Bird Watching

☀️ SUMMER KICKOFF SOCIAL: Annual Happy Hour 🍹 We’re officially kicking off summer with our first annual Summer Kickoff Social — and this one’s a little more personal and laid-back than usual! Join us in the entertainment lounge + courtyard of my building in Gaithersburg for a fun, relaxed evening to celebrate the start of summer with great people, music, and good vibes. This will be a BYO (bring your own) food & drinks event, so feel free to bring whatever you’d like to sip on or snack on — and if you want to share, even better. 🌿 What to expect: Chill indoor/outdoor setup (lounge + courtyard) Great opportunity to actually mingle and hang out longer Music, conversation, and a more “house party” style vibe A mix of regulars and new faces (20s & 30s crowd) ⏰ When: Friday, June 5 | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM 📍 Where: 800 Rockwell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 🔐 Important: I’ll send out the door code and entry details the day of the event to those who RSVP. ✨ What to bring: Your drink(s) of choice Snacks or food if you’d like Good energy Please RSVP so I can plan accordingly and share access details. Let’s kick off the summer the right way — this is one you won’t want to miss

Meet the podcasters! Free Tarot readings and art raffle Tara and Sarah, the fevered minds behind Ookum Spookum podcast, are hosting a free soirée to honor their media debut. Come celebrate with food, music, free tarot by Sarah, and a raffle of Tara’s NEW and unreleased collection of amazing paintings! We want to thank everyone who has listened to the show, and we can’t wait to send off our paranormal podcast in wild Sticks and Stones style. Listen Below! https://open.spotify.com/show/0n10x2UbkUSP46wMujsaPP?si=Rjfq3IZTTSKlhgCSaMczyw

Improve your balance, mobility, and flexibility with this beginner-friendly workout! Learn how to properly stretch your muscles to experience enhanced functionality and quality of life. Please bring a mat or towel to class. Level: All **[Register here ](https://mdpgparksweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?Action=Start&SubAction=&_csrf_token=Hp0M0E6T0I712L473B2Q2N4F5J5R6M5E035L4X6O6I04705R6O5S045J4M526G6A5S5Q5J6K1I5P4S6E550O5G4I6F511L4L63505I095R4M6N671F545U6H6A735O3L6M&age=0.25&age=0.5&age=0.75&age=1&age=2&age=3&age=4&age=5&age=6&age=7&age=8&age=9&age=10&age=11&age=12&age=13&age=14&age=15&age=16&age=17&age=Adult&age=Senior&primarycode=17680-479H&keyword=&keywordoption=Match+One&showwithavailable=No&spotsavailable=&beginyear=&instructor=&dayoption=All&display=Detail&module=AR&multiselectlist_value=&arwebsearch_buttonsearch=yes)**(summer registration opens 5/13 for residents & 5/20 for non-residents). Activity Code: 17680-479H **No classes on federal holidays (June 19).** Classes may be canceled due to inclement weather or wet grounds. Call 301-927-0822 for weather-related cancellations. For fastest response to any questions, or for more information, please contact Health and Wellness directly at (301) 446-6800; TTY (301) 699-2544 or email [wellness@pgparks.com](wellness@pgparks.com)

Come hungry for culture, community, and feijoada. The kick off to Afro-Bahia Fest starts here. Enjoy not only typical culinary dishes from Bahia, but also live music plus dancing. This will be a night you won't forget. Get your tickets now!

**Who will advance to take it all? Let’s find out!** **Come through to Tom’s Watch Bar this Friday night and get ready to see a game that could lead to a historic moment!**

Meet at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, at the far left end of the parking lot.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is significant for several reasons. ### What Makes It Special Even If You're Not Religious * The scale of the building is awe-inspiring. * The artwork and craftsmanship rival those found in famous European churches. * The chapels tell the story of immigrant communities that helped shape the United States. * It offers a rare combination of history, architecture, art, culture, and quiet contemplation in the heart of Washington, DC. Many visitors describe it as one of the most underrated attractions in DC because it combines the grandeur of a major monument with a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the city's busy museums and government buildings. * **The largest Catholic church in North America** and among the ten largest churches in the world. * **Home to more than 80 chapels and sacred images**, representing the diverse cultural and ethnic communities that make up the Catholic Church in the United States. * **Known for its breathtaking mosaics**, containing millions of pieces of colored glass and stone that cover walls, ceilings, and domes. * **A unique blend of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture**, making it visually distinct from the Gothic cathedrals many visitors are familiar with. * **Visited by multiple Popes**, including Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. * **A national shrine rather than a local parish church**, meaning it serves as a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from across the United States and around the world. * **Dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus**, under the title "Immaculate Conception," who is the patroness of the United States. * **Features one of the world's largest mosaic domes**, creating a remarkable visual experience even for visitors with no religious background. ### Join us for a casual visit to the Basilica. **Cost:** Free **Time**: 12:15 pm **Who can attend:** Everyone is welcome, regardless of faith background. Please dress respectfully for a place of worship.H

Sunday's weather forecast has improved, the Smithsonian Castle has reopened, and many of the fountains on the National Mall have been reconditioned! Let's go for a tour of the fountains and gardens on the east end of the National Mall! **❶ What we'll do:** * Starting from the Enid A. Haupt Garden, just south of the Smithsonian Visitor Center, we'll go for a clockwise walk around the National Mall, checking out notable fountains, gardens, and monuments along our way. * The walk is about 4.5 miles and should take about 2 hours at a moderate pace. The path is level and mostly paved, with steps in places. * Google map: [https://tinyurl.com/y9rqen9f](https://tinyurl.com/y9rqen9f) ❷ **How to get there:** * Metro (recommended): The Haupt Garden is 0.2 miles' walk from the Smithsonian Metro Station (see [https://goo.gl/maps/aT5Y6Wwte7P2](https://goo.gl/maps/aT5Y6Wwte7P2 )), or 0.4 miles' walk from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station (see h[ttps://goo.gl/maps/94VqmFRnQ2T2](ttps://goo.gl/maps/94VqmFRnQ2T2)). * Driving: If you must drive, the Haupt Garden's street address is 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560. There is paid parallel parking in the area. ❸ **Weather:** The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 92F, with 9-10 mph NW winds and a very slight chance of showers. Updates: [https://tinyurl.com/2p9ycnap](https://tinyurl.com/2p9ycnap) ❹ **What to bring:** Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes, please). Sunscreen and sunglasses are a good idea. ❺ **Advisory:** As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers. ❻ **Administrative stuff:** There are restrooms and drinking fountains at the Smithsonian Visitor Center, Union Station, and the US Botanic Gardens. **❼ Notes:** * Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560, [https://www.si.edu/museums/smithsonian-institution-building](https://www.si.edu/museums/smithsonian-institution-building) * National Park Service Advancing Major Park Beautification and Infrastructure Improvements across Washington, D.C., [https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/dc-beautifcation-january-2026.htm](https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/dc-beautifcation-january-2026.htm)

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!

[MOVIE DESCRIPTION BELOW] *A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.* \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **PLEASE SEE GROUP BIO FOR FULL FAQ. Meetup only allows a certain amount of characters when posting events from a mobile device and out FAQ is longer than that limit. A condensed version is posted below here** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ First-time attendees: below are some Frequently Asked Questions about events for your consideration: * **What is involved in this type of event? (_Group Watch & Socialize Event)** * We typically arrive before the movie, maybe chat and catch up with folks a bit, watch the movie in the theater, then afterwards have a more extended chat with everyone who saw the movie. * **Do I have to chat before the movie?** * Nope! Totally understandable if you'd rather just watch first so you can have something in common to discuss afterwards. * **Will people approach me/talk to me?** * Not a guarantee as it depends on who is hosting, but a good host or other group members will try to at least say hi to members after the movie and may make an effort to include newer faces in the conversation in some way. Please feel free to jump into the conversation as you feel comfortable and understand this is done with good intent :) We are happy to have you! * **How will I know who is the host or where people are gathering to talk about the movie?** * This depends on each host, but good practice is for the host to indicate a notable item of clothing they are wearing for other members to look out for. But generally we gather in a loose circle in the theater lobby or outside the theater to talk, so if you recognize the host or other group members - that's the spot we've decided on! Just kind of depends on the feel of the group where we gather. * **What is with posting the seat numbers?** * A good practice we've found is to post our seat numbers when we have ordered tickets for a movie. This is just another way for members of our group to find each other as it might not be immediately obvious who is here as part of the group event: some events are at public movie theaters, after all. You are not by any means obligated to post your seat number if you do not feel comfortable doing so, just something we've found that works nicely for encouraging some socialization. * **Will there be food?** * General guideline: if the movie starts at 7ish pm or later, you might wanna have dinner first or plan on buying movie snacks. Restaurant kitchens tend to close around 9-10pm. We sometimes do go to restaurants after movies as a group, but moreso bars whose kitchens may or may not be open. Plus, kind of bad manners for a group to descend upon a bar when the kitchen is closing is 10 minutes lol. Bars are just convenient social places, there is zero pressure to drink but there just aren't many places open late when we may leave movies. There is potential to order or provide food for group events, but it should not be expected unless stated in the event description. * **How do I stay in contact with the group after the movie?** * We have another app we use for discussion because Meetup is somewhat cumbersome to use for casual conversation. The app we use is called Discord. The link is posted below: * Link: https://discord.gg/4r7QxzmSvH * [Place link here] \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ * **Can I create events as a member?** * Initially, no but this group is open to members suggesting events or becoming part of the Event Organizers over time. We don't want to open the opportunity for everybody initially to create events because that kind of role has some responsibility towards it. There are certain permissions granted to that role that not every member should have. However, if a member has a proven track record of treating every group member with due respect, and a willingness to plan events: they can become and Event Organizer and create their own events. Please reach out to leadership if this sounds like something that would interest you. * **Can I donate to the group?** * Absolutely! See group bio

[MOVIE DESCRIPTION BELOW] *A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.* \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **PLEASE SEE GROUP BIO FOR FULL FAQ. Meetup only allows a certain amount of characters when posting events from a mobile device and out FAQ is longer than that limit. A condensed version is posted below here** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ First-time attendees: below are some Frequently Asked Questions about events for your consideration: * **What is involved in this type of event? (_Group Watch & Socialize Event)** * We typically arrive before the movie, maybe chat and catch up with folks a bit, watch the movie in the theater, then afterwards have a more extended chat with everyone who saw the movie. * **Do I have to chat before the movie?** * Nope! Totally understandable if you'd rather just watch first so you can have something in common to discuss afterwards. * **Will people approach me/talk to me?** * Not a guarantee as it depends on who is hosting, but a good host or other group members will try to at least say hi to members after the movie and may make an effort to include newer faces in the conversation in some way. Please feel free to jump into the conversation as you feel comfortable and understand this is done with good intent :) We are happy to have you! * **How will I know who is the host or where people are gathering to talk about the movie?** * This depends on each host, but good practice is for the host to indicate a notable item of clothing they are wearing for other members to look out for. But generally we gather in a loose circle in the theater lobby or outside the theater to talk, so if you recognize the host or other group members - that's the spot we've decided on! Just kind of depends on the feel of the group where we gather. * **What is with posting the seat numbers?** * A good practice we've found is to post our seat numbers when we have ordered tickets for a movie. This is just another way for members of our group to find each other as it might not be immediately obvious who is here as part of the group event: some events are at public movie theaters, after all. You are not by any means obligated to post your seat number if you do not feel comfortable doing so, just something we've found that works nicely for encouraging some socialization. * **Will there be food?** * General guideline: if the movie starts at 7ish pm or later, you might wanna have dinner first or plan on buying movie snacks. Restaurant kitchens tend to close around 9-10pm. We sometimes do go to restaurants after movies as a group, but moreso bars whose kitchens may or may not be open. Plus, kind of bad manners for a group to descend upon a bar when the kitchen is closing is 10 minutes lol. Bars are just convenient social places, there is zero pressure to drink but there just aren't many places open late when we may leave movies. There is potential to order or provide food for group events, but it should not be expected unless stated in the event description. * **How do I stay in contact with the group after the movie?** * We have another app we use for discussion because Meetup is somewhat cumbersome to use for casual conversation. The app we use is called Discord. The link is posted below: * Link: https://discord.gg/4r7QxzmSvH * [Place link here] \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ * **Can I create events as a member?** * Initially, no but this group is open to members suggesting events or becoming part of the Event Organizers over time. We don't want to open the opportunity for everybody initially to create events because that kind of role has some responsibility towards it. There are certain permissions granted to that role that not every member should have. However, if a member has a proven track record of treating every group member with due respect, and a willingness to plan events: they can become and Event Organizer and create their own events. Please reach out to leadership if this sounds like something that would interest you. * **Can I donate to the group?** * Absolutely! See group bio

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Crimson Cup Coffee Shop - Clintonville](https://www.crimsoncup.com/about/location/clintonville)!

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.