My New Project - Digital Collage 12" x 12" Humbly dedicated to Mr. Greg Gibbs, proprietor of the fine Chicago eatery, Chicago Bagel Authority

I met the Makros Sisters about six months ago at their father's restaurant, The Iraklion Palace. Famished, I ate a gyros in haste. The sandwich settled in the middle of my chest and in a moment of panic I convinced myself that I was having a heart attack. I loosened my tie, clutched at my chest and started panting. A petite blonde woman raced up to me and asked if I was all right. Between breaths I described my symptoms. I suggested she call a paramedic. She gave me a withering look and replied, "Why don't you take a sip of your Coke first Mister." I did as she instructed and sure enough I felt the obstruction drop from my gullet into my stomach. I belched uncermoniously and let out an enormous sigh of relief.I pulled a handful of paper napkins from the dispenser and wiped my brow. When I regained my composure I walked over to the counter to thank her. She stood talking with three other young women. "Doing better?" she asked. "Yes," I blushed. "I'm very embarrassed. Thank you." The young woman standing next to her wagged a finger at me, "Didn't your mother teach you to chew your food?... I'm kidding. We see it all the time."

I spent a few minutes talking with them. I learned that all four girls, Eleni, Irini, Helena, and Christina were sisters and fashioned themselves sort of a modern-day Andrews Sisters.They demonstrated their sound by singing an acapella version of Journey's Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'. Though they may have overstated their case, I found their enthusiasm infectious. I made them an offer: I knew a couple of guys who operated a recording studio in the shadow of Sox park. I said that I'd foot the bill for a day of recording if they would be willing to make me their manager.

We recorded a few covers of early 1980s pop songs, along with an original number, Give Me a Spin, penned by Helena, and a hip-hop number of my own invention that sampled Mikis Theodorakis's Zorba the Greek dance song, Horos Tou Zorba overlaid with some infectious urban beats. I'm not fooling myself that the album is a masterpiece. Still, I see no reason why with the help of a competent hairstylist, some fashion updating and a lot of depilatory cream, the girls can't become a sort of local Spice Girls. The initial pressing of twenty-five hundred vinyl albums has been slow to sell, but I anticipate strong sales come spring when we do the rounds of Greek festivals here in the city and out in the suburbs. In the meantime, I'm working with a set designer sculpting a giant styrofoam rotating gyros log that will sit on stage behind the girls and spin during their entire set. Sponsors are going to be clammering to get a piece of this action. No matter how you slice it, I'm coming out a winner. I can just feel it.