Marinos F. Garbis has had extensive business dealings throughout the Far East in such countries as Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. In several countries, he has negotiated joint ventures with third-party local businesses and with the local government. His last such experience was with the Peoples Republic of China. He will present his insights into the issues involved in establishing a successful business in China.

He was also a guest speaker at the University of California, San Diego's Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies where he lectured on Chinese business practices.

Everybody enjoyed the visitation of our District Governor, Si Chebithes and our brother San Diego Chapters at our February meeting. Our Program Speaker, Dr. Argyrios Theofilopoulos, provided significant insight to his studies in molecular medicine. We all wish him speedy success in his work, for the results will benefit all man kind.

Our Program Speaker for March is another Brother, Marinos Garbis, who will talk on his experiences of negotiating in China. Brother Marinos should provide all with an entertaining evening. Everybody try to make it. I think you will be pleased.

Our February business meeting was very successful. Dates and places for the next Christmas party and 2001 Greek Independence Day celebration has been formulated.

This year's golf tournament is scheduled for Monday, May 7th, at the Carmel Mountain Ranch Golf Course. We need voulunteers and donations. Please contact me.

Costa Brown

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

Paul Guzik 03/01

Louis Regas 03/05

Cleo Generales 03/06

Ted Borgeas 03/07

Jim Mellos 03/07

Ari Laliotis 03/12

Alex Rigopoulos 03/17

Del Delagrammaticas 03/19

Marinos Garbis 03/20

Scott Dale 03/28

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

No Anniversaries This Month

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 6, 2001:

Program Presentation

March 25th Celebration Committee Report

Scholarship Committee Report

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 15, 2001, 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.

What You Missed! - If you didn't attend last month's meeting, you miss one of the best and most informative presentations by Dr. Ari Theofilopoulos concerning the latest state of the arts and latest research in eliminating diseases such as Lupus, a diseases that effects mostly females and is presently considered incurable.

You also missed meeting many Brothers from the San Diego Chapter #223 and the Heartland Chapter #444 who were invited to this joint gathering. You also missed meeting several District officers that also joined us from Los Angeles.

World Affairs Council - On Thursday, March 1, 2001 at 7:30 p.m., at the Hardie Tower, Room 140, San Diego State University, the World Affairs Council will host their special Guest Speaker the Honorable Cyprus Ambassador, Madam Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis. All are encouraged to attend this most interesting presentation which should reflect Cyprus' concerns for resolution of Turkish occupation of Cyprus and what will the new Bush Administration do about it. (See page 3).

Chapter Scholarship Applications - Scholarship Applications are now available. You may contact any Chapter Officer, Brothers George J. Pappas, Committee Chairman, (858) 674-6960 or gpappas@email.com, and D. A. George, Chapter Secretary, (858) 273-2868. All applications must be submitted for evaluation firmly on or before April 16, 2001.

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.

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 purpose of this program is to grant scholarships to worthy college students who themselves or members of their immediate families 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 completed applications will be evaluated by an impartial school/business administrator and/or university professor.

To be considered for a scholarship the applicant must:

1. Be a graduating high school senior entering an accredited College or University in the Fall of 2000 or Spring of 2001, or a currently enrolled student in an accredited College or University. Applicants must carry a minimum of 12 units per term (for the C. 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 Scholarship 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. Obtain or 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 envelopes containing the required submittal must be postmarked no later than the deadline of April 16, 2001.

Those interested in applying are to request applications from any of the Chapter Officers, George J. Pappas, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, (858-674-6960 or E-Mail gpappas@ix.netcom.com), or D. A. George, Chapter Secretary, (858-273-2868 or E-Mail dageo@att.net).

While most foreign emissaries jockey about Washington, elbowing one another for a chance to introduce themselves to the new leader of the free world, Cyprus' ambassador to Washington has already established ties with the newly inaugurated U.S. President, George W. Bush. While their first meeting occurred two years before he was elected to the country's top post, Bush went so far as to commission Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis as an "honorary Texan."

Reflecting back, Marcoullis told The GreekAmerican that "it was a wonderful opportunity to meet him," adding that she will cherish that meeting.

Marcoullis met Bush during a visit to Austin in 1998, when she was asked to lecture at the University of Texas on the Cyprus problem. As she has in a number of other state capitals and cities around the country before and since, Marcoullis moved her audience with an honest, heart rending description of her country's plight, and the need to find a just solution to its 26-year division.

In a private meeting held at the state capitol, the Cyprus ambassador briefed then-Governor Bush on efforts by the United Nations and the United States to achieve progress for the reunification of Cyprus, and on the accession process of Cyprus to the European Union.

Later, at the university lecture, Marcoullis gave a detailed description of the realities on Cyprus and the "disastrous consequences" they have for the people of Cyprus.

"It is the nature and extent of those consequences." she said. "coupled with the wider issues of principle involved that render the present status quo unacceptable and the Cyprus problem one of international concern which needs to be urgently addressed."

While Marcoullis visit was the subject of a recent Associated Press report that dealt with the efforts of various ambassadors to meet with Bush just prior to his taking office. it also attracted the attention of a number of local and national media outlets. including The Washington Times and The Houston Chronicle. While covering her meeting with Bush, the publications also gave attention to the Cyprus problem.(The GreekAmerican, February 4, 2001)

CIA Director George Tenet will remain in the new Bush administration because both Democrats and Republicans respect him and have approved of his work. But there is another bipartisan encomium for the exaltar boy of a Greek church: he is one of the few American officials who is trusted by both Israelis and Palestinians. Therefore, early in January he was the major member of a peace delegation to the Middle East.

It should also be noted that when George W. Bush agreed to allow Tenet to remain in office as head of the CIA. that made Tenet the first director in 28 years to remain in office after a new party entered the White House. The last, Richard Helms, served under the Johnson and Nixon administrations.

While there has been no official commitment that Tenet will remain at the post for a prolonged duration of time, reports are that there are no immediate plans to replace him.

Bush's father, a former president and a former CIA director, is among those who are calling for the depoliticization of the post. making it immune from administration changes. Tenet was first appointed to the position in 1997.

Omonia is a decadent yet also variegated area of Athens with a history of highs and lows - a place that is both interesting and unpleasant: earthy but dangerous.

All of its history, its culture and sub/culture, comprise the matter of a book by Philippos Philippou entitled "Omonia 2000: A Journey to the Omphalos of Athens."

The book contains black and white photos taken by Stratos Kalafakis and borrows from an earlier book by Giorgos Ioannou.

Suspicions that the British had hidden nuclear weapons in Cyprus and were prepared to use them during the cold war, were confirmed by the usually-reliable London's Sunday Times.

Richard Moore, after acquiring documents from the Institute of Atomic Scientists, writes that in the late 1950's and early 60's, the base in Akrotiri housed some 16 nuclear bombs, the type called "Red Beard," as well as Canberra planes which are equipped for releasing nuclear weapons.

Abdullah Ocalan is himself to blame for his capture in

Kenya, said one of his closest aides, Cemce Kilic, according to the Turkish daily Hurriyet in a recent interview.

She added that Ocalan's arrest was the worst defeat for the PKK and that his capture must not be blamed on Greece or any other country.

"The PKK accused Greece in order to defend its leader," said Kilic, "but Greece simply acted in accordance with its national interests since it did not wish to go to war with Turkey."

Forty Greek academics expressed their concern for the slow but steady erosion of the Greek alphabet in a petition in which they noted the compromising of "the mother of European languages" by having it replaced with the English alphabet.

The professors noted the tendency in computerized communication, in writing and in signs shown on television and other media, aiming to Anglicize words and to have words written in English lettering.

A poll by the survey company V-PRC, executed on behalf of the newspaper "Ependytis, indicates that 73% of Greeks would like the president of their country to be elected directly by popular vote, while 49.6% want a return of the death penalty for serious crimes a substantial increase that suggests that the people of Greece are worried about the continuous increase in crime.

Moreover, the poll shows that 50.2% would like the elimination of lifetime tenure for civil servants, and a similar percentage disagrees with the separation of Church and State...

In the meantime, though Greece may be one of EU's poorest and smallest members, it has a way of concealing that fact by being the country with the highest household consumption.

Eurostat reports that in 1999, 72.3% of GDP of Greek household consumption was the highest per capita in the Eurozone.

The biggest expense of Greek families was food expenditure, accounting for 21.3% of overall household needs. The average for the rest of the EU countries is 17%. The main item of the food costs seems to be fruits and vegetables which comprise 22.9% of the Greek food bill.

A Greek-American, Harry Papas, finally won the rights to create the first Greek telecommunications satellite. His company will control 66% of the stock, OTE (the Hellenic Telecommunications Network) will control 15%. Papas owns 18 television stations in North and South America and is expanding into the European market with "Papas Telecoms Europe. The Greek satellite will be launched around March 2002 with help from Boeing Aerospace and is expected to cost some US $225 million.

A cave under a fourth century Byzantine church which was excavated last year on the eastern bank of the Jordan River is believed to be the place where John the Baptist lived during the winter months.

This is the estimation of head archeologist Mohammed Ouahimb. Further studies are being done in order to determine with some certainty if a skull found in the cave is that of the saint. Would Salome have abandoned the head in such a fashion?

While the year 2000 was the centennial year since the birth of Nobel poet Giorgos Seferis, this year will be the centennial since the birth of another great versifier, Andreas Embeirikos. Several groups are planning to honor this pioneer of Greek surrealism, including the Ministry of Culture.

Plans are under way to honor the poet with lectures, symposia, exhibits and readings of his poetry. The president of the organizing committee says he would like Embeirikos to be held in the same esteem as Seferis, since he too is responsible for modernism in Greek verse.

That Colin Powell may prove to be an intelligent secretary of state has been suggested not necessarily by the history of the man and the fame that has accompanied him, but by (from I'm told is) a carved inscription on his desk taken from Thucydides. "Of all manifestations of power," it reads, "restraint impresses most." Any serious student of Thucydides must, I suppose, have something going for him.

(Reprinted here by permission of The GreekAmerican)

How pleasant it is in the dead of winter to dream of warmer, sunnier days. AHEPA now gives us that opportunity by announcing the location of its 79th annual supreme convention: the Wyndham El Conquistadors Resort & Country Club in Puerto Rico from July 25 - 28, 2001. It is the first time a supreme convention will be held in Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth.

"The AHEPA family is excited about Puerto Rico," said Supreme President Johnny N. Economy. "it's an attractive location, and the resort provides our conventioneers with a variety of activities. We also hope Puerto Rico will attract our youth, bringing them together for a week of sharing in Hellenism amid a beautiful setting."

According to Economy, U.S. Ambassador to Greece R. Nicholas Burns and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos are tentatively scheduled to attend the convention and speak at the Grand Banquet on Friday, July 27.

"We are thrilled that both Ambassador Burns and Mayor Avramopoulos have expressed interest to attend," said Economy. "Both are ecstatic about the possibility of speaking at the banquet."

It would be the first time Avramopoulos attends a supreme convention, while for Burns it would be the second as he was keynote speaker at the supreme convention banquet in Orlando, Fla., in 1998

While business sessions will take place from Thursday, July 26 to Saturday, July 28, delegates and their families will be able to enjoy Puerto Rico beginning as early as July 22, when rooms (at $125 per night) will first be available for them.

"We want Puerto Rico to be a family vacation for the delegates too," said Chairman of the Board A. Steve Betzelos, who notes that AHEPA is exploring avenues for the consolidation of airline tickets to make the trip as affordable as possible.

Betzelos added that the resort offers a supervised camp for children ages three to 13, babysitting services, horseback riding, snorkeling, arts and crafts, nature walks, and of course, swimming off the beaches of Palomino Island.

The convention is customarily attended by members of AHEPA's auxiliary branches, the Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena. Last year's convention was held in New Orleans.

Dear Sisters,

For those that were not at the last meeting missed an exciting presentation by Dr. Ari Theofilopoulos. You also missed meeting some of the Sisters from the San Diego Tiressa Chapter.

As we discussed, we are still undecided on our new projects for the remainder of the year. This will be our primary topic for our next meeting. We encourage the membership to give it a great deal of thought for new and refreshing ideas. We also are encouraging you to help get our membership back into the fold by getting our current members to join us at the meetings, by updating any delinquent payment of dues and soliciting new and additional members to our Chapter.

For those who have not paid their dues, they are still $30 per year and should be paid to meet our reveues and expenses in the operation of the Chapter. As you know, Sister Catherine Caldes is the Chapter Secretary and can be reached at (760) 436-0234 to check your current status of membership and where to send your dues payment to become current. Thank you.

Looking forward to seeing you at the next meeting, Tuesday, March 6, 2001, 7:00 p.m., Ss. Constantine and Helen's Senior Citizen Center.Yours in Theta Pi,

Joanna Pathe

Kreas Moshou Kai Macaronia

VEAL WITH PASTA

We are now in February or "Koutsiflevaro (limping February)" as it's known in Greek folklore (due to the month's short 28-day duration). Mardi Gras (Apokries) is usually celebrated this month, the last grand holiday before the forty days of fast and prayer that proceed Easter. For this reason, meat and dairy products, milk, butter and cheese are consumed up to Clean Monday, the first day of the fast (Sarakosti). The following, then, is a popular recipe from Corfu and the Peloponnese that is commonly prepared during this time.

1 lb. veal, cut into cubes

½ tsp flour

2 lbs. butter

2 tbs oil

2 diced onions

1 tbs. whole pepper

2 cups of fresh tomato juice

10 cloves garlic

1 large carrot (diced)

I bunch of parsley

½ tsp pimento

1 tsp. sugar

2 packs of macaroni (Greek-style

hollowed spaghetti preferred)

Salt

grated cheese (to taste)

After rinsing the veal, place it in a pot and sautee it in butter and oil until it browns lightly. Sprinkle flour and continue sauteing. Add the salt, pepper, pimento, parsley, onion and diced carrot, and then add some boiled water. Cover the pot and let the meat simmer on a low flame. When the meat is half done, add the tomato, garlic and sugar, and if needed - some more water. Stir the pot gently with a wooden spoon. Cook slowly until sauce is ready.

Cook the macaroni in salted water, adding a tablespoon of oil. Strain and place on a platter. Sprinkle the macaroni with cheese and add sauce and meat. Enjoy.