community calendar
by Lisa Cheng

English Speaking Paris

Announcements
Sam Okoshken and Moira McAndrew conduct a seminar on “How to Start and Operate a Sole Proprietorship Business in France.” Topics include obtaining the right visa, French social security, income tax issues and administrative steps in creating a self-employed business. Oct 26, 7:15pm, Levine & Okoshken, 51 av Montaigne, 8e, M° Franklin D Roosevelt, 100F

WICE, a non-profit educational and cultural association hold its Annual Open House. Oct 11, 2-8pm, 20 bd du Montparnasse, 15e, M° Duroc, tel: 01 45 66 75 50

The year 2000 edition of Bloom Where You’re Planted, an annual newcomer orientation program sponsored by the Women of the American Church in Paris, will be held on Oct 3, 10, & 17. Bloom While You Work, a smaller and more intensive workshop designed for professional anglophones living in France, will be held on Oct 21, 9am to 5pm. The American Church in Paris, 65 quai d’Orsay, 7e, tel: 01 40 62 05 00

On Stage
The Gingko Trio launches its new CD “Room to Breathe” with a pop/jazz concert featuring James Wilson, Raphaël François and Tricia Lee, along with guests Bobby Rangell and Fred Soul. Oct 5-6, 10pm, l’Entrepôt, 7/9 rue Francis de Pressensé, 14e, M° Pernety, tel: 01 45 40 60 70

Professional anglophone actors from the Brava Production company perform weekly Monday Night Play Readings in English at the Café de Flore. On Oct 2 & 9 “A Life in the Theater” by David Mamet and Oct 16 & 23 “Popcorn” by Ben Elton. Mondays, 8:15pm, 172 bd St-Germain, 6e

A tribute to the geniuses of “jazz and poetry” by Mra Orma and Brotherhood. Every Wed from Oct 11, 8:30pm, Aux Derniers Sous, 15 rue de la Reynie, 4e, tel: 01 40 29 45 63

Stand-up comedy at the Hôtel du Nord: Dubliner Dara O’Brien makes his first Paris appearance after sell-out shows in Edinburgh this year. Oct 29-31, 8:30pm, Hôtel du Nord, 102 Quai Jemmapes, 10e, tel: 01 53 19 98 88, 100F/80F

Students from the Ecole Florent perform A.R. Gurney’s American fresco “The Dining Room.” In English directed by Alan Rosset. Sat 8:30pm and Sun 4pm & 7pm, until Oct 29, Ecole Florent, 35 quai d’Anjou, 4e, M° Pont Marie, free

Art
Professional violinist turned visual artist Susan Cantrick showcases watercolors and drawings resulting from her daily work in these media. “Daily Bred,” Oct 2 to Nov 10, WICE, 20 bd du Montparnasse, 15e, M° Duroc, tel: 01 45 66 75 50

Discussion Groups
Discussion around the theme of “Human Rights” at the Café Philosophique. Led by Gale Prawda. Oct 17, 6pm, Café Le Bastille, 8 pl de la Bastille, 11e, M° Bastille, 30F/20F, info: 01 40 95 05 67 or Mssiprawda@aol.com

Philosophize about “Trust” in a Philosophical Dinner animated by Gale Prawda. Oct 24, 7:30pm, Canard d’Avril, 5 rue Lelong, 2e, M° Bourse, 225F/200F, info: 01 40 95 05 67 or Mssiprawda@aol.com

Parler Parlor, an English-French conversation group holds its annual La Rentrée Party this month. Details: 01 40 27 97 59 or http://www.parlerparlor.com

Metaphysical Café A meeting of minds to discuss spiritual topics in English hosted by Jane Grey, PhD. Proceeds go to international charities. Oct 19, 7pm, upstairs at Le François Coppée, 1 bd du Montparnasse, 6e, M° Duroc, tel: 01 42 22 86 51, 25F min consommation + 50F entry

Support Groups
Artist’s Way Study Group begins the end of October, in French and English, evenings. The Center for Awareness and Action, for details: 01 40 05 14 14

FACTS (Free AIDS Counseling Treatment and Support) is holding regular support groups at its offices. 190 bd de Charonne, 20e, M° Philippe Auguste, tel: 01 44 93 16 32

ACA (Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families), a 12 step group, Meets on Fridays 7-8:30pm, Eglise Réformée du Saint Esprit, 5 rue Roquépine, 8e, M° St-Augustin

The Cancer Support Group, for people dealing with a new diagnosis, treatment and its aftermath. Tel: 01 47 20 00 03

Alcoholics Anonymous English-speaking meetings in Paris every day, tel: 01 46 34 59 65

SOS Help English-speaking crisis line. Tel: 01 47 23 80 80

Library kicks off new member drive
by Rebecca Brite

The American Library in Paris, 80 years young this year, is celebrating with rejuvenated space, an expanded youth section, open access to more of its collection than ever, a revitalized Evenings with an Author program and a 14-month campaign to boost its already growing membership.
“We’re really excited about what’s going on, with people like Diane Johnson coming again for the author series, and access to thousands of books that users couldn’t browse before,” says director Kay Rader. “This library is sharing in the renaissance that libraries in the States are experiencing. And it offers the same range of services as a US library — Internet access and free Internet classes, great collections of books, magazines, audiovisuals and reference works — as well as things like CAPES-Agrégation dossiers” for teachers in training.
The library has been renovating its front desk area and reading room, opening the formerly closed mezzanine stacks, increasing user-friendliness with new signs and making a number of less visible improvements such as fire walls, safety exits and revised heating and electrical systems.
With more space now available at the site it acquired near the Eiffel Tower in 1964, the library has launched a major drive for new users in a bid to accelerate the growth trend of recent years.
“We constantly hear of people who are not aware of the library’s existence, even people who have been in Paris for years. We have such a rich resource to offer — even richer, now — and we want more people to know about it,” says Rader.
Hence, both this rentrée and next, through October 31, 2001, the American Library is giving a free 13th month of membership both to new patrons taking out a one-year membership and to current members who extend for a year. Members also gain a month for every new 12-month member they introduce to the library and every one-year gift certificate they buy. Annual rates range from 240F to 790F, depending on borrowing privileges and membership status. In addition, recently introduced six- and four-month memberships have proved a big hit.
Day passes, at 70F/50F, have long been popular, especially among researchers. During the membership drive, non-members will receive free day passes when they attend the Evenings with an Author. This fall’s crammed schedule of nine free Wednesday programs, running September 27 to December 6, features such luminaries as poet Alice Notley (October 18) and novelist Diane Johnson (November 29).
Evenings with an Author, which began in the 1930s, usually draw standing-room crowds and in recent years have attracted increasing numbers of writers. Rader says the library is especially proud to have helped introduce first-time writers to the public. The series also encourages involvement by community groups.
Another key part of the library’s offerings is the young people’s collection and programs, this year expanded with more books and events for ages 12 and up. Features include twice-monthly Mother Goose Lap Sits for toddlers and there’s a new teen membership category.
For more information, tel: 01 53 59 12 60, or stop by 10 rue du Général Camou, 7e, M° Alma-Marceau or Ecole-Militaire.