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, October 23
5:00 PM LOT (Last Odd Thursday)
LOT – Last Odd Thursday meets for the 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
Saturday, October 25
10:00 AM Gifted Youth: UCI Tour
Mensa teens (7th-12th graders) including Gifted Youth members, children or grandchildren of members, and their friends are invited to see what a college campus is like. The tour is free of charge but will have time at the food court where meals can be purchased. Minors must be accompanied by a guardian. Please RSVP to the gifted youth coordinator with the number of people who plan to attend. More details will be provided when an RSVP is received.
Location: University of California, Irvine
Contact: Jennifer Colucci
Wednesday, October 29
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
Let’s try a new Mexican place. It’s time for tacos and burritos. Join us at The Taco Stand located two blocks west of the Orange Plaza on Chapman.
Location: 240 W Chapman Ave, Orange. There is a free city parking garage a half block north.
Contact: John Olsen
Sunday, November 2
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
Tuesday, November 4th
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Gifted Youth: Parent Support — Zoom
Just as our gifted children may struggle finding their place and tribe, parents of gifted children can struggle with trying to help them. Join other parents of Gifted Youth on Zoom to ask questions, share advice or just feel validated that you aren’t alone on this journey.
This meeting is open to any parents of gifted youth, even if your “youth” may not technically be kids or teens anymore. We parents of young ones will benefit from those who have gone before us.
Contact: Jennifer Colucci
Wednesday, November 5
12:30 PM LuncH with a Capital H
Join us for sandwiches and conversation and maybe a beer. Will it be a Craig or a Great Scott? 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 small shopping center.
Contact: John Olsen
Thursday, November 6
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, November 8
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: Garden Grove.
Contact: Marti
Sunday, November 9
10:30 AM Atheists Brunch
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 but not necessary.
Location: The restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. (The cross street is Birch, near the airport).
Contact: Joyce Farmer
3:00 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 for coffee or iced tea, 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.
Directions: Oak Creek Shopping Center, 5653 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Outside on the patio in front of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
Contact: Angie Mattson
Monday, November 10
10:00 PM Calendar and Oracle Deadlines
Submit December calendar entries to the Calendar Editor at Calendar@ocmensa.org.
Submit December Oracle entries (articles & photos) to the Oracle Editor at Editor@ocmensa.org
Thursday, November 13
5:00 PM South County Indoor Happy Hour
We’ve had fun hosting our little get-together, so we’re continuing indoors for the winter. 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
Saturday, November 15
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Gifted Youth: ThanksGAMING Party
Bring your favorite board game or card game to play with other Mensa families. Family-friendly food will be served including turkey roll-ups, plain shaped pasta, veggies and hummus, fruit-copias, gaming snacks, sugar cookies along with water and juices. The event is planned to be indoors but may spill out into the backyard so you may want to bring sunscreen and bug spray just in case. Cost is $5 per person to cover food.
Location: Tustin
Sunday, November 16
2:30 PM Virtual Presentation, San Francisco Regional Mensa
Topic: A Brief History of Submarines in the U.S. Navy;
Speaker: Ms. Robyn Weimer
As the U.S. Navy Submarine Force celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025, this presentation will provide a brief history of submarines in the Navy and their contributions to the nation. Ms. Weimer, a 24-year veteran of the Submarine Force, served on four nuclear-powered submarines.
This is a Zoom meeting. Please register.
You will receive a confirmation email with the login information
Tuesday, November 18
6:30 PM Book Chat
Book Chat returns for November to Valerie Spear’s house.
September’s look at the character Jack Reacher was fun, interesting and our best yet. For November we will be reading The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, which should be very interesting in this climate.
Please join us. If you didn’t get a chance to finish the book or even start the book…. come anyway. I’m sure you have something valuable to add. We are grand people and there will be snacks.
Location: Tustin.
Questions: Text Karon Roberts
Wednesday, November 19
12:30 PM (almost) FREE LUNCH
We’re going Mexican AGAIN! Join us at a very good taqueria on Orange’s east side. If it’s popular in El Modena you know it’s good. See you at Taqueria El Picosito!
Location: Taqueria El Picosito, 4509 E Chapman Ave, Orange. It’s on the NE corner of Chapman & Hewes.
Contact: John Olsen
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: Villa Roma, 25254 La Paz, Laguna Hills.
Directions: Exit I-5 at La Paz and go coastward. Go 1/4 mile; restaurant is on your left.
Contact: Tom Streeter
Sunday, November 23
10:45 AM Brunch Buddies
Brunch at a Brewery? Well it turns out they have a pretty fun brunch and beer is not all they serve. Join us at 1886 Brewing Company in Orange. 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: 1886 Brewing Co, 114 N Glassell St, Orange.
Contact: Valerie Spear or John Olsen
Sunday, November 30
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Gifted Youth: Pokemon Go Community Day
Join us for a group walk while we catch some Pokemon. (Requires a mobile device and the Pokemon Go app which should be set up ahead of time. Contact Jennifer if you need guidance.)
Location: Mission Viejo
Contact: Jennifer Colucci
