Step-Parents

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. *** ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** Dance Exchange, Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

Use Promo code WINTERME to receive $5.00 off! Purchase tickets here: [https://www.prosinthecity.com/event/speed-dating-washington-dc-16054](https://www.prosinthecity.com/event/speed-dating-washington-dc-15392) Tonight, Professionals in the City is hosting an event for singles in their 40s and 50s. 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!

A support group for the Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Community meets on the **first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM.** The support group is co-sponsored by APIQS (Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society DC) and AQUA (Asian Queers United for Action). To receive the zoom link please email [info@thedccenter.org](http://info@thedccenter.org/)

Join us for our Friday Tea Time and social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults! Bring your beverage of choice, and meet us on Zoom. For the Zoom link or more information, contact info@thedccenter.org. We hope to see you there!

Let's meet up at Starbucks at Northpoint Shopping Center. Sometimes the best thing is to have someone to listen to. Let's dish it all out and just be humans for a minute.

Get together to watch the Super Bowl! Or more importantly - Green Day, Brandi Carlisle, and Bad Bunny! The game kicks off at 6:30pm. We'll be there by 6pm to see the opening act. The hosts will stay through at least half time. :) See you there!

Hey Chapter Twoers, one of my New Years resolutions was to be more creative in choosing restaurants for our events this year. Kitchens + Kocktails fits the bill. Here's how the restaurant describes itself: "Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley is revitalizing how the world experiences elevated southern comfort food. Whether you have a taste for classic soul food entrees such as shrimp and grits, southern fried catfish or modern soul food options like chicken and waffles, jerk lamb chops, or a fresh lobster tail, Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley will serve it and your experience will be one of high care and quality." I'm excited to try it. Come join me!

This is where you meet the area's 30, 40 and 50 years young; 30 somethings, 40 somethings, 50 [somethings.......as](http://somethings.......as/) they are known as GENERATION Xers....., who are active, self accomplished, sophisticated, young at heart, empty nesters; who would like to do things and enjoy life; who has got time and could afford it as well! ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GRAB AT LEAST A DRINK OR A FOOD ITEM :) 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. Direct RSVP required. We have the discretion to decide entry. Many of you were not born while we were partying:) The profile picture of this invite was taken while we were having a blast. One of our members was buying us rounds of shots. He almost spent $ 1K just on shots. LET US DO IT AGAIN! They also make us feel loved and honored, by serving, one of our signature cocktails, which is named after us - MerTini:) It will be one of the featured cocktails. Ask your bartenders:) Unacceptable Attire: 1. Athletic Clothing: This Includes gym attire, sweatpants, yoga pants, and tracksuits 2. Baggy Clothing: Clothing that is excessively loose-fitting or oversized, such as baggy jeans, sagging sweatpants or oversized t-shirts. 3. Sportswear: Jerseys, team logos, and other sport-specific attire 4. Beachwear: shorts, tank tops, swimwear, and revealing clothing 5. Flip Flops: Open-toe sandals, thong sandals, and flip flops are not allowed 6. Timberlands and Steel Toed Shoes. DETAILS : * We will have a registration station and check you in. * 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. PARKING INFO Parking might be a challenge and the event involves drinking. We highly encourage you to take a public transportation, taxi service or a ride share. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. ***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/)).***

Kickoff your Super Bowl weekend with adult fun, music, dancing, networking & fellowship at the PLL - DMV Ques Annual ALL Black Affair! Start your Super Bowl weekend off with adult fun, music, dancing, networking and fellowship at the Pi Lambda Lambda – DMV Ques annual ALL Black Affair! Hosted this year at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., invites you to join us.

(NOTE: If you feel sick/unwell, stay home, no worries. We'll be around next month. ALSO: This is a new location due to renovations at the Hyatt) WHO: DC-Area Global Nomads/TCKs WHEN: 7pm First Friday of Every Month WHERE: Spotted Zebra at Marriott Metro Center, 775 12th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 WHY: If you grew up abroad as a kid, come on over and meet other folks (ranging in ages of early-20s to late-60s) who know the true meaning of "So where are you from?" If you can't make it this month, no worries, they're generally on the first Friday of every month, with a few exceptions, particularly if it's a holiday weekend (Independence Day, Columbus Day, etc) or if I'm out of town. *Ideas for other possible locations always welcome (preferably ones that are relatively quiet -- good for conversation -- and serve wine/beer/booze).*

Cooking with Cupid is a delightful couples cooking program designed to bring pairs together in the kitchen to create healthy, delicious meals perfect for a romantic date night. This engaging, interactive class encourages partners to connect over chopping, seasoning, and plating nutritious dishes to celebrate their love and commitment with food that nourishes both body and relationship. **Ages 18 & up; FREE** **Registration Required. For registration, only one individual is required per couple to register.** **Oakcrest Community Center** **[REGISTER THROUGH PARKS DIRECT](https://mdpgparksweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?display=detail&FMID=551296924&Module=PST&_csrf_token=gb6T6T6Z0B022B4E1R3M404E5O4G6G6B025U5T5K500E5H4L555J1H6W4Q564Y1B5V4M573W05604F5H4V0M5Q5W5D506Y6V4L6N4V615P4W6E6E6Y60606J6J035J4D59)** For fastest response to any questions, or for more information, please contact Health and Wellness directly via email [wellness@pgparks.com](http://wellness@pgparks.com/)

💖 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄’𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃! 💖 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐎𝐔P𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞! . 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲? 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 “𝐖𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮!” 💯 . 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬! . 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 / 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬! . 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐔𝐏 𝐨𝐧 𝟏/𝟑𝟏 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! . 💥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐚 💥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 💥 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝: 𝐀𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐲𝐚! . 💥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟒 💥 𝟖 𝐩𝐦 – 𝟏 𝐚𝐦 . 🟣 Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue 🟣 Dancing All Night Long! . 👉 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐭: https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-super/ . Lincoln Street Salsa 1717 Brice Rd Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 . 🟣 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm . 🟣 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧! 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm . 🟣 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝! 9:30 pm – 1:00 am . ✅ Cover Includes Dance Lesson and/or Party! . 👉 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐭: https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-super/ . 👉 $𝟐𝟎 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 (𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝟏/𝟑𝟏 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭!) . 👉 $𝟐𝟓 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 (𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝟐/𝟏𝟒 @ 𝟓 𝐩𝐦!) . 👉 $𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫 . ✅ 𝐍𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲! ✅ 𝐍𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝! ✅ Always Other People to Dance With! ✅ Singles, Couples, Beginners, and Pros Welcome! . ✅ BYOB ✅ 18+ . ✅ 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: LincolnStreetSalsa.com 𝐎𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝: 𝟔𝟏𝟒-𝟕𝟕𝟒-𝟖𝟏𝟒𝟔 . 👉 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐭: https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-super/ .

💖 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐄’𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐃! 💖 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐎𝐔P𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞! . 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲? 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 “𝐖𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮!” 💯 . 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬! . 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 / 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬! . 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐔𝐏 𝐨𝐧 𝟏/𝟑𝟏 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! . 💥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐚 💥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 💥 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝: 𝐀𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐲𝐚! . 💥 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟒 💥 𝟖 𝐩𝐦 – 𝟏 𝐚𝐦 . 🟣 Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue 🟣 Dancing All Night Long! . 👉 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐭: https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-super/ . Lincoln Street Salsa 1717 Brice Rd Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 . 🟣 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm . 🟣 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧! 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm . 🟣 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝! 9:30 pm – 1:00 am . ✅ Cover Includes Dance Lesson and/or Party! . 👉 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐭: https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-super/ . 👉 $𝟐𝟎 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 (𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝟏/𝟑𝟏 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭!) . 👉 $𝟐𝟓 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 (𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝟐/𝟏𝟒 @ 𝟓 𝐩𝐦!) . 👉 $𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫 . ✅ 𝐍𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲! ✅ 𝐍𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝! ✅ Always Other People to Dance With! ✅ Singles, Couples, Beginners, and Pros Welcome! . ✅ BYOB ✅ 18+ . ✅ 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭: LincolnStreetSalsa.com 𝐎𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝: 𝟔𝟏𝟒-𝟕𝟕𝟒-𝟖𝟏𝟒𝟔 . 👉 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐭: https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-super/ .

Celebrating February Birthdays at Forno Kitchen and Bar! Complimentary mimosa for the birthday attendees