Jantar de Mentiras, April 1st, 2011

Jantar De Mentiras…was in fact my 2nd fundraiser already in this journey to the 2015 Convention for the East Bay. I had started my fundraising back in October of 2010 with a small raffle and now this one on April 1st was to be my first big festa. We had decided to do something different, something that wasn’t happening in the many Portuguese halls through the bay area. So since we picked April Fool’s day for our dinner, we also decided to call it Jantar De Mentiras, translated to Dinner of Liars. It always became a topic of conversation as we sold tickets and made people wonder what dinner was really going to be.

We chose a very different dinner for this festa. We wanted something new, something different and something that would make people interested to come back for the future. So we did Polvo Grelhado, Frango and Bacalahau. Now trust me we were nervous, this was something very new to us (the Polvo and bacalhau anyways) and we were slightly apprehensive but things couldn’t have gone better. Not only did we have an amazing dinner to serve everyone but I had an amazing committee that helped to sell tickets, advertise and worked extremely hard to put on an amazing festa.
We were fortunate to have had the support of the SDES Alvarado, for years they have supported our local councils and my father’s committee for his presidency in 1998 and they didn’t fail me either. They were there helping, allowed us to have access to the hall and made things so much easier for us in the end. I love this place, it’s a place where I grew up and celebrated many happy occasions with my family and I’m thrilled that I’m able to continue working with SDES through my journey and with my LUSO council. We are extremely appreciative all that you do for us.

Thank you to Progresso for coming out from the Valley and playing such wonderful music for all of us to dance and enjoy the night. We are very grateful that you came out for us and played even when the dance floor was light. Everyone had an amazing time and we look forward to working with you again in the future!

I was fortunate to have Youth Council #1 of Fremont /Union City perform for us as well that night. They did their dance performance from the 2010 Theatrical Program, which earned them 2nd place in the Dance Category. They came out just as strong that night as they did at the Convention dancing their Madeira Dances in full original Folklore costumes. I am so proud of what this council has done over the last 20 years. You all are such a wonderful and talented group of kids who have no fear of trying something new and different. You don’t follow what is expected at the conventions and do what you feel is right. I love the fact that you are all so happy to do folklore and to learn where we come from and the culture. You all make me so proud to be a part of the Fremont/Union City area. A big shout out to Carla Moreira the Youth Director and her team that helps her put on shows year to year. You should all be so proud of what you do for YC #1 and what you instill in these children. The love they have for performing is there as well as the love they have for their Portuguese culture. Kudos to all you do!

Thank you to all that attended the dinner and supported our committee by buying raffle tickets, auction but we also had some fabulous people who donated so much for our auction and raffle. Thank you all so much for all you did to help make this a successful festa.

It is extremely overwhelming and emotional when I think of all the time people took out of their day or days to help make this dinner a success. There are never enough thank yous to go around and I don’t know how I will repay everyone for all their hard work and dedication that they have given me for the next 4 years. I only hope I can be the type of president they can be proud of.
Now on to our next fundraiser: Friday June 10th @the SDES Alvarado we will be working alongside Region #2 of the Bay Area for the 2nd Annual Out of the Gutter Comedy Night. Dinner: Steak and Oyster $30 and show. This troop is hilarious and will remind you of growing up a Portuguese Kid. If you are interested in tickets please contact me. These tickets run fast and you won’t regret it. Fabulous show and dinner!!!!

Thank you all again for all you have done so far in my journey to the becoming the 2015 Luso President!

Luso Visits and Activities Feb/March

It’s been busy busy busy over the last few weeks and once again I’ve fallen behind on the blogging of my Luso travels. I ended my last blog with sadness and loss that some in our Luso Family had endured. It taught us that life is short and we should cherish every moment we have with our family and friends and I can probably honestly say that is what I’ve been doing over the last 8 weeks or so.

Saturday, February 19th, Santa Clara Council chicken and shrimp dinner. I headed out to Santa Clara with the usual partner in crime, 20-30’s President Anthony Pio and met up with 20-30’s Director of Activities, Monica Xavier, Isabel Matos, Mr. and Mrs. Pascoa, Frank Dias and his daughter Sara and his cousin and friends. Dinner was delicious with Carrot soup, chicken, shrimp and veggies. The dance followed with Manuel Jacinto, Frank Rosa’s little silver case, tequila, dancing, laughter and a really good time. I spent the evening with old and new friends of Luso and I’m really glad to have been able to attend this function. The Youth Council performed their performance from 2010 and everyone just seemed to be enjoying the evening. Thank you to Anthony for being the designated driver that night and for just hanging out with me.

Friday, March 11th, was the Newark council Chicharros (spelling may be off). Even with the bad weather people came out for a great Portuguese fish dinner and dance. I headed out with my parents, meeting up with my cousin Michelle, her son Logan, her father Henry and Frank met us there. Like always there were tons of Luso family members ready for good food and festa! The chicharros were delicious, the music was fabulous and we all had a great time once again. Once again the man with the silver case was there and we enjoyed a little pomegranate.

The fun didn’t stop there that weekend, Sunday, March 13th we headed out to Oakland visit in Hayward. It was far and long drive for us but we made it through. Haha! Always great to see Manuel Rosario, Bernice Pelicas and everyone else that has held this council together always. They had an amazing turn out that was followed by delicious Alactra (I think that’s how it’s spelled) and delicious cake. Mr. Rosario did an awesome job as MC and if I’m correct in saying this, he received a 50 yr pin. Despite the gloomy weather we had a great time with our Luso family!

Saturday, March 19th, YC#1 put on a bus trip to Black Oak Casino to help their queen contestant Monica Amaral in her fundraising. On a very wet and dreary Saturday afternoon, 2 buses headed out to Black Oak, filled with Laughs, too much food and alcohol. From the moment we left SDES Alvarado we laughed, we ate and we made more memories. Little did I know we would even see snow upon arrival, after a slight detour (lost bus driver) through some random town.lol I started the evening off with some gambling and gave up when all it did was take my money. A few of us decided that we no longer wanted to gamble, ate dinner and headed down for some Cosmic Bowling. 3 teams against each other and I have no idea why I thought I could bowl. Lol I was in fact the weakest player but in the end we all had a great time. The ride home was just as entertaining as the ride there even with the pouring rain. I don’t think I’ve ever been caught in such a crazy rain storm. We were soaked through our coats by the time we got home. But it was a great night.

Luso seems to fill our weekends these days and we ended the weekend at the Newark Councils Visit where we had bife a portuguesa. We got a bit of a reprieve with the rain so people were ready to come out and celebrate our presidents that day as well as enjoy a very delicious lunch. We sat with the youth officers and actually had a great time with them. It’s always great to see a youth council, region and adult council continue to grow and become successful. Every year they put on a theatrical performance and they just recently had their first 20-30’s president. It’s always wonderful to see a strong area and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow.

March 27th, myself, my dad, mom and Brienne headed on our furthest trek of 2011, off to Newcastle we went. It was my first time attending this visit and I was really excited to. Not only do they have an amazing youth group but they were also going to install a new 20-30’s Region! I am so proud of Anthony as this will be his 2nd activation of a region this year. I love this youth group, they are so energetic, so talented and always put on such an amazing show. I wasn’t lying when I told them they were our own Luso Broadway group! It’s also amazing to see so many of those parents that are now teaching their kids in Newcastle, some danced when I danced, some were in the youth when I helped them, now they are keeping their youth group active and teaching their kids that it’s all about the fun, the experience and learning about your culture. They always have the most wonderful message and I hope that other groups will look up to them because of it. I know I do!

I’m going to stop this part of the trek here…still a few more to go…but it’s been a very hectic few months. 2010 and the beginning of 2011 remind why I’m still active in Luso and why I’ve chosen the path I have. I simply adore my Luso Family even if we don’t always agree!
Next up to blog, Jantar De Mentiras, Luso #3L Visit and I’m sure I’ll find more to talk about! 
Till then!

Can't believe its been a year since you've left us. I miss you every day!

~~~~~~~~~~

Till this day

I never knew what took her away

Grandma had died and I never new why,

All I new she was in pain and was taken to

Heaven. It broke my heart in two.

It hurt me deep inside,

I couldn't believe it when she died,

I heard my mother, so frightend and hurt,

The tears in her eyes,

Oh, I couldn't believe she died

I couldn't believe it when I heard she's gone

I wish i could remember the times when I was young, having fun with her, but those times have passed, but I haven't forgotten.

We were close, it was hard when grandma lived so far, but now God has taken you grandma.

You are gone and there was nothing I could do.

I hope though you come to read my short poem from

Heaven above.

I want to tell you i miss you,

I want to tell you i love you.

I miss you grandma from deepest in my heart~ by Tanya Lee Busher