Many thanks for the many congratulatory messages on the launch of The Goan Voice UK. Francis de Lima won the prize for the sender of the name of the 1500th subscriber.

COMMUNITY NEWS

82-year-old Leila Gonsalves of Lansdowne Gardens, Bournemouth thought she was going to die as she heard cries of "rape" and "attack" as a huge plant pot was hurled through her lounge window. She was in bed when she heard the disturbance at about 2am. "I was very scared and I started to scream. I don't know where I got the energy from," said Mrs Gonsalves. She has three sons, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and is being comforted by members of her family…Daily Echo (Bournemouth). Photograph of her and 307-word report at
http://www.thisisdorset.net/dorset/bournemouth/news/BOURN_NEWS_NEWS2.html

Congratulations to Diana Rodrigues on being made an Honorary Fellow of Brunel University. “A former long-serving member of staff in the Registry at West London Institute/Brunel University – for her commitment and services to the University.” http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news/sept02/fellows2002.html [Diana is the sister of Norma Menezes].

Evening Herald. 24 Oct. Headline: Ben wins at the double. Rising young star Ben Ferrao from Plymouth was a winner at the English Schools' Badminton Association under-13 event at Harrow… [Ben is the son of Edgar & Odette Ferrao & nephew of Glyn Albuquerque] For full text, click here....

Saint Anthony’s Residential Home and Hospital, Verna, Goa, started in January at a cost of £500,000, has reached plinth level. It is hoped to have a show flat ready for viewing by early January, 2003. It is designed as a luxury retirement complex catering specifically for expats. Contact jeromemenes@hotmail.com or log into www.saintanthonys.co.uk to check the progress.

From George Pinto. For a photograph of the Goa Sudharop volunteers with ex-President Clinton, visit http://www.goasudharop.org/gs_involved.htm

Latina, who has made an appearance on BBC Asian show Network East, is half Goan and half Arab. She was also a finalist for Miss Nude UK held at the Spearmint Rhino nightspot in London. but “the Goan beauty was beaten to the number one spot…” You can see some of her at http://www.clickwalla.com/article.php?cid=19&aid=922 and even more at http://www.missnudeuk.com/

DEATHS

The funeral of AGNEL MARQUES takes place at 10am on Friday 8 November at St. Anthony's Church, Garrett Road, Edgware, London HA8 9AW. Followed by cremation at Hendon cemetery, Holders Hill Road NW4. Then light refreshments back at the Church Hall. A photograph of him and an obituary can be found at http://www.goacom.com/news/news2002/nov/msg00013.html Agnel was eternally grateful to Great Ormond Street Hospital for saving his daughter’s life at the age of six weeks, so donations to Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Fund Raising Dept., 40-41 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AJ. Cheques should be made payable to ‘Great Ormond Street Hospital’ and please mention it is for the Agnel Marques fund. Flowers: The florists are Black & Cook (020 8952 3953) 32 Watling Avenue, Burnt Oak, Edgware HA8 0LR. Condolences to: anthony@marques.fsnet.co.uk and versallion@msn.com

FLIGHT INFORMATION

A reluctance to travel far at this time of year and continuing concerns about a possible war with Iraq have led to some very low prices. Head to Goa, for example, next Thursday with Jewel in the Crown and a fortnight’s holiday costs £284. The price includes flights from Gatwick and staying at a two-star hotel at Calangute. Three and four-star hotels are also available with a top price of £474. 01293 533338. Times 7 Nov. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,71-471539,00.html

GOA NEWS HEADLINES

Goa's rave parties - a boon or bane? By Cyril D’Cunha. …these scenes of nudism, drugs and all-night parties, have been a bane, as well as a boon… According to UK-based A. Saldanha, the raves are today a global phenomena…he says that stopping the raves could be a big problem, perhaps the way ahead is to strike a path acceptable to all. Times of India. Tuesday 5 Nov. 492 words. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/comp/articleshow?artid=27288021

Richard M. Stallman, considered the hero of the Free Software revolution, was in Goa from 5-7 Nov. and spoke at the Goa College of Engineering. By Fred Noronha. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/message/24775

The Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Dr Fernando Furtado has called for action to have all stray dogs sterilised within 12 months.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=110738 It is revealed that 2,200 Goans were bitten by stray dogs in the last five years. Navhind Times 7 Nov.

Football. The Santosh Trophy semi-final match last Saturday, between hosts Manipur and Goa, had to be abandoned because of crowd trouble. 12 minutes into the second half Goa scored and the pandemonium reigned. The match was played again from scratch the following day and this time Manipur won 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Manipur went on to win in the finals. Times of Oman 3 Nov. http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=18163

IN THE NEWS

31 Oct. Coventry Evening Telegraph. Celebrity TV chef, Jamie Williams, serves up a spicy treat for Hallowe'en: Curried Pumpkin, “This dish originates from Goa in India. I know this because they finish their dishes with vinegar.”

1 Nov. The Mississauga News. Article on “Goa's Konkanis” … In Mississauga alone, there are quite a few significant personalities from the Konkani community… The Konkanis are quite liberal in their attitude. So much so that even their food is free from any inhibitions… Their most famous dish is vindaloo… Konkanis are fully westernized in their dress and are fun-loving people. 603 words. http://www.mississauganews.com/mi/news/story/695054p-824781c.html

1 Nov. Evening News (York, UK). Gordon Campbell Thomas is using skills picked up in York to transform a rubbish dump in Goa. He plans to transform the Mapusa dump with the help of prominent Goans and English people. The work, estimated to take about ten years, will be powered by solar panels and wind turbine, and will recycle rainwater for drinking. 325 words. http://www.thisisyork.co.uk/york/news/YORK_NEWS_LOCAL14.html

3 Nov. Gulf Daily News. British charter operator MyTravel Airways, formerly known as Airtours, has resumed operations to Goa via Bahrain.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=36163&Sn=BNEW

6 Nov. Gulf News. Abu Dhabi-based Anita Fernandes, a top executive from the Nadia Group of Companies was announced the lucky winner of a $1 million in Dubai Duty Free's Millennium Millionaire Promotion in series. She was ecstatic upon hearing the news that she just became $1 million richer. She purchased the ticket on September 4 while travelling to the U.S. on holiday.

FORTHCOMING

Fri 8 Nov. From Commander Joseph Da Gama: Please join us for a Presentation on The Royal Navy at the Goan Community Centre, Keston Rd. N17 7-9pm. Over 60 Career options, Workshop followed by refreshments. It is important to know the attendance for catering purposes. Please contact Candy on candyrose2000@hotmail.com

Sat. 9 Nov. 6.00 pm Goan Association (UK). Mass For Deceased Members at the ATC Hall, South Wimbledon followed by a 3-Course Meal Contacts: Nina Pinto 020-8767 0663. Bernie Gracias 020 - 8723 1322

Sun. 10 Nov. 12.15 - Gurim/Sangolda Feast. Music by Equinox. Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham, SW16. £10 for adults. Joe Figueira 0208 653 7611

Sun. 17 Nov. Feast of Our Lady of Livrament. Goan Community Association, Keston Road, Tottenham, London N17. Mass at 12.30pm. Followed by a Social. Music by 'Autumn' (Ivor & Mandy). For tickets and further info. please contact Paixao Colaco On 07816 468884 or Josephine on 020 89677471.

SOLD OUT! Sun. 17 Nov. Navelim Union - Feast of our Lady of Rosary.

Sat. 23 Nov. The Goans of St. Anslem's Church, Tooting Bec are celebrating the feast of St. Francis Xavier. Mass is at 6.15 p.m. followed by a get-together in the lower hall. Tickets are £5.00 with delicious meal. There will be music and lots of surprises. Please contact Fatima or Claver on 0208 672 4562 or Francisco on 0208 767 1545

Sun. 24 Nov. 2.30pm. Fr Agnelo’s Day. 75 Commemoration Mass. St George’s Cathedral, Westminster Bridge Road. Thereafter at the Amigo Hall. Mass offered by the Goan Association (UK) in conjunction with the Village/Club organisations.

Fri. 29 Nov. (5.30pm - late) Young London Goans Society (YLGS) - Free membership - Monthly get-together. Los Locos Bar/restaurant/Club 24 -26 Russell Street , London, WC2B 5HF. New members welcome. Nearest underground : Convent Garden. Contacts: marie.pereira@talk21.com 07958373076 , alisonbraganza@hotmail.com 07799 586 793, dsouzajj@hotmail.com 07957 395 811.

Sun. 1 Dec. 12.30pm. Goan Association (UK). Feast Of St Francis Xavier at Archbishop Lanfranc School, Mitcham Road, Croydon. Choir by the Goan Musical. Contacts: Diego Pinto 020 - 8767 0663, Cyril Rapose: 020 - 8874 8329.

Tue. 3 Dec. 7:45pm. The South East Goans Sports & Social Club will be celebrating the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. St. Thomas More Church, Long Lane, Bexleyheath, Kent. Principal Celebrant: Right Reverend Bishop Charles Henderson. Free refreshments in the Church Hall after Mass. Contacts: Damaciano: 020 8316 1473; Eusebio: 020 8304 9089; Alex: 020 8306 0974.

Fri. 6 Dec. Join 'Say One Do One Disco' in an evening playing R&B, Garage and latest tunes. All welcome, free entry. Upstairs in the Princess Louise Pub, 208 High Holborn from 7 till 11. For details call Paul on 07956 496190 or Nigel 07956 984532 or email: say1do1@hotmail.com

Sat. 7 Dec. 3pm sharp. Goan Cultural Society. A Children's Konkani Pantomime CINDERELLA" written and directed by Mike Alfonso, at St Johns Hall, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London N13. Admission: Adults £5; Children £3. Contact Ida- 020 8881 2921 or Rosy - 020 8352 9450.

Sun 8 Dec. North London Goans celebrating the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. White Hart Lane School Hall, White Hart Lane, Wood Green, London. Tickets contact Seby D'Silva 020 8245 5463; Johnny Fernandes 020 8881 4579 or Tina Rodrigues 07957 272 134.

Sun 8 Dec. 12.30pm. Moira Feast - 25th Anniversary. Music by Maz & Co. Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham, SW16. Contact Alex de Mello 020 - 8306 0974.