The
Daily Gyro
Updated
Daily on
Greek Time
May 16, 2005
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An adviser to the European Union’s highest court held last week that Greece is
the only country that can use the name, “feta cheese.” According to Advocate
General Ruiz, “feta meets the requirements of a designation of origin in that
it describes a cheese originating from a substantial part of Greece, whose
characteristics derive from its geographical environment and its production,
processing and preparation are carried out in a defined area.” The decision,
which is expected to be upheld by the European Court of Justice, will force
Germany, Denmark, France and the Netherlands to change the name of the white
cheese they’ve been marketing as feta by 2007. We kind of like the name “Freta”
for France and “Greta” for Germany.
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Mercedes-Benz is reestablishing its High Mileage Award to recognize U.S.
Mercedes owners who have traveled at least 250,000 kms. The current world
Mercedes-Benz High Mileage champ is Gregorios Sachinides, a Greek taxi driver
who has logged more than 2.8 million miles in his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D. This
car must also have the record for the most disgruntled tourists who sweated in
it without air-conditioning in Athens traffic.
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Speaking of traffic, today’s 42nd annual peace marathon marking the
assassination of left-wing member of Parliament and activist Grigoris
Lambrakis, looks to cause traffic tie-ups due to street closures. The Marathon
was set to disturb Greek commuters from 8 a.m. in Marathon to 7.30 p.m. at
Syntagma Square in central Athens. A peace marathon that frustrates and angers
thousands of Greek citizens doesn’t sound very peaceful, now does it.
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An Italian archeologist announced in Nicosia late last week that Cyprus was the
first country to make wine in the Mediterranean region. Maria-Rosaria Belgiorno
said she uncovered evidence during excavation work near the southern coastal
town of Limassol that Cypriots produced wine up to 6,000 years ago.
Unfortunately archeologists have yet to discover evidence that the ancient
Cypriots had ever discovered a cure for the headache caused by drinking too
much wine.
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The Greek Government is looking to revive and revamp the old rural police or
“agrofylaki” after an eleven-year absence. Some of the duties of the new “Rural
Security and Environmental Protection Force” will include protecting crops from
theft or damage, including damage by farm animals. Members of the force will
wear uniforms and carry arms. Sounds like a scarecrow outfit and pitch-fork
might do the trick.
Other Servings of The Daily Gyro
06/30/2010
08/31/2009
08/03/2009
03/25/2009
08/28/2008
08/27/2008
08/13/2008
04/02/2008
03/25/2008
08/30/2007
08/14/2007
03/05/2007
02/14/2007
01/22/2007
11/06/2006
10/02/2006
09/18/2006
09/04/2006
09/01/2006
08/14/2006
07/13/2006
07/10/2006
06/25/2006
06/05/2006
05/03/2006
04/04/2006
03/22/2006
02/21/2006
01/30/2006
01/17/2006
01/11/2006
01/09/2006
01/05/2006
01/04/2006
12/12/2005
11/28/2005
11/16/2005
10/31/2005
10/17/2005
10/03/2005
09/12/2005
09/02/2005
08/29/2005
08/10/2005
07/27/2005
07/13/2005
07/06/2005
06/27/2005
06/13/2005
05/23/2005
05/16/2005
05/06/2005
05/02/2005
04/25/2005
04/18/2005
04/13/2005
04/08/2005
04/06/2005
04/04/2005
04/01/2005
03/30/2005
03/28/2005
03/25/2005
03/23/2005
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