Barack Obama

***Join Us Monthly on the First Fridays @BLE*** * Are you a start-up company or seasoned entrepreneur who wants to grow your business? * Do you want to manifest success but don’t know how? * Do you need tips on how to co-create and live in abundance? **If you're ready to get to your next level, then it's time to** **Activate Your Mind for Business Success!** **Purpose:** First Friday's a BLE is a FREE monthly Law of Attraction Business Success Group for start-up companies and seasoned entrepreneurs who want to grow their business in 2023 and beyond. **Date and Time** Friday, January 6, 2023 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM **Location:** 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 102 (Meeting Room) Largo, MD 20774 **Topic:** Activate Your Mind for Business Success **Facilitated By:** Bernadette Clay Law of Attraction Business Success Coach & President & CEO of BLE Executive Suites **Registration Required:** [Click Here to Register](https://www.meetup.com/upper-marlboro-other-meetup/events/290363297?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link) **For More Information:** Contact BLE Suites at (p) 301.322-1700 (W) www.blesuites.com

If you’re a dad over 35, you probably feel it: * Your energy isn’t what it used to be. * Work stress drains you before you even get home. * The weight has crept on around the middle. * Your kids still have endless energy, but keeping up with them feels harder every year. And deep down, you know your family looks to you as the example. If you’re running on empty, short on patience, and out of shape, that’s the standard you set at home. The **D.A.D.S. Program (Dads Achieving Discipline & Strength)** was built for men like you. Ordinary guys with jobs, families, and full schedules who want to: * **Reclaim strength** so you feel capable, athletic, and confident again. * **Boost energy** so you’re sharp at work and fully present with your family. * **Drop the aches, stiffness, and sluggishness** that make you feel older than you are. * **Find balance and accountability** by training alongside other dads in the same fight. * **Crush male loneliness** by connecting with men who “get it” and have your back. Here’s the best part: You don’t need to be a seasoned gym rat. This is designed for **beginner to intermediate exercisers**—dads who may have been out of the gym for years or have never had a structured program, but know it’s time to get serious. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, we’re hosting **Meet-Up Workouts from 6:00–6:45 AM.** No strings attached. Just one powerful hour that could be the turning point in your health, energy, and family life. There are only **8 spots available**, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Location: Revolutionary Fitness - 215 N. Payne St., Alexandria, Va 22314 Every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 6:00–6:45 AM To claim your spot, call/text 703-783-2316 or email sign up directly at [https://go.thefitrevolution.com/dads](https://go.thefitrevolution.com/dads) Stop putting yourself last. Take this hour, and give your family the stronger, sharper, healthier version of you.

🐢♠️🐢 Join us for First Friday Spades@The Green Turtle in Columbia this weekend! The fun starts at 6pm! All skill levels are welcome. RSVP today! Free parking. Keep in mind, this event posted in multiple groups. So expect a nice crowd. Check out The DMV Spades Meetup Group https://meetu.ps/c/8qv5/1SV52/d on Meetup We hope to see you there! God bless. 😊❤️🙏🏾

## **🔵 Not Just a Meeting—A Launchpad for Impact** ### **🗓️ 1st & 3rd Fridays \| 🕧 12:30 PM \| 📍 Tysons Corner Marriott** Looking for more than another business card exchange? This is where purpose meets power. Join the **Dunn Loring–Merrifield Rotary Club** for our **1st and 3rd Friday meetings**—a space where professionals, leaders, and community builders come together to **take action, build relationships, and grow something bigger than themselves**. *** ### **What Happens at a Meeting:** * **Rotary Business Briefing** – Insight into club projects & upcoming opportunities * **Dynamic Presentations** – Local leaders, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and changemakers share their stories * **Curated Networking** – High-trust, high-value conversations with purpose-driven peers But that’s just the start. *** ### **Beyond the Meetings:** **Evening Networking Events** – Expand your circle at exclusive after-hours gatherings around Northern Virginia **Hands-On Service Projects** – Make real impact with projects that support youth, hunger relief, mental health, and more **Global Reach** – Through Rotary’s 4-star-rated Foundation, your contributions and projects can go statewide—or worldwide—with matching grants and club support *** ### **This is for you if:** * You’re a professional looking to lead with impact * You want to meet others who care deeply about community * You have an idea to help people—and want a team behind it * You’re ready for real conversations, real service, and real results *** 🔗 **Learn More:** [www.dunnloring-merrifieldrotary.org](https://www.dunnloring-merrifieldrotary.org) > 📌 *Rotary is where you grow your network, your leadership, and your legacy.* ***

Kick off the new year with The ArtHouse in a stroll around Dupont Circle to tour a few art galleries. It will be cold but we won't be walking that far, and the galleries will be warm inside. We'll start off at Hillyer where photos in *RESIST* celebrate resistance and a call to action. It asks viewers to ponder the question “What are you willing to do or risk to resist?” *Unbreakable Elements* by Jun Lee explores printmaking through materials such as wood, paper, and glass. At the Ven, Solo Exhibition *Beauty through Contrast* showcases award winning international photo artist Sebastian Schuster. Vika Gallery is the contemporary art space of Vika Visual Arts Association — a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the arts in the Washington, DC region. **Dupont Underground** will present 21 portraits from the 1000 Dreams Project: Refugee stories in their own words. We'll finish around 8 pm. Can suggest a couple dinner places after for the group.

**Washington after Dark. An easy 5- mile hike.** Join us experiencing the magic of visiting Washington monuments and memorials after dark, illuminated and weather permitting having the January Super Moon light up the way. Our hike will take us past the Washington Monument, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Memorials, the Korean and Vietnam Veteran Memorials and the World War II Memorial. We will see the White House toward the end and the Capitol at the start and end of the hike. We will hike at a speed of about 2 miles per hour between memorials but have to allow for long red traffic lights and want time for visiting memorials. We meet at the national mall entrance/exit to the Smithsonian Metro stop. 38.88903, - 77.02837 . If you come by car you need to find your own parking. Otherwise, take Metro to the Smithsonian Metro Station, Mall entrance. **Time to Meet**: Please meet at 4:30 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 4:45 **Contact Information**: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Christa (410-610-6254 and Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed. **Directions to Trailhead**: The GPS Coordinates are 38.88903,- 77.02837. These are the coordinates for the Smithsonian Metro Station, where we will meet. We meet at the national mall entrance/exit to the Smithsonian Metro stop. If you come by car you need to find your own parking. I’ll be parking at a metro parking lot, free on weekends. The closest street address is 1200 Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington DC. **Details** Rating: Easy Distance: 5 miles Elevation Gain: 85 feet Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour Facilities: Bathroom at Jefferson Memorial open until 6 pm **Cancellation:** In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. **Weather**: The weather for this location can be found [here](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/c4025fdf0177c872b7fc2e0d09e7c523995ef49e21145e2d2438fe08649ca9e8). **Notes:** -Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.-Please do not show up unregistered. -Please keep this a fragrance-free event. -To find out more about PATC, [click here.](https://www.patc.net/) -Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, [click here.](https://www.patc.net/membership)

Top level Backgammon Tournament play. Have fun and improve your game. Free lessons to new and inexperienced players. Club been active over 30 years, posting on Meetup is new.

Last week of regular season as the Broncos look to clinch home field advantage in the playoffs! Join us at PQ to watch the Broncos get it done! I am a Broncos fan and I believe. I believe in Mile High Magic and Bleed Orange and Blue. I celebrate the drive and the Mile High Salute. I create the THUNDER, share in the common dream and will forever be a proud citizen of BRONCOS COUNTRY

Come learn how money really works. We’ll cover how to grow it, protect it, get out of debt, and use smart retirement and infinite banking strategies to build long-term security.

**Celebrate [Veganuary](https://veganuary.com/en-us/)** on Saturday, January 3rd, with the [Veg Society of DC (VSDC)](vsdc.org) with a vegan networking and social event at [DC Vegan](https://www.dc-vegan.com/)! This will be the kick-off to Veganuary in DC. *Yes, we will also do a round of vegan trivia with prizes!* *About Veganuary: "Our vision is simple; we want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction." Veganuary has inspired and supported millions of people to try vegan since 2014 – with participants from almost every country in the world. They have worked with businesses to drive up vegan options in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through their work with national and international media.* DC Vegan will feature a special mocktail for the occasion. There is **no fee to attend but PLEASE DO purchase food and drinks from the DC Vegan cafe. Everything is vegan.** Note: DC Vegan Cafe is a *VSDC Green Rewards members so show your VSDC member card and get 10% off on food and beverages*. If not already a [member of VSDC, then join today](https://vsdc.org/join/#join). Additionally, if you would like to ***reserve a table in advance, please go to the following link and [make your booking here](https://tables.toasttab.com/restaurants/a3575f59-b1e6-49dd-934e-21cb80b98be0/findTime)***. If you don't book a table in advance, then please know you will be joining numerous others standing in the open areas as part of the social with mingling. This event will take place on Saturday, January 3rd, starting at 3 pm. Come then or come later - people will be there over the course of the evening. Announcements and trivia will occur sometime around 4 pm. Don't be a no show! If your plans change, please update your RSVP. By coming to this event, we expect you to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). ***See you at the event and bring friends! Be sure to RSVP in advance to let us know.*** **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are so glad to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we enjoy seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The VSDC membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Become a member of VSDC](https://vsdc.org/membership/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

**To confirm attendance, please register on Luma:** [https://luma.com/88h45iky](https://luma.com/88h45iky) One of the truths we most regularly forget is that if we are at war with ourselves, we can’t feel love and connection with our world. This talk looks at the genesis of the “Trance of Unworthiness” and how the wings of mindfulness and heartfulness can dissolve the trance and reveal the loving awareness that is our essence Being. **Please watch this 55-min video (try 1.25X speed) before joining the discussion:** [https://youtu.be/vFr_zQCUMD4?si=0bf7DttQV9NxBY3m](https://youtu.be/vFr_zQCUMD4?si=0bf7DttQV9NxBY3m) If more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into smaller groups. **(max 10 people per group)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 1. **Feeling "not enough" often pulls us away from the beauty of now. How can we help each other remember that we are already worthy?** 2. **We often hide our true selves behind busy schedules or social masks. What great things might happen if we felt safe enough to be authentic?** 3. **Pausing before we react helps us choose wisdom over impulse. How can we make more space for these quiet moments in our fast-paced lives?** 4. **Real change only happens once we accept ourselves as we are right now. How does being kind to ourselves help us grow together?** 5. **Naming a difficult feeling helps us manage it with more ease. How might acknowledging our shared hurdles make us a stronger community?** 6. **Looking past our defenses helps us see the goodness in everyone. How can we better celebrate the shared humanity in those around us?** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events: 1. Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question) 2. Listen to understand, not to respond. 3. Be open-minded and value differences.

**Start the new year with a Braver Angels gathering focused on speaking openly and listening deeply.** **In small, structured groups, each person will have five minutes to share a political or social issue that matters to them and why- no debate, no interruption, just genuine curiosity.** **Participants will practice curiosity, reflecting back values and emotions they hear, asking thoughtful questions, and- only with permission- offering their perspective.** **It’s a simple and powerful way to connect with one another and begin the year with a respectful and courageous conversation.** **Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026** **Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm** **Place: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Southeast Branch, 3980 Hamilton Rd, Groveport, Ohio** **All are welcome- bring a friend!** For additional information contact: Lee Evans at [LEvans@BraverAngels.org](mailto:LEvans@BraverAngels.org)

Salsamante Dance Academy will be at Swerve to share the Rhythm & Energy of Bachata & Salsa. These are Beginner Level lessons to get you comfortable and understand the two dances. Spread the Good News to all. Swerve Dance & Fitness Complex 640 Lakeview Plaza Blvd A, Worthington, OH 43085 Bachata 7pm-8pm Salsa 8pm-9pm $15 - One Lesson $20 - Both Lessons

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Join us for an informal, in-person discussion about the political and economic issues impacting **Columbus, Grandville, Ohio, and the country**. This meetup is a chance to connect with neighbors, share perspectives, and talk openly about real-world policy challenges and solutions, outside of party politics. No speeches, no talking points, just honest conversation, questions, and ideas. Whether you’re deeply engaged or just looking for a place to be heard, you’re welcome to attend. ☕ Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and be part of the conversation.

######## NEW LOCATION ####### We are going to be at The Forge on Bethel Rd this week and until further notice! The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~$20 per person. Soft drink refills are $1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area! Parking can be challenging. There is a parking lot behind the building that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!