Interest Groups
Interest Groups are the backbone of our Oceanids organization. They are here to meet the many varied needs of UC San Diego families, especially those new to our campus and community. If you have questions, please contact Interest Group Coordinator, Judy Vacquier. If five or more Oceanids wish to start a new group, please let her know so we can ininform other members. All we ask is that your members be Oceanids. If you are not yet a member of Oceanids, please consider joining us by contacting Mary Cutchin, marycutchin@yahoo.com or by submitting a membership form. (For specific activities for the current month, consult the current newsletter or the contact listed below.)
Note to Interest Group Leaders: All events outside of the University must be registered. Please see instructions and links here. Note: The link for the insurance regisitration is now:
https://ucsd.campusconnexionsuc.com/
We will be highlighting our various Interest Groups throughout this year, with brief descriptions and happenings, as well as pictures. A new group will be added, so check the site often. Check us out at: InterestHighlights.htm
Avi Set Birders Top
Contacts: Liz Winant, lwinant@gmail.com
Our birding group meets the second Monday of each month during the academic year. For meeting location, please consult the current Oceanids Newsletter or Liz.
Boogie Board Buddies Top
Contact: Liz Fong Wills, ludditelizfong@gmail.com
We meet every Saturday at 9:30am and/or Sunday at 10:30am all year round when the ocean water temperature at La Jolla Shores is 55oF or higher. However, attendance is when you can make it. You must bring your own boogie board plus wetsuit if you feel the need for one. Depending upon how many come, I may or may not have a parking spot for you in our driveway. Please call before Thursday to let Liz know if you want to join us so that I can confirm that there are no riptides or other unpleasant problems on the day we go.
Book Group Top
Contacts: Liz Winant, lwinant@gmail.com
We meet on the second Tuesday morning of every month at 9:30am for chatting and 10am for review. Everyone is welcome; we are happy to greet new members who like to read a variety of fiction and non-fiction and who value good writing and a lively discussion. Please join us. Those sentiments still stand. These days, though, The Mighty Oceanids Book Group is stumbling around between Zoom and in-person meetings on someone's patio. This changes daily. We also are quite reduced in number and would benefit from the participation of you and your friends. We would love to have you in our jolly little group. Our gatherings consist of 5 or 6 or 7 of us and there's always room for more. Be one of them!
Cafe Espanol Top
Contact: Alicia Flores Meneses, virginiacisne@yahoo.com , Vicky Lindblade, vlindblade@mac.com
This conversation group is designed for fluent Spanish speakers who wish to keep up their Spanish and learn new vocabulary. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 2pm in person and occasionally the 4th Thursday by Zoom from 2 to 3:30pm. One hour of conversation and one hour of reading aloud and group discussion. Please contact us for more information.
Cafe Francais Top
Contact: Anne-France Saillot, afsaillot@gmail.com
The French group meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month. We meet at each other's homes from noon to 2 or 3:00pm with a subject to talk about, and we are open to any new ideas, from art to news events. We have a wonderful and lively group with members from all over the world with the love of the French language and culture in common. Each topic becomes an opportunity to share personal experiences, with some grammatical and vocabulary added. Isn't this the best way to learn? Please contact us for more information. We happily welcome new people for a "tryout" session before their official registration.
Cellphone Photograpy Top
Contact: Kim Signoret-Paar,kspaar@outlook.com
The group meets on Zoom the second Thursday of each month at 10am for discussion/demonstration/instruction and sharing of our cellphone photographs. Activities, such as field trips, will be communicated to the group's email list. For more information, please contact Kim.
Cinema Soiree Top
Contact: Jim Bunch, jbunch@ucsd.edu
The group meets (at normal times) at a designated home on the second Sunday of each month (all year long) at 7pm for socializing; movie discussion starts at 7:30pm sharp. Light refreshments will be served. You will be contacted by e-mail about which movie to see and where to meet. For more information, please contact Jim.
Currently watching movies on Netflix or Prime and meeting via Zoom.
Day Bridge Top
Contact: Beate Menzel, jrblmenzel@cox.net
We meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month all year long at various members' homes. We start at 10am and usually end at or before 3pm. Everyone brings her/his own lunch. The hostess will provide drinks. Please contact us for more information.
Evening Bridge Top
Currently on hiatus. Please contact Rosie if you would like to continue to play.
Moveable Feast II Top
Contacts: Mary Cutchin, marycutchin@yahoo.com
This group meets every couple of months for drinks at a member's house. From there, we carpool to a TBD restaurant to dine out. Please contact Mary for information and reservations.
Piano and Chamber Soiree Top
Contact: Judy Vacquier, jvacq@sbcglobal.net
This interest group is for amateurs who need a motivation to practice and want to perform in a relaxed, fun setting among friends. We welcome piano, chamber instruments and voice, classical, jazz and popular music, solos and ensembles. The Piano Soiree has started meeting in person on the fourth Sunday at 3pm, currently at the Judy's home. They have excellent ventilation, outdoor seating if desired, and outdoor refreshments. Masks are recommended and social distancing is observed. Please contact Judy for more information
Sounding Board Top
Contact: Nigella Hillgarth, nmkhillgarth@gmail.com, Judy Vacquier, jvacq@sbcglobal.net
Sounding Board is a series of seven lectures during the academic year, the first Thursday of the month at 12 noon. We meet online via Zoom. The waiting Room opens at noon and the presentation starts at 12:10pm. Our new URL for our recorded talks is https://www.youtube.com@ucsd_oceanids_soundingboard. Please visit Sounding Board for more details.
Tapas on Thursday Top
Contact: Barbara Bank, bbank@ucsd.edu
We meet at noon on the third Thursday of the month to enjoy tapas and conversation at member's homes. Everyone brings a tapa to share. It may be sweet or savory. We frequently choose a theme for that month's tapas and have a delightful time while sharing food and friendship. The strength of our group is the warmth we share. If you wish to join us, please contact Barbara Bank to be added to our mailing list.
Wednesday Coffee Top
Contacts: Georgina Sham, gbsham@gmail.com, Lynn Jahn, lynnjahn@gmail.com
Join our social group of Oceanids, newcomers, postdocs, spouses of visiting scholars and their children for refreshments and craft activities every Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 12pm. You'll make friends, learn strange and wonderful customs and sometimes we practice folk dancing! Please contact Georgina or Lynn for more information and location.
Wine Tasting I Top
Contact: Alicia Flores Meneses, virginiacisne@yahoo.com
Exploring the taste sensations of a new wine or an old vintage, this group meets the third Friday monthly. Members rotate as hosts. This group is now open to new members. Please contact Alicia for more information.
Wine Tasting II Top
Contact: Alicia Flores Meneses, virginiacisne@yahoo.com
We meet monthly. Members rotate as hosts. The cost for wine and food is shared among the people attending, approximately $10 per person. Please contact Alicia for more information.