November 2014, Issue No. 20 www.chaniapost.gr
the CHANIA POST Reach thousands of readers every month
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your local FREE newspaper
Offering a selection of local interest articles, interviews, news and other views from around the region of Chania and Western Crete
With a local services section, a range of advertisers and pages of free classfieds, Chania Post is an essential resource for anyone living in or just visiting this area
Questions and Answers on Ebola virus
Are hospitals in Crete ready to face it? Greece Adopts Preventive Measures
Local authorities in Crete are claiming that all hospitals are ready to face any incident with Embola virus! General Hospital of Chania has already taken 10 special medical uniforms for the protection of all employees and will get more in the near future. p.3 & 26
Scientists at the University of Crete made
A pill from Cretan herbs
A pill from Cretan herbs for influenza prepares its… international career.The wisdom of Cretan civilization through the ages is in this pill against flu, made by Greek scientists at the University of Crete. p.4
Tourism, cruises, airports and airlines are...
“Boosting” Local Economy
COMMERCE & TRADING
- Μajor deal for Cretan olive oil export in the United States? - Creta Farms Signs 400M Dollar (AUS) Contract - Commercial & Industrial Chamber of Chania at SIAL 2014, Paris p. 10-11 11 Cretan companies in top-500 of most profitable businesses in Greece p.18
FOOD & WINE Cretan honey among the best in the world p. 29
SPORTS
What do British residents of Chania Prefecture believe about this year’s Premier League Champion? Bull Leaping in Minoan Crete
p.30
• Elafonissi, Balos, Falassarna, Knossos and Samaria Gorge are top destinations, according to a new survey • Three construction companies will place their bids for the new international airport of Kastelli, Heraklion • RyanAir launches Chania 2015 Summer schedule. One new route to Glasgow. Increase on winter domestic flights • Crete and Hainan province sign cooperation protocol on tourism p. 10, 14 & 15
p.31
The biggest disadvantage of our island
Crete has the highest number of reported animal abuse cases in 2013 p.28
Public Bus Service is the Best Affordable Way to Travel to... Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and to all Southwestern Crete
Car accidents in Crete... An undeclared war!!!
by Elpida “Hope” Katsarakis NEA TV Journalist
Sports radio on the web... www.sportfmxania.gr
www.gelamou.gr... only the good news !!!
Hope is... … within our knowledge of it. Here are some famous quotes that prove this point of view.
-Hope knows no fear. Hope dares to blossom even inside the abysmal abyss. Hope secretly feeds and strengthens promise. [Sri Chinmoy, My Christmas-New Year-Vacation-Aspiration-Prayers Part 26 (2003)]. -Nature has fixed no limits on our hopes. [Björk, “Hope” on Volta (2007)].
22 year old Irini from Timpaki had her birthday on October 29th... by Pandelis Giaitsis CHANIA POST chief editor Fotini (40) and Costas (43) will not give their love to their 11 year old daughter… Three victims with no victimizer… it’s just like a war, but there are no enemies. Three young people died in car accidents within a few hours. Three dead people… three more numbers at the tragic list of Crete… three
-I live in hope and that I think do all Who come into this world. [Robert Bridges, The Growth of Love (1898), Sonnet 63]. -Unlike money, hope is all: for the rich as well as for the poor. [Fausto Cercignani in: Brian Morris, Simply Transcribed. Quotations from Fausto Cercignani, 2013, p. 5] -Hope knows no fear. Hope dares to blossom even inside the abysmal abyss. Hope secretly feeds and strengthens promise. [Sri Chinmoy, My Christmas-New Year-Vacation-Aspiration-Prayers Part 26 (2003)]. -Work without hope draws nectar in a sieve, And hope without an object cannot live. [Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Work Without Hope”, 1825] -Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. [Frank Darabont, in the screenplay for The Shawshank Redemption (1994)], Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? [T. S. Eliot, “Ash Wednesday”, part 1]
CHANIA POST
Your local free paper by FTP Publications 73, El. Venizelou str., Chania, 73100 Tel. +30 6977 295075
more numbers for the statistics of the Police… Why again? Until when? What can we do? Who’s to blame? R.I.P.
Live @ Love @ Laugh NOVEMBER ... joy loading!
by Pandelis Spiridakis gelamou.gr
Salut… sweet, sweet, sweet November waving its little finger.
A …to enjoy it B…to make changes C…to live November intense D…all the above!!! Winter is cool! Let’s discover together the winter mode for the slogan LIVE – LOVE – LAUGH It’s near Rethimno, you bet it is. This dolphin in the photo is AGORINOS and his girls are the only cheerleaders in Crete DOLPHIN BREATHS (they certainly cut your breath). Did you know that after the biggest teams in Greece: OLYMPIACOS & PANATHINAIKOS (Pandelis behave yourself my editor) …RETHYMNO AEGEAN is the next best thing someone can meet for the cheerleaders. They make people at the games really enjoy it and AGORINOS is the favourite guy for the kids. They all run and make hugs and photos! “Tranquilla” is their latest hit, when the basketball game hits a break these girls…enjoy it, people enjoy it! Eight shiny fresh girls and AGORINOS are just a symbolism, is another way to realize that “Sun rises every day, life rises every way”! No way to forget such thing! In a time of problems and difficulties,
they just live in Rethimno, get dressed make rehearsals with their favourite song and enjoy it…IT’ S SO SIMPLE! In a small city like Rethimno such mood, energy and companionship shakes the trouble all away and enjoys it! They are mothers, friends, one married woman, one girl studying from Mallia , another girl studying from somewhere else away from Crete…but they have all one goal... FUN – DANCING – SMILING! And that’s ….cheerful!
Owner/Publisher: FTP Publlications Web: http://www.chaniapost.eu E-mail: info@chaniapost.eu FB: http://www.facebook.com/chaniapost Twitter: @chaniapost Editors: Pandelis Giaitsis, Elpida “Hope” Katsarakis, Pandelis Spiridakis, Petros Chatzistavros, Giannis Kriaras, Nicos Lazakis, Miltiades Markatos, Giannis Venetakis, Giannis Xamonakis, Petros Marinakis, Niki Voulgarakis, Antonia Tsakirakis, Costas Nitse, Christos Panagopoulos. Advertising: Chania Post, 73, El. Venizelou str., Chania Tel. +30 6977295075 DTP: FTP Publications Printed in:
CHANIA POST... on the go
ECO friendly paper - Please recycle When you finish reading... give it to a friend Find CHANIA POST at the following points: CHANIA Municipal Market, Airport, Public Bus Central Station, Old Harbour, Municipal Tourist Information Desk
So no matter what happens find your inside cheerleader cause... 1 christmas is getting close 2 madness is the recipe 3 escape is the solution 4 mind is the dreamcar Why cheers? It’s the cheer up that makes the world wake up. Live it. Laugh with it & mainly Love rising up to the people you meet, the phototellers!!! Such an idea, totally drift! Take it in mind! Pandelis
PLATANIAS Central Square Infokiosk, Botanical Park KISSAMOS Gramvousa and Balos boats, Elafonissi, Falassarna KANDANOS-SELINO Paleochora Info Desk, Sougia, Kandanos SFAKIA Hora Sfakion Infokiosk, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, ANENDYK boats APOKORONAS Georgioupoli, Kavros, Vamos, Kalyves, Vrysses Also in Chania taxis, Limnoupolis Water Park and in selected cafes, businesses and shops throughout Chania Prefecture.
Chania... monthly shot
p. 2
editorial
(by Pavlos Mpouzis)
Greece Adopts Preventive Measures Against Ebola Virus
Are hospitals in Crete ready to face Embola virus?
Local authorities in Crete are claim-
Ministry was established to closely monitor the issue. Speaking to the Greek Press, the general secretary of public health, Christina Papanikolaou, noted that there is no reason to be particularly worried about Ebola in Greece “if we are well prepared.” So far there have been no cases of Ebola reported in Greece. KEELPNO has issued a warning against travel in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
ing that all hospitals are ready to face any incident with Embola virus! General Hospital of Chania has already taken 10 special medical uniforms for the protection of all employees and will get more in the near future. Authorities in all airports and ports of Crete are also ready to check every passnger coming from Africa or other countries facing big problem with Embola virus. The biggest problem is to check what happens in southern coastal line of the island. Port Authorities in all four regions are ready to face any kind of problem with illegal immigrants coming from Africa or Eastern Mediterranean. Greece Adopts Preventive Measures Against Ebola Virus Greece took precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola virus in the country, it was decided during an emergency meeting held between Health Ministry officials, experts from Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) and the National Health Operations Center
(EKEPY). According to announcements, Greece’s entry points were staffed with 30 specially trained KEELPNO medical specialists in order to detect any suspicious incidents. Furthermore, in order for experts to filter out high-risk cases, airline companies distributed questionnaires to visitors traveling from West African countries (via direct flights or transit).
However, the use of thermal cameras at airports to identify febrile travelers was deemed unnessesary. Greek and English language posters have already been placed in Greek airports providing information about the Ebola virus. In addition, the Amalia Fleming hospital in Athens has been put on standby to take in any suspicious Ebola cases and a committee in the Greek Health
“Greece is ready if an Ebola virus case appears” Alternate Health Minister Leonidas Grigorakos in statefor more news click on ments he made, he said http://chaniapost.gr that Greece is prepared to combat the Ebola virus. “We are ready. We are taking precautionary measures. We have set up a “special room” at ‘Amalie Flemmin’ hospital in Athens with two beds. What interests us is to have no Ebola incident”. He refused to answer which hospital in Thessaloniki is being prepared for the same reason but reassured that there is a special area in Thessaloniki’s airport to quarantine an Ebola virus case.
5. Agios Loukas Orphanage, Kubes School Complex, Palia Ilektriki, St. John Church
1. City center 1866 Sq., Kolokotroni Sq., Municipal Garden
6. Dikastiria Prefecture, Peter and Paul’s Church, Giampoudakis Park, Peace & Friendship Park
2. Old city Xenia, West bastion, Cathedral, Technical University of Crete, 1st High School, East walls
7. Agios Ioannis Aristotelous Sq., Agios Ioannis Park, East of Prevantorio
Protection in Chania, shelters in case of a natural disaster are the following:
3. Nea Chora Polychronidis Park, Elementary/High School, 14th Elementary School, Kladissos Sports Hall, 5th High School 4. Pachiana Fragkiko Cemetery, St. Nektarius Church, 17th Elementary School, VIOCHYM
8. Koum Kapi – Koundouros Villa
Andrianaki str.
9. Amberia Sports Centre, East Sports Centre, Old Hospital, St. Panteleimonas Church
11. Ethnikis Antistasseos
10. Halepa St. Magdalini Church, Eleftherios Venizelos Sq., Nursing Home, Evaggelistria Church, Prof. Ilias str. &
13. Profitis Ilias – Venizelos Graves
12. Akrotiriou Av.
Camp Spaces • Technical University of Crete,
Sponsored by
• • • • • • • • • •
General Hospital, Agios Ioannis Military Camp, Former Mental Hospital, Orphanage at Agios Loukas, Perivolia Municipal Stadium, Stadium of Kounoupidiana, Stadium of Galatas, Stadium of Mournies, Stadium of Monahi Elia, Stadium of Varypetro
p. 3
As announced by the Dpt. of Civil
in the spotlight
Shelters in Chania in case of a natural disaster
Antonis Foskolos: That’s
“In 5 years we will have a major revenue from hydrocarbons”
what Professor of Technical University of Crete Antonis Foskolos said, while speaking at the International Congress for Energy, in Heraklion. He mentioned that all information given to Prime Minister Samaras 2 years ago was verified. Mr. Foskolos also estimated that each drilling requires an investment of 25 bil. dollars, however, the revenue for our country will be bigger than expected. on for more news click “In a couple of years, http://chaniapost.eu
A pill from Cretan herbs for influen-
za prepares its… international career. The wisdom of Cretan civilization through the ages is in this pill against flu, made by Greek scientists at the University of Crete. Head scientist of the team is Professor of Medicine, Dr. Ilias Castanas. In an interview, he said that the pill is made from a combination of Greek herbs (especially Cretan) and extra virgin olive oil. The product was tested in clinical studies in 100 people, and the results an-
to 107% of GDP and is expected to start flowing in the treasury near the targeted time for the reduction of the debt as a share of the GDP to the levels of 120%, meaning around 2020. And that is because, as it has been stated, it usually takes around 8 to 10 years in order for the commercial exploitation to produce cash flow”, Mr. Foskolos concluded at his speech.
“generation of 300 or 500 euros” will be a bad past for our country. Considering the fact that the 25% if this is destined for covering the cost of mining and disposal and another 25% is the profit margin of the companies involved in these activities, estimates that around 50%, equaling to about 214 billion euros, is the net income for the public treasury. This amount corresponds
Scientists at the University of Crete made...
A Pill from Cretan herbs
Dr. Ilias Kastanas
nounced at a conference organized by the Greek National Drug Organization (EOF). The analysis showed that the product was more powerful than the flu, including the new H1N1 virus. The analysis of raw materials and quality control of the finished product is made by the Department of Chemistry, University of Crete. The pill will be released this month in and the recommended dose is two pills a day. In 2015 it will be released in Europe and America.
Natural disasters: the truth behind the recent floods in Athens
The last days of October were meant
p. 4
news & articles
by Chris Panagopoulos Ermocratis.com
to be very cold and extremely rainy; a sudden bout of heavy rainus flooded, in only a few hours, Athens’s west suburbs, leaving behind citizens lamenting for their properties. Stores full of water, basements covered in mud and cars washed away by the torrential water. It is a fact, Athens was built with no specific plan, leading to an inadmissible urban sprawl. Natural streams were covered in concrete, sewers’ gullies stuffed with dry leaves and litter. This matter sets once more under question the responsibilities held by the regional Greek authorities, as well as those held by the water companies.
What have they done so far? Why, even in the year 2014, Greek authorities continue to act and react so slowly against natural disasters? Surely, it is not the workers to blame; once more, it is a matter of bad management. For instance, in my neighborhood, which is located in the city’s heart, there used to be an old stream coming from a small hill in Galatsi, jettisoning its eflluvia downwards ending in a smaller stream that united with the Kifissos River.
Through the years, urban sprawl has made the normal course of water to vanish. Nowadays, each time the rain starts pouring, asphalt vanishes in only a few minutes under the torrential waters coming down from the hill. The sewers are not capable of accepting so big an amount of liquid. This is how the problem starts, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Taking a closer look in some streets, for example in the southern part of Attica, there are no sewers, so the reader can imagine what happens with a sudden
thunderstorm. In my opinion, it is time the Greek state made provisions about elementary matters such as public works and civil protection. Reflexes must become more vivid and effective. The sudden return of Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, to Greece, to “pull the ear” of those officials, who didn’t do their work properly, is just an excuse. Provisions are needed to be made. In other words, a proper prevention plan is needed. Otherwise, in the not so distant future, improvisation towards natural disaster might prove dangerous and in some cases fatal.
National pride and culturally specific concepts
by Giannis Xamonakis apokoronasnews.gr
“The Vogons are one of the most unpleasant races in the galaxy - not actually evil, but bad tempered, bureaucratic, officious and callous. They wouldn’t even lift a finger to save their own grandmothers from the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal without an order, signed in triplicate, sent in, sent back, queried, lost, found, subjected to public enquiry, lost again, and finally buried in soft peat for three months and recycled as firelighters”. Douglas Adams The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Even after years of being part of the
news & articles
community in this corner of Crete, there are still many unanswered questions in the enquiring minds of our British felon for more news click low residents. Questions r http://chaniapost.g about the language and the culture of the people in this part of the world. Or, more importantly, questions about how the system works here, and what the procedure is for getting, let’s say, electricity, heating oil, medical treatment, car tax, a planning permit or make a property transaction. Some of these questions are asked directly to local people, some to compatriots who have lived here a long time and some are not asked at all. Many answers are conjured up from assumptions based on experiences, beliefs and prejudices. But getting answers from locals is not difficult. You only need to start talking at the baker’s or the grocer’s or while waiting for the butcher to chop your chicken into bone-shattered pieces (always say no to that); or to the people at the table next to yours at the taverna, or those sharing your table at the local kafeneion, and Apokoronas will cheerfully bare its soul. After all, a friendly disposition is one of the things the locals are proud of. There are many other things Greek people are proud of. For example, their ancient culture, their language with its
A
Greeks, as some people claim. For it presumes a basic degree of honesty and a sense of right and wrong, which, as is also the case with other nationalities, some Greeks do not have. But there are many other, truly untranslatable words in the Greek language. And they are all the invention of those beings who are trying to think of ways to make life difficult for everyone in this country. Try to translate from Greek to another language, as briefly as you can, words that have a shared meaning for all who live in Greece: Nominal values, Shared plots, Builder’s electricity, Luxurious living, Illegal property, Taxable horsepower and many, many more. The reason why I mention these unique concepts, and that my list of words relates mainly to property, is that I was recently reminded of some of the problems hundreds of European property owners are faced with while attempting to procure or sell their dream home in the sun. Needless to say, there are many other property owners who are perfectly happy with their home and have encountered no building problems whatsoever. The case in point was not one of straightforward dishonesty on the part of the developer, such as siphoning off cash from the trusting client’s bank account or keeping for himself the workers’ insurance (IKA), resulting in the owner getting additional demands years later. I would argue that the state also bears a large share of the responsibility even in these cases, as the whole system relies on producing regulations too complex for anyone to follow, backed by stiff fines for not following them. While, at the same time, it tacitly colludes with rogue operators by leaving many loopholes and by not having a system for checking whether any of these regulations are adhered to. No, this case was not one relating to the developer’s dishonesty as there was no money to be made, nor could anyone predict the changes in regulations. It is entirely the fault the bureaucrat creatures who continue to produce rules
The miracle at Venizelion Hospital and the… Google Translator
seriously injured young Chinese was transfered to Venizelion Hospital, Heraklion from Santorini, after an accident with his jet ski. Doctors and nurses, led by surgeon George Mastorakis, tried from the very first minute to take care of the unfortunate Chinese. He however needed a few days of hospitalization…
But, there was a lot of paperwork to do and that’s where the problem was… A young girl, who was with him, could not speak English and no one could explain to her what was happening, what the problem was and what would happen next, to inform their relatives in China! According to a report from cretalive.gr, the solution came from Dr. Mastorakis.
He opened Google Translator on his cell phone and… almost “everything” were translated from English to Chinese! “Just to be sure about the translation, I asked from the program to do the opposite… from Chinese to English. Everything… ok!”, said Dr. Mastorakis. The young Chinese woman was very excited and informed her relatives in China with a… translatred e-mail!
“Blue Flag” National Operators Meeting in Chania
The “Blue Flag” National Op-
p. 6
many words that have become part of other languages and their ability to face adversity and survive. Nonetheless, in the last couple of thousand years the world moved on , while Greece went into decline. And Greeks, underneath their surface confidence of having a direct link to one of the great civilizations of the past, crave for approval from those foreigners they sometimes playfully disparage. There is nothing more pleasing for local people than to hear good things about Greece from the mouths of ordinary visitors. ‘Love the people’, ‘beautiful country’, ‘lovely food’. And yet another level of excitement is reserved for VIP visitors when asked the same questions, as they come out of Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital. As in ‘What do you think of Greek food Amal?’ …… And when the visitors manage to utter a sentence or two in Greek, it is a further sign of approval and a recognition that modern Greece amounts to something. True enough, Greek is a difficult language to master, and speaking it fluently is doubly so. The aforementioned response to questions, therefore, takes place mostly in English, embellished with the air of authoritative knowledge: “… and as we are on the subject of language, what is this I hear about the untranslatable Greek concepts, something I read about recently, what was the word?…. Ahh... filotimow?” one of our British residents asks. To which the willing Greek readily responds: “A most untranslatable, demanding and really mysterious word in the Greek language. Filotimo. Literally, of course, it means friend of honour. But Filotimo is much, much more…”, and so on. This is a bit of an exaggeration, really. Because, first, there is nothing untranslatable about honour and a respect for others. The word is often used in the same way as ‘shame’ when speaking (hypothetically) of a politician who refuses to leave office even after he has been exposed as a liar and a crook. “He has no filotimo,” people say. And secondly, it is not an innate quality of the
erators Meeting was held in Chania, from October 16th to 19th. More than 70 representatives of the program came to Chania. The city of Chania was chosen due to the participation to the program, in order ot improve the environmental image and the local economy of the area. General Secretary of Tourism, Mr. Anastasios Liaskos, said that
“Blue Flag is a serious project for our country, giving additive value to the tourism product and has made our country known worldwide for its environmental sensitivity“. From October 19th to 22nd , there was the
“Green Key” National Operators Meeting in Rethymnon.
and regulations by the bucketful to justify their existence. Rules that no one used to take seriously, not even other bureaucrats in other government agencies. The discussion between my acquaintance, who wanted to sell her house, and her solicitor went like this: “I was told that I cannot sell without having new contracts drawn…” Solicitor: “That is correct. Your house is on a shared plot. The two houses should have been much closer together and linked by an arch.” “So does that mean that my house is illegal? I have a building permit from the planning department with all the right stamps and everything…” Solicitor: “Your house is perfectly legal. But you cannot sell it or transfer it without new documents.” And he went on to explain how the plans of the property were drawn up when the plot was purchased and how different plans were submitted to the notary. The plans were later redrawn to the buyers’ specifications and a planning permit was obtained, thus making the property legal. A common practice, apparently, and one that nobody had any problems with, until now. New regulations? Enforcing some old ones that came out of storage? A chance for the government to make some extra cash? Who knows? But, hey, don’t panic. There’s nothing that can’t be fixed in this country for a few thousand euros. But we need to think about this as a nation. People who choose to live here love this country and are prepared to put up with some inconvenience and extra expense. But this continual moving of the goalposts, randomly and retrospectively, is not only very hard to explain to someone outside the cultural confines of Greece, but can also outbalance the benefits of living in this beautiful place. Is this really the face of Greece we want to present internationally, at a time when, as the government says, we need more investment from abroad? But who would really expect Vogons to develop filotimo?
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U.S. company brings new innovative technologies
ONEX to invest in Greek fish farming in Crete
In early 2015 is expected to begin
operation the new innovative fish farm in Crete made by the American company Onex Technologies. It is an investment of 40-50 mil. dollars. The unit was scheduled to be operational in September (breeding amberjack and bream), but the launch was postponed to next year due to the lengthy process of gathering the necessary data from the Greek government. The appropriate point on where the unit will be for more news click r developed will be posthttp://chaniapost.g ed by the end of November. Currently, the focus is on three points in the maritime region of Crete, two on the north side and one on the south side of the island, which seems to gather all those advantages that the company wants. According to an article of AQUACULTURE NORTH AMERICA newspaper… “Investment in Greece from abroad is starting to pick up again as the country emerges from its six-year recession. The New York-based Onex Technol-
ogies Inc. is one of the first onboard with a planned $50 million investment in Greek fish farming. According to a report from Greece, Onex announced that it will use the technology of US defense company Lockheed Martin for developing aquaculture facilities in the Mediterranean. Pending regulatory approval, the company says that it will first create
Telegraph: Greek village deliberately submerged in reservoir as part of dam project
Aerial footage has emerged of a vil-
news & articles
lage in Crete, Greece which has been deliberately sunk in an artificial water reservoir. The controversial Aposelemi dam project, which should solve a water supply problem in Heraklion and other cities in Crete, requires that the medieval village of Sfendyli be almost completely submerged. In the footage captured by a local resident using a drone on Monday, roads suddenly lead to nowhere and the tops
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The
of houses can just be seen from the surface of the water. The beautiful village, which was home to around 80 people, also had a Byzantine 14th century church which was decorated with historic murals of the Fokas brothers. The filmmaker said: “when Sfendyli was settled nobody could have predicted its fate. The village withstood invaders, but it seems it could not withstand the passage of evolution and progress”. telegraph.co.uk
amberjack fish farms in 15 areas of international waters to the north of the island of Crete. Estimated investment for this project is 42-million Euros ($50m USD). About 100 jobs will be created. The investment will be overseen by an Onex subsidiary to be based in Athens, operating under the name Pneumonia.
More
The majority of product – some 90% – will be directed to Europe, the US and Japan. Onex Technologies was incorporated in New York in 2013 and specializes in ICT Technology and consulting. The company is also interested in investing in the Greek defense and aerospace industry.”
The biggest metropolitan park of Crete will be constructed at Heraklion
than 8 mil. euros from european funds will be the total cost in one of the biggest projects in Crete. It’s the metropolitan park of Heraklion… the biggest challenge for the new Municipal Authority of Heraklion. The Technical Dpt. of the Municipality of Heraklion is trying to complete the project design of Erithrea’s park. A couple of weeks ago, there was a met-
ing at Alikarnassos about the project and in the next few days deputy Mayor, Mr. Haris Mamoulakis, will meet the Prefect of Crete, Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis and the deputy Minister of Infrustructure, Mr. Odisseas Konstantinopoulos. Half of the 8 mil. euros will be spend for gardening works, trees and flowers. When finished, Erithrea Metropolitan Park will be the largest in Crete and the third one in Greece.
Crete link to mainland electricity grid back on the cards
independent (from the PPC) Power Distribution Management Company responsible for the project has not made a decision on the point of connection in Crete, but five suitable areas are considered: Angeliana and Petres in Rethymnon, two locations in Linoperama and one in Georgioupolis in Chania, with the site of a disused quarry in Linaropetra being the front runner as the location least likely to be subjected to objections from local planning authorities regarding the use of land. In a statement, the minister for Energy and Climatic Change said that once the ministry decides, the Energy Regulating Authority will also need to approve the location of connection in Crete. “The project will also need to be accepted by the municipality, region and other local organisations” said the minister, adding that the Power Distribution Company has sought the support of the region to make decide on a suitable location. Once that is done, for the project to move on to the next stage, a further survey of the seabed will need to be conducted as well as an environmental impact study. “If the location decision is taken this year, then the surveys are going to be completed by the end of 2016” the min-
ister concluded. There are studies on the subject of connecting Crete to the mainland grid goin back at least ten years. The original location as recommended as connection point in a survey by PPC in 2012 was near Heraklion. That idea was later abandoned when the power distribution and grid maintenance was separated from power production.
The high cost of diesel produced electricity in Crete is paid for by other electricity consumers, to keep the price of a unit in Crete at the same level as the rest of Greece. The costs of these subsidies are running into many tens of millions of euro every year. Other studies, also dating back to the early 2000s, indicate that Crete could meet 100% of its electricity needs usinf
a combination of renewable sources and, had it been connected to the grid, sell power to the mainland. In January 2011 an international consortium Nur-MOH SA was granted a licence to built in Crete the biggest Concentrated Solar Power plant in Europe capable of producing 38MW of electricity. apokoronasnews.gr
Μajor deal for Cretan olive oil export in the United States?
A major deal with a trader (Botzakis
S.A.) in Heraklion, in order to export more than 300 tons of olive oil per month in the USA, had been discussed a few days ago. It seems like the Americans decided to change the way they eat, because health benefits of olive oil are well known all over the world. Regional Governor of Crete, Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, the president of Cretan Export Association, Mr. Alkiviadis Kalambokis, and representatives from interested companies were present. “Quality of Cretan prodon ck ucts is their passport cli ws ne for more .eu st to markets aborad”, said po ia an http://ch Mr. Arnaoutakis. There are no more information about the total cost of the possible agreement, but the american company is interested in import of Cretan olive oil in a year basis (more than 3.000 tons), while showed its interest for other local products, such as honey, herbs and wine.
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news & articles
Crete and Hainan province sign cooperation protocol on tourism
Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Hainan Provincial Committee Yu Xun who is currently in Crete accompanied by a five-member delegation, signed on Monday a protocol of cooperation in the sectors of tourism, trade, and culture. During the meeting that took place in the Regional Governor’s offices, Mr. Arnaoutakis stressed the advantages of Crete in the sectors of culture, quality tourism, and production of goods. He also made a specific reference to the unique Cretan diet and noted that steps will be taken to reinforce the exports of Cretan products and increase Chinese tourist arrivals. Mr. Yu Xun expressed his satisfaction for the signing of the cooperation protocol and said that this is a first step that will lead to further cooperation in different sectors in the future.
Commercial & Industrial Chamber of Chania at SIAL 2014, Paris
Commercial
& Industrial Chamber of Chania participated in SIAL 2014, Paris, with nine businesses from Chania as exhibitors, in an effort to promote local traditional products to markets abroad. Participating Cretan businesses were: • Faros-Traditional Cretan Products • Cretan Bakery SA-Perrakis • Avoel-Cretan Avocado Products • ABEA Olive Oils-Soaps • Creta Fresh Juices-Essential Oils • Eliva-Extra Virgin Olive Oil • Vinolio Creta Company • AB Earth Flavors and European Historic Cafes Association. CCI’s chairman of the Board, Mr. Giannis Margaronis, vice chairman, Mr. Michalis Heretakis, and deputy manager, Mr. Michalis Papavassiliou, were also present at SIAL. CCI was the only Greek Chamber participating in SIAL, proving that there is a continuously and serious effort to help Cretan businesses to reach markets abroad. About SIAL From 19 to 23 October 2014, the Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte-France welcomed the world’s major agri-food event: SIAL Paris with more than 6,300 exhibitors and
150,000 high profile visitors, including the TOP French and international decision-makers... all this at the Salon International de l’Alimentation and nowhere else! 150,258 visitor entries and 6,300 French and international exhibitors from 105 countries participated in SIAL 2014. The Salon International de l’Alimentation is the world’s largest agribusiness
economy is well established. And to celebrate the 50th anniversary of SIAL Paris in style, the 6,500 exhibiting companies pulled out all the stops this year.
trade fair. With exhibitors up by 10%, the major role played by SIAL Paris in the sector’s
With high quality standards, enhanced content and services, an exclusively business climate – perfect for network-
ing and generating orders from exhibitors – and intense media exposure, the 50th anniversary event was a total success! The popularity of the inspiration and events zones, in particular SIAL Innovation, amply testified to the visitors’ interest in the avalanche of new developments. SIAL Innovation attracted 1,757 candidates, and awarded 20 prizes and just as many medals– proof positive of the dynamism of this year’s event. Beyond the universally recognised quality and relevance of the event, SIAL Paris was also delighted to play host to 150 official delegations and distinguished guests. French President François Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls, accompanied by Stéphane Le Foll, Minister for Agriculture and Government Spokesman, were also in attendance to demonstrate their keen interest in all players on the French and international agribusiness scenes. A set of positive outcomes in tune with the global challenge facing operators in the sector.
Creta Farms Signs 400M Dollar (AUS) Contract
The owners of Greek company Cre-
Garden furniture, Trellises Fencing and gate posts
Under Australian Primo Meats’ oversight, Creta Farms will achieve max-
Garden tools, watering systems, lawn mowers
Fertilizers, Weed & pest control, Seeds
Garden and kitchen composters
We also offer a landscaping service, garden maintenance, wedding bouquets and flower arrangements and a customer advice service. Chania Mournies (supermarkets) exit Tel 28210 70700 Fax: 28210 70736 Mob 6977 528842
Chania Town Centre Tel 28210 56743 8 Sof Venizelou Square
Plaka Apokoronas Tel 28250 32322 Fax: 28250 32322
For customer service email info@enkipo.gr— Landscaping inquiries garden@enkipo.gr — Advice advices@enkipo.gr — Sales sales@enkipo.gr Website www.enkipo.gr
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Trees , Plants, Pots, Containers, Compost
the intellectual property of Creta Farms (know-how, patents, trade name, etc.).
imum performance, capitalizing on investments of the last 10 years to guarantee the establishment of its olive oil charcuterie products around the world. The cooperation will last for at least 5 years. Creta Farms sales during this period are expected to reach 400 million Australian dollars. Furthermore, the deal has a guaranteed execution rate and includes royalties. It also includes a 5 million dollar plan for the local promotion of Creta Farms products. greekreporter.com
news & articles
ta Farms, Takis and Manolis Domazakis, have signed a deal of “industrial franchising” with a top charcuterie company in Australia. The agreement, secured amid the difficult times that the Greek market currently faces, shows the range of domestic and international opportunities available to Greek food companies. The alliance of Creta Farms with Australian Primo Meats is based on a licensing agreement which gives authorization to the Australian company to use
Memoranda thrashed industrial relations Research
GSEE captures the dramatic impact of the MoU on industrial relations. The eight-hour day is now past, the 2009 rotation work has increased by 73%, 70% of workers have signed individual contract and about 850,000 workers are unpaid for more than four months. According to the survey of GSEE, which publishes the newspaper “Ethnos”, part-time and job rotation dominate the labor market with the “workers” employed for a few hours in the day or a few days a week, resulting in the collapse of income. Since 2009, job rotation has increased by 73%, the number on of employees from ck cli for more news .eu 272,561 people in 2009 st po http://chania came at the end of 2013, 440.443 working. 131,512 individuals
by Katerina Polizou NEA TV Journalist
The reserves cover just two months pensions
work less than 5 days a week. The complete deregulation of labor relations is also obvious through the fact that more than half of the contracts converted into individual work by a unilateral decision of the employer. Alterations in individual contracts
Prefecture of Chania quarantined due to bluetongue As
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news & articles
officially announced by the Department of Agriculture and Veterinary of the Prefecture of Chania, all the Prefecture is quarantined due to bluetongue. New cases of infected sheeps have been found at Voukolies and Palia Roumata, while it’s a matter of time for sheeps at Selino to be infected. We have to mention once more that bluetongue is not contagious to humans! Department of Health of the Prefecture of Chania has already set a control zone of 20km around each infection, which means that the whole area of the Prefecture of Chania is under quarantine. Bluetongue disease or catarrhal fever is a non-contagious, insect-borne, viral disease of ruminants, mainly sheep and less frequently cattle, goats, buffalo,
deer, dromedaries and antelope. It is caused by the Bluetongue virus (BTV). The virus is transmitted by the midge Culicoides imicola, Culicoides variipennis and other culicoids. Although bluetongue disease was already recognized in South Africa in the early 19th century, a comprehensive description of the disease was not published until the first decade of the 20th century. In 1906 Arnold Theiler showed that bluetongue was caused by a filterable agent. He also created the first bluetongue vaccine, which was developed from an attenuated BTV strain. For many decades bluetongue was thought to be confined to Africa. The first confirmed outbreak outside of Africa occurred in Cyprus in 1943.
were accompanied by reductions in wages start at 10% and reaching 40%. At the same time more than 850,000 workers are paid for over four months. It is a threatening dead end According το Savvas Rombolis: Α re-
cent study for the period 2013 – 2050 shows that the reserve fund, and after the PSI, is only 4.5 billion. Euros, which can cover just two months pensions, main and auxiliary, so the main problem is to rebuild the reserve fund. The year is 2016 crisis during which the system should take the extra contributions and state grants 950 million. The 2017 will shall need 1.8 billion. In 2019 an extra 2.4 billion. The total amount reaches 3.8 billion by the year 2023. From 2023 until 2028 770,000 people born during 1960 - 1965 will start retiring in Greece. We estimate that half of them will be able to get a pension. Therefore, in 2023, the SKA will need extra 3.8 billion and in 2028 6.5 billion.
1999-2013
650 Cretans put an end to their lives
Numbers are telling the truth… that’s what Greeks say… and the number of Cretans who put an end to their lives in the last 15 years is shocking! Despite the fact that over the last 15 years, suicide rates have risen in Crete, the numbers indicate that at this time, 650 people put an end to their lives! As pointed out by the psychiatry professor, Mr. Alexander Vgontzas, in a conference at Androgeo Hall (Heraklion), ” recent increase of suicides in Crete stresses that there is an urgent need for more social structures”. The main reason for all who put an end to their lives is unemployment.
The purpose of the conference, entitled “Suicide: Effect of the economic crisis? Alternative proposals for dealing with it”, was to find solutions that assist in the prevention, diagnosis and support for people experiencing the effects of the crisis.
Rethymnon (from Monday 27/10)
Monday – 9 a.m. / 2.30 p.m. Tuesday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. / 8.30 p.m. Wednesday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. Thursday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. / 8.30 p.m. Friday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. / 8.30 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. / 2.30 p.m. Sunday – CLOSED
Monday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. Tuesday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. / 8.30 p.m. Wednesday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. Thursday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. / 8.30 p.m. Friday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. / 8.30 p.m. Saturday – 9 a.m. / 2 p.m. Sunday – CLOSED
Ministry
of Environment, Energy and Climate Change approved a major tourism investment in Crete. A big business group from Cyprus will build two hotels and villas, in an area of 40 acres at Triopetra, Rethymnon. MEECC will also approve in the next few days another two major investments at Sitia (a hotel of 200 beds, con-
ference hall, golf course, marina, spa in an area of 950 acres) and Elounda/Plaka (two 5-stars hotel, golf course in an area of 1.450 acres). for more news click on Total cost of the investhttp://chaniapost.gr ment in Rethymnon is more than 400 mil euros, including conference halls, spa, organic farms, etc.
“Precious Earth” These last few years I often look all
around me and all I can see is distracted creatures walking by. Some are trying to smile but their eyes convey what their mouth cannot utter. All these are people who used to have everything a few years ago. They had a brand new house to shelter their families, an expensive car to be able to travel everywhere, new outfits according to the media images (TV, magazines and films). They had a “perfect”, an artificial life. It is as if a fairy-god mother had visited them and offered them the whole world for only night. But now everything turns into a pumpkin again. They can no longer possess a house for the money they had agreed to pay in return is now gone. Also, they can no longer have a car for it’s a kind of luxury for most of them. And most importantly their artificial image, their fake self-esteem is only part of a memory. These people have no longer an interest in their appearance. Most of them do not have a secure income to sustain
their families. They now struggle to make ends meet. Some can hardly find a job and if they do, the cost of living is such that they can hardly dream of a better life. So where are we now? In the 1854 a native Indian answered to an offer made by the Americans, saying: “How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? That idea is strange to us. If
we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water how can you buy them? Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing insect is holy in the memory and the experience of my people. The rivers are our brothers, they quench our thirst. ……You must teach the children that
by Elsa Pramateftakis - Teacher
the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grand-fathers. So that they will respect the land.” Maybe, if we had shared those people views and love for everything that surrounds us, we would not have treated earth in such a way. We would not have seeked happiness in luxury apartments and fancy clothes or expensive jewellery. We would not have been trapped in a non stop quest of vanity, ignoring the Indian’s quotation “whatever befalls the Earth befalls Man”. So what is left for us to do? I believe we must appreciate life and simple things like the fresh air and the warmth of the sun. It does not matter if we are left with fewer possessions. After all, nothing was really ever ours. Man belongs to earth and no the other way around. We still have time to change our lives. As long as we wake up with a smile, feeling blessed that we can hear the song of the birds and see the brightness of the sun, our life will no longer be the same again.
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Chania (from Monday 27/10)
The first big hotel investment in Crete
news & articles
Shops opening hours in Chania and Rethymnon for the winter
New international airport of Kastelli
Three construction companies will place their bids
Three major construction companies
are interested in the new international airport of Kastelli, Heraklion. According to information of euro2day. gr, three bids will be opened on November 11th, while China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) seems not to be interested any more. French VINCI along with Greek ELAKTOR, Spanish ACS along with Greek TERNA and French Bougyes along with J&P AVAX Group, are the three final bidding groups for the construction of the new airport. Interest is coming only from European groups, because the new airport is considered as absolutely necessary for tourist deon for more news click velopment of Crete. http://chaniapost.eu
Total cost of the investment reaches 800 mil euros. The new airport at Kastelli in Iraklio, Crete is expected to start operating within four years and to avoid high charges, Greek media reported Monday. The Kastelli Airport will replace the existing one, whose only runway points in the wrong direction and has inadequate infrastructure for the second busiest airport in Greece. Moreover, due to the Kastelli airport’s concession agreement, which resulted in reduced traffic, the new airport will manage to avoid applying the same high charges as Athens International Airport. The airport’s concession agreement will last for 35 years, and took account of charges at other competitive Mediterra-
nean airports such as Cyprus, Tenerife and Malta. This agreement aspires to help travellers spend no more than two percent of their total expenses on airport charges.
Greece’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks is reportedly trying to apply temporary measures to enable the airport to handle ever-growing tourist traffic.
Three Cretan hotels under “Sentido Hotels & Resorts Group” Sentido Blue Sea Beach, Sentido Elound Blu and Sentido Sun Beach
Three hotels in Crete will be under
from the next town. This stylish adults only property will be renovated in winter ‘14. It offers amazing sea views, 146 rooms, 3 restaurants, 1 indoor and outdoor pool and a 250 m² spa area.
“Sentido Hotels & Resorts Group”, which is controlled by Thomas Cook:
Sentido Blue Sea Beach The completely renovated hotel SENTIDO Blue Sea in Stalis offers typical Greek hospitality and a relaxing atmosphere. It is located on Stalida Bay across the road from the sandy beach. The family friendly hotel offers various restaurants and bars, a variety of sports and children activities and frequent daytime and evening entertainment.
Sentido Elounda Blu The SENTIDO Elounda Blue is locat-
ed on the seafront just 50 m away from the beach in Elounda and 1,2 km away
Sentido Sun Beach Newly built in the Malia area, the adults only hotel SENTIDO Sun Beach is located directly on a tranquil, sandy beach, just a step away from the pool. The modern hotel will offer accommodation in 115 rooms, 2 restaurants, 3 bars and a spa and wellness centre.
Tragic Scots mum pulled from sea with broken neck, shattered ribs & punctured lung... ...yet police say she simply drowned Sons of a Scots woman whose body
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news & articles
was found in the sea off Crete have received support from the UK Government in their quest for answers more than five years after her death. Jean Hanlon, who lived on Crete, went missing in March 2009 and was found four days later near Heraklion. Her sons, Michael, David and Robert Porter, want a new investigation. Michael Porter said officials from the Foreign Office had told him a letter would be written on behalf of the Government to state there was enough evidence that Ms Hanlon, 53, was placed in the water. Michael met Greece’s ambassador to the UK to demand a fresh investigation into her death. Michael Porter, 29, said his family will not rest until they get justice for Jean Hanlon, who was found in the water off the Greek island in March 2009. At first the local police said the 53-yearold had drowned. But after pressure from her family, a second post mortem revealed she had suffered a broken neck, shattered ribs, a punctured lung and facial injuries consistent with a struggle. Divorcee Jean, from Dumfries, had arranged a job interview to get work for the summer hours before she vanished. Yesterday, Michael, an actor who lives in London, took part in a protest at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and other London embassies along with the charity Death Abroad, You’re Not
Backing for death inquiry
Alone. They campaign for UK families whose loved ones have died abroad under any circumstances. Michael was able to press Greek ambassador Konstantinos Biskas, who had agreed to meet him, to have the case reopened. The meeting was part of a two-pronged thrust, with legal moves also taking place in Crete. Michael said: “We have a new lawyer now and in the next couple of weeks we will have a new case presentation. “The port police, who were dealing with my mum’s case, should never have been involved. They deal with sunken ships – not homicides. “The case has not been closed, it has been filed but, until new evidence is found, they won’t reopen it. “But if they’re not going to re-investigate, how will they know if there’s new evidence?” Biskas told Michael he would be writing to prosecutors to urge them to reassess Jean’s death. Michael said: “The meeting went really well, and the ambassador spent a lot of time with us. “He couldn’t obviously make any promises in terms of law, but he did promise he would write a statement to prosecutors in Greece saying he is backing myself and the family. “I will be speaking to our lawyer again this week, and hopefully the case will be heard the following. “We know for a fact all the previous
leads haven’t been followed up because we got copies of the case notes, had them transcribed, and there weren’t statements from several people who should have been investigated. “The ambassador has vowed to get the actual police to look at the case, and hopefully they will reopen it. “We have been let down over the years, and so can’t get too excited but the fact the ambassador made the effort, wasn’t rushing away, and promised to send me copies of letters he is going to write has given us some fresh hope.” The family have been to Crete to carry out their own investigations and interview witnesses. Michael added: “We have built up a picture over five years about people who had contact with her that day. “Certain people need investigated. They haven’t because the wrong police dealt with it. That for me is enough to say, OK, this family deserves it, most of all my poor mum. “It is now proven she was dead before going in the water. She didn’t walk away drunk. Someone put her in the water.” Mum-of-three Jean moved to Crete in 2003 after quitting a job at her local hospital and sold her house to start a new life in the sun.
The family’s campaign forced the Greeks to open a murder inquiry, and two men, a Greek and Belgian, were questioned. Both were released without charge, and court officials ruled in 2012 that there was not enough evidence for a prosecution. with info from: - www.dailyrecord.co.uk - www.heraldscotland.com
Elafonissi, Balos, Falassarna, Knossos and Samaria Gorge Top destinations, according to a new survey
Over 3,2 mil arrivals in Chania and
Heraklion airports until the end of September, with most of tourists choosing Elafonissi as top destination (33%). One out of four tourists visited the museums of the island, although top destinations were: • Elafonissi • Balos • Falassarna • Knossos • Samaria Gorge According to a survey of postgraduate students of MAICH (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania), Technical University of Crete and University of Crete, Crete set a new record this year as a classic summer destination. At Heraklion airport there were 2,4 mil (+3,75%) arrivals by the end of September and at Chania airport 863.168 (+10%). Half of the tourists (53%) came from Scandinavian countries, while RyanAir had 88% of non Scandinavian passengers arriving in Chania. 61% of the arrivals at Heraklion airport were from Germany, Russia (-11%), Great Britain and France. 82% of tourists arriving in Chania,
stayed also in Chania for their vacation, 14% went to Rethymnon and 4% to Heraklion and Lassithi. Four out of five visitors were university graduates, while one out of five answered that he earns more than 80.000 euros per year. Two out of three believe that prices were fair enough. Most of them were informed for their vacation from the internet or from relatives who visited Crete in the past. More than 70% of tourists chose to stay in hotels, 25% in rented rooms or stu-
dios and 4% in villas or campings. Three out of four Scandinavians chose to stay in a hotel of 3 or 4 stars. 14% of the tourists chose 5 stars hotels and 10% chose a 2 star hotel. All inclusive packages were chosen by 33% of tourists, especially non-Scandinavians. Average time of vacation was 9 days, while Scandinavians stayed one more day. Top residence destinations in Chania are Platanias and Agia Marina (62%). 18% chose to stay in a hotel in Chania
centre, 7% to Apokoronas or Georgioupolis, 7% at Kastelli, Kissamos and also 7% at Sfakia, Paleohora or Sougia. Natural beauties of Crete is the main reason (97%) for all tourists to visit the island. Also, cretan cuisine (81%), archaelogical sights (42%) and fun/night life (27%). 90% are fully satisfied with services provided and locals behavior, 80% were satisfied by public bus services and the level of safety. On the contrary, 33% had complaints about taxi services, cleanliness and parks. Major problems are condition of the roads throughout the island, prices/toilets/avail- for more news click on http://chaniapost.gr able seats at the airports Tourists chose to buy wine, fresh orange juice and olive oil (40%), cheese, tsikoudia, honey, vegetables and soap (30%), cretan rusks (16%) and aromatic herbs (8%). Most of them spent 60 to 80 euros per day (87% restaurants and tavernas, 56% shopping/rent a car/taxi/bus, 33% daily trips, 13% night life). with info from tovima.gr
Cretan company “Europlan”, winner of European Property Awards A Cretan company at Herakion has
been awarded as the Best Architecture Single Residence in European Property Awards at London. “We knew that we have been awarded as the Best Architecture Single Residence in Greece, but we didn’t know that we are the best in Europe”, said Mr. George Gounalakis, one of the founders of Europlan.
Europlan will represent Europe in World Property Awards, which will be held at Dubai, December 3-4. About the Property Awards The International Property Awards are open to residential and commercial property professionals from around the globe. They celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and
real estate industry. An International Property Award is a world-renowned mark of excellence. The awards are split into regions covering Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe, UK and USA. Participants enter at their relevant national level and are judged by a highly experienced team of professionals who cover the whole range of property disci-
plines. Companies selected as winners are then invited to attend a glittering awards dinner for each region and have the right to use the prestigious logo in their marketing. The highest-scoring winners from each region are automatically entered into the overall International Awards, which ultimately determine the world’s finest property companies.
RyanAir launches Chania 2015 Summer schedule
airline, launched its Chania 2015 Summer schedule, with one new route to Glasgow International Airport and announced the increase of the winter routes to Athens (from 13 to 18 frequencies per week) and Thessaloniki (from 6 to 7 frequencies per week). Ryanair will deliver over 850,000 customers p.a. and support 850* on-site jobs at Chania Airport. Ryanair’s Chania 2015 summer schedule will deliver: • 1 new summer route: Glasgow International • 28 Chania summer routes in total • 94 weekly frequencies • Over 850,000 Ryanair customers p.a. at Chania Airport • Over 850* jobs sustained at Chania Airport Ryanair is launching its summer schedule 3 months earlier than last year, with one new route, more flights, better timings and the lowest fares. Greek customers can choose from 28 routes from Chania next summer, while enjoying allocated seating, a free second carry-on bag, reduced fees, a new website, a brand new app with mobile boarding passes and our new Family Extra service, making Ryanair the ideal choice for families, leisure and business travellers. Ryanair is furthermore delighted to announce the increase of winter frequen-
cies on the domestic routes to Athens (from 13 to 18 weekly frequencies) and Thessaloniki (from 6 to 7 weekly frequencies). Ryanair celebrated the launch of its Chania summer 2015 schedule and one new route by releasing 100,000 seats for sale across its European network, at prices from €19.99 for travel between November and January 2015. In Chania, Ryanair’s Sales and Marketing Executive for Greece, Chiara Ravara said: “Ryanair is pleased to launch its 2015 summer schedule, with 1 new route to Glasgow International for a total of 28 exciting summer routes to choose from. Ryanair is furthermore delighted to announce the increase of frequencies to Athens and Thessaloniki for the winter season kicking off from 26 October. Ryanair will deliver over 850.000 customers in Chania this year. Greek consumers and international tourists already choose Ryanair for our low fares, industry leading customer service and great route choice. Now they can also book their summer 2015 flights even earlier on our improved website and great new app, carry a free small 2nd carry-on bag, enjoy allocated seats, avail of our new Family Extra and Business Plus services, and use their personal electronic devices at all stages of their flight, as Ryanair continues to deliver so much more than just the lowest fares.
3 CHANIA WINTER ROUTES • Athens: From 13 to 18 x week • Thessaloniki: From 6 to 7 x week • Paphos: 3 x week 28 CHANIA SUMMER 15 ROUTES Athens 16 x week Billund 3 x week Bologna 3 x week Bremen 2 x week Bristol 3 x week Brussells C 3 x week Dublin 2 x week Dusseldorf 2 x week East Midlands 3 x week Eindhoven 2 x week Frankfurt Hahn 2 x week Glasgow Int NEW 1 x week
Katowice 1 x week Leeds Bradford 2 x week Marseille 2 x week Memmingen 2 x week London S 4 x week Milan Bergamo 8 x week Oslo R 3 x week Paphos 9 x week Pisa 3 x week Rome Ciampino 3 x week Stockholm S 2 x week Thessaloniki 7 x week Venice Treviso 2 x week Vilnius 1 x week Warsaw M 1 x week Wroclaw 2 x week TOTAL
94 x week
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Ryanair, Europe’s favourite low fares
news & articles
One new route to Glasgow International. Increase on Athens and Thessaloniki Winter routes
11 Cretan companies in top-500 of most profitable businesses in Greece
ICAP Group presented the 500 most
profitable companies in Greece, based on their published accounts for 2013. The criterion for their selection was their profit based on Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). According to the ICAP report that was published in the “Ta Nea” daily newspaper, the ranking of the top 500 most profitable companies in 2013 remained largely stable. Sixteen companies that were in the top 20 spots, maintained their position in both 2012 and 2013. Alpha Bank was pronounced the top company for 2013, followed by Piraeus Bank. The new entries in the 2013 top 20 were Aegean Airlines and Duty Free Shops. Motor Oil Corinth Reon for more news click fineries topped the sechttp://chaniapost.eu tor of industry leaders, followed by Karelia Tobacco,
The Municipal Council of Apokoro-
nas is looking for a solution in transportation problems. A municipal committee has been created and talks the Chairman of the Board of Chania & Rethymnon Public Bus S.A. will begin shortly. According to exclusive information of Chania Post, Public Bus S.A. is looking for a suitable land to construct the new station. “We have to do whatever it takes to up-
Metka and Greek Defense Systems. In the trade sector, toys’ giant Jumbo was the “champion” for the fifth consecutive year, leading the list of top five companies with profits of over 40 million, followed by Duty Free Shops, AB Vassilopoulos supermarkets, Sklavenitis and Masoutis. In the tourism industry, the top five consists of two car rental companies, Autohellas and Olympic SA, as well as by two hotels led by Faiax. Eleven companies and businesses in Crete reached the top-500: • Forthnet • Plastika Kritis • Karatzis • Creta Farm • Kilindromiloi Kritis • Diethnis Enossis Insurance Company • INKA Super Markets • Olympion Clinic • “To Manna” Tsatsaronakis
• Elounda S.A. • ANEK Lines The business publication Business Leaders in Greece includes the 500 more profitable enterprises in Greece and presents analytically the best Success Stories of Greek Market. This publication, which ICAP aspires to establish it as an annual institution for outstanding enterprises, is absolutely aligned with the values of ICAP, that are guiding us to promote and share knowledge, to embrace and give an impulse to new ideas as well as always be close to our customers. Classification The classification of 500 companies is
based on their profits, according to the published balance-sheets of 2007. Even if many of these companies will be the largest in Greece also according to their turnover, our objective is to identify those companies that yield the biggest profits.
Public Bus Station in Apokoronas? grade our tourist product. One of the biggest problem is transportation between all villages of Apokoronas. We are trying our best to face our residents needs and solve many of their every day problems”, said the Mayor of Apokoronas, Mr. Charalambos Koukianakis. Municipality of Apokoronas will also set up a committee for Tourism Promotion of Apokoronas, after a proposal of the executive councelor of tourism, Mr. Giannis Apostolakis.
Furthermore, Municipal Council of Apokoronas decided to relocate the re-
gional clinic of Kournas at the former Town Hall of Georgioupolis.
A woman from Crete jailed for 17 22.5 Million International years for drug trafficking in Britain Tourist Arrivals By End Of Year
news & articles
Α Greek woman is among four people jailed for being the leaders of a massive heroin and cocaine trafficking ring, a British news website reported. Chrysi Minadaki, 45, and her partner Kevin Hanley, 52, were both jailed for 17 years in October at the Old Bailey in London for drugs supply offences, the Liverpool Echo reported. The case started untangling in 2012, when police first spotted Hanley and Minadaki dining with Richard Harrison, 58, and Scottish drugs baron Matthew Edward, 49, at Restaurant Bar and Grill in Brunswick Street about a year ago. It was the first time the four had been seen together – enabling officers in Scotland and England who had unwittingly been trailing the cartel’s two wings separately to unmask one vast crime empire. Police say the gang, regarded as “untouchable”, is responsible for importing and peddling huge volumes of super-strength cocaine and heroin. A covert agent who led the investigation for the National Crime Agency told the ECHO: “We had been following Hanley and his girlfriend Minadaki for some time, while our counterparts in Scotland
had their eyes on Edward, whom they suspected of being a major player in the drugs market, and Harrison, who was his fixer.” “Our surveillance brought us both independently to the bar in Liverpool and it was the first time we realised the link between the two parties. It was a eureka moment where the two investigations suddenly became one,” he added. “They all thought they were untouchable but their coming together in Liverpool that day proved to the catalyst to their downfall.” National Crime Agency and Police Scotland to establish that Edwards and Harrison were customers of Hanley, who boasted of links to South American cartels, and Minadaki, who supplied lorries and fruit as cover for drug importations despite posturing as a TV personality in Greece. Harrison was sentenced to nine years behind bars and Edwards caged for 12 years at a court in Glasgow last November over the intercepted heroin importation. Liverpool Echo
ANEK Lines F/B “Lato” will become… a memory!
p. 18
F/B
“LATO” of ANEK Lines will soon be a memory for thousands of passenger travelling from and to Chania, as the company decided to dispel it in a scrap factory of India. LATO was built at the NAIKAI Shipyard in Japan and it has been awarded by ADAC, confirming that its technical equipment and perfectly trained staff fully satisfy all international safety standards. Its two main engines, the spacious areas that carry passengers and cars safely and comfortably, and its services fully
Greece is expected to record some 22.5 million foreign tourist arrivals (including cruise passengers) this year, compared to 19.9 million visitors in 2013, according to a recent report released by Alpha Bank. The report indicates the continuing improvement of Greece’s tourism figures this year in accordance with data from the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) that reveal a nine percent increase in the tourist flow in the country’s main international airports (with direct air flights from abroad) during the first nine months of 2014. During the January-September 2014 period, international air arrivals were up by 14.3 percent year on year, compared with 9.9 percent during the same period in 2013, the report showed. The largest increase in international arrivals were recorded at the airports of the Peloponnese (34.8 percent), Cyclades (31.1 percent), Athens (28.3 percent), Thessaloniki (15,4 percent), Ionian (14.3 percent), Crete (6.4 percent) and Dodecanese (eight percent).
news.gtp.gr
Free internet in 21 Municipalities of Crete
As announced last year by the Prime
covered the contemporary travelers’ demands for almost 50 years. It took its name from Lato, one of ancient Crete’s most powerful cities, built by the Dorians in the 7th century B.C. The Board of ANEK Lines also decided to sell F/B “Lefka Ori” and F/B “Sophocles Venizelos” for a sum of 21 mil. euros.
Tourism investment The Alpha Bank report also estimated that Greek tourism investments would reach five billion euros, as a result of construction of luxury holiday resorts, such as: Atalanti Hills in Atalanta, Iliad Resort in Ithaca, Kilada Hills in Ermioni, Itanos Gaia in Sitia, Crete, and other smaller investments. These investments are expected to further strengthen the country’s tourism sector from 2015 onwards so that Greece will achieve higher growth rates in the number of tourists.
Minister, Mr. Antonis Samaras, the “Free Wi-Fi” projects starts to operate in 304 Municipalities all over Greece. 21 Municipalities of Crete are participating in the program, as free wi-fi will be available at archaeological sights, museums, ports and marinas. About 40 to 50 visitors or citizens may connect to the internet for 30’ simultaneously. According to the Ministry of Infrustructure, 4.000 hotspots will be ready by mid 2015.
The 21 Municipalities of Crete are: • CHANIA PREFECTURE Apokoronas, Kandanos-Selino, Platanias, Sfakia, Chania, Kissamos • RETHYMNON PREFECTURE Agios Vassilios, Anogeia, Rethymnon, Amari • HERAKLION PREFECTURE Almiros, Archanes, Gortina, Heraklion, Malevizi, Festos, Hersonissos • LASSITHI PREFECTURE Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Oropedio Lassithiou, Sitia
Mysterious Phaistos Disk a tribute to Minoan Crete’s mother-goddess?
The
Phaistos Disk, whose decoding has puzzled specialists for over a century, is a prayer to a mother, according to Gareth Owens, Erasmus coordinator at the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Crete who was speaking at the TEI of Western Macedonia on Monday. What he described as “the first Minoan CD-ROM,” the disk was discovered in 1908 at the palace of Phaistos, in the northeastern part of the Aegean Island of Crete. The round clay object, tentatively dated close to 1700 BC, displays an unknown language on both sides which is carved in a circular fashion, from outside to the centre. According to Dr. Owens, there is one complex of signs found in three parts
of one side of the disk spelling I-QEKU-RJA (ygeian + agapi), with I-QE
meaning “great lady of importance” while a key word appears to be AKKA,
or “pregnant mother,” according to the researcher. One side is devoted to a pregnant woman and the other to a woman giving birth, he said. “The most stable word and value is ‘mother’,” and in particular the mother-goddess of the Minoan era, to whom the disk is dedicated, Owens said. More information is available on the institution’s web site (www.teicrete.gr/ daidalika). According to the site, there are a total of 242 signs on both sides of the disk, based on 45 different signs, “too many for them to constitute an alphabet and too few for them to constitute a truly ideographic script, as is the case with Chinese.” amna.gr
Kazantzakis “For Sale” house caused a commotion
ws for more culture ne iapost.gr click on http://chan A great disruption caused the “for sale” sign at the home of the great thinker in Antibes of South France. The one of a kind, wrote several books in the house while used it as his shelter for several years. After the death of Nikos Kazantzakis the house passed to his wife, Eleni who sold it to its current owners, who are now ready to sell as well. President of the International Friends Union “Nikos Kazantzakis” contacted and informed the Museum director of “Nikos Kazantzakis” of the unpleasant situation. The Union president Mr. Michalis Sinatsakis will first visit the French town and will contact the real estate agency and after he will visit the Greek consulate in Marseilles. “Nikos Kazantzakis” Museum, the Municipality of Heraklion, International Association of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis and Kazantzakis Publications, aggreed the following: • To examine all possible ways to get, use and develop the house of
A final effort to save “N. Kazantzakis” house at Antibes
Nikos Kazantzakis at Anbtibes. By the end of November, the president of IAFNK, Mr. Giorgos Stassinakis, and the General Consul of Greece in Marseille will have a meeting at
•
Antibes with the owner of the real estate agency and the Municipal Authority of Antibes. To call all interested persons and authorities -with a specific plan
to buy and develop the house- to get in contact with “Nikos Kazantzakis” Museum (Mirtia, Heraklion, +30 2810 741689, info@ kazantzaki.gr).
“The end of the tourist season” - Books - Stationery - Consumables
Popi Loupassaki-eodoraki Crossroads to Galatas Old National Road Chania-Kissamos Tel.: +30 28210 32359
- Office supplies - Gis - Photocopies
From Gerani down to Stalos flows A tourist strip for mile on mile Where one by one the shops now close Like teeth falling out of a smile. The pavements thronged in August heat, And jammed with stands of goods, Just see occasional tourists meet,
Their swimsuits swapped for hoods. And as in scattered plots of green Cicadas cease to sing, I say goodbye to summer’s scene Until reborn in spring. by Niall Finn
p. 20
culture
Anafora ston Greco” by DIPETHE Kritis
The
Municipal Regional Theatre of Crete will present “Report to Greco” (Anafora ston Greco) by Nikos Kazantzakis for the winterof 2014. The premiere will be on Friday, November 7th, at Venizelio Conservatory, Chania, at 9 p.m. Takis Chrysikakos is starring as Nikos Kazantzakis.
November – Month of dramatic skies and the greening of the countryside by David Capon November in the UK was a month that could often have been eradicated from the calendar. After the end of Summer Time, for me the nights seemed extremely long and there would be about 4 months before I could drive home from work in the light: I was lucky living in the south west as people further north would have to wait longer. As soon as the clocks changed I made a note of the number of days till the end of February and ticked them off mentally – that was so I knew how many days left that there may be ice on the road in the mornings. There would be the occasional day that was sunny and mild and everyone wrongly thought, “Well, maybe we will have a good and warm winter”. But November was often windy and very wet interspersed with serious foggy conditions and cold icy nights. I suppose the one interesting aspect for the naturalist was that the estuaries and marshes would become a haven for birds such as swans, geese, lapwings and other waders etc that migrated southwards to miss the worst of the weather; a bonus for birdwatchers. But there would be few flowers or insects to be seen. For artists, the colours of leaves left on deciduous
Greek language lessons at Gavalohori
Greek language lessons began at Ga-
valohori a few days ago. Lessons are part of “Odisseas” program “Education and Training of Immigrants in Greek Language, History & Culture” Mrs Rita Markakis is the teacher of 24 participants. All lessons are held at the meeting room of Cultural Association of Gavalohori. The project aims to give to participants the chance to learn and speak the Greek language and join local community.
most people only see the flowers, do take time to see the different patterns. The leaves are delicate but also look at the underside. The photograph shows the flowers with their plum coloured bases and the early leaves. Please note that this plant has extra legal protection so do not try to dig it up to place in your garden. Unfortunately, the first leaves and flowers of the Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae) will be seen. This is not a buttercup and for botanists, ecologists and environmentalists a pest of high proportion that was introduced to the Mediterranean in the 19th Century from South Africa. In his book ‘Wild Edible Plants of Crete’, Kleonikos Stavridakis writes “The greatest threat to the wild edible plants of Crete is the expansion of Xinida (Oxalis)…. The damage it causes to the plants’ diversity and flora of Crete is incalculable”. Many species of butterfly can be seen throughout the month. Early in November you may still see many of the blues (e.g. Holly blue, Lang’s short-tailed blue and Common blue). These are small butterflies and to the untrained eye may look very similar. The patterns on the underwings help to identify the different species. Red admirals and Clouded yellows, for example, will be among the larger species that can be seen into December. The warmth, additional daylight hours and extra sunshine of Crete ensure that butterfly lovers can be excited in November: in the UK lepidopter-
ists can only dream during the winter but may get excited by an odd butterfly flying around on a warm sunny day awakened from its hibernation. I suppose being an artist I enjoy seeing the mountains when the shapes and valleys are emphasised because the shadows created by the sun being lower in the sky reinforce their beauty. The beauty is enhanced especially when the first snow appears near the peaks. The sky is not the same as it was during the summer. Interesting clouds and cloud formations appear most days and there are days when thunderclouds form. The clouds present many different colours and shapes. We have cloudy days, warm sunny days, for more culture news wet days and very wet days, windy days and click on http://chaniapost.gr very windy days but the ‘bad weather’ never lasts long. There are odd phenomena such as tornadoes and wild seas, which also add great interest. The beaches are quiet and it is good to walk along them looking at the shadows drifting across the hills and mountains. I find much inspiration for landscape and seascape paintings during the month of November. Here on Crete, life seems to creep back into the countryside during the month of November. The oranges, yellows and light reds of the dead vegetation of late summer are being replaced by various shaded of green. By the end of the month it will be only 3 weeks to the shortest day and about 11 days before the evenings start getting lighter together with the expectation of the wonderful flora only a few weeks away. November: the month of re-growth and dramatic skies.
Cretan Village Hosts Museum of Greek Rural History
The first house is made of stone and consists of two main chambers that are
Exhibition in Chania
Prevention week for road accidents
The
increased number of deaths in car accidents is the biggest problems for the Police in Crete. Only in 2014, there were 20 deaths in car accidents in Chania, 4 more than last year. Prevention is the main concern for local Police. That’s why there was an exhibition at “Bowling Mega Place” (Vlites) for all students to visit and learn to
think as responsible citizens and considered future drivers. Students, citizens and policemen joint forces in an effort of “renovating driving education”.
divided into individual rooms suitable for different daily activities.
One chamber includes a loom and a sofa, for example, as well as a kitchen. The second chamber includes a wine press that can be turned into a bed, a space for children, an underpass that can be used as storage space and a place where animals can rest and feed. The home also includes a fireplace, jars for oil and cereal, dowry chests, farm tools and other decorative items. The second house could have been the house of a noble villager. The walls have been plastered and there is no place for animals or storage within the house. The bed is made of wood and the room is decorated with photographs and linens hang on the walls, a sign of nobility. greekreporter.com
“Tragedy of Aradena”
The rattle of a pickup truck Across the sleepers on the bridge Is loud enough to make you duck When on the path, below the ridge, Towards the Aradena cleft Where once the village people stood Before the last survivors left This sad and haunted neighbourhood Their houses, now in ruins, grazed By cheeky, staring mountain goats (By passing tourists quite unfazed) Resplendent in their shaggy coats. Some 60 years ago this was That bloody murder ruled the land And 60 people died because They didn’t seem to understand That boys are boys, and boys will fight For reasons that they hardly know.
A careless word, an unmeant slight May trigger that first sudden blow Which leaves a young nose badly skewed A shirt with splodges where it bled But still no reason for a feud That leaves five dozen people dead. The Gorge remains, a walker’s dream Of towering cliffs in red and black But things aren’t always as they seem And sometimes, quickly looking back, As I tramped on towards the coast A pile of rocks, a twisted tree Would take the shape, at least for me, Of some poor shepherd’s gruesome ghost. by Niall Finn
p. 21
is a unique, traditional Cretan village. It lies just 11 kilometers away from Heraklion, along the old national road connecting it with Rethymnon. Built on a mountain slope, in the wild Cretan landscape, the village is a feast for the eyes, evoking memories from the past for older generations, regarding their way of living, while revealing the simplicity and beauty of old times to younger generations. The Museum of Rural History and Popular Art in the Greek village of Arolithos includes two old traditional houses which represent rural life, architecture and decoration of people in areas around Crete during the 19th century.
culture
Arolithos
trees, however, add some bright colours to what is often a drab understorey. How different November is on Crete! Yes, the swallows, swifts and martins have left for Africa but we now have robins, song thrushes, chiffchaffs and a few other species of bird that will remain with us for three or four months. They may not be as noticeable as the swallows but will be heard singing and calling more often than being seen. With no cicadas making a lot of noise many other birds can be heard calling and singing. Another noise that can be heard from the early part of November is the strange sound of the rotating strands of the machines that remove the olives from the trees. A sound that often confuses the final tourists of the year as they look at the groves trying to find the odd-sounding bird. The first real burst of vegetation growth starts soon after the first real rains. By the end of the month the first anemones will be in flower and the delicate Narcissus serotinus may also be found (see photo). The other narcissus, Rose of Sharon (Narcissus tazetta tazetta), will also be in flower by the end of the month. This latter narcissus looks more like the traditional daffodil with its orange trumpet and will be found in vases on many taverna tables. Plants that have been in flower before the leaves will now have leaves appearing from the corms and bulbs. The leaves of the Greek sowbread (Cyclamen graecum) have extremely intricate markings. As
Condensation by Petros Chatzistavros Civil Engineer (T.E.)
A key study by the Michigan State University
Moisture Problems in the Home (1)
can be a problem in both winter and summer. Three conditions in the home increase the chances that condensation will occur. The first of these is a relatively recent phenomenon. Many homeowners have added insulation to cut heat loss and heat gain, while others have caulked and weatherstripped around windows and doors to reduce the infiltration of cold air into their homes. The same practices that trap heat in the home also trap high levels of moisture. A second common condition contributing to moisture problems is the existence of cool surfaces with which inte-
home improvement
rior moisture vapor naturally comes in contact. In less energy-efficient homes, certain locations are prime candidates for condensation problems because they commonly have cool surfaces. These include poorly weatherized and insulated windows (in winter), poorly insulated exterior walls and ceilings (winter), masonry or concrete surfaces (summer), toilet tanks (summer) and cold water pipes (summer). A third condition contributing to household condensation problems is excessively high humidity levels in the air within the home. The normal indoor humidity range in winter is 15 to 50 percent. In the summer, the humidity range may be higher because of the higher outdoor humidity levels we sometimes experience then. High Humidity Level Problems The first step to be taken in attempting to control condensation problems is simply to reduce the level of humidity in the inside air. During the winter, the humidity level you will want to attempt to achieve in your home will depend on the outside temperature. As outside temperatures drop, you need to lower inside relative humidity levels to minimize condensation.
Monitor the interior surfaces of double-pane windows during winter. If running water (condensation) is apparent on them, the interior relative humidity level is too high and should be lowered.
Summer Problems During the summer, one of the major functions of an air conditioner, in addition to cooling warm interior air, is removing humidity from the home. A second alternative available to lower summertime humidity levels is to purchase and operate a dehumidifier. If humidity levels remain high in winter, you may need to run it then, too. Though both air conditioners and dehumidifiers are effective solutions to excessive moisture problems, they are relatively expensive to buy and costly to operate. Expect increases in your electricity bills during the months you use them. Houses on Crawl Spaces In homes built on crawl spaces, evaporation of moisture from the earth is a major source of household humidity. The high levels of humidity in crawl spaces can be a problem in both summer and winter. Foul odors in the home or crawl space, mold and mildew growth in the interior of the home (especially in closets) and growth of fungi in the crawl space itself are signs of the problem. Covering the crawl space ground with a vapor retarder (polyethylene or heavy plastic sheets available at lumberyards) is crucial in preventing moisture problems in crawl space homes. Attic Ventilation Adequate natural ventilation is important in the attics of homes as well. If a vapor retarder is not present in the ceiling to slow migration of moisture from the home’s interior into the attic, attics require 1 square foot of free vent area for each 150 square feet of attic area. An exception occurs when the attic vents are located in a high/low configuration (i.e., half of the vent area in the eave/ soffit area and the other half in the roof ridge area). In that case, 1 square foot for each 300 square feet is adequate. If a
TSIGOS INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTS Your partner since 1938
Movers, Warehousing, Distribution
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Mechanical Ventilation A final method to reduce interior humidity levels is to control in-home sources of moisture vapor generation. The kitchen, bath, laundry and utility room are primary moisture generation locations. Three additional sources of moisture periodically cause problems for homeowners: humidifiers, new construction or remodeling, and malfunctioning combustion appliances. Humidifiers Many homeowners use humidifiers to add moisture to their homes in winter. In the past, when homes were leaky and so less energy efficient, much of the moisture generated inside the home went out with the warm air escaping around and through windows and doors. Overly dry air-was common, and people experienced static electricity buildup on carpets and clothes, breathing difficulties due to dry nasal passages and somewhat destructive overdrying of furniture. To combat this dryness, they commonly used humidifiers. Some were incorporated directly into forced air heating systems, and moisture was circulated in the home along with heated air. A second type of humidifier, the free-standing model, is portable and can be moved freely around the home to provide moisture where it is most needed. Whether you have extensively
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weatherized your home or not, experiencing condensation problems means you should not use a humidifier. Construction Moisture Homeowners who move into a: newly constructed home or complete remodeling projects often experience high moisture levels in the interior as the building materials and systems dry. If it is necessary to close the house because of cold weather, the problem may seem excessively serious. Over time, the building materials will dry and a form of equilibrium will be established. In the meantime, airing the house when you can and using exhaust fans will help to move the moist air to the outside. Malfunctioning, Combustion Appliances Oil- or gas-fired heating, appliances that are not functioning properly or unvented heating units can cause a buildup of moisture in a dwelling. If you suspect any combustion appliance in your home is not functioning correctly, have a repair person inspect it. Heating systems, in particular, should be regularly inspected and adjusted by a heating contractor. Oil-fired furnaces need annual inspections. Gas-fired systems, depending on their age, can be inspected less frequently, though three years is the maximum time a gas-fired unit should go without being serviced. If you use unvented space heaters in the home, follow the manufacturer’s use and maintenance instructions carefully. (end of part 1)
Crete in Zone D for the subsidized amount of 600 liters of heating oil
The supply of heating oil started on
exclusive partner for Crete
183 B, Kazantzaki Av., Chania Tel.: +30 28210 - 79560
vapor retarder is present in the ceiling, attics require 1 square foot of free vent area for each 300 square feet of attic area.
October 22nd. The General Secretariat of Information Systems is calling all interested parties to apply for the heating allowance. Crete is in Zone D for the subsidized amount of 600 liters of heating oil. All applicants who will not order heating oil at this moment, can receive 25% of total ammount in advance, which
will be paid 20 days after the submission of the application. Those who buy oil directly, must submit a request in order to be paid. The 25% and the bonus will be deposited in a bank account, while, those who will buy heating oil more than once, they will not have to submit the request again. For more information‌ www.gsis.gr
by Suzy Kerr
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do it yourself
Prepare Your Gutters for the Rainy Season
November is the month for the traditional distillation of tsikoudia
Tsikoudia –or also commonly raki in the eastern part of Crete– is an alcoholic beverage, a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Cretan origin that by Petros Marinakis Botanical Park & Gardens contains 40%–65% alcohol by volume. Tsikoudia is made by distilling of pomace, i.e., the pieces of grapes (sometimes including the stems and seeds) that were pressed for the winemaking process. The pomace is kept for about six weeks after the grapes have been pressed, in a tightly-sealed barrel, and then the fermented mush is distilled. It is similar to tsipouro made in mainland Greece, to the Spanish orujo, French marc, Georgian chacha, Portuguese bagaceira and Bulgarian, Serbian, Croatian (in Istria: rakija and grappa), Romanian tescovină, Albanian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Turkish raki.In the eastern part of Crete tsikoudia is commonly refor more nature news ferred to as “raki”, but t.eu pos ania ://ch apparently less so in http on click the west. It is often home-produced by individuals in villages throughout Crete, and so the alcohol content varies by producer. Typically each Cretan village has one or two residents who are licensed to distill, and tsikoudia is produced continuously for two or three weeks in late October and early November.
Tsikoudia is sometimes served cold from a bottle kept in a freezer. This is commonly offered as an after dinner digestif and in most tavernas in Crete it is offered as a complimentary aperitif with fruits and sweets after the meal. It can be flavored using lemon rind, rosemary, or honey (rakomelo). The distillation The wines are in the barrels and the boiling has been completed. Autumn is already there and the stoves smoke in the villages. Everywhere there is a smell
of wet soil. It is the time when chestnuts accompany a glass of tsikoudia. Slowly the preparations for the harvest of grapes begin. The remains of the pressed grapes have been sealed in the barrels and after the completion of the fermentation they are ready for distillation. Tsikoudia, according to the legislation in force, must have 37,5% alcohol and its maximum methanol concentration should not be more than 8 gr. per litre. The distillation all over Greece is allowed only with a special permit.
In all villages there are special cauldrons in which the remains of the grapes and the liquid of the barrels are placed, sealed airtight and boiled until the temperature is proper for the distillation to start. From the cover of the cauldron begins a pipe which is usually cooled externally with water so that the steam produced becomes liquid and then comes out as tsikoudia. The “protoraki”(=first raki) is the first distilment that flows from the cauldron and is particularly high-degree. In Crete, in many villages, berries are still distilled to make mournoraki (=berry raki). In the past even arbutus berries were distilled. The host usually invites friends and a barbecue party is organized in the autumn landscape, with coals from the fire of the cauldron, makeshift tables and Cretan snacks: excellent wild mushrooms, chestnuts, cheese pies and greens, all products of this specific season. Even today the tradition continues, showing, through the agricultural activities, how important the gatherings of people are in the Cretan society. with info from: • en.wikipedia.org • incrediblecrete.gr
Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A great functional food that blocks the Oxidative Stress
The term “Functional Food” refers to by Manolis Karpadakis Terra Creta Marketing Mngr
certain foods or ingredients and their positive effects on human health. Functional foods prevent or delay the
Tip of the month
Since harvest is about to start, please follow some simple rules for quality olive oil production 1. Harvest carefully without damage the olives 2. Avoid the use of plastic bags for transportation 3. Keep minimum time between harvesting and extraction (ideally within the same day) 4. Observe the extraction temperature to be lower than 30oC
cretan nature
onset of various diseases and illnesses, not the cure. This is due to the presence in them; compounds scavenge free radicals which damage our body. These compounds are known as antioxidants and phenolic structure, found in abundance in good quality olive oil. Lately there is much talking on phenolic compounds found in olive oil, such as oleuropein, elaiokanthal and elaiasin with enough research data on their role
good quality extra virgin olive oil is a unique functional food with a huge contribution to the prevention of oxidative stress and protect our health. For the production of quality olive oil, however, a great care must be taken from those involved in all stages of the production process.
More information can be found in the book “Olive oil, Edible olives and Olive paste”. Apostolos Kyritsakis, M.Sc./Ph.D Professor in Olive Oil & Fats President in the “Greek Observatory of Oxidative Stress”
ALDI Group bought 600 tons of Cretan olive oil from Sitia
The Agricultural Union of Sitia seems
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in health. The elaiokanthal specifically acts as an anti-inflammatory, just as the drug ibuprofen, due to the similar chemical structure. Rightly therefore the oil included in basic functional foods such support and Professor Emeritus of Michigan State University, Mr. Pericles Markakis (published in IFT News, March 1999) and the writer in his latest book. The «functional” olive oil with its antioxidants prevents oxidative stress which occurs when harmful free radicals generated in our body from various causes. More than 100 diseases are associated with oxidative stress, as Dr. Eugenio Iorio declares, President of the International Observatory of Oxidative Stress. The consumer must then be aware that
to have signed a strategic partnership with German trade chain Aldi. According to reporter.gr, this cooperation is the beginning of a series of agreements that are expected in the near future, as a result of the agreements of the consortium with private enterprise GAEA (Gaia). Both companies have agreed for the establishment of a joint company, providing a 20-year collaboration with the Agricultural Union of Sitia owning 33% of the new company and GAEA owning the remaining 77%. GAEA will also manage the brand name “Sitia” of exported products in all the continents of the world, except Africa. ALDI is famous for the quality and value of its products - and from the number of awards won, it seems the experts
agree! ALDI scooped the prestigious Grocer of the Year 2013 Award, won a total of eight gold and ten silver award wins at the Grocer Own Label Awards 2014 and eleven awards at the International Spirits Challenge 2014, including a gold award for Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin. On top of all of this, ALDI is the first ever retailer to win Which? Best Supermarket at the Which? 2013 Awards for two years running. In fact, ALDI has won awards for al-
most anything a customer can think of including frozen foods, cheese, yogurts and bread... Clearly, ALDI’s insistence on quality and value is widely appreciated, not just by the experts but also by its customers.
by Miltiades Markatos Pneumonologist
What is Ebola? Ebola virus disease, or Ebola haemorrhagic fever as it was previously known, is caused by the Ebola virus. It is a rare but severe disease, found in countries in Africa, which can often have a fatal outcome (for 25-90% of the infected people). Transmission of the viruses occurs from person to person through direct contact with blood and other body fluids. The first documented outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the time known as Zaire, and all subsequent outbreaks have been in Africa.
What are the symptoms of Ebola? In most cases, an infected person experiences for more health news click sudden onset of fever, t.gr pos ania on http://ch weakness, muscle and joint pains and headache, followed by progressive weakness, lack of appetite, diarrhoea (sometimes containing blood and mucus), nausea and vomiting. The initial symptoms are unspecific and are similar to other more common diseases such as the common cold or malaria. The next stage is more severe with bleeding from the nose, gums and skin, and bloody vomiting and stools. Other symptoms include skin rash, inflamed throat and difficulty swallowing. It can take between 2 and 21 days from the point of infection for a person to begin to show symptoms.
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health & nutrition
How can a person get infected? A person can get infected with the Ebola virus by direct contact with infected blood, secretions, tissues, organs or other bodily fluids of dead or living infected persons. The virus can also be transmitted through material heavily contaminated with such fluids. It can also be contracted through unprotected sexual contact with patients who have recently recovered from the disease; studies have shown that the virus has been present in semen up to three months after recovery. However, the risk for transmission in general is low in the initial stages of symptomatic patients. It is transmitted by droplets and not in the air, so it is highly unlikely that someone would be infected with Ebola virus disease just by coming into casual contact with someone already sick, such as sitting next to someone (and without
Questions and Answers on Ebola
any direct contact of bodily fluids). Most people are infected from another person but some people have been infected with it from handling dead wild animals or ‘bush meat’ in Africa, such as chimpanzees and bats. How contagious is it? People only become infectious once they start to have symptoms. The risk of being infected in the early phase of symptomatic patients is generally low. The risk of infection is much higher in the later stages of the disease but can be effectively addressed with the proper use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
– hospital care to relieve symptoms and to prevent further complications and side effects – can be given. Where does it come from? Ebola viruses are thought to circulate in wild animals in sub-Saharan Africa. They have been found in fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas and duikers, and human infections have been linked to direct contact with such animals.
Is there a vaccine? There is no approved vaccine at this point but research is ongoing.
How can an outbreak be stopped? An outbreak of Ebola virus disease can be stopped by breaking the chain of transmission. This can be done by isolating suspected and confirmed patients to prevent onward transmission. At the same time, people who have been in close contact with patients are also contacted and monitored to identify possible infections. If there is an Ebola outbreak in a country, does it mean that I shouldn’t travel there? Check with your national authorities for travel advice on whether to travel to a country affected by an Ebola outbreak and other health information, including access to healthcare for reasons other than Ebola virus disease.
What is the treatment? There is no specific treatment that is approved for general use against Ebola virus disease but supportive treatment
How can I protect myself against Ebola infection? People visiting or residing in affected countries should take the following
How deadly is it? The case fatality rate – the proportion of people diagnosed with the disease who die – is 25-90% dependent on the virus type. Is the virus resistant? The Ebola virus is susceptible to disinfectants and bleaches and is destroyed by heating.
A life changing visit to our pharmacy can make you change the way you see life and put your body and mind in harmony. Have you ever visited a pharmacy to taste health? A different pharmacy in the centre of the old town of Chania is waiting to share with you secrets of well being and longevity. Taste the biolo gical honey, the royal jelly, tea from plants carefully chosen in therapeutic recipes, high concentration and purity juices of pomegranate, cranberry, aloe. Orthomolecular nutrition with suggestions on detox programs and a carefully selected range of supplements, vitamins an gluten free products from all over the world. In the same premises you can find a live homeopathic lab with 6.000 homeopathic remedies in stock and the ability to produce any kind of homeopathic form i.e. pills, granules, solutions etc Evangelia Sakka is the pharmacist in charge who has created that special pharmacy and will be happy to introduce you to that fantastic world but also suggest whatever will be more settable for you. Our philosophy doesn’t stop on food and supplements but we want you to think of your mind and body as well. That’s why we have created next to our pharmacy the Green Care SPA. A SPA that helps to uplift your mind and body with biological face an body treatments, reflexology, reiky, su jok and moxa treatment, Bach flower remedies, homeopathy sessions, bowtech as well as nail therapies. We are waiting for you to restart your life at Daskalogianni 43 - 45, SAKKA Pharmacy www.my-pharmacy.gr / www.greencarespa.gr
measures: • Avoiding contact with symptomatic patients and/or their bodily fluids • Avoiding contact with corpses and/or bodily fluids from deceased patients • Avoiding contact with wild animals (including monkeys, forest antelopes, rodents and bats), both alive and dead, and consumption of ‘bush meat’ • Washing hands regularly, using soap or antiseptics Is there a risk that travellers from affected countries bring Ebola to Europe? People infected with EVD may arrive in the EU without knowing they have contracted the disease. They may show symptoms while travelling, once reaching their destination or some days later. The public health authorities in the EU can efficiently detect and confirm cases of Ebola virus disease and thus prevent its onward spread. The risk of secondary transmission to direct close contacts or in healthcare settings is very low, if prevention measures are implemented. When to seek medical attention? If you develop fever, muscle aches, weakness, headache and sore throat, you have been in a known affected area, having had contact with blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of dead or living infected persons, you should seek rapid medical attention also mentioning your travel history.
Myopia Causes - Is Your Child at Risk? *
Parents — especially those who are
nearsighted and had to wear glasses throughout childhood — are often concerned about the causes of myopia and whether their children are doomed to being nearsighted, too. If this sounds like you, try not to worry too much. Myopia is a common refractive error, it’s easily treatable with contact lenses as well as eyeglasses, and it’s not strictly hereditary. Also, nearsightedness typically does not affect a child’s academic performance or hold them back in any way. In fact, there’s evidence that nearsighted children tend to perform better in school than their counterparts with normal eyesight, farsightedness or astigmatism.
What Causes Myopia in Children? Although the exact reason why some children become nearsighted and others do not is not fully understood, it appears heredity is a factor, but not the only one. In other words, if both parents are nearsighted, there is a greater risk their children will be nearsighted, too. But you can’t predict who will become nearsighted by simply looking at their family tree. In my case, my parents and both my
needed to determine which outdoor-related factors are most important, such as more distance vision use, less near vision use, physical activity and exposure to natural ultraviolet light.
older brothers had perfect vision. I’m the only one in the family who is nearsighted. Go figure. I loved to read when I was a kid (still do); my brothers, not so much. Some researchers think focusing fatigue from excessive reading or holding a book too close to your eyes for extended periods can increase the risk for myopia in children. But nobody knows for sure. The cause (or causes) of myopia may remain a mystery, but researchers recently have discovered something about the progression of nearsightedness that is very interesting: conventional glasses and contact lenses that have been prescribed for years to correct myopia may actually increase the risk of myopia worsening throughout childhood! Many of these same researchers are investigating new lens designs to see if they can develop contact lenses or eyeglasses that can control myopia and halt or slow the progression of nearsighted-
ness in children. How to Reduce Your Child’s Risk of Myopia This might sound glib, but perhaps one of the best things to tell your child to reduce his or her risk of myopia is, “Go outside and play!” A number of recent studies have found that spending more time outdoors may help prevent or reduce the progression of nearsightedness in children. Compared with children with normal eyesight or farsightedness, children with myopia spent an average of 3.7 fewer hours per week outside, they added. No particular outdoor activity was linked to the reduced chance of myopia — it was just the state of being outdoors rather than indoors. Also no correlation was found between myopia occurrence and a tendency to do more near work such as studying. The researchers said more study is
by Nick Lazakis Optical expert
Take-Home Message Given the research above, it’s a great idea to encourage your children to spend more time outdoors (and leave the cell phone and other electronic devices at home or in their pockets!). Doing so just might decrease their risk
of becoming nearsighted — or slow the progression of their current level of myopia. Better yet, join them for some quality time outdoors together! * Gary Heiting, OD, is senior editor of AllAboutVision.com. Dr. Heiting has more than 25 years of experience as an eye care provider, health educator and consultant to the eyewear industry. His special interests include contact lenses, nutrition and preventive vision care. allaboutvision.com
MEDIFOOT in Chania
Rhodes and Athens, MEDIFOOT came to Chania. The new podology center operates at 88-90 Karaiskaki Str., (tel. 2821091081) in a well-appointed room with modern equipment. About MEDIFOOT service Podology is something in paramedical, that deals with diseases of the lower limbs. Podology aims to take care and treatment of the lower limbs, as well as serious cases. Therapists have the knowledge and skills to trim the lower limbs. He deals with the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the fingers, nails and feet and finds any changes in the foot, which require medical treatment. He operates as a link between the patient and the doctor (orthopedic, diabetes doctor, dermatologist), as a physiotherapist. According to Ms. Anna Paga, Founder and General Manager of the MEDIFOOT: “We are very happy to offer our services and our knowledge to the people of Chania. Our highly trained staff will be able to address and advise patients appropriately, depending on the various dysfunctions that legs have, so to treat them properly.“ The new MEDIFOOT podology center started operating Monday, October 27th.
About MEDIFOOT The idea was born when MEDIFOOT’s General Manager Ms. Anna Paga (member of the Association of Greek Podologists, French Federation and International Federation of Podology, Podologists Academy of Greece), saw a very beloved person, suffering from diabetes, to have serious problems in lower limbs. MEDIFOOT, as one of the most modern centers of podology, founded in 2008, having its headquarters in Rhodes and a second podology center in Kolonaki, Athens. It is the first company in the field of podology developing the franchise system. MEDIFOOOT has managed to become one of the most powerful and respected brands in the field of podology. MEDIFOOT uses a protocol of specific instructions and apply the same procedures in all its centers. It grows rapidly and soon there will be centers in other areas of Greece. What is podology or chiropody? A chiropody treatment includes cutting of the toenails, the removal of in-grown toenails, callouses and corns and treatment for foot ailments such as plantar warts (verrucae), athlete’s foot, sweaty feet, foot odour and dry / cracked heels.
Padding and strapping are provided where necessary. The person receiving treatment may also be referred to a podiatrist for prescription orthotics, or in-sole foot support. In addition, chiropody is able to provide biomechanic assessment to check for flat foot, heel pain, knee pain, bunions, and other problems. The treatment is for people of all ages. In particular, diabetics may require professional chiropody foot care. What is a podologist? A podologist is a new term to look for in the foot care industry! A podologist is someone who has ad-
Increase of unvaccinated children in Greece
The
increase is attributed to inoculation centers shutting down, uninsured parents being unable to cover the cost of vaccination, as well as a surge in the anti-vaccination movement. According to a report in Ta Nea news daily, this trend could result in formerly eclipsed diseases making a comeback. The MdM clinics in Greece offer free vaccinations to children, with doctors
noting that about 50% of children are poorly or not vaccinated at all against pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria and meningitis. A Health Ministry official claimed that there have been no delays in the supply of vaccinations; however the relevant department received the orders later than expected, resulting in many inoculation centers shutting down.
The surge in the anti-vaccination movement is also a source of major concern. Pediatrics professor at the University of Athens Giorgos Chrousos argued that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that vaccinations cause autism, as anti-vaccination proponents often suggest, since a child with autism has the condition from the embryonic stage. “Ta Nea”
vanced knowledge in lower limb diseases and disorders, as well as gait analysis and advanced pedicuring skills. They specialize in pedicuring geriatric, diabetic and immune compromised clients. The lack of standardization in pedicuring services in salons and spas means that clients who are diabetic, suffer with ingrown toenails, skin or nail infections, or even structural disorders may not be getting the proper care that they require. Podologists must complete a specific curriculum in order to learn how to care for these clients with special foot care needs in a safe and effective manner.
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health & nutrition
All you have to know about podology... for the health of your feet
The biggest disadvantage of Crete
Crete has the highest number of reported animal abuse cases in 2013
Crete,
closely followed by Attica where Athens belongs, comes top in the number of reported cases of animal abuse in Greece for 2013 and the first half of 2014. According to data from the Greek Police and Tourism directorate given to parliament last week, in 2013 there were 102 incidents of abuse, torture or killing of animals in Crete closely followed by Attica with 99 reported cases out of a total of 530 cases nationally. In the first half of 2014 there were a total of 495 cases of reported animal abuse torture or killing of animals in Greece and the figures are expected to exceed the high of the previous year. Crete had the second highest number of cases, 79, while in Attica there were 107 cases of animal abuse reported to the police. Given that only a small proportion of animal abuse cases are
by Giannis Venetakis Zoo Technician
for more pets news click on http://chaniapost.eu
The
reported to the police, the extend of animal abuse in Greece and particularly in Crete is causing concern. The increase in the reported cases however can be seen as a positive sign, a sign that the public is developing
awareness of the issues and also that the authorities are beginning to tackle the problem. In the wake of a spate of brutal attacks on animals, in particular stray dogs, Supreme Court prosecutor Efterpi
Koutzamani sent a circular to prosecutors across the country last week, asking them to act swiftly to stop abuse when it is reported and to bring offenders to justice. In her note, which was also copied to police precincts, Koutzamani asked the authorities to enforce existing legislation designed to avert abuse and exploitation of animals and to proceed with the “exemplary punishment” of those found guilty of such acts. Police authorities have already issued directives to all relevant bodies to investigate all reports of animal abuse, torture or ‘unlawful killing’ of animals and to follow up all information leading to the arrest of animal abusers. It is also pointed out that the illegal trade of companion animals is punishable by stiff fines and custodial sentences of up to 12 months. apokoronasnews.gr
Exotic species invade the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea’s biodiversity is seriously endagered by exotic species that have invaded mostly via the Suez Canal and continue spreading and multiplying, according to a new European scientific research. The research stated that over 1,000 exotic species among them fish, algae, crustaceans have already become reg-
ular in the Mediterrenean waters and depth. The Mediterranean Sea hosts at least 17,000 known species (some of them have not yet been recognised). Over 20 percent of them
do not exist in other sea of the Earth. The researchers sound alarm that this unique biodiversity is being threatened by exotic species. The head of the research team Stelios Katsanevakis,
member of the Environment Institute of Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Union, that published the report to the magazine “Frontiers in Marine Science” underlined that the repercussions of the exotic species are closely related to the human activities in several areas of the Mediterrenean. amna.gr
Police Seminars have been completed in Crete
On the 16th October, the informa-
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tional discussions co-organized by the Police Department of Crete and our Federation in order to better comprehend the laws regarding the protection of animals, has been completed. The Beginning was at Chania, then it was the turn of Lasithi, Rethymnon and yesterday Heraklion where the meeting – conversation was attended throughout the whole time by the General Police Director of the Region of Crete Mr. Michalis Karamalakis.
In total the seminars were attended by more than 100 senior police officers and especially the Commanders of Police Departments of the prefectures of Crete and the Police Chiefs. At a time when more and more people, Institutions, State but also Public Prosecutors realize the pathogenesis of the Greek society with the constant animal abuse, it is really positive the Police Authorities are making
efforts to limit them, they respect the citizen action dealing with animals and utilize their scientific knowledge.
We believe that the Greek Police should organize nationwide similar informative discussions on animal legislation. Regarding Crete our efforts will be continued, in order the legislation to be comprehended by every police officer. Nationwide Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation (50 Unions) and Nationwide Coordinating Committee 130 animal welfare associations The President Anastasia (Natassa) Mpompolakis
Cretan honey among the best in the world
Two Cretan companies with four of
their products were awarded at the “Great Taste Awards” of British Association “Guild of Fine Foods” (http:// finefoodworld.co.uk/), in London. In particular, • Stories of Greek Origins Organic Thyme Honey from Crete – Artion Greek Foods • Greek Orange Blossom Honey from Crete – Liquid Gold Products Ltd • Greek Pure Pine Honey from Crete – Liquid Gold Products Ltd • Greek Thyme Honey from Crete – Liquid Gold Products Ltd Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged bench-
mark for speciality food and drink. It has been described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world and the ‘epicurean equivalent of the Booker prize’. Quite simply the Great Taste logo is the sign consumers trust when buying food and drink in their local, quality retailer. Over 400 judges, including 40 specially trained food writers inputting judges’ comments, come together at 50 judging days from
April through to mid-July including a week in Belfast, specialist test centres for tea, filter coffee and espresso, with the remainder done at Guild HQ in Dorset. The judges, from all corners of the food world, blind-taste in teams of 4 or 5 ensuring we get a balance of expertise, age and gender. Winning is important to the producers as it differentiates their products
from the norm and means that customers have a guarantee that the products they buy have a reliable seal of approval based upon great taste and not marketing. Winners are all genuine food people who care about the quality of food and drink they produce. Those producers entered 10,000 products with only 153 foods achieving the highest and most coveted rating, three stars. The “Great Taste Awards” had 697 foods grabbing 2 stars and 2531 grabbing 1 star. That means only 34% of entries were accredited – it’s tough. Didn’t they do well?
Ingredients • 1 ½ kg baby lamb • 850 gr. flour • 1 kg sweet mizithra • ½ kg staka • 1 egg • 1 yoghurt-cup • 250 gr. fresh butter • a bunch of mint • salt, pepper, sesame
Preparation Wash the meat and boil it in water for 1 to 1 ½ hour. Bone it, put it in a large flat dish and season with salt and pepper. Prepare a dough using the flour, yoghurt and butter. Roll out a pastry sheet (½ cm thick), put it in a baking pan and line it with butter. Pour a layer of mizithra and half the staka and some mint over it. Put the meat on the
mizithra, lay the rest of the mizithra and staka and the remaining mint over it and cover with a second pastry sheet. Press the pastry sheets’ ends together, in order for the filling not to spil during baking, baste the pastry sheet with egg yolk, sprinkle with sesame and open small holes on the pastry sheet with a toothpick. Roast the food for about 1 hour at 180° C.
by Antonia Tsakirakis Cook
Recipe of the month
Cretan Lamb Cake
Traditional Cretan Taverna
“Tzaneris & Archontissa”
Washington Post
Drakona, Kerameia (20 km from Chania)
for more food & wine news click on http://chaniapost.gr
www.tzaneris-archontissa.gr
Tel.: +30 28210 75997 Mob.: +30 6973 210487 / +30 6973 786747
Greek cuisine is not only about gyros
and moussaka according to Washington Post. The article about the healthy recipes of Greek diet is entitled “Greek out over veggies with Aglaia Kremezi”. Kremezi’s American cooking students associate vegetarian dishes with deprivation, so they’re in awe of basic, healthy staples, such as stuffed peppers and green beans with tomato sauce. Read below the article: Maybe you’ve heard a certain myth: Greek cuisine is all gyros and meaty moussaka. Not true, says Greek cookbook author Aglaia Kremezi. “The country doesn’t lend itself to meat. It’s quite mountainous, and there’s no way to produce enough meat to feed everybody,” says Kremezi, who lives on the island of Kea. “People made do with whatever they could cultivate and forage.” A lot of that is quite tasty, as Kremezi highlights in her new release,“Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts”. Not all of the recipes are low-calorie —
note the copious amounts of olive oil used — but they’re proof that veggies, beans and spices are more versatile than many people realize. “This is the way I learned to cook from my mother and grandmother,” Kremezi says. Similar preparation techniques are common across the region, which is why she also sprinkles in dishes from Turkey, Lebanon and the Balkans. No matter what you’re cooking, what matters most is how you treat the ingredients. “Never dump vegetables in the refrigerator and forget about them,” Kremezi says. “Have them ready to finish cooking however you like.” She recommends giving greens attention ASAP: “I will blanch them, steam them, saute them.” They’ll keep that way for close to a week,
ready to be stirred into a soup or piled atop polenta (as in the photo with her recipe, below). As long as you’re thinking ahead, Kremezi also suggests soaking beans overnight, so
food & wine
Greek cuisine is not only gyros and moussaka
they’re ready to be cooked the next day. Canned beans just don’t have the same flavor, she says. Washington Post
The
successful exhibition “Agricultural August” went to… Athens, from 22nd to 26th of October, at Klafthmonos Sq. The Municipality of Chania, the Prefecture of Crete-Vice Prefecture of Chania and the Commercial & Industrial Chamber of Chania, organize for 16th year the exhibition, in an effort to promote Cretan products. Cretan Flora - Health - Diet - Tourism were the four main themes of this year’s “Agricultural August”.
from the “New Wines of Greece” and the China Central Television (CC TV) & China Business Herald who filmed a documentary about the Greek Wine. “Wines of Crete” organized with the Cultural Association of the village Dafnes, a genuine Cretan fest at the village. Our guests had the chance to taste PDO and PGI wines from the Cretan Vineyard with local delicacies, that cooked the Cultural Association of Dafnes. The TV crew interviewed the president of the “Wines of Crete”, who talked about the targeted efforts of the “Wines of Crete”, through the “New Wines of Greece” organized campaigns, seizing the opportunity to promote the uniqueness of the Cretan vineyard and the spe-
He also highlighted that the cooperation not only between the winemakers, but also with the local society, to promote the Cretan way of life, and the Cretan gastronomy proves that with a good cooperation, only good results can occur. Mrs Maria Triantafilou, director of the “New Wines of Greece” highlighted that “Common aim of all of us, is to promote the Greek bottled Wine in Greece and abroad. China is a large target market and the documentary will contribute greatly to achieve this goal. For the Cretan part of the documentary we cooperated with «Wines of Crete» and we believe that this contribution will give us the best results.” Mrs Anna Aga, social media special-
added: “The warm welcome from the village Dafnes and the Cretan feast that they prepared with the «Wines of Crete», for the TV crew journalistic organization Shangbao/China Business Herald and China Central TV, was the best way to experience Cretan hospitality, branded Wines and the uniqueness of the place. This action was live on line at “New Wines of Greece” social media (facebook and twitter), in an effort to promote the eponymous Greek wine worldwide. By using social media, we contribute to develop a constructive dialogue between the wineries and wine opinion leaders around the world.” This action was in cooperation with the Greek consulate in Shanghai and the New Wines of Greece.
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“Agricultural August” went “Wines of Crete” at a documentary film at the Chinese TV to Athens «Wines of Crete», hosted executives cial characteristics of the Cretan wines. ist for the “New Wines of Greece” also
SUPER LEAGUE MATCH DAYS (11/2014)
1/11: Platanias - PAS Giannina 2/11: Ergotelis - PAOK 2/11: Panthrakikos - OFI 8/11: Ergotelis - Veria 8/11: Skoda Xanthi - OFI 9/11: Levadiakos - Platanias 15/11: OFI - Kerkira 15/11: Panathinaikos - Ergotelis 16/11: Platanias - Panionios 21/11: Kalloni - Platanias 22/11: Ergotelis - Asteras Tripolis 23/11: PAS Giannina - OFI 29/11: Veria - Platanias 29/11: OFI - Levadiakos 30/11: Panthrakikos - Ergotelis for any changes click on http://www.superleaguegreece.net
FOOTBALL LEAGUE MATCH DAYS (11/2014) 2/11: Episkopi - Iraklis Psachnon 2/11: Paniliakos - Chania 9/11: Ermionida - Episkopi 9/11: Chania - Kallithea 16/11: Alimos Chania 16/11: Episkopi - Fostiras 23/11: Chania - Panegialios 23/11: AEK - Episkopi 30/11: Apollon - Chania 30/11: Episkopi - Paniliakos
for more sports news click on http://chaniapost.gr
for any changes click on http://www.epae.org
What do British residents of Chania Prefecture believe about this year’s Premier League Champion?
Every time they gather at local cof-
fee shops (kafeneia) for a cup of coffee or a glass of beer, they talk about football. It’s inevitable! British love football!!! The poet Alexander Pope once said “To err is human. To love football, is to be English.” Well he might not have said quite that, but the sentiment stands. English culture is as embroiled in football! That’s why they are talking so much about football. But, what do British residents of Chania Prefecture believe about this year’s Premier League Champion? Which team will be relegated? Will the “Saints” continue to impress us? What’s happening with the “Red Devils? • Nick / Almyrida “Just Chelsea. Nothing more, nothing less.... Jose Mourinho is the best”. • Peter / Vamos “I will be a fan of Arsenal until I die. I think we have a chance this year. Let’s go Gunners”. • John / Platanias “I really don’t care about Premier League. I enjoy watching Platanias playing at Super League. I am a fan of the “Cretan Reds” right now”.
• Jim / Kalives “It’s very dissapointing to watch on TV my favorite team playing like this. I don’t think that United’s fans will be able to relive all those unbelievable moments of the past. Sir Alex was, is and will be the one and only for us”. • Harry / Vamos “Chelsea... Enough is enough with Manchester City!”. • Phil / Kalives “Believe it or not... I am a fan of Everton, but I don’t think we will do something good this year”. • John / Plaka “You ’ll never walk alone! That’ all my friend”.
Premier League Fan Panel survey finds Chelsea tipped for title and Van Persie for top scorer. • 38% Chelsea to win BPL • 25% City to win BPL • 23% Van Persie to top score • 19% Aguero to top score • 27% Van Gaal best manager • 20% Mourinho best manager
Greece vs. Serbia at Perivolia Municipal Stadium
As officially announced by the Hel-
lenic Football Federation, Greek National Team will play a friendly match against Serbia at Perivolia Municipal Stadium of Chania. Friendly match will be played on Tuesday, November 18th.
New modern and safe fighting ring for “Iapetos Athletic Club of Chania”
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sports & leisure
Chania Post wishes the best to all athletes of the club
Sports in Minoan Civilization and Culture
thur Evans excavated a huge complex of palace buildings near the Cretan capital of Heraklion. It turned out to be the palace of Knossos, at 700,000 square metres more than three times the size of Buckingham Palace, and home to the legendary King Minos, from whom the Minoan civilization takes its name, and a central figure in the myth of the Minotaur. According to Mcinernery and Castleden, it was subsequently found that bulls were “ubiquitous” on Crete and that there was “evidence of a pervasive preoccupation” with them. Some have argued that there was a bull cult, others a religion. Whatever the case, bull leaping was a distinctive part of this. The actual sport was practiced apparently by upper class youth and took place in a large central palace court such as has been found at Knossos, or as some argue, a separate compound close to the palace and designed specifically for it such as at Malia. We can imagine the scene… The lithe, tanned young athlete waited nervously at one end of the massive, tiled courtyard, just beneath the large horns of the sacred bull. He hopped from one foot to the other, trying to loosen his legs and arms. He was clad in high sandals, with a blue and red long loincloth and matching arm bracelets and anklets. His dark hair was tied in a topknot and several long strands hung in ringlets down his back. The king and the entire city were cheering excitedly from the stands surrounding the courtyard. The magnificent palace of Knossos gleamed behind them in the afternoon sun, its red pillars standing out in counterpoint
to its whitewashed walls. This was the culmination of the last week’s sacred games and his performance preceded the final sacrifices. He had to get it right. It was the will of the gods. Suddenly, from the far end of the courtyard, a snort could be heard, followed by the shaking of the ground under his feet. The massive animal began its charge across the open space. Two girls with a similar appearance ran alongside the bull to try to keep him on course. The athlete started a slow run to meet them and with two skips leapt into the air just as he met the bull in the middle of the courtyard. He missed the bull’s deadly horns by inches but executed a perfect vault over them, landing with his arms on the charging animal’s back. In one swift push he was upright on the ground behind the beast and running to the safety of the surrounding fence as his companions guided the bull to its pen. The entire crowd stood up and cheered him. His face shone as he bowed to the king. He knew what he had accomplished and its importance. The games were now concluded and the taurine gods happily appeased. Will we ever know if this was the exact sequence or if and why this event even took place? Maybe. For now, my imaginary “bull leap” must suffice. The sequence I have described is the one that most scholars interpret happened, in other words a frontal “assault” and leap over the bull, essentially with the bull acting as a modern gymnastic vaulting box. However, another interpretation has been suggested and that is that the athlete might have grasped the horns of the animal and
used the bull’s subsequent head movement to literally toss him into the air so he would land upright on the bull’s back. Arguments abound as to whether this would even be possible. It seems that more time is still needed to determine what really happened and why. If there were any legacy to this particular celebration, it would have to be that it has drawn intense interest to the Minoan civi- FIFA World Ranking (Oct ‘14) lization, and from that we should eventually be able to learn about them. It is also possible, as mentioned by Sakellarakis, that the arena or compound set up for this event was the first in history to be so designed, that is specifically for a game. Indeed, this and other Minoan sports had an eventual influence on the Greek Olympics. Notes and Further Reading • Hudson, C. (Oct. 23, 2004). Raging Bull. Daily Mail (London). • Mcinerney, J. (2010). The Cattle of the Sun: Cows and Culture in the World of the Ancient Greeks. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. • Castleden, R. (1990). The Knossos Labyrinth: A New View of the “Palace of Minos” at Knossos. London: Routledge. • Sakellarakis, J. (2003). Sport in Crete and Mycenae. The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece: Ancient Olympia and The Olympic Games. Athens: Ekdotiki Ellados S.A. pp. 15-24. http://ancientcelebration.blogspot.gr
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there is an ancient mystery that still begs to be solved in the 21st century, none can fire our imagination more than the secrets of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization. Centred in Crete but living throughout the Aegean Sea, the Minoans lasted some 1500 years, from 2600 to 1100 BCE. These mysterious people have been linked to myths and legends that have been part of humankind’s collective fantasies for centuries, including the lost civilization of Atlantis and the legend of the Minotaur. Although several major Minoan centres have been discovered, the reason so little is known about them is that their language has yet to be deciphered. This is not unlike the experience with the Mayans, whose hieroglyphs were not decoded until the last part of the 20th century. The little knowledge available has been gleaned from archaeological discoveries, primarily frescoes, pottery, and jewelry. Much of this has come from the main palace centres in Crete, namely Phaestos, Malia, Zakros, and that of King Minos at Knossos. The pinnacle of Minoan civilization was reached during the “second palace period” between about 1700 and 1450 BCE, a time when even Egypt was barely in its prime. During this period, religion, art, and architecture coalesced with the construction of beautiful palaces, works of art, and a fascinating mixture of symbols that still defies a complete explanation. Some of the most interesting symbols and works of art depict what is known as bull leaping. This was a dangerous athletic activity practiced by both males and females, most appearing very youthful. I have chosen to include this sport in the compilation of spectacles because it was both unique to the Minoans (although the Myceneans picked it up a bit later), and because it was supposedly practiced as either part of a larger religious/sporting event and as a regular public activity that would attract large portions of the population. In 1900, British archaeologist Sir Ar-
sports & leisure
If
Bull Leaping in Minoan Crete: 1700 - 1450 BCE