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Ken Zarifis

@kenzarifis

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Dad. Brother. Unionist. Music lover. Hopeful pessimist.

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Dolly by @kenzarifis

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4

2 months ago

What a great win for Montserrat. In the face of negativity we still find power. by @kenzarifis

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5 months ago

So last weekend Zevon and I hung out with Jesus at the Austin Greek Festival. We try to go every year.

The Greek Orthodox Church is a beautiful place. My Grandpa Zarifis helped to establish St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Waterloo, Iowa in 1929, a year before my dad was born. He and his three brothers attended church with Grandpa and Grandma Zarifis weekly over the years. The church was a deeply important spiritual center of the Waterloo Greek community, but it was also an essential social center of a community that could feel isolated from this country and removed from their homeland. It was a place they felt safe and could be their authentic Greek selves. After college my dad married my mom and moved from Waterloo. They started a family of their own 3 1/2 hours away in Creston, Iowa, but he never lost his connection with Waterloo or St. Demetrios. We would travel there two or three times a year to visit our Zarifis clan in Waterloo and go to St. Demetrios on Sunday. Some of my fondest childhood memories are filled with the smell of incense of the service and coffee from the social time afterwards. I never felt more Greek than on those Sundays with my entire family and the St. Demetrios community.

I want my children to know their Greek heritage. I can’t give them what my experienced as a child, but i share the stories and find the moments that create memories here and now. Going to the festival is a way to connect. This year Zevon and I listened to the presentation explaining the architecture of the church and the icons adorning the sanctuary. It took me back to St. Demetrios when my Grandpa Pete told my brother Tom and me we needed to always be respectful in the church because God was watching and our community deserved our respect. The memory filled me with love for my family and my heritage. I can only hope that Zevon was feeling his Greek, too.
Sagapo, Zevon. ❤️ by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

Zevon is a 5th grade graduate.
I am so proud of him.
Thank you, Ms. O’Sullivan for a wonderful year. by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

Zevon and I are having a great time at our first Austin FC game. Thanks @breealysia and Kynan for inviting us. by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

We are having a blast at our first Austin FC game. Thanks Kynan and Bree for bring us along. by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

⚓️Proud Teacher Moment ⚓️
What a wonderful surprise!As I arrived at Burnet Middle School for a meeting with teachers and staff, I heard a shout from behind, “Hey, Mr. Zarifis!” I turned around and from a truck someone said, “It’s Teresa.” I knew instantly it was my former student, Teresa Cardenas. She is a friend on Facebook, but I haven’t seen Teresa for years. We were both smiling from ear to ear as she walk up the sidewalk to me. I remember vividly how respectful Teresa was to me in class, but she didn’t suffer fools lightly and never hesitated to put her classmates in there place when they were difficult. I always appreciated her so much. Now, some 20+ years later we are both Burnet parents. I was at Burnet to talk to employees about the very challenging road we have before us as TEA and the state of Texas try to destroy great schools like Burnet. She asked if my son was still going there next year and I replied, “You’re damn right he is. This is our school and I wouldn’t go anywhere else.” The last few weeks have been difficult in our work, but running into Teresa reminded me why I got into public education in the first place. I am incredibly blessed to still be connected to so many of my former students. Thank you, Teresa, for taking time to catch up and still caring for Burnet. I can’t wait to see you around school next year. #onceasailoralwaysasailor by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

Folks commented on my mom’s childhood photo i recently posted for Mother’s Day saying i looked like her and some also saw a resemblance in Zevon. It made me smile and think of a post I shared a while back with Zevon holding my 4th grade picture and noting how we looked alike. I thought I’d bring it all together. I miss my mom so very much and wish Zevon would have know her. #genes #phyllis #zarifis by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY
VIA 313 Pizza workers are on strike today. They are asking for people to up and picket with them. Do it for a a few minutes or stick aroud til 11 PM when the picket ends. #solidarity by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

Get your solidarity on with Education Austin Saturday. Music. Poetry. Fun. by @kenzarifis

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a year ago

Teacher Appreciation Week ❤️
Our friends at Epoch Coffee would like to express their appreciation to Austin area teachers on Friday, March 9. Stop in to any Epoch Coffee with your teacher ID and recieve a free coffee drink. by @kenzarifis

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a year ago