Local Wildlife

👉 Enroll at **[www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html](https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html)** Join our **Spanish Conversation Club** and take your Spanish beyond the textbook! **Designed for elementary to advanced learners (A2–C1)**, these weekly meetups help participants build fluency and confidence through **debates, role plays, and real-life discussions** that encourage meaningful conversation and cultural exchange. ​Day: Fridays, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET Teacher: [Mindy](https://www.worklifespanish.com/about-us.html) ​Location: Falls Church, VA 🎁 **FREE Trial Event Available!** Use code **FREECLUB** when you sign up. 👉 Enroll at **[https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html](https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html)**

**NOTICE: The park is open until 8:15 PM for Sunset Closing** https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens/events/sunset-in-the-gardens-815pm-closing Fees: $5 for ages 6-17 & ages 55+, $9 for ages 18-54, and free for ages 5 & under We will meet at the visitor center. Bring Water, Tripod, comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and empty cards There is no specific route in this park. Folks are free to wander around the trails in the park at their own pace. Check out Rob Trek's video from May 16, 2021: https://youtu.be/QwNR_TuxM4Y For dinner, after the field trip around 8:30 PM, we will head to Anita's New Mexico Style Restuarant, 521 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180 https://maps.app.goo.gl/3T7gw87tjvVuwDT96 Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. Beauty, conservation, education, and discovery flourish throughout the year at this 95-acre complex of large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms, and foliage create a sanctuary of beauty and nature. [https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/](https://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/) 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.

Artistic Artifacts initiated our [Creative Minds Summit](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/about-our-creative-minds-summit "About Our Creative Minds Summit") in 2023 to provide our talented and enthusiastic customer base with exclusive fiber & mixed media classes taught by nationally known instructors in an immersive, collaborative environment. **We have some exciting plans for our 2026 event, so please [save the date](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/save-the-date-creative-minds-summit-2026) for April 17, 18 and 19 so you can join in the fun!** We’ll have news soon, so continue to watch this space for the names of our faculty and the exciting classes they’ll offer. A complimentary lunch is provided to students each day of the Summit. Many materials are provided for each Summit class, with a kit fee payable to your instructor that morning. Whether you stick with one instructor, experience a different teacher each day, or attend a single class, you’re sure to love the experience of attending our Creative Minds Summit!

Let’s walk through the neighborhoods north of Ballston. We will include a brief stop at the Italian Store in Westover. Milage: 4.4 mi Start Location: Ballston Metro Station Approximate Time: 6pm - 8pm Map (Approx.): https://maps.app.goo.gl/MbZutRD9SBEKJ3U68 Terrain: This will be mostly flat and on roads \-\-\- We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early, because we will leave without you. We're always looking for new leaders who can showcase their neighborhood or any cool places they know, so please reach out either at an event or on meetup if you are interested. If you've enjoyed our walks please consider donating a few bucks to help us keep this group running (meetup is expensive!). [Donation Link](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2158403661070336114)

Join us for our annual Creative Minds Summit! Kecia Deveney is a returning teacher. Poppy StitchKind is a slow folklore-inspired mixed-media doll class rooted in patience, exploration, and gentle making. She is a keeper of things that were forgotten or set aside. She lives where scraps gather, bits of cloth, worn edges, mended seams and soft mistakes happen. Poppy believes nothing is ever wasted and is only waiting to be noticed again. This is a process-forward class with no patterns and no expectation of perfection. Students are guided to work slowly, trust their hands, and allow their doll to emerge naturally. The focus is on presence, material listening, and creative freedom rather than finished results. Learn more about this class, your student supply kit fee & list via Artistic Artifacts’ secure online website: [https://artisticartifacts.com/products/cms-poppy-stitchkind-with-kecia-deveney](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/cms-poppy-stitchkind-with-kecia-deveney) \*\*\* Due to the size or other requirements of the class or concurrent scheduling, some classes are in our second-floor space: access is via stairs only. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for [through our website](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk), or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. [View our complete class policies »](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies)

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. **5 mile loop with 476 ft. of elevation** **Please Note:** The hike requires quite a bit of **maneuvering** (rock scrambles, stream crossings, ascent/descent using ropes, over/under trees). **This hike is only suitable if the Potomac River level is** **not high and there has not been much rain in the previous** **week which would make the streams difficult to cross.** **DESCRIPTION:** Come join me for this fun trail and enjoy this beautiful spring weather! We will descend from **[Turkey Run Park](https://gohikevirginia.com/turkey-run-park/)** to the **Potomac River** to hike along the **[Potomac Heritage Trail](https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/upload/POHEMap-508-2021.pdf)**[ ](https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/upload/POHEMap-508-2021.pdf)for a short distance before turning off towards **[Langley Oaks Park](https://liveandlethike.com/tag/langley-oaks-park/)** on our way to **[Dead Run](https://myhikes.org/trails/dead-run-hike)** where we'll stop for a **snack/lunch break** lounging on the rocks! We will then head back along the River to the parking lot. **Bring:** adequate hydration, sturdy shoes, poles, snack/lunch **Pace:** We hike at a pace of 2.0 to 2.5 mph while moving. **Dogs**: No dogs on this hike per **[[NVHC Dog Policy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic)]** **Park Entry Fee**: $0.00 **Where to Meet**: We will begin at **Turkey Run Park Lot C1** off of the **George Washington Memorial Parkway**. There is plenty of parking. I have a Honda Fit, the hatchback will be up. Please **arrive by 9:15** am to allow time for signing in. We'll start hiking at 9:30am. **GPS Coord: 38.964339, -77.153148** **[https://maps.app.goo.gl/KDBQ5BdcVQRGHCnP7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KDBQ5BdcVQRGHCnP7)** **[BLUEBELLS in Northern Virginia](https://gohikevirginia.com/bluebell-trails-virginia/)** **Rehydration**: TBD Leader: Dawn Keeler message me here or text to 703 533 9231

It's April and it's time to get outside! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, April 19 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/)

Wakefield High School Plant Sale plants available for sale on April 18 10-2 pm Come buy plants as well as other fun activities at the school, including a car show (weather permitting) and the Spring Bazaar. The plant sale is one of the largest fundraisers for the PTSA and strongly supports teacher and student activities and programs. If you are in need of flowers, baskets, planters, herbs, or vegetables, we hope you will take a look at what is on offer for this year. If you are interested in volunteering 5:30 am to 8 am, contact Leeanna

Join our Chief Creative Mind, Judy Gula, during the last day of our Creative Minds Summit 2026. Create a playful mixed media bird collage using a combination of vintage and contemporary design! In this popular class (first created by Judy and Liz Kettle of *Textile Evolution* for our inaugural Creative Minds Summit) you will learn fabric collage, discover tons of hand and machine stitch ideas and try out screen printing and block printing. Using vintage quilt blocks, linens and fabrics, you will create the first layer of your collage. It will then be enhanced using Thermofax screens and hand carved [wooden printing blocks](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wooden-printing-blocks) using [Artistic Artifacts Textile Paints](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/op), while both machine decorative stitches and hand stitches depth and interest. Learn more about this class, your student supply kit fee & list via Artistic Artifacts’ secure online website: [https://artisticartifacts.com/products/cms-birds-gone-wild-fabric-collage-with-judy-gula](https://artisticartifacts.com/products/cms-birds-gone-wild-fabric-collage-with-judy-gula) \*\*\* Due to the size or other requirements of the class or concurrent scheduling, some classes are in our second-floor space: access is via stairs only. Registrations for all Artistic Artifacts classes MUST be paid for [through our website](https://artisticartifacts.com/collections/wk), or via a visit to our shop at 4750 Eisenhower Avenue. We encourage you to RSVP here, but to ensure your seat you MUST follow through via our website. [View our complete class policies »](https://artisticartifacts.com/pages/class-policies)

Azaleas should be peak by Sunday. For those of you with enthusiasm we can walk over to see the dogwoods on the other side of the park that are just passing peak bloom. Meet at the columns!!! Come walk the Azalea trail loop which is accessible and pretty level ground. There is always overflow parking at the NY avenue entrance so if you are running late and can't find parking feel free park there and catch up to the group. As always bring whatever you need (poop bags, water, stroller) for your corgis and RSVP the number of CORGIS attending. Normal rules apply for us (need full dog vaccination, no females in heat, no aggressive behavior allowed, mixes always welcome if corgi friendly, be responsible for your own corgi and "human puppies" behavior if bringing kids) but you may want to double check the venue rules. Entrance should be free but as this is not my venue venue may surprise us with events or fees so always be prepared.

For those who want to go as a group meet at 9am by the entrance. I can't go this year because I'll be out of town. Feel free to coordinate in the comments. Join us for this fun event! Twice a year Oak Hill Cemetery allows dogs off leash on their grounds. This is a beautiful old cemetery in Georgetown with lots of trails to explore. **The event is free, but the cemetery will be taking donation towards their Oak Hill's Historic Preservation Foundation. Please donate if you are able.** Where: Oak Hill Cemetery 3001 R St. NW Washington, DC 20007 When: 9am, when they open. Event goes until 4pm There is street parking so come a little early and plan to walk a block or two.

**� Meet Columbus Singles Tonight – Hosted Speed Dating on Zoom** This online speed dating format leans into the human side: strong hosting, repeat attendees, and a sense that the event is part of a growing community. Genuine conversations with real locals — all from your living room. Each round is a brief one-on-one Zoom chat with a Columbus local paired by age and personality. A host keeps the pace comfortable. **Pick your age group and sign up:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=18-32&face_v=15.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=30-46&face_v=15.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=40-58&face_v=15.0) **⚠️ Your RSVP doesn't guarantee a place.** Click your age group link below, register, and take the personality quiz to lock in your spot. Limited places. --- 🎯 **Especially useful for:** - Anyone who likes connecting online before meeting face-to-face - First-timers new to speed dating - People re-entering the dating scene after a break 🧭 **How the session runs** 1. **Sign up** – Tap the link for your age range above. 2. **Fill in the matching quiz** – Helps us find your ideal matches for the evening. 3. **Join on Zoom** – Click the link, jump on, and the host handles the rest. 4. **Speed date** – One-on-one rounds with personality-matched Columbus locals. 🗂 **Quick details** - **Format:** Zoom video session – short timed rounds - 🔥 **Location:** Online from home – no need to go anywhere - **Host:** Live host handling rounds and introductions --- ✨ One Zoom call, genuine conversations, real matches. See you there. 🫶 ✨ Lean version: fewer words, same core offer. Concise by design so people can decide quickly. 🤝 **Community angle** - The host keeps the pace clear and the room welcoming - The atmosphere is guided, social, and easy to join - The community matters as much as the session itself That community angle is deliberate: better conversations, more familiar faces, and stronger momentum over time.

Join WQC on April 25th from 11am-1pm at Inniswood Metro Park for a Nature Photo Walk. All types of cameras welcome! Let's enjoy spring to the fullest... 🌻🌼🌷🐤

5th annual Earth Day Celebration! This year (2026) the Celebration is scheduled for April 25th with activities running from 10am-2pm. This is a non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome! We will have food trucks, Birds of Prey, kids crafts, live music, raspberry plants, apple trees, and of course NATIVE PLANTS! Where: Lynd Fruit Farm, 9399 Morse Rd, Pataskala Ohio 43062 Time: Activities will be from 10am- 2pm. The Market will remain open until 5pm.

**💞 Online Speed Dating via Zoom – Connect with Cleveland Singles Tonight!** The point of this online speed dating event is not just the content. It is the room, the host, and the feeling that people are joining something they can return to. A hosted online speed dating experience for Cleveland locals. You'll cycle through short one-on-one video chats with Cleveland locals matched to you by age and personality. A host keeps the evening flowing smoothly. **Find your age group below:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=18-32&face_v=15.0) - ⚡ **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=30-46&face_v=15.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=40-58&face_v=15.0) **⚠️ Your RSVP doesn't guarantee a place.** Click your age group link below, register, and take the personality quiz to lock in your spot. Limited places. --- 🎯 **Great fit for:** - Busy professionals who don't want to waste evenings - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience - Anyone curious about speed dating in a relaxed setting 🛠 **What the flow looks like** 1. **Sign up** – Tap the link for your age range above. 2. **Complete the quiz** – Short personality quiz so we can match you well. 3. **Join on Zoom** – Click the link, jump on, and the host handles the rest. 4. **Speed date** – One-on-one rounds with personality-matched Cleveland locals. 📌 **What to know** - **Format:** Zoom video session – short timed rounds - ✨ **Location:** Your space – couch, desk, wherever suits you - 🚀 **Host:** Experienced host steering the session 💡 **Tip:** Just be yourself. That's always the best approach. --- ✨ Your next match could be one Zoom call away. 💝 ✨ Quick version: this one gets straight to the point. Fast to read, easy to act on. 🤝 **Community angle** - The structure is designed to help people settle in quickly - The host keeps the pace clear and the room welcoming - Repeat attendees help create familiarity and momentum We are building this around repeat faces, good energy, and a community that grows event by event.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Free Communal Garden Class Series GROWING MUSHROOMS In this class, we will discuss how to raise mushrooms on logs outdoors as a way to raise food in parts of your yard that are usually too shady to grow vegetables or other crops. We will discuss what mushroom species can be cultivated, what tree species they can grow on, and demonstrate how to prepare and inoculate the logs. By following these steps, you can have your own bountiful mushroom harvest! APRIL 27 | 6:00-7:30 PM | WELLS BARN 1851 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43205 INSTRUCTOR: MARC AMANTE Mare Amante is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Central State University who is also currently serving as CSU Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources Interim Program Leader. He has worked on and managed diversified vegetable farms across the Midwest and currently owns and operates an urban farm here in Ohio where he raises microgreens, vegetables, raspberries, and log-grown mushrooms for sale to local markets and restaurants. Registerefor free here https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/cg-growing-mushrooms/

**💗 Toledo Speed Dating – Personality Matched & Hosted on Zoom** The point of this online speed dating event is not just the content. It is the room, the host, and the feeling that people are joining something they can return to. A hosted online speed dating experience for Toledo locals. Join from home, get paired with Toledo singles your age, and have real conversations on Zoom. A host manages everything so you can just relax and enjoy. **Find your age group below:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=18-32&face_v=15.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=30-46&face_v=15.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=476.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Toledo&groupurlname=refined-journeys-for-local-single-hearts&ar=40-58&face_v=15.0) **⚠️ Important: RSVP ≠ registration.** To join, pick your age group below, sign up, and finish the personality quiz. Spots are limited. --- 👥 **Best for:** - Toledo locals after personality-matched dates - First-timers new to speed dating - People re-entering the dating scene after a break 📌 **What to know** - **Format:** Hosted on Zoom – one-on-one video dates - ✨ **Location:** From home – all you need is Wi-Fi and a webcam - 🔥 **Host:** Professional host keeping the evening smooth and relaxed 🔄 **What to expect** 1. **Sign up** – Tap the link for your age range above. 2. **Take the personality quiz** – We use it to pair you with compatible Toledo singles. 3. **Log in** – Connect to the Zoom session from home. The host runs the show. 4. **Chat** – Quick timed rounds with Toledo singles paired to you. 💡 **Tip:** Check your Zoom setup and pick a quiet, well-lit spot ahead of time. ⭐ *"The personality matching genuinely works. My matches were spot on."* – Toledo local --- ✨ One Zoom call, genuine conversations, real matches. See you there. 💖 ✨ Lean version: fewer words, same core offer. Fast to read, easy to act on. 🤝 **Community angle** - The host keeps the pace clear and the room welcoming - Repeat attendees help create familiarity and momentum - The atmosphere is guided, social, and easy to join That community angle is deliberate: better conversations, more familiar faces, and stronger momentum over time.

Annual plant sale to support the Inniswood Volunteers Inc., giving back to the gardens. Offering mostly perennials, herbs and a few shrubs. Day 1: Saturday May 2, 2026 8am-4pm Day 2: Sunday May 3, 2026: 11a-3pm rain or shine. Bring a wagon if you have one!