River Cleanups

\*\*Holiday smackdown!\*\* Let's return to one of our favorite spots to play - William Jeffrey's Tavern! WJT is a real good venue for playing the popular Pour House Trivia game. This place is less noisy than many trivia venues, and they have real good food! It is a 7:00 pm game, but you should try to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier to find us and get settled. There might be some street parking available, but there is also a parking garage for the building around back with free validated parking. The place is also on a frequent bus line from Pentagon City metro. This event is limited to seven people, so sign up now to save your spot for this fun trivia option!

What3words: https://w3w.co/stick.juices.rings [https://what3words.com/stick.juices.rings](https://what3words.com/stick.juices.rings) Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos. [http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/](http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/) From the parking lot near the visitor center off Lockheed Blvd, there is Cedar Trail which is about a 15-minute hike to the Heron Trail boardwalk. The Cedar Trail goes through a great forest that has some wildlife like deer and many birds, The Boardwalk is where the majority of the wildlife is located. The Group has seen deer, foxes, beaver, snakes, frogs, green tree frogs, huge snapping turtles, and many types of birds including Bald Eagles, Osprey, Marlins, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, King Fishers in the marshy wetlands. The boardwalk can become crowded before sunrise. The crowd, notwithstanding, the early arrivals have been rewarded with sightings of foxes and Bald Eagles. There is a point on the boardwalk that splits. The left side features sightings of shorebirds snapping turtles and beavers. The right side leads to one of the smaller overlooks and has several benches along the way. In the wintertime, the Group gets to photograph many migrating ducks, such as Green-winged teals, Northern Shovelers, and Northern Pintails! In the springtime, the park provides bird boxes for the Wood Ducks and Mergansers to lay and protect their eggs until their offspring fledge and leave the nest. The Group then continues around the boardwalk to the right towards the forest where Great Blue Herons and Red-winged Blackbirds are photographed. Next, the Group approaches a two-story overlook complete with benches for the Group to rest and survey the park. Following a brief respite, the Group continues to Marker 8, the end of the boardwalk. At this point, the forest reappears. And on that edge of the wetlands, there are Red-Headed Woodpeckers. This is one of the few places in the Washington, DC area where they live. After a couple of hours on the wetlands, the Group retraces the route by continuing on the boardwalk to the right towards Cedar Trail, past the visitor center onto the parking lot. There is a small pond behind and to the south of the visitors center that frequently has small frogs. While they are a true find to photograph, mosquitoes have been known to swarm at the pond! The north side of the visitor center features bird feeders that attract hummingbirds and other small birds. At the end of this field trip, the Group typically has breakfast at IHOP, 7694 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA. 22306. 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.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. This is an 11.6 mile hike with 2000' elevation gain in Lost River State Park, WV ( http://www.lostriversp.com ). We will hike on the Cranny Crow/Big Ridge trails. We will have beautiful views along the way including Millers Rock and will pass many interesting structures. This park is about a 2 hour drive from the Centreville Commuter Lot. Even the drive has great scenery. We hike at a 2.5-3.0 mph pace when moving. Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) [Rating: A](https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/) Park Entry Fee: $0 Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 Carpools: Arrive at the Centreville Park and Ride at 6:45am carpools depart at 7:00am. Suggested carpool fee is $14. ***The leader will be at the carpool location*.** GPS Coordinates: 38.836038, -77.455371, [https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18](https://goo.gl/maps/hc3LRG7Hsy2wMJs18) Driving time from Centreville to trailhead is \~2 hours with pit stop. Trailhead: Meet at Lost River State Park at 9:00am hike starts at 9:15am. Park at the first lot just before and adjacent to the swimming pool. GPS Coordinates 38.895211, -78.924458 [https://goo.gl/maps/L6KevYXSY7dXDTBd7](https://goo.gl/maps/L6KevYXSY7dXDTBd7) Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. AllTrails Map for Hike: [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lost-river-state-park-d9fc5b7?u=i&sh=7cs7ov](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lost-river-state-park-d9fc5b7?u=i&sh=7cs7ov) ***You must be experienced in hikes of this distance and elevation gain.***

Walk 3 miles circle followed by brunch. Bring a bag and we can do our civic duty to cleanup as we pass trash

Our meeting for May will be at the Vienna Inn. We'll have a couple tables in the back, enjoy food, fun, and friends, and talk about warmer weather and fishing trips to come. Hope you can make it.

Please join us every week for power networking! Our Chapter Passed $1,666,736 USD in the past 12 months! BNI members, on average, increase their business 20% the first year. Our chapter is a dynamic, committed group of business people who know how to refer business to each other. Come for our meeting -- stay for the referrals!!! We have open categories for individuals who will bring enthusiasm and integrity to our meeting. Just one person per professional specialty is allowed in each chapter. Visit a meeting to find out more and lock out your competition! Register Here: https://bninovanorth.com/va-nova-north-bni-mclean-business-connection--n136/en-US/visitorregistration?chapterId=16988

**What:** Aquatic Adventures is doing their annual charity treasure dive which is always a fun filled day of meeting dive buddies new and old, a BBQ lunch, and of course diving for a token that could snag you anything from a hat to a week long live-a-board trip in the Bahamas. So how does this work? Aquatic Adventures sends staff down to tie tokens to various objects under the water at the lake. It could be a tree, a boat, bus, helicopter or other object. Tokens are distributed at various depths so all can participate, no matter if you are advance or a newbie. All divers should take only one token, Unfound tokens are auctioned off. Then prizes are drawn for each number, and there is a prize for each number (everyone is a winner), While some are small, fun prizes like a hat. Others can be equipment (I have seen regulators before). It appears that this year's big prize is a Live-a-Board trip in the Bahamas. I have done this several times with Aquatic Adventures and it has always been a great day of diving and camaraderie. This year I will be leading the club trip to the Caymans starting on this day, so I'll miss it, but Aquatic Adventures will take great care of you. **Where:** Lake Phoenix, 1 Quarry Ln, Rawlings, VA 23876 You need to follow the link to register with and pay Aquatic Adventures. If you have trouble with the link, go directly to their web site. When you get to Lake Phoenix, you will check in with Lake Phoenix and tell them you are with the Aquatic Adventures group. They will direct you to the Aquatic Adventures pavilions. **When:** Dives will start at 11am. The auction for unfound tokens and the drawing for prizes will start at 2pm. **Why:** Proceeds from the event will go to benefit [Camp Open Seas](https://www.facebook.com/groups/408647187037266), which provides a week long SCUBA camp for children with disabilities. **Cost:** $55 ($25 for students) Please Register on the Aquatic Adventures Web site and pay them directly . **[Click here to register!](https://aquaticadventuresva.com/courses/treasure-dive-may-30-2026)** Availability: **Contact Aquatic Adventures for booking information**

• What we'll do On https://blackecon101.podbean.com/ Thursdays at 6 pm. discussing the economy....

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kayaking-fun-tickets-114219579838). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ABOUT THE EVENT Let us get together for Kayaking + fun. We will have an hour on the water and will hit one of the bars in the area for a bite and/or booze. The Event is meant to be a group outing. It is not for Season's Ticket holders and Kayak Owners. Ticket price includes Kayak and Life Jacket rentals. Detailed meeting point will be send to ticket holders. Plan to arrive on time and be aware that parking can take some time. Due to the pandemic the entire set up of this event is changed: * We will be complying with all CDC, state, and local guidelines. * Occupancy never exceeds 50%. That is why ticket price is on the higher end. * No Cash Transaction to reduce contamination. * No walk-ins. Tickets ought to be bought in advance. * All patrons must bring and wear face masks/face coverings. If you don't wear a mask, we don't allow you to attend and you won't be refunded. MASKS WILL NEED TO BE WORN WHILE ON LAND. ONCE ON THE WATER, THE MASK MAY BE REMOVED. ATTENDEES WILL BE ASKED TO KEEP PHYSICAL DISTANCE FROM OTHER GROUPS/COUPLES/FAMILIES ON THE WATER. * A thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces will be done during the event and please bear with us. Directions and Check-In They are directly under the Key Bridge on the Georgetown side of the river at 3500 Water Street Northwest; Washington, DC 20007 (used to be called K Street NW). GPS Is not very accurate as we are under the bridge. You can put in 3500 Water Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007; just be aware of where the GPS is taking you. Metro The best way to get there is via metro. They are just a short 10 - 15 minute walk across the Key Bridge from the Roslyn stop. Parking Key Bridge Boathouse has very limited parking available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is street parking in the area; however, you may need to circle around a few times to find a spot. Some spots are free, most are metered. A few blocks to the east on Water Street (next to the Lowes Theatre) is a parking garage. Biking There are bike racks at the boathouse, so we encourage you to bike, paddle and bike some more! Please bring your own locks. We are very close to the Capital Crescent Trail. What to Wear and Bring Water, sunscreen, clothes you don't mind getting a li'l wet, and a great attitude! 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 of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKET** http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/7/e/600_438679326.jpeg

Hosted by Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District **Stream Team Sampling Events** Are you interested in the health of local rivers and streams? You can join the Licking County Soil and Water in a Stream Team assessment. These events are a night filled will fun in the water. We look at habitat, biology, and chemical parameters in waterways that indicate how healthy our water is! We would love to see you at one of these events! Family friendly. Free to attend. June Wildwood Park, Granville Where: 785 W Broadway, Granville, OH 43023 Date: 6/11/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. July Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill Where:11324 Mount Vernon Rd, Utica, OH 43080 Date: 7/9/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

Community Backyards Workshop .Community Backyards Workshop - Westerville Join us for the Westerville Community Backyards workshop! This is a FREE class on how you can protect our waterways and environment with small changes in your gardening habits. We will discuss rain barrels, rain gardens, composting, and native plants. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but not required. * Location: Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082 * Date and time: Sat, May 30, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM * Organizer: Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/h2w5ms8 **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days