ReactJS

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.

Reserve a spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1041766169657?aff=oddtdtcreator)** in advance so we can provide accurate guest reservations. Please reserve a spot in advance so we can provide accurate space reservation numbers. We will gather at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Usually 10 LGBTQ+ gather for casual dining. Federico is your destination for authentic Italian cuisine, drinks, and decadent desserts. The event is free to attend, but any drinks or meal are on your own. If you wish to optionally dine (on separate checks of course), the lunch menu is at [https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/menu](https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/menu) Don't forget dessert! Federico is known for its desserts, including Tiramisu, Cannoli, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Creamy Cheesecake, Crema Caramel, Spumoni, Cherries Jubilee, and Great Falls Dairy Ice Cream. This event is hosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com/ "https://www.gogaydc.com/")**, Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It now reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](http://www.gogaydc.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3tnvUeywC6ri_JvRX9jb8qdg183cdVkOA9p9mR_GTNp6iJCGuhuReJTMo_aem_2-v23xVXvRXt19uutxg7uQ "http://www.gogaydc.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3tnvUeywC6ri_JvRX9jb8qdg183cdVkOA9p9mR_GTNp6iJCGuhuReJTMo_aem_2-v23xVXvRXt19uutxg7uQ") Mingle with fabulous LGBTQ+ folk and allies. Go Gay DC Leader **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/")** will be there to greet you. Bring your friends and meet new people from all over the world. Casual attire is fine, but dressing up is fine too. Feel free to invite all your friends to join you there. Parking is usually available nearby on the residential side streets. **Street [Parking is free](https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Transportation/Parking/Paying-for-Parking "https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Transportation/Parking/Paying-for-Parking")** on Sundays in Arlington. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Metro rides are now capped at only $2.50 on weekends, depening on distance traveled. Federico is only about a 15 minute walk from Pentagon City Metro. There's no need to print out and show your Eventbrite ticket. Please be sure to tag any event photos on social with #gogaydc This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. This event is for all ages. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who wishes to drink alcohol is carded of course. Search tags: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies non-binary Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@gogaydc) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://twitter.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC)

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Ever heard of a bar that has an art/mural gallery built in? Come join for a Saturday night enjoying craft cocktails, beer and wine while enjoying the ambience or checking out the art at [WHINO](https://youtube.com/shorts/IVYWEMnMVRg?feature=shared). This event is to meet people, grab drinks and food, and enjoy the ambience. **Where to find us** I have a reserved space with a couple tables and standing area near the bar to serve as the main hub for us. **About the venue** WHINO is a 6,200-square-foot restaurant, combined with an art gallery on the second floor of the new Ballston Quarter. It features art work from local artists, a wide array of cocktails and small plates in a modern open-concept setting. **Directions and Parking** * WHINO is located between Macy's and the bridge that leads to the Ballston Metro Station on the second floor of the mall. It’s a [short walk from Ballston metro](https://goo.gl/maps/eLsR3N85d7RDV6XXA). * Daily, 24-hour parking is available in the Ballston Public Parking Garage which is located at 627 N. Glebe Road. * Parking is only $1 (after 6:00pm) for the whole night. Parking level three (G3) leads to the same level WHINO is located.

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/washington-dc/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

Reserve a spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1041766169657?aff=oddtdtcreator)** in advance so we can provide accurate guest reservations. Please reserve a spot in advance so we can provide accurate space reservation numbers. We will gather at Federico Ristorante Italiano. Usually 10 LGBTQ+ gather for casual dining. Federico is your destination for authentic Italian cuisine, drinks, and decadent desserts. The event is free to attend, but any drinks or meal are on your own. If you wish to optionally dine (on separate checks of course), the lunch menu is at [https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/menu](https://www.federicoristoranteitaliano.com/menu) Don't forget dessert! Federico is known for its desserts, including Tiramisu, Cannoli, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Creamy Cheesecake, Crema Caramel, Spumoni, Cherries Jubilee, and Great Falls Dairy Ice Cream. This event is hosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com/)**, Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It now reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](http://www.gogaydc.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3tnvUeywC6ri_JvRX9jb8qdg183cdVkOA9p9mR_GTNp6iJCGuhuReJTMo_aem_2-v23xVXvRXt19uutxg7uQ) Mingle with fabulous LGBTQ+ folk and allies. Go Gay DC Leader **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)** will be there to greet you. Bring your friends and meet new people from all over the world. Casual attire is fine, but dressing up is fine too. Feel free to invite all your friends to join you there. Parking is usually available nearby on the residential side streets. **Street [Parking is free](https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Transportation/Parking/Paying-for-Parking)** on Sundays in Arlington. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Metro rides are now capped at only $2.50 on weekends, depening on distance traveled. Federico is only about a 15 minute walk from Pentagon City Metro. There's no need to print out and show your Eventbrite ticket. Please be sure to tag any event photos on social with #gogaydc This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. This event is for all ages. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who wishes to drink alcohol is carded of course. Search tags: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies non-binary Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@gogaydc) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://twitter.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC)

Join us for a fun Sunday afternoon as we explore two of Ballston’s most unique local spots! 📍 The Game Plan • 01:30 PM | Coffee at Gute Leute ☕ We’ll kick things off at this highly acclaimed Korean coffee shop (this is their first U.S. location), known for their “bubble coffee” and amazing "coffee omakase" experience. • 02:30 PM | Lunch at Himalayan Wild Yak 🏔️ After our caffeine fix, we’ll take a short stroll over to this great spot for Nepalese and Tibetan food. Think momos, flavorful noodle and curry dishes, and yes, if you’re adventurous—WILD YAK!!! 🐂 🚇 Getting There • Metro: Both spots are an easy walk from the Ballston-MU Station (Orange/Silver lines). • Parking: Street parking is available, or you can use the Ballston Mall garage (only $1 for 3 hours). • RSVP: Please keep your status up to date so we can provide the restaurant with an accurate headcount for the table. Can't wait to see you there!

Our NEIGHBORHOOD GEMS series features emblematic meals from around the world. This series shines a light on local restaurants and is designed to bring together inquisitive foodies and dishes that are unique and oh so worth a trip on roads less traveled! Join us for a Puerto Rican Party at **Qui Qui DC** ! Look in their FAQ's and you'll see: "Do you have mofongo y mayoketchup\*? " Response is.......YESSS! \*A quintessential Puerto Rican "pink sauce" combining ketchup and mayonnaise, frequently seasoned with extra garlic, lime juice, or spices like adobo. It is used on fried foods, rice, and, famously, as a pairing for mofongo. **Washington Post** Did I mention the food is fantastic? Mendez, 50, serves Caribbean comfort food with a flair befitting his fine-dining chops; the New Jersey native, with a Mexican mother and Puerto Rican father, studied at L'Academie de Cuisine before cooking at coastal Italian hot spot Masseria, working at the locavore kitchen A Rake’s Progress inside the Line hotel and helping open South American-themed Mercy Me in the West End. The sazón[ ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/sazon-and-struggle-in-puerto-rico-and-cuba-food-is-a-marker-of-resilience-and-creativity/2018/06/29/b8d63b56-7af7-11e8-93cc-6d3beccdd7a3_story.html)is strong with this one: Mendez’s kitchen exhibits a powerful (but never overbearing) hand with salt, fat and acid. Progressing from passion fruit margaritas to fried bites of blood sausage to a flan draped in burnt caramel guava sauce, every section of the frequently changing menu deserves a taste. You’ll want to make room for it all. Exhibit A: the chuleta kan kan, a two-pound pork chop-chicharrón hybrid claimed to have been invented in the late 1950s by La Guardarraya, a criollo restaurant in southwest Puerto Rico. This beautiful beast includes three sections of pig: A skin-on, bone-in loin chop remains attached to the rib and pork belly. Much of the white pork fat that often gets trimmed away is scored into square blocks, giving the specialty its distinctive “mohawk.” Mendez’s team marinates the hunks of meat for three days, then deep-fries them to order and serves them on a curvy white platter with smashed, fried plantains and a small metal caldera of white rice and pink beans. If you’re sitting at a narrow high-top for two, you’ll need a bigger table. Sourced from a small farm in Virginia, the generous portion of pork is a study in contrasts. The skin on the edge of the chop’s haircut resists your molars with an audible crunch, but there’s plenty of give in the loin, and cubes of belly practically melt in your mouth. Counteracting all that fat is an aji criollo, a thick green sauce of garlic, peppers and herbs that thrums with lime juice and vinegar. Coupled with pickled red onions and scattered cilantro leaves, the aji lifts your palate up. In search of another puckering presence to stand up to fried pork? Go for the Parchita cocktail, a blend of tequila, lime juice and passion fruit liqueur with a tangy Tajin rim. The Mexican-Borinquen theme repeats in a passion fruit tres leches cake that turns cuatro with the addition of coconut milk. While the restaurant’s name is an onomatopoeic reference to pigs — Qui Qui was also a shared nickname between Mendez and a late cousin — the chef knows his cosmopolitan audience hungers for meat-free dishes. I’m shocked to learn his soulful stewed beans are vegan. You can thank the foundation of most dishes here **—** a sofrito built on garlic, cilantro, culantro and aji dulce peppers grown by Moon Valley Farm in Woodsboro, Md. There’s no Goya sofrito here; the kitchen prepares around 32 quarts of the fresh stuff a week. If you feel like tapping your watch while waiting for the next course to come out, keep that type of effort in mind. More good news for vegetarians: Qui Qui offers the expected roast pork pernil, but also a jackfruit version. The mofongo, a molded mash of pounded plantains, also starts out plant-based, so you can order it plain if you prefer. Pescatarians should opt for the shrimp version. Shellfish propped up on the plantain mash are surrounded by herbs and a heady broth dotted with green oil. The essence of shrimp is further concentrated in an asopao, traditionally a soup but here more of a brothy rice. **Check out the menu** [here ](https://www.quiquidc.com/menu) Separate checks will be arranged in advance. All diners will settle their own tabs. We ask that ALL folks honor their RSVP. If you are unable to attend after sending in a YES, please update your status so that others may join and help us support local businesses. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we will continue to limit the group size. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends. **\*\*** **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow waitlists for paid events. *If this event fills and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please send a note to the host through the Meetup app. **\*\**** In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants to keep events interesting. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GO WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. \*\* The small non-refundable registration fee helps us share the cost associated with the Meet-Up platform ($360/yr) and reduces the likelihood of no-shows, allowing us to better plan our events and accommodate all participants. Meetup charges $0.51 and Paypal charges $0.53 on the $2 registration fee. Thanks in advance for your understanding!\*\* If you are unable to join us in March, we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for a delightful dinner at Qui Qui DC!

Put a spring in your step and march into spring with your fellow autistics at Cleveland Park Library! Conveniently located at 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW just blocks from Cleveland Park Metro on the Red Line in Washington, DC, the library is in the safe and walkable Cleveland Park neighborhood. We will meet in Meeting Room 1, which is located on the first floor of the library. Food is prohibited, but covered drinks are permitted. I will be bringing my UNO card game and PowerPuff Girls board game. Feel free to bring games if you like, but it's not required. We typically go out to lunch afterwards at Fat Pete's, a BBQ place which also has salads, pizza, and other non-BBQ options. PJ, the owner, has personally told me to call him and let him know when we're coming so he can sit us in a sensory-friendly space. If PJ says the place is too noisy, there are many other restaurants in Cleveland Park. Fat Pete's is located at 3407 Connecticut Ave. NW in Washington, DC, just across the street and a block away from the library. If you're running late or get lost, please call or text me at 202-802-3238.

**The MOOTS Routt 45 Demo Experience:** *A Full Size Run (50cm–60cm)* One bike for any occasion. Every size for our riders. **We are stoked to announce a special collaboration with our MOOTS factory representative for an exclusive demo day at Handy Bikes Retail Showroom.** We aren't just bringing a couple of bikes; we’ll have an entire size run of the legendary Routt 45 ready for you to throw a leg over. **The Bike: The Routt 45** **The Routt 45 is the "do-everything" titanium gravel machine**, named after the unpredictable mix of surfaces found on Routt County Road 45 in Steamboat Springs. Whether it’s forest tracks, chunky gravel, or the trails where the maps end, this bike is built to handle it all with: **-Modern Gravel Geometry:** *A longer top tube paired with a shorter stem for stability and precision.* **-All-Day Comfort:** *A relaxed, upright posture that lets you stay in the saddle longer.* **-Massive Clearance:** *Room for up to 50c-wide tires to soak up the chatter.* **-Ti-Flexibility:** *Compatible with both 1x and 2x drivetrains and featuring discreet fender eyelets.* **Find Your Perfect Fit** Titanium is a lifetime investment, and getting the fit right is the first step. Our rep will be on-site to help you dial in your setup across the full range: *Available Sizes: 50cm \| 52cm \| 54cm \| 56cm \| 58cm \| 60cm* **Don't Just Read the Reviews—*Ride the Legend*** It’s rare to see a full size run of MOOTS in one place, let alone get to take them for a ride. This is a unique opportunity to skip the 'parking lot test' and actually feel how handcrafted US-made titanium handles. Whether you're dreaming of your *'forever bike'* or just want to see what the hype is about, this is the day to do it.

Reserve a spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-community-coffee-and-conversation-as-you-are-tickets-1984257584851?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest count. Make new friends and meaningful new connections. Join us for the coffee shop gathering at **[as you are](https://asyouaredc.com/)**, a wonderful safe space in DC! Look for the Go Gay DC sign on one of the tables. We will be wearing name tags. This is a good event to attend if you like facilitated conversation. When you arrive, obtain a name tag, order on your own from the [menu](https://order.online/store/26244426?utm_source=sdk&visitorId=b5386c19b7fdf41e5742da7&pickup=true&redirected=true) if you wish and gather with about 10 LGBTQ+ folk around the sofa for relaxed conversation. Feel free to invite your friends to join you. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Metro rides are capped at $2.50 on weekends, regardless of distance travelled. Eastern Market Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) is only a few blocks away. The venue is where the Banana Cafe used to be. The area is generally considered safe. There is also **free street parking in DC on Sundays**. There is a free parking lot underneath the freeway overpass adjacent to the Marine Corps barracks. This event is being boosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com)**[,](https://www.gogaydc.com) Metro Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com) At this event you'll even get to meet **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**, Go Gay DC's founder. This event is a safe space for everyone under the rainbow. Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6DYjIHThPY00YK0dJfs6boxWhgU1OyzCNzCCt0uW6sjzSp6kJpEXoyvf5j6g_aem_3gSjPJmvC57T8kdbkMU1sw) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6DYjIHThPY00YK0dJfs6boxWhgU1OyzCNzCCt0uW6sjzSp6kJpEXoyvf5j6g_aem_3gSjPJmvC57T8kdbkMU1sw) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR765Xxf5t8wFzbCac74QNX3p0Bs2oT0drXZoOmLV63J8cURMl3ta5b8iP3ztg_aem_nSdndpxd5-hXJ8myNF2_vQ) Search tags: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer nonbinary non-binary intersex

To attend, register at: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embassy-of-france-carnival-celebration-a-night-on-the-riveria-tickets-1982202091816](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embassy-of-france-carnival-celebration-a-night-on-the-riveria-tickets-1982202091816) Celebrate the season on French Soil with all the excitement of a Riveria Carnival Celebration! Without boarding a plane, travel with us and celebrate Mardi Gras and the Carnival of Nice. * **Tonight, we invite you to the French Riviera, one of the most exciting places on earth – without ever boarding a plane! And celebrate Mardi Gras and the Carnival of Nice on French soil as we welcome you to a special evening at the Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France!** * **From the elegance of classical French culture to the most celebrated Rivera nightlife of the 21st Century, experience a special evening of fantastic French food, wine, music, and ambiance.** Enjoy the flavors of Nice, Monaco, and St. Tropez in the beautiful and festive Maison Francaise at the French embassy. ### **Live Music All Night!** * The amazing[ Palmardy](https://www.instagram.com/palmardy_official/ "https://www.instagram.com/palmardy_official/") * The incredible [Crush Funk](https://www.instagram.com/crushfunk/ "https://www.instagram.com/crushfunk/") ### **On the Menu: Delicious French food** * **Hors-d'oeuvres** prepared by [Chef Daniel Labonne](https://labonnedc.com/ "https://labonnedc.com/"), Executive Chef of the French Embassy * **Cheese** & **Charcuterie platters** * Ham by **Jambon de Bayonne**, presented by **Chef Hughes Cossard** * **French desserts** from **Fresh Baguette**, DC's favorite bakery. * **Crêpes** To attend, register at: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embassy-of-france-carnival-celebration-a-night-on-the-riveria-tickets-1982202091816](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embassy-of-france-carnival-celebration-a-night-on-the-riveria-tickets-1982202091816)

Reserve a spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-community-coffee-and-conversation-as-you-are-tickets-1984257584851?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest count. Make new friends and meaningful new connections. Join us for the coffee shop gathering at **[as you are](https://asyouaredc.com/)**, a wonderful safe space in DC! Look for the Go Gay DC sign on one of the tables. We will be wearing name tags. This is a good event to attend if you like facilitated conversation. When you arrive, obtain a name tag, order on your own from the [menu](https://order.online/store/26244426?utm_source=sdk&visitorId=b5386c19b7fdf41e5742da7&pickup=true&redirected=true) if you wish and gather with about 10 LGBTQ+ folk around the sofa for relaxed conversation. Feel free to invite your friends to join you. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Metro rides are capped at $2.50 on weekends, regardless of distance travelled. Eastern Market Metro (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) is only a few blocks away. The venue is where the Banana Cafe used to be. The area is generally considered safe. There is also **free street parking in DC on Sundays**. There is a free parking lot underneath the freeway overpass adjacent to the Marine Corps barracks. This event is being boosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com)**[,](https://www.gogaydc.com) Metro Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com) At this event you'll even get to meet **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**, Go Gay DC's founder. This event is a safe space for everyone under the rainbow. Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6DYjIHThPY00YK0dJfs6boxWhgU1OyzCNzCCt0uW6sjzSp6kJpEXoyvf5j6g_aem_3gSjPJmvC57T8kdbkMU1sw) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6DYjIHThPY00YK0dJfs6boxWhgU1OyzCNzCCt0uW6sjzSp6kJpEXoyvf5j6g_aem_3gSjPJmvC57T8kdbkMU1sw) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR765Xxf5t8wFzbCac74QNX3p0Bs2oT0drXZoOmLV63J8cURMl3ta5b8iP3ztg_aem_nSdndpxd5-hXJ8myNF2_vQ) Search tags: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer nonbinary non-binary intersex

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!

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

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

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: **Python Tips and Tricks on iOS** **Mike Kennedy** What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/

**Confidence in Bloom: How Creativity Builds Confidence** What happens when creativity becomes an intentional practice? In this month’s Confidence Lab, we’ll gather at **Petals That Inspire: The Flourish Studio** for an evening exploring the connection between creativity and confidence. How making with our hands, engaging our senses, and allowing space for expression can shift how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Our featured speaker, **Amanda Lorenzetti**, owner of Petals That Inspire, will share how creativity has shaped her own confidence journey and why creative environments play such a powerful role in well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing from her work leading an experience-driven floral studio and a community-centered workforce development program, Amanda will reflect on creativity as both a personal and collective catalyst. Amanda will also guide us through a **hands-on floral design experience**, creating a fresh arrangement in a wide mouth mason jar. No prior floral experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to engage the process. This evening is an invitation to slow down, create, and reconnect with the part of yourself that grows through care, attention, and imagination. You’ll leave with a floral arrangement to take home, and a deeper understanding of how confidence can be cultivated through creative practices. **Featured Speaker: Amanda Lorenzetti** Amanda Lorenzetti is the owner and founder of [Petals That Inspire](https://www.petalsthatinspire.com/) and The Flourish Studio, a social enterprise florist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings more than a decade of experience in wedding and event sales, paired with hands-on expertise in floral and event design. Amanda’s connection to the floral industry began early, spending time alongside her godmother, a professional florist on the East Coast. After earning her business degree, she returned to her hometown in Connecticut to work as a floral and event designer, blending creative artistry with strong operational and client-focused skills. In 2020, Amanda returned to the floral industry with a renewed purpose, driven by a desire to build a business rooted in creativity, community impact, and sustainability. During this pivotal time, she founded Petals That Inspire—an innovative floral concept that reimagines the traditional florist model by combining event florals, workshops, and experiential offerings with a mission-centered approach to workforce development. Today, Petals That Inspire is a thriving social enterprise known for its thoughtful design, educational experiences, and commitment to empowering young adults facing barriers to entry in the workforce. Amanda is deeply passionate about building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven, and she leverages her strong business acumen to create a scalable & sustainable model that inspires creativity while giving back to the community. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm