World of Darkness

This is a MeetUp for those interested in practicing improv comedy with the Village Idiots' group's Improv Comedy group currently led by our wonderful host Grass. We will play some introductory games geared towards beginners/those who are curious about improv. Don't be shy, embrace your inner child/dark side and jump right in :) This is a judgment free zone so be as insane as you'd like! Think of this as a cathartic release from your daily rigid life, just the same as laughing when the Terrifier clown is on a killing spree or when you're using cheat codes in a Grand Theft Auto game... After all, bad living is good improv! (No people are actually harmed in the exercises, obviously). All are welcome, and the more, the merrier!

Please bring white and dark shirts Small grass field Read comments below for latest info.

This game has it all... Cylons, Opera Houses, ambiguous endings...

Check your bucket list with this amazing Safari which is tailored to give you a feel of five of Uganda’s Wild Parks, with this you are assured of viewing a number of animals which include the Zebras of Lake Mburo, The chance to see the Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi, Chimpanzees, Zebras and Antelope herds in Lake Mburo, the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s Ishasha Sector and a day in between to relax and enjoy the wildlife. Highlights Visited Places: * Kampala * MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK * KIBALE NATIONAL PARK * QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK * BWINDI NATIONAL PARK * LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK Travel Experience: Wildlife watching (viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, elephants, and many more) Bird watching Game drives Gorilla trek Chimpanzees Local cuisine Boat ride Waterfalls Walking/Hike Tour Start Kampala Tour End Entebbe Flights • Arrival: Day01 before 4pm (Flexible) • Return: Day09 anytime after 7pm Airport: Entebbe International Airport (EBB) Itinerary Day01 Kampala City Day02 Murchison Falls NP Day03 Murchison Falls NP Day04 Kibale National Park Day05 Queen Elizabeth national park Day06 Queen Elizabeth NP Day07 Bwindi National park Day08 gorilla trekking - Lake Mburo NP Day09 Lake Mburo NP - Entebbe Airport Cost: $3690 (Double Occupancy) $4190 (Single Supplement) Inclusions Price Includes * Park fees (For non-residents) * Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident) * Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident) * All activities (Unless labeled as optional) * All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade) * A professional driver/guide * All transportation (Unless labeled as optional) * All Taxes/VAT * Roundtrip airport transfer * Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section) * Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section) Price Excludes * International flights (From/to home) * Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day) * Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.) * Travel Insurance ———————————————— For detailed itinerary and to reserve your seat follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/uganda-9-days-murchison-falls-big-5-chimps-gorillas-trekking/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/uganda-9-days-murchison-falls-big-5-chimps-gorillas-trekking/) Questions? Text / Call - 2023787696 - Himanshu - Organizer

Our regular Sunday meetup at the Shirlington Dog Park -- members start arriving around 10:15 a.m. You'll always find an Aussie to play with. There are 3 entrances, so wander the park -- the dogs will find each other! For puppies, Shirlington has a small dog park within the larger dog park. It's the prefect place for your puppy to gain confidence and socialize with others. There is also plenty of room to run. Just a reminder, the Dog Park is under attack by the Arlington County Board of Commissioners. While early plans to decrease the size of the park by 50% has been tabled, it's important to remind Arlington County how important this park is to dogs and owners. Here are links to the change.org petition and the Facebook page where you can get updates. Shirlington Dog Park Page Petition: https://www.change.org/.../arlington-county-board-save... Arlington County Board: Save the Shirlington Dog Park! We love the Shirlington Dog Park -- it provides… change.org Shirlington Dog Park Page Shirlington Dog Park Page Save the Dog Park Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/groups/696087663906890

"When we are walking with Spirit, we have a life of action. This is the way of Divine Love." --Harold Klemp, Love--The Keystone of Life, p.66 * Opportunity to learn how to walk with God in your spiritual consciousness * ● Get a deeper perspective of your physical life and your spiritual life * Learn to see God’s love for Soul in all that is around you * Join us as we explore this topic at our next ECK Light and Sound Service. You will have the opportunity to share your insights with like-hearted individuals. We gladly welcome people of all faiths; feel free to invite friends and family. We look forward to seeing you in person or on Zoom. **Attend in person at:** The Maryland Eckankar Center 1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104 Silver Spring, MD 20903 **Join Zoom Meeting:** [The ECK Light and Sound Service](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83425712995?pwd=GoEk28Hlj95P5PPbmoCem6GP7tHqlm.1) Meeting ID: 834 2571 2995 Passcode: 403417 Dial-In: 301-715-8592 For more information: Call or text: (301) 439-2120 [MEC@eckankarmaryland.org](mailto:MEC@eckankarmaryland.org) Presented by the Maryland & D.C. Satsang Societies, Inc., chartered affiliates of ECKANKAR. Copyright © 2026 ECKANKAR. Terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOULTRAVEL, and VARAIGI, among others, are trademarks of ECKANKAR, PO Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 USA.

New (old) location - La Madeleine at 500 King St! Hope to see you there

# Our April Book Club. This book club will be hosted at [Teaism ](https://www.teaism.com/restaurants/penn-quarter/?srsltid=AfmBOorH2yXjY8aqE5KRHXkCvxk8zgPx7yJXCwgMLvXfPbZGMykYgNRW)(Penn quarter location; 400 8th St NW). However if 4 or fewer people RSVP it will be moved to virtual ([https://meet.google.com/bux-wtkw-qdp?hs=224](https://meet.google.com/bux-wtkw-qdp?hs=224)). Please check up on meetup or [www.dc-now.org/events](http://www.dc-now.org/events) for updates on location and time before coming. [](https://www.amazon.com/All-Her-Head-Medicine-Matters/dp/0063293013) **Book Summary:** For as long as medicine has been a practice, women's bodies have been treated like objects to be practiced on: examined and ignored, idealized and sexualized, shamed, subjugated, mutilated, and dismissed. The history of women’s healthcare is a story in which women themselves have too often been voiceless—a narrative instead written from the perspective of men who styled themselves as authorities on the female of the species, yet uninformed by women’s own voices, thoughts, fears, pain and experiences. The result is a cultural and societal legacy of gender bias in medicine that continues to shape the (mis)treatment and care of women. While the modern age has seen significant advancements in the medical field, the notion that female bodies are flawed inversions of the male ideal lingers on—as do the pervasive societal stigmas and lingering ignorance that shape women’s health and relationships with their own bodies. In a feat of compelling science writing, Memorial Sloan Kettering oncologist and medical historian Dr. Elizabeth Comen draws back the curtain on the collective medical history of women to reintroduce us to our whole bodies—how they work, the actual doctors and patients whose perspectives and experiences laid the foundation for today’s medical thought, and the many oversights that still remain unaddressed. With a physician’s knowledge and empathy, Dr. Comen follows the road map of the eleven organ systems to share unique and untold stories, drawing upon medical texts and journals, interviews with expert physicians, as well as her own experience treating thousands of women. Empowering women to better understand ourselves and encouraging patient advocacy for care that prioritizes healthy and joyful lives— for us and generations to come—All in Her Head is written with humor, wisdom, and deep scientific and cultural insight. Eye-opening, sometimes enraging, yet always captivating, this shared memoir of women’s medical history is an essential contribution to a holistic understanding and much-needed reclaiming of women’s history and bodies. **Day and Time:** To be determined **RSVP**: [https://www.dc-now.org/events-1/all-in-her-head-the-truth-and-lies-early-medicine-taught-us-about-womens-bodies-and-why-it-matters-today](https://www.dc-now.org/events-1/all-in-her-head-the-truth-and-lies-early-medicine-taught-us-about-womens-bodies-and-why-it-matters-today) **Join our group chat below:** DCNOW book club group chat. Download "signal app" first then click link below. It sometimes takes time to work. [https://signal.group/#CjQKIDAF2O70qP0GYQ6-rj_nhBb0nAcT41vx8NPky8xZNBcQEhD6zDuYl2Pe1ZO-dVDwASug](https://signal.group/#CjQKIDAF2O70qP0GYQ6-rj_nhBb0nAcT41vx8NPky8xZNBcQEhD6zDuYl2Pe1ZO-dVDwASug)

We play a variety of games with a focus on high interaction Euros. Events will start with quick games while people arrive and eat lunch. We will start longer games between 1:30pm and 2pm. While the official end time is 5pm, people are welcome to continue playing games afterwards. Western Market closes at 7pm on Sundays. This page has more examples of high interaction Euros: [Old-school German-style Games](https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/view/3948). Here are some games that have been played at past events: High Interaction Euros * [Medici](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46/medici) * [Catan](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13/catan) * [Hansa Teutonica](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/43015/hansa-teutonica) * [Puerto Rico](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3076/puerto-rico) * [Concordia](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/124361/concordia) * [Power Grid](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid) * [Brass: Birmingham](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/224517/brass-birmingham) Other high interaction games * [Innovation](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/63888/innovation) * [Imperial](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24181/imperial) There are a variety of food and drink options. Western Market is allowing us to use the space for free. Please reciprocate by purchasing something, even if it is just a soda. Directions If you're taking the Orange, Silver, or Blue lines, exit at the Foggy Bottom metro station and walk two blocks to the east. If you are taking the Red Line, Farragut North is an approximately a 15 minute walk away. There is also free street parking to the north.

# Our April Book Club. This book club will be hosted at [Teaism ](https://www.teaism.com/restaurants/penn-quarter/?srsltid=AfmBOorH2yXjY8aqE5KRHXkCvxk8zgPx7yJXCwgMLvXfPbZGMykYgNRW)(Penn quarter location; 400 8th St NW). However if 4 or fewer people RSVP it will be moved to virtual ([https://meet.google.com/bux-wtkw-qdp?hs=224](https://meet.google.com/bux-wtkw-qdp?hs=224)). Please check up on meetup or [www.dc-now.org/events](http://www.dc-now.org/events) for updates on location and time before coming. [](https://www.amazon.com/All-Her-Head-Medicine-Matters/dp/0063293013) **Book Summary:** For as long as medicine has been a practice, women's bodies have been treated like objects to be practiced on: examined and ignored, idealized and sexualized, shamed, subjugated, mutilated, and dismissed. The history of women’s healthcare is a story in which women themselves have too often been voiceless—a narrative instead written from the perspective of men who styled themselves as authorities on the female of the species, yet uninformed by women’s own voices, thoughts, fears, pain and experiences. The result is a cultural and societal legacy of gender bias in medicine that continues to shape the (mis)treatment and care of women. While the modern age has seen significant advancements in the medical field, the notion that female bodies are flawed inversions of the male ideal lingers on—as do the pervasive societal stigmas and lingering ignorance that shape women’s health and relationships with their own bodies. In a feat of compelling science writing, Memorial Sloan Kettering oncologist and medical historian Dr. Elizabeth Comen draws back the curtain on the collective medical history of women to reintroduce us to our whole bodies—how they work, the actual doctors and patients whose perspectives and experiences laid the foundation for today’s medical thought, and the many oversights that still remain unaddressed. With a physician’s knowledge and empathy, Dr. Comen follows the road map of the eleven organ systems to share unique and untold stories, drawing upon medical texts and journals, interviews with expert physicians, as well as her own experience treating thousands of women. Empowering women to better understand ourselves and encouraging patient advocacy for care that prioritizes healthy and joyful lives— for us and generations to come—All in Her Head is written with humor, wisdom, and deep scientific and cultural insight. Eye-opening, sometimes enraging, yet always captivating, this shared memoir of women’s medical history is an essential contribution to a holistic understanding and much-needed reclaiming of women’s history and bodies. **Day and Time:** To be determined **RSVP**: [https://www.dc-now.org/events-1/all-in-her-head-the-truth-and-lies-early-medicine-taught-us-about-womens-bodies-and-why-it-matters-today](https://www.dc-now.org/events-1/all-in-her-head-the-truth-and-lies-early-medicine-taught-us-about-womens-bodies-and-why-it-matters-today) **Join our group chat below:** DCNOW book club group chat. Download "signal app" first then click link below. It sometimes takes time to work. [https://signal.group/#CjQKIDAF2O70qP0GYQ6-rj_nhBb0nAcT41vx8NPky8xZNBcQEhD6zDuYl2Pe1ZO-dVDwASug](https://signal.group/#CjQKIDAF2O70qP0GYQ6-rj_nhBb0nAcT41vx8NPky8xZNBcQEhD6zDuYl2Pe1ZO-dVDwASug)

**Real connection with fellow Catholics who are eager to grow in Faith and friendship!** This 3 year--- 45min deep dive into the Catholic faith is a great way to spend your Sunday rest day. When you are ready to dig deeper and live the faith more fully this is an optimal opportunity. Talk yourself into this! You may start whenever and can come as often or as little as you desire. Coffee is served w/ small donation. It is taught by the priest and/or OCIA director at St Louis Parish who are ALL fabulous- faithful educators filled with theologically inspired knowledge. You can ask questions at the end, which I love. It is just a wonderful experience to grow. Afterwards if you wish, you can also find your way over to the Little Way Cafe Coffee shop across the parking lot to stay for more community time or read some of the excellent books that line the shelves throughout. If you are new to the community of Alexandria and want to meet like minded folks or a veteran of it, this is a special and unique opportunity and did I mention it is free? :) Hard to believe! Please join me every Sunday at 945 am.

This is part 3 of our discussion series on Infinite Jest. Participation in the prior parts is not a requirement, anyone is welcome to join in. This meeting will be dedicated to talking about the first 785 pages of Infinite Jest. We will be reading up until "17 November Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment" We will also be discussing some of David Foster Wallaces essays. The essays we will cover are - "Shipping Out" (aka A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again) - "E Unibus Pluram" - "The View From Mrs. Thompson's" - "Getting Away From Already Being Pretty Much Away From it All" They are not mandatory but reading these is highly encouraged. Feel free to read ahead but the discussion will only cover up until this point. This will be the third of four meetings planned for Infinite Jest. These meetings will be scheduled monthly. We will be meeting in the National Portrait Gallery Atrium. To stay up to date with events and discuss meetings or books, you can join our Whatsapp group. Please message me to get added.

**Join us in Falls Church for conversations that go beyond small talk.** Higher Grounds – Falls Church is where this growing network of gatherings began: a space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room. There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you *you* (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique. MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Falls Church who are also seeking deeper conversations. **Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions** 1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging? 2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists? 3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about? **Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles** 1. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? 2. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed? 3. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted? **Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human** 1. What human experiences will AI never truly understand? 2. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do? 3. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated? **Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning** 1. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space? 2. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live? 3. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self? **Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche** 1. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have? 2. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire? 3. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept? **Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose** 1. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you? 2. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors? 3. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years? **Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection** 1. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why? 2. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best? 3. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others? **Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality** 1. What are you running out of time to say or do? 2. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite? 3. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail? **Suggested Questions: Society & Culture** 1. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense? 2. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing? 3. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years? **Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy** 1. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way? 2. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out 3. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

We will meet outside as long as the weather is nice. If not, we will move inside. Look out for a comment the morning of each meeting with our exact location. As we are meeting in person, please remember to bring something to read as we usually spend some time sharing our current reads and/or reading when meeting in person. As a reminder, there is no assigned reading; please bring whatever you are currently working on. This group is super casual, sometimes we read and sometimes we talk the whole time. **** NO SHOW POLICY: Due to the high number of members on the waitlist recently we are having to reinstate our no-show policy. If you sign up and no-show to 2 events you will be removed from the group. Reminders are provided weekly to change your RSVP to allow those on the waitlist a chance to come to the meet-up, no 3rd chances with be given. Please be considerate to your fellow members. Thank you! I look forward to reading you!

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

**Connected Westerville Night of Networking** *April Edition: The Introduction Economy* You've been to the networking events. You've done the small talk. Collected the cards. Forgotten the names. And walked out feeling like you just wasted two hours of your life. The problem isn't you. It's the format. Most networking events put you in a room and tell you to figure it out. So everyone defaults to elevator pitches and business talk, and nothing real gets built. Here's the truth about networking that most people miss: Your network isn't just who you know. It's who thinks of you when they're talking to someone else. *That's* The Introduction Economy. And it only works when relationships are real. There's a reason people who come once keep coming back. It starts with seven minutes that feel nothing like networking. Then we open it up. Free networking. More conversations. More momentum. This is a room full of corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, and career builders in the Westerville and Columbus area. The mix is the magic. You might never do business with everyone you meet tonight. But someone in this room will think of *you.* **By name**. So, the next time someone needs exactly what you do, you get the recommendation. **April 14th. RSVP now.** **When:** Tuesday\, April 14th \| 6:15 PM \-\- 8:00 PM **Where:** Vineyard Community Center \| 6000 Cooper Rd\, Westerville\, OH 43081

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/

...and speaking of breakthrough roles: who can forget the first time we saw Tom Cruise singing Bob Seeger in his underwear? Often considered an updated 1983 version of The Graduate, the movie sparkles with memorable lines and original music. I only regret that I was never told that "Princeton could use someone like Bob..." See the movie first and join us for some "Cruisin'"

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be a good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan