Photography Safari

Get checked your bucket list by visiting this wonderful country Switzerland while exploring the 5 days of adventure by visiting various cities and little towns. Enjoy the scenic drives, mountains, waterfalls, and a lot more. Note: To join the Day01 Zurich half-day city tour, you must arrive by 12pm as the tour is scheduled for 2.30 pm Highlights Visited Places: • Lake Zurich • Eiger, Jungfrau Glacier, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald • Lucerne • Mt Pilatus • Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Travel Experience: • Exploring Switzerland towns • Boat Cruise • Zurich city • Local cuisine • Sightseeing as per the itinerary Tour Start Zurich Tour End Zurich Destination Switzerland Flights • Arrival: Day01 before 12 pm • Return: Day05 anytime after breakfast Airport: Zurich Airport (ZRH) Itinerary Day01 Zurich Highlights Half-Day Tour with Lake Cruise Day02 Jungfrau Glacier, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald Day03 Mt Pilatus Day Trip Day04 Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein Day05 Zurich Cost: $2590 (Double Occupancy) $3290 (Single Supplement) Inclusions Price Includes • 4 nights of hotel accommodation • Guided day activities • 4 breakfasts at the hotel • Sightseeing (Car, Bus, Van, Train, Boat) Price Excludes • International Flights • Airport Transfer • Meals (other than those mentioned above) • Personal Expenses • Tips and gratuities • Transfers other than those mentioned in the Itinerary (available at extra cost) • Travel insurance / Visa ———————————————— For detailed itinerary and to reserve your seat follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/switzerland-5-days-adventure-zurich-interlaken-lucerne/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/switzerland-5-days-adventure-zurich-interlaken-lucerne/) Questions? Text / Call - 2023787696 - Himanshu - Organizer

🗒️ **Details** Grafana 13 just dropped at GrafanaCON 2026 and we're not wasting any time. Join us at Clare & Don's Beach Shack in Falls Church, VA for a free meetup where we dig into what's actually new, what it means for your stack, and where observability is heading. If you work in DevOps, SRE, or platform engineering in the DMV, this is your people. Whether you've been running Grafana for years or you're just getting started, you'll leave with something useful. 📋 **Agenda** 🎉 **5:30 – 6:00 — Kick-Off & Check-In** Grab a plate of food, meet the people around you, and get settled in. We're at Clare & Don's so the vibes are already taken care of! 🎙️ **6:00 – 6:30 — Rob Santos: Grafana 13 & AI in Observability** Grafana Assistant is now baked into the platform and it changes a lot. Rob breaks down what's new in Grafana 13, how AI is reshaping the way teams monitor and troubleshoot, and what it actually looks like in practice. No sales pitch, just real talk. [Rob Santos, Senior Solutions Engineer @ Grafana Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-j-santos/) 🎙️ **6:30 – 7:00 — Christopher Field: Building ML-Powered Apps with Grafana** Christopher shares how Theia Scientific built a custom application platform that combines Grafana, machine learning, and Jupyter notebooks to power materials research and non-destructive testing workflows. A cool real-world example of Grafana being used way outside the typical use case. *[Christopher Field, Co-Founder, President & Principal Investigator @ Theia Scientific](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrfield/)* 💬 **7:00 – 7:45 — Networking & Open Q&A** Bring your questions, your war stories, and your opinions. This is where the good conversations happen. 🔚 **7:45 – 8:00 — Wrap Up** *** **Spots are free but limited — grab yours before they're gone.** We look forward to seeing you there! **Parking info** — your best bet is the free public parking garage located next to the Whole Foods Market nearby. It's easy to find and the most convenient option. *** 📌 **P.S.** Stick around until the end — we're raffling off two things: 🎁 A Grafana swag bundle 🔧 A $100 gift card to Craftsman Autoshop in Vienna, VA with a goodie basket

Un'ottima occasione per parlare in Italiano con persone di madre lingua. Aperto a tutti i livelli di conoscenza dell'Italiano. Specialmente gustando una buonissima pizza. A presto. Please consider donating to us via the Pledge widget on this page to help us defray the costs of running a Meetup group. **Note: This event occurs on the third Wednesday of every month at Redrocks Columbia Heights**

A low cost, 6-week beginner-level **اللغة العربية** (Arabic) course with the non-profit organization, the Global Language Network. \#\# Arabic Tourist Language Class **Details:** \#\#\#\# Arabic Tourist with Ahmed Wednesday from 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET Apr 8th to May 13th In-person/Online, Farragut Square DC * GLN classes are open to everyone over 18 years of age. * Have a credit or stipend to apply to your payment? Learn more about our credit, stipend, and refund policy on the [Pricing & Course Levels page.](http://%5Bhttps://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels%5D(https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels) "\[https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels\](https://thegln.org/pricing-%26-course-levels)") Ready to learn? **Register [HERE](http://%5Bhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform%5D(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform) "\[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform\](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem9IdJEYqsE91SvfEEjIe8FuvoAjOusgE2ab_qkvm3apyjzg/viewform)").** **About GLN** We are a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to "Use Language as a Tool to Help Fix Our World." Since 2015 we have been rated #1 Best Language Classes in Washington, DC by Yelp! We are so happy and grateful to have you join our network and we appreciate your support of our mission.

**Dine with me a veteran or active duty service member on Wednesday, May 13, and their lunch or dinner is our treat.* (Free entrée** **equal to or less than your purchase.)** **In celebration of Armed Forces Week, Firebirds has chosen May 13 to offer a hero a free meal. As Memorial Day approaches, we are also mindful of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms.**

**For Information Only, as I may or may not attend.** The Seventh Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style Exotic Cars, Motorcycles, Fashion, and Fun! Lower Blocks of King Street and Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia [https://festivalofspeedandstyle.com/home](https://festivalofspeedandstyle.com/home) Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.

Iceland Ring Road 8 Day Adventure with Blue Lagoon Overview Start and end in Reykjavik! With this Explorer tour, you have a 8 days package taking you through Reykjavik and 26 other destinations in Iceland that includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, transport. Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks. Itinerary Day01 Reykjavik Day02 Golden Circle & South Coast Day03 Katla Ice Cave & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Day04 East Iceland Day05 Stuðlagil Canyon & Lake Mývatn Day06 North Iceland & Whale Watching Day07 West Iceland Day08 The Blue Lagoon *** For detailed itinerary follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/iceland-ring-road-8-day-adventure-with-blue-lagoon/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/iceland-ring-road-8-day-adventure-with-blue-lagoon/) Price: $3590 (Double occupancy) $3990 (Single occupancy) Inclusions Price Includes * Hotel accommodation for 7 nights, including breakfast. * Professional English speaking guide for the day tours. * Minibus or small coach for day tours * Free WiFi on the bus * Airport transfers Price Excludes * Flights * Meals * Personal Expenses * Optional activities * Travel insurance / Visa * Tips *** Questions? Text/Call: 2023787696 - Himanshu Organizer

Start and end in Kolkata (Calcutta)! With the Romantic tour 11 Days Exotic North East India Tour Package, you have a 11 days tour package taking you through Kolkata (Calcutta), India and 3 other destinations in India. 11 Days Exotic North East India Tour Package includes accommodation in a hotel as well as flights, an expert guide, meals, transport and more. Itinerary Day01 Arrival At Kolkata Day02 Flight To Bagdora And Drive To Darjeeling (90 Kms/ 3 Hrs) Day03 Exploring Darjeeling Day04 Darjeeling Day05 Drive From Darjeeling To Gangtok (95 Kms/ 3.5 Hours Day06 Exploring Gangtok Day07 Full day at leisure Day08 Drive From Gangtok To Kalimpong (90 Kms/ 3 Hours) Day09 Exploring Kalimpong Day10 Drive To Bagdora (80 Kms/ 2 Hours) And Flight To Kolkata Day11 Sightseeing In Kolkata And Departure Cost: $3590 Inclusions Price Includes * Accommodation on twin sharing at 3 Star/4 star Hotels. * All Internal Flight within India on Economy Class * All customers are advised to book their international flight tickets on their own. After booking the tickets, please share your flight schedule with us as it will help us to make necessary arrangements for you like airport pick-up and drop off your pre-booked hotel and vice versa during departure. * **Guidelines Related To Tour Guides –** * We passionately strive to support local tour guides. Hence, we hire them while designing our tour packages for customers. The local guides we associate with have expertise and thorough knowledge about the city and all areas where you probably roam around. Having service of such guides allow tourists to explore the best of a city and enjoy to the fullest. * We make sure to hire English speaking tour and all major foreign languages guides at almost every tour destination where we provide services. This way, we ensure our customers do not face any communication issue while dealing with guides on their tour. The company of a local and knowledgeable guide will make your tour more entertaining because they master in storytelling about various attractions and share great knowledge about the city. * Another great benefit of hiring an expert local tour guide is that, they offer great suggestions related to good food, restaurants, market, entertainment and the best of a place. This way, you can have the best experience of visiting an unknown city. * Daily Breakfast * Accommodation for 10 Nights * English Speaking Guide * Private Transportation * Domestic Flights within India * Daily Breakfast * We are partners with reputable local transfer services in just about every Indian city to offer you air-conditioned, well-maintained, and exceptionally clean private vehicles at your ready disposal, wherever you go. We provide you with a comfortable private vehicle driven by a licensed private driver as soon as you arrive at the destination city, so as to render your trip much more relaxed and enjoyable, extra cushioned with personalized care, supervised safety and absolute flexibility to travel at your own whim and fancy. * Our entire fleet is insured, regularly serviced and maintained to stay spick & span. Vehicles are available in all sizes, including recent models of small cars, sedans, SUVs, vans, and mini-buses to meet varying traveler’s needs – like transporting solo travelers or ferrying large groups or families. * Cherry on the cake, all the cabs are driven by licensed and experienced drivers who have been engaged only after proper background verification and confirming essential qualities such as pleasant demeanor, punctuality, integrity, and a healthy level of patience. Price Excludes * Flights * Meals * Personal Expenses * Optional activities * Travel insurance / Visa * Tips ———————————————— For detailed itinerary and to reserve your seat follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/india-11-days-highlights-of-north-east-india/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/india-11-days-highlights-of-north-east-india/) Questions? Text / Call - 2023787696 - Himanshu - Organizer

5:45-7:45 in Conference Room B, Library lower level. Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends. If you plan to attend, please RSVP yes. If you can’t attend, please change your RSVP to no. This helps anyone who is waitlisted and it allows me to have an accurate count of attendees as our space is quite limited. Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street. See you there!

SAVE THE DATE! POLLINATOR PATHWAY + LICKING LAND TRUST Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 30, 2026 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon Granville Farmers Market Raccoon Valley Park 1225 River Road | Granville Plant package pre-order available as of 6-May at this link [https://lickinglandtrust.org/store/plant-sale](https://lickinglandtrust.org/store/plant-sale) Sun, Shade and Native Tea garden packages available

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

TOPIC (TBD): Meeting Schedule: 1. 6:00 - Introduction, Meet New Members 2. 6:10 - Old Business 3. 6:20 - New Business 4. 6:30 - Pre-Shoot Briefing/Education 5. 7:15 - Break 6. 7:30 - Image Critique 7. 8:00 - Adjourn Pre-Shoot Brief/Education: NIK Collection 8 Image Critique: Previous Photoshoot Images (iPhone images and Christmas Cards). If anyone has images they would like critiqued, please provide them at the beginning of the meeting. Providing Images for Critique: For now, I will collect images at the beginning of the meeting on a USB memory stick. My computer has USB-C ports, so a USB-C memory stick or one with dual (USB-C / USB-A) ports will be needed. Images should follow these format rules: JPG - 80% quality or higher 132 dpi resolution 2048 pixels across the long edge Embedded colorspace - sRGB

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."