Armenian Americans

In early September, state transportation officials placed signs on Interstate 5 identifying exits for the St. Leon Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Burbank — but without the typical legislative go-ahead. Identifying significant institutions is nothing new for the California Department of Transportation, but the roadside signs require legislation. Now, three months after the church signs were installed, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake) has introduced the necessary resolution.

I t takes a good, healthy dose of will and dedication for one to slow the pace of our feverishly spinning world and take notice of what is really important. It also takes a good solid heap of introspective creativity to transform those things deemed significant into a tangible manifestation that can inspire others to also apply the brakes and realize just how much we render to the trivial and take the treasures for granted. Through subtle nuisances, vivid revelation and colorful clarity, that message is celebrated in the collaboration of three local artists who have joined forces to present "Three Artists — One World," the newly opened exhibit at the Burbank Creative Arts Center.

Speakers at the city’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration event Friday blasted President Obama for betraying campaign pledges to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, injecting a sense of anger into the somber ceremony. Obama issued a statement Friday, on the 94th anniversary of the genocide, acknowledging the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks as “atrocities” and used the Armenian phrase “Meds Yeghern,” which translates to “The Great Calamity” to describe the acts.

Remembrance more vital than parade I was embarrassed as an American by the recent letter rudely excoriating Armenian Americans for wishing to commemorate the solemn event of the 1915 mass murder of Armenians, which is officially designated as April 24, and not wanting the date of the Burbank On Parade to be changed (?Burbank should not move its parade day,? Mailbag, June 4). To suggest that the date of this quaint local celebration of our great city is as important or, as the writer seems to suggest, more important than the recognition of a genocide is, to me, reprehensible.

On the heels of the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, The Armenian National Committee Burbank chapter have organized a candlelight vigil to commemorate the Armenian Genocide on the steps of City Hall Tuesday evening. The vigil, held in conjunction Armenian Youth Federation “Varak” Chapter in Burbank, will take place after the City Council is scheduled to issue an official proclamation recognizing the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, in which millions of Armenians were massacred at the hands of Ottoman Turks.

It wouldn't be fair to say that Republican Congressman Jim Rogan or his challenger, Democratic state Sen. Adam Schiff, have technically endorsed another candidate in the race those two men are running for Congress. But I think they're doing everything they can to encourage us to vote for anyone else. Third-party candidates usually don't have the depth of experience Rogan and Schiff can claim, and very often their platforms are too idealistic for the real world, where issues are filled with legitimate shades of gray.

Less big audio during the dynamite I went to the Fourth of July Starlight Bowl Fireworks Show for the first time after living in Burbank for the last 30 years. I had fun and saw several people I knew. As great as the whole thing was, I have one complaint that makes me wonder if I am out of touch with everyone else who was there. My complaint is from the start of the program at about 6:45 p.m. until the end of the fireworks, at about 9:30 p.m., there was never a quiet time for people to talk without having to yell at each other over the constant playing of music.