The crossroads of America (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, beyond)…
By Terry Poulos, Special to the Hellenic News of America
CRETAN GALA ROCKS As Greek music goes, your humble columnist is no haute critic. But I know this: the Cretan Association of Chicago – Amalthia 87th annual dinner dance was an adrenaline-infused powerhouse rock concert! The band was flown in from Crete and the Cretan Youth dance company provided high-energy kinetic art accompaniment. Close to 400 revelers attended. The venue was the Chateau Ritz in Niles, Illinois. Donations included a $10,000 single gift from Dimitri and Eleni Bousis in honor of their son Michael, owner of OFI Crete FC soccer club in Iraklio. The donation was directed toward the PAA Epilepsy foundation in Iraklio. An additional $5,000 was donated by Vasilia and Trifon Beladakis, and another $3,000 by Elena and John Manos. Dignitaries on hand were the Consulate General for Greece in Chicago, Emmanuel Koubarakis, and Niles Mayor George Alpogianis.
CELEBS RAISE THE BAR In November, the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois hosted its annual gala, raising $60,000 for scholarships for law school students. A parade of celebrities helped pack the venue. Among those honored, Cinespace Film Studios founder Alex Pissios as Hellene of the Year; Chicago Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios; Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias; and attorney Matina Romas Kolokotronis, longtime top executive with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Emcee was Lou Canellis, lead sports anchor at FOX32 Chicago; and working the red carpet was radio/TV personality Jane Monzures Claus. Actress/TV host and “Deal Or No Deal” model Patricia Kara was also on hand for festivities.
TRAILBLAZING PROS Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos in late November was named 1st Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County, second in command. Demacopoulos returns to the office where she was previously a division chief. She’s also a trustee of the National Hellenic Museum and co-chaired the museum mock trial in May. Among celebrity jurors at this year’s trial was newly-elected SA Eileen O’Neill Burke, the same woman who appointed Demacopoulos her new top aide. This is arguably precedent-setting nationwide, with two women at the top two positions for large jurisdictions.
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ROYAL GUEST LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Smartzis in November was a guest at Buckingham Palace in London and met King Charles as part of an international sustainability initiative. LanzaJet is a leader in alternative green energy technology for the aviation industry.
GRAND PAWS HOUSE PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) animal shelter, the premiere such facility in Illinois, is emBARKing on aggressive expansion. Founder Paula Faseas and executive director Susanna Stergianis Wickham tentatively secured an agreement to open a satellite location in Hawthorn Woods, taking over an existing facility in what would be a massive expansion of PAWS’ ability to house and care for homeless animals.
SERAFIN HOLIDAY PARTY It was a who’s who of Chicago media and politicos at the annual holiday party hosted by Chicago PR and marketing guru Tom Serafin, founder of Serafin & Associates. Greek Americans were well represented. Our correspondent, Greek Media Club co-founder George Bliss, reports that among glitterati were newly-elected Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos, former schools CEO and mayoral and governor candidate Paul Vallas, Chicago Alderman Bill Conway (part Greek), Evanston Township Committeeman and Greektown community leader Dean Maragos, FOX32 sportscaster Lou Canellis, NBC5 reporter Alex Maragos, and Politico columnist Shia Kapos.
NAME HOPPING Peter Cotsirilos of KW Commercial is the 2024 NICAR Realtor of the year winner and National Association of Realtors national commercial real estate award winner in Illinois…Actress/TV host Patricia Kara held a book signing at Plateia restaurant in Des Plaines, IL and among guests were her hubby, former NFL player Noel LaMontaign, and Chicago Bears lineman Ryan Bates. Co-presenters were Windy City Greek, EuroCircle Chicago, and Greek Media Club..Friends are mourning the recent unexpected passing of Xrysoula Timo who entertained thousands for decades singing at weddings, baptisms, dinner dances, Greek nights and more. Memory eternal.
Terry Poulos is a writer, entrepreneur (TheSportsIndex.com), and geometer-artist (Scientiquity.com) who has also covered Greek America for decades for various outlets. He’s co-founder of Chicago’s Greek Media Club and a member of the AHEPA Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee
