Personal Safety

Friends, we can do an out and back hike for this, 3 miles in total. There will be plenty of parking, we will meet at the parking lot. Bring plenty of water, whatever you need for your hike, and your awesome authentic self. and of course, always bring a joke!! This is a meetup group for support and community. If you hit on me or anybody else in the group, you will be removed. People with agendas will be removed. **RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT:** By being a member of this Group, RSVPing to any Activity, or participating in any Activity, You accept and agree to the terms and conditions described below: 1. You acknowledge that hiking in nature or city, carries the risk of potential harm to yourself, including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. 2. You agree that You will at all times be responsible for Yourself and Your own safety. 3. You release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, this group's leadership and members for the hikes that you participate in. 4. You acknowledge and agree that this Group is merely a collection of friends or potential friends who enjoy doing activities, and that in no event does any Organizer or Other Member assume any responsibility or liability for You. 5. You agree not to sue and to release, discharge, waive and hold harmless all organizers and other members from and against all liabilities, claims, demands, losses, damages, suits and proceedings, for negligence, carelessness or any other cause which you may have or that hereafter may accrue arising, resulting from or related to your membership in this group or participation in any activity.

*This is another completely different event than ones we've previously held, covering a unique angle on the subject of communication.* Shyness and anxiety in relationships are often treated as personal flaws or things to “push through.” Maybe you consider that it is who you are by nature. But if it was something natural, wouldn't you be happy and content with it? Maybe there is more to effectively communicating than just your personality. This live, in-person workshop explores the subject of communication and precise actions one can take to improve their communication... without changing their personality or being someone they are not. **You’ll likely relate if:** * You replay conversations later and think, *“That’s not what I meant.”* * You hesitate or overthink when it’s time to speak up. * Conversations drift into tension even when everyone has good intentions. * You want to connect better—but don’t want scripts or fake confidence. It’s a **guided, interactive workshop** where you’ll: * Learn why conversations break down in the first place * The most common problem people have in any struggle to have a conversation. It's not what you may think! * Practice being more present and composed in real time * Leave feeling more comfortable in conversations—without forcing anything Most people notice a difference **during the session itself**, not weeks later. **Who this is especially good for** * Thoughtful, introspective, or introverted people * Professionals who want clearer communication at work * Anyone navigating relationships, boundaries, or confidence * People tired of tips that don’t translate into real life You don’t need to be outgoing. You don’t need experience. You just need curiosity. This will be held in a group setting with light refreshments served. The location will be easy access for metro and bus stops. There is street parking available as well as a parking garage next to the building.

\*\*\* The restaurant needs a credit card for reservation. So I made reservation just for me. Please reserve a spot directly with the restaurant for yourself \*\*\*\*\* We are meeting up for dinner at Daru Restaurant. This is a highly-rated fancy restaurant, they tend to fill out quick. The food is supposed to be really good! While reserving, I reserved the "6 pm Dining Room" for myself. So I will see you there. If you find a seat elsewhere, no biggie, I will come say hi to you. Even if you find spots for 6:15, 5:45 etc, please take it. We will use the meet-up app to coordinate. Dress to impress. Cos u know, we are fancy-shmancy. and please, spread the love!! Here is the restaurant link: https://www.darudc.com/ This is what they say: * A cancellation fee will not be charged if you cancel before Thu, Mar. 5 at 6:00pm. If you cancel after that, you agree to be charged a fee of $25.00 + tax per guest on the reservation. Any waiver of the fee is at the sole discretion of the restaurant. ## About Daru is a restaurant concept influenced and inspired by the cuisine, culture, and history of India. We specialize in classic and Indian-ish food and cocktails. Enjoy our year round heated and enclosed patio dining. Awards & Accolades: Food & Wine Magazine - #8 Best Restaurant in the US, 2024 Michelin Guide - Bib Gourmand 2022, 2023 Bon Appetit Magazine - Top 50 Best New Restaurants in America, 2022 New York Times - America's Best Restaurants, 2022 Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington - Best New Restaurant, 2022 Washingtonian Magazine - #11, Very Best Restaurants in Washington, 2023 Washington Post 2024 Fall Dining Guide Top 40 Restaurant

*We're holding this event again due to popular request!* *This is another completely different event than ones we've previously held, covering a unique angle on the subject of communication.* Shyness and anxiety in relationships are often treated as personal flaws or things to “push through.” Maybe you consider that it is who you are by nature. But if it was something natural, wouldn't you be happy and content with it? Maybe there is more to effectively communicating than just your personality. This live, in-person workshop explores the subject of communication and precise actions one can take to improve their communication... without changing their personality or being someone they are not. **You’ll likely relate if:** · You replay conversations later and think, *“That’s not what I meant.”* · You hesitate or overthink when it’s time to speak up. · Conversations drift into tension even when everyone has good intentions. · You want to connect better—but don’t want scripts or fake confidence. It’s a **guided, interactive workshop** where you’ll: · Learn why conversations break down in the first place · The most common problem people have in any struggle to have a conversation. It's not what you may think! · Practice being more present and composed in real time · Leave feeling more comfortable in conversations—without forcing anything Most people notice a difference **during the session itself**, not weeks later. **Who this is especially good for** · Thoughtful, introspective, or introverted people · Professionals who want clearer communication at work · Anyone navigating relationships, boundaries, or confidence · People tired of tips that don’t translate into real life You don’t need to be outgoing. You don’t need experience. You just need curiosity. This will be held in a group setting with light refreshments served. The location will be easy access for metro and bus stops. There is street parking available as well as a parking garage next to the building.

Meet in the parking lot of the Handy Bikes Service Center. At the start of each ride, we'll go over introductions to have a sense of participants' cycling experience. Over the course of our rides, we'll address the following: group riding dynamics; safety (ABC check & trail hazards); gear shifting; hill climbing; audible and hand communication within the group, with other trail users, and automobile drivers; what to bring on each ride; etc... Bring your questions, water & a snack. When it starts getting dark earlier, we'll need lights as well. Helmets a MUST. If you can, and especially if you've had issues with your bike, come a bit early to have it looked at ahead of the ride. PS - all levels are welcome to join, however, be mindful that if you are an experienced rider, please be prepared to ride at the pace of the newest rider in the group. Each week, depending on who's in attendance, and participants' riding ability/comfort level, we may do skills practice as a group in the parking lot or at the west end of Wheeler Ave. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll go for a ride on local trails and neighborhood streets and finish back at the shop. Happy Pedaling !! \~Maya

Venez se rencontrer, se présenter, bavarder. N'oubliez-pas de vous inscrire. A bientôt!

First Fridays Art Walk is a monthly evening dedicated to creativity, connection, and community. Stroll through local galleries and studios, meet artists, enjoy rotating exhibitions, live art, and immersive experiences all while supporting the local arts scene. Come curious, stay inspired. Event details will be in the Ladies Group in WhatsApp. Join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H533SlZi8h70XjkN6iSEws?mode=gi_t

2026 MGM Golden Voice Singing Competition **MGM National Harbor (MGM)** and **Chinese American Chamber of Commerce of Virginia (CACC)** Cordially Invites You to 🌟 **2026 MGM Golden Voice Singing Competition**🌟 🎶 As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, a spectacular musical celebration is about to take center stage at one of the region’s most iconic entertainment venues! **📍Event Information:** • Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026 • Time: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM • Venue: **Grand Ballroom, 2nd Floor, Convention Center** **101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill, MD 20745** **🎯 Competition Details:** • Eligibility: Age 21 and older • Entry Fee: $60 per person (All contestants will receive a $20 Participation Award upon completion of the first round and MGM $100 Free Play.) • Registration Deadline: March 1, 2026 For details, specifics & restrictions, please refer to Official Competition Rules at the link below (copy and paste the link to your browser): **https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1h9CTtR9syA48sQMSJwd4B19vlS6dNhW8?usp=sharing** We look forward to welcoming you to the MGM stage on March 8, 2026. MGM National Harbor & CACC Organizing Committee **cacc.connect@gmail.com** [2026 MGM Golden Voice Singing Competition](https://forms.gle/z1tEsqYv7x7qVPa69)

Climbers of all skill levels are welcome to Join "[Sends with Friends](https://www.instagram.com/sends_with_friends_climbing?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)" rock climbing community for an indoor bouldering event at [Bouldering Project -DC](https://maps.app.goo.gl/m6okjpQsjeSxTqVj8) gym. The first 25 climbers who come in through the doors get in for free, after that you'll pay $15 for a day pass. Rental shoes and chalk bag is provided free of charge. If this is your first time using Bouldering Project-DC facility consider taking the Intro to BP that starts 7:15PM and includes a tour of the facility. You must sign the Bouldering Project waiver and read, understand, and agree to Sends With Friends release of liability form before participating in this event. Please do so beforehand to avid creating a line at the front desk. You can find Bouldering Project waiver here: [First-Time-Visit](https://boulderingproject.com/first-time-visit/) and Sends With Friends Release of Liability form below: \* \* \* \* **Sends with Friends Rock Climbing Meetup Waiver and Release of Liability** **NOTICE:** By signing up for this event, you agree to the terms outlined below and acknowledge the inherent risks associated with rock climbing activities. Participation in any event organized by this Meetup group is contingent upon your agreement to this release form. **1\. Assumption of Risk:** I, the undersigned participant, acknowledge and fully understand that rock climbing is a high-risk activity. I am aware that participation involves risks including, but not limited to, physical injury, permanent disability, or death. These risks may arise from, but are not limited to, natural hazards, equipment failure, human error, and the actions or negligence of others. **2\. Release of Liability:** In consideration of being allowed to participate in any activity organized by this Meetup group, I hereby release and discharge the organizer(s), co-organizer(s), event leaders, and all other participants from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or connected to my participation, including claims arising from negligence or gross negligence. **3\. Personal Responsibility:** I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for my own safety during these events. I will use my own judgment in evaluating the risks involved and will take appropriate precautions, including but not limited to: * Wearing appropriate safety gear. * Using reliable climbing equipment. * Following established safety protocols. * Refraining from participating in activities beyond my skill level. **4\. Medical Fitness:** I affirm that I am in good health and physically capable of participating in rock climbing activities. I assume full responsibility for any medical conditions that may affect my ability to participate safely. **5\. Indemnity Agreement:** I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the organizer(s), co-organizer(s), event leaders, and other participants from any claims, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to my actions or participation in these activities. **6\. Photo/Video Release \(Optional\):** By signing this waiver, I grant permission for any photographs or videos taken during the events to be used for promotional or group-related purposes. (Participants may opt out by notifying the organizer.) **7\. Agreement to Follow Rules:** I agree to abide by all rules, instructions, and guidance provided by the event organizers and leaders. Failure to comply may result in my removal from the group. **8\. Acknowledgment of Agreement:** By joining any event organized by this Meetup group, I acknowledge that I have read and understood this waiver and release form. I agree that my participation in any event constitutes my electronic or physical signature to this agreement.

Below is the alltrails link to the hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/maryland/capital-crescent-trail We will only be doing 3 miles overall in this hike, out and back. Parking and Metro Access: Park in the garage near 7150 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815. Or park on the streets----- street-parking is free on Sundays. For metro: just get down at Bethesda metro station. We will meet at the trailhead next to the Ourisman Honda, check out the photo section of this event for a visual of the location. Bring plenty of water, whatever you need for your hike, and your awesome authentic self. Keep it easygoing. RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT: By being a member of this Group, RSVPing to any Activity, or participating in any Activity, You accept and agree to the terms and conditions described below: 1. You acknowledge that hiking in nature carries the risk of potential harm to yourself, including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. 2. You agree that You will at all times be responsible for Yourself and Your own safety. 3. You release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, this group's leadership and members for the hikes that you participate in. 4. You acknowledge and agree that this Group is merely a collection of friends or potential friends who enjoy doing activities, and that in no event does any Organizer or Other Member assume any responsibility or liability for You. 5\. You agree not to sue and to release\, discharge\, waive and hold harmless all organizers and other members from and against all liabilities\, claims\, demands\, losses\, damages\, suits and proceedings\, for negligence\, carelessness or any other cause which you may have or that hereafter may accrue arising\, resulting from or related to your membership in this group or participation in any activity\.

Socrates Café meets on the first Saturday of each month. Though this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Prior to each meeting we vote online for the questions we will discuss. That way, we will have enough time to ruminate on them and have more in-depth conversations. If you RSVP to a meeting, you may post your question in the event comments section below. I'll send out a survey for voting a few days prior to the meetup. We discuss two questions each night. So you will get to cast two votes in the survey. When we meet, we break into smaller groups of five to seven to discuss the top two vote-getters. Each group discusses one question for around 45-50 minutes, and we then take a short break. After reconvening, each group moves on to its second question. Hope to see you there! -Brian

**Parking**: There are 3 parking lots adjacent to each other, so you will be able to use any one of the lots if there is an overflow. Meeting Spot: Please wait near the "Dog Park" sign that is by the side of the parking lot that is closest to the trail head. Bring plenty of water, whatever you need for your hike, and your awesome authentic self. Bring a **joke**. **Trail Description**: "Prince George's County's Paint Branch Trail (not to be confused with Montgomery County's Paint Branch Trail farther north) runs for 3.5 miles between Lake Artemesia and Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park in the Washington, DC, suburb of College Park. The trail is a part of the larger Anacostia Tributory Trail System, which provides miles of off-road paved paths along the various branches of the Anacostia River." **RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT:** By being a member of this Group, RSVPing to any Activity, or participating in any Activity, You accept and agree to the terms and conditions described below: 1. You acknowledge that hiking in nature carries the risk of potential harm to yourself, including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. 2. You agree that You will at all times be responsible for Yourself and Your own safety. 3. You release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, this group's leadership and members for the hikes that you participate in. 4. You acknowledge and agree that this Group is merely a collection of friends or potential friends who enjoy doing activities, and that in no event does any Organizer or Other Member assume any responsibility or liability for You. 5. You agree not to sue and to release, discharge, waive and hold harmless all organizers and other members from and against all liabilities, claims, demands, losses, damages, suits and proceedings, for negligence, carelessness or any other cause which you may have or that hereafter may accrue arising, resulting from or related to your membership in this group or participation in any activity.

Join us for the Friday Night Fitness Skate! A 12 or 8 mile fitness skate that skates the same route each week so you will know the route and pavement hazards (since it is dark) and be able to work on form, endurance or speed as the cold wind is pushing against you! ;) The route has nice long stretches of uninterrupted skating, open roads with very few cars and the regroups are short and infrequent. We will meet at Freedom Plaza at 7pm as long as it is not raining, snowing and the pavement is not wet or icy. We’ll warm up with a skate to the Capital and then skate along the mall and museums to the National Monument. We will then head to the Lincoln Memorial through the World War II Memorial. From the Lincoln we will proceed to Haynes Point down Ohio Drive with the option to take the 3 mile Haynes Point loop (12 mile total skate) or practice stops or stunts at the regroup spot while others skate the loop (8.5 mile total skate.) The skate is mostly flat on good pavement with a small slope coming down from the Washington Monument and a 40 yard small slop from the Lincoln to Ohio Drive and a couple patches here and there. The wind can be very strong and cold especially on Ohio Drive and Haynes Point as we skate adjacent to the water. Please feel free to jazz up your gear with lights, I wear a helmet bike light (since it is pretty dark) and a set of body lights. Most of the regulars skate with lighted wheels for fun! Wear your lights so you have fun, can see and be seen! In case of bad weather, I will update this post via the comment section around 6pm on Friday. Of course, all skating is at your own risk. Hope you will come join us!

If you are interested in selecting investment choices for your 401(k) or other workplace savings plan, minimizing your income tax liability, or identifying the most effective investments for your brokerage account, we are the group for you. We are a local chapter of Bogleheads**®**, whose investment strategy can be found here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy Or you can peruse the Boglehead forum here: https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php I look forward to seeing you there. Mark Vonder Haar

Meet in front of the Nature Center

This is an in-person meeting. At this meeting you will get answers to depression and anxiety. Find out the source of them and how to get rid of them. Did you know that unwanted emotions like anxiety, depression, unhappiness, loneliness, hopelessness, anger, fear, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not due to a chemical imbalance in your brain from some nebulous chemical reaction "by chance". Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio and Church of Scientology of Central Ohio.

Join us for our inaugural hike of the 2026 season as we hike the first leg of the Big Walnut trail. We will leave from Morse Rd at Hanna Realty and hike 2 miles on a flat paved trail along Big Walnutl creek and looping Academy Park. See you Sunday at 3 pm!

This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.