Aside from Philedelphia other Greek elements sprouted across the American plains. In, Boston four leaders emerged James Chalmas (loanshark), Louis Venios (strip club owner and mob frontman), William “Skinny” Kazonis and Arthur C. “Tash” Bratsos (loanshark). Bratsos was under the authority of mob associate Joseph Barboza, who himself was not Italian but Portugese.
Barboza was a [...]

Read the full story

As a boy on the Island of Kalymnos, Greece, George Saroukos watched his father and grandfather build boats. Over time, he learned the craft. By 18, he became a master boat builder.
George Saroukos, now 61, is the only remaining builder of traditional Greek sponge diving boats in the Western Hemisphere.  During the first half of [...]

Read the full story

Chicago had the strong tight Outfit that controlled almost every aspect of the “Windy City” while Philadelphia had its loose knit Greek crew. Even though Philly was to some degree managed by the New York Families (reportedly the Gambinos) they controlled a major drug pipeline stretching to Florida. Yet way before the drug market surfaced [...]

Read the full story

On the rough plains of the western town of Houston, Texas where cowboys and Indians can be found a lone immigrant immerged as a leading criminal mind. His name was Andreas Kouvalakis. Andreas brought with him an age-old society from the scenic island of Patmos, affectionately named the “ Oikoyennia” ( The Family) dating back [...]

Read the full story

photo credit: Rachel Portele
The Holiday anti-climax in the U.S. pi**** a lot of people off. The first holiday anti-climax wave comes right after Christmas day and the second hits on January 1st. North Americans feel cheated. “That was it?”, they keep asking themselves. All this fuss, the sales, the marketing frenzy…for what? One lousy day? [...]

Read the full story

William “PoPsie” Randolph was Broadway’s most famous jazz and rock photographer from 1945 to 1975. He photographed everyone from Benny Goodman and Billie Holiday to Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones.

Read the full story