COMMUNITY NEWS

Please note that all announcements have to be limited to 50 words max. If you have any comments regarding improving the content, coverage or circulation of this Community resource, please e-mail eddie@fernandes.u-net.com

A group of Catholics are convinced that the Virgin Mary is appearing every day in Surbiton, South London, beneath a pine tree. One of them is Subash de Menezes whose father is from Goa while his mother, Patricia, is English. Mrs de Menezes claimed that Our Lady was 'far more beautiful' than she could describe, and wore different clothes according to the occasion: 'Once when I was with a gathering of Goans, she came in a sari.'… The Spectator (UK). 12 Jan. Full text, 1452 words, at http://www.spectator.co.uk/article.php3?table=old&section=current&issue=2002-01-12&id=1475

Virginia Graham (nee Barretto, ex-Nairobi), (51) described as a Kenyan woman living in Portadown is suing Craigavon borough council for racial discrimination after it failed to appoint her as the mayor's personal assistant. She has lived in Northern Ireland for the last 25 years. Her solicitor described her as of Goa Indian extraction. The case continues. Irish News. 15 Jan. http://www.irishnews.com/archive2000/15012002/news23.html

Keith Vaz is expected to be cleared of failing to register payments from the Hindujas but is reportedly facing a reprimand for failing to cooperate fully with an official inquiry into his business dealings. The Independent 12 Jan. 343 words. Full text at: http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=114076

From Candy Fernandes: Any musicians in North London wishing to form a group can use the Goan Community Centre to practice. E-mail candyrose2000@hotmail.com

Canadian Engineers, John D'Souza (jjds@ican.net) and Tim de Mello (timdemello@hotmail.com) will be holding the third Goan Engineers and Technologists meeting in Toronto on Sun. Feb. 10. They are soliciting input from other overseas Engineers and experts in an effort to see if it is possible for overseas Goans to help with easing some of Goa's woes. Development/Problems like Mopa Airport, power generation, water scarcity/distribution/damming of monsoon water, garbage disposal, plastic waste/recycling, road maintenance, six-lane by-pass highway, etc. come to mind. Write to them!

From: Joel D'Souza To: Members of Goanet UK I take this opportunity to thank each member of Goanet-UK and Mr Eddie Fernandes, in particular, for their valuable contribution towards the purchase of the Sony Digital Video Handycam and a few necessary items for upgrading my computer. The beautiful video-camera was officially handed over to me by Tony Correia-Afonso, president of World Wide Goans, during the International Goan Convention held on December 29, 2001, at the Kala Academy Hall in Panjim, as a gift from the members of Goanet-UK. With the addition of this latest, state-of-the-art video camera, the capabilities of our website www.goacom.com has received a shot in the arm. I thank you all once again and assure you of my continued presence on Goanet with the GOACOM NEWS CLIPPINGS, hosted by website Goacom. joel@goacom.com Assagao, Bardez, Goa.

DEATHS

11 Jan. Toronto. ISOBEL (BIRDIE) DE SOUZA, (ex-Kampala). Wife of Charlie. Mother of John, Wesley/Nicole, Mellony and Nicole. Sister of Terence, Ron, Hubert, and Vivian Pereira. ( It is believed that she had gone on a trip to East Africa and got sick when she returned, going into a coma and never recovering).

12 Jan. Calgary, Canada. EUGENE DE SOUZA (ex Dar-es-Salaam, Metal Box Co.) Husband of Theresa. Father of Michael/Dody, Newton & Neville. Brother of late Joe/Fara (UK) Dina/late Juju De Lord (UK) & Tommy/Yvonne (Canada). Funeral Mass on Friday, 18th January, 2002 at Ascension Parish Church, Calgary NW at 11.30am. E-mail Michael: fukawi_md@yahoo.com

12 Jan. Caversham, Reading. CONSTANTINO ANTAO (ex. Benaulim, Goa and Eastleigh, Nairobi). Husband of late Eularia Antao. Father of Dominic, Mick and Amelia. REQUIEM MASS: Thurs. 24 Jan. 2002 at 12pm. at St Michael's Church, Sonning Common, Oxfordshire. Condolence messages to dom@funkytiger.co.uk

LOOKING FOR

Young London Goan Social (YLGS) are actively looking for new members, between 21 and 40+. Several of our members are highly professional and work in areas of Media, IT, Accountancy, Law, Medicine, etc. Membership is free. Contact marie.pereira@talk21.com for further details.

FLIGHT CORNER

Mirror 12 Jan: For departures on Jan. 24 Avion Tours is offering a two-week holiday in Goa staying at the O'Pescador Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis for two people sharing from £449 per person. Flights are from Gatwick. Avion Tours: 020 8492 3531

COMPETITION CORNER

Sainsburys Supermarkets currently has a Holiday to Goa free draw. Go to the Reward machine, get your 50p off voucher for a Southern India meal, buy the product at you will be automatically entered for the draw.

NEWS HEADLINES

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, UK and the Ministry of Transport, UK are sponsoring a two day International Conference on "drivers training systems" to be held in Goa Nov. 15 - 16, 2002.

A two-member team of experts in the field of conservation of archival records has arrived in Goa from Lisbon to assist the Goa government in conserving the archival records in the State.

The Goa Police are investigating an alleged rape of a 40-year-old British national by a Keralite youth, at a massage parlour in Calangute on Jan. 11. Herald http://www.oherald.com/Archives/sun_13jan.htm

Carnival will be celebrated in Goa on Feb 9. Times of India 12 Jan. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_ID=1490177405

A three-day festival at the Sanctuary of Blessed Joseph Vaz in Goa is being held from Jan.16 - 18. Navhind Times 13 Jan. http://www.navhindtimes.com/cgi-bin/daily/stories.pl?id=goa&item=13goa_2

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that an intensive drive was being carried out in the state to deport foreigners who were either overstaying or illegally staying in the state. Times of India 14 Jan. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1811113913

All India Football Association (AIFF) is contemplating amending its constitution to enable quality NRI players playing in various leagues worldwide to represent the country. Times of India 15 Jan. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?catkey=-2128765644&art_id =647778861&sType=1

Scientists have warned people in several parts of Goa against eating seafood, saying they are likely to carry dangerous levels of toxins. GoaNews 16 Jan. http://www.goanews.com/16jan02.htm

Frederick Noronha is looking into the possibility of launching a quarterly magazine focussing on Goan music. See http://www.goacom.com/goanet/ message 19427 or write to him at fred@bytesforall.org

IN THE NEWS

12 Jan. The Globe and Mail (Toronto). Michael Coren, whose show, Michael Coren Live, airs every weeknight at 10 on the CTS, the Christian Television network in Canada, revealed in an interview that in 1987 he met his Goan-born wife, Bernadette. They fell instantly in love, married, and settled in Toronto, raising their four children (ages 4 to 13) as Catholics. 2,338 words.

12 Jan. Birmingham Post. Travel: Counting the Cost of the Average Winter Holiday. Goa - The Best Value For Money Destination. 475 words.

13 Jan. The Star (Malaysia). In the aftermath of the WTC attacks, many among the glitterati ditched their foreign itineraries and made a beeline for sun-kissed and wave-splashed Goa. By Mario Rodrigues. (689 words) http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/1/13/focus/india13&sec=focus

14 Jan. Lloyd's (UK) Ore carrier River Princess, the controversial vessel grounded off North Goa's famous beachline for the last 19 months causing danger to Goa's tourism, is finally being taken over as state property …its owner, M/s Salgaoncar will ultimately benefit financially despite pushing the authorities into series of legal battles over its removal till date. 322 words.

14 Jan. The Evening Standard (London). Julian Hartnoll is selling the contents of his Duke Street art gallery. The clearance sale starts this Thursday (17-19 January, noon-7pm) includes Souza drawings. Prices from £5.

17 Jan. Jornal de Noticias (Portugal). Two Portuguese experts have arrived in Goa this week to advise on the preservation of the 4 km of documents in the Central Archive of Goa. http://jn.sapo.pt/textos/out50810.asp

17 Jan. Frankfurter Rundschau [Never go to Goa, a feature film by Klaus Lemke was premiered at the Frankfurt Film Festival earlier this week. It is a "vacation film essay over the love at the end of holidays." Members of the audience were reported to be "jumping with joy." Watch this space for further details]

FORTHCOMING

Fri. 25 Jan. 7-11pm. GUAVA GROOVE PARTY. R&B, Hip Hop, Garage..... Free entrance. The Princess Louise Pub - function room 2nd floor, 208 High Holborn, (Holborn tube station). (Collecting donations for charity). Check out the new website. http://www.guavagroove.co.uk Contact Ian Pinto, tel : 020-8337 1563, GuavaGroove@Yahoo.Com

Sun. 27 Jan. 3 pm. Blessed Joseph Vaz Mass ( Konkani). Asian Chaplaincy, St. Augustine`s Priory, 55 Fulham Road, Hammersmith, London W6. Also, short video on Blessed Joseph Vaz; Fr. Cosme Joe e Costa. Sfx on the miracle which was accepted for the Beatification; Bingo, Carrom & Tea. Contact: Fr. Oliver Antao 020-8563 9102.

Sun. 27 Jan. 2-6pm. Goan Association (UK) Family Day at Archbishop Lanfrance School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Free to all members and their guests. Food and bar available. Whist, carrom, football have been planned. Come along and meet your friends. For further information please call Juliette on 020 8765 0258 or email jules4jas@yahoo.com

Sat. 16 Feb. 7-11pm GOAN COMMUNITY ASSOC., North London. Joint Mauritian/Goan Valentine's Night, at the Goan Community Centre, Keston Rd. N17. Music By 'Nuvel Vision' playing Sega etc. £8 adult/£5 child. For tickets contact Jacques 020 8888 5106/Candy 020 8245 4513. Band playing free to raise funds for Security Grilles. Bring your own food and drink & share with your group.

Sat. 16 Feb. 8.00-late. VALENTINE'S DANCE. Jasmin's Club, 202 Upper Tooting Road, SW17. Music by Shades. Tickets (inc. meal) £7 adults; £5 children 2-13. Tickets and further info: Tony Lobo, 020-8542 0528; Jo or Audrey DaSilva 020-8296 8332; Joaquim/Tony Rodrigues 020-8767 6942 or Reg Da Cunha 020-7732 2659.