Public School

Does it feel like the world is ending? Stop doomscrolling and try some vigorous outdoor activity! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, March 15 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

Our next club meeting is on Sunday will start at 2:15, please join early. if you're coming in-person, parking is free and usually ample at the Community College on Sundays, and most of us park where the spaces are designated for staff and have never had a problem. 👉 Everyone is welcome to join our meeting, participate and practice. You'll get a chance to hear our club members speak and then have an opportunity to play the table topics game. **Agenda for the Meeting:** 1. Warm Up 2. Prepared Speeches (By club members) 3. Table Topics Game (Learn to think on your feet) 4. Feedback **Online - Join us via Zoom** https://us05web.zoom.us/j/86218205188 If you haven't used Zoom before, watch this short video on how to join our meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=45&v=vFhAEoCF7jg **In-Person** **\- Join us at Montgomery Community College** Meet us at Science Building, room SC 152. The room is located on the ground floor. The exact building address is https://goo.gl/maps/ZEgQH7bKLvzdqtSQ9 For help, please text or call, 301-917-4202.

Come join us for in-depth discussions on topics relating to moral and political philosophy. This is a group for members who are comfortable discussing topics that are often anxiety producing and controversial. *"Aristotle was a realist who believed that reality and knowledge are found in the physical world, accessible through sensory experience and logic. This led to contrasting views on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality itself. Plato emphasized abstract, ideal concepts, while Aristotle prioritized empirical observation and the study of the natural world."* \- Google Gemini Following Aristotle's lead, this group will lean heavily on empirical data to make arguments. The Socratic method is still the preferred way to engage in conversation, and Platonic Idealism is still relevant to the conversation as points of reference.

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no door tickets will be available.** [Profs and Pints Metro Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Celtic Mythology,”** an exploration of the beliefs of a people whose influence spread far beyond the British Isles, with Larissa “Kat” Tracy, past president of the American Society of Irish Medieval Studies, former editor of its journal, *Eolas*, and visiting assistant teaching professor of English at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-celtic-myths](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-celtic-myths) . The Celts inhabited lands stretching from the British Isles to parts of France and the Holy Roman Empire. Their influence can be seen in the art of the Vikings, in the rich oral and literary traditions of the Irish, Welsh and Bretons, and in the modern renaissance of Celtic culture. But who exactly were they? Get into the minds of the Celtic people by learning about their myths and beliefs with Larissa “Kat” Tracy, a scholar of Old and Middle Irish and Middle Welsh language and literature and published translator of Old Irish texts whose dynamic and fascinating talks have earned a considerable following among Profs and Pints fans. Dr. Tracy will delve into early medieval literary records that tell stories of the Tuatha de Danann, a godlike people who invaded Ireland and then were defeated themselves. She’ll offer a new perspective on faeries, banshees, and leprechauns by describing how the ancient Otherworldy people once believed to inhabit the western realms of Ireland were diminished or demonized into figures of popular folklore. You’ll learn how the ancient God of the Sun become one of the “little people” guarding cauldrons of gold and bestowing luck, how immortal beings of majestic stature shrank to small, winged creatures in the back of gardens, and how supernatural women associated with the “people of the mound” became screaming harbingers of death. We’ll explore how medieval literary texts inspired later legends and became adapted into folklore. You’ll gain an understanding of how the medieval Catholic Church’s growing power led local people to reimagine their ancient gods and goddesses as Christian figures like Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick. You’ll gain an appreciation of how the Celts gave rise to living traditions that survive in modern popular culture through the preservation of languages, storytelling and music enjoyed all over the world, and renewed interest in goddesses like Brid and celebrations like Samhain. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From “Riders of the Sidhe,” a 1911 John Duncan painting of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

One time Bob scored a goal with his back Bring enthusiasm and a good attitude, plus a light and a dark shirt. No slide tackling, casual play. Warnings, yellow cards, and red cards will be issued based on behavior and play. GENERAL REMARKS Given the huge demand, we had to limit the Meetups to a maximum number of players. To play, you must register for each meetup (on a first come first served basis). Once the Meetups are full, there is a waiting list and you can still get a seat if players cancel. If you are not on the list, please do not drop by, as we can only play with a maximum of players. LATE DROPOFF POLICY: Late drop-offs will incur a 1-week suspension. Repeated late drop-offs may be subject to increased suspension time. All suspensions handled on case-by-case basis. COVID19 MEASURES: IF YOU ARE SICK OR IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS, DO NOT SHOW UP. Yellow Cards: Swearing at other player, hostile physical behavior, slide tackling, unnecessarily aggressive physical play (despite warning). RED CARDS: Initiating hostile physical conflict with another player. Repeated offense of the above yellow card behaviors. RULES: 1. Be cordial and nice 2. NO SWEARING AT OTHER PLAYERS 3. NO HOSTILE PHYSICAL ACTIONS (OUTSIDE OF COMPETITIVE TACKLES) 4. NO SLIDE TACKLING 5. YELLOW CARDS: Accumulation of three yellow cards will mean you will not be able to play for a game. 6. RED CARDS: Red card will remove you from the game and you will not be able to play the next game. 7. WAITLISTED INDIVIDUALS: Please avoid coming to the game if you are waitlisted. If players do not make it, the waitlist will be updated based on the time and date of sign up... PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE RULES. By agreeing to sign up, you are waiving us and meetup from liability for any injuries.

Higher Grounds – Del Ray is part of a growing network of gatherings where we create space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room. There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you *you* (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique. MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Del Ray who are also seeking deeper conversations. **Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions** 1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging? 2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists? 3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about? **Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles** 1. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? 2. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed? 3. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted? **Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human** 1. What human experiences will AI never truly understand? 2. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do? 3. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated? **Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning** 1. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space? 2. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live? 3. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self? **Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche** 1. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have? 2. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire? 3. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept? **Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose** 1. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you? 2. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors? 3. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years? **Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection** 1. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why? 2. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best? 3. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others? **Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality** 1. What are you running out of time to say or do? 2. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite? 3. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail? **Suggested Questions: Society & Culture** 1. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense? 2. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing? 3. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years? **Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy** 1. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way? 2. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out? 3. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

This meeting will be dedicated to talking about the entirety of "Stoner" by John Williams. We will be meeting in the National Portrait Gallery Atrium. To stay up to date with events and discuss meetings or books, you can join our Whatsapp group. Please message me to get added.

Let's meet under the Hirshhorn Museum! There are benches or places to sit, and plenty of shade. The architecture is interesting and there's plenty to draw there. There's a tulip event happening and though there's a fee to get in, chances are good that we'll be able to see them from outside of the barrier. You can find Christopher in one of the chairs with a meetup sign. By Gunnar Klack - Hirshhorn Museum, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84222994

A few years back, Amazon created a new TV show about the Tom Clancy character Jack Ryan. Somewhat infamously, [Jack Ryan's Morning Commute](https://dcist.com/story/18/09/04/jack-ryans-commute-to-work-makes-ab/) makes no sense. So this walk is inspired by the route he should've taken Part 1 (9.5 miles) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2pmXJaixbXQxnvfv8 1\. Foggy Bottom metro 2\. Potomac Boat club 3\. Chain Bridge 4\. Potomac Heritage Trail 5\. Turkey Run Trailhead Part 2 (\~2 miles) 6\. Turkey Run Trail \- https://www\.trailforks\.com/trails/turkey\-run\-trail\-759628/ 7\. Langley Fork Trail \- https://www\.trailforks\.com/trails/langley\-fork\-trail/ Part 3 (4 miles) - [https://maps.app.goo.gl/4n54jMK1q2xbefix5](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4n54jMK1q2xbefix5) 8\. McLean Metro **Millage:** \~16.0 miles **Start Location:** Foggy Bottom Metro Station **End Location:** McLean Metro Station **Time:** 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM **Terrain:** This will be have a solid amount of uphill (\~700 feet) elevation gain) with a mix of paved, gravel, and trail surfaces

Please bring a nutritarian dish or salad to share with at least 8 members. Also, you could bring containers to take home etras at the end of the evening. We will share resouces, recipes and other info as we support each other in choosing high nutrient dense eating.

Padaek is a family owned restaurant showcasing Lao and Regional Thai cuisine. Their new location in Arlington Ridge represents cultures through food, inspired by stories and family recipes from Chef Seng Luangrath's grandmother, aunt, and friends passed along in a refugee camp in Thailand. The integrity of Lao and Regional Thai cuisine is further demonstrated through the homestyle setting and art by a young local artist. Laotian food is similar to the cuisine from northern Thailand, but is spicier and more complex.

**✅ First class is FREE – only 10 spots available!** Learn real self-defense skills in a small-group setting. No experience needed, open to all adults. 📲 RSVP now and text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm—once spots are gone, they’re gone. ## **Free Intro Self-Defense Class – Maryland Systema** Want to learn how to protect yourself while also improving your health, focus, and confidence? Join us for a free first class at **Maryland Systema**, a unique approach to self-defense that blends both physical and mental training. *** ### **Why This Class is Different** Unlike most programs that only teach physical moves, Systema trains your body **and** your mind. You’ll explore: * **Structure** – staying balanced under pressure * **Breathing** – keeping calm and controlling fear * **Relaxation** – avoiding panic and wasted energy * **Movement** – adapting naturally to any situation You’ll also learn to read an attacker’s intentions and respond proportionately—aligned with Maryland’s self-defense laws. *** ### **What You’ll Gain** ✔ Practical skills you can use right away ✔ Better stress control and awareness ✔ Improved strength, mobility, and coordination ✔ Confidence in handling real-world situations *** ### **Class Info** 📍 **Location:** The Dance Exchange - Studio #3 - Takoma Park (free parking) 🕒 **Length:** 1.5 hours 👥 **Small Group:** Max 10 students for personalized guidance 👖 **What to Wear:** Comfortable long pants and clothes you can move in 💵 **Cost:** Free for first-time students *** ### **How to Join** RSVP here on Meetup to save your spot, then text Jim at **301-326-9146** to confirm. Spots are limited—once the group fills, we close registration. *** **Maryland Systema** Real-world self-defense training for adults—helping you stay ready, stay calm, and stay safe.

TBA- We will do lunch before the play too! Tickets are on sale now only $20.

An elegant evening of blind chocolate tasting, accompanied by five diverse quality French wines. We will have an assortment of French cheeses and meats to accompany the wine. Co-hosted by Paris 75 and Dublin Toy Emporium, in Historic Downtown Dublin. Arrive at 6:30pm at Paris 75 for a glass of French sparkling wine to start your evening and other wines and food will be next door at Dublin Toy Emporium. Dress is business casual or cocktail dress. Details to follow. Estimated cost will be $40. Your reservation will not be firm until you Venmo or Zelle the Organizer. **Faire la Fête NV Brut Sparkling** (Crémant de Limoux) 90 Pts WE - Aromas of wet stone meet tart green pears on the nose of this sparkling wine. Beautifully structured, the palate is chalky and displays tart green apple, wildflowers and lemon pith flavors with a crisp finish. **2000 Château Piron Montagne-Saint-Émilion - Merlot - Cab. Sauv.** CT – 94 Pts - Medium ruby color intensity, with a slight browning on around the rim. Pronounced aromas and flavors of plum, cedar, mushrooms and earth. Tannins are slight at this point. Alcohol is moderate. Finish is moderately long. **2022 Les Sources de Montmiral – Gigondas** 91 Pts Jancis Robinson – Syrah 20% – Grenache 70% – Mourvèdre 10%. Soil: Very stony alluvial terraces and steep hillsides. Aroma: Bouquet of violets and red fruits in its youth, then evolving towards nuances of undergrowth, cloves and tobacco. Tannins: Velvety and soft. Taste: Fleshy palate. It gives a spicy and harmonious finish from the exceptional Terrior of the Dentelles de Montmiral Massif.

We thought of one of the interesting things that can be enjoyed at this time of the year. We will be meeting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for a "Fish Fry" in Marian Hall on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 PM. It might be fun for you to experience what has become a tradition on the Fridays before Easter. They will have fried fish or baked fish, French fries and Cole slaw, as well as beverages, all for $16.00 for adults. They will have other beverages and desserts available for sale, as well. We have never tried this, and sometimes there are quite a few people at these events so we hope that we will be able to find each other easily. I'll try to have signs outside Marian Hall that Identify our group. We hope to have you join us!

Let's mix and boogie! We'll start with social time over dinner/appetizers/drinks from 7:30-8:45pm. Then we'll get down with a great live old School 80s & 90s hip-hop, R&B band, [Old Skool](https://www.facebook.com/OldSkoolCleveland). **Cover Charge**: $10.00 cash at door. **Attire**: Dressy casual **Parking**: public parking lot in front of club. First time here? Lazy Chameleon is in a shopping center off Sawmill Pkwy. They offer good seafood dishes and typical bar food, too. [Lazy Chameleon](http://www.lazychameleon.com)

**Tickets are on sale now**

Free at Bexley Library Adventures in Ecological Horticulture with Rebecca McMackin Wednesday, March 18 1:00pm - 2:30pm Gone are the days when a garden could be ornamental alone. We now recognize the impact that our land care practices have on the ecosystems around us, and can see the importance of encouraging biodiversity. Thankfully, we do not need to sacrifice beauty when we invite butterflies and songbirds into our gardens. Rebecca McMackin has cultivated gorgeous landscapes in the toughest environments possible: urban parks, school playgrounds, and the sidewalks of New York City. She will take lessons from her work at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Museum, and decades of research to share how those of us who are fortunate enough to care for land, can do it beautifully and ecologically. Rebecca McMackin is an ecologically obsessed horticulturist and garden designer. She writes, lectures, and teaches on ecological landscape management and pollination ecology, as well as designs the rare public garden. She is currently Lead Horticulturist for the American Horticultural Society, an Associate with the Harvard Divinity School’s Thinking with Plants and Fungi Initiative, and Consulting Arboretum Curator for Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY. Rebecca spent a decade as Director of Horticulture of Brooklyn Bridge Park, where she managed 85 acres of diverse parkland organically. Their research into cultivating urban biodiversity and ethical management strategies has influenced thousands of people and entire urban parks systems to adopt similar approaches. She has been published by and featured in the New York Times, Gardens Illustrated, on NPR and PBS. Her garden for the Brooklyn Museum recently won the PPA’s Award of Excellence and her TED Talk has been viewed over a million times. She holds M.Sc. from Columbia University and University of Victoria in landscape design and biology and recently completed the Loeb Fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. This program is presented in partnership with Rooted in Bexley and generously funded by the Bexley Community Foundation and Bexley Community Author Series Fund.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Crimson Cup Coffee Shop - Clintonville](https://www.crimsoncup.com/about/location/clintonville)!