Ontarians Encouraged To Honour And Remember Veterans

TORONTO, Nov. 6 /CNW/ - All Ontarians are encouraged to honour and remember veterans and keep the memories of their contributions alive during Veterans' Week, said Minister Responsible for Seniors Aileen Carroll at the start of Veterans' Week.

"We need to help future generations remember the contributions the sacrifices veterans made to preserving our freedom," said Carroll. "On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I encourage everyone to take time during Veterans' Week to pay tribute by participating in local Legion activities, school assemblies or faith services, or just by saying thank you to a veteran."

Ontario is continuing to expand its efforts to ensure future generations never forget the debt of gratitude owed to our veterans. Ontario government activities for Veterans' Week include:

- The launch of an advertising campaign for licence plates that feature a poppy and are available only to veterans
- A Tribute to the Fallen Ceremony on November 9, honouring soldiers who died in the past year
- The second annual provincial Ceremony of Remembrance at the Veterans' Memorial on Remembrance Day, November 11.

Federal Minister Finley Announces Overseas Expansion Of Foreign Credentials Referral Services
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2007/2007-11-06.asp

New Delhi, India, November 6, 2007 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced the expansion of services to help immigrants from India and China get their professional credentials assessed and recognized in Canada as quickly as possible with the assistance of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO).

While in India, the Minister announced the opening of a new office of the Canadian Immigration Integration Project in New Delhi. The new office, which is centrally located, is in response to increased demand in the region.

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Love Thy Neighbours — Please
http://thecanadianimmigrant.com
By George Abraham

Think of Canada as a huge social experiment with 32 million people. New people are being introduced every year — at the highest rate in the world — and predictably, there is concern about how the new and old are getting along.

Thirty-five years after inventing multiculturalism for the world, Canada is having second thoughts. It’s no longer about what Canadians can do for new immigrants; it’s about what new immigrants should do to fit in. The new mantra might well be “reasonable accommodation.”

The cradle for this shift is in Quebec, which is debating the obligations of society toward new immigrants. Headed by a renowned sociologist-philosopher duo, the Bouchard-Taylor Consultation Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to Cultural Differences is travelling across the province tapping public opinion.

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StatsCan Study: Economic integration of immigrants' children
1996 to 2004

Highlights
Young women with two immigrant parents had significantly higher hourly and annual earnings than young women with Canadian-born parents
…..Some visible minority men with two immigrant parents appeared to have a significant disadvantage in earnings compared to their peers with Canadian-born parents

Monday, October 29, 2007 http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/071029/d071029a.htm

Much has been written about the widening gap in earnings and low-income rates between recent immigrants to Canada and their Canadian-born counterparts. However, the challenges associated with the integration of immigrants often extend beyond the first generation.

This study, published today in the October 2007 edition of Perspectives on Labour and Income, focuses on second-generation Canadians aged 17 to 29—young men and women born in Canada to two immigrant parents between 1967 and 1982.

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Internet Is A Major Tool For Canadians
Excerpt From:
http://www.canada.com
CanWest News Service Wednesday, October 31, 2007

OTTAWA -- The Internet has changed the way Canadians live, but also the way they learn, according to a new Statistics Canada report with the latest data on how Canadians are using the Internet.

The study found that in 2005, more than one-quarter of Canadians -- an estimated 6.4 million -- used the Web for education, training or school work.

The study, using data from the 2005 Canadian Internet Use Survey, then took a closer look at the characteristics of the people who are going online for educational purposes.

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An Australian Definition of a Canadian -Written by an Australian Dentist
Sent by: Joe Dias of Toronto

A Pakistan Newspaper displayed an Ad - Reward for killing a Canadian…- any Canadian. An Australian dentist wrote the following editorial to help define what a Canadian is, so they would know one when they found one.

A Canadian can be English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. A Canadian can be Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, Arab, Pakistani or Afghan.

A Canadian may also be a Cree, Metis, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Sioux, or one of the many other tribes known as native Canadians. A Canadian's religious beliefs range from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or none. In fact, there are more Muslims in Canada than in Afghanistan. The key difference is that in Canada they are free to worship as each of them chooses. Whether they have a religion or no religion, each Canadian ultimately answers only to God, not to the government, or to armed thugs claiming to speak for the government and for God.

A Canadian lives in one of the most prosperous lands in the history of the world. The root of that prosperity can be found in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which recognize the right of each person to the pursuit of happiness.

A Canadian is generous and Canadians have helped out just about every other nation in the world in their time of need, never asking a thing in return. Canadians welcome the best of everything, the best products, the best books, the best music, the best food, the best services and the best minds. But they also welcome the least - the oppressed, the outcast and the rejected.

These are the people who built Canada. You can try to kill a Canadian if you must as other blood-thirsty tyrants in the world have tried but in doing so you could just be killing a relative or a neighbour. This is because Canadians are not a particular people from a particular place. They are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. Everyone who holds to that spirit, everywhere, can be a Canadian.

India: Land of Opportunity ?

There May Be An Impressive Economy Boom In India, But There’s Still A Way To Go.
Excerpts from New Civil Engineer: Article by Tushar Prabu- a director of Pell Frischniann



India’s economy is booming, thanks to services, which accounts for 60% of the country’s GOP, and massive growth in disposable income. Car registration is rising at 10% per annum and air travel at 25%; 12M homes, 600 shopping malls, 8,000 offices and 200 townships
— not to mention hotels, hospitals and schools— are slated for construction by 2010. Overall, GDP growth is 6% over the past five years and rising.
The only real threat to the country’s future growth offers the greatest opportunity for civil engineering: infrastructure.

Infrastructure in India is like the country’s weather according to Mark Twain. “Everybody complains but no one does anything about it”. Transport is conjested, power is erratic, water is unavailable and pollution is intense.

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'Per Capita Income To Touch $4,000 By 2025'
November 7 2007 01:11 IST- PTI

MUMBAI: Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that he expects the country’s per capita income to touch $4,000 by 2025 shattering all forecasts by global economic pundits.

"A BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China form the BRIC nations) report has forecast India’s per capita income would touch $800 by 2010 and $1,149 by 2015. We have exploded this assumption as our per capita income has already touched $1,000 this year and expect it to touch $4,000 by 2025," Chidambaram said after releasing a book, ‘We are like that only: Understanding the logic of consumer India, by Rama Bijapurkar. Today one cannot get a farm labourer for below Rs 80, a carpenter won’t be available for less than Rs 150 and a senior mason will charge Rs 200. People are demanding and getting more.

This aspiration is driving consumption which will make India a middle income country in the next 15-20 years, he said.

"India is a fast-changing market driven by people’s aspirations to lead a better life. This aspiration is breaking down class and caste barriers," he said.

"India is a fast-changing market which cannot be captured in a series of articles, essays or books. By the time a book is written, edited and published, much of what has been written would become outdated. This makes India an exciting place to be in," he said.

Would Be Indian Immigrants Follow Hannibal’s Trail !

CHAMONIX (France), Nov 2: Thirty illegal Indian immigrants travelling in “inhuman conditions” were stopped while crossing the French Alps in a small truck, border police said on Friday. “They were packed together, standing up, in inhuman conditions in an area of less than six square metres. It was horrible,” said head of the border police.—AFP

Indian Ministers Told To Shun Dalai Lama Ceremony
From: http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/03/int7.htm

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: The Indian government has quietly told government ministers to stay away from a felicitation on Saturday of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader and China’s thorn in the flesh, a news agency said on Friday.

The move follows a “fruitful” recent visit to China by Ms Sonia Gandhi, head of India’s ruling UPA coalition which is supported by communists. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too is due to visit China early next year.

The Dalai Lama is to be felicitated on Saturday by the Gandhi Peace Foundation, the All-Party Indian Parliamentary Forum for Tibet and the Core Group for Tibetan Cause for receiving the US Congressional gold medal, the highest civilian award in the United States.

Rediff.com news portal said the top secret letter is being viewed as a clear signal that New Delhi does not want to rub the Chinese on the wrong side, especially at a time when Sino-Indian relations are on a high following Ms Gandhi’s visit to Beijing last week.

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New law mooted to protect Goa's coastal areas
PANJIM, Nov 6: When pressure on the environmentally-sensitive land is increasing by the day, should Goa go in for Transfer of Development Rights law? A suggestion to this effect was strongly made by Botanical Society of Goa before the Task Force for Regional Plan 2021 here today. Making the presentation, Botanical Society of Goa president Miguel Braganza mooted the idea of TDR for protection of areas under coastal coconut plantation, sand dunes, private forest, mangroves, etc. He said transfer of FAR/FSI (Floor Area Ratio/Floor Space Index) of such areas would meaningfully compensate the owners of such lands without cost to the state exchequer. The builders, Braganza said, could buy these rights for additional construction in other areas and appropriate entries made in the land documents of the FSI being consumed by the one-time TDR. [H]

Waste Wise Clinton Vaz will hold a visual presentation on the topic "Waste Wise : Converting Problems to Solutions with Waste Management in Goa" at Xavier Centre of Historical Research at Alto Porvorim on November 16, 5.30 pm. Waste Management is an issue that plagues the whole world, not just Goa and India. If we are willing to take un various issues such as environmental education, river pollution and hospital waste and has been invited to conduct talks in Delhi, Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal and Nepal. After a three-year project with the Corporation of the City of Panaji, Vaz works now to build awareness with interactive presentations in Goan villages and also by means of an ecotourism booklet directed towards tourists that will be out by the end of November. [GoaNewsClips]

Failure to tow away casino boat raises eyebrows MARGAO, Nov 6: Even as Hotel Leela Goa has promised Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to tow the controversial boat out of River Sal by November, the Captain of Ports has till date has not received any application seeking permission to move out the boat. [H]

Mapusa needs new fish market MAPUSA, Nov 6: Selling fish for the 100 odd fishermen in the Mapusa fish market has become a nightmare. In the monsoons the fish market roof leaks and the market is full of rainwater. One can see large pieces of cement plaster falling on the fisherwomen, and as a result at least 4 fisherwomen were rushed to Asilo Hospital and had stitches on their heads. [NT]

CORPORATOR ASSAULTED OVER FISH ROW PANJIM: The wholesale and retail fish vendors' imbroglio at the Panjim fish market took an ugly turn on November 4 morning, when a corporator was assaulted. The unsavoury incident occurred at 8.30 am when corporator Carolina Po was negotiating with some retail vendors over their grievance that the wholesale vendors were selling fish to cycle vendors, who were multiplying in number, and taking away their business by selling door-to-door and outside fish market. Po was assaulted and the vendors also flung fish on her. Trouble also erupted earlier at around 6.30 am, when wholesale vendors from Dona Paula, Caranzalem, and Marivel arrived at the fish market, but were restrained by the retailers. Their baskets containing fish were snatched and fish thrown in the gutter and the on the road. [GT]

Goan MP may get bert in Union cabinet PANAJI, Nov 7: One of the two Congress MPs, Mr Shantaram Naik and Mr Francisco Sardinha, from the state could be accommodated in the Union ministry at the time of reshuffle of the Union cabinet. Highly placed sources in the party said the move to induct one of the Goan MPs is to send a signal to the Goan electorate that the Congress cared for them and was ready to help them. The move is likely to be an effort by the party leadership to prepare itself for facing the electorate during the mid-term elections that could be held next year. [NT]

Forced conversions impossible: Vatican ROME, Nov 5 (Reuters): The Vatican told Indians on Monday that it was impossible to forcibly convert anyone to another religion, amid accusations by Hindu activists that missionaries are pressuring poor Indians to adopt Christianity. The appeal comes as relations between the two communities are strained by attacks on Christians by Hindu activists in India seeking to stamp out what they see as forced conversions. [NT]

Cashew Concerns Cashew production is on decline in Goa and this is certainly not a good piece of news as cashew is a major cash crop for the state. While the state government proposed to double the production of raw cashew by 2010, the latest production figures do not support the promise. While cashew production in Goa was 32 tonnes in 2003, it was 26 tonnes in 2004 and 27 tonnes in 2005. [Edit, NT]

Parish priest for periodical maintenance of Usgao bridge PANAJI, Nov 7: Fr Felix Lobo, the parish priest of St Joseph Church of Usgao, has threatened to launch an agitation and block the roads in the area if the authorities failed to carry out periodical maintenance of the Usgao bridge and regulate the traffic. [NT]

City gets high tech water saving toilet PANJIM: Panjim has got its first hi-tech, water-saving toilet with Gurgaon-based company, Pride Engineering and Contracting, completing the first demo project before Diwali. [GT]

John Gilbert de Souza May 27, 1942 – Nov. 1, 2007

John, or Gilbert, as he was known to his prayerful friends and colleagues at Rogers Communications, passed away on Nov. 1, 2007 at the Trillium Hospital in Mississauga. He was surrounded by his loving wife Violet, daughter Monika, son Stephen, mother Bertha (predeceased by his father Nelson), brothers David, Philip and sister Norma.

He exuded an inimitable sense of humor and celebrated a principled life based on his devout Catholic faith. Enriched by his active participation with the “Couples for Christ” and his Rosary prayer group, he served the Lord and his community. This, with the love of his family and the patient and tender care of the staff at Trillium (literally) left Gilbert with a smile on his face. He will be missed but not forgotten by his friends from the Goan School (Mombasa), Kenya Police (Nairobi), UK and Rogers Comm. (Toronto) where he recently retired.

Funeral service was held at St. Patrick’s Church, Mississauga on Monday Nov. 5 Based on message from monikadesouza@hotmail.com

Toronto - House bidding wars stretching budgets
Excerpt from: http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/273856
November 06, 2007 Tony Wong Business Reporter

When Savio and Hilary Rodrigues decided in October 2006 to buy a home, they settled on a belt-tightening figure of $450,000.

"Those were big numbers for us, so we were a little apprehensive about getting into the market," Savio said.

But after losing out in six home bidding wars, the couple upped their bid and ended up paying an eye-popping price of more than $700,000 for a 2 1/2-storey home.

Yesterday, the Toronto Real Estate Board reported the average home price in the Toronto area is now $394,646, up 11 per cent from a year ago, although, like the Rodrigues family, you can count on paying a lot more if you want to live downtown.

Today's generation of new homeowners are spending and taking on debt that their parents couldn't imagine.

They are also buying homes at what some economists consider to be the peak of the market, after an unprecedented decade-long appreciation in real estate prices. At the same time, interest rates have edged up, creating a potentially perfect storm.

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Kenyan Mayor of British Columbia Town
Success Story – Changing the immigrant experience Shamira Madhany
Mayor on a mission
By Margaret Jetelina

Kenyan-born James Atebe roomed with Stephen Harper, worked with the Sto:lo Nation and became the mayor of a growing little town in the heart of the Fraser Valley.

Mayor James Atebe leads the growing District of Mission, an eclectic, hillside town 70 kilometres from Vancouver that boasts the Westminster Abbey and the Xa:ytem historic site, the oldest Aboriginal dwelling found in British Columbia.

Nestled between two federal prisons and a Benedictine monastery, known as Westminster Abbey, stands the municipal hall of Mission, B.C. That’s where you’ll find Kenyan immigrant James Atebe, the mayor of the small, hillside town.

Mayor Atebe is the type of guy who always has a smile and ready handshake; he remembers your name and asks you how your family is doing. And while it might seem to outsiders that the tall mayor, who originates from the Gusii tribe in the town of Kisii, Kenya, sticks out among the town’s mostly Caucasian population, many Missionites will tell you that Mayor Atebe is an easy fit.

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GOANETTER'S WORK GOES ON AUCTION AT CHRISTIES THIS MONTH
From: goanet-news-bounces@lists.goanet.org 
on behalf of Goanet News (news.goanet@gmail.com)
By Fred Noronha

Goanetter Hazel Gomes <hazelonholiday at yahoo.co.uk> has the distinction of seeing her fashion illustrations coming up for sale on November 21, 2007 at the Christies auction house in London.

A search via http://www.christies.com/lotfinder  using the keywords '20th century fashion and accessories' says: "Hazel Gomes, for Yves Saint Laurent. Twenty-two watercolour on paper illustrations for fashion accessories, all mounted, signed in pencil and dated 1982 one: 10 x 14in. (25.4 x 35.5cm) eighteen: 12 x 15.75in. (30.5 x 40cm) three: 13.5 x 16.5in. (34.3 x 42cm) (22)."

Gomes was herself born and raised in Goa. Her maternal home is at Buinca, Cuncolim with Navelim being her paternal village. She lived and worked in Europe as an artist for 30 years, and her work has been acknowledged in the Sunday Navhind Times (March 12, 1989) and the Herald in 2000.

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A Hazel Is A Hazel Is A Hazel..
Friend of Mississauga Goan Seniors Has Rose Named After Her
Excerpt fromToronto Star: November 07, 2007
 

Mississauga Board of Trade commissions rose in honour of city's `versatile and classic' mayor

When the Mississauga Board of Trade decided to honour Mayor Hazel McCallion with a hybrid flower named for her, it told the grower it had to have the veteran politician's qualities and be "vigorous, versatile and classic."

The delicately fragrant Hazel McCallion rose, which could become the city's official flower today if council approves, would be a fitting tribute to Canada's longest-serving mayor, board of trade president Sheryl McKean said yesterday.

"I can't think of a better tribute to the mayor," McKean said. "We wanted to pay tribute to her for what she's done for Mississauga."

The task of developing a new variety of rose, at a cost of more than $10,000, was given to Hortico Nurseries, near Guelph. Their suggestion was the uniquely cultivated rose that is primarily pink, McCallion's favourite colour, but also tinged with white and blue.

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What an evening!

There was a chill in the air but not at 40 Commander Park as 230 TEGSA members came to be entertained at the Mexican Fiesta.
Guests arrived early – at 5:00 p.m. for a show scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
Such was the excitement!
The mood in the hall was electrifying and fun filled as many dressed in their Mexican outfits, men with their sombreros and women with flowers in their hair and colourful frilly dresses.

Dinner was served promptly at 6:30 p.m.
The meal consisted of Mexican Fried Rice, Boneless Chicken, Fried Beans, Corn Tortillas, Salad and Guacomoli hot sauce.
Guests were invited to serve themselves as the chicken which was the main entrée, was plentiful.

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Even more excitement and fun than last year’s event.
This time on November 4, 2007 there were 72 Bowlers participating in a 5 Pin – 12 Lane, 3 sets of 10 games each.
Rented exclusively to TEGSA, our members took full advantage of the facilities offered by MARKHAM BOWLING – Free bowling shoes, the practice sessions, the lounge facilities, the cash bar and of course the bowling.
Additionally, there were about a dozen on-lookers who came to see what the excitement was all about – all members.

And then the games started. The camaraderie amongst the players was extraordinary – teasing each other about their scores and cheering and later singing at their teams success. By the end of the evening there were many with hoarse throats - Sogleamchea talle podle,

Dinner was served after the second set of games. This was a sumptuous dinner of chicken biryani, shish kebab and salad, followed with a generous serving of Jeelabies and a bar of Chocolate.

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This special day was dedicated to the memory of our dearly departed and beloved family members. A mass was celebrated by Nigerian – Fr. Obinna Ifeanyi.
His homily was a source of inspiration to all of us.
He has a good sense of humour and a very practical approach to life in general.

Paul Soares played a very moving “Amazing Grace” on the saxophone as the processional hymn. The procession was led by the president and other executive members of the committee, with lighted candles and a symbolic memorial wreath.

The ad hoc choir, convened just for the occasion, led us with some popular hymns such as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Just a Closer Walk”. “The Robe of Calvary”, which included solos by accomplished singers Doug Fernandes and Sandra Fernandes, was the highlight of the mass.

Ligia and Jimmy VanRossi provided music on the keyboard and guitar.

The evening added a new dimension to our usual social calendar.
It catered for our spiritual needs and allowed us to think with fondness of our family members who are no longer with us.

Deceased Annual Mass Sponsored by Lazarus Pereira

The Loonie Rises

$100 Canadian buys you:
• 107.8 US Dollars
• 51.6 UK Pounds
• 74.1 Euros
• 4200 Indian Rupees
• 7200 Kenya Shillings
• 116.3 Australian Dollars

Are Indian Visas routinely denied to ex-Pakistanis?
International Goan Organization Investigation

On Friday November 2, 2007 two directors of the International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario, Cellie Gonsalves and Al Mathias met the Consul-General of India (CGI), Mr. Satish C. Mehta.

Mr. Mehta was updated on the various accomplishments of the IGO including Academic Conferences, Indo-Canadian Enterprise Exchange Program, Health Services Project and the current Best of Both Worlds project. He was very impressed.

Mr. Mehta stated proudly that approximately 30,000 people participated in India Day celebrations in Toronto this year. He attended VIVA Goa having been invited by the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Toronto this year and suggested that we leverage the huge attendance at Viva Goa by inviting Investment Companies and Realtors from Goa/India to showcase their products and services at Viva Goa.

“The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India has introduced Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) to study in Higher and Technical Institutions in India”, advised Mr. Mehta, “assistance on Merit basis, is provided to the children of Diaspora [Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)] for the academic year 2007-2008”. Mr. Mehta requested the IGO to publicize this program and welcomed applications.

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55PGA – Memorial Mass
The 55PGA invites you to a MEMORIAL MASS on November 30, 2007, to be celebrated at the Church of the Navitity of Our Lord ,at 7.30pm.
The address is 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke.
The service will be followed by light refreshments in the Church hall.

So please make the time to attend this celebration wherein, we may remember OUR DEARLY DEPARTED.

Muriel Lucas,
Hon Gen Secretary
55PGA-West GTA
muriellucas@rogers.com

Friends of St. Francis Xavier

Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ 10.00.a.m. Friends of St. Francis Xavier Celebration of Feast of St. Francis Xavier at St. Francis Xavier Church 5650 Mavis Road (Mavis & Matheson)
Procession of the relic of the Saint followed by Solemn High Mass.
Light refreshments served following Mass. All Invited

Monsignor Terence D'Souza 75th Birthday Celebration

The 75th birthday of Monsignor Terence D'Souza, Founding Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, is being celebrated with a sit down dinner dance.
This is being organized by the parishioners and well-wishers at the Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Rd Mississauga on November 23rd 2007
Live Band & DJ: Ramblers
Tickets: $65 per person
Tickets sales will close on Sunday, November 11th - please contact Hilary D'Souza at the Church 905 890 5290

Healing Thanksgiving Mass, Dinner Dance in aid of Families

A Healing Thanksgiving Mass, Dinner Dance with MC and DJ Music is being held on the 2nd of December, at the Claireport Place, Banquet Hall.
The price is $26 for adults and 12 dollars for kids under 11 years.
The event is being organized by a Prayer Group called
The Holy Family Intercessory Prayer Group, held at the Nuns Place at 1402 Hurontario St.

The purpose of this Event with the Mass and Dinner Dance is TO BLESS ALL FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES AND CHILDREN

For further details contact: Angela Castelino email: angelacastelino@hotmail.com

New Goan Social Group, “The Goa-Netters Association. Toronto”(GNAT) Formed
From : Francis Rodrigues (fcarodriguez@hotmail.com)

14 Goanetters met in an exciting atmosphere at the "Cuisine of India" (Yonge & Shepherd) to
formally give shape to the "Goa-Netters Assocn. Toronto" popularly known by it's acronym 'GNAT'!
gnat: two-winged fly, like the punkie (dictionary).

Yes, GNAT takes flight on both wings, though we're not 'punk' oriented, nor is our membership
restricted to cybergoans from Goanet, we welcome all types - from high-horse to crab-mentality! See...

'This Goencar loves sea-food, so when he sees this calamari dive in Athens, he hassles a waiter:

"Do you serve crabs?"

"Sit down, " says the waiter "We serve anybody!!" '

GNAT's genesis harks back to summer 2006, when 6 T.O. Goanetters (Bosco D'Mello, Ben Antao, Kevin Saldanha, Francis Rodrigues, Mervyn Lobo, Silviano Barbosa), enjoying a beer at Viva Goa, thought of getting together to do something, not merely "for Goa" (like everybody else), but "with Goa". Cute!

Historical Note
Goanet started in 1994 with 20 young Goans from around the world. The nucleus came together on Internet Relay Chat (IRC), which was popular at the time. At that time mailing lists were new, webpages were novel, and there was no blogging, wikipedia, Google or youtube. As the news of Goanet spread by word of mouth it kept growing and it's evolved into what it is today. Goanet is special in that it's much more than a mailing list and website. Goanet is an online community.
(see http://www.goanet.org/)

Goa Meeting - World Alliance of the Goan Overseas Associations

World Alliance of the Goan Overseas Associations invites all Non-Resident Goans & their guests to a Grand Dinner Dance to be held at the Famous MANDOVI RIVIERA Panjim
ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH, 2008 from 6.00 pm onwards

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW – Contact --
Antonio Mascarenhas (villa.fatima@sympatico.ca)

Saturday, November 17th, 2007

32nd Navelim Fest

Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

Claireport Place Banquet & Convention Centre
65 Claireport Cres., Etobicoke (Hwy 27/Albion Rd.)

Sunday November 18th 2007

Divarkars of Greater Toronto

Sangam Banquet Hall
6991 Millcrek Drive, Mississauga
Ontario L5N 6B9 Tel: (905) 821-9688

Date

Event

Details

Christmas Bazaar (Open To All)
 

Christmas Gala At The Oasis Banquet Hall.

To avoid disappointment form your tables of 8 or 10 and send the cheques to 55PGA , 100 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, on, L5B 3C6

Yuletide Get-Together

To ensure a spot for this event please send in your cheque.

All events must be paid for in advance to ensure reservations. See above for details of cheque payments.

Whist Drive
A Snack plate will be served
Cost: $6.00 (Members)
$8.00 (Guests)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

Click for Flyer

NIAGARA CASINO & CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR

Departure: 10:00 am – Agincourt Mall (parking behind Wal-Mart) Winery Tour 11:00 – 11:30 am - Visit to Magnotta Winery – wine tasting

Lunch: 12:00 noon – 1:15 pm @ Betty’s Restaurant. Main course, Choice of Roast Beef, Roast Chicken or Fish and Chips.
Casino: 1:30 pm – 6:45 pm. Buffet dinner coupon included.
Sightseeing: 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm. Tour of the Christmas Lights.
Return: Arrival in Toronto approx. 9:00 pm

"SOLD OUT"

Yuletide Festivities – Choral Group in Attendance
Live Music – X’mas Bazaar
Authentic Goan Food and Sweets
Cost: $10.00 (Members)
$14.00 (Guests)
Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Your Executive invites you to do yet another good deed for the less fortunate. Please donate at least one food can of your choice, which will collectively be donated to the FOOD BANK, during the festive season.

Click for Flyer

Christmas Dance
St. Clement of Ohrid Banquet Hall
76 Overlea Boulevard
Cost: $40.00 (Members)
$45.00 (Guests)
Cocktails and Appertizers at 6:30 p.m.
Sit-down dinner at 7:30 p.m.

To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

Click for Flyer

Get the Flu Shot
see www.gettheflushot.ca

You and Your Family
Each year, thousands of Ontarians fall ill with influenza. Some get severely ill, missing days of work, school or vacation. Some even die. But much of the illness caused by the flu can be prevented with the flu shot.
So, protect yourself and the ones you love. Get the flu shot today.
Visit your doctor or find a flu shot clinic near you.

Housing Costs Pushing Out `Key Workers,' Report Warns
TheStar.com - News - http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/
November 07, 2007 Donovan Vincent

http://www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing/news-framework.htm#6

A draft report calling for strategies to house everyone from the homeless to those barely able to buy a Toronto house is to be released today.

Called Housing Opportunities Toronto: An Affordable Housing Framework, and endorsed by Mayor David Miller, the report takes a broad new approach: Besides aiming to put a roof over the poorest of the poor, its goal is to make it easier for "key workers" – those employed in modestly paid fields such as the service industry, hospitals, retail and clerical work – to find housing they can actually afford.

The city's white-hot real estate market is making it difficult for many working people to find affordable rent, or make payments to buy their first homes. Yet it's vital to the local economy that they find housing here, the report says.

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Majority Of Canadians Looking For Snacks That Pack A Nutritional Punch

A new Ipsos Reid survey suggests many Canadians feel they aren't getting enough nutrition on a daily basis and may be turning to snacks with multi-nutritional benefits to fill the gap

Healthy eating is top-of-mind with many Canadians, especially since the release of the new Canada's Food Guide earlier this year. Canada's Food Guide suggests that snacks can keep people energized and provide important nutrients if chosen wisely.

However, a recent Ipsos Reid survey reveals that while Canadians say they are looking to supplement their diets with more wholesome foods, they don't feel they're able to everyday. Canadians appear to want it all from their snacks: nutrition, great-taste and convenience.

Nature Valley has recently introduced FibreSource, a multi-nutritional addition to its line of granola bars. This tasty snack contains 20 per cent of the daily value of fibre, 300 mg of Omega-3, whole grains, as well as being low in saturated fat with zero trans fat; all in a bar that has less than 130 calories per serving for consumers seeking more from their snacks.

Introducing The Must-Have Gift For Dogs This Holiday Season
Launch of the world's first scientifically-based dog companion DVD collection will revolutionize the pet industry.

TORONTO, Nov. 7 /CNW/ - This holiday season dog owners finally have a defence against "the look" - that dejected stare dogs give just before the front door closes. Introducing Your Dog Companion, the first scientifically-based DVD collection designed to allow dogs to watch and listen from their own perspective.

This new collection, produced by The Pet Network via Pet Entertainment Products Inc. (PEPI), and created by world-renowned dog behaviourist Dr. Stanley Coren, was designed to entertain and amuse dogs while their owners carry on with their daily lives. Additionally, owners will appreciate that the DVDs can actually relieve and even eliminate the problematic behaviours that are associated with leaving dogs at home alone.
"Much like people, dogs want to be entertained in their daily lives," says Dr. Coren, "and Your Dog Companion does just that, keeping dogs engaged and stimulated when their owners aren't available to play."

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Canadians Say Reducing Energy Use A Big Priority, But Many Could Be Missing Out On Huge Savings This Winter
Average homeowner claims annual heating/cooling bill of nearly $5,000
http://www.newswire.ca

TORONTO, Nov. 7 /CNW/ - A recent poll of more than 1,200 Canadian homeowners conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Icynene has found nearly all (97%) agree with the idea that reducing energy use at home is important to save money, yet many could still be missing out on opportunities to lower their energy bills this winter. The poll found Canadian homeowners claim to have paid an average of $394 per month for heating and cooling over the last year, while one in ten Canadians spent an average of more than $1,000 per month for heating and cooling.

Leaking opportunities and energy

Many homeowners, who haven't already taken the step within the last two years, are planning to seal air leaks (52%), turn down the heat (31%) or add insulation (20%) for winter. According to Jon Eakes, Canada's longest standing TV home improvement expert, a large number of homeowners might still be missing an opportunity to realize significant energy cost savings this winter, especially by sealing air leaks. The poll found nearly one in five (19%) homeowners haven't sealed air leaks within the last two years and have no intention of doing so for winter. "Reducing air leakage, which can cause up to 40% of a home's energy loss, can produce noticeable savings for an average homeowner who spends nearly $5,000 per year on heating and cooling," says Eakes.

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