CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 2019 Calendar of Events
Eric Eichorn, Calendar Editor

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. 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: 4p on March 2 and 9.) 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 February

February 24 – Sunday

6p Channing Club is a wide-ranging discussion group which has been meeting for over sixty years. We begin with a potluck dinner; please bring food and drinks to share. We generally don’t have prearranged topics but rather discuss whatever comes up. This month we’ll meet at Annie Hallatt’s house in Berkeley. Easy parking. Enter gate at the right side of property along the garage, then close gate to keep dog in. Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, kevin.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 4 Su)

27 – Wednesday

11:30a Lunch in Downtown Pleasant Hill at Sweet Tomatoes, 40A Crescent Drive, 94523. From southbound I-680, take Gregory Lane / Monument Blvd. exit. On long exit ramp, get into right lane and take Gregory Lane exit. At traffic signal (Contra Costa Blvd.) turn left, drive south one block and turn right into Crescent Drive. From northbound I-680, take Contra Costa Blvd. exit. At traffic signal, turn right onto Contra Costa Blvd. and drive north approximately 0.4 mile to Crescent Drive (traffic signal). Turn left onto Crescent Drive and go approximately 200 feet. On your left, the restaurant building’s facade is blue tiles with horizontal orange stripes. Note: On Crescent Drive, parking time limit is one hour. Nearby side streets lead to parking with longer time limits including the theater’s parking structure. Look for us at a long table in an open area behind the entrance lobby. Questions? Ken Evans (925) 935-8148 or evansken/a/t/aol.com. PC, NMPWC

5:30p Brainstormer Trivia Night. See March 27. (RSE last W)

28 – Thursday

11:45a South Bay Lunch. See March 14. (RSE 2,4 Th)

March 1-7

March 1 – Friday

6p Movies That Matter. Vice (2018) explores the epic story about how Dick Cheney, a bureaucratic Washington insider, quietly became the most powerful man in the world as Vice-President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today. I found the film to be daring, both cinematically and for the hard-edged way it tells the story of this hard-edged man. Cheney’s story before his turn at VP was a revelation. I can guarantee you won’t be bored. Oscar nominated for Best Picture, Actor, Screenplay, Director, and four more, including Christian Bale (Cheney), Amy Adams (Lynne Cheney), and Sam Rockwell (Bush). 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)

2 – Saturday

1p Celebration of Life for Mary Coulman (departed November 7, 2018). It will be held at Unity Church, 600 Palm Dr., Novato 94949 (at Hamilton Pkwy.). Mary used to host hikes in Marin County and hosted the book club for years. She hosted the monthly Ethnic Dinner and held parties at her home in Novato. Elizabeth Calaway, elizterrycalaway/a/t/aol.com. PC, NXM

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)

7p Marty Nemko performs his show Odd Man Out at Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave., Castro Valley 94546. Info and tickets: chanticleers.org/magic/nemko/. PC, NXM, ACW, WCE

3 – 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)

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. 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)

March 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, and we’ll be waiting for you. This month we will meet at Zephyr Grill and Bar, 613 First 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 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)

9 – Saturday

10a Mensa Testing in Palo Alto. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC

4p Big Ideas Reading Group: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang. What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. We are meeting this month at Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real (at Ravenswood Ave.), Menlo Park 94025. Free parking below. For April 12, also at Kepler’s: The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli. 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)

10 – Sunday

12:30p Second Sunday in Santa Cruz. This is a chance to hang out in Santa Cruz and meet local Mensans and their friends. We’re meeting at Abbott Square in downtown Santa Cruz (official address is 118 Cooper St., 95060). It is in the courtyard of the Museum of Art and History. If anybody is up for it we can go to Mutari Chocolate afterwards. They serve a really good cup of hot chocolate. Join us for an hour or the afternoon and bring a friend. Hosted by Pia Smith, (415) 572-4470. PC, ACW, NXM, WCE (RSE 2 Su)

11 – 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 will re-visit Jason’s Restaurant, 300 Drakes Landing Rd., Greenbrae 94904, www.jasonsrestaurant.com, (415) 925-0808. RSVP by Thursday, March 7, to Elizabeth Calaway at (415) 456-9220 or 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 – 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 4p on Tuesday, March 12, 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)

14 – Thursday

11:45a South Bay Lunch. Meet at Coco’s Bakery, 150 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell 95008. Their phone is (408) 866-5377. Menu online at www.cocosbakery.com/menu/. Sandra Anderson, (408) 621-1273. PC, NMPCW, WCE (RSE 2,4 Th)

March 15-21

15 – Friday

6p Movies That Matter. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). Rami Malek, who stars as Freddie Mercury (lead singer of the rock band Queen) was born for this role. Mercury was a very complicated man. His voice had an astonishing range, due in part to a mis-formed mouth. His sexuality was confused. I don’t know how closely Malek’s portrayal matches the real man, but he curated an endlessly fascinating character, nailing Mercury’s stage presence and moves. Queen was extremely popular – Bohemian Rhapsody was a million selling top 10 hit in 1976, again in 1992, and once again this year. The original recordings are used in the film. Oscar nominated for Best Picture, Actor, and three more. 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. The title of the movie is to be determined. Please phone or e-mail me within a week or two of the 3rd Friday. Or I will e-mail you and provide the name and details of the movie that we will be seeing. 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

17 – Sunday

1:30p Robot Games at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School, 2001 37th Ave., San Francisco 94116. High school student-designed and built 125 lb. (58 kg) robots compete to equip their teams’ rocket and cargo ships with hatch panels and spherical cargo. Drivers’ vision is obscured during the first 15 seconds of the match, and robots only operate autonomously or are driven with robots’ onboard vision system. At the end of each match extra points are awarded by 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 with teams advancing to the international championships in Houston. Competition will be held in the school’s McCullough gym, and spectators are invited to tour the pits to see the robots up close and talk with students. Mensan Gary Koerzendorfer mentors FIRST Robotic Team 972 from Los Gatos HS. Team 6418, the MisSFits, featured at the 2018 RG, will also compete. The competition is free to the public and runs the evening of Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17, with playoffs and championship matches Sunday at 1:30p. Free parking is available at the adjacent A. P. Giannini Middle School, 3151 Ortega St., immediately north of St. Ignatius. “This Isn’t a Robot” (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtE6Va6oOhU) shows the inspirational philosophy of FIRST Robotics. PC, NXM

6p Sunday Evening at Margaret and Jerry’s. Sunday evening supper: ingest and digress. We will have entrée, coffee, and tea. Bring salad/vegies/bread/dessert/beverage to share. 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

21 – Thursday

5p Pub Trek. Join us in San Jose, as we explore the offerings at Teske’s Germania (Restaurant and Beer Garden), 255 N. First St., 95113, (408) 292-0291, teskes-germania.com. Opening at 5p and continuing until at least 7p, we can explore their extensive menu, including German specialties, beer on tap and unique bottle offerings, as well as wine (full bar and restaurant). Let me know if you have suggestions or recommendations for future Pub Treks. RSVPs appreciated on Meetup at www.meetup.com/SFMensa/events/, by e-mail, or by text to (408) 206-4905. Cheers, Rosemary, rbgreenlaw/a/t/gmail.com. PC, NMPCW, NXM, SO (RSE 3 Th)

March 22-31

23 – Saturday

11a Monthly Gathering at the Cartoon Art Museum, 781 Beach St., San Francisco 94109. Cartoon Art Museum (cartoonart.org) displays artwork from comic strips, comic books, and anime to political cartoons, graphic novels and underground comix. $10 for adults, $7 for San Francisco residents. RSVPs appreciated, to Megan Thomas at (650) 701-6855 or mal3/a/t/sfmensa.org. PC

24 – Sunday

6:30p Channing Club is a wide-ranging discussion group which has been meeting for over sixty years. We begin with a potluck dinner; please bring food and drinks to share. We generally don’t have prearranged topics but rather discuss whatever comes up. This month we’ll meet at the community room at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St., Berkeley 94705. Directions: Take Dwight Way east (toward the hills) to Piedmont Ave. Turn right on Piedmont, go two blocks, and turn left on Derby. After a long block, 2951 Derby will be on your left; you’ll see the number on a large green awning. Go up the stairs at 2951, walk right, and then left, up to the building. Kevin Langdon, (510) 524-0345, kevin.langdon/a/t/polymath-systems.com. PC, NS, NMPCW, NXM (RSE 4 Su)

25 – Monday

7p Asian Palo Alto Dining. Join us for Burmese-Chinese cuisine at Green Elephant Gourmet at 3950 Middlefield Rd., 94303 in the Charleston Shopping Center. Menu includes Tea Leaf Salad, Chinese Sausage Fried Rice, Fried Eggplant Sticks, Seafood Pumpkin Soup, etc. Prices are generally $10 to $30. Good food, good conversation. To reserve, contact Susan at Susan.Heimlich/a/t/gmail.com or at (650) 714-4972 (call or text) by Saturday, March 23. Ask for Susan, and please bring cash. PC, NMPCW

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, 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

11:45a South Bay Lunch. See March 14. (RSE 2,4 Th)

29 – Friday

11:30a Lunch in Walnut Creek at California Pizza Kitchen, 1325 South Main St., 94596 (west side of street between Botelho Dr. and Newell Ave.). Besides pizza, there are many interesting items available on their lengthy menu. Enter their free parking garage on the right side of the restaurant’s entrance. If you can, RSVP so that I can have the right size table arranged for us. You are welcome to invite friends, family members or others. Questions? Rosemary Clark, (925) 256-4599 or rclarkx/a/t/earthlink.net. PC, NMPCW

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, champagne, beer, Coke, and Sprite. 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)

31 – Sunday

1:30p Robot Games at the Event Center of San Jose State University. See the March 17 event for details of the game. Mensan Gary Koerzendorfer mentors FIRST Robotic Team 972 from Los Gatos HS. Team 6418, the MisSFits, featured at the 2018 RG, will also compete. Weekend parking is free at the 4th St./St. John St. garage, 50 N. 4th St., San Jose, a 15 minute walk to the SJSU Event Center. PC, NXM

FUTURE FLASHES

April 2 – Tuesday

6p Tuesday Tipplers. See March 5. (RSE 1 Tu)

3 – Wednesday

11:30a Math Lovers’ Lunch. See March 6. (RSE 1 W)

5 – Friday

6p Movies That Matter. See March 1. (RSE 1,3 F)

6:30p First Friday in Danville. See March 1. (RSE 1 F)

6 – Saturday

10a Mensa Testing in Palo Alto. See www.sfmensa.org/how-to-join-mensa/ for information. PC

6p Start The Month Right. See March 2. (RSE 1 Sa)

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