS STAvRAkiS fails, a third ballot would be Shannen Says, about the life of Greek community up in arms. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like… Χριστούγεννα held requiring 180 votes. If the oft-volatile television star Some sources told TNH that that's unsucessful, early national Shannen Doherty, who gained the topic is so controversial, People dressed in Santa Claus suits participate in the Athens Santa Run, in Athens on Dec. 7. elections would be called with worldwide fame on Beverly Hills they would rather remain off Around 800 people took part in the 2.5km (1.5 mile) run through the Greek capital. All the pro - polls showing the anti-austerity 90210. This year, journalist/ac - record. Others described it as ceeds from the event will be donated to restore the playgrounds in Athens. SYRIZA having a lead. tress Maria Menounos launched “95-5” percent against the show. The balloting will take place her own reality show, Chasing Among those who did go on over 12 days if needed but both Maria Menounos, and told TNH record, though, was Christina sides are already trying to gar - all about it (“Chasing Maria Me - Poulakis, who lives in the area ner support with Samaras hop - nounos: You Must Be Quick!” with her two sons, both in their Archdiocese Not Funding Pensions ing that putting up his own May 10). early twenties: “I think this hand-picked man and former But though Menounos’ show, show is a poor example of the European Commissioner would in which her Greek-born parents Greek American youth in the By Theodore Kalmoukos Iakovos’ tenure with the initia - Fund has about $53 million in be enough to get the additional are featured prominently, cer - United States,” she said. “It por - tive of Chris Demetriades who its coffers. A year ago it had $48 votes he needs and give him tainly could be called “growing trays us as low class, unedu - NEW YORK – The Greek Ortho - was then Director of Finances million. more time to negotiate with in - up Greek” in its own right, it cated people. It gives the audi - dox Archdiocese of America and who later became real estate Questions that were asked ternational lenders. seems to have been accepted as ence a false perception of what faces a serious financial problem developer of homes for the rich periodically by priests went The Eurozone, which is part a benign form of humorous de - we are really like.” with the Clergy Pension Fund for and famous in the Rye and Pur - unanswered by Archdiocese Fi - of the Troika of the European piction of Greeks – along the Phillip Frangos, the Supreme not depositing the $600 monthly chase areas of New York State. nancial Department officials. Union-International Monetary lines of the modern classic com - President of AHEPA, an organi - contribution the last three years Each parish is obligated to George Vourvoulias from Fund-European Central Bank edy My Big, Fat Greek Wedding. zation founded in 1922 to pro - towards the Fund for its 90 or contribute $600 per month to Chicago is Chairman of the Fi - (EU-IMF-ECB), has given Greece HILARIOUS, OR HURTFUL? tect against “the evils of bigotry more clergy and lay employees. the Fund for the priest, including nance Committee, while Jerry a two-month extension on the Growing Up Greek, however, and discrimination,” reaffirmed As a result, the Archdiocese the parishes with part-time Dimitriou is the Director of the terms of 240 billion euros ($306 is a different story. Set in the to TNH the organization’s writ - ended up owing to the Fund priests. If a parish has two Financial Department. Dimitriou billion) in two bailouts that real Florida Gulf Coast City of ten statement, which proclaims: more than $3 million, TNH has priests, it is obligated to double did not respond to TNH’s re - came with tough conditions - Tarpon Springs, the show – like "The American Hellenic Educa - learned from internal sources the amount. Each priest should quest for comment. pay cuts, tax hikes, slashed pen - most of its genre – is a mixture tional Progressive Association is who requested anonymity. contribute between 3.5 and 5 The issue was finally dis - sions and worker firings - that of fact and fiction. Two of the The Fund was established percent of his salary to the Fund. have driven down support for show’s stars – who are brothers Continued on page 9 during the late Archbishop form his salary. Currently, the Continued on page 9 the government and elevated SYRIZA. The presidential battle takes place while another is going on between the government and AHEPA 405 HMS of NY Spotlights Current and Future Stars Troika, which is insisting on more tough reforms to deal with what it estimates is a gap of two Honors Vets, By Constantine S. Sirigos to three billion euros in the TNH Staff Writer 2015 budget. Samaras' Parlia - Greets New NEW YORK – That the Annual Continued on page 11 Scholarship Gala of the Hellenic Medical Society (HMS) in the Generation Ballroom of the New York Palace on December 6 was a sold-out affair is a tribute to the energy Bareburger: TNH Staff of the organizers, the outstand - ing honorees, and the cause: RYE, NY – The 12th annual ini - supporting the education and A Tale of tiation and luncheon of AHEPA’s career development of the next James Plevritis Evzone Chapter generation of Hellenic physi - #405 of New Rochelle shined cians and scientists. Hellenic with hope for the future of the George Yancopoulos, MD, Greek-American community. PhD, who joined biotech pow - There was a large turnout on erhouse Regeneron in March Ingenuity December 6 to honor distin - 1989 as its founding scientist, guished Ahepan Costa Pa - received the Distinguished pademetriou, and it night have Physician Award. Nikos By Constantine S. Sirigos been the first time more people Mouryiaris, founder, CEO and TNH Staff Writer were initiated into the Sons of president of cosmetics leader Pericles than to the adult AHEPA Mana Products, Inc. was named NEW YORK – Dostoyevsky said chapter, nine and eight people, Distinguished Hellene and “beauty will save the world,” but respectively. George Yatrakis, MD, past pres - nobody really knows what he Although Papademetriou has ident of HMS, was awarded Dis - meant. Listening to dynamic been an active Ahepan for 25 tinguished Colleague. young businesspersons like Eu - years, the Order traditionally re - Eleni Andreopoulou, MD, ripides Pelekanos CEO of the serves the recognition he re - and her sister Panagiota An - Bareburger Group LLC on both ceived at the Westchester Coun - dreopoulou, MD, were the gala ETA PRESS sides of the Atlantic, however, try Club for older gentlemen, (L-R) Stella Lymberis, HMS 1st VP, with past presidents George Dangas, George Yatrakis, and gives hope that it is the young but his excellence and commit - Continued on page 4 Nicholas Mezitis.