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 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
To List Your Event: Length limit: 120 words. Submit items to the Calendar Editor at . 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 e-mail 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 EVENTS
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) 917-9363. PC, NMPCW (RSE Th)
Every Saturday
6p Imaginative Geniuses. Relax in a secluded southeast Napa Valley house with warm, friendly people. A free BBQ dinner is served and a hot tub is provided. Located 15-18 minutes from I-80 and CA-12, 40-60 minutes from Berkeley. Parties usually go on until 10p or later. See www.ImaginativeGenius.com for more information. For address and directions, and to RSVP, contact host Steven Kays at Mensa/a/t/StevenKays.com or (707) 422-2565. PC, NMPCW, C/D, NS, NXM (RSE Sa)
End of March
March 25 – Sunday
5p The Kelly Park Big Band at The Sound Room, 2147 Broadway, Oakland 94612. Led by Mensan/drummer Kelly Park, this 16 piece big band plays original music and arrangements of jazz standards. We’ll stick around after the concert for an informal music conversation, meet some of the band members, have a cocktail, etc. There is a $20 door charge for this event, $10 if you show your Mensa membership card. No RSVP required. PC, NS, WBC, WCP (RSE last Su)
26 – Monday
7p Near Palo Alto Dining. Join us dining on French food at La Fontaine Restaurant, 186 Castro St., Mountain View 94041. It’s a happening environment, with shops to explore up and down the block, and near the Mountain View Caltrain Station, with a parking garage behind the restaurant. Their menu includes hors d’oeuvres, soups, and salads (e.g. spinach, strawberries, mango, almonds, pecorino Romano cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette for $9), artisan pastas (e.g. linguini and prawns for $25), and plats principaux for $18 to $33. To reserve contact Susan Heimlich at (650) 714-4972 (cell/text) or e-mail susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by March 23. Be sure to get a confirmation. For last minute changes call/text my cell. Please bring cash. PC, NMPCW
27 – Tuesday
11:30a Lunch in Pleasant Hill at Sweet Tomatoes, 40A Crescent Drive, 94523. It is about two blocks west of I-680 and one block west of Contra Costa Blvd. Come a few minutes earlier for best parking choices. Meet at the restaurant’s entrance or look for us at a large table that some of us early birds will secure for our group. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat, healthy, delicious lunch. And enjoy a good measure of interesting conversation on any and all subjects, with Mensa friends and other friends and family members that you wish to invite. Most parking on Crescent Drive is for only one hour, but there are other areas available with longer parking time limits. And there is a free City-owned multistory garage across from the movie theater. Questions? Mary Bradshaw, (925) 376-0762 or marybradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
28 – Wednesday
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. See April 25. (RSE last W)
31 – Saturday
1:30p Robot Games at San Jose State University Event Center. Student designed and built 120 lb (54 kg) robots place “Power Cubes” (covered milk crates) on balances; points are awarded for the elapsed time balances are tipped in their favor. More sophisticated robots place Cubes on a tall balance and more modest ’bots do the same with two lower balances. Every match is played as two Alliances of three teams each, who have to work out strategy in the brief time between matches. Each match starts with a 15 second “Autonomous” period where only the students’ programming controls the robot, followed by a two-minute fifteen second period where students operate their ’bot with joysticks. As the match comes to an end, robots gain extra points by lifting themselves or their Alliance partners a foot off the field. This “Climbing” has been made much more challenging by limiting the space onto which the ’bots can grasp. Strategy is much more important than in previous years; each Alliance has can elect to give themselves temporary advantage(s), but must expend resources to do so. Spectators are invited to tour the pits to see the robots up close and talk to the students. Mensan Gary Koerzendorfer mentors team 2643 from Santa Teresa HS., San Jose. The competition is free to the public and runs March 29 to 31 with playoffs and finals Saturday at 1:30p. At www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZbdwYiCY74 there is a brief “retro” video explaining the game; at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtE6Va6oOhU “This Isn’t a Robot” shows the inspirational philosophy of FIRST Robotics. Free weekend parking at 50 N. 4th. Street Garage, a few blocks walk from the venue. PC, NXM, ACW
7p East Bay Game Night. See April 28. (RSE last Sa)
April 1-7
April 1 – 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. 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. Seven tenths of a mile from 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)
3 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. We meet at San Rafael Joe’s, 931 4th St., San Rafael 94901. Join us for drinks and conversation in the bar at 6p and stay for dinner at 7p. Park on the street or in the city garage at Lootens Pl. and 3rd St. (the restaurant has a back door to the garage). Carole Taylor, caroleptaylor/a/t/sbcglobal.net or (415) 454-9453. PC (RSE 1 Tu)
4 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. Chef’s Chinese Food, 233 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito 94530 (close to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station), (510) 525-8737. A table will be reserved. All adults who enjoy discussing mathematics (at any level) are welcome. Our discussions are wide-ranging and are not confined to mathematical subjects. Please try to come at 11:30a sharp, but come anyway if, for some reason, you may be a few minutes late. Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, kevin.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NMPCW, NXM, WCE (RSE 1 W)
6:30p East Bay Science Café. A free gathering featuring UC Berkeley scientists in an informal discussion of interesting and relevant scientific issues, promoting a casual evening of conversation. At Restaurant Cafe Valparaiso, 1403 Solano Ave., Albany 94706. We meet at 6:30p to order dinner before they get too busy, and the program starts at 7p. Please contact Roberta to make sure she is in town at (510) 292-6370 or robertamaguire/a/t/hotmail.com. PC, ACW, NMPCW, NS, NXM (RSE 1 W)
7:30p Trivia Night at the Terrace Room, 1800 Madison St., Oakland 94612. Play begins at 7:30p sharp. Drinks are optional and reasonable. Some food is on offer from the bar. Teams are of up to six players. Call Steve Andersen at (510) 521-8869 or e-mail beveaux/a/t/gmail.com to RSVP (appreciated but not required). Transportation from and back to the Fruitvale BART station may be available on request with advance notice. PC, NMPCW, NS, NXM (RSE 1 W)
6 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017). Oscars went to Frances McDormand (Best Actress) and Sam Rockwell (Best Supporting Actor, for which Woody Harrelson was also nominated). This is the film that should have won Best Picture. A human drama with outstanding performances all around, and a story that examines the depth of our inconsistencies. A grieving mother seeks justice for her daughter. A racist cop upsets everyone. Any yet, the mother goes way over the line, and there is more to the cop than his racism. If you want a story with moral lessons tied up in a bow for you, look elsewhere. But if you want to actually think about life, this one is made for you. Join us for an evening of pizza, picture, and a chance for thoughtful discussion. Pizza 6p, film 6:45p. Movies shown on 58″ plasma TV. For pizza, let us know your preference, meat or veggie. (510) 451-3009, daniel/a/t/joyfulharmony.org. Hosted in Oakland by Daniel Neumayer and Gwendolyn Rothman, Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: joyfulharmony.org/wordpress/index.php/contact. PC, NS, NXM, LCR (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. We’ll be at Luna Loca in Danville, a good Mexican restaurant in “The Livery” shopping center on San Ramon Valley Blvd. with good food, good prices, and good drinks. It’s pretty easy to get to: From I-680, take the Sycamore Valley Rd. exit, turn right on San Ramon Valley Blvd., and then take the first left (there’s a light) and Luna Loca will be on your right. Check their website at www.lunalocadanville.com for more information. I’ll make a reservation based on how many I think are coming, but please let me know if you’re thinking of attending so I can change the reservation. Call Donna Jadis at (925) 978-0690 or e-mail donna/a/t/mooseworks.org for more info. (RSE 1 F)
7 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. At Elna and Adrian Tymes’ home in Mountain View. Come celebrate the 38th 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, and 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)
April 8-14
9 – Monday
11:30a Monday Munchers. Rising up from the old Ethnic Dinner, a lunch group in Marin dedicated to trying different restaurants. This month we will re-visit The Spinnaker, 100 Spinnaker Dr., Sausalito 94965, (415) 332-1500, www.spinnakersasausalito.us/home. RSVP by Thursday, April 5, to Elizabeth Calaway at elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC (RSE 2 M)
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 Patriot House in 2 Embarcadero Center (Sacramento St. between Front St. and Davis St.), SF 94111. Take the inside escalator to the 3rd floor, then turn right. Look for the Mensa logo on 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 will be there for several hours. They have a Happy Hour until 6p, which resumes 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)
10 – Tuesday
Intelligencer Deadline. Deadline for calendar events, advertising, members’ free ads, and all other content. See above for information on submitting events. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
11 – 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 on Tuesday, April 10, by e-mail or phone so we have a table large enough for everyone. Well-behaved non-Mensans welcome. Please bring cash. Cathy Roha, catroha/a/t/gmail.com, (510) 845-1833. PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 W)
12 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at Effie’s Restaurant and Bar, 331 W. Hacienda Ave., Campbell 95008. Their phone is (408) 374-3400. Menu and other info are online at effiesrestaurantandbar.com. Sandra Anderson, (408) 621-1273. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)
13 – Friday
6:30p Mid-Month Mex (MMMex). We meet, eat, and rest our feet at Tito’s, 15508 E. 14th 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 60 years, directly across E. 14th St. from Bayfair Center. We’ll see you at Tito’s! No pets. PC, WCE, NMPCW, NC, SO, NXM (RSE 2 F)
7p GenX Food and Movie Night. Join us for dinner at 7p at a South of Market restaurant (to be determined) in San Francisco, 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. To get the restaurant information, contact Cathy at (415) 730-5711 or mulfordc/a/t/alumni.princeton.edu. PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 F)
14 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Mukherjee has written a biography of the gene as deft, brilliant, and illuminating as his extraordinarily successful biography of cancer. Weaving science and social history, Mukherjee animates the quest to understand human heredity and its surprising influence on our lives, personalities, identities, fates, and choices. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For May 12, also at Kepler’s: I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong. We have a list of books read at www.bigideasreadinggroup.com/BIRG2.html. For questions and directions please contact Chris Boyd at snoboyd/a/t/sbcglobal.net. PC, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 2 Sa)
7p Game Night in Hercules. Join Lilley and Tony Mazy for fun and games in the Northern East Bay! We’re playing word games, card games, board games, all kinds of fast-action social games (not long strategy games). Choose from our (somewhat limited) shelf of games or bring your own fast-action social games. Lilley and I will have some light refreshments, but please bring a snack to share. The fun is in the quiet bedroom community of Hercules. For more information or directions, contact Tony at tony/a/t/mazy.us or (925) 785-5178. RSVPs, preferably by e-mail, are much appreciated. Members only, except for member-escorted guests. PC, FFE, NC, NS, WCD (RSE 2 Sa)
April 15-21
15 – Sunday
11:30a Third 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)
16 – Monday
7p Fancy Mexican Dining . Join us at Reposado at 236 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto 94301 (near the City Hall parking lot) for meat and vegetarian taste treats. They have small plates under $20, salads, soups, traditional style plates, and an extensive beverage menu. It’s a little noisy, but I’ve reserved a corner table. To reserve, contact Susan Heimlich, at (650) 714-4972 (cell/text) or e-mail susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by April 12. Be sure to get a confirmation. For last minute changes call or text my cell. Please bring cash. PC, NMPCW
18 – Wednesday
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. Corey Coughlin, (408) 499-9491 or coreyjc/a/t/comcast.net. PC, NMPCW, NXM, WCP (RSE W after 2 F)
19 – Thursday
5p Pub Trek. Join us for the resurrection of Pub Trek, where we can sample new beers at brew pubs or tap houses on the third Thursday each month. April’s event is scheduled at Santa Clara Valley Brewing, 101 E. Alma Ave., San Jose 95112, (408) 288-5181, www.facebook.com/SantaClaraValleyBrewing. Drop by anytime starting at 5p and continuing until approximately 7p. Also, please save the date for May’s event on Thursday, May 17, when the luscious and potent Mai Bock should be available at Tied House in Mountain View. RSVP and/or contact Rosemary Greenlaw with any questions or suggestions for future events at (408) 206-4905 or rbgreenlaw/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NMPCW, NXM, SO (RSE 3 Th)
20 – Friday
Movies That Matter. We will be on vacation from mid-April until the end of May, so our screen will be dark during that time. Our next film will be on June 1. (RSE 1,3 F)
7p Movie Night in Orinda. The title of the movie is to be determined. Please phone or e-mail me within a week or two of the 3rd Friday. Or I will e-mail you and provide the name and details of the movie that we will be seeing. Come about 7p and we’ll start the movie at 7:30p. Enjoy an evening with Mensa friends, other friends, or family members that you would like to invite. We’ll socialize both before the movie and during intermission. Please bring something to share. It is not a dinner, but salads are welcome, as are hors d’oeuvres, fruit, dessert, and light-colored beverages (no chips). Please reserve your seat with Mary Bradshaw, (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. Your suggestions for NEW, recently released, or soon to be available movies are appreciated for our future choices. PC, NMPCW
7p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF WEEK AND TIME.) We’re changing up Happy Hour Hunters and meeting later as Mannheim Social Club does not have a Happy Hour but does have music starting at 8p. The address is 561 1st St,, Brentwood 94513. Look for our “Welcome Owl”. Call Judy at (714) 356-4873 or Bernie at (714) 356-4868 for more info. PC, NC (RSE 2 F)
21 – Saturday
South Bay Games Night is on hiatus for April. (RSE 3 Sa)
April 22-30
25 – Wednesday
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. Come join us at Patriot House Pub, 2 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 94111 (Sacramento St. between Davis St. and Front St., on the top level, to the right as you step off the escalator). Please arrive between 5:30p and 5:45p. The trivia contest will begin at 6p and will last for about 2 hours. See www.brainstormer.com/venue/498/patriot-house-pub for details. The Patriot House is close to the Financial District and Embarcadero BART/Muni, and parking is validated for the underground garage. They have a wide selection of beers, mixed drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and food, and a Happy Hour until 6p. Look for the Mensa logo on our table or ask for “Barry and the Mensa Group”. 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, NMPCW, NC, NS, NXM (RSE last W)
26 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See April 12. (RSE 2,4 Th)
28 – Saturday
10a Monthly Gathering: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Talk & Tour at 2885 Mission St., Santa Cruz 95060. Join Mensan Curt Storlazzi as he leads us on an educational tour of the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. This event is appropriate for middle school ages through adults. Let us know you’ll be joining us by RSVPing via e-mail to Stephanie Thornton at mal1/a/t/sfmensa.org. More details elsewhere in this issue. PC, WCI
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. No RSVP needed; just show up at 7p or later. We have about 20 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! PC, NMPCW, NS, WCP (RSE last Sa)
7:30p Delta Open House. For those of us living east of East Bay, the Delta Open House is a time to get together with fellow Mensans without a lot of traveling. Enjoy the company of fellow Mensans out in the Delta. This month the event will be in Discovery Bay. Food and drinks will be provided. RSVPs requested but not required to junger2000/a/t/sbcglobal.net. For more info or directions, call Judy at (714) 356-4873 or Bernie at (714) 356-4868. PC, D, NS (RSE 4 Sa)
29 – Sunday
2p The Kelly Park Big Band. (NOTE ONE-TIME EARLY START.) Join us for a special event: Big Band Brunch! We’ll feature a special brunch menu and a generous serving of afternoon jazz! We’re at the Sound Room, 2147 Broadway at 22nd St., Oakland 94612. Show your Mensa card and get in for half price ($10)! Led by Mensan/drummer Kelly Park, this 16 piece big band plays original music and arrangements of jazz standards. No RSVP required. PC, NS, WBC, WCP (RSE last Su)
30 – Monday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at China Wall Buffet. Located at 1673 Willow Pass Rd., 94520, near the south end of the large Park & Shop Center, close to Highway 242. Come and have lunch with Mensa friends, plus any family or friends that you wish to invite to join us. There is plenty of unlimited parking in front of the restaurant. Questions? Mary Bradshaw (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
FUTURE FLASHES
May 1 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See April 3. (RSE 1 Tu)
2 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See April 4. (RSE 1 W)
6:30p East Bay Science Café. See April 4. (RSE 1 W)
7:30p Trivia Night. See April 4. (RSE 1 W)
4 – Friday
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See April 6. (RSE 1 F)
5 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See April 7. (RSE 1 Sat)
7p Brentwood Rocks: Music and Bowling Night. Join us for a fun night of bowling with music. You can upload your own songs. Total cost is $11/person including shoes and bowling! Harvest Park Bowl, 5000 Balfour Rd., Brentwood 94513. RSVP is required so that we know how many lanes to reserve: dwight.shackelford/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NS, WBC