february 2013 pathy page 1 -...

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Inside This Issue Editors’ Page 2 LocSec: Monthly Musings 3 RVC: reMARK 4 From the GCC 5 We need your help! 7 Word Search: Where is it? Dues Subsidy 8 Just Joking Puzzles 9 Sports Stumper 10 Man’s Best Friend RG Planning Dates 11 Membership Notes 12 Events: The SEMM Calendar 15 Monthly Calendar 18 Directory: Executive Committee 19 M- Pathy VOL. 50 NO. 2 February 2013 MensaDetroit.com THE NEWSLETTER OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN MENSA All the right answers Join us on Saturday, February 16, when our guest speaker will be Stephanie Jass, a history professor from Adrian College, who won $147,570 after appearing for eight days on “Jeopardy!” This puts her among the top 15 winners in the history of the show. Learn what it was like for Stephanie to be a contestant on this popular game show and what she did with her winnings. Complete program details are on the back cover.

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February 2013 Page 1

Inside This Issue

Editors’ Page 2

LocSec: Monthly Musings 3

RVC: reMARK 4

From the GCC 5

We need your help! 7

Word Search: Where is it?

Dues Subsidy 8

Just Joking

Puzzles 9

Sports Stumper 10

Man’s Best Friend

RG Planning Dates 11

Membership Notes 12

Events: The SEMM Calendar 15

Monthly Calendar 18

Directory: Executive Committee 19

M-Pathy

VOL. 50 NO. 2 February 2013 MensaDetroit.com

THE NEWSLETTER OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN MENSA

All the right answers

Join us on Saturday, February 16, when our guest speaker will be Stephanie Jass, a history professor from Adrian College, who won $147,570 after appearing for eight days on “Jeopardy!” This puts her among the top 15 winners in the history of the show.

Learn what it was like for Stephanie to be a contestant on this popular game show and what she did with her winnings.

Complete program details are on the back cover.

M-Pathy Page 2

m-pathy

(ISSN 0744-9763) is published monthly for $6 per year for local members and

members-by preference and $12 per year for non-local members by Southeast

Michigan Mensa at 13521Stahelin Road, Detroit, MI 48223-3525. Subscription

cost for local members and members-by- preference is included in national dues.

Publisher Brenda Lewis

13521 Stahelin Road Detroit, MI 48223-3525

[email protected]

Editor-in-chief Kathleen Giesting

2947 Philadelphia Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6813 [email protected]

Assistant Editor Toby Berger

7269 Creeks Bend Court West Bloomfield, MI 48322

[email protected]

Calendar Editor [email protected]

Membership Editor Iana Questara Boyce [email protected]

Circulation Manager Marilyn McZip

P.O. Box 510056 Livonia, MI 48151-6056 Phone: 734-459-3884 [email protected]

Distribution Manager Tom McClure

41765 Onaway Dr. Northville, MI 48167-2411

(248) 348-3603 [email protected]

Jokes & Riddles [email protected]

Allegra Louth

Puzzles: Joan Rayford, Tom Shaw, Jim Szirony

From the Assistant Editor - Toby Berger

For many years, people believed that the heart was the center of a person's emotions. That’s why the word heart is used in many expressions about emotional issues. Here are a few, can you think of more?

Broken hearted, chicken-hearted, cold-hearted, cross my heart, get to the heart of the matter, had my heart set on it, have a change of heart, have a heart, heart of gold, heart of stone, heart to heart, kind-hearted, lose your heart, my heart bleeds for you, open up my heart, pour out your heart, the bottom of my heart, wear your heart on your sleeve, won your heart, your heart is in the right place.

Since Valentine’s Day is all about love and hearts, let’s talk about loving your heart. We do so much for the people in our lives that we tend to neglect ourselves. With February being American Heart Month, resolve to really take care of yourself, starting with your heart. Check out http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ for more

information.

From the Editor’s Desk - Kathleen Giesting

February is the grayest month in Michigan, but it needn't be the gravest. While the clouds conspire to fill the sky and sulk, not wishing to share any part of the day with the sun -- you can refuse to be weighed down by the leaden skies! Get out! Have a meal, see a movie, attend a lecture, play some games with your fellow Ms.

Think how much grey we could overcome if we put all our bright minds together! Don't cocoon, convene! celebrate!

February 1st is Wear Red Day! (see http://www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/) as well as National Freedom Day. The 10th is Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras is the 12th, and President's Day is the 18th (No, I did not forget Valentine's Day on the 14th. Everyone knows that one.)

Need more? In February, we focus on history celebrating American History Month and African-American History Month.

We celebrate food with National Sweet Potato Month, National Canned Food Month, National Hot Breakfast Month, National Snack Food Month, Chocolate Lover's Month, Bake for Family Fun Month, Great American Pies Month, National Grapefruit Month (Appropriate for Mensans? Anyone remember our little yellow map pins?), and National Cherry Month (this one has to have originated here in Michigan!).

OK, that could be a lot of eating and we haven't fulfilled those New Year's resolutions yet, so we can remember our health -- mental and physical – observing National Boost-Your-Self-Esteem Month, National Dental Month, Human Relations Month, and American Heart Month.

And if we have any time left, we can get outdoors and promote National Bird Feeding Month -- or stay indoors, cocooning with that special someone in observance of Creative Romance Month.

Check out other monthly observances at www.quamada.com/months.html. The sun will shine again. I promise.

February 2013 Page 3

Monthly Musings by John Voymas, President (LocSec)

By the time you read this, we will have had our festive party, the Winter Bash. This is always a way to break up the winter time and enjoy an evening of renewing friendships, playing games and partaking a bit of food and beverage.

So what comes next? Elections. Next month you have the opportunity to vote for the

incoming ExComm. Even if you haven’t been officially nominated, I encourage you to run as a write-in candidate. Without volunteers like you, SEMM would not be able to provide the monthly speakers,

the social and intellectual get-togethers and the major events: Winter Bash, Summer Bash and the RG each May.

If you are unable to commit to serving for a full year, we can use your help with the Regional Gathering (RG). The committee continues to meet at the Farmington Hills Holiday Inn. The schedule is published elsewhere in the M-Pathy. Anyone can be on the committee and you choose how involved you would like to be. Let Jean Becker or Whitney Hopkins know if you can help in any way. By the way: it is time for the mantle to be passed; it is time for the next generations to rise up and assume the helm for SEMMantics XXXV in 2014. Will it be you?

A community service that members of SEMM support is Music in the Schools where we help Detroit Public Schools provide musical instruments and training for students. Although it may sound trite, if a student is in a band, it is much less likely that they will be in a gang.

Help to make a difference in the life of a youth by donating to the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. Pauline Averbach has championed this cause the past few years and she would be happy to accept donations of any amount.

During these cold winter month, why not get out and take advantage of the cultural offerings in Detroit. In midtown, you can spend a day or two visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts www.dia.org taking in a film at the Detroit Film Theatre or the restored Redford Theatre http://redfordtheatre.com, seeing the new exhibits at the Detroit Historical Museum http://detroithistorical.org, checking out the Detroit Public Library http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org or the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History http://thewright.org. For you science buffs the Michigan Science Center http://www.michigansciencecenter.net is now open five days a week. Due to committed volunteers, the Belle Isle Aquarium http://www.belleisleconservancy.org has a new life. Next door to the aquarium is the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory – a beautiful greenhouse and botanical garden. Near the bridge to Belle Isle is Pewabic Pottery http://www.pewabic.org. If you love to skate, then don’t miss the rink at Campus Martius Park http://www.campusmartiuspark.org.

The next Brewery Circuit will be at The WAB (Woodward Avenue Brewery) in Ferndale on Wednesday, February 20 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. See you there!

Until next time. Cheers! John

I changed my iPod's name to Titanic. It's syncing now.

M-Pathy Page 4

reMARK by Betsy Y. Mark, Regional Vice Chair

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s membership renewal time. I hope you took advantage of last year’s rates and renewed before January 1. I did hear from many of you about the increase in dues. Some renewed as Life Members – what a way to avoid ever having to get those renewal packets again! Some renewed for 3 or 5 years and some for 1 year. Some will ren ew at the new rates – the new Life Member rates may be even less for many! Some are still considering. Mensa means different things to each of us. Regardless of membership status, friends made are friends. I remember well when Ed (of blessed memory) was in law school and we had no money for luxuries. Mensa was not then, and never was before or since, a lux ury. We remained members. I hope you decide to do the same. I am already tired of winter - as I write this, we’ve all had too much snow. As you are reading this, I will have enjoyed a week in Florida – definitely not enough time away in warmth. Spring cannot come soon enough. I hope you will be in Miamisburg as Dayton Area Mensa hosts DAMNations 26: Triskadeka Times Two (or times three because it's 2013!) (My last AMC meeting is the same weekend and I will be in Washington, D.C., wishing I

were there.) Talks and presentations; games and tournaments; five meals by the famous Dayton Hospitality team; music and dancing; late-night conversations and general silliness! Registration is $60 by March 1, 2013; $70 at the door. Ages 5-18 half price, under 5 free. MP (5):

included. Checks payable to Dayton Area Mensa RG. Hotel: Wyndham Garden Dayton South, 31 Prestige Plaza Dr., Miamisburg, OH 45342; call hotel 937-434-8030. Room rates ($83) guaranteed until March 15, 2013. CD 18 and under, H DT CP. Visit www.dayton.us.mensa.org or contact Karren Lehman, 7039 Monte Carlo Dr., Englewood, OH 45322; [email protected]. Southea st Michigan Mensa will be hosting SEMMantics XXXIV, May 3-5. Chocolate Orgy &

morning hike. MensaBowl, Mensalympics & tournaments. Top-notch speakers including John Blinke. Kid room/programs. Games by Karen Smith. Wine tasting & beer sampling. Hotel gives a free drink & hot buffet breakfast. See why it is #34! Registration rate through April 15 is $80; $90 on-site. Daily rates are $50 for Friday and $55 for Saturday. Children under 5 are free and children 5-17 are half price. Make checks payable to SEMMantics, PayPal available to [email protected]. Hotel: Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 37529 Grand River Ave, Farmington Hills, MI 48335; www.HolidayInn.com; 248/477-7800. Room rates are $89 + tax and are guaranteed until April 1. Contact Larry Arbanas, 24565 Glen Orchard Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48336; 323-642-7226; [email protected].

I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

LLAP and Peace,

Betsy Betsy Yvonne Mark [email protected] 3674 Oak Drive - Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-434-5757 (Home) or 313-530-2055 (Mobile) Region 3 Website - http://www.region3.us.mensa.org/ Yahoo group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMR3/ Facebook group - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71515809887

How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.

February 2013 Page 5

Child IQ Testing continued on page 6

From the GCC by Melissa Jenkins, Gifted Children Coordinator What You Always Wanted to Know About Child IQ Testing

As many of us know, several parents with young gifted children are facing a need to have their children independently IQ tested. Few schools these days will do it for them. Those who plan to send their children to public school may plan to use the test results as leverage to help obtain appropriate academic stimulation for their children. Many private gifted schools require IQ testing for entry. Homeschooling parents may decide to IQ test to get a better idea of which curricula to use for their children and to determine an appropriate pace for learning. Several regional and national gifted programs and groups require IQ testing for entry. Some examples are the Davidson Young Scholar program and the PG Retreat. And of course, Mensa requires IQ testing for entry!

A handful of local psychologists do the IQ testing for the gifted schools in Metro Detroit. A list of these psychologists can be found on the Gifted In Michigan website at the following link: http://wp.me/P1I2Lz-f4. One of these psychologists in particular, Pat LaPat, recently gave a talk to the Steppingstone School parent group about IQ testing. (Please be advised that the Steppingstone Parent Group meets approximately monthly during the school year and non-Steppingstone parents are always welcome to attend. Meetings typically include an expert speaker discussing some aspect of giftedness. These meetings are announced on the "Gifted In Michigan" facebook page and website.)

I attended Pat LaPat's talk and gleaned a surprising amount of useful information from it. I am delighted to share these tips here with you, and am doing so with Pat's permission.

Gifted schools in the Metro Detroit area typically require IQ testing for entry into grades Kindergarten and above. Prospective Pre-K kids are generally tested between the ages of 4 and 5, using the Wechsler Preschool and

Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) test. Technically, the WPPSI is designed for testing children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 7 1/2, but it has some limitations. Interestingly, the current version has no math questions and seems to assume this age range is too young to math test.

Pat commented that she thinks this is unfortunate, as young gifted children may display early math potential. It's also important to note some subtests require use of manipulatives, though even bright young children vary widely in early fine-motor development. Scores on these subtests may thus be underestimates of eventual functioning. While WPPSI scores provide a useful baseline IQ, many parents choose to re-test their children between the ages of 8 and 10. The retest allows time for developmental maturation and tends to provide a more optimal estimate of innate potential. Pat recommends the more comprehensive WISC test for gifted children who are 6 and older.

Older students tested for entry into the local gifted schools are generally asked to take the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) test. WISC results can provide more to parents than determination of eligibility for entry to a gifted school. The test explores 10 or more aspects of intelligence, providing much detail about each child's strengths and abilities. Pat noted that the WISC can be used for children from 6 to 16, though an ideal time for educational planning with gifted children may be between ages 8 and 10. This "window" allows parents and teachers needed time to understand and focus on individual needs. Additionally, after age 10 the highly gifted child may hit test ceilings in some areas and thus have his/her abilities underestimated.

Children who reach ceilings on 2-3 WISC subtest areas should be given the option to take the old Stanford Binet LM test to get a

M-Pathy Page 6

Child IQ Testing continued from page 5 better measure of their true abilities. Although the test is considered outdated for general use, it was designed without individual subtests and ceilings. As such, it is useful in evaluating IQ's in the exceptionally to profoundly gifted range. Pat LaPat may be the only psychologist in the area who still offers this test, but fortunately, she does. She recommends that children take this test prior to age 12, though it may be used with children as young as 2 and on through adulthood.

Parent Questions about IQ Testing:

"What happens if we go to the office for testing and our child is having a difficult day?" Pat explains that time is taken to build rapport with each child, so that this is rarely a problem. If a child is feeling physically sick, extremely tired, or unusually distressed, it would be noted quickly. If so, the visit is rescheduled and there is no charge for the original appointment. Other psychologists probably have similar policies.

"What do I say when my child asks why we are going to the appointment?" Pat explains it is important to be honest. Don't tell your child she/he is just going to play games or have fun. Instead explain that you already know that he/she is a good thinker and that you want to understand more about this. Mention that there may be some blocks, silly pictures and questions, and that you think he/she will have fun.

"What if my child suffers from overwhelming anxiety whenever tested and seizes up?" Pat explains that psychologists who specialize in work with gifted children typically know how to put a gifted child at ease.

"My child is a perfectionist. He won't finish the questions. He'll get stuck on the first one that gives him trouble." Pat explains that psychologists who test gifted children are very familiar with the perfectionistic impulse. They will know how to help the child continue on when he/she becomes stuck.

"But I can't afford an expensive IQ test. What do I do?" Typically private IQ testing costs anywhere from $300-$700 and insurance very rarely reimburses for this expense. However, the Wayne State University and University of Detroit psych clinics do offer lower fees for IQ testing, as these are done by supervised grad students. When cost is preventing parents from proceeding, this may be a good option.

I was personally very impressed by Pat's level of expertise and extensive knowledge and believe she would be a very good choice as an IQ tester. Her current fee for testing is a flat $500 fee. This covers the IQ testing, results interpretation and any questions the parents may have before, during or after the process.

I greatly hope this information helps some of you parents out there who are facing the bewildering task of arranging IQ testing for your children.

Charles Dickens walks into a bar & orders a Martini. The bartender asks, “Olive or Twist?"

February 2013 Page 7

We need your help to make SEMMantics great! By Jean Becker, RG Chair

The countdown for our weekend together is real now. We are turning our attention to filling the many specific jobs that make our biggest event of the year possible. The Regional Gathering is the bargain and success it is because so many of you jump in to help. What would you like to do?

We need a number of people to shop for specific items before we open the hospitality suite on Friday May 3. Lists and amounts to buy are provided and reimbursement is available at the RG.

We badly need several folks with large vans or pick-ups to help transport big items both to and from the RG on May 3 and 5. We could not provide all the food and drink in hospitality without a number of helpers to get it upstairs and set up, especially Friday afternoon.

We need techies to help the speakers with AV setups. We welcome volunteers especially interested in a particular topic to escort non-member speakers for a few hours that weekend. Topics, times and speaker names will be online as we get closer to May 3rd.

During the RG itself, we need many folks to take a shift in hospitality replacing food and drink and tidying. Easy to follow instructions are available, and you really make it happen!

Various games and tournaments need helpers. The kid’s room can always use an extra pair of hands. We will notice other things that need doing

between now and then. Can you help us out?

Jean Becker - 810-229-2113 or [email protected] Larry Arbanas - 323-642-7226 or [email protected].

More about SEMMantics in the next several issues of M-Pathy. Or better yet, join us at the February 21st RG team meeting to be part of brainstorming new RG activities.

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

Formatted

M-Pathy Page 8

C O F F E E M A K E R S N E P

O O G A B V I T A M I N S H E

F C F O O D C A N D L E O K R

F A E F P O R E P A T N E O M

E R Y N E T O H E O E Y P O I

E D E C N E W I N E S O A B S

M S G U C N A E T E R T P S S

U E L S I L V E R W A R E S I

G L A P L O E O B O P E R E O

S T S I L O D O T I B T E R N

K T S L I U W S A D A S T D S

O O E C A L N D C A S A A D L

O B S E M I L C E R K O W A I

B K R O W E M O H S E T A L P

E T O N Y K C I T S T I M E R

Word List

Address Book, Bag, Basket, Books, Bottles, Bowl, Candle, Cards, CDs, Clips, Coffee, Coffee Mugs, Coffeemaker, Eyeglasses, Food, Homework, Keys, Limes, Love Notes, Lunch, Mail, Microwave, Paper, Pencil, Pens, Permission Slip, Phone, Plates, Radio, Silverware, Sticky Note, Tape, The Cat, Timer, To Do Lists, Toaster, Vitamins, Water, Wine

Solution – 12 letters, answer on page 17

Where is it? by Joan Rayford

Dues Subsidy Program By Spencer Wolff, Dues Subsidy Administrator

It’s that time again. Time to pay those pesky annual dues. Having a little trouble with finances this year? Could you use a little help?

SEMM will subsidize up to 75% of the annual dues payment to National for members in good standing who can demonstrate a need for such a subsidy.

For information about this program please write to:

Spencer Wolff, Dues Subsidy Administrator 2947 Philadelphia Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 -or -- [email protected]

There is a small bit of paper work, and a deadline for official requests of February 15, 2013, so

contact Spencer real soon to get complete details on the policy and its associated procedures.

I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

February 2013 Page 9

Submitted by Allegra Louth

Please send your jokes and comments to: [email protected]

A little boy asked his father, "Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?" The father replied, "I don't know, son, I'm still paying for it."

-------

Four-year-old Sam loved candy almost as much as his mom did. He and his dad gave her a beautiful heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. A few days later Sam was eyeing it, wishing to have a piece of it. As he reached out to touch one of the big pieces, his mom said to him, "If you touch it, you have to eat it. Do you understand?"

"Oh, yes," he said, nodding his head. Suddenly, his little hand patted the tops of all the pieces of candy. "Now I can eat them all."

------- A young woman was taking an afternoon nap. After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know tonight," he said.

That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it, only to find a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams".

-------

There once was an old man of Lyme Who married three wives at a time

When asked, "Why a third?" He replied, "One's absurd!

And bigamy, Sir, is a crime."

-------

A man goes into a nightclub, his shirt open at the collar, and is stopped by a bouncer who tells him he must wear a necktie to get in. He goes out to his car, looks around for a tie and sees that he doesn't have one. He sees a set of jumper cables in his trunk. In desperation, he ties these around his neck, managing to fashion a fairly acceptable looking knot and lets the ends dangle free.

He goes back to the nightclub and the bouncer carefully looks him over and says, "Well, okay, I guess you can come in, just don't start anything."

-------

Farmer Jones had heard that the best milk comes from contented cows. So he would visit them every morning and tell them jokes. The cows laughed and laughed and gave excellent milk. News got around about

the cows-- they became known as the laughing stock of the community.

#1

Puzzles

By Tom Shaw

#1 He had a little party

That got slightly out of hand The old folks and the youngsters drank

Until they couldn’t stand U S agents it was rumored

Infiltrated deep inside And gave the cocktails they were drinking

Just a hint of CIAnide

#2 A refrigerator made in heaven

Packed with steaks and chops galore That can magically refill itself

Without going to the store And if he wanted burger

Or had a need to super-size He would just decide to let his guests provide

All except the drink and fries

#3 He imagined driving on a beam

Checking on a theory Making his contemporaries

Just a little leery Not only did he loose his car

And all that he had in it He found while many days had passed

He hadn’t aged a minute

#4 History buffs came to realize

Just how well he could proselytize His flag of faith has since unfurled

Through Europe and the Western World

#5 He made a claim of solitude

Like his partner wasn’t fit To share the fame and get the use

Of his werewolf offing kit

Answers on page 17

M-Pathy Page 10

Sports Stumper 2012 Jim Szirony

Almost everyone enjoys watching or participating in sports. Carl Sagan believed that our fascination with sports is a result of our prehistoric need to hunt. The same physical abilities that make up our star athletes are the same skills that would make a great hunter: to run swiftly, to throw objects with speed and accuracy, to have great strength and prodigious endurance. Here are a few questions testing your knowledge of the sports world. See how many you get right.

I. All games and sporting events must begin somehow. In auto racing, such as NASCAR, the waving of a green flag signifies the start of the race. See if you can match each sport below with the most correct term that for the onset of its play. Sports can share terms, but beware of traps—2 of the terms are not used.

1. Baseball 2. Basketball 3. Cricket 4. Football 5. Hockey 6. Horse racing 7. Lacrosse 8. Polo 9. Rugby 10. Water polo

II. One of the appeals of the game of baseball is that unusual things seem to happen all the time. Which of the following has actually occurred in Major League Baseball history? Mark each statement as true or false.

1. A pitcher won a game by throwing only 1 pitch. True False

2. A player is traded for himself. True False

3. A batter hit three home runs in one inning. True False 4. In a single game, an outfielder completes 3 double plays by throwing the runners out at

home plate. True False

5. A batter wore a fractional uniform number. True False

6. A pitcher hit 5 home runs in a single game. True False

7. A fielder played for 2 different teams in 2 different cities on the same day. True False

8. Two major league teams traded their entire minor league teams. True False

9. The first African-American manager in the Major Leagues was Jackie Robinson. True False

10. Game balls are rubbed with Delaware River mud prior to use. True False

III. See how many of the following clues you need to identify the mystery sports word. If you can solve it on the first clue you get a gold medal. Two clues silver, three is bronze.

1. It is a single game in volleyball. 2. When a tennis player has won 6 games leading by 2. 3. It is a high lobbing volleyball pass toward the net for a teammate to spike. 4. It is the position of a track runner prior to the start of a race Answers on page 17

A. The bell B. Face-off C. Kick-off D. Scrum E. Sprint F. Throw-in G. Tip-off H. Umpire calls “Play” I. Umpire calls “Play Ball”

February 2013 Page 11

Man’s Best Friend By Tom Shaw

My dog Rover is a very smart dog. I am simply amazed at what he can do. He can follow commands like he was human. If there was a doggie test for intelligence I think I would have him tested. Oh! I wouldn’t put him on a scale with Einstein of the doggie world but intelligent he is. I know that doggie scales would certainly be different than human scales but could they possible overlap? His ‘DQ’ just might be in the stratosphere and even touch the lower end of the human scale. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking root beer floats. I’m talking about a mighty smart dog and where he might fit into the human/animal IQ/DQ scheme of things. Our scale is so wide as to be mind-boggling as I assume the doggie scale to be also. At our upper end we have really smart people like Einstein who

created the E=MC2 equation, and Hubble who

created the theory of the expanded universe. Those ideas are difficult if not impossible for most humans to wrap their heads around. And, there are humans who cannot learn to tie their own shoes or speak coherently. My dog couldn’t care less about the expanded universe and, for the life of him, never learned to speak coherently and never learned to tie a pair of shoes, which he never

owned but, he can communicate and communicate quite well with his barks, yelps, tail wags, etc. If he possessed the necessary appendages, I’m certain he could learn to tie his own shoes, if he owned a pair. And he

could even learn to polish them and clean off the doggie pooh when necessary. My dog is superior to most dogs, in my estimation, but there are dogs out there that are even smarter than him and given a proper set of vocal cords, and a bit of coaching in language, could and would be able to speak quite eloquently. Any dog owner knows that dogs understand many spoken words and have the

ability to respond intelligently---like--- Sit! -- Stand! -- Heel! -- Roll over! -- Go fetch me a beer! -- No, you can’t date that bitch next door! Now, I’m not thinking that dogs think abstractly to any degree, like--- Is that my mom or sister and does it really matter? -- Dog eternity: a juicy bone and bitch in the sky! -- Why does lightning and thunder always turn my doggie pooh into a diarrhea soup? -- Can I murder that haughty cat and not put my head down and my tail between my legs when my master asks ‘Rover, whaaaat have yooooou done?’ Oh! My dog! He can do things that just totally amaze and astonish most--- Rover! ROVER! ROVERRRR!!! HONEEEE! Will you help get this mangy mutt off my leg?!!!

RG Planning Dates The Regional Planning team will gather at the RG hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, 37529 Grand River Avenue, Farmington Hills MI 48335, on Thursday, February 21, at 7:00 pm. Attendance by Skype or speaker phone can be arranged, if you want to help but cannot attend in person. See the article on page 7. Contact Jean Becker at 810-229-2113 or [email protected] for more

information. Our remaining meetings are March 14 and April 4 & 18.

Why do we say something is out of whack? What's a whack?

M-Pathy Page 12

February Membership Notes Compiled by Iana Questara Boyce from National Office Data

*indicates a Life Member

WELCOME BACK CONTINUED

Robert S. Tomak 25901 Concord Rd Huntington Woods, MI 48070-1653 248-541-3737

Ruth Marie Wynne-Trammell 48057 Colony Farms Cir Plymouth, MI 48170-3304 734-635-9630 [email protected]

MOVED IN

David Harkcom PO Box 70762 Rochester Hills, MI 48307-0015 248-879-6082 [email protected] From Sioux Falls, SD

Jacob A. Liudahl Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3106 From Lincoln, NE

MOVED OUT

Bettina T. Edwards To Naples, FL

Derek Jamrog To Indianapolis, IN

Michael Kong To Boulder, CO

Robert E. Sell* To North Fort Myers, FL

Jiewen Sheng

To San Gabriel, CA

WELCOME

Marvin P. Greenlee 18978 Beverly Rd Beverly Hills, MI 48025-4015 248-202-3551 [email protected]

Erin M. Holk 39607 Aynesley St Clinton Township, MI 48038-2727 586-949-3982 [email protected]

Renee Vincent 21200 Fairview Dr Dearborn Heights, MI 48127-2685 313-451-8786 [email protected]

WELCOME BACK

Heidi S. Bowen 235 Shagbark Dr Rochester Hills, MI 48309-1818 248-656-0355

Zach Colter Northville, MI 48167-2704

Zackary Rad 39241 Bramblebush Ct Clinton Twp, MI 48038-2807 586-929-0172 [email protected]

James C. Somers 46010 Private Shore Dr Chesterfield, MI 48047-5380

David Calvin Stiff 11328 Woodbridge Dr Grand Blanc, MI 48439-1023 810-694-4123

DIRECTORY UPDATES

Charles Allen [email protected]

Kathleen C. Cesaro* Pmb 23439 PO Box 2428 Pensacola, FL 32513-2428

Donald K. Cohen Livonia, MI 48152-2679

Thomas Frushour* 1200 W Samaria Rd PO Box 166 Samaria, MI 48177-0166

Kenneth Alan Gass Birmingham, MI 48009-6222

Shannon Eileen Hadley 2918 Woodbine Dr Waterford, MI 48328-3960

Robert C. Jones Pentech 353 Lysander St Rochester, MI 48307-1526

Cary Lancaster Birmingham, MI 48009-7139

Judson Plapp Rochester Hills, MI 48309-2766

Daniel Sveller [email protected]

Marc E. Taylor [email protected]

*indicates a Life Member

As of December 1, 2012

SEMM had 1,001 members

February 2013 Page 13

John Voymas Real Estate Professional Real Estate One – Michigan’s largest broker

For all your sales, purchase and leasing needs

Office: 313.565.3200 ext. 165 Cell: 313.434.6750

Email: [email protected] Web: www.johnvoymas.realestateone.com

MENSA MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES [Number of years of continuous membership. Years 25 or more listed for each year; years less than 25 listed for 5-year milestones.]

25+: 40 Years Donald E. Petersen 33 Years Michael A. Cramer* Patricia E. Gerstner Loretta M. Olson* Mark Steven Salmonowicz Charles Conrad Yost 32 Years Thomas Szczerba* 31 Years Gary Wilfred Brasseur Andrew Michael Sherman

27 Years Jack Charles Beckman Annie Guevara Leland M. Helms Christopher Paul Maus Thomas Steven Nelson John Anderson Ramsay Mary Elizabeth Sosa Angus James White 26 Years Kathy Diane Phipps 25 Years Lynne Elizabeth

Antosiak* 20 Years

Mary Kathryn Dworin

15 Years Joseph R. Karner Kris John Schlachter 10 Years Annie Callanan Stephen V. Fletcher George Kenway Icke Robert Ward Pearce

5 Years Robert J. Buk Ryan S. Gillard Edward Jay Harnish II Brent Allan Hartzell Katherine Jeffries John C. Lucassian Alan R. Madeleine

Kris D. McGuire

*indicates a Life Member

M-Pathy Page 14

HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS!

2 Rebecca Barthlow Allegra A. Louth James K. Thome

3 Lynda J. Gale Sarah Hamilton Joseph R. Karner Mark M. Vertin

4 Jeffrey N. Rago

5 Ronald C. Metech* Kent S. Siegel

6 Richard Wayne Waddell

7 Ann Davis Garvin Patrick M. Lewis

9 Kaia Skaggs Sharlyn Wichowski

*indicates a Life Member

10 Bruce Walter Hartman Helen J. Morgan Sean Murphy Gregory T. Reich

11 Joyce T. Von Drehle

12 Karen M. Failing* David Martin Susman

13 David Warren Gerathy Daniel Sveller Hugh Randall Yates

14 Judith Middleton Kroon Karen L. Smith

15 Michael G. Dworkin

16 Karl V. Hauser Elizabeth H. McIntyre

18 John E. Raymond

19 Peter M. Brown Herbert L. Helzer II

20 Jane H. Carls

21 Jane Derse Quasarano

22 Caroline E. Beyer*

23 Dennis Nagy

24 TaNeka Y. Richardson* John M. Voymas*

25 Wayne M. Eaker

26

Joseph Nyilas

27

Kurt Isaac Love Jerry D. Tubbs 28 Lance R. Cook Jerry H. Robbins

29

John A. Senko

Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

February 2013 Page 15

SEMM Events Listing

Events are listed by Category: Dining, Social Gatherings, Movies, Brain Food (Discussion/Working Groups), Games, and Children’s Events. Events are also listed by date in a Monthly Calendar view at the end of this section. M-Pathy is published monthly and reflects info as of the 1st of the preceding month. For the latest events information, see www.MensaDetroit.com. To sponsor an event, give feedback on events, or to suggest a new activity, email [email protected] NOTE: Mensans lead busy lives; it is advisable to call ahead to confirm events.

Dining

DOWNRIVER MENSANS 2nd SATURDAY BRUNCH 2nd Saturday, 10:45am Note: We’ve moved to the second Saturday of every month and are alternating between two restaurants, one in Southgate (even months) and one in Westland (odd months). This month: All American Buffet. Southgate, 13573 Eureka, SE corner of Eureka and Trenton. Optional: A movie after at nearby theater. RSVP to join the distribution list, for location details -- or to suggest a movie. Host: Pauline Averbach 734-281-2726, 734-751-2304 cell, [email protected] A3M DINNER AND "NOT SO CHEAP" MOVIE NIGHT 2nd Wednesday, 5:30pm Holiday's Restaurant, 2080 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor, between Liberty and Pauline, across from the P.O. Movie at Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor. RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details. Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, Mike LaMoreaux 734-971-2242. Email Karen [email protected] to join her Ann Arbor distribution list. A3M BRUNCH (and a movie?) 2nd Saturday, 10:30am Big Boy Restaurant, 3611 Plymouth Rd, NE Ann Arbor (use Red Roof Inn driveway) Breakfast bar buffet 'til

2:00pm or order off the menu. Look for us in our own section! Optional: A3M 2nd SATURDAY MOVIE after RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details. Host: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, cell phone 248-444-3813. Email [email protected] to join the distribution list. FLINT AREA GASTRONAUTS 4th Wednesday, 6:30pm. We move around frequently as we sample local and sometimes not so local cuisine. At each monthly dinner, we decide where to go the next month, preferably within 25 miles of Flint. Hosts: Lynne & James Draper 810-744-1252. Email [email protected] to join the distribution list. A3M EATOUT LAST Wednesday, 6:30pm, Feb.27 Join us at Pizza Pino Eatery for a wide range of choices: specialty pizzas, pastas, lasagna, burgers, chapatis, baked subs, calzones, sandwiches, plus appetizers and soups! Warm up with BBQ beef brisket, pulled pork, or Mary's turkey chili. Located on the west side of downtown Ann Arbor at 221 W Liberty on SE corner at S. First St. Restaurant phone is 734 994-9858. Hosts: Bob Strauch, 734-973-6522, cell 734-604-3791; [email protected] and Ann Garvin [email protected]

They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.

M-Pathy Page 16

Social Gatherings

SOTS—SOUTH OAKLAND TAVERN SOCIALIZERS Every Friday, 6:00pm Wrap up your week and help audition new taverns. Lively conversation, entertaining company. Host: Lee Helms 248-895-6389, email [email protected] to join distribution list or call Lee for information.

THE BREWERY CIRCUIT Wednesday, February 20, 6:00-8:0pm Join us at the WAB - Woodward Avenue Brewery - on Woodward just south of E Nine Mile Rd in fabulous Ferndale. Host: John Voymas 313-434-6750, email [email protected] to join distribution list.

Movies

A3M 1ST WEDNESDAY ART FILM (QUIRKY MOVIE) 1st Wednesday, 5:30pm Mr. Greek's Coney Island, 215 South State, Ann Arbor. Movies at Michigan Theatre and/or the State Theatre. RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details. Hosts: Rich Bury 734-929-2066, [email protected] & Karen Smith 734-449-2359, [email protected]

A3M DINNER AND "NOT SO CHEAP" MOVIE NIGHT 2nd Wednesday, 5:30pm (see above)

A3M 2nd SATURDAY MOVIE 2nd Saturday, after the Brunch (see above) Quality 16, 3686 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Discount prices are in effect at this time.

RSVP to reserve a place or for movie details. Hosts: Karen Smith 734-449-2359, Mike LaMoreaux 734-971-2242. Email Karen [email protected] to join distribution list.

FRIDAYS AT THE DETROIT FILM THEATRE Fridays, 6:55pm, by Exit 2 (not aisle 2) Detroit Institute of Art, 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit. For movie schedule, see www.dia.org/detroitfilmtheatre/14/DFT.aspx RSVP (Leave a description if we haven’t met) Host: Sharon Suhrie 313-563-8609, [email protected] Optional: Convene after the movie at http://www.trafficjamdetroit.com

Brain Food - (Discussion/Working Groups)

RAM—ROCHESTER AREA MENSA 2nd Sunday, 5:00pm RAM is the last refuge of Mensan science nerds and technophiles. We meet in the Rochester area. Host: John Blinke 248-659-8438, [email protected] for restaurant directions – or to suggest a topic.

U of M SATURDAY MORNING PHYSICS LECTURES/BRUNCH Selected Saturdays, October-April, 10:00am Feb. 2*, 9, 16 # Mar 9, 16, 23 # April 6, 13 *This is a special event being held at Hill Auditorium on the physics of acoustics and to celebrate the 100th year of Hill Auditorium. FREE!! Lectures, bagels, donuts, and coffee. Parking $2 across the street.. Brunch and discussion after nearby. See www.saturdaymorningphysics.org . Host: Rick Bollinger 734-645-7170, [email protected]

Games

GAMES IN HIGHLAND (Shelby Township) Change!!! Moving from 2nd to 4th Saturday! See you on Feb 23 4th Saturday, 1:00pm to whenever, 1950 Crystal Lake Court West, Bldg C, Apt. 46, Shelby Township. RSVP appreciated. Smoke and alcohol-free, fun for all. Are you a games person? Just want to socialize? Please stop by. We have a variety of games to play, such as Outburst, Quirkle, Word on the Street, Settlers of Catan, or cards for Hearts and Euchre, or BYOG (Bring Your Own Game). Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks provided or BYO to share. Host: Phyllis Voorheis , 313-719-1696 [email protected]

LONDON, ONTARIO GAMES NIGHT 2nd Saturday, 7:00pm Drop by anytime after 7:00pm to play games or just socialize. Hosts have a wide variety of games, but feel free to bring your own favorites. Location: 35 Scottsdale Street in Lambeth (SW area of London). Hosts: Lois and Pete Fuchs 519-652-0282, [email protected]

February 2013 Page 17

Kid’s Events

Gifted In Michigan Event Policy: These events are coordinated by Gifted in Michigan. A leader or facilitator will

be present at all events, but this may or may not be an M. See www.giftedinmichigan.com for more details, to RSVP, to identify the leader of an event or to volunteer. Events may be cancelled if no RSVPs are received for an event, or if for some other reason an event must be cancelled, a cancellation email will be sent for the event at least 24 hours prior to the event time. A phone number will be provided for each event. If it is difficult to find the group at an event (due to a crowded/busy location, for example), please call the leader at the phone number provided so that s/he may help guide you to the group.

Host: Melissa Jenkins, [email protected].

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History Sunday, February 10, 2013, 1:00pm, Ann Arbor, MI

Family Nature Club: Search for Winter Insects Saturday, February 16, 2013, 1:00pm, Harrison Twp, MI

Tinker. Hack. Invent. Saturdays at the Henry Ford Museum Saturday, February 23, 2013, 10:00am, Dearborn, MI

Puzzle Answers

Tom Shaw Answers: #1 Reverend Jim Jones #2 Jeff Dahmer #3 Albert Einstein #4 Charlemagne #5 Lone Ranger

Joan Rayford Word Search: On the countertop

Jim Szirony Answers:

I. 1H , 2G, 3H, 4C, 5B, 6A, 7B, 8F, 9C, 10E. Note: 2012 Official Baseball Rules Section 4.02 states umpire shall call “play.”

II. 1. True; Ken Ash vs. Cubs 6/27/30. 2. True; John McDonald in 2005 from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Detroit Tigers and back to Toronto. 3. False 4. True; Jack McCarthy on April 26, 1905. 5. True; Eddie Gaedel, uniform number 1/8, 1951 for the St. Louis Browns. 6. False; the record is 3 in a game, shared by Guy Hecker (1886) and Jim Tobin 1942. 7. True; Joel Youngblood on August 4, 1982. 8. True; 1957 between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. 9. False; the manager was Frank Robinson, Jackie Robinson was the first African-American major league baseball player

(modern era.) 10. True; most commonly used is “Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud.”

III. The mystery word is “set”.

M-Pathy Page 18

February 2013 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

6:00pm SOTS

2

10:00am Physics Lecture: Acoustics Special 100th Anniversary Hill Auditorium Event

3 4 5 6

5:30pm A3M Art/Quirky Movie

7 8

6:00pm SOTS

9

10:00am Physics Lecture

10:30am A3M Brunch (& movie?)

10:45am Downriver Brunch-Southgate

7:00pm London Games Night

10

1:00pm Kids UofM Museum of Natural History

5:00pm Rochester Area Mensa

11 12 13

5:30pm A3M Dinner & NSC Movie

14 15

6:00pm SOTS

16

10:00am Physics Lecture

1:00pm Kids Family Nature Club

17 18

19

20

6:00-8:00pm Brewery Circuit

21

7:00pm RG planning meeting

22

6:00pm SOTS

23

10:00am Kids Tinker. Hack. Invent

New Date!!1:00pm Games Highland (Shelby Township)

24

25 26 27

6:30pm A3M EatOut

6:30pm Flint Area Gastronauts

28

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

Formatted Table

February 2013 Page 19

Executive Committee of Southeast Michigan Mensa Elected Officers

President (LocSec) John Voymas [email protected] 313-434-6750

Vice President Harley Berger [email protected] 248-210-3563

Secretary Billie Lee [email protected] 248-535-8524

Treasurer Jerry Breuer [email protected] 734-459-1886

Co-Vice Presidents Ann Arbor Area

Kathleen Giesting [email protected] 734-327-4884

Betsy Y. Mark [email protected] 734-434-5757

Bob Strauch [email protected] 734-973-6522

Co-Vice Presidents Northeast Michigan

James D. Draper [email protected] 810-744-1252

Lynne A. Draper [email protected] 810-744-1252

Judy Johnson [email protected] 810-240-3801

Derald R. Schnepp [email protected] 810-694-3560

General Representative Pauline Averbach [email protected] 734-281-2726

General Representative Katie Jeffries [email protected] 248-961-1444

Appointed Officers-Voting

Regional Gathering Chair Jean Becker [email protected] 810-229-2113

Membership Kurt Love [email protected] 586-293-1456

Newsletter Editor Kathleen Giesting [email protected] 734-327-4884

Appointed Officers—Non-Voting

Arbitrator and Ombudsman David Brown [email protected] 734-458-1194

Archivist Edward Becker [email protected] 810-229-2113

Audit Committee

Chuck McQueen [email protected] 586-468-7096

Geoffrey Vasquez [email protected] 248-346-1614

Felecia Studstill [email protected]

Budget Committee Jerry Breuer [email protected] 734-459-1886

James D. Draper [email protected] 810-744-1252

Community Volunteer Coordinator

Lynn Broniak-Hull [email protected] 734-451-7278

Dues Subsidy Administrator Spencer Wolff [email protected] 734-327-4884

Gen-X/Gen-Y Coordinator Katie Jeffries [email protected] 248-961-1444

Gifted Children Coordinator Melissa Jenkins [email protected] 248-586-9926

Music In the Schools Pauline Averbach [email protected] 734-281-2726

National Testing Day Coordinator

Pauline Averbach [email protected] 734-281-2726

Newsletter Publisher Brenda Lewis [email protected] 313-835-3454

Parliamentarian Edward Becker [email protected] 810-229-2113

Proctor Coordinator Pauline Averbach [email protected] 734-281-2726

Project Inkslinger Vacant [email protected]

Publicity Vacant [email protected]

Recruitment Officer Gary Rimar [email protected] 248-338-7867

Scholarship Chair Phyllis Voorheis [email protected] 248-437-1509

SEMMer Bash Chair John Voymas [email protected] 313-434-6750

SEMM Forum Moderator Steve Goodhall [email protected] 248-334-9073

SIGHT Judy Johnson [email protected] 810-695-5553

Web Master Billie Lee [email protected] 248-535-8524

Winter Bash Chair Harley Berger [email protected] 248-210-3563

Assistant Newsletter Editor Toby Berger [email protected] 248-851-3563

editorial policy Mensa, as a group, holds no opinion on any subject. Its members do. All opinions expressed in M-pathy are those of the

individual authors. The editor will consider for publication all materials submitted by SEMM members. Anonymous material will not be printed, but names will be withheld upon request. Anything libelous and/or obscene will not be printed. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission for length or clarity. Other Mensa publications are granted permission to reprint any material that does not contain a copyright notice. Attribution to M-Pathy

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Written permission to reprint must accompany all copyrighted materials.

advertising M-Pathy accepts prepaid ads either digitally or in camera-ready format. Please contact the editor for ad dimensions. Copy and payment must arrive at the editorial office no later than the first day of the month preceding the target issue. Rates for members: full-page $55; half page $30; quarter-page $16; business card $7. For non-members: full page $75; half-page $42; quarter-page $22; business card $10. Make checks payable to SEMM.

membership Mensa is an international society whose only membership requirement is a score at or above the 98thpercentile on any of several, standard IQ tests. Mensa is not-for-profit and its only purpose is to serve as a means of communication and assembly for its members. Mensa is not affiliated with any other organization. For membership information, call (800)66-MENSA, write to American Mensa, Ltd., at the address below, or email [email protected]. Prospective members can arrange for local, SEMM testing by calling (810)939-2560.

postmaster Send address changes to: M-Pathy c/o American Mensa, Ltd. 1229 Corporate Drive West Arlington, Texas 76006-6103

M-Pathy Page 20

All the right answers by Harley Berger, Vice President

DATE

Saturday, February 16, 2013

TIME The ExComm meeting begins at 6:00pm, Mingling begins at 7:00pm, program at 8:00pm

ADMISSION (Exact change appreciated) Adult members: $4 Adult guests: $5 Children 13 and under: $3 Members receive free admission in the month of their birthday

LOCATION Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church 23925 Northwestern Highway Southfield, MI 48075

AFTERWARDS The gathering adjourns to – Shield’s Restaurant Bar Pizzeria 25101 Telegraph Road (just north of 10 Mile) Southfield, MI 48034

DESCRIPTION

Join us on Saturday, February 16, when our guest speaker will be Stephanie Jass, who has won more “Jeopardy!” games than any other woman. Her $147,570 in winnings puts her among the top 15 winners in the game’s history and secured her a return appearance on Jeopardy's upcoming Tournament of Champions. Ms. Jass, who’s been an Adrian College history professor since 2005, didn’t go in expecting to win at all, let alone win so many times. “Winning the first game was great," Jass said. "I could call myself a champion and hold my head high. After that, the rest was gravy.” Don't miss this rare opportunity to find out first-hand what its really like to actually go for broke in front of millions of people, how life changed after the big win, and what actually happened to all that money! Doors open at 7:00pm for mingling with your fellow Mensans and guests. The program starts at 8:00pm.

M-Pathy Periodicals Postage Rates (ISSN 0744-9763) Paid at Detroit, Michigan C/O American Mensa, Ltd. 1229 Corporate Drive West Arlington, TX 76006-6103

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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