Monthly NewsletterMay 2013

www.AmSoc.com.brForum

The Media Issue

Page 8: What do we watch and listen to in Brazil?

College Applications

Page 11: Did you know there are apps that help you decide on a college and prepare you for application?

The American Society of São 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.

Our Mission

The Media Issue

Save the DateSave the DateUpcoming AmSoc events:May 4th - Annual Basketball TournamentMay 10th - Annual AmSoc GalaJun 29th - AmSoc 4th July Party

Media consumption

The Voice of GRU

Page 12: Does the announcement voice at GRU sound familiar to you? Find out why!

What YOU can Bid on At the Gala

see more on page 7

Aécio Sarti is a painter from Paraty who uses for his canvas recycled fabric once used as cargo covers on the trucks of Brazil. You can go home with this beautiful large scale painting! www. aeciosarti.com

A Monday to Friday AND a weekend stay at the beautiful Hotel Nau Royal in Camburi. www.nauroyal.com.br

My reflection over the last two years on the American Society: In a perfect world our membership dues should cover our adminis t ra t ive costs. Proceeds that we receive

from corporate sponsors should

go the entities that we support. As in most non- profit organizations, it doesn’t work this way. To bridge the gap your Board has been creative and courageous by organizing Gala events, to cover our costs as well as significantly increase our charitable donations. The Gala events are a more visible event for our corporate sponsors and we attract auction items from artists, hotels, restaurants, airlines, jewelers…So as I have stated before, we accomplish our mission of social as well as charitable objectives with great Gala dinner/dances.

So there has been a significant change in the work and commitment from our Board members. Gala events require plenty of time- finding venues, calling hotels, restaurants, artists and so on. Plus we need corporate sponsors. So I would like to thank our Board, as well as some ex-Board members, for the fantastic jobs they are doing in our Gala events. My thank you list is very

long, you know who you are. Don’t forget, we are a group of volunteers! This change in our fundraising strategy is a question of financial survival- plus it is rewarding to put on a good show.

Sao Paulo is a huge city where our members have to consider if they can attend an event considering the traffic logistics. We have fewer expats, fewer children for our Little League programs. New arrivals can get connected in the community via Facebook. So, we have many changes/challenges which the Board needs to consider as we move on.

In summary, the American Society is a fantastic model of a non- profit organization that accomplishes social activities for its membership and supports several entities that work with helping the community. Times have changed- we revised our mission statement; reduced the size of the Board; and have consolidated some committees to become more efficient.

The American Society has been around for 63 years and still going strong, adapting to the changes. If I include my parents, the Sherman families have been members of the Society most of this time.

It is a pleasure to be on the Board and I have enjoyed my two years as President. I wish Frank Pierce and his executive team good luck as they continue our mission.

Abraços,Joe

President’s Corner

By Joe Sherman, AmSoc president

Forum May2

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 São Paulo

Rua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 São Paulo, SPTel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155email the editor: mail@falaphoto.com

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

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Name: Cathy & Doug Fuge

Origin: Our home is in Sea Girt, NJ. Our first ex-pat assignment was in Tokyo, Japan, from 2008 - 2012. We left

Japan last year, shortly after the Cherry Blossom season in April. We waited five months for our RNE, keeping our crate of furniture floating somewhere, before we could officially move our belongings into our Jardim apartment. Cathy arrived in late September, Doug arrived in July.

Why Sao Paulo: booming economy

Best things so far: Friendly people, great weather and delicious food

Early frustrations: 5 months wait for permanent visa, plumbing problems with apartment, arrival day of service people (They say they are coming Tuesday and show up three weeks later unannounced.)

Saudade: Hot Tub

Progress with Portuguese: Slow but steady

Favorite place to hang out: Santo Grao

New Members

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Welcome to Our New MembersWelcome the following New Members who joined us recently. We are very grateful for your support!

Last Name Name Spouse Membership Company Nationality

MAGALHÃES Ana Single Patron Membership Fave Comunicações Brazilian

BITTENCOURT Dimitri Elzbieta Helping Hands Membership Nai Dworking American

COFFMAN John Single Patron Membership Etesco American

MENDEZ Mariano Poliana SOUZA Family Membership P&G Argentinian

FREITAS Raul Flavia BITTENCOURT Family Membership Stories4fun Brazilian

JOHNSON Penelope Samuel CUNADO Family Membership American

NADDEO Marcelo Paola VISCOMI Family Membership Control Parking Brazilian

ESTEVES Sherry Mauricio Family Membership American

TAVARES Paulo Single Patron Membership PTX Lending Brazilian

SCOTT Stacy Brad Family Membership U.S Consulate American

RENNEISEN Paul Patricia Family Membership American Airlines American

THAKKAR Charita Gokul HENNADY Helping Hands Membership Nextel American

HERRMANN Joseph Julie Family Patron Membership MetLife American

THE AMSOC BOARDNAME FUNCTION COMMITTEE

Frank Pierce President --Ruth Hollard Vice President Eric PoliakJulie Gattaz Secretary SocialRichard Wegman Treasurer 4th of JulyEileen Tasso Chairman CAC/ Xmas Angel Party Isabel Franco Contributing Member Corporate / MembershipJoe ShermanJohn Kennedy Chairman AthleticJudy Zanchi Co Chairman Gala EventKevin MayLeslie Reed Chairman SocialLuis Barros Co Chairman Corporate SponsorshipsMarlene Rubeiz Chairman Nominations/ Gala EventRicardo Rubeiz Jr. Chairman Corporate SponsorshipsSuzana Sheffield Co Chairman CACValeska Gedeon Co Chairman Social - Children’s Party www.falaphoto.com

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Annual Gala Dinner 2013 Major Sponsor GM Chevrolet now joined by sponsors PWC, Marriot

and Ricardo Rubeiz & AssociadosChevrolet – a brand of GM – has

made a generous donation to help us reach our charitable goals for the Gala raising money for Projeto Sol (www.projetosol.org.br ) and Projeto Space (www.spacebrazil.org ) and supporting other American Society charities. “Part of our culture is to be very active in our communities. GM wants to be and strives to be everywhere we are operating,” said GM Communications Director Pedro Dias. “Working together with the American Society on this event, we are certain we’ll make a difference.”

GM has been producing Chevrolet vehicles in Brazil for 88 years, during which time the company has made social responsibility a priority. Every year, the Instituto General Motors provides financial support to a number

of social projects in and around the communities where the company operates, with a focus on educational and health initiatives that help people increase their standard of living and improve their way of life.

GM’s social responsibility program aligns well with the American Society’s philanthropic efforts. The American Society supports 10 institutions in São Paulo that focus on children and education. Generous corporate donations like the one from GM have helped us invest more than R$5.000.000 in these organizations over the past five years.

“We are extremely grateful for GM’s donation to the Gala event,” said American Society President Frank Pierce. “And we look forward to our continued relationship with GM in

helping to build a better future for São Paulo’s children.”

We are very happy to announce that in addition to General Motors as our major sponsor of our annual Gala on May 10th, we have furthermore confirmed PWC, Marriott and Ricardo Rubeiz & Associados / R.J.M.N. Participações Ltda. as additional sponsors.

It is important to remember that the price of your ticket just covers the cost of the event and it is only through Corporate Sponsorship and auction donations that we make money to give to our charities. Donations like the ones from GM, PWC, Marriott and Ricardo Rubeiz & Associados / R.J.M.N. Participações help us ensure the success of our mission.

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The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) has been the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program since 1952. Through short visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience the U.S. firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with American counterparts. Meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. In Brazil, IVLP visits have resulted in long-lasting individual and institutional linkages in a variety of fields. The IVLP has served to strengthen our bilateral relationship over many decades.

Currently, visits usually last about three weeks, and often begin in Washington, D.C., where participants get a crash course in the basics of our federalist system of government. Trips continue to three to four other U.S. cities in geographically diverse regions. Rather than focusing exclusively on large metropolises, visitors generally get to see a cross-section of the American experience. One recent itinerary included St. Louis, MO, Rapid City,

SD, Sacramento and Los Angeles, CA. In addition to professional meetings and interactions, visitors often participate in cultural activities and spend time with an American family.

In the United States, IVLP participants are welcomed by member organizations of the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV). NCIV members design and implement programs, facilitate cultural activities, and offer home hospitality opportunities for those participating in the IVLP and other exchange programs. At least one-third of these members are volunteers; volunteerism is in itself an integral aspect of American society that leaves a lasting impression on participants.

Although there are cases in which IVLP participants have individual programs, Brazilian IVLP participants travel either with participants from their own country, with participants from their own region, or with participants that span the globe. IVLP participants not only meet American counterparts in their field, but also form connections to professionals in their own or other countries whom they might not otherwise meet.

Each year more than 5,000 International Visitors travel to the United States on the IVLP. More than 200,000 visitors have engaged with Americans through the IVLP, including over 330 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government. There is no application process for IVLP. Participants are nominated and selected by the staff at U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world. Notable Brazilian IVLP alumni include President Dilma Rousseff (1992) and former President José Sarney (1964).

In some cases, the fruits of an IVLP become immediately apparent: a contact made in the United States becomes a professional partner or two organizations begin to share best practices. Sometimes, though, the results of an IVLP are not fully realized for decades. In the vast majority of cases, the IVLP alumnus becomes a foreign colleague who understands and interacts with the United States in a way that would never have been possible without that unforgettable experience.

For more information on cultural and exchange programs associated with the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo, visit our website at http://saopaulo.usconsulate.gov/

By Danna Van Brandt, American Consulate

Consulate Corner: International Visitor Leadership Program

Forum May6

Our MC: Jason Bermingham

Jason Bermingham is ideally suited to be this year’s Gala Master of Ceremonies, since speech is his professional milieu. He is a voiceover talent from California, now based in Sao Paulo with his wife Simone Kliass.

Jason has recorded TV and radio ads for Absolut, Motorola, Samsung, Vale Mining, the Brazilian Tourism Bureau, and others. Listen carefully to his voice at the Gala, because you’ll likely be hearing it a lot in the coming years, as he and Simone are hosting events and recording voiceovers in the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. Jason’s website is www.jasonbermingham.com

What To Look for At The Gala...

Our Auctioneer: Edmund Fleetwood “Woody” Dunstan

Woody is a U.S. Foreign Service Officer currently living in Sao Paulo. Prior lives included the U.S. Navy, director of operations at Christie’s, Inc. in NYC, commodity auctioneer, and marketing director. Woody and his wife Augusta (Gussie) have three children. Born in London but raised in Vermont, Woody is used to being a nomad, so Foreign Service is a good life for him. He is an avid birdwatcher who likes to travel, hike, and run (tough to do in Sao Paulo).

Juma Lodge: Amazon Adventure!

Two nights at one of the world’s most exotic hotels built on stilts in the Amazon jungle. Located three hours away (or 30 minutes by Hydro plane), the trip to the lodge is a spectacular tour by itself. You will have a dedicated tour guide who speaks English and a unique experience in the untouched Amazon Rainforest.

All The Single Ladies (and Gentlemen)! Don’t miss out on the fun at the AmSoc

GALA just because you are single or your partner is out of town. Come enjoy an evening of dining and dancing with friends and new acquaintances. Buffet dinner, auctions, and fun galore.

So, get gussied up and join in the fun! Tables seat 8, and we’re having at least 2 tables for singles. Don’t be shy. Take a chance in life! Call (5182-2074) to make your ticket reservation!

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What

This year’s Silent Auction features a host of wonderful prizes, including artwork by some of Sao Paulo’s top artists, including David Dalmau, Gregory Fink and Elon Brasil. Hotel prizes include some of the finest resorts in Costa Rica, Orlando, and Buenos Aires, to name a few. Plus, we have restaurant vouchers, designer jewelry, and much more. Here are a few samples to whet your appetite!

Bon Apettito at Sallvattore Restaurante

Enjoy an Italian dinner for in the heart of Sao Paulo! Sallvattore boasts an extensive

wine list and delicious traditional fare.

Sneak Away Midweek

Enjoy a two-night, midweek retreat at the Pousada Louise & Louis in Juquehy. . .pampered with beach service, swimming pool, restaurant, and bar. Unplug, relax, and enjoy.

BID you can on At the Gala

Let’s Health! 5-Day Retreat at Lapinha Spa

Located on a farm of 550 acres in the rural municipality of Lapa (PR), about 85 km from Curitiba, share five days of healing through natural therapies amid preserved flora and fauna, clean air, and pristine waters.

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Forum May8

Media in BrazilBy Ernest White II, Staff Writer

It has only been a little over two centuries since the printing press was first officially introduced in Brazil, along with the Portuguese royal family in 1808, but in that relatively short time, the country has become one of the world’s largest and most lucrative media markets, with revenues exceeding R$100 billion per year. With a robust, resilient newspaper and radio sectors, an unstoppable t e l e v i s i o n j u g g e r n a u t , and exploding online media growth, the communications industry in Brazil shows no signs of slowing down, even as the country’s economy as a whole is cooling off.

The economic and industrial capital of the nation, São Paulo, sits at the nexus of Brazil’s communication industry. The city’s daily newspapers, Folha de S.Paulo and O Estado de São Paulo, lead the pack in terms of subscriptions and circulation throughout the county, while Rio’s dailies O Dia and O Globo also see respectable numbers on a national scale. And while Rio de Janeiro is largely the center of Brazil’s considerably large television sector—Rio-based Rede Globo is the second highest-grossing television network on the planet—the Brazilian TV industry got its start in São Paulo with TV Tupi in 1950, just as the city was in the throes of asserting itself as the country’s economic leader, and Brazil’s second- and third-largest networks, Rede Record and SBT respectively, are based in Greater São Paulo.

Brazil has historically been plagued by high rates of illiteracy, bolstered by a hostile stance by the Portuguese

monarchy and aristocracy against the printing of books in Portugal and its colonies. In fact, historians state that until the end of the 17th century, all material published in Portugal had to be reviewed by local church censors, censors sent from Rome as part of the Inquisition, and royal censors in Lisbon.

As a result, the first Brazilian n e w s p a p e r , the Gazeta do Rio de Janeiro, served essentially as the official m o u t h p i e c e the imperial

family, and, according to historians, the first “Brazilian” publication of any journalistic significance, the Correio Brasiliense, was printed not in Lisbon, but London, to avoid royal censorship.

Historians also believe that it was via the fledgling press, during the first two decades of the 19th century, that Brazil moved towards independence from

Portugal, as publications in Rio and Salvador voiced the displeasure of local economic stakeholders at maintaining an exclusive trade relationship with Portugal; independence would mean trading with any interested nation. Later, the press voiced pro-abolitionist concerns and, at the same time, became a fertile nursing ground for most of Brazil’s most famous literary figures, including Machado de Assis and José de Alencar. Still, censorship would remain a recurring theme between the media and the government for decades,

as the leaders of the republic held firm control of the press from the 1880s until the early 1930s, then again during the “Estado Novo” administration of Getúlio Vargas from 1937 to 1945, and once more during the military dictatorship, from 1964 to 1985. In fact, between 1968 and 1975, both O Estado de São Paulo and the influential Jornal do Brasil had federal censors in their newsrooms responsible for reading stories before they were printed and recommending any necessary changes; sometimes, the newspapers would indicate government interference to readers by placing recipes or blank space where the censored stories would have run.

After the end of the dictatorship, however, the media in general, and newspapers in particular, became a government watchdog of sorts, chronicling malfeasance in local and national politics and keeping track of important financial developments in an in-depth way that television networks were either incapable of doing or unwilling to do. Media experts indicate that the influential relationship between the press and the state has contributed to the longevity and relevance of newspapers in Brazil, but has also meant continued animosity between the press and some influential segments of the ruling class. In more than a few parts of Brazil, some journalists are still being targeted for censorship, incarceration, and even assassination for investigating and exposing corruption. In 2011, U.S.-based NGO Freedom House reported that state and federal court injunctions were hindering the reporting of important criminal cases throughout the country and in many provincial areas, journalists are at the highest risk of physical attack.

Though the newspaper industry has the longest history in Brazil, television is far and away the most popular media outlet in the country. By way of four immense networks, several smaller ones, and around 300 local affiliate

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stations, television reaches into 95% of Brazilian households, where residents watch an average of 3.5 hours per day, according to industry experts. Considering that the 2010 census reports 14 million fully illiterate people in Brazil, it is no wonder television is the medium of choice for the average Brazilian. Of course, it’s the telenovela (also known simply by novela), or soap opera, that keeps eyes glued to the TV set, especially since 83% of households actually watch broadcast television, which airs these intensely melodramatic programs, versus paid cable and satellite services.

The telenovela has existed in some form since the advent of television in Brazil in 1950. When TV Tupi first aired in São Paulo that year and in Rio the next, “teleplays,” essentially stage plays acted in front of a camera, made up a large part of the network’s programming, along with news broadcasts and comedy shows. At the time, because such a tiny percentage of Brazilian households could afford a television set, the medium catered mostly to that exclusive audience. From the end of the 1950s until the mid-1980s, television became democratized, with viewership spreading from the metropolises of São Paulo and Rio into the farther flung regions of the country and additional networks vying for the nation’s attention.

When TV Tupi started, there were only 200 television sets in all of Brazil. By 1965, the year Rede Globo was founded, that number had exploded to over 3 million. It wasn’t long before Rede Globo became the market leader, excelling in telenovela production and concomitant advertising sales. Rede Globo, Record, SBT, and Band, the country’s Big Four television networks, have also influenced and been influenced by Brazilian government and politics. But even though the TV industry has also been touched by scandal involving political manipulation, among other breaches of the public trust, it is still considered a reliable source of information by most Brazilians. Still, Globo’s telenovelas aren’t considered by some industry observers to be the innocently saccharine entertainments that they may seem at first glance. Not only

were they conceived in their modern incarnation as a way for advertisers to market products to viewers implicitly within the telenovela, but also as a way to market the idea of the positive, happy, well-to-do Brazilian household that should characterize the “country that moves forward” as espoused by the outgoing military government in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By the end of the dictatorship, novelas, music revues, game shows, and sensationalist news programming across all networks served to divert popular attention from the more pressing socio-political and economic problems the country was facing.

Surprisingly, the radio industry has remained a relevant source of news and entertainment for the vast majority of Brazilians, with 80% of the population reporting that they listen to the radio regularly. Brazil boasts almost 2,000 radio stations, broadcasting music, traffic information, sports events, and news programming around the clock. A good number of these stations have reformatted themselves to broadcast via the internet, stretching the listenership from a local geographic area to the

entire globe. Along with both television and print media, radio is capitalizing on the expansion of internet usage to maintain and even increase the size of their audience.

According to Internetworldstats.com, almost 80 million Brazilians were online by December of 2011, ranking among the world’s top countries in terms of social network users. Social networks such as Orkut, which was wildly popular in Brazil during the first decade of the 2000s, and, subsequently, Facebook have some of their largest international operations centers in Brazil because of the absolute demand for social networking services in the country, bolstered by the generally gregarious and social nature of the population. Major web portals such as UOL and Terra facilitate online interaction within Brazil and allow Brazilians living abroad to remain abreast of developments at home.

While access to the internet is generally unrestricted in Brazil, Freedom House reports that the judiciary branch of the federal government has become “increasingly aggressive” in its regulation of content. Perhaps, however, the power of social media will, for the first time, encourage more openness and responsiveness to the population at large from its media providers, as the internet offers a type of dialogue between communicator and audience that has never existed before. Unlike newspapers, television, and the radio, those interested in challenging the information that is being presented can finally do more than just shut that information off; they are now able to interact directly with the media to get the news and entertainment they desire.

Forum May10

This year´s Gala event promises to be a real success with new partner companies joining us this year, such at Tory Burch do Brasil which is donating an amazing metallic leather tote bag for the Silent Auction! Come to the event and you will also receive a discount card for Tory Burch products valid at Tory Burch boutiques located in Shopping JK Iguatemi, Shopping Pátio Higienópolis and Shopping Iguatemi SP , May 10-May 31st. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the AMSOC charities Projeto Sol and SPACE. If you won’t be at the Gala, you will be able to pick up your discount card at the Amsoc office. Please get your coupon, treat yourself at one of the three Tory Burch stores in Sao Paulo, and help support our A m e r i c a n S o c i e t y Charities.

I was born and raised in Salvador Bahia (I have Brazilian/American citizenship). My parents Ricardo (Bahiano!) and Marlene (American) met in LA / California in 1964 at USC. As soon as he finished his program he had to move back to Brazil (Bahia) as he was a Professor at Federal University. They decided to marry in the US and believe or not my mother moved from LA to Salvador/Bahia in early 1965!

I got my undergraduate in Business Administration at Bahia Federal University and started my professional career as a Cocoa Trader (Bahia was a main producer). I worked for some local and international companies such as Cargill (American) and Nestle (Swiss).

When I turned 26, Nestle/USA acquired Carnation Products on the West Coast and as a global company they selected some executives world wide to work in the US operation. I was indicated from Nestle Brazil. As a great coincidence they were based in LA/California and in spite of the professional challenge of moving from Salvador/Bahia to LA (with no date of return!) it was a great opportunity to spend more time with my US family.

During these 4 years I got promoted to Business Development Manager for Latin American but when I turned

30 I felt it was time to move back to Brazil! Even though Nestle had a solid operation in Brazil they had other plans for me. At the time I decided to accept a position in São Paulo as Brazil/General Manager for Herbalife (Nutritional LA based Company) and responsible for their start-up in 1992.

In 1994 something totally not planned happened in my life which changed my career path: my father, who worked as a business consultant based in Salvador, was moving his business to São Paulo. Destiny made us work together and we became partners in building a solid business with focus in tax planning/credits for companies (lucro real) based in Brazil.

During this time in São Paulo I earned an Executive MBA (USP/ Vanderbuilt) and met my beautiful wife Daniela (Paulista) and we married in May/2001 and have twin boys, Fernando and Felipe who are eight years old now.

I became part of the Board of the American Society in 2011 and responsible for the Corporate Sponsorship Committee.

As a volunteer I’m very happy to know that I am working for a good cause as we support nine very worthwhile charities. As I tell my family and friends: “Helping these organizations is energizing and it’s good for the soul!”.

Board Bio - Ricardo RubeizCAC News

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College Connection: Apps to Know Before You Go

As a college counselor my students often ask why the college search process is so complicated. The reality is that they’re exactly right: this process IS complicated and as much as I’d love to tell them it gets easier once they find their match, the truth is that it doesn’t. The bright side is that advances in technology have made finding information and resources much easier than when I did my college search using “The Big Book of Colleges” in the 90’s…and high school seniors are suffering from far fewer paper cuts.

In our connected society there are smartphone and tablet apps for nearly everything you can imagine, including apps to make the transition from high school to college much smoother. While there will never be an app that can substitute for an actual college visit, or an app that will make you a bowl of Top Ramen noodles, there are a few that can ease some of the woes of the college search and enrollment process. Here are a few of my favorites:

All College Application EssaysAvailable on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, All Google DevicesPrice: US$4.99

The average college applicant will apply to nine schools this year, most of which will require one or more essays. This app was created by a college

counselor to provide students with a “one-stop-shopping” experience for locating essay requirements for college applications. Students using this app

will be able to easily locate and review essay topics and lengths for more than 600 colleges and universities, including all of those on the Common Application (www.commonapp.org). Though it won’t actually write your essays for you, it will certainly give you more time to enjoy the newest One Direction album before you become “too mature” and switch over to Michael Bublé.

SAT Word SlamAvailable on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPadPrice: US$3.99

If you ask most prospective college students what they are NOT looking forward to in the college search process and you’ll probably hear three little letters: S-A-T. Though many colleges are now becoming “test optional” (check out fairtest.org for a list), the reality is that the majority of institutions now require students to submit results from either the SAT or ACT. The SAT is full of vocabulary-based questions and this app provides students a fun and intuitive means to expand their lexicon (can you tell I’ve been using it?). With two modes, Teach Me and Test Me, students will learn 400 new words and how to use them…watch out William Faulkner.

Quad2QuadAvailable on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPadPrice: FREE!

The single best piece of advice I give to students each year is that you can never underestimate the value of a campus visit. To enroll at a university sight-unseen is risky and something students should try to avoid. There is truly no better way to gauge your “fit” than by seeing actual students, faculty, and staff interacting in the setting that could possibly be your home for the next four years…and don’t you want to check out the dorms and taste test what’s being served in the dining hall? Of course you do! This app acts as a “virtual travel assistant” helping families plan visits to more than 70

different colleges within the U.S. In addition to pre-planned regional itineraries (i.e. Boston-area colleges)

and maps, this app also provides helpful alerts to let you know where to park and if you need an interview.

College Packing ListAvailable on: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPadPrice: FREE!

Long gone are the days when students arrived on campus with a few suitcases a stereo, and a poster of John Belushi. College dorms have become consumed by HGTV-style décor, and chili-pepper lights are no longer the signature piece in a room. In fact, the college dorm-decorating craze has led retailers like Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond to devote entire summer ad campaigns directed at 18-year-old consumers. To guide your young adult as they begin deciding what they can fit in an 11’ x 15’ dorm room, this app provides pre-loaded checklists, as well as the opportunity to make customized lists. With this app junior won’t have any excuse for why he left his framed picture of you at home.

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.

By Kristina L. Dooley, Former AMSOC Member

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AmSoc member Simone Kliass is the Official Voice of São Paulo’s International Airport

S i n c e F e b r u a r y , A m S o c members are greeted by a familiar voice at South America’s largest airport. V o i c e o v e r talent and past A m e r i c a n Society board

member Simone Kliass has been chosen as the official voice of the São Paulo international airport in Guarulhos. Simone recorded close to one hundred messages in three languages – Portuguese, English, and Spanish – as part of the airport’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

The expansion and rebranding project in Guarulhos has included adding a new terminal to handle 12 million more passengers each year, changing the name of the facility to GRU Airport, and hiring the agency Zanna Sound to record new public announcements – resulting in a less noisy environment with periodic messages aired in a calm, assuring voice.

To find the right voice for the job, Zanna Sound held a casting call among a small group of Brazil’s leading voiceover professionals. Five voices made the final cut and Simone Kliass was eventually chosen as “a nova voz de Cumbica”, as reported last month on the cover of Folha de São Paulo newspaper.

In this interview with Forum, Simone talks about her career as a voiceover artist and her role in delivering a more pleasant experience to travelers visiting São Paulo.

Can you tell us a little about your background as a voiceover artist?

I started working as an actress when I was a little girl, appearing in my first TV commercial when I was nine years old. Later I hosted TV shows here in Brazil, on channels like Country Music

Television, Multishow, and TV Cultura. Many years ago I had to go to a studio to record the voice for a TV commercial I had appeared in as an actress, and that’s when I learned about voiceover.

Is voiceover your main line of work today?Right now I present programs on

corporate TV for companies like Itaú and I also host events. But voiceover is a big part of what I do.

How do you explain voiceover to people who aren’t familiar with the term?

Voiceover can be hard to explain. When you hear a voice on TV, but you don’t see who is talking, like when you hear the tagline at the end of a commercial, that’s voiceover. Or when you call a company and a voice asks you to “press one for Portuguese and two for English”, that’s also voiceover. When you watch a video on the internet and a narrator tells you about the images you see, that’s voiceover. In Portuguese I call myself a locutora and a lot of people think that means I work on the radio. In English you say “voiceover artist”. That’s better. It makes it easier to understand what I really do.

Where have our readers heard your voice before?

I’m the voice of Avast! in Brazil, so if you use that antivirus, you probably hear me every morning when you turn on your computer, telling you that “suas definições de virus foram atualizadas”. Or if you’ve ever called Walmart or Globo.com customer service here in Brazil, you hear me giving you instructions. I record a lot of TV and radio commercials, but they’re always changing. Right now the commercials that are on the air are Casa Vogue, Camicado, Grendene, and some others.

How many messages did you record for the airport?

We recorded about a hundred. Most of them were for the phone service –

the voice you hear when you call the airport for information. That was the biggest part of the project. We also recorded the messages you hear on the intercoms inside the airport – asking passengers to keep their children off the luggage carts, telling passengers which taxis they should and shouldn’t use and what items they can and can’t carry in their hand luggage – that sort of thing.

Was it a challenge recording in three languages?

Zanna, who owns the agency responsible for the project, was looking for a female voice that sounded natural and that had a slight paulista accent. So the Portuguese part was close to my own voice and style. English and Spanish were harder, but my husband is American and he made sure the English-language part was clear and correct. I also worked with a native Spanish speaker to make sure I got the Spanish messages right. I do speak English and Spanish with a Brazilian accent, but we worked hard to make sure the messages would be easily understood by speakers of those languages.

Lastly, how did you get involved with the American Society?

I got involved with the American Society several years ago when David Warren invited me and my husband Jason Bermingham to join. Jason and I later served as board members and we are always involved in the Angel Party. Sue Sileci is a close friend of ours and we love seeing the kids each year. We go to several other events, too, and we are always in touch with Celina at the office. I’ve made a lot of close friends through the American Society over the years. I love Brazil, but I also miss the USA, and that’s why the American Society has always been so important to me.

To hear Simone’s work, visit www.simonekliass.com

The American Societyof São Paulo

2013 Forum 13

The American Society Veterans Association and Fellowship Community Church, take pleasure in inviting you and your family to join us for the special Memorial Service.

The service will take place Sunday morning, 26th of May at 10:15am at Fellowship Community Church, located on Rua Carlos Sampaio, 107 - Bela Vista, just 2 blocks from Ave. Paulista and the “Brigadeiro” metro station. A special rate is offered at Great Park located at Rua Carlos Sampaio, 176 for parking.

The service will include;

- Presentation of the colors, by the Marine guard detachment

- Reading the President’s Proclamation for Memorial Day and placing a wreath at the Communion Table, by the CG Mr. Dennis Hankins

- Music by the choir led by Marilyn Mangels

- A special sermon by pastor Gavin Aitken

Memorial Service at Fellowship Community Church

July 4th is an annual day to remember our heritage and independence. In the States it is often celebrated with a family style picnic and fireworks.

This year the American Society along with our co-host the American Consulate will once again have a great celebration complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas, games, music and - back by popular demand - FIREWORKS!

Reserve Saturday, June 29th for a fantastic time with friends and family. We’ll be starting mid- afternoon so that we can all enjoy the Fireworks when it gets dark.

So, set the date aside and get ready to picnic. More details will come in the next issue of the Forum and in your weekly event update from AMSOC.

See you there!Your July 4th Committee.

AmSoc 4th July Party 2013

Dr. Wendy M. SmithCredentialed Learning Specialist

55 (11) 3885.7256 [office]55 (11) 9.9236.5267 [mobile]

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 cognitivetreatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders, AD/HD, Learning and Communication Disorders, and

Behavior Modification.

In-depth pre- and post testing for the following areas:

Initial and Follow-up Consultations include:

Identification of strengths and areas for improvementRecommendations for follow-up treatment and/or supportHomeschooling available

• Expressive Language• Mathematics• Phonology• Reading• Written Expression

Comprehensive Evaluation

•

•

•

American-licensed Expat Psychologist

Richard Morhaime, Psy.D., offers skilled psy-chotherapy for children and adults. He also pro-vides complete diagnostic evaluations in Eng-lish for children with academic or behavioral difficulties, featuring individualized recommen-dations for school and home. For more infor-mation, contact Dr. Morhaime at 5538-0099 or 99669-8057 or visit www.expatpsychologist.com

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: indi-vidual, couples, child/adolescent. Certified to con-duct Adoption Home Study for American Citizens. Pamela Wax, MSW/LCSW at 99656-2106 or send an e-mail to pamwax@gmail.com. In Moema.

Relocation Consultant

Experienced Relocation Consultant and sociolo-gist, fluent in English and Portuguese, offers profes-sional 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 en-countered 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 client’s specific needs. Tel: (11) 9 7997-8808.

Portuguese for Foreigners

The objective of the course is to teach Portu-guese by means of a dynamic method, which in-cludes films, songs and books, enabling foreign learners to learn not only the language, but the culture of Brazil. The course is divided in stages and, by the end of them, the student is able to speak, read, listen and write in Portuguese. The course is adapted to the student’s needs and purposes. www.nineidiomas.com.br or Thais: 971404474

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

Useful area between 260m2 , 427m2 , 500m2 ,850m2 ,1,090 m2. Private parking space, flex-ible floor plan, Air Conditioning. Also we have apartment for Rent/Sale with all amenities services. Please contact to Diana (011) 97515-1213. Email : sonata.consultoria@gmail.com

Housing Solutions for Foreigners

Furnished apartments for temporary rental. Long term housing for “Expats”. Property sales for owners and investors. Personalized ser-vice, international experience and local market knowledge. English, Spanish, and Portuguese spoken. www.apartmentssp.com. Contact: Paola Bianchi de Estrada - paola@apartmentssp.com Cel. 55 11 99210-2201 or US # 1 (305) 420-6911

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, bring-ing specialists to you so that you don’t have to face traffic and providing you with clear infor-mation to make the dental decisions that are right for you. Native English. Tel.: (11) 3044-3111; 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 sev-eral years in the American schools of SP and is presently at St. Francis College. For more info, please call (11) 991346700 or e-mail: fernan-doknijnik@hotmail.com.

Real English

Native english teachers needed (with or without experience) to work in a quickly growing eng-lish school in the zona sul of São Paulo. Please contact us. REAL ENGLISH, (11) 5631-3794, (11) 97318-5881 or realenglish2008@hotmail.com

classifieds

Forum May14

Housing

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/ ap-pliances incl side-by-side fridge/freezer, porch w/ view of SP skyline. Bldg: 3 pools, play-ground, 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 + pri-vate 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 98202-0008 or imobiliariaplaza@uol.com.br

Taylor Real Estate

Luxury spacious houses, apartments and pent-houses. Sales and rentals. Ten years experience with expatriates. Furnished and unfurnished. Trilingual Real Estate agents. References from consulates and multinationals. Photos sent by email. Relocation Service. Consult the site: www.taylorimoveis.com. Email - taylor@taylo-rimoveis.com. Phone: 55 11 3070-8888 and 55 11 98774- 5100 (Maria Elisa)

Vila Nova Conceição - São Paulo’s 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 ter-race, complete kitchen,maid’s bedroom and bath, big service area, two parking spaces. Fully furnished,with all appliances. Call Ana Beat-riz or Eliane Phone (011) 3849.7085 or (011) 99626-6229-mail to: anabeatriz@caboverde.com.br

Commercial Building for Rent / Sale

Rent/Sale a brand new Commercial building in Itaim Bibi ,Vila Olimpia , Av Paulista , Moema. The beautiful modern buildings are located in a privileged street in SP and near to the Subway.

Services

The American Societyof São Paulo

2013 Forum 15

calendar

Learn more about this month’s AmSoc events (highlighted) at www.AmSoc.com.br.Important Dates: 1 Labor’s Day (bra & Usa), 12 mother´s Day (bra & Usa), 30 CorpUs ChrIstI (bra)May 2013

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.

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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

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Psychologist

My name is Mirella Giglio, I am a Brazilian who went to an American school (Graded School) and I got my Bachelor Degree in Psychology at PUC-SP. Sometimes it can be difficult to adapt to a different city. Other times we move to a different country but we still have the same is-sues as before. As a psychologist I am here to help you with new or old issues. I have expe-rience with autism, chronic illness, depression, anxietc. relationships and other concerns. Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima,1572 cj. 1110 São Paulo- Pinheiros. Tel.: (11) 3032 5737 Cel.: (11) 99259 9445 mirella.giglio@gmail.com

American-Licensed Counselor

Dawn Morelli, MSW, LCSW. I am an American with USA training and licensing. My expertise includes; mood, anxiety, cultural issues, rela-tionship and family concerns, self esteem, trau-ma, 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

Music for Children

Piano lessons for beginners. Recorder & Flute lessons for beginners & advanced. Mrs. Sandra Tuthill Stanicia. 40 years of experience teaching music to children. E-mail: sanstanicia@globo.com. Cel: 99654-4987

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, individu-als or groups. Sessions in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. For more information please con-tact Daniela Franco at (11) 99739-6191 or dsf29@hotmail.com

From 01 to 31 Wednesday till Sunday The Lion King Teatro Renault. Av. Brigadeiro Luís Antonio, 411. Bela Vista- São Paulo- SP. Tel: (11) 4003-5588. Wednesday till Saturday: 21h. Saturdays: 16h30. Sundays: 15h30 e 20h.

04 Saturday Annual Basketball Tournament at Graded School

1-DAY Tournament. 12:30 – 1:30pm - Warm-ups. ·1:30pm – 2pm - Welcome and Rules clarified. 2pm – 6 or 7pm - GAMES of 5x5

08 Wednesday INC Monthly Coffee & Bazaar Time: 10h00 - 14h00 . Location: Espaço Escandinavo. Address: Rua Job Lane, 1030 - Alto da Boa Vista, São Paulo, 04639-000, Brazil

From 09 to 31 Thursday till Sunday Thriller Live Brasil Tour Credicard Hall. Av. das Nações Unidas, 17955. Santo Amaro- São Paulo- SP. Tel: (11) 4003-5588. R$ 70.00 a R$ 250.00. www.thrillerlivebrasil.uol.com.br

10 Friday American Society´s Annual Dinner Gala

Join us for a fun and elegant evening of dining, dancing and auctioning of great trips, jewelry, art work and more. The reception starts at 7:30pm. Buffet Colonial. Av. Indianapolis, 300 – Moema. Dress code: Black Tie (optional). Tickets on sale at American Society for R$300. Call 5182-2074 and buy your tickets today!

13 Monday Book Club & Lunch - Book Discussion Format - Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon.

Time: 10h30 – 11h30. Book: Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado. Cost: Free (Book must be purchased or borrowed). Location: Upon RSVP. Address will be given 3 days before the event. RSVP at area2@newcomers-sp.com.br

24 Friday Yes Concert HSBC Brasil. R. Bragança Paulista, 1282 – Santo Amaro. São Paulo- SP. Tel: (11) 4003-1212. Starts at 10pm

From 01 to 31 Tuesday till Sunday Corteo - Cirque du Soleil 30/03 A 14/07- Parque Villa Lobos - São Paulo. Av. Professor Fonseca Rodrigues, 2001 - Alto De Pinheiros - São Paulo - SP - Tel.: (11) 3023 0316. Tuesday and Thursday: 21h. Friday and Saturday: 17h e 21h. Sunday: 16h e 20h

ERRATAThe Forum apologises for the misspelling of the name of our CG Dennis Hankins and our

sponsors Opice Blum in last month’s issue.

To manage life in a hectic city, whether it be São Paulo or any other major metropolis, it’s essential to take care of your health. And not just your physical health, but your emotional and mental well-being, too. Thankfully, as the Apple motto goes, there’s an app for that.

Below are some suggestions for apps that can help you nurture yourself, body, mind and spirit. I tend to like my apps the way I like most things in life, simple and not overcomplicated. Although you may find others with more bells and whistles than the ones listed here, I chose these precisely because they are straightforward and easy to use.

And, one final caveat, I’m an Apple user so unfortunately for any Android or Windows folks out there, these apps are for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad only.

iPersonal Trainer - by Brainware/$1.99Seems like everybody in São Paulo

has a personal trainer, right? Well, with this app, you might not really need one. It’s got everything you need for a personalized workout, including a tool that suggests a program for you, tracks your weights and keeps count of reps. There are workout routines for every fitness goal, whether it be strengthening, toning or weight loss.

And if you’re hell bent on getting six-pack abs or firming up your triceps, you can choose a specific body area to target for a list of customized exercises. Don’t miss the demonstration videos – they’ll help you get your form right.

YogaGlo (only for iPad) - by YogaGlo - Free with subscription to YogaGlo.com ($18/month)

To me, YogaGlo is the mother of all yoga websites. Making the YogaGlo app, which is free to people who have subscribed to the site, pretty darn cool. YogaGlo offers videos of classes with some of the best teachers in yoga today. You can choose the class you want based on the style of yoga (Vinyasa, Anusara, Ashtanga, etc), the teacher, time (anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours), and/or difficulty level. The app lets you view up to 10 classes at a time without being connected to the internet (you pre-save your classes while online). That means you can practice yoga wherever you are, whenever you want. Finally, no more excuses.

Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner - by All Recipes/Free

The foundation of any healthy lifestyle is eating right. And All Recipes has got the best ideas for meals that are delicious and good for

you. You can search by ingredient – which is a great way to find some good vegetarian options – or just shake your phone to activate the Dinner Spinner and let the results inspire you. Pull out the app while you’re at the store and voilà, instant shopping list with the ingredients you need to make your selected recipe. As great as this app is, keep in mind that not all the recipes on it are super healthy. Use your judgment and save the decadent meals for special occasions.

Mindfulness Meditationby Mental Workout Inc./$1.99

Before you “tsk tsk” this app and discount it as something way too New Age-y, let me remind you that meditation has many proven medical benefits, including slowing down the heart rate, increasing blood flow and reducing blood pressure (to name just a few). Whether you are new to meditation or have been practicing for awhile, this app has got something for you. Choose from six guided meditations (ranging from 5 to 40 minutes), listen to inspirational talks to help you integrate mindfulness into your everyday life, and if you need help making meditation a habit, follow the eight-week plan to help you establish a regular practice. Trust me, your heart will thank you.

App Your HealthBy Maureen Kennedy Alves, AmSoc member