Moto Cross

Dulles Code & Coffee is a collaborative community of software and technology enthusiasts seeking to learn, grow, and help each other. All skill levels are welcome. The concept is simple. Bring a laptop and ideas. We’ll provide coffee, tea, and donuts. Thank you to [BTI360](https://www.bti360.com/) for sponsoring this event. ## **Event Format** 1. At 9:15 everyone introduces themselves and briefly describes what brought them out this morning (project, homework, networking, etc.). 2. For the rest of the day folks work in the communal space, socializing and asking/giving help as desired. ## **Location** BTI360’s Office in Herndon The office is across from Worldgate, looking down on the toll road. ## **Address** 12930 Worldgate Dr, Ste 400, Herndon, VA 20170 [[map](https://goo.gl/maps/pF5ZrPUviX1vtmdSA)] ## **Logistics** * **Must be a U.S. Citizen to attend. Real ID verification is required.** * PARKING: Use the surface lot. All spaces marked MIII are open for parking. Please avoid Management spaces, State Farm and SP+ * ARRIVAL: Follow the signs from the front entrance to the freight elevator located in the parking garage on level P2. Take the elevator to Suite 400 (Floor 4). * How to find us video: [https://youtu.be/ohqFzyqiASE](https://youtu.be/ohqFzyqiASE) ## **Community Guidelines** We value the participation of each member of the community and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. To ensure a conducive environment, all participants are required to conform to our [code of conduct](https://github.com/DullesCodeCoffee/.github/blob/main/code-of-conduct.md).

• What we'll do Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! And we will teach you how to use your camera IN THE FIELD, not in a classroom! Join our standard Monuments and Memorials workshop, offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, in which the instructor takes you to some of DC’s most popular attractions: White House, Lafayette Park, the Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, and Vietnam Three Servicemen Memorials, and finally to Union Station, where you learn to make all the moving people DISAPPEAR! Remember, it was Confucius who said: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do, and I understand." At Washington Photo Safari, we help you "do " and understand! That is why our motto is "See. Click. Learn." This $71 Safari (a 20% discount from the regular $89 price) begins with a 45-minute travel photography orientation, giving you basic tips in composition, F-stops and shutter speeds, portraiture, and interior photography. While you are taking pictures, you receive hands-on guidance on how to make those images even better! Advanced and smartphone photographers will appreciate the instructor’s extensive knowledge of the best camera angles in DC. This is suggested as a preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographers at any skill level with any camera, phone, or tablet. Transportation from site to site is provided by the instructor. • What to bring camera and all lenses • Important to know travel, architectural, portrait and street photography techniques

This gathering will be a safe place for those who are anticipating, in the midst of, or recovering from companion animal loss. Our beloved companions are considered family and the grief can be overwhelming when each reaches their time to go. Speaking about our beloveds helps validate and honor them; sharing the pain allows us to understand and process. We don’t recover from grief or go through it. We learn to carry it with us, allowing the pain to evolve into memories and ongoing love. We hope to minimize regret or guilt by being our companions’ steward and advocate. There is no cost or expectation, other than compassion for all without judgment. The facilitator is a certified Pet Loss Doula (University of Vermont) who has experienced pet loss many times. Send questions to petlossdoula@gmail.com.

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for lunch and a conversation on ***World’s Diversity on the Table: How Traveling Helps Us Understand Different Worldviews.*** Here’s how it works: For just two hours, a table of people set aside the need to "convince" or "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by an experienced table host, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. In a world of disconnection and surface-level interaction, we'll carve out some time just to be humans together and have a meaningful conversation. We'll be meeting at Wegmans, Upper Level Dining Area - look for your hosts, Albert and Todd. This will be a "bring your own lunch" gathering (or "buy your own", from Wegmans' great self-serve cafe!) BreadBreakers, an initiative by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community where all beliefs, faiths, and stripes are welcomed. Our leadership and volunteer team includes people who attend Restoration and people who don't. **So - why talk about travel? Here's a word from this event's lead host, Albert:** *Travel is more than movement across geography, visiting cities, viewing landscapes and counting distances. Travel is also an inward movement: an encounter with difference that rearranges how we see the world and ourselves.* *When we travel, we are exposed to other ways of organizing life: different assumptions about time and values, family and belonging, work and dignity, authority and trust, hospitality and faith. Even brief encounters can unsettle what we once considered “normal” or self-evident, sometimes gently, sometimes harshly, not too much differently as we may encounter on the other side of our divided country.* *Some of us travel seeking beauty, rest, or novelty. Others travel to escape the noise, to understand, to remember, or simply to feel less confined by familiar routines. And when we return, we often carry more than we expected: stories, questions, discomforts, changed perceptions, or a renewed sense of home. The focus of our discussion is not destinations or expertise. It is about meaning. How encounters with different worldviews leave traces in us—and how those traces shape the way we interpret our own world once we return.* *Each experience is partial, each perspective incomplete, and yet, together, we can see more of the whole. Shared at the table, such diversity becomes something lived rather than abstract.* *This conversation shall prompt us to reflect on two simple questions:* 1. ***What do we look for when we travel to other places and cultures?*** 2. ***And what do we bring back—beyond souvenirs and photographs?*** We look forward to breaking bread and stories with you.

This class is a practical, hands-on introduction to creating strong, dramatic portraits using a single light source. We’ll be working in a small studio environment with one model and one light, focusing on how light placement, distance, and modifier choice completely change mood and shape. This is not a lecture-only class—you’ll see the setup demonstrated and then rotate through shooting time yourself. What we’ll cover • How to shape dramatic light with a single source • Light placement for short light, broad light, and high-contrast looks • Controlling shadow depth and falloff in tight spaces • Using minimal gear to create intentional, cinematic portraits • Directing a model efficiently while lighting stays simple What to expect • Small group (10 photographers max) • One shared lighting setup, adjusted live so you can see cause and effect • Time to shoot the model and ask questions as we go • Emphasis on decision-making, not presets or gimmicks Who this is for • Beginner to early-intermediate photographers • Anyone who feels overwhelmed by multi-light setups • Photographers who want stronger, more intentional portraits What to bring • Any camera (DSLR or mirrorless) • A lens in the 35–85mm range is ideal • Fully charged batteries and memory card Lighting gear and model are provided. You just focus on shooting and learning.

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.

This is an absolute beginner Bachata group class. It is specifically designed for those with no prior experience in Bachata and participations does not require having a partner. $25 per person for 90 minute class. [Click Here to Sign Up](https://form.jotform.com/250681156839162) Every Other Sunday: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Beginner Bachata.

A weekly meetup for all gamers, from heavy strategy to light party games. Crossroads has a 1,400+ library of games, free to all paying customers (food, drink, or retail purchases qualify). Owner John (yours truly) will be on hand to host the event, and usually be able to sit and play as well!

**Join us for awesome conversations & genuine connections at Ted's Bulletin❤️** Whether you’re here to make new friends, spark a romance, or simply enjoy your Sunday afternoon, this social event is your chance to bring more fun into your life. **Cover Cost:** $10 **Payment** **Options:** Venmo @Irena\-Polyakova \(1469\) \| or RSVP on[ Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981545404647?aff=oddtdtcreator) As a[ life and relationship coach](http://%5Bhttps//lovedandfulfilled.com/%5D(https://lovedandfulfilled.com/) "\[https://lovedandfulfilled.com/\](https://lovedandfulfilled.com/)"), I will facilitate & ensure you feel comfortable at the event. I will have prepared ***conversation ice breaker***s for you to make socializing easier. **Come with an open heart and a curious mind❤️** ***Meet Point:*** Front Bar Area I am looking forward to seeing you at my event. \~ Irena

Please arrive early (no later than 7:30) to stretch out and warm up. Wear a black jersey and bring a pair of shin guards.

Run starts promptly at 9:45 am and follows a 1.5 mile loop around the lake. Do however many loops you like! Run at your own pace. After the run, we'll meet at the Brew House for a beer or coffee and BREAKFAST pretzels! Those cannot be anything but delicious. See you there.

(2024) by Christof Koch, 288 pages [Psychology] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=613100 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review "A wonderful book."―Sam Harris, Making Sense with Sam Harris “a fun introduction to a number of debates… Mr. Koch’s book provokes questions… and counterarguments, but that’s what gives it life.” ―The Wall Street Journal “Easily the most current, thorough, and helpful exploration of consciousness available. Koch’s light, simple, yet authoritative writing style will appeal to general audiences as well as scientists and researchers. An essential, highly recommended purchase.”―Library Journal “magisterial… charming, sometimes beautiful, and almost always illuminating” ―Science Magazine “an impressive and sometimes exuberant work, showcasing decades of [Koch’s] research”―New Scientist “Koch’s adept use of analogies and entertaining anecdotes — complete with his own near-death experience and psychedelic drug trips — make the book a compelling and surprisingly light read.” ―Science News “undeniably compelling… a smoothly written must-read for anyone interested in a detailed introduction to the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and transformative experiences” ―Ars Technica “Expertly weaving in personal experience with science that few, if any, can speak more authoritatively about, Koch leads us on an amazing journey of consciousness—from birth to death. Deeply personal and infinitely digestible, Then I Am Myself the World is a remarkable must read for anyone interested in knowing their mind.”―Judson Brewer MD, PhD, New York Times–bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety “Koch’s latest book brilliantly navigates the intricate landscape of our mind and our brain, offering insightful perspectives on the nature of conscious experiences, both ordinary as well as extraordinary ones.”―Hartmut Neven, founder and lead of Google’s quantum AI lab “Then I Am Myself the World is the new record of note for the scientific understanding of consciousness. This is an elegant tableau, a travelogue of subjective experience grounded in the latest neuroscience and philosophy traversing religion, science, and a life dedicated to the biggest questions. Filled with crystalline prose, lucid explanation, and revelatory honesty, this book will continue to be read centuries from now.”―Patrick House, author of Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness “What would happen if a hardcore neuroscientist, with encyclopedic knowledge and four decades of experience in his field, were personally confronted with transformative mystical experiences carrying inevitable metaphysical implications? What would happen if the neuroscientist in question were open-minded, humble, but remained rigorously grounded in reason, evidence, and his hard-earned understanding of how consciousness relates to brain structures and function? What would he, the most preeminent professional of his generation, make of his extraordinary experiences? And what if, in addition, the neuroscientist was a modern renaissance man versed in physics, philosophy, the arts, the classics, and could pluck irresistibly evocative metaphors from the Western literary and artistic canon as if leisurely picking apples in early fall? This is what you will find in this treasured book, a whirlwind ride of insight after insight—so many they can’t possibly be all documented in footnotes—that will surprise and delight you from the get-go. ‘Primacy goes to consciousness, not to the objective world,’ he boldly states already on page two, in a prelude of things to come. ‘Everything else follows from there, including the realist assumption of the existence of objects, out ‘there,’ independent of my experiencing them.’ The book embodies the ever-evolving wisdom of a man whose intellectual prowess is only matched by his intellectual honesty. And this man, in the seventh decade of his scintillatingly productive life, has a lifetime of learning to share with you.”―Bernardo Kastrup, executive director, Essentia Foundation “Koch’s first book was entitled The Quest for Consciousness. And such has been Koch’s life, an adventurer’s pursuit of a distant goal, undeterred by the prevailing winds. The reader will learn where this quest has led and, like the author, will be enriched by it. Koch, one of the most accomplished scientists of our time, a mind singularly open to learning and changing, here opens his soul, revealing his vast, scintillating appreciation of nature in all its forms. It is a touching, profound book. Which is as it should be, since consciousness touches everything and is everything we touch.”―Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin-Madison ### About the Author Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute and at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, the former president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and a former professor at the California Institute of Technology. Author of four previous titles, Koch writes regularly for a range of media, including Scientific American. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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. ***You must have traction devices to be permitted on this hike.*** An out and back 6.8 mile hike along the Potomac Heritage trail in the Ashburn area of Loudoun County. We will begin at Bles Park and follow the Potomac River north to Goose Creek and then return. Very little elevation gain. [Rating: D](https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/) No dogs permitted on this hike, Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C) Park Entry Fee: $0.00 Meet at Bles Park @ 9:00am. GPS Coordinates: 39.068909, -77.449010 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CBS11B7bKaPZHsb7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9CBS11B7bKaPZHsb7) ***Do not turn in at the sign that says "Bles Park Trailhead and Kayak Launch". Continue on to the next entrance.*** AllTrails Map: [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/potomac-heritage-trail-loudoun-county-7-miles-51769da?u=i&sh=7cs7ov](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/potomac-heritage-trail-loudoun-county-7-miles-51769da?u=i&sh=7cs7ov)

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 enjoyable hike with the Lake, lots of graceful full growth trees and the fun of winding through multiple trails in this relatively compact Park. The Hike route is about 7 miles with 460 feet of elevation. The Hike route is a loop consisting primarily of dirt trails. We will start at the Bike Lane Brewing &Café, at 11150 Sunset Hills, Reston VA 20190. The Bike Shop and Brewery is adjacent to Lake Fairfax Park and for those interested, we can enjoy a beer after the hike. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain. We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 -3.0 mph while moving. Restrooms are available at the start point and at our break point during the hike. 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: Willem Janssen Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174 Park Entry Fee: $0.00 Map for hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-july-23-2025-ad7bdca?u=i&sh=iypgzx hi

**Agenda :** * 4.30 to 4.45 PM ET: Food and Networking * 4.45 to 5.30 PM ET: "Practical Applications of Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Feb 2026 Edition)" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our Feb 10th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided.** **Title:** Practical Applications of Model Context Protocol (MCP) (Feb 2026 Edition) **Description:** This session explores how the Model Context Protocol (MCP) can be used to connect AI models with real-world tools and data. Attendees will learn practical patterns for implementing MCP in production workflows and applications. Through examples and use cases, the session highlights how MCP enables more capable, context-aware AI systems. **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!

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. **Description:** This is a 7½ mile hike with \~200-feet of elevation gain on the Cross County Trail, from Rt 7 (near Colvin Mill Run) to the Washington and Old Dominion path and back. We will start on the Cross County Trail access road just north of route 7 near Colvin Run Mill. There are 2 stream crossings: one on rocks *(see picture above when it was uncrossable, it should be lower and crossable on Friday)* and the other on concrete pylons. **Dogs** are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **Leader:** Harvey Haines **Rating:** C (7¼ mi + 200 ft/400ft/mi = 7¾ equiv. mi. C-hikes range from 7-10 mi) **Trailhead Meeting Location:** on the Cross County Trail spur road off Colvin Run Road just north of route 7. Please to plan to arrive by 8:45 to sign in. We leave promptly at 9:00. *GPS coordinates: 38.9676, -77.2890* If you cannot use GPS coordinates, the Best address for navigation is 9950 Colvin Run Rd, Great Falls, VA. This will take you to the sewage pump station close to the parking area. **Maps:** A pdf map of this section of the CCT: [https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/05eVzFBePshItlpjqZzE4Q6og#cct-9-difficult-run-stream-valley_8.44.46_AM](https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/05eVzFBePshItlpjqZzE4Q6og#cct-9-difficult-run-stream-valley_8.44.46_AM) GAIA-GPS map of the trail: [https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=16.5/-77.2886/38.9675&pubLink=0Y1d9hd5ETqwNEf6N25zQAfz&waypointId=49d31966-239d-4bf3-a8df-7b1fb98e77c7](https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=16.5/-77.2886/38.9675&pubLink=0Y1d9hd5ETqwNEf6N25zQAfz&waypointId=49d31966-239d-4bf3-a8df-7b1fb98e77c7)

This is an absolute beginner Salsa group class. It is specifically designed for those with no prior experience in Salsa and participations does not require having a partner. Every Other Sunday: $25 per person. [Click Here to Sign Up](https://crowndancestudio.com/) 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Beginner Bachata.

**\*\*\*This group is filled. Check out our next departure on Feb 20, 2026:** **https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/\*\*\*** Gaze at the Northern Lights, enjoy a sleigh ride, be a reindeer herder for a day, learn about the Sámi culture, visit an ice hotel, catch a fish (or two) through a hole in the ice, taste some good Scandinavian delicacies, visit the ABBA museum...My, oh my! These are just some of the fun activities we are planning to do during this once-in-a-life time adventure! Like all our adventures, this one is crafted from the ground up with the true spirit of Meetup in mind. We handle every little detail before and during the trip, accompany and guide the group, creating a stress-free journey with a laid-back, friendly vibe. No big tour operators, no inflated prices — we work directly with locals to give you authentic experiences and unbeatable value. Come as strangers, leave as lifelong friends — and make memories that stick forever! ***We visit:*** * Stockholm * Kiruna (Lapland) * Helsinki * Copenhagen (optional extension) ***The trip includes:*** \* 2 nights in Stockholm \* A night train from Stockholm to Lapland in a private sleeping compartment \* 4 nights in Kiruna \* 3 nights in Helsinki \* Airfare from Kiruna to Helsinki \* Arrival and departure transfers \* Sightseeing tours in Stockholm and Helsinki \* Boat ride in Stockholm \* Food tasting in Helsinki \* Breakfast daily \* 2 dinners and 3 lunches \* Northern Lights Tour \* Jukkasjärvi Icehotel Half-Day Tour \* Full-Day Reindeer Tour \* Ice Fishing or Husky Sleigh Ride **Price per person, double occupancy: $4770** (we match roommates for those wishing to share) **Price for single room: $6320** ***Not Included:*** x Transatlantic Airfare (we can help you arrange that) x Meals not listed above x Tips and any personal and incidental expenses x Optional extension to Copenhagen The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit **\*\*\*Deposit link removed as this date is sold out. You can reserve your spot for our next departure on Feb 20, 2026 [HERE](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/310787716/) \*\*\*** Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).\*\*\* Final payment due 60 days before departure\*\*\* ***[Click Here](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37)***[ and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit](https://forms.gle/MqXy8zWAB6pv2dW37) For a detailed Day By Day itinerary: **[Click Here](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)**[ to fill out our info request form](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8) Limited capacity of 14 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly. \*\*\*Airfare from/to the US not included\*\*\* **OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO COPENHAGEN offered at $590 per person/double or $785 solo occupancy (air from Helsinki to Copenhagen not included)** ***[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)***[ to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions. [Click Here to see all our other fun events](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events) SOT 2000318-10