1/Thurs­day

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.

  • 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!!

  • Zoom Lunch Cancelled. Happy New Year!
    Holiday Hiatus!!

3/Satur­day

6/Tues­day

20/Tues­day

Northern Exposure

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


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8/Thurs­day


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9/Fri­day

  • Rock­ford-Area Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for dinner 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 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.

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Please send a poem or two to Joe D. by Monday, January 5th. 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!!


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11/Sun­day

  • Ethnic Dining: Indian 1 PM. Join us for a GOBS-subsidized lunch at a venue TBA. Save the date—the RSVP window will open at 1 PM, Sunday, December 21st. For Ethnic Dining notifications, updates, and all the details, join the Mensa Connect Ethnic Dining Group, but do not use it to RSVP. This event usually recurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

21/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, 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. 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 March. March events need to be submitted by the 1st of February to the activities editor to be included in the March ChiMe. An article must be featured in the March ChiMe for GOBS-subsidized April events with an RSVP deadline in March (same 1st of February deadline but article emailed to the editor; see editorial deadline).


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16/Fri­day

London Conversation:: ONLY ON THURSDAY!!
Zoom Lunch: : ONLY ON TUESDAY OR THURSDAY!!

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17/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.

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 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. 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.
    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 February 2025 ChiMe for details. You can also view the job descriptions and the required qualifications.
    * * * * *
    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!!

  • 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!


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19/Mon­day

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!!


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20/Tues­day

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

  • 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 the Zoom link before the session starts (check back here for that link on Tuesday, January 20th).
    Virtual Event!!

  • mlk

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day


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21/Wednes­day

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

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

Zoom Lunch: : ONLY ON TUESDAY OR THURSDAY!!

  • 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 coordinator, 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. 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.

22/Thurs­day

  • Dinner Out West: Mongolian BBQ 6:30 PM. a venue TBA. 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 20th.

23/Fri­day

25/Sun­day

  • 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 Friday, 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!!

  • For details or to RSVP , contact Dorin R..

28/Wednes­day

28 Wednesday (3): B IN NW SUB - NOT A TUESDAY!!

  • 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.


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17/Satur­day

  • snake

    Lunar New Year
    Year of the Snake

29/Thurs­day

31/Satur­day


* * * * *

1 February/Sun­day

  • 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 2026 (Tentative)

January
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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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