Armenian Relief Society

CITY HALL — A dozen Armenian community members voiced their outrage Tuesday at a City Council meeting over anti-Armenian remarks allegedly made during two Community Development Goals Committee meetings. The speakers urged the council to take action related to accusations that members of the goals committee — which makes recommendations regarding public funding from nonprofit organizations — joked during Feb. 28 and March 7 meetings that the Armenian Relief Society would be more likely to receive public money if the organization dropped "Armenian" from its name.

CITY HALL — A bulk of the nonprofit groups that applied for Community Development Block Grant funds came away from Tuesday's City Council meeting reasonably happy, but not the Armenian Relief Society. The chairman of the Community Development Goals Committee read a prepared statement Tuesday calling comments that some felt were anti-Armenian in nature that were expressed during a committee meeting "unfortunate" — but not offering an apology. The committee, tasked with making recommendations to the council regarding dispensation of block grant funds, took heat this month over allegations that during a meeting, some committee members suggested that the Armenian Relief Society would be more likely to receive funding if the organization removed "Armenian" from its name.

CIVIC CENTER — A letter from the Community Development Goals Committee is on the way to the City Council in response to alleged anti-Armenian remarks that were voiced during a goals committee meeting. A dozen Armenian community members appeared before the council on April 3, urging council members to take action related to accusations that goals committee members joked at their Feb. 28 and March 7 meetings that the Armenian Relief Society would be more likely to receive public money if the nonprofit removed "Armenian" from its name.

Three community agencies were left out Tuesday when the City Council doled out $165,000 in Community Development Block Grants to 12 groups. Requests from the 15 public service agencies applying for the federal grants exceeded $630,000, leaving the council with tough choices after the city reduced the pool by 16.4% pending further federal cuts. “They’re all excellent organizations,” said Councilman Dave Golonski. “This is one of the toughest things — obviously it’s compounded by the 16.4% reduction.” This year, Burbank's share of $3.34 billion in federal grant funds dropped to $1.1 million, a reduction of around $166,000 from the previous year.

DOWNTOWN — The Burbank Armenian Cultural Foundation has entered escrow on a $2.5-million downtown facility, capping a long-running search for a building to house several community organizations. The foundation, a combination of community-based groups, has taken advantage of the down real estate market and an anonymous donation to relocate several offices from 361 E. Magnolia Blvd. to the proposed facility at 75 E. Santa Anita Ave. The planned consolidation comes as similar foundations in Pasadena, Hollywood, Montebello and Torrance have converted existing buildings into community and athletic facilities.

Parade organizers seeking help Burbank on Parade is seeking additional volunteers for its 25th annual city parade at 11 a.m. on April 28 from Keystone Street to Lomita Street. The event is a celebration and a show of respect for men and women in our Armed Forces, past and present. The parade will start with a fly-over by the Condor Squadron, taking off from the Bob Hope Airport, and will conclude at 1 p.m. with a ceremony at George Izay Park on Olive Avenue. The organization is always looking for people who would like to get involved with the parade and there is a lot of rewarding work to be done, parade officials said.

Claudia Peschiutta BURBANK -- Give kids something to do and they will stay out of trouble. This is what two Armenian organizations in the area and state Assemblyman Scott Wildman (D-Burbank) had in mind when they began working on providing state funding for local youth programs. Wildman's requests made it into the 2000-01 state budget and will provide nearly $450,000 for counseling programs and activities targeted at Armenian young people in the area.

Chandler change could have worked I have read and listened to all the opinions about the one-way debate ? how Chandler Boulevard is so safe and no accidents, or a minimum of accidents occur at the least ("Chandler will stay two way," April 29). Well, I live on Chandler, without a driveway. I would welcome a one-way Chandler if there was to be only one lane in each direction. Every day I fight the battle of trying to get in and out of my car or parallel park. What a challenge this can be. For those of who do not live on Chandler, you have no idea, but some of you are part of the problem.

TODAY "Hear to Live ... Live to hear!", a seminar about hearing technology, will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Call (818) 238-5353. Providence High School's first Shakespeare Festival is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium, 511 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank. Admission is free. Call: (818) 846-8141. THURSDAY Burbank High School Show Choirs perform their competition repertoire at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday in the auditorium, 902 N. Third St., Burbank.

Jackson Bell When Shaghik Aghakhani first asked her parents if she could join a symbolic march that spotlights the Armenian Genocide's anniversary, they didn't want her walking several miles a day through the Central Valley. But for the Burbank 17-year-old, being a part of the event was just too important to back down. So one day she sat her parents down and explained just how much it meant for her to be part of the 19-day, 215-mile trek from Fresno to Sacramento.

Three community agencies were left out Tuesday when the City Council doled out $165,000 in Community Development Block Grants to 12 groups. Requests from the 15 public service agencies applying for the federal grants exceeded $630,000, leaving the council with tough choices after the city reduced the pool by 16.4% pending further federal cuts. “They’re all excellent organizations,” said Councilman Dave Golonski. “This is one of the toughest things — obviously it’s compounded by the 16.4% reduction.” This year, Burbank's share of $3.34 billion in federal grant funds dropped to $1.1 million, a reduction of around $166,000 from the previous year.

TODAY "Hear to Live ... Live to hear!", a seminar about hearing technology, will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Call (818) 238-5353. Providence High School's first Shakespeare Festival is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium, 511 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank. Admission is free. Call: (818) 846-8141. THURSDAY Burbank High School Show Choirs perform their competition repertoire at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday in the auditorium, 902 N. Third St., Burbank.

DOWNTOWN — The Burbank Armenian Cultural Foundation has entered escrow on a $2.5-million downtown facility, capping a long-running search for a building to house several community organizations. The foundation, a combination of community-based groups, has taken advantage of the down real estate market and an anonymous donation to relocate several offices from 361 E. Magnolia Blvd. to the proposed facility at 75 E. Santa Anita Ave. The planned consolidation comes as similar foundations in Pasadena, Hollywood, Montebello and Torrance have converted existing buildings into community and athletic facilities.

CITY HALL — A bulk of the nonprofit groups that applied for Community Development Block Grant funds came away from Tuesday's City Council meeting reasonably happy, but not the Armenian Relief Society. The chairman of the Community Development Goals Committee read a prepared statement Tuesday calling comments that some felt were anti-Armenian in nature that were expressed during a committee meeting "unfortunate" — but not offering an apology. The committee, tasked with making recommendations to the council regarding dispensation of block grant funds, took heat this month over allegations that during a meeting, some committee members suggested that the Armenian Relief Society would be more likely to receive funding if the organization removed "Armenian" from its name.

CIVIC CENTER — A letter from the Community Development Goals Committee is on the way to the City Council in response to alleged anti-Armenian remarks that were voiced during a goals committee meeting. A dozen Armenian community members appeared before the council on April 3, urging council members to take action related to accusations that goals committee members joked at their Feb. 28 and March 7 meetings that the Armenian Relief Society would be more likely to receive public money if the nonprofit removed "Armenian" from its name.

Residents win big as new faces take to dais The biggest winners in the April 10 Burbank City Council election were the residents of our wonderful city. People overwhelmingly stood up for Gary Bric and Anja Reinke, who ran very positive campaigns on the issues. Burbank voters rejected the politics of takeover, winning by attempting to destroy and deceit. We can all look forward to two bright, young and capable people with whom we will not always agree, but in whom we can place our trust.

Parade organizers seeking help Burbank on Parade is seeking additional volunteers for its 25th annual city parade at 11 a.m. on April 28 from Keystone Street to Lomita Street. The event is a celebration and a show of respect for men and women in our Armed Forces, past and present. The parade will start with a fly-over by the Condor Squadron, taking off from the Bob Hope Airport, and will conclude at 1 p.m. with a ceremony at George Izay Park on Olive Avenue. The organization is always looking for people who would like to get involved with the parade and there is a lot of rewarding work to be done, parade officials said.

CITY HALL — A dozen Armenian community members voiced their outrage Tuesday at a City Council meeting over anti-Armenian remarks allegedly made during two Community Development Goals Committee meetings. The speakers urged the council to take action related to accusations that members of the goals committee — which makes recommendations regarding public funding from nonprofit organizations — joked during Feb. 28 and March 7 meetings that the Armenian Relief Society would be more likely to receive public money if the organization dropped "Armenian" from its name.

CITY HALL ? The City Council doled out more than $200,000 in Community Development Block Grants to 14 agencies on Tuesday, but it wasn't easy. Requests from the 14 public service agencies applying for the federal grants exceeded $500,000, leaving the council with tough choices about how to distribute a smaller pool of funds than in previous years. "This may be the most difficult night of the year for the council," Councilman Dave Golonski said. With Councilwoman Marsha Ramos out of town, a 2-2 split on the council threatened to complicate deliberations early on during a debate about whether or not to fund a grant request from the Armenian Relief Society.