Newsline Canada

Of Course Christ Belongs In Christmas, says The United Church of Canada
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - In a Christmas message released today, The United Church of Canada has highlighted the essential meaning of the season for Christians around the world.
"In an increasingly secular society, it is very easy to lose sight of the fact that Christmas, like Ramadan and Hanukkah is first and foremost, a religious celebration," says the Rev. Bruce Gregersen, General Council Minister of Programs for Mission and Ministry.For full text click here

Canadian Prime Minister says:
Within a generation, the United States will not be the lone economic superpower. China and India are already accelerating global competition, shaking the foundations of the world economy.
Just as breakthroughs in information technology and communications powered the economic surge of the 1990s, the next decade will witness similar advances in technologies we've never even heard of today. All of this with a potential to revolutionize the way we work, the way we think, how we build the communities where we live and raise our children.
Whether it is our traditional industries or tomorrow's, these enabling technologies will transform our economic base. They will be the world's engines of growth.
Ours must be an economy driven by individual ingenuity and creativity; this means an education system second to none; this means committing to the pursuit of excellence and innovation.
Because that's how we can best guarantee a rising standard of living with quality jobs and higher wages. Ideas and discoveries will be the true currency of the 21st century. Increasingly, that currency must be Canadian.
See: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/martin_paul/issues.html

Employers split on hiring needs to start the new year according to Manpower Employment Outlook Survey
TORONTO, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - A subdued hiring market will face job seekers in the first quarter of 2004 as Canadian employers are divided on staffing plans reveals the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
According to more than 1,700 Canadian employers polled for the survey 15 per cent expect to add staff while 14 per cent plan to reduce the number of employees for the January to March period, resulting in a Net Employment Outlook of one per cent for the quarter ahead. Sixty-seven per cent anticipate no changes and four per cent are unsure of their hiring intentions.
"The figures indicate that there's a split in hiring intentions," said Lori Procher, Vice President and General Manager for Manpower Canada. "The first quarter is typically a reserved hiring period and this year is no different with a Net Employment Outlook of one per cent, up two per cent from the same time last year."
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2003/16/c3353.html

Singles milling around the mistletoe at office holiday parties according to Lavalife poll
- Poll Finds Office Mates Warming Up to Interoffice Romance -
NEW YORK, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - No one wants to be alone for the holidays, and many singles are looking around the office for someone to fill the void this year according to the Lavalife poll as 20% of singles will be looking to catch an office cutie under the mistletoe at this year's holiday bash. The online dating site surveyed more than 16,000 of its users about office dating attitudes and a surprising number of singles are breaking the old "don't dip your pen in the company ink" mentality when it comes to holiday romance. For full text click here

News Clips from Goa
by Joel D'Souza & Fred Noronha

Goan Welfare Society, Nairobi, Kenya
The Goan Welfare Society, Nairobi, Kenya wishes our members, friends and supporters a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! For the newsletter click here.

	Lourenco’s amazing Goa. So far, we have come across innumerable cards of all sorts, but the “Amazing Goa Information Cards” produced by Jose FP Lourenco from Margao, are nothing like what one has seen elsewhere earlier. Because a tremendous amount of research has gone into their making.
The rare cards have an assortment of questions on Goa’s rich culture, tradition, history, geography and what-have-you, on one side and the corresponding answers on the other. Lourenco’s fascinating cards were released at the BPS Sports

Goa celebrates liberation day
The State is all set to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Goa Liberation Day today. This year a special function will be organised where Vice President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat will honour 155 freedom fighters from outside the State for their contribution in the Liberation movement of Goa at the Azad Maidan, Panjim, at 11 am. Governor Kidar Nath Sahani, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Cabinet ministers, Secretaries to the Government and freedom fighters will be present.

“Celebrate Panjim”, a unique programme conceptualized by wellknown journalist Ethel da Costa, was held at the Panjim Municipal Garden on December 19 and 20. Says Ethel, “For two days people are getting together to celebrate the unity of community, getting all the people like artists, musicians and others together.” The ceremony took off with the Christmas Tree at 11.00 am, and Retro Revive by Tidal Wave at the Bandstand.

Other programmes included Papier Mache workshop for kids at the Artists’ commune, Retro Revive by Forefront and L’Oreal ‘Sprax’ Launch party at the Fashion Mall. The Rhythm Blues was probably the best band that performed at the two-day event, with mellifluous-voiced Lulu at the mike. There was stalls for fashion wear, food, paintings, etc, while cartoonist Alexyz did caricatures.

Goan cashew nuts too good
Cashew harvesting needs to be done when the cashew apple along with the nut is fully ripe, stated Dr BB Sapkal, Dr BP Patil and RC Gajbhiye of the Regional Fruit Research Station, Vengurla, in their research paper on “Home/Small Scale Processing of cashew problems and prospects”, presented at a seminar in Panjim on Dec 12. Collecting the dropped apples along with the nut properly dried, is the practice generally followed in Goa, as ripe cashew apples are used for extraction of feni. The Goan cashew nuts being wholesome, fetch ten rupees extra in the market, the paper said.

To renovate Adil Shah Palace
Fundacao Oriente is willing to renovate the Adil Shah Palace (Secretariat) if the State government accepts its proposal. Dr Carlos Monjardino, President of Conselho de Administracao, Fundacao Oriente, Lisbon, told press persons at Hotel Mandovi on December 13 that the organisation would renovate the Secretariat with the help of experts from Portugal. He said that it was the general policy of the Fundacao Oriente to renovate the old heritage houses and expressed happiness over the renovation works carried out at Fontainhas. Referring to the funding procedure, he said that about Rs.1 crore is spent on various programmes in India every year. Portugal’s President Jorge Sampaio would visit India in March next year, he informed.

People Places and Things

Ten Most Popular Holiday Spirit Quotes
Researched and compiled by Don't Quote Me(TM) home of "The Most Memorable Lines of Our Times and the Fascinating Characters Behind Them."
TORONTO, Dec. 16 /CNW/ -
1. "Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all thirty feet tall." -- Larry Wilde
For full text click here.

New Product Turns Ordinary Pictures Into Fabulous Gifts
VANCOUVER, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - You can put them in albums and you can put them in frames. But have you ever thought of putting your pictures on marble coasters or even candles? Let's face it; the most meaningful gifts are the ones you make - gifts from the heart. Tilano Fresco(TM) image transfer kits, a new line of products available, encourage you to create these meaningful memories in a very unique way. For full text click here.

Beach sharks invade virgin territory -- Galgibaga beach
My Village, My people
Picture a small paradise. Calm, serene with an empty beach lined by casuarinas trees, two parallel rivers, a patch of lush green fields and two communities living in perfect harmony. That is Galgibaga in Canacona, South Goa, a secret enclave sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and a tiny hillock. Passed over completely by the sands of time, Galgibaga beach is ideally a poet's delight and a Philosopher's retreat for its mystical and meditative ambience. It offers a breath of fresh air to city-weary souls in the warm embrace of nature. "It's a paradise," says Orest Kap, a German painter "It's something to be felt and experienced. It is an individual experience, to verbalize it is to limit it." For full text click here.

Announcements

Matrimonial ad
Looking for smart and loving Roman Catholic Goan girl with good family values aged 18 to 22 years who has completed or still studying B.Com/B.Sc. in India or abroad for our son who is 22 years old, 6' tall, employed as Electrical Engineer (B.E.Electrical) in Canada. She should be more than 5.5' tall and willing to learn and continue her education/work in Canada. Please provide information to email: ztcom@hotmail.com

Looking for.
From: Adrian Coelho, I had studied at Loyola and a fellow classmate Etelbert Dias. Many years ago his brother ran a shop in Margao called Casa Filo. They used to be distributors of tobacco products to ships.
I last heard that he used to run a bar/pub in Mapusa.
I would be very grateful if you could point me in the right direction to make contact with him. I will be coming to Goa in March 2004 and would very much like to meet him. Please provide information to email: a.coelho@ntlworld.com

Obituary

CARVALHO, John Olimpio _ Passed away, just after playing what he enjoyed best, tennis, on Saturday morning, December 20, 2003. Beloved husband of Juliet Bertha. Dear father of Kathleen, Richard and Joanna. Survived by his sisters Rose and Diana, brother Fred and predeceased by his brother Arnold. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas St. West, Etobicoke (between Islington and Kipling Aves.), from 7-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 at 11 o'clock from Nativity of Our Lord Church, 480 Rathburn Rd., Etobicoke. A reception will follow the Mass at the church. Cremation to follow. For those who wish, donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated by the family. (From Toronto Star)

DA COSTA, MARIA LILY - Peacefully on Dec. 13, 2003, at Orpington, England, at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late Hipolito. Loving mother of Norman (and Delphine), Nelly (and Leslie) D'Lima, Nancy (and Edwin) De Souza, Noe (and John) Pereira, Nora (and Bramley) Torquato. Fondly remembered by grandchildren Meryl, Nigel, Elaine, Valerie, Kevin and Jason and great grandchild Natasha. Funeral to be held at Holy Innocence Church, Strickland Way, Orpington, Kent, at 10 a.m. on Monday Dec. 22.

4th December 2003 - Mumbai - India - Mr RES PINTO - ( Founder and Managing Director of Lenzohm Electrical Engineering Company LTD ) beloved husband of Rita. Father of Cajetan/ Iona Pinto (Mumbai), Rev.Fr.Mark Pinto (Rome), Wilfred/ Reshma Pinto (Mumbai), Celine/Jerry Lobo ( Canada ) & Jennifer Pinto(Canada ).
Grandfather of Cathryn,Ruth,David,Daniel,Darren,Jeremy and Julian.
The funeral service was held on the 6th December 2003 at Mt Carmel's Church Bandra Mumbai.

Health & Wellness

Doctors offer tips for a smoke-free holiday season
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - The Ontario Medical Association is offering a few tips to help individuals in the process of quitting smoking to get through the holidays smoke-free.
"Smoking is a powerful addiction, and quitting is incredibly difficult, but giving it up could save your life," said OMA President Dr. Larry Erlick. "The holidays can be a very challenging season to fight off the urge to smoke, but it's important for those trying to quit to persevere - no matter what time of year it is." For full text click here.

Attention Career/News/Assignment Editors & Reporters:
Career Management 2004 - Start with a Killer Resume!
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - As December moves into the holiday season, the job-seeking season draws closer. "Many job seekers resolve to kick start or restart their job searches in January - which means your resume better be polished by the time your New Year's resolutions kick in!" said Bruce Powell, Managing Partner, IQ Partners, an executive search and integrated HR services firm. "You never know when you may be looking for a job, so we recommend everyone do a resume refresh at least once a year - December is the ideal time." For full text click here.

Helping Children Become More Physically Active This Holiday Season and Winter
OTTAWA, Dec. 19 /CNW/ - Heading into the holidays, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is urging parents to help their children be physically active every day this winter for the good of their health.
"Ensuring our kids are physically active enough during the cold winter months can be challenging, but with a bit of planning and commitment, this important goal is achievable for most families" said Dr. Mike Sharratt, spokesperson for CSEP, and Dean of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. For full text click here.

Study Provides Hope for Diabetes Prevention Losing weight with Xenical(R)significantly reduces threat of developing type 2 diabetes.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - For the more than 1.6 million Canadians who will develop type 2 diabetes in Canada during the next decade, 80 to 90 per cent of whom are overweight or obese, a newly published study on weight loss using medication represents a significant step forward in diabetes prevention. For full text click here.

Motorists urged to drive sober this holiday season
QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Dec. 22 /CNW/ - To ensure Ontarians have a safe and happy holiday season, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar is urging motorists to be safe and drive sober.
Ontario has one of the best road safety records in North America. However, alcohol contributes to approximately one quarter of all fatal collisions. On average, about two people are convicted of impaired driving every hour in Ontario.
"We are dedicated to preventing the senseless tragedy caused by impaired drivers," Takhar said. "To keep our roads and communities safe, Ontario will continue to combat drinking and driving with some of the toughest laws and programs in North America." For full text click here.

New City home for the aged welcomes friends, families, neighbours
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - At a ceremony this afternoon, Wesburn Manor, Toronto's first new City-owned home for the aged since 1990, officially opened its doors. This home, which was built on the corner of The West Mall and Burnhamthorpe Road in Etobicoke, offers a wide array of amenities and features that make it a welcoming home for 192 residents. For full text click here.

Events

Saturday, December 27th, 2003
EVENT:	Goanet meeting in Goa
ARE YOU touching down in Goa anytime shortly? If so, do make it for the Goanet annual meetings -- an informal place to meet up and get to know one another. The meeting points will be at: Dec 27 12 noon Kala Academy canteen (Saturday) Jan 07 04 pm Kala Academy canteen (Wednesday) We'll meet informally, just catch up with one another, and, if there's the interest, possibly go out together for a contributory meal at some commonly agreed-on place. This year, we're having two meetings instead of one. Goanet founder Herman Carneiro is reaching Goa in early January, so the Wednesday meet is a chance to catch up with this young man. For those who are leaving Goa early after the X'mas break, see you on Saturday. Please let us know of your dates of arrival, and contact number in Goa, so that we can keep in touch. FN Frederick Noronha : Ph 0091.832.2409490 Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org Ph 0091.832.2409783 http://fredericknoronha.blogware.com Cell 0 9822 122436

Wednesday, December 31st, 2003
EVENT:	2003 NEW YEAR'S EVE "BLACK AND WHITE EXTRAVAGANZA"
ORGANISED BY	Goan Institute San Francisco, California
VENUE:	St. Mark's Catholic Church Hall 325 Marine View Avenue Belmont, CA
DRESS CODE:	Formal (Jacket and Neck Tie Essential)
We look forward to having you as our guest at this year's Holiday Season celebration of the Goan Institute. This Institute was established in 1969 and has served its members and guests for over 30 years, as a result of the foresight and vision of a few of our outstanding Goan pioneers of the Bay Area. We hope some of them will honor us with their presence at our New Year's Eve Extravaganza. Members, please remember to buy your tickets for the Goan Institute's "New Year's Eve Extravaganza" to be held at the newly constructed hall of St. Mark's Catholic Church in Belmont. We are planning a very elegant setting for this event...decorations to take your breath away, and in keeping with the theme..black and white balloons and the centerpieces with real black and white roses! You will have to see to believe! The well-reputed Strawberry Fields DJ Company, who provided outstanding dance music for all ages at our prior events in 2001, will be providing the music for our "2003 Extravaganza". Our elegant Dinner Buffet Menu features the excellent cuisine of "Star Catering", a professional catering company that specializes in top quality and presentation and is providing us with topnotch service to enhance the elegance of this formal occasion. The menu selection is outstanding with a Jardiniere of Fresh Vegetables, Hot Entrees, Dessert and Coffee Service. Cocktails (No-Host Bar - 6:00pm) Dinner (6:30pm sharp) Dancing (8:00pm - 1:00am) Music by Strawberry Fields DJ Company Admission: 13 years and above MENU - Dinner Buffet - Jardiniere of fresh vegetables, Classic Caesar Salad , Garlic Croutons, Fresh Vegetable Medley - Hot entrees - Herbed Roasted Filet Tenderloin Breast of Chicken with Sherry Wine Sauce, Fresh Baked Salmon Beurre Blanc Sauce, Rice Pilaf with Sun Dried Tomatoes - Dessert - Tiramisu Cake, coffee service TICKET PRICE Members $37.00 Youth (ages 13-18) $32.00 Non-Members $42.00 R.S.V.P. DEADLINE - DECEMBER 17, 2003 NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE HALL please call to reserve your tickets. For more information and tickets, please contact: Social Secretary - Matilda Fernandes Tel: (650) 952-2743 (home) or (650) 821-5131 (work) Assistant Social Secretary - Basilio Noronha Tel: (510) 351-6326 (home) Come join us for an elegant evening of dining, dancing and camaraderie Our motto: Quality with Excellence For driving directions or additional ticket information, please see the GI website at www.goacom.com/goa-sf.