This year, the Maria’s Opus team returns with a fusion of music, art, dance, and drama—this is a night you do not want to miss. Youth driven performances will take place under the attentive eyes of Natalia Pardalis, Johnny Kelto, and Angela Amici. This event promises to dazzle the audience. It will be a night to remember. When Natalia was asked what to expect, she answered with one word: “IMAGINE.” Team Maria’s Opus goal is to raise over $10 000 for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Tiickets are $20 and sold online on www.mariasopus.com. Past years have sold out so be sure to buy your tickets early. The event will include a silent auction and light reception to follow.

This year’s programming includes numerous tributes to well appreciate and internationally acclaimed Greek artists. First, Pandelis Voulgaris’s work as an exceptional director will be honored with the screening of three of his best known films, each of them dealing with an important part of recent Greek history: our opening film Brides (Emigration in the 1920’s), Happy Day (The dictatorship) and Deep Soul (The civil war). Brides will also be our Opening Night movie, followed by our traditional cocktail at the Press Café, 3501 Park Avenue (250m from the Cinema du Parc).

We will also take the opportunity to honour one of Greece’s most loved actors who, sadly, passed away earlier this year: Thanasis Veggos, with one of his best known movies: What did you do in the War, Thanasis? Another tribute will be devoted to one of the most important 20th century Greek poets and Nobel laureate: George Seferis, who will be the subject of one of the selected documentaries.

Tuesday night will be dedicated to the Island of Kefalonia and will feature “Earthquake,” an extraordinary historical documentary about how people in the deepest despair are able to emerge. A wine tasting reception will follow.

The Festival will also be a great occasion to discover Greece’s contemporary cinema with the presentation of two recent films: Wasted Youth and Welcome to all Saints as well as through the cult-classic: Let the Women Wait!

In spite of the economic difficulties it is going through, Greece and its cinema are enjoying a renewed recognition in recent years giving us a humoristic and dramatic look at Greek society, nevertheless remaining sensitive and always intriguing. You are therefore invited to come and celebrate Greek cinema with us.

The Closing night of the festival will again take place at the historic Rialto Theater with the presentation of the Greek-Israeli co-production My Sweet Canary, tracing the life and career of the ultimate Greek rembetiko singer Roza Eskenazy (1895-1980). The screening will be the film’s North American premiere. There will be food, wine and music performed live by Cirque du Soleil singer and composer Nitza Melas.

CEGA Awards will take place at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Ballroom on October 15th.

The CEGA Awards were created to Celebrate Excellence in Greek Achievement. They have been
conceived within the inspiration of honouring top achievement by Canadians of Greek decent. The
awards honour preeminent individuals, who have excelled in their respective fields, strive for
excellence and serve as role models within and beyond our Hellenic community.

The CEGA Awards bestow appreciation for the achievement of Greek Canadians by recognizing
excellence in one of five categories: the promotion of Hellenism; Education; Philanthropy; Civic
Responsibility and Family & Individual Excellence. These categories represent the five pillars of
the AHEPA mission statement.

The inaugural 2011 CEGA Awards are being held on October 15th 2011 at the prestigious
Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto, Canada. This black tie (optional) event will
bring together prominent individuals in a dinner celebration and create an opportunity for leisure,
social and cultural experience outside the normal everyday experience. We will celebrate human
achievement by producing a unique, memorable event with celebrity guest speakers. This group of
recipients was selected by the AHEPA Toronto, 2011 CEGA Awards committee which is comprised
of seven members.

The CEGA Award for the Promotion of Hellenism will be presented to the Honourable Dimitris
Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece in Toronto since February 26, 2009. Mr. Azemopoulos’
career has focused on serving Hellenism and the Hellenic Republic. With multiple degrees and
fluency in eight languages, he has represented Hellenism in several positions and countries,
including the diplomatic Cabinets of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the
Republic, as Consular in the Greek Embassy in Warsaw, in the Council of the EU, as Head of the
Cabinet of the Director General Responsible for the International Organizations and Security, as
Director of the Cabinet of the Secretary General for the European Affairs and First Consular at the
Embassy of Greece in Norway. His hard work, innovative ideas and dedication have earned him
numerous awards and recognitions. These include The Eagle of the Polish Republic, The Cross of
the Commander of the Italian Republic and The National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada
Award for his leadership to the courses of social justice, human rights and democracy among all
Canadians.

The CEGA Award for Education will be presented to Nancy Athan‐Mylonas, theatre
director/choreographer. Ms. Athan‐Mylonas is a classically trained dancer & actor who is
enamoured with the exploration of her Hellenic roots through the cultural arts.  Her
journey initially lead her to open The School of Movement and The Greek Folklore Centre in
Sydney, Australia in 1966, where she taught Greek traditional & modern dances, dance theatre,
ballet and mime. This journey continued with the founding of Theatre Nefeli for the Greek
Community of Toronto in 1991, which has since seen the nurturing of 7 generations of young talent in these cultural arts.

Ms. Athan‐Mylonas’ productions are designed to convey to their audiences the importance of carrying on the Hellenic spirit, pride & heritage, and they do so
in the most entertaining fashion that appeals to all generations.

The CEGA Award for Philanthropy will be presented to John Dagonas, Director of the Hellenic
Hope Centre for Persons with Special Needs. Mr. Dagonas’ contributions transcend the standard
notion of philanthropy by the shear volume of organizations, committees and projects in which he
participates. His leadership as Chairman of the Board of the Hellenic Hope Centre for Persons with
Special Needs has resulted in the construction of a larger and more modern facility for the
organization. He has served as President of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation, of Athens Villa –
Non‐Profit Housing Corporation of Ontario and of The Federation of Aegean Islands, Director of
Hellenic Canadian Congress, Hellenic Home for the Aged, The National Bank of Greece, West Park
Hospital and Metamorphosis School. In 2002, he was named Archon of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate.  More recently, Mr. Dagonas was elected SAE Coordinator in Canada
Region.

The CEGA Award for Civic Responsibility will be presented to Nick Aroutzidis, Past President of
AHEPA Canada for three consecutive terms. In this capacity Mr. Aroutzidis worked tirelessly to
raise the visibility and image of the Canadian AHEPA Family by encouraging members to seek
greater interaction and cooperation with local organizations, as well as with municipal and
provincial governments in their respective communities. He built a network of both formal and
informal forums with the Canadian government thus providing a viable opportunity for voicing
the opinions and concerns of Canadians of Hellenic descent.  To that end, Mr. Aroutzidis
spearheaded The Parliament Hill Hellenic Friendship Day that took place May 13th 2010. This was
a momentous event because it was the first time that the Hellenic organizations ‐ AHEPA, The
Canadian Hellenic Congress, PSEKA and SAE Canada spoke with one voice.

The CEGA Award for Family and Individual Excellence will be presented to Ted Manziaris,
President of Turtle Island Recycling. With a degree in Environmental Studies, the entrepreneurial
spirit and a desire to make a difference, Mr. Manziaris founded Turtle Island Recycling in the early
1990s, before green business became popular. Today this successful business employs 600 people
and contributes to an environmentally friendly community. Mr. Manziaris also founded the
Toronto Greek Film Retrospective, a series of free screenings that celebrate Greek cinema.  He
generously donates his time and skills to such worthwhile causes as ProAction – Cops and Kids,
and the Hellenic Hope Centre for Persons with Special Needs.
www.cegaawards.com

The proceeds from this event will help build the AHEPA Toronto Scholarship Fund.

You’ve definitely heard them before. On the verge of breaking loose and taking over the Canadian pop-rock music scene, one of Toronto’s newest bands, “Neverest” is rapidly ascending to stardom.

Since releasing their first single “About Us” in October 2010 and their first EP with the same title on March 29, 2011, Neverest has reached the Number 1 position on the MuchMusic Top 30 Countdown and number 30 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. Their music video for “Everything” received a nomination for the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards, an event where they were seen strolling the red carpet beside names as big as Bieber.

So why are we talking about Neverest on GreekGateway.com? You’ve probably guessed it – the band’s lead singer and front man, Spyros Chalkiotis, comes from a Greek family and is a rabidly proud Greek-Canadian.

Before I could usher in a word on the phone, Spyros jumped at the opportunity to speak Greek. “Can you speak Greek, can we talk in Greek?” he asked eagerly, like a puppy just released from his cage. “I like to take advantage of every opportunity to practice Greek,” he admits ambitiously.

And in a moment, the character and nature of Spyros is revealed – positive, energetic, enthusiastic and determined. It has been these qualities that have elevated Spyros and his band from students of music with aspirations for glory to national celebrities.

Spyros’ life as a star started with a courageous decision to shape his own destiny, and turn his lifelong dream into a reality.

“I was studying music at York actually as a drummer and basist, never a singer,” says Chalkiotis. “It was insane how the transformation happened. I was applying to Teachers College and I knew if I sent in my application, being a teacher would be my reality. I couldn’t give up on my dream, so instead of sending in my applications, I decided that I was going to be homeless or I was going to be famous.” Read more here.

Source: GreekGateway.com / Cory Sterling

Turtle Island Recycling President Ted Manziaris

Ted Manziaris’ undeniable entrepreneurial spirit showed from the first steps of his career when he tried all kinds of professions with success from being a hot-dog vendor to a real estate agent. However, it wasn’t until Turtle Island Recycling, when his spirit really thrived.

Today, Ted Manziaris and Louis Anagnostakos (his partner) run one of the coolest companies in Toronto, as they are helping the community and environment and at the same time making a profit.

They started in the 90′s before “green business” was chic, using Manziaris’ family station wagon and a 10-foot by 10-foot room to collect garbage throughout Toronto. Back then, recycling wasn’t the big business it is today and the two young Greek-Canadian founders of Turtle Island Recycling were struggling.

Their luck changed in one night when Manziaris’ phone rang. It was a call from Maple Leafs Arena that wanted Manziaris to go and clean the stadium after a concert and do it in one night. Manziaris went and worked non-stopped overnight to clean the stadium. This resulted in a contract that kept the company open and made it successful.

Today, Turtle Island Recycling employs six hundred people and offers all kinds of recycling services for all types of waste. Ted and his partner are still working hard and plan to grow the company internationally.  Who knows, we may even see Turtle Island in Greece as Manziaris notes in his interview with Greek Reporter.

When Ted is not at work he likes to offer back to the community. The last project his company funded was the Greek Retrospective, a three day festival with free admission that brought Greek cinema to Toronto.

Ted Manziaris

We met Ted Manziaris and talked to him about his business, the Greek community of Toronto, and the future of Turtle island recycling.

Where are you from?
I was born in Toronto.

What part of Greece does your family come from?
Kastoria.

What did you study?
Environmental Studies at the University of Western Ontario

What was your work background before Turtle Island?
I was a student before Turtle Island.

How did you get involved with recycling at first?
Wanted to make an environmental difference in people’s lives

What was your family’s reaction to your venture?
My family thought I was crazy. They told me to find a real job.  After all I went to university and should not be a garbage man.

What was the hardest part of creating your own company?

The hardest part of creating our company was with no money.

How many employees do you have?
600 employees.

How did Turtle Island become this big successful company? What was the turning point?
We had tunnel vision and focused on what needed to be done that’s why Turtle Island became successful. The turning point was when we started to believe in ourselves and our environmental causes.

Tell us a few things about the Greek community of Toronto?
The Greek community of Toronto consists of hard working, successful people.

What Greek organizations/projects you are involved/support?

We are involved in as much Greek causes as we can. Hellenic Hope, Hellenic Heritage.

Greece does not have many recycling companies or know-how. Would you be interested to start an operation there?

Yes.

What are your future plans for Turtle Island?

Turtle Island’s future plans are to grow the company internationally.

What are your favorite hobbies?

My favorite hobbies consist of playing sports and charity work.

A video about Turtle Island recycling can be found below:

Canada’s 15th decennial census starts May 2, when households in Canada will receive a yellow census package. May 10 is census reference day, and counting activities cease on 29 Jul. The results will be released in 2012.

You should take note of the question and check the Yes box. If No is checked or if the question is left blank, future generations may be left holding an empty bag.

Statistics Canada, the government branch responsible for taking and preserving the Canada Census, is the one posing the question. It will ask, just as it did in 2006, for “respondents’ permission to release their personal information after 92 years.” Without permission, Statics Canada cannot forward records to Library and Archives Canada for public release after the waiting period. “Questions left blank are viewed as a “no” response.”

Census returns are one of the few records left behind by past generations in which genealogists can piece together family units. Through this one source, researchers can learn the names, relationships, birth dates and ethnic origins of a family.

Another way to help future generations learn about you and your family tree is to leave comments in the Note section.

Every person living in Canada, as well as Canadians working outside the country, are legally bound to complete a census form.

New this year is the National Household Survey (NHS). It had been part of the regular census through the long-form questionnaire and had been mandatory. The NHS arrives at homes in early June. Completion is voluntary. Questions posed include activity limitations, citizenship and immigration, language, ethnic origin, place of birth of parents and many others. Everyone who receives the NHS is encouraged to complete it.

To learn more about the 2011 Census, including information on the option to complete the questionnaire online, visit Statistics Canada (http://census2011.gc.ca/).

Greek Foto Week brings together talented photographers of Greek descent from throughout North America for a one-week celebration of talent, light, imagery and color that only the lens of a camera can produce.

Greek Foto Week is part of the CONTACT Photography Festival. The exhibition and activities are organized by the Greek American Foundation, Toronto and are hosted in one of the city’s most unique event spaces, the Burroughes Building, a landmark that is leading the revival in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. Some of the photographers include: Matthew Stylianou, Tony Koukos, and Krist Papas.

The exhibit will run from Sunday May 1 to Saturday May 7, 2011. An opening reception (By invitation only) to launch the week-long event is being held at The Burroughes Gallery on Sunday May 1, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Venue Location: The Burroughes Gallery – 639 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

*For Guest list please email gfw@greekamerica.org

Cathy Anagnostopoulos is a 44 year-old mother of 3 young children; Gregory, Angela and Alexander, aged 10, 11 and 15. She lives in Toronto, Canada. Her recent diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) has brought complete devastation to their lives. The only cure for Cathy’s type of cancer is a successful Stem Cell Transplant. Her siblings have been tested but unfortunately, they are not a match. Her ONLY hope now to live is to find an unrelated donor. Cathy is of Greek descent which makes a match more likely within the Greek Community, however all ethnicities are encouraged to help.

The situation: Cathy Anagnostopoulos was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. A Pharmacist by trade, Cathy has a family with 3 young children – Alex, Angela and Gregory.

After she had experienced headaches on and off for a few straight weeks, Nick, her husband of almost 20 years, took her to the emergency room at North York General Hospital. Preliminary blood work showed abnormalities in her blood cells.

Cathy was immediately transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for further evaluation. It was there, on February 23, 2011, that she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and learned that she would be spending the next month or so undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment.

This obvious came as complete shock to her and her family, as she was in otherwise perfect health. Staying true to her selfless personality, Cathy was more concerned for her children than her own well being. She used her family as inspiration to get her through the 5 weeks of chemo and recovery she spent at Princess Margaret Hospital.

On Tuesday, March 29, 2011, doctors determined that her blood cell counts were sufficient for Cathy to be discharged. At home 4 days later, Cathy felt short of breath and got rushed by ambulance to the emergency room at Sunnybrook. Unfortunately, blood tests revealed that the cancer had already returned.

Having failed her first round of induction chemotherapy, Cathy is once again at Princess Margaret Hospital and is scheduled to begin another, more aggressive round of treatment.

Doctors have determined that Cathy will require a stem cell transplant to have any chance at a full recovery.

To find out more information or to join your national Registry please visit: www.onematch.ca (Canada), http://www.bethematch.com (USA), http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za (South Africa) or abmdr.org.au (Australia)
Please consider joining the Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registry. If you are a match (with Cathy or another recipient), the actual transplant procedure, in most cases, is similar to donating blood.
For more information visit http://www.helpsavecathy.com and http://www.facebook.com/HelpSaveCathy

We don’t know how much time she has – so let’s not waste a second of it. This is an urgent matter of life or death and YOU may be the only match to save her life.

The Youth Network of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (ΣΑΕ) for the Region of Canada and the Hellenic Student Associations of Universities in Toronto (University of Toronto – GSA, York University – HSΑ και Ryerson University – ΣΕΦ).proudly present “Insight to Hellenism” on Saturday, March 5th, 2011, time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, place: Hart House, University of Toronto, St. George Campus.

This event will be held at the University of Toronto as a stoday. The main objective of the series is to better inform the participants as well as provide them with an understanding of the Macedonian name issue, the Cyprus problem and with an in depth look into the current economic crisis in Greece. Lectures will be presented by:

 Dr. Chris Karatzios (McGill University) – Name Dispute of Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia  Dr. Dimitri Nakassis (University of Toronto) – Guided tour of the Royal Ontario Museum’s permanent

exhibits of Ancient Greece and Cyprus

 Mr. Dinos Sophocleous (PSEKA Canada) – Cyprus Problem and other contemporary issues on Cyprus

 Dr. Theodore Tolias (York University, Schulich School of Business) –

The Economic Crisis in Greece Open to the general public, invited to this Day Event are young people of Hellenic and non Hellenic descent from across Ontario and Quebec who will be given the unique opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and experiences and further their knowledge of modern Greek life, culture and current social-political affairs. They will also be given the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Royal Ontario Museum’s exhibits of Ancient Greece and Cyprus. For more information and a detailed program of this event, please contact: insighttohellenism@yahoo.gr or visit: http://www.saecanadayouth.net, http://www.insighttohellenism.com.