Activities Bulletin
April 2020 (Tentative)

If you’ve joined Chicago Mensa Meetup, also check out the April Calendar, which may have additional events posted that are not in the April ChiMe (when it becomes available). (And if you haven’t, please consider signing up for this great tool — an active Mensa number will be requested to verify your Mensa membership before you can be added to our CAM Meetup group.) Meetup will have the same RSVP contact information that is on our website and in ChiMe. On Meetup, even though events may have an RSVP option, a few CAM event coördinators are not members of Meetup. You may RSVP there to let other CAM Meetup members know you are attending, to easily add the event info to your calendar, and to set up notifications for the events, but you should always contact the CAM event coördinator as specified.

In addition to the events listed below (which includes all those listed in ChiMe and usually all those listed on Meetup), some area groups and the youth-related groups have their own closed Facebook group where they may publish events and details of events which are not included on our website. Contact South Suburban Coördinator Jeudi or Southwest Area Group (SwAG) Coördinators Kevin and Steve for information on how to join their respective Facebook group. Contact Gifted Youth Coördinators Stacey/Stephen or the Teen Coördinator to join their Facebook groups.

1 /Wednesday

• ChiMe Activity Bulletin and Advertising Deadlines. Last day for these submissions to the May ChiMe.

• ChiMe Editorial Deadline. Last day for editorial submissions to the May ChiMe. Please submit original articles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensans would love to hear from you.

• Mensa of Wisconsin RG Registration. The RG will be held Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th, just outside of Geneva, at The Ridge at W4240 WI-50 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The theme is “Science:Magic, a Continuum.” Your registration fee includes: Four hospitality rooms, open early and late, for games, snacking, beverages, and chatting — plus three meals. The registration form is on the Mensa of Wisconsin RG website. Their website will be updated as more details become available. Rates increase after Saturday, March 21st.

• SEMMantics Registration. Join the Southeast Michigan Mensans for their 2½ day RG held Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriott at 30559 Flynn Dr. in Romulus, MI. For more information, visit their website, where you can register and which will have the most up-to-date information. Rates increase after Friday, January 31st.

• Metropolitan Washington Mensa RG Registration. The RG will be held Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th, just outside of our nation’s capital, at the Sheraton in Reston, Virginia. The theme is Pandemic RG 2020 Around the World. The registration form is on their RG website or view their flyer.

2 /Thursday

• Downtown Lunch 1 PM. Join Gene and Sue E. for lunch at the Exchequer Pub at 226 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. For reservations and/or to be put on the mailing list, contact event coördinators Gene or Sue E. before 11 AM. Do not RSVP via Meetup since neither are members. Their contact information is also in the latest issue of ChiMe.

• Southeast Side Mensa Social (SEMinalS) 7 PM. Mensa dinner at Cocula South Chicago located at 8847 S. Commercial Ave. in Chicago. We will probably be in the back room near the windows nearest Commercial Ave. I [Carol] will try to display a flag of some kind. To RSVP or for more information, contact Carol (her contact information can also be found in the latest issue of ChiMe). You may also RSVP via Meetup. RSVP recommended as event may be cancelled without notice. This event will recur on the first Thursday of the month.

4 /Saturday

7 /Tuesday

• Downtown Lunch 1 PM. Join Gene and Sue E. for lunch at the Exchequer Pub at 226 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. For reservations and/or to be put on the mailing list, contact event coördinators Gene or Sue E. before 11 AM. Do not RSVP via Meetup since neither are members. Their contact information is also in the latest issue of ChiMe.

RSVP for Northern Exposure no later than 10 AM. You may RSVP via Meetup.

 

Northern Exposure

8 /Wednesday

• Northern Exposure: North Suburban 7 PM. Join us for dinner at a venue TBD in Lake County. Please RSVP (no later than 10 AM) to our North Suburban Coördinator Mike B., so he can reserve a big enough table; also let him know if you need to cancel, even if it’s last minute (by texting), so the restaurant can change the seating and doesn’t wait until everyone shows up to take orders. You may also RSVP via Meetup.

• 

  Passover begins.

10 /Friday

• Rockford Mensa Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-area Mensans for dinner at the Olympic Tavern, located at 2327 N. Main St. in Rockford (SE corner of N. Main and Fulton Streets). To RSVP, for more information, or to get on our e‑mail list, contact Dave L., our Rockford Area Coördinator. Do not RSVP via Meetup since Dave is not a member.

Poetry SIG

• Poetry Discussion 7:30 PM. Contact Joe D., the SIG coördinator, for the contact information of the person selecting and providing copies of the poems and of the host(s), or for general information about this SIG. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup. This event is usually held on the second Friday of the month.

11 /Saturday

• 

  SwAG Session

  SwAG Session 4 PM. Join the Southwest Area Group for its monthly, laid-back time together with food and talk of any imaginable topic. We meet at Kevin’s home (aka SwAG HQ) on Windstone Dr. in Plainfield. RSVP by one week prior (Saturday, April 4th) is required. Please see the Southwest Area Group Facebook page to RSVP and for information about this and other SwAG events; contact the Southwest Area Coördinators to find out how to join (Kevin’s contact information is also on our website). We’ve been meeting on the second Saturday of most months. Hope to see you there!

• RSVP for Chinese on Saturdays no later than 2 PM. You may RSVP via Meetup.

  Chinese on Saturdays 6 PM. We meet at Lao Sze Chuan House, 1331 Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove. Come for good food, good conversation, and occasionally some slightly warped humor. Please RSVP by 2 PM via e‑mail, Meetup, or phone. For those using the phone or whose Meetup messaging is blocked, provide a way you can be contacted about any last-minute changes to the event. For e-mail or phone RSVPs, Walt L.’s contact information can be found on our website or in the latest issue of ChiMe. This event recurs on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

12 /Sunday

15 /Wednesday

• 

  Federal Tax Deadline

16 /Thursday

• Downtown Lunch 1 PM. Join Gene and Sue E. for lunch at the Exchequer Pub at 226 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. For reservations and/or to be put on the mailing list, contact event coördinators Gene or Sue E. before 11 AM. Do not RSVP via Meetup since neither are members. Their contact information is also in the latest issue of ChiMe.

17 /Friday

• Mensa of Wisconsin RG 3 PM. The RG is being held today through Sunday, April 19th, just outside of Geneva, at The Ridge at W4240 WI-50 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The theme is “Science:Magic, a Continuum.” Your registration fee includes: Four hospitality rooms, open early and late, for games, snacking, beverages, and chatting — plus three meals. The registration form is on the Mensa of Wisconsin RG website. Their website will be updated as more details become available. Rates increase after Saturday, March 21st.

• SEMMantics 2020 RG held today through Sunday, April 19th at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriott at 30559 Flynn Dr. in Romulus, MI. Join the Southeast Michigan Mensans for their 2½ day RG. For more information, visit their website, where you can register and which will have the most up-to-date information. Rates increase after Friday, January 31st.

18 /Saturday

• Conservatives Lunch 11:30 AM. Join other members of the Mensan cell of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy for lunch and “secret planning” at The Patio, 2780 S. Highland Ave. in Lombard. The Patio is on the NW corner of Butterfield and Highland, but you can enter only from Highland. Look for a table with a red Meetup sign. RSVPs appreciated. Open to non-Mensans; bring a conservative friend. For more info, contact Jim Z. the event coördinator. You may also RSVP via Meetup.

• Beverly Area Saturday Salon (B.A.S.S.) ~Noon. Spontaneous conversation in far SSW Chicago, approximate vicinity of 103rd St. & Western Ave. Please contact Rick E. the Beverly Area Coördinator, for this month’s location and the exact time as well as more information; if e‑mailing, put “BASS” in the subject line. Usually recurs on the 3rd Saturday of the month, about midday.

• Games and Conversation 3 PM. Games at the WeissWard Home for Wayward Mensans, on Broker Rd. in Bloomingdale. We have a wide variety of card and board games. Bring a snack to share and your beverage of choice. Around 6, we’ll order in pizza. Call if you need a ride from the Medinah train station. For more information or to RSVP, contact Beth. You may also RSVP via Meetup.

• South Bend Mensa Dinner 6 PM. Contact Gary L., the South Bend Area Coördinator of Fort Wayne, Indiana Mensa, for location information. His contact information is available here on our website or in the latest issue of ChiMe. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup since Gary is not a member.

• Mensa of Wisconsin RG held Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th, just outside of Geneva, at The Ridge at W4240 WI-50 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. See Friday, April 17th for more information.

• SEMMantics 2020 RG held Friday, April 17th through Sunday, April 19th at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriott at 30559 Flynn Dr. in Romulus, MI. Join the Southeast Michigan Mensans for their 2½ day RG. For more information, visit their website, where you can register and which will have the most up-to-date information. Rates increase after Friday, January 31st.

19 /Sunday

W-Sub Sundays

• West Suburban Sundays Noon. Join us for Sunday lunch in the southwest suburbs at the Steven’s Family Restaurant at 2393 63rd St. in Woodridge. The restaurant has a large variety of breakfast, lunch, and brunch items, reasonably priced. Please call John or Betty N. or e-mail John N., the West Suburban Coördinators, by 2 PM on Saturday, April 18th and let them know if you are coming. Their contact information is also in the latest issue of ChiMe. You may also RSVP via Meetup. This event recurs on the third Sunday of the month.

• Mensa of Wisconsin RG held Friday, April 17th through today , just outside of Geneva, at The Ridge at W4240 WI-50 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. See Friday, April 17th for more information.

• SEMMantics 2020 RG held Friday, April 17th through today at the Detroit Metro Airport Marriott at 30559 Flynn Dr. in Romulus, MI. Join the Southeast Michigan Mensans for their 2½ day RG. For more information, visit their website, where you can register and which will have the most up-to-date information. Rates increase after Friday, January 31st.

21 /Tuesday

• Downtown Lunch 1 PM. Join Gene and Sue E. for lunch at the Exchequer Pub at 226 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. For reservations and/or to be put on the mailing list, contact event coördinators Gene or Sue E. before 11 AM. Do not RSVP via Meetup since neither are members. Their contact information is also in the latest issue of ChiMe.

26 /Sunday

28 /Tuesday

• Sterling/Rock Falls/Dixon Dinner Cancelled. The group will be on hiatus until May. For more information or to get on our e‑mail list, please send a message to Dave L. our Rockford Area Coördinator. This event is usually scheduled on the last Tuesday of the month from May through October.
  Event on Hiatus!!

30 /Thursday

• Downtown Lunch 1 PM. Join Gene and Sue E. for lunch at the Exchequer Pub at 226 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. For reservations and/or to be put on the mailing list, contact event coördinators Gene or Sue E. before 11 AM. Do not RSVP via Meetup since neither are members. Their contact information is also in the latest issue of ChiMe.

* * * * *

1 May /Friday

• ChiMe Activity Bulletin and Advertising Deadlines. Last day for these submissions to the June ChiMe.

• ChiMe Editorial Deadline. Last day for editorial submissions to the June ChiMe. Please submit original articles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensans would love to hear from you.

• Metropolitan Washington Mensa RG Registration. The RG will be held Friday, August 14th through Sunday, August 16th, just outside of our nation’s capital, at the Sheraton in Reston, Virginia. The theme is Pandemic RG 2020 Around the World. The registration form is on their RG website or view their flyer.

2 May /Saturday

• 

  CAM Monthly Gathering @North Park University

  
  

  Monthly Gathering
  Our pseudo April Monthly Gathering will be held at the Rolling Meadows Community Center
  3705 Pheasant Drive in Rolling Meadows.
  We will have games and hospitality in their spacious auditorium, with overflow space in the lobby. The speaker event will be in the Card Room. There will also be a Parents-Kids Play Room available. Please note that we have this venue only until midnight, so plan accordingly. There will be a parent-child play room available. This gathering is open to the general public. So if you’re interested in learning more about Chicago Mensa, come join us. There is an admissions fee to help cover costs; the April MG is free to all members. Members, RSVP via Meetup to let your friends know you’re going to be there.

  

  Monthly Gathering

  Test:

  4 PM.

  Business Meeting:

  5 PM.

  Game room opens:

  6 PM.

  Voting opens:

  7 PM.

  Program:

  7:30 PM.

  Voting closes:

  8:30 PM.

  Party:

  8:30 PM - Midnight.

  Time to vote for your Chicago Area Mensa Board Members!! See the candidates’ statements in the April ChiMe (when it becomes available). If you can’t attend today’s gathering, please fill out, and mail in your paper ballot which is in the April ChiMe by following the instructions on the page preceding the ballot. You may print out the ballot from the pdf version of our April ChiMe (when it becomes available) , if you do not get the paper version.
  * * * * *
  Get involved! Chicago Mensa needs you. We’re looking for volunteers to fill some of the open positions listed both in the back of ChiMe or on the List of Officers. Or consider watching the children at the MG for a fee. You can also view the job descriptions and the required qualifications. Or try your hand at writing an article for ChiMe, submitting a photo, or creating a puzzle; see our Submission Guidelines for contact information and deadlines.

  Program Topic: TBA
  See the full write-up in our April ChiMe (when it becomes available).

3 May /Sunday

• CultureQuest® 3 PM. Today, all across the country, all at the same time, teams of Mensans participate in a 90-minute-long contest of general trivia administered by American Mensa. Prizes will be awarded to the twenty teams and one youth team with the highest scores! Submit your team registration information to American Mensa. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 31st. CAM teams may apply for GOBS funds to cover the team registration fee. Team captains should read the GOBS instructions and fill out the online application form. We wish our teams the best of luck today!