Parler Paris and Parler Nice are long-standing brands of the Adrian Leeds Group. They are in no way associated with the social platform Parler, nor do they share any of the philosophies of that platform.

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Paying The Price For Customer Service A La Française

There are some cultural hurdles I may never be able to jump, no matter how long I live here. Buyer beware, because hopefully your transition from the Anglo-Saxon way of life to the Latin one, may not be so difficult to make.

Customer Service with a capital “S” is my pet peeve and no matter how well I know what to expect from the French idea of Customer Service, when those expectations are fulfilled, I am still loathe to accept them. Author Polly Platt even tells one of my misadventures in her second book “Savoir Flair: 211 Tips for Enjoying France and the French” — an unfortunate encounter my daughter and I had once trying on bras at a big clothing store on rue de Rivoli! I behaved so “American” with that culturally ingrained sense of entitlement to the idea that the customer is “king.”

At the time, I vowed never to do it again. Then, yesterday, I lost my cool. The minute I did, I knew I had made a black mark on Americans everywhere in the eyes of the French.

What had I done wrong? Four things: 1. attempted to return something. 2. attempted to return something one day after the policy limit (7 day return policy) 3. attempted to return something without the original packaging 4. attempted to return something to a different branch of the same store.

I knew it wouldn’t work, but tested it anyway. In my sweetest, most helpless voice, approaching a young customer service gentleman (who is usually more agreeable than their female counterparts), using all the buzz words and nuances I could muster, I gave him the whole “song and dance routine,” laid the full problem on the table hoping he would see my plight and come to my rescue.

Forget it. It was one day too late, the packaging was missing, it wasn’t the original store where it had been purchased and they couldn’t do anything for me. Okay. Expectation fulfilled.

So, you want to know how I blew it? I made the big mistake of saying, “So how come they can do it all across America!?” at which point the whole crew of customer service people standing there ganged up on me and I knew I had made a huge blunder for every one of us Americans. Softly, I said “Merci,” turned and walked out with bag of unwanted goods in their store bag, felt like a fool and to you, I now apologize.

It’s a hard lesson to learn. Obviously, I haven’t learned it well-enough yet. At our upcoming Living and Investing in France Conference February 11 – 13, 2005 in New Orleans, Ruth Mastron, co-author of “Au Contraire! Figuring Out the French” will be speaking and adding tremendous insights to the issues of cultural crossings for all attending. She stopped the show at the Washington, DC Conference this past September with her mascot Peppy Le Pew by her side — the amorous French skunk from Loony Tunes, who sat atop the projector, representing the stereotypes of the French we’ve grown up with. Ruth’s engaging presentation wowed the crowd with the most concise explanation of cultural misunderstandings foreigners are sure to encounter upon moving to France. “Duh!” we all cried, “Mais oui! Now we understand!”

You’ll hear more about the New Orleans conference and how to register within the next few days…or if you just can’t wait you may visit the site at /frenchproperty/conference/LIF_NOLA/LIF_NOLA_home.html


Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris

P.S. Parler Paris Après Midi yesterday brought a big crowd of both regulars and newcomers to a warm and cozy “premier étage” of La Pierre du Marais. Don Smith, who earned his BFA in photography at the San Francisco Art Institute and studied under Pirkle Jones, Ansel Adams professional assistant for 13 years, brought his camera and took some very intimate shots of those who came for coffee and conversation. Don runs a series of photography workshops here in Paris — if you want to learn more, visit his site at http://www.parisphotoworkshops.com

To learn more about yesterday’s gathering, and see Don’s beautiful photos, you can read the full report by clicking here: /parlerparis/apresmidi.html

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Further resources:
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* Let us help you put a move to France in perspective — we can make it work for you. Take us up on a one-on-one consultation that could be the start of your new life. /parlerparis/services/consultationservices.html

* Foreigners can borrow up to 80% on a home loan. Find out how easy it is. /frenchproperty/insider/mortgage.html

* Practice speaking French and English with people from all over the world! (Closed between Christmas and New Year’s) http://www.parlerparlor.com/

* Though France might seem as familiar as any other Western country, the truth is, from paying taxes to having a baby — things are done differently in France. Read the stories how other people maneuvered the system.
http://www.insiderparisguides.com/answers/index.html

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Calendar #37
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Paris, France
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Special note:

Many, many thanks to Erin Zaleski, Calendar Gal Extraordinaire, who did a great job lending her willing hand to coordinate and edit the Parler Paris Previews the past couple of months while living in Paris. To our dismay, she is heading back home to San Francisco next week and will be sorely missed.

Parler Paris is seeking the next Calendar Gal or Guy Extraordinaire: unpaid internship, about 3 hours of work per week to coordinate and edit the calendar listings. If you’re interested, please email me at [email protected]

If you wish your community announcement to be listed in the Parler Paris Previews, continue to please provide the text in ENGLISH just as you’d like it to appear and send it to [email protected] We reserve the right to edit as necessary.

Thank you, Adrian

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Strictly Entertainment:
Comedy, Plays, Movies
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Moving Parts Play Readings In English

Carr’s Pub & Restaurant
1 rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris
Métro: Tuileries
Sundays 7:30 p.m.

The following readings have been organized by Moving Parts
with the kind permission of Carr’s Pub & Restaurant.

Always on Sundays, always at 7.30 p.m.!

Plays in English:

9th January Charles Borkhuis “Dusk”
23rd January Elena Kaufman “Our Mothership Sails”
20th February Rachel Ollagnon “Coupling”
6th March Kenneth Hickey “The Train Set”
20th March Mary Bruton-Sandifer “Hunting Season” (2nd reading)
17th April NC Heikin (title TBA)

Plays in French:
19th December Kartik Singh “Aicha” (2nd reading)
6th February Michael Diantonio “Epidéo”
3rd April Romain Bisseret (title tba)
1st May Pascal Loison “Intimités”

Contact Stephanie to book a reading of YOUR play:
May 2005 onwards available dates
Program subject to change
Latest version always available on the website: http://www.scamparis.com
or send an e-mail to Stephanie: [email protected] to receive the monthly mailings
For further information contact:
Stephanie Campion on: 06.14.67.18.58

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Drama Ties Theatre Company presents three plays in English, at Comédie Bastille, 5 rue Nicolas Appert, Paris 11th:

PRINCEACADEMY
by Kester Lovelace
Inspired by the classic Mark Twain novel, The Prince and the Pauper
Britain is in crisis, after the abdication of its two Princes. A new TV reality, Prince Academy, show is launched to find the young man who can sing, dance and charm Princesses. The favorite to win changes places, unseen by the cameras seeing, with a maths geek. The audience will get to vote to decide the end of the story.

Monday 10 January 2005 – 2:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.
Thursday 13 January 2005 – 10:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.

with Maja Bieler, Elena Kaufman, Simon-Timothy Marozzi.
Directed by Kester Lovelace
Songs by David Stanley
Tickets: 13 euros 35 euros (families)

All Bookings:
Drama Ties Theatre Company
tel: 01.45.86.30.52
[email protected]
http://www.drama-ties.com

——————–

Théâtre Pixel presents…

Bus Stop by William Inge

“In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked and four weary travelers are going to have to hole up until morning…”
Come see the play the New York Times calls “an uproarious comedy that never sways from the truth.” Don’t miss these two shows!

Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. until December 18th
18 Rue Championnet, 75018 Paris, Métro: Simplon
14 euros/9.50 euros for students and unemployed
Reservations: 01.42.54.00.92

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On Stage at the Théâtre de Nesle through January 2005

Travellin’ Light by Nicholas Calderbank
A free-wheeling comedy suitable for ages and linguistic levels.

8 Rue de Nesle, 75006 Paris, Métro: Odeon
10 euros/8 euros for students and unemployed
Reservations: 01.46.34.61.04

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Literary Events
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Alesian Literary Salon By Toby Brothers

January Salons Now Forming!

Here are the proposed salons for January. From the feedback I am getting from current Salon participants, there is a groundswell of interest in Faulkner – and some folks can only come afternoons or evenings. So now is the time to vote and commit. If you are planning on doing a Salon (start week January 10th), please let me know your preference. If you verbally offered your preference in this week’s Salon, now you can give your written (e-mailed, to be precise) desire. If you have multiple interests, please make that known as well. I promise to do everything I can to accommodate your requests. Remember if this is your first Salon, I require a deposit of 25 euros to hold your place in the Salon.

Here is my proposal:

Monday Nights: Bleak House- Charles Dickens
Tuesday Afternoons: Faulkner- Sound & the Fury- William Faulkner
Tuesday Evenings: (Here is the problem child)
Either: Sound & the Fury-William Faulkner
To the Lighthouse-Virginia Woolf
Catcher in the Rye-J.D. Salinger

Now is the time to vote and commit! If you are planning on doing a Salon (start week January 10th), please let me know your preference. If you verbally offered your preference in this week’s Salon, now you can give your written (e-mailed, to be precise) desire.

Website: http://literarysalon.free.fr
Call 06.85.13.81.27 or email [email protected] for more information.

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What’s on in the City of Light
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Picks: Photography Exhibitions

Le photographe photographié, l’autoportrait en France 1850-1914
From Friday, November 5th 2004 to Sunday, February 13th 2005
Maison de Victor Hugo – Hôtel de Rohan Guémenée – 75014 Paris

Vu d’Italie, 1841-1941, un siècle de photographie italienne dans les collections du Musée Alinari
From Wednesday, November 10th 2004 to Sunday, March 6th 2005
Pavillon des Arts – 75001 Paris

New York et l’art moderne
Alfred Stieglitz et son cercle 1905-1930
From Tuesday, October 19th 2004 to Sunday, January 16th 2005
Musée d’Orsay – 75007 Paris

‘Documentary and anti-graphic photographs’, Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Henri Cartier-Bresson et Walker Evans
Reconstitution de l’exposition de Julien Levy à New York en 1935
From Wednesday, September 8th 2004 to Sunday, December 19th 2004
Fondation H.C.B – Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson – 75014 Paris

Robert Capa
Connu et inconnu
From Wednesday, October 6th 2004 to Friday, December 31st 2004
Bibliothèque Nationale de France – BNF Département des estampes et de la photographie – 75002 Paris

La Véronique
Frank Horvat
From Friday, October 29th 2004 to Thursday, December 30th 2004
Galerie Dina Vierny – 75006 Paris

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Surfing on a rocket at the Palais de Tokyo…

Well, not really but the next best thing. Come for a special evening at the Palais de Tokyo for
Artist Richard Clar’s 2003 orbital debris constellation sculpture video, COLLISION II, featuring the
music of Marc Battier on Friday evening December 17th at 10:00 p.m. as part of NewMix emf10.

Included on Friday evening, will be a performance at 8:05 p.m. of New Butoh Space
Dance by Tetsuro Fukuhara. This two-evening event running the 17th and 18th of December, is a celebration of
the Electronic Music Foundation’s 10th anniversary.

Full program details for NewMix emf10 may be found
at: http://mapage.noos.fr/maatfrance/

——————-

Les Nuits Parisiennes 2005

Start 2005 with panache at Les Nuits Parisiennes at the Carrousel du Louvre on January 27th and January 28th.

Join over 8000 visitors and experience 70 expositions including music, visual shows, lingerie, magicians, dance and delicacies to name a few!
Participate in the “Allumez vos bougies” on January 27th and light up the city, and sashay into the stunning La soirée de clôture on January 28th.

For more information visit: http://lesnuitsparisiennes.fr

——————

December has several treats in store at MUSÉE DAPPER-the premier space in France dedicated to ancient and contemporary art of Africa.

Friday, December 17th and Saturday, December 18th at 8:30 p.m.
Dance and musical performance featuring Julie Dossavi.

Dance: Julie Dossavi
Electronic music and bass: Thomas Baudriller
Vocals: Papa Gédéon Diarra
Percussions: Yvan Talbot
Tarifs: 15 euros ; 13 euros for the friends of musée Dapper, students under 26 years old, dance professionals.

Musical performance of “Issa, longues jambes” by la Compagnie Vertigo. Inspired by a traditional African story, the tale reunites words, music and dance.

Sundays: 5th, 12th, 19th December
Sundays: 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th January
Wednesdays: 19th & 26th January at 3:00 p.m.

Mise en scène, choreography et play: Christine Roillet
Costumes et décor: Fanny et Pascale Mandonnet
Music: songs traditionnels africains, bulgares et papous
Instruments: kés-kés du Sénégal, kalimba et gong du Cameroun, bâton de pluie du Chili et aoko de Côte d’Ivoire
Tarifs:8 euros; T.R.: 6 euros for children under 12.

CIRQUE: Balabala Street

Désiré N’Goma (acrobat, équilibriste) et Vincent Mézières (juggler) presented by la Compagnie Chapiteau d’Afrique

Tuesday, December 21st, Wednesday, December 22nd et Thursday, December, 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

10 euros; T.R.: 8 euros for children under 12.

MUSÉE DAPPER
35, rue Paul Valéry 75116 PARIS
M° Victor Hugo
Open every day except Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tél.01.45.00.91.75
http://www.dapper.com.fr

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Guided Tours
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Paris by Night

Take a very private and personal tour with Vincent Dupont!

Let Vincent Dupont, “hôtelier” with the four-star Les Jardins du Marais, guide you and only four others
through the streets of the City of Light by night in his luxury van to see the stunning Holiday array of
lights and spectacles…

All through Paris to see by night the city’s most stunning monuments…le Louvre, le Grand and le Petit
Palais, l’Arc de Triomphe, la Tour Eiffel, Le Panthéon, les Invalides, l’Assemblée Nationale, l’Hôtel de
Ville, le Palais de l’Elysée, Nôtre Dame…

And all the while, Vincent tells his tales of Paris past and present…while you sit back and enjoy the
beautiful sights of the most romantic city in the world!

Only Four Tours Available:
Tuesday, December 28th
1) 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., 2) 10 p.m. to 12 Midnight

Tuesday, December 30th
3) 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., 4) 10 p.m. to 12 Midnight

Invest in France Seminar Participants: 30 euros per person
Non-Seminar Participants: 35 euros per person

Limited to 5 Persons per Tour
Choose your tour (1, 2, 3 or 4) and reserve your place by email
[email protected]
Meet in the lobby 15 minutes ahead at Les Jardins du Marais, 74, rue Amelot, 75011 Paris
Note: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
Visit /frenchproperty/conference/IIF_Paris/IIF_Paris_by_Night.html for more information.

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Musical Interludes
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Mary Modified in Concert December 20th, 8:30 p.m.

Mary Modified is a 5-member electro-pop group with American singer/songwriter, Jen Jordan. Her sensitive, melodic songs have been compared to Dido and Alanis Morrisette.
All lyrics in English.

La Scène
2 bis, rue des Taillandiers Paris 11
M° Ledru Rollin / Bastille
Cover: 10 euros
(opening act: French pop group Montparnasse)

——————–

“Aloha Noel”
L’Ukulele Club de Paris
La Java
December 15th at 8:30 p.m.

——————-

The New Music Association is presents two concerts this week:

Thursday, Dec. 16,2004
Aldridge Hansberry, drums
Jobic Le Masson, piano
Bruno Rousselet, contrabass

Friday, Dec. 17 2004
Twosome the duo:
Jobic Le Masson, piano
Aldridge Hansberry, drums

Concert Time: 9:00 p.m.
Bar opens : 8:00 p.m.

Both concerts take place at:
L’Aiguillage galerie
19 rue des Frigos (formerly 91 quai de la gare/91 quai Panhard et Levassor)
75013 Paris

New Music Association
01.48.05.48.03
[email protected]

—————–

Festival d’Art Sacré de la Ville de Paris through December 16th

15 concerts in 10 of the city’s most stunning churches (and other venues) including Notre Dame and Église St. Germain-des-Prés.

For more information and a schedule of events visit: http://festivaldartsacre.new.fr, phone 01.44.70.64.10

——————

The European Choir of Paris and its instrumental ensemble present…

Requiem de Mozart conducted by Hugues Reiner. A Mozart Requiem not to be missed; Hugues Reiner is famed for choruses that exude passion, sincerity and deep connection to the text. Come for a night that promises to be breathtaking.

Thursday December 16th and Saturday December 18th at Eglise Saint-Séverin.
3 rue des Prêtres
75005 Paris
Métro: St.-Michel
20/30 euros
Réservation: 08.92.68.36.22 or http://www.ticketnet.fr
08.92.69.70.73 or http://www.fnac.com

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Bonnes Soirées and Great Gatherings
====================

Parler Paris Après-Midi /parlerparis/apresmidi.html

Next Meeting: January 11th, 2004 and Every Second Tuesday of the Month 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is your opportunity to meet every month, often with local professionals who can answer your Working and Living in France questions. You are invited to come for drinks and share your questions and comments about what it takes to create a life here, own property and enjoy what France has to offer. It is also an opportunity to network with other Parler Paris readers.

Upstairs at La Pierre du Marais
96, rue des Archives at the corner of rue de Bretagne
75003 Paris
Métro Lines 9, 3 et 11, stations Temple, République or Arts et Métiers

———————

Paris Soirée Dinners Every Sunday

Patricia Laplante-Collins has international dinner parties on the Ile St-Louis. She hosts a 21st Century Paris Salon where you meet interesting people in Paris and have a lot of fun. There is always a Guest speaker, perhaps a Writer, Actor, Historian — you name it, Patricia hosts them all. For reservations or to be on the mailing list: call 01 43 26 12 88 or write [email protected]

PARTICIPATION:
Its 20 Euros in an envelope with your name, home telephone and email if we don’t already have it. Please include your card.

GREAT FOOD! International Cuisine

CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY.
Thanks for reserving via return email! If you don’t receive an email
confirmation by Sunday, please call Patricia:

Patricia’s Tel: 01 43 26 12 88
[email protected]

——————-

Paris Network Cocktails Every Wednesday

Hosted by Patricia Laplante-Collins…

PARIS NETWORKING COCKTAIL
Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. Make contacts for business, career opportunities, self-development.

Myhanh Coaching Expert. Former Entrepreneur Myhanh knows how to create success – in life and in business because she created her own She will share how all her life, she has generated success and flowing prosperity out of her deepest passions and wildest dreams. Career Highlights: At 20 years old, starting without experience or money, she created her own international Trading company and 5 weeks later, became a successful businesswoman. For 10 Years. She had fun and creatively dealt with influential market makers. Later Cartier International asked her to develop their worldwide diversifications. She later became one of the founders of first private commercial television in France, La Cinq.

PARTICIPATION:
15 Euros in an envelope and lots of business cards.

ADDRESS:
At Patricia’s apartment on the Ile St. Louis: 14 rue St Louis en L’Ile, 75004 Paris.
The Métros are Sully-Morland (closest) and Pont-Marie.
Farther away is St. Paul.

PARTICIPATION:
15 euros and lots of business cards.

BUFFET: GOOD WINE. FUN CANAPES. AFTER THE TALK, PASTA OF THE DAY
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO STAY.

RESERVATIONS PLEASE
Thanks for reserving via return email! Or call Patricia:

Patricia’s Tel: 01.43.26.12.88
E-mail: [email protected]

—————–

27 Years Of Dinner Chez Jim Haynes

Jim’s atelier becomes a salon every Sunday night where about 70 people from all over the world meet, dine, drink and enjoy themselves. Telephone on Saturday or Sunday for your invitation, directions and the door code.

Jim Haynes
Atelier A2
83, rue de la Tombe Issoire
75014 Paris
01.43.27.17.67, email [email protected]

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Services
====================

Have your portrait painted by American Portrait Artist, Kathy Burke
For samples of their great work, visit /parlerparis/art/index.html

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Knowledge is Power — Conferences, Workshops and Seminars
====================

The Most Important Thing You Can Do Before the Year is Over

Learn the best ways to watch your money and real estate investment grow before your very eyes…all while gazing at the world’s most famous monument over a frothy café crème.

Now’s your opportunity to take a holiday vacation in the most romantic and beautiful city in the world and set aside JUST ONE DAY of your busy schedule visiting museums and dining on foie gras to learn how to make your money double (and even triple — like mine has since I bought my Marais apartment just four short years ago).

December 29th, the first 100 individuals to register will learn from some of the finest experts in French real estate…how to make the most of the rest of their lives while building a portfolio of some of the most desirable real estate in the world.
Take just one full power-packed day, this coming December 29th — in Paris, France. Learn how…

/frenchproperty/conference/IIF_Paris/IIF_promo.html

—————–

Paint or Draw Portraits and Self Portraits with American Portrait
Artist Kathy Burke in her beautiful Marais atelier…

245 Euros 3-hour private session
490 Euros 3-hour session with 2 to 6 people
Includes all materials.

For more information, [email protected]

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Learning la Langue Française
====================

Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group
http://www.parlerparlor.com

Celebrating our 7th Year in Paris

Join us at the Parler Parlor conversation group in Paris France for free-form conversation with native French and English speakers. Practice speaking 45 minutes in French, 45 minutes in English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily, in groups of six to eight, each in its own acoustically sound private room.

Parlor Times — 3 Times A Week In Two Locations

Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Berlitz Opera
38 Avenue de l’Opéra
2nd arrondissement, Par

is
Opéra, RER A Auber

Wednesdays 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

At Eurocentres
13 passage Dauphine (entrance between rue Dauphine and rue Mazarine),
6th arrondissement
Métro Odéon, Saint-Michel

Membership And General Information
http://www.parlerparlor.com
Email: [email protected]
Elisabeth Crochard, Tel: 01 44 19 76 61
Adrian Leeds, Tel: 01 40 27 97 59

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Astro-Paris by Eric Francis
====================

Winter in Paris is a strange time. Summer made its first impression on me, with its endless days and streets flooded with people till midnight. In winter, it doesn’t get light till well past 8 a.m., because Paris is on perpetual Daylight Savings Time. By this, I mean that we’re only a touch over two degrees of latitude east of Greenwich, but in a different time zone. We really should be in Greenwich Mean Time. This gives Paris a feeling I’ve never quite experienced anywhere and is a bit of testimony to how time, and our experience of time, can shape our experience of life.

The days have pretty much stopped getting shorter at this point (here in the Northern part of the globe). While the Solstice has not technically arrived, practically speaking we are in solstice; the Sun (sol) is holding at a little over 23 degrees south declination (-stice, as in stasis or stillness). This is an extreme in every sense of the word; our minds are wondering “where the Sun went,” even though we have a nifty technical explanation.

At the same time, this is the week that the Sun and Earth align with the galactic core — the heart of the Milky Way, our galaxy. This is exact on Saturday, which in my estimation is a large aspect of the intensity of this particular season.

Mercury, still retrograde, is slow and powerful in the Sagittarius sky, and returns to direct motion Monday. Dec. 20. Beware of the Mercury storm! Don’t mess with your computer over the weekend or through late next week, if you can at all avoid it. Just leave it alone. The chances are it will fix itself; and if not, the fix will be a lot, a LOT easier next week. If you must, begin with making two careful backups of your most important files.

The Sun enters Capricorn the morning of Dec. 21 in the states, afternoon in the US. This is the official Solstice and the commencement of winter. It is a meaningful turning point that you can feel in your body; you don’t need me or a book to feel this shift, if you notice.

Happy Birthday Sagittarius!!! Interactions with loved ones, partners and collaborators now take the highest level of priority in your life. Looked at one way, you realize you cannot do it alone. Looked at another, you see that you never really did it alone. The difference now is the need for having a fully conscious appreciation of the dramatic role that people play in your life, in influencing your views, and in helping you be the person you are — or rather, in becoming the person you are becoming. You’re never one to stay put for long, or to stagnate. Yet the rate at which you are changing your mind is really an expression of how your soul is revealing its intent and its mission to you now. Deep stuff, but you were made for it.

Eric Francis, a Paris-based American astrologer, is the author of Planet Waves, a premium online information service available at http://PlanetWaves.net/ He also does private consultations (solar returns, compatibility charts, locational astrology, business consulting, gift readings and more) on the phone and in person in Paris. Call 206.463.7827 or 877.463.8265 for more information.

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Community Announcements
====================

American Women’s Group: Upcoming Events

December:
12/15 Lunch around the world

January: 1/12 Musée Nissim de Camondo
1/13 Masterpieces of the Musée d’Orsay
1/18 Musée Marmottan
1/19 Lunch Around the World
1/20 Cordon Bleu – Soups
1/24 Musée Pasteur
1/25 Musée Carnavalet
1/27 Beyond Paris – Provins

For more information, contact:
American Women’s Group
32, rue du General Bertrand
75007 Paris France
Tel: 01.42.73.36.74
http://www.awgparis.org
www.awgparis.org

—————-

The American Library in Paris Presents Evenings With An Expert…

Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning January 11 2005

Do you work in business or in law? Or do you simply have an inquiring mind that seeks to understand the world around us? Then come to the Library to learn and enjoy at our new monthly program, Evenings With An Expert. This exciting six-session program which debuts on January 11 2005, will feature various topics of general interest from Europe’s prominent experts. The format will be a moderator and principal speaker, with questions afterwards from the audience. All sessions will be moderated by Drew Shagrin, formerly a lawyer and currently a part-time professor at HEC (and connected to AUC France through both Dartmouth and Berkeley).

January 11th “Money Laundering:Where Banking and Government Meet Organized Crime and Terrorism.” The expert is Chris Davies, the Paris-based director of worldwide compliance at Société Générale.

February 8th “International Dispute Resolution.” A primer for non-lawyers. The expert is Alex Blumrosen, a Paris-based partner at the law firm Bernard-Hetz-Bejot.

March 15th “Corporate Social Responsibility:How Europeans And Americans Understand This Term Differently.” The expert is Kate Fish, the Paris representative of the San Francisco-based consultancy Business for Social Responsibility.

April 19th “Killer of the Modern World:The Mortality Effect of Climate Change (A Case Study of the 2003 Canicule).” The expert is Magali Barbieri, a Paris-based researcher at the Institut national d’études démographiques.

May 24th “The European Union.” How is it governed now, what would the proposed constitution change, and how is the ratification process going to unfold? The expert is Peter Linton, the Brussels-based Europe Chairman of BKSH (the worldwide government relations division of Burson-Marsteller).

June 14th “EU Competition Law.” What are the rules, what are the grey areas, what are the battles, and how does all of that affect us? The expert is Pierre Kirch, Paris-and Brussels-based head of the EU law/competition law practice group of Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker.

American Library in Paris 10, rue du Général Camou 75007 Paris France Telephone: 01.53.59.12.60 Fax: 01.45.50.25.83 Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. http://americanlibraryinparis.org

Evenings With An Expert are free and open to the public.

—————-

Christmas/New Year in Paris: Activities, Events & Displays

GLACIATION PLASTIC – CH

RISTMAS DECORATIONS
From 15 November 2004
BERCY VILLAGE 1, Cour Saint-Emilion 75012 PARIS
[email protected]
http://www.bercyvillage.com
33.1.40.02.90.80

LES SAPINS DE NOEL DES CREATEURS
From December 1st, 2004 to January 1st, 2005
Closed tuesday
CENTRE GEORGES POMPIDOU Place Georges Pompidou 75004 PARIS
http://www.centrepompidou.fr
01.44.78.12.33

PARIS SUR GLACE
Ice Rink in the 5th
Open every day from December 5th, 2004 to March 13th, 2005 midday to 8:00 p.m., 9:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Place Raoul Dautry 1 Place Raoul Dautry 75015 PARIS

PARIS SUR GLACE
Open every day from December 6th, 2004 to March 13th, 2005 12 midday-10pm. 12:00 p.m.to midnight on Friday. 9:00 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday
With a designated area with games and activities for children under 6 years old. Skates can be hired for 5 euros.
HOTEL DE VILLE DE PARIS 1, place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 75004 PARIS

RÊVE DE NEIGE MILKA
From December 12th, 2004 to December 20th, 2004
STADE DE FRANCE 93210 SAINT-DENIS-LA-PLAINE
http://www.stadefrance.com
08.92.70.09.00 (0,34 EU/mn)

CHRISTMAS MERRY-GO-ROUNDS
From December 18th, 2004 to January 2nd, 2005 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A host of merry-go-rounds spring up all over Paris for the festive season, offering entertainment for all the family. The Manèges de Noël, with traditional carved horses and other animals, whirl around on the squares of the central arrondissements of the French capital, including Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, Place Saint-Sulpice and the Square du Temple.

Though the merry-go-rounds are designed primarily for children’s entertainment, a trip on one of these gaudy manèges is also a romantic treat for all who love the City of Light.
Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 75004 PARIS

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS – FACADE OF GALERIES LAFAYETTE
From November 9th, 2004 to December 31st, 2004
GALERIES LAFAYETTE 40, boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS
01.42.82.34.56

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: RUE ROYALE, RUE SAINT HONORE
From November 24th, 2004 to January 9th, 2005
RUE ROYALE Rue Royale 75008 PARIS

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES
From November 25th, 2004 to January 4th, 2005
AVENUE DES CHAMPS-ELYSEES Avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008 PARIS

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: AVENUE MONTAIGNE
From November 25th, 2004 to January 4th,2005
AVENUE MONTAIGNE Avenue Montaigne 75008 PARIS

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: PLACE VENDOME AND RUE DE LA PAIX
From November 25th, 2004 to January 5th, 2005
ARRONDISSEMENT 75001 PARIS

CHRISTMAS ILLUMINATIONS: ABBESSES AND RUE LEPIC
From December 1st, 2004 to January 15th, 2005
75018 PARIS

VITRINES DE NOEL AU PRINTEMPS
From October 29th, 2004 until January 1st, 2005
MAGASINS DU PRINTEMPS 64, boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS
01.42.82.45.09

CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAYS AT THE SAMARITAINE
“Magic Windows”
From early November to early January
LA SAMARITAINE 19, rue de la Monnaie 75001 PARIS
01.40.41.20.20

CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAYS AT GALERIES LAFAYETTE
Dates: from 09/11/2004 to 31/12/2004 –
GALERIES LAFAYETTE 40, boulevard Haussmann 75009 PARIS
01.42.82.34.56

VITRINES DE NOEL AU BON MARCHE
From November 17th, 2004 to Jnauary 1st, 2005
LE BON MARCHE RIVE GAUCHE 24, rue de Sèvres 75007 PARIS
01.44.39.80.30

NATIVITY SCENE
Leon Battista Alberti (1404-1472), architecture et humanisme
From November 15th, 2004 to December 15th, 2004
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Ecole d’architecture Paris Malaquais 14 rue Bonaparte 75006 PARIS
01.44.49.67.67

LA CRECHE DE NOEL A NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS
From November 27th, 2004 to February 3rd,2005
CATHEDRALE NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS 6, place du Parvis-Notre-Dame 75004 PARIS

Christmas/New Year – Salon/Fair/Christmas market
CHRISTMAS MARKET AT THE MAISON DE L’ALSACE
From November 22nd, 2004 to December 21st, 2004 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
MAISON DE L’ALSACE 39, avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008 PARIS
01.53.83.10.00

CHRISTMAS ARCH AT LA DEFENSE
From November 30th, 2004 to December 24th, 2004
PARVIS DE LA DEFENSE 92911 PARIS LA DEFENSE CEDEX
01.47.22.40.99

CHRISTMAS MARKET IN COUR DE ROME – OPPOSITE GARE SAINT-LAZARE
From November 30th, 2004 to December 24th, 2004
75008 PARIS
01.47.22.40.99

CHRISTMAS IN ALSACE AT THE GARE DE L’EST
From December 3rd, 2004 to December 18th, 2004 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 18th.
GARE DE L’EST 75010 PARIS

CHRISTMAS MARKET AT DISNEY VILLAGE
From December 3rd, 2004 to January 2nd, 2005
DISNEY VILLAGE 77777 MARNE LA VALLEE
01.47.22.40.99

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE BENEATH THE ARCADES OF MAINE-MONTPARNASSE SHOPPING CENTRE
From December 3rd, 2004 to December 31st, 2004
TOUR MONTPARNASSE 33, avenue du Maine Tour Montparnasse / Montparnasse 56 75015 PARIS
[email protected]
http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com
01.47.22.40.99

MARCHE DE NOEL A LA NATION
From December 3rd, 2004 to December 24th, 2004
1, PLACE DE LA NATION 1, place de la Nation 75011 PARIS

UNAPEI CHRISTMAS MARKET
From December 16th, 2004 to December 19th, 2004
1, PLACE SAINT-SULPICE 1, place Saint-Sulpice 75006 PARIS
01.44.85.50.50

L’ALLEE GOURMANDE
From December 17th, 2004 to Decemb er 24th, 2004
FORUM DES HALLES Porte Lescot 75001 PARIS

MARCHE DE NOEL
From December 17th, 2004 to December 19th, 2004
PLACE MAURICE-CHEVALIER 1, Place Maurice Chevallier 75020 PARIS

MARCHE DE NOEL DE MENILMONTANT
From December 17th, 2004 to December 19th, 2004
BOULEVARD DE MENILMONTANT Boulevard de Ménilmontant 75020 PARIS
01.40.33.50.30

LE MONDE DES ENFANTS
“Children’s world”
From December 4th, 2004 to January 2nd, 2005 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1, PLACE DE LA BASTILLE 1, place de la Bastille 75004 PARIS

——————-

Welcome in the New Year at the Hôtel de Crillon

The Hôtel de Crillon is opening its historic reception rooms overlooking the Place de la Concorde for New Year’s Eve, for the first time in its glorious history. Guests have a unique opportunity to view, from the terraces of these salons, one of the world’s most beautiful New Year’s celebrations, where fireworks and the revelry culminate at midnight on the Place de la Concorde. This special occasion begins an evening surely to be one of the world’s most sumptuous and interesting celebrations to welcome
in the New Year anywhere in the world. The evening at the Crillon begins with a four-course dinner, prepared by Les Ambassadeurs Chef Jean-François Piège, being served in three magnificent reception rooms the Salons Marie-Antoinette, Aigles and Batailles, all with stunning views of the Place de la Concorde.

Package Details: 540 euros per person, including: Champagne Cocktail served with a tasting of Chef Jean- François Piège’s creations A Four-course dinner designed by Chef Piège A selection of fine wines chosen by Sommelier David Biraud Live music during dinner Complimentary champagne all evening

Special package, including New Year’s Eve dinner and party, with accommodation on December 31st:

Superior Single Room:1210 euros Executive Single Room:1430 euros Superior Double room:1835 euros
Executive Double Room:2055 euros

Package includes accommodations, a bottle of Taittinger Champagne in the room, VIP gift, and Brunch on January 1.

To book the New Year’s Eve dinner contact the banqueting department: 011.33.1.44.71.15.22; via
Facsimile: 011.33.1.44.71.15.06 or via E-mail: [email protected]

To book package with accommodations contact: 011.33.1.44.71.15.01 or [email protected]. The
Crillon website is: http://www.crillon.com.

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