Data Journalism

Join the IBM Z Skills team at UMD College Park to **inspire** the next generation of technologists to pursue roles on the mainframe! \- IBM will deliver an overview presentation on IBM Z and the critical role the platform plays across industries today\. \- Help introduce students to IBM Z Xplore\, IBM’s premier online learning platform\, giving them a clear path to begin hands\-on skills development immediately\. \- Highlight the wide range of career opportunities available in the industry\, helping students see how their interests and strengths connect to real roles in the field\.

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

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 :)

It is supposed to be 60 degrees Thursday. Let’s take advantage with a walk at Brookside Gardens. We will meet to the right facing the visitors center. If anyone is interested we can go to lunch afterwards.

**\*\*\*TO ATTEND THE EVENT, YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE \*\*\*** [https://www.pre-dating.com/baltimore-speed-dating/?utm_source=Meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=Meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/baltimore-speed-dating/?utm_source=Meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=Meetup) Hosted by Pre-Dating Speed Dating, the experts, bringing people together since 2001! Our events have been featured on CNN, CBS, Axios, Miami New Times, TLC's 90 Day Fiance - The Single Life, Tampa Bay Times, Southbend Times, Citylink Magazine, Essence, The Wall Street Journal, Best of Baltimore, AM New York, Chicago Tribune, WINK FM, Woman's World Magazine, and 100s more -- but come see for yourself! Join us for a night of fun, flirtation, and possible romance at our singles speed dating event! If you're tired of swiping left and right on dating apps, speed dating is a great way to meet new people in person, in a relaxed, safe, and comfortable environment. **HOW IT WORKS:** We'll introduce you to at least 5, and up to 12 - or more - single women or men. Spend a little time with each one, during a series of 6-minute Pre-Dates. Then tell us who you'd like to speak with again & we'll do the rest! It's the modern, civilized, effective, and fun way to meet other professional-level singles. If you're finished with the games and ineffectiveness of online dating and apps, join us to share a wonderful evening of enjoyable conversation with interesting people... and maybe something magical will happen! **GET TICKETS:** A **Meetup RSVP is not a ticket**, you must purchase on our website. [https://www.pre-dating.com/baltimore-speed-dating/?utm_source=Meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=Meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/baltimore-speed-dating/?utm_source=Meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=Meetup) Use Code MATCH5 for $5 off! **DOES IT WORK?** Yes! According to the New York Times, at a speed dating event, people like 2-3 out of 10 people they meet. Online daters only match with 1 in 100 or fewer of the profiles they study. This is the best way to meet new people, and it works! Just ask the thousands of people that have met at our events and had successful relationships and marriages. **WHAT DOES IT COST?** We put a lot of time and effort into creating the best singles events possible, so we collect a fee for our hard work. Our events are an excellent value at about $3 per introduction. Get your ticket for the best singles event in town. **NOTE FOR NEWCOMERS:** We post our events on various platforms. Our events often sell out, so expect plenty of fellow singles, regardless of the numbers you see here :) So what are you waiting for? Join us for some fun conversation with great new people... and maybe something more! Who will you meet? **GET TICKETS:** [https://www.pre-dating.com/baltimore-speed-dating/?utm_source=Meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=Meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/baltimore-speed-dating/?utm_source=Meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=Meetup)

MDC DSA’s Labor Magazine Discussion Club seeks to provide a monthly discussion space to think through and debate tactics, strategy, and theoretical analysis within the currently existing Labor movement. We hope to be a nerve center for germinating new and incisive analysis useful for the cause of workers self-emancipation. All are welcome to join the club’s meeting, where we will discuss 3 articles from labor magazines currently circulating. For more details and links to the readings, check out [the group's info doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rq5JzlubZrLNML0EbGUHiNvXNC42VRz8bmJgLH4GE-s/edit?tab=t.0). Please RSVP on [Action Network](https://actionnetwork.org/events/labor-magazine-discussion-club) to receive further updates on this event. \* \* \* This event is open to both DSA Members and supporters. Not a Member? Please consider [becoming a Member](https://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC). Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford.

Join us at Don Taco in Old Town Alexandria for our first Taco Thursday Happy Hour! Connect with fellow Libertarians in Northern Virginia and the wider DC area for good conversation, drinks, and tacos! We will have a large table in the **upstairs bar area** of Don Taco reserved for us. The Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia is your local affiliate of the national Libertarian Party. Since 1971, the Libertarian Party has been fighting for personal freedom, economic freedom, and peaceful foreign policy. We run candidates for office, advocate for liberty in our community through our presence at local fairs and festivals, and connect fellow DC area libertarians through events like these.

To help us estimate attendance and to see the venue address, please RSVP on Luma!: https://luma.com/af0yjzz6 *A free, public workshop—no technical background needed* ​Artificial intelligence is no longer just getting better at narrow tasks—it’s beginning to look *general*. Many researchers believe we’re entering the early stages of the **AGI transition**: a period where AI systems start to match or exceed human abilities across a wide range of domains. ​This workshop explores what AGI actually means, how to think about it intuitively (without hype or jargon), and what this transition could mean for your job, your relationships, and your day-to-day life—much sooner than most people expect. ​Together, we’ll explore questions like: ​**What is AGI?** ​How do experts define artificial general intelligence, and how is it different from today’s AI tools? ​**Work & Jobs:** ​Which kinds of jobs are already being automated or transformed—and which ones experts believe are most likely to remain resilient? ​**Human Connection:** ​How is AI starting to replace or supplement roles once filled by coworkers, friends, tutors, therapists, and companions? ​**Robots & the Physical World:** ​What happens when advanced AI is paired with rapidly improving robotics—and which parts of the economy could change next? ​**What you’ll get:** * ​A clear, beginner-friendly explanation of AGI and why it matters * ​Real-world examples of how AI is already reshaping work and social life * ​Live demos that highlight both impressive capabilities and emerging risks * ​Interactive discussion and exercises to test your own intuitions about the future ​Come ready to grapple with one of the biggest transitions humanity may ever face—a shift that could redefine not just how we work, but how we relate to each other, find meaning, and navigate a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines.

This month, we'll have a recorded talk, followed by discussion, on API design and single-header libraries. How should we structure and program libraries to impose as few usage constraints as possible? We’ll look at [the STB libraries](https://github.com/nothings/stb) and other examples as case studies. We're still at the West End Library - see the location in the sidebar for details. **Agenda:** \- 2pm \- 3pm: Library discussion \- 3pm \- 4pm: Open\-ended discussions\, presentations\, etc\. \- 4pm \- whenever: We'll go get food nearby\! **What we do** Presentations on lower-level, foundational programming topics, ethical software, knowledge sharing, mentoring, and discussion. **Who we are:** We are all about handmade software. Rather than focus on frameworks, heavy abstractions, and buzzwords - we typically create projects or research topics that build an understanding of foundational computing concepts, essential data structures, and hardware/software interaction. **What to bring?** Bring a laptop, project, or just a curious mind. If you're not sure you're ready to contribute, don't worry: we're all here to share our passions and hone our craft. **If you arrive late:** Please enter the room quietly as to not disrupt anyone that is presenting. You can take any empty seat.

Title: What Is Space Density? From Medium Ontology to the Spacetime Constant K Date: March 8 2026 10:00 am - Noon EDT Abstract: Spacetime plays an active role in gravity, wave propagation, and quantum behavior, yet physics rarely treats it as a physical medium with intrinsic properties such as density or inertia. This missing layer creates a major conceptual gap—especially when interpreting large-scale gravitational anomalies that are often attributed to dark matter. In this talk, Lynn will propose a clear conceptual framework for what it means for spacetime itself to possess a density-like property, and Lynn will explain why Unified Field Theory (UFT) naturally encodes this property through the constant K, called the spacetime background inertial intensity constant. Lynn will introduce a space-density constant μₛ as a universal property of space itself—independent of matter, energy density, or gravitational sourcing. However, μₛ cannot be inserted directly into field equations, because it belongs to the ontological level: it describes what space is, not how spacetime responds. To influence dynamics, μₛ must be expressed geometrically. This leads naturally to K, which carries the same physical meaning but operates at the level required by geometric field dynamics. This is a change in representation—not the addition of new physics. This approach provides an alternative way to interpret dark-matter-like effects. Instead of requiring unseen particles, gravitational anomalies can be viewed as consequences of spacetime’s intrinsic rigidity and its global, cumulative response in large coherent systems such as disk galaxies. In local, weak-field environments, standard Newtonian and relativistic gravity remains an effective approximation. The goal of the talk is not to present a final empirical model, but to clarify the physical meaning of spacetime constants and open discussion between UFT and mainstream theoretical physics. Keywords: Spacetime ontology; space density; intrinsic spacetime properties; Unified Field Theory (UFT); spacetime background constant K; geometric response; gravitational coupling; dark-matter-like phenomena Brief Biography Lynn Lou Beran is a Senior IT Security Analyst and an author, translator, and editor working at the intersection of science, engineering, and communication. She translated and edited multiple editions of Zhang XiangQian’s Unified Field Theory and co-authored recent manuscripts developing a geometric, motion-based view of physical reality. Lynn’s broader work focuses on making advanced ideas accessible without sacrificing rigor, and on connecting conceptual insight to testable predictions and practical tools.

Details Location: Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD) 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: The Gamblification of Everything Gambling is certainly not anything new. The idea of making a quick buck based on a game was just as appealing to ancient Mesopotamians as it is to estranged uncles who moved to Las Vegas. In the US, sports gambling has exploded since the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that struck down a nationwide ban on sports betting. A [survey](https://sri.siena.edu/2025/02/18/22-of-all-americans-half-of-men-18-49-have-active-online-sports-betting-account/) released last year revealed 22% of Americans had an active sports betting account, and nearly half of men aged 18-40. This growth has mainly been associated with mobile apps like DraftKings, which thrive on allowing many small bets anytime, anywhere, on people's phones. Unsuprisingly this has led to a dramatic increase in gambling addictions for people in their 20s. It's not just sports gambling that has taken off, but other new betting markets like Polymarket that allow users to bet on anything from elections and international conflict to earthquakes and video game release dates. Meme/Joke markets like "[Whether or not Jesus will return this year](https://polymarket.com/event/will-jesus-christ-return-before-2027)" have popped up that have volume in the tens of millions of dollars. With prediction markets becoming legal in the US after a CFTC decision in October 2025, these prediction markets are set to grow more, both in terms of volume and the number of things they bet on. Questions to Consider: * Are sports gambling addictions overhyped? * Should the federal government put restrictions on sports betting and prediction markets? * How does the role of social media influence people's views on taking extraordinary risks to get rich fast? * What type of impact do prediction markets have on the things they are trying to predict? Could this provide adverse incentives for someone to influence an election just because of the bets they have taken?

DC Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. It's community-led and community-run by devs, for devs. People of all skill levels attend. Whether you’re dev-curious, aspiring, or a professional developer, we’d love to have you! Come chat or learn to code on a Sunday afternoon with coffee and cool-inclusive people. Bring your laptop! We typically meet every month on the weekend. **Join our online community!** For all things Tech in DC and to get latest updates and tech events from the DMV area, join the [DCTech Slack](https://dctech.chat/). All DC Code & Coffee announcements are in the #dccodecoffee channel **How it works** Near the beginning of the event, we do an introduction circle. You say your name, what you can help others with, and what you would like help with. You can also share job opportunities. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized. **Event Host and Directions** We are meeting in the big meeting room at the back of the library.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Ireland’s Fight for Freedom,”** with Kevin Matthews, assistant professor of history at George Mason University and former London correspondent for Vatican Radio reporting on British and Irish news. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-ireland-freedom](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-ireland-freedom) .] After centuries of struggle, Irish men and women won their freedom from Great Britain after waging a war that set the pattern for all other independence struggles of the 20th century. But there was a price—the partition of their country, a split setting the stage for the Northern Ireland “Troubles” that didn’t end until 1998. Gain a deeper understanding of Ireland and its history with Professor Kevin Matthews, a historian and frequent Smithsonian Associates speaker who had served as a journalist covering the last stages of the Troubles in Ireland in the early and mid 1990s. He’ll discuss in depth how the Irish won independence in a two-year war between 1919 and 1921, covering topics as the role women played in the conflict, the life and tactics of the revolutionary leader Michael Collins, and the Irish development of “urban guerilla warfare” using small, highly mobile armed units called “flying columns.” Most important, this talk will examine how the conflict between Irish nationalists and Irish unionists led to Ireland’s division and later conflict. From the Easter Rising to the Good Friday Agreement, from Bloody Sunday to Brexit, this conflict has never quite gone away. As the Irish poet, William Butler Yeats once wrote: Now and in time to be, Wherever green is worn, Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born. Professor Matthews will explore how the Irish fought to a standstill what was then the mightiest empire in the world and how, more than he could have known, Yeats’ prediction still rings true today. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Members of the Irish Republican Army’s West Connemara Flying Column in 1921. (Public Domain photo.)

Use Promo code WINTERME to receive $5.00 off! Purchase tickets here: [https://www.prosinthecity.com/event/speed-dating-washington-dc-16066](https://www.prosinthecity.com/event/speed-dating-washington-dc-15393) Tonight, Professionals in the City is hosting an event for singles in their 30s and 40s. Our Speed Dating Washington DC events are among our most popular singles events so don't miss out! During Speed Dating Washington DC you'll date for approximately one hour, meeting smart and intriguing members of the opposite sex as you spend a few minutes with each new acquaintance. Meet singles and know right away whom you mutually match with. After the speed dating, join us for a night of socializing and more interactions. You’ll also be able to spend time with someone you felt you clicked with during one of your speed dates. There will be a cash bar for this eventful evening, so come and meet other single professionals like yourself and have the time of your life! Then, after the event, use our exclusive online system from home to choose your matches from the people you met at the event. Without disclosing your email address, you'll be able to send messages through our system to anyone who attended. So come to Speed Dating Washington DC and meet that special someone you’ve been looking for. Check in is at 7:00 and the dating begins at 7:20. Please check in at 7:00 so you have a chance to mix and mingle before the dating begins. Numbers are limited at this event so sign up soon!

**Google Analytics Alternatives** Is it finally time to make the switch away from Google Analytics? Two-and-a-half years ago Jason Packer asked this question at Columbus Web Analytics Wednesday. Since then: Google’s Universal Analytics has been sunset, we’ve changed our name to Columbus Data & Analytics Wednesday, and Jason has released two editions of his book “Google Analytics Alternatives”. Fresh off the release of the 2nd edition of his book, we thought it was time to re-open this conversation. While people love to complain about it, GA’s market share has remained relatively constant (at least in the United States). Why is that? You won’t find any complaints about GA4 in this talk, but rather an overview of what’s currently available in the market and how to frame your decision-making process. We’ll also be giving out some free copies of Jason’s book! So even if you’ve got a “GA4Lyfe” tattoo (no judgement), there’s free books to go with the free pizza and beer. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Window functions have nothing to do with the Windows operating system but provide a “window” to a result set when used in SQL queries. They are powerful, set-based methods to view data in unexpected ways. Window functions provide easy, set-based solutions to solve some common problems: * Using running totals * Performing operations in intervals * Identifying data gaps and islands * Performing aggregates without losing detail Many people are confused by window functions and do not know how to use them properly. This session will explore window functions, how they work, and how to use them. Demonstrations with several examples will solidify how window functions can simplify queries and make them more powerful.

One of the most valuable parts of this community is the opportunity to think out loud with other product professionals. This session is built for exactly that. As we wrap up the quarter, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What’s on track? What needs adjustment? Where could a small shift create bigger impact? Join fellow product professionals for a focused, interactive conversation designed to help you recalibrate for the next quarter. You’ll have the opportunity to share where you are, hear how others are thinking through similar challenges, and gain fresh perspective you can bring back to your team and organization. We’ll gather at 8:00AM, with discussion starting promptly at 8:15AM. 📍 First Watch - 7227 N High St Located in: The Shops at Worthington Ample parking is available. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Start your morning with clarity and connection — we hope to see you there! ☀️

**\*\*\*TO ATTEND THE EVENT, YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE\*\*\*** [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) Hosted by Pre-Dating Speed Dating, the experts, bringing people together since 2001! *Our events have been featured on CNN, CBS, Axios, Miami New Times, TLC's 90 Day Fiance - The Single Life, Tampa Bay Times, Southbend Times, Citylink Magazine, Essence, The Wall Street Journal, Best of Baltimore, AM New York, Chicago Tribune, WINK FM, Woman's World Magazine, and 100s more -- but come see for yourself!* Join us for a night of fun, flirtation, and possible romance at our singles speed dating event! If you're tired of swiping left and right on dating apps, speed dating is a great way to meet new people in person, in a relaxed, safe, and comfortable environment. **HOW IT WORKS:** We'll introduce you to at least 5, and up to 12 - or more - single women or men. Spend a little time with each one, during a series of 6-minute Pre-Dates. Then tell us who you'd like to speak with again & we'll do the rest! It's the modern, civilized, effective, and fun way to meet other professional-level singles. If you're finished with the games and ineffectiveness of online dating and apps, join us to share a wonderful evening of enjoyable conversation with interesting people... and maybe something magical will happen! **GET TICKETS:** A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket, you must purchase on our website. [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) Use Code MATCH5 for $5 off! **DOES IT WORK?** Yes! According to the New York Times, at a speed dating event, people like 2-3 out of 10 people they meet. Online daters only match with 1 in 100 or fewer of the profiles they study. This is the best way to meet new people, and it works! Just ask the thousands of people that have met at our events and had successful relationships and marriages. **WHAT DOES IT COST?** We put a lot of time and effort into creating the best singles events possible, so we collect a fee for our hard work. Our events are an excellent value at about $3 per introduction. Get your ticket for the best singles event in town. **NOTE FOR NEWCOMERS:** We post our events on various platforms. Our events often sell out, so expect plenty of fellow singles, regardless of the numbers you see here :) So what are you waiting for? Join us for some fun conversation with great new people... and maybe something more! Who will you meet? **GET TICKETS:** [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) #singles #singlesevents #speeddating #love #relationships

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 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)

Join membersrs of the Central Ohio UX and digital design community for a casual monthly breakfast.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!