Our Arroyo Verdugo Region has given bloom to two “new” vital connections that will blossom into positive results for our area.  Each of the vital connections, separate in their appeal, but each contributing to the vitality of our communities and will reach out to all corners of our globe.  Each will contribute to making our piece of the Arroyo Verdugo a magnet for new visitors, that will offer “the ultimate in shopping, dining, entertainment and living” and would you believe a “Mother Cathedral” worship complex that will enable us to further enjoy the diversity that we have in our piece of Los Angeles County.  Each taking teamwork from sectors of government, be it the City Councils of Burbank, Glendale and to the Los Angeles Supervisors, for making sure that the process worked as smooth as possible for everyone’s benefit.

  First Vital Connection: The first week of May had two major events taking place. The first being the grand opening of The Americana at Brand, a mega-project by Rick Caruso, President and CEO, of Caruso Affiliated.  The black tie opening had special guest such as Governor Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver, plus Jay Leno as Master of Ceremonies and performers Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, the Four Tops and Temptations to name a few that entertained the 2000 invited guest for a special preview.  In the words of Rick Caruso when he described his Americana at Brand, that it be a “design that addressed the community’s unique requirements for an outdoor gathering place that included shops, restaurants, entertainment and a beautiful open park space”.  Caruso’s vision has become all he said it would and more.  The excitement and crowds that have been drawn to The American at Brand, from all corners of Los Angeles County has shown that he was on target.  Now Glendale, located in Southern California, in the heart of one of America’s major tourist destinations has been placed on the map.  This will rival Universal City Walk, Disneyland, San Diego’s Seaport Village and the Gas Light District along with San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.  It will stand head and shoulder above Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills as a shopping destination that will have the added benefit of the popular Glendale Galleria.  Glendale will now have the opportunity to effectively brand and market to tap into this economic revenue-producing engine to fill up the vacancies in their commercial sector.  The residential complex of 238 apartments and 100 condos will offer an attraction for corporate America to purchase or lease living residence for their executives.

Second Vital Connection: The same weekend had a celebration marking the beginning of the construction of the Mother Cathedral of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Burbank.   This is the realization of years of work to design a beautiful and functional Armenian Church that will meet the needs of the community it will be serving, throughout the Western United States of America.  There was no black tie or dancing fountains and fireworks. No Governor or Tony Bennett. However, of importance was the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian: Berj Shahbazian, Chair of the Celebration Committee, who offered opening remarks and the members of the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America., along with members of the community.  Hon. Wendy Gruell, Los Angeles City Councilmember congratulated the Armenian community and the Primate on the occasion of the beginning of this new construction.  Armen Hampar, Chair of the Cathedral Building committee, offered his words of gratitude to the former Primate of the Western Diocese, Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and Archbishop Hovan Derderian, Primate for their outstanding leadership in mobilizing the means and talents of the Western Diocese toward the realization and rise of the Mother Cathedral.  Joining in was Armen Liloyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia with his remarks on the importance of the Armenian Apostolic church in the life of the Armenian people. throughout the world. The Mother Cathedral will also be a magnet in bringing various leadership, both religious, civic, service and community to Burbank from all corners of the United States and the world.