Book Club

This meeting will be dedicated to talking about the entirety of "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler" by Italo Calvino Due to recent high popularity of our meetings, we will be having a temporary moratorium new members until a level of member cultivation has occurred. We estimate this will end around July 1st. We will be meeting in the National Portrait Gallery Atrium. To stay up to date with events and discuss meetings or books, you can join our Discord group. Please message me to get added.

A struggling screenwriter suffers no shortage of challenges both professionally and personally. His life takes a bizarre detour when a homeless person begins following him. Eventually the writer learns that there’s much more to the fellow than his unkempt appearance and chaotic demeanor. The story may confuse the viewer at times, but once the paradox comes into focus – many paradoxes, actually – the plot surges forward to a memorably peculiar ending. ■ Title — *Paradox Lost* ■ Director — Dennis Curlett ■ Cast — Clarissa Thibeaux, Danny Cymbal, Dennis Curlett ■ Unrated, suitable for general audiences ■ ©2021 \| 1h 33m \| Comedy\, Sci\-Fi ■ Distributed by Gravitas Ventures

This will be the first ever meeting of Tag Club. Sunday, June 21st is projected to be below 90 degrees at least (at time of writing). Bluemont Park in Arlington, Virginia is the tentative location mainly due to host familiarity and size. Feel free to suggest alternatives up until Thursday, June 18th, at which point the location will be locked. The type(s) of tag we'll be playing depends on the number of people that show up, but nothing will have rules that need to be prepared for in advance. There is no attendee limit, so bring friends (meetup caps it at 5, but that's a made up number)! I'll try to bring some snacks and refreshments, but feel free to bring your own too since I have a financial limit. As the first ever weekend meeting, we'll try and get a group picture for this group's page. The 4:30pm end time is not a hard end time, I simply have no idea how long would be adequate at the time of writing this. More regular times and dates will be fleshed out as the group continues to exist.

We will meet outside as long as the weather is nice. If not, we will move inside. Look out for a comment the morning of each meeting with our exact location. As we are meeting in person, please remember to bring something to read as we usually spend some time sharing our current reads and/or reading when meeting in person. As a reminder, there is no assigned reading; please bring whatever you are currently working on. This group is super casual, sometimes we read and sometimes we talk the whole time. **** NO SHOW POLICY: Due to the high number of members on the waitlist recently we are having to reinstate our no-show policy. If you sign up and no-show to 2 events you will be removed from the group. Reminders are provided weekly to change your RSVP to allow those on the waitlist a chance to come to the meet-up, no 3rd chances with be given. Please be considerate to your fellow members. Thank you! I look forward to reading you!

We will be meeting in the Wilson Room. For June, we will be reading Excellent Women by Barbara Pym. A paperback version runs 231 pages. It was published in 1952. The GoodReads blurb is One of Barbara Pym’s richest and most amusing high comedies, *Excellent Women* has at its center Mildred Lathbury, a clergyman’s daughter and a mild-mannered spinster in 1950s England. She is one of those “excellent women,” the smart, supportive, repressed women who men take for granted. As Mildred gets embroiled in the lives of her new neighbors—anthropologist Helena Napier and her handsome, dashing husband, Rocky, and Julian Malory, the vicar next door—the novel presents a series of snapshots of human life as actually, and pluckily, lived in a vanishing world of manners and repressed desires.

📚 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.

The romanticized Robin Hood is a childhood staple from Disney to Kevin Costner, and I'm a big Jodie Comer fan. Your host will be in E4. Let's get food afterwards.

Take a break from the busy week and join us at Llamabar Cafe for coffee, conversation, and community. 🦙 Expect a small, welcoming group, thoughtful discussions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with people beyond the usual week. Perfect for anyone who loves cafés, meeting new people, and leaving with a few new friends. 😊☕️

The Alexandria Brunch Club is a long running brunch event. We're a friendly bunch of people of different backgrounds, who enjoy a nice morning brunch and fun conversations. As has been the tradition, La Madeleine's in Old Town Alexandria is our place for brunching on a Sunday of every month. I find that a Sunday brunch is nice way to socialize and to just get myself out of the house. Afterward, Old Town, the Potomac and the myriad of parks are nice places for strolling after breakfast. BEST PARKING IN OLD TOWN Courthouse Square Parking lot 111 S Pitt St - Same side as La Madeliene, Two Doors Down Usually $1/hour Weekends and after 5pm, Weekdays For any questions and such feel free to message me. I am the main organizer. My best to all! Phil Matera

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Washington.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Join us for a laid-back Sunday Brunch. The Brunch is All-You-Can-Eat buffet and a bottle of Champagne (750 ml) with Orange Juice. You make your own mimosa. Just only for $ 35.00 per person without tax & gratuity! It includes French toast, pancakes, waffles, omelettes made to order, Pasta, Salads, Roast Beef, Pork Ribs, oyster bar, cheese bar and Salmon, plenty of fresh fruit, yogurt, cakes, cookies, and pudding....mmmm! After brunch, we mingle and socialize. Closest Metro Station is Clarendon. Please take into account Metro's Weekend Track Work & Service Adjustments. Check it on http://www.wmata.com/ and plan accordingly.

This one is for the soul. Let's visit Saint Anselm's Abbey and spend some time exploring a living Benedictine monastery. This is not a guided tour or a typical social meetup. The idea is simply to experience this, spend time on our own: walking quietly, sitting, reflecting, and taking in the atmosphere. Please respect any signs, restricted areas, services in progress, and the privacy of the monastic community Saint Anselm's is home to a community of Benedictine monks who follow a rhythm of prayer, work, study, and community life rooted in the Rule of St. Benedict, written nearly 1,500 years ago. Visiting offers a glimpse into a tradition that has endured across centuries and continues today. Things you may appreciate: : The abbey church and its atmosphere of silence and prayer. : The opportunity to hear the monks chant or participate in the liturgy, if one is taking place. : The contrast between the monastery's quiet setting and the surrounding city. : The simplicity, beauty, and contemplative spirit of monastic life. Format : We will keep the group small (around 10 people), but we wont be walking together, or talking. : Please explore independently and maintain a respectful, quiet presence. : This is not a group tour, discussion circle, or networking event. : I will be there, but I won't be leading the visit or guiding anyone through the grounds. : Afterward, those who wish can gather outside the monastery or at a nearby café to discuss what they noticed and experienced. : The intention is simply to create space to slow down, observe, and encounter a place devoted to prayer, contemplation, and community life.

# 🍸 Zoom Speed Dating: Cleveland Singles, One Night _Real people, real chemistry, zero apps. Just you and Cleveland singles on Zoom, matched ahead of time._ **The night, start to finish:** 1. Sign up and answer a few quick personality questions 2. Hop onto Zoom right as we kick off 3. Chat one-on-one through guided rounds 4. Wake up to your mutual matches in your inbox --- **Pick your group below and you're in:** 💘 **Ages 18-32** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=18-32&face_v=9.0) 💘 **Ages 30-46** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=30-46&face_v=9.0) 💘 **Ages 40-58** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=40-58&face_v=9.0) 💘 **Ages 55+** → [Grab your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=cityscape-navigators-park-orienteering-team&ar=55+&face_v=9.0) > ⚠️ One thing: hitting RSVP here doesn't reserve anything. You're only in once you register through your age link and finish the quiz — and seats are limited. **Tap in, settle back, and let the night surprise you. ✨**

**🥳 A Night of Columbus Speed Dating — Your Couch Is Invited** > It's speed dating, made comfortable — Columbus singles, your sofa, and Zoom doing all the heavy lifting. **Here's your roadmap:** 🔹 Drop your details and zip through a quick personality quiz 🔹 Log into Zoom right at go-time 🔹 Cycle through short one-on-ones with Columbus singles 🔹 Check your inbox tomorrow — your matches will be waiting --- **Select your age group to lock in a place:** 🔸 **Ages 18-32** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=18-32&face_v=9.0) 🔸 **Ages 30-46** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=30-46&face_v=9.0) 🔸 **Ages 40-58** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=40-58&face_v=9.0) 🔸 **Ages 55+** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=574&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=german-conversation-circle-sparks-new-friendships&ar=55+&face_v=9.0) _Fair warning: RSVP here is just a follow, not a registration. Your seat is only locked once you sign up and finish the quiz. Places are finite._ --- Log on, chat, and see what happens. ⚡

**🍀 Zoom In, Columbus — Speed Dating Is Live** > It's speed dating, made comfortable — Columbus singles, your sofa, and Zoom doing all the heavy lifting. **It runs like this:** 🔹 Drop your details and zip through a quick personality quiz 🔹 Log into Zoom right at go-time 🔹 Cycle through short one-on-ones with Columbus singles 🔹 Check your inbox tomorrow — your matches will be waiting --- **Select your age group to lock in a place:** 🔸 **Ages 18-32** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=deutsch-conversation-film-night-cafe-gather&ar=18-32&face_v=10.0) 🔸 **Ages 30-46** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=deutsch-conversation-film-night-cafe-gather&ar=30-46&face_v=10.0) 🔸 **Ages 40-58** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=deutsch-conversation-film-night-cafe-gather&ar=40-58&face_v=10.0) 🔸 **Ages 55+** → [Claim your spot](https://theliveround.com/product?productId=573&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=deutsch-conversation-film-night-cafe-gather&ar=55+&face_v=10.0) _Fair warning: RSVP here is just a follow, not a registration. Your seat is only locked once you sign up and finish the quiz. Places are finite._ --- A room full of possibilities is just one link away. 🎵

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!

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! 📖