ON THE TOWN:

This past week the Burbank Chapter of the Armenian National Committee opened the doors to its downtown offices for its annual Armenian Christmas celebration.

The committee is a grass-roots public affairs organization that informs, educates and acts on a wide range of issues concerning Armenian Americans throughout Burbank and the surrounding area.

Always well attended by a diverse segment of the community, this event celebrates the historically established observance of Christ’s birth that was accepted by all Christian churches till the 4th century when the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church moved the date to December.

While most Christian churches followed the decree of the Holy See, Armenia had no affiliation with the Church of Rome and continued to observe Christmas in January as had been the custom since 301 AD.

Among those in attendance at this year’s Christmas dinner were committee members and friends including Burbank Mayor Dave Golonksi.

“The Burbank Chapter of the ANC has fostered a positive agenda that has assisted in the strengthening of our community and our schools,” Golonski said. “They have built positive relationships between business and community groups.”

Also on hand for the celebration were City Clerk Margarita Campos, City Treasurer Donna Anderson, Fire Chief Tracy Pansini and his wife, Dana; and Burbank Police Chief Tim Stehr and his wife, Barbara.

Others included Garen Yegparian, Armond Aghakhanian, Vahe Shahinian, Hagop Hergelian, Sam Asheghian, Peter Musurlian, Joseph Solis, representing state Sen. Carol Liu; Suzy Jacobs, representing Assemblyman Paul Krekorian; school board nembers Dave Kemp; Larry Applebaum; Roberta Reynolds and Debbie Kukta; Burbank Unified School District Superintendent Greg Bowman and Deputy Superintendent Joel Shapiro.

Also enjoying the evening were Shant Minas, Ann Chalian, Alice Asmar, Steven Ferguson, John Brady, Jess Talamantes, Lee Dunayer, Elise Stearns-Niesen and Todd Niesen.

This past Monday, on the eve of the presidential inauguration, the Burbank committee paid tribute to our nation’s new leader by responding to President Barack Obama’s call for a national day of service by staging a “Cans for the Cause” campaign to support the Los Angeles Food Bank.

According to the organizers the event answered the president’s call to service by encouraging the community to work with the committee, or to take the lead themselves in collecting canned food to assist area food banks dedicated to feeding the hungry.

Quirky book store Dark Delicacies played host to 12 Hot Hunks of Horror who signed their Hot Hunks of Horror 2009 calendar Saturday, all in the name of charity.

Proceeds from the calendars, selling for $25 each, will go to the Lynn Sage Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

The hunks from all over the country included Parrish Randall, Tony Simmons, Justin Alvarez, Jeff Dylan Graham, Clint Glenn and Anthony Brownrigg.

 DAVID LAURELL can be reached at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.