The story of a red grasshopper

Written by Wirley Contaifer

What do you think about drinking a cup of coffee while I tell you about a character that really deserves to be considered a true hero? If I could only sum up his importance in some words I would certainly say “he is a protector made of flesh and blood” or “a character converted into an overwhelming formula” or even “a hero who is unforgettable, mainly for not being perfect”. Any bets?

If his name could be translated into literal English he would be called “Red grasshopper”, from the Spanish “Chapulín Colorado”. He is called “Grasshopper” because of his uniform – which includes antennae and tail and makes him to look like this insect – while “red” is a clear mention to the color of his clothes.

“Chapulín Colorado” is a Mexican character – satire from the infallible American heroes –, who is a representative hero of the third world and a true example of being human, before anything else. He’s not made of steel, he isn’t unbreakable and to be honest, he can’t fly. But on the other hand, he will always be close to the one who call him, he can take a pill that can let him to turn into a 20 centimeters tall “Chapulín” and he certainly would welcome any bad guy around you with dynamic hits of a powerful red-and-yellow bionic sledgehammer.

Talking briefly about his origins, “Chapulín” himself once said to be son of “Pantaleón Colorado y Roto” (that in English is something like: “Red short pants”) and “Luisa Lane“. According to the opinion of many people, the one who wears red pants is undoubtedly Superman and Luisa is proven to be nothing but a Spanish variation to the name “Louis”. Who would imagine that?

Who would imagine that a day someone would own a paralyzing horn that could paralyze anything by means of its sound? Here it is an extra point to “Chapulín”. For example, if this horn is honked once the person paralyzes immediately. If it is honked twice, the person returns to normal. Have you ever imagined stop bad things from happening around you? That’s definitely a positive aspect that defines this character: his weapons are as authentic and pure as he is.

As an independent series, “Chapulín Colorado” was originally aired in Mexico from September of 1972 to October of 1979. But even on these days lots of people around the world watch it if was the first time. He is such a hero that represents what a normal person feels when they face a challenge or when they have to fight against anything in order to help someone they love.

This character was a brilliant creation of a man considered a “little Shakespeare” in his country – his name is Roberto Gómez Bolaños and his nickname “Chespirito” shows part of the recognition he deserves to have. There are some things that we simply know that will live forever and certainly both of them are examples of that.

And just like “Chapulín” would say: Didn’t count on his astuteness!

A game to call super

Written by Wirley Contaifer

Do you know how to find someone who had a happy and shiny childhood? If you don’t know, do the following thing: Give to this person a cartridge and preferably the “Super Mario world” one. If the person immediately blows it, well, you probably found someone that used to be happy. Playing it at an arcade machine with friends or alone at home, uncountable people certainly have a good story to tell about having been Mario for some hours.

When the Nintendo logo comes up and a particular song suddenly starts playing, we definitely know what to do. Or at least, we think we know… When the very first challenge shows up on the screen, we just know that we have a mission ahead and someone to die for.

“Super Mario world” was created by Nintendo and it became independent in 1983, two years after the game have had an important participation in “Donkey Kong” game, where he was known as Jumpman and also had to jump in order to reach the top of a building to save his girlfriend from an oversized gorilla.

On “Super Mario world” the player controls Mario or Luigi (that is Mario’s younger brother) if you play simultaneously with someone else. The game goes around an intensive search for a Princess called Peach in a vast place known as Mushroom Kingdom, which is the fictional place where Mario walks throughout the game.

During the game, Mario has to fight against time to get to the flag pole, which subsequently allows him to go into a new place, having full access to get closer to the Royal Castle where the Princess is. On his way, Mario finds not just a large number of enemies but lots of mushrooms that allow him to grow up and gets extra lives. In addition to that, he ends up knowing stunning places getting in pipes and doors.

Originally, the game is divided in eight different worlds, with four stages each one – for each of these worlds there’s a final challenge which lets the player continue to play or not. At the ending, the final combat is around Mario and the abominable Bowser, a monster in the shape of a giant turtle. Actually, Bowser is the responsible for keeping the Princess over its dominion and he did this intentionally to try to force the Princess to marry him, which would crown him as the King of that Kingdom. But undoubtedly, Mario changes the whole situation.

Mario was originally created by the Japanese and much as he looks exactly like a Mexican, he speaks English, even being an Italian plumber. Certainly he’s a strong example of a multi-ethnic character.

The game has sold more than 20 million copies all over the world and it’s considered a best-selling video game and naturally, the most popular one.

The birth of a star

Written by Fernanda Campos

The first American Idol winner is still the most successful one.

The persistence of a simple girl from Burleson made her become a World Idol.

This month, the most successful “American Idol” (the reality show) winner completed one more life’s year and one more year of success. Kelly Brianne Clarkson, 31-year-old, was born on April 24, 1982 and became a famous American singer, songwriter and occasional actress after the first season of American idol, which she won with flying colors.

She is from Fort Worth, Texas, and her parents are Jeanne Ann Rose, a first–grade English teacher, and Stephen Michael Clarkson, a former engineer.  She grow up in Burleson, where is also situated in Texas. She has two brothers, who are Jason and Alyssa, and she is the youngest one. Her parents got divorced after being together for seventeen years when she was six years old, causing Clarkson to live with her mother in Northern Carolina.

The Clarksons have had bad conditions of living because they struggled financially and after the divorce Kelly moved out in short time with her mother. The whole circumstance leaded Kelly to seek the music to breathe and get stronger. However, in the childhood, Kelly didn’t want to be a singer, she didn’t even imagine that she would be a superstar. She aspired to be a marine biologist, but she gave up the sea when she watched the film Jaws.

After graduation, she worked hard to be able to finance a demo, recording material, and she could send it to record labels. Because of that, she worked a several jobs, as follows, cocktail waitress, telemarketer, selling popcorn at the zoo and others. However, she wasn’t pleased, and she refused two contracts of Jive Records and Interscope Record. Clarkson was really confident that something better was about to come.

In Burleson, in May 2002, some friends encouraged her to audition for the first season of the reality show American Idol: The Search for a Superstar. The judges, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson got surprised with Clarkson’s vocal range of soprano. Her voice was described as dynamic, robust, and emotive.

Clarkson has never imagined that she could be the first American idol and still the most successful one. She won the competition on September 4, 2002 with 58% votes in her favor at Kodak Theatre. Fortunately, the child who dreamed being a marine biologist failed. Instead, she became the most famous American Idol in history, who reached homes, families and hearts with her strong, emotive soul voice.

Among several awards, as the three Grammys, in 2010 she was considered one of the hundred most important women of the world, and the greatest voice of contemporary pop. She is an example of persistence, strength and determination. She proved to the world that dreams are possible to become true even though it seems unapproachable. Therefore, it isn’t worth giving up.

Technology helps on being healthy

Written by Fernanda Campos

The fight against overweight through technology

Software seems to be the solution of the obesity in the workplace

The Ministry of Health adopts the Peso Saudável Program to professionals get fit.

Between two Brazilian adults, one is overweight. Thus, the Ministry of Health appealed the technology to help the Brazilian workers of private and public institutions to become healthier. The program is called “Peso Saudável”, and its purpose is based on the idea of preventing weight gain.

Such action works when the app is acquired by someone, who works in a certain company, and the same should inform his weight, height and what is consumed every day.

Every month, the weight will be changed and updated, and the employee will receive by email advices and tips to the eating get easier, for example, exercise tips, specific diets, personal assessment, and all done by graphs. The app will estimate the worker’s body mass index and it sends to the same, in a way that the software could control the person’s weight.

To have this program, the firms must access the website of the Basic Attention Department of the Ministry of Health (dab.saude.gov.br/pesosaudavel), intending to download for free.

It’s essential to place the balance and some height measurement equipment in some visible place, thus people keep on paying attention to their measures.

This initiative should last for just one year in each firm, in order to the objective – the weight loss –  be achieved in this period.

In most cases, the weight gain is not noticed, and according to the Coordinator of Food and Nutrition, Patrícia Jaime, it’s extremely important to have self- control, because the program only works if people monitor their own meals. She also reinforces: “It’s essential to prevent the obesity in the workplace”.

The problem of the obesity affects 15% of Brazilians, and it results in serious diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and others.

Beautiful Bonito

Written by Júlia Tavares

Bonito is located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. . The city of Bonito is located about 1200 kilometers away from São Paulo and approximately 300 kilometers from Campo Grande which is the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul. Bonito is in the midst of a region called the “Caribbean of the Midwest” due to the blue color of its waters. The easiest way to arrive in Bonito is by Campo Grande International Airport, which is located in the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul. From International Airport of Campo Grande, there is the option to take an air taxi or go by car, but it takes about 4 hours.
The water of the rivers and waterfall are considered one of the nicest in the world. The regional government has aimed to promote tourism and develop infrastructure by controlling the number of tourists. These limits are designed to preserve the rich natural beauty of the region, maintaining popular tourist sites as close as possible to their natural state. Bonito offers over 30 tours around their area. Most rides are to explore the ecology and natural environment of the region. For these tours requires a certified guide, so this rides must be booked through a travel official agency. The most common tours includes:

• Anhumas Abism – is a place where it is done Rappeling of 72 meters into a cave that has a very large lake, with 80 meters deep.

 

• River Plate – To reach this place, we have to make a beautiful walk through the woods, and this is the most interesting thing before arrive the river.

 

• The Natural Aquarium– The tour starts with a 25-minute walk through the jungle, followed by a 900 meters snorkel, where you float with fish and appreciate the underwater vegetation. After starting the trek where you can see varieties of animals of the region, you can finish with a visit to the museum of natural history.

 

• The trees circuit– The trek allows you to walk through the treetops on suspended walkways installed in native trees. The walkways vary in height from 10  to 20 meters.

• Blue Lake Cave – The tour starts with a 10-minute walk to the entrance of the cave, which was discovered by a local Indian in 1924. In its interior, after descending 100 meters, it is possible to see the lake of crystal clear water and depth of approximately 90 meters, which makes it one of world’s biggest flooded caves.

 

Finally, the population of Bonito appreciates the local cuisine and tourists who are there, cannot fail to try the typical dishes. There are a few bars and restaurants that serve traditional tables or floating (in the lake), which is something quite different and enjoyable. Most of restaurants in the city offer numerous options with freshwater fish and a marked enhancement of fruits and meats in the region which can be observed in both main dishes and even desserts.

The most requested dishes are: Arroz Carreteiro, Pintado a Urucum, Pintado ao Mestre João, Caldo de Piranha.Churrasco, Moqueca de Jacaré , Jacaré a Parmeziana, Dourado Assado, Filé de Pintado a Caramanchão, Sopa Paraguaia, Chipa, Homemade candy – candy that can be made with papaya, pumpkin, cashew, mango, orange, cheese or milk, among others.

Rio Alternative Night Life

Written by Helber Martins

When we talk about the nightlife in Rio de Janeiro, people often think about going to a place where they will listen to samba, funk or electronic music, but there are plenty of places for those who also enjoy other kinds of music. Here I’ll talk about some parties that takes place all over the city.

The most famous party among young people is Tekiller. The party has a Mexican theme and its focus is to make people get drunk, what usually happens due to the free shots of tequila and margarita that they distribute until the end of the party. There is also a competition to know who drinks three shots of tequila in row faster, the winner is awarded a bottle of José Cuervo Black. The DJs play all kind of rock music to make everybody dance all night.

Battles is the party for those who enjoy a good competition. With the classic battle of beer for only R$5 per person and also a battle of IPods to decide who is the best DJ, the only role is that they must play pop music.

Another well-known party is Festa do Bigode and this weekend it is celebrating its 4th anniversary. This is a funny party because everybody even women go with pasted moustaches on their upper lips. There are Welcome shots for the first 150 people and tequila shots throughout the night. Besides that drinks are cheap and the DJs will be playing the best of rock, pop and funk.

Now imagine going to a party and receive some chocolates from Willy Wonka , welcome shots from Oompa-Loompas and maybe be lucky enough to find a Golden Ticket. You can find this and more at Wonka Party! Based on the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this party attracts many chocolate lovers and people who just want to dance, drink and have some fun. If you get tired of listen to a kind of music, you can just move to another dance floor as there are three of them playing funk, pop, hip-hop and rock all night long.

Although these parties do not have a fixed location to take place, you can follow them on social networks or in the website http://www.listaamiga.com. There you are going to find a list with almost every party in the city and all the information about them as well as get some discount on any of them.

A Remarkable Player

Written by Marcele Figueiredo

Ronaldo Assis Gaúcho known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho has Just completed 33 years old. This Brazilian football player is an example of a successful athlete and he is not thinking in retire. His main playing position is as attacking midfielder or forward. He is playing in Atlético Mineiro for an year and it is loved by anyone .
Ronaldinho was born in Porto Alegre and has started his career in Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense . Since childhood he demonstrated ability playing soccer. He started to play as a professional when he was eighteen at Grêmio . He played for three years and marked 52 goals.
In 2001 he went to Europe when he signed a five year contract with Paris Saint German which is a French team. But the contract was broken and he was sold to Barcelona . Where he played for five years . It was his peak he was nominated the best player of the world twice in 2004 and 2005 and become recognized in the whole world .It was the most expensive football player . Nobody could stop him until he start having injuries and some problems . He needed a new beginning .
In 2008 he start to play in Milan where he played for two years but he wasn´t the same . He become a discretion and decided to leave. When suddenly in 2011 he signed with Flamengo but unexpectedly he wasn´t play well and he was an expensive player which doesn’t pleased fans.
In 2012 he start to play in Atlético Mineiro and returned to shine . Now he come back to be one of the best acting football players in Brazil . The team he plays is one of the best in the present . It is a pleasure to see he playing . There is anyone like him.

The sustainable Maracanã

Written by Marcele Figueiredo

The new tendency in the world is the worry about the environment and sustainability. Sports are also following this tendency .The world cup that happened in London was a big example of the concern with the environment and The world cup from 2014 that is going to happen in Brazil was planned with all this concern. The new stadiums are all being built with sustainability.
Maracanã is the most famous stadium in Brazil It has years of tradition and will be stage of the final game on the world cup.It was originally built in 1950 and it has passed almost three years closed because of its reform and had just got ready. It was reopened on 27th of April.
It is all built with sustainability. The new Maracanã is made to accommodate 78.639.The stadium’s reform has cost more than 950 million reais and holds the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificade. Here is a list of worries they take care in this new stadium.

• The 85.000 sits were reused. They were all send to small clubs in Rio de Janeiro.

• The soil below the lawn had received during decades nutrients to keep the lawn healthy. This land is being used to plant seedlings in the reforestation of Rio de Janeiro.

• A drainage system will receive water redirecting to a big cistern. It will help on lawn irrigation and other uses. It will save 45% of wasting water.

• The 3.5 thousand tons of mud they are taking to the construction are being used on the production of brick and tile.

• Photovoltaic panels installed on the roof will capture solar energy which will serve for warming showers and taps for changing rooms and bathrooms.

• The new roof is translucent and it will drain the rainwater to be stored and then reused on stadium.

• Modern electrical and hydraulic systems will have a lot of gains. They will spend 5% less adopting automation and elevator control escalators ventilation and lighting. The modernization of hydraulic system will save 25% of energy consumption.

Chemistry Is Everywhere!

 

Written by Laura Vasni

Take a look around. Everything is Chemistry!

Chemistry is an experimental science which is present, in many different ways, throughout our daily lives. This great science is actively present in various sectors of our modern society, some of which include: fuel, plastics, health, food, petrochemicals, soft drinks, cleaning supplies, perfumes and many more. This science is in almost everything which is present in our lives, even if we do not realize it.

The word ‘chemical’ still possesses a negative meaning so many companies still want to delude a large part of the population, claiming that they sell food without chemicals. This is a great untruth because everything in the world is formed by chemical elements, even food. From the moment people wake up to the moment they lay down, they have touched or produced several chemical substances at least a hundred times; and it is completely normal. For example, hormones are chemical substances and so is water.

It is possible, via a chemical reaction, to keep a battery running and also to charge it, otherwise, it would not be possible to have any battery-operated electronics. It is also possible, through another chemical reaction, which is called combustion, to light the fire in the oven or start the car’s engine. It is also possible to breath. It is possible to change the hair color and shape.

By exploiting the advantages that science has to offer, while avoiding its eventual dangers, we are able to experience great benefits such as the improvement of the medical area, which consequently would bring down the death rate statistic. Improper extraction of existing chemicals in nature, under political and economic interests alone, may cause, on the other hand, undesirable and irreversible damages to the environment. In short, chemistry should be treated as a tool for understanding and improving the world we live in and so should all other sciences.

Discovering Búzios

Written by Laura Vasni

Búzios is a coastal town located on a peninsula in Rio de Janeiro where you can find about 20 beaches. A simple fishing village until the early 60’s, when it was “discovered” by Brigitte Bardot, a former French actress and her Moroccan boyfriend, Bob Zaguri. You can reach out to Búzios in just two hours by car. Búzios is now one of Brazil’s most cheerful seaside destinations and it attracts tourists from all countries around the world every year.

Búzios beaches are extremely amazing. João Fernandes, Geribá, Tartaruga, Ferradurinha, Forno and Azeda are some of them. Each one has its own style and goers. Geribá, for example is the land of surfers where people usually flirt and make friends, while Azedinha and Ferradura are both calm sea beaches that attracts many families with their kids. The town is very well-known for being Brazilian’s St Tropez. However, Búzios is a place that people of varying ages should visit, not only the youngsters as it commonly happens at St Tropez.

The water sports addicted ones who enjoy windsurfing and kitesurfing can also practise their passion in Rasa and Manguinhos because of their favorable types of wind.

Another way to meet beaches is by boat tours. There is a tour that leads to the islands Feia and Rasa. Besides enjoying the scenery, the stops for snorkeling reveal the rich marine life of the region.

Búzios’ night asks to go to the “Rua das Pedras” located in the centre of the town. It is the most famous street there and it works as an outdoor meeting point with famous international and national stores and boutiques. It has a complete infrastructure of relaxed bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets. People go there to see around and be seen, they enjoy the nightclubs or art galleries that are spread there.

The most important point is that on this small street that is crowded with tourists, Búzios soul is remarkable. Also on this street and around the “Rua das Pedras” is possible to buy some souvenirs such as shirts, mugs, cups, key chains, etc. Due to the large amount of tourists from outside of Brazil that usually come from cruises which dock in the town most shops accept Euros and Dollars aside from Reais. So it is tempting to spend some money to buy a few souvenirs for family and friends.