Friday, September 16, 2011

Sao Paulo: Intercity Bus Stations are no longer allowed to charge for the use of toilet

Yesterday (September 15), a law forbidding to charge for the use of public toilets in bus stations in São Paulo State was published on the Diário Oficial (Official Gazete).

Signed by the governor Geraldo Alckmin, the law requires concessionaires or licensees of bus terminals to maintain their facilities tidy and clean and also to provide
access for disabled people.

The new law is already in force. A daily fine (R$ 5,235) will be applied for the concessionaires that won't fulfill the requirement.

Virada Cultural 2011: the biggest uninterrupted sport event on earth. This weekend for free on the streets of São Paulo!


This weekend, September 17th and 18th, Sao Paulo will host for the fifth consecutive year a new edition of the Virada Esportiva (What could be Sport turn over). It will be a whole weekend with sports throughout the city of São Paulo.
 

The biggest sport event uninterrupted on the planet. Get ready for 32 hours of sports, leisure and recreation in Sao Paulo!

There will be over 2,500 free activities spread in a thousand different points of the five regions of the city - more than 40% than 2010 edition.


Check out the full program (PDF - Portuguese):

Rappel at Fiesp building to grab attention of pedestrians about Virada Cultural 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Prêmio Paladar 2011 - You can be one of the judges!

Paladar 2010: Best dish of duck, Le Jazz restaurant

If you live in São Paulo and want to be one of the judges of the Prêmio Paladar, organized by the newspaper Estadão, and if you want to have meals in the best restaurants of Sao Paulo with expenses paid by the newspaper, you can be part of this contest.

It's easy! You just have to write a quick review (8 to 10 lines maximum) about a dish you have eaten recently. And put as a comment on their blog's post (click to access).

Overview
The authors of the best comments will be selected for an interview, after which will be the final selections will be made. The interviewers will consider the candidates' appetites for food and knowledge, and how their passion for food is expressed. Remember to stick to critiques of the food and your dish, and not of the restaurant in general.

Paladar 2011: Maní restaurant winner
of Fish and Seafood contest
Insidesaopaulo has talked to the organizers, and the text can be written in english if you wish, but it's important to be living in São Paulo and to be available to visit restaurants in town. The winners of the contest will be announced in December.

Since the Prêmio Paladar doesn't consider any votes based on memory alone, the selected judges will have to taste and experience all the items competing for the 2011 award in different categories.

They must visit the restaurant as ordinary customers, without identifying themselves. They must order, pay the bill, and write a review. That's undoubtedly an intense and secret task - but definitely an awesome one. 

Rules
  • Each contestant may send only a single review including a valid e-mail (which will not be revealed). The contest is already running and ends on September 18th, at 11:59 pm.
  • The applicant must live in São Paulo and be available during the contest. The participation is voluntary (it's not paid). No refund is available for extra expenses.
  • Cuisine chefs and restaurant staff are not allowed to participate.
  • The identity of the judges in 2011 will not be revealed to the readers until the award celebration.
You can be part of it!

    The Festa di San Gennaro 2011 has already started in São Paulo

    The Feast of San Gennaro (The original name is Festa di San Gennaro), one of the major events of its kind in São Paulo, consists basically of three main activities: the solemn Mass, the procession of San Gennaro and parties held outside on the Lins and San Gennaro streets, where there are located dozens of stalls selling souvenirs of the festival, plenty of food and drinks, plus a restaurant where concerts are held thrilled.

    Service
    What: Festa di San Genaro 2011
    Where: Rua San Gennaro e Rua Lins
    When: Every Saturday and Sunday from September 10th to October 9th, from 6 pm till late (on the street).
    Price: For free on the street;
    R$ 40 to access the church facilities on Saturdays; and
    R$ 25 on Sundays
    (The ticket includes antipasto, a pasta and two slices of pizza, plus the concert of the band Felice Itália).
    Phone: +55 (11) 3209-0089 or 3207-1049
    Website: www.sangennaro.org.br

    Wednesday, September 14, 2011

    Tomorrow (Thursday, 9/15), Luz and Republica metro stations will be finally connected to the 4-Yellow Line

    The 4-Yellow Line brings information in English. Not every metro line offers this option
    At the very beginning, these two brand-new stations will operate from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Saturday, including holidays. The Metro Department estimates that around 100 thousand passengers daily will be accessing the República station, and 132 thousand passengers will pass through the Luz station.

    Metro expects an equalization in the access of Paraíso and Sé stations.

    Next step
    Now the next challenge of the Yellow Line is the construction of a tunnel 1 km long, connecting to the Vila Sonia station in the west region (under construction). Beyond that, there are also the project-ending of the installation of operating systems at the stations: São Paulo-Morumbi, Fradique Coutinho, Oscar Freire and Higienópolis-Mackenzie.

    The route between Luz and Vila Sonia will have 12.8 kilometers passing through 11 stations. It is expected that the remaining works will be ended in 2014. From 2012, Line 4-Yellow must already carry about 700 000 people per day. 
    [source: estadão]

    Related links:

    Tuesday, September 13, 2011

    Grand Hyatt is a wonderful location for business travelers

    Grand Hyatt São Paulo Hotel
    Located in one of the big Business Centers of São Paulo, Avenida das Nacoes Unidas, the Grand Hyatt São Paulo is near to the Congonhas airport. The luxury accommodations and fine dining are great options for those coming to work in São Paulo. There are over 460 rooms including the Grand King, Grand Queen and Presidential diplomat suites.

    Among the services you can find business center, shuttle to airport, bar, wine cellar and cafe. There are also 3 restaurants serving Italian, French and Japanese food.

    Service
    What: Grand Hyatt São Paulo
    Where: Avenida das Nações Unidas, 13301
    Price: Starting from R$ 550
    Phone: +55 (11) 2838-1234
    Website: http://www.saopaulo.grand.hyatt.com.br/


    And the crown of the Miss Universe 2011 goes to...

    ... Miss Angola, Leila Lopes

    The concourse Miss Universe 2011 hosted in São Paulo at Credicard Hall ended and the crown goes to Africa! Congratulations!

    The five final positions of the great concourse were:
    1st - Angola: Leila Lopes
    2nd - Ukraine: Olesia Stefano
    3rd - Brazil: Priscila Machado
    4th - Philippines: Shamcey Supsup
    5th - China: Luo Zilin