Areas of central and northern Alberta are under a heavy snowfall warning. Accumulations between 10 and 15 centimetres are expected in the Edmonton region and as much as 20 centimetres north and west of Edmonton by Tuesday afternoon.

Drivers are advised to prepare for winter conditions and adjust driving habits accordingly.

Additional information

• Know before you go – check 511 Alberta for the latest real-time road conditions.
• Drivers should consider postponing non-essential travel.
• Posted speed limits are the maximum intended for ideal summer conditions. Drivers are reminded to slow down and drive for winter conditions.
• Snow can accumulate quickly and visibility will be reduced.
• Drivers are encouraged to have winter or all-season tires on their vehicles.
• Drivers are reminded to activate headlights so that tail lights are visible to drivers following behind.
• All vehicles should have a winter emergency kit during winter months.
• Snowplows need room to work – stay back at least 10 metres to prevent collisions.
• Safer Winter Highways
• Winter driving tips (pdf)
• Alberta Snowplows

Related information

Road Reports

For up-to-date road information and traffic delays

• Call: 511 toll-free, inside Alberta
• Call: 1-855-391-9743, outside Alberta
• Visit: 511.alberta.ca
• Follow: @511Alberta

By: Tigs Tidalgo

When we were younger and Calgary was not yet big, I met a man named Rene Dino. He was an acquaintance the same as anyone in what then was a small Filipino community. Few more years later and he became a friend. And farther more in time, he was a brother.  I mourned the passing of an acquaintance, a friend and a brother.

The existence of Rene in life revolved around three things. First and foremost was to his family, then to business and to the community. His love for the Filipino community was where our lives met. We had common ground in dreams and the willingness to involve in it. He was with me amongst a number of good people in putting up the Filipino Seniors Structure in Calgary. It took us ten years to build it.

Rene was an extra ordinary fellow. While we were scrambling for better job and pay at work during our early years in the city, Rene went the other way. He didn’t want to be an employee working under the whims of superiors. He was an independent minded individual who doesn’t want to be told what to do or what not to do. He chose to be self employed by having his own business and lived a rewarding lifestyle from it.

It was through casual conversation when I told him that the Filipino Seniors Structure that we worked to existence could possibly face problems. The revenues from government entitlement had been constantly going down. It may have serious problem in few years. It could not afford to undertake their designed program of activities.

His reply was foxy but with substance. He said that if income from government incentives are going down, down and down, we should look for ways where association’s earning by themselves goes up, up and up. He further stated that if we were to merge both our experiences together, we could possibly make it work.

It was practical logic. I knew that it was one of these ‘easier said than done’ thing. But what was there to lose? Maybe we were just day dreaming that we put our heads together. We nourished a thought which later gave birth to a serious idea of a United Seniors Initiatives.

Under it was Phase 1, Phase 2 and on. Under Phase 1 was the Grandma’s Delicatessen at the center lobby accross the food court of Marlborough Mall which was long vacant at that time. It was indeed an excellent location. What we needed was a business plan and five share holders to start it. We talked about this almost every morning after my morning walk at the mall.

Rene was in Vegas on a business trip when I called him that I managed to secure the five share holders. They were from the old timers group and were   willing to put up their capital investment. I also added that I had at hand the final 15-page business plan made by Elvie Valeroso’s group. I did sense in his voice that he was excited. He said that we would finalize everything the next day.

The plan was for fifty percent of net profit goes to five shares holders and the other fifty percent to the program for senior citizens. It was indeed a helpful initiative to supplement the declining revenues of seniors associations.

It was Friday morning, March 22, 2013 when Rene and I smoothed out all details. We were to finally sign an agreement with Marlborough Mall management on Monday morning and put the grand opening date on the 3rd Saturday in May. We talked for about two hours. Tten hours after at two o’clock in the morning, my phone rang. It was his wife Myra. With intermittent crying voice she said, “Rene is gone.” He had heart attack. He passed away.

His funeral wake was with record high attendance in our community. It goes to reason that he did touch the hearts of people. I had the honour to deliver his eulogy. His legacy is deeply carved in the hearts and minds of many. He was a kind hearted man.

Rest well, my friend.

What I am sharing to you today is very important that whatever your decision on it defines the kind of life you are living and are going to live in the future and for all eternity. This is something that for the mean time you can ignore, deny and forget and run away from it, but it is something you cannot ignore. It will come. It will happen. It is inevitable.

If someone asks you, “How do you know if you are saved?” And what shall we do to be saved in the first place? Ano ang dapat nating gawin para tayo ay maligtas? Ano ang ating gagawin para tayo ay mag-karoon ng buhay ng walang hanggan? Ito po ang kasagutan sa tanong na iyan. Sumonod po tayo sa Dios at kung ano ang kanyang sinabi sa Biblia. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Ito ang kanyang sinabi.

Huwag tayong manalig sa mismong sarili natin sa kaligtasan. Hindi mo kayang iligtas ang sarili mo. Ika nga, Stop believing yourself. Stop believing that you can save yourself. By being good cannot save you. By being good and doing good cannot save you. The way to save you is by believing in God, trusting God that He along can save you. Salvation is NOT the work of man, done by man but the work of God and done by God. And no mortal being can save him or herself.

The Bible said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).

Huwag po nating sabihin na ikaw ay mabait; ikaw ay matulunging; ikaw ay hindi magnanakaw, hindi nangbabae, walan kang nila-laspantangan na iba. Wala kang pinatay. Palasimba ka lingo, lingo at member ka ng isang simbahan.

Ito pong lahat na gina-gawa mo ay hindi masama. Pero ang kato-tohanan ang lahat na ito ay HINDI kapa-raanan para ikaw at ako ay maligtas. Wala ring simbahan magbibigay kaligtasan sa sino man. Wala! Huwag po kayong maniwala sa mga sinasabi ng iba na ang simbahang ito ang mag-liligtas sa iyo. Hindi po!

Ito po ang sabi ng Biblia. “For by grace you are saved through faith in that not of yourself, it is the gift of God not of works least any man should boast”. (Eph. 2: 8-9). Uulitin ko po, hindi mo pweding iligtas ang sarili mo. At hindi mo rin pweding iligtas ang ibang tao. At walang taon mag-liligtas sa sarili mo. Ang kaligtasan ay gawa ng Dios sa pamamagitang ng tunay na pananalig lamang sa ating Panginoon Jesus.

Ang katotohanan, mahal tayo ng Panginoon Dios kaya tayo ay kanyang nilalang. God created us because He loves us so much. At ang kailangan natin ay buong pusong PAGSI-SIHAN na nating ang lahat ng ating kasalanan at tangapin natin ito sa Dios, at tayo ay kanyang patatawarin. Mapag-patawag ang Dios. Huwag ng umiral ang mga PRIDE natin. Alisin mo na ang PRIDE mo. Sabihin mo na gusto mo nang magbago at talikuran mo nang lahat ng iyong kasalanan at totong manalig ka kay Jesus lamang.

Tanggapin mo, na nilaspastangan mo ang katarungan ng Dios. Tanggapin mo, sinuway mo ang utos ng Dios at hindi ka sumonod sa kanya. Tanggapin mo, na wala ka nang pupuntahan kundi 6 feet below the ground. Ang hatol sa iyo ay darating na. At ito ay darating marahil mamayang gabi o sa makalawa. Huwag mo nang hintayin na darating pa ito sa iyo. Lumapit ka na sa kanya. “Seek you the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his ways and let him return to the Lord and he will have mercy upon him.”

Where are you going when you die? You don’t know. Do you want to be saved? Sino ang ayaw maligtas at magkaroon ng buhay na walang hangang? Every one of us wants to live forever.

Ang buhay na walang hangang ay ibibigay sa atin at sino man dahil sa ating pagtanggap lamang kay Jesus bilang Panginoon at taga-pagligtas sa ating buhay.

sa mga ginawa mong kasalanan at dahil dito ikaw ay mana-nagot sa mga kasalanan iyan. kailangan mong bayaran ito. Pero walang kang kakayahan na bayaran ito. Wala tayong kakayahan na bayaran ang lahat ng pag-kakautang nating sa Dios dahil sa lahat tayo ay nag-kasala at may utang ding sa Dios.

Pag-palain po kayo ng Panginoon Dios. Kung kayo po ay may kata-nungan tumawag lang po kayo: 590-8445 or 606-1115 or sumulat – Pastor Amor P. Ruba 252 Saddlecrest Blvd. NE, Calgary T3J-5L6 o sumulat sa email address na ito: [email protected] .

The Express Entry system currently awards points for language ability in either of Canada’s two official languages—English or French.

Candidates can get up to 136 points for their first official language and up to 24 points for their second official language.

There are no changes planned for these points, and they will continue to be awarded by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) before and after June 6, 2017. Additional points for candidates with strong French language skills, with more additional points going to candidates who also have English language skills

On June 6, 2017, Express Entry candidates with strong French language skills, with or without English language skills, will be awarded additional points by the CRS.

A total of 15 additional points will be awarded for test results of the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NLC) at level 7 in all four language skills in French (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and an English test result of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or lower.

A total of 30 additional points will be awarded for test results of the NLC at level 7 in all four skills in French and English test results of CLB 5 or higher.

French-speaking newcomers contribute to the growth, vitality and prosperity of Francophone minority communities across Canada. No points for candidates with siblings in Canada

The Express Entry system does not award any points to candidates with siblings in Canada.

Additional points for candidates with siblings in Canada

On June 6, 2017, the Express Entry system will award 15 points to candidates with siblings in Canada.

To get these points, candidates will need to show that the sibling is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada and is 18 years of age or older.

The sibling in Canada must share a mother or father with the principal Express Entry applicant or their spouse or common-law partner. This relationship can be through blood, marriage, common-law partnership or adoption.

Having a sibling in Canada has been shown to improve health and social outcomes by accelerating a newcomer’s integration into their new life in Canada. Job Bank registration required

After completing a profile, a candidate must create a Job Bank account if they do not have a valid job offer or a provincial or territorial nomination before they are placed in the pool and become eligible for an invitation round.

Job Bank registration voluntary

On June 6, 2017, Job Bank registration for Express Entry candidates becomes voluntary for all candidates.

Candidates who meet the minimum entry criteria for Express Entry will be automatically placed into the pool and immediately eligible for invitation rounds. If they do not currently have a job in Canada and would like to start their job search, they will be able to register for Job Bank.

Employers will still be able to use all of their existing recruiting methods, including Job Bank, to find Express Entry candidates

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EXPRESS ENTRY PROGRAM?

GIVE US A CALL NORTH LINK IMMIGRATION SERVICES

DAISY MADRID, RCIC

PHONE: 403 471 5414 /403 890 7289/ 403 971 8010

EMAIL US: [email protected]

OUR OFFICE IS AT CHINOOK MALL SUITE 502 PLS. CALL FOR APPOINTMENT

Seventy five years is a long time and a person can do a lot of things over that span. Whether Hank Kriaski was a father to you, husband, grandfather, co-worker or a friend – we will always remember him! Whether you saw him daily, or on the job or like my wife Ludy and I, maybe a dozen times, you quickly knew him as a kind, caring, honest and fun loving man.

Recently Ludy and I spent a very relaxing evening with Hank and Connie, doing what Hank and I both loved. We spent a beautiful summer evening in Hank’s oasis – his backyard, under a shade tree, surrounded by his beautiful flowers and bushes. Not tainted by the problems outside our world, we thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company. That is what life is all about.

God has Blessed us in just being able to meet someone that He both loved, and then took away. That is His plan for all of us. We can’t change it.

For days after his February 23 passing and during his service on the March 3rd weekend, many tears were shed and will continue to be shed. Understandably, tears of sorrow for our loss, but also tears of joy! As we said “Goodbye Hank”, our Father in Heaven, with open arms said “Welcome Hank, what took you so long?”

Rest in Peace Hank, your love for the beautiful things in life – gardening, painting and your loving wife Connie – are awesome examples for all of us to follow! The flowers you gave us will continue to grow in our gardens too; thank you very much! We love you.

Ludy and Steve Tarzwell

“Miracles happen every day  to people from every walks of life,”  declared Jack Canfield, best-selling author and co-creator  of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.  His 2014 book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles Happen, was rated an excellent read for millions of readers. It’s a book of powerful stories about real miracles. It’s a book that relates testimonies about hope, divine intervention, healing and answered prayers that touched me to the core when I completed  reading the volume  from cover to cover.

I have a miracle story to tell.  In  April, 2014, my husband and I joined a group of Corpus Christi parishioners and priests in a Pilgrimage to Italy.  We participated in a very significant event in Rome.  We witnessed the canonization of  two most beloved popes in the Catholic Church by Pope Francis – Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.   Pope John Paul II reigned as pope of the Catholic Church for 27 long years, considered an advocate for human rights. Pope John XXIII, called the “Good Pope,” on the other hand, was considered to have lived a virtuous, model lifestyle, and for opening the Second Vatican Council.

Our pilgrimage group flew out of Calgary  with great faith and anticipation landing in Frankfurt, Germany to catch our connecting flight to Rome. In April 26, 2014, late in the evening, we arrived at the Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) Airport. After all the 36-member tour group had secured their personal belongings, we were transported by a shuttle bus to Hotel Mercure where we were accommodated.  Prior to retreating to our own rooms, our tour leader gave us last minute reminder. We have to be up early,  grab our prepared breakfast bags and ready to be transported  to Vatican City.  We were suppose to be there by 4:00 in the morning.  The place, we saw on the hotel lobby television set, was already crowded by thousands and thousands of people who came from all corners of the world.

Close to 1 million people gathered  at the Vatican on Sunday, April 27, 2017, also the day of the Divine Mercy.   Still pitch dark, our group was transported and dropped off  a mile and a half from  St. Peter’s Square.  I was overwhelmed with  the throng of people already there ahead of us; most  had stayed and stood overnight. We  pushed our way through the crowded boulevard leading to St. Peter’s Basilica that our group got separated from each other. About eight of us, however, were able to converge in a vantage point where we could take a glimpse of what is going on in front of the basilica from a distance. A couple in their  early 80s from our group were with me and my husband. I felt quite concerned about them.  We were in a situation that was extraordinary. We were in the center of a very “packed-like sardine” crowd. We could hardly move.  Although we brought single stools to sit on, in case we get tired of standing, we can’t open them. A little space was impossible.

By mid morning, the woman in her 80s in our group  suddenly felt sick. With eyes closed and ashen face, she slowly fell to the ground. Acting quickly, I yelled at the top of my voice,  “please give her space.”  Instantly, I saw a very familiar scene that I’ve seen in the movie before – the parting of the Red Sea in  The Ten  Commandments, when the Israelites were taken out from Egypt by Moses.  My tour colleagues and I were overcome with amazement. Before my very eyes,  I couldn’t believe the big space  that has just been created. Sudden  whip of fresh cool breeze  blew on my face.  While a member of our group rapidly gave our sick tour member immediate assistance,  I looked  around for emergency responders.  About fifteen meters from where we were was a First Aid station. My powerful voice must have been heard. Two identified first responders came rushing to the scene with a stretcher. They carried the  elderly woman away.

As quick as the open space was created, it instantly closed upon us.  We found ourselves enveloped again by a very dense crowd while the high mass and canonization rites were taking place. Before noon, our pilgrim group of six received  the holy Eucharist.  Multitude of people did not including the rest of our tour group. My husband and I felt  greatly blessed. Our pilgrimage trip was well worth it.

In great faith,  miracles can happen when you least expect it. I am a walking, talking true testament to the existence of miracles.  Believe.

We have rung in the New Year 2017, a new season and a new beginning.  It’s full of things that have never been. As always, the new year will come with new expectations, new opportunities, and new challenges. All we could hope for is :
A year of health and happiness, a year of wealth and wisdom
A year of peace and prosperity, a year of great love and laughter.

As new year sets in, a great number of people are thinking about new year’s resolutions in varied ways: from losing weight to getting healthier or becoming a better person to dreaming to give birth to change.  Most of us have made new year resolutions in the past  with the intention of creating positive changes  in our lives.  Unfortunately, many of us have not followed through with those resolutions.  This year, instead of resolutions, I will suggest simple reminders – inspirations for living the best life. There is a compilation of simple reminders or quotes by Bryant McGill, best selling author in the market today.  In his Simple Reminders,  he delivers an “impassioned voice of spiritual teachings”,  a book of action for recovery, transformation and healing.  I receive  daily Simple Reminder quotes via e-mail that I’m very grateful and thankful to have the privilege to subscribe to it.  It’s my source of daily inspiration to reflect kindness, love, grace, determination and courage each every passing day.

The following carefully selected quotes are my favorites and I want them to share to everyone:

1.  You need to associate with people that inspire you, people that challenge you to rise higher, people that make you better.  Don’t waste your  valuable time with people that are not adding to your growth. Your destiny is too important.  (Joel Osteen)

2.  Don’t hurt anyone.  It takes a few seconds to hurt people you love and it takes years to heal. (Nanu Thakuri)

3.  Sometimes ordinary things can be made extra-ordinary if you do it with the right people.(Elizabeth Green)

4.  You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can not repay you. (John Bunyan)

5.  Real love is opening your heart to the unlovable; real gratitude is giving thanks when things aren’t perfect;real generosity is sharing when you have very little; real courage makes the “impossible” – possible with real faith. (Bryant McGill)

6.  Gratitude is like a magnet; the more grateful you are, the more you will receive to be more grateful for. (Iyanla Vanzant)

7.  Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, you strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. (Elizabeth Gilbert)

8.  It can be hard to forgive and let go but it’s important to remember that harboring the resentment and harboring a grudge can hurt you even more.  The word “forgive” really means giving something up for yourself not for them. (Jack Canfield)

9.  Live your life with purpose. Focus on your blessings not your misfortunes. Focus on your strengths not  your weaknesses. Be yourself and don’t wait for the approval of others. But most importantly, have a positive and humble mindset no matter what situation you are in. Count your blessings, not your problems, and you will realize how beautiful your life truly is. (Troy Amdahl)

10. Life is a circle of happiness, sadness, hard times and good times. If you are going through hard times, have faith that good times are on the way.

11. When people throw you stones, it’s because you’re a good tree full of fruits.  They see a lot of harvest in you. Don’t go down to their level by throwing them back the stones, but throw them your fruits so the seeds of yourself may inspire them to change their ways. (Unknown)

12. Make the goal not to be better than anyone else but to be better than you used to be. (Unknown)

There is no better time than right now to make life changes. After reflecting of the past and its imperfections, we look ahead to new beginnings. Typically, the new year is the time we make commitments, plan new activities like working out more, eating healthier, and spending more time with loved ones.  I believe a great way to start the new year  is being appreciative and thankful regardless of situation or circumstance we are in. Cultivating a daily habit of gratitude is a far better solution for change.

THE WILL

Doug Smith is on his deathbed, and knows the end is near.

His nurse, his wife, his daughter and two sons are with him.

So, he says: “Bernie, I want you to take the Mayfair houses.”

“Sybil, take the apartments over in Pall Mall.”

“Jamie, I want you to take the offices over in the City Centre.”

“And you, Sarah, my dear wife, please, take over all the residential buildings on the banks of the Thames.”

The nurse is just blown away by all these, and as Doug slips away, she says: “Mrs. Smith, your husband must have been such a hard-working man to have accumulated all those properties.”

Sarah replies: “Properties? The arsehole had paper routes!”

THIS anecdote, e-mailed recently by a paper carrier to us, we, District Managers and Supervisors of the Red Deer Advocate, made my day upon reading it.

While smiling, I remembered one of my former carriers who became a millionaire.

This carrier, a fellow Filipino, had at least $1,300.00 month remuneration for almost three years.

That amount was converted to pesos, with a money rate by those times of $1:P45=P58,500.00 a month.

Multiplied that in 2.5 years is equals to P1,755,000.00!

All his earnings as carrier, he sent to his wife in the Philippines.

And his wife invested to a bungalow house, grocery store, two passenger tricycles, and for their children’s educations.

This carrier is already went back to the Philippines and reaping the “fruits” of his hard-work—as a paper carrier of the Red Deer Advocate.

WITH this piece, I want to take the opportunity to thank and commend all our paper carriers with the Red Deer Advocate.

My smartest salute exclusively for all of them!

I considered our paper carriers as the 4th wheel of a vehicle.

The “vehicle” is the whole company—it has four wheels to run and operate smoothly and productively.

Without the 4th wheel, the paper carriers, a publication company like the Red Deer Advocate would not absolutely meet the needs of the customers.

The significance of our paper carriers is inevitably far-fetched.

Incredible.

Fantastic.

Even extra-ordinary.

Rainy or shiny; snowy or slippery, they deliver out their respective routes for the flyers and papers.

With the extreme cold, especially during winter, and all the different kinds of risks, they are out there to execute their essential obligations for the customers.

If a carrier unable to distribute, or possibly overlook his deliveries, there are some inconsiderate customers who get upset, piss off and threaten the office that they will stop their subscriptions if the “poor services” continue.

Oftentimes, the carrier frequently suffers the consequences if a certain customer is not satisfied with the service he/she renders.

Likewise, if there is a jerk subscriber who always complains and judders even the carrier does all his best to please the valued customers.

I want to share a particular situation a carrier experienced from an irate customer.

This customer put a sign on the lid of her mailbox: NO FLYERS/PAPERS.

Naturally, the carrier had stopped to deliver to the customer’s address.

After a week, the customer complained again that she was not receiving her flyers and papers for three months!

The carrier started to deliver again.

But the next morning, he found a note appended on the paper he previously delivered: PLEASE STOP DELIVER!

The carrier got confused and took a picture to the reminder and sent it to his Carrier Supervisor.

The Carrier Supervisor advised the carrier not to deliver to the customer anymore.

The Carrier supervisor tried to call the customer, and asked why she was always complaining, and yet the carrier was doing his job reliably.

The customer didn’t say anything, instead, banged down the phone as hardly as she could!

For a week, the customer had stopped complaining.

But lately, she started again to exacerbate the office, and telling that the carrier was not doing his job well.

“He needs to be fired out!” the customer said to the supervisor. “Or else, I’ll call all your advertisers and tell them that you are paying your carrier without doing his job. You must be ashamed to the advertisers who are paying for their ads and yet, you people, are not doing your job!”

It is really hard to deal with this kind of customer.

This is one of the reasons why some of our carriers get affront, and the worse they renounce their respective paper/flyer routes!

TRULY, it is really hard to maintain the services of the carriers nowadays, especially during the winter season.

According to them, the payments they receive are not even worth, especially if they are using their cars, spend lots of mileages and gas in delivering their papers and flyers.

“How’s that, it looks like I am only delivering my routes for free already, eh!” a carrier said disappointedly.

If the carriers quit, it is really hard to hire new carriers either.

We, District Managers/Supervisors, are all doing our best to oversee our current carriers, and incessantly appoint any potential carriers.

But oftentimes, in this time of the year, we typically hire one or two new carrier/s, and yet three or five carriers would quit!

In our part, every so often, it is really frustrating; exasperating—that triggered us to become stressful and feel like we want to quit our own jobs also.

As parts of our job, though, hiring and managing carriers are relatively challenging.

As part of our strategies and how to persuade the carriers, especially in my part, I always telling them that: “While doing your paper routes, you have your own free exercise, and at the same time, you are being paid!”

With this, I hired lots of carriers, and until now, they are still working with me and in my respective district.

Actually, I hired a septuagenarian man as my early morning paper carrier.

This carrier was sickly when I first met him.

He was suffering diabetes, and he needed exercise, as advised by his family doctor.

I swayed him to work as a carrier.

After more than three years, he is still delivering papers, and you believe me, he became healthier; so vigorous like a sturdy moose!

I have also a paper carrier whom I hired, more than three years ago.

He used to have an erratic heartbeat, and was gasping for breath every time he walked for a few steps only.

I offered him the job as a papers/flyers carrier.

He accepted it, and he works as a very dependable; always acquiescent carrier.

Actually, with his hard-work and loyalty, I chose him as carrier of the month—not only once but twice!

Until now, even maybe I want to fire him out, he doesn’t want to relinquish (his paper/flyer routes) anymore!

“Being a carrier, my life becomes healthier, happier and longer,” he owned up to me. “Thanks a lot for hiring me. If not, I might have been six feet above the ground already!”

He has the valid reason why: his erratic heartbeat became normal; and no longer gasping for breath.

“And you know, my sexual life improves, too!” he confessed also.

Actually, when I drove him around to deliver his papers when his car wedged out and broke down on the middle of the tones of snow before Christmas, I observed him that he hardly got tired, and yet he was running (just to catch up the delivery dead-line) in doing his paper routes.

Instead, I was the one wheezing for breath while helping him!

He realized that, and teased me: “You have to go out also from your office and deliver! Look at me, I lost more than 50 pounds, have a flattened abdomen and I am physically fit now!”

I observed that also, and in my mind, doing paper routes is really of immense help.

I agree 100 percent with that!

WORKING as a paper carrier, for me, is a decorous and beneficial job.

Yes, you have your own exercise, and yet you are being paid.

If you are an aspirant, don’t listen to the people who are always dispiriting other people, especially the potential carriers, that “working as a paper carrier is a very revolting, mediocre your persona and well-being, and under paid!”

The most important is, it helps you with your health, prolong your life, and of course, fills up your empty pocket!

Consequently, if you want to become a millionaire like my fellow Filipino who used to work with me as a paper carrier; become healthier like my old carrier who suffered diabetes; and losing your weight, acquire a six-packs abs (or flat abdomen), and totally eradicate your sickness with your heart like my carrier, you start off calling the district managers/supervisors and apply as a paper carrier in your respective area without more ado.

What are you waiting for—then?

Candidates who have been issued an ITA have 60 days to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence, from which point the government of Canada aims to process the application within six months. Accompanying family members, including spouses or common-law partners, as well as dependent children, may also immigrate to Canada along with the principal applicant.

With the number of ITAs having increased and the CRS cut-off point going down substantially, many candidates who did not receive an ITA on this occasion remain optimistic about achieving their Canadian immigration goals.

The increase in the number of ITAs issued in the September 7 draw may reflect a desire on the part of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to issue more invitations through the fall season in order to reach annual target intake levels. An IRCC representative, speaking at an event held in May of this year, made comments to that effect, and it is quite possible that we are now seeing the beginning of an increase in the number of ITAs issued per draw. Other things being equal, this should have the corresponding effect of the CRS cut-off point coming down.

According to the government of Canada’s year-end 2015 Express Entry report, 57 percent of candidates who received an ITA in 2015 had Core CRS scores of less than 450 (the lowest CRS point requirement of in any Express Entry draw that has taken place so far is 450). Core CRS indicates a candidate’s score without the additional 600 points for a job offer or an enhanced provincial nomination certificate.

Many of these selected candidates entered the pool and subsequently received an enhanced provincial nomination certificate from a Canadian province. Since Express Entry was first introduced in January, 2015, more and more Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) options have become available to Express Entry candidates. With many of these PNP streams opening and closing quickly, evidence suggests that being ready to apply for such opportunities in advance is key to ultimately receiving an ITA for permanent residence.

Aside from keeping up to date with PNP streams, there are many other potential actions that candidates may take to increase their CRS score, and thereby increase their chances of receiving an ITA. (To learn more tips for improving Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System scores, click here.)

“In the short, medium and long terms, individuals around the world who wish to immigrate to Canada have every reason to be optimistic,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“First, the latest Express Entry draw has seen an increase of exactly one third in the number of Invitations to Apply issued, compared with the previous draw. It had been many months since a thousand or more invitations were issued in any one draw, and, following earlier remarks made by IRCC, there may well be a gradual increase in the number of invitations issued over subsequent draws.

“Moreover, the Minister of Immigration, John McCallum, has made it quite clear that he wants to increase the overall number of new immigrants to Canada over the coming years. Not only that, but the Express Entry system may also be modified. The exact modifications, if and when they happen, are not yet known. Consequently, and taken together with an expected increase in invitations issued over the coming draws, I would encourage individuals who are currently eligible to enter the pool to do so. It is only once they are in the pool that they can attract the attention of Canadian provinces that are looking to welcome newcomers through a PNP, as well as employers hiring through the system.”

To find out if you are eligible for immigration to Canada, including through the federal economic programs that are processed under Express Entry, please fill out a free online assessment today.

www.cicnews.com

1 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”–EPHISIAS 6:1-3

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

That’s my heartfelt greeting to all the wonderful Mothers of the world.

Today is your day, and I want to take this opportunity to salute you being the best Moms ever.

We all know that you invested everything you had into our lives.

We would not be here without you, Mommies.

You are always the best!

We owed you our lives!

As Abraham Lincoln once said: “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.”

Even George Washington admitted that without her mother, he would not become a successful president of USA.  He said: “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”  Ronald Reagan also didn’t hesitate to tell to the whole universe how lucky he was to have a very intelligent and beautiful mom.  Reagan confessed: “My mother told me that everything in life happened for a purpose. She said all things were part of God’s plan, even the most disheartening setbacks, and in the end, everything worked out for the best.”  George W. Bush one time expressed himself the importance of a Mother to her children, especially in guiding and nurturing them in order to become healthy and successful.  Bush said: “By providing a nurturing environment where their children can grow in confidence and character, mothers lay the foundation for the next generation of Americans to realize their full potential.”

* * *

With this article, I want to share a letter of a Mom to her loving son. This wonderful Mom almost gave up for having a baby, but because of the power of prayers, and the guidance of the Almighty Father, she and her husband were granted an angelic son.

The Mom entitled her letter:

“Born With God’s Love”

May 8, 2016

To My Ever-Dearest Son, Nason:

I still remember when I solemnly prayed and communed to God to conjure us with your loving Dad, Arnold, a child.

A Blessed One to call as our very own; for us to love and look after.

It took a while before I have conceived. It came to a point that I got tired of counting days, months, year have passed by to which I almost gave up. We even sought fertility treatment to no success. I once told myself, if motherhood was not meant for me, so be it! At least I did my part; we did something.

I was on the verge of losing hope and to just accept my fate when God answered my sincerest prayers. I exceedingly believed that you were born because of God’s love and warmheartedness! He granted me the desires of my heart in His most perfect time.

The first time I saw you, those sweet little eyes, I felt love all over me. And when I finally held you in my arms, it was the most powerful tool that bonded us together. How can I ever forget that innocent smile which captured my heart instantly? Your tiny crying voice, it’s like music to my ears. Indeed, you have brought so much happiness to me and filled up the empty space in my heart!

As parents, we only want the best for you. We want you to be baptized in the same faith that we have. We want you to humble yourself before the Lord, for we are nothing without Him. He is the way, the truth and the light. In Him, you will never go wrong.

In each passing day, I want to see you grow with so much love and compassion in your heart.  Always put God in everything you do. No matter how hard life may seem, never lose hope. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Always keep the faith, my dearest son!

I may not be a perfect mother in every way, but rest assured I will always be there for you—no matter what!

I will be your shoulder to cry on in times of difficulty. I will lend you my ears and visual modality—if that would help ease your pain, help you gain your trust and possibly mold your well-beings to the extreme.

God never gave up on me, who am I to give up on you? And in every triumph in life, I will praise and support you in every step of the way.

Words are not enough to express my endless love and overweening compassion for you, my precious one, my happiness, my life!

You mean the world to me. All the sacrifices I have gone through in order to bear a child were all worth it—because I have you!

And I will be forever grateful to God for giving me the best gift ever: an adorable, cherubic, loveable son in you!

Yes, you are the love of my heart; the hope of my life; the saviour  of my soul—the real meaning of my everything!

Now, it is all in your hands to give meaning to your existence and bring back all the glory to the Lord, our God.

You will always be my baby! I love you with all my heart and soul!

I wish you all the best, my loving son!

God bless you always and forever!

Your loving mother,

NATASHA

I am really touched with this letter of Natasha, exclusively for her loving son.

We can see and feel how a Mom loves her God-given son, and with this, as President Bill Clinton concluded: “There is perhaps no more powerful link than the love between mother and child.”

Again, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the Mommies of the World!

Thank you very much to all of you!