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Los Angeles County’s homeless population has surged, more than 58,000 people

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waves of homeless descend onto trains

waves of homeless descend onto trains

Homeless on the Metro
The Metro system has been a refuge for homeless people for decades. But as Los Angeles County’s homeless population has surged, reaching more than 58,000 people last year, the sanitation and safety problems on trains and buses are approaching what officials and riders say are crisis levels.

People looking for warm, dry places to sleep have barricaded themselves inside emergency exit stairwells in stations, leaving behind trash and human waste. Elevator doors coated in urine have stuck shut. Mentally ill and high passengers have assaulted bus drivers and other riders. So L.A. has a new strategy: social workers on the subway. Los Angeles Times

Armenian defense minister’s visit to U.S. concludes; Canada next

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Photo by www.gagrule.net Armenian Defense Minister press conference at Armenian consulate Los Angeles

By Wally Sarkeesian

Monday, November 13

Los Angeles: The Armenian defense minister Vigen Sargsyan visit to U.S., On November 13 4pm Press conference at the Armenian consulate, He answered the questions of leading Armenian media outlets at the Consulate Free and open discussion both in English and Armenian mostly Armenian. Next, he met the leaders and members of the Armenian community at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America.

He also visited UCLA, Sargsyan gave a lecture on public leadership at Luskin School of Public Affairs, unveiling army-building processes and other reforms, currently underway in Armenia.

Sargsyan, at the same time, briefed the attendees about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenia-Turkey relations, as well as regional issues.
Later that day, the Armenian defense minister met Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

The minister’s visit to the United States concluded that same day, with the Armenian delegation heading for Canada to participate in the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial conference in Vancouver.

Los Angeles to host Innovate Armenia 2017

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The USC Institute of Armenian Studies in Los Angeles will on September 23 host Innovate Armenia 2017, a day of discovery, technology, music, food, wine, chess and lively conversation headlined by a pair of celebrity-journalist brothers and two 2016 Pulitzer Prize winners, Asbarez reports.

The brothers are Washington Post columnist David Ignatius and Harvard Business Review editor Adi Ignatius.

The Pulitzer Prize winners are poet Peter Balakian, of Colgate University, and novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen, a USC professor of English and American studies.

“We take global Armenian questions and explore them as part of big world issues,” says director Salpi Ghazarian. “INNOVATE ARMENIA is the platform where we make the best of scholarship accessible.”

The Armenian diaspora experience has lessons for everyone, according to David Kang, a featured speaker at Innovate Armenia 2016. A professor of international relations, business and East Asian languages, Kang heads USC’s Korean Studies Institute. His presentation last year focused on the fluidity of hybrid identities. “Armenians are going through very similar issues that Koreans have,” he said in his talk.

Last year’s festival, which focused on digital humanities, drew 3,000 attendees and 20,000 more watched online. This year’s program — with a focus on rethinking, relearning and reimagining identity, language, history and technology —is expected to draw even larger crowds.

Related links:

Asbarez. USC to Host 3rd Annual INNOVATE ARMENIA Festival

Paris, Los Angeles guaranteed to host 2024 or 2028 Olympic Games

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided it can pick both Los Angeles and Paris as Olympic host cities in September when the 2024 and 2028 Summer Games rights should be awarded at the same time.

France 24 reports, the IOC members voted unanimously Tuesday to seek a consensus three-way deal between the two bid cities and the IOC executive board. Talks will open with Paris widely seen as favorite for 2024.

If a deal falls through, only the 2024 hosting rights will be voted on when the IOC next meets Sept. 13 in Lima, Peru.

Agreement seemed assured by the reaction of the two mayors. Eric Garcetti of LA and Anne Hidalgo of Paris emerged on stage holding hands to acclaim the decision.

The mayors were joined by IOC President Thomas Bach who raised an arm of each in a shared gesture of triumph. A deal to make both cities winners would fulfil a strategy Bach set in motion last December to help safeguard a stable future for the signature Olympic event.

“With Los Angeles and Paris, there are two fantastic cities from countries with a profound Olympic history,” Bach said earlier.

The IOC approved the expected double award after hearing both cities present their 2024 hosting plan at a conference center in the Olympic capital city Lausanne.

Both cities used 45 minutes of videos and speeches, including French President Emmanuel Macron promoting the Paris cause, in a closed-door session with International Olympic Committee members to explain how they would host the 2024 Olympics.

US House rep praises ANCA-led Dialogue on direct LAX-Yerevan flights

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LAX EVN Direct flightA senior member of the U.S. House Transportation Committee has warmly welcomed discussions between Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) regarding the establishment of direct flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Yerevan (EVN), Asbarez reports.
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA), a nationally respected legislator with a long track record of leadership on a broad array of ANCA-backed policy priorities, represents California’s 32nd Congressional District, home to the ANCA San Gabriel Valley chapter and a large and active Armenian American community.
“I am encouraged that the ANCA and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) have begun a welcome dialogue on establishing a direct LAX to Yerevan flight,” shared Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. “As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, I look forward to lending my support to this creative initiative to explore how to directly connect Armenia with Los Angeles. I commend the ANCA and LAWA for taking the first steps in this regard,” she added.
“The ANCA San Gabriel Valley chapter is proud that Congresswoman Napolitano is backing the ANCA’s goal of establishing a direct flight between LA and Yerevan,” remarked Levon Kirakosian. We are equally proud to have a long working relationship with Congresswoman Napolitano, which dates back to when she was first elected in 1992 as a member of the California State Assembly and her subsequent election to the US Congress in 1998,” added Kirakosian.
The Congresswoman, who serves on the Transportation Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee, is a leading national voice on aviation issues. This Subcommittee has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation, including safety, infrastructure, labor, commerce, and international issues. All programs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), except for research activities, are within the purview of the Subcommittee.
Earlier this month, the ANCA met LAWA officials http://asbarez.com/163029/anca-lax-discuss-establishment-of-los-angeles-to-yerevan-direct-flights/ about launching direct flights between the United States and Armenia, an ANCA policy priority that will – in addition to saving travelers time and inconvenience – substantially boost tourism, increase business travel, expand cargo traffic, and strengthen U.S.-Armenia bilateral economic relations. The discussions with LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint and Deputy Executive Director and Chief of External Affairs Trevor Daley provided an opportunity for a positive and constructive exchange of views about the practical steps needed to establish direct air service between LAX and Zvartnots Airport (EVN) in Yerevan. The ANCA was represented by Chairman Raffi Hamparian and long-time community leader Zanku Armenian, who has extensive experience in the commercial aviation industry, having worked with each of the major U.S. airlines on bilateral aviation agreements and a range of aviation-related regulatory and policy issues.

The ANCA is calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation to support a public-private partnership regarding establishing U.S. to Armenia flights, involving U.S. airlines and relevant government agencies, among them the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Transportation Security Administration. These direct flights would include both passenger and cargo traffic.

California’s 32nd District covers several cities and communities in the San Gabriel Valley, including: El Monte, West Covina, Covina, Baldwin Park, Azusa, Duarte, Irwindale, Industry, La Puente, Avocado Heights, West Puente Valley, Valinda, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Monrovia.

Los Angeles Thousands of LA Armenians march toward Turkey consulate

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Armenian Genocide MarchThousands of Armenians in Los Angeles are taking part in marches on the 102nd anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

Two respective marches are planned in the city, according to Fox 11 news.

The participants plan to march toward Turkey’s consulate general in Los Angeles.

US Congressman Adam Schiff also will take part in the marches.

It was noted that about 60,000 people participated in the march last year.

April 24 is a solemn and sacred day. It marks the beginning of a campaign of murder, rape, and forced displacement carried out against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire 102 years ago. In the end, one and a half million Armenians were murdered in the Armenian Genocide.

We will never forget those who were lost. And we will keep fighting to recognize the Armenian Genocide both here at home and around the world.

LOS ANGELES: 20th Anniversary of Arpa International Film Festival Preparations Underway

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Arpa International Film Festival logo, Arpa International Film Festival committee members

Arpa International Film Festival is one of the oldest independent film festivals in Los Angeles. On November 3-5, 2017 the festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, followed by a special Awards Banquet at the Glendale Hilton on November 5.

This year, screenings for our 20th year will bring a diverse tapestry in global cinema, with a stimulating selection of films that cultivate cultural understanding and global empathy. Call for films have been announced and details can be found by checking www.arpafilmfestival.com

We are very proud that our festival has solidified into the leading outlet in Hollywood for international cinema, exploring issues like diaspora, war, genocide, dual identity, exile and multiculturalism, while inspiring our local and global community to connect and advance progressive cinematic art.

One of the reasons of Affma’s 20 year success is our connection to the community as a whole. It is within this wholeness that we are able to form new relationships all around the globe and deliver numerous film openings, inspire many avenues for new projects so that our many gifted individuals achieve their highest goals imaginable.

Our prestigious Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award is extended to a special filmmaker for their creativity that fulfills our mission. Our International jury from the professional film community acts as a supportive body to encourage filmmakers to re-examine, explore and concentrate on their own creative development.

We are also very proud to search for, bring and screen films that are so important to our community. In previous years we have screened hundreds of films that have touched us, and more recently films such as Women of 1915, Crows of the Desert, Hot Country-Cold Winter, Lost Birds, When My Sorrow Died | The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin, Sumbat: The Life and Art, and our special screening at our 19th Annual opening night “Behind the Scenes of The Promise” with a Q & A with Dr. Esrailian and producer Mike Medavoy, and many more have created a great insight to the unbelievable imagination and talent of filmmakers leaving many of us in awe of their creativity.

Arpa International Film Festival committee members spend countless hours working selflessly to make one of the most important forms of art–film, reach our community, through these amazingly talented individuals from around to world, to inform, enrich and bring awareness to our community via their art. Yet, in order to continue growing our festival and its positive impact on the multinational film community, and to promote our own filmmakers in their creativity, we need the support of our community. Let us join in to bring this branch of the art to amazing levels. It will only happen with togetherness, support, and hard work which we are ready to undertake.

Let us remember what William Saroyan has said:

“Film is the best medium by which to acquaint non-Armenians with the Armenian people and culture. This is the only tested and proven means which other people use to familiarize the world about themselves. Why shouldn’t we do the same?”

Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) a non- profit organization, encourages our community to support the upcoming film The Promise especially on the very first day of its screening in theaters on April 21, 2017.

Armenian Genocide Committee Announces April 24 March for Justice in LA

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LOS ANGELES—The Armenian Genocide Committee calls upon all segments of our community to join together in a MARCH FOR JUSTICE on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 12pm from the Pan Pacific Park to the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles as we continue to fight for justice and against the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Organizational leaders in Southern California call upon the Armenian-American community to remain vigilant and active as we continue to voice our collective demands for justice.

It is our belief that our voices are most loudly and effectively heard when they are unified, and to that end, we proudly announce the continued cooperation of community organizations to organize and execute the commemorative activities and demands for justice for this year under the banner of the Armenian Genocide Committee (“AGC”) consisting of the organizations and entities listed below.

Armenian Genocide Committee:

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenian Catholic Church of North America

Armenian Evangelical Union of North America

Armenian Revolutionary Federation

Armenian Democratic Liberal Party

Social Democrat Hunchak Party

Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District

Armenian Relief Society – Western USA

Homenetmen Western U.S. Region

Armenian Youth Federation

Armenian Assembly of America

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region

Armenian Council of America

Armenian Bar Association

Organization of Istanbul Armenians

United Armenian Council of Los Angeles

Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS)

Armenian-American actor Mike Connors “born Krekor Ohanian”, TV’s Mannix, Dies at 91

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Mike Connors dies on Jan. 26, 2017 in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES—Armenian American actor Mike Connors (born Krekor Ohanian) passed away on January 26 after being diagnosed with leukemia a week earlier. He was 91 years old.

Connors was known for his lead role as a detective on Mannix, a series that ran for nearly a decade in the mid-1960s. The series was highly acclaimed and has been said to be the most popular crime show on television during the time.

New York Times’ obituary on Connors read “Mr. Connors used his fame from ‘Mannix’ to publicize a then-underreported chapter in Armenian history by narrating ‘The Forgotten Genocide,’ J. Michael Hagopian’s 1975 documentary about the killing of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire during World War I.”

The obituary stated that he later narrated Hagopian’s 1995 documentary “Ararat Beckons.”

Connors was born in Fresno, California to Armenian parents Krekor and Alice Ohanian in 1925, and survived by his wife of 67 years Mary Lou Wells, his daughter Dena and granddaughter.

Vandalized Hollywood sign briefly reads ‘HOLLYWeeD’

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — No, Los Angeles residents, it wasn’t your hangovers playing tricks on you. The Hollywood sign really did read “HOLLYWeeD” for a few hours on New Year’s Day.

Police were investigating Sunday after a prankster used giant tarps to turn the iconic sign’s two white Os into Es sometime overnight.

The vandal, dressed in all black, was recorded by security cameras and could face a misdemeanor trespassing charge, said Sgt. Robert Payan.

The person scaled a protective fence surrounding the sign above Griffith Park and then clambered up each giant letter to drape the coverings, Payan said.

The prank may be a nod to California voters’ approval in November of Proposition 64, which legalized the recreational use of marijuana, beginning in 2018.

Hikers and tourists in the hills spent the morning snapping photos of themselves in front of the altered sign before park rangers began removing the tarps.

“It’s kind of cool being here at the moment,” Bruce Quinn told KABC-TV. “I thought we came to see the Hollywood sign, not the’ Hollyweed’ sign. But hey it’s OK with me!”

While attention-grabbing, the prank was not exactly original. Forty-one years ago to the day — Jan. 1, 1976 — a college student similarly altered the sign, using curtains to make it read “HOLLYWEED.”