Dean Jackson

Please join us every week for power networking! Our Chapter Passed $1,666,736 USD in the past 12 months! BNI members, on average, increase their business 20% the first year. Our chapter is a dynamic, committed group of business people who know how to refer business to each other. Come for our meeting -- stay for the referrals!!! We have open categories for individuals who will bring enthusiasm and integrity to our meeting. Just one person per professional specialty is allowed in each chapter. Visit a meeting to find out more and lock out your competition! Register Here: https://bninovanorth.com/va-nova-north-bni-mclean-business-connection--n136/en-US/visitorregistration?chapterId=16988

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no door tickets will be available.** [Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

As we move into 2026, we invite you to join us in renewing a form of political participation that has come to seem almost quaint: practicing citizenship by making strong connections and strengthening our communities. Over the past few decades, we’ve allowed our communities to shrink, our outlooks to sour and our politics to become toxic. We’re guessing you are reading this now because you want something different and better for yourselves, your families and your communities. Braver Angels provides the infrastructure and tactics and tools to convene and collaborate across the political spectrum. With our sister Alliances in the “DMV” area, the Fairfax County Alliance is creating a schedule of events for the coming year, some of which will relate to our nation’s birthday. **We’ll kick off 2026 with a simple discussion of a complex topic: What does patriotism mean to you? And what about our 250th year as a nation will you contemplate and celebrate?** Join us on January 13th at 7 PM at the [McLean Governmental Center](https://braverangels.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb070968609f8aecc37a46472&id=1181632331&e=500efeae3d); doors open at 6:30 PM. We will have light refreshments. We have pulled together [various resources](https://braverangels.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb070968609f8aecc37a46472&id=51517eb8d2&e=500efeae3d) to get your brains moving in different directions. Some of these are ‘newsy’, some informative, some lean right or left and some are just opinions. It is not a comprehensive list by any means but merely designed to start your thinking about your perspective and other’s. We look forward to hearing about your own points of reference. Comparing different eras is instructive; the meaning of patriotism changes depending on time and place. Have your views changed over time and place? How do you envision at the future of the United States? How do we embrace the whole of our history? John Woods, Braver Angels’ National Ambassador, has captured these thoughts well in [his latest message](https://braverangels.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eb070968609f8aecc37a46472&id=3b2e9511c9&e=500efeae3d). *Scroll down John Wood’s email for a range of online events you can join.* Our future is shaped by imagining what can be and putting aside our presumptions of each other. We look forward to seeing you! \* \* \* \* \* **Braver Angels holds workshops, debates, and public presentations designed to bridge the political divide we are experiencing in our country.** Our events help conservatives, liberals, and independents get past stereotypes and have civil conversations about current issues, helping open the way to productive problem-solving, mutual respect and understanding. Meetings and events are free and require no commitments. Just bring your willingness to listen, learn, and participate with civility, without judgment. Please read more about The Braver Angels Way [here](https://braverangels.org/our-mission/).

**We Are Back!!!!!!** Blues Jam at American Legion post139 in Arlington every Tuesday!!!! Sign-in your name on the list, I'll be there to greet you and show you where to go put your gear. **The Door is at 5:30pm** **The Jam Starts around 6:00pm** After 6:00pm your name might be called next, so be ready to jump on and play with a band. **For people just coming to listen**, thank you very much for coming. Enjoy the music! We accept donations for maintaining the equipment and appreciate all the help we can get keeping this event going. **Drums are here already**, if you want to bring cymbals or any other drum gear, please be aware that other people are going to play the kit as well. In short, drummers keep your load light. **Drummers -** **[We're keeping it a lower** **volume environment** so *Lightning Rods equivalent* are **recommended,** but not a requirement] **Harmonica Players** \- We have an amp for you\, but if you want bring an amp\, you are welcome to\. **Singers Very Welcome** **Horn Players Very Welcome** **Keys are very Welcome** **Keyboard** can be available on request **Just bring your instrument**, no need to bring an amp we have all of that. **Do not bring a pedal board, with a bunch of pedals**. The amps are dialed in for blues, trust me it's all there. We also host our traditional Entry-level Jam at the shop every Thursday, it is aimed at a more casual and private experience. a great place to learn your chops for the live jam or even try a new instrument.

\*\*\*Note: We have temporarily moved off of the UMD Track and are meeting at Herbert Wells Ice Rink (Same location as Thursdays) for our speedwork. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for a structured speed workout! If you are new to running, just getting back into it, or checking out the club for the first time, this a great first workout to join. All paces and abilities welcome. A pre-determined workout will be announced at the beginning and participants can adjust the workout to meet their needs and level. Workouts are usually planned by time, rather than distance, which helps accommodate the wide variety of paces that we have and allows the group to stick together. Warm-up starts at 6:30pm. Children are welcome, if accompanied by a responsible adult. **Parking information:** Free parking is available; park nearest the trail (farthest from the ice rink)

Join us for **[Judy’s Altered Minds](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/judy-s-altered-minds)**! Bring your fiber & mixed media show & tell; many members also enjoy making ATCs (**[artist trading cards](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/judy-s-altered-minds)**) for exchange each month. **Come early to shop** (JAMs attendees receive a 10% discount on their purchases) — Artistic Artifacts is open Sundays 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. The JAMs meeting starts at 1:30 pm. New members are always welcome! A $3.00 contribution is requested at each meeting. JAMs members are art quilters, collage artists, art journal keepers, surface design enthusiasts, paper crafters, art doll/assemblage artists and more! All levels of expertise are represented, and all are welcome. During JAMs meetings, attendees gather support and encouragement for their art through show & tell and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded friends.

A weekly networking meeting where we have a lot of fun and of course, meet other busy professionals!

In 2014, Drew began his stand-up career quickly making a name for himself around New England for his quick wit, voices, and unique style. After winning the Boston Comedy Festival in 2017, he began to perform comedy regularly around the country. In 2018, Drew won the Seattle International Comedy Competition followed by being selected to be a “New Face of Comedy” at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal in 2019. Drew has since continued to headline comedy clubs across the US and Canada while making various types of online content earning millions of views. Drew has a specials on both Dry Bar and Don’t Tell Comedy. Most recently he appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon . He has also gained the attention of some of the biggest names in comedy, including a shoutout on the Joe Rogan Experience. Most recently, Drew opened for comedy legend, Dane Cook, on his 2023 and 2024 tours. Follow @DrewDunnComedy online for weekly standup content and to watch the journey of one of the county’s fastest rising comedic talents.

At Toastmasters, we empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Our meetings provide a supportive and positive learning environment where members grow through prepared speeches, impromptu speaking (Table Topics), and constructive evaluations. Whether you're looking to overcome your fear of public speaking, enhance your work communication, or develop leadership skills, you're welcome here. Guests are always invited to observe first. If you'd like to speak, we’ll ask before inviting you to participate - no pressure at all. See how Toastmasters can help you build confidence, develop new skills, and connect with a community focused on growth.

Pretty Boi Drag, an award-winning BIPOC-centered drag king production based in Washington, DC, celebrates 10 YEARS! After a decade of breaking barriers, uplifting the art of drag kinging and centering Black and POC performers, come join us for one unforgettable afternoon celebrating 10 years of drag king excellence with your Bois. This is a love letter to everyone who’s performed, supported, and believed in the power of drag kings. You can expect an all-star lineup of past and present Pretty Bois bringing their best, biggest, and most beloved acts to the stage. Come raise a glass, tip your kings, and be part of Pretty Boi Drag history as we celebrate this important milestone with love and pride. TICKETS: $15 online / $20 at door LOCATION: DC Comedy Loft, 1523 22nd St NW DC LINK: [https://www.dccomedyloft.com/shows/346140](https://www.dccomedyloft.com/shows/346140) 18+/ASL

Oddball Cinema’s Sunday-afternoon shows at Beatley Library in 2026 will be devoted to unfamiliar realities; that is, movies in which the universe simply doesn’t work the way anyone except the filmmakers would expect. In today’s feature, Dolph Springer, a resident in an ordinary house in an ordinary suburb, wakes up one morning to realize that his dog Paul has disappeared. He begins his quest to find Paul logically: he goes out looking for him, asks around if anyone has seen him, etc. Alas, logic will not provide a solution because Dolph lives in a universe where cause-and-effect does not apply. Please refrain from shouting out questions like, “why did that happen?” or “why is that character doing that?” No one will save you from your own confusion, and everyone will be laughing too hard to care anyway. ■ Title — *Wrong* ■ Director — Quentin Dupieux ■ Cast — Jack Plotnick, Eric Judor, Alexis Dziena, William Fichtner ■ Unrated, suitable for teens and adults ■ ©2012 \| 1h 34m \| Comedy\, Mystery\, Lunacy ■ Distributed by Giant Pictures

On Sunday, January 18th, Resonate Healing Spaces will host a FREE warm and intimate Book Signing and Talk at PJ’s Coffee. Join **Dr. Michelle Hammond, Editor and Co-Author, and Sherry Steine, Co-Author**, for a heartfelt conversation about healing, restorative community spaces, and the power of feeling supported through life’s transitions. Resonate Healing Voices is a powerful anthology that brings together personal stories, professional expertise and diverse healing practices to restore balance and harmony in mind, body, and soul. From holistic wellness an ancestrial wisdom to modern therapuetic approaches, each chapter resonates with tools and inspiration for resilience, transformation, and inner peace. More than a book, Resonate Healing Voices is a guide and companion for anyone ready to step into wholeness, embrace wellness, and hear the call of healing that unites us all. Two of the nine authors will share reflections from *Resonate Healing Spaces*, answer questions, and offer gentle insights on creating environments that nourish emotional well-being. Guests will have the opportunity to connect in a relaxed café setting, enjoy meaningful dialogue, and deepen their understanding of healing practices. **Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing on-site**, making this a wonderful chance to take home a personal, signed edition. **[FREE EVENT RSVP HERE](https://www.sbwaligned.com/event-details/resonate-healing-voices-book-signing-event)**

**Join us for an insider's guide to achieving financial freedom through house hacking.** We will share proven strategies for turning your home into a powerful wealth-building tool. Discover multiple methods to successfully house hack your way to financial independence, including how to find the right property, choose the proper strategy, and own for less than renting. Come for the training, stay for the networking! ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Did you miss it?** [Watch all GRID event playbacks on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/gridinvestor) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Join the GRID Facebook Community** [Join our online GRID community here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor) to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.

This training is designed for real estate agents who want to learn how to play the Agent Investor game. The goal of this training is to help you flip your income into ownership. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Most real estate agents build their business one transaction at a time.** Investors build wealth—and they buy repeatedly. The Investor Decoder shows why serving investors is the fastest path to predictable income, repeat deal flow, and a higher-value role in real estate. In this session, you’ll learn how to identify and serve the four core investor profiles that drive the majority of investor activity: * The Flipper – speed, volume, and clear exits * The Landlord – long-term cash flow and stability * The Creative Investor – complex deals and problem-solving * The Private Lender – capital partners who enable scale You’ll discover how each profile thinks, what they value most, and what they expect from an agent—so you can position yourself as a trusted advisor instead of just another salesperson. We’ll also cover: * Why investors represent a massive opportunity in today’s market * How working with investors elevates you to a Real Estate Wealth Advisor * The key questions that quickly decode investor goals and timelines * A clear action plan to start building your investor pipeline If you’re ready to escape the transaction treadmill and earn more by working with investors, this session will show you how. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Did you miss it?** [Watch all GRID Reston event playback on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTh5kxLLJI1G3VH6Pqhlhu0uTA8yrdpi) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Join the GRID Facebook Community** [Join the online GRID community here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor) to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.

**Finding Meaning in Life’s Difficulties (Free Event)** **Is there hidden value in the difficulties and hardships of life, or are these things just to try to get past as quickly as possible? If so, how can we emerge from the current world crisis we are facing as stronger, more resilient individuals and communities?** **When we look at the difficult moments of our lives, aren’t those often the times when we grew the most? So many valuable lessons in life and growth opportunities are hard-won, often coming out of these trying moments. So why are we so focused on avoiding these difficulties? From this perspective, how would we as individuals and as a society confront the inevitable struggles we will be faced with? How can we build stronger communities that ensure not only that we don’t have to face struggles alone, but that we as individuals will emerge stronger as well?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the opportunity for growth during times of struggle. Join us for a lively discussion as we reflect on the meaning of the struggles of life and explore the true nature of progress.** **“The troubles of this world pass and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics) .] The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – January 14 Business Presentation** **Featuring Eric Wojtkun of Focal Point Coaching** **Wednesday\, January 14 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Join us for our **January 14th 1 Million Cups Loudoun** meeting as we welcome **Eric Wojtkun**, founder of **Focal Point Coaching**, for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and preparing businesses to thrive before challenges arise. **About the Presenter** Eric brings a rare and compelling background to entrepreneurship. An **Army BRAT, Army Veteran, and FBI Agent**, Eric has lived in 17 places, served two overseas deployments (Bosnia and Kosovo), and worked across nearly every major FBI discipline — from violent and white-collar crime to cyber, counterintelligence, crisis response, and national security. After decades of leadership in high-stakes environments, Eric launched **Focal Point Coaching** to focus on what mattered most to him throughout his career: **helping people and organizations build resilience in the face of change and adversity**. Through executive coaching and team development, Eric helps leaders move from survival mode into what he calls **“BEAST mode”** — prepared, confident, and proactive. His exclusive resilience-focused coaching framework supports leadership, teams, processes, culture, and cyber readiness before a crisis occurs. **Where Eric Is Seeking Community Feedback** * How do you effectively market **resilience preparation** *before* a critical incident occurs? * What helps leaders and business owners clearly understand the **ROI of resilience coaching**? * How can resilience training be integrated into the flow of **normal business operations**? * What motivates leaders to prepare mentally and emotionally for the inevitable challenges of business? **Who Should Attend** Eric is especially eager to connect with: * Small to mid-sized business owners in the **hospitality industry** * Leaders responsible for teams, culture, and operations * Entrepreneurs experienced in scaling service-based businesses * Anyone interested in leadership, preparedness, and sustainable growth Come ready to listen, learn, and offer meaningful insight to support a founder building something impactful. ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**

Calling all Loudoun County and Northern VA Real Estate Investors, Agents and Professionals! Join the most unique real estate investor club, education, networking and mastermind event in the US! The Cash-Flow Breakfast Club is nationwide but was founded right here in your back yard! **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 100 to RSVP! Join us and become a founding member of this amazing community!** *(it is ok to attend even if you missed previous sessions. Each session has stand alone topics. You can also attend other near by locations to get caught up on sessions that you have missed.)* **Very limited seating. In-person only.** **Make sure to RSVP today to reserve your spot.** **When: January 13, 2026 @ 5:45pm-9pm EST** **Where: 20116 Ashbrook Place Suite 200 Ashburn, VA 20147** 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/)