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Armenian Assembly of America South Florida Briefing & Reception

The Armenian Assembly of America is holding a special briefing and reception on Sunday, February 19, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in West Palm Beach, Florida, with Assembly Board Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

Anthony and Bryan will brief Assembly members and friends on the latest developments in Armenia and Artsakh, on U.S.-Armenia relations, and on the Assembly’s assessment of the 118th Congress following the election of new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Tickets are $100 for Assembly members, $150 for non-members, and $75 for young professionals under 30 years old. Tickets can be purchased online here.

For questions about the event or Assembly membership, please contact Mary Jo Bazarian Murray, Director of Development and Membership, at mjbazarianmurray@aaainc.org.

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Watch ‘The Hidden Map’ on PBS in Florida This Weekend

Florida Armenians is pleased to announce that PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) will air the Armenian story THE HIDDEN MAP, giving all of us the rare opportunity not only to journey into the forbidden past, but to bring the continuing story to life for millions of viewers.

The film will premiere in Florida (Jacksonville, Ft. Myers-Naples, Miami, Tampa, and West Palm Beach) beginning on Saturday, June 11, 2022 and Sunday, June 12, 2022. See local listings below for viewing in your area.

THE HIDDEN MAP takes viewers beneath the surface of modern-day Turkey, where the forbidden Armenian past has been awaiting discovery for more than a century. The story comes to life as Ani Hovannisian, an American-Armenian granddaughter of genocide survivors, ventures to their lost ancestral homeland in search of long-buried truths. A chance encounter with a Scottish explorer, Steven Sim, leads to a joint odyssey unearthing sacred relics, silenced voices, daring resilience and the hidden map. The result is a story of discovery, heartbreak and hope that belongs to all of humanity.

Produced by Storydoc Productions, THE HIDDEN MAP is directed, produced, written and edited by Ani Hovannisian.

PBS TAMPA CHANELS

PBS made the historic decision to distribute this independent film to more than 300 stations nationwide both because it recognizes the power of the film and because during its Southern California debut viewers responded with an outpouring of support.

With its national release, viewers who pledge even a nominal amount in support of PBS’s broadcasts of THE HIDDEN MAP will not only help secure additional airings on a national stage, but will receive unique gifts, including exclusive hand-crocheted dolls made by women in Goris, Armenia– some of them displaced citizens of Artsakh who are supported each time a viewer requests a doll.

This is an unprecedented moment in history when we can all easily help to bring this human story of heartbreak, discovery and hope into the homes and consciousness of millions of Americans, while touching the lives of Armenians today.

ABOUT

An American-Armenian granddaughter of exiled genocide survivors dares to venture to their lost ancestral homeland to uncover long-buried truths. During her travels, she meets a lone Scottish explorer who had stumbled upon this mysterious land of secrets years earlier. Together the duo digs beneath the surface of modern-day Turkey, discovering sacred relics, silenced voices, fearless resilience, and the hidden map.

The documentary premiered nationwide on NBCLX in April 2021, coinciding with the U.S.’ official recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Overwhelming audience and critical response prompted nine encore broadcasts. It was also the top broadcast on PBS SoCal and KCET in December, ushering in more screenings in 2022. THE HIDDEN MAP has earned more than a dozen honors at international film festivals and was considered for three 2021 Primetime Emmys.

More information is available at thehiddenmap.com and pbs.org.

FLArmenians Elections Center: 2022 Special & Municipal Election Endorsements in South Florida

BOCA RATON, FL – Florida Armenians is pleased to announce our endorsements for the upcoming 2022 special and municipal elections taking place in Broward and Palm Beach Counties on March 8, 2022.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS: STATE SENATE & STATE HOUSE

Senate District 33 (SD-33)

  • Rosalind Osgood (D)

House District 88 (HD-88)

  • Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds (D)

House District 94 (HD-94)

  • Daryl Campbell (D) (unopposed)

Daryl Campbell won the Democrat Party’s primary election on January 11, 2022 and since no Republican filed to run Campbell was automatically elected to the HD-94 State House seat.

BROWARD COUNTY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Hillsboro Beach

  • Commissioner At-Large: Jane Reiser

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

  • Commission District 2: Randy Strauss

Lighthouse Point

  • Commission District 1: Patty Petrone
  • Commission District 2: Troy Ganter
  • Commission District 3: Jason Joffe

Pembroke Pines

  • Commission District 1: Thomas “Tom” Good
  • Commission District 4: Angelo Castillo

PALM BEACH COUNTY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Boynton Beach

  • Mayor: Ty Penserga
  • Commission District 1: Angela Cruz
  • Commissioner District 3: Marit Hedeen

Greenacres

  • Council District 2: Nathan Galang
  • Council District 3: Judy Dugo
  • Council District 4: Suzy Diaz

Lake Worth Beach

  • Commission District 4: Craig Frost

Jupiter

  • Mayor: Ilan Kaufer
  • Council District 1: Cheryl Schneider

North Palm Beach

  • Council Group 1: Deborah Searcy
  • Council Group 3: Darryl Aubrey
  • Council Group 5: Mark Mullinix

Wellington

  • Council Seat 2: Tanya Siskind
  • Council Seat 3: John T. McGovern

West Palm Beach

  • Commission District 1: Cathleen Ward
  • Commission District 3: Christy Fox (unopposed)
  • Commission District 5: Christina Lambert (unopposed)

Municipal elections in the State of Florida are non-partisan. If you’re interested in learning more about the candidates, FLArmenians encourages you to visit the candidate websites and learn more about each candidate on the ballot in your area. Also, The Palm Beach Post’s Hannah Morse has an excellent article breaking down of all the races in Palm Beach County with details on early voting locations and additional background on the candidates.

For specific information about voting, such as registering, changing party affiliation, updating address records, and more, please visit the Broward County Supervisor of Elections website and the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections website.

Additional endorsements may be added.