zant march 2010 newsletterweb · norouz means a ‘‘new day’’, and it occurs on the vernal...

ZANT News - March 2010 1

www.zant.org March 2010

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 [email protected] or mail to ZANT, P.O. Box 271117, Flower Mound, TX 75027

• 3/21 Norouz Function • 4/3 Deadline for ZANT Board Nomination

• 4/11 Relgious Class

ZANT EZANT EZANT EZANT EVENTSVENTSVENTSVENTS

• 3/2 Mehergan (S)

• 3/12 – 3/16 Ayathrem Gh (S)

• 3/21 – NoRouz

• 3/25 – Adar Mah Jn. (K)

• 3/26 – Avan Yazad Jn. (S)

ZZZZOROASTRIANOROASTRIANOROASTRIANOROASTRIAN CCCCALENDARALENDARALENDARALENDAR

Upcoming Activities 2&3

Kid’s Corner 4

ZANT Center 5

ZANT Center Wish List 6

Community News 6&7

ZANT Board Nomination 9

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

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

HAPPY �OROUZ

To all the individuals and families who observe and celebrate this 3000 year old tradi-tion. According to the House resolution bill of 267, that Representative Honda from California introduced on March the 19th of 2009 to the congress of the United States for approval, there are millions of people around the world who celebrate this event

which marks the traditional Iranian New Year that originated in ancient Persia.

Norouz means a ‘‘New Day’’, and it occurs on the vernal equinox and celebrates the arrival of spring. Norouz symbolizes a time of renewal and community; it harkens the departure from the trials and tribulations of the previous year and brings hope for the New Year. Norouz is celebrated by nearly 300,000,000 Iranians and other peoples all over the world, including in the United States, Iran and other countries in Central Asia, South Asia, Caucasus, Crimea, and Balkan Regions. Norouz is celebrated by 1000,000 peoples of all backgrounds in the United States including those with Baha’i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Zoroastrian, and non-religious backgrounds. �orouz embodies the

tradition that each individual’s thinking, speaking, and conduct should always be

virtuous, and the ideal of compassion for our fellow human beings regardless of eth-

nicity or religion, and Symbolizes a time of renewal and community.

This bill recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Norouz in the United

States and acknowledges the contributions of all who follow this tradition.

To read the entire text, please go to: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr111-267

Have a happy, healthy and prosperous Norouz on March 20 at 11:32 a.m.

ZANT Board

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARDMESSAGE FROM THE BOARDMESSAGE FROM THE BOARDMESSAGE 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


PAST EVENTSPAST EVENTSPAST EVENTSPAST EVENTS

Documentary Screening and Parsi Genetic Study �ight

There were not enough chairs in the Wellington Club House for all those who came to view the documentary "Crisis

in Faith: Zoroastrians Today." ZANT would like to thank Tenaz Dubash for traveling to Dallas in order to screen

the film. The DVD explored many topics relevant to Zoroastrians today and there was a lively discussion following

the viewing. ZANT still has copies of the DVD available for sale. We would also like to thank Dr. Voruganti for

coming to Dallas to initiate the Parsi Genetic Study survey. We had a great start to signing up people in the Genetic

Study that Dr. Vournganti has initiated from the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research. We thank all the

ZANT family who came out to participate in this event and we look forward to hosting more such events again in the

future. If you would like to obtain a DVD or would like to sign up for the Parsi Genetic study, please contact

Keshvar Buhariwalla.

JASH�-E SADEH

The great fire pit was a beacon of warmth and much needed light at our Jashn-e Sadeh celebration where brave souls

got together to celebrate the winter season. With yummy pots of hot soup, great treats and cheerful company, all

those present had a great, toasty time. Thank you for all those who braved the cold to come celebrate with us!

NOROUZ MARCH 2010NOROUZ MARCH 2010NOROUZ MARCH 2010NOROUZ MARCH 2010

The ZANT Board of Directors would like to welcome one and all to our NoRouz 2010 celebration on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 12:00 pm. Our venue this year is the Mediterranean Villa, in Arlington, TX (http://www.mediterraneanvilla.net/). This is an exquisite facility and we are very excited about hosting our celebration at this location. We also have a member of the ZA�T community who is willing to sponsor our International Stu-

dent members. If you are a student member wanting to take advantage of this opportunity please note new ad-

dition to RSVP form on p. 10. Hope to see you all there! Due to some construction in the area, we would like to give

you all the best directions possible:

This is coming from the �orth:

Take 360 South to Lamar and Turn Right on Lamar

Go through 4 lights and Turn left on Baird Farm Rd.

This street dead ends into the access road of I-30 which is our Street- Wet � Wild Way

Mediterranean Villa is half a mile up on the right next to Holiday Inn at 1111 Wet � Wild Way

Arlington TX 76011


Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) Conference is planned for June 26 and 27, 2010 at the Arbab Rustam Guiv Darbe Meher, Chicago. The main thrust of SSZ is to encourage study and learning among the lay per-sons and to provide a platform for academicians educationists and theologians to present to the public their research and studies in order that their work is published. For the lay persons there is no better way to learn than to study and share their knowledge with others: Yasnaai-cha, Vahmaai-cha, Kshnaothraai -cha, Frasastayae-cha; Understanding, Learning, Gaining Knowledge and Imparting Knowledge is our Farman. In that spirit those interested in learning and sharing their learning are welcome to make presentation at the conference. We are particularly looking at our next generation to participate. All aids and mentoring shall be provided. The stress will be on Rituals but any topic on Zoroastrian History, Religion and customs will be welcome. An array of academicians, educationists and theolo-gians will be arranged to present their research and studies. Please contact Rohinton Rivetna , or Dr.Pallan Ichapo-

ria or Kayomarsh Mehta if interested in planning and/or presentation. ******************************

Dolly Dastur is preparing a FEZA�A JOUR�AL issue which will be focusing on The Zoroastrian Diaspora to North America. In connection with this she has asked me to prepare an article high lighting the contributions of IIT graduates in North America. If you are a Zoroastrian IIT graduate please send Edul Daver, , information about yourself including Name, Address, E-address, IIT location, Year of graduation/Major and a very brief paragraph (100 words) about your highest/proudest accomplishment. Edul will use this to come up with a very general article. Also, please include names and E-addresses of all other Zoroastrian IIT graduates that you may have information about. Edul is also looking at this as an opportunity to develop a listing/directory of all Zoroastrian IIT graduates in North America. ***************************

15th �ORTH AMERICA� ZOROASTRIA� CO�GRESS

Houston, Texas

December 29, 2010 - January 1, 2011

Preserve! Protect! Perfect!

For registration and details, please visit the ZAH website: www.zah.org, or email Arnavaz Sethna at: , or Write

to: ZAH, 8787 W. Airport Blvd., Houston, TX, 77071, USA. Attn: NAZC-2010

GLOBAL HAPPENINGSGLOBAL HAPPENINGSGLOBAL HAPPENINGSGLOBAL HAPPENINGS

ZANT BOARD ELECTIONSZANT BOARD ELECTIONSZANT BOARD ELECTIONSZANT BOARD ELECTIONS

According to ZANT By-laws , Article 7.01 elections for Directors positions on the ZANT Board are to be held once every two years. The current ZANT Board’s term will end on May 31, 2010. Therefore, it is time to elect a new Board. Here is a perfect opportunity for every community member to step forward and put his/her nomination for a position on the Board. The nomination form is part of this newsletter. Please fill out the Nomination Form (p.11) and send it in by the prescribed deadline to the ZANT P.O. Box.


�ouRuz-E-Shoma Mobarak! Jamshedi �avroz Mubarak!

Happy �ouRuz!

Spring will be pretty!

By Dave Crawley

Spring will be pretty, just give it a week,

When flowers are blooming, down by the creek!

Bees will be buzzing as trees start to bud,

But for the moment I'm covered with mud.

Snow has been melting, since winter is through,

Replacing the whiteness with puddles of goo!

I stepped off the sidewalk and into the ooze.

Next thing I knew, I stepped out of my shoes!

Mud on my ankles and mud on my clothes!

I stumbled face-first and got mud up my nose.

Spring will be pretty, but I must confess,

The first days of spring take away all the stress!

(Source: Internet)

Religious Class:

At our February Religious Class, our little ones reviewed the main principles of our religion using the deck of cards and the kids played a matching game, trying to match items we use in our religion with their correct names. Then we played our very own 'A Day at the Zoo' Zarthushti game! The kids enjoyed selecting their animal game pieces which they could move forward on the roll of a dice. Their movement in the zoo was guided by a series of 'deed cards'. If they picked a 'good' deed card, they got to move ahead. If they picked a 'bad' deed card, they had to stay in the same position. We could not com-plete the game in the time we had, but we hope to have many more hours of fun with it.

Our middle-age group continued their virtual tour of Iran…

Our 3rd destination was “Persepolis”- Ceremonial Capital of

Persia, founded by King Darius!

We learnt ….

• Persepolis means “city of Persians”

• Also known as “Takht-e-Jamshid”

• It was the king’s Summer Residence & of Ceremonial

importance

• Not built by ‘slaves’

• Women were paid same as men for the same work

• Took 150 years to build it…and burnt down by Alexan-

der’s men in slightly less than 200 yrs after it was begun!

KID’S KID’S KID’S KID’S CORNERCORNERCORNERCORNER

We saw pictures of the ruins & recreated palaces on the internet. We’ll continue our tour of Persepolis in the next class. We ended with the popular Akbar & Birbal’s story “Over Smartness does not

pay!”

For our teen group Firdosh uncle started a 3-4 month series on "Gathas 4 Teens". He began with locating the Gathic Verses in the Yasna Ritual with a short synopsis of this ritual undertaken by The Colorado State University featuring Dastoorji Firoze Kot-wal. The portions of Gathas included in the Khordeh Avesta and related to other texts were explored, and some Gathic terms relating to the nature of Ahura Mazda were mentioned. In the next few months Firdosh Uncle and Sherazade will continue with a more in depth look at the five Gathas, including the true meaning of the

Amesha Spentas.

On a lighter note…(Laugh – it increases your face value) ☺

What season is it when you are on a trampoline? – Spring Time!

Can February March? – �o, but April May!

Why is the letter “A” like a flower? – Cause “B” (bee) comes after

it!

(Source: Internet)

Thoughts for the Month:

“No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow”

-Proverb

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;

if we did not sometimes taste adversity,

prosperity would not be so welcome.”

-Anne Bradstreet

“April is a promise that May is bound to keep”

-Hal Borland

�ouRuz 2010 - ZA�T Children’s Program:

The program is set & practices are going on!

Please come to our NouRuz function & encourage our kids!

Children’s Religious Class:

There will be no Religious class in March.

Our next religious class will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010 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)


Stay tuned for a building update in next month’s newsletter.

ZANT CENTER UPDATEZANT CENTER UPDATEZANT CENTER UPDATEZANT CENTER UPDATE

ZANT CENTER OPENING ZANT CENTER OPENING ZANT CENTER OPENING ZANT CENTER OPENING CEREMONYCEREMONYCEREMONYCEREMONY

The ZANT Opening Ceremonies Committee along with the ZANT Board and the Building Committee have all unanimously agreed that the opening ceremonies will take place on the ZANT Center premises. Since we expect a full capacity crowd for this momentous occasion a tent rental is our only option to accommodate all those who want to attend. We estimate that the cost of the opening ceremonies to be $12000. ZANT has already budgeted $5000 towards this expense. We have 9 families who have stepped forward with a pledged donation of $500.00 per family

towards helping us with our opening ceremony expenses.

A big thank you to Kamran and Saghar Behroozi, Rostam and Roya Bidanjiry, Kali and Keshvar Buhariwalla, Behram and Farieda Irani, Spenta and Delnaaz Irani, Hoshang and Abbez Patel, Bahman and Pari Kaviani, Rama

Kaviani and Feroze and Anahita Sidhwa. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to ZANT.

We are looking for additional families to come forward and make donations to defray our costs. Please contact Farieda Irani if you would like to help. A donation in any amount will be appreciated.


ZANT CENTER WISH LISTZANT CENTER WISH LISTZANT CENTER WISH LISTZANT CENTER WISH LIST

ZANT is happy to announce that during the past month two more families have generously committed to pur-chase items from our wish list for our Center. We have six families to date that have donated towards items on our wish list. It is our sincere hope that we will be able to furnish our Center with all the remaining items on our list. ZA�T WISH LIST Amount UPGRADED KITCHE� APPLIA�CES Stand alone stove/oven (2 needed) 2525 each HALL

Chairs ( 120 needed) 25 each Rectangular tables (8 needed) 109 each Round Tables ( 10 needed) 145 each Table Truck Stand (2 needed) 215 each MISC

Partition for Main Room 3000 Basketball hoops (2 needed) 750 each Table for nook in hallway 300

CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS

ZANT wishes hearty congratulations to Behram and Dinaz Contractor on the birth of their son, Cyrus. Cyrus was

born on February 15, 2010. The family is very happy to welcome this brand new addition!

CONDOLENCESCONDOLENCESCONDOLENCESCONDOLENCES

ZANT would like to express its condolences to the Jamadar family on the passing away of Jamshed’s mother, Per-

viz in India on January 27, 2010.

MONTHLY GOODIESMONTHLY GOODIESMONTHLY GOODIESMONTHLY GOODIES

Thank you Anahita Sidhwa for the batasas in the month of February. On behalf of all the participants in the Monthly Goodies Project we would like to thank everyone who has partici-pated in this effort for the past two years. The project has generated $ 2090 for the ZANT Building Fund thanks to the efforts of our expert cooks who graciously donated their time, talents and materials. And of course the project would not have been possible without all the customers! Everyone's generosity is much appreciated. Monthly Goodies will be on hiatus for the next few months as the community focuses efforts on the completion of our build-ing. Once that is done, we will explore restarting this project. If you have comments or suggestions please let Keshvar, Delnaz or Anahita know.


MEMBER SPOTLIGHTMEMBER SPOTLIGHTMEMBER SPOTLIGHTMEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Firdosh D Mehta P E, Director of Engineering, PECOFacet Corp., Mineral Wells, Texas, has been elected as a FELLOW of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, as per The Citation of Outstanding Accomplishments. The letter of appointment indicates that Firdosh "will be one of only 2,956 FELLOWS out of 93,537 ASME Mem-bers, which makes it truly a distinction amongst the members". He is also the Vice-Chair of the WEST TEXAS CHAPTER of the ASME. Firdosh has been a member for 36 years and "ensures ASME's commitment to be the premier organization for promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multi disciplinary engineering and allied sciences to our diverse communities throughout the world". Congratulations, Firdosh !

WorldLink, Inc. Takes Home Top Honor in Frisco, TX

The Frisco Chamber of Commerce honored the city’s best at this year’s 26th Anniversary Annual Awards Celebra-

tion featuring Frisco’s Got Talent on January 29, 2010 at the Embassy Suites in Frisco, TX.

Following the theme of the popular show “America’s Got Talent”, Frisco’s most talented individuals and busi-nesses were honored in fourteen different categories. Qualification was based on eight criteria including a business profile, growth and performance, customer service strategies and practices, marketing strategies, employee develop-ment and business environment, business challenges, unique and innovative approaches, and community involve-

ment and contribution.

WorldLink, Inc., a services oriented organization headquartered in Frisco with offices and operations glob-

ally, took home the night’s top honor for “Large Business of the Year Award”. Amongst the nominees for

Large Business of the Year were American Unit, Baylor Medical Center, Centennial Medical Center, Grande

Communications, and Mario Sinacola & Sons.

The Friday night event featured a silent auction, dinner, recognition of business award nominees and winners, and performances from “Frisco’s Got Talent” finalists. The evening was hosted by Leslie Ann Crozier, the creator of HotOn! Homes. Chris Flanagan, news anchor for WFAA-Channel 8, Cheryl Hall, business writer, Dallas Morning

News, and Nancy Lieberman, head coach of Frisco’s NBA D-League, rounded out the panel of celebrity judges.

WorldLink’s vision for the future is to continue to grow a sustainable business that not only provides superior ser-

vice and products to their clients, but creates a social impact on today’s business culture that cultivates and sustains

Knowledge Capital in the work place. WorldLink is looking ahead in 2010 to make an impact by putting Ameri-

can’s back to work with The Green Group solution. They will also focus on today’s smart phone industry by creat-

ing products and applications that provide value to the mobile user and beyond. www.worldlink-us.com


NOMINATION FORM

I, _____________________________________________, wish to serve on the Board of Directors of ZANT for the

position of:

Check only one:

__________________ President

__________________ Vice President

__________________ Treasurer

__________________ Secretary

__________________ Social Director

__________________ Director

__________________ Director

Signature;________________________________ Date:_______________

Please mail this form to :

Khurshid Jamadar

C/o Zant

P O Box 271117

Flower Mound, TX 75027

The envelope containing this nomination form must be postmarked by Saturday April 3, 2010.

The election meeting will be held in mid/end May. Look for details in the April newsletter.

According to our bylaws:

- It is the responsibility of each candidate to confirm that his or her nomination has been received (Article

7.03)

- Only Zoroastrian members are eligible to serve on the Board of Directors (Article 4.03)

- Members of the Board of Directors must be 21 years of age or older and should be members of the Association

in good standing for at least one year (Article 4.4)

ZANT News - March 2010

www.zant.org March 2010

A Publication of Zoroastrian Association of North Texas

ZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWSZANT NEWS

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

Date ( ) General Fund ( ) Building Fund

Amount $ ( ) Other ( ) Newsletter

FROM:____________________________________

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

ZA�T

P.O. Box 271117

Flower Mound, Texas 75027 ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS ZANT NEWS

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zant march 2010 newsletterweb · norouz means a ‘‘new day’’, and it occurs on the vernal...

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