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I started Portuguese Research & Education, Inc. (PRESD) in December 2003, although it wasn't until November 2005 that it truly got rolling.  The premise was simple enough: form an organization to celebrate the traditions of our rich Portuguese heritage.  Growing up in my grandmother's home, I couldn't help but be proud to be Portuguese.  I founded PRESD to keep the memory of my late grandmother Margaret Madruga's passion for everything Portuguese alive.

It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of many that our community has so much to celebrate!  We are extremely fortunate to have our very own Portuguese Choir, Filarmonica União Portuguesa de San Diego, our Portuguese-American Dancers, and our own União Portuguesa Sociedade do Espírito Santo (U.P.S.E.S.) Hall, where so many memorable celebrations have taken place!  For over 100 years we have proudly celebrated the Festa do Divino Espírito Santo, as well as the Festa da Santissima Trinidade, Festa do Santo Amaro, Vindimas, Romarias, and more; San Diego's Portuguese-American community is truly blessed.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of PRESD is interviewing our long-time community members.  These people are well-respected for their courage, wisdom, strength, and drive to succeed.  They've graciously taken time out of their busy schedules to share their stories with me, relating their struggles and triumphs, and, if you're looking for inspiration, there's plenty of it in those stories.  I have been so fortunate to have these people invite me into their homes and share their history with me.  What's more, I am honored to say they often have come to consider me their friend as well.

But as much as I've thoroughly enjoyed conducting these interviews, there is a very painful side to this business; when these people die.  I know it's inevitable, but it still stings each time I lose another friend.  It's something that had never occurred to me when I started these interviews.  For each one, I think back on the stories they shared with me, the smile on their faces when they talked about their proudest moments, the anguish and tears when confiding their low points, and of course their laughter when they told a funny story; each and every one priceless.
 
Joseph Januario
 
In 2006, I met Joe Januario.  He invited me to his home and offered to talk about the history of his family.  During our two hours together, I learned about his father's work on dories at the Grand Banks out of Gloucester, Mass., and how his father made it to America.  He shared his own memories of growing up as a young boy in San Diego, how incredibly proud he was of his service with the United States Navy during WWII, and he described his career all the way through his retirement.   It was a privilege to hear him recount it all, and I had a great time getting to know him.

Joseph Januario (September 20, 1916 - April 12, 2011)
Joseph Januario Jr. USN	Joseph Januario Jr. USN	José Januario (Joseph's father) with Peter Rask

Even though we only spent a couple of hours talking that first day, from then on, every time I saw him he would smile at me, wave hello and he'd invite me to sit down with him and talk some more.  Joe and his wife Caroline always made me feel welcome; and for that I will always be grateful, indebted, and even more passionate about keeping "everything Portuguese" alive.

Listen to part of our interview with Joseph Januario

If there's one trend I've noticed when conducting interviews with long-time members of the community, it's that their one regret in life was not passing the Portuguese language on to their children. Many times, the children grew up not being able to communicate with their grandparents and others in the neighborhood who only spoke Portuguese.

Studies have also shown that learning a foreign language boosts "brain power."

In September, the United Portuguese SES (UPSES) will be offering beginning Portuguese. This 15-week course is taught on Mondays from 7pm to 9pm at the United Portuguese SES Hall. Whether you know Portuguese or not, this course will help you improve your Portuguese speaking, reading and writing skills.

Details:
Taught by José Duarte Garcia aka Zé. Mondays, from 7pm - 9pm
September 13 - December 20, 2010

If interested in taking these classes contact the UPSES Hall (619) 223-5880
Only $125 per student

Click here for the application.

The NRP (Navio República Portuguesa) Sagres arrived in the port of San Diego at 9am sharp with her sails fully extended. It was a beautiful sight to see. The last time she was here was in 1992, and before that, 1978. In other words, it's a rare opportunity to get to appreciate being on the NRP Sagres.

Now you too can see the Sagres in person for free. The Sagres is open to the public June 9, 11, 12 and 13th. Visiting hours are from 10am - 12pm, 2pm - 6pm and 8pm - 11pm. The Sagres is only here until June 13th, so time is running out quickly! Head down to the Embarcadero and see her first-hand. You'll be glad you did.

A genealogical conference focusing on the Azores has been planned to include lectures, computer lab time, as well as allowing time for research in the Family History Library (FHL).  Lecture topics include computer databases as well as basic techniques for beginners.  The FHL has church and civil records from Portugal and the U.S.   Other genealogical records include ship passenger lists, census records, World War I & II draft registrations, birth, marriage, and death records for some cities.  If you can, plan additional days before or after the conference for more research time.  Do not miss this opportunity to research at the world’s greatest genealogical research library.
Hosted by Cheri Mello and Rosemarie Capodicci, Portuguese-Azorean Researchers. (Read more of this story)

Portuguese Research & Education, Inc (PRESD) will be providing a Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens living in San Diego that may be alone on Thanksgiving day. Priority will be given to those senior citizens who are unable to leave their homes.

(Read more of this story)

Photo courtesy of danzfamily.com

San Diego - Saturday, October 25, 2008 - A big crowd was expected, so when the doors opened at 5 p.m., it didn't take long for the UPSES hall to fill up. Volunteers had arrived hours before to cook spaghetti and sauce, butter bread for garlic toast, and to set the tables. They did a fine job, but everyone knew that the meal wasn't the real reason for so many coming to the hall that night. There was a more important cause; Helen Labruzzi, a very dear and special member of the Portuguese community was in need of help. The community responded.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Map, News) - Four crew members died Sunday and another was missing after a Seattle-based fishing boat began sinking in high seas off Alaska's Aleutian Islands, the Coast Guard said.

The dead were among 47 crew members who abandoned ship after the 184-foot Alaska Ranger developed problems. Forty-two crew members were recovered safely, but a search was continuing for the missing person, said Chief Petty Officer Barry Lane.

The vessel started taking on water shortly before 3 a.m. after losing control of its rudder 120 miles west of Dutch Harbor, which is on Unalaska Island.

San Diego Natives David Silveira and Daniel Cook died when the ship sank.

Silveira, 50, was born and raised in Point Loma. His family was in the tuna fishing industry. He was the second of four siblings and the only son.

Funeral arrangments are pending.

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