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Sacramento Regional Mensa
Articles 2008
Welcome to the new year, and to the Mensa fellowship of 2008.
As you know, the biennial Changing-of-the-Guard has replaced, rotated or
rearranged the officers of the Sacramento Regional Mensa governing
board. So with that said, it is my pleasure to announce Rosmaire Duffy as
the new Local Secratary. (Certainly not to say, of course, that it’s a
pleasure to bid farewell to Debra Reiger.) You will find the list of the new
SRM board members on page 9 where Kerr Gardner, our election official,
has enumerated all the details.
And while we’re on the subject of elections, I’d like to use this convenience to say a truth. I, your SacraMensan editor, is not an elected board member of our local group. I do not possess that hifalutin officialtype voting priviledge like a real elected official--my suffrage ends after I send in my biennial ballot. I don’t get to say yea or nay at board meetings. Nope, not me. However, like the politicians of the good ol’ days, I can still wield my influence under the table or behind closed doors. You know, affect those critical deals, perform those political dances where only the appropriate venue can inspire the proper outcomes. Perhaps a drop or two of good tequilla and a strip club is all it takes. Ahhh, the world is at my fingertips. Oh yeah, one truth can be said for sure: I need not to worry ‘bout . . . . term limits. So there.
Remember, The SacraMensan is only as great as the sum of its contributors; so if you’ve got something to add, submit. You can find me at thesacramensan@hotmail.com
So, before I bid aloof, I would like to offer you our always-standing invitation here at Mensa Control for members to submit pieces for publication in the SacraMensan. Whether it be an illustration, a work of verse, fact or fiction, or even an idea, send it in. Perhaps you have a question for Wonder Weasel. (Don’t worry, nothing is too absurd, and he doesn’t require that you sign your real name. As the furry little Master of Inquiry says, “If it ain’t worth wonderin’ about, it ain’t wonderful.”) I must go off now so that I maybe allowed to ponder my new year’s revolution.
Botttz
Activities column for January 2008
Activities Coordinator: Leonore Proctor
Owl_Herder at Myway.com 916-395-7311
Happy 2K8! There are lots of interesting and fun Mensa activities in store for this year, so please consider volunteering to help out. We need some hosts and locations for activities that are already planned, you won’t need to do much more than be there, so if you don’t want the majority of our events to be held in Elk Grove, give us some alternatives!
Here are a few to choose from, just pick one or two that appeal to you and let me know that you’d like to be a host:
- Progressive dinner
- Bike ride
- Ice skating/roller skating
- Coffee meet-up
- Movie night out
- Movie night at home
- Wine tasting
- Family picnic
- Community service activities
- Theater
- Theme party
- Museum visit
- Salon speaker
Other events in store include the return of "Tower and Tower" (Wednesday the 9th this month); the return of "Coffee And..." (see you at True Love on the 27th); the new Brew Crew will have it’s first Cruise on the 20th; the "younger" crowd (18ish to 35ish) are planning some active adventures; a trip to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland; the Entertainment Book Users Group has vowed to get their money’s worth this year, and at least one family friendly activity each month. Children are welcome at most SRM activities, but some are of more particular interest to the elementary school ages—these will be designated in the calendar with: HFamily FriendlyH
Make this the year that you become more involved in Mensa and make some new friends. Volunteer to be a host or contact person; tell us about your hobby or special interest; or schedule a community service activity for your favorite charity.
I’m looking forward to a fun year and
to meeting a lot of new friends.
by John Recht, Region 8 RVC
rvc8@us.mensa.orgPlanning may not be very sexy, but it is one of the most important functions for any board of directors. The American Mensa Committee (AMC) in this term has made great strides to improve its planning process, and I am very gratified that the AMC has shown their confidence in me by appointing me chair of the Planning Committee. Either that, or else they just don’t think I am very sexy. Nevertheless, I am happy to report that at the December AMC meeting, we adopted a set of short-term and longterm goals that will give us a framework for the planning process that is currently under development. Please stay tuned for more about this effort in the coming months, and as it goes along, you will be able to follow just how well we are doing toward accomplishing the goals we have set.
Speaking of sexy, as I write this, Linda and I are actually on our honeymoon. For that reason, and also to please all the newsletter editors in the region, I will keep this column short. In closing, then, I would like to remind you one more time about Mensa of Western Washington’s Regional Gathering, EveRGreen 2008: Romp & Circumstances, on Feb. 15-17. Information and registration forms are available at www.mensaww.org/ gather.htm. If you are fond of Texas Hold ‘Em poker, don’t miss the official Region 8 tournament on Friday night at the RG! In addition, I suggest that you register asap for Oregon Mensa’s RG, which will be May 4-6; look on the home page at www.oregon.us.mensa.org for information and registration forms. And finally, it’s definitely time to think about registering for the 2008 Annual Gathering In Denver from Jul. 2-6; you will find all the information you need at www.ag2008.us.mensa.org. To all of you, I send my best wishes for health and happiness in the new year, and I hope to see you at an event sometime soon
John
GIFTED CHILDREN’S NEWS
NATIONAL PLUS NEAR
by Genevieve Reilley
Finding appropriate reading material for gifted children can be daunting, subject to suitability and educational value. The National Wildlife Federation publishes several magazines for children geared toward an environmnental perspective. The National Wildlife Federation advocates protecting wildlife and wild places for future generations, in particular, confronting global warming.Aside from its advocacy mission, the National Wildlife Federation publishes "Wild Animal Baby", for children ages 1 to 4 years. This magazine is geared to involve parents and toddlers in some interactive fun.
"Your Big Backyard" is intended for children ages 3 to 7. This monthly magazine is designed to start children on rudimentary reading exercises, using animals as backdrops for enjoyable activities.
"Ranger Rick" is for children ages 7 years and older. This monthly magazine compiles facts, photographs, puzzles, games, jokes and wild animal adventure stories.
For more information on these magazines, call 1-800-477-5560, contact customer service via email at wincustserv@nwf.org, or go to the website http://www.shopnwf.org/
Of local interest, Leonore Proctor encourages gifted children and adults to meet at the Crocker Art Museum on Saturday, January 5th at 2:00 pm. Gifted children and adults are also encouraged to meet at the Science Center on Saturday, January 26th at 1:30 pm. Please see the Activities Calendar in this issue for more information on these two separate events.
ELECTION NEWS
We have had a successful election, 38 ballots were received, 36 of which were able to be counted, so your new Executive Committee (governing board) is:
Local Secretary - Rosmaire Duffy (35 votes)Debra Reiger, Lesley James, Michael Walacavage, Rod Baker, Martha Baker, Rosmaire Duffy, and Leonore Proctor did fabulous jobs on the board or filling in, for which I send a hearty thank you! Thank you also to Alexander Brittain for your service as Member at Large, sorry you had to cut your term short. I hope you’ll send each of them your thanks, as well.
Activities Coordinator - Leonore Proctor (34 votes)
Treasurer - Susan McIntire (36 votes)
Secretary - Demaris Brower-Douglas (36 Votes)
Membership Coordinator - Lesley James (35 votes)
Thank you to the new board members: Rosmaire Duffy, Leonore Proctor, Susan McIntire, Demaris Brower-Douglas, and Lesley James, and congratulations!
Thank you to Sharrel Wyatt and Sandy Feder for serving as Election Committee members during the ballot counting. Thank you also to Joan Kodani and Rod Baker for your invaluable assistance during the vote count.
Kerr Gardner,
Election Committee Chair
Rod Baker, Membership & Proctor CoordinatorOnly one person showed up for testing in November. We now have 591 members. Anyone who takes the tests in January will receive a $5.00 off coupon.Rod |
January Birthdays!
Otto Haueisen 1Peter Kosel 1
Rodney Baker 2
Kenneth Couvillion 2
Richard Deliberty 3
Aditya Srinivasan 3
Michael Woodruff 3
Nancy Glazzard 4
Linda Pearce 4
Jerry Martin 5
Jan DeBoer 6
Bruce Enyeart 8
Arthur Burbridge 9
Paul Goulding 9
Andrew Halushka 9
David McDowell 10
Thom Wallace 11
Sander Rubin 12
Douglas Carson 14
Robert Stonehouse 14
Jonathan Zumwalt 15
Adriana Molina-Baldjieva 16
Aaron Schlein 17
Robert Ely 18
Tamar Adjoian 19
Matthew Gandley 22
Rollin Brown 23
Nicholas Rotondo 23
Margaret Bloebaum 27
Ken Tsao 30
Sandra Heilman 31
Paul Keeton 31
Maxi-Food for Thought"You are everything that is, your thoughts, your life, your dreams come true. You are everything you choose to be. You are as unlimited as the endless universe." Shad HelmstetterHAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 Maxi |
BeaveRG XI: Power SuRGe!
Oregon Mensa invites you to attend our 2008 Regional
Gathering, which will be held May 2-4, 2008.
We are very excited to return to the newly renovated Red Lion at the Quay in Vancouver, WA, across the river from Portland, OR. This will be the fourth time the RG has been held at this popular location. All the action takes place on the main floor, so you can easily switch between the Game Room, Hospitality, speakers and 2 catered meals. We are also offering a Teen Room this year, with games and activities for those 18 and under.
The hotel features 160 spacious guest rooms, and all the amenities you’d expect of a first-class hotel: improved handicapped access, free Net4Guests high-speed wireless Internet, in-room coffee, room service, laundry and valet service, and refrigerators and microwaves in all guest rooms. Located on the beautiful Columbia River, you can take a scenic walk or jog on the 3K trail right outside the hotel, or hang out in the hospitality room overlooking the river. Free airport shuttle service is available every day between 9 am and 11 pm. To reserve a room at the special rate of $89.95 (plus tax) call 1-800-RED-LION and mention code 080430or.
The RG committee is planning something for everyone, including Texas Hold ‘em Poker, a Friday tour, an expanded Hospitality overlooking the river, and programs that will get you out of your seat and moving! Of course, we will continue to provide thought-provoking speakers, the everpopular Game Room, and the annual auction to benefit our scholarship programs.
Register before January 31st, 2008 to get the lowest registration rate of $60. The registration rate will then increase as follows (according to postmark): by 2/29/08 - $70; by 4/15/08 - $80; after 4/15/08 - $90. New this year, attendees aged under 21 receive $20 off the registration fee! The Saturday buffet is $30, and Sunday lunch is $20.
Send payment and registration form to: Stephen Darnell, 3011 NW 23rd Ave., Camas, WA 98607-8094. For up-to-the-minute information, visit our web site at www.or.us.mensa.org.
The Biggest Little Reno Gathering: Come Play with Us!
Come play with us October 3-5, 2008, in Reno, Nevada as we kick off our very first Regional Gathering with tours you won't believe and the games that you love to win. The fabulous Silver Legacy Resort in the heart of downtown is our playground and the fun never stops.
Northern Nevada Mensa is pleased to be able to offer a look at some of the wonders and curiosities unique to this wild west location. Cruise the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tahoe amid the mountains of two states. Take a trip back in time to Mark Twain's old stomping grounds, Comstock/Virginia City. See what the inside of a brothel looks like and find out what really goes on in there... aside from the obvious.
We are happy to announce that we have been able to secure great prices on Tahoe Queen tickets and the necessary transportation. The Tahoe Queen day cruise is $55.00 each, which includes the transportation to and from the beautiful Lake Tahoe launch site, and the ticket for the cruise. The Virginia City trip is only $20.00, and the adults only Brothel tour is also an unbelievable $20.00. There are meals available at each tour location, but they are not included in the price.
The way our Master of Ceremonies for these Tours has the trip arranged, everyone will get a look at gorgeous Lake Tahoe, everyone will have a look at the outside of a brothel and everyone will get some time in Virginia City. The difference being the amount of time and level of involvement on your chosen tour. The Tahoe Queen people will get the cruise, the brothel tour will get to go inside and the Virginia City folks can wander the Comstock to their hearts content.
For the less energetic or adventurous, or for those short time frames when opportunity presents, there are guided or self tours of the National Automobile Museum and Nevada Museum of Art.
Sign up for the limited (30-40) seating Texas Hold 'em Tournament; attend classes on how to play your favorite gambling game; go on a Pub Crawl with the famous Reno Ron; listen to a wide variety of speakers on topics such as Alternative Energy, Burning Man, Electric Cars, Belly Dance, the Power of the Mind to Heal, Aboriginal Canadian Women and Challenges they face, Bicycle travel in foreign countries, and more being scheduled every day.
The Burning Man presentation and slide show is worth the registration price all by itself. Come see why thousands of people band together on the playa of Black Rock Desert every year amongst the dust and scorching heat.
Author of Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America, Sherry Boschert has kindly consented to interrupt her busy schedule and travel to Reno to speak at our Gathering. Reno's own Alternative Transportation Club will be on hand to demonstrate various alternative fuel/power source vehicles.
Rather than having the Traditional Banquet and due to the abundance(22+) of fine eating establishments in this three-casino complex, we will be doing a "Dining Out" night on Saturday, with sign up sheets for those who wish to go as a group, and by doing that you will have the best choice of meals, for the best price.
Our Hospitality Suite will be open 24 hours a day and stocked with snacks and drinks of the finest variety, along with the best conversation to be found. The Suite chosen has spectacular views from the 35th floor looking out over what is sure to be splendid fall foliage surrounding the University of Nevada Reno. There will be plenty of seating for those conversations that only Mensans can get into, and room for just plain relaxing.
We have learned that REO Speedwagon is performing Friday 3 October and Bill Engvall will be doing his act on Saturday the 4th for those who wish to catch a show.
We are planning to hold a Mensa Testing session during the RG. If you have a prospective member please have them contact our Webmaster at the address below for scheduling.
We are working hard to arrange the fun, but we need YOU to Come Play With Us!
Registration is $60 until 5/31/08; June/July $75; August/September and at the door $90.
Reservations: http://www.silverlegacyreno.com/index_noflash.aspx
Room rate $99.99 SR/DR with "Mensa08" code.
* Rates quoted are for single/double occupancy. Each additional person is $10 per room, per night plus tax. Maximum four (4) people per room.
* All rates are subject to Washoe County room tax, currently at thirteen and one-half percent (13.5%), subject to change.
* All rates are subject to a $3.00 per room, per night resort fee. This resort fee provides guests with round-trip airport shuttle service 19 hours per day, both covered valet and covered self parking, and unlimited local phone calls.
Room rate guaranteed until 9/03/2008
Frequently asked questions: http://www.silverlegacyreno.com/faqs/
Northern Nevada website http://northernnevada.us.mensa.org/
You can find and print a registration form on the Northern Nevada website and send with your check (make checks payable to Northern Nevada Mensa) to:
Registrar:
Anna Wright
510 Michael Drive
Fallon, NV 89406-5726
(775)423-4694
for more information contact; Webmaster@northernnevada.us.mensa.org
RGChair@northernnevada.us.mensa.org