• Printer Friendly
• Parler Paris Blog
• Community Calendar (Updated Every Wednesday)
• Recommend to Friends

---

REGISTER FOR THE LIVING AND INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE CONFERENCE AND SAVE UP TO $400 OR MORE!

There is nothing else you can do in less time and as inexpensively to learn all you need to learn to make your dream to live and invest in France come true. Produced by Adrian Leeds and John Howell is the 23rd conference of the series, which was the first ever of its kind to be offered both in Paris and the United States. Take advantage of this two-day power-packed conference with expert speakers from France, Europe and the U.S...and these two days of conference activities include the coffee breaks, the cocktail and five course dinner at Tujague's(!).

Reference materials and a tote bag filled with FREE gifts from Paris!

If you register now, you can SAVE $100 off the registration fee. And when you bring along your spouse, partner or friend, you can SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $200! Plus, if you bring a third person, we'll EXTEND THE SECOND PERSON DISCOUNT!

Living and Investing in France Real Estate Conference
March 21-22, 2009, New Orleans

For more information and to register, click here FrenchPropertyconference
or email info@adrianleeds.com

---

Dear Parler Paris Reader,

It was akin to coming to Thanksgiving dinner with family and close friends. The American community of Paris showed-off its closely-knit self as it gathered at the Hôtel de Ville to collectively watch the presidential inauguration live on big screens and celebrate the change of leadership.

By invitation of the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë and Pierre Schapira, Deputy of International Relations, about 800 Americans belonging to both Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad, and a host of others filed into the salons of the stunningly beautiful City Hall of Paris about one hour prior to the formal ceremony in Washington DC.

There were so many familiar faces and friends we've come to know over the years. Everyone wore huge smiles on their faces, many donned "Obama" pins on their chests, some waved miniature American flags and one fan, handed out little mints from an "Obama" candy box.

On big screens positioned in the many grand ballroom and adjacent salons we watched CNN broadcast the event live. We could see two million or more people enduring the cold weather standing on the National Mall and surrounding area that encompasses the Capitol as we pinched ourselves that we had the uniquely privileged opportunity to be in the warmth and elegance of Paris' most illustrious venue.

M. Delanoë and Ambassador Craig Roberts Stapleton stood before the massive crowd to address the American community of Paris and convey their solidarity with the U.S. and its people. Delanoë was his usual eloquent self and did not mince his words in expressing his delight with this new era in American politics and his respect for Barack Obama.

The high spirited energy in the room was infectious. When Vice President Dick Cheney came on the screen in a wheelchair, the audience booed. Past President Jimmy Carter, in contrast, received a huge round of applause. Aretha Franklin singing "My Country Tis of Thee" in her flamboyant gray flannel big-bow hat 'blew us all away,' followed by Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman's performance of a newly composed piece especially for the inauguration, was almost too much to take.

We yawned at the inauguration opening prayer by Pastor Rick Warren who couldn't seem to let go of the race issue. (Doesn't he understand that we're already over it? The man is a man and it doesn't matter that one part is "pink." That's the whole point. Finally, we have the ability to forget our differences and think more about what we have in common than what we have not.)

And when 'the man' took oath and went on to address the masses of fans before him, the audience at the Hôtel de Ville hung on every word he uttered during his 18-minute-long speech. A few lines will certainly go down in history...such as: "...we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist," "...we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord" and "...know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

Tears were shed...on mine and on the faces of others. When Past President George W. Bush got into the helicopter and flew away from the scene it was symbolic of the profound change taking place. We embraced each other and the moment itself.

We have never seen the world on such a huge scale embrace an incoming U.S. President with such enthusiasm. For Paris to have opened its arms in this way meant a lot to us who live here -- to know that we are truly welcome and wanted as visitors, residents and dual citizens. One person shouted, "Now we can be proud to be American!" -- and those of us living outside of the U.S. understood exactly what she meant.

The champagne was free flowing to all those who came to lend their support and after a lot of mingling and celebration the Golden Gate Quartet performed in their white tuxedos and soulful style. The dancing of glee was spontaneous and joyful. We came together, not as Democrats or as Republicans, but as Americans, who stand for our most fundamental ideals of freedom embodied in heart and soul.

To all of you who haven't yet seen the light through the eyes of this man of multi-colors, who, for the entire world symbolizes a true hope for united peoples across the globe, I urge you to look beyond your political agendas and see how we need so desperately at this time of crisis a leader who can truly teach us to forget race and religion and remember simple humanity.

Thank you Mayor Delanoë for allowing this to happen for your American friends! I urge all of you who attended, and even those who didn't but who wish to make a small mention, to send a message of thanks to M. Delanoë for opening his home and heart to the Francophile American community. You may do so by clicking here and entering your message.

And to the American community of Paris, thank you for being you. You should be proud of yourselves.

• Share this article with a friend...
• Respond to Adrian

---

LIMITED TIME OFFER...SAVE 10% ON ALL JANUARY

2009 PARLER PARIS APARTMENTS BOOKINGS

Take 10% Off All January 2009 Bookings in Parler Paris Apartments!*Not many days left in January...so don't delay to plan your stay in Paris at a luxurious Parler Paris Apartment!

Parler Paris Apartments are primarily properties in central Paris owned by our own clients and readers (investment-minded individuals) which high quality accommodations to make your stay in the City of Light as enjoyable and memorable as possible. These are the kinds of owners and management you can fully trust and they, in turn, are seeking trustworthy tenants such as yourselves, to welcome to their Paris homes.

For more information and to reserve your stay in Paris now, visit Parler Paris Apartments at parlerparisapartments.com or email: Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com

*Minimum of three nights or more during the month of January in any one of Parler Paris Apartments at a discount of 10%!

---

MEET PARLER PARIS READERS TUESDAY "APRES MIDI."

The second Tuesday of every month, Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a "schmooze" -- it's an opportunity to meet and chat with other like-minded people and a great way to make friends! Costs nothing except whatever you drink, so don't miss the next gathering on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 from 3 to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit parlerparis.com/apresmidi.html

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY -- BRING A FRIEND AND ATTEND PARLER PARLOR FREE!

Join us at the Parler Parlor Conversation Group 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 6 to 8, each in its own acoustically sound private room.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Bring a friend and attend FREE! Sweets will be served!
11 a.m. at Lutèce Langue, 23 bd de Sébastopol, 1st

Members of Parler Parlor: Bring one or more friends who have never attended before...the will attend free, of course (FIRST TIME FREE!), BUT SO WILL YOU!!! If you come alone...a session on your card will be marked off! So, don’t come alone...bring any Anglophone or Francophone friends of your choice. Sweets will be served!

For more information, visit ParlerParlor.com

Copyright 2010, Adrian Leeds®
Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, adrianleeds.com