Author: Alex Jidarian

1 –        Turkish President Orders Minority
            Leaders to Sign a Propaganda Letter
            By Harut Sassounian
            Publisher, The California Courier
            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2-         Kim Kardashian visits Trump at White House
3 –        Zorayan Museum to Host Nikol Aghababyan Exhibit
4-         Paul Kalemkiarian Has Seen 100,000 Wines and He’s Tasted Them All
5-         Anto Keshgegian Manages His Way Through Temple MBB Career

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1 –        Turkish President Orders Minority

            Leaders to Sign a Propaganda Letter

            By Harut Sassounian

            Publisher, The California Courier

            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

It has been the long-standing practice of the Turkish government to
pressure the leaders of minority religious groups in Turkey to issue
public statements in defense of Turkish policies and war efforts or to
condemn Armenian Genocide resolutions adopted by various foreign
countries.

The leaders of the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek and Jewish communities
are used to this practice and have willingly complied with the Turkish
demands knowing that not doing so can only spell trouble for them
personally and for their respective communities.

In the past, such orders were given to the minority leaders in a more
delicate manner. For example, a Turkish official would either call or
visit the Armenian Patriarch in Istanbul and discreetly suggest that
it may be a good idea for him to issue a public announcement on some
political issue. Naturally, the previous Patriarchs have never refused
such suggestions which are more like orders from the Turkish
government. The only difference between the reactions of different
Patriarchs has been to somewhat soften or harden the language of their
announcements.

What we are experiencing now is completely different. The autocratic
government of Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become so tyrannical that
last week it sent a letter to the four minority religious leaders in
Turkey asking that they sign it and send it back to the President’s
Communication Office. All four immediately complied.

The minor surprise was that a week before Pres. Erdogan sent a letter
to the minority religious leaders, the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey
issued an announcement basically supporting the sentiments expressed
in Erdogan’s subsequent letter. The Patriarch should not be blamed
neither for writing his own propaganda letter in advance nor signing
the government’s dictated letter. After all, the Patriarch knows what
is expected of him and made his announcement without waiting for
official orders.

The issue in this case is the Turkish military’s recent invasion of
Northern Syria which resulted in the deaths of scores of Turkish
soldiers. The Armenian Patriarchate issued the following statement:

“The attack in Idlib [Syria], resulting in the martyrdom of 33 heroic
Turkish soldiers, caused a great shock in our country. Wholeheartedly
sharing the pain of our nation, we seek God’s mercy for the martyrs.
Our heroic army is the guarantor of our state’s existence. To all the
members of the army who have lost their comrades-in-arms we urge
endurance. We also continue to pray that peace may reign in the world
and particularly in our region. In the name of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Turkey, the Religious Council, and all members of the
community, we would like to share with the public our belief that it
will be possible to overcome this difficult process in an atmosphere
of unity and solidarity.”

The Patriarchate subsequently signed the more propagandistic letter
drafted by the office of Pres. Erdogan. Here are excerpts from that
two-page letter:

“Our country has always been a pioneer of the steps that serve peace
in its region and in the world, inspired by its ancient history and
deep-rooted civilization. Since our War of Independence, very
important struggles have been carried out for our independence,
security and welfare.

“In each of these struggles, the spirit of mobilization revealed by
our cherished nation constitutes a unique example for the whole world.
As non-governmental organizations, we fully support the steps of our
state, which are based on the country’s security and interests, and
that also protect the establishment and maintenance of peace in our
region….

“We argue that this struggle to dry terrorism at its source should be
continued with the same determination. We know that to question
Turkey’s presence in Syria means to ignore our border security.

“Various countries’ approach in favor of terrorist groups and in
support of regional instability has shown that we often fight this
alone.

 “However, our nation, which has a foresight, has always been and will
continue to be with its state. As non-governmental organizations, we
take pride in being part of this cherished nation. In line with the
developments in our region, we state that we are behind every decision
taken by our state against these cruel murderers and monsters for the
peace and security of our country and we support every step taken. No
one should doubt that we will overcome all difficulties in unity and
solidarity, as it has been until today.

“Turkey is a country of peace. Turkey is the key to peace in the
region and the world.

“Despite all the obstacles and attacks on our way, we would like to
announce to the world that we are ready to support our state and army,
and struggle with them when necessary, in order to protect our
national security, prevent new humanitarian crises and establish peace
in our region.

“We are once again shouting to the world that we will protect this
homeland, under all circumstances, and struggle with the integration
of the state-nation, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.”

However, not all Turkish citizens support their government’s invasion
of Syria. Cumhuriyet newspaper wrote a scathing article accusing Pres.
Erdogan of pressuring the minorities.

Toma Chelik, a member of the Turkish Parliament representing HDP,
Kurdish-affiliated party, sent a letter to the Vice President of
Turkey, asking the following questions:

Who prepared the text of the President’s letter to the minorities?

Who decided to send the letter to the minorities?

To what other groups was this letter sent?

Will those refusing to sign the letter be punished?

At a time when thousands of innocent citizens of Turkey and dozens of
journalists have been thrown in jail by the Erdogan regime, anyone who
does not obey the diktats of Erdogan risks incarceration. While Pres.
Erdogan is unable to come to an agreement with Western Europe, the
United States and Russia on the conflict with Syria, it is much easier
for him to take his frustration and revenge on innocent people within
Turkey.

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2-         Kim Kardashian visits Trump at White House

Kim Kardashian West has visited the White House along with three women
who had their sentences commuted by US President Donald Trump last
month, allowing them early release from federal prison.

The three women — Tynice Nichole Hall, Crystal Munoz and Judith Negron
— were nonviolent federal offenders serving long sentences.

All had their cases championed by Alice Johnson, a Tennessee
grandmother convicted on felony drug and money laundering charges in
1996.

Kardashian West tweeted that she and the women planned to “discuss
more change that our justice system desperately needs”.

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3 –        Zorayan Museum to Host Nikol Aghababyan Exhibit

BURBANK—The members of the Zorayan Museum Committee of the Western
Diocese are pleased to present an exclusive exhibit of the paintings
of Armenian artist Nikol Aghababyan.

The exhibit will be held with an official opening and reception on
Tuesday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m, and will remain on display on March 18
from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Zorayan Museum is located in the
Western Diocesan Complex of the Armenian Church of North America, 3325
North Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western
Diocese states that this exhibition of the paintings of Nikol
Aghababyan are in keeping with the mission of the Zorayan Museum to
promote understanding and appreciation of Armenian ethnic, religious
and cultural diversity by exposing the beauty of our Heritage and
preserving and sharing the experiences with the people of the world.

Hayk Madoyan, Chair of the Zorayan Museum Committee, reports that this
is an awe-inspiring collection from the Master of Colors and the
committee anticipate an eager response.

Nikol Aghababyan’s works of art are inspiring on showing the beautiful
seasons of Armenia and the rich landscapes, flowers, meadows, streams,
lakes, trees, waterfalls, village life and Mt. Ararat.

Nikol Aghababyan was born in Koghb, a village of the Tavoush region of
Armenia; graduating from the Yerevan Pedagogical Institute , Faculty
of Art Painting, in 1986, He is a member of the Armenian Painters
Union since 1992. He has had many exhibitions in Koghb, Nayembergen,
Ijevan, Yerevan, Nogorno-Karabakh, Syria, Moscow, St. Petersburg,
Germany, Italy, France and the United States (Los Angeles, Fresno, New
York). He has stated “A painting should bring out the best in people.
Yes, there is evil in the world, but it has no place in my world of
painting.”

The exhibition is open to the public and admission is free. For
information, call (818) 558-7474.

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4-         Paul Kalemkiarian Has Seen 100,000 Wines and He’s Tasted Them All

            By Megan Martin

These days, wine clubs are all the rage. Comedians, sommeliers,
winemakers, and even two MIT grads with a proprietary
palate-identifying algorithm have all tried their hand at pulling
together crowd-pleasing cases for monthly subscribers, with varying
success. Then there is Paul Kalemkiarian, aka Paul K., the lone taster
for and heir to the world’s first monthly wine club, called, aptly,
Wine of the Month Club. He has a simple yet time-tested formula for
shipping his members exactly what they want: He tastes everything that
crosses his path.

Wine of the Month Club started in Palos Verdes in 1968 when
Kalemkiarian’s father, Paul Sr., bought a pharmacy attached to a
liquor store. This was before California was put on the wine world
map, and long before wine clubs were ever a thing.

“The club started because [my dad] just got tired of walking from the
pharmacy to the liquor store to help people out,” Kalemkiarian tells
L.A. Weekly over tacos and Arnold Palmers at Jake’s Roadhouse, a
barbecue restaurant in Monrovia. “But the key part of that was to help
people out; it wasn’t just to sell more wine.”

As a teenager, Kalemkiarian worked in his father’s shop, dropping off
deliveries at people’s houses and shelving bottles. After college and
a stint in corporate America, he came back to help his father run Wine
of the Month Club in 1988.

A few months into the reinstated father-son partnership, the two went
to a Bordeaux wine tasting and were seated separately. On the drive
home, they found that they’d rated every wine — except two — the exact
same.

“My dad said, I think you’re ready to start choosing wines, and I kind
of never saw him again,” Kalemkiarian remembers. “He took off on me!”

Kalemkiarian maintains the same integrity as his dad did when it comes
to choosing wines. He indiscriminately tastes everything. In the past
32 years, Kalemkiarian estimates he’s tried around 100,000 wines —
good, bad and downright terrible. He dedicates every Tuesday to
tastings, where he goes through about 75 wines. He can identify within
seconds if the grape and district are accurately represented. If it’s
a blend, he looks for balance — in character and fruit. Then, there’s
his most important criteria: Does the wine have good value?

In the tasting room, an enclosed cement-floored space with high tables
and bar stools attached to a bustling warehouse, Kalemkiarian holds
court in front of a computer and two sinks. Wine reps wheel their
bottles in for him to try. They’re all vying for a spot in a future
month’s shipment. Kalemkiarian swirls and smells, takes a swig and
spits the juice into the sink, then enters his rating into the
computer. Every wine is scored on a three-point scale. One means no
good, two means he can use it, and three means he can use it if the
value (or price per bottle) were better. The entire judging process
takes about 15 seconds.

“It’s meatball surgery,” he says, “You kind of just get through it and
determine right away if it’s got value compared to the one next to
it.”

One rep pulls out a black bottle with an Old Hollywood-style
illustration of a buxom woman on it. The wine is Killibinbin Seduction
Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia.

“It reeks of Australia,” Paul says after sipping and spitting. “I
don’t mean it negatively.” Australia’s wine has evolved, what used to
be more rich and overwhelming, almost like Port, has tempered a bit —
become more “real wine” that’s less over-the-top, more drinkable.
Within seconds, Kalemkiarian calls it: decent value.

“The chewing on it and the descriptions, that’s all fun and I love
doing it, but I really want to educate the consumer on the value of
its variety, the value of its ethereal nature.”

To him, value is not only about cost, but also about imparting wine
wisdom: This is a true representation of a Napa cab or an Italian Nero
d’Avola. Subscribers can learn what they like and don’t by region,
grape and vintner. It’s what a wine club, essentially, should do, give
people enough knowledge to navigate a daunting wine list or sea of
bottles in a shop. It’s also notable that he never sends the same wine
out twice, and rarely the same winemaker.

I ask him about the more intimidating aspects of wine, the
insurmountable wall of knowledge that separates the connoisseur from,
say, someone who just wants to drink rosé all day.

“I have a position on that,” he says, crushing a peanut shell between
his fingers, “Wine is not to be unintimidating; and it’s not meant to
be intimidating. It’s a study. You never run out of things to learn
and if you’re interested in the subject, you can never exhaust it…if
you know what you like and just want to experience different flavors
and grapes, that’s fine too.”

After lunch, he has more to drink (he’ll sip 72 in total today). He
tries them all, gives each a fair shake, because he knows better than
anyone — the only way to truly judge a wine is to taste it.

This article appeared in LA Weekly on March 2, 2020.

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5-         Anto Keshgegian Manages His Way Through Temple MBB Career

Anto Keshgegian didn’t plan on playing varsity basketball at Temple originally.

 He had played varsity basketball at one of the top programs in the
country at St. Joseph’s Prep. He had received offers to play
basketball at NCAA Division III schools and eventually committed to
play basketball at Eastern University, a Division III institution just
outside Philadelphia. But once he decided to transfer, Keshgegian
didn’t cite basketball as one of his main reasons.

“I transferred from Eastern because I was looking for a better
business school and the chance to be in the city,” Keshgegian said. “I
had played basketball at the Prep with Mark Hueber (currently the
team’s Video Coordinator) and he hooked me up with a team manager
position. He told me to ‘show up and do your job,’ and I took that to
heart.”

 Even as a team manager, Keshgegian didn’t take much of an interest in
playing on the varsity team. He was more concentrated on being able to
balance his time out between being a manager and his Advertising major
and General Business minor, Keshgegian added.

“I never thought that I would play,” he said. “I just wanted to manage
and get involved in the program. I would make sure that I was at every
practice and worked hard. The coaches would throw me in randomly to
play during drills.”

Keshgegian fondly remembered the practice that “put the coaches on
notice” and inspired him to sign up for the team.

 “I was at a practice that was at like 6:30 in the morning,” he said.
“I was barely awake and hadn’t stretched at all. One of the coaches
told me to step into a drill. I was able to play well against the guys
and hit a few shots. That impressed the coaches a bit and they knew
that I could play. A few months later, they encouraged me to try out.”

So, the kid who had grown up near Philadelphia was finally able to see
and even play in Big 5 basketball up close. Keshgegian saw a few
minutes of action this season against St. Joe’s in a lopsided Temple
win.

“It means a lot to play here because I had basically grown up watching
all the Big 5 schools play,” Keshgegian said. “I think about it all
the time—I used to watch Temple all the time in the tournament. I used
to meet the players who played for those teams and were like heroes to
me. It also made it more special to play for Coach Dunphy, who I saw
coach at Penn and then at Temple when I was growing up.”

 Dunphy, who played for one Big 5 team (La Salle) and coached two
others (Penn and Temple), taught him basketball skills, but also how
to be a better person, Keshgegian added.

“From Coach Dunphy—I learned a lot as a player, but I also learned a
lot as a person,” Keshgegian said. “I think he definitely made me
understand that I need to be the best I can possibly be at my position
or a certain skill. He just always reminded me to be the best person I
can be. He wanted everyone to make sure that they were making
someone’s life better. He had a huge impact on us.”

“I really enjoyed being there every day as a manager and having the
opportunity to learn from Dunphy every day as a coach,” he added.

Keshgegian was able to make a significant impact on his teammates
during his time with the team, especially on junior guard Nate
Pierre-Louis.

“It was especially rewarding to see Nate improve so much because I
especially helped him develop with rebounding and working with him
after practice every day,” Keshgegian said. “There’s a lot of trust
between us now. I try to approach our friendship as if I’m an older
brother, with maturity and trying to help him with any problem he may
have. But, I also look at him as an older brother. We look out for
each other, push each other, and help each other learn.”

Keshgegian’s actual older brother was the one who pushed him to try
basketball in the first place. All of his siblings played basketball
before him and his uncle was a basketball coach, so there was
significant pressure for him to play, Keshgegian added.

“My oldest brother Avi was the most influential for me because he is
four years older than I am,” Keshgegian said. “I had watched him play
sports growing up and learned from him developing as an athlete.
Watching him made me want to get better and he used his experience to
teach me.”

He still talks with his family every day, with each of his siblings
exchanging messages about how proud they are of him and how much they
love him and love watching him play. But his brother was the one who
taught him to love basketball, and he “wouldn’t trade it for any other
sport.”

“In high school, I played a lot of different sports: basketball, crew,
lacrosse, and football,” Keshgegian said. “If I didn’t play
basketball, I probably would have played football, because I was a
promising quarterback. But I never thought about it because I love
basketball so much.”

But even though he loved basketball so much, he still never considered
playing at Temple once he had transferred from Eastern University.

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