ZANT News - Sep 2009 1

www.zant.org September 2009

A Publication of Zoroastrian Association of North Texas

ZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWS

We welcome and encourage feedback from our community. Please send comments or suggestions to president@zant.org or mail to ZANT, P.O. Box 271117, Flower Mound, TX 75027

• 9/06:Farvardegan Jashan (p.2 ) • 9/12:Cooking Class (p.2) • 9/13:Religious Class (p.4) • 9/13:Vohu Manah Lecture (p.3) • 9/19:WZCC Meeting (p.10) • 9/20:Paitishahem Gahambar (p.3) • 10/3:Mehergan (p.3) • 10/4:Diwali Mela (p.8)

ZANT EZANT EZANT EZANT EVENTSVENTSVENTSVENTS

• 9/6 Farvardegan (S)

• 9/12-9/16 Paitishahem Gh (F)

• 9/28-10/2 Maidyozarem Gh

(S)

ZZZZOROASTRIANOROASTRIANOROASTRIANOROASTRIAN CCCCALENDARALENDARALENDARALENDAR

Past Activities 2

Upcoming Activities 2-3

Kid’s Corner 4

ZANT Center Update 5

Membership 2009-2010 5

Treasurer’s Corner 6-7

Miscellaneous 8

WZCC Meeting 9

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 271117 Flower Mound, TX 75027-1117

ZANT Center: 1605 Lopo Road Flower Mound, TX 75028-1306

We are excited about the many functions planned for the months of Septem-ber and October for our community. These include the Jashan, the Mehregan function, the Gahambar, the Vohu Manah slideshow and seminar conducted by Poras Balsara about Persepolis: Its history and its importance, as well as an event hosted by the World Zarthushti Chamber of Commerce with interesting subjects conducted by two distinguished speakers, Mr. Eric Engineer and Mr. Sarosh Nayar of the Janus group. We hope that everyone will find an interest-ing venue to attend and enjoy in the next few months. Children’s religious classes will continue to be conducted by our knowledgeable and dedicated religious instructors. For a complete list of the events please go to

www.zant.org/events.html and tab onto Agenda for details.

We are very proud of the progress that has been made on the ZANT Center project under the leadership of our building committee members and thrilled that the Center’s structure is up and standing. With many good wishes and great anticipation, we await the completion of the center in the next few months. We would also like to thank all of our contributors and well wishers for their continued support and encouragement, without whom this project would not have been possible. Together we are creating a legacy for our Zar-

thushti community in North Texas.

We sincerely hope that you had a great Summer with interesting and fun

events, and wish you a fantastic Fall season. May Ahura Mazda bless you all.

ZANT Board

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

IIIINSIDENSIDENSIDENSIDE THISTHISTHISTHIS IIIISSUESSUESSUESSUE

BBBBOARDOARDOARDOARD OFOFOFOF DDDD IRECTORSIRECTORSIRECTORSIRECTORS

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Social Director Director Director

FEZANA Rep.

Kamran Behroozi (972) 355-6607 Farieda Irani Pearl P. Balsara Khurshid Jamadar Keshvar Buhariwalla Roya Bidanjiry Delna Godiwalla

Firdosh Mehta

ZANT News - Sep 2009 2

Shenshai New Year, the New Year celebrated by many Parsis around the world, was celebrated in Dallas on Saturday, August 22 at the Flower Mound Community Activities Center. This occasion was truly a community effort, with many volunteers helping in all aspects of our planning and execution. Over 160 of our ZANT family came to celebrate this auspicious day. This year the teen group took on the responsibility of decorating and providing the music for our evening. I would like to thank those who played a major role in ac-complishing this task, Aurash, Armand and Autusa Behroozi, Afshan and Anaiza Irani, Ahneesh Mohanty, Cyrus and Manijeh Rus-tomji, Jamsheed Yazdani, Anahita Pardiwalla, Paimonn and Nikkan Yadegary, and Burzin Balsara. There is usually an individual who must step forward and lead a team like this and this year that was Farah Balsara. She went the extra mile to ensure many aspects of the evening were special for all those who attended and we would like to recognize her for all her efforts and congratulate her on a job well done. To all the rest of the youth participants, those who dressed up, those who attended our early meetings, those who danced the night away, thank you for your input and efforts, it took a team to make this work and your help was just as appreciated. Our adult volunteers numbered many: Arnavaz Medhora, Delna Godiwalla, and Sherry Raghani made and gave us the beautiful toran; Sarosh and Karin Nayar donated the Happy Shenshai New Year Banner and the juke box decorations; Ruth-Dinaz Sarkari donated the toppings for our desserts; Kashmira Mistry, Mahnaz Irani, and Nishita Dastoor baked our delicious brownies; Delnaaz Irani hosted the teen group and helped in much of the planning; Firdosh and Rashna Mehta set up their precious ses; Charlotte Kharas provided the meaning for each piece of the ses; Feroze Sidhwa transported our music system; Sanaya Avari, Monaz Karkaria and Dilnavaz Rustonji brought the drinks; and there were those who helped set up the room, Pardiwallas, Balsaras, Buhariwallas, Rustomjis, Iranis, Godiwallas, Desais, Behroozis, just to name a few. There were those who helped keep things running during the party, Mary Tengra, Hutokshi Pardiwalla and many more. Then there were those who lent a hand for the tedious job of cleaning up the mess, this included the set up crew as well as Arnavaz and Navroz Siganporia. And last but not least, a very special thank you to Keshvar Buhariwalla for mobiliz-ing the function at a fun-filled venue for all ages and to Pearl Balsara for taking this idea and making it work! Your creation of the center pieces, your efforts in decorations and your impromptu show in the beginning made everything so much better. If we have failed to recognize someone we are so very sorry, but here we take a moment to thank all who played a part in Shenshai New Year.

ZANT AZANT AZANT AZANT ACTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIES ---- LLLLOOKINGOOKINGOOKINGOOKING BBBBACKACKACKACK

FARVARDEGA JASHA

The Farvardegan Jashan will be held on September 6, 2009 at Monaz and Hormazd Karkaria's home. The jashan will start at 10:30am. In order to plan the luncheon, please call Monaz or email her by August 31, 2009 and let her know if you will attend

and stay for the luncheon.

Cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children 4-10 (kids will have an option of pizza), $20.00 for non-

members. There will be a late charge of $5.00.

If you would like the names of your departed loved ones included in the Jashan, please complete the form in last month’s newsletter and mail so as to reach him

before September 3rd. You can also e-mail him.

COOKIG CLASS FOR ALL AGES

Please come and join us for a fun cooking class on Saturday September 12th from 11am to 4pm at the Behroozi residence. Rakhshandeh Dhalla and Saghar Behroozi will teach you to cook chicken biryani and rice in the Iranian style respectively. You will also learn how to prepare raita and bake baghlava (the cake version). Everybody is invited to swim in the pool and play games after lunch. Please RSVP with

Saghar or Rakhshandeh by September 8th.

REMINDERREMINDERREMINDERREMINDER

What: The 6th Zoroastrian Unity

Cup Soccer Tournament

When: September 5 - 7, 2009 Don't forget to also purchase your tickets for "An Affair to Remember" - ZSC's exclusive Black & White Party, featuring

the incredible Deejay AL!

What: An Affair to Remember

When: Saturday, September 5, 2009; 7 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Where: Manhattan Beach Marriott; 1400 Parkview Ave, Man-

hattan Beach, CA 90266

Dress: Black & White Attire

Applications, tickets for the banquet dinner and dance, and more information are available now at: http://zathletics.com.

REMINDERREMINDERREMINDERREMINDER MMMMONTHLYONTHLYONTHLYONTHLY GOODIESGOODIESGOODIESGOODIES

The monthly goodies for September will be an oriental treat with three names - these are Khaw Sway (Burmese) or Kao Soi (Thai) or Kari Mee Ayam (Malay). Our chef Ratan Vakil describes the dish as Chicken Curry Noodles, or Yellow noodles in chicken curry sauce. The delicacy will be delivered ready to eat with fried shallots on top which will also be supplied. The dish will be available on Saturday September 12 with delivery arranged. Please call in your order to Anahita Sidhwa by September 6. Your contribution of $ 30 for each

month's goodie goes to the ZANT Building Fund. We are also looking for volunteers for future monthly good-

ies...please let Anahita know if you can volunteer.

ZANT News - Sep 2009 3

Paitishahem Gahambar (Fasli Calendar) Celebration

(Sept 12 – 16) :

ZANT is celebrating the “Paitishahem Gahambar” on Sunday, September 20th, 2009, from 12:00 pm to 4:00

pm at the Senior Activity Center located at 1950 S. Val-ley Parkway # A in Lewisville. Please take a look at the

attached flyer for details.

Paitishem Gahambar celebrates the creation

“Earth”…….”Harvest Festival”.

This Gahambar is a “Khushali Gahambar” sponsored by Behram & Farieda Irani on the auspicious occasion of

their son Neville’s graduation from college.

Contact Pearl Balsara or Farieda Irani by September 6th

if you would like to volunteer to prepare a dish for the Gahambar (see enclosed flyer for menu). ZANT will

reimburse volunteers for all expenses incurred.

The courtesy of a reply is requested by September 13th in order for our volunteers to prepare the requisite

amount of food.

If you are interested in sponsoring/co-sponsoring a

Gahambar, please call Pearl Balsara.

GGGGAHAMBARAHAMBARAHAMBARAHAMBAR

FEZANA has announced a US $ 10,000 SPONSORSHIP to provide $ 500 travel subsidies to maximum 20 (Twenty) Zarathushti Youth from MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS & SMALL GROUPS to attend the 9th World Zarathushti

Congress, Dec. 28– Dec. 31, 2009 Dubai, UAE

Eligibility Criteria

Recipients of this SUBSIDY Fund must be:

a.) Individuals practicing the Zarathushti faith

b.) Citizens or holding legal resident status in USA or

Canada

c.) Young Zarathushtis between the ages of 15 to 35*

years during the Congress.

d.) Have already registered to attend the 9th WZC2009,

in Dubai, UAE.

e.) Must participate in an activity at the Congress, e.g. Speaker, Session Chair, YLEP,WZSO, Performer in mu-

sic or dance or cultural program, etc.

Please familiarize yourselves with the subsidy procedure and forward the following information needed:

1. Completed application form.

2 P a s s p o r t s i z e p h o t o

3. Statement of Intent

4. Confirmation of Registration at Dubai Congress.

All of the above to be sent by email to

by 30 OCTOBER 2009 or for more information contact

fdjmehta@charter.net

For congress info: www.wzcongress.org; For subsidy

information: www.fezana.org (information coming soon)

9999TTTTH WH WH WH WORLDORLDORLDORLD ZZZZOROASTRIANOROASTRIANOROASTRIANOROASTRIAN CCCCONGRESSONGRESSONGRESSONGRESS

MMMMEHERGANEHERGANEHERGANEHERGAN

It is once again time to come together and celebrate Me-hergan with a potluck which will be held on October 3,

2009, 6:30 pm—9 pm. There will be a short play by the kids explaining Mehergan, from the Shahnameh. Please plan on attending and bringing a dish to share. As there

are no heating facilities, please bring it hot!hot!hot!

Venue: Carrollton Senior Center, Texas Room A 1720 Keller Springs Road Carrollton, TX 75006 (972)466-4850

VVVVOHUOHUOHUOHU MMMMANAHANAHANAHANAH GGGGROUPROUPROUPROUP LECTURELECTURELECTURELECTURE SERIESSERIESSERIESSERIES

The Vohu Manah group invites you to a special series of three slideshow based lectures on Persepolis, presented by Poras Balsara. These will be held on the second Sun-day during September, October & November, so mark your calendars and join us for an enriching afternoon.

TITLE: Persepolis - Rising from the Ruins A slideshow presentation on the history, building, art, and architecture of the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenian Empire. We will go through the details of different buildings, palaces, reliefs and inscriptions cur-rently found at the ruins of Persepolis and also look at some of the re-creations. . DATE: Sunday September 13, 2009 TIME: 2 : 3 0 p . m . - 4 : 3 0 p . m .

PLACE: Cozby Library

177 N. Heartz Rd

Coppell, TX 75019

ZANT News - Sep 2009 4

THE FOUR BLESSED LOOKS

L o o k b a c k a n d ' T h a n k ' G o d . L o o k f o r w a r d a n d 'T r u s t ' God . L o o k a r o u n d a n d ' S e r v e ' G o d .

Look within and 'Find' God.

I asked God, 'How do I get the best out of life?' God said, ‘Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future with-

out fear!'

Without God, our week is:

Mournday

Tearsday

Wasteday

Thirstday

Fightday

Shatterday and

Sinday.

So, allow Him to be with you every

day!

Life is short, so …

forgive quickly...

Believe slowly....

Love truly...

Laugh uncontrollably…

Never regret anything that makes you happy…

And have a wonderful journey!

(Source: Internet)

Religious Class:

We did not have our Religious class in August, due to

the on-going “Muktaad” Prayers.

Joke Time (Laugh – it increases your face value) ☺

Q: What state is inside another state?

A: Kansas is inside Arkansas!

Q : Wha t i s t h e s ma r t e s t s t a t e ?

A: Alabama – cause it has 4 As & 1 B!

Q: Wh i c h i s t h e h a p p i e s t s t a t e ?

A: Maryland!

Thoughts for the Month:

“The only place where dreams are impossible, is in your

mind”

“Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what

you can do”

“You are braver than you believe,

Stronger than you seem and

Smarter than you think”

-Internet

Thank You!

We would like to thank the following kids & young adults for helping with the ZANT

Shenshai New Year Celebration:

Dance Room Décor: Burzin & Farah Bal-

sara, Autusa, Armand & Aurash Behroozi,

Anaiza & Afshan Irani, Ahneesh Mohanty &

Manijeh Rustomji.

Music: Farah Balsara, Aurash Behroozi,

Anahita Pardiwalla & Paimonn & Nikkan

Yadegary

DJ: Cyrus Rustomji & Jamsheed Yazdani

And a ‘Very Big Thank You’ to all the kids & youngsters

who dressed-up in the spirit of our theme & made the

celebration so much fun!

Children’s Religious Class:

Our next religious class will be held on Sunday, Septem-

ber 13, 2009 at 11:30 am, at the Balsara Residence.

For further details about the Religious Classes, please

contact Pearl Balsara.

(Kid’s Corner logo courtesy of Zoroastrian Studies,

India)

KKKK IDSIDSIDSIDS’ C’ C’ C’ CORNERORNERORNERORNER

ZANT News - Sep 2009 5

If you have been by the ZANT Center recently, you will have seen drastic changes to the prop-erty. Through July and August, our framer has been busy filling out the framing for our building. The framing is nearing completion with only various inte-rior details still to be completed. Over the next few weeks (through the remainder of August), our roofer will complete the roofing and our plumber and elec-trician will begin piping and conduit respec-tively. Work on our air conditioning system will be-

gin shortly as well.

This has been an exciting month for our building pro-ject. The building has really taken shape inside and out. With the building shell now complete, we will turn our focus to the various building systems (plumbing, electric, etc.) Once various building sys-tems are complete, we will again begin work on the exterior with our brick and stone installation. If all goes as planned, we should be ready to begin the ex-

terior finish by early October.

Once the specialized trades are completed, we will likely be looking for volunteers to assist with various

finish-out and detailing work. In the next couple of newsletter articles, we will begin to define areas of expertise needed. We look forward to getting the

community involved with the process.

This is a great time for our project, and more impor-tantly, for our community. If you have any questions,

please call Jamshed Rivetna.

ZANT CZANT CZANT CZANT CENTERENTERENTERENTER UUUUPDATEPDATEPDATEPDATE

ZANT MEMBERSHIP 2009ZANT MEMBERSHIP 2009ZANT MEMBERSHIP 2009ZANT MEMBERSHIP 2009----2010201020102010

As we start our new Accounting Year 2008-2009, please note that your Annual ZANT membership is due for re-newal & if you are not a member already, this is the time to join in! There are lots of benefits of becoming a mem-

ber, such as….

• Belonging to an organization that is promoting Zoroastrian religious beliefs, community & cultural heritage

• A platform for “Community Service”

• Sharing “Camaraderie” (Comradeship among fellow Zoroastrians)

• Religious Classes (for children & adults)

• Religious and Non-religious Speakers

• Opportunities to influence the next generation of Zoroastrians (by setting an example)

• Instilling sense of “belonging” and “pride” in Zoroastrian Heritage, among our kids, teens and young adults

• Monthly newsletter - that keeps you informed of the happenings/ issues around the world related to Zoroastrian-

ism and opportunity to ask/receive help from fellow Zoroastrians.

• Career Development and Business Opportunity through ZANT sponsored WZCC meetings.

• Reduced rates for functions and other activities

• Special privileges for members re: ZANT Center

Your current membership is effective until Oct 31, 2009. Attached is the new Membership form (p. 11) Please sign

up to become a Proud Member of ZANT for the Year commencing November 1, 2009.

ZANT News - Sep 2009 6

Distinguished UK Author Peter Clark's Lectures on

"The Legacy of Zarathustra"

Houston, Texas. On Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17 & Sunday, October 18, 2009, distinguished writer Peter Clark will present ”The Legacy of

Zarathustra". The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Zarathushti Heritage and Cul-tural Center, 8787 West Airport Boulevard Houston, TX

77071. Please see attached flyer for details.

Events include:

• Meet & Greet session and book signing---

Friday, October 16, 2009, 7-9 pm

• Lecture -The impact of Zoroastrianism on major

world religions &Functions of Zoroastrian Rituals ---

Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10 00 am-3:30 pm

• Lecture -Zoroastrian cosmology & eschatology---

Sunday, October 18, 2009, 1:00 pm -3:30 pm

Peter Clark is the author of Zoroastrianism: an Intro-

duction to an Ancient Faith, a definitive book on Zoro-astrianism. He is a graduate of Cardiff University, Wales, UK, with a B. A. (Hons.) and M. Phil in Reli-gious Studies. The title for his M. Phil. dissertation was Invisible Walls, Hidden Faces, Zoroastrian Priesthood,

Ritual and Purity. Mr. Clark has held lecturing posts at Cardiff University, University of Wolverhampton, and Chester College--University of Liverpool. In addition to being an Organist and Choirmaster at St. Peter's Church in Cardiff, Clark represents the Archbishop of Cardiff

on Interfaith Affairs.

PETER CLARKPETER CLARKPETER CLARKPETER CLARK———— LECTURELECTURELECTURELECTURE MMMMEMBEREMBEREMBEREMBER SPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHT

Please go to the following links to read an article on Astronomy professor Anahita Sidhwa as published in the Parsi Khabar as well as the Dallas Morning News regarding her invitation and participation at the Oxford Round Table in England.

Parsi News :

http://parsikhabar.net/astronomer-anahita-sidhwa-

invited-to-oxford-round-table/

Article from Dallas Morning News :

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/

n e w s / c i t y / c a r r o l l t o n / s t o r i e s / D N -

anahita_05met.ART.Central.Edition1.4baf7b8.html

When you get to the linked page, please enter Anahita Sidhwa under the search bar to access her article.

ZZZZANTANTANTANT DDDD IRECTORYIRECTORYIRECTORYIRECTORY 2010201020102010

We are in the process of creating our upcoming 2010 ZANT Directory and will be publishing the following

information:

Name, Spouse name, Children name(s)/Age(s),Address, Home Phone#, and optional info: (Cell#, Email Acct.,

Profession, Work#)

If yours or your friends’ information is missing in our current book, or needs to be changed/updated, please

send the additions/corrections to Roya Kaviani.

DDDD IWALIIWALIIWALIIWALI MMMMELAELAELAELA

Date: October 4, 2009

Time 4 - 10 pm

Place: Jew Cowboy Stadium in Arlington

Are you ready to do your share of Community Service?

As in the past, ZANT is participating at the Diwali Mela. We are looking for donations in cash and kind (time). The cost of the stall is $450.00. We would love for you to spend a few hours that evening and work with us at the stall. For more information, please contact Khurshid Jamadar.

ZANT News - Sep 2009 7

WORLD ZARATHUSHTI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER

EVERY OJE { over 15 Yrs } WELCOME

DAY: SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2009 TIME: 1:00 to 4:00 PM

LOCATIOJ: SCHIMELPFEJIG LIBRARY for more info: Schimelpfenig Library

5024 Custer Road, Plano, TX 75023 Tel; 972.769.4200

2:35 – 3:05 PM Mr. Sarosh Nayar of JANUS GROUP

TOPIC: Realize your dreams of Entrepreneurship. Share the success story of the

JANUS GROUP, in marketing, branding, strategy& design solutions, via its print arm….. FastSigns.

3:05 – 3:35 PM Mr. Eric Engineer, Senior Associate @ Sevin Rosen Funds, a Venture

Capital firm, based in Dallas. On the Board of Directors for TeXchange Dallas.

TOPIC: Venture Capital: What is it, how does it work, and why is it important?

3:35 – 3:50 PM Q / A

3:50 – 4-00 PM Closing Remarks - Vote of Thanks - next meeting and adjournment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please confirm your attendance for the meeting as soon as you can :…

TO Kashmira Contractor by e-mail: contractork@comcast.net

OR Rashna Mehta by email: fdjmehta@charter.net or call

For more information on the WZCCHAMBER & it’s world wide activities, visit www.wzcc.org

LIGHT LUJCH WILL BE PROVIDED BETWEEJ 1:00 & 1:30 PM

LUJCH FEE: COMPLIMEJTARY FOR MEMBERS & THOSE WHO BECOME MEMBERS @ THIS MEETIJG,

$ 6.00 for JOJ-members.

1:00 – 1:10 PM Arrival and Introductions

1:10 – 1:30 PM LUNCH

1:30 – 1:40 PM Info on WZCC, SynergyZ Magazine, AGM in Dubai Dec.09

1:40 – 2:25 PM Mr. Eric Engineer, YOUTH REP on WZCC Board of Directors.

Launched Zoroastrian Stimulus Plan and YLEP Project Leader.

TOPIC: Leveraging Online Social Networks for Professional Development:

Using LinkedIn Effectively and Safely. Focused Networking.

2:25 – 2:35 PM AFTERJOOJ TEA BREAK -- REFRESHMEJTS – COMPLIMEJTARY

ZANT News - Sep 2009 8

ZANT News - Sep 2009 9

ZAJT

P.O. Box 271117

Flower Mound, Texas 75027

www.zant.org September 2009

A Publication of Zoroastrian Association of North Texas

ZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS

To:

Keep this stub Please detach and return this side Accept my contribution of: for your records. with your contribution payable to: “ZANT" and mail to: ( ) $10 ( ) $20 ( ) $30 ( ) $40 ( ) $50 ( ) $_____ To: ZANT ZANT Treasurer P.O. Box 271117 For: Check # Flower Mound, Texas 75027

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FROM:____________________________________

“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.” Help us pass on the good religion to future generations.