AmSoc Forum August 2010 Issue

Monthly Newsletter August 2010www.amsoc.com.br

Forum

In This IssueIn This Issue

New editor

Page 2:

This month’s ‘Newcomer

Prole’ welcomes the new Forum

editor Lynn Cordeiro who istaking over from Bob Moser.

New Real Estate Law

Page 9:

Learn about the newlaws and how they could affectyou if you are renting a propertyin Brazil.

Page 11:

Read a short proleon the new Consul GeneralThomas Kelly and his previous

achievements.

New CG Thomas KellyNew writer

Page 16:

Find out what amusedand scared our new author Natasha de Carvalho when shevisited a Brazilian Feira for therst time!

Independence Day - truly more thana movie!

(Continued on page 4)

The American Society of São Paulo promotes friendship by organizingsocial, cultural and athletic events for its diverse membership; encouragesintegration with the Brazilian society;and supports the American traditionsof education, philanthropy andvolunteerism.

Our Mission

By

Richard Wegman

and

Alan Blau

, AmSoc board members

One of Amsoc’s most remarkableevents is just around the corner! Lightand uffy on the inside and golden brown on the outside, denitelysomething you won’t want to miss!To help welcome you to - or back to - São Paulo, the American Societywill once again host a pancake breakfast at the Little League sign-up. Children will be running aroundenjoying themselves with the widerange of sports such as soccer, baseball, tennis and much more beingoffered. Whereas the adults can takeadvantage of the great opportunity tomeet old friends and the new familiesarriving in town while eating someCountries all around the worldcelebrate their individual Day of Independence. This year on July3rd over 200 people got together tocelebrate the American tradition of the4th of July with the American Societyof São Paulo. We remembered thesacrices of others over the past 234years since our United States declaredits Independence and regardless of the cost, maintained our freedom.

The American Society of São

Paulo was proud to host this annualcelebration once again at one of our long time members’ home in ChacaraFlora. The grounds were extremelywell prepared and decorated withtributes to America in Red, Whiteand Blue.hearty food!Who won’t enjoy a stack of crispy pancakes slathered in maple syrup?You can enjoy all of this on Saturday,August 14th at the Graded School(Av. Giovanni Gronchi, 4710 ).Theevent will start at 9:00am and end atapproximately 11:00am.All are more than welcome to participate! So, why not savor adelicious apjack and meet newfriends?

Stay tuned and up to date! For more information visit our website at www.amsoc.com.br

Batter Up For Some DeliciousFlapjacks and Fun Games!

Name:

Lynn Cordeiro

Origin, time here:

Born in Germany,I lived in Paris,

London and

Philadelphia beforemoving to São Paulo

two years ago.

Why São Paulo?:

I moved because of my husband’s work and have in the meantime set up my own photography business FalaPhoto.com aswell as now taking on the job as editor andlayout designer of the Forum.

Previous professional experience:

I was working as graphic designer inLondon after graduating in Photographyfrom the University of the Arts. After aMasters degree in Interaction Design Iworked for Nokia as a designer for four

years.

Best things so far:

I love the child friendliness of Brazilians.Going back to Europe with a child for therst time was a real eye-opener. In Brazil people are not offended if you take a childto a restaurant in the evening, and everyonehas a smile for them!

Early frustrations:

Getting an apartment was a challenge. Wehad a number of offers fall through ontechnicalities.

Have ‘saudade’ for anything back home?:

Having a young daughter I am mostlymissing the ability to buy fun educationaltoys. Over here it is mostly all singing anddancing plastic things that she quickly loses

interest in.

Progress with Portuguese:

Getting there. I had a teacher for the rstyear which helped a lot. Now that I am onmy own my progress has slowed a little, but I try to make an effort on a day-to-day

basis.

Favorite place to hang out:

Right in the area where I live. I can ndmy favorite padaria in town as well as agreat little Italian restaurant and of coursegourmet temple Santa Luzia.

New editorprofle

The President’s Corner

How wouldyou definecommunity?

Chances are it may

not be similar tothat of Wikipedia;“a group of

interactingorganisms sharingan environment.”

Most days I feelmore accomplished than an ‘interacting

organism’.

A few expat postings ago, we livedin sunny Madrid. The Spanish have amost wonderful sense of community.Each evening at dusk, you nd groupsof people out of their apartments andin the street talking and enjoying oneanother’s company. Following the alltoo frequent separatist bombings at thattime, you would immediately thereafter nd throngs of people gathering together arm-in-arm to protest, weep, pray andshout “basta ya”. I admire the Spanishfor their passion, their devotion to one

another and their connectedness.

These days, community can have a far less geographic context. The boundaryless internet facilitates communities of all shapes and sizes, connecting us to people in Paris, Punta Arenas and Peoria. No matter the circle you are in, sharingcommon interests and relating together

is something that in today’s hectic

society is an antidote against feeling

By

Tim Scott

, AmSoc president

Forum

August

2

overwhelmed and alone. Takingan active role in our community brings a sense of belonging andcan be healing, empowering, and provide a deeper sense of meaningand purpose.The Apostle Paul famously wroteabout community to the Greeks inCorinth, telling them and us todaythat we are like many parts of the body and that all parts of the bodyare important. I’ve often wondered if Paul could have ever imagined that2000 year later his name would reston one of the world’s largest cities.Speaking of community, whenyou get back to São Paulo, theAmerican Society will be kickingoff the second half of the year witha welcome back event, invitingmembers and non-members for a pancake breakfast together with our Little League sign-up. Be sure toinvite new people to the event.The American Society hopes tohelp all, especially those just arrivingto get connected into a communityof people. Getting connected is the best recipe for a successful start ina new city, that, and a few good pancakes.Have an amazing August. Makea point to reach out to someone inyour community.Abraços, Tim

Lynn Cordeiro

,

editor and layout

Simon Tharby

,

staff writer

Beatriz Salgado,

editorial assistant Forum

is printed by EGB.(http://www.egb.com.br)Views expressed in

Forum

do

not necessarily reect 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 São Paulo

Rua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 São Paulo, SPTel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155

forum@amsoc.com.br

Forum

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

A b o u t

F o r u m

The American Societyof São Paulo

Forum

3

2010

New Members are the life bloodof all organizations around theworld. In São Paulo it’s our honor towelcome our new Members during

Welcome new members rom May and June

May and June. I noticed that manyof these new members were at our Independence Day celebration, so

they are starting off right. When

you see them, please introduceyourselves and make them feelwelcome in our community.Your Membership committee

NameMembership TypeCitizenshipCompany or Profession

Mirian & Wendel DantasFamily PatronBrasilian

Seven Idioms

Amir MasliyahSingle

American

U.S. ConsulateMuge Sandikcioglu & Farris SmithFamily Patron

AmericanNovo Nordisk

Susan & Stephen MerrickFamily

British

Bristol Myers SquibbTania & George PretymanHelping HandsBritish/BrasilianGAP & TMN Ltd.Mien Mien Ho & Agusto RochaFamily PatronBrasilianOutliers Language SchoolAna Cristina Salas & Celso de

Barros