Brazilian Carnival Now!

Its officially CARNAVAL time!!! The Samba Schools in Rio are rehearsing, the adrenaline is flowing, and excitement is growing leading up to the big week and the most important time of the year! In Los Angeles and San Diego huge contingents carry the passion for Brazilian traditions with their own Carnaval events.

For the first time ever Bloco de Carnaval (Carnavalesco) is coming to L.A. and lessons will provide you the best bet for getting in shape and being prepared to participate in this hot event. Carnival Block is a group of people who parade in Carnaval in a semi-organized, often wearing the same costume (ABADA - T-shirt or top that carries the blocks name), or dressed the way that suits you. “Diane” is heading the Bloco de Carnaval, called “Samba4U Bloco”. Join her rehearsals, wear the abada (T-shirt of the bloco) and learn choreographies as you get fit to participate on the dance floor on the day of carnaval.

BLOCK SAMBA 4U REHARSALS

Everyone is welcome to attend the rehearsal-class. You will learn the hottest and popular moves and choreographies from Rio & Bahia that make the Carnaval what it is now energetic, enthusiastic, excited, fun, sweaty…HAPPY! Get super ready for BLOCK party and 2010 LA CARNAVAL. The count down has begun!

WEDNESDAYS: 7 - 8pm or 8 - 9:30pm ( can take both classes)
Single class $15 both classes $20
12834 Victory Blvd w/coldwater Cyn North Hollywood

THURSDAYS: All levels - 7:30pm - 8:30pm
1054 N. Allen Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
Teacher specialist in Brazilian folk dance and Queen of Drums (beat) Diane

10th Annual BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL 2010
Saturday, February 20, 8pm to 2am
CLUB NOKIA @ LA Live
TICKETS AND INFORMATION: (818)566-1111 shows@braziliannites.com

Entry Credit :http://www.beachcalifornia.com/

Latin Valentines Day

February 14th is just around the corner, and it's once again time for our Special Valentine to expect to receive the royal treatment from their male counterparts. Wrong! Generally, women would say they receive relatively ordinary treatment during most of their Valentine dates. This year, to prove your partner wrong, treat her to a complete and well thought-out evening she won't forget. To make this evening a memorable one, spoil her with the little things that she probably forgot even existed.
date preparation


It goes without saying that this special date will require you to wear your most attractive attire. It might be a good idea to buy yourself a new shirt or sweater, preferably in the tones or colors she likes seeing you in. Think about it, how do you react when she buys a new sexy ensemble? Once you are dressed and ready to go, stop at the local flower shop to buy her a dozen of the best-looking red roses. On your way to pick her up, make sure your hair is just right and your breath smells fresh.

To start the evening smoothly, be punctual. Being on time for your rendezvous will set the tone for a smooth and pleasant evening. When picking her up (assuming you have a car), be a gentlemen and open the car door for her. While doing so, present her with the roses and a greeting kiss. These little details of opening the car door and handing her roses might seem like fussy details to many men, but for Latin Valentine's Day, they are little stunts used to impress most women.

Entry Credit: Askmen.com

Puerto Rican Food Serve

NEW BRITAIN — Michael Larochelle admitted that the arroz con gandules and pernil dished up by the Puerto Rican Society of New Britain Saturday would likely be his only holiday meal and he was savoring every bite.

“It’s good! It’s the best,” Larochelle announced between mouthfuls. “A lot of times people don’t care about the homeless or the hungry, but these people showed they do care. I was here for Thanksgiving too. They should do this every year.”

For the first time in close to 20 years the society decided to serve holiday meals to the homeless or less fortunate in the city in the hopes of giving to the community, said former president Isabel Rosa.

“It’s a hot plate for people who wouldn’t have one,” Rosa said. “We want everyone out there to know that we just don’t come here to drink and play dominos, we’re here to serve the community.”

The dinner was open Saturday to anyone who wanted a hot meal in the hours before a major snowstorm was predicted. When the doors to the society’s club house on High Street opened at about 12 p.m., close to two dozen men filed in to fill their plates with traditional Puerto Rican food and all the trimmings of a great meal.

Newly elected City Council member Willie Pabon dished up pernil (roast pork) alongside the arroz con gandules (rice with peas). Chicken, baked ziti, salad and rice pudding — another traditional holiday dish in Puerto Rico — along with cookies and cake were also on the menu.

The food was donated and cooked by the 100-member club. Poinsettia plants served as centerpieces and each diner receive a small package with staples like soap and deodorant. The society also handed out donations of coats, hats and gloves.

“We made up about 100 bags,” said society member Maria Torres. “We collected items and donated some ourselves. Our kids and family and friends helped with the donations too.”

The group also served up Thanksgiving dinner to about 100 to 150 guests and is staging a toy drive for Three Kings Day which falls on Jan. 10 this year. Anyone who would like to donate toys for children from newborn to 10 years old can contact Rosa at (860) 827-8808.

The last time the society served meals to the less fortunate was in the 1990s when Rosa served as president. Her son Herminio Rodriguez decided to resurrect the tradition after becoming president this year.

“One of the main reasons the founders of the club started it was to help the community whether the people were Hispanic or not,” Rodriguez said. “In this economy it’s really tough for people and we wanted to give something back to the community.”

Mark Piorkowski enjoyed the only hot meal he’d have all weekend and then went back for seconds.

“I’m hungry, this is a blessing for those of us who live on the street,” said the 50-year-old who admits he prefers solitude, which is why he has been on the streets for six years. “Until they open up the cold weather policy, we don’t get hot meals on the weekends. It’s really good. I was here for Thanksgiving too. I’ve been waiting for this for a week.”

Source: http://www.bristolpress.com