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
4p 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 9p 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 January
January 28 – Sunday
5p The Kelly Park Big Band. See February 25. (RSE last Su)
31 – Wednesday
11:30a Lunch in Walnut Creek at California Pizza Kitchen, located at 1325 South Main St., 94596 (west side of street, between Botelho Dr. and Newell Ave.). A full variety of food is available; pizza is only one of many choices on their 4 page menu. Enter their free parking garage on the right side of the restaurant’s entrance. Drive down two floors to the restaurant’s own parking area, take the elevator up, and you’ll be near the restaurant’s entrance. If possible, RSVP so I can try to have the proper size dining table arranged for us. You are welcome to invite others, family members or friends that you would like to include. Questions? Mary Bradshaw, (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. See February 28. (RSE last W)
Feb 1-7
February 2 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter: Groundhog Day (1993). What do you get when a romantic comedy is written by a Zen Buddhist? Groundhog Day! Since February 2nd is Groundhog Day, it’s the perfect day for an encore showing of one of our most popular films. The film explores the phases that a not-so-nice weatherman (Bill Murray) goes through when he is trapped (or perhaps blessed) with repeating the same day over 10,000 times until he gets it right. Andie MacDowell plays the target of Murray’s lust. Come and enjoy this wonderful film with folks seeing it for the first time, as well as others who have seen it many times. 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)
3 – 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)
7p Music and Bowling Night: Brentwood Rocks at Harvest Park Bowl, 5000 Balfour Rd. (near Brentwood Blvd.), Brentwood 94513. 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 from 7p to 9p! RSVP is HIGHLY recommended so that we know how many lanes to grab. E-mail to dwight.shackelford/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NS, WBC
4 – 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)
6 – 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)
7:30p Trivia Tuesday at the Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St., Alameda 94501. (NOTE CHANGE TO 1ST TUESDAY.) Play begins between 7:30p and 8p. Drinks are optional and reasonable. Food is not served, but you can either bring some or get nachos next door. Teams of up to six players; typically there will be ten to twenty teams. It will be Mensans against the proletariat (otherwise known as the pros). Five rounds of twelve questions, with dumb prizes or free drinks (at their discretion) for the winners. Call Steve Andersen at (510) 521-8869 or email beveaux/a/t/gmail.com to RSVP (appreciated but not required). PC, NMPCW, NS, NXM, WCE (RSE 1 Tu)
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)
7 – 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)
6:17p Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group (BORG). (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF WEEK.) 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, February 6, 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)
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 Maguire 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)
Feb 8-14
8 – 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)
9 – Friday
5p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. Celebrate the end of the work week and relax with friendly conversation, happy hour food, and drinks. If you can’t make it at 5p, just let us know you’re coming, we’ll be waiting for you. This month we will meet at Sand Creek Pub, specializing in beer and crepes! 50 Sand Creek Rd. Ste. 30, 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)
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)
10 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage by Gordon Corera. Corera’s compelling narrative takes us from the Second World War through the Cold War and the birth of the internet to the present era of hackers and surveillance. The book is rich with historical detail and characters, as well as astonishing revelations about espionage carried out in recent times by the UK, US, and China. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. 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)
12 – 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 Left Bank Brasserie, 507 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur 94939, www.leftbank.com, (415) 927-3321. RSVP by Thursday, February 8, 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)
14 – 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)
Feb 15-21
15 – 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. February’s event is scheduled at Forager, 420 South First Street, San Jose 95113, (408) 831-2433, www.sjforager.com. As well as rotating handcrafted beverages, food is available. Drop by anytime starting at 5p and continuing until approximately 7p. 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)
16 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter: Title to be announced – one of the major Oscar nominees. I will announce this one after the nominees are chosen in late January. You can check our website, JoyfulHarmony.org, for updates. 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)
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 (RSE 3 F)
17 – Saturday
6p South Bay Games Night. Barbara and Tom Canup welcome you to their home in south San Jose. We are starting earlier to give time for eating and socializing and still play multiple or longer games. You can play our games or bring your own favorite. Some of us will try building pyramids with a new board game, Imhotep. We will provide a main dish – please bring a snack/side dish to share and your choice of beverage. New players especially are welcome. Contact Barbara at (408) 225-6068 or treasurer/a/t/sfmensa.org. PC, C, BYOB, NMPCW, SO, WCP (RSE 3 Sa)
18 – 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)
19 – Monday
7p Chinese New Year Near Palo Alto. By now it’s a tradition: Join us this month for a Chinese New Year’s celebration (the Year of the Dog begins February 16). We will be revisiting Chef Chu’s at 1067 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos 94022 (at El Camino Real). Their phone is (650) 948-2696. I have again selected the Banquet Special for our dining pleasure. The cost after tax and tip but not including fancy beverages will be about $40. The meal includes minced chicken in lettuce cups, seafood blossom soup, lover’s prawns, black pepper steak, orange blossom ribs, seasoned vegetables, a whole fish, Chinese sausage fried rice, and fried banana with whipped cream. You can see the menu for yourself at their web site, www.chefchu.com. To reserve, contact Susan at cell phone (650) 714-4972 or Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by February 17. This year I’ve made reservations for 15, so don’t delay. If you want to order off the regular menu, please let me know. At the restaurant, ask for Susan, and please bring cash. For last minute changes, call cell phone (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
Feb 22-28
22 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See February 8. (RSE 2,4 Th)
24 – Saturday
6:45p Career Coaching and Piano Concert. Prominent career coach and Intelligencer columnist Marty Nemko opens his Oakland home for 45 minutes of interactive career counseling followed by 45 minutes of piano concert – from ragtime to Broadway show tunes, love songs to Tom Lehrer. Doors open at 6:45p from which time champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The official festivities begin at 7p. RSVP to Marty at mnemko/a/t/comcast.net. PC, WBC, D, NMPCW, S/NS, WCD
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)
7p Delta Open House. For those of us living east of the East Bay, the Delta Open House is on the 4th Saturday of each month. Enjoy the company of fellow Mensans out in the Delta. This month the event will be in Brentwood. Janet will provide food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. If you prefer beer or a mixed drink, BYOB. RSVP to Janet at scheu-j/a/t/usa.net. You can call Judy at (714) 356-4873 for more info. PC, C, NS (RSE 4 Sa)
25 – Sunday
3:30p Monthly Gathering: Escape Room. At Xcapade, 1627 Industrial Parkway West, Hayward 94544. This month put your wits to test with an escape room competition! Our group will be participating in Treasure of the Empire: Axis vs. Allies – a competitive escape room experience. You can let us know you’ll be joining us and find more details on Meetup, Facebook, or by email to Stephanie Thornton at mal1/a/t/sfmensa.org. To officially RSVP, you must email me. Once you RSVP I will collect your $10 payment and will send you a waiver to fill out before the event. Limited to 20 people. You are only confirmed for the event once I’ve received your RSVP and payment. See article with more details elsewhere in this issue. PC
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)
28 – Wednesday
11:15a Lunch in Walnut Creek at Black Bear Diner (or, you can order breakfast). Let me know if you are celebrating a birthday as you may receive a scoop of nice ice cream topped with a candle. The restaurant is located in Countrywood Shopping Center at 700 Bancroft Rd., 94598, near Treat Blvd. The restaurant is directly in front of Safeway and is right on Bancroft Road. Meet at the front entrance or go in to the rear dining room where we early birds will pull together tables for our group. It is not a buffet so feel free to go ahead and order your meal, if you wish, as soon as you find your seat and are provided a menu. If possible, RSVP so we may be able to pull together enough tables for our group. You are welcome to invite family members or friends that you would like to include. Questions? Mary Bradshaw, (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
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)
FUTURE FLASHES
March 2 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See February 2. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See February 2. (RSE 1 F)
3 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See February 3. (RSE 1 Sat)
4 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. See February 4. (RSE 1 Su)
5 – Monday
7p ExComm Meeting. See February 5.
6 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See February 6. (RSE 1 Tu)
7:30p Trivia Tuesday at the Fireside Lounge. See February 6. (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. See February 6. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
7 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See February 7. (RSE 1 W)
6:30p East Bay Science Café. See February 7. (RSE 1 W)
8 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See February 8. (RSE 2,4 Th)
9 – Friday
5p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. See February 9. (RSE 2 F)
6:30p Mid-Month Mex (MMMex). See February 9. (RSE 2 F)
7p GenX Food and Movie Night. See February 9. (RSE 2 F)
10 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group. See February 10. (RSE 2 Sa)
7p Game Night in Hercules. See February 10. (RSE 2 Sa)