Progressive Democrats

Greetings! \*A Few Quick, Important Notes\*: 1. Location/Further Details/Tickets required at: **[https://convergeworld.org/dc/green-convene-2026/](https://convergeworld.org/dc/green-convene-2026/)** 2. A Free RSVP on Meetup is NOT a ticket for admission to this event. This is NOT a free event. Thanks! 3. Can't make this one, but interested in future events? **[https://forms.gle/4Pnws1HBn5M89Ro28](https://forms.gle/4Pnws1HBn5M89Ro28)** \*\*\* You are cordially invited you to **GREEN CONVENE.** Celebrate the arrival of spring’s most important environmental gatherings with an evening of connection, ideas, and momentum in the heart of Washington, DC. **GREEN CONVENE** brings together the people, organizations, and communities shaping the region’s environmental conversation—across policy, technology, art, and civic life. Taking place alongside a wave of major spring convenings—including DC Climate Week, Green Expo 2026, Earth Day and other initiatives — this event offers a central space to meet, exchange ideas, and build relationships that carry forward into the weeks and year ahead. Whether you’re deeply involved in environmental work or simply curious and looking to plug in, this is your chance to connect with the people driving ideas forward in DC and beyond. Feel free to forward this invitation to friends. I look forward to seeing you on **Saturday 18 April**! Yours,  **John Hanshaw** **Questions? Feel free to reach out at:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhanshaw/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhanshaw/)

Socrates Cafés are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the Socratic Method; the idea that we learn more when we question, and question with others. Although this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Those attending decide upon the questions of the night. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, moral issues, 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

Every meal is a chance to care for the Earth. Come learn and taste with us! Celebrate Earth Day with a special edition of **Cooking for Peace** and discover how the food we choose can nurture both our inner world and the Earth we share. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore how plant-based cooking supports not only our physical health, but also our mental clarity, spiritual well-being, and the health of the planet. Together we’ll present and taste simple, delicious recipes while reflecting on the deeper impact of our food choices on animals, ecosystems, and future generations. You’ll also learn how conscious cooking and mindful eating can become everyday practices that help reduce our environmental footprint while bringing more peace, balance, and gratitude into our lives. Join us for an inspiring Earth Day experience that brings together **food, awareness, and care for the planet**, one meal at a time. This workshop includes a discussion and vegan food tasting. Saturday, April 18th, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Held at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Museum - Maryland, 9525 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. **Free Event - Donations Appreciated. Registration required at [https://shorturl.at/a7UT3](https://shorturl.at/a7UT3)**

Join us at the Chess Center offices (Suite 118, entrance on 2nd Avenue) on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 – 5:00pm ET for open play. Players of all abilities and ages are welcome. * Non-Members: $5.00/player table fee for the day. * Chess Center [Members](https://chessctr.org/membership/) always play for FREE ($0.00). Check our social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/uschess) / [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/USChessCenter)) for closure announcements: The Chess Center is closed on major holidays. We also have chess sets, clocks, and [used chess books](https://chessctr.org/usedbooks/) for sale.

\*\*"\*[Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics](https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001d4LgXIAU), \*\*\*an 80-minute award-winning documentary from White Pine Pictures about plastic pollution and its impact on human health and the environment. The ground-breaking feature documentary investigates our addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health. Almost every bit of plastic ever made breaks down into “microplastics.” These microscopic particles drift in the air, float in all bodies of water, and mix into the soil, becoming a permanent part of the environment. Now, leading scientists are finding these particles in our bodies: organs, blood, brain tissue, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? And can anything be done about it? **The screening will be held at the Greenbelt Cinema, 129 Centerway, Greenbelt, MD 20770.** Doors open at 1:30 pm. The documentary will launch at 2 pm, followed by discussion of solutions by distinguished panelists and participants." Please click on this [link ](https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001d4LgXIAU)to register. \*Please post in comments if you'd like to carpool and where you're coming from. \*

Join us for an afternoon of chess in a fun and relaxed setting. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome! Club boards are provided. Bring your own clocks or use Chess.com's Chess Clock app. We generally meet in the blue room, which is to your right after entering. If we're not in the blue room we're at the far left near the beer tanks in the back corner.

Come support Velocity's Monthly Warehouse Sale! We'll need help moving bicycles outside the warehouse before 9 a.m. and back inside at 1 p.m. In between, we'll greet customers, help them find bicycles and parts, and ring up their purchases on Square. Feel free to sign up even if you can't volunteer for the whole time. And remember to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Please note that volunteers under 18 are required to have a parent or guardian attend the beginning of their first volunteering session in order to sign a waiver for them, and volunteers under 16 are required to have a parent or guardian present with them during all the time they spend volunteering at Velocity.

Please be sure to RSVP here! https://stampede.proanimal.org/events Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

Learn to manage stress and achieve self-growth through simple relaxation and Meditation. Heartfulness Meditation is a simple, modern, methodical approach to meditation. Rather than homing in on your breath or repeating a mantra, you simply focus inward, on your heart, to cultivate inner strength and serenity. Heartfulness meditation is gaining traction in recent years. It focuses on the heart, allowing individuals to connect with themselves on a deeper level, and ultimately achieve peace, relaxation, and clarity. It is a practice that encourages patience, self-compassion, and acceptance, helping cultivate a deeper appreciation for the present moment. This practice is offered with love and at no cost

Learn about life in Cohousing at Eastern Village on our TOUR DAY Sunday April 19 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We'll provide an introduction to Eastern Village, a green co-housing community in the Downtown Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District. Members will discuss life in our community and do a Q&A. You will then tour our community’s extensive common facilities, including award-winning eco-features and several of our condo units. Please join the tour promptly by 10:45 AM for a 11:00 AM start. Light refreshments will be served PLEASE REGISTER FOR THIS TOUR AT THE WASHINGTON DC AREA COHOUSING MEETUP. [https://www.meetup.com/washington-dc-area-cohousing/events/313688333/](https://www.meetup.com/washington-dc-area-cohousing/events/313688333/) If you are interested in living at Eastern Village, Montgomery County’s only cohousing community, we strongly encourage you to observe at least one of our monthly community meetings and attend one or more of our social activities. That way you will be able to see if cohousing and Eastern Village, in particular, is right for you. Eastern Village is just 4 blocks from the Silver Spring Metro station on the Red Line. Parking is available behind the building in the Montgomery County Kennett Street Garage (no payment needed on Sunday) or on the street. Eastern Village Cohousing 7981 Eastern Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910

Sol Roots Band blends raw funk, deep blues, rock, soul, and hypnotic grooves. With a unique voice and top-tier musicians, Sol honors musical legends while forging his own powerful sound. Bring a chair. We will sit near the front to the right facing the stage.

Join us for an all plant-based meal at the always popular Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant in Vienna, VA. We've made a reservation for 20 attendees, so don't delay in RSVPing as this will fill up. You can preview Sunflower's menu [here. ](https://www.crystalsunflower.com/menu) Parking is available in the restaurant's lot and the Vienna Metro station is 1.6 miles away. Rides may be available from attendees with cars so please communicate needs/availability in the comments below. Please note that there is no outdoor dining at this venue and that this is an indoor event. **Update Your RSVP** Out of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. **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.**

It's April and it's time to get outside! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, April 19 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

# Polymarket Masterclass: Predict & Profit! 📈 Wanna profit from being right? Polymarket pays. 💰 This masterclass gives you the skills to turn astute predictions into tangible income. Unlock the secrets that separate winning traders from the noise. 🔥 **Limited Spots:** Secure your seat now. Don't miss out! ### ➡️ [GRAB YOUR SPOT](https://remoteready.io/product/Polymarket?city=Columbus&groupurlname=circle-of-professionals-mastering-ai-income&startgmtdatetime=2026-04-24T22:00:00Z) --- Inside, discover how markets, probability, and a little skill can boost your portfolio. **This event teaches:** * How to apply solid risk management, protecting your capital. * Frameworks for evaluating events and opportunities effectively. * What to look for when finding mispriced markets, where opportunity knocks. * Case studies that reveal the power of successful Polymarket trades. **Who Should Attend?** * Beginners eager for a well-defined Polymarket journey. * Keen minds looking to monetize real-world insights. * Strategic players who like to beat calculated odds. ⭐️ *"I see probability completely differently now. The risk section was game-changing!"* – Real Trader ⚡️ Transform your insight into income. Your future starts here. 🚀

Our next much-awaited **COLUMBUS** meetup is **Tuesday April 21 from 7-10 pm EST at ACE OF CUPS**. Meet patients, cultivators, processors, dispensary managers/staff, physicians, home growers, educators, activists, nonprofits, artists, attorneys, business owners, writers, students, and supporters to network, share our knowledge, collaborate, support each other and make new ones! Hope you will be there too! Save the date and pass the word. **Please RSVP** so we know who is coming and how many to expect. Find us to say hi and we will introduce you to others. We should be easy to spot. (The happy-looking group wearing cool nametags! See photos from our past events.) Sign in, grab a name tag, start your own bar/food tab, meet old friends and make new ones! Everyone is welcome. SEE YOU THERE!

Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences. Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future. What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs. At this free local Meetup event we will talk about: * What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic. * Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences? * How to break away from negativity and focus on the future * What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions? Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

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.

Walk for Children - 2026 Save Soil Walkathon in Columbus 🌍 Over 52% of the world soil is degraded and scientists warn we may have only a few decades of fertile soil left. As Sadhguru shares, soil is a living system—and when it degrades, our food, health, and future are at risk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyT-6qiubd0 🚶‍♂️🌎This Earth Day, Join the Walk for Children-2026 SaveSoil 5K Walkathon here in Columbus and help raise awareness about soil for the future of our children! Every step you take helps: ✔️ 1. Raise awareness in your communities about protecting and restoring soil. ✔️ 2. Supports sustainable food systems. ✔️ 3. Helps secure our children’s future. 📅 Date: April 26, 2026 📍 Location: Scioto Audubon Metro Park Check-in address 400 W Whittier St, Columbus, OH 43215 ⏰ Time: 8:30 a.m. check-in event starts at 9:30 a.m. 👉 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walk-for-children-2026-save-soil-walkathon-in-columbus-registration-1986596534713?aff=oddtdtcreator 👉🏼Free and Open to All. Share this message and bring your neighbours, friends & family along to celebrate our planet! Let’s make it happen!