Middle East

NEW MEETING PLACE!! We will start at the bathroom temple on 15th st- Due east (towards capital) from Washington monument. WASHINGTON LODGE. We will visit some of the lesser known spots as well as the usual highlights. This is an easy, though fast, walk around the mall. Route varies, but walk may include Washington monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, MLK memorial, tidal basin, Signers memorial, and my favorite, the Roosevelt memorial. Many people feel that the mall is at its most beautiful at night with the monuments lit. We walk fast, this is not a stroll. This is a walk- not a sightseeing tour. We stop very briefly, if at all, at the monuments, then move on. Where to Meet: bathroom temple on 15th st- Due east (towards capital) from Washington monument. We leave 6:15 sharp. Please be a few minutes early. Difficulty: Easy, although we do walk fast. If you can’t stay with the group I assume you can find your way back on your own. Distance: 5-6 miles Duration: 1.5 hr Scenery: National monuments, tourists, geese, pigeons. Trail surface: Some gravel, paving, some mud. Facilities: There are rest room facilities at various spots, we will stop as needed. Park Fees: none Elevation Gain: 4 feet Dogs: No Metro: Smithsonian stop. Blue, Silver, Orange lines. There tends to be metered parking on Jefferson drive that opens up right at 6. Bringing a flashlight can be helpful. National Guard and other visitors to our capital are welcome.

♠️😲♠️ W.O.W. Spades Night ♠️😲♠️ Washington on Wednesday (W.O.W.) - 3rd Wednesday Spades in DC 🌟Spades in DC! 😀 Hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time! ✅️ No partner needed! Find one onsite. All skill levels are welcome. 📌 Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken - Navy Yard 300 Tingey St SE #150, Washington, DC 20003 ❤️ **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🚌 One block from Navy Yard Metro Station 🚗 Street and Garage Parking available. **** 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! 🍗 Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks. 🌟 The fun starts at 5:30pm! RSVP today.

http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/ Toasted By Proxy Toastmasters Club #899228 is a unique group dedicated to achieving individual professional and personal communication and leadership goals. We are an open club and welcome all to join us! Updates: We meet regularly from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Universities at Shady Grove, 9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. Visit our club website for the most up-to-date information. See our "Meeting Information / Directions" page for a detailed map. (http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html)

http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/ Toasted By Proxy Toastmasters Club #899228 is a unique group dedicated to achieving individual professional and personal communication and leadership goals. We are an open club and welcomes all to join us! Every LUNCH MEETING IS AN OPEN HOUSE! Updates: We meet regularly from 12:00 to 1:00 PM on the 2nd and4th Wednesday of the month at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building III, Room 4203, 9636 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850. See our "Meeting Information / Directions" page for a detailed map. (http://toastedbyproxy.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html)

Please join us at Hill Center on Wednesday January 21st from 6:30pm-8:30pm for the Opening Reception with the Artists and Juror. All pieces of art are for sale and will be on display throughout our Galleries and online at [HillCenterDC.org](https://www.hillcenterdc.org/). These are wonderful community events with affordable art and generous refreshments. **[REGISTER HERE](https://www.hillcenterdc.org/event/hill-center-galleries-2026-regional-juried-show/)**. Street parking is easy and the Metro is across the street. Juried by Claude Elliott, the Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition features the amazing work of artists from all over DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The selected artists compete for cash prizes and honorable mention awards. First place $1000, Second Place $750, and Third place $500. The exhibition runs from January 21-May 2, 2026 **Juror: Claude L. Elliott** is an independent curator, oral historian, and advocate for artists in the DMV. He is former assistant curator at Rhode Island School of Design. He has developed exhibitions in Providence, RI, Atlanta, GA, Philadelphia, PA, Brentwood, MD, and Washington, DC. Use the left and

THE DESTINY OF A NATION - YEAR 2026 Vedic Astrology with Brendan Feeley Thursday January 22, 2026 at 7:30pm We Network of Lighters are so excited and delighted that Brendan Feeley, M.A., D.Ay., is coming to be with us Thursday, January 22! The year has started with a bang and the alignment of planets in the heavens in the first week of January promised an unexpected military event. What else can we expect in year 2026? What do the planets promise and when will the events take place? The year 2025 saw a shift in the global power structure with the inauguration of President Trump and the introduction of tariffs and many other strategic changes. 2026 brings the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and in November, the mid-term elections will determine the balance of power in the national capital's corridors of power. We also have the gubernatorial races; 36 states will elect governors. We can say that 2026 is a decisive year in defining the future of the nation and the driver is going to be voter sentiment. Since President Trump took office, we have witnessed a restructuring of global alliances and countries are redefining their strategies. Brendan will examine the following topics in his talk: USA economy Mid-term elections Venezuela and the fate of Nicolas Madura Israel, Iran and the Middle East Banking and digital money The stock market The property market  Meet, Greet, Eat and Pray 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Potluck Please bring your favorite healthy dinner dish to serve 8 people. Astrology Presentation - 7:30 pm  PLACE: The Network of Light, 6304 30th Street NW Washington, DC 20015 Please park on Tennyson Street. Please do not park in the 30th St. cul-de-sac. LOVE DONATION: $20 suggested As usual, no one is turned away due to lack of funds. Brendan Feeley is a professional Vedic astrologer with a full- time practice in Rockville, MD. He is recognized internationally for his writings, teachings and lectures on Vedic astrology, Ayurveda and Vedic philosophy. He is a founding member of the Council of Vedic Astrologers-USA and has received the professional title of Jyotish Kovid (excellence in Jyotish) in recognition for his work. For more information, visit www.bpfeeley.com Contact Brendan Feeley, M.A., D.Ay. (301) 424-6644 or email bpfeeley@aol.com

## Details **Location:** **Crimson Whiskey Bar (Downstairs Bar, Not Rooftop)** The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. # **Topic: When is Foreign Intervention Justified?** Just three days into the new year, the US launched an operation that captured President Maduro of Venezuela and brought him back to the US to stand trial. This occurred in a time when most Americans, regardless of party affiliation, are against getting involved in another foreign war, with memories of Iraq still fresh in their minds. While it may be too soon to definitely judge the consequences of this intervention, there are many examples of foreign interventions by both the US and other countries in the last century. Some of which were more successful than others. The US intervention in the Gulf War (1991) to liberate Kuwait is considered to have been a quick, decisive victory that was very popular in both the US and Kuwait itself. Other intervention examples by countries include: * USA invasion of Iraq (*2003-2011*) * Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (*1979-1989*) * French intervention in Mali civil conflict (*2013-present*) * Chinese intervention in the Korean War (*1950-1953*) * Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia to overthrow Khmer Rouge (*1978-1989*) * USA intervention in Vietnam War (*1965-1973*) * Indian intervention in Bangladesh independence war (*1971*) * Cuban intervention in Angola civil war (*1975-1991*) * South African intervention in Angola civil war (*1975-1988*) * Russian intervention in Syria civil war (*2015-present*) * Saudi-led intervention in Yemen civil war (*2015-present*) * USA support for coup in Chile against Allende (*1973*) * Soviet suppression of Hungarian Revolution (*1956*) * USA intervention in Dominican Republic (*1965*) * Turkish intervention in Syria civil war (*2016-present*) # **Questions to Consider** * How much should human rights affect the decision to intervene? * Is intervening based on ideological grounds warranted? * How important is maintaining international law on intervention? * Should we differentiate between direct military action and covert (CIA-like) operations to topple governments? * Should security and economic interests be the deciding factor? **SUPPORT THINKERS AND DRINKERS:** Thinkers and Drinkers International is a registered 501(c)7 nonprofit organization. We work hard to create an organization that adds value to our communities while keeping membership free for all. If you find value in what we’re doing, please consider donating through Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thinkers](https://www.patreon.com/thinkers) CONNECT: Instagram: @ThinkersDrinkersInternational Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/thinkersdrinkersinternational/](https://www.facebook.com/thinkersdrinkersinternational/) Podcast: [https://www.spreaker.com/user/thinkersdrinkersinternational](https://www.spreaker.com/user/thinkersdrinkersinternational) Email: [ThinkersDrinkersInternational@gmail.com](mailto:ThinkersDrinkersInternational@gmail.com)

Experience the ultimate relaxation with our 60-minute Yin & Restorative Yoga fusion class. This session combines the deep, meditative stretches of Yin Yoga with the soothing, supportive postures of Restorative Yoga. During this class, you'll explore longer-held poses designed to release tension from deep within the muscles and connective tissues, promoting flexibility and calm. The Restorative elements enhance relaxation by incorporating props to fully support your body in gentle, nurturing positions, allowing for complete surrender and rejuvenation. This practice is ideal for anyone seeking profound relaxation, stress relief, and a sense of inner peace. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or new to these styles, join us for an hour of blissful tranquility and restoration. **The session is offered InStudio only. Sign up at www.piesfitnessyoga.com required at least two hours before class begins.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 36,37,38,39.** The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St.

In times like these, we can see more clearly the potential for humanity when it works together in unison – as well as the challenges if we don’t and continue to operate as we have been before. If you could design the world of the future, what spiritual values would you want to see in it to help realize those potentialities? All of us hope for a better future for ourselves and for our children, but how do we get there? What sort of ideas and behaviors will we need to leave behind – and what values will we need to build the foundation of the future on? And how can we work together to build a future that works for all of us, where each of our fullest potentials as human beings can be realized? 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 what a future society might look like and the role each of us can play in creating it. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in the unification, peace, and progress of all. “The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

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."

Let’s meetup at Cafe Istanbul for the last day of Restaurant Week. You get three courses for $30. This is the menu: https://614now.com/rw-menu/cafeistanbul-easton

Optimistic Orators Toastmasters non-profit speech improvement group. No materials needed.

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. Topic TBD! While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Columbus Library - Northern Lights Branch in the Meeting Room 1C.

## Details \#\# Learn Infrastructure\-as\-Code \(the FUN Way\) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: DevOps Columbus - Azure CBUS - Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint DevOps Columbus, Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. \#\#\# What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time \#\#\# Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐