Goan Voice, Canada : Newsletter. Issue 2006-20. September 30, 2006

Newsline Canada

Nairobi (Goan) Institute Up For Sale
Reports from visitors returning from Nairobi report that the renowned Nairobi Institute, founded in 1905 as the Goan Institute, is up for sale. Declining membership, high running costs, and the security situation have made the facility too expensive to sustain. The nearby Sikh Community Hospital is touted as a possible buyer. No firm decision has been taken for the future of the membership.

Canadian Goan Centre in Greater Toronto Area ?
An initiative for setting up a Canadian Goan Centre in the Mississauga Area is being actively investigated by a small focus group. This stems from constant search for premises to hold social events & meetings for all age groups. A seniors group in Mississauga currently holds monthly events at the Malta Band Club. The Maltese club consist of two storefronts properties joined into a 10,000 sq. ft social club which covers all the needs of their 800 paid-up members. Other cultural groups such as the Irish, and the CanOrient Community, have also taken the industrial property route and thrived.

When an adjacent 6600 sq. ft property in the same complex was for sale, a group of Goans asked "Why Not Us ?"
A "Town Hall" meeting to discuss the issue is planned for October 1 See Notice in Announcements Section below.

10th Dr. Ribeiro Goan School Reunion in Toronto

As one would expect, the 10th Dr. Ribeiro Goan School reunion, which is held every three years and has become one of the most anticipated gatherings on the social calendar in Toronto, was another rousing success.

The five-day event kicked off with a trip to Niagara Falls on Sept. 13, followed by a pub night and a golf tournament that culminated with the grand ball at the Sagan Banquet Hall in Mississauga on Sept. 16 which was attended by 437 ex-students. The curtain came down on the festivities on Sunday Sept. 17 with a picnic that was attended by some 125.

The grand ball was the second largest gathering since the event was first held in 1980, only bettered by the 75th anniversary celebrations held in 2003 when 500 converged on Canada’s largest city.

The visitors this time came from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Kenya, Spain, the U.K., Germany, the United States. And, for the very first time, the reunion saw a couple of ex-students from Trinidad and Tobago and one from Qatar.

As has been the norm of late, the United Kingdom led the foreign invasion with a contingent of 45. For many it was a time to renew acquaintances with classmates they had not seen since leaving school and in some cases that was after some 40 years ago.

Read more...

Canada's population
As of July 1, 2006
http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060927/d060927a.htm

Net international migration continues to be the main engine of population growth in Canada, accounting for about two-thirds of the annual increase in 2005/2006.
Between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006, Canada's population increased by 324,000 to an estimated 32,623,500.

During this period, the nation took in 254,400 immigrants, 9,800 more than in the previous year. It was the highest level since 2001/2002 when 256,300 international migrants arrived in Canada.

International migration's role in Canada's population growth far exceeds its impact in the United States. In 2004/2005, net international migration accounted for two-thirds of Canada's population growth, compared to 38% south of the border. For its population gains, the United States counts on a fertility which is higher than in Canada.

Again, Alberta had the strongest growth rate among the provinces and territories, almost three times higher than the national average. This was due to its booming economy and its highest ever level of migration from other parts of Canada.

Alberta's powerful attraction inevitably had an impact on the demography of other provinces and territories. However, net international migration reduced the effects of the Alberta draw in several areas in the country.

Canada's rate of natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) estimated at 3.3 per 1,000 in 2005/2006, is similar to the previous year. Natural increase has been in a long-term decline since the beginning of the 1990s, although it has stabilized since 2000.

On the other hand, international migration gained in importance and has accounted for more than 60% of Canada's population growth since 2001. Comparatively, it represented 46.2% of the country's demographic growth from 1990 to 1995.

According to medium-growth scenarios of Statistics Canada's most recent demographic projections the number of deaths would exceed the number of births by around 2030. At that point, net international migration would become the only factor in Canada's population growth.

Commentary

Don't just ask why, ask who
Statistics show that visible minorities are most likely to be poor in Canada,
by Avvy Go
Sep. 21, 2006. 01:00 AM

In a series of articles examining the issue of poverty, the Toronto Star challenges its readers to ask themselves a sobering question. Why, asks the Star, is it that in one of the richest countries in the world, a mother working two jobs cannot afford to buy a sofa and has to ration food among herself and her two children.
Even if we are to answer that question to our satisfaction, we are still only halfway to finding a solution to eliminating poverty.
To complete our journey, let's pose a second question: "Ask who?"

Who are the poor?
Poverty does not strike anyone of us at random, nor are all Canadians equally likely to be hit by it. Statistics don't lie, and the tale they tell is disturbing.
The fact is, if you are a person of colour living in Toronto, you are three times more likely to live in poverty than a white person.

Just ask scholars like Ryerson professor Grace Edward Galabuzi or professor Michael Ornstein at York University. They could tell you that there is a large income gap between members of racialized communities and the rest of the population.

Using Statistics Canada and other sources of data, social scientists have confirmed, for instance, that while the poverty rate for the white population fell by 28 per cent between 1980 and 2000, it rose by a staggering 361 per cent among racialized families.

If you break the figures down by communities in Toronto, the incidence of family poverty is 44.6 per cent for Africans, blacks, and Caribbean Canadians, 45.2 per cent for Arabs and West Asians — all roughly three times the white average.

The figures for East and Southeast Asian are twice as high as European families and for South Asian families, the poverty rate is 34.6 per cent.
In short, the conclusion that poverty is on the rise applies only to some, not all Canadians.
Calling it Canada's economic apartheid, as Galabuzi did, is not an overstatement.
There are many reasons why non-white communities are hardest hit by poverty.

Unequal access to employment opportunity, lack of recognition for internationally trained professionals, racism in the workplace, and a continuous decline in government funding for social programs and support, are but a few.
Whatever the cause, the result is devastating, as the Star articles have so painfully illustrated.

Who is responsible?
As many experts have pointed out, cutbacks to social assistance, to immigration settlement and other social support programs by all levels of governments are the contributing — if not primary — factors to the increased racialization of poverty in Canada. And it would appear that, on this front, not one single political party can escape blame.
It was during the NDP era, for instance, that sponsored immigrants were singled out for a drastic welfare rate cut, leaving many immigrant families destitute.

The Mike Harris common sense revolution took this slash-and-burn tactic to the next level, but the current Liberal government has not done nearly enough to restore the funding loss since then.

Blame, too, unscrupulous employers who do not pay their workers according to the law.
It is difficult enough to live on minimum wage, but many immigrant workers working in non-unionized jobs do not even get paid that amount.

The lack of teeth given to our labour law enforcement agency means many employers are breaking the law and getting away with it.
Blaming the governments or the "bad apples" in our society can only take us so far, however. After all, it is we who put the politicians in power. We deserve the legislators we vote for.

Every time we embrace a political platform built upon tax cuts and rollbacks in social programs, we are helping to entrench poverty for our fellow Canadians who are less fortunate.

Who can make a difference?
Just as we are part of a problem, we can be part of the solution, too. Letting politicians know that fairness and equality are important to us as voters, and not allowing them to scapegoat minorities would be a good place to start.

Voting for political leaders who have the fortitude and vision to build a just society is another route.
But most important, giving all people living in our country — regardless of whether they are Canadian citizens — a right to vote is ultimately needed to keep politicians accountable.
Disenfranchised people are also disadvantaged because they have no way of influencing decisions that affect their lives.

This is not a far-fetched idea, given that as recently as the 1980s, permanent residents who were British subjects had a right to vote in provincial and municipal elections.
We can easily extend that right to all residents in these two lower tiers of government.
It would instantly enlarge the political power base for racialized communities, as a significant proportion of these communities are non-citizens.

The fact that many Canadians have reached out to help the mother featured in the Star story shows we are a compassionate people.
Let's turn our compassion into action, and start making a difference in not just one person's life.

Avvy Yao-Yao Go is director of the Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic

News Clips from Goa

Goa geared to face tourist 'invasion'
PANJIM: With today being World Tourism Day, most of Goa will experience a flurry of activity in and around the state. But, for hoteliers, the hospitality industry and the tourist department and organisations, this is a mark of sorts, for the start of the upcoming 'on season'. And this means gearing up oneself, and the state too, for the arrival of the hordes of foreign and domestic tourists alike. Ralph D'Souza, President of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, says, "There will be an increase of not more than ten per cent in the amount of tourists that come to Goa this year. However, we have two new markets to look forward to - Czech Republic and Latvia. We are also expecting the number of visitors from Russia to increase a little. In addition to the charter flights, we also have three new scheduled flights, which will be starting this season. To begin with, Air Lanka will have flights, twice a week, starting from October 30 and this will be so for a period of 12 months. We also have two flights a week by Condor Airlines - one each from Munich and Frankfurt. And finally, there is the Transair flight, once a week, from Moscow to Goa. This too, will be for a period of 12 months." All in all, every hotel in the state is expecting a good tourist turn out this year... The Church too has been continuously advocating 'healthy tourism' and states that Goans should focus on the fact that the life style that the tourists exhibit, while here, is not their way of living in their own countries or states. [Ayesha Barretto, GT]

Short Movie and Song Contests
PANJIM: The Consulate General of Portugal is pleased to announce a short movie contest and song contest. The movie should be based on the theme 'Cultural Diversity' and should have a maximum running time of 5 minutes (300 seconds). It must be original and have an original script and neither previously recorded or released prior to the contest. The song should have a minimum of 2.30 minutes (150 seconds) and a maximum of 3 minutes (180 seconds).The song should be original (Lyrics and music) and neither previously recorded, published or commercially released prior to the contest and should include lyrics in 3 languages – Portuguese, English and Konkani/Hindi/Marathi. The entry deadline is November 27th 2006 and 3 winning entries will be short listed. The prize winners will be announced in December 2006. For more information, rules and regulations, and to download the entry form please visit our website at www.consuladoportugalgoa.com or call us on 2421524 / 2421525. [GoaNewsClips]

China all set to usurp America's Internet empire
BEIJING: China has developed next generation internet technology, which could offer faster, more secure access and high capacity networks, possibly ending US-led domination. An expert panel composed of top scientists and researchers, entrusted by the National Development and Research Commission, has okayed an academic network called CERNET21 (China Education and Research Network 2), which connects 25 universities in 20 cities across the vast country, the state media reported yesterday. [GT]

Goan women boxers for Punjab
PANJIM: Goa Amateur Boxing Association has selected six sub-junior women boxers and one junior woman boxer to represent Goa at the forthcoming first sub-junior and junior boxing nations to be held at Patiala, Punjab, from September 26. The sub-juniors team includes Lavania Kunchi, Priyanka Khandeparkar, Suvarna Fernandes, Joyce Faleiro Leena Haldankar and Dipali Bhora. [GT]

UK Scholarship for Goan teacher
Remediana Rodrigues has won the Merlyn Vaz scholarship to teach in Sacred Heart School, Leicester, during the spring term in 2007. She is currently studying MSc in specific learning disabilities at Southampton University, UK. As a primary teacher at the Manovikas School, Margao, she had won the Broad Outlook Learner Teacher District Award 2004 and was one of the finalists of the Tata Consultancy Services, Education World Teacher Award in 2005. [GT]

International symposium on 'Remote Sensing'
PANJIM: The Indian Society of Remote Sensing and International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Technical Commission IV on "Geodatabases and Digital Mapping" will organise a two-day international symposium on the Remote Sensing and GIS for Monitoring and Prediction of Disasters, at Hotel Marriott, Miramar, from today. Dr Irwin Itzkovitch, Assistant Deputy Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of Canada will deliver the keynote address. [GT]

Obituaries

Goan Family Killed in Santa Clara Crash

Excerpts from Mercury News link posted on Goans Tanzanite.

Posted on Tue, Sep. 26, 2006

Mekson Fernandes, 29, his wife Sharina Fernandes, 26, and their 3-year-old son, Nash, were killed instantly after a Toyota Prius barreled into the family while they were walking and came to a rest inside a Santa Clara shopping center.

Authorities said that the driver apparently lost consciousness during the crash and may suffered from a medical condition, which they did not disclose. She was treated and released from a local hospital.

The couple had moved from Goa to the Bay Area four years ago, soon after marrying, and had Nash a year later. Sharina Fernandes previously had taught at Kidsville Preschool & Day Care in Santa Clara. Mekson Fernandes, 29, was an independent commercial truck driver.

Donations on behalf of the Fernandes Family Benefit Fund may be sent to Wells Fargo account No. 7038442971 or mailed to Wells Fargo, 2792 Homestead Road Santa Clara, Calif. 95051.

PEREIRA, Jacinto Santana , Peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on September 20, 2006 at the age of 75. Jacinto, loving husband of Reynah. Beloved father of Maria Pereira, Franca Viegas and her husband Errol and Nicole D'Cunha and her husband Joseph. Cherished grandpa of Mikaela, Nicholas and Declan. Dear brother of the late Anita, Aramita, Remedios, Rosario and Lourdes. Sadly missed by sisters-in-law May and her husband Ian, Greta and Etelvina, and many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on Saturday at St. Basil's Roman Catholic Church, followed by at Holy Cross Cemetery. Excerpt from The Toronto Star

Events

Goan Events in Canada - 2006
Date	Organization	Event
October 1, 2006 12:00 noon	Curtorim . Loutolim . Raia . Association	7th ANNUAL SOCIAL At Claireport Place 65 Claireport Crescent, Etobicoke (Hwy 27 & Albion Rd)	Click for Flier
October 7, 2006	Toronto Tanzanities	24th Annual Tanzanite Dinner Dance	Click for Flier
October 17, 2006	55PGA - Monthly meet at Malta Band Club	Whist – Line Dancing – Tambola & Games	Click for Flier
October 22, 2006	Villagers of Moira,	Moira Social, Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception	moirasocial
November 07, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m.		Memorial Mass for 55PGA members at St. Francis Xaviers Church Mavis Road	Click for Flier
Sunday Nov 12th. 2006 from 2.00pm to 4.00pm	International Goan Organization (IGO) Toronto, in partnership with The Forum of Overseas Goans/Indians of Goa (FOGI),	Follow up Sept 10 meeting to identify and discuss critical issues and problems in Goa, faced by non-resident Goans (NRGs).	Venue: Eatonville Library Meeting Room, 430 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Etobicoke. (Burnhamthorpe/East Mall) Click to download minutes of meeting
November 17, 2006	TEGSA	Comedy Night- All you can laugh at Commander Park Arena	Click for Flier
November 18, 2006	Navelim Association of Toronto	Navelim Social At Claireport Place 65 Claireport Crescent, Etobicoke (Hwy 27 & Albion Rd)	Click for Flier For information email- jjfrebello@yahoo.ca
November 21, 2006	55PGA - General Body Meeting at Malta Band Club	Tentative Agenda: - Update on Constitution - Name our Association - AOB	TBA
Saturday November 25th, 2006 5pm to 1 am	Hamilton Goan Association	25th Anniversary Christmas Dinner Dance	Click for flier
December 1, 2006	TEGSA	Carol Singing at Commander Park Arena	Click for Flier
December 3rd 2005 To December 3rd 2006.	St Francis Xavier Jubilee Year Celebrations	Greater Toronto Area Events	GVC
December 12, 2006	55PGA - Monthly meet at Malta Band Club	Whist – Line Dancing – Tambola & Games	Click for Flier
Friday December 15, 2006	55PGA	Mark your Calendar for Grand Christmas Dance	Details to follow
Sunday, June 3rd, 2007	Aldona Association Toronto	The Feast of St. Thomas - 32nd Annual Aldona Social Location: Payal Banquet Hall, 3410 Semenyk Court, Mississauga	Details to Follow Watch www.goanvoice.ca
Saturday, September 15th, 2007	Calangute Association, Canada	Annual Calangute Social. Holy Mass at 5:00 pm followed by Social	Click for Flier

Announcements

Toronto East Goan Seniors Association (TEGSA) has a busy program of events and activities for 2006
Click to View Our Summer Events
Come join us – become a member.
Click to Download Membership form

55 Plus Goan Association - West GTA 2006 Fall Events &
Click to View Our Fall Events
Click to join the many trips being organized this fall
Come join us - become a member
Click to Download Membership Form

Information Fair for Seniors and their Families

Wednesday Oct 4th, 2006 10 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Holiday Inn - Bramlea City Centre

Click for flier

Community Events in Montreal 2006

Please check "MY COMMUNITY EVENTS"
http://www.piczo.com/felixhabari?g=12635022&cr=1

Moira Social
* WHAT: Celebrating "The Feast of the Immaculate Conception"
* WHEN: 5:00PM, Saturday, 25 November 2006
* WHERE: Good Shepard Parish hall (7900 Ave Naples, Brossard)
* WHY: To enjoy the "4th Montreal Moira Social"
* WHO: villagers of Moira and friends; [WHICH includes you too]

Feast of St. Francis Xavier
* WHAT: Celebrating "The Feast of St. Francis Xavier"
* WHEN: 5:00PM, Saturday, 02 December 2006
* WHERE: Mary Queen of Peace Church Hall [11075 Gouin Boulevard W. Roxboro] .
* WHY: To meet friends and have fun
* WHO: Quebec Goan Association and friends; [WHICH includes you too]

P.S. ***** QGA ART CONTEST
The QGA invite all members to participate in an art contest to celebrate Goa and the Feast of St. Francis Xavier on the 2nd of December 2006.
RULES:
• The Art work must be 17 inches by 21 inches or larger. (maximum size: 22 inches by 28 inches).
• Must be the ORIGINAL WORK of the contestant
• The Art piece must depict your image of LIFE IN GOA
• Contestants must write their names and telephone number on the back of the Art work
• Completed Art work should be given to any QGA committee member on or before NOVEMBER 25th 2006
• All the Art work will be on display at Mary Queen of Peace Reception Hall on the 2nd of December 2006.
• All entries will be judged and the winners notified
• THE JUDGES DECISIONS WILL BE FINAL.

For more details please contact:
Rose de Souza (514) 744-1905
Lourdes De Souza (450) 365- 7891
Leticia Rodrigues (514) 631-9920
Felix D'Sa e-mail qga2002mtl@yahoo.com

"Town Hall" Meeting - Canadian Goan Centre

On Sunday, October 01 at 3:00pm there will be a "Town Hall" meeting to discuss the the proposed Canadian Goan Centre.
Venue: St. Francis Xavier Church
5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ONT L5V 2N6
Purpose: To discuss the formation of a Canadian Goan Centre in the west GTA. The initial concept is to acquire premises by purchase or lease, so that community groups of approx. 300 persons, can gather for social, cultural, and sporting events.
THIS CENTRE HAS THE NAME GOAN IN IT - BUT ALL CANADIANS ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS VENTURE.

The meeting will be in two parts.

Part 1(3:00pm to 4:00pm): An Open meeting for anyone to attend to learn more about what is being proposed.
You can visit http://www.goanvoice.ca/cgc/cgc.ppt for more details of this initiative.
Approx 20 investors are required for this commercial (for profit) initiative. To date we have close to that number of investors and others who have committed a very strong interest in being involved.
The price per share is $5,000. This is the initial offer to join the initiative.
The price per share will be different after the initial offering closes.
The Centre will be owned by the shareholders.
A Board of Directors will be elected to run the enterprise and report back to the shareholders..

Questions from the floor will be entertained during this session.

BREAK

Part 2: This part of the meeting will be restricted to investors only.

A levy of $5.00 per person will be collected for use of the Church Hall, printing of handouts & for non-alcoholic drinks.

The meeting is expected to end by 6.00 p.m.

PLEASE PASS THIS E-MAIL ON TO INTERESTED PARTIES

Notice of Meeting
Proposed Canadian Goan Centre Stakeholders "Town Hall Meeting"

Date: Sunday, October 1, 2006 @ 3.00 p.m.
Venue: St. Francis Xavier Church
5650 Mavis Road, Mississauga, ONT L5V 2N6

A "Town Hall" meeting is arranged at the above date & venue to discuss the formation of a Canadian Goan Centre in the west GTA. The initial concept is to acquire premises by purchase or lease, so that community groups of up to 300 persons, can gather for social, cultural, and sporting events.

Q. Who can attend?
A. Only those who have submitted formal "expressions of interest" to the Goa Group : canadiangoancentre@gmail.com

Q. Who is the Goa Group?
A. The Goa Group for now is no more than a list of names of persons who have expressed interest in seeing a Canadian Goan Centre, and more importantly, are prepared to allocate funds to bring it into existence.

Read More...

Jubilee Mission
In commemoration of the 500th birthday of St. Francis Xavier, please join us for the Parish Missions.
The Missions will be on three consecutive Friday evenings
Dates: September 29th and October 6th

Priests: Fr. Michael D’Cruz, O.F.M;
Fr. Michael Coutts, S.J.; and
Fr. Edwin Gonsalves,

At the following Parishes:

1148 Finch Avenue September 29 – 7:30 p.m.
Pickering, ON L1V 1J6 October 6– 7:30 p.m.
Tel: 905-831-2253 x223

3526 Sheppard Ave East September 29 - 7:30 p.m.
Scarborough, ON M1T 3K7 October 6- 7:30 p.m.
Tel: 416-293-7974

St. Francis Xavier Parish September 22 - 7:15 p.m.
5650 Mavis Road September 29 - 7:15 p.m.
Mississauga, ON L5V 2N6 October 6 - 7:15 p.m.
Tel: 905-890-5290

For more info call:
Edmund Menezes 416 494-2132 – Holy Spirit
Paul Mathias 905 566-1202 St. Francis Xavier

St. Francis Xavier Jubilee Year Celebration

Final Jubilee Year Gala Event On Sunday, December 3, 2006 there will be an event to close the Jubilee Year. We will begin with a Eucharistic Celebration (Mass) at noon. Fr Jean Marc Laporte, S.J., (Provincial Superior of the Upper Canada Province) will preside and South Asian priests in the GTA will be invited to concelebrate. This event will culminate the Jubilee Year and it will be another great opportunity for members of the various Indian communities to gather and celebrate their unity in diversity.

The event will take place at The Grand Taj Banquet Hall (6915 Dixie Road, Unit 20, Mississauga, ON L5T 2G2). There will be a band and DJ (Pave Conection) in attendance. Tickets are now available (Children 3-11 years - $15 , Adults 12 and above - $25). Please contact your association representative for tickets. There are a limited number of tickets and will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Please make note of the above dates and mark them in your calendar. If you need any further information please contact Fr Daryl Miranda, S.J., at 204 296-5116 or d2miranda2004@yahoo.ca or dmiranda@jesuits.ca or contact your association representative.

Professional English Language Instructor
Available for all levels to give private instruction in: Grammar (Written and Spoken English), Listening and Speaking, Reading/Comprehension, Conversational English, ESP (English for Specific Purposes), TOEFL, IELTS, SAT I, CELTA & TEFL. Certified with over 30 years experience as an English language lecturer and instructor. Instruction available for all levels on an individual basis or as a group. Please contact Maria @ 905-268-0533 or email mariamenezes_5@yahoo.ca.

Flat for Rent in Goa
Furnished flat for rent in Bardez, close to Baga & Calangute Beaches.
Click for details.

People Places and Things

TEGSA MEMBERS TRY THEIR LUCK AT CASINO RAMA
Forty three members set out on a windy but pleasant day on September 24th for Casino Rama from Agincourt Mall. CanAr Bus Services provided free transportation as long as 42 passengers showed up. Although we had a full bus-load confirmed, some cancelled the day before, bringing the number to 41, which meant that the trip coordinator was in big trouble! Thanks to a last minute appeal, one of our Executive committee member and his wife made an eleventh hour decision to join the group, thus saving the day!

Members enjoyed the complimentary buffet lunch provided by Casino Rama to bus patrons. A nominal charge of $2 per person went towards driver tip and expenses associated with past, present and future trips for TEGSA members.

Although it seems Lady Luck deserted our members, everyone had a great time at the Casino and returned safely home, without gambling away their homes or their children! A happy ending to an exciting day.

55PGA –Western Nite
"Howdy" Folks!
Once again our 55+PGA group had a very successful "Western Nite" event which took off like a "Bang".Held at the Meadowvale Community Centre, by 7.00 p.m the hall was full as members and invited guests who swarmed in, decked in with their Cowboy attire, i.e. boots, hats,stetsons, some with 'Spurs' that jingled - jangled the night away to the music of the DJ - Duo Rodgers (Dawn and Jeffrey).

The evening began with Mrs. Alba Ferrao reciting Grace, followed by the much talked of, long-awaited, scrumptious 'CHILI AT ITS BEST" prepared by our very own gourmet chef Mr. Archie Lobo, assisted by his wife who rendered her TLC to stirring the pot to perfection! - It was no doubt the "Hot -Hit" of the evening with rave reviews throughout the night.The great compliment to this meal was of course, the barbcue sausages, grilled to perfection, by Percy Fernandes. Many thanks go out to Mr. Roque Barreto who kindly donated the delicious sausages!

The meal was followed by the delectable dessert of Caramel pudding, which softened our taste buds....
(The CHILI was such a hit that everyone was disappointed they did not get "doggie bags" to take home!!)!! Better luck next time around!

Our pros, Ed & Violet led everyone on the floor to a line dancing performance, it soon caught on & even those who never danced got on the floor and" kicked up their heels" to learn a step or two!

The Hi-Lite of the evening was Mr. Anibal who swept the ladies off their feet with his rendition of the Cha Cha Cha Polka and Merenge ....from this time onwards - nobody sat down. It was a Nite of fun and entertainment galore, and more dancing to the beat of the Rock & Roll and Waltzes - It was great to see the floor always full of "Stompers"!!

We had a silent auction of two BLUE JAY tickets donated by Mr. Joe. Lobo, (thanks for yr kind donation.
Last but not least, a big thumbs up to Archie Lobo, for initiating this Western Nite event, backed up by Vivien & Tony Fernandes.

Archie is having his own Special Western Nite next Saturday, if anyone is interested, please contact Archie.

The 55PGA further like to thank each and everyone for their effort in coming out and supporting us and for all those who worked hard behind the scenes, to ensure the success of this first time Western Nite Event!!

Please continue to check out our website for next years repeat performance, which we expect to have on a bigger scale!!

From this event you will see that it offers the opportunity to learn line dancing. So do please see us next at our MBC Tuesday evenings you can learn Line dancing by Ed & Violet who kindly offered their services.

Please check out www.goanvoice.ca for future events.

Muriel Lucas
General Secretary for
55 Plus Goan Association - West GTA

FIDDLE MAGIC CAPTIVATES SENIORS

TEGSA seniors were elated as they were enthusiastically treated to a musical stroll down memory lane by Fit As A Fiddle.

The group led by Margot Glatt opened the evening with an exercise session to upbeat live music. With her positive attitude and vigorous enthusiasm, she was soon able to captivate the audience and get them all participating.

The Sing Along that followed evoked a lot of memories of yesteryear, which was evidenced from voices that came from all corners of the hall. The old favourites which were made famous by the legendary divas, like “You are my Sunshine”, Que Sera Sera”, “She’ll Be Coming Down The Mountain”, were delightfully rendered by three professionals with live fiddle and guitar music.

TEGSA this night saw a new Elvis in Victor Hilary D’Souza.

Truly a great night to remember for TEGSA members ………. the beat goes on .

U.S. homework outsourced as 'e-tutoring' grows
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/09/28/education.india.reut/index.html

09/28/06 01:46 PM, EDT
Private tutors are a luxury many American families cannot afford, costing anywhere between $25 to $100 an hour. But California mother Denise Robison found one online for $2.50 an hour -- in India.
"It's made the biggest difference. My daughter is literally at the top of every single one of her classes and she has never done that before," said Robison, a single mother from Modesto, California.

Health & Wellness

Cancer Update -- Johns Hopkins
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2006 11:20:19 -0400

Cancer News from Johns Hopkins:
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army MedicalCenter as well.
Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Read more...

Heat your home safely this winter

VANCOUVER, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - Now is the best time to prepare your home for cold weather advises the British Columbia Safety Authority. Before you light up your fireplace or turn on your thermostat, take the following steps to protect your family and home.

- Home heating appliances, including natural gas furnaces, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected annually and cleaned as often as necessary by licenced contractors to prevent fires and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

- For gas furnace cleaning and servicing, choose a contractor who is registered with the BC Safety Authority and employs certified gasfitters. Be sure to ask for proof of certification.

- If your home is heated by a hydronic (water) radiant heating system, have a registered gas contractor annually inspect the boiler, vents and chimney.

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Attention News Editors:
Canadians Know What It Takes To Be Young At Heart - But They Find It Challenging To Find Time to Exercise Survey shows people want to keep their hearts healthy

TORONTO, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - A new survey of Canadian men and women age 40 and older confirms their desire to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease, and identified challenges such as finding time to exercise. Despite wanting to stay young at heart, 61 per cent of Canadians surveyed reported they had been either diagnosed with, or are at risk of developing heart disease. In Canada, one third of those surveyed have been diagnosed with or told that they are at risk for developing high blood pressure, followed by one-fourth who have been diagnosed or told they are at risk of developing high cholesterol. Other diagnosed or at risk conditions amongst Canadians include diabetes (20 per cent), obesity (18 per cent), heart disease/heart attack (15 per cent), and stroke (seven per cent).

The survey conducted by Bayer HealthCare LLC in Canada, and also in seven other countries including Argentina, China, Germany, South Korea, Mexico, Spain, and the United States was released in conjunction with the World Heart Federation's World Heart Day 2006. World Heart Day is a global advocacy campaign aimed at increasing public awareness and promoting the use of preventive measures to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

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Air India inquiry starts with emotional testimony from families of victims
Jim Brown - Canadian Press
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=4d9898bb-d90a-48f1-9b29-78e3a1c92cd2&k=90902
Monday, September 25, 2006

OTTAWA (CP) - Personal grief mingled with political anger and an anguished appeal for belated justice Monday as a long-awaited public inquiry began into the 1985 Air India bombing that took, 329 lives - the worst terrorist act in Canadian history.

Bal Gupta, the first witness to appear before former Supreme Court judge John Major, repeatedly fought back tears as he recalled the death of his wife Ramwati in the attack, and his harrowing trip to Ireland to claim her body recovered from the wreckage in the North Atlantic.

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Differences in health for rural and urban Canadians
Mortality rates higher in most rural areas, but cancer incidence rates lower
The rural advantage | Higher smoking rates | CPHI | About CIHI | Figures | Report |

September 19, 2006—A new report released today shows that Canadians living in rural areas generally have higher mortality (or death) rates than those living in urban areas. How Healthy Are Rural Canadians? An Assessment of Their Health Status and Health Determinants is the result of a research partnership between the Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI)—a part of the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)—as well as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (Laurentian University). This report provides a new pan-Canadian perspective on the health of rural Canadians. The report compares urban areas with four types of rural areas: those with highest commuting flow (where at least 30% of employed people commute to an urban area to work) and areas with moderate, weak, and no commuting flow.

Researchers found that Canadians living in rural and remote areas had higher death rates than their urban counterparts. Annual mortality rates were highest in the most rural areas (with no commuters) at 792 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 695 deaths per 100,000 in urban areas. However, rural areas with the highest commuting flow had lower mortality rates (at 668 deaths per 100,000 people) than urban areas. The urban–rural difference in mortality was most pronounced among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19, particularly for deaths due to injuries.

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