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 November 22 (Thanksgiving) or 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 (6p for November 3 meeting). 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 October
October 27 – Saturday
7p East Bay Game Night returns. 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)
28 – Sunday
6p Channing Club. See November 25. (RSE 4 Su)
30 – Tuesday
11:30a Lunch in Walnut Creek at Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Rd., 94598. See their menus at blackbeardiner.com/menus. From I-680, take the Treat Blvd. exit and drive east 1 mile to Bancroft Road (a major intersection). At the traffic signal, turn right and go southeast one block. At first traffic signal, turn left into the Countrywood Shopping Center. The restaurant is at your right. Park anywhere in the large lot. The eatery does not accept reservations. If you can, please come a few minutes early to help assemble a long table (preferably in the back room). 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
31 – Wednesday
5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. See November 28. (RSE last W)
November 1-7
November 2 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. Eighth Grade (2018). Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school – the end of her thus-far disastrous eighth grade year – before she begins high school. Though she’s comfortable with her online persona, the looming social challenges of high school terrify her. Eighth Grade examines the dichotomy between our online personas and our actual selves. “A flat-out triumph. An impossible-to-forget gift from the cinema gods.” – Rolling Stone. “Eighth Grade is an absolute delight that stings with truth. It’s heartbreaking, heartwarming, and a total charmer.” – Entertainment Weekly. 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)
3 – 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)
4 – 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)
6 – 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)
7 – 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)
November 8-14
8 – 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)
9 – 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 Black Angus Steakhouse, 2355 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)
6:30p Mensa Testing in Palo Alto. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
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)
10 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution by Jennifer A. Doudna and Samuel H. Sternberg. CRISPR may well give us the cure to HIV, genetic diseases, and some cancers, and will help address the world’s hunger crisis. Yet even the tiniest changes to DNA could have myriad, unforeseeable consequences – to say nothing of the ethical and societal repercussions of intentionally mutating embryos to create “better” humans. Doudna, a trailblazing biologist, grapples with her role in the biggest scientific discovery of our era: CRISPR, a cheap, easy way of rewriting genetic code, with nearly limitless promise and peril. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For December 8 at Le Boulanger: Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark. 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 – 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 visit Le Garage Bistro, 85 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 109, Sausalito 94965, (415) 332-5625, www.legaragebistrosausalito.com. RSVP by Thursday, November 8, 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 – Tuesday
7p Palo Alto Dining at Pastis, 447 California Ave., Palo Alto 94306. French style salads include warm goat cheese; small plates include snails or polenta. Main dishes (French specialties) include salmon, duck, rack of lamb, cassoulet, and mussels. As always, good food and good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan Heimlich at (650) 714-4972 or susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com at least by Sunday, November 11. For last minute changes, call or text (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
14 – 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, November 13, 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)
November 15-21
16 – 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 telemarking because he can sound white. Set aside all expectations and just take in this truly unique experience. I think you, too, will be amazed. 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. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018). Cast: Fred Rogers. For over 30 years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer, and producer, was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn’t been since. 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. Please reserve your seat with Mary Bradshaw, (925) 376-0762 or MaryBradsh/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPCW
18 – Sunday
2p Pub Trek. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF DAY AND TIME.) Join us after the RG in San Francisco for a special Pub Trek and brewery tour at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, 1195 Evans Ave., San Francisco 94124, (415) 642-3371, goodbeer.com. The tap room is where we will gather, prior to the brewery tour, which is scheduled to start at 2:30p. After the tour, we can continue to enjoy the tap room, with its selection of 17 beers on tap, and limited edition bottles. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is a craft brewery that was founded in 1997 by Steve Bruce and Forest Gray (who later joined Mensa) in the Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. The company brands its beers with references to 1930s prohibition-era mobsters and organized crime. Prohibition Ale (an amber ale), the first beer the company produced (and served at our 1999 Asilomar gathering – “Bubbles”), and Big Daddy IPA are two of the brewery’s most popular beers. Let me know if you have suggestions or recommendations for future Pub Treks (usually regularly scheduled on the third Thursday of the month). RSVPs appreciated on Meetup at www.meetup.com/SFMensa/events/jrlbmpyxpbtb/, by e-mail to Rosemary at rbgreenlaw/a/t/gmail.com, or by texting (408) 206-4905. PC, NMPCW, NXM, SO (RSE 3 Th)
21 – Wednesday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF DAY.) See November 8. (RSE 2,4 Th)
November 22-30
22 – Thursday
11:15a Thanksgiving Feast at Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Rd., Walnut Creek 94598 (in the Countrywood Shopping Center) at Treat Blvd. (exit to the east from I-680 and drive 1 mile). The restaurant is located in front of Safeway, with a parking lot in between the buildings. Meet at the restaurant’s front entrance, or go on into the center dining room, where we early birds will arrange for our tables and chairs. Several of us should arrive 45 minutes early to pressure the manager to start arranging for a table in the center room. Tell him we will have a HUGE group. Also some of us should sit down early. Our meal is not a buffet so feel free to go ahead and order as soon as you have your seat and are provided with a menu. When you arrive, you might tell the restaurant’s greeter that you are with Mensa or Rosemary’s group. If possible, RSVP to help us to pull together enough tables and chairs for our group. You are welcome to invite family members or friends that you would like to bring. After lunch, around 2:30p 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. Questions? Rosemary Clark at rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net or (925) 256-4599. PC, NMPCW
24 – 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 bottled still and sparkling water, red and white wine, champagne, beer, Coke, Sprite, Fanta orange soda, and Jarritos tamarind soda. 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)
25 – 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)
28 – 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)
29 – Thursday
11:30a Lunch in Pleasant Hill at Tapatio, 40 Golf Club Rd., 94523. From Walnut Creek it’s easiest to drive north on N. Main Street and keep going when it becomes Contra Costa Blvd. Pass Sun Valley Mall on the right until you get to Golf Club Rd. A landmark is Citibank on the left corner; turn left and make an immediate right into the parking lot. If you wish to take I-680, get off at Willow Pass Rd. and turn left. Turn right on Contra Costa Blvd. and proceed via the previous instructions. Delicious Mexican food with a large selection (a few non-Mexican items too). Friends and family are welcome. Questions: Rosemary Clark at rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net or (925) 256-4599. PC, NMPCW
FUTURE FLASHES
December 1 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See November 3. (RSE 1 Sat)
2 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. See November 4. (RSE 1 Su)
4 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See November 6. (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. See November 6. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
5 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See November 7. (RSE 1 W)
7 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See November 2. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See November 2. (RSE 1 F)
8 – Saturday
9:30a Mensa Testing in Sunnyvale. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
3p Big Ideas Reading Group. See November 10. (RSE 2 Sa)
6p SFRM Holiday Potluck. Come to SFRM’s grand holiday bash, one of the group’s most attended winter events. For the 8th consecutive year, we will be in the fabulous Diamond Heights neighborhood of San Francisco! This is also the group’s Monthly Gathering for December. Please bring your favorite hors d’oeuvres for our finger-food potluck and help us celebrate the season with drinks and plenty of good company. Mensans, family, and close friends are welcome. There is plenty of street parking (or from Glen Park BART, take Muni 52-Excelsior and walk two blocks). Capacity is limited to 50, and RSVP is REQUIRED by 6p on Thursday, December 6 to Rachel Brooks at (415) 571-3060 or rachel1950b/a/t/yahoo.com. Please indicate which potluck item(s) you plan to bring to help us manage the menu variety, and let Rachel know if you would like to assist with setup. PC, NS, WCE, WBC
7p Lighted Boat Parade. Join in the fun watching Discovery Bay’s Lighted Boat Parade from the Unger’s deck or the warmth of the living room. Come hungry, we will be providing enough food to serve as your dinner. Mensans and guests are welcome. The event is at the Unger’s house in Discovery Bay. RSVP, so we know how much food to get, to junger2000/a/t/sbcglobal.net. For more info call Judy at (714) 356-4873 or Bernie at (714) 356-4868. PC, D