Ping Pong

We have taken more than a year off due to the pandemic. Our old favorite cafe in Bethesda is now closed so lets try the Panera Bread down the street on Wisconsin Ave. Please come and join us for some double deck pinochle, assuming (of course) that you have been inoculated for Covid-19 and you are willing to follow the current guidelines of the business on mask wearing. We will start the first game about 6 pm. We play 300 point games so the second game will likely start just after 7 pm, and we will rotate tables if we have more than 4 players. Card players of all level are welcome. We play primarily 4-handed double deck Pinochle but other variants are have been tried on occasion. Games go from 6 pm until Panera closes, which currently is 9 pm. This event is scheduled to repeat every other Wednesday night. Please don't wait until the last minute to RSVP.

Ready for some Mahjongg fun? Join us at The Spot in Belmont Bay for a laid-back get-together with the American Mahjongg NoVA crew! No pressure—just good vibes, great company, and plenty of tile-flipping action. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious to try, everyone’s welcome to join the fun. Come laugh, play, and maybe pick up a new trick or two along the way. Let’s make it a Mahjongg day to remember! Every Wednesday evening 6pm - 8pm. There is a $10 buy in. This includes one non-alcoholic drink :-) Keep an eye open for theme nights!!!!! Mrs Roper MuMu Mahjongg coming up soon!!!!

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no door tickets will be available.** [Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Folklore of Love Spells,”** on the use of magic to influence romantic destinies, with Cory Thomas Hutcheson, folklorist, lecturer at Middle Tennessee State University, and author of *New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/folklore-of-love-spells](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/folklore-of-love-spells) .] Looking for a distinct follow-up to Valentine’s Day? Come to the Washington D.C.’s Hill Center for a rich, ribald, and riotous exploration of the use of romantic enchantments in history and folklore. You’ll feel spellbound as you listen to folklorist Cory Thomas Hutcheson, who has earned a big following of loyal fans in giving Profs and Pints talks in Nashville. On his visit to the nation’s capital he’ll discuss a delicious assortment of methods—alluring and occasionally appalling—that people historically have used to find, catch, or hold others to them. Dr. Hutcheson will present talismans, potions, charms, and more from the pages of history, exploring the principles at work in each. You'll hear about how counting stars can lead to dreams of future lovers, why some women in the Ozarks once nailed turkey wishbones above their doors, and how a meal of fish, cheese, or chocolate might lead to seduction—or the hospital. His talk will cover everything from fortune-telling charms designed to predict the future of a relationship to secretive formulae intended to drive a couple apart. Look Cupid in the eye and ask him "Why?" as we explore this raucous mixture of magic, belief, folklore, and story. If nothing else, you’ll end up loving this learning experience. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image from Gratis Graphics (Pixexid / Creative Commons).

♠️😲♠️ W.O.W. Spades Night ♠️😲♠️ Washington on Wednesday (W.O.W.) - 3rd Wednesday Spades in DC 🌟Spades in DC! We are trying a new location. If things go well, we may meet there more often. Come hang out with us and have a great time! No partner is needed! Find one onsite. All skill levels are welcome. Here are the details: 📌 Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken - Navy Yard 300 Tingey St SE #150, Washington, DC 20003 📆 Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd. 🌟 The fun starts at 5:30pm! RSVP today. 🚌 One block from Navy Yard Metro Station 🚗 Street Parking available. See photo section for nearby parking lots/garages. 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! 🍗 Please support the business by ordering food/drinks.

This event is NOT for beginners please. If you can't make it, please try to sign out at least 5 hours before the event starts. Thank you!

Bring a friend, bring family, and bring that neighbor that you kinda know... Come one, come all for some free table tennis. Note: Because we have been playing regularly for years, members tend not to RSVP. If there are any questions, feel free to message.

PLEASE NOTE: BAD stands for Broadway And Disney. Mostly Broadway and Disney, all night. That's right. No karaoke mic, just an old fashioned singalong. I'll get there by 6:30 pm to setup. Doors open by 7 pm, if you get there early. We'll be upstairs. Okay, we skipped it last year and are bringing this theme back this year. It's going to be part love fest, and part...whatever the opposite of "love fest" is. We hope you'll join us on the second floor. And you can bring food into Little Miss Whiskey's. You can join our FB group here to keep up with news and events, as well as vote for songs in the playlist: fb.com/groups/BADSingalong Generally looking at third Thursdays throughout 2026, adjusting for scheduling depending on conflicts for hosts, and holidays for regular attendees, which will be confirmed no later than the month before.

​**Due to the popularity of the event, registration for drop-in play is required at [https://luma.com/dcmahjongg](https://luma.com/dcmahjongg).** We do not use the RSVP system on Meetup. JOIN OUR NEW SOCIAL MAHJONGG LEAGUE for weekly game play based on the NMJL (American-style) Mahjongg rules — PLUS some exciting and fun extras, such as more robust games, a completely new new scoring system, and the addition of the MAD JOKER, which can be used for any tile — even pairs and singles! The season consists of 8 weeks of sessions (1x a week) on Wednesdays from January 7 through February 25, 2026 Each session consists of 4 games, some with special themes and/or hands. All players receive a score based on winning with mahjongg — or being close. Awards will be presented at the end of the season for high scores and special categories. The season is $160 for the 8 weeks. Drop-in play is $25 per night. **REGISTER ONLINE AT [MADMAHJ.COM](http://madmahj.com)**

​**Due to the popularity of the event, registration is required at [https://luma.com/dcmahjongg](https://luma.com/dcmahjongg).** We do not use the RSVP system on Meetup. Open play comes to Cleveland Park Library (downstairs meeting room) the first and third Thursday of the month! Both American and Chinese/Hong Kong style players are welcome to meet new friends, practise your hands, and improve your strategy. Although no formal instruction or lessons will be offered, lots of friendly players to proffer advice.

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/columbus-oh/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

**Caller: Frank Buschelmann** **Band: The Rosenthorns** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** 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 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. 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. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!