May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Márcio Pires, president of Vivenda da Criança
On behalf of the Vivenda da Criança board, I appreciate the attention our entity gained during the American Society´s 60th Anniversary dinner on May 7.
main beneficiary of AmSoc's 60th Anniversary Party
Besides the large amount of money you have raised for our project, which no doubt will be extremely important for our 2010 budget, the publicity for Vivenda in such important event, alongside renowned many companies, is certainly a prestige never before seen in the work of Sister Yvone Venditti.
We invite you all to visit our organization to know closely the social work carried out, as well as accompany the implementation of the resources provided to Vivenda.
Access www.vivendadacrianca.com.br and find out a little more about our social projects.
Posted in Community Assistance, Forum newsletter | No Comments »
May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
There’s no denying it: we’re going to need your help. With more than 200 children coming to November’s AmSoc Angel Party, we’ll need more than 200 people to step forward and agree to sponsor a child. Will you be one of them?
November is still five months away, but you can start shopping for your child now. The list looks like this: tennis shoes, a backpack, a toy, pants and a shirt, socks, underwear, a coat or sweatshirt and some candy.
There are two good reasons to agree to sponsor a child now and start shopping early. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Community Assistance, Forum newsletter | 1 Comment »
May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Bob Moser, editor
For ex-pats who moved here sometime after 2006, expect a very different Brazil over the next month-and-a-half.
When Brazil’s national soccer team kicks off their first game of the 2010 World Cup on June 15, shops will shutter, bank tellers may lose your count and staff at your big corporate office probably won’t accomplish much on their to-do lists that day.
The outside hope is that both Brazil and the U.S. will be playing on July 3, during our Independence Day Party.
It’s not necessarily a good or bad thing, this drastic halt much of Brazil will screech to during the month of international soccer pandemonium. But knowing where most Brazilians place their priorities during this time will allow ex-pats to adapt to the temporary change, and join in the fun. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Timothy Altaffer, Corporate Donations Committee
The 2010 Corporate Sponsorship Drive is moving towards a very successful year, with close to R$110,000 already received or pledged.
Our Corporate Sponsors receive valuable benefits from their sponsorship, including advertising rights in AmSoc’s publications that reach a highly qualified audience, sponsorship and/or naming rights in the Society’s many prestigious social gatherings, as well as recognition in all of the Society’s official events. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
The American Society is looking for a person to help provide support for our Web site. The person will be responsible to make periodic updates and simple changes to www.amsoc.com.br. The work can be compensated and we anticipate 2-8 hours per month. Please e-mail amsoc@amsoc.com.br if interested.
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Amir Masliyah, vice consul, American Citizen Services, U.S. Consulate General in Sao Paulo
What are Warden Messages and Travel Advisories all about?
The State Department, through the Bureau of Consular Affairs, issues Country Specific Information for every country in the world. These provide basic information to enable a traveler to make an informed decision concerning travel to a particular country.
For instance, Country Specific Information describes entry and exit requirements, road safety, crime information, areas of instability, aviation safety oversight and customs information, among other things, and it contains the address and telephone number of the U.S. embassy and consulates. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
One of AmSoc’s sponsored institutions needs a new used car for pick-ups, family visits and general errand running. If you have a car that you’d like to get out of your garage, especially a company car, there might be tax benefits by donating it to a registered charity. Contact Sue Banman Sileci at sue@sileci.com if you want to see that car being used (and loved) by someone else.
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Beatriz Salgado, staff writer
Festa Junina is one of Brazil’s most traditional holidays, and curiously, it has its origin mostly from Portugal and Spain. Even though this traditional party is celebrated throughout the country, it is most popular in rural São Paulo and the northeast Brazil. In each region people celebrate it in a different style, but in no place do the Brazilians forget why they celebrate such a traditional party.
“The bonfires were so big that the flames would sting my eyes,” said elementary school teacher Élcia Felicia, who vividly remembers when her family used to organize Festas Juninas at her mother’s farm in Echaporã, a small town located in inner São Paulo. “I remember running around trying to catch the balloons that swirled across the sky, like fireflies.” Read the rest of this entry »
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Kristina L. Dooley, former AmSoc member
Your child has been counting the days until their break from school and they’re ready for some relaxation before their junior or senior year. Before breaking out that ski gear and heading to Chile, remember that in just a few months your child will be knee-deep in brochures and e-mails from colleges trying to entice them into considering their golden thrones of higher learning.
A scene from Clark University in Massachusetts.
Though some families feel comfortable selecting a college sight-unseen, there are good reasons to be wary of this plan. Have you ever seen a university brochure with photos taken during a New England winter storm, featuring homesick students wearing inappropriate attire eating cereal for dinner? Of course not. Will you see this scenario played out during your campus visits? Absolutely. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 26th, 2010
From the June issue of Forum
By Eric Bissell, 13-year-old
The Outward Bound White Water Rafting trip, held April 16-18 in Jequituba 70 km outside Sao Paulo, was exciting, new and fun. I am not a Boy Scout, but still they invited me to come along and I had a great time.
Philip Abrams and Calvin Peter maneuver over rapids as instructor Flavio oversees their progress.
The trip went from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, and the Scouts managed to pack a lot of fun into it. It was designed not so that there was someone in the boat with us just telling us what to. Instructors gave us the freedom do more of what we wanted. Read the rest of this entry »
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