This and That
ISE Updates
Birthdays
Travel Tips
Did You Know?
Web sites
Don't forget that Daylight Savings time is here Sunday, March 28. Set your clocks ahead Saturday night (J. Maier).
Is anyone interested in helping to start a committee to plan some organized outings? We could plan family outings, ladies outings, couples outings and even "just the guys" outings--whatever people are interested in. Send an email to APruitt14@aol if you are interested in being on this committee.
Thanks to all of you who helped me get my first newsletter out by sending in some information. I really appreciate the help. If you have any ideas to improve the newsletter let me know. I am always open to suggestions. [email protected] Also, if you have a request for some information let me know and I will post the request here.
Randy Pruitt is looking for some information on visiting Florence, Italy. Please let him know if you have anything helpful about visiting there. [email protected]
Javad Hosseine and Jodi Howard have arrived. They are staying at the Mercure President Grenoble until their shipment arrives. The number for the hotel is 04 76 56 26 56. Their email addresses are [email protected] (Javad) and [email protected] (Jody). Their mentors are the Jantz's.
Eric and Stacia Mickel are due to arrive March 25th with their children Amanda and Alec. Their email address is [email protected]. They will reside in Meylan. At this time I do not have their phone number. They should be able to move into their house soon after their arrival because their sea shipment should be here soon. Their mentors are the Verheyen's.
By this summer we have a couple changes happening. The Singh's will be leaving to go to Cary, NC. Saul Boast and family will be coming from Peoria to replace Sati. The Durheim's will also be leaving to relocate in Aurora. Brent's replacement will be Andy Fonkalsrud from Aurora. Best wishes to the Singh's and the Durheim's!
Mike and Robin Oudyn have changed their email address. Their new address is [email protected].
Remember to send your new ISE information and information on those leaving Grenoble to [email protected].
A recommended hotel in Paris
We recommend Holiday Inn Garden Court in Paris. It is very clean, is located less than a mile from the Tour Eiffel and has a train station right across the street. On Sunday morning there is a wonderful outdoor market under the train tracks. It also has rooms that sleep four which can be hard to find. The link to the hotel is www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/pargr?irs=null. (D. Verheyen)
*The new La Boite A Outils ( hardware store) has opened in Espace Comboire. It is huge and is a lot like Lowe's. It's new location is behind Leclerc.
*Mondial Tissus in Espace Comboire not only has a huge amount of fabric for you sewers but also have a large selection of window coverings, craft and stitching supplies.
*Anywhere in Europe and with any phone you can call 112 for an Emergency. If you do not speak the native language of the country speak slowly and a machine translator will translate for you. Here are some other local emergency numbers: Samu (ambulance) 15, Fire 18, Police 17.
*You should register with the American Consulate. You will receive periodic updates about terrorism, bombs on the rail lines, etc. (C. McHose) I have also forwarded you the information sent to me with an attachment on how to register.
*It is a good idea to purchase supplemental insurance for your household goods since the French insurance generally isn't sufficient if your house is broken into. French insurance doesn't pay replacement value on stolen goods. You should have received a couple brochures from CAT when you moved here (C. McHose).
*Oreos have made it to Grenoble! You can now buy them at the Super U in Biviers. If you don't see them in the cookie isle then look on an end cap by the cash register (T. Rozenboom)
*Also found at the Super U in Biviers, iceberg lettuce in a bag and green seedless grapes. The grapes are in bags that are marked seedless (T. Rozenboom). Iceberg lettuce in a bag has also been spotted at Carrefour Grand Place and the Geant (C. Crawford).
*Cranberries have been spotted at the Intermarche in Bresson. They are located next to the lettuce in a bag (K. Jantz)
*Not only can you purchase train tickets at the gare and at the Grand Place Boutique but also in Jarrie. There is a train depot there and you can actually catch a train into Grenoble. Beware! You cannot make train reservations more than 2 months in advance (K. Jantz).
(C. McHose).
Decathlon (sporting goods store) is getting ready for their annual trocante. This is where you can buy and sell used sporting good equipment. Stop by your Decathlon store to find out when it is going on. The tents are already set up outside the stores. (J. Maier)
Foire de Printemps-Grenoble. It's at Alpexpo March 25-29 from 10h-20h. On the 26th and 27th it is open until 22h. It's got everything from kitchens to cars to food (J.Maier). www.alpexpo.com
The Chamrousse Store located on Place Metz sells lift passes. If you buy them ahead of time you won't have to wait in the lines once you get there.
Pole Sud is the local ice skating rink located across from Grand Place. It is a great family activity. On Saturday and Sunday mornings the rink is divided in half and there is a "jardin de glace". This is for the younger kids 7 years of age and under. It has equipment to help the little ones learn how to skate. The other half is used for adults and older children. During hours other than Saturday and Sunday mornings the rink is regular size and used for older kids and adults. The hours for Pole Sud are: (hours may change with seasons and school vacations)
Monday and Tuesday 12:00 - 2:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 12:30, 2:00 - 5:30, 8:30 - midnight
Thursday and Friday 6:30 - midnight
Saturday 10:00 - 5:30, 8:30 - midnight
Sunday 10:00 - 5:30
Another kid friendly activity is a trip to La Magie des Automates in Lans en Vercors. You can check it out at www.magiedesautomates.com. They have a wonderful exhibit of Santa Claus during the Christmas season.
You could plan at trip to Albertville and ride the bobsled. It's pricey, but it was worth it once. We went with the Riediger's and everyone enjoyed it. This would be a great group trip for next winter. http://www.bobsleigh.net/index_e.htm (T. Quinn)
Petit Bulletin is a small free newspaper that comes out on Wednesdays and advertises things going on in and around Grenoble. You can pick it up at places like a tabac, McDonald's, etc. It lists the movies that will be showing for the weekend. La Nef and Le Club show movies in VO or VOST which means in their original version. Make sure it is an American or English film before you assume VO means English.
Movie theaters showing movies in English:
La Nef 18, bd Edouard Rey, Grenoble
Le Club 9 bis, rue du Phalanstere, Grenoble
http://www.cine-loisirs.com/bienvenue.htm
On the RN in Bernin right next to the new Societe Generale is a resale shop with clothes and "supplies" for kids from 6 mos to 14 years old. This just opened a few months ago and says it's a "unique concept." The flyer says it has over 1500 pieces of clothes. (J. Maier)
De l'Un a l'Autre" (From One to Another)
04 76 92 29 19
Horaires: 9-12 et 14h45-18h45.
Ferme dimanche et lundi matin.
*Don't forget to send your ideas and newsletter contributions to [email protected] by April 15