Book Groups
(Daytime 2nd Tuesday of Month, Evening 2nd Thursday of the Month)

Chengdu’s International Women’s Evening Book Group was started several years ago with a few avid readers and the group has grown to over 20 members. The group selects books in April or May to read for the following year. There is no specific criterion for book selection, other than what you think is a “good read”. Books may then be purchased over the summer or ordered in plenty of time for the following year. The  Evening Book Group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at a member’s house. The group supports the hostess by bringing a snack, bottle of wine, soda, or something else to share. Each month a group member leads the discussion with some information on the author, a review or two, and a few specific points or questions to get us started. Contact Lindsey Stolte for more information, her email is lindstar34@hotmail.com.

Recently a second Book Group has started meeting in the morning on the 2nd Tuesday of the month out at the A4 Gallery and Bookstore in Luxe Hills. This meeting begins at 10 AM and the group is always keen to see new faces.  For more information, contact the group’s chair Lori Martz.  Her email is lhmartz@yahoo.com

Playgroups

(Monday AM)
CIWC playgroup is open to all pre-schoolers and their parents or carers, and older siblings are welcome too. It’s a great way for the kids to make friends, and for the adults to meet other parents with young children and share information about family life in Chengdu. We meet every Wednesday morning except during school holidays, and from time to time we organize other outings or events. Members take it in turns to host playgroup at their houses.  Please contact nat.devalia@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the playgroup mailing list.

(Tuesday PM)

A second playgroup that meets out in Luxe Hills from 2-4 PM has begun.  For specific, contact Alex Mays at Alexandra_mays@hotmail.com

NEW! Babes n’ Babettes (every other Wednesday)

Babes n’ Babettes is a support group for mothers with a “babe” or “babette” under the age of one. Mothers and babies generally meet every other Wednesday for some songs accompanied by sign language and to discuss topics relating to babies’ eating, activities, sleep, etc., and then…you time. For more details, email Jackie Wu at: asianadventures.10.w@gmail.com.

Tennis Club
Tennis Club is open to all CIWC-members and their friends or spouses. The club meets Wednesday evenings and Saturdays at tennis courts around the Chengdu south area.  Its activity continues during the summer.  Contact Rania Malki-Hoppe if you are interested: rania.malkihoppe@gmail.com

Crafter’s Group
(Wednesdays)
The Crafter’s Group meets every Wednesday (with the exception of holidays) at 10:30 AM at the Millenium Hotel.  In the past there have been a wide variety of crafts at the group such as quilters, sewers, knitters, crocheters, scrap bookers and painters.  Join us, and bring any project you are working on.  We also make crafts to sell at a booth at the Christmas Bazaar.  For more information, please contact: Hilary Oliver at holiver2009@gmail.com, KiSoon Lees at lees-fam@hotmail.com, or Yuli Ariyati at yuliariyati@yahoo.com.sg

The group will not meet during the months of July and August.

Documentary Discussion Group (Third Tuesday of the Month)

Please join us for a documentary discussion group. We plan to meet the last Tuesday of every month, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at a member’s home. We are hoping that this group will provide individuals with an open and safe environment to learn and express their own opinions and thoughts on topics of interest. For this reason, we will choose a wide range of documentaries to show, and we are open to any suggestions you may have. Friends and significant others are welcome. Drinks will be provided. Please bring a snack to share.  For more information, contact Kirsten Allen, kirstenallen01@gmail.com

The group meets September through June.

Out to Lunch Bunch (Fourth Wednesday of the Month)

We have found a volunteer to lead us in exploring local restaurants!  Liming Zhu, a Sichuan native, moved to Chengdu with her family about three years ago as an expat from the United States.  She has been taking friends out to lunch ever since, and has offered to plan monthly trips for our members to the good restaurants she has found.  She will keep in mind the group’s taste buds, not all the dishes ordered will be hot and spicy.  Bring your cash, the cost will likely run from 30-100 RMB per meal, depending on the restaurant for each month. Contact Liming if you are interested in participating.  Liming’s email is: liming3392@yahoo.com.