Scroll through a full pdf of the February issue of Forum newsletter.
Archive for January, 2010
Full pdf of February issue of Forum
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010Carnaval 2010 in Sao Paulo: Experience Brazil at its finest, last-minute planning ideas for AmSoc families
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
February in Brazil means one thing to the native population: Carnaval. Work will stop, music will blare and vacations – be they long or short – are considered a must.
Carnaval Dancer
Carnaval officially begins this year on Feb. 13 and runs through Feb. 17, but celebrations and personal vacations often start before or last long past those set dates.
Sao Paulo’s International Newcomers Club has put together an all-inclusive Carnaval experience package for Saturday, Feb. 13, at R$275 per person for INC members and R$295 for non-members. (more…)
Little League signups and BBQ set for Feb. 6
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
Welcome back AmSoc families, it is time for Little League season to start up in São Paulo.
The end of season awards day is just one of the confidence-building features for kids in AmSoc Little League.
Don’t forget BOTH Valentine’s days this year
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
While most of the world, including the U.S., celebrates Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, the holiday’s equivalent in Brazil won’t show up on your calendar until June 12.
“Dia dos Namorados” is, to put it lightly, a big deal in Brazil on June 12, with the exchange of candies, flowers and gifts between couples a standard tradition. Hotels and restaurants fill their reservation books months in advance.
Just a friendly tip from your AmSoc Forum staff, it may be beneficial to do something special on both dates.
Tax time in Brazil and the U.S. – What ex-pats living abroad need to know
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
By Marcelo Calvoso, managing partner of Duncan & Associates
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing your U.S. individual income tax return are generally the same whether you live in the United States or abroad. The U.S. Internal Revenue Code requires all Americans, citizens or resident aliens, living in the United States or abroad, to file U.S. income tax returns. (more…)
Highlights from AmSoc´s year of adult sports
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
The American Society of Sao Paulo completed an active year for competitive adult (team) sports, covering a variety of modalities: a flag football tournament in February, charity softball classic in April, a friendly baseball game in July, a golf challenge in August, softball tournament in October, tennis tournament in November and the softball tournament finals in December. Below is a summary of these events. And in 2010, AmSoc plans to follow this schedule and even add more tennis and golf to the schedule, so stayed tuned for the announcements! (more…)
Adult Softball saw the Cougars post 10-1 record, take home second AmSoc title in a row.
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
Last year´s AmSoc Adult Softball Championships were held on two Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Dec. 5, in Ibuina where the Brazilian national baseball team trains and plays its home games. Both dates included eight teams playing about 3-4 games each in an abbreviated round-robin schedule starting around 9:30 a.m. and going until around 4 p.m., including a BBQ each time that started at noon.
The winning team poses before a 2009 game.
The Oct. 24 mini-round robin games provided the seeding for Dec. 5., whereby two groups of four teams were organized to play each other first, followed by the first and second place finishers of each group to play in the semi-finals: i.e., the winner of Group A played the second place team in Group B, etc.
In the end, after each team had played three games lasting more than four hours on two different Saturdays, the defending champs Cougars proved too strong for the Diamond Runners, led by the consummate athlete (and promoter) John Norwood, and his feisty group of players mainly from the U.S. Consulate. The Cougars completed a stellar 2009 season of 10-1, only losing to a tough Hamada team in April in the finals of the First Annual Charity Softball Classic. The MVP of the Championship was Howard Anderson.
10 unforgettable Brazilian dishes you’ve never heard of
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
By Regina Scharf, guest contributor
You’ve most certainly heard of, or have even tasted, churrasco (barbecue) and feijoada (a complex meal that includes a stew of black beans with pork and several side dishes, including rice, collard greans, peeled orange, cassava flour, red pepper sauce and our national distilled liquor, cachaça).
Now, can you tell me what a buchada de bode is? Or pato no tucupi?
Here I list 10 classics, not necessarily easy to digest, but amazing windows to Brazilian culture. For links with recipes, find this story repeated at http://deepbrazil.com : (more…)
Pet overpopulation in Sao Paulo should be a concern for all
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
By Debbie Hirst, AmSoc member
The cat and dog overpopulation problem is serious in Sao Paulo. While official statistics do not exist, it is estimated that there are approximately 1.5 million dogs and cats living on the streets of the city. 
It may not be so obvious in some of the nicer neighborhoods of town, but as soon as you get a little closer to the periferia, it becomes impossible to ignore. Abandoned or homeless animals are not the only ones that suffer. Errant animals can cause car accidents, and cats and dogs can carry diseases that are communicable to humans, the most serious of which being rabies. (more…)
The President’s Corner
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010From the February issue of Forum
By Tim Scott, AmSoc president
The end of summer break here in Brazil means school is back in session and the American Society is back with regular activities and opportunities. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event. Several of you readers are new to town and we welcome you.
Beginning life here can be intimidating at first; getting connected with people and new communities is essential and we are honored that you have decided to join us here in the American Society. To all of you who are new, all who have just returned to São Paulo and to all who make São Paulo your home, we extend our “bem-vindo” and look forward to seeing you engaged in the community in the months ahead. (more…)