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Summer French: New Possibilities
The Alliance's summer term started this Monday - over 320 students are enjoying classes, camps and immersion programs. By popular demand we have doubled the number of True Beginner classes that are being offered on Monday and Tuesday evenings, resulting in a few new openings. Call to snap up those classes and attend your first session next week. Remember that Alliance classes are kept relatively small, with an average of 7 students and a maximum of 11. Call 503.223.8388 for openings; most classes started this week but a couple also begin in July.    
Openings in the Tuileries Exhibit Tour

Close to 3o people enjoyed the French-language tour of the internationally renowned Tuileries exhibit at the Portland Art Museum last Sunday. The second tour will be held July 20 (2-3pm); a couple spots are available. Visit the event page to register; open to the public. Merci to the bilingual docents, Karen Alexander and Jane Baars, both of whom are Alliance members, for leading these private French-language tours. For more on the exhibit, which contains many different types of media, including paintings, scale models, tapestries, and even very large marble sculptures (transported here by ocean freighter), check out the Oregonian's online article.  

France/U.S. Comings and Goings 

Students and colleagues of Alliance teacher Cl�ment, pictured here, are invited to attend his going-away party (he's heading back to France) on Sunday, June 29, 5pm-6:30pm at the Alliance's Kamm House. Former students/colleagues can click here to attend; free. Many students also recently said bon voyage to teacher Jane Fabulet-Roberts, who is moving hJaneFab2er family to Grenoble. Both Jane and Clment will be sorely missed and their contribution to French language education in Portland is inestimable.  In coming weeks the Alliance will welcome new staff members from France and from New York. In preparation for their arrival the main office has undergone a remodel - come by for a look.  

Bastille Day News: Help Get the Word Out!  
Help get the word out about the West Coast's largest Bastille Day celebration. Close to 8,000 visitors are expected in Director Park on July 12 (the Saturday closest to July 14). New this year: Representatives from the French Tourism Office in New York will attend and exhibit at the event. Major sponsors this year are the Esco Foundation, Kafoury & McDougal, FAIS, the Alliance, Hardy Cognac and Lillet. This year's restaurants will feature perennial favorites St. Honor, Brasserie Montmartre, the Heathman Restaurant, C'est Si Bon, as well as new entrants offering tasty Alsatian dishes. Event posters are available at the Alliance, or print your own and post (click here for the 11" x 17" poster). Contestants for the Portland Waiters Race, sponsored by Perrier, are encouraged to sign up online, before it's too late - maximum capacity is 25 waiters who will compete for $1000 in cash prizes.  
Member News & Perks  
  New "Les Amis" Organization Member:  Welcome to new Les Amis organization member, Katharine Doel, LCSW. A member of the Alliance since 2006, Katharine offers psychotherapy and counseling for individuals and couples. French proficiency. Visit her website and remember that she offers 10% off to fellow Alliance members. Click here for a complete list of the 20 businesses offering discounts to members.
  Get discounts on North America's largest French-language magazine: France-Amrique subscriptions are available at a discount to Alliance members. Click here for details. Not yet a member? Join a couple thousand other Francophiles and Francophones for just $36/year; quick and secure online signups

  

Dates to Remember
July 11: Rose City Open Petanque Tournament
July 12: Bastille Day in Director Park
July 20: Tuileries Tour at Portland Art Museum
July 28: French Immersion Week
Aug. 7: Concours de Tartes aux Fruits
Quick Web Links
 

Enrolling for Summer Term, Summer Camps and Immersion Programs.

  

Conversation

Groups

Some are hosted by Alliance staff, board members or other volunteers. Drop-ins welcome; membership is encouraged but not required.

NW or Central PDX 

St Honor� on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, July 2 and 16  

C'est Si Bon on NE 7th on Tuesdays @ 6pm 

SE Portland

At St Honor on SE Division, Monday, July 7, at 6pm.

At Chez Machin, Mon., July 14, at 7p.m.

 
At Vie de Boh�me weekly on Sundays, 4-5:30 p.m.

Vancouver

At Gustav's in Vancouver, Tues., Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

In-Kind Sponsors

 Perrier

 

 

 

PClogo

 

Job, Volunteers, Soccer and Event Updates        
  
  Conversation group update: conv2 Please note that the Vancouver Conversation Group doesn't meet in the summer. Their next group session will be Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Gustav's.
  Upcoming Ptanque Tournament:
Folks have been asking if spectators and novices are welcome to the upcoming ptanque tournament in Westmoreland. Answers Philippe Agnesse: "The whole weekend tournament is open to spectators and at no charge. Because it's an open you could actually play too but it's a pretty competitive tournament. Novice players are welcome to join the Friday Panache tournament which is much more social and less competitive tournament."
  Volunteer French Speaker Needed: A local service agency for seniors has a woman client that grew up in France and who now lives in the Tigard area. A volunteer is needed to visit her just 30 minutes at a time, once a week, and speak French with her. Please email Jane at [email protected] if you can help.
 Soccer Views from Paris: If you enjoyed Paris-based author Pamela Druckerman (shown here) when she visited Portland last year or if you are a soccer fan, you may enjoy this op-ed article in the New York Times. Click here.
  Job Posting: Hockinson High School in Brush Prairie, Washington, is seeking a French Teacher on a continuing contract basis. For complete details, click here.
  Qualified Teachers: The Alliance Franaise in Portland, Oregon, is seeking qualified, experienced teachers. Must already have the right to work in the United States. Email CVs to [email protected].
 Immersion Program Update: Last week was Portland's first one-week immersion program of the summer, called "French on the Willamette," described by attendees as "a really excellent, worthwhile experience." Highlights were having four different teachers and focusing on troublesome areas for Anglophones, "subjunctive, prepositions, depuis/pendant, and more." New for the next (July 28 - Aug. 1) immersion week: students will enjoy a daily group lunch, in French, hosted at Oregon Culinary Institute. Only three spots remain for this intense, unique program - click here for details and call to reserve a spot.  
   Have a Paris Hotel or apartment to recommend? Offer up your suggestion in a quick online form and we'll share your ideas with the many callers who contact us, looking for recommendations for their next trip.
  Take a mini vacation: Visit the Marais for a couple of minutes and learn about fashion in this trendy district, via this just-published online video by the New York Times.    
 

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