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Sept. 4,5,6
Sacramento Greek Festival
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814 (map it!)
tel) 916-443-2033
web) http://www.sacramentogreekfestival.com/

Sept. 5,6,7
Monterey Bay Greek Festival
Custom House Plaza - Monterey State Historic Park - Fisherman's Wharf
Old Fisherman's Wharf #1
tel) 831 375-2005
web) http://www.stjohn-monterey.org
http://www.montereybaygreekfestival.com/

Sept. 5,6,7
Holy Cross
900 Alameda
Belmont, CA
tel) 650-591-4447
web) www.goholycross.org

Sept. 11,12,13
Saint Basil's (celebrating their 50th festival!)
920 W. March Lane
Stockton, CA
tel) 209-478-7564
web) http://www.gosaintbasil.org/

Sept. 11,12,13
Prophet Elias -- Santa Cruz
223 Church Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
tel ) 831-429-6500
web) http://propheteliassantacruz.org/

Sept. 11,12,13
St. Demetrios
1955 Kirker Pass Road
Concord, CA
tel) 925-676-6967
web) http://www.stdemetrios.ca.goarch.org/

Sept. 11,12,13
Saint Sophia Cathedral
1324 S. Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006
tel) 323-737-2424
web) http://www.lagreekfest.com/ and http://www.stsophia.org/
Celebrity guest hosts : Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson with a special performance by Anna Vissi

Sept. 19-20
Sts. Constantine & Helen, Vallejo
1224 Alabama Street
Vallejo, CA 94590 (map it!)
tel) 707-642-6916
Saturday, September 19, 2009, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Live music by Mediterranean Soul
Sunday, September 20, 2009, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Live music by Fotia (web site)
Please download our flyer at :
http://www.greekchurchfest.com/

Sept. 19-20
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
313 Tokay Avenue
Modesto, CA 95353
tel) 209-522-7694
web) http://www.goannunciation.org/

Sept. 25,26,27
Annunciation Cathedral
245 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA )
tel) 415-864-8000
web) www.annunciation.org

Oct. 2,3,4
Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church
20104 Center Street
Castro Valley, CA
tel) 510-581-8950
web) http://www.cvresurrection.org/
]]> Church http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=18 Sun, 6 Sep 2009 16:35:05 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=13 Papandreou to speak at event in memory of Kranidiotis

NICOSIA (ANA-MPA - A. Viketos)
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Greek main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, president of Socialist International, will be speaking at an event in Nicosia on September 14 to mark the 10th anniversary since the tragic death of Yiannos Kranidiotis, the Greek politician of Cypriot origin that first envisaged Cyprus' entry into the European Union.
The event is jointly organised by the University of Cyprus and the 'Andreas Papandreou' Institute of Strategic and Developmental Studies (ISTAME) and will take place on the university campus.
The family of the late alternate foreign minister of Greece, who died in a freak air accident while on official state business, along with PASOK and the Cypriot EDEK socialit party, will hold the annual memorial service for Kranidiotis at the Aghios Ioannis Cathedral in Nicosia on Sunday, September 6.


The wondrous world of the deep at the Corfu Shell Museum

Collections of seashells, fossils, sponges, corals, lobsters, crabs, sharks, sea urchins and other kinds of marine life are on display in the unique Corfu Shell Museum in Benitses, on the island of Corfu, which takes visitors on a tour of the wondrous world of the deep.
The Museum is the realisation of a life's dream for diver and collector Napoleon Sagias, who lived for more than 20 years in Australia and used to travel with his team to the Indian and Pacific Ocean for diving excursions and his hobby of shell collecting. In 1989 he moved back with his family to Greece, to his hometown of Corfu, where he established the Corfu Shell Museum.
"After many years of dangerous expeditions, through cyclones, tides, heat, poisonous snakes, crocodiles and shark-infested waters of the Tropical seas and islands, my family and I managed to collect many specimens from the beautiful world of the deep," says Sagias.
The Museum contains many thousands of impressive and rare species from most seas of the planet and possesses one of the largest and most complete shell collections in Europe.
On display are shells, fossils, sponges, corals, stuffed fish, sharks and shark teeth, lobsters, crabs, sea urchins, snakes and more from the Indian and the Pacific Ocean, as well as from the Mediterranean Sea, including a unique exhibit of the Cypraea Fultoni shell, one of the rarest shells in the world.
The exhibits are mainly from the personal collection of Napoleon Sagias, but also from donations made to the Museum.

Tutankhamen at 74th Thessaloniki International Fair

A small "taste" of the priceless treasures of Tutankhamen's unique tomb can be seen by visitors at the exhibition of the KING TUT Museum, that is already being set up on the premises of pavilion 5 at the 74th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF).
Tutankhamen's name is "bound" by myths and legends throughout the centuries, since his passing from earth may have been short, but his premature death and, centuries later, the discovery of his tomb gave him eternal fame.
Tutankhamen ruled for only nine years in Ancient Egypt and when he hardly had time to become an adult he died and his fame did as well, until he was "reborn" about three thousand years later when his tomb was discovered in 1922.

First robot thyroid excision in Greece, Europe

The first thyroid excision in Greece and Europe, with the system of robot Da Vinci surgery, was carried out on a 25-year-old woman patient at the Igia Hospital in Athens.
The technique allows for the creation of a very small incision, not in the neck, but in the region of the armpit and extends progressively, creating a "tunnel" up to the neck and the thyroid. It is primarily applied in cases of thyroid cancer with a small size.
The method's advantages include the precision of moves, better visual coverage, almost nonexistent loss of blood and a decrease in complications.

Christofias and Sarkozy reaffirm the high level of bilateral relations

NICOSIA (CNA/ANA-MPA)
The high level of relations between Cyprus and France has been reaffirmed at the working lunch between President
Christofias and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Wednesday, Cyprus government estimated on Thursday.
Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou stated that the meeting between President Christofias and France President Sarkozy during the working lunch that took place in Elysee Palace in Paris "reaffirmed the high level of the two countries' relations". He also pointed out that France supports Cyprus in the efforts to find a just, under the current circumstances, viable and functional solution in the Cyprus problem.
"We have to argue that during the meeting a common appreciation in several issues of common interest has been observed as well as the mutual wish for further developing of the bilateral relations", he added.
Invited to comment on the French position towards Turkey's EU accession route, Stephanou stressed that for the Cyprus government it is important that France demands from Turkey to fulfill all its obligations derive from that route.
Stephanou said that the main issues of the discussion during the working lunch were the Cyprus issue, EU matters and the relations between EU and Turkey. In addition, the two leaders also expressed the will of their countries to develop furhter bilateral relations in various fields such as the financial and commercial relations.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Peace talks are underway between the leaders of the two communities to find a negotiated settlement that would reunite the country.
]]> Consular News Bulletins http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=13 Fri, 4 Sep 2009 16:17:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=16 Parliament ratifies Greek-US agreement on terrorism

The bill ratifying the agreement reached between Greece and the United States regarding terrorism and prevention in combatting crime, that strengthens the institutional framework for cooperation between the two countries, also in light of the visa waiver for the entry of Greek citizens into the United States, was ratified in Parliament in its entirety on Tuesday (by the ruling New Democracy and main opposition PASOK parties).
Referring to reservations voiced by PASOK, Justice Minister Nikos Dendias said "you cannot have everything. This talk about ratification but renegotiating is distant from the seriousness and responsibility required by Parliamentary premises."
The Justice minister also termed "myths" what was said about human rights violations.

Erdogan meets with reps of religious minorities

ANKARA (ANA-MPA/A. Abatzis)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday met with representatives of religious minorities on the well-known Marmara Sea island of Prinkipos (Büyükada), where he noted that "certain steps regarding minority issues may be taken in the next few days."
The visit follows Erdogan's earlier meeting on the same island, off Istanbul, with minority representatives, followed by a tour of the Greek orphanage building on the isle, where he was greeted by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Vartholomeos). At the time, the Turkish premier was accompanied by Minister of State and chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis and Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu.
Following that meeting, the Patriarch had referred to new hope for a resolution of various problems faced by the ethnic Greek minority in the neighbouring country.

Austria's envoy tours fire-ravaged NE Attica prefecture

Austria's ambassador to Greece Michael Linhart on Tuesday visited the wildfire-affected districts of Aghios Stefanos, Stamata, Marathon Lake and the township of Marathon, all north and northeast of Athens proper.
The envoy was received by Marathon Mayor Spyros Zagaris, who briefed him over the problems the area is facing now, including erosion of the remaining soil and the danger of floods.
During a visit to the Marathon Museum the two men also discussed the possibility of = cooperation in the field of sports and culture in view of a celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the historic battle of Marathon.

Ecumenical Patriarch urges prayer for action on climate change

ISTANBUL (ANA-MPA - A. Kourkoulas)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew inaugurated the ecclesiastical year on Tuesday with an environmental message, urging the faithful to "consider the past and repent for things we have done or failed to do for the care of the Earth".
Speaking at the church of Aghios Georgios in Fanar, the Patriarch also referred to the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December and called on the faithful to pray "so that the developed industrial countries will cooperate with the developing ones so as to reduce the harmful polluting emissions, so that there is the will to collect and wisely manage the money required in order to take necessary measures."
Bartholomew appealed to people to renew their commitment to working together in order to bring about the changes needed, calling on them to "reject all things that harm creation, change our way of thinking and, as a result, radically change our way of life".
The Patriarch echoed the same message in a videotaped address shown at a conference on renewable energy sources and the environment that was organised by the Gouvernetos Monastery in Hania, on the Greek island of Crete.
"Protection of the environment is the supreme responsibility of humanity," Bartholomew stated in his message to the conference, organised in collaboration with local authorities and taking place under the aegis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Cultural Festival in New York

NEW YORK (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)
A Greek American Cultural Festival will be held in New York, in the region of Queens, for a second year with the participation of composer Mimis Plessas.
The festival will be organised by Queens Theatre in the Park, in cooperation with the Greek General Consulate, the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation and expatriate agencies.
It will begin on Thursday, September 24, and come to an end on Sunday, September 27.
]]> Greece http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=16 Thu, 3 Sep 2009 16:24:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=12
Sunday evening, KGO Channel 7 in the bay area aired a segment Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Please click here to view the video --> http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=6979790

Please click here to view photos from the fire --> http://www.newsday.com/news/world/wildfires-cut-across-greece-1.1388561

For those of you that wish to make a donation to aid victims of this tragedy a fund has been established by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.

Please make out your check to "Athens Fire Relief" and send it to:

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco
245 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Donation information will be released to the media tomorrow and it will be included in follow up news reports.

Please Save This Date : Mezes restaurant in San Francisco will be holding a benefit for fire victims on Sunday, September 20th. Donations will go to the Athens Fire Relief fund established by the Metropolis. Please come and support this event as it benefits those in need.
]]> General http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=12 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:16:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=11 THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERFAITH COUNCIL

Cordially Invites You to a Convening

NAVIGATING THE UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS:
HELPING CONGREGATIONS
HELP THEIR MEMBERS

Tuesday, August 25,2009
8:30am - Noon

St. Dominic's Church, Sierra Room
(ample FREE Parking)
2390 Bush Street (at Steiner), San Francisco, CA
http://www.stdominics.org/parish/directions

Come learn how your congregation can be of service to your members as they cope with unemployment issues.

Hear from representatives of St. Dominic's Church, Grace Cathedral, Congregation Emanu-EL and Providence Baptist Church about their programs and how they might be adapted to your needs.

Space is limited.
Please Register On Line / No Fee:
http://sf-interfaith.org/register.html

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
]]> Events - Organizations http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=11 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:14:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=19 Greek Cypriot POWs' remains identified in mass grave in occupied village

The remains of five Greek Cypriot prisoners of war (POWs) missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus that were found in exhumations being carried out by the Investigation Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) at a mass grave in the Turkish-occupied village of Tziaos, have been identified through DNA testing.
The news drew reactions from Greek political parties on Sunday.
The five POWs, who were serving in the National Guard's 398th Infantry Battalion, were photographed by a Turkish journalist at the time they were taken prisoners and are photographed kneeling with their hands behind their heads, circled by Turkish soldiers.
The photograph, taken on August 1974, the day they were taken prisoner, has appeared many times in the Cypriot and international press. The Turkish photographer was arrested by the National Guard two days later, and the photographic material was found in his possession. The photographer afterwards published the photographs in the Turkish daily Milliyet.
Xenophon Kallis, assistant to the Greek Cypriot member of the CMP, said that the remains of 14 more persons were found in the same mass grave, but have not yet been identified.
The president of the Pan-Cyprian Committee of Relatives of Undeclared POWs and Missing Persons, Nikos Theodosiou, said that "now it has been proved that the Turks were executing prisoners of war".


Diving tourism: The mysterious allure of the deep

The mysterious allure of the deep and life in the depths of the sea have kindled the imagination of many, but only few have the ability to experience them. Underwater photography, however, has brought the wondrous world of the deep closer to the 'landlubbers'.
The Greek seas are rich in such photographic material, and underwater photography in Greece was permitted, through legislation, just a few years ago, according to the president of the Kavala-based Panhellenic Center for Underwater Photography Research and Technology, Ioannis Stamatiadis.
Taking advantage of the 2005 legislation allowing recreational diving throughout the country, with the exception of designated archaeological areas, the local government administrations in Northern Greece have launched a campaign to attract "diving tourists".
The local government of Kavala, northern Greece's second largest city and the principle seaport of eastern Macedonia, is organising the 1st International Underwater Photography Competition, with the top four entrants overall winning a week-long, all expenses paid diving holiday in the town of Limenaria on the nearby island of Thassos.
The competition is open to divers over the age of 18, who must submit three entries to the Center by August 26.
The photographs are separated into three categories: Man and the Sea, Microphotography, and Landscapes in the Sea.
The entries will be judged by a committee of experts, and the winning entries will be announced on September 8.
The winners will enjoy a series of diving events in various areas of the island for underwater photography, as well as excursions for photography on land.

Old factory in Trikala becomes local history and culture centre

The old “Kliafa” cold storage facilities built in Trikala in 1926 were converted into a History and Culture Centre following a decision by the company management in 1996.
The 1,500-sqm facilities, where the soda beverages plant, ice factory and cold storage buildings were housed for decades, were preserved with their distinct architectural characteristics and machinery.
The endeavor has taken up an educational character with a special programme focusing on local history implemented by the Kliafa History and Culture Centre. A total of 1,698 primary and secondary education schoolchildren attended the local history courses offered at the centre between Oct. 2008 and May 2009 which will continue its research and publishing programme with a book on the city’s economic life between 1881 and 1960.
The book will include information on the local tobacco trade, the private banks operating in the region and the old factories (State Tobacco Factory, Agathoklis Matsopoulos Mills, Tegopoulos Textiles, Stamatopoulos Electrical Co, etc).
]]> Consular News Bulletins http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=19 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:38:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=9
The Hellenic Business Network (HBN), based in Boston, with over 700 members, is the largest Hellenic business network in the United States (www.hbngroup.org). They have chapters in New York and Washington DC and now a chapter is being started in San Francisco.

HBN has wonderful programs that benefit the Greek community and students studying here in the United States. On the East Coast, they are an established organization with strong ties to Greek consular offices and Greek corporations. HBN welcomes Greek university students upon their arrival to the US and they also have established mentorship programs.

HBN promotes entrepreneurialship through the HBN Big Idea Competition. The Big Idea Competition allows members of the business community to submit their business ideas for consideration to venture capital firms so they can be judged. The winner receives a substantial cash award.

HBN takes networking seriously. HBN believes in helping its members succeed and they have a track record of success.

A San Francisco chapter is being established and it will effectively network the east coast and west coast Greek business communities. There is an old saying that’s very relevant in this case. In unity there is strength. In unity there is no limit to what can be accomplished. HBN – SF will be holding an open house on Saturday, October 17th to formally launch the group (details to be announced). It gives the community something to look forward to. ]]> General http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=9 Mon, 25 May 2009 16:09:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=8
Several weeks ago Mayor Gavin Newsom announced his intent to rename Third Street to Willie L. Brown Jr. Blvd. Our former mayor was honored by the gesture. There were many that were thinking of the costs to make that change in tough economic times. However the event prompted many members of the Greek community to think about our history and just how much Third Street meant to them.

The name of a street cannot be changed without approval of the Board of Supervisors. If you feel strongly that the name should not be changed, I encourage to get involved and make your voice known to the board of supervisors. Many members of our community have expressed a desire to attend the meeting when the Board of Supervisors considers the proposal. The meeting schedule is published online.

When the topic appears on the board’s agenda, it will be posted on this web site.
]]> General http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=8 Tue, 7 Apr 2009 16:07:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=7 On Saturday, March 14th, the Diotima Greek Language School held a pre-opening reception at their school and community center in Berkeley. There were over one hundred guests in attendance.

Diotima is the second private Greek language school to open in the bay area. The first was the Fanari Academy based in Sunnyvale. Private Greek language schools are slowly becoming established in the bay area. In my view it’s a welcomed change.

For those of us that are Greek American most of us have fond memories of experiences going to Greek school at our local parish, including myself. I have very vivid memories of my teachers as well as my mother tutoring me on my Greek lessons. However, times do change.

Personally, I am in favor of any organization or school with the passion or desire to promote Hellenism or the Greek language. Any group of individuals that feels so strongly to start an organization like that deserves some praise. Their passion and zeal for quality Greek language education stands out.

Private schools have the opportunity to market their services to segments of the population seeking Greek language education not typically serviced by Greek schools under the church. For instance:

• Greek parents with a desire to give their children more individualized attention in the classroom often choose private schools for Greek language education.
• Within the bay area there are Greeks with no church affiliation or affiliation to any Greek organization. They are not involved with the Greek community. Typically Greeks that fall into this category send their children to private schools.
• Private schools have more opportunities to collaborate with junior colleges and universities on their Greek education programs.
• There are also non-Greeks who have a desire to learn Greek and they may not be Greek Orthodox. They may feel uncomfortable being at a Greek Orthodox church and private schools can easily address their needs.
• Private schools have more opportunities to seek funding from a wider variety of sources as an independent organization.

Private schools do have a place in Greek language education. Even though the church would prefer that Greek language schools be under the church, there are many benefits to greater collaboration and working together. However, progress evidently comes in small steps. The church and the school boards for these private schools have made little progress in that regard but I have faith that they will eventually chart a course toward greater collaboration and mutual success.
]]> General http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=7 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:04:00 -0700 http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=6
For those of us that are Greek Americans most of us see a different Greece than those that live there. Our time is filled with visits with relatives, seeing the islands, and looking at tourist attractions. We spend anywhere from two weeks to one month in Greece and then go home. We are somewhat detached from day to day life in Greece. That fact has become very evident in my understanding of the challenges Greek youth face.

For the last three months I have had the pleasure of meeting students from Greece studying at best universities in the San Francisco area. Many of these students are studying for a Master’s Degree or for their Doctorate. They are so intelligent and full of ambition. I want them to succeed and when I look at them I see the next generation that will lead Greece. The difficult part is to make sure that these smart boys and girls come home again but what does Greece have to offer these students who have succeeded with their studies abroad?

I asked one student “What do you want to do after you finish your education?” I thought that they would return home, get a job, or start a business. The student answered “There are very few opportunities for me in Greece. I could start a business or become a government employee. Starting a business in Greece is too difficult and I do not want to be a beaurocrat. I am going to start a business in Bulgaria where the laws are better and I can still do business in the Mediterranean.”

I asked another student the same question. The student answered “The opportunities are better outside of Greece. I could go to a country in the European Union or the United States and get an excellent job. In Greece, I might have a good education and still be unemployed. Getting a good job is like winning the lottery.”

The unemployment rate among Greek youth is over 20%. There are a variety of reasons that caused this but the primary reason are government policies that haven’t worked. Many occupations are dominated by an elderly establishment which has made sure that long service is well rewarded and kept bright educated university graduates in their place.

The minimum monthly wage in Greece is 700 euro per month. It is very common for a university graduate with a masters degree or even two masters degrees to receive the minimum wage. On 700 euro per month you can barely survive in Athens. In Greek newsletters and blogs they have become known as the “700 Euro Generation”. This group has become more vocal in expressing their dissatisfaction with the current government.

On December 8, 2008, a student was killed by a police officer. Days of rioting followed and it was the worst civil unrest since the restoration of democracy in 1974. The shooting was a tragic event but not the sole cause of rioting. Tension had been building over failed economic policies, rising unemployment among Greek youth, and a perception of corruption in Greek state institutions.

If Greek society is to thrive, it will have to find ways of harnessing the talents of its young people—by investing more in the education system, by persuading those who have studied abroad to return to Greece, by finding decent jobs for them, and by curbing the special-interest groups that dominate many areas of Greek life and get in the way of bright young people.

Change is needed. Of course, as a Greek – American I would like to see these students go back to Greece to find their path in life. However, if they choose not to go back and stay in America there will be thousands of Greek Americans who are waiting to welcome this new wave of Greek immigrants with open arms.
]]> Greece http://sanfranciscogreeks.com/blog/index.php?itemid=6 Mon, 2 Mar 2009 16:02:00 -0800