Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

Mr. Constantinos Frangos
320 North Milpas Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Dear Constantine,
Once again, I was really pleased to visit Santa Barbara and honored
to receive the warm hospitality of the local and neighboring AHEPA
Chapters’ members, last night.
As you know, I feel very close to the members of the Greek
community and to the city of Santa Barbara. During my tenure, in
all the contacts with the members of your community, I was
pleased and encouraged to see their devotion to our heritage and
their desire to safeguard and promote Hellenic culture and
traditions. Thanks to your hospitality, I was able to enjoy a
wonderful group and exchange views and common concerns with
you.
My sincere thanks and appreciation go to you personally for
organizing this event and for your continued support and friendship.
Kindly also convey my warmest regards and thanks to the President
of Chapter 243 and all our friends for honoring me and for the
wonderful gift.
Warmest regards,
Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras
Consul General

Dear Brothers, Sisters, and friends of the AHEPA Family:

We were proud to announce to you this week that actor John Pappajohn will be joining us as emcee of the Grand Banquet at this year's Supreme Convention in beautiful San Francisco, June 29 - July 5, 2009.

As June approaches, AHEPA Headquarters encourages you to make your travel plans.

We will be staying at the beautiful HYATT Regency Embarcadero, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111. To make reservations, call toll free 1-888-421-1442 or reserve your room online. (Make sure to ask for the special $179 AHEPA group rate!)

To make your flight and car rental arrangements, please go to our AHEPATravel.com site: www.ahepatravel.com.

To help plan for your trip, AHEPA Headquarters has drafted this tri-fold trip checklist of important information about San Francisco and the Convention. Download and print out a copy today!


Supreme Convention Check List

Lastly, please download this year's supreme convention fact sheet and registration form, and fax your registration to AHEPA Headquarters at (202) 232-2140.


Supreme Convention Fact Sheet

Supreme Convention Registration Form



If you have any questions or concerns, please visit our convention website at www.ahepa.org/convention or call our office at (202) 332-6300. We look forward to hearing from you, and then seeing you in San Francisco for an enjoyable and memorable event.

AHEPA Supports the AHEPA Supports the Hellenic American Veterans Memorial
CHICAGO (AHEPA News) -- The Hellenic American Veterans Memorial Monument Committee of The American Legion, Hellenic Post No. 343 requests your assistance in gathering Veterans names. Begin by registering Veterans in your family, in your Post, then Veterans in your community. Encourage family members and Veterans to spead the word. To find out more or to register Veterans, go to the official website: www.hellenicpost343.org.
CHICAGO (AHEPA News) -- The Hellenic American Veterans Memorial Monument Committee of The American Legion, Hellenic Post No. 343 requests your assistance in gathering Veterans names. Begin by registering Veterans in your family, in your Post, then Veterans in your community. Encourage family members and Veterans to spead the word. To find out more or to register Veterans, go to the official website: www.hellenicpost343.org.

87th Annual Supreme Convention - San Francisco
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Events) -- Set the date and book your reservations for a fun-filled convention, June 29 - July 5, in San Francisco. Street trollys, delicious dining, and top-line entertainment are all in store for you in one of America's most romantic cities! Find out more on our website: www.ahepa.org/convention.

National Herald Now Free for AHEPA Members
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- The National Herald, the nation's largest Greek-American Newspaper is available free in electronic format to AHEPA members. Though This Week For Greeks, you will be able to read the full version of each week's National Herald issue. ...

On behalf of the AHEPA El Camino Real District #20 Lodge, representing chapters throughout Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, we are honoring His Excellency Ambassador Andreas Kakouris of the Republic of Cyprus for his service to Cyprus and Cypriot and Hellenic Affairs. Each year, AHEPA District 20 selects one individual for his or her public service and dedication to Hellenic issues with the highest Dstrict award that the Order of AHEPA grants, the “Periclean Award.” This year, the AHEPA District 20 Lodge by unanimous vote selected His Excellency Ambassador Kakouris as the "Periclean Award" honoree for his continuous service to the Republic of Cyprus and for his efforts in promoting understanding and improved relations between Cyprus and the United States.

The Periclean Award will be presented to His Excellency Ambassador Kakouris at the Grand Banquet of the AHEPA District 20 Annual Convention to be held the evening of Saturday, June 13, 2009 at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel in Buena Park, California.

In addition to the usual AHEPA proceedings on Friday, June 12, 2009 the District would like to host a reception/panel discussion session for His Excellency Ambassador Kakouris with our local Congressmen, other public officials and other interested persons, depending, of course, on availability. AHEPA District 20 is re-launching our Cypriot and Hellenic Affairs Committee efforts with direct contact to each Congressional office; we think this event is most timely and presents an excellent opportunity for His Excellency Ambassador Kakouris to provide his unique insight and views. This event Friday evening will be at no charge and open to the public.

You will always find the latest up to date information on the District Web Site. Registration and commemorative album forms will be posted shortly www.ahepa20.org. Please forward this email to your friends or other email lists you may have.

Thank You
Kalo Pascha
Chris Mellas PDG
Co-Chairman

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.

***SPECIAL NOTICE***


OUR APRIL AHEPA MEETING PLACE AND THE TIME OF THE MEETING HAS BEEN CHANGED



OUR CHAPTER IS HOSTING THE DISTRICT 20 VISITATION TO OUR AREA. THIS YEAR OUR AHEPA BROTHEREN FROM VENTURA #220 WILL BE JOINING US.

DISTRICT 20 DAUGHTER’S OF PENELOPE OFFICERS AND INVITED GUESTS FROM LOS ANGELES MAY ALSO BE AT THIS MEETING.

OUR SPECIAL GUEST IS AMBASSADOR DIMTRIOS CARAMITSOS-TZIRAS, WHO IS BEING REASSGINED TO THE UNITED NATIONS. HE HAS BEEN A FRIEND OF OUR CHAPTER AND HAS EXTENDED HIS SUPPORT WHENEVER WE REQUESTED HIS ASSISTANCE.

BOTH CHAPTERS WILL MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO CHAPTER MEMBERS. OUR DISTRICT OFFICERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN OUR CHAPTER RECOGNITIONS.


This meeting will be on Thursday, APRIL 23rd at 6:00 PM at the HARBOR RESTAURANT located at Stern’s Wharf. Menu prices are comparable to Harry”s Plaza Café - our usual meeting place. No charge valet parking is available on the pier.



COME EARLY AND SOCIALZE WITH FRIENDS. LET’S ALL BE THERE FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT!!!

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/
www.ahepa20.org/chapters (easier for some)
**E-mail: ahepa243@gmail.com **
“Let’s get our projects in line in 2009”

MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2009

From “the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People-“The early Greeks had a magnificent philosophy embodied in three sequentially arranged words; Ethos-your personal credibility/character, Pathos-the feeling/your relationships, Logos-logic/reasoning…first to understand and then to be used in presentations.

A little humor- I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
Not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.

HAVE YOU VISITED OUR WEB SITE RECENTLY?

REMINDER: 2009 Ahepa Dues are now requested so we can pay our bills. Our Treasurers will Thank You!!

President Jim Arger called the meeting to order at 6:40 PM with 18 members and 1guest (George Fakinos) present.

The OPENING PRAYER -was presented by Bill Poulis

TREASURER’S REPORT-by Chris Compogiannis
-Savings acct=$9338, (Add $409-Happy Dollars) =$9747, then we paid out $1000 to the church (see last meeting), $285 for deposit to the park for the picnic in May, then monies to the District and National Ahepa for 14 memberships, and Fr. Simon ($729.76) and our resulting true balance is $1924.29.
We have a membership of 32 but have received 2009 dues for only 14 members.









(2)
OLD BUSINESS-
Next month we will initiate four new members into our chapter.
President Arger will replace George Papazacharioudakis (who is ill) as chairman of the Independence Day celebration on March 29th. We discussed the program which will be along these general lines: City Mayor Marty Blum will arrive at approximately 11:30 AM. She will have a proclamation of Greek Impendence by the City Council and possibly by the Chamber of Commerce. Pheadon Kirakidis who is a professor of geology at UCSB will present the program of the day. He along with Voula will entertain us with folk music and instrumentals. The children of the parish will present their programs. We will present the food-Cod, rice salad, coffee, punch, and soda The DOP will provide the dessert. Cost is $10/adult, and $5/ child. Members volunteered for assignments to make this event successful. We Thank all who volunteered.
Brian Iorio reported on the May 16th BBQ. The park is reserved. The DOP will help. This should be a lot of fun for everyone. Benefit for the Sunday school. Brian suggested a $25 donation from members to purchase the food. Response from the members present was generous. If you wish you can donate at the April meeting. See Brian.

NEW BUSINESS-
Chris Compogiannis- Brought up the idea of sponsoring a golf tournament possibly at the San Marcos Golf Course. He suggested the month of October. He would like to discuss this with the church as this was their event up to two years ago. The motion was passed to explore this idea.
There may be a District 20 Visitation the week after our Easter. Details will be forth coming.
The DOP requested $100 or less to assist in the May 7th Bagels, and Baklava event with the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Jewish communities to be held at our Orthodox Center. We voted to contribute $50.
May 17th will be Ahepa Sunday. We share the costs with the DOP, and provide the koliva. We need to contact Carol Stathopoulos and give her the name of our recently departed brother, Peter Demourkas. We should have a display of Ahepa History. Jim Chachakos will oversee this aspect. We voted to spend only up to $100 dollars.
PDG Costa Frangos reported that we are working with the Kolendrianos family to set a date for the Rett Syndrome fund raiser. Our District and actress Melina Karakenides are ready. This will happen next year. Hopefully this evolves into a nat’l project.
President Arger led us in the closing prayer and closed the meeting at 8:05 PM.
April Birthdays: Chris Hartman (4/25), Gregory Pantages (4/16)
May Birthdays:George Alexiades (5/6),Alex Haimanis (5/3), Geo. Papazacharioudakis (5/11), Nic A. Pappas (5/22), Bill Pertsulakis (5/7), Bill Poulis (5/2).
OUR NEXT MEETING –APRIL 20TH AT HARRY’S PLAZA CAFÉ-BE THERE!
Respectfully Submitted,
(Brown), James Brown, Chapter Secretary.