While nearly all Canadians want a sparkling shower, many seem to resent the time it takes to clean it
Excerpts from: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2006/31/c2391.html

Breakthrough Shower Cleaning Product makes Dreaded Chore EASY

BRANTFORD, ON, July 31 /CNW Telbec/ - While nine out of ten Canadians agree a clean home is important, they would like to spend less time cleaning and welcome help in making these chores easier, according to a national Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by SC Johnson. Specifically,

95% of Canadians said any help they can get in making household cleaning easier is greatly appreciated.

89% of Canadians said they would really like an easier way to clean their shower.

94% of Canadians said it is important to keep their home clean, but they would like to spend less time doing it.

71% of Canadians agree finding time to do household cleaning is difficult because of their busy lives.

Canadians point to the bathroom (74%) and kitchen (83%) as the two most time-consuming rooms in their home to clean.

Many Canadians appear to resent the time it takes to clean the shower with a full one third saying they would rather spend their time doing something else.

As in most areas, technology is often the answer and now it is changing shower cleaning with the introduction of the new Scrubbing Bubbles(R) Automatic Shower Cleaner. The world's first automatic shower cleaning system eliminates the painful and time-consuming task of scrubbing the shower and tub.

With the touch of a button, the Scrubbing Bubbles(R) Automatic Shower Cleaner virtually eliminates the need to scrub the shower and tub - it's hands-free. It automatically sprays cleaner in the shower and tub to eliminate the build-up of soap scum, as well as mold and mildew stains in days.

"The research shows that Canadians spend over 24 hours a year cleaning their shower. People don't have time to waste and certainly not on scrubbing the shower," said Tracy Lyn Moland, author of Mom Management, Managing Mom before Everybody Else and time management expert. "People are time-starved these days so why not get that time back by delegating the job to a product that is not only safe and easy to use, but more effective than scrubbing it yourself."

The Scrubbing Bubbles(R) Automatic Shower Cleaner is available in home cleaning aisles of mass merchandisers, grocery stores and drug stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $24.99. For additional information and an interactive demonstration of Scrubbing Bubbles(R) Automatic Shower Cleaner, visit www.ScrubbingBubbles.ca/shower

Scenes from Viva Goa ’06 - Toronto
Pictures & Captions By Francis Rodriquez
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66036492@N00/
August 29, 2006

Click on images for larger view

Great fisherfolk dancing		Original Ras dandia choreographed by Hema Pereira (seen beneath the balloons !)
GOANETTERS 8 @ VIVA GOA ’06 (L to R standing) John D’Souza, Bosco D’Mello, Eugene Correia, Mervyn Lobo (with Elora...		FOOTIE 2 @ VIVA GOA ’06 France (white) take on the Azzuri (blue)……where the heck’s Zidane ?!
A section of the huge crowds watching the continuous floor & stage shows		Evelyn D’Souza takes his food business very seriously !
TEGSA Lancers Group at Viva Goa ’06

If Furniture Could Talk
2007 IKEA Catalogue Features Home Furnishing Solutions That Can
Influence More Than Just Décor
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2006/01/c2493.html

TORONTO, August 1 /CNW/ - Will the choice of a round kitchen table over a square one impact family communication during dinner? Is there really a difference between bunk beds and single beds in a child's bedroom? Starting tomorrow, IKEA will unveil the 2007 Catalogue, full of new inspiration and innovation. The Catalogue will be distributed to 35 countries in 27 languages and 55 editions. The total weight of all these Catalogues is equal to 650,000 Sumo wrestlers; if all the Catalogues were stacked on top of each other, they would be as tall as 3,000 CN Towers.

"With the 2007 Catalogue, IKEA Canada is unveiling a new tagline, 'Love Your Home' - the idea that by creating a home that works for your life, you create a unique living environment that helps to foster feelings of well being," says Madeleine Lowenborg-Frick, Public Relations Manager for IKEA Canada. "The Catalogue presents a wide range of styles and inspiration that IKEA customers can easily integrate into their own homes and lives."

According to Family Therapist Joe Rich, who has been counselling individuals, couples and families for 25 years, the choice of furniture and the layout of the home may say even more about the people living in the home than they realize. "As a Family Therapist, when I see a kitchen table my first thought is of relationships," says Rich. "In fact, the furniture that an individual purchases for the home may say more about who they are, where they are going as a family and the life they are living."

Dining 'Round the Table
According to Rich, both round and square kitchen tables have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to creating dinner as a social experience. For older children, an oval or round table may encourage open dialogue amongst all family members. For a family with young children focused on developing
mealtime routines, the square table is a better option in that it encourages organization (and therefore greater attention to routines) and more easily allows for adult and child areas to be defined.

Bunking Down
The choice of a bunk bed or two single beds can each teach different lessons for children that share a bedroom. "Bunk beds will encourage sibling closeness and the need to set boundaries, but once the excitement of bunk beds wears off, parents may have to contend with a bit more sibling rivalry," explains Rich. "Single beds may cut down on the dilemmas around boundary issues, but with either bedroom configuration parents will have to deal with the children's need for separate routines."

Playtime Possibilities
Some children may have a designated playroom, but will issues arise out of having a toy organizer in the living room as well? According to Rich, children need to know that toys in the living room are different than toys in the playroom. "Since toys in the living room will require more organization, 'tidy up time' can be included in routines to show pride and care in the overall home environment," says Rich. Keeping some toys in a nice area of the home also gives children a strong sense of belonging, letting them feel a part of the action rather than separated from guests in the home.

Computing With Kids
Placing a computer in the family room rather than in the basement may give children and guests a message about parenting. "There are a number of issues in today's age of computers and the Internet," says Rich. "Placing the computer in the family room can send a message about who is in charge, as well as a commitment to effective parenting."

Room For One
Living in a bachelor apartment often requires the creation of a "mock room" for a sense of privacy. It is common to put up a room divider since there are no doors. In this case, strategies may be needed to keep boundaries clear and comfortable for anyone entering the space. The things a door communicates can be difficult to achieve with a room divider, so the individual may need to improve verbal skills at setting limits. "A divider does not communicate 'please keep out', so the individual will have to learn to say it instead!" says Rich.

When Home = Office
For those who work from home, it is sometimes more difficult to discover a good balance and maintain it amidst the distractions of being at home. "Home-based workplaces need to be set up in a way that is conducive to work; however more than just the room needs to be well organized," says Rich. "It really starts with taking a realistic look at family, friends and relationships and predicting what issues may arise that can affect the level of concentration and productivity during work hours." For example, the family with teenagers will likely have more phone activity and the work-at-home parent will need to minimize those intrusions. On the other hand, the family with preschoolers will have more physical intrusions on the work space and will need to find ways for children to understand when they can and cannot interrupt the work time