Creative Self-Expression

Artistic Artifacts hosts **Open Stitch sessions EVERY Thursday evenings** from 5:30 - 7:30 pm — join us! This is a drop-in, bring your own hand stitching project and the necessary supplies (or you can knit, crochet... whatever needle arts you like). There’s no fee to attend, no instruction nor agenda — just a time to spend with other creatives! Visit our website for all our class & event information: **[https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk)**

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. *** ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Dance Exchange, Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

This will be our only healing Circle for February. ✨ **An Evening of Reflection, Renewal and Awakening** ✨ Join us for a transformative evening of healing, connection, and self-discovery. Gathered in sacred space around the glow of the fire, we will journey together through meditations designed to ground, restore, and awaken the spirit to purpose and loving service. 🌿 **What to Expect** * Gentle, guided meditations (two new practices each gathering) * Heartfelt sharing in a safe, supportive circle * Space for authentic expression, deep listening, and mutual growth * Meaningful spiritual insights and uplifting discussion This is a gathering for anyone seeking peace, clarity, or community. All are welcome—simply bring an open mind and a respectful heart. 🔥 **When & Where** * We typically meet twice each month on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays. Come as often—or as little—as your spirit calls. * Weather permitting, we gather outdoors in the tipi or by the large fire circle. If needed, we will move indoors. * 💫 **For First-Time Visitors** * No prior experience is needed. * Please arrive **15 minutes early** to settle in. * You are welcome to walk the grounds or explore our crystal shop before the circle begins. 📍 **Directions** * Address: **15406 Riding Stable Rd.** (property is at the end of a ½ mile driveway into the woods). * You will cross a small stream—drive slowly (under 10 MPH) to keep dust down. * Please be mindful of our neighbors and do not stop to interact with horses along the way. * 💖 **Energy Exchange** To help keep this gathering accessible, we invite an offering of **$15–$25**. If you feel called to contribute in another way, please reach out in advance. With love and gratitude, we welcome you into this circle of renewal.

Why do women do what they do and think what they think? Dr. Louann Brezindine, researcher, clinician, and professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), wanted to know. She’s co-writer of the screenplay for this movie, which suggests that the experiences of the main character, a neuropsychologist, reasonably reflect her own. The process and results of her research are dramatized here by co-writer, director, actress, and stand-up comedian Whitney Cummings, so this feature will definitely not be a boring lecture. While classified as a comedy, the movie isn’t filled with laughs but instead with awkward encounters and strained relationships. Along the way, the electrochemical causes and effects of various actions between several couples are explained – with diagrams! ■ Title — *The Female Brain* ■ Director — Whitney Cummings ■ Cast — Whitney Cummings, Toby Kebbell, Beanie Feldstein ■ Unrated, suitable for teens and adults ■ ©2017 \| 1h 38m \| Comedy\, Science ■ Distributed by IFC Films

Reston VA Real Estate Investors, Agents and Professionals! We just launched a Cash-Flow Breakfast Club for your area! This is the most unique real estate investor club, education, networking and mastermind event in the US! **Join us for our official launch event for Reston VA on March 12.** **This is a 12 part education series with new topics every month. This event is session 1 of 12!** **This event is free but has very limited seating and we are limited to the first 50 to RSVP! Join us and become a founding member of this amazing community!** **Very limited seating. In-person only.** **Make sure to RSVP today to reserve your spot.** **When: March 12, 2026 @ 5:45pm-9pm EST** **Where: 1170 Plaza America Dr #710, Reston, VA 20190** The Cash-Flow Breakfast Club is NOT just a meet up. It’s the most unique Real Estate Investor Community of Mentors, Coaches & Masterminds. A community of growth oriented, abundance mindset, go-giver individuals with a BARE MINIMUM commitment to become financially free through real estate investing. We focus on providing education and building networks to help every member solve their cash-flow freedom equation, so they can have the time-freedom needed to follow their passions, make a lasting impact and even change the world! The unique format of this event, which consists of high-level education, gamified networking, mastermind breakout sessions, case studies, group deal analysis, market deep dives, and peer-to-peer coaching facilitation makes this the most impactful local real estate investor group a real estate investor can be a part of. The foundation of the group is built around the belief that everyone in the room has the potential to change the world… however most of us never have the time, energy or financial situation to even dare to dream big enough. Most of us have passions that will never be followed, amazing businesses or ideas that will never be pursued… unless we can solve the Cash-Flow Freedom Equation, which ultimately leads to Time-Freedom. Once that happens it is usually much easier for us to think bigger, dream bigger, be bigger. · 🤯 Learn more about the Cash-Flow Breakfast Club [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/) · 🥇 Get in the VIP List to be notified about the next event in your area [HERE](https://the.cashflowbreakfastclub.com/VIP) · 🤙🏼 Learn more about Launching your own Cash-Flow Breakfast Club Location [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/launch-your-own-club/) · 🤝🏼 Learn more about becoming an Affiliate-Sponsor at one of our club locations [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/affiliate-sponsors/) · 📷 View photos and videos of some of our recent events [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/about-the-cash-flow-breakfast-club/) · 😎 Looking to represent? Browse Cash-Flow Breakfast Club apparel and fly swag [HERE](https://cashflowbreakfastclub.com/shop/)

Come Craft with us. Don't let the lack of RSVPs stop you, they aren't required, nor is membership to our group. Bring your project and join a boisterous group of crafters in the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery - American Art Museum. This glass roofed space is climate controlled and has the most beautiful light for crafting. (If there's an event in Courtyard head over to the MLK library Cafe.)

**Relax and Fill your own cup of self-care with the Ultimate Sound Healing Experience Sunday 3/15 at @532 yoga in Alexandria VA. This is a laying down experience with No Experience necessary. All you need is an open heart to welcome the sound medicine.** **What you may experience during this session:** -Stress Relief and deep relaxation -Ability to connect to your higher self, Ancestors and the divine -Relief physical pain -Release anxiety -Improve emotional balance -Increased feelings of joy, happiness, and inner peace -Ability to create self-love and improve relationships **What to bring:** -Your own water bottle -A Yoga mat -A blanket ( or use one at the studio) -Eye mask (The studio has eye masks for sale) -Comfortable clothes to breathe and lay down **About Jenny Perez Curandera:** Jenny is a Curandera Shaman specializing in Curanderismo and Shamanic healing modalities. It is her mission to be of service to individuals searching for inner healing, growth, and expansion, bringing healing and messages from the spirit world to anyone who is open to receiving them. She offers a variety of, ceremonies, workshops, and group events, offered to assist everyone in bringing back balance into their mind, body, and spirit. Private bookings are available. **Details:** **Date Sunday 03/15** **Cost: $45 Time 2pm-3pm register at [www.532yoga.com](http://www.532yoga.com/) under workshops** **Address: 532 yoga , 532 N. Washington St., Alexandria VA 22314 EST** (Arrive early to set up your spot) Info: [532yoga.com](http://532yoga.com/) under workshops \*\*\*\*Cancellation Policy: there are no refunds for missed or canceled reservations\*\*\*\*

**March 14th is both *National Children’s Craft Day* and** Learn About Butterflies Day — take a bit of a creative break and drop in anytime from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at our shop in Alexandria for our free Make & Take activity **— Learn to block print with our hand-carved butterfly blocks imported from India and our own brand textile paint!** There’s no fee to attend: supplies and quick project demonstrations / instructions will be provided. Take your printed square home and you can... * sew on it * pair it with another square, sew & stuff it * make a pocket with it * make apron for a doll or stuffie * and more! P.S. we aren’t asking for age verification: grownups are welcome too! Visit Artistic Artifacts anytime in March to Celebrate National Quilting Month and National Crafting Month!

Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Sunday at 8 AM and Wednesday at 7 / 7:30 PM at various centers in MD and VA. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.

Hey Poetry Lovers! This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist: We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week. For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form). Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.) We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions. Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include: * Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person * Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat. * Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat. Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you! Catch you on Saturday, Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An

**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU** You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments! At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as: What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind? How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you? What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person? What exactly is the goal of the subconscious? This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time. And the most important topic: **HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!** This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.

**March 14th is both *National Children’s Craft Day* and** Learn About Butterflies Day — take a bit of a creative break and drop in anytime from 11:00 am-3:00 pm at our shop in Alexandria for our free Make & Take activity **— Learn to block print with our hand-carved butterfly blocks imported from India and our own brand textile paint!** There’s no fee to attend: supplies and quick project demonstrations / instructions will be provided. Take your printed square home and you can... * sew on it * pair it with another square, sew & stuff it * make a pocket with it * make apron for a doll or stuffie * and more! P.S. we aren’t asking for age verification: grownups are welcome too! Visit Artistic Artifacts anytime in March to Celebrate National Quilting Month and National Crafting Month!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 25 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

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

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

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.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

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

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!