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.
Saturday, August 2
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Open House Party
Join us for our August Open House at the home of Bill Shaddle and Cathy Winans (and friendly dog Toby) in Seal Beach for an evening of great conversation. Enjoy the Seal Beach breeze on Bill and Cathy’s deck over a variety of snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine. Mensa members and their accompanied guests only. $5 each.
Location: Seal Beach.
Contact: Bill/Cathy
Thursday, August 7
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.
Sunday, August 10
10:30 AM Atheists United Orange Co., Second Sunday Meeting
The conversation is enjoyable and unstructured among like-minded friends. We order brunch from the menu. We are open to the public, free parking at the hotel. If you have questions, go to: meetup.com/orange-county-second-sunday-brunch/events An RSVP is appreciated.
Location: The restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (The cross street is Birch, near the airport).
Contact: Joyce Farmer
Monday, August 11
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit September calendar entries to the Calendar Editor at Calendar@ocmensa.org .
Submit September Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor at Editor@ocmensa.org .
Thursday, August 14
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
Please note that in August we will be on the second Thursday for scheduling reasons. Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. Look for us at the round big 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
5:00 pm SCPHH (South County Patio Happy Hour)
We’ll provide the beer, wine, and water. Bring a snack to share if you’re so inclined, but don’t feel obligated.
Location: Laguna Hills
Contact: Greg De Hoogh
Sunday, August 17
2:30 PM Virtual Presentation, San Francisco Regional Mensa
Topic: Technology of Space; Speaker: Ron Baraze
There are numerous spacecraft and satellites orbiting the earth, providing us with valuable data on weather patterns, climate change and communications. Learn about Lockheed Martin’s many innovative projects for space.
Ron Baraze has worked on 23 space flight projects for Lockheed Martin, and has partnered with higher learning institutions such as Stanford University, Oxford Physics Department, University of Huntsville and the Enrico Fermi Institute.
This is a Zoom meeting. Please register at in advance.
Wednesday, August 20
1:00 PM South of the Border
Join us south of the border (the border being the El Toro Y) for a south county lunch. RSVP not required. Look for the black and yellow “M” sign on the table.
Location this month: Asia Buffet, 23552 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest
Directions: Exit I-5 at El Toro; head inland a half mile; on the right.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Thursday, August 21
5:00 PM LOT (Last Odd Thursday)
LOT – Last Odd Thursday meets again. 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. We’ll try to be here every month through October.
Location: Orange.
Contact: John Olsen
Wednesday, August 27
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
We’re feeling like sushi. Maybe you are too. Otherwise, you can go with one of the many cooked items at Orange Roll & Sushi
Location: Orange Roll & Sushi, 139 West 1st St., Ste. A, (at El Camino Real), Tustin
Contact: John Olsen
Sunday, August 31
3:00 PM Picnic & Luau
Join us for a picnic and luau on Labor Day eve in Valerie Spear’s backyard in Tustin. We’ll enjoy a sumptuous Hawaiian-themed meal, including Kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, Hawaiian pasta salad, rice, Hawaiian bread, and other dishes, as well as soft drinks, water, beer, and wine. When you’re not busy eating and visiting with your fellow Mensans, you can have fun playing bocce, croquet, and other games.
$5.00/per person. Suggestion: Wear a Hawaiian shirt if you have one.
You can help by bringing picnic blankets, chairs, or games. Want to really help? Volunteer by calling/texting Valerie.
Location: Tustin.
Contact: Valerie
