February and March will see some exciting activities. First, on Wednesday the 7th of February the three San Diego Chapters will be meeting at Saints Constantine and Helens Greek Orthodox Church's Senior Citizens Center. District #20 Officers will be visiting, with the potential of Supreme Headquarters guests. Food will be served, a great speaker, and many brothers! Life doesn't get any better.

March is our Greek Independence day celebration. Again this year, we will be having a play and other activities. For a successful celebration, we need donations to offset the costs of costumes, scenery, etc. Please contact D.A. George, George Pappas, or me to make your donations.

Fraternally,

Costa Brown

Dr. Argyrios N. Theofilopoulos is a Professor in the Department of Immunology at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. His main interests are the molecular pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and he is a recognized authority in this field. He has made numerous contributions in the characterization of autoimmunity-predisposed strains of mice, including molecular studies of various immunologic genes, genome-wide studies, and development if gene based therapies. He has published extensively in prestigious journals, including original articles and reviews, and is the editor of textbooks addressing molecular aspects of autoimmunity.

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

Mike Manos 02/19

Happy Anniversary!!! to the following Brothers and their lovely brides who are celebrating wedding anniversaries:

Nick & Penny Alexander 02/01

Peter & Jennifer Stacy 02/02

George & Sandra Geanoulis 02/14

Mario & Toula Panos 02/18

Nick & Margarita Zambus 02/24

Gary & Dimitra Kaprielian 02/24

Marino & Annie Drakos 02/28

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, Wednesday, February 7, 2001:

Introduction of Honored Guests

Program Presentation

Foundation Report

March 25th Celebration Report

Good of the Order

General Business Meetings - General Business Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 15, 2001, at Sts. 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.

Nominations of Foundation Trustees -

The following Brothers of the Chapter were nominated as Chapter #505 Foundation Board of Trustees. They are:

Costa T. Brown Chapter President

Micholas M. Gines Chapter Treasurer

Marinos F. Garbis

Charles Kakos

Dr. Minas Savvas

Dr. Nicholas J. Yphantides

January's Guest Speaker - If you missed our last General and Social Chapter meeting, you missed Mr. Peter J. Direnza who spoke on the San Diego City Grand Jury. Mr. Direnza was the foreman of the Grand Jury for the year 1998 and 1999. His presentation was both interesting and informative, we thank him again for an inspiring and educational presentation.

Perastica! to Brother John Anas - Brother John Anas was recently hospitalized for an operation. He presently is in convalescence at home and doing well. Perastica Sou John!

Change of Address or Family Status - Should you have a change of address or change of status please notify and request from the TA NEA Editor a "Directory Questionnaire" to facilitate the update of your new data.

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 (619) 233-7158 or (619) 469-9239.

Newsletter Entries - Please direct all newsletter announcements for "TA NEA" to the editor: Brother D. A. George, (858) 273-2868, FAX (858) 273-0416 or e-mail: dageo@att.net. All entries must be received by the 20th of each month.

Several years ago, the sculptor Irene Kokkinou bestowed to the island of Kalymnos some of her sculptured pieces. While touring the island during the month of August, however, she noticed that at least two of the most prominent ones were vandalized. A statue of Skevos Zervos, for instance, a protagonist in the Dodecanessian liberation, had its legs surrounded up to the knees by cement. Another, a statue of a mermaid that stood on top of a rock and symbolized for many the island's marine life, was discarded in filthy condition in the island's main trash heap. The culprit apparently was the leadership of the island itself. Bitter about the offensive ingratitude, the sculptor protested to the Mayor of Kalymnos and to the Ministry of Culture. In his defense, the Mayor explained that there was no intent to injure,that it was all because of innovations and rearranging on the island and that, in due course, it will all be remedied. The sculptor, bitter because her other works on the island appeared to be neglected as well, vowed to remove the statues and offer them to another island of the Dodecanese.

In The 276 Stupidest Things Democrats Ever Said, Ted Rueter, a visiting: assistant professor in Political Science at UCLA, quotes multimillionaire and former Rep. Michael Huffington (who, by the way, converted to Greek Orthodoxy). When asked what school his children attended, he replied: "Saint ...Saint...ask my wife." So you see, Arianna is more than just a political pundit.

The daily Greek school of Holy Trinity church, in Lowell, Massachusetts, was richer by $200,000 two weeks ago when one of its graduates, George Behrakis,in a burst of generosity wished to show his appreciation for what the school gave him. The 200 present at "The Indian Ridge Country Club" applauded when Mr. Behrakis, now close to 70, made his surprise announcement. "I and my four children have benefitted from the Greek school," said the donor, "I sent my children to learn Greek because I gave some thought to where our civilization began, our history, and our legacy...The youth have drifted away from our Hellenic traditions, and language is one substantial way to bring them back to our rich and unique heritage." I join in the applause of those present at "Indian Ridge Country Club." Previously, Mr. Behrakis, a wealthy owner of several pharmaceutical companies, had pledged $6 million to Northeastern's Medical Center, and the building is to be named "The George Behrakis Health Sciences Medical Center."

Giorgos Floridis the Greek Undersecretary of Sports, would like to see more diaspora Greeks participate in the next Olympics. He is, therefore, negotiating with three Greek-Australians, young people whose parents emigrated from Greece. Floridis did not name the athletes. I heard a rumor from a friend who keeps in touch, however, that Michael Diamond (Diamantis), who has already won two gold medals in target-shooting for Australia, was approached by a Greek delegation and demanded an exorbitant sum of money ($3 million drachmas a month for life) in order to join the Greeks in 2004.

Giamna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, president of Athens's XXVIII Olympiad Organizing Committee, praised the Sydney Olympics and added that the Australians "had raised the bar of expectation for Athens." She praised the security, the communications, and the orderly traffic in Sydney as well as the efficient volunteers. "The whole of Greece must be mobilized," she said, "and those who like to criticize us should leave us alone to do our work." The Greek Olympic Committee, she informed, already has 60,000 volunteers, but more are needed. Spyros Kapsalos, a member of the 2004 board, further suggested that the Greeks should invite Australians to help organize the Athens Games, as Sydney had done with Americans who worked in the Atlanta Olympics. "In Sydney we had the best Games ever" opened Mr. Kapsalos, but we must say that the Australians were lucky as they organized after Atlanta where everything was terrible."

The sniping from the media about Athens having to follow Sydney's Olympiad has started already. Here is Chris Jenkins of the San Diego's Union-Tribune, a day after Sydney's closing ceremonies: "As if Athens didn't already have enough working against it - namely, Athens itself the Greek city looks more like a tragedy waiting to happen after Sydney's success." O, how I wish we could see him eat his words!

Hypertension, often called "the silent killer," which causes strokes. heart-attacks and often rude behavior, affects some 18-20% of all Greeks and about 50% of those over the age of 65. Of the sufferers, only 27% regulate their blood pressure and half of them are on some kind of medication. Dr. Theodoros Mondokalakis, director of Athens's Third Pathology Clinic, presented the figures in a Symposium of Arterial Hypertension in the Greek capital. Among other figures, Dr. Mondokalakis also added that one-third of the patients on medication for hypertension have been diagnosed erroneously.

I'm not sure of its contextual meaning, but I did see during the uprising against Milosevic in Belgrade two or three banners with the two-headed eagle of Byzantium.

Almost two years ago the City Council in Smyrna voted to have a street named "George Seferis Street" (Yorgo Seferis Sokagi). Then, after some media chauvinism and Mesat Yilmaz's own objections, the idea was reversed. Now, 100 years since the poet's birth in that city, a "Seferis Celebration," attended by scholars and poets from both countries exalted the work of the Nobel-Prize winner with speeches and exhibits in Smyrna's "Kemal Ataturk Cultural Center." Even Greek Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos (not the Turks' favorite Greek) sent a message to the conference. "Poets like Seferis," he said, "do not only help us to see the world afresh, but they help us sometimes to behave differently as well."

By far, Greece has the lowest rate of organ transplants in the European Union. This fact makes it hard for all those awaiting transplants in order to survive. Some people in need of transplants have been waiting for over 20 years, simply surviving on dialysis. According to Dr. Alcibiades Costakis, director of the Laiko Hospital, only 4.4 in every million people in Greece are organ donors! That is a total of 44 people. In the European Union, the corresponding average is 12.6 donors per million. In all of Greece this year, according to Costakis, only 12 kidney transplants were performed, yet over 1,000 people have been waiting and hoping for the operation.

Sheila Copes, Canada's Minister of Culture, speaking in an international cultural/political conference in Santorini, estimated that by the year 2010 the languages spoken on the planet will be reduced from 6,000 to 3,000. Many of the speakers in the conference expressed serious concerns about the trend for globalization.

The residents of the village of Tsakrat in Kerasunda, Turkey, have turned five Greek Orthodox churches into barns. The Turkish newspaper, Cumhuriyet writes that the churches were destroyed years ago by vandals and treasure-seekers because they were abandoned and unprotected for years. Showing more sensitivity, Mehmet Giuktsel, who is in charge of tourism in the region, assured the public that heretofore such monuments will be protected within the framework of a new Turkish policy.

In protest against the rising gas prices, taxi-drivers in Athens went on strike on Saturday, September 30, and the Athenians couldn't have been happier. With 17,000 taxis out of Athens' streets, the Greek capital was cleaner and certainly more quiet. Meanwhile, Greek truck-drivers had been on strike for the sixth day, while half of Greece's fuel stations were empty because of fuel shortages.

Some unprecedented lobbying took place during the recent voting on the Armenian genocide, according to The Washington Post (6 Oct. 2000). Armed with Turkish version of what happened in early 20th century, five members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly came to Washington to lobby Congress against passage of the House resolution endorsing charges of genocide by armed Turks. "Yes, yes, massacres happened," said Mehmet Ali Intemcelik, a member of the delegation, "they happened on both sides. When things get out of control these things happen."

(Re-printed here by permission of THE GREEKAMERICAN)

One way to get high blood pressure is to go mountain climbing over molehills. Earl Wilson

Tousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered, either by themselves or by others. Mark Twain

Can you identify these Greek Americans? Answers are listed on last page.

A. I was born in Athens in 1962 to an American soldier and the former Miss Athens 1957. Because my mother spoke no English when they married, my parents communicated through pictures. That's why I'm covered with tattoos. We moved to California when I was 18 months old and spent childhood summers in Greece. As a result, I speak fluent Greek. When I was 18 years old I auditioned as guitarist but took position of drummer. My rock group has sold total of 35 million albums worldwide.

B. I was born in Constantinople and immigrated to the U.S. as a young man. Immediately I was drawn to the stage and at the age of 26 directed my first play. I traveled between coasts directing both plays on stage and movies. As a director, I formed the careers Marlon Brando, Warren Beatty and others. In the 1950s my political ideas drew me into the spotlight and many of my colleagues shunned me. Recently my work was recognized by the Kennedy Center and the Academy.

C. My father is an insurance agent, my mother worked in the family candy business. In Greece, one of my grandfathers was a violinist and a great uncle formed a little theater troupe that traveled from village to village during WWII. I attended college in Ohio, receiving an MFA in acting. I met my husband in a college Greek students group, a group which parents approved "for Greek-American kids to socialize and, God willing, get married". I got my start in acting on TV in soap operas, but now I have the lead role in a popular weekly show.

D. My resume lists as educator, but I am also well known for my public service. My last name is the same as the ancient Greek who is called the founder of Athenian democracy. From 1971 to 1972, I served a term in the House of Representatives. From 1972 to the present, I have served in the Senate . I have chaired the commerce committee and have also served on the education, health and family security, rules and administration and finance committees. I am a dedicated Ahepan.

E. I started my football career in high school and went on to play in the big leagues. Not only am I known for football, I have adhered books, done sports commentaries, appeared in movies and had a TV series with my wife. But what you may not know is that I was sponsored by an AHEPA chapter as a shot-putter and discus thrower for a Greek-American track team competing in the Balkan Games.

As a member of the AHEPA Family, you are invited to apply for a scholarship. The Chapter is providing scholarships, both the Costa Lyrintzis and the Chapter Scholarships, amounting to $3,000. These scholarships are being provided by the Chapter 505, AHEPA Scholarship Foundation. The program provides scholarships to worthy college students who reside within San Diego County, and who are either Ahepans, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, Maids of Athena, or members of any of the Greek Orthodox parishes in San Diego County. All applications will be evaluated by the Scholarship Committee.

To be considered for a scholarship the applicant must:

1. Be a graduating high school senior entering an accredited College in the Fall of 2000 or Spring of 2001, or a currently enrolled student in an accredited College. Applicants must carry a minimum of 12 units per term (for the Lyrintzis scholarship, students either entering or currently attending San Diego State University);

2. Have a Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.0;

3. Complete all pages of the application in their entirety;

4. Provide one (1) recommendation written on official stationery from one of the following:

a. Officer of Ahepa Family;

b. Professor, teacher or counselor; or

c. Member of the Clergy.

5. Write an essay of 500 words or less describing any special circumstances the applicant wishes the committee to take into consideration when evaluating the application. For example:

a. Career aspirations;

b. Honors classes/activities;

c. Extracurricular/community activities; or

d. Participation in AHEPA and/or church-related activities.

6. To have sent, an official transcript of the applicant's most recently completed semester (copies or faxes are not acceptable) and mailed with application;

7. Must not have been a recipient of a scholarship award from this Chapter on more than two (2) prior occasions.

To be considered, all submittals must be postmarked no later than the deadline of April 16, 2001.

Those applying may request applications from any of the Chapter Officers, George J. Pappas, (858-674-6960 or 760-745-9758 or E-Mail: gpappas@ix.netcom.com, or D. A. George, (858-273-2868 or E-Mail: dageo@att.net).

Dear Sisters,

Please note, we will be meeting at 7:00 pm at the Senior Citizen Center at SS. Constantine and Helen, on Wednesday, February 7th. Chapter #505 is hosting a joint meeting of all the San Diego chapters that evening and will feature a guest speaker.

Our trip to Viejas Casino on Monday, January 15th was a terrific success. Everyone that attended seemed to enjoy the event and many were lucky to leave with some $$$ rewards. We'll present full details at the next meeting.

In addition, we'll be discussing areas of interest for our charitable contributions. Please attend and bring your ideas!

Yours in Theta Pi,

Joanna Pathe

1 lb. White fish - cut into 2-inch pieces

1/2 lb. Clams (if desired)

1/2 lb. Crab (if desired)

1/2 lb. Lobster (if desired)

1/2 lb. Scallops (if desired)

1/2 lb. Mussels (if desired)

1/2 lb. Shrimp (if desired)

1/2 lb. Baby octopus (optional)

1/4 cup Olive oil

3 Onions; chopped

2 Garlic cloves; pressed

2 lb. Canned peeled tomatoes - including liquid

1 cup Chopped mushrooms

4 Celery stalks; chopped

2 tsp. Salt

1/8 tsp. Cayenne pepper

1 Bay leaf

1/2 cup Wine, red preferably

4 cups Water

Prepare fish and shellfish by cleaning and cutting into bite-size pieces. Heat oil in a large pot. Fry onions and garlic on medium heat for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except seafood and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Cook one hour.

Add fish and octopus, and cook 20 minutes. Add shellfish and simmer 5 minutes more. Serve hot with crusty bread and crisp salad.