Haunted Places

**Unwind. Breathe. Reset.** Join us for a calming **guided evening meditation** designed to help you **release stress**, **quiet the mind**, and **restore inner peace**, even if you’ve never meditated before. * **Time:** 7:00 PM–7:30 PM * **Format:** Gentle guidance + quiet time + peaceful reflection * **Perfect for:** Beginners and experienced meditators * **What to bring:** Just yourself **Come as you are. Leave feeling lighter.** * **Reserve your spot** (recommended) * **Free Event - Donations Appreciated** * **Bring a friend. First-timers welcome!** * **Arrive early to settle in. Doors open at 6:00 PM.**

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/leesburg-va/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

Looking for a quiet, focused space to write? Come be part of our writing group—a dedicated time just for writing alongside fellow writers in your community. No readings, no critiques, no peer-review—just you writing within a supportive atmosphere. 7pm-7:15pm: Find your seat, set up your writing station, quick intro's. 7:15pm-8:45 pm: An hour and a half of silent focused writing. 8:45pm-9pm: Quick debrief, pack and head home. Can't wait to see you! :)

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/fairfax-va/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

Like their Fairfax location, this cafe has lots of options for bites and drinks, and some unique house made syrups. Friendly staff, dedicated parking, and plenty of seating. Let’s chill Tuesday morning to set us up for a productive rest of the day. (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!)

We’re turning Tysons Corner Center into a competitive indoor playground for one hour. We’ll meet on the 3rd level cafeteria, split into teams, and race through the mall completing photo challenges for points. Every task requires at least one team member in the picture — so no cheating and no solo lurking. Creativity, strategy, and teamwork will matter just as much as speed. After 60 minutes, we’ll regroup at TGI Fridays to tally points, laugh at the best photos, and crown the winning team. No purchases required — just good energy, fun people, and a little competitive chaos. 📍 Plan • Meet: Level 3 Cafeteria • Form teams • You get 1 hour • Regroup + scoring at TGI Fridays ⸻ 📸 IMPORTANT RULES 1. At least ONE team member must be in EVERY photo. 2. No purchasing required. 3. Be respectful to staff and shoppers. 4. All items must be photographed inside the mall during the 60 minutes. 5. Creativity > speed. ⸻ 📝 SCAVENGER LIST (Points Attached) 🧥 Fashion & Style Finds 1️⃣ A celebrity picture – 5 pts 2️⃣ An extremely ugly sweater – 6 pts 3️⃣ Shoes that look impossible to walk in – 6 pts 4️⃣ A mannequin posed in a dramatic or awkward way – 5 pts 5️⃣ An outfit over $1,000 total (estimate tag prices) – 8 pts (extra 5 points If you’re wearing the outfit) 6️⃣ A jacket that looks straight out of the 90s – 5 pts ⸻ 💎 Random & Unexpected 7️⃣ The most expensive item you can find (price visible) – 10 pts 8️⃣ A product that makes you say “who is buying this?” – 7 pts 9️⃣ Something glittery and over-the-top – 5 pts 🔟 A completely all-white outfit display – 6 pts 1️⃣1️⃣ A product with a name you can’t pronounce – 6 pts 1️⃣2️⃣ A tiny item with a surprisingly high price – 7 pts 1️⃣3️⃣ Strike your best runway pose inside Zara - 5 points ⸻ 🍔 Mall Energy 1️⃣4️⃣ A dessert that looks ridiculously unhealthy – 5 pts 1️⃣5️⃣ A seasonal or holiday decoration – 5 pts 1️⃣6️⃣ A team member pretending to be a mall security guard (respectfully staged) – 6 pts 1️⃣7️⃣ A window display that makes no sense – 5 pts 1️⃣8️⃣ Take a group pic representing 3 different cuisines (no buying required) - 6 points 1️⃣9️⃣ Team selfie in front of the giant directory - 5 points 2️⃣0️⃣ Get a stranger to take a picture of all of you sleeping on a bed - 10 points _______ 📍 Mall Items 2️⃣1️⃣ A red tote - 2 points 2️⃣2️⃣ A purple tie - 2 points 2️⃣3️⃣ Chocolate - 2 points 2️⃣4️⃣ A pair of neon-colored sneakers - 3 points 2️⃣5️⃣ A watch priced over $1,000 - 3 points 2️⃣6️⃣ A pair of sunglasses - 1 point 2️⃣7️⃣ A perfume bottle shaped in a unique way - 2 points 2️⃣8️⃣ A stuffed animal bigger than a backpack - 4 points 2️⃣9️⃣ A coffee cup with latte art - 4 points 3️⃣1️⃣ A candle with a food-related scent - 2 points 3️⃣2️⃣ A phone case with glitter - 1 point 3️⃣3️⃣ A denim jacket with patches or designs - 5 points 3️⃣4️⃣ A sale sign that says “70% OFF” or more - 5 points 3️⃣5️⃣ A winter beanie with a pom-pom on top - 6 points 3️⃣6️⃣ A backpack with a cartoon character on it - 2 points 3️⃣7️⃣ A pair of platform shoes - 2 points 3️⃣8️⃣ A necklace with an oversized pendant - 3 points 3️⃣9️⃣ A seasonal decoration display - 2 points 4️⃣0️⃣ A store window featuring only one color theme - 5 points 4️⃣1️⃣A dessert covered in sprinkles - 2 points 4️⃣2️⃣A mannequin wearing a bold patterned outfit - 5 points 4️⃣3️⃣A hoodie with a large graphic logo - 4 points ⸻ ⭐ BONUS POINTS • Compliment a stranger (reaction videoo) – +5 pts • Get a stranger to join your team photo – +8 pts • Funniest team name – +5 pts • Most coordinated team pose across 3 photos – +7 pts • Best dramatic “return to Fridays” entrance video – +10 pts • Random act of kindness caught on video – +6 pts • Funniest caption when posting (optional IG story tag) – +5 pts ⸻ 🏆 Winning Team Most total points wins. Tiebreaker = loudest crowd applause at Fridays.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. **7.5 miles, about 480 feet elevation gain.** **Description:** Join us for a hike along the rolling fields and woods of the scene of the Civil War battle of 1st Manassas that occurred in 1861. The First Battle of Bull’s Run (also known as First Manassas) was the first major land battle of the Civil War. On July 21, 1861, the Union army, commanded by General Irvin McDowell engaged the forces of Confederate general, P.G.T. Beauregard, 25 miles southwest of the Capital. Although the Federal army achieved some early victories in the battle, Confederate reinforcements arrived, breaking the right flank of the Union lines. The Northern troops were routed as they tried to retreat. The battlefield is well maintained with noted significant event information along the way. We will take a side loop to Portici Loop where the Lewis Plantation known as "Portici" saw service as a Confederate headquarters and hospital at the First Battle of Manassas in July 1861 and as the setting of a small cavalry action at the end of the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862. Restrooms are available at the Visitors Center where we meet. Please plan on arriving at the Henry Hill Visitor Center by 9:15am so we can get everyone signed in an get ready to hike at 9:30. **Meetup Location:** Manassas National Battlefield Park 6511 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA **Visitor Center parking lot GPS 38.81338, -77.52171** **Dogs** Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) Manassas National Battlefield Park website: [https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm](https://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm) **Park Fees:** None The pace will be about 2.5 mph. **Bring:** At least 2 liters of water/hydration, also snack/lunch, and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas and tree roots. Some of the hike is in open field areas. There may be one stream crossing which is easily crossed and there may be some muddy areas or watery areas if there has been recent rain. Post hike rehydration is planned. Any questions please message me here or text/call me at 202-528-0456. If you text me, please include your name.

Hey Everyone! There's been a Band change - and it's a GREAT ONE! Under The Covers is NOW PLAYING! Let's show them The NOVA Live Music Mingle LOVE! Plus our friends from Social Sips and Bites will be there too! Whatever you want! Pop, Rock, Dance and Top - UTC has it COVERED! Hailing from Baltimore, these 5 young gents will turn up any audience with their top hits coupled with the most explosive stage performance in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Charismatic frontman, Brian Bourne, finds the pulse of the crowd early and engages them often for truly interactive, unique and personal experience. Come find out what the hype is all about.

Cost:
• $5 for NEW players!!!
• $10 for everyone else :)
Payment is due by 7:00pm.
Any payment after 7:00pm is $15.
FIRST PAY YOU’RE IN You Must RSVP and pay to play!!
 Pay:
• Venmo: @no-panic-volleyball
• Zelle: [serve@nopanicvolleyball.com](mailto:serve@nopanicvolleyball.com)
 NO TEAM REQUESTS. Sign up as a team!
We do not grant refunds, only credits. If you rsvp and placed on the waiting list, you intend on attending.
 Credits are active for 14 days from the missed event and request must be submitted the same day. Credits will expire and are not honored after 14 days.
Late Arrival- we have the right to drop you if you are more than 15 minutes late
No shows or cancellation within 3 hours of the event after placed to going is not credited.

 3 COURTS - MAX 63 people - ROUND ROBIN PLAY
6-6 volleyball
 Players will play all positions and utilize either an American 6-6 or International 6-6. Knowledge of positions not necessary.
 A rotational substitution process will be observed.
Winning teams stay on for a max of two sets in a row.
6-7 players per team

The Funeral Portrait at Tally Ho Theater! Get tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/the-funeral-portrait-tally-ho-theater-tickets/14177934?pl=tallyho&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQFlwRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeFyOltDlLYjjPJpZfszNST4m01x1U1z1h73l8dDHTCExAaGMjeFLUQu81YVE_aem_IDAzRkswIjEPHdKsEUTNCQ

\* Please RSVP Only With Confirmed Attendance \* I have reserved timed-entry passes to visit the incredible Glenstone Museum. Parking and entry are free. https://www.glenstone.org/ "We're a museum located just outside Washington, D.C. — a space where you can slow down, be in nature, and engage directly with art. Whether you're visiting for the first or fifth time, Glenstone is here to give you a space for ongoing reflection and contemplation." We will meet @1245 in the welcome center lobby.

Monthly meetup at Kay's

We will be hiking the loop trail, (counter clockwise) around the BeaverDam Reservoir starting at the brand new Reservoir Park VisitorsCenter. Beautiful views of the water and varied woodland areas. This is an 7.5 Mile loop hike around one of Northern Virginia's largest bodies of water. The loop is mainly flat with a tiny hill or two. I've rated the loop moderate because the distance is 7.5 miles. After the hike we'll head over to Lark Brewing. 24205 James Monroe Hwy, Aldie, VA 20105 for food and beverages. \*\* I will make every effort for your safety. You are hiking at your own risk. Dogs are welcome on the hike as long as they are good with groups, friendly and you follow all leash laws. I like kids but this is an adult event so please no kids or any one under 21.\*\* Reservoir Park Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/reservoir-park-trail?sh=lkkoxr&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

[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).

**It’s St. Paddy’s Day and you KNOW we’re not staying home... especially if Collective is on stage!!! Join us at Rai’s Rendezvous for a night of green drinks, great music, and dancing. Wear your green. Bring your lucky charm. And let’s turn Rai’s into the luckiest party in town.💚🍻🎶**

**Blockhouse: A Moderate 8-Mile Hike Near Potomac, MD** Set within the stunning Blockhouse Point Conservation Park—consistently ranked among the best natural areas in the Montgomery County Park system—this hike offers a rich blend of biodiversity and quiet history. As you hike, you’ll trek through mature upland and floodplain forests, passing tranquil streams and unique river-rock outcrops. The area is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and serves as a rare botanical haven, home to at least nine species of threatened or endangered plants. While the park’s rugged terrain once served as a strategic wartime transportation route for supplies, it remains a peaceful retreat today. The park’s name and historical significance are rooted in the American Civil War, specifically the year 1862. Following the Battle of Antietam, the Union Army constructed a series of blockhouses—sturdy timber fortifications—along the bluffs to defend the vital Potomac River crossings and the C&O Canal from Confederate raids. These outposts were manned by the 19th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, who kept a watchful eye on the supply lines into Washington, D.C. While the site was high-stakes and strategically vital, it is a rare historical gem because it never saw an actual skirmish; the soldiers spent their time on picket duty and reconnaissance rather than combat. Today, eagle-eyed hikers can still find the subtle earthen mounds and remnants of the foundations where these defensive structures once stood, serving as silent monuments to the soldiers who guarded the river. The hike begins in the deep woodlands before descending toward the C&O Canal Towpath. As you walk along the water’s edge, keep an eye out for sunbathing turtles and elegant Blue Herons while soaking in sweeping views of the Potomac River. The route also offers a glimpse into the region’s industrial past as you pass by the historic Violet’s and Pennyfield Locks. To cap off the journey, the trail climbs back into the shaded forest, culminating in a series of magnificent vistas. Be sure to pack a lunch or a snack to enjoy at the Blockhouse Overlook, where you can relax and take in one of the most grand perspectives of the river valley below. **Time to Meet**: Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30 **Directions to Trailhead**: The address is 14750 MD-190 · Potomac, MD, which is 6.5 miles north out of Potomac Village, Maryland on River Road **GPS Coordinates**: 39.066198, -77.304711 **Contact Information**: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed. **Details** Rating: Moderate Distance: 8 miles Elevation Gain: 600 feet Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour **Facilities**: Portable bathrooms about two miles into the hike **Fees**: No entrance fees **Cancellation**: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. **Weather**: The weather for this location can be found [here.](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/690036e3ff6946c13bced978e7393968725ea6a1ed2958c0052a973f390e4af3) **Notes**: -Please note, you must sign up at by 8:00 PM the day before the hike. -Please do not show up unregistered. -Please keep this a fragrance free event. -To find out more about PATC, [click here](https://www.patc.net/). -Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, [click here](https://www.patc.net/membership).

Social Sips & Bites family - it’s time to wear your green and bring your Irish spirit. We’re heading to Kalypso’s Tavern for a St. Patrick’s celebration packed with festive vibes, great company, and special deals on food and drinks. What to expect: • Irish favorites like corned beef & cabbage • Shepherd’s pie and other hearty classics • Guinness specials • A lively crowd and that classic SSB energy Whether you’re coming for the food, the drinks, or just the fun, this is one of those nights you don’t want to miss. Come hungry. Come social. Let’s turn Kalypso’s green together. 🍀