MUSIC FESTIVAL: 5th and 6th June, THIERS

It's free, it's fabulous! More than 250 top-notch musicians in the streets wowing the town! The really original theme this year is: music machines! What are you waiting for? GO! GO! GO!

More details from: http://www.pamparinalefestival.com/presentation.php

Where is it you ask? Clic here to find out: http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&hl=fr&geocode=&q=thiers&sll=45.526779,3.57009&sspn=0.012387,0.022831&ie=UTF8&ll=45.880927,3.507385&spn=0.19694,0.365295&z=11

RUGBY, article sent by Olivier Junior

The end...

Toulouse win their 17th final. The Brennus shield was, once again, beyond the Clermontois in this very high level final of the French rugby championship. The 'Yellow and Blue', the supporters of the ASM Clermont-Auvergne rugby team, have been exceptional throughout the evening as they have been throughout the season…

The ASM team members have sent this message to their supporters:

“Dear supporters, you deserve the title of "best supporters of the TOP 14". Throughout the season, at the Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin, in Marseilles and the Stade de France, you brought an unbelievable atmosphere. Munster has the "Red Army", we have the "Yellow and Blue".
We lived together a high level season, its epilogue is a disappointment for all of us, but we will not forget all the emotions shared throughout the season. Thank you for your support at the “Stade de France”, but also throughout the season. You were tens of thousands on the Place de Jaude, hundreds in your villages, or with your family to share moments of emotion.

Thank you also for all your messages of support. We will continue to fight in "Yellow and Blue," we invite you to come back on August 26th for the start of the 2008-2009 season. With you, we will come back even stronger…"

The ten "best" albums in the history of Rock'n'roll according to Alex in Clermont

After having spoken about Auvergne rock groups last week, I would like to share my opinions on the ten most important albums in the history of Rock'n'roll. Of course it's a subjective list, because many other albums would deserve to appear in this list. They are not ranked in order of preference...

'Are You Experienced?' (1967) by The Jimi Hendrix Experience: there is the Rock'n'roll before the comet Jimi Hendrix, and the Rock'n'roll after its passage.

'Back in Black' (1980) by AC/DC: this album is a turning point in the career of the group with the death of the singer Bon Scott. He was replaced by Brian Johnson. The music is darker, more hard rock, it is a vibrating homage to their former singer.

'Appetite For Destruction' (1987) by Guns 'N Roses : everything here is brought together to make this album one of the best in Rock'n'roll history.

'Led Zeppelin IV' (1971) by Led Zeppelin: the usual sumptuous arrangements and, in spite of the fact that it is very sophisticated music, very easy to get to grips with.

'Black Album' (1991) by Metallica: surely the most successful of the group's albums, it is truely inspired. The singing is less forced than usual, which adds cohesion to the whole work.

'Van Halen' (1978) by Van Halen: it is the group to see on stage, with the charismatic singer David Lee Roth.

'Paranoid' (1970) by Black Sabbath: the greatest album by what is surely the first and best Hardrock group.

'Berry Is On Top' (1959) by Chuck Berry: the beginning of Rock'n'roll?

'The Sun Sessions' (1976) by Elvis Presley: the King!

'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1967) by The Beatles: effectiveness in the composition enabled them to become the most popular group.

Bye!, Alex

An Auvergnat Champion…article by Elmer

Name : Jules CLUZEL

Date of birth : October 12th 1988 in Montluçon (Allier départment)

Jules began motorcycling on a QR 50 at 5 years old. He also practiced gymnastics from the age of 6 and very quickly became Auvergne Champion 4 years in a row. Jules was 32nd at the French championship but had to give up for health reasons. To compensate, his parents bought him a kart. He came 3rd in the Auvergne championship, junior category, in the first year. He very quickly became Auvergne champion. He went on to Promo Junior category and he was 4th in 2004, in the Junior Cup on a HONDA CBR 125.

Carting being too expensive, Jules wanted to test the track on a motorcycle. When it was time to choose his racing number, his mother chose the number 16, because of a small family superstition. After very good performances and one victory, Jules finished the Junior Cup in the 3rd place of the general classification.

Jules then took part in practice tests with Michel Petit of the RMS team. The tests went very well, he took part in the 125cc French championship on an Aprilia RS 125. Despite his lack of preparation and practice, Jules won points at the beginning of the season while finishing regularly in front of the pilots of the French Speed Team and won the Nogaro race being very well placed in the championship; the doors of the World Grand Prix opened and he finally fulfilled his dream.

He finished the season riding a MALAGUTTI GP 125. The following year, he went into the 250cc Grand Prix with the FFM team, then with the Angaia TEAM, without results.

He now rides for the Chinese Loncin factory, newcomers in the 125cc category and promotes this new mark of bike.

Jules is a great champion and a great man of the Auvergne!

Photo sent by SEBVUENAT from Clermont

This is my sister's cat with his favourite toy : a cardboard box ! This big tiger (almost 10 kgs) loves to hide in this kind of box!