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 gro.a1560904838snemf1560904838s@rad1560904838nelac1560904838. 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 28 – Sunday
6p Sunday Evening at Margaret and Jerry’s. See May 12.
30 – Tuesday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at China Wall Buffet, 1673 Willow Pass Road, 94520. Large selection of primarily Asian food. From I-680 northbound, take Willow Pass Road exit. At end of exit ramp, turn right and go east 0.7 mile. From I-680 southbound, take Willow Pass Road exit. At end of exit ramp, turn left and go east 0.7 mile. Crossing Market Street (major intersection), get into left lane and at next traffic signal, turn left into large shopping center. Look for a tall, wide, mustard-colored building with two big front columns. The restaurant is 150 feet to the right (east) of this building. RSVPs would help me to arrange the right number of tables in the large room at right rear. Questions? Ken Evans (925) 935-8148 or evansken/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
May 1-7
May 1 – Wednesday
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. Our “last Wednesday of April” Brainstormer Trivia Night is rescheduled for this first Wednesday in May because of the cancellation by the host pub of their April 24 Trivia Night. See May 29 (our regular date for May) for details. (RSE last W)
3 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. The Favourite (2018). Amid the hornet’s nest of rivalries and intrigue that define the court of mercurial Queen Anne (Best Actress winner Olivia Colman) in 18th century England, cousins Abigail Masham and Sarah Churchill (Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, both nominated for Best Supporting Actress) battle to gain the favor of the monarch and her court. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfill her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics, or rabbit stand in her way. “It’s a bit crazy, wild yet precise, a mix of comedy and drama that feints in the direction of anachronism, even as it provides a grand showcase for Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, and Olivia Colman, who are extraordinary.” –Mick LaSalle. 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)
4 – 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)
5 – 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)
7 – 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)
May 8-14
8 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF WEEK.) 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)
9 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. 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)
6:17p Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group (BORG). (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF DAY.) 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 5p on Wednesday, May 8, 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)
10 – 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, and we’ll be waiting for you. This month we will meet at Vine and Grain in The Streets of Brentwood, 2475 Sand Creek Rd., 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)
11 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group. In May and June we are celebrating Ten Years and 120 Books of BIRG after each meeting. Double Dipping for Double Digits! The Coddling of the American Mind : How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker; always trust your feelings; and life is a battle between good people and evil people. These three Great Untruths contradict basic psychological principles about well-being and ancient wisdom from many cultures. This is a book for anyone concerned about the growing inability of Americans to live, work, and cooperate across party lines. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For June 8 at Le Boulanger: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World. 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)
12 – Sunday
6p Sunday Evening at Margaret and Jerry’s. Sunday evening supper: ingest and digress. We will have entrée, coffee, and tea. Bring salad/vegies/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
13 – 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 The Spinnaker, 100 Spinnaker Dr., Sausalito, (415) 332-1500, www.spinnakersasausalito.us/home. RSVP by Thursday, May 9, 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. 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 – 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)
16 – Thursday
5p Pub Trek. 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 alcohol content). 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)
17 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. The Handmaiden (2016). (Do not confuse this film with the current streaming sci-fi story, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” No connection at all.) I guarantee you have not seen another film like this one. It is a period piece set in 1930s Korea, thus it has all the pomp associated with wealth and power. But this is the period of Japanese occupation, unbearable tension and animosity between Koreans and Japanese. (The dialog is in the two languages, with subtitles in different colors, because it is important which language is being spoken.) The story has the expected court intrigue, but further intrigue because a massive con game is being played out. Or, perhaps, multiple cons. If that’s not enough, there’s also a tragic love story. I won’t give you any spoilers. I’ll just say that the big reveal at the end is well worth the ride. To quote Entertainment Weekly, “So suspenseful, sexy, and surprising that it would be a shame to say any more.” 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
20 – Monday
6p Mensa Testing in Palo Alto. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
May 22-31
23 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See May 9. (RSE 2,4 Th)
6:30p Monthly Gathering: Naming and Claiming Your Gifted Identity. At 2043 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley 94702. Mensan and Bay Area psychologist Dr. Hilary Beech returns to the Monthly Speaker Series to facilitate another conversation about the psychology of giftedness. Wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks will be provided starting at 6:30p, with Dr. Beech’s presentation at 7p, with an 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 e-mail to steph/a/t/thesteph.net. More details elsewhere in this issue. PC
25 – 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, 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)
28 – Tuesday
7p Sushi near Palo Alto. Join us at Hanabi Sushi at 1040 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View 94043, in the Costco Shopping Center. Menu is available on line. 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 26. Ask for Susan, and please bring cash. PC, NMPCW
29 – 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/events, 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 – Friday
11:30a Lunch in Walnut Creek at Fuddruckers, 1940 North Main St., 94596, near Ygnacio Valley Rd. It is directly across from Target’s main entrance. This restaurant has a good food selection and although not a buffet, we should all have an excellent lunch. There are many choices. We will meet at the entrance or in the separate, private side room. You can enter Fuddruckers parking from either North Main St., or from the side street, Arroyo Way. Come and have lunch with Mensa friends, or other family or friends that you may invite to join us. If you can let me know you are coming, I can notify the restaurant so that they may set up the long table(s) for us. After lunch you might want to check out or shop at Target, and you can park in Target’s underground garage. Questions? Rosemary Clark, (925) 256-4599 or rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, NMPCW
FUTURE FLASHES
June 1 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See May 4. (RSE 1 Sa)
2 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. See May 5. (RSE 1 Su)
4 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See May 7. (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. See May 7. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
5 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See May 8. (RSE 1 W)
7 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See May 3. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See May 3. (RSE 1 F)
8 – Saturday
3p Big Ideas Reading Group. See May 11. (RSE 2 Sa)