Outdoor Cooking

Doubles Volleyball - Competitive BB-A level @Bluemont Park Let's get together to play some fun A level Doubles games at Bluemont. Format: Doubles COST: FREE Court Type: Outdoor grass Minimum Skill Requirements: BB-A level (click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic) for details) Attention: 1. This event is not always on a first come, first served basis. Those who can bring a net and ball, may get priority over others on the waitlist. 1. Since skill levels are self-reported, some attendees may not meet the expected level in reality, so we encourage you to choose a partner you can enjoy the game with, and since this is a competitive event, it is okay if you make a strong team and win all the games. 1. Since people arrive at different times, each group of 1. Players will set up and claim a net as they arrive, and may continue playing without rotating until all nets are set. ——— Smiley Social documents: [Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg/mobilebasic) [Liability Waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco/mobilebasic) [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/u/2/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/mobilebasic)

Free Full Body workout! We offer body weight, heavyweights, cardio/ Hitt/ Boxing and personal training. Nutrition plans health & wellness coaching as well. For more information and to redeem your free trial class and fitness analysis, contact Coach L at 365dmvfitnesstraining@gmail.com or (301) 747-3622.

Let's walk/hike around Rock Creek Park! This will be a figure eight trail featuring the Reservation 360 trail, Western Ridge trail, and Soap Stone Valley trail. **Millage:** 4.18 **Map:** [map](https://www.komoot.com/tour/3024583081?share_token=aoFToAWZIaF4dDGmT8zuTiTKNf8N6IpCsh8JL127RD8dn5CZix&ref=wtd&t_s=referral&t_cid=route_share&t_ref_username=5208720834658) (komoot), [map alt ](https://caltopo.com/m/C0NE6A2)(caltopo) **Start:** Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan metro **End:** Van Ness metro **Terrain:** There will a mix of paved surfaces and **unpaved hiking trails**, as well as some hills/stairs. \-\-\- We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer. Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation. 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)

**Please note new time: we are now starting at 6pm!** Climbers of all skill levels are welcome! To join us: 1. Complete the [participant agreement](https://movementgyms.com/participant-agreement/). 2. Pass the belay check, which can be done the same day. See [FAQs](https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/#faqs) for more info. 3. Pay for [gym membership or day pass](https://movementgyms.com/memberships-passes/). The event itself is run by volunteer organizers free of charge. If you are interested but have never belayed before, please take the [Introduction to Rope Climbing](https://movementgyms.com/rockville/calendar/#activity=climbing&location=rockville&class-type=intro-series&area-of-focus=safety-and-belaying) class first. We'd love to climb with you as soon as you know how to belay safely using a GriGri. To find us, go past the front desk and turn left. We'll gather by the fitness room entrance. If you need a refresher on knot tying and/or belaying, please post in comments or message the host and we'll be happy to help. We normally top rope in groups of 2-3 people, but some are also happy to lead. Post in comments or ask on the spot if you are interested in leading.

**NEW UPDATE:** This week we will have the following cubes firing! Early RSVPs get first choice between Vintage Cube: Garrett's Bacon Vintage Cube: [https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/proxybacon](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/proxybacon) Non-Vintage Cube: Matthew's Avatar cube: [Avatar: The Last Airbender Power(ful) Cube](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/avatarTLA) If you have a cube that you are interested in running please reach out to me and we can coordinate. Thank you! Come join and casually draft a cube that is open to everyone. No cost to enter! The store provides promo booster packs and I usually throw in a pack of the most recent standard set to award to the people with the best records at the end of the night. [What is Cube?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNDBTRG6keM) What: Cube Draft When: 6:00pm Where: Your Hobby Place in Old Town Alexandria (Your Hobby Place, 700 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314) We aim to start drafting shortly after 6:00pm as the store's register closes at 9:00pm. The store owner is kind enough to keep the space open for us to finish rounds. In previous events we've usually wrapped up around 9:45. All skill levels are welcome and all cards, lands, tokens needed are provided so you only need to bring yourself and potentially some dice and playmat if you prefer. Join Your Hobby Place's Discord and grab the Cube Role in the mtg-chat channel for the most up to date information on cube at their location: [https://discord.gg/9je3G8vzXh](https://discord.gg/9je3G8vzXh) **Important Notice:** I have seen an increased number of signups and no shows amongst brand new accounts. In an effort to make sure we have room for everyone if this is your first time joining and you have just created a meetup account please reach out to me via Meetup or discord. **Late Policy:** RSVPing will hold your spot for up to 10 minutes after 6. If you expect you may be running late please reach out to me via the store's discord. My username is iluvbacon610.

To secure your spot, grab your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-party-at-l8-lounge-2nd-edition-tickets-48032723168). RSVPing only on the Meetup page, doesn't allow you to attend the Event. Otherwise, cover is $ 10 at the door. ABOUT THE EVENT Rock it up at the hottest party in town, filled with fun, drinks, dj and dance! We booked the entire venue for this party We will have specials, including our usual suspect MERtini:) Dress code : Dress to impress Event is free and 21+ Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member Celebrate your birthday and your moments in life with us! For bottle/table service email (info@merevents.com) OR text 202-368-1878. METRO & PARKING INFO Closest Metro Station is McPherson Square (take either the White House or 14th Street Exit). Please take into consideration Metro's weekend truck work and allow enough time for your ride. Check it on http://www.wmata.com/ and plan accordingly. Street parking might be difficult. However, if you plan to drive, there are parking garages around.

**We’re hitting the beautiful Scout Trail for a relaxed morning hike. No major hills, no rush—just a great way to get outside, move, and connect with awesome people!** **Meeting Spot: Claude Moore Park Visitor Center** **(21544 Old Vestals Gap Rd, Sterling, VA 20164)** **Trail: The Scout Trail (~3.3-mile loop)** **Difficulty: Easy & flat** **After the hike we will go to Crooked Run at 22455 Davis Dr #120, Sterling** **Key features:** **Beverages: Offers a diverse range of contemporary and traditional beers, plus natural wines, ciders, and seltzers.** **Food: Multiple food options are available on-site, including pizza, tacos, and biscuits.** **Atmosphere: A spacious, fun environment with a taproom, outdoor and indoor seating.** **We will try to get seats outside under the tent.**

Join us for modern island-inspired dishes at **Isla DC**! If it's good enough to attract the Obama's, I think we should give it a try too (they visited within weeks of its opening). **NOTE: This restaurant will NOT split the tab so please come prepared to cover your portion with Paypal, Venmo or Zelle. Thank you in advance for your understanding.** ***Washington Post:*** Beyond the shimmer, Isla is an ambitious Caribbean destination with a lot to say. Dinner at Isla does not end in the dining room. Chic customers filter back into the moodily lit entryway in twos and fours, where they put their to-go bags and fur coats to the side. They find their best light in a dramatic archway framed with mirrors. They strut a little strip of red carpet. As I duck inside, I always seem to land smack in the middle of Washington’s most fabulous photo shoot. Sorry! Isla opened in the shimmering Midtown Center in late October, and it already feels like a destination. A place to celebrate birthdays, to get engaged, to spend an inordinate amount of money on a company credit card, to see and be seen (and, maybe, to see the Obamas on date night). Past the entryway is the even grander dining room roaring with life, illuminated by a chandelier shaped like a beehive and dripping light off hundreds of delicate glass petals. Through and through, this is a power restaurant, the kind of place people go as much for form — the glam of it all — as function. (You know, the food.) A plate of lamb tartare was my first clue that Isla isn’t all window dressing. It arrives as a neat column, painted with a ticklingly spicy sweet potato and habanero cream and covered with a fine layer of chopped chives. Mixed almost imperceptibly in with the dark red cubes are bits of pickled shrimp, their slight chew giving way to waves of salinity. Instead of attempting to wrestle the gamy meat into submission, chef Lonie Murdock accentuates its undeniable intensity, breathing new life into a dish that tends to be more or less interchangeable from one glitzy restaurant to the next. Murdock is new to D.C., but Canadian expats and visitors might know her from Miss Likklemore's, the restaurant she and husband Darren Hinds opened in Toronto in 2022. There, Murdock says, she felt more beholden to tradition, honoring the substantial Caribbean population that calls Toronto home by serving faithful renditions of classics such as slow-cooked oxtails and the handheld chickpea wrap called doubles. At Isla, she wanted to step “outside of that comfort zone.” She brings her vision for a sprawling, globally inspired restaurant to Washington at an exciting moment for Caribbean cooking in the United States. In New York, chef Paul Carmichael opened Kabawa in early 2025, a sleek tasting counter where he exalts plantains with shaved salt cod and caviar, treating the sticky sweet fruit as a luxury ingredient. At Kann in Portland, Oregon, chef Gregory Gourdet rubs whole cauliflowers in jerk seasoning and brings them to life in his restaurant’s open hearth, his cooking a glorious collision of Haitian technique and Pacific Northwest produce. D.C. has played its part, too. Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Dogon is a destination restaurant built around coco bread and brown stew snapper. At St. James on 14th Street NW, paratha is served as a centerpiece dish, surrounded by an ornate spread of meat and vegetable curries. Where does Isla fit in? The restaurant’s most interesting dishes emerge when Murdock treats “Caribbean” less as a prescription than a loose framework. “For me, it was more important just to kind of highlight the beauty and the bounty of Caribbean ingredients, and not necessarily focus on a traditional dish hitting the plate,” she says. Take flaky patties. There are familiar fillings, like supple oxtail that melts into each bite of buttery pastry, but more thrilling are ones densely packed with crab cooked in a fragrant panang curry. Murdock, whose mother is Jamaican, is a quick study in the American palate: A particularly decadent patty features processed cheese and ground beef. Small plates and creative side dishes tend to outshine the bigger, spendier ones, but you can piece together a meat-and-starch dinner if that’s your thing. The showiest entrée on the menu (under a section called “feast & fire”) is a snapper whose meat has been separated from its bones and turned into fried nuggets. These morsels are then reunited with the fried skeleton, which wraps around the plate as if standing guard. For all the fun of the presentation, I found the fish disappointingly mild and craved a creamy sauce to dip into. For something substantial, I prefer the pork chop, lovingly charred and served in a deep, dark, puckering reduction made with pork bones and the Trinidadian green mango condiment kuchella. A pat of crab butter slowly melts into the chop and amplifies its meaty richness, and a few spears of grilled mango radiate like glimmers of sunlight. Whatever feast and fire you choose, pair it with a grilled plantain. “It is such a beautiful ingredient,” Murdock says. “I just didn’t want to see it hit the plate in any kind of way that I’d ever seen it before.” She roasts a sweet plantain until its skin is charred and the insides are beginning to soften, then slices it open and finishes it with butter infused with more bracing kuchella. The starchy fruit has all the heft of a baked potato, but so much more depth and curiosity. I like to double up with a side of mac pie. Murdock bridges the traditional Caribbean dish — a dense casserole — and ooey-gooey American mac and cheese. Her version is a brick of pasta almost caramelized around the edges, cheese lightly coating each noodle, all drenched in a devilishly rich Mornay. I’ve yet to leave Isla short of stuffed, but someday I’ll build a light dinner around bara, the springy Trinidadian flatbread used to make doubles. Here, the dish is deconstructed, the bread served on a glass pedestal, the fillings served separately for swiping and layering. I like a version featuring tender oxtails blanketed dramatically in a creamy butter bean foam, but my favorite of these dishes nods to tradition. A bowl of well-spiced chickpeas, surrounded by labneh and dotted with a sweet-sour tamarind achar, is comfort food dressed up with a bow tie. The leather booths are deep and cozy, and the cocktails, which favor rum and lean light and tropical, are lots of fun. A daiquiri stained blue with butterfly pea flowers is a refreshing start to the night, and Isla’s rendition of an espresso martini, coined the Style and Grace, balances jittery cold brew with sweet, milky peanut punch. Here, the classic cocktail becomes something rich and grown-up, almost devoid of its typical oversaturation. ***Check out the menu [here](https://isladc.com/menu/)*** We ask that ALL folks honor their RSVP. If you are unable to attend after sending in a YES, please update your status so that others may join. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow a waitlist for paid events. If this event fills and you are interested in adding your name to the waitlist, please send host a message through the app. In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will pay their own tab. before departing the event. If you are unable to join us in June we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for a fantastic dinner at Isla DC!

We'll check out 29th Parallel Coffee in Fairfax Station. We plan to grab a coffee and head to Burke Lake Park and walk around the lake (weather permitting). There are a couple of parking areas at the park. I marked the parking we're planning to meet at the park. We hope to start the walk around 11:30AM. If you're a Fairfax County resident (with an ID), parking is free, otherwise they charge for parking. Please have a picture profile so we can recognize you in the meetup.

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clubbing-tickets-63771732970). RSVPing ONLY on the Meetup page, doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ABOUT THE EVENT Come dance the night away and spend your memorable night, rubbing your shoulder with DC's party snobs. This is a sleek and glam getaway in the heart of Dupont Circle, with Instagram-worthy details. A quartz-topped main bar, a grand chandelier made up of half a mile of custom gold chain links, a dramatic staircase, and ceiling tulle sculpture round out the two-story clubhouse. Swatchroom restored the historical landmark’s 12-foot soaring arched windows and classic vestibule with period mosaic tile. - We mingle and socialize for the first couple of hours - 9PM - 10PM special drinks hour - Huge line up of DJs - Celebrate your birthday or your moments in life with us! - For bottle specials, table reservation and ladies night email (info@merevents.com) OR text 202-368-1878 - For sponsorship and collaboration contact info@merevents.com - We booked the entire venue for the entire time till close and they open early just for us - Dress Code : Chic, dressy and elegant - Event is 21+ -Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! - Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be our members - FORMAT : Decades, Hip Hop, Top 40, Mash-up,.... TICKET PRICE: Limited Super Early free tickets (while supply lasts) and $ 20 on Event's Day (subject to availability). This event usually sells out! Payment Instructions : 1. You should login from a PC to see the 'Pay Now' button, after RSVPing. Then hit the button. 2. Verify correct dollar amount for number of people you're paying for. 3. If you don't have a Paypal account, click "Pay with a Debit or Credit Card". 4. If you have a Paypal account, simply log in, and pay as you normally would via Paypal. Refund & Ticket Resell All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to those who RSVPed 'YES' advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizer a message letting us know the full name and the ticket number of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. METRO & PARKING INFO Closest Metro Station is Dupont Circle. Street parking is a challenge and the event involves drinking. We highly recommend shared rides and taxi service. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

The Alexandria Brunch Club is a long running brunch event. We're a friendly bunch of people of different backgrounds, who enjoy a nice morning brunch and fun conversations. As has been the tradition, La Madeleine's in Old Town Alexandria is our place for brunching on a Sunday of every month. I find that a Sunday brunch is nice way to socialize and to just get myself out of the house. Afterward, Old Town, the Potomac and the myriad of parks are nice places for strolling after breakfast. BEST PARKING IN OLD TOWN Courthouse Square Parking lot 111 S Pitt St - Same side as La Madeliene, Two Doors Down Usually $1/hour Weekends and after 5pm, Weekdays For any questions and such feel free to message me. I am the main organizer. My best to all! Phil Matera

TRADING THE DANCE FLOOR FOR THE TRAILS The disco lights are taking a breather, but Social Sips & Bites is keeping the high energy alive in the great outdoors. We are hitting the trails, and the timing couldn't be better. National Park Service is waiving its usual vehicle entrance fees for Free Entry Day, so we’re bringing the whole DMV community together for an epic morning of fresh air, jaw-dropping views, and massive group vibes. Whether you’re recovering from the last party or prepping for the next one, this is the perfect excuse to get outside, move your feet, and meet some incredible people. From the rushing waters of the Potomac to the winding, shaded dirt paths, this isn't just a walk in the park. It’s a chance to unplug, swap stories with familiar faces, and explore one of the absolute best natural wonders right in our backyard. No RSVP cap, no exclusive guest list. Just good people, great views, and unmatched Sunday energy. See you on the trail! 🙌

We will be hiking the loop trail, (counter clockwise) around the BeaverDam Reservoir starting at the brand new Reservoir Park VisitorsCenter. Beautiful views of the water and varied woodland areas. This is an 7.5 MILE loop hike around one of Northern Virginia's largest bodies of water. The loop is mainly flat with a tiny hill or two. I've rated the loop moderate because the distance is 7.5 miles and we will be hiking about 22 minutes per mile - just under 3 miles per hour. After the hike we'll head over to Lark Brewing. 24205 James Monroe Hwy, Aldie, VA 20105 for food and beverages. I will make every effort for your safety. You are hiking at your own risk. Dogs are welcome on the hike as long as they are good with groups, friendly and you follow all leash laws. I like kids but this is an adult event so please no kids or any one under 21. We do start on time so please plan accordingly. Meet in front of the bathrooms by the parking lot. Reservoir Park Trail on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/reservoir-park-trail?sh=lkkoxr&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

You can bring your own food for a picnic or get it at one of their food trucks or inside. Well-behaved dogs on a lease are allowed outside only. No children as it's adults only 21+. Windridge Vineyards is a family-owned farm winery dedicated to producing premium estate grown wines. Situated in Darnestown, Maryland on the Piedmont plateau, their three vineyard sites have been carefully chosen for their unique geology and microclimates. Over 50 years of family farming has guided these selections and underpins their commitment to craft exceptional and distinctive wines. Come relax on their expansive lawn, in their solar pavilion, or in their new tasting room surrounded by the vines. With a backdrop that includes the 6,300 acre Seneca Creek State Park, the 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve, and views of the Blue Ridge and Sugarloaf Mountains, Windridge Vineyards is surrounded by breathtaking views and natural beauty. Please pay $5 via Venmo to @DIANNEE-GODAR or I will have to remove you from the guest list. Sorry Or, you can get unlimited status for $10 until year's end. All aboard mates!