New England

NOVEMBER 11-12, 2005 • Preview Holiday Gift Sale. November 11 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and November 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At the Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA. Featuring a gigantic collection of all new gifts including holiday decorations, a large assortment of lamps, household and ceramic items. There will also be a sale of Armenian pastries and lunch and refreshments will be available. Free admission. For more information, call (617) 923-0498.

NOVEMBER 11-13, 2005 • 35th Annual Kef Time Hartford. All functions held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly the Raddison), Cromwell, Conn. To reserve rooms, call (860) 635-2000 and ask for special Kef Time Hartford rate. November 11: The Michael Gostanian Band with Michael (vocals, kanoon); Sevan (guitar); Chirstopher Vosbikian (dumbeg); Mal (clarinet); Harry B (oud). November 12: Afternoon Kef and jam session, the Mal Barsamian Ensemble featuring the oud and vocals of Harry Bedrossian.  Evening, the main event- Enocre! Encore! Encore! The Kef Time Band featuring Richard Hagopian, Hachig Kazarian and Jack Chalikian. November 13: Kef, featuring Harry Minassian with Roger, Kenny, Leon.

NOVEMBER 13, 2005 • ARS Leola Sassouni Chapter Traditional Thanksgiving Luncheon. Begins 1:00 p.m. at the ACEC, 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA. Good food and entertainment. Donation is $20; children under 12, $10. For more information, call Nartoohi Abrimian at (781) 893-4669 or Yeran Manjikian at (781) 365-1034.

NOVEMBER 17, 2005 • Annual Armenian Community Celebration. Hosted by Representative Peter J. Koutoujian, candidate for Middlesex County District Attorney. From 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Arlington, MA. Call Tsoleen Sarian at (508) 561-3697 for more information.

NOVEMBER 19, 2005 • 30th Luncheon/Auction. Sponsored by Armenian Women’s Welfare Association at the Newton Marriott Hotel. Silent auction begins at 11:00 a.m. Live auction and raffle, first prize, 18K white gold diamond chandelier necklace. Auctioneers, VB Goudie and Doug Meehan, Fox 25 News. Tickets $50. For reservations, call Janice Boornazian at (617) 796-6134.

NOVEMBER 25, 2005 • ALMA Second Holiday Gala. Join ALMA on this special evening for dinner and dancing (Armenian and American music) beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, call the ALMA office at (617) 926-2562 ext. 3 or email info@almainc.org.

DECEMBER 2, 2005 • Presentation of ‘Frequently Asked Questions About the Armenian Church.’ Recently published book by Very Rev. Dr. Kirkor Maksoudian. Guest speakers: Very Rev. Haigazoun Najarian (in Armenian), Dr. Abraham Terian (in English); master of ceremonies Rev. Zenob Nalbandian. Sponsored by Armenian Cultural Committee of Greater Boston. Begins 7:30 p.m. at ALMA, 65 Main St., Watertown MA. Reception following program. Free admission.

DECEMBER 31, 2005 • New Years Eve Celebration. Sponsored by the Armenian Cultural Association of America. Featuring singer Paul Baghdadlian and His Band. Begins 8:30 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, 47 Nichols Ave. Watertown, MA. For more information or reservations, call Marcel Karian at (617) 489-1361; Bedig Der Vartanian at (617) 484-5239; Kevork Abdalian at (617) 742-0006 or Lena Guebenlian at (617) 926-3974. Come and ring in the New Year with family and friends. Donation: adults $75, children $50.

Mid Atlantic

NOVEMBER 11-12, 2005 • A Black and White Affair. Sponsored by Armenian Youth Federation and Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Philadelphia. Friday night, all white night and entertainment by Philly’s best musicians. Saturday night Black tie with dinner and entertainment by Nersik Ispirian and his band. For more information call Jim Kzirian at (267) 767-0453 or Sevag Shirozian at (267) 446-4200.

NOVEMBER 11-13, 2005 • Mini-Datev Program. For junior and senior high school students at Techny Towers Conference Center in, Techny, Ill. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council of the Prelacy. The weekend program is a short version of the popular annual Datev summer program in Pennsylvania and includes interactive presentations, discussions, Bible studies, short worship services, fellowship and activities, led by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian and Dn. Shant Kazanjian. Participation fee: $60, includes lodging, meals, seminar materials, and activities. For information and registration, contact Dr. Arsen Mekaelian at (847) 309-0408, or the AREC office at (212) 689-7810 or email arec@armenianprelacy.org.

DECEMBER 31, 2005 • New Years Eve Gala. Sponsored by the ARF New Jersey Dro Gomideh and the St. Vartanants Armenian Church Board of Trustees. Begins 8:00 p.m. at the Parsippany Hilton Hotel, 1 Hilton Court, Parsippany, N.J. For more information, call the church office at (201) 943-2950 or the New Jersey Dro Gomideh office at (201) 945-0011.

JANUARY 15-22, 2006 • Armenian Heritage Cruise IX. New itinerary—Southeastern Caribbean Cruise. Exclusively for the ACAA. Set sail from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to St. Maarten (Dutch and French), to Tortola (British Virgin Islands), and to Nassau (Bahamas) on a seven-day cruise with Armenian music, cultural activities, movies, shows, tavlou and belote tournaments, three-on-three basketball, Armenian festival day, special Armenian dinner and many more. Events featuring Jivan Gasparyan, international duduk musician in concerts; Nouritza Matossian, international actress and author on Arshile Gorky; and Dottie Bengoian, famous Armenian/English comedian. Call TravelGroup International at (866) 447-0750. Prices start at $799. More details to follow. Over 1,000 already booked on the ship.