Michele Clark: Brazilian Dreamweaver

When Michele Clark managed an antique store in Brazil, she didn't imagine that the American customer looking to furnish a restored country mansion would someday become her husband. Today, this transplanted Brazilian keeps one eye on the couple's South American B&B and the other on their Lake Michigan gift shop.  Join the conversation to learn about jeitinho brasileiro (the Brazilian art of wiggle room) and a unique form of grass that glows like gold and lasts for centuries.

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.