San Francisco Regional Mensa

May Calendar of Events

Eric Eichorn, Calendar Editor

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. Note: Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Web Calendar: 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 email are unless requested otherwise. MeetUp: SFRM maintains a MeetUp group for events announced on short notice. See www.meetup.com/SFMensa.

To List Your Event: Length limit: 120 words. Submit items to the Calendar Editor at calendar/a/t/sfmensa.org. Items must be received by the deadline listed in the calendar to guarantee inclusion. Items must include host's name, date and time, location, and applicable codes (above), and should also include phone (including area code) or email address. Notices are published on a space-available basis subject to the discretion of the Calendar Editor. The policy for inclusion in the calendar is based on the SFRM bylaws.

Weekly Event

Every Thursday

12:30p Mountain View Lunch Bunch. We meet at Sweet Tomatoes, 1040 Grant Rd., 94040 (at the corner of Oak Lane). From El Camino Real and Grant Rd., turn south on Grant, take the first right on Oak Lane and the first left into the parking lot. Look for us at the far end of the restaurant. Claire Taylor, (650) 494-6697. PC, NMPCW (RSE Th)

Date-specific Events

April 28 – Sunday

12n Harmony Health Circle: Let’s Put Our Heads and Tastebuds Together. What is your favorite tasty healthy food? Please come with something to share if you are able. If you don’t have an edible contribution bring your tastebuds and your questions! The Health Circle meets at the Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Ave. at Harrison St., 94610. Hosted by Gwendolyn Rothman, M.D., (510) 451-3009, Gwendolyn/a/t/pacbell.net. Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: www.joyfulharmony.org/jh/events.htm. PC, NS, NXM

5p Forget the Month Right at Giovanni Restaurant, 2420 Shattuck Ave. (between Channing Way and Haste St.), Berkeley 94704. See http://www.originalgiovanni.com for info and menus. Hosted by Bill Rowan, (510) 206-2152. PC, NS, WCD (RSE last Su)

April 30 – Tuesday

11:30a Lunch in Pleasant Hill at Sweet Tomatoes, 30 Crescent Dr., 94523. Come and have an all-you-can-eat healthy and delicious lunch. You are always welcome to bring a friend or family member. Enjoy a good measure of stimulating conversation on any and all subjects. Off-street parking mostly provides for unlimited time to park. Questions? Mary Bradshaw (925) 376-0762. PC, NMPCW

May 3 – Friday

6:15p Movies That Matter: Life of Pi (2012). Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, this is a magical adventure story centering on Pi Patel, the precocious son of a zookeeper. After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival. Oscar nominated for almost everything, winner of four Oscars, including best director. Join us for an evening of pizza, picture, and a chance for thoughtful discussion. Pizza 6:15p, film 7p. Movies shown on 58" plasma TV. For pizza, let us know your preference, meat or veggie. (510) 451-3009, ulare/a/t/joyfulharmony.org. Hosted in Oakland by Daniel Neumayer and Gwendolyn Rothman, Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: www.joyfulharmony.org/jh/events.htm. PC, NS, NXM (RSE 1 F)

6:30p Friday at the Pub. Join Donna Jadis and Gerry Riley at Crown Pub, 331 Hartz Ave., Danville 94526, a British-style pub complete with red London-style phone booth outside, for drinks, snacks, and conversation. We’d love to meet more of our Mensan neighbors. Please call (925) 978-0690 or e-mail donna/a/t/mooseworks.org or gerry/a/t/mooseworks.org to reserve (so we can tell the restaurant if we need a table for 6 or 20), even if you’re only thinking of coming. Ask for Donna or Mensa to find us at the Pub. For Crown info and directions, see www.crownpub.com or phone (925) 855-2185. (RSE 1 F)

May 4 – Saturday

11a Inventors’ Co-op. Meet other inventors helping the planet. We discuss and develop patent filings and market electronic inventions. We are electronic engineers, VCs, people seeking interesting projects, and web marketing projects like www.InventionSpringBoard.com. No drop-ins please. We’re free to Mensans and non-Mensans in Solano County and beyond who demonstrate strong interest in intellectual property. To apply, kindly call membership at (707) 428-5000 or see www.innovationinstituteblog.com. We meet in Fairfield, 30 minutes from Berkeley near intersecting highways I-80 and I-680 at Invention Springboard. Free. PC, NXM, WCP (RSE 1 Sa)

5p Mystery/Suspense Movie Discussion Dilettantes (MSMDD). Potluck first. The movie will be The Package (1989). Directed by Andrew Davis. It stars Gene Hackman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Joanna Cassidy. An Army sergeant escorts a prisoner from Germany to the US. The prisoner escapes. During his attempt to apprehend the prisoner, the sergeant finds himself in the middle of a plot to kill an important figure in order to sabotage arms control talks. Please bring a dish to share and YOB. Please bring suggestions for future movies. At the home of Terry and Elizabeth Calaway. (415) 456-9220. PC, NS (RSE 1 Sa)

6p Start The Month Right. At Elna and Adrian Tymes’ home in Mountain View. Come celebrate the 32^nd year and longest-running monthly social event in all of American Mensa (at Elna’s home every month since 1981)! Potluck dinner, unstructured socializing, games, talk. We provide the main dish; you bring salad, bread, or dessert to share and YOB. $1 donation requested. No reservations needed. Info (650) 969-6650. Guests of Mensans must be accompanied by the member. PC, SO, WBC, WCD, C/D (RSE 1 Sat)

May 5 – Sunday

4p Albany Hill Hike. Join us for a one-hour scenic and historic hike up and around Albany Hill 94706. The trail is steep in spots, but the views are expansive. Off-leash dogs are fine. Meet under Pacific East Mall Jumbotron just behind bus stop on east side of Pierce Street between Central Avenue in El Cerrito and Washington Ave. in Albany. Free parking available in mall lot. Seven tenths of a mile from El Cerrito Plaza BART station. Roberta Maguire, robertamaguire/a/t/hotmail.com. (510) 526-3974, cell (510) 292-6370. PC, ACW, NMPCW, NS, WCI (RSE 1 Su)

May 7 – Tuesday

12n Math Lovers’ Lunch. May Flower Chinese Restaurant, 2156 University Ave., Berkeley 94704, between UC Campus and Shattuck, across the street from Ace Hardware. A table will be reserved; please try to come at 12n sharp. Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, ular.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NC, NMPCW, NXM, WCP (RSE 1 Tu)

6p Tuesday Tipplers. Join us for drinks and conversation in the bar and stay for dinner. Ristorante La Toscana, 3751 Redwood Hwy., San Rafael 94903. (W. frontage road opposite Marin Civic Center. N. San Pedro Rd. exit.) Parking in the lot or on the street. Carole Taylor, caroleptaylor/a/t/sbcglobal.net or phone (415) 454-9453. (RSE 1 Tu)

7p Brainstormer Pub Quiz. Do you like trivia? Join our Transcendental Pi team for dinner and a chance to win some delicious microbrews. Quiz begins promptly at 7:30p. RSVP to save a seat. Pyramid Alehouse, 901 Gilman St., Berkeley 94710, (510) 527-9090. Entrance and parking on 8^th St. side. Hosted by Jonathan Felder, jonathan.felder/a/t/gmail.com. PC, ACW, NMPCW, NS, NXM, WCP (RSE Alt Tu)

Intelligencer Deadline. Deadline for calendar events, advertising, members’ free ads, and all other content. See page 2 for information pertaining to general Intelligencer submissions, and the first page of the calendar for information on submitting events. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)

May 8 – Wednesday

6:17p Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group (BORG). Assimilate delicious food and interesting conversation at a good restaurant somewhere in the central East Bay. E-mail or call ahead for the location. Reservation deadline is 6p Tuesday by e-mail or phone so we have a table large enough for everyone. Well-behaved non-Mensans welcome. Please bring cash. Cathy Roha, (510) 845-1833, catroha/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 W)

7p Mensa Technology Junkies. An opportunity for tech industry vets to rub elbows, enjoy a beverage, and discuss current tech topics and trends, hosted by Greg Oehmen. We are always looking for presenters and/or suggestions for topics around which a given meeting can be themed. Location rotates monthly between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. This month we meet in Silicon Valley, location TBD. E-mail greg.oehmen/a/t/gmail.com for specific details. PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 W)

May 9 – Thursday

11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at Coco’s Bakery Restaurant, (408) 866-5377, 150 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell 95008 (2 blocks east of Winchester Blvd. at the corner of N. 3^rd St.). Sandra Anderson, (408) 621-1273. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)

5:30p Tulare-Kings Area Mensans will return to Panera Bread, 4103 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia 93277 for coffee, bagels, pastries and/or dinner, as well as stimulating conversation. Questions? Contact Steve Pastis at (559) 280-9774 or tulare-kings/a/t/sfmensa.org. PC (RSE 2 Th)

May 10 – Friday

5p Oregon Mensa BeaveRG XV at Red Lion Inn at the Oregon Convention Center, 1021 NE Grand Avenue Portland, OR 97232 (conveniently located on the main MAX light-rail line for easy access to both the airport and downtown). Continues through Sunday afternoon, May 12. If you liked what you saw at the 2011 AG, we cordially invite you to come on back for more of the Portland Experience. Oregon Mensa knows how to throw a party! Fascinating presentations, stimulating games, and good fellowship abound. See http://www.oregon.us.mensa.org/rg/ for more information.

6:30p Mid-Month Mex (MMMex). We meet, eat, and rest our feet at Tito’s, 15508 E 14^th St., San Leandro 94578, 1500’ NE of the exact geographic center of the Bay Area. Twixt 580 and 880, and close to Bay Fair BART, this is where Mensans meet in the middle and go “MMM!” Come for the Mensans and the margaritas (or just for the Mensans), along with a marvelous Mexican meal after 7p. Co-hosted by Hank Stephenson, hank888/a/t/earthlink.net or (415) 793-0300 cell, and Peter Midnight. Come see why Tito’s has been there for more than 50 years, directly across E. 14^th St. from Bayfair Mall. We’ll see you at Tito’s! PC, WCE, NMPCW, NC, SO, NXM (RSE 2 F)

7p GenX Food and Movie Night. Join us for dinner at 7p at the Chevy’s at 3^rd and Howard in SF, followed by a movie at a local theater. As ever, all ages are welcome. The only requirement is the manners your mother taught you, and that includes RSVPs. If you have trouble finding us, call my number; it’s a cell. For more info, contact Cathy at (415) 730-5711 or mulfordc/a/t/alumni.princeton.edu . PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 F)

May 11 – Saturday

9:30a Mensa Testing in Berkeley. See www.sfmensa.org/info/testing.html for information.

10:30a Tulare-Kings Game Day. Mensans and prospective Mensans will gather at GameQore, 107 E. Main St., Visalia 93291 to play Forbidden Island™, a Mensa Select® game. For more info, contact Steve at tulare-kings/a/t/sfmensa.org or (559) 280-9774. PC, NMPCW

4p Big Ideas Reading Group: Models. Behaving. Badly.: Why Confusing Illusion with Reality Can Lead to Disaster, on Wall Street and in Life by Emanuel Derman. Quants, physicists working on Wall Street as quantitative analysts, have been widely blamed for triggering financial crises with their complex mathematical models. Models. Behaving. Badly. exposes Wall Street’s love affair with models and shows us why nobody will ever be able to write a model that can encapsulate human behavior. Big Ideas Reading Group Version II continues reading cutting-edge science and technology themes, including AI, robotics, genetics, nanotech, radical life extension, and futurists. For June 8 at Le Boulanger: The Mind–Leading Scientists Explore the Brain, Memory, Personality, and Happiness presented by Edge.org, edited by John Brockman. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Plenty of free parking in underground garage. Meetings go for about 2 hours. For further information about BIRG see sfmensa.org/groups/BIRG.html. For questions and directions please contact Chris Boyd at snoboyd/a/t/sbcglobal.net. PC, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 2 Sa)

May 13 – Monday

Monday Munchers. Rising up from the old Ethnic Dinner, a lunch group in Marin dedicated to trying different restaurants. This month Munchers is canceled and calling in vacation. Don’t worry, we will be back in June. Elizabeth Calaway, elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com or (415) 456-9220. PC

May 15 – Wednesday

5:30p 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 The Holding Company in 2 Embarcadero Center (Sacramento St. between Front St. and Davis St.), SF 94111. Take the inside escalator to the 3^rd floor, then turn right. Look for the Mensa logo on top of our table or ask one of the waitresses to find us. Starting at 5:30p, but arrive when you can and leave when you’re ready. We should be there until at least 8p. They have a Happy Hour until 7p. 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, NXM (RSE 3W)

6:30p GaySIG Out on the Town. Come experience the pleasures of modern Chinese cuisine at M.Y. China, Martin Yan’s beautiful new restaurant in the Westfield Mall, 865 Market St., San Francisco, 94103. They’re already famous for their hand-pulled noodles, which are made in their open kitchen. M.Y. China is conveniently located just above the Powell Street BART/Muni station, under the wonderfully restored old Emporium dome. We have seating reserved for eight, but there’ll be room to stretch if we get more attendees. Please RSVP to ed.rose/a/t/sbcglobal.net by Friday, May 10 if you plan to attend. PC, MO, WCP

7:30p GenX South Bay Pub Quiz. Join us at Katie Bloom’s, 369 East Campbell Ave., Campbell 95008. The quiz starts at 7:30p, but come early to secure a table and have some dinner. RSVP helpful but not required. Adrian A., (408) 431-0817 or buaya123/a/t/yahoo.com. PC, NMPCW, NXM, WCP (RSE W after 2 F)

May 17 – Friday

6:45p Movie Night in Orinda: Lincoln (2012). Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, who won the Oscar for Best Actor. Lincoln won the Oscar for Best Production Design. Please note again the earlier time, since Lincoln is 150 minutes long, and we will start the movie at 7:10p (come any time after 6:30p). The cast of this drama includes Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, David Strathairn, and many more. Steven Spielberg directs. The movie focuses on our 16^th President’s final months in office and his fight to pass of the 13^th Amendment. The war dividing a nation, efforts to end it, slavery, and his efforts to unite the country required many difficult choices during this critical time. Tony Kushner’s script shows him a genius scriptwriter. The movie also shows Lincoln as warm, funny, and craftily political. Come and socialize with Mensa friends both before the movie and during intermission. Please bring something to share; it’s not a dinner, but salads are welcome, as are hors d’oeuvres, desserts, fruit, and light colored beverages (no chips). Please reserve your seat with Mary Bradshaw, (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. The movie for June will be Skyfall. PC, NMPCW (RSE 3 F)

May 18 – Saturday

7p South Bay Games Night is again at the home of Ramona and Walter Reichl, in San Jose. Please bring the games you want to play (some of the usual games are provided), food and drink to share. Lots of room for simultaneous games and socializing! Contact Ramona at RamonaR2/a/t/aol.com or (408) 205-5688. PC, BYOB, C, NMPCW, SO, WBC WCP (RSE 3 Sa)

May 19 – Sunday

11:30a Peninsula Sunday Brunch. Greet old friends and meet new ones when you join us at Le Boulanger for brunch. 622 Laurel St., San Carlos 94070. One block from San Carlos train station off San Carlos Ave. Questions? Call Adele before Sunday at (650) 752-4684. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 3 Su)

12n Harmony Health Circle: Matching Spices and Food. What to use with what – spices and foods matched – the amended list with samples, recipes and sources for spices. Have you ever browsed spices and thought, now what would I put chervil on? How can I use cinnamon? Which foods lend themselves to curry? What on earth in the way of spices do I put on fish? We’ll try to cover it all. Vegetarian samples will be provided. Spicing is an adventure and we are on it! History and ethnic material on favorite spices – ginger will be featured. The Health Circle meets at the Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Ave. at Harrison St., 94610. Hosted by Gwendolyn Rothman, M.D., (510) 451-3009, Gwendolyn/a/t/pacbell.net. Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: www.joyfulharmony.org/jh/events.htm. PC, NS, NXM

May 21 – Tuesday

7p Brainstormer Pub Quiz. See May 7. (RSE Alt Tu)

7:30p Intelligencer Peel and Stick. Come help mail the Intelligencer. I’ll provide snacks and drinks. Held at the home of Gary Koerzendorfer, 1541 Market St., Santa Clara 95050. (408) 246-7456. PC, NS, C (RSE Tu after 3 Sa)

May 22 – Wednesday

7p Palo Alto Dining. Join us this month for outdoor Italian/Sicilian Cuisine at Caffé Riace, 200 Sheridan Ave., Palo Alto 94306. (Yes, they have heaters, and apparently they now also have an inside). Their phone is (650) 328-0407. Good food, good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan at (650) 325-8078 or Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by Monday, May 20. Ask for the Mensa table or for Susan, and please bring cash. PC, NMPCW.

May 23 – Thursday

11:45a South Bay Lunch. See May 9. (RSE 2,4 Th)

May 24 – Friday

12n Monthly Gathering at Fort Mason Center Room C205, San Francisco 94123. Dr. Leslie Ross will be speaking on “Pilgrimage: Inner and Outer Journeys.” This talk will discuss the concept of pilgrimage as a recurrent theme in several of the world’s major religious traditions, as well as the psychological and philosophical aspects of pilgrimage as both an inner and outer journey. Dr. Ross will use photographs and art to illuminate reasons that motivate seekers to undertake personally reflective challenges. We’ll start with a social half hour and light refreshments at 12n, followed by the talk at 12:30p, and Q&A at 1:15p. New members are especially welcome! For directions see www.fortmason.org/aboutus/visitor-information/directions. For more information, e-mail monthly gathering chair Ed Marshall at etmv/a/t/juno.com with “MGC” in the subject. PC, NMPCW, NS, WCP (RSE 4 F)

May 25 – Saturday

7p East Bay Game Night. Join us for fun and games in the East Bay! We’re playing word games, card games, board games, all kinds of fast-action social games (not long strategy games). Choose from my shelves of games or bring your own fast-action social games. Please also bring a snack to share. The fun is in Oakland. For more information or directions, contact Alan at alan.winson/a/t/gmail.com or (510) 653-2685. PC, NMPCW, NS, WCP

May 26 – Sunday

12n Harmony Health Circle: Spices to Help You Lose Weight. Thirteen spices which help you lose weight and recipes for using them – General nutritional properties of Spices – Spices for Health. You’ve heard of herbal remedies and probably used them. But did you know that every spice has healing properties, even the unlikely ones like cayenne pepper? And did you know there are metaphysical and psychic spices? But of course there are. The Health Circle meets at the Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Ave. at Harrison St., 94610. Hosted by Gwendolyn Rothman, M.D., (510) 451-3009, Gwendolyn/a/t/pacbell.net. Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: www.joyfulharmony.org/jh/events.htm. PC, NS, NXM

5p Forget the Month Right at Giovanni Restaurant, 2420 Shattuck Ave. (between Channing Way and Haste St.), Berkeley 94704. See http://www.originalgiovanni.com for info and menus. Hosted byBill Rowan, (510) 206-2152. PC, NS, WCD (RSE last Su)

May 30 – Thursday

12n Mensa Metro Lunch. Do you work in downtown San Francisco? Tired of having lunch at your desk? Come meet up with your fellow Mensans for lunch. Bring your lunch plus anything you’d like to share, and meet us from 12n to 1p at Citygroup Center at corner of Market St. and Sutter St. This greenhouse is built into the shell of the 1912 London-Paris Bank building, with a glass roof and two-story arches opening to Sansome and Sutter Streets. Look for the Mensa symbol. Please RSVP at www.meetup.com/SFMensa (preferred) or call Valerie at (415) 472-5693. PC, MO, WCE (RSE last Th)

May 31 – Friday

11:30a Lunch in Concord at HomeTown Buffet. Located at 2050 Diamond Blvd., 94520, one block east of and between the Willow Pass Rd. and Concord Ave. exits from I-680, and a block north of the Hilton Hotel. Come and enjoy an all-you-can-eat meal with Mensa friends, and with other family or friends that you choose to invite to join us. We may have an Intelligencer to mark our table(s). Look for us on the left/north side of the restaurant as you enter. We like to park on the north side of the restaurant in case we have items in our cars to share with others, and trees there can provide shade. Questions? Mary Bradshaw (925) 376-0762. PC, NMPCW

FUTURE FLASHES

June 1 – Saturday

11a Inventors’ Co-op. See May 4. (RSE 1 Sa)

5p Mystery/Suspense Movie Discussion Dilettantes (MSMDD). Potluck first. The movie will be Flypaper (2011). It was directed by Rob Minkoff. It stars Patrick Dempsey and Ashley Judd. A guy in need of his meds (Dempsey) goes into a bank to change a large bill. Suddenly two sets of robbers attempt to rob the bank. The guy desperately tries to survive while protecting the teller (Judd), with whom he is falling in love. At the home of Terry and Elizabeth Calaway, (415) 456-9220. PC, NS (RSE 1 Sa)

6p Start The Month Right. See May 4. (RSE 1 Sa)

June 2 – Sunday

4p Albany Hill Hike. See May 5. (RSE 1 Su)

June 4 – Tuesday

12n Math Lovers’ Lunch. See May 7. (RSE 1 Tu)

6p Tuesday Tipplers. See May 7. (RSE 1 Tu)

7p Brainstormer Pub Quiz. See May 7. (RSE Alt Tu)

Intelligencer Deadline. See May 7. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)

June 7 – Friday

6:15p Movies That Matter. See May 3. (RSE 1 F)

6:30p Friday at the Pub. See May 3. (RSE 1 F)

June 8 – Saturday

9:30a Mensa Testing. See www.sfmensa.org/info/testing.html for information.

3:30p Big Ideas Reading Group. See May 11. (RSE 2 Sa)