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 calendar@sfmensa.org. 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 EVENT
Every Thursday
12:30p Mountain View Lunch Bunch. (NOTE: We will not meet on November 28, Thanksgiving.) 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)
End of October
October 27 – Sunday
5p The Kelly Park Big Band at The Sound Room, 2147 Broadway, Oakland 94612 (at 22nd St.). 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. This month we are pleased to have special guest singers Bill Mentz and Yvonne Sturton sitting in. 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 Alt 4th Su)
6p Channing Club. See November 24. (RSE 4 Su)
28 – Monday
6:30p Palo Alto Dining at Taste. This Szechuan restaurant, located at 423 University Ave., 94301, says of itself: “Taste Restaurant specializes in unique dishes from Northern China. In our menu you will find popular selections from Szechuan, Beijing, Shandong, Chongqing, and Hunan. Our knowledgeable Chefs bring authentic, high quality food to your plate. We look forward to your joining us!” Join us for good food and good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan Heimlich at susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com or call/text (650) 714-4972 by Saturday, October 26. Be sure to get a confirmation. Please bring cash. For last minute changes, call (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
29 – Tuesday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at Golden Corral buffet restaurant, 2050 Diamond Blvd., 94520. From I-680 northbound, take Willow Pass Rd. exit. At end of ramp (traffic signal) turn right. Go east to next traffic signal (Diamond Blvd.) and turn left. Drive north 0.5 mile to large wall-mounted Golden Corral sign at right side. Just past this building, turn right into the parking lot. From I-680 southbound, take Concord exit. At end of ramp (traffic signal), turn left, go to next traffic signal (Concord Ave.), turn left and drive east to second traffic signal (Diamond Blvd.) and turn right. Go south one block to Galaxy Way, turn left, and turn right into first driveway. Drive straight ahead to last building (the restaurant) and park. After paying at entrance, turn left and walk to reserved party room at north end. Questions? Contact Ken Evans at evansken/a/t/aol.com or (925) 935-8148. PC, NMPCW
6:30p Mensa Testing in Palo Alto. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
30 – Wednesday
Brainstormer Trivia Night is cancelled for OCTOBER ONLY. (RSE last W)
November 1-7
November 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. The Girl in the Fog (2017). This Italian film is my new all-time favorite mystery. It presents all the evidence, and then leaves it to the viewer to solve the mystery. There’s only one way to put it all together logically. I was fascinated. Want to give it try? On her way to church in the hazy alpine village of Avechot, the quiet 15-year-old, Anna Lou, daughter of a religious couple, vanishes into thin air, never to return home. To aid in the investigation of this puzzling case is summoned the fastidious Detective Vogel with the questionable methods. Amidst a full-scale media storm and half-baked leads, no one is above suspicion, villagers and newcomers alike. In Italian with English subtitles. 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)
First Friday in Danville is cancelled for THIS MONTH ONLY. (RSE 1 F)
2 – 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)
3 – 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)
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 at 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)
6:30p Trivia Night. Sand Creek Pub has a lively trivia night every Wednesday. Join us at 6:30p so we can secure a table and get food. Trivia starts at 7p. Located at 50 Sand Creek Rd., Suite 30, Brentwood 94513. Look for our “Welcome Owl”. Call Judy at (714) 356-4873 or Bernie at (714) 356-4868 for more info. PC, NC
November 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 Sticky Chicken and Ribs / Mannheim Social Club at 561 1st St., 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 always, 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 – Monday
11:30a Monday Munchers, rising up from the old Ethnic Dinner, is a lunch group in Marin dedicated to trying different restaurants. This month we will visit Marin Joe’s, 1585 Casa Buena Dr., Corte Madera, (415) 924-2081, marinjoesrestaurant.com. RSVP by Thursday, November 7, to Elizabeth Calaway at (415) 456-9220 or elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC (RSE 2 M)
6p Palo Alto Dining at Pizzeria Delfina. This chain restaurant has a good reputation. It is located at 651 Emerson St., Palo Alto 94301 (at Forest Ave.). Join us for good food and good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan Heimlich at susan.heimlich/a/t/gmail.com or call/text (650) 714-4972 by Saturday, November 9. Be sure to get a confirmation. Note the early time. Please bring cash. For last minute changes, call (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
12 – 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 of 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)
13 – Wednesday
7:30p GenX South Bay Pub Quiz. Join us at Katie Bloom’s, 369 East Campbell Ave., Campbell 95008 (at N. Central Ave.). 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 (near Bascom Ave.). Their phone is (408) 371-2400. Menu online at hickrypit.com. Sandra Anderson, (408) 621-1273. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)
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 5p on Wednesday, 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 Th)
November 15-21
15 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. Yesterday (2019). Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs. Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading. Then, Jack gets hit by a bus during a global blackout. When he wakes up to find he’s the lone person on Earth who knows of the Beatles and their songbook, Jack has a huge chance at stardom. Mick LaSalle, SF Chronicle, “One thing Yesterday does is rather miraculous. It forces us to hear these Beatles songs as if for the first time.” 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. All Is True (2018). Cast: Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, and Kenneth Branagh who directed the movie and also stars as the great playwright and poet William Shakespeare. He has returned to his estate and family, at Stratford-upon-Avon, after his renowned Globe Theater burned to the ground. With seemingly no desire to write again, he must contend with the backlash of being an absentee husband and father, as well as learn of some grave family mysteries. 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 Big Ideas Reading Group (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF WEEK): Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking. Climate change, the threat of nuclear war, and the development of artificial intelligence – Hawking turns his attention to the most urgent issues facing us. Will humanity survive? Should we colonize space? Does God exist? These are just a few of the questions Hawking addresses in this wide-ranging, passionately argued final book from one of the greatest minds in history. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For December 14 at Le Boulanger: A Bee in a Cathedral: And 99 Other Scientific Analogies by Joel Levy. 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)
17 – Sunday
6p Sunday Evening at Margaret and Jerry’s. Sunday evening supper: ingest and digress. We will have entrée, coffee, and tea. Bring salad/veggies/bread/dessert/beverage to share. Depending on what season we are experiencing on this date we may be outdoors. If we are and Karl is visiting Berkeley, perhaps with a fire. 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
18 – Monday
5:30p San Francisco Pub Get-Together. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF WEEK.) 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)
20 – Wednesday
6:30p Trivia Night. See November 6.
7p Socrates Café Mensa, a new SFRM monthly event, is a discussion group in which participants share their points of view regarding fundamental human questions (e.g., what is a successful life?, what is the ideal education? etc.) rather than discussing what the great philosophers and academics have said or written. At each meeting, the group chooses its topic for the evening. Socrates Café is not a debating club nor a platform for proselytizing. Instead, emphasis is placed on questioning, open mindedness, sharing, and challenging our own assumptions while considering the views of others. A maximum of 15 people will meet at the Walnut Creek home of Bob and Vicki Enteen, running until about 8:30p. For more information, or to request participation on a first come first included basis, contact Bob, the group’s facilitator, at renteen/a/t/gmail.com or 415-635-7658. For more information see the online article at sfmensa.org/events/socratescafe. PC (RSE 3 W)
November 22-30
23 – Saturday
10a Mensa Testing in Rohnert Park. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
24 – Sunday
6p Channing Club is a wide-ranging discussion group. We generally don’t have prearranged topics but rather discuss whatever comes up. This month we’ll meet at Long Life Vegi House, 1725 University Ave. (between Grant St. and McGee Ave.), Berkeley 94703, (510) 845-6072. Hosted by Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, kevin.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 4 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/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)
28 – Thursday
11:15a Thanksgiving Feast at Black Bear Diner, 700 Bancroft Rd., Walnut Creek 94598 (in the Countrywood Shopping Center) at Treat Blvd. From I-680, take the Treat Blvd. exit and drive one mile to Bancroft Rd. Turn right and drive one block. At first traffic signal, turn left into the Countrywood Shopping Center. The restaurant is on your right. 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, the movie title to be determined within a week or two of the event. Questions? Rosemary Clark, rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net or (925) 256-4599. PC, NMPCW
South Bay Lunch will meet only once this month, on November 14. (RSE 2,4 Th)
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, but note that for a while we will be providing red and white wine, and champagne. 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)
FUTURE FLASHES
December 1 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. See November 3. (RSE 1 Su)
3 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See November 5. (RSE 1 Tu)
4 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See November 6. (RSE 1 W)
6 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See November 1. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See November 1. (RSE 1 F)
7 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See November 2. (RSE 1 Sa)
14 – Saturday
6p SFRM Holiday Potluck. Come to SFRM’s gala holiday party, one of the group’s most attended winter events. For the 9th 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 12 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