Hurricane Irma Advisory for Florida Armenians
Dear Readers:
We are days away from the expected landfall of Hurricane Irma, the strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever recorded. As we anticipate the storm, we would like to provide our readers with important information to help us all prepare properly, for ourselves and our neighbors.
If you haven’t already, please sign up here to receive timely Florida Armenians email alerts and updates.
On Tuesday, Governor Scott declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in Florida. This preliminary move activates federal agency assistance and prepares state and local agencies to deliver emergency services, disaster relief, safety equipment and critical supplies well in advance. In Florida, County Governments are responsible for shelters, evacuation routes, deliver of aid and emergency services, so please check your County Government website for more information.
Below you will find important information regarding hurricane preparedness, government agency and emergency contact information, as well as notices from our Armenian Churches in Florida.
We hope you will find this information useful, and will follow the guidelines to ensure you and your families safety.
Sincerely,
Taniel Koushakjian & Arsine Kaloustian
Florida Armenians
flarmenians@gmail.com
Florida Armenian Church Advisories Regarding Hurricane Irma
Below is a summary of Florida Armenian Church advisories of cancellation of religious services for Sunday, September 10, 2017:
St. David Armenian Church (Boca Raton, FL)
Services Cancelled This Sunday
For the safety of our parishioners, the Parish Council and I have decided to cancel all the activities for this weekend including the Morning Service and the Divine Liturgy for this Sunday, September 10th, and we are praying for the Lord’s Divine protection around you and your families during this upcoming hurricane.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Paren
St. Mary Armenian Church (Hollywood, FL)
St. Mary to Serve as Hurricane Shelter, Services Cancelled This Sunday
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we all know by now, the hurricane Irma is set to hit South Florida and travel northward covering almost all of Florida.
Those of you who may need special help, please contact your nearest fire station, police department or designated shelter to plan your safety ahead of time. Once the hurricane approaches South Florida, there won’t be enough time to plan and prepare. THIS IS THE TIME TO PLAN YOUR SAFETY.
Also, should you need to evacuate whether voluntarily or mandatory, please let me know by Saturday. I will open our church to serve as a shelter for all our families.
Get gasoline, batteries for your radio and flashlights, non-perishable food and water today.
Keep praying with me and everyone else so God may weaken the hurricane’s strength and save us from all harms.
God is with us,
Fr. Vartan
Cell: (954) 296-1406
St. Hagop Armenian Church (Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL)
Services Cancelled This Sunday
Due to potential high winds and heavy rains, St. Hagop Armenian Church will NOT have services this Sunday September 10th. We will resume on Sunday September 17th for the Feast of the Cross and our new first day of Sunday School. Please help us spread the word. We have a number of parishioners who do not do e-mail. Call them!
If you become aware of a pastoral emergency during this time, as always please call Fr. Hovnan’s cell at 727-771-5270. If you are having a medical emergency or the effects of the storm require emergency help, call 911.
Advisories from Sourp Haroutiun Armenian Church (Orlando, FL), and the Jacksonville Armenian Church Mission Parish have not been issued at this time.
Hurricane Irma: Be Prepared
Palm Beach Post Highlights Armenian Restaurant in Boca Raton
Husband and wife, Nick and Ana Sarkisyan run and own Boca Skewers in Boca Raton, Florida since 2007. They have been planning to expand to other cities per customers’ request. (Photo Courtesy Boca Skewers)
In a recent article entitled, ‘This Boca Raton restaurant is a must-try neighborhood gem,’ Palm Beach Post entertainment reporter Julio Poletti highlights one of only a handful of Armenian-owned restaurants in the State of Florida.
“The Sarkisyans wanted a small, European-style restaurant in a great location. When they found Boca Skewers, with less than 1,000 square feet in the popular Mizner plaza, they thought it was perfect,” Poletti writes.
He goes on to share the menu of various Armenian-style Mediterranean dishes served at Boca Skewers, such as chicken kebab, lamb soltani, tabouli, falafel, and hummus, to name a few.
The article also highlights the founders of Boca Skewers, Nick and Anna Sarkisyan. Originally from Armenia, they lived in New York before settling in Boca Raton a little over a decade ago.
Nick Sarkisyan, owner, said that even when he has left his exact recipes for other family members to do the cooking, the customers will say it doesn’t taste the same. This is why Sarkisyan no longer takes days off. (Photo Courtesy Boca Skewers)
Like most Armenians chefs, Nick Sarkisyan prides himself on doing the majority of the cooking himself, Poletti found. “I can’t trust my grilling with anybody,” Sarkisyan told the Post.
You can read the entire article in the Palm Beach Post here.
Florida Armenians 