RV Tips & Tricks

Yes, it's already approaching that special time of year... time for the Massanutten Death March! After consulting Jen and a few others, I'm putting up this placeholder with dates, and more details can be added or amended later. To quote Michael: "DCUL's annual spring lap around Massanutten... is always a good test of your backpacking chops and your fitness coming out of the winter." To quote me, "You might cry. You might develop the largest blisters you ever had! Aaaaand... you might come back next year for more torture..." I'm sticking with the classic version. So, we'll do the trip clockwise, Elizabeth Furnace to Veach Gap on Thursday (roughly 10m), Veach Gap to Waterfall Mountain on Friday (24m). Waterfall to Edinburgh Gap on Saturday (21m), and then back to the Signal Knob Parking lot (15m). NOTE: These splits are copied from last year's event and they do not match the Caltopo below, partly because the Sat/Sun splits show camping at Mudhole Gap but I'm going with Edinburgh Gap. We can make an updated Caltopo later. And, I know not everyone likes the Edinburgh campsite, but I don't want to add an extra 5 miles to Mudhole Gap on Saturday. We'll tag a few volunteers to reserve spaces. If anyone would like to post a complementary Half-a-nutten (is that canonical language?) or LM trip for the same weekend, feel free! I'll start group size at 10 plus myself, as Michael did last year. But we may add more spots later. You should be a veteran member to undertake this! It's always a memorable weekend! Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/HNED

The pickleball courts are situated on the far side of the playground, past the swing sets and picnic area. These courts (are] strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, and we do not offer reservation for public use. The courts are frequently unoccupied, but sometimes few people utilize the courts. We've created a WhatsApp group for our Meetup community to help everyone stay connected and get event updates more quickly. It’s a great way to share important info, coordinate plans, and keep each other in the loop about upcoming meetups. Feel free to join so you don’t miss out on any of the fun! https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bw0vxcNKRC1CeHixU41wTG

16-19 Apr (4 sessions) FOUNDATIONAL TECHNIQUE: [Click here for the direct site with details. ](https://dancesportendurance.com/viennese-waltz-camp/)This first camp of two will slowly but surely teach you the basic skills in the Viennese Waltz to prepare you for this incredible experience, with a series of advancing lessons. You will learn basics of social Waltzing along with some elements of Smooth and Standard! By the end, you will have developed skills that will give you basic skills for any Viennese Waltz setting, and you will also make a lot of dance friends while doing so. **1\. Thu\, 16 Apr\, 730\-930 pm:** Fundamentals of Viennese Waltz, basics, simple left turns, whisks w/ladies turn, practice, begin Camp Choreography. **2\. Fri\, 17 Apr\, 730\-930 pm:** Practice, Review, basic combos, progressive basic, Patty-cake, simple right turns, Polka basics, Camp Choreography. **3\. Sat\, 18 Apr\, 2\-5 pm \(potluck snack day\):** This is our longest session, so bring healthy snacks for yourself, or even better for the group! Practice, Review, simple left and right turns. Camp choreography. Discussion of balls in Vienna and Washington DC (at the break). Begin [The Laendler as seen in the Sound of Music](https://www.facebook.com/reel/4339516396320630). The session concludes with learning the Fledermaus Quadrille #6 **4\. Sun\, 19 Apr\, 1\-330 pm:** Practice, warm-up. Camp review. Navigational skills. Review of left and right simple turns, introduction of reverse turn (International style left turn), navigation drill. If the difference in level in class is quite large, we may break into two classes with an intermediate group pressing to more difficult maneuvers while beginners review. CAMP 2: Oct 9-11 (3 sessions) EXPERIENCED WALTZERS (INTERMEDIATE AND UP): Camp 2 is for the connoisseur! You will advance in technique and knowledge of multiple fast waltz styles, including the classic International Style, American Smooth, and a few steps that have been almost lost to history that you might have seen in such movies as The Sound of Music and Snow White. We will also teach a routine that will advance in each session. **CAMP 2 (Higher level maneuvering and technique)** **5\. Tue\, 28 Apr\, 730\-930 pm:** We’ll have a full camp review of the fundamentals camp which will give the experienced waltzers a chance to brush up on their basics. Then the following: Navigational skills. Natural turn technique improvements. Transitions from Reverse turn to natural turn and back. Camp Choreography— [The Laendler as seen in the Sound of Music](https://www.facebook.com/reel/4339516396320630). **6\. Thu\, 30 Apr\, 730\-930 pm:** Practice, Review, Hook turn to the Right (Laendler), closed changes from left to right and right to left, fifth position break, run around. Camp Choreography — The Laendler as seen in the Sound of Music. Fledermaus Quadrille #6 and polka **7\. Sun 3 May\, 1\-230 pm:** Practice, Review, Advanced Navigational skills. Navigation skills, changing from left to right with the whisk. Hook turn. Camp Choreography— The Laendler as seen in the Sound of Music. **8\. Tue\, 5 May\, 730\-930 pm:** Practice, Review, Advanced navigation drills. American Smooth figures. Camp Choreography— The Laendler as seen in the Sound of Music. **Sat 9 May, 9-12 pm:** [Glen Echo Park Strauss Ball by Waltz Time! (](https://www.waltztimedances.org/)NOT INCLUDED) **After the camp, experience the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, the largest dance floor in the DC metro area, for an evening dancing to fine Strauss music!**

Come volunteer with us refurbishing donated bicycles so that they can be used again by the community! This event is open to new volunteers and existing volunteers. No mechanical experience is necessary. Note: The warehouse location is in the alley behind 1502 Mt Vernon Ave. Enter through the gray door next to a roll-down garage door. If you drive to the location, be sure to park in the street, not in the alleys or parking lots surrounding the warehouse. And wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty with bicycle grease! Volunteers under 18 need a parent or guardian to accompany them to their first volunteer experience and sign a liability waiver. Volunteers under 16 need a parent or guardian to accompany them at all times while volunteering with Vélocity.

Arlington has a planetarium called the David M Brown Planetarium. I forget about it all the time. They host a monthly event. This month's starts at 7:30pm on April 18. Let's meet up at Quincy Hall beforehand and get buzzed before we learn about the Solar System. Tickets to the planetarium show are $5. They can be bought at the door and online. The online ones aren't available yet but I'll post a link when they are. The David M Brown Planetarium is at 1426 N Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22207 right around the corner from Quincy Hall. The show is called Dynamic Earth: https://friendsoftheplanetarium.org/event-6339264

It's April and it's time to get outside! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, April 19 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/)

(Bus hike) Compton Peak is notable for its set of columnar jointing of basalt crystals with their distinctive hexagonal shape. Long hikers start in Chester Gap at Rt. 522 and ascend the AT into park, with moderate hikers joining their route at Compton Gap Trail. Both hikes end at Hogwallow Flats Overlook on the Skyline Drive. The high point of the hike, both literally and figuratively, is the 2,909-ft. Compton Peak, where optional side trails lead to the columnar basalt outcrop and to a viewpoint of the Shenandoah Valley below. Each side trail adds about ½ mile and 100-200 feet of ascent to the total hike mileage and elevation gain. Est.: 10 miles, 3200' elevation and 7 miles, 1900' elevation. PATC Map 9. Fare: $33 plus park fee or pass. VA Hikes * **[DC: Near 17th and K St. NW](https://bit.ly/17thandKnu)** downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8 am. * **[Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot](http://bit.ly/vienna-bus)**, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Park at 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181 * * Caution: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway that passes the fare gates over I-66 to the north lot. The weather report for Sunday is looking favorable. The rain in the forecast should be out of the Front Royal area well before the hike starts. Also, the unseasonable heat will subside by Saturday. RESERVATIONS Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike. **Liability Waiver:** Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before NOON on the Friday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead. COVID PRECAUTIONS Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event. MORE DETAILS -- [SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](http://www.wanderbirds.org/faq.html)

Sign up to help with customer service at our Del Ray shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sign up to help with customer service at our Del Ray shop! **If this is your first time doing customer service at our shop**, **please direct message Elizabeth here via MeetUp** so she can ensure someone can be there to orient you. **What you'll do:** * greet customers * manage customer traffic * help customers find basic bike parts in our store * direct customers to the mechanics if they need a bike repair * help customers find a bike that fits them * set customers up to test ride bikes * work the register to conduct customer payments **Qualities of a good volunteer for this role:** * customer service oriented * willing to work outside most of the shift * able to work on their feet most of the shift * comfortable working in a faced-paced environment * open to a steep learning curve with a rewarding experience the more times you volunteer * excited to learn about Velocity Bicycle Cooperative and become part of our volunteer team that keeps our wheels turning! **What to Bring/Attire** * A water bottle & snack * Wear comfortable shoes and clothes appropriate for the day's weather * Sunscreen and a baseball hat if it is sunny **Age Requirements:** If you are under 18, you must bring a parent/guardian with you to the orientation to sign the waiver.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

Dinner and dancing

Younkin Branch Library (Ashville) meeting space is now reserved for any and all interested in or enthused by playing a game of chess. The second Thursday of each month, 6:00pm to 7:50pm. First gathering is Thursday, May 11th. No fees. Chess sets provided; however, you may bring your own if you wish.

Join us for **Ben Frain**'s talk ... Ben's book "Responsive Web Design With HTML5 and CSS" caught my attention (and should interest you as well). Find it here: [https://rwd.education/](https://rwd.education/) ***Bring your laptop and expect to write some (non-AI generated) code!*** Food and drinks will be available. **LOCATION:** 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43017 **FREE PARKING:** 6725 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017