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 May
May 27 – Sunday
5p The Kelly Park Big Band. See June 24. (RSE last Su)
30 – 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 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? Rosemary Clark, (925) 256-4599 or rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, NMPCW
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. See June 27. (RSE last W)
June 1-7
June 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. The Shape of Water (2017). Thirteen Oscar nominations; four wins, including Best Picture. L.A. Times: “The Shape of Water is a wonder to behold. Magical, thrilling, and romantic to the core, a sensual and fantastical fairy tale with moral overtones, it’s a film that plays by all the rules and none of them, going its own way with fierce abandon.” I found this to be a little different from your usual Hollywood love story. Yes, they meet and are not attracted, but later fall in love and must overcome many obstacles. But the obstacles are unique: Cold War experiments (on one of the lovers), Army officers who don’t believe in love, and, oh yes, there’s the interspecies thing. It’s set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1963. In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, lonely Elisa (Sally Hawkins, nominated) is trapped in a life of silence and isolation. Elisa’s life is changed forever when she and co-worker Zelda (Octavia Spencer, nominated) discover a secret classified experiment. 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)
2 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. It’s barbecue time! 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. You provide your own meat to grill, plus 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 Sa)
3 – Sunday
11a Monthly Gathering: Chapter Picnic. Come picnic and mingle with Mensans at the Beach View Picnic Area, Del Valle Regional Park (7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore 94550). Burgers, hot dogs, and snacks provided; please bring a potluck dish to share. Del Valle charges $6 per car for entrance/parking. Once you enter at the park entry kiosk, turn right and follow the paved road to the Beach View Picnic Area. RSVP by June 1 on Facebook or Meetup, or by e-mail to mal1/a/t/sfmensa.org. PC, ACW, WCE
Albany Hill Hike is on hiatus for June. (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.net or (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)
East Bay Science Café is suspended because of the closing of its host restaurant.
7:30p Trivia Night at the Terrace Room overlooking Lake Merritt, 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)
June 8-14
8 – 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 Johnny Garlic’s, 2505 Sand Creek Rd. #120, 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)
9 – Saturday
12n SFRM Scavenger Hunt Begins. Deadline to register for the Scavenger Hunt by e-mail request to mehopkins/a/t/aol.com. Directions and list of items will be sent by return email by 1p on Saturday. Groups consist of up to five people with at least one Mensan per group. Reveal and finale is Sunday, June 10 at 1p in Campbell at The Original Hick’ry Pit restaurant. PC, NMPCW
3p Big Ideas Reading Group: Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jerry Kaplan. The emergence of systems capable of independent reasoning and action raises serious questions about just whose interests they are permitted to serve. Can a machine be held accountable for its actions? Should intelligent systems enjoy independent rights and responsibilities, or are they simple property? Who should be held responsible when a self-driving car kills a pedestrian? Can your personal robot hold your place in line, or be compelled to testify against you? If it turns out to be possible to upload your mind into a machine, is that still you? The answers may surprise you. 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 July 14, also at Le Boulanger: Ten Reasons to Look Forward to the Future by Johan Norberg. 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)
Game Night in Hercules had its last meeting in May.
10 – Sunday
1p Scavenger Hunt Reveal and Finale. Join us at The Original Hick’ry Pit, 980 East Campbell Ave., Campbell 95008 (across from the Pruneyard Shopping Center) to show what you have found or as an interested observer. Please support our host restaurant by ordering some food or beverage, but you buy your own. RSVP to Marc Hopkins at mehopkins/a/t/aol.com or leave a message at (408) 247-4766. See June 9 to get instructions and list. PC, NMPCW
11 – 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 Kababbq Grill & Cafe barbecue restaurant, 555 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael 94901, (415) 256-9878, www.kababbq.com. RSVP by Thursday, June 7, 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)
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 6p on Tuesday, June 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 NEW LOCATION.) 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)
June 15-21
15 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. I, Tonya (2017). The biggest surprise of Oscar season, I found this to be a hidden gem. I’ll bet you a slice of pizza that you don’t know half the story, even if you caught all the news coverage. This hysterically accurate biopic I, Tonya sets up the punchline she became. Harding’s spiteful rise and spectacular fall would make fine comedy even if they weren’t true. I, Tonya scores on higher degrees of difficulty, making these tabloid antics relatable and strangely sympathetic. This wickedly entertaining biopic, based on unbelievable but true events, reveals what Tonya had to overcome (an unspeakably cruel mother (Oscar to Allison Janney), abusive men all around, a lack of the social graces that skating requires) to become the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition. But she never overcame who she was raised to be, and her career ended with an infamous, ill-conceived and worse-executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan. The film has a unique style and presents all these dark events with a sense of humor (you will likely laugh out loud) and empathy for its protagonists. 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
16 – Saturday
4p Lamb BBQ. Barbara and Tom Canup invite you to an early summer backyard BBQ in San Jose. We’ll start with some appetizers in the shady backyard and then there will be lamb from the grill around 5p. You are encouraged to bring a dish to share or something else for the grill. There will be iced tea and sangria, or bring your own beverage. PC, C, BYOB, NMPCW, NS, WCP
17 – Sunday
Third Sunday Brunch has ended because of the closing of the host restaurant.
18 – Monday
6:45p Palo Alto Dining. We will be sampling Taverna, a new Greek restaurant with wonderful reviews. It is located at 800 Emerson St. (at the corner of Homer), Palo Alto 94301, opposite the Whole Foods Market. The website says, “Taverna uses an abundance of local seasonal ingredients to highlight Hellenic cuisine at its finest.” To reserve, contact Susan Heimlich at (650) 714-4972 (cell/text) or e-mail susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com by Sunday, June 16. Be sure to get a confirmation. For last minute changes call/text my cell. Please bring cash. PC, NMPCW
21 – 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. June’s event is scheduled at Hapa’s Brewing Company, 460 Lincoln Ave. Ste. 90, San Jose 95126, (408) 982-3299, hapasbrewing.com. Drop by anytime starting at 5p continuing to approximately 7p. Food trucks are typically parked in front, for those wanting a bite to eat with their drinks. Check out the Meetup post for this event at www.meetup.com/SFMensa/events/jrlbmpyxjbcc for more information. Please save the date for July 19, when we may check out the Taylor Street Night+Market event (see www.facebook.com/nightmrkt) at Gordon Biersch Brewery, near San Jose’s Japantown area. 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)
June 22-31
23 – Saturday
9:30a Mensa Culture Fair Testing in Sunnyvale. See www.sfmensa.org/info/testing.html for information. PC
24 – 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)
27 – 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)
28 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See June 14. (RSE 2,4 Th)
29 – Friday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at GN Cafe (Gangnam Cafe), 1035 Detroit Ave., Concord 94518. Not a buffet. GN Cafe has American food and some food with Korean influence. Directions: 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. Park anywhere in back. RSVP appreciated but not required. Questions? Rosemary Clark, (925) 256-4599 or rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, NMPCW
30 – 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 in Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Pittsburg, Discovery Bay, Mountain House, and all the little towns in between, the Delta Open House is a time to get together with fellow Mensans without a lot of travelling. Enjoy the company of fellow Mensans out in the Delta. We are meeting at Diana and Larry Israel’s house in Brentwood. For directions or more info, call Diana at 925-683-9598. Refreshments will be served. This is a gated community; RSVP to diana.israel/a/t/gmail.com and Diana will give you the gate code. For info about upcoming events, call Judy at (714) 356-4873. PC, D, C, NS, NC
FUTURE FLASHES
July 1 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike returns. 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. See June 5. (RSE 1 Tu)
6 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See June 1. (RSE 1,3 F)
First Friday in Danville will not meet in July. (RSE 1 F)
7 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See June 2. (RSE 1 Sat)
15 – Sunday
3p BBQ the LocSec. Barbecue at the home of Mike Eager and Susan Heimlich in Palo Alto. Bring something to grill/share, meet your ExComm and other members, and enjoy the summer sun. PC, NMPCW, SO