The organizers of the events listed on this calendar have expressed willingness for members elsewhere in the world to join in. Please don’t give them a bigger crowd than they can handle, and do be careful about time zones. The displayed time zone is GMT! If you add them to your own calendar, the time zone should convert to your specified time zone.

To have your virtual event added to this calendar, contact Matt C., the CAM International Calendar contact.

There may be other virtual events, as well as in-person events, which may be of interest to CAM members, hosted by various local groups listed on the American Mensa Calendar of Events.

1/Wednes­day

Happy New Year

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

  • Best Quadrantid Meteor Shower Viewing tonight through tomorrow morning. For more information, see the NASA website or see the viewing tips at space.com.
    Public Event!!

3/Fri­day

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGoG) - Preregistration Rate Increase Alert! Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality on February 14th – 16th. Today was the last day you could pre­reg­ister for AGoG and qualify for the best AGoG discount. You can, however, still pre­reg­ister and qualify for a discount through Friday, January 31st. By pre­reg­istering, you may pay with PayPal , and, once you get to AGoG, you avoid the hassle of filling out forms at registration plus you’ll get a pre-printed badge. So instead of wasting time at registration, you can start playing! Also, if you’re paying by check, it must have been received today, else the best discount will not be honored.

4/Satur­day

  • Rainbow Mensans Potluck 5:30 PM. The Rainbow SIG will host a potluck at a member’s home in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. Bring a dish and favorite beverage to share. Parking is available in the member’s building for a fee subject to availability. Also, there is limited seating. Please contact our Rainbow SIG Coördinator (email or text preferred) for more information or to reserve a seat.

7/Tues­day

8/Wednes­day

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Northern Exposure

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

9/Thurs­day

10/Fri­day

  • MELT 11:30 AM. MELT (Mensans Eating Lunch Together) is going back to the Southern Belle’s Pancake House, 152 S. Western Ave. in Carpentersville. You can have breakfast or lunch—it’s up to you. Check out their menu. We can accommodate 12 people. RSVP by Thursday, January 9th, via Meetup (strongly preferred) or directly to Beth W.

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  • Rock­ford-Area Lunch Noon. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for lunch at The Machine Shed, lo­cated at 7475 E. State St. in Rockford (on the southwest corner of State St. and Bell School Rd.). To RSVP , for more information, or to get on our email list, contact Dave L., our Rockford-Area Coördinator. 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!!

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion Rescheduled. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Event Rescheduled for Friday, the 17th!!

12/Sun­day

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Ethnic Dining

  • Ethnic Dining: Indian 1 PM. Join us for the return of Ethnic Dining. 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 buffet with typical Indian buffet items. The day I went, the goat curry was tender and meaty and theirs was the first Tandori 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. Please RSVP via Meetup (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 in the last 24 hours, 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. This event recurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
    New Recurring Monthly Event!!

14/Tues­day

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  • Break­fast/Lunch in Arlington Heights 10:30 AM. The Southern Kitchen is located in a strip mall at 818 E. Kensington Rd. in Arlington Heights, a little west of the northwest corner of Kensington and Dryden. Separate checks are available. A 2% surcharge is added to the prices on the menu, but is waived if payment is in cash. A gratuity might or might not be added to the bill. Check your bill and please leave a tip if it is not included. You may include an additional tip for good service. 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.
    New Recurring Event Not in ChiMe!!

15/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, January 18th and through Saturday, February 15th 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.

16/Thurs­day

17/Fri­day

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7:30 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Interested persons who are not currently members of the poetry group can contact Joe D. , and he will email the poems to be discussed or you can view them by tapping/clicking here. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Virtual Event!!
    Event Schedule Change!!

18/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 coör­di­na­tor. You may also RSVP via Meetup. Open to non-Mensans; bring a curious friend.

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  • 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 Coördinator, 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.

Our next Monthly Gathering occurs on February 15th.
AGOG will be held Feb. 14th – 16th. Both are at the
Westin North Shore Hotel
601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090

  • Monthly Gath­ering
    The location of our January 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. The speaker event is in the Card Room. A Parents-Kids Play Room is available after the Mensa Test. 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.
    Game room opens:
    6 PM.
    Nomi­nations for Local Officers:
    7:30 PM.
    Program:
    ~7:35 PM.
    Refreshments:
    8:30 PM - Midnight.

    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 January ChiMe for details. You can also view the job descriptions and the required qualifications.
    * * * * *
    The Deadline for Candidate Statements is Thursday, 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; they should be sent to Deb J., our Elections Procedures Chair, via email .
    * * * * *
    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!

    202401MSLewis.jpg

    Program Topic: One World: Peak Photographic Travel Experiences to All Seven Continents

    presented by Dr. Michael S. Lewis

    Join Michael S. Lewis, M.D. for a photographic journey through all seven continents. Dr. Lewis will share a selection of these photos and discuss his peak experiences that demonstrate how we are all connected. He will also share tips for improving travel photographs as part of his presentation.

    Michael Lewis started taking photographs when he was stationed in the United Kingdom as an orthopedic surgeon in the United States Air Force. At that time, he was able to travel throughout Europe, as well as East Africa, Nepal, and India. Since then, his passion for photography has grown exponentially.

    Show all…

    Award-winning images of people, animals, and landscapes captured during his travels have been shown in numerous galleries and exhibitions. They have been published in books and magazines, including the Field Museum of Natural History Bulletin, Nature Photographer, and Black and White Magazine.

    His photographs have been shown at the Chicago Cultural Center, Brushwood Nature Center, and Orthopedics in Art, an international exhibition sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. His work is in the permanent collections of Brandeis University, the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute corporate headquarters, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

    Michael S. Lewis, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon and former consultant to the Chicago White Sox baseball team, Chicago Wolves hockey team, and the Chicago Bulls basketball team, with whom he won two championship rings. He previously served as chief of staff at North Shore University Health System’s Skokie Hospital, and received a best teacher award from Chicago’s Rush University Medical College.

    Dr. Lewis is an award-winning author who has published seven books, including One World: A View of Seven Continents (as seen on PBS TV); Seeing More Colors: A Guide to a Richer Life; Invitation to Joy: Viewing Birds on Seven Continents; The Ball’s in Your Court: A Doctor Shares Life Lessons from Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Abraham Maslow, and other Inspiring Teachers; and Getting Wiser: 101 Essential Life Lessons and Inspiring Stories.

    Show less

  • Gifted Youth Meetup @ Monthly Gathering 8:40 PM. Happy New Year! This is the first meetup of 2025 focused on gifted youth-related matters, taking place during our regular Monthly Gathering at the Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center located at 3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows. There is no specific agenda for this meeting. It will serve as a welcoming space for both parents and young members to openly share their thoughts and concerns. I am also eager to learn more about what you hope to see from Mensa’s Gifted Youth Program. This initial meeting will be informal and open to anyone interested in the topic, so feel free to stop by. However, if you already know you plan to attend, it would be helpful if you could RSVP to Ilhwa L. via email for planning purposes. I look forward to meeting you there!

19/Sun­day

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Dr. Brian Thomas

  • SFRM: Exploding Stars and Their Impact on Life on Earth 4:30 PM. Scientists have long speculated that the history of life on Earth may have been influenced by cosmic explosions such as supernovae. In recent decades the combination of astrophysical data and computational models have allowed detailed study of the potential effects of nearby stellar explosions on Earth’s atmosphere and biosphere. Impacts range from destruction of stratospheric ozone, exposing life to extreme levels of solar UV, to direct damage to organisms by high-energy neutrons and muons. I will summarize what we know today and discuss connections to mass extinctions and the evolution of life over the last few hundred million years.

    Dr. Brian Thomas is a Professor in the Physics & Astronomy Department at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Since 2003 he has worked on various problems related to understanding how the history of life on Earth may have been affected by high-energy astrophysical events such as gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. He and his collaborators from multiple disciplines have together produced the most detailed and state-of-the-art studies of the effects on Earth by nearby stellar explosion. Dr. Thomas has a BS in physics from the University of the Pacific, 1999, and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Kansas, 2005.

    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!!

20/Mon­day

RSVP for Gifted Youth Lunch held on Tuesday, January 21st no later than 4 PM on Monday, January 20th.

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  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: The Convoluted Brain: Wrinkles and Folds 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    The human brain has a very distinct and complex appearance with valleys and ridges folding over themselves. The same convolutions are found in large mammals, but not in smaller ones. This observation suggests that size and geometry play a role. This lecture addresses questions such as how do these shapes emerge? How are they arranged? Simple mathematical models can help us understand the emergence of these beautiful patterns during development as well as their pathology.

    Alain Goriely is a mathematician with broad interests in mathematical methods, mechanics, sciences, and engineering. He is well known for his contributions to dynamical systems, mathematical biology, as well as fundamental and applied mechanics. He is particularly well known for the development of a mathematical theory of biological growth, culminating with his seminal monograph The Mathematics on Mechanics of Biological Growth (2017).

    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!!

  • mlk

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • AGoG Hotel Rate Increase Alert! Friday, January 24th (only a few days from today) is the last day you can book a hotel room at the AGoG discount rate of $122.

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGoG) - Preregistration Deadline Alert! Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality on February 14th – 16th. Friday, January 31st (just over a week from today) is the last day you can pre­reg­ister for AGoG and qualify for an AGoG discount. By pre­reg­istering, you may pay with PayPal , and, once you get to AGoG, you avoid the hassle of filling out forms at registration plus you’ll get a pre-printed badge. So instead of wasting time at registration, you can start playing!

21/Tues­day

RSVP for South Suburbs Brainstorming Event held on Saturday, January 25th no later than Tuesday, January 21st. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup since the event coördinator is not on Meetup.

RSVP for Dinner Out West held on Thursday, January 23rd no later than Tuesday, January 21st. RSVP via Meetup preferred.

  • 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!!

  • Gifted Youth Lunch in Downtown Noon. Happy New Year! This is the first lunch meetup in downtown Chicago focused on gifted youth-related matters for members living or working in the city. We will meet at Catalog in the Willis Tower located at 233 S Wacker Dr. in Chicago. As the new program coördinator, I hope to hear from parents and youth members about what they expect from Mensa’s Gifted Youth Program, but we can also discuss any other relevant topics. Please RSVP to Ilhwa L. via email by 4 PM on Monday, January 20th.

    If you would like to attend but are unable to make it to downtown, please let me know. I will plan to explore other options, such as holding a Zoom session or scheduling sessions during the Monthly Gatherings.

23/Thurs­day

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  • 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!!

  • Dinner Out West: A Little Further North 6:30 PM. Join us for “create your own bowl” (or order off the menu) at Jiang’s Mongolian Grill, located at 1740 S. Randall Rd. in Algonquin. This 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 Tuesday, January 21st.

24/Fri­day

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Westin

  • AGoG Hotel Rate Increase Alert! Today is the last day you can book a hotel room at the AGoG discount rate of $122.

25/Satur­day

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  • Theodore Talk: Exploring the Universe: Citizen Science and Beyond with the Adler Planetarium and Zooniverse 2:30 PM. Join Laura Trouille, Vice President of Science Engagement at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and Principal Investigator for , for an engaging exploration into the world of citizen science and space discovery.

    As the world’s largest platform for people-powered research, Zooniverse empowers nearly 3 million volunteers to contribute to groundbreaking projects in astronomy, biology, and the humanities. Laura will share stories of how Zooniverse has tackled scientific bottlenecks by combining the efforts of human volunteers with automated routines to process massive datasets—leading to innovations and discoveries across fields. From tagging animals in camera trap images to discovering planets around distant stars, Zooniverse opens the door for anyone to participate in real research.

    Laura will also introduce Adler’s exciting new Other Worlds exhibit, an interactive journey through our Solar System and exoplanet discovery. Featuring hands-on opportunities through the Zooniverse Planet Hunters project, the exhibit invites visitors to actively search for planets orbiting distant stars, providing an inspiring connection between citizen science and space exploration. Whether you’re curious about contributing from home or planning a visit to the Adler, this talk offers a unique glimpse into how public engagement is pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. To register, check your email for the Zoom link for this Theodore Talk or, on or after Thursday, January 23rd, 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!!

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  • South Suburbs Brainstorming Event 6 PM. Dorin R., our new South Suburbs Coördinator, is excited to propose a new initiative: a series of events organized by our South Suburbs Mensa members! To kick things off, you’re invited to a brainstorming meeting. Join her at Next Mex located at 319 Front St. in Lemont. It will be 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 (first come, first served. For less than 15’people, the maximum subsidy will be $20. This is open to all Mensa members, not just those in the South Suburbs. We even welcome colleagues from other areas who might be interested! At this first meeting, we’ll be focusing on generating ideas and themes for future events. Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 21st to Dorin R. so we can get a headcount. Let us know if you have any special needs for the meeting. We’re open to all suggestions! With your input, we can create a vibrant calendar of events for the South Suburbs community. Looking forward to brainstorming with you all!

28/Tues­day

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

29/Wednes­day

  • snake

    Lunar New Year
    Year of the Snake

30/Thurs­day

31/Fri­day

  • A Gathering of Gamers (AGoG) - Preregistration Deadline Alert! Join us for a relaxing weekend of games and hospitality on February 14th – 16th. Today is the last day you can pre­reg­ister for AGoG and qualify for an AGoG discount. By pre­reg­istering, you may pay with PayPal , and, once you get to AGoG, you avoid the hassle of filling out forms at registration plus you’ll get a pre-printed badge. So instead of wasting time at registration, you can start playing!

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  • Annual Gathering (AG): All Fired Up Rate Increase Alert!
    Register for the AG, held Wednesday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 6th in Chicago, Illinois, in the Hilton Chicago on south Michigan Avenue, before midnight EST Friday, January 31st, before the next rate increase. Due to all the 4th of July and weekend festivities in the area, it may be best to book a room.


* * * * *

1 February/Satur­day

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

Activities Bulletin
January 2025

January
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5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 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 January 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 January calendar


Come & play at AGoG!
Feb. 14th – 16th

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Add AGOG Weekend @ Westin North Shore Hotel

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