6:30pm: FIRST FRIDAY FILM FUN. Come to the Charles Theatre, the 67-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 the event coordinator if you plan to go.

7pm: FRIDAY NIGHT SALON IN BETHESDA. Enjoy stimulating conversation as well as the best in French country cuisine at La Madeleine Café, 7607 Old Georgetown Road (at the corner of Old Georgetown and Commerce Road, just one block from the Bethesda Metro stop on the red line). Park in La Madeleine’s own parking lot; on the street; or in the renovated and inexpensive public garage on Woodmont Avenue. Our format: We begin with casual conversation and then segue into a question-and-answer period after about an hour. Each participant writes down a question he or she wants the whole group to address; this guarantees that people get to talk about something they’re interested in, and that no one person monopolizes the entire conversation. Questions are submitted anonymously and then read aloud for group discussion. No pressure—just fun (and being on time is NOT a requirement). The salon host writes: "We’re at La Madeleine every Friday. Usually we’re in the room behind the fireplace. If you get there before us, sit at one of the long tables and, as people come in, they’ll join you. We usually have no more than about 15 people. Our conversations are fast-paced, ever-shifting, and intense! We laugh a lot, too. You really want to check this out!" For more information, contact the host. This event is wheelchair-accessible. {MWM}

3:30–6:30pm: LGBTQ KICKOFF MEETING. You are invited to the very first meeting of LGBTQ SIG—a special interest group for adult lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender MWM members and other LGBTQ-friendly adults. Join us for cocktails, coffee, or soft drinks at the Tabard Inn, 1739 N Street NW in Washington, DC (www.tabardinn.com). The Tabard is a 90-year-old B&B right in the heart of the District, just two blocks south of the Dupont Circle stop on Metro’s red line (take the 19th Street exit). Though the hotel boasts an expensive restaurant, the cocktail lounge is relaxed and reasonably priced. Reservations are not required and dress is casual. To facilitate finding other Mensans, we suggest you carry a copy of Cap-M (Metropolitan Washington Mensa’s large-format newsletter) or the Mensa Bulletin—discreetly, of course. Pending election of a SIG coordinator, please contact one of the temporary event coordinators if you’d like additional information. {MWM}

Noon: ROCKVILLE LUNCH BUNCH meets at El Mariachi Restaurant, 765-D Rockville Pike (301-770-5020; behind the IHOP in the Ritchie Center). Please call the event coordinator by close of business on Tuesday the 9th to reserve your place. {MWM}

6:30–10pm: POTOMAC GAMES NIGHT. See entry for first Wednesday. Theme: Army. {MWM}

7:30pm: CHINESE RESTAURANT ODYSSEY. To learn the location and reserve your place (required), call one of the event coordinators by Monday the 8th. {MWM}

4–7pm: OCEAN CITY GET-TOGETHER. Join Eastern Shore Mensans at BJ’s On the Water, 75th Street bayside in Ocean City (410-524-7575, www.bjsonthewater.com). For more information, contact the event coordinator.

6:30pm: HARFORD COUNTY CAMARADERIE. Link up with Northern Maryland’s Mensans for dinner and friendly, thought-provoking conversation at the Grand Buffet in the Festival at Bel Air shopping center, Bel Air, MD 21015 (5 Bel Air South Parkway; 443-512-8600). The menu features oriental and other foods, all at reasonable prices. Just as in Frederick, no reservation needed: simply ask for Mensa—the manager and natives are friendly. Directions from I-95: take exit 77 onto MD Route 24 north. There is a traffic light one-tenth of a mile north of I-95 at MD-24’s intersection with Emmorton Road; continue north on 24 for 2.6 miles past the traffic light, and then turn right onto Bel Air South Parkway. Turn right off Bel Air South into the Festival shopping center (250 feet), and continue straight on the shopping center drive until you reach a stop sign. Turn right at the stop sign, and you’ll find the restaurant in the middle of the row of shops on the right. Please contact the event coordinator for more information.

12:30pm: BLAZING, LIGHTLY ARMED MENSANS (BLAMS) GO SHOOTING at the state-of-the-art indoor target range in the NRA Headquarters Building at 11250 Waples Mill Road in Fairfax, VA (just off I-66 at U.S. Route 50; 703-267-1400; www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/nrahqrange). Women, men, novices, first-timers, liberals, conservatives, young, old, and experienced shooters attend this event. We usually have five to 20 Mensans, family members, guests, and groupies at this second-Saturday-of-every-month event—for many, it’s their only Mensa activity. Gun ownership is not required, nor is NRA membership. Bring your non-Mensan friends and family—and your kids! N00bies should arrive at noon for a required safety orientation. Saturday afternoons at the NRA HQ Range are rated low to medium testosterone. You can expect range time with a variety of shared rifles and pistols. The range staff is friendly, professional, and knows us well, so tell them you’re with Mensa when you check in. Wheelchair-accessible. RSVP REQUIRED. Please respond early, in fact, because the burgeoning popularity of this event has compelled its coordinator to TEMPORARILY RESTRICT attendance of FIRST-TIME SHOOTERS AND THOSE WITHOUT GUNS. Attendance of gun owners and experienced shooters will remain unrestricted. Lunch afterward to shoot the manure at Dave’s Seafood and Subs. For reservations or more information, contact Adam Beslove at 703-929-7909 (cellular). {MWM}

1pm: CHEAP SHOWS. Meet the event coordinators for a movie at a Metro-accessible theater, followed by late lunch. Call on Friday night or Saturday morning to learn the name and location of the show. {MWM}

2pm: FREDERICK GAMES. Every second Saturday, starting at 2pm and ending whenever folks want to leave, we play board, card, and strategy games.  You’re invited to bring a game to teach the rest of the group if you wish (though please try to focus on games that are relatively easy to learn and can be completed within an hour or so).   Free 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 the event coordinator.

2pm: PARAPSYCHOLOGY SIG. Phone the event coordinator or use your ESP to reserve by Thursday the 11th. {MWM}

11am: COLUMBIA SUNDAY BRUNCH. Enjoy brunch with Mensans in the Holiday Inn Columbia (7900 Washington Boulevard [U.S. Route 1 at its intersection with MD Route 175] in Jessup).  The hotel’s restaurant offers a brunch buffet with made-to-order omelets and waffles; $14 covers buffet, beverages, tax, and tip. Please contact one of the event coordinators for more information or directions; or just meet them in the hotel lobby at 11.

2–5pm: ICE CREAM PARTY in Falls Church, VA; $3 per person. Contact the event coordinator for directions. RSVP by today (June 14th) at noon. {MWM}

6:30pm: ANNAPOLIS GOURMANDS. June’s restaurant is not only a gem of Annapolis dining, but is practically a registered landmark for Annapolis Gourmands and Gourmets: The Main Ingredient Café, in the Eastport section at 914 Bay Ridge Road—the extension of Forest Drive, in the strip mall on the left just beyond the stoplight at the intersection of Forest Drive with Hillsmere on the right and Bay Ridge on the left (410-626-0388; www.themainingredient.com/cafe/). Please plan to join us for an evening of excellent food and spirited conversation, and then make your reservation without fail with the event coordinator by Sunday the 14th.

6:30–10pm: POTOMAC GAMES NIGHT. See entry for first Wednesday. {MWM}

7pm: FRIDAY NIGHT SALON IN BETHESDA. See first Friday entry for details. {MWM}

7:30pm: MARYLAND MENSA’S MONTHLY MEETING convenes on the south side of Baltimore in the Stillmeadow Church, 1.2 miles inside the beltway at 5110 Frederick Road (MD 144; exit 13 east off I-695, toward Irvington—the church is on the left-hand side). Admission and light refreshments are $4 for Mensans, $5 for guests and prospective members of Mensa (walk-ins welcome). The evening will begin with our annual business meeting, which will include the annual election of officers for MM’s fiscal year running from July 2009 through June 2010. Following the short business meeting, we’ll turn to June’s speakers: Bob and Kristen Churchill, who’ll talk with us about—and give us a short, Mensa-friendly, group lesson in—swing dancing. They'll describe partnered dancing from about 1900 up through the height of the swing era in the 20s, 30s, 40s, and they’ll sketch out swing’s history since then. They'll also talk about the evolution of music through the period and how the dances grew and changed along with it, from the Animal and other one-step dances to the Charleston, Texas Tommy, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, East Coast and West Coast Swing, line dances, and more. They'll also touch on the social environments of the times and the major venues that brought everyone together. Finally, they’ll conclude with that brief, promised, introductory lesson. To learn more about Maryland Mensa’s monthly meetings in general, contact Programs Officer Jean O’Donnell at jeanodonnell66@hotmail.com.

1pm: MATURE MENSANS of any age, but particularly those already enjoying or eligible for retirement, are invited to join the event coordinator in comparing notes over lunch at Pebbles Pub, 7165 Security Boulevard in Woodlawn (at the intersection of Security and Rolling Road; 410-265-7878). The pub menu offers a broad selection of entrées, ranging from deli sandwiches through subs, pizza, chicken, beef, crab cakes, and broiled salmon. Please contact the event coordinator for more information, or just to tell him you plan to come (so he’ll know how many places to hold at the table).

1pm–late evening: NORTHERN VIRGINIA BOARD GAMES is a monthly event that alternates between two homes in northern VA on the third Saturday of each month. Participants include Mensans and others. We mostly play board games such as Princes of Florence, Lowenherz, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Puerto Rico, lots of other Euro-type games, RoboRally, a couple of "train games" of various lengths, and—occasionally—word games, family games, or party games. We generally have between eight and 15 people. It’s a lot of affable quiet guys, a few women, and sometimes a couple of older kids who like games. We split into groups as the number grows, sorting ourselves by what people want to play. NoVA Board Gamers are not fiercely competitive, will teach you games, and will help you out when it’s your turn if you wish. We often discuss strategy during play, which sometimes leads to people pointing out a better play to someone and even letting them start over if they wish. There is no charge for this group, and it’s come and go as you please. You don’t have to bring any snacks unless you want to; we usually order pizza around 6pm. If you think you might be interested, please contact the event coordinator. {MWM}

7pm: SIGSIG (SATURDAY/SUNDAY INDOOR GAMES SIG).
What should you do on a midsummer’s eve
Join us at SIGSIG—that’s what I believe.
The day will be long and you’ll welcome the break
And then there are all of the friends you will make.
Our newest friend Northern is hosting this fete
She’s anxious to see who she hasn’t met yet.
So make plans to be there—right now! Don’t delay!
You’ll find it will brighten your night—and your day.
Come one, come all to the host’s home in Westminster. Bring your favorite games and snacks, and a swimsuit if you are inclined to take a dip in the Jacuzzi. Call or e-mail the host so she knows who is coming and for directions, and let’s start the summer in style!

Noon: GIFTED KIDS ACT LIKE A PIRATE. Gifted kids aaaarrgh invited to a pirate cruise on the Chesapeake Bay. We should gather on the dock at 311 Third Street in Annapolis at noon, so we can get our tattoos, jewelry, and instructions; and then set sail for adventure at 12:30. The ship holds a maximum of 44 passengers (children and adults), and MWM’s Gifted Children Coordinator has reserved all 44 slots on a preliminary basis. If you want to attend, you MUST make reservations with her no later than Wednesday, June 24th. When she receives 44 reservations, the cruise is full. The pirates will call her on Thursday the 25th for her final number, and will then release any remaining spots to the public at large. We’ll sail if it’s sunny, cloudy, or slightly drizzling, but not if it rains. The pirates suggest that you bring a windbreaker or sweatshirt. The cost is $18 per adult or older child, and $10 for children under 3 (including infants in arms). We’ll each pay at the dock on the day of the sail. The trip will last about an hour and a quarter, so we should be back by 1:45 or so. You can learn more about the cruise at www.chesapeakepirates.com/home/homeindex.html. Aaarrgh! Full fun ahead! {MWM}