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**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. *** ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Dance Exchange, Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

**Please note that Go Gay DC is listing this exciting event as a community service, but is not running the event. Just go and have a fun time!** The monthly LGBTQ+ Book Club meets @ [Federico](https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/) at 7:30 p.m. Simply ask the manager for the Book Club table. This event is also listed on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982163649835?aff=oddtdtcreator)**. We will discuss [Running with Scissors](https://www.amazon.com/Running-Scissors-Memoir-Augusten-Burroughs/dp/031242227X "https://www.amazon.com/Running-Scissors-Memoir-Augusten-Burroughs/dp/031242227X") by Augusten Burroughs. Everyone welcome. Please RSVP in advance by emailing lovellsjl@aol.com . If you wish to optionally dine (on separate checks of course), the menu is at [https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/menu/dinner](https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/menu/dinner) The Book Club, hosted by EQUALITY NoVa, is yet another opportunity to engage in a fun and rewarding activity. We meet monthly, usually on the third Thursday of each month, at Federico’s for a lively discussion of that month’s selected book. We don’t discriminate when it comes to genre, we read – from classic literature to best selling novels to biographies to histories to gay fiction! EQUALITY NoVa serves Northern Virginia's LGBTQ+ and Allies and is a strong beacon for equality. It is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) people and straight allies. It provides fun social activities, builds relationships with elected officials, and works with civic groups on community service. For more information, visit [https://www.equalitynova.org](https://www.equalitynova.org) This event is being boosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com/)**[,](https://www.gogaydc.com/) Metro Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com/) Casual attire is fine. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Crystal City Metro station on the Yellow/Blue lines is the closest Metro stop. When you arrive, go out the station, walk towards your left to 18th Street and then veer right and walk under the Route 1 overpass to Eads St. Turn left and walk to 23rd Street. Turn right. Federico is half a block up 23rd Street on your right. Parking is usually available nearby on the residential side streets. About 10 LGBTQ+ folk regularly attend. There's no need to print out and show me your Eventbrite ticket. Please be sure to tag any event photos on social with #gogaydc This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. This event is for all ages. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who wishes to drink alcohol is carded of course. Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExN2tRNWxxbmJINDBLRjgyeHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6w6hV7nnd4_ib7hO4sGpsSn_cdXfPd75Bu3M7zmEi9Dl9TPCaWhdsOiMuyEg_aem_2P-pfs9FaQjn7QAvmFHriw) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExN2tRNWxxbmJINDBLRjgyeHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5wn7CoNkDnzZk1J8PGqEXSOaiVTjajzIpsVdNeg2WI7X_BJ5MeR6ierA9SUg_aem_YJJoTeXOh5HTjDXienXIZQ) Search keywords: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies nonbinary non-binary

Cost: free Court Type: Outdoor Sand Level: Social (everyone is welcome) Transportation: Parking will be right in front of the courts. What to bring: a ball if you have one. This is a social volleyball which means as long as you played volleyball before and can keep some rally going you can attend. The point is to practice being a team player, have fun, be social, and make friends. We should try to have 2 passes before sending the ball over on most plays. Let's get everyone involved in the game.

Registration & full details at: https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/imagine-nonprofit/ This is an informational post, you must register directly with amazon. It's a free event. It's also in person at the MGM National Harbor. Yes, there's a parking garage at the venue. Presented by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Imagine for Nonprofits unites visionary leaders, technologists, and changemakers who are driving social and environmental impact through technology. This in-person event combines thought-provoking discussions, interactive sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities that explore how advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and intentional innovation are transforming the nonprofit sector. Together, we're building a future where technology amplifies humanity's capacity for good, guided by data, driven by purpose, and grounded in responsibility.

This **no gi class** focuses on **advanced [Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu) concepts**, including takedowns, positional drilling, submissions, transitions, situational sparring, strategy development, and live training. While the class is scheduled for **90 minutes**, it may run longer depending on content and participation. This class includes both instruction as well as [rolling](https://www.howbjjworks.com/bjj-blog/2018/7/29/how-rolling-works-in-bjj) (sparring). The **drop-in fee** for non-members is **$20**, payable on-site. **Note:** We are located in **Suite #130**.

Join the Midnight Blockchain Group - DC/MD/VA for an engaging meetup diving into the Cardano and Midnight ecosystems. Whether you're a seasoned blockchain enthusiast or just curious about decentralized tech, this casual gathering is your chance to connect, learn, and network in the heart of DC. What to Expect: Kick off with a brief overview of Cardano, a proof-of-stake blockchain known for its research-driven approach, sustainability, and scalability, and Midnight Network, its privacy focused partner chain! **How to Find the Group:** * Head to Treehouse at 411 New York Avenue NE – it's easy to spot in the Ivy City neighborhood. * Look for our group in the main lounge area * Parking is available nearby, and it's Metro-accessible via the NoMa-Gallaudet U station (Red Line). This meetup is free and open to all, stop by to learn more about how Cardano and Midnight are revolutionizing Governance, privacy and utility in Web3. See you there! 🚀

• What we'll do Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! And we will teach you how to use your camera IN THE FIELD, not in a classroom! Join our standard Monuments and Memorials workshop, offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, in which the instructor takes you to some of DC’s most popular attractions: White House, Lafayette Park, the Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Three Servicemen Memorials, and finally to Union Station, where you learn to make all the moving people DISAPPEAR! Remember, it was Confucius who said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand." At Washington Photo Safari, we help you "do " and understand! That is why our motto is "See. Click. Learn." This $71 Safari (a 20% discount from the regular $89 price) begins with a 45-minute travel photography orientation, giving you basic tips in composition, F-stops and shutter speeds, portraiture, and interior photography. While you are taking pictures, you receive hands-on guidance on how to make those images even better! Advanced and smartphone photographers will appreciate the instructor’s extensive knowledge of the best camera angles in DC. This is suggested as a preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographers at any skill level with any camera, phone, or tablet. Transportation from site to site is provided by the instructor. • What to bring camera and all lenses • Important to know travel, architectural, portrait and street photography techniques

Hands-on learn how to save life & limb, when mired in the wilderness of an urban disaster zone, travel or rural area far from hospital, or natural area miles from an access point, during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance arrival. Come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving skill and confidence, and 2-year SOLO certification. Counts as WFR Recertification, too. No prerequisites. YOUR SPOT IS NOT RESERVED UNTIL YOU'VE COMPLETELY REGISTERED AT WWW.SOLOWFA.COM \***Spaces are limited. REGISTER: www.solowfa.com or 434.326.4697** Can't make these dates? Check out more course locations and dates on our website. WHO: Open to the general public, adults & teens with solid attention spans. Know your loved ones are safe wherever they are. WHY: Mired in a disaster zone, travel or rural area far from a hospital, or natural area miles from an access point ... accidents, destructive weather, and terrorism happen, and all-too-often members of a group are not capable of dealing with the emergency. This leads to improper care of the patient, and endangers the entire group. Many recreational accidents are preventable, and improper care of trauma can compound even simple injuries. Very few first aid programs actually address the issues of providing emergency care in a setting where 911 is overwhelmed or not immediately reachable. In this course, classroom instruction and Q&A are interwoven with practical work and problem-solving exercises. Hands-on experience - a most powerful learning tool - during scenarios comprise \~50% of class. TIMING: This is a 2-day class, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am -7pm each day. Fee: $295 (Earlybird)

Cost: free Court Type: Outdoor Sand Level: Social (everyone is welcome) Transportation: Parking will be right in front of the courts. What to bring: a ball if you have one. This is a social volleyball which means as long as you played volleyball before and can keep some rally going you can attend. The point is to practice being a team player, have fun, be social, and make friends. We should try to have 2 passes before sending the ball over on most plays. Let's get everyone involved in the game.

♠️ Spades in Virginia! ♠️ Nando's Peri Peri, Mosaic District 2987 District Ave Ste 100, Fairfax, VA 22031 🌟 3rd Friday Spades in Virginia! 🕕 6:30pm to 10:30pm 😀 **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🚗 Parking is FREE!!! 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks. ✅️ No partner needed! Get matched with a partner onsite. All skill levels are welcome. ❤️ Come hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time! 🌟 The fun starts at 7pm! RSVP today.

Cost: free Court Type: Outdoor Sand Transportation: Parking will be right in front of the courts. MINIMUM 4 people (no incthe host) in attendance otherwise event will be cancelled the day RSVP ends (the day of event). Level: BB and higher level This is an advanced volleyball at BB or higher level.

MoCo Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal, co-working session. We're community-led and community-run by devs, for devs. People of all skill levels are invited. Especially new devs! Bring a laptop, ideas, and we'll provide the coffee and snacks. **Here's how it works** At 2:30pm, everyone introduces themselves and briefly mention what brought them to Code & Coffee today (project, homework, networking, etc.) Round 1: 1. Your name 2. What you're working on 3. What you can help others with Round 2: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. Round 3: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. **After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized!** 1. For the rest of the day, folks work on their projects, providing one another with help, and/or socialize. It's fully up to you. **Location** We will be at the Rockville Science Center, right across from the library in The Square at Rockville. Note this is NOT the makerspace location, but the other one near the Garage B entrance. 36 Maryland Ave C, Rockville, MD 20850 The event will be held at a spacious science center with plenty of tables and chairs. Light refreshments (coffee and tea) and snacks will be provided. **Parking** * Rockville Town Square garages have up to 90 minutes of free parking. Parking at the Rockville Metro station would be free on weekends. **Public transit** * Located near near the **Rockville** metro station (Red Line).

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

Over 50 Happy Hour – Liberty Tavern Polaris Join us for a fun and relaxed Over 50 Happy Hour on Friday, April 10th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Liberty Tavern Polaris. This is a great opportunity to meet new people in our age group in a casual, comfortable setting. Whether you’re in your fifties, sixties, or seventies, everyone is welcome. Some people who attend are retired, while others are still working, but we all share one thing in common — enjoying good conversation and good company. If you’re new to the group, don’t worry. Many people attend solo and quickly find it easy to strike up conversations. The goal of this happy hour is simple: meet people, socialize, laugh, and enjoy the evening. We’ll be gathering at Liberty Tavern Polaris, a welcoming tavern with a warm atmosphere, great food, and a bar perfect for relaxed conversation. Feel free to come when you can and leave when you want. Some members arrive right at 4:00 PM, while others stop by later after work. There’s no formal agenda — just friendly people getting together to enjoy a Friday evening. Location: Liberty Tavern Polaris 2170 Polaris Parkway Columbus, Ohio Time: Friday, April 10 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Come join us for a drink, good conversation, and the chance to meet some great people in the 50+ community.

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/

Join us as we get together to see Ryan Gosling and Sandra Huller in the highly anticipated sci-fi adventure, PROJECT HAIL MARY! The film is based on the best-selling novel of The Martian and follows a man who awakens on a spacecraft before realizing his mission to save Earth. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A science teacher wakes up on a spaceship, light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission to save the Earth. The film is directed by the filmmaking due Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 and 22 Jump Street, Into and Across the Spider-Verse) and is based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir (The Martian). The film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub and Ken Leung. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VYsnngkS_U BUZZ AND REVIEWS: The buzz and reviews for PROJECT HAIL MARY are off-the-charts good! The film is earning a 95% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics call it an “old school blockbuster crowd-pleaser” and “a new sci-fi classic!” It’s “deeply hopeful,” well-acted,” funny,” “dramatic,” and “exceptionally rousing throughout!” Others call it “something truly magical” and one that “we’ll be talking about this one for decades to come!” And I believe Slashfilm says it best: “It will lift up and squeeze your heart, crack you up with laughter, and give you a sense of hope and wonder in a way that few movies have been able to inspire.” MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 2:30pm SuperScreen DLX showing and meet in the lobby area between 2:05 and 2:15pm! Tickets already on sale and will likely move fast for this hot ticket / opening weekend showing so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. As a head’s up, this is a longer movie at 2hrs 36mins. DINNER PLAN: Dinner immediately following the movie at 5:30pm at group favorite, FUGU SUSHI, located just next door! Separate RSVP required for the Dinner / Movie portions of this event. An RSVP here means you're signed up for the MOVIE! This portion will be open as long as seats remain. If you also plan to join for dinner, please also RSVP in the separate event listing for the dinner portion of this event. Should be a good one, Dan

**New Dojo Location!** **Buffalo Wild Wings in Grandview** 968 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

# **Band and caller TBA** Beginner lesson at 1:30, regular dancing begins at 2:00 pm NOTE THAT WE ARE TEMPORARILY DANCING IN THE AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF EVENING. Dance with us in the afternoon then you can still go out in the evening! **Sponsor: All Soles Contra and Square Dancing, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus OH 43214** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 1:30 - 2:00, followed by dancing 2:00 - 430. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: Type Annotations with John Cassidy We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com