Grenoble, France

The Grenoble Committee is devoted to nurturing the Phoenix-Grenoble relationship by promoting and supporting a variety of opportunities that connect the two cities. These include, but are not limited to, cultural exchanges, economic development, art exchanges and sports-for-the-disabled in the form of activities and events. The Committee also works to foster relationships between ASU and universities in Grenoble in many areas including nanotechnology. Volunteers participate in French Week, a program sponsored by the Association of French Teachers. The Grenoble Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month and welcomes new members. For information on Grenoble, France click here.

For more events and information contact Alliance Fran'aise.

Chairperson: Phillip Glasscock jpg@jpglaw.com
Phoenix Sister Cities Staff Liaison: Paula West paula.west@phoenix.gov

The Grenoble, France committee's November 2 Soiree was an outstanding success. The wine, cheese and jazz party was attended by over 120 guests not including staff, entertainment, volunteers and special guests. That is almost double the number of attendees from last year's event! Revenue was over three (3) times that of last year and almost equaled the amount of revenue received from the past three Soirees combined. The committee chairman, Phillip Glasscock, looks forward to planning future events, with champagne tasting and Beaujolais nouveau events being possibilities.

The setting was the outside patio of the Pueblo Grande Museum. Although there were some initial concerns regarding the location, it turned out to be the perfect setting. We set tables for approximately seventy attendees ?a number that was increased soon after the event began. The sponsors and volunteers set up serving tables just outside of the conference center, allowing easy access to the wine and food storage inside the conference room. The weather was beautiful and the outside lighting created the perfect ambiance to sip wine and enjoy the temperate autumn night. The location even had convenient access to electricity to power the musician's amplifiers and a slide show of the last PSCC trip to Grenoble in 2004.

Prior to the main event, guests were greeted by staff and volunteers and were serenaded by the Paris caf?style French accordion music of Tony Patrino.

Once the guests paid for their entrance tickets and entered their tickets into the door prize contests, they entered the candle-lit reception area where they sampled the vast array of wine and gourmet hors d'ouvres. Many different types of wine were available ?donated by JPG Law, LLC and Leading Integrated Designs from various local wine outlets. One guest said he particularly liked the Medoc. Brigitte Tersuer provided gourmet cheeses and pate on attractive serving plates. Lufthansa flight training school chef, Stan Reinhold, and Maria Chapman (who used to live in Grenoble) provided the delicious appetizers that practically melted in your mouth! Guests enjoyed the food and wine while mingling with friends and relaxing to the sounds of Tony Patrino and the Grenoble Quartet.

The event began with announcements and recognitions by PSCC President Tracey Uffelman and Phillip Glasscock. The main event featured live jazz music by the Grenoble Jazz Quartet. The Grenoble Quartet, made up of four ASU jazz students, John Sims, Danielle Cooke, Jeff Gutierrez, and Shaun Lowecki, traveled to Grenoble this past summer to participate in the Grenoble International Jazz Students Symposium. Several attendees commented that they attended at least partially to listen to the jazz. The Grenoble Quartet did a wonderful job of entertaining the jazz enthusiasts and are a great example of the relationships that are formed through the various sister city programs.

Between sets, door prizes were awarded. Included in the door prizes were a gourmet wine basket, wine, wine caddie, wine bottle opener, and French caf?plank.

We received many favorable comments from attendees. In particular, they liked the outdoor location and open wine bar. We received feedback from many interested parties and contact information from people who would like to be part of future events! Thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and staff who made this successful event possible!