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Cultural and Social Activities
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WBFN activities are open to all World Bank Group family members. Newcomers are welcome. If you would like to participate in an activity, join a group or perhaps form a new group, please contact the WBFN office: 202-473-8751 or email WBFN. The office will put you in touch with the appropriate WBFN activity leader or group coordinator.
All the activity leaders and coordinators are WBFN members who volunteer their time.
For an updated list of upcoming events—books to read, cultural projects, walks...etc.—please consult Mosaic. |   Badminton Group
Book Groups
Bridge
Cultural Groups
FlyFishing Group
Gardening
International Cuisine
News Discussions
Open Houses
Vim's Palate
Walking Group
WBFN Art Gallery
Writers Group | | Badmington Group
 Enjoy playing and improving your badminton skills! Beginners are welcome. Started more than 15 years ago, this group meets one morning a week at a local school gym in Washington DC. It's great camaraderie and everyone gets to play. Participants play in doubles teams and switch partners. (Nominal court fee.)
For more information emailElizabeth.
Read the interview with the President of the Badminton Group. | | Back to top |  | Book Groups
 Book Groups meet once a month at WBFN member homes. Newcomers are welcome. Books to be read are selected by the respective Book Group participants, and the titles are posted in advance in Mosaic and on the WBFN Website. (Meeting details are also posted in Mosaic.) Meetings generally occur on a weekday morning, 10:00am-12:00pm.
Occasionally Book Group participants enjoy lunches or potluck suppers together, visit museums, or attend plays. Group sizes vary, from six to several dozen members.
Book groups include African, French, English, German, and Spanish and Portuguese groups. Should you have an idea for a new book group please contact the WBFN office. Click here for a more detailed description of WBFN Book Groups. | | Back to top | | Bridge
 Several groups of bridge players meet regularly in members' homes. Those who enjoy playing duplicate bridge meet once a month. Another bridge group meets weekly. Email WBFN for details | | Back to top | | Cultural Group
 This group generally meets once every two months to enjoy museum tours, attend special events and lectures, and sample different international cuisines. Occasionally the group meets in members' homes, for example, for a flower arranging class. Typically participants also enjoy lunch together following the activity. Newcomers are warmly welcomed. (Possible fees: for tour tickets or to cover materials and or food costs.)
Some past International Cultural Group programs include: Modigliani Beyond Myth at the Phillips Gallery, March 2005; “Say it with Flowers” the art of flower arranging, February 2005; Christmas at Oatlands Plantation, December 2004; Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum, at the National Gallery of Art Washington DC, September 2004; Nordic Cool–Hot Women Designers at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, June 2004; Return of the Buddha: The Qingzhou Discoveries at the Arthur Sackler Gallery, April 2004; Lebanese Cuisine: Demonstration & Tasting, March 2004. | | Back to top | | FlyFishing Group
 Do you like fly-fishing? Want to go fishing but do not know where? Want to meet other fishermen and share information, experience…and tricks, so that you may catch the big one next time you go fishing? This group is open to interested staff members and families and meets once a month to discuss fly-fishing: where to go and when, how to tie the best flies and organize trips for freshwater and saltwater fly-fishing (kids are welcome). Learn the art of fly-fishing and most importantly, enjoy fishing!
Click here to access the 2006 flyfishing calendar.
Click here to read about a recent fishing day on the Potomac. | | Back to top | | Gardening
 WBFN members share gardening tips and knowledge, exchange plants, and visit local gardens. Topics and trips are decided by the group. Some of the group's discussions have focused on flowering annuals and perennials that do well locally, shade gardens, birds and butterflies, basic pest and disease identification, natural pet controls. Meetings are scheduled in advance depending upon those interested. | | Back to top | | International Cuisine
 Once a month a group of World Bank spouses gather at a member's home for a cooking class and, each month has a new theme: fish, tarts, sweet and sour dishes, exotic cuisine, summer dishes, pastries, etc. 3 or 4 persons do the preparation of their recipes and afterward “we all eat.” (Nominal fee to cover cost of ingredients.)
Click here to read about the “Meringues, tartes and palmiers…” encounter. | | Back to top | | News Discussions
 Informal gatherings of WBFN members from a variety of nationalities and cultural backgrounds occur monthly, mostly in members' homes, for lively discussion of world news from an international perspective. Participants choose the topics for discussion and encourage each other to share her/his interests. When you want to remember what has happened around the world during the year, you will recognize the importance of the News Discussion Group. Through discussion and some preparation before the meetings, participants have gotten to know the issues much better and widened their perspectives on the news. Though minimal knowledge of the topic is helpful to participate, you don't have to read the newspaper from cover-to-cover everyday. If you are still hesitant in speaking English, don't worry. New members are always welcome. | | Back to top | | Get-Togethers
 Each month several WBFN members host informal gatherings in their homes. All WBFN members are invited. Newcomers are especially welcome. Come and meet other Bank spouses while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. Helpful information is shared for those new to the area.
Get-Togethers are held on Tuesdays, from 10:30am - 12noon. The Get-Together in Maryland is held on the second Tuesday of each month. Either the DC or the Virginia Get-Together is held on the third or fourth Tuesday. The names of the hostesses, details and directions are announced in the Mosaic. There is no need to bring anything or to RSVP. Just show up! Contact the WBFN for information on future Get-Togethers or if you need assistance with transportation. | | Back to top | | Vim's Palate
 Over the past several years, a team of WBFN volunteers has enjoyed preparing restaurant reviews, primarily for restaurants in the greater DC area. These reviews have been published under the heading “Vim's Palate” in the WBFN newsletter, Mosaic. You can now consult online a selection of their favorite places.
WBFN Newcomers are welcome to participate in the restaurant review team. Contact the WBFN office if you are interested. | | Back to top | | Walking Group
 Join a lively and enthusiastic walking group. A walk is planned for each month. Details are posted in Mosaic and include meeting places and directions. You will need to call the Walking Group Coordinator at least 24 hours before the walk if you plan to participate. If a walk is cancelled due to bad weather, it will be rescheduled for the following week. Walks generally start at 10:30 am and last about 2 hours, covering 3-5 miles. Please wear sensible shoes. Bring your own water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.
Past walks have included: Lake Frank, near Rockville in Maryland; Bluemont Park and Bel Air Rose Garden in Virginia; Burke Lake Park in Virginia; Kennilworth Aquatic Gardens on the Anacostia River, DC; Lake Baarcroft in Virginia; Mt. Vernon Potomac River Trail in Virginia (Fees occasionally required for park entrance)
Read about walk in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. | | Back to top | | WBFN Art Gallery
WBFN members, immediate relations, spouses and partners of long-term consultants are welcome to exhibit their creations in the WBFN Gallery (World Bank, H2-201). Exhibitions last for at least one month. All are cordially invited to view the exhibitions (hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm weekdays). Normally a Reception is organized to open each new exhibit. Exhibit descriptions and brief profiles of the artists are published in the Mosaic. To learn more about this opportunity either to exhibit your own artwork or to enjoy viewing current exhibitions, email WBFN.
Exhibits have been organized for the following artists: Preeti Chandramani, Artist February-March 2005; Martin Karcher, Pottery Exhibition November-December 2004; Senay Gokce, Artist September-October 2004; Callie Lebo, landscape paintings June 2004; Carolyn Marshall Wright, Artist April 2004; Emi Kikuchi, textile paintings February 2004.
Click here for WBFN current exhibition. | | Back to top | | Writers Group
 The Dining Table Writer's Group is a relaxed and informal group for those who enjoy writing. Writers meet in members' homes, usually weekly. Ideas are shared and inspiration gained.
Click here for a new member first impressions.
Click here for a review of their book—Patchwork. | | Back to top |
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