This French Life

Taste of American independence in Cahors on 4 July

CELEBRATING the spirit of independence and liberty, the Americans in the Lot association will host a barbecue, on the Fourth of July of course, in central Cahors in front of the Villa Malbec.

A degustation featuring, along with Cahors Malbecs, those from several California wineries, will be presented by Paul Bush, owner of Madroña Winery in the Mother Lode Country of California.

A must for such an event is a genuine American barbecue offering up hamburgers, coleslaw, fries and brownies are on the menu, provided by a 'chuck wagon'.

And to really get you in the spirit of the day, there will be American blues and country music provided by guitar and banjo strumming duo Harpwood and those down home boys at Grizzly Dreams.

Entrance to degustation and music €5, including a Malbec wine glass and one glass of wine, with the barbecue priced at €15.

For more information: contact@cahorsmalbeclounge.com or tel: 05 65 23 82 35 or 06 85 79 32 94

Sidaction campaign sees 25% boost in donations

THIS weekend saw the annual fundraising campaign, Sidaction, that aims to support AIDS research and patient care services.

Despite the difficult economic times, donations were actually up 25% on last year with around €5.1m donated, an increase of €900,000 on the 2012 figure.

Although the television and radio campaign has now come to an end it is still possible to make a donation online through the Sidaction website.

Related: Telethon donations hit by economic squeeze

Guide dog owners face problems every week accessing public places

MORE needs to be done to make businesses and public bodies aware of the rights of guide dog owners, claims the Fédération Française des Associations Chiens guides d'aveugles (FFAC).

A study by the association found that at least once a week guide dog owners faced restrictions in public places, despite being legally able to access establishments such as restaurants, shops and public buildings.

The association used 119 guide dog owners across France, asking them to visit 1,044 services, between February 12 and 27, 2013 with some worrying findings.

In around 7% of cases problems were faced trying to access food shops and public services such as the mairie and police stations.

But access with a guide dog gets worse in other establishments and services:

• 12% of cases in a supermarket
• 15.4% of cases in a cinema
• 16.8% of cases in a theatre
• 23.9% of cases in a hotel
• 32.9% of cases in a taxi
• 40.2% of cases in a guest house

With the association set to put its findings to the disability minister Marie-Arlette Carlotti today it says more needs to be done to make people aware of the regulations.

Fines range from €150 to €450 for establishments who deny access to guide dogs and their owners.

Restos du Coeur has helped 960,000 people this winter

THE charity, Les Restos du Coeur, has helped 960,000 people over the course of winter 2012-13, an increase of 100,000 on the previous year.

The organisation said it provided more than 130 million meals in this period to those in need across France, and went on to say that since winter 2008 the number of people it has helped has increased by 40%.

Related: Work from the heart of Restaurants du Cœur

Volunteer some of your time with SOS Help

IF you have 'volunteer some of my time' as one of your resolutions for the coming year, then the English language confidential helpline service SOS Help wants to hear from you.

The organisation is hosting a number of information sessions this month that will offer people the chance to learn more about how to spend a few hours on the help line.

The sessions will be held on Tuesday January 15, Wednesday January 23 and Thursday January 31 at 7pm at the American Church, 65 Quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris.

Volunteers must live near Paris, and be at least 25 years of age.

SSAFA Forces Help France volunteer appeal

THE military charity SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) Forces Help has an office based in Castillonnès, south west France, that provides practical, financial and emotional support whenever anyone turns to them for help.

Here in their Christmas message the organisation writes about their work and highlights some of the benefits of becoming a volunteer:

With the New Year fast approaching, many of us will be making resolutions to better ourselves in 2013.

But rather than suffer the self-denial of giving something up, why not pledge to make a positive resolution by volunteering to support former members of the Armed Forces and their families?

Chats du Quercy and Billy's Christmas tale

CAT welfare association, Chats du Quercy, has had a busy year having taken in more than 200 cats and helped hundreds more.

Here Lynn Stone, of the Chats du Quercy team, writes of how the charity helped one small kitten and how you can help them in their work:

"The Christmas season heralds a time of new beginnings and new life, but for some cats, from the moment they are born life is a struggle against disease, hunger and rejection.

During 2012 Chats du Quercy has helped many cats adapt to a healthier and safer life in a new home or on the streets.

But poor Billy was cruelly neglected by his owner after an injury; this resulted in infection and eventual amputation of Billy’s leg.

Billy’s owner didn't appear worried that his four-month-old kitten had been severely injured by an illegal and vicious trap.

Several days passed before Billy was eventually taken to a vet, but the owner didn’t want Billy as it would cost too much for his treatment, the vet said he would have to put the small kitten to sleep.

Christmas carol concert at Le Vigan, the Lot (46)

GET in to the Christmas spirit at a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols taking place at the Eglise Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, Le Vigan, the Lot (map).

The service takes place on Tuesday, December 18 at 7pm and will be followed by seasonal
refreshments in the Salle des Fêtes.

For more information contact Belinda Holmes via e-mail

Mr William, the big ginger cat, helps Chats du Quercy

LET the adventures of Mr William entertain the children and help raise funds for the Chats du Quercy animal charity.

Mr. William and his Great Balloon Adventure, tells the tale of a large ginger cat and his friend a small mouse, as the pair take to the skies.

Authors and artists, Hilary Edwards and Jack Hill, have offered to donate 50% of the profits from sales of the book to Chats du Quercy

Lynn Stone of Chats du Quercy said: "The illustrations are fantastic and compliment the humorous text so well. The book will make a super present for anyone who likes cats, as well as providing many hours of entertainment for children."

The charity has 25 copies of Mr. William and his Great Balloon Adventure signed by Hilary and Jack, and the book costs €12 each with €3 postage.

Copies can be collected from the Chats du Quercy rescue centre in 82190 Miramont de Quercy or by post, cheques payable to Chats du Quercy and sent to Chats du Quercy, Caussados, 82190 Miramont de Quercy.

Unemployment at heart of homelessness

THE number of people homeless in France is on the rise, with the number of women seeking help also increasing.

In a report, Secours Catholique said the number of women turning to it for help in providing food and accommodation had risen from 50% in 2001 to 57% in 2011.

With the charity saying more mothers are now single parents, who represent 58% of the families seeking help.

Secours Catholique said that most of the problems they have to deal with come from the fact that most of the people they help are unemployed or working few hours.

Among those receiving aide from Secours Catholique 66% are unemployed, up from 58% in 2001 and the charity said it believes an increase in the minimum wage is the most effective way of helping people.