CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 2018 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 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. (NOTE: We will not meet on December 28.) 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 December

December 25 – Monday

11:30a Fabulous Holiday Meal in Concord at China Wall Buffet. It is located at 1673 Willow Pass Road, 94520, near the south end of the large Park ’N’ Shop Center, close to Highway 242. The food is wonderful … so many choices! I asked the manager if they might include turkey as one of their choices, but she told me their chef doesn’t know how to cook turkey. However we could bring a cooked turkey and they would provide a table and knife … any volunteers? You are welcome to invite family members or friends that you would like to include. If possible, please RSVP, which will help us decide what size table to ask the restaurant to prepare for us. After our meal, some of us will go to my home in Orinda for a movie, which we’ll start around 2 or 2:30p. During the intermission of the movie (title to be determined) we may have more desserts and beverages. Questions? Mary Bradshaw (925) 376-0762, or marybradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW

26 – Tuesday

Trivia Tuesday in Alameda will be take a short break during the month of December and will resume not on the last, but on the second Tuesday of each month in 2018. The second Tuesday in 2018 turns out to be on January 9. We hope to see you then.

27 – Wednesday

Brainstormer Trivia Night will not meet in December because of the holidays. We will resume on January 31. (RSE last W)

28 – Thursday

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

Jan 1-7

January 2 – 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)

3 – Wednesday

11:30a Math Lovers’ LunchChef’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 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)

5 – Friday

6p Movies That MatterNotes on a Scandal (2006). Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett were both nominated for Oscars for this story of the conflicts and unlikely friendship between an older, cynical, and lonely conservative teacher, and a young, attractive pottery instructor. The older woman is loathed by her students and colleagues, the younger woman is loved by her students – perhaps too much. The story outline sounds like a pot-boiler: sex, betrayal, adultery, and disillusionment. But the Oscar nominated screenplay, combined with the amazing performances by the entire cast, create a first-rate drama that raises difficult issues and leaves you thinking. Rated R for language and some “aberrant sexual” content. 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)

6 – Saturday

10a Mensa Testing in Santa Cruz. See www.sfmensa.org/info/testing.html for information. PC

6p Start The Month Right. At Elna and Adrian Tymes’ home in Mountain View. Come celebrate the 37th 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)

7 – 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)

Jan 8-14

8 – 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 Aurora Ristorante Italíano, 8 Commercial Blvd., Novato 94949, www.auroraristorantenovato.com, (415) 382-8488. RSVP by Thursday, January 4, 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)

9 – Tuesday

7:30p Trivia Tuesday at the Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St., Alameda 94501. 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 2 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)

10 – 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, January 9, 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)

11 – 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)

12 – 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 Vine + Grain at The Streets of Brentwood, 2475 Sand Creek Rd. Suite 112, 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)

13 – Saturday

3p Big Ideas Reading GroupCapital in the Twenty-First Century by Thomas Piketty. Questions about the long-term evolution of inequality, the concentration of wealth, and the prospects for economic growth lie at the heart of political economy. Piketty analyzes a unique collection of data from twenty countries, ranging as far back as the eighteenth century, to uncover key economic and social patterns. We are meeting this month at Le Boulanger, 20488 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino 95014, in front of Juniper Hotel at the corner of De Anza Blvd. Free parking in the garage and next door. For February 10 at Kepler’s: Cyberspies: The Secret History of Surveillance, Hacking, and Digital Espionage by Gordon Corera. 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)

Jan 15-21

15 – Monday

7p Palo Alto Dining. I’m in the mood for veal scaloppini. Join us for Northern Italian food at Spalti Ristorante. The address is 417 California Ave. (near Ash St.), Palo Alto 94306. Their menu includes pastas for under $20 and main courses are under $30. Go to www.spalti.com to see the complete menu and many pictures. To reserve, contact me at (650) 714-4972 (cell/text) or email susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by January 13. For last minute changes call/text my cell. Please bring cash. PC, NMPCW

Trivia Night at Spats has been discontinued.

17 – Wednesday

5:30p Monthly Gathering: The Shadow Side of Adult Giftedness at 2518 San Pablo Ave. (near Dwight Way), Berkeley 94702. Learn and talk frankly about the challenges of being a gifted adult with Mensa member Dr. Hilary Beech, a psychologist who specializes in working with gifted clients. Wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks will be provided starting at 5:30p, with Dr. Beech’s presentation at 6:15p and the opportunity to mingle and chat after the talk. Let us know you’ll be joining us and find more details by RSVPing on Meetup, Facebook, or by email to mal1/a/t/sfmensa.org. For more details see the article elsewhere in this issue. PC

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)

18 – 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. January’s event is scheduled at Uproar Brewing, 439 S. First Street, San Jose 95113, (408) 673-2266, www.uproarbrewing.com. As well as rotating taps of beer, food is available. Drop by anytime starting at 5:00p and continuing until approximately 7p. 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)

19 – Friday

6p Movies That Matter: All the President’s Men (1976). This film that won four Oscars and launched a thousand journalism school students chronicles how the work of reporters Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) contributed to the public downfall of President Richard M. Nixon. The duo connected a Washington, DC hotel break-in with a Nixon “dirty tricks” team assigned to discredit Democratic rivals, launching a series of tense events that forced Nixon to resign. 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)

20 – Saturday

6p South Bay Games Night. Join us at the home of Ramona and Walter Reichl. As the new year begins, we are seeking new traditions at the East Foothills Games Night. Note the earlier start time for January. Bring snacks to share, and beverage of your choice, some wine and water provided and we will make a light dinner of it. The evening will begin with food, drink and conversation and then move to a fun Quiddler tournament (an easy-to-learn word game). Contact Ramona at RamonaR2/a/t/aol.com or (408) 205-5688. PC, WBC, BYOB, C, NMPCW, SO, WCP (RSE 3 Sa)

21 – 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)

6p Sunday Evening at Margaret and Jerry’s. Sunday evening supper: ingest and digress. We will have entrée, coffee, and tea. Bring salad/veggies/bread/dessert/beverage to share. Come after dinner if you like. Margaret Pillow and Jerome Taylor host in Berkeley. Contact them at (510) 883-1898 or jmjb7/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, C, SO, NMPCW, WBC

Jan 22-31

25 – Thursday

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

27 – 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. 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 Oakley. Food and drinks will be provided. For directions and to RSVP call George at (626) 991-1702. For more info call Judy at (714) 356-4873. PC, D, NS (RSE 4 Sa)

28 – 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)

31 – Wednesday

11:30a Lunch in Contra Costa County at a location to be determined. Come and have lunch with Mensa friends, plus any family or friends that you wish to invite to join us. For location contact Mary Bradshaw at (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

February 2 – Friday

6p Movies That Matter. See January 5. (RSE 1,3 F)

6:30p First Friday in Danville. See January 5. (RSE 1 F)

3 – Saturday

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

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 . PC, NS, WBC

 

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