Think Tank

PLEASE CHECK THE ONLINE MEDITATION CALENDAR FOR DETAILS OF THESE MORE THAN 50 SERVICES A WEEK- https://onlinemeditation.yogananda.org/calendar/

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, before a cheering crowd of Cuban exile luminaries in Miami’s Freedom Tower, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the “historic” indictment of 94-year-old former Cuban president Raúl Castro on charges of ordering the murders of four American nationals 30 years ago. The charges relate to a 1996 incident in which Castro, then Cuba defense minister, allegedly ordered Cuban MiGs to shoot down unarmed civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based “humanitarian” organization, Brothers to the Rescue, in the Straits of Florida. A mountain of historical and political context is needed to properly understand the charges against Castro. The incident has ties to the case of the Cuban Five, whose trial in 2000 proceedings forced José Basulto, the founder of Brothers to the Rescue, to admit that Brothers had been test-firing potential weapons that could have been used against Cuba. You’re invited to a free screening of “[Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFra1GuBTzo)”, which chronicles half a century of hostile U.S.-Cuba relations. The film, by the late IPS Fellow and filmmaker **Saul Landau**, tells the story of the case of The Cuban Five, intelligence agents sent to penetrate Cuban exile terrorist groups in Miami and who almost served long prison sentences until a negotiated release in 2014. The film highlights decades of assassinations and sabotage at first backed by Washington, then ignored by the very government that launched a "war against terrorism." Landau landed interviews with the leading anti-Castro terrorists, who recounted their deeds often with the blessing of the CIA as well as interviews with Cuban state security officials explaining why they sent the five agents to infiltrate the violent Miami exile groups.

**Community Tuesdays at Refraction** are a free weekly program designed for job seekers, professionals in transition, and aspiring founders to access resources, connections, and coworking space in the heart of Northern Virginia’s tech corridor. Each Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, participants gain complimentary access to Refraction’s collaborative workspace, career mentoring, resume and job-search support (including proven AI prompts to navigate applicant tracking systems), and a welcoming community of innovators and peers. Whether you are refining your next career move or exploring entrepreneurship, Community Tuesdays offer the space, guidance, and tools you need to move forward with confidence. For complete details and easy (non-Meetup) registration, please visit: [https://www.refraction.one/ctues](https://www.refraction.one/ctues).

**Please Note:** This game has limited slots, and you must RSVP. If the event is full, please signup for the Waitlist, and you will be moved up as people update their RSVPs. Clank! In! Space! is built on the same game system as Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure, with players building a personal deck of cards throughout the course of the game, with the cards allowing them to move through the spaceship, attack things, acquire new cards, and — oh yeah — make noise to attract Lord Eradikus and potentially seal their own doom. Light Refreshments are provided. Please RSVP so we can account for Snacks.

Come learn how money really works. We’ll cover how to grow it, protect it, get out of debt, and use smart retirement and infinite banking strategies to build long-term security.

Weekly Draft night in NW. We currently meet up at Franklin Hall near 14th and Florida. U Street Metro is the closest stop. I'll have packs but feel free to bring packs if you have them. Entry is 17 (you can bring Play Booster packs to lower the cost by 3.50). If it is a special set, it will be more. Track your games and records here: https://tournamentcreator.lovable.app/

Pitch your idea, get feedback, give feedback, meet with a mentor and most importantly, take action. Come to the meetup with a specific issue you are stuck with. **10:30 am Introductions:** 2-minute pitches tell us who you are? What you're working on? and what you need help with? **11:00 am Problem Solving:** Let's figure out how we can help, and what action you can take today to move forward. **12:00 pm** Open Networking: Keep the discussion going and connect with other attendees. Bring yourself, notebooks, laptops and anything else you need to pitch your idea and get work done. Interested in joining the Studio? [APPLY NOW](https://unstucklabs.com)

Details **Location:** Bus Boy and Poets (K st) The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. **Topic: Party Politics and the Future of the Two-Party System** For more than 150 years, American politics has been dominated by two major parties. While third parties have occasionally influenced elections or introduced new ideas, the Democratic and Republican parties have remained remarkably resilient. In recent years, public frustration with the current system has become increasingly apparent. According to a 2025 [Gallup poll](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/05/01/americans-continue-to-view-both-the-republican-and-democratic-parties-negatively/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), **62% of Americans believe the Democratic and Republican parties are doing such a poor job that a third major party is needed.** This dissatisfaction has led the percentage of Americans identifying as political independents to increase from **33% in 1988 to a record 45% in 2025**, **Questions to Consider:** 1. Could a third party ever find success within the near future? 2. Will the main parties see an increase in factionalism? (Socialist faction in the Democratic Party MAGA in the Republican Party) 3. Would electoral reforms such as ranked-choice voting or proportional representation improve political representation? 4. Is today's political polarization primarily caused by the two-party system? 5. What do you think American politics will look like 20–30 years from now?

The American Revolution, History Tour, White House Neighborhood, Washington D.C. Held around and about White House’s Lafayette Square, on Independence Week 250, this tour will examine the accomplishments of, and many crises faced, by the Founding Fathers. There are dozens of sites near the Executive Mansion linked to Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, George Mason, John Adams, James Madison, Aaron Burr, James Monroe, and others! MEET outside the National Theater, [1321 Pennsylvania Ave NW](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiQj9jo_puVAxX7M1kFHaXUF0EQ8gF6BAgsEAU&url=%2Fmaps%2Fplace%2Fnational%2Btheater%2Bdc%2Fdata%3D!4m2!3m1!1s0x89b7b797763671db%3A0xc1dd8ed20800eb8b%3Fsa%3DX%26ved%3D1t%3A242%26ictx%3D111&usg=AOvVaw2E99cQVTBkTGQhAINcD88p&opi=89978449) [Washington, DC 20004](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiQj9jo_puVAxX7M1kFHaXUF0EQ8gF6BAgsEAU&url=%2Fmaps%2Fplace%2Fnational%2Btheater%2Bdc%2Fdata%3D!4m2!3m1!1s0x89b7b797763671db%3A0xc1dd8ed20800eb8b%3Fsa%3DX%26ved%3D1t%3A242%26ictx%3D111&usg=AOvVaw2E99cQVTBkTGQhAINcD88p&opi=89978449) Thursday, Jul 2 · 5:30 PM Length: 2 hours. Nearest metros: Length: Farragut North or Farragut West or Metro Center Discover, from among these persons and events: • The man who reconciled Hamilton and Jefferson • George Mason’s battle against—the U.S. Constitution • Lafayette’s amazing & perilous associations with multiple American Presidents • Hamilton's genius successor as America's money man • Inventor of farm, kitchen, and spy apparatus • GW's "obstinate Scotchman" • The longest-serving head of the U.S. Army--and a foreign spy! • Sally Hemings, Maria Reynolds, Sally Fairfax, Eliza Jumel, Maria Cosway • John Adams, Lion of the Revolution • Dealing with America's first pandemics • “The room where it happened” • The love child of a French general from the battle of Yorktown • The secret design of the White House • The heroic family of the Revolution, and the Civil War • The hidden life of Washington's drillmaster • The war hero who betrayed Jefferson, killed Hamilton, and tried setting up his own country! • The African-American double agent • The Pirates of the Carib--the Mediterranean! • Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Eliza Hamilton, Rachel Donelson • The Revolution's forgotten philosopher-king • "Lafayette, we have returned!" • Polish heroes of the Revolution • How did a junior delegate from Virginia come to write the Declaration of Independence? • The Forgotten Founder • The twin families of two Presidents • The secret life of Washington's drillmaster • And more! Pre-Register and Pre-Pay via-- Eventbrite, at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/american-revolution-history-tour-white-house-area-washington-dc-july-2-tickets-1992687583203?aff=oddtdtcreator Or PayPal, sending $25 to [paypal.me/EMoser460](http://paypal.me/EMoser460) Or pay $25 in cash at the start of the tour. We’re highly rated on TripAdvisor: [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g28970-d12791843-Reviews-Lafayette_Square_Tour_of_Scandal_Assassination_Intrigue-Washington_DC_District_of.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g28970-d12791843-Reviews-Lafayette_Square_Tour_of_Scandal_Assassination_Intrigue-Washington_DC_District_of.html) Your tour guide is a former speechwriter to the President of the United States, a former writer for Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show”, & author of the newly published spy novel, set in Georgetown, Femme Fatalité: [https://www.amazon.com/Femme-Fatalit](https://www.amazon.com/Femme-Fatalit)é-Lizzy-Thorne-Novel-ebook/dp/B0F4945MR5 Also the hidden history of Lafayette Square—The White House’s Unruly Neighborhood!: [https://www.amazon.com/White-Houses-Unruly-Neighborhood-Lafayette-ebook/dp/B082ZVDCD7/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=](https://www.amazon.com/White-Houses-Unruly-Neighborhood-Lafayette-ebook/dp/B082ZVDCD7/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=) Questions?: [[[191.EP.JM.56@proton.me](mailto:191.EP.JM.56@proton.me)]([mailto:191.EP.JM.56@proton.me](http://mailto:191.EP.JM.56@proton.me/))]([mailto:191.EP.JM.56@proton.me](http://mailto:191.EP.JM.56@proton.me/)), or 703 203 2670 Bring your walking shoes, and water to drink. Nearby restaurants for afterwards: Old Ebbit Grill, the Hamilton... Celebrate America 250 with a deep dive into America's most historic locale. Think history is boring? Not on our tours!

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

Greetings from the capital! Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people from all walks of life — students, diplomats, travelers, locals — gather to unwind and connect. [[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JFESzopY1OgJ5z4r3RINfL)] Our age range is mostly 20s to 30s. If you enjoy discussing culture, politics, travel, or just want to practice a new language, this group is for you. A perfect blend of diversity and dialogue, right in the heart of D.C.

Calling all singles, couples, out of towners, co-workers or just people looking for things to do!
Come out and enjoy a comedy show in the lively Adams Morgan neighborhood. The show and meet up is at Mixxed in dc. Come to the show and stay after for drinks and mingle!
Tickets to the show - https://tinyurl.com/Mixxed2nd. Doors: 7:45PM and Show: 8:00PM - about an hour and a half long. Drink and food specials all night. \*free drinks per person\* Tables, food and drinks are available at the venue (no item minimum)
Mixxed address: 2427 18th ST, NW DC.

Socrates Café meets twice a month. Though this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Prior to each meeting we vote online for the questions we will discuss. That way, we will have enough time to ruminate on them and have more in-depth conversations. If you RSVP to a meeting, you may post your question in the event comments section below. I'll send out a survey for voting a few days prior to the meetup. We discuss two questions each night. So you will get to cast two votes in the survey. When we meet, we break into smaller groups of five to seven to discuss the top two vote-getters. Each group discusses one question for around 45-50 minutes, and we then take a short break. After reconvening, each group moves on to its second question. Hope to see you there! -Brian

You can sleep in on the Sesquicentennial (observed), we’re shifting to the following Friday. But join the local UX community for a chat and some biscuits to catch up. If you were in CA for Figma Config, tell us all the lines and you can tell me how I can animate an SVG without coding it by hand, and why I’d even want to. Thanks to the team at Nationwide of supporting the group.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

**Practical Curiosity: Learning from Everyday Data** How do we actually get better at utilizing our day-to-day data? Fancy dashboards and complex models might look nice and draw attention, but that’s not where most of us spend our time. In fact those shiny outputs frequently sit unused, while the real insights are drawn from the analyst’s daily practice. Sometimes it’s as simple and as powerful as noticing that a segment is shrinking, a channel is underused, or certain links keep getting all the clicks. There’s many different places that the spark of insight can come from, but you have to keep your head in the data and know where to look. In this session, we’ll explore real-world examples of how segmentation, testing, and click behavior can uncover practical digital marketing opportunities. You’ll leave with inspiration for your own use cases, along with a few simple ways to ask better questions, spot meaningful patterns, and make smarter decisions without overcomplicating it. **About Our Speaker:** [Elaine Armbruster](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainearmbruster/) is a Director of Digital Experience at the [American Diabetes Association](https://diabetes.org/), where she focuses on using data and insights to create smarter, more effective digital experiences. A lifelong Columbus resident, she has built her career in email marketing and the broader digital user journey, and is finding she most enjoys working in the messy middle where systems, data, and big ideas don’t quite line up yet. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

How do we recover from having had a toxic or narcissistic ex? How do we move on from the past, especially something as traumatic as a divorce or breakup? How do we avoid anxiety and depression? How do we have more self esteem? In this meeting, you will learn the mental health secrets to help you quickly get over the past and heal your mind. 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 & Scientology life improvement center.

Most people use LLMs by feel: ask a question, read the answer, decide whether it “seems good,” and move on. That works for casual use. It does not work when you are building software, automating workflows, writing important documents, or relying on AI for anything that needs to be repeatable. In this talk, we’ll look at how to improve and evaluate the inputs and outputs of LLMs using practical measurement techniques. We’ll cover how prompt changes affect results, how to compare outputs, how to build simple evaluation sets, and how math-based methods like similarity scoring can help you move beyond guesswork. This will be beginner-friendly, so even if you don't know anything about AI, you should get something out of it. However, this will be a little more technical than our intro talks. You do not need to be an AI researcher, but programmers and technically curious attendees will get a lot out of it. We’ll cover: * Why “it looks good” is not enough * How to improve prompts by changing the input, context, and constraints * How to compare LLM outputs more systematically * Basic evaluation techniques for accuracy, consistency, and usefulness * How embeddings, cosine similarity, and scoring can help evaluate results * Where automated evaluation works — and where humans still need to stay in the loop By the end, you’ll have a practical mental model for treating LLMs less like magic and more like systems you can test, measure, and improve. LOGISTICS AND PARKING: The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks! The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.