Ethnic Dining: Indian Buffet 1 PM. Lunch will be at Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine, located at 555 Mall Dr. in Schaumburg (SW corner of Kimberly & Mall Dr.). They provide a good-sized, unlimited buffet with typical Indian buffet items as well as desserts. When I went, the goat curry was tender and meaty and theirs was the first Tandoori chicken for which I ever went back for seconds. The GOBS-subsidized cost (tax & tip included) is $15 for each CAM member and for their guest with a limit of 20 subsidized people for this event; additional guests will be charged the full price of $30; cash only, payable upon arrival. More details on Meetup. RSVP by 1 PM, Saturday, December 13th via Meetup (strongly preferred) or by emailing Carey S. directly and, for each person in your party, include 1) their full name and 2) their CAM membership status. If you need to cancel, let Carey know ASAP since your fellow CAM Ms may be waitlisted and would love your spot. Please try to avoid cancelling after the RSVP deadline, but if you must, contact Carey by mobile phone, which you may 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, but do not respond using Mensa Connect. This event usually recurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: The Man Who Invented Christmas: Film Adaptations of Dickens' A Christmas Carol 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

A Christmas Carol (1843) is the most filmed and televised of Dickens' works. Many will warmly remember the 1951 Alastair Sim version, but how many are aware of Carol for Another Christmas (1964), a propaganda film produced in support of the UN, or The Passions of Carol (1975), which attempted to highlight the evil of the pornography industry? How do the different versions reflect the politics and culture of their own particular times? What makes a good Carol movie? Is it truth to the original or is it something else?

Dr. Christine Corton is a Senior Member of Wolfson College, Cambridge. She has worked for many years in publishing houses including Hamish Hamilton and Penguin, and was Production Director at Boxtree Books. She is Chair of the Lunchtime Seminar Series at Wolfson College and also sits on the Committee of the Humanities Society.

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 this Zoom link about 15 to 30 minutes before the session starts to both register and join.
Virtual Event!!

Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner 6:45 PM. ZIP code falls within the Arctic Circle? Meet us at The Shanty, in Wadsworth for great food in a rustic atmosphere. Featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Lo­cated at 38985 US Hwy 41 in Wadsworth. Please RSVP on Meetup or via Janice’s email, jesser@chicago.us.mensa.org , so she can reserve a big enough table. Recurs on the third Tuesday of the month.

Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. Join a video chat with our kin from across the big pond in London at 2 PM BT. 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!!

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!!

Holiday Magic Excursion — Brookfield Zoo 5 PM & Dinner 7 PM. Join us for a festive evening at Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic followed by dinner at the nearby Serbian restaurant Skadarlija. Holiday Magic features over 3.5 million lights, transforming the Zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland. Wander through themed areas featuring giant holiday displays, a maze, tunnels, and animal-themed lights—it's one of Chicagoland's best holiday traditions!

Schedule

• We'll meet inside Australia, just southwest of the North Gate, at 5 PM (you're welcome to arrive earlier; the zoo opens at 3 PM). If you arrive late and want to find us, call or text Beth.
• Dolphin Discovery: There's a show at 4 PM; you can purchase tickets in advance on the zoo's website.
• Dinner: 7 PM at Skadarlija, 9237 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield.

Transporation

• Public transportation serves the main (south) entrance.
• Members with cars will provide rides from the zoo to dinner and drop passengers back at the train afterward.

GOBS

• Zoo admission: Purchase your own ticket and save your receipt. At the event, Beth will take a photo of your receipt and GOBS will reimburse $10 toward your admission.
• Dinner: Beth will pay the combined bill and let everyone know their share. Please reimburse her by cash (exact amount), PayPal, or Zelle, for a max subsidiary of $15.
• Limit: Maximum of 20 people (each CAM member may bring one guest).

Zoo Prices

• Purchase your timed-entry tickets on-line to get your preferred time.
• Admission: $29.95 adults / $20.95 children (3-11) / $24.95 seniors (65+)
• Dolphin Discovery show is ticketed separately: $8 adults / $4 children /$6 seniors
• Parking: $17.86

RSVPs (Meetup strongly preferred) by Monday, December 15th so we can confirm dinner reservations at Skadarlija and to alert the zoo animals to our arrival. For more information or to RSVP directly, contact Beth W..

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.

SEMM Presentation: L. Frank Baum: The Wizard Behind Oz 6 PM. You've seen the movie… (We've ALL seen the movie!) We all quote it. Many have read the books (Did you know there were 14 of them?). But what do we know about the man who's really behind the curtain, who created the first (and many believe) the greatest American Fairytale ever told? What started as a bedtime story for his children has become an international icon that is ingrained in our culture, while continuing to inspire new adaptations worldwide. Join us, when Chris Glasgow, Curator of the Oz Museum, in (Where else?) Wamego, Kansas, will guide us as we explore the life and influences of L. Frank Baum, creator of The Wonderful Wizard of OZ.

Chris Glasgow was born in Ohio and has lived in 28 of the 50 US states. She served one term in the US Air Force, then was an at-home mom for almost twenty years, raising five children while completing college and teaching in public high schools. She loves to travel, read, explore history, and be involved in theater and film. Ms. Glasgow has been with the OZ Museum/Columbian Theatre Foundation as Curator for almost 10 years. She loves to learn something new every day, then share that knowledge with others. She earned a BA in Children's Theatre at Brigham Young University; a Secondary Credential in Education from National University, and a Small Museum Pro Certificate from The American Association for State and Local History.

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 "December 20, 2025 5:30 pm" from the dropdown. Due to rising Zoom costs, SEMM asks for a $5 donation via PayPal , if you can afford it. Details on how to donate are also on the SEMM MG webpage.
Virtual Event!!

Dinner Out West: Back to Hibachi 6:30 PM. Technically, it's teppanyaki and not hibachi but I'm not going to tell them what to put on their menu. Either way, we're going back to Tokyo Steakhouse II, located at 800 S. IL Route 59 in Bartlett. DOW is a GOBS-subsidized event. GOBS will cover ½ of your meal cost, including tax and tip (rounded up to the nearest dollar), up to a maximum subsidy of $15, for each CAM member and their guest. Cash, Zelle, or PayPal for your portion. Limit 20 people. Reservations are required so Beth knows how big of a table to reserve. RSVP via Meetup (strongly preferred) or directly to Beth W. no later than Saturday, December 20th.

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.

Zoom Lunch 1 PM. See Thursday, December 18th.

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.

Ring in the New Year at the WWHfWM 4 PM. Now fully settled into their home after a year, Beth & Stan are ready to welcome Mensans for an evening (and beyond) of good food, laughter, and games. Expect conversation, snacks, and beverages—and maybe a little friendly competition at the card table. Euchre and double-deck hearts are on the list, along with the chocolatier version of Azul that's waiting to be played for the first time! Leftover cream liqueurs from WeeM’s Pretentious Drinking may also make an appearance. Bring your beverage of choice and something edible to share. RSVPs (Meetup preferred) appreciated or you can just magically appear! The exact address is available as part of Beth W. contact info. If you have any questions, please contact her.

6th Annual Around the World 24-Hour Zoom New Year's Eve Party 5 AM (11 AM GMT). Show up anytime. Our New Year's Eve Parties have been a terrific hit—with attendees from all over the world helping us celebrate each time zone's New Year's as we rolled around the planet. We're all looking forward to another great bash this year. As an added bonus, this awesome bash has put various Ms in contact with each other around the world, and has established several new friendships, some looking to be lifelong. Learn more & RSVP on the American Mensa website.
Virtual International Event Not in ChiMe!!

Zoom Lunch 1 PM. See Thursday, December 18th.