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Quoi de neuf / Infolettre
Thursday's Open House Deadline for Discount

Join us at the historic Kamm House (1425 SW 20th Avenue) in Goose Hollow (near Providence Park) on Thursday, Dec. 11, for the complimentary Portes Ouvertes (Open House), 6:15pm to 7:45pm. Current and prospective members and students are invited to come by to socialize, enjoy refreshments and get to know the Alliance programs. Free parking; click here for all the options. Remember that the Open House is the last day where you can get 10% off class fees for the winter term that begins January 5. Class lists are online and in printable format; enroll at the open house or prior (by phone or online) to enjoy the discount. Email info@afportland.org or call 503.223.8388 with questions. 

Beaujolais Nouveau Photos Now Online     

Portland's Beaujolais Nouveau festival, the largest on the West Coast, is consistently an "epic party," attracting visitors from other states and from France. The unique ambiance of the event is captured in photos that are enjoyed not only by the attendees and others, but that also serve as tributes to the generous sponsors who support the fundraiser. Click here to view album #1 (90 photos by Katharine Kimball) and here for album #2 (140 photos by Heather Heaton. Both are not only talented professional photographers but Alliance students as well. (After clicking the link, click "slideshow" and drop the seconds to '1' for a fast clip.) 

Transitions and a Farewell Party
Meriem Bouhaddouda, who has been involved in Portland's Francophone events and schools since 2010, will be leaving Portland to rejoin family and friends in Europe in January. Many know Meriem from her work at the Alliance where she has fulfilled key roles in office administration as well as with events, accounting, memberships and technology. She has done FLE tutoring with many of our students, taught art classes, and also has taught in our immersion programs. Friends, colleagues and past students of Meriem are invited to join a farewell party on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at a wine bar in the Pearl. Click here to indicate your interest in attending (so that we can get an idea of the numbers) and we'll email you the details.  No cost to attend but you'll want to purchase your own wine/food. 
Tax-Deductible Gifts: Join in the Giving
Has your experience with this newsletter, French classes, teachers or events been positive? Here's a way to give back: At year-end is when many of us make decisions about charitable giving. The Alliance holds nonprofit status so donations qualify as deductible charitable contributions on individuals' federal tax returns. (The group is also on the Oregon Cultural Trust's list of approved cultural nonprofits in the state.) Contrary to popular belief, the Alliance receives no funding from city, county, state or federal institutions, nor does it receive financial support from the French government or French foundations.  Click here to donate online to the nation's 8th largest Alliance; all funding stays here locally.
Test Your Reading Comprehension
Test your reading comprehension and be impressed with a seemingly endless array of facts about the state of the French language in the world today, by viewing the recent online video produced by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Set to music, the 5-minute clip answers questions like: Combien de francophones y a-t-il dans le monde ? Où sont-ils et quel usage font-ils de la langue française ? Où en est l'apprentissage de la langue française en Europe, en Afrique, en Amérique, en Asie ? Dans quels pays le français est-il une langue d'enseignement ? Quelle place occupe le français sur Internet ? Click here for the video, which summarizes a report that is completed only every four years. 
Dates to Remember
Dec. 11: Alliance Open House
Dec. 1-13: December Intersession Term
Dec. 17: Farewell Party for Meriem
Jan. 5: Start of Winter Term
Jan. 23: Boating in France
Quick Web Links
 

Enrolling now 

for the Alliance's   

Winter (Jan-March) term.  

  

Conversation

Groups

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

NW, N, or Central   

St Honoré on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, Dec. 3 & 17        

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

Philippe's Bread on N. Williams on Sat., Dec. 6. for B2/C1 levels (advanced, fluent)  

SE Portland

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

  At Vie de Bohème weekly on Sundays, 4-5:30 p.m.

Vancouver

At Gustav's in Vancouver, Tues., Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

  

 

In-Kind Sponsors

 

 

 Perrier

 

 

 

PClogo
 

 
Job Postings, Entertainment and Shopping
  
More Shopping Savings: In the last bulletin we told you about a couple shopping options for French-themed gifts in Portland, and here is another one. Gérard Philippon, a former president of the Alliance, is partnering with several other businesses to hold a PDX Pop-Up in the space previously occupied by Cargo, at 380 NW 13th Avenue in the Pearl. Featuring mostly European imports, you'll find that a section of French-themed gifts, including woven market baskets, French country diaries, Provence linens, and even pétanque sets. At checkout, simply mention that you are from the Alliance, and you'll receive 10% off all purchases in the Pop-Up.
  Jet Black Pearl: A newcomer to the Portland entertainment scene, Jet Black Pearl, will play at Vie de Bohème on Sunday, December 28 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Called the "World Wild Woman of the Accordion," the trilingual performer from Amsterdam has performed on more than a thousand stages in Europe and the US. She will be singing, rapping and beat boxing about slugs in love, criminal gurus and hallucinating butterflies; this cabaret gypsy party will feature 50% of the songs in French, including classics and originals. Visit the venue's site for other details and get tickets at the door for $5 (discounted to $4 for Alliance members).
childcare   Nanny/Babysitter Sought: Lake Oswego Mom to 16-month-old girl and son who is a first-grader at one of the area French Immersion schools, seeks a kind, energetic, bright and upbeat part-time nanny/babysitter. French language fluency/ability to read and play with the kids in French is a big plus. Work would ideally include 3 mornings or afternoons a week with just the baby, plus one weekend day and one evening a week with both kids. Pay is $18/hr. Click here for all details and the contact info.    
  Job Postings: The Alliance is accepting  applications for teachers (days, evenings and Saturdays) and for administrative support staff. Click here for details. Start date: January 2015.
  FAIS Holiday Market: The holiday market (shown here at the bottom right) drew an estimated 1,100 attendees. The winner of the raffle at the Alliance booth was Cyreena Boston Ashby, who will enjoy a free class (value $295). Merci to all who stopped by to say, 'Bonjour'!
  Seeking a Holiday Gift? Are you looking for a unique holiday gift for the Francophile in your life? Consider buying them an Alliance gift certificate for a class or membership. Simply contact our office with a credit card over the phone and we'll e-mail you the gift certificate in pdf format. Print it on nice paper on your end, and you're good to go!

 

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