1/Thurs­day

  • ChiMe Activity Bulletin Deadline. Last day for these submissions to the November 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 November 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 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!!

  • Newberry Library Tour & Lunch 9 AM. Join Dewey B. and Beth W. for an exciting outing to the Newberry Library, followed by lunch nearby! Why the Newberry Library? It's not just a library—it's an adventure into the past! Whether you're into uncovering your family's history, curious about unique exhibits, or looking to learn something totally unexpected, the Newberry has something for everyone. With a collection that spans over six centuries of human experience, you'll be transported through time with the help of expert staff and engaging programs. As Dewey led a tour at the AG, Beth missed out, so now she's teaming up with him to bring a special tour for CAM members! Expect an interactive day full of learning, exploration, and maybe even some "wow" moments!

    Here’s the plan for the day:

    • 9 – 9:15 AM: Meet at the Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St. in Chicago)
    • 9:30 – 10:30 AM: Newberry 101: An orientation to research at the library
    • 10:30 – 11:30 AM: Guided tour of the Newberry building
    • 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Peek into a fascinating collection
    • 12:45-ish PM: Enjoy a delicious lunch at Seoul Taco (only a short walk away!)

    Seoul Taco – a fun, casual spot with a fusion of Korean and Mexican street food! There are vegetarian options, and while we can't reserve, there's plenty of seating available. Located at 738 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

    Cost? We’ve got you covered! This is a GOBS-subsidized. GOBS will cover:

    • ½ the Newberry Library fee of $150 ($6.25 per person)
    • ½ your lunch cost (up to $10, including tax & tip)

    Important:

    • The total cost for each CAM member and their guest is $6.25 for the library experience + your portion of the lunch.
    • RSVP by contacting Beth W. to get payment details. Your spot is reserved once the $6.25 library fee is paid.

    Limited to 12 people, so don’t wait! History, books, food—what more could a Mensa outing possibly offer?
    RSVPS Closed—Maximum Number of People Have Signed Up!!

5/Mon­day

8/Thurs­day

  • 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!!

9/Fri­day

  • Rock­ford-Area Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for dinner at a venue TBA. 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, October 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!!

10/Satur­day

RSVP for South Suburbs held on Sunday, October 18th no later than Saturday, October 10th.

11/Sun­day

  • Ethnic Dining: Sushi 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/Mon­day

  • columbus

    Indigenous People Day
    Columbus Day
    (Federal Holiday).
    The actual day that Columbus reached land in North America was the 12th.

13/Tues­day

15/Thurs­day

16/Fri­day

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.

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

  • SFRM: A Trip to the Center of our Galaxy 4:30 PM. The heart of the Milky Way is home to Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole approximately four million times the mass of the Sun. Although it remains largely quiet today, it is surrounded by a turbulent sea of gas, dust, and exotic objects that could one day trigger dramatic outbursts. This presentation delves into this extreme environment, exploring the large-scale gas clouds and the closer-in structures that fuel the black hole. It examines how molecular hydrogen manages to survive intense ultraviolet radiation and introduces a newly identified class of enigmatic objects orbiting perilously close to Sagittarius A*. Observed over two decades with the Keck Observatory, these objects may represent the remnants of stellar collisions or merged binaries, offering valuable insights into how matter behaves under immense gravitational forces. Mapping this region helps to illuminate the intricate interplay of stars, gas, and gravity at the core of the galaxy.

    Anna Ciurlo's research focuses on stars and gas around the supermassive black hole in the center of our Galaxy. Her work leverages high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy from large ground and space-based observatories like Keck and the JWST. She earned her PhD in astrophysics from the Sorbonne Paris Cité and pursued postdoctoral research at UCLA. She was an inaugural year Keck Visiting Scholar at Keck Observatory. Anna continues at UCLA in the Galactic Center Group as an assistant researcher and adjunct assistant professor.

    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!!

19/Mon­day

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: TBA 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM IT; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    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, October 19th).
    Virtual Event!!

20/Tues­day

Northern Exposure

  • Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner 6:45 PM. Do Arctic Terns belly up to your bird feeder? 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.

  • Best Orionids Meteor Shower Viewing will reach its maximum rate of activity on Monday, October 20th. Some shooting stars associated with the shower are expected to be visible each night during the week before and after. For more information, see the space.com website.

  • MWW: Nonfiction Book Discussion 4:30 PM CDT. Please join us in discussing The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America's Story by Kermit Roosevelt. 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 The Light Eaters by Zoe Schlanger (November 19) and What Goes with What: 100 Recipes, 20 Charts, Endless Possibilities by Julia Turshen (December 17). In January we return to our traditional 4th Wednesday for Change the Recipe by José Andrés (January 28).

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

  • Fear-Free Drawing with Pencils 7 PM. Let’s draw! We welcome newcomers. Art Studio of NY has amazing encouraging instructors—and many of us who thought we couldn’t draw at all have discovered that we can. The class is suitable for about age 8 and up—the kids who have joined us have had a great time. Supplies needed: B and 4B drawing pencils (or buy a set of 12 for about $6), a kneaded eraser (or regular eraser), a paper drawing pad (or just regular paper), and optionally, blending stumps. Participants will get the Zoom information prior to the event. This is a GOBS-subsidized event. The subsidized cost is $12.50 per person for one CAM member and one guest. To RSVPs and get payment information, email Beth W.. Payment required to hold your spot.
    Virtual Event!!

22/Thurs­day

23/Fri­day

  • Mole Day
    Avogadro’s Number (6.02 × 1023)

25/Sun­day

  • Inquiring Minds: Thinking About Money Does Not Have to Be Hard: Evidence-Based Financial Wellness for Professionals 1 PM. Are you a professional working independently as an entrepreneur? Have you focused on your professional training and career? Are you unsure about how to plan for financial wellness? Are you someone who has not wanted to bother with money management? Hayley Gates and Dr. Ketan Kulkarni will get you past the financial jargon and talk about their combined years of research and work that enabled them to feel comfortable about managing their finances.

    Hayley Gates is a medical student with a background in physiotherapy. She previously earned both undergraduate and master's degrees before working as a licenced physiotherapist. Faced with a growing burden of student debt, Hayley became increasingly interested in financial planning and was motivated to take control of her financial future. This personal journey sparked the idea to develop a public resource that would help others, particularly students and early-career professionals, to access clear, practical information on financial literacy.

    Dr. Ketan Kulkarni is a physician, a prolific researcher, a full professor, a social entrepreneur, a SELF (success entrepreneurship leadership finance) coach, a humanitarian, and a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has received over 40 national and international awards to date for his work, in addition to academic recognition. He is the author of international award winning books, including the Legendary Quest and Soar: A Soul's Quest. As an ardent advocate of professional and financial wellbeing, Ketan truly believes that his evidence-based national, collaborative, immersive, and interactive work on financial wellbeing for professionals will assist all physicians and professionals in mastering their finances.

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

  • Theodore Talk: Saving the World with Cheap, Generic Toys 2:30 PM. For his War-Toys photo series, photographer Brian McCarty has spent years sourcing toy-props in war zones. After finding the exact same inexpensive toys everywhere from Beirut to Baltimore, he discovered that there are just a handful of factories churning out these cheap toys for the entire global market. With support from Fulbright, the US Department of State, and PolyU Design Hong Kong, Brian conducted research on these factories and developed a simple strategy for improving the play and developmental value of these extremely-low-cost toys: give manufacturers better designs and subsidize their startup production costs.

    The War Toys® organization is working to positively influence children's play on a global scale by partnering with generic toy makers; developing new, extremely-low-cost toy lines; and allowing factories to keep all of the revenue. In exchange, War Toys is harnessing existing markets to impact millions upon millions of children for relatively little cost. As pilot and proof of concept, they've started with the ubiquitous army man and are fostering a small-but-important addition to sets of plastic soldiers still being sold worldwide—photojournalists, aid workers, and frontline rescuers. The presence of these “humanitarian heroes” changes the inherent play pattern of the toys, giving children more options than “us versus them,” while quietly promoting more peaceful ideals, somewhat ironically, to kids playing war. There are endless opportunities to foster similar changes to enduringly popular, generic toy lines. War Toys will bridge the play gap for disadvantaged children and create ripple effects that will span generations. After all, at this level of the market, the same toy designs are sold for decades.

    See the full write-up and find contact info 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!!

27/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.

28/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 Sunday, November 1st through Saturday, December 5th 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 January. January events need to be submitted by the 1st of November to the activities editor to be included in the January ChiMe. An article must be featured in the January ChiMe for GOBS-subsidized February events with an RSVP deadline in January (same 1st of November deadline but article emailed to the editor; see editorial deadline).

29/Thurs­day

  • Conversation with London Mensans 9 AM. See Thursday, October 1st.
    Time Change Due to Daylight Saving Time Change Difference!!

30/Fri­day

Kids Costumes

31/Satur­day

Pretentious Drinking

  • New Zealand Sunday Seminars: Quantum Computing: How We Got Here, and Where We're Going Next 6 PM (Sunday Noon NZDT). The field of quantum computing has received increasing amounts of media attention in the last few years. In step with this, it's increasingly difficult to discriminate between fundamental scientific progress, and hype. As quantum computing becomes more prevalent, it's important for scientists and non-scientists alike to understand the core ideas and implications of society constructing a large-scale quantum computer. In this talk, we will review the history of quantum computation, the current state of affairs, and how things are shaping up for the future. Along the way, we'll dispel common myths around the industry, with the goal of providing a fair and balanced overview, and to highlight key differences with ‘classical’ computation.

    Dr. Jeffrey Marshall obtained a PhD in the field of quantum computation from the University of Southern California. After this he joined the NASA Quantum AI Lab (QuAIL), and more recently transitioned to Silicon Quantum Computing. His main research interests include: noisy quantum systems, classical simulation of quantum systems, quantum error correction, quantum computing with photons.

    For more details, including how to register, visit the American Mensa Events website. All attendees must preregister.
    Time Change Due to Daylight Saving Time Difference!!
    Virtual Event!!


* * * * *

1 November/Sun­day

  • clock

    Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 AM. Remember to set your clocks back and sleep a bit longer.

  • ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin Dead­line. Last day for these submissions to the December 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 December 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.

Our next Bi-Monthly Gathering occurs on February 14th.
AGOG will be held Feb. 13th – 15th. Both are at the
Westin North Shore Hotel
601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090

* * * * * *
The next ExComm Business Meeting is being held at 5 PM on Sunday, January 25th via Zoom.

  • CAM ExComm Business Meeting 10 AM at the Westin North Shore lo­cated at 601 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. You do not have to be registered for WeeM to attendend.

Activities Bulletin
October 2026 (Tentative)

October
        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 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


Come & play at AGOG!
Feb. 13th – 15th

Add AGOG Weekend @ Westin North Shore Hotel

Top Join Contact Members
Only