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.comfor more information. For address and directions, and to RSVP, contact host Steven Kays at Mensa/a/t/StevenKays.comor (707) 422-2565. PC, NMPCW, C/D, NS, NXM (RSE Sa)
End of January
January 27 – Sunday
6p Channing Club. See February 24. (RSE 4 Su)
30 – Wednesday
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. See February 27. (RSE last W)
31 – Thursday
11:30a Lunch in Concordat GN Cafe (Gangnam Cafe), 1035 Detroit Ave., 94518. Turn south off Monument Blvd. onto Detroit Ave. and go a little past Costco. Restaurant is close to the first corner of a horseshoe shaped street called Shary Circle. Or for less traffic, come in from the other direction by taking Whitman Rd. off Oak Grove Rd. to Detroit Ave. GN Cafe has American food and some food with Korean influence. Not a buffet. Park anywhere in back. RSVP appreciated but not required. Questions? Rosemary Clark, (925) 256-4599 or rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, NMPCW
Feburary 1-7
February 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. Roma (2018). Romafollows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a young domestic worker for a family in the middle-class neighborhood of Roma in Mexico City. Delivering an artful love letter to the women who raised him, Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón draws on his own childhood to create a vivid and emotional portrait of domestic strife and social hierarchy amidst political turmoil of the 1970s. Named Best Picture of 2018 by the New York Film Critics Circle and the Washington, DC Area Film Critics Association. Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2018 Venice Film Festival. Join us for an evening of pizza, picture, and a chance for thoughtful discussion. Pizza 6p, film 6:45p. Movies are shown on a 58″ plasma TV. For pizza, let us know your preference, meat or veggie, at (510) 451-3009 or daniel/a/t/joyfulharmony.org. Hosted by Daniel Neumayer and Gwendolyn Rothman, Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: www.joyfulharmony.org/contact. PC, NS, NXM (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville.We’ll be at Luna Locain 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.comfor more information. I’ll make a reservation based on how many I thinkare 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.orgfor more info. (RSE 1 F)
2 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. At Elna and Adrian Tymes’ home in Mountain View. Come celebrate the 39th 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)
3 – 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.comor (510) 292-6370. PC, ACW, NMPCW, NS, WCI, NXM (RSE 1 Su)
5 – 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.netor (415) 454-9453. 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. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
6 – 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)
February 8-14
8 – Friday
Delta Happy Hour Hunterswill be dark this month. Join us instead for Games Night on February 23 at 6p. (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.netor (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)
9 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future by Martin Ford. What are the jobs of the future? How many will there be? And who will have them? As technology continues to accelerate and machines begin taking care of themselves, fewer people will be necessary. Artificial intelligence is already well on its way to making “good jobs” obsolete. We must decide, now, whether the future will see broad-based prosperity or catastrophic levels of inequality and economic insecurity. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For March 9, also at Kepler’s: Astrophysics for People in a Hurryby Neil deGrasse Tyson. 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)
10 – Sunday
12:30p Second Sunday in Santa Cruz. This is a chance to hang out in Santa Cruz and meet local Mensans and their friends. We’re meeting at Abbott Square in downtown Santa Cruz (official address is 118 Cooper St., 95060). It is in the courtyard of the Museum of Art and History. If anybody is up for it we can go to Mutari Chocolate afterwards. They serve a really good cup of hot chocolate. Join us for an hour or the afternoon and bring a friend. Hosted by Pia Smith, (510) 205-9678. PC, ACW, NXM, WCE (RSE 2 Su)
11 – Monday
11:30a Monday Munchers.This month we will re-visit Il Fornaio, 223 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera 94925, (415) 927-4400, www.ilfornaio.com/cortemadera. RSVP by Thursday, February 7, to Elizabeth Calaway at (415) 456-9220 or 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)
13 – 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 4p on Tuesday, February 12, 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)
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)
14 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch.(NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION.) Meet at Coco’s Bakery, 150 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell 95008. Their phone is (408) 866-5377. Menu online at www.cocosbakery.com/menu/. Sandra Anderson, (408) 621-1273. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)
February 15-21
15 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. Denial (2016). Based on the acclaimed book History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, Denialrecounts Deborah E. Lipstadt’s (Rachel Weisz) legal battle for historical truth against David Irving (Timothy Spall), who accused her of libel when she declared him a Holocaust denier. In the English legal system, the burden of proof is on the accused, therefore it was up to Lipstadt and her legal team to prove the essential truth that the Holocaust occurred. “Another illuminating performance by Rachel Weisz and a brilliant screenplay by the distinguished British playwright David Hare make Denial one of the most powerful and riveting courtroom dramas ever made.” – Rex Reed. Join us for an evening of pizza, picture, and a chance for thoughtful discussion. Pizza 6p, film 6:45p. Movies are shown on a 58″ plasma TV. For pizza, let us know your preference, meat or veggie, at (510) 451-3009 or daniel/a/t/joyfulharmony.org. Hosted by Daniel Neumayer and Gwendolyn Rothman, Harmony Center for the Joyful Spirit. Map and directions: www.joyfulharmony.org/contact. PC, NS, NXM (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 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 Pig begins February 5, 2019). We will be revisiting Chef Chu’sat 1067 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos 94022 (at El Camino Real). Their phone number is (650) 948-2696. In a change from past years, we will be ordering the Phoenix dinner for 6 with other dishes added which we will choose on site. The cost after tax and tip but not including fancy beverages will be under $40. The meal includes Chef Chu’s famous chicken salad, sizzling rice soup, oyster sauce beef, prawns with vegetables, tangy lemon chicken, rainbow fish fillets, orange blossom ribs, and maybe braised triple mushrooms. Dessert is 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.comby February 12. This year I’ve made reservations for 15, so don’t delay. At the restaurant, ask for Susan, and please bring cash. For last minute changes, call cell phone (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
21 – Thursday
5p Pub Trek. Join us in downtown San Jose as we explore the in-house brews at Uproar Brewing, 439 South First St., San Jose 95113, (408) 673-2266, www.uproarbrewing.com. Since our first visit in January 2018, Uproar Brewing received its license to brew on-premises with their shiny, new tanks/equipment in view; other local beers may be available on tap. They offer great beers, including some barrel aged, to go with great food (other beverages available – this is an inclusive social event); the kitchen has food selections to suit most palates. Drop by anytime starting at 5p and continuing until approximately 7p. NOTE: Street parking is sparse in the SoFA district, but convenient to VTA Light Rail. Let me know if you have suggestions or recommendations for future Pub Treks. RSVPs appreciated on Meetup at www.meetup.com/SFMensa/events/, by e-mail, or by text to (408) 206-4905. Cheers, Rosemary, rbgreenlaw/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NMPCW, NXM, SO (RSE 3 Th)
February 22-28
23 – Saturday
6p Games Night. It’s always a special treat when Steve and Marianne host a games night, but tonight will be extra special as Steve is going to cook a cassoulet for dinner. Please come hungry. All kinds of games are available from Pictionary to Scrabble to Cards against Humanity to board games for us to play. Come to play or to socialize. The event will be in Brentwood. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Marianne at mad/a/t/dimicklaw.net. For directions or more info call Steve or Marianne at (925) 626-5465. You can also call Judy at (714) 356-4873 for info about upcoming events. PC, D, NS
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, but note that for a while, we will be providing red and white wine, champagne, beer, Coke, and Sprite. 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.comor (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)
24 – Sunday
6p Channing Clubis a wide-ranging discussion group which has been meeting for over sixty years. We begin with a potluck dinner. We generally don’t have prearranged topics but rather discuss whatever comes up. This month we’ll meet at Annie Hallatt’s house in Berkeley, call or e-mail for directions. Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, kevin.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NMPCW, NXM, WCE (RSE 4 Su)
27 – Wednesday
11:30a Lunch in Downtown Pleasant Hillat Sweet Tomatoes, 40A Crescent Drive, 94523. From southbound I-680, take Gregory Lane / Monument Blvd. exit. On long exit ramp, get into right lane and take Gregory Lane exit. At traffic signal (Contra Costa Blvd.) turn left, drive south one block and turn right into Crescent Drive. From northbound I-680, take Contra Costa Blvd. exit. At traffic signal, turn right onto Contra Costa Blvd. and drive north approximately 0.4 mile to Crescent Drive (traffic signal). Turn left onto Crescent Drive and go approximately 200 feet. On your left, the restaurant building’s facade is blue tiles with horizontal orange stripes. Note: On Crescent Drive, parking time limit is one hour. Nearby side streets lead to parking with longer time limits including the theater’s parking structure. Look for us at a long table in an open area behind the entrance lobby. Questions? Ken Evans (925) 935-8148 or evansken/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPWC
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-pubfor 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)
28 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See February 14. (RSE 2,4 Th)
FUTURE FLASHES
March 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See February 1. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See February 1. (RSE 1 F)
2 – Saturday
1p Celebration of Life for Mary Coulman(departed November 7, 2018). It will be held at Unity Church, 600 Palm Dr., Novato 94949 (at Hamilton Pkwy.). Mary used to host hikes in Marin County and hosted the book club for years. She hosted the monthly Ethnic Dinner and held parties at her home in Novato. Please confirm the 1p start time closer to March 2. Elizabeth Calaway, elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC, NXM
6p Start The Month Right. See February 2. (RSE 1 Sat)
3 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. See February 3. (RSE 1 Su)
5 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See February 5. (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. See February 5. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
6 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See February 6. (RSE 1 W)
8 – Friday
5p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. Celebrate the end of the work week and relax with friendly conversation, happy hour food, and drinks. 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).See February 8. (RSE 2 F)
7p GenX Food and Movie Night.See February 8. (RSE 2 F)
9 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group. See February 9. (RSE 2 Sa)