Once again, Azerbaijan Cultural Society was invited to help represent Azerbaijani culture in another international festival. We were excited to be part of the Sunnyvale Hands-on-Arts International festival on May 13th. Our extensive hands-on exhibits allowed the attendees to learn more about Azerbaijan, including its arts and culture, history, geography, customs, and of course, food. Furthermore, this year we were excited to have a professional Azerbaijani folk dancer, Sema Memmedova perform a beautiful number for the festival attendees.
Azerbaijani Cultural Exhibits at Schools
Spring usually marks the time when many of our local schools celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community by holding international culture days. Azerbaijan Cultural Society is proud to be partnering with our local families once again to showcase our Azerbaijani culture at our local schools. As part of the program, we introduce the schools to Azerbaijani music, arts, attire, food, and interesting trivia facts. ACSNC provides families with national outfits, souvenirs, books, music clips, and best practice project plan. This year we are excited to be supporting the events at Carlton Elementary, Eaton Elementary, San Miguel Elementary, and others Bay Area schools.
If you are interested in participating, please contact us at [email protected].
Happy Novruz! Novruz Bayramınız Mübarək
On March 19th, Azerbaijan Cultural Society of Northern California was honored to host close to 300 members of our Azerbaijani community, guests of our community, as well as Mayor Allison Hicks and San Mateo County Supervisor Mueller’s representative for our annual Novruz celebration. The event included Novruz exhibits and trivia, kid’s activities, live instrument and vocal performances, traditional dances, and as always - delicious food and Novruz sweets.
This holiday marks the beginning of spring and symbolizes new beginning, harmony, peace, and solidarity. And as such, we wish you all a very prosperous, peaceful, and successful new year ahead!
November events
Dear community members,
Make sure to mark your calendars for our November events! Come and spend some quality and fun time with us!
We will release more detailed information about each of the event in the upcoming days. See you all in November!
Act of vandalism against the Azerbaijani community of Bay Area (October 20, 2020)
It is with much regret to share with you that our community center was vandalized the night of 10/20/2020 with hateful graffiti. We are working with the law enforcement to investigate this hate crime.
Azerbaijani community of the Northern California is deeply saddened by the ugly act of hate crimes across California. Please reach out to the police directly if you feel unsafe and if you need anything else, we are always here for our community. We believe in a culture of inclusivity, love and kindness. At Azerbaijan Cultural Society (ACSNC), we are committed in taking care of our community members, and in this time we need all of our community to come together and take care of those in need.
LOS GATOS AWARD 2020
Azerbaijan Cultural Society of Northern California (ACSNC) has been selected for the 2020 Best of Los Gatos Award in the Community Center category by the Los Gatos Award Program.
Each year, the Los Gatos Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Los Gatos area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2020 Los Gatos Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Los Gatos Award Program and data provided by third parties.
ABOUT LOS GATOS AWARD PROGRAM
The Los Gatos Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Los Gatos area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Los Gatos Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Los Gatos Award Program
Fundraising & Assistance
As you are aware, many have been impacted by the loss of income due to COVID-19, our community included for this reason, we are starting an online fundraising to help those impacted as much as possible. Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your never-ending support!
Donations will be invested in helping the hardest hit in our community. Although specific needs will vary, by giving today, you are supporting an organization that will efficiently and effectively identify ways to help so many. Key areas of support include assistance for quarantined individuals including basic needs, economic support to those who have lost income due to COVID-19.
Everything from basics, like food to emergency financial assistance to pay for things like rent is urgently needed as people experience lost wages due to COVID-19. For those who are already sick, paying medical bills has become an additional burden.
At Azerbaijan Cultural Society (ACSNC), we are committed in taking care of our community members, and in this time we need all of our community to come together and take care of those in need.
You can donate in variety to ways:
Via our website: http://www.acsnc.org/take-action
GoFundMe page: https://bit.ly/2JxRpSj
Send us a check: 16400 LARK AVE. SUITE #260, LOS GATOS, CA 95032
If you need assistance, please fill out this form and reach out to us: https://forms.gle/s4WPE446RUhKwH1k6
If you would like to help and volunteer, please email us: [email protected]
COVID-19 Measures
Dear community members,
As of yesterday we are in a shelter-in-place mode across the San Francisco Bay Area until April 30*. Please do not leave your house unless it is for essential needs. At any time, let us know if you need any help, we are all here to support one another at all times especially during a crisis and a never-seen/experienced one.
Even though you might assume that you are young and/or are not vulnerable to COIVD-19 you might put others at risk by spreading the virus, you might also be a carrier and not show symptoms, you then are risking others lives.
We are at a very serious circumstance, please take this seriously. We realize that the timing is during our cultural holidays, again we ask you to stay-in-place, practice social distancing as much as it might be hard at this time, it is crucial. All counties in the San Francisco Bay Area have issued orders of shelter-in-place, when with others remaining 6-feet apart from one another with no more than 10 people at a place at a time.
If you are in the at-risk category (older adults and people with chronic diseases) and are unable to shop for essential items and/or need any help at this time, please let us know. We need to come together as a community and help one another to get through these tough times.
These essential services will remain open:
Gas stations
Pharmacies
Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
Hardware stores/plumbers
Banks
Community benefit organizations on a case-by-case basis
Laundromats/laundry services
What can't you do?
You cannot engage in group activities in person with others.
You cannot have dinner parties. You cannot invite friends over to your home to hang out.
You cannot go to bars or nightclubs.
You cannot go to a nail salon or get your hair cut by a stylist or barber.
You cannot go shopping for non-essential goods.
You cannot take unnecessary trips on public transport or in your car or motorbike.
Where does this apply?
This is in effect across the Bay Area, including in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties and the City of Berkeley.
Is this mandatory or is it just guidance?
It is mandatory. This Order is a legal Order issued under the authority of California law. You are required to comply, and it is a misdemeanor crime not to follow the order (although the intent is not for anyone to get into trouble).
It is critical for everyone to follow the Order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect themselves, their loved ones, friends, neighbors and the whole community.
All persons, businesses, and other entities are required to comply if they do not fall within the exemptions that are specified in the Order.
Social distancing requirements
Avoid groups.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
Reduce the time you are around others outside the home, even when at least 6 feet away.
The best way to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:
Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your cough or sneeze.
Stay home if you are sick.
Avoid touching your face.
Get your vaccinations.
Keep 6 feet of distance between you and others in a line.
When that isn’t possible for short periods, keep the duration short. Be sure when you are in line that you don’t sneeze or cough onto people. If needed, cough or sneeze into your shirt or into an elbow with clothing on.
For more information please refer to CDC, World Health Organization, or your local government sites.
In the meantime, please reach out if you need anything!
* UPDATED.
Come learn Azerbaijani folk dances!
We have been working really hard to resume folk dance lessons for you!
We will be offering free dance classes for our community members with membership starting from Thursday February 6th. Please sign-up for classes using this link, it is very important that you sign up for classes so our dance teacher comes in prepared for the number of students. The classes are for children and adult, men and women, please sign-up. https://forms.gle/5h922V7ZjXM35bDT7
Date: Starting from Thursday Feb. 6, 7-9PM Weekly
Place: ACSNC
Address: 16400 Lark Ave., Suite 260, Los Gatos, CA
* classes are free for members
** to become a member: https://www.acsnc.org/tickets/current-event/membership
___
Əziz icma üzvləri, fevral ayının 6-dan başlayaraq böyüklər və uşaqlar üçün ÖDƏNİŞSİZ* rəqs dərslərinə başlanılacaq.
Qeydiyyatdan keçmək üçün forma: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdzeljAAB6RAC4kIi…/viewform
Tarix: Hər cümə axşamı 7-9PM, 6 fevral tarixindən başlayaraq
Məkan: ACSNC ofisi
Ünvan: 16400 Lark Ave., Suite 260, Los Gatos, CA
* dərslər cəmiyyətin üzvləri üçün tam ödənişsizdir
** Üzv olmaq üçün: https://www.acsnc.org/tickets/current-event/membership