Los Angeles City Council Presents USA Armenian Life With 25th
Anniversary Commendation
Issue #1184 December 12, 2009
By Appo Jabarian
Executive Publisher / Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine
The twin publications USA Armenian Life Magazine and HYE Kiank
Armenian Weekly were recently recognized by the Los Angeles City
Council for 25 years of bold journalism in service of the
Armenian-American community. The official commendation was signed by
Eric Garcetti, President, Los Angeles City Council, Councilmember 3rd
District Dennis Zine, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City
Attorney Carmen A. Trutanich, City Controller Wendy Gruel and all of
the remaining councilmembers.
The editorial staff received a surprise telephone call from the office
of Councilmember Zine’s office on Thursday October 29 informing of the
City Council’s decision to present USA Armenian Life Magazine with a
25th anniversary recognition the next day.
A delegation representing the twin publications USA Armenian Life
Magazine and HYE Kiank Armenian Weekly was composed of Appo Jabarian,
Executive Publisher/Managing Editor, Anoush NeVart, a well-known
actress (Hollywood, USA) who has made several notable appearances in
numerous movies, theatrical plays, and TV Films (Recently on NBC’s
"Southland"), Gary Bedian, Chairman USA Armenian Life Advisory Board,
International Entrepreneur and Tourism Development Specialist, Carl
Haig Hazarian, Civic leader, Benefactor and co-founder of two Armenian
day-schools, and a music School, recipient of U.S. Presidential,
Congressional and numerous other awards, Karine Mkrtumyan, Assistant
Editor, Samvel Manasaryan, and Christina Nersesian.
Absent was Senior Contributor Harut Sassounian, along with
Contributing Editor Emeritus Hrant Simonian, Editorial Advisory Board
Members Michael Williams Maurice Soudjian, and Diana Aslan, Editorial
Assistant Ruzanna Davtyan, and many other colleagues, friends and
supporters as this was a surprise event.
The delegation was greeted by Los Angeles City Council Member Dennis
Zine (Third District).
During the special presentations segment of the L.A. Council meeting,
Councilmember Zine graciously acknowledged USA Armenian Life’s 25
years of "quality journalism in service of the community."
Councilmember Zine stated that USA Armenian Life Magazine
(English-language edition) and Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly
(Armenian-language edition) were founded in 1985 by its Executive
Publisher and Managing Editor Appo Jabarian.
He said: "Twenty five years ago, USA Armenian Life Magazine became one
of the full color pioneers in the weekly publishing industry at a time
when full color printing among the community weeklies was in its very
early infancy. Thanks to its content, style of presentation and
editorial dynamism, USA Armenian Life has been widely acclaimed by
numerous Southern California, and New York prestigious dailies,
weeklies, and periodicals, including the Los Angeles Times, Glendale
News-Press, the Foothill Leader, then New York-based Armenian Reporter
International, Massis Armenian Weekly, Republic of Armenia official
Daily, several TV and Radio Programs to name a few."
He remembered that The Los Angeles Times wrote: "Armenian Life …
uses more color and bolder graphics. …(Armenian Life) takes an
upbeat, feature approach to news about Armenians in Southern
California and around the world."
He concluded: "From the first day of its inception, USA Armenian Life
Magazine introduced bilingual – Armenian and English language format
in its twin publications combining the two major reading audiences in
the Armenian-American community."
In acknowledgment of the twin publications’ successful publishing
journey, Councilmember Zine underlined: "Since 2003, USA Armenian Life
Magazine has experienced an unprecedented growth both in the news
coverage of life in the City of Los Angeles’ booming Armenian-American
community; and in catering to the local business community’s
advertising needs. USA Armenian Life Magazine is the recipient of
numerous awards, commendations, acknowledgements, and proclamations
from several public personalities and civic leaders and organizations
for journalistic service to the community."
On behalf of thousands of readers, advertisers, contributors and
supporters, I would like thank the Los Angeles City Councilmembers and
especially Councilmember Zine, Mayor Villaraigosa, City Attorney
Trutanich, and City Controller Gruel for having taken the initiative
to declare the start of 25th anniversary of USA Armenian Life. Like I
said in my remarks of appreciation during the Council meeting, only in
America and especially in Los Angeles can anybody think of making
dreams come true. Los Angeles continues to be "The Place!"