Visual Thinking

**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU** You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments! At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as: What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind? How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you? What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person? So many of us find ourselves feeling anxious, struggling with self-confidence and overthinking many of life’s choices. What exactly is the goal of the subconscious? This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time. And the most important topic: **HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!** This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center. **CALL 202-797-9826 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION.** Refreshments will be served.

With the 250th anniversay of the signing of the Declaration of Independence right around the corner, let's talk about the American story. Where have we been and where do you think we are going, from a philosopical perspective? I want to avoid discussing politics, as that tends to devolve into tribal emoting. We'll be INSIDE, due to the heat. Feel free to bring food to share! We'll socialize for about an hour before the discussion begins at 8:30. ***Ideas to Discuss:*** * What is the American Experiment, and what does its future look like? * If a political system is an "experiment," what are the criteria for its success or failure? * In a hyper-pluralistic society with vastly different moral frameworks, what is the unifying thread that holds "We the People" together? * How should a we balance healthy historical critique with civic inspiration? * Can an 18th-century political system designed for slow, deliberate compromise survive intact when paired with hyper-fast, godlike digital technology? * Recent SCOTUS cases. ***Resources/Quotes*** "The earth belongs always to the living generation… Every constitution, then, and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years. If it be enforced longer, it is an act of force and not of right." — **Thomas Jefferson**, Letter to James Madison, 1789 * Is our deep reverence for a 250-year-old document a source of essential stability, or does it trap us in the past just like Jefferson feared? "The challenge of social justice as a unifying myth is that it is essentially a vision of endless conflict, an unresolvable struggle between competing identity groups for power and recognition... We need a story that brings us together, not one that perpetually sorts us into victims and oppressors." — **Francis Fukuyama**, *Liberalism and Its Discontents*, 2022 [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-consent-of-the-governed-possible-amid-polarized-politics/](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/is-consent-of-the-governed-possible-amid-polarized-politics/)

Are past negative experiences hindering your ability to live a happy life? Are you ruled by negative emotions? Possibly you have a thought or emotion that hangs around for days and you just can't shake it. What is all this stress, anxiety, depression, acting out and self doubt? It's just crazy! It's not the real you. You **can** find out what is at the root of all this. There **IS** technology to relieve the pain of a lifetime. Areas you can be helped with: Control of unwanted emotions Lack of confidence Grief Anxiety Anger management Creating ideal relationships Depression Memory and more... This is an in-person class that can start you on the way to a better life, more confidence and less negativity. All the happiness you have lies within you. Let's find it! We only use natural proven techniques, called Dianetics; no drugs or labeling. This Zoom webinar is an introduction to proven techniques from the book "Dianetics, The Modern Science of Mental Health". This group is sponsored by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Washington, D.C. Call 202-797-9826 with any questions and to register! You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments!

Special 250th Independence Day Tour! Thomas Jefferson’s Wild Life & Times, Washington D.C. Friday, July 3, 2026, starting from the Willard Hotel! Held in and around the White House’s Lafayette Square, on the 250th anniversary weekend of Independence Day, this tour will examine the accomplishments of, and many crises faced, by Jefferson—D.C.’s first two-term President--during the American Revolution, in Europe, and during his eventful stay in the then-new Executive Mansion. And of his colleagues & rivals Alexander Hamilton, George Mason, Benjamin Banneker, James Madison, Aaron Burr, George Washington, & John Adams, and others, all of whom left a significant mark on the capital, and America, from the first July 4th and thereafter. Friday, July 3, 5:45 pm. MEET in the lobby of the Willard Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 Length: 2 hours. Nearest metros: Length: Farragut North or Farragut West Lafayette Square next to the White House has dozens of sites related to the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, Alexandria Hamilton, et al. Discover: • A traitor’s attempted overthrow of Jefferson’s Lewis & Clark expedition • The man who reconciled Hamilton and Jefferson • The other Jefferson memorial--outside the White House • George Mason’s battle against—the U.S. Constitution • The Marquis de Lafayette’s amazing & perilous associations with multiple American Presidents • Inventor of farm, kitchen, and spy apparatus • The secret language of the Jefferson Memorial • The undeclared naval war, and declared trade war, that nearly wrecked Jefferson’s second term • Sally Hemings and Maria Cosway • Disputes over the Jefferson Memorial • Rollercoaster relationship with John Adams • “The room where it happened” • The “miracle mansion” of TJ’s militia chief • The scoundrel who betrayed Jefferson, killed Hamilton, and tried setting up his own country—with the head of the U.S. Army! • Architect-in-Chief: Did TJ secretly design the White House? • When Jefferson was almost hanged • How Mason & Jefferson ended the slave trade—from Minnesota to the Mediterranean! • President Jefferson’s “First Lady” • Did Jefferson plagiarize Mason? • How TJ came to write the Declaration of Independence, and its hidden coda • And more! Pre-Register and Pre-Pay via-- Eventbrite, at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/special-250th-independence-day-tour-thomas-jeffersons-wild-life-times-dc-tickets-1602841434879?aff=oddtdtcreator Or PayPal, sending $26 to 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 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-Fatalité-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= And: https://www.amazon.com/Patriots-America-Things-American-Should-ebook/dp/B076MR3XS3/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= And, The Lost History of the Capitol-- https://www.amazon.com/Lost-History-Capitol-Tumultuous-Congress-ebook/dp/B099JBSN9Q/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Questions?: [191.EP.JM.56@proton.me](mailto:191.EP.JM.56@proton.me) Bring your walking shoes, and perhaps water and sunscreen. Kick off this special Independence Day weekend with this unique tour! Think history is boring? Not on our tours!

**THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU** You are welcome to arrive 15 minutes early for refreshments! At the lecture "The Power of the Subconscious", the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as: * What is the exact definition of the Subconscious Mind? * How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you? * What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person? * What exactly is the goal of the subconscious? This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It's interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time. And the most important topic: **HOW DO YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SUBCOUNSCIOUS!** This group is sponsored by the Dianetics Life Improvement Center.

You are invited to join my good friend **John Muller** for an in-person guided walking tour – **Frederick Douglass in Old Anacostia**. Please note that this is a paid program, which requires purchasing a ticket via the Eventbrite link below. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card) Learn about the localized history of Frederick Douglass in Old Anacostia and Barry Farm for the last quarter-century of his life. Developed in the mid-19th century as one of the District’s first suburbs, Anacostia and its residents played a key role in shaping the city we know today. A walking tour led by historian and author John Muller traces its history and significance with a focus on the man that came to be known as the “Lion of Anacostia,” Frederick Douglass, who lived in the neighborhood from 1877 until his death in 1895. Blending historic research and contemporary neighborhood affairs and news, our guide will lead the group on a walk through time, exploring one of Washington City's most misunderstood and sacred communities. Stories of presidents, local personalities, famed resident Frederick Douglass, 19th-century architecture and neighborhood folklore will be woven throughout. Questions and photography are encouraged throughout the walking tour! *** **John Muller, author of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia (2012)** and Mark Twain in Washington, D.C.: The Adventures of a Capital Correspondent (2013), has presented widely throughout the DC-Baltimore metropolitan area at venues including the Library of Congress, Enoch Pratt Library, DC Public Library, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and local universities. Muller is a frequent guest on Washington, D.C. radio stations and has been cited by the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Star Democrat, Salisbury Independent and other publications for his local history research and subject matter expertise. He has been featured on C-SPAN’s BookTV and C-SPAN’s American History TV, broadcast airwaves of NBC4 (Washington), WDVM (Hagerstown) and radio stations WPFW (DC), WAMU (DC), WYPR (Baltimore), WEAA (Baltimore), Delmarva Public Radio (Eastern Shore) and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. For the past decade Muller has contributed hundreds of articles to local and national print and online news sources, including the Washington Informer. *** This is a private walking tour of the Anacostia neighborhood conducted by an authorized local historian. Meet at the visitor’s center of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site 1411 W Street SE. Wear walking shoes, total travel is 1.5 miles. Parts of the tour are not accessible for people with mobility issues. Tour is not ADA accessible. Family & pet friendly. Metro: Anacostia (Green Line) / 92 Bus, V2, B2 Please note that this is a paid program, which requires purchasing a ticket via the Eventbrite link below. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card)

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

It's going to be hot! Let's stay inside and meet at Blue Bottle Cafe at Union Station. Between the architecture and the people, we will have plenty of inspiration. There is also an ongoing exhibit of cars from Ford for the [Ford USA 250 exhibition](https://fordauthority.com/2026/07/ford-usa-250-celebration-features-some-amazing-vehicles/), which might inspire your drawings!

Semper Gumby Ride as I'll be winging it when we get to the Mall. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Summary** **(Must Read)** **+++++++++++++++++++++** * RIDE NAME: Washington Monument Illumination - 250th Anniversary * START LOC: Washington Sailing Marina * START GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/uGpBoTzjAS8aNDuf8](https://goo.gl/maps/uGpBoTzjAS8aNDuf8) * START PARKING: Main parking lot by the restrooms. * ARRIVAL: 8:30pm * SPEECH: 8:45pm * ROLLING: As soon as the speech is done. * SUNSET: 8:38pm * LEVEL: Beginner(+) Night Ride * DISTANCE: 12.5 miles * PACE: 12-14 mph (casual pace) * TERRAIN: Trail / Street / Bike Lane * RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE: TBD **NOTE:** * 100 Lumen (or Greater) Front Light (Read all about them here: [https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/273787949](https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/273787949)) * Red Tail Light * Verify they all have a fresh charge * We will try to keep our bikes with us at the Mall (if you have a convenient bike lock please bring it just in case). **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride : Detail** **+++++++++++++++++++++** For your pleasure NoVA CBG presents .... the Washington Monument Illumination - 250th Anniversary. * **Showtime:** The 18-minute presentation plays on a loop. * **Visuals:** The projection illuminates all four sides of the monument, showcasing the people, places, moments, and ideals that have shaped the nation. * **The Grand Finale:** Each presentation concludes with the entire monument glowing brilliantly like a massive birthday candle. Basic 'unknown' plan. We will ride our bikes from the Washington Sailing Marina to the Mall. My goal is to be in front of the Smithsonian Castle (in some form or fashion). The projection is on an 18 minute loop and begins at 9pm... depending on what time we get there we will hang our for a full loop before heading back home. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Meeting Spot:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** Washington Sailing Marina 1 Marina Dr. Alexandria, VA GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/uGpBoTzjAS8aNDuf8](https://goo.gl/maps/uGpBoTzjAS8aNDuf8) Parking: You can park in the main lot by the restrooms

As always, the goal is fun. Beginners are welcome. We play until 5 or 6. Parking (Free): Plenty of free street parking available on Sunday afternoons near the playing area. Contact Organizer for exact address and other helpful details Metro: Foggy Bottom Metro Station is an 8 minute walk

On Sunday, July 5, take a break from the heat and drop in to our shop anytime from 11:00 am-3:00 pm for a creative break — **we'll be celebrating Christmas in July with a free collaged tag project!** Get a head start on preparing for the upcoming holiday season and make tags perfect for attaching to gift boxes or hanging from your tree. There’s no fee to attend: supplies and quick project demonstrations / instructions will be provided. **[Learn more on our website »](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/july-5-make-take-gift-tags)** As with all our Make & Takes, children who are appropriately aged for a projects’ skills and to safely handle crafting tools are welcome, but MUST be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.

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.

Call 202 797 9826 for more information and to register. Walk-ins are welcome! Refreshments are served. Your negative emotions can significantly impact your life and your relationships. Sometimes couples and friendships break apart simply because people couldn't manage their own negative emotions, such as anger, worries, anxiety, or depression. In this meeting, you will learn where these negative emotions come from, for you, and what you can do to start healing from them. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! And you can do it without medications, without suppressing these emotions inside yourself. You don't need to leave your loved ones. Come to this meeting and learn the answers. Our doors are open. **Refreshments will be served.** This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement information center in Washington, DC.

Your negative emotions can significantly impact your life and your relationships. Sometimes couples and friendships break apart simply because people couldn't manage their own negative emotions, such as anger, worries, anxiety, or depression. In this meeting, you will learn where these negative emotions come from, for you, and what you can do to start healing from them. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! And you can do it without medications, without suppressing these emotions inside yourself. You don't need to leave your loved ones. Come to this meeting and learn the answers. Our doors are open. Refreshments will be served. Call to reserve your seat 202-797-9826. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement information center in Washington, DC.

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.

Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations. 
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that. We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Worthington, and parts of Westerville and Columbus. 
Feel free to bring your own games or play one of the many games our members bring. If you are inexperienced, we will help you learn. 
Here are just a few examples of the kind of games we play. 
Tabletop/board games: Splendor, Catan, Azul, Dominion, 7 Wonders… 
Social deduction games: Code Names, Chameleon, Werewords… 
IMPORTANT: 
1. While we love playing a variety of games and competing, we are not just about the games. We interact and talk while playing, and this leads to a lot of laughter and fun. If you just want to compete and focus solely on the game, then this is probably not the group you are looking for. 
2. Many people join groups like this and never (or rarely) show up after weeks or months. If you join and never really come, we will eventually remove you from the group as a courtesy to our members. Why? Because limiting group conversations (on the app) to regular members makes communication and planning much easier. Also, while it may be rare, it protects members from people who join because they are interested in following a person instead of having a real interest in our group. If you get removed, it is just because you haven’t come, and we follow this protocol as a courtesy to our regular game players.

Want to see your work shine and put your pride on display? Then come to July's Creativity Circle! We will be making simple Suncatchers with tissue paper! Seats and supplies limited! Come while you can for as long as you like! Westerville Public Library in Meeting Room D.

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.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia