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 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. (NOTE: Starting on November 9 we will meet at 4p.) 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 September
26 – Thursday
11:30a Lunch in Concord at GN Cafe (Gangnam Cafe), 1035 Detroit Ave. Ste. 300, 94518. Turn south off Monument Blvd. onto Detroit Ave. and go a little past Costco. Restaurant is close to the first corner of a horseshoe-shaped street called Shary Circle. Or for less traffic, come in from the other direction by taking Whitman Rd. off of Oak Grove Rd. to Detroit Ave. and turn left on Detroit. GN Cafe has American food and some food with Korean influence. Not a buffet. Park anywhere in back. RSVP appreciated but not required. Questions? Rosemary Clark, (925) 256-4599 or rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, NMPCW
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See September 12. (RSE 2,4 Th)
28 – 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)
October 1-7
October 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)
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)
6:30p Trivia Night. Sand Creek Pub has a lively trivia night every Wednesday. Join us at 6:30p to form a team. Their address is 50 Sand Creek Road, Suite 30, Brentwood 94513. PC, NC
4 – Friday
Movies That Matter will only meet once this month, on October 18. (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
1:30p High School Robot Games at Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Ave., Woodside 94062. High school student designed and built 125 lb (57 kg) robots compete to outfit “rockets” with hatch covers and cargo. At the end of each match extra points are awarded for robots climbing onto elevated platforms. The game video may be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mew6G_og-PI. Two alliances of three schools/robots each compete in each match. Spectators are invited to tour the pits to see the robots up close and talk with students. Mensan Gary Koerzendorfer mentors FIRST Robotics Team 2643 from Santa Teresa High School in San Jose. The competition runs the evening of Friday, October 4, through Sunday, October 6, with playoffs and championship matches on Sunday at 1:30p. Attendance and parking are free. “This Isn’t a Robot” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtE6Va6oOhU shows the inspirational philosophy of FIRST Robotics. PC, NXM, ACW
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)
6 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike returns. 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)
7 – 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)
October 8-14
8 – 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)
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)
10 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at Uncle John’s Pancake House, 2125 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell 95008 (at W. Rincon Ave.). Their phone is (408) 724-9835. Parking on the street, rear, and garage. Menu online at unclejohnscampbell.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, October 9, 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)
11 – Friday
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)
12 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth . Michio Kaku explores in rich, intimate detail the process by which humanity may gradually move away from the planet and develop a sustainable civilization in outer space. He reveals how cutting-edge developments may allow us to terraform and build habitable cities on Mars, nearby stars, beyond our galaxy, and even beyond our universe, to the possibility of immortality and out of body laser portation. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For November 16, also at Kepler’s: Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking. 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)
14 – 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 The Wild Fox, 225 Alameda del Prado, Novato 94949, (415) 883-9125, www.wildfoxrestaurant.com. RSVP by Thursday, October 10, to Elizabeth Calaway at (415) 456-9220 or elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC (RSE 2 M)
October 15-21
16 – Wednesday
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
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)
18 – Friday
5p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF WEEK.) 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 Hillcrest Restaurant and Taphouse, 2709 Hillcrest Ave., Antioch 94531. 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)
6p Movies That Matter. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019). A lyrical, fictionalized riff on the lead actor Jimmie Falls’ real life, director Joe Talbot’s brilliant feature debut tackles gentrification, displacement, family dysfunction, and the meaning of home through Jimmie’s attachment to one San Francisco Victorian. Falls and co-star Jonathan Majors are touching as oddball best friends determined to find purchase in a once bohemian city transformed by the influx of money. The glorious cinematography, the evocative score, and Mike Marshall’s soulful rendition of “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” add more texture to a film rich in sharply drawn characters, closely observed neighborhoods, and the indelible details that define Jimmy’s hometown experience. Rolling Stone : “Race, Gentrification and an Instant Classic. Two Bay Area filmmakers deliver a funny, poignant, rage-filled valentine to the city they love.” 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. Poms (2019). Comedy: Life in a retirement community is anything but retiring for a group of young-at-heart senior ladies who decide to pull out the pom-poms and form a cheerleading squad. 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
10a Mensa Testing in Berkeley. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC
20 – 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
October 22-31
22 – Tuesday
7:30p Intelligencer Peel and Stick. (NOTE ONE-TIME CHANGE OF LOCATION.) Come help mail the Intelligencer . I’ll provide snacks and drinks. Held at the home of Gary Koerzendorfer, 1541 Market St., Santa Clara 95050. (408) 246-7456. PC, NS, C (RSE Tu after 3 Sa)
24 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See October 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, but note that for a while we will be providing red and white wine, and champagne. The fun is in Oakland 94611. 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 (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 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)
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 THIS MONTH ONLY. We’ll meet next on November 27. (RSE last W)
FUTURE FLASHES
November 1 – Friday
6p Movies That Matter. See October 18. (RSE 1,3 F)
6:30p First Friday in Danville. See October 4. (RSE 1 F)
2 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See October 5. (RSE 1 Sa)
3 – Sunday
4p Albany Hill Hike. See October 6 (RSE 1 Su)
5 – Tuesday
6p Tuesday Tipplers. See October 1. (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. See October 8. (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
6 – Wednesday
11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See October 2. (RSE 1 W)
8 – Friday
5p Delta Happy Hour Hunters. See October 18. (RSE 2 F)
6:30p Mid-Month Mex (MMMex). See October 11. (RSE 2 F)
7p GenX Food and Movie Night. See October 11. (RSE 2 F)
December 14 – Saturday
6p SFRM Holiday Potluck. Please SAVE THE DATE for our 9th annual holiday party in the lovely Diamond Heights neighborhood of San Francisco! For more information, contact Rachel Brooks at (415) 571-3060 or rachel1950b/a/t/yahoo.com. PC