Author: Jack Hunanian

Special Election to be held in Assembly District 45 on April 3

GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region on Wednesday announced its endorsement of Democratic candidate, attorney Jesse Gabriel for the California Assembly District 45 special election slated for April 3.

Gabriel is running to replace Matt Dababneh who resigned from his seat at the end of 2017.

Local ANCA chapters North and West San Fernando Valley that fall under the 45th district have also expressed support for Gabriel, who announced his campaign in January.

Gabriel is a Los Angeles County Commissioner and constitutional rights attorney who has represented clients before the United States Supreme Court. Through his legal work and legislative advocacy, Gabriel has advocated for Holocaust survivors, victims of domestic abuse, and communities facing the threat of hate-motivated violence.

To date, Congressmembers Brad Sherman, Karen Bass, and Grace Napolitano have all endorsed Gabriel’s bid. Gabriel has also been endorsed by the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DPSFV), the Steamfitters – Refrigeration Fitters of United Association (UA) Local 250, the Los Angeles County Young Democrats, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Teamsters Joint Council 42 and a far-reaching coalition of neighborhood leaders, small business owners, and Democratic activists.

Prior to beginning his law practice, he served as a senior advisor to former United States Senator Evan Bayh, D-Indiana. A Harvard law graduate, Gabriel serves on the Los Angeles County Commission on Local Government Services, and on the board of the L.A. League of Conservation Voters.

He currently lives in Encino with his wife, Rachel Rosner, an affordable housing attorney, and their sons, Ethan and Joshua.

Assembly District 45 includes the City of Calabasas, the City of Hidden Hills, a small portion of unincorporated Ventura County and several neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles, including highly populated pockets of the Armenian-American community in Encino, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Northridge, Reseda, Tarzana, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills.

To learn more about Jesse Gabriel’s campaign visit www.JesseForAssembly.com

GLENDALE—The Armenian American Museum calls on the community to show its support for the historic project developing in Glendale by signing the newly launched online petition.

The mission of the Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The vision is a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The Museum’s program will feature a Permanent Exhibition on the Armenian American experience, telling the history of Armenia including the Armenian Genocide and the story of Armenians living in America. The Museum will feature Traveling Exhibitions on diverse cultures and subject matters that will engage broad audiences and serve as a bridge that connects the multicultural community. The center will also feature a Performing Arts Theater to host exciting performances, conferences, lectures, and community events, a Demonstration Kitchen to learn, share, and experience diverse cultures through food and cooking traditions, and a Learning Center to provide innovative educational programs and opportunities for local youth to learn, engage, and grow.

The world class cultural and educational center will be located in the heart of Downtown Glendale’s Arts & Entertainment District in the redesigned Glendale Central Park block near the prominent corner of Brand Boulevard and Colorado Street. The proposed Central Park redesign will feature increased open space and improved amenities to serve the community as “Glendale’s new gathering place.”

Sign the petition.

The Armenian American Museum is a developing project in Glendale, CA with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. When completed, it will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governing board of the Armenian American Museum consists of representatives from the following ten Armenian American institutions and organizations: Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society – Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

LOS ANGELES —The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region visited Los Angeles City Hall on March 7 to meet with Councilmember David Ryu and his staff.  The ANCA delegation was comprised of board members from the ANCA Hollywood and ANCA San Fernando Valley East chapters, along with representatives of the ANCA Western Region.

Councilmember David Ryu represents Los Angeles’ Fourth District, which encompases the Sherman Oaks and Toluca Lake neighborhoods in the Eastern San Fernando Valley and Los Feliz and other neighborhoods adjacent to Little Armenia, Hollywood.

The ANCA delegation and Councilmember Ryu discussed a variety of topics pertaining to the Armenian-American community and district residents in general.  Among the topics discussed were collaborating with the Councilmember on community cleanup efforts, neighborhood safety, and support of Armenian non-profits and youth groups who operate in the Council district, particularly in regards to securing use of sports and other facilities for youth activities.

“The meeting with Councilmember Ryu not only gave us an opportunity to highlight concerns of the Armenian community in his district but to energize, strengthen and solidify our relationship with his office.  The Councilmember expressed a genuine commitment in working closely with the ANCA on issues of concern to the Armenian community. We look forward to a more synergistic collaboration with his office in the future,” said ANCA Hollywood Co-Chairwoman Lara Yeretsian.

ANCA San Fernando Valley East Chairman Levon Baronian, who participated in the meeting, stated, “We are grateful for our continued relationship with Councilmember Ryu.  He has been a willing supporter of our activities in the past and we look forward to increased cooperation with him and his staff in working toward the realization of our common goals.”

Councilmember David Ryu, who is the first Korean-American to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council, emphasized his and his office’s commitment to diversity in his staff, which includes an Armenian-American.  Ryu also expressed interest in visiting local Armenian institutions such as schools and community centers in the near future to become better acquainted with their activities and members.

Also in attendance at the meeting were ANCA-WR Boardmember Anahid Oshagan, ANCA Hollywood Co-Chairman Paul Seradarian and boardmember Joe Kahraman along with ANCA San Fernando Valley Boardmember and ANCA-WR Government Relations Director Serob Abrahamian.

With chapters throughout the State of California and in over a dozen other western states, the ANCA-WR works in cooperation with its national headquarters in Washington, DC, and its Eastern Region counterpart in Boston, to promote the concerns of Armenian Americans.