True Crime

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Single Lesson,”** a debunking of myths and misconceptions about singlehood and a look at research and advocacy efforts focused on the unmarried, with Craig Wynne, a professor of English at the University of the District of Columbia and pioneer in the growing field of Singles Studies. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at[ https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-the-single-lesson]( https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-the-single-lesson) .] All around us are messages that being “coupled up” is the norm. Shows like *The Bachelor*, 90-Day Fiancé, and *Indian Matchmaking* have people rooting and fawning for marriage. Yet, despite its supposed unpopularity, the rate of singlehood is increasing. By 2030, the Pew Research Center has projected, 25 percent of 45- to 54-year-old adults in the United States will never have married. What’s the real picture when it comes to singles? Is a growing share of the population missing out on marital bliss, or are single people on to something? Hear such questions tackled by Professor Craig Wynne, co-editor of *Singular Selves: An Introduction to Singles Studies* and author of *How to be a Happy Bachelor.* Dr. Wynne will discuss how stereotypes of singlehood are perpetuated in the media and how they influence laws, policies, and our daily social interactions in ways that harm not just single people but those who are married, cohabitating, or in a relationship. His talk will explore the concepts of “singlism,” the stereotyping and stigma around people who are not married or otherwise unpartnered; “matrimania,” over-the-top societal obsession with marriage and weddings; and “amatonormativity,” the assumption that a romantic relationship must be prioritized above all other kinds. Finally, Dr. Wynne will discuss the emergence of Singles Studies—a field devoted to granting singlehood validity in an academic context—and look at recent advocacy intended to secure single people equity in a world that still privileges being married or coupled. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

• What we'll do Economist William Michael Cunningham on Podbeam Thursdays at 6 pm. https://www.podbean.com/

Join us for our Thursday Tea Time and social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults! Bring your beverage of choice, and meet in-person at The DC Center from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. For more information, contact Center Aging Program Coordinator, Mac (maca@thedccenter.org). We hope to see you there!

Please join DMV Wine Explorers on Thursday February 12th at Total Wine Ballston at 6:30PM for a wine and chocolate pairing class. \*\* Tickets are $20 and can be purchased [here](https://www.totalwine.com/class/wine-and-chocolate-a-perfect-pair/ballston/virginia/e/ec714779) \*\* Some things really are better together. Wine and chocolate! Pairing the right wine with the right chocolate creates new and unexpected tastes to delight the senses. Featuring premiere chocolate from a world-famous maker, this is a delish class for wine lovers with a sweet tooth!

Come volunteer with us refurbishing donated bicycles so that they can be used again by the community! This event is open to new volunteers and existing volunteers. No mechanical experience is necessary. Note: The warehouse location is in the alley behind 1502 Mt Vernon Ave. Enter through the gray door next to a roll-down garage door. If you drive to the location, be sure to park in the street, not in the alleys or parking lots surrounding the warehouse. And wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian to accompany them to their first volunteer experience and sign a liability waiver. Volunteers under 16 need a parent or guardian to accompany them at all times while volunteering with Vélocity.

Note: RSVPs for this meetup open when our last meetup ends. For February, we are reading Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah. The book was first published in 2025 and the hardcover version runs 296 pages. The GoodReads blurb is In his first new novel since winning the 2021 Nobel Prize, a master storyteller captures a time of dizzying global change. At the turn of the twenty-first century, three young people come of age in Tanzania. Karim returns to his sleepy hometown after university with new swagger and ambition. Fauzia glimpses in him a chance at escape from a smothering upbringing. The two of them offer a haven to Badar, a poor boy still unsure if the future holds anything for him at all. As tourism, technology, and unexpected opportunities and perils reach their quiet corner of the world, bringing, each arrives at a different understanding of what it means to take your fate into your own hands.

We will discuss two short stories from Tobias Wolfe's "The Garden of the North American Martyrs": "The Garden of the North American Martyrs" (title story) "The Liar"

**Have you spent your life pressing the gas and the brake at the same time?** Many of us spend years of our adult lives never suspecting we have ADHD. Instead, we’ve become experts at a complex balancing act, using high-level overcompensation and performance (the Brakes) to manage a brain fueled by deep meaning and interest (the Gas). Whether you have a diagnosis or just a hunch that your brain works differently, you are welcome here. If conventional productivity advice has never quite worked for you, it’s time to move toward tools and connections that actually fit how your brain is wired. **ADHD Unmasked: Time to Un-Wind** is a space for thoughtful, motivated people to move from masking to truly thriving. We’re here to help each other unmask, reacquaint ourselves with our true selves, and bring that alignment into our daily lives. **The Vibe** * **Authenticity over Performance:** No more pretending. Let your nervous system take a real break. * **Alignment over "Hacks":** When our nervous system is at ease and our actions align with our true selves, the "doing" follows naturally. * **Safe & Confidential:** This is a circle of trust; our stories belong only to those present. **The Logistics** * **Small & High-Fidelity:** To keep our conversation focused and meaningful, we limit our circle to a small group. * **The RSVP Care:** If you can’t make it, just update your RSVP so we know who to welcome and can open the spot for someone else looking to connect. * **The Flow:** An Authentic Check-In and Sharing, followed by a Theme Discussion to gain new insights for individual application. We wrap up with Takeaways, ready to move back into our world with a bit more ease and a lot more of ourselves. ;) We see ADHD not as a deficit, but as **Authentically Driven, Highly Discerned**, a brain that works exceptionally well when aligned with the right interest.

## ❤️ Timeless \| DC Singles Party \| All Ages **True Chemistry Is Timeless** 🗓 **Saturday, February 13** ⏰ **8:00 – 11 PM (DJ & open dance floor after)** 📍 **Eighteenth Street Lounge — Washington, DC** *** **Ever feel like you were born in the wrong decade?** Maybe you’re an old soul. Maybe you still feel young, curious, and open. Or maybe you’ve learned that real connection doesn’t follow a number. **Timeless** is an ageless singles night designed for people who believe chemistry matters more than categories. This is a relaxed, welcoming evening where generations mix naturally — with curated matchmaking, open mingling, and a lively party atmosphere to follow. After matching **400+ guests across all age ranges**, one thing became clear: ✨ **Great connections happen when age stops being the headline.** *** ## 💫 What Makes Timeless Different * All ages welcome — no strict brackets * Some curated match rounds are age-aware, others are intentionally open * A social, party-forward flow that lets connections happen naturally * A DJ and dance floor open after the matchmaking wraps up This is not speed dating. It’s not awkward networking. It’s a great night out — with intention built in. 🎟 **Tickets**: [Timeless Tickets Here!](https://timeless-2026.eventbrite.com) *** ## 🎟️ What’s Included * Entry to a private singles party at Eighteenth Street Lounge * Curated matchmaking powered by Matchbox * Multiple match rounds (with and without age limits) * Access to happy hour pricing (including espresso martinis & specials) * DJ + open dance floor after 10:30 PM *Note: No drink ticket included — guests may purchase drinks directly from the bar.* *** ## 🕐 Evening Flow **8:00 PM** – Arrival, check-in, mingle **8:15 PM** – Complete a short matchmaking questionnaire on your phone **8:45 PM** – Match rounds begin **10:00 PM+** – Matching Ends, DJ spins, dance floor opens. You’re welcome to participate in all matchmaking rounds — or simply enjoy the night socially with a "Friend Ticket." *** ## 👗🕴️ Dress Code **Cocktail to semi-formal encouraged.** Gold and red tones are especially welcome as we take over the venue’s intimate **Red Room**, reserved exclusively for our group. Dress confident. Dress curious. *** ## 📋 Good to Know * A smartphone with internet access is required for matchmaking * Please arrive by **8:30 PM** to be included in curated match rounds * Venue is on an upper level and may not be fully accessible (stairs only) * This is a respectful, inclusive space — disruptive behavior is not tolerated * Photos/video may be taken during the event Refunds available up to **4 days before** the event. No refunds for late arrival or no-shows. *** ## 💬 Why Timeless Works This is our **15th+ event** of the year, shaped by guest feedback and improved flow: * Better questions aligned with real life stages * Tighter pacing and smoother transitions * Trained hosts who keep the energy warm and inclusive **Timeless** is for people who want to meet others with curiosity — not assumptions. *** 🎟 **Space is limited — RSVP on Meetup, but ticket purchase is required separately to attend.** 🎟 **Tickets**: [Timeless Tickets Here!](https://timeless-2026.eventbrite.com) 📸 Follow us on Instagram: **@dmv.experiences** Come for the party. Stay for the connection. Because true chemistry is timeless. 💫

This event is being held in partnership with the DMV Spades Meetup Group. Direct all questions to the Organizer and Host, Nne-Nne Abanobi. ******* Hi All! We play 2nd Saturday Spades in Greenbelt, MD every month... 📍Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar 🦐 6002 Greenbelt Road Greenbelt, MD 20770 ⏳️ 6:30pm to 11:30pm 🌟 Join us at this PG County sports bar for food, fun, drinks.....and, of course, Spades. 🍷 Happy Hour Specials from 12pm to 7pm: https://hookreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HR_GreenbeltMD_HappyHour_Menu_24x36.pdf Located right off the Beltway in the Plaza. Free parking everywhere! Remember to support the business by ordering food/drinks. 😀 **This event is posted in multiple groups. So expect a nice crowd.** 😀 All skill levels are welcome. Get matched with a partner onsite. We hope to see you there! God bless. 😊❤️🙏🏾 ******* Check out The DMV Spades Meetup Group https://meetu.ps/c/8qv5/1SV52/d on Meetup

Have a lucky Friday the 13th at Tommy Joe's with Oasis recording artist LESSON ZERO. Good food and drinks, friendly folks, no cover, parking available, and way cool music. www.youtube.com/lessonzero www.reverbnation.com/lessonzero

The topic for February is "Transitions" 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!

Is doing good really its own reward? To look around the world and see wrongdoing, injustice, and seemingly-gotten-away-with crime, people have often wondered whether or not it is "worth it" to do the right thing. These are not new questions--going back at least 3,000 years, human beings have wrestled with such questions, and the Psalmist, ca. 1,000 BC, sought such answers as well. He came to the conclusion that there was, indeed, an answer, and one that brought hope: God sees, God knows, and God will not allow evil to triumph, nor will He allow the wicked to escape justice. In addition to God's justice, He also promises mercy and blessing to those who humble themselves and follow Him. Psalm 1 and 2 address the underlying concerns of both of these questions--will wrong one day be righted, and is it worth it to do right, in spite of so much evil--with a resounding, "Yes, indeed!" Doing rightly is always good and *will* be blessed. Doing wrongly is always wrong, and those who think they have "gotten away with it" will one day understand the truth: God will not be mocked, and justice *will* prevail. Come join us, **6:30 pm, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**, and be encouraged by ancient truth that is still vitally essential today! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-a-study-in-psalms-psalm-1-and-2-tickets-1982202015588)! Connect with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1409497500869578)!

Thursdays just got smarter (and sassier). 🧠🍻 Join us at TownHall Short North for Trivia Night with Marquis—where the questions are fun, the competition is friendly, and the vibes are immaculate. Grab your crew, sip something good, and prove you know random facts you absolutely shouldn’t.

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

This month we’ll be reading Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan

How to Be a Better Communicator Communication is everything in life You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

**Our February novel is: Julia by Sandra Newman** **This month is a classic, dystopian, fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and science fiction novel. The book is 394 pages in print and 14 hours and 20 minutes on audiobook.** **An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.** Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story. Julia takes us on a surprising journey through Orwell’s now-iconic dystopia, with twists that reveal unexpected sides not only to Julia, but to other familiar figures in the 1984 universe. This unique perspective lays bare our own world in haunting and provocative ways, just as the original did almost seventy-five years ago.