Plans are well under way for this year's Greek Independence Day celebration however, we still need volunteers to set-up and perform for the play, so all you thespians and stage hands please come forth! This year's commemoration will take place at the Del Mar Hilton on Sunday, March 26th starting at 1:00 p.m. Please see enclosed flyer for details and make every effort to attend. Ask about reserved seating details, when calling in your reservations.

Final discussions for the charitable foundation by-laws will take place during the March meeting. We will vote to approve them as-drafted at this meeting, in order to begin the IRS filing process. If you have not received a copy of the by-laws, please call me at 858/ 505-3256.

The joint chapter meeting for all three chapters was well attended and went very smoothly. We thank the AHEPANs from Chapter #223 for being gracious hosts. Mary Danacus, director of PR and business development, gave a wonderful presentation on Project Mexico and St Innocent Orphanage. Our chapter has donated to this very worthwhile Orthodox outreach program and we encourage all our members to participate individually as well. We were fortunate to have our Supreme VP, James Dimitriou and all our District officers in attendance: District Governor, Costa Frangos, District Lt Governor, Si Chebithes, District Secretary, Guy Rogers, and District Treasurer, Nick Angeles.

Although our membership roster currently exceeds 100 AHEPANs, we must constantly work to attract new members. We can all benefit from learning John Koutsoukos' method of increasing the membership of chapter #223, and apply it to our chapter. I encourage each member to bring one new member into our chapter, with a target initiation at the May meeting.

Scholarship applications are available for our chapter. Please ask, if you know someone who could benefit from receiving one of them.

WANTED: One "take-charge" chairman and his group of sidekicks to whip the annual Golf Tournament into shape. This is our one and only fundraiser for the year! This has been the single most consistent event to fuel our endowment fund growth over the last several years! It requires a considerable amount of coordination and it is a blast to attend. I will be looking for volunteers in March.

Art Pathe

More than 1000 representatives of Greek communities of the globe's five continents, meeting in the third international assembly of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad in Thessaloniki, last December, devoted their agenda initially to youth issues and then to discussion of subjects of special concern to a forum of worldwide Greek businessmen, scientists, artists and women.

The meeting, which re-stated the World Council's long-standing pleas for a just solution of the Cyprus problem, was opened by Prime Minister Simitis and was attended by President Stephanopoulos, Cyprus President Clerides and many political leaders. It reelected as its President Mr. Andrew Athens of Chicago.

In addition to 10.6 million living in Greece, it is estimated

that there ate some seven million persons of Greek descent scattered through 140 countries. The majority of the Greeks of the diaspora, according to estimates published in 1995, live in the following countries:

United States 3,000,000

Australia 700,000

Germany 354,000

Canada 350,000

Ukraine 250,000

U.K. 212,000

Russia 150,000

Georgia 120,000

South Africa 120,000

(Taken from the News Review of the Greek Embassy)

Best Wishes and CRONIA POLLA to the following Brothers who are celebrating birthdays:

Paul Guzik 3/1

Louis Regas 3/5

Cleo Generales 3/6

Jim Mellos, Jr. 3/7

Alex Borgeas 3/7

Ari Laliotis 3/12

Alex Rigopoulos 3/17

Del Delagrammaticas 3/19

Marinos Garbis 3/20

Scott Dale 3/28

Tony Simotas 3/28

George Regas 3/29

Meeting Agenda - The following is the meeting agenda for the next Social/General Chapter Meeting, being held at SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church's Senior Citizen Center, Tuesday, March 7, 2000:

Foundation By-Laws Discussion

Greek Independence Day 2000

Annual Golf Tournament

New Member Recruitment

Old Business

New Business

Good of the Order

General Business Meetings - General Business Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be Thursday, March 16, 2000, at SS. Constantine and Helen Senior Citizen Center at 7:00 p.m. All Officers and appointed officers are expected to attend. Any interested members may attend. Come and see your administrative board at work planning and coordinating for better functions and best events for the membership.

Costas Lyrintzis Memorial Scholarship Fund -

Brothers, we of the Hellenic Community of San Diego must keep Costas' memory alive, and we can do this by instituting a memorial scholarship in Costas' name. Please send your tax deductible contributions, in any amount to: Order of AHEPA, c/o George Polos Chapter 505, P.O. Box 2682, Del Mar, CA 92014.

We need TA NEA Advertisers! - This newsletter is budgeted to be funded and made possible by those that place advertisements into the publication. We have run some issues without Ads and we must not allow this to continue to happen! If we wish to continue this publication we must encourage more advertiser submissions.

Ad space rates are: one full page (8 1/2" by 11") $125 per issue, half page (5 1/2" by 8 1/2") $75 per issue and $25 for business card ads per issue. Please contact Brother D. A. George to place your next ad. All necessary art work will be created for you and as always, readers, please patronize our advertisers. Thank you.

Please Notify Us - Should you know of any Brother recovering from illness or surgery, or known to be hospitalized, please notify Brother Alex L. Rigopoulos at 233-7158 or 469-9239.

Newsletter Entries - Please direct all newsletter announcements for "TA NEA" to the editor: Brother D. A. George, (619) 273-2868, FAX (619) 273-0416 or e-mail: dageo@att.net . All entries must be received by the 20th of each month.

A little boy was saying his prayers one night. They went like this. "God bless Mommy. God bless Daddy. God bless me. -- and please, God, look after youself. If anything happens to you, were sunk."

For a long time, Greece was targeted as the reason that Turkey is not admitted to the European Union. Now that Greece is willing to have Turkey join the EU, the rest of the European nations do not have a scapegoat. Now we see more clearly that it is they who balked at admitting the Turks. Reuters on Oct.13 reported that "a new low was hit when the EU bloc excluded Turkey from its expansion plans," issuing a report which states that Turkey is a long way from meeting EU standards in human rights and in protecting its minorities.

Recent figures on the newspaper readership in Greece provide the following: The average reader spends 3 to 7 minutes in reading a newspaper. Twenty years ago, 85% of the material appearing in magazines was "fresh news" while today 95% of the material in a magazine Is deemed "frozen." About 735 magazines were published in Greece in the last ten years, but, as with newspapers, the magazine readership is rapidly declining. In the Attica region presently, 23 newspapers are published, 21 weeklies, 362 magazines and 44 publications by professional organizations or unions. Furthermore, 47 radio and TV stations are in operation throughout Greece. Projections indicate that there will be a 3.6% decrease in the general news and magazine market in 2001, but the electronic media is projected to have an increase of 22 per cent. The influx of refugees in Greece has also initiated the publication of 3 Albanian papers, 3 Russian, one Polish, and one Hungarian.

Maria Kouvatsou, a 19 year-old student of dentistry from Hania, Crete, won the Gold Medal in the Young Women's World Chess Tournament which was held in Armenia's capital (Yerevan), about a month prior to those killings in the Armenian Parliament. Upon her return with the world championship medal, Kouvatsou was honored in a ceremony that was attended by the Mayor of Hania and by Prime Minister Simitis.

According to a recent report in ETHNOS (Oct. 15) the Turks are disturbed because Greece has improved relations with Israel and even signed a defense agreement with that country. As a response of sorts, the Turks sent eight aircraft fighters over the Aegean, in their old game of provocative violations of Greek air space, and were intercepted by Greek aircraft. Israel, adds ETHNOS, wishes to improve relations with the European Union countries and, thereby, alms at most friendly relations with Greece.

The Economist published a survey of the work force in, some 25 countries, and Turkey comes second (after the Czech Republic) in having "Employees working more than 40 hours a week." 83% of the men and 78% of the women in Turkey work more than 40 hours a week. Greece is 15th on the list, with 42% of the men and 36% of the women exceeding the 40-hour work week.

The Athenian daily TA NEA is running a survey on the most important and most influential Greek books of the century. Each day a prominent writer is invited to

make his selection and write an explanation. I was intrigued by the selection of Kostas Georgousopoulos. He says that neither Makryannis' Memoirs, Kazantzakis' Zorba, Papadiamantis' The Murderess, or even Solomos, Seferis or Cavafy, can compare to N.G. Politis' Selections from the Demonic Songs of the Greek People. It is the book that defined the newly liberated Greece, says Georgousopoulos. "It established the demonic tongue and inspired others into aligning themselves with the people's language." Two days later, another writer, nominated The Cavafy Corpu, because, said Fotini Tsalikoglou, "it gathers all the poetic greatness of our history and our culture into one compendium. The nominations continue...

Some may recall a scandal related to mental patients in Greece in the 80's; it was about an asylum in Leros, and both the electronic and the print media had reported on the horrible neglect of, and cruelty against, the patients in that institution. Now, London's Sunday Times (October 18) reports of a similar institution in the remote village of Agiassos, on the island of Lesbos. It involves the 81 patients in the Theomitor institute for the mentally and physically handicapped. Conditions of appalling squalor and neglect, says the Times, should be deemed unacceptable in a country of the European Community. The scandal of Leros in the 80's had prompted the European commission to spend millions on health reform in Greece. More of the same may again be in order. And yet, what will remedy the mind-set of an uncomfortable number of Greeks, in general, who have nothing but disdain for their more vulnerable, unfortunate compatriots?

U.S. governors visit Greece rarely. But California Governor Gray Davis visited Greece at the end of October, lobbying on behalf of California companies, and he was afforded a welcome befitting a national leader. In a luncheon at the U.S.Embassy attended by more than a hundred dignitaries and business leaders, Davis told the gathering that he came to Greece because "it is a road less traveled," and because it has significant potential for California firms, as the country develops and its economy keeps improving. "American business really has not penetrated Greece, added the governor. He said this in spite of the fact that the San Francisco Bechtel Co. is building a $3.5 billion subway in Athens, and Parsons Construction, another California firm, is lead contractor on the, new airport in Spata, outside of Athens.

From the "Tihes Yanni Ti Eiha Panta" File: The Athenian TO VIMA reports that out of 25,000 makeshift homes given out in the wake of the recent 5.9 earthquake, only 8,000 have been erected. The other 17,000 apparently have disappeared without any trace or explanation. The newspaper concludes that the vanished makeshift shelters were either sold in the black market or that they have been warehoused so as to be sold to summer vacationers. Each of these prefabricated homes, incidentally, costs as much as $1500 dollars.

Besides the dead and wounded, the final toll from the September 7 earthquake in Greece was given out by Greece's Interior Ministry. There are 19,560 people that remain homeless, with a total of 74,067 homes slated for demolition or declared unfit for safe habitation. 4,367 families continue to live in settlements arranged by the state, while the rest of the homeless reside in tents. In addition, 8,388 business premises and stores were damaged, and 850 of those were completely destroyed.

In the village of Dispilio in Kastoria, archaeological excavations have brought to light some significant objects from the mid-neolithic age in a town of lake-dwellers (5500 to 3600 B.C.). Among the thousands of smaller items, the excavators brought to the surface a written inscription on wood which is considered the oldest written script to be unearthed in the whole European continent. Also discovered were a small boat, thought to be constructed of wood and hide, as well as some flute-like instruments which are considered the oldest musical items yet to be discovered in Greece. No information on what, if any, language resembles the unearthed inscription.

The Japanese triumphed in this year's Athens Marathon, but the Greek runners, working hard and determined to excel in future Olympics, took second and third place in both the men's and the women's events. Japan's Masato Yonehara sprinted to the finish and defeated last year's winner Nikos Pollias by three Seconds! The 32-year-old Yonehara finished in a time of 2 hours, 18 minutes and 32 Seconds. Vassilis Zambelis was third with 2:22:29. In the women's field, Okamo Tamaki of Japan won in 2:26:46, defeating Greece's Georgia Ambtzidou and Yota Nikolakopoulou. The same course is planned for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. But then, there will be many more Kenyans and Tanzanians running.

The President of Panama from 1969 to 1978 was a second-generation Greek by the name of Dimitrios Lakkas. A distinguished member of the small Greek community in Panama, Lakkas died of a heart attack on November 1. His funeral took place in the Greek church in Panama City with Father Fotios Bithas officiating. November 8, meanwhile, was declared a day of mourning in all of Panama and the flags in the country were flown at half-mast.

(Re-printed by permission of THE GREEKAMERICAN)

AHEPA partners with US Census Bureau to create awareness of census day

WASHINGTON--AHEPA and the US Census Bureau have entered into a partnership agreement to create awareness about Census Day 2000, April 1, according to Supreme President George J. Dariotis.

"AHEPA, as the largest Greek-American organization in the United States, with chapters throughout the nation, has a duty to see that all Greek-Americans are accounted for in the census," said Dariotis.

According to Dariotis, Census 2000 will form the basis for crucial decisions on important issues such as Congressional redistricting and the distribution of federal dollars in local communities for the planning of schools and the managing of health care services.

"Clearly the survey will have far-reaching implications for all of us well into the next century," said Dariotis.

Everyone should be on the lookout for the survey in the mail and complete and return it as soon as possible. Representatives of the US Census Bureau will attempt to contact those individuals who do not return the mailed survey.

Dariotis appointed Elias Tsekerides, a past supreme governor, as chairman of the AHEPA Census 2000 committee.

"For us as Greek Americans, it is especially important to participate in the survey," said Tsekerides. "Only 33 percent of us fill out the survey, leaving 67 percent behind. That's a big majority of us to leave unaccounted."

"A more accurate count of Americans of Greek descent will result in a greater impact when we voice our opinions and concerns in Washington." added Tsekerides.

According to Tsekerides, AHEPA plans to have a steeringcommittee in every state to educate Greek Americans about the census and the importance of completing the survey. One such committee already is established in New York.

"People hesitate to complete the survey because of the fear that the data provided will be disclosed or made public," said Tsekerides. "The information an individual provides through the census is strictly confidential. The law prohibits the disclosure and sharing of information with any other governmental agency, like the IRS, FBI or INS."

According to Tsekerides, the assurance of confidentiality is an example of the awareness AHEPA is trying to create for Greek Americans. Any census employee disclosing confidential information is subject to penalty under the law, including up to $5,000 in fines and five years in prison, added Tsekerides.

For information about Census 2000, visit www.census.gov or send an e-mail to Census@2lstCEG.com.

For more information call (202) 232-6300. For instant information, browse the AHEPA web site, www.ahepa.org.

Valentine's Day is and has been upon us, and by now you should have decided what to give your Valentine man, woman or dog (yes, dog; many Valentine-less women elect to send a card to their faithful puppies, an Associated Press report said this week) as a gift, i.e. how to spend some money in the altar of expectations (forgive me, but I am still a cynic; I still believe the whole affair is a conspiracy by the flower, stuffed animal and greeting-card industries).

What's more, poor St. Valentine had nothing to do with carnal love and must be turning in his grave knowing his name is associated with relations between the sexes, especially the extramarital variety.

Valentine's Day was originally a Roman Festival known as the feast of Lupercalia, in honor of Juno, goddess of women and marriage. Christian priests converted the feast into a celebration of the martyrdom in 270 A.D. of St Valentine, who sent a note to a lady signed "from your Valentine" just before he was executed. Apparently, the man meant "Yours, Valentine" but history chose to ignore the purity of hip motives. It was the Victorians who turned St Valentine's Day into a commercial affair when the first mass produced cards were introduced. Queen Victoria herself is reputed to have sent hundreds of perfumed Valentine cards to royal retainers,

Valentine's Day was unknown among Greeks until two decades ago. February 14 used to come and go without any ripples in the hearts of Greek lovers. It was in the late '70s or early '80s that Greece's petit-bourgeoisie-which in those transforming years salivated over absolutely anything European or American - realized that the West made a big deal out of a relatively obscure Christian martyr all in the cause of un-Christian love. Thus it came to pass that Greek women, too, began to expect their bouquet of roses, their stuffed animal and/or the witty card on Feb. 14.

Still, a famous Greek has left his indelible mark on the history of the day: The most expensive Valentine card ever produced was made for shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis who sent the opera singer Maria Callas a solid gold token studded with diamonds and emeralds wrapped in a black mink coat. The National Herald

Mary had a little lamb,

His fleece was white as snow.

And everywhere that Mary went,

The Lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school each day,

T'wasn't even in the rule.

It made the children laugh and play,

To have a Lamb at school.

And then the rules all changed one day

illegal it became;

To bring the Lamb of God to school,

Or even speak His name.

Every day got worse and worse,

And days turned into years.

Instead of hearing children laugh,

We heard gun shots and tears.

What must we do to stop the crime,

That's in our schools today?

Let's let the Lamb come back to school,

And teach our kids to pray!

There are only two things to worry about -

Either you are well, or you are sick,

If you are well, then there is nothing to worry about.

But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about - Either you will get well, or you will die.

If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about.

But if you die, there are only two things to worry about. Either you go to heaven or to hell.

If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

If you go to hell, you'll be so darn busy shaking hands

with old friends,

You won't have time to worry

Dear Sisters,

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at SS. Constantine and Helen's Senior Center at 7:00 pm. Please plan to attend for it will be interesting to discuss the outcome of our visit to Pechanga! Hopefully, we will hit the big one!

Joanna Pathe

1 cup Wesson oil

2 oz. whiskey or brandy

1 stick margarine

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup orange juice

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

4 tsp. baking powder

Sesame seeds

flour

Beat together all ingredients except flour. Gradually add flour until the dough consistency is soft but firm enough to hold. Place sesame seeds in a fine strainer and rinse well with cold water. Spread sesame on a paper or cloth towel. Using about a tablespoon of dough, mold into a 4- or 5-inch length. Roll in sesame, and then roll again on table to make sure sesame sticks well to dough. Shape into a doughnut circle.

Repeat until all dough is used. Bake in 350^o oven until golden brown.