Book Club

Everyone’s heard of book clubs where the group reads the same thing and gets together to discuss, which is great… if you have time and interest in whatever’s chosen. This is a different type of book club where you bring whatever you’re currently or recently reading (or just a book you’re super excited about) and talk about it with fellow book lovers. We’ll start with people arriving/ordering food between 615-645, then go around and introduce ourselveslves and give a very brief synopsis of what we’re reading and why we’re excited (or not!) about it. Then devolve into informal conversations until people need to head out. The goal Is to create community and connections in a group of strangers - to facilitate this please make sure you have at least a clear first name on your profile. Upside on Moore has a great selection of food you can order from your phone or at the kiosks. There’s also a bar with happy hour, something for everyone! Arrival tips: if you’re taking the metro, it’s the building above the Rosslyn exit. If you’re driving, you can park in the public lot under the food hall (entrance from the one way bus street) and validate parking after 6!

For June's selection, we'll be reading Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison. Find out more information and register here: https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/16587938

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Join us for the next Baltimore Silent Book Club meeting! Feel free to bring a book to swap! The same "rules" and format apply: Bring a book, grab a bite/food and enjoy reading your book in the company of fellow book lovers! The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with introductions and eating/drinking. The silent reading hour will run 7:30-8:30 p.m. Afterward, feel free to stick around for mingling or more reading.

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

**June is the Month of Gary: It's my Birthday month and I'm turning 60.** We just had the Gary Birthday Tournament @ Hanks on Sunday June 07th, so come on out and celebrate my birthday again at Ramparts! **Members can begin RSVP'ing for this In Person Meetup two weeks before the event.** ++++++++++++++++++++++++ **Our 2nd Thursday of the month Euchre Location:** Ramparts Tavern & Grill 1700 Fern Street, Alexandria, VA [https://www.rampartstavern.com/](https://www.rampartstavern.com/) GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/embeJAi5iFGdbNca8](https://goo.gl/maps/embeJAi5iFGdbNca8) **Parking:** * Burke & Herbert Bank Parking Lot across the street * CVS Parking Lot behind the restaurant * Neighborhood street parking ++++++++++++++++++++++++ * **Middle Room Opens @ 6:30pm (Gary will be there).** * **Please arrive by 7:00pm.** * **Please don't leave before 9:30pm.** * We are in the middle room, accessible via the bar or the restaurant. * We start play as soon as we have enough people to get a table going. * We will be getting our bills at 9:30pm so we are all settled by 10:00pm. * Ramparts doesn't close until well after 10:00pm so there isn't a rush for us to get out or anything. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ **For those new or haven't been in awhile, here is some basic information about our meetup:** 1. **Know How to Play the Game**: Every member of the Alexandria Euchre Club must know how to play the game of Euchre to attend a meetup. If you know the game, but it has been years since you've played, that is fine as we've all been there and will be patient while it comes flooding back to you. 2. **New To The Group:** If you have never been, we are a friendly group and welcome everyone to come. Very few people come with a friend or spouse. What this means is that it will not be awkward to arrive alone. It is better than a happy hour because it is easy to make conversation about cards. You don't have to even ask the dreaded "what do you do?" question. If you come three times, you are a regular. Also, house rules are that we play stick the dealer (ask if you don't know this variation). 3. **Correct Table Count:** Euchre is a 4 person game--yes, I know there are 3 and 6 person variations, but most people prefer the 4 person game. What this means is that if you sign-up, we are counting on you to be there. The deadline for RSVP is 2 days prior to the meet-up. Please update by that time, especially if you are going to cancel your RSVP. If you get 3 "no shows" and you'll only be able to sign up via an organizer. 4. **The Waiting List:** If this month is like the previous months, we will have a waiting list. Please be considerate and honor your RSVP. Of course, if you are sick and on death's door we don't want you to come out and get the rest of us sick; however, if not please do come play. A good evening of food, drink, cards, and friendship may be all that you need to be more productive the next day. If you are on the waiting list I am expecting you to either remove yourself if you don't want to be considered for an open slot, or check the site (or email) so you know you've been promoted to an RSVP of YES when a slot opens up. 5. **Costs:** There are some costs associated with meetup -- I have to pay Meetup every 6 months for listing on their website. They don't work off of advertising fees. We pass the bowl around and ask people to throw a $1 in each time they come. Thanks everyone... looking forward to seeing ya !! Gary Wolanske 703-568-1550 (cell / text)

…Transform Our Lives, Work, and World (2024) by Jamie Metzl, 432 pages [Genetics] • Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: [https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082](https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082) Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review “In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes readers on a magical journey through the science of the intersecting genetics, biotech, and AI revolutions, deeply explores the implications, and challenges us to think creatively and proactively about what comes next. Very few books are absolute must-reads. This is one.”―Siddhartha Mukherjee, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of The Gene: An Intimate History "During the 25 years I have known Jamie Metzl, he has always been ahead of the curve. There is no one better to help us understand and prepare for the fast-approaching technological revolutions. Superconvergence is brilliant. I can't recommend it more strongly."―Sanjay Gupta MD, bestseller author, neurosurgeon, and Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent (CNN) "Our world is defined by our science and technology—whether we like it or not. The question now is not whether to use these powers, but how best to use them. In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes us on a journey through the new capabilities that are radically transforming ecosystems inside us and around us, challenging each of us to get personally involved with building the future we want."―Beth Shapiro, University of California Santa Cruz evolutionary biologist and author of Life as We Made It: How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation Refined―and Redefined―Nature "In a fine counter-blast to the pessimism of today, Jamie Metzl lays out just how spectacular the future of humanity and planet can be if we harness innovation responsibly and imaginatively to create what he calls the 'spiral of progress.'"―Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works, and co-author of Viral: The search for the Origin of Covid-19 “A page-turning journey through space and time that shows us how our lives will be changed by imminent technological advances we once only dreamed of.”―David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To “The superconvergence of the genetics, biotechnology, and AI revolutions provides spectacular opportunities for building a better world. It also represents an almost limitless investment opportunity. We were excited to collaborate with Jamie Metzl, one of the world's great experts on how these aspirations can best be realized, including in capital markets. Superconvergence is a master class for imagining, investing in, and building a future we'd like to inhabit."―Jeremy Schwartz, Global Chief Investment Officer, WisdomTree “A clear examination of a transitional moment in the story of life on Earth…. Metzl capably describes recent developments in genetics and biotech and looks at how AI is providing an analytical engine of unprecedented power…. An important book in which the author sets out a path for the future based on his experience and expertise.”―Kirkus “Erudite, optimistic, and timely.”―Science Magazine "[In Superconvergence] Mr. Metzl has identified an important truth: that the convergence of new technologies is galvanizing us to reimagine how to meet urgent challenges in medicine and the environment. It’s a compelling opportunity—provided we manage to sidestep self-induced catastrophes along the way."―The Wall Street Journal ### About the Author Jamie Metzl is a leading technology and healthcare futurist and the founder and chair of OneShared.World. He is the author of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity and four other books and was a member of the World Health Organization expert advisory committee on human genome editing. Jamie previously served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and with the United Nations in Cambodia. His work has been featured by most major media organizations around the world, including 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Times of London, Le Monde, and Paris Match, and his podcast interviews with Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, and others have reached tens of millions of listeners. He lives in New York City. Visit Jamiemetzl.com.

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/139400713-martyr **A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, embarks on a remarkable search for a family secret that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum. Electrifying, funny, and wholly original, *Martyr!* heralds the arrival of an essential new voice in contemporary fiction.** Cyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother’s plane was shot down over the skies of the Persian Gulf in a senseless accident; and his father’s life in America was circumscribed by his work killing chickens at a factory farm in the Midwest. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet, whose obsession with martyrs leads him to examine the mysteries of his past—toward an uncle who rode through Iranian battlefields dressed as the angel of death to inspire and comfort the dying, and toward his mother, through a painting discovered in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests she may not have been who or what she seemed. Kaveh Akbar’s *Martyr!* is a paean to how we spend our lives seeking meaning—in faith, art, ourselves, others.

It's our first Book Swap & Thought Shop so you know what that means?! I am going to bribe you with a good time!! Come with a book in hand, spare change for a coffee & sweets & a blanket just in case (you never know what may happen\*wink\*)!!

**💘 Hialeah Speed Dating – Personality Matched & Hosted on Zoom** A straightforward, fun way to meet local singles without stepping out. It's simple: complete a short personality quiz, jump on Zoom, and meet Hialeah singles in guided one-on-one rounds. Matches shared afterwards. **✅ RSVP below — the host messages everyone personally.** After RSVP, look out for a message with the personality quiz and event link. Capacity is limited. --- 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - First-timers new to speed dating - People fed up with swiping who want actual conversation - Hialeah locals after personality-matched dates - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience **How It Works** 1. **Grab your spot** – Hit RSVP above to join the list. 2. **Watch for a host message** – The host will send you a short personality quiz after your RSVP. 3. **Fill in the quiz** – Short and easy — it helps us pair you with the right people. 4. **Hop on Zoom** – You'll receive the Zoom link before the event. The host handles the rest. 5. **Meet your matches** – Cycle through short chats, then see who you clicked with after the event. **Event Details** - **Format:** Zoom video session – short timed rounds - **Location:** Your space – couch, desk, wherever suits you - **Host:** Professional host keeping the evening smooth and relaxed - **Vibe:** Casual, easy-going conversations with Hialeah singles - **Matching:** Driven by personality quiz results - **Rounds:** Multiple short one-on-one rounds **Frequently Asked Questions** **Do I need experience?** Not at all. The host walks you through everything. **When will the host contact me?** Usually within a day or two of your RSVP, well before the event. **What if I'm shy?** The virtual setting and hosted rounds keep things comfortable for everyone. **What's the personality quiz for?** It helps us match you with compatible people. The host will send it after your RSVP. --- ✨ Speed dating from home — easy, fun, and personality matched. 💘 ✨

**👟 Outdoor Orienteering – Maps Provided** Lace up and join us to make our way around a beginner-friendly course with navigation, exploration, and a laugh along the way. If you've never done this before, you're in good company — you can walk the whole thing if you prefer. After a relaxed briefing and a map each, then head out to find the controls in any order you like, and take a picture at every marker to track your finds. Trainers or light boots work perfectly, have your phone handy for snapping controls, and come ready to explore. --- **The format:** - Meet at the start point and grab your map - Navigate the course solo or in a small group - Wrap up with photos and a chat about route choices --- 🌤️ A relaxed way to spend an afternoon outside — add yourself to the group and join in. We'll see you on the day. 🌤️

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Welcome, readers! Our July read is ***A Short Walk Through a Wide World*** *by Douglas Westerbeke*. We'll follow a young woman bound by a mysterious condition that forces her to keep moving across the globe. As she journeys through vibrant cities, quiet landscapes, and centuries of time, each stop reveals new connections, fleeting relationships, and deeper questions about belonging. The novel blends adventure with introspection, exploring what it means to search for home when you can never stay in one place. It’s both a love letter to the vastness of the world and a poignant meditation on identity, memory, and human connection. Looking forward to discussing with everyone We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar** Happy reading!