Quoi de neuf: Genders of Brands, Gala Menu & Le Guin

Quoi de neuf / Infolettre

Special Guest at Thursday's Open House

Stop by the historic Kamm House in Goose Hollow (1425 SW 20th Avenue) on Thursday, March 24, to enjoy a glass a wine and

choose a class for the upcoming spring term. Meet special guest, Philippe Garcia, an Alliance "Les Amis" member who hails from Lyon and who launched Philippe's Bread on N. Williams two years ago. Visit with teachers and check out the brand-new classes at all levels or the "CPR" classes (for Conversation, Pronunciation, Review) which are ideal for students wanting to build or strengthen conversation, pronunciation or grammar skills. Enjoy the 10% early-bird discount for registrations finalized at or before the Open House. Click here for more info and here for parking tips.

Ursula Le Guin at Cercle Français

Renowned author Ursula Kroeber Le Guin will make an appearance at the March 31 Cercle Français. Le Guin is an American aut

hor of novels, children's books, and science fiction short stories. The featured speaker for the noon-1pm session in French will be Alliance teacher Marie-Pierre Wolfe - she will talk about the history of the fashion house, Hermès. After that discussion, Le Guin will be present during the promotion and sales of the publication, Anarchism: A Necessary Ideal, which is based on an interview with Le Guin that was edited by Cercle Français member, Pietro Ferrua. Click here for more info.

Provençale Menu and Live Entertainment

The upcoming Soirée Provençale gala in the Grand Ballroom at the prestigious MAC (Multnomah Athletic Club) will feature a gourmet Provence-inspired dining experience by Executive Chef Philippe Boulot

. Boulot is a James Beard Award winner and Officier de l'Ordre National du Mérite Agricole. Click here for the menu, which has a distinct Mediterranean twist. The evening will also feature theatrical entertainment, live music and top-quality silent and live auctions of art, dining certificates and immersion programs. Executive Director Sherry Charles notes, "Thanks to our generous partners, we are able to offer tickets at the low price of $75 - an almost unheard-of price for a priceless evening of gourmet food, great wine and entertainment." Snap up your tickets online.

Curious Explanations for Genders of Brands

An Alliance member recently questioned why there is a mix of masculine and feminine genders when referring to brands of mineral PerrierOnIce

water. For example, one must remember to say, "Je voudrais un Perrier" (masculine) but "une Badoit" (feminine). It turns out there are fascinating explanations for this phenomenon - check out this theory (in French) for Perrier being masculine. Also remember that in French, brand names are treated as singular even when there's more than one. In English we say, "She drank two Sprites (with an "s"). In French, however, it's "Elle a bu deux Perrier" (no "s"). For more rules, check out the French explanation on Wikipedia for handling of noms propres. Merci to Sylvain Frayer for those links.

Job Postings: Tech, Teaching and More

Atlas Immersion Academy in Portland is seeking full-time and

part-time Lead Teachers/Teaching Assistants for their infant, toddler and preschool age classrooms. Click here.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle is seeking a Program Assistant who has skills in French. Click here.
   Amazon is seeking a Senior Marketing Manager where fluency in French is a plus; click here.
   The French American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco continues to seek an Executive Assistant; click here.
   Expedia in Bellevue is seeking a Senior Accountant where French or German is a plus. Click here.

DATES & QUICK LINKS

March 21-26 - Spring Intersession Classes and Workshops

March 24 - Spring Open House (Portes Ouvertes)

March 25 - Wine-Blending Workshop with Pascal Chureau

Apr. 9-10 and Apr. 15-17 - Fifth Annual PSU French Film Festival

April 23 - Annual Gala Dinner & Auction: SOIREE PROVENCALE

Quick Web Links

Enrolling now for Intersession (Mar. 21-26) and Spring Session (Mar. 28-June 4). 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 Honoré on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, April 6 and 20
*

The advanced group (for levels B2/C1 meets at Palio's in Ladd's Addition on Apr. 2, 11am.

SE Portland

At Chez Machin, Mon., Apr. 4, at 7pm

At Vie de Bohème weekly on Sundays, 4-5:30pm

Vancouver

At Gustav's

on Apr. 12 at 5:30pm.

Merci

Perrier

Solidarity with Belgium, Cultural Differences,
Learning Tips and More

SOLIDARITY: Expressions of solidarity are following the attacks in Belgium. Click here for the initial declarations on the French government's website (audio versions and complete texts are available).

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES: The Harvard Business Review recently published an article and short video highlighting cultural differences among nationalities, including the French. Click here.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED: Alliance member and French teacher Sheryl Meservey is seeking host families for young French teens (ages 15-16) this summer. Some are coming for 4 weeks, others for 6 and 8 weeks.

Email sherylmeservey@comcast.net or call (360) 513-2076.
REGIONS & PRODUCTS: An easy way to remember the regions of France is by the most famous brand names or icons. Consider this map (at right) as a learning aid.
LE PETIT PRINCE: Check out this 3-minute video on Le Petit Prince, from TV5MONDE's online teaching resources.

AUCTION IS GETTING HUGE: The Alliance's online listing of auction items is growing by the minute. Have an item to donate? It's not too late - call the office at 503.223.8388.

REFUNDS OF FEES: In a rare move, the French government is refunding hefty fees that were traditionally collected when non-French persons sold Summer Sun

their French properties. The refund decision is the result of a controversial ruling by the European Union. Click here for the article.
FINDING THE SUN: If you think Nice has the most sunny days in France, you are wrong. Marseille and two other cities have more sun. Consult this list for all the details. (Credit to Adrian Leeds of Parler Paris and Paris Nice for sharing this link.)

CREPES ARE TENDING: Time Out Paris reports that the popularity of artisanal crêpes is rising in that city. Their top recommendation is Krügen in the 11th arrondissement, specializing in crêpes from Brittany. For photos and info, click here. The blog We-Paris also has a write-up (in French) on Krügen; click here for their description which includes: On découvre la carte: de nombreuses crêpes sont proposées, aux goûts et saveurs variés.
HOW TO EAT, FRENCH-STYLE: In a related article, Yahoo Travel has a one-minute video set to music that provides tips and recommendations on how to eat crêpes, baguettes and more, French-style. Click here for the video and the accompanying text.

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