Middle Age

We will meet in the Janney parlor.

**Craving something cheesy and delicious?** 🍕 Skip the kitchen and join your DTs family and friends for a fun-filled dinner at **Pizza Hut**! After our Thursday night Happy Hour, let’s gather for some classic pizza, great conversation, and a laid-back evening at [1061 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170](https://locations.pizzahut.com/va/herndon/1061-elden-st?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=local&utm_campaign=googlelistings&utm_content=website&utm_term=300154). Whether you're a fan of deep-dish, stuffed crust, or classic thin, there’s something for everyone! Please RSVP on our Facebook and Meetup pages so we can give Pizza Hut a heads-up on how many pizza-lovers to expect! We usually have a group of 12-20, but the more, the merrier! Walk-ins are welcome, but reserving your spot helps us plan better. We're always switching up the dinner spots for variety, so keep an eye out for next week's location—because every Thursday brings something new to the table! 🍽️

**The crone represents our trust in wisdom held within, gathered through our lives and experiences – and which, in the later stage of life, makes us most open and confident. They are a spiritual mentor to others who are actively engaged with their community, teaching either through example or directly.** ***‘The inner hag whose image we each carry within us reflects our own unique variety of wisdom, the gift that each of us has to offer this breaking and broken world, and our own particular brand of connection to the numinous.’* \- Dr Sharon Blackie\, Hagitude** **This is a space for women over 50, both Cis and Trans, who have chosen the uncomfortable path of walking with and alchemizing their own shadows in order to move into wisdom that serves family and community. In this place we hold space for each other to learn, grow and purge if needed, so that we can continue doing the work necessary to serve our communities so that they may find their way to self actualization; that they may Flourish.**

Please join us for our annual celebration of women celebrating friendship. No problem that is also Friday the 13th. Dogfish promises special drinks for Galentine’s.

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. We're all ready to start hiking again and next week the Weather is warming. It looks like we will have 3 days of balmy (everything is relative) temperatures to start melting/ softening the snow for the Friday hike day. We will be hiking on cleared trails. There are still occasional patches of packed snow/ice so bring your poles. This is an enjoyable hike with beautiful lakes, wooded trails and even a snack/rest room break at a Starbucks. It is about an 7.8 mile hike with 358 feet of elevation gain around lakes and among the woodlands of Reston. We'll meet in front of the Starbucks at the South Lake Shopping Center at 8:45 am and hike through the Glade Stream Valley and then along Lake Audubon and Lake Thoreau. We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain. Dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicyhttps://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolic](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174 Park Entry Fee: $0.00 Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-d57db7d?u=i&sh=iypgzx

**Learn to Relax Kids: Growing Calm, One Little Breath at a time (Ages 3-7)** Help your little ones discover the joy of calm! ***Learn to Relax Kids*** is a playful and engaging workshop introducing young children to simple meditation, kid-friendly yoga, and fun relaxation exercises designed just for them. Through movement, breath, and imagination, children learn how to center themselves and feel safe, peaceful, and confident. While the children enjoy their session, parents are invited to a special **Learn to Meditate class**, offering easy and practical tools to create more peace and balance at home. Sat., Feb., 14th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/7yYfR](https://shorturl.at/7yYfR)

**A relaxed, good-vibe Valentine’s Day afternoon for adults who don’t want the pressure, awkwardness, or heaviness today.** Not a dating event. Not a support group. Just a warm room, good people, and simple **conversation games that make it easy to meet others who are also starting fresh.** If Valentine’s Day feels weird, quiet, or emotionally loaded this year, spend it in a space where you can actually laugh, feel lighter, and connect with grounded adults who get it. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • Simple partner rotations (guided and easy) • Light, feel-good Valentine’s prompts **• Fun conversation games (not cheesy, not romantic)** • A mix of divorced and separated adults in similar life chapters • A comfortable, pressure-free room • Good energy without oversharing or awkward silence **Everything is structured. You show up — the flow does the rest.** *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced adults • Separated adults • People navigating midlife transitions • Anyone starting fresh and not wanting to spend Feb 14 alone Most attendees are in their **late 30s to mid 50s** — grounded, normal people who want something better to do today than sit at home replaying the past. This is a chance to be around others in similar seasons without labels, pressure, or expectations. *** **✅ Location, Cost & Time** 📍 **Rented facility:** **Ashburn (zip 20147)** — exact address shared after RSVP 🕒 **2:00 PM – 4:00 PM** 💵 **$15 per person —** feel free to bring a guest (just have them RSVP separately). ☕ **Coffee + light snacks provided** *** **🎯 The Vibe** Think: **calm, warm, easy, friendly, real.** Not romantic. Not forced. Just a space where people talk, laugh, and feel human again on a day that can feel heavy. **And if a natural connection happens — great.** If not, you still walk away lighter than you came. **✅ Space is limited to keep the room comfortable and conversational.** RSVP if you’d like to join this small-group Valentine’s gathering. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)

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. Some great optional questions for discussion are below.
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Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles
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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?
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Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning
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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?
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Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Society & Culture
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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?
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Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy
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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?

# Fairfax Business Meetup - Middle of the Month, Week, Day **Presents - Business, Community, & Education // with The Arc of Northern Virginia December 17th at Noon** Come attend our Monthly Meetup at Patriots Pub & Grill. Get to know business professionals in the area, and help others pursue their goals. This is a relaxed business networking luncheon, that will showcase a local business in the area with a Q & A afterwards, hosted by Vision Idea Design. ***RSVP at*** *bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup (link below map)* **Attendance is FREE, but...** A specialty catered menu has been crafted for this event by Patriots Pub & Grill. $5 - Beverages with refills. $25 RSVP (Includes food, space rental, etc.) Each event will have a brief open networking, followed by introductions allowing each professional a few minutes to discuss their business. A local business will be spotlighted and will share a brief presentation about the organization, followed by questions and answers. We aim to help each other grow our businesses and support our community by getting to know each other a little bit more. **This month we are showcasing *The Arc of Northern Virginia.* The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.** Patriots Pub & Grill has been a Fairfax City staple neighborhood restaurant initially welcoming regulars as Patriots Café. Newly relocated to 10560 Main Street at the Mosby Building, Patriots Pub & Grill specializes in American cuisine for the whole family in an easy-going casual setting. Vision Idea Design is an all inclusive Graphic Design Firm located in Fairfax City. From logo concept to product packaging and books, and from trade show banners to signage and marketing materials. We enjoy helping others achieve their goals and pursuing their vision to success. **Please bring a positive attitude, business cards, a networking partner, and your best elevator pitch.** We look forward to seeing you there! ***RSVP at*** | [https://bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup](https://bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup) | | ---------------------------- | | ***Agenda*** *12:00 Open Networking - 10 Mins* *12:10 Welcome Everyone* *12:13 Place Food Orders* *12:15 Introduce Yourself!* *12:20 Featured Presenter* *12:45 Q & A’s* *12:50 Next Month* *12:51 CFCC* *12:55 Other Events* *12:59 Make Connections* *1:00 Thank You!* ***February - 18 - Yvonne Herbst - Google Business*** ***March - 11 - Volunteer Fairfax*** ***April - 15 - HomeStretch*** ***May - 13 - Minetta Minor*** ***http://bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup*** *(link below map)* | Link | [https://bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup](https://bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup) | | ---- | ---------------------------- | | Venue | Patriots Pub & Grill | | Address | 10560 Main StreetFairfaxVA22030,US | | Starts | Wed FEB 18th 2025, 12:00pm EST | | Ends | Wed FEB 18th 2025, 1:00pm EST |

**Women Over 40: Understanding Our Natural Transitions with Ayurveda** This seminar is for all women over or approaching 40. Understand the changes that your body, mind and spirit will inevitably go through, and how you can prepare for the transition to a new stage of life. Dr. Jain will give you the real picture of perimenopause and beyond, what it entails and what it means from an Ayurvedic perspective, and share concerning truths about our medical system's approach to supporting women during this important time. This is rare information not to be found in any AI bot. Dr. Amita shares deep, ancient knowledge that is practical, sensible and critical for our long-term well being. ***About Dr. Amita Jain***\*: Dr. Jain is a Doctor of Ayurveda, Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, and the Founder of [Vedic Health Inc](https://www.vedichealth.org/ "https://www.vedichealth.org/"). in Rockville, MD. With over 20 years of experience in Ayurveda and yoga, she holds a Doctor of Ayurveda degree from Sai Ayurvedic College, clinical training from Swasthyam Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala, and a certification in Hatha Yoga from SVYASA Yoga Research University in Bangalore. She has helped countless individuals heal from chronic conditions, trained thousands in Yoga and Ayurveda, and is a passionate advocate for affordable and accessible holistic healthcare. Her primary focus is working with chronic and complicated health problems western medicine has been ineffective. Sun., Feb.. 22nd, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/2qhPl](https://shorturl.at/2qhPl)

⚡ **Reset your mindset. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with new clarity.** Join us for a free, small-group event held in our **Startup Garage** — a **spacious, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, coffee, and real conversation — **not an actual garage 😊** 🔁 You’ll be **paired** with different attendees throughout the event for short, energizing rounds — each sparked by a simple **opening line** designed to make you laugh, reflect, and think bigger about what comes next. You won’t just talk about what’s behind you — You’ll begin to **picture what’s ahead** in a way that actually excites you. *** **☕ Coffee and snacks are on me.** Just show up with a curious mind — and a willingness to laugh. We’ll guide you through questions that blend **wisdom and humor** — the kind that help you see your story through a new lens. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • One-on-one rounds to explore purpose, identity, and new possibilities • Light, energizing activities designed to shift your mindset in under 10 minutes • Fresh insights from people you’ve never met — but may never forget • A laid-back, thoughtful space to connect without pressure *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals figuring out what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who prefer **meaningful conversation** over surface level talk Whether you’re starting over, scaling up, or just ready for something more aligned — this space is for you. *** 📊 *Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.* 🛋️ **Hosted in a spacious living-room setting** inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)

**3-Part Series - Midlife Vitality, Longevity & Holistic Renewal / PART 1** with DONNA HETRICK Dip. CN, CCN Lifestyle Fitness & Nutrition https://www.donnaphetrick.com/meet-donna Hosted by JOY2B Sound Works Studio **To register,** please email Iris McCray to TheJOY2B@gmail.com $95 per each class / $270 for the full 3-part-series Bring a water bottle, notebook and dress in layers for your comfort. **Limited Spots Available!** Part 1 - Sat. Feb 21 @ 2-3:30PM Part 2 - Sat. March 21 @ 2-3:30PM Part 3 - Sat. April 25 @ 2-3:30PM ### **Reclaim Your Energy. Restore Your Youth. Redesign How You Age.** A bold and holistic look at the science and spirituality of longevity — from lifestyle foundations to cutting-edge testing and therapeutic optimization. ## **PART 1 — Lifestyle & Behavior Pillars** **The PROVEN Foundation of Youthful Aging** * Sleep & Circadian Rhythm * Strength Training & Muscle Preservation * Fasting & Time-Restricted Eating * Day-to-Day Nutrition & Metabolic Fueling * Exercise Consistency & Movement Patterns * Cold & Heat Therapies * Stress Resilience Practices * Heart Rate Variability * Social Connection & Community **\*\**Why it matters: These pillars create the biological conditions for recovery, repair, and resilience — the prerequisites for anti-aging.*** ### **Who This Series is For** Men & women in midlife who want to: * reverse biological aging trends * increase vitality and resilience * optimize hormones & metabolism * improve strength & brain health * take a proactive approach to longevity **Who is Donna Hetrick?** Donna is a certified clinical nutritionist, fitness trainer and blood chemistry analyst specializing in whole-food, foundational nutrition, metabolic health and evidence based anti-aging strategies. For more than 30 years she has taught clients how to eat in a way that "loves them back" and how to build a personalized blueprint for healthy aging. Her philosophy is simple: there's no perfect diet or wellness plan -- only the one that's right for you! Beyond her work, Donna is married to her best friend of nearly 44 years, has three amazing children ages 32, 36 & 39 and five equally amazing grandchildren -- all under the age of 4!! # **Live Well Age Gracefully** # This is a interactive seminar series with Donna for people like you and me, any age, any culture, any gender. No pre-requisite required. Dress comfortably! Join the series or any of the sessions as a stand alone. #

Join fellow book club members for an evening out at Travinia, 1605 Village Market Blvd., SE, #104, Leesburg. Each person is responsible for any food and drinks selected. If you sign up and need to cancel, you need to notify us at least 24 hours in advance.

Let's kick things off with a meeting to introduce ourselves and discuss what we're going to read over the next several months. Bring suggestions and your sweet tooth, because I'm bringing chocolate chip cookies!

Regular coffee meetup for people to meet, make new friends, or enjoy general conversations with coffee. Great for those who are new in town or looking for new activities to do! This will be held at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea in Sterling. Additional Note: If you are on the Wait List, you can still feel free to attend if you wish.