February 21, 2010
| Beginning Brazilian-Portuguese Classes Start Thursday |
The word for train in continental Portuguese is comboio, while the Brazilian-Portuguese word is trem. While there are minor differences between the two, the grammar and conjucation of verbs is exactly the same. The major difference is found in the pronunciation. Naturally, coloiquialism will greatly differ as well. However, if you are looking for a course to learn the basics of the Portuguese language, then this course could be for you.
Narciso Garcia, a native Brazilian is starting a beginner's Portuguese course starting on Thursday, February 25, 2010. He teaches the course from his home. Students meet from 7:00 - 8:30pm for 12 consecutive weeks. To sign up for his course, send him an email. |
January 31, 2010
| Don't Miss the UPSES Soccer Invitational |
 Photo Courtesy Paradisepride.org |
The first annual UPSES Soccer Invitational, "100 shots on goal", is a two-day soccer event at Liberty Station near Marriott Courtyard. If you love soccer, this is an event you won't want to miss. Proceeds from the event go towards the Centennial Festa. (Read more of this story) |
November 27, 2009
| PRESD's Community Outreach Program a Great Success |
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Back Row: Peter Proud-Madruga, Diana Proud-Madruga, AnaPaula de-Amorim, Glenn de-Amorim, Stinson McElhinney, Andrew Proud-Madruga, Cecil Shuffler
Front Row: Jane Garland, Kelly Tipton, Muriel McElhinney, Maria Shirley, Paulette Shuffler, Rachel Freitas
I have to give credit where credit is due. One of my board members, Kathleen Tucker, suggested our organization apply for a grant from SDG&E for community outreach. That was all it took. Many of the people we interview are senior citizens and they tend to be alone. We saw this as our opportunity to serve our community.
We submitted our proposal for a grant on October 27th. We decided that whether we got a grant or not, this was the right thing to do and we moved forward with our plans immediately. (Read more of this story) |
November 3, 2009
October 30, 2009
| Centennial Gala: Oh What a Night! |
| by Peter Proud-Madruga |
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| (above) Centennial Gala Guests crowd around a board filled with photos from prior Festas |
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What does one hundred years of history look like? Imagine a hotel converted into a museum whose hallways proudly display the history of the San Diego Portuguese Community's Festa do Divino Espirito Santo showcasing beautiful, ornate dresses and capes worn by former Festa queens and photos from as early as the 1910s up to present day. That was the Centenial Gala held Saturday evening, October 24, 2009 and it was a sight to see! A gathering of almost 700 guests was dazzled by this amazing collection of historical artifacts. To preserve this event for posterity, I arrived early and photographed each item on display. There were so many, it took me almost two hours and close to 300 photos to capture everything. (Read more of this story) |
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See Photos of the Centennial Gala |
September 22, 2009
| Port of San Diego Pays Tribute to Tuna Cannery Workers |
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For many years, canneries provided a means of subsistence for thousands of families in San Diego. The first canneries started in the 1910s and lasted until the Van Camp Cannery closed its doors in 1984.
At the height of the tuna cannery success, the industry brought $65 million in annual economic impact to the San Diego region and employed more than 17,000 people. Each year, hundreds of tuna boats brought tuna from the sea right up to the canneries’ back doors. Familiar brands like Chicken of the Sea, Starkist, and Breast ‘O Chicken were packed in the San Diego canneries.
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It is only fitting that an industry that had such a large impact on the community be remembered. The Cannery Worker's Tribute - Parque del Sol public art project, honoring the thousands of San Diegans who worked in the tuna canning industry, will be dedicated at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009.
The artwork is a joint project between the Port of San Diego and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding/Continental Maritime. Created by artists Valerie Salatino and Nancy Moran of Nature Works, Inc., an Escondido sculpture firm, with assistance from Sheila Moran, the artwork incorporates several elements that tell the story of the cannery workers.
Further reading:
Port of San Diego (Video)
Click here to download the Press Release
| Date |
September 26, 2009 |
| Time |
10:30am |
| Place |
Corner of Cesar Chavez & Crosby Street |
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August 3, 2009
June 21, 2009
2009 Festa Slideshows
June 14, 2009
June 14, 2009
June 14, 2009
May 29, 2009
May 27, 2009
May 26, 2009
| The Crownings: Week 1: Ron and Teri Simas Family |
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| What do you get when you cross a Crowning with Day At the Docks? You get very little parking. PRESD apologizes for not being able to provide more photos of the first crowning (April 19th). By the time our photographer found a parking spot and arrived at the church, the procession into the church had already begun. We'll be sure to know about Day at the Docks next time. |
May 23, 2009
| Don't Miss the Festa; Know Your Road Closures |
| It doesn't happen every year, but the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon seems to land on the same day as the Festa do Espirito Santo about every third year. When they do coincide, those people attempting to drive to Point Loma on the day of the Festa are faced with long delays, detours or flat-out road closures that they weren't expecting. To avoid stress and missing the parade, you should should know which roads are affected. (Click here for more) |
February 18, 2009
| Memories of the Downtown Festas told by Jim Bregante |
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| This photo was taken in Our Lady of the Rosary church during the 1964 Downtown Festa. It was the last year of the Downtown Festas. This Sunday, Jim Bregante recounts his memories of the Downtown Festas at the Portuguese-American dinner. If you're interested in hearing more about the Downtown Festas, you won't want to miss his presentation. The presentation is open to members of Portuguese-American Social & Civic Club and their guests. For more information, contact Mary Jane Warren at (619) 890-9685. |
February 18, 2009
| 2009 Cabrillo Civic Club Scholarship |
The 2009 Cabrillo Civic Clubs
scholarship applications are now in
city and county high schools.
Graduating high school seniors of
Portuguese descent who maintain a
3.5 GPA or better and have been
involved in school and community service are encouraged
to apply for the $500 scholarship. Click here for more information.
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January 5, 2009
| How About A Trip to The Azores For Free? |
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If you've been to the Azores, you already know what a beautiful place it is. If you haven't been there, put it on your list of must-see places. In fact, put it near the very top of that list. If you're not familiar with the Azores, it is a Portuguese Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 2,400 miles from the East Coast. A total of nine beautiful islands define the Azore Islands.
This month, the Travel Channel's January Sweepstakes prize is a trip for two to the Azores plus $2,000 in spending money. To enter, click here. Entering the sweepstakes is pretty simple. Just provide them with your email address and then answer one question. Heck, they'll even give you the answer if you don't know it. Good luck and should you win, I would be honored to go with you.
Wanna know more about the Azores? Click here
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December 31, 2008
| Feliz Ano Novo! Happy New Year |
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From all of us at Portuguese Research & Education, Inc, Feliz Ano Novo! We wish you and your family a happy 2009 full of joy and good health. |
November 7, 2008
| Community Shows Outpouring of Support for Helen Labruzzi |
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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.
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October 14, 2008
| Helen Labruzzi Spaghetti Fund-Raiser |
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| Anyone who has lived in Point Loma and has been involved in the Portuguese-American community there knows who Helen Labruzzi is. Few people, if any, have been more involved in the community organizations for as long as she was. She gave of her time and energy freely and helped out the community whenever she could. Now, she needs our help. It's our turn to give some of our time and energy to help support her. See Details |
August 12, 2008
| 24 Years Ago Today: A Look Back in Olympics History |
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| The men's marathon, a grueling 26.2 mile running event, brings the Olympics to a close. It is the final athletic event of the Olympic games. When that first runner enters the arena to the roar of a packed crowd of nearly a hundred thousand people, it must be the rush of a lifetime for the gold medal winner. Such was the feeling of exlieration 24 years ago for Carlos Lopes. (Read entire story) |
July 14, 2008
June 27, 2008
| Reminder: YP Memorial Unveiling is Tomorrow |
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View Larger Map |
Don't miss the unveiling of the YP Memorial. The dediciation ceremony takes place tomorrow, Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 11:30AM. The memorial is located just south of the G Street Pier. The new YP Memorial is just across the sidewalk from the U.S.S. San Diego memorial. You can see part of the U.S.S. San Diego memorial in the photo above (the wall with the ship on it). The YP memorial is visible in this photo, but we can't show you the details until after the unveiling. We don't want to play spoiler.
Come Early
It's summer time and that means the port is bustling with tourists wanting to take in San Diego's sights. Parking is in limited supply and between the tourists and people wanting to eat lunch at The Fish Market, that doesn't leave many spaces. Bring quarters with you. One quarter gives you 12 minutes in a parking meter. The ceremony is expected to last about 30 minutes so if you'd like to avoid a parking ticket, plan on having about a dollar's worth of quarters with you. Attendance is expected to be high, so come early to guarantee that you get to see the unveiling. See you tomorrow! |
June 21, 2008
June 16, 2008
| Yard Patrol (YP) Dedication Memorial: Save the Date |
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| Don't miss out on the unveiling of the Yard Patrol (YP) Memorial Dedication. Thanks to the hard work of August Felando, John Rebello, Kenny Alameda and others, there will now be a place to remember all the hard-working men that served on the yard patrol boats during World War II, helping to keep our country safe. Click here for all of the details. |
June 14, 2008
| 2008 Portuguese-American Community Float: Obrigado to the Donors Who Helped Make it Possible |
| It wasn't that long ago that the 2008 Tournament of Roses parade helped ring in the new year. Unbelievably beautiful floats lined Colorado Blvd representing a "Passport to the World's Celebrations." For the first time in the parade's 119 year history, there was a float representing the Portuguese. The man overwhelmingly responsible for bringing his 30 year dream to fruition was Anthony Bettencourt. The float, "Portuguese-American Community" wouldn't have been a success were it not for the financial support from the Portuguese-American community at large. Mr. Bettencourt wanted to make sure that everyone who helped out was acknowledged. Without further ado, PRESD is proud to help acknowledge these donors. Please click here to see a list of the donors. |
May 18, 2008
May 9, 2008
| Countdown to Festa 2008: The Sixth Crowning |
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Back Row: Mr. and Mrs. John Gonsalves
Front Frow: Princess Renée Gonsalves, Queen Lauren Lowell and Princess Emily Lowell |
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View a slideshow of Queen Lauren Lowell |
April 29, 2008
April 22, 2008
April 14, 2008
| Joe Falante Fish-Fry Fund-Raiser a Big Success |
Ed Rose and his wonderful crew have been putting on Fish-fry Fund-Raisers for many years. Ed's been putting on his fish-fry event for so long, people call it "Ed Rose's Famous Fish Fry." Tonight's effort was one of the most successful yet; a fund-raiser at the UPSES hall to help fellow community member Joe Falante and his family through some difficult financial times. The community made a showing tonight, big time, and raised thousands of dollars this evening to help with Joe's unexpected medical expenses. The delicious smell of Ed Rose's beer-battered fish recipe came served with a baked potato, salad and dessert. However, it was the community that made tonight special. with Thank you to everyone in the community for the outpouring of generous support. |
April 14, 2008
| Countdown to Festa 2008: The Third Crowning |
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Queen VivIan Romero Presents to Coroa (Crown) to Father Mel Collier |
| Yesterday's crowning marked the half-way point of the weekly crownings. There are three crownings remaining and if you can believe, the 2008 Festa do Espirito Santo featuring Queen Ariel Brito and mordomo Bea De Silva is now less than 4 weeks away. |
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View a slideshow of Queen Vivian Romero |
April 8, 2008
| Countdown to Festa 2008: The Second Crowning |
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Mr. and Mrs. Thierry proudly stand behind King Jordan and Queen Taylor Thierry |
| Last Sunday's second crowning was beautiful. Even the weather cooperated this time. We'll be posting a slideshow of the second crowning in a few days. |
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View a slideshow of Queen Taylor Thierry Crowning |
April 6, 2008
| Rest in Peace: Joe Varley |
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Yesterday morning (Saturday, April 5, 2008), Joe Varley passed away in his home with his family by his side. Joe was an integral part of our community and will be dearly missed. Please place Joe and his family in your prayers.
Services will be held at 11AM, Friday, April 11, 2008 at Saint Agnes Catholic Church. |
April 2, 2008
April 2, 2008
March 26, 2008
| San Diegan David Silveira Killed in Alaska Boat Sinking |
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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.
Related Article |
February 24, 2008
February 18, 2008
| Interview with Anthony Bettencourt: Realizing a 30 Year Dream |
 Right: Anthony Bettencourt |
Anthony Bettencourt had been dreaming about having a Portuguese Community float ever since he saw a photo of an ox-cart adorned with so many flowers you could barely see the cart. The idea came to him 30 years ago and this year, his dream became a reality.
PRESD sat down with Mr. Bettencourt a couple of weeks after the 119th Tournament of Roses Parade to talk to him about what it took to make his dream come true.
Click here to enjoy an audio interview with Anthony Bettencourt. There are twenty-four topics. |
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February 14, 2008
| Y.P. Memorial Unveiling Ceremony Postponed Again |
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Due to delays from the company contracted to install the Y.P. (Yard Patrol) Memorial, the City of San Diego will be unable to complete the work in time. This is the second time the unveiling date has been pushed back. The memorial will not be unveiled on February 23, 2008 as originally planned. No new date has been proposed but PRESD will announce the date as soon as it is released. If you wish to sign up to be automatically notified, click here.
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February 14, 2008
Point Loma Optimist Club Presents:
Miss Golden Grand Event
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Photo above is not of actual TV Set |
| Join the Point Loma Optimist Club at the Bali H'ai Restaurant for a delightful evening of fun, fellowship and food. Tickets are $20 per person. The fun starts at 5:30pm when Bali H'ai opens its doors. Dinner, a pig roast dinner, is included with your admission. You'll also have an opportunity to go home with a brand new 42" High Definition TV. It's a great event. Don't miss it. |
February 10, 2008
| Bennie Edens (1926 - 2008): Point Loma High School's Legendary Football Coach |
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| He started his illustrious career at Point Loma High School in 1956 as the head coach of the football team. During his tenure, he coached hundreds of our Point Loma Portuguese-American young men. His accomplishments include three CIF football titles (1962, 1966, 1987), 1966 San Diego County High School Football Coach of the Year, 1981 California Athletic Director of the Year, 1981 All-San Diego County Football Coach of the Year and the 1983 Southern Section Coach of the Year. Bennie Edens continued to coach into the late 1980s and 1990s. In 1988, Mayor Maureen O'Connor proclaimed Jan. 11, 1988 Bennie Edens Day. His other accomplishments include 1992 California High School Coach of the Year and the 2002 NFL High School Coach of the Year. (Full Article) |
January 30, 2008
| Sweets for your Sweetie |
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| While we can't advise you on what your sweetie's favorite flowers are, we do know that few people have the will power to resist the delicious rich chocolate flavor of See's Candies. PRESD has one pound gift certificates for sale as part of our February fund-raiser. For every certificate we sell, See's donates 25% back to us. Gift certificates are $14.50 each. To purchase, call (619) 244-1933 and thank you for your support. |
January 30, 2008
| Tuna Boats Galore: Another Hundred Photos Added |
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Okay so we didn't exactly add another hundred boats, just 91. But you have to admit, one hundred sounded pretty good. Still, just three weeks ago there were only seventy-one boats in our entire collection and now thanks to a number of supportive community members, we have 162 tuna boat photos in our collection and more are on the way. This collection was made possible by viewers like you. if you have a photo you'd like to add to the collection, please contact us. Click here to see the photos. |
January 21, 2008
| Valentine's Dinner & Show |
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| Looking for a way to put the exclamation point on Valentine's day? You've found it. After the roses and candy, take your sweetheart to Portuguese Historical Center's Valentine's Dinner and Show. Enjoy cocktails, dinner and a fabulous evening of romantic singing by three great Portuguese singers. To learn more, click on the singers or the titile.
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January 12, 2008
| Festa do Santo Amaro! |
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Come join friends and family today and tomorrow to celebrate Festa do Santo Amaro. Festivities kick off tonight with a rosary service at Saint Agnes Catholic Church. Following the rosary service, it's time for food, dancing, music and fun down at the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall. There'll be a variety show featuring Genica and other artists. The festa continues on Sunday with a morning mass and then dinner in the evening. The food is wonderful and you don't want to miss out on Bacalhau, tender meat, potatoes, and of course pão e vinho. For more information, contact Andrea da Luz at the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall (619) 223-5880. See you there!
Click here for all the details. |
January 8, 2008
| Five New Tuna Boat Additions Bring Total to 71 Photos |
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| We are very excited about the addition of five new tuna boats to add to our collection; the City of San Diego, Santo Amaro, Agressor, Mary Jo and Quo Vodis. The tuna boat City of San Diego was purchased from Japanese fishermen in the early 1930s. Quo Vodis is latin for "Where are you going?" We hope you're going to enjoy these photos and others in the collection. Take a look at these new photos and the old ones as well. By the way, if you have a photo you'd like to add to the collection, please contact us. We'd love to have a photo of each boat on our list. |
January 2, 2008
| The Portuguese Community Float: A Dream Come True |
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The 119th Tournament of Roses Parade's theme "Passport to World's Celebration's" was widely anticipated by millions of viewers around the world. However, few could be more excited about the parade than Anthony Bettencourt. His 30 year dream of a Portuguese float entry in the Tournament of Roses parade had finally come to fruition, in a big way. (Full article) |
January 1, 2008
October 22, 2007
| Our First Video Presentation: Deu Varley |
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Click on the picture above to see the video |
Filmed in 2004 from her home, Mrs. Deutilde Varley describes the process involved in what is now a lost art; creating models from tiny pieces extracted from fig tree piths. Click on the picture above or the article title to view the video. The video is in Portuguese with English subtitles. We hope to make these videos enjoyable and educational, and look forward to providing you with more in the future. Comments and suggestions are welcome, so please forward them to contact@presd.org
Obrigado
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| Click for calendar |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (3/18/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (3/25/2010) |
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25th Annual Barbeque Dinner (3/27/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (4/1/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (4/8/2010) |
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First Crowning (4/11/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (4/15/2010) |
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Second Crowning (4/18/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (4/22/2010) |
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Third Crowning (4/25/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (4/29/2010) |
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Casino/Poker Night (4/30/2010) |
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Fourth Crowning (5/2/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (5/6/2010) |
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Fifth Crowning (5/9/2010) |
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Brazilian-Portuguese Class (5/13/2010) |
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58th Annual Fish Fry (5/14/2010) |
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Sixth Crowning (5/16/2010) |
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Centennial Festa do Espirito Santo (5/23/2010) |
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Festa de Santíssima Trinidade (5/30/2010) |
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California Portuguese Bands Festival (11/13/2010) |
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Festa do Santo Amaro's Malassada Sale (11/20/2010) |
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California Portuguese Bands Festival (11/12/2011) |
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