Customer Service

## **Mid-Week Service: Renew Your Spirit** Join us every **Wednesday evening at 6:15 PM** for our Mid-Week Service, a dedicated time to pause, pray, and recharge in the middle of a busy week. Held in an intimate and welcoming setting, this service is designed to help you reconnect with God and find peace through His Word. ### **What to Expect** * **Deep Biblical Teaching:** We move beyond the surface, engaging in verse-by-verse studies of Scripture—such as our current journey through the **Book of Acts**—to gain practical wisdom for daily life. * **Community Prayer:** We believe in the power of collective intercession. Each week, we lift up the needs of our families, our city, and the world. * **Heartfelt Worship:** A time of singing and reflection to center our hearts on the presence of the Holy Spirit. * **Authentic Fellowship:** Connect with a supportive community of believers who are walking the same path of faith. Whether you are looking for a deeper understanding of theology or simply a quiet place to sit at the feet of Jesus, our mid-week gathering offers the spiritual nourishment you need to finish your week with strength and purpose. *** > *"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."* — **1 Peter 3:15**

Partnering with M&T Bank to help out at Baltimore Station feeding veterans.

This is an opportunity for volunteers to support a professional mechanic as he guides customers working on their own bikes. If you know how to do some basic repairs, that's a plus, but even if you don't, you can greet customers and manage who gets helped next. Feel free to attend for only a portion of the time if you can't be there the whole three hours. Please note that this event is not usually an opportunity to learn about bicycle repair, since the mechanic tends to be very busy helping customers, especially during the warmer months. But it's a great way to contribute to Velocity, since almost all the funding for the volunteer program comes from the work done at the shops.

[Book Your Classes by Clicking This Link! ](https://crowndancestudio.com/group-classes/) Mid-week is for the experts with **Level 3 Bachata (7:45 PM)** and **Level 3 Salsa (8:30 PM),** followed by a **Social Dance Party at 9:15 PM.** These advanced classes challenge experienced dancers with intricate footwork and styling, emphasizing the joy of high-level performance. **The evening costs $25 for the classes and social**, providing an inclusive space where advanced students can sharpen their craft and immediately practice their moves with peers. 7:45 Bachata (Level 3) 8:45 Salsa (Level 3) $18 for 1 Class $22 for 1 Class + Social $25 for 2 Classes + Social $10 for Social Only

Join us for our May happy hour! For those that don't drink, the bar has mocktails and sodas. **Getting there:** * Punchbowl is on the end of the building, **across from South Block** We plan to be on the first floor bar, right when you walk in. * **Metro:** PB is a block and a half away from the Ballston Metro stop * **Parking:** there is street parking and the mall also offers really cheap parking. $1 an hour for the first three hours.

🗒️ **Details** Grafana 13 just dropped at GrafanaCON 2026 and we're not wasting any time. Join us at Clare & Don's Beach Shack in Falls Church, VA for a free meetup where we dig into what's actually new, what it means for your stack, and where observability is heading. If you work in DevOps, SRE, or platform engineering in the DMV, this is your people. Whether you've been running Grafana for years or you're just getting started, you'll leave with something useful. 📋 **Agenda** 🎉 **5:30 – 6:00 — Kick-Off & Check-In** Grab a plate of food, meet the people around you, and get settled in. We're at Clare & Don's so the vibes are already taken care of! 🎙️ **6:00 – 6:30 — Rob Santos: Grafana 13 & AI in Observability** Grafana Assistant is now baked into the platform and it changes a lot. Rob breaks down what's new in Grafana 13, how AI is reshaping the way teams monitor and troubleshoot, and what it actually looks like in practice. No sales pitch, just real talk. [Rob Santos, Senior Solutions Engineer @ Grafana Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-j-santos/) 🎙️ **6:30 – 7:00 — Christopher Field: Building ML-Powered Apps with Grafana** Christopher shares how Theia Scientific built a custom application platform that combines Grafana, machine learning, and Jupyter notebooks to power materials research and non-destructive testing workflows. A cool real-world example of Grafana being used way outside the typical use case. *[Christopher Field, Co-Founder, President & Principal Investigator @ Theia Scientific](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrfield/)* 💬 **7:00 – 7:45 — Networking & Open Q&A** Bring your questions, your war stories, and your opinions. This is where the good conversations happen. 🔚 **7:45 – 8:00 — Wrap Up** *** **Spots are free but limited — grab yours before they're gone.** We look forward to seeing you there! *** 📌 **P.S.** Stick around until the end — we're raffling off two things: 🎁 A Grafana swag bundle 🔧 A $100 gift card to Craftsman Autoshop in Vienna, VA with a goodie basket

This is a regularly held in-person integration circle and a supportive container that centered on psychedelic experiences. We co-create a space of inclusivity, compassion, and care for all. We gather to help each other integrate our journeys, find "the others", and or seek wisdom about altered states of consciousness. Arrive ready to share honestly, openly, and from the heart. Bring your insights from journeys to unpack or your questions about plant medicines and psychedelic experiences to ask the more experienced journeyers. At 7 pm we will do a short grounding exercise and a brief check-in/ice breaker. At 7:15 pm we will begin the integration circle with honest and open processing of psychedelic experiences. Your facilitators are trained in psychedelic integration and or other coaching/facilitation modalities but we are not mental health professionals, we are community members called to service in mutuality. The event is by donation as we do need to pay for the space and supplies used. The suggested donation is $10-$20/person (cash, Paypal or Venmo). Surplus above and beyond covering costs will go towards future community event facilitation and or materials.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Arlington shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Arlington shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Arlington shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Del Ray shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Del Ray shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Del Ray shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Del Ray shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

**ProductTank NoVA is back!** After a brief hiatus, we are relaunching the chapter with a format that cuts out the fluff and gets straight to the reality of building. Every product feed is flooded with AI hype right now, but what does it actually look like on the ground? Instead of a polished keynote, we are hosting **0 to 1 with AI: Real Product Talks**—a "Show & Tell" featuring 3–4 lightning talks focused on the intersection of AI and product. The framing for the talks is simple: *"Here is what I'm building, and here is what I'm stuck on."* We want to look at the messy, 0-to-1 reality of integrating AI into your workflows and products. *(Want to share what you are working on? Reach out! The bar is low-pressure, just 10–12 minutes to talk about a real AI problem you are trying to solve.)* **Agenda:** * **5:30 PM - 6:00 PM:** Doors open, networking, & name tags * **6:00 PM - 6:10 PM:** Welcome + Chapter Relaunch Intro * **6:10 PM - 7:30 PM:** Lightning Talks (Three 12-min talks + 5 mins Q&A each, with a 5-min stretch break) * **7:30 PM - 8:00 PM:** Open networking * **8:00 PM:** Soft close **Location & Logistics:** Herndon Fortnightly Library (Extended Hours Meeting Room) 768 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170 * **Parking:** We'll meet at the library, located just behind the Herndon Municipal Center. There is plenty of free public parking available around the municipal center. * **Metro & Bus:** Take the Silver Line to Herndon Metro Station, then connect via Fairfax Connector Route 921 or 950 to Historic Downtown Herndon. * **Driving (via VA-267/Dulles Toll Rd):** Take Exit 10 North (Centreville Rd, which becomes Elden St). Turn left onto Station St or Lynn St. * **Driving (via VA-286/Fairfax Co Pkwy):** Take the Elden St West exit. Turn right onto Lynn St. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and getting back to building!

Title: Talk/listen about life-changing loss and grief, and care-giving challenges We have created “LET'S TALK - Leesburg” and you are invited to attend. Folks meet to give and receive support dealing with caregiving or life-changing events. This activity is for any one that is experiencing powerful life changes such as loss of independence, caregiving challenges, any loss that has been a life-changing blow to them or has significantly changed their life, including the loss of a precious person. Participants who attend the “LET'S TALK” group say that the group is a place to: Feel safe, to talk or to listen, gain understanding of experiences, and foster confidence! Realize that: “I Can do …” , “Get my equilibrium back.” “LET”S TALK” invites participants to come together...so that they might share the feelings, thoughts, questions, challenges and concerns. This activity is facilitated by a professional counselor.

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee is authentic, spacious, has a helpful staff, and I like their espresso. If you try this place on your own, they’re open early and late. This spot has been recommended a couple times and I think it’ll make a great stop on our journey. Come out Saturday morning for a relaxed convo. (Please keep your RSVP updated if you know you won't be able to attend, so others who can join have the opportunity to. 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!)

**Hopeful Cafe Conversations @Panera Kentlands** * **You are cordially invited to join in the conversation to catch the positive vibe... a cup of coffee, or another of your favorite refreshment.** **At NEW HOPE CAFE CONVERSATIONS 8:30am-9:30am (3rd Saturdays, Monthly)** **Address: Panera, 285 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878** **Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83326239362** ===== **New Hope Workshop**: What is Negativity Bias? How do we get ahead of it to reach more positive outcomes in work, life, and relationships? Discover the difference between goals and outcomes. 1\. How do we reaffirm ones role\, despite negativity bias from others? 2\. The New Hope Community Affirmative Statements of Foundational Principles \- What are some helpful affirmations? 3\. Your Perspectives in Conversation **"Star Points Meal Deal"** If you have New Hope "Star Points 💫" you can get a discount on a meal. Also you can earn Star Points, if this is your first time attending Cafe Conversations, in-person. Ask Gene, newhope321community@yahoo.com, 240-848-0808.

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Telescopes will be provided by the Smithsonian and pre-approved members of the NOVAC. No other personal telescopes are permitted at the event. The event will take place on the bus parking lot of the museum. **Please park your vehicle at the south end of the main visitors lot and follow signs and red lights to the observing site. As a reminder, parking during the event is free.** Have a cosmic question? One of NOVAC's astronomers or museum staff will be happy to help you. As the sky gets dark, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Don't forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated. Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

Cafein in Chantilly is another good area cafe. I like their matcha and espresso. If I remember correctly, they have the usual assortment of pastries and breakfast sandwiches. All local cafes seem to have friendly staff, and this is no exception. you'll have no trouble finding parking either. Please come and add your own energy to the group. (Please keep your RSVP updated if you know you won't be able to attend, so others who can join have the opportunity to. 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!)