Enlightened society

This Holiday Happy Hour -AND- Film Screening is for creative people and folks who appreciate creativity. Whether you attend, produce, appreciate, or promote, you are welcome to join us on Monday, December 29, 2025 from 5pm-7pm for a Happy Hour -AND- Film Screening at Silver Branch Brewing Co in Silver Spring, MD. We are screening our Make a Movie in a Month films at this Happy Hour, so please join us in supporting our filmmakers and their documentary short films! Come meet, network, and enjoy. Only those ages 21 and up can attend. Happy Hour specials are from 5pm-6pm: $5.95 beer and select drinks. Entrance is free. This is a casual event. Register on Eventbrite at [https://HappyHour12-29-25.eventbrite.com](https://HappyHour12-29-25.eventbrite.com). This event is produced in partnership with[ TIVA](https://www.tivadc.org/) (Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC),[ WIFV](https://www.wifv.org/) (Women in Film & Video),[ Wheaton Film Festival](https://www.wheatonfilmfestival.com/),[ ReelAbilities Film Festival](https://reelabilities.org/greaterwash/),[ Docs in Progress](https://www.docsinprogress.org/), DC Media Makers Group, etc. Sponsored by[ Brian Frankel Law Firm PLLC](https://brianfrankel.com/),[ Creative Colony Spaces](https://www.creativecolonyspaces.com/membership/overview), and Adobe Software. Enjoy delicious craft beers, tasty snacks, and great company in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or just looking to unwind after a long day, this event is perfect for you. Don't miss out on the opportunity to kick back and relax with us at Silver Branch Brewing Co. Use the QR codes at the table to order food and drinks, and be prepared to mingle. Check out the[ Silver Branch Brewing Company's Menu](https://www.silverbranchbrewing.com/lagerhaus-biergarten/). PARKING: Paid parking available at the Cameron Street Garage on 8530 Cameron St. See you there on 12/29/25!

Discover the wild serenity of South Africa with Lesbifriends Travel, where we’ll explore everything from urban culture to thrilling safaris. Over 8 days and 7 nights, you’ll journey through Johannesburg and the beautiful coastal village of Manguzi, where lush forests, estuaries, and unspoiled beaches meet the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Highlights include an unforgettable safari in Hluhluwe, where you’ll spot the Big Five, and a visit to a traditional Zulu village. Whether you’re diving into the coral reefs or marveling at the stunning wildlife, South Africa offers the perfect balance of luxury, adventure, and cultural discovery. This is the ultimate escape for travelers seeking both excitement and relaxation. **BOOKING DEADLINE: November 3rd, 2025** **Included:** * 3-4-star accommodations * Domestic transportation * Daily meals (not every meal) * Activities and excursions to explore South Africa * Optional activities for an additional cost * Guided tours and sightseeing * Lesbifriends Swag Bag * Travel guide * On-ground team to ensure you have an amazing time! **Not Included:** * International flights to and from South Africa * Meals not mentioned * Travel insurance * Personal purchases * Additional personal activities **Trip Summary** * **Dates** \- December 29th\, 2025 \- January 5th\, 2026 * **Cost Per Person** \- Starting at $3\,300 * **Payments** \- $100 Deposit \+ Affordable Payment Plan * **Arrival Check-In Date and Time** \- December 29\, 2025 3:00 PM * **Departure Check-Out Date and Time** \- January 5\, 2026 11:00 AM * **Arrival Airport** \- Johannesburg International Airport \(JNB\) * **Departure Airport** \- Johannesburg International Airport \(JNB\) **BOOKING DEADLINE: November 3rd, 2025** **To book, visit [SOUTH AFRICA 2025 — Lesbifriends Travel](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/south-africa-2025 "https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/south-africa-2025") (our website). You can also sign up for a [Trip Information Session](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events "https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events") or email us at hello@lesbifriendstravel.com if you have any questions.**

Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness. Join us as we watch Timothée Chalamet continue to try to be one of the greats. I'll be sitting in seat F7 and will be at Atlas at about 6 if anyone wants to meet up beforehand.

This is a single person event for an in-person quantum healing session in Alexandria, VA. If you are interested in visiting a past-life and getting in touch with your higher self, please join me for this free and very intense opportunity. The session is based on Dolores Cannon’s *Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique* and takes about three hours to complete. We have human friendly cats. There are some small activities that should be accomplished prior to the meeting, for a more quality session, so I will be requesting an email address to send instructions to. It is important to let me know prior to the session if you cannot make it to allow someone else to take your space. See you soon!

📚 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.

Please join us. We are a group of 6-12 people who come together weekly on Mondays for an hour of silent meditation, walking meditation. No RSVP needed; just show up! We all need more silence and peace in this world. We end with tea and snack and a poem with sharing. Our guiding teacher has practiced Zen meditation for 25 years, but we all share leadership. Beginners or anyone interested in silent meditation and fellowship are welcome. We sit in chairs, have a reading or brief instruction, a bell and silent meditation for 10 minutes, followed by walking meditation, a bell and 20 minutes of silent meditation. We end with an offering of tea and a snack, conversation and a poem and reflections. A warm and welcoming group. Free, please join us. We meet in the sanctuary In [Rockville United Church](https://www.rockvilleunitedchurch.org/) in Twinbrook, MD. Plenty of parking. Enter the main door and look for a green sign. ***This is a good place to rest and refresh on the way home from work and before dinner.*** Free. Try it.

Join us! Pre-New Years event. Bring closure to 2025. Create a vision board for the New Year. Fire, Music, Fellowship, Joy and a little food! Then celebrate with the Falls Church City community for the countdown to 2026 (within walking distance)

**Welcome New / Beginning Players**: No need to bring anything but a good attitude. **This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot.** If the event is full, **please join the waitlist**. It will help us to know if we need to recruit more GMs. [DMV Paizo Org Play on Discord](https://discord.gg/jYQv8FnFnW) [Pathfinder Starfinder Society of Maryland on Warhorn.net](https://warhorn.net/events/pathfinder-starfinder-society-of-maryland) First Seeker Sarmak has called on the scientist Dr. Heldin Sevaille to create an inoculation for a process known as “conversion” which is transforming wildlife and residents of the Sloughscar Hills into monsters in the service of the Wreck of the Returned. The final ingredient Dr. Sevaille requires is found in a remote forest called Ste Xinnith on Marata, one of Bretheda’s moons. Dr. Sevaille dispatches a team of Starfinders to collect samples of this rare plant with the aid of a few local scientists. But trouble is brewing in Ste Xinnith… Frozen Trove, a Triaxian biotech corporation notorious for unethical and illegal methods that damage environments to maximize profits, has established a laboratory in the area, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. With the entire ecosystem at risk, it’s time for the Starfinders to take a stand. Written by Sara Jeffers.

* **What are the benefits of developing a spiritual practice?** * **Can you remember a special time your spiritual practice enhanced your life?** **Join us as we explore this topic at our next ECK Light and Sound Service. You will have the opportunity to learn what Sri Doug Kunin has to say about spiritual practices and also hear some truly heart-opening music. Please attend in person or on Zoom. People of all faiths are warmly welcome; feel free to invite friends and family. We look forward to seeing you there.** **Attend in person at:** **The Maryland Eckankar Center** **1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104** **Silver Spring, MD 20903** **Join Zoom Meeting:** **[The ECK Light and Sound Service](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83425712995?pwd=GoEk28Hlj95P5PPbmoCem6GP7tHqlm.1)** **Meeting ID: 834 2571 2995** **Passcode: 403417** **Dial-In: 301-715-8592** **For more information:** **Call or text: (301) 439-2120** **[MEC@eckankarmaryland.org](mailto:MEC@eckankarmaryland.org)** **"Sing HU, and this may help you open your heart to God's love. Then you will find the miracles happening in your life too.”** **—Harold Klemp, The Sound of Soul, p 13.** **Presented by the Maryland & D.C. Satsang Societies, Inc., chartered affiliates of ECKANKAR.** **Copyright © 2026 ECKANKAR. Terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOULTRAVEL, and VARAIGI, among others, are trademarks of ECKANKAR, PO Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 USA.**

PLEASE CHECK THE ONLINE MEDITATION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS OF THESE MORE THAN 50 SERVICES A WEEK- https://onlinemeditation.yogananda.org/calendar/

**RSVP Note:** You **MUST** register on links below, **not** on Meetup. **REGISTER: Weekend Advanced: [https://playtennis.usta.com/northbethesdamiddle/BookClass/0e83cd4f-409f-4792-8c76-210f66a4b3f6](https://playtennis.usta.com/northbethesdamiddle/BookClass/0e83cd4f-409f-4792-8c76-210f66a4b3f6)** **REGISTER: Wednesday Advanced: [https://playtennis.usta.com/northbethesdamiddle/BookClass/136f8826-c0e6-460a-9b8b-3c1ddc2e38a6](https://playtennis.usta.com/northbethesdamiddle/BookClass/136f8826-c0e6-460a-9b8b-3c1ddc2e38a6)** **Private Lessons: $70** **[Read the Washington Post article about our class!](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/its-not-whether-you-win-or-lose-its-how-much-you-sweat/2015/10/07/3b2f26c2-66b9-11e5-9ef3-fde182507eac_story.html)** Cardio Tennis is a game-based, FUN way to play and learn tennis while burning more calories than singles! Instruction and game formats are provided by internationally recognized tennis coach, speaker, author David Robinson; USPTA and PTR certified professional.

**To confirm attendance, please register on Luma:** [https://luma.com/88h45iky](https://luma.com/88h45iky) One of the truths we most regularly forget is that if we are at war with ourselves, we can’t feel love and connection with our world. This talk looks at the genesis of the “Trance of Unworthiness” and how the wings of mindfulness and heartfulness can dissolve the trance and reveal the loving awareness that is our essence Being. **Please watch this 55-min video (try 1.25X speed) before joining the discussion:** [https://youtu.be/vFr_zQCUMD4?si=0bf7DttQV9NxBY3m](https://youtu.be/vFr_zQCUMD4?si=0bf7DttQV9NxBY3m) If more than 10 people join the discussion, we will break out into smaller groups. **(max 10 people per group)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 1. **Feeling "not enough" often pulls us away from the beauty of now. How can we help each other remember that we are already worthy?** 2. **We often hide our true selves behind busy schedules or social masks. What great things might happen if we felt safe enough to be authentic?** 3. **Pausing before we react helps us choose wisdom over impulse. How can we make more space for these quiet moments in our fast-paced lives?** 4. **Real change only happens once we accept ourselves as we are right now. How does being kind to ourselves help us grow together?** 5. **Naming a difficult feeling helps us manage it with more ease. How might acknowledging our shared hurdles make us a stronger community?** 6. **Looking past our defenses helps us see the goodness in everyone. How can we better celebrate the shared humanity in those around us?** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events: 1. Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question) 2. Listen to understand, not to respond. 3. Be open-minded and value differences.

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec in the auditorium, center upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

❄️ **Spare Yourself a Boring Winter - Bowl With Us!** Avoid social hibernation this winter, join our **6-week social bowling league** starting in January! Whether you're looking to unwind after work, meet new people, or just have a fun night out with pals, this league is perfect for everyone! Chill times, cold drinks, and plenty of chances to connect with others. No matter your skill level, this league is all about having fun and meeting new friends. **;)** **🗓 Thursday evenings \|📍 AMF Sawmill Lanes \| 💵 $74 w/ code MUCOW26** **💻 League Info & Registration**: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling **Why Join?** 🎉 It’s only 6 weeks - perfect for a low-commitment social plan 🍻 Great mix of people in their 20s-40s, plus post-game hangs at the bar 🎳 Zero pressure - gutter balls totally welcome! 👕 Free league shirt if you sign up early 🧠 Weekly trivia w/ prizes 💬 Super social - join solo or w/ friends! **Want in?** Join our Meetup team Here for the Beer 👉 **Click here to join** https://tinyurl.com/2559lb7t Or start a team of your own with a few friends - we’ll all be hanging out either way! 📅 League Dates (Thursday evenings): Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26 ***(The MeetUp event date is deadline to register for the league.)*** **Cost & What’s Included:** ✔ $74 with discount code MUCOW26 ✔ 6 weeks of bowling (1–3 games/week) ✔ Shoe rentals & full league setup ✔ Trivia, prizes, and great people 👉 **SIGN UP NOW** 💻League Info & Registration: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling 🤑Use promo code MUCOW26 to save $20 📸 Follow the fun on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BowlingLeague-IG 📩 Questions? Contact the league: http://bit.ly/2nKHno7 Spots are filling fast – don’t miss out on the fun times!

You are invited to participate in one of Unity’s most meaningful and empowering traditions—the **White Stone Ceremony**. As we enter a new year, this sacred ritual gives you the opportunity to listen within, connect with Spirit, and claim a new name or intention for your life. In ancient times, receiving a white stone symbolized freedom, new identity, and fresh possibility. Today, we continue that tradition by holding a smooth white stone, entering a quiet meditation, and allowing Spirit to reveal a word, name, or message that reflects who you are becoming.