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.
Wednesday, June 18
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: Outback Steakhouse, 25322 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills
Directions: Going North, exit I-5 at La Paz and turn left. Then turn left on Cabot (the first — and very quick — left off La Paz). Going South, exit I-5 at La Paz and go straight ahead onto Cabot. Go 1/4 mile; 25322 Cabot is on the left.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Thursday, June 19
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
Sunday, June 22
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Join us for brunch! This month we’re giving Friends Cafe a try. Please note: Brunch time can often mean wait times. Please RSVP for this event no later than 48 hours before so we know who to wait for before getting a table/reservation.
Location: Friends Café, 17391 17th St., Tustin
Contact: Valerie Spear
3:00 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 Greg De Hoogh to receive the login information/link for joining the meeting.
Contact: Greg De Hoogh, OCM President
Wednesday, June 25
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
We’ve enjoyed Tacos Sinaloa for years especially with their wide menu. We’re back this month.
Location: Tacos Sinaloa 1430 E 17th St (between the 5 and 55 fwys)
Contact: John Olsen
Wed. July 2 – Sun. July 6
American Mensa Annual Gathering, Chicago
Location: Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave
Details: https://ag.us.mensa.org/
Thursday, July 3
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
Thursday, July 10
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
Please note that for July and 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
Sunday, July 13
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. 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, July 14
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit August calendar entries to the Calendar Editor at Calendar@ocmensa.org .
Submit August Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor at Editor@ocmensa.org .
Wednesday, July 16
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: Flamingos, 25342 McIntyre, Laguna Hills
Directions: Exit I-5 at La Paz and go coastward. Go 1/4 mile to McIntyre, turn left, and go 800 feet. Restaurant is on your left.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Thursday, July 17
5:00 pm SCPHH (South County Patio Happy Hour)
We’ll provide the beer (and maybe some wine). Bring a snack to share if you’re so inclined, but don’t feel obligated.
Location: Laguna Hills
Contact: Greg De Hoogh
Sunday, July 20
2:30 PM Virtual Presentation, San Francisco Regional Mensa
Topic: Spy School; Speaker: Don Grayson
Ever wondered what is like to be a spy in real life? Well, “James Bond, your job is to go someplace, complete your mission, fade into the woodwork and disappear as if you had never been there.” Those were the first words Don heard from his Spy School instructor.
During his 30-year career as an engineer for the U.S. Navy, Don was sent on about a dozen classified field missions. His missions ranged from a week to months — maintaining a cover story, remaining invisible. No gun chases, poison pens or gimmicked cars and certainly no one greeting him and offering him his favorite cocktail. No, it ain’t James Bond!
This is a Zoom meeting.
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3:00 PM Baja LasVegastan Independence Day Celebration
Come celebrate the petty politics of a petite potentate, the Benevolent Dictatorship of Baja LasVegastan! No RSVP; no door charge. Champagne! Cake! Singing! Contests! Parades! See tomstreeter.com/celebrate.html for details. The Benevolent Dictator will award a prize to all who present a suitably-artistic application for a visa, or for a patent of nobility. Creativity counts! Wear something orange, blue, or yellow—the national colors of our beloved Benevolent Dictatorship. Creativity counts here, too.
Location: City of Baja LasVegastopolis (which is completely surrounded by the USA City of San Clemente). Ample parking is available on the USA side of the international frontier.
Contact: Tom Streeter, Benevolent Dictator
Tuesday, July 22
6:30 PM Book Chat
We return to Valerie Spear’s house to discuss ‘The Other Einstein’ by Marie Benedict. Please come! Reading the book isn’t required and we welcome your input on the next one.
Location: Tustin
Contact: Karon Roberts
