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 27.) 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 23 – Sunday
6p Channing Club. See January 27. (RSE 4 Su)
6:30p Near Palo Alto Vietnamese Dining. Join us as we dine at Xanh in Mountain View, serving really interesting Vietnamese cuisine. They are located at 110 Castro St., 94041, near the Caltrain station, with a parking garage behind the building. Feel free to make yourself a part of the group. To reserve, contact Susan at cell (650) 714-4972 or at Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by Friday, December 21. Be sure you hear confirmation. At the restaurant, ask for Susan, and please bring cash. For last minute changes call (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
24 – Monday
11:30a Lunch in Walnut Creek at Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant, 2979 Ygnacio Valley Road, 94598. Menus: www.jadegarden-walnut-creek.com. The proprietress assured me that we can order items from both the lunch and dinner menus. From Hwy 24 eastbound, get into Lane 3 (third from left) or from I-680 northbound get into Lane 3 and take Ygnacio Valley Road exit. At end of ramp, turn right and drive east 3.5 miles. On your right, Encina Grande shopping center stores face Ygnacio Valley Road. At left (east) end of the center, Jade Garden is next to Walgreens. From I-680 southbound, take Treat Blvd. exit. At end of ramp, turn left and drive one block south. At traffic signal, turn left onto Treat and drive east 2.3 miles to Oak Grove Road (major intersection). Turn right onto Oak Grove and drive south 1.3 miles. Cross Ygnacio Valley Road (major intersection), go past the gas station, and turn right into first driveway. On your left, the Jade Garden is next to Walgreens. Tell the hostess you are in the Ken Evans group. Questions? Ken Evans at (925) 935-8148 or evansken/a/t/aol.com. RSVPs would be helpful to let me know how many plan to attend. PC, NMPCW
2:30p Movie. After the lunch at Jade Garden some of us will go to Mary Bradshaw’s home in Orinda for a movie, maybe a dessert, glass of wine, etc. The movie title is to be determined within a week or two of the event. Movie suggestions always encouraged; Mary’s phone is (925) 376-0762. PC, NMPCW
27 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See January 10. (RSE 2,4 Th)
January 1-7
January 2 – 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)
6p Tuesday Tipplers. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF DAY.) 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 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. Sorry to Bother You (2018). Boots Riley, leader of the Oakland hip-hop group The Coup, sets aside his mic to write and direct his first film, one that I found amazing and a little confounding. It is a comedy that is also a passionate treatise on the folly and cruelty of our political/economic system. The cast of mostly unfamiliar faces is great, plus there is a small hilarious part for long-time activist Danny Glover as a black man who succeeds in telemarketing because he can sound white. “Boots Riley’s first feature is a scintillating comedic outburst of political imagination and visionary fury. In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success, propelling him into a macabre universe.” – The New Yorker. 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 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)
5 – 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)
6 – 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)
January 8-14
8 – 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)
9 – Wednesday
6:17p Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group (BORG). The Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group sponsors a BORG-it-yourself at Crepevine, 5600 College Ave. (at Oceanview Dr.), Oakland 94618, just a block south of the Rockridge BART station (free parking). The regular organizer is away traveling so Mensans and their well-behaved guests are on their own for dinner at one of our favorite moderately-priced restaurants. Look for a long table of smart people on the main floor or up in the balcony! Please bring cash. Cathy Roha, catroha/a/t/gmail.com, (510) 845-1833. PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 W)
10 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at The Original Hick’ry Pit, 980 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell 95008. Their phone is (408) 371-2400. Menu and other info are online at www.hickrypit.com/campbell. Sandra Anderson, (408) 621-1273. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)
6:30pMensa Testing in Palo Alto. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
11 – 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 5:00, just let us know you’re coming; we’ll be waiting for you. This month we will meet at Johnny Garlic’s, 2505 Sand Creek Rd. #120, Brentwood 94513 in The Streets of Brentwood. 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)
12 – Saturday
3p Big Ideas Reading Group: The Great Unknown: Seven Journeys to the Frontiers of Science by Marcus du Sautoy. Every week seems to throw up a new discovery, shaking the foundations of what we know. But are there questions we will never be able to answer – mysteries that lie beyond the predictive powers of science? In this captivating exploration of our most tantalizing unknowns, Marcus du Sautoy invites us to consider the problems in cosmology, quantum physics, mathematics, and neuroscience that continue to bedevil scientists and creative thinkers who are at the forefront of their fields. 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 9, at Kepler’s: Rise of the Robots by Martin Ford. 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)
13 – Sunday
7p Palo Alto Dining goes family-style Italian. Join us this month for friendly Italian dining at Buca di Beppo, 643 Emerson St., 94301 (between Forest Ave. and Hamilton Ave.). Good food; good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan at (650) 714-4972 or Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by Friday, January 11. Ask for the Mensa table or for Susan, and please bring cash. For last minute changes, call/text cell phone (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
14 – 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 visit Bombay Grill, 1444 4th St., San Rafael 94901, (415) 455-0444, www.bombaygrillsanrafael.com. RSVP by Thursday, January 10, 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)
January 15-21
16 – 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)
17 – Thursday
5p Pub Trek. Join us as we explore the offerings at Golden State Brewery, 1252 Memorex Drive, Santa Clara 95050, (408) 727-2337, www.goldenstate.beer. The first brewery in Santa Clara since prohibition, Golden State Brewery (GSB) opened in February 2016 and is located in the old Memorex building. Their taproom was designed to encompass the local community, which is why it is positioned in the center of the brewery. The unobstructed views of the brewery operations allow for everyone to see their 10+ beers from beginning to end. Golden State Brewery is pet friendly and encourages their patrons to bring their dog as his or her picture will be added to the GSB Dog Wall. Drop by anytime starting at 5p and continuing until approximately 7p. 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)
18 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. Darkest Hour (2017). During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman). While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds. Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor. 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
January 22-31
24 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See January 10. (RSE 2,4 Th)
26 – 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, 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.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)
27 – Sunday
6p Channing Club is 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. We meet in the Social Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington 94707. Directions: From the Marin Circle take Arlington Ave. north. Go right on Cowper Ave., then left on Lawson Rd. Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, kevin.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NMPCW, NXM, WCE (RSE 4 Su)
30 – 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)
31 – Thursday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at 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
FUTURE FLASHES
February 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See January 4. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See January 4. (RSE 1 F)
2 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See January 5. (RSE 1 Sat)
6 – Wednesday
7p Chinese New Year Dining at Chef Chu’s in Palo Alto. Details to come in February’s calendar.