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Quoi de neuf / Infolettre
"Tu" Versus "Vous" - More Views     

The most popular article in the previous bulletin was the one on the nuances of using "tu" versus "vous" (click here to revisit that bulletin). Continuing the discussion, the writers at Le Monde recommended an article by a French journalist, published earlier in the British paper, The Guardian. It discusses the impact in particular of social media on the usage of "tu" and "vous" in France, and argues that "Vous is not only a sign of respect and politeness towards an older person or a stranger; it puts a healthy and adult distance between two individuals." Click here for the complete article (in English). 

GERMINAL Comes to Portland
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art's 12th annual Time-Based Art Festival (TBA:14), September 11-21, 2014, will feature the French show, GERMINAL, one of the most talked-about shows on the international arts circuit. GERMINAL is led by Frenchmen Antoine Defoort and Halory Goerger, rising stars at the 2013 Avignon Festival. The show will be performed live at PSU on Sept. 18 and 19, in French, with projected English subtitles. All bulletin readers are invited to get 20% off tickets by using the discount code: tba14francaise. Visit the event web page for further details as well as info on a free group discussion with the artists, open to the public.   
Philippe's Bread Joins the Alliance

Philippe's Bread, operated on North Williams by French boulanger Philippe Garcia (co-located with Frice's Pastry and Lardo), has become an Alliance organization member, offering 10% off to members. Visit Philippe's website or Facebook page for a mouthwatering view of the breads. Plans are afoot to have a French conversation group as well. Email Rhonda Lynn if you would be interested in helping forming a group at that location or facilitating it. Philippe's Bread joins a select group of twenty businesses that offer discounts and privileges to card-carrying members. Visit the Les Amis page for the complete list which includes restaurants, bakeries, retail and professional services. 

News Around the Alliance  

Enrollment is brisk for the fall term that begins September 15. By popular demand we've added a couple more courses for a total of 50 options. Visit the class lists online and register early to get 10% off. Not sure of your level? Do an online placement or visit with teachers at the free Open House on Thursday, September 4, at the Kamm House. In other news, we're pleased to introduce our August intern-volunteer, Farha Bensafia from Lille, shown here with Kimberly Shute. Kimberly (at right) recently rejoined the Alliance board of directors and looks forward to meeting members at events and in class. Merci Farha, and welcome back, Kimberly! 

Members Organize French Tour in 2015  

Alliance members Cathy and Brian Sparks, based in Salem, have led numerous student travel/family stay programs to France over the years and last summer they led an adults-only trip. They will offer a similar 18-day trip for adults in 2015 (June 20-July 7, 2015); maximum group size will be 12 (no large tourist groups or buses). Click here for an overview and here for their program brochure. Six to eight spots are still available for the 2015 tour. Contact the organizers at bcalsparks@yahoo.com soon because the extensive planning involved means enrollment must close in October, 2014. Photo credit: Brian Sparks. 
Dates to Remember
Sept. 4: Portes Ouvertes (Open House) at Kamm
Sept. 6: Haute Couture Hair Show
Sept. 10: Winkler Event at Powell's
Sept. 18-19: GERMINAL Show / PICA TBA
Nov. 21: Beaujolais Nouveau at the Heathman
Quick Web Links
 

Now enrolling for the Fall term 2014 (term begins the week of Sept. 15).

  

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 Honoré on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, Sep. 3 & 17    

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

SE Portland

At St Honoré on SE Division, Monday, Sept. 1, at 6pm.

At Chez Machin, Mon., Sept. 8, at 7p.m.

  At Vie de Bohème 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

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Member Ads, Job Postings and More
 
Immersion to Return Soon: The summer immersion program featured five sessions from June through August, all receiving top marks and comments such as, "The program was everything I'd anticipated, and more." The photo here shows the B2 group from last weekend, enjoying a group lunch en plein air on the terrace of the historic Kamm House. Many of the program participants suggested holding the immersion at other times of the year, in addition to summer, so later this year, look for news of December intensive immersion. Note that the immersion material is also taught in the 10-week class, Perfectionnement, which is on the fall schedule.
Haute Couture Show Set for Sept. 6: In honor of French Cut Hair's second anniversary, owner/art director Monica Marteau and her team of master stylists are organizing a hair fashion show in the Pearl on Sunday, September 6, at 7pm. The event will be a visual diary that identifies and distills the latest trends in hair and fashion from the runways of Paris to the urban-chic neighborhoods of Portland. For
details and tickets, visit www.brownpapertickets.com and search for French Cut Hair.
French-Speaking Sitter Sought: A French-American family in SE Portland is seeking a French-speaking babysitter for their 6-month-old son, three days per week,childcare beginning in September. Contact Alexis via email: alexiswr7@gmail.com. 

French-Speaking Helper Sought: Family in Portland Heights area is seeking a French-speaking helper for house cleaning and cooking assistance for a family of 4 persons (two adults and two toddlers) to begin October, 2014. Approximately 15-25 hrs hours per week, any days of the week Mon-Sat. Email eaperry77@mac.com or call 503 267 9391 for more information.

French-Speaking Childcare Available: Flavia, a fluent French-speaking mother from central Africa (Congo DRC) and who now lives in NE Portland, is available for part-time childcare, 2-4 days per week, 4-8 hours per day. Accompanied by her 2-yr-old daughter, she proposes to provide childcare (on a live-out basis) in the home of a family having one or two children. Flavia's English is weak and her French is native fluent, so this is an opportunity for families seeking full-immersion for their young children. Contact Flavia by emailing Alliance members Arianne at askarianne@gmail.com.
French Teacher Opening in Vancouver: The Vancouver School District  has posted an opening for a high school French and Spanish teacher. Applicants must have a valid Washington State teaching certificate with an endorsement in Spanish and French, as well as a BA (Master's preferred). Click here for details.
The Editor's recommended link this week: This recent article from the national edition of French Morning explains in French why Americans smoke less than the French. Click here to see this perspective on: Pourquoi les Américains fument-ils moins que les Français ?

 

 

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