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PIFF Festival Features 14 French Films
The 39th Portland International Film Festival will take place February 11-27. This annual showcase of new world cinema will feature many French-language films - check out the listings by country for France, Belgium, Canada and others on the PIFF website. Overall there will be 97 features and 50 short films from three dozen countries. The Alliance is sponsoring the film, Marguerite (stop by the Alliance office for $10 vouchers). Other festival sponsors include FAIS, FACS, PSU and TV5MONDE. Visit the festival website for more info.
Home Exchange, Rentals and Remodels
    Home Exchange: French teachers near Geneva, Switzerland who have connections here in Portland (with Etoile French Immersion School) are seeking a home exchange for 2-3 weeks during the summer of 2016. Click here to view the offer including photos.    
   Charming Farmhouse near Le Mans: Former Alliance President Grard Philippon has a XVI century farmhouse, nestled in 5 acres with total privacy (coded gate and fenced property) just 30 minute from Le Mans race track (department: Sarthe, region: Pays de la Loire). Sleeps seven. Click here for the Airbnb listing but contact Gerard directly by email here in Portland to reserve; he's offering ten percent off for Alliance bulletin readers.
  Paris Apartment Remodel: In an earlier bulletin we linked to a Paris Perfect article on a studio apartment that had a picture-perfect view of the Eiffel Tower, but some drawbacks. Click here to see the latest update on how the buyer has decided to renovate the space.  
Events & Other Postings
    Event Photos: Check out a few online pictures of the sold-out FETE DES ROIS event held on January 24. Merci to St. Honor Bakery for sponsoring the event. And click here for photos of the French Night at the Blazers, held last Friday at the Moda Center, where it was overheard that the Alliance group is one of Batum's favorites.
  Canadian indie-pop singer-songwriter Coeur de Pirate (aka B�atrice Martin, shown here at left) will perform  at the Aladdin Theater on February 23. Visit the Alliance's Facebook page to enter a short contest - you might win free tickets to the concert which will be 50% in French.
  En Garde, V
alentine: There are a handful of tickets left for the Valentine's themed event at Northwest Fencing Center on Feb. 12. Click here for details.     
  French Games Night:
Tickets are available for the Games Night on Feb. 26 at the Kamm House. Click
here for details. Must be 15 or older. 
  Domaine Divio will feature a tantalizing combination of Belgian chocolates, macarons, champagne and wine at the winery's Valentine's celebration, Feb. 13-14. Click here for details.
  Gad Elmaleh's transition from comedy in France to the U.S. is described in this January online article that includes a humorous short video clip on French mannerisms. Gad had a highly popular sold-out show here in Portland last November.
  Zero Waste: Interesting article about a new zero-waste food chain in France - the tip of a new movement? Click here for the article and here for an explanation of the term, "en vrac."   
  Job Postings: Amazon in Seattle is seeking Content Strategists fluent in French or Spanish; click here. The Alliance Franaise of Seattle is seeking a Marketing and Cultural Programs Manager; click here.    
Promotions, Announcements and More
Jean-Francois Genay, former head of the French American Genay2010 International School, has been promoted to the level of Commandeur in the Order of Academic Palms, by the French National Ministry of Education. Says Honorary French Consul Jack Cowan, who attended a recent meeting organized with Genay, "With this rare promotion, Genay is likely the only Commandeur in the entire Pacific Northwest region - a singular achievement."
    Longtime Alliance member and Vi
Pascale Theurier Beardce President of the Board of Directors, Pascale Theurier Beard, has decided to move on from the board. Pascale recently took on more territory and responsibility as Regional Director of Sales for travel company Avanti Destinations. Pascale commented that she and her husband, Terry, hope to continue to stay involved with the Alliance and look forward to coming to future events. The Board thanks Pascale for her fKathryn3our years of service to the Alliance.
   This month the board welcomed the Alliance's former Education Manager, Kathryn Mascorella, to the board. With her passion for French and her five years of experience working with Alliance students and teachers, Kathryn looks forward to supporting the organization in this new board role.
   In other announcements, the Board has named
Sherry Charles to the position of Executive Director (she was briefly the Acting Executive Director); click here for the detailed announcement. The board also recently awarded the honorary title of Emeritus Director to former director Linda Witt. 
Would You Like to be a bnvole? Get involved?
If you would like to become a b�n�vole, here are ways you can help or get involved:
   The Organizing Committee of the annual gala, Soir�e Proven�ale, is seeking volunteers to assist with the auction and log
istics on the day of the event (April 23) as well as volunteer photographers and entertainers (potentially in exchange for classes). Complete the online volunteer survey online. Corporate sponsors are also being sought for the gala - contact Marilyn Hartzog, Development Director by email, at the office or on her cell at 503.890.1823.
  Ann
ual Fund: Merci to the members and donors who responded to the 2015 Year-End Fund Drive to support the Alliance's mission. Development Director Marilyn Hartzog reports that the goal was nearly reached. Donate securely online (it's tax-deductible) - click here or contact Marilyn to discuss creative ways of giving such as estate planning, monthly contributions, or in-kind donations.
Whiteboard:
The Alliance is seeking to acquire a dou
ble-sided whiteboard (ideally 4' by 6') on wheels for one of its classrooms. Cash underwriting or donation of a board will be most welcome. Email School Director [email protected]rg if you have ideas or offers.   
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All Events

Winter term is underway. Check with the office for openings. Private lessons also 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, Feb. 3 & 17. 
*   

The advanced group (for levels B2/C1 meets at Palio's in Ladd's Addition on Feb. 6, 11am. 

SE Portland

At Chez Machin, Mon., Feb. 8, at 7pm

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

Vancouver

At Gustav's

on Feb. 9 at 5:30pm.

 

Merci  

 

 

 Perrier

 

 

   

PClogo
 
TV5MONDE February Highlights: L'Amour of Course
 
Check out the February programming and the Cinema on Demand on TVMONDE by clicking here or on the graphic below.  Most films on TV5MONDE are subtitled in Engish for learners of French - an entertaining way to get some listening comprehension practice.
 
   
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