Tuesday, January 8, 2013
In this article, we will describe a marvelous element within the parades and Brazilian Carnaval festivity: the "Porta-bandeira", pronounced (porta bandayeera) and translated here to Flag-Bearer. Below, you will understand why this magnetic parades figure is able to symbolize the essence and honor of the Carnaval culture. The porta-Bandeira, along with the Mestre-Sala figure, can definitely represent the highest distinction to individuals who have devoted their career and lives to Carnaval and Samba in Brazil.
First, let us take a look at some of the main functions, attributes and characteristics of the "Porta-Bandeira" which in brief, has the delicate task to present to samba enthusiasts and judging panel, the Samba-Schools banner during an official carnival parade. For the benefit of new samba fan readers, lets us first recall what is a samba-school banner. Each samba-school (just like any country) has a flag which ultimately symbolizes itself in rehearsals, official events and the parade. (The flag - bandeira in Portuguese, is also sometimes referred to as Pavilho, in Portuguese). As an example, traditional Mangueira Samba-School has a green and pink colored looking flag, with its full name "Primeira de Mangueira" written on it.
During every carnaval contest in Brazil, each samba-school must obligatorily have a person which will carry its banner during the official carnaval parade in February /March. This person (woman by definition) is the Flag-Bearer. The Porta-bandeiras specific duty is then to wave and swirl the samba-school banner in graceful but determined way through the runway, while the Mestre-Sala, her escort, offers 'protection'.
The "Porta-Bandeira element" is a class of its own in a samba-school parade. She is the focus point, the icon figure where everyone looks upon (and certainly never forgets). The first major differentiating aspect of a Flag-bearer amongst other samba dancers / elements in a carnaval parade is her dressing. The Flag-bearer has extremely exuberant and luxurious Carnaval costumes. Sometimes a single flag-bearer costume can cost up to US$ 40,000. In terms of carnaval costumes, the area where carnaval directors invest the greatest amount of money, time and detail, is surely the Porta-Bandeira. They definitely want to impress and show how the samba-school is not economical. The logic behind is that if the general look of the Porta-bandeira is impoverished, second-grade, this could be a synonym that the samba-school is also deficient, below par. In exchange, if the Flag-bearer costume is extremely glamorously done, with precious items etc; the samba-school would be prosperous too. The wealthier the samba school, greater is the investment done in the development and creation of this specific costume in a parade.
Another distinguishing point to observe in Porta-Bandeira (but also the Mestre-Sala); is the fact she does not dance the traditional samba-dance, but perform a smooth ballet-kind of choreography at the parade. As some samba-dance experts' note: "As example, they spin around each other in systematic swirls combined with elegant gestures." During the official parade, the Flag-bearer earns points for her lightness, grace and presumptuous attitude. The Flag-Bearer must carry the banner all through the parade, which in Rio de Janeiro lasts for 90 minutes. Also, the Flag-Bearer kisses the Samba-Schools Flag a few times during a parade, in a sign of honor and pride for being the fundamental representation of the samba-school. All of this ritual though, would be incomplete without the presence of the second element we will describe here: the Mestre-Sala, or Samba-Host.
Both "porta-bandeira" / mestre-sala roles in the carnival culture can really mean the top of a career and life devoted to samba. Most couples you see at Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo carnaval parades have probably been dancing and practicing samba for at least 15-20 years. They usually start practicing for that specific function very young, at the ages of 8-10 years and gradually move up the samba-school hierarchy. Many of them are direct descendants of the true founders of carnaval and samba in Brazil. The couples develop their skills and experience, hoping one day to belong to become the "couple number 1", from one of the 12 most important samba-schools of Rio. The achievement of these positions would naturally bring them fame and glory.
First, let us take a look at some of the main functions, attributes and characteristics of the "Porta-Bandeira" which in brief, has the delicate task to present to samba enthusiasts and judging panel, the Samba-Schools banner during an official carnival parade. For the benefit of new samba fan readers, lets us first recall what is a samba-school banner. Each samba-school (just like any country) has a flag which ultimately symbolizes itself in rehearsals, official events and the parade. (The flag - bandeira in Portuguese, is also sometimes referred to as Pavilho, in Portuguese). As an example, traditional Mangueira Samba-School has a green and pink colored looking flag, with its full name "Primeira de Mangueira" written on it.
During every carnaval contest in Brazil, each samba-school must obligatorily have a person which will carry its banner during the official carnaval parade in February /March. This person (woman by definition) is the Flag-Bearer. The Porta-bandeiras specific duty is then to wave and swirl the samba-school banner in graceful but determined way through the runway, while the Mestre-Sala, her escort, offers 'protection'.
The "Porta-Bandeira element" is a class of its own in a samba-school parade. She is the focus point, the icon figure where everyone looks upon (and certainly never forgets). The first major differentiating aspect of a Flag-bearer amongst other samba dancers / elements in a carnaval parade is her dressing. The Flag-bearer has extremely exuberant and luxurious Carnaval costumes. Sometimes a single flag-bearer costume can cost up to US$ 40,000. In terms of carnaval costumes, the area where carnaval directors invest the greatest amount of money, time and detail, is surely the Porta-Bandeira. They definitely want to impress and show how the samba-school is not economical. The logic behind is that if the general look of the Porta-bandeira is impoverished, second-grade, this could be a synonym that the samba-school is also deficient, below par. In exchange, if the Flag-bearer costume is extremely glamorously done, with precious items etc; the samba-school would be prosperous too. The wealthier the samba school, greater is the investment done in the development and creation of this specific costume in a parade.
Another distinguishing point to observe in Porta-Bandeira (but also the Mestre-Sala); is the fact she does not dance the traditional samba-dance, but perform a smooth ballet-kind of choreography at the parade. As some samba-dance experts' note: "As example, they spin around each other in systematic swirls combined with elegant gestures." During the official parade, the Flag-bearer earns points for her lightness, grace and presumptuous attitude. The Flag-Bearer must carry the banner all through the parade, which in Rio de Janeiro lasts for 90 minutes. Also, the Flag-Bearer kisses the Samba-Schools Flag a few times during a parade, in a sign of honor and pride for being the fundamental representation of the samba-school. All of this ritual though, would be incomplete without the presence of the second element we will describe here: the Mestre-Sala, or Samba-Host.
Both "porta-bandeira" / mestre-sala roles in the carnival culture can really mean the top of a career and life devoted to samba. Most couples you see at Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo carnaval parades have probably been dancing and practicing samba for at least 15-20 years. They usually start practicing for that specific function very young, at the ages of 8-10 years and gradually move up the samba-school hierarchy. Many of them are direct descendants of the true founders of carnaval and samba in Brazil. The couples develop their skills and experience, hoping one day to belong to become the "couple number 1", from one of the 12 most important samba-schools of Rio. The achievement of these positions would naturally bring them fame and glory.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 by wiwik · 0
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Denver Real Estate Investment
While home ownership in America was once seen as a stabilizing economic force, the housing bubble of the past decade pushed many into mortgages that they couldn't afford when the housing market crashed in 2007. The overleveraging of credit through risky mortgages was seen as a symptom of flawed tax and housing policies, and renting, not buying, is being promoted by some as a safer way to ensure economic stability (1). But the logic behind this new rationale is now flawed, especially in the Front Range where Denver real estate conditions are much improved.
Denver commercial property was indeed overpriced during the real estate bubble that developed from 2000 to 2007. But as Andy Knudtsen of Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. shows, property prices in the Denver area have actually fallen 12 percent since the bubble burst, stabilizing in March of 2009 (2). This means that consumers looking for Denver homes for sale can now get good deals on properties that feature low, stable prices.
In fact, the 12 percent average drop in Denver real estate prices was much smaller than in certain areas of the metro area, such as Glendale, where certain Denver condos and apartment prices dropped 33 percent from 2005 to 2010. Often these larger drops in real estate prices were in newer properties and buildings, whose facilities and locations are just as prime now, but whose prices are much more reasonable.
Of course, for homebuyers who purchased Denver real estate between 2000 and 2007, this means that the price of their Denver property is most likely lower than when they first purchased. For these property owners, there is a silver lining. For starters, rental rates are increasing at a steady pace and vacancy rates are near a 10-year low (2), so there aren't many other options that would be better than their home. Furthermore, foreclosure rates are dropping (3) and the state's population is still increasing by double-digit rates, meaning demand for Denver real estate should return.
Denver commercial property was indeed overpriced during the real estate bubble that developed from 2000 to 2007. But as Andy Knudtsen of Economic and Planning Systems, Inc. shows, property prices in the Denver area have actually fallen 12 percent since the bubble burst, stabilizing in March of 2009 (2). This means that consumers looking for Denver homes for sale can now get good deals on properties that feature low, stable prices.
In fact, the 12 percent average drop in Denver real estate prices was much smaller than in certain areas of the metro area, such as Glendale, where certain Denver condos and apartment prices dropped 33 percent from 2005 to 2010. Often these larger drops in real estate prices were in newer properties and buildings, whose facilities and locations are just as prime now, but whose prices are much more reasonable.
Of course, for homebuyers who purchased Denver real estate between 2000 and 2007, this means that the price of their Denver property is most likely lower than when they first purchased. For these property owners, there is a silver lining. For starters, rental rates are increasing at a steady pace and vacancy rates are near a 10-year low (2), so there aren't many other options that would be better than their home. Furthermore, foreclosure rates are dropping (3) and the state's population is still increasing by double-digit rates, meaning demand for Denver real estate should return.
Sunday, December 2, 2012 by wiwik · 0
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
lvn programs
An LVN, also known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, is an individual who handles many of the duties of the registered nurse without the need for extensive education and licensing. LVP programs are perfect for those who are thinking about getting into the health professions but do not want to go through the intensive education and work necessary to become fully licensed.
The first thing to understand about LVP programs is the actual job requirements of an LVN. A licensed vocational nurse is still a nurse who has gone through training. The nurse goes through training to cover many of the basic acts of a regular nurse. An LVN must do all of their work under the supervision and presence of a physician or registered nurse, however, as they have not met the full requirements needed to work on their own.
Each state completely dictates the work that a licensed vocational nurse will be able to do while under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. While some states severely restrict what the vocational nurse can do, others allow them to perform more serious tasks. Some nurses choose to become certified in various important health care actions to be able to perform more in the hospital or physicians office. Taking blood, starting IV lines, and administering medications are all important actions that are dictated by the state board. Some LVNs can perform these actions, some can receive licenses to do so, and others will not be able to perform them with their current title.
LVN programs are much shorter than RN programs, making them incredibly popular with a large section of the population. People want to get into the health care industry but do not want to spend the time to become a full nurse. Unlike registered nurses, who will go four years for their education, LVN programs only require a year or two of training. LVN program still feature many of the same basic classes, including anatomy and patient interaction and care.
The requirements for licensure in the LVN field will different from state to state. It is important to note that most states are going to require something resembling an internship for the individual wishing to receive their license. They must have logged, detailed hours of the work they have performed and must acquire all of this information to finally receive their license for vocational nursing.
There are plenty of different job opportunities for those who have decided to go through an LVN program. The most popular locations for LVNs include nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. These are locations that only need to administer basic care, a perfect setting for the LVN. These locations will have a few RNs to help supervise the LVNs but will rely heavily on the vocational nurses for medications and general aid.
The first thing to understand about LVP programs is the actual job requirements of an LVN. A licensed vocational nurse is still a nurse who has gone through training. The nurse goes through training to cover many of the basic acts of a regular nurse. An LVN must do all of their work under the supervision and presence of a physician or registered nurse, however, as they have not met the full requirements needed to work on their own.
Each state completely dictates the work that a licensed vocational nurse will be able to do while under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. While some states severely restrict what the vocational nurse can do, others allow them to perform more serious tasks. Some nurses choose to become certified in various important health care actions to be able to perform more in the hospital or physicians office. Taking blood, starting IV lines, and administering medications are all important actions that are dictated by the state board. Some LVNs can perform these actions, some can receive licenses to do so, and others will not be able to perform them with their current title.
LVN programs are much shorter than RN programs, making them incredibly popular with a large section of the population. People want to get into the health care industry but do not want to spend the time to become a full nurse. Unlike registered nurses, who will go four years for their education, LVN programs only require a year or two of training. LVN program still feature many of the same basic classes, including anatomy and patient interaction and care.
The requirements for licensure in the LVN field will different from state to state. It is important to note that most states are going to require something resembling an internship for the individual wishing to receive their license. They must have logged, detailed hours of the work they have performed and must acquire all of this information to finally receive their license for vocational nursing.
There are plenty of different job opportunities for those who have decided to go through an LVN program. The most popular locations for LVNs include nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. These are locations that only need to administer basic care, a perfect setting for the LVN. These locations will have a few RNs to help supervise the LVNs but will rely heavily on the vocational nurses for medications and general aid.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 by wiwik · 0
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