Iranian Community Begins Another Impressive Year Here

As their numbers have increased here, so have the accomplishments of members of the Iranian-American community and so have their contributions to all facets of the quality of life in Beverly Hills.
The gowth of that community in both numbers and influence was brought to the fore this week by the impressive celebration marking the observation of Now Ruz ( or more authentically Norouz), the Iranian New Year.It was a lavish and beautiful event held Monday at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where Manager Peter O' Colman worked in helpful cooperation with the comitee in charge to assure an enjoyable evening.
It is noteworthy that the festivities were sponsored by the Iranian American Parents Association, with proceeds dedicated to the benifit of the Beverly Hills Unified School District and the Maple Counseling Center.This sort of support of our intergral local civic entities is indication of the Iranians' enthsiastic paticipation in functions that mean so much to our city and to the development of the younger generation.
We realize that it must have been difficult for the families who left their homeland and immigrated to this area 15 or 20 years ago and those who followed more recently, but we find it admirable that they have joined in working now for the betterment of Beverly Hills.

Now-Ruz - Beverly Hills City Council will issue a proclamation on Tuesday recognizing March 21as Now-Ruz, the Iranian New Year. Representatives from the Iranian community, including members of the Iranian American Parents for Quality Education, also will be aknowledged for their contributions in Beverly Hills.
Organized last October, Iranian American Parents for Quality Education is headed by Dr. Nanaz Pirnia. The group is dedicated to creating a dialogue among parents, educators and students in the city's public schools.

Iranian Celebration Unites Community The first day of spring is the Iranian new year "Now-Ruz". It is a time when the young pay their respect to the old, and when broken and forgotten friendships are renewed.
Over a two-week period, friends and family members visit each other in their homes and in public gatherings to wish health and happiness for the coming new year.The celebration culminates on the 13th day of the new year when many families spend much of the day in the park, playing games and sharing tra- ditional Iranian food.
The global village of the 21st century that we and our children will be living in will reward those who have a knowledge of diverse backrounds, and are at ease with differences.
It's our hope that events like the Iranian Now-Ruz gathering we will be able to bridge some of the gaps, lessen some of the mis- understandings, and bring closer a diverse population that needs to live and play in harmony.
The IAPQE, formed more than 18 monts ago, has as one of its primary objectives the better integration of the Iranian community into the American system of education and gover- ment.
With this goal in mind, IAPQE has had many seminars and panel discussions. Perhaps our most successful event bringing together our diverse city and its leaders has been the two Now-Ruz gather- ings sponsored by the IAPQE in 1994 and 1995. More than 700 people each year celebrated this non-political, and non-religious event.
As a psychologist with a special emphasis on children and related family problems, I know first hand how any negative feedback or comment to children (especially coming from their teachers), may affect their self esteem and self confidence. The massive migrations of Iranians to Southern California, combined with the general negative media review of Iran, has often caused misunderstanding in the American community.
What is needed at this time is greater communication and understanding of any differences, and the virtues and ben- ifits of having a multicultural society.