SPECIAL INTEREST ACTIVITIES

!! Dining Out !!
Temporarily suspended due to the lack of an activity leader.
If you are interested in taking over this activity please contact Joanne Hughes.

Explore Houston

WHAT: Group tours of Houston and surrounds.
Check out the TOWNTALK section of the current newsletter for events in Houston.   
CONTACT: Sue Landeweerd or Parry Kahkeshan

Tour of the Federal Reserve Bank

$$$$$$ March Mayhem! $$$$$$

Explore Houston is taking you on a tour of Michael Grave’s Federal Reserve
Branch building which opened in 2005 on Tuesday 30th March at 9:45am.
The stunning structure belies design elements determined by security:
100-foot setbacks from the street and blast resistant materials.
The tour will include a video explaining the Fed’s history and what it actually
does. We will see displays on different currencies - historic, counterfeit
and gold, and finally we will view the Cash Department!

Lunch afterwards, Dutch treat, at Pronto Cucino at 1401 Montrose
For this tour only, please contact Monica White
Names have to be at the Federal Reserve by March 21st for security reasons.

International Luncheons
WHAT: Featuring a different country each time, our luncheons are prepared
by an ICH member native of the country being portrayed.
You do not want to miss this 'deliciously fun' activity!
CONTACT: Carole Stecker

The next luncheon will be a very "French Affair" on April 21st!

New2ICH Coffee
WHAT: Open to new and potential members. Join us for coffee and
conversation with other newcomers and ICH board members.
CONTACT: Florence Brawley

REGULAR ACTIVITIES

Book Club
WHAT: to discuss a book, usually fiction, chosen at our annual selection meeting in January. After
coffee and munchies, we sit down for a spirited conversation of the book at hand.  
WHEN: on the 4th Thursday of every month
CONTACT: Amber Wickwire or Jeanne Hero

March: "The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo"
by Stieg Larsson
The first in a trilogy of thrillers set in Sweden, crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his
female sidekick set out to solve a 40 year-old cold case. Don’t mess with the girl with the dragon tattoo!

April: "Stoner"
by John Williams
The fictional life of Wm. Stoner in 278 pages! Touted as an academic novel,
it captures this man who was born on a farm and ended up teaching English Literature at a university.
An ordinary man in an ordinary life - a beautifully crafted work.

Book titles recently chosen for the coming year:

May: Sarah’s Key
by Tatiana de Rosnay

June: Hiding in the Spotlight
by Greg Dawson (NF)

August: The Elegance of the Hedgehog
by Muriel Barbery and Alison Anderson

September: Cutting for Stone
by Abraham Verghese

October: Heart of Darkness
by Joseph Conrad

November: Year of Wonders
by Geraldine Brooks

January-2011: The Moonstone
by Wilkie Collins

Februar-2011: My Life in France
by Julia Childs

Book Group #2
WHAT: this Book Group is the second for ICH. The group chooses books based upon member's
recommendations. In view of the international aspect of the group, books are chosen which will expand
our knowledge and understanding of different cultures.
WHEN: we will meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am.
CONTACT: Renata Pecar

March: "The Help"
by Kathryn Stockett
Covering the lives of three extraordinary women in 1960s Mississippi, this deeply moving novel filled
with poignancy, humour and hope, is a timeless and universal story about the lines we allow ourselves
to be defined by, and those we don’t.

March: "Eat, Pray, Love"
by Elizabeth Gilbert

CCC - Casual Cooking Club
WHAT: each month a member hosts and demonstrates her culinary skills in her  home.  
Choose what to cook and share your tips.
New members are welcomed but must take a turn at demonstrating.
WHEN: CCC is usually held every 2nd Tuesday of the month.
CONTACT: Kareen Dee
There is a joining fee of $5

French Conversation
Conversation française.  Parlez-vous français? Oui?
Alors vous serez peut-être intéressée à venir parler français avec d'autres personnes qui parlent français
ayant vécu en région franco-phone, ou étudié en français. Nous avons un groupe qui se réunit une fois
par mois pour environ une heure (en français exclusivement).  Intéressée?
CONTACT: Cécile Granger

Friday Night Bridge
WHAT: Come with a partner or request one to play bridge for fun!
WHEN: Every 2nd Friday of the month.
CONTACT: Friedel Liptay

Friendly Bridge
WHAT: We meet to play some friendly bridge.
WHEN: Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 10am to 1pm.
CONTACT: Chris Lusignan

Ice Skating
WHAT: The group meets at La Madeleine for coffee before cooling off on the rink!
WHEN: Every 2nd Friday of the month at the Galleria at 10am.
CONTACT: Sandra Pezzetta

The Lone Star Stichers
WHAT: The Lone Star Stitchers meet for embroidery, quilting, cross-stitch and more.
WHEN: Every Monday from Noon to 4pm.
CONTACT: Sandy Lease

Mah Jong Club
WHAT: The sparrows twitter regularly!
WHEN: every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month from 10am to noon.
CONTACT: Parry Kahkeshani

Spanish Conversation Group
WHAT: Conversational Spanish in a friendly and supportive environment.  
Native Spanish speakers are actively encouraged to attend.   
WHEN: 2nd Thursday of the month
CONTACT: Barbara Donnelly

SpeakEasy!
WHAT: Practice public speaking, have great discussions and lots of laughter!  
WHEN: every 1st Thursday of the month at 10am
CONTACT: Apple Gidley

Tennis
WHAT: Anyone for tennis?!  
WHEN: every Tuesday from 8:30am
at 9620 Bayou Brook Private, Houston TX 77063
CONTACT: Sandra Pezzetta

Walkers - Central
WHEN: The group meets at 8:00AM every Friday at the
Houston Garden Center in Hermann Park.
CONTACT: Vickie Jones

** Change of Venue ** Walkers - West Side ** Change of Venue **
WHAT: This is a great way to meet people in the West Memorial area,
especially if you are new to Houston.
WHEN: The group meets at 9am every Friday morning at It’s a Grind,
corner of Eldridge Parkway and Enclave.
CONTACT: Kate Horan

Walkers - Katy
WHAT: Interested in walking in Katy?
WHEN: every Friday from 9am
CONTACT: Els Kuijvenhoven

Wednesday Handicrafts
WHAT: Hanne Abrahamsen runs a morning handicrafts session
that includes stitching, knitting and other activities.  
WHEN: The group meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 9:30 am - 12:30
CONTACT: Hanne Abrahamsen


MEMBER SERVICES
We act as facilitators for a number of activities that may be of interest to our members.  
If you wish to participate or if you want to know more about an activity
please contact  the activity leader or our VP Activities Sandy Lease.
You can also e-mail ICH Activities

Playgroup - TANZOT
WHAT: Tanzot Toddlers are looking for new members!
They don't mind at all if you are not from the Antipodes and cater to Mums and Tots 0-4.
WHEN: They meet usually at a member's home every Thursday at 10am.
CONTACT: VP Activities or www.tanzot.org

Teenage Touchstone
WHAT: This group helps organize activities for teenagers in town for vacations.
WHEN: vacation months
CONTACT: Julie Felmingham

Another successful holiday of activities for visiting teens thanks to
Teenage Touchstone! Look out for events to be lined up for the Easter vacation.
JOIN US!
ICH ACTIVITIES
ICH offers a wide range of activities and is always looking for new ideas. Take a look at the list
below and if you don't see anything you like, do consider becoming leader of a new group!
Got an idea for a new activity? Do contact our VP Activities Joanne Hughes at
ich_activities@yahoo.com

For information on a particular activity contact the activity leader
(Phone numbers and e-mails can be found in the ICH MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY)