September 2008 Public Calendar
THIS IS A WEB VERSION OF OUR CALENDAR. Contact information has been removed to protect the privacy of our members. Please see your printed Capital M or M-Anations for full contact information. The full calendar is also available in the on-line Capital M which can be accessed through American Mensa’s website when you log in with your membership information.
IMPORTANT CALENDAR INFORMATION: We recommend that you contact the host prior to the event to make sure there are no last-minute changes. All events are smoke-free unless noted. No events will be scheduled opposite New Members Open Houses and Saturday Night Parties. All are reminded that, with the exception of official MWM events, attendance at events is at the discretion of the host. This being said, we encourage hosts to be inclusive and welcoming. In general a spouse, significant other, family member, or guest will always be welcome. The deadline for calendar entries is the 5th of the month preceding the targeted month. (If your event is in January, the deadline is December 5.)
We share our event calendar with our neighbors to the north, Maryland Mensa. A notation of (MM) indicates that Maryland Mensa supplied the calendar entry. A notation of (MWM-W) indicates that the event will take place in Virginia, west of the Beltway. (NM) indicates a Non–Mensa sponsored event. NOTE: In the event there are last-minute changes, deletions, or additions to the calendar, updates may be found at the mwm_calendar group of yahoo groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mwm_calendar/
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
6 PM Pizza SIG/Vicious Rumor SIG
Kevin McCall invites all to share pizza, sodas, beer, and the check at Joe's Pizza and Pasta,
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2008
Noon Suitland Lunch Bunch
Contact Paul Bethe for the location in or near Suitland, MD.
6:30–10 PM Games Night
Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD (240-777-6960). Take I-270 exit for Montrose west, go left on Falls Rd, PCC is on left after about 1.4 miles. Ask for “Board Games” at front desk. $2 toward room rental. Non-members welcome. Contact Perry Farrar. (Theme on second Wednesday.)
8:30 PM Writers’ Group
We are looking for serious writers who will attend as regularly as possible and in turn produce writing for the rest of the group to critique and discuss. We started this group on July 9, and had five writers in attendance. Each of us emails a piece of writing to the others. Thus, the work can be critiqued before the meeting and discussed during the session. Two of us are published authors. I myself have a PhD and teach writing at Montgomery
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
6:30 PM First Friday Film Fun (MM)
Come to the Charles Theater, the 60-year-old Baltimore icon at 1711 North Charles Street (near the intersection with Lanvale Street), to choose and watch a distinctive film with other Mensans. Afterwards, we’ll go to a nearby restaurant or coffee shop and share our thoughts about what we just saw. Please tell
7 PM Friday Night Salon
Enjoy stimulating conversation, as well as the best in French country cuisine at La Madeleine Cafe,
7 PM Meeting of the Minds Goes on the Road
It's September and we're back at school. The minds that come to Meeting of the Minds will still be learning things from other minds at Zorba's. Meeting of the Minds, or "M o M," as it is affectionately known, is a lively open forum for the exchange of ideas, opinions, and sentiments of all stripes, colors, and flavors. We promise eclectic ideas, a laid-back attitude, and a curious mindset. For September, we'll meet at Zorba's Cafe, http://www.zorbascafe.com/,
7:30 PM DC Happy Hour
This long-running weekly get-together convenes at Zorba's Cafe, www.zorbascafe.com,
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2008
5:30 PM IDEAs
IDEAs meet to investigate where your ideas come from and how they were developed. Dinner with the group is optional but you may not join the discussion once we've started. Introverts and new thinkers welcome. If you enjoy exploring the intellectual realm, this is for you. Reservations required: seating is limited to eight. Dinner in DC and discussion at my home. No smoking. Contact Catherine Woytowicz.
7:30 PM Capitol Steps
Democrats, Republicans, and None of the Above, unite! The conventions are over; there's no better time to see a live performance by the nation's premiere political satire troupe, the Capitol Steps (http://www.capsteps.com/live/reagan04.html). The venue is the Ronald
9:30 PM Late Nite at Les Halles
After the Capitol Steps performance, we may head across the street to Les Halles French Brasserie (http://www.leshalles.net/washington.php) for dessert or a late dinner.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2008
2 PM ExComm Meeting
MWM's governing body meets at the home of Exchequerer Toni Smiley. All members of Mensa are welcome. Contact LocSec Herb Guggenheim before the meeting if you wish to put an item on the agenda. See page 2 for contact information.
6 PM Gourmensans
We're going to the Burmese Restaurant, 740 6th St NW (on 6th between F and H, close to the Chinatown exit on the red line). The restaurant is on the second floor and isn't wheelchair accessible. The menu can be viewed on-line at http://www.menupix.com/dc/restaurants.php?id=502216# New and prospective members, family members, and other visitors are always welcome to attend. Questions/directions? Call Paul or Nancy Vogel.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
5 - 8 PM GenX SIG Happy Hour
Atomic Billiards, 3427 Connecticut Ave NW (between
6:30–8 PM World Affairs Discussion Group
Have you traveled overseas, or would you like to? Were you born in another country, or do you know people who were? Or, do you just like to read a lot? If you would like to tell us what you know or simply listen to others. We will meet in the Delhi Club restaurant, at
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
Noon Rockville Lunch Bunch
Meet at El Mariachi in the Ritchie Center in Rockville, MD, at the corner of
6:30–10 PM Games Night
See First Wednesday entry for details. Theme: Teacher.
7:30 PM Chinese Restaurant Odyssey
To learn the location and to reserve your place (required!), call Gail Korb or Greg Key by Monday.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
6:30 PM Harford County Camaraderie (MM)
Link up with northern
7:30 PM South Mountain/
Western Maryland Mensa (MM)
Join Mensans from western Maryland and West Virginia, or ones who wish they were, at the Pizza Hut on U.S. Route 40 on the west side of Frederick, MD (1220 West Patrick Street; 301-695-0100). No reservation needed: just ask for Mensa—the manager and natives are friendly. We’re usually in the party room in the back, and we usually order pizzas to share from the menu. Cost for the evening will be in the $6 to $8 range. For directions and answers to Mensa-at-Pizza Hut questions, please contact Bill or Jan Todd.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
6:30 PM Early Zorbas
FANTASTIC CREDENTIALS! Catch an on-street parking spot as such open up at 6:30PM and get quickly
taken. Then come to Zorba’s (see below) for an early dinner or whatever. See menu http://www.zorbascafe.com/ .Say ‘Hi!’ to the regular “DC Happy Hour” MWM crowd and then at 7:50PM walk about 1½ blocks to the Cosmos Club, 2170 Florida Avenue NW for the free 8:15PM meeting of the Washington Philosophical Soc. with light refreshments afterwards. Tonight we’ll hear 'Can America Compete in Science and Engineering?' by Norm Augustine, Former Chairman & CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation!! Talk abstract and complete, fantastic speaker credentials are available on http://www.philsoc.org/. For further info. please call Rebecca Prather.
7 PM Friday Night Salon
See First Friday entry for details.
7:30 PM DC Happy Hour
See First Friday entry for details.
7:30 PM Northern Area Friday after Work
Cards and Games Night (MM)
What a perfect way to end your work week—going to Gary and Sheila’s home on the north side of Baltimore for an evening of playing cards (games such as Hearts, Oh Hell, etc.) and board games (such as Taboo, Time’s Up, trivia games, etc.). If you can’t make it at 7:30, that’s OK—you can come later (the games should be going on for hours). Also, you don’t have to be in the northern area—all are welcome (even y’all from down South!). Please let them know you’ll be there. Note: Gary and Sheila have cats in their home.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
12 – 5 PM "Septoberfest" (MWM-W)
Yes, we know. Oktoberfest runs from September 20th to October 4th this year which is why we are having a "Septoberfest" - our party is a week early. We had a grand time hosting an Oktoberfest party last year and want to do it again. Come join us at our home in Leesburg, VA, for some delicious German food, Bavarian music and conversation with friends. We'll supply all the food and beverage. You donate $5. If the weather is nice, we'll enjoy our party outdoors. Please bring a chair. Kindly RSVP (mark your calendar) by
Wednesday, September 10th so we'll have plenty of food for everyone. Contact Chris and George Cooper.
12:30 BLAMs Go Shooting
(Blazing Lightly Armed Mensans) Target shooting at the NRA's state-of-the-art range, held monthly on the second Saturday. Women, men, novices, first timers, liberals, conservatives, young, old and experienced shooters attend this event. 5-7 Mensans and their guests usually attend, but often more. For many this is their only Mensa activity. Gun ownership not required, nor is NRA membership. Noobies should arrive at noon for their safety orientation, and can expect training on a variety of rifles and pistols. The range staff knows us well, so tell them you're with Mensa when checking in. Wheelchair accessible. Free garage parking. Metro pickup available (Vienna Station). RSVP helpful. Lunch afterward to shoot the manure. Contact Adam Beslove. NRA HQ
1 PM Cheap Shows
Meet Ken Kaufman and JJ Armour for a movie at a Metro-accessible theater followed by a late lunch. Call on Friday night or Saturday morning for the show and location.
2 PM Parapsychology SIG
Phone Stanley Korn or use your ESP to reserve by preceding Thursday.
2 PM Frederick Games (MM)
Every second and third Saturday starting at 2pm and ending whenever folks want to leave, we play board, card, and strategy games, including but not limited to Boggle, Jokers & Pegs, Scrabble, Spades, and Upwords. A core group of six people attends most sessions. We are actively looking for new players, and you need not attend all or even most sessions to join us. You’re invited to bring a game to teach the rest of the group if you wish (though the hostess tends to dislike war and fantasy role-playing games and points out that there are plenty of other venues for those). Free non-alcoholic drinks are served, and you’re welcome to bring munchies to share if you care to. For more information, including directions if you decide you’re interested in attending, please contact Cynthia.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2008
2 – 4 PM Fantastic Scenery
Let Rebecca Prather take you on a Whirlwind pictorial tour of Colorado Parks including Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, & Gunnison by bus and the legendary Durango-Silverton Train. Then see images of the breathtaking scenery of fantastic formations in Zion,
Meeting at George Mason Public Library,7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, Reservations required – Light Refreshments - Free. Call Rebecca Prather.
6 PM Bridge SIG
Come to the home of Ron Segal and Beverly Dickerson in Oakton for friendly party bridge. $5 standard contribution includes delicious dinner refreshments (i.e., real food), and all bridge tolls (pun intended) from MD or DC will be cheerfully refunded! We welcome all players and will try to find you a partner if needed. N/S. Contact your hosts. For other questions about this group, contact BridgeSig coordinator Sheldon Hofferman.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
DEADLINE Register for Scuba Diving
Today is the deadline to register for scuba diving lessons for novices on September 28th. See full entry for details. Email Burt Wagner for details and the necessary paperwork, including a release form and medical questionnaire, no later than Sept. 15.
7:30 PM Investment & Speculation SIG
If you're so smart, how come you aren't rich? Bring a $1 contribution to Ben Perchik's house in Reston, VA to learn how. Call Ben for directions. Please call to confirm this event is taking place.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
6:30 PM
Join Mensa’s Annapolis Convolution at Deep Creek Restaurant and Marina, 1050 Deep Creek Avenue in Arnold, MD, on (yep) Deep Creek just off the southern shore of the Magothy River (410-974-1408; www.deepcreekrestaurantandmarina.com). If you’ve never been there, you’re in for a serious treat: Deep Creek Restaurant has a varied and interesting menu, a first-rate kitchen, and attentive service. All in all, it’s sure to exceed your expectations—unless, that is, you’ve been there before. Please plan to join us, and then make your reservations with Emily Joyce by Saturday the 13th.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008
6:30 PM Science SIG
Meet Michael Hendrickson in the Food Court in the Ballston Common Mall in Arlington, VA for dinner and to discuss the latest science news and issues. Look for a Mensa sign and a Cap-M on the table.
6:30–10PM Games Night
See First Wednesday entry for details.
8:30 PM Writers’ Group
See Wednesday, September 3rd for details.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
Noon Silver Spring Lunch Bunch
This lunch bunch, in the heart of the new downtown in Silver Spring, MD, is hosted by Scott Shaffer (alumnus of Asilomar). Lunch will be at the Lebanese Taverna,
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
7 PM Friday Night Salon
See First Friday entry for details.
7 PM Meeting of the Minds Goes on the Road
See First Friday entry for details.
7 PM Dinner and Conversation (MWM-W)
An event for Mensans (and friends) outside the Beltway (though all Ms are welcome, of course). We'll meet at the Austin Grill in Centreville, VA. Please email Anne by Thursday, Sept. 18th, as we need a count for the restaurant.
7:30 PM DC Happy Hour
See First Friday entry for details.
7:30 PM Maryland Mensa Monthly Meeting (MM)
Our northern neighbors meet each month on the near side of Baltimore. You’re invited to join them at the Stillmeadow Church near Catonsville, 1.2 miles inside the Baltimore beltway at 5110 Frederick Road (MD 144; exit 13 east off I-695, toward Irvington—the church is on the left-hand side). September’s speaker hasn’t yet been identified, but his or her name and topic will be posted in the calendar on MM’s website (www.maryland.us.mensa.org) as soon as they’re known. To learn more about Maryland Mensa’s monthly meetings in general, contact MM Programs Officer Jean O’Donnell.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2008
1- Late PM Northern Virginia Board Games
A monthly gaming group which meets in Northern VA and alternates between two homes. Always the third Sat. of each month from
1 PM Mature Mensans (MM)
Mature Mensans of any age, but particularly those already enjoying or eligible for retirement, are invited to join host
2 PM Frederick Games (MM)
We play board, card, and strategy games, including but not limited to Boggle, Jokers & Pegs, Scrabble, Spades, and Upwords. A core group of six people attends most sessions. We are actively looking for new players, and you need not attend all or even most sessions to join us. You’re invited to bring a game to teach the rest of the group if you wish (though the hostess tends to dislike war and fantasy role-playing games and points out that there are plenty of other venues for those). Free non-alcoholic drinks are served, and you’re welcome to bring munchies to share if you care to. For more information, including directions if you decide you’re interested in attending, please contact Cynthia.
6 PM Urban Dining SIG goes to Arlington
Join us for Spanish tapas or entrees in an authentic Spanish environment at La Tasca's
7 PM A Little Drinkin' and Thinkin'
Ever wonder where all the 20-something Mensans in DC are? If so, come and meet other Mensans our age (Generation Y, if you must) Saturday, September 20th at 7 PM for some drinks at the Brickskeller,
7 PM Saturday/Sunday
Indoor Games SIG) (MM)
Two, four, six, eight, what do we appreciate? SIGSIG, SIGSIG, Yea! College football may be interesting to watch, but it has nothing on SIGSIG—especially when Dottie Kuhlman is hosting! Join us at 9267 Brush Run in Columbia, where you can experience the suspense, the drama, and the humor that is uniquely SIGSIG. Don't miss out! Call Dottie to reserve your seat. And remember, unlike many of those football games, we encourage you to bring food! Bring your favorite games, too, and we'll have tons of fun!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008
6:30–10 PM Games Night
See First Wednesday entry for details.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2008
7 PM Eastern Shore Get-together (MM)
Curious about life in the land of pleasant living between the Chesapeake and Ocean City? Learn more about it with resident Mensans at Vinnie’s LaRoma Ristorante, 934 South Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury, MD (one block north of Salisbury University on Route 13). No reservation required. Please contact
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
6:30 PM Early Zorbas
Catch an on-street parking spot as such open up at 6:30PM and get quickly taken. Then come to Zorba’s (see below) for an early dinner or whatever. See menu http://www.zorbascafe.com/ .Say ‘Hi!’ to the regular “DC Happy Hour” MWM crowd and then at 7:55PM our growing entourage as we walk about 1½ blocks to the Cosmos Club, 2170 Florida Avenue NW for the free 8:15PM
meeting of the Washington Philosophical Soc. with light refreshments afterwards. Tonight we’ll hear 'Too Sweet Sisyphean Efforts to Understand and Treat Type 1 Diabetes' by David M. Harlan, a Branch Chief at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH. Talk abstract and speaker credentials are available on http://www.philsoc.org/. For further info. please call Rebecca Prather.
7 PM Friday Night Salon
See First Friday entry for details.
7:30 PM DC Happy Hour
See First Friday entry for details.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2008
Noon Brunswick Lunch
This event has mutated from a Sunday brunch to a Last Saturday Lunch because of the unfortunate noise level experienced in the presence of a jazz quartet. Will be held the last Saturday of every month. Hosted by Katherine DeWitt. Lunch is at Beans in the Belfry, a trendy (believe it or not) café in the historic and photogenic town of Brunswick, Maryland. Enjoy a nice menu of salads, sandwiches, or soups. Child-friendly with children’s menu, dress-up trunk, dollhouse, kids’ books and more on premises. For sample menus and directions, go to www.beansinthebelfry.com and click on menu tab. Please e-mail me BY 5:00 PM the day before the event so I can give the café an approximate head count.
MAKE IT A FULL DAY and go on to the gift shops and antique shops in town or in Frederick, visit the Railroad Museum (www.brrm.net ), the rail yards and the exterior of the historic train station – or go on the Harpers Ferry 15 minutes away, or Antietam battlefield a little farther, or Monocacy Battlefield in the other direction. For more, see the web site www.hallowedground.org. There are several wineries in Virginia and Frederick
4 PM Miniature Golf (MWM-W)
Another event for Mensans (and friends) outside the Beltway (though all Ms are welcome, of course). We'll meet at the
7 PM Listeners of Classical Music
Join the Listeners of Classical Music for quiet conversation, a friendly atmosphere, snacks & pizza to share, and classical music. This month's theme is: "Heavy and Dramatic Music" Bring records or CDs to share. BYOB. No donations, but you should bring a few dollars for optional pizza. LCM is located in Falls Church near Hwy 50 and the Beltway in
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2008
8:45 AM Scuba diving lessons for novices
(register by September 15)
Scuba diving in a pool is how NASA astronauts are trained to work in weightlessness, and you'll get to experience what that feels like! Meet at George Washington Recreation Center,
2 - 5 PM New Members Open House
FREE! NEW MEMBERS BEGIN READING HERE: Are you a new member of Metropolitan Washington Mensa? If so, those of us who’ve been here for a while want to meet you and welcome you to the organization. A lot of new members are mystified when they look at all the activites in the monthly calendar. They don’t know which activity to attend first. We’re suggesting that the New Members Open House (NMOH) is a good place to begin. The NMOH is a long-running tradition in MWM and it’s the closest thing we have to a monthly general meeting so you’ll see many long-time members as well as a small group of new ones. The NMOH is a casual activity, featuring light food, soft drinks, beer, and wine. There’s no program per se; you just come, chat, and socialize with other Mensans. The NMOH is easy, casual, fun, and FREE!
LONG-TIME MEMBERS BEGIN READING HERE: This month’s NMOH will be held at the home of Judith Oarr in College Park, MD. We will have a cook out and will provide hamburgers and hot dogs with the fixings. There will also be cake, m&ms, beer, wine, and snacks and we will be in and out of doors both. No animals and no smoking in the house but all ages of humans are welcome.
NEXT MONTH PREVIEW
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008
7:30 PM Choral Concert, MWM-W
MWM's own long-time member Col. Hork Dimon invites us to a choral concert of lite popular musical favorites, at which he will be singing (possibly even a solo). The Manassas Community Chorale, founded in 1994, has 75 members, presents four major concerts each year, one per season, in addition to many other local performances, and one each December in Colonial Williamsburg. Musical styles vary from sacred to secular, from traditional Americana to more culturally and ethnically diverse pieces, from classical masterworks to Broadway show tunes. This concert will be held at the Manassas Baptist Church,
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2008
7:30 PM MWM Annual Party
FREE! Come one come all to the BIGGEST PARTY OF THE YEAR! Each year we have a great turnout for the annual party, and if the Saturday Night Parties this year are any predictor, we expect a record number of Mensans to arrive at the Friendship Heights Community Center ready to eat, drink, and be merry! So mark your calendars now, and come out to party with us on October 11th.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2008
Noon Picnic and Wine Tasting
at Gadino Cellars (MWM-W)
Last year we hosted a very successful Wine Tasting/Picnic at the beautiful Gadino Cellars in Washington, Virginia. We're doing it again this year. October 25, 2008, at 12:00 noon, Bill Gadino will present a wine tasting which will include three of his newest wines; 2007 Pinot Grigio, 2007 Dolce Sofia (dessert wine) and 2006 Delfino Rosso (Ameritage blend with 44% Petite Verdot). If you would like to attend, please RSVP by Sunday, October 19th. The cost is only $6 per person to participate in the wine tasting, but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. We must advise Gadino Cellars how many will attend. The $6 will not allow participants to keep the Logo Wine Glass but they are welcomed to use the glass throughout the picnic. A Logo Wine Glass may be purchased for $3.
This event will be on a first come-first served basis as we must limit the number of participants to thirty. If more members wish to come, we will create a Standby List in case of any cancellations. Should you need to cancel, PLEASE let us know promptly so we may allow someone to attend from the Standby List. PLEASE don't be a "no show". We also request that you bring a food item to share at the picnic. It would be appreciated if you would let Chris or George know what you are bringing so there will be a variety. Also, for your comfort, bring an outdoor chair. Gadino Cellars is located at 92 Schoolhouse Road, Washington, Virginia 22747, (540) 987-9292. To find directions please visit their website at www.gadinocellars.com or ask Chris or George Cooper.