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PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles Host Mark Arax, Author of "West
of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builder & Killers in the Golden State"

By Aleen L. Khanjian

Pasadena, California – Award-winning author and journalist, Mark Arax,
joined the AGBU Young Professionals of Los Angeles (YP LA) on June 3,
2009 at Pasadena’s Vertical Wine Bistro to discuss his new non-fiction
book, "West of the West: Dreamers, Believers, Builders, and Killers in
the Golden State." Arax captivated the crowd of 70+ Young Professionals
as he shared valuable anecdotes of his personal history, with legends
like William Saroyan, while growing up in Fresno. Guests were also moved
by Arax’s friendly nudge at his fellow Armenians to take risks, and
leave a footprint on American media, as well as the literary world.

"Everyone clenched their books in their hands as they eagerly awaited
the opportunity to chat with Arax and watch him sign their books," says
Rita Grigorian, a member of the Professional and Cultural Events
Subcommittee of YP LA. "After briefly skimming the book, the attendees
realized that Arax’s book gives even native Californians a new
perspective on their home state," Grigorian says.

Arax’s book penetrates the minds of its readers and allows them to see
that reality can often be far more gripping and far more imaginative
than fiction. In fact, "West of the West" upends the old stereotypes of
California–earthquakes, fires, celebrities, and good weather–and to
write about the latest migrants from Mexico, the tree-sitters of
Berkeley, Bay Area conspiracy theorists, an Armenian fast-food giant’s
infamous fall, and Humboldt County’s mammoth marijuana economy.

Arax tells the remarkable stories of these engaging characters who
contributed to the evolution of our nation’s richest and most mystifying
state. The book is woven together by brutally raw stories that harmonize
only where myths and memories collide.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians on six continents.