Blog Design

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Welcome to our new home at the historic Tivoli Theater! Please check our details for access to the space on [our website](https://www.hacdc.org/visit/). Join the discord for questions / help getting in (use channel #let-me-in) [https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT](https://discord.gg/dNjuNhNmeT)

We typically start with mindful movement and a guided meditation, followed by some group discussion and a talk about meditation and how it can help us life more kind, peaceful and happy lives. Scattered throughout is sharing and discussion. We have a hybrid meeting, both in person and on Zoom. #### Join us in person. We meet at[ Seekers Church](https://seekerschurch.org/) in Takoma/Takoma Park. Here's [a map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seekers+Church/@38.9749329,-77.018418,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b7c884a0b4136b:0xab23c73db1a1d9ed!8m2!3d38.9749208!4d-77.0162303). Please be aware of the following things you will need: * Have had the COVID-19 vaccination. * Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth when you are in the building. * Enter the space thru the back entrance of the church (the door by the rear parking lot). * Arrive 10 minutes early if possible to acclimate to meeting in person. * Please ring the backdoor bell to be let in as the door automatically locks. * We won't be able to let you in more than 15 minutes late. Please do not attend if you have any COVID-19, cold, or flu symptoms. In-person events are offered as fragrance-free as possible, so please do not bring or use any products with “parfum” or “fragrance” in the ingredients. The meeting space is **wheelchair accessible**. Chairs will be set up, and feel free to bring your own sitting gear if you would like. The location is Metro accessible – a 3-minute walk from the Takoma Metro on the Red Line. There is street parking and also limited parking in the lot at the back entrance of the church. If you are attending in person, please note that class begins at 7 PM ET and you will need to arrive by 7:15 PM to be let in as the door is kept locked. A volunteer stays close by for the first 15 minutes of class. #### Join Zoom meeting [https://zoom.us/j/861079179?pwd=Tmw2VlhsUmVkSXA5V0NVS00vVXRRQT09](https://zoom.us/j/861079179?pwd=Tmw2VlhsUmVkSXA5V0NVS00vVXRRQT09) To use phone for audio: +1 301 715 8592 Meeting ID: 861 079 179 Password: 182356

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).

Holy Cross-Words Toastmasters Club (http://1341379.toastmastersclubs.org/) open to all. The club meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm in the Professional and Community Education Center (PCEC). The PCEC is located on the first floor of Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

• What we'll do Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! And we will teach you how to use your camera IN THE FIELD, not in a classroom! Join our standard Monuments and Memorials workshop, offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, in which the instructor takes you to some of DC’s most popular attractions: White House, Lafayette Park, the Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Three Servicemen Memorials, and finally to Union Station, where you learn to make all the moving people DISAPPEAR! Remember, it was Confucius who said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand." At Washington Photo Safari, we help you "do " and understand! That is why our motto is "See. Click. Learn." This $71 Safari (a 20% discount from the regular $89 price) begins with a 45-minute travel photography orientation, giving you basic tips in composition, F-stops and shutter speeds, portraiture, and interior photography. While you are taking pictures, you receive hands-on guidance on how to make those images even better! Advanced and smartphone photographers will appreciate the instructor’s extensive knowledge of the best camera angles in DC. This is suggested as a preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographers at any skill level with any camera, phone, or tablet. Transportation from site to site is provided by the instructor. • What to bring camera and all lenses • Important to know travel, architectural, portrait and street photography techniques

Whether you're new to Insight meditation or an advanced practitioner looking for like-minded people to sit with, you're welcome to join us at our Sunday morning drop-in group, sponsored by the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Insight meditation cultivates our natural wisdom and compassion. Meditation practice develops concentration, which allows us to calm and steady the mind. This class includes a 30-minute lightly-guided meditation, followed by a short talk and time for questions and discussion. The size of the group usually runs somewhere between 25-40 people in-person and between 12-25 online. Chairs are provided, or you may bring a sitting cushion or bench. You may also use the blankets and bolsters offered by the yoga studio. **We offer both in-person and online attendance.** To learn more about our topics and teachers, view our videos or **get the Zoom link**, visit our [class page](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=735&utm_source=MeetUp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=vienna-drop-in).

Here is an event for anyone who will be available on Christmas Day. Come and join me for a great meal and some drawing at Chinatown Garden. We can sketch while we wait for our food to arrive and after we eat. This is becoming a tradition! I look forward to drawing with you there. [Chinatown Garden ](https://www.chinatowngardenwashington.com/)

**NOTICE:** **For the foreseeable future we will be ONLINE ONLY.** **Online:** Subscribe at [this link](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=714) to get the weekly Zoom link in your email 30 minutes before the class begins. **WHAT:** This is an open ongoing *drop-in* mindfulness meditation group for both beginners and experienced practitioners. While the forms of meditation we practice are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the study and practice of mindfulness and insight meditation is applicable to anyone from any background or religion, and all are welcome. **Donation:** These teachings are available to all. Although a $10 donation is suggested, donations are not required for attendance. **What to Expect:** Each class will include mindful movement, guided meditation, instruction, opportunities to practice, and time for discussion, questions and answers. **When and where:** We meet every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. **In-person:** Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, room 406. Please arrive early to settle into your seats - we start right at 7:00 p.m. [Note: Class will be *online only* on days that the school is closed.] **Online option:** Join Zoom Meeting (click on link or copy URL and paste in browser) https://zoom.us/j/569956674 **What We Practice:** We practice Insight Meditation, a style of meditation that helps the mind attain deeper levels of calm concentration through sustained attention on the breath, then combines this with the crucial aspect of insight through contemplation of the mind and body and all of their changing and impermanent senses, emotions and thoughts. Insight Meditation trains us to live more fully in the present moment, enables us to experience life from a greater stillness, and aids us in relating to both ourselves and others with increased clarity, compassion, calmness and creativity, and less fear, anxiety and stress. Along with these and a long list of other psychological benefits, meditation has also been shown to reduce stress hormones in the body, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, alleviate depression and boost the immune system. **TEACHERS:** STAN EISENSTEIN, is a full teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). He teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based courses. He is a mentor the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program run by Sounds True. He also works with individuals in instruction on using meditation and mindfulness to bring a greater sense of peace and freedom in daily life. Stan is a former high school physics teacher (32 years) who has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2004. Stan earned a Masters of Social Work in 1998. LINDA NAINI: Linda is a full teacher with IMCW. She developed a deep appreciation for Tara Brach’s teachings and the practice of mindfulness in 2009 during her father’s terminal illness and later working through her own depression after his death. Linda is a certified Health and Wellness Coach through the [Maryland University of Integrative Health](http://www.muih.edu/academics/masters-degrees/master-arts-health-wellness-coaching). She has received Reiki II certification, and is certified to teach mindfulness meditation to children and adolescents through the .b program. As an Iranian-American, Linda has studied Rumi and Hafiz in both Persian and English. **Contact:** Please feel free to contact Stan Eisenstein at IMCWColumbia@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

**NOTICE:** **For the foreseeable future we will be ONLINE ONLY.** **Online:** Subscribe at [this link](https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=714) to get the weekly Zoom link in your email 30 minutes before the class begins. **WHAT:** This is an open ongoing *drop-in* mindfulness meditation group for both beginners and experienced practitioners. While the forms of meditation we practice are rooted in Buddhist teachings, the study and practice of mindfulness and insight meditation is applicable to anyone from any background or religion, and all are welcome. **Donation:** These teachings are available to all. Although a $10 donation is suggested, donations are not required for attendance. **What to Expect:** Each class will include mindful movement, guided meditation, instruction, opportunities to practice, and time for discussion, questions and answers. **When and where:** We meet every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. **In-person:** Centennial High School, 4300 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, room 406. Please arrive early to settle into your seats - we start right at 7:00 p.m. [Note: Class will be *online only* on days that the school is closed.] **Online option:** Join Zoom Meeting (click on link or copy URL and paste in browser) https://zoom.us/j/569956674 **What We Practice:** We practice Insight Meditation, a style of meditation that helps the mind attain deeper levels of calm concentration through sustained attention on the breath, then combines this with the crucial aspect of insight through contemplation of the mind and body and all of their changing and impermanent senses, emotions and thoughts. Insight Meditation trains us to live more fully in the present moment, enables us to experience life from a greater stillness, and aids us in relating to both ourselves and others with increased clarity, compassion, calmness and creativity, and less fear, anxiety and stress. Along with these and a long list of other psychological benefits, meditation has also been shown to reduce stress hormones in the body, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, alleviate depression and boost the immune system. **TEACHERS:** STAN EISENSTEIN, is a full teacher with the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (IMCW). He teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based courses. He is a mentor the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program run by Sounds True. He also works with individuals in instruction on using meditation and mindfulness to bring a greater sense of peace and freedom in daily life. Stan is a former high school physics teacher (32 years) who has been practicing Insight Meditation since 2004. Stan earned a Masters of Social Work in 1998. LINDA NAINI: Linda is a full teacher with IMCW. She developed a deep appreciation for Tara Brach’s teachings and the practice of mindfulness in 2009 during her father’s terminal illness and later working through her own depression after his death. Linda is a certified Health and Wellness Coach through the [Maryland University of Integrative Health](http://www.muih.edu/academics/masters-degrees/master-arts-health-wellness-coaching). She has received Reiki II certification, and is certified to teach mindfulness meditation to children and adolescents through the .b program. As an Iranian-American, Linda has studied Rumi and Hafiz in both Persian and English. **Contact:** Please feel free to contact Stan Eisenstein at IMCWColumbia@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

**Want to help bring your city’s community together?** We’re looking for local hosts to organize small group lunches, evening drinks, mixers, movie get-togethers and curated experiences. **No experience necessary,** just a friendly attitude, some local knowledge, and a willingness to meet a few new people. After each event, we’ll send a short feedback form so we can improve and support you. The host will also be able to provide feedback so we can learn what worked and what didn't. **[Click here](https://form.questionscout.com/6926c9ab87a828a5c11a79fc)** to apply and get started: if you’re selected, we’ll reach out for a quick screening call.

**Web Design Decoded: Tools, Practices, and Proven Processes:** **Semantic HTML** At WebDev Columbus, we are exploring some of the most important topics of professional high-end web design and page building. Primarily focused on site building in the WordPress environment, our group explores tools, tips, and techniques for building the best WordPress sites possible. Additionally, we focus on disciplines and technologies that take website design from visually appealing to optimized spaces for delivering you and/or your client's message effectively and with a nod towards extended reach. Each session combines practical demonstrations with real-world insights, giving you actionable knowledge you can apply immediately. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to enhance your design skills or a newcomer wanting to understand design best practices, this series offers valuable insights for every skill level. **What to expect:** * Hands-on demonstrations of popular design tools * Best practices for design-to-development workflows * Tips for creating responsive, accessible designs * Real-world problem-solving scenarios * Interactive Q&A sessions * Networking opportunities with fellow developers **Each meetup features:** 60 minutes of focused presentation 30 minutes of live demonstrations 30 minutes for questions and discussion **See you there!** Our casual, collaborative environment encourages learning from both presenters and fellow attendees. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and connect with Central Ohio's web development community! **Stay tuned for specific session topics and dates.**

You must check into with the host and say you are with Suzie or Columbus Meetup To get the drink specials you must check in before 8:30 pm These are the drinks specials: $3 Domestic Draft- Miller Lite & Coors Light $3 Well Liquor Cocktails (no doubles/no redbull/no shots) $4 Vizzy Seltzers $5 Select Call Liquor-Titos, Bacardi, Bombay, Cazadores Reposado, & Jack Daniels (no doubles/no redbull/no shots) $5 Select Shots- White Tea Shots & Fireball

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

This is an in-person meeting. Would you like to know the Real You, not just a shadow of yourself? Does your life energy feel somehow trapped within? Does your self-confidence get easily shaken? Do you get in the way of your own goals? We will discuss the real source of all this, what holds you back in life, and how to handle it so you can achieve more successful and happier living. Perhaps you get weighed down with negative emotions you can't seem to shrug off. Or find yourself doing strange and irrational things - not really being yourself. We will cover why that is and tools that work to help you unearth your self, your self-confidence and motivation. This meeting will help you learn about how to effectively overcome: -Out-of-control unwanted emotions -Low self-esteem -Anxiety -Negativity -Stress -Irrational fears -Traumatic or painfully emotional incidents -Breakups -Betrayals -Feeling like you're not really yourself -Self-doubt... We will discuss how to unleash the inner you and tap into your true potential. So come to this online meetup! This meeting is sponsored by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio

Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Stauf’s German Village! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends! Afterwards, we’ll visit The Book Loft (next door) and stroll the shelves.

Join us for this free, in person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Do you want more motivation and confidence to build lasting relationships? Are you burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival, while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is held at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Step into 2026 with intention, clarity, and a creative practice designed to help you see yourself more clearly. In this special Confidence Lab session, we’ll explore confidence as something you can curate - through the choices you make, the qualities you amplify, and the story you choose to step into. We’ll start with a short guided reflection to surface the traits, habits, and energies you want to nurture in the coming year. Then, using collage materials selected specifically for this workshop, you’ll translate those insights into a visual composition that represents the version of yourself you’re ready to grow toward. This isn’t about resolutions or perfection. It’s about crafting a grounded, imaginative vision of your next chapter - one that feels honest, energizing, and fully yours. All materials are provided. Just bring yourself (and a friend) and a willingness to explore what confidence can look like for you in 2026. **Featured Partner: Columbus Collage Collective** The Columbus Collage Collective was started in August of 2023 by Emily Morgan (aka Lovely But Dead) and Douglas Cuckler (aka Wonder Doug) as a place for collage enthusiasts to gather and create art together. The collective has since become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to hold free or low-cost collage events across central Ohio. The CCC welcomes all artists of all backgrounds and skill levels and encourages folks to take this time to step away from everyday existence and create art with people who share a love for this dynamic art form. All materials—magazines, scissors, craft knives, glue, paper, cardboard, and more—are provided, so there's no need to bring anything at all (though you're welcome to bring a friend or a favorite tool if you'd like!). We also encourage folks to take home magazines and materials from our events to support continued creativity! Find us on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/columbuscollagecollective/](https://www.instagram.com/columbuscollagecollective/) Register or sign up for the newsletter at [https://www.columbuscollagecollective.com/](https://www.columbuscollagecollective.com/) **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*