Community Gardening

**CAIRN Launch Meeting** **Community AI Research Network** **Humans + AI Solving Real-World Problems** **Date: June 13, 2026** **Time: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM** **Location: Bull Run Library, Manassas, Virginia** **1:00 PM – Welcome & Networking (20 min)** * **Meet members and introductions** * **Why you joined CAIRN** * **Networking** **Icebreaker: “What problem would you like AI to help solve?”** **1:20 PM – Welcome to CAIRN (15 min)** **Presenter: Edith Mbuyi** **Topics:** * **CAIRN’s mission and vision** * **AI for community impact** * **Member opportunities** * **Future projects and publications** **Motto: Research. Discuss. Create. Publish. Solve.** **1:35 PM – Meet the AI Team (20 min)** **Overview of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity, Grok, and NotebookLM.** **Discussion:** * **Strengths of each tool** * **Comparing perspectives** * **Fact-checking and responsible use** * **Importance of human judgment** **1:55 PM – Live AI Demonstration (25 min)** **Challenge: “How can communities better prepare students for the future workforce?”** **Activities:** * **Compare AI responses** * **Evaluate recommendations** * **Build a draft action plan** **2:20 PM – Break (10 min)** **2:30 PM – Small Group Research Challenge (20 min)** **Teams explore topics such as education, healthcare, transportation, digital equity, business, senior services, or safety.** **Each group:** 1. **Defines a problem** 1. **Uses AI to explore solutions** 1. **Discusses findings** 1. **Recommends an action** **2:50 PM – Group Presentations** **Share problem, AI findings, recommendation, and next steps.** **2:55 PM – Building CAIRN’s Future** **Discuss meeting topics, speakers, research teams, publications, and membership.** **3:00 PM – Closing** **Founding Question: “What challenge should CAIRN tackle next?”** **Collect contact information and invite attendees to become Founding Members.** **Goals** **✅ Learn collaborative AI research** **✅ Explore multiple AI systems** **✅ Connect with innovators** **✅ Develop real-world solutions** **✅ Help shape CAIRN’s future** **Community AI Research Network** **Humans + AI Solving Real-World Problems** **Research. Discuss. Create. Publish. Solve**

⚡ Reset your direction. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with fresh clarity. Join us for a relaxed **small-group afternoon event** that blends a light **Inner Coach conversation experience** with a **community potluck lunch**. In February we hosted our first **Inner Coach event**, and many attendees said it helped them notice something powerful — the voice inside that quietly guides better decisions when life gets complicated. This event builds on that idea. Instead of overthinking the past, we’ll explore how to **reset direction for what’s next** — through thoughtful conversation, new perspectives, and the kind of questions that spark real insight. We’ll start with a few short conversation rounds designed to spark reflection, humor, and perspective — and then continue the discussion over food and relaxed conversation. Think **good food, grounded people, and real conversations about what comes next in life.** Held in our **Startup Garage** — a bright, comfortable living-room style space inside a single-family home. (Couches, food, conversation — **not an actual garage** 😊) *** ## **🥘 Potluck Lunch** If you're able, bring something small to share. Homemade or store-bought — both welcome. A dish you enjoy making. A dish that always works Or simply something easy from the store If you're busy, come anyway — the goal is **community, not perfection**. We’ll share a relaxed **afternoon potluck lunch** while continuing meaningful conversations with people navigating their next chapter. *** ## **What You’ll Experience** • Light conversation rounds designed to spark insight • Fresh perspectives from people navigating similar life transitions • Humor, perspective, and grounded conversation • A relaxed environment where ideas and connections happen naturally *** ## **Who Typically Attends** • Professionals in their 30s–40s–50s • Entrepreneurs and builders • Divorced or separated individuals navigating what’s next • People who prefer thoughtful conversation over surface-level small talk Whether you're **resetting direction, building something new, or simply meeting grounded people**, this event is designed for honest connection and fresh perspective. *** Most attendees are navigating life and growth with **curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.** 📍 Hosted in a spacious living-room setting inside a single-family home (Ashburn – 20147). Full address and parking details are emailed **2–3 days before the event.** 🌐 Learn more about the community [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) *** If you're curious about the **Inner Coach vs Inner Critic concept**, here’s a short introduction: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI)

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** **This dinner in particular will be very special as we celebrate America's 250th birthday. How better to honor a semiquincentennial of democracy that spending an evening practicing it?** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good conversation and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the "slice of life", to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. We are a collaboration between people of all faiths and stripes. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

Calling all foodies and gardening enthusiasts! Join us for an exclusive **Sip and Learn** event where you'll get to taste fresh, live herbs while learning how to grow your own food indoors year-round. 🌱 **Clift** will demonstrate how easy it is to grow more than **75 pounds of food** every year using **LED grow lights**—all from the comfort of your home. Whether you live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space, this event will show you how you can maximize small areas to grow delicious, pesticide-free produce. ### **What to Expect**: * **Live Herb Tasting**: Sample fresh herbs like basil, mint, and thyme, and discover their flavorful uses in your favorite dishes or drinks. * **Grow 75+ Pounds of Food**: Learn how you can grow your own fresh food year-round indoors with minimal setup. * **Indoor Gardening Benefits**: From saving on grocery bills to having pesticide-free herbs and vegetables at your fingertips, we’ll cover the perks of indoor gardening. ### **Why Attend?** * **Perfect for small spaces**—no backyard needed! * Gain expert tips on indoor gardening and sustainable food production. * A fun, engaging way to explore the benefits of fresh herbs and veggies for your meals. * Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about urban farming and sustainability. **How to Join**: Simply RSVP here to secure your spot! Bring your favorite drink or meal to pair with our live herbs. 🌿 Don’t miss out on this chance to sip, taste, and learn! Visit **[indoorgardenmarket.com](https://iwantagreenthumb.com)** to learn more, and RSVP now for a fun afternoon of herbs, learning, and indoor gardening! Thank you, Clift --- Chief Community Grower at indoorgardenmarket.com

Join us for an all plant-based meal at the always popular Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant in Vienna, VA. We've made a reservation for 20 attendees, so don't delay in RSVPing as this will fill up. You can preview Sunflower's menu [here. ](https://www.crystalsunflower.com/menu) Parking is available in the restaurant's lot and the Vienna Metro station is 1.6 miles away. Rides may be available from attendees with cars so please communicate needs/availability in the comments below. Please note that there is no outdoor dining at this venue and that this is an indoor event. **Update Your RSVP** Out of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

Our next club meeting is on Sunday will start at 2:15, please join early. if you're coming in-person, parking is free and usually ample at the Community College on Sundays, and most of us park where the spaces are designated for staff and have never had a problem. 👉 Everyone is welcome to join our meeting, participate and practice. You'll get a chance to hear our club members speak and then have an opportunity to play the table topics game. **Agenda for the Meeting:** 1. Warm Up 2. Prepared Speeches (By club members) 3. Table Topics Game (Learn to think on your feet) 4. Feedback **Online - Join us via Zoom** https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86218205188 If you haven't used Zoom before, watch this short video on how to join our meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=45&v=vFhAEoCF7jg **In-Person** **\- Join us at Montgomery Community College** Meet us at Science Building, room SC 152. The room is located on the ground floor. The exact building address is https://goo.gl/maps/ZEgQH7bKLvzdqtSQ9 For help, please text or call, 301-917-4202.

Come join us for a taste of Korean, Japanese & Chinese cuisine at Tilly's Kitchen in Chantilly, where we get together for some dinner and play some board games until closing time. This will be a smaller event, due to the small capacity. If you are waitlisted, please standby until a spot opens up.