July 1st, First Tuesday

• RC 11:30am: First of the Mensth (1*M) will be at Maddy's Cottage – Fine Dining, 411 S. China Lake Blvd., Ridgecrest (2259-D4). We should make reservations since this is a new restaurant. Regular monthly gathering in IWV on the 1^st day of the month. No host, no cover charge, no RSVP. Look for the MBlem sign. Contact Jennifer Venola, redswan@iwvisp.com, (760) 377-4295. (HiD, C, WCA, SO)
• R Noon: Out to Lunch Bunch. For info, contact David at (714) 898-9099. (OCM)
• R 6:00pm: Wunth Tuesday. First Tuesday each month, a meeting of the GEMensans, the greatest minds Bakersfield has to offer (wussat?) ... at the Mexicali Restaurant, 631 18^th Street, Bakersfield, <166 D3>, easy to get to. Nice place, great cuisine! Look for the M table. Contact Jeff Hathorn at (661) 742-3389 or via e-mail at jeffhathorn@msn.com. (HiD, SO)

July 3rd, First Thursday

• R Noon: Brunch Davidians. For info, contact David at (714) 898-9099. (OCM)
• RC 7:00-10:00pm: Valley Writers' Workshop meets on Thursdays at flexible intervals to accommodate everyone's schedules and we welcome new participants. This month, we are meeting on the 3^rd, 17^th, and 31^st of the month. Critiques, mostly fiction (novel and short story), also poetry, essays, queries, etc. Valley locations may vary, so please call Alan Stillson first at (818) 884-4284 for info and directions. (SFV)
• RC 7:00pm: Sure Happy It's Thursday (SureHIT). Big Tuna (Japanese), 39409 N. 10^th St. West, Palmdale, (661) 273-9966. Please RSVP to Leslie Underwood: (661) 945-1127, Leslie.Underwood@edwards.af.mil … or no one will come. (HiD)

July 4th, First Friday

• R 5:00pm: Odyssey Happy Hour. Join us again this month for the Happy Hour. This is the largest and best of the Mensan Happy Hours, and we need your attendance to maintain the high standards. At 15600 Odyssey Dr. (481 G7) <2 B6>. All attendees at past Castaway events are encouraged to join us. Contact Stratton at (818) 980-4929 for further info. (SFV)

July 5th, First Saturday

• R 9:45am-2:00pm: Coastal Scrabble^®. Mensans participate in tournament-style Scrabble^® at the Felicia Mahood Center, 11338 Santa Monica Blvd., West LA. (632 A5) Free parking is available in the City lot on the NW corner of Corinth and Iowa. There are 4 games; the cost is $4. Registration is at 9:45am. The first game starts promptly at 10am. Coffee/tea and bagels/cookies are available. Contact Steve Loeb for more info. (Coast, WCA, NS, PE)
• R 10:00am: Investments and the Economy. The meeting will be at the home of Fran Shankle, Northridge. Call (818) 886-1297 for further information. (SFV)
• R 11:00am-1:00pm: GLAAM Board of Directors Meeting moves back a week to allow for the July 4^th holiday.
• R 7:00pm: 20^th Century Plus Movies SIG will meet on the 2^nd Saturday of July (7/12/08) due to the 4^th of July holiday. Join our group at 7 pm and bring some movies to share.

July 6th, First Sunday

• R 2:00-4:00pm: Coffee and Conversation at Borders Bookstore in Thousand Oaks. Dangerously addictive – good coffee and snacks – subjects from wild to mild. We meet in the café and the conversation depends on the participants – if dull, there's always books – if violent opposing opinions, we may end up staying until 5:30. Borders is located east of The Oaks Mall at 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. between Lynn and Moorpark. Questions? Call Betty Strauss – new T.O. resident, old Mensan – (805) 498-8244 or bmlstrauss@hotmail.com. (SFV)
• R 4:00-6:00pm: Mid-City Dining and Discussion at the world-famous (in Hollywood) Seafood Village, 5732 Melrose Ave. (E. of Vine/Rossmore), Los Angeles, (323) 463-8090. Delicious food at fabulous prices. Early Bird dinners at half price from 4-6pm. Bring a big appetite or take home a doggie-bag. Good parking and MTA. Ask for the Mensa table. Guests welcome. Contact Edith Good at (310) 276-8933 for further info. Alcohol not served. (MCity, BYOB)
• R 4:00pm: Poker/Gaming Aficionados. Enjoy the art and science of a poker game the way that it was meant to be played. All M's and friends are welcome to join in this weekly pot-limit affair in Long Beach. Call Abe at (323) 481-7829 for further info. (HAM, SB, SO, UD)

July 8th, Second Tuesday

• R Noon: Out to Lunch Bunch; see 1^st Tue, Jul 1^st.

July 9th, Second Wednesday

• R Noon: L.A. Mentary Calendar Submission Deadline. L.A. Mentary calendar information must be provided to Calendar@glaam.us.mensa.org by noon today. See the top of the calendar for submission information.
• RC 7:30pm: Finding Unique Chinese Kitchens & Second Wednesdays Enjoyable Asian Treats. The San Gabriel Valley is filled with many fantastic Asian restaurants serving up unique and authentic Asian food not usually available elsewhere in U.S. We will be visiting the first “real” Chinese restaurant that not only serves great dim sum as well as banquet style dinners, but also has the decor to go with the banquets. Sample their amazing beef in white wine sauce and whole scallops in shells. Empress Pavillion is the first Chinese restaurant that managed to be both high class and authentic (unlike Mr. Chow or P.F. Chang's). 988 N Hill St. Ste 201, Los Angeles, 90012-1750. Phone: (213) 617-9898. Please contact host Michael Wong at (626) 321-6054 or via email at TheFatIdiot@yahoo.com, RSVP is appreciated. (ELAC)

July 10th, Second Thursday

• R Noon: Brunch Davidians; see 1^st Thu, Jul 3^rd.
• RC 5:30-8:00pm: Epiphanies, Epistemology and Ample Eats is a fully hosted dinner and serious discussion group. We will meet at the home of Stratton Lindenmeyer, 4544 Talofa Ave, Toluca Lake CA (563, C4). The topic for this month is “How to End Psychotic Households.” A sumptuous selection of food and beverage is provided, all for a donation of $5.00. Dinner starts at 5:30, the formal discussion begins about 6:30. Call Stratton at (818) 980-4929 for directions. Call Rich Kapnick at (818) 766-5314 for an advance position paper, and further details. (SFV, LWC, NS)
• R 6:30pm: Bookworms. Come share a book that you love (or love to hate) and tell us why we should (or shouldn't) read it. Or, come just to enjoy the conversation and camaraderie. We meet at the wonderful Szechwan Restaurant, 2905 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (4 blocks west of Lincoln, near Abbot Kinney), where we are treated very well. The menu ranges from Hot and Sour Soup and Kung Pao to Moo Shu, Fried Rice, and Chow Mein. Entrées are reasonably priced. Free parking. Contact Jackie Mosher for further info. (Coast)

July 11th, Second Friday

• R Noon: L.A. Mentary Newsletter Submission Deadline. Submissions to the L.A. Mentary (other than calendar entries) must be provided to editor@glaam.us.mensa.org by noon today.
• R 7:00pm-Midnight: Board Games at Bill Beyermann's. See tomorrow's entry for location, etc.
• R 7:30pm: Potluck Poker. Our monthly game continues with a great and friendly group of Mensans. We're here to enjoy and not out for each other's blood. If you want to join in, CALL AHEAD. We've got the room, and have two games going when necessary. $3 for beverages, snacks, and late-night treats, PLUS cost of chips. Mirk Mirkin, 13416 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks (562 C2) <22 F2>, (818) 784-4177. (SFV, US)

July 12th, Second Saturday

• R 9:45am-2:00pm: Coastal Scrabble^®; see 1^st Sat, Jul 5^th.
• R 10:30am: GLAAM Annual Business Meeting. All Mensa members (no guests, please) are welcome to find out what has happened during the preceding year and what the Board's vision is for the future. See board meeting for location. (ELAC)
• R 11:00am-1:00pm: GLAAM Board of Directors Meeting. All Mensa members (no guests, please) are welcome to observe your elected representatives at work and to participate in the decision-making process, in the recreation room of Pilgrim Towers, 440 N. Madison Ave., Pasadena, at the corner of Madison and Villa, north of the 210 freeway, between Fair Oaks and Lake. Contact any board member for more information. (ELAC)
• R 1:00pm-Midnight: Board Games at Bill Beyermann's, 17409 Martha, Encino (561 C1) <21 E1>. Bring refreshments, games, food, etc.; no alcohol. Contact Bill at (818) 793-0480 or Eric at (714) 879-4616 for further info. (SFV, SS)
• 2:00pm: New Members Meet-n-Greet. If you are new to Mensa or would just like to join a group of currently active Mensans for a fun Saturday afternoon drink and Mexican munchies please join us at Acapulco Restaurant, 3113 W. Olive Blvd., Burbank, 91505, (818) 841-4433. The restaurant is family friendly as well. We would love to get the chance to make your acquaintance, make new friends and share a pitcher of margaritas. Every few months we'll have a newbies meet-n-greet at a fun place. Look forward to seeing you Saturday or sometime soon! Please call Ishnella, (310) 403-8117, with any questions. (SFV)
• 2:00pm: San Fernando Valley Party at Acapulco Restaurant, 3113 W. Olive Blvd., Burbank, 91505, (818) 841-4433. NOTE THE START TIME. We are piggybacking off of the New Members Reception with the same bat-time and same bat-location. We also didn't want to conflict with Monica's that night. So eat, drink, and meet some merry new and not-so-new Mensans. The restaurant is family friendly as well. Please call David at (818) 970-1853 with any questions. (SFV)
• R 7:00pm: 20^th Century Plus Movies SIG. Come to the Nickelodeon. Renew, review, retrieve memories of the great and not so great, the historical and acclaimed movies of the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Have big screen and popcorn! This SIG was started for people to hang loose, sit back and relax on a Saturday night. It has survived and continues to thrive. For the game players, when bored, they slip away for chess, Scrabble^®, backgammon, and eating. Ah yes, eating! Give it a try, relaxing the brain may become addictive. At the home of Monica Roach in Arcadia. Contact Monica at (626) 445-1817 or (800) 900-1817. (ELAC, 2D, WCA, SO)

July 13th, Second Sunday

• R 10:30am: Freethinkers Brunch. 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. http://www.newportbeachteeroom.com/sunday-brunch-newport-beach.html. 3100 Irvine Ave. at Bristol, Newport Beach, (949) 756-0121. Take the 55 Fwy south to 73 Fwy south to Campus/Irvine, turn right, follow curve for about 1/4-mile, look for entrance to Golf Course on left. Ample free parking. Contact: Norman, (310) 408-8653; Linda, (714) 321-7709; http://groups.yahoo.com/group/M-Atheists/. (OCM)
• R 2:00-4:00pm: Coffee and Conversation at Borders Bookstore; see 1^st Sun, Jul 6^th.
• 3:00-8:00pm: Gen Y Karaoke and Korean BBQ Join us for an afternoon of karaoke and Korean BBQ. We will be going to Vermont Karaoke & Billiards (191 S. Vermont Ave.. Los Angeles, 90010) for their Happy Hour Special ($15/hr/room). We will get a private room and you will only have to sing in front of other Mensans. After singing our hearts out, we will have dinner at Soot Bul Gui Rim 2 (233 S. Vermont Ave.. Los Angeles, 90010), one of the best all-you-can-eat KBBQ places in Koreatown. For $16.99, you can eat about 8 different types of meat, salad, soup, side dishes and cold noodles. Please RSVP to Yi Zhang (yi.zhang@inbox.com or (213) 344-8365) by July 12 and specify if you are coming for karaoke, KBBQ or both. (MCity)
• R 4:00pm: Poker/Gaming Aficionados; see 1^st Sun, Jul 6^th.

July 15th, Third Tuesday

• R Noon: Out to Lunch Bunch; see 1^st Tue, Jul 1^st.

July 16th, Third Wednesday

• RC 7:30pm: Savoring Totally Unbelievably Fresh Fishes and Third Wednesday Amazing Tastes. We will again be venturing out of San Gabriel Valley to sample some truly incredible cuisine. What better to eat in summer than the freshest sushi? The chef at Sushi Sasabune is a disciple of the legendary “SUSHI NAZI” from Sushi Nozawa. This restaurant serves nothing but the FRESHEST fish and only sushi is served here, there will be NO AMERICAN fare here such as the reviled (among Japanese food purists) California Roll. Their homemade Wasabi has to be tasted to be believed, and the rice of the sushi is WARM. The Toro here is to die for and you've never had crab rolls like the ones they serve here. We will NOT be having the Omakase (which tends to be expensive) as I know what to order, but still be prepared for the final cheque to come out to about $50. Amazingly easy parking on the streets (much better than Nozawa). 12400 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, 90025. Phone: (310) 820-3596. RSVP is absolutely necessary for this place. Please contact host Michael Wong at (626) 321-6054 or via email at TheFatIdiot@yahoo.com. (Coast)

July 17th, Third Thursday

• R Noon: Brunch Davidians; see 1^st Thu, Jul 3^rd.
• RC 7:00-10:00pm: Valley Writers' Workshop; see 1^st Thu, Jul 3^rd.

July 18th, Third Friday

• R 8:00-11:00pm: NTN Gaming Event. Which river is the world's longest? Who sang I Melt With You? Join us as we eat, drink, and be merry. Oh, and also see who's the biggest trivia geek. NTN is a nationwide interactive trivia contest featuring questions from history to current events to entertainment. We'll be at Clancy's Crab Boiler, 219 N. Central Ave. Glendale, 91204, (818) 242-CRAB. Call Michael Wong at (626) 321-6054 or email TheFatIdiot@yahoo.com for info or to RSVP. (ELAC)

July 19th, Third Saturday

• R 9:45am-2:00pm: Coastal Scrabble^®; see 1^st Sat, Jul 5^th.
• RC 10:00am: Coastal AWOL Party. Many Westside denizens live their lives AWOL – Always West Of Lincoln (Blvd.) – and you will too, every third Saturday of the month. Bring/rent a bike, or bring rollerblades, for a leisurely ride along the Ocean Front Walk from the Santa Monica Pier three miles to the Venice Pier among the palm trees, endless sand, cobalt blue water, and tanned bodies. We'll meet 10:00 am at Spokes n Stuff Bicycle Shop, 1715 Ocean Front Walk, behind the Loews Hotel. Look for the blue and yellow awning just south of the Santa Monica Pier. We'll head out when everyone is ready, take our time enjoying the stunning scenery, and have lunch at one of the restaurants just off the Venice Pier (probably the Whaler Grill). Please RSVP, especially if you are renting a bike, so that I can give the rental shop some warning if there will be many of us. Call Jonathan at (310) 592-0140 or Madeline at (310) 645-2112 with any questions. (Coast)

July 20th, Third Sunday

• RC 11:00am: Culture SIG Goes to China (sort of). Ever notice that you never do the touristy stuff in L.A. because you live here? Well, the Culture SIG is about to change all that. Join us every month as we explore all of the wonderful places that make L.A. great. Join us as we visit Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor. Now Bowers Museum presents the largest exhibit of Emperor Qin's Terra Cotta Army ever seen outside of China. This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the 20^th century's greatest archaeological finds, often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World. Tickets $27. Hours are from 10am to 4pm. Last ticket sold one hour before close. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitors Services desk at the Bowers Museum (2002 N. Main St, Santa Ana, 92706) online at http://museumtix.com or via phone at the Bowers (714) 567-3600 or Ticketmaster (877) 250-8999. The Hi Desert group will be joining us for this event. There is a café in the museum for food. Contact Danielle Hanne; or Ishnella Azad at ishnella@aol.com or (310) 403-8117 for more information or on the day of the event.
• R 2:00-4:00pm: Coffee and Conversation at Borders Bookstore; see 1^st Sun, Jul 6^th.
• R 4:00pm: Poker/Gaming Aficionados; see 1^st Sun, Jul 6^th.

July 22nd, Fourth Tuesday

• R Noon: Out to Lunch Bunch; see 1^st Tue, Jul 1^st.

July 23rd, Fourth Wednesday

• R 6:00pm: L.A. Mentary Mailing Par-tay moves (for this month only) to Kai-An Yu's palatial digs at 2030 Empress Avenue South Pasadena, 91030, (626) 374-0464.

  No-Shoes Rule will be strictly observed – violators will be shot or frowned on.

  Refreshments: Kai-An's Famous Sort-Of Gazpacho, Pizza, or BYOYI.

  Music: The latest mix of Canto-pop, Teutonic marches and white static, or BYO CDs/MP3s/Mariachi Bands.

  Map:

  
  View Larger Map

  The mailing party returns to Russell Ham's home next month. (ELAC)

• RC 8:00pm-Midnight: GenX / Gen Y Canter's Game Night. This warm, indoor venue with the fabulous old-style deli yums serves as our regular hang. Come play games, have conversations, and laugh! Canter's Deli, 419 N. Fairfax Ave. (593 B7) <33 F5>, (323) 651-2033. Ask for “The Hole” to get seated in our exclusive area in the back, and we'll see you there! Contact Arvin Tseng at arvin_tseng@hotmail.com with any questions. (MCity)

July 24th, Fourth Thursday

• R Noon: Brunch Davidians; see 1^st Thu, Jul 3^rd.
• R 7:00pm: Hi-Desert Newsletter Mailing Party at Jim Nichols' home, 857 E. Kendall, Ridgecrest (2299-1). Those who want to stay afterward can watch a movie on the immense HDTV. Jim Nichols, jnichols@ridgecrest.ca.us, (760) 375-8161. (HiD, LWC, NS)

July 25th, Fourth Friday

• RC 8:00pm: International Diners Club. It's M for Malaysian? Mongolian? Manila? Myanmar? Well, you can take your pick because they're all on the menu as the IDC revisits that ever-popular pan-Asian bistro, Typhoon in Santa Monica. Yes we've used it for Thai and Filipino the past two Decembers but since R will be the letter for December 2008 and try as we might, there's no R cuisine on the menu for us to try and stretch the rules to, what the hell, let's make our annual pilgrimage there now. Your regular co-host Jay will hopefully be on the other side of the country if he managed to score airline tickets, so for this one please RSVP only to Danielle. Typhoon: 3221 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica, 90405, (310) 390-6565, http://www.typhoon.biz. Contacts/RSVP: Jay Friedlander (310) 408-9699; livesoutwest@yahoo.com or Danielle Hanne.

July 26th, Fourth Saturday

• R 9:45am-2:00pm: Coastal Scrabble^®; see 1^st Sat, Jul 5^th.
• R 10:00-11:00am: B.I.T.E. (Because It's Tedd's Event). This event continues as an homage to one of GLAAM's beloved members, Tedd Kamsler. Join us for a great breakfast buffet and and as Tedd might say, “famendous” conversation at Burger Continental, 535 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena. For more information, contact Danielle Hanne or Jay Friedlander at livesoutwest@yahoo.com or (310) 408-9699. (ELAC, WCA, NS)
• R 11:00am: L.A.T.E. (Lunch at the End). Want to hang out at Burger Continental for brunch, but don't like getting up early? Join us for a great Mediterranean-themed lunch buffet, scintillating conversation, and maybe even a game or two as we warm up for the San Marino Party and other ELAC social events. For more information, contact Danielle Hanne or Jay Friedlander at livesoutwest@yahoo.com or (310) 408-9699. (ELAC)
• R Noon-Midnight: San Marino Gaming and Party. Interested in trivia games like Trivial Pursuit or Chronology? Love collectible games like Magic: the Gathering or Heroclix? Enjoy party games like Apples 2 Apples or Encore!? Mad about word games like Scrabble or Palabra? Addicted to strategy games like Puerto Rico or Caylus? With over 350 games in the house, we can satisfy any game interest! Bring an entrée to share or $ to order out. Hosted by Michael Wong in San Marino, (626) 577-2575, or email TheFatIdiot@yahoo.com. (ELAC)
• R 4:00-6:00pm: Gifted Youth Group will meet and play games at the San Marino Gaming Party. See the San Marino Party entry above for the address. Call Madeline Walker at (310) 645-2112 (home) or (310) 569-8415 (cell) or email Madeline@spidellspecialties.com.

July 27th, Fourth Sunday

• R 2:00pm: GLAD, The Gay SIG goes dark this month because too many are on vacation.
• R 2:00-4:00pm: Coffee and Conversation at Borders Bookstore; see 1^st Sun, Jul 6^th.
• R 2:00pm: MuttSIG. Bring your canine compadre(s) to the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park, located at the corner of Victory Blvd. and White Oak in the San Fernando Valley, and spend a little time with other Mensans and their counterparts; or at the very least, with Mac and me. Friends (including non-M's) and their pets are also welcome! Call Keith at (661) 971-9332 for additional details or questions! (SFV)
• R 4:00pm: Poker/Gaming Aficionados; see 1^st Sun, Jul 6^th.

July 29th, Fifth Tuesday

• R Noon: Out to Lunch Bunch; see 1^st Tue, Jul 1^st.

July 31st, Fifth Thursday

• R Noon: Brunch Davidians; see 1^st Thu, Jul 3^rd.
• RC 7:00-10:00pm: Valley Writers' Workshop; see 1^st Thu, Jul 3^rd.