Humor

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Doom and Dinosaurs,”** a look at how mass extinctions shaped the dinosaurs and what research on these events tells us about Earth life’s long-term prospects, with Ian Wilenzik, paleontologist and visiting assistant professor of biology at George Washington University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-dino-doom](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-dino-doom) .] Pity the poor dinosaurs. They lacked both scientific research to help deal with potential environmental catastrophes and places where they could have a beer and discuss it. You, on the other hand, have the opportunity to come to Profs and Pints to hear a fascinating talk on the impact of mass extinctions on dinosaur evolution and what research on dinosaurs tells us about biodiversity and Earth’s current biodiversity crisis. Dr. Ian Wilenzik, who has studied and taught courses on dinosaur evolution, population spread, and extinction, will leave you with a greater appreciation of the resilience of life on earth and how we’re both the product and source of biologically catastrophic events. Many of us are familiar with how a big meteor impact about 66 million years ago wiped out the Earth’s dinosaur population, leaving us only with their feathered descendants, birds. Less well known is how the Earth actually has undergone five periods of mass extinction that wiped out nearly all life, and how dinosaurs arose from one and endured another—both caused by volcanic activity—before meeting their match in the third. To ground his discussion, Dr. Wilenzik will talk about how we study mass extinctions by looking for geologic evidence of volcanic activity, meteoric blasts, and other catastrophic activity and of gaps in the fossil record after them. He’ll also discuss what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, describing their distinct anatomical features. He’ll talk about how they and other forms of life evolved over long periods of time and were affected by extinction events. We’ll look at how the meteor-caused mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous paved the way for the rise of mammals and the emergence of primates, and, eventually, us. Looking ahead to future mass extinctions and what might survive them, we’ll talk about how that plant you forget to water might have the last laugh, as well as why crocodiles might be around a while. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A *Triceratops* mounted skeleton at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History (Photo by Allie Caulfield / Wikimedia Commons).

Tyson Morning Meet-UP is a monthly morning networking gathering designed for small business owners and professionals. Each meetup provides an opportunity to discuss our businesses, share growth strategies, and build strong professional relationships in a relaxed environment. Coffee and Donuts are provided. **8609 Westwood Center Dr Suite 100, Vienna, VA 22182** Feel Free to park in the garage behind the building in an unmarked spot or at the front of the building. There will be signage leading to the room. Bring Business Cards!

**Advance ticket sales have ended but plenty of additional tickets remain available the door.** [Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“What Digital Detectives Find,”** on the afterlife of your digital data and the methods of those who investigate it, with Jim Jones, associate professor at George Mason University and cyber security and digital forensics expert. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-digital-detectives](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-digital-detectives) .] What happens when you delete digital data such as a picture, video, or email message? The truth is that “deleted” doesn't mean “gone,” and digital forensic investigators can extract and make sense of the residual fragments left over from data often assumed to be gone forever. Learn about the field of digital forensics—and the lessons it offers those who worry about sensitive data being exposed—with Jim Jones, who has been a cyber security and digital forensics practitioner, researcher, and educator for more than 30 years. You’ll learn how all investigations today, criminal and otherwise, to some degree involve digital forensics, an interdisciplinary field that draws from computer engineering, computer science, information technology, law, and ethics. Digital forensics doesn’t just respond to specific incidents, but also seeks out threats within organizations, analyzes malware, and buttresses cyber security. Much of the work of Dr. Jones, his colleagues, and students involves examining digital systems of all types to understand how data persists and decays and how it can be found and recovered. Dr. Jones will discuss how what happens to the digital data that you deleted depends on the type of device you are using, along with a host of other factors. You'll learn how digital data is stored on different devices and what does and doesn’t happen when you delete that data. You'll see examples of data extracted from different devices, demonstrations of what can be inferred from these remnants, and how investigators can tell if such remnants are genuine or not. Finally, you'll learn about strategies to mitigate the risk of exposing sensitive data. Dr. Jones will sort those that work from those that don’t. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A digital forensics examiner works with evidence in the FBI’s New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (FBI photo).

What’s better than summiting a mountain with your favorite hiking group? Doing it with two hiking groups! Late Morning Hikers and Washington Outdoor Adventures are combining forces on a hike up Shenandoah’s scenic Hogback Mountain. This hike features sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley and moderately strenuous elevation. We’ll approach the summit from two directions and meet at the top for a shared lunch break and to enjoy the view. From there, folks can make it an out-and-back to return to their cars, or continue straight and carpool back with a new group. **Here’s how it will work:** Both groups will meet at the Vienna metro station, which has free parking, and divide up to carpool to two starting points (Neighbor Mountain Access Trail or Appalachian National Scenic Trail Parking – see locations below). We’ll have roughly equal numbers of hikers go to each starting point, and we won’t be strictly divided between LMH/WOA. After we meet for lunch, hikers can head back the way they came or continue along the trail. Hike leaders will return to their cars to shuttle folks as needed. After, we will meet up at Veditz in Sperryville for food and beverages. **🕒 Estimated hike time: \~6–7 hours at a moderate group pace** **📍Day of the Event:** * Meet at the Vienna Metro Parking Area * 🕙 Arrival: 8:00 AM 🚗 Departure: 8:15 AM * We’ll organize carpools on-site or in advance via Meetup comments. * 🚙 Estimated drive time: 1 hr 30 mins. **✅What to Bring:** * 💧2–3 liters of water * ⚡Electrolytes (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) * 🍫Snacks * 📸Camera * 🥾Comfortable hiking shoes * 🧥Weather-appropriate layers **🚗 Carpool & Parking Info:** * 💰Suggested carpool fee: $15.00/person * 💵Park Entrance fee: $30/vehicle (Free with Shenandoah or America The Beautiful Park Passes) * 👥Group size limit: 15 members. * **Note: Please sign up only once if you are a member of both Meetup groups!** 📍Directions: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/1DPjNvzFNx9cU4nk6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1DPjNvzFNx9cU4nk6) 🌧️ The event will be canceled in case of poor weather **🗺️Trail & Weather:** 🗺️Map: [[https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/lmh-woa-combined-day-hike-d6bc793?u=i&sh=lfbxds](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/lmh-woa-combined-day-hike-d6bc793?u=i&sh=lfbxds) ](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/lmh-woa-combined-day-hike-d6bc793?u=i&sh=lfbxds) 🌤️Forecast: [[https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/va/sperryville](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/va/sperryville) ](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/va/sperryville) **🍻Post-Hike Social:** After the hike, we’ll head to [Veditz and Company Brewery](https://veditzandcompany.com/). They will have a food truck there, but you’re welcome to bring your own food too. **📝 RSVP Details:** * **✅RSVPs open April 2 at 12 PM** * **⏰Closes: Friday, May 1 at 7 PM** CARPOOLING: We encourage those with cars to carpool with others - you're the ones who make LMH great! If you're a driver that is willing to drive, please post a comment on the event page with the following information: (1) Number of seats (2) Meeting location (3) Meeting time As a rider, please comment on the driver's post to take a seat or post in the comments that you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to help their driver out with the cost of gas ($15 suggested). BACKGROUND INFO ABOUT LMH: Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers inititiating trips under the common adventurer model ([http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.htm](http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.html)). We do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking. This is not a group for first time hikers and is NOT a group for those seeking hiking instruction. We are also not professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be careful to choose hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times. Act responsibly and safely: if you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service ([https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost](https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)) LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link ([https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQ0dedcqlyjc_Aib3TEbTX4gQRQt4C7FeCmsAPyTxd4/edit?tab=t.0](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQ0dedcqlyjc_Aib3TEbTX4gQRQt4C7FeCmsAPyTxd4/edit?tab=t.0))

Come join us atthe Pickle & International Food Festival in Sterling, VA. There will be pickle inspired foods, international cuisine, craft beer, and live music. THIS IS NOT A TICKET: Tickets can be found on the link below and general admission is $5 + credit card fee Buy ticket here: https://www.crookedrunfermentation.com/pickle-international-food-festival-2026

Join us for MORE Women's MTB Ride at the Cabin John Trails in Potomac, MD. Beginner-level riders are welcome and encouraged to join in the fun! A mountain bike in good condition and helmet are required. **Sign up at Golden Volunteer here:** [https://x.gldn.io/e/jgkrtQUn21b](https://x.gldn.io/e/jgkrtQUn21b) ***Please do not sign up on Meetup! If you do, you won't be alerted if the ride is cancelled!*** **Meet** at 6:00 PM with wheels down at 6:10 PM. We will not ride if the trails are wet or muddy. Check your email from Golden Volunteer in case the ride is cancelled due to weather/trail conditions. **Description** \- The event is open for women age 18\+\. You must sign a waiver on the Golden Volunteer link\, wear a helmet\, and be able to comfortably ride your mountain bike\. We expect to ride about 4\-5 miles on single track natural surface trails\. Bring your mountain bike\, helmet\, and drinking water\. This ride is **not suitable for hybrid bikes**! As space is limited, please update your RSVP if you cannot attend. **And support your trails and join MORE! www.more-mtb.org** **Where** – Meet at the parking lot for the Cabin John Group Picnic Area at 7701 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac, MD. Follow Google Maps at: https://goo.gl/maps/aumXoQnD2qAp3iNp9