The Greek Star

Chicago, IL—The Andreas Kapsalis Goran Ivanovic Guitar Duo will release “Blackmail,” their first studio record since their 2009 self-titled debut, on Tuesday, June 4th, 2013. Greek-American ten finger guitarist Andreas Kapsalis and Serbian-American nylon string classical guitarist Goran Ivanovic continue to experiment with the boundaries of jazz and classical guitar music, mixing in accents they picked up touring the world over the last four years. An intriguing album of eleven new acoustic guitar compositions, Blackmail is an unguarded moment of self-expression for the prodigious Chicago-based guitar duo.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – May 2, 2013 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), a global media and technology company, announced today that it has promoted Cathy Avgiris to chief financial officer of Comcast Cable, effective July 1.  Avgiris, a 21-year Comcast veteran, will report to Neil Smit, president and chief executive officer, Comcast Cable.  She succeeds Dave Scott, who is retiring after twenty years with the Company. 

Kalo Pascha!

This week we are proud to bring you our annual Easter issue—the biggest to date. This year we are reminded that with so many strifes around the world—especially the hardships endured in Greece—that now is the time for renewal. 

When you look closely at the definition of this powerful word, the following is listed: the state or process of being made spiritually new in the Holy Spirit. 

St. Paul writes to the Ephesians, “…be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” 

These are powerful words, especially during the season of Pascha.

As we celebrate the Resurrection, it is a challenge for us all  to examine this word and apply it to those areas that are broken. A time for renewal. 

Christ is Risen. Truly He is Risen.

BRUSSELS (AP)—A prominent European Parliament lawmaker scolded Cyprus' bailout creditors on Wednesday for failing to insist on the ethnically-split country's reunification—a development he says could boost growth through stronger business ties with neighboring Turkey.

Golfo Alexopoulos, a professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, received the outstanding faculty award. She is completing her second book, "Human Raw Material: Health and Inhumanity in Stalin's Gulag." Alexopoulos also received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support her research and writing on the book.

ATHENS(AP)—A veteran left-wing politician in Greece has launched a new political party favoring the country's return to the drachma, despite strong public support for the euro.

Annoula Dritsas is a professional plus size model, social media consultant and philanthropist based out of New York City. I recently talked with her about body image, being a Greek goddess and her favorite role model.

Greek yogurt is all around us, thankfully. It is no longer in specialty stores but rather fills up the aisles of the grocery stores all over the United States. Nowadays, however, how we eat it is becoming an art form. And one company has made it into a delicious frozen treat not only for kids but all ages to enjoy. I recently talked to Drew Harrington, Co-Founder of the Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Company to find out the success of this frozen treat.

Yasso is the first ever frozen Greek yogurt bar to hit the shelves. Greek yogurt is all the craze now here in the United States. How did you come up with the idea to make it a frozen treat?

My friend Amanda Klane and I came up with the idea back in 2009 because were inspired by the Greek yogurt phenomenon – suddenly, it was everywhere! Together we decided we’d take on the challenge. With a lack of healthy options in the frozen novelty category, we saw the opportunity to create something new and unique to better meet consumer needs.

For those who live in the Mile High City, be sure to check out owner Tim Lymberopoulos' Corner Store Cafe in Denver, CO. Located in the heart of Denver's Wash Park the cafe is located at 1939 East Kentucky Ave. Recently, Corner Store Cafe was selected to cater for Mayor Michael Hancock at a fundraising event at the Colorado Auto Dealer’s Association.  "It was an honor to serve the person behind the Denver Seeds Initiative and other guests who are also enthusiastic about growing a sustainable local food economy," said Lymberopoulos. For reviews and more log on to cornerstore.fooducopia.com. or call 303-722-7838.

WASHINGTON, DC—The American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) is accepting applications for its travel abroad program aimed to help Greek American college students better understand the core foreign policy issues important to the Greek American community. The program is open to Greek American and Cypriot American college students who are in good academic standing and who are studying political science, international relations, history, government, law and foreign affairs. The 2013 trip is scheduled for June 19 - July 5. Call (202) 785-8430 or visit www.ahiworld.org