CIC Coffee Mornings: Forging Local and International Links

The Rethymnon branch of the Cretan International Community meets on the first Thursday of every month at Svea’s Konditori, Kapetan Lemonia 3, Rethymnon, from 11am. The May meeting will take place on Thursday 01/05/08, and the June meeting will take place on Thursday 05/06/08. Everyone, young and old, regardless of membership status is welcome to attend. The CIC coffee mornings are a great way to meet others from the international community, and to find out about up-and-coming local events. The local coordinator for the Rethymnon branch of the CIC is Anna Capernaros. Anna may be reached on 28310 57305. The President of the CIC is Eva Smith, her contact number is 6979 775400. You can find further information about the CIC organization itself on the www.thecic.eu website.

The coffee mornings in Rethymnon seem to be going from strength to strength. Despite the name of our independent publication: ‘Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle (journalism as never before)’ we are not CIC representatives (though we are members of the organisation), so have no particular vested interest in giving ‘pats on the back’. But, anyway, it now seems timely to say thank you to everyone who contributes to making these international gatherings so worthwhile. It goes without saying that the dynamic input of Anna Capernaros and Eva Smith goes a long way to help us all to ’get up and go’ and to become actively involved in participating in Rethymnon community life. Our hosts at Svea’s have also really helped in a number of ways, which aside from their fantastic hospitality and great coffee and cakes ,may not be immediately obvious.

Largely due to the initiative of Cissi Kängström Skepetzi from Svea’s, in April the Rethymnon CIC Coffee Morning was delighted to be able to welcome Pepi Birliraki - Mamalaki, Deputy Mayor of Rethymnon, whose particular departmental brief concerns cultural affairs and tourism. It was whilst attending a civic function that Cissi told Pepi about the dates of ‘coffee mornings’, and suggested that Pepi might want to come and address the group. Pepi ‘picked up the baton and ran with it’. In practically flawless English, Pepi emphatically stated that members of the foreign community (regardless of age, background and linguistic challenges) are valued and have the potential to contribute a great deal more to this beautiful town. She urged us ‘not to be shy’, to make contact and air our concerns at the Town Hall (government officials in so-called ‘leading cities of Europe’, take note). Many thanks!

To access local government, try the www.rethymno.gr home page. You can find out more about Svea’s at their www.sveas.gr site

Remember! Friends of Animals Spring Bazaar: 11th May Camping Elizabeth

SUNDAY, MAY 11th SPRING BAZAAR! This will be held at Camping Elizabeth, in Missiria, just East of Rethymnon, from 10am to 2pm. Book your own stall for €20. FAR are urgently looking for donations of cakes, books, household and electrical items, plants and bric-a-brac. Contact Clodagh on 6945170226, Nellie on 6937240399, or Antje on 6976010650. For Plant donations ONLY call Denise on 6949213645. We’re looking forward to this being the best one ever and hope to see you there! Friends of Animals Rethymno are now sending out their own newsletter and re-homing lists via email. If you would like to be on the mailing list, or are able to volunteer, email christinastylianides75@hotmail.com or phone FAR on 6975720313. You will also find links on the www.rethymnon.biz website. You can find out more about the work of the organisation on the www.animals.rethymnon.org website. FAR are now finding it increasingly difficult to re-home older dogs—some as young as 7 months old– so if you can help, please do!