Wednesday the 1st

6:30–9pm: Potomac Games Night is for players of all persuasions. From Rockville Pike (MD-355) or I-270, take Montrose Road west to Falls Road, turn left, and go 1.4 miles to 11315 Falls Road and the Potomac Community Center (240-777-6960). Ask for ‘Board Games’ at the front desk. Free. Non-Mensans are welcome. Contact the event coordinator with any questions. {MWM}

Friday the 3rd

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.

7–11pm: Friday Night Salon in Bethesda.  Enjoy stimulating conversation at La Madeleine Café and Bakery, 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 inexpensive public garage on Woodmont Avenue. Our format: casual conversation, followed by a question-and-answer period. Participants write down questions they want the group to address.  The questions are submitted anonymously, and then read aloud. No pressure—just fun—and being on time is not a requirement. For more information, contact the event coordinator. This event is wheelchair-accessible. {MWM}

Saturday the 4th

5:30–9pm: IDEAs meets in Northwest Washington to investigate where your ideas come from and how they develop. Dinner at 5:30 is optional. The formal program usually runs from 7 to about 9. Seating is limited to eight so that all ideas can be given enough time. RSVP with dining preferences to the event coordinator; please include “IDEAs” in the subject line. {MWM}

Sunday the 5th

2:30–5:30pm: Young Mensan Board Games (MWM Gifted Youth Program). Young Mensans, siblings, guests, and children and grandchildren of adult Mensans are invited to attend this monthly event at the host’s home in Arlington, VA. There are lots of board games available, but please feel free to bring your favorite game from home as well. This is a great opportunity for parents to network with other parents. Our snack for the afternoon will be sub sandwiches. RSVP to the host. {MWM}

Tuesday the 7th

6:30–10pm: Salon of Majestic Enlightenment. Converge with your fellow Mensans and guests for good food and scintillating conversations on topics of particular interest to and introduced by our attendees. Being on time is not necessary, but having a good time is. May’s salon is in upscale Carmello’s in Old Town Manassas (two blocks from the Virginia Railway Express station), 9108 Center Street in Manassas, VA (703-368-5522, http://carmellos.com). Gluten-free friendly and vegan friendly; patrons love not only the Italian dishes but the Portuguese ones as well—the latter are lighter, with no cream sauces and less butter. Carmello’s also has some great microbrews, including those from local brewer Lost Rhino; and an extensive wine list. Free parking, both on the street and in the VRE lot. RSVP by Monday the 6th to the event coordinator. {MWM}

Wednesday the 8th

Noon: Rockville Lunch Bunch meets at El Mariachi Restaurant, 765-D Rockville Pike (MD-355), in the far end of the Ritchie Center at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Wootton Parkway. Menu and drinks are great, and you may practice or even learn some Spanish if you wish. Please call the event coordinator by close of business on Tuesday the 7th to reserve your secured and welcome place at the round table. {MWM}

6:30–9pm: Potomac Games Night. See entry for first Wednesday. Theme: “Five”. {MWM}

7:30–9:30pm: Chinese Restaurant Odyssey. To learn the location and reserve your place (required), call one of the event coordinators by 9pm on Monday the 6th. {MWM}

Thursday the 9th

6pm: 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 (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.

7:30pm: South Mountain Pizza. 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 (1220 West Patrick Street; 301-695-0100). No reservation needed: just ask for Mensa—the manager and natives are friendly. We’re ordinarily 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 $10 range. For directions and answers to Mensa-at-Pizza Hut questions, please contact the event coordinator.

Friday the 10th

6:30–9:30pm: Meeting of the Minds, affectionately known as MoM, is a lively, open forum for the exchange of ideas, opinions, and sentiments of all stripes, colors, and flavors. We promise eclectic thoughts, a laid-back attitude, and a curious mindset. We will meet at long-time Mensa favorite, Zorba’s Cafe—1612 20th Street NW in Washington, DC; www.zorbascafe.com—just a half block from the Dupont Circle Metro stop (Q Street exit off the red line). Zorba’s has a Mediterranean and Greek menu at reasonable prices and the best gyros to be had in DC. No reservations required. Street parking available after 6:30. Friends welcome. For more information, contact the event coordinator. {MWM}

7–11pm: Friday Night Salon in Bethesda. For details, see first Friday entry. {MWM}

8–11pm: “Cabaret”, by the St. Mark’s Players. You may purchase tickets in advance at the St. Mark’s Players website, www.stmarksplayers.org/Welcome.html. Plan to arrive between 7:30 and 8pm for the show. For more information on this Southeast Washington performance or venue, contact the event coordinator. {MWM}

Saturday the 11th

10am: 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). Five to 20 women, men, novices, first timers, liberals, conservatives, young, old, and experienced shooters usually attend this event. For many, this is their only Mensa activity. Gun ownership is not required, nor is NRA membership. Bring your non-Mensan friends and family, including your kids. N00bies must RSVP and arrive 30 minutes early for a required safety orientation and to get a range card. Saturday mornings 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; free garage parking. Reservations required; please respond early. Lunch afterward at a local restaurant. For reservations or more information, contact Adam Beslove at 540-466-4509. {MWM}

1pm: Cheap Shows. Meet the event coordinators at a Metro-accessible theater, usually in Montgomery County, for an afternoon movie and a bite afterward. Call on Friday night or Saturday morning to learn the name and location of the show. {MWM}

6:30–9pm: Zombie Munch: Food and Braaains. Join the event coordinator for conversation and pretty decent food at the Hibachi Grill in Woodbridge, VA (1965 Daniel Stuart Square; www.hibachibuffetwoodbridge.com). All you can eat, including sushi and Mongolian barbecue; all you can talk, as long as they don’t throw us out. BYOB (Bring Your Own Braaains). RSVP to the coordinator by Thursday the 9th to give her a basic brain, er, head count. {MWM}

8pm: MWM Saturday Night Party. Free! MWM’s traditional Saturday Night Party will be held at the hosts’ home in Chevy Chase—a five-minute walk from the Friendship Heights Metro station (red line). There’s room for charades if we have enough interest, and for backyard bocce as well. For more information, contact the hosts. {MWM}

Wednesday the 15th

6:30pm:Annapolis Gourmets venture across the drawbridge to Eastport and the Chart House Restaurant in the striking old boat house over Spa Creek at 300 Second Street, just off Severn Avenue (www.chart-house.com, 410-268-7166). The site is awash in 20th century maritime history—combat vessels by the hundreds were turned out there during World Wars I and II, and from 1947 through 1974, John Trumpy & Sons, Inc. built what the New York Times solemnly described as “the Rolls-Royce of American motor yachts” there. Today, the place is celebrated for pleasing food, fine service, a to-die-for view, and—every other year or so—a muster of thought-provoking Mensans. Please plan to come, and then make your reservations with the event coordinator by Sunday the 12th.

6:30–8pm: Science SIG. Meet the event coordinator in the food court of the Ballston Common Mall, at the corner of Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard (two blocks from the orange line’s Ballston-MU stop) in Arlington, VA for dinner and discussion of breaking science news and issues. {MWM}
6:30–9pm: Potomac Games Night. See entry for first Wednesday. {MWM}

Friday the 17th

4pm: MWM’s Regional Gathering Opens. Where do the Library of Congress comic book collection, acclaimed authors, Bikers against Child Abuse, chain mail, chocolate, a blood drive, counterfeit cash, everyday heroes, yoga, and the ukulele all converge? At the 2013 Metropolitan Washington Mensa RG, Superhero Edition, in the Hyatt Dulles at 2300 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Herndon, VA, that’s where. Come for the whole weekend if you can, or just for the day if you cannot for this once-a-year extravaganza.See http://superheroedition.wordpress.com/registration for registration—$94 through April 30th for all three days, $99 at the door. {MWM}

7:30pm:Maryland Mensa’s Monthly Meeting convenes in Catonsville at Christian Temple: 5820 Edmondson Avenue, near the intersection of Edmondson and Academy Road—about one-half mile east of (inside) the Baltimore beltway. Maryland Mensan Karen Dawn Speicher, our speaker for May’s meeting, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia from 1973 to 1975—a period which included riots and revolution culminating in a military coup that overthrew His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie. Last fall, Karen had the opportunity to revisit Ethiopia with other former Peace Corps volunteers. She will present slides and talk with us about this fascinating country little known to westerners. For more information about Maryland Mensa’s monthly meetings, contact MM Second Vice President for Programs Bedford Bentley at 443-695-0523 or bedfordtb@hotmail.com. If you send email, please include ‘Mensa’ in the subject line.

Saturday the 18th

All day: MWM RG Continues. Registration for Saturday only is $55 at the door; program listing at http://superheroedition.wordpress.com/program. Keynote address by Ryan Davidson, attorney and author: This is not the Worst Thing You’ve Caught Me Doing: Iron Man, Comics, and the Law. {MWM}

1pm: Mature Mensans of any age, but particularly those already enjoying or eligible for retirement, are invited to join like-minded peers in comparing notes over lunch at Monaghan’s Pub, 2121 Gwynn Oak Avenue in Woodlawn (410-944-3311; exit I-695 onto Security Boulevard east [inside Baltimore’s beltway], continue on Security for about 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Gwynn Oak and proceed for seven-tenths of a mile—the pub and its parking lot are on the right-hand side of the street). Enter the pub through the unmarked doors on either side of the building. Please come if you can—no reservations are required. Contact the event coordinator if you’d like to know more.

Sunday the 19th

Morning: MWM Virtual 5K. You’ve been hearing a lot about superheroes lately from MWM, and one of the qualities of a superhero is willingness to help others in need. This matches up well with a leading goal of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation: “finding the cause of breast cancer and stopping it before it starts”. On Sunday morning, MWM’s virtual team will participate in the 2013 “Walk with Love” to help raise money for breast cancer research. Virtual team membership is $20.00 per person. You needn’t be at the RG to participate, and you don’t have to run—walking, swimming, biking, going to a yoga class, etc. are other ways to participate. To register as a member of the MWM team, go to http://bit.ly/10xBgwH. Click on “Register Here”, follow the prompts, select “Join a Team” and “Matrix V (Superhero Edition)” from the pull-down menu, and then complete your registration. For more information, contact MWM’s team coordinator. {MWM}

MWM RG ends at noon. Sunday-only registration is $25. {MWM}

6–9pm: Gourmensans go to Rus-Uz Restaurant, 1000 North Randolph Street (near the Ballston Metro station on the orange line) in Arlington, VA. The food is an inspired blend of Russian and Uzbek tradition. You can see the menu at www.rus-uzcuisine.com/#!in-house-menu/csmm. New and prospective Mensans, family members, and other visitors are always welcome to attend. For reservations (strongly recommended), directions, or other information please contact one of the event coordinators. {MWM}

6–9:30pm: Bridge SIG. Come to the host’s home in Annandale, VA for friendly party bridge—bridge that’s neither cutthroat nor beginning. We welcome all players, and will try to find partners for singles. The Bridge SIG donation is just $5 for light supper and refreshments, and all bridge tolls from MD or DC are cheerfully refunded. We will try to arrange pickup from Metro if requested. No smoking, please. Contact the host for more information on Bridge SIG, or to tell her you’re coming and learn her address. {MWM}

Wednesday the 22nd

6:30–9pm: Potomac Games Night. See entry for first Wednesday. {MWM}

Friday the 24th

6:30–10:30pm: Meeting of the Minds. See the listing on Friday the 10th for more information. {MWM}

7–11pm: Friday Night Salon in Bethesda. For details, see first Friday entry. {MWM}

Saturday the 25th

11:30am–2pm: S and P Event (brewpub/lunch bunch). Join us for a fun afternoon of conversation, food, and beer, wine, or whatever in Bilbo Baggins Restaurant at 208 Queen Street in Old Town Alexandria, VA. The decor is lots of fun, with murals depicting hobbits and Gandalf and such. If you try, you can find on-street parking, most of which costs. Or you can get reasonable rates at the parking garage located on North Union Street between Cameron and Queen. The menu is eclectic, and the restaurant has about a dozen beers on tap as well as a long list of bottled beers and ales. We’ll have a room upstairs for our group. This is NOT a handicap-accessible restaurant—there is no elevator. RSVP by Thursday the 23rd to the event coordinator.{MWM}

7:30pm: Full Moon Saturday SIG. Come celebrate the full moon with the hosts in Germantown. Kindly bring a dish to share; no junk food, please. Allergy alerts: There are six loud but friendly dogs on the premises, and we will be using incense and essential oils. Please call if you have questions. {MWM}

Wednesday the 29th

6:30–9pm: Potomac Games Night. See entry for first Wednesday. {MWM}

Friday the 31st

7–11pm: Friday Night Salon in Bethesda. For details, see first Friday entry. {MWM}