Art Display

The painter Kostas Mikalef
presents his latest work this Saturday , 20th November, at
7.30 at the Public Theatre of Corfu.

The exhibition will remain open to the public till
the 4th December.

Go green

Corfu is a green paradise, but yet, working indoors can make you feel you are under pressure. But there is a way to alter this feeling wherever your office may be. Just read on!



Fourteen tips to an Eco-friendly office!

So, you are working in an office and feel you are destined to be confined in a cement environment for the rest of your life! But office life doesn’t mean you can not be in the eco spirit! There are several ways you can improve your working environment and then feel satisfied that you have finally contributed to a greener and healthier office life. It only takes a couple of steps and some determination.

Step one: Use your car less.
How can you do that? Arrange with a colleague to use your cars in turns or use public transport (which is the best solution as it causes less pollution).

Step two: Get plants.
Fill your office with plants. They not only enhance the atmosphere but also lessen the effects of radiation emitted from office equipment. Ask the florists about the best interior plants that need little care. Plants will also make you feel relaxed and happy.

Step three: Find the light.
Place your desk in the spot that is best lit. If there is a window, place your desk nearby as a source of natural light is always best.

Step four: Become paper aware.
If you use a printer, print on both sides of the paper. Waste less paper and contribute to less deforestation. Also, use recycled paper.

Step five: Ban felt pens.
Avoid using felt pens and use ball point pens instead. The latter contain less chemicals and do not smell.

Step six: Pins vs tape.
You can use pins or clips instead of adhesive tape which produces toxins and it is not bio-degradable.

Step seven: Save files.
Save your files on USB as CDs are disposable. In this way you produce less waste.

Step eight: Glass vs plastic.
You can use plates and glasses made of glass or china and avoid plastic altogether. Help the environment get rid of unnecessary waste that adds more pollution.

Step nine: Turn off your PC.
When you are not working, turn off your PC. Do not leave it on waiting mode. Save energy and lower your electricity bills.

Step ten: Lights off.
If you are the last to leave the office, don’t forget to turn the lights off.

Step eleven: Recycle.
Use the recycling bins near your office. Sort out the waste you produce during your office hours. Get in the recycling habit now!

Step twelve: Rest room changes.
If you run your own business, replace the faucets in the bathroom with taps having a photocell, and buy lamps that save energy. Also, install hand driers and do not waste paper.

Step thirteen: Charity aware.
Start a co-operation with WWF that has got special programs for businesses, at www.wwf.com

Step fourteen: Beware of snack packaging.
Avoid aluminum foil, plastic bags or one use dishes for your snacks. Choose a package that you can reuse. Why not get your own lunch box from home?

So, you see there are many ways to be eco friendly and enjoy a better office environment. It’s up to you to make some changes in your life and encourage others to follow you. Remember that this planet needs our co-operation to survive!

I Live in Corfu!

Meet the animals, insects and plants living on the island.

SNAILS

‘Hi,

My name is Snail, but my Greek name is Saligari, or Bobolas in plain Corfiot language!

In my family we are in a variety of colors; the most common is brown with black stripes. White snails are quite common in fields with eatable plants such as lettuces, cabbages and broccoli (the green kind of cauliflower). I love the rain and I usually come out for a stroll after a nice heavy storm or a drizzle... I have to search for food, you see. That’s the time farmers really dislike me. Why? Read on to find out!

What do I eat?

Leaves; almost any kind of fresh green leaves will do. I am not too selective but I prefer those kinds human beings eat as they are the tastier. My worst time is when I go out to look for food because I am an easy prey. Birds catch me, you know, as I am part of the food chain. People eat me, too, but not very often since some of them think I am too slippery and creepy for their taste (I have to become more disgusting if I want to survive, but there are still those who find me cute; can you believe it? CUTE! How can a snail look cute?)

Well, I am an artifact too. My shell is a piece of art; people all over the world try to draw and paint my shell, so I am quite famous for my decorative designs. You can see lots of different shells at the Benitses Shell Museum in Corfu. http://www.benitses.org/shellmuseum/index.htm

If you are online, you can learn more about my family here

http://www.geocities.com/sseagraves/allaboutsnails.htm

Now, would you like to read a story about me and my family?

Get the book titled The White Snail from a Corfiot bookshop or kiosk. Or visit my online address to order a signed copy at

http://toasprosaligari.blogspot.com’

Corfu and Venice: a cultural journey into the past

The small island of Corfu has always been considered a gem in Ionian Sea. The abundant green and its beautiful beaches used to attract people from all over the world, let alone its neighboring countries. So, Italian people could not underestimate Corfu’s beauty and strategic position, and claimed the island for the first time in the 12^th century. The first Venetian occupation took place in 1205, and it was during that time that a lot of significant changes occurred on the island.

The Venetian culture

The Venetians cared for the olive oil production, so during their occupation Corfu olive groves started to expand. Nowadays the whole island is still covered with olive trees. The Venetian culture affected greatly the lifestyle of the Corfiots who were at that time privileged to live in a higher level cultural background, in contrast with the other Greeks on the mainland who were under the Ottoman occupation. The establishment of the Ionian Academy is an example of the cultural influence from the west. The Academy, which was destroyed in the years to come, has been fully rebuilt and houses now a part of the Ionian University.

The Old Fortress

The Old Fortress is an excellent example of the fortification of the island that dates back to the Venetian times. This fortress has got a 60- meter bridge that links the castle to the square. Contra Fossa canal flows underneath and is currently used as a harbour for boats. At the entrance of the fortress there is the statue of Schulenburg who was a defender against the Turks. The fortress was first fortified by the Byzantines but the Venetians built complex tunnels and galleries to make it stronger. Inside the castle the visitor can see a prison building, the English Officers’ Quarters, the Barracks, the English Hospital and the chapel of Ayios Georgios, which is in Dorian style and was built by the English in 1840. From the top of the old fortress the traveler can see a panoramic view of Corfu town. The most picturesque part is that of the old town with the red tiled roofs and the traditional buildings.

The New Fortress

The Venetians also built the New Fortress which is on the North West side of Corfu town overlooking the old harbour. The two big gates of the New Fortress are still intact! On one gate visitors can see a winged lion. This is the Venetian emblem of Saint Marco. This fortress was completed in the 15^th century.

The Esplanade

Another Venetian aspect that is still prevalent in Corfu town is the Esplanade (Spianada for the Corfiots) that is the heart of Corfu town. Spianada is next to the lower square of Corfu, and this area is the center for all local festivities and major social events. The top part of Spianada is at Liston place, which is called the small Paris, since it was built by the French during the French occupation of the island and its architecture is similar to the one found in Paris. The unique lamps at Liston were made by the Venetians and are an excellent sample of the art of that period.

More cultural influence

It is obvious that the Venetians influenced a lot the local architecture as well as all the other aspects of local life. Education was promoted and many institutions were set up, such as the music schools which are still running all over the island. Corfu has got 12 bands today! Celebrations and cultural events still include Italian aspects and the local language has been greatly affected too. The older generations still speak Italian and many modern residents still use some words that are of Italian origin. For example, the word ‘alibreto’ is used to describe the half closed window shutters. Time changes though, and I wonder if the new Corfiot generations will maintain that part of their tradition in the years to come!

The epitaph...

The epitaph of St.Antonios church started at around 7.30 last evening. There was a crowd of people in the town but the spectacle was wonderful-as always.

School kids take part in the epitaph of each church as well as a band or two. In the photo above you can see a part of the marine corpse too.

A strange fish in Corfu waters…

We have never seen this kind of fish here. The sea group of the protection of the environment club announced that they had spotted a new kind of fish species in the Corfiot sea. They stated that lately, the fishermen of northern Corfu catch frequently a new kind of fish that is called Sphoeroides pachygaster.

This kind of fish can be found in the sea of the isles on the north of Corfu (Othonoi, Erikousa, Mathraki) which is the meeting point of the Ionian sea and the Adriatic sea.

What exactly is this kind of fish?

Sphoeroides pachygaster is a fish of the Atlantic ocean that gradually came into the Mediterranean and keeps on heading to the east. The problem is that some of the characteristics of this fish are similar to the dangerous fish called Rabbithead (Lagokephalos), so the fishermen may make mistakes.

How do these fish look like?

Sphoeroides pachygaster is short and fat with an inflated belly, smooth skin, big head that end to a ‘beak’ with jaws in four parts.

A few days ago a Sphoeroides pachygaster was caught in 80 m. depth by a Corfiot fisherman. It was 39 cm long.

Coffee Time paper...

Coffee Time local paper has a new design now thanks to Vasilis Savvanis who took over the graphics and the format of the paper. Vasilis, who is the owner of Aggelia (see the first link in the side bar) magazine, and a new book publisher, has tried to give the paper a new style and status.

Coffee Time is a lifestyle paper that includes articles about the island and promotes businesses in Corfu. It has a free distribution all over the island and caters to both Greek and English speaking residents as it contains both Greek and English articles and ads.

If you are near the post office in the town you can get a free copy now. The paper is being distributed to central spots of the town and to all the major villages, such as Acharavi area and Kassiopi.

If you are looking for a job or have an ad to publish, contact
sales@coffeetimecorfu.com
Tel: 6947129349 and 6937877648

Publisher of Coffee time: Alexandros Vlachos

The Music School of Corfu

The Music School of Corfu is located at Alexandras Avenue, a very beautiful area leading to Garitsa bay.

Who attends the Music School?

Almost everyone interested in music! School kids mainly, since there are 19 brass bands today on the island and they need constant members. Young kids can start music lessons from an early age, usually from the third grade of Primary School. They are the most enthusiastic members since they look forward to parading with their band on celebration days!

Bands have also many adults who are experts on one or more musical instruments. During St. Spyridon processions many bands take part and this is a wonderful sight.

Musical heritage in Corfu dates back to the Venetian occupation, hundreds of years ago, and it still remains as the main attraction of the Corfiot culture. “Philarmonikes”, the Greek name of the bands, add to the island a colourful character no other place in Greece possesses.

The Music School is the main spot for those who need to get educated in classical music. Passers-by can hear violin sounds quite often, or piano songs and opera parts if they are lucky enough! The whole block around this traditional building livens up to the daily sounds of music that are a familiar form of local culture.

Music party in town!

Live now!
The music party by Life Radio station, at www.liferadio.gr
is now on air via a web camera.

The party it taking place now at Plateia Georgaki, in the centre of the town, where all the members of Life Radio take part offering to locals live music.

You can listen to the live party by clicking on www.liferadio.gr.

(On the right side there is a button, it says 'live'- just click on it to download the device needed to listen to the radio).

The party will last till 8 in the evening. They will give away some presents to the people who come to listen to them.

Enjoy!

Last Sunday's celebration

The procession of Saint Spyridon, the protector of Corfu, took place last Sunday morning in the town of Corfu.

Corfiots celebrated the miracle of the Saint that happened in 1673, when a plague epidemic hit the island. Then, Saint Spyridon sent the plague away and the Corfiots were saved.

An old local tale says that as the plague was leaving the island, she scratched with her nails the rock behind the old castle of the town. The signs are still visible to those who sail around the castle. You see, the plague was thought of as a monster who had iron nails and huge strength.

The procession was, as always, great and colorful. It was a sunny Sunday, as most days on this island are, and there was a crowd of people attending the ceremony.

The Durrells in Corfu

(Picture: The old Palace)

In Bosketo gardens, at the lower square of Corfu, the bust of the Durrell brothers were exposed to the public for the first time. The Durrell brothers were two authors who wrote about the beauty of Corfu and thus helped people all over the world to get to know about this small beautiful island.

At the celebration that took place in September, Lee Durrell, the wife of Gerald Durrell, thanked the authorities for the great honour, while the representative of Durrell School, the representative of Louis Group who were the sponsors of the busts and the nature expert David Bellamy and Spiros Giourgas delivered speeches about the authors.

Sotiris Mikalef, the Mayor of the island mentioned the following:

“When the Durrell family settled down in Corfu in 1935, the two young brothers, Laurence and Gerald get extremely influenced by the island. In Corfu they discover Prospero’s Cell, which, like in Shakespeare’s Tempest, is a personal Odyssey of every man.

Durrell family has been one of our families since long ago, and I am happy I present today to the public the permanent presence of Durrell brothers on this island.”

The celebration ended with the National Hymns of Greece and England performed by Kapodistrias Band and a reception followed at the old Palace near the gardens.

Art exhibition

Art exhibition in the old palace at the square.

At the Municipal Gallery in Corfu town there is an art exhibition that is worth seeing. Giorgio Turchetti, an Italian artist who is residing in Corfu many months a year, exhibits his paintings under the theme of ‘Kind of Blue’.

The exhibition theme is divided into several parts.

The first part includes paintings dealing with the Interiors, where the visitor can see figures, fruit and the artist’s room, all in oil on canvas.

The second part has got Portraits in oil and tempera on paper. The third is about Nudes, displaying intriguing figures that show the passion of the artist for women. The fourth part is dedicated to Landscapes. Fantasy backgrounds and soft colors are the main features of his work.

Then comes the fifth part with The divided self figures, where the viewer will find themselves studying asylum figures in oil and tempera.

The sixth part includes Recent work in oil on canvas, such as Venice, flowers and sky images, while the last part has got Sketches, mostly portraits.

Giorgio Turchetti was born in Rome in 1925 and at first he was engaged in scenography. After 1960 he dedicated himself to painting. His works are found in Italy and other countries while his latest exhibition in Corfu was held in Corfu Gallery in 2006.

The exhibition will last till the end of August and visitors are given a booklet free of charge containing the art exhibits.

August in Corfu

Hot, too hot! The island is in a blaze of heat and sunshine, but the sea breeze is soothing on the beaches. A lot of tourists have come and wander around the alley ways of the town or rent a car or a bike and drive to the beaches. Today is a special day for the local people: The celebration of Pandokrator (like the mountain). All those whose name is Sotiris celebrate too.

The monastery at the top of Pandokrator mount celebrates God the Saviour (Sotiras in Greek). The feast (paniyiri in Greek) starts on the eve of the 6th August.

What can you do there?

See the monastery and the ancient icons

light a candle and pray

enjoy the magnificent view

eat souvlaki

buy trinkets


Today Corfiots cook a special dish, fish and garlic paste (bakalaos skordalia in Greek).
Here's the recipe:

Skordalia (garlic paste)

2 or more cloves of garlic (the stronger the better)
2-3 boiled potatoes
olive oil
salt
lemon juice
-------
crush the garlic and mix with crushed potatoes. Add slowly olive oil and lemon juice till the taste is good and the texture firm enough.

----------------
Fry some cod fillets (frozen or fresh) previously dipped in a mixture of flour and water, in ample olive oil and serve immediately.

Or use salty dry cod fillets, previously soaked in water (overnight) and fry them the same way.

Accompany with a fresh Greek salad and red wine.

Bon appetit!

Flowers everywhere!

May is the month of flowers. The gardens, the fields and even the balconies in the town are a piece of art. On the first of May my son gave me some roses. They were so beautiful I decided to draw them the very next day. You can see the picture above. It's tempera on tinted paper.

Easter in Corfu

Happy Easter!

Enjoy the local Easter cookies and 'fogatsa' sweet bread flavored with mastic.

Where can you find them?
In all bakeries and super markets all over the island.

Easter in Corfu started last Sunday with the big procession of St.Spyridon. Today, each church will have their own mini procession (epitaphios), and the last one will take place after 10 pm. and will get through Liston area. Notice the color of the lantern lights along Liston. Tonight they will be violet, but tomorrow they will be white again.

Don't miss the first resurrection on Saturday morning at 11am. People use to throw pots from their windows as soon the bells start sounding. Then the bands walk along Liston and the Esplanade playing joyful parts. The second -and major- resurrection takes place at 12 midnight at the upper square of Corfu. Have a candle with you and watch the spectacle. Fireworks are shot and waves of lit candles move to all directions.

Happy Easter everybody!

On Air!

Corfu island On air!

Radio music is quite popular on the island. Walk into any shop in the town and you will listen to the songs or the commentary of a local radio station.

One of the most popular radio stations in Corfu is Life radio at www.liferadio.gr

You can hear live music any time you are in and enjoy a variety of songs from a wide range of eras. The producer is Dimitris Savanis, a local young man who has a talent in picking up the right music from around the world. Life radio plays 24 hours a day and each music session, which usually lasts for 2 hours, is performed by a small panel of young men and women who select the songs and comment on a variety of aspects from around the world.

Last weekend a new music session started at 4 pm, directed by Bill Savanis and Tatiana Soulani. Bill is the owner and publisher of Aggelia-Online magazine and the site www.aggelia-online.gr, that promote businesses on the island and throughout Greece. He enjoys being on the air and hopes that they will soon be able to run their broadcast on a daily basis.

“If anyone wishes to sponsor our broadcast, they can contact me via www.aggelia-online.gr or contact Dimitri via www.liferadio.gr” Bill says. “Life Radio offers great promoting services for any business on the island”.

You can also join our group at http://www.facebook.com,

http://aggelia-online.blogspot.com

Natural products on Corfu island

The Land of Corfu

Start from the central square of Corfu called Esplanade, which is known as ‘the biggest square in the Valkans’, and Liston, which is the road with the arches that was designed and built by the Royal French after 1807 and is located on the west side of Esplanade, and you will get to St.Spyridon road. Go along St.Spyridon road starting from Liston and you will find yourself in the heart of the traditional area of the old town. At the end of the road there is a junction to Filarmoniki road, and just there is our shop which is located at the groundfloor of the building where Filarmoniki ‘Mantjaros’ is.

At the entrance of our shop which is at Filarmoniki road, you can find all the Greek products that are made from one of the most valuable product in the world, olive oil, which is a product of Greece.

Based on olive oil, plant-based cosmetics and pure traditional soap are produced in the old way they used to get produced years ago, as well as Greek sponges.

You can also find here Virgin Olive oil with acidity up to 0.3%, cold processed, straight from the Corfiot olive groves, as well as the best olive oil from all over Greece, awarded as the best in international competitions.

You can also buy black Kalamon olives, which are the best olives in the world, as well as thyme, oregano and all the spices of Mediterranean cooking.

Finally, here you can find all the Greek sweets and cakes and traditional Corfiot liquor, such as lemon liquor and Koum-kouat, ouzo and the best Corfiot wines.

At the entrance of our shop at St.Spyridonos street you can find Greek traditional gifts such as:

Handmade icons, old copper utensils that are at least 80 years old, lanterns in every shape, a selection of nargile items, handmade alabaster and original fossils.

Our business handles both retail and bulk orders.

We will be happy to meet you!

With respect,

Lygeri Kalogeresi

Tourists/Residents: a new trend

In recent years, many tourists who visit Kerkyra (Corfu for the non Greek) island end up in buying some kind of property on the area. Some of them become permanent residents, while others use their new home as a basis for their family holidays, once or twice a year. But why choose this kind of tourism? Nick, an Englishman, was one of the first to built a small cottage in Korakiana Village, on Kerkyra island. He first visited Kerkyra many years ago with his family, but it was much later when he found out that he could actually get a permanent place on the island he loved. “At first I thought that I would need a fortune to buy a decent house in a village,” he says. “But a friend of mine, who had already bought a ready cottage in Korakiana village, kept me informed bout the properties sold over there, and soon he spotted a bargain.” Nick has got a family of five, and they were all delighted at the prospect of a holiday house on Kerkyra. Nick was able to get a small stone house with a yard in front at a very low cost, and he built a two floored cottage in a year. “When I first saw it,” he admits, “it was a kind of ruined store room with nothing much to attract the buyer, but the scenery all around was fantastic, and that was the basic point. We would live in the nature, breathe fresh mountain air and see a wonderful view every day.” Nick filled the small yard with numerous flower pots with mountain herbs and flowers, and he made big windows to let the sun come into the cottage. “This will be our permanent house when we retire,” he adds. “Meanwhile, we visit Kerkyra 2-3 times a year and our kids come over in between their holidays too. We also let some close relatives to use it and some friends.” Nick is just one of the four other residents of the village neighborhood. A few meters further on, a couple from Holland have rebuilt their own house and visit it every summer. The neighbors keep an eye on it when they are away, and they even take care of their small vegetable garden. Some of the benefits of this kind of tourism, can be listed below: Save on rents of hotels, apartments etc. Save on meals of restaurants Carry no baggage Make new friends Ideal for retired people Ideal for relaxing in a natural environment Learn new lifestyle Try new food Some people object to this kind of tourism though. They think that the village will soon lose its identity as more foreigners than local people will be around in the future. This may be true, but the world is changing fast, more people migrate from their own countries and there will soon be an international mix everywhere. Who can stop the communication of cultures? No one can!

http://rentexpert.com

http://vacationblogspot.com#Vacation%20Rentals

Local cuisine

Greek cuisine is renowned for its healthy ingredients such as olive oil, herbs and fresh vegetables. Olive oil is the top one healthy food that can get included in almost every single meal. Have you tried cakes made from olive oil? It’s worth giving it a try, even if you may not probably notice a great difference in taste-as I do! Olive oil is healthier than butter or margarine, so replace butter with olive oil and prepare your cake mix as usual. You will create a new version if you also add orange juice (or replace milk completely) and a drop of Greek brandy (Metaxa brand, 5 stars is the best). Less sugar than the usual recipe and add dark chocolate pieces or sultanas to enhance flavor. The result is fabulous! Fluffy and aromatic, this cake is the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Go olive oil then and stay healthy! The simple cake recipe: One bag of self raising flour Half a cup sugar 3-4 eggs One cup olive oil 1-2 vanilla essence portions 1-2 oranges (the juice) Some skimmed milk or a yoghurt 2% fat Half a cup of sultanas (optional) One bar of dark chocolate broken in small pieces Some brandy A pinch of salt How to make it: Mix olive oil with sugar and then add the eggs. Add the flour, milk or yoghurt (you can use both if you wish), Add the rest apart from the chocolate. Pour mixture into a tin and add the chocolate pieces one by one so as they are covered completely by the cake mixture. Bake at 150 C (you may need 180 in some ovens) for 3/4 of an hour or until golden. Enjoy it!

Nuts-the special ones!

Pistachio: A Greek bio product Did you know that pistachio grows on a Greek island? And that is the best quality of all other nuts since it is a bio product? Aegina island produces pistachio, the most popular nut in Greece (and the most expensive and tastier) that has got a special unique taste. It is also a bio product! Looking back to the 19th century, these special trees, pistachio trees, were not planted in Greece. Only in Aegina island this special tree finds the moisture it needs to grow. The soil is composed of clay, the substance clay pots are made of, so the water runs through it. The soil remains dry despite the amount of water found and that is the reason this nut is so delicious! What affects the taste of the nut? 1. It’s proximity to the sea. 2. The dry environment. 3. The small size of the trees. 4. The low level of humidity-even at night. 5. The composure of the soil. The crop is ready in August. They gather the nuts by spreading nets under the trees and shaking the branches with a stick. Then, a machine sorts out the nuts peels them and discards the bad ones. Next, the nuts are washed and are spread under the sun for 3-4 days to dry. Some farmers use a machine to dry them. When ready, they are put into bags and placed into the freezer for 3 days to kill the insects that may have remained alive. In there they can be preserved for up to 2 years. This bio product has no chemicals-just sea salt and real lemon juice on it! Where can you find pistachio in Corfu? Certainly in all big stores! Supermarkets have many varieties as well as coffee shops. Try Demetra markets or Sconto markets all over the island. For more information go to Aegina

http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/aegina/