April 23 – Sunday

7p Channing Club. See May 28. (RSE 4 Su)

25 – Tuesday

5:45p Dinner, Drinks, and Geometry. Wonderfest is having another science-based event at the Hopmonk Tavern, 224 Vintage Way, Novato 94945. April’s presentation is on The Geometry of Curved Spaces. We’ll meet for drinks and dinner at 5:45p. At 6:45p we’ll move to the session room for a talk by Dr. Steve Trettel, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and a geometric topologist at the University of San Francisco. “The geometry of the ancient Greeks took place on an ideal, infinite, flat plane. In the millennia since then, mathematicians have opened our minds to the more general and flexible geometries of curved spaces – from the fabric that makes up our clothing, to the spacetime around a black hole. Now, we can develop an ‘insider’s view’ of such geometries.” Complete details of this free event are here: wonderfest.org/curved-spaces/. More information on Hopmonk’s menu, etc. is here: www.hopmonk.com/novato. Hosted by Valerie Taylor, northbay/a/t/sfmensa.org. PC, NMPCW, WCE, NS, NC, NXM

27 – Thursday

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

28 – Friday

6:30p Virtual Happy Hour. See May 26. (RSE 4 F)

29 – Saturday

6p Online Board Games. See May 15.

May 2 – Tuesday

5p Tuesday Tipplers will meet at San Rafael Joe’s, 931 4th St., San Rafael 94901, at 5p for drinks in the bar and then move on to dinner in the dining room after an hour. Park on the street or in the city garage behind the restaurant. If you have questions e-mail Ed Sabrack at edsabrack/a/t/comcast.net or call (415) 472-3725. PC (RSE 1 Tu)

3 – Wednesday

6p This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends Book Discussion. Join us for a discussion of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race by Nicole Perlroth, two chapters a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 1, Closet of Secrets and Chapter 2, The Fucking Salmon. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE W)

6 – Saturday

6p Start the Month Right. At Elna and Adrian Tymes’ home, in Mountain View. Come celebrate the 43rd 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. Masks optional. PC, SO, WBC, WCD, C/D (RSE 1 Sat)

6p In-Person Teton Tea. In addition to the existing Zoom Teton Tea Party we will begin having an in-person Teton Tea on the first Saturday of each month, from 6p to 9p, starting May 6 (planned March and April Teas were rained out). We are meeting at the home of Annie Hallatt, phone (510) 548-8252. She writes: “I will have a bonfire in the brick fireplace and chairs to sit around and sing. We can also go inside of Annie’s Hall if the weather gets wet or windy. We will have Teton Tea (wine, tea, raspberries, lemons, and sugar, served hot) and would love you to bring treats to share. I also have a wood stove to keep the space warm if we need it. I will put a sign out to let you know you have arrived at the house. I have a piano if someone wants to play it. I look forward to sharing our songs. Bring songs and music to share.” Please be fully vaxxed and boosted and bring a mask for when we’re not eating or singing. Hosted by Kevin Langdon. PC (RSE 1 Sa)

7 – Sunday

4p Albany Hill Hike. Join us for a one-hour scenic and historic hike up and around Albany Hill. 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, which is seven tenths of a mile from the 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)

8 – Monday

4p 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 2nd floor, turn right twice, and then follow the sign to the stairs to the 3rd floor. The restaurant’s entrance is near the top of those stairs on the 3rd floor. Look for the Mensa logo on our table or ask one of the waitresses to find us. Starting at 4p, but arrive when you can and leave when you’re ready. We will be there for several hours. They have a Happy Hour from 4p until 6p, with the kitchen closing at 9p and the bar closing 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

6:45p Puzzled Pint. Who likes PUZZLES? The kind where part of the game is to figure out what you need to be doing in the first place? Want to do it as part of a team, so you can bounce ideas off each other, and let someone else do the parts that you find uninteresting? This is a monthly event held in the Bay Area (and simultaneously elsewhere in the world), at a convenient pub where we might order food and drink before or during the game. RSVP to Karl Heuer at puzzles/a/t/sfmensa.org or (650) 648-3594 (voice or text) to reserve your spot and learn the address; it’s almost always either Sunnyvale or Mountain View, near Central Expressway. PC, NMPCW, NS, NXM (RSE 2 Tu)

Intelligencer Deadline. Deadline for calendar events, advertising, members’ free ads, and all other content. See above for information on submitting events. PC (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)

10 – Wednesday

6p This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends Book Discussion. Join us for a discussion of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race by Nicole Perlroth, two chapters a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 3, The Cowboy and Chapter 4, The First Broker. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE W)

11 – Thursday

11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at Scrambl’z, 5055 Almaden Expressway, San Jose 95118 (near Hwys. 85 & 87), (408) 269-2900. Voted one of the best breakfast restaurants around. Extensive menu online at www.scramblzalmaden.com. Sandra Anderson, (408) 997-3187. Vaccinated only, please. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)

12n Thursday Munchers. Your host is back from hip surgery. A lunch group in Marin dedicated to trying different restaurants. This month we will visit Cafe Villa, 1602 Lincoln Ave., San Rafael 94901, (415) 459-6161, www.cafevilla.net. RSVP by Sunday, May 7, to Elizabeth Calaway at (415) 456-9220 or elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC (RSE Th after 2 Tu)

6:30p Santa Cruz Dining at Copal. Join us for great conversation and an informal dinner of authentic Oaxacan food at Copal, 1203 Mission St., Santa Cruz 95060 (at corner of Laurel St. and Mission St./Hwy. 1). Find their menu here: www.copalrestaurant.com/eat/. Please bring cash. Vaccinated people only. Hosted by Pia Smith, arowofwindows/a/t/gmail.com. PC

7p Indian Dining Near Palo Alto. Join us at Amber India, 4926 El Camino Real, Los Altos 94022. They have a lengthy menu (see www.amber-india.com/los-altos-menus/) and a good reputation. To reserve, contact Susan at Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com or at cell (650) 714-4972 by Tuesday, May 9. Be sure to get a confirmation. As always, good food and good conversation. Please bring cash. For last minute changes call (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW

13 – Saturday

4p Big Ideas Reading Group: Existential Physics: A Scientist’s Guide to Life’s Biggest Questions by Sabine Hossenfelder. On Zoom. Physicists are great at complicated research, but they are less good at telling us why it matters. Drawing on the latest research in quantum mechanics, black holes, string theory and particle physics, Existential Physics explains what modern physics can tell us about the big questions. This clear and yet profound book will reshape your understanding of science and the limits of what we can know. For June 10 on Zoom: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe by Sean Carroll. We have a list of books read at www.bigideasreadinggroup.com/BIRG2.html. For questions and invitations to our Zoom meetings please contact Chris Boyd at snoboyd/a/t/sbcglobal.net. PC, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 2 Sa)

14 – Sunday

2:30p Speaker Series: How (Not) to Smuggle Gold. In an entertaining talk Burke Files will discuss the different and often hilarious ways that people have tried to smuggle gold. His expertise in asset recovery, due diligence, anti money laundering, and intellectual property matters has made him a highly sought out international speaker on these subject matters. As the head of an international investigative firm he has traveled all over the world investigating cases and successfully restoring assets from tens of thousands of dollars to billions. Files is the author of five books and the winner of two book awards. This is a Zoom event, hosted by Judy Unger. RSVP on SFRM Meetup to get the link. PC

15 – Monday

6p Online Board Games. Come explore some board games that can be played on the Web. If you’re new, please create a (free) account at boardgamearena.com and follow the setup instructions. We’ll meet online with Zoom to establish voice contact, and then we’ll decide on a game to try out. RSVP on the Meetup calendar if possible, otherwise contact Karl Heuer at puzzles/a/t/sfmensa.org or (650) 648-3594. PC, NMPCW, ACW

17 – Wednesday

5:30p Re-BORG. Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group is reborn and revived in honor of the incomparable Cathy Roha, who initiated this event and hosted it for many years. Assimilate delicious food and interesting conversation at a good restaurant somewhere in the central East Bay. Bring cash, your vaccination card, and a mask. Limited seating. E-mail or call ahead for location up to a week ahead. RSVP by 3p on Tuesday, May 16. Roberta Maguire, robertamaguire/a/t/hotmail.com, (510) 292-6370. PC, NS, NMPCW, ACW (RSE 3 W)

6p This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends Book Discussion. Join us for a discussion of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race by Nicole Perlroth, two chapters a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 5, Zero-Day Charlie and Chapter 6, Project Gunman. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE W)

20 – Saturday

7p Teton Tea. Teton Tea Parties are folk-singing parties going back to the 1950s. We welcome both traditional folk singing and singer/songwriters. Our 3rd Saturday meetings are currently on Zoom. Join the Zoom meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/6912937135?pwd=WvlpMEs1SCs0c1FoZk5seUhoREVaZz09. Meeting ID: 691 293 7135. Password: berkeley. Hosted by Kevin Langdon, kevinlangdon86/a/t/yahoo.com. PC (RSE 3 Sa)

24 – Wednesday

5:30p Trivia Night at the Patriot House pub and restaurant, 2 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco 94111, (415) 986-0797, www.patriothousepub.com. The Patriot House is on the 3rd (top, “Promenade”) floor of 2EC at Sacramento St. between Front St. and Davis St. Take the inside escalator to the 2nd floor, then turn right twice and follow the sign to the stairs to the 3rd floor. The restaurant is near the top of those stairs. The contest is free, starts at 6p, and lasts about 2 hours. Please arrive at about 5:30p, so that we don’t lose the table that I’ve reserved. If you’re a member of our SFRM Meetup group, RSVP on Meetup if you’re planning on coming, so that I can be sure to reserve a large enough table. Just go to www.meetup.com/SFMensa to RSVP. If you’re not a member of our SFRM Meetup group, RSVP by e-mailing me at bwkbwk/a/t/pacbell.net. Guests are allowed, so be sure to include the number of guests that you’re bringing when you RSVP. If you RSVP “Yes” then find that you can’t attend after all, you must change your RSVP to “No” as far in advance as possible. You’ll recognize our group by the Mensa logo that I will have on top of our table. If in doubt, ask the wait staff for “The Mensa Group”. Hosted by Barry Krasner. PC

6p This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends Book Discussion. Join us for a discussion of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race by Nicole Perlroth, two chapters a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 7, The Godfather and Chapter 8, The Omnivore. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE W)

25 – Thursday

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

26 – Friday

6:30p Virtual Happy Hour. Mix up your favorite beverage. Bring out some happy-hour munchies and join us for a virtual relaxing time. RSVP on Meetup for the Zoom Link. Hosted by Judy Unger, junger2040/a/t/gmail.com. PC (RSE 4 F)

27 – Saturday

6p Online Board Games. See May 15.

28 – Sunday

6:30p Marin Movie Night & Potluck. Let’s eat, drink, and watch a movie! We’ll gather at Geri Randall’s home in San Rafael to watch Top Gun: Maverick. From IMDB: “After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.” The IMDB viewer score is 8.3, and Rotten Tomatoes gives it 96%. If you liked the 1986 original, you will love this sequel. This is a potluck dinner – Geri will provide the main entrée. Please bring hors d’oeuvres, beverages, a salad, a side dish, or dessert. Space is limited, so this gathering is capped at 12 guests. To RSVP (required) and to get exact directions, e-mail Geri at gerirandall/a/t/hotmail.com. After confirming with Geri through e-mail, PLEASE also RSVP on SFRM Meetup at meetup.com/sfmensa/events/292707077/, so that we can track attendance. Valerie Taylor, northbay/a/t/sfmensa.org. PC

7p Channing Club is a wide-ranging discussion group which has been meeting, in one form or another, for over half a century. There are no assigned topics; we discuss whatever is on participants’ minds. Our meetings are currently on Zoom. Join the Zoom meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/6912937135?pwd=WvlpMEs1SCs0c1FoZk5seUhoREVaZz09. Meeting ID: 691 293 7135. Password: berkeley. Hosted by Kevin Langdon, kevinlangdon86/a/t/yahoo.com. PC (RSE 4 Su)

31 – Wednesday

6p This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends Book Discussion. Join us for a discussion of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race by Nicole Perlroth, two chapters a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 9, The Rubicon and Chapter 10, The Factory. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE W)

June 3 – Saturday

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

6p In-Person Teton Tea. See May 6. (RSE 1 Sa)

24 – Saturday

11:30a SFRM Spring Picnic. Come join us at Portal Park in Cupertino for our annual Spring Picnic. At this family friendly event, people can relax over Hamburgers, hot dogs, and various beverages while enjoying the Spring weather in a socially distanced setting. This event is sponsored by SFRM so it is free​ for members, their guests, and their kids. RSVP at www.meetup.com/sfmensa/events/292986073 or e-mail host Katie To at tiggr0272/a/t/hotmail.com. PC