Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

AHEPA Journey to Greece Deadline Extended to April 30
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The University of Indianapolis, Athens Campus has extended the early decision deadline for applicants to the AHEPA Journey to Greece Program until April 30th. Applicants should apply as soon as possible for the limited number of spaces available in each of the two sessions. Please complete the applications with a deposit of $500 and send to the AHEPA Offices.

Any questions should be directed to the JTG Program Director, Dr. Jim Dimitriou at jfdplato@aol.com or by phone at 310-375-5544.

FYI – in case you’re not already aware of this daily on line newsletter from Greece (written in English): http://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/newsletter/

News Release



AHEPA Welcomes News of Stavridis' Recommendation to NATO's Top Post
Former AHEPA Honoree Expected to Lead Supreme Allied Command Europe
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek heritage, and countless Philhellenes, welcomes news agency reports that Admiral James G. Stavridis is expected to be nominated NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe by President Barack Obama, announced Supreme President Ike Gulas.

"We are thrilled to hear news of Admiral Stavridis' appointment," said Gulas. "We are extremely proud of his outstanding accomplishments, and we are confident, upon his confirmation, that he will serve our nation and lead the Alliance with excellence and distinction."

Admiral Stavridis received the 2006 AHEPA Medal of Freedom Award at the 84th Supreme Convention in Hollywood, Fla.

In a follow-up letter to AHEPA after receiving his honor, Admiral Stavridis wrote: "Thank you for your part in my award of the AHEPA Medal of Freedom .... It meant the world to me and my family to be so honored, and made me feel very proud to be a Greek-American."

President Barack Obama, upon the recommendation of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, nominates a senior officer for the position of supreme commander.. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and NATO's North Atlantic Council, he would be the first naval officer to hold the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Among his many responsibilities would be overseeing NATO's operations in Afghanistan.

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Daughters of Penelope
25th Annual
West Coast
Sisterhood Conference

Santa Barbara, California
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Schedule of Events:

Friday Night Reception
Holiday Inn, Goleta, CA

Saturday Conference and Luncheon
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
1250 San Antonio Creek Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Saturday Evening Dinner Theatre
Circle Bar B Ranch, Refugio, CA

Accommodations:

Holiday Inn, 5650 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117
Hotel shuttle service available from:
Santa Barbara Airport, Goleta Amtrak Station,
Santa Barbara Airbus service from LAX (Goleta Station)

$129 per night – quad occupancy - no extra charge
Reservation Deadline for reduced rate – March 24, 2009

Call direct: 805 964-6241; ask for “Front Desk”; ask for
“Daughters of Penelope Group Reservation”

Corrected phone number – 3/18/09
25th Annual West Coast Sisterhood Conference

Reservations: Deadline April 18, 2009

Name _____________________________________________________

Phone No. ______________________ Email _____________________

Events (Check each event you will attend)

_______ Friday Night Reception (No Charge)

_______ Saturday Conference and Luncheon ($50)

_______ Saturday Evening Dinner Theatre ($37)
Includes transportation.

_______ Sunday Morning – Church Services and Fellowship Reception
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
Transportation Available

$__________ Total enclosed. Reservation Deadline: April 18, 2009

Please make checks payable to: Daughters of Penelope, Delos 103

Mail reservation form and check to:
Carol Stathopoulos
308 Zink Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2804

Questions? Call - Carol at (805) 967-1025 evenings
Email: cnsgreek@aol.com

Dear Sisters,

It was brought to my attention the phone number for the Holiday Inn group reservation during the Sisterhood Conference was misprinted on the invitation mailed in February. You must call the hotel directly to get the DOP discount rate.

Please call (805) 964-6241 and ask for the "Front Desk" to make your reservation.

My sincere apologies for an inconvenience this may have caused you. An updated invitation and registration form are attached for your use.

In Theta Pi,
Carol Stathopoulos
Daughters of Penelope
25th Annual
West Coast
Sisterhood Conference

Santa Barbara, California
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Daughters of Penelope
25th Annual
West Coast
Sisterhood Conference

Santa Barbara, California

Subject: Fwd: LAGFF Newsletter and invitation





Subject: LAGFF Newsletter






In this Issue:

Join LAGFF Society
Join Us For An Industry Networking Event
Volunteers
Dennis Iliadis secures 'Cure'
Success Stories
LAGFF on Facebook

Quick Links:

Our Website
Join LAGFF Society



LAGFF
March 19, 2009 Issue
Greetings!

Join LAGFF Society

We are very pleased to invite you to join the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Society. As a Part of this exclusive Society, you will receive special benefits including:

Free attendance to monthly screenings, (excluding festival dates), of Greek films throughout the year
Priority seating at all Los Angeles Greek Film Festival events during the festival
Access to the exclusive VIP, Celebrity, and Filmmaker Reception during the Festival
Discount prices on 2009 Los Angeles Greek FIlm Festival all-access Gold Passes (individual passes not included)
These benefits are yours for a yearly renewable fee of $100. Don't miss the chance to support Greek Cinema!


Call us at (818) 728-0720 with any questions.
Join LAGFF Society Here

Join Us For An Industry Networking Event

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival cordially invites you to join actors, musicians, filmmakers and industry professionals for an evening of networking in preparation for the 3rd Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.

Thursday, March 26 at 7pm - 10pm
Ca'Brea Restaurant
346 S. La Brea Ave (Between 3rd and 4th St.)
Los Angeles CA 90036

Complimentary Appetizers Served ~ Cocktails ~ Come After Work Bring Business Cards ~ Open Mic ~ Free Street Parking Available

Tax-Deductible Donation: $20
Please purchase tickets in advance at:
http://www.itsmyseat.com/LAGFF

For additional information contact: LAGFF info@lagreekfilmfestival.org (818) 728-0720
Call for Volunteers

Join LAGFF and learn what it takes to organize a film festival! We are looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of preparation and on site organization leading up to and during this year's festival, which runs June 25-28 in Hollywood. Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience first hand how a film festival comes together and to interact with a dynamic group.

Positions we are currently looking to fill:

Book Editor - Responsible for collecting all materials for the festival catalog, ensuring all guidlines and deadlines are met and delivering materials to graphic designer

Tribute and Panel Coordinator - Assist the Tribute and Panel Producer in all areas, including RSVP list creation, coordination of catering for events and ensuring all deliverables are received including film prints, promo materials and other materials.

Hospitality Coordinator - Coordinates housing and travel arrangements for filmmakers and sponsors

Hospitality Assistant - Assists Hospitality Coordinator in all areas

Box Office Assistant - Assists Ticket Coordinator in all areas, including ticket counts and box office reciepts

Accountant - Creates Excel lists of all expenses and prepares annual taxes and 1099's.

For more information, call: (818)728-0720 and talk to Alex.

0A Dennis Iliadis secures 'Cure'
Thriller to begin filming this summer
By Michael Fleming

"The Last House on the Left" helmer Dennis Iliadis has signed on to direct the thriller "Cure" for Michael London's Groundswell Productions.

Story centers on a young man who sends his wife for an experimental treatment to save her from a terminal illness. Although she returns completely cured, she is suddenly infected with something more terrifying. "Max Payne" scribe Beau Michael Thorne wrote the screenplay. Lensing is scheduled to begin in the summer.

Vertigo Entertainment's Doug Davidson and Roy Lee ("The Strangers") are producing alongside Brian Witten and Michael Connolly. Connolly manages both Iliadis and Throne and will produce via his Mad Hatter Entertainment banner. Written most recently exec produced the remake of "Friday the 13th" for New Line/Paramount and will produce "Cure" via his Witten Pictures banner. In addition to "Last House on the Left," Iliadis wrote, directed and produced the indie "Hardcore". The "Cure" deal was brokered by CAA.


Success Stories

As a little kid STEVE PEROS wrote/directed/starred (and ran concession) in backyard plays, and then acted in plays in junior high and high school. He always dreamed some day of having one of his plays published by Samuel French. It has finally happened! The Cat's Meow Congratulations Steve!


The Cat's Meow

LAGFF on FACEBOOK!

Los Angeles Greek Film Festival now has a presence on FACEBOOK! You can join to keep up to date with the latest happenings and connect with other creatives interested in Greek Films!


LAGFF on FACEBOOK

Last Week, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts: Demetrios Marantis, Nominee for Deputy United States Trade Representative; Kristina M. Johnson, Nominee for Under Secretary of Energy; Gina McCarthy, Nominee for Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency; and Ronald H. Weich, Nominee for Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice.

President Obama said, “Each of these individuals brings a unique talent and dedication to the causes we are tackling everyday in my administration. Together they bring decades of public service and diverse backgrounds that will serve the American people well as we work to take on the big challenges of our time like strengthening our economy, achieving energy independence, and making our government the most accessible and transparent in history. I am grateful that they have agreed to serve in these capacities.”

TANAGRA, Greece - Inside the bunkered briefing room, colored pins mark Greek and Turkish air force bases on a large map of the Aegean Sea. But outside, jets roar into the sky as Greek pilots intercept Turkish fighters in fiercely contested air space.

This air base is at the sharp end of a dispute burdened by wars, piles of international agreements and peace treaties, and unusual geography that has kept prospects of a solution between the two NATO allies remote. Greece and Turkey remain at odds over air-and-sea boundaries and flight rules in the Aegean. So in an area best known for its holiday beach resorts, armed warplanes routinely carry out interceptions and mock dogfights.

"This is what we do every day," said 332 Squadron Commander Antonis Vassiliou, whose outfit uses French-built Mirage 2000 jets for interception missions out of Tanagra Air Force base, 40 miles north of Athens.

Subject: Vicki Vlachakis GM Designer







She is the probable speaker at the Symposium at the Ahepa Convention in SF. Do you know who she is?

Vicki Vlachakis

Growing up in Pasadena, California, Vicki Vlachakis was always fascinated by design. She loved to draw and enrolled herself in Saturday art school classes when she was 15 years old. She loved the 3-D aspect of product design specifically, and soon found herself drawing cars all the time for fun. Even though her parents are Greek, Vicki may not have known that the “auto” in the word automobile is from the Greek language. She did know she loved cars though. Drawing cars was more than a hobby to Vicki; it was a passion.

After an internship at Audi Design in Ge rmany, where she learned a great deal about designing vehicle interiors, Vicki graduated from the Transportation Design Art Center in Pasadena in 1995. Soon thereafter, Vicki was offered a job in Stuttgart, Germany with Mercedes Benz’s Advanced Design Studio. She jumped at the opportunity to return to Europe and learn even more about global trends in advanced car design.

In 2000, General Motors recruited Vicki to join GM’s Advanced Design Studio in California. Vicki had heard about GM’s renaissance through design and taking part in this turnaround intrigued her. Thrilled to be back in California, Vicki flourished at her new job. She soon became GM’s Design Manager and played a key role in the highly acclaimed 2002 Solstice Concept and the 2003 Chevy SS Concept. Her most prized achievements, however, are the 2006 Pontiac Solstice and the 2007 Saturn Sky. Vicki points out that those cars “both have a purity of design that we worked hard to preserve. It's about taking the initial theme that everyone was excited about and refining it until it rolls of the assembly line.” Apparently car buyers agree–these hot-selling convertible roadsters are flying out of GM showrooms across the country.

At just 32 years of age, Vicki has already accomplished many of her life0s ambitions. But her talents don’t stop with design. Vicki is fluent in German and Greek. She is also an accomplished sports enthusiast who loves to surf, snowboard, ski and hike. But at the end of the day, she still loves to open her favorite fashion magazines to look at the latest runway trends – paying close attention to the latest designs. For Vicki, “automotive design has a lot to do with dramatic shapes, perfect proportion, and jewelry-like detailing.”

Peter D. Clentzos Abba Zaba Golf Tournament
Friday, May 8, 2009
12:30 pm tee off
Brookside Golf Course 1 & 2
Pasadena, California
(626) 585-3595

Call Jim Christos (626) 379-2302

Brochure and Registration Form (4 Megabyte Adobe PDF file)

Both D.A George and wife passed away last week. Trisagion this Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 7 pm, funeral Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 10 am. Both services are at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church (address below).

D.A. was the long-time editor of the Ta Nea newsletter, many of which featured chapter news and his favorite Greek recipes. Some archive Ta Nea's are on the George Polos Chapter website http://www.ahepa20.org/~chapter505/tanea/ which features newsletters from 1999 - 2001. The archive chapter website is at http://ahepa20.org/~chapter505/ .


Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is located 24 miles north of San Diego, California. The address is:

Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
3459 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Phone: (760) 942-0920
Map: http://www..stsconstantinehelen.com/community_main.htm

Burial at El Camino cemetery, AHEPA Chapter #505 is performing the AHEPA memorial ceremony. Makaria to follow at the church hall.


Zoe se mas

John Grevas
jgrevas@email.com

Marfin Invest’s Offer for Olympic Airlines Accepted by Greece
Share | Email | Print | A A A

By Maria Petrakis

March 7 (Bloomberg) -- Marfin Investment Group SA, the investment firm backed by Dubai Financial LLC, has been chosen by Greece to buy its unprofitable flag carrier Olympic Airlines SA.

Talks between Marfin and the Greek government’s advisers on a sale of the flight business and maintenance base “ended successfully,” Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said in an e-mailed statement early today. The negotiations have been extended for a week so talks between Marfin, Swissport and the advisers on a sale of the ground-handling division can also be completed, Hatzidakis said.

If the deal is successfully completed, the state will receive 177 million euros ($224.4 million) from the sale, according to Hatzidakis. The sale, which is subject to European Union approval, will avert the closure of an airline that links the mainland and hundreds of Greek islands, playing a critical role in the country’s tourism and transport infrastructure.

Plagued by regulatory and union disputes, successive Greek governments have struggled to sell the carrier. Greece got EU approval in September to sell Olympic and its ground-handling and maintenance-service units separately in an effort to end years of regulatory disputes over subsidies. That sale was called off after offers were deemed too low.

Marfin Invest, Greece’s biggest buyout fund, emerged as a candidate for Olympic after a government appeal to save the airline. Aegean Airlines SA, Olympic’s biggest Greek rival, made a counter-bid of 170 million euros for the company on March 4.

Founded in 1957 by shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, Olympic Airlines was acquired by the state in the 1970s. It has cost taxpayers more than 2 billion euros in the past decade.

To contact the reporter on this story: Maria Petrakis in Athens at mpetrakis@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 7, 2009 05:45 EST

Ahepa Chapter243 general information
ORDER OF AHEPA SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
Established October 17, 1929
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
“Keeping the Spirit Alive”
http://www.ahepa20.org/~ chapter243/
Or www.ahepa20.org/chapters (easier for some)
** E-mail: ahepa243@gmail.com **
*If each brings in one new member-that will be fine in 2009*
General mailing address: Ahepa Chapter #243, c/o Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 1205 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93111.
(805) 683-4492, Fax (805) 964-2774 http://www.saintbarbara.net/ (please note our e-mail address above).
2008-2009 officers: Pres. James Arger, Vice. Pres. George Papazacharioudakis, Treasurers- Steve & Chris Compogiannis, Sec'y & immediatePast President James Brown, Past District Governor Costandino Frangos.
Meetings held on the third Monday of the month (12) @ Harry's Plaza Cafe' in the Lorretto Plaza at the corner of State St. and Las Positas Rd,
6:30-6:45 start time. We have a wide range of vision and activity. We welcome your visitation.

ORDER OF AHEPA
SANTA BARBARA CHAPTER #243
Established October 17, 1929
“Promoting the Harmony of Greek Culture, Service, and Community”
“Keeping the Spirit Alive”
http://Ahepa20.org/~chapter243/
www.ahepa20.org/chapters (easier for some)
** E-mail: ahepa243@gmail.com **
“It will be fine if each brings in a member in 2009”

MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16, 2009

February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the old Roman calendar. January and February were the last two months to be added to the Roman calendar, since the Romans originally considered winter a monthless period. They were added by Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. February remained the last month of the calendar year until the time of the decemvirs (c. 450 BC), when it became the second month….Historical names for February include the Anglo-Saxon terms Solmonath (mud month) and Kale-monath (named for cabbage) as well as Charlemagne's designation Hornung. In Finnish, the month is called helmikuu, meaning "month of the pearl"; when snow melts on tree branches, it forms droplets, and as these freeze again, they are like pearls of ice…..….
February starts on the same day of the week as both March and November in common years, and August in leap years.
Having only 28 days in common years, it is the only month of the year that can pass without a single full moon. It is also the only month of the calendar that once every six years and twice every 11 years, will have only four full 7-day weeks. Where the first day of the month starts on a Sunday and the last day ends on a Saturday, this will be observed in 2009 and can be traced back 11 years to 1998, another 11 years back to 1987, and 6 years back to 1981; and so on twice 11 years consecutively and once six years either forward into the future or back into the past, unless the pattern is broken by a skipped leap year, but no leap year has been skipped since 1900 and no others will be skipped until 2100. A year of this kind would be a common year starting on Thursday. It cannot happen in a leap year. 2004, which was a leap year, would have observed this format had it been a common year,







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What not to write on your Valentine card:
My darling, my lover, my beautiful wife:
> Marrying you has screwed up my life.

> 2. I see your face when I am dreaming.
> That's why I always wake up screaming.

What inspired this amorous rhyme?
 Two parts vodka, one part lime.

HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEB SITE LATELY?

REMINDER- Have you paid you 2009 Ahepa Dues? If not please see one of the Compogiannis boys (Steve or Chris) at our next chapter meeting or mail your dues to Steve Compogiannis. 5290 Overpass Rd. #124 Santa Barbara, CA93111-2049 (967-6311)

The following minutes were recorded our hard-working Vice-President George Papazacharioudakis. I was again detained at work. I appreciate it.

Attendance: Fr. Simon, Steve and Chris Compogiannis, Brian Iorio, Costas Gastouniotis, George Alexiades, Costas Frangos, George Papazacharioudakis, Panos Mitroulias, William Poulis, Jim Chachakos, John Demourkas, Alex Chuckas, and Jim Arger.

Opening prayer was lead by Fr. Simon.

Happy Dollars: Get well cards were signed for John Laury and Bill Chachakos. Jim Chackakoc was happy to report that his brother is doing well and his niece Dena got her real estate license. Costa Gastouniotis reported his grand son’s B-day. Bill Poulis son won a gold metal on a Brazilian Jujitsu competition. Fr. Simon reported a successful FDF conference attended by our SB Church youth. The dance group raised $8K to cover FDF expenses and the Mission program raised a total of $75 for the Tanzania project. Alex Chuckas reported on a fun ski trip in Tahoe that was organized by the diocese YAL group.

Jan 19 Minutes: Bill Poulis made a motion to approve the January minutes, which was seconded by Chris Compogiannis.

Treasury report: Chris Compogiannis reported $9725.13 in savings, $387 Happy Dollars included in the savings account and $3515.94 in checking.



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Jim Arger and Chris Compogiannis proposed that we spend $1000 towards causes that are consistent with AHEPA values and mission. George P. approved the motion and it was second by Bill Poulis. Steve Compogiannis proposed that $500 goes to church general operation budget and $500 towards the local scholarship program. Motion was approved unanimously.
George Alexiadis suggested that the Happy Dollars be spent on a BBQ like trip at the Demetra winery in Solvang. Fr. Simon and George Alexiades will contact the winery and start the planning process.

Correspondence: None reported.

New Social Events: Brian Iorio proposed that we have a BBQ fund raiser at a park on May 16, as a tentative date. Brian will Chair the event and will coordinate with Parish Council for help. A commitment was made to reserve the park and $260 was allocated for a deposit. Proceeds will be distributed 50/50 between church general operating budget and Sunday school fund. Motion was made by Brian and second by George Papazacharioudakis.

Greek Independence: George Papazacharioudakis reported that March 29 is set as our Greek Independence Day celebration. $300 was allocated to cover expenses for the luncheon. Costa Frangos and George are working to get a speaker or ask the L.A. Greek Film Festival organization to show a film. There will be a performance by our dance group and poems by the Greek school. Costa Frangos made a motion reallocate the proceeds from the Mission program to the Church general operating fund. Motion was second by Costa Gastouniotis.

Closing Prayer: By Fr. Simon, 8:10 PM.

March Birthdays-Mathu Chrestenson (3/24), Steve T. Poulos (3/22)
April Birthdays-Chris Hartman (4/25), Gregory Pantages (4/16).

Our next meeting will be March 16, 2009 at our version of the “Cheer’s Bar”
Harry’s Plaza Café’

Respectfully Submitted,
Gerorge Papazacharioudakis (Vice President)
James Brown (Secretary)
(The Gruesome Twosome)