ASBAREZ Online [02-18-2005]

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02/18/2005
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) ANC Glendale Announces Endorsements for City Elections 2) Ambassador Evans Discusses Vital Issues with ANCA, FED 3) Armenian Singers Refuse 'Cultural Cooperation' with Turkey 4) A 'Cigaro' Is Just A 'Cigaro' 5) AESA to Hold 4th Annual Science Olympiad 6) AMAA Orphan Care Committee's Luncheon and Fashion Show 7) Ambassador John Evans Visits Western Prelacy 8) Fresno Native Appointed Judgeship by Gov. Schwarzenegger 9) Annual Brunch & Silent Auction to Benefit Disabled 10) UCLA Armenian Students to Express Culture through Comedy with Vahe Berberian 11) Armenian-Greek Guitarist Iakovos Kolanian to Perform in San Francisco, Fresno 12) SKEPTIK'S RANDOMN THOUGHTS AND RAMBLINGS 13) 'Tis Upon Us In observance of President's Day, our next issue will appear on Tuesday, February 22. 1) ANC Glendale Announces Endorsements for City Elections GLENDALE--The Armenian National Committee of Glendale (ANCG) announced Thursday its list of endorsed candidates for the Glendale City Municipal Elections. The endorsements include candidates for Glendale Unified School District Board of Education, Glendale Community College Board of Trustees, City Clerk, and City Treasurer. "With 19 candidates in the City Council race, the endorsement process is inevitably taking a few weeks," stated board member Armond Gorgorian. "We really want to make sure we take the time to meet with candidates, as well as community members in order to make a well informed endorsement decision." In the highly publicized City Clerk race, the Armenian National Committee of Glendale endorsed Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian. The committee endorsed incumbent Ronald Borucki for City Treasurer, along with all three incumbents for the College Board of Trustees: Armineh Hacopian, Anita Quinonez Gabrielian, and Victor I. King. Finally, for GUSD Board, the ANCG endorsed incumbents Greg Krikorian and Chuck Sambar as well as Nayiri Nahebedian for the remaining seat. "The Armenian National Committee of Glendale believes that these 8 candidates are the best candidates for their respective races. We are confident that these candidates bring with them the experience and leadership skills necessary to improve our city and serve our community," announced Alina Azizian, Executive Director of the ANCG. The endorsements come less than 2 months before the April 5 elections. The ANCG will spend the next 6 weeks encouraging people to register to vote and get active on campaigns, Azizian stated. The ANCG will also be launching a voter education campaign to inform voters about the candidates, the issues, and the voting process. The ANCG has not finalized its endorsements for Glendale City Council at this time but expects to do so within the next two weeks. For more information regarding the candidates or ways to get involved, please contact the Armenian National Committee of Glendale at (818) 243-3444 or [email protected]. City Clerk: Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian Glendale Unified School District Board of Education: Greg Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian and Chakib "Chuck" Sambar Glendale Community College Board of Trustees: Armine G. Hacopian, Victor I. King, Anita Q. Gabrielian City Treasurer: Ronald T. Borucki 2) Ambassador Evans Discusses Vital Issues with ANCA, FED GLENDALE--Members of the Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR) and the Foundation for Economic Development (FED) met with US Ambassador John Marshall Evans and his delegation of US officials, including Robin Phillips, Director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Armenia, Eugenia Sidereas, Desk Officer for Armenia at the US Department of State, and Aaron Shirinian, who serves as the Political Officer, assistance coordinator at the US Embassy in Armenia. Berdj Karapetian, a member of the FED Board of Directors, introduced Ambassador Evans to the FED's mission and its ongoing efforts to launch the California Regional Trade Office in Armenia. Karapetian explained that the trade office contract that was awarded to the FED by the State of California would serve California's small to medium enterprises that were interested in investing or selling products in Armenia. Like his predecessor Ambassador John Ordway, Ambassador Evans expressed support for the initiative. While the Trade Office is an official State of California representative, due to budgetary issues, the funds necessary to begin operations are being raised privately. ANCA-WR Board of Directors member Zanku Armenian led the discussion on the ANCA-WR's concerns over the recent statement made by Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones, which mischaracterized the Karabagh Republic's leaders as "criminal secessionists." The issue was of high concern to the Ambassador, who explained that while he understood how many misconstrue Jones's comments, the Assistant Secretary had not intended the term "criminal secessionists" to reflect on the leaders of Karabagh. The Ambassador hoped that the incident was resolved as he and the Assistant Secretary had reached out to the Armenian public. Several of the meeting participants, including members of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors Leonard Manoukian and Armen Martin, pointed out the recklessness of Azerbaijan's recent efforts to jeopardize the peace negotiations by seeking any forum that may result in a more favorable outcome for Azerbaijan. The group also discussed the aggressive rhetoric that continues to come from Baku. "The Minsk group is an honest broker in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," commented Ambassador Evans, adding that "the US is a friend to Armenia." Armenian commended President Bush for establishing military aid parity in his Budget proposal for 2006. Such parity helps maintain a balance in the fragile ceasefire that has existed between Karabagh and Azerbaijan for over ten years. Continuing on the topic of aid, Armenian stated that the ANCA would persist in securing high levels of aid to Armenia given Turkey's blockade of the fledgling democracy. An overarching issue that the group brought up with the Ambassador was the matter of the Armenian genocide. Representatives of the ANCA-WR asked that the US State Department include the history of the Armenian genocide on its website under Armenia's country profile given the overwhelming number of documents held in the US Archives. "It is important for groups like the ANCA-WR to regularly meet with US government officials who administer US policy firsthand in Armenia. Ambassador Evans is certainly a competent diplomat and well read on the Genocide and Armenia's modern history. We are hopeful that he will continue to play an effective role in helping Armenia face the challenges that lay ahead in guaranteeing Armenia's right to self determination and security and insuring continued development to her democratic institutions. A strong and prosperous Armenia is good for Armenia and America," commented Steven Dadaian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors, who met the Ambassador's delegation at an event later in the day hosted by His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. The breakfast meeting with the ANCA-WR and FED kicked off a day of scheduled visits for the Ambassador's delegation. The delegation went on to meet with Professor Richard Hovannisian of UCLA, followed by a talk with UCLA students. He also met with Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy Armenian Apostolic Church and leaders of community organization. A reception was held by the Western Diocese Armenian Apostolic Church later that evening. 3) Armenian Singers Refuse 'Cultural Cooperation' with Turkey YEREVAN (Yerkir)--A group of Armenian singers and musicians rejected a proposal for cultural cooperation put forth by a Turkish production company, calling it a "dangerous" offer. Speaking at the news conference on Friday, singer Arsen Grigorian, who received the offer, called on his colleagues to also reject participation in the Armenian-Turkish cultural project. "It is not by an accident that the Turks are attempting to engage Armenians in a pro-Turkish project, to be funded by the US, in the same year we are marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide," he said. According to Grigorian, the Turkish production company TDI is planning to produce a CD of performances by Armenian and Turkish musicians. "They are trying to convince the world that Armenians and Turks can be friends. As long as they deny the Genocide, I cannot accept any cultural or economic cooperation," he concluded. 4) A 'Cigaro' Is Just A 'Cigaro' Though leaked track is a hit, they're not making it an official single. Blabbermouth.net reports System Of A Down have confirmed an April 26 release date for "Mezmerize," the first half of their new double album set. The second CD, titled "Hypnotize," will be out sometime this fall. Meanwhile, the first single from "Mezmerize," called "B.Y.O.B." is poised to arrive at rock radio on or around March 1, according to Launch Radio Networks. The quartet has just wrapped up its headlining stint on Australia and New Zealand's Big Day Out festival and is heading home to Los Angeles to finish work on the new album. The band is also one of many acts that have donated items to a second eBay auction sponsored by Waxploitation Records to raise money for genocide victims in the African nation of Sudan. Other artists that have contributed signed or rare items include Dave Matthews, Dashboard Confessional, and Bad Religion. System contributed to Waxploitation's first such auction last month, along with Limp Bizkit, Korn, 311, Rob Zombie and others. BURBANK--"You know how when you meet someone as a little boy and he turns into a man, you will always remember the little boy?" System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian asked recently. "Well, we've got that," he continued. "You remember what our roots are. As we grow up as men, you can see that we are evolving, but you remember us as little boys." So explains what to expect from System's upcoming ambitious double album, Mezmerize/Hypnotize. "You will hear a difference, you will hear a growth, but you will always hear us," Malakian said. "All my favorite bands tend to have those kinds of careers. They kind of re-create themselves, but they re-create themselves, they don't re-create into somebody else." System of a Down's first new music since 2002's Steal This Album!, which was mostly leftovers from 2001's Toxicity, will blend familiar elements (skittery riffs, Middle Eastern-influenced rhythms, harmonized vocals) with new, mostly sonic, touches. "I personally came in very focused with how I wanted everything to sound on this record opposed to our other records," said Malakian, who wrote the music and most of the lyrics and also sings more than ever on the albums. "I think our guitars were a little muddy on our other records. On this record I think it's a lot more crisp. We've got the best drum tone that we've ever had on any of our records. And the performances, each individual musician, everybody is performing much better than we used to. We've all stepped up and grown up with what we do, so that's definitely reflected in the songs." One of those songs, "Cigaro," was recently leaked online and became an instant hit on KROQ-FM in Los Angeles as well as other stations. Another song, "B.Y.O.B.," will actually be the first single. System will shoot the video later this month before the track hits the airwaves in March. "I don't know if I'll direct it by myself, but I would love to have some kind of influence on it," bassist Shavo Odadjian, who co-directed the "Toxicity" and "Aerials" videos, said. "I would love to collaborate with someone else. I love doing that." Choosing a single proved especially challenging after the band recorded more than 40 tracks and decided to release them as a double album (see "System Of A Down To Release Two-Album Set In 2005"). "We had a lot of songs last time, too, but this time I think they join together," Malakian said. "You feel like you want to show people what you're doing right now." System are calling Mezmerize/Hypnotize a double album, although unlike Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, for example, the first half (Mezmerize) is due in April, followed by Hypnotize six months later. "[Mezmerize] is going to have plenty of material, and we want people to sit with it before we give them the second one," frontman Serj Tankian said. "Songs tend to lose character if you bunch them all together," Malakian added. "Some people throw [together] as much music as you can throw on a CD and it doesn't really do each individual song justice. They end up getting lost in the shuffle." System recorded the tracks in the fall but worked on them throughout most of 2004. "We're a live band, so what we do in terms of recording is we work out the songs for a long time and let them live with us, and if we want to change something over time, if we are uncomfortable about something or think something could be better, we would know it before anyone else steps in," Tankian explained. "When we go into recording, we don't ever walk in and say, 'Oh, let's write a new song in the studio.' It's always like we've got all these songs that we've been living with as a band for at least six months to a year. And that makes it so much easier recording it. If everyone is much more fluent, more comfortable, there is no hesitation. Sure, we change things here and there in the studio, but a lot of it is well-digested." Track titles other than "B.Y.O.B." and "Cigaro" include "Hypnotize," "Lost in Hollywood," "Violent Pornography," and "Kill Rock 'n' Roll," which revolves around the line "I killed the rock 'n' roll in you." "We have a really tough time explaining songs because we would like everyone to take something else aside from what we think of the song," Malakian said. "But ['Kill Rock 'n' Roll'] is about being a murderer and enjoying it at the moment, but actually having a conscience about it after you are done." Well, OK then. Corey Moss 5) AESA to Hold 4th Annual Science Olympiad LOS ANGELES--The Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) will hold its 4th annual Science Olympiad on Sunday March 13, at Ribet Academy in Los Angeles. Last year, 120 participants from 9 schools throughout Los Angeles County met in competition and 24 winners were recognized for their outstanding achievement. The Science Olympiad is open to all Armenian students at the middle and high school levels from Armenian and non-Armenian schools, and organized into three categories: Biological Science, Physical Science, and Engineering. Each category and level includes first, second and third place and honorable mention for monetary awards of $500, $250, $100, and $50 respectively. This year, all participants who win the first and second place of the California State Science fair in May 2005 will be eligible for an additional $500 and $200 special awards. Distinguished scientists and engineers, as well as veterans of California State and Los Angeles Country Science Fairs will be returning this year to judge the AESA Science Olympiad. Qualified personnel who are interested in becoming a judge for the first time are welcome to apply. Applications for both students and judges can be requested by calling (818) 662-0264 or downloaded from the AESA website at <; 6) AMAA Orphan Care Committee's Luncheon and Fashion Show LOS ANGELES--Armenian children from around the city will participate in Armenian Missionary Association of America's (AMAA) Orphan Care Children's Fashion Show and Luncheon on April 9 in an effort to bring Armenians together to raise money for the AMAA. Directing the fashion show this year is designer Pol'Atteau, who will exhibit his collection, some of the hottest items for next season. Pol' Atteu Haute Couture specializes in custom designed couture gowns, dresses, and suits for cocktails, debutant balls, bridal parties, engagement parties, television/studio, academy awards and Emmy awards. The AMAA Orphan Care Committee provides food, clothing, summer camps, and Christmas programs, including Christmas packages, to the children in Armenia. In the last ten years, the AMAA has significantly improved the lives of thousands of children in Armenia. The co-chairs for this year's Orphan Care Committee are Eileen Keusseyan, Lucy Gulvartian, and Alice Chakrian. The public is invited to enjoy Pol'Atteu's fashions, a luncheon, and silent auction on April 9 at the Beverly Hills hotel. The donation is $65 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under. For more information and tickets call Savey Tufenkian (818) 956-8455 or Eileen Keusseyan (818) 404-5686. 7) Ambassador John Evans Visits Western Prelacy ENCINO--US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans visited the Western Prelacy on February 17, to meet with Prelate Moushegh Mardirossian at the Prelacy's temporary offices in Encino. Present at the meeting were Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Gagik Kirakossian, representative of the Central Executive Committee of the Holy See of Cilicia Khajag Dikijian, representative of the ARF Bureau Viken Hovsepian, as well as representatives of the Prelacy Councils and Armenian organizations. The Prelate welcomed the Ambassador as "a true friend of the Armenian people and Armenia," highlighting his experience in the field of diplomacy and as a historian. His Eminence also acknowledged the bondage that bridges the diaspora Armenians with Armenia. Welcoming remarks were also made by the Chairman of the Prelacy Executive Council Chairman, Hrair Balian. Ambassador Evans thanked the Prelate for his sincere words and presented a briefing about his mission in Armenia. He also answered questions regarding his mission and Armenia's economic prospects. At the end of the two-hour long meeting, Prelate Archbishop Mardirossian bade farewell to the honorable guest and presented him a souvenir--a book of the Treasures of the Holy See of Cilicia. 8) Fresno Native Appointed Judgeship by Gov. Schwarzenegger FRESNO--David C. Kalemkarian was recently appointed to the judgeship in the Fresno County Superior Court by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kalemkarian, 42, of Fresno, has served for the last seven years as Fresno Superior Court Commissioner. He previously worked as an attorney for Morrison and Foerster , LLP, and later for Stephan A. Kalemkarian, Inc. where he practiced primarily family law. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Boalt Hall Law School at the University of California, Berkley and a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Fresno. He is a member of the Fresno County Bar Association and the California State Bar Association. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ralph Nunez. 9) Annual Brunch & Silent Auction to Benefit Disabled GLENDALE--The Pyunic Annual Winter Brunch & Silent Auction benefiting programs for the disabled in Armenia, will take place on Sunday, February 27, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Brandview Collection in Glendale, California. Featuring brunch, live entertainment, and a silent auction, the event will raise funds to help programs for the disabled in Armenia, including the Early Intervention Program--a summer camp at Lake Sevan, computer workshops, and to train athletes for international competitions. "There are over 100,000 disabled individuals in Armenia. This event will help us provided much needed services, training and equipment as well as create more public awareness," says Sarkis Ghazarian, president of Pyunic. The silent auction will offer unique paintings, rugs, arts and crafts and jewelry made in Armenia, as well as art donated from Southern California artists Vahe Berberian, Anahid Boghosian, and Shahe Boyadjian. "I'm more than happy to be part of an event that empowers the disabled," said Boghosian, whose own father has been an amputee since the age of nine. Pyunic will also be honoring two of its disabled athletes, Mariné Hakobyan (paraplegic) and Greta Khndzrtsyan (double amputee), competing in the 20th running of the Los Angeles City Marathon on Sunday, March 6, 2005. Both athletes suffered injuries in the devastating 1988 earthquake in Armenia that left over 25,000 dead and hundreds of thousands injured and homeless. Founded in 1989 to help the disabled children of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, Pyunic is the leading non-governmental organization shaping public awareness for the disabled. Pyunic provides humanitarian aid, social services, career training and summer/winter teaching camps. Pyunic athletes have competed in numerous worldwide athletic competitions, including the Los Angeles Marathon and both summer and winter Paralympics since 1994. Winter Brunch & Silent Auction will be held at the Brandview Collection--109 East Harvard Street, Glendale, California 91204. Tickets are $40.00. For reservations, please call Lorig Sivazlian at 818 517-1208. 10) UCLA Armenian Students to Express Culture through Comedy with Vahe Berberian LOS ANGELES--The UCLA Armenian Student Association (ASA) continues its tradition of Open Mic Night by hosting an Armenian cultural comedy night with famous Armenian artist and comedian Vahe Berberian. The event's purpose is to entertain, as well as educate Armenian students and ASA members about Armenian culture and assimilation in the diaspora. "The UCLA ASA is honored to have Vahe Berberian express his creativity on stage with our members. Comedy is a unique medium through which one's culture can be expressed with a humorous slant," proclaimed ASA cultural director Lucy Tagessian. The event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, on UCLA's campus at 7:30 pm in the Cooperage (inside the Ackerman Union Building). The event is free and open to the general public. For more information you can contact or Raffi Kassabian at (626) 372-4630. The UCLA ASA is one of the oldest Armenian-American student groups in the United States. This year marks the 60th anniversary of its existence. The UCLA ASA seeks to cultivate a true understanding and appreciation of Armenian history, heritage, and culture through cultural, social, and recreational activities. 11) Armenian-Greek Guitarist Iakovos Kolanian to Perform in San Francisco, Fresno US Debut Concerts feature Armenian Folk Music Arranged for Classical Guitar Armenian-Greek classical guitarist Iakovos Kolanian will be performing in San Francisco on Friday, March 4, and in Fresno on Saturday, March 5--highlighting a 16 year journey to arrange and transcribe Armenian folk songs for the classical guitar The concerts will support the new groundbreaking Pomegranate Music CD release titled Shoror: Armenian Folk Music for Guitar by Kolanian. As Kolanian explains, "I managed to collect a considerable number of traditional dances and songs, deciding in the process that I would transcribe or recompose part of this material for the guitar. However, such was the emotional impact of this music on me that, I sometimes found it difficult to hold back my tears as I worked through a particular piece. It was during this stimulating process that I came to the realization that this pursuit was not simply a professional step, but, without a doubt, a journey into the depths of my soul in search of my Armenian roots." The program for each concert will consist of one half being devoted to the selected works of JS Bach (Lute Suite in A Minor BWV), Agustin Barrios-Mangore (La Catedral), and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (Capriccio Diabolico). The entire second half of the concert will be devoted to Kolanian's arrangement of 13 Armenian folk and traditional songs, including the famous Komitas Dances. San Francisco: Friday March 4, 8pm at the Florence Gould Theater, Legion of Honor. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA USA. A Pomegranate Music Event. Tickets are $35 Adults, $20 Students. No children under the age of 6 please. For ticket information, please visit Fresno: Saturday March 5, 7:30 pm at The Concert Hall at California State University, Fresno- Music Building. 5241 N. Maple Ave, Fresno, CA. A Pomegranate Music Event. All net proceeds of this concert are being donated to the Armenian Community School of Fresno and the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno. Tickets are $15 Adults, $8 Students. No children under the age of 6, please. For ticket information, please visit <; Iakovos Kolanian was born in Greece in 1960, to an Armenian father and a Greek mother. At the age of 13, influenced by the musical currents of the time (pop, rock, as well as classical) he started his musical journey that eventually led him to the National Conservatory of Athens. There, he studied classical guitar with noted professors Evangelos Assimakopoulos and Lisa Zoe, and graduated in 1985 with the top award and a special honor for exceptional performance. Since that time, he has attended various special seminars and master classes in Greece and abroad, broadening his knowledge of the instrument from distinguished teachers such as Oscar Ghilia and Leo Brouwer. Throughout the years he has toured in Europe, Asia and Latin America, where he has presented to audiences a large part of the classical guitar repertoire. He also regularly takes part in important international festivals (Vienna, Milan, Athens, Israel, Cyprus and Yerevan) by giving individual recitals or acting as soloist with symphonic orchestras and ensembles of chamber music. He has performed as a soloist with Athens State Orchestra, Thessalonica State Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra of Greek Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), The Camerata Orchestra of Athens, Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as with numerous ensembles of chamber music. He has been regularly featured in well-known television and radio programs such as BBC, ORF, Radio France, ERT, RIK. One of these collaborations, in 1991, resulted in the recording and release of a CD of Loris Tjeknavorian's Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra with the composer himself as the conductor in a production of the Austrian Television (ORF). Most recently, in 2003, Kolanian's recording of the Lute Suites of J.S.Bach was released on the Eros label to critical acclaim. In addition to his career as a soloist and recording artist, Iakovos Kolanian has been the head of the Classical Guitar Department at the Contemporary Athens Conservatory since 1992, and is an honorary professor at the Armenian Academy in Yerevan. Shoror Shoror: Armenian Folk Music for Guitar was produced by Kevork Imirzian and is on sale at e-tailers such as <; and <; Apple's iTunes will also be carrying Shoror for digital download in 2005. Pomegranate Music Founder/CEO Raffi Meneshian recently commented, "Being able to present Armenian folk music though the medium of guitar is a unique project for any record label. To have one of Europe's best classical guitarists be the proponent of this material is even more special. We are thrilled to be starting our North American tour in two of America's most historic and important Armenian communities- Fresno, CA and San Francisco, CA. In December of 2004, the influential All Music Guide critic Rick Anderson gave Shoror: Armenian Folk Music for Guitar a 4 star review, "…what Kolanian has created here is an admirably lyrical, complex, and insightful fusion of folk and classical music, the kind of thing that rarely works well at all. In this case it works beautifully, mainly because of the combination of Kolanian's deep feeling for this music and his equally deep mastery of both his instrument and the principles of classical guitar style. Note in particular the delicately woven counterpoint he creates in his arrangement of 'Yaman Yar,' and the gently dancing grace he brings to 'Zankezouri.' Very highly recommended." 12) SKEPTIK'S RANDOMN THOUGHTS AND RAMBLINGS These last few weeks have been a doozie. I'll be honest with you. When I was told last Friday that there was no room left in the paper to run my column, I didn't shed a tear. After all, getting the news in the hands of the public is more important than people reading personal rants on topics that most people consider esoteric. Nevertheless, I thank Asbarez for giving me space to have my own forum to share my views and thoughts. This week, I decided to unload a number of thoughts that have been swimming around aimlessly in my head. First of all, why is it that whenever it rains in California, people forget how to drive? On the east coast you can have hail, snow, torrential downpours, but people manage to get to where they're getting to, with little or no problem. In Southern California, you get a little bit of mist and all of a sudden the 134 looks like the DMV's driveway. Why does every Armenian teenager driving down Glenoaks feel like they have to give you the evil eye if you stare in their general direction at a stop light. The other day I was at a red light and turned over to find a 16 year old driving one of those fixed up sports cars looking at me like I was Adolph Hitler's twin. If anyone has an answer to this one, I'd love to find out. When did it become fashionable for Armenian high school students to wear athletic warm-ups everywhere they go. I was at church and saw a kid walk out looking like he was a member of the Iranian Olympic weightlifting team. He was decked out in warm ups from head to toe with matching sneakers. Let me see if I understand. You can take the time to find sneakers to match your velvet jump suit but can't go to Marshall's or Ross and buy a dress shirt and tie? I read this week that the Armenian Diocese Church in Canada is planning on banning gay marriages. I also read that the Armenian Parliament was considering a similar law. Two thoughts came to mind here. First of all, does the Armenian Church think that by banning a specific activity they will prevent people from doing it? And secondly, is there such a mad rush by gay Armenians to get married that the Church and Government see this as a priority? How about dealing with the whole poverty issue first? Or maybe that little thing about getting rid of corruption would be nice too. And no, that wasn't directed at only the Armenian parliament. Speaking of banning things in Church, Lent started last week. This is when our church bans the consumption of meat. No. This is a new thought. The other meat. The animal kind. Do Armenian banquet halls have an agreement with Etchmiadzin or God that I don't know about? Every Armenian restaurant and event I've been to has served such massive quantities of meat that it makes me wonder if we're single handedly contributing to an eventual beef, pork, or lamb shortage. Continuing on the topic of flesh, the other day I made the unfortunate mistake of going to the Glendale Galleria to buy a watch. I walked in and within a span of five minutes saw at least 20 young Armenian girls walking around in less clothing than the cocktail waitresses at a Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. I'm not a fashion fascist but if your pants make me want to reach over and pull them up for you, then you should buy a pair that fits. I can't imagine that having half of one's rear end sticking out of a pair of pants or showing any butt cleavage is comfortable. And parents, please remind your children that crack--of ANY kind--is dangerous! Last but not least, I read that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went to Turkey and praised the Turkish people for being such close friends and allies to the US. Now I'm not going to say that what she did is right or wrong. But if there are ANY delusional Armenians out there who thought that President Bush will recognize the Armenian genocide during his second term when there's less pressure and he's establishing a legacy…then I've got beach front property in Armenia that I'd like to sell to you. Anyway, that's all that I've had on my chest this week. If you can think of answers, explanations, or have questions of your own…email me at [email protected]. Skeptik Sinikian would like to remind everyone that with all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world still manages to continue deteriorating. Have a nice day and email him at [email protected]. 13) 'Tis Upon Us By Garen Yegparian Yup, the Burbank election is here. Tuesday, February 22 is the primary election in my fair city. Hot on its tail are the LA City, LA Unified School District, and LA Community College District (the latter two impacting numerous cities) primaries--March 8, Pasadena primary--also March 8, Glendale--April 5, then possible runoffs in Burbank--April 12 and Pasadena--April 19, and finally LA general--May 17. And come Autumn, other cities where Armenians pack some punch, such as San Francisco and Montebello, have their municipal elections scheduled. Then there're exciting-issue-based elections such as the one in Rosemead with an anti-Walmart slate running. Let's hope they win and put a crimp in the style of that bane of human existence! As I've discussed in recent articles, it seems Armenians are running for office en masse, qualified or not, willy-nilly, wise or whacked, disruptive/divisive or constructive. But enough pounding on those losers, now, it's time for the other side of the formula--the voters and voting. Now's the time that voters have to think. What do we want? Do we just want someone who has no appropriate preparation for office? Do we want someone who's just in it for the money? Burbank elected officials get nominal pay, but LA councilmembers get paid handsomely, and Glendale's pay is not too shabby either, though probably not enough to live on. Do we want someone who's demonstrated community service? Do we want someone who represents us? Who springs from the same concerns as we have? Do we want someone whose motives for running are questionable? What if one candidacy's a put-up job to sow discord among a certain constituency? Have the candidates been challenged on these issues? Do they sound believable when they respond? The nice thing about local elections is that you can actually get close enough to enough of the candidates to get these or other questions answered. You can really smell 'em! Go to candidate forums. Go to the coffees people hold in their home for favored candidates- for that matter, host one of these yourself. Listen to people's commentary. Follow the local newspaper's letters and op-ed sections. Track who's giving how much money to who which candidate- it's all public information usually housed in the city clerk's office (or other whoever is that jurisdiction's election official). Watch for endorsements by the ANCA or some of the smaller Armenian political groupings. Look for who the Sierra Club, National Rifle Association, Americans for Democratic action, the political parties, local interest groups (e.g. homeowner associations), chambers of commerce. Always remember too, sometimes you can tell more about a candidate by observing what forces oppose him/her that those in support! Have fun with this stuff. It can truly be a joy. In Burbank, with an all-mail-ballot, time is running out--remember Monday is a holiday with no mail service. But you can walk in your ballot on election day or even Saturday, February 19--special 10-2 office hours at city hall. The holiday also impacts LA and Pasadena elections in that the voter registration deadline falls on that day--so it's probably already too late unless the Registrar of Voters makes a special accommodation. There's only one week left for absentee ballot requests for LA. In Glendale, that process is just about to commence, so if you plan to vote by mail, get your request in soon. The ANC is always willing to help. For Burbank call (818) 562-1918 or [email protected]. For Glendale it's (818) 243-3444. Or call the Western Region's offices for other references (818) 500-1918. Remember, who gets into local office impacts your life on the most immediate level. Make sure the right people get in. Which means VOTE. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. --Boundary_(ID_av8dS4+Hr2lu2X8aR98j7A)--