On July 21, 2010, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) observed the 36th anniversary of Turkey’s illegal invasion of the Republic of Cyprus (July 20, 1974) by debuting a documentary sponsored by the AHI Foundation titled "Cyprus Still Divided: A U.S. Foreign Policy Failure" to a Capitol Hill audience. The documentary will premiere on Detroit’s PBS affiliate on Monday, September 13, 2010 and air nationally on PBS affiliates throughout the fall.

"Many observers believe the United States had the knowledge and power to prevent the Turkish invasion and later to compel Turkey to withdraw it troops, but Washington did neither of those things," said AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis. "The documentary provides excellent insight and analysis into this notion that includes interviews with policymakers, lawmakers, and experts on Cyprus. It also includes recently declassified State Department memos that reveal the true position of Secretary Kissinger."

According to one declassified memo, Secretary Kissinger wrote, "There is no American reason why the Turks should not have one-third of Cyprus."

Four members of Congress were in attendance to view the documentary, two of which are members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. They were: U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Albio Sires (D-NJ). The other two were U.S. Reps. Zack Space (D-OH) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). The Members expressed their confidence that the documentary would serve as an important means to educate policy makers and the public about the Cyprus issue.

Also in attendance were Andreas Kakouris, ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S., who addressed the audience; Vassilis Kaskarelis, ambassador of Greece to the U.S.; and many congressional aides. A forum followed the documentary presentation at which many of these dignitaries addressed the Cyprus issue.

Veras Communications, Inc., headed by Emmy Award winning documentary producer, George Veras, produced the one-hour documentary. Larigakis thanked Veras Communications and AHIF Board Member Nick Karambelas for their critical roles in producing the documentary.

In his role as President/CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprise, Veras negotiated the largest sponsorship deal in the 45 year history of the Pro Football Hall of Fame with Phillips-Van Heusen, a seven billion dollar worldwide merchandise company with brands like Calvin Klein and Timberlake. For this first time in history, fans can vote their choice for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a unique "Voice Your Choice" program and campaign, that kicked off on September 18th with the first of four "Road to Canton" television specials on NFL Network (See www.nflnetwork.com for other show dates) and a ten million dollar branding campaign (New York Times, Ad Age, Sports Business Journal)

In addition to fans voting for their favorites, there will be Hall of Famer appearances at different stadiums around the country, to get the word out to the fans. Already, Dick Butkus, Lynn Swann and Gale Sayers appeared prior to the Steelers-Bears game at Soldier Field on September 19th, followed by John Hannah, Mike Haynes, and Andre Tippett in New England on October 20th and then on November 1st in Green Bay, Bart Starr, Paul Krause and Jan Stenerud. These appearances will continue throughout the season.

Fans who register at JC Penney, will be eligible for sweepstake prizes for the Legends/Hall of Fame golf tournament at Pebble Beach, tickets to the Super Bowl and a chance to attend the 2010 Class Induction television show on February 6th in Miami and spend a week in Canton for the Class of 2010 Enshrinement, the gold jacket dinner and attend the NFL Kickoff preseason game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.

"This is a unique opportunity for fans to let the Selectors know who they want to see in the Hall of Fame. We see it as a way for the Hall of Fame to connect to their national fame base, for all those who can't get to Canton, but want to see their heroes get into the Hall of Fame", said Veras

The deal is for two years with a three year option.

George Veras was named as the Supervising producer for UNIVERSAL SPORTS OLYMPIC NEWS CHANNEL, as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics. He was responsible with Supervising producer Rob Dustin for 4 live hours, with five distinctive shows, with Veras producing all the Vancouver based elements in the Universal Sports Control Room , with a staff of 60. CEO of Universal Sports Claude Ruibal, President Carlos Silva and Executive Producer David Michaels. Veras rejoins the NBC Olympic family, after having produced cross country skiing and biathlon for NBC at the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics and all the HD programming for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics. This will be Veras's 6th Olympics, starting in 1980 at Lake Placid and the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics for CBS Sports.

The day began at 10am Eastern with Vancouver Sports News and Buzz, a live 90 minutes Olympic highlight and news show hosted by Terry Gannon and Lindsay Soto, followed Behind the Games, hosted by Craig Hummer. Then it was the groundbreaking Meet the Olympic Press, hosted by Jimmy Roberts, with a debate panel of journalists and athletes, followed by Vancouver Review/Preview with Lindsay Soto and then Figure Skating Review/Preview, hosted live by Terry Gannon, Kristi Yamaguchi and Peter Carruthers, where the skating world's stars came-Evan Lysacek, Brian Boitano, Katerina Witt, Rachel Flatt, Dick Button, Johnny Weir were few of the stars by stopped by.

Then on March 22, 2010 USA Today Headlined...
Universal Sports: A gold for attitude in its Olympic coverage

Here are some exerpts...

For its Vancouver effort, the network is airing four main shows, which repeat at various times: Terry Gannon's Vancouver Olympic News Center and Morning Buzz (10 a.m. ET/7 PT); Jimmy Roberts' Meet the Olympic Press (noon ET/9 PT), Lindsey Soto's Vancouver Review and Preview (1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT), and Gannon's Figure Skating Review and Preview (2 ET/11 PT).

This is TV at its most basic: a host, some guests and a big desk, no technical thrills or graphical pop. The shows shine in the quality, variety and bracing honesty of the talk they provoke. In a sense, it's the best of the ESPN sports-talk approach transferred to an Olympic setting and a competing company. For an Olympic fan, that's enough to make this venue worth a visit.

Get the full story HERE.

See the 2/4/10 Press Release for more information.

VCI Produces Videos for Cleveland POPS Orchestra

Emmy award winning producer-director George Veras produced riveting videos on two projection screens to accompany the world renowned Cleveland Pops Orchestra for the 2009-2010 season "Music and the Movies" series. VCI is the leading producer of videos for worldwide orchestras, having produced videos for the Cleveland Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Pops Orchestra, the Winnepeg Symphony, the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra and the West Point Brass Band and Chorus. Veras also produced a two hour television special for NBC last December, entitled "Hot Sounds, Cool Ice", with Peter Cetera and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. The final concert of the 2009-10 season will take place on May 21st at Severance Hall, the "10th Annual Salute to Our Armed Forces"

Holiday in Toyland
Sunday, November 29, 2009 - SOLD OUT
Special event concert featuring big screen movie clips from favorite holiday films you know and love

A Night at the Oscars
Saturday, January 30, 2010 - SOLD OUT
Rocky, Pink Panther, The Godfather, ET, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Forrest Gump, Star Wars

Broadway Goes to the Movies
Friday, April 16, 2010 - SOLD OUT
Award-Winning Themes from Eight Decades of Movies..Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins
Read the review.

10th Annual Salute to our Armed Forces
(Themes from Epic Patiortic Movies)
Friday, May 21, 2010 - 8:00 pm - Tickets on sale at www.clevelandpops.com
Severance Hall
See memorable moments from classic patriotic films, along with the music themes that inspire generations. Bridge On the River Kwai, The Patriot, Patton, God Bless the USA

Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Fouts, Dan Hampton, Paul Krause, Anthony Muñoz, Ozzie Newsome and Lynn Swann joined Indy 500 Legends Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Arie Lyunkeyk, Rick Mears and Johnny Rutherford to kick off the Izod Indy 500 Weekend. The weekend was sponsored by Philips Van Heusen, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's "Voice Your Choice" sponsor and PVH's Izod Indy Racing series. The group of athletes took part in a gala fundraiser, golf tournament, Vanity Fair party and a pace car lap prior to the start of the Indy 500 on Sunday May 30.

The football and racing legends were also joined by multiple other celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, who started the race, Ashley Judd, wife of Indy 500 winner Gino Franchetti, Mark Walhberg, who with former Indy 500 driver Michael Andretti, paced the start for three laps in a two seater, Bruce Jenner, and his Kardashian Family, including wife Kris and daughters, Kim and Kourtney, from the cable television series, "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Also right along pit row was Detroit Lions number one draft pick Ndamukong Suh. The defensive tackle out of Nebraska was the second overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Also attending the weekend's functions are Pro Football Hall of Fame President/Executive Director Steve Perry; and George Veras, CEO/President of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises.

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