Street Paving and Drainage Accelerated in Rio das Ostras

[Article from Secom Rio das Ostras, originally posted here. My translation.]

Urbanization work in progress will cost about R$55 million.

The work of the Secretary of Urban Planning and Construction is happening at an accelerated pace. Dozens of streets are being paved, adding drainage, and being urbanized, adding about fifteen kilometers of pavement. The City Council set aside R$20 million to urbanize the roads near Rodovia Amaral Peixoto in Rio das Ostras. The work, long awaited by the population, will begin later this month. The investments, including bicycle paths, street signs and parking, will be conducted between Jardim Bela Vista and Praia Âncora.

Amparo Animal Rescue

What: Amapro animal rescue
Where: All over Rio das Ostras
Website:  http://amparoanimais.blogspot.com/
Contact: Nadja Magalhães amparoanimais@gmail.com
Facebook page: http://pt-br.facebook.com/people/Amparo-Rio-Das-Ostras/100001847634463

Amparo Rio das Ostras is a non-profit, privately run organization set up to rescue stray animals, and hopefully find permanent homes for them.

They run adoption fairs, free spay and neuter events, other awareness events, and help find lost pets.

If you are looking for a pet to join your family, please consider adoption. There are so many dogs and cats which need homes, you'll find a perfect match.

Parque dos Passaros

What: Parque dos Passaros bird sanctuary and rehabilitation facility
Where: The end of Rua Petropolis, Jardim Marilea
When: Open every day except Monday, 9am to 4pm
Cost: Free!
Phone:(22) 2771-3937
Email: semap@riodasostras.rj.gov.br

Parque dos Passaros was built in 2002 and has nearly twenty acres of land.

They are home to such endangered birds as the White Beaked Aracari, the Tiriba Pearl, and the Pixoxo'.

One of their objectives is to educate the community about preservation of the environment.

International publication highlights Rio das Ostras among the best beach destinations in Brazil

[Article via Secom Rio das Ostras, photo by Cezar Fernandes. My translation]

In its March issue the magazine Lonely Planet, the world reference for those who like to travel, published an article selecting the seven best beach destinations in Brazil. Rio das Ostras was one of those places listed by the guide and the only one cited in Rio de Janeiro state.
The highlight was Itapebussus beach and for Lagoa Salgada. Both occupy the same incorporated area and are a substantial part of a protected environment, consisting of restinga vegetation and animals which face extinction, the Área de Relevante Interesse Ambiental - Arie.

Construction Debris Recycling Plant Begins Operation in Rio das Ostras

[Article by Angel Morote published here, my translation. Photo via Secom Rio das Ostras]

Rio das Ostras has gained a construction debris recycling plant. Now, in addition to the roads becoming more clear, the remains of building materials will be utilized for the maintenance of streets and roads in the city. There are at least 1,540 tons of left over debris scattered on the streets of  Rio das Ostras every month. This debris hinders pedestrians and motorists, and can cause accidents.

Amaral Peixoto Highway Will Undergo Construction for Expansion and Repair

[Article from Secom Rio das Ostras, published here. Photos courtesy of Secom. My translation]

The State of Rio de Janeiro will invest in Amaral Peixoto Highway.

Twenty kilometers between Maricá and Saquarema, and another 30 from  Rio das Ostras to Macaé, will be doubled in size. The roads in the state of Rio de Janeiro will benefit from investments up to R$2.8 billion. There will be over 700 km of improvements. The announcement was made by the State Government. Among the roads that will receive investments, is RJ-106.

Public Library of Rio das Ostras Expands Book Collection

[Article from Secom Rio das Ostras, published here. Photos by Deork Daniel. My translation.]

The branch will receive about 1,300 books, including works by renowned authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Jules Verne.

With a collection of more than 40,000 books, including editions in Braille, the Public Library of Rio das Ostras is further expanding their collection. Selected by the National Library Foundation (FBN), the branch, managed by the Culture Foundation of Rio das Ostras, will receive about 1,300 books, literary classics, works on history and anthropology, and biographies. Among the authors are names which are national and international references such as Aesop, Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, Darcy Ribeiro, Ruth Rocha, and Ana Maria Machado, among others.

City of Rio das Ostras Invests in New Infrastructure Projects

[Article Posted by Igor Sampaio here. Photos by Mauricio Rocha. My translation.]



Places such as Âncora, Nova Aliança and Palmital are undergoing improvements.

Before and after

The Secretary of Public Services office is installing the paving, drainage and sewer systems in various locations in the city, in addition to maintenance actions such as replacing light bulbs, cleaning of culverts and repairing pot-holes. The second lane of Rua Gervásio Moreira Marques in Palmital was washed out by a creek. Residents have had constant flooding problems, but today, with the work having been completed, the reality is different.

State Government chooses Rio das Ostras for Pioneer Tourism Project

[Article from Secom Rio das Ostras, published here. Photos by Jorge Ronald. My translation.]

The State Secretary will come to the city on the 15th of March for the presentation of research on the panorama of tourism for the city.

The Tourism Survey of Rio das Ostras, the result of research carried out by the State Government on Tourism in the city, will be presented next Thursday, March 15 at 7pm at City Hall.

Indignant residents of Rio das Ostras clamor for security

[Article by Angel Morote from Secom Rio das Ostras, published here. My translation. Photos courtesy of Secom Rio das Ostras]

They claim that the Municipal Guard trailer was removed from the neighborhood.

The protesters closed the Amaral Peixoto Highway at the entrance of the neighborhood in front of the Centro de Cidadania. Residents of Bairro Enseada marched again last Wednesday (March 7th) at about 8:30 a.m. for improvements to the neighborhood and for the return of the Municipal Guard trailer which rendered service for the area to inhibit the high rate of theft, burglary and attempted rape.

City builds leisure area in Rio das Ostras

[Article from Secom Rio das Ostras, published here. My translation. Photos by Mauricio Rocha.] 

The Jardim Mariléa plaza is being revitalized.

Another important improvement project for the people of Rio das Ostras should be ready by July. Praça Jaime Rodriguez Villar in Jardim Mariléa is being revitalized by the prefecture's Department of Urban Planning and Construction. The investment is more than R$1 million and prioritizes the implementation of a variety of entertainment options.

City of Rio das Ostras invests over R$1 million for improvements in the Gelson Apicelo subdivision

[Article via Secom Rio das Ostras, posted here, my translation]

Construction on the urbanization of several streets of the Gelson Apicelo subdivision will be completed Next month.

Initially, the Department of Urban Planning and Public Works are doing storm drainage, paving and completion of the drinking water network for the streets of Jurema Dias, Edith de Castro, Projetada 2, Lima Passos, Travessa Manuel, Rua B and Beira Rio. In total, more than R$1 million is being invested by the City of Rio das Ostras from their own resources.

The work provides for the extension of drinking water pipe in the subdivision, nearly 4 million square meters of cobblestone paving and 1,656 square meters of sidewalk, along with storm water drainage which will help to prevent flooding during heavy rains.

Online Portuguese Learning for Free

Thanks to a casual mention by another friend who is living in Brazil, I've discovered a new online resource for learning Portuguese.

Take a look at Memrise.com.

Specifically you can find Brazilian Portuguese here.

I've just started using it today, so my review is based just on a cursory beginning (and only with the Portuguese course), but I really like it so far.

The Foot Washing Well in Rio das Ostras

[Original article written by Angel Morote and published here. My translation]

Note the small distance between the stone well and the
Municipal Guard tent. Surveillance of the historical
site did not occur.

Vacationers, tourists and revelers line up to use the historic well.

The historic well of Rio das Ostras is now known as the "Foot Washing Well." Vacationers, tourists and inconsequential revelers use the well, originally from the eighteenth century and located in the Plaza José Pereira Câmara, to wash feet or face, bathe and even to wash their dogs. According to history, the well was built by slaves in the mid-eighteenth century, and was known as the Well of Stones of Largo de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, serving as a landmark for construction of the town of Rio das Ostras. Historical manuscripts say that the well was used by villagers and sailors who crossed the Bay and docked at the pier of morro do Limão [Lemon Mountain], where the Yacht Club is currently located, so the crew could pick up drinking water.

Ana Biju - Beadcraft supplies and lessons

What: Ana Biju - Beadcraft supplies
Where: Rua Uruguai, Extensão do Bosque
Hours: Monday through Friday -9am to 6pm
Contact: (22) 2764-1128

Are you a bead-crafter? Ana Biju has a really big variety of beads and beading supplies at very good prices.

They offer classes in the store, Monday through Friday from 2pm to 4pm. You purchase the supplies you need and the class is FREE. Please call first to arrange an appointment for the class, but come any time during regular hours to shop.