True Crime

All: Our latest gathering will be at Torchys Tacos in Rockville. They requested our group to come to their restaurant. We will have our own seating area and also have access to the bar area. They have amazing tacos of all kinds and the drinks are good too. The event starts at 5:30 but goes until 8:00 so just get there when you can. Address is below. 12266A Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

Using New Technology to Improve Trust from the Government Blockchain Association Webinar at Noon April 23. GBA Webinar for Civil Servants from local to state officials including those in uniform on how to use New Technology to improve trust in government Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT/NYC time zone) https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85762266787?pwd=ApBzwTv1QvG9qEnT5R8a5aNf3jae89.1 Join the Government Blockchain Association (GBA) for a webinar, "From Transparency to Trust in Public Governance," tailored for elected, appointed, sworn, or employed government workers. Discover how blockchain technology can revolutionize your work by boosting: \- Election integrity \- Ensuring representative transparency \- Strengthening fiscal responsibility \- Most importantly\, making your job easier than ever\. Why Attend? Learn practical ways to leverage cutting-edge tools to drive efficiency, solve critical challenges, and build public trust all from the comfort of your desktop or phone. CIVIL SERVANTS including those in uniform at all levels of government and all branches of service Free Access: No cost to join the webinar or the GBA! Actionable Insights: See real-world applications of blockchain for local governance. Ongoing Education: Gain exclusive access to free, continuous training with GBA membership. Critical opportunity to be more efficient, accessible, transparent and to make your job simpler! Presenters include Jonathan Baha'i Architecting Sovereign Infrastructure for Government & Enterprise \| Founder: Toto & Woof \| Owner: The Diefenbaker \| SSI & Civic Trust Layers Senator Michael "Big Mike" Fesi Louisiana State Senator for District 20 Gerard Dache GBA Founder & Executive Director Nimit Sawhney Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Voatz, Cybersecurity/AI/ML Engineer Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT/NYC time zone) https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85762266787?pwd=ApBzwTv1QvG9qEnT5R8a5aNf3jae89.1 For More Information Contact: Bob Miko, bmiko@pacificdialogue.com 203 278 2803 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.

• What we'll do Economist William Michael Cunningham on Podbeam Thursdays at 6 pm. https://www.podbean.com/

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/silver-spring-md/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

Join Social Sips & Bites for our Thursday Happy Hour. Great drinks, easy conversation, new faces, familiar faces, and that signature SSB energy that turns a simple night out into something memorable. https://www.capitalonecenter.com/the-perch

Let's join Women's March and other feminist organizations in a vigil to honor Virginia Roberts Giuffre, survivor of Jeffrey Epstein, who passed away one year ago on April 25th. Virginia bravely told the truth – and her story helped authorities expose Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network. Together, we demand justice for survivors and stand together against sexual violence in all its forms. We will meet outside of Smithsonian station ahead of the event, then head over to the vigil at 1600 Constitution Ave NW. Note: Virginia loved blue butterflies and the organizers asked all attending to bring one. We will have a few extra.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Facing Fascism,”** on the history, hallmarks, and lingering power of a deadly ideology, with Kevin Matthews, professor of history at George Mason University and teacher of courses on early 20th century European history. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-facing-fascism](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-facing-fascism) .] Few political movements have aroused as much anger and fear as fascism. But despite its legacy of violence, persecution, and genocide, fascism continues to hold a strange attraction to many. Join historian Kevin Matthews for an in-depth look at an ideology that brought death to millions in Europe and yet continues to deeply influence our politics and culture. Dr. Matthews will start by discussing how the ideology of fascism arose in the aftermath of the First World War and took hold in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. To give you a better grasp of what exactly fascism is, he’ll discuss its central themes: Anti-democracy. Extreme nationalism and anti-communism. The use, or threat, of violence in politics. Rejection of established values such as scientific objectivity. Denial of equal rights, especially for women. The assertion of power where a power vacuum exists. We’ll examine the rise and fall of two notorious fascist dictators, Adolf Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy. For a time it was believed that fascism died in the ashes of the Second World War, but it clearly didn’t, and we’ll look at where it remains a political force today. Finally, we’ll examine how fascism continues to permeate popular culture in ways that trivialize it, popping up in music from punk to Madonna, with its latent eroticism making it the subject of films such as *The Night Porter.* Having been called “the most self-consciously visual of all political forms,” it enlisted fashion leaders to produce uniforms and continues today to inspire a look known as “Nazi chic.” Dr. Matthews previously has given fantastic Profs and Pints talks on Ireland’s fight for independence and on World War II German submarine attacks off our coasts. He’s sure to leave you with a much better understanding of fascism and a recognition that is has hardly gone away. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler during Mussolini's 1940 visit in Munich (photographer unknown / public domain).

Gents! We’ve got a friendly lined up against the Renegades, and you know what that means—good rugby, good people, and a proper social after. We’ll be taking the pitch at the legendary Wallenberg Field in Washington, D.C., so come ready to run, hit, and have some fun. Boots on at NOON Kickoff at 1:00 PM EST Social TBD

Last Saturday Spades in Silver Spring! ♠️😃♠️ Spades at Nando's Peri Peri in Downtown Silver Spring!!! Join us for Last Saturday Spades in Silver Spring! The fun starts at 6pm! All skill levels are welcome. RSVP today. Check out The DMV Spades Meetup Group https://meetu.ps/c/8qv5/1SV52/d on Meetup Parking is available in Wayne Ave Garage. Silver Spring Metro Station nearby. Event posted in multiple groups. So expect a nice crowd. Come hang out with us and have a great time! We hope to see you there! God bless. 😊❤️🙏🏾

😀 Last Saturday Spades in Silver Spring! 👩🏾‍🤝‍👨🏿 All skill levels are welcome. Get matched with a partner onsite. ♠️ Check out The DMV Spades Meetup Group https://meetu.ps/c/8qv5/1SV52/d on Meetup 🅿️ Parking is available in Wayne Ave Garage. Silver Spring Metro Station nearby. 😃 Come celebrate with us and have a great time! 📆 **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🌟 The fun starts at 6pm! RSVP today. 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! 🍗 Please support the business by ordering food/drinks.

A very unusual choice for his group... Unknown Number: High School Catfish is an American [true crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_crime "True crime") documentary film directed by [Skye Borgman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye_Borgman "Skye Borgman") and released to [streaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media "Streaming media") on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on August 29, 2025. The documentary explores the events and investigation into an unknown person [cyberbully](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying "Cyberbullying") and [harassing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment "Harassment") teenagers in [Beal City, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beal_City,_Michigan "Beal City, Michigan") using an unknown number via insults and sexual claims. It also explores the increasingly great impact of the harassment on the community, the eventual reveal of the culprit, and the trial that followed. IMPORTANT INFO: I strongly suggest not reading anything about it online before seeing it. It's best viewed with no previous knowledge. This documentary contains crude terminology and deals with cyberbullying, which may be a trigger for some folks. PLEASE NOTE - WE ARE STARTING AT 6:30, WHICH IS THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER THAN USUAL.

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

Details Let's join together for a fiesta! (Invite friends - we have lots of room!) Taco Bar Margarita and Beer tasting Complementary chips and salsa Margs/cocktails at the bar for purchase Freshly prepared snacks in the deli for purchase Festive Band/Music Margaritas/Mexican Beer Tasting + Taco Bar: $15.00 per person (covers 4 Margarita or beer samples and one pass thru the Taco Bar) Where: #MarketDistrict (Grandview Yard) location. The party room (our private space) will be decorated with both patios open! Adjoining upstairs area also open for over flow and mingling. After Party: Sometimes, we head to a venue to hear live music afterwards. LDNL is at Black Swan in Hilliard tonight! Wear your bright colors and cheerful !Salud!

Let's catch up and have a relaxed chat, including chat about the book Disability Visibility. This collection of essays is available at the library. You'll be invited to share the essay that you related to the most, and the essay that did the most to grow your awareness of something new. It's OK if you don't read the whole book!