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Velas Tours
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
Like Precious H2O, Something Greek Runs Through Practically EverythingLike Precious H2O, Something Greek Runs Through Practically Everything by Gilda Morigi Philadelphia, PA - Mention the word "Greek" to almost anyone and you get a blank stare, or the ultimate paradox, "It's all Greek to me" from Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" no less! Yet if the movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" comes up, a tiny spark of recognition might emerge. Persons who have an interest in Greece and in things Greek without actually being Greek - they are called Grecophiles - are lucky to have knowledge beyond the occasional movie featuring Greek elements. They know, for example, that like precious water, something Greek runs through practically everything. Take people whose names don't reveal their Greek heritage or at least a part of their Greek nationality. Like the following Greeks: George Tennet (former Director of the CIA); John Negroponte (US National Intelligence Director (Italianate names can be misleading); Actor Tom Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson; Film Director Elia Kazan; Actress Jennifer Aniston (AKA Anastassakis); American Idol Champ, Kelly Clarkson (who, when speaking of body image, says, "I've got a butt. I'm Greek!" Of course England has half Greek, half German Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, married to Queen Elizabeth II. Born on the Island of Corfu, Philip apparently does not speak Greek. Perhaps he is taking lessons. At this point, I will eschew diners. Fortuitously, the population at large actually does seem to have a clue about them. You can tell if you visit Mastoris, the quintessential diner/restaurant in Bordentown, NJ. Five to six hundred customers are served there on a busy day. En passant, I would also like to mention Angelo's Automotive Solutions in Merchantville, NJ because I think you would naturally assume that Angelo and his pop - also Angelo - are Italian, Nope. They are Greek. Me? I'm the Grecophile but my kids, Alexandra and Paul are part Greek thanks to their late dad - wonderful, remarkable, Evgenios Morigi, an MD and PhD who spoke Greek, Italian, German, French, English, Spanish and Portuguese. Curiously, most physicians do not know that they do, indeed, know Greek believing their medical terms to be Latin. Not so. Most medical terms are Greek, thank you Aesculapius. Now to the main reason for this lengthy introduction: David Constantine Mercuris and The Ayer, which is a condo high-rise now being completed at 210 West Washington Square in Philadelphia, PA. The structure's notes promise 'unsurpassed landmark living' in its fifty-six 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residences. Built in 1929, the Ayer's interior has been blueprinted to conform with what was considered ultra-desirable design during the art deco era, now coupled with the height of modern conveniences. Words that come to mind are spacious, lofty, luxurious, rich. Especially rich This Hellenic News of America interview with David Constantine Mercuris, Ayer's Vice President of Development, establishes much fascinating info about the building and as you can tell by the VP's name, demonstrates the Greek connection. Mercuris' father, Sam, came to the USA in 1947 from Megali Valsa near Corinth. He met Olympia Gianopoulos, a teacher, during a social at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Sacramento, California. They have just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. David Mercuris grew up in Sacramento and studied Food Science and Technology at the University of California at Davis where he met his wife, Judith. They have been married for 23 years, yet the six-foot, handsome Greek does not look a day over 35. The family includes three children: Hannah 19; Sam 15 and Sophia 12. Regarding his studies, Mercuris opines: "Food service is funny but it so happens that it's a very practical degree and one that incorporates the study of science and a wide breadth of subject matter." His career included work at Del Monte, Campbells Soup and the Spirits and Wine Division of The Seagrams Company. During Mercuris' job search, a friend, Ken Goldenberg of The Goldenberg Group, a Real Estate Development Company, offered him a position with the Ayer Project. Modestly, he says, "Real Estate is a new career for me. [It must be great to start at the top!] I am totally in love with this, my first project as a Development Director. It has been wonderful. Development is a broad title in Real Estate that refers to any portion of the process of locating, acquiring, defining the use of a property, working on permits, working with the design team - architects and engineers - the financing, the hiring and working with the construction team, the marketing and selling teams and the hand-over or management of a property. With The Ayer, I oversaw the process in all of these activities and participated in great detail on many of them, but as my first project, I relied on the team of The Goldenberg Group and with our joint venture partner, Brown Hill Development, to formulate the strategy and its execution when and where necessary." The VP's enthusiasm expands to the building's interior and the 56 residences. "You can see it's a very modern design. Hardwood floors throughout. We have three different types of flooring in the entryway: Broughton Moor from England, Lagos Azul [slate] from Portugal, Thassos marble from Greece. Every master bathroom has pure, white marble from Greece. There is a fitness center; the parking garage allots one space per resident. Pets are welcome. "The Goldenberg Group is primarily a redevelopment firm...a big box [commercial retail center] shopping center like Target, Lowes, Wal-Mart. This is their first residential project. More About The Ayer Address: 210 W. Washington Square, overlooking Washington Square Park, situated close enough to make it seem like an extension of The Ayer itself. Amenities: City views, eleven-and-a-half-foot ceilings, private fitness center, 24-hour white-glove concierge service, chauffeur-driven Mercedes Benz Towncar, onsite valet parking. Shops and Restaurants: The Ayer is surrounded by restaurants, art galleries, performing arts venues, boutiques and historical sites. Public Transportation: SEPTA bus, subway and train lines. Price Range: $850,000 to $8 million. Contact: Laurie Phillips, Prudential Fox & Roach, 215,923.4441
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