echo february 2014

www.incrio.org.br

February 2014

International Club of Rio de Janeiro

CARNIVAL 2014

https://www.facebook.com/pages/InC-International-Club-of-Rio/165818676803298

1 First word

2 Introduction Vice president

3 Events Calendar

4- 6 Introuduction of our board

7 Excursions

8 Excursion to Forte Copacabana

9 - 10 Angra dos Reis

11 - 12 Vassouras

13 Zona sul Cafezinho—Sunday Sunset Happy

Hour

14 Weekend Getaway

15 General meeting - Thursty Thursday

16 Concert Evening Event

17 Those who make it happen

Hello everyone,

Hopefully, you are enjoying this wonderful summer weather and are ready to join us for another year of great activities. Our January General Meeting was the event that has officially kicked off our 2014 activities. We saw lots of smiling, tanned faces, already making plans for Carnival. Valeria Lobo was our hostess and Alison McGowan from http://www.hiddenpousadasbrazil.com/ was our guest speaker. In the name of the InC, I would like to say thank you for giv-ing us the opportunity to spend such a lovely morning together. Jackie Stern spoke of her plans for excursions around Rio and I introduced everyone to my favorite place, Angra dos Reis. Jackie's excursions will be once a month on a Friday and I will be planning some day tours and weekend getaways to Ilha Grande and Paraty.

You will probably notice that The Echo has a new format. This year each one of our nine board members will fill you in monthly on what his or her area of expertise does for you and the Club. Please take the time to read through it. You will probably be amazed at the wealth of info and opportunities each has to offer.

Please also pay special attention to our new calendar because some of the times and days have been changed. We take great care in scheduling our activities so as to accommodate your busy life styles while dodging the insane Rio traffic situation.

Hope to see you at our events. Invite your friends and spread the word. The InC is undeniably (just check our calendar) the most active and upbeat expat club in Rio. Bringing you fun events, weekend geta-ways, and lots of information that will make your expat experience a memorable one.. My best to you all, Bonnie

February 2014 The ECHO 1

http://www.hiddenpousadasbrazil.com/

Adiane Mitidiero—Vice president

Hello everyone, When Bonnie first invited me to be part of the InC board, it was because she felt that as a lawyer and a Brazilian I could contribute valuable expertise on the legal aspects the club faces, such as contracts, taxes, insurance etc. I felt the mixed emotions of enthusiasm and butterflies in my stomach because I knew, that I wanted to give so much more than just that. Why? Because I really care about our association and admire that so many people work so hard to give their best to help both the expat community and also the needy in the Brazilian society. How much time I would have to dedicate to this function was the big question, since I already have a busy day with my family, company and volunteer work. I have so many ideas, but to get them off the ground, I need a team and that is where I need your help. Each month in this space, I will introduce you to new projects and ideas. SPONSORSHIP My first priority. Why? Because relying only on membership fees is not enough when budgeting events and services. That is why we engage with and encour-age companies and fellow InC members to become sponsors. It is quite simple. Any service that is provided by a sponsor gives our members a minimum 10% discount and a 10% contribution to the InC funds. Our members win, the chari-ties benefit and it is easier for the InC to provide volunteer opportunities for ex-pats who want to make a difference. It is impossible to do it alone! Let’s do it together! Are you interested to helping? Send me an email to [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Susan Loveland - Executive Secretary

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 4 5 6 7

Zona Sul

Cafezinho

8

9 10 11 12 13 14

Jackie Stern

Excursions

15

16

Sunday Sunset

Happy Hour

Barra

17 18 19 20 21

General

Meeting

Leblon

22

Angra

Day Trip

23 24 25 26 27

Thursty

Thursday

Zona Sul

28


As Executive Secretary, I am responsible for keeping the official calendar as

well as recording the discussions and decisions from our monthly executive

board meetings. At these meetings, the board works democratically to make

good decisions about issues that affect the club, we plan to share more

about these decisions with you in this space in the future. As always, we

welcome members’ help and input on creating activities and using club re-

sources. For more information about the technicalities of how the club oper-

ates, the statues and bylaws are available for viewing on the website in the

members foyer, InC Organization tab. And if you ever have any questions

about club policy or the calendar feel free to email me for clarification.















Tina Wagner - Treasurer

Liliana Perilla Rojas - Membership Director

Valeria Lobo - Events Director

Due to a computer problem, the year-end numbers could not yet be pro-duced, but it is clear that the InC closed 2013 with positive numbers and will be able to donate the amount budgeted for 2014 to the different charities it supports. We will do our best to publish the numbers in the Echo of Febru-ary. A big thank you to all the members present at the General Meeting this month for participating in our raffle drawings. We were able to collect an extra R$320,00!

We want to welcome our new member, Mrs Parvine Busch.

The true base of the InC are its members, and any ideas, advice or help

you can provide to make it more fun and rewarding for everybody are wel-

comed with open arms. If you have something you would like to contrib-

ute, you can contact any board member.

All current members who haven’t renewed their membership for 2014 are

invited to do so and join in on all the exciting activities we will be offering

in 2014. The easiest and fastest way to renew is by going to the InC web-

site and print your boleto (see our website for renewal instructions), or

contact the membership director if you prefer to pay with cash or a check.


As another year begins, our new board is full of ideas for events and activities

for you but we do need your cooperation! You might not be aware but venues

are our biggest problem and since we depend on them to have our General

Meetings and some other activities, We need your cooperation.

You will find a sign up sheet at our next meeting and I encourage you to write

your names down to host a meeting or event. We have a "helpers" group that

will support you any way you need!

Also, if you have ideas and suggestions for speakers, activities or anything

else, feel free to contact me at [email protected]


Raf Kiss—Communications Director

2014 communications director and sole male member of the InC executive board.

My background is in venture capital, accounting and also did some network admin-

istration.

I am also an outdoors enthusiast and love hiking the trails or climbing the mountains

of the Tijuca Forest. I also love mountain biking, swimming and will also get involved

in organizing some of this year’s adventure excursions

I moved to Brazil in 2009 and became a tour guide but I am also running the Expat

information portal AngloINFO Rio de Janeiro,

Vacancies in the Communications team

To run smoothly, our team should ideally consist of 5-7 people, and since I noticed

that we are a few people short. For example Brenda, our current Echo Editor will be

leaving Rio very soon. One of the first things I would like to ask if there are a few

creative and computer savvy people amongst you who are interested in join-

ing the communications team. If you can dedicate a little of your spare time to

help in preparing the monthly Echo, the event flyers, monitoring the Facebook page,

etc... (There just might be a caipirinha in it for you)

I joined the board of InC Rio to lead the fundraising efforts in 2014.

I am British-Brazilian with a background in the hospitality industry. A few of our members have volunteered to join forces with me in developing a series of fun events to raise funds for charity and generate awareness for the InC Rio.

There will be four major fundraisers; the first of which will be in April. Inspired by stylish yet decadent years of the prohibition, our first fundraiser, adequate-ly entitled "Speakeasy," will be a jazzy night filled with plenty of champagne

and tailored cocktails in a secret location.

Announcements for the upcoming events and how you can help will be published in Echo and InC Rio's official Facebook page.

Stay tuned!

Natalie Wesson - Fundraising Director


http://riodejaneiro.angloinfo.com/

Marian Dinardo - Charity Director

I would like to introduce myself as the new INC Director of Charities. I am taking

over the position for 2014 from Robyn Thompson and I realize that I have an enor-

mous challenge ahead of me to be as successful as Robyn. She has done a tre-

mendous job as Charity Director and I would like to thank her for her hard work and

dedication to the position, and personally for all the help and support she has given

me in the last few months.

Over the festive period INC supported our nominated charities across the city, in

particular buying Christmas gifts for children and young people involved in the various projects in

which members are involved as volunteers.

INC provided Christmas gifts for over 100 children including thirty six children in the “Onda Solidária”

project, approximately twenty five teenagers in Cidade de Deus, as well as books for around fifty six

pre-school children in the project in Rocinha. The Christmas party in Cidade De Deus was attended by

Robyn and Susan and there are pictures of this event on the INC Facebook page.

In 2013 we supported six charities. In 2014 we will continue to support various charitable institutions

and at this time we are receiving applications for funding from both existing and new projects. The

closing date for applications is 27th February 2014, after this date the charity committee will meet to

assess the applications and confirm the charities we will sponsor for this year.

In later editions I will keep members updated with the outcome of the application process. I have no

doubt that there will be lots of volunteer positions available in the coming months and I will alert you to

these in future editions of the Echo.

Marian DiNardo


Many people live their lives unremarkably. With few grand sur-prises, and then there are the curious ones. We travel, we ex-plore, and we live boldly. We are a community on a journey de-

fined by our experiences and the people we meet along the way. The farther we go, the more the world opens up to us,

and possibilities become endless. No matter where our travels take us or how forward the territory, we find that we be-

long. Doors are opened, friendships are forged and the unfa-miliar becomes HOME.

A text form small world website

The International Club Rio is a club that addresses lifestyle and guaranteed to make your journey unforgettable.

This year we are adding travel and exploration to our already extensive list of events.

Meet the TEAM:

Jackie Stern - Excursions in Rio

Raf Kiss - Adventure travel

Bonnie Kobert Harrison - Angra and Paraty

Alison Mc Gowan - Hidden Pousadas




Hi I am Jackie Stern, our February excursion will take us exploring in and around the Forte de Copacabana.

When: Friday, February 14, 2014

Time: 10:30 am

Lunch: 12:30 pm Entrance fee: R$6.00

Location: Ave Atlantica closest to Arpoador and Ipanema

We will meet at the main entrance gate . We will visit the interesting though small museum and see German canons that were never fired as well as watch a short historical film about the building of the Christ stat-ue. Remember to bring your cameras or smart phones because when we

climb the rock at the top of the fort there is a spectacular view! For those who chose to stay on for lunch, we will have a bite at Confeiteria Colombo, located within the military area, which also has an outside pa-tio with a magnificent view of what the locals call "a princesinha do mar"

the princess of the sea aka Copacabana! please RSVP by email to me at [email protected]

Hope to see lots of you then!

Please note that this entrance is where you pay the R$6 entrance fee,

already inside the military area, not the first entrance on the street it-

self. There is limited parking available; sometimes within the military ar-

ea (to the right of main entry gate)


Jackie

Rio



It may come as a surprise but most Cariocas have not been to Angra dos Reis. Even

though it is only about a two hour drive from Barra, many Brazilians consider it a very exclusive destination for the rich and famous.

When one speaks of Angra what comes to mind are beautiful weekend homes in closed condos and very expensive luxury cruisers needed to access Ilha Grande and the other

365 islands and 2000 beaches that go all the way to Paraty. On the other hand you have a booming tourist business with schooners that carry up to 100 tourists out and

around the islands or the ferry that takes you to Abraão, the bustling little town on Ilha Grande.

I want to show you the magical places of the islands and the hidden treasures that only the insiders know about. Beaches you can only reach by cruiser or sailboat. Last year

the InC organized two excursions to ilha Grande providing a glimpse of this paradise that lies just to the south of Rio. Two cruisers, an overnight in a Pousada and we car-ried along our very own French chef who cooked and BBQ-ed up a storm while the

group cruised around the island, swam, sunbathed, snorkeled and traipsed through

tropical rainforest.

It was so much fun and such a overwhelming success that we are playing with the idea

of not only repeating weekend trips, but exploring with day tours.

I hope you will take a look at this three minute "virtual vacation" by watching this little vid-eo. It takes us from Rio to Angra showing some of the most beautiful places. It starts with our Lagoa Christmas tree which was the event that ended our 2013 InC activities and takes

you on an aerial tour to Angra. First stop is the Bottina Islands and then on to the Lagoa Azul.

http://youtu.be/qwX6I110vso

Since 2004, Vic and I have kept a 29 foot cruiser anchored at Verolme, the largest, state of the art marina in South America, Located between Mangaritiba and the town of

Angra dos Reis. It is a private marina with top security so you can safely leave your car for the day or weekend.

http://youtu.be/qwX6I110vso

Suggestions for a daytrip 101 The number of cruisers will depend on the size of the group. It is important you know that you will have licensed sailor on board and the re-quired insurance.

First stop: After a leisurely cruise we reach the Ilhas Bottinas. This is where you want to unpack your picnic and enjoy some drinks, fin-ger food while feeding crackers to a swarm of Sargent fish. The crystal clear waters are a ha-ven for snorkeling. Should you have a camera that takes movies underwater, this is the place to try it.

Second stop: now heading towards Ilha Grande, the not to be missed Lagoa Azul. The favorite place of the rich and famous not only because of the waters but also because the lush tropical rain forest that surrounds it.

The stress of the week melts away and once you are ready, we head around Ilha Grande to a beautifully calm and magical Saco do Ceu. This mangrove bay hosts two of the best res-taurants on the Island Cocqeiro Verde and Reis Magos where you can enjoy a late lunch. The cuisine is seafood and is to be chosen from an a la carte menu.

You always set your own pace, and when you are ready, we start back towards the Marina at the end of a beautifully relaxing day. I guaran-tee you will feel like you've been on vacation.

The price per person for a day trip de-pends on the size of the group.

Rental fee per day is R$1300 (InC members get a 10% discount) R$1170 (safely carries up to 10 people, so $117 per person)

Sailor's daily fee: R$150 Your day starts with a full tank and when you return you replace only what was used. Should you be interested, call your friends and lets get a group together for a fun day out. Once the date has been decided, I will send you more specific info.

For each day out the InC receives a contribu-tion of R$130 towards our Charity funds.

Suggested date: Saturday, FEB 22 but it can be any day a group comes together.

TIME: Leaving from Recreio at 8- 8:30AM RE-TURNING FROM VEROLME AT 5PM so you are back in Rio early evening.

RSVP: [email protected]




Vassouras was one of the most important cities of Brazil

during the Coffee era

Coffee used to be one of the biggest economical drivers of

19th century Brazil, and Vassouras was the financial and

commercial heart of the coffee trade during Brazil’s imperi-

al period.

Vassouras didn’t start out that way, however. Its name re-

fers to “vassoura” which is Portuguese for “broom”. Before

becoming the most important coffee producing region of

Brazil, the hills around Vassouras were covered with a kind

of shrub (tupeiçava) that was excellent for producing

brooms. Hence the name “Vassouras”

Going back to the 18th century, when the gold and dia-

mond mines of Minas Gerais were the colony’s primary

source of wealth, Vassouras was merely a place where trav-

ellers used to rest on their dangerous quest into the deep

interior, in search of fortune.

During the second half of the 18th century, the gold and

diamond mines started to run dry, and Brazil needed anoth-

er export product to finance its own, but also Portugal’s

economical expansion and that product became known as

the “green gold”: Coffee

Vassouras was initially what was known as a “sesmaria”,

which were pieces of land that were “given” to people with

money and a sense of adventure in order for them to de-

velop agricultural activity – mostly coffee.

This was one way the Portuguese Crown promoted the ex-

pansion of Brazil’s population and economy.

In 1782, the “sesmaria de Vassouras e Rio Bonito” was do-

nated to Fransisco Rodrigues Alves, and thus started the

development of not only Vassouras, but also of the coffee

era. Many coffee farms (Fazendas) were constructed in the

area, and by 1828, coffee production exceeded sugar for

the first time.

At one point, the fazendas in the region around Vassouras

were responsible for 65% of Brazil’s total coffee export.

The high prices on the world coffee market made the

fazendeiros (fazenda owners) extremely wealthy, which

enabled them to turn their farms into true rural palaces.

Some of the main tourist attractions in the city of Vassouras

are:

• Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição – Main

church of Vassouras

• Praça Barão de Campo Belo – the square in front of

the church

• Museu da Chácara da Hera – Museum, former resi-

dence of one of the most wealthy coffee traders in

the region

• Antiga Estação Ferroviária – The antique train Sta-

tion. (see picture below)

• Biblioteca Maurício de Lacerda – The library

• Paço Municipal / Prédio da Prefeitura e Câmara Mu-

nicipal – City hall and former prison

• Chafariz D. Pedro II – fountain in honour of Pedro II,

second emperor of Brazil

• Colégio Santos Anjos – College.

Mausoléu da Família do Barão de Itambé – Mausole-

um of the family of Baron of Itambe

Train station in Vassouras – according to some, the most beauti-

ful of the country. Inaugurated in 1914 and closed again in 1970.

Brazil’s hidden gems –

Vassouras, the city of the

Coffee Baron


The Coffee

Fazendas

As mentioned above, the coffee fazendas are the main reason

why tourists would want to come and visit this historically

important region.

The casa Grande (the main house) of Fazenda Ponte Alta near

Vassouras

There are 33 fazendas that you can visit in a 5000km² area

around Vassouras, each with its own specific history and iden-

tity. Some of them offer rooms where you can spend a few

nights, exploring the region.

One example that I visited myself is Fazenda Ponte Alta, for-

merly owned by the Baron of Mambucaba and his family. This

fazenda is also a pousada, offering rooms which have the origi-

nal furniture and serving its meals in the original silver plates,

just like in the golden days of the coffee barons.

Even an afternoon visit to the fazenda is a very special experi-

ence. It is a combination of cultural, ecological and pedagogi-

cal tourism, taking place at the exact location where the his-

torical events occurred almost 200 years ago.

Visitors are welcomed by people in 18th century attire, repre-

senting historical figures that once lived and worked at the

fazenda, like the baron of Mambucaba, a former owner.

The back of the main house with three imperial palm trees

(palmeiras imperial) which were used to show the social status

of the owner of the fazenda

As part of the visit, there is a sort of theatre presentation, dur-

ing which five actors tell the story of the history of the fazenda

and the Vale do Café, also known as the Paraíba valley, after

the Paraíba do Sul River that runs through the valley.

One of the actors is Dona Rosa, who is a direct descendant

from the slaves who once did hard labour here.

The “senzalas” (slave quarters), the chapel, the

“Engenho” (workshop) the water wheels, and the main house

(casa grande) are beautifully restored to give the visitor the

best impression of how it used to be, almost 200 years ago.

The senzalas hold a museum with original pieces used at the

fazenda, like kitchen equipment, small devices used in the

coffee production and devices used to torture the slaves. An-

other part of the museum is dedicated to art of the time, hold-

ing reproductions of jean Baptiste Debret, the French painter

who made many valuable lithographs, depicting the people of

Brazil.

A few times per year, you can also enjoy events like festa Juni-

na, and an imperial gala evening, where all the participants are

dressed in 18th century clothes. The fazenda can also be

booked for weddings and birthdays, Conventions, and has

yearly Christmas and New Year’s events.

For everyone interested in the history of Brazil, a visit to the

Vale do Café and one or more of its fazendas is a not to miss

experience.

More on Brazil’s economy during the Imperial period

(Wikipedia)

Zona Sul Cafezinho Speaker: Dr. Monica Wolff

will be speaking on nutrition.

Date: Feb 7th

Time: 10:30– 12:30 pm

12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch

Quiche and Salad (R$10.00)


Sunday Sunset

Happy Hour

Date: Sunday, Feb 16th

Time: 4:00 pm

Cost : Consumption

Location: Hollandaise

Ave. Lucio Costa 5750

Barra da Tijuca


Weekend Getaway to the Vale do Café

(March 29 and 30 2014)

The first weekend getaway trip of 2014 for members of the InC will be a trip to the Vale do

Café (Coffee vallee). Below is the proposed program. If you are interested in the trip

please get in touch with Raf Kiss by April 2 to show your interest.

To make it viable and financially attractive we need to fill up a 26 seats mini bus.

We will visit the lovely colonial town of Conservatoria, which is located at 142 kms NW of

Rio. Conservatoria was founded in 1789 and has retained its quaint rural charm. Its claim

to fame is its "serestas" performed at weekends! There are also many stories of UFO

sightings in the area.

Time Schedule:

Day 1

09:00: Departure in Rio

Visit of the 19th century Fazenda Ponte Alta (former coffee farm) near the city of

Barra do Pirai

Sarau (Historic show) and lunch on the premises (www.pontealta.com.br)

Conservatoria: Accommodation in the charming Pousada Solmaior

Dinner and afterwards musical show of typical serestas. A seresta is a group of

musicians - mostly guitar players - who sing popular ballads.

Day 2

Breakfast

10:00 Departure for Vassouras

Lunch in Vassouras

Afternoon: Museu da Chácara da Hera (Former residence of the richest coffee baron

in the region)

Return to Rio. Arrival around 6pm.

Other

Price: R$ 400.00 per person/double occupancy (including dinner, Lunch and entrance

fees)

drinks not included.


Speaker: To be announced

Date: Friday , Feb 21st

Location: Padre Achotegui 37

Leblon - easy parking at Shopping

Leblon

Time: 10:30 - 12:30

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch

Quiche and Salad (R$10.00)


Thursty Thursday

Date: Thursday, Feb 27th

Time: 7:30 pm

Cost: Consumption

Location: Tom do Leblon Rua Adalberto Ferreira 32





From Jane Austen's time, people have attended house concerts to

listen to what was being composed by their peers. Often,

Beethoven, Schumann, and Brahms, to name only three, were not

understood in their own time. In our current environment of

electronic over-stimulation, decibel overload, and visual onslaught,

how does one sort through the classical music being written today and

make sense of it? To discern what might become historically

successful music, is a process based upon exposure and guidance from

musicians who spend time studying and performing these pieces. A

"hook" into each work is needed to snare the essence of what can seem

nonsensical. I like to engage the audience in a discussion of how

the pieces are put together and what I believe makes them not only

meaningful but beautiful and fascinating.

Join me for a house concert evening of Brazilian and American

contemporary solo violin music, wonderful wine and a delightful selec-

tion of finger foods

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY:

Making Sense of Contemporary Music in a Non-sensible World.

DATE: Firday, March 28th TIME: 7:30 PM,

LOCATION: Ipanema at the home of Marsia Seydoux

COST: R$100 per person RSVP: [email protected]



Those who make it happen

Executive Board 2014

President Bonnie Kobert Harrison [email protected]

Vice President Adiane Mitidiero [email protected]

Treasurer Tina Wagner [email protected]

Secretary Susan Loveland [email protected]

Membership Director Liliana Perilla Rojas [email protected]

Charity Director Marian Dinardo [email protected]

Fundraising Director Natalie Wesson [email protected]

Communications Director Raf Kiss [email protected]

Events Director Valeria Lobo [email protected]

Coordinator s

Webmaster Raf Kiss

[email protected]

The Echo Brenda Ledesma

InConnection Denise Luna

Facebook Page Victor Harrison

Facebook Group Naomi Cohen

General Meetings Melissa Souza [email protected]

Hospitality Vacant

Welcome Coordinator Tanya Matheus [email protected]

Cafezinho Jane Wood (Zona Sul)

[email protected] Vacant (Barra)

Ac t i v i ty Coordinator s

Book Club Robyn Thompson [email protected]

Bridge Coca Caputo [email protected]

Concert Information Margarita Mari

Com

municat

ion T

eam

SPONSORS


http://lebloncachaca.com/welcome/

http://inbrazili.com/

http://www.legep.com.br/

http://www.chacaratropical.com.br/

http://riodejaneiro.angloinfo.com/

echo february 2014

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