Young Democrats

**Our resolution for this year is, to party harder:) Come help us to do so!:)** Grow your professional network across industries, swap ideas, and unwind in a friendly, collaborative vibe, ideal for career-minded pros seeking connections. All professionals in the DMV and MidAtlantic area are invited! This event is to every and each professional in different industry, sector and specialization to grow, interact, and learn from each other. It is designed to provide a professional environment, to meet other professionals, to broaden one's career. It is also for those interested in careers and are studying or intend to enter the dynamic world of global professionalism. ***GRAB A BOOZE OR A BITE AND YOU WILL BE SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD:) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. HOW IT WORKS : We will give out name tags and you write your name and your industry/sector/specialization. However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that area. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARD. Rules to abide : 1. Event is free and 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to connect with others as well. 3. We all are professionals in one or two fields and be willing to share your knowledge and experience to others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't belong the other person's required specialization, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face networking event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](mailto:info@merevents.com)). 9. When you get there, we will greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. ***Please be patient for the first 30 minutes, up until we form a group with your respective industry/sector.*** ***AFTER THE SOCIAL, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** \- Come one\, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended\! \- Feel free to invite your friends\. They don't necessarily have to be a member\. \- Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in life with us\. ***N.B. : We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)).*** **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITELINK. IT RULES.** [) [) [) [) [) [) [) http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/1/d/1/600_443321425.jpeg

Please do not arrange to play earlier than the scheduled start time UNLESS you are able to stay till the end of the event, we do not want people leaving early and creating uneven numbers. Hello members, Tennis has become much more popular since the pandemic started and court space has been harder to come by. Following these simple rules will help everyone get the most out of MoCo Topspinners Meetup. • If you RSVP for an event, please attend that event or cancel at least two hours before the event starts. Members that no-show will receive one warning then will be benched (suspended) from events for two weeks. Three no-shows can result in a permanent ban. (No-shows create uneven numbers and prevent folks on the waitlist from playing. Please do your part to un-RSVP as soon as you know that you cannot attend an event.) • Members must have a way to communicate with organizers and hosts. This can be through the Meetup app messages or by providing other contact info. • Any member can ask a host or organizer to have their skill rated for event attendance purposes. You will not be allowed to participate in events higher than your NTRP rating. (We may try to limit numbers or have multiple events on a given day to accommodate players of different skill levels and also to help alleviate the court availability problem). • All members shall conduct good sportsmanship and be courteous to other members at all times. • Sexual harassment, racism, sexism or any kind of intolerance will not be tolerated and will result in the permanent ban from the group. • If member receives three warning infractions, the member will be suspended from the Meetup for a period of one month. If a member is suspended twice (six warnings), that member will be permanently banned and any membership dues will then be forfeited. • If you are scheduling to play with others outside of a MoCo Topspinners event, and you know that there is a MoCo Topspinners event scheduled for that day at that time, please try to use courts other than the courts where the event is scheduled, or move your time so that it does not conflict with the Topspinners event. For a list of complete rules and definitions you can see the MoCo Topspinners front page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are hoping for a fun season but we may have to wait for courts and leave earlier than we are used to. Please be patient as we adjust to this new normal and try a few different things that will hopefully help the situation. Happy playing! If you would like to attend this event you must be a of minimum 3.0 level. USTA guidelines prior for signing up for the Meetup: https://assets.usta.com/assets/1/15/ExperiencedGuidelines_02142011_V2pdf.pdf Singles and doubles game play flexible depending on court availability. If you have any questions, please feel free to drop the group organizers a message. Looking forward to a great 2021 season- see you on the courts! • What to bring Tennis Balls and Racket, Water.

🌟 **Join Us for CAFEr's Day!** 🌟 📅 **Date:** January 2, 2026 🕠 **Time:** 5:00 PM 📍 **Location:** Mason District Government Center (Main Room), Annandale, VA We’re excited to invite all **CAFE volunteers and friends** to a special event — **CAFEr's Day!** This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, connect, and strengthen our bonds as a community. 🤝 **What to Expect:** * **Social Time** – Catch up with familiar faces and make new friends. * **Discussion & Bonding** – Share ideas, stories, and inspiration as we strengthen the heart of our CAFE community. Whether you’re a long-time volunteer or a new friend of CAFE, we’d love to see you there. Let’s celebrate the spirit of **Community Art For Everyone** together! 📢 **Mark your calendar and spread the word!** We can’t wait to share this special time with all of you. #CAFErsDay #CommunityArtForEveryone #VolunteerLove #CAFECommunity #LetsConnect

After a wonderful kickoff open mic, we’re gathering again, this time for a relaxed, conversational meetup focused on craft, process, and the real questions writers carry with them. Coffee & Craft Talk is exactly what it sounds like: a welcoming space to sip your cafe drink of choice, connect with other writers, and talk honestly about our work. We’ll share experiences and learn from one another in a way that’s thoughtful and unpretentious. You’re welcome whether you’re actively drafting, revising, querying, submitting, or just trying to stay connected to your writing life.

Kick off the new year with The ArtHouse in a stroll around Dupont Circle to tour a few art galleries. It will be cold but we won't be walking that far, and the galleries will be warm inside. We'll start off at Hillyer where photos in *RESIST* celebrate resistance and a call to action. It asks viewers to ponder the question “What are you willing to do or risk to resist?” *Unbreakable Elements* by Jun Lee explores printmaking through materials such as wood, paper, and glass. At the Ven, Solo Exhibition *Beauty through Contrast* showcases award winning international photo artist Sebastian Schuster. Vika Gallery is the contemporary art space of Vika Visual Arts Association — a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the arts in the Washington, DC region. **Dupont Underground** will present 21 portraits from the 1000 Dreams Project: Refugee stories in their own words. We'll finish around 8 pm. Can suggest a couple dinner places after for the group.

Lovers of books, banter, beverages, bites... Let's kick off the new year by gathering at the spacious Life Cafe and bistro for our book chat! Meet inside. Ask for the table with Eddie. When: Friday, Jan. 2, 5:30 pm Where: *Life Cafe, 1440 N Edgewood St. Arlington, VA 22201*. Conveniently located a couple of blocks from the Clarendon metro stop and down from the Barnes & Noble bookshop. What: Bring a book, paper copy or on your cell, to briefly discuss. Grab a beverage or snack or slice. Everyone will take turns with their own book. Then general conversation about literature and related stuff. Invite your friends to come along, for beverages and books! Giving thanks, for great authors. Happy reading!

**Join Us for New Year Fun with the VSDC Vegan Children’s Playgroup!** Bring the whole family to welcome 2026 with an afternoon of creativity, connection, and fun. For this year's event, we’re excited to team up with Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) as we celebrate the New Year with crafts, games, vegan-themed books, and delicious vegan refreshments. While the event and the VSDC Children's Playgroup is all-vegan, our meetup welcomes veg (or veg-curious) kids under the age of 10 to be accompanied by at least one parent or caregiver. The vision for this playgroup is to build community for veg kids to help instill more confidence in their lifestyle choices and provide a strong sense of belonging while also having fun. We also seek to provide support for parents/caretakers by sharing helpful tips, resources, and inspiration for vegan families. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are so glad to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we enjoy seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](http://vsdc.org/) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The VSDC membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Become a member of VSDC](https://vsdc.org/membership/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

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

**Celebrate [Veganuary](https://veganuary.com/en-us/)** on Saturday, January 3rd, with the [Veg Society of DC (VSDC)](vsdc.org) with a vegan networking and social event at [DC Vegan](https://www.dc-vegan.com/)! This will be the kick-off to Veganuary in DC. *Yes, we will also do a round of vegan trivia with prizes!* *About Veganuary: "Our vision is simple; we want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction." Veganuary has inspired and supported millions of people to try vegan since 2014 – with participants from almost every country in the world. They have worked with businesses to drive up vegan options in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through their work with national and international media.* DC Vegan will feature a special mocktail for the occasion. There is **no fee to attend but PLEASE DO purchase food and drinks from the DC Vegan cafe. Everything is vegan.** Note: DC Vegan Cafe is a *VSDC Green Rewards members so show your VSDC member card and get 10% off on food and beverages*. If not already a [member of VSDC, then join today](https://vsdc.org/join/#join). Additionally, if you would like to ***reserve a table in advance, please go to the following link and [make your booking here](https://tables.toasttab.com/restaurants/a3575f59-b1e6-49dd-934e-21cb80b98be0/findTime)***. If you don't book a table in advance, then please know you will be joining numerous others standing in the open areas as part of the social with mingling. This event will take place on Saturday, January 3rd, starting at 3 pm. Come then or come later - people will be there over the course of the evening. Announcements and trivia will occur sometime around 4 pm. Don't be a no show! If your plans change, please update your RSVP. By coming to this event, we expect you to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). ***See you at the event and bring friends! Be sure to RSVP in advance to let us know.*** **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are so glad to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we enjoy seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The VSDC membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Become a member of VSDC](https://vsdc.org/membership/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

### 🌻 **Gratitude is JOY! — Gentle Yoga, Journaling & Soundscape** 🗓 **Sunday, November 16th** \| ⏰ **4:00–6:00 PM** 📍 **Body Grace Yoga Studio, Vienna, VA** Let’s gather in community to celebrate gratitude, joy, and connection before the year ends! 💛 This special Gratitude Workshop blends: ✨ Gratitude journaling (featuring beautifully crafted journals by **[Sunshine & Agape](https://sunshineandagape.com/)**) ✨ Gentle yoga to open the body and heart ✨ A soothing, heart-expanding **soundscape** to close the evening Practicing gratitude can shift everything — helping us find more joy, peace, and appreciation in daily life. This is one of my favorites events and will be my **final group event of 2025!** 💫 **Self-Investment:** 💛 $65 Early Bird (until Nov. 5th) 💛 $80 Regular 🎟 Register here → [https://events.humanitix.com/gratitude-is-joy](https://events.humanitix.com/gratitude-is-joy) If you’d like to book a **private or small-group soundscape or gratitude session**, reach out — I’d love to create something special for you. 🌿

This is a paid event — $10 per person 💰🎨 to cover all materials like poster boards, magazines, scissors ✂️, glue 🖌️, and markers 🖍️, so everyone has everything they need to craft their dream board ✨💛. Start the new year with intention and creativity at our Vision Board Meetup 🌟🖼️! Join us at the food court next to Shotted in Tysons Two Galleria 🏙️🍴 for a fun, interactive afternoon where you’ll create a personalized vision board to inspire your 2026 goals 🎯🌈💫. RSVP by December 30 📅✅ to secure your spot. Payment is due by January 1 💳⏰ to ensure we have enough supplies for all attendees. Payments can be made via Zelle to the event organizer directly at 571-699-6852 📲. After payment has been made, please text a screenshot 📸 to the same number for verification ✅. We’ll provide everything — just bring your creativity 🎨✨, energy ⚡, and any personal photos or quotes you’d like to include 📷📝! Expect a friendly, warm, and social environment 🤗💛 where you can connect with others 🤝💬 while building something meaningful for your year ahead 🌟🌈🎯. Let’s make 2026 intentional, inspiring, and fun together 🎉💃🖌️🎨!

Join DC Metro Crafts for the first 2026 meetup! We'll be at Quill and Crumbs, the cafe at the Shakespeare Folger Library. The Shakespeare Folger Library is about 3 blocks from the Capitol South metro. Head up First as you get out of the station, pass the Library of Congress and the Capitol, turn right on East Capitol, and the Folger is on the right. The entrance is around the side, not through the front of the building. The cafe is upstairs. Bring your own cross stitch, knitting, crochet, or other portable craft. We'll be in the back at the group tables.

**Our resolution for this year is, to party harder:) Come help us to do so!:)** Socialize, mingle and dance the night away, your memorable one, rubbing your shoulder with DC's party snobs. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU ARE ALL SET TO ENJOY THE EVENT. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. We will rotate attendees. So that everyone meets everyone. You would get to meet your future friends/acquaintances/buddies/pals /partner-in-crimes or may be more:) To hang out/go out or do things together. Also, this is an ideal event if you are new in town or not! ***AFTER THE SOCIAL, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!*** **This is also a wicked 'MeRtUp'!** **What is MERTUP?:) Mer + Meetup = Mertup.** **Mer is known as the Meetup guy. He likes to connect people and his fans coined that name for him. So, at his events, everyone will become a Wing Person to everyone:) When you get get there, we will introduce you to someone and you will be responsible to introduce that person to another person. That is MERTUP!** We will have specials, including our usual suspect MERtini:) Dress code : Weekend Casual Event is free and 21+ * Come one, come all; YOU COULD FLY SOLO TOO:) This is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! * Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member * Ideal for either you are new in town or not, to make friends and acquaintances * RSVP on Meetup is required. That is how we check you in. * We will have a registration station and check you in. Cover is $20. **But it is FREE with RSVP.** **Fellas, it is hard to pass on this!** http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/7/5/6/600_434918742.jpeg http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/1/3/6/600_418768982.jpeg http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/7/9/c/600_434918812.jpeg

Step into 2026 with intention, clarity, and a creative practice designed to help you see yourself more clearly. In this special Confidence Lab session, we’ll explore confidence as something you can curate - through the choices you make, the qualities you amplify, and the story you choose to step into. We’ll start with a short guided reflection to surface the traits, habits, and energies you want to nurture in the coming year. Then, using collage materials selected specifically for this workshop, you’ll translate those insights into a visual composition that represents the version of yourself you’re ready to grow toward. This isn’t about resolutions or perfection. It’s about crafting a grounded, imaginative vision of your next chapter - one that feels honest, energizing, and fully yours. All materials are provided. Just bring yourself (and a friend) and a willingness to explore what confidence can look like for you in 2026. **Featured Partner: Columbus Collage Collective** The Columbus Collage Collective was started in August of 2023 by Emily Morgan (aka Lovely But Dead) and Douglas Cuckler (aka Wonder Doug) as a place for collage enthusiasts to gather and create art together. The collective has since become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to hold free or low-cost collage events across central Ohio. The CCC welcomes all artists of all backgrounds and skill levels and encourages folks to take this time to step away from everyday existence and create art with people who share a love for this dynamic art form. All materials—magazines, scissors, craft knives, glue, paper, cardboard, and more—are provided, so there's no need to bring anything at all (though you're welcome to bring a friend or a favorite tool if you'd like!). We also encourage folks to take home magazines and materials from our events to support continued creativity! Find us on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/columbuscollagecollective/](https://www.instagram.com/columbuscollagecollective/) Register or sign up for the newsletter at [https://www.columbuscollagecollective.com/](https://www.columbuscollagecollective.com/) **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

**Start the new year with a Braver Angels gathering focused on speaking openly and listening deeply.** **In small, structured groups, each person will have five minutes to share a political or social issue that matters to them and why- no debate, no interruption, just genuine curiosity.** **Participants will practice curiosity, reflecting back values and emotions they hear, asking thoughtful questions, and- only with permission- offering their perspective.** **It’s a simple and powerful way to connect with one another and begin the year with a respectful and courageous conversation.** **Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026** **Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm** **Place: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Southeast Branch, 3980 Hamilton Rd, Groveport, Ohio** **All are welcome- bring a friend!** For additional information contact: Lee Evans at [LEvans@BraverAngels.org](mailto:LEvans@BraverAngels.org)

Join us for an informal, in-person discussion about the political and economic issues impacting **Columbus, Grandville, Ohio, and the country**. This meetup is a chance to connect with neighbors, share perspectives, and talk openly about real-world policy challenges and solutions, outside of party politics. No speeches, no talking points, just honest conversation, questions, and ideas. Whether you’re deeply engaged or just looking for a place to be heard, you’re welcome to attend. ☕ Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and be part of the conversation.

**Calling all queer crochet enthusiasts;** I am a visual artist located in Columbus that is searching for people who may want to gather while also participating in creating a piece of artwork. My goal is to spend time enjoying one another’s company while making a work of art that will be displayed within our community. I plan to teach people to crochet (if unfamiliar) while also inviting current fiber artists to join us for some much-needed social interaction. There are no expectations from those who attend, materials will be included, and any amount of participation is welcome! If you have a favorite crochet hook or current project you are welcome to bring that along too! The primary goal is to foster a safe space for our community to chat, create and be. For further information please email [landerknits@outlook.com.](http://landerknits@outlook.com.) \*This will be our 2nd meeting, bring friends and make new ones. Come as you are and make along side other like-minded folks.

Why are we unhappy? Where does emotional pain come from? Studies show that people who suffer from long-term emotional pain have painful experiences in their lives that were never fully resolved in their mind. In other words, there were issues in the past that were not completely dealt with. This can include abuse in childhood, breakups, divorce, death of a loved one, to name a few. How do you know whether you have gotten over something painful? Here is an easy test: Do you still have attention on what had happened to you? For instance, do you still find yourself thinking about something painful that you went through? If you are, then you are not over it. In fact, in severe cases, people find themselves playing a "tape" in their mind over and over again. So how do you heal from your past? How do you stop the "tape" playing in your mind? In this meeting, you will learn a technique to help you with that. Come join us! 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 and Scientology life improvement center.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [5 Bean Coffee](https://5beancoffee.com/)!