Monthly Newsletter March 2010www.amsoc.com.br

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In This IssueIn This Issue

3-on-3 BasketballTourney in the works

Page 8:

AmSoc Sports hopesto have an adult basketballtournament in mid-March. Learnmore about when and where.

60th Anniversary eventcoming together

Page 3:

Planning for AmSoc’sDiamond Anniversary extrava-ganza is underway. See whatthere is to look forward to for ourbiggest party of 2010.

Page 10:

Learn about two newchildren’s books that have beenwritten with the Brazilian expatchild speci

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cally in mind.

Two books help expatkids adjustFinding peace inthe weeds

Page 16:

Sue Banman Sileciexplains the chain of events thatdrew her out of the house and intoher neighborhood, on a missionof beauti

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cation.

Gather for St. Patrick’s celebrationon two nights this month

he American Society of SaoPaulo is sponsoring its annualSt. Patrick’s Day get-togetherthis year on March 13 and 17 atDrake’s Bar in Pinheiros.Live music via local band Wonder Rockand hearty Guinness beer will be on tap forboth nights in March, and Irish pop musicwill be played on and off throughout thenight. There’s also a possibility of freemerchandise (i.e. t-shirts and caps) beinggiven out throughout the night by a yet-to-be-con

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rmed sponsor beer company.Drake’s management will offer allAmSoc members a 15 percent discounton food and drink during these two nights.Members should be sure to bring their ID,because Drake’s staff will compare nameswith a membership list from AmSoc.Guinness pints (400 ml) will be R$12throughout the night, and that’s beforeyour 15 percent discount.No RSVP is needed at the AmSocof

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ce, just show up on either March 13or 17 to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day with yourAmSoc brethren. Visit www.drakesbar.com for address and more information.The American Society of São Paulopromotes friendship by organizingsocial, cultural and athletic events forits diverse membership; encouragesintegration with the Brazilian society;and supports the American traditionsof education, philanthropy andvolunteerism.

Our Mission

Bob Moser

, editor

Find more photos and a recap of lastmonth’s Abacaxi Bowl on pages 6-7.

Name:

MichaelFine

Origin:

AtlanticCity, N.J.Time here:

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ve-and-a-half years

Profession:

I runmy own marketingconsultingbusiness.

Why Sao Paulo?

The short answer isthat my wife is from here. I met her in2000, whilst doing my year abroad aspart of my MBA course. We later livedin the U.S., but when we decided tohave a family we settled in SP.

Best thing so far:

The Brazilianculture as a whole -- the food andthe music, especially samba. I alsolove the diversity here. Sao Paulois a great city with all the differentcultures, people, restaurants and thegeneral hustle and bustle of life. It’salso perfect for me as this is wheremost of the businesses are.

Early frustrations:

It’s a big city!I’ve lived in other big cities before-- London, Boston, Atlanta -- but SaoPaulo doesn’t have the same qualityof public transport, so you’re forcedto deal with the traf

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Have saudade for anything backhome?

American (sports); WorldSeries. Most food I can get here, butI sometimes miss ‘Silver-ear Jerseycorn’. Of course I miss my family andmy friends. It’s been tough gettingback as often as I would like, but Ivisited last July – for the

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rst time in

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ve years.

Progress with Portuguese:

I hadextensive Portuguese training in the

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rst year of my MBA. I then had anintensive one-month course when Iarrived here. I’d say I’m pretty much

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uent now.

Favorite place to hang out:

ThePalestra Italia (Palmeiras SoccerStadium). I’m very much a fan! I lovea lot of restaurants here, for example;Izakaya Issa, Liberdade, ‘Tapas’Japanese style.

Newcomerprofle

Bob Moser

editor

Simon Tharby

staff writer

141 Preview,

layout

Beatriz Salgado,

editorial assistant Forum

is printed by Intergraf.(www.intergraf.com.br)Views expressed in

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donot necessarily re

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ect those of the American Society board of governors, members, or staff.

Forum

reserves the right to editcontent for brevity and/or clarity.

The American Society of São Paulo

Rua da Paz, 1431

04713-001 São Paulo, SPTel: (11) 5182-2074

Fax: (11) 5182-9155

forum@amsoc.com.br

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is published monthly, withthe exception of January and July, by

A b o u t

F o r u m

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The AmSoc Membership Game isheading towards the finish line, andMark Abrams is out in front to win thetwo airline tickets from GOL.There is still plenty of time for YOUto win. Just encourage your friends to join AmSoc now so that they can enjoy

Membership Game Update

Standings as of Jan. 31

all our activities, make new friends andadd to their quality of life here in SaoPaulo. Be sure your friends write downyour name on their membership form,so you get points in the big game.Have a positive impact; invitesomeone to join us today!

CONTESTANT#OF NEWMEMBERSPOINTSAWARDED

Mark Abrams622

Richard Wegman212Tim Scott212David Warren29Charlie Cookson16Richard Lark16Lynne Couri13Taco De Vries13Zack Henry13Tony Smith13Other (Internet, INC,Consulate, events, etc.)46N/ATOTAL64 New Members

March

The American Societyof São Paulo

AmSoc’s 60th Diamond Anniversary Dinner& Dance on May 7, Save the date!

FORUM

The American Society of Sao Paulo ishosting a night to be remembered byall, as the grand commemoration of ourDiamond Anniversary will surely shinethroughout the city.Diamonds are the theme of the party,due to it’s relation to a 60th anniversary.The entertainment will be provided bythe well-known Brazilian band SP3,which will be sure to have us up on thedance

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oor into the wee hours of themorning with continuous contemporaryand

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ashback music, and a DJ to keepus going during the band’s breaks.This is an event members will notwant to miss, and outside guests arealso invited to join the celebrationon Friday, May 7, at Buffet Torres inMoema. Cocktails begin at 7:30 pmwith dinner and dancing at 9 pm. Therewill be a brief live auction to bene

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tthe new Vivenda da Crianca bakery(padaria) project and other AmSoccharity projects, like the matchingcharity fund and the annual AngelParty.The intention of the Vivenda daCrianca bakery project is to be a self-sustaining small business designed tohelp foster skills and generate revenue inParaisopolis to bene

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t greater social andeconomic mobility at the neighborhoodlevel. This type of support to charitiesis a hallmark of American socialcommitment and civic activism at home,and here through AmSoc.This event is THE American Societyfundraiser event for 2010 -- so get yourtickets and table of 10 reservations early!For tickets, contact amsoc@amsoc.com.br or 5182-2074. Tickets are R$200per person for both members and non-members.The party will be held at the elegant,neoclassical Buffet Torres (www.buffettorres.com.br), known for itsdelicious gourmet food, located on Av. doImares, 182 in Moema. This buffet waschosen due to its very accessible centrallocation near Shopping Ibirapuera and

Kelly Maurice

, AmSoc member

also its convenient parking.When AmSoc was

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rst organized in1950, Brazil was experiencing boominggrowth and global attention, similarto today, and was seen as an emergingeconomic and cultural power. Now in2010, since the economy has weatheredthe worst of the world’s economic crisisand landed on its feet more quickly andstronger than most, all eyes are againon Brazil. With The Economist’s recentcover story, and the upcoming hosting of the World Cup and the Summer OlympicGames, there is excitement in many areasfor Brazil – namely in sports, business,infrastructure, world politics and culture.President Obama will visit Brazil laterthis year to highlight the country’simportance and the link it shares withthe United States.The AmSoc board looked to MarleneRubeiz, former board president, tospearhead the planning and organizationfor this special event. She believes, “thisparty will be memorable because wehave chosen the prettiest place, the bestband and we will also be giving back tothe community.” Rubeiz gladly acceptedthe task and has put together a stellarteam of leaders and active participantswho have been divided into several sub-committees such as fundraising, games,publicity and marketing, logistics andticket sales. Several meetings and lotsof work have gone into the party to dateand many interesting prizes have alreadybeen donated for the gift raf

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e boxesand silent auction, including several bigprizes for the live auction, which will bebrief and take place during dinner.So mark May 7 on your calendars andget your tickets early to guarantee yourspot at this sophisticated event full of funand friends to celebrate AmSoc’s 60-yearhistory. Great food, spirits and musicand dancing will be enjoyed by all.