Boat Cruising

Join Social Sips & Bites for an evening walk filled with a great company, and beautiful waterfront views. The Plan We’ll meet at Jones Point Park in Alexandria, VA, then walk along the Alexandria waterfront, taking in the charming holiday scenery. From there, we’ll cross the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which offers spectacular views of the Potomac River and the city skyline at night. Our destination: National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland - a winter wonderland glowing with Christmas lights, and holiday displays. At the Harbor Once we arrive, we’ll stroll through the decorated streets, check out the giant Christmas tree, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. You can grab a drink or snack from one of the many nearby restaurants and bars, or just relax and enjoy the show with the group. Event Details • Start Point: Jones Point Park, Alexandria, VA • Destination: National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD • Distance: About 3 miles (each way) — easy to moderate pace • Return: Walk or rideshare/carpool options available back to Alexandria What to Bring • Comfortable walking shoes • Warm layers and gloves (it can get chilly by the water) • A small flashlight or phone light for the trail • Your holiday spirit and good vibes! This is one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season - a little movement, a lot of laughter, and dazzling lights to top it all off. Come join us for an unforgettable evening with Social Sips & Bites!

We will be playing two games of **Terra Mystica** with up to 8 players. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. In **Terra Mystica** fourteen different factions live in seven different landscapes, each group is bound to its own home environment. To develop and grow they must terraform neighboring landscapes into their home environments in competition with the other groups. Each group has different special skills and abilities. There are also four religious cults in which you can progress. Different buildings allow players to develop different resources. Each group must also develop its terraforming skills and its skill with boats to use the rivers. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU292g8BO7Q&pp=ygUZaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgdGVycmEgbXlzdGljYQ%3D%3D) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://cdn.1j1ju.com/medias/9c/2c/c8-terra-mystica-rulebook.pdf) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. **The earlier you update your RSVP the better** so that players on the waitlist can attend. No-shows may make it harder to attend future meetups. Also, all library rules apply to this meetup event. Mainly that no food is allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed.

*\*\* This is a courtesy informational post about a local gaming event. \*\** Convention website: [http://emsps.com/cog/winter/](http://emsps.com/cog/winter/) Congress of Gamers is a 2-day convention held three times a year in Rockville, Maryland. The convention features: * game library * large open gaming rooms * Play-2-Win games (play and be entered to win a copy) * tournament play * scheduled social deduction games like Werewolf and Avalon, * Saturday-only auction store with 1500 new and used games for sale * and more. Weekend badges are $30 at the door. Discounts are available for pre-registration, single day badges, and youth badges. There is free parking at the Senior Center where the event is held. Convention website: [http://emsps.com/cog/winter/](http://emsps.com/cog/winter/)

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "**I accept**" to be permitted on the hike. **9-mile loop with 292 feet elevation gain.** **Description:** From **Columbia Island Marina,** within Lady Byrd Johnson Park, we will make a brief stop at the LBJ Memorial Garden. We will then connect to the Mount Vernon trail and hike to Theodore Roosevelt Island where we will do a short loop on the island and view the Memorial. After that, we'll cross the Potomac River on Key Bridge, and hike downstream along the Georgetown Waterfront Park to the Kennedy Center to admire the view from the observation deck. After the break we will hike to the Lincoln Memorial and recross the Potomac on the Arlington Memorial Bridge and reconnect to the Mt Vernon trail returning to our starting point. **Pace:** 2.5 mph **Bring:** Adequate hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes. **Dogs:** Dogs will not be allowed on this hike. We'll meet in the parking lot of the **Columbia Island Marina,** GW Parkway, Arlington, VA. **GPS 38.87544, -77.04896** **NOTE:** The hike starts at 9:30am, please arrive a few minutes early so we can get folks signed in and ready to hike on time. Restrooms are available at the marina and several locations along the way. **Rehydration**: Yes, TBD Any questions please contact me at 202-528-0456. If you text, please include your name.

Join us for board games at the Bowie library. (NOTE: the date and time for this has changed because the library will be closed until January 12th.) This week the team will be teaching a few of our favorite "Roll & Write" games: That's Pretty Clever, Cartographers, and Silver & Gold. Alternatively, you're welcome to play one of our other games or bring some of your own. If there's a specific game you'd like to play, please mention it in your RSVP. *How to Play videos:* [That's Pretty Clever (first 6 minutes)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIGOvQsDeIE) [Cartographers](https://youtu.be/yCt5JFkbOvc?si=hWZ0ZigZ51kWhdsY&t=144) (13 minutes) [Silver & Gold (3 minutes)](https://youtu.be/VGMDI5N0ECk?si=tyH8-LRliZLroGxv)

Join us for the Friday Night Fitness Skate! A 12 or 8 mile fitness skate that skates the same route each week so you will know the route and pavement hazards (since it is dark) and be able to work on form, endurance or speed as the cold wind is pushing against you! ;) The route has nice long stretches of uninterrupted skating, open roads with very few cars and the regroups are short and infrequent. We will meet at Freedom Plaza at 7pm as long as it is not raining, snowing and the pavement is not wet or icy. We’ll warm up with a skate to the Capital and then skate along the mall and museums to the National Monument. We will then head to the Lincoln Memorial through the World War II Memorial. From the Lincoln we will proceed to Haynes Point down Ohio Drive with the option to take the 3 mile Haynes Point loop (12 mile total skate) or practice stops or stunts at the regroup spot while others skate the loop (8.5 mile total skate.) The skate is mostly flat on good pavement with a small slope coming down from the Washington Monument and a 40 yard small slop from the Lincoln to Ohio Drive and a couple patches here and there. The wind can be very strong and cold especially on Ohio Drive and Haynes Point as we skate adjacent to the water. Please feel free to jazz up your gear with lights, I wear a helmet bike light (since it is pretty dark) and a set of body lights. Most of the regulars skate with lighted wheels for fun! Wear your lights so you have fun, can see and be seen! In case of bad weather, I will update this post via the comment section around 6pm on Friday. Of course, all skating is at your own risk. Hope you will come join us!

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.

*\*\* This is a courtesy informational post about a local gaming event. \*\** Convention website: [http://emsps.com/cog/winter/](http://emsps.com/cog/winter/) Congress of Gamers is a 2-day convention held three times a year in Rockville, Maryland. The convention features: * game library * large open gaming rooms * Play-2-Win games (play and be entered to win a copy) * tournament play * scheduled social deduction games like Werewolf and Avalon * and more Single day badges for Sunday are $10 at the door. There is plenty of free parking at the Senior Center where the event is held. Convention website: [http://emsps.com/cog/winter/](http://emsps.com/cog/winter/)

Hey everyone! Join us for a fun afternoon at Topgolf in National Harbor. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just want to swing and socialize, this will be a great time to connect, play, and relax. 🕑 Date & Time: Sunday, Jan 18th, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM 📍 Location: Topgolf National Harbor 6400 Clipper Way, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 💵 Cost: $17 per person – this covers your share of the bay reservation for the full 2-hour experience. Payment is taken here thru meetup upfront. *No refunds so make sure 100% you can commit* 🍕Food and drink will be available for purchase on-site. everyone is responsible for their own purchases 😎 ✅ We have two bays reserved and spots are limited, so please RSVP if you’re interested! 🎯 No golf experience needed — just come ready to have fun! See you at Topgolf! 🏌️‍♂️🍹

**$60/2\.5\-hour Class \| Class Limit: 5** Hamiltonian Artists Second Floor, Studio 2 [Registration Link ](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://trishaart.com/classes/p/drop-in-classes&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw07rgL9h-rFd3JRP7l9BSDN) In this introductory course, students will learn the history of Indian woodblock before using the technique for themselves to create a printed piece of fabric from start to finish. I will demonstrate the process before allowing students the opportunity to ask questions and practice. Various examples of patterns and motifs will be shared with the group that they can emulate for their own projects. We will provide a handkerchief for the final project, but students are encouraged to bring their own light-weight cotton objects to use instead.

Freedom Plaza is currently closed for construction, so we are shifting the starting line. We will meet at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street NW, right outside the WWI Pershing Memorial. This 11.6-mile intermediate route will be lead by Big Mike, and offers a mix of challenging climbs, technical neighborhood skating, and smooth trail flow. The Details • Meeting Point: Corner of Pennsylvania Ave and 14th St NW • Meetup Time: 11:00 AM • Roll-out Time: 11:10 AM • Distance: 11.6 Miles • Elevation Gain: 420 Feet • Level: Intermediate (Urban hills and navigation required) Weather Forecast Expect chilly, winter conditions. It will be partly sunny with a high near 34°F and a SLIGHT chance of light snow flurries. Wind will be coming from the northwest at about 6 mph. Please dress appropriately and bring water. Safety Requirements • Helmets are mandatory for this skate. \* Wrist guards are highly recommended, as they provide critical protection during urban falls. • Knee and elbow pads are suggested for additional safety on technical sections and descents. • Everyone skates at their own risk! The Route [https://onthegomap.com/s/dmo62ogu](https://onthegomap.com/s/dmo62ogu?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRFRPYXYyN1c5cDVVOUs2S3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7I1m6gHZ0B-dDKDrmOd08DtpVod6XE7rBmVCNG_OPX3q1SvRUprjVXOEb0Xw_aem_dkj8WoZZhPrcQ9ald0S1rA) • The Climb: We begin with a steady ascent up New Hampshire Avenue, carving through the energy of Dupont Circle. • The Meander: A technical, scenic flow through the historic streets of LeDroit Park. • The Trail: A fast, car-free stretch on the Metropolitan Branch Trail to find your stride. • The Finish: A final loop through the architecture of Capitol Hill and across the National Mall. For the most up to date details, check Facebook and Instagram. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WashingtonAreaRoadskaters/events Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareskatedc/ We hope to see you Sunday!

This will be a fun night of board games hosted at our house! Feel free to bring some games if you'd like. No experience necessary, I will be happy to teach any and all games. Click [HERE ](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s-kHTgssAccloaJENey7_Xy_uT-AqyjTJYVEp88zis8/edit#gid=0)to see my games library. Below are some important logistical details. * Arrive on time! - I will typically wait about 15 minutes after to begin playing. If you come much later than that games will be in progress and there is a high probability you won't be able to play a game that night as we usually only run two to three tables and often only play one game per table per night. * Ring the doorbell if the door is not open. I can't hear anyone knocking on the door as we are in the basement. You can also send me a message on Meet up if you would prefer for me to let you in. * If you would like to bring a game to the group that you want to play, please post the game along with a link to a tutorial in the event chat so people can prep to play if they plan on playing too. Also arrive 10-15 minutes early so you can set your game up and be prepared to teach the game. *