WHAT: Resumption of the Greek Media Club 2008 “Summer of Agape“ tour !!! (scroll down for August newsletter)
WHO: Creative, communicative contemporaries enjoying stimulating conversation and intellectually challenging discourse (and the occasional mindless humor).
WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, August 14 from 7 to 11 pm (some of us will be eating dinner there prior to 7), at Carmichael’s Chicago Steakhouse, 1052 West Monroe Street (at intersection of Morgan, four short blocks west of Greektown). Valet and street parking available. Restaurant phone (312) 433-0025. Visit www.charmichaelsteakhouse.com.
PARTICULARS: Luxurious outdoor patio bar/cabana atmosphere. Cash bar. Maybe we can once again goad Carmichaels expert chef Dean Eliacosta into preparing for us some of his famous, exotic, tasty appetizer morsels. Those who attended our last function at Carmichaels know full well of what we speak. Bring a colleague. Bring a friend or cousin. Bring your A-game. Just be sure to bring a smile and a laugh !!!
WHY: It's self-evident but for posterity’s sake…(1) Parties are fun. (2) Casual (subtle) networking is best practiced. (3) Terry promises to shower this time. (4) Warm breezes equal warm embraces !!!
Yours in Hellenism and the media arts, we are - respectfully...
Your GMC directors…
George Bliss (312) 217-0510 Terry Poulos (708) 975-0571 Spiro Papadopoulos Nick Mantis Kyriakos Mellos -------------------------------------------------------------------
NOT GETTING INVITES? Many emails bounce back, which might be why some don't recieve our invites. Many are work emails that go through spam filters. We’re trying to limit the quantity of addresses per email to avoid the dreaded auto-gatekeeper. Meantime, spread the word to our `cousins’ about the events. Tell them to keep checking www.greekmediaclub.com. We post event info on the home page. Current personal emails help too.
LAST EVENT AND NEXT: Great showing July 3. It was Independence Day weekend, with fireworks galore and many were simply out of town. So we were elated to greet 70 or more on the Pegasus rooftop in Greektown. Opaa! Save Thursday, September 18 for the next go-round, a comp affair to reward our hardcore media regulars that we promise will be an enchanting affair. For a clue visit www.resolutiondigitalstudios.com.
#9 LANDS COVETED DAYTIME TV ROLE: Could we have the next Vanna White among us? With the success of NBC’s “Deal or No Deal,“ combined with the all-around talent of the show's Patricia Kara, our cross-country GMC `cousin’ who's a Chicago native, this gal might even best Vanna's long and successful career. Patricia has been holding the #9 briefcase model slot on NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” going on three years. Now comes word she officially landed one of two coveted model positions for the new daytime version of the hit network game-show, hosted by Howie Mandel. Patricia, who bested more than 20 of the show's models for the daytime role, is also a film actress, commercial spokesperson, and former international model. Her sister is Morton Grove, IL resident and expert hair stylist Joanna Karamouzis, a loyal GMCer. Visit www.patriciakara.com.
FAMOUS AUTHOR VISITING: Uber-famous author and NPR essayist David Sedaris, who is part Greek and works that angle into many of his humorist essays, appears at Elgin Community College, IL Oct. 8 for a live reading at 7:30 pm. Tickets available www.elgin.edu/arts. Some of us have seen David live and he’s hilarious reading his material aloud. His sister is Amy Sedaris, actress/author and domesticity-entertaining humorist.
MORE CHI-TOWN BAT FANDOM: The new Batman flick “The Dark Knight” is setting the box office on fire with record receipts, and Chicago is the featured Gotham. With interest in all-things-Bat and Chicago (think 2016 Summer Olympics and that Obama guy) at an all-time high, Chicagoan and GMC regular Jerry Vasilatos took the initiative to create his very own Dark Knight fan film (see www.darkknightproject.com). Jerry is a veteran documentary filmmaker/director whose projects include the History Channel, among others. He exec produced this project and our Zoe Triantafillou was co-producer. We had the chance to view Jerry’s 12-minute fan film and can tell you it’s very professional and that you will also be surprised at how a low-budget project could pull off such special effects. We also recommend a trip to Jerry's website www.nitestar.com. He‘s trying to get the Bat film screened at independent festivals. The film short, billed as a `bridge’ between the last Bat sequel and current one, was previewed July 12 at Chicago’s Portage Theater as part of the “Best of Chicago 48-hour Film Project Screening”…As a reminder, there is yet another Chicago connection to The Dark Knight that's breaking box office records. Native Chicagoan Adam Kalesperis, cousin to our own Kathy Smith of the Hellenic Museum in Chicago, has a speaking role in the film. You can get more on Adam at www.myspace.com/adamkalesperis.
RADIO/TV TO “INSURE MY DEDUCTIBLE”: Our GMC “cousin” John Papas , a veteran radio/TV guy, is now marketing a promising new venture that involves insuring automobile deductibles. John was GM at WRKO-Boston before returning to his native Chicago at the former WFYR oldies station. He was also general sales manager at WHDH-Boston and KNST-Tucson, and ultimately worked in ad sales at CNN-Chicago (at the personal behest of Ted Turner himself). That job led to stints with MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, and Nick-at-Nite. He was also involved in ad research for Media Central, various computer ventures, and he created a retail `hot-link’ for Peapod, the online grocery shopper. John had an “itching” for a new challenge so this May he began with the internet venture Insure My Deductible (IMD), a creative niche service that saves money on premiums. John is in the process of arranging a Greek Media Club promotional code. Visit www.insuremydeductible.com.
FASHION MAG LAUNCH: Recent GMC `recruit’ Angeliki Garris, at the tender age of 24, launched her own fashion magazine in 2008, called MODA Fashion Gazette. The U. of Illinois grad has always been a fashionista and while in college she began writing an email newsletter that quickly caught on among clothes-conscious students. When she graduated, Angeliki turned the newsletter into a full-fledged magazine. She's the president and Editor-in-Chief. The mag launched in Chicago with more than 5000 subscribers, and is also available in four other markets and growing! Check out www.modafg.com. We’ll have more on her in future profiles both here and in print.
`GREEN’ PROF IN CRAINS: He’s not green with envy, he’s green with cleanliness. GMCer George Nassos, a professor at the IIT School of Business who’s in charge of the environmental masters program, and a regular columnist for the Greek Press in Chicago www.greekpressonline.com, was recently profiled by Crains Chicago Communications about the exponentially-growing “green movement.” He was quoted saying “I have more internships and job opportunities than I have students to fill them.” View the Crains article at www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?id=30211.
NEW DIGS FOR HELLENIC HEARTBEAT TV: Chicagoland’s longest-running Greek TV program, Hellenic Heartbeat, underwent a programming change at their carrier, Channel 48 over-the-air. The program still broadcasts every weekday 4:30 to 5 pm and Sundays 2:30 to 6 pm, but now can be found on digital channel 26.6 FBT. It’s accessible on digital and analog with converter box. The show is also aired on Comcast cable channel 248 and RCN cable channels 175 and 35. The station’s longtime face, and heady business mind, is veteran TV personality Vicki Kornetas. For more, visit www.hellenicheartbeat.com.
ATTENTION FILMMAKERS: Are you an aspiring filmmaker with an awesome concept, yet have little funding to bring your idea to fruition? A great new upstart venture may be just what you’ve been waiting for. AOL internet pioneer Ted Leonsis, who recently turned to filmmaking to produce “Rape of Nanking,” a critically-acclaimed `docu-drama’ on the 20th century Japanese exploitation of China, was permanently bitten by the film bug and he wants to help talented artists realize their dreams. He’s using his tech prowess to create an online video market that sets up site-to-stream documentary feature films, called SnagFilms. As reported in www.thehellenicvoice.com, Leonsis’ venture is “adopting a YouTube-esque route and allowing users to embed films on their own web pages or Facebook and Myspace pages. Snagfilms has about 200 documentaries, such as `Super Size Me’ and `State of the Union’ and films from reputed outlets Arts Alliance America, PBS and Seventh Art Releasing, available to stream for free.” Only professionally-produced videos can be submitted and accepted. The Hellenic Voice reports that “The company promises filmmakers 50-percent of ad revenue generated from 90 seconds of advertising threaded into each hour of film…The advertising is sold through AOL, which will have rights to use SnagFilms content on AOL sites.” The site urges users to become “Filmanthropists,” and “will also allow viewers to support the causes promoted by featured documentaries by linking them to participating nonprofits,” writes The Hellenic Voice. Check out www.snagfilms.com
LOVE AND THE GMC: The GMC love boat soon will be making another run. Greek Circle magazine publisher Alexa Ganakas and her fiancee Chris Ganas, a GC mag exec, are set for wedded bliss (and we don’t mean George) this November 22 in Wisconsin. Visit www.greekcircle.com for the first scoop, we presume. Another wedding is in the offing when our fellow GMC director Spiro Papadopoulos jets to Greece this August for his honeymoon with his new bride. While these two couples met independently of our little social-networking club, we are boastful, nonetheless, that the GMC, now four and one-half years old, was directly responsible for at least one wedding, which took place nearly three years ago between Documentum’s Greg Alexopoulos (a former sports radio host) and real estate exec KimberlyKozlowski. The couple‘s four eyes first met at one of our functions and it‘s been `lights, cameras, action‘ ever since. The coo-some twosome await their first child, expected soon!!! The very first baby GMCer. A future news anchor, we’d like to think. Or at least the town crier, for now (that’s a baby joke, folk). . Misc. happenings: Stage actress Helen Manassas is in the new Macbeth play that runs August 1-24 at www.candidtheater.com …Harpo Studios staffer and GMC regular Andrea Dres emailed from Florence, Italy, where she vacationed this July, and was also set to travel to Rome on her way to Venice, Athens, Mykonos, and Rhodes…Found another Greek media link www.athina984.gr, radio in Greece…In July, filling in as news anchor on WXRT 93.1-AM was GMC co-founder Anna Davlantes, an anchor/reporter at NBC5 Chicago…At the National Association of Women Business Owners (www.nawbochicago.com) local chapter annual banquet July 10, reporter Kim Vatis of NBC5 wowed a crowd of more than 100 with a glib and insightful speech on ways of getting your business noticed in a down market…Another funny zinger from our resident comedian Skip Griparis. The man who brought us “If I can only make ONE person laugh, I’ve had a really crappy show” now informs us “If I can make just ONE person cry, I hope it’s not me.” Check out this hilarious Zanies headliner at www.skipgriparis.com …If you haven’t been reading Maria Karamitsos in The Greek Star newspaper in Chicago, you’ve been missing a whole lot of gems about `hidden’ Greeks you’d never know about due to their `Americanized‘ names. Of recent: Many actors/actresses and other celebs, including a former Oscar Meyer wiener boy. Check out www.thegreekstar.com.
SEND US STUFF!!! ANYTHING REMOTELY RELATED TO MEDIA OR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT. DOESN‘T HAVE TO BE FROM CHICAGO. WE APPRECIATE ITEMS FROM OUR NON-GREEK “PHIL-HELLENE“ COUSINS TOO!!! WE STRIVE TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PUSHER OF ALL THINGS GMC AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE US…
THURSDAY, JULY 3 on the rooftop of Pegasus restaurant
GREEK MEDIA CLUBSummer `Independence From Outer Layers of Clothing’ partyTHIS THURSDAY, JULY 3 on the rooftop of Pegasus restaurant in Greektown (on Halsted Street at intersection of Monroe) from 7 pm until 11 pm or even later. Cash bar, attire light. We’ll be in the area by the rooftop bar that is cordoned off from the general seating area. Visit www.pegasuschicago.com.
Scroll down for July newsletter. Hope to see all our `cousins' this Thursday!!!
GMC Directors: George Bliss (312) 217-0510 Terry Poulos (708) 975-0571 Spiro Papadopoulos Nick Mantis Kyriakos Mellos
Vatis addresses women biz owners July 10: The local chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners is hosting a dinner and speech Thursday, July 10 at Chicago’s East Bank Club. Keynote speakers are our own Kim Vatis, NBC5 Chicago news anchor/reporter, along with Harris Bank NA EVP Emilia DiMenco. The two speeches are part of NAWBO’s “Diversity Equals Dollars Event: Thriving in a Down Market.” Kim will talk about how to effectively pitch media to gain attention for your business, and DiMenco will give advice on how to make your business strong in the current economy. $45 for members, $60 for non-members. Get info on registration at www.nawbochicago.org.
Vale live at the York July 18: What happens when noted Chicago radio personality Kiki Vale, a GMC original, hooks up with the superstars of Classic Cinemas and Oscar winner Meryl Streep? The remote of the century! Yes….The Kiki Vale Show is going on the road July 18 to The York Theatre in Elmhurst to celebrate the Chicago premiere of the long-anticipated hit film “Mama Mia.“ Come and enjoy this live summer broadcast (WJJG 1530-AM), which includes a meet and greet. All attendees receive the official, authentic Mama Mia movie poster and the opportunity to win additional prizes! The first 20 entrants get free entry to the York to see Mama Mia courtesy of Classic Cinemas. Show airs live 10:30 am to Noon for a morning of movies, music, magic and Mama Mia! The station call-in number is (708) 493-1530. Kiki has been on the air for 18 years, 11 in the Chicago market and seven years prior to that in Kansas City. She’s anchored live news reports, including by chopper, for such stations as WBBM AM-780, WGN AM-720, WMAQ AM-670, Windy 100, The Mix, The Score and many more. Some of her past interviews include such major stars as Tom Hanks, Steve Allen, Faye Dunaway, Olympian Carl Lewis, and Mickey Rooney, among others. Visit www.kikivale.com for more. Aside: The Greek island of Kopelos is featured prominently in the Mama Mia film, and Hanks and his Greek American wife Rita Wilson are both partners in the production.
Griparis headlines upcoming shows: Our own SkipGriparis - a comedian, musician, performing artist, and `nostalgian' extraordinaire - is featured in three upcoming standup shows. On July 10 it’s his signiture comedy/music act at Zanies Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles (630) 513-1761. On August 8 it’s “The Nine Lives of Skip Grip” at the Skokie Theatre (847) 677-7761. On August 16, “Nine Lives” again at the LaGrange Theater (708) 579-2173. Nine Lives is a “hilarious standup comedy, an original jazz score of 10 fun songs and an amazing life story," writes Skip, who has scores of credits in film and stand-up. Skip's many journeys have taken him from being touring guitarist for Olivia Newton John, headlining major comedy clubs, landing key parts in the two hit "Major League" films (starring Charlie Sheen, Renee Russo, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes), to many other intriguing endeavors. His latest incarnation is "An extraordinary tale of perseverance and reinvention in the arts and love," said Skip, who promises to share with his audience "unlikely romances, show-biz anecdotes, exhilarating triumphs and crushing setbacks with integrity, heart and humor!” Check out this unique, renaissance showman at www.skipgriparis.com
Friend of GMC makes Summer Olympics!!! Riverwoods, IL native Christina Loukas, sister of GMCer Stacey Loukas and cousin to our own Dino and Alexandra Loukas, is off to China to represent the USA at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics!!! On June 21 at the USOC diving finals in Indianapolis, Christina was decidedly the finest 3-meter female diver in the entire nation. In early July, the Indiana University All-American attempts to qualify for a second event, 3-meter synchronized. At the World Cup (also in Beijing) in 2007, she finished 4th in individual 3-meter. Considering she's yet to unveil in competition her highest degree of difficulty dives, combined with the fact she's already been acclimated to the pressure of international competition (and at the same Beijing facilities to boot), this gal could very well bring home gold!!! Stacy is the daughter of George and Patti Loukas.
AOL’s Leonsis helps raise $100,000: AOL internet mogul-turned-film producer Ted Leonsis was the featured guest in late May at the annual fundraiser for the charitable organization Alpha-Omega in Boston. The event is chaired by businessman Drake Behrakis and The Hellenic Voice Editor in Chief John Baglaneas, both of whom are cross-country ‘cousins’ of the GMC. Leonsis was one of the three main principles in the rise of AOL to the nation’s premiere ISP and online content provider. He’s now AOL Vice Chairman-Emeritus and has taken to producing movies of late, including the acclaimed “Rape of Nanking.” Veteran network radio/TV reporter John Metaxas served as emcee for the event. Visit www.thehellenicvoice.com for a full account. . The “Art of Joe’ in Sun-Times, on WGN-TV: Chicago’s favorite Greek schizophrenic was in the news of late. We GMCers know him as Art Andros, master building design man for the City of Chicago, but by cloak of night Art mysteriously morphs into his comedic alter-ego Joe Matsokapetros, an exaggerated, hilarious Greek caricature. Art and his son Nick were pictured in the Chicago Sun-Times on Father’s Day for a father/son pictorial. `Joe,’ who’s a frequent contributor to the WGN morning news, was recently seen on-air alongside the “anchor idol” winner (check out the WGN photo on our website). `Joe’s’ weekly radio show, “My Big Fat Greek Radio Show,“ can be heard Friday and Saturday 7-9 pm at www.freewebs.com/twinbayradio. Scroll down to the green text and click on Joe. You can call in at (773) 831-4656 or (773) 831-GOJO.
`Chicago Greek Hours’ now on Net: Our own Paula and Sotiris Rekoumis have a new website, www.thechicagogreekhours.com, for their radio show, which has been airing for upwards of two decades. The show airs Monday through Friday 6-11 am on WEEF 1430-AM. They also now stream on the Internet and that day’s shows can be accessed all day on the website. The show offers music, local news, community news, and daily live reports from Greece with correspondent Giorgos Sklavounis. The Rekoumis duo also publishes Omogenia newspaper , a Greek language newspaper in Chicago.
`Arcadia’ author back in Greece for round 2: The GMC’s Nikos Kokonis, author of the acclaimed novel “Arcadia, My Arcadia,” is back in Arcadia, Greece this Summer working on a sequel to the first tome. Visit www.myarcadiabook.com for more info.
`Our guys’ profiled in Greece mag: Two of our GMC directors, Spiro Papadopoulos and Kyriakos Mellos, also founders of the global Greek online community www.dailyfrappe.com, which serves up a daily dose of news and events from Greece and the diaspora. DF was profiled in the July edition of Maison & Decoration, one of Greece’s leading home and decoration magazines. MD is also a weekly insert in the Sunday edition of the major Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini. The DF mention was in a blog by MD mag writer Kostas Voyatzis, AKA Yatzer to his online audience. Check him out at www.kostasvoyatzis.wordpress.com.
Alpogianis lands movie role: One of the main principles in the ownership of the famous Kappy’s restaurant in Morton Grove, George Alpogianis, landed a part in the recent filming of the movie “Public Enemies,” due in theaters Summer 2009. The local Bugle newspaper ran a story on George. Check out www.buglenewspapers.com
Free resources for media: We were recently apprised of www.redroom.com, “the online home for many of the world's greatest writers,” according to a press release. Red Room is billed as “a great way for you to help promote your own career and connect with other journalists and literary professionals.” It’s claimed there are “more than 7,000 writers who have already joined” since its January, 2008 launch. You can also email and they’ll follow up later so you can set up your free online home. For press inquiries, contact or (415) 342-3435. We also recommend www.mediabistro.com, which is another community of writers which holds monthly gatherings in all the major markets for not only writers, but journalists in general.
Email glitch finally solved: More than a few of you accidentally received some confidential emails. Please note we did indeed finally solve this problem once and for all. The solution is to insert one's own email as the only addressee for “mail waiting to be sent” (MWTBS). We have discovered, to our chagrin, that ISP’s (AOL, in this case) on occasion will auto-send entire MWTBS lists - without actual commands to do so. We do appreciate your discretion and professionalism in disregarding the contents (emails enclosed) and not re-deploying them for spam purposes. These emails are private and never intended for mass distribution (other than for our GMC purposes), unless of course you already have a relationship with said person and they are okay with you sending them unsolicited messages. Again, we’re deeply apologetic for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Please re-send us info: As you’re fully aware, we’ve had quite a learning experience with email of late. Part of that is we lost some info you sent us. Please re-send and we’ll get your event or news in our next newsletter, which should be sent in August.
Shed 'em and shred 'em! Layers of clothing, that is. Join us for the GREEK MEDIA CLUB SUMMER INDEPENDENCE KICKOFF!!! THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2008 on the rooftop of Pegasus Restaurant in Chicago’s historic Greektown (on Halsted Street at Monroe intersection, www.pegasuschicago.com) June, 2008 newsletter below. Send us info and links. Hope to see you July 3!!!
GMC DIRECTORS George Bliss (312) 217-0510 Terry Poulos (708) 975-0571 Spiro Papadopoulos Nick Mantis Kyriakos Mellos
Join us this Thursday for `Child’s Play‘: Our own Anna Davlantes of NBC5 Chicago will be the emcee this Thursday, June 12 for the annual fundraiser benefiting Child’s Play Touring Theatre www.cptt.org. Discount rate if you mention you're a GMC referral. Very affordable. Cocktail hour begins 5:30 pm. “Wicked” stage actress Barbara Robertson will also attend. CPTT is run by GMC regular June Panagakis Podagrossi. The event is being held at the law offices of Holland & Knight (www.hklaw.com, located at 131 S. Dearborn St., 30th floor, Chicago). Magnificent views, cocktails, appetizers, silent auction and live auction of Oprah tickets, sampling of CPTT performance. This is one unique and profound theatre group that converts scripts drafted by elementary-age children into fun and educational plays performed by professional actors. Audience interactive participation too. Don’t be dissuaded, adults. Think “Toys” and “Happy Feet” meet Broadway. Very witty and humorous. Elias Matsakis, the host this evening, is executive partner of Holland & Knight. Reservation required. Email or Alison Linwood () or phone (773) 235-8911.
Greek film on WTTW-11 this Wednesday: The acclaimed documentary “The Journey: Greek American Dream,” about immigration to the U.S., is scheduled to be aired Wednesday, June 11 on WTTW Channel 11 Chicago from 8-10 pm. The film, which unveils previously un-aired and exclusive footage, touches on Chicago’s vibrant Greek American community as well as that of Greeks around the country. Visit www.thejourneygreekamericandream.org.
Canellis joins Bears Network on FOX32: It’s official. CLTV and ABC7 host/reporter Lou Canellis signed on with FOX32 to be the Chicago Bears’ new post-game host during the upcoming NFL season on the Chicago Bears Network. Word is Lou will be contributing in a variety of ways for the Bears/FOX/Comcast co-venture in this latest chapter of his long and successful career in broadcasting. Lou, who has also been a New Year’s Eve correspondent for ABC7 in addition to his role on “190 North,“ can also be heard manning the mic for NCAA basketball contests on ESPN as an expert play-by-play voice. Lou will host the team’s five scheduled television shows. The CBN produces television, radio and online programming year-round to give fans an inside perspective of their favorite team. The Bears recently finalized a multiyear partnership with Fox Chicago (WFLD-TV) which will air “GameDay Live” and “GameNight Live” on Sundays (10:30 am and 10:35 pm respectively) throughout the regular season, according to Bears press release. The team is also closing on an extension with Comcast SportsNet to continue airing “Bears Recap” on Mondays (5:00 pm) and “Bears Blitz” on Wednesdays and Thursdays (4:30 pm) throughout the year. Canellis will be joined weekly on “GameDay Live” and “GameNight Live” by WBBM Radio’s Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer. Former Bear Dan Jiggetts will sit alongside Canellis for the three scheduled Comcast SportsNet programs. Lou's resume includes working for ESPN, WBBM-TV, CLTV, the NBA Radio Network, anchoring the Olympics, and covering Super Bowls XXII and XXIV.
Tribune garners Pulitzer recognition: We here at the GMC are proud to announce that two local Greek Americans were recently recognized in the annual Pulitzer Prize competition, an award which represents the pinnacle of achievement in the field of print journalism. Chicago Tribune general assignment reporter Ted Gregory and five of his colleagues won the top prize for their investigative reporting on the “Hidden Hazards” series, which uncovered numerous household items still being sold that are environmentally dangerous products. Gregory’s input came in the area of lead-tainted children’s toys and an examination of shortcomings at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. George Papajohn, yet another Greek American, served as editor for the “Hidden Hazards” investigation. Tribune page 2 columnist John Kass, a noted authority on Illinois politics, was one of only three finalists nationwide for the top honor in the category of column writing…Hugh Dellios, who spent many years for the Tribune as their chief Mexico correspondent, is back in Chicago serving as deputy editor for foreign/national staff.
Gallanis takes over Niles-based mags: Crystal Lake, IL resident Peter Gallanis recently assumed the titles of editor in chief of two Preston Publications, Marina Dock Age magazine and Boat & Motor Dealer magazine. He was hired to revamp the editorial departments from ground-up and brought the publications up-to-schedule within 34 days. Under the banner of his Freelance Writing Solutions firm, he’s also a consultant to the Chicago Tribune, among others, and has extensive corporate and in-house editorial experience. Check out www.Geocities.com/peter_gallanis.
More media: GMC "cousin" Linda Mitry is back on the air with Jake Harford on WCPT radio, 820-AM from 6-10 am Saturdays. Mitry was Hartford’s longtime sidekick reporter at WLS-AM…Maria Kantzavalos is a staff reporter for Chicago Lawyer magazine…We recently met Frosene Phillips, publisher of The Hellenic Journal in San Francisco. Frosene covers the entire West coast and some. Visit www.hellenicjournal.com ...Another "cousin," Firestar Communications’ media director Marina Lambropoulos, recently appeared at a social event attended by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and forwarded a photo for our perusal. Visit www.Firestarcom.com… Ivanka was also the special guest at a Trump Tower preview of the new magazine Michigan Avenue. Chicago Sun-Times columnist/writer Susanna Homan is editor in chief of the swanky startup, and she also contributes to “24/7 Chicago,” a celeb magazine show airing midnight Saturdays on NBC5 Chicago…We were joined at our last two events by Chrysalo Apostolidou, one of the principles in the new Chicago social networking group www.portokalada.com …LA "cousin" Alethea Avramis, daughter of Fr. Tom Avramis, was recently accepted into the prestigious UCLA film school. She’s already half-way through her first film “The Last Widow” (www.thelastwidow.com)... The GMC's Terry Poulos, a writer and cable show host, in mid-May was a guest panelist on CLTV's "Sportspage" with host Lou Canellis...Another recent 'round the country path crossing was with Arthur Dimopoulos, publisher of Odyssey magazine in New York. Visit www.odyssey.gr.
Sponsors note LA film fest exposure: The annual LA Greek Film Festival is getting really big. In recent years, they've attracted a host of celebrity actors and producers, and the judging panel is comprised of some of the most influential TV/film execs in Hollywood. This year's event is June 25-29. Daphne Valentina is a first-time filmmaker who's entry was accepted in the festival. Daphne is also the festival's official In-Kind Gift Sponsor Associate and would appreciate greatly any corporate contribution. Email and we recommend a visit to www.LAGreekFilmFestival.org as well. It's a fun site.
One classical guy: We heard from Andy Karzas in recent weeks. Andy's been with WFMT radio, Chicago’s foremost classical music station, for 32 years!!! He currently hosts “From the Recording Horn,” a program that includes music of course but also discussion of historic opera recordings. He’ll soon be on XM satellite as well. Karzas tells us his father and brother both helped build and operate the old Trianon and Aragon ballrooms, longtime legendary Chicago institutions. Andy was also a longtime sales manager at WFMT, and continues part time in radio on-air as a host.
Gobos reps Spotsfilms: Our own Valerie Gobos, a Chicago-based filmmaker and marketing agent, signed on with Spots Films of Atlanta, GA, effective May 1, to be their exclusive marketing agent and sales rep. She’ll also rep the firm’s founder, Peter Siaggas, a director who helms various projects including a groundbreaking VH1 hybrid script/improv show about hilarious behind the scenes action at a rock/talk radio station. Peter is yet another GMC "cousin." Valerie also recently signed with Losito Films in Italy and Spike Jonz’s brother Sam Speilgel’s music production and sound design company called “Squeak E Clean.” Visit www.spotsfilms.com.
More Atlanta: Make sure to check out www.eDave.com and view some of Jane Monzures’ signature field interviews on video. Jane is the radio sidekick to one of Atlanta's top morning rock/talk hosts, Zakk Tyler, on DAVE 929-FM Atlanta. Janie's an original GMC "cousin." Until late last year, her and Zakk were on the Loop WLUP drive-time in Chicago. Visit www.janemonzures.com too. A new addition to our our Atlanta-GMC contingent, video guru Mike Andriola, is building a new office/studio in Atlanta with partner Todd Elmore, a music manager who’s also a consultant and marketing agent. Check out the duo’s webcam at http://www.skouroindustries.com for work in progress. And visit www.graffects.com.
Our last function: It was great turnout May 8 at the Renaissance Hotel, site of our last event. We estimate attendance (tabulated on ancient caculators invented by Archemides himself) of 80 or more. We were pleased to welcome star Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass, who stopped by after addressing the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois on the subject of Illinois politics. Also joining us for the first time was Ms. America 2003 Erika Harold of Champaign, Illinois. Erika, who recently earned her law degree from Harvard, is now an attorney in Chicago. Former CBS2 reporter John Davis, a noted Phil-Hellene, was also on hand. Other first-timer media folk enjoying the scene were Wednesday Journal newspaper group managing editor Helen Karakoudas, Crain’s Chicago Business health care industry reporter Mike Colias, and writer Dana Demas.
Demas penning books, mag articles: Speaking of Dana Demas, she’s currently co-writing three books with leading experts, and working on a new project with relationship expert Ian Kerner. Dana also writes health, wellness and sustainability features for such publications as www.LifeScript.com, Redbook and Conscious Choice magazines.
Tribune profiles Hellenic Museum offering: The national Hellenic Museum & Cultural Center in Chicago on May 2 had their “Sacred Art” exhibition profiled on the Chicago Tribune's Religion page in the Metro section. Check it out http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-relig_greek-icon_02may02,0,1913564.story. And visit www.Hellenicmuseum.org… Hellenic Museum official Kathy Smith reports to us that her cousin, Adam Kalesperis, played a murder victim on the May 6 episode of “Women’s Murder Club,” starring Angie Harmon (she’s part Greek too, fellas). Kalesperis also has a role in the July release of the latest Batman flick.
Furla produces second Stallone film: Chicago-area native George Furla, who previously collaborated as director with Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone on Rambo IV, recently appeared with Stallone at the screening of the last in the “Rocky” action films, another Furla-produced movie. Again, our thanks to Teddi Galanis for bringing this to our attention. More later, when we get a chance to catch up with George.
Greece cultural appointment: Public affairs expert Renee Pappas, a friend of the GMC, was recently appointed as an advisor to Greece Deputy Minister Theodoros Kassimis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Kassimis' area of responsibility is the Greeks of the Diaspora. Renee is now a liaison between the Ministry and Greeks living abroad. The Ministry has a close relationship with many Diaspora organizations throughout the world and it will be Renee’s job to be in contact with these organizations on a regular basis. In addition, a number of new groups and associations have been created especially in the areas of sports and culture, and the Ministry would like to be in contact with these new entities. Email Renee at . Athens, Greece +302103682560.
Health care opportunities: Health care PR exec John Chatas leads a division at MedPoint in Evanston that is currently seeking to fill a number of positions, most notably of the project manager/account director variety. Opportunities in multi-media and within the pharma-healthcare industries. MedPoint is billed as the global leader in diversified communications services for leading pharma and bio-tech companies. There are three core capabilities - Strategic content, digital media, and logistics. The company has been in existence for 18 years. Visit www.medpt.com.
Artist’s works on display: The beautiful renderings of 80-year old artist Thomas Kapsalis were profiled recently in the Chicago daily newspapers and were displayed at the Art Institute and other prominent galleries. Log on to www.artic.edu/saic/bettyrymer and click on current exhibits. Kapsalis is a longtime art teacher as well. And a very happy 50th wedding anniversary to Tom and Stella, who recently celebrated that milestone too.
Skip gets Grip on Zanies: Comedian/performance artist and GMC regular Skip Griparis headlined Zanies comedy club at Pheasant Run Resort through May 24. Prior to that he attended the Indy 500. You’ll recall Skip from his days as Olivia Newton John‘s tour guitarist, as well as for his role as Bob Euker’s TV booth sidekick in the two “Major League“ hit films starring Charlie Sheen, Renee Russo, Tom Berenger, Wesley Snipes, et al. Check out www.skipgriparis.com.
Chicago Legends of the Stars: After our July 3 bash, head on out to see our own John Truncali, the singing Italian-Greek-American, for a preview of his expert Tom Jones impersonation at the 32nd annual Hennepin 4th of July Celebration. "Elvis" is also expected to perform live! Various expert celeb vocal impersonators will sing. Sounds like cool stuff!!! Visit www.johntruncali.com and www.bestinentertainment.net.
Negro League website: GMC regular Gary Crawford (Destounis), a pro sports statistician/spotter, marketing consultant, and former radio producer in Canada, has been helping coordinate various appearances by former Negro League baseball players who live in the Chicago area. In mid-May, he helped organize what was billed as the mid-West's largest gathering of such autograph signers in a good many years. Crawford also started the website www.Negroleaguelegends.com, with portions of sales going to former players.
Making amends: A few corrections on past items…GMC regular Jerry Vasilatos, filmmaker extraordinaire for such networks as the History Channel, among others, maintains the website www.Nitestar.com, opposed to NINEstar, as we had earlier. Jerry is currently working on a promising lawyer-murder drama with many shocking plot twists. The producer on the project is our own Zoe Triantafillou…Nancy Keres gave us a website for her employer, Resolution Digital Studios in Chicago, but it was not RSD. In fact, it’s www.RDSChicago.com. RDS carries the latest cutting-edge equipment for editing/filming/etc. They celebrated their 25th anniversary in May.…The website for former ABC radio account exec Roger Keys is www.Marketingkeys.net, opposed to .com. Roger started his own media/marketing shop in mid-2007 after many years with the network.
John Kass addresses the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois
Chicago Tribune star columnist John Kass addressed the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois on May 8 regarding the subject of Illinois politics. After his speech, Kass stopped by the Greek Media Club party at the Renaissance Hotel. Pictured at the HBA event are (L-R) NBC5 reporter Kim Vatis, writer and marketing consultant Gloria Besbekis, John Kass, writer and GMC co-founder Terry Poulos, and Harpo Studios researcher Andrea Dres. The HBA event was held at the law firm Winston & Strawn. Other media types on hand for the Kass speech were GMC co-founder George Bliss, Crains Chicago Business health writer Mike Colias, Crains "Business of Life" section editor Andrea Hanis, Wednesday Journal newspaper group managing editor Helen Karakoudas, and Kost Broadcast producer Jim Kezios. The HBA event was coordinated in part by current HBA President Ted Karavidas and Eleni Kouimelas, an attorney with Winston & Strawn. See www.Hellenicbar.org. Photo courtesy of Elias Zimianitis of www.Truelifephoto.com.
