Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Nightmares and Creativity,”** on the relationship between frightening dreams and real creative achievements, with Bernard Welt, emeritus professor of arts and humanities at George Washington University, former member of the board of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, and contributing editor of *DreamTime*. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at[ https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-nightmares-and-creativity]( https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-nightmares-and-creativity).] Nightmares are associated with creativity—but how, exactly? Why do so many famous accounts of genius in the arts and sciences originate with a frightening dream? Explore such questions with the help of Bernard Welt, who has taught courses on recalling dreams and dream journaling and written extensively on the relationship between dreaming and the arts. Using excerpts from texts, illustrations of artworks, and clips from classic films derived from nightmares, Professor Welt will look at the relationship between bad dreams and celebrated innovations and creative accomplishments. You’ll learn why psychologists consider the nightmare to be a key to understanding the creative power of the unconscious mind. We’ll consider sleep scientists’ definitions of the nightmare, asking why it still remains controversial, and explore contemporary theories about the relationship between nightmares and creativity from psychoanalysis, Jungian archetypal theory, evolutionary psychology, and other sources. Though dreams have special authority in many cultures, in the western world it’s only among the nineteenth-century Romantics that we began to see personal accounts of creativity inspired by dreams—curiously, preponderantly bad ones. We’ll look at how *Frankenstein* arose from Mary Shelley’s famous dream of a scientist confronted by his own fearful creation, and how art’s Surrealist movement taught us to value our nightmares. You’ll learn how dreams of all kinds can result in sudden inspiration because they relax inhibitions, transcend habitual trains of thought, and permit ideas that would be rejected by the thought processes of waking life. You’ll even come to see why we may welcome our nightmares as opportunities to expand our vision and our understanding. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From Francisco Goya’s 1799 etching “The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters” (public domain).

Dive into a transformative experience at our Be Yourself Dance Fitness: Hip hop, Latin dance, African, Bollywood, a FUSION of World Dance! Come feel the vibes!! Awaken Your Spirit. [Come share your love for dance, movement, and spirituality where you will BU & LIVE ALIVE, step outside of your zone, align your chakras through rhythmic expression. Explore the connection between movement and consciousness as we guide you through sound healing sessions and exercises to enhance your spiritual awakening. ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNYX9RVF)Whether you are new to chakras or a seasoned practitioner, Be Yourself Dance Fitness offers something for everyone. Connect with like-minded individuals in a welcoming environment focused on love, happiness, and self-discovery. This event is perfect for those interested in exploring the intersection of dance, spirituality, and fitness. Let go of inhibitions, unleash your creativity, and elevate your mind, body, and soul. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a journey towards holistic well-being and self-realization. Bring bottle of Water and plenty of attitude. The Event is Free , However, We accept donations $Cash APP $BU314 Venmo: Wayne-Christopher-8

Follow the appeal of Roman Sterlingov, convicted of the victimless "crime" of providing everyday Bitcoiners privacy. The next stage of the case is oral arguments in DC Court of Appeals, come to support Roman and the future of Bitcoin ownership in US. Roman has been convicted by of allegedly operating BitcoinFog, a mixing service accused of anonymizing Bitcoin transactions, a small portion of which is thought to be attributable to illicit usage. The charges identify no victims or financial loss and instead attribute to him any potential crimes of anybody on the internet who was using this privacy tool. Learn more and help Roman's defense at [freeroman.org](https://freeroman.org)

Join us for Happy Hour and trivia at Caddies on Cordelle in Bethesda. Happy Hour prices last until 10 pm. Trivia starts at 7:30, but we will arrive early to get a table. https://caddiesoncordell.com/event/trivia-night/2025-06-24/

**[CRUSHING WHEELCHAIRS](https://givebutter.com/crushing-wheelchairs-afisilver)** is a powerful new social justice film that follows a group of poor people living in a homeless community as they struggle to find hope amid gentrification, domestic violence and the growing brutality of the State. Starring the talents of POOR Magazine—the prominent California arts & activism collective—this revolutionary film features a cast and crew of currently and formerly unhoused residents of the San Francisco Bay Area who brought their real-life stories to the screen. [TRAILER](https://vimeo.com/946860766?fl=pl&fe=sh) Runtime: 1h 56m Year: 2025 Director: Lisa “Tiny” Gray-Garcia and Adrian Diamond **5:30 Check in, Food** **6:00pm: All-nations prayer** **6:30pm: Crushing Wheelchairs Film** **8:30pm: Q&A, Poetry and closing words** **[Tickets](https://givebutter.com/crushing-wheelchairs-afisilver)** are sold with tiered pricing to make this film accessible. Please consider what is truly possible for you, and purchase the appropriate ticket.

If you love A Cappella Singing come check out the Harmonizers and Metro Voices...The lower voice and treble voice choruses- both part of the Alexandria A Cappella Collective. If you love 4-part harmony you'll want to visit us! We will be rehearsing on May 12th at AlexRenew, 6th Floor, 1800 Limerick St., Alexandria, VA 22314. We pride ourselves on providing opportunities for everyone to sing. We welcome everyone to visit our rehearsal and enjoy the singing while learning more about us!

Discover the power of your breath to manage your mind and experience instant peace & calm. Join a 60-minute free Workshop and get a glimpse of the Sudarshan KriyaTM- The breathing technique that is revolutionizing the lives of millions. What you’ll discover at ‘Beyond Breath’ ✔ A taste of the Sudarshan KriyaTM, a breathing technique taught in the Happiness Program ✔ An instant energy booster that awakens & relaxes your mind - Take it home and practice daily! ✔ The peace & calm of a unique guided meditation ✔ Secret keys to manage your mind ✔ The power of surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people. You can use your breath to master your thoughts and emotions - the key to managing the quality of your day. The Happiness Program At the end of this workshop you may enroll into the Happiness Program (3 days, 3 hours each day) to learn the Sudarshan KriyaTM, a science-backed, rhythmic breathing technique through which you can: Tap into a reservoir of energy and use it as you please! Relieve deep-rooted stresses and anxieties Uplevel your productivity Overcome emotional blocks, move on from past events and shed limiting beliefs Heal your body & gain power over your mind Experience the true state of meditation Learn more about the Happiness Program & the Sudarshan KriyaTM in our introductory workshop 'Secrets to Meditation'. Instagram: artoflivingDMV aolf.live/secretstomeditation

Join us for the first History Club Happy Hour as we kick things off together. This inaugural meetup is a chance to meet fellow history lovers, enjoy good conversation, and help shape what this club becomes. We’ll swap ideas for future events like happy hours, museum visits, walking tours, trivia nights, discussions, and anything else members would like to create. Whether your interests are ancient Rome, military history, political intrigue, world wars, revolutions, presidents, or obscure historical rabbit holes, you’re welcome here. Date: 13 May Time: 5:30 PM until we get bored Venue: The Whiskey Room at Union Street Public House 121 S Union St, Alexandria, VA Come raise a glass, meet new people, and help launch something new for history fans in the DC area.

Francis Hutcheson (1694-1746) was a pivotal early figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, a movement which strongly embraced empiricism and concentrated on the study of human nature and the relationship of individuals and society. Born in Ireland to a line of Scottish Presbyterian ministers, Hutcheson was educated by dissenting Irish Presbyterians in Ulster before matriculating at the University of Glasgow, where he studied philosophy and theology. In 1719 he was licensed to preach in Ireland, but rather than adopting the more traditional views of his forefathers, he gravitated toward the tolerant and liberal “New Light” Presbyterianism. Instead of further pursuing the ministry for which he had trained, he put his efforts into founding a dissenting academy in Dublin—a successful venture that occupied him for the next ten years. While teaching in Dublin, he moved in intellectual circles, and it was there that he wrote the four early treatises—collected into two books, the *Inquiry* of 1725 and the *Essay* of 1728—that quickly established his reputation as a philosopher. On being appointed chair of moral philosophy at his alma mater, he left Ireland for Glasgow in 1729. Contemporaries described Hutcheson as a popular and animated professor—the first at Glasgow to deliver lectures in English rather than exclusively in Latin. His most famous student was Adam Smith (enrolled 1737-40). Hutcheson's influence on Scottish thinkers was considerable. With his emphasis on the primacy of feeling over reason in our moral perceptions, he inspired David Hume’s moral sentimentalism. His analysis of natural rights and property in the *Inquiry* (Treat. II Sect. VII) as well as in his later works directly influenced Smith. The Scottish school of common sense realism derived partly from Hutcheson's explication of moral sense theory. His influence also made its way to colonial America, where his works were included in college curricula beginning in the mid-1700s. John Adams and other signers of the Declaration of Independence are known to have read Hutcheson. In the *Inquiry*, he takes up Locke’s epistemology of sense perception and broadens it into a theory of the “internal senses”—faculties of perception as powerful as the commonly designated five external senses. Elaborating Lord Shaftesbury’s notion of a “moral sense” and the earl's analogy between beauty and virtue, Hutcheson divided his *Inquiry* into a discussion of the sense of beauty and of the paramount moral sense—both being internal senses which operate without depending on mediation by the will or reason. Like Shaftesbury and the philosopher Richard Cumberland, Hutcheson held a strong distaste for the Hobbesian worldview. In the vein of the former two, he promoted a vision of humans as naturally benevolent and innately interested in the welfare of others, maintaining that others’ good brings us no less pleasure than our own good. Notably, he also sowed the seeds of utilitarian thought with his phrase “the greatest happiness for the greatest numbers” (Treat. II Sect. III). **Main Reading** The reading below is available at the Online Library of Liberty: * The [Inquiry](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004), comprising the first two of Hutcheson's four early treatises (we are reading the 1726, or 2nd edition, of the book): read the [Preface](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_head_019) and Treat. I: Sections [I](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_051), [II](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_071), [III](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_088) (Art. [IV](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_101) is optional), ([V](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_109) is optional), [VI](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_137), [VII](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_158), [VIII](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_165); and Treat. II: [Intro](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_head_032) and Sect. [I](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_181), [II](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_205), [III](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_228) (Art. XI, XII until “Intention, foresight” optional), [IV](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_258), [V](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_275), [VI](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_296), and especially [VII](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/leidhold-an-inquiry-into-the-original-of-our-ideas-of-beauty-and-virtue-1726-2004#lf1458_label_324). * Hutcheson's lecture upon his appointment at Glasgow, “[On the Natural Sociability of Mankind](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/hutcheson-logic-metaphysics-and-the-natural-sociability-of-mankind#lfHutcheson_head_238)." The first 3 paragraphs, until footnote 10, are optional. * The beginning of the fourth treatise [Illustrations](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/garrett-an-essay-on-the-nature-and-conduct-of-the-passions-and-affections-1742-2002#lf0150_label_230), Sect. [I](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/garrett-an-essay-on-the-nature-and-conduct-of-the-passions-and-affections-1742-2002#lf0150_head_019), and Sect. [IV](https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/garrett-an-essay-on-the-nature-and-conduct-of-the-passions-and-affections-1742-2002#lf0150_label_296). Note that the ebook page on OLL can take a few moments to load. **Secondary resources** [IEP - Hutcheson](https://iep.utm.edu/hutcheso/) [SEP - Hutcheson](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hutcheson/) Liberty Fund: Editor’s [Intro to Inquiry](https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/hutcheson-on-liberty-and-happiness). [SEP - Scottish 18th C. Philosophy](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/scottish-18th/) [Wiki - Scottish Enlightenment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Enlightenment) [Hutcheson and private property](https://www.adamsmithworks.org/documents/matson-hutcheson-property-virtue-march-2022) Routledge: [1](https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/hutcheson-francis-1694-1746/v-1/sections/life-and-works-43333), [2](https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/hutcheson-francis-1694-1746/v-1/sections/the-foundations-of-morality-and-the-moral-sense), [3](https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/hutcheson-francis-1694-1746/v-1/sections/practical-ethics-and-influence)

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“When Washington Burned,”** a detailed look at the devastating 1814 British attack on the Capitol, with Denver Brunsman, associate professor of history at George Washington University, lecturer at Mount Vernon, and scholar of the American revolution and early American republic. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-when-washington-burned](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-when-washington-burned) .] You’ve probably toured several of Washington’s landmarks, but have you considered those that went up in smoke more than 200 years ago? Learn about one of our nation’s greatest scares from historian Denver Brunsman, a favorite of Profs and Pints audiences and expert on the War of 1812, which led to the infamous 1814 attack. He’ll tell the riveting tale of how British troops torched the Capitol and White House and burned down nearly all of Washington’s public buildings. He’ll frame his talk of such mayhem by discussing the origins and significance of the conflict that caused it, the War of 1812. In addition to helping to cement America’s independence, the War of 1812 helped give rise to a sense of nationalism among the people of Canada. It rallied boosters of the city of Washington—among them, First Lady Dolley Madison—to advocate for keeping it as the nation’s capital. With the war’s end, America was free to embark on two centuries of growth. You’ll leave with a much greater appreciation of how our nation has withstood tests in the past and how much of Washington D.C. has been built upon the ruins of previous losses. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Illustration from the 1816 book *The History of England, from the Earliest Periods, Volume 1* by Paul M. Rapin de Thoyras.

**Positive Thinking for a Life of Purpose with Anju Gupta** Join us for an uplifting and insightful session as we guide participants through a process of self-realization by using their greatest asset, their thoughts. Discover how positive thinking can shape your mindset, strengthen your inner resilience, and help you live with greater clarity, intention, and purpose. This session will offer practical tools and reflections to help you cultivate empowering thoughts that support a more meaningful and fulfilling life. ***Anju Gupta*** *is an educator and motivational speaker who is passionate about inspiring individuals to recognize their inner strengths and unlock their highest potential.* **(In person at the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, MD)** Sat., May 16th, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/vfw0S](https://shorturl.at/vfw0S)

Libertarian National Convention Memorial Day Weekend - Once again LPNOVA will have several delegates joining the Virginia Delegation to represent our region at National. Please see link below for information and contact us if you wish to join us in Grand Rapids! [2026 Libertarian National Convention - Home](https://www.lnc2026.com/)

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. This is an 8.8 mile with 75 ft elevation out and back hike on the Potomac Heritage Trail in Loudoun County. On this hike we'll experience scenic Goose Creek as it flows into the expanse of the Potomac. There is also a lot of history as we hike along the ruins of the Goose Creek Canal ( see the background information below) and Selden Island which is privately owned and is known for it's prehistoric archaeological sites dating back to 1000BC. We will begin at Riverpoint Drive trailhead (Porta Potty is available) and follow Goose Creek and then the Potomac to our turnaround at Bles Park where there are restrooms. **Background History**: In 1849, construction began on a system of locks and dams to render the Goose Creek navigable up to three large mills in the Loudoun Valley. By 1845, the [Goose Creek and Little River Navigation Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goose_Creek_and_Little_River_Navigation_Company&action=edit&redlink=1) canal system had been completed on Goose Creek to Ball's (Evergreen) Mill, 12 miles (19 km) upstream from the mouth. Though the lower portion of the canal saw significant usage, only one boat was ever known to have traveled the whole stretch, and by 1857 the canal was put out of business by the completion of the [Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_and_Old_Dominion_Railroad) to Leesburg. Most of the locks and dams were destroyed by the [Union Army](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Army) during the [Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War). We hike at a pace of \~ 2.5 mph while moving. You must have experience with hikes of this length and elevation gain. Meet at the Riverpoint Drive Trailhead at 8:45am for sign-in. Restroom (Porta Potty) is available at the Trailhead Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) Leaders: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174 Park Entry Fee: $0.00 Map for hike: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=11.3/-77.4740/39.0851

***“I am struck with how rare it is to find a few good friends on the path. It is easy to find people who simply want to sit and be entertained by teachers, or who want to sit and entertain by playing the role of teacher. In other words, the quest for affirmation often outweighs the quest for truth.*** ***Yet you may have one or two good friends, and definitely have one or two waiting to be discovered. Find them; be thankful.”*** ***— Shawn Nevins*** 'What will make me happy in life?' ... 'Am I my thoughts?' ... 'What is Enlightenment?' ... We meet every week to ask questions like these in the pursuit of Self-Knowledge and Truth. We are interested in topics like: Zen, stoicism, spirituality, psychology, mindfulness, Nisargadatta, non-violent communication, Socrates, existential philosophy, Alan Watts, taoism, Eckhart Tolle, meditation, Ramana Maharshi, etc. But we are not affiliated with any dogma, philosophy, or religion. Our goal each meeting is to serve as mirrors for one another using question-based inquiry in a safe environment. In a session, every participant takes turns discussing the week's question or topic, and the group asks reflective questions without any agenda besides trying to understand the person's beliefs. A few other guiding principles of our group: * No one is obligated to share * Be honest with yourself and others * Do not try to convince others to believe or think as you do * Keep the focus on the person being questioned We meet at the [Bethesda Library](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GWMozF8zpY1m1PY26) every Monday. The library is a 5 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, approx 25 minute Metro ride from Metro Center and Gallery Place stations. The library has a a parking lot with metered parking for $1/hour. \*\*\* WE WILL BE IN MEETING ROOM 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ----- THE MEETING ROOM IS IN THE BACK OF THE LIBRARY \*\*\* Please contact us with any questions!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Physics of Baseball,”** with Scott Paulson, professor of physics and interdisciplinary liberal studies at James Madison University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-physics-of-baseball](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-physics-of-baseball) .] Profs and Pints is offering baseball fans an even bigger treat than Cracker Jack, an exploration of the physics underlying their beloved sport. Professor Scott Paulson, who regularly teaches introductory physics classes that make the physics behind real-world phenomena accessible to all, will discuss the forces and phenomena that come into play in baseball during pitching, batting, and fielding. He’ll toss you basic physics concepts that help explain how baseball’s routine plays got to be that way, and he’ll explain what’s going on in some situations where the laws of physics seem to be violated by what’s happening on the field. Ever wondered why curveballs curve or knuckleballs behave so strangely? You’ll learn how Newton’s laws and the Magnus force explain how pitchers get drastically different results from subtle differences in their releases. Curious about what exactly the “sweet spot” of the bat is? Ever wondered how big an advantage batters get from the thin air of Mile High Stadium? We’ll explore the physics of the batted ball, examining the phenomena of waves and analyzing the interaction of ball, bat and batter with the help of high-speed video. During one of the more exciting scenarios in a baseball game—the close play at the plate—fans often see outfielders throw to an infielder rather than directly to home. We’ll look at the pros and cons of this relay play, known as a “cut-off,” in the context of the physics of projectile motion. Finally, we will also look into high-profile cheating scandals involving corked bats and doctored balls. Dr. Paulson will present models to explain how these alterations to the equipment can benefit the batter and pitcher respectively, and he’ll discuss how much these models are backed up by data. These few hours in a brewpub will forever enhance your enjoyment of time at the ballpark. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Photo by Tage Olsin / Wikimedia Commons

Join us at Don Taco in Old Town Alexandria for our Taco Thursday Happy Hour! Connect with fellow Libertarians in Northern Virginia and the wider DC area for good conversation, drinks, and tacos! We will have a large table in the **upstairs bar area** of Don Taco reserved for us. The Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia is your local affiliate of the national Libertarian Party. Since 1971, the Libertarian Party has been fighting for personal freedom, economic freedom, and peaceful foreign policy. We run candidates for office, advocate for liberty in our community through our presence at local fairs and festivals, and connect fellow DC area libertarians through events like these.

Shut Up & Write meets at Cascades Library in Room D. We hope to see you there! *Shut Up & Write is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Public Library.*