Special Interest Groups

Check out our calendar to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings of all the SIGs listed below, as well as other GLAAM activities.

Current contact information for all SIGs can be found each month in L.A. Mentary. Some contact information has been supplied here by permission only. If you would like to add or remove any contact information, please contact the Webmaster.

For more information on Special Interest Groups, please contact the SIG Coordinator.

Discussion Groups
Ancient Civilizations SIG John Halloran See L.A. Mentary
Answers to Everything Jonathan Elliott See below
Bookworms Jackie Mosher See L.A. Mentary
The Christian Apologetics SIG Brady Lenardos See L.A. Mentary
Epiphanies, Epistemology and Ample Eats Rich Kapnick 818-766-5314
Gay/Lesbian Autochthonous Discussions (GLAD) Waugh Smith 323-655-2006
Investments and the Economy Fran Shankle See L.A. Mentary
San Fernando Valley Writers' Workshop Alan Stillson 818-884-4282
World Wide Think Tank Ron Caspi 310-466-4306
  Desiree Sagray 626-329-3979

Eating, Drinking, Etc.
Brunch Davidians David Lubman 714-898-9099
Because It's Tedd's Event (B.I.T.E.) Danielle Hanne See L.A. Mentary
Long Beach Happy Hour and Dinner Bob Tingley 310-476-7476
Odyssey Happy Hour Stratton Lindenmeyer 818-980-4929
Out-to-Lunch Brunch David Lubman 714-898-9099
Sure Happy It's Thursday Leslie Underwood See L.A. Mentary
Wunth Tuesday Jeff Hathorn See L.A. Mentary

Games
Bridge - SF Valley Marylyn Margarit See L.A. Mentary
Board Games Bill Beyerman See L.A. Mentary
Poker/Gaming Aficionados Abe Hepner 323-225-1216
Potluck Poker Mirk Mirkin See L.A. Mentary
Scrabble® Bob Thurm See L.A. Mentary

Music
Folksong Alan Stillson 818-884-4284

Service
Newsletter Mailing Russell Ham 310-670-0385

Sports and Recreation
20th Century Movies Plus SIG Monica Roach 626-445-1817
Axion SIG Danielle Hanne See L.A. Mentary
Culture SIG Danielle Hanne See L.A. Mentary
  Ishnella Azad 310-403-8117
GenX Danielle Hanne See L.A. Mentary
Gen Y Ronni Peck See L.A. Mentary
KidsSIG Danielle Hanne See L.A. Mentary
Spontaneous Movie SIG Bill Taylor See L.A. Mentary

 

 

Discussion Groups

Ancient Civilizations SIG
This SIG is currently dormant, although Mensans interested in this subject are invited to contact John Halloran from his website at http://www.sumerian.org for more information.

Answers to Everything
We are working on a specific project in conjunction with the non-profit Harmony Research Group to construct a single, comprehensive, and non-partisan agenda comprising solutions to all of the political, economic, and social problems facing America today. This SIG has moved out of state along with its host, Jonathan Elliott. Please contact him for more information.

Bookworms
Calling all book lovers! Come share a book you love (or love to hate) and tell others why they should (or shouldn’t) read it. We want to hear about a book you read a long time ago or a book you just read last week.

Where: The Szechwan Restaurant at 2905 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey
When: 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month.
Our discussion will take place amidst Feng Shui good luck, magic and reasonably priced good food - Szechwan, Mandarin and Cantonese. We’ll have a round table, complete with lazy Susan, to make food sharing easier. The restaurant has a full bar and free parking. Info: Jackie Mosher (Please RSVP, if you know you’ll join us.)

The Christian Apologetics SIG
This Orange County Mensa SIG provides a forum for the positive presentation of answers to honest intellectual questions, both historic and contemporary, which have been asked of Christianity regarding its truth and validity. We welcome Mensans, friends, and family; Christians, Atheists, and members of other religions. In other words, we welcome all who have a interest in the rational discussion of the Christian position. Come and join us for a time of open, rational, and civil discussion, while snacking on cookies, popcorn, and soft drinks. We hold monthly discussion meetings in Orange County, usually on the fourth Friday of the month. Visit The OC Mensa site and click on the Calendar link for details.

Epiphanies, Epistemology, and Ample Eats
A genuine philosophical discussion group heads the Wish List of many Mensa members. In response, GLAAM presents a SIG dedicated solely to the discussion and resolution of serious philosophical issues. Epiphanies, Epistemology, and Ample Eats is a monthly meeting of Mensa minds. All Mensans are welcome to this free, second-Thursday meeting at Stratton Lindenmeyer's residence, 4544 Talofa Ave., Toluca Lake, CA 91602-4925. Dinner runs from 5:30 - 6:30 pm; Discussion 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Phone: 818-980-4929. A position paper on the monthly topic is available by mail about one week in advance from SIG leader Rich Kapnick. See Calendar for more information.

San Fernando Valley Writers’ Workshop
The workshop meets at the home of Alan Stillson to critique each others’ work, mostly novel and short story fiction. See Calendar for dates and times.

World Wide Think Tank
We are launching a worldwide think-tank group that will discuss a variety of national (U.S. as it relates to the world) and international issues, for the purpose of formulating resolutions. Participants in the group will have the opportunity to change the world for the better and receive recognition for their efforts.

Ultimately we hope to agree on the outline of a practical solution which would address or ameliorate the problem. Subsequently we are planning to present the findings to the government and the media. This is an altruistic non-profit endeavor and will not use the Mensa name in presenting the findings. Contact Ron Caspi or Desiree Sagray for details.

 

Eating, Drinking, Etc.

Because it's Tedd's Event (B.I.T.E.)
B.I.T.E. meets the third Saturday of each month. The gathering is generally 7 to 12 people and the discussion is lively covering topics of interest brought up by those attending. New ideas are broached, discussed, criticized and modified by intelligent minds which do not object to being used as a “sounding board”. Also the gathering of friends chit-chat so that this is a SIG which you can look forward to attending. We meet at Burger Continental generally in the patio and partake in the all-you-can-eat (as-often-as-you-want) champagne brunch. The best in all of Southern California. We regulars will be looking forward to the new attendees who will be sure to become regulars.

Odyssey Happy Hour
The Odyssey Happy Hour normally meets on the First Friday of every month for an evening of friendly Mensa socializing. The Odyssey Restaurant is located in the northern part of the San Fernando Valley where freeways 118 and 405 meet at 15600 Odyssey Drive. The hors d'ouevres are swell and the view is magnificent. Join Stratton Lindenmeyer for a memorable evening.

 

Games

Bridge - SF Valley
The Valley Bridge SIG meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at the home of Marylyn Margarit in Northridge. For a small donation you will enjoy wine, soft drinks, snacks and three hours of bridge and pleasant company. We change partners every hand and score Chicago style. Skill levels range from novice to Life Master. Our only requirement is that you love to play bridge.

Scrabble® SIG
The Mensa Scrabble® SIG follows the rules set by the National Scrabble® Association regarding challenges, use of the official 3rd edition Official Scrabble® Player Dictionary, use of clocks to give each player no more than 25 minutes etc.

Meetings are held on the 4th or 5th Sunday afternoon of the month a few times a year. Check the Calendar in L.A. Mentary. We certainly welcome all enthusiastic Scrabble® players, or contact Bob Thurm or Alan Stillson for more information.

 

Music

Folksong SIG
If singing is something you dig
You ought to come down to this SIG
The songs that we sing as a group
Are varied, like alphabet soup
The songbook this SIG chose to make
Has six-hundred songs, give or take
From ballads and marches and hymns
To Beatles and Tom Lehrer's whims
You're welcome to bring a guitar
Or drop over just as you are
We sit in a circle and sing
Together on most everything
We each take a turn choosing songs
Whatever you choose, it belongs
It's very informal and fun
And light snacks and soft drinks are done
We meet four or five times a year
And rotate those who volunteer
To host and sing songs that are great
To midnight, and starting at eight
So, join us if this is for you
On Saturday, week one or two
Now, if you want still more detail
Just call Alan Stillson or Gail.

 

Sports and Recreation

20th Century Movies Plus SIG
Monica says: Come to the Nickelodeon. Renew, review, retrieve memories of the great and not so great, the historical and acclaimed movies of the 20th and 21st centuries. Have big screen and popcorn!

This SIG was started for the 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. (Smoking outside. Two dogs in residence. Wheelchair accessible.)

Axion SIG
Do you ever think, “Hmm, I should get out more and do more active things…”? If so, this is the SIG for you.  We go kayaking, play volleyball, and anything else we can think of.  For more information, contact Danielle Hanne (see L.A. Mentary.)

Culture SIG
Ever notice that you don't do all of the touristy things in L.A. because you live here? Well Culture SIG is about to change all that.  Come join us as we explore all of the places that make L.A. great!!  Contact Danielle Hanne or Ishnella Azad.

GenX Ms
The GenX SIG is open to all Mensans born between 1961 and 1981. We have a variety of local monthly activities including museum trips, barbecues, concerts, and hikes. Activities are also coordinated with other GenX groups nationally. For more information, contact Danielle Hanne or visit http://genx.us.mensa.org. Join our discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LAGenX.

Gen Y Ms
There's GenX ... and now there's Gen Y! This group is for Los Angeles area Mensans who were born between 1976 and 1988. We have nothing against those born in other years - we'd just like to focus our activities and discussions to those of us in our 20's. You know ... during our “quarter-life crises” and all that ... ha ha :) New faces welcomed and encouraged! Contact Ronni Peck or visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LA_GenY/.

KidsSIG
For our youngest Mensans, and our Mensans with children! Join us at our monthly party, last Saturday of the month, at our Mensa Family Days, or on our Kids Yahoo Group. For more information, contact Madeline Walker at 310-645-2112 or Danielle Hanne (see L.A. Mentary).