Calendar of Events
CODES – ACW all children welcome; BYOB bring your own beverage; CO clothing optional; C/D cat/dog at residence; FE fictitious event; FFE fragrance-free event; FFO finger food only; LCR light carpet rules (no red wine or other staining substances; can also mean no shoes); MO members only; NC no children; NPC, PC no public calendar, public calendar; NMPCW new members, prospects, and candidates welcome; NS, S, S/NS, SO no smoking, smoking, provisions for both, smoking outside; NXM not exclusively Mensa event; RSE regularly scheduled event; WBC well behaved children; WCD, WCE, WCI, WCP wheelchairs difficult, easy, impossible, possible; RSEs are reprinted verbatim unless an update is received by the deadline for the issue in which a change is requested.
WEB CALENDAR POLICY – Our policy is not to list events on the Web calendar unless requested to do so by inclusion of the “PC” (“public calendar”) code. If the PC code is not included, your event will default to NPC (no public calendar) and will not be included in the Web calendar. Home addresses (and directions to same) are not listed on the Web, but city and contact information such as telephone and e-mail are unless requested otherwise.
MEETUP – SFRM maintains a MeetUp group for events announced on short notice. See meetup.com/SFMensa
CHILDREN UNDER 18 – Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
GIFTED YOUTH PROGRAM EVENTS: sfmensa.org/gifted-youth-program/gy-events/
WEEKLY EVENT
Every Sunday
4p SPR (Sex, Politics, and Religion) Revival. Sex, Politics, and Religion – everything you are not supposed to discuss at the dinner table. This is for those people who would like to participate in a group that fosters considered, civil discussions, that is open regarding subject matter, i.e., this is not for those who want to “shock somebody” or “troll”. Optionally brown bag for those who would like to pay homage to SPR’s history as a San Francisco dinner/restaurant discussion group. This is a Zoom event: Meeting ID: 996 5500 8587, Passcode: 279931. Hosted by James Monschke. PC (RSE Su)
End of April
April 28 – Tuesday
7p Wonderfest. Join us for Elements & Fairness, another great dual science-based Wonderfest presentation at the HopMonk Tavern, a restaurant at 224 Vintage Way, Novato 94945. We meet in the Lecture Room at 6:30p when it starts to fill up. You can order food from the menu to be served in the Lecture Room. Details are at wonderfest.org/elements-fairness. Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers. Following short talks these two Science Envoys will answer questions. The first Science Envoy will be UC Berkeley astronomer Natalie LeBaron on Origins of the Elements. From the oxygen we breathe to the gold in our jewelry and the calcium in our bones, most periodic table elements are forged by stars. How does the universe transform simple hydrogen into the rich diversity of atoms that build planets, life, and everything we see around us? Beginning their lives in vast clouds of gas and ending in massive explosions, every star in the night sky creates and scatters ingredients for new worlds. Next will be UC Berkeley psychologist Colin Jacobs on Children’s Sense of Fairness. Our motivation to enact fairness shapes human behavior across societal and individual levels: from outrage at economic inequalities, to personal protest against not being considered in a discussion. As parents and teachers know, our motivation to insist upon fairness starts early, often through shouts of “that’s not fair,” or very strict regulation of turn-taking. What motivates children to object to unfairness, and how does this moral impulse develop throughout early childhood? This interactive science presentation, free and unticketed, is produced by Wonderfest in partnership with Marin Science Seminar. HopMonk’s menu is at www.hopmonk.com/novato-menu. RSVP on SFRM Meetup (best) or e-mail Hugh Bonney, hfbonney/a/t/sonic.net. There will be a Mensa sign at one of the tables to meet during or after, though tables can’t be reserved. PC, NMPCW, WCE, NS, NC, NXM
May 1-7
May 2 – Saturday
10a Embodiment Discussion. We will be reading Embodiment and everyday cyborgs: Technologies that alter subjectivity by Gill Haddow, one chapter per week. Come to the discussion with your questions and observations. This is pretty low-key. Expect to learn something and to have fun. Join us for one, a few, or all chapters. This week we’re reading Chapter 4: Everyday cyborgs and the love-hate cybernetic relationship. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Sa)
6p Online Board Games. Come explore some board games that can be played on the Web. If you’re new, please create a (free) account at boardgamearena.com and follow the setup instructions. We’ll meet online with Zoom to establish voice contact, and then we’ll decide on a game to try out. RSVP on the Meetup calendar, if possible, otherwise contact Karl Heuer at puzzles/a/t/sfmensa.org or (650) 648-3594. PC, NMPCW, ACW (RSE 1 Sa, 3 M)
3 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. Join us for a one-hour scenic and historic hike up and around Albany Hill. The trail is steep in spots, but the views are expansive. Special bonus: We have scheduled the Sather Tower Solar Beacon to shine directly upon us as we arrive at the top of the hill. Meet under Pacific East Mall Jumbotron just behind the bus stop on the east side of Pierce St. between Central Ave. in El Cerrito and Washington Ave. in Albany. Free parking is available in the mall lot, which is seven tenths of a mile from the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. Please contact Roberta Maguire to make sure she is in town at robertamaguire/a/t/hotmail.com or (510) 292-6370. PC, ACW, NMPCW, NS, WCI, NXM (RSE 1 Su)
5 – Tuesday
5p Tuesday Tipplers will meet at San Rafael Joe’s, 931 4th St., San Rafael 94901, at 5p for drinks in the bar and then move on to dinner in the dining room after an hour. Park on the street or in the city garage behind the restaurant. If you have questions e-mail Ed Sabrack at edsabrack/a/t/comcast.net or call (415) 472-3725. PC (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. Deadline for calendar events, advertising, members’ free ads, and all other content. See above for information on submitting events. PC (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
May 8-14
9 – Saturday
10a False Discussion. We will be reading False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren’t True by Joe Pierre, MD, one chapter per week. Come to the discussion with your questions and observations. This is pretty low-key. Expect to learn something and to have fun. Join us for one, a few, or all chapters. This week we’re reading Chapter 1: Delusions, Distortions, and Misbeliefs, Oh My! This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Sa)
2:30p M-Wisely’s Café provides thought-provoking presentations to intelligent beings throughout the galaxy. The presentations focus on space science, speculative science, and science fiction. This month’s topic is Becoming a Space Faring Society with Ejner Fulsang. Is there a need for us to migrate into space? Ejner will discuss the reasons we will need to spread beyond the Earth if humans are to survive. Becoming a Spacefaring Society focuses on propulsion, space habitats, mission architecture, and genetic modifications necessary to become space-adapted humans, aka galactica. Fulsang was an Army helicopter pilot in Korea from 1969 to 1970, later attending West Point where he graduated in 1974 with a BS in Engineering. After leaving the army in 1979, Ejner spent the next 20 years working in engineering and marketing. Please register at space-talk.link/MAY. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with the login information. PC (RSE 2 Sa)
4p Big Ideas Reading Group. Embracing Hope: On Freedom, Responsibility and the Meaning of Life by Viktor Frankl with forward by Alexander Vesely-Frankl. On Zoom. The Library of Congress lists Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning as one of the ten most influential books in history. Scientists and artists, politicians and celebrities regularly cite Frankl as one of the most important authors every person should read. Published here for the first time in the United States, Embracing Hope is made up of four distinct pieces from Frankl on different themes – all uniting around the idea that we should remain open to life even when we have been subjected to appalling injustice, and even when we are faced with our own mortality and the brief nature of our lives. For June 13 on Zoom: Why Plato Matters Now by Angie Hobbs. On Zoom. We have a list of books read at www.bigideasreadinggroup.com/BIRG2.html. For questions and invitations to our Zoom meetings please contact Chris Boyd at snoboyd/a/t/sbcglobal.net. PC, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 2 Sa)
10 – Sunday
7p Wonderfest. Join us for Dreamfish & Wetlands, another great dual science-based Wonderfest presentation at the HopMonk Tavern, a restaurant at 224 Vintage Way, Novato 94945. We meet in the Lecture Room at 6:30p when it starts to fill up. You can order food from the menu to be served in the Lecture Room. Details are at wonderfest.org/dreamfish-wetlands. Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers. Following short talks these two Science Envoys will answer questions. The first Science Envoy will be Stanford biologist Marina Luccioni on Fish that Make Dreams. Hawaiian traditional knowledge from the 1400s references “nightmare fish.” Indeed, eating the heads of certain fish species does induce dizziness, severe hallucinations, and nightmares. How do these fish come to contain and accumulate neurotoxins, and how do those molecules cause hallucinations? Of equal importance, how do we do such science that is respectful of indigenous knowledge and fair to local communities and ecosystems? Next will be Stanford ecologist Ryan Rogers on What’s Up with Wetlands? Tidal wetlands are environments of constant change: tides rise and fall, salinity shifts, and waters stay perpetually in motion. In these challenging conditions, seagrasses flourish, creating underwater meadows that support rich and diverse communities. Studying these ecosystems reveals how biodiversity sustains them, and why protecting wetlands and estuaries is critical for resilient coastlines. This interactive science presentation, free and unticketed, is produced by Wonderfest in partnership with Marin Science Seminar. HopMonk’s menu is at www.hopmonk.com/novato-menu. RSVP on SFRM Meetup (best) or e-mail Hugh Bonney, hfbonney/a/t/sonic.net. There will be a Mensa sign at one of the tables to meet during or after, though tables can’t be reserved. PC, NMPCW, WCE, NS, NC, NXM
11 – Monday
4p San Francisco Pub Get-Together. Stop by after work or, if you don’t work downtown, just come anyway. All Mensans and their guests are welcome, provided that they are at least 21, at Patriot House in 2 Embarcadero Center (Sacramento St. between Front St. and Davis St.), SF 94111. Take the inside escalator to the 2nd floor, turn right twice, and then follow the sign to the stairs to the 3rd floor. The restaurant’s entrance is near the top of those stairs on the 3rd floor. Look for the Mensa logo on our table or ask one of the waitresses to find us. Starting at 4p, but arrive when you can and leave when you’re ready. We will be there for several hours. They have a Happy Hour from 4p until 6p, with the kitchen closing at 9p and the bar closing at 10p. RSVP preferred on Mensa’s Meetup site at www.meetup.com/SFMensa, less preferred by e-mail to Barry Krasner at bwkbwk/a/t/pacbell.net. If you find that you can’t come after RSVPing “Yes”, please change your RSVP to “No” before the event takes place. PC, NC, NS, NMPCW (RSE 2 M)
12 – Tuesday
5:30p Apt To In Aptos Mensa Bar Group is held at Sevy’s Bar + Kitchen at Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos 95003, www.seacliffinn.com/santa-cruz-restaurants on the second Tuesday of the month, running until about 7:30p. Come join Central Coast Mensans: Forget last month’s feces and anticipate this month’s blindsides. T(R)oast past friends, find new ones, and introduce current ones, all while contemplating how it all defaults to QM scaled. Courtesy e-mail to host Stew Gibson at LooseId/a/t/ix.netcom.com with subject “Sevy” for restaurant head count is appreciated, but not required. Tip 20% on the bill, with separate checks. PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 Tu)
6:30p Puzzled Pint. Who likes PUZZLES? The kind where part of the game is to figure out what you need to be doing in the first place? Want to do it as part of a team, so you can bounce ideas off each other, and let someone else do the parts that you find uninteresting? This is a monthly event held in the Bay Area (and simultaneously elsewhere in the world), at a convenient pub where we might order food and drink before or during the game. RSVP to Karl Heuer at puzzles/a/t/sfmensa.org or (650) 648-3594 (voice or text) to reserve your spot and learn the address. If Game Control has arranged a pub, it’s probably on Shoreline Blvd. in Mountain View, or downtown San Jose. Otherwise, the event host will select a non-pub location, probably in Campbell. PC, NMPCW, NS, NXM (RSE 2 Tu)
13 – Wednesday
5:30p Lafayette Trivia. Enjoy some delicious fare as we play against local teams in a fun-filled two-hour competition hosted by Head Games Trivia at Headlands Brewery, 3420 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette 94549. An RSVP is required, as teams are limited to six players each. We meet at 5:30p for the 6p start time. Daniel Phillips, umpolung13/a/t/yahoo.com, (304) 975-0066. PC, NS, NMPCW, ACW, WCP, NXM (RSE 2W)
14 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at Bill’s Cafe, 1401 Kooser Rd., San Jose 95118 (off Hwy. 85 at the Camden Ave. exit at the corner of Kooser Rd. and Stanwood Dr. near Blossom Hill Rd.), (408) 264-1900. Cocktails available, large menu (online), friendly fast service, Breakfast and Lunch, closes at 2p. Sandra Anderson, (408) 997-3187. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)
12n Thursday Munchers. A lunch group in Marin dedicated to trying different restaurants. This month we will visit Troya Mediterranean Tiburon, Cove Shopping Center, 1 Blackfield Dr. Ste. 12., Tiburon 94920. (415) 888-9281, www.troyatiburon.com. RSVP by Monday, May 11, to Elizabeth Calaway at (415) 456-9220 or elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC (RSE Th after 2 Tu)
May 15-21
16 – Saturday
10a False Discussion. We will be reading False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren’t True by Joe Pierre, MD, one chapter per week. Come to the discussion with your questions and observations. This is pretty low-key. Expect to learn something and to have fun. Join us for one, a few, or all chapters. This week we’re reading Chapter 2: The Psychology of Overconfidence. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Sa)
12n Saturday Sizzle. Meet fellow Mensans for lunch at Sizzler restaurant, 1515 Fitzgerald Dr., Pinole 94564, sizzler.com/locations/sizzler-pinole/. Is their menu only for carnivores? No, they also have a large salad bar. RSVP to Lorna at lornagruber/a/t/yahoo.com by noon the day before so that we can put together a large enough table. Look for a Mensa sign on the table, in case you’re new. PC, NMPCW, NS (RSE 3 Sa)
17 – Sunday
2:30p Speaker Series: “Why the Scopes Trial (1925) Is Still Relevant” with Dr. Eugenie C Scott. On Zoom. “Trial of the Century”: Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes. The first major sally against the teaching of evolution in the US, and, mostly because of the fictional play and movie Inherit the Wind, Scopes is wrongly perceived as a victory for evolution over the forces of obscurantism. The full story is much more complex and interesting, involving science, religion, law, education, politics, celebrities, modern communications, and the politicization of science. Dr. Scott is an expert on the creationism and evolution controversy and science denialism. The former director of the National Center for Science Education, she is the recipient of numerous awards from scientists and educators, and has been awarded ten honorary degrees. Please register at livepresentation.link/MAY. You will receive a confirmation e-mail from Zoom that will contain the link needed to join the presentation. Hosted by Judy Unger, junger2040/a/t/gmail.com. PC
18 – Monday
6p Online Board Games. See May 2. (RSE 1 Sa, 3 M)
20 – Wednesday
5:30p Re-BORG. Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group is reborn and revived in honor of the incomparable Cathy Roha, who initiated this event and hosted it for many years. Assimilate delicious food and interesting conversation at a good restaurant somewhere in the central East Bay. Please bring cash. Limited seating. E-mail or call ahead for location up to a week ahead. RSVP by 3p on Tuesday, May 19. Roberta Maguire, robertamaguire/a/t/hotmail.com, (510) 292-6370. PC, NS, NMPCW, ACW (RSE 3 W)
21 – Thursday
6:30p Peninsula Dining. Our group is going Italian at iTalico Pizzeria Ristorante, 341 South California Ave., Palo Alto 94306. Not cheap, but interesting choices, with small plate alternatives to full entrees. Want to see the choices? Go to www.italicorestaurant.com. To say you’ll be there, contact Susan at (650) 714-4972 or Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com at least two days before the event. At the restaurant, ask for Susan and please bring cash. For last minute changes, call/text cell phone (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
May 22-31
23 – Saturday
10a False Discussion. We will be reading False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren’t True by Joe Pierre, MD, one chapter per week. Come to the discussion with your questions and observations. This is pretty low-key. Expect to learn something and to have fun. Join us for one, a few, or all chapters. This week we’re reading Chapter 3: Confirmation Bias on Steroids. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Sa)
27 – Wednesday
5:30p Trivia Night at the Patriot House gastropub in San Francisco. The contest is free, starts at 6p, and lasts about 2 hours, but please arrive about 5:30p, so that we don’t lose the table that I’ve reserved. If you’re a member of our SFRM Meetup group, RSVP on Meetup if you’re planning on coming, so that I can be sure to reserve a large enough table. If you’re not a member of our SFRM Meetup group, RSVP by e-mailing host Barry Krasner at bwkbwk/a/t/pacbell.net. Guests are allowed, so be sure to include the number of guests that you’re bringing when you RSVP. If you RSVP “Yes” and then find that you can’t attend after all, it’s very important that you change your RSVP to “No” as far in advance as possible. The Patriot House is located in Embarcadero Center #2, on the 3rd (top) floor. Enter from Sacramento St. between Front St. and Davis St. Take the inside escalator to the 2nd floor, then turn right twice and follow the sign to the stairs to the 3rd floor. The restaurant is near the top of those stairs. You’ll recognize our group by the Mensa logo that I will have on top of our table. If in doubt, ask the wait staff for “The Mensa Group”. PC, NC, NS, NMPCW (RSE 4 W)
7p Wonderfest. Join us for Rock Clocks & Supernovae, another great dual science-based Wonderfest presentation at the HopMonk Tavern, a restaurant at 224 Vintage Way, Novato 94945. We meet in the Lecture Room at 6:30p when it starts to fill up. You can order food from the menu to be served in the Lecture Room. Details are at wonderfest.org/rockclocks-supernovae/. Wonderfest Science Envoys are early-career researchers. Following short talks these two Science Envoys will answer questions. The first Science Envoy will be UC Berkeley geophysicist Caroline Hasler on Measuring Geologic Time with Rock Clocks. In microscopically small crystals within rocks, radioactive elements decay at predictable rates and function as tiny clocks. These “rock clocks” help us to figure out the timing of major events in Earth history – from the moment of Earth’s formation to the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs. Next will be UC Berkeley astronomer Eli Wiston on Seeing Core-collapse Supernovae with Radio Telescopes. At the end of its life, a massive star will contract and explode in spectacular fashion, outshining the light of an entire galaxy. While most astronomers focus on the optical light given off by these stellar explosions, there is a wealth of new information to be gained by observing invisible wavelengths. With radio telescopes, we can study new aspects of supernovae: their stars’ activity in the years before death, their environments, and what they leave behind after the explosion fades. This interactive science presentation, free and unticketed, is produced by Wonderfest in partnership with Marin Science Seminar. HopMonk’s menu is at www.hopmonk.com/novato-menu. RSVP on SFRM Meetup (best) or e-mail Hugh Bonney, hfbonney/a/t/sonic.net. There will be a Mensa sign at one of the tables to meet during or after, though tables can’t be reserved. PC, NMPCW, WCE, NS, NC, NXM
28 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See May 14. (RSE 2,4 Th)
30 – Saturday
10a False Discussion. We will be reading False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren’t True by Joe Pierre, MD, one chapter per week. Come to the discussion with your questions and observations. This is pretty low-key. Expect to learn something and to have fun. Join us for one, a few, or all chapters. This week we’re reading Chapter 4: The Flea Market of Opinion. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Sa)
7p East Bay Game Night. Join us for fun and games in North Oakland! We’re playing word games, card games, board games, all kinds of fast-action social games (not long strategy games). Please bring a snack to share. The fun is in Oakland near Piedmont Ave. and Pleasant Valley Ave. No RSVP needed; just show up at 7p (when I unlock the door) or later. We have about 15 to 25 people every month, most of whom do not RSVP. For more information or directions, contact Alan at alan.winson/a/t/gmail.com or (510) 653-2685 (voice only). Please pull forward to park four cars in my driveway. Free street parking is available in the neighborhood; don’t give up! SUPER-SPREADER EVENT NOTICE: If you haven’t kept up your vaccinations, or don’t feel well or may have COVID, a cold, or anything else contagious, please stay home and join us next month! PC, NMPCW, NS, WCP (RSE last Sa)
FUTURE FLASHES
June 2 – Tuesday
5p Tuesday Tipplers. See May 5. (RSE 1 Tu)
6 – Saturday
10a False Discussion. We will be reading False: How Mistrust, Disinformation, and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things that Aren’t True by Joe Pierre, MD, one chapter per week. Come to the discussion with your questions and observations. This is pretty low-key. Expect to learn something and to have fun. Join us for one, a few, or all chapters. This week we’re reading Chapter 5: The Disinformation Industrial Complex. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Sa)
6p Online Board Games. See May 2. (RSE 1 Sa, 3 M)