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California Courier Online, December 2, 2004
1 - Commentary
Turkish Official Accuses U.S.
Of Committing Genocide in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
************************************************** ************************
2 - Glendale Public Library Receives 12,500
Armenian Books from Defunct College
3 - Ararat-Eskijian
Museum Hosts
Dec. 12 Lecture
4 - Memorial Tribute For Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian Will be Held Dec. 10 in Glendale
5 - Kassakhian Will Run for Glendale
City Clerk in April Election
6 - Free Flu Shots
Offered Dec. 4 for
Glendale Community
7 - Simonyan to Box Vasquez
Dec. 28 for IBF Title
************************************************** ***********************
1 - Commentary
Turkish Official Accuses U.S.
Of Committing Genocide in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Turkish officials seem to have the nasty habit of accusing everyone else of
genocide, except their own country -- the real culprit!
A couple of years ago a major controversy erupted when Bulent Ecevit, the
former Prime Minister of Turkey, accused Israel of committing genocide
against the Palestinians. Even though Ecevit and other Turkish leaders
repeatedly and profusely apologized for the use of this very offensive
word, they paid a heavy price for that indiscretion. They ended up
antagonizing their supporters in Israel and in the American-Jewish
community.
A similar scenario is developing now, except that this time the Turks are
accusing the United States of genocide.
Mehmet Elkatmis, Chairman of the Turkish Parliament's Human Rights
Commission, accused Washington of committing genocide in Iraq, and behaving
worse than Adolf Hitler. The Los Angeles Times reported the Turkish
official's words last week under the headline: "Turk Compares U.S. to
Hitler." The Times quoted Elkatmis as saying: "The occupation has turned
into barbarism. The U.S. administration is committing genocide in Iraq.
Never in human history have such genocide and cruelty been witnessed. Such
a genocide was never seen in the time of the pharaohs nor of Hitler nor of
Mussolini." Elkatmis is a prominent member of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's Justice and Development Party.
Elkatmis was further quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying: "The
Americans first committed genocide against the American Indians, then
against the Vietnamese; they used the nuclear bomb in Japan, and are the
main culprits in the Palestinian tragedy. The Americans are guilty of
crimes against humanity since hundreds of thousands of people were killed
in Iraq. It is time for the world to think of taking actions to prevent
such unspeakable cruelty, barbarism and terrorism." Elkatmis even raised
the specter of Americans using chemical and nuclear weapons in Fallujah,
Iraq, given the large number of civilian casualties in that city.
The Times said the American Embassy in Ankara rejected these accusations,
saying "they were potentially damaging to Turkish-U.S. relations." The
newspaper quoted a U.S. diplomat as saying: "Such unfounded, inaccurate,
exaggerated claims are not good for relations, especially at a time of
strain when Turkish public opinion is so critical of what the United States
is trying to do in Iraq." According to the Turkish media, a U.S. Embassy
spokesman said: "The Turks know well the meaning of genocide and are
appropriately very sensitive when that word is used. Therefore, they should
not resort to exaggeration in their criticisms."
These anti-American accusations have created a new crisis in U.S.-Turkish
relations, exacerbating the tensions caused by the Turkish government's
earlier refusal to allow U.S. troops to enter Iraq from Turkey. While
anti-American sentiments have been growing in Turkey, accusing the U.S. of
genocide could antagonize the Bush administration.
Elkatmis is not the only Turkish official, however, to make such
anti-American statements. Bulent Arinc, the Speaker of the Turkish
Parliament, said that he agreed with Elkatmis and accused the U.S. of
violating international law. Prime Minister Erdogan himself "called on
Muslims to unite in the face of 'ruthless' U.S. power," according to
Bloomberg. He also described the insurgents killed by U.S. troops as
"martyrs." The Turkish press reported that Erdogan, during a recent phone
conversation with Vice President Dick Cheney, harshly criticized the U.S.
attacks on Fallujah. U.S. officials described Erdogan's highly critical
words to Cheney as "going outside the bounds of proper diplomatic
discourse."
Turkish newspapers have been publishing scores of anti-American
commentaries in recent days. Erhan Bayurt wrote in Zaman: "The U.S. has
openly violated human rights and principles of warfare under international
law." Another Zaman commentator, Ekrem Dumanli, described how an Islamic
preacher in his Friday sermon cursed both Israel and the United States to
the wild cheers of the gathered worshippers in a Turkish mosque. The
Turkish Daily News reported that 1,500 worshippers leaving Istanbul's
Beyazit mosque last Friday shouted anti-U.S. slogans and burned American
and Israeli flags. Similar anti-American protests were held in at least
seven other Turkish cities, including Ankara. Nihail Karaca, in her column
in Zaman, described American soldiers as "monsters." She accused the
American people of being "accomplices in a crime against humanity" by
re-electing George Bush.
It is ironic that while the Bush Administration is overly sensitive not to
offend the sensibilities of the Turks by opposing all references to the
Armenian Genocide, Turkish officials do not seem to have any qualms in
accusing the United States directly of genocide! Why is the world's only
superpower behaving with such reticence after handing out billions of
dollars in foreign aid to Turkey during the past 50 years? This is a
perfect example of the tail wagging the dog!
It remains to be seen whether the Bush administration would publicly rebuke
these Turkish officials or would it once again act deaf and dumb. If
American officials could muster a little courage to respond to these
offensive Turkish accusations, they could allow a vote on the genocide
resolution in the House and the Senate, thus pointing the finger back to
Turkey as the country that has committed real genocide!
************************************************** ************************
2 - Glendale Public Library Receives 12,500
Armenian Books from Defunct College
By Josh Kleinbaum
News-Press and Leader
GLENDALE - Whenever the Glendale Public Library tried to add
Armenian-language books to its collection, the library always had to pay a
premium. The books are hard to find, and because they are hard
to find, they are expensive.
This week, the library hit pay dirt.
The American Armenian International College, a school affiliated with the
University of La Verne that has been closed for more than a decade, is
donating its entire Armenian-language collection to Glendale.
The donation of 12,500 books, which Glendale officials value at about
$500,000, will quadruple the library's collection of 4,000
Armenian-language materials. Because of the size of the donation, Glendale
is expected to share the books with neighboring libraries.
"Forty percent of the population of Glendale is Armenian," said Cindy
Cleary, assistant director of libraries. "We have 660,000 books in our
collection and only 4,000 are Armenian language. It's an incredible
resource, not only to Glendale but to the surrounding neighborhoods."
For some of the city's large Armenian American population, especially the
elderly who did not grow up in the United States, having more
Armenian-language books will be welcomed.
"Much of the elderly, they may know how to speak English and read a few
things, but their native tongue is Armenian," said Armen Carapetian,
government relations director of the Armenian National Committee's western
region. "The books will come in particular use by that segment of the
community. It's a tremendous gift."
The library expects to receive the books next week, but Cleary said it will
be six months before any of them are incorporated into the library's
collection. The city is expected to give some of the books to other area
libraries, including public libraries in Pasadena and Burbank and Cal State
Northridge's library.
"From the beginning, it was clear that no one institution could take the
entire collection, just because of the size of the collection," said Beth
Walker, principal librarian for the Pasadena Public Library. "We don't know
if it's the largest, but certainly a significant one outside of Armenia."
The collection of books is primarily eastern Armenian, and includes history
and literature from 1980 to 1992, including translations of classics and
books on the Armenian Genocide.
"There's a lot of Armenian literature that is in demand and is not
available in the bookstores or other libraries around," Councilman Rafi
Manoukian said. "A collection of that magnitude certainly will go a long
way in meeting that need."
For the past 12 years, since the college closed its doors to students in
1992, the collection has remained in La Verne but viewed by appointment
only. Last year, the college's board members approached the Pasadena Public
Library about a donation. They also had discussions with the University of
Michigan library, which has an Armenian Research Center at its Dearborn
campus.
"The reason we picked Glendale, the whole board agreed to it, it's a real
hub of a lot of Armenians," said Jack Jandegian, a member of the college's
board of directors. "With the supplement of all these books with what
you've already got there, it's going to be a real big asset for the city of
Glendale."
The college is also donating $25,000 for moving and processing the
collection. The City Council unanimously approved the donation last week.
************************************************** *************************
3 - Ararat-Eskijian
Museum Hosts
Dec. 12 Lecture
MISSION HILLS, CA - The Ararat-Eskijian Museum will present a lecture in
English on Dec. 12 at the Museum, featuring Knarig Avakian, of the
Institute of History, National Academy of Sciences in Yerevan, addressing
"The Emigration of the Armenians to the United States: Evidence from the
Archives of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (from the beginning
to 1924.)"
Avakian is the author of "The History of the Armenian Community of the
United States: From the Beginning to 1924."
The lecture will start at 4 p.m. at the Ararat Eskijian Museum, 15105
Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills.
Admission is free.
For more information, call (818) 838-4862.
************************************************** ************************
4 - Memorial Tribute For Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian Will be Held Dec. 10 in Glendale
GLENDALE - A memorial tribute will be held Dec. 10 in Glendale's United
Community Church for the memory of scholar and author, Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian.
The Hamazkayin Western Regional Executive and the Land and Culture
Organization are organizing the tribute to their late friend on the
occasion of the first anniversary of his passing.
Open to the public, the event is being held under the joint auspices of
Western Diocese Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Western Prelate
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening is Prof. Richard Hovannisian.
The program will include guest speakers Kegham Kevonian, of Land and
Culture Organization, Paris, and
Rita Vorperian, Ph.D. The program includes performances by Hamazkayin
"Kousan" Chorale, conducted Prof. Ara Manash and slide and video
presentations of Surpazan Ashjian's life.
Organizers said, "Please join us on Friday, December 10, 2004 at United
Community Church, 333 Colorado Blvd., Glendale, at 8 p.m., as we honor
Surpazan's spiritual strength, humble presence and gentle humor with which
he blessed and touched us all."
************************************************** ************************
5 - Kassakhian Will Run for Glendale
City Clerk in April Election
By Josh Kleinbaum
News Press
GLENDALE - Glendale could have a competitive election in April to determine
the city's chief election official for the first time in more than 75
years. Now, that race has its first competitor.
Ardashes Kassakhian, executive director of the Armenian National
Committee's Western Region, announced that he will run for City Clerk, a
position that will be vacated in April when Doris Twedt retires at the end
of her term.
"I've always had a passion for public service," Kassakhian, 28, said. "It's
a noble calling. If you really want to be an active citizen and
participant, you have to take on challenges and you have to address them
head on."
Kassakhian should have some competition, although nobody else has entered
the race. Candidates do not have to file any paperwork to run for City
Clerk until January. The job's salary alone -- $105,000 per year, minimum
-- will likely draw out candidates to make the race competitive.
As an officer for the Armenian National Committee, Kassakhian is a
community activist who has lobbied the federal government for recognition
of the Armenian genocide and urged Glendale's Armenian community to vote.
If elected, he said he would focus on increasing voter turnout and
advancing the technology inside the clerk's office.
"He's a very capable individual, and he knows very well what the job
entails and how to handle it," said Councilman Rafi Manoukian, who received
support from the Armenian National Committee in his reelection bid.
"Having come from a community activism background, that gives him better
insight into the operations of the city clerk.
************************************************** ************************
6 - Free Flu Shots
Offered Dec. 4 for
Glendale Community
GLENDALE - The Armenian American Nurses Association has organized free
influenza immunization outreach clinic for the senior members of the
community on Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Mary's Armenian
Apostolic Church, 500 S. Central Ave., in Glendale.
All seniors 65 years of age and older will be given immunizations.
The event is sponsored by Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
************************************************** *************************
*
7 - Simonyan to Box Vasquez
Dec. 28 for IBF Title
EL CAJON, Calif. - International Boxing Federation Association junior
featherweight champion Israel Vasquez will defend his title for the first
time when he meets undefeated and No. 1-ranked contender Art Simonyan, Dec.
28, at the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, Calif.
The world championship card will be held in the Spotlight Showroom at the
Sycuan Resort & Casino.
The IBF 122-pound championship will be a belated birthday gift for one
these two boxers.
Vasquez turns 27 on Christmas Day while Simonyan becomes 29 on Dec. 27.
Vasquez, originally from Mexico City but now living in Los Angeles, has a
record of 36-3 with 26 knockouts.
Simonyan, who was born in Armenia but now lives in Glendale, Calif., has a
record of 14-0-1 with seven knockouts. He earned the right to challenge
Vasquez with a 12-round decision over Fahsan Por Thawatchai in a title
elimination bout May 21 in Elk Grove Village, Ill.
************************************************** *************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
[email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues
addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by
the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.
1 - Commentary
Turkish Official Accuses U.S.
Of Committing Genocide in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
************************************************** ************************
2 - Glendale Public Library Receives 12,500
Armenian Books from Defunct College
3 - Ararat-Eskijian
Museum Hosts
Dec. 12 Lecture
4 - Memorial Tribute For Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian Will be Held Dec. 10 in Glendale
5 - Kassakhian Will Run for Glendale
City Clerk in April Election
6 - Free Flu Shots
Offered Dec. 4 for
Glendale Community
7 - Simonyan to Box Vasquez
Dec. 28 for IBF Title
************************************************** ***********************
1 - Commentary
Turkish Official Accuses U.S.
Of Committing Genocide in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Turkish officials seem to have the nasty habit of accusing everyone else of
genocide, except their own country -- the real culprit!
A couple of years ago a major controversy erupted when Bulent Ecevit, the
former Prime Minister of Turkey, accused Israel of committing genocide
against the Palestinians. Even though Ecevit and other Turkish leaders
repeatedly and profusely apologized for the use of this very offensive
word, they paid a heavy price for that indiscretion. They ended up
antagonizing their supporters in Israel and in the American-Jewish
community.
A similar scenario is developing now, except that this time the Turks are
accusing the United States of genocide.
Mehmet Elkatmis, Chairman of the Turkish Parliament's Human Rights
Commission, accused Washington of committing genocide in Iraq, and behaving
worse than Adolf Hitler. The Los Angeles Times reported the Turkish
official's words last week under the headline: "Turk Compares U.S. to
Hitler." The Times quoted Elkatmis as saying: "The occupation has turned
into barbarism. The U.S. administration is committing genocide in Iraq.
Never in human history have such genocide and cruelty been witnessed. Such
a genocide was never seen in the time of the pharaohs nor of Hitler nor of
Mussolini." Elkatmis is a prominent member of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's Justice and Development Party.
Elkatmis was further quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying: "The
Americans first committed genocide against the American Indians, then
against the Vietnamese; they used the nuclear bomb in Japan, and are the
main culprits in the Palestinian tragedy. The Americans are guilty of
crimes against humanity since hundreds of thousands of people were killed
in Iraq. It is time for the world to think of taking actions to prevent
such unspeakable cruelty, barbarism and terrorism." Elkatmis even raised
the specter of Americans using chemical and nuclear weapons in Fallujah,
Iraq, given the large number of civilian casualties in that city.
The Times said the American Embassy in Ankara rejected these accusations,
saying "they were potentially damaging to Turkish-U.S. relations." The
newspaper quoted a U.S. diplomat as saying: "Such unfounded, inaccurate,
exaggerated claims are not good for relations, especially at a time of
strain when Turkish public opinion is so critical of what the United States
is trying to do in Iraq." According to the Turkish media, a U.S. Embassy
spokesman said: "The Turks know well the meaning of genocide and are
appropriately very sensitive when that word is used. Therefore, they should
not resort to exaggeration in their criticisms."
These anti-American accusations have created a new crisis in U.S.-Turkish
relations, exacerbating the tensions caused by the Turkish government's
earlier refusal to allow U.S. troops to enter Iraq from Turkey. While
anti-American sentiments have been growing in Turkey, accusing the U.S. of
genocide could antagonize the Bush administration.
Elkatmis is not the only Turkish official, however, to make such
anti-American statements. Bulent Arinc, the Speaker of the Turkish
Parliament, said that he agreed with Elkatmis and accused the U.S. of
violating international law. Prime Minister Erdogan himself "called on
Muslims to unite in the face of 'ruthless' U.S. power," according to
Bloomberg. He also described the insurgents killed by U.S. troops as
"martyrs." The Turkish press reported that Erdogan, during a recent phone
conversation with Vice President Dick Cheney, harshly criticized the U.S.
attacks on Fallujah. U.S. officials described Erdogan's highly critical
words to Cheney as "going outside the bounds of proper diplomatic
discourse."
Turkish newspapers have been publishing scores of anti-American
commentaries in recent days. Erhan Bayurt wrote in Zaman: "The U.S. has
openly violated human rights and principles of warfare under international
law." Another Zaman commentator, Ekrem Dumanli, described how an Islamic
preacher in his Friday sermon cursed both Israel and the United States to
the wild cheers of the gathered worshippers in a Turkish mosque. The
Turkish Daily News reported that 1,500 worshippers leaving Istanbul's
Beyazit mosque last Friday shouted anti-U.S. slogans and burned American
and Israeli flags. Similar anti-American protests were held in at least
seven other Turkish cities, including Ankara. Nihail Karaca, in her column
in Zaman, described American soldiers as "monsters." She accused the
American people of being "accomplices in a crime against humanity" by
re-electing George Bush.
It is ironic that while the Bush Administration is overly sensitive not to
offend the sensibilities of the Turks by opposing all references to the
Armenian Genocide, Turkish officials do not seem to have any qualms in
accusing the United States directly of genocide! Why is the world's only
superpower behaving with such reticence after handing out billions of
dollars in foreign aid to Turkey during the past 50 years? This is a
perfect example of the tail wagging the dog!
It remains to be seen whether the Bush administration would publicly rebuke
these Turkish officials or would it once again act deaf and dumb. If
American officials could muster a little courage to respond to these
offensive Turkish accusations, they could allow a vote on the genocide
resolution in the House and the Senate, thus pointing the finger back to
Turkey as the country that has committed real genocide!
************************************************** ************************
2 - Glendale Public Library Receives 12,500
Armenian Books from Defunct College
By Josh Kleinbaum
News-Press and Leader
GLENDALE - Whenever the Glendale Public Library tried to add
Armenian-language books to its collection, the library always had to pay a
premium. The books are hard to find, and because they are hard
to find, they are expensive.
This week, the library hit pay dirt.
The American Armenian International College, a school affiliated with the
University of La Verne that has been closed for more than a decade, is
donating its entire Armenian-language collection to Glendale.
The donation of 12,500 books, which Glendale officials value at about
$500,000, will quadruple the library's collection of 4,000
Armenian-language materials. Because of the size of the donation, Glendale
is expected to share the books with neighboring libraries.
"Forty percent of the population of Glendale is Armenian," said Cindy
Cleary, assistant director of libraries. "We have 660,000 books in our
collection and only 4,000 are Armenian language. It's an incredible
resource, not only to Glendale but to the surrounding neighborhoods."
For some of the city's large Armenian American population, especially the
elderly who did not grow up in the United States, having more
Armenian-language books will be welcomed.
"Much of the elderly, they may know how to speak English and read a few
things, but their native tongue is Armenian," said Armen Carapetian,
government relations director of the Armenian National Committee's western
region. "The books will come in particular use by that segment of the
community. It's a tremendous gift."
The library expects to receive the books next week, but Cleary said it will
be six months before any of them are incorporated into the library's
collection. The city is expected to give some of the books to other area
libraries, including public libraries in Pasadena and Burbank and Cal State
Northridge's library.
"From the beginning, it was clear that no one institution could take the
entire collection, just because of the size of the collection," said Beth
Walker, principal librarian for the Pasadena Public Library. "We don't know
if it's the largest, but certainly a significant one outside of Armenia."
The collection of books is primarily eastern Armenian, and includes history
and literature from 1980 to 1992, including translations of classics and
books on the Armenian Genocide.
"There's a lot of Armenian literature that is in demand and is not
available in the bookstores or other libraries around," Councilman Rafi
Manoukian said. "A collection of that magnitude certainly will go a long
way in meeting that need."
For the past 12 years, since the college closed its doors to students in
1992, the collection has remained in La Verne but viewed by appointment
only. Last year, the college's board members approached the Pasadena Public
Library about a donation. They also had discussions with the University of
Michigan library, which has an Armenian Research Center at its Dearborn
campus.
"The reason we picked Glendale, the whole board agreed to it, it's a real
hub of a lot of Armenians," said Jack Jandegian, a member of the college's
board of directors. "With the supplement of all these books with what
you've already got there, it's going to be a real big asset for the city of
Glendale."
The college is also donating $25,000 for moving and processing the
collection. The City Council unanimously approved the donation last week.
************************************************** *************************
3 - Ararat-Eskijian
Museum Hosts
Dec. 12 Lecture
MISSION HILLS, CA - The Ararat-Eskijian Museum will present a lecture in
English on Dec. 12 at the Museum, featuring Knarig Avakian, of the
Institute of History, National Academy of Sciences in Yerevan, addressing
"The Emigration of the Armenians to the United States: Evidence from the
Archives of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople (from the beginning
to 1924.)"
Avakian is the author of "The History of the Armenian Community of the
United States: From the Beginning to 1924."
The lecture will start at 4 p.m. at the Ararat Eskijian Museum, 15105
Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills.
Admission is free.
For more information, call (818) 838-4862.
************************************************** ************************
4 - Memorial Tribute For Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian Will be Held Dec. 10 in Glendale
GLENDALE - A memorial tribute will be held Dec. 10 in Glendale's United
Community Church for the memory of scholar and author, Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian.
The Hamazkayin Western Regional Executive and the Land and Culture
Organization are organizing the tribute to their late friend on the
occasion of the first anniversary of his passing.
Open to the public, the event is being held under the joint auspices of
Western Diocese Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Western Prelate
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening is Prof. Richard Hovannisian.
The program will include guest speakers Kegham Kevonian, of Land and
Culture Organization, Paris, and
Rita Vorperian, Ph.D. The program includes performances by Hamazkayin
"Kousan" Chorale, conducted Prof. Ara Manash and slide and video
presentations of Surpazan Ashjian's life.
Organizers said, "Please join us on Friday, December 10, 2004 at United
Community Church, 333 Colorado Blvd., Glendale, at 8 p.m., as we honor
Surpazan's spiritual strength, humble presence and gentle humor with which
he blessed and touched us all."
************************************************** ************************
5 - Kassakhian Will Run for Glendale
City Clerk in April Election
By Josh Kleinbaum
News Press
GLENDALE - Glendale could have a competitive election in April to determine
the city's chief election official for the first time in more than 75
years. Now, that race has its first competitor.
Ardashes Kassakhian, executive director of the Armenian National
Committee's Western Region, announced that he will run for City Clerk, a
position that will be vacated in April when Doris Twedt retires at the end
of her term.
"I've always had a passion for public service," Kassakhian, 28, said. "It's
a noble calling. If you really want to be an active citizen and
participant, you have to take on challenges and you have to address them
head on."
Kassakhian should have some competition, although nobody else has entered
the race. Candidates do not have to file any paperwork to run for City
Clerk until January. The job's salary alone -- $105,000 per year, minimum
-- will likely draw out candidates to make the race competitive.
As an officer for the Armenian National Committee, Kassakhian is a
community activist who has lobbied the federal government for recognition
of the Armenian genocide and urged Glendale's Armenian community to vote.
If elected, he said he would focus on increasing voter turnout and
advancing the technology inside the clerk's office.
"He's a very capable individual, and he knows very well what the job
entails and how to handle it," said Councilman Rafi Manoukian, who received
support from the Armenian National Committee in his reelection bid.
"Having come from a community activism background, that gives him better
insight into the operations of the city clerk.
************************************************** ************************
6 - Free Flu Shots
Offered Dec. 4 for
Glendale Community
GLENDALE - The Armenian American Nurses Association has organized free
influenza immunization outreach clinic for the senior members of the
community on Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at St. Mary's Armenian
Apostolic Church, 500 S. Central Ave., in Glendale.
All seniors 65 years of age and older will be given immunizations.
The event is sponsored by Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
************************************************** *************************
*
7 - Simonyan to Box Vasquez
Dec. 28 for IBF Title
EL CAJON, Calif. - International Boxing Federation Association junior
featherweight champion Israel Vasquez will defend his title for the first
time when he meets undefeated and No. 1-ranked contender Art Simonyan, Dec.
28, at the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, Calif.
The world championship card will be held in the Spotlight Showroom at the
Sycuan Resort & Casino.
The IBF 122-pound championship will be a belated birthday gift for one
these two boxers.
Vasquez turns 27 on Christmas Day while Simonyan becomes 29 on Dec. 27.
Vasquez, originally from Mexico City but now living in Los Angeles, has a
record of 36-3 with 26 knockouts.
Simonyan, who was born in Armenia but now lives in Glendale, Calif., has a
record of 14-0-1 with seven knockouts. He earned the right to challenge
Vasquez with a 12-round decision over Fahsan Por Thawatchai in a title
elimination bout May 21 in Elk Grove Village, Ill.
************************************************** *************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted
through this service. Information in that regard should be telephoned
to (818) 409-0949; faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to:
[email protected]. Letters to the editor concerning issues
addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it is signed by
the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.