Stop Trump

**Tired of surface-level conversations?** Join us for *Ditch the Small Talk*—an evening of deep, real connection with strangers who are down to go there. We’ll meet in the grass in front of the cathedral, break into small groups, and draw questions from a deck of cards designed to spark vulnerable, honest conversations. How it works: Draw a card and ask a question. Listen. Don't coach or give advice without permission. Try to ask follow-up questions when people share. You can spend 1 minute on a question or 1 hour, just go with the flow. **If you show up late, please don't interrupt the speaker. Just sit down in a group of your choice and they'll bring you up to speed when whoever is talking finishes. Bring a blanket or chair if you don't want to sit in the grass. *** Rules*** 1. Don't debate politics 2. Keep what is shared in the group within the group 3. If you need to use your phone, step away from your group first

Can't make Tabletop Tuesday? Stop by Weird Brothers Coffee at Worldgate Shopping Center after 2pm. We have games, we have tables, you have the will.

Please register for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991334226276?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest count. Help protect Democracy by volunteering. Join your friends at the [The Woman’s National Democratic Club](https://democraticwoman.org/welcome "https://democraticwoman.org/welcome") (WNDC) for **Winning Wednesday**! We are laying the groundwork for huge wins this fall. We’ll be writing postcards to potential voters. Join us for camaraderie, door prizes, pizza and a cash bar as we work to get out the vote in key states. Plan to arrive promptly by 6:00 p.m. When you arrive, let the front desk attendant know you are there for **Winning Wednesday**. The WNDC is committed to creating a community and space where you can show up regularly with your friends and family members to take action to protect and expand democracy. Casual attire is fine. Feel free to invite all your friends to join you there. Go Gay DC is proudly boosting this activity. Go Gay DC is Metropolitan Washington, DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It now reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [http://www.gogaydc.com](http://www.gogaydc.com) **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Dupont Circle Metro station North exit on the Red line is the closest Metro stop. 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 at the bar is carded of course. 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) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/) 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 LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex non-binary women two-spirit

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT - [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13449#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13449#tix)** (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. ) This is the ADULT version of our very popular Survey Says game. There is nothing X-rated, but some of the questions would be considered R-rated or involve adult themes. HOW IT WORKS: This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. In addition you will get to meet and interact with other participants. At game time, your host will read off several survey questions on a variety of topics. Your goal is to come up with the number one answer to each question and write it down on your paper. Once the round is over (about 6 questions), we will go through the answers and determine who had the highest score for the round. The winners will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize at the end of the event. Prizes will be an Amazon Gift card! HOW DO YOU FIND THE ONLINE EVENT ROOM: Zoom link will be emailed to you DAY OF THE EVENT. RSVPS on here are NOT reflective of actual attendance as this is a multi group event. Prepay required at **[https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13449#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13449#tix)** **For more fun events:** **Follow: [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283)** **Click: [https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/](https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/)**

Last time we went to Hotel Heron, the roof was closed due to rain. It's supposed to be nice this Wednesday, so let's try again. **Location Info:** Good Fortune (Hotel Heron Rooftop) 699 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314 Rooftop Menu: [Good Fortune - Menu](chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://heronalexandria.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Good-Fortune-Menu_031026-3.pdf) In the unlikely event that it does rain Wednesday, we also have these other spots inside the hotel: **Kiln -** The bar/restaurant right inside the front door of Hotel Heron. Has wrap-around windows and a full view of Washington St. Happy Hour here is from 3-6pm, with a $20 Kiln Burger + Beer of Choice deal along with some other food/bev deals if you get there in time. Food and drink menus here: [Kiln - Menus](https://heronalexandria.com/dine/kiln/) **Francis Hall** \- the secret cocktail bar in the back hallway of the hotel\. From the entrance\, go up the steps past the hotel reception desk\, take a left and go down the hallway\. The entrance to the bar has a few lanterns sitting on the floor\, so you know which door it is\. **Francis Hall opens at 6pm, and are drinks only, so grab food on the roof or Kiln if you need a snack.** Francis Hall Cockail Menu here: [Francis Hall - Drinks](chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://heronalexandria.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Francis-Hall_Beverage-Book_051625.pdf) ### **🚇Transit:** Take the yellow or blue lines to King St. Metro, and then walk all the way down King St. It's about a 0.8mile walk, or you can wait for the King St. shuttle (looks like an old red trolley car). The trolley stops every 2 blocks, take it to either S. Columbus St. or S. St Asaph St. From there, walk to Washington St and take it 1 block south to the corner of Prince St. \#\#\# 🅿️**Parking:** Parking is metered on most blocks within Old Town, or have a 2 hour parking limit until 11pm. Be observant of permit parking only areas, or time limits, and your zone for ParkMobile if you're in a metered zone.

We invite you to an engaging evening of wine, cheese and lively conversation around NYT Editor's Choice ***All The Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians,*** a bridge-burning, riotous memoir by Phil Elwood, a top PR operative in Washington who exposes the secrets of the $129-billion industry that controls so much of what we see and hear in the media—from a man who used to pull the strings, and who is now pulling back the curtain. **From Goodreads:** After nearly two decades in the Washington PR business, Elwood wants to come clean, by exposing the dark underbelly of the very industry that’s made him so successful. The first step is revealing exactly what he’s been up to for the past twenty years—and it isn’t pretty. Elwood has worked for a murderer’s row of questionable clients, including Gaddafi, Assad, and the government of Qatar. In *All the Worst Humans*, Elwood unveils how the PR business works, and how the truth gets made, spun, and sold to the public—not shying away from the gritty details of his unlikely career. This is a piercing look into the corridors of money, power, politics, and control, all told in Elwood’s disarmingly funny and entertaining voice. He recounts a four-day Las Vegas bacchanal with a dictator’s son, plotting communications strategies against a terrorist organization in Western Africa, and helping to land a Middle Eastern dictator’s wife a glowing profile in Vogue on the same time the Arab Spring broke out. And he reveals all his slippery tricks for seducing journalists in order to create chaos and ultimately cover for politicians, dictators, and spies—the industry-secret tactics that led to his rise as a political PR pro. Along the way, Phil walks the halls of the Capitol, rides in armored cars through Abuja, and watches his client lose his annual income at the roulette table. But as he moved up the ranks, he felt worse and worse about the sleaziness of it all—until Elwood receives a shocking wake-up call from the FBI. This risky game nearly cost Elwood his life and his freedom. Seeing the light, Elwood decides to change his ways, and his clients, and to tell the full truth about who is the worst human. As always, please feel free to join even if you have not finished the book - no stress :-) All attendees are asked to please bring one of the following: 1. A bottle of wine 2. Cheese and Crackers 3. An alternate beverage or nosh of your choice Host will provide glasses, wine opener, plates & napkins. To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we would like to keep the group small. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends. 📚 Exciting Updates for 2026 Book Club! 📚 Starting in January 2026, we’ll be implementing a new system for book recommendations that will make our reading selections even more collaborative and engaging! **Book Recommendations:** From January through October, members can submit book recommendations at each meeting, via email, text or Meetup DM. All suggestions will be added to a shared Google Sheet, which will include links to Goodreads and other pertinent information for each book. [LINK to 2027 BOOK LIST](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18AC_FH9bGGxyH6v7Rw36EvPtKtVl5e_N/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102804280893316002961&rtpof=true&sd=true) **Voting for 2027 Reads:** Our voting for next year’s book selections will take place during the November 2026 meeting. Members in attendance will have the opportunity to cast 12 votes for their favorite picks. If you’re unable to attend the November meeting, you can still participate! Simply submit 6 votes via email, text, or DM through Meetup before the start of the November meeting. **Announcement of Selections:** The chosen books for 2027 will be revealed at the end of the November meeting. We’re excited about this new process and can’t wait to see the amazing book recommendations you all have! 📖✨ PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO ATTEND WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. 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 us. In the event you do not communicate and are a no-show, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. If you are unable to join us in June, we hope you'll remain interested and join us for an evening in the future. Looking forward to wine & cheese with you soon - happy reading!

**YES! YES!! YES!!!** **FREE HUGS on the National Mall are happening again!!** **"Spreading More Love"** Here are two videos of past FREE HUGS gatherings: [FREE HUGS October 2017. 32 sec.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7v3zucDas) [FREE HUGS Veterans Day 2016. 58 sec.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebTt9Q177zQ) **HEY EVERYONE!** Now that the Flu, COVID and RSV have subsided, we are **RESUMING OUR MONTHLY FREE HUGS GATHERINGS!!** FREE HUGS gatherings generate so much excitement, joy, appreciation, connection, peace, love, smiles, “Thank you’s,” lots of laughter and such positive energy!! Our FREE HUGS movement is all about "Spreading More Love" regardless of political, religious, racial or gender identification or any other identification. **!! IMPORTANT !!** We meet OUTSIDE of the National Museum of Natural History on the NATIONAL MALL SIDE OF THE MUSEUM near the Refreshment stand. ADDRESS: 1306 Madison Dr. NW · Washington, DC **PARKING:** On the street parking OR [Nearest Parking](https://washingtondc.bestparking.com/destinations/national-mall-parking) **METRO:** Smithsonian National Mall Metro Station (NOT Independence Ave.) **We hope you will join us for an AWESOME time!** **Lots of Hugs...jeff** 301-885-8259 (c) \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Note 1: if you agree to participate in any FREE HUGS Event, you agree to the following terms: By choosing to attend this event, you are acknowledging the risks involved (COVID, etc.), and you are committing to participate nonviolently and in accordance with the law. You agree: (i) not to engage in any act of violence or violation of any applicable law (ii) to obey the orders of authorized event marshals and law enforcement authorities (iii) that any Meetup group will not be responsible to any injury or damage to your person or property resulting from or occurring in the course of your participating in the Event; and iv) to release and forever hold harmless Jeff Maurer, Meetup group and their respective employees and volunteers from liability for any such injury or damage. Note 2: FREE HUGS gatherings are 1. NOT for advertising our businesses; 2. NOT about promoting political or religious or racial or gender issues or any other issues.

Do you love games, meeting people, AND ensuring that people in the DMV have access to safe abortions? We have the event for you! Please join DC Gaming Group and [DC Abortion Fund (DCAF)](https://dcabortionfund.org/) for **Play for Choice: Fun for the Fund.** **When**: June 25th, 2026 - 7PM **Cost**: $25 - pay at the door or pre-pay [via Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/play-for-choice-fun-for-the-fund-tickets-1991068808404?aff=oddtdtcreator). The ticket fee is your donation to DCAF! **Where**: GameOn Bar and Arcade, U Street **Your Mission - If You Choose to Accept It:** You will complete activities in the provided Quest Log. Activities range from playing arcade games to socializing with other guests. As you complete a quest, a host from DCGG will “stamp” your Quest Log for that slot! Inspired by the prize counters of old, you can then choose your reward: more tokens for games, a small trinket, or entering into a raffle for each quest completed. DCAF will be providing some great raffle prizes - you won’t want to miss out! Starter tokens will be provided, thanks to a generous donation from GameOn. You will need to purchase any additional tokens you may want after the starter set or elect to spend your Quest Log completions on more tokens.

Beat the heat and play a game in the company of your fellow autists this Saturday! Per library policy, food is prohibited, but covered drinks are permitted. I'll bring my Uno cards. Please bring board games, card games, whatever games you want! Per fire code, only 20 persons are permitted. Once the RSVP limit hits 20, the list will be closed. But don't worry! We'll be going to dinner afterwards.

Join us to drum for rain! The drum circle will be at the Guru Rinpoche statue at the entrance to the Peace Park, across the street from the temple. We will be chanting sacred mantras as we drum, praying for abundant rain to ease the drought. All are welcome! Please bring any percussion instruments you have - the more the merrier! If you don't have any drums, there are typically extra available. Either way, you can chant along with everyone. In the event of inclement weather, we usually drum as long as we can before the storm starts, or wait it out and start a little late. We hold out until the last minute to cancel so if the weather seems iffy, keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements. The DC region is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. Many other regions of the world are also experiencing drought conditions. We will dedicate our prayers to bringing life-giving rain to all who need it!

Ever wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons but have no idea what a "Bonus Action" is? Been curious about D&D but could never find a group to play with? Well, now's your chance! Community Builders will be hosting a D&D 101 Night to teach folks of all skill levels how to play D&D \*and\* tips for being a good Dungeon Master (DM)! Already know how to play D&D? You can still come and mingle to find a group! Please RSVP on [Action Network](https://actionnetwork.org/events/dd-101-night) 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 for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Why are we unhappy? Where does emotional pain come from? Studies show that people who suffer from long-term emotional pain have painful experiences in their lives that were never fully resolved in their mind. In other words, there were issues in the past that were not completely dealt with. This can include abuse in childhood, breakups, divorce, death of a loved one, to name a few. How do you know whether you have gotten over something painful? Here is an easy test: Do you still have attention on what had happened to you? For instance, do you still find yourself thinking about something painful that you went through? If you are, then you are not over it. In fact, in severe cases, people find themselves playing a "tape" in their mind over and over again. So how do you heal from your past? How do you stop the "tape" playing in your mind? In this meeting, you will learn a technique to help you with that. Come join us! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

The topic for July is "Shoes" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.