It has become a ritual. Every meeting, event or gathering, my grandmother, Rosa Bikarian, will instantly pop into my head. I see her clear as a bell.

It’s so annoying when you’re surrounded with those high powered couples who complete each other’s thoughts. You know the type….mid-word, they glance at one another and start giggling. Or better yet, they interrupt one another and conclude the fair-tale story in perfect unison.

With all the mumbo jumbo about who wore which designer and who waltzed the red carpet with whom at the Oscars, it’s easy to forget that a few miles away in the beautiful city of Beverly Hills, the Armenian Cultural Foundation publicized its own celebrities—an intimate group of 300 A-listers dressed to the nines in glamorous outfits and fashion must haves.

I gazed at the tweed black and white jacket eyeing the three shiny silver buttons inscribed with the storied double C’s.

Liza. Sako. Alan. Ara. The list goes on. We all live in Southern California– some married, some single. Some soccer moms. Some superstars. We’ve changed addresses, jobs and even hair styles. We have different lifestyles, sophistications, accreditations, titles and careers.

Though many things inspire me about the Armenian Cultural Foundation, my circle of acquaintances tops the list. It’ s an exalted feeling to volunteer your talent—“be it as a youth leader, campaign staffer, activist or mentor. However, the people you spend your time with and the experiences you gain are invaluable.

How broken is Washington? Thanks to the enormous bureaucracy, congressional paralysis, systemic corruption with lobbyists spending billions of dollars every year and disintegrating media–we are left to our own resources at best.

The dreamers can see it clearly even though it’s months away. There’s an oversized stadium in the San Fernando Valley with 20,000 Homenetmen supporters, volunteers, and community members stirring with excitement and roaring for the parade of athletes and scouts from 17 chapters to march into view; proudly wearing their chapter colors and waving their hands and medals.

From nine to five, we hold corporate jobs. From writing business plans to approving multi-use development projects to designing denim apparel to updating P&L statements, we analyze documents and solve problems as members of society’s quality workforce.

Community leaders, organizational representatives, activists and benefactors were among the guests at the home of Mihran and Rosalie Tcholakian who graciously hosted the kick-off event on Wednesday, November 3. During the intimate sit-down dinner, Dr. Viken Hovsepian, ARF Bureau Member and Avedik Izmirlian, Chairman of the ACF briefed guests about the events surrounding the 120th anniversary celebration. Izmirlian thanked our hosts, guests and supporters. He outlined the upcoming events and encouraged everyone to take ownership of the celebration. “This celebration belongs of every individual here tonight. This celebration belongs to our community.”

Not long ago, I would have said Pierre-Auguste Renoir had little in common with today’s Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF). So learning about the last three decades of his life was an eye-opening experience in more ways than one.

Journalist Clementine Paddleford uttered these magical words in 1920’s. Years later, my mother imparts the same guidance to me. From one proud ARS member to another. In this modernized world, women serve as pillars of strength—bearing the weight of so many responsibilities. From motherhood to corporate life to volunteer hours, today’s woman does it all.

Wow. What a night! After diligently planning for the last few months, the Armenian Cultural Foundation hosted its Annual Banquet on Sunday, April 11. A full capacity crowd of more than 700 people were in attendance. The Master of Ceremonies, activist Charles Ghailian, engaged the audience as this year’s theme, Together, We Serve and Preserve, ran strong throughout the Program.

Turn to any page on your calendar, be it the one hanging on your wall or your electronic planner—your days, nights and weekends are full. There is always something—be it a school fundraiser, ballet practice, evening out with friends or a work function. It’s something.