Host Families: Local nonprofit Andeo International Homestays is seeking host families for teens from France for a few weeks this spring. Three-four week hosting opportunities begin in February, March and April. Find out more at www.andeo.org or contact Marie@andeo.org (Marie is an Alliance student and member).

   Internship Sought in Legal Field: Alliance member Robyn Branzell has a friend, Alizee Bonamigo, who is a law student at UPMF/Stendhal in Grenoble, France. Alizee would like to complete an unpaid internship with a law firm in Portland next summer for at least 4 weeks during July/August. She visited Portland as an exchange student in 2010. She has lodging assistance and orientation through Robyn. Alizee can be contacted at alizee-1994@hotmail.fr. Feel free also to contact Robyn at hopebark2@msn.com.
   Highlights of the Canals and Rivers of France: Joan and Neil Malling, partnering with Terri and Bill Fogarty of Portland-based Euro Escapes (Alliance organization members who are European barge, river and vacation specialists), presented to a sold-out crowd of 40 on January 17 at the Kamm House. Click here for the event photos. Merci to documentary photographer Heather Heaton.
  Blazers French Night: Ticket sales are brisk for the special group night on February 19 at the Moda Center (formerly called the Rose Garden). Click here for details and for how to get your ticket to this special annual event, before it's too late!
  Best Falafel in Paris: When you're wandering in Paris and wondering if any of the falafel places are really any good, just whip out your handy new list of recommended falafel restaurants, just published. Click here.
   Prévert Contest: Shown here (at left) is Jane Murray, the winner of the recent Prévert contest. Félicitations, Jane!
   Fascinating Facts: Did you know that eccentric Frenchman Alphonse Bertillon (shown here at right, from the Wikipedia page on him, and not to be confused with the ice cream . . .) was the inventor of the mugshot, in the late 1800s? Also circulating on the web currently is a mugshot of his young son, ostensibly taken when the toddler committed "the crime" of eating too many pears! Click here for that bit of whimsy which also sheds light on the period's norms for the definition of gluttony.  
   Table for sale: The Alliance has this conference table for sale at the beginning of February. Sturdy, attractive faux-wood laminate surface. 8' long. $200 or best offer; chairs not included. Email info@afportland.org. 
   Most popular links in the last bulletin were: 1) the link to the Blazers' French Night event and 2) the photos of the Beards' apartment in Paris (for rent at a discount to Alliance members). Find recent bulletins in the online archive. 
   SOIREE en avril: Interested in helping with the organizing of the Alliance's second annual dinner/auction set for April 19 at the MAC? Email lindaw@afportland.org.