The Greek Star

On November 15, the National Hellenic Museum celebrated its first year in its magnificent new home at 333 S. Halsted in Greektown. The new exhibit, “American Moments: The Legacy of Greek Immigration” was also launched that evening.

This week we caught up with John Cappas, The first—and youngest—person in Illinois to be charged under the kingpin statute, and author of a new memoir, Tall Money. 

The highly touted Mediterranean diet is celebrated each May. More a lifestyle than a diet, this form of eating, commonplace among peoples of the Mediterranean, is being highly promoted as a healthy way of eating—and living.

Your Connection to Community Events

Getting ready for summer?

MAY 23

The Classical Art Society of the Art Institute of Chicago presents a lecture by Dimitri Liakos, Professor Emeritus of Northern Illinois University, titled, “Byzantine Art Treasures of Orthodox Monasteries: From Mount Sinai to Meteora to the Holy Mount Athos and Beyond. Art Institute, Morton Auditorium, 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago. 6:00 pm. 815.787.6478.

MAY 23

“Preserving Family Heirlooms: From the Attic to the Museum,” presented by Harriet Stratis, Conservator of Prints & Drawings, Art Institute Chicago and Bethany Fleming of the National Hellenic Museum. 333 S. Halsted, Greektown. 6:00 pm. 312.655.1234.

MAY 25

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. SS Constantine & Helen, 8000 Madison St. Merr,illville, IN. 10:00 am. 219.769.2481.

MAY 25-27

Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics. SS Constantine & Helen Church. 11025 S. Roberts Rd., Palos Hills, IL. 708.974.3700

MAY 31

Meeting of The Asia Minor Group - for those interested in preserving family histories from Asia Minor/have interest in culture & history of Asia Minor. The Patio Restaurant, 7440 S. Kingery (Rt. 83) Darien, IL. 7:00 pm. Separate checks. RSVP 630.983.3505 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   by May 28.

JUNE 1

Elections for the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI). Location TBD. 11:00 am. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JUNE 1-2

St. Paraskeva Charity Organization presents a charity tennis tournament. Main South High School, 1131 S. Dee Road, Park Ridge, IL. $30. Proceeds benefit orphan children from Romania.

JUNE 5

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. Holy Apostles, 2501 S. Wolf Rd., Westchester, IL 7:30 pm. 708.562.2744.

JUNE 6

Recipes for Rebuilding, a chef tasting to benefit the renovation and restoration of St. Basil Church. National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted, Greektown. Jimmy Bannos, Sr. of Heaven on Seven restaurants, as well as 15 other area chefs 312.243.3738.

JUNE 7

13^th District Order of AHEPA 46th Annual Sports Award Banquet. Fountain Blue Banquets, Des Plaines, IL. All Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior athletes who play any sport in high school or college is eligible for scholarships. Applications 847.942.8389 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

JUNE 8

Holy Apostles 5K Family Run and Walk. 2501 S. Wolf Road, Westchester, IL. 8:30 am. Course begins and ends at church. Proceeds benefit Philoxenia House in Rochester, MN.  All ages welcome. Entry fees: $20/person or $50/immediate family include a t-shirt, light healthy snacks, water and a gift bag for each participant.  A shorter one mile course is available. $10/person will be the fee for that route.  Register at the church office, online or at 7:30 AM the day of the race. 

JUNE 10

13^th District Order of AHEPA golf outing. Cinder Ridge in Wilmington, IL. $130 includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes. $100 Hole Sponsorships available. Proceeds benefit AHEPA Athletics and for athletic scholarships. Applications and sponsorship info 847.942.8389 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

JUNE 10-14

Holy Apostles Church Vacation Church School. 2501 S. Wolf Rd., Westchester, IL. 708.562.2744.

JUNE 14-16

Taste of Greece Festival. The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios, 893 N. Church Road, Elmhurst, IL. 630.834.7010.

JUNE 14-16

Taste of Greece on LaSalle Street. Annunciation Cathedral, 1017 N. LaSalle Drive, Chicago. 312.664.5485.

JUNE 15-16

Greek festival. St. Nicholas Church, 10301 S. Kolmar Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL. Rides & Games for children, delicious traditional entrees and wonderful pastries, music, Greek Dance performances. Saturday 4:00- 11:00 pm; Sunday 3:00-10:00 pm.  Admission $2 (children under 12 free). 708.636.5460.

JUNE 16-22

Metropolis of Chicago Fanari Summer Camp. Contact your local parish for details.

JUNE 19

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. St. Spyridon, 12307 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, IL. 7:30 pm. 708.385.2311.

JUNE 21-23

Greek festival. Kimissis Tis Theotokou Church, 1335 S. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI. 262.632.3358.

JUNE 24-28

Vacation Church School. The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios, 893 N. Church Road, Elmhurst, IL. 630.834.7010.

JUNE 26

St. Basil Church golf outing. Odyssey Country Club, 19110 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park, IL. $135 includes: 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch, dinner (open bar). Dinner only (open bar) $60. Call to RSVP and sponsor 312.243.3738.  

JUNE 28

St. Demetrios Church of Chicago golf outing. 773.561.5992.   Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Rd., Glenview, IL. $135 (Golf, boxed lunch and Dinner); $45 (Dinner only). Registration 10:00 am sharp. Tee off 11:00 am. 773.561.5992.

JUNE 28-30

St. Spridon (Sheboygan) 65^th annual Greek Festival. Deland Park, on Lake Michigan adjacent to North Side Beach, Sheboygan, WI. Food, music, dancing, entertainment.

JULY 4-7

YAL 30 Year Reunion, “Reunite to Unite.” Intercontinental Hotel, Dallas, TX.

JULY 9-AUGUST 1

Pythagoras Children’s Academy “Camp Hollywood” Summer Camp. 893 N. Church Rd., Elmhurst, IL. Arts & crafts, math, reading, writing and more. Ages 4-10. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. $275. Call Mrs. Patty Konstantopoulos at 630.834.0477.

JULY 10

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. St. Demetrios, 7021 Hohman Ave.,Hammond, IN. 7:30 pm. 219.932.7347.

JULY 21-23

The Big Greek Food Festival of Niles. St. Haralambos Church, 7373 Caldwell, Niles, IL. 847.647.8880.

JULY 24

4^th annual Greek Heritage Night at Sox Park. Good friends and family will gather for fellowship with a tailgate at US Cellular Field. 6:00 pm; 7:10 pm game time, vs. Detroit Tigers.   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JULY 24

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. St. Demetrios, 893 Church Rd., Elmhurst, IL. 7:30 pm. 630.834.7010.

JULY 9-AUGUST 1

Pythagoras Children’s Academy “Camp Hollywood” Summer Camp. 893 N. Church Rd., Elmhurst, IL. Arts & crafts, math, reading, writing and more. Ages 4-10. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm. $275. Call Mrs. Patty Konstantopoulos at 630.834.0477.

AUGUST 5-9

8^th Annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival. Daley Plaza, Chicago. Authentic ethnic food, merchandise and entertainment from Chicago’s 28 global sister cities. 10:30 am-5:30 pm. Live musical and dance performances at 12:00-1:00pm each day. FREE.

AUGUST 16-18

Summer festival. St. Demetrios Church. 2727 W. Winona, Chicago. 773.561.5992.

AUGUST 21

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference.  St. Athanasios, 1855 East 5^th Ave., Aurora, IL. 7:30 pm. 630.851.6106.

SEPTEMBER 4

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. St. Nicholas, 10301 S. Kolmar Ave., Oak Lawn, IL. 7:30 pm. 708.636.5460.

SEPTEMBER 7

Saint Iakovos Retreat Center Fundraising Gala. 312.337.4130.

SEPTEMBER 18

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. All Saints, 102 N. Broadway, Joliet, IL. 7:30 pm. 815.722.1727.   

SEPTEMBER 21-22

Taste of Greece Fall Glendi. The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios, 893 N. Church Road, Elmhurst, IL. 630.834.7010.

OCTOBER 2

Rehearsal for the Choir Federation Conference. St. Nectarios, 133 S. Roselle Rd., Palatine, IL. 7:30 pm. 847.358.5170.

OCTOBER 2-6

Metropolis Clergy/Laity/Philoptochos Congress. Holy Trinity Church, Sioux City, IA.

OCTOBER 11-13

Choir Federation Conference, under the direction of conductor Christopher Kypros. SS Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Merrillville, IN.  Hymns from the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, arranged by Ted Bogdanos. 

OCTOBER 24

Feast day dinner for His Eminence Metropolitan IAKOVOS of Chicago. Concorde Banquets, 20922 N. Rand Rd., Kildeer, IL. 312.337.4130. 

OCTOBER 26

Greek Promotions Live presents Nikos Economopoulos in concert. The Meadows Club, 2950 W. Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, IL.

 

NOVEMBER 2

The Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR) conference. St. Katherine Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church. VA. This year’s topic is the pastoral and clinical care of aging. Info This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

For the latest info on what's happening around town, meet me here next time, Sto Kentro.

Send complete details on your upcoming events, including your website, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To be included, information must be received by Thursday at noon, for the following week's edition. Please include complete event info including organization, event location and address, plus contact information. Space is limited. We reserve the right to edit. Follow me on Twitter at @mariakaramitsos.

Exhibit "Gods, Myths and Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece" transports visitors to the bedrock of western civilization. Meet the gods, experience ancient Greek daily life and interact with the epic poem "The Odyssey" through more than 25 interactive components including a 13-foot tall Trojan Horse. 

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2
National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted Street, Greektown. 312.655.1234

All ages. Included with Museum general admission.

It's been more than 40 years since the area on Halsted Street from Madison to Van Buren has been officially designated as Greektown. Since then, immigration has waned. Greek-Americans have fully assimilated into American life. So does Greektown still matter?

Chicago is among the few US cities with a designated Greektown. As we've reported in these pages, the enclave has had its ups and downs, but continues to forge ahead. In this period of transition, Greektown business owners recently shared their insights about what Greektown needs going forward.

Among the changes to Greektown over the years, is the boom in residential development. Nearby high rises and smaller condo buildings now dot the perimeter.