Technical Certification

**‼️This is a MAFN (Mid-Atlantic Facilitators Network) event. To attend, register at [https://mafn.org/event-6471409](https://mafn.org/event-6471409)** WHEN: Friday\, April 17\, 2026 \| WHERE: Mason Fuse Center \- 3401 Fairfax Drive Arlington\, VA 22201 Don't miss out on this opportunity to Explore \| Sharpen \| Connect We’re bringing the MAFN community together in person this spring - Join us! **What You will Experience** Expect a day filled with fresh ideas, meaningful conversations, and the energy of being in community. Attendees will direct their own agenda around the content themes through interactive workshops and meaningful opportunities to connect and network before and after the conference. **CONTENT Themes:** * Business development in dynamic times * Technology shifts in facilitation * Facilitating amid polarization and conflict **Who Should Attend and Why** If you lead groups, facilitate change, or guide learning, New Frontiers in Facilitation is designed for you. This one-day, in-person conference brings together facilitators, trainers, educators, coaches, mediators, and organizational leaders to explore cutting-edge practices in business development, technology in facilitation, and working across divided contexts. Beyond the sessions, the conference emphasizes intentional networking to help you build meaningful connections that last well beyond the event. Join us and leave inspired, equipped, and connected for the future of facilitation. **SCHEDULE** * Registration & Coffee Networking from 8:30 * Plenary * Rae Ringel - Rupture & Renewal, How Facilitation Evolves in a Polarized AI-Driven World * Six workshops in three parallel sessions (the opportunity to join three in the program) * Bola Audena - Scaling with Purpose: Building a Thriving Facilitation Brand in the Age of AI * Carly Chomer & Kim Fredrich - Make Your Business Development Meaningful Not Mechanical * Christine Gerson & Eboney Dixon-Crump - Clarity, Curiosity and Connection: Coaching Through Polarization & Communicating Across Differences * Jennie Toner-Algin - Find the Beat: Using Musical Techniques to Reduce Polarization and Navigate Group Conflict * Mike Burns - AI and Facilitation: Asking Not What It Can Do, But What It Should Do * Nikki Frias - Building Bridges in Conflict and Uncertainty with Applied Improv * Lunch & Networking * Parallel sessions * Knowledge Cafe: Join table hosts for skills-based learning * Open Space: Join fellow participants to reflect on key learnings, collaboratively explore emerging questions, and engage in self-directed dialogue with peers. * Closing * Happy Hour & Networking from 4:00 **Sponsorships available** Interested in reaching 100+ facilitators and organizational leaders? Contact us today to ask about being the sole presenting sponsor! View Sponsorship Opportunities: [https://mafn.org/resources/Documents/MAFN%20New%20Frontiers%20Sponsorship%20Deck.pdf](https://mafn.org/resources/Documents/MAFN%20New%20Frontiers%20Sponsorship%20Deck.pdf) Email Us: treasurer@mafn.org **Rates** **Members:** Early-Bird (until 11:59 pm on 2/15/26): $99.00 Regular Rate starting 2/16/26: $129.00 Membership Bundle (Member & Registration): $199.00 **Non-Members:** Non-Member Early Bird (until 11:59 pm on 2/15/26): $129.00 **Students:** Current/Active Student: $79.00

Thursday night wheaton soccer

**This class is sold out:** **please** **[email us](mailto:sales@artisticartifacts.com?Subject=Waitlist%20request%20for%20Jaime%20Echt%20class%20Gel%20Plate%20Magic), including your name and telephone number, to join our waitlist** — we will contact you in case of cancellations. We are excited to welcome Jamie Echt, from The Crafter's Workshop, to teach at our annual Creative Minds Summit this year. Spend the day getting lost in color while creating on your gel plate and learning color theory, stenciling techniques, brayering, mixed media painting, mark-making and mono-printing experimentation. Suitable for anyone from a beginner to a crazy eclectic enthusiast, This will be a leisurely exploration of surfaces, colors, textures, stenciling, mark making and layering. Bring your sketch book, art journal or junk journal — we’ll leave time at the end to collage a small page incorporating the bounty of our work. You’ll leave class with a shopping bag full of ‘fodder’ for your collage/mixed media stash! Learn more about this class, your student supply kit fee & list via Artistic Artifacts’ secure online website: [https://artisticartifacts.com/products/cms-stencil-butter-gel-plate-magic-with-jaime-echt](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/cms-stencil-butter-gel-plate-magic-with-jaime-echt) \*\*\* Due to the size or other requirements of the class or concurrent scheduling, some classes are in our second-floor space: access is via stairs only. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for [through our website](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk), or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. [View our complete class policies »](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies)

Join us for a pickup on a weekday! Group is relatively small which means you will get to show your skill and run quite a bit ! It is a co-ed game and open to all. Once the players limit is reached, no player will be admitted into the game. We already got a number of players confirmed OFFLINE as guests of Host(s) through Signal. *Those in waitlist will be moved to the confirmed list only when spot becomes available.* *The games RULES are as below, fair play and camaraderie must be followed*. ⚽ It is a friendly game, no slide or back tackling, no rough play, and no greedy play or coaching. ⚽ Join the **Signal group**, Download ***[Signal app](https://signal.org/download/)*** and ***[join the Signal group](https://signal.group/#CjQKIBolYKIpshcX_ooOu_fmV7xlbEeJm5zBZ6_V8uTiuFNOEhAk5KeXU1QFVt39OBRP106d)*** for the game day updates. *Firstcomer, SEE the host to approve you to join the group*. ⚽ No groupism or favors, everyone gets to play without regard for the level be it starter, intermediate or advanced. One must pass ball to appropriate fellow players without favors or preference to a particular player(s). ⚽ **You are expected to change positions**, no one is permanent striker or defense, make sure you circle around and give chance to everyone to experience the game fully. Rotate and offer to play full back or defense too not just forward. ⚽In case of disagreement during the game, the **host acts as a referee** so the game stays smooth and enjoyable to everyone. ⚽ You must bring WHITE as well as DARK jersies (and ball too if you can). ⚽ Send DM to host(s) on Signal if you have questions. (NOT to the group except on the game day not more than one hour before the game to reduce distractions) ⚽ Look out for the changes in location of the field in case we would have to change the field. ⚽ Change your RSVP if needed. More than two no shows after RSVP will be banned for next games. If you need to cancel, do so at least 3 or 4 hours before the game. We do not want to have a low turn out due to last minute cancellations or no shows. ⚽ Additional guest must RSVP themselves to ensure personal accountability in case of no shows. ⚽ We typically post the updates on Signal and MeetUp. ⚽ DM host or reply DM if you want to be confirmed to the group. We may get some players confirmed OFFLINE. We limit the RSVP slots to avoid being a large group. If we will have enough players, we will have second game too. Be mindful of heavy traffic on the day and parking challenges of a typical city! Finding parking and arriving on time is your responsibility, so do not expect others to provide you directions or guide about parking spots. Text 510- 394 29 three nine if have any ANSWERED question from above. Welcome to our group and the beautiful game of soccer/football ⚽! **You Agree to these Liability Waivers:** ⚽ By joining our games you fully assume risks of injuries. ⚽ASSUMPTION OF RISK I, on behalf of myself ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS THAT MAY OR CAN ARISE OUT OF PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ATHLETIC ACTIVITY ITSELF, USE OF THE EQUIPMENT, FIELD OR FACILITIES, THE ACTS OF OTHERS OR THE UNAVAILABLITY OF EMERGENCY CARE. ⚽ INDEMNITY/HOLD HARMLESS I, on behalf of myself and/or our heirs, personal representatives and/or assigns, also agree to indemnify and hold DC Pick Up Soccer group harmless from any and all claims, causes of actions, lawsuits, arbitrations or proceedings as well as from any expenses, judgments, costs, fees, damages, expenses and/or liabilities, including attorneys’ fees incurred in defending or prosecuting any such claims brought against DC Pick Up Soceer ⚽ RELEASE/WAIVER In consideration for being permitted to participate in the Activities, I, on behalf of myself and/or our heirs, personal representatives and assigns HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE AND DISCHARGE the host or members of DC Pick Up Soccer from any and all liability associated with or related to my participation in the Activities and agree NOT TO SUE the Host or member of the game for any reason resulting from or associated with my participation in the Activities. This waiver and release is intended to include all claims for injuries, accidents, illnesses, or property loss, whether known or unknown or anticipated or unanticipated, which are in any way related to or associated with the Activities. ⚽ NO INSURANCE I, on behalf of myself acknowledge that the Host or members of the game do not carry insurance on behalf of myself. ⚽ LEGAL RIGHTS I, on behalf or myself understand and acknowledge that I/we are surrendering valuable. ⚽ SEVERABILITY I, on behalf or myself understand and expressly agree that the games Rules and Waivers are intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the law of District of Columbia for which it is used and that if any portion of this rule and waiver is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance of the rule and waiver shall continue in full force and effect and that whatever portion is held invalid shall be interpreted and construed to afford as much protection to DC Pick Up Soocer as permitted by the applicable law.

**[Register now](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk) for the 2026 edition of our [Creative Minds Summit!](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/about-our-creative-minds-summit)** Enjoy three days, four talented instructors, and exclusive fiber & mixed media classes in a fun, creative atmosphere. Each Creative Minds Summit full-day class is listed separately — look for the SUMMIT flag**.** This mixed media retreat takes place Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19 at our shop, led by Artistic Artifacts owner **Judy Gula** and the following talented fiber & mixed media artists: **[Julie Booth](https://www.threadborn.com/)**, **[Kecia Deveney](https://keciadeveney.com/)** and **Jaime Echt** of **[The Crafter's Workshop](https://www.instagram.com/tcwstencils/)**. Join us and get creatively charged! **Most (or all) materials are provided** for each Creative Minds Summit class, with a kit fee payable to your instructor that morning. **Lunch is provided each day, Summit attendees receive a swag bag with products plus a 15% store discount on all purchases!** Treat yourself to one or more classes at our exclusive fiber & mixed media retreat! Summit class sizes are limited, so every student enjoys attention from their instructors and has ample room to create. You’re sure to love meeting new friends, learning new techniques and crafting a one of a kind piece of art you’ll treasure! *** Due to the concurrent scheduling of the Creative Mind Summit, two different classes each day will be in our second-floor space: access is via stairs *only*. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for through our website at [https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk), or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. View our complete class policies » [https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies ](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies)

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.

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.

**Knicks playoff 🏀 is back so that can only mean one thing … DC Knicks Watch parties 🎊 . Why watch home alone when you can be in a room for 75-80 die hard Knicks fans!** **Join DC Knicks as we bring the energy and rep NY in full force!** **RSVP is required—space is limited and first come, first served.** **What to expect:** **⚡️ MSG-like atmosphere** **⚡️Free knicks giveaway if you RSVP!** **⚡️ Multiple flat screens with full sound** **⚡️ Happy Hour food & drink specials (for RSVP’d guests)** **⚡️ Steps from Clarendon Metro** **⚡️ Free street parking** **⚡️ Indoor/outdoor patio vibes** **⚡️ NY-inspired playlist all day** **RSVP now and spread the word to fellow Knicks fans.** **Let’s pack the place and bring that NY energy!** **LET’S GO KNICKS! 🟠🟠🔵🔵**

Laser tag with the GLTech community

## 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.

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.

Title: Foundations of Localized Symmetry Mathematics Date: April 18 2026 Noon - 14:00 EST Summary: The moment you use Euclid’s definitions of points and distances in any of your mathematical axioms, all that follows is assured to produce some level of nonsensical results when applied to the foundations of physics. The reason is not complicated: Euclid’s definitions are deeply mired in accepting as a “given” the very concepts that emerge only in well-defined inertial frames, which in turn are local instances of symmetries that are always finite and context dependent. In this talk, Terry will discuss how reframing mathematics in terms of symmetries that, as in the real world, are finite, composite, and dependent on self-observation (acceleration), results in a richer and far stranger set of mathematics in absolute conservation of quantum numbers generate local and global symmetries — the opposite of Noether’s theorem — that in turn create the emergent classical phenomenal such a particles, fields, space, and time. Speaker: Terry Bollinger is a computer scientist with BS, MS, and professional degrees from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Let’s start simple. Technoverts is a new group for introverts in tech who want to connect without the noise and pressure of traditional networking events. This first meetup is a relaxed, small-group coffee gathering—no agenda, no icebreakers, no expectations beyond showing up. If you work in or around tech (cybersecurity, IT, cloud, dev, data, etc.) and prefer quieter, more meaningful conversations, you’ll likely feel at home here. What to expect: • A small group (intentionally capped) • A calm, conversation-friendly setting • The option to participate as much—or as little—as you want

Important: Register on [AICamp website](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026043014) is required for admission. **Description:** Join us for a community-led developer event focused on AI-assisted coding with GitHub Copilot. This event brings together developers to explore practical workflows, real-world use cases, and hands-on experiences using GitHub Copilot. Whether you are new to GitHub Copilot or already using it, this event will help you better understand how to apply AI-assisted coding techniques in everyday development. **Speakers/Topics:** \- Reynald Adolphe\, Microsoft\. Stay tuned as we are updating speakers and schedules. If you have a keen interest in speaking to our community, we invite you to submit topics for consideration: [Submit Topics](https://forms.gle/JkMt91CZRtoJBSFUA) **Sponsors:** We are actively seeking sponsors to support AI developers community. Whether it is by offering venue spaces, providing food, or cash sponsorship. Sponsors will not only speak at the meetups, receive prominent recognition, but also gain exposure to our extensive membership base of 5,000+ AI developers in D.C and 500K+ worldwide.

Laser tag with the GLTech community

Most AI meetups end up as just networking. **We’re different.** At **AI Tool Explorers Night \| Connect & Make New Friends**, you’ll: ✨ Walk away with a *real learning nugget* (a tool, workflow, or strategy you can use immediately) ✨ Connect with people who share your curiosity for AI, productivity, and automation ✨ Enjoy a fun, casual setting where new ideas and friendships spark naturally 👉 **Our promise:** every session delivers structure, substance, and takeaways you can use when you get home. ### 📅 Event Flow * **6:00–6:15 PM** → Arrivals & intros * **6:15–6:45 PM** → AI demo / learning nugget * **6:45–7:00 PM** → Q&A and group discussion * **7:00–8:00 PM** → Networking & contact sharing ⚡ Please hold networking until after the presentation so we can all learn together. Plenty of time at the end to connect and exchange cards! **Let's explore AI Tools that actually *work* in our day-to-day life!** *** #ChatGPT #Claude #Grok #Gemini #Perplexity #DeepSeek #NotebookLM #Cursor #GitHubCopilot #Replit #Windsurf #v0dev #Lovable #Zapier #Makecom #n8n #Descript #OpusClip #Synthesia #Runway #Sora #Kling #Veo #PikaLabs #LTXStudio #AdobeFirefly #Vidu #Hailuo #LumaDreamMachine #Wisecut #Elaiio #Capsule #Filmora #Gling #Magisto #AdobePremierePro #ElevenLabs #Suno #Udio #Soundraw #Riffusion #Mubert #BeatovenAI #AIVA #Loudly #SplashPro #Soundful #MagentaStudio #WavTool #MakeBestMusic #BandLabSongStarter #TadAI #EcrettMusic #Midjourney #DALLE3 #CanvaMagicStudio #NotionAI #Gamma #Fathom #FirefliesAI #MLX

Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects.

**Sonic Meditation Concert with Dr. Ivy Shadiah: Experience Meditation as Concert-level Immersion** Love Potion #1 is a **curated Sonic Meditation Concert** designed as a full-body surround sound bath, an intimate, high-frequency wellness experience merging art, healing, aroma, and sacred sound technology. Created for those seeking restoration, inspiration, and profound energetic renewal. Led by **Dr. Ivy SHADIAH — Queen of Vibration**, this transformational concert blends crystal singing bowls, sacred resonance, and vibrational sound design to create a living field of healing sound.You do not simply listen… You are surrounded. You are restored. You are retuned. Sun., May 3rd, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/QBTJA](https://shorturl.at/QBTJA)

The next NoVABeerSec event - "Informal Gathering of Security Minds Over Beer" will be Wednesday, April 29th, 5:30PM til 7:30ish at Aslin Beer Company - Herndon Taproom (767 Elden St., Herndon VA 20170). **Venue for April:** Aslin Beer Company (https://www.aslinbeer.com) - Aslin Beer Co. was founded in 2015 by Andrew Kelley and Kai Leszkowicz. The name, Aslin, comes from the family that connected Andrew and Kai through marriage; they each married a daughter from the Aslin Family. Andrew’s professional background was in finance and consulting, while Kai worked in public service. They bonded over a shared interest of craft beer and home-brewing, which eventually lead to the idea that “We can do this too.” **Additional Info:** We are an inclusive group, so if we missed anyone please let us know or if you want to bring your significant other/spouse please do. We do know there are folks that have changed roles since we last met so please also let us know if we need to add new contact info for people. Have a great week and see you later this month! Cheers, Rinaldi Rampen & Mike McCabe of @NoVABeerSec