Organic products

Gaming, AdTech, EdTech, Media Streaming, and FinTech are just a few of the workloads where high-availability cloud infrastructure matters. Whether you’re doing battle daily in one of these spaces or are just curious about ways to improve performance, meet us in Reston for an in-person discussion on bare metal cloud architecture. You’ll meet our product lead, James MacKenzie, who will walk through how modern bare metal serves as a control plane for hybrid and private cloud architectures. **What we will cover** * Ways to leverage bare metal, containers, and orchestration for better performance and predictable economics; * Real-world hybrid, disaster recovery, and data-intensive architectures; * Our approach to eliminating ingress and egress fees. **Who should attend** * Cloud architects and platform engineers; * DevOps professionals and infrastructure leads; * FinOps stakeholders managing data-heavy or hybrid workloads. **Why attend** This is a technical, architecture-first conversation. You will leave with a clearer understanding of high-availability cloud infrastructure and how organizations are scaling cost-effectively. Food and drinks will be provided. Space is limited to keep the discussion interactive.

Please join us on the 3rd Wed of the month at Whole Foods, Fairfax. We meet in the restaurant/bar at the front of the building. Everyone is welcome!

**The Test Tribe 2nd Washington Meetup – Designing a Modern QA Organization: Structure, Skills, and Shared Ownership** AI is accelerating software delivery at an unprecedented pace-but speed without structure introduces serious risk. In today’s landscape, the traditional “testing bottleneck” isn’t just a delay-it’s a business liability. This session explores how Quality Engineering must evolve from a siloed function into a strategic, distributed capability-one that balances rapid AI adoption with strong human oversight. Moving beyond basic automation, this talk introduces the concept of Distributed Quality Governance, where quality becomes a shared responsibility across engineering, product, and leadership. Expect a practical, leadership-focused discussion that cuts through AI hype and addresses the real challenges of testing complex, AI-assisted systems-while ensuring accountability, trust, and long-term resilience. **Event Details** * **Date: 21st January 2026 (Wednesday)** * **Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT** * **Location: 1501 Langston Blvd. Arlington, Virginia** **Session: Designing a Modern QA Organization: Structure, Skills, and Shared Ownership** **Speaker: Alekhya Guduri** **About the Session** In an era where AI-generated code is accelerating delivery, quality can no longer be treated as a final checkpoint. Instead, it must be embedded, intentional, and governed. In this session, Alekhya Guduri presents a blueprint for building a modern QA organization that operates as a strategic business function. You’ll learn how to shift from centralized testing teams to shared ownership models, while introducing guardrails that ensure responsible AI use across the delivery pipeline. From defining a Materiality Matrix to identify where AI risks are too high to ignore, to implementing Human-in-the-Loop frameworks, this talk provides actionable guidance for leaders navigating AI-driven engineering environments. **Key Takeaways** * The Materiality Matrix: How to objectively prioritize AI risks based on business impact and technical complexity * Distributed Governance: Transitioning from centralized QA to shared ownership in AI-driven CI/CD pipelines * Responsible AI Guardrails: Practical Human-in-the-Loop frameworks to prevent bias, hallucinations, and silent failures **About the Speaker** Alekhya Guduri is a seasoned technology leader whose career sits at the intersection of engineering execution, operational excellence, and innovation. As Director of Engineering at Indeed, she focuses on building high-performing organizations that treat quality as a strategic advantage, not a last-mile activity. With deep experience scaling complex systems and leading cross-functional teams, Alekhya works at the forefront of shaping how AI and human judgment coexist within modern software delivery. She is a strong advocate for distributed governance, responsible AI practices, and the evolution of Quality Engineering into a trusted business partnership. **Why You Should Attend** * Learn how to design QA organizations for AI-driven delivery * Understand how to balance speed with responsibility in modern pipelines * Gain leadership frameworks for shared ownership of quality * Move beyond AI hype to practical, defensible testing strategies * Connect with Washington-area QA, engineering, and tech leaders **About The Test Tribe** **The Test Tribe** is the world’s largest software testing community, empowering testers globally since 2018. With 7**00+ events** and **150K+ members** across **130+ countries**, we bring testers together to learn, grow, and connect through meetups, conferences, cohorts, masterclasses, and more. By RSVPing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and consent to be contacted by The Test Tribe and our event partners.

**Happiness is a Decision** Happiness does not come from outside, it comes from inside, and when you radiate a happy energy, you'll be amazed by what it attracts into your life. Wed., Jan. 21st, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Center, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl., Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Chantilly, VA. Free event - Register at: [https://shorturl.at/9BR5y](https://shorturl.at/9BR5y)

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

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Our local amphibians and reptiles are both susceptible to habitat destruction and pollutants and can often be victims of being misunderstood. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for an introductory look at our local amphibians and reptiles, what our citizens can do to help protect their habitats, and what related programs are available through Loudoun Wildlife to help monitor populations and increase community awareness of these often overlooked and fragile species. This presentation takes place at Rust Library and is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

**Important! Please register on [Luma Page](https://luma.com/n7h7ynr4)** This event is organised by Projector Institute community and Ukrainian Tech Space DC MD VA Join us for an exclusive evening dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be a Product Designer — and how to manage this role more effectively in today’s fast-changing digital landscape. ​ During this session, we’ll dive into: • The pros and cons of working in product vs. non-product companies • Communication as one of the main design tools • Business-oriented approaches to product design • Practical insights for both junior and senior designers • The use of AI tools and workflows — backed by real-world examples ​ Speaker: [Misha Rybachuk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rybachuk/) — Co-founder of [Projector Institute](https://prjctr.com/en/about), Art Director at [Lezo.io](https://lezo.io/en), and former designer at Accenture. With over 10 years of experience in interface design, Mike has helped build impactful digital products by merging creativity, strategy, and technology. ​ This event is your opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, gain hands-on insights, and see how design bridges creativity, communication, and business success.

Let's try this again! Join us as we gather on a January Sunday at one of our old favorites, Fleetwood Farm Winery. This time I am sure that they will be open... Let's get toasty in front of their roaring stone fireplace in the main tasting room. They have a good selection of red and white Virginia wines, many that have been produced exclusively for them. The grounds are designed to be an escape from the Northern Virginia hustle bustle without the long drive. Outside food is not permitted but they have a full menu of flatbreads, Charcuterie boards, wings, sliders, etc. We will not go hungry!

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration at [Birding Gilbert’s Corner - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-gilberts-corner-january/) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a bird walk at the relatively new [Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/gilberts-corner-regional-park) in Aldie (see map below). With a combination of scrub, brush and meadow, this park is a great birding hotspot in southwestern Loudoun. *Limit 14. **Registration required.*** ***Questions:*** *Contact Joe Coleman at [jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org)*.

**PLEASE REGISTER ON THE [LUMA PAGE](https://luma.com/92fskwbl) (only this registration will be valid)​** Ukrainian Tech Space DC MD VA and Projector Global Community are very excited to invite you to the panel discussion “Education in the age of AI” held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on January 24th at 3:30 pm ​Our panelists: ​[Nina Borysova](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nborysova/) uses AI-powered tech in financial data analysis in her role as Director of Product at Mastercard and occasionally asks ChatGPT to help redesign her house in her free time. Her domain, among many others, is obtaining technical knowledge without the traditional IT background. ​[Mike Rybachuk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rybachuk/) co-founded Projector - the biggest creative and tech educational institution in Ukraine - and is passionate about building professional education that really adds value and supports Ukraine’s strive to rebuild after the devastation of a long war. ​[Andrew Tsintsiruk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsintsiruk/) is a seasoned product development executive that brings vast experience of building AI-powered products to this panel. His background as an AI startup founder and broad educational reach with focus on IT and data science adds a blended perspective on the importance of both traditional and self-starter learning efforts, especially as AI continues to enrich the ways we consume new information. ​ Join our discussion, and we promise that you’ll walk away with new knowledge on how AI is disrupting education and get a better understanding of what to focus on in your professional development. ​Moderated by [Maksym Tereshchenko](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxter/), CEO at Mantis Analytics. ​ Join the discussion to dive into practical challenges, share hands-on experience, and exchange ideas you can start applying right away. Please add the questions you’d like us to bring into the panel discussion. See you!

**🪷 Cost:** There is no fee for this event. Donations of skin, hair, and dental care products are encouraged. RSVP to [LaurenL@imaginebeingwell.org](mailto:LaurenL@imaginebeingwell.org) ❄️**Description:** As winter settles in, the quiet of the natural world reminds us to pause, restore, and reconnect. We invite you to join Imagine Well Being at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in this spirit of reflection and care. We’ll begin indoors by assembling care kits for women in crisis, adding ribbon and a nature-inspired note of encouragement. Then we’ll gather around the fire to slow down and reconnect- sharing time in nature, listening inward, and building community. **👋🏼 Meeting Point:** Meet at the education building at 11:30. **🚙 Parking:** Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. 21085 The Woods Rd, Leesburg, VA 20175 Google Map link: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/rrSuedfGCxco6zz67](https://maps.app.goo.gl/rrSuedfGCxco6zz67) **🪷 Cost:** There is no fee for this event. Donations of skin, hair, and dental care products are encouraged. RSVP to [LaurenL@imaginebeingwell.org](mailto:LaurenL@imaginebeingwell.org) **🎒Preparation:** Bring a favorite skin care, hair care, or dental care item-something meaningful to you, chosen for a woman in crisis. Items should be new and unopened, and will be distributed through the local nonprofit Women Giving Back. If you cannot attend, but would like to donate, email Lauren at LaurenL@imaginebeingwell.org. **🌐 Newsletter:** [Sign up Today for Imagine Well Being's latest news, upcoming events, and retreats!](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-the-imagine-well-being-newsletter) **⭐️ Liability Release:** With my RSVP, I hereby confirm that I am physically able to participate in this event. I understand and agree that all classes, gatherings, and workshops are undertaken at my sole risk and that Imagine Well Being guides and instructors shall not be liable for injuries or damages to my person or property arising out of or connected to any of these activities. I authorize Imagine Well Being guides and instructors to call 911 in the event that I appear to require emergency medical care, and I assume responsibility for all associated costs. I have carefully read this agreement and understand its contents. I agree that it is a complete release of liability for any injuries or damage that I may sustain due to Imagine classes, gatherings, and workshops. I authorize Imagine Well Being guides and instructors to call 911 in the event that I appear to require emergency medical care, and I assume responsibility for all associated costs. **I have carefully read this agreement and understand its contents. I agree that it is a complete release of liability for any injuries or damage that I may sustain due to Imagine classes, gatherings, and workshops.**

Join the [Veg Society of DC (VSDC)](vsdc.org) for Veganuary's pro-animal/vegan-themed Movie Watch Party on Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 pm in Fairfax VA. Socializing with vegan food beforehand and discussion about the movie afterwards is planned. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION FOR DETAILS OF HOW THIS MONTH'S MOVIE WATCH PARTY WILL BE DIFFERENT, INCLUDING A 3 PM START TIME. This month's movie is Wicked Part 1. (The next Movie Watch Party will screen Wicked Part II, which should be available on streaming by then). *Wicked* has a strong animal rights theme, portraying Elphaba's fight against the oppression and silencing of talking animals in Oz, mirroring real-world animal exploitation and systemic injustice. The movie is 2 hours and 40 minutes long. *About Veganuary: "Our vision is simple; we want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction." Veganuary has inspired and supported millions of people to try vegan since 2014 – with participants from almost every country in the world. They have worked with businesses to drive up vegan options in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through their work with national and international media.* The VSDC member hosts’ home in Fairfax has a small home theater that can accommodate around 20 people. This regular event is a fun way to learn, discuss, and meet vegans and vegan-curious people (Thanks to Mindy Kursban and David Kwiatkowski for hosting!). FEE: The $10 fee will cover the hosts' expenses for the event, including food, beverages, and other associated costs. If there are any proceeds beyond these costs, which we don't expect, they will go towards VSDC's work to fulfill its mission. In order to ensure the success of the evening and limit late cancellations, **the fee is refundable until 5 days before the event.** BECAUSE THERE IS A FEE FOR THIS EVENT, MEETUP DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A WAITLIST ONCE THE RSVPs ARE FULL. IF IT IS FULL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHECK MEETUP OCCASIONALLY TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS CHANGED THEIR RSVP. FOOD: For our afternoon movie watch party, we’ll have mostly snack-style foods. And to kick off the year on a healthy note, this month’s spread will be mostly—though not entirely—raw. Feel free to bring any vegan food or beverages to share; your contribution doesn’t need to be raw. WHO: All VSDC and Meetup members are invited. Bringing a non-vegan friend is encouraged. WHEN: Saturday, January 31 **at 3:00 pm**\*\*\*. Because of the length of the movie, we will start the movie at 3:00 pm and watch the first 1 1/2 hours. Then we will have a short break for food and socializing and watch the remainder of the movie. WHERE: The home is in Fairfax VA 22033, near Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. It is 8 miles from the closest metro at either Vienna or Reston (Uber or Lyft would be necessary). **For safety and security reasons, the exact location will be emailed privately via Meetup about 2 days in advance to those who have rsvp'd Yes.** Please make sure your email is current in Meetup, your Meetup settings allow organizer messages, and check your spam if you don't receive the message. PARKING: There is plenty of free parking within a 3-minute walk of the home. \*You must register via this page to attend the event.\* A Pay Pal account is required to pay the $10. Because there is a cost for the event, Meetup doesn't have a waitlist for the movie. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

Join us for a volunteer day helping the animals at Rosie's Farm Sanctuary in Potomac, MD. Before attending this event, you must sign a liability waiver. Please use this link https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/ The chores you will be doing are physical. You will be working on big projects that require many volunteers like removing old bedding, sanitizing stals and replacing with new bedding, along with the daily clean up chores. Wear boots and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Feel free to bring a filled water bottle. On sunny days a brimmed hat and sunglasses may be helpful. Sunscreen is also suggested. Please do not bring any food or yummy-smelling items on your body or in your bag as our animals love to eat and are on special diets. Out of respect for the animals, we do not allow any food with animal products to be consumed at Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. Please ensure that all edible items are plant-based (no dairy, no cheese, no cow’s milk ice cream, no meat, no fish, no eggs). Thank you for your cooperation and respect for this. It is very important to us. There is a gift shop where you can browse and warm up during the event. Please post your pictures and tag Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and Rockville Vegans! We are limited to 30 volunteers, so please change your RSVP if you cannot attend. If there is interest, we may go out to eat in one of our local vegan restaurants afterward.

Please go to your Meetup account and elect to receive "EVENT UPDATES FROM ORGANIZERS" to help us keep you updated. Here's how... Go to "Settings" Then go to "Email updates" Scroll down to "Updates about your groups" Then go to the name of the group and click "Edit" Then select "Event updates from organizers"

Register at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at [Writing in Nature (New Location) - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/writing-in-nature-february/) Join Nancy Morgan, Director Emeritus, Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program, for this regular monthly workshop, presented by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, to enjoy the combined health benefits of time spent in nature and writing thoughts and feelings. Writing is often considered a solo, reflective practice, but writing in the company of others can be a supportive, community building activity that encourages regular practice. Each session is a stand-alone event – come when you are able. Registration for each session is open through the morning of the workshop. For directions, click on the Google Map link at the bottom of this page. ***Registration required.*** ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

Let’s meet at Thai Tanium in Kentlands for some of their delicious food. Please only rsvp if you will attend. It is not fair to the restaurant to have no shows.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration at [Young Birders Walk at Gilbert’s Corner - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/young-birders-gilberts-corner-jan/) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s Young Birding Program for a bird walk exclusively for young birders at [Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/gilberts-corner-regional-park) in Aldie. With a combination of scrub, brush, and meadow, this park is a great birding hotspot in southwestern Loudoun. Bring binoculars if you have them. *Note: This program is exclusively for young birders ages 10-18; a parent/guardian is welcome. **Registration required*** ***Questions:*** *Contact Young Birding Program Coordinator Patrick Lewis at [plewis@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:plewis@loudounwildlife.org).*

**Note the address says SE but it should be SW** HSLC is excited to collaborate with October One Vineyard for a monthly Yappy Hour! To support our local animals, please bring a pet food donation and you’ll be entered into a raffle for free tastings and glasses! You can also purchase raffle tickets. Your monetary donations help cover much-needed medical expenses for homeless and at-risk animals. This event will be 5-8pm on the last Friday of every month at the October One Vineyard tasting shop in Downtown Leesburg. This event is free to the public, so stop by and raise a glass. HSLC will be on hand to answer questions and let you know about available animals. Let’s “cheer” up our local area animals in need!