By Mary O’KEEFE

The building that houses the La Crescenta Woman’s Club will now be home to the meetings of the Glendale Burbank Republican Assembly. The first meeting is on April 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The goals of the Assembly is to grow its membership and be an outreach to all ages and ethnicities, according to the Assembly’s president.

The GBRA board is planning a wide range of events including hosting Dr. Wen Chen of CalTech who will talk about aspects of life in China and North Korea. Dr. Chen will include the history, culture, politics and global relationships of these countries. She was born and educated in China and will share her thoughts on how the Chinese government controls its citizens through a form of government “brainwashing,” said Lois Brand Billings, president of the GBRA.

“[Chen] calls herself ‘a voice for the voiceless.’ Dr. Chen delivers a compelling presentation of current conditions, and welcomes audience questions and answers,” added Brand Billings.

On May 22, the Assembly is working on a salute to Armenian-American U.S. veterans and heroes of the Armenian Genocide. Historian Dr. George Kooshian, author of “The Web of Hope,” will share his family memories of the Genocide. The Assembly wants to combine the somber remembrance of the Genocide with an emphasis on how Armenians have served the U.S. in the military and their many contributions to America. The Assembly board wants to promote understanding between others and “of history’s lessons to be avoided.”

As they are getting settled in their new home, the board is planning on several other informative events and a summer barbecue in September.

For more information on the meetings or how to join the Glendale  Burbank Republican Assembly, please call (626) 823-4679.

  Mary Okeefe