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.

The first house the Rodrigueses bid on in the Greektown area had 16 offers, eventually selling for $60,000 over asking price.

The frustrating pattern would repeat six times before the couple found the perfect house in the High Park neighbourhood. The owner of the charming, renovated 2 1/2-storey home with hardwood floors was moving to Japan and wanted to sell quickly.

The Rodrigueses, who are in their early-30s, got it for $20,000 over asking. And so, the couple that wanted to spend $450,000 just a year ago ended up spending almost $300,000 more.

Most of that debt is by young couples such as the Rodrigues family, which wants to live in the city.

A study released by Statistics Canada last month found young adults who lived in a rural area or small town were most likely to be homeowners at 71 per cent, versus living in a more expensive city, such as Toronto, at 53 per cent.

"It really didn't hit us till we told Hilary's parents, who are from Bowmanville and their eyes kind of widened," says Savio, 32, who works as a product manager with IBM Canada. "Her dad just said `you could buy four homes in Bowmanville for that money.'"
Commenting on the Toronto Star Article Savio and Heather say:

'Yes, it was our 5 minutes of fame yesterday. Many friends and family called and emailed about the story throughout the day. It was the #1 emailed story and #3 read story on www.thestar.com . It's amusing that the Toronto Star went with the sensational title of 'Sent $300K more than they budgeted' in their print copy. We didn't have a budget of $450K and decide to spend $750K. We had a budget of $450K when I was at school and not working. When I returned to IBM, we were able to afford more, and our house budget went up accordingly.'

Ed Note: Savio is the son of Lourdino & Yvette Rodrigues of Toronto, who too are well known for their support of Konkani Tiatr, (viz , Adeus, ) the Goan Konkani Troupe, and various other community causes.

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.

His mother was a homemaker and mother of nine children, of whom Atebe was the eldest. She also managed the family tea and coffee plantation, which the couple had started from a handful of seedlings and 20 acres of inherited land, which grew to 100. “They were both community builders and very visionary,” says Atebe. “My mother organized all kinds of things for women and developed service clubs.”

His father became an activist, fighting for the rights of natives to manage their own farms, which had not been allowed under the British colonial system. He then helped develop a cooperative farming network, adds Atebe, calling his father “a natural leader.”

The future mayor watched and listened closely. “I have to say if I had to look for roles models, my mom and dad were enough,” he says.

His father also entrenched in Atebe the importance of education. “He elected to put me into a boarding school run by Catholic missionaries,” says Atebe.

On Sunday nights at the school, the students would watch old Westerns, and Atebe became fascinated by the stories of cowboys and Indians. “I thought I would like to go to North America and live with the cowboys and Indians,” he recalls.

After high school, an ambassador friend of his father’s helped Atebe apply to the University of Calgary. Three weeks after getting his acceptance letter in 1979, a brave, young Atebe got on a plane, with few English skills, and flew out of Nairobi. He landed at the airport at 1 a.m., alone, with no one expecting him. He went up to a group of ladies, and said, “Ladies, I have never been out of my home country of Kenya. I need to get to the University of Calgary.”

They offered him a ride, and even helped him with his luggage to the residence building at the university. “That was a very positive impression of Canada for me,” he says.

After graduating with a bachelor of arts in geography, Atebe worked for the oil industry as a cartographer in Calgary. “But it was too predictable. So I did a master’s in city planning and transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle.”

Click here to find out more! :  http://thecanadianimmigrant.com

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.

Born in 1949, she studied at Sir J.J.School of Applied Arts, Bombay between 1967-1971 and worked in advertising for a year at ASP located at Churchgate, Bombay under Art Director Eustace Fernandes. Gomes recalls: "By the way, Shyam Benegal (now a world-famous film-director) was there too doing the advertising jingles."

Gomes left for the West in 1972, joined St. Martins School Of Art, London and was there in 1973-1974. She started working as an illustrator immediately, exhibited at Mode-Kieren-Mode 1979 (Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art) Amsterdam Holland, and worked in Florence as fashion designer for Roberto Cavalli.

She then moved to live and work in Paris. In 1980-1986, she worked for Yves St. Laurent designing jewellery and textiles.

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.

Its versatility comes from the fact that when the rose reaches full production in 2009 it can be grown in a flower bed or planters, and is adaptable to many climates.

McCallion was overwhelmed when she first got wind of the idea, McKean said, and wrote the president a beautiful letter of appreciation for the gesture.

Quebec-born McCallion, first elected mayor of the GTA's second-largest city in 1978, is known for her two passions – fishing and gardening.

There are only about 20 Hazel McCallion rose bushes available, with 200 ready to be sold in 2008. After that, commercial production is expected to be in the thousands.

 ( Click to view large )

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.

And then appeared the 5 Piece Mariachi Band – “Viva Mexico” smartly dressed in their attractive and elegant Mexican suits. They played such well known songs as La Bamba, Mexican Hat Dance and other catchy numbers. In addition, there was a male dancer and two pretty female folk dancers dressed in their beautiful colourful outfits who danced to the tunes of this talented band.

TEGSA members were invited to join the dancers and there was no shortage of willing participants.

It was a most enjoyable evening and everyone went home singing the praises of another fantastic event. Congratulations to Vicki and her committee.Adieus ...............Amigos

BOWLING EXTRAVAGANZA
TEGSA now has BOWLING ? WOW !
 

 ( Click to view large )

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.

There were prizes galore donated by our members and recipients were not only the good bowlers but also those at the lower end of the scores.
Special mention must be made of a remarkable feat - Hubert Pereira scored 4 strikes in a row! (a TURKEY plus one).

Gift wrappers were Joan Menezes and Dorothy Fernandes.

The event ended at about 11:00 p.m., a good six hours since we entered to put on our shoes. Great value for a fun-filled exciting evening.

Many thanks also to our Scorekeeper Val Rego and his assistants Max Menezes, Rudy Pinto and Edmund D’Souza

All of this was made possible with the excellent coordination of our Executive Committee member Mr.Charles Fernandes.

TEGSA Remembers the Deceased Members.
 

 ( Click to view large )

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