Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup

Please join the Veg Society of DC (VSDC) with your fellow LGBTQ+ veg and veg-curious folks for a springtime stroll to take in some of the beautiful cherry blossoms on Capitol Hill while making some new friends.

We'll be meeting at the Union Station metro exit at the front of the building at First St. NE and Columbus Cir. NE at 12pm, and will leave by 12:15pm, to slowly stroll through cherry blossoms at Lower Senate Park. From there, we'll make our way over to view a very old cherry blossom tree (one of the originally gifted trees) located on the grounds of the Library of Congress.

We will then walk to Eastern Market area to enjoy browsing the outdoor market vendors and maybe grab some vegan food and/or coffee, depending on how the group feels. The total distance we will be walking is under two miles. After the event concludes, people can take the metro from Eastern Market or make their own way back to Union Station (which would add additional distance to their walk).

[In the event of rain, we will instead meet at 12pm at the U.S. Botanical Gardens (Capitol South metro is a short walk away) and see some indoor flowers. The host will post an urgent Comment on this event page if we are moving to the indoor venue.]

When
Sunday, March 29, from 12pm to 3pm

Transportation
Union Station is on the red line and Eastern Market is on the Orange/Blue/Silver lines. There is also street parking, though very limited near Union Station, as well as several garages, including one at Union Station.

About the group
Unless noted otherwise, VSDC's LGBTQ+ events are intended for queer/questioning folks who self-identify as LGBTQ+. The events are meant to serve as a safe space to share community with other self-identified queer or questioning LGBTQ+ vegan or vegan-curious people. However, we appreciate our allies and we plan to host "LGBTQ+ & ALLIES" events approximately quarterly - to welcome non-queer allies into our events in order to share community with our fellow vegans/veg curious VSDC participants. If the event is an "& ALLIES" event, it will be clearly identified as such in the name of the event. Any person who participates in an "& ALLIES" event must be supportive of LGBTQ+ persons, their lifestyle, and their gender expression; unsupportive or combative individuals will be removed from events and banned from future VSDC LGBTQ+ events. Please note that any and all questions related to gender/LGBTQ+ issues that may arise during either LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+ & ALLIES events must be posed ONLY to event host, Susan, and not be asked of any other meetup participants in order to respect their privacy and promote their personal safety.

Update Your RSVP
Please change your RSVP if you can no longer make it.

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 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!

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 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 to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook 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.

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.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.

Join the Veg Society of DC (VSDC) for board games in person! We are capping the event at 16 people.

SNACKS: light vegan snacks will be provided by the host. This is an all-vegan event.

WHO: All VSDC and Meetup members are invited; space is limited to the 1st 16 to sign up. Note: you must include your first and last name and a valid phone number / email when you RSVP - only the hosts can see this additional info.

WHEN: Sunday, March 29th, from 3 pm to 7 pm.

• WHERE: Derwood MD. For the exact location, text or call the host (Caroline) at least 24 hours in advance of the event: 240-261-3732.

Note: Do not share the address with anyone else.

PARKING: There is plenty of free parking in the residential neighborhood. Please read and follow all parking signs.

METRO: This location is accessible by public transport. It is 1.5 miles from the Shady Grove Metro station (Red line). Once at Shady Grove, take Ride-On Bus 64 to Shady Grove Rd.& Briardale Rd; walk less than 0.5 miles.

WHAT TO BRING: Your favorite game. You do not have to bring food. The host has Taboo; Chess; and Take 5.
3-4 pm: social hour
4-7 pm: games

REMEMBER: You must include your first and last name and a valid phone number / email when you RSVP - only the hosts can see this additional info.

CONTACT THE HOST: If you need to contact the organizer, call or text Caroline at 240-261-3732. Please plan in advance and understand that questions on the day itself may not receive a reply.

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 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!

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 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 to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook 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.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.

Join us for a challenging hike in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park! Rich in civil war history, the hike up to Maryland Heights rewards the adventurous with unparalleled views of the charming town of Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers.

Expect a moderate pace, rocky and uneven terrain and a steep elevation gain of 1,600 ft. You should be able to hike uphill without break for at least an hour, as well as comfortably scramble over rocks and negotiate uneven surfaces. Please wear sturdy shoes/boots and appropriate clothing.

We'll meet at the Harpers Ferry National Park Parking Lot Shuttle Bus Stop located at 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 at 9:00 am sharp. There is a $20 park fee (free if you have a National Park Pass), which can also be paid online in advance. Note that cash is not accepted at the entrance to the parking lot. We'll take the shuttle bus down to the bus stop on Shenandoah Street and begin our hike.

Meeting Point: Harpers Ferry National Park Parking Lot Shuttle Bus Stop
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
Distance: 6.5 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Pace: Moderate (2.5 miles/hr)
Elevation gain: ~1600 ft
Duration: 4 hours
Type of trail: Dirt, stones, rocks, tree roots
Post Hike Lunch: Kelley Farm Kitchen

Dog friendly?
Dogs are allowed on the trail, however, pets are not allowed on the park shuttle buses, with the exception of service animals performing their duties.

Bathroom Facilities/Water/Food?
There are bathroom facilities and a water fountain at the Shuttle Bus Stop. Bring your own vegan snacks and (non-alcoholic) beverage to enjoy mid-hike. There are no trash receptacles on the trail so pack out your own waste.

Update Your RSVP
Out of respect for others interested in attending this event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes.

## Alcohol/Smoking/Intoxicants: Use of intoxicants such as alcohol, cigarettes and/or illegal substances is banned during the hikes.

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 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!

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 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 to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook 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.

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.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.

Michelle Waldman, founder of Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary, will join Pro-Animals DC and the Veg Society of DC for a deeply personal talk about how heartbreak over animal suffering became the doorway to action.

Michele is both the Founder of Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and a licensed Psychotherapist. She shares how she transformed her grief into a vision for Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary.

This talk will explore how grief became a blueprint for healing and real-world change, and how her vision became a reality.

Coffee, bagels, and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share.

Veg Society of DC is pairing up with Pro-Animals DC to offer occasional educational programs, so watch for more presentations. After registering here, please register on their site as well.

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 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!

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 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 to hear more about our activities.
• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook 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.

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 all of our events.

Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct
When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge VSDC's Liability Waiver and commit to follow the code of conduct found at Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC.

VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.