SEMINARS OFF-CAMPUS    

Fall 2009

Registration: Please call coordinator for location and early registration. If no location is specified, these seminars generally meet in members' homes.

Walkabouts

Photo by Clarence Smith          

Monday Book Group                1st Mondays, 1 to 2:30

Eskaton Key Room, 3939 Walnut Ave., Carmichael 

Carol Hayes, Dottie Higbee

We keep up with current literature with this relaxed monthly meeting of the minds. Members choose a monthly book to be read by everyone and discussed at the next meeting after a short synopsis by one member. We will cover a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles by recent authors. At each session we choose a facilitator and book for the next month. Group size is limited to 20.

Tuesday Book Group              3rd Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11

Marian Kile

The Tuesday Book Group meets in members' homes, mainly in the south area of Sacramento, but is open to all Renaissance members. Members choose a wide variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. The book selections will be limited to books that are in the Sacramento Public Library system so they are readily available. Members engage in intelligent yet comfortable discussions about the writing, the topic and the author. Group size is limited. 

Partners in Crime Book Club    1st Thursdays, 1 to 3

Marian Lininger

This new group will read and discuss popular -- and not-so-popular -- mysteries and their authors. The group will choose one new book each month. The first meeting will be to discuss format and possible future meeting places. Call for location.

Duplicate Bridge                2nd & 4th Thursdays, 1 p.m.                               

Robert Houghton, Betty Roth

This seminar is a biweekly game of duplicate bridge, involving 12 players at three tables, conducted at various private homes of participants. The skill level is intermediate, and the game is for fun and learning. The roster is full at this time, and we have a list of alternates. If you would like to add your name to the list, please contact Bob Houghton. We often need to call some of the alternates, so chances of playing are not too remote.

Bridge - Land Park/Greenhaven/Pocket Area 

                         1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 1 p.m.                   

Phyllis Mills, Art German

We have two tables of party bridge, playing in private homes of members. We are friendly and social, willing to assist members as needed to enhance their knowledge of the game. Although the roster of the regulars is full at this time, we welcome others to add their names to the substitute list. Please call if you would like to be a substitute.

Bridge - North/East Area Party Bridge

                          1st, 3rd, 5th Thursdays, 1 p.m.           

Betty Roth, Rina Humphers

This three-table group plays the first, third and the fifth Thursdays and bridge play is always preceded by a bridge lesson at 1 p.m. We have 12 regular members but maintain an active sub list. Many, but not all, of our members play various bridge conventions and are learning more. To sign up, please call Betty Roth.

Conversational French          Wednesdays, 1 p.m. 

Louise McCullough, Richard Sickert

This is a continuing seminar for those who want to practice speaking and understanding oral and written French. The skill level is generally intermediate. This is not a class for learning to speak French. A basic working acquaintance with the language through previous high school or college classes or by living in a native speaking environment is necessary. The success and enjoyment of the class depends on participation by all members in practicing the language through various projects, readings, observations regarding travel or living adventures in French-speaking countries, etc.

Conversational Spanish          

Thursdays, 10 to 12

Campus Commons Clubhouse 

Marie Wilson, Mary Manly, Lynda Middleton

This seminar is designed for those who have had some Spanish and want to practice using it. We sometimes review grammar and pronunciation as desired by the group, but our purpose is conversation.

Digital Camera     2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 10 to 12 noon

Arden-Dimick Library 

Harriet Neal

Do you enjoy taking photographs?  Are you interested in improving your photographs by exploring techniques used in order to gain certain effects?  Join the Digital Camera Group.  A variety of activities will be planned, which include guest presentations, field trips and editing/sharing photographs.

Dinner Together     1st Tuesday, 2nd Wednesday, 5:30 

Various Locations 

Noel Hinde, Frances Stroud

Join our dinner group and try different cuisines in our Sacramento area. We have fun meeting new friends as we dine the first Tuesday and the second Wednesday. It will be the same restaurant for Tuesday and Wednesday. You may reserve either night until there are 16 reservations each. Members take turns selecting and hosting the restaurants. A planning meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at 12 noon in Alpine 204 for new and returning members.

Friends of the New Yorker       Tuesdays, 1 to 3

Eskaton Village, 3900 Walnut, Carmichael 

Jane Robinson, Ann Heatlie

This seminar is open to all who enjoy reading the New Yorker magazine, a literate weekly publication covering many interesting subjects. Opportunities are offered to freely discuss articles, share opinions and gain insights. The congenial participants read and review the previous week's issue for discussion and contemplation. The meeting place is large, comfortable and centrally located with easy parking. We meet every Tuesday, all year long.

Games For Young and Old (Card and Board Games)

                                                 Thursdays, 1 to 3 

Bunny Bonewitz, Eleanor Hoffman, Bobby Frieze

In this seminar you'll have a chance to play different card and board games we played before TV became our major entertainment.  

Reminiscences    1st and 3rd Mondays,  1 p.m.

Raley's Event Center, 4840 San Juan Ave., Fair Oaks 

Alice Ainsworth, Gwen Houk

Have you been going to write the story of your life? Our group will give you that opportunity. The meetings will be informal and fun, as we motivate each other to write our stories. The group is limited to 15.

Russia, Putin, Medvedev and Oil

                 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 1 to 3                   

Fremont Presbyterian Church, Geneva Room, Carlson Drive at H Street (1 block NW of Sac State) 

Bruce Joplin, Jack Schwartz, Lee Ruth

The seminar will start Sept. 9 and will be devoted to an overview of Russia from the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union to the present. The topics will include: Final days of the Soviet Union/Gorbachev's legacy, Russia Reborn/Yeltsin Years,  The Rise of Putin and his eight-year reign, After Putin: Medvedev, Putin's relationship with the Orthodox Church, Russia and NATO, the U.S. Eastern Europe missile defense system, Russian power groups, the Russian court system, Oil as a bargaining tool, the Russian media, Chechnya's new autonomy and Obama's/Russia's nuclear weapons policy. At the beginning of each session, there will be a discussion of current events relating to Russia and countries within its sphere of influence. A one-time charge of $10 will be assessed of each person enrolled  to pay for the facilities.  (photo courtesy of www.kremlin.ru)

Singing for Fun                        Tuesdays, 10 a.m.

Rancho Cordova Methodist Church, 2101 Zinfandel Dr.

Marilyn Penland, Donna Auwaerter

“He who sings scares away his woes”--Cervantes. “Alas for those that never sing but die with all their music in them”--Oliver Wendell Holmes. “Without music, life would be a mistake”–Nietzsche. “Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong”--Kermit the Frog. Who are we to argue with those words? Come join us and release your inner entertainer. Reading music is not necessary. Desire is to have fun. (May start early, call Marilyn for details.)  

Theatre and Conversation Group                         TBA

Mary McGrath,  Alice Corley

We are blessed with great theatre companies in the Sacramento area.  Join us in a complete theatre experience for the thoughtful play buff.  We will meet and choose four plays, consider dates, times, the possibility of group rates and find a place for conversation after the plan. The meeting location, date and time will be announced at the Renaissance Rendezvous on Sept. 4.  Click here for the schedule.

Travel through Food           2nd & 4th Mondays, 10

Arden-Dimick Library 

Jennifer Kerr, Betty Anderson, Marian Lininger

If you enjoy new and exotic foods from around the world, this seminar is for you. We discuss a country, focusing on its culture, people, history and food. Then we eat a lunch featuring foods from that country. Lunch can be at a restaurant or can be a potluck or an outing to a cultural food event. The roster is full at this time, but we will take names for a waiting list. We will plan our semester’s schedule at the first meeting on Sept. 14. Click here for the schedule

Note: It is time to break off a second group, perhaps on another day of the week. Initially we need one or two people willing to take responsibility for starting the second group. We at TTF will give you plenty of help and probably some of our current members will switch. Contact Jennifer if you are willing to do this for the Spring Semester!

Walkabouts                                     Wednesdays, 9:30

Various Hiking Locations

Ann Reed, Alice Corley, Ellen Melton

Hiking in Coloma

Join us for scenic morning walks in various areas of Sacramento. We begin with a planning session on Friday, Sept. 11,, at 10 a.m. in Mendocino 2009. Our first walk will be on Wednesday,  Sept. 16, at 9:30 a.m. Each walk includes a leisurely two-mile route and a faster-paced four-mile route. All walkers are expected in remain with their group. Lunch together after the walk is optional. Call the coordinator for information or location of walks and meeting places. Or click here for the schedule. (Photos by Clarence Smith)

Writers Group I                        Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:30

Ariel Amlin, Henry Clark

For those who've wanted to do some writing, this group may provide the incentive to start. We offer a helpful, accepting environment for the beginner and the more experienced writer. Members share their personal anecdotes, memoirs, or other written material. If asked, we pool our knowledge of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary to bring each piece to its best form. Enrollment is limited. Call a coordinator for information and about the waiting list and location. We meet year-round.

Writers Workshop II                  Tuesdays, 12 to 2:30 

Roy Bishop, Lani Hahn

Our members come from a variety of backgrounds and write in a wide range of styles with their own choice of subjects: fiction, memoirs, poetry, travelogues, autobiography, biography, family history, e-mails to friends, letters to the editors, etc. Expert writing is not required. This is not a writing class. However, help with style, mechanics, and presentation will be offered if requested. Call a coordinator for locale. We meet year-round.