Manasota Mensa

LAST Thursdays at Mission BBQ
2025-06-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
June 26 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – NEW DAY – LAST Thursdays at Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway (just west of Honore). We’re moving our Mission BBQ event to the LAST Thursday of each month. Good food, good friends, good conversation! Look for an “M” table tent, or a bunch of happy people. Contact: Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com or Don Chinnici at don@manasotamensa.com

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2025-07-01 19:00 - 19:40
July 1 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom link to be provided by email on the day of the meeting.

First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2025-07-03 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
July 3 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – FREE – First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary’s – This is an informal gathering of Mensa members. You can purchase drinks and snacks at the open air restaurant with beach seating. We encourage drop-ins. Look for a sign or a balloon on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota. Contact: Don Chinnici at don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

4th of July
2025-07-04 00:00 - 12:00

Restaurant Rovers @ Florence and the Spice Boys
2025-07-17 18:00 - 20:00
July 17 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it’s Florence and the Spice Boys, 257 N Cattlemen Rd at UTC West District. Drop-ins welcome! Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com or Margie Meyer: margie@margiemeyer.com

July Theodore Talk on Zoom
2025-07-27 15:30 - 17:00
July 27 – Sunday – 3:30 PM – July Theodore Talk – Free Speech Opportunist: Elon Musk’s Degradation of the Town Square. Professor Stephen Wolgast, professor of journalism at the University of Kansas, will demonstrate how the man who calls himself a free-speech absolutist places a higher value on the dollar than others’ ideas, and show how the notion that X is a town square fails on a number of counts. Register: https://tinyurl.com/3uecx4mv

Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ
2025-07-31 18:00 - 20:00
July 31 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway (just west of Honore). Good food, good friends, good conversation! Look for a copy of 4M, or a bunch of happy people. Contact: Don Chinnici at don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2025-08-07 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
August 7 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary’s – FREE – This is an informal gathering of Mensa members. You can purchase drinks and snacks at the open-air restaurant with beach seating. We encourage drop-ins. Look for a sign or balloon on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, 5 Bayfront Drive, Contact: Don Chinnici: don@manasotamensa.com) or Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

Sarasota Jungle Gardens
2025-08-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL, 34234, United States
August 9 – Saturday – 12:00 noon – Sarasota Jungle Gardens – 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234. Admission $25. Lunch (if interested) is great fast food ($). Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been delighting visitors since 1939. We are an old Florida zoological garden where you can walk among or hand-feed our flock of free roaming flamingos, pose with a parrot, hold an alligator, see crocodiles, lemurs and many other rescued animals among our beautiful gardens. Attend our daily interactive and educational animal shows featuring parrots, reptiles and other animals. Personal interactions with animals also available. Admission sales support our animals. Please RSVP to Marianne Gill at 941-400-8843 or mariannegill@gmail.com

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2025-08-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, Virtual
August 12 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom link to be provided by email on the day of the meeting.

Restaurant Rovers @ Bella Vita Italian Kitchen
2025-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Bella Vita Italian Kitchen, 501 N Beneva Rd #250, Sarasota, FL, 34232, United States
August 21 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it’s Bella Vita Italian Kitchen, 501 N Beneva #250. Great Italian food, and the portions are enormous! (no split charge for sharing) www.bellavitafamiglia.com Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

August Theodore Talk
2025-08-24 15:30 - 17:00 | Zoom, Virtual
August 24 – Sunday – 3:30 PM – August Theodore Talk – Spotting the Signs & Preventing Child Sex Trafficking. Attendees will identify the dangers of technology, including strategies used by child predators, discover how to identify a child in trouble and learn some best practices on how to be a child’s trusted adult or a trusted child advocate. Susan Burkholder, from Ransomed Life. Register for this presentation https://tinyurl.com/y5abfb9a

Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ
2025-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
August 28 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway (just west of Honore). Good food, good friends, good conversation! Look for a copy of 4M, or a bunch of happy people. Contact: Don Chinnici at don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

Labor Day
2025-09-01

First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2025-09-04 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
September 4 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary’s – FREE – This is an informal gathering of Mensa members. You can purchase drinks and snacks at the open-air restaurant with beach seating. We encourage drop-ins. Look for a sign or balloon on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, 5 Bayfront Drive, Contact: Don Chinnici: don@manasotamensa.com) or Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

ExComm Meeting
2025-09-09 19:00 - 19:40
September 9 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom link to be provided by email on the day of the meeting.

South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree (SSSSSS)
2025-09-13 11:00 - 13:00 | Original Word of Mouth, 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL, United States
September 13 – Saturday – 11:00 AM – $$ – SSSSSS – South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree once again heads to the Word of Mouth at 1740 East Venice Avenue in Venice. Hope to see you there! This restaurant is very popular with the locals with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Their food is amazing and puts intriguing twists on old favorites. If you are planning to attend, please arrive a few minutes early. Please RSVP to Linda Hathaway: lchathaway336@gmail.com, 407-765-8797

Restaurant Rovers
2025-09-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Maharaja indian Kitchen, 6290 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL, United States
September 18 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – us- Let’s find new places to eat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it’s Maharaja Indian Cuisine, 6290 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota. Authentic Indian curries, tandoori, biryani, vegetarian favorites. https://maharajaindiancuisine.us/menu/ Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ
2025-09-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
September 25 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway (just west of Honore). Good food, good friends, good conversation! Look for a copy of 4M, or a bunch of happy people. Contact: Don Chinnici at don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

September Theodore Talk
2025-09-28 15:30 - 17:00
September 28 – Sunday – 3:30 PM – September Theodore Talk – Antisemitism: Evolution and Escalation – Antisemitism has a long history, well beyond the 20th century. Dr. Shelly Cline, Historian and Director of Education at the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, will examine the evolution of antisemitism from religiously motivated antipathy in early modern times to the economic and pseudo-scientific antisemitism of the 19th and 20th centuries, and finally to the politically driven antisemitism of today. This talk will also provide the tools to identify antisemitic tropes and dog whistles that pervade our social media landscape. Register: https://tinyurl.com/23r8kc7a.

First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2025-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
October 2 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary’s – FREE – This is an informal gathering of Mensa members. You can purchase drinks and snacks at the open-air restaurant with beach seating. We encourage drop-ins. Look for a sign or balloon on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, 5 Bayfront Drive, Contact: Don Chinnici: don@manasotamensa.com) or Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

SSSSSS - South Sarasota FIRST Saturday Social Soiree (week changed this month)
2025-10-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Original Word of Mouth, 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL, United States
October 4 – Saturday – 11:00 AM – $$ – SSSSSS – South Sarasota Second FIRST Saturday Social Soiree (date changed just this month) once again heads to the Word of Mouth at 1740 East Venice Avenue in Venice. Hope to see you there! This restaurant is very popular with the locals with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Their food is amazing and puts intriguing twists on old favorites. If you are planning to attend, please arrive a few minutes early. Please RSVP to Linda Hathaway: lchathaway336@gmail.com, 407-765-8797

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2025-10-14 19:00 - 19:45
October 14 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom link to be provided by email on the day of the meeting.

Restaurant Rovers @Taste of Hong Kong
2025-10-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Taste of Hong Kong, 2224 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota, FL, United States
October 16 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it’s Taste of Hong Kong, 2224 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota, tasteofhongkongsrq.com. Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

Chile Cookoff
2025-10-19 13:30 - 15:30
October 19 – Sunday – 1:30 PM – $$ – Chile Cookoff – on the corner of Osprey Ave. and Hillview Street in Sarasota – Street vending of the best BBQ cook off ever! Vote for your favorite. No RSVP needed. I’ll be the one on a scooter with a hat and boots. Contact: mariannegill@gmail.com, 941-400-8843

Mensa Picnic @Twin Lakes Park
2025-10-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Private: Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL, 34241, United States
October 26 – Sunday – 1:00 PM – FREE – Mensa Picnic at Twin Lakes Park 6700 Clark Road. We will be at the first large pavilion on your left as you enter the park. There are restroom facilities. Burgers and hot dogs will be provided as well as Diet Coke and Cold water. Please bring a dish to share. We usually have 20 or more people. Please let me know if you would like something else so I can add it to the list. There will be art and crafts provided. Contact: Marianne Gill: mariannegill@gmail.com or 941-400-8843

September Theodore Talk
2025-10-26 15:30 - 17:00
October 26 – Sunday – 3:30 PM – September Theodore Talk – U.S. First Ladies: More Than the Women Behind the Men. Little is taught in American History classes about the women who served their country in a role that is not legislated or constitutionally created. Dr. Diana B. Carlin, will take you behind the scenes. Register: https://tinyurl.com/296t52xw

Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ
2025-10-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
October 30 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway. Good food, good friends, good conversation! Look for a copy of 4M, or a bunch of happy people. Contact: Don Chinnici at don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2025-11-06 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
November 6 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary’s – FREE – This is an informal gathering of Mensa members. You can purchase drinks and snacks at the open-air restaurant with beach seating. We encourage drop-ins. Look for a sign or balloon on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, 5 Bayfront Drive, Contact: Don Chinnici: don@manasotamensa.com) or Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

SSSSSS - South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree
2025-11-08 11:00 - 13:00 | Original Word of Mouth, 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL, United States
November 8 – Saturday – 11:00 AM – $$ – SSSSSS – South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree once again heads to the Word of Mouth at 1740 East Venice Avenue in Venice. Hope to see you there! This restaurant is very popular with the locals with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Their food is amazing and puts intriguing twists on old favorites. If you are planning to attend, please arrive a few minutes early. Please RSVP to Linda Hathaway: lchathaway336@gmail.com, 407-765-8797
