Charity Events

***Feel free to come earlier to ensure we have enough courts!*** **Remember to bring a can of new or lightly used tennis balls.** By signing up to this Meetup event, you agree * To practice effective social distancing and hold yourself 100% responsible for protecting yourself against exposure to Covid-19 and any other cooties. * To not hold anyone (including Meetup.com) liable should you be exposed to Covid-19 by attending this event. * To decline attending if you suspect you have any of the Covid-19-related symptoms (we can wait until you're better to show your tennis prowess). Please bring a can of NEW tennis balls. As usual, this meetup is cancelled if the weather doesn't permit us to play If you see others waiting to use the courts, please limit your play to one short set (best of 5 games), where the losing team rotates out. Thanks in advance!!

**Unwind. Breathe. Reset.** Join us for a calming **guided evening meditation** designed to help you **release stress**, **quiet the mind**, and **restore inner peace**, even if you’ve never meditated before. * **Time:** 7:00 PM–7:30 PM * **Format:** Gentle guidance + quiet time + peaceful reflection * **Perfect for:** Beginners and experienced meditators * **What to bring:** Just yourself **Come as you are. Leave feeling lighter.** * **Reserve your spot** (recommended) * **Free Event - Donations Appreciated** * **Bring a friend. First-timers welcome!** * **Arrive early to settle in. Doors open at 6:00 PM.**

Games night is back! With our favorite local game store opening back up, Games night will come back starting Monday June 7th! We are an lgbt+ games group that’s been going for nearly 3 years now! We welcome anyone in the lgbt+ community to come play board games every Monday with our fun and chaotic crew! If you’re brand new to board gaming and looking to make some friends or if you love playing 4 hour space operas and are looking to make some rivals, we’re the group for you! We are an lgbt+ group that focuses on creating a safe lgbt+ community. Non-lgbt+ individuals are welcome when attending with an lgbt+ friend, family member, or partner. Huzzah hobbies currently follows cdc guidelines, where customers who are vaccinated are allowed to not wear masks indoors. With their current hours on Mondays, they are open until 9pm; if they change hours and remain open later, games night will continue until close. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to message us here!

Ages 2–4 with Caregiver Join us for playful sessions supporting coordination, early literacy, and bonding.

***NOTE: This event is open only to students who have already taken the "Meditation with Intention...Connecting with Spirit! class"*** If you have not taken this class and would like more information, please contact me - lightworksreiki@aol.com or check out the next Light Works' "Meditation with Intention....to Connect with Spirit!" class on the meetup calendar. http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/0/2/0/600_447088704.jpeg Monday Night Meditation with Intention! Join us as we put our meditation skills to work and practice raising our vibration to connect with Spirit for messages of love, guidance, healing, and inspiration! Bring your journals and your open crown, third eye, and heart chakras and give it a try! After the meditation, we'll share and discuss what we experienced. This process is designed to exercise your meditation skills and to learn from each other. Having a difficult time meditating on your own? Many people find that it's much easier to do in a group setting. Please be sure to RSVP as space is limited. Looking forward to seeing you there! Water, tea, & good vibes provided. Cost: $20.00 FINAL NOTE: THESE ARE GROUP SESSIONS SO IF WE DO NOT HAVE AT LEAST FOUR ATTENDEES SIGNED UP BY NOON, THE MEDITATION WILL BE CANCELLED. http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/a/8/e/600_447087278.jpeg

GRASP started on April 27, 2022 - exactly 4 years to the day and at this very location! (formerly Mod Pizza) Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate our community and see friends old and new while enjoying pizza that has become quite a hit in the DMV area! Andy's serves pizza by the slice and also wine by the glass or bottle. Two slices of pizza and a coke cost about $12. It all started with a ball of Trader Joe’s pizza dough. Over nearly a decade, Andy Brown has refined his recipe from semihomemade to a from-scratch crust that ferments for 72 hours before it’s baked in a hot stone oven. This location, in Kentlands, is the newest but Andy’s is quickly mushrooming around DC and NoVA. With its pliable crust, tangy tomatoes, and high-quality cheese, this is one of the most awarded pizzas in the DMV.

Curl up with a good book and a hot cup of your poison of choice. Maybe start a book club to talk about your favs and read together.

Join us for a volunteer day helping the animals at Rosie's Farm Sanctuary in Potomac, MD. Before attending this event, you must sign a liability waiver. Please use this link [https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/) The chores you will be doing are physical. You will be working on big projects that require many volunteers like removing old bedding, sanitizing stals and replacing with new bedding, along with the daily clean up chores. Wear boots and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Feel free to bring a filled water bottle. On sunny days a brimmed hat and sunglasses may be helpful. Sunscreen is also suggested. Please do not bring any food or yummy-smelling items on your body or in your bag as our animals love to eat and are on special diets. Out of respect for the animals, we do not allow any food with animal products to be consumed at Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. Please ensure that all edible items are plant-based (no dairy, no cheese, no cow’s milk ice cream, no meat, no fish, no eggs). Thank you for your cooperation and respect for this. It is very important to us. There is a gift shop where you can browse and warm up during the event. Please post your pictures and tag Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and VSDC! Stick around at the end for a group photo behind the barn. If there is interest, we may go out to eat in one of our local vegan restaurants afterward. We are limited to 30 volunteers, so please change your RSVP if you cannot attend. Rosie's Farm Sanctuary is always in need of volunteers. If you want to volunteer with them outside of VSDC's volunteer days, make sure to visit [Rosies Farm Sanctuary ](https://rosiesfarmsanctuary.org/volunteer/) to sign up. 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/). **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) 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 membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being 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. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **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.**

Meet with an attorney for a free, 20-minute meeting to provide legal information. Each session will begin with a presentation about a legal topic followed by individual meetings with an attorney. Registration required. RSVPing on Meetup does not register you for the program. To register, please [click here](https://pwcgov.libnet.info/events?term=lawyer&r=range&start=today&end=2030-12-31).

HEY THERE, SUPERHEROES!!!! CHOOSE OUR NON PROFIT and come run with us! Sign up to Run and pick 37Gives Back as the non-profit you are running for! Run the Greenway is not your typical race. It’s the one day a year you get to take over the Dulles Greenway and actually run it. No cars. No traffic. Just you, your people, and a wide open stretch of road. Pick your pace. Go all in on the 10K, keep it fun with a 5K, or bring the kids for the fun run. Walk it, jog it, race it, just show up and be part of it. It’s high energy, family friendly, and all for a good reason. Every step supports local Loudoun charities, with hundreds of thousands raised for the community over the years. Fresh air, great people, a little friendly competition, and that feeling of doing something good while having a really good time. This years theme is SUPERHEROES! Run local. Support local...this is one you don’t want to miss.

Mindfulness Meditation group practice every Wednesday evening at Unity of Gaithersburg. Mindfulness practice is not about achieving some special state of mind; it is more about noticing the experience you are having without trying to change it. This interesting video suggests why you might sit and watch your mind wander off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmmBF8eTl18 This noticing tends to shift your nervous system from a 'fight-or-flight' state to a more relaxed and receptive state. In this receptive mental state, you begin to see your own experience differently and, over time, see other people and the world differently. Also, it is good for you: "the effect of regular meditation on the cortex was so profound that fifty-year-old meditators had a prefrontal cortex that looked like that of a twenty-five-year-old" [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT) Here is an interesting and funny take on meditation by Ajahn Brahm: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs). If you arrive on time, there will be an introduction at the beginning, if you arrive late, find a chair and join us. There will be some discussion after. This is a free event, but contributions to the church's expenses are welcome. You can just show up this Wednesday or subsequent Wednesdays. More information at [https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org](https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org/)/

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/restons-outing-tickets-126314830057). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. Due to the COVID 19, we have limited spots and we allocate them, before the event, to serve our customers safely according to CDC and local governments guidelines. Hence, advance ticket purchase is required and don't try to walk-in; AS THIS RESULTS BEING REMOVED FROM THE GROUP. This is a different type of event, designed around the pandemic. ABOUT THE EVENT We go all over Virginia and canvas all cities and towns. This time it is Reston's turn. Here we come! We will be heading to. It is a rustic-modern spot which serves an American menu, local brews & cocktails. Ticket Price : $15 (will increase soon) Ticket price includes a half order of wings, goat cheese fritters; AND a beer or cocktail of the day. CASH BAR AFTERWARDS. As per local Government guidelines, this is a sit down dinning event. Maximum of six people will be seated per table. We have super limited space! Get your tickets ASAP. After dinner, we will rotate dinners from table to table. 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. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY AND SHOULD BE WORN AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT EATING AND DRINKING. * 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 * Event is 21+ We are at 50% capacity. So, please drink for two:) As we all know, the hospitality industry is badly hit by the crisis and be generous to your bartenders and waitresses. Due to the pandemic the entire set up of this event is changed: * We will be complying with all CDC, state, and local guidelines. * Occupancy never exceeds 50%. * No Cash Transaction to reduce contamination. * All patrons must wear masks. If you don't wear a mask, we don't allow you to enter and you won't be refunded. * A thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces will be done during the event and please bear with us. * Temperature check for staff and patrons. Payment Instructions : 1. You should login from a PC to see the 'Pay Now' button, after RSVPing. Then hit the button. 2. Verify correct dollar amount for number of people you're paying for. 3. If you don't have a Paypal account, click "Pay with a Debit or Credit Card". 4. If you have a Paypal account, simply log in, and pay as you normally would via Paypal. Refund & Ticket Resell All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to those who RSVPed 'YES' advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizer a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. PARKING INFO : Free parking. However, the event involves drinking and we highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKET. IT RULES** http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/3/b/9/event_434665529.jpeg

Enjoy a flat and fast course up and back on the Dulles Greenway starting and finishing at the Dulles Toll Plaza. See the Greenway like never before by running along your peers and enjoying the beautiful tree line ahead. Along with the exclusive opportunity to run on the Dulles Greenway, the race also supports local charities. 100% of all donations raised will go to the charities. So get your fundraising hat on, create a person site via Runsignup, and promote on your social media! Start times: 5K & 10K: 8:00 AM Fun Run: 10:00 AM

Join Team Rockville Vegan's for the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary's Run for the Animals 5K!! This annual event is a great way to run in a fully vegan race (that means no worrying about the post race snacks... you can eat ALL of them!) and hang out with local vegans! The race has options for both runners and walkers! There is also a virtual event if you are unable to be there on a Sunday morning. You can join our team here: [https://pro.gofundme.com/team/818034](https://pro.gofundme.com/team/818034) **Please note that you must join the team and register for the race in order to participate.** RSVPing to this event only lets us know that you are interested. **We will not be at the entrance off of Arcola, please make sure you use this address for your GPS:** Wheaton Regional Park 2000 Shorefield Road Wheaton, MD US 20902 (Shorefield Road is off Georgia Avenue.)

# Hopelessly Devoted to Murder Written and Directed by Terry Smith Produced by Jerri Wiseman Cast Members: Betsy Hansen, Ilan Komrad, and Russell Silber ***Greased hair, bobby socks, poodle skirts—and one shocking murder. At Rockway High, the drama is bigger than the school dance, and when a student turns up dead, the resident cool guy and his gang race to uncover the culprit before the last song plays. Dress to impress in your best ’50s style and join the party. It’s a night of dinner, dancing, and deadly fun you won’t want to miss.*** [Murder Meter™](https://www.stagecoachtc.com/murder-meter/) Saucy Suspects Performances will be held at area historic venues, restaurants, wineries, and breweries March – May 2026. ### May 17 at Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Centreville (with dinner) Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, 14640 Soucy Pl, Centreville, VA 20120 Doors and dinner buffet start at 6:30pm. Show at 7:15pm. Please arrive at 6:30pm. Tickets: $50 per person + $4.00 ticketing fee + sales tax includes the show, buffet Italian dinner and dessert. [Menu: Chicken Picatta. Penne Arrabbiaba (Vegetarian). Eggplant Parmesan (Gluten Free). Meat Lasagna. Caesar Salad. House Salad. Garlic Bread. Dessert created by Saint Andrew Youth.] Iced Tea, Coffee and Assorted Sodas are included in the ticket price. ***Ticket sales will close on May 13th!*** ### [Click here to make reservations for Saint Andrew Lutheran Church.](https://ci.ovationtix.com/36598/production/1270251) You must buy a ticket to attend. An RSVP here will not save you a seat.

Come join us at [Loudoun Brewery Co.](https://loudounbrewing.com/) in Leesburg, VA, on Wednesday, May 6th. Former board member and long-time friend of HSLC, Melissa Hughes, will be calling Charity Bingo. Your $20 donation will benefit at-risk cats and dogs in our community and make you eligible to win fabulous prizes! HSLC volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about our life-saving mission. Hope to see you there!

***Feel free to come earlier to ensure we have enough courts!*** **Remember to bring a can of new or lightly used tennis balls.** By signing up to this Meetup event, you agree * To practice effective social distancing and hold yourself 100% responsible for protecting yourself against exposure to Covid-19 and any other cooties. * To not hold anyone (including Meetup.com) liable should you be exposed to Covid-19 by attending this event. * To decline attending if you suspect you have any of the Covid-19-related symptoms (we can wait until you're better to show your tennis prowess). Please bring a can of NEW tennis balls. As usual, this meetup is cancelled if the weather doesn't permit us to play If you see others waiting to use the courts, please limit your play to one short set (best of 5 games), where the losing team rotates out. Thanks in advance!!

Mindfulness Meditation group practice every Wednesday evening at Unity of Gaithersburg. Mindfulness practice is not about achieving some special state of mind; it is more about noticing the experience you are having without trying to change it. This interesting video suggests why you might sit and watch your mind wander off. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmmBF8eTl18 This noticing tends to shift your nervous system from a 'fight-or-flight' state to a more relaxed and receptive state. In this receptive mental state, you begin to see your own experience differently and, over time, see other people and the world differently. Also, it is good for you: "the effect of regular meditation on the cortex was so profound that fifty-year-old meditators had a prefrontal cortex that looked like that of a twenty-five-year-old" [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLRZVTT) Here is an interesting and funny take on meditation by Ajahn Brahm: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR60RRmXeYs). If you arrive on time, there will be an introduction at the beginning, if you arrive late, find a chair and join us. There will be some discussion after. This is a free event, but contributions to the church's expenses are welcome. You can just show up this Wednesday or subsequent Wednesdays. More information at [https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org](https://www.unityofgaithersburg.org/)/

Part of giving back to our communities means being involved with our leaders who legally run our communities on the government side. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Jeff McKay, throws socials where we can meet our local government representatives and network with community non-profits. It's fun and a great way to meet new interesting people. And there is food and drink which also helps :-) Not required, but you can dress up a little if you want. Business casual or business formal is fine. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Chairman Jeff McKay invites you to celebrate spring at the Fairfax County Government Center! Join us for an evening filled with light refreshments, exciting raffles, and the opportunity to connect with neighbors and friends.