DID YOU MISS OUT ON 'POPPY DAY'?..... DON'T DESPAIR

Jackie Dallos has Poppies, car poppies, wristbands, wooden crosses with poppies on, lapel pin poppies and one or two other bits and pieces. There is a collection box in Williams/Smithells in the Marina  and another in the Irish Rover in Lefkas town square.   All the supplies are also available directly from Jackie. No need for anyone to miss out  Call her on 6936 647160

JD's Bistro Winter Schedule

Forms for 2014 road tax available from Taxisnet from November 11

Motorists will be able to obtain the document they need to pay their road tax for 2014 via the Taxisnet online system from Monday, November 11, Finance Ministry official said.

The general secretary for revenues, Haris Theoharis, said that motorists will be able to take the forms to any bank to pay their road tax, as happened last year.

Roads tax for 2014 will remain unchanged from this year, ranging from 22 euros for vehicles with an engine capacity for under 300 cc to 1,320 for those with engines that are 4 liters or larger.

The only difference is that for 2014, owners of cars whose engines are 1,929 cc or more, will also have to pay a luxury tax next year.

click on this link to take you to the very simple application to print out your road tax form
The pages are in Greek only.  If you can't translate it, then this is what you do.
On the page that comes up from the link, press the button (which is 'enter').  The next page that comes up is the application
In the left-hand box enter your AFM (tax number).  In the right-hand box enter your Vehicle licence plate number.
Press the left-hand button (Search)....after a moment’s thought some red writing comes up.... which says the search has been successful and instructing   you to press 'Print', which is the middle of the three buttons. Do this, and either print immediately or save to file on your computer for printing later.
Take the printed document to the bank and pay, anytime up to Dec 31st.  They will stamp and sign one of the discs for you to keep and retain the other for their records. (take your passport just in case you need it for identity purposes) Job complete.
The right hand button of the three, by the way, is to reset the form if you made a mistake or want to apply for another vehicle after you've done the first one.

INDIAN DISHES

'FESTINO' in Lefkas Town.... on the mini roundabout.... is trying out some Indian dishes on it's menu on Tues 5th, Weds 6th & Thurs 7th Nov.
If they prove to be popular they will add them to their regular menu.
No doubt, those hooked on the hot & spicy 'drug' will give them a try.... and report back as to quality!
Nice to see a Greek owned business trying something new in these difficult times.

OXI DAY PARADE IN LEFKAS TOWN

On October 28th, Greece, Cyprus and other Greek communities worldwide will be celebrating what is known as Greek OXI day. Every year  Greeks have celebrated this event since 1940 when the day was founded. OXI day is a Greek national holiday in Greece.  
You may have noticed groups of school children marching around their playgrounds lately..... they've been practising for the parade which takes place in Lefkas Town
The national holiday was established in 1940 when the Italian Ambassador asked the Greek Prime Minister to have Italian soldiers based in Greece. Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas said NO (OXI) to the Italian’s request. The Italians invaded and this marked Greece's entry into the 2nd World War. The Greek army went on to fight the Italians out of Greece  until Hitler sent German troops to help the Italians.

WINTER OPENING HOURS AT 'THE KATOGHI'

Open Wednesday's through to Sunday's
10.30am to Late
Because of our limited table space inside we are recommending everyone to telephone in advance!
Hope to see you soon
Kind regardsAlison & Peter
The Katoghi
Cafe Bar & Restaurant
+ 30 26450 41733http://letseat.at/thekatoghi

TAX EVASION IN GREECE BY FOREIGNERS

SDOE links 500 luxury island homes to high-level tax evasion The Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) has identified at least 500  luxury homes being leased via the Internet for up to 10,000 euros a day, income that has been concealed from tax authorities, according to a report in the daily Ethnos. The majority of the villas that are being rented online are «invisible,» according to the report which said their owners, chiefly foreigners, are believed to be responsible for high-level tax evasion. The majority of the properties are located on cosmopolitan Aegean islands such as Myconos and Paros, the report said.

ekathimerini.com , Friday September 6, 2013 (13:48)

34th AMERICA'S CUP COMPETITION BEGINS TODAY (SAT 7th SEPT)

The USA defending (skipper Jimmy Spithill) against the New Zealand challenger (skipper Dean Barker).  It promises to be a spectacular event as the boats are 72ft, wing sailed, foiling catamarans reaching speeds of 45kts.  The venue is San Franciso Bay and the course runs between Alcatraz Island and the seafront.
It's the best of 17 races, ie, the first to win nine races will take the trophy.
There will be two matches per day
Race 1 starts at 23:15 (Lefkas time), Race 2 an hour later.
You can watch live on http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericasCup or catch up at a more civilised time the following day. 
For a full rundown go to the official website http://www.americascup.com/

After a spectacular series the USA won and retained the Cup.  Sir Ben Ainslie, as tactitian, played a major role.  He is now trying to secure sponsorship to mount a British challenge..... already has JP Morgan on board.  What a day it would be if the cup, after 168yrs returned to Britain!

NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

With the look and feel of the now defunct Athens News, The 'ATHENS VIEWS' weekly newspaper is available in some kiosks or on-line by subscription.
www.athensviews.gr

PREFECTURE OF LEFKADA

The official website of the Prefecture of Lefkada is full of great information on all aspects of the island.  Included on the site is a comprehensive programme of summer events in Lefkas Town and many of the island's villages.  A good browse through the whole site will reveal lots of useful stuff.
The link below is for the English language version.  Many other languages are supported on the site
http://www.lefkada.gr/default.asp?langid=2

GENERAL STRIKE SET FOR TUESDAY 16th JULY 2013

A general strike has been called by the big public unions for Tuesday 16th July.  This coincides with parliament debating the latest multi bill to cover more austerity measures imposed by the Troika, which has to be passed for the govt to receive it's next tranche of bailout money.  On the list of measures is the long awaited reduction of Public Sector Workers.... and so, a General Strike.
Follow this link for a full list of services likely to be affected: http://livingingreece.gr/strikes/

KTEL long distance buses will still be operating and so far, the Air Traffic Controllers have not said they will be participating.  All municipal services are likely to be suspended until the Multi-Bill has been passed by Parliament.

24hr opening kiosk

CHINESE RESTAURANT IN VASILIKI

A Greek owned chinese taverna called Theo's has opened in Vasiliki. The chef is from Hong Kong. Location - find the cash machines by the harbour front, take the road to the right of the machines and walk away from the harbour The taverna is on the left hand side. Chinese lanterns give a bit of  clue! Good feedback received so far. Currently only open in the evening.

HYPNOTHERAPIST IS COMING TO TOWN

RECENTLY FORMED CHOIR IN LEFKAS

Allow Lefkas Singers to challenge your perception of a choir. This modern new choir has an enthusiastic passion and belief that singing is fun and singing is good for you. All ages and abilities are welcome. Unlock your voice to discover not only the joy of singing, but the beauty and thrill of singing together in a group.
If you have a voice, you can sing! Lefkas Singers invites everyone in the community to come together as one voice. Come and learn how to use your voice properly through practising and performing a collection of feel-good music as well as upbeat songs from around the world. Join us in this relaxed and friendly environment for a weekly dose of singing-based pleasure! We meet every Monday, 6-7:30pm at ARTiria in the marina. For more info call 6978227326, email lefkassingers@live.co.uk and like us on facebook: 'Lefkas Singers'. 

GREEK NEWS IN ENGLISH

As most people know the English language newspaper 'Athens News' has ceased to function.  For another source of daily Greek news try this online paper   http://www.enetenglish.gr/ .  I especially like the  video cartoon of a young girl's take on the changing times here.

I HAVE BEEN REMINDED.....

....That it's Shrove Tuesday on the 12th Feb.  PANCAKE DAY! One of my favourite little treats and the second good reason for growing a lemon tree.  The first?..... G&T, of course.

RESIDENCY PERMIT

Residency permits for EU citizens, which are required for various things such as purchasing a Greek car, are now issued with no expiry date. If you already hold a five year permit which needs to be renewed or you are applying for the first time, this is the procedure:

Use the police station nearest to your address ie in Lefkas town or surrounding area use the one in Lefkas.......in Vassiliki or surrounding area use the one in Vassiliki

Find out when the police station processes residency requests. The one in Lefkas is Fridays and Mondays (8.30 until 2.00).

Each person will need to produce:

1)  Four photographs (passport size)

2)  Passport and two photocopies

3)  EU health card (or equivalent) and two photcopies

4)  Greek bank book showing minimum balance of 3,500 euro and two photocopies of the relevant page (balance of 5,000 euro for joint use - four photocopies of relevant page required and bank account must be in joint names). A credit card with available credit of 3,500 or 5,000 may be acceptable. Check with local police station.

Please note, the police officer must see original documents plus photocopies. He/she will not photocopy for you.

Once submitted, the processing took a further week. When we returned to pick up the paperwork, we were each given an a5 sized blue paper card which included our photograph and that was it...job done.

Information supplied by Debbie & Jeremy White

TRAVEL SHARING

Another new heading on the drop-down list under 'ODDS & B0BS' is Travel Sharing.
Those travelling to Athens, for example, can post on the site if they have spare seats on the journey and can therefore ease their costs. Conversely, if you need a lift, it's worth letting others know the dates...you may be lucky.
Email lefkaslife@gmail.com with your requirements

Epiphany in Lefkada

Jan 6th is Epiphany and is celebrated in Lefkada Town with a marching band, throwing of cross into the sea and the dunking of oranges. For a full explanation CLICK HERE
A very approximate time of 'kick off' for the celebration is 11am in the area of the bridge

New Category on Lefkas Life

A new category...'WORK WANTED / AVAILABLE'...has been added to Lefkas Life.  You can find it on the drop-down list of 'Odds & Bobs'.
If you're looking for work or have work available and want people to know, send an email with full details to lefkaslife@gmail.com and it will be posted there for the world to see.

Just as an aside.... Since it's inception, nearly two years ago, Lefkas Life website has been visited a little over 60,000 times. Not a web sensation but I'm pleased.  The vast majority of visits have, unsurprisingly, been made from people in Greece and the UK. So, if you have anything at all to say that may be of interest or use to the ex-pat community of Lefkas write to Lefkas Life and get it out there.

ROAD TAX PAYMENT GOES ON-LINE

Owners of Greek registered vehicles can now print their 2013 road tax form using the online TAXISnet system, then use this to pay at banks, post offices or tax offices. They have to do so by the end of December.

Authorities will no longer issue road tax stickers. Instead, all data will be logged electronically.

The move is estimated to save some 80 million euros per year.

click on this link to take you to the very simple application to print out your road tax form
The pages are in Greek only.  If you can't translate it, then this is what you do.
On the page that comes up from the link, press the button (which is 'enter').  The next page that comes up is the application
In the left-hand box enter your AFM (tax number).  In the right-hand box enter your Vehicle licence plate number.
Press the left-hand button (Search)....after a moments thought some red writing comes up.... which says the search has been successful and instructing   you to press 'Print', which is the middle of the three buttons. Do this, and either print immediately or save to file on your computer for printing later.
Take the printed document to the bank and pay, anytime up to Dec 31st.  They will stamp and sign one of the discs for you to keep and retain the other for their records. (take your passport just in case you need it for identity purposes) Job complete.
The right hand button of the three, by the way, is to reset the form if you made a mistake or want to apply for another vehicle after you've done the first one.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 11/11/2012

The act of observing a Two Minute Silence began in 1919 following the Armistice at 11am on 11 November 1918 at the end of the First World War.  A pause to reflect and remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice

Remembrance is no longer just about those who fought in the two World Wars of the last century, but also about those involved in the many other conflicts worldwide since 1945 and those still fighting for peace and freedom now.

The life that we all enjoy is a direct result of the sacrifices they made.  Let us remember them and honour them.

NEW YACHT BROKERAGE ON LEFKAS

Set up by island residents, David Rogerson & Paula Conroy, the new brokerage trades as Ionian Yacht Sales

"Our brokers are ABYA trained professionals and are delighted to assist in making your purchase or sale a pleasure and helping with registration and VAT.

Visit our yacht brokerage office in Lefkas Town

If you are selling your boat or buying a boat we can make the whole process a pleasure."

Lefkas sales Office 

Phone: 26450 21019 / 6945 347 870
Email: sales@ionianyachtsales.com
Web: www.ionianyachtsales.com

Electricity prices to rise by up to 40%

By Chryssa Liaggou writing for Ekathimerini                                                     

The demand by Greece’s creditors for  electricity rates to reflect the full cost of production will bring about fresh rate hikes by June 2013.

The draft memorandum Athens has agreed to with the troika will spread the rise over two or three installments, with the first coming as early as January.

Based on the cost data that Public Power Corporation presented to the Regulatory Authority for Energy in August, the implementation of the measure will entail rate hikes up to 40 percent for households and businesses with low consumption and is expected to affect no fewer than 2.2 million consumers.

Sources say that the competent ministry will initially examine the possible expansion of the so-called Social Household Rates to include households with low consumption that are not covered by the criteria used today and are set for the biggest rate increase next year.

No Extra Cost for Catamarans in Lefkas Marina

A new pricing policy for catamarans in Lefkas marina according to which there is no extra charge on mooring fees in all catamaran categories! This new offer concerns bookings from 01/10/2012
Link to Marina site with details  http://www.medmarinas.com/displayITM1.asp?ITMID=203

Multiple murderer on leave from prison......!!!!!!

Report in Ekatherimini on-line newspaper

Police are looking for multiple murderer Michalis Makriyiannis after he failed to return from a prison furlough.

Makriyiannis had been given a five-day pass from Larissa Prison in central Greece but did not return to the jail.

It is the second time he has breached furlough terms. Makriyiannis went missing from Alikarnassos Prison in 2006 but was recaptured 15 months later.

Makriyiannis has received four life sentences for five murders, three attempted murders and several armed robberies.

MEGANISSI CIRCUMNAVIGATION BY CANOE

A group of friends from the South end of Lefkas recently completed a circumnavigation of Meganissi Island in canoes.  To read the account of the trip, written by Miriam Janssen, CLICK HERE

Doğuş group to buy four marinas in Greek fire sale

click below for full article of the Turkish company's plans to purchase  Gouvia, Lefkas & other marinas.
Doğuş group to buy four marinas in Greek fire sale

NEW GOVERNMENT

New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras (finally realising his personal ambition) has been sworn in as the new prime minister of Greece and will lead a coalition government comprising ND, Pasok and Democratic Left. Both the supporting parties have declined to have any of their members join the cabinet.... no doubt they expect the coalition to fail and can therefore distance themselves from Samaras and ND, blaming him for the failure. (Same old, same old).

Syriza (far left, anti memorandum) who so nearly won the election will sit in opposition, stirring the proverbial at every opportunity, praying the the coalition will collapse and portraying themselves as the next government in waiting.

All three parties of the coalition essentially support the Memorandum of Understanding that has enabled the huge bailout funds but the initial task of the new government is to try and moderate the terms of the Memorandum.... extending the time period for meeting targets and reducing the severity of many of the austerity measures..... obviously a populist move... but it may succeed, as the mood in Europe seems to be swinging towards less austerity and more measures for growth as a way out of the European crisis. All well and good but in order to create growth more money has to be made available....which means, dare I say it, more debt, at least in the short term.

It all brings to mind an advert by a UK company, purportedly helping out those people with massive debts, to take out 'A Debt-buster Loan'.... an oxymoron if ever I've heard one.

With the entire world economy based on debt...which it seems cannot be repaid and can only be sustained by more and more debt...where will it all end? I guess the simple answer is that the whole house of cards will eventually collapse and chaos will ensue. With luck, what will emerge from the ruins will be a world that accepts that it has to live within it's means and will save up to pay for what it wants and 'borrowing, loans and debts' will become dirty words. That might slow down innovation and progress....but what's the hurry?