Competition

Join us for a discussion and open play Tuesdays at 7pm Lamond Riggs/Huff Library 5401 South Dakota Ave., NE Washington, DC 20011 If you cannot see the flier and instead see the default photo, it means the censorship engine is working. Try [https://www.meetup.com/rockville-chess-meetup/photos/33350169/511337001/](https://www.meetup.com/rockville-chess-meetup/photos/33350169/511337001/) .

I have been pretty quiet here for a minute, but recently started going to the weekly Commander night at Hobby Place and really enjoy it. The right balance of competitive and chill. They get a sizeable turnout, no entry fee (though I highly encourage buying a pack or two to thank the store for hosting). Format appears to be a range of difficulties, I know a few top tier decks are floating around, but most players seem chill and play say 3-7 range on a 1-10 scale. Its also nice to see a store hosting in this area. Its metro accessible and lots of parking on the block around it. From Braddock Metro: * Simply walk East on Wythe St for 10 minutes, the store is on your left. Driving: * Its at the corner of the N Washington St and Wythe. Get there and drive around the block to find street parking. I'm told they will stay open until after midnight for Commander. I've stayed as late as almost midnight, despite the store closing at 9pm. Big kudos to the store staff for being that cool.

++++++++++++++++++++++++ **Our 4th Tuesday of the month Euchre Location:** Hank's Oyster Bar (Second Floor) 818 N St Asaph St Alexandria, VA 22314 [https://hanksoysterbar.com/](https://hanksoysterbar.com/) GPS: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/9c4JVfapgdM1P31w7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9c4JVfapgdM1P31w7) **Free Retail Parking Around the Corner.** **(Elevator takes you to St. Asaph Street)** Colonial Parking 530 First St. Alexandria, VA 22314 [https://www.ecolonial.com/park-with-us/parking-locator](https://www.ecolonial.com/park-with-us/parking-locator/?detail=1&loc=en&id=1703) ++++++++++++++++++++++++ * **Second Floor Opens @ 6:00pm (Gary will be there).** * **Please arrive by 6:30pm.** * **Please don't leave before 8:30pm.** * **Hank's Oyster Bar closes at 9:00pm.** * We are on the second floor, accessible via the stairs or elevator from the downstairs restaurant. Restrooms are also on this floor. * We start play as soon as we have enough people to get a table going. * We will be getting our bills at 8:30pm so we are all settled by the 9:00pm(ish) closing time. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ **For those new or haven't been in awhile, here is some basic information about our meetup:** 1. **Know How to Play the Game**: Every member of the Alexandria Euchre Club must know how to play the game of Euchre to attend a meetup. If you know the game, but it has been years since you've played, that is fine as we've all been there and will be patient while it comes flooding back to you. 2. **New To The Group:** If you have never been, we are a friendly group and welcome everyone to come. Very few people come with a friend or spouse. What this means is that it will not be awkward to arrive alone. It is better than a happy hour because it is easy to make conversation about cards. You don't have to even ask the dreaded "what do you do?" question. If you come three times, you are a regular. Also, house rules are that we play stick the dealer (ask if you don't know this variation). 3. **Correct Table Count:** Euchre is a 4 person game--yes, I know there are 3 and 6 person variations, but most people prefer the 4 person game. What this means is that if you sign-up, we are counting on you to be there. The deadline for RSVP is 2 days prior to the meet-up. Please update by that time, especially if you are going to cancel your RSVP. If you get 3 "no shows" and you'll only be able to sign up via an organizer. 4. **The Waiting List:** If this month is like the previous months, we will have a waiting list. Please be considerate and honor your RSVP. Of course, if you are sick and on death's door we don't want you to come out and get the rest of us sick; however, if not please do come play. A good evening of food, drink, cards, and friendship may be all that you need to be more productive the next day. If you are on the waiting list I am expecting you to either remove yourself if you don't want to be considered for an open slot, or check the site (or email) so you know you've been promoted to an RSVP of YES when a slot opens up. 5. **Costs:** There are some costs associated with meetup -- I have to pay Meetup every 6 months for listing on their website. They don't work off of advertising fees. We pass the bowl around and ask people to throw a $1 in each time they come. Thanks everyone... looking forward to seeing ya !! Gary Wolanske 703-568-1550 (cell / text)

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

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link ([https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooftop-language-exchange-and-friending-sunday-edition-tickets-393187222567](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooftop-language-exchange-and-friending-sunday-edition-tickets-393187222567)). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT. If the link doesn't work please Copy and Paste the Ticket link in Google to see it. ABOUT THE EVENT Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs à moitié prix. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez débutant ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle. It is irresistible, to enjoy French convo with half-priced appetizers, glass of wine and rail drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from beginners to native fluency. METRO & PARKING INFO : Closest metro stations are Farragut North (take K St. exit) and Farragut West (take 17th St. exit) . Street Parking might be a challenge and the Event involves drinking. We highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service.

This week we are going to a Chaos draft! Bring any packs from three different sets for drafting. If you don't have packs, I will have plenty to choose from. Entry will be $20, and pack per win is the prize support. Weekly Draft night in NW. We currently meet up at Franklin Hall near 14th and Florida. U Street Metro is the closest stop. I'll have packs but feel free to bring packs if you have them. Entry is $17 (you can bring Play Booster packs to lower the cost by $3.50). If it is a special set, it will be more.

**PLEASE do not RSVP on Meetup - only posting here so more people can learn about upcoming events** We are excited to host a **pairs** speed puzzling competition on **Sunday, March 1st**! No experience is needed, and all ages are welcome. **Please note**: Registration is required, RSVPing on Meetup does not reserve your spot! Please sign up at [bit.ly/novapuzzlers-march](bit.ly/novapuzzlers-march) **Date**: March 1st, 2026 **Time**: 11am (please try to arrive 5 minutes early!) **Address**: George Mason Regional Library Meeting Room (7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale VA) **Price**: $40 per pair **Notes**: * Teams will get to keep the competition puzzle, and prizes will be given for the winning team! * There is free parking in front of the library * There is no time limit, but the event will end at 1:30pm

In an era focused on scalable efficiency, the pursuit of absolute service consistency is often seen as the ultimate goal. But what is gained and what is lost when service offerings are entirely predictable? Does aiming for uniformity stifle necessary adaptation and human connection? Join us for an intimate discussion exploring the often overlooked trade-offs of **service consistency**. We'll dive into when consistency builds “trust and reliability”, and when it becomes “a barrier to designing flexible, empathetic, and truly customer-centric experiences”. **#ServiceDesign #ServiceConsistency #ServiceManagement** **What’s a Service Design DC salon?** Our salons are an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow designers, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain fresh perspectives on the evolving landscape of our field. Space is limited to ensure an intimate atmosphere and encourage deeper conversations. Whether you have been to a past salon or will be a first timer, we’d be happy to have you join this group discussion of service design practitioners and enthusiasts in the Washington D.C. area! **Evening Agenda** * 6:00 P.M. - Doors Open / Socializing \* * 6:30 P.M. - Salon begins * 8:00 P.M. - Salon Wraps up \*We will provide light refreshments, including food and drinks, during the salon. **Note about RSVPs:** * Due to the limited number of available spots, we kindly request that you update your RSVP if you are unable to attend so others may have the opportunity to join. Thank you for your understanding. *** Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **Technical Assent!** *At Technical Assent, we believe that government can be a platform for service innovation where services can be designed to be more relevant to customers, more reliable, and delivered at a lower cost.* *Our company exists to build high-performing government service organizations — government-to-citizens (G2C), government-to-government (G2G), and shared services. Our approach is unique in that we improve service performance from the bottom-up, starting with customer experience. We use that insight to design and modify the talent, tools, and technology that deliver government services to each customer. Technical Assent is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business appraised at CMMI-SVC Level 3.*

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)

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.

Come kick back with the Black Code Collective! We'll be on the second floor by the main entrance in the mall!

How to be a Better Communicator Communication is everything in life You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

A very Midwest way to spend the night. Euchre Night at TownHall Short North brings cards, cocktails, and community together for an easygoing evening of friendly competition. All skill levels welcome—confidence encouraged.

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

This is an in-person meeting. At this meeting you will get answers to depression and anxiety. Find out the source of them and how to get rid of them. Did you know that unwanted emotions like anxiety, depression, unhappiness, loneliness, hopelessness, anger, fear, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not due to a chemical imbalance in your brain from some nebulous chemical reaction "by chance". Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. 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. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio and Church of Scientology of Central Ohio.

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas