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. Contact Jonathan Elliott 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.

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.

94^th Aero Squadron Happy Hour

The 94^th Aero Squadron Happy Hour normally meets on the First Friday of every month for an evening of friendly Mensa socializing. The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant is located at 16320 Raymer in Van Nuys (501-E2), just south of Roscoe and west of Woodley Avenue. Join Stratton Lindenmeyer for a memorable evening.

Games

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

20^th 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 20^th and 21^st 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).

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) 530-6225 or Danielle Hanne (see L.A. Mentary).