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. To join an interest group, you must be an Oceanid. You may join by completing and submitting a membership form. If you do not find an activity here that meets your interest, find five or more like-minded members and contact us at oceanids@ucsd.edu or contact Mary Hanson, mhanson@san.rr.com.
All Aboard Top
Contact: Barbara Bank, bbank@ucsd.edu
We take day trips in and around the greater San Diego area, including Los Angeles and Mexico. Trips are open to all Oceanids. You can come to all or just one trip. The group is flexible in choosing a date that will accommodate interested travelers.
Avi Set Birders Top
Contacts: Sidney Bagley, Lou Bowles, Joany Mosher
Our birding group meets promptly at 8am, the second Monday of each month during the academic year. The La Jolla group will meet at the corner of Dunaway Drive and Glenwick Place in La Jolla. The North County birders meet a the home of Lour Bowles. Birders carpool from these locations to sites around the county.
Book Group Top
Contacts: Tobe Barban Rothaus, Janet Goff
We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 9:30am for chatting; 10:00am for discussion. All readers are welcome. Please join us. For more information on the next books and meeting location, please check the Oceanids News or the contacts above.
Cafe Espanol Top
Contact: Judy Vacquier, jvacq@sbcglobal.net
Spanish speakers of various fluency levels meet on the first Wednesday of the month in members' homes to practice the language. Native speakers are very welcome. Please contact us for more information.
Cafe Francais Top
Contacts: Lucie Walther, Patricia Stone
French speakers at various levels of fluency are welcome into this group, which meets monthly at members' homes to practice the language. Please contact us for more information.
Cinema Soiree Top
Contact: Roswitha Enright, renright@ucsd.edu
A chosen coordinator who is usually also the host of the discussion meetings suggests the movie to be discussed. Each member of the group sees the movie on her/his own time. The group meets at a designated home on the second Sunday of each month, all year long, at 7:00pm for socializing; movie discussion starts at 7:30pm sharp. Light refreshments will be served.
Day Bridge Top
Contact: Beate Mensel, jrblmenzel@sbcglobal.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 3pm. Everyone brings her/his own lunch. The hostess will provide drinks.
Drawing and Painting Around San Diego Top
Contact: Judy Vacquier, jvacq@sbcglobal.net, Liz Winant, lwinant@ucsd.edu
Meets the fourth Thursday at 8:30am at the corner of Dunaway and Glenwick Drives in La Jolla to carpool to various locations. The group will draw, paint or photograph from 9 to 11, and for those interested, have lunch. All levels are welcome. No instruction provided, but inspiration and encouragement will be plentiful.
Evening Bridge Top
Contact: Barbara Bank, bbank@ucsd.edu
Evening Bridge for couples meet at 7:30pm on the fourth Saturday of the month all year long at members' homes. If you wish to play on a regular basis, or just occasionally, please contact Barbara.
German Kaffeeklatsch Top
Contact: Roswitha Enright, renright@ucsd.edu
This group is for beginners and experienced German speakers alike. Guaranteed no pressure. Just come on the third Tuesday at 4pm and have a good time. Only German is spoken. If you would like to join, please contact Roswitha.
Gourmet Group Top
Contact: Susan Starr, susanstarr1@ucsd.edu
We meet for dinner, usually on the weekends, twice in the fall and twice in the spring. Each dinner has a theme and each attendee is assigned a type of dish to bring. This group is for all who like to cook new things and learn about new foods.
Gracious Aging Top
Contact: Yvonne C. Brown
This group has an age requirement. You mush have lived 80 years to participate! We meet on the first Monday of the month from 11am to 2pm at members' homes to discuss a variety of subjects. Bring your own apple (lunch). Pure spring water is provided. Please contact us for more information.
Hiking In and Around San Diego County Top
Contact: Roswitha Enright, renright@ucsd.edu
We met at 8:30am on the second Saturday of each month from October to May or June at the La Jolla Village Shopping Center parking lot and carpool to the starting point of the hike. Bring a lunch, plenty of fluids, sturdy shoes and sun protection! Friends and family are invited. Contact Roswitha the week before the hike if you would like to join us.
Moveable Feast I Top
Contact: Liz Fong Wills, lizfongwills@yahoo.com
This dining out group is currently at capacity. If you would like to be placed on our waiting list, please contact Liz.
Moveable Feast II Top
Contacts: Shirley Babior, babior@earthlink.net, Mary Cutchin, marycutchin@yahoo.com
This group meets on the third Sunday of each month for drinks at a member's home. From there we carpool to the restaurant. Please contact Shirley or Mary for information and reservations
Museum Group/Gardening Group Top
Contacts: Museum- Barbara Starkey, bstarkey@ucsd.edu, Gardening: Mary Lynn Hyde, mlhyde@san.rr.com
Photo Digerati Top
Contact: Jane Takahashi
We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday from 1 to 4pm of each month. This group is for all who are interested in learning more about digital photography. The 1st meeting is at the Pavilion, 2nd will involve outdoor picture taking.
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 perform piano solos and duets, as well as chamber music and voice. Please contact Judy for more information.
Sounding Board Top
Contact: Keitha A. Libman, keithalibman@hotmail.com
Oceanids and friends of the University meet at the Faculty Club, convene in a specially designated room to eat lunch and listen to fascination speakers. You can be sure of a lively discussion. Lectures are usually on the first Thursday of the month, meeting for lunch at 12pm and the speaker is introduced at 12:20 and is over by 1:15pm. Please visit Sounding Board for more details.
Stamp Group Top
Contact: Betty Shor, orbshor@sio.ucsd.edu
We do not meet on a regular basis, but welcome other collectors to join our informal exchange.
Walking Group Top
Contact: Judy Vacquier, jvacq@sbcglobal.net
This interest group encourages fitness and friendship by walking with other Oceanids in your neighborhood. You decide the time and route. Please contact Judy for a list of walkers in your neighborhood. Areas: North La Jolla/UCSD, Mt. Soledad/South La Jolla, Del Mar, University City, Pacific Beach, North County, Poway, Mission Hills and El Cajon.
Wednesday Coffee Top
Contacts: Renate Berthold, Georgina Sham
Come join our social group of Oceanids, newcomers, postdocs, students and their children for refreshments at the International Center every Wednesday, 10am to 12 noon during the academic year. You'll make friends and learn strange and wonderful American customs.
Then, visit the Kitchen Exchange where newcomers can rent kitchen, household and baby equipment for a small fee.
Wine Tasting I Top
Contact: Pat Kampmann
Exporing the taste sensations of a new wine or an old vintage, this group meets the third Friday monthly. Members rotate as hosts. However, this group is currently at capacity. For questions, contact Pat.
Wine Tasting II Top
Contact: Barbara Scholz, bscholz@hotmail.com
We monthly. Members rotate as hosts. The cost for wine and food is shared among the people attending, approximately $8 per person. Please contact for more information.
WITS I Top
Contact: Pat Kampmann
This long-time investment group allows one to learn and earn on one's own. Procedures are followed to analyze stocks before they are bought. A regular monthly investment is required along with a "buy-in". At present, there are a few places open. We meet at the Oceanids Pavilion on the 4th Tuesday of the month all year long from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
WITS II Top
Contacts: Bev Douglas
We meet the 4th Wednesday of the month at various members' homes all year long. We study companies using the NAIC stock investment guides in order to increase our financial understand and competence. Come visit us! Contact us for more information.
Half WITS Top
Contact: Liz Fong Wills, lizfongwills@yahoo.com
Unlike Wits I and II, the Half Wits don't buy stocks. We discuss financial and investment topics informally covering subjects ranging from long-term care insurance to pension options, as well as stocks and bonds. Our philosophy is, "There are no dumb questions." We usually meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Oceanids Pavilion.