CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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.
Note to Readers
While a few events are still on hiatus because of an abundance of caution surrounding COVID-19 (and are noted below as “cancelled for August”), most events have resumed meeting in person or are Zoom events. Please continue to check here for updates as well as join our Meetup group (www.meetup.com/SFMensa) where we have several impromptu virtual events happening.
WEEKLY EVENT
None at this time.
End of July
July 25 – Sunday
12n Cafe Discussion: Why do we collect things? See August 1. (RSE Su)
2p Monthly Gathering: “Forensic Linguistics: Language Issues in Three Murder Cases” with long-time Mensan Joe Devney. Language is an important part of the legal system. A lot of evidence in court is language evidence. But linguistics, the formal study of language, is underutilized in American courtrooms. The subfield of forensic linguistics, or language and law, is concerned specifically with areas in which language and the law intersect. This talk uses three real-life murder trials to illustrate where a linguist could, or did, help interpret the meaning of evidence. This is a Zoom meeting; see Meetup for login details. PC
7p Channing Club. See August 22. (RSE 4 Su)
26 – Monday
8p Monterey County Mensa Monthly Meeting. See August 30. (RSE last M)
28 – Wednesday
Brainstormer Trivia Night is cancelled for July. PC (RSE last W)
6p 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 12, HUMILITY: You are not the centre of the world. See August 4. (RSE W)
29 – Thursday
6p Who We Are and How We Got Here Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 6, The Collision That Formed India. See August 5. (RSE Th)
August 1-7
August 1 – Sunday
12n Cafe Discussion: Poverty. In case you were wondering, the cafe discussions have so far been lively, interesting, and you always come away with something to think about in the week to come. Drop in and stay for as long as you like. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Su)
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)
2 – Monday
6p Online Board Games. Come explore some board games that can be played on the Web. To prepare, it’s best if you create an account at boardgamearena.com and walk through the “Can’t Stop” tutorial. We’ll meet online with Zoom to establish voice contact, 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
3 – Tuesday
5:30p 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 5:30p 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) 472-1207. PC (RSE 1 Tu)
Intelligencer Deadline. (NOTE: The deadline is a week early this month because of the Mensa World Gathering.) Deadline for calendar events, advertising, members’ free ads, and all other content. See page 2 above for information on submitting events. PC (RSE Tu after 1 Sa)
4 – Wednesday
6p 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Book Discussion: One chapter a week. We’re reading 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari one chapter at a time. This week we’re reading Chapter 13, GOD: Don’t take the name of God in vain. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Mickie Winkler and Maria Gomez. PC (RSE W)
5 – Thursday
6p Who We Are and How We Got Here Book Discussion: One chapter a week. We’re reading Who We Are and How We Got Here by David Reich one chapter at a time. It’s an illuminating account of all that studies of human DNA have taught us about the ancient world and their bearing on the present. This week we’re reading Chapter 7, In Search of Native American Ancestors. This is a Zoom event. The login details are listed on Meetup. Hosted by Pia Smith. PC (RSE Th)
6 – Friday
Movies That Matter is cancelled for August. PC (RSE 1,3 F)
7 – Saturday
3p Barbecue the LocSec. Join us for a traditional backyard BBQ at the Palo Alto home of LocSec Michael Eager and Scribe emerita Susan Heimlich. We will provide burgers and hot dogs (with all the fixings), you bring a beverage or a side to share. RSVP by August 5 to locsec/a/t/sfmensa.org. (650) 325-8077. Vaccination required. PC, C, WBC, WCE
6p Start The Month Right. It’s barbecue time! At Elna and Adrian Tymes’ home in Mountain View. Come celebrate the 41st 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. Bring bread, salad, or dessert to share, and YOB; hamburgers and hot dogs available or bring your own meat to grill. $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 Sa)
August 8-14
8 – Sunday
12n Cafe Discussion: Immigration – Is different difficult? Why? See August 1. (RSE Su)
9 – Monday
Monday Munchers is cancelled for August. PC (RSE 2 M)
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 3rd floor, then turn right. 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 discounted dinners from 4p until 6p, with the kitchen closing at 8p and the bar closing at 9p. 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)
10 – Tuesday
6:45p Puzzled Pint. (NOTE: If Game Control has not chosen a pub, this will instead be a virtual event on Zoom. Contact Karl as below for instructions on how to connect.) 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)
11 – Wednesday
5:55p Berkeley-Oakland Restaurant Group (BORG). Assimilate delicious food and interesting conversation at a good restaurant somewhere in the central East Bay. Please mask up when not eating and/or drinking. Limited seating. e-mail or call ahead for the location on or after August 4. RSVP by 5:55p on August 10. Please bring cash. Cathy Roha, catroha/a/t/gmail.com, (510) 207-2345. PC
6p 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 14, SECULARISM: Acknowledge your shadow. See August 4. (RSE W)
12 – 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. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)
5p Pub Trek. Join us for the resurrection of Pub Trek, where we can sample new beers at brew pubs, breweries, or tap houses each month. August’s event is scheduled at the Gordon Biersch Brewery, 357 E. Taylor Street, San Jose 95112, outside in the parking lot. Gordon Biersch Night Market at Taylor Street makes its return to the beautiful Japantown neighborhood Thursday night from 5p to 9p. Street cuisine, music, makers, and brewers come together for an outdoor event that the whole family can enjoy! If I get enough early RSVPs, a private brewery tour, with samples, may be arranged. Drop by anytime starting at 5p continuing to approximately 7p. RSVP and/or contact Rosemary Greenlaw with any questions or suggestions for future events at (408) 206-4905 or rbgreenlaw/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NMPCW, NXM, SO
6p Who We Are and How We Got Here Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 8, The Genomic Origins of East Asians. See August 5. (RSE Th)
13 – Friday
6:30p M Weisley’s Café. Ever wanted to hang out with all the space pilots at Mos Eisley’s Café (Star Wars 1977)? Unfortunately Tatooine is rather a long commute just for a Happy Hour so we wisely located M Weisley’s in hyperspace where it can easily be accessed instantly by Zoom. No matter where in the universe you are located, you will not experience any light speed delays in your communications. So now you can experience all the ambience of our seedy cantina crowded with numerous alien races in our virtual meet up. All aliens and humans are welcome at M Weisley’s. Mix up your favorite beverage, gather up some munchies and join in our out of this world Happy Hour. To attend as an alien visit Snap Camera snapcamera.snapchat.com and download their software. Choose from hundreds of available avatars which will move and act with your movements in video conference. If you’re creative, you can use their software to create your own avatar. Or of course you could do it the old-fashioned way and actually put on a costume. Please RSVP on Meetup for the Zoom Link. Hosted by Judy Unger, junger2040/a/t/gmail.com. PC (RSE 2 F)
GenX Food and Movie Night is cancelled for August. PC (RSE 2 F)
14 – Saturday
4p Big Ideas Reading Group: Livewired – The Inside Story of the Everchanging Brain by David Eagleman. (NOTE: We are meeting online via Zoom. E-mail host Chris Boyd as below if you might want to be included in the online meeting or to be updated on any changes in venue.) What does drug withdrawal have in common with a broken heart? Why is the enemy of memory not time but other memories? How can a blind person learn to see with her tongue, or a deaf person learn to hear with his skin? Why is the world’s best archer armless? Might we someday control a robot with our thoughts, just as we do our fingers and toes? Why do we dream at night, and what does that have to do with the rotation of the Earth? In Livewired, you will surf the leading edge of neuroscience and new discoveries from Eagleman’s own laboratory, from synesthesia to dreaming to wearable neurotech devices that revolutionize how we think about the senses. For September 11 on Zoom: Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy by Robert H. Frank. 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)
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 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
August 15-21
15 – Sunday
12n Cafe Discussion: Is efficiency a worthwhile goal? See August 1. (RSE Su)
18 – Wednesday
6p 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 15, IGNORANCE: You know less than you think. See August 4. (RSE W)
19 – Thursday
6p Who We Are and How We Got Here Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 9, Rejoining Africa to the Human Story. See August 5. (RSE Th)
20 – Friday
Movies That Matter is cancelled for August. PC (RSE 1,3 F)
7p Palo Alto Dining at Peking Duck Restaurant, 151 S. California Ave. Palo Alto 94306, adjacent to the California Ave. Caltrain station, opposite Molly Stone’s. Dishes include Dumplings, Sizzling Rice Soup, Shrimp and Beef Hunan Style, Spicy Crispy Beef, Garlic Shrimp, Crispy Duck, and of course Peking Duck (which requires ordering 12 days in advance). 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 August 18. Be sure to get a confirmation. Please bring cash. For last minute changes, call (650) 714-4972. PC, NMPCW
21 – Saturday
6p Online Board Games. See August 2.
August 22-30
22 – Sunday
12n Cafe Discussion: Learn from your past – Your version or mine? See August 1. (RSE Su)
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)
25 – Wednesday
Brainstormer Trivia Night is cancelled for August. PC (RSE last W)
6p 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 16, JUSTICE: Our sense of justice might be out of date. See August 4. (RSE W)
26 – Thursday
11:45a South Bay Lunch. See August 12. (RSE 2,4 Th)
6p Who We Are and How We Got Here Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 10, The Genomics of Inequality. See August 5. (RSE Th)
27 – 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. Please RSVP on Meetup for the Zoom Link. Hosted by Judy Unger, junger2040/a/t/gmail.com. PC (RSE 4 F)
29 – Sunday
12n Cafe Discussion: How do we know what we know? See August 1. (RSE Su)
30 – Monday
8p Monterey County Mensa Monthly Meeting. MCM will hold a monthly Zoom meeting on the last Monday of the month. This will be a standing event, and we send out the link to our members the night before. We will plan presentations, speakers, and games nights via this online platform, so watch your e-mail for regular updates. If you wish to participate send e-mail to MCM LocSec Heidi Van der Veer at LocSec/a/t/monterey.us.mensa.org. PC (RSE last M)
FUTURE FLASHES
September 1 – Wednesday
6p 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 17, POST-TRUTH: Some fake news lasts forever. See August 4. (RSE W)
2 – Thursday
6p Who We Are and How We Got Here Book Discussion: One chapter a week. This week we’re reading Chapter 11, The Genomics of Race and Identity. See August 5. (RSE Th)
4 – Saturday
6p Start The Month Right. See August 7. (RSE 1 Sa)