We have a full schedule of social activities each month, ranging from lunches and happy hours to games nights, discussion groups, trivia, and our Speakers Forum.
All events are open to all Mensa members, and to guests who accompany Mensa members. Events in public places (restaurants, theaters, etc.) are also open to prospective members. RSVPs are not required, except as noted.
The calendar of activities in the Oracle (our monthly newsletter) may include additional events that are open only to Mensa members and their guests. To view the Calendar in the Oracle, please visit American Mensa’s local group newsletters webpage. Have your Mensa log-in info (email address and password) ready.
Once a week, we send an Email Blast — “This Week in OC Mensa” — that lists the activities for the next seven days to each member with an email address on file with American Mensa.
Mensa members: You can schedule your own activity or get-together in next month’s calendar by submitting a Calendar entry to our Calendar Editor at: calendar@ocmensa.org
Note: To protect the privacy of our hosts, home addresses, personal email addresses, and phone numbers are not listed on this website. Current members of Orange County Mensa can access this information in the current Oracle newsletter or the weekly eBlast.
Thursday, September 24
6:30 PM Book Chat
We will discuss Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis. This 2026 legal thriller centers on a Black female judge in rural Alabama who presides over a controversial abortion case that divides her small town and attracts national attention.
Location: Angie Mattson’s home, Orange.
Contact: Angie.
Sunday, September 27
12:30 PM Virtual Speaker Presentation: Theodore Talk (Zoom)
Topic: How to Communicate with Someone Who Disagrees with You
Speaker: Jenny Rankin, PhD (OC Mensa member)
In our highly polarized climate, chances are good that you have run across someone who disagrees with you. This presentation will help you understand what is happening in the brain of someone who disagrees with you and will arm you with surprising (yet practical) strategies for persuading even the most averse audience and achieving better discussions and relations in the process.
Register for this presentation to receive the Zoom link.
Even if you can’t attend the live Theodore Talk, as long as you register in advance you will receive a link to the Zoom recording that you can watch at your convenience.
Contact: Brad Lucht/Shirley Mouer, Theodore Talk Co-chairs.
Thursday, October 1
12:00 Noon First Thursday Lunch
Please join us at Cafe Rose Express. Typical full lunches priced from about $8 to $25. Fresh salads & pastries. Full lunch menu with daily specials. We’re welcoming, good-natured and friendly. If the weather is nice, we may be outside in the shade. Look for the M on a yellow background.
Location: Cafe Rose Express, 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa, 949-478-8777.
Contact: John Kerr.
Saturday, October 3
6:00 PM New Member Meet & Greet and Mensa 101
If you joined Mensa, within the last year (or if you have been a member for a while but haven’t attended very much and you want to know more about Mensa), you are invited to join us before the Open House for casual conversation and an orientation to Mensa. Meet other new members and learn from a few of OCM’s more experienced members about Orange County Mensa and how to make the most of your Mensa membership. Afterwards, you can meet other OC Mensa members and continue socializing at the Open House.
Location: Same as Open House, Garden Grove.
Contact: Angie Mattson
7:00 PM Open House Party
Please join us for an evening of fun conversation with your fellow Mensans. As usual, snacks, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included at the low price of $5 per person. Open to all members and their accompanied guests.
Location: At the home of Marti Reis, Garden Grove.
Contact: Marti Reis
Tuesday, October 6
6:30 PM Gifted Youth: Parent Support Zoom
Join other parents of Gifted Youth on Zoom every first Tuesday to ask questions, share advice or just feel validated that you aren’t alone in this journey.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci, OCM Gifted Youth Coordinator.
Wednesday, October 7
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
We’ve been coming here since the last Ice Age. Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. Look for us at the big round table (if we get it).
Location: Hollingshead’s Deli, 368 S. Main St., Orange. Behind Victory Diner. North of the 22 Fwy, south of Chapman. Look for Deli sign in the corner of a small shopping center.
Contact: John Olsen.
Thursday, October 8
5:00 PM South County Happy Hour
We’re moving indoors for the winter to Joyce’s home. The conversation meanders where it will, never a set topic. We’ll provide beer, wine and water. Bring a snack to share if you wish, but don’t feel obligated. (Stairs inside.)
Location: Laguna Beach
Contact: Joyce Farmer.
Sunday, October 11
10:30 AM M-Atheists SIG Brunch
If you think that reason should be the basis for understanding the universe and solving human problems, join like-minded friends in an unstructured, supportive atmosphere. Mark your calendar for every second Sunday of every month. You don’t have to be a member of the SIG to enjoy the fun!
Location: The WAVE restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West, 4545 MacArthur Blvd, Newport Beach. (Near John Wayne Airport, cross street is Birch. Free parking.)
Contact: Linda K. or Joyce Farmer.
Sunday, October 11
7:00 PM OCM Board Meeting – Zoom
The Board is meeting to handle the business of Orange County Mensa. This meeting will be via Zoom, and all OC Mensa members are welcome to attend. You can attend on a computer, smart phone, or tablet. If you prefer, you can listen in on a landline phone. If you plan to attend, RSVP to Ken Burke to receive the login information/link for joining the meeting.
Contact: Ken Burke, OCM President.
Monday, October 12
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit November 2026 calendar entries to the Calendar Editor.
Submit November 2026 Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor .
Sunday, October 18
1:00 – 4:00 PM Gifted Youth: Pirate Park Boat Race
This park boasts shaded picnic tables, two pirate ship play structures, sand and swings. Come dressed as your favorite captain, mermaid, sea monster or other high seas adventurer. We’ll be making water bottle paddle boats to race and the three fastest boat captains will receive treasure! Waters, Pirate’s Booty and popsicles will be provided. Feel free to contribute a snack or bring a game to play.
Location: Tustin Heritage Park.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci, OCM Gifted Youth Coordinator.
Thursday, October 29
5:00 PM Last Odd Thursday
LOT – Last Odd Thursday meets one last time this year. It’s our al fresco Happy Hour which we try to hold in our front yard. Bring a snack to share if you are so moved, but we have plenty of beer.
Location: Orange.
Contact: John Olsen.
