Integrating Russia into the Western World: Successes and Failures: A Personal Account
2025-03-11 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker: Stephen Creskoff

I spent my career as an international trade lawyer, both in private law practice and working for US Government and international organizations such as USAID, the World Bank and the United Nations, in more than 50 countries. Between September 2004 and February 2006, I was Chief of Party for a World Bank consulting project in Moscow, Russia, designed to help Russia change its laws to conform with requirements of World Trade Organization and World Customs Organization agreements. My talk, illustrated with photos, will cover some of the revealing and amusing experiences I had working in Russia and then briefly discuss where we are today in US-Russia relations.

History & Culture of Zionism
2025-04-08 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker: – Mike Leavitt

The history of Zionism spans thousands of years, from its roots in ancient biblical texts through its continuous appearance in Jewish prayer books to its modern manifestation as a political movement in the late 19th century and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This talk will trace the development of Zionist ideas and aspirations from biblical times through key historical periods, culminating in the creation of Israel and ongoing debates surrounding Zionism today.

Entree Choices: Beef Fajitas or Glazed Salmon w/ Creamed Spinach or Vegan Option

$40 members $45 guests

Register for this Month’s Event

Plastic Journey – From Crude Oil to Nano Particles in our Organs
2025-05-13 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Speaker: Hosny Khordagui

Register for this Month’s Event

How are plastics manufactured?

Who are the main Global producers and consumers of plastics?

What is the fate of plastics in the environment?

What are the impacts of plastics on marine and terrestrial ecology?

What are the sources of Micro & Nano plastics?

What are the detected levels of Micro & Nano plastics in air, water and food?

Do Micro & Nano plastics accumulate in our bodies & organs?

What are the potential detrimental health effects of Micro and Nano plastics?

How to reduce Micro & Nano plastics exposure with emphasis on drinking water?

$40 Members – $45 Guests

Members Only Picnic
2025-06-10 17:30 - 20:00
Register for this Month’s Event

Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
2025-09-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Dennis Spriggs

Most people have heard of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which the Hutus in an attempt to eradicate the hated Tutsis, killed over 80,000 people over a span of 100 days — mostly hacked to death by machetes. There is even a 2005 movie, “Hotel Rwanda, describing that killing spree. Alice and I visited Rwanda in 2006 where we visited the Genocide Museum and observed bullet holes in Hotel Rwanda. The other reason for Rwanda was to climb one of the mountains in Volcanos National Park to find the critically endangered mountain gorillas. These gorillas themselves faced a sort of genocide. The Rwandan authorities made plans to convert much of the Volcanos National Park into cattle farming, hastening the demise of the entire gorilla population. Luckily, this never happened when it was realized that gorillas were worth more alive than dead and worth more than the cattle they were planning to raise. The talk will touch on both topics — genocide and the life-alternating experience of visiting the magnificent gorillas in their natural habitat. One of these experiences was when an adult gorilla grabbed me by the leg intent on understanding the fur of this strange ape-like creature. Lots of pictures will be worked into the talk.

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Hypnosis and the Power of Suggestion
2025-10-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, Virginia, 201747
We are all susceptible to the power of suggestion. Suggestion might be overt, “I’d like you to turn down the TV volume.” It might. But it might be subtle by calling up an idea in your mind by associating it with something else. We can even respond physically without conscious intention to verbal or visual suggestion. If you see someone bite into a lemon, you salivate more. Even reading about someone biting a lemon may increase salivation. If you see someone yawn, you yawn.

Hypnosis is often described as a state of relaxation marked by focused attention and greater responsiveness to suggestion. As a therapeutic tool it has been used to treat anxiety, compulsions and addictions among other problems. In sports psychology, it is used to overcome barriers or focus more strongly on a desired action. In pain management, the selective focused attention may lessen awareness of pain and suggestions may elicit the body’s own endorphins. Stage hypnosis involves some of the same elements, but also brings in factors like role playing, peer pressure and even occasionally some cheating.

$45 Members – $50 Guests

“What Can We Expect From the Administration’s U.S. Tariff Policies?”
2025-11-11 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, Virginia, 201747
Jim will discuss the economics of tariffs and tariff policies. He will describehow tariff taxes work, who pays the taxes, and how the tax-costs filter

through the economy. He will describe the effects of tariffs on the econo-mies of the countries that charge the tariff and the countries on which the

tariff is charged. Along the way, he will explore why economists do not liketariffs and why politicians do like them.Steve will discuss the administration’s tariff policies and their potential

effects on international trade and trade relations with its allies and adver-saries. He will explore the complexities of measuring imports, especially

with respect to intermediate goods, and the difficulty of forecasting re-sponses, and perhaps retaliation, by U.S. trading partners.

Steve spent his career as an international trade lawyer in more than fifty

countries. He worked in private law practice, US Government, and for in-ternational organizations such as USAID, World Bank and United Nations.

Steve and his partner Kathleen Hughes live in Magnolia North.Jim is a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired economist, who spent most of hiscareer doing economic research for the Navy as a defense contractor.Since retiring, he has pursued his interest in U.S. economic history andeconomic policy. Jim and his wife Helena live in Potomac Ridge.

Torch Club Members Only Holiday Party
2025-12-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
The dinner buffet will be catered by La Villa Roma and include:

Green and Caesar salads; Chicken Parmesan;

Meatballs in Sauce; Pasta Marinara; Pasta Alfredo; Garlic knots and rolls,

with Cannoli for dessert. The meal cost is $40 and drinks are BYOB.

Price is $40 for members and guests. Please leave a check with your build-

ing representative, or pay with check or cash at the door.

Technology in Cardiac Surgery
2026-01-13 17:15 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker Dr. Ahmed Sayed

Menu:

Caesar Salad

Chicken Marsala with shallots, mushrooms, in creamy Marsala wine sauce

or

Roasted Salmon with tomatoes, garlic, basil lemon sauce

Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus

Vegetarian available with protein.

My Father’s Experiences in World War II
2026-02-10 17:15 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Page Bradley

Menu: Arugula Salad with gorgonzola cheese, pear, toasted walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette

Glazed boneless pork chops with brown sugar, garlic sauce

or

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Mediterranean spices

Basmati Rice, Mixed seasonal veggies

Vegetarian available with protein.

Analysis of The Way We Live Now --1975 and 2025
2026-03-10 17:15 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Hugh Sockett

Menu:

ChickPea Salad(Romaine, Tomato, Cucumber, Red Onion, ChickPeas, Lemon Parsley Vinaigrette).

Grilled Beef Chunks with Garlic Butter and Mushrooms or Grilled Chicken with Lemon Caper Sauce

Mashed Potatoes & Roasted Brussels sprouts.

Vegetarian Option

Dessert Assortment

Climate Change Skepticism
2026-04-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Michael Leavitt

Climate skepticism isn’t a single, uniform viewpoint — it spans a wide spectrum. At one end are those who question whether warming is even happening;at the other are people who accept the science but doubt the scale of human influence. While there’s a strong scientific consensus that human activity is driving major changes to our climate, people arrive at their doubts in very different ways. Some challenge the underlying data, others are skeptical of climate models, and still others dispute how serious the projected impacts will actually be. Recognizing this diversity matters. It helps us pinpoint where the real disagreements lie — and, more importantly, it creates space for more honest and constructive conversations about solutions, policy, and how we engage with the public on this issue.

Menu:

House Salad: Mixed Greens, Tomato, Onion, Green Pepper, Cucumber, Lemon Vinaigrette

Shrimp Scampi Penne Pasta with Lemon and White Wine Sauce or Boneless Pork Chops with Olives, Basil and Tomatoes

Vegetarian Option

Seasonal Vegetables & Basmati Rice

Dessert Assortment

The Evolution of Chiropracty
2026-05-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Ambiance Banquet Restaurant, 44184 Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147
Speaker: Joe Dockery

Beginning with a dramatic spinal adjustment in 1895, chiropractic has grown to become the largest drugless healing profession in the world. In his May 12 talk, 46 year Chiropractor, Joe Dockery, D.C., will lecture on the history and benefits of chiropractic, along with stories relati ng to his personal experience in the field. Dr. Dockery will also focus on the scientific efficacy of spinal manipulation, chiropractic’s often tumultuous relationship with the American Medical Association, and its ultimate acceptance into the world’s overall health care universe. He will also present his personal views as to where Chiropractic went right, and where Chiropractic may have missed an opportunity to add significantly to the public Interest in alternative care.

June Members Only Picnic
2026-06-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Lansdowne Woods Club House Auditorium, 19375 Magnolia Grove Square, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Member Only Picnic

25th Anniversary of 9-11
2026-09-08 17:30 - 20:30
September marks the 25th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attack on the WorldTrade Center. Torch member and Membership Commitee Chair Christina Caldwell will presenther knowledge on how the attack affected National and International travel policies andactivities, all based on her experience with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Biogenetics
2026-10-13 08:00 - 17:00
Joyce Mitchell
