Anarchism

As we move into 2026, we invite you to join us in renewing a form of political participation that has come to seem almost quaint: practicing citizenship by making strong connections and strengthening our communities. Over the past few decades, we’ve allowed our communities to shrink, our outlooks to sour and our politics to become toxic. We’re guessing you are reading this now because you want something different and better for yourselves, your families and your communities. Braver Angels provides the infrastructure and tactics and tools to convene and collaborate across the political spectrum. With our sister Alliances in the “DMV” area, the Fairfax County Alliance is creating a schedule of events for the coming year, some of which will relate to our nation’s birthday. **We’ll kick off 2026 with a simple discussion of a complex topic: What does patriotism mean to you? And what about our 250th year as a nation will you contemplate and celebrate?** Join us on January 13th at 7 PM at the [McLean Governmental Center](https://braverangels.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb070968609f8aecc37a46472&id=1181632331&e=500efeae3d); doors open at 6:30 PM. We will have light refreshments. We have pulled together [various resources](https://braverangels.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb070968609f8aecc37a46472&id=51517eb8d2&e=500efeae3d) to get your brains moving in different directions. Some of these are ‘newsy’, some informative, some lean right or left and some are just opinions. It is not a comprehensive list by any means but merely designed to start your thinking about your perspective and other’s. We look forward to hearing about your own points of reference. Comparing different eras is instructive; the meaning of patriotism changes depending on time and place. Have your views changed over time and place? How do you envision at the future of the United States? How do we embrace the whole of our history? John Woods, Braver Angels’ National Ambassador, has captured these thoughts well in [his latest message](https://braverangels.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb070968609f8aecc37a46472&id=3b2e9511c9&e=500efeae3d). *Scroll down John Wood’s email for a range of online events you can join.* Our future is shaped by imagining what can be and putting aside our presumptions of each other. We look forward to seeing you! \* \* \* \* \* **Braver Angels holds workshops, debates, and public presentations designed to bridge the political divide we are experiencing in our country.** Our events help conservatives, liberals, and independents get past stereotypes and have civil conversations about current issues, helping open the way to productive problem-solving, mutual respect and understanding. Meetings and events are free and require no commitments. Just bring your willingness to listen, learn, and participate with civility, without judgment. Please read more about The Braver Angels Way [here](https://braverangels.org/our-mission/).

Join us for a meeting for people who are interested in changing their relationship with alcohol. We support each other to reduce our drinking (or abstain altogether) by sharing what works for us. For information on the location for this meeting, please contact Debra at 619-518-6555 or debradeanne@gmail.com To learn more about Moderation Management, check our website at [www.moderation.org](www.moderation.org).

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no door tickets will be available.** [Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

After hosting successful events, I always think that we could have done better and relate it to our day to day life and make it educational. In this connection, I wanted to show off my investment and trade hat and organize series of Happy Hours around Investment & Trade. We will have speakers from different sectors and industries, at each Happy Hour. At this particular event, the speaker will discusses Smart Strategies for Maximizing Social Security . Topics will include: 1. Today’s retirement challenges 2. Keys to help you understand the basics of Social Security, including when you should start taking benefits 3. Qualifications for retirement benefits and survivor benefits 4. Sources of income in retirement 5. Building an income plan. The address will be sent to members, who RSVPed, before the Event. Enjoy!

If you sign up and can’t make it please be respectful and change your RSVP. If you are a no show for no good reason multiple times will not have you at future meet ups. If you need help with anything for an up coming meet up text Anthony at (703) 843-4243 Let’s have fun! Bring a can of balls please or lightly used ones will do.

How Blockchain Responsibly Contributes to Secure, Transparent, and Trustworthy Elections GBA Emerging GovTech Livestream Series - Kicking Off 2026 with Critical Conversation on using Blockchain in Voting & Elections Government Blockchain Association Voting Working Group Tue, Jan 13, 2026, 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM (New York Time) Event link https://youtube.com/@GBAorg/streams Registration https://lnkd.in/e5F2HBrC GBA Emerging GovTech Livestream will discuss... Ensuring every vote is counted and verified Technical and procedural standards needed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse Responsibly integrate blockchain - not as a replacement, but as a trusted security layer within existing election systems Provide auditability & legal integrity - real-time transparency for observers, without compromising ballot secrecy Provide identity & access management, spanning both physical and digital security Handle hybrid & provisional voting models, including inclusive access (e.g., multilingual closed captions) Provide clear governance: focusing on who is eligible to vote - and eligibility verification Develop standard protocols for blockchain solutions across jurisdictions Panelists Amelia Powers Gardner’s, Government Innovation Leader - Disruptive Technology Advocate - Public Official - Consultant - Speaker - Technology Implementation Expert - Mother - Entrepreneur - Mentor for High Performance Women Eugene Morozov, CPA, MS - CEO, DeVote & author of 2026 Public DLT and Blockchain Governance & Implementation Playbook, WEB3 Evangelist • Domain Expert • Investor • Entrepreneur Passionate about driving innovation in blockchain, digital assets, decentralized applications (dApps), and governance systems (DAO). Linda Hutchinson Director of Quality Assurance & Certification, Voatz Moderated by Felisha Stevenson Business Developer & Investor GBA Voting Working Group.. How Blockchain Responsibly Contributes to Secure, Transparent, and Trustworthy Elections Event link https://youtube.com/@GBAorg/streams Registration https://lnkd.in/e5F2HBrC GBA Emerging GovTech Livestream Series - Sponsored by CESS Network CESS Network supports open scalable and decentralized infrastructure that empowers next-generation public-sector innovation. About GBA The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) is a nonprofit (501c6) organization committed to advancing blockchain technology standards, facilitating industry education, and ensuring a trusted, secure ecosystem for blockchain solutions. For more information, visit https://gbaglobal.org/. For more information contact Bob Miko, bmiko@pacificdialogue.com 203 378 2803. Bob Miko GBA Director of Public Relations Editor in Chief/Producer Pacific Dialogue 203 378 2803 bmiko@pacificdialogue.com

**Mark your calendar for every third Friday of the month!** Come hang out with fellow freedom-lovers, get the inside scoop on the Liberty Movement in Northern Virginia, and hear what’s brewing with local festivals and upcoming election support. Whether you’ve been part of the cause for years or are just curious about Libertarian ideas, you’re welcome to drop by for food, fun, and lively conversations that keep the spirit of liberty alive!

*An Assata Shakur Study Group on US Military Escalation: From the Invasion of Venezuela to National Guard in DC.* The U.S. is escalating its war on the Global South—from attacks on Venezuela to the use of military force, ICE deportations and juvenile curfews, including the National Guard deployment in DC. Join **Pan African Community Action (PACA)** to unpack how the U.S. empire and its allies justify invasion and terror through media narratives, sanctions, and so called “international law”, while denying people’s right to self-determination. We will examine ongoing resistance in Venezuela and why these struggles matter for working-class and oppressed communities everywhere. The discussion will also connect foreign militarism to domestic repression and the need to build real community power in Southeast D.C. *Food will be provided!* Please register as well: **\[S\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[elf\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[D\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[etermination\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[F\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[rom\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[DC\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[to\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**\)\[V\]\(https://selfdetermina\.\.\. \(https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela\.eventbrite\.com\)**)[enezuela.eventbrite.com](https://selfdetermina... "https://selfdeterminationfromdctovenezuela.eventbrite.com")

Learn more about our Home Buyer Program * get up to $202k in down payment assistance through HPAP * get up to $25K in grants from Maryland Mortgage Program * downpayment assistance options through DC Open Doors * how to qualify and what loans are available * loan application and approval process * repeat home buyer options * purchase price limits * market insight and home buying steps in a competitive market SIGN UP AT THE LINK BELOW: [https://www.enggarcia.com/egpwebinars/](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.enggarcia.com/egpwebinars/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1705256818169980&usg=AOvVaw0qgqMgQjduPHADDDggU6H6)

**Looking to** \- Help out neighbors in the DC area? \- Support a secular charity? \- Connect with other atheists and humanists? Join Atheists Helping the Homeless DC at our monthly distribution event! Atheists Helping the Homeless is a 501(c)(3) charity that distributes items like backpacks, socks, gloves, and toiletries to people in need throughout the Washington, DC region. We meet up on the second Saturday of every month outside of a homeless shelter in Silver Spring, MD, called Progress Place, and pass out whatever items we have to whoever is there. Each month we serve between 60 - 100 people. Afterwards, we usually go out for breakfast. Our goal is to provide a way for people to help each other without affiliating with a religion. Our method is to go straight to those in need, and create a welcoming and fun atmosphere to effectively create an environment where secular community can grow and thrive. If this sounds fun, see you there!

A unique worship experience for adults looking to engage their mind, body, spirit, and taste buds! Sundays, 5PM Join us each Sunday for a guided time of stretching, meditation, and mindfulness (think Yoga Church) – followed by a free mocktail and conversation! It’s a great day to end one week – and begin another. No reservations needed; just show up. (Invite a friend!) [https://www.thevineva.org/stretch-sip](https://www.thevineva.org/stretch-sip?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR5PvfHVivaZWvu3F4k-dNoYLoXZ9EkAZKcaOcJ2fBP09QM_svyEG0tkZgIH-w_aem_GVuOBm_3I478NQM3Lkqe0A) 2501 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Socrates Café are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange philosophical perspectives based on their experiences, using the Socratic Method of inquiry (asking and answering questions). Today, there are hundreds of such gatherings, coordinated by volunteers, worldwide. Though this may be considered a "philosophy" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Please post any questions you would like the group to consider on the meetup event's page; in the comments section. Several days before the meetup I will post a link to a voting form in the comments section, and everyone can vote on their preferred questions. The questions with the highest and second highest number of votes will be discussed. Hope to see you there! -Brian

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics) .] The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

**BreadBreakers is a community where people of all different belief systems and backgrounds can create community - and what better way to do that than reading together?** Join us as we combine the kind, curious, and welcoming atmosphere of a BreadBreakers dinner with the thought-provoking, fun format of a book club. Here's what to expect: * We'll be reading *Of Mice and Men*, by John Steinbeck. * This will be a one-meeting club, so if you've ever wanted to do a book club but couldn't commit to multiple meetings, here's your opportunity! * Snacks :) * BreadBreakers ground rules apply - we'll lead with curiosity, converse with kindness, and strive to dig beneath the surface level. * We'll be gathering in Meeting Room 1 at the Reston Regional Library. * Participants will be responsible for obtaining their own copies of the book. [Here's the Amazon link, if helpful.](https://www.amazon.com/Mice-Men-John-Steinbeck/dp/0140177396) * Our BreadBreakers table hosts will come ready with questions and facilitation skills - you come ready to discuss! **I've never attended a BreadBreakers event before - what is BreadBreakers?** BreadBreakers is a community where neighbors from all different beliefs and backgrounds can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** Most frequently, we do this through the ancient practice of breaking bread around a common dining table. But we're more than just a discussion group - we're a movement to heal our world's broken discourse and forge togetherness in a time of isolation and loneliness. **Through the sacred act of just "being" together, we're working to rebuild the town square, one table (or book club) at a time.** BreadBreakers is a religiously inclusive by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA. All faiths, beliefs, and stripes are welcomed, and our leadership and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

IMPROV CHURCH! 7PM \| Vine Church \| Ages 14\+ \| $10 A short sermon. A team of pro comedians. Zero rules. They don’t preach it back—they rip it open, react, and run wild with it. Expect laughs. Expect questions. Expect the unexpected. This is church turned inside out. Uncensored. Unscripted. Unapologetic. Last Saturday of every month \| 7PM Buy your tickets at the door, or online ahead of time: [thevineva.org/worship/improv-church/](http://thevineva.org/worship/improv-church/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR5UNB76JC7-akqpbaSn-4H6JuOA6iTl5rIkmBfOaKKR0seKcd7Vqr9d79KA0g_aem_r2KcYCZ-Cr7akGszFEtDog) 2501 Gallows Rd \| Dunn Loring\, VA \| 22027

Addiction isn’t limited to substances. It can show up in the everyday things we crave: technology, exercise, social media, work, and even the constant pursuit of achievement. This session explores the roots of addiction and why quick hits from doom scrolling, overworking, technology, or seeking attention never truly satisfy. Together, we’ll discuss what it means to live as our authentic selves in a culture wired for dopamine hits, instant gratification, and the fear of missing out – and how spiritual practices and community can help us reclaim balance and wholeness.

***Registration required at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy -*** [Birding Algonkian - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-algonkian-january/) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on a search for birds at the Algonkian Regional Park in eastern Loudoun County. This bird walk takes place each month except December. With extensive frontage along the Potomac River, its rich bottomland forests, extensive wetlands and grassy areas combine to make it Loudoun’s top birding hotspot. Bring binoculars if you have them. We’ll meet at the boat ramp next to the parking lot.

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics could range from the political, to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.