StaRGazing 2019

Water: The Gift of Life
Dr. Jerry Schubel

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is Southern California’s largest aquarium, and the fourth most-attended aquarium in the nation, displaying over 11,000 animals. Dr. Schubel will share his experience about the dynamics of water, both in Aquariums and in waters of the earth. The Aquarium has just completed “Pacific Vision” a two-story, sustainable biomorphic glass structure that houses an immersive theater experience.

Our featured speaker after the brunch, Dr. Jerry Schubel, has been president and CEO of the Aquarium since 2002. He holds a Ph.D. in oceanography from Johns Hopkins University.

The Reptile Family

The Reptile Family is bringing arachnids, amphibians, snakes and other reptiles! They inspire appreciation of the Earth’s most misunderstood creatures. Experience the wonder that only their exotic collection can bring. Presented in a hands-on format, these creatures will delight and educate. Animals will include: albino python, tarantula, water dragon, blue-tongue skinks, black-throat monitor lizard, and milk snake. All the animals are safe for touching and holding – if you dare!

Members of our family do the “safari themed” presentations, including Chrissy, Joe, Matt and Nabeela. We all have backgrounds, diplomas or certificates in Wildlife Education, Early Childhood Education, Zoo Keeping and/or Communications. Our animals live at our homes in Visions Enclosures and aquariums. They travel in baskets and containers (with newsprint and towel bedding and heat disks when needed).

Meet & Greet with the Chair of American Mensa
LaRae Bakerink

Find out what’s new and exciting with our organization.

LaRae has been a member of Mensa since 2001. She has set up some great parties and plans to continue doing so. Oh, and she is currently the Chair of American Mensa. So, let’s party and see a few more cat videos on the internet. Live Long and Prosper.

Vulture Conservation
Chandra David

Why are vultures necessary in our world? They are not attractive and they wouldn’t make a good pet, but they do soar across open spaces, using their keen eyesite to spot dead prey, and go about cleaning up the remains. Vultures keep balance in the earth’s ecosystems.

Chandra David is the Lead Condor Keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo. She has worked at the zoo for over 23 years, mostly working with Condors, but more recently involved in the resurgence of Vultures in European countries, including France, Spain, and the Alps.

Marilyn Revisited
Greg Schreiner

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet Marilyn collector Greg Schreiner. Hear the history and unique stories behind the intriguing items, including costumes and personal effects. This is a photo presentation with live piano music by Greg, her fan club president.

Seeing Marilyn Monroe in “Some Like It Hot” changed Greg Schreiner’s life forever. He is President and a founding member of “the longest-running fan club in existence,” Marilyn Remembered. He owns a comprehensive collection of Marilyn memorabilia, from a hairpin to her refrigerator.

End-of-Life Options Act Information and Update
Viki Kind

People have a lot of questions and misconceptions about the new End-of-Life Options Act (AKA Medical Aid in Dying). What does the law mandate? What protections are put into place? Who can participate? Do you have to be terminal? How do you find a doctor? Viki will present data from the first year and a half of the law being implemented, how the process works, and what are the requirements to participate. Viki will focus on what the law mandates and how it is going in California. At the end, people can discuss their own opinions once they know the details of the law.

Viki Kind, Mensa member, is a clinical bioethicist, professional speaker and hospice volunteer. Her award winning book, The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices For Those Who Can’t, guides families and professionals who are making decisions for those who have lost capacity. Viki is known as “The People’s Bioethicist,” because she is a rare individual who bridges two worlds, that of the health care professional and of the family struggling to make the right decision. She is an honorary board member of the Well Spouse Association and has been a caregiver for many years for six members of her family.

The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane: American Popular Music 1950 – 59
Craig Lancaster

American Popular music was in transition in the 1950s. The big band era was over. Groups like the Four Lads, the Four Aces and the Ames Brothers were popular. Vocalists like Eddie Fisher, Frank Sinatra and Perry Como dominated the charts. Women like Doris Day, Patti Page and Debbie Reynolds had major hits. New artists like Pat Boone and Bobby Darin made their debuts. Come hear how American popular music sounded before rock and roll changed it forever.

You Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hound Dog: The Birth of Rock and Roll
Craig Lancaster

You know it can’t be fun sitting home all alone. We’ll be having some fun tonight. Just let yourself hear some of that rock and roll music. With a whole lotta’ shaking going on. Don’t be a poor little fool and miss this program. Stick around until you get your kicks. It’s gotta be rock and roll music.

Craig’s programs on American popular music have, at long last, reached the music of the 1950s. There were two kinds of music in the 1950s: pop music and rock and roll. So Craig will be doing two programs. One on the nice pop music of the 1950s; and one on the “brutal, ugly, degenerate, vicious form of expression” called rock and roll. This year, for a change, Craig will be talking about something that he knows. Craig was alive during the 1950s. (Yes, he’s that old.) Surprisingly, he is actually able to remember the songs he will play. He will share his memories (such as they are) of 1950s music with you.

Pictorial Trivia
Jana Bickel

Here’s a new twist on an old favorite. Get together in teams of six and identify photographs of famous people, places and things and the facts behind them. The famous people may include scientists, world leaders, authors, artists, musicians. Places may include iconic buildings and other structures in the U.S. and around the world. Jana Bickel will be the host and Craig Lancaster will facilitate the computer graphics. Come and test your visual knowledge.

Playreading
Jana Bickel

Participants will be asked to select from a set of scenes from plays and films the role they wish to read. The scenes are short and could include scenes from “The Graduate”, “It Happened One Night”, “On the Waterfront” “Pride and Prejudice” and others. You do not have to have acting experience to participate. If you enjoy plays or movies and always wanted to know what it would be like to be saying the lines, come and try it out. You may also choose to be part of the audience.

Jana Bickel has been a member of Mensa for over 30 years and is a life member. In her Mensa career she has been San Fernando Valley Area Secretary twice, RG chairman twice and RG program chairman multiple times. She has been an active participant in the Urban Hike, Nova Toastmasters, and the Folksong SIG. A career civil servant, she is now enjoying retirement.

Five Myths About Nuclear Power
Van Snyder

Wind can never supply more than 15% of total energy demand. Storage to provide firm power from wind and solar would cost about three times US GDP EVERY YEAR! Nothing but nuclear would work if the goal is to eliminate CO2 emissions. Five myths about nuclear power — it’s not safe, nobody knows what to do about spent fuel, it’s too expensive, it leads to weapons proliferation, and there’s not enough uranium anyway — are all false.

Van Snyder is a semi-retired mathematician and software engineer with an abiding interest in nuclear power. Before the flowering of the world-wide web, studying nuclear power was difficult. But after reading “Smarter Use of Nuclear Waste,” “Prescription for the Planet,” and “Plentiful Energy,” and using e-mail to correspond with the authors, learning became much easier. I am indebted to them for their assistance, patient tutoring, and references.

Parody Sing-Along
Alan Stillson

Enjoy singing along or not in the zany world of parodies. Some of these were written by host Alan Stillson. If you’d like, BYOP (bring your own parody).

Homophonia
Alan Stillson

Homophonia is an interactive word game that involves quick identification of two consecutive homophones (words that sound alike) that are missing from a sentence An example is “She saw a man with a wooden BLANK away a mosquito.” The answer is shoe and shoo.

Alan Stillson, Mensa member since 1987, is puzzle editor of LAMentary and Oracle. He leads two SIGs, folk singing and the writers group. Alan recently retired as an adjunct mathematics professor and actively works as an author. He has eleven published puzzle books, has two produced musical shows and is working on the production of a peace concert. His website is http://stillsonworks.com and his e-mail address is astillson@sbcglobal.net.

Odd Man Out
Marty Nemko

We are not our Facebook or LinkedIn profiles. A darker truths lie beneath. Marty Nemko will reveal all in stories to make you smile as well as purse your lips in recognition. Piano playing is a thread that goes through Marty’s life so he’ll intersperse by playing everything from Scott Joplin to Tom Lehrer. This show has been performed at the San Francisco Civic Center’s Koret Auditorium, etc.

Your Time
Marty Nemko

We’ve all heard time management tips, yet our life still seems too busy, or we may feel appropriately busy but aren’t spending our time the way we’d really like to. This session will go beyond the obvious to help us reap more from our lives, day to day, and over our lifetime, so we end up feeling we’ve lived a life well-led.

Marty Nemko is the author of 12 books and 3,500 published articles, including 1,300 on PsychologyToday.com. He holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from U.C. Berkeley and taught there. He does career coaching, and is in his 30th year hosting Work with Marty Nemko on KALW, an NPR station in San Francisco.

Juno, Union of Art and Science
Theo Clarke

Employing Power Point, videos, audio recordings and a 3D model Theo Clarke will unveil the Juno mission at the planet Jupiter, the Earth encounter that slung it to Jupiter, and the amazing cultural connections that define its mission.

In his 27-year career at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Theo Clarke worked as scientist and engineer on the Mariner 10 mission to Venus and Mercury, the Voyager mission to the outer planets, and the Galileo mission to Jupiter. He is the recipient of NASA’s prestigious Exceptional Service Medal for his service to Galileo’s Earth encounters. After retiring from JPL, Clarke served as an Adjunct Professor of Physics at Pasadena City College, and is currently a consultant on NASA’s Juno mission to the planet Jupiter.

The child inside sparks curiosity, playfulness, and possibilities
Gavin Masumiya

A program about psychology: the psychology behind shyness, leading research, and practical measures to transform shyness. For those who want to participate, there will also be interactive communication exercises. It will be catered to being a more effective communicator.

Gavin says he was “the quiet Asian boy who found myself stuck inside a box, too afraid to speak up. Now I realize my shyness is a gift. It ignited my interest in human behavior.” He studied psychology and received his degree from UC Irvine. “I believe your voice matters and is a gift to the world.”

Scientific Testing of Wild Claims
James Underdown

Jim will give us a presentation about the scientific testing of wild claims. His Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) was recently featured on National Geographic Explorer (Season 11, episode 5 Space Race) in their battle with flat earthers. CFIIG has tested alleged psychics, dowsers, telekinetics, faith healers and many other extraordinary claims. The CFIIG now offers $250,000 to anyone who can prove paranormal ability under testing conditions.

James Underdown has been the executive director of The Center for Inquiry (CFI) Los Angeles since 1999, and founded the Center for Inquiry Investigations Group (CFIIG) in 2000. The CFIIG investigates fringe science, paranormal and extraordinary claims from a rational, scientific viewpoint. James is also one of the co-hosts of CFI’s podcast, Point of Inquiry.

Life in Cameroon
Elvis Prince Tognia

Elvis Prince Tognia is a passionate speaker whose voice you will fall in love with the minute he says a word. He will tell us about his life in Cameroon, and his organization, Africa U Can, which is dedicated to helping Africans. He will tell us about the conditions in Cameroon (where they still practice “breast ironing”), and “what I would do if I could change Africa.”

Elvis Prince Tognia, was born in Cameroon in the centre of Africa. He arrived in the US in 2001 without speaking any English, and engaged in the path of personal development. He is now author of two books, a storytelling speaker and the president of Africa U Can, a non-profit organization that inspires and motivates the youth of Africa.

The Secret Is Out
Afi Bell

The ancient Greeks thought epilepsy was a divine dispensation, calling it the “sacred disease.” Socrates had epilepsy, hearing voices that “directed him.” Since early childhood, he experienced both simple and complex partial seizures as a brief voice. Over 2000 years later, modern medicine made a diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy. Afi has info and stories of famous people with epilepsy, and different types of seizures.

This is Afi (pronounced like “coffee” without the “c”). She brings energy and humor as an advocate for the Epilepsy Foundation, focused on informing about the many types of seizures. How Socrates, Harriett Tubman, Florence Griffin Joyner, Julius Caesar and Afi operated through the challenges of Epilepsy, went for their passions and gained great results!

Life After Death
Sue Crossen

The overwhelming evidence that we don’t die, messages from those who have had a Near Death Experience (NDE), and varied components of an NDE. Sue Crossen presents discussions by scientists and physicians, on both sides of the aisle, of NDE’s validity or if they’re just the last gasp of a dying brain.

As a therapist, author, and former radio show host, Sue Crossen embarked on a seven-year search for factual evidence that we survive death. If anyone is afraid of death, grieving the loss of loved ones, and/or just interested in what happens when we die, this is one presentation you don’t want to miss.

Independent Travel for Folks 45+
Deborah Shadovitz

Ah, to travel the world! Exciting! Scary? Costly? Too costly? Lonely? Want to travel but you’re not the fixed-tour-package type? We’ll cover as much as possible, touching upon: travel on a modest budget – affordable airfare, lodging; meeting people and having true cultural and educational experiences; packing for 1-bag travel™ – backpack or wheels, bring what’s needed without breaking your back; navigating when you’re on your own; accessing your money from afar; staying connected -dealing with time zones.

Deborah Shadovitz first traveled on her own from her native NY to Israel in 1983, then to Europe in ’84, then 3 years solo around the world 1985-1988. She wrote about travel, then settled into life in Los Angeles as a Mac consultant. In 2011 she left to travel at age 54. She’s now 61. Each time she leaves, it’s for 6-months to 1.5 years. How? For one thing, she continues to work as she travels. For another, she well… you’ll learn her travel style and tricks.

Achieving Balance in an Unbalanced World

Do you have or only dream about having a Quality of Life? Those subjects will be discussed in an interactive format: Family – Where it All Begins; Community – Staying Connected in an Unconnected World; Education – A Never-Ending Quest; Career – Love What You Do; Do What You love; Finances – To Achieve Financial Independence, Start Early; Health – More than Just Minding Body & Soul; Leisure – Avoid the Syndrome of All Work & No Play; Spirituality – Getting in Touch with Your Greater Self

How I Was Scammed Out of $6,000
H. Stan Jones

An interesting but sad tale. Anyone can be had by the smooth con artist. The schemers were very experienced and had an answer for everything. Happy to tell about it so others don’t get taken too: Why was the date significant? Why did I have to spell the name of my son? Why did they want “gift cards”? Was the court going to keep my son in jail unless provided $6,000 as bail?

Born in Illinois, Stan came to California compliments of Uncle Sam and moved to Hawaii in 1999. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Speaking Professional. He served as an Army Officer, was a professor of Taxation & Law at California State Universities. Stan has several passions. For over sixty years he has been researching his roots. This genealogy endeavor has taken him to many places around the world. Stan has volunteered in Ukraine, Romania, and Russia under auspicious of USAID. He is a member of American Mensa and Intertel.

Psychic Debris and Crowded Closets
Regina Lark

Cluttered minds and crowded closets weigh us down, thwart productivity, and make it difficult to move forward with ease and a sense of clarity. “Psychic Debris, Crowded Closets: The Relationship Between the Stuff in Your Head, and What’s Under the Bed” is a fun, funny insightful conversation about our relationship with mess as a chronic condition. Dr. Regina Lark provides practical tools and strategies to de-clutter the mind, and other matters.

In 2008, Dr. Regina Lark founded A Clear Path: Professional Organizing and Productivity. As a Certified Professional Organizer CPO, and additional certifications in Chronic Disorganization, she works with clients who are challenged by ADHD, procrastination, and time management. Regina earned her Ph.D. in history from the University of Southern California. For fun, she writes goofy songs about clutter.

Popular Music ID Quiz

If you can identify song titles and the artists who recorded them from hearing short segments of them, you’ll do well on this quiz. Hints and trivia about the songs will be provided. There will be three sections: (a) Top 10 hits from the 1960’s (b) Holiday songs & (c) Popular folk songs.

Robert Savenye has run music ID quizzes at various RG’s. He currently produces and is DJ for two online radio programs: “Just Folking Around“, which is folk and folk rock, that airs Wednesdays from 3 to 5 PM. Then “Sixties At Five“, songs from the 1960’s, airs Wednesdays from 5 to 6 PM. Both can be heard at OCRockRadio.com . Robert is a long-time Mensa member and retired chemist who has always had a great interest in popular music, even though he cannot sing or play an instrument.

Emotions Are Not Real
Prince Simmons

The subject he will be covering is entitled: “Emotions are not real.” What role do our five senses play in shaping our life? Can we maintain control of our emotions? During this intriguing presentation, Prince will reveal the truth behind emotions and show you how they are not something you experience, but instead are conjured up!

Prince’s book “Unleash the Power of Your Internal Blueprint” comes out in about four months. He is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and Peak Performance Expert. For over a decade, he has made it his business to study and master the science of personal and professional achievement. During college he majored in psychology, theology and business management. He was recently named Best Informative Speaker by the South Bay Professional Association as well as other well-known organizations.

Improv Workshop
Karyss Gonzalez

Through a series of games, this improv workshop helps you be more spontaneous and trust your choices. It is an experience in liberation, agility, resilience and quick thinking. It is a great way to test your creative reflexes and almost always involve plenty of laughter.

Karyss Gonzalez began acting at the age of seven and has performed in over 50 stage productions all over the world. She has worked with Actors Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Disney Entertainment, and Warner Bros Studio. Karyss has just recently moved back to Southern California after teaching and directing Theater and Dance in San Francisco for the past five years. And she is very glad to be back home.

All about Spiders
Angela Madsen

The fear of spiders is in the top 10 most common fears people have, alongside some actually scary things, like fear of failure and fear of intimacy. However, the more you learn about these 8-legged, multi-eyed hunters, the more you see just how amazing they really are. Spiders are wickedly intelligent, talented, beautiful, and have some of the strangest adaptations (like vegetarian spiders!) Come geek out about arachnids, and learn some of the latest research and some just plain cool stuff, like that they can have a dry bite and they can live in one area of the earth that no other living thing can.

Angela Madsen is an ecology Masters student at CSU Bakersfield studying the interaction of plants, soil bacteria, and insects. She is a lover of all things nature, especially the animal kingdom. Her love of bugs began at a very, very young age, when a swarm of june bugs landed in her backyard in Texas and they just looked so tasty…

Chinese Stories
Sandra Smith

China is one of the oldest cultures on earth, and encompasses more land than any other nation. In addition, they emphasized education and literacy so there is an extensive quantity of myths, folk tales, children’s stories, love stories, villains and heroes, animal stories etc. Today will be like a Chinese Buffet where we will sample many forms of Chinese stories.

Sandra Smith, a Life Member of Mensa, comes from a family of story tellers. Her first experience in public speaking was in kindergarten Show and Tell. She now does less showing but is still delighted to have an opportunity to tell. Her school years coincided with the Space Race and its focus on science. The one exception was studying Greek and Roman mythology. Now she covers many other cultures, heroes, folk tales, and anything else that catches her interest. You may or may not learn something at her presentation, but you are almost sure to be entertained.

Acrylic Painting
Nik Ki Smith

Come relax and unwind with friends while bringing out your creative side! We will be using acrylics to paint the seascape shown. I will be bringing paint and canvasas. No experience necessary! $20 charge for supplies.

Hello! I’ve been a member of Mensa since 2014 and Life Member since last year. I’m an avid costumer and prop maker. I’m fortunate that my whole family has the same artistic obsessions as I do. I’m a local gal hailing from Harbor City. If you see me, say “Hi”. I love to meet new people and I can give recommendations for restaurants and such in the San Pedro area.

Lawyer Games
Ed You

Also called Minute Mysteries, a short mystery is stated, and the audience ask questions that the leader can answer either “Yes” or “No” until the mystery is solved. Sample: “The music stopped. The woman died. How?” Once solved, we start another riddle. This game was brought to StaRGazing by our friend, Myron Faverman.

Palabra
Ed You

Cards with color-coded letters create crafty new ways to score. Make words from cards — all the same color scores double. Make “straights” of three or more consecutive letters. Starred cards double or triple the value. Make “flushes” (five or more cards all the same color, no word necessary). And other shrewd and wily ways to score.

Werewolves and Villagers
Ed You

By night, werewolves kill off villagers. By day, angry villagers kill off suspected werewolves. (But oops; sometimes they just kill off “innocent villagers.”) “Werewolf” requires observation, some deduction, and a lot of bold-faced lying. Who will prevail: the werewolves or the villagers? Since an average game takes 15-20 minutes, new players can join quickly. (This game is similar to, but better than, “Mafia.”). Ed will also present a kids version of this game during Kids Track on Sunday afternoon.

Ed You is an actor, singer, retired clinical pharmacist, and former game entrepreneur. He also responds to: the Palabra Pimp, when playing Palabra; the Alpha Wolf when running Werewolf gaming; and the overworked, and NOT incompetent, Inspector You, when presenting Lawyer Games. Ed is a lifetime member who reigned asMr. Mensa 2014. he shares his incredible life with his incomparable wife, Viki, and their precious little “You-lings,” Cassie (our wonderful, new adoptee) and Pixie (still a “girl-cat”).

Getting Creative About Aging

Robert will talk about growing wiser as we age, and being creative about how we get the most out of the experience. He learned life-long insights and wisdom from his Stanford Undergrad and Stanford Law School MENSA Father. You will appreciate their relationship and their story. When most have long since slowed as they approach their golden years, Robert continues to routinely take on unprecedented challenges, and to help others see what can be achieved in their own lives.

Robert Owens has recently been given the Title: “The Fittest 66 Year Old in the World” by Triathlete Magazine. He is a former USAF Pararescueman. He now is a trainer and mentor to USAF Pararescueman and Navy SEAL Candidates. He is the father of 5 children and has been Speaking and Business Consulting for 30 years. Learn more at roberthamiltonowens.com.

RELATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: The 6 Practices of Highly Engaging People
Jorge Sciupac

For centuries we have been nurturing and praising human Rational Intelligence. “It’s what makes us different from other animals!” Most recently we have studied the power of Emotional Intelligence. “The key to success resides in EQ” we found. And now we are trying to figure out what do we do with the new Artificial Intelligence… but in this process we forget that what mostly matters for humankind is Relational Intelligence. In this presentation we will discuss 6 specific practices that anyone can leverage to further develop Relational Intelligence and creatively improve our interactions.

Based in Los Angeles since 1979, Jorge Sciupac has been called “The Partnering Architect.” As an international author and group facilitator, he has shared his unique Modern Mentoring Methods to help world-class organizations like The J.P. Getty Trust, Callison, Timberlake, EEK, and others, grow. With a worldwide background in Business, Psychology, and Architecture; as well as advanced education from prestigious schools such as Pepperdine, UCLA, USM, and UBA, Jorge’s life has been dedicated to professional and organizational development by facilitating projects, operations and transitions through external and internal Partnering Strategies.

Today’s Taxes – What’s New?
Linda Dorfmont

The 1040 Tour Guide will take you on a trip around John and Jane Doe’s tax return covering types of income deductions, tax credits, and audit preparation. The new tax law, good, bad, or ugly, will be explained before it is amended with technical corrections. See how John and Jane Doe are affected by the new law. The lecture will discuss wage earner income and expenses and self-employment issues including office in the home, depreciation of assets, and self-employment tax. Education credits and adjustments will be explained. If you want a better understanding of what you file under penalty of perjury with the government each year, this session is for you.

Linda Dorfmont has been doing other peoples taxes for over 40 years. She has taught taxation for the Small Business Development Centers, the IRS TCE/VITA Program, the College for Financial Planning, local colleges, and private education providers. She is a frequent speaker at Mensa events, and, as of a few months ago, is now a full-fledged member of Mensa.

Celebration of GLAAM
Desiree E. Elliott

In what may become an annual tradition, this is an opportunity for members of our chapter to come together and reminisce about the people and events in our past. Take the opportunity to share, laugh, cry, and mostly remember things from the last year or further back.

New Member Meet & Greet
Desiree E. Elliott

Welcome to Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa! Whether you are new to Mensa or new to the Los Angeles area – or both! – this is a great opportunity to find out about the kinds of things that happen in our chapter and learn about the stuff you might want to get involved with…or even decide to start yourself!

Desiree E. Elliott is the Local Secretary (Chairman/President) for the Los Angeles Chapter. She has been a member of Mensa and the Los Angeles Chapter since 2004 and has served on both the local board and the national board over the years. As an active member, she has experience with various activities that are currently part of the schedule and knowledge about past favorites as well.

RVC Q&A
Michael Wong

Come chat with the Regional Vice Chair, Michael Wong, about what is going on in Mensa today. Feel free to ask questions and offer comments about any issues regarding Mensa during this program.

Michael Wong is the current Regional Vice Chair for Region 9 and a member of the American Mensa Committee (AMC), our national board of directors.

Learn About Intertel
Lou*Lou

Intertel is an international organization for people who test in the top 1%. The SouthWest Region includes California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Hawaii.
In Los Angeles, they have a monthly meeting where they meet for lunch and then go on a field trip, such as a Dispensary for Cannibis and the Nedercutt Museum. Meet with Lou*Lou, relax and learn about Intertel.

Lou*Lou, a Life Member of GLAAM, is also a Past International President for Intertel.

Friday Night Pub Crawl

Join me in the hotel lobby for the pub crawl. $5 each for the privilege of having a designated driver. The venerable Doug Walker will keep us safe through our beer soaked adventures. First stop will be around 8PM, www.brouwerijwest.com (Don’t worry, I can’t pronounce it either) for $4 handcrafted beers in their tasting room. Food Trucks may be available and outside food is ok. Plenty of tables and seating to sit back, relax and enjoy a flight of their world-class beers. After that, we will cruise on over to 6th and 7th Street to take our pick of the 7 or so bars there.

Visit Point Fermin Lighthouse

Guided group tour of the historic Point Fermin Lighthouse on Friday, February 15 at 2:30 PM. Meet in DoubleTree hotel lobby at 2 PM and we will carpool the two miles there. The tour is free, but RSVP required, so I know who to expect. Limit is 12 people.

Mensa Testing

Invite your family and friends to take the official Mensa exam and see if they qualify for membership in Mensa. Feel free to stay and join us for the day’s festivities. Please sign up at least a week in advance!

A Silent Auction of Owls!

Stuffed? Plaster? Nightlight? Framed picture? And more. A whole bunch of owls ready to be bid on, Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm in the alcove on the west side of the Portofino Room. Funds will go to the Mensa Foundation – Cash or Check only.

Cheese Tasting with Michael Wong

Savor and share in the taste of a variety of Italian cheeses in our not-to-be-missed annual Cheese Tasting event! $8 fee

Costume Party

Sunday evening (Feb. 17). Most people loved to play “Dress Up” when they were kids – and we still do! After dinner, put on your favorite costume and “strut your hour upon the stage”! Costume parties have always been very popular at RGs. We will be in the room next to Hospitality, and have prizes for the following: Most Creative, Most Realistic, Best Famous Character, Sexiest, Best Animal Character, Best Historical Character. Be there!

Annual Business Meeting (Monday)

All Mensa members (and guests when approved) are welcome to find out what has happened in GLAAM during the preceding year and what the Board’s vision is for the future.

Midnight Movie Madness

Saturday: Pi – written and directed by Darren Aronofsky – a thriller about a man determined to unlock the mysteries of the universe through mathematics and patterns. Look up Pi/Aronofsky to learn more. 85 min.
Sunday: A Beautiful Mind – directed by Ron Howard – a biographical drama about John Nash, a Nobel Laureate of Economics plagued with paranoid schizophrenia. Look up A Beautiful Mind to learn more. 135 min.

StaRGazers’ Lounge

Enjoy wine and a variety of beers and non alcoholic beverages and snacks along with pleasant conversation in our StaRGazers Lounge.

Saturday Stand-Up, an Evening of Comedy

SAMANTHA HALE – Samantha Hale, filmmaker and stand-up comedian, is incredibly grateful to have had her first film premiere on the Documentary Channel, and is currently working on her second feature on the connection between music and love. When not working on her films, she is on the stage, having performed in such venues as The Hollywood Improv, Flappers, The San Francisco Regency Ballroom, and the World Famous Comedy Store among others. She is also proud to be Alan Hale’s (The Skipper from Gilligan’s Island) granddaughter.

CARMEN MORALES – Carmen Morales has a captivating style which incorporates opinionated quick wit and outlandish characters. With a perfect combination of assertiveness, like-ability and vulnerability she has been well received by audiences internationally. She’s been seen on HBO Latino, “Punchline” & “Laughs” on FOX, heard on XM/Sirius and read in the New York Times.

JENNIFER MURRAY – Jen grew up in Pittsburgh, PA which is her best excuse for putting french fries on everything. She won the iO West 2015 Comedy Festival’s Stand Up Competition and has performed at Chicago’s Funny Women Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, and is a member of the Westside Comedy Theater’s main stage sketch team: The Westside Sketch Company. You can also see Jen featured on Inside Joke with Asif Ali on Amazon Prime.

NICOLE AIMÉE SCHREIBER – Nicole Aimee Schreiber is a Los Angeles-based comedian, writer and actress. Born and raised in beautiful Detroit, the University of Michigan alumnus is a favorite amongst both audiences and comedians across the country. Nicole began her career doing improv and sketch comedy at the legendary iO West. As a standup, Nicole has been selected to perform in nearly a dozen comedy festivals, and won the joke competition at 2016’s ‘Hell Yes Fest’. She has appeared on Oxygen’s series ‘Funny Girls’, Hulu’s original series ‘Deadbeat’, Comedy Central’s hit show ‘Roast Battle’ and the 2018 Sklar Brothers documentary, ‘Poop Talk’ alongside such comedians as Nicole Byer and Kumail Nanjiani. Nicole can be seen performing in some of the toughest and most respected rooms across the country and is a paid regular at the Comedy Store, the Laugh Factory, the Improv and the Comedy Cellar Las Vegas. She regularly features for Dave Attell and recently opened for him and Jeff Ross on their Bumping Mics tour. Nicole’s comedy is best described as dark, irreverent and delightfully filthy.

JESSICA MICHELLE SINGLETON – Internationally touring comedy phenom, Jessica Michelle Singleton has gained worldwide fans with her live headlining performances from North America and Europe to Africa and Asia, as well as her debut comedy album “Please. Don’t. Leave. Me.” which reached #1 on iTunes ahead of veteran comedians such as Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan. The album was considered for the Best Comedy Album Grammy. Jessica Michelle is a Paid Regular at The World Famous Comedy Store where she can be seen performing whenever she’s in town between touring and she’s the idiot host of her popular podcast, Ignorance is #Blessed. She is a recurring guest on The Stephanie Miller Show on Free Speech TV and Sirius XM. Her comedy can be heard regularly on Sirius XM’s Raw Dog Comedy Channel and she has been a featured guest on Playboy TV’s Talking Dirty and Ari Shaffir’s “Skeptic Tank”.

ANNA VALENZUELA – Anna Valenzuela’s radiant smile belies her dark material. She’s not afraid to share anything, and her warm nature takes the audience on a ride they don’t want to escape. Her roast battle skills earned her a spot on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and her comedic talents have been featured in the Broke LA festival for three years running. She’s traveled to All Jane and Flyover Comedy festival, and she’s appeared on Nerdist’s Fangirling. For more Anna, check out her two podcasts: 12 Questions, an in-depth look at sobriety, and Bruja-ja, where three Latinas dish on all things Latinx.

JAY WASHINGTON – A professional wrestler turned high energy stand-up comedian. Jay’s quick wit and natural charm can’t help but to pull people in to him. Jay has been heard on Sirius XM, seen on Nerdist, Collider Video, Netflix and others. He is the host of The Mad Titan Podcast and can be seen in the Spike Lee Joint “Chi-Raq” and the new feature film Glass Jaw.

Cards Against Humanity

Cards Against Humanity is a party game in which players complete fill-in-the-blank statements using words or phrases typically deemed as offensive, risque or politically incorrect printed on playing cards. The person who most recently “pooped” goes first is the reader, and plays a black card, face up. The other players answer the question or fill in the blanks by each passing white cards to the reader. The reader shuffles all of the answers and shares each card combination with the group. The reader then picks the funniest play, and whoever submitted it gets one “Awesome Point”. Note: Adult language, offensive and scatological humor. We are not imposing an age limit, so it is the parent’s full and complete responsibility to restrict their children from playing if they do not wish them to participate. Host: Jay Friedlander

Carnelli

Carnelli is the classic Mensa word-association game consisting of movies, music, books, and whatever else the capricious and arbitrary host will allow. More details are on Wikipedia’s Carnelli page. Host: Jay Friedlander

Encore

Your team will get an ordinary word, and you’ve got to help them out by thinking of a song that has that word in the lyrics. Any song will do, even old commercial jingles or TV theme songs. Actually, you’ll have to sing at least eight words of the song, but no one cares how badly you sing or if you’re off-key, just sing it! Host: Jay Friedlander

Homophonia

Homophonia is an interactive word game that involves quick identification of two consecutive homophones (words that sound alike) that are missing from a sentence An example is “She saw a man with a wooden BLANK away a mosquito.” The answer is shoe and shoo. Host: Alan Stillson

Jonathan’s Killer Spelling Bee

Watch out …the leader might sometimes “accidentally” mispronounce the word to be spelled. Make sure not to rely completely on the administrator’s pronunciation, because it is not always going to be completely correct …but it does make things more challenging for us! This game was brought to StaRGazing by our friend, Stratton Lindenmeyer. Host: Jonathan Elliott

Lawyer Games

Also called Minute Mysteries, a short mystery is stated, and the audience ask questions that the leader can answer either “Yes” or “No” until the mystery is solved. Sample: “The music stopped. The woman died. How?” Once solved, we start another riddle. This game was brought to StaRGazing by our friend, Myron Faverman. Host: Ed You

Oh Hell!

A strategy card game where sticking it to your opponents is half the fun! Very easy to learn, 3 to 20 players can participate. Play it for a while, and when the cards don’t go your way, you’ll find yourself saying “Oh Hell!” Host: Nikki Frey

Palabra

Cards with color-coded letters create crafty new ways to score. Make words from cards — all the same color scores double. Make “straights” of three or more consecutive letters. Starred cards double or triple the value. Make “flushes” (five or more cards all the same color, no word necessary). And other shrewd and wily ways to score. Host: Ed You

Pictorial Trivia

Here’s a new twist on an old favorite. Get together in teams of six and identify photographs of famous people, places and things and the facts behind them. The famous people may include scientists, world leaders, authors, artists, musicians. Places may include iconic buildings and other structures in the U.S. and around the world. Jana Bickel will be the host and Craig Lancaster will facilitate the computer graphics. Come and test your visual knowledge. Trivia was last hosted at StaRGazing by our friend, Joyce Francisco. Host: Jana Bickel

Popular Music ID Quiz

If you can identify song titles and the artists who recorded them from hearing short segments of them, you’ll do well on this quiz. Hints and trivia about the songs will be provided. There will be three sections: (a) Top 10 hits from the 1960’s (b) Holiday songs & (c) Popular folk songs. Host: Robert Savenye

Taboo

Some things are better left unsaid. How do you get your team to say “diamond” if you can’t say baseball, ring, carat, jewel, or engagement. Each time your team shouts out the secret word, you get a point, but be careful, your opponents will be looking over your shoulder making sure you don’t say any of the Taboo words. Host: Jay Friedlander

Werewolves and Villagers

By night, werewolves kill off villagers. By day, angry villagers kill off suspected werewolves. (But oops; sometimes they just kill off “innocent villagers.”) “Werewolf” requires observation, some deduction, and a lot of bold-faced lying. Who will prevail: the werewolves or the villagers? Since an average game takes 15-20 minutes, new players can join quickly. (This game is similar to, but better than, “Mafia.”) Host: Ed You

Kids’ Track on Sunday: $35 per child. Kids 17 and under who are registered either for the full-event or a two-day (Sun/Mon) registration do not need to pay extra for Kids’ Track. One or two parents are admitted with their child for the Sunday Kids’ Track.

Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult; youth 13-17 must have an adult on premises with a cell phone listed at the Registration Table.

Schedule

• 10:30-11:00 – Check in at Registration Desk in Madeo Hospitality Room
• 11:00-12:00 – Santa Rosa Room. Minute Mysteries by Teodora Chrystie. A mystery is stated in a few words. Participants can ask questions, but Teodora will answer only yes or no. Can you solve the mystery? When one mystery is solved, let’s try another one!
• 12:15-1:15 – Madeo Room. Snack time. There is no “official” lunch, but there will be sandwich fixings and snacks available.
• 1:30-2:30 – Galletti Gallerie. The Reptile Family will bring a variety of critters to admire and even touch: arachnids, amphibians, snakes, and more! They will delight and educate. Nobody has to touch or hold any of them if you don’t want to, but this is your opportunity to get up close to these safe animals.
• 2:30-3:30 – Santa Rosa Room. Kids’ Werewolves and Villagers by Ed You. Each player picks a card to find out their character. Keep it a secret! Everyone tries to find out who is the werewolf, but sometimes a villager gets kicked out instead. Keep your ears and eyes open to watch out for a werewolf pretending to be a villager. During the hour, the group can usually play 3 rounds.
• 3:30-4:30 – Santa Rosa Room. Karyss Gonzalez will lead exercises in Improvisation. Improv is a form of theater in which all action is unplanned. The performers act upon the actions of each other. Be creative, be inventive, and have fun.
• 4:30-5:30 – Santa Rosa Room. Selwyn Freeman will ask questions from Trivial Pursuit Jr/Family Edition. The person who answers the most questions will win a prize.

Teens (13-17) are welcome to stay with the activities above, or group together to decide on some of the other presentations or games available. Some of these are: All About Spiders, Spelling Bee, Popular Music ID Quiz, Acrylic Painting, Lawyers Games (Minute Mysteries).

Scrumptious Sunday Brunch

February 17th, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
$55 per person
RSVP by January 31, 2019

Special Brunch Topic:
The Tremendous Growth of the Aquarium of the Pacific in just 20 Years
by Dr. Jerry Schubel, President and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific

Piano entertainment by Alan Stillson

THE BRUNCH MENU
Seasonal Fruit Juices
Seasonal Sliced Fresh Fruit
Assorted Breakfast Pastries
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes and Herbs
Smoked Bacon & Sausage Links
Roasted Red Potatoes with Onions and Peppers
Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup
Selection of Bagels with Whipped Cream Cheese
Roasted Greek Chicken stuffed with Spinach and Feta Cheese
Assorted Individual Desserts
Freshly Brewed Gourmet Coffee & Teas

Note: Other than snacks, breakfast and lunch foods will not be available in Hospitality on Sunday.

The hotel restaurant will be open, and the hotel shuttle can take you to restaurants within a five mile radius.

DoubleTree by Hilton, San Pedro
2800 Via Cabrillo-Marina, San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 514-3344
The hotel is on the waterfront. Plenty of FREE parking is available.

Discounted room rates:
$159 for two in a room
$169 for 3
$179 for 4
(all plus taxes and service or resort charges)

Deadline for the hotel discount rate is extended to January 21, 2019.
After that, GLAAM might have a few rooms available at the discounted rate. Contact Madeline Walker at madeline@spidellspecialties.com for assistance with these room reservations.
After January 21 or if all “leftover” discount rooms are taken, contact the hotel directly at 310-514-3344. Reference GLAAM Regional Gathering or GLM.

San Pedro has a lot to offer for nature, art, and history lovers, or those wanting to experience a more laid back seaside culture. If you can, take the opportunity to explore the area before or after the RG on your own.

The Pacific Ocean is literally at your doorstep with sailboats docking at the marina. Views of glowing ocean sunsets and harbor lights can be enjoyed without leaving the outdoor heated patio at the Double Tree.

Wander out with fellow Mensans on the Pub Crawl. Visit the USS Iowa, with fellow RG attendees. The 1936 trans-Atlantic ocean liner, World War 2 troop ship, the Queen Mary, is about 20 minutes by car. Take a cruise ship excursion (free transportation to or from the Double Tree), or sail to Catalina.

If you would love a chance to see whales, you are in luck! The grey whale migration is from January to March. Dolphins and grey whales are frequently seen from parts of the San Pedro coast and there are whale watch trips available nearby. Visiting the small, research-oriented Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, within walking distance, will introduce the local grunion spawning habits and provide quiet hands-on exploration for kids.

The San Pedro trolley will transport you along the waterfront and around downtown San Pedro at no cost. The trolley stops at Crafted Warehouse #10, a marketplace with handmade artifacts and crafted beer, about one mile from the hotel (go north to 22nd St, turn right, turn left on Miner St, it’s on the left). Open Fri-Sun 11 am-6 pm.

Take a look at local San Pedro

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THIS REGIONAL GATHERING

Adult Registration

Attendance	Registration Period	Rate
Entire weekend	9/1 to 10/14	$99
	10/15 to 1/4	$119
	1/5 to 2/14	$139
	At the door	$149
Friday & Saturday		$95
Sunday & Monday		$85

Youth under 18

Entire weekend	$75
Sunday Youth Track only	$35*

*Admits youth under 18 with parents to help monitor and participate in the Youth Track.

Add-On Programs

Pub Crawl	$5
Sunday Brunch	$49 through 10/14, $55 after 10/14
Cheese Tasting	$8