March Calendar

Policy: New members, prospective members, and guests accompanying members are welcome at all events unless otherwise stated. Casual dress is suggested. Because changes occasionally occur after the Calendar has been printed, it is advisable to phone ahead before going to any event. Any member may schedule an event by providing the necessary information in writing to Calendar Editor Denise Grushon, calendar@ocmensa.org; snail mail 2511 W. Sunflower Ave., #H8, Santa Ana, CA 92704-7506. Deadline is 10 p.m. the Monday before The Oracle Proofing. All submissions received by deadline will be acknowledged via e-mail or phone message. Host names/phone numbers will appear on OCM website (www.ocmensa.org), unless otherwise requested; addresses/directions will not, unless specifically requested. See SIG Listing for further contact information.

Codes:

$: Event costs money to participate  AO: Adults only

B, C, D, I: Bird, cat, dog, iguana, on site CW: Children welcome

M: Look for “M” sign on table ODSS: Bring own drink/snack to share

PE: Public events (non-Mensa activities open to the general public)

TG: Thomas Guide map codes

Saturday, March 1

6:30 p.m. OCM Board Meeting
Immediately precedes the Open House. All OCM members are welcome to attend. Contact: Bill Shaddle, (562) 430-8130 or bill.shaddle@gmail.com.

8:00 p.m. Open House                        $, D
At Ann Harvey’s home, Admission for Mensa members and their guest is $6, and there is NO CHARGE for new members and prospective members who have never attended an Open House. Contact: Ann, (714) 962-6443, or Bill Shaddle, (562) 430-8130 or bill.shaddle@gmail.com.

Tuesday, March 4

NOON:    OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH meet at Café Hidalgo. Offering “authentic foods of Mexico, Spain and Latin America, the restaurant is located in the Villa del Sol courtyard, 305 N. Harbor Blvd  Fullerton, CA 92832, 1 1/2 miles north of the 
91 freeway (Harbor Blvd. exit) at the northwest corner of Harbor and Wilshire (2 blocks north of Commonwealth). 

5:30 p.m. NTN Trivia
Join the showdown every Tuesday night at Danny K’s, 1096 N. Main St., Orange, just south of Katella. Contact: Tim Bentley, cestrian49@yahoo.com; Danny K’s, (714) 771-9707 or www.dannyks.com.

Wednesday, March 5

5:30 p.m. 8 Ball Brigade                   AO, $
Meets at our longtime home, Danny K’s. Drop by to shoot some pool (it’s free), grab a bite, and enjoy a drink and some conversation. Look for the “OCM 8 Ball Brigade” sign. At 1096 N. Main St., Orange, just south of Katella. Contact: Sean, (949) 470-3608; Danny K’s, (714) 771-9707 or www.dannyks.com.

Thursday, March 6

NOON     BRUNCH DAVIDIANS meet at the Newport Beach Yacht Club, 1099 Bayside Dr., Newport Beach 92660. Take 73 or 405 to Jamboree towards beach. Cross PCH, go downhill to signal at Bayside. Turn R, and make a U turn and come back to signal. Turn R to club just before signal at 1099 Bayside Dr. Thanks to Pierre Hathaway for making this possible.  

Friday, March 7

5:05 p.m. Beerhunters                            $
Tries out the new Irish pub in town. Join us in raising a pint at The Auld Irisher in the Stadium Promenade in Orange. It’s tucked behind the Acapulco Restaurant. 13 beers on tap served in 20 oz. glasses, traditional Irish food and pub grub. At 1547 W. Katella #102. Contact: John Olsen, (714) 771-3095; The Auld Irisher, (714) 633-3192; www.auldirisher.com.

7:30 p.m. Cheapskate Poker AO, D, ODSS/$
The game is “hold’em” and the Bandaruks’ home is the place to be for an evening of fun games and lots of socializing. Bring a snack or drink to share, or $3. At the home of Bill and Terry Bandaruk. Contact: “Ante” Lynne Bianco, (714) 962-5176; Bill or Terry, (714) 641-1329 on game night.

Saturday, March 8

1:00 p.m. Games Day at Newport Beach
Bring your own games and snacks to share or a couple of bucks and I'll supply some snacks. I expect that I will do this the second Saturday of every month but I may make it more often. Contact: Michael Michalchik. Phone 949-375-2045 or 949-644-0901. RSVP appreciated but not necessary.

2:00 p.m. Free-thinkers Toastmasters
Thinks that reason (not faith, not authority, not dogma) should be the basis for understanding the universe and solving human problems. We help develop public speaking and leadership abilities in a friendly, helpful atmosphere. In West L.A., near the 405 and 10 Fwys. Contact: David, (310) 479-6318, or Steve, (818) 881‑6157.

4:00 p.m. Bi-County (OC/SD) Crumpets and Tea       C, CW
Crumpets and tea are served every 2nd Saturday at the south county home of Tom Streeter and Kristine Calitri. Join your fellow OC/SD Mensans for a late-afternoon, low-calorie, no-alcohol chat. No door charge; no RSVP; arrive when you like, leave when you like. Contact: Tom, (858) 668-6033, http://tomstreeter.com/crumpets.htm.

Sunday, March 9

10:30 a.m. Free-thinkers Brunch           $
If you think that reason should be the basis for understanding the universe and solving human problems, meet with like-minded individuals in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. We’re at IHOP, across from Orange County/John Wayne Airport; check upstairs. At 18542 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine; (949) 474-4467 (TG 859-J1). Contact: Norman, (310) 408-8653, or Linda K., (714) 321-7709; http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/M-Atheists/

1:45 p.m. 2nd Sunday Good Movies        $
This event is for those who are tired of mainstream schlock. Join us at the Edwards University 6, which shows the widest range of current world-class films (i.e., “art films”) in this region. We’ll decide on the movie (or movies) when we meet in front of the theater. Jim will be holding a copy of The Oracle. After the viewing, we get a bite to eat and share impressions. Edwards University 6, 4245 Campus, Irvine. From 405 Fwy., exit at Culver and go south to Campus. Turn right. Go a few blocks until you reach Stanford. Turn right. First left takes you into parking lot, then right. Look for the Edwards University 6 theater on your left. Contact: Jim, (760) 244-5535, or David Lubman, (714) 898-9099, dlubman@ix.netcom.com.

Monday, March 10

10:00 p.m. Deadline for the April issue of The Oracle!
Send entries to Editor Sandra Smolinsky at oracle@ocmensa.org; snail mail to 5280 Pina, Laguna Hills, CA 92653; (949) 460-0264.

10:00 p.m. Deadline for April’s Calendar!
Send entries to Calendar Editor Denise Grushon at calendar@ocmensa.org; snail mail to 2511 W. Sunflower Ave., #H8, Santa Ana, CA 92704-7506; (714) 824-7101.

Tuesday, March 11

NOON:    OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH check out China Buffet. Includes Mongolian Bar-B-Q and dim sum for only $6.79. 104 W. Orangethorpe, Fullerton. From 91 fwy, N on Harbor about ¼ mile. SW corner of Harbor and Orangethorpe. Look for the yellow “M” sign. Info: David 714/898-9099. 

5:30 p.m. NTN Trivia
See entry under March 4th.

Wednesday, March 12

12:35 p.m.               (Almost) Free Lunch          $
Join us for a quick Mexican lunch at Bobby D’s. It doesn’t sound very Mexican but they make some tasty carnitas, along with other classics. We come and go, so you don’t have to feel pressured by time or the need to get back to work. At 156 N. Glassell St., Orange; (714) 771-2222. Contact: John Olsen, (714) 771-3095.

Thursday, March 13

NOON      BRUNCH DAVIDIANS meet at Marco Polo Italian Eatery in the Newport North Shopping Center, 1220 Bison Ave., Newport Beach. From 405 south merge onto 73 south. Take MacArthur Blvd. exit toward Newport Beach; turn right onto Bison Ave. Contact: David, (714) 898-9099.

Friday, March 14

5:01 p.m. 2nd Friday Happy Hour                        $
At Acapulco Restaurant. Start the weekend with lively intelligent conversation among Mensa friends. New members welcome. At 1535 W. Katella Ave. (at Main St., next to King’s Fish House), Orange, ½ mile east of the 57 Fwy. in the Century 25 complex. Contact: Art Mattson (714) 974-0847.

Saturday, March 15

11:30 a.m.  Pre-Proofing Nature Walk in Laguna Woods
There’s nothing like a nice nature walk to get you in the mood for a serious bout of Oracle proofing. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Noon       The Oracle Proofing Party
Come help us proof the April issue of The Oracle at your Editor’s home. Meet Suki the Robotic Cat! Lunch is provided. Contact: Sandra Smolinsky, (949) 460-0264, oracle@ocmensa.org.

8:00 p.m. Sociables
Is dark this month
.

Tuesday, March 18

NOON:    OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH meets at Florentine’s Downtown Bar & Grill, 102 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. (OC TM 738 H7). Northeast corner of Harbor and Commonwealth. Look for the yellow “M” sign. Info: David 714/898-9099

5:30 p.m. NTN Trivia

 

Wednesday, March 19

5:30 p.m. Midweek Madness Happy Hour          $       
Come imbibe, eat, socialize and relax. Select drinks and appetizers (ribs, shrimp, wings) at HALF-PRICE! At Black Angus, Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, just south of 17th St. Contact: Valerie, (714) 832-0159, or Sean, (949) 470-3608.

Thursday, March 20

NOON      BRUNCH DAVIDIANS meet at Fuji-Kan for good Japanese cuisine, 14376 Culver Dr., Irvine. South of 5 fwy at Culver and Walnut.

              Look for the Yellow "M" sign. Info: David 714/898-9099.

Friday, March 21

5:05 p.m. 3rd Friday at Hollingshead’s   $
We’re just back from Spring Training. For us, the training involved beer drinking and hot dog eating. So join us and see if you can keep up with some true pros. At 368 S. Main St., Orange. Behind Duke’s Hamburgers, north of the 22 Fwy, south of Chapman. Look for deli sign in the corner of small shopping center. Contact: John Olsen, work (949) 465-8282; home (714) 771-3095.

Saturday, March 22

11:00 a.m. The Oracle Mailing Party      D
Bill and Terry Bandaruk, co-hosts. OCM members only. Help label, bundle, and otherwise get the April issue of The Oracle out the door. Food always available! At the home of Bill and Terry Bandaruk. Contact: Bill or Terry, (714) 641-1329.

2:00 p.m. Free-thinkers Toastmasters
See entry under March 8th.

Tuesday, March 25

NOON:    OUT TO LUNCH BUNCH meets at the Corner Bakery Café, 103 W. Imperial Highway, corner of Brea Blvd. and Imperial Hwy. From 57 N, take Imperial Hwy exit and go west (left) to Brea Blvd.  

5:30 p.m. NTN Trivia
See entry under March 4th.

Wednesday, March 26

12:35 p.m. (Almost) Free Lunch            $
Stops in for a little burger joint experience. Johnie’s Jr. Burgers is the classic Greek-style burger joint with an expansive menu of grill items and other stuff. Choose from burgers, sandwiches, Mexican, rice bowls, salads and breakfasts — all at reasonable prices. You’ll find Johnie’s across from the Orange Post Office, about a block south of Katella at 1062 N. Tustin Ave., Orange; (714) 633-5480. Contact: John Olsen, (714) 771-3095.

Thursday, March 27

NOON      BRUNCH DAVIDIANS meet at Orchid Persian Cuisine. Good lunch buffet for $8.99 plus drink. At 3033 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. South of 405, just north of Baker in shopping center on west side of Bristol.

 

Friday, March 28

5:30 p.m. 4th Friday Happy Hour             $
Meets in the California Grill restaurant. They serve Mexican munchies and yummy desserts, plus a full bar. At the Crown Plaza Resort Hotel, Garden Grove. S/W corner of Chapman Ave. and Harbor Blvd. Contact: Marti Reis, (714) 750-4333.

7:30 p.m. Christian Apologetics
Open discussion on philosophy, rational thought and Christianity. Mensans, spouses, friends and skeptics are invited to come. Contact: G.B., (562) 947-7934.

Saturday, March 29

7:30 p.m. OC Mensa Ballot Counting ODSS, D
(And excuse for a party.) Witness as your Election Committee tallies the thousands of ballots for OCM 2008 Board positions. We’ll closely scrutinize chads (pregnant or otherwise) and multiple selections for positions! Join us for a toast to the victors, to be followed by partying (i.e., cards, snacking, Scrabble®, lobbying the new Board members, and the usual recreational activities). Guests are welcome, but only OCM members may participate in the counting. If you’re fussy, please BYOB (that’s beverage, not ballot), or something simple to share if you can. At Ann Harvey’s home in Huntington Beach.  Contact: Barry Ader, (949) 595-0460, or Ann Harvey, (714) 962-6443.

7:45 p.m. Words ’R’ Us                  ODSS, D
Starts counting the points (Scrabble®) after the ballot counting at Ann’s. See ballot counting above for address and directions. Bring your own beverage and a snack to share. Contact: Linda K., (714) 321-7709 or n8owl@earthlink.net, or Barry Ader, (949) 595-0460.