TRAVEL ADVENTURES   .   .   .

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION BENEFITS PATRAS KARAMANDANEIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

BY Bonnie Carroll

Minos Athanasiadis AHEPA, Ioannis Stamatekos Consul General Of Greece LA, George Papazacharioudakis SB/Patras Sister City Group

Santa Barbara-Patras Sister City Group and AHEPA Chapter #243 sponsored a lively celebration of Greek Independence Day at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church on March 18, which featured delicious Greek food and wine, music by “The Greeks” and Greek dancing lessons given by members of St. Barbara and the AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) family of Santa Barbara. George Papazacharioudakis and Anthorda Randopoulos warmly greeted guests as they arrived.

Fr. Haralambos (Bob) Fox with Consul General Ioannis Stamatekos, Georgia Gastouniotis, Santa Barbara-Patras Sister City Group

An invocation was given by Rev. Haralambos (Bob) Fox, followed by remarks from Minos Athanasiadis of AHEPA and Georgia Gastouniotis of Santa Barbara-Patras Sister Cities Group who welcomed guests and the Honorable Consul General of Greece Los Angeles, Mr. Ioannis Stamatekos, who shared his personal message, followed by the singing of the American Anthem and Greek Anthem lead by Patti Stathis Langel.

The joyous Greek Independence Day celebration benefited The Karamandaneio Children’s hospital in Patras, Greece and is one of the many fund-raising projects supported by members of the Santa Barbara-Patras Sister City Group and AHEPA.

Delicious Dinner prepared and served by Greek hosts

Delicious Greek food and beverage selections were a major part of the fundraising celebration the appetizers and dinner were outstanding, as well as a gifted beautifully framed painting by local artist Anthoula Randopoulos to assist with raising efforts. Fun instructional Greek dance lessons provided great a happy challenge for guests of all ages, including young Greeks dancing with their parents and grandparents to fantast Greek favorites by “The Greeks”.

"The Greeks" Music Makers, Painting by Anthoula Randopoulos

For 47 years area residents and visitors have supported the Greek Festival at Oak Park in Santa Barbara, produced by members of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, and I was so delighted to be informed that their festival is returning once again this year in late July.

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Patras, Greece, was established as a Santa Barbara Sister City on April 29, 2010, by the Santa Barbara City Council. Patras is the third largest city of Greece with a population of 180,000. Like Santa Barbara, Patras’ geographical situation, at the foot of Mount Panachaiko overlooking the Ionian Sea, combines sea and mountains; the area has a Mediterranean climate, with relatively cool yet humid summers and mild winters. An important common geophysical characteristic of the region is its great seismicity, which has been recorded since ancient times. Patras shares another cultural similarity with Santa Barbara: its long tradition of hospitality to visitors.

Sister Cities, the People-to-People Program, initiated by President Eisenhower in 1956, promotes the friendship of people regardless of race, creed, or color, by the establishment of Sister Cities. The Program offers each community, its citizens, its organizations, and the city itself a chance to participate in the fascinating and rewarding field of international relations. There is also a humanitarian opportunity to be involved in the constructive process of building world peace.

Language, art, ideas, music, youth programs, and dozens of other activities can be carried out by any person or organization in the community. By truly gaining a respect and understanding of our culture, we can begin to see the world and its many cultures as less confusing and more cohesive, and we begin to see ourselves better.

For information on Sister Cities please visit:https://santabarbaraca.gov/sister-cities-board/sister-cities and AHEPA visit: https://ahepadistrict20.org/Chapter/243/.

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SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY DELIGHTS AUDIENCES WITH TRANSFORMATION

70^th Anniversary Season Matinee Sharing the Power of Musical Transition

By Bonnie Carroll

The Santa Barbara Symphony and Nir Kabaretti, Conductor and musical Director, presented Transformation on February 18 and 19 at the Granada Theatre as a part of the 70^th Anniversary Season, sponsored by Sarah & Roger Chrisman, Corporate Sponsor Montecito Bank & Trust, and Grand Venue Sponsor the Granada Theatre.

The afternoon performance took audience members on an escape from the mundane to experience the power of musical transformation. From Maurice Ravel’s compelling Bolero, which begins small and transitions into a sonic tidal wave, to Richard Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration about human transitions, to jazz saxophone legend Ted Nash’s personal journey as depicted on his newest composition Transformation for Symphony Orchestra and Narrator.