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Remembering Greek rock musician, Lavrentis Machairitsas

Andriana Simos
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Remembering Greek rock musician, Lavrentis Machairitsas

By Billy Patramanis.

Famous Greek rock musician, Lavrentis Machairitsas, was born in Volos on November 5th, 1956. To celebrate his life, we take a look back at some of his achievements.

Early Life:

Machairitsas was only six years old when he began taking piano lessions. His passion for music grew when he discovered The Beatles and bought their record ‘Help!’

Machairitsas’ first job was at a record store, however, his poor attitude got him fired. He was also known for misbehaving in school, having started a fight with one of his teachers and being expelled from his high school at the time. He was later banned from other high schools around Greece.

With schooling not an option for Machairitsas, he was forced into work. After working at several jobs without settling, he eventually joined the army, serving for 14 months.

Lavrentis Machairitsas. Source: Business Daily.

Music Career:

Once he left the army, he would begin singing in Syntrofia after meeting Panos Tzabelas. By 20 years old, Machairitsas formed a band with Pavlos Kirkilis, Takis Bassalakis and Antonios Mitzelos called the ‘P.L.J Band.’

The band began in Greece, however, they decided to relocate to Paris in the hope of becoming popular musicians outside of Greece. By 1982, Armageddon was released, becoming the bands first album.

The album wasn’t very popular upon release, and so for their second album, the band changed their name to Τερμίτες (Termites) and started singing in Greek.

Machairitsas would often hold concerts all over Greece.

Their popularity grew by 1984, after the release of their third record. In 1986, they released their fourth album.

After a highly successful music career, Termites would release their final album, Perimenontas Tin Vrochi (Waiting For the Rain), in 1988.

Machairitsas would then venture into a solo career as a writer and performing artist. His music became very popular, with his 1991 album, ‘Didymoteicho Blues.‘

During his solo career, Machairitsas would begin working closely with famous Greek musician Dionysis Tsaknis.

In 1995, Machairitsas would release what many regard as his greatest album, ‘Parathyra Pou Kourase I Thea’.

Legacy and Death:

Machairitsas, as his albums were highly successful, would often hold concerts all over Greece, with musical partner Tsaknis. He had many concerts with highly successful musicians such as Eleftheria Arvanitaki and Christos Thivaios.

On the 9th of September 2019, Machairitsas suffered a heart attack in his sleep, passing away at the age of 62. 

Samos residents left homeless after earthquake to be housed in containers

Andriana Simos
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Samos residents left homeless after earthquake to be housed in containers

Residents of Samos, who were left homeless by last week’s destructive 6.7 magnitude earthquake, will be temporarily housed in containers, following a decision by Minister of Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis.

In a statement, the ministry said on Tuesday that containers from the Zervos migrant reception facility on Samos were being transferred to house the residents whose homes were deemed unsafe.

The ministry said it had so far provided 20 tents, 500 sleeping bags, 1,000 blankets and 265 beds to affected residents. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees sent 100 tents to the island.

A total of 300 buildings on the island have so far been found to be temporarily unsafe to live in during a series of inspections by civil engineers after Friday’s quake.

Samos rises 18-25 centimeters above waterline after earthquake:

Scientists discovered that the island of Samos rose 18-25 cm after Friday’s powerful earthquake. Credit: AMNA.

A team of Greek scientists from the School of Geology and Geoenvironment at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens went to Samos after the earthquake in order to survey the impact it had on both the island’s topography and the state of its buildings.

According to their findings, the altitude at both the northern and southern parts of the island had permanently elevated 18 to 25 cm from its pre-earthquake elevation, due the tectonic plate activity which caused the earthquake.

The elevation change can clearly be seen in rocks along the shoreline, showing several inches of algae which had been beneath the surface of the water, now above sea level.

Entire congressional Greek American contingency wins re-election

Andriana Simos
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Entire congressional Greek American contingency wins re-election

All five Greek American members of the United States Congress have won re-election in their respective races.

The battle for Presidency continues as Joe Biden inches slightly ahead of Donald Trump 264 votes to 214. Key swing states of Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are yet to be called.

Democrat Charlie Crist:

SAINT PETERSBURG, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Former Florida Governor and now Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist as he concedes defeat in the Vinoy hotel on November 4, 2014 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Crist lost to incumbent Republican Governor Rick Scott. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Democrat Charlie Crist of Florida beat his opponent with 53 percent of the vote for the District 13 congressional seat, which includes much of Pinellas County in the Clearwater area.

Crist has had a hand in many environmental protection policies, along with being a high advocate for increased education funding.

Republican Gus Bilirakis:

Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.

Republican, Gus Bilirakis, handily won his re-election bid in neighboring District 12 and home of one of the nation’s largest concentrations of Greek Americans. The Tarpon Springs, Florida native is one of the state’s most popular politicians.

Bilirakis stressed his effectiveness in Congress through his robust bipartisanship. From 2015 to 2018, Bilirakis authored 27 bills that were signed into law, earning him a “Most Effective Lawmaker in the State of Florida” designation from the Center for Effective Lawmaking at Vanderbilt University.

Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas:

Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas won a second term in the US House, representing New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District. National eyes were on this race as this district has flipped between Democratic and Republican control five times in the past two decades. Pappas made history in 2018 when he was elected as the first openly gay member of Congress from New Hampshire.

Democrat Rep. Dina Titus:

Rep. Dina Titus was reelected to a fifth term in Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the city of Las Vegas. Titus fended off a challenge from a Republican contender but came out handedly winning the seat.

Dina Titus was the only female Greek-American looking to retain her Congress seat this year.

Democrat Rep. John Sarbanes:

Finally, incumbent Rep. John Sarbanes won his race in Maryland’s third congressional district, which includes much of Baltimore and surrounding areas. Sarbanes has represented the district in the United States House of Representatives since 2007.

READ MORE: Five Greek-Americans seeking Congress return in 2020 US Elections.

Greek island of Astypalea goes electric with Volkswagen transport deal

Andriana Simos
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Greek island of Astypalea goes electric with Volkswagen transport deal

Volkswagen Group and Greece signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to establish a groundbreaking mobility system on the Mediterranean island of Astypalea.

The six-year plan includes a massive replacement of carbon-run vehicles on the island with electric and hybrid cars and trucks, the building of electric charging stations, and the construction of electric trains which will run on clean energy — all produced locally.

Greece has long relied on coal, but Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has pledged to steer the country away from fossil fuels and boost the use of renewable energy.

The project will turn Astypalea into a “green energy island”. Photo: InsideEVs.

“I strongly believe in partnerships. Governments can’t deliver on their own and the private sector isn’t the answer to every question,” Mitsotakis said after the announcement was made.

“Volkswagen’s decision to come to Greece for the implementation of this project constitutes a vote of confidence in Greece’s growth prospects, but also the seriousness of this government and its ability to put into action a complex project.”

Astypalea, a popular tourist destination, currently has a very limited public transport service with just two buses and energy demand is almost entirely met by fossil fuel.

The project will see part of the island’s vehicle rental service transformed into a ride-sharing service offering electric cars and e-scooters. Commercial and public sector vehicles will also be switched to electric.

In total, the project will involve replacing about 1,500 combustion engine vehicles with around 1,000 electric ones. Volkswagen will install its Elli chargers across the island to provide about 230 private and several public charging points.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our long-term goal is climate-neutral mobility for everyone,” Volkswagen CEO, Herbert Diess, said during the signing of the memorandum with Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Konstantinos Fragogiannis.

“And with the Astypalea project we will explore how to realise that vision already today.”

Rival leaders back UN bid to relaunch Cyprus peace talks

The Greek Herald
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Rival leaders back UN bid to relaunch Cyprus peace talks

The rival leaders of ethnically divided Cyprus have signaled their willingness to support a request from United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to explore the possibility of reviving dormant reunification talks, the UN said on Tuesday.

The two leaders agreed to “positively respond” to the UN chief’s call for an informal five-plus-meeting that would, “in a conducive climate” and “at an appropriate stage,” test the waters for a possible return to talks after a 3.5 year hiatus, UN spokesman, Aleem Siddique, said in a written statement.

Elizabeth Spehar, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP Mission, welcomes Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in the buffer zone of Nicosia airport, Cyprus, November 3, 2020. Photo: Katia Christodoulou/Pool via REUTERS.

A ‘five-plus’ format would include representatives of Cyprus’ two communities, along with Greece, Turkey and Britain as the island’s guarantor powers, and also the United Nations.

The statement came after a two-hour meeting between the island nation’s Greek Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades, and Ersin Tatar, the newly elected leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots.

It was the two men’s first face-to-face meeting since Tatar’s election that afforded them the opportunity to put out feelers on where the other stands on the key issues that have prevented a breakthrough deal in nearly five decades of UN facilitated negotiations.

Elizabeth Spehar, U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP Mission welcomes Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, in the buffer zone of Nicosia airport, Cyprus, November 3, 2020. Photo: Katia Christodoulou/Pool via REUTERS.

The meeting, hosted by the head of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, at her formal residence inside the island’s UN-controlled buffer zone, provided the leaders “an opportunity to get to know each other and to have their first informal exchange of views in a cordial atmosphere,” according to the UN statement.

Speaking after the meeting, Anastasiades said he’d prefer not to make remarks at this stage that might “pollute” the climate.

But he indicated that he and Tatar remain far apart on core issues including an envisioned federation which the two sides agreed decades ago would form the basis of any peace deal.

“Without doubt, there is a divergence of positions,” Anastasiades told reporters.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Archdiocese responds to SA bill looking to decriminalise abortion

The Greek Herald
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Archdiocese responds to SA bill looking to decriminalise abortion

A proposed bill, put forward by Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink, looks to decriminalise abortion in South Australia, with the reformation currently being looked over by the state parliament.

Currently, legislation prohibits abortion in SA under certain conditions, such as without the approval of two doctors or outside a prescribed hospital.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has responded to the proposed bill in a press release placed below:

The Fight against Abortion to Birth in South Australia – Press release

Abortion is the plague of our times – responsible for more 40-50 million deaths annually worldwide.  This is more than cancer, HIV and other diseases, traffic accidents, smoking and alcohol combined. Many women are pressured into the decision against their will by a feeling of a lack of support, or even by direct coercion from those around them.

In spite of this, there are those who want to make it even easier to have an abortion. In spite of a lack of broad community support (or even interest), a Bill was tabled in SA Parliament on Wednesday the 14th of October with the goal of decriminalising abortion and “bringing it into line” with other States.

The proposed changes to the law are not without positives. One strong positive is regarding the age of viability – the law as it currently stands in South Australia (dating from the 1970s) allows abortion up until the age of viability, which it takes as 28 weeks’ gestation. The new bill acknowledges advances in medicine since that time by reducing this to 23 weeks. From our perspective, this is an improvement.

However, the biggest problem with this Bill is its lack of safeguards. Under current South Australian law, abortion may only happen legally past the age viability in order to save the life of the mother. Under the new Bill, past 22 weeks 6 days gestation, an abortion can happen if two doctors consider the abortion to be “medically appropriate”. While on the surface this looks like a safeguard, in reality it is a gaping hole – the definition of “medically appropriate” is vague and open to interpretation, and there are no restrictions on how much “doctor shopping” a person can do before they find two who will declare it to be “medically appropriate”. With nearly 9,000 medical practitioners in South Australia, finding two of them to consider an abortion to be “medically appropriate” will not be difficult. Thus, the practical effect of this “safeguard” will actually be to make abortion available on demand, for any reason, all the way up until birth. Proponents of the Bill claim that this is not what it is intended for – but intended or not, that is nonetheless what the Bill allows.

This Bill is also problematic from the point-of-view of the freedom of conscience for those medical practitioners who are opposed to abortion. While the Bill allows a health practitioner to refuse to participate in, assist or advise about a termination, it also imposes an obligation on them to refer the woman to a practitioner who will – something that undermines the whole concept of conscientious objection.

There are many other items of concern – the lack of an offence against abortion, privatisation of abortion services, and the allowance for non-medical practitioners to provide abortion services, and the lack of a requirement for full information disclosure.

The Archdiocesan District of Adelaide has taken a leading role in our State in campaigning against this Bill. On the Sunday immediately following the tabling of this Bill (the 18th of October), an encyclical was read in our parishes during the Sunday services informing our faithful of these events and encouraging them to sign a petition prepared by the local anti-abortion coalition. It was the first jurisdiction to do so, and its encyclical was reportedly used as a reference by other Christian groups for their own campaigns. Obviously, the COVID-19 state of emergency is currently imposing limits on Church attendance, but in spite of this the response from our parishes has been strong – it is clear that our faithful are steadfastly opposed to these changes. The encyclical and petition was repeated on the 25th of October. These signatures will be tabled before parliament and will hopefully convince the MPs that there is significant community opposition to the proposed changes.

May the Lord have mercy on us and our State at this critical time.

Tass Mourdoukoutas shares inspirational words from Greek father that led to career success

The Greek Herald
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Tass Mourdoukoutas shares inspirational words from Greek father that led to career success

Every young footballer has something, or someone, who pushes them to be the greatest they can be. For Western Sydney Wanderers defender Tass Mourdoukoutas, that someone was his father, Kon Mourdoukoutas.

Shared on the Western Sydney Wanderers social media, Tass speaks personally about his strong relationship with his father Kon.

“I was nine or ten years old and he was driving me to an academy,” Tass says.

“He said to me that all the other kids are just training as well. If you want to do the same as them, well you’re only going to be as good as them.

“It’s up to you if you want to do more.”

For many, parents can be the anchor of support that drives and encourages children to follow their dreams. For the parents, this can mean long car rides across the state, helping reiterate the balance between school and passion, along with wider emotional support from extended family.

Tass explains that the sacrifices his parents made were imperative to his development as a player and person, saying he often “took it for granted.”

“You wish you could just thank them every day”, Tass adds.

“You look back now and you think you really couldn’t have done it without them.”

Playing in Sydney Olympic’s youth and senior competitions, Tass goes on to speak about one of the last car rides with his father to training, prior to the Greek Australian gaining his license.

“He was saying to me, this could be the last few trips we do together driving to Sydney Olympic training.”

“…They were always behind me and once I signed my first pro contract, that meant so much not only to me but for them, the sacrifices paid off I guess.”

Mourdoukoutas grew up in Sylvania Waters and was promoted to a two-year senior contract at teh Wanderers on 6 June 2018, signing a three-year contract extension in February this year.

NSW to open border with Victoria on November 23

The Greek Herald
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NSW to open border with Victoria on November 23

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed border restrictions between NSW and Victoria will be lifted this month.

Ms Berejiklian said on Wednesday the border will reopen on November 23.

“We need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the reopening date should give people the confidence to make plans, book holidays and reunite with family members in the lead up to Christmas. 

“I want to thank the community, particularly in our border towns, for their patience during what has been an extremely difficult time,” Ms Berejiklian said. 

“We have worked closely with the Victorian Government throughout the border closure and will continue to monitor the situation as restrictions are eased. 

“Our policy in NSW is to keep moving forward and operating in a COVID-Safe manner – the reopening of the NSW/Victorian border is another step in the right direction.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged businesses to do the right thing.(AAP Image: Dan Himbrechts)

The decision was made as NSW recorded nine new cases to 8pm on Tuesday night, of which six are in hotel quarantine and three were locally acquired. Meanwhile, Victoria recorded its fifth consecutive day of no new community COVID-19 cases and zero deaths on Wednesday.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Monday, November 23 is two weeks from the Victorian Government removing the ‘ring of steel’ border around Melbourne, allowing Victorian residents to travel freely around the State. 

“This will be good riddance to a border that COVID-19 forced on us,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Victorian and NSW residents’ efforts have ensured families and friends will be back together and businesses will operate freely but in a COVID-safe way.”

Five Greek-Americans seeking Congress return in 2020 US Elections

The Greek Herald
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Five Greek-Americans seeking Congress return in 2020 US Elections

Five Greek-Americans will be fighting to retain their spot in the US Congress at this year’s election campaign, with many others looking to gain an entry into the United States’ federal branch.

Currently, Gus Bilirakis is the only Greek-American Republican looking for re-election in Congress, joined by Democrats John Sarbanes, Charlie Crist, Chris Pappas and Dina Titus.

Gus Bilirakis

Gus Bilirakis represents the Palm Harbor region in Florida and has been with Florida’s 12th Congressional District since 2006. He currently serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

John Sarbanes represents Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District and first assumed office on January 4, 2007. Regarded as a safe Democrat seat, having been held by the Democrat party for over 20 years, Sarbanes is expected to retain his Congress seat.

Charlie Crist

Charlie Crist, also representing a Florida seat, is running as leader for the 13th district. Crist has had a hand in many environmental protection policies, along with being a high advocate for increased education funding.

Chris Pappas has been serving as the U.S. Representative for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional district since 2019, looking to retain his seat this year. Graduating from Harvard College, he became the first openly gay person representing New Hampshire in Congress.

Dina Titus

Dina Titus will be the only female Greek-American looking to retain her Congress seat this year, representing a district in Nevada. Titus has represented the safe Democrat seat since 2013, previously serving as U.S. Representative for Nevada’s 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2011.

Numerous Greek Americans will be fighting for an opportunity to join the US Congress for the furst time this year, including Alek Skarlatos and Nicole Malliotakis.

Sophie Cotsis: Government must provide better QR code support for local businesses

The Greek Herald
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Sophie Cotsis: Government must provide better QR code support for local businesses

Labor is calling on the Government to support businesses in establishing QR code check-in systems and COVID safety plans in the lead up to Christmas.
 
The Shadow Minister for Better Public Services Sophie Cotsis said Premier Gladys Berejiklian continues to condemn businesses who have not implemented QR codes as a condition of entry without providing any support to those who may need it.
 
“We support the need for all hospitality venues to have QR code check-in systems and COVID safety plans in the lead up to the busiest time of year but the Government has to assist rather than threaten NSW businesses,” Ms Cotsis said.

Photo: ABC News/Kevin Nguyen

“Small businesses are already trying to do their part and the Government needs provide them with clear instructions and in some cases more hands on assistance for those who are less tech-savvy.”
 
Ms Cotsis also said she was concerned the Government has overlooked people in the community who don’t have smartphones for QR code sign-ins.
 
“Victor Dominello has to take more leadership in helping the many businesses and citizens who need assistance in adopting the code system,” she said.
 
“The Government must act now to ensure the community is protected from COVID-19 while keeping venues open during Summer and securing jobs in the hospitality sector.”

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