A night with John Howard

CEO of VIVO Cafe, Angela Vithoulkas, will be serving up more than just lattes when former Prime Minister John Howard visits her Sydney store on Wednesday night.

With 200 people expected to attend, Mr Howard will discuss his new book, Lazarus Rising, and give his perspective on the small business market under today's government.
Vithoulkas, who met Mr Howard after she was awarded a Telstra Business Women's award in 2007, will interview the former PM, and isn't afraid to get personal.

"It's going to be my own brand of questions, I'm not looking at dissecting the political world. I want to know, as Prime Minister of Australia, what that was like internally and externally," Vithoulkas told Neos Kosmos.

"I'd like to broach a few small business issues. We feel, as small businesses, we've been completely ignored; I'm curious about that. I'm also curious about banks; can government really do anything about banks, can government really step in?"
Ms Vithoulkas said she was inspired to  organise the event after reading Mr Howard's book.

"If there ever was a story of resurrecting yourself and coming back it's his story. Most of us never have to deal publicly with our issues, like he did. Everyone loves a winner, but we're not that good on people who lose," she said.

The response to the event has been enormous, with registration filling within minutes.

"People have been genuinely very excited. It's a great thing, and why shouldn't everyday people have the opportunity to meet John Howard in a normal environment now? We spent so many years allowing him to run our country, politicians forget sometimes that we put them there," Ms Vithoulkas said.

And there will be one test for the former PM, Ms Vithoulkas said.
"Last time he was here he said we made the best cappuccino in Australia, so I'll be making him one again to see if we still hold that title," she vowed.

VIVO Cafe will host an evening with John Howard at their 388 George Street, Sydney store on Wednesday December 8, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Entry is free, with complementary light canapes. Registration has already been filled, however there is a waiting list. For more information visit: www.vivocafe.com.au