The Alliance will hold its holiday Portes Ouvertes (Open House) event on Thursday, December 5, from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm at the historic Kamm House at 1425 SW 20th Avenue. No reservations are necessary to attend - simply stop by to visit with teachers, chat with staff members, register for classes (the Winter term begins January 6), learn more about upcoming events and, for those who aren't already members, learn about the perks of an Alliance membership. Note: the Open House is also the deadline for getting 10% off class fees. The event will feature a variety of refreshments including European-style cider from Virtue Cider.

There are still tickets left for the "Vive le Vent" storytelling session set for this Saturday, December 7, from 2-3pm, at the Alliance. The event is suitable for adults and children (age 3-10) and is appropriate for all levels of French learners as well as native speakers. Jane Fabulet-Roberts, the Alliance's children's program manager (pictured here), will entertain with storytelling, songs and  activities - a discovery of classic seasonal tales. Members $5 per person; all non-members are $8 per person. Click here for details and reservations.

The site, Internaute.com, has a great online article on the Christmas markets in France, Les meilleurs marchés de Noël.  While Germany is known for the largest and oldest Christmas markets, France has an amazing number as well. Click here for the article that features pictures from virtually every major holiday market in France. Pictured here is the market in Strasbourg, the "Capitale de Noël," which started in 1570 and draws two million visitors each year. Merci to Alliance c0-founder and FAIS founder, Jean-Claude Paris, for bringing the Internaute.com resource to our attention.

   Give-Away: Alliance members will appreciate an occasional "quirky give-away." This one is for persons who may have a special connection or appreciation for Jacques Prévert and/or the year 1951. The give-away is a copy of the book, Paroles, that dates from a small print run in France in 1951. The book, showing its 64 years, was originally owned by a Frenchman, Denys Nobécourt and at some point, was sold for 3 francs. It would be fascinating to know how it made its way from France to the U.S. and finally to our Alliance; all we can do is use our imagination! Alliance members can email info@afportland.org, put PREVERT in the subject line, and in 60 words or less (in English or French), describe why YOU should get the book! Send entries in by 12/7; our staff will pick a winner on 12/10. 

    French-Speaking Teachers and Assistants: North Seattle French School (click here for their website) is looking to hire French speaking teachers and assistants for grades K-2; the school's bilingual French-English curriculum is taught mostly in French. Candidates must be native speakers or equivalent. Email resumes to northseattlefrenchschool@gmail.com.  

  French Canadian: Oregon Translation is seeking a native speaker, male, from French Canada, for a voice recording. No experience in recording is necessary but the speaker must be a native-language speaker from French Canada. The job, lasting an hour, will be compensated. Call Ben at 503.914.1119, extension 7111, as soon as possible.