Synthetic Biology

We'll come together to talk about writing custom apps. Macoy Madson will show how he applied Handmade principles to creating a custom CAD application for a manufacturing company. He will go over the various features and his criteria for what he picked to build vs buy, as well as lessons learned from the shortcomings of his choices. If we have time, we'll also look at compiling native code to WebAssembly. **Agenda:** \- 2pm \- 3pm: Custom app presentation and WebAssembly \- 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.

Our April book is "The Highly Sensitive Person" by Elaine Aron. Join us for exploring the fascinating trait of high sensitivity, in Dr. Aron's pioneering book! Researchers believe approximately 20% of the human population has this trait that affects every dimension of a person's life, including mental and physical health, relationships, and more. Curious if you are highly sensitive? Dr. Aron's Self-Test Questionnaire is available on her website. [Are You Highly Sensitive?](https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/) Also, there's recently been a documentary on the topic of high sensitivity, where Dr. Aron discusses the trait. Here is a trailer. The full movie is available for free on YouTube. [Sensitive: The Untold Story](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXlOyGuvfVE) We'll start the meeting with each person sharing their name and one thing they found interesting or helpful about the book, then have open discussion. Here is the Amazon description of the book: "ARE YOU A HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON? Do you have a keen imagination and vivid dreams? Is time alone each day as essential to you as food and water? Are you noted for your empathy? Your conscientiousness? Do noise and confusion quickly overwhelm you? If your answers are yes, you may be a highly sensitive person (HSP) and Dr. Elaine Aron’s The Highly Sensitive Person is the life-changing guide you’ll want in your toolbox. Over twenty percent of people have this amazing, innate trait. Maybe you are one of them. A similar percentage is found in over 100 species, because high sensitivity is a survival strategy. It is also a way of life for HSPs. In this 25th anniversary edition of the groundbreaking classic, Dr. Elaine Aron, a research and clinical psychologist as well as an HSP herself, helps you grasp the reality of your wonderful trait, understand your past in the light of it, and make the most of it in your future. Drawing on her many years of study and face-to-face time spent with thousands of HSPs, she explains the changes you will need to make in order to lead a fuller, richer life. Along with a new Author’s Note, the latest scientific research, and a fresh discussion of anti-depressants, this edition of The Highly Sensitive Person is more essential than ever for creating the sense of self-worth and empowerment every HSP deserves and our planet needs."

We will be playing two games of Concordia with up 5 players each. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. Concordia is a strategy game of economic development set in Roman times. Guide a roman dynasty. Send out colonists to settle down in cities producing bricks, food, tools, wine and cloth. Develop your trade network. Appease the ancient fods for their favor. Players choose their actions in Concordia through playing and acquiring new action cards. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkKX8RxPN5Q&pp=ygUVaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgY29uY29yZGlh) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://www.riograndegames.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Concordia_rules_eng_1_1.pdf) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. By updating your RSVP when you can't make it other players on the waitlist will have a chance to attend. No-shows may make it harder to attend future meetups. Also, all library rules apply to this meetup event. Mainly that no food is allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed.

Think you aren't flexible enough for yoga? Afraid to get onto the floor? Living with physical aches or restricted range of motion? Then this is the perfect yoga class for you! Explore your body's strengths in a fun, supportive environment while maintaining and growing your range of motion, flexibility, balance, strength, and sense of peace. All are welcome in this therapeutic class. Come ready to try new things, laugh, ask questions, and support each other. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com.** The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 3,5,7,9**. The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St. Discount is available to seniors, teachers, students, emergency responders, and military. All can save by purchasing class packs.

## Join Our AI Workshop! Get ready to dive into the world of artificial intelligence at our fun and interactive in-person AI Workshop. Whether you're a newbie or a tech enthusiast, this is the perfect place to learn, experiment, and connect with like-minded folks. Don't miss out on hands-on sessions, cool demos, and great conversations. See you there! TO REGISTER - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984517585520?aff=oddtdtcreator Seema Alexander, Founder & CEO, Disruptive AI Hour 1 — Understanding the Moment ● Why AI is bigger than a tech trend ● The “Yes-And” era: optimize AND reimagine ● AI fluency for non-technical leaders ● Automation vs. agents vs. intelligent systems ● What this means for students, small businesses, and women building in this moment Hour 2 — Interactive AI Fluency Lab ● Live exercises to solve real world problems with learned AI concepts ● Audience-driven experimentation ● Small-group collaboration ● Frameworks attendees can immediately apply ● Group pitches Strategic AI Tool Exposure (1 Hour) Led by Marcus Finley, Chief AI Officer, Disruptive AI (or designated team member) Participants will experience powerful AI tools in real time, including: ● Business productivity AI ● Creative AI applications ● Workflow-enhancing AI systems This is a guided demo + interactive environment. Attendees follow along on laptops. PART III — Vibe Coding Intensive (2 Hours) Led by Addie Cruz, CEO of Clarity App & Vibe Coding Platform Ambassador This session demystifies building. Participants will: ● Explore vibe coding platforms ● Build simple, functional AI-driven outputs ● Learn beginner-friendly creation techniques ● Gain confidence experimenting with AI tools This is hands-on. Every attendee must bring a laptop.

Join the Jaycees in volunteering at the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)! We sort donated canned goods or bag portions of dry goods or produce for AFAC's weekly food distributions to low-income families in Arlington. AFAC is a long-time community partner of the Arlington Jaycees! After volunteering at AFAC, the group will usually meet up for food and drinks nearby in Shirlington! So that we can appropriately plan the tasks to do for the right number of volunteers, **PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP** as soon as possible whether or not you are able to attend. We have to limit the number of volunteers due to limited space at AFAC, and don't want spots to be taken by people who sign up but don't show up. AFAC is located at 2708 South Nelson Street and Four Mile Run Drive. There is street parking available near the building although parking spots are limited. The Volunteer Entrance is the GRAY DOOR by the loading dock. Once inside, the volunteer sign-in station is ahead and to the right. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops) and must have your hair covered while bagging food. You can bring a hat from home or AFAC will provide disposable hairnets. At 2:30, or when we are done at AFAC, we will head to **Guapos** in nearby Shirlington for food and drinks. The Arlington Jaycees (part of Junior Chamber International) is the premier nonprofit in Arlington that provides young people (ages 21-40) with opportunities for personal & professional growth, business networking, community involvement and social engagement in the Arlington Community and worldwide. Our mission is **leadership development through community service**. Check out our website [www.arljaycees.org](https://arljaycees.org/) to learn more and to become a member of this amazing organization!

\*\*"\*[Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics](https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001d4LgXIAU), \*\*\*an 80-minute award-winning documentary from White Pine Pictures about plastic pollution and its impact on human health and the environment. The ground-breaking feature documentary investigates our addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health. Almost every bit of plastic ever made breaks down into “microplastics.” These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water, and mix into the soil, becoming a permanent part of the environment. Now, leading scientists are finding these particles in our bodies: organs, blood, brain tissue, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? And can anything be done about it? **The screening will be held at the Greenbelt Cinema, 129 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD 20770.** Doors open at 1:30 pm. The documentary will launch at 2 pm, followed by discussion of solutions by distinguished panelists and participants." Please click on this [link ](https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001d4LgXIAU)to register. \*Please post in comments if you'd like to carpool and where you're coming from. \*

Title: Potential Applications of Negative Radiation Pressure in Astronomy, Medicine and 2WQC Date: April 19 2026 10:00 am - Noon EDT (16:00 - 18:00 CET) Abstract: While we are used to heating and pushing with light, there is also optical cooling and pulling. I will talk about negative radiation pressure, potential ways to generate it, and its novel applications, like non-ionizing medical scanners, 2WQC (two-way quantum computers) in theory solving NP problems, also potential astronomical sources and their observation. Speaker: Dr Jarek Duda is an assistant professor at Jagiellonian University. He holds degrees in computer science (PhD), mathematics (MSc) and physics (PhD). He is mainly focused on physics foundations, information theory, statistical analysis, and is known for introduction of asymmetric numeral systems.

Sunday, April 19, 2026 - Luncheon at 2 pm; Lecture at 3 pm **Legacy of the Minoans** **Emily Anderson - Johns Hopkins University** Sponsored by the Hellenic Society Prometheas Crete’s Minoan civilization was Europe’s first great Bronze Age society. Crete hosted magnificent palaces, including the labyrinth at Knossos, and Minoan art and traditions that profoundly influenced the Mediterranean world. The language of Minoan Crete is unknown, and their scripts, such as Linear A, have eluded translation since Sir Arthur Evans first excavated in Crete in 1900. Named after the mythological King Minos, Crete’s Minoan landscape serves as the setting for countless legends, including the birthplace of Zeus, the labyrinth where Theseus killed the Minotaur and the prison that Daedalus and Icarus fled with their ill-fated wings. How did Minoan society rise from small isolated farms to state-level palatial society with "international" prominence? Professor Anderson’s detailed exploration of the uniqueness and trajectory of Minoan Crete within the eastern Mediterranean will focus on the role of trade and exchange, seafaring, craft, politics, art and religion, and how these were all entwined. This event is sponsored by the Hellenic Society Prometheas Luncheon at 2 pm; Lecture at 3 pm This event will be held at Yayla Bistro: 2201 N. Westmoreland street / Arlington, VA 22213 Reserve your spot: [https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html](https://basonova.org/next-lecture-reservation.html)

**Real connection with fellow Catholics who are eager to grow in Faith and friendship!** This 3 year--- 45min deep dive into the Catholic faith is a great way to spend your Sunday rest day. When you are ready to dig deeper and live the faith more fully this is an optimal opportunity. Talk yourself into this! You may start whenever and can come as often or as little as you desire. Coffee is served w/ small donation. It is taught by the priest and/or OCIA director at St Louis Parish who are ALL fabulous- faithful educators filled with theologically inspired knowledge. You can ask questions at the end, which I love. It is just a wonderful experience to grow. Afterwards if you wish, you can also find your way over to the Little Way Cafe Coffee shop across the parking lot to stay for more community time or read some of the excellent books that line the shelves throughout. If you are new to the community of Alexandria and want to meet like minded folks or a veteran of it, this is a special and unique opportunity and did I mention it is free? :) Hard to believe! Please join me every Sunday at 945 am.

Philosophers, religionists, thinkers and psychologists have long debated whether we are born good, evil or full of sin – or whether we’re all blank slates just waiting to be filled in but with no inherent potential one way or the other. But what if we are actually created to be noble? How might that change the way we look at ourselves? What about others? At children? And the world? The world around us often seems to be telling us that we are unworthy of love or of excellence, that we as human beings are somehow inherently bad – or at least selfish in our motivations – and that this needs to be controlled. But what if we viewed ourselves and others as being born with inherent nobility just waiting to be realized? Is it possible that much of the negativity we see in the world today isn’t because people are inherently bad but that our inherent “goodness” and nobility is not being recognized and nurtured? What role does spirituality potentially play in this? How can a more spiritual perspective enable us to find reasons for hope and inspire us to act, to channel our unique strengths towards creating a world that reflects and nurtures our best selves? Can seeing the nobility in ourselves cause us to recognize and uplift the nobility in others, help us overcome challenges and forge a path towards a brighter future? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the underlying truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspectives offered by the Bahá’í Teachings to deepen our understanding of human nature and the nobility within each of us. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role each of us can play in transforming our communities, in building a spiritually dignified world where each of us can thrive. *“...Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.”* – Bahá’í Teachings **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

It's April and it's time to get outside! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, April 19 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

13. The Free Play of the Mind /452 end p. 511. 59 pages.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** GitHub Copilot is powerful, but what if you could scale from a solo AI assistant to an entire team of specialized agents working in parallel? This session introduces Squad: an open-source framework for multi-agent orchestration that lets you define teams of AI agents with specific roles, responsibilities, and expertise. We'll progress from Copilot basics to the Copilot CLI, explore how Agents add autonomy, and see how Instructions and Skills let you customize agent behavior. Then, the climax: a live demo where a Squad team of 3 agents (Lead, Developer, Tester) stands up and builds a working application in real-time, showcasing true multi-agent collaboration. Whether you're new to AI or exploring how to scale your use of Copilot, this session will show you what's possible when agents work as a team. **YouTube Link** TBD

Join us for a Fun Friday event as we get together to see the long-awaited sequel to the 2006 original, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2! Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci all return for this follow-up that finds the former assistant is now a rival! Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follow’s Miranda Priestly's struggle against Emily Charlton, her former assistant turned rival executive, as they compete for advertising revenue amidst declining print media. The film is directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna (who wrote/directed the 2006 original). It stars returning cast members Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci along with newcomers Justin Theroux and Kenneth Branagh. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9HXmMnUEdE PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but early arrival is advised. Be sure to mention you’re with the Movie Group for admission/concession discounts. And make this a true Fun Friday by joining us after the show for the best part of the night – food and drinks at the nearby Rusty Bucket! Complete details, including showtime, will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Should be a fun one, Dan

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month Chris Pazsint will be talking about Agentic Coding. How does one use CLI Based Agents, and Agentic IDEs such as Cursor, Kiro, Antigravity? How to include agentic coding plugins for IDEs you already love such as Visual Studio Code. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

Join us as we get together for a Discount Tuesday / Choose Your Movie event to see your choice of two great new films! Option 1 (and the one I'll be seeing) is the top-reviewed comedy-drama, THE CHRISTOPHERS! The film is set in the art world and follows the estranged children of a former artist who hire a forger. It is directed by Steven Soderberg, stars Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel and has been earning rave reviews on the indie circuit. Option 2 is the latest action-thriller starring Bob Odenkirk, NORMAL! The film follows a temporary small-town sheriff who uncovers dark mysteries after a local bank robbery. Here are descriptions, trailers and our plan for this event: THE CHRISTOPHERS: The children of a once famous artist hire a forger to complete some unfinished, long ago abandoned canvases so they'll have a better inheritance when he dies. It is directed by Steven Soderbergh and stars Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Jessica Gunning and James Corden. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film is earning an excellent 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it a “dynamic, emotional and surprising journey” and a “compelling chamber piece that works like intellectual comfort food.” Others call the film, an “incredibly funny, comedy drama with plot reversals that make it feel like it’s on the verge of a thriller!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H79-EqzmdwY&t=20s NORMAL: This action-crime-thriller follows a man who comes to the sleepy town of Normal, Minnesota to serve as the temporary sheriff. But a bank robbery leads him to a criminal underground reaches throughout the entire town. The film is directed by Ben Wheatley and stars Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler and Lena Headey. The film comes from the same team that brought us Nobody and the John Wick series, so expect an over-the-top, action-filled thrill ride! TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmm-lM33Qw0&t=19s PLAN: Details for this event have been confirmed! For THE CHRISTOPHERS, please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and meet in the upstairs lobby between 6:40 and 6:50pm! For NORMAL, please purchase your ticket for the 7:30pm showing and meet in the upstairs lobby between 7:10 and 7:20pm! For both films, tickets just $5 ($6.50 after online fees when purchased on the GFC website). Advance purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your movie of choice and seat number in the Comments section of this event. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Walk for Children - 2026 Save Soil Walkathon in Columbus 🌍 Over 52% of the world soil is degraded and scientists warn we may have only a few decades of fertile soil left. As Sadhguru shares, soil is a living system—and when it degrades, our food, health, and future are at risk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyT-6qiubd0 🚶‍♂️🌎This Earth Day, Join the Walk for Children-2026 SaveSoil 5K Walkathon here in Columbus and help raise awareness about soil for the future of our children! Every step you take helps: ✔️ 1. Raise awareness in your communities about protecting and restoring soil. ✔️ 2. Supports sustainable food systems. ✔️ 3. Helps secure our children’s future. 📅 Date: April 26, 2026 📍 Location: Scioto Audubon Metro Park Check-in address 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43215 ⏰ Time: 8:30 a.m. check-in event starts at 9:30 a.m. 👉 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walk-for-children-2026-save-soil-walkathon-in-columbus-registration-1986596534713?aff=oddtdtcreator 👉🏼Free and Open to All. Share this message and bring your neighbours, friends & family along to celebrate our planet! Let’s make it happen!