Optimists

**Seeing Life Through New Eyes with Sister Dr. Jenna** ## **Join renowned speaker, Sister Jenna, at our new Brahma Kumaris location in Chantilly, VA for this powerful event!** ## ***See life differently. Live differently.*** In a time when many feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward, this session offers a powerful pause and a fresh perspective. Seeing Life Through New Eyes invites you to gently step back from old narratives, emotional fatigue, and habitual reactions, and rediscover life through a lens of clarity, meaning, and inner strength. Guided by Sister Dr. Jenna, we will explore how your perception shapes your experiences, relationships, and sense of purpose. By awakening empathy, curiosity, and compassion. for yourself and for others, you’ll begin to see situations not as limitations, but as opportunities for growth and understanding. When perception shifts, stress loosens its grip, relationships open, and new possibilities emerge. This is an invitation to see differently, feel differently, and live with greater peace, resilience, and hope starting from within. ***Sister Dr. Jenna*** *is a spiritual mentor, author, radio and TV personality, renowned speaker, and the founder of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum located in Maryland. She hosted the popular America Meditating Radio Show and is a recipient of the President’s Lifetime National Community Service Award. Sister Dr. Jenna is a member of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, a group of thought leaders from diverse disciplines in service to conscious evolution and was selected by Empower A Billion Women 2020 as one of 100 most influential leaders of 2015.* *She is the author of “[Meditation: Intimate Experiences with the Divine through Contemplative Practices](https://www.amazon.com/Meditation-Experiences-Contemplative-Practices-Sentience/dp/194502691X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A4J9WRQ16QAJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.va3qPnUsFjEWH641OraGTqBHm8wDhdhrTu3hpjHufKo.7mA_AgIvDXQuQ9_Uu4ucZgQIOKmCfKb6yBHsIqamhPY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Meditation%3A+Intimate+Experiences+with+the+Divine+through+Contemplative+Practices&qid=1753065633&sprefix=meditation+intimate+experiences+with+the+divine+through+contemplative+practices%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1),” a profound compilation featuring insights from over 30 contributing authors and she contributed to “[Mr. President – Interfaith Perspectives on the Historic Presidency of Barack H. Obama,](https://www.amazon.com/Mr-President-Interfaith-Perspectives-Presidency/dp/1939774306/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38LXE3LGDPJ6C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lSb0fzkCXPXp-Gf4ReVNoA.5hIb1TKNvtmLu65w2R4-l13WjyXAzF-rRFtQzDsRTcg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mr.+President+%E2%80%93+Interfaith+Perspectives+on+the+Historic+Presidency+of+Barack+H.+Obama%2C&qid=1753065692&sprefix=mr.+president+interfaith+perspectives+on+the+historic+presidency+of+barack+h.+obama%2C%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1)” offering her unique spiritual insights on leadership and unity.* Thursday, Jan. 15th, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Held at the Brahma Kumaris Center, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2ndFloor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/wkJfe](https://shorturl.at/wkJfe)

Artistic Artifacts is hosting **Open Stitch sessions on the first and third Thursday evenings** from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. This is a drop-in, bring your own hand stitching project and the necessary supplies (or you can knit, crochet... whatever needle arts you like). There’s no fee to attend, no instruction nor agenda — just a time to spend with other creatives! Visit our website for all other class & event information: **[https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk)**

We haven’t seen them before, but they sound fantastic in their videos! Pronounced "Tune-a-matics”, this unique group is a combination of two lead vocalist bandleaders, each from their own well established local band. Their friendship brought them together to enjoy the opportunity to "downsize" and play the songs they love. It adds up to a diversified song list spanning the decades from the 60s through today, and performances that have drawn accolades for their engaging delivery of good songs for good times! Tunematics includes guitarist Scott Butler from Vienna's Party Band, "Fat Chance" and Tim Wynne, veteran bassist from DC's legendary band "Sinbad" and "The Odyssey Band of DC".

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

Our guest speaker is Alexander (Sandy) Walker, SPE Distinguished Lecturer, who will deliver his talk, Ten Secrets of Production Optimization Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Production optimization lends itself nicely to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) because computers are very good at monitoring surveillance data, spotting changes in operating parameters, and carrying out boring, repetitive tasks. By combining real-time data, production tests, and nodal analysis with artificial intelligence, it is possible for computers to perform powerful well surveillance to identify problems and opportunities automatically. By capitalizing on AI, engineers can boost well production 6–8%. The use of AI allows engineers to manage many more wells effectively. Case studies will be presented to show how AI has been used to perform simple tasks and even advanced pattern recognition to identify specific well problems. This lecture will provide ten secrets of how to be successful in using AI to optimize your producing wells. **Speaker Bio** Alexander “Sandy” Williams has worked in the petroleum industry for 34 years. He founded Artificial Lift Performance Ltd. (ALP), which is now a part of ChampionX. ALP developed a software application to help operators monitor, analyze, and optimize wells using artificial lift. This software has empowered engineers to make decisions quickly to maximize production of more than 6,000 wells. Sandy began his career at Amoco, then worked at Phoenix Schlumberger Artificial Lift before becoming a consultant focused on artificial lift and production optimization. He has worked and lived in the USA, Oman, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia, so he is fluent in Spanish. He has taught over 200 courses related to production optimization and artificial lift and has authored 15 technical papers on those subjects. **In-person Attendance** Cost $25.00 Members with Reservation/ $35.00 Non-Members/No RSVP **[RSVP For In-Person Attendance](https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2F4cdpq9hbb.cc.rs6.net%2Ftn.jsp%3Ff%3D001ulZaNxfZuL_6GaFN0pdK_Fasr8wMG9oTn_KLJs8M6Rn_-cyV0SC3jBm_gTO-PTX3Y--YFs0Wsj-QXJwGk15_Qq688lYJp3JwEGS5HKR0fVpDEVzSX34xdspwgvnLx4DJO2SNCW8Z1fW8Hdm9sCCrb9vHMScTys-mlQBOukwULRlFWFEg-OPFPqRCLMZJ_D1jp7mGfPBe4X14XvW1fgUj3F8OGB46v6DH%26c%3D1cjcv1_ysUO55_fCcMs4yaWtNMruy697W-fTUltKychmzLVmWcCfRg%3D%3D%26ch%3D2xOVpFSRsvOZ9AXcdioMkgzIR_F2KQcqkG1tFPj4lSxfW_ePCX2Ygw%3D%3D&data=05%7C02%7Cryan.kellogg%40blackknightllc.com%7C820088e0342140cf3af208de47c5cc00%7C2af271cb4333422fb7eb54bc5cd404f0%7C0%7C0%7C639027113520905897%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3oIKLPdWhuCKno5c2QQ6pM81rzgC9PL428wYf8godyI%3D&reserved=0)**

Live music every Thursday night at Jimmy’s. [Jimmy’s upcoming events.](https://www.jottnew.com/upcoming-events.html)

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Life of Frankenstein,”** on the birth, evolution and impact of a tale of man-made monstrosity, with Bernard Welt, an emeritus professor of arts and humanities at George Washington University who frequently lectures on Frankenstein in literature, cinema, and culture. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-life-of-frankenstein](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-life-of-frankenstein) .] Guillermo del Toro’s lush and lovingly produced film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel *Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus* is just the latest of many iterations of the story to capture the public’s imagination. People have watched Victor Frankenstein give life to his monster in numerous films, on television, and on stage, and even perform “Putting on the Ritz” with him thanks to the comic genius of Mel Brooks. Mary Shelley did not just tell a tale. She spawned the modern genre of speculative fiction and gave rise to a myth that would crop up in debates over nature versus nurture and other matters. Even today it stokes anxieties over the potential impacts of robotics, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering, by evoking the image of a monster turning on its progenitor. Come gain a new appreciation of Mary Shelley’s creation with the help of Dr. Bernard Welt, who has studied the relationship between nightmares and the horror genre and is the author of *Mythomania: Fantasies, Fables, and Sheer Lies in Contemporary American Popular Art.* Dr. Welt will start by telling a literary origin story almost as famous as Frankenstein itself, of how an 18-year-old Shelley started writing *Frankenstein* in 1816 while staying in a villa on Lake Geneva with two of her era’s leading poets, Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, her lover. Housebound by foul weather, the three read Gothic tales of ghosts and monsters and challenged each other to produce something even more terrifying. Mary dreamed up a story of a man who defied death by creating a living being out of scraps of deceased men harvested from graveyards and anatomy labs. The resulting novel, *Frankenstein*, published anonymously in 1818, would by that century’s end become a touchstone in philosophical discourse on the nature of humanity and in political discussions of imperialism and populism. By the 21st century, Mary Shelley (as she became) had earned a more significant place in the literary canon than Byron and her husband Shelley. We will examine how this grisly tale became a landmark of modern thought and look at the part played by numerous film adaptations from the first years of cinema to the present day. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From a Theodor von Holst engraving in an 1831 edition of *Frankenstein* published by Colburn and Bentley of London.

**Happy New Year, all!** 🎉 Let’s kick off this year the right way! Join us on Sunday, January 18th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Caboose Commons for a *drink ‘til you drop* kind of event… Just kidding of course! 😉 We’ll be drinking and eating responsibly, having some light-hearted conversations, and exploring the spot while getting to know each other better. We’ll chat about everything from where you worship to any cool Christian events you’re interested in. It’s all about connection, fun, and faith! Looking forward to seeing you there!

***Registration required at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy -*** [Birding Algonkian - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-algonkian-january/) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on a search for birds at the Algonkian Regional Park in eastern Loudoun County. This bird walk takes place each month except December. With extensive frontage along the Potomac River, its rich bottomland forests, extensive wetlands and grassy areas combine to make it Loudoun’s top birding hotspot. Bring binoculars if you have them. We’ll meet at the boat ramp next to the parking lot.

Join is for a hybrid presentation by Dr. George Tanabe, President of BDK Hawaii and Professor Emeritus of Religion at the University of Hawaii, about his newest book, *Making Belief*. Dr. Tanabe is celebrated for his ability to bridge the gap between academic study and everyday practice. This latest work explores how we create and sustain religious meaning in our lives. Come for the food, stay for the insight, and leave with a deeper connection to our shared history. Special Gift: Every in-person attendee will receive a free copy of *Making Belief*! Kindly RSVP at the link [here](https://ekojibuddhisttemple.wildapricot.org/event-6486376) so that you can receive reminders and updates to this event, as well as the Zoom link if you prefer to attend remotely..

A Path Forward – Grand Opening & 2-Year Anniversary Celebration! Join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening of A Path Forward’s new Leesburg studio and mark two years of supporting mothers through every stage of motherhood. A Path Forward is a maternal wellness studio offering integrated lactation support, strength-based fitness, nutrition coaching, and restorative therapies designed to help moms rebuild strength, confidence, and balance — not just “bounce back.” This open-house style event is an opportunity to: * Tour the new studio space * Learn about our services, including Red Light Therapy * Meet the founder and local providers * Ask questions and explore how A Path Forward can support you in your current season * Enjoy light refreshments sponsored by Robin with 'Keeping It Real' Real Estate * Community Connection **Give-A-Ways!** We wil be doing 2 give-a-ways at the top of every hour. * 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 12:00PM and 1:00PM Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, a toddler mom, or simply ready to prioritize your own wellbeing again, this celebration is for you. Come celebrate a new chapter, a new space, and a shared commitment to supporting moms in our Loudoun community. We can’t wait to welcome you.

Our local amphibians and reptiles are both susceptible to habitat destruction and pollutants and can often be victims of being misunderstood. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for an introductory look at our local amphibians and reptiles, what our citizens can do to help protect their habitats, and what related programs are available through Loudoun Wildlife to help monitor populations and increase community awareness of these often overlooked and fragile species. This presentation takes place at Rust Library and is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

**Happiness is a Decision** Happiness does not come from outside, it comes from inside, and when you radiate a happy energy, you'll be amazed by what it attracts into your life. Wed., Jan. 21st, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free event - Register at: [https://shorturl.at/9BR5y](https://shorturl.at/9BR5y)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

**Join globally respected cardiologist , Dr. Mohit Gupta, as we explore how our thoughts impact our physical health and overall well-being.** Our thoughts are far more powerful than we often realize. A single thought has the capacity to influence our emotions, shape our health, strengthen or strain our relationships, and quietly guide the course of our lives. The Power of One Thought is an insightful session that explores how conscious and intentional thinking impacts the brain, heart, and overall well-being. Through a thoughtful blend of scientific evidence and meditative practice, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how thought patterns influence stress, emotional resilience, mental clarity, and long-term health. In this session, Dr. Mohit Gupta seamlessly integrates modern neuroscience and cardiology with the wisdom of Raj Yoga meditation, offering practical insights into emotional regulation, cardiovascular health, and the slowing of biological aging. He uses his own life stories of Belief and Resilience. The experience is designed to be reflective, engaging, and immediately applicable to both personal and professional life. This session is ideal for individuals seeking inner clarity, emotional balance, and a deeper understanding of how one consciously chosen thought can create lasting transformation. **About Dr. Mohit Gupta** *Dr. Mohit Dayal Gupta, MD, DM, FACC, FRCP, is a globally respected interventional cardiologist and Director–Professor of Cardiology at GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, and serves as Cardiologist to the Parliament of India. A four-time TEDx speaker, he has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is a Fellow of leading international cardiology institutions.* *A distinguished clinician–scientist, Dr. Gupta’s current research focuses on the effects of Raj Yoga meditation on biological aging and cardiovascular resilience. Associated with the Brahma Kumaris since childhood, he is widely known for his rare ability to bridge cardiology, neuroscience, meditation, and spirituality, offering a compelling perspective on holistic health and conscious leadership.* Fri., Jan. 30th, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2ndFloor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/wt8yd](https://shorturl.at/wt8yd)

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration at [Birding Gilbert’s Corner - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-gilberts-corner-january/) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a bird walk at the relatively new [Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/gilberts-corner-regional-park) in Aldie (see map below). With a combination of scrub, brush and meadow, this park is a great birding hotspot in southwestern Loudoun. *Limit 14. **Registration required.*** ***Questions:*** *Contact Joe Coleman at [jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org)*.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics) .] The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Telescopes will be provided by the Smithsonian and pre-approved members of the NOVAC. No other personal telescopes are permitted at the event. The event will take place on the bus parking lot of the museum. **Please park your vehicle at the south end of the main visitors lot and follow signs and red lights to the observing site. As a reminder, parking during the event is free.** Have a cosmic question? One of NOVAC's astronomers or museum staff will be happy to help you. As the sky gets dark, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Don't forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated. Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.