Grails

We'll be discussing Flesh by David Szalay. We meet in person at a member's home -- the address will be sent to those attending a week before the event. Find the book on [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/p/books/flesh-a-novel-david-szalay/a217af5986592e58?ean=9781982122799&next=t), [Montgomery County Libraries](https://mcpl.aspendiscovery.org/Search/Results?lookfor=%22Szalay%2C+David%22+flesh&searchIndex=Keyword&sort=relevance&view=list&searchSource=local&disallowReplacements&replacedIndex=Author), and [PG County Libraries](https://libbyapp.com/search/pgcmls/search/query-Flesh%20by%20David%20Szalay/page-1). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- WINNER OF THE 2025 BOOKER PRIZE AND A NATIONAL BESTSELLER Finalist for the Kirkus Prize \| Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence From “the shrewdest writer on contemporary masculinity we have” (Esquire), a “captivating...hypnotic...virtuosic” (The Baffler) novel about a man whose life veers off course due to a series of unforeseen circumstances. Teenaged István lives with his mother in a quiet apartment complex in Hungary. Shy and new in town, he is a stranger to the social rituals practiced by his classmates and is soon isolated, drawn instead into a series of events that leave him forever a stranger to peers, his mother, and himself. In the years that follow, István is born along by the goodwill, or self-interest, of strangers, charting a rocky yet upward trajectory that lands him further from his childhood, and the defining events that abruptly ended it, than he could possibly have imagined. A collection of intimate moments over the course of decades, Flesh chronicles a man at odds with himself—estranged from and by the circumstances and demands of a life not entirely under his control and the roles that he is asked to play. Shadowed by the specter of past tragedy and the apathy of modernity, the tension between István and all that alienates him hurtles forward until sudden tragedy again throws life as he knows it in jeopardy. “Spare and detached on the page, lush in resonance beyond it” (NPR), Flesh traces the imperceptible but indelible contours of unresolved trauma and its aftermath amid the precarity and violence of an ever-globalizing Europe with incisive insight, unyielding pathos, and startling humanity.

Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm May 21st, May 28th, June 4th, June 11th (jam session), June 18th This class is designed to help aspiring flatpickers learn essential skills, concepts, and techniques for Bluegrass Guitar. Whether you are new to bluegrass guitar or you already play and you are looking for strategies to improve, this class will be great for you. Students will learn: \- productive practice habits \- exercises to improve and refine technique \- how to approach songs vs fiddle tunes \- how to interpret melodies and create a solo \- how to play confidently in jam sessions \- how to manage speed Over the first three classes students will learn and practice techniques to develop both the picking and fretting hands as well as a few favorite sons and fiddle tunes. The fourth session coincides with the Bluegrass Jam so students will have an opportunity to use their skills in a practical setting. The fifth and final session will be a chance to identify challenges encountered in the jam and work on strategies to deal with them. Register Here: https://square.link/u/ykIchSEX

# [Punisher at Pickall - Schools Out Open House - WEEK 3](https://www.bikereg.com/punisheratpickallweek3) ## Thu May 21, 2026Woodlawn, MD https://www.bikereg.com/punisheratpickallweek3

Join us at Seasons 52 Restaurant in North Bethesda. Join sailors from the Singles on Sailboats club and learn about our sailing opportunities -- day sails and weekends on the Chesapeake, bareboat charter opportunities around the world. Third Thursday of each month. www.singlesonsailboats.org Explore your interest in sailing, whether you're just curious, a novice, experienced, or a skipper. SOS offers many ways to engage in the sport, educational presentations, and varied social events on a limited budget. Come to our Happy Hour, meet some members, learn about the club, and consider joining! Just ask for the SOS Group. **FYI:** Though Meet Up may show few people attending, when you arrive many of the actual Singles on Sailboats club members will be there also. So, meet and greet, learn about the club and enjoy a Happy Hour with like-minded boaters. Host: Debbie Goldberg For more information about this gathering contact Debbie Goldberg at hidebbieg@yahoo.com

**If you have registered for Early Access via Patreon you do not need to sign up via Meetup** Heart Stealers is a community engagement-focused, “King of the Hill” challenge that will introduce guests to new people and new games, and encourage folks to play with purpose. **How it Works** At each event, guests will pick a nonprofit / team that they would like to champion. This month the non-profits to champion are: **[Finalizing this list!]**. How well you and your team do at stealing necklaces from the other teams will determine what portion of the prize pool your nonprofit will receive. Every nonprofit goes home with something! **To participate, guests will be requested to contribute a $10 donation at the door. This will go to the donation pool for the event and includes starter tokens.** Folks may also purchase additional tokens from DCGG or tokens can be purchased with cash. Tokens are 25¢ each and games are typically 2-4 tokens. Upon arrival, each player will get three heart necklaces to represent their lives. Lives can be won or lost by challenging other players to one of GameOn's amazing arcade games. **Schedule** 7:00pm – 7:15pm: Mingle Time 7:15pm: Welcome and Game Start 7:20pm – 9:30pm: Heart Stealers Gameplay BUT WAIT THERES MORE: **To support DCGG programming and get sweet perks like early access to events** visit [https://www.patreon.com/DCGamingGroup](https://www.patreon.com/DCGamingGroup) Interested in wearing your support? We have fundraiser shirts designed by local artists. [https://dcgaminggroup.printful.me/](https://dcgaminggroup.printful.me/) Feel free to join the DC Gaming Community in pickup games and game discussion by hopping into the Discord: [https://discord.gg/NP7v7VF](https://discord.gg/NP7v7VF) **Disclaimer and Community Code of Conduct:** The DC Gaming Group is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive space for participants. To learn more about our code of conduct, you can read more here. Events may be recorded for promotional material.

**Alert! New Location!** This week, we will try out the Ballston Quarter Food Court (https://www.ballstonquarter.com). We will post our exact location here in the comments once we get settled. We will play ***For All Mankind***. We have two copies, and it plays up to four. If you have a copy, let us know. If we don't get any more copies, and we get more than 8 RSVPs, we will play an additional space-themed game. Here is ***For All Mankind's*** description from BGG: ***For All Mankind*** is a fast-paced game of strategic exploration, clever trades, and diplomatic shenanigans. Build your empire across the ever-changing solar system. (Careful, the planets move!) Gather, trade, and invest your resources — and do whatever it takes to stay ahead of the competition. Expand: Grow your empire with colonies (more loot!), research (more power!), and espionage (more nukes!). Scheme: All is fair in interplanetary domination, but you would never double-cross a friend...right? Profit: Be the first to reach 10 points, and see your name etched in the stars forever! Learn to play in about 15 minutes. Finish a game in about 60 minutes. The most fun you’ll ever have blowing up your friends in space, guaranteed!

*Sometimes we invite Neurodivergent District members to join a virtual event from our Constellations community. We’re glad you’re here.* *Just to clarify, attending this event doesn’t include access to the Constellations member portal or membership. If you’d like ongoing access to events like this, along with curated member introductions for friendship or dating, you’re welcome to explore joining [Constellations](https://www.harringtonmatchmaking.com/constellations-membership).* Join us for a low-pressure in-person meetup at [Upside on Moore](https://upsideonmoore.com/) food hall. Located on Level “M2” at 1700 N Moore St, Level M2, Arlington, VA 22209. We’ll be meeting in the back near Ghostburger. If you’re sensitive to crowds or louder environments, this may not be the best fit. Click **[here](https://harringtonmatchmaking.as.me/schedule/0cfadc2d/?appointmentTypeIds[]=92645326)** to RSVP.

🍷♠️❤️ A Spades Special - A Night of Cards & "Casual" Conversation 🍷♠️❤️ Thank you for all those who participated in our Speak & Spades Night on April 10! We are hosting another event at the same venue in Downtown Silver Spring - Comma's Food Hall inside City Place Mall. This time, it will be more about the game - a traditional night of Spades play, lots of laughs, and Friday fun. ♠️ Spades games will be the main event, from 6pm to 10pm! Play cards, eat, drink, & socialize! Enjoy drink specials and variety of reasonably-priced restaurant options. ❤️ Optional: If interested, conversation cards will be available in the room all evening. No formal discussion or official program is planned. Just engage in open, casual conversations about a variety of topics with those who may want to talk as well. No pressure. Singles and couples are invited! Get matched with a partner onsite. All skill levels are welcome. The fun starts at 6pm! 🍷 Happy Hour Specials all night! 🎶 Live music will be playing 🚗 Parking available in Ellsworth Garage (connected to the venue through the Skywalk) 📷 See the photo section for details 🌜Join us for a night of CARDS....with a little bit of conversation, if you like! Either way, you won't forget it!🌛 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Since its crash landing on the planet Akiton, the Wreck of the Returned has leaked volatile magic into the surrounding Sloughscar Hills. These effects have run the gamut from unseasonal storms, unnatural plant growth, and sudden bursts of magical energy to swaths of magically warped terrain, reality tears that transplant strange creatures, and regions of unstable reality that degrade matter entirely. In the ensuring months, these magical anomalies have become more frequent, more powerful, and more dangerous. When a sudden onslaught of magical catastrophes strikes all at once, First Seeker Sarmak dispatches teams of Starfinders to defend their allies, combat these threats, and counter this magical show of force with a concerted emergency response effort. When the dust settles, will the Starfinders stand strong and united? Or will they break under the magical assault? A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd- through 4th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot.

This is a great class for beginner to intermediate players looking to get into bluegrass. Students will learn the basic chords and melody of one or 2 classic Bluegrass songs and how to approach playing them in a jam setting. Over the course of about an hour the class will play the tunes several times as a group exploring different possibilities for kickoffs, solos, endings and more. At the end of the class we open up the jam! Justin plays guitar and banjo with Cherry Blossom Special and runs jam sessions along and runs jam sessions along with mandolinist Nick Cameron and fiddler Mari Carlson. He has been teaching guitar, banjo and mandolin in Takoma Park since 2012. This class was designed to give people an affordable entry point to Bluegrass music, and help grow the community. The class is $30 Register [Here!](https://checkout.square.site/buy/GUSSUYYW5UMKDMCDV4CQBOBL)

Join us to drum for rain! The drum circle will be at the Guru Rinpoche statue at the entrance to the Peace Park, across the street from the temple. We will be chanting sacred mantras as we drum, praying for abundant rain to ease the drought. All are welcome! Please bring any percussion instruments you have - the more the merrier! If you don't have any drums, there may be extra available. Either way, you can chant along with everyone. Seating is limited so we recommend bringing a chair or blanket to sit on. In the event of inclement weather, we usually drum as long as we can before the storm starts, or wait it out and start a little late. We hold out until the last minute to cancel so if the weather seems iffy, keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements. The DC region is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. Many other regions of the world are also experiencing drought conditions. We will dedicate our prayers to bringing life-giving rain to all who need it!

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING! When you enter the meeting you PLEASE print your first and last name clearly on the sign up sheet. DC Anime Club will be hosting an Magic the Gathering Workshop on Saturday 2pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial Library 901 G St NW Washington, DC 2000 Room 401 on the 4th floor. Come deck build have fun learn the rules of the game. You can trade, have friendly games and enjoy the company of those who love to play Magic the Gathering. Cosplay (Costume play) is encouraged as long as you don’t bring any prop weapons and keep the cosplay family friendly. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there. This event is free and open to the public. Age range 13 and up. Kids under the age of 13 MUST be accompanied by a parent/ Legal guardian to participate. For more information Email [president@dcanimeclub.org](mailto:president@dcanimeclub.org). Call (202) 262-2083 DC Anime Club Main Site www.dcanimeclub.org Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/DCAnimeClub/ Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/DCAnimeClub Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DCAnimeClub/ Meet up: https://www.meetup.com/DC-Anime-Club/ Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/DCAnimeClub Tumblr: http://dcanime.tumblr.com/ Photobucket:http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/DCANIMECLUB_photos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcanimeclub/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dcanimeclub

**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** Like it or not, AI agents are now capable of turning a quickly written paragraph of requirements into a pull request that is ready to be integrated into real-world production applications and it's now our responsibility to make sure AI doesn't go rogue and take down prod - or corrupt our data by misunderstanding the requirements or our existing schemas. In this session we'll explore strategies to protect our codebases through unit and integration testing, documentation, and code review along with additional ways of providing context and guard rails to our AI agents as they carry out the work we've assigned them to do. By the time we're done, you'll have a firm grasp of the problem and understand some helpful options for protecting your codebase from vibe coding mishaps getting YOLOed into prod. **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

**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.

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

Bring your work or your hobby, hang out, and code with us. Follow @buckeyecocoa for more information.