Next Generation Greeks Hit 100!

The results are in and my response? BRAVO!

With your participation and feedback, our survey hit the ceiling goal of 100 respondents in one week, with nearly two/thirds of those responses coming in the first two days.

Even better? The initial preview of your feedback provided to community leaders has already prompted a discussion on re-evaluating how we organize and energize the Greek community.

The hard work is now on me as I analyze results and develop a report, but thank you for providing me the feedback to make that possible.

The results will be posted to the blog in the coming week.

EFXARISTO (to all of you and friends at DailyFrappe) kai BRAVO MAS!

The Great Big Olive-Thing in the Sky?

As you may have seen online, some talented folks are proposing that an interestingly shaped skyscraper be built in Western Athens (near the Agios Savvas metro station). While I do prefer the innovative shape to the traditional blocks of decades past, something about this proposed Athenian "multiskyscraper" disturbs me.

I guess the question is what kind of city does Athens or do we want Athens to be?

In the 60s, the minds that ruled (direct translation) deemed it right to build it into the cement jungle that many have tried to tame in recent years. Does adding a glass element to this cement build or learn from that experience?

I'd challenge our great architects to propose ideas that better capture the city's essence. I mean really, as much as I like olives, I am not sure that connecting it to some olive groves quite fits the bill.

Next Greek Generation Discussion on June 24th

A million thank you's to all of you who have rallied behind my upcoming presentation at the 1st annual Greek-American conference in NY by completing the survey online.

While you can continue to provide feedback, the initial survey results will be debuted tomorrow, Sunday, June 24th at the Stathakio Center (29th Street between Ditmars and 23rd Ave.) in Astoria, NY where the organization and communication for the next generation of Greeks will be discussed from 1-5 in the afternoon.

Hope to see you there!

Greeks - The Next Generation

Greetings friends! Well it has been a crazy week, but I am very excited to announce that I've been invited to speak at the upcoming 1st Annual Greek-American conference organized by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of New York. I will be speaking about the importance and best practices for engaging and uniting the younger generations of Greeks around the world.

Naturally, I think that the most important part of my presentation depends on you!

As part of my preparation, I want to include an opinion shaped by reality, which is why I'd greatly appreciate your input via a survey I've developed online.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE THIS GREEK-RELATED SURVEY.
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB226MEMHQN8H

Please note that your answers, although extremely valuable, will remain confidential. Of course - please make sure to link this on your blogs and pass it along via e-mail as I want to make sure to include as many opinions as possible.

Efxaristo PARA poly!

P.S. A great many thanks to my new friends at DailyFrappe, who graciously provided me with information for the presentation and offered to take this survey to great new heights! If I sound like a fan, it's because I am.

P.P.S Stay tuned for more information on conference times and an update on developments!

Doing the Dance of Joy!

I have to admit that I am doing the dance of joy under the olive tree this morning!



Why dance the steps made famous by Balky Bartakomos in the 80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" you might ask?

Well... the fair editors of Daily Frappe gave a nod to the good ole' olive tree this morning in acknowledging a shared story.

Efxaristoume paidia!

Scottish crime writer praises Athens

On June 11th, the Daily Telegraph featured Athens as a surprising and energetic city as cited by philhellene and Scottish crime writer Paul Johnston. In the article, Johnston, who first came to Greece in 1976 and now splits his time between Athens and Edinburgh, masterfully explains how Athens has modernized (and Westernized) since his first taste, but notes that it still retains its unique charm thanks to a handful characteristically Greek assets, including periptera, which can best be described as sidewalk newsstands filled to the brim with newspapers, crisps, candy, beverages, ice cream and local soccer memorabilia.

In addition to professing that a glass of fresh-squeezed OJ is a must, Johnston also:

- Praises the Athenian skies and warm weather

- Highlights Exarchia and Monastiraki as places to visit for the cafes, bars and tasty eats

- Applauds the city's metro, suburban railways, trams and buses as cheap and reliable

Well, thank goodness for philhellenes since all many of us Hellenes can do is just complain!

Before you dismiss Johnston as a tourist enamored with Greece, take note that he lived in the country for a while since 1988. In addition to splitting his time between Athens and Edinburgh, which he cites as the Athens of the North, he also put Greece on the crime novel map with his novels, A Deeper Shade of Blue and The Golden Silence. In fact, The Golden Silence is scheduled to be developed as a film by a Glyfada-based company that plans to shoot in Greece with English-speaking actors in 2009. Paul Johnston's newest book, The Death List, goes on sale on June 15, 2007 in the UK and on July 1, 2007 in the US.

And for you pessimists, I thought it might be worth mentioning that this glowing piece will be seen by millions of potential tourists as the Daily Telegraph is the UK's best selling quality (non-tabloid) newspaper and boasts a readership over two million.

Cute London-based Greek-Cypriot couple introduce world to "Big Fat Greek Kitchen"

I absolutely love this cute cooking couple who epitomize the loving relationships of many old Greek couples, which not surprisingly revolve around a lady-boss and great food!

Check out the funny instructional videos that walk you through the making of meatballs, dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves) and fahkes (lentils)!

In case you are wondering, their comedic kitchen is in London and the accent is Greek-Cypriot... making the sub-titles a great learning opportunity for those not 100% in the know.

Enjoy!