True Crime

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, before a cheering crowd of Cuban exile luminaries in Miami’s Freedom Tower, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the “historic” indictment of 94-year-old former Cuban president Raúl Castro on charges of ordering the murders of four American nationals 30 years ago. The charges relate to a 1996 incident in which Castro, then Cuba defense minister, allegedly ordered Cuban MiGs to shoot down unarmed civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based “humanitarian” organization, Brothers to the Rescue, in the Straits of Florida. A mountain of historical and political context is needed to properly understand the charges against Castro. The incident has ties to the case of the Cuban Five, whose trial in 2000 proceedings forced José Basulto, the founder of Brothers to the Rescue, to admit that Brothers had been test-firing potential weapons that could have been used against Cuba. You’re invited to a free screening of “[Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFra1GuBTzo)”, which chronicles half a century of hostile U.S.-Cuba relations. The film, by the late IPS Fellow and filmmaker **Saul Landau**, tells the story of the case of The Cuban Five, intelligence agents sent to penetrate Cuban exile terrorist groups in Miami and who almost served long prison sentences until a negotiated release in 2014. The film highlights decades of assassinations and sabotage at first backed by Washington, then ignored by the very government that launched a "war against terrorism." Landau landed interviews with the leading anti-Castro terrorists, who recounted their deeds often with the blessing of the CIA as well as interviews with Cuban state security officials explaining why they sent the five agents to infiltrate the violent Miami exile groups.

**This is INSTRUCTION PICKLEBALL for “NEW AND BEGINNERS”.** **See quiz below.** **Sellkirk paddles will be available for all who attend to try and hopefully learn the game. if you’re interested, you can buy one.** **Note $5 fee for wear and tear on paddles and replacement of pickle balls** **Reminder: This session is for beginners. If you have already taken four or five of the classes, you will on the waitlist to give newer members an opportunity to learn the game.** **We’ll start by simply hitting the ball around, focusing on basic skills such as dinking and serving until everyone feels comfortable. From there, we’ll move into an introduction to pickleball and cover the fundamentals of the game.** **Below is the link to a** **Montgomery County classes.** **When you open the link, go to the** **Pickleball** **section.** **https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/montgomeryvillage/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&days_of_week=1011000&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=pickleball%20adults&viewMode=list** **Please study the rules of Pickleball see link below. There will be a quiz. ** **https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/a41889595/pickleball-rules/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a41889595&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MEqo78AlxWw25v72aAqTYZy2o&gclid=CjwKCAiAtYy9BhBcEiwANWQQLzWcA4GRJ5dNAtBpRG0nMJqvUlr67XGuB8hSrEaEZmWioeNiorM6jRoC0BkQAvD_BwE** **There is a Porta Johns at this location** **Bring a baseball cap, sunglasses and water**

Hi everyone! Tuesday Night Skates are in full effect! Meet every Tuesday outside of the NOMA-Galladudet U Station at the North entrance (1305 2nd St NE). We will head out at 7pm sharp for an 8 mile skate followed by pizza! We'll skate up the Metropolitan Branch Trail to the Ft. Totten Metro station and back down the trail to M St NE for pizza at Andy's. See ya there! This skate is led by Asher and myself. 🛼 This ride is BEGINNER FRIENDLY! While the full ride is 8 miles long, you have the option to tap out at one of the three red line metro stations along the route in both directions. You'll also have an opportunity to learn new skills and practice drills with the skate leaders at our regroupping spots along the route. The tap out points are as follows: 2 miles: Rhode Island Ave Metro 2.5 miles: Brookland Metro 4 miles: Ft Totten Metro 6 miles: Brookland Metro (on the way back) 7 miles: Rhode Island Ave Metro (on the way back) 8 miles: Andy's Pizza This is a great way to test and build up your endurance while skating! At least one of the skate leaders will skate at your pace, so you'll never be left behind. Join us at Andy's Pizza afterwards for a FREE slice of pizza with the purchase of any alcoholic beverage or N/A lemonade! Route Map: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7752153 If we need to cancel one week due to weather or other reasons, we'll update the event page in advance.

Bring a friend, bring family, and bring that neighbor that you kinda know... Come one, come all for some free table tennis. Note: Because we have been playing regularly for years, members tend not to RSVP. If there are any questions, feel free to message.

Calling all Crew Members! 🚢 BBaddies On A Track! We will be meeting at 6am to hit the track. We will do a warm up and then a few drills and sprints on the track! We will also have fun and be in community!

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/silver-spring-md/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

Brisk 3- to 4-mile urban hike starting and ending at the Wet Dog. Adult beverages to follow the hike. Closest metro U Street.

Please bring a WHITE and a dark/colored shirt so that we can divide up teams. Cleats are also REQUIRED!! If less than 14 people RSVP, I will cancel.

Best darn night ever! Lots of games. Even more laughs. Come and find out for yourself. New members or members who just haven't been out to a meetup are strongly encouraged to come. All are welcomed! OH, and Spider Kelly's has an awesome beer garden in the back. On nice nights, that's where will be. Can't make this board game night? Good thing we do this EVERY Wednesday. Other groups this event is posted to: Fun Times in the DMV, Arlington 20's & 30's Shenanigans, Alexandria-Arlington Active & Awesome, What's Up Arlington, Ballston and Clarendon Singles Mingle Group, Arlington 30s/40s, and !Best Happy Hours in the DMV

This will be an in-person event organized by Jean Rosolino at her house!. You will receive the location address with your registration confirmation. You MUST register here: https://www.wifv.org/calendar/#id=32513&cid=783&wid=401&type=Cal

Meet us on Thursday, July 2nd from 6-8 PM at the Miller Branch Library. We'll be set up in the Avalon Room. You can also speak to a front desk representative when you arrive for a guide to our private space in Avalon if you're unable to find it. Remember to bring your arts, crafts, and creative projects to work on for the evening. Can't wait to see you all soon!

You are invited to join my good friend **John Muller** for an in-person guided walking tour – **Frederick Douglass in Old Anacostia**. Please note that this is a paid program, which requires purchasing a ticket via the Eventbrite link below. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card) Learn about the localized history of Frederick Douglass in Old Anacostia and Barry Farm for the last quarter-century of his life. Developed in the mid-19th century as one of the District’s first suburbs, Anacostia and its residents played a key role in shaping the city we know today. A walking tour led by historian and author John Muller traces its history and significance with a focus on the man that came to be known as the “Lion of Anacostia,” Frederick Douglass, who lived in the neighborhood from 1877 until his death in 1895. Blending historic research and contemporary neighborhood affairs and news, our guide will lead the group on a walk through time, exploring one of Washington City's most misunderstood and sacred communities. Stories of presidents, local personalities, famed resident Frederick Douglass, 19th-century architecture and neighborhood folklore will be woven throughout. Questions and photography are encouraged throughout the walking tour! *** **John Muller, author of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia (2012)** and Mark Twain in Washington, D.C.: The Adventures of a Capital Correspondent (2013), has presented widely throughout the DC-Baltimore metropolitan area at venues including the Library of Congress, Enoch Pratt Library, DC Public Library, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and local universities. Muller is a frequent guest on Washington, D.C. radio stations and has been cited by the Washington Post, Washington City Paper, Star Democrat, Salisbury Independent and other publications for his local history research and subject matter expertise. He has been featured on C-SPAN’s BookTV and C-SPAN’s American History TV, broadcast airwaves of NBC4 (Washington), WDVM (Hagerstown) and radio stations WPFW (DC), WAMU (DC), WYPR (Baltimore), WEAA (Baltimore), Delmarva Public Radio (Eastern Shore) and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. For the past decade Muller has contributed hundreds of articles to local and national print and online news sources, including the Washington Informer. *** This is a private walking tour of the Anacostia neighborhood conducted by an authorized local historian. Meet at the visitor’s center of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site 1411 W Street SE. Wear walking shoes, total travel is 1.5 miles. Parts of the tour are not accessible for people with mobility issues. Tour is not ADA accessible. Family & pet friendly. Metro: Anacostia (Green Line) / 92 Bus, V2, B2 Please note that this is a paid program, which requires purchasing a ticket via the Eventbrite link below. [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-the-lost-history-of-frederick-douglass-in-old-anacostia-tickets-1462462858779#organizer-card)

**Our July novel is: *Listen for the Lie* by Amy Tintera** **This month’s novel was named one of the best books of 2024. It’s a domestic thriller with crime, mystery, and murder, told from women’s perspectives. The story includes a detective, an unreliable narrator, and plenty of suspense. The book is 352 pages in print and 9 hours and 18 minutes on audiobook.** What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter? After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it. The truth is out there, if we just listen.

The topic for July is "Shoes" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Why are we unhappy? Where does emotional pain come from? Studies show that people who suffer from long-term emotional pain have painful experiences in their lives that were never fully resolved in their mind. In other words, there were issues in the past that were not completely dealt with. This can include abuse in childhood, breakups, divorce, death of a loved one, to name a few. How do you know whether you have gotten over something painful? Here is an easy test: Do you still have attention on what had happened to you? For instance, do you still find yourself thinking about something painful that you went through? If you are, then you are not over it. In fact, in severe cases, people find themselves playing a "tape" in their mind over and over again. So how do you heal from your past? How do you stop the "tape" playing in your mind? In this meeting, you will learn a technique to help you with that. Come join us! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

Let’s meet and discuss John Updike's Rabbit, Run, the first in his series of four novels following the life, hopes, and disappointments of former local basketball star, Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom, as he fitfully confronts and evades adulthood.

BACK TO CABS!!! Come to CABS Friday 7/10 & Saturday 7/11 - return to CABS as we come back from Origins and the 4th of July Holiday Break. Come play the new games added to the library at Origins!!!