Grails

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Goddess of Spring and the Underworld,”** an introduction to the Greek goddess Persephone in her many incarnations, with Brittany Warman, former instructor at Ohio State University and co-founder of the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/spring-and-underworld](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/spring-and-underworld) .] Join Brittany Warman, who has earned a huge following among Profs and Pints fans by delivering fantastic talks on folklore, myths, legends, and fantasy, for the perfect event for the season: a look at the spring goddess Persephone and the many ways in which she has inspired the human imagination. The story of Hades and Persephone is one of the most famous—and most retold—episodes in Greek mythology. Persephone’s abduction, her interlude in the Underworld, and her partial return to the world above have inspired statues and webcomics, ancient cults and contemporary poetry. Thousands of years after her tale was first told, we’re still fascinated by this goddess. Brittany will discuss how Persephone’s appeal lies in her liminality in being caught between two very different worlds and lives. She represents spring, renewal, and rebirth because Earth blooms with her return, but she’s also the Queen of the Underworld. From a 21st-century perspective, she’s basically a goth girl adorned with a flower crown. We’ll also look at Persephone’s mythic roots, including their connections to the Eleusinian Mysteries. And then we’ll dive into some of the ways that Persephone has been revised and retold in recent years, from the Tony award-winning musical *Hadestown* to the webcomic *Lore Olympus* to memes and fairy tales and fashion. After all, why be just one thing when you can be the queen of both spring and darkness? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From “Proserpine” (Persephone) painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1882. (Birmingham Museums Trust / Wikimedia Commons.)

Ed and Gail's Tuesday Night Dance for Everyone Tuesday, April 14 This dance is for those who like VARIETY: On Tuesdays we offer a delightful music mix for all kinds of dancing -Waltz, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, East and West Coast Swing, Hustle, Two-Step, Bachata, Salsa, you name it! A bit of everything and something for everyone! 7:00-8:00 Lessons and instructors vary. This week we'll have an easy intermediate West Coast Swing lesson, taught by Ed and Gail 8:00-10:00 Dance (Variety- See above) $15 cash, check, or Venmo No partner necessary! Plenty of friendly people to hang out with at Ed and Gail's dances!

This week we are drafting my [Dandan cube](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/2601d7d6-20aa-42f1-8963-a636ac7e1b49#) We'll be drafting in the GWU Student Center, room G08. Contact me at 617-642-1764. Join [the discord!](https://discord.com/invite/uUK4BeUmX4)

RSVP Required. We'd like to add you to our management team. We are a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and smart-working team. Please let us know if you're qualified... Please read and understand the Member's Promise (https://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/about/). We are a volunteer organization so members are only entitled to what each board member and committee member donates of their time, dedication, and enthusiastic attention. We need committee chairs / volunteers in the areas of: • Monthly Room Setup • Hospitality • Registration and Attendance review Attendance Reconciliation procedure • Membership review backup procedures review where primary copy of database resides review doc, "NVPPA Membership QA - Policy and Procedure" review lapsed membership procedures and policy review meeting cancellation credit and procedure review Google Drive folder organization review Welcome Letter procedures, template, and when this is used review PayPal payment notification procedure review taking payments at a monthly meeting/workshop • Marketing/Communications, including Email Marketing • PPA Affiliation Committee • Competition Some other specialized roles in Social Media Marketing, SEO, branding, newsletter programs, membership outreach & administration, public relations ads & campaigns, website development, data administration, and database design are needed. We welcome your suggestions, and as a result, you must offer your time to work on them plus other prioritized projects that will benefit the organization, and thus, your business. 3 QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO ATTEND A BOARD MEETING: • Is this your first S-C meeting? If so, please contact Philip Brasch via his profile (or email) prior to attending the meeting. We invite responsible, leader-members! • Are you a Gold Member invested in NVPPA? These Board / S-C meetings are specifically for invested members (dues-invested) only. If you're not, please join NVPPA by clicking the Donate button in the sidebar. • Have you attended at least 2 monthly meetings? In order to have knowledgeable and informed leaders of NVPPA, we request that you attend at least 2 monthly meetings or NVPPA events prior to your participation on the S-C. You can also review our Mission Statement, Membership Objectives, and Member's Promise. (https://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/about/) Please take our poll for BENEFITS (https://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/polls/251822/) as a member of NVPPA. I look forward to your commitment to the growth and prosperity of NVPPA and its members... Best! Philip Brasch, President & Founder (If you don't have my email or phone number, first please contact me with your email and a message via my Meetup Profile.)

We’re excited to continue building AI in Practice with our monthly social! 🎉 Each month, we’ll host an informal happy hour and dinner at Upside on Moore in Rosslyn. Come join fellow AI builders, professionals, and curious minds for a relaxed evening of conversation, connection, and community. Whether you’re working on AI systems, advising on responsible adoption, or just interested in how AI is shaping law, compliance, finance, healthcare, defense, software, mission-driven organizations, or public service — this is a chance to meet like-minded people and help shape what this community becomes. 🍸 Drinks and food are available for purchase at the venue. 🤝 No formal agenda — just introductions, networking, and sharing what excites us about AI in practice. We’re so grateful for the early enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing you each month as this community grows! **Date, Time & Location** 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Tuesday 14 April 2026 Upside on Moore 1831 Moore Street Arlington, VA 22209

This is a great opportunity to meet others who are new as well as those who have been around a while! Mission BBQ has some of the best BBQ in the area, served in a casual environment which honors our military and first responders. When you arrive, feel free to grab food then join us. As we're a large group, please be patient with restaurant staff and use any time in line to visit with others. Meals are in the $10-15 range. Look for GRASP table flyers and Eli's GRASP shirt to find us within the restaurant. Everyone is welcome and we can't wait to see you!

Weekly Draft night in NW. We currently meet up at Franklin Hall near 14th and Florida. U Street Metro is the closest stop. I'll have packs but feel free to bring packs if you have them. Entry is $17 (you can bring Play Booster packs to lower the cost by $3.50). If it is a special set, it will be more.

**\*\*Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride may get postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 29%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 14 mph (per WeatherBug) \*\*** **Note:** This Isn’t the same as the W&A trail, which is to the east of this trail. **TRAIL INFO** The Baltimore, Washington & Annapolis Trail was originally a railroad line and relatively a straight line from Odenton down to Bowie. It has existed as two unconnected trails, until the bridge over the Patuxent got completed in May 2025. It features fields, bridges, and two corrugated iron tunnels. And it passes through these towns: Lanham, Glenn Dale, Bowie, Piney Orchard, and Odenton. The trail is split into the NE portion in Anne Arundel County (\~5.6 miles long) and the SW portion in Prince George's County (\~7 miles long) making it a total of about 12.5 miles long one way due to switchbacks approaching the bridge. Total elevation is +/-1054 ft. The trail goes through a mix of landscapes, but overall, it has trees on both sides most of the way. The fun parts are going through two corrugated iron tunnels, over two bridges, and through a boardwalk section that goes over a marshy area. Trail video: [WB&A Trail by Thelsh Experience](https://youtu.be/AgV9YO4Vsd0?feature=shared) Map of the North trail: WB&A Trail \- Anne Arundel County Trails \| The Friends of AACo Trails \(friendsofaatrails\.org\) **SKILL LEVEL:** This trail has some noticeable inclines and declines so you need to be in shape to climb them or be ready to dismount and walk up. \*\*Your bike brakes need to be in excellent condition too.\*\* **PARKING & CHECK-IN** **Closest Train Station: Odenton** Free parking is at Odenton Elementary School. We'll meet in the parking lot at 10:55, latest. We’ll do a quick intro and the icebreaker question. From there, we’ll warm up our legs with a short ride to the trail’s starting point using a sidewalk (street crossing required). If you're running late, just leave a comment in this event to let us know and try to catch up to us at one of our "regroup" stops. **BIKE RENTAL OPTION** The closest bike rental shop is TrailWerks Cyclery, [https://trailwerkscyclery.com/](https://trailwerkscyclery.com/) **BIKE REPAIR** Jafe Cycling (in the retail center across the street from the southern endpoint). **THE PLAN** This ride starts at the northern trailhead in Anne Arundel County. We'll bike down to mile 0 in PG County. Since we have two leads, we will likely have two sets of people regrouping on the trail. There are a couple of turns that may not be clearly marked so we will stop briefly for riders to catch up, but if you’re too far behind, then you should be prepared to use a nav app or the RideWithGPS link that will be posted in the event comments. We’ll stop to regroup at the Patuxent River bridge (mile 5.7). For those that decide to go to the endpoint, we’ll regroup there for mile 0 pics and the option to go across the road to get drinks, snacks, etc. We estimate it will take participants 60-90 minutes to return. **PACE:** It’s up to you. HOWEVER: The event organizers have fit legs (avg. 10-16 mph). And some of us like to do a cardio workout at some point. We make stops at tricky points on the trail and /or to regroup every 2-4 miles. Since paved trails can sometimes be crowded, we don’t have expectations of being able to go very fast. · If you prefer a **faster pace** than the lead riders, you can make stops to wait for them to catch up. · If you’re **not sure what your avg. speed** is, be prepared to use a nav app to ride solo in case you don’t catch up to us at our stops. **DISTANCE OPTIONS** These are just suggestions. Participants can return at any time they choose. **OPTION A- \~5.8 miles one way to the bridge and back** Participants can choose to turn back whenever they like and ride less mileage. Note: Mile 4-5 is a noticeable incline. And then mile 5.0-5.7 is a steep switchback decline segment. This means on the return, we’ll be faced with a steep continuous switchback incline, which I affectionately refer to as the “mini Tour de France.” **OPTION B: Any longer distance** Cross the bridge and continue biking south until you feel like biking back. **OPTION C:** Bike the full trail distance of 12.7 miles, +/- 525 feet and back. Take a rest stop at mile 0 and/or go to the retail center across the street. **The organizers plan to do this option.** **BATHROOMS** There are retail options at[ The Shops at The Village at Odenton Station, ](https://www.odentonstation.com/retail)which you would pass on the way to the Odenton train station. On the way down, there should be port-o-potties at Race Track Rd and Horespen Park parking lots. And there’s retail options across the road from the southern point (mile 0) **OPTION FOR AFTER=RIDE SOCIALIZATION** If you’re interested in meeting for drinks or food with your biking friends, we recommend [The Hideaway, 1439 Odenton Rd](https://www.hideawayodenton.com/), which has outdoor picnic tables and a large parking lot in the back. You can ride there as well as drive and it’s easy to see bikes from inside or outside. There are more food options on the other side of the Odenton Marc station. **WHAT TO DO & BRING** **Bring:** Water bottles, snacks, biking gloves, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat. I will have first aid items (acetaminophen, antibacterial cream, bandaids, gauze, alcohol) in my backpack. **Clothing:** Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you fall, your skin is protected. **Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:** · Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them. · Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop. · Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel. · Slowing down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction. · Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps · When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc. · Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground. **MEETUP POLICIES** Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. **Participation is at your own risk**. An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies, esp. section 6 “Release” and section 8.2 ” Limitation of Liability,” found at [https://www.meetup.com/terms/](https://www.meetup.com/terms/)

♠️😲♠️ W.O.W. Spades Night ♠️😲♠️ Washington on Wednesday (W.O.W.) - 3rd Wednesday Spades in DC 🌟Spades in DC! 😀 Hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time! ✅️ No partner needed! Find one onsite. All skill levels are welcome. 📌 Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken - Navy Yard 300 Tingey St SE #150, Washington, DC 20003 ❤️ **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🚌 One block from Navy Yard Metro Station 🚗 Street and Garage Parking available. 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! 🍗 Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks. 🌟 The fun starts at 5:30pm! RSVP today.

• What we'll do Inter-faith praying, meditation, singing, discussion, and exploration of universal spiritual themes. This is not a "sermon". We will connect and support each other to increase our understanding of spiritual concepts such as "Love", "Forgiveness", "Spiritual Growth", "Service", "Truthfulness", "The Nature of the Soul", "Oneness Of Mankind", "Love Thy Neighbor", "Charity", "Justice", etc. • What to bring Participants are encouraged BUT NOT REQIUIRED to bring excerpts from the authoritative text, music, guided meditations from any religion or spiritual teachings that can illuminate the spiritual concept that we are exploring • Important to know Free. Inter-faith. Spiritual Fellowship. #TheDaley

When Gorum died, shards of his divine being rained down. One of these warshards landed in an ooze being transported outside of Oenopion. The newly-empowered creature escaped its confines and headed south towards the Mana Wastes. The Nexian forces haven't be able to deal with it, and have turned to hiring mercenaries. The Pathfinder Society learns of this chance to get their hands on another warshard, and has an arclord ally get them on the short list of candidates. The PCs must prove their mettle over the other candidates before tracking this newly divine war ooze along the borders to the waste. What's more, the Mana Wastes themselves aren't going to make this mission any easier, and no one yet understands the full impact that warshards might have on creatures, so there's no telling the capabilities of this warooze. Written by Michael Sayre

♠️ Spades in Virginia! ♠️ Nando's Peri Peri, Mosaic District 2987 District Ave Ste 100, Fairfax, VA 22031 🌟 3rd Friday Spades in Virginia! 🕕 6:30pm to 10:30pm 😀 **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.** 🚗 Parking is FREE!!! 🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks. ✅️ No partner needed! Get matched with a partner onsite. All skill levels are welcome. ❤️ Come hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time! 🌟 The fun starts at 7pm! RSVP today.

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13395#tix) To find more fun events: Follow: [https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283](https://www.eventbrite.com/o/new-york-city-social-events-10797526283) Join: [https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Social/](https://www.meetup.com/NYC-Social/) Click: [https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/](https://dljparty.ticketleap.com/)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** GitHub Copilot is powerful, but what if you could scale from a solo AI assistant to an entire team of specialized agents working in parallel? This session introduces Squad: an open-source framework for multi-agent orchestration that lets you define teams of AI agents with specific roles, responsibilities, and expertise. We'll progress from Copilot basics to the Copilot CLI, explore how Agents add autonomy, and see how Instructions and Skills let you customize agent behavior. Then, the climax: a live demo where a Squad team of 3 agents (Lead, Developer, Tester) stands up and builds a working application in real-time, showcasing true multi-agent collaboration. Whether you're new to AI or exploring how to scale your use of Copilot, this session will show you what's possible when agents work as a team. **YouTube Link** TBD

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

A WiA Collective Wisdom Exchange At the start of this year, we gathered to look back, set intentions, and imagine the next chapter. This is the follow-up. Not a check-in. Not a progress report. A small, facilitated circle to reconnect with what you said mattered — and honestly explore what’s actually happening now. Together, we’ll explore: • What you intended at the start of this year - and what that looks like three months in • What’s surprised you, supported you, or shifted • What the next chapter needs now that you know what you know If you were at our January gathering, bring whatever you made or wrote — your word, your artifact, your intention. We’ll look at it with fresh eyes. If this is your first time, you belong here too. You’ll start where we all started: with what’s true right now. Optional art materials will be available for anyone who wants to reflect creatively alongside conversation. If you brought something home from January, you’re warmly invited to bring it back. The intention is the same as always: everyone leaves feeling more clear, more connected, and a little lighter. Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate. What to Expect • A small, welcoming circle (not a large meetup) • Structured conversation so everyone has space to speak • Reflection, listening, and lived experience — not advice-giving • Optional creative reflection alongside conversation • A calm, supportive environment Who This Is For Women and underrepresented folks working in or around agile, product, technology, leadership, or organizational change — especially those looking for honest conversation and community beyond frameworks and buzzwords. Good to Know • No preparation required • If you attended in January, we invite you to bring anything you created or wrote (or something that represents your intention at the start of the year) - it’s optional but invited • Participation is invitational; listening is always welcome • Creative activities are optional

**Welcome to the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky’s Support Group.** *\*\*This meeting has been moved to the 4th Monday of each month.* This group is a safe space for **survivors of traumatic and acquired brain injuries**, as well as their **families and caregivers**, to find support, share experiences, and connect with others who understand the journey. Whether you're newly injured, a longtime survivor, or supporting a loved one, you’ll find comfort, information, and encouragement here. Our professionally facilitated groups offer a confidential, compassionate setting for healing, learning, and growing together. Join us to discover the power of community—because no one should walk this road alone. *All survivors of ABI/TBI and those who care for them are welcome.* \* This meeting is for persons with brain tumors and their guests. \*\* This is a hybrid meeting. For those meeting in-person dinner is served at 5:45pm. Online begins at 6:30pm.

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/