Stockton Area Atheists and Freethinkers

 
 
 

We meet at Panera on Pacific.Panner

This is an informal, social event that's great for newcomers and long-time members. Bring a friend and strike up a conversation about anything on your mind.

We typically select locations that have a menu with plenty of variety for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions.

📌 Important:

If you RSVP'd but cannot attend, please update your status. This will help us get a table big enough for everyone attending, but not too big.

 
 
 

📖 Our June 2023 book is "Machinehood" by Sarah S.B. Divya

Zero Dark Thirty meets The Social Network in this “clever…gritty” (Ken Liu, author of The Grace of Kings) science fiction thriller about artificial intelligence, sentience, and labor rights in a near future dominated by the gig economy—from Hugo Award nominee S.B. Divya.

Welga Ramirez, executive bodyguard and ex-special forces, is about to retire early when her client is killed in front of her. It’s, 2095 and people don’t usually die from violence. Humanity is entirely dependent on pills that not only help them stay alive but allow them to compete with artificial intelligence in an increasingly competitive gig economy. Daily doses protect against designer diseases, flow enhances focus, zips and buffs enhance physical strength and speed, and juvers speed the healing process.

All that changes when Welga’s client is killed by The Machinehood, a new and mysterious terrorist group that has simultaneously attacked several major pill funders. The Machinehood operatives seem to be part human, part machine, something the world has never seen. They issue an ultimatum: stop all pill production in one week.

Global panic ensues as pill production slows and many become ill. Thousands destroy their bots in fear of a strong AI takeover. But the US government believes the Machinehood is a cover for an old enemy. One that Welga is uniquely qualified to fight.

Welga, determined to take down the Machinehood, is pulled back into intelligence work by the government that betrayed her. But who are the Machinehood, and what do they really want?

A “fantastic, big-idea thriller” (Malka Older, Hugo Award finalist for The Centenal Cycle series) that asks: if we won’t see machines as human, will we instead see humans as machines?

💻 Meeting via Zoom

This meeting takes place over Zoom. You'll find the link to join the meeting appears in the event details after you RSVP.

 
 
 

🤔 Hold My Beer... It's Time for Trivia

On the second Wednesday of each month, we'll meet at Highwater Brewing in Lodi (near 99, south of Pine Street) for trivia, beer, and a bite to eat.

There's no set plan for teams... just look for the SAAF table and join us or form your own team. Trivia may be inside or outside depending on the weather.

🍺 Food and Drink

Highwater has 36 taps and a full kitchen with plenty of appetizers, pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts for everyone.

 
 
 

☕ Let's Chat Over Coffee!

This is for those of us lucky enough to be able to attend a morning event.

We'll meet at The Well, a coffee shop and eatery that's also part of Stockton's art scene. They're a local nonprofit that trains young adults and help them with résumé building.

Everything on their menu is homemade and their beans are freshly roasted in-house.

Look for our table sign on one of the tables and please RSVP so we can reserve a table large enough for our group.

 
 
 

🗳️ Let's Talk Politics

This event, hosted each month by the Stockton Democrats, is a great way to get informed and involved!

It's a casual event without any set program, so arrive when you can, order up some wings n' a beer, and have a good time.

🐔 Smitty's Wings and Things

We'll meet at Smitty's which has excellent food and something for everyone... including pizza, wings, salads, and more, plus plenty of vegetarian options (including Beyond Wings) and gluten-free crust.

Please, do not bring your own food or beverage.

 
 
 

🔭 It's a Party of Stars!

Let's hang out with the Stockton Astronomical Society each month during their "Astronomy in the Park" nights at Oak Grove Regional Park (on Eight Mile, just north of Stockton).

No telescope? No problem! Our friends at SAS come equipped and are happy to share their knowledge and equipment.

📅 Dates and Times Vary

Because the moon and stars don't follow our silly human calendar, please note that the day and time of this event changes each month. Be sure to check the event for details and don't assume.

We also suggest you follow SAS via Instagram (@stocktonastrosociety) to be aware of any last-minute cancellations.

📌 Where to Meet

Head to the Poplar Shelter at Oak Grove Regional Park. When you enter, head right and past the Nature Center. If you've reached the boat house, you've gone too far.

🅿️ Parking and Admission

The event is free, but parking is $6 per vehicle. Please bring cash.

🎗️ Party Etiquette

We want to remind everyone of a few rules during this event:

• Please keep your cell phones off.
• Do not use normal flashlights at any time.
• Absolutely no smoking, vaping, drug use, or alcohol.
• No pets are permitted in the viewing area, even when leashed.

 
 
 

🥐 It's Time for Brunch!

Join us on the fourth Sunday of every month for good food and great conversation. Because... what else are you doing on a Sunday morning?

Boudin's breakfast menu has something for everyone... and don't forget to join their rewards program for a free loaf of bread every month.

Weather permitting, we'll meet on the outside patio at Boudin SF (in Stone Creek Village). Just look for the SAAF table sign.

 
 
 

Our monthly Game Night is hosted by Andy at his home in Stockton (near March and I-5) on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Don't worry about formalities. Just show up when you can and leave when you've had enough fun.

🗺️ Location

The address will be emailed to RSVP'd attendees a few hours before the event. When parking, please be considerate of Andy's neighbors.

🎲 The Games

We typically play games like Geek Battle, Linkee, That's What She Said, Cards Against Humanity, and Midnight Taboo. Got your own game? Bring it!

Many of our games are intended for mature audiences, so it's probably best to leave the little ones at home.

🍽️ It's also a Potluck

Feel free to bring some drinks, snacks, or desserts to share with others. Be sure to comment what you're bringing so we don't end up with too much of the same thing. Hint: Most of us are vegetarian.

 
 
 

😋 Dinner and Ice Cream!

Join us the first Friday of every odd-numbered month as we enjoy dinner and ice cream in Downtown Lodi.

We'll start with dinner at the lovely Dancing Fox restaurant (great for vegetarians, vegans, and beer and wine lovers). Please bring cash to split the bill. If the weather is nice, we'll grab one of the outside tables.

At about 7:15 or so, we'll stroll through Downtown Lodi for about 10 minutes (0.3 miles).

We'll arrive at the Double Dip Art Gallery, featuring Gunther's Ice Cream and an always-changing gallery of wonderful art.

📅 RSVP

Your RSVP is important so that we get a table large enough at Dancing Fox. When you arrive, look for a table with the SAAF sign.

 
 
 

📖 This month's book hasn't yet been announced.

Its description will be placed here.

💻 Meeting via Zoom

This meeting takes place over Zoom. You'll find the link to join the meeting appears in the event details after you RSVP.