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Quoi de neuf / Infolettre

Outpouring of Support and Solidarity
We would like to acknowledge and thank our members, students, readers and the community for the outpouring of support and the kind messages of solidarity in view of last week's tragedies in Paris. Not only does the Alliance have staff who hail from Paris, but many members and students have friends, family and fond memories of the city. Grard Araud, the Ambassador of France in the U.S. issued a statement this week; click here for that message, in French. Here in Portland and Beaverton several vigils have been held by the French-American community, as covered by the Oregonian (click here). Many members also report having read the NY Times article by Pamela Druckerman, in which she described her personal experience in Paris on November 13. 
News Coverage in Our Region
Local news outlets visited the Alliance for stories of personal connections to France. Click here for video taken at the Kamm House by KOIN news. Click here for video from the Alliances in Portland and Seattle, as well as a statement from FAIS, on KGW.  The Oregonian article referenced above and sites such as USA Today offer impressive slideshows of monuments throughout the world, lit in the French colors of blue, white and red (the same as the U.S. colors, but in the order of BLEU-BLANC-ROUGE). The Alliance's event partner in Seattle, the FACC, was asked to help locate a large French flag which was flown atop the Space Needle as shown in this photo. 
Questions about How to Help
We have fielded many questions about how to help. We recommend taking a look at an informative article on USA Today (click here). It provides links and descriptions of some French and multinational organizations that are accepting relief funds for victims and survivors. The article also provides common-sense reminders about charitable giving during crises.
Round Table Discussion with the Ambassador
On Monday, Dec. 1, a round table discussion is being organized in Seattle that will be attended by Grard Araud, the Ambassador of France to the United States. Click here for details and to reserve. The discussion will be hosted by Stoel Rives in downtown Seattle and will focus on French-American business relations in the Pacific Northwest. Reserve soon. This event was planned prior to the events of November 13 and will be held as scheduled. 
Beaujolais Nouveau Events This Week
Continuing a tradition from France that is more than 70 years old, cities around the world will celebrate the annual harvest of "young wine" or "le vin nouveau" beginning this Thursday. In the last bulletin we shared information about the Nouveau Division Crawl, and of course many of you will attend the Beaujolais Nouveau event on Friday at the Heathman. These events will not only be celebrations of French tradition and culture, but they will provide an opportunity for attendees to express their solidarity and support. Visitors will have the opportunity to make entries in a Solidarity Journal that will be sent afterward to our colleagues in Paris. The Heathman event is completely sold out - to be waitlisted, email the event manager.   
Quick Web Links

Fall term is in progress. Private lessons available.   

   

  Conversation

Groups

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

NW, N, or Central   

St Honor� on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, Nov. 18   

The Saturday group formerly at Philippe's Bread will meet at Palio's in Ladd's Addition on Dec. 5, 11am - B2/C1 levels (advanced) 

SE Portland

At Chez Machin, Mon., Dec. 7, at 7pm

 
At Vie de Boh�me weekly on Sundays, 4-5:30pm

Vancouver

At Gustav's

on Dec. 8 at 5:30pm.

 

Merci  

 

 

 Perrier

 

 

   

PClogo
 
November and December Reminders and More
    
Alliance Open House: Visit the Alliance on Dec. 10 for its quarterly open house. Sign up for classes - the class schedule is already posted online for the December term and for the Jan.-March term, 2016. Enjoy complimentary refreshments at the Open House. Chat with teachers, staff and special guests.
Immersion Programs Overview: On Dec. 4 at the Alliance get all the answer to your questions about immersion programs in France. Just 5 seats are left. Call the Alliance office for details or reserve online by clicking here.
French Music: Learn about French music and enjoy a live performance by Eric John Kaiser at the Alliance on Dec. 1. Click here for info.
French Film - Free: The film, La Grande S�duction (English title is Seducing Dr. Lewis), a comedy from Quebec, will be shown at Clark College on Friday, November 20. Free and open to the public. Complete details are here.
Blanchard in Portland: Catch French-American singer Francesca Blanchard (photo here at the right) opening for Yuna on Nov. 19 at Doug Fir Lounge. Visit www.dougfirlounge.com.
Art Exhibit and Sale: Join three Portland artists for a one-day art show and sale at Bellamy Art Studio, 6351 SW Capitol Highway, in Hillsdale Village, from 10-4pm on Sunday, November 22. Alliance members Maarja Paris, Christina Reynolds, and artist Poppy Dully will show handcrafted felted works, fabric arts, paintings, art cards, and book arts.
Meet French Conductor Ludovic Morlot in Seattle: On December 6 meet the French conductor of the Seattle Symphony, Ludovic Morlot, in person. Click here for details and to reserve. 
French singer, Eric Vincent, will perform at Mt Hood Community College, 26000 SE Stark in Gresham on Tuesday, November 24 at 11:00am at MHCC's Studio Theatre. Teachers who wish to attend this one-hour morning concert with their students should email [email protected]. Cost will be $8 per person. To get an idea of the event, check out the reviews by teachers and students who have attended his concerts at: http://www.eric-vincent.com/reviews.htm. 
The Online Auction Fundraiser ended last night and raised funds for the Alliance, the FACC and FEN - all nonprofits. Thanks to all who participated. A separate silent auction will also be featured at the Heathman event on Friday; for a preview of that auction, click here.
Gad Elmaleh's performance on Nov. 12 in Portland at the Old Church was enjoyed by a full house. The comedian's show was mostly in English with smatterings of French. In December and January he'll be mainly at venues on the east coast of the U.S.  


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