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02/18/2005
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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.
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