1/Wednes­day

  • 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.
    Deadline has been changed this month to Sunday, September 28th!!

  • 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.

2/Thurs­day

4/Satur­day

  • 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!!

6/Mon­day

  • Supermoon Viewing tonight. Known as the Harvest Moon, this is the first of four consecutive supermoons. For more information about supermoons, visit earthsky.org.

9/Thurs­day

  • WeeM 49: Hip to Be 72 Hotel Discount Deadline! Today was the last day you could book a hotel room at the WeeM discount rate of $129 at the Chicago North Shore Westin in Wheeling.

10/Fri­day

  • Rock­ford-Area Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for dinner at the Thunder Bay Grille lo­cated at 7652 Potawatomi Trail in Rockford (NE corner of State St. and Bell School Rd., in front of the Holiday Inn). 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 6th. Interested persons who are not currently members of the poetry group can contact Joe D. , and he will email the poems to be discussed. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Virtual Event!!

12/Sun­day

  • Ethnic Dining: Sushi 1 PM. Join us at 5th Avenue Sushi, lo­cated at 1512 Market St. in Des Plaines. This is unlimited “order off their menu slip”, many kinds of sushi, even a few vegan, more than half are cooked (sorry, mostly shellfish), and of course salmon is just lox. Also included are, mostly vegan: salads, soups, dumplings, spring rolls, and other appetizers. The GOBS-subsidized cost (tax & tip included) is $20 for each CAM member and for their guest with a limit of 15 subsidized people for this event; additional guests will be charged the full price of $40; cash only, payable upon arrival. More details on Meetup. RSVP by 1 PM, Saturday, October 11th 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.

13/Mon­day

  • columbus

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

14/Tues­day

16/Thurs­day

  • Dinner Out West: Italian in Schaumburg 6:30 PM. Satisfy your craving for pizza or an Italian specialty at Bella Napoli, located at 1540 N. Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg. 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 Tuesday, October 14th.

17/Fri­day

  • WeeM 49: Hip to Be 72 Preregistration Deadline Alert! Join the fun at WeeM at the Chicago North Shore Westin in Wheeling starting Thursday, October 30th through Sunday, November 2nd. Today was the last day you could preregister for WeeM and qualify for a discount. Also, if you’re paying by check, it must have been received no later than today or any discount for which you qualified at the time of registration will not be honored. Come to WeeM and register at the door if you haven’t preregistered. Volunteer now!

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 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.

  • South Suburbs Taste of India Dinner 6 PM. We will gather for an Indian culinary experience sure to ignite both your curiosity and your taste buds at Priya's Kitchen located at 14322 S. La Grange Rd. in Orland Park. Priya's Kitchen is a hidden gem beloved by locals for its authenticity, generous hospitality, and an extensive menu that caters to both seasoned fans of Indian cuisine and newcomers alike. From creamy butter chicken and aromatic biryanis to freshly baked naan and fragrant vegetarian specialties, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. This dinner is more than a meal—it's another opportunity to come together as a community, share stories, learn from one another, and savor the world through its food. Whether you're well-versed in Indian cuisine or trying it for the first time, we welcome you to join us for this sensory journey—and another meaningful Mensa evening. This is a GOBS-subsidized event. GOBS will cover half of your meal cost (including tax and tip, rounded up to the nearest dollar) up to a maximum of $15 per person (CAM member and one guest). Cash or Zelle will be accepted for the remaining amount. The subsidy increases to $20 if fewer than 16 people register. Limit is 20 people (first come, first served). RSVP by Saturday, October 11th to Dorin R. with the number of attendees so we can get a headcount.

19/Sun­day


Anna Ciurio PhD

  • 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!!

20/Mon­day

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: Galileo's Journey to the Underworld: The Case for Interdisciplinary Thinking 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture.

    In 1588, the young Galileo delivered some lectures that were impressive enough to secure him a mathematics professorship at the University of Pisa. His subject? The geometry of Dante's Inferno. In Gresham College's Annual Provost's Lecture, Professor Sarah Hart looks at some of Galileo's deductions, and how the questions raised may have influenced his later mathematical research. Using this and other examples of creative work in mathematics that crosses our modern ideas of subject boundaries, the lecture will argue that thinking across disciplines is not only intellectually exciting but academically vital.

    Our speaker Sarah Hart was the first woman Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, and Acting Provost between March and October 2025. She is also Professor Emerita of Mathematics at Birkbeck, University of London. Her academic publications have been mainly in the area of pure mathematics known as group theory, which has many applications both inside and outside of mathematics, for example in coding theory and cryptography. She is actively involved in the British Society for the History of Mathematics, and has served a three-year term as President of the Society from 2021-23. Her book Once Upon a Prime: the Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature, was published in 2023, and has been positively reviewed in the press, including The Sunday Times, The Observer, The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal.

    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!!

  • Best Orionids Meteor Shower Viewing will reach its maximum rate of activity tonight. 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.

21/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 at The Green Basil, in Vernon Hills for some authentic Thai food in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The address is 701 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Vernon Hills (in the shopping center with the Best Buy, SE corner of Route 60 & Milwaukee). 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.

22/Wednes­day

  • 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. The cost is $25/login if no registrant is a CAM member. To RSVPs and get payment information, email Beth W.. Payment required to hold your spot.
    Virtual Event!!

23/Thurs­day

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

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

  • Mind Games® 2026 Judge Registration. Join American Mensa members for Mind Games Thursday, April 16th through Sunday, April 19th, at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport located at 13869 Park Center Rd. in Herndon, Virginia. Visit the website for all the details.

October 30 – November 2, 2025

Join us for a fun, long weekend with hundreds of Mensans, their families, and friends at the Westin in Wheeling including a multi-track program plus games as well as beverages, snacks, and most meals. Win prizes by volunteering now—it's fun and we need you! The schedule is available so you can plan your weekend.
Learn More

26/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: U.S. First Ladies: More Than the Women Behind the Men 2:30 PM. Since Martha Washington was greeted by her husband in New Jersey and was escorted to the nation’s first capital in New York on the presidential yacht with a multi-gun salute and cheers, the presidency has been a partnership between the president and his spouse. Because the U.S. President is both head of government and head of state, the head of state responsibilities to perform rituals and engage in social activities often requires the help of a spouse or surrogate. For over 200 years, presidential spouses have served the country through “soft power”—using social functions to bring people together and to even create a bipartisan environment. But they have done much more, especially since Eleanor Roosevelt took the role in new directions.

    Presidential wives were not always called “first lady” and they were not always able to use their influence publicly, but they exerted influence in other ways that shaped history. Little is taught in American History classes about the women who served their country in a role that is not legislated or constitutionally created, that has no rulebook, and receives no monetary compensation. Until Rosalynn Carter, they didn't even have official office space.

    Dr. Diana B. Carlin, Professor Emerita of Communication at Saint Louis University and co-author of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women, will take you behind the scenes in the Washingtons’ President’s House and the White House and inform you how these women helped make history. 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/Mon­day

  • NNW Dinner: Mexican 6 PM. Dinner will be at Hacienda El Sombrero lo­cated at 1100 S. Elmhurst Rd. in Mount Prospect (in a strip mall on the west side of Elmhurst Rd. (IL RT 83), just south of Golf Rd.). This is a GOBS-subsidized event where ½ the total cost (including tax plus a 20% tip, rounded up to the nearest dollar) of a CAM member’s, and up to one guest’s, dinner will be covered for a maximum of fifteen people—for a maximum subsidy of $20/person; cash (no coins) or PayPal only for your portion. RSVP (and get more details) on Meetup, but if not on Meetup, email Ken L. at least 24 hours in advance. If you RSVP by email, your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

28/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.

29/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 2nd through Saturday, December 6th 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).

30/Thurs­day

  • HalloweeM 49: Hip to Be 72 Starts! WeeM officially starts at 5 PM when you can pick up your registration information (but please come earlier if you want to help out with the setup—we need you; simply show up or, better yet, let us know you’re coming). You can still register at the door if you chose not to preregister (see all the rates). The Games room opens earlier than registration, usually ~4 PM, based upon availability. Enjoy dinner, our program, tournaments, and more. Check out the PAAG for the starting times of today’s events. Donate books and media to the book sale at WeeM. Also, please consider donating a couple hours of your valuable time—it’s the volunteers that make this RG so great. Volunteer now to help with any of the tasks required with setting up and double your chances to win cash at Sunday’s Volunteer Raffle. For those arriving early and interested in visiting some local sites—check out Things to Do Nearby. This year, all the bourgeois bohemians hang out at HalloweeM!

31/Fri­day

Kids Costumes

  • HalloweeM 49: Hip to Be 72 Continues! all day. It’s Halloween weekend and you want to dress up and go to a party tonight, or you just want to pretend to be someone else for the night. This is a fun opportunity to attend the largest Halloween party by coming to the RG today. See great costumes, participate in the contest (best & worst pun, traditional, best group, best theme-related, etc.), enjoy a delicious meal, imbibe if you like, and meet Mensans from all over the world. It’s the perfect party, so come to WeeM—see all the details on our website. Volunteer now!


* * * * *

1 November/Satur­day

  • 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.

Kids Costumes

  • HalloweeM 49: Hip to Be 72 Continues! all day. The program offers something for everyone and there are always games and tournaments. Check out the PAAG for the starting times of today’s events. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to be stimulated by everything WeeM has to offer. Evening events include Pretentious Drinking, the Epicurean Experience, dancing and more. And please consider donating a couple hours of your valuable time especially in hospitality—it’s the volunteers that make this RG so great. Can’t decide where to go for dinner—there are a lot of dining options near the hotel.

  • Mind Games® 2026 Judge Registration. Join American Mensa members for Mind Games Thursday, April 16th through Sunday, April 19th, at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport located at 13869 Park Center Rd. in Herndon, Virginia. Visit the website for all the details.

Activities Bulletin
October 2025

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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 October 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 October calendar

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