Activities Bulletin
January 2020

1/ Wednes­day

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

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

• New Year Day Luncheon 11:30 AM. January 1st is the day after the big celebrations, and this luncheon will probably be a quieter experience. Join us at the Bakers Square at 1319 W. North Ave. in Melrose Park for an informal get-together. In addition to the varied and tasty food, this low-key get-together should appeal to those Mensans either who are new to the Chicago area or who just want some stimulating conversation before going on to other activities. Cash only. RSVP by 11:30 AM on Tuesday, December 31st, but earlier is advised given the number of attendees is limited. You will get a response confirming whether you have a spot provided you have enabled Meetup messages; if you cannot receive Meetup messages, you will not be able to enjoy this luncheon.
  Learn more & RSVP @ Chicago Mensa Meetup.
  Meetup Event Not in ChiMe!!

2/ Thurs­day

• 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 January ChiMe). RSVP recommended as event may be cancelled without notice. This event will recur on the first Thursday of the month.

8/ Wednes­day

Northern Exposure

• Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner 6:50 PM. Please join us as we return to the fabulous & private “Florence Room” of Dissotto Italian, for freshly made pasta and sauces! Dissotto is a part of Chef Scott Harris’s family of restaurants, which includes the fabulously successful Francesca’s chain. “Walking into Disotto is like being transported to another place & time, like visiting your Nonna’s wine cellar on the Italian countryside for a homemade meal. The dining room is rich with stone, brick and wood and the aroma of pomodoro sauce & fresh pasta permeates throughout. The clinking of wine glasses and laughter of friends pulls you in and sets the stage of a meal reminiscent of vintage Italy.” Salute! Located at 310 Greenbay Road in Highwood. Please RSVP (no later than 10 AM) to our North Suburban Coördinator Michael 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.

9/ 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. Their contact information is also in the January ChiMe.

10/ Fri­day

• Rock­ford Mensa Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-area Mensans for dinner at Kuma’s Asian Bistro, lo­cated at 420 E. State St. in Rockford (a few blocks east of the river between 1st and 2nd Streets). To RSVP, for more information, or to get on our e‑mail list, contact Dave L., our Rockford Area Coördinator.

• Poetry Dis­cus­sion Cancelled.  PM. As is our custom, we will not meet in January. The poetry meetings will resume on Friday, February 14th. Contact Joe D., the SIG coördinator for general information about this SIG. This event is usually held on evening of the second Friday of the month or the following Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
  Annual Hiatus!!

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, January 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!

• 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 January ChiMe. This event recurs on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

12/ Sun­day

• Futures & Fantasies 2 PM. F&F will discuss A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine. See the ar­ticle in the December 2019 ChiMe for more details. The discussion will take place in Conference Room G on the 3rd floor of the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street in Oak Park. Water, soda and light snacks are acceptable. Parking is available under the building. To RSVP, or for more information about this event and/or SIG, contact Steve M., the SIG coördinator. F&F usually meets on the second Sunday of most odd-numbered months.

Ethnic Dining

• Ethnic Dining: Korean Cancelled. Join us at BBQ Garden, lo­cated at 9020 W. Golf Rd. in Niles, featuring unlimited Korean BBQ served or that you cook yourself; plus a kimchi/bonchon bar, hot/cold bar including salads/sushi/soup, and unlimited tea. More details in the January ChiMe.

  One non-Mensan guest may accompany each member at the GOBS-subsidized cost, but additional guests will be charged the full price. There will two GOBS-subsidized options: deluxe at $25/person or premium at $30/person. There will be a different table for each option so if your party wants to sit together, you may wish to agree on an option. The cost includes taxes and tip, and, for anyone over 10 years of age, one soda/person. Dinner for children ages 7 - 10 is ½ price and ages 4 - 6 is ¼ price; soda is not included. Reservations are required and attendance is limited. RSVP by noon Friday, January 10th. Contact Carey S. directly to RSVP and, for each person in your party, include 1) the full name, 2) the Mensa membership status, 3) specify either the deluxe or premium option, and 4) the age of anyone under eleven years of age as of Sunday, January 12th. If you don’t receive a confirmation e‑mail, try again. If you need to cancel, let Carey know ASAP since your fellow Mensans may be waitlisted and would love your spot. Please try to avoid cancelling in the last 24 hours, but if you must, contact Carey by mobile phone, which you must also use if you are lost or will be late. If possible, text first, then call, as he may not hear it ring. For Ethnic Dining notifications, updates, and all the details, join the Mensa Connect Ethnic Dining Group.
  Event Cancelled!!

14/ 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. Their contact information is also in the January ChiMe.

15/ Wednes­day

• Mensa Testing 6 PM. Location just west of State & Ontario St. in Chicago. You must prereg­ister and prepay — very limited seating. Parking is very expensive; public transit strongly recommended! Latecomers and anyone without a reserved spot will not be admitted. If you are or someone you know is interested in joining Mensa, see our Testing Information for contact details and additional dates/lo­ca­tions. Mensa members, forward your AML Mensa September e‑mail with our local group Mensa Voucher Program (MVP) Code (“WindyCity19”) now to any interested non-members so they can pre­reg­ister and take a future test for free. Questions? Contact our Testing Coördinator.
  Event Not in ChiMe!!

• 

  A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) - Preregistration Deadline Alert! Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality on January 24th – 26th. Today was the last day you could pre­reg­ister for AGOG and qualify for an AGOG discount. Also, if you’re paying by check, it must have been received today, else you’ll have to reg­ister at the door because your preregistration and any discount will not be honored. If you haven’t pre­reg­istered, come to AGOG and reg­ister at the door!

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.

• 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.

• 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 January ChiMe.

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, January 18th and let them know if you are coming. Their contact information is also in the January ChiMe. This event recurs on the third Sunday of the month.

• Rainbow SIG Dinner 6:00 PM. This will be a planning session for the year. Bring your ideas and let us know if you are willing to host an event. Meet at Nookies Edgewater (1100 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Chicago). Seating in the general dining area. Order off the menu. Plenty of parking in the rear (enter through the alley by the el tracks). Very close to the Red Line Bryn Mawr station. RSVP via e-mail or text message by Friday, January 17th, so we know how many seats to reserve. To find out more about this SIG, contact Brad, the SIG coördinator

Rainbow SIG

20/ Mon­day

• 

  Martin Luther King Jr. Day

23/ 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. Their contact information is also in the January ChiMe.

24/ Fri­day

AGOG 2016

• 

  A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) 3 PM. Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality at the Westin North Shore Hotel1, 601 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. Bigger than a house party, smaller than an RG; just hundreds of Chicago Area Mensa’s games, plenty of tables, and well over a hundred friendly, albeit competitive, players. At AGOG, you can play all your favorite board and card games, including Euro/German games as well as party games and classics, or bring your own to share with friends. There are also social deduction games planned. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are provided throughout the weekend. Plus the fee includes access to Saturday’s Monthly Gathering. If you haven’t pre­reg­istered, you can reg­ister at the door. Please e‑mail our Chairs  regarding questions or concerns you have about anything other than registration.

25/ Satur­day

• 

  A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) continues. Join the fun and attend the long weekend gathering of just games all day through Sunday afternoon at the Westin North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling! All the games we have at WeeM and more, because folks like you bring their own to share. There are also social deduction games planned. We provide food, non-alcoholic beverages, and all the games you want for a reasonable price. Plus the fee includes access to today’s Monthly Gathering. If you haven’t pre­reg­istered, you can reg­ister at the door.

• Monthly Gath­ering
  Our January Month­ly Gath­ering will be held at the Westin North Shore Hotel
  601 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling.
  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.

  

  Monthly Gathering

  Test:

  4 PM.

  Business Meeting:

  5 PM.

  Game room opens:

  All weekend for AGOG!

  Nomi­nations for local officers:

  7:15 PM.

  Program:

  7:30 PM.

  Party:

  8:30 PM - Midnight.

  The Nomi­nating Committee is looking for qualified candidates to run for the elected po­sitions on the Chicago Area Mensa Board of Directors. If you’re interested or just curious, see Deb J.’s ar­ticle in the February 2019 ChiMe or January ChiMe for details. You can also view the job descriptions and the required qualifications.
  * * * * *
  The Deadline for Nomi­nation Statements is March 1st. Candidates’ statements for publication in the April ChiMe are to be no longer than 500 words and cannot include any boldface, italic, or larger type; they should be sent directly to Deb J..
  * * * * *
  Mensans, forward your Mensa Voucher Program (MVP) code (“Windy­City19”), that AML e‑mailed you in September, to non-members, who may, at no cost, pre­reg­ister for any of the supervised tests including the one held today at 4 PM.
  * * * * *
  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: Everything I Learned about Teams and Leadership, I Learned from D&D
  Michael Shorten, our guest speaker, has been playing and running D&D campaigns since before there were editions! He’ll share his experience using fantasy role playing to build effec­tive teams.
  See the full write-up in the January ChiMe.

• 

  Chinese New Year
  Year of the Rat

26/ Sun­day

AGOG 2017

• 

  A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) continues until 3 PM. Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality at the Westin North Shore Hotel, 601 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. Bigger than a house party, smaller than an RG; just hundreds of Chicago Area Mensa’s games, plenty of tables, and well over a hundred friendly, albeit competitive, players. At AGOG, you can play all your favorite board and card games, including Euro/German games as well as party games and classics, or bring your own to share with friends. There are also social deduction games planned. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are provided throughout the weekend. Sunday breakfast is included as well. If you haven’t pre­reg­istered, you can reg­ister at the door. Please e‑mail our Chairs  regarding questions or concerns you have about anything other than registration.

28/ Tues­day

• Breakfast in the NW Suburbs 10 AM. Breakfast and conversation on the 4th Tuesday in various lo­ca­tions. This month’s lo­ca­tion: Le Peep lo­cated at 10 E. Northwest Hwy. in Mt. Pros­pect (NW corner of Northwest Hwy. (U.S. 14) and Main St. (IL 83) where the main parking lot can be accessed from Main St.). Sepa­rate checks will be available. Attendance is limited. RSVP strongly suggested in case of possible cancellation or changes in venue. RSVP Ken L. via e‑mail.

• 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. Their contact information is also in the January ChiMe.

• 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!!

* * * * *

1 February /Satur­day

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

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