Landscape Photography

Join us for a journey to Sri Lanka to see the unique habitats and species that call this island nation home. Over 40% of Sri Lanka’s native vertebrate species are found nowhere else and bird species diversity tops 240. This presentation will showcase some of the great variety of habitats, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that we saw while enjoying delicious food and interesting cultural features. George Jett and Gwen Brewer have led Maryland field trips and presented talks on their travels together for bird clubs for over 20 years. Gwen manages the science program for rare species at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and previously was a professor at Frostburg State University. George is retired from the Environmental Protection Agency and is an avid nature photographer- check out his photos at [georgejett.net](http://georgejett.net/). When not looking for birds, mammals, and herps in far-off places, they enjoy birding and kayaking from their property near Jug Bay in southern Anne Arundel County. Door opens at 7:00 for informal talk. Program starts at 7:30. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

RSVP Required. We'd like to add you to our management team. We are a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and smart-working team. Please let us know if you're qualified... Please read and understand the Member's Promise (https://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/about/). We are a volunteer organization so members are only entitled to what each board member and committee member donates of their time, dedication, and enthusiastic attention. We need committee chairs / volunteers in the areas of: • Monthly Room Setup • Hospitality • Registration and Attendance review Attendance Reconciliation procedure • Membership review backup procedures review where primary copy of database resides review doc, "NVPPA Membership QA - Policy and Procedure" review lapsed membership procedures and policy review meeting cancellation credit and procedure review Google Drive folder organization review Welcome Letter procedures, template, and when this is used review PayPal payment notification procedure review taking payments at a monthly meeting/workshop • Marketing/Communications, including Email Marketing • PPA Affiliation Committee • Competition Some other specialized roles in Social Media Marketing, SEO, branding, newsletter programs, membership outreach & administration, public relations ads & campaigns, website development, data administration, and database design are needed. We welcome your suggestions, and as a result, you must offer your time to work on them plus other prioritized projects that will benefit the organization, and thus, your business. 3 QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO ATTEND A BOARD MEETING: • Is this your first S-C meeting? If so, please contact Philip Brasch via his profile (or email) prior to attending the meeting. We invite responsible, leader-members! • Are you a Gold Member invested in NVPPA? These Board / S-C meetings are specifically for invested members (dues-invested) only. If you're not, please join NVPPA by clicking the Donate button in the sidebar. • Have you attended at least 2 monthly meetings? In order to have knowledgeable and informed leaders of NVPPA, we request that you attend at least 2 monthly meetings or NVPPA events prior to your participation on the S-C. You can also review our Mission Statement, Membership Objectives, and Member's Promise. (https://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/about/) Please take our poll for BENEFITS (https://www.meetup.com/Northern-Virginia-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/polls/251822/) as a member of NVPPA. I look forward to your commitment to the growth and prosperity of NVPPA and its members... Best! Philip Brasch, President & Founder (If you don't have my email or phone number, first please contact me with your email and a message via my Meetup Profile.)

Think you aren't flexible enough for yoga? Afraid to get onto the floor? Living with physical aches or restricted range of motion? Then this is the perfect yoga class for you! Explore your body's strengths in a fun, supportive environment while maintaining and growing your range of motion, flexibility, balance, strength, and sense of peace. All are welcome in this therapeutic class. Come ready to try new things, laugh, ask questions, and support each other. **Please reserve your spot at www.piesfitnessyoga.com**. The session is offered both InStudio and OnLine. The Zoom link for the OnLine session will be emailed 15 minutes before class starts to those who are registered at www.piesfitnessyoga.com. **Sign up for sessions must be made at least 2 hours prior to class.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314 Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 36,37,38,39.** The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St. Discount is available to seniors, teachers, students, emergency responders, and military. All can save by purchasing class packs.

**Welcome Marius Back from Rehab!!!** **THIS HAS THE NEW START LOCATION AT THE SOUTH END OF BLUEMONT PARK** **++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Summary** **(Must Read)** **++++++++++++++++++++** * RIDE NAME: The Koffee Klatch Ride: Gustave's * START LOC: **[Bluemont Park Playground](https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B052'07.6%22N+77%C2%B007'55.7%22W/@38.868786,-77.132133,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d38.868786!4d-77.132133!5m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** * **BEST ACCESS FROM RTE 50** * Start GPS: [38°52'07.6"N 77°07'55.7"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/South+Bluemont+Parking+Area/@38.868907,-77.1342983,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b7b50016fd88fd:0x8afb6bdf9318a324!8m2!3d38.8689029!4d-77.1317234!16s%2Fg%2F11xgvpr5kw!5m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) ARRIVAL: 12:00pm * SPEECH: 12:10pm * ROLLING: 12:15pm * LEVEL: Medium * DISTANCE: 15.1 mi * PACE: 11-13 mph (Social Pace) * TERRAIN: Trail / Street / Cycle path * RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE: **CBG_KOFFEEK_GUSTAV_2026** [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55001233](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55001233) **Notes:** **This ride incorporates the Mt Vernon St Bridge detours from the trail** * This ride is organized "lean" * Pump your tires on the morning of the ride, please. * It is strongly suggested that you become a NoVA CBG RidewithGPS club member and download the route posted for each "Klatch". * Loading the route onto your Garmin (or other Nav device) is also acceptable. * **NoVA CBG has a turn by turn RideWithGPS club account that's free. [https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/](https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/)** **++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Detail** **++++++++++++++++++++** Welcome to The Koffee Klatch! These rides are normally based off the Arlington Loop, where we visit different area coffee shops or bakeries for a cup and/or treat if desired but you don't have to drink or even like coffee to participate. This week we will again do a loop to Del Ray Alexandria to celebrate the Marius's successful reab! The ride is a 15.1 mile flatish medium level ridden at a social pace (11-13 mph). We will get on the W&OD from the Bluemont **SOUTH** Parking Area down the W&OD/4MRT to the Potomac Yard Trail. We will cross over at Monroe St to Gustav's in Del Ray at mile 8.1. On the way back we ride up the Mt Jefferson Park Trail at Stewart St to Commonwealth and up to Four Mile Run and the the W&OD. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Meeting Spot:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** **South** Bluemont Parking 329 N Manchester St Arlington, VA 22203 GPS: [38°52'07.6"N 77°07'55.7"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B052'07.6%22N+77%C2%B007'55.7%22W/@38.868786,-77.132133,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d38.868786!4d-77.132133!5m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) We will meet in the parking lot. * This location has Restrooms * Next to the Playground and Disc Golf Course **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Koffee Within The Ride:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** **[Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie](https://gustaveboulangerie.com/)** 2213 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 **+++++++++++++++++++++** **Ride Level Chart** **+++++++++++++++++++++** NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best. * Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle). * Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved. * Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved. * Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved. Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Fine Print:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood [MEETUP.com](http://meetup.com/)'s: * "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at [https://www.meetup.com/terms/](https://www.meetup.com/terms/) * NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ [https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/](https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/) * NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ [http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY](http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY) Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.

Start and end in Nairobi! With this Kenya Cultural Safari, you have a 6 days tour package taking you through Nairobi and 2 other destinations in Kenya that includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. Notes Tour Start Nairobi Tour End Nairobi Destination Kenya Flights • Arrival: Day01 before 2pm Airport: Jomo Kenyatta Intl. airport (Kenya) • Return: Day06 after 4pm Airport: Jomo Kenyatta Intl. airport (Kenya) Meeting Point • The group meets at the arrival airport or at the hotel on Day01. • More details will be provided via group chat on WhatsApp Itinerary Day01 Nairobi Transfer Day02 Nairobi – Amboseli National Park Day03 Amboseli National Park Day04 Amboseli National Park – Tsavo Ecosystem Day05 Tsavo Ecosystem Day06 Tsavo Ecosystem – Nairobi ———————————————— Cost: $3590 pp $4590 pp Inclusions Price Includes * In a good hotel and lodges with superb view of the scenery coupled with good service * Well experienced and knowledgable driver guide * Very well rated by past travellers * All meals and Accommodation as per Itinerary, All transfers, Park Fees, Game Viewing as per Itinerary, services of a professional tour driver guide, Transportation in Safari mini van with a pop up roof & Complementary drinking Water * Our safari vehicle are in good condition and customed with a pop up roof for better view of scenery and wildlife during game drives Price Excludes * Flights * Meals * Personal Expenses * Optional activities * Travel insurance / Visa * Tips ———————————————— For detailed itinerary and to reserve your seat, follow the link: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/kenya-6-days-cultural-and-safari-adventure/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/kenya-6-days-cultural-and-safari-adventure/) Questions? Text / Call: Himanshu - Organizer 2023787696

**For Information Only, as I may or may not attend.** The Seventh Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style Exotic Cars, Motorcycles, Fashion, and Fun! Lower Blocks of King Street and Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia [https://festivalofspeedandstyle.com/home](https://festivalofspeedandstyle.com/home) Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

Lifestyle Photography and the Art of Natural Light -- Achieve Studio-Perfect Portraits Outdoors! HANDS-ON! Plus Male and Female MODELS! TESTIMONIALS: "I knew lighting was something that I need to improve in my photography skills but had no idea how much I didn't know about it until I took Philip Brasch's workshop "Lifestyle Photography / Show me the Light!" I look forward to attending his other workshops in the future." "Outstanding session. Learned an incredible amount of information and how to see light in a whole new way. Philip provides outstanding hands-on lessons that are invaluable to enhancing one's photographic skills. Highly recommend!" —Kym J. “Philip's course was one of the most beneficial I have ever taken. In a few hours, I improved from taking average pictures to taking professional-level photographs..." VOTED #1! If you have taken Philip's Super 1 Days or this workshop more than once, you know it's different each time as models, locations, seasons, & environmental conditions change. For the student that hasn't taken it or has, this workshop will continue to help you to "see the light" & nail those all-important outdoor people images with beauty, consistency, style, & confidence! \*\*\* RSVP NOW! \*\*\* All of the images in this post were created without a reflector, diffusers, or flash... https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/b/f/a/600_452891258.jpeg "The 'Lifestyle Workshop' presented by Philip was inspiring, it moved along in a smooth rhythm that seemed to hold the interest of the audience; it certainly held mine. Philip was so knowledgeable of his subject matter that he presented it with such ease. The hand out "TipsLifestyle" was most informative, and his explanation of each item on the list was given in a way that it was easily understood. There were some things on this list that I knew but did not know how to put it to use in a practical and hands-on way. After this workshop the dots were connected, now all I have to do is go out and practice!" —R. Virgil, Photographer https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/4/6/7/600_452862087.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/0/a/a/600_460992458.jpeg Anyone can buy a camera but it's lighting techniques that truly set the professionals apart. In this course, you'll learn how to up your game by improving your lighting skills. Learn how to maximize your use of available/existing light and your environment for ENGAGEMENT sessions, WEDDINGS, seniors, children, and more. Learn to understand, control, and plan the use of existing light while not sacrificing traditional lighting patterns, lighting ratios, and multiple light directions. Become comfortable with- and identify if fill light is necessary; determine when and where to use flash. We will teach you to use the light, your environment, and how to naturally pose your clients for images with natural emotional impact. https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/c/6/4/600_464740036.jpeg Above: The newest addition from the Outdoor Night and Low Light Portrait Workshop (this is a one-light Q-flash)! https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/e/f/3/600_18336595.jpeg Whether you are a photographer for passion or profit, this course will teach you innovative and portable techniques for capturing stunning natural light and breathtaking composition in any situation. Be ready to change the way you think about natural and existing light photography — using street lights, pathway lamps, & iPhone controlled LED lights as our main, fill, kicker, and hair lights to create portraits after dark! These night portraits techniques are ideal for the wedding couple in front of their venue! This course begins with classroom instruction & Q&A and then take it outside to experiment and "find the light!" You will use multiple lighting options, pose a model or two & get instructor feedback in the field! https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/0/c/3/600_460992483.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/0/a/b/600_460992459.jpeg \*\*\* RSVP NOW! \*\*\* TO REGISTER: 1. Please RSVP in the upper right sidebar to express your interest. 2. PLEASE COMPLETE this short and secure (https) Registration and Contact Information FORM (REQUIRED for your contact info.): https://goo.gl/forms/HFsiT6bL9Ntx4nfx2 QUESTIONS: workshops@gallery252.com The workshop will be *POSTPONED* if a minimum of 2 students are not signed up and remit investment by Thursday at 11 pm, prior to the Sunday workshop! INVESTMENT: Early registration is $169 and is due by Sunday midnight, 7 days prior to the workshop date. Late registration is $189. Complete the FORM above & we will email you a very convenient and easy-to-use PayPal invoice. Please don't wait; we want to get the models-per-student ratio right! $15 DISCOUNT: Get a $15 discount if you're a Gold Member of NVPPA! LOCATION: We have chosen convenient & gorgeous environmental scenes for the shooting portions. Register on this page for *Starting* Location in Woodbridge, VA 22192. ITEMS TO BRING: snacks, water, your longest and fastest lenses INSTRUCTORS: • Philip Brasch, NVPPA President & Founder, Speaker, IPC Medalist, Wedding & Portrait Photographer 20yrs+ https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/b/d/c/600_464675804.jpeg Above: Night portrait. It's dark! Ambient doorway light, pathway lamps, and sconces create ambient and fill while a camera-right LED panel creates the main. The hair and rim light is an LED flashlight placed far to camera-right in the rear. https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/0/a/e/600_460992462.jpeg Above: Night portrait. 3 pathway lamps triangulate the light to form main, fill, and hair while an additional LED panel kicks up more light on the hair on camera-left. BIO: Philip Brasch is an international award-winning professional photographer (PPA http://www.ppa.com) that is inspired by people (portraits), landscapes, and the technology we use to enhance it. He is the president and founder of www.NVPPA.org and a pro photographer specializing in weddings, lifestyle portraiture, and commercial photography. He also lectures and holds seminars and workshops on the same. Philip has now led over 50 lectures and workshops over a period of 10 years to peer-professionals, aspiring professionals, and most recently, the enthusiast. He will share a career of photography secrets with you... pulling highlights from his many highly-rated workshops as on this one from 4/28/2011 http://www.meetup.com/Prince-William-Professional-Photographers-VA-DC/events/15233723 with over 21, 5-star (out-of-5 :-) reviews! In addition, Mr. Brasch has earned the distinction of PPA Medalist, one of the most prestigious awards presented through the industry's most prominent photographic competition, the International Photographic Competition (IPC) of PPA. This is an incredible accomplishment. "...I love helping others exceed their photographic potential and that’s why I promote these professionally-led workshops at an incredible value. Once you remit your investment, you are guaranteed a spot in these limited-enrollment hands-on training sessions. These special sessions are fun, inspiring, creative, & technical – all my enthusiastic students learn and improve each and every time we head outdoors! I guarantee it (or just ask them yourself)!" —Philip Brasch

**📸 Studio 151 Glamour Series: Featuring Pinky Ann!– Only $150** Date & Time: May 16, 10am-12noon (optional 1 on 1 opportunities after 12:30) Location: Sterling, VA (exact location provided upon registration) Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate (All are welcome!) **🛠️ What You'll Learn** Join us for an immersive, hands-on photography workshop designed to elevate your skills! This session is perfect for hobbyists, aspiring photographers, and anyone who wants to build confidence behind the lens. We’ll cover: * Learn the fundamentals of [e.g., portrait lighting or composition]. * Practice techniques to [e.g., control exposure and use natural light]. * Get tips for [e.g., setting up creative shots & working with models]. You’ll walk away with actionable knowledge and beautiful images to show for it! ### **🧑‍🏫 What Makes This Workshop Special** * Hands-On Practice: Bring your camera – most of the time will be spent shooting! * Small Group Setting: Personalized feedback in an intimate group size (limited seats). * Professional Guidance: Led by an experienced photographer who knows the craft inside and out. ### **🎒 What to Bring** * Your camera (DSLR or mirrorless preferred, but all gear welcome) * Fully charged batteries and memory cards * Notebook (optional, but recommended) ### **💲 Pricing** Only $150 per person – reserve your seat today! Spots are limited, so book early to avoid missing out. ### **📢 Refund/Cancellation Policy** Refunds will be issued only if the class is canceled by the host. ### **📅 How to Reserve Your Spot** 1. Click the "Attend" button to register. 2. Complete your payment on Meetup to confirm your seat. 3. Get ready to learn, practice, and have fun! We can’t wait to see you there! If you have any questions, please email us at info@studio151photo.com. Additionally, this amazingly versatile model has agreed to offer 1 on 1 sessions, afterwards for a discounted fee of $50 per half hour for fashion and $65 per half hour for tasteful nude. Take advantage of these rates and use our studio lights to create dramatic and stunning images (we will be there to assist with lighting setups)!!!! There will be a limited amount of 1 on 1's offered, so book early!!! 1 on 1's (email us and we will update this list with your requested time!) 12:30 - 1:00 - Abhi G. 1:00 - 1:30 - 1:30 - 2:00 - 2:00 - 2:30 - 2:30 - 3:00 - Andy W. 3:00 - 3:30 - Andy W. 3:30 - 4:00 - Samantha

April showers bring May flowers! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, May 17 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

[https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45928389](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45928389) 20.3 miles. Lunch/snack stop TBD. Join us for a short and pleasant e-bike ride in and around the center of Washington, DC. The total tour distance is some 20 miles but you can cut it short if needed. 94% of the ride is on paved bike paths and flat terrain. Various monuments can be seen during this route (the Capitol, the municipal Fish Market, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Nationals ballpark, the Titanic Memorial, and the Frederick Douglas bridge). Lunch: Brown bag TBD. The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be some 22 miles or shorter any time you are fully satisfied with biking for the day. **Please remember to charge your bike, check your tires and brakes, and consider packing an extra tube.** **We recommend downloading the Ride with GPS route map to enhance your independence.** [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34720279](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34720279) **Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers** The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as [www.ebikelovers.com](http://www.ebikelovers.com/) generates 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) **More information about using GPS files:** [https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/](https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/) **More information about e-bike ranges:** [https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/](https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/) As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome. **Your registration for this ride signifies your agreement with the terms of the disclaimer below.** **DISCLAIMER** **LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, RICHARD CAMER, 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 for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer**

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/

Join us this Thursday (5/14) at 6:30 pm at Rocky Fork Metro Park in Westerville as we walk about 2.5 miles of a fully paved trail. The Beech Woodland trail is a flat yet scenic trail with a variety of landscapes. Let’s take it in together!

TOPIC (TBD): Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: NIK Collection 8 Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (iPhone images and Christmas Cards). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

5:45-7:45 in Conference Room B, Library lower level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there!

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.