Information Retrieval

(**we might be in Meeting Room 4 today, the one next to Room 3 to the right**) "Experience is a worthless and transient existence unless the experiencer is known." "The path to Truth begins with the self. We cannot properly isolate, identify, or analyze the self, because it is the subject about which we know the least." "This whole system of spiritual realization depends upon us finding out who we are." "Nothing can be known for sure until the knower is known." -- [Richard Rose](https://tatfoundation.org/about-richard-rose/) \-\-\-\-\-\- ***“I am struck with how rare it is to find a few good friends on the path. It is easy to find people who simply want to sit and be entertained by teachers, or who want to sit and entertain by playing the role of teacher. In other words, the quest for affirmation often outweighs the quest for truth.*** ***Yet you may have one or two good friends, and definitely have one or two waiting to be discovered. Find them; be thankful.”*** ***— Shawn Nevins*** 'What will make me happy in life?' ... 'Am I my thoughts?' ... 'What is Enlightenment?' ... We meet every week to ask questions like these in the pursuit of Self-Knowledge and Truth. We are interested in topics like: Zen, stoicism, spirituality, psychology, mindfulness, Nisargadatta, non-violent communication, Socrates, existential philosophy, Alan Watts, taoism, Eckhart Tolle, meditation, Ramana Maharshi, etc. But we are not affiliated with any dogma, philosophy, or religion. Our goal each meeting is to serve as mirrors for one another using question-based inquiry in a safe environment. In a session, every participant takes turns discussing the week's question or topic, and the group asks reflective questions without any agenda besides trying to understand the person's beliefs. A few other guiding principles of our group: * No one is obligated to share * Be honest with yourself and others * Do not try to convince others to believe or think as you do * Keep the focus on the person being questioned We meet at the [Bethesda Library](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GWMozF8zpY1m1PY26) every Monday. The library is a 5 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, approx 25 minute Metro ride from Metro Center and Gallery Place stations. The library has a a parking lot with metered parking for $1/hour. \*\*\* WE WILL BE IN MEETING ROOM 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ----- THE MEETING ROOM IS IN THE BACK OF THE LIBRARY \*\*\* Please contact us with any questions!

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Wink, Nod, Kill,”** a look at implicit calls for violence and other speech that leads to bloodshed and threatens democracy, with Kurt Braddock, assistant professor of communications at American University and expert on terrorism. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-wink-nod-kill](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-wink-nod-kill) .] Over the last decade, President Donald Trump and many of his allies have used language that implicitly advocates for the use of violence without directing it outright. From telling the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” to suggesting that legal acts of Democratic lawmakers should be “punishable by death,” Trump has consistently suggested that violence is a viable means of addressing political grievances. Support for political violence—implicit or explicit—goes beyond the sort of spirited debate and disagreement upon which the American experiment was founded. It represents a gray area in the connection between violent language and violent acts, an area that Kurt Braddock has spent years studying. Learn about research on the connection between real bloodshed and coded language, dogwhistles, and implicit calls for violence with Dr. Braddock, who has conducted research on communication and terrorism for several national and international organizations, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism. Professor Braddock will give his audience a firm grounding in the concept of “stochastic terrorism,” or political violence spawned by vague calls to violent action. Tapping into decades of research on communication and decision-making and accounts of specific violent acts inspired by implicit orders, he’ll show us that the threat posed by implicit calls to violence is real. He’ll discuss whether implicit calls for violence represent a “new” form of political communication protected by the First Amendment, and he’ll describe the real-world dangers posed by these kinds of statements. Among the questions Dr. Braddock will tackle: Why do politicians use this language if they can reasonably assume that someone may be motivated by it to hurt someone else? Perhaps most importantly, what can we do about it, especially given the sacrosanctity of the First Amendment? His talk promises to give you a much more sophisticated understanding of recent events and a clearer sense of what might lie ahead. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Right-wing pundit and podcaster Steve Bannon routinely uses violent rhetoric. (Photo by Nordiske Mediedager / Creative Commons. )

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 first meditation is 10 minutes, then 5 minutes walking meditation, and end with 20 minutes of silent meditation. Beginners or anyone interested in silent meditation and fellowship are welcome. 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.

📚 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.

## Details Zoom Link : **[https://jesushousedc-org.zoom.us/j/3167877043](https://jesushousedc-org.zoom.us/j/3167877043)** Register for our guest list/book: [Forms for Invite](https://forms.gle/Qowi1t4aDbQaJhvG8) Come join your neighbors in developing your leadership and public speaking skills. We are a group of students, professionals and ambitious individuals interested in personal development. Daniel Leadership provides a fun environment for both working with groups, leading, and speaking in front of an audience. We meet every 2nd and 3rd Monday of the month, in downtown Silver Spring, convenient to the metro. Come join us to develop your professional skills, practice public speaking in front of a supportive group, or to just make friends. We hope to see you there! Come join your neighbors in developing your leadership and public speaking skills. We are a group of students, professionals and ambitious individuals interested in personal development. Daniel Leadership provides a fun environment for both working with groups, leading, and speaking in front of an audience. We meet every 2nd and 3rd Monday of the month, in downtown Silver Spring, convenient to the metro. Come join us to develop your professional skills, practice public speaking in front of a supportive group, or to just make friends. We hope to see you there! What to expect: • Come by and meet the members from 7:00-7:15 • Be wowed by 3-4 speakers practicing their craft • Practice your own public speaking with table topics • Learn about evaluating speeches to understand critical thinking • Make great friends with others interested in personal development Transportation/Parking: • We are 1/2 mile from Silver Spring metro • Located on the F4 bus line & 1 block from 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 bus lines • Convenient street parking • 2 blocks from Fenton Village Garage 4 Parking Lot (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fenton+Street+Village+(Garage+4)/@38.9896363,-77.0262983,17z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sSilver+Spring+parking!3m4!1s0x0:0xc69eb61284ac2daa!8m2!3d38.9909589!4d-77.025231)

DC iOS returns to the Capital One campus for another meetup! Come and meet with fellow Apple developers in the DC Area, enjoy some food, networking, and a great tech talk! PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING IN PERSON OR OVER ZOOM. **Agenda:** • 5:40 PM - Doors Open (in-person attendees). **Don't forget your ID!** • 6:10 PM - Welcome (in-person and Zoom attendees) • 6:15 PM - **Talk: *Vibe Coding: A Skeptic's Guide to Finding Your Rhythm in AI-Assisted Development*** • 7:05 PM - Community Announcements & Networking • 8:00 PM - Doors close **Talk Description:** **Vibe Coding: A Skeptic's Guide to Finding Your Rhythm in AI-Assisted Development** Leo Dion I didn't trust AI hype. But building thousands lines of production Swift taught me: AI can get you 70% there but expertise is still required. From skeptic to pragmatic builder, I'll share when AI shines, where it fails, and how to thrive in the AI era. No hype, no doomerism—just reality. Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83088929804?pwd=NinZzqyxxo8Cw1KSU1rMrPey8cxr2M.1 **Location:** Capital One, C2 Building 1680 Capital One Drive, Mclean VA, 22102 100A Visitor parking is either in the garage attached to 1680 Capital One Drive, or the open lot next to 1600 Capital One Drive. After that you will walk over to the main entrance of 1680 Capital One drive, and then walk around the right to the corner to room 100A For the metro, take the Silver Line to the McLean metro stop, then walk into main campus (about a 5 minute walk). From there, walk to the main entrance of 1680 and then go to room 100A **What you need to bring:** ID **When to arrive:** Doors open at 5:50pm ET Event will start at 6:10 pm ET **Will food and drinks be provided?** Yep! **Will there be rapid testing provided?** No **Will masks be required?** No

Hello everyone! Who doesn't love Pizza! We'll be meeting at Andy's Pizza in Tyson's Galleria and doing some old-fashioned networking, beer-drinking, and pizza-eating. I guarantee a fun time, or else your pizza is free :) **Location:** Andy's Pizza, Tyson's Galleria, 2001 International Dr, McLean, VA 22102 **Overview:** Join us at AI Innovators Network for our upcoming meetup in Tysons dedicated to exploring the latest trends in Artificial Intelligence. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a professional, or someone curious about the intersection of technology and AI, this event is perfect for networking, learning, and sharing insights. Connect with like-minded individuals from DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland as we dive deep into the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation driving innovation and progress in Artificial Intelligence.

**Agenda :** * 4.45 to 5.00 PM ET: Food and Networking * 5.00 to 5.50 PM ET: "Data Science & Machine Learning with Microsoft Fabric" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our March 12th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided. You will need a government-issued ID to enter the facility.** **Title:** Data Science & Machine Learning with Microsoft Fabric **Description:** Explore Microsoft Fabric’s integrated Data Science experience across ideation, preprocessing, modeling, & deployment. Learn how to ingest and prepare data via OneLake and Lakehouse, leverage Notebooks, Data Wrangler, Spark, SynapseML, MLflow for experimentation, & operationalize predictions with batch scoring and Power BI direct integration. Also, learn to build generative AI Q&A systems using Fabric Data Agents. **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!

We’re excited to continue building AI in Practice with our monthly social! 🎉 Each month, we’ll host an informal happy hour and dinner at Upside on Moore in Rosslyn. Come join fellow AI builders, professionals, and curious minds for a relaxed evening of conversation, connection, and community. Whether you’re working on AI systems, advising on responsible adoption, or just interested in how AI is shaping law, compliance, finance, healthcare, defense, software, mission-driven organizations, or public service — this is a chance to meet like-minded people and help shape what this community becomes. 🍸 Drinks and food are available for purchase at the venue. 🤝 No formal agenda — just introductions, networking, and sharing what excites us about AI in practice. We’re so grateful for the early enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing you each month as this community grows! **Date, Time & Location** 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Thursday 23 October 2025 Upside on Moore 1831 Moore Street Arlington, VA 22209

General Registration for the WiCyS 2026 In-Person Conference is open! WiCyS 2026 is our flagship event dedicated to recruiting, retaining and advancing women in cybersecurity. Each year, the conference brings together cybersecurity professionals, students and organizations from around the globe for powerful conversations, cutting-edge insights and unparalleled opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Join us in person March 11–13, 2026, at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center in the Washington, DC area. Attendees from all career levels can look forward to inspiring keynote speakers, dynamic technical and professional development sessions, career-building programming, and meaningful networking opportunities across industry, academia and government. Learn more and preview the 2026 agenda HERE to help you plan your experience. Note: There is no open registration for WiCyS student members. Student members must have been awarded a scholarship to attend. All scholarships have been awarded. Ready to be part of the conversation shaping the future of cybersecurity? Register here : [https://lnkd.in/gvTxeUYq](https://lnkd.in/gvTxeUYq) [hashtag#Cybersecurity](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23cybersecurity&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) [hashtag#networking](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23networking&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) [hashtag#knowledgesharing](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23knowledgesharing&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) [hashtag#wicys](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23wicys&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED)

Come join us for informal discussions about AI, and meet others who are passionate about the subject!

**Greetings, GeoDC Friends!** **We're back this month for a Meetup on Wednesday, March 11th at Sudhouse DC.** **This month, we'll have our usual networking chats, job and event announcements and lightning talks from our community members.** **\>\>Please complete this form if you would like to present next week or any other upcoming MeetUp event\. :** [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10Yj1-BOBXHqtoepJNW2X1WRzmdMjvbBPB8F5fgu5Lhk](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/10Yj1-BOBXHqtoepJNW2X1WRzmdMjvbBPB8F5fgu5Lhk) **Speaker Lineup** **David Bleecker: Open Source Mapping of Gravity Anomalies: What They Are and What We Can Learn** * *This talk will be an introduction to bouguer anomalies (aka gravity anomalies) in the field of geophysics, and the application of bouguer anomaly maps to modern GIS tools. The first section will be an overview of what a bouguer anomaly is, how to interpret maps of bouguer anomalies, and how the modern space-based bouguer anomaly mapping satellites work. The second section will focus on the results obtained by analysis of the bouguer anomaly map data taken from the best available public dataset (GGMPlus), with an emphasis on specific locations that are especially prominent anomalies, what geology and geophysics tells us about what the causes of these localized anomalies may be, and (time permitting), a brief foray into some of the unanswered scientific questions that remain regarding the cause of certain localized anomalies.* *\***We're getting a jumpstart to Spring Cleaning this year as well.\**** **On March 11, we will have GeoDC's first-ever Geo-Swag Swap.** * **If you've been to any conferences or trainings lately, you may have found yourself wondering 'how in the WORLD did I accumulate so much stuff?'** * **Bring your unused or lightly used Geo Themed SWAG to Sudhouse DC on the 11th.** * **The Swag Swap table will be by the staircase, right as you enter into the event space on the 3rd floor.** * **Please take what you need/want from the table; all unwanted items will be donated or recycled** ***-You do not need to bring Swag to particpate.*** ***\- Examples of Swag: notebooks\, mousepads\, pint glasses\, tote bags\, pens\, pins\, stress balls\, decals\, lens cleaners\, rulers\, magnets\, laser pointers\, lip balm\, etc\.*** **Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!**

Window functions have nothing to do with the Windows operating system but provide a “window” to a result set when used in SQL queries. They are powerful, set-based methods to view data in unexpected ways. Window functions provide easy, set-based solutions to solve some common problems: * Using running totals * Performing operations in intervals * Identifying data gaps and islands * Performing aggregates without losing detail Many people are confused by window functions and do not know how to use them properly. This session will explore window functions, how they work, and how to use them. Demonstrations with several examples will solidify how window functions can simplify queries and make them more powerful.

Builders, creators, architects, admins, consultants - come one, come all. This one's for you. We're bringing a little friendly competition to the Columbus ServiceNow community while highlighting the cool things people have built on the platform. Five presenters will take the stage to showcase something they've built, solved, designed, or imagined on the ServiceNow platform - and a panel of judges (plus YOU, our amazing audience) will score them live. So basically, America's Got Talent but make it ServiceNow's Got Talent. Bring a notepad if you'd like 'cause you'll definitely be learning something new. Each presenter gets 10 minutes max to wow the crowd with: • A demo • A real-world business solution • A bold idea • A UX transformation • Or a creative use of the platform Judging Criteria: 🏆 Business Value 🚀 Innovation ✨ User Experience This event is about celebrating ideas, sharing knowledge, and showing how ServiceNow can drive both business impact and meaningful user value. Come learn. Come support. Come get inspired. Refreshments and bites will be provided. And maybe next time… you’ll be on stage.

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

**Google Analytics Alternatives** Is it finally time to make the switch away from Google Analytics? Two-and-a-half years ago Jason Packer asked this question at Columbus Web Analytics Wednesday. Since then: Google’s Universal Analytics has been sunset, we’ve changed our name to Columbus Data & Analytics Wednesday, and Jason has released two editions of his book “Google Analytics Alternatives”. Fresh off the release of the 2nd edition of his book, we thought it was time to re-open this conversation. While people love to complain about it, GA’s market share has remained relatively constant (at least in the United States). Why is that? You won’t find any complaints about GA4 in this talk, but rather an overview of what’s currently available in the market and how to frame your decision-making process. We’ll also be giving out some free copies of Jason’s book! So even if you’ve got a “GA4Lyfe” tattoo (no judgement), there’s free books to go with the free pizza and beer. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBA

**Tickets go on sale 3/12 . I will post what row to buy your ticket in then .**