ARMENIAN REPORTER
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November 24, 2007 — From the community section
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1. Armenian Eye Care Project honors Aram Bassenian at annual banquet
(by Alene Tchekmedyian)
2. Armenia awards Peter Balakian the "Movses Khorenatsi Medal"
3. Forgotten Bread celebrated, writers’ dinner held (by Atina Hartunian)
4. Philadelphia veterans’ luncheon honors an Iraq war casualty, a
Genocide survivor, and the group’s oldest member (by Andrew Kevorkian)
5. NKR President Sahakian meets with Boston students (by Valerie McQueen)
6. Tekeyan Cultural Association presents Forgotten Bread
7. Karabakh’s president and Armenia’s foreign minister speak at annual
Armenia Fund Gala in downtown Los Angeles (by Lory Tatoulian)
8. Bay Area ARS fundraiser features author Ed Minassian (by Tania Ketenjian)
9. Legendary singer Flora Martirosian takes the stage in Glendale (by
Shahen Hagobian)
10. CYMA to host first annual dinner dance (by Alene Tchekmedyian)
11. Gregory Areshian is rediscovering the past through archeology
12. Armenian "Cirque du Soleil" hits Pasadena, thanks to the AGBU (by
James Martin)
* Nork’s Hayortiats sells out the Manoogian Center
13. Crime Beat: Three homicides highlight dangers of public feuds (by
Jason Kandel)
14. AGBU-YPNC mixes the social scene with social good (by Tamar Sarkissian)
15. Free legal clinic reaches out to community in Little Armenia
16. Restaurants: Café Santorini: fresh as ever (by Lucie Davidian)
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1. Armenian Eye Care Project honors Aram Bassenian at annual banquet
by Alene Tchekmedyian
NEWPORT BEACH — The Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP) on November 17
hosted its sixth annual fundraiser at the Balboa Bay Club. The
chairman and CEO of Bassenian/Lagoni Architects, Aram Bassenian, was
honored at the gala with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award for his
activism, volunteer work, and involvement with the Eye Care Project.
After an elegant cocktail hour with a silent auction including
packages for weekend getaways and various paintings, 500 guests
gathered in the grand ballroom for the evening’s official program.
Master of ceremonies Chuck Barsam began the program by introducing
George Deukmejian, the former governor of California, who briefly
discussed the formation of the Eye Care Project. "It started when the
Minister of Health of Armenia in early 1990s put out a call for help.
Often times we hear these requests and most of us think that maybe
someone else will answer that call. Fortunately for all the people in
Armenia, an extraordinary young man did answer that call: Dr. Roger
Ohanesian," he said.
In an effort to bring high-quality eye care treatments to Armenia,
the Armenian Eye Care Project was established in 1992 to reduce
blindness and eye diseases in Armenia. A team of doctors from all
around the world fly to Armenia several times a year to work in the
nine clinics established in Armenia, as well as operate the mobile eye
hospital, which was established in 1998. Since its creation, the team
has visited Armenia approximately 30 times, and has examined over
160,000 patients and performed over 6,000 surgeries.
"The country has gone from a state of despair in ophthalmology in
1992, when I first went, to a center of excellence. It is compelling
to watch what is happening," said Dr. Ohanesian, founder of the
project.
Dr. Richard Hill, who is on the Board of Directors of the Eye Care
Project, and has volunteered in Armenia about 25 times, recognizes the
impact of their work. He said, "We have a concept that is complete,
and we have the support of the diaspora. We have rewritten the medical
education program for Armenia, and we are trying to direct
opthalmologic research now to Armenia so the country will be
self-sufficient in terms of medical care." On his impressions of the
country, he said, "I look at the amount of planes and smog, and the
planes are numerous and the smog is very bad, so the economy is
recovering."
Aram Bassenian was awarded the Lifetime Humanitarian Award for his
volunteer work for AECP and other organizations. He recently
participated in the Adopt a Village program, where he adopted the city
of Gyumri, giving Armenians in Gyumri an opportunity to receive eye
care for free.
In a letter recognizing Mr. Bassenian’s achievement, Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger wrote, "Your life’s work has touched thousands of
people, and I deeply appreciate your many accomplishments. . . . Your
work with groups such as the Armenian Eye Care Project and HomeAid has
provided people around the world with hope and crucial services."
Before presenting the award, emcee Barsam said of Mr. Bassenian, "He
is a self-made entrepreneur, visionary, and a passionate individual.
He has been generous with his time, talent and resources. He is a
prime example of what Americans stand for, and the personification of
the American dream."
Mr. Bassenian’s children, Taleene and Gregory Bassenian, gave a
humorous yet touching speech accompanied by a slide show portraying
their father’s life as a family member, friend, and giver.
Mr. Bassenian expressed his happiness for being able to help people.
"The American dollar, as weak as it may seem, goes a long way in
Armenia, especially when fueled with hands of ophthalmologists who run
over there and administer all these examinations and surgeries. As we
have found out, you get a lot more by giving than those who receive.
So ultimately, it is us who need to say to the Armenian Eye Care
Project, we are honored that you allow us to help you," he said.
Among the speeches commending the achievements of Mr. Bassenian and
the AECP was an entertaining program. The Hamazkayin Yeraz School of
Armenian Dance, led by director and choreographer Pearlene
Varjabedian, performed two traditional Armenian folk dances before the
crowd. There was also a live auction.
Later in the night Dr. Ohanesian introduced a video documentary
titled, Then and Now: Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes 1992–2007,
which was filmed and produced by Art Simon. The touching documentary
illustrated the improvement that Armenia has undergone since the
establishment of the Eye Care Project. In the documentary were success
stories of children and elderly people who had been inflicted with
blindness or sight impairment and had been cured through the program,
along with the state-of-the-art facilities in which examinations and
surgeries are held. The film also stressed the importance of
self-sufficiency in Armenia; the doctors of the eye care project not
only perform surgeries, but also teach surgeries so the country can
reach sustainability. As Dr. Ohanesian said, "The principal goal is to
educate."
Leslie Newquist, executive director of the Eye Care Project, was
impressed with the contents of the documentary. "It was very moving.
When you see the big picture, Armenia is very poor, and anything we do
makes a huge difference. People in Armenia accept blindness as a part
of getting old, and they don’t do anything about it. Over here,
cataracts are a normal part of aging, and can be easily fixed," she
said.
connect:
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2. Armenia awards Peter Balakian the "Movses Khorenatsi Medal"
WASHINGTON — Peter Balakian, author of Black Dog of Fate (1998) and
The Burning Tigris (2004) and an outspoken advocate for genocide
recognition of international standing, was awarded the Movses
Khorenatsi medal at the behest of President Robert Kocharian of
Armenia in a special ceremony at the Embassy of Armenia on November
16.
The presentation of the medal — one of Armenia’s highest civilian
honors, bestowed for notable creative achievements in Armenian
culture, arts, literature, education, and the humanities — was made
by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian.
In formal remarks during the ceremony, Mr. Balakian, a poet and
professor at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., expressed his deep
gratitude to President Kocharian and Ambassador Markarian, and went on
to discuss the remarkable resilience of Armenia and its people.
"I don’t need to summarize the struggles and tragic events our
culture has endured over the past 120 years," he said, "but one can
say that few cultures in the West have endured what Armenia endured in
the 20th century: survivors of the first modern genocide, survivors of
Stalin’s purges, the 1988 earthquake, blockades from Turkey and
Azerbaijan, war in Karabakh, the struggle of new nationhood. If many
of us in this room had told our grandparents 30 or 40 years ago that
there would be an independent Armenia — a real country on the map —
at the end of the 20th century, they would have told us we were crazy.
My daughter often reminds me that she and her generation are the first
generation to experience the birth of an independent Armenia as a part
of their coming of age."
He noted that the impact of the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath
on world politics, opinion, and ethics has proved extraordinary, and
is a sign of the Armenian culture’s presence throughout the world.
* A foundation in culture
Mr. Balakian stressed that education and the production of culture are
the key to all of this progress.
"It is gratifying to be able to say in 2007 that we have educated
significant chunks of Europe, North America, and the Middle East about
who we are and what our history has entailed," he said. "If you had
asked Armenians in 1970 if we would have transmitted our history into
the popular consciousness, into the curriculum, into news of the day,
I think they would have dismissed you as a dreamer. We have opened up
an era of the Armenian narrative, a narrative that is founded on solid
scholarship, literature, art, film, and other forms of expression, and
on good teaching, and pedagogy, on the hard work of the classroom."
Mr. Balakian closed by urging Armenians to support cultural life
with their resources, and to work together across differences. "Our
obligation must be to fuel that cultural process: to see it as the
source of change and growth. Our talented politicians, administrators,
organizers, philanthropists, and professionals can only move forward
with the Armenian project if there is a rich intellectual and cultural
foundation at the source.
"We must put our money and energy there," he said by way of
conclusion. "I hope we will also always pledge to work together,
across our historical and political disagreements, and across
ego-obstacles. We must affirm the strength and achievement that comes
from unity — and the ability to find the common ground we live on and
hope to enlarge, as our work grows and continues."
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3. Forgotten Bread celebrated, writers’ dinner held
by Atina Hartunian
LOS ANGELES — Armenians from the greater Los Angeles community
gathered at Taglyan Hall on Sunday, Nov. 18 to celebrate the highly
anticipated title, Forgotten Bread, edited by David Kherdian. Kherdian
spearheaded this project to compile writing pieces from
first-generation Armenian-Americans. The anthology includes
introductions by second-generation Armenian-American writers, a
touching gesture and homage to those who have paved the literary way.
The first annual Armenian American Writer’s Dinner was organized by
Hamazkayin. The evening included dinner, music, a silent auction, a
video presentation, which featured some information on the authors in
the anthology, as well as a panel discussion with guest speakers Roger
Kupelian, Eric Nazarian, and Aram Saroyan.
Over the course of the evening, guests were able to mingle with some
of the Armenian-American culture’s literary minds and were able to
converse with writers such as Mark Arax and Aris Janigian.
Although the production of the book is what prompted this event, its
purpose went beyond the book. "We need to tell our story to the world
and not to bunch of congressmen," said Mark Arax, the emcee of the
evening, "Our central preoccupation in our culture is genocide and
genocide recognition. And I think that has been the detriment to our
culture and in the arts." Mr. Arax went on to say that the repeated
effort to get the genocide resolution adopted makes the genocide even
more sacred to our people and our culture; seeking recognition holds
Armenians together as a global community. "What are we going to do
when we get the Genocide recognized? What we are going to do? That
negation is what holds us together; it’s the one thing we agree on."
The purpose of Forgotten Bread is to prevent Armenian culture from
crumbling under the weight of genocide recognition. "Armenian history
doesn’t begin with the Genocide and doesn’t end there," said Eric
Nazarian, "We should try and transcend that. The Genocide envelopes
our consciousness, but it does not define us." The filmmaker goes on
to clarify that the fight for genocide recognition is a sacred war for
an Armenian.
The speakers also discussed the development of an Armenian identity
in America. "There is so much going on in our own diaspora and in our
own community that needs to be paid attention to," Nazarian stated.
The book provides an insight into the Armenians who had to bear the
hardship in reconciling their Armenianness with their new, American,
identity.
Hrag Varjabedian, who wrote one of the introductions in the book,
said, "Suddenly you get these stories that are being generated, but
how do you transmit them throughout the generations? This book somehow
becomes that bridge. We find out how each individual author had to
tackle the issue of identity and how to convey them to the next
generation." What results, he said, is an outpouring of artistic
endeavors that stem from trying to resolve these deep-seated cultural
issues, starting with a prolific literary history.
"We need to start getting people to underwrite some of our artists,
our filmmakers, so our story gets out there. Which is much more
important. It affirms our culture in much more ways then any
resolution," said Mr. Arax, who during his introductory speech
encouraged the parents who were attending the dinner to send their
children into the arts.
Proceeds from the benefit dinner are to go directly to three
scholarship funds for Armenian-American graduates in the field of
journalism, fiction and film.
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4. Philadelphia veterans’ luncheon honors an Iraq war casualty, a
Genocide survivor, and the group’s oldest member
by Andrew Kevorkian
PHILADELPHIA — A poignant coincidence marked the 9th annual reunion
luncheon of the Philadelphia Armenian-American Veterans Association
(PAAVA), on Sunday, November 11.
The organization noted with regret the death in Iraq of Adam J.
Chitjian, from nearby Somerton, who had been stationed in Fort Hood,
Tex., where the main speaker, Major Lucy Der-Garabedian, is also
stationed.
As reporter in the November 3 Reporter, Corporal Chitjian was one
month short of the end of his second tour, when he was killed in an
exchange of small-arms fire. Members of his family were PAAVA’s guests
at the luncheon, and were recognized.
Almost 250 veterans and guests attended the luncheon that also
honored a Genocide survivor who served in the U.S. Army, and a
99-year-old Navy veteran who is PAAVA’s oldest member.
Norair Deirmengian was born near Ankara in 1914. After his father’s
death, his family struggled to escape the Genocide and, eventually,
Deirmengian arrived in America in 1935. Six years later, he was in the
American army and served four years in the Pacific theater, earning a
Silver Star for bravery.
John Chavooshian served in the U.S. Navy in the European theater.
Both men were honorary wreath-bearers and were led into the hall by
members of the Homenetmen Boy Scouts, Troop 51, who, earlier in the
program presented the colors.
Supported by all five area Armenian Churches, PAAVA’s luncheon is
now held in the Holy Trinity Church Hall, as it is the largest
community facility, but each church plays "host" in turn. This year’s
host was St. Mark’s Catholic Church, whose Michael Scutti served as
master of ceremonies, and whose pastor, the Fr. Armenag Bedrossian,
pronounced the invocation.
Maj. Der-Garabedian, who is a chaplain in the U.S. Army, took as her
theme family values and how she had learned them from her grandparents
in her native Beirut, emphasizing that Christian values start at home
and that the family is the core of Armenian values. She paid tribute
to the assembled veterans and to the memory of Cpl. Chitjian, for
their faith in defense of the country.
Her brief talk complete, Maj. Der-Garabedian descended the stage and
pleased the audience by playing her own composition, "The Scar," at
the piano.
* Monument to an Armenian veteran of the Civil War
On behalf of PAAVA, its president Sandra Selverian presented the major
with an inscribed miniature Liberty Bell and a bouquet of autumn
flowers.
Mrs. Selverian then paid her thanks to the planning committee,
representing all five churches, indicting its uniqueness in America.
She called everyone’s attention to a $15,000 fund-raising campaign for
the erection of a khatchkar on the grave of an Armenian who served in
the Union Navy during the U.S. Civil War.
As previously detailed in the Reporter (Nov. 25, 2006), Khachadoor
Garabedian came to America from the Ottoman Empire in the 1850s, and
settled in Methuen, Mass., before enlisting in the Navy, in which he
served for more than one year. Upon his discharge in Philadelphia, he
remained in the city — thus becoming the city’s first documented
Armenian. He married into a well-known old Philadelphia family, and
died in 1881.
The original gravestone disintegrated in the 1950s, and the grave is
currently without a marker. (Tax-deductible contributions for the
khatchkar can be sent to PAAVA Garabedian Project, care of Richard
Weinsheimer, 108 Flagstaff Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115.)
Entertainment for the afternoon was provided by "Titanium," a
barber-shop quartet.
After the presentation of the colors, the program began with the
singing of "America, the Beautiful" and Mer Hairenik. It ended with
the playing of Taps and the benediction by Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian,
pastor of the Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church. The colors were
retired and the assemblage sang "God Bless America."
The other churches that support PAAVA are the St. Gregory Church of
North Philadelphia, and the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of
Wynnewood.
PAAVA was started by Sandra Selverian to honor the veterans of her
church. In time, veterans of the other churches asked to join and the
combined organization was formed. The 10th anniversary luncheon will
be on November 9, 2008.
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5. NKR President Sahakian meets with Boston students
by Valerie McQueen
BOSTON — NKR President Bako Sahakian wrapped up his three-city tour
of the U.S. in Boston on Tuesday with a special student reception at
the city’s National Heritage Museum.
The event, which was sponsored by the Armenia Fund, enabled young
Armenian students and professionals from the Boston metropolitan area
to meet and interact with the president of the young republic, which
boasts a population that is 95 percent Armenian.
"I wanted to have a separate meeting with the student body of Boston
because you guys are the new generation," said Raffi Festekjian, chair
of Armenia Fund USA. Festekjian explained in his opening address that
the key mission of this reception was to get the students to
participate in Armenia’s future.
President Sahakyan, who was elected to lead Karabakh last July,
answered questions posed by students from Boston University, Harvard,
Northeastern, and other Massachusetts schools, as well as from members
of the local Armenian Youth Federation. The president opened up the
student question session to the rest of the audience in the spirit of
"unity."
Student questions covered a variety of topics, from the development
of an education system in Artsakh to whether citizens of Artsakh fear
attack from neighboring nations. President Sahakyan responded to each
question calmly and completely. While most students posed their
questions in Armenian, Sahakian’s Press Secretary David Babaian
translated the president’s answers to English.
"Karabakh is the most democratic state not only in the region, but
also out of all former Soviet states," President Sahakyan said of
Karabakh’s developing democratic government. "The most important
challenges we face are of a social nature."
Following the student reception, the Armenia Fund gave a
presentation on their development programs in Armenia and Artsakh. The
evening’s events concluded with a refreshments reception and meet and
greet in the lobby of the center, emphasizing the night’s unity theme.
****************************************** *********************************
6. Tekeyan Cultural Association presents Forgotten Bread
GLENDALE, Calif. – The words of first-generation Armenian-American
writers echoed through the Glendale Auditorium as readers and authors
read from David Kherdian’s newest anthology, Forgotten Bread. The
November 17 event was hosted by the Tekeyan Cultural Association, a
worldwide organization that sponsors and organizes lectures and events
that promote the arts.
"We hold a variety of programs throughout the year that highlight
the work of some of our most celebrated authors in Armenia and in the
diaspora," Vatche Semerdjian, chairperson of the Tekeyan Cultural
Association, said. "This event was special tonight because it brought
to light many of the Armenian-American writers who are not that well
known in the community, but who surely made impressive literary
contributions to the Armenian voice in America."
Aris Janigian, author of the novel Bloodvine, introduced Mr.
Kherdian’s anthology and expressed the literary discoveries he made
from reading Forgotten Bread. "This book was important to me because I
never realized all the great writing that preceeded me and my
generation," Mr. Janigian said. "It was a humbling experience."
Mr. Janigian also said that there is a distinct voice that is
prevalent in Armenian-American letters. "I had no idea that my own
voice, that is filled with landscape, family, and deep emotions, was
shared by a whole host of writers," Mr. Janigian explained. "I believe
Forgotten Bread makes a case for reevaluating what American literature
is. We have always assumed American literature grew out of English
literature, and advanced by way of stylistic or formal experiments. So
called ‘ethnic’ writing has always been relegated to the margins of
the canon. Now we have a chance to see how ‘ethnic’ voices are in fact
the American voice."
Actors Levon Fermanian and Lory Tatoulian read excerpts from
Forgotten Bread. Mr. Fermanian read an insightful and amusing essay by
Leon Surmelian, titled "Armenia." Surmelian’s essay explored how
Armenia ‘s geographic positioning and vast history has yielded a
culture that is rife with sensibilities and attributes that are unique
to Armenians.
Lory Tatoulian read poems from celebrated Armenian poets Helene
Pilibosian, Diana Der-Hovanessian, and Khatchik (Archie) Minasian. The
selected poems revealed the lore, the loss, and the legacy of the
Armenian people.
The editor of Forgotten Bread, David Kherdian read selections from
his newest book, Letters to My Father, which was included in the
anthology. Mr. Kherdian wrote his poems as an homage to his father,
but he mentioned that his latest writings were also meant to explore
the dynamic of the father-and-son relationship.
Peter Najarian also read excerpts from his book Daughter of Memory.
Filled with wit and deep sentiment, Najarian’s conversational prose
brought to light the pathos and resilience that is transgenerational
in Armenian families.
*************************************** ************************************
7. Karabakh’s president and Armenia’s foreign minister speak at annual
Armenia Fund Gala in downtown Los Angeles
by Lory Tatoulian
LOS ANGELES — Southern California Armenians were introduced to
Armenia Fund’s new Rural Development Program at the annual Armenia
Fund Gala Sunday night at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
More than 400 guests attended the banquet to hear the newly elected
president of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Bako Sahakian, the
foreign minister of the Republic of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian, the
consul general of Armenia, Armen Liloyan, the executive director of
the Armenia Fund International, Vahe Aghabegians, the chairperson for
the Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region, Maria Mehranian, the Primate for
the Western Diocese, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and the Prelate for
the Eastern Prelacy, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Attorney Mark
Geragos and the Armenian Reporter’s California Bureau Chief, Paul
Chaderjian, served as masters of ceremonies for the evening.
The Armenia Fund this year will be focusing its efforts on
revitalizing the infrastructure in the rural villages of Armenia.
Economic development in the country has primarily been concentrated in
the cities, and most often the villages have not reaped the benefits
of the economic boom that has taken place in the capital, Yerevan.
The program focuses on villages that are within three miles of the border.
"I traveled to more than 80 villages in Armenia and Artsakh to
assess the living conditions in these remote regions," Mr. Aghabegians
told the attendees at the gala. "Together we will be able to build a
country that we all dream about, one village at a time."
The diaspora’s role as an important asset for the development of
Armenia was one of the two key messages delivered to the audience by
Foreign Minister Oskanian.
"This community is an extension of the motherland," Mr. Oskanian
said. "There is an unarguable coincidence of interest between Armenia
and the diaspora. The identity of our future generations and our young
people is not only linked to Armenia, but to a prosperous and
developed Armenia. If we cannot provide them with a democratic and
prosperous Armenia, we cannot expect that our youth, in this age of
globalization, will identify themselves with Armenia."
Mr. Oskanian also discussed the importance of rural development and
the eradication of poverty in Armenia’s 500 villages.
"There is no doubt that there is a stark difference between the
standards of living in the cities compared to the rural areas," Mr.
Oskanian explained. "We need to close that gap before it is too late.
Just like we built a road to connect Yerevan to Stepanakert, we will
bring water to the villages. We will bring the irrigation water to the
villages, we will build roads for them, we will provide them with gas,
we will build schools and train teachers, we will bring Armenian
television to our villages so that the Azeri TV will not be the only
window to the outside world."
Mr. Oskanian went onto discuss the Thanksgiving Day Telethon and the
important role this telecommunications bridge serves between the
homeland and Armenians all over the world.
"It is no coincidence that the idea to start a telethon was born in
Los Angeles," said the foreign minister. "Los Angeles is a different
diaspora, it is a transformed diaspora. Just as Calcutta was the 10th
century city for the diaspora, and Aleppo and Beirut gave rise to the
diaspora of the 20th century, Los Angeles is the diaspora of the 21st
century."
Mr. Chaderjian made poignant remarks throughout the evening,
reminding the audience that their involvement in Armenia Fund will not
only changes the lives of thousands in the homeland, but will also
change what it means to be a diaspora Armenian.
Ms. Mehranian took the stage to talk to the hundreds of donors and
volunteers gathered about how their contribution is helping realize
the dreams of thousands who long for a dignified way of life.
"I am convinced that Armenia is a better place because of this
telethon," Ms. Mehranian said. "Armenia Fund is not only about
building hospitals and the schools; it is not the roads that we built;
it is not only about the waterways and the pipelines; it is a promise
— the promise that the Armenians of the diaspora made to support and
play a part in building the independent Republic of Armenia."
President Sahakian acknowledged the action taken by the Armenian
community in Los Angeles to work toward the liberation and prosperity
of Karabakh.
"With our joint efforts we will make a better homeland," said the
president. "The community here in America was instrumental in helping
win the war. Artsakh will never be a part of Azerbaijan. What is ours
by blood can never be negotiated."
President Sahakian went on to describe the development projects that
are taking place in the country. "Agriculture is the most important
component of the economy. That is why it is important to develop this
industry in the villages," Mr. Sahakian noted. "Renovating our schools
is also very important because the most valuable asset Armenian
possess is our intellect."
On behalf of President Robert Kocharian, Mr. Oskanian awarded Albert
Boyajian with the Anania Shirakatsi Medal of the Republic of Armenia.
Nine other medals were presented to individuals and organizations that
have made significant donations to the Armenia Fund.
Two talented singers from Armenia, Inga and Anush Arshakyan,
entertained the guests with Armenian mellifluous folk melodies,
accentuating their performance with traditional costumes and
theatrical gestures. The two sisters brought to life the ancient
melodies of Armenian folk music that was born from the very villages
that the Armenia Fund is now working to revive.
At the conclusion of the event, Mr. Chaderjian asked those attending
to not only watch the telethon this year, but to call five friends and
neighbors and tell them about the telethon. "Let’s make this a viral
broadcast," he said, "and use the Internet to connect all Armenians
around the world."
connect:
armeniafund.org
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8. Bay Area ARS fundraiser features author Ed Minassian
by Tania Ketenjian
SAN FRANCISCO — On November 18 the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) held
its fifth annual Christmas boutique and bake sale here, to raise funds
for orphanages in Armenia. The event, which took place at St.
Gregory’s Armenian Church, featured guest speaker Ed Minassian and
marked the recent publication of his book, Musa Dagh.
For nearly 100 years, the ARS has helped Armenians all over the
world. The organization, started by a group of Armenian women in New
York in 1910, "serves the humanitarian needs of the Armenian people
and seeks to preserve the cultural identity of the Armenian nation."
This year’s fundraiser, which was organized by the ARS Oakland
Erebouni Chapter, was attended by over 150 guests, who were served
traditional dishes of sini kufteh and harissa.
Author and advocate Ed Minassian is a first-generation
Armenian-American. His father, a Genocide survivor, arrived in the
United States at the age of five. But although Ed did not directly
experience the Genocide, his family’s recollections of the catastrophe
as well as its denial by the Turks and others have had a profound
impact on him. In his address on Sunday, Minassian discussed the
heroic battles of Musa Dash; an extraordinary episode in the annals of
the Genocide, and his research findings as to how a Hollywood film
depicting the Musa Dagh events was suppressed.
* The epic battles of Musa Dagh
Most Armenians are familiar with the story of the 40 days of Musa
Dagh; of how a community of Armenians took refuge on Mount Musa to
resist the genocidal onslaught of the Turkish army, resolved to die at
their own hands rather than those of their oppressors. The Armenians
did all they could to survive and prayed every day for their
compatriots. At the point of near death, they were ultimately saved by
French soldiers. The story was made famous in the novel The Forty Days
of Musa Dagh, written by Austrian-Jewish author Franz Werfel. The book
was published in 1934. Werfel had served on the Russian front as a
corporal and telephone operator in the artillery corps of the
Austro-Hungarian military during the First World War. He has said that
the horrors he witnessed during that time were what inspired him to
write the book.
The Forty Days of Musa Dagh received critical acclaim. The New York
Times Book Review called it "magnificent." It was one of John F.
Kennedy’s favourite novels, and journalist and professor Peter
Sourian has commented, "Franz Werfel is the national hero of the
Armenian people. His great book is a kind of consolation to us — no,
not a consolation, there is no such thing — but it is of eminent
importance to us that this book exists. It guarantees that it can
never be forgotten, never, what happened to our people."
There have been plans in Hollywood to make a film adaptation of this
best-selling book. However, as Minassian informed the audience on
Sunday, Turkey pressured the United States government to prevent MGM
from producing such a movie. In fact, filmmakers had attempted to make
a film right after the novel was published and had worked on the
project for several years. However, at the very last minute, the
release of the film was halted. In 1982, an independent adaptation,
directed by Sarky Mouradian, was released in Los Angeles but reached a
limited audience due to its low budget.
* Ed Minassian’s landmark study
Ed Minassian was in the United States Air Force when he first read The
Forty Days of Musa Dagh. Afterwards he used to read it every April, as
his way of commemorating the Genocide. For years Minasssian dedicated
himself to finding the answers as to why a major studio release of the
novel’s film adaptation never came to fruition. He spent endless hours
sifting through the MGM archives, Armenian newspapers, and U.S. State
Department archives. Eventually he wrote a book, titled Musa Dagh, on
the MGM film and the prevention of its release.
The Armenian Relief Society’s November 18 event raised over $3,000.
Sako Shirikian, a member of San Francisco’s Armenian community and a
frequent organizer of Bay Area Armenian events, explained the reason
for serving harissa. "Harissa is part of an Armenian tradition called
madagh, where this meal is served as a tribute to the survivors of
Musa Dagh," he said. "Often made with lamb, it is a way to commemorate
those who fought for the Armenian people."
As Christmas approaches, the Armenian Relief Society will hold
another fundraising event in the Bay Area. Such events, among other
activities, help ensure the continued vitality of venerable
organizations such as the ARS. As Shirikian commented, "These women
come together, they think about Armenia and Armenians, and find the
best ways to help the Armenian people thrive."
connect:
(415) 751-9140
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9. Legendary singer Flora Martirosian takes the stage in Glendale
by Shahen Hagobian
GLENDALE, Calif — A sold-out crowd nearly shook the room at the Alex
Theatre during a concert by world-renowned vocalist Flora Martirosian.
The concert, produced by the Komitas International Academy of the
Arts, was in honor of Martirosian and the legacy she has created
through her career and involvement with musical education. Artists
like Harout Pamboukjian, Razmik Mansuryan, Nune Avetisyan, Christina
Pepelyan, Pedro Eustache, and Michael Stone were among the many
performers who electrified the stage with their breathtaking pieces.
The night began with a brief introduction by the host of the event
as the crowd settled into their seats. Suddenly the room was flooded
with the fused sounds of an ancient Armenian culture and a modern
Armenian movement. Musicians of many ages performed through the night
including a few of Martirosian’s young students who performed Dave
Brubeck’s classic "Take Five." The excitement in the audience was
just as thick as the excitement backstage where the artists and
organizers scurried back and forth for all the behind the scenes
preparations.
"Flora is the real diva of Armenia. I’ve known her for about 35
years and I’m very happy to be performing with her tonight," said an
excited Harout Pamboukjian. "We are from the same generation so it’s
been great watching her career over the years." Although Pamboukjian
is known more for his pop and dance songs, he was adamant in conveying
the importance of roots and culture. "Komitas, I can say, is our
musical Jesus Christ. If you don’t know the music of Komitas, you
can’t sing Armenian songs, because he is the basis of Armenian music."
With a guitar in hand, Pamboukjian sang a Rouben Hakhverdian classic
with as much heart as the folk legend himself.
"When I first heard Flora sing I said, ‘She is a duduk. She sounds
just like a duduk.’ I couldn’t believe my ears, and I just had to work
with her," said Pedro Eustache. Eustache is a professional world
musician who plays wind instruments and has been featured in such
movies as The Passion and Pirates of the Caribbean 3 as well as having
preformed and recorded with music legends Ravi Shankar and Paul
McCartney. "Vatche Hovsepian and Djivan Gasparyan were the first to
influence me to pick up the duduk. The first time I heard the sound of
this beautiful instrument, it kicked my butt. I was completely blown
away," said Eustache who performed a tear jerking duet with
Martirosian. "The soul of that instrument speaks so heavily and
connects with everybody, and it connected with me and I just had to
study it." Eustache, who is Venezuelan has made the Armenian duduk one
of his main instruments and has even built a few himself. "I’ve been
playing duduk for Yanni for some time now and through him I met Armen
Anasyan who in turn introduced me to Djivan Gasparyan, and I’ve been
studying with him for about eight years now." Anyone with the
slightest appreciation for music would not have been able to turn away
from the feel and performance that Eustache so delicately delivered
that night.
* A star is born
Flora Martirosian was the commanding presence on the Alex Theatre
stage that night as she went through song after song, holding the
audience’s attention in a most intimate fashion. With each note that
carried her voice through the music hall, with each melody that rested
on the ears of her fans, her legacy as an Armenian singer solidified
even more.
"When I was a child my mother would sing all the time, and through
that, the spirit of Armenian music was embedded in me. And as a child
I learned not only children’s songs, but songs that the adults would
sing as well. I always had more interest in the adult songs and my
talents were cultivated through that." By the time she was a teenager,
she was well on her way to becoming a star performer. She paid her
dues at a young age by enrolling in music schools and studying the
piano.
"I began touring at the age of 17 after placing first in a music
competition in Armenia that had over 800 participants and since then
I’ve traveled to more than fifty countries and performed countless
traditional songs. It has always been more exiting for me, when
performing in other countries, that non-Armenian audiences were moved
by the music just as much as Armenians were, and were very accepting
of what I was offering to them." Her voice has been featured on many
albums throughout her career and she has done countless collaborations
with many world musicians.
"In modern times, music albums are more constructed towards current
sounds and trends. In the old Soviet Union, I had many albums but we
were more involved with producing songs as singular entities as
apposed to creating albums as a single unit. In the past we could take
a number of songs and put them together as an album, which is quite
different from what happens now. However, I am interested in fusing
traditional words and melodies with modern rock and pop sounds in
order to get the word and the history of Armenians to our younger
generations and to include audiences of different cultural
backgrounds. Its very important to create a modernized medium in which
the youth can grasp what you’re saying and still be able to relate to
it and enjoy it musically."
Recently Martirosian recorded a duet performance with Christina
Pepelyan, whom she instructed herself. "Christine came to me for
instruction and I worked with her for two months for that particular
project. Beyond performing myself, I take great pride in working with
young adults and kids in order to help them develop their skills as
musicians and really get them to realize their full potential."
"The Komitas Honors is setup to allow young musicians and singers
from all over the world to showcase their talents in a competitive
forum where we choose the best of the best and in turn train them and
showcase them to the rest of the world," Martirosian says. Her Komitas
International Music School in Burbank California is a haven for young
musicians who seek to grow in their chosen field. Her school offers
programs for piano, violin, guitar, and voice to name a few.
Politics and the future of human rights
Michael Stone, brother of actress Sharon Stone, has begun working on
a song with Martirosian about the realities of war and human suffering
that go unrecognized by the global society. "Michael Stone began
improvising poetry with a song of mine one day, with a message similar
in vein with my message against war and the ugliness of genocide and
cruelty towards other people. Our main goal is to bring the issue of
human rights to mainstream politics starting with the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide." Along with Michael, Sharon Stone has become
involved with the recognition movement as well.
"Sharon has expressed a deep interest and concern about the genocide
and had asked to come to the concert in order to better acquaint
herself with our words and our music, and that is quite a valuable
gesture for me. Through her involvement, our mission of educating the
world about the Armenian Genocide and human rights violations in
general can have a stronger presence," Martirossian said.
Martirosian’s goals as a musician and a humanitarian are slowly
becoming a reality. Through her school’s programs and competitions,
young artists are exposed to the world stage and are given top notch
schooling from some of the greatest instructors of our time. And with
the help of Hollywood heavyweights like Sharon and Michael Stone, the
truth of the Armenian Genocide can be made more accessible to an
otherwise naive mainstream.
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10. CYMA to host first annual dinner dance
by Alene Tchekmedyian
LONG BEACH, Calif. — On November 30, the Christian Youth Mission to
Armenia – Western Diocese will host its first annual dinner dance at
the Long Beach Hyatt to celebrate the success of the program’s fourth
summer in Armenia.
"This event is an opportunity for us to not only raise funds to help
send our youth to Armenia, but also to send the message to everyone
that the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia should be the goal in
every young Armenians life," said Deacon Matt Ash, advisor of the
executive committee of CYMA.
The banquet will consist of a short program, including a special
presentation by a former CYMA pilgrim, Armine Semirdjian, giving an
account of her experience in Armenia. Following the speeches will be a
raffle, for which the grand prize is a trip for CYMA 2008, all
expenses paid. Khachig and his band will also be performing at the
gala. As the banquet will serve as the major fundraising event for the
upcoming 2008 trip, the CYMA executive committee hopes to draw a large
crowd.
David Yaldezian, chairman of the executive committee of CYMA, said
of the event, "The 2007 CYMA dinner dance extravaganza is a great way
to celebrate the success of the last fours years of the CYMA program
while looking forward to 2008 and beyond."
Mr. Ash has noticed the increasing desire for Armenian youth to
visit the homeland. Of the program he said, "It is a growing success
and is indicative of the need in the community to re-root our youth in
their homeland."
This past summer, CYMA sent over 30 students to Armenia, half
participating in the pilgrimage program, and the other half partaking
in a professional internship program. The pilgrims stayed in Armenia
for two weeks, visiting historical landmarks around Armenia and
Karabakh to discover their identities. Included in their itinerary
were Lake Sevan, Khor Virap, Ambert Fortress, Garni, Geghard, and
Datev. Besides visiting these landmarks, the pilgrims also attended
art and history exhibits at various museums in Yerevan.
The internship program lasted for two months where the students were
placed in programs around Yerevan for the purpose of exploring career
opportunities. Interns had the opportunity to work at medical
facilities, volunteer with global organizations such as the Red Cross
and Habitat for Humanity, all the while taking Armenian language
lessons through Birthright Armenia and attending different forums and
historical lectures.
Leading the program this summer were Matt Ash, Stefanie Ash, David
Yaldezian, William Levon Dodd, Taline Kavazanjian, and Paul Keutelian.
Carla Yaldezian, a CYMA 2005 intern, said of her experience, "This
summer long internship program in Armenia is what separated this
experience from just visiting Armenia to living in Armenia. Everyday I
was able to connect with the people that I worked with and I felt like
I was a part of their daily lives."
Mr. Keutelian, who spent his second summer in Armenia with CYMA as
an internship coordinator said of the trip, "I believe it is very
important that more of the youth see and learn about our motherland,
because there is so much that is left out of the picture, and we are
deprived of this rich history and knowledge about our past."
Mr. Yaldezian recognizes the importance of programs such as CYMA for
the youth. "CYMA is the youth’s connection to Armenia. It should be
the goal for all Armenian youth to experience their spiritual and
cultural identity, and CYMA gives our Armenian youth the opportunity
to truly experience their motherland and contribute to the ongoing
mission to bridge the gap."
connect:
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11. Gregory Areshian is rediscovering the past through archeology
by Shahen Hagobian
MISSION HILLS, Calif. — Dr. Gregory E Areshian, research associate
and adjunct professor at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA,
delivered an inspired presentation on the historical importance of
archeology in helping to understand the past. Long before the
Genocide, Armenians had a significantly different identity as a
progressive culture constantly battling against imperial forces from
all over the Middle East, but at the same time learning and sharing
wisdom with their neighbors. "We are not just learning, but
essentially correcting what we have learned about our history and
adding to what we don’t know, and there is much we don’t know," Dr.
Areshian said in regards to his research.
"My interest in archeology focuses on the data and historical
knowledge in regards to Armenian history, and to better understand
world civilization through our past." Throughout history, literature
has been the prime basis of reference for historians, but Areshian is
proving that there is much more to history than what is written. "We
have been working in Dvin, Armenia, and have come across artifacts
that date back to the seventh century, such as silverware, coins, and
stone templates that reveal a lot about the level of progress and
culture at that time. And with these artifacts we can cross reference
the historical literature that we have. In some cases our findings
confirm what is written, and in some cases our findings completely
devalue what the historians have documented."
Areshian and his team are currently focusing on Dvin because of its
rich history and the fact that the city served as the capital of
Armenia for 500 years. While referencing a photo of one of his recent
excavations, Areshian described his findings: "As you can see there is
a section resembling a wall which is in fact a 30-meter-high
compounded remains of ancient cities, stacked one on top of the other,
covering approximately 6,000 years of history." His slide show
featured many photos of his excavations and findings, such as jewelry
and bits of architecture that have obvious features that reference
their era in history. "We are studying Armenia to find the models in
our past that may help us better understand the history of other
peoples and cultures"
Areshian also stressed the importance of studying the religious
aspect of Armenia’s past to better understand the relationship our
ancestors had with their neighbors and how that identity may have been
misunderstood by contemporary theologists. "At the same time, we have
to look, very objectively, at the history of the Armenian Church.
Everything we know about the church was written before the start of
the 20th century and we have not made any progress in this field since
then, understandably because secularism and politics have been on the
forefront of the Armenian thought process in the last hundred years."
If we take the Armenian Genocide out of the equation, what do we
have and what do we know about ourselves that allows us to form a
cultural identity that is inclusive of all Armenians not just in the
homeland, but in the diaspora? "I can say that a goal of this
interdisciplinary research is to place the Armenian people on the
stage of world history, and obviously if we understand our place in
world history we can better understand our identity and where we take
that identity." Areshian continues, "Younger generations of Armenians
are trying to step away from the cultural identity that is defined by
the genocide, and would rather be proud of the legacy we have created
over the last few thousand years and the contributions we have made to
the global community. We want to be recognized as a people who have
made an impact on the last five thousand years, and will continue to
do so for another five thousand."
But the fact still remains for Areshian that a lot of our history
has been forgotten and buried within the ruins of the ancient cities
of Armenia, and in order for our culture to move forward, we must
understand the past as accurately as possible. "We know very little
about the realities of our past, and we have been repeating again and
again what was written in our historical documents hundreds of years
ago without incorporating all the broad data that we have begun to
collect through our research."
Dr. Areshian will continue his archaeological work in the near
future and hopes to rediscover the lost cities of Armenia’s past in
order to bring about a new awareness of the rich history that is
laying dormant under the ruins of ancient Armenia. "The important goal
in our work, which is closely related to the issue of Armenian
identity as a culture, is to demonstrate the contributions we have
made to the world civilization."
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12 . Armenian "Cirque du Soleil" hits Pasadena, thanks to the AGBU
* Nork’s Hayortiats sells out the Manoogian Center
by James Martin
PASADENA, Calif. — On a chilly night in mid-November almost 650
enthusiastic attendees packed the pews under the wooden, Gothic
revival arches of the AGBU Manoogian Center to see what most critics
have coined "The Armenian Cirque du Soleil." Over 50 performers took
to the stage in a dazzling production of sight and sound. Live music
accompanied the acrobats, dancers, singers, and musicians as they
performed pieces ranging from extreme feats of body contortion to
interpretive dance numbers fusing traditional Armenian folk moves with
more modern jazz techniques.
Established in 1993 by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the
central seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the AGBU, the
world’s largest Armenian not-for-profit organization, the Nork
Children’s Center, like its two other sister centers in Malatya and
Arapkir, carries its name from the district in Yerevan it occupies.
Distinct from, yet complementing the local Armenian school system,
the three children’s centers educate nearly 3,500 students on a daily
basis in fields such as language, art, computer, history, crafts,
gymnastics, music, and dance, thus providing fantastic opportunities
for them to learn about their culture, their heritage, and the world.
This particular touring group of the Nork Children’s Center
("Hayortiats") is comprised of children, teens, and young adults
ranging from the ages of 9 to 24 and is overseen by Father Krikor
Khatchadourian who is the general director of the youth centers in
Armenia, and spearheaded by artistic director Aida Andriasyan. Along
with several other instructors, they manage the group very
efficiently. In the 14 years since its establishment, the group has
toured internationally twice, and although new to California, the
group is no stranger to North America. "We’ve been to Canada twice in
2005 as well as New York, Boston, Chicago, and DC," said Ms.
Andriasyan.
* Quite a show
The two-hour production is unique in its selection of dazzling pieces,
of which Ms. Andriasyan assures there is no shortage to choose from.
Although most of their shows take a good six months to perfect, this
tour took a bit longer. "For the show you saw tonight," she continues,
"we worked directly on it for about a year."
And it shows. The audience clapped, hollered, and cheered on in a
fervent manner as some children no taller than 4 feet executed with
professional precision the rigorous maneuvers usually involved in most
traditional Armenian folk dance numbers. Sharp staccato kicks of their
feet coupled with rapid up-and-down squatting did not seem to tire the
young boys while entering the second hour of their performance. This
was definitely not amateur hour. The girls were just as impressive,
whether they were belting out pitch-perfect notes to beautiful ancient
melodies or gracefully gliding across the stage with
"harvest-gathering" gesticulation while garbed in costumes that
represented the coming autumn season. It was hard to believe that the
average age of the performers was 13.
True, the event had its share of traditional Armenian folk numbers;
however much of Hayortiats’ pieces ventured into other avenues less
traveled by most Armenian performance groups. Some of the more
inventive pieces included performances by Ani Apreian (13) and Anahid
Sarkesyan (9), two virtuosos who were able to manipulate their bodies
into positions that seemed to defy natural physics. Said Ms.
Andriasyan of the two girls when questioned if they were brought in
specifically for the show, "No, they’re our students and we train
them. They have gone on to hold gold medals for participating in
international contortionist competitions."
When asked to describe any of the amazing things they had seen that
night, some audience members couldn’t even conjure the words. "She was
folded over backwards so much that she had . . . everything from the
neck down . . . balanced on top of her . . . head . . . while she
supported herself by only clamping down with her mouth onto a rod with
a mouthpiece~E She was completely suspended in the air for 10 seconds,"
stammered Shant Markarian while trying to explain the incredible
performance of the contortionists.
Other nontraditional performances included a very heated tango-type
number, which was bursting with electric energy as well as an eclectic
stomp-type musical-instrumental piece where various performers
hammered out a rhythmically charged beat using hammers, shoes, and
containers while other members pounded the floor with synchronized
footwork. There was also a bit where one girl, Sona Shahnazarian (10),
managed to spin close to 20 hoola-hoops simultaneously on her body
while dancing to music and a genuine "River Dance"–like Irish piece
complete with an ensemble of toe-tapping and foot-stomping performers
dressed in beautifully stitched dark green costumes. "Our costumes are
designed from scratch by one of our artistic directors and the
children help to sew them with a little professional guidance," said
Ms. Andriasyan.
* Where to next?
There’s no rest for the weary: with eight taxing performances in two
states in only 17 days with traveling, setting up, situating,
warm-ups, rehearsals, tech-rehearsals, and dress runs to fill the
moments in between, the group had to pack up and get ready to head to
its next stop in San Francisco where they will be performing for the
mayor of the city and a good-sized crowd at the Bayside Performing
Arts Center. Afterwards, the group will be heading back to Armenia by
November 29 to get ready for its New Year celebration concert.
When asked what kind of toll this production was taking on some of
its younger members, Ms. Andriasyan had some reassuring words to
share: "The children are in good spirits. Of course, children will
eventually miss their parents, but we do our best to make sure that
none of them lacks any attention." She then smilingly adds, "The
attitude toward the children by everyone here has been very good as
well. Everyone has gone overboard by feeding them and showing them a
good time while they are in town — a few of them have even gained a
few extra pounds."
connect:
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13. Crime Beat: Three homicides highlight dangers of public feuds
by Jason Kandel
LOS ANGELES — Arsen Aivazian threw his last punch at a North
Hollywood park back in 2004 when the guy he swung at pulled a gun and
shot him three times in the chest, all over some murky credit-card
fraud scheme, police said.
Just this past April 26, Marat Manukyan and his brother crossed
paths with guys they knew, got into a fight at a North Hollywood
Starbucks then agreed to take their fight to a secluded area to settle
scores. Mr. Manukyan was killed that night in a gun battle with a
group of Armenian males on Raymer Street.
On November 5, an argument over an unresolved beef among a group of
nine acquaintances escalated at a Van Nuys strip mall parking lot and
two men pulled up in a black Lexus, fought with, then fatally stabbed
19-year-old Abraham Polisadzhyan.
These are three recent cases in which groups of Armenian males
agreed to take out their grievances on the streets of Los Angeles and
which ended violently. They are certainly not the only ones involving
bad blood in the second largest city in the country.
But these types of cases are noteworthy because they are a danger to
the community when bullets fly, and they can foster a senseless cycle
of retribution and retaliation that can last years when those involved
choose not to cooperate with police, authorities say.
None of these cases has been resolved, yet police know that many of
the players involved in each fracas witnessed — and possibly took
part in — the killings.
"Nine times out of 10, they end peacefully. But obviously we only
hear about the ones that turn violent," said Glendale police officer
John Balian, a department spokesperson. "Our primary goal is the
safety of individuals out there and our main concern is innocent
bystanders being in the middle of a argument or being in the middle of
a score to be settled and they end up getting hurt. These meetings
sometimes take place at public parks where kids and families are out
there playing, which is what parks are made for. Parks aren’t really
made for settling scores."
Valley Plaza Park was the setting for a fight that left Arsen
Aivazian, 30, of North Hollywood dead the night of Oct. 9, 2004.
Retired Los Angeles police Detective Mike Coffey said at the time
that members of a Russian-Armenian organized crime ring had gathered
at the park to come to some kind of an agreement involving credit-card
and gas fraud scams.
An argument in Armenian broke out. Someone shot Aivazian, a
professional welterweight boxer, after he threw a punch, then the
group disappeared in at least three vehicles.
The next day, police found a getaway vehicle, which had been ditched
nearby. The owner was questioned then released.
LAPD detective Martin Pinner, who has inherited the case, said there
has been no new movement in the case.
"The case didn’t go anywhere," Pinner said.
It was a case that was similar to one that occurred November 5.
Around 7:40 that night, a group of nine young men gathered in a
parking lot on the southeast corner of Woodman Avenue and Vanowen
Street in Van Nuys to talk about an earlier, undisclosed incident
between them. The discussion quickly escalated into a fight.
Moments later, two other males drove up in a black Lexus, got out of
the car and began fighting with one of the individuals in the group.
Then one of the two suspects stabbed the victim, Polisadzhyan. After
stabbing Polisadzhyan the suspects then got back in the Lexus and
drove away.
Polisadzhyan was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
LAPD detective Mike Coblentz said he believes he knows who did it,
but closing the case with an arrest may prove more challenging.
Witnesses were being vague about what happened, he said.
Pinner is also frustrated with an unsolved homicide case from April
26. About 4:30 that day, Marat Manukyan and his younger brother were
having coffee at a Starbucks in North Hollywood when two 18-year-old
men and a 17-year-old boy who they knew showed up, police said.
An argument broke out. Somebody disrespected somebody else. There
was some pushing and shoving. Somebody threw a chair. Then they broke
up the fight and agreed to meet later to try to resolve their dispute,
police said.
A few hours later, the group, and several more, ages 17 to 25, had
their second meeting at a local park. They didn’t settle their
problem. So they agreed to a third meeting, this time on the quiet,
industrial Raymer Street in North Hollywood, Pinner said.
About 10 that night, Manukyan and Davit Ksachikyan, 23, arrived in a
blue Infiniti G35 that belonged to one of their uncles. Others pulled
up in a new black Cadillac Escalade.
Guns were drawn and shots were fired. Manukyan was hit. Everyone took off.
About 30 minutes later, Manukyan, who was 18, was dead.
Weeks later, arrests were made. Police believed they had their
suspected triggerman — a 17-year-old boy — held on murder charges at
Juvenile Hall. He was not identified because he is a minor.
An 18-year-old man was booked on assault charges for throwing the
chair at Starbucks. Ksachikyan, who was in the G35 with Manukyan and
called the police from a gas station after the shooting, had been
arrested in connection with being an accessory to murder, Pinner said.
Others were
questioned then released.
The Los Angeles District Attorney declined to file charges — not
enough evidence to successfully convict the triggerman. Witnesses
wouldn’t cooperate, Pinner said.
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14. AGBU-YPNC mixes the social scene with social good
by Tamar Sarkissian
SAN FRANCISCO — On Fillmore Street, the Comet Club slowly comes to
life. Most nights, it’s a typical bar and club — a spot for hip 20
and 30 somethings looking for a place to relax, dance and meet new
people. But on a recent crisp November night, the Comet Club was
buzzing with a new crowd. It was the latest meeting place for the
Armenian General Benevolent Union – Young Professionals Northern
California.
Founded by Ashken Mouradian, the group, better known as the
AGBU-YPNC, has only been in existence for nine years, but in less than
a decade, the organization has taken the Bay Area by storm. Known for
its whirlwind of activities, its fundraising capabilities, and its
internationally known annual gala, the organization has about 500
people on its email list – most in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. "It’s a
very strong presence, probably the strongest of a lot of the groups
(in the Bay Area)," says former AGBU-YPNC chairperson Ed Minasian.
With the group’s strength comes tremendous power to give. AGBU
started 101 years ago, as an organization to help preserve and promote
rmenian identity and heritage. Since then, it has become the world’s
largest Armenian non-profit organization, creating educational,
cultural, and humanitarian programs. Every year, AGBU reaches 400,000
Armenians in 35 countries.
The AGBU-YPNC hasn’t lost sight of that goal, having raised tens of
thousands of dollars through the years. Its major fundraiser is a
weekend-long gala that includes a mixer, dinner-dance, brunch, and a
rotating event. Each year, the money raised goes to a charity in
Armenia. Hye Geen, an organization that supports mothers and their
children with prenatal and postnatal care, is the select charity for
2008. "The money goes straight to Armenia. It goes right there, so
hopefully we’ll raise a lot of money. They (Hye Geen) were really,
really excited we picked them," said Emily Kluczynski, 2008 Gala
Chairperson.
There’s reason to be excited. The gala typically draws more than 300
people each year, and that brings in thousands of fundraising dollars
— about $10,000 on average. In 2006, the gala broke records, earning
a whopping $15,000. "It may be small here," said Kluczynski. "$10,000
here is nothing compared to the millions that Oracle will raise, but
$10,000 for Armenia is huge."
"Especially in the Bay Area, fundraising is a really big thing, so
people are going to do it regardless, and why wouldn’t you do it for
your own cause?" asked Lisa Ouzounian, a member of the AGBU-YPNC
board.
Besides charity, members of the AGBU-YPNC said the organization, and
especially the gala, is attractive to young Armenians looking to make
connections. Minasian said, "We actually help the young people have a
place to go to hang out with 20, 30 something fellow Armenians …"
"That our grandmothers approve of," piped in Ouzounian.
"You’re hanging out with your grandmother, and it’s like, oh good,
good, good. You’ll meet someone," added Minasian.
The AGBU-YPNC is getting a reputation for making matches. "We get a
wedding out of the gala each year," said Minasian. So far, more than a
dozen couples have met through AGBU-YPNC events, and gone on to marry,
including Ouzounian’s brother. "A lot of people, especially from L.A.,
come with the mind-set of I want to find somebody, and they do," said
Ouzounian. "You get enough people together for a weekend, you’re going
to have some kind of connections at some point. I guess it’s
inevitable."
When the group isn’t busy working on the gala, they’re getting
together in monthly activities. From heading out to a baseball game,
to progressive dinners at some of San Francisco’s hot spots, to
picnics on the Bay Area’s exquisite coasts, the group is always coming
up with new plans.
Every winter, the AGBU-YPNC takes advantage of Northern California’s
Sierra Mountains with an annual ski trip. The group rents a cabin, and
about 25 people settle in for a weekend of winter sports. "It’s a
great opportunity for everybody to just hang out. It’s an opportunity
for everybody to bond," said Minasian, who’s gone on the ski trip
several times.
The AGBU-YPNC doesn’t forget its culture and religion. Every year,
it participates in the April 24th Commemoration, and is apart of the
Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California. It
hosts coffee hours at various churches in the area, and encourages
gala attendees to go to church between the weekend events.
Ouzounian believes the cultural and religious connection is what
draws Bay Area transplants to the group. "I think it’s funny …
there’s a lot of Armenians you find in the city (San Francisco) who
one time or another have really never had any association with the YP
group," commented Ouzounian. "Little by little, if they’re lived here
for a year, or lived here for five years, they start to get involved.
There’s a wanting to kind of have their community where they came
from, and they kind of seek that out."
Time and time again, members remarked that the group has created
opportunities to bond with other young Armenians, creating true
friendships among members of the group. Sako Soghomonian is a former
chairperson of the AGBU-YPNC, and is one of the original members.
"When we started I only knew a handful of Armenians my age," said
Soghomonian. "In time, we got more events set up, and we got to know
more people. I think we really built this community. Before, we were
just a bunch of individuals."
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15. Free legal clinic reaches out to community in Little Armenia
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — On November 14, a free legal clinic to serve the
local Armenian community was held at Little Armenia’s Dvin Restaurant.
The event was co-sponsored by the law firm of Martin & Martin, the
Armenian Bar Association, and the Little Armenia Chamber of Commerce.
"The clinic aimed to serve members of the community who do not have
access to legal representation," said Aram Kouyoumdjian, a senior
litigation attorney with Martin & Martin.
Spearheaded by Kouyoumdjian, Wednesday night’s program welcomed the
public to engage in one-on-one consultations with attorneys regarding
legal matters ranging from employment issues and small-business
concerns to landlord-tenant disputes, among others.
Round tables were set up throughout Dvin’s banquet hall, where
attorneys conducted individual sessions with community members,
offered professional advice, and resolved issues that did not require
further legal action. "This way they come and speak to attorneys who
practice in a specialized area," said Betty Jamgotchian, executive
director of the Armenian Bar Association and an attorney with
Tennenhouse, Minassian & Adham. "It’s really beneficial, because those
who need assistance will get a general idea of what is going on."
Attorneys from the Armenian Bar Association who volunteered for the
event included Lucy Varpetian, a Glendale Assistant City Attorney, and
Ana Barsegian, who has her own law practice. All the Armenian
attorneys at the clinic were bilingual, and volunteer translators were
on hand to help overcome the language barrier between community
members and non-Armenian attorneys.
Alongside Kouyoumdjian, two additional attorneys from Martin &
Martin, David Erwin and Robert Ostrowski, also volunteered at the free
clinic and extended their help to the community. Martin & Martin, a
minority-owned firm, participates in monthly outreach programs,
providing free legal services to underrepresented communities in Los
Angeles. The firm’s sponsorship of the November 14 event included a
comprehensive promotional effort comprising distribution of hundreds
of flyers and e-mail notifications as well as appearances on local
Armenian television programs.
"The city of Los Angeles has such a diverse culture that it’s an
opportunity for enjoying the interaction with many different kinds of
people," Erwin said. "I find it very interesting and a lot of fun."
The Armenian Bar Association has formed various committees for
providing pro bono service and legal-education seminars aimed at
raising community awareness of legal rights and responsibilities. The
committees include Armenian Rights Watch, a watchdog group that helps
shape policy and education regarding Genocide recognition and monitors
the news media for acts of discrimination taken against Armenians.
"This is a very important part of the Armenian Bar Association,
because one of our objectives is to help the community in legal
matters," Jamgotchian said. The Armenian Bar Association also has
scholarship and grant committees, which offer educational assistance
to law students.
"Whatever legal issues an individual may have, we are here to help
the community and the public," Jamgotchian said. Kouyoumdjian hopes to
organize more free legal clinics and plans to conduct the next one in
the Glendale area. "We want to provide this pro bono service on a
regular basis," Kouyoumdjian added, "so that community members can
utilize it as a resource to understand and protect their legal
rights."
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16 . Restaurants: Café Santorini: fresh as ever
by Lucie Davidian
PASADENA, Calif. — Whenever I hear Café Santorini, I can’t help but
think of it as a place where so many friends have celebrated some kind
of occasion throughout the years, particularly in the beloved outdoor
patio. It has been a place that has helped mark the crossroads of our
lives. When we were in our 20s we celebrated our birthdays there, but
more recently we have gathered at the restaurant for engagements and
baptisms. It was partly for these reasons that I decided to review
Café Santorini, whose Mediterranean-inspired menu, which is still
top-notch, has undergone a number of evolutionary changes over the
years.
Café Santorini was started in 1993 by brothers Panos and Vasken
Haitayan, who take a hands-on approach to their business. With the
addition of the Rococo Room, used mainly as a banquet facility, they
have maintained a loyal clientèle, whose sense of belonging is shared
enthusiastically by the staff of Café Santorini. A case in point is
Dennis, a waiter at the restaurant, who has worked here for the past
12 years. Panos Haitayan attributes such dedication to his own passion
for good food, which he says equally inspires his employees.
As I looked at the menu, I resolved to steer clear of typical mezze
dishes such as hummus and tzatziki. Instead I wanted to experience the
other side of the list: the items that maintained the Mediterranean
feel without the usual spices and flavors that I have grown so weary
of.
Café Santorini’s menu is quite extensive. Apart from the traditional
Middle Eastern appetizers, there are dishes such as Manila clams
prepared with Spanish sausages, leeks, and sweet vermouth; and tuna
tartar, served with a daikon sprout salad with Masago caviar topped
with a wasabi aioli.
I had several choices for salad, including Greek, roasted lamb, and
seared Pacific seafood. But after catching a glimpse of the toasted
walnut and gorgonzola salad, I was sold. It came in a light shallot
vinaigrette dressing that went perfectly with the tangy, thin slices
of Granny Smith apples, toasted walnuts, and the strong yet creamy
taste of crumbled gorgonzola. The foccacia that was served prior to
the salad was absolutely delicious. I couldn’t stop attacking it. I
kept telling myself that I would be done after one more bite. Three
pieces later, I finally pushed the bread away, having realized that I
had consumed more than half the basket.
No dinner would be complete without a glass of wine of which Café
Santorini offers a great variety. The list comprises an array of
offerings from Australian Shiraz and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to
California varietals from the Napa, Sonoma, Alexander, and Russian
River valleys. My choice was a Pinot Noir from Mendocino County’s
Castle Rock winery, which turned out to be perfect for my salad and
entrée alike.
For the main course I decided to stay with the same plan, that is to
say, to try something different. My choices included braised lamb
shank, salmon fillet, and roasted chicken. After careful
consideration, I could not help settling on the red curry paella. As a
devoted fan of Spanish cuisine, I was enthusiastic about Café
Santorini’s "interpretation of the classic paella."
I had never tried paella made with a red curry. It gave the rice a
potent, fragrant taste, which in turn complemented the sweetness of
the shrimp and the saltiness of the mussels and clams. These were
spiced just right, allowing the delicious, refreshing tang of the
ocean to come through. Café Santorini uses Arborio rice for its
paella, which naturally develops a creamy texture when cooked and
mixes well with the spinach, tomatoes, and red onions. I thoroughly
enjoyed the dish. It had a lot of depth to it and the addition of the
red curry was a unique touch.
Café Santorini’s dessert menu offers classics such as crème brulée,
tiramisu, sorbets, and a variety of dessert wines. I was torn between
the panna cotta with mango sauce and the bread pudding with
cranberries and apricots. Dennis recommended the former. Bread pudding
is not a dessert that I usually associate with Mediterranean cuisine;
rather, it reminds me of the South. But I was glad it was featured on
the menu. The dense cake was topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream,
while a light caramel sauce combined with a crème Anglaise covering
the bottom of the plate.
My overall experience at Café Santorini was a pleasant one. The food
was consistently good, as was the service. That consistency is what
keeps bringing people back year after year to this Old Town Pasadena
landmark. I first dined at Café Santorini 12 years ago and I’m happy
to say that my initial impression has not changed. This is still a
place to go with your friends, have some good food, and enjoy a glass
of wine in a pleasant setting.
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Caf é Santorini
70 W. Union Street
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 564-4200
HOURS
Monday — Thursday 11:30 am -10:00 pm
Friday — Saturday 11:30 am –12:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am –10:00 pm
PRICE RANGE
Lunch $15-25
Dinner $35-45
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