Electric Vehicle

Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Join us for **Sip Happens!** this week at Electric Social, where good beer and great games come together for a fun and fantastic social night! Whether you're a board game pro or just looking for a chill night out and a fun way to socialize, there's something for everyone. Grab a beer (or cider, or wine, or even a tea!), **pick (or bring) a game,** and meet some new friends as we roll dice, play cards, and laugh the night away. From classics like Catan and Scrabble to party favorites like Cards Against Humanity, we’ve got it all. Coming straight from work? No problem...the kitchen serves awesome food as well! 😉 So, round up your mates or come solo—either way, you’ll leave with new friends and fun memories. Cheers to making midweek nights something to look forward to! 🍺🎉 We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have **no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness.** **Follow us on Insta:** @siphappens.berlin **Join us on Telegram:** t.me/siphappens_berlin **👉 Other important notes:** \- 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs\, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks\. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases \- 🦹‍♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well\-being\. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues\. \- 📷 By attending our events\, you consent to being photographed or filmed\. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media\. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed\, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram \(@siphappens\.berlin\)

**Thank you for your interest in our meetup. Due to the venue’s capacity, registration is now closed.** We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at future events. __________________________________________________ Join us on February 17 as **Superhuman’s Data Engineering team** shares examples of **how they scaled from a writing assistant to an agent platform**, unified analytics and ML data, and migrated core systems without slowing product delivery. ✅ **Registration**: Closed 🚀 **Enabling Rapid Experimentation: Unifying Analytics and ML Data in Databricks** Enabling teams to rapidly experiment with new AI models requires breaking down silos between analytical data and ML training datasets. At Superhuman, we consolidated both into Databricks as we scaled from a writing assistant to an agent platform. In this talk, we will: * Share our journey from our fragmented data systems to a unified platform in Databricks * Walk through design choices on how we organize Workspaces, Unity Catalog, and data ingestion * Explain how we apply and manage our privacy policies, governance, and access control 🚀 **Rebuilding the Engine: Migrating Data Systems While Keeping Products Moving** During this talk, we'll explore how to migrate core data systems while maintaining product velocity amid organizational and architectural change. We’ll cover: * The migration philosophy behind translate vs. transplant, and when each approach makes sense * Key data validation challenges encountered during system migrations * How to scope migration efforts realistically under time and delivery pressure * Architectural trade-offs and lessons learned from high-impact decisions **About Speakers**: **[Niels van Kaam](https://www.linkedin.com/in/niels-van-kaam-aa731768/)** is a tech lead for the ML Data team at Superhuman, where he’s building the data foundation for the company’s transition from a writing assistant to an agent platform. Previously, he worked on large-scale data systems for ad-tech at Amadeus Berlin and on geospatial applications for startups in the Netherlands. **[Dave Heberer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-heberer/)** is a software engineer at Superhuman with nearly 25 years of experience building data infrastructure across major tech companies. His background includes work at Microsoft, Tableau, and Facebook, spanning operating systems, computer vision, gaming platforms, and large-scale data and analytics systems. **💥 Who should attend?** (Data) Engineers making design decisions amid organizational change and rapid product development. **Agenda:** ✨ 18:30–19:00: Registration and networking ✨ 19:00–20:00: Talk ✨ 20:00–21:00: Mingle with our team **✅ Where:** In-person, Superhuman Berlin hub **✅ When:** Tuesday, February 17 **✅ Language:** English ✅ **Registration**: Closed **The event is free. Registration is mandatory**. Due to a limited number of seats, the invites will be sent to a limited number of interested guests on a first registered, first invited basis. Please check your inbox for a confirmation email about your attendance.

Meet us for in-person talks at Zalando on February 17, 2026! Join us for an evening of practical talks on how GenAI is reshaping modern engineering workflows, from code agents to production-grade, guardrailed systems. Please make sure you register with your full name, as it will be checked by security on arrival. **📅Date and Time:** Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Doors open: 18:00 Opening & announcements: 18:30 Talks start: 18:35 Wrap-up & networking: \~20:30 📍**Location:** [Zalando Office BHW](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GELYd8FH7AnqEFNF8) Berlin Hedwig-Wachenheimstraße 7 (BHW) The main entrance is on the west-side of the building (towards Uber Arena). Participants should register at the Helpdesk, and will be picked up from there. 📝 **Agenda:** **18:00 – Doors Open** Pizza, drinks, and networking **18:30 – Opening** Short welcome and announcements from the organizers (5 min) ### **18:35 – Talk #1** **Building Blocks of Modern Code Agents: Reusable Skills and Role-Based Subagents** **[Alexey Grigorev](https://www.linkedin.com/in/agrigorev) — DataTalk.Club** A practical map of modern code agent types and the two key building blocks that make them reliable in real-world development workflows. Code agents appear in many forms today: chat-based assistants, cloud agents running CI-like workflows, and IDE or terminal agents embedded directly into development environments. In this talk, we’ll map these main categories, discuss what each is good at, and highlight where they commonly fail. We’ll then zoom in on two core building blocks used in modern agent tooling: * **Skills / playbooks** — reusable, step-by-step workflows (e.g. understand the repo → implement a change → run checks → produce a clean diff) * **Subagents** — specialized roles such as planner, implementer, reviewer, and tester that split complex work into focused, reliable steps **Format:** 20 min talk + 10 min Q&A ### **19:05 – Talk #2** **Guardrailed Agents at Scale: Zalando’s Support Agent for Incident Triage and Stakeholder Q&A** **[Ivan Potapov](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-sur/)**, **[Saugandh Karan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/saugandh-karan/)**[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/saugandh-karan/)— Zalando SE We’ll share how Zalando built and shipped a specialized internal support agent that helps engineering teams answer stakeholder questions and triage operational alerts — without drowning in context or compromising production safety. The agent enriches user requests with relevant observability context (metrics, logs, traces, recent deploys), summarizes what matters, and produces a severity assessment with recommended next steps. A key challenge is context explosion: pulling “all the data” quickly becomes noisy, slow, and risky. We’ll walk through the architecture patterns and guardrails that keep the system production-ready: * Retrieval and ranking strategies * Strict tool boundaries * Policy-driven response formats * Evaluation checks to prevent overconfident or unsafe guidance Finally, we’ll cover rollout and migration: introducing the agent alongside existing workflows, aligning it with architecture guidelines, and iterating based on real incident feedback. **Format:** 20 min talk + 10 min Q&A ### **19:35 – Pizza, Drinks & Networking** Invite your friends and join our meetup. Special thanks to our hosts **[Zalando.](https://en.zalando.de/?_rfl=de)**

**Conscious Connected Breathwork by STUDIO B (https://www.studio-bewusstseinserfahrungen.de/)** This group is dedicated to **Conscious Connected Breathwork**, a powerful somatic practice for deep emotional release / nervous system release. Intensive states of awareness are possible. Through **conscious, connected breathing**, rhythmic music, and guided facilitation, participants are invited to access deeper layers of awareness, release stored stress and emotions, and reconnect with their inner resources. There are **no substances involved**. The work is grounded, body-based, and trauma-aware. I am a 200 h facilitator. ### This group is for you if you want to: * release stress, tension, and emotional blockages * explore non-ordinary states of consciousness through breath * experience clarity, emotional relief, and deep relaxation * release stucked emotions from the body ### Each session typically includes: * introduction and intention setting * guided conscious connected breathwork * music-supported journey * integration and grounding ### Contraindications This practice is **not suitable** for people with any of the following conditions: * pregnancy * epilepsy or history of seizures * severe cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure not medically controlled * recent surgery or acute physical injury * glaucoma or detached retina * severe asthma * diagnosed psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe psychiatric conditions If you are unsure whether this practice is appropriate for you, please **consult your healthcare provider** or contact the facilitator in advance. **No prior experience is required.** Beginners are welcome. Sessions are guided with care, structure, and clear boundaries. This is a **safe, respectful space** for self-exploration, presence, and embodied awareness. Sessions are held in English & German. German participants are very welcome.[STUDIO B](https://www.studio-bewusstseinserfahrungen.de/)

Wir treffen uns jeden Dienstag ab 16 Uhr in der Gothaer Str. 5 in 12629 Berlin im Nachbarschaftstreff Sophia. Das Angebot richtet sich sowohl an Neulinge als auch an Experten. Die ersten 15 die sich anmelden sind dabei...

Wir bieten allen Interessierten die Möglichkeit, mit Elektronik zu basteln. Workshops und Vorträge zu verschiedenen Themen rund um Elektronik und Software sind willkommen. Von Arduino bis zu komplett selbst entwickelten High-End Schaltungen sind wir für alle kreativen Ideen offen. Wir haben auch Gruppen rund um das Nähen, Programmieren, Retro Computer. Wir treffen uns immer am Dienstag und am Freitag ab 18:00 Uhr. Egal ob Anfänger oder Profi – hier seid Ihr jederzeit Willkommen. Ihr könnt mit anderen fachsimpeln oder auch mit unserer Hilfe Eure ersten elektronischen Gehversuche starten. Wenn zeitgleich in den vorderen Räumen Workshops oder Vorträge stattfinden, kann hinten Werkstattbetrieb stattfinden.

In diesem Kurs beschäftigen wir uns mit verschiedenen Texten aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen. Das können u.a. kurze Geschichten, Gedichte, Zeitungsartikel, Kolumnen oder Videos sein. Immer sind es Themen, die uns gefallen, die wir besonders interessant, wichtig oder manchmal auch richtig schlecht finden. Gemeinsam versuchen wir die Position der Autor*in, den Stil und die Argumentationsstruktur zu verstehen. Dazu diskutieren wir über das, was wir verstehen, welche Meinung wir zu dem Thema haben oder welche Fragen offen bleiben.
Gerne könnt ihr uns auch Themenvorschläge mitbringen oder zuschicken.
Der Kurs richtet sich an interessierte Menschen mit einem B2-Niveau (oder so ähnlich), die Lust haben sich weiter mit der deutschen Sprache zu beschäftigen und ihren Wortschatz zu erweitern.
Die Termine sind sporadisch.

## QUIZ #75.2 @ Electric Social GERMAN BELOW/DEUTSCH UNTENSTEHEND **Trivia Night – English & Deutsch** A fun, social trivia night for locals, expats, newcomers and long-time Berliners alike. The quiz is **open to everyone** and played **bilingually in English & German**. ### The quiz setup: 📅 **Thursday, 19th of February** 🕔 Doors open: 6:45 pm \| 🕡 Quiz starts: 7:30 pm 📍 **Location: Electric Social, near Alexanderplatz** 💰 **4 € per person** 👤 **Solo players welcome** or play as a team (max. **6 people**) 🤝 No team? We’ll match you with others at mixed tables ✍️ \*\*3 to 4 rounds à 10 questions (\*\*Topics include: music, picture riddles, pop culture, general knowledge & more) Languages: 🇬🇧 & 🇩🇪 🏆 **Prizes** for the top 3 teams + the legendary **Lucky Loser** 📍 **Venue:** Alte Turnhalle, Berlin-Friedrichshain, (Holteistraße 6–9, 10245 Berlin) **Good to know:** Most questions are designed to be broadly accessible. However, from time to time there *may* be questions related to **German history, culture, or German-speaking pop culture**. No need to be an expert though – **teamwork is key**, and mixed teams are very welcome. 📸 **Photos & promo:** We occasionally take photos during the event for promotional purposes (website & social media). If you prefer **not** to appear in photos, just let us know briefly during the event – no problem at all. Come solo, bring friends, or find a team on the spot – we’ll take care of the rest. See you there! 🧠✨ *** **Quizabend – Deutsch & Englisch** Ein geselliger Quizabend für Berliner:innen, Zugezogene, Expats und Quizfans aller Erfahrungslevel. Das Quiz ist **für alle offen** und wird **zweisprachig auf Deutsch & Englisch** gespielt. ### Die wichtigsten Infos: 📅 **Donnerstag, 19. Februar** 🕔 Einlass: 18:45 Uhr \| 🕡 Quizbeginn: 19:30 Uhr 📍 **Location: Electric Social, nahe Alexanderplatz** 💰 **4 € pro Person** 👤 **Solo-Anmeldung möglich** oder als Team (max. **6 Personen**) 🤝 Kein Team? Wir setzen euch an **Mixed Tables** zusammen ✍️ \*\*3 bis 4 Runden à 10 Fragen (\*\*Themen: Musik, Bilderrätsel, Popkultur, Allgemeinwissen u.v.m.) Sprachen: 🇩🇪 & 🇬🇧 🏆 **Preise** für die ersten 3 Teams sowie den **Lucky Loser** 📍 **Location:** Electric Social, Berlin-Mitte, Grunerstraße 13, 10179 Berlin **Gut zu wissen:** Die meisten Fragen sind allgemein verständlich gehalten. Dennoch kann es **hin und wieder Fragen mit Bezug zur deutschen Geschichte, Kultur oder deutschsprachigen Popkultur** geben. Dafür muss man kein Profi sein – **Teamwork ist entscheidend**, und gemischte Teams sind ausdrücklich willkommen. 📸 **Fotos & Promotion:** Während des Quiz machen wir gelegentlich Fotos für **Promo-Zwecke** (Website & Social Media). Falls ihr **nicht** auf Fotos erscheinen möchtet, gebt uns beim Event einfach kurz Bescheid – völlig unkompliziert. Ob alleine, mit Freund:innen oder spontan im Team vor Ort – wir freuen uns auf euch! **Bis bald und viel Spaß beim Quizzen!**

Try Brompton is a Brompton experience ride for those considering purchasing a Brompton. The purpose of this ride is to deepen your understanding of Brompton bikes, ride courses designed to fully enjoy Bromptons, rediscover the city, experience new ways to enjoy it, and experience the lifestyle that comes with owning a Brompton. We guide participants through folding techniques and shifting the internal gear hub—a common source of confusion for first-time riders—while riding. By comparing different bikes, we help riders deeply understand each model's characteristics, supporting them in making an informed choice and purchase. https://www.komoot.com/tour/2544443144?share_token=aHITulkVldsQO8ZTduViGdGjVF2ZkFee5TKZ6D4484fY5EXfHK&ref=wtd

Sehr gerne Familien mit Kindern! Achtung ab sofort nur noch bis 27 Jahre!!!(Ausnahme Familien mit Kindern). Wir spielen jeden letzten Sonntag im go Brett- und Kartenspiele. Es sind viele Spiele da und es können auch Spiele mitgebracht werden. Jeder ist willkommen. Pro Spieler müssen ein Euro Raumnutzungsgebühr gezahlt werden.

**What happens when artificial intelligence meets very human emotion?** This Wednesday, **Mercury Toastmasters Berlin** explores that question inside the *Historic Imperial Breakfast Hall at **Das Center, Potsdamer Platz.*** *In a world shaped by algorithms, one skill becomes more powerful, the ability to speak with clarity, empathy, and presence.* *Experience the **power of prepared speeches** loaded with bold ideas, participate in our **dynamic Impromptu Session**, and **gain valuable insights** during our feedback segment.* Leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed inspiration. Whether you want to speak up at work, boost your presence, or just meet inspiring people, you’ll feel at home at Mercury Toastmasters Berlin. *** **[What to Expect:](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)** ✨ A supportive space to speak, grow, and connect 🎤 Engaging prepared speeches ⚡ Fun, fast-paced impromptu speaking challenges 💬 Feedback session you can actually use 🌍 A friendly, international crowd (around 25–30 people) **Schedule** (times may vary) ⏰ 19:15 - Doors open & networking 🎙️ 19:30 - Prepared Speeches 🏓 20:35 - Impromptu Session (Guest welcome to join) ↩️ 21:00 - Constructive feedback 💬 21:30 - Food, drinks & relaxed socializing **No experience needed.** ***Come curious. Leave energized.*** *** **🤙 [Hear it from our members:](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRtvR9DRNqU9WZQn7)** *“You can sharpen your public speaking skills and gain tons of confidence, while having fun and making new friends. Mercury is well-structured, fun, and affordable.”* — *Therese Pitt* *“Mercury gave me a safe place to speak, create, and grow. I love the multicultural vibe and supportive community. It’s the best place to learn and have fun.”* — *Krisztina Linka* *** **[Did You Know?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Toastmasters is where people go to get better at speaking—and grow into confident communicators and leaders. Today [Toastmasters ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)has 350,000+ members across 16,000 clubs in 143 countries. And [Mercury](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/) is one of the best places to experience it. So bring your curiosity, your energy—and just be yourself. Whether you’re just starting or ready to level up, there’s a place for you here. *** **[Wondering what you get as a member?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/membership-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Think expert feedback, real-world speaking practice, and a supportive crew that’s got your back. [See you Wednesday night! 🎉](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)

📆 Agenda * 19:00 Welcome to the PUB (Python Users Berlin) – setting up * 19:15 Main talk * 20:00 Lightning talks * 20:30 Social gathering 🎙 Main talk by [@esc](https://github.com/esc): Whirlwind tour of [Numba](https://github.com/numba/numba) In this talk I will take you on a whirlwind tour of Numba -- the Python just-in-time (JIT) compiler. I will equip you with with a mental model of how Numba works and what it is good at. At the end, you will be able to decide if Numba could be useful for you. 📚 Resources * https://github.com/esc/numba-talk ⚡️ Lightning talks Time will be open at the end of the night for lightning talks (short 5 minute presentations). Please bring your ideas and inspirations with.

**Berliner Mauerweg Abschnitt 13** **– vom S-Bahnhof Lichtenrade bis zur Gropiusstadt –** mit ***Harms*** und ***Thomas*** **Treffpunkt**: 11 Uhr, S-Bahnhof Lichtenrade (S2) auf dem Bahnsteig **Streckenlänge**: ca. 12 km (ca. 4 Std.) **LGBTQIA +** **[Kostenlos mit Anmeldung](https://wearevillage.org/shop/village-outdoor/w08-2026/)** Auf unserer ersten Wanderung des Jahres 2026 setzen wir den Berliner Mauerweg an der südlichen Stadtgrenze fort – dieses Mal geht es von Lichtenrade bis zur Gropiusstadt. Schon am S-Bahnhof fällt der Blick auf das historische Industriegebäude der Alten Mälzerei, eine ehemalige Malzfabrik, die vor Kurzem zu einem integrativen Stadtquartier umgestaltet wurde. Vom Bahnhof aus gelangen wir durch ein Wohngebiet zum südlich gelegenen Abschnitt des Mauerwegs. Wie bereits im vorherigen Teilstück führt uns der Weg über weite Strecken entlang der Stadtkante durch die offene Landschaft im Süden Berlins. Der ehemalige „Kolonnenweg“ der DDR-Grenztruppen ist hier teilweise noch erhalten; auch einige der Peitschenlampen, die einst den Grenzstreifen ausleuchteten, stehen noch. Schon aus der Ferne kündigt die markante Silhouette der Gropiusstadt den Endpunkt unserer Wanderung an. **Was ist Village Outdoor?** Village Outdoor Events sind monatliche Treffen der we are village-Community und ihrer Freunde, um Outdoor-Aktivitäten in und um Berlin zu genießen. Jeden Monat gibt es einen kostenlosen und unkomplizierten Spaziergang oder eine Wanderung in Bereichen Berlins oder in der Umgebung, die mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln erreichbar sind. **Hinweise** **Treffpunkt**: 11 Uhr, S-Bahnhof Lichtenrade (S2) auf dem Bahnsteig **Streckenlänge**: ca. 12 km (ca. 4 Std.) **Rückfahrt**: U-Bahnhof Lipschitzallee (U7), **Sprache**: Je nach Bedürfnissen der Gruppe werden wir Deutsch und/oder Englisch sprechen. **Kosten**: Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos mit Anmeldung. *\*\* Diese Veranstaltung ist Teil unseres Programms ‘****[Gemeinsam statt einsam](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness)****‘, unterstützt von der* ***[LADS](https://www.berlin.de/sen/lads/en/)****. Erfahre mehr über das Programm [hier](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness).* 🔵 **Village Outdoor** **Berlin Wall Trail Section 13** **– From Lichtenrade S-Bahn Station to Gropiusstadt –** with ***Harms*** and ***Thomas*** **[Free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/village-outdoor/w08-2026/)** On our first hike of 2026, we continue along the Berlin Wall Trail on the southern city limits – this time from Lichtenrade to Gropiusstadt. Even at the S-Bahn station, the eye is drawn to the historic industrial building of the Alte Mälzerei , a former malt factory that was recently transformed into an inclusive urban quarter. From the station, we walk through a residential area to the southern section of the Wall Trail. As in the previous section, the path leads us along the city’s edge for long stretches through the open countryside in southern Berlin. The former patrol road of the GDR border troops is still partially preserved here; some of the lampposts that once illuminated the border strip are also still standing. Even from a distance, the distinctive silhouette of Gropiusstadt announces the end point of our hike. **What’s Village Outdoor?** Village outdoor Events are monthly meetups for the we are village community and their friends to enjoy outdoor activities in and around Berlin. Each month features a free and easy walk or hike in Berlin or its surrounding areas, accessible by public transport. **General Information** **Meeting point**: 11:00 AM, Lichtenrade S-Bahn station (S2) on the platform **Route length:** approx. 12 km (approx. 4 hours) **Return**: Lipschitzallee U-Bahn station (U7) **Language:** we’ll speak English and/or German, depending on the needs of the group. **Cost**: free event with registration *\*\* This event is part of the we are village program ‘****[Belonging versus Lonelliness](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness)****‘, with the support of the* ***[LADS](https://www.berlin.de/sen/lads/en/)****. Learn more about the program [here](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness).*

English, see below. *** Willkommen beim Bitcoin Meet-up im Café Holzmarktperle (Holzmarktstraße 25). Die Berliner Community kann einfach nicht genug davon bekommen über Bitcoin zu reden. :) Deshalb bieten wir dieses Meet-up als weitere Option neben dem etablierten “Berliner Bitcoin-Stammtisch @ Friedel Richter” an. Jeder ist willkommen - Bitcoin-Anfänger, Enthusiasten, etc. Wir freuen uns auf den gemeinsamen Austausch mit anderen Plebs in lockerer Runde und gemütlicher Atmosphäre und beantworten auch gerne eure Fragen. Natürlich könnt ihr im Café mit Bitcoin ₿ / Lightning ⚡bezahlen. Dies ist der richtige Ort für Menschen, die glauben, dass Bitcoin die Welt verändern kann und Teil der nächsten großen Revolution in der Finanzwelt sein wird. *** Welcome to the Bitcoin meet-up at Café Holzmarktperle (Holzmarktstraße 25, Berlin). Since we can’t get enough of talking Bitcoin we are offering this meet-up as a another option in addition to the established Berliner Bitcoin-Stammtisch @ Friedel Richter. Everyone is welcome - Bitcoin beginners, enthusiasts, … you name it. We are always happy to meet with other plebs, teach, talk and help! Payment in Bitcoin ₿ / Lightning ⚡accepted! This is the place to be for people who believe that Bitcoin will rock the world and will be part of the next big revolution in the financial world.

Join our partners Watermark Woods Native Plants, Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL), and Birch Tree Bookstore for the Read! Plant! Grow! Book Club, which focuses on native plants, sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and LCPL. At this meeting we’ll discuss the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Both memoir and journalistic investigation, this book explores how the Kingsolver family took on a new challenge: to spend a year on a locally -produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consume. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation’’s lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. You can either buy the book from Birch Tree Bookstore or contact Allison Forbes at [Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov](mailto:Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov) to borrow a copy of the book at the library. There are two ways to participate: attend the event online via the library website or [sign up to participate in person at Birch Tree Bookstore](https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/event-details/read-plant-grow-2026-02-24-18-30). ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

**Do you want to play and grow with a band, without the commitment of starting a band? Join us for our Blues Jams. Great place to network with other musicians.** \*\*$10 for at the door\*\* \*\*Free for Singers and Drummers\*\* **\*Members Get in free and receive other benefits\*** **[Become a Member](https://patreon.com/DoctorStrings?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink)** **Beginner to Pro Blues jam 21+ only, BYOB. Every Thursday.** This is a smaller more practice focused event at my shop. **Open to everyone and is a learning experience for most.** Just bring your instrument(Electric), no need to bring an amp we have all of that. Do not bring a pedal board with a bunch of pedals. The amps are dialed in for blues, trust me it's all there. Drums are here already, very basic kit. If you want to bring cymbals or any other drum gear, please show up early to set up. Also please be aware that other people are going to play the kit as well.

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy the weather! We meet Saturdays at 10am, halfway between the Reston *Container Store* and *Not Your Average Joes* (by the metal benches), leaving no later than 10:05. Every week, rain or shine, we start by walking along the Green Trail to reach Lake Anne Community Center. Once there, we pause for water/bio (often staying a few minutes extra from April-November, due to the local Farmer's Market), and then we circle Lake Anne and head back to our starting point. It's roughly 3-4 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to *Not Your Average Joes* or another local restaurant for a quick drink/meal before tackling the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels. Dogs are welcome, and we recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll walk rain or shine. Also, feel free to bring a friend! By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Please join us every week for power networking! Our Chapter Passed $1,666,736 USD in the past 12 months! BNI members, on average, increase their business 20% the first year. Our chapter is a dynamic, committed group of business people who know how to refer business to each other. Come for our meeting -- stay for the referrals!!! We have open categories for individuals who will bring enthusiasm and integrity to our meeting. Just one person per professional specialty is allowed in each chapter. Visit a meeting to find out more and lock out your competition! Register Here: https://bninovanorth.com/va-nova-north-bni-mclean-business-connection--n136/en-US/visitorregistration?chapterId=16988

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Telescopes will be provided by the Smithsonian and pre-approved members of the NOVAC. No other personal telescopes are permitted at the event. The event will take place on the bus parking lot of the museum. **Please park your vehicle at the south end of the main visitors lot and follow signs and red lights to the observing site. As a reminder, parking during the event is free.** Have a cosmic question? One of NOVAC's astronomers or museum staff will be happy to help you. As the sky gets dark, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Don't forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated. Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

We are a group of professionals who share business strategies, refer business, and act as a sounding board to our members. Our business group is Clifton/Fairfax-based. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month. We start every meeting with informal networking and then move to the more formal agenda of the day. The agenda includes the topic of the day, discussion of the topic, then business needs and wants, and finish with success stories. We are looking for experienced business professionals and business owners who see value in networking with like-minded professionals and are dedicated to growing their business and helping other group members grow theirs. If this is you, we'd love to connect!

**Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure!** Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value. Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever! ***We visit:*** * Stockholm * Kiruna (Lapland) * Helsinki * Copenhagen (optional pre-trip) ***The trip includes:*** \* 2 nights in Stockholm \* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment \* 4 nights in Kiruna \* 3 nights in Helsinki \* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki \* Arrival and departure transfers \* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki \* Boat ride in Stockholm \* Food tasting in Helsinki \* Breakfast daily \* 2 dinners and 3 lunches \* Northern Lights Tour \* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour \* Full-Day Reindeer Tour \* Husky Sleigh Ride **Price per person, double occupancy: $4995** (we match roommates for those wishing to share) **Price for single room: $6545** ***Not Included:*** x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that) x Meals not listed above x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses x Optional extension to Copenhagen **The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit** **[Click Here for Secure Deposit Link](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/TL3CB3BJL7MNA)** **Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).\*\*\* Final payment due 60 days before departure\*\*\*** ***[Click Here](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37)***[ and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37) For a detailed Day By Day itinerary: **[Click Here](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)**[ to fill out our info request form](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8) Limited capacity of 16 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly. **\*\*\*Airfare from/to the US not included\*\*\*** **OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)** ***[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)***[ to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions. [Click Here to see all our other fun events](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events) SOT 2000318-10