Freelance Journalists

Join the [Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://www.loudounwildlife.org/) and [A Fighting Chance Foundation](https://www.afightingchancefoundation.org/about) for a special fundraising event at Lost Rhino Brewing in Ashburn VA on Friday, March 13th. Come out to enjoy a fun Friday night of music, friendship, and great food and drinks, all for two great causes! **Special musical guests** – The Outpatients (Northern VA band well known for their Americana musical mayhem). **Tickets: $10** at the door, with all proceeds benefiting Loudoun Wildlife and A Fighting Chance. Lost Rhino is also graciously donating **10%** of all sales to both organizations. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is a volunteer-powered nonprofit working to protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitat while shaping a Loudoun where people and wildlife thrive together. Learn more at: [https://www.loudounwildlife.org](https://www.loudounwildlife.org/) A Fighting Chance is ensures that all pets are given the best chance possible to recover from a life-threatening medical condition or accident regardless of the financial circumstances of their caregivers. Learn more at: [https://www.afightingchancefoundation.org/about](https://www.afightingchancefoundation.org/about)

Join us for what is sure to be an amazing musical experience! MercyMe is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning American Christian rock band known for heartfelt, faith-based music, especially their massive crossover hit "[I Can Only Imagine](https://www.google.com/search?q=I+Can+Only+Imagine&oq=about+mercy+me&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgKGIAEMgcIAhAAGIAEMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCAgIEAAYFhgeMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCTQwNDBqMGoxNagCCLACAfEFyBrMITRlEok&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfBMw1O08LvK51Ql-qotaPG0FxO1c_nCDXFFfFlDDvsBAD1WRfvgBklWagyJNb69QXWU9X3MRx5usMpYSWq0HdSjIPnkmj9FhHe450kKMNQMT4IYLH-jsGXawXBd7Jy8-e4RaAB9zHLd0j8Kt09YHJQMG_7_lWSLHQrk2Y5lgrgzorwWqaJFnNPqZbgzp4R6EtUu&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjnodSEmfKRAxWDGFkFHZDaEN4QgK4QegQIARAE)," (my all time favorite song), which led to their mainstream success and inspired a movie about lead singer [Bart Millard](https://www.google.com/search?q=Bart+Millard&oq=about+mercy+me&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgKGIAEMgcIAhAAGIAEMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCAgIEAAYFhgeMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCTQwNDBqMGoxNagCCLACAfEFyBrMITRlEok&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfBMw1O08LvK51Ql-qotaPG0FxO1c_nCDXFFfFlDDvsBAD1WRfvgBklWagyJNb69QXWU9X3MRx5usMpYSWq0HdSjIPnkmj9FhHe450kKMNQMT4IYLH-jsGXawXBd7Jy8-e4RaAB9zHLd0j8Kt09YHJQMG_7_lWSLHQrk2Y5lgrgzorwWqaJFnNPqZbgzp4R6EtUu&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjnodSEmfKRAxWDGFkFHZDaEN4QgK4QegQIARAF)'s life, exploring themes of grace, love, and living for eternity. #MercyMe (Buy tix at Ticketmaster for the best pricing) I'm in Section 116. Optional: We could arrange carpooling or meet nearby for dinner beforehand if there is interest.

Hi ladies. Let’s meet up for dinner with or without your kids at Kalypso’s Sports Tavern at on March 13th. Let me know if you can or would like to attend no later than Wednesday, March 11th so I can make reservation. This meeting I will be asking you what you would like for our group to look like. This is all new to me so I am excited to hear any suggestions. I look forward to meeting everyone and thanks for coming!

Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez intermédiaire/avancé ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. It is irresistible, to enjoy French convo with a glass of wine, appetizers and drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from intermediate to native fluency. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers. It is not as such to learn a language. Beginners, if you want to learn a language, reach out to us ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

Sci-fi convention

Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez intermédiaire/avancé ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. It is irresistible, to enjoy French convo with a glass of wine, appetizers and drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from intermediate to native fluency. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers. It is not as such to learn a language. Beginners, if you want to learn a language, reach out to us (info@merevents.com). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

Join your Meetup hosts, the *Home Improv Mints* and NINE other short form improv teams battling it out for the Improvicon trophy. Reservations on Meetup won't get you a ticket. Tickets for this event do not go through Meetup. You need to visit DarkhorseVA.com

Join our friendly English Cafe community! Enjoy snacks and conversation with people from around the world at our Language Exchange Mixer. It's the perfect place to improve your English and make international friends. -All People Community Church English Cafe

Our 7-days tour from West to East is a great way to explore some of the most staggering and coveted sights in Iceland. Snaefellsnes Peninsula, named the ultimate winter destination by Travel & Leisure, invites you on a journey through unique and offbeat rural landscapes. Besides, the South Coast is a sightseeing paradise with a vast amount of marvels: waterfalls, glaciers, national parks, and black volcanic beaches – sights that’ll take your breath away. Enjoy soaking in the one of the famous hote springs in Iceland – Blue Lagoon. Tour Start Reykjavik Tour End Reykjavik Flights • Arrival: Day01 before 3 pm (flexible) • Return: Day07 after 2pm (Imp) Airport: Keflavík International Airport ( Iceland) Itinerary Day01 Reykjavik Day02 SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA Day03 BORGARFJÖRÐUR AREA Day04 THE GOLDEN CIRCLE Day05 JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON AND ICE CAVE Day06 SOUTH ICELAND SIGHTSEEING Day07 The Blue Lagoon Cost: $2990 (Double Occupancy) $3590 (Single Supplement) Inclusions Price Includes • 6 nights hotel, including breakfast. • Professional English speaking guide for day tours • Minibus or small coach for day tours • Free WiFi on the bus. • Airport transfers • Activities as per the itinerary Price Excludes • Flights • Meals • Personal Expenses • Optional activities • Travel insurance / Visa • Tips ———————————————— For detailed itinerary and to reserve your seat follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/iceland-7-days-golden-circle-and-south-coast-highlights/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/iceland-7-days-golden-circle-and-south-coast-highlights/) Questions? Text / Call - 2023787696 - Himanshu - Organizer

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“A Practical Guide to Social Change,”** a research-based look at how communities bring about reform and progress, with Marissa Robinson, founder of Real Health Impact LLC and an adjunct professor at George Washington University who teaches courses focused on public health leadership and social change. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-social-change](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-social-change) .] Systems built on inequality rarely transform without deliberate pressure from the people most committed to justice, because progress takes coordination, conviction and willingness to change what has always been accepted. Real change starts when people choose to move together. Learn what research and experience say about how to make real social progress with Dr. Marissa Robinson, a public health practitioner who previously worked in federal agencies coordinating global and national public health initiatives focused on infectious diseases, HIV, and health equity. Among the key questions she’ll tackle: How do communities overcome barriers to create real change? When should evidence guide decisions and when does context matter more? She’ll discuss established frameworks for moving from intention to measurable progress and talk about the importance of building coalitions that actually work and of making decisions grounded in real data. You’ll learn about the importance of testing ideas on a small scale before going big, as well as how to use rapid feedback loops and continuous improvement cycles to refine approaches and scale what truly works. Dr. Robinson will share stories of ordinary people and communities who refused to accept the status quo and pushed through real barriers to achieve breakthrough results. She’ll talk about practical strategies, usable frameworks, and evidence-based examples that people can apply immediately in their own communities and organizations to support change that lasts. If you have dreamed about bringing about progress in your world, this talk will give you the clarity, direction, and confidence it takes to turn such dreams into reality. ( Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Join us for a cozy, in-person journaling session! Whether you’re new to journaling or a seasoned writer, this meetup is a great opportunity to carve out some intentional time for self-reflection, creativity, and connection with others. Event Outline: • We’ll begin with brief introductions so everyone can get to know each other. • I’ll provide a journaling prompt to help guide your writing. • Afterward, we’ll take about 10 minutes to write quietly. You can use the prompts or go wherever your thoughts take you! • Once we’re finished, we’ll come back together and share (if you feel comfortable). This is a chance to reflect on the process or share insights, but sharing is completely optional. • We'll repeat this process with another prompt or two as time allows. Bring your favorite journal or notebook, and get ready to enjoy some thoughtful, reflective time in a welcoming community. Grab a coffee or tea from the café, settle in, and let’s journal together! Feel free to come as you are—no prior experience necessary. We can’t wait to meet you!

Some expert speaker (or panel) will be telling us about some subject, or maybe we'll hold a roundtable discussion, or whatever. Please bring your questions, ideas, etc., and a friend or three who might be interested in our Meetup. Approximate Schedule: 7:00 pm: people arrive, network, mingle, and eat pizza 7:30 pm: presentation, discussion, or whatever, begins 8:30 pm: presentation/whatever is over; we network, mingle, and clean up 9:00 pm: we lose the room There has been progress on finding a space sponsor and a dinner sponsor, but nothing is yet set in stone. Meanwhile, I will hold the meetings at the Fairfax City Regional Library, bring pizza and soft drinks, and put out a donation jar. (When you RSVP, you can tell me what you want. There's no guarantee you'll get it, and "nothing" is a perfectly good answer.) PLEASE RSVP YES IF COMING, AND CHANGE IT TO "NO" IF YOU THEN WON'T COME AFTER ALL. DO NOT MAKE US WASTE TIME WAITING FOR YOU. DO NOT DEPRIVE OTHERS OF A SPACE BY BOGARTING ONE. DO NOT MAKE ME THINK UP AN APPROPRIATE PENALTY FOR NO-SHOWS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST THE PICTURE. DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN MEETUP ORGANIZER. This will be a joint meeting with the Independent Consultants of NoVa, DC, and MD (https://www.meetup.com/Independent-Consultants-of-NOVA-DC-MD).

Dive into a transformative experience at our Be Yourself Dance Fitness: Hip hop, Latin dance, African, Bollywood, a FUSION of World Dance! Come feel the vibes!! Awaken Your Spirit. [Come share your love for dance, movement, and spirituality where you will BU & LIVE ALIVE, step outside of your zone, align your chakras through rhythmic expression. Explore the connection between movement and consciousness as we guide you through sound healing sessions and exercises to enhance your spiritual awakening. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNYX9RVF)Whether you are new to chakras or a seasoned practitioner, Be Yourself Dance Fitness offers something for everyone. Connect with like-minded individuals in a welcoming environment focused on love, happiness, and self-discovery. This event is perfect for those interested in exploring the intersection of dance, spirituality, and fitness. Let go of inhibitions, unleash your creativity, and elevate your mind, body, and soul. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a journey towards holistic well-being and self-realization. Bring bottle of Water and plenty of attitude. The Event is Free , However, We accept donations $Cash APP $BU314 Venmo: Wayne-Christopher-8

We had a great conversation the last time we went here. For everyone attending this was a new find, a cafe tucked away on the upper level, not immediately noticeable by the average visitor to this shopping center. I’ll probably have a matcha, but get whatever you like, and start the weekend off right. (No discussions on politics, religion or potentially controversial topics. We're here to relax and have fun. Just be respectful and we'll be alright. Pay your own way, and enjoy!)

**Looking for a group you can write with *whilst sipping your fave coffee*?** ☕✍️ Then come join **Shut Up & Write!** on **Saturday, March 21st from 1:30pm to 4:00pm** at **Ridgetop Coffee & Tea**! Whether you're cranking out a novel, journaling, looking for new friends, or just trying to get that stubborn paragraph right—we’ve got a cozy seat and a supportive group waiting for you! **No critiques, no peer review, no pressure—just a chill space to get words on the page.** 📝 **What to expect:** 1:30–2:00pm – Grab your coffee or tea, find your seat, and meet your fellow writers. 2:00pm–3:30pm – Silent, focused writing time 3:30–4:00pm – Debrief, celebrate any writing wins, commiserate on any obstacles, and head out feeling accomplished. **RSVP Info:** The room seats only 8 people comfortably! RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot!! If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation **ASAP** so those on the wait list are able to RSVP and attend!!! **Meeting Room:** Enter the coffee shop, walk straight towards the play area and on your left you will see a meeting room just past the bathrooms. The room has a TV, white board, and walls are painted green. **What to Bring:** Whatever helps you focus, and be productive. There is a wall outlet at each end of the room, so you're able to bring your laptop to write. You're welcome to bring headphones if you enjoy listening to music while working. **Parking & Accessibility:** there is a large parking lot out front and it is free! There are no stair cases when entering the coffee shop or when inside. This coffee shop is incredibly spacious with many seating options. If you have any questions, please message me through MeetUp. I'm happy to help. **Dietary Information:** many GF, Vegan, and SF options. Just ask your barista when ordering for specifics! Can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Secrets of Runes,”** on the origins, development, and interpretation of the runic script, with Lilla Kopár, runologist and a professor of medieval literature and culture at Catholic University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets) .] The fame of runes outshines that of any other ancient script. They can be found not just on Viking Age rune stones, but on Bilbo’s door and as the Bluetooth logo on your cell phone. Runic script is commonly associated with magic, used by modern practitioners of neopaganism, and in recent decades has captured the imagination of filmmakers and video game designers. Yet most of us know little about the historical origins of runes and have no clue how to read or use them. Come to Crooked Run Fermentation in Sterling, Va., to get schooled on runic script with the help of Lilla Kopár, a veteran scholar of runes who has earned a following among Profs and Pints fans by giving fantastic talks on medieval monsters and Norse mythology. As someone who has carried out extensive field research on runes, published several articles on runic objects, and even appeared on the History Channel commenting on runes in America, she’s exceptionally qualified to introduce you to runology and the fascinating things that runes tell us. Dr Kopár will discuss the development of runic script from its humble origins on the borders of the Roman Empire in the first or second century CE, through its popularity in the Viking world, to its use and misuse in modern times. She’ll discuss how runes are a set of related alphabets that underwent changes over time and she’ll describe what inspired changes in this writing system and where and how runes were used in the medieval period. Her richly illustrated talk will highlight some of the most intriguing objects with runic inscriptions, from humble bone fragments to impressive rune stones, and offer insight into the scholarly methods of deciphering and interpreting runic inscriptions. We’ll also look at the function of the runic script from simple practical notes and memorial inscriptions to cipher-runes and magic. The most fun might be the in-class assignment, which will involve reading a few runic inscriptions and writing your name and other words in runes. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Part of Codex runicus, a rune manuscript written on animal skin and dating to about 1300 (University of Copenhagen / Wikimedia Commons).