1/Sun­day

  • ChiMe Activity Bulletin and Ad­ver­tising Deadlines. Last day for these submissions to the April ChiMe. Interested in organizing and hosting a virtual or in-person event? Find out how by checking out our guide to hosting events.

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

2/Mon­day

  • pulaski

    Casimir (Kazimierz) Pulaski Day
    Observed in Chicago & Cook County
    City offices closed.

3/Tues­day

  • Zoom Lunch 1 PM. Perhaps the longest running Mensa event anywhere, Chicago’s Zoom Lunch (formerly known as the Downtown Lunch) is held every week, alternating between Tuesday and Thursday. Join us for conversation, laughs, and attempts to define words you’ll never use again. The Zoom id is 836 1178 6315 and the passcode is 190710; it is also included as part of your host Jon G.’s contact information if you prefer a link. Questions? Contact Jon via email or call/text him. You may also RSVP via Meetup. We’d love to have you join us!
    Virtual Event!!

5/Thurs­day

  • Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. Join a video chat with our kin from across the big pond in London at 2 PM BST. RSVP (via Meetup preferred) to local host Carey S. to receive the Zoom sign-in information. The London host is Ian David Moseley.
    Virtual Event!!

8/Sun­day

  • clock

    Daylight Saving Time starts. Remember to change your clocks by adding an hour so you’re not late.

  • Ethnic Dining 1 PM. Join us for a GOBS-subsidized lunch at a venue TBA. Save the date. For Ethnic Dining notifications, updates, and all the details, join the Mensa Connect Ethnic Dining Group, but do not respond using Mensa Connect. This event usually recurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

12/Thurs­day

13/Fri­day

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Please send a poem or two to Joe D. by Monday, March 9th. Interested persons who are not currently members of the poetry group can contact Joe D. , and he will email the poems to be discussed. Contact Bill K. for the Zoom links or any help you might need. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Rock­ford-Area Lunch Noon. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for lunch at the Tavern on Clark, lo­cated at 755 Clark Dr. in Rockford (just east of Bell School Rd., three blocks north of State St.). To RSVP , for more information, or to get on our email list, contact Dave L., our Rockford-Area Coordinator. RSVP required in case of cancellation, time, or venue change. Do not RSVP via Meetup. This event usually recurs on the second Friday of the month.
    Time Change!!

14/Satur­day

  • pi day

    π Day

  • SEMM: Because Science IS Funny!: TV’s The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, AND YOU! 6 PM CDT. Even in re-runs, something astonishing keeps cropping up on TV’s The Big Bang Theory and its highly successful spinoff, Young Sheldon—namely, actual science! What’s so hilarious about Schrodinger’s cat, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and glow-in-the-dark jellyfish? Though both shows are comedies, they’re peppered with real-life scientific references: Characters chat about cutting-edge and classical experiments; historic formulae adorn living room whiteboards; and famous techno luminaries and science educators guest-star as themselves. The Big Bang Theory, which is still watched regularly on at least ten different local stations, cable channels, and streaming services around the world, features an assortment of very smart characters wisecracking about these and other real-life high-IQ concepts—and now you’ll be able to, too.

    Join us to learn why CBS became PBS… sort of. This month’s guest speaker, science humorist Dave Zobel argues that the two hugely popular “funny nerd” shows still fill a vital (if nontraditional) role in popularizing science: Their subtle celebration of scientific inquiry draws viewers into conversation about science, technology, math—even philosophy. And that’s a gift to every science geek … or science denier. Part one-man colloquium, part comedy routine, Mr. Zobel's talk just might show you enough of what’s fun and funny about science to earn you a spot on Sheldon’s couch!

    Dave Zobel has appeared on the TV channels G4 and Discovery and has penned segments for the radio shows StarDate, Day to Day, Says You!, and The Loh Down on Science. For the LA nonprofit “T4T” (Trash for Teaching), he designs STEM teaching kits out of rescued and repurposed manufacturers’ discards.

    See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Events website. All attendees must preregister by visiting the SEMM Monthly Gathering page and choosing "March 15, 2025 5:30 pm" from the dropdown. Due to rising Zoom costs, SEMM asks for a $5 donation, if you can afford it.
    Virtual Event!!

  • SFRM: Beyond the Microscope: Identifying Microorganisms Then and Now 4:30 PM. Identifying microbes, especially human pathogens, is a primary function of the science of microbiology. In this session, you will learn about morphological and metabolic methods of identification, as well as newly discovered genetic-based methods, that enable us to effectively identify microorganisms.

    Brett McCutcheon-Vigil joined Mensa in high school, then went on to study microbiology at Ohio State University. He worked in the healthcare documentation industry for 20+ years as a trainer, education director, and project manager. He also served on the board of the industry’s professional association. He lives in North Dakota with his husband, Robert, and two cats. And this year, at 57 years old, he is returning to finish his bachelor’s degree in microbiology at The Ohio State University.

    For more details, visit the SFRM Zoom RSVPs FB Group or the SFRM List of Presentations. To register, visit San Francisco Regional Mensa (SFRM)’s registration signup for this event.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: The Ancient History of Computers and Code? 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    What links an ancient shipwreck to the textile mills of Northern England? Both contained forerunners of the computing we use today. In fact, computer language and software have a long history, featuring military research and the repurposing of early programs widely used in manufacturing. This lecture delves into the earliest archives of processing, prediction, difference, and analytical engines, to discover who really made them all work.

    Professor Victoria Baines FBCS is a leading authority in the field of online trust, safety, and cybersecurity. She frequently contributes to major broadcast media outlets on digital ethics, cybercrime, and the misuse of emerging technologies, including Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence. Her areas of research include electronic surveillance, cybercrime futures, and the politics of security.

    For the full write-up and to join, visit the American Mensa event. One does not have to register early for the event—simply click on the Zoom link before the session starts (check back here for that link on Saturday, March 14th).
    Virtual Event!!

  • Vitual St. Paddy’s Day Celebration 6 AM. Join this 12 hour celebration via Zoom featuring Mary Reilly from Ireland. Feel free to drop in and out anytime. Get the Zoom info on the AML website.
    Virtual Event!!

17/Tues­day

Northern Exposure

  • Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner 6:45 PM. Celebrating the Ides of March… under ten feet of snow? Then you should have dinner with us. Join us for dinner at a venue TBD in Lake County. Recurs on the third Tuesday of the month.

  • mardi

    Mardi Gras

  • leprechaun

    St. Patrick’s Day
    Sláinte!

19/Thurs­day

20/Fri­day

  • equinox

    Northward—Vernal in our hemisphere — Equinox

21/Satur­day

  • Conserv­atives Lunch 11:30 AM. Join other members of the Mensan cell of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy for lunch and civilized un-PC conversation. No forbidden questions, no unchallengeable answers. This lunch happens on the third Saturday every month. The venue will be The Patio, 2780 S. Highland Ave. in Lombard (NW corner of Butterfield and Highland, but you can enter only from Highland). RSVP by emailing Jim Z. the event coor­di­na­tor. You may also RSVP via Meetup. Open to non-Mensans; bring a curious friend.

  • Beverly Area Saturday Salon (B.A.S.S.) ~Noon. Spontaneous conversation in far SSW Chicago, approx­i­mate vicinity of 107th St. & Western Ave. Please contact Rick E. the Beverly Area Coordinator, for this month’s lo­ca­tion and the exact time as well as more information; if emailing, put “BASS” in the subject line. This event usually recurs midday on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

  • Theodore Talk: Shedd Aquarium 2:30 PM. The Shedd Aquarium, which opened its doors in 1930 as the first inland aquarium to maintain a permanent exhibition of both freshwater and saltwater fishes, was a gift to Chicago from John Graves Shedd. He wanted to give back to the city in which he had risen from stock boy to president of department store giant Marshall Field & Company. Today, the aquarium combines the best of the early 20th-century characteristics, with a diverse array of animals surrounded by eye-popping architecture and 21st-century advances in care and conservation.

    Serving as a portal to the aquatic animal world, Shedd Aquarium brings guests eye-to-eye with belugas and bluegills, stingrays and sturgeons, coral reefs, kelp forests, and countless other species from around the world. As they see the iridescent scales of fishes found around the globe, feel the thick coat of a sea otter that allows them to survive the cold, and hear the chirps and whistles beluga whales use to communicate and navigate through dark waters, guests of all ages and backgrounds encounter beauty and science only nature can produce. These unforgettable experiences create connections with, and compassion for, life beneath the water’s surface.

    The aquarium is more than just a destination. With partners across the globe, Shedd is acting for animals and advocating for their environments. Research allows us to better understand wildlife and wild places, helping us to create change for our shared blue future. Learn more about this iconic institution and its commitment to conservation. To register for this Theodore Talk, visit the American Mensa Events website or, on or after Thursday, March 19th, tap/click on the Zoom link that will be available here on our website. See a list of all the Theodore talks on the American Mensa Events website. Even if you can’t attend the live talk, provided you register, you will receive a link to a recording of the event. Closed captioning enabled.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Theodore Talk: Chicago’s Best Art Deco Skyscrapers 3 PM. Influenced by Cubism and the art and architecture of the ancient Middle East, Art Deco was a modern European style that was showcased to the world at the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925. In the U.S., the new style ornamented tall office buildings, built to meet the needs of the post-war business boom, and reflected the optimism and prosperity associated with the Roaring 20s.

    This program, presented by the Chicago Architecture Center, will briefly describe Art Deco’s origins and characteristics, then explore in detail five of Chicago’s Art Deco skyscrapers, all of which are official city landmarks meticulously restored to their original glory.

    To register for this Theodore Talk, visit the American Mensa Events website or, on or after Thursday, March 19th, tap/click on the Zoom link that will be available here on our website. See a list of all the Theodore talks on the American Mensa Events website. Even if you can’t attend the live talk, provided you register, you will receive a link to a recording of the event. Closed captioning enabled.
    Virtual Event!!

24/Tues­day

  • Break­fast in Mount Pros­pect 10 AM. Breakfast or lunch and conversation at Jelly Café lo­cated at 1784 W. Golf Rd. in Mount Pros­pect (northwest corner of Golf Rd. and Busse Hwy.), featuring a large and diverse menu. Sepa­rate checks are available. Use Meetup, but if not on Meetup, RSVP to Ken L. via email. If you RSVP by email, your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

  • MEANS (North Suburbs) Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Mensans Eating Around North Suburbs (MEANS) at Hackney’s on Lake located at 1514 E. Lake Ave. in Glenview. Free parking. Separate checks available. Limit 12. Please RSVP via Meetup (preferred) or email Brent B. Recurs on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

25/Wednes­day

  • GOBS Request Deadline Noon. Today is the last day to submit a request for GOBS funds to be approved at this Sunday’s Business Meeting for any planned, eligible event, activity, or class taking place after Saturday, March 22nd and through Saturday, April 19th or later; to be eligible, events involving CAM members must be published in the issue of ChiMe corresponding to the month in which they occur. For CAM events, it’s recommended you submit the GOBS request and get it approved before submitting your event information for publication in ChiMe—so no later than today for events planned for May. May events need to be submitted by the 1st of April to the activities editor to be included in the May ChiMe. An article must be featured in the May ChiMe for GOBS-subsidized June events with an RSVP deadline in May (same 1st of April deadline but article emailed to the editor; see editorial deadline).

26/Thurs­day

  • Sip & Paint at Toast to Paint 7 PM. Join us for a Sip & Paint at Toast to Paint, located at 7185 W. Bloomingdale in Chicago (in the far west Galewood neighbor). Toast to Paint is a BYOB venue; we can bring our own beverages and snacks. Cost is $19 per person. GOBS is covering the other half of the cost for one CAM member and a guest. Limit 24 people. Reservations are required. Email Beth at locsec@chicago.us.mensa.org  for payment instructions (Zelle, PayPal, or check in the mail) and to RSVP no later than Sunday, March 24th. Payment is required to hold your spot.

27/Fri­day

  • Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) through Sunday, March 29th. This event promotes the latest and greatest from the worlds of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games, and is being held in the South Building of McCormick Place in Chicago. For more information, see the C2E2 website.
    Public Event!!

28/Satur­day

Our next Monthly Gathering occurs on July 19th.
at the
Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center
3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

  • Monthly Gath­ering
    (Date & Location Tentative)
    The location of our March Month­ly Gath­ering was the Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center
    3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows.

    Games and hos­pi­tal­ity are in the spacious auditorium, with overflow space in the lobby. Every month, after the business meeting, we offer exciting, engaging workshops just for the kids while you enjoy the main meeting. The speaker event is in the Card Room. Park in the NW lot behind the building and use Entrance K (near inner corner). Please note that we have this venue only until midnight, so plan accordingly. This gathering is open to the public. So if you’re interested in learning more about Chicago Mensa, come join us. There is an admissions fee to help cover costs (major credit cards accepted). Members, RSVP via Meetup to let your friends know you’re going to be there.

    Test:
    5 PM.
    Business Meeting:
    5 PM.
    Youth Program:
    6 PM.
    Game room opens:
    6 PM.
    Program:
    7:30 PM.
    Refreshments:
    8:30 PM - Midnight.

    The CAM Executive Committee has allocated GOBS funds to be used for the reimbursement of either or Uber ridesharing services from/to the Arlington Park METRA station. Details are on our Monthly Gathering page.
    * * * * *
    Volunteer
    Get involved! Hone your leadership, organizational, or web skills. We’re looking for vol­un­teers to fill some of the open po­sitions listed both near the back of ChiMe or on the List of Officers. Try your hand as a co-Program Officer, a website designer, web content creator, or a MG Hospitality Volunteer. You can view the job descriptions and the required qualifications for all the open positions and ones you may be interested in. Or consider supervising the children at the MG for some extra cash.
    * * * * *
    Express Yourself
    Write an ar­ticle, submit a photo, or create a puzzle for ChiMe; see our Submission Guidelines for contact information and deadlines. Host your own event or your own virtual event using Discord!

    Program Topic: TBA

    MG Date/Location is Tentative!!

  • Westside Improv Studio 7 PM located at 125 W. Front St. in Wheaton. Show is from 8 – 9:30 PM. CAM’s own John C. is part of the opening act. Buy your tickets at https://westsideimprov.com in advance (it’s not unheard of for them to sell out). Email Beth at LocSec@chicago.us.mensa.org  or Chicago Mensa Meetup to let her know you’re going—we’ll plan dinner before for those who are interested.

31/Tues­day


* * * * *

1 April/Wednes­day

  • ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin and Ad­vertising Dead­lines. Last day for these submissions to the May ChiMe. Interested in organizing and hosting a virtual or in-person event? There’s bound to be an activity or a restaurant you want to try, but you just want some other people to experience it with you. So invite your fellow Mensans. Find out how by visiting our guide to hosting events.

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

  • passover

    Pass­over begins

Activities Bulletin
March 2026 (Tentative)

March
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15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31        

RSVPs - Always contact the CAM event host as specified in the event details—email , phone , text , or Meetup.

About
Meetup

Chicago Mensa Meetup - All our events are listed; see who signed up, get notifications, and add the event(s) to your personal calendar. Check out the current calendar

About
Meetup

Chicago Mensa Meetup - All our events are listed; see who signed up, get notifications, and add the event(s) to your personal calendar. Check out the current calendar

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