Local Politics

\-\-\-\-\-\- [REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE (ON LU.MA)! ](https://luma.com/fnai8zxh)\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for an evening of collaborative problem-solving as we work on a variety of civic tech projects together. Project needs vary but often include brainstorming, researching, writing, coding, or analyzing data. Check out [our website](https://www.civictechdc.org/projects) for a list of projects which may make an appearance! Meet other civic tech enthusiasts. Learn new skills. Contribute to a project to improve a local civic issue. **All are welcome and collaboration is encouraged.** Laptops are recommended but not required. **Where do I register?** To better serve our growing community, we’re transitioning our event registrations to Luma! **We still love Meetup** Meetup has been an incredible platform for us to build and connect with our community. We’ll continue sharing upcoming events there so that new people can find us, but Luma will be our primary registration platform moving forward. **Why we're making the switch** Meetup’s registration system has some limitations, and we need more flexibility to manage sign-ups and engagement. \-\-\-\-\-\- [REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE (ON LU.MA)!](https://luma.com/fnai8zxh) \-\-\-\-\-\-

On the Pike, you’ll find the most eclectic food scene in Arlington, home to dozens of international, locally owned restaurants. Columbia Pike’s Monthly Lunch Club introduces you to these beloved eateries while bringing neighbors, business owners, and community leaders together around the table. This February Lunch Club honors Black History Month by highlighting Black history in Arlington and along Columbia Pike. The program will feature a guest speaker, Peter Vaselopulos of the Arlington Historical Society, who will help guide a meaningful conversation focused people, places, and contributions. We’ll reflect, learn, and connect over lunch at El Pike Bolivian Restobar. Lunch Club takes place on the last Wednesday of every month and is designed to spark ideas, build relationships, and support Pike restaurants: one great meal at a time. 🕛 12:00 – 1:30 PM 📅 Wednesday, February 25, 2026 📍 El Pike Bolivian Restobar **_Proudly sponsored by Washington Workplace_**

TICKET LINK : ([https://www.eventbrite.com/e/language-exchange-happy-hour-and-friending-with-studentsteetotalers-pass-tickets-797083487167](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/language-exchange-happy-hour-and-friending-with-studentsteetotalers-pass-tickets-797083487167)) ABOUT THE EVENT Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs à moitié prix. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez débutant ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle. Enjoy a French convo with half-priced appetizers, glass of wine and rail drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from beginners to native fluency. G

This week we'll be heading back to fan favorite set Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, expanded to contain the likes of Theros, New Phyrexia, and more! The event will take place a James's home in Pentagon City. The cube centers the conflict between old Kamigawa and new Kamigawa, manifesting that conflict via the mechanical themes of Enchantments and Artifacts. Want to play with powerful Sagas? Pilot giant mechs with your creatures? This cube is for you! [https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/neo2](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/neo2)

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Science of Making Friends,”** with Marisa G. Franco, assistant clinical professor of psychology at the University of Maryland’s Honors College and author of the *New York Times* best-seller *Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends.* Friends matter. They’ve been shown to improve mental and physical health, with one study of very happy people finding that their most defining characteristic was being socially connected. Yet friendship networks have been shrinking over the last few decades as people have coped with distraction, burnout, and chaos. It doesn’t help that we live in a society that often prizes romantic love at the expense of other relationships. How do we make and keep friends? What’s the secret to finding “your people” in an ever-more-fragmented world? Learn what science says about making friends in this interactive talk by Dr. Marisa Franco, a psychologist who has extensively researched human connection and systemic loneliness and whose book *Platonic* has been extensively lauded as a source of great practical advice. You’re never too old to make new friendships or deepen longstanding ones. Along with giving you an understanding of the scientific study of friendship, this talk will teach you practical steps you can take to build better connections with others to be happier and more fulfilled. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Let's explore the Petworth neighborhood in DC! **Time:** \~6pm-8:15pm **Start/End Location:** Georgia Ave-Petworth metro station **Map/Route:** [Kamoot](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2788247707), [Caltopo](https://caltopo.com/m/02HA9KE) **Millage:** 4.25 **Terrain:** There will mostly be paved and level ground. \-\-\- We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer. Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation. If you've enjoyed our walks please consider donating a few bucks to help us keep this group running (meetup is expensive!). [Donation Link](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2158403661070336114)

Join DC Polyam at our monthly weekend social. Come by yourself, invite your friends, your partner(s), and even your entire polycule! Come join us from DC proper, Maryland, or Virginia; we welcome all people from all aspects of life and relationship dynamics. Metrobar has non-alcoholic options for those that don't want/don't drink alongside usual food trucks for eating options. Follow us on Instagram and join our Discord @DCPolyam We always enforce a set of house rules in order to maintain a safe space: * **Respectful Behavior** towards hosts and other guests is required; anyone who violates these rules may be asked to leave the event. * **Expectations:** Check your expectations at the door. Being at this event does not signal sexual availability or indicate any aspect of sexual orientation. Our events are about developing friendships and connections within the community. This is a no cruising event, in order to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for our guests. * **Safe Spaces:** We strive to create a safe space for people of ALL identities, including those who do not identify as polyamorous. * **No photography, video, or recording** of any kind is allowed **without prior verbal consent** of all parties involved. * **Verbal Consent:** Please be sure to ask and wait for a yes before hugging or initiating any physical contact, and encourage each other to speak openly about consent and personal boundaries. This helps foster a culture where personal boundaries are supported and attendees are empowered to speak confidently of their limits. (i.e. “Can I give you a hug?” “No thank you, but I would love a handshake.”) If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

The Black Radical Tradition is a historical current of organized struggle rooted in socialist, Pan-African, internationalist, and decolonial politics that confronts racial capitalism, internal colonialism, and imperial domination. This session unpacks how that tradition has been systematically whitewashed and commodified, reducing revolutionary movements and figures into harmless symbols while erasing their politics, organizations, and strategies. We will examine concrete examples of organized resistance—from RAM and the Panthers to international solidarities with Haiti, Cuba, and Palestine—to assess how different tactics emerged from real material conditions and what they achieved in practice. The discussion will focus on how today’s movements, including PACA’s work for community control and Pan-African unity, must reclaim this lineage and build durable organization capable of resisting liberal cooptation and sustaining long-term struggles for liberation. If you are in the DMV, please join us in-person at the Black Workers and Wellness Center, 2500 Martín Luther King Jr Ave, SE Washington DC. Register to attend (both for in person and virtual) at: [https://blackradicalhistory.eventbrite.com](https://blackradicalhistory.eventbrite.com) Please wear a mask and don’t come if you’re sick!

Back by popular demand! Come out for an afternoon of fun board games, good people, and drinks at The Board Room DC ---- DC's original game/sports bar! Play some old favorites or try some new games. Everyone is welcome --- no wait list for this event! [The Board Room DC](https://boardroomdc.com/) **Getting there:** The Board Room is about a 5 minute walk from the Dupont Circle Metro Station. There's also metered parking on the street and garages nearby.

Come learn how money really works. We’ll cover how to grow it, protect it, get out of debt, and use smart retirement and infinite banking strategies to build long-term security.

Hello Euchre Enthusiasts—Join us at[ ](https://www.franklinhalldc.com/)**[Franklin Hall,](https://www.franklinhalldc.com/)** which is an easy walk from the U Street Metro (green/yellow lines), major bus lines, or street parking in the area. Bar food and beer are available to purchase, and attendees are encouraged to support the business. **Please RSVP to indicate your attendance and HONOR your RSVP**. If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please update your RSVP. Regular no-show or late notices may get you dropped from the group. It is important that we can provide an accurate count to the venue and that all people who want to AND can attend can do so. **We ask all attendees to pay $1 to participate in the meetup.** This money helps maintain our meetup membership & cover various meetup costs that arise. You can pay $1 on Venmo @amanda-uherek, via Pay-Pal, or in-person (please choose paying friend/family not a business, good or service). Please also support the business. **REMINDER:** everyone is responsible for their own tabs. If you have questions / comments / suggestions please message us. We'll have hand sanitizer & decks of cards on hand.

We've attended this in the past. The films are always good and the Irish Embassy does a great job with the reception. The cost is just $25 for film and reception - pretty reasonable. **SAIPAN -** This nail-biting, darkly comic drama recounts one of the most fractious fallings-outs in the history of sport: the explosive clash between soccer star Roy Keane (Éanna Hardwicke) and manager Mick McCarthy (the great Steve Coogan) on the island of Saipan just days before the Irish national football team competed in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Reviews have been very good - says you don't need to be a soccer fan to enjoy immensely. Q&A with directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn\, moderated by Professor Darragh Gannon\, Associate Director of Global Irish Studies\, Georgetown University \| Post\-screening reception sponsored by the Embassy of Ireland\, Washington\, DC **TO PURCHASE A TICKET, USE [THIS LINK](https://silver.afi.com/movies/detail/0100005437/). Click on the "7:00 pm" bottom left and then follow the instructions.** Rooted in clashing standards and personalities, their feud transcended the game and gripped the entire nation of Ireland as hopes for glory went into a tailspin that not even the Taoiseach could remedy. Keane’s headline-grabbing eleventh hour departure from Ireland’s squad briefly left a weakened McCarthy to hold together a crumbling situation without his team’s talisman amidst a wealth of negativity from press and fans alike. On the surface it was all about standards, but deep down it was a hugely emotive story of two men whose rivalry and contempt came to surpass the sport they loved. With riveting performances from Coogan and Hardwicke, this gripping true story goes beyond sport to tell a tale of leadership, loyalty and rivalry that captured global attention — and as Ireland are on the cusp of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it is the perfect time to learn about a historic moment for the Boys in Green. (Note adapted from Vertigo Releasing.) DIR Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn; SCR Paul Fraser; PROD Macdara Kelleher, John Keville, Trevor Birney, Oliver Butler. Ireland/UK, 2025, color, 91 min. NOT RATED

Come join me to try some Ethiopian food! Chercher restaurant's Bethesda location has a 4.5 rating. Please keep your RSVP up to date so we know how many to expect. I’ll make the reservation under my name and will have a table sign so you can spot us easily. \*\* Appetizer : $3 Entrees/Combos : $18-$22 \*\* Individual Checks. \*\* Free Parking. Here's the menu: https://chercherrestaurant.com/menu/chercherethiopian-cuisine

**Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the International Relations / Foreign Policy Group Columbus!** This group brings together students, professionals, academics, and anyone interested in global affairs, diplomacy, and geopolitics. Our first meetup will be an informal discussion focused on current international developments and global trends. This is a great opportunity to: • Meet others interested in international relations and foreign policy • Discuss current global events and geopolitical developments • Exchange perspectives and ideas in a respectful environment • Build a network of globally minded individuals in Central Ohio (Columbus and periphery) **Discussion topics may include:** * Strategic planning for the group and the way forward * US foreign policy priorities in 2026 * Major geopolitical developments (Europe, Asia, Middle East) * Global security and strategic competition * International economic and diplomatic trends No prior expertise is required—everyone is welcome, whether you're a student, professional, or simply interested in world affairs. **This will be a casual, friendly, and intellectually engaging conversation.** I look forward to meeting everyone and building a strong international relations / foreign policy community in Central Ohio.

Join us for a fun Saturday evening starting with dinner at Ranchero Kitchen at 6:30 PM, where we’ll be supporting an immigrant-owned local business. Pupusas: Beans, Potatoes, Veggie Homemade juices: Passionfruit, Tamarind, Horchata, Pineapple-cashew After dinner, we’ll head to Skate Zone 71 from 8:00–10:30 PM for skating, music, and good vibes. Come hungry and ready to roll! 😋🛼 Locations: Ranchero Kitchen 984 Morse Rd Columbus, OH 43229 (Same plaza as Ohio BMV license bureau) Skate Zone 71 4900 Evanswood Dr Columbus, OH 43229

We'll play board games at the [Land-Grant Brewing Company](https://landgrantbrewing.com/). The brewery has multiple [food trucks](https://landgrantbrewing.com/food/) on Sundays, including [Ray Ray's Hog Pit](https://rayrayshogpit.com/franklinton), [Buck City Sammies](https://www.buckcitysammies.com/menu), and [Hai Poké](https://www.haipokefoodtruck.com/). The brewery also has (passable) drip coffee, free water, and Jeni's ice cream. You can also walk over to the [Land Grant Extension](https://callinyourbluffcoffee.com/) for "real" coffee. (You may have to stand in line, though. The Extension is popular.) You can come late or leave early. Please just sign up so I know to expect you. **Notes on Parking** * You'll (probably) have to park on the street, but street parking is free on Sundays. * There are [parking garages](https://landgrantbrewing.com/parking/) a little farther away if you want. These are obviously not free, though. * There is a [lot next door](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B057'26.0%22N+83%C2%B000'40.9%22W/@39.957211,-83.0119921,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m12!1m7!3m6!1s0x88388f3efd89238b:0xc139207386232411!2sLand-Grant+Brewing+Company!8m2!3d39.9577613!4d-83.011426!16s%2Fg%2F1pzt7t9df!3m3!8m2!3d39.957211!4d-83.011347?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D) to the brewery that you're allowed to park in, but it is not free. I've never parked there, so I don't know anything about rates. (I'm told though that if you eat at Milo's Deli next door to this lot that Milo's will stamp your parking so it's free.) * You're going to see odd signs on [Lucas St](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B057'26.1%22N+83%C2%B000'40.3%22W/@39.957256,-83.0124134,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zMznCsDU3JzI4LjgiTiA4M8KwMDAnNDEuNSJX!8m2!3d39.957993!4d-83.011536!3m3!8m2!3d39.957256!4d-83.011197?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D) (saying it's a "private street") that will lead you to believe you're not allowed to park there, but you actually are. * Columbus parking cops literally do not work on Sundays. This means that, even if you're driving a non-EV, you can park in the EV spots near the brewery. **Games** I do bring many games, but please bring some of your own as well.

**Back By Popular Request!** Once you have spent an evening in the studio, you need some refreshments. Join us at Local Cantina in Bridge Park to recharge your energy! **Meeting Schedule:** 1. 7:10 - Chips and Salsa

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Coffee and conversation at [Stauf's Coffee Roasters](https://www.staufs.com/) in German Village. Street parking is free on Sundays.