Reserecting an old thread but there is a club starting in loudoun. Most people already know about it though. Pm me for details and follow @locohomebrewers on twitter.
I guess "relax, don't worry. Have a homebrew" is now "you must do it this way every time because science and experts agree that I am right and my way is superior". Try a batch without a starter and a batch with a starter and see what works better for YOU for that particular BATCH.