We are delighted to announce that Yeghpayr Viggen Davidian, a long-time "Ararat" Chapter member and active contributor was elected to Homenetmen's World Committee in September 2011. The Committee members were elected at the conclusion of Homenetmen's 10^th World Congress held in Dzaghgadzor, Republic of Armenia during the week of September 5 through 9, 2011.

Yeghpayr Davidian will serve a four-year term on the World Committee as one of 13 international board members elected from various Homenetmen regions around the globe. As the highest Homenetmen body, the World Committee governs, coordinates and oversees the affairs and programs of all Homenetmen Regions with over 25,000 members worldwide.

During the past 30 years, Yeghpayr Davidian has served as "Ararat" Chapter Board member and chairman for several terms as well as Chairman of Homenetmen's Western Region Executive Committee. He has been active in Ararat Chapter's many committees and has spearheaded efforts related to planning and purchase of Chapter's two centers. During the past four years, serving on Homenetmen's Strategic Planning Committee, he was one of the contributors in the development of Homenetmen's International Strategic Plan, which was approved and adopted during the 10^th World Congress. As a World Committee member, Yeghpayr Davidian currently oversees the Implementation of the Strategic Plan as well as the activities of the International Information Technology Committee. We congratulate Yeghpayr Davidian on his election to this worthy and respected position.

The Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter Scout Division ended year 2011 with a major bang. Three of Ari 4 Troop, Christapor Allahverdian on September 22, Sevada Barseghian on October 20, and Christopher Sagherian on December 22 fulfilled the requirements defined by the Boy Scouts of America and presented their Eagle Scout rank project to a three member panel and earned their Eagle Scout Rank.

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Less than 5% of all boy scouts earn this rank. In order to do so, they must progress through a specific series of ranks, earn at least 21 merit badges, serve six months in a troop leadership role, participate in at least twelve hours of service project or volunteer at school or any community based organization and organize and implement a project which serves his community.

On behalf of Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter and the leadership of Ari 4 troop we congratulate Christapor Allahverdian, Sevada Barseghian and Christopher Sagherian for their accomplishments and achievement of Eagle Scout rank.

The Eagle Court of Honor will take place on March 4, 2012, at 2:00 P.M. at Homenetmen "Ararat" Center.

Ararat Chorus has started its activities under Ms. Alenoush Yeghnazar's baton since 2005. Ararat Chapter Cultural Division's mission is to teach our cultural heritage to the youth and promote high quality cultural events in the community.

The "Ararat" choir strives to create an enjoyable atmosphere to perform. This year, the concert's theme is patriotic Armenian songs, which has a deep effect upon every single Armenian. The genre has anthropological value for our nation. We encourage all to attend this concert and have a renewed respect to our nation's glorious history.

The event will be held at "Ararat" Center's Baghdasarian-Shahinian Hall on Sunday February 19th at 6:00 P.M.

December 18^th was a Sunday like no other in 2011. On this evening the audience at Occidental College's Thorne Hall were going to be transformed to a world of classical compositions by the likes of Gomidas, Liszt, Chausson, Berlioz, Rossini and Obradors to name a few.

Isabel Bayrakdarian and Serouj Kradjian serenaded us with such presence that will be remembered for a very long time. The stage commanded the audience full attention as they were entranced and taken on a musical journey that can only be defined by the artists themselves. At full capacity the audience was transformed into a land of magical series of notes and harmonies of Armenian Opera as well as Spanish Tangos with multiple encore performances. The evening also included a personal CD signing by the artists and a cocktail reception hosted by Homenetmen Ararat Chapter at the Glendale Hilton where the artists were presented with congratulatory and appreciation plaques by the Chapter's Board president Mrs. Helik Issagoolian.

This was an evening that proved once again on how rich and soulful Armenian artists are and how we have so much to appreciate in our rich culture.