1/Sun­day

  • ChiMe Activity Bulletin Deadline. Last day for these submissions to the March 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 and Ad­ver­tising Deadlines. Last day for editorial submissions to the March ChiMe. Please submit original ar­ticles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensa members would love to hear from you.

  • Annual Gathering (AG): Online Registration Rate Increase Alert! Register for the AG, held Wednesday, July 1st through Sunday, July 5th in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, before midnight EST, Saturday, January 31st, before the next rate increase.

2/Mon­day

  • groundhog

    Ground­hog Day

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 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!!

  • Capricon 46: Rise of the Humans through Sunday, February 8th. This event, which promotes the sci-fi genre, is being held in the Marriott Chicago O'Hare at 8535 W. Higgins Rd. in Chicago. For more information, see the Capricon website. While you’re there, visit the Mensa Promo­tion table.
    Public Event!!

8/Sun­day

  • Ethnic Dining: Japanese 1 PM. Join us for Japanese Wagyu Hot Pot at Shabu-You, located at 1180 Plaza Dr. in Schaumburg. All-you-can-eat at a fixed price. Cook an array of vegetables and optional meats in your own private pot. GOBS subsidized, $13 for vegetarian, $24 for omnivore (meats & shrimp); $12 and $20 for seniors 55+. Tea/coffee/soda included; additional cost for alcohol & special cooking broths. More details on Meetup. RSVP by 1 PM, Saturday, February 7th 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.

11/Wednes­day

  • GOBS Request Deadline Noon. Today is the last day to submit a request for GOBS funds to be approved at this Saturday’s Business Meeting for any planned, eligible event, activity, or class taking place after Saturday, February 14th through Saturday, March 28th and, optionally, 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 April. April events need to be submitted by the 1st of March to the activities editor to be included in the April ChiMe. An article must be featured in the April ChiMe for GOBS-subsidized May events with an RSVP deadline in April (same 1st of March deadline but article emailed to the editor; see editorial deadline).

12/Thurs­day

  • lincoln

    Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
    Illinois Holiday

13/Fri­day

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) 3 PM. Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality at the Westin Northshore1, 601 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. Bigger than a house party, smaller than an RG; just hundreds games supplied Chicago Area Mensa, 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. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are provided throughout the weekend. Although AGOG is very laid-back, if you’d like to schedule a game or tournament in advance, teach a game, or present on a game-related topic, please email our Chairs and they will get back to you.

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Please send a poem or two to Joe D. by Monday, February 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!!

14/Satur­day

  • Rock­ford-Area Lunch Noon. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for lunch at the Olive Garden Italian Kitchen, lo­cated at 6367 E. State St. in Rockford (on the south side of State St. between Mulford and Perryville). 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.
    Schedule Change!!

AGOG 2015

  • 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 Northshore, 601 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling! All the games we have at WeeM and more, because folks like you bring their own to share. We provide food, non-alcoholic beverages, and all the games you want for a reasonable price. Plus the fee includes access to today’s Bi-Monthly Gathering.

The next ExComm Business Meeting is being held at 5 PM on Saturday, January 31st via Zoom.


Add CAM FebruaryBi-Monthly Gathering @Westin North Shore Hotel

  • Bi-Monthly Gathering
    The location of our February Month­ly Gath­ering is the Westin North Shore Hotel
    601 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling.

    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:
    2 PM.
    Business Meeting:
    5 PM.
    Youth Program:
    6 PM.
    Game room opens:
    All weekend for AGOG!
    Nomi­nations for Local Officers:
    7:30 PM.
    Program:
    ~7:35 PM.
    Refreshments:
    8:30 PM - Midnight (food & beverages put out earlier than 8:30 PM is for AGOG registrants only).

    The Nomi­nating Committee is looking for qualified candidates to run for the elected po­sitions on the Chicago Area Mensa Executive Committee. If you’re interested or just curious, see Deb J.’s ar­ticle in the 2025 ChiMe for details. You can also view the job descriptions and the required qualifications.
    * * * * *
    The Deadline for Candidate Statements is Friday, February 27th. The statements for publication in the April ChiMe are to be no longer than 500 words and cannot include any boldface, italic, or larger type; the person to whom they should be emailed has yet TBD.
    * * * * *
    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

    The topic is usually game-related to coincide with AGOG.

Happy%20Valentine’s%20Day!

15/Sun­day

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGOG) continues until 3 PM. Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality at the Westin Northshore, 601 North Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. Bigger than a house party, smaller than an RG; just hundreds games supplied Chicago Area Mensa, 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. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are provided throughout the weekend. Sunday brunch is included as well. Vote for the HELL’s M’s AGOG Party Animal.

  • SFRM: The Einstein Effect: How the World’s Favorite Genius Got Into Our Cars, Our Bathrooms and Our Minds 4:30 PM. Albert Einstein’s genius continues to impact our everyday lives—from science and technology to his status as a pop culture icon and his legacy as a humanitarian rescuing refugees and fighting in the civil rights movement. For his book, The Einstein Effect, journalist Benyamin Cohen spent years tracking down lesser-known stories about Einstein (did you know the pathologist performing Einstein’s autopsy stole his brain?) to reveal an intriguing—and often hilarious—look at how Einstein is more relevant today than ever.

    Journalist Benyamin Cohen is the author of The Einstein Effect, a book about the modern-day relevancy of the world’s favorite genius. He manages the official social media accounts of Albert Einstein, where he posts every day to the 20 million fans who follow Einstein across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He is also the news director of the Forward, America’s oldest Jewish newspaper. He is based in Morgantown, W.V., where he lives with his wife, three dogs, a cat, and a flock of chickens known as the Co-Hens.

    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!!

16/Mon­day

RSVP for Dinner Out West held on Thursday, February 19th no later than Monday, February 16th. RSVP via Meetup preferred.

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: Calendar Curiosities for February 29 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    Did Archbishop Whitgift really die on February 29, 1603? Why are there more Friday 13ths now than in the Middle Ages? How did a famous composer (who died on Friday 13th) manage to write all his 39 operas before his ninth birthday? And how can we explain the mysterious date of the death of St. Teresa of Avila? This lecture will cast light upon the quirks of our calendar, and you'll also learn a quick way to work out the day of the week of any given date.

    Professor Tony Mann has taught mathematics and computing at the University of Greenwich for over twenty years. He was President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics from 2008 to 2011 and is editor of the Newsletter of the London Mathematical Society. He has always been fascinated by the interface between mathematics and computing, and he began his career writing software for the mathematical modelling of power plants in the electricity supply industry. Since moving into academia he has taught subjects ranging from abstract algebra and the history of mathematics to digital media and human factors in computing.

    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 Monday, February 16th).
    Virtual Event!!

  • mtrush

    Presidents Day
    Federal Holiday

17/Tues­day

Northern Exposure

  • Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner Cancelled. Join us for dinner at a venue TBD in Lake County.
    Event on Hiatus This Month!!

  • mardi

    Mardi Gras

  • lunarNY

    Lunar New Year
    Year of the Horse

  • lantern

18/Wednes­day

  • MWW: Nonfiction Book Discussion 4:30 PM CDT. Please join us in discussing The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel. We generally discuss what we liked about the book or found challenging. We also discuss what we would like more or less of, what format we read the book in, and whether it was a recent read. Can't make it this month? The next books will be March (Omnibus edition) by John Lewis (March 18), The Technological Republic by Alexander Karp (April 15), and Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Peter Attia (May 20).

    See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Events website.
    Virtual Event!!

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: Is Music Infinite? 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    This lecture explores the very limits of music: investigating historical efforts to catalogue musical materials including the mēḷacartā of Carnatic music, the wazn of Arabic maqam, Slonimsky’s Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns, Schillinger’s Encyclopedia of Rhythms, Forte numbers, and contemporary attempts to ‘pre-copyright’ every possible melody yet to be written. It also tackles the bigger questions: how much music might exist, whether it ever will be exhausted, and if there are any boundaries of our musical perception and imagination.

    Milton Mermikides is a composer, guitarist, technologist, academic and educator in a wide range of musical styles and has collaborated with artists and scientists as diverse as Evelyn Glennie, Tim Minchin, Pat Martino, Peter Zinovieff, John Williams and Brian Eno. Son of a CERN nuclear physicist, he was raised with an enthusiasm for both the arts and sciences, an eclecticism which has been maintained throughout his teaching, research and creative career.

    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 Wednesday, February 18th).
    Virtual Event!!

19/Thurs­day

  • Dinner Out West: Chinese 6:30 PM. Mapo is one of the very best Chinese restaurants in the area and is centrally located for us, close to I-88 at 1563 Naperville-Wheaton Road in Naperville. Have a look at their menu if you haven't already discovered Mapo. As usual, Good Old Burt Spain will give you a 50% subsidy, to a limit of $15. Be prepared to settle up with Apple Cash, Zelle, PayPal, or legal tender. We will have room for up to 16 people, but I [ Matt C.] need to give them the count two days before, so please RSVP on Meetup by Monday, February 16th.

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.

  • SFRM: Wormholes, Spacewarps, and Tunnels to Otherwheres 4:30 PM. The advent of general relativity transformed our understanding of gravity and introduced us to the idea that the underlying fabric of the universe is a tapestry we call “spacetime.” That fabric is a dynamic entity, constantly evolving and changing. It can be bent, twisted, warped—and perhaps ripped. In the hundred years that we have been aware of spacetime, our understanding of it has been informed by astronomical observations, detailed mathematical calculations, vast computer simulations, and wild speculation. Some ideas and predictions, though exotic, have been found to be wholly true; others we are skeptical of, but cannot disprove; of others, we still have no idea what to think. This talk, will discuss the nature of spacetime and our measurements of it, and examine some of the most remarkable predictions we have made about it: black holes, wormholes, and time warps.

    Shane Larson was a research professor at Northwestern University, serving as Associate Director of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics) for more than a decade. He joined Clarkson University in the summer of 2025 as a Professor of Physics and the Director of Integrated Engineering and Applied Science Projects. He works in gravitational wave astrophysics, studying compact binary stars and the galaxy with the forthcoming space-based observatory LISA. He is an award-winning teacher and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He contributes regularly to a public science blog at writescience.wordpress.com and posts at Bluesky with the handle @sciencejedi. Dr. Larson received a BS in Physics from Oregon State University (1991), an MS in Physics from Montana State University (1993), and his PhD in Physics from Montana State University (1999).

    For more details or to register, visit the SFRM List of Presentations.
    Virtual Event!!

22/Sun­day

  • Theodore Talk: Munich and the Rise of the Nazi Party 2:30 PM. Adolf Hitler once referred to Munich as the “capital of the Nazi movement,” a title he officially conferred on the city in 1935.

    Dr. Shelly Cline, Historian and Director of Education at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, will explore Munich's central role in the rise of National Socialism—from its roots in the aftermath of World War I, through Hitler&aos;s transformation of the Nazi Party, to the city's function within the broader machinery of the Third Reich. The presentation will also examine how Munich has since reckoned with this complex and troubling legacy.

    The list of all the Theodore talks will be on the American Mensa Events website. Provided you register for the live talk, you will receive a link to a recording of the event. Closed captioning enabled.
    Virtual Event!!

  • washington

    George Washington’s Birthday

  • Theodore Talk: Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites 2:30 PM. Sweet steak, Mother-in-Law, Akutagawa, Italian beef and deep-dish pizza are just some of the unique foods first conceived in Chicago. In Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites, authors Monica Eng and David Hammond will discuss lesser-known mom-n’-pop places that serve more affordable—but no less satisfying—food to tens of thousands of Chicagoans every day. These smaller places are often times minority- or immigrant-owned; their book shines a light on the contributions and enduring creativity of street-level food purveyors who, faced with limited resources and unlimited ambition, spread deliciousness throughout the city. All thirty of the foods discussed in the book will be covered, offering photos and brief descriptions of the many inventive culinary creations and the history behind them.

    To register for this Theodore Talk, visit the American Mensa Events website or, on or after Friday, February 20th, tap/click on the Zoom link that will be available here on our website. See the full write-up and the list of other 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: Kansas City National World War I Museum & Memorial 2:30 PM. Soon after World War I ended, Kansas City leaders formed the Liberty Memorial Association (LMA) to create a lasting monument to the men and women who served in the war. In 1919, the LMA and citizens of Kansas City raised more than $2.5 million in just 10 days. The equivalent of more than $40 million today, this staggering accomplishment reflected the passion of public sentiment for the Great War that had dramatically changed the world. In 1921, more than 100,000 people gathered to see the supreme Allied commanders dedicate the site of the Liberty Memorial. This was the first time in history these five leaders were together in one place. The local veteran chosen to present flags to the commanders was a Kansas City haberdasher, Harry S. Truman.

    Join us for this Theodore Talk to learn more about what you will experience when touring the National World War I Museum & Memorial during the 2024 AG in Kansas City. It is a visit you will never forget.

    See the full write-up and find contact info on the American Mensa Events website. Even if you can’t attend the live Talk, as long as you register you will receive a link to a recording of the event. Closed captioning enabled.
    Virtual Event!!

23/Mon­day

  • AML Leadership Workshop: Level Up! Permission to be Human: Rewriting the Gifted Identity to Prevent Burnout 7 PM. Many gifted people will recognize the weight of high expectations and how it can shape an identity rooted in achievement, perfectionism, and over-functioning. In leadership roles, this identity can drive excellence, and also makes burnout more likely. This talk explores how the early formation of a “gifted identity” can become a double-edged sword, especially when adult realities don't match childhood projections of exceptionalism. We'll examine how reframing identity to include the core of being human can open the door to self-compassion, sustainable self-care, and more effective and inclusive leadership. By understanding limits, imperfections, and vulnerability in a new way, gifted leaders can protect their well-being and lead others with greater empathy and authenticity.

    Dr. Rebecca Hubbard is a licensed clinical psychologist, TEDx Speaker, and certified Kemetic yoga instructor based in Chicago. With personal experience navigating hustle culture, she understands the toll that burnout and chronic overworking can take on mental health, especially for high-achieving individuals. Since earning her doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 2014, she has provided therapy in private practice to athletes, graduate and professional students, and people with immigrant backgrounds. She uses both clinical tools and holistic practices to help clients reconnect with themselves and avoid burnout. Dr. Hubbard is deeply committed to helping others redefine success, reclaim rest, and thrive beyond the demands of constant productivity.

    For more details, visit the AML Event which includes the Zoom link for this event.
    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.

26/Thurs­day

27/Fri­day

  • Deadline for Nomi­nation Statements . 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 a person TBD.

28/Satur­day

  • New Zealand Sunday Seminars: Topic TBA 5 PM (Sunday Noon NZT ). Save the date.
    Virtual Event!!


* * * * *

1 March/Sun­day

  • ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin Dead­line. Last day for these submissions to the April 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 and Ad­vertising Dead­lines. Last day for editorial submissions to the April 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.

  • Annual Gathering (AG): Online Registration Rate Increase Alert! Register for the AG, held Wednesday, July 1st through Sunday, July 5th in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, before midnight EST, Saturday, January 31st, before the next rate increase.

Activities Bulletin
February 2026 (Tentative)

February
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28

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


Come & play at AGOG!
Feb. 13th – 15th

Add AGOG Weekend @ Westin North Shore Hotel

More March Events
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