The Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States
Serving our Community for 30 Years!
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August 2021
LUSUS Newsletter
The Online Newsletter of PALCUS
In this issue...
PALCUS News
- 2021 Virtual Events Series: United Through Heritage
- PALCUS Director Jack de Oliveira now representing South Carolina
- PALCUS 2021 Christmas Ornament Fundraiser
- PALCUS looking to highlight the work of a Portuguese-American artist on Christmas card
- Support PALCUS through Amazon Smile
- PALCUS FYI Webinars
- Review PALCUS on Facebook
- Member Spotlight: PALCUS Director Diniz Borges
- Member Spotlight: Maria's Portuguese Table
- Member Spotlight: Victoria Travassos
- Member Spotlight: Claudia Da Silva
Consular Network
- PALCUS Consular Resources page
Embassy Row
- Embassy of Portugal in Washington DC: Encontros PNAID 2021
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Embaixada dos EUA em Portugal: Conheçam a nossa equipa do U.S. Commercial Service na Embaixada dos EUA em Portugal
Gateway Featured Business
- Maria Oliveira's Language Learning
Community News:
- Call for Papers: Portuguese Literary & Cultural Studies “Teaching Literatures in Portuguese”
- Message from the Portuguese Heritage Day Committee of Bethlehem, PA
- PBBI Speaker Series
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2021 Virtual Events Series: United Through Heritage |
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PALCUS to Host Virtual Event Series “United Through Heritage” to Promote Portuguese Culture and Community
Virtual events to include exclusive Fado concerts, the PALCUS National Conference, Food demonstrations, Meet the Artist sessions and much more
The Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS) today announced that it will host a series of free virtual events under the theme of “United Through Heritage” in an effort to foster unity and strength throughout our national community. The PALCUS “United Through Heritage” virtual event series is made possible by FLAD, with sponsorship from Portugalia Marketplace, Licor Beirao, The Navigator Company, Anchor Construction, UMass Lowell and MDVIP.
The series of events will include:
Exclusive Fado Concerts and Conversations
- PALCUS has partnered with the Portuguese American Cultural Exchange (PACE) to host a series of exclusive virtual Fado concerts and conversations with some of Portugal’s most prestigious Fado artists.
- Each concert will be streamed live on Facebook and via Zoom, and available online for 48 hours only
- These free concerts provide an opportunity for clubs and organizations to host viewing events to bring together local communities, and also the opportunity to raise funds through selling refreshments.
Meet the Artist Sessions
- In partnership with the US-Portugal Chamber of Commerce, the Embassy and Portugal and FLAD, PALCUS has launched the Portuguese American Online Art Gallery to feature the wonderful artistic talent throughout our community.
- Each artist featured on the site participates in a Meet the Artist virtual discussion to talk about how they got their start as an artist, their inspirations, their process and what it means to be a Portuguese American artist.
PALCUS National Conference
- The PALCUS Virtual National Conference to be held in a series of online sessions running from October 11 through the 22.
- The purpose of the conference is to create an opportunity for education, business and civic leaders to discuss how we continue to strengthen and grow our Portuguese community nationwide, and to advance the Portuguese-American agenda.
Social and Entertainment
- There will be a series of virtual mixers, wine tastings and cocktail classes featuring Portuguese products and Portuguese-American businesses.
- Licor Beirao, one of the event series sponsors, will be hosting a cocktail class in October.
- Ginja9 will be hosting a cocktail class in November.
The virtual nature of the events allow the flexibility for us to add in additional events throughout the year – events such as cooking demos, art exhibitions, etc. Anyone interested in hosting an event as part of this series should contact PALCUS at palcus@palcus.org.
The conference is free to attend and those wishing to participate can register for individual sessions by preference or the entire conference by visiting palcus.org/unitedthroughheritage.
Click the link below to see the current schedule of events:
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PALCUS Director Jack de Oliveira now representing South Carolina |
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PALCUS Director Jack de Oliveira will be joining the Faculty of the University of South Carolina and pursuing, at the same time, a Doctorate in Political Science and International Relations.
"South Carolina will be a new location to continue to build bridges within the Portuguese community. I'm excited to collaborate with PALCUS and persons of Portuguese descent to create a strong Portuguese community and culture in the Palmetto State".
Connecticut is now represented by our PALCUS Director Jose (“Joe”) A. Santos.
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PALCUS 2021 Christmas Ornament Fundraiser |
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In collaboration with Rooster Camisa, PALCUS has created a one-of-a-kind trio ornament set to help raise funds for our scholarship program that supports Portuguese American students in higher education.
The ornaments are ceramic, hand-painted and absolutely beautiful! This set will add the perfect Portuguese touch to any Christmas tree.
- High quality ceramic
- Hand painted
- Size: Sardine 12cm, Rooster 10.5cm and Guitarra 9.5cm
- Comes in gift box
There is no other ornament set like this anywhere. This is an annual fundraiser so that we can continue providing educational support to our youth.
Price: $36 + S&H
Please keep in mind that due to the ornaments being hand-painted in Portugal they will start shipping in as ready.
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PALCUS looking to highligh the work of a Portuguese-American artist on Christmas card
As part of our mission to promote Portuguese culture, each year we are highlighting the work of a Portuguese-American artist on our Christmas card. Last year's holiday card was designed by Helia Borges Sousa, a Portuguese-American artist from California.
We are already on the look for this year's artist, please submit your designs at palcus@palcus.org if interested.
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Support PALCUS through Amazon Smile
2. Choose Portuguese American Leadership Council of the US, Inc. from the menu on the right or search for Portuguese American Leadership Council of the US, Inc. by name.
3. Click "Select and Start Shopping."
4. You are now supporting PALCUS! Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to PALCUS with no additional cost to you - all you have to do is shop! Every little bit helps PALCUS and we thank you!
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"I use Amazon every day and by using Amazon every day I’m supporting PALCUS just by doing my regular shopping. By setting PALCUS as my charity of choice it gets 0.5% of every purchase I make. In the last year my purchases alone have generated $50 to PALCUS and all I’m doing is shopping for what I need on a daily basis". |
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Review PALCUS on Facebook
Linda Harrison recommends PALCUS:
"I recently asked PALCUS for assistance in finding an online way to access Livros de Reclamações. They gave me the precise answer I needed and very quickly. This is a great organization for people involved in any way with Portugal and we are very fortunate to have them."
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: PALCUS Director Diniz Borges |
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Palcus Director Diniz Borges receives The President's Faculty and Staff Service Award from Frenso State in recognition of the many hours of public service.
Congratulations Diniz!
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Maria's Portuguese Table |
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Maria Lawton: a comida portuguesa
passa agora a ser servida por
toda a América
“A mesa portuguesa da Maria”, ou na língua original “Maria’s Portuguese Table”, é o programa de culinária que levou os ingredientes portugueses ao público americano. Primeiro apenas em Rhode Island mas agora que o programa foi adquirido por uma empresa distribuidora de conteúdos, vai passar a ser visto por milhões de americanos.
Maria Lawton, natural da Lagoa, emigrou com os pais para os Estados Unidos com seis anos e orgulha-se de ser portuguesa e açoriana. É esse orgulho que tenta transmitir a quem vê o seu programa – que se prepara agora para avançar para uma segunda temporada – e tem recebido contactos de vários descendentes que sabiam das raízes
portuguesas mas até os pratos que foram herdados dos avós, já eram feitos com ingredientes americanos. Maria Lawton quer resgatar essas raízes e mostrá-las ao mundo.
Parabéns Maria!
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Victoria Travassos |
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Victoria P. Travassos of Bristol RI graduated on May 30th from The Portsmouth Abbey School. She achieved distinction in being awarded the Reverend John O’Rourke Memorial Prize in English Composition and the Excellence in Spanish Upper Level Award. She has been selected to study in Denmark for her Freshman year as part of the selective Global Awakenings Program at Wake Forest University. Victoria will be studying pre-Med/International Relations and Global Studies. She also was honored in being crowned Miss 4th of July for her hometown which is renowned for having the oldest 4th of July celebration in the country.
Congratulations Victoria!
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PALCUS Member Spotlight: Claudia Da Silva |
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Congratulations to Caudia Da Silva for Top Individual Agent in Listings Taken for July 2021.
And also for being nominated as one of the top 10 real estate agents in Houston by HOUSTONTIPS
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PALCUS Consular Resource Page
PALCUS has a new page on our website to further assist with your needs to seek services from the Portuguese Consular Network.
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No âmbito do Programa Nacional de Apoio ao Investimento da Diáspora (PNAID), a Secretária de Estado das Comunidades Portuguesas, Berta Nunes, e a Secretária de Estado da Valorização do Interior, Isabel Ferreira, apresentaram os Encontros PNAID 2021, numa conferência de imprensa em Fátima.
Os Encontros PNAID, que dão continuidade aos Encontros de Investidores da Diáspora, realizados desde 2016, são uma iniciativa conjunta da Secretaria de Estado das Comunidades Portuguesas e da Secretaria de Estado da Valorização do Interior.
Em 2021 os Encontros PNAID irão decorrer em Fátima, nos dias 9 a 11 de dezembro, coorganizados pela Câmara Municipal de Ourém e pela Comunidade Intermunicipal do Médio Tejo, em parceria com a Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro.
O PNAID é uma iniciativa governamental de valorização das comunidades portuguesas que promove o investimento da diáspora, em especial no interior do país, bem como as exportações e a internacionalização das empresas nacionais através da diáspora.
Lembramos que estão disponíveis as inscrições e o programa do evento no site dos Encontros PNAID.
Assista aqui à conferência de imprensa:
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Conheçam a nossa equipa do U.S. Commercial Service na Embaixada dos EUA em Portugal. Apoiamos as empresas portuguesas na aquisição de produtos e serviços norte-americanos e fomentamos o investimento nos Estados Unidos. Vejam como vos podemos ajudar! |
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GATEWAY FEATURED BUSINESS |
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Maria Oliveira's Language Learning
Maria's online language lessons and courses are unique for their convenience and effectiveness. Because they are portable, you can practice wherever and whenever you have access to a computer. Easy to use, the online lessons are a preferred tool for learning, a fun way to increase your vocabulary and build your confidence. Lessons include vocalizations with authentic pronunciation, and when you rearrange word lists with the press of a button, memorization becomes more than a rote exercise; the new words are acquired completely! Online language courses function well as stand-alone lessons or as an augmentation to ongoing studies.
To look for more Portuguese businesses and organizations throughout the US (or add your own), please visit the Gateway online.
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Call for Papers: Portuguese Literary & Cultural Studies “Teaching Literatures in Portuguese”
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Guest Editors
Ana Bela Almeida (University of Liverpool) and Joana Meirim (Universidade Católica de Lisboa)
The teaching of literature, whether at secondary or university level, has always provoked the recurrent, and controversial, question: "What is it good for, really?" Well-worn debates about the autonomy of literature vs. its social function, its usefulness or uselessness, suggest the ethical and political dilemmas that teachers and institutions face when teaching literary texts.
Thinking about the aims of literary pedagogy implies a reflection on which texts and literary genres should be taught, how to differentiate between teaching in the original or in translation, which pedagogical approaches should be employed, and how established canons can be critically revised in the light of ongoing debates regarding decolonization, gender equality, and environmentalism, among others. These questions are especially pertinent with regard to literatures in Portuguese, given Portugal's historical role as a colonizing power.
This special issue aims to gather articles on teaching literatures in Portuguese that deal with questions of canonicity, syllabus design, intercultural reading approaches, teaching in translation, teaching language, history, and culture(s) through literature, etc. We aim to explore, examine, and disseminate best practices and promote a debate that involves both teachers and students, in secondary schools and in higher education, both in the Portuguese-speaking countries and elsewhere.
Articles (in English or Portuguese) are invited on the following non-exhaustive list of themes:
- The literary canon and national curricula in Portuguese-speaking countries (textbooks and syllabus design);
- Teaching literatures in Portuguese in the context of decolonizing the curriculum;
- Literatures in Portuguese in the context of intercultural education;
- Methodological reflections, innovations, and debates on teaching literatures in Portuguese;
- Teaching literatures in Portuguese and new media/genres (song lyrics, graphic novels, digital picture books, flash fiction, etc.);
- Teaching in translation: text selection, availability, specific challenges, and other considerations;
- Teaching Portuguese language and literatures: an integrated syllabus or worlds apart?
Please send an abstract of up to 300 words to PLCS Executive Editor Mario Pereira (mpereira6@umassd.edu) before September 30, 2021. The proposals will be selected and authors informed by October 10, 2021.
Portuguese Literary & Cultural Studies is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by Tagus Press in the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth: https://ojs.lib.umassd.edu/index.php/plcs/index.
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Message from the Portuguese Heritage Day Committee of Bethlehem, PA:
It is with heavy and sad hearts that the Portuguese Heritage Day Committee is reaching out to let everyone know that in light of the recent Delta variant surge, volunteer and attendee concerns, mask concerns, and the increased risk resulting from the surge, the Celebrçao da Cultura Portuguesa to be held on Saturday, September 4th is cancelled. All tickets purchases will be refunded!
While we disappointed to share this news, the health and safety of our volunteers, performers, and attendees is our top priority. In the meantime, we continue to work and plan to deliver future events to the community. Stay safe and healthy.
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PBBI Speaker Series
PBBI-Fresno State is very excited to have such a full program for the fall of 2021. The PBBI Speaker Series will include lectures, panels, discussions, two conferences, and an array of events, all on Zoom and Facebook Live.
Besides this calendar of events, we will have a few other pop-up events almost weekly that we will be putting forth as the semester begins. Hope all of you can join us. All of our PBBI Speaker series events are for our students, faculty, staff, and community members. All events are always open to everyone and on Zoom and Facebook live, anywhere. Please take a look!
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PALCUS Business Marketing Program
PALCUS has recently launched the Business Marketing Program that provides companies and organizations in our community the ability to promote their products and services to the community through our network.
Here are some recent results from dedicated newsletter campaigns:
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Aren't these great results? Please consider doing a dedicated newsletter with PALCUS, or other marketing vehicle in our business marketing program designed to help raise awareness of Portuguese owned businesses.
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TELL US YOUR NEWS!!
We would love to hear what you have been up to. Events, Promotions, Graduations, Awards, Lectures or News the community should know about. Send us an email to be featured in our newsletter: palcus@palcus.org
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Are you a PALCUS member yet?
We are stronger together!
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If you agree with the work undertaken by PALCUS to build the social, cultural and political capital of our community, then please join us and become a member today!
Strong membership participation means a stronger voice in the national Portuguese-American agenda. In order to advance Portuguese language education, increase presence in the congressional caucuses, and provide economic opportunities, the collective voice of thousands is needed!
In addition, PALCUS is a member-driven non-profit organization that depends on membership dues and fundraising events to fund its operations. Members of the all-volunteer board of directors donate their time and personal funds for travel, lodging and tickets to attend networking events and planning sessions so our administrative costs are relatively low but nonetheless critical to doing business on a daily basis.
There are membership categories to suit every budget and level of interest. Please click on our membership webpage and join our voice today!
Questions? Contact Graci for more information!
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Portuguese Activity Book
PALCUS has designed an activity book for children and seniors. It's packed with word searches, coloring and other activities all centered around Portugal! This is the perfect way to have kids and seniors alike keep busy while celebrating their Portuguese Pride!
It's available for purchase on Amazon and shipping is free when you purchase 2 or more books!
New Christmas Edition now available!
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Did you enjoy this newsletter? Do you know about all the programs PALCUS offers our community? Please visit our website and become a member today!
We can't do what we do without your support!
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Jobs for Portuguese Speakers
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PALCUS Mission
In order to create a singular voice to advocate for the Portuguese-American and Luso-American communities at large, the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States Inc. (PALCUS) was founded in 1991 as a non-partisan, non-profit, organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The PALCUS mission is to address domestic and international concerns of the Portuguese-American Community.
The Council conducts an expanding program of educational and public affairs activities on issues of interest to the Portuguese-American community and of salience to the Luso-American Relationship.
PALCUS is committed to serving the community through increasingly active government relations efforts, the promotion of a greater awareness of ethnic accomplishments and encouraging stronger ties between Portugal and the United States. In this role PALCUS advances the community professionally, politically and culturally while working to ensure that issues directly affecting our community are addressed through our network of government and community leaders.
PALCUS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization under the IRS tax code and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. Donations are tax deductible to extent allowed by law and will be acknowledged.
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PALCUS has earned the 2019 Gold GuideStarUSA Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency. Visit our profile HERE
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Contact Information
Phone: 202-466-4664
9255 Center St., Suite 404
Manassas, VA 20110
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