Author: Kajoyan Gevork

GLENDALE COULD PURCHASE PROPERTY NEAR CRESCENTA VALLEY PARK

Glendale News Press, CA
Aug 15 2013

Part of the 40-acre Mountain Oaks site is on the City Council radar

By Brittany Levine, [email protected]

August 15, 2013 | 5:12 p.m.

A plot of ground that in 2006 was the proposed site of an Armenian
high school and condominium project has caught the interest of the
City Council. In a closed-door meeting this week, council members
discussed purchasing the land, which is near Crescenta Valley Park.

Since the high school / condo plan fell through, the area, which is
part of a larger 40-acre site known as Mountain Oaks, has sat vacant
and previous city plans to snap up the land to preserve open space
have lingered.

City officials would not comment on their discussions about the site.

While the founder of the Newport Beach investment firm that now owns
the land also didn’t share details about the meeting, she said she
was eager to unload the land.

“I want to get done with it,” said Rita Carp, owner of Surfside
Funding Corp. “If it’s not going to be the city, it’s going to be
somebody else.”

But it’s been more than five years, and Surfside hasn’t been able to
sell the property. Surfside took it over to recoup a failed loan it
had made to the developer behind the aborted high school project.

In addition to expansive views of Crescenta Valley, the site offers
access to Verdugo Mountain trails. Between the 1930s and 1960s,
Mountain Oaks was home to a picnic and recreation site.

Despite the attractive location, the property was illegally subdivided
and many of its lots are not up to city code. And it’s been fiercely
protected from development by a group of residents who have long
lobbied to preserve it as open space.

Though council members tried to buy the land about five years ago,
the plan fizzled due to tight finances. Glendale’s financial situation
subsequently worsened and it was only this year that the city finally
unburdened itself of multi-million dollar budget gaps.

According to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, the portion of
the land the city is interested in is valued at roughly $1.2 million.

Meanwhile, a consortium of state and local park agencies known as the
Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority has expressed interest
in buying the separate hillside portion of Mountain Oaks.

But discussions so far, including an appraisal of the hillside portion,
are just the beginning of a potentially lengthy acquisition process,
said the agency’s chief counsel, Jeff Maloney. Even after the hillside
property is analyzed for title, access and other issues, the agency
would have to apply for governmental grants to pay for the property
and the owners would have to be open to selling to a public agency,
which may not fork over as much as a private developer.

“As a public agency we’re bound to acquire at the assessed value,”
Maloney said, adding that the most recent appraisal was confidential.

Rick Percell, who is a liaison for the pension fund that owns the
mountainous portion, said he’s put a lot of effort into working with
the public agency.

“The opportunity [to sell to the agency to the conservation authority]
came up. It made sense,” Percell said.

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ADL ENDORSES PETER KOUTOUJIAN FOR CONGRESS

ADL, MASS., NATIONAL NEWS | AUGUST 15, 2013 1:12 PM

The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party is announcing its endorsement
of Peter Koutoujian in his bid to become the newest member of the
Massachusetts delegation to the US House of Representatives. He
seeks the 5th Middlesex District seat vacated by Edward Markey, who
has now become a US senator, replacing John Kerry, who in turn has
become Secretary of State.

Koutoujian is currently the sheriff of Middlesex County, the latest in
the string of public positions he has held, to great acclaim, including
prosecutor at the Middlesex Country District Attorney’s office.

He was formerly a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives,
where he represented his constituents in parts of Waltham and Newton
honorably. He has worked for the rights of victims of domestic
violence, greater access to healthcare and women’s rights.

Koutoujian, a Democrat, was a catalyst for the creation of the Armenian
Heritage Park in Boston, located near some of the city’s main tourist
attractions. It has become a landmark not only noted for its beauty,
but for the public-private collaboration that helped create it.

As sheriff, he has taken an office that was once known for cronyism
and corruption, and brought trust and dignity back to it. In fact,
he was handpicked by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to take the
helm, after the resignation of the former sheriff. He has brought
his compassionate approach to the prisoners he oversees, among other
things, converting an unused room in the county jail to a chapel
where the inmates can pray or meditate.

Within the Armenian community, he has been a member of the Knights of
Vartan for many years and is a regular presence in Armenian cultural
and social programs. He stands out – often literally because of his
height – at many Armenian programs around the state, including the
annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at the Massachusetts
State House in April.

He faces stiff opposition for the October 15 primary, ahead of the
December 10 special election and needs the support of all Armenians.

For all these reasons, we wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy. He
is the right choice for Armenian-Americans and he is the right choice
for Massachusetts.

– ADL District Committee of the US and Canada

– See more at:

ARMENIA INTERNET USERS FACE GREATEST RISK TO GET ‘INFECTED’ WITH INTERNET VIRUSES

YEREVAN, August 15. / ARKA /. Internet users in former Soviet republics
and Vietnam face the greatest risk to have their computers infected
with viruses, according to the latest report of Kaspersky Lab for
the second quarter of 2013, digit.ru. reports. The list is topped
by Armenia, where 53.9% of Internet users encounter with various
malicious software.

Armenia is followed by Russia (52.9%) and Kazakhstan (52.8%). The
most safe countries are in Africa where only 20 percent of Internet
users in 52 country encounter with viruses. This is explained by the
fact that Internet is not as available there as in other countries.

The exceptions were Denmark (18.6%) and Japan (18.1%), RIA Novosti
reported. Internet users in Canada and the United States were in the
group of average risk: 23% and 30% respectively.

The bulk of “malicious” servers are still in the United States –
24.4%; it is followed by Russia – 20.7%. In the first quarter, these
figures were 25.1% and 19.2%, respectively. In the second quarter
Germany came third (14.5%), pushing out the Netherlands (12.1%).

Vietnam is the leader by the number of infected computers (59.8%),
followed by Bangladesh (58.66%); Nepal is third. . The least
infected computers are in Japan (9.01%), Denmark (9.72%) and Finland
(11.83%). -0-

– See more at:

PLEASE HELP: 15 YEAR-OLD YEREVAN STREET CLEANER DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE LEUKEMIA

15:12, August 15, 2013

15 year-old Henrik Hambardzumyan is a well-know figure to morning
commuters in Yerevan’s Kanaker-Zeytoun district.

Every morning, he could be seen with his mother and grandmothers
sweeping the streets of the neighborhood to earn some money for
the family.

Henrik hadn’t been seen during the past month however.

The boy has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblast leukemia and is
now being treated at the R. H. Yeolyan Hematology Center in Yerevan.

Henrik’s family can’t afford the medicine needed to save Henrik.

A special account at Inecobank has been opened under the name of
Henrik’s grandmother, Victoria Hambardzumyan.

The account # 2050057830501002

For more information, please contact Victoria at 094-644-551 or
Henrik’s mother at 096-481-310.

PARENTS OF CAPTURED SOLDIERS WILL NOT LEAVE ICRC OFFICE UNTIL THEY LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR SON

The relatives and friends of Hakob Injighulyan, the Armenian
conscript captured by Azerbaijan, today again came to the office of
the International Committee of the Red Cross. They want to learn from
the ICRC why their officers did not meet with the Armenian conscript.

Hakob Injighulyan’s cousin, Arman Injighulyan told Lragir.am that he
met and talked to Dragan Rankovic, the ICRC representative, who said
there is no news.

“He said they are waiting, we said we are going to wait here, we’ll
not leave this place. We’ll wait as long as it is needed, we will
leave this place only if we get an answer,” Arman Injighulyan says.

Note that Hakob Injighulyan lost his bearings and appeared in the
Azerbaijani side in the morning of August 8. The ICRC representatives
in Baku have not met with the Armenian conscript yet stating that
they do not have the permission of the Azerbaijani government.

15:48 15/08/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

MATENADARAN TRIES TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY OF ARMENIAN CROSS PUT UP FOR AUCTION ON EBAY

17:42, 15 August, 2013

YEREVNA, AUGUST 15, YEREVAN. Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
(Matenadaran) tries to verify the authenticity of the sacred cross
attributed to the St. Karapet Monastery of Mush, which has recently
been put up for auction on eBay and the manuscript of St. Gregory
of Narek’s “The Book of Lamentations” put up for the auction in the
city of Valencia of the State of California, United States. In a
conversation with “Armenpress” the Director of Mashtots Institute of
Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) Hrachya Tamrazyan noted that they
will try to get in touch wit the organizers of the auction. Among
other things the Director of Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
(Matenadaran) Hrachya Tamrazyan underscored: “If the authenticity of
these assets is proved, than Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
(Matenadaran) will search ways to earn them.”

Previously it was reported that the Mother See Holy Edjmiadzin has
already learnt about the news stating that a sacred cross that once
belonged to the St. Karapet Monastery of Mush has been put up for
auction on eBay. In a conversation with “Armenpress” the Information
Department of the Mother See stated that they are currently trying
to verify the details regarding the news reports about the auction.

A cross attributed to St. Karapet Monastery of Mush has been put up
for auction on eBay. The aforesaid cross was valued USD 70,000. The
organizers of the auction described the cross as a unique sample of
the Armenian crosses.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH STATISTICAL OFFICIAL SACKED

16:28 15.08.13

President of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic Bako Sahakyan
signed Thursday a decree for suspending head of the National
Statistical Service.

A press release by the NKR Presidential office says Manoush Minasyan
was relieved of duties ahead of the expiry of her term in office.

Armenian News – Tert.am

IN ARMENIA MINING COMPANIES ARE A SOURCE OF MERCURY POLLUTION

by Karina Manukyan

ARMINFO
Thursday, August 15, 14:03

In Armenia mining companies are among the key sources of mercury
pollution, expert of the Armenian Women for Health and Healthy
Environment NGO Knarik Grigoryan told journalists on Thursday.

She said that local cement and chlorine producers are also hazardous.

One more source of mercury-related risk is garbage dumps containing
fluorescent lamps. “We have also found mercury in Chinese caring
lipstick for children,” Grigoryan said, adding that mercury is very
dangerous for human health and can cause hearing and vision problems,
mental disorders and anemia.

“Our experts hope that Armenia will join the Minamata Convention
on Mercury, which regulates the use of mercury in manufacturing
and stipulates special measures to reduce mercury pollution. The
convention will be open for signing during the special conference
to be held in Minamata this year. Our authorities have welcomed this
initiative and are considering relevant proposals,” Grigoryan said

VLADIMIR KARAPETYAN. “SERZH SARGSYAN HAS ALSO INVITED PUTIN, BUT HE PREFERRED TO GO TO OUR OPPONENT.”

August 14 2013

President of Russia Vladimir Putin visited Baku after 7 years of
interval. In the interview with Aravot.am as to what are the motives
behind the visit, how it will effect Armenia, or what expectations
we should have, especially when we will be signing the Association
Agreement, regarding to which anti-Armenian attitude of Russia,
and the approach of Russian-Azerbaijani relations is visible,
answering the question, the Chairman of the ANC Foreign Relations
Committee Vladimir Karapetyan said,- “Recently, Russia’s attitude
with reservations becomes a projection to Armenia. We all know that
Serzh Sargsyan had also invited Putin to Armenia, but Putin preferred
to go to our opponent. This visit was quite a demonstration. It is
commonly remarkable that during his tenure Serzh Sargsyan managed
to spoil relations not only with Turkey, and not only to reach the
peaceful process of Nagorno-Karabakh a deadlock, to the point, such a
deadlock, where nobody can see the exit, but also to spoil relations
with Russia. It is already a new achievement for Serzh Sargsyan, a
painful incident. And he is the only person responsible, the leader,
who managed to spoil the tradition of 20-year continuous policy
balanced with foreign policy, when we were successful in having
progressive relations with the European Union, NATO and establish
similar positive background with Russia; and now Armenia is facing
serious challenges.”

To the next question as to how dangerous the approach of
Russian-Azerbaijani relationship may be for us, and how it would
be expressed, Mr. Karapetyan noted that it is hard to say what
fermentations they will have, but it is a fact that the balance is
violated, balanced relationships do not exist, which was founded by
various leaders, ministers of foreign affairs. Vladimir Karapetyan
thinks, “They can reach agreements behind closed doors that are
not to the best of our interests, and there is a concern that such
conversations will be held between Aliyev and Putin. As the bear has
seven songs, and all seven is about honey, the same for Aliev, all his
seven songs are about Karabakh. The Russian side has also confirmed
that there will be debates on Nagorno Karabakh, accordingly, it would
only be possible to know what agreements have been reached in Baku.”

Eva HAKOBYAN

Read more at:

MARIO BRUNELLO TO GIVE CONCERT IN “ARAM KHACHATURIAN” CONCERT HALL

10:20, 15 August, 2013

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of the Yerevan 7th
International Music Festival, prominent Italian cellist Mario Brunello
will give a solo concert on August 4. The Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra informed “Armenpress” that Mario Brunello will introduce
works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Giovanni Sollima’s Lamentatio and
Alone. Also, Mario Brunello will perform a joint concert with the
Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra on August 6.

The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra presents Yerevan 7th International
Music Festival dedicated to the great Armenian composer Aram
Khachaturian’s 110th anniversary. The Festival is held under the High
Patronage of the First Lady of Armenia- Mrs.

Rita Sargsyan and is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the
Republic of Armenia.

Mario Brunello, born in Castelfranco Veneto (Treviso – Italy) 1960, is
an Italian cellist. He studied under the guide of Adriano Vendramelli
(Venice Conservatorio of music) and of Antonio Janigro. In 1986 he was
awarded the first prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition
(Moscow) in the cello section. – ex equo with Kirill Rodin (Russia
then USSR).

Since then Brunello has played with the most important orchestras
in the world: London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Munich
Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre National de France,
NHK Symphony Orchestra (Tokyo), Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, Santa
Cecilia, only to name a few, and under conductors such as Valery
Gergiev, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Yuri Temirkanov, Riccardo Chailly,
Ton Koopman, Seiji Ozawa, Daniele Gatti, Myung-Whun Chung and Claudio
Abbado.

As a chamber musician Brunello has performed with artists such as
Gidon Kremer, Martha Argerich, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Yuri Bashmet,
Maurizio Pollini, Andrea Lucchesini, Valery Afanassiev and the Borodin
and Alban Berg Quartets.

He is Artistic Director of the International String Quartet Competition
Premio Paolo Borciani and of the Reggio Emilia String Quartet Festival.