Forum

Save the Date

Upcoming AmSoc events: Mar 16th - St. Patricks Day Party Apr 20th - Volunteer Day Apr 25th - AmSoc AGM May 10th - Annual AmSoc Gala

Monthly Newsletter March 2013 www.AmSoc.com.br

Gala 2013 Calling All Members and Guests

Get out your strapless gowns ladies! Guys, dust off your tuxedos or dark suit. Put on your fancy jewelry, designer shoes and come to the American Society Gala Dinner Dance. Once a year, we invite all of our members to join us in this elegant event. You will be treated like royalty from the time your car is taken by the valet service until the last dance. The Buffet Colonial in Moema is ready to treat us to a fabulous cocktail where you can view and bid on lots of auction items. Afterwards, we will be seated at our tables for eight for a gourmet dinner. The live auction will be held between dinner and dessert and of course there will be lots of dancing to swing, rock n roll and latino music - until the wee hours of the morning. Besides having a wonderful time, you will enable AmSoc to continue its mission of promoting friendship and integration with Brazilian society as well as support charities. This year our charity contribution will be divided between two of them: Projeto SOL will use the funds to purchase furniture and equipment for their new kitchen. They serve over 400 children, two meals a day! The other entity is SPACE which provides educational funds for talented students to further their education. (Find out more about these charities on page 8.) Both are more than worthy causes. So you will be helping us to help them. Now, the best part is - this will be fun! No other event offers the range of auction items that we do: art objects by famous Brazilian artists (an original David Dalmau was sold last year to a lucky member), wonderful trips to exotic destinations, pousadas, fazendas, hotels, some of the most elegant restaurants in So Paulo (Amadeus, O Porto, Fogo de Chao, Kinoshito to name a few), jewelry, electronics, selected wines, spas, massages, beauty products. The list is endless. And the best part is they can be bought (if you are persistent) for a fraction of their real value. The deals are great! What could be better than that? So treat yourself and your significant other to a romantic and elegant evening out. Come and join us at the American Society Annual Gala. Reserve your table now by calling the American Societys office. (For booking infomation, check our web site at: www. American society of So Paulo.) Tables are for 8. We ask that you try to fill the table before reserving but individual tickets can also be purchased. The cost is R$275 per person if you reserve before March 30th and R$300 after that date. Friday May 10th, 2013 7:30 pm cocktails and silent auction 9:30pm dinner and live auction. Dancing until????????? You tell us. Dont be left out! Get your tickets now! See you at the Gala!

The History Issue

College History
Page 5: A quick overview of interesting facts since the founding of the first institution in the year 859!

So Paulo - a history
Page 6: So Paulos change from mata atlantica to the sprawling megalopolis of today was a slow and complex transformation.

Estrada Real
Page 12: Take a journey back 300 years on Brazils most famous historical route.

Our Mission
The American Society of So Paulo promotes friendship by organizing social, cultural and athletic events for its diverse membership; encourages integration with the Brazilian society; and supports the American traditions of education, philanthropy and volunteerism.

Presidents Corner April AGM

As the saying goes, the business year in Brazil starts after carnival, so lets get down to business. We had a successful Little League By Joe Sherman, AmSoc president signup last month, and this year Little League will be coordinated by Paul Groom. Paul was very busy the past few months securing fields for Saturday mornings, thank you Paul! The Board is already planning the events for the first half of the year. There will be happy hours, a St. Patricks night. Save the date for our traditional AGM at the consulate residence on April 25. We will review the past year and elect a new slate of Officers and Board members. Consul General Dennis Hankins will also give us an update on Consulate activities. This is one of my favorite American Society events. The Gala dinner and dancing blockbuster is being organized by leaders Marlene Rubeiz, Judy Zanchi, and Julie Gattaz. The Gala will be on May 10th, an opportunity to get together with friends and support two of the entities that the American Society assists - Projeto Sol and SPACE. This is what this great organization is all about promoting friendship for our diverse membership with social events and our community action activities with the 10 organizations we support. The Gala event accomplishes both these objectives, having fun and knowing in your heart you are helping someone. So get a table together or call the office and we will seat you at a table. Abraos, Joe Its that time of year again! No, not income tax time. Its time for the American Societys annual general meeting and reception. So come and join us as guests of the American Consul General Dennis Hankins and his wife Mira Hankins at the beautiful new official consulate residence in Granja Julieta. The president and board of directors of the American Society invites you to join us for a lovely and delicious cocktail provided by Andy Beeby and his excellent staff. This will be followed by the election of officers and the yearly reports. There will be plenty of time to talk to old friends and meet our new members too. We will finish the evening with a nice hot dish of pasta. The event will happen on Thursday April 25th, 2013, from 7.30pm to 10pm. There is no charge to attend but you must reserve with the AmSoc office no later than Thursday April 18th. The address will be sent to you when you reserve. The number of guests is limited, so make your reservation now. Members only. There will be no valet parking available but plenty of street parking spots. Call the American Societys office now on 5182-2074 or email amsoc@amsoc. com.br to reserve your place for this important event.

About Forum

Forum is published monthly, with the exception of January and July, by

Lynn Cordeiro, editor and layout Ernest White II, staff writer Forum is printed by EGB. (http://www.egb.com.br) Views expressed in Forum do not necessarily reflect those of the American Society board of governors, members, or staff. Forum reserves the right to edit content for brevity and/or clarity.

The American Society of So Paulo Rua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 So Paulo, SP Tel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155 email the editor: mail@falaphoto.com

Forum

March

The American Society of So Paulo

Welcome to Our New Members

Welcome the following New Members who joined us recently. We are very grateful for your support! Name Alejandro NIGRO C Douglas FUGE Lucas HANOVER William GEDDES Philip BLOOMER Raphael CARVALHO Alexandre L. P. LEITE Jason DYETT Kyong H. MIN Nicole TOBIN Christie HELM Mia STARK Victoria GEDDES Martha BLOOMER Mackenzie CARVALHO Patricia LEITE Joana CANEDO Eun CHOZ Tony GROSSI Matt HELM Ofer STARK Spouse Andrea NIGRO Cathleen Mary FUGE Membership Family Patron Membership Family Patron Membership Single Patron Membership Family Membership Family Membership Family Membership Family Membership Family Membership Family Membership Family Membership Helping Hands Membership Helping Hands Membership Gazit Chicken-In International Franqueadora ABWE - Mission Board Alexander Proudfoot Embratec - Good Card Harvard University Hyundai Motor Brasil U.S. Consulate General Company Sealed Air Goldman Sachs Nationality Argentine American American American American Brazilian Brazilian American South Korean American American Israel

Board Members of the American Society

Name Joe Sherman Ruth Hollard Frank Pierce Richard Wegman Eileen Tasso Isabel Franco Jacques Vaney John Kennedy Julie Gattaz Judy Zanchi Luis Barros Kevin May Leslie Reed Marlene Rubeiz Ricardo Rubeiz Jr. Suzana Sheffield Valeska Gedeon Marilia Detar Position Committee President -Vice President -Secretary Corporate Sponsorships Treasurer 4th of July Chairman CAC/ Xmas Angel Party Contributing Member Corporate Sponsorships Contributing Member Corporate Sponsorships Chairman Athletic Chairman Membership / Corp. Sponsorships Contributing Member Social Committee Contributing Member Corporate Sponsorships Chairman Gala Event Chairman Cutural Chairman Nominations Chairman Corporate Sponsorships Contributing Member CAC Contributing Member Social Committee Contributing Member Social Committee

2013

Forum

St. Patricks Day Party

Hurry and make your reservations for the Amsoc St. Patricks Day party to be held on the evening of Saturday, March 16th. Reservations can be made at the Amsoc office 5182-2074. Tickets are 70 R$ if reserved in advance, R$110 at the door. Space is very limited and this is expected to sell out for the second year in a row so call the office today! Price includes beer, sodas, and finger food. We will also be giving a trophy to the winner of our annual beer pong tournament!! Dress code: Something green, of course!! About St. Patrick- St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born in the late 4th century and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. March 17th was the day that he died. . As the Irish left Ireland and spread around the world, they took their history and celebrations with them. In Ireland, all businesses (except, of course, the pubs!!) close on March 17th. Many Irish attend mass since March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious partying begins. The shamrock was used by St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patricks Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, some cities dye the rivers green, even the fountains at the white house are dyed green for the occasion. St. Patricks Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks, pots of gold and the end of rainbows, leprechauns, and luck. And of course, everyone must wear something green!

CAC News
Thank you again to Cacau Brazil for a second donation of 150 panetones. We were able to distribute these among our charity institutions. They were thrilled! We are still looking for members for the Community Action committee. If you have any interest please contact Eileen Tasso, eileentasso@gmail.com If you are moving or just cleaning and down sizing. Please consider giving your old used items to the CAC charities. Someones trash is someone elses treasure

Forum

March

The American Society of So Paulo

Handsome Dan to Cheez Whiz: An Education in Collegiate History

By Kristina Dooley, former AMSOC Member organization now boasts 280 chapters across the United States. - Oberlin College (OH) was the first institution of higher education to admit both female and African-American students. The first group of women to receive college degrees from Oberlin graduated in 1841. - The first degree-granting college established solely for African-American students was the Ashmun Institute (now named Lincoln University). Founded in 1854, the Pennsylvania college counts Langston Hughes, Cab Calloway, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall amongst its alumni. - The first college football game was played between Princeton and Rutgers University. Rutgers went on to win the 1869 match-up by a score of 6-4. - Tuition amounts have skyrocketed over the years but in 1870 you could attend Harvard for just $150/year (about $3,000 in todays dollars). Even more of a steal was the $75/year tuition to attend Brown University that year. - The first live college mascot wasnt a lion, a tiger, or a bear, but rather an English bulldog named Handsome Dan. Belonging to Yale University, Handsome Dan first appeared on the scene in 1889 and since that time there have been 17 bulldogs that have filled the role. The original Handsome Dan was stuffed and can be seen on display in the Yale Gymnasium. - The SAT was first administered in 1926 to more than 8,000 students. In 2012 more than three million students sat for the exam. - Few people realize that the Ivy League actually refers to an athletic conference formed in 1954 made up of eight colleges: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale. - Nine U.S. Presidents never attended college: George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, and Harry S. Truman. - Harvard has graduated eight U.S. presidents (including both undergraduate and graduate programs), more than any other university: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes (Law School), Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush (Business School), and Barack Obama (Law School). Yale boasts the next largest number of presidential alumni with five: William Taft (Law School), Gerald Ford (Law School), George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton (Law School), and George W. Bush. - Universities are hotbeds of creativity so its no surprise that Cheez Whiz (Rutgers -1952), Gatorade (University of Florida - 1965), and Beer Pong (Dartmouth College 1950s) were all invented on college campuses. Kristina L. Dooley is the founder of Estrela Consulting, an Independent Educational Consulting firm helping families navigate the college, boarding school, and summer program search processes. Kristina is a former AMSOC member now living in Mexico City and can be reached via email at Kristina@ EstrelaConsulting.com or online at www.EstrelaConsulting.com

When you think about the historical roots of modern-day colleges and universities youre likely to cite notable institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge as some of the worlds first institutions of higher learning. Though its true that teaching has taken place at Oxford since 1096, and Cambridge since 1209, its actually The University of Al-Karaouine in Morocco that holds the Guinness Book of World Records honor as the oldest, continuouslyoperating, degree-granting university in the world. Perhaps an even more significant fact than the year it was founded (859!) is that it was founded by a woman! - Since the year 859 there have been many changes in higher education and a plethora of interesting discoveries and events on campuses worldwide. Check out these fun and noteworthy historical facts: - The word College comes from the Latin term collegium meaning community. The term University is derived from the Latin phrase universitas magistronum et scholarium meaning a community of masters or scholars. - Harvard, founded in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature, is the oldest university in the United States. The schools original name was New College. - Phi Beta Kappa was the first Greek-letter student society/fraternity. Founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary (VA), the

2013

Forum

Young So Paulo - A History to 1900

By Ernest White II, Staff Writer As much as it may seem that So Paulo has always been and will forever be a boundless, bustling megalopolis, Brazils economic and cultural powerhouse didnt just spring out of the Mata Atlntica. The city was actually a bit of a late bloomer, taking a couple of centuries to build itself up into a contender. Almost five centuries ago, three decades after the initial European encounter with the land now known as Brazil, Portuguese nobleman and soldier Martim Afonso de Souza set sail on behalf of Dom Joo III of Portugal to explore and establish the limits of a new colony along the South American coast north of the River Plate. De Souza staked a claim amidst the territories of the indigenous Carijs, Guaianases, and Tamoios tribesand incidentally near the settlement of a Portuguese sailor named Joo Ramalho, who had been shipwrecked around 1510 and married an Indian woman and named his settlement So Vicente after the nearby island claimed for Portugal in 1502, the island having been named for the patron saint of Lisbon. So Vicente became the first official European settlement in what would soon become the state of So Paulo. As So Vicente slowly grew, some Portuguese settlers moved inland, attracted by the agricultural potential of the fertile lands and in spite of royal trepidation that further incursion into Indian territories would provoke attacks. These settlers set down roots and formed a town, Santo Andr da Borda do Campo, in 1553. At the same time, the Jesuit order of the Catholic Church expanded its influence throughout the region, sending a group of missionaries that included Jos de Anchieta and Manoel da Nbrega up into the Serra do Mar to convert the indigenous peoples of the area to Christianity. When Anchieta and Nbrega arrived at the verdant Piratininga plateau, near the gurgling, crystalline Tiet River, they found cold and tempered winds like in Spain and a very healthy and fresh land, with good waters. The Jesuits selected a high and relatively flat hill not far from the Anhangaba River upon which to build a mission school, the better to fend off attacks from Indians hostile to European invasion, and officially opened the school building on January 25, 1554, diamonds. Soon, these expeditions had a name: bandeiras after the flags these explorers, called bandeirantes, carried aloft as their banner. Made up of free and enslaved Indians, mixed-race men called caboclos (or mamelucos), and whites who served as expeditionary captains, the bandeirantes used surprise attacks and subterfuge to enslave indigenous groups, often overrunning Jesuit missions and capturing converted Indians. These slave raids resulted in major conflicts between the two Portuguese-led groups, leading to the expulsion of the Jesuits from So Paulo by bandeirantes from 1640 to 1653. The bandeirantes gathered large numbers of captives before marching hundreds of miles back to the coast for profit, with thousands of Indians dying of exposure before arriving at the slave auctions. Importantly, these privately organized expeditions resulted in de facto Portuguese control over vast regions of South America originally claimed by Spain after the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, which divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, as sanctioned by the Pope. By the middle of the 17th century, lands now encompassing the states of So Paulo, Minas Gerais, Gois, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paran, and Santa Catarina were conquered by bandeirantes, forming the newly enlarged Captaincy of So Vicentethe entire southern half of what would become the Viceroyalty of Brazil a century later. Although So Paulo flourished marginally as the starting point for the Indian slave trade, becoming the center of the captaincy in 1681 and earning the title of city under Portuguese law in 1711, the rapidly diminishing number of Indians in the region (hundreds of thousands either perished by way of disease or enslavement, or retreated further and further into the countrys

the anniversary of the conversion of the Apostle Paul to Christianity. The small schoolthe Pateo do Collegioand the surrounding mud huts formed the settlement of So Paulo dos Campos de Piratininga, which became a chartered village under the Portuguese Crown in 1560. That year, the walled village of So Paulo provided refuge for residents of Santo Andr, itself unprotected from the Indian attacks that would continue unabated for the next two years. Though surviving on subsistence agriculture in those early days, the village of So Paulo, with a population of about 1,500 by the turn of the 17th century, had little success with its nascent plantation economy centered on sugarcane and Indian slave labor. As adventurous newcomers wandered into the area, the place became a launching point for expeditions that stretched deeper and deeper into the uncharted territories of the Brazilian interior in search of Indian slaves (which were much cheaper to procure than imported Africans), and later, gold and

Forum

March

The American Society of So Paulo

interior) meant the bandeirantes had to rely increasingly on hunting for gold and precious metals to turn a profit. The discovery of gold in Minas Gerais literally, general minesin 1693 led to an explosion of development in the Brazilian interior, which only benefitted So Paulo indirectly, as Minas Gerais was allowed to separate from the captaincy in 1720, directing most of the wealth to other towns such as Ouro Preto, Paraty, and the closest seaport to the gold mines, Rio de Janeiro. Meanwhile, the population of So Paulo remained relatively small throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, with indigenous and mixed-race residents far outnumbering whites and the few, and expensive, African slaves. In fact, the Portuguese language competed with Lngua Geral Paulista, a lingua franca based on the Tupi-Guarani language established for purposes of trade in the region and surviving into the 19th century. The gold rush didnt last forever, with the mines producing less and less until the gold ran out at the end of the 18th century. So Paulo turned away from gold and more towards sugar production and a growing coffee sector. As rural planters grew richer at the start of the 19th century, the black slave population in the captaincy increased and, by the time of Brazilian independence in 1822, the unmixed black population of So Paulo had reached 25 percent, with another 40 percent comprised of mulatos (mixed with black and white). The Indian population had been reduced to single-digit percentages. Coffee soon surpassed sugar as Brazils primary export and So Paulo reaped the rewards of its location at the heart of coffee country. At the same time, Brazils profile on the world stage began to rise as well. In 1807, French emperor Napoleon invaded Portugal, forcing the Portuguese Court to flee to Rio de Janeiro and establish itself in its former colony. The presence of the Court meant a wave of cultural and political development for Brazil, and So Paulo only stood to benefit. In 1815, the city became capital of the Province of So Paulo and seven years later, the site of Crown Prince Dom Pedro IVs cry for independence from Portugal, styling himself as Dom Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil. So Paulo began to take on the traits of a bona fide city after independence, with the citys first newspaper being published in 1827, its first law school opening in 1828, and other public projects such as a library, opera house, and botanical garden being established. Despite these developments, by 1840, the citys population only barely topped 20,000. But the winds of change were blowing profits into town from the surrounding coffee plantations as they shipped their wares through So Paulo and its port at Santos to the wider world. The second half of the 19th century brought about even greater changes, especially with the opening of the So Paulo Railway from Santos to Jundia in 1861, replacing the pokey mule trains that lugged coffee down to port. The citys first public park, Jardim da Luz, opened and oil lamps kept the streets illuminated at night. The citys elite built palatial homes in the Campos Elseos district, while more modest quarters expanded in Bom Retiro and Brs. The class of artisans, entertainers, and professionals expanded to provide services to the both the well-healed and the recently arrived, establishing the foundation of the citys middle class. Just as slavery petered out in the latter half of the 19th century, demand for plantation labor increased and many planters preferred immigrants to recently emancipated Brazilian blacks who would now expect to be paid for work previously done for free. In fact, under the eugenics-based policy of branqueamento (whitening) en vogue throughout Latin America at the time, the government subsidized the immigration of farm workers from rural and poverty-stricken areas of Italy, Portugal, and Spain, resulting in foreign-born residents comprising up to 55 percent of the states population by 1893. Italians alone numbered more than 600,000 of the 900,000 immigrants who arrived in So Paulo state between 1888 and 1900. This influx of workers set the stage for the immigration from other countries like Germany, Japan, and Syria, as well as the migration from Brazils Northeast and other regions, that would characterize the citys multiethnic make-up for the next century. The abolition of slavery in 1888 led to the overthrow of the imperial government and the establishment of a republic the next year. So Paulo, representing the coffee-producing landed gentry, and Minas Gerais, now center of the countrys burgeoning ranching industry, quickly took the reins of national government in a caf-com-leite power-sharing arrangement for the next four decades. The city prospered more than ever before, growing much faster than the infrastructure could support, and each element of modernization among the haves, such as electrification and the expansion of streetcar lines, brought corresponding unrest and instability among the have-nots. Still, the arrival of the 20th century heralded an age of unprecedented growth and rapid industrialization in So Paulo, setting the city firmly on course to being one of the worlds largest. Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica, So Paulo Turismo, Universidade de So Paulo

2010 2013

Forum

Gala beneficiaries- Projeto Sol and Space

The American Societys Gala is coming up in two short months on May 10 - and you wont want to miss it. In addition to having a fabulous evening with your friends and bidding on spectacular prizes, youll be helping children and teenagers at two of American Societys supported charities, Projeto Sol and SPACE, both of whom will be the beneficiaries of partial proceeds from this event. What are these organizations and what do they do? Projeto Sol is a community center in the south of So Paulo, run by a Brazilian sociologist and an American nun, Sister Angela. As they looked to help the children of the area, they saw the violence of the poorer suburbs and decided to build a special place for these children. Sister Angela explained, Our proposal was to have a place that is ours where we set the rules: no drugs, no drink, no arms, no baseball caps. You take off the baseball cap and look your friend in the eye and you say good morning, good afternoon, good evening when you come and when you go. And it is a haven where you can have a lot of fun but there can be no violence. Projeto Sols educational philosophy is transformation through art. They teach dance, painting, sculpture and other arts, in addition to sports, to 220 underprivileged children near Cidade Dutra. Through Projeto Sol, a child begins to have respect and to redeem his own dignity and to be able to relate as an equal wherever he goes, said Sister Angela. SPACE, which stands for So Paulo Action for Children and Education, is a program in which a small handful of extremely bright but underprivileged children are being sponsored in a private school in Campo Limpo. Jane Hawkins, executive director of SPACE, explained, SPACE believes the way to really tackle poverty is by preventing another generation from growing up uneducated and unequipped to enter the job market. SPACE provides academic scholarships - and hope. Through SPACE, this year 12 students are receiving the strong education every child deserves, along with the resources and support the families need to create an environment of routine and encouragement to help ensure success. The children are expected to maintain excellent grades to stay in the program and their mothers meet regularly to discuss ways to support their children. The children have a weekly English course and go on several outings every year: seeing Shakespeare plays, visiting museums, and learning about So Paulos possibilities. They also attend regular career panels to meet businesspeople and hear stories about possibilities and persevering. The program has been a success in the few years it has been operating.

Said Jane, It has been a thrill to see the lives of children change, children whose teenage sisters have already had babies and who otherwise would face the future as maids or security guards, children who are bright and intelligent and will be able to use their minds to contribute their best to society. TREATMENT FOR LEARNING DIFFERENCES WITH IN-HOME SUPPORT
Cognitive weaknesses are a result of ongoing learning struggles. Fortunately, obstacles can be overcome and improved significantly. Specializing in sensory cognitive treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders, AD/HD, Learning and Communication Disorders, and Behavior Modification.

Comprehensive Evaluation
In-depth pre- and post testing for the following areas: Expressive Language Mathematics Phonology Reading Written Expression Initial and Follow-up Consultations include: Identification of strengths and areas for improvement Recommendations for follow-up treatment and/or support Testimonials available for 13 years of success

Credentialed Learning Specialist

55 (11) 3885.7256 [office] 55 (11) 99236.5267 [mobile]

Dr. Wendy M. Smith

Forum

March

The American Society of So Paulo

Consulate Corner: Dual Nationality

By Evan Fritz, American Consulate Expecting? Giving birth overseas adds a unique dimension to an already memorable experience. It also means that if youre a U.S. citizen about to have a child in Brazil, then your little bundle of joy might be entitled to dual nationality. In most cases, your little one born in Brazil will automatically acquire Brazilian citizenship. If both you and your spouse are U.S. citizens who previously lived in the United States, your child generally obtains U.S. citizenship as well. If one parent is a U.S. citizen and one parent is not, then the U.S. citizen parent must prove that he or she lived in the United States for a certain amount of time, generally five years, two of which must be after the age of 14. Citizenship law is complex and can vary with special circumstances, such as for children born out of wedlock. If you believe your child is a U.S. citizen, then you will need to register his birth at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and obtain a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). First, you need to get a Brazilian birth certificate for your child. At the hospital you will receive a Certificate of Live Birth. Take this to the cartorio office, either at the hospital or in your district, to receive a birth certificate. When you come to the U.S. Consulate for the CRBA interview, you need to show the original Brazilian birth certificate, your marriage certificate, proof of termination of any prior marriages, your passport, proof of the time the U.S. citizen parent has lived in the United States, and prenatal or hospital records from the childs birth. The required forms and more information can be found here: http:// brazil.usembassy.gov/report-birthabroad.html. Remember that appointments are required and should be made online at http://brazil.usembassy.gov/appt-sp. html. Under current law, U.S. citizens can also be citizens of another country. However, U.S. law does require U.S. citizens to travel on their U.S. passports when entering the United States. Dual nationals holding both Brazilian and U.S. citizenships must exit Brazil using their Brazilian passports and enter the United States on their U.S. passports. So, if youre already planning that first trip to take little Johnny (or Joaozinho) to visit his grandparents back in the United States, make sure you put getting both his U.S. and Brazilian passports high on your checklist. Sometimes parents cannot travel at the same time. Under Brazilian law, a parent leaving Brazil with a Brazilian child must prove that the other parent agreed to the trip. Proof can be a notarized letter from the other parent, a court order proving that the accompanying parent has sole custody, or a Brazilian court order authorizing the childs departure. This regulation is strictly enforced. Always feel welcome to reach out to American Citizen Services at the U.S. Consulate General So Paulo for further guidance or assistance. We can be reached at SaoPauloACS@state. gov

AmSoc Volunteer Day in April

How do you create the perfect Saturday in So Paulo? On April 20th, come spend a few hours playing games, swimming, cooking out, and sharing quality time with some of So Paulos most underprivileged children at the Fourth Annual Volunteer Day at the U.S. Consulate. The Community Action Committee (CAC) of the American Society is looking for volunteers of all ages to make this years Volunteer Day a success. You can choose to participate in the activity you like the most: tennis, soccer, swimming, playing games, face painting, crafts, cooking lunch, etc. Families can participate together, and kids are welcome to come and help. The children who will come to play on Volunteer Day do normally not have access to safe, green space to run around, or clean swimming pools to cool off on these hot summer days. The joy they receive from getting exercise outdoors in a safe environment with their friends is priceless. They will have a chance to relax and let down their guard for a while, and you as a volunteer can help give them that important down time that they need. If you have been thinking about how you can become more involved in your local community here in So Paulo, you are like most of us. We all want to do our part to make a positive impact during our time in Brazil. Finding our niche and reaching a bit beyond our everyday routines can be challenging. During Volunteer Day, we will have information on the ten locations where the American Society is doing nonprofit work, and most importantly how you can become involved. You can sign up for Volunteer Day shifts from 11:00-2:0 and from 2:005:00 by contacting the CACs new Volunteer Coordinator Eileen Tasso eileentasso@gmail.com.

2013

Forum

AmSoc Basketball Tournament - 2013

By John Kennedy, AmSoc board member The American Society will host its Annual Basketball Tournament this year at Graded School in Morumbi on Saturday May 11. Following last years format, this basketball tournament will start at 10am on two full courts of 5 on 5 for two 10-minute halves. Last year we had six teams divided into 2 groups with the three teams in each group playing each other. The group winners went on to play the second place finishers of the other group, while the third place teams were eliminated. So the number of games each team plays and the time the tournament ends will depend on the number of teams that enter. I expect to have the same teams as last year and maybe one or two more to make it an eight team tournament. This way each team will play at least 3 games, while the 1st and 2nd place teams will play 5 games. For those of you who are either building or joining a team, remember that it pays off to have a deep bench, because the Champion the last two years won largely because they had a 10-man team while their competition ran out of gas with only 6 and 7 players. So if you are basketball player and have an interest in playing, either as an individual or play with a group of buddies that would like to form a team, contact John Kennedy at john@ kennedy-partners.com.

Little League Soccer 2013

By Paul Groom, AmSoc board member In Little League soccer, this semester, we are looking to have a full schedule, lots of playing and personalized learning which we hope will add up to a rewarding and enjoyable experience for our future Neymars and Martas! We are offering fifteen dates in 3 different venues: - Escola Graduada, Morumbi - Chapel School, Chacara Flora and - Escola Pan Americana, Cidade Dutra With soccer, we will continue to have the invaluable assistance of Coach Aldo Petrolino. In years past Coach Aldo has assisted with feminine football, a particular specialty of his. However, this year, with the help of parents and Coach Aldos assistants, we hope to provide a program for all signed-up children, that involves differentiating between childrens ages and capabilities, providing special attention to developing specific soccer skills, and playing competitive games of various types including games of 4 x 4 that allow, and indeed oblige all children, no matter what their level of skills, to be involved in the game (no more hugging the goal post and chatting to the goalkeeper in the hope that the ball will stay at the other end!). There will also be competitive games with children organized in larger teams. The smaller team practice was a concept developed by the famous Dutch footballer and coach, Johan Cruyff and is used specifically for developing the skills of younger players. We also hope to feature some competitive games against Brazilian Club sides. We have already contacted a number of clubs with active childrens soccer programs and hope we will be able to set up some really competitive games. We would also like to review the possibilities of organizing a visit to a real professional game. We are looking forward to a successful semester, but are aware that we need to support and feedback from parents like you.

10

Forum

March

The American Society of So Paulo

Abacaxi Bowl - PACA Wins Record 7th Title

On February 2nd at the Graded School in Morumbi, the American Society hosted its 15th annual and recorded Abacaxi Bowl. This year a record ten teams participated and nearly 200 players and spectators enjoyed the activities, which started at 8:30am and ended at 6:30pm. The format for this years tournament was a little bit complicated because there were 10 teams, 5 within a group, to play 2 qualifying games to determine the 8 teams that would advance into the quarter-finals. To avoid a team playing the same team twice, the first place team (determined by wins and then net points) in each group played the other groups last place team. And the second place team in each group played the other groups third place team. The surprise of the tournament this year was another first time entry of a Brazilian team, called Alor. But it wasnt your normal male dominated team because this Team was predominately women. However, they did have experience playing before because they are a regular team in the local Brazilian flag football league in So Paulo. The games were all closely contested from the start, whereby each game could have gone either way. In fact, in the first 3 hours, all 6 winning teams won by no more than 2 points! Even in the quarters, 3 out of 4 winning teams won by just 2 points. This year showed the resurgence of several teams from last year`s poor performances, Amsoc (last place) and the US Consulate (second to last place) played impressively. But in the semis, it came down to 3 teams who have been either the champion of vice-champion over the last 5 years; Cougars, PACA, and Devilz. In the end, it was only fitting that the two teams with the most titles matchedup: Cougars (3 titles) versus PACA (6 titles). In the pouring rain, where a slippery ball and field took throwing, catching and running to another level, it was the young PACA QB who led his team in the title game, totally out performing his veteran counterpart on the Cougars. Equally impressive was the PACA teams record 7th championship in the 15 Abacaxi Bowls since 1999. Abacaxi Bowl XV game results are as follows: Results 1. PACA 2. Cougars 3. Devilz 4. Carcamanos 5. AMSOC 6. US Consulate 7. Old School 8. Chapel School 9. Graded School 10. Alor WL 5-0 4-1 22 22 2-2 22 12 12 02 02

Board Bio - Suzana Bernard Sheffield

I was born in So Paulo being the oldest in a family of three girls, all of us going to Mackenzie College since the first day at school. Communication was always a favorite subject in life and also at school and English the second language for us. My first job was in a Public Relations Consultancy where Alcoa was one of the major clients. In 1981 I began working for Alcoa directly and it was there that I developed my career. In 1990 I was part of the group that created Instituto Alcoa and working with communities where Alcoa operates was my main activity. I developed a variety of projects in places as varied as So Luis (Maranho), Poos de Caldas (Minas Gerais), Recife (Pernambuco), Tubaro (Santa Catarina), Juruti (Para) and So Paulo (SP). I have very good memories of this time of my life and consider it a wonderful experience. I married an American and my life between Brazil and the United States gave me a passion for American culture. Professionally and personally I had a constant connection with Pittsburgh, New York, Atlanta, Texas, Colorado and Virginia. During the 30 years as an Alcoan I worked on many initiatives in the community relations area, as Vice President of Instituto Alcoa. I retired in January 2012 and was invited to be a member of the AMSOC board in August 2012. This was a pleasure and honor for me and I am at the beginning of this new experience. Everything is new in this phase of my life and it is great to have more time for my family a daughter and a son, one grandson, one granddaughter and a third granddaughter that will arrive in September. Nowadays I am able to travel anytime (not for work!), choose favorite activities and take care of the kids. Besides this I continue to get in touch with NGOs, participate in committees and have the opportunity to be together with AMSOC representatives, which makes for an exciting and rewarding use of my time.

2013

Forum

11

Estrada Real A Trip Down History Lane

By Melissa Harkin, AmSoc member A country with continental proportions such as Brazil has, of course, a history as big as its territory and as rich as its natural resources. And why not take a trip to Brazils most important historic route Estrada Real and take advantage not only of the fun of traveling but as well as the joy of learning the history of this bigole country we all live in? Estrada Real (Royal Road) was the name used to refer to any land which, at the time of Colonial Brazil, was covered on the process of settlement and economic exploitation of its resources, in conjunction with the international market. And, as you can probably imagine, the history of Brazil is all over Estrada Real. The treasures extracted from the mines, for example, were taken to the ports of Rio and Paraty, and from there to Portugal. For a few years now, the route has become a major tourist hub. Its 1410 kilometers, cutting the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and So Paulo, offer many attractions - from Baroque churches to natural paradises - and it includes quaint villages, historic farms and many stories told by local residents of more than 170 cities that are part of it. The map The route splits into three roads: - Diamante (diamonds), which goes from Diamantina to Ouro Preto; - Velho (old), which has its name changed to ouro (gold) when it reaches Paraty; and - Novo (new), which began operating long after, in a Portuguese initiative to make the way between Rio, Ouro Preto and Diamantina faster. The road and its history During most of the XVII and XVIII centuries, the gold explored in the interior lands of Minas Gerais was the main economic activity of Colonial Brazil; most of the production was sent to Portugal through the coastal cities of Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, Estrada Real is the name of the path that

12

Forum

March

The American Society of So Paulo

Portuguese expeditions trailed to bring gold from Minas to Rio, and food the other way around; this road had to cross mountains, broad plateaus, meadows and creeks. The first route (Old Route) connected Ouro Preto, in Minas, to Paraty, in the south of Rio; from Paraty, the expeditions walked to the city of Rio. This trip took three months. It worked this way until the bandeirantes Garcia Rodrigues and Ferno Dias devised a shorter route, directly to Rio. In 1698 they obtained a permit from the Portuguese Crown to build this New Route and began the construction in the beginning of the XVII century. This new route took only ten days to complete; only people authorized by the Crown could travel along it. Today, a partnership between the Instituto Estrada Real and the government of Minas Gerais is reconstructing the entire route. The Old and New Routes together total 1,410 kilometers (870 mi.) and cross 177 cities; the road reveals a wealth of colonial and baroque architecture, as well as a natural beauty. From the heart of Minas Gerais, the Route goes from Diamantina to Ouro Preto, where it splits in two directions. One route (the Old Route) passes through So Joo del Rei and Tiradentes, crosses the esoteric So Tom das Letras, and then Caxambu and So Loureno in the Medicinal Waters Circuit, across the Paraba Valley, through the cities of Guaratinguet and Cunha, then down to the port of Paraty. The other path (New Route) crosses Barbacena, Juiz de Fora, Itaipava and Petrpolis before reaching the city of Rio. Taking the Royal Route is one of the best ways to discover Brazils history while travelling three hundred years back in time. Favorite city My favorite city along Estrada Real is Ouro Preto (from Portuguese, Black Gold); which is a city in the state of Minas Gerais, and a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhao mountains and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding Baroque architecture. The city contains numerous churches, many famous for their religious art and baroque architecture. Some of the best known are: - Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) - just off Tiradentes Plaza, next to the Inconfidncia Museum. - So Francisco de Assis (St. Francis of Assisi) - Nossa Senhora da Conceiao (Immaculate Conception) - Capela do Padre Faria (Father Farias Chapel) - Nossa Senhora das Mercs (Our Lady of Mercy) Among the several museums in the city, my favorite definitely is the Museu da Inconfidncia - In the former municipal palace on Tiradentes Plaza, and it traces the Inconfidencia independence movement. Other museums include Museu do Oratrio (Oratory Museum) - next to the church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, and it displays religious art; Museu de Cincia e Tcnica (Museum of Science and Technology) - in the Ouro Preto School of Mines building on Tiradentes Plaza. The museum is noted for its collection of beautiful mineral specimens; and theres also the Casa Dos Contos - Historical museum. A number of former gold mines in the city offer tours to tourists. One of the most well known is the Mina do Chico Rei near the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Conceiao. Ouro Preto is also fun during Carnaval. Street carnival in Ouro Preto attracts thousands of people every year. Traditional band music is played across town, and many people dress up in costumes during the holiday. There are two main types of street parades in town: the one with samba schools and the one with blocos. The street party is also celebrated in neighboring towns such as Mariana. My other favorite cities to visit in along the route include Aparecida (SP), Petrpolis (RJ), Paraty (RJ) and Caxambu (MG). Melissa Harkin runs a translation company called Melissa Harkin Translations. Visit her website at www. melissaharkin.com or contact her at contato@melissaharkin.com (1198428-8714). Special DISCOUNTS for AMSOC members!

2013

Forum

13

classifieds
H ousing
Itaim Bibi Commercial Building for Rent/ Sale Rent/Sale a brand new Commercial building in Itaim Bibi & Vila Olimpia. Beautiful modern building located in a privilege street in So Paulo. Just few minutes walk to Shopping JK, Cesar Park Hotel, easy access to Av Paulista, Av Berrini, Airport Congonhas. Av Faria Lima :16th floor, 547m2~1.094m2, Av JK : 15th floor, 427m2~853m2. Rua Olimpiada: 12th floor, 260m2~531m2. Private parking space, flexible floor plan, air conditioning. Contact : Diana (011) 97515-1213. Email : sonata.consultoria@ gmail.com. PS: Ask for apartment for Sale/ Rent. Brand new 2br apt for rent near Graded School Customized 2br/2bath apt (1 suite), 90m2, w/ built-in closets, laundry, lg open kitchen w/ appliances incl side-by-side fridge/freezer, porch w/ view of SP skyline. Bldg: 3 pools, playground, gym, sauna, 2 parking spaces. Close to Graded, Shopping Jd. Sul, Pq. Burle Marx. Rental R$3,000/mo. Contact Olivia at oliviaf@ terra.com.br or 98447-4672 for photos and info. TriplexApartment for Rent by Graded School Apt. w/650m2, 4 large suites each w/ built-in closets.Fireplace living w/ separate dinning and lunch rms. Ample apt w/ central air, all marble and hardwood floors, xtra large Jacuzzi + private sauna, large party rmgreat for home theatre and entertainment. 4 garage spots and great bldg amenities. Av. G.Gronchi 4822, next to Graded. Rental R$12,000/mo.Call Andrew at 982020008 or imobiliariaplaza@uol.com.br Vila Nova Conceio So Paulos best place to live. Near Ibirapuera Park. Modern building, with all Sports facilities, heated swimming pool, gym, play room, barbecue, multi purpose sports court. Three bedrooms (1 suite), living room with terrace, complete kitchen,maids bedroom and bath, big service area, two parking spaces. Fully furnished,with all appliances. Call Ana Beatriz or Eliane Phone (011) 3849.7085 or (011) 99626-6229-mail to: anabeatriz@caboverde. com.br

S ervices
Family Dentistry Dental care you can trust for your whole family. We want to make sure you are comfortable and confident in our care. We work only with the highest quality products and equipment, bringing specialists to you so that you dont have to face traffic and providing you with clear information to make the dental decisions that are right for you. Native English. Tel.: (11) 30443111; Website:www.familydentistry.com.br. Math and Science tutor Fernando Knijnik has being offering tutoring services for over 25 years to the international community. Physics, math and chemistry are taught for all levels, including IB SL & HL, AP, SAT, ACT, GMAT and Brazilian Vestibular, to name a few. Mr. Knijnik has worked for several years in the American schools of SP and is presently at St. Francis College. For more info, please call (11) 991346700 or e-mail: fernandoknijnik@hotmail.com. Experience Relocation Consultant and Sociologist Experienced Relocation Consultant and sociologist, fluent in English and Portuguese, offers professional services to foreign families and individuals to help them adapt to Brazil, integrate into Brazilian culture and learn how to get around, and overcome logistical and bureaucratic hurdles commonly encountered by newcomers. Assistance also provided with English-Portuguese interpreting at business meetings. 20+ years of experience working with international clients. Fees are hourly and tailored to the clients specific needs. Tel: (11) 9 7997-8808. American-Licensed Psychotherapist In this busy and ever-changing world, people often feel stressed and overwhelmed with no place to turn. Psychotherapy/ counseling can provide a safe place to receive professional guidance and support. Brief or longer-term therapy offered depending on your needs, goals and expectations. Services: individual, couples, child/adolescent. Certified to conduct Adoption Home Study for American Citizens. Contact: Pamela Wax, MSW/LCSW at 99656-2106 or send an e-mail to pamwax@gmail.com. Located in Moema. Translation Specialists Over 10 years translating solutions in U.S. cities such as California, Houston and Chicago, SAO PAULO TRADUCOES has had projects with the best companies in Brazil and the world. Solutions in English, Spanish, Portuguese in engineering, legal, med. and many other areas. Free quote: saopaulotraducoes@yahoo.com.br Contact Paulo at: 96657 0170 Please visit us at: saopaulotraducoes.wix.com/saopaulotraducoes Personal Trainer I will come to your home, office, or workout facility and create an exercise/fitness program tailored to your health concerns, fitness goals, and schedule. For adults and children, individuals or groups. Sessions in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. For more information please contact Daniela Franco at (11) 99739-6191 or dsf29@hotmail.com. American-Licensed Counselor Dawn Morelli, MSW, LCSW. I am an American with USA training and licensing. My expertise includes; mood, anxiety, cultural issues, relationship and family concerns, self esteem, trauma, and personal growth. I have strong skills in assessment/evaluation which allow to identify the best and most effective treatment. I work with individuals, families and children. 98963-2871 or dawnmorell@yahoo.com Piano and Keyboard Classes Beginning music classes for piano or keyboard. Special method for children four years or older, teenagers, adults and senior citizens. Classes in portuguese or english. Contact Suely Azevedo 98456-5365. Years of successful experience! Class in your house in Morumbi or south area. Ayumi Photography Im a Brazilian photographer who, like yourselves, lived overseas for many years and speak English, Spanish and Portuguese fluently. Based in So Paulo I do mostly social and corporate events, family, children, newborn and travel photography. Feel free to contact me should you need any information! Ayumi Yamamoto, ayumi@ayumiphotography.com, Cel. (11)997515259, www.ayumiphotography.com

14

Forum

March

calendar
Interiors Rental Furniture Quality and refined furniture rental for your home away from home. We offer great variety! A complete line of appliances, kitchen devices and linen & towels. Complements such as rugs, lamps and decor items. www.interiors.com.br or interiors@interiors.com.br Real English Native english teachers needed ( with or without experience ) to work in a quickly growing english school in the zona sul of So Paulo. Please contact us. REAL ENGLISH, (11) 56313794, (11) 97318-5881 or realenglish2008@hotmail.com A Note to Our Readers

The American Society of So Paulo

Forum does not check all of the advertisers appearing in this newsletter. We urge you to use these services; however, thoroughly check prices and services prior to finalizing any service or purchase agreement. A classified of up to 350 characters costs R$65 for AmSoc members and R$80 for non-members. To place a classified please call (11) 5182-2074 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., or send an e-mail to AmSoc1@ americansociety.com.br.

March 2013
04 Monday

Learn more about this months AmSoc events (highlighted) at www.AmSoc.com.br.

Important Dates: 29 GooD FrIDay (Bra & Usa), 31 easter sUnDay (Br & Us)

Scottish Country Dancing Club

1st Monday of every month in the Brazilian British Centre in Pinheiros (R. Ferreira de Arajo, 741). At 8pm. Dancing the traditional Scottish reels is an important and enjoyable part of the Societys events. In order to help newcomers learn the basic steps and encourage the more adventurous to learn new ones, St. Andrew Society organizes a meeting of the Scottish Country Dancing Club (SCDC). Concert at Credit Card Hall. At 8:00 pm. Av. das Naes Unidas, 17955 - Santo Amaro, So Paulo Time: 10h00 - 14h00 . Location: Espao Escandinavo. Address: Rua Job Lane, 1030 - Alto da Boa Vista, So Paulo, 04639-000, Brazil In a members house. See details on front page. Join friends for beer, irish music, hot snacks and good fun. R$70 advance reservations by March 13 or R$110 at the door. Dont forget to wear green! At HSBC Brasil. Address: R. Bragana Paulista, 1281 - Santo Amaro, So Paulo. Time: 10pm. http://www.hsbcbrasil.com.br/ 11.30am. Bring your children to celebrate and to enjoy many fun activities! There will be sandwiches, soft drinks, water, cupcakes and Easter egg hunting in the yard. Lets play together! For members: R$ 20/child, max R$ 50/family. For non-members: R$ 30/child, max R$ 70/family.

10 13 16

Sunday Wednesday Saturday

Jonas Brothers Monthly Coffee by the International Newcomers Club (INC) St. Patricks Party

22 24

Friday Sunday

Sublime with Romes Concert Easter Party for Kids

Enjoyed this publication? Become an American Society Member and get a free Forum subscription!
For more than 60 years The American Society of So Paulo has worked to establish a strong network for expats living and working in So Paulo. Join Today!!! Visit our website at www.amsoc.com.br and fill in our on-line form or call the AmSoc office at 5182-2074

Place a Classified

2013

Forum

15

A Confederate in So Paulo
By Maureen Kennedy Alves, AmSoc member My mother and I have many shared interests: tennis, cooking, traveling, to name just a few. We also both love to wander through bookstores, though our literary tastes couldnt be farther apart. I love non-fiction books about psychology and spirituality (the kind of books that I admit to putting face down on the counter sometimes so the sales clerk and those around me wont see my selection). My mother, on the other hand, has a penchant for what Ill call airport literature you know the type, with Fabio or some other long-haired Lothario on the cover in an 18th-century peasant shirt lustily holding the young lady of the manor. Given my moms penchant for these romance novels, youll understand my skepticism when she told me she had read something in a book about Civil War confederate soldiers emigrating to Brazil. Since a hazy memory is also something we share, the details of the story were few and far between. I brushed it off as either something she had remembered incorrectly or as a weak plot point in a Barbara Taylor Bradford novel. Nevertheless my mother persisted, wondering if the descendants of these soldiers spoke Portuguese with a southern accent. Several months after the aforementioned conversation, sure enough, I came across an article about Civil War veterans from the south moving to Brazil. It seems that rather than concede defeat, thousands of soldiers and their families took to the sea and sailed off to far-away shores where they wouldnt be subject to the Union. And, even better, many had settled here in the interior of So Paulo. As a major history buff, and also to give some respect to my mom who, lets face it, I kind of dissed on the topic I had to learn more. So I set out for the town of Santa Brbara dOeste, about 100 km north of the city, where many of the confederates settled and where the local Museu da Imigrao houses their story. When I first got to the town and the museum, Ill admit, I was a little disappointed. I dont know what I was expecting: maybe a little slice of American life here in the countryside of So Paulo. But it was like any other nondescript city in the interior, and the museum, at first glance, seemed tiny and not well attended. Luckily, I ventured up to the second floor of the museum and thats when things got interesting. Now when you read this, you must keep in mind that history artifacts do the same thing to me that I imagine fine silk or haute couture dresses do to fashionistas. I was once so enthralled by a Van Gogh painting, thinking that the artist himself had touched that very same paint over 100 years ago, I couldnt help but run my finger over it (the museum guard was not amused). Although the artifacts in the immigration museum were all behind plexiglass and safe from my touch, they were equally fascinating: Confederate currency, the front page of an Atlanta newspaper dating 1863, clothing, an old-fashioned waffle maker, letters from the immigrants to family back home, photos. I could go on and on. I should mention, too, that most of the English write ups were impeccable a testament to how long the American roots have lasted. From the museum, we headed to the Cemitrio do Campo, about 12 km away from Santa Barbara, where the soldiers and their families are buried. How amazing to be standing in the middle of the Brazilian countryside amid a monument of the Confederate flag and tombstones with names like Norris, Barnes and McKnight. It truly was surreal and I must admit that as a northerner, a tiny twinge of me felt like I was trespassing on enemy territory. Every year in April, the descendants of the confederates known as confederados gather in the park on the cemetery grounds to celebrate their southern roots, complete with Confederate uniforms and down-home southern cooking. Last year, the party was cancelled due to repairs and renovations, but if its on again this year, you can bet this Yankee will be joining them. And who knows, maybe my mom will be right and Ill hear a southern lilt among them.