Horse Enthusiasts

Visit us at http://easy-speak.org/portal.php?marknow=0 Or, send us an email with any questions you may have! fairfaxtoastmasters@gmail.com

Meet in the parking lot of the Handy Bikes Service Center. At the start of each ride, we'll go over introductions to have a sense of participants' cycling experience. Over the course of our rides, we'll address the following: group riding dynamics; safety (ABC check & trail hazards); gear shifting; hill climbing; audible and hand communication within the group, with other trail users, and automobile drivers; what to bring on each ride; etc... Bring your questions, water & a snack. When it starts getting dark earlier, we'll need lights as well. Helmets a MUST. If you can, and especially if you've had issues with your bike, come a bit early to have it looked at ahead of the ride. PS - all levels are welcome to join, however, be mindful that if you are an experienced rider, please be prepared to ride at the pace of the newest rider in the group. Each week, depending on who's in attendance, and participants' riding ability/comfort level, we may do skills practice as a group in the parking lot or at the west end of Wheeler Ave. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll go for a ride on local trails and neighborhood streets and finish back at the shop. Happy Pedaling !! \~Maya

Have you ever wondered what goes into a tea blend that not only tastes delicious, but also nourishes the body, mind, and soul? Did you know that herbs have long been connected to the rhythms of the seasons, astrological signs, and chakras? Join Sonja in this interactive workshop where you will craft your own tea blend infused with both the quiet wisdom of the winter season and a personal intention for the new year. The workshop will begin with Freya’s Sacred Wintering Blend—a thoughtfully chosen mixture of herbs designed to gently nourish the body and calm the mind during winter’s stillness. Participants will mix the herbs themselves as Sonja explains the energetic and supportive qualities of each plant and why it was selected for this blend. You will be able to add an (optional) herb from a selection of 3 additional herbs, allowing each participant to further personalize their tea and intention. Sonja’s approach to herbalism is deeply rooted in lived experience. Raised in a household where natural remedies were honored, she carried these traditions into her own family as she raised her children. As her connection to plant medicine continued to deepen, Sonja pursued formal training in herbalism with renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Today, sharing this knowledge has become a heartfelt passion—guiding others to reconnect with nature as a source of nourishment, balance, and gentle healing. Workshop Experience 1. Seasonal Herbal Wisdom & Energetics A guided exploration of three carefully chosen herbs whose energetic, spiritual, and wellness qualities align with February’s themes of rest, reflection, and intentional recalibration. We will observe how plants, like humans, are conserving nutrients and storing energy beneath the surface—preparing quietly for the growth and expression of spring. 2. Intuitive Tea Blending Ritual A guided exploration of three carefully chosen herbs whose energetic, spiritual, and wellness qualities align with February’s traditional themes of rest, reflection, and intentional recalibration. In addition, we will add in the energy of the Fire Horse, since the Chinese New Year welcomed in this rare, profound energy this week too! We will observe how plants, like humans, are conserving nutrients and storing energy beneath the surface—preparing quietly for the growth and expression of spring. 3. Freya’s Teas Intention Ceremony Through a guided tea ceremony, we will consciously infuse our blends with intention—honoring the plant allies, the season, and the inner work of rooting dreams before they emerge. This ritual invites presence, gratitude, and embodied connection with the medicine we have created. 4. Meditation & Integration The gathering will close with a grounding meditation to anchor intentions into the physical and energetic body. This final integration offers space to reflect, receive, and gently call in the path unfolding ahead as we move toward the returning light of spring. This workshop includes herbal instruction by Sonja and printed instructions to take home, supplies to make your own tea blend, tea ceremony, and guided meditation. Each participant will take home their own tea blend pouch with 15 servings (a $12.50 value). Please note that this event has limit of 8 spaces in order to ensure a more intimate experience and requires prior prepayment registration to allow Sonja to gather the ingredients and supplies. Early Bird Discount!! If you register by Monday February 16th, it's only $44 per person, after that it goes up to $50. See links below to register! Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/SonjaKline Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3567792959784992657&created=1770002983 Zelle: 2675359775 (Sonja Kline) SPECIAL OFFER!!! If you want to continue to ground your healing and intentions further, consider staying for a relaxing Sound Bath immediately folllowing this workshop! Save even more with the lowest price of $70 for both events! See link below: [https://www.meetup.com/raising-your-vibrations/events/313219974/](https://www.meetup.com/raising-your-vibrations/events/313219974/?eventOrigin=group_events_list)

Let’s get together for a short walk through park and neighborhood. Paved and unpaved trail

### **BIG Dreams ✨** **Soundscape Journey & Heart-Opening Cacao Ceremony** *An invitation to honor the call of your heart* 🐎 🗓 **Thursday, February 19th** ⏰ **7:00–8:45 PM** 📍 **Mind Body Paloma**, Oakton, VA (Full address shared after registration) Join us for a nourishing evening designed to support clarity, intention, and heart-centered connection during the Year of the Horse—a symbol of momentum, inner power, and aligned forward movement. We’ll begin with a **soundscape journey**, using calming sounds and vibrations to help the body relax, the mind settle, and awareness turn inward. This creates a receptive space where intentions can be felt and grounded, allowing your dreams to be gently anchored in the body. Following the soundscape, we’ll gather for a **heart-opening cacao ceremony** led by **Kristine Kelly**, a longevity chef and holistic nutrition coach with experience studying cacao and earth-based healing practices in wellness communities around the world. Participants will enjoy ceremonial-grade cacao prepared with intention, followed by guided reflection, journaling, and gentle conversation. This portion focuses on clarifying what you are choosing to nourish in your life and what you’re ready to release, so your dreams can unfold with greater alignment and ease. **This experience is ideal if you’re seeking:** • Heart-centered connection • A supportive space for reflection • Meaningful community • Intentions set without pressure • A calming, restorative evening 💫 **Cost:** $80 ✨ **Space is limited. Advance registration required.** 👉 **Register here:** https://events.humanitix.com/big-dreams-a-cacao-and-soundscape-event Learn more: 🌐 [www.mindbodypaloma.com](http://www.mindbodypaloma.com) 📸 Instagram: @mindbodypaloma

Refined Craft Cocktails. Elegant classical atmosphere. Fine Cuisine. Join the Craft Cocktails Club at Proper Bar (not to be confused with Proper 21). Happy Hour runs until 7pm. Find us at the bar properbar.com/drink-menu

Lego has a campaign slogan "adults welcome"... yeah duh... lol. This group is for adult Lego enthusiasts to bring their brick collections, any sets they're working on, and come build together and socialize with fellow Lego enthusiasts at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center Starbucks in McLean, VA. I look forward to meeting you all!

Part 2 of our celebration of the Year of the Horse finds us at Q by Peter Chang in Bethesda. Here's the link if you wish to peruse their menu: [https://www.qbypeterchang.com/menu](https://www.qbypeterchang.com/menu) We really want to try and fill out our tables with attendees, so we ask that you be diligent with managing your RSVPs. The RSVP mechanism will close 24 hours before the start of the event, so make your decisions by then so that we can give the restaurant an accurate head count! Disclaimer that we have to say even though we don't want to.........Just a heads up that we may have to give out "No Show" labels to those who don't follow our attendance protocol, but we know you don't want that Scarlet Letter, so don't let it be you! Also, please do not show up if you are not in the field of attendees! You will only anger the horse! As always, a bonus activity could follow if the mood is right! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

# **Join Us for Motorsport Fun!** The official home of #DCF1 #DCMotoGP #DCIndyCar #DCDRIFT #DCIMSA #NASCAR ​ We’re a grassroots collective of motorsport enthusiasts, built from the ground up. Every event, every connection, every unforgettable moment happens because of YOU. Our events are open to the public and free to attend unless noted as ticketed or exclusive to members. Official members enjoy special perks and VIP access. **[Check out all of our events here!](https://www.dcmotorsportcommunity.com/events)** Please don't forget to RSVP! It helps us and our partners out significantly. Thank you for being part of the movement! **[RSVP Here!](https://www.dcmotorsportcommunity.com/events)** **Official DCMC Membership** More than just a membership. It’s joining a movement. **🏁The DCMC Grid** — $100 for 12 months. This isn’t just a membership. It’s joining a movement. ✔ Official 2026 Pit Pass + Member Kit ✔ Member-only events & raffles ✔ Free “Drink of the Race” (select locations) ✔ Early & VIP access ✔ Partner perks & discounts And new for 2026… **🚨The DCMC Rookies (Ages 6–12)** Building the next generation of motorsport culture through sim racing, education & experiences Powered by Sim Racing Dads. Grassroots. Inclusive. Built from the ground up. If you’ve been coming to events… it’s time to get on the grid. Join the movement today. **[Check Out The Membership Here!](https://www.dcmotorsportcommunity.com/pricing-plans/list)**

For our February Meetup the Shelties will re-investigate Frolick Dogs in Alexandria, which is a climate controlled INDOOR doggie gym with agility equipment to try out! We had a BLAST here in the past and this is the perfect place for a winter meetup! Note: Your dog must have current DHPP/Distemper, Bordatella, Rabies, and Parvo, with papers to prove it. More info at their site below. Our private Sheltie-only event runs from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. This comes with a cost of $15 per dog and can accommodate up to 20 Shelties. (You pay as you enter.) Please RSVP with the number of SHELTIES ONLY in your party! (Not humans. Dog count is especially important for Frolick as there are only 20 spots.) We look forward to seeing everyone! What to bring: Extra Water & Bowls, Waste Bags, Training Treats, Current Shot Records (for Frolick) Further Info: -Frolick Dogs: http://www.frolickdogs.com/services/ Weather Note: because this is indoor, bad weather will NOT cause cancellation unless the roads become unsafe.

Come out, make new friends, have some drinks and watch A Night to Forget band perform all your favorite pop punk hits live! Most importantly, have fun :)

[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35107324](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35107324) 17 miles. The lunch stop is at Lake Needwood, approximately 10 miles into the tour. We will be e-biking from Veirs Mill to Lake Needwood via Lake Bernard Frank and Meadowside Nature Center. The trail is around 17 miles. Toilets are available in the middle. It includes an optional half-mile excursion on foot to the Pioneer Homestead at Meadowside Nature Center. Please bring some snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. You can leave the bike at the nature center or stay with your e-bike. We will have bike guards if someone volunteers. This is an excellent opportunity to address e-bike separation anxiety, if you have any. https://ebikelovers.com/2021/01/30/md-trail-2-e-biking-from-veirs-mill-to-lake-needwood-via-meadowside-nature-center/ We will have a sign and "healthy" cookies/snacks. Bring your own lunch pack. The meeting place is in the parking lot in Veirs Mill Park near the playground. The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be 17 miles or less whenever you are fully satisfied with biking for the day. Pioneer Homestead Located about a half-mile from the Meadowside Nature Center, this site includes two log cabins, a smokehouse, a corn crib, gardens, and an orchard. Explore elements of farm life in Montgomery County long ago. FYI: Membership in the Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club is now free, as [www.ebikelovers.com](http://www.ebikelovers.com/) is generating sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership: [https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN](https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN) The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. For the E-bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-bike lovers, spread the word, and let's have fun. As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome. DISCLAIMER LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS. See the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer

**Summary** For this event, we will do the [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at [The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/), a ten-thousand acre conservation center in Muskingum County. It is the largest such center in North America and one of the largest in the entire world. During this tour, we'll visit The Wilds' rhino herd in their state-of-the-art heated barns and learn how The Wilds' animal management team takes care of one of the largest herds of rhinos outside of Africa and Asia. **The date and time of this tour** We will be doing the 1:00 p.m. [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) on Saturday, February 28. The tour is scheduled to last 90 minutes. **What you need to do to attend** Signing up here on Meetup will not get you into The Wilds for the tour. You must go out to The Wilds' [website](https://www.thewilds.org/) and [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour). Please [purchase your ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour), then sign up here on Meetup so I know how many to expect. **Attendance cap** There are only eight total slots/tickets available for this tour. As I obviously have already bought one of the tickets, that leaves seven spaces for everyone else. If you are interested in this event, I urge you to [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at The Wilds' website as soon as possible. Since their website is obviously public, nothing prevents other people having nothing to do with *GOhio!* from buying their own tickets, thereby potentially taking an available slot away from you. **Additional notes on attendance** I have now run several events at The Wilds. While the location of The Wilds and the pricing of the tickets generally leads to small turnouts, the people who have gone have all enjoyed it and were glad they went. If you've never been to The Wilds and you like zoos or animals at all, you are likely to find any tour at The Wilds to be a rewarding experience. **Tickets and pricing** [Tickets](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) for this tour are $95, or $76 if you're a Wilds' member. I've posted screen shots, below, to help you be sure you're buying tickets for the correct event. Wilds' memberships pay for themselves if you go to The Wilds at least twice a year, and [Columbus Zoo members](https://www.columbuszoo.org/membership) get a discount on memberships to The Wilds. I will always run at least two events a year at The Wilds. Tickets for all Wilds' tours must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of the actual tour. **Cancellations and refunds** Per The Wilds' [Cancellation Policy](https://www.thewilds.org/policies): *In order to be eligible for refund and accrue no rescheduling fees, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance of reservation. Cancellations made within 14 days of reservation will not receive a refund.* You may [contact The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/contact) at (740) 638-5030 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or you can email them at information@thewilds.org. **Waiver of liability** After you purchase your ticket, you will likely be asked to fill out a waiver of liability. This is a very short document and should take you no more than two minutes to complete. **Where we'll meet** We will meet at The Wilds, whose actual address is [14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732](https://www.google.com/maps/place/14000+International+Rd,+Cumberland,+OH+43732/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837dae07a595557:0xa1ceca93325a8bd1?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Please try to be there by 12:30 p.m. For most Wilds' tours, a shuttle bus will take you to the actual spot of the tour. So think of this as though you're going to the airport to catch a flight. It helps to be on time. The Wilds generally asks that people arrive at least thirty minutes because the scheduled start time of their tour. **GPS / Getting to The Wilds** The Wilds is in a very rural area, but I've never had a problem getting there with my GPS (I have Verizon). I've also uploaded a JPG map, below, of Muskingum County. Sometimes, though, it's hard to get a signal when you're at The Wilds and getting ready to leave. So you might want to consider downloading an offline map in Google Maps. Your cell phone should pick up a signal, however, within a few minutes after you leave. The Wilds' Visitor Center does have free Wi-Fi. **Carpooling?** If you want to carpool, I recommend discussing this in the comments, below, to this event. While I don't myself carpool, I will do what I can to help you arrange something if I can. **The weather** Dress for the weather. Just because the barn is heated doesn't mean it will be warm. And wear closed-toed shoes. Wilds' tours typically run no matter what the weather is. **After the tour** Once we're done with the rhinos, we'll head over to the very highly rated [Y-Bridge Brewing Company](https://ybridgebrewing.com/). The brewery is about thirty minutes from The Wilds, and it will be on the way back to Columbus for most, if not all, of us. The brewery's actual address is [1417 Linden Ave Ste D, Zanesville, OH 43701](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1417+Linden+Ave+d,+Zanesville,+OH+43701/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837edd6cc50824f:0xe3a0af1ccb2aefbf?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Y-Bridge Brewing does not serve food; however, they have several [food options](https://ybridgebrewing.com/food-options). I encourage you to check these out ahead of time on their website for yourself. However, here are a few of them: *Within walking distance -- 120 feet away* * [Angry Bull Saloon](https://www.facebook.com/AngryBullSaloonZanesville/) (pizza & subs) * The Corner Pub Sports Bar and Grill (classic bar food) *Delivery options -- [Door Dash](https://www.doordash.com/)* * [4 Star Pizza](https://fourstarpizza.com/), (740) 452-9300 * [Donatos](https://www.donatos.com/), (740) 452-7900 * [Pizza Cottage](https://www.pizza-cottage.com/), (740) 455-6000 * [Dominos](https://www.dominos.com/), (740) 455-3126 * [Papa John's](https://www.papajohns.com/), (740) 450-4100 If you live in the area or can't make The Wilds but still want to meet us at the brewery, that's fine too.

Come check us out! You will have a wonderful time! The music and friendships are life-changing!

Join fellow Queer birders on February 22nd for birding at Pickerington Ponds Metropark. No expertise required!

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. (NOTICE - Location change!) This session will be at the Karl Road Branch of the Columbus Library in the Conference Room 2.