Birds

This Saturday lets run to the National Mall! We will start at Roosevelt Island at the crosswalk in the center of parking lot. Afterwards stay for coffee, we'll wander up to Rosslyn and either meet in Compass or, if the weather is nice enough, at the Plaza opposite the Metro. Note: Photos taken during the event may end up on Instagram, Meetup, Strava and similar platforms. LOCATION: Roosevelt Island Parking Lot. Use this map to locate the parking lot (https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B053'48.2%22N+77%C2%B004'02.1%22W) [GPS: 38°53'51.99"N 77° 4'3.24"W]. To help new people find the group, please meet in the middle of the parking lot. Please meet 10 min. before the start time. PACE and MILEAGE: All paces are welcome! We'll be doing an out and back route, so everyone will just turn around at the halfway time marker. We generally average from 8-12 min/miles and run for fifty minutes. But, you can run any amount of time or mileage. And if you need to walk, it's not a problem either, everyone needs to start somewhere! ROUTE: The usual route is [https://onthegomap.com/s/7r0gvj5r](https://onthegomap.com/s/7r0gvj5r). It may vary occasionally. The full circuit works out to around 8:30 min/mile for a 50 minute run. Slower paces can turn around earlier, faster paces can run farther. PARKING: Use this map (http://bit.ly/i2dWD0) to find parking in Rosslyn. There are parking lots at Roosevelt Island and above the Continental Lounge. There are also meters and pay garages. DIRECTIONS: For those of you driving to Roosevelt Island, please note that the parking lot is only accessible from the NORTHBOUND lane of GW parkway. You will see it right after the Roosevelt Bridge. METRO: Orange or blue to Rosslyn. From N. Moore St, turn left; right onto 19th St; cross Lynn St. and turn left; take the trail on the right just before the Key Bridge.

Did you know Alexandria and Arlington were once part of the District of Columbia? Join us on a hike along a portion of the former boundary line between the nation’s capital and Virginia. Discover why this area was included in the Federal City and why it was retroceded to Virginia in 1846. See stones placed every mile along the boundary survey line in 1791; all except one on this hike are original stones. These are the first federal monuments in the nation’s capital. As an added bonus, we’ll see Old Town Alexandria decorated for the holidays. This is an urban-style hike, mostly on sidewalks; total distance approx. 8.8 miles [updated], with 371 ft. of elevation gain. We’ll meet at 9:30 AM near the restrooms at Jones Point Park and hike along the southwest boundary line to Baileys Crossroads. Towards the end of the hike, we will stop in a park for quick bag lunch. Dress for the weather and bring water, lunch and snacks. After the hike, we’ll take a public bus to City Hall in Old Town, so don’t forget to bring a Metro farecard. From Old Town, it is about a mile walk to Jones Point Park. Parking is available in Jones Point Park and there are restroom opportunities along the hike route. All participants must sign a liability waiver at the start. SCPRO requests a voluntary donation of $2 per person to help support our all-volunteer program.

**Informational Event—David may or may not attend** You can park at Jones Point Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxhX31ioQTGnnwU29 Walk south under the Woodard Wilson Bridge, and there is a fishing pier to see the fireworks to the left of the Ferris wheel. We will meet at the pier: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Te99T6iSz7YqfwS59 * You do need a lens around 100mm (full frame equivalent). * Sunset is at 4:53 pm * The Fireworks start at 5:30 PM * Tripods are necessary for long exposures. * Fireworks only last for about 5-6 minutes. Typical camera setting: Manual Mode * Shutter Speed: 2-3 secs * Aperture: f/11 * ISO: 100 * Use a remote shutter mechanism (wireless or cable). * Use a tripod By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations (where applicable) of the event location. I also agree to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

After our museum visit, we’re heading to OM Indian Restaurant for a flavorful group lunch, and you’re invited! To accommodate our large group, the restaurant has generously offered a special pre-set menu just for us: Menu Includes: • Appetizer: 1 Vegetable Samosa • Entrees: Mix Vegetable Curry, Channa Masala (chickpeas curry), Chicken Korma, and Butter Chicken • Sides: Rice and Naan • Dessert: Rice Pudding 💲 Cost: $25 per person (gratuity not included) We’ll be calling the restaurant ahead of time to confirm our group size so they can prepare accordingly. Because of this, accurate attendance is very important - **if you RSVP, please make sure you are 100% committed to attending.** Looking forward to continuing the fun and food together!

**Park Map / Trailhead hike – NO BUS** *$5. Long hike: up to 8½ mi., 850 ft. ascent/descent. Moderate hike: up to 5½ mi., 450 ft. ascent/descent.* Here’s a festive way to close out the year: a brisk hike along the wildest, most scenic stretch of the Potomac River – yet only a short drive away. Starting at Riverbend Park, part of Fairfax County’s park system, we’ll follow the river trail eastbound to Great Falls. There, a choice of loops takes us along the rim of spectacular Mather Gorge and past ruins of Matildaville and George Washington’s Powtomack Canal before we return to Riverbend. RESERVATIONS Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number. FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace. LIABILITY By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)**

**(Trailhead hike)** We will meet on the east side/north bound side of Connecticut Avenue, near the Cleveland Park Metro entrance at 9:00 am. Alternately, hikers may park at the Pierce Mill parking area off of Shoemaker Street NW and meet us near the restrooms and picnic pavilion at 9:30. From Connecticut Avenue, we will hike down the Melvin Hazen trail to meet other hikers near the restrooms and picnic pavilion. All hikers will then take the Valley trail to Pulpit Rock and continue on the Valley trail. Moderate hikers will cross the creek at the Milkhouse Ford bridge. Long hikers will continue to Boundary Bridge. Both hikes will take the Western Ridge trail, past the Nature Center, and back to the Pierce Mill area. We will then climb the Melvin Hazen trail back up to Connecticut Avenue. Est.: 12.5 miles, 2000' elevation and 8 miles, 1400' elevation. PATC Map N. Hike Fee: $5. Hiking poles are recommended. In lieu of refreshments after the hike, hikers will optionally congregate at Laredo Mexican Restaurant, 3500 Connecticut Avenue. Hike Meeting place: Cleveland Park Metro, 3599 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC We will meet at the east side/north bound side of Connecticut Avenue Time: 9:00 AM FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike. **Liability Waiver:** Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before NOON on the Friday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead. COVID PRECAUTIONS Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event. MORE DETAILS -- [SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](http://www.wanderbirds.org/faq.html)

Join DC Vegans of Color and One Love Co-Op for an Ujima Hike at Battery Kemble park. Ujima is the 3rd day of Kwanzaa and represents collective work and responsibility. **LEVEL** easy to moderate Let’s take care of each other and ourselves out there. The spirit of UJIMA. Please hike at your own risk, listen to your body, and move at a pace that feels right for you. **HIKE PARKING** We will meet at the **Abner Cloud House** (you can also search for Fletcher's Cove) at 10am to start the hike. Please arrive early 10 mins early. HEDZOLE **AFTER HIKE EATS (12pm)** After the hike, we will visit West African restaurant Hedzole for some vegan jollof and other eats. (They do have limited seating so we will do our best to eat inside) [https://www.hedzoleafroeats.com/](https://www.hedzoleafroeats.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExR05HbkcxMVFRdlA0VGpiS3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6PkHc7YACCFJxhtQW4rxwVCZ96IjNQ6E4_2kdqXASOF7nYtunBFMFlqb-qQw_aem_fYc_87gMVr8ZvDHVBNHA1A) 5505 Colorado Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 Join us for the hike, the jollof or both. If you have questions, please message me here or shoot me a text 202-528-4700 ***Ajani dcVOC Organizer***

Suffering post-Christmas letdown? Then come to the Silver Diner at 1250 Half Street SE, Washington, DC for some post-Christmas cheer! Located just blocks from Navy Yard Metro on the Green Line and across the street from Nationals Park, the Silver Diner is two stories and features an ever-rotating menu with everything from vegan to vegetarian to gluten-free to omnivore. Driving is NOT recommended. Parking is expensive and difficult to find. NOTE THE FIRST: The Navy Yard Metro station's Nationals Park entrance is closed. Only the New Jersey Ave. entrance is open. Please allow some extra time to account for this and any other service changes. I will post service changes the week before the event. NOTE THE SECOND: If the weather calls for sleet, ice, wintry mix, or lots of snow, I'm rescheduling the event for January 2026. See you soon and Happy Holidays! Jenny

Meeting place - https://maps.app.goo.gl/P6yZKpmhMFhAipXW6 Questions? Call 240-447-4796 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/mount-vernon-to-lbj-grove-trail-loop 4.9mi Length 91ft Elevation gain 1.5–2hr Estimated time Loop This trail starts at the parking lot off George Washington Memorial Parkway. It’s a mostly flat, multi-use path that follows the Potomac River and Boundary Channel through Lady Bird Johnson Park on Columbia Island. The trail passes the Navy Merchant Marine Memorial and Columbia Island Marina, offering beautiful views of Washington, DC.

Join us for a festive evening hike to **ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo** before the season wraps up on **January 3rd**. This is a great chance to enjoy the colorful displays, connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and soak in the holiday magic together. We’ll **meet at the main entrance on Connecticut Avenue** before making our way through the illuminated paths at a relaxed, social pace. The weather is expected to be mild for late December, but please **dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes** so you can enjoy the evening comfortably. Whether you're here for the lights, the community, or just a peaceful night outdoors, we’d love to have you with us. Come share the glow and celebrate the season before ZooLights closes for the year. **Fees: The Adventuring Trip Fee will be waived. General Admission is $9 per guest and can be booked with the link below.** [ZooLights | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/events/zoolights) **What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, and warm layers.** **Park Information:** [ZooLights | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/visit/events/zoolights) **Metro:** The Zoo is accessible via the Red Line to the **Woodley Park-Zoo** or **Cleveland Park** metro station. The Zoo entrance lies halfway between these stops, and both are a short walk from the Zoo. **NEW!** Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you **RSVP** to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release

Guest Speaker: Dr. Paul White: a mindfulness workshop to navigate burnout for activists and animal lovers post-holidays Post-PAM Animal Action: Ritz-Carlton cage-free protest 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.

Join us this Sunday to check out the new “Korean Treasures” exhibit (FREE!) at the Smithsonian's Sackler Gallery. This extraordinary collection features masterpieces donated to the Korean nation by the estate of the late Samsung CEO. It is the first time these magnificent pieces are accessible to the public. The works span from ancient times to the present, showcasing paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more from Korea's rich artistic heritage. 📅 When: This Sunday, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM 📍 Where: We'll start at the museum’s brand new Moongate Cafe (which has been getting rave reviews!) at 2:00 PM, then head to the exhibition together. ☕🍜 About Moongate Cafe: This new pan-Asian cafe overlooks the Smithsonian’s famous Moongate Garden and serves an assortment of dishes, snacks, and beverages, including: • Vietnamese bánh mì • Sesame salmon rice bowls • Tokyo-style hot dogs • Summer rolls • Thai mango sticky rice • Yuzu cheesecake • Vietnamese iced coffee • Specially curated teas Whether you're a Korean art enthusiast or just curious to learn more about Korea's cultural legacy, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience these treasures—accompanied by great food in a serene setting. See you Sunday! ☕🎨 Exhibition Location: Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Galleries 23, 24, 28 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20013 More info: https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/exhibitions/korean-treasures-collected-cherished-shared/

Join us at Sharon Woods Metropark this December 28th from 9-10:30 am for some lovely winter birding. [Register here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOAdQlIaKro1dFCgfp26IcwsaxQjzbYMZVQ7mLg3dViQDrsQ/viewform?usp=sf_link) for details closer to the event.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [5 Bean Coffee](https://5beancoffee.com/)!

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

Please join us the 3rd Wednesday of each month to learn more about the Columbus Ski Club and what we have to offer. Pizza, wings and a variety of appetizers provided. We are a non-profit organization founded in 1958 with over 800 members. The club has grown beyond the single mission of providing members with not only quality skiing events but also year round social and sport activities. Our gatherings are an opportunity for members and non-members to interact and learn about the many activities offered such as euchre, billiards, volleyball, tennis, bowling, golf & softball leagues along with ski and non-ski trips. Our members also plan group activities such as visits to bike trips, glass blowing workshops, plays and local sports games, etc. CSC membership is not required to belong to the Meetup group. Membership is required in order to participate in most club activities (CSC member). However, anyone (21 and over) is welcome at our meeting gatherings which consist of checking out our current activities and socializing. The annual dues for club membership are $35 with the membership year from September 1st – August 31st. [https://www.columbusskiclub.org/content.aspx?page_id=60&club_id=686961](https://www.columbusskiclub.org/content.aspx?page_id=60&club_id=686961)

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

Monday December 29th at 6PM we'll be meeting up dinner at the Pies & Pints at Easton. Feel free to bring guests. Sandwiches run about $15 and large pizzas run $20-30.

Join us for lunch at True Food Kitchen in Easton as we celebrate the New Year and our friendships!