Manasota Mensa

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2025-11-11 19:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
November 11 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom link to be provided by email on the day of the meeting.

Manasota Mensa Anniversary Dinner
2025-11-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Olive Garden, 4900 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34231, United States
November 15 – Saturday – 5:30 PM – Manasota Mensa Anniversary Dinner. Did you know that November 11 is Manasota Mensa’s Anniversary? Come out to Olive Garden, uu, Sarasota on November 15 to celebrate! Please RSVP to Marianne Gill: mariannegill@gmail.com or 941-400-8843

Zoom Lecture & Discussion: Changes in the Concept of Autism
2025-11-17 14:00 - 15:00
November 17 – Monday – 2:00 PM – Zoom – Lecture & Discussion: Changes in the Concept of Autism. Our understanding of autism has changed over the last forty years. Historically, autism was diagnosed based on narrow criteria. ‘Autisms’ are now more often discussed as neurodivergence rather than a single ‘disorder’ to be treated. This lecture explores how our understanding of autism has changed, and directions for future research. Sponsored by Irish Mensa
https://tinyurl.com/mmhcfh35, Meeting ID: 890 7621 4587, Passcode: [REDACTED]
For more information, contact Mary Reilly(mary@craftcottage.ie)

Zoom - My Life Tracking the Great White Shark
2025-11-19 14:00 - 15:00
November 19 – Wednesday – 2:00 PM – Zoom – My Life Tracking the Great White Shark. Are shark attacks becoming more frequent along the coast of New England, such as at Cape Cod? How much of our knowledge about these predators has been influenced by the movie “Jaws”? Are there misconceptions? Learn how Great White Shark expert Greg Skomal conducts his research on sharks. RSVP to Kathleen Smith kathleen.walton.smith@gmail.com.

Restaurant Rovers @ Siam Gulf
2025-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Siam Gulf, 1100 N Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34237
November 20 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it’s Thai at Siam Gulf, 1100 N Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, siamgulfsarasota.com. Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com, 301-503-1652

Thanksgiving
2025-11-27

Mission BBQ
2025-11-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
November 28 – Friday – 6:00 PM – Last Thursdays Friday @ Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway. This month, the last Thursday happens to be Thanksgiving, so join us for a Friendsgiving gathering on the next day. 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

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2025-12-02 19:00 - 19:30
December 2 – 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
2025-12-04 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
December 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

American Mensa Committee Meeting
2025-12-06 11:00 - 18:00
December 6 – Saturday – 11:00-6:00 – American Mensa Committee Meeting A meeting of the American Mensa Committee will be held at the National Office in Hurst, TX. All members welcome. If you have any questions, contact info@americanmensa.org

Herb Guggenheim Reads His Poetry
2025-12-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Rd, Sarasota, FL, 34240
December 10 – Wednesday – 6:00 to 7:00 PM – Herb Guggenheim Reads His Poetry. Come hear a selection of Herb’s accessible, often humorous poetry. (see page 8 for more) Fruitville Library, 100 Apex Rd, Sarasota. No reservations needed. Contact: Leslie Carroll at leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com, 301-503-1652

SSSSSS - South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree
2025-12-13 11:00 - 13:00 | Original Word of Mouth, 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL, United States
December 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 @ Flower Child
2025-12-18 18:00 - 20:00
December 18 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat on the 3rd Thursday of each month. This month it’s Flower Child, 6532 University Pkwy (University & Lakewood Ranch Blvd). Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com, 301-503-1652

Christmas
2025-12-25

Mission BBQ
2025-12-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
December 26 – Friday – 6:00 PM – Last Thursdays Friday @ Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway. This month, the last Thursday happens to be Christmas, so join us for a Boxing Day gathering on the next day. 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

BOB SIG: 19th Annual New Year’s Breakfast
2026-01-01 16:00 - 18:00
January 1 – Thursday – 4:00 PM – $$ – BOB SIG: 19th Annual New Year’s Breakfast. If your name (real or imagined) is BOB or you know somebody named BOB, if you want to know how this SIG was started way back then, or if you just want to talk to somebody who might be named BOB, join us for this annual get-together. RSVPs encouraged so we can request a suitable table. Free BOB hats for all. BOB Evans Restaurant, 5903 Brookhill Blvd, Sarasota (west of I-75 & south off Fruitville Rd). Please RSVP: Ruthy-BOB Danielle, WhimsicalRuth@yahoo.com or 941-685-0680

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2026-01-06 19:00 - 19:40 | Zoom, Virtual
January 6 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom Meeting ID: 720 5648 0789, Passcode: [REDACTED]

Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2026-01-08 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
January 8 – Thursday – 6:00 PM- FREE – First Second Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary’s – Note the change in date to the 2nd Thursday due to the Holidays. 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 4M on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar,
5 Bayfront Dr, Contact: Don Chinnici: don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

SSSSSS - South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree
2026-01-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Original Word of Mouth, 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL, United States
January 10 – 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. Note that Linda arrives at 10:45 and asks for a table using the RSVP’d group size. If you arrive earlier, the restaurant will not yet know about the Mensa group. Please RSVP to Linda Hathaway: lchathaway336@gmail.com, 407-765-8797

Winter Carnival at UTC
2026-01-18 12:00 - 16:00
January 18 – Sunday – 12:00 noon – FREE – Winter Carnival – Free parking and entry, $$ for Carnival Rides, Games, Food Trucks. The Mall at University Town Center (UTC), East side of the Mall, www.dreamlandamusements.com. We will meet inside the entry. Contact: Marianne Gill: 941-400-8843

Restaurant Rovers @ Der Dutchman
2026-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Der Dutchman, 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL, 34232
January 22 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat! This month it’s Der Dutchman, 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota. Extensive buffet + table service. Drop-ins welcome. Meet at 6:00 in lobby or ask for Mensa. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com, 301-503-1652

Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ
2026-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
January 29 – Friday – 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

ExComm Meeting via Zoom
2026-02-03 19:00 - 19:40
February 3 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom Meeting ID: 720 5648 0789, Passcode: [REDACTED]

First Thursday Monthly Gathering at O’Leary's
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00 | O’Leary’s Tiki Pub, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
February 5 – 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 4M on our table. O’Leary’s Tiki Bar, 5 Bayfront Dr, Contact: Don Chinnici: don@manasotamensa.com or Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com

Dancing at JR's Packinghouse
2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00 | JR’s Packinghouse, 987 S. Packinghouse Road, Sarasota, FL, United States
February 12 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Dancing at JR’s Packinghouse 987 Packinghouse Road. Watermelon Wine will be the band. RSVP: Marianne Gill: 941-400-8843 or mariannegill@gmail.com

South Sarasota Second Saturday Social Soiree
2026-02-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Original Word of Mouth, 1740 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL, United States
February 14 – 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. Note that Linda arrives at 10:45 and asks for a table using the RSVP’d group size. If you arrive earlier, the restaurant will not yet know about the Mensa group. Please RSVP to Linda Hathaway: lchathaway336@gmail.com, 407-765-8797

Restaurant Rovers @ Vertoris Pizza House
2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Vertoris Piza House, 6830 14th St W, Bradenton, FL, United States
February 19 – Thursday – 6:00 PM – $$ – Restaurant Rovers – Let’s find new places to eat! This month it’s Vertoris Pizza House, North Tamiami Trail: 6830 14th St W, Bradenton. https://www.vertorispizza.com Family owned and run, hand-tossed brick oven pizza, pasta, and Italian entrees. Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Leslie Carroll: leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com, 301-503-1652

Tour of Siesta Key Rum Distillery
2026-02-21 10:45 - 12:30 | Siesta Key Rum, 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota, FL
February 21 – Saturday – 10:45 AM – FREE – Tour of Siesta Key Rum Distillery, 2212 Industrial Blvd. Sarasota. We’ll hear the history of this craft distillery and learn about how their rums are made. Free tastings, cocktails for purchase, and shopping. Tour starts promptly at 11:00, please arrive by 10:45. RSVP: Leslie Carroll, leslie.e.carroll@gmail.com or 301-503-1652

Last Thursdays @ Mission BBQ
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Mission BBQ, 5231 University Parkway, Suite 109, Sarasota, United States
February 26 – 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

ExComm Meeting
2026-03-03 19:00 - 19:40 | Zoom, Virtual
March 3 – Tuesday – 7:00 PM – ExComm Meeting via Zoom. All are welcome. Zoom Meeting ID: 720 5648 0789, Passcode: [REDACTED]
