Page Directory:

SIGs (Special Interest Groups)

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(almost) FREE LUNCH

John Olsen

(714) 771-3095

2nd and 4th Wednesdays

12:35 PM

It's cheap, but it ain't free. Lunch, or something like it, got a hold on me. Meets at various low-cost ethnic eateries in the Orange area.

2nd Friday Happy Hour

Art Mattson

(714) 974-0847

2nd Friday

5:01 PM

Socializing, eating, and drinking with a friendly and distinguished group, at The Lazy Dog Café, Stadium Promenade, 1623 West Katella Avenue, Orange. We’ll be on the patio.
Directions: From the 57 Fwy, exit at Katella, go ½ mile east to Main St. and make a U-turn. Restaurant is on the north side of Katella in the Century 25 complex.

2nd Sunday Good Movies

Jim Porter

(760) 244-5535

2nd Sunday

1:45 PM

This event is for those who are tired of mainstream schlock. Join us at the Edwards University 6, which shows the widest range of current world-class films (i.e., “art films”) in this region. We’ll decide on the movie (or movies) when we meet in front of the theater. Jim will be holding a copy of The Oracle. After the viewing, we get a bite to eat and share impressions.
Directions: TG 889-J2. Edwards University 6, 4245 Campus, Irvine. From the 405 Fwy, exit at Culver and go south to Campus. Turn right. Go a few blocks until you reach Stanford. Turn right. First left takes you into parking lot, then right. Look for the Edwards University 6 theater on your left.

3rd Friday at Hollingshead’s

John Olsen

(714) 771-3095

3rd Friday

5:05 PM

Socializing, eating, and drinking at friendly neighborhood joint. Good microbrews and sandwiches. Many of us have been coming here for years, but we always enjoy greeting new attendees. The beer selection is great and they have a good deli counter. If you don’t recognize us ask the owner to point us out.
Directions: 368 S Main St. Orange. Behind Duke’s Hamburgers, North of the 22 Fwy, south of Chapman. Look for Deli sign in the corner of small shopping center.

4th Friday Happy Hour

Marti Reis

(714) 750-4333

4th Friday

5:30 PM

Tasty Mexican munchies. Meets in the California Grill restaurant inside the Crown Plaza Resort Hotel.
Directions: 12021 Harbor Blvd (SW corner of Harbor and Chapman), Garden Grove (TG 798-J4).

5th Friday Spanish Tapas Happy Hour

Luis Cambustón (714) 833-1111 5th Friday

5:11 PM

Join your fellow Mensans for conversation, drinks, and a little of the spirit of Spain at Lizarran Tapas Restaurant. They offer light snacks or full meals, and wine and beer on tap at reasonable prices. The Sangria and the Pinxtos (little bites served on bread) are something to write home about.
Directions: 91 Freeway exit Harbor, go north. 310 N Harbor Blvd Fullerton. Free parking on Wilshire Ave.

8 Ball Brigade

Sean Meade

(949) 470-3608

1st Wednesday

5:30 PM

A happy hour where some (but not necessarily all) play pool. Meets first Wednesday of the month (except holidays) at Danny K's in Orange. Drop by to shoot some pool (it’s free), grab a bite, and enjoy a drink and some conversation. Look for the “OCM 8 Ball Brigade” sign.
Directions: see NTN Trivia.

Alternate Wednesdays

Eve Brooke

(949) 673-5432;
edenbr@att.net

1st and 3rd Wednesdays

12:45 PM

LUNCH. Meet at the Corner Bakery Cafe at 12:45 pm. Homemade Soups, salads, sandwiches, chili, pastas, and decadent desserts. Hundreds of low-cal offerings. Prices range from 2.99 to $7.99. Come in, place your order at the counter and pay for it. Your order will be brought to you. Pick up your cutlery, napkins, and drink and join us. Look for a copy of the Mensa Bulletin with someone sitting at a table. Eve might even wear a name tag with M on it.
Directions:
Corner Bakery Cafe, 1621 W. Sunflower, Santa Ana, (714) 546-1555. www.cornerbakerycafe.com  Just north of South Coast Plaza, on the north side of Sunflower St., across from Sears and Nordstrom's, between Bear Street and Bristol, north of Morton's. Lots of free parking.
MOVIE. Meet at the South Coast Regency Theatre, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, for the matinee. We’ll meet in the lobby until starting time. Save your movie card, since every 6th movie is free. Four small theaters. If you are 55 or older, Wednesday movie matinees are $4.00. Free coffee and a special on popcorn. Contact Eve ahead of time for what movie is playing and at what time.
Directions: South Coast Regency Theatre, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave, Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. www.regencymovies.com  Across from South Coast Plaza Sears, north side of Sunflower. If you're coming from the lunch, walk or drive west across Plaza Dr, and stay on the same (north) side of Sunflower.

Beerhunters

John Olsen

(714) 771-3095

1st Friday

5:05 PM

A movable beer feast. We visit a different brewpub on the 1st Friday of each month. Socializing, eating, and drinking. Call for tips on spotting us.

Brunch Davidians

David Lubman

(714) 898-9099

Every Thursday

12:00 PM

Thursday lunch and sparkling conversations in the greater Costa Mesa area often continues past 2 PM. New visitors are welcome.

Business/Technology Networking Forum
 
Tom Fedro info@securus360.com or (949) 677-4072 (email is best) 3rd Wednesday 4:30 PM The OC Mensa Business and Technology Networking Forum provides a venue for those who are interested in networking with other like minded Mensans employed or interested in working in the growing High Tech sector of the Orange County business community. We discuss emerging trends, job opportunities and local business issues.
Directions: 15615 Alton Parkway, Suite 400, Irvine (but contact Tom for possible new venue)

Cheapskate Poker

Bill Bandaruk

(714) 641-1329

1st Friday

7:30 PM

The game is “hold’em” and the Bandaruks’ home is the place to be for an evening of fun games and lots of socializing. Bring a snack or drink to share, or $3.

Croquet, Crumpets, and Tea

Tom Streeter

(949) 488-3707

3rd Sunday

3:00 PM

Enjoy a round of croquet on Sunday-next-following-the-8th at the San Clemente home of Tom Streeter. All mallets, wickets, and balls will be provided. At 4:00 pm, crumpets and tea are served -- a late-afternoon, low-calorie, no-alcohol chat. No door charge; no RSVP. Arrive when you like. tomstreeter.com/crumpets.htm

First Odd Thursday (F.O.T.)

John Olsen

(714) 771-3095

1st Odd Thursday

5:30 PM

Help us kick off this new happy hour that takes place right on our front deck. Come by for a drink, a little conversation, maybe an appetizer. You can show up a little early if you want but we shut it down promptly at 6:30 so we can have dinner. No charge.

Games Night

Betsy Walli

(949) 201-7147

4th Saturday

7:00 PM

Play what you want ... join us for Scrabble, Taboo, Pictionary, Cancellation Hearts, Charades, Dictionary, Quiddler, or a game you bring, at the Lake Forest home of Betsy Walli. Please bring your own beverage and a snack to share. (Two cats, but you won't see them.)

M-Atheists

Linda Kapiloff

(714) 321-7709

2nd Sunday

10:30 AM

If you think that reason should be the basis for understanding the universe and solving human problems, meet with like-minded individuals in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. We've moved to the Newport Beach Tee Room, on the Newport Beach Golf Course, featuring a sumptuous all-you-can-eat buffet for only $10, which includes beverage and tax. groups.yahoo.com/group/M-Atheists/
Directions: At Irvine & Bristol on The Newport Beach Golf Course. Take the 55 Fwy south to the 73 Fwy south, and exit at Campus/Irvine. Turn right, follow curve for about 1/4-mile, look for entrance to Golf Course on left. Ample free parking. 3100 Irvine Ave, Newport Beach, (949) 756-0121.
http://tinyurl.com/bxlvmv

M-Possible

Michelle Lamb

tinyurl.com/mz29sf

Internet only

 

We're faceless friends, mostly Mensans, who enjoy amiable conversations about anything but religion and politics.

Midweek Madness Happy Hour

Sean Meade

(949) 470-3608

3rd Wednesday

5:30 PM

Come imbibe, eat, socialize and relax. Select drinks and appetizers at HAPPY HOUR HALF-PRICE! At the Black Angus in Santa Ana.
Directions: TG 830-A1. 1350 N. Tustin Av, Santa Ana. From the 55, exit at 17th St, go west to 1st light (Tustin), turn left (south).

NTN Trivia

Tim Bentley

(714) 963-8484

Every Tuesday

5:30 PM

Join the showdown every Tuesday night at Danny K’s.
Directions:
TG 799-F2, 1096 N. Main St, Orange, just south of Katella.
(714) 771-9707,
www.dannyks.com

Opera SIG

Tom Streeter

(949) 488-3707

Several in-season Saturdays

9:00 AM

The Met's matinée – live and in high-definition splendor – at the Irvine Spectrum, followed by a late lunch. "So, what did you think of the sets in Act 2, Scene 1?"
Directions:
tomstreeter.com/opera-sig.htm.

Out to Lunch Bunch

David Lubman

(714) 898-9099

Every Monday

12:00 PM

Monday lunch group meets in the greater Fullerton area. Discuss ideas and exchange jokes with a dozen interesting and friendly people.

Philosophy of Mind - Great Courses Video & Discussion Sally Rosoff;

Betsy Walli
(949) 588-5857;

(949) 201-7147 or (949) 768-5288.
2nd Saturday 8:00 PM We meet at the home of Betsy Walli in Lake Forest.

"The Philosophy of Mind: Brains, Consciousness, and Thinking Machines" is a highly rated series of college-level video lectures from the Teaching Company's Great Courses. The course covers Dualism (body and mind are separate), Behaviorism and Functionalism (behavior and interactions with the world are clues to the mind's inner workings), Idealism (only the mental realm exists), and "Antitheories" (subjective mental experiences are fundamentally inexplicable) -- as well as perception, our conceptions of ourselves, artificial intelligence, and the mystery of consciousness. See: http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=4278. We'll meet to watch and discuss these lectures on the third Saturday of each month at the home of Betsy Walli in Lake Forest. Please bring a snack to share and a drink. (Two cats, but you won't see them.)

SoCoHaHo

Paul McGinnis

(951) 675-9272

2nd Friday

6:00 PM

A monthly Happy Hour, down in the far south of Orange County. Think "South County Happy Hour".

 

Regular Official Events, albeit not "SIGs" in the strict sense of the term

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Board Meeting

President

John Olsen

(714) 771-3095

1st Saturday

6:30 PM

At (or near) the venue of the Open House later this evening. Any issues a member wishes to address should be sent to the President or attend the meeting in person to address the Board. Open to all members.

Open House

President

John Olsen

(714) 771-3095

1st Saturday

8:00 PM

Our big monthly party. Admission for Mensa members and their guests is $6, and there is NO CHARGE for new members and prospective members who have never attended an Open House.

Oracle Mailing Party

Editor

Edee Craig

(714) 778-5411

2nd or 3rd Saturday

11:00 AM

OCM members only. Help label, bundle, and otherwise get next month's issue of The Oracle out the door. Food always available!

Oracle Proofing Party

Editor

Edee Craig

(714) 778-5411

1st or 2nd Saturday

12:00 PM

Come help us proof the next issue of The Oracle. Lunch is provided.


 

Annual Events

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February

Presidents' Day Weekend

Greater LA Area Mensa RG

March

Last Weekend

Phoenix Mensa RG

April

First Sunday

Inauguration Brunch

May

First Weekend

Oregon Mensa RG

May

Memorial Day Weekend

San Diego Mensa RG

July

Independence Day Weekend

Annual Gathering of American Mensa

July

Last Saturday

Baja LasVegastan Independence Day

September

Labor Day Weekend

Orange County Mensa RG


National SIGs

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Orange County Mensa, as a Local Group, has plenty of Local SIGs. Better yet, American Mensa has plenty of National SIGs. Many of them have contacts in (or within easy driving distance of) Orange County. Check 'em out!

 

How to Get Your SIG Listed Here

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Special Interest Groups ("SIGs") are the lifeblood of any local chapter of American Mensa. Orange County Mensa's SIGs are no exception.

Any member (or group of members) of OC Mensa can form a SIG by:

Inactive SIGs get removed from time to time. To stay "active" (and therefore on the list):