american society

Vol XVI - NOV 2010
Produced by the British & Commonwealth Society of
Rio de Janeiro for the English-speaking Community
BCS
Beatles/BCS Anniversary p.4
AMERICAN SOCIETY
Curry & Butterflies p.5
SAS
Caledonian Ball p.5
RBL
Poppy Gala Ball notice p.6
WDA
Christmas Bazaar notice p.7
Commonwealth Games p.9
Dutch Amazon p.13
Elections Guide p.14
[email protected]
FROM THE EDITOR
BEACHES
JACK WOODALL
Guess which Brazilian beach is the only
one to rank in the world’s Top 10? You’re
wrong – according to Beachesworld.com,
it’s Fernando de Noronha! Ipanema and
Copacabana only show up as sixth in
the world’s Top 10 nudist beaches … but
that 2009 website admits that it’s open
to discussion. The only beach in the
USA on the World Top 10 list is Honolulu,
but 4 of America’s top 10 beaches are in
Florida. One not listed among those,
but which should be, is Siesta Key
Beach in Sarasota, Florida, where we
were lucky enough to spend some time
last month.
Siesta Key beach is remarkable for the
quality of its sand -- fine like talcum
powder, it is actually cool to walk on in
the heat of the midday sun, and does
not cling to feet and towels like the
sand of the Rio beaches, so can be dusted off your toes without needing water.
It is soft above high water mark, harder
where wet – and it doesn’t squeak! The
public beach with huge carpark has 5
lifeguard stations, wooden huts on 4foot stilts painted red, blue, yellow etc.,
largely unattended, with a board on
each giving the temperature and the
time of low tide. There are lots of beach
volley courts available. But walking a
few yards north or south you can get
right away from the crowd, and have a
long stretch of sparsely populated
strand to enjoy. The beach is 3 and a
bit miles long from one end of the Key
to the other, and is wider from water’s
edge to shore vegetation than
Copacabana, with no seaweed but
patches with lots of small cockle shells.
Sand -fine like talcum powder,
cool to walk on
and does not cling
The bird life was impressive. The pelicans cruised along at wave height, then
flew up and did their dive-bomber bit
into water so shallow I was afraid they’d
end up impaled by their beaks, tails up
in the air – but they always bobbed back
up safely. Little seagulls flew hopefully
out to them after their dives, waiting for
them to drop their catch by accident.
There were a couple of different kinds of
seagulls, Royal Terns with their black
crests, and Black Skimmers, white with
slender black wings and long, thin black
beaks that were bright orange near the
eyes. They flew along the edge of the
Societies INFO
The British & Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro - Rua Real
Grandeza 99, Botafogo, 22281-030. Secretary: Gaynor Smith. Office hours:
Mon to Fri from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm - Tel: 2537-6695 - Fax: 2538-0564 [email protected] - www.bcsrio.org.br
The American Society of Rio de Janeiro - Tel: 21 2125-9132
Contact: www.americansocietyrio.org email [email protected]
International Club of Rio de Janeiro - General Inquiries:
[email protected] - President: [email protected]
www.incrio.org.br
The British School - BOTAFOGO: Rua Real Grandeza 87, 22281-030.
Tel: 2539-2717, Fax: 2266-5040 URCA: Av. Pasteur 429, 22290-240,
Tel: 2543-5519, Fax: 2543-4719. BARRA: Rua Mário Autuori 100, 22793-270,
Tel: 3329-2854 - http://www.britishschool.g12.br
Emails: [email protected] and [email protected]
The American School - Estrada da Gávea 132, Gávea,
Tel: 2512-9830 - www.earj.com.br - [email protected]
Our Lady of Mercy School - Catholic American School in Botafogo Rua Visconde de Caravelas 48, Botafogo - Tel: 2266-8282 / 2266-8250 /
2266-8258 - www.olmrio.org
The St Andrew Society - Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo, 22281-030 President: Jimmy Frew - Tel: 2586-3413
[email protected] - www.standrewrio.com.br
Christ Church - Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo, 22281-030 Tel: 2226-7332 [email protected] - http://christchurch.no-ip.org
The Royal British Legion - www.britishlegion.org.uk
www.bcsrio.org.br/activities/rbl.asp
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Siesta Key Beach
incoming tide, skimming the water for
little fish with the longer bottom part of
the bill. They are the same species you
see on the Amazon.
These birds were completely used to
humans, flying nonchalantly in between
joggers, strollers and cyclists, and hardly bothering to move out of the way
from where they were standing on the
beach. A bunch of gulls decided to
have their sunset bath, dipping their
heads and fluttering their wings dry,
just like pigeons in a fountain or sparrows in a puddle. Little sandpipers
scuttled around between the sand and
the water like clockwork toys. Flocks of
hundreds of gulls sat on the sand facing west, waiting for the signal to go off
to their roost in the mangroves up the
coast. A little boy ran gleefully through
the middle of them, but they flew off
just ahead of him until he flopped,
exhausted – then they circled round and
landed back where they were. The sun
sank, blazing redly down into the horizon; the sky was cloudless, so there
was no afterglow, but the boost to the
spirit from walking, feet in water, along
the tide’s edge remained.
Disclaimer: The editors of The Umbrella accept no responsibility for
claims made either in the ads or the classifieds, and the opinions expressed
in the articles published are those of the writers, and not of The Umbrella.
The Umbrella is published monthly by the British and
Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro. Print run: 900
copies. Deadline: second to last Monday of the month
Editor: Jack Woodall [email protected]
Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing:
Marcia Fialho [email protected]
Films & Printing: Gráfica Falcão.
Cover: Ken Davis
Society articles are the responsibility of each society.
The Umbrella is distributed free to all members of the Rio
de Janeiro BCS, American Society, St. Andrew Society,
Royal British Legion & British School staff.
Classified ads: Gaynor Smith at the BCS office: Tel: (21)
2537-6695, Fax: (21) 2538-0564. E-mail: [email protected]
Commercial non-classified ads:
please inquire about technical procedures with
Marcia Fialho. [email protected]
The BCS at 70
70 YEARS IN BRAZIL: HAPPENINGS
1964: Brazil returns Juan Perón to Spain,
2nd December. Ex-president of Argentina Juan Domingo Perón was in Brazil
attempting to return to Argentina when
Brazil sent him back to Spain.
1967: New constitution is adopted, 22nd
January.
Brazilian soldiers capture Monte Castelo
1945: Brazilian forces capture Monte
Castelo, 21st February. Doing their part
in World War II, the Força Expedicionária
Brasileira (Brazilian Expeditionary Force)
was sent to Italy where they eventually
capture the Fort of Monte Castelo from
the Germans. This helps to open a
passage for the Allies.
1950: Uruguay beats Brazil to win World
Cup, 16th July. The Brazilian team lost to
Uruguay in the final match for the World
Cup being played in Rio de Janeiro.
1957: Brazil beats Argentina in World
Cup, 7th July, with the help of Pelé.
1985: The remains of Nazi war criminal
Josef Mengele are exhumed near São Paulo.
1988: Promulgation of the eighth Constitution of the Federative Republic of
Brazil, 5th October.
1991: Brazil signs free trade agreement,
26th March. An agreement to establish a free
trade zone by 1995, called the Southern
Cone Common Market, is signed by
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
1994: Brazil wins its fourth world cup,
17th July.
Pelé after his 1000th goal
1969: Pelé kicks his 1000th goal, 19th
November, a penalty for Santos against
Vasco da Gama.
Ex-President Collor today
1994: Vice-President Itamar Franco
succeeds to the presidency following
accusations of corruption against President Fernando Collor, 2nd October.
1996: The Brazilian team beat Portugal to
get the Olympic bronze medal, 2nd August.
Iron Maiden at Rock in Rio 1985
Kubitschek statue in Brasilia
1960: The national capital is moved to
Brasília, 21st April. President Juscelino
Kubitschek inaugurates the new capital
city.
1998: Part of the Amazon gets protection,
29th April. Plans are announced to protect
a large area of the Amazon rain forest.
1985: The biggest rock concert of all time
is held in Rio de Janeiro, 11th January.
Participating bands included Yes, Queen
and Iron Maiden.
1985: President Tancredo Neves dies, 21st
April. He was elected president in 1985, but
was not able to take office due to failing
health. After suffering seven operations, he
passed away on this day and vice-president
José Sarney assumed the presidency.
Ronaldinho scores for Brazil in 2002
2002: Penta! Brazil wins its fifth World
Cup championship, 30th June. In the
final game, Brazil scores 2 goals and
Germany has no score.
2002: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is elected
president of Brazil, 27th October.
Juan Peron of Argentina
Josef Mengele, “The Angel of Death”
Source: South American Way
<http://www.southamericanway.com/calendar
/republic.html>
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BRITISH & COMMONWEALTH
SOCIETY
favourites Yesterday and Ticket to Ride,
and other classics.
Beatles 50th/BCS 70th
Anniversary Party
After an interval in which the
audience was able to eat pizzas they
had ordered, or hot dogs from a stand
in the courtyard, and replenish their
drinks from the bar in the cloisters -efficiently run by Robin and Ana Evans
and helpers – The British School Class
6 Band gave spirited renderings of Eight
Days a Week, Come Together and Let It Be.
The Midnight Hour band then played
the Beatles’ version of Happy Birthday,
with audience participation, to celebrate
the double Beatles 50th/BCS 70th
Anniversaries, followed by a few
appropriate words from our energetic
MC, Steve Rimmer. The evening wound
up with 9 Beatles classics to which
everyone danced enthusiastically. The
unforgettable evening ended with Hey
Jude, with both performers and
audience having matado saudades (an
untranslateable Portuguese expression
referring to feelings of nostalgia).
Excited audience: clockwise from top left: Moira
McLauchlan, Patti Campbell, Suzan Carter, Jane
Anderson
The big double anniversary has come
and gone. It certainly went off with a
bang! An overflow crowd of both BCS
members and the general public
filled the Jubilee Hall on 24th
September on a balmy night, happily
free of rain until the end. The
evening featured just over 10% of the
Fab Four’s 288 compositions, played
and sung on a wide variety of
instruments – including David Chew’s
cello – from solos to massed choir,
including The British School’s Class 6
band with a trio of girl singers.
The programme opened with Hard
Day’s Night by The Midnight Hour Band,
led by Neville Thorley, with Emerson
Ribeiro, Gustavo Camardella, Marcos
Cardoso and Rodrigo Borba, with
special guest Robin Brown on guitar
and guest singer Christine McNeal
singing Lady Madonna. It continued
with the SCM Beatles Choir, conducted
by Martin Hester, with Inês Rufino on
the piano, singing a medley with Tell Me
Why and four other songs including
an arrangement of Something by Martin.
This was followed by Rio’s own
Rice’n’Beans, Peter Napthine and
Mark Archer playing Honey Pie and I’ve
Just Seen a Face. Then The Midnight
Hour returned, with guest singer
Kevin Wick giving his rendering of
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Very many thanks are due to Norma
Hester, Gaynor and Monica from the
BCS office on the gate (the office did
a lot of the arranging for tables and
setting up of the Jubilee Hall and the
bar), and Monica again for serving
salgadinhos – and, of course, to our
MC, Steve Rimmer and events chair
and one-man committee, Henry Adler.
[See a selection of photos of the occasion by
Fiona Brown on p.8 & in colour on the
BCS website]
Marilene Oliver – Artist Talk
Orixá by Marilene Oliver
Marilene Oliver is a visual artist from
the UK (currently living and working
in Rio de Janeiro) who uses digital
medical imaging as source material
for making artworks. Since 2001 she has
worked with MRI, PET and CT to create
print based sculptures and installations
that have been recognized and
exhibited internationally. In 2003 she
made a life size 'Family Portrait': a series
of four life size sculptures of her
immediate family made up of MRI
scans printed onto sheets of clear
acrylic stacked in order, resulting in a
row of ghostly floating figures. Since
working in Rio de Janeiro her work has
been heavily influenced by Brazilian
folklore and religion and she has
started to include seed beads and
ostrich feathers in her works.
Marilene Oliver will give an Artist Talk
presenting a selection of works made
since 2001. She will present the works,
explain the ideas behind them and
share the complex processes that
allow scientific data to be transformed
into thought provoking art objects.
BCS Christmas Party
“Christmas comes but once a year” –
and so does the BCS Christmas Party.
This year’s party will be similar to last
year’s – you don’t change a winning
team – you improve it!
Like last year, it will be a family event
for both adults and children. There’ll
be a special programme for the kids
so Mums, Dads and other adults can
enjoy the fun without worrying about
the kids. And the kids won’t have to
worry about their parents …
The entertainment will feature
Christmas music and, new this year,
music for Christmas! Like last year,
there’ll be carols around the piano
with Martin leading the singing.
Martin and his singers will also do
some performing of their own. New
this year will be a series of invited
guest performers including Christine,
Head of Music at the British School,
and some of her students who’ll give
their own version of Christmas favourites. There may be some surprise guests
too who you’ll find out about – and
hear – on the day, all doing their own
Christmas thing!
Another key ingredient in the “mix”
is the food. Last year we had a buffet.
This year we think you’d enjoy more
English fare. We’d like to offer you
and your guests as close to an English
tea as we can make in Rio. Plus all the
Christmas trimmings of Christmas cake,
mince pies and Christmas pudding.
Want something stronger than coffee?
No problem, there’ll be a cash bar.
The most important part of the show
is you! We had well over 120 people last
year. If you enjoyed that party, please
come again. Bring your friends, your
kids and their friends. If you missed
out last year, make sure you make it
this year. You have been warned!
Here are the details:
Where: Jubilee Hall, Rua Real
Grandeza, 99.
When: Sunday, 28 November
Time: 17.00 – 20.00h
Parking: on site behind the Hall
Cost: R$20 for BCS members; R$35
for everyone else. No charge for kids
under 11 years.
How about bringing a small gift for the
BCS to donate to kids at the charities
it supports? That would be a nice touch,
eh! Please label them Boy or Girl and
age range.
P.S. Yes, of course, Father Christmas will
be there. A bilingual one, to boot!
P.P.S. And, yes, Uncle Stan will be
leading the fun. Who else!
AMERICAN SOCIETY
Ilha Grande Trip: October Holiday Weekend
Aquele abraço
…and a warm welcome to American
Society Rio's newest members: Dina
Cipollaro & Christian Silva Bielecke;
Christianna Galaves Brisbane &
Tomas Mariani Lemos; Katrin & Res
Fraenkl; Julie Elizabeth & Ivor
Charles Gray; Harry John Maurer;
Xochitl Quesada-Lerma; and George
T. & Sonia B. Yapuncich. With a bevy
of year-end activities taking place, it's a
great time to join (at half-price regular,
annual dues) and take advantage of
all the discounts that come your way
by being a member. It's never been
easier to do, just visit our website
w w w. r i o s o c i e t i e s . c o m . b r / a m s o c /
ismember.asp.
Speaking of Events...Recent
2010 has been one of American
Society Rio's most active in recent years.
Just within the past several weeks we
led a merry bunch of folks on a 4-day
holiday weekend excursion to Ilha
Grande; inaugurated a new tradition,
Games Night, where members and
friends got together to share conversation, drinks, and some friendly
competition as informal teams played
their favorite board games (e.g. Trivial
Pursuit®, Scrabble®) or perhaps a hand
or two of bridge; the new Museum
Visits Series had its third, monthly
outing, paying a visit to Petrópolis
and the Museu Imperial; and the
annual Halloween Party scared up a
big crowd of creepy carousers.
More events... coming up,
up, up
American Society Rio's Curry Night
will be held on Saturday, 6th November, starting at 8:00 pm in Jardim
Botânico. From mild to hot, colorful
and aromatic, we hope you'll join us
for an evening sure to delight your
senses. Various chefs will be serving up
a wide variety of curries, so everyone
is guaranteed to find something to
please, including vegetarians. Come
as you are or dressed to impress in a
fine, new sari or kurta (maybe just yank
that Nehru jacket outta the back of
your closet and go retro). R$60 for
members, R$90 for non-members,
includes soft drinks, caipirinhas and
beer. But you need to HURRY! Space
is limited, first-come, first-served.
Reservations required at events.amsoc@
gmail.com and payment for those with
reservations must be made by
Wednesday, 3rd November. Thereafter, we will confirm and provide full
details on location and directions.
As of this writing, we are putting the
finishing touches on plans for our
annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner at the
J.W. Marriott Hotel in Copacabana.
As always, it'll be a traditional meal
with all the trimmings. No one ever
walks away unsatisfied or less than
stuffed. Of course, it will take place,
just as it will all across the United
States, on Thursday, 25th November.
If you'd like to attend or would
simply like to know more, please send
an e-mail to [email protected]
and we'll be happy to talk turkey.
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On the morning of Tuesday, 23rd
November, the Museum Visits Series
will make its way to the Fundação
Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) in Centro, whose
grounds feature a Moorish castle, the
Museum of Life, a Science Tent and
(are you ready for this?) the recently
inaugurated “borboletário” with 84
square meters of enclosed space in
which visitors can walk around and
get up close and personal with
numerous types of gorgeous flying
insects and the plants on which they
feed. If you’re lucky, some farfalle,
schmetterlinge, mariposas, papillons,
sommerfugl, dagfjärilar or vlinders may
settle gently on your shoulder and
make friends! Following the tour, the
group will have lunch, nearby, at the
Centro de Abastecimento do Estado da
Guanabara (CADEG), where folks can
also buy fresh flowers and produce.
Go ahead! Take a chance... or
three... or more
Raffle tickets for American Society
Rio's year-end extravaganza will also
be on offer at ALL Society events from
now until the date of our December
Eggnog Party (winners need not be
present for the drawing). Big prizes,
so far, include:
1) a round-trip ticket to the continental USA by American Society Rio
Platinum Sponsor American Airlines,
as well as weekend getaways at either
2) the fun-filled Club Med in Rio das
Pedras (four nights) or
3) the stunning Cachoeira Inn in
Armação dos Búzios.
Ya can't win it if you're not in it!
Here comes the pitch
Cary Dwyer (who organized the
softball games at American Society
Rio's America's Day 2010 festivities in
May) is arranging a friendly softball
tournament for a weekend in November.
Several people have already volunteered to put together teams of 9 to
10 players, but Cary would like to
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find a few more who are ready to play
ball. If you’re interested, drop him a
line at [email protected].
Even if you don’t want to get out on
the field, you’re still invited to come
watch and root, root, root for any ol’ team
you choose! Why not bring some
lawn chairs and a picnic basket up to
the Escola Americana's Gávea campus
and enjoy seeing a bunch of folks
trying to play like they were kids
again? It certainly won’t be any kind
of World Series, but it’ll be fun. And
remember, you’ll always be safe with us!
ST ANDREW SOCIETY
Sword Dance, as performed by the award-winning
Petrópolis Highland Dance Group at the
Caledonian Ball
The word “clannish” implies by
definition “a closed group which
excludes outsiders.” There may have
been an element of truth in that, at
one time, in the days of warring Clans.
This year at the Caledonian Ball in the
Copacabana Palace Hotel it signified
exactly the opposite, as the St. Andrew
Society welcomed guests from all around
the globe to a truly international
celebration of music and dance. The
gentlemen, resplendent in tartans,
representing a cross section of Scottish
Clans ancient and modern, were
Australian, American, Canadian, Argentinean, Brazilian, English and Scots.
United by a common bond, they
gathered together in Rio de Janeiro
and shared experiences of Hong
Kong, Singapore, Djakarta, Houston,
Freemantle, Aberdeen, Macaé, Buenos
Aires and a couple of dozen other
locations around the world from the
exotic to the mundane. Clannish we
are, and proud of it, but the net of the
Scottish diaspora is open ended for all
who care to enter.
Iain MacPhail and his band flew in to
Rio straight from the annual Gillies’
Ball at Balmoral Castle, hosted by
Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family.
After supplying the music at the
Caledonian Ball, Paissandu Ceilidh
and Macaé Ceilidh, he flew out again
on his way to Japan. Such is the scope
of Scottish Country Dance music in
the world today.
6
In the elegant Golden Room of the Copacabana Palace Hotel we were entertained
with a display by the Petropolis Highland
Dancers and members of the Pipe Band.
These are all Brazilians who have received
tuition in Scotland, supported by the
St. Andrew Societies of Rio de Janeiro
and São Paulo. The buffet dinner was of
the high quality which only the
Copacabana Palace Hotel can provide.
The dance floor was filled to capacity
all night for reels, jigs and strathspeys
by the Iain MacPhail Scottish Country
Dance Band interspersed with bursts of
popular music for all ages from Serginho’s
disco. [See more photos by Jimmy Frew on
p.11 & in colour on the BCS website].
The format for the Rio Caledonian
Ball has remained the same for many
years. Judging from the number of
enthusiastic youngsters who were still
up on the floor to join hands for “Auld
Lang Syne” at three in the morning on
the 3rd October, there’s no need for us
to meddle with it. In a land of instant
gratification and new trends that don’t
last more than a few days, an annual
Caledonian Ball may no longer be
fashionable to some. Nevertheless,
with the kind of support it has been
receiving from the Copacabana Palace
Hotel, York Research, Macaé Oilmen’s
Golf Association, IRM Services, TSC
Offshore and Rig Project Solutions,
our next generation -- the future of the
Society -- has been rediscovering what
was almost about to be lost; the value
of tradition.If the 2010 Caledonian Ball
improved attendance was a welcome
shot in the arm, the traditional “end of
the dancing season” ceilidh with the
Iain MacPhail Band at the Paissandu
Club was absolutely jam packed. For
an evening of exclusive Scottish
Country Dancing, it was further proof
that the Society can still draw in the
crowds and we look forward to the
weekly Tuesday nights at the Paissandu
Club, starting again in April 2011.
The 2010 week of Scottish events with the
Iain MacPhail Band ended with the
5th annual golf match in Búzios
against our friends of the Macaé
Oilmen’s Golf Association. The score
now stands at 4-1 to MOGA. This year
the golf was sponsored by IRM Services
and the prizes were donated by Philip
Healey of RILI/PECUS Seguros.
After a buffet lunch around the bar at
the clubhouse, to the music of Iain and
the band, we all set off for the
Sheraton Hotel in Macaé for the 4th
annual Ceilidh. Every year this event
has become more and more popular.
In fact, some of the Rio committee had
been teaching Scottish Country
Dancing in the Sheraton Hotel the
previous evening, such is the
enthusiasm in Macaé. Once again, the
dance floor was never empty all night,
with the Eightsome Reels, Strip the
Willow, Dashing White Sergeant and
the Gay Gordons setting the pace,
interspersed with Serginho’s all time
hits. The 25th Iain MacPhail Band
South American Tour is already
guaranteed for October 2011.
We are now preparing for the next event,
which is the ever popular Quaich golf
tournament at its traditional home, the
Teresópolis Golf Club, on 20th November. For further information, contact
Robin Brown at [email protected]
or Philip Healey at [email protected].
Many thanks to all who made the 2010
Scottish Week such a great success:
Robin Brown, Susan Reid, Fiona
Brown, Suzan Carter, Audrey Hieatt,
Philip Healey, Cristina Nogueira,
Ana Campbell, Margaret Frew, Rob
McInnes and Pete Campsie. Thanks also
to Philip Carruthers, Nick Walker and
Robert Shinfield.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Annual Poppy Gala Ball (Dinner Dance):
This prestigious event will take place at
the world renowned Copacabana
Palace Hotel on Friday 12th November
2010. Cocktails 7:30pm, Dinner 9pm.
The final details of this complex
undertaking have been worked out
and the advertising machine will swing
into action shortly. However, it seems
our few words to date and the Events
Calendar entry have already stirred
some into enquiring about ticket
availability for this not-to-be-missed
occasion. Clearly the message is “buy
as soon as you can” when the tickets go
on sale. Insider information tells me it
will be an outstanding night.
Remembrance Service: Don’t forget
either that our Remembrance Service
will be held at Christ Church on Sunday
14th November 2010 at 10:30am, even
more poignant this year as it will be the
last conducted by our Welfare Committee
Chairman, Reverend David Weller.
THE INTERNATIONAL CLUB
Executive Board
At the General Meeting on 29th
October, after The Umbrella went to
press, elections took place for the
InC’s Executive Board for 2011.
Results in the next issue.
WOMEN’S DIOCESAN
ASSOCIATION
Christmas Bazaar
Saturday 4th December, commencing
2 pm. Jubilee Hall, Christ Church,
Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo,
Parking will be available in the grounds.
White Elephant Stall: This is our last
opportunity to appeal for donations for
the White Elephant Stall. By the time
you receive this edition in November,
there will only be a few weeks left before
the event takes place. We would be very
grateful therefore if you could please
take another quick look around the
house for any items you no longer need.
On this stall we like to offer items that
are almost new and in good condition
that can be sold as Christmas gifts or for
personal use. Household items
including ornaments, children’s toys,
games, jigsaw puzzles etc. will all be
welcome.
buy them should arrive early as they
soon disappear from the shelves.
Deliveries can be made any day during
the week to Karen, secretary, Christ
Church, telephone 2226-7332, from
11am. to 2 pm. or to the BCS secretary,
Gaynor, telephone 2537-6695 between
8.30am and 4.30 pm. Please remember
that between 2 pm. and 3.30 pm. when
the school finishes, cars are not allowed
into the grounds.
Christmas Cakes and Puddings: The
WDA ladies make these very popular
products from traditional recipes.
Homemade mince pies will also be on
sale and for those of you who like to
make your own, jars of mincemeat will
be available.
There will be other attractions at the
Bazaar, such as :
Handicraft Stall: The talented ladies of
the WDA produce the majority of the
items displayed on this stall. They are
currently very busy embroidering a
varied selection of articles such as hand
towels, tea towels, etc. that make very
nice Christmas gifts.
Swiss Lottery: This is a lot of fun for the
family. Every number wins a prize and
depending on your luck, it could be a
very good one!
Christmas Crackers: Colourful boxes of
Christmas Crackers will be decorating
our shelves again this year but without
the traditional snaps. Anyone wishing to
4
corners
and more...
Marmalades, Jams, Pickles and
Chutneys: All the ingredients are
natural and are made from English
recipes.
Snack Bar: Homemade refreshments,
beer and soft drinks will be available at
the snack bar.
The WDA ladies work voluntarily all the
year round to make this annual event as
successful as possible. At the end of the
year, all the profit goes to charity and
donations are made to a medical clinic
for those in need (Ambulatório Praia do
Pinto), to an orphanage (Santa Rita de
Cássia in Jacarepaguá), to the Instituto
Pro Criança Cardiaca, as well as to
Christ Church. We do hope that we can
count on your support and look
forward to seeing you all on the 4th
December.
7
BEATLES 50TH/BCS 70TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
SCM Beatles Choir
Midnight Hour Band with David Chew & Robin Brown
Rocking to a Beatles beat
MC Steve Rimmer in full cry
The next generation of Beatles fans
Christine MacNeal with Rice'n'Beans
Conductor Martin Hester shares a joke with his choir
TBS Class 6 band
DON'T BELIEVE THE CYNICS. THE INDIANS LOVED THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES
WILL HEAVEN
Indian hockey captain Rajpal Singh celebrates
victory over Pakistan
Indian women’s 4x4 relay gold medallists
hockey, and the Indian women win the
4×400m relay gold. At both events, the
crowd went bananas. (In the case of
the relay, I reckon they contributed
massively to the victory.)
Let’s be clear, these Games were far
from a total success. They showcased
the best and the worst of India, and
sadly they will be remembered most of
all for the shoddy organisation
overseen by Suresh Kalmadi and
others. But footage captured by me on
a (very cheap) Flipcam, of India’s first
goal against Pakistan in the hockey,
proves that the rumours and stories of
empty stadiums were not entirely true.
[Will Heaven is an Assistant Comment
Editor and the Deputy Editor of Telegraph
Blogs. He writes about politics and religion
and is @WillHeaven on Twitter.]
THUMBS UP FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT
SIDHARTHA ROY & ATUL
MATHUR
The 12-day Commonwealth Games
achieved what three decades of
transport planning couldn't —
Delhiites leaving their cars to endorse
public transport. The chaos witnessed
on Delhi's roads during the trial runs
for the reserved Games lane projected
a traffic apocalypse in store for
motorists. This was enough to drive
many car users to the Metro to avoid
long traffic jams.
The Games didn't see any traffic
horror stories as Delhiites rediscovered public transport. From CEOs
to college students, almost everyone
traveled by the Metro or the sleek lowfloor buses of Delhi Transport
Corporation when the Games were on.
The Games managed to break the class
barrier that makes many of us think
that only those people use the public
transport system who can't afford a car.
The question is, can this become a way
of life for Delhiites who even drive
down to the neighbourhood grocery
stores?
"The reason I bought a car a few years
ago was because I didn't want to travel
in overcrowded buses or haggle with
the autowallahs every day," said Tripti
Sharma, who works at a private firm in
Nehru Place. "I tried using the Metro
during the Games to avoid the jams
Delhi Metro
and just loved it. Even the new airconditioned, low floor buses are pretty
swank and I don't mind traveling in
them if their numbers increase," she
said.
The Games has also managed to
change the image of public transport.
When they think of public transport
buses, the rickety and overcrowded
Blueline buses are what come to
Delhiites' mind. With the government
pulling nearly 1,600 Bluelines off the
roads and increasing the number of
low-floor buses, the picture has
changed. The sleek new Bus Q shelters
too are a world away from the drab,
leaking bus stops Delhi was so used to.
"Delhiites deserve a reliable and
comfortable public transport system,"
said Delhi Transport Minister Arvinder
Singh Lovely. "We had committed to
phase out Blueline buses and have
already phased out 1,000 Bluelines,"
he said.
Commonwealth
I do enjoy the Indian sense of humour.
Below my last post ‘Vajra’ pointed out
that, while there was indeed a stray dog
wandering around the Jawaharlal
Nehru stadium during the track and
field events, in England we have naked
streakers instead. So what’s the big
deal? Another, ‘edinburghstoic’,
pointed out that “the Brits themselves
are hardly exemplars of efficiency. It’s
just as well there are no German
posters [to this blog] here to put us in
our place.”
In the interests of fairness, then – after
some of my more critical posts last
week – I thought I would share one of
the
great
successes
of
the
Commonwealth
Games:
the
overwhelming enthusiasm of the
Indian supporters. In Delhi last week I
saw India thrash Pakistan in the
Delhi: new low-floor bus
Delhi autorickshaw
The infamous autowallahs too
behaved themselves during the
Games. "We have received almost no
complaints of overcharging or
misbehaviour by autorickshaw drivers
this month," said a senior Transport
Department official.
[Source: Hindustan Times]
[Could the same happen in Rio for the
World Cup and the Olympics? And could
we also have autorickshaws? – Ed.]
9
Send articles with photos for publication in
AroundRio at <[email protected]>
AroundRio
• All Souls Day Service, English Cemetery, Gamboa. On
2nd November, All Souls Day (Finados), Rev. David Weller
will be conducting a service in the chapel of the English
Cemetery at Gamboa. The small chapel is usually full on
this occasion, and the service ends with the lighting of candles
for those who have passed on, and their names read out by
the chaplain as the candles are lit.
Those who visit the cemetery will be impressed by the care
taken with the graves, the grassy areas and the plants and
flowers. The Trustees of the Burial Fund would like to
thank all those who have made donations, some of which
came from as far away as the USA and the UK, and more
memorial garden benches have been sponsored to
increase the comfort for visitors to the cemetery.
Visitors to the cemetery today feel much safer than in
times gone by. The Prefeitura has improved the whole
Gamboa area, including the Morro da Providência (now with
a UPP), with Samba City in front, an Olympic Villa and a
brand new school. The road is wider and there is plenty of
safe parking. The cemetery is open all week during working hours, and at the weekend by appointment: Tel: 22334237, Admin: 2286-7899.
• The micos of RG99.
A troop of little monkeys known as marmosets comes to the
trees behind Christ
Church when they
are in fruit. They
scamper around the
rooftops and either
leap from treetop to
treetop or come
down to the ground
to pick up fallen fruit and travel from tree to tree. Wildlife
in the middle of Rio!
•Play in Portuguese with English songs. Journalist and
columnist Michael Kepp presents his play Sonhando com
Sotaque (Dreaming with an Accent) on the 12th, 19th and
26th November, 21hrs, at the Contemporary Theatre Co.,
Rua Conde de Irajá, 253, Botafogo. Price of admission:
R$30 (R$15 for students and seniors). For more information, Tel: 2537-4068 or 2537-6638 or e-mail:
[email protected].
10
8
ST ANDREW SOCIETY’S CALEDONIAN BALL
Margaret Frew, Nick Walsh, HMCG Paula Walsh, Jimmy Frew
Mark Sharp, Suzan Carter, Marina Clarke, Denys Kisch, Moira & Chris McLauchlan
Eddie McDougall, Iain MacPhail, Jimmy Frew, Stuart Forbes
Jimmy Frew, Jack Woodall, Mary Crawshaw & Chris Hieatt
Paissandu Ceilidh
Aldair Rowland & Ana Campbell having a ball
Macaé Ceilidh
Macaé Ceilidh Girls
CHRIST CHURCH
IS YOUR “REMEMBERING HEAD”
ON?
DAVID WELLER
include the playing of the Trumpet for the
Last Post and Reveille.
Dear All,
I am writing this month to let you know
about a number of events happening soon
at Christ Church to which you are warmly
invited.
Firstly on Sunday 14th November, as you
can read elsewhere, it is our annual
Remembrance Day service. The service
starts at 10.30 am, and we will be welcoming many guests, including HM
Ambassador to Brasilia and HM Consul
General to Rio de Janeiro. There will also
be representatives from other nations, and
a Brazilian military band to play the
National Anthems. The service will also
At the very heart of our service there will
be the two minutes of silence as we
remember and give thanks for those
whose sacrifice enables us over sixty years
on to live in peace. Thank God that the
sacrifice of others enables our freedom of
worship, and for services like this to happen.
The following month on Sunday 12th
December is our annual Community
Carol Service at 7pm, our theme this year
is a Changing Community. I’m delighted
to announce that once again we will have
the superb trumpet playing, traditional
carols, a presentation from the younger
members of the Community and the lighting of the Nativity candle by one of the
youngest of all. A magnificent traditional
Christmas cake and drinks will be available to enjoy in the Hall afterwards.
As a final thought, some words from my
daughter when she had just turned four
“I’ve got my remembering head on
today”, as something she had seen months
earlier was recalled in perfect detail. On
Remembrance Sunday let’s all put our
remembering heads on, and then look
forward to playing our part in ensuring it’s
a better future for all. As Christians we can
look to Jesus Christ who not only shows us
how to live our lives, but offers us all a new
life and a new start. Now that’s also worth
remembering!
Yours ever,
Rev. David
Christmas at Christ Church 2010
Sunday 12th December
7.00 p.m. Community Carol Service with Candlelight
Our theme this year is the Changing Community
Friday 24th December
7.00 p.m. CHRISTMAS EVE Crib Service
Saturday 25th December
10.30 a.m. CHRISTMAS DAY
Family Holy Communion
Sunday 26th December
8.00 a.m. Holy Communion
10.30 a.m. Family Holy Communion and Wellers Farewell Service
You are all welcome to come and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and receive by faith his life changing gift of eternal life.
12
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
THE AMAZON THAT SPEAKS
HENRY ADLER
DUTCH
It’s just a short crossing to Suriname from
French Guiana. You’ve left Europe behind
and you’re back in Latin America. Wrong!
The road to Paramaribo, capital of
Suriname, starts out looking more like the
Middle East – mosques, women in typical
Muslim dress, some wearing the veil, men
wearing long shirts down to their knees,
roadside halal butchers, the call to prayer
blaring out from loudspeakers. Another
50km along the road and you could be in
India. with Hindu temples and women wearing very colourful saris. Roll on another
50km and churches of all denominations
start appearing and all the kids coming out
of school are in uniform. All this with a
backdrop of rice paddies and sugar plantations. Rolling into town you see Buddhist
shrines. Welcome to Suriname!
Let’s Go Dutch
It’s only in Paramaribo that you remember
that it was a Dutch colony for centuries. The
old historic centre of town is just like being
in Holland several centuries ago, even
though most of it dates back to the 19th
century – many original buildings from the
17th & 18th centuries were destroyed in a
huge fire in 1821. It’s nonetheless a UNESCO
World Heritage site and rightly so. Beautiful
private and public buildings, well preserved
or restored, are still in use and a complete
contrast to the rest of the town. Walk 500m
and you discover what made and still
makes Suriname unique. First, the towering
Roman Catholic St Peter and St Paul
Cathedral, in need of repair but still the
biggest wooden building in the Americas. A
block up the road, looking like the White
House, is the mid-19th century Central
Synagogue. Right next door is the most
important Mosque in the country. And all 3
are in active use, not relics of the past!
Where else in the world can you see this?
Quite a Treat(y)
Did you know that Suriname was originally
settled by the British in 1630 to plant tobac-
co? All the colonial powers had a presence
in Latin America except the Dutch, who’d
just been ejected from NE Brazil. In 1667
the Brits and the Dutch celebrated the
Treaty of Breda; the Dutch got Suriname,
Britain got a remote corner of the NE coast
of America. Bad deal? Not so – today it’s
called New York…
The Dutch got their foothold and started to
develop it. To join the native Amerindians in
the interior and the slaves from Africa
brought by the British, they brought
negroes from the Caribbean and Europeans
from many countries – thanks to the Dutch
liberalism on religious matters – to set up
and run the commerce, trading and ports,
plus Jews to manage the plantations. You
can still visit one of the old plantation settlements at “Joden Savanne” a couple of
hours up river from Paramaribo. The
remains of the synagogue and a large
cemetery are mouldering away very atmospherically in the jungle. Tombstones have
Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, English
and many Portuguese names. Did they come
direct from Portugal to escape persecution or
from NE Brazil, where the Dutch were being
expelled by the Portuguese? Later on came
indentured Hindu, Moslem and Chinese
workers from their East Indian colonies.
Today Suriname is an incredible melting pot
where racial, ethnic and religious harmony
seem to prevail – an example for the world.
It also makes for great food. You could be in
any English High Street with Indian and
Chinese takeaways, plus Creole and
Indonesian additions.
under a shelter to sleep. Luckily there was
a bar next to the Park HQ. We hiked various trails for views and to visit streams and
waterfalls, seeing a wide range of birds and
lots of brightly coloured frogs and toads.
We then headed out on the only road (for
want of a better word) across the interior
through hilly, forested country, with access
to other National Parks. There appear to be
just 2 industries – timber and bauxite. The
only traffic was huge trucks, which
explained why the dirt road was in such a
poor state. You see lots of birds, small
mammals and a few snakes on or near the
road. Our aim was to stay in an old lodge
right near the Blanche Marie Falls down a
side track, just 10km off the main track. It
took us 1½ hours! Imagine a never-ending
series of ponds with muddy banks, then
you’ll have a good idea of the track. The
lodge was “closed for repairs” i.e. falling to
pieces! We did see the very attractive Falls
and hiked the forest before another 90 minutes of “fun” to get out.
The rest of Suriname heading west to Brazil
is virgin Amazon jungle; the only access is
by light plane. No roads – rivers can’t be
navigated upstream because of frequent
falls and rapids.
Curry and Rice-Beer
We headed for Apura, a mining village on the
Corentijn River, with Guyana on the other
bank. Here you can organize a boat down
river to Nickerie where the river meets the sea.
We stayed with our boatman and his family
in a beautiful spot on the river, full of birds
morning and evening. We heard a lot about
how Suriname had fallen on hard times
with the recession closing mines and reducing trade. Even the Chinese had stopped
investing and the road they were building to
Nickerie had been abandoned. It took 6 hours
to get to Nickerie by river with very few signs
of life – human or animal – on either side
of the river. It is a bustling town. Nearby
Bigi-Pan reserve is a great place for birds
among the mangroves on the river banks.
We also spotted some huge, reddish-brown
howler monkeys. Spotted, not heard!
The steam train to Brownsberg National Park
is, alas, no more. Our 4WD went slowly up
a slippery track through pristine rainforest
overlooking a huge reservoir which fills the
valley, but still has the trunks of many trees
above the waterline. At sunrise, the morning
mist clearing, it looks like something out of
a Chinese print. On top, 500m above the
lake, it’s cool and wet. We slung hammocks
Time for one last curry, a cold Paramaribo
beer made from rice and a look at the cricket before heading back across the river to
Guyana.
Paramaribo: mosque and synagogue, cozy neighbours
Nickerie Cricket Club
13
ELECTIONS GUIDE FOR DUMMIES
Palacio da Alvorada, Brasilia
MIKE ROYSTER
By the time Halloween (31st October)
turns into All Saints Day, Brazil will
have elected a President, 54 Senators,
513 federal Deputies, 27 state
Governors and around 1059 state
Deputies. By the end of All Souls Day
(November 2), the USA will have
elected 37 state Governors, 36 federal
Senators,
435
federal
Congresspersons, and 6,125 state
legislators. The electoral processes in
the two countries vary tremendously,
and we will here attempt to explain the
most significant differences.
Let's start with the fact that in Brazil,
voting is obligatory for all citizens
between ages 18 and 70, whereas in
the US and most other countries, it is
entirely optional — a right, not a duty.
Brazil has no absentee or mail-in
ballots, nor early voting options, as are
common in many parts of the USA.
Voters who are out-of-town on Election
Day must “justify” their inability to vote
in the locale where they are registered,
or be subject to a small fine. Brazilian
citizens who live or are traveling
abroad have the option to vote, as do
US citizens abroad, but only at a
Brazilian embassy or consulate, and
only for President. In the first round of
elections, 15% of Brazilian voters did
not show up at the polls, another 10%
voided their votes, so the number of
votes counted was 75% of the possible;
in the USA, the voter participation on
3rd November probably did not
exceed 55%, although varying from
state to state.
Term limits
The Brazilian Constitution prohibits
Presidents and Governors from
serving more than two consecutive
four-year terms. Under the US
14
Constitution, Presidents cannot be
elected for more than two four-year
terms, and some states (but not all)
have similar rules for Governors. The
big difference between them is the
word “consecutive”. Lula was elected
twice, consecutively, so he could not
stand for the 2010 election — but in
2014 he will be free to run again, as is
Fernando Henrique Cardoso. George
Bush and Bill Clinton were elected
twice, so they can never run for
President again.
We next consider second round, or
run-off elections for Executive Branch
positions. In Brazil, if no candidate for
President or Governor or mayor of a
state capital receives one-half plus one
of the valid votes cast in the first round,
there must be a run-off election
between the two candidates who
garnered the most votes in the first
round. That is why Dilma Roussef, who
won almost 47% of the valid votes, was
squared off against José Serra on 31st
October, and why Marina Silva, who
got 19% of the votes for President, is
not running this time. Sergio Cabral,
who won 61% of the votes cast for
Governor of Rio de Janeiro, did not
have to face a second round; however,
7 Brazilian states and the Federal
District did have run-off elections for
Governor. In municipal elections for
mayor, all state capitals and cities with
more than 200,000 registered voters
must have run-off elections; all other
towns use the first-past-the-post system.
American Presidents are chosen by the
sui generis Electoral College system,
and there is never a run-off election.
One result is that a few US Presidents
have been elected even though they
received fewer popular votes than
their adversary. Very few US States
require a run-off election for
White House, Washington DC
Governor, using rather the “first past
the post” system, so that in most states
the candidate with the most votes wins,
even if he received only a minority
share of the total popular vote cast.
The above lead us to another
prominent difference between the
electoral systems. The US system is
actually not a single “system” at all. The
US Constitution grants states the right
to manage elections. Each of the states
determines its own system, and many
states delegate to their counties. This
means that there are literally hundreds
of systems being used simultaneously
on Election Day, with no single
standard
to
regulate
them.
Accordingly, all 50 states would have to
adopt a single standard for voting to
approach the Brazilian system (see
below). Disputes over US elections
must be resolved, first, in state courts,
with appeals then going to the federal
Supreme Court in rare instances —
most readers will remember George
Bush in 2000.
Brazil does it better
Brazil, on the other hand, has a
completely
federalized
system,
centered on a subdivision of the
judicial branch — the electoral
tribunals, with separate levels of courts
— regional (“TRE”) and superior
(“TSE”). The National Congress
enacts electoral statutes applicable
throughout the country, but the TSE
regulates them and enforces the rules.
If a party or a candidate wishes to
challenge something, it must go to the
electoral court, not to the civil courts.
Decisions by TSE can be appealed to
the Federal Supreme Court (STF).
Because the law determines a universal
standard applied across the country,
all voters from Chuí in Rio Grande do
Sul to Oiapoque in Amapá, use the
Congress building, Brasilia
same machines and vote according to
the same system. Brazil's electronic
voting and tabulation system has
received much praise around the
world for its ease of use, efficiency and
transparency — and, as we know, the
definitive election results are known
just hours after the polls close,
avoiding protracted recounts and
judicial battles.
What about the system of legislative
representation? In both countries,
federal law determines the number of
seats in the Senate (2 per state in the
US, 3 per state in Brazil) and the total
number of seats in the lower house
(438 in the USA, 513 in Brazil). In
both countries, the allocation of seats
in the lower house is determined
roughly proportionally by population,
in accordance with the official census.
There the similarities end. In the
USA, Senators serve 6-year terms, with
roughly 1/3 being elected every two
years. In Brazil, Senators serve 8-year
terms, with either 2/3 or 1/3 being
elected every four years. In the US,
members of Congress serve only 2-year
terms, whereas in Brazil they serve 4year terms.
In the USA, each state determines
whether it will have one or two
legislative houses (all by one have
two), the length of the terms its
legislators shall serve and when votes
shall be held. In Brazil, federal law
determines that states shall be
unicameral, meaning they have only
one legislative assembly, not two.
Furthermore, the number of seats in
each state legislative assembly is
determined by federal law, using
arcane calculations based upon each
state’s representation in the Chamber
of Deputies. The same is true of
elected city councils — federal law
dictates the exact number of council
members each county (município)
shall have, once again roughly
proportional to its population.
The great difference
By far the greatest difference, however,
is that in the USA, members of
Congress are elected from specific
geographic districts. Each party can
nominate only one candidate per
district, and voters can only vote for
the candidate in their district. In
Brazil, there are no congressional
districts,
so
voters
select
representatives on a statewide basis.
There are no limits on the number of
candidates each party can nominate
(e.g. there were 27 parties and 821
candidates for federal deputy on the
ballot in the State of Rio). Voters
resident anywhere in a state can vote
for any candidate at all, regardless of
residence. The extremely complex
voting system can include coalitions of
political parties so that, in each state,
the total number of votes cast for a
given coalition or party’s candidates
determines what percentage of the
state’s congressional delegation will be
The Capitol, Washington DC
awarded to that coalition or party.
Within the coalition, the candidates
are ranked by the number of votes
they garnered, regardless of party
affiliation.
Got that? If so, then you'll easily grasp
that state assembly elections and
municipal council elections are almost
identical to those for federal deputies.
There are no separate districts, the
coalition or party list system prevails,
and there is no limit on the number of
candidates a party can register. To
illustrate, in the State of Rio this past
election, an astounding 1,643
candidates ran for 70 seats in the state
assembly. In the USA, each state has its
own, distinct rules for state assembly
positions or for county council
elections.
Now that we have mentioned counties,
we are into the question of mid-term
elections. In the US, these are
elections for Congress and the Senate,
held every two years in the middle of a
Presidential term. In Brazil, mayors
and municipal council members are
elected for four-year terms, as are
governors and state assembly
members, but the municipal elections
are always held in the middle of the
Presidential term. Because President
Obama was elected in 2008, the
elections this November are mid-term.
Because the Brazilian President was
elected in 2010, the municipal
elections will occur in 2012.
Only in the Congo…
A small plane crashed into a house when making a landing approach, killing the co-pilot
and 19 passengers, when according to the pilot -- the lone survivor -- a small crocodile
hidden in a carry-on bag escaped and panicked all the passengers to run to the front
of the plane. The croc also survived but was rapidly despatched with a machete.
– AP 21 Oct 2010
15
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION XWORDS
Across: 8. Shameful (8); 9. Medicated ointment (6); 10. Wild plum (4); 11.
Smouldering coal (5); 12. Annoy (4); 13. Same on each side (8); 16. Bring
into submission (6); 18. Fabric shelter (4); 20. Quick look (5); 21. Component
or piece of information (4); 22. Laid back (6); 23. Inspirational celebrity (8);
26. By mouth (4); 28. To do with the moon (5); 30. Sometimes earned (4);
31. Uncles son (6); 32. Demanding (8). Down: 1. Hire (6); 2. “ --- is tender”!
(4); 3. Displeased? Its been sent again! (6); 4. Dagger thrust (4); 5. Could
be outdoor grafiti (8); 6. Denotes bomb type (4); 7. Hair do (8); 14. theme
(5); 15. Bumkin (5); 17. Scottish kiddy (5); 19. Outer part (8); 20. Abode (8);
24. Holds bricks together (6); 25. Takes over from the King (6); 27. Grows
from the lid (4); 29. Requirement (4); 30. Volts times amps (4)
16
13
LETTERS
Godless Universe?
The October Umbrella issue was the third this year in which the
Editorial has focussed on "religious" issues -- (the other two –
“Life and Death” (March), “Sex and the Churches” (May)) and
one was hoping to read Editorial comment on the Presidential
Election, but maybe the Editor felt that in these sensitive times
any hint of "political " bias might unduly "ruffle feathers".
[It is disappointing to see that my attempt to balance Steven
Hawking’s views by quoting the Archbishop of Canterbury’s response
has been taken to show that I don't believe in God. I do – and yes, you
will see me again in church down on my knees in prayer. However, I’m
glad you do not contest my point that numerous wars waged in the
name of God are afflicting us. - Ed.]
In his latest book, to which your Editorial referred, Stephen
Hawking said that..."science is on the brink of unlocking the
elusive theory of everything and -- once this theory was tested
and proved -- the idea of divine intervention in the Creation
could be discarded...". The initial euphoria with which this was
greeted by those who do not believe God exists was somewhat
tempered when eminent physicists later declared that the Mtheory (...that, according to Hawking, there are eleven
dimensions rather than four -- a Multiverse -- all created by the
law of gravity...) would be impossible to test and prove "...unless
physicists can build a particle accelerator the size of a galaxy..."
Meanwhile, dear Editor, Stephen Hawking notwithstanding,
can we expect to continue seeing you communing at Christ
Church and on your knees in prayer?
- Bryan Stanford
Please send your letters to [email protected]
In Memoriam
Robert Sydney Arthur
Robert Arthur – Bob Arthur as he was normally known – was born in Algeria on 18th January 1926, deceased 4th October
2010, the son of a British father and a French mother, missionaries in the mountain village of Azazga. At the age of 10
he was sent to France to continue his studies in the Collège Cévenol in Chambon-sur Lignon (massif Central) – the second co-educational school in France, with a modern educational philosophy, which during the war hid Jewish children
from the occupying Nazis. He had many adventures while in school and was expelled because of an act against the
pro-Nazi mayor of the town, but that did not stop him from obtaining his Baccalaureat with the mention “Bien”. At the
end of the war he was in Paris, studying Economics and English Literature at the Sorbonne. But his main desire was
to become a British citizen and enter the Army. He joined the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and was sent to Germany
during the occupation. He was an officer, had many adventures there, including going to Berlin as lieutenant in the first
convoy to reach British-occupied Berlin. Leaving the army, he joined the British American Tobacco Co. and arrived in
Brazil on the 1st April 1951. Shortly after arrival he met Maryse Peter at the Paissandu Club parties and in April 1953
married her. They had 57 years enjoying life together, have 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 3 great- grandchildren. In
1954 Bob left BAT and joined Listas Telefonicas, where he stayed until retirement. Bob always remained a British citizen but loved living in Brazil. He is buried in the English Cemetery, Gamboa.
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The "AmbulATório dA PrAiA do PinTo" wishes To ThAnk All Those
kind friends who over The yeArs hAve helPed And suPPorTed The
APP And Advise ThAT They hAve for sAle, hAnd PAinTed greeTing
And Puzzle cArds, embroidered guesT Towels, PreTTily mAde uP
shower cAPs, english/PorTuguese cook books, door sToPPers,
bridge/biribA scorers, bAby jAckeTs And lAyeTTes. Any weekdAy,
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DEADLINE for our DECEMBER 2010
edition is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Please send your ads, letters, articles.
DECEMBER
02 InC General Meeting 10:30am
04 WDA Christmas Bazaar 2:00pm
07 InC New Members Gathering 10am
11 American Soc. Holiday Party (Eggnog Party)
12 Christ Church Community Carol Service 7pm
16 InC Cafezinho 10:00am
12 Christ Church Community Carol Service 7:00pm
25 Holiday Christmas Day
25 Christ Church Christmas Day service 10:30am
26 Christ Church Weller Farewell Service 10:30am
Calendar
PsychoTherAPy [AdolescenTs & AdulTs] - VIVIANE RICHARDSON. EXPERIENCE WITH EXPATRIATED AND CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES. LIVED MANY
YEARS OVERSEAS: CANADA, SINGAPORE, UK AND USA. BRAZILIAN-BRITISH
PSYCHOLOGIST (LICENSE:CRP-05.33022), SPECIALIST IN ANALYTICAL AND
SHORT-TERM PSYCHOTHERAPY. MASTER OF ARTS, ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY,
UK. MASTER OF LINGUISTICS -BILINGUALISM, PUC-RIO. APPOINTMENT BY
PHONE (21) 9966.9494 OR E-MAIL: [email protected]
NOVEMBER
02 Holiday: All Souls Day
02 Christ Church Finados Service, Gamboa Cemetery
04 American Soc. Happy Hour 7-9pm
06 American Soc. Curry Night 6pm
09 InC Cultural Tour Museum Chácara do Céu 11am
09 BCS Marilene Oliver - Artist Talk 7pm
12 RBL Annual Poppy Gala Ball 7:30pm
14 RBL Service of Remembrance 10:30am
15 Holiday: Proclamation of the Republic
20 Holiday: Zumbi dos Palmares
23 American Soc. Visit to Fundação Oswaldo Cruz
18 InC Cafezinho 10am
19 InC General Meeting 10:30am
25 American Soc. Thanksgiving Day Dinner 8:00pm
27 InC Holiday Party 7:00pm
28 BCS Christmas Party 5-8pm (new date)
Watch out for December dates & times for:
SCM Messiah Sing-along
All Saints Niteroi Carol Service
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