ARTHUR CHELIOTES, president of the Communication Workers of America, Local 1180 was the guest of honor at the 48th Annual Dinner Dance of the New York Child Learning Institute and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind and Retarded. Over 700 people attended this event included many of the Queens elected officials, who presented citations and proclamations. Along with Arthur Cheliotes who was the Humanitarian Award Recipient was FREDERICK APPEL, managing director of Lehman Brothers who received the Freedom Award. Congratulations to both honorees.

Assemblyman MATHEW MIRONES is having a big fundraising bash on May 6th, at Battery Gardens inside Battery Park, Opposite 17 State Street in Manhattan. Some of the notables who have signed on as supporters and sponsors of the event are Governor GEORGE PATAKI, ALEX SPANOS as the Honorary Chair; JOHN and MARGO CATSIMATIDIS, PETER J. PAPPAS, Sr., HAPAC (Hellenic American Action Committee), MICHAEL F. PARLAMIS, JAMES H. MOSHOVITIS, PETER PAPANICOLAOU, GEORGE MAKKOS, MIKE A. ANGELIADES, CHARLES MARANGOUDAKIS, CHARLES & DENA CAPETANAKIS, HERCULES & STELLENE ARGYRIOU and many, many more. Anyone interested should call 718-981-4594.

THE CATHEDRAL FELLOWSHIP of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is holding their
”Celebration of Spring 2004” with a Live Band featuring Greek Music, Dancing & Mezedakia. This event will take place at The Lafayette Bar & Grill, 54-56 Franklin Street in Manhattan, which is three blocks below Canal Street on Thursday, May 13th at 7:00 p.m. Performers will include: LEFTERIS BOURNIAS, MIKE STOUPPAKIS & LEFTERIS’ APOLLO GREEK-AMERICAN ORCHESTRA. Admission is $25. For more information, call: CHRIS ORROS at 973-214-6831 or NICK GEORGES at 201-313-0673.

For aspiring and seasoned writers wishing to visit Greece this summer, prior to the Olympics, check out the new Artemis Centre for the Arts in Thessalia. This “Writing Retreat”, is being organized from June 20th – 26th, open to both men and women, and lead by two very accomplished and award winning writers, JACKIE SHEELER from New York City and VALERIE LAWS of the United Kingdom. Included are four hours a day of courses: your choice of memoir writing or poetry; excursions to Meteora, Pharsala, Volos, walking/hiking, night life at lively outdoor tavernas, and time to dream and gaze upon the majesty of nature. For detailed information or to get in touch with ZOE ARTEMIS, go to www.zoeartemis.com. The center is founded by third generation Greek-American Zoe Artemis, who is a native New Yorker, writer, poet, creative arts therapist and political activist. Artemis Centre for the Arts is located in the highland village of Mavromati in Thessalia, the birthplace of GEORGIOS KARAISKAKIS.

Congratulations to NICK and VOULA KATSORIS on the birth of their son.

Did you get a chance to read about ALLY STAMAPIADES from Baruch? She pitched a shutout, giving up only five hits, for an 8-0 win over Lehman. The Mets can surely use her arm.

Till next week when we go “Around Our Town.”
Email me at Archie1m@aol.com