Hedge Fund

🎅🏾Santa Black Is Coming To Town🎅🏾 Join us for a cozy gathering with Santa Black, where you can sip on delicious hot cocoa and have a good time on December 21st, 2025 at 10:30am.

This will be a brisk-paced hike with an approximate pace of 2.5-3 mph. This 5.1 mile loop starts from Pitango Cafe (1841 Columbia Rd NW) in Adams Morgan. We will walk Normanstone Parkway in Woodley Park to the National Cathedral and return to ADMO via the Tregaron Conservancy in Cleveland Park. Walking surface will be dirt and asphalt trails and sidewalks. Bring plenty of water and some snacks. Dress in layers, and be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear. Well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome. Brunch in ADMO after the hike is an option. This is a joint hike between the ADMO Hiking Club and the Sierra Club. All hikers will be required to sign the Sierra Club waiver form to participate. Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) appreciates a voluntary $2 per person donation to support our many volunteer-led activities. Also, you can become a Sierra Club member by clicking "join" on the Virginia Sierra Club website: [http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia](http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia) Dupont Circle is the closest Metro stop (.6 miles). Bus routes C51, C53, D70, and D74 are all within a couple blocks of Pitango. There is metered and free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Please arrive early so you have enough time to find parking.

Note: RSVPs for this meetup open when our previous meetup ends. For December, we will be reading The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks. The novel was first published in 1997 and the paperback version runs 272 pages. The blurb from Amazon is: In The Sweet Hereafter, Russell Banks tells a story that begins with a school bus accident. Using four different narrators, Banks creates a small-town morality play that addresses one of life's most agonizing questions: when the worst thing happens, who do you blame?

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Open gaming at Panera! New players welcome. We have many games on hand or you can bring your own. We are happy to teach or learn one of yours.

This will be a brisk-paced hike with an approximate pace of 2.5-3 mph. This 5.1 mile loop starts from Pitango Cafe (1841 Columbia Rd NW) in Adams Morgan. We will walk Normanstone Parkway in Woodley Park to the National Cathedral and return to ADMO via the Tregaron Conservancy in Cleveland Park. Walking surface will be dirt and asphalt trails and sidewalks. Bring plenty of water and some snacks. Dress in layers, and be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear. Well-behaved, leashed dogs welcome. Brunch in ADMO after the hike is an option. This is a joint hike between the ADMO Hiking Club and the Sierra Club. All hikers will be required to sign the Sierra Club waiver form to participate. Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) appreciates a voluntary $2 per person donation to support our many volunteer-led activities. Also, you can become a Sierra Club member by clicking "join" on the Virginia Sierra Club website: [http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia](http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia) Dupont Circle is the closest Metro stop (.6 miles). Bus routes C51, C53, D70, and D74 are all within a couple blocks of Pitango. There is metered and free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. Please arrive early so you have enough time to find parking.

The U.S. Navy Band presents an entertaining and family-friendly show featuring members from all of the Navy Band's ensembles. We've heard that there will be a flyover and a visit by a familiar guest as well! Please join us as we usher in everyone's favorite season. TICKETS AVAILABLE on November 24, 2025 [United States Navy Band](https://www.navyband.navy.mil/events/2024-dec-22-combined-dar-constitution-hall) [The United States Navy Band Holiday Concert at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW Washington, D.C. 20006, 20 December 2025 | AllEvents](https://allevents.in/washington/the-united-states-navy-band-holiday-concert-at-dar-constitution-hall/200029217255909) You must reserve your own ticket; however, from past experience, you will still be allowed in without a ticket check at 3pm. People with tickets will be allowed in at least 15 minutes before starting time. Non-ticket holders will be let in afterwards. Sometimes, they don't even look at the ticket; they just let everyone in. There's parking on surrounding streets (free on Sundays) plus the Metro (Farragut West or McPherson Square). I recommend that you get there by 2:30pm to find parking and get a seat. Doors open at 2:30 pm; Concert begins at 3PM. We will meet on DAR steps at 2:30PM to go in together. Seats cannot be held or reserved. If you get there late, sit wherever you can and enjoy the concert.

Sarah Lu, Foster Program Coordinator at the [Humane Rescue Alliance](https://www.humanerescuealliance.org/), will join [Pro-Animals DC](https://proanimaldc.org/) and the [Veg Society of DC](http://www.vsdc.org/) to explore the overpopulation of companion animals, the impact of the economy on this issue, the challenges and controversies facing animal welfare organizations, and ways you can help a cat or dog find a better future. We will have a special guest join us - an adoptable dog from HRA – but unfortunately, we cannot have other dogs attend. Before and after the presentation, we will enjoy a potluck of vegan savory and sweet snacks. Please bring finger food and sweets to share. Note that there are no kitchen facilities available, so plan accordingly. We will have coffee and water available. Veg Society of DC is pairing up with Pro-Animals DC to offer occasional educational programs, so watch for more presentations. After registering here, please [register on their site](https://stampede.proanimal.org/event/1764634382939x246683721837576200) as well. **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 all of our events. **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.**

Celebrate the passing of the seasons and the return of the sun on our Annual Sugarloaf Winter Solstice/Poetry Hike, an Adventuring tradition since 1997. This year we're able to do this hike on the actual day of the Solstice--Sunday, December 21, 2025. After varying the routine a bit last year, we will return to our usual 7-mile circuit, with lunch at White Rocks and climbing to the summit near the end. Expect some climbing and a variety of terrain, including some rocks. During our White Rocks lunch, we’ll share favorite poems in honor of the passing of another year. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. So we can plan accordingly, please answer the Meetup questions about whether you’ll be meeting us at Grosvenor-Strathmore or Sugarloaf, and whether you can be a carpool driver. Those wishing to drive directly to Sugarloaf should contact Chris Craig for directions and time; you can email him directly at [ccraig@laurellodge.com](http://mailto:ccraig@laurellodge.com/). We'll all rendezvous by 10 a.m. in the West View parking lot—the one at the top of the drive. Bring a bag lunch (we will NOT be stopping at a Sheetz on the way), water, sturdy shoes, the $5 Adventuring fee, $5 to reimburse your carpool driver — and most important, a poem to share on the mountaintop (your own or someone else's). \>\> Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

Join us for an evening of laughter 😂, good vibes ✨, and holiday cheer 🎄🎅 at Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington, Virginia! Dust off your most hilariously hideous holiday sweater 🤣🧥 and come ready to meet up with old friends 👯‍♂️ and make new connections 🤝 in a festive, laid-back atmosphere 🌟. 🎉 What to Expect: • A cozy, upbeat setting at Astro Beer Hall 🍺🍔 with craft beers and delicious bites 😋 • Icebreaker games 🎲😄 and activities to help you connect with new faces 🌟🫶 • An “Ugliest Sweater Contest” 👚🤪🏆 Whether you’re here to mingle 🗣️, share laughs 🤣, or show off your sweater style 💃🕺, this party promises to bring the holiday spirit to life ✨🎄❄️! Don’t miss the chance to create memorable moments 📸💫 with great people ❤️. Bring your festive spirit 🎁✨ and a sense of humor 😄, and we’ll handle the rest. See you there! 🎅🎉🔥🥳

** Take note: This is not in Burke** Let's get together again and practice our Tarot card and pendulums. This is for beginners through advanced readers to practice their skills. Everyone will get to do a reading. There will be extra decks and pendulums if you do not have some. We will try different layouts and share our experiences. All fun! See you there! Shaman Phil

Join us as we kick the New Year with a fun Happy Hour and your choice of two fun, new films! Option 1 is the biographical-musical-docu-drama, SONG SUNG BLUE, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in the story about a real-life couple and Neil Diamond Tribute Duo. Option 2 is the comedy-action-adventure ACACONDA, which stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as part of a group of friends remaking a favorite movie from their youth. Here’s a complete description, trailer and our plan for this event: SONG SUNG BLUE: The film follows Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, who experience success and heartbreak in their musical journey together. Not a tribute to Neil Diamond, but a tribute to a Neil Diamond Tribute Band! The film is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name and is directed by Craig Brewer. It stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, along with Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Critics call the film, “a crowd-pleaser with a ton of heart!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCM0Ztp3o1o ANACONDA: In this action-thriller-comedy-adventure, a group of friends going through a mid-life crisis head to the jungle to remake a favorite movie from their youth but encounter “unexpected events.” The film is directed by Tom Gormican and stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn. The film is a reimagining of the 1997 original. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMsFsfrPNaw PLAN: We’ll kick off the event with a pre-show Happy Hour at nearby Bravo! We’ll confirm the details and exact meeting time once we get the showtimes, but planning for 5 to 5:30pm for the Happy Hour and a 7pm-ish showing of both films. For the movies, we’ll meet inside the lobby area about 20 minutes before showtimes! Once showtimes are announced, advance ticket purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your Movie of Choice and seat number in the Comments below. Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter.y

Join us for lunch at True Food Kitchen in Easton as we celebrate the New Year and our friendships!

**⚔️ Introduction to Wargaming & Painting Miniature Soldiers at The Arcane Foundry ⚔️** Join me in **The War Room at [The Arcane Foundry](https://share.google/S5i6DYJnJteHWeKtd)** for a laid-back evening of hobby talk and tabletop fun! For just **$15**, you’ll get a **3D-printed regiment of 20 high quality resin models** of your choice to paint — a **$40 value!** Bring your creativity, relax, and let’s make something awesome together. **Choose one from Below:** * 20 Orc Warriors * 20 Empire Soldiers * 20 Dwarf Warriors * 20 Elf Spearmen Step into a world where strategy meets artistry — and where every painted figure tells a story of battle, honor, and imagination. Join **Daclaud** at **The Arcane Foundry** for an evening that introduces newcomers and enthusiasts alike to the timeless craft of **tabletop wargaming** and **miniature painting**. My own journey began with a fascination for fantasy — knights in armor, grim and hardened warriors, and monstrous creatures locked in epic battle. That passion led me to **Dungeons & Dragons**, where I painted my first **Basic Heroes set** and felt the spark that comes from bringing a character to life in miniature form. Not long after, I discovered **Warhammer Fantasy** and **Warhammer 40,000**, and I was hooked. The vision of vast armies clashing across the table — each unit meticulously painted, each story unfolding through dice and imagination — became my creative obsession. During this event, we’ll explore the **origins of wargaming**, from its early military simulations to the richly detailed worlds of modern tabletop battle systems. You’ll learn how to **build and customize your own armies**, paint your first figures, and experience the joy of turning strategy and storytelling into a hands-on art form. Whether you’re drawn by the lore, the hobby, or the thrill of commanding miniature legions, this introduction will open the gates to a world that has captivated hobbyists for generations. **🎨 RSVP today and join us at The Arcane Foundry — where every brushstroke and battle tells a story.**

Join us as we get together for an Oscar Watch film that’s also one of the year’s best: MARTY SUPREME! Timothee Chalamet delivers a “career-best performance” in this film that follows a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness. Marty Supreme has already been named a Top 10 Film of the Year by IndieWire, Vulture, the BBC, Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute and is well on its way to being one of the most nominated films at this year’s Oscars! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: This ping pong drama is set in New York City during the 1950s where table tennis star Marty goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness. It is loosely based on the life of famed table tennis player Marty Reisman. The film is directed (and co-written) by Josh Safdie and stars Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara and Fran Drescher. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYSHiII4D-Y EARLY BUZZ & REVIEWS: The film premiered to “overwhelmingly positive” reviews at this year’s New York Film Festival! Timothee Chalamet immediately shot to the top of the Best Actor race with a “career best performance” in a film described as an “awe inspiring cinematic tour-de-force!” Others call it, “an absolute blast of adrenaline” and a “pure delight,” “that soars from start to finish!” The film is earning a Certified Fresh 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where Variety calls it, “one of the year’s few masterpieces!” Slash Film declares, “This is unquestionably the best performance of Timothée Chalamet's career, and Marty Supreme is one of the best movies of the year. I can't wait to watch it again!” PLAN: We’ll plan for a 4pm-ish showing and will meet inside the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but be sure to mention you're with the Movie Group for admission and concession discounts! Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. BRUNCH BEFORE THE SHOW: We'll plan for Brunch before the show at the Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall, located a short distance away. Movie is open as long as tickets are available. Seating is limited so separate RSVP required for the Brunch portion of this event. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [5 Bean Coffee](https://5beancoffee.com/)!