Letter -- Helena Singer

When I got married and lived in Glendale in the ‘60s, it was not the

city of my dreams. Forty years later, more than 20 of which I have worked

daily and commuted in and out of Glendale, I have witnessed a wondrous

revitalization of the city, literally before my eyes.

In my opinion, and based on many well-founded accounts, this is

primarily due to the large influx of the Armenian people to Glendale. The

American inspiration has infused their private aspirations: to live in

freedom and peace, to work and have fun, and above all to amount to

something, even if only by instilling the highest levels of achievement

in the new generation.

As I drive in the mornings, the streets are full of little, neat, dark

heads towed to school by various elders, the ultimate goal USC or UCLA.

All the while, the parents scrape up little businesses, new gas stations,

or work in shops. The little parks are green and safe and full of

oldsters and youngsters. The stores are bustling with business, and new

ones are going up daily. The restaurants are full, the streets are

crowded with pedestrians, and there are countless cafes, like in any

cosmopolitan city of Europe. Glendale is fun and alive and well, exactly

because of Armenians.

Armenian bakeries have the most delicious stuff. I always shop at

Jon’s Market to get the best and cheapest fresh produce, including

wonderful herbs and spices and old-world delicacies that I can’t find

even at Gelson’s or Bristol Farms. Real estate is booming. Families want

their “homes.” There are extravagant weddings and solemn funerals.

These so-called “evildoers” have a profound respect for their ancient

culture and Christian roots, as well as the family, the elders of which

are revered and taken care of. And they love America and embrace the new

traditions.

If the American flag is lowered in remembrance of lives lost for

freedom and civil liberties, it only heightens the noble and generous

spirit of America. Does Mrs. Carrico have a clue to what the Armenians,

or for that matter the Jews, were doing to their haters for which they

were slaughtered by the millions? Judging by her present behavior, what

possible achievement could she have accomplished for her 1992 award or

the 2001 award from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, whose morals are

themselves presently questioned?

Diarrhea of the mouth is a fairly common human affliction, but I think

that one of the dozens of Glendale Armenian physicians should prescribe

Immodium for her, so Mrs. C. may keep the waste and foul odor to herself.

HELENA K. SINGER

Pasadena