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/ Fri­day

  • ChiMe Activity Bulletin and Ad­ver­tising Deadlines. Last day for these submissions to the January 2024 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 January 2024 ChiMe. Please submit original ar­ticles, insights, puzzles, brain teasers, or short poems. Your fellow Chicago Area Mensa members would love to hear from you.

2023cincinnatiRG.jpg

  • The Cincinnati Mensa RG held today through Sunday, December 3rd at the Doubletree Suites Cincinnati - Blue Ash lo­cated at 6300 E. Kemper Rd. in Cincinnati, OH. Join the Cincinnati Mensans for their 2½ day RG. For more information, see their Flyer or visit their website, which will have their most up-to-date information.

5/ Tues­day

cocopazzo.202312.jpg

  • City Dinner at Coco Pazzo in River North 7 PM. Coco Pazzo, 300 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago (River North). This is a GOBS-subsidized event for which any CAM member and up to one guest qualifies; ½ of your tab will be compensated, including tax and tip, up to a maximum subsidy of $25/person. Subsidy limited to 15 people. RSVP by emailing (preferred) Hilarie C. by Monday, November 27th.

6/ 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, December 9th and through Saturday, January 27th 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.

7/ Thurs­day

Big-Ben.jpg

  • Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. Join a video chat with our kin from across the big pond in London at 2 PM BST. I [Carey] participated previously, along with a few other CAM members, and had a very nice chat with some of our “siblings” in the London area. RSVP 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. We’d love to have you join us!
    Virtual Event!!

  • chanukkah

    Hanukkah starts this evening.

8/ Fri­day

  • Poetry Dis­cus­sion Rescheduled. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Event Rescheduled for Friday, the 15th!!

9/ Satur­day

movie-popcorn-soda.png

  • Saturday Movie & Dinner 3:20 PM. We’ll see the 3:20 PM showing of Maestro, a movie not about Bob Cobb, at the Landmark at The Glen located at 1850 Tower Dr. in Glenview. After the movie we’ll dine at the Yard House, a short walk across from the theater. To RSVP (welcome, but optional), email Bill S.. If you show up and can’t find us, text Lisa S.. We hope to see you there!

Our next Monthly Gathering occurs on April 27th.
at the
Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center
3705 Pheasant Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
* * * * * *
Our April MG is free for all CAM members!
If you can’t attend the MG, please vote now!

25.jpg

Take Apart

  • Mensa Youth: Take Apart and Assemble Whatever 5 PM. This event will be held at the Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center located at 3705 Pheasant Drive in Rolling Meadows (free parking in NW lot behind building; use Entrance K) before the Monthly Gathering. We’ll have a collection of non-working small appliances, parts that were taken apart at the HalloweeM Take Apart as well as a collection of tools. Kids (and adults who show up) will get to disassemble to their hearts’ content and if desired, construct something out of the parts.

  • Monthly Gath­ering
    The location of our December 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 general 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).

    Test:
    5 PM.
    Business Meeting:
    5 PM.
    Youth Program Take Apart and Assemble Whatever:
    5 PM.
    Game room opens:
    6 PM.
    Nomi­nations for Local Officers:
    7:30 PM.
    Program:
    ~7:35 PM.
    Refreshments:
    8:30 PM - Midnight.
    Game of the Month - Trekking through History:
    9 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 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 the Gifted Youth Coördinator, a co-Program Officer, a website designer, 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!

    202312YvonneWolf.jpg

    Program Topic: Soup, Egg Rolls, Stir Fry and Fried Rice: Hidden Messages in Chinese Food

    presented by Yvonne Wolf

    Yvonne Wolf will give a brief cultural history of Chinese food in the US. She says, “Chinese food is set up in a combination of soup, eggroll, stir fry and rice.”

    Since this is an introductory presentation, she will not be able to cover all the regional cooking of the vast world of Chinese food. However, this presentation will give you some clarity and deeper understanding of the journey Chinese food has taken to arrive in your take-out box.

    Show all…

    She also says, “If you wince at seeing whole fish or shrimp served with heads on, rest assured that the heads aren’t attached to upset your appetite.” After this talk, you will gain a new perspective on the Chinese dining experience, whether it is sit-down or take-out.

    Yvonne Wolf is an intercultural consultant and founder of Chinese Intercultural, LLC. She speaks on a variety of topics that help to clarify elements of Chinese and East Asian cultures in an accessible and relatable context. Focusing on communication strategies, she trains business executives and works with organizations to make a better impression while working with Chinese and East Asian partners. Mediating across cultural misunderstandings is among her many skills.

    Yvonne was born in Taiwan and educated in the U.S. and Europe. Having extensive experience living and working internationally (Denmark and Japan), she is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Danish, and has studied Japanese, Spanish, and Greek. Between work and personal travel, she has visited more than 20 countries and is well-traveled within the U.S.

    Show less
    If there is a spike in Covid cases, the in-person MG may become virtual & testing would be cancelled!!

11/ Mon­day

new-members.png

  • New Members Zoom Gathering 7 PM. You are invited to attend this New Member CAM Zoom Gathering. Join us if you are a new member, if you haven’t yet gotten active, or just want to welcome our newest members and share your Mensa experience. Come learn more about CAM and Mensa and how to get the most out of membership. And it’s virtual — you can dip your toe in the water and hopefully this will make joining an in-person event that much more comfortable. Join us on Zoom or call in using the info available as part of Robin J.’s contact info. The Zoom info is also accessible in the December ChiMe.
    Virtual Zoom Event!!

  • Irish Mensa Lecture and Discussion: Christmas Lies and Legends 1 PM. Irish Mensa meets virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7 PM Irish Time; a discussion then follows the lecture. One does not have to register for the event — simply click on the Zoom link at the appropriate date and time.

    Is Santa really Dutch? Were Christmas Trees introduced by Prince Albert? Was Christmas once a time of faith, rather than riotous feasting? In this lecture, social historian Judith Flanders considers Christmas myths and Christmas memory and will explore how everything you think you know about Christmas is wrong. She looks at the long history of nostalgia for a different kind of Christmas, and whether Christmas ever really existed at all. To join, visit the American Mensa event for this event.
    Virtual Event!!

12/ Tues­day

202311NorthBranch.600.jpg

  • GOBS NSEW Dinner in Glenview 6 PM. Dinner will be at North Branch lo­cated at 4520 W. Lake Rd. in Glenview (north side of Lake Ave., about ½ block east of Milwaukee Ave.). 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 $25/person; cash (no coins) (no coins) 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. Email RSVPs will receive a response from Ken.

13/ Wednes­day

8.jpg

Northern Exposure

  • Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner Cancelled. Northern Exposure is taking a break this month. Happy Holidays!
    Event on Hiatus This Month!!

  • Best Geminids Meteor Shower Viewing peaking on the night of the 13th through Thursday morning. For more information, see the NASA website or see the viewing tips at space.com.
    Public Event!!

14/ Thurs­day

  • Dinner Out West: Brazilian 6:30 PM. Brazil Express at 1045 S. Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg. You can order their unlimited dinner for $49.99, their Lite Dinner/Vegetarian for $33.99, or for those who prefer, order à la carte off the menu. (Kids pricing and meals available.) 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 $25, 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 directly to Beth W. no later than Thursday, December 7th.

15/ 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. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
    Schedule Change!!
    Virtual Event!!

16/ 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, but the location changes and can’t always be determined in time to make the ChiMe schedule. If you’re curious about the location at this month’s meeting place, email Jim Z. the event coör­di­na­tor. Open to non-Mensans; bring a curious friend.

beverlyLibrary.jpg

  • 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 on the 3rd Saturday of the month, about midday.

21/ Thurs­day

  • Festivus Day

  • winter

    Winter Solstice

22/ Fri­day

  • Best Ursids Meteor Shower Viewing tonight through Saturday morning. See viewing tips at timeanddate.com.
    Public Event!!

24/ Sun­day

  • xmas-tree

25/ Mon­day

  • toys

    Christmas Day
    Have a merry holiday.

26/ Tues­day

breakfast1.png

  • 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. RSVP to Ken L. via email. If you RSVP by email, your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

  • Boxing Day

28/ Thurs­day

31/ Sun­day

  • newyear

    Happy New Year’s Eve

  • NYE Party at the WWHfWMs 3 PM. This party is being held at the Weiss Ward Home for Wayward Mensans (WWHfWMs) in Bloomingdale. The exact address is available as part of Beth W. contact info. Come celebrate the end of 2023 and the start of 2024 by eating, drinking, talking, and gaming with a bunch of Ms! Please bring some food and beverages to share. All of the leftover cream liqueurs from Pretentious Drinking are in our garage fridge—we’ll be polishing those off! All ages welcome! (Note to parents: Although alcohol will be available, this is not a wild drinking party.) Any questions? Contact Beth at LocSec@chicago.us.mensa.org .
    Time Change!!


* * * * *

1 January/ Mon­day

Happy New Year

  • ChiMe Activ­ity Bulletin and Ad­vertising Dead­lines. Last day for these submissions to the February 2024 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 February 2024 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
December 2023

December
          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 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 calendar,

Top Join Contact Members
Only