Environmental Issues

Volunteers are needed for the **[51th Annual One Day Hike](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/312467688/?isFirstPublish=true)** (ODH). The ODH is a fully supported event that requires about 100 volunteers to put on and pull off. Volunteers must be enthusiastic, dependable, and hardy — showing up to work on time, *regardless of weather*. First-time volunteers get a free ODH T-shirt as a token of appreciation. Many volunteers are former ODH'ers paying back some of the help they received, and/or are family and friends of a hiker. If you are a veteran volunteer and want to reprise your role or would like to try something different, if you are an interested newbie, or if you just need more information about volunteering, email Mike Darzi (Mike.Darzi@Gmail.com) — *Please do not instead RSVP, message, or comment.* Photo albums of previous ODH's: **[bit.ly/MWS-ODH](https://bit.ly/MWS-ODH)**. **1) SUPPORT-STATION VOLUNTEERS** are needed to man/woman stations that provide food, drink, and assistance to hikers. If you are interested, let us know your preference in terms of time of day and amount of time you are willing to help. The more flexible you are in terms of location and time, the better. Except for the first three stations (through Edwards Ferry), you do not have to stay for a station’s entire period of operation, although that is preferable, and — yes — many volunteers serve at more than one station. The stations are: * Old Anglers, 5 to 7:30 am * Seneca Creek, 7 to 11 am * Edwards Ferry, 9 am to 2 pm * Whites Ferry, 10 am to 3:30 pm * Monocacy, 11 am to 6 pm * Point of Rocks, 1 pm to 8 pm * Brunswick, 2:30 to 10 pm * At Harpers Ferry and Bolivar (5 pm to midnight), where volunteers are also needed to guide hikers along the towns’ route. If you are willing to take on especially challenging tasks, we need you! Let Mike know. **2) BIKE PATROLLERS** are needed to ride their bikes to check on hikers all along the (mostly) unpaved route, providing assistance as needed. Patrollers are needed from about 6:30 am to midnight. If you are interested, or for more information, email Bike Patrol Coordinator, Jeff Comer (Comer.Jeffrey@Gmail.com), or Mike. **3) FIRST AIDERS** that can administer first aid to hikers as needed at major support stations. If you have first-aid or medical training, we’d love your help. If you are interested, or for more information, email First-Aid Coordinator, Jason Hauf (LJHauf@Gmail.com), or Mike. For official updates about the ODH, join our email list by sending a blank message to OneDayHike+Subscribe@Groups.io . To learn more about the ODH, check out [onedayhike.org](https://www.onedayhike.org/). ***Year in and year out, volunteers are what make the ODH the great event that it is!***

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link ([https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinco-de-mayo-bar-crawl-tickets-1985534988600](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinco-de-mayo-bar-crawl-tickets-1985534988600)). RSVPing only on the Meetup page, doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED. ABOUT THE EVENT Get ready to put on your party sombrero because the **Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl** will take you south of the border for some bar crawl fun! Enjoy a fun-filled day with cover-free access to Dupont’s most popular bars and rooftops, tons of drink specials, DJs, tacos, margaritas, tequilas, rooftops, giveaways and of course lots of tequila! Gather the crew, because this is **NACHO** average bar crawl! **Time: 2pm-10pm (ticket pick up is from 2-4pm)** ***\*Registration is from 2PM-4PM. You'll receive your wristband and Swags. If you can't make it by 4pm TEXT/EMAIL YOUR QR CODE to a friend, so that they can pick everything up for you.*** ***But the party and specials continue till 10PM!*** **Dress code : We encourage you to wear huipil, quechquémitl, rebozo, enredo, chincuete, posahuanco, refajo, enagua for Women AND sarape, charro suit, sombrero, guayabero, baja jacket, and poncho for Men.** **What do you get:** **Access Venues Cover Free** **Drink Specials ($4 Light Beers, $5 Tequila Shots, $6 Rail Drinks)** **Party Favors** **Entertainment and DJs** **Tons of shenanigans** **All you have to do is grab a ticket, throw on something festive and join the fun!!!** ***Participating Bars: Almost all Dupont Circle's major establishments.*** ***YOU MUST HAVE A TICKET TO ENTER THE VENUES ON THE CRAWL.*** ***Your Favorite Dupont Bars and Clubs Are Going Cinco:*** **There will be a lot of people. Use the comment box of the Meetup to coordinate amongst the group.** **This is also a wicked 'MeRtUp' with a saving!** **What is MERTUP?:) Mer + Meetup = Mertup.** **Mer is known as the Meetup guy. He likes to connect people and his fans coined that name for him. So, at his events, everyone will become a Wing Person to everyone:) When you get get there, we will introduce you to someone and you will be responsible to introduce that person to another person. That is MERTUP!** **Enter the Promo Code 'MERTUP' to redeem your 20% discount!** ([https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinco-de-mayo-bar-crawl-tickets-895823551357](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cinco-de-mayo-bar-crawl-tickets-895823551357)) FAQs REGISTRATION Registration is from 2PM-4PM. You'll receive your wristband. If you can't make it by 4pm TEXT/EMAIL your QR Code to a friend. So that they can pick everything up for you. TICKETS You MUST have your ticket on your phone. Tickets are transferable and not refundable. You can give your ticket to a friend to use if you cannot attend the event. ID Government issued ID is required! It will be checked at every participating bar that you choose to go to. All participants must be 21 years old or older. WEATHER Event goes on rain, snow or shine! STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Reach out to [info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/) HAPPY CRAWLINGS!!! Payment Instructions : 1. Login to see the 'Get Tickets' button, on the ticket link. Then hit the button. 2. Verify correct dollar amount for number of people you're paying for. 3. **If *you don't have a Paypal account, proceed to the next page and scroll down to see "Pay with a Debit or Credit Card". Then turn off the button 'Save The Info and Create Your Paypal Account'.*** 4. If you have a Paypal account, simply log in, and pay as you normally would via Paypal. **How to Unblock the Pop-up Blocker on Your Phone** Many of our patrons advised us that they have a Pop-up Blocker on their iPhones and it hinders them from buying tickets. To unblock, please follow the following steps : For Safari Users : 1. Go to Settings. 2. Scroll down to Safari and click on it. 3. Select Block Pop-ups and turn it off. For Google Chrome Users : 1. Open Google Chrome. 2. Click on the three dots and you will see many options. 3. Click on Settings. 4. Scroll down to content settings. 5. Select Block Pop-ups and turn it off. Refund & Ticket Resell Policy All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to ticket holders advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizers a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKET. IT RULES.**

The[ Simplicity Living Study Circle of Northern VA](https://www.coachingwithdanijk.com/blog/important-community-update-join-our-new-meetup-group-simplicity-living-circle-of-northern-va) meets on the first Saturday of each month from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington, Virginia. **This is a rain or shine outdoor event.** This free community group offers a unique and empowering space for individuals seeking to live a simpler, more intentional life. Through participant-driven discussions and facilitated activities, our circle fosters connection, reflection, and mutual support. Hosted by members of the Simplicity Living Circle of Northern VA, we welcome those who are curious about simplicity, mindful living, and environmental care. Whether you are just beginning or deepening your journey, you are warmly invited into this inclusive and supportive space. Logistics: * Feel free to bring what’s part of your life: kids, dogs, food, and musical instruments are all welcome. * Arriving at the start gives you the fullest experience, since the opening activities help create the group’s shared connection. If you arrive later, it may feel harder to fully step into that once the group has already begun bonding. *Note: Our official Meetup group changed due to administrative complications. This new group is now our verified and active community hub, which you can confirm at our in-person events.*

Hey everyone! Let's try to get this group more active! Local events can be anything -- A walk in the park, movie, happy hour, camping, and so on! So if you want to host a local event, leave a comment below or message me and I'll contact you to help you get it up in the group!

Join us for a volunteer day helping the animals at Rosie's Farm Sanctuary in Potomac, MD. Before attending this event, you must sign a liability waiver. Please use this link [https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/) The chores you will be doing are physical. You will be working on big projects that require many volunteers like removing old bedding, sanitizing stals and replacing with new bedding, along with the daily clean up chores. Wear boots and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Feel free to bring a filled water bottle. On sunny days a brimmed hat and sunglasses may be helpful. Sunscreen is also suggested. Please do not bring any food or yummy-smelling items on your body or in your bag as our animals love to eat and are on special diets. Out of respect for the animals, we do not allow any food with animal products to be consumed at Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. Please ensure that all edible items are plant-based (no dairy, no cheese, no cow’s milk ice cream, no meat, no fish, no eggs). Thank you for your cooperation and respect for this. It is very important to us. There is a gift shop where you can browse and warm up during the event. Please post your pictures and tag Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and VSDC! Stick around at the end for a group photo behind the barn. If there is interest, we may go out to eat in one of our local vegan restaurants afterward. We are limited to 30 volunteers, so please change your RSVP if you cannot attend. Rosie's Farm Sanctuary is always in need of volunteers. If you want to volunteer with them outside of VSDC's volunteer days, make sure to visit [Rosies Farm Sanctuary ](https://rosiesfarmsanctuary.org/volunteer/) to sign up. By coming to this event, we expect you to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **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.**

A beautiful out and back hike on the Appalachian Trail passing through fields, streams, lush forest, with a night spent at the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter. This is generally considered a “quiet” section of the AT. Trumbo Hollow is an expansive meadow with a bench at the high point. With fields and fences that make you feel like you are in a J.R.R. Tolkien novel, the hike down towards VA638 is one more picturesque moment. From the valley, enjoy another forest walk before arriving at the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter, which boasts a picnic pavilion and gravity fed shower. There is a water source at the shelter. Miles: 6.6 (roundtrip) Rating: Level #5 ([View Hiking Rating Scale](https://washingtonwomenoutdoors.org/hiking-rating-scale/)) $20 members; $30 non-members Register for this event on our website [here](https://washingtonwomenoutdoors.org/event-6630585). All trip details including equipment list, meetup spot, and driving directions will be provided by email the week prior to the trip. **NOTE: No further trip details will be provided on Meetup.** **There is limited space for this event.** Register early on our website to reserve your spot! If you're not ready to register for this event but would like more information, please email: backpack@washingtontonwomenoutdoors.org. Find out about WWO Member benefits here: https://washingtonwomenoutdoors.org/membership-fees/.

The **One Day Hike** comprises two concurrent, non-competitive hikes of 100 and 50 kilometers that follow the C&O Canal towpath, and end at Bolivar, WV. The 100 km event (100K; 62.1 miles) starts at 3 AM from the Thompson Boat Center parking lot in Georgetown, DC; the 50 km event (50K; 31.1 miles) starts at 10 AM from Whites Ferry, MD. Both hikes proceed along the towpath, crossing the footbridge into Harpers Ferry after mile marker 60. The ODH has been held since 1974. During the hike, hikers pass through eight support stations, manned by volunteers (see [volunteering information](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/312467618/?isFirstPublish=true)), where they receive food and drink and, if necessary, first-aid assistance. While on the trail, they are monitored by volunteer bike patrols. Hikers must arrive at support stations by cut-off times or are required to drop out, and must finish by midnight. *ALL HIKERS MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED.* Photo albums of previous ODH's: **[bit.ly/MWS-ODH](www.bit.ly/MWS-ODH)**. **REGISTRATION:** Registration costs $95 and is done on-line starting Wednesday, February 11, at 5 pm (5-time finishers may register early starting Sunday, February 1, at 5 pm). Note that registration closes when the 350-hiker limit (100K+50K) is attained, which can occur within a few hours. See registration [details](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1niIsqRVC8Zl72JzAvBonqlzg4TLWiaGH/view?usp=sharing). **UPDATES:** For hot-off-the-press, official updates regarding registration and other information, join the ODH email list by sending a blank message to OneDayHike+Subscribe@Groups.io. For general information, check out [OneDayHike.org](www.OneDayHike.org). **TRAINING HIKES:** The Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings ([SCPRO](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac)) organizes training hikes in the weeks leading up to the ODH. Although open to all, these hikes are specifically designed to prepare you for the ODH — they become progressively longer, they follow routes with relatively easy trails that are generally flat, and hikers walk at their individual paces. Longer training hikes also allow shorter options for 50K trainees. Doing these training hikes, or following a similar regimen on your own, is the best way to improve your chances of completing the ODH. Training hikes will be held from every Saturday from January 10 to the Saturday prior to the ODH. They are free, and are held at many venues in or near DC, so it’s a great way to explore this area on foot. On these hikes, you will get to meet other ODH hikers and learn their, or share your, tips on long-distance hiking. Each training hike's details will be posted on SCPRO's [Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac) page each week, as well as announced on the email list (see UPDATES above). **VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:** About 100 volunteers are required on hike day to help run the ODH. We need reliable, enthusiastic people to man the support stations, patrol the trail on bikes, and to provide first aid — all while encouraging hikers on their way. People with first-aid or medical experience are especially needed as first-aid volunteers. First-time volunteers receive an ODH T-shirt and the eternal gratitude of the hikers. If you are interested in volunteering, please see [volunteering information](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/312467618/?isFirstPublish=true), or contact Mike Darzi (Mike.Darzi@Gmail.com).

Join us for a discussion of ***Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives* by Siddharth Kara** Here's the summary: An unflinching investigation reveals the human rights abuses behind the Congo’s cobalt mining operation―and the moral implications that affect us all. Cobalt Red is the searing, first-ever exposé of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining, as told through the testimonies of the Congolese people themselves. Activist and researcher Siddharth Kara has traveled deep into cobalt territory to document the testimonies of the people living, working, and dying for cobalt. To uncover the truth about brutal mining practices, Kara investigated militia-controlled mining areas, traced the supply chain of child-mined cobalt from toxic pit to consumer-facing tech giants, and gathered shocking testimonies of people who endure immense suffering and even die mining cobalt. Cobalt is an essential component to every lithium-ion rechargeable battery made today, the batteries that power our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and electric vehicles. Roughly 75 percent of the world’s supply of cobalt is mined in the Congo, often by peasants and children in sub-human conditions. Billions of people in the world cannot conduct their daily lives without participating in a human rights and environmental catastrophe in the Congo. In this stark and crucial book, Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congo―because we are all implicated. **Let’s meet at Caboose Commons in Fairfax to enjoy some good discussion and meet new friends.**

Speaker: Colburn Clark: Stalking, Harrassment or Neither - Small Lawsuits Targeting Local Campaigns. Colburn will discuss how business owners attempt to manipulate the law to shut down effective pressure campaigns and what we can do to avoid these lawsuits, fight these lawsuits, and protect first amendment rights for all kinds of activists. Come to hear some inspiring stories and learn about your rights to freedom of speech. Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

Top level Backgammon Tournament play. Have fun and improve your game. Free lessons to new and inexperienced players. Club been active over 30 years, posting on Meetup is new.

\#\#\# This is now a No-Host Event. People may attend as individuals, but there will be no event host. Aditya will be put of state during this event. \#\#\# Free Tickets are available here: [https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/event/tregaron-meadow-concert-26/](https://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/event/tregaron-meadow-concert-26/) Below is the official event description You will need to bring chairs or mats to sit on, or comment that you need one since I have plenty of outdoor chairs. You need to get a ticket from this website, the tickets are free, but are not available yet. An afternoon jazz performances by Mars Arts D.C. artists. In the Meadow, the magic of live performances and the tranquility of nature come together for an unforgettable experience of sensory delights. Tregaron performances are free and great for all ages. Artist details to be announced. Registration will be available in spring 2026.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Twister Talk,”** on tornadoes and advances in our understanding of them, with Jeffrey Halverson, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and author of *An Introduction to Severe Storms and Hazardous Weather.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-twister-talk](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-twister-talk) .] Springtime brings tornado outbreaks and devastation across the United States. The good news for those of us who anxiously eye the skies: Tornado science is rapidly evolving and improving, as are the means by which we detect funnel clouds and warn of their approach. Get up to speed with what’s known about tornadoes with the help of Dr. Jeffery Halverson, a severe storm expert with the *Washington Post* Capital Weather Gang who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on hurricanes and snowstorms. He’ll describe how, with the help of research conducted by tornado hunters, meteorologists are using ever more sophisticated computer simulations and datasets to try to “crack the code” when it comes to how and where tornadoes form. We’ll look at how science teams wielding Portable Doppler Radars on small trucks are learning that tornado wind speeds are much stronger than once presumed. We’ll consider how decades of data are changing how we think about “Tornado Alley,” and we’ll review what’s known about the relationship between tornadoes and climate change. Professor Halverson will conclude by discussing the technological strides being made in terms of tornado warning and detection, and how tornado scientists are teaming up with social scientists to gain a better understanding of what leaves us vulnerable to natural hazards. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: An F5 tornado over Elie, Manitoba in June 2007 (Photo by Justin Hobson / Wikimedia Commons).

We have a **2 BR / 1 BA flat** for sale at Takoma Village Cohousing in Washington, DC! Join us at an open house on **Saturday, May 2, from 1:00 to 3:00** to view the home, which is being offered For Sale By Owner (FSBO). No registration is required. Learn more about this opportunity, including the seller's contact information, in the sale flyer and floor plan on [our website](https://takomavillage.org/page/39042~1039777/sales-and-rentals). You can also see more on the [linked web pages and photo gallery](https://wpl.mwg.mybluehost.me/website_8e2e0158/). Brief tours of the common areas will be offered to prospective buyers at the same time as the open house. Purchase offers are likely to be requested a few days later. If you are seriously considering this home for sale, please also review our [Guide for Prospective Residents](https://takomavillage.org/page/39042~755756/guide-for-prospective-residents). There are several upcoming activities you can participate in to fulfill the expectations, but please write to us to arrange for a host for any activity you want to join. Our email address is on [our website](https://takomavillage.org/page/39042~754251/public-inquiries). *Takoma Village complies with the Federal Fair Housing Act and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.*

Start with a Pisco Sour, a signature cocktail or mocktail. Enjoy ceviche just like you get in Peru, a choripan sandwich, some Lomo Saltado, Peruvian Chicken or many more delicious choices! [Check out their menu here](https://autenticoperu.com/menu/) Auténtico is born from years of dreams, sharing the rich diversity of Peruvian cuisine with Northern Virginia. Their menu celebrates variety and creativity, where traditional recipes meet subtle touches of innovation. It’s more than food, it’s a fusion of authentic flavors crafted with care, turning every plate into a story worth savoring.

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

[The Kind Exchange](https://www.facebook.com/events/3087825058070662/) A gathering to share, swap, and connect with like-minded people who care about plant-based living, sustainability, and mindful choices. This is more than a swap — it’s a space to circulate what we already have and meet others in the community. Bring any of the following to share: * **Vegan-related books** (cookbooks, sustainability, mindful living, etc.) * **Plants or cuttings** (optional) Swap for something new-to-you from others. *The more you bring, the more there is to exchange!* Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly- [https://form.jotform.com/260975490897073](https://form.jotform.com/260975490897073?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVGxJeFRub0FQNmhUcmF3VnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4u9YhVWcSkITKfEn_NajeEUIyxFrXbcaG0HjFHoQn-MCxKlhGlUpFAnsMIzw_aem_vo9QISntFpTtGskmWaVEkQ) Unclaimed books/plants at the end of the event will be donated.

IMPORTANT!!! THE DATE OF THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO SUNDAY MAY 17, 2026!!! A very unusual choice for his group... Unknown Number: High School Catfish is an American [true crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_crime "True crime") documentary film directed by [Skye Borgman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye_Borgman "Skye Borgman") and released to [streaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media "Streaming media") on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on August 29, 2025. The documentary explores the events and investigation into an unknown person [cyberbully](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying "Cyberbullying") and [harassing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment "Harassment") teenagers in [Beal City, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beal_City,_Michigan "Beal City, Michigan") using an unknown number via insults and sexual claims. It also explores the increasingly great impact of the harassment on the community, the eventual reveal of the culprit, and the trial that followed. IMPORTANT INFO: I strongly suggest not reading anything about it online before seeing it. It's best viewed with no previous knowledge. This documentary contains crude terminology and deals with cyberbullying, which may be a trigger for some folks. PLEASE NOTE - WE ARE STARTING AT 6:30, WHICH IS THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER THAN USUAL. Unfortunately, it is only available on Netflix. If you would like to attend but do not have Netflix, say so and maybe we can figure something out.

Open to public: Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Hosted by OSU The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser Location: Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center 2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210 Spring Plant Sale Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb! Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike. Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together. Credit/debit cards only.

Mental Health, how do you understand it? How can you improve it? How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp. This group is hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Annual plant sale to support the Inniswood Volunteers Inc., giving back to the gardens. Offering mostly perennials, herbs and a few shrubs. Day 1: Saturday May 2, 2026 8am-4pm Day 2: Sunday May 3, 2026: 11a-3pm rain or shine. Bring a wagon if you have one!

**Join us for a relaxing and fun outdoor celebration for Krishna’s birthday! 🌿☀️** **We’ll start with 1 hour of yoga to stretch, unwind, and connect, followed by a picnic + frisbee to keep the good vibes going.** **Bring your own yoga mat or blanket, and feel free to bring something to share like hummus, fruit, or your favorite snack. 🥙🍓** **Come enjoy fresh air, movement, and great company at the Scioto Mile.** **All levels welcome ✨** **📍Bicentennial Park (next to water fountain)** **233 Civic Center Dr** **Columbus, OH 43215** **Donations for our wonderful yoga instructor, Victoria Lawler, are greatly appreciated. A link is provided below, and she’ll also share her Venmo in person. 🧘🏻‍♀️💗** [Victoria Lawler’s Venmo](https://account.venmo.com/u/lynneleviathan)