Parents of Children with ASD

“A love letter to the weirdness and difficulties of children and of parenting, with or without spontaneous human combustion. . .With an easy, engaging voice, cynical and funny without being caustic. Like the author’s The Family Fang, this is another story of a family that is as delightfully bizarre as it is heartfelt and true.” - Library Journal From the bestselling author, a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning when she begins caring for two children with a remarkable ability. The protagonists, Lillian and Madison, were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help. A best book of the Year by NY Times, the Wash Post, People, Entertainment Weekly, TIME, The A.V. Club, Buzzfeed, and PopSugar.

Everyone is welcome to attend our weekly happy hour, at Tony & Joe's Waterfront Bar in Georgetown (3000 K. St, NW). The event goes from 7:15 to around 10:00 PM. Feel free to show up at any time. French speakers of all levels- from beginners to expats- are invited. We hope to see you there!

Come enjoy breakfast and conversation with us at The Kosher Pastry Oven in Silver Spring. This is a great away to break with your old routine and make new friends. Questions? Click on my picture below to contact me. Hope to see you there! Ross A.

Mindfulness Meditation group practice every Wednesday evening at Unity of Gaithersburg. Mindfulness practice is not about achieving some special state of mind; it is more about noticing the experience you are having without trying to change it. This interesting video suggests why you might sit and watch your mind wander off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmmBF8eTl18 This noticing tends to shift your nervous system from a 'fight-or-flight' state to a more relaxed and receptive state. In this receptive mental state, you begin to see your own experience differently and, over time, see other people and the world differently. Also, it is good for you: "the effect of regular meditation on the cortex was so profound that fifty-year-old meditators had a prefrontal cortex that looked like that of a twenty-five-year-old" [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT) Here is an interesting and funny take on meditation by Ajahn Brahm: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs). If you arrive on time, there will be an introduction at the beginning, if you arrive late, find a chair and join us. There will be some discussion after. This is a free event, but contributions to the church's expenses are welcome. You can just show up this Wednesday or subsequent Wednesdays. More information at [https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org](https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org/)/

At this event you'll discover how to better understand and control your subconscious mind, helping you overcome doubts and fears. If you have anger issues, depressions and anxieties. this event will show you how to overcome them.

At this event you'll discover how to better understand and control your subconscious mind, helping you overcome doubts and fears. If you have anger issues, depressions and anxieties. this event will show you how to overcome them.

Lego has a campaign slogan "adults welcome"... yeah duh... lol. This group is for adult Lego enthusiasts to bring their brick collections, any sets they're working on, and come build together and socialize with fellow Lego enthusiasts at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center Starbucks in McLean, VA. I look forward to meeting you all!

Have a sweetheart? Celebrate post-Valentine's Day at the Silver Diner! Single? Celebrate post-Valentine's Day at Silver Diner! Located at 1250 Half Street SE in Washington, DC just blocks away from Navy Yard Metro on the Green Line, Silver Diner has something for all tastes, from vegan to omnivore and gluten-free to carnivore! Silver Diner can accommodate a large party without reservations. Checks are separate. NOTE: The Nationals ballpark entrance at M and Half Streets SE is closed. Please exit at the New Jersey Avenue SE entrance. NOTE: Driving is NOT recommended, as parking is expensive and impossible to find. DC is also infamous for getting people lost. I will post Metro service changes next week. HEALTH AND SAFETY DC in February is notorious for having snow, sleet, ice, and freezing rain, sometimes all at once. If any of this happens, I'm rescheduling the event for the following weekend. I am also taking a COVID test on the day of the event. If I test negative and am feeling well, I will be there. If I am sick or test positive, I will stay home. The event will still happen either way. See you soon, Jenny

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. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** It is irresistible, to enjoy 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. We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers. It is not as such to learn a language. Beginners, if you want to learn a language, reach out to us ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

DeafPlus Advocate is hosting our monthly ASL Social event in the DMV. If you are Deaf/hearing and interested in socializing or looking for practice with your American Sign Language (ASL), join us! All ASL levels are welcome! This is the perfect place for you! We will be hosting our ASL Social on Saturday, February 21th, at Ballston Quarter in the food court, on the lower level (level C) from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The address is: 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the DeafPlus Advocate team.

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. It is irresistible, to enjoy 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. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers. It is not as such to learn a language. Beginners, if you want to learn a language, reach out to us ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

Join The NO BabySitters Club for our annual Mommy & Me Date to celebrate the Valentine’s Day. RSVP is REQUIRED along with CWC community registration and dues . Bring a “Gently Used” book to exchange and Come dressed to impress with your best RED ensemble❤️

All entrepreneurs in the DMV and Midatlantic area are invited! This event is to every and each entrepreneur, from Start-ups to Established; in different industry, sector and specialization to grow, interact, and learn from each other. It is designed to provide a professional environment, to meet other professionals, to broaden one's career. It is also for those interested in careers and are studying or intend to enter the dynamic world of entrepreneurism. ***GRAB A BOOZE OR A BITE AND YOU WILL BE SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD:) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. ***HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables by industry/sector/specialization. However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that area. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS!*** Rules to abide : 1\. Event is 21\+ \(bring ID\)\. 2\. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to connect with others as well\. 3\. We all are professionals in one or two fields and be willing to share your knowledge and experience to others and try to accommodate as much as possible\. 4\. If you don't belong the other person's required specialization\, LEAVE THEM ALONE\. 5\. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion\. 6\. This is a face\-to\-face networking event\. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting\, by using the comment box or direct message\. 7\. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box\. Since it sends notification to all attendees\. If you have any questions\, send a message to the organizers\. Don't write in the comment box\. 8\. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation\. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event\. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via \(info@merevents\.com\)\. 9\. When you get there\, we will greet you and take you to your respective group\. ***10\. Please be patient for the first 30 minutes\, up until your language speakers get there and we assign all the tables\.*** \- Come one\, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended\! \- Feel free to invite your friends\. They don't necessarily have to be a member ***AFTER THE NETWORKING, WE WILL HIT THE DANCE FLOOR. BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES!:)*** ***N.B. : We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)).***

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.