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
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 April
April 29 – Sunday
2p The Kelly Park Big Band. (NOTE ONE-TIME EARLY START.) Join us for a special event: Big Band Brunch! We’ll feature a special brunch menu and a generous serving of afternoon jazz! We’re at the Sound Room, 2147 Broadway at 22nd St., Oakland 94612. Show your Mensa card and get in for half price ($10)! Led by Mensan/drummer Kelly Park, this 16 piece big band plays original music and arrangements of jazz standards. No RSVP required. PC, NS, WBC, WCP (RSE last Su)
30 – Monday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at China Wall Buffet. Located at 1673 Willow Pass Rd., 94520, near the south end of the large Park & Shop Center, close to Highway 242. Come and have lunch with Mensa friends, plus any family or friends that you wish to invite to join us. There is plenty of unlimited parking in front of the restaurant. Questions? Mary Bradshaw (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
May 1-7
May 1 – 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)
7p An Evening of Storytelling. Come to listen? Come to tell a story, perhaps your life story? To kick off the evening, Marty Nemko will tell his life story, an anecdote about his dad, and read a five-minute-fiction or two from his book, Modern Fables. Then the floor will be open to anyone who wants to tell or read a story. Champagne will be served. Friends of Mensans are welcome. We’re in Oakland; I’ll send you the address when you RSVP to mnemko/a/t/comcast.net. PC, C/D, NMPCW, SO, WBC, WCD
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)
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)
4 – Friday
Movies That Matter. We will be on vacation from mid-April until the end of May, so our screen will be dark during that time. Our next film will be on June 1. (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)
7p Brentwood Rocks: Music and Bowling Night. 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! Harvest Park Bowl, 5000 Balfour Rd., Brentwood 94513. RSVP is required so that we know how many lanes to reserve: dwight.shackelford/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NS, WBC
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)
May 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). BORG-it-yourself at Brennan’s Old-Fashioned HofBrau and Sports Bar, 700 University Ave., Berkeley 94710 in the old Southern Pacific Rail Station. Check the menu at brennansberkeley.com. No RSVP this month. Just show up and look for a bunch of smart, friendly folks gathering (if possible) in the room at the north end. Your regular arranger, Cathy Roha, will NOT be there. Enjoy yourselves ! PC, NMPCW (RSE 2 W)
10 – Thursday
11:45aSouth 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)
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 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. Suite 30, Brentwood 94513. 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
1:30p Monthly Gathering: The Art, Science, and Fun of Distillation (Napa). Join host Troy Dunham at his barn in southern Napa for a talk on distillation! Whether you are interested in distillation for fuel, essential oils, or just for fun, this brief tour will cover it all. We start with the science behind the process, cover the objective and subjective factors in creating a functional distillate, and finish with a tour of the many legal applications of a home still. Refreshments and wine will be served! Near Napa County Airport (the exact address will be sent to RSVPers). Doors open at 1:30p , talk begins at 2p. RSVP at www.meetup.com/SFMensa or by email to rsvp/a/t/huichicaranchita.com. Call or write Valerie Taylor with any questions, (415) 827-0800 or v-taylor/a/t/pacbell.net. PC, NC, NS, WCP
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong. Yong takes us on a grand tour through our microbial partners, and introduces us to the scientists on the front lines of discovery. It will change both our view of nature and our sense of where we belong in it – a “microbe’s-eye view” of the world that reveals a marvelous, radically reconceived picture of life on earth. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For June 9 at Le Boulanger: Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jerry Kaplan. 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)
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 revisit Marinitas, 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo 94960, (415) 454-8900, www.marinitas.net. RSVP by Thursday, May 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)
May 15-21
15 – Tuesday
7p Asian Palo Alto Dining. Join us for Burmese-Chinese cuisine at Green Elephant Gourmet at 3950 Middlefield Rd., 94303 (in the Charleston Shopping Center). Good food, good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan at Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com or at (650) 714-4972 (call or text) by Sunday, May 13. Ask for Susan, and please bring cash. PC, NMPCW
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 for the resurrection of Pub Trek, where we can sample new beers at brew pubs or tap houses on the third Thursday each month. May’s event is scheduled at Tied House, 934 Villa St., Mountain View 94041, (650) 965-2739, www.tiedhouse.com. Drop by anytime starting at 5p continuing to approximately 7p. Happy hour food and drink prices are available until 6p . Hopefully, their luscious and potent Maibock will be available (in prior years, they imposed a two-drink per person limit due to its high ABV). Check out the MeetUp post for this event: www.meetup.com/SFMensa/events/jrlbmpyxhbwb/. 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)
18 – Friday
Movies That Matter. We will be on vacation from mid-April until the end of May, so our screen will be dark during that time. Our next film will be on June 1. (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
19 – Saturday
6p South Bay Games Night Grand Finale. Please join us at the home of Walter and Ramona Reichl in San Jose as we celebrate the end of an era. Ramona and Barbara have enjoyed co-hosting Games Night, and we look forward to hosting other events in the future. The evening will begin with snacks and conversation followed by games of your choice. Please bring a potluck contribution to share and your beverage of choice. Water and wine provided. We will be pulling some treats out of our wine closets and preparing some favorite noshes. Contact Ramona at RamonaR2/a/t/aol.com or (408) 205-5688. PC, WBC, BYOB, C, NMPCW, SO, WCP
6:30p Delta Open House and Games Night. (Note this month we are meeting a week early due to Memorial Day weekend.) For those of us living east of East Bay, the Delta Open House is (usually) on the 4th Saturday of each month. Enjoy the company of fellow Mensans out in the Delta. This Saturday will be a special treat as Steve and Marianne will be providing games from Pictionary 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 (RSE 4 Sa)
May 22-31
24 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See May 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. 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
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)
30 – Wednesday
11:15aLunch 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. 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
June 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter returns. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See May 4. (RSE 1 F)
2 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See May 5. (RSE 1 Sat)
3 – Sunday
Monthly Gathering: Chapter Picnic at Beach View Picnic Area at Del Valle Lake in Livermore. Family friendly! More details in next month’s Intelligencer. PC
4p Albany Hill Hike. See May 6. (RSE 1 Su)
5 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See May 1. (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. See May 8. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
6 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See May 2. (RSE 1 W)
6:30p East Bay Science Café. See May 2. (RSE 1 W)
7:30p Trivia Night. See May 2. (RSE 1 W)
8 – Friday
5p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. See May 11. (RSE 2 F)
6:30p Mid-Month Mex (MMMex). See May 11. (RSE 2 F)
7p GenX Food and Movie Night. See May 11. (RSE 2 F)
9 – Saturday
12n Scavenger Hunt Begins. See article elsewhere in this issue for details.
3p Big Ideas Reading Group. See May 12. (RSE 2 Sa)
7p Game Night in Hercules. See May 12. (RSE 2 Sa)