Santeria

Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood loves the holidays. Every year, neighbors create huge plywood holiday cards - many of them featuring their pets -- there are also Star Wars, Ted Lasso and lots of llama themed cards :). While the cards have popped up throughout the neighborhood, they are concentrated on East Luray and East Alexandria Avenues -- https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/alexandria-del-ray/2020/12/15/2a11ef2e-3ef8-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html Let's take our Aussies on a stroll down Del Ray's Holiday Card Lane. We will start at 409 East Nelson Avenue at one of the neighborhood's iconic holiday houses and then walk down East Luray and back up East Alexandria. It's an easy and fun walk and at a slow pace should not take more than an hour. Then if you like, explore dog-friendly Del Ray. This is an on leash event. As we get closer to the event we will post restaurants that have heated patios and are dog-friendly.

**🎉 Book Swap: Bring Your Books to the The Potter's House Café & Bookstore! 📚** 📅 **Date:** Monday, December 22nd, 2025 🕒 **Time:** 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 **Location:** The Potter's House Café & Bookstore - 1658 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009 **Agenda:** * **6:00 PM - 6:30 PM** \- Check\-in and chat * **6:30 PM - 7:00 PM** \- Introductions * **7:00 PM - 8:00 PM** \- Book swap **Please note**: * Gently used books are ideal for swapping. * If a book you bring isn’t swapped, you will have the option to donate it to The Potter's House community shelf. * This is a “stay-and-swap” event, so please join with the intention of engaging and connecting with the group.

Please join us. We are a group of 6-12 people who come together weekly on Mondays for an hour of silent meditation, walking meditation. We all need more silence and peace in this world. We end with tea and snack and a poem with sharing. Our guiding teacher has practiced Zen meditation for 25 years, but we all share leadership. Beginners or anyone interested in silent meditation and fellowship are welcome. We sit in chairs, have a reading or brief instruction, a bell and silent meditation for 10 minutes, followed by walking meditation, a bell and 20 minutes of silent meditation. We end with an offering of tea and a snack, conversation and a poem and reflections. A warm and welcoming group. Free, please join us. We meet in the sanctuary In [Rockville United Church](https://www.rockvilleunitedchurch.org/) in Twinbrook, MD. Plenty of parking. Enter the main door and look for a green sign. ***This is a good place to rest and refresh on the way home from work and before dinner.*** Free. Try it.

Hello friends!! K has graciously opened her home to host a 6 hour Kirtan and Community Potluck! Come for just a bit, or stay the whole time! Schedule: 2pm - Peter 3pm - Micah 4pm - Rufus 5pm - Open Jam 6pm - Vandya 7pm - Sumer Please come if you feel compelled to lead a chant, play instruments, or request a chant we can learn. Of course, please come to just chant too! That is the most important aspect, after all! I like to describe Kirtan, in simple terms, as a chanting meditation. When you chant in Sanskrit, and repeat the mantra over and over, it vibrates your vocal chords and resonates through your whole body. When everyone in the room is chanting together, that vibration unifies us on a particle level and allows us to access and connect with the Divine within ourselves and each other. It is one of the main practices of Bhakti Yoga, which is another path of Yoga, which unites our mind, body, and spirit. Feel free to bring some food to share or an instrument to play. Any and all are welcome to join! Time: 2pm - 8ish Address: 5914 Johnson Ave. Bethesda, MD 20817 This is a private residence - open to the public - all are welcome - bring a friend, the family, the kids, the parents, the spouse - comfortable setting. If you want to sit on the floor, it might be wise to bring something to sit on - Zafu or pillow or the like.

Join us at the Chess Center offices (Suite 118, entrance on 2nd Avenue) on Saturday afternoons from 1:00 – 5:00pm ET for open play. Players of all abilities and ages are welcome. * Non-Members: $5.00/player table fee for the day. * Chess Center [Members](https://chessctr.org/membership/) always play for FREE ($0.00). Check our social media ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/uschess) / [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/USChessCenter)) for closure announcements: The Chess Center is closed on major holidays. We also have chess sets, clocks, and [used chess books](https://chessctr.org/usedbooks/) for sale.

Come take part in the ancient practice of chanting that's easy to join, powerful to feel, and impossible to forget. Call and response singing encourages connection, joy and inner peace. No experience is needed. You can sing, hum, play a drum or anther instrument, or simply listen and feel the vibration. We’ll explore traditional Sanskrit mantras, along with songs and prayers from other spiritual traditions, all woven together in the spirit of unity. Kirtan in simple terms is a chanting meditation. When you chant and repeat a mantra over and over, it vibrates your vocal chords and resonates through your whole body. When everyone in the room is chanting together, that vibration unifies us on a cellular level and allows us to access and connect with our divinity within. We'll also be serving cacao during this event to help open our hearts. Space is limited, so RSVP is required. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early so you can get situated. FIRST TIMERS: All are welcome, as long as you come with an open/positive mind and respectful heart. No prior experience necessary. You are also welcome to walk our grounds or check out our crystal shop. IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS: The address is 15406 Riding Stable Rd. Property is at end of 1/2 mile long driveway into the woods. You will drive over a small stream. Please be EXTRA MINDFUL to drive slowly (under 10 MPH) so as to not stir up any driveway dust. It is a shared driveway, so it’s important to respect our neighbors. Please do not stop to interact with horses. Suggested Donation: $15-25. There's a bowl by the front door. Put in what feels right. There are also Venmo and Paypal options. With Love and Gratitude

The grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery are marked with wreaths to honor our Nation's heroes for their service and sacrifice. Let's visit and pay our respects. ❶ **What we'll do:** * After passing through security at the Welcome Center, we'll take a walk through the cemetery, observing the 1 pm changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and visiting some of the more notable memorials and grave sites. * The walk is about 3.5 miles and should take about 2 hours at a slow to moderate pace, including the stop to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The path is paved but hilly, with steps in places. * Map with site notes and photos: [https://tinyurl.com/35snmhhv](https://tinyurl.com/35snmhhv) ❷ **How to get there:** * Metro: The Arlington Cemetery Metro Station is on the Blue Line. From the exit, walk 0.1 miles WSW along Memorial Drive to the meetup point in front of the Visitor's Center. See [https://www.wmata.com/service/status/](https://www.wmata.com/service/status/) for the latest status and alerts. * Driving: Arlington National Cemetery is located across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. at the end of Memorial Avenue, the parkway which extends from Memorial Bridge, near the Lincoln Memorial. Along this parkway is the rotary intersection with the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway. Arlington is accessible from the major roadways in the D.C. area like Interstate 95, the Capital Beltway (I-495), the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (I-295). See [http://tinyurl.com/zba488c](http://tinyurl.com/zba488c) ❸ **Weather:** The forecast is mostly cloudy and a high of 52F, with light SE winds and a 10-12% chance of showers. Updates here: [https://tinyurl.com/84wet7am](https://tinyurl.com/84wet7am) ❹ **What to bring:** Water, comfy shoes, and the layered look. Sorry, only service animals are allowed in the cemetery. We will be passing through a security checkpoint, so please bring minimal to no bags to expedite the screening process. Depending on the security posture, all visitors 18 years of age and older, including individual members of tour groups, may be asked to provide a valid U.S. state or federal government-issued photo identification upon entering the cemetery. Weapons of any kind are prohibited. See [http://tinyurl.com/zcgmw3w](http://tinyurl.com/zcgmw3w) for a list of restrictions. ❺ **Advisories:** * As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers. * This is a cemetery, not a park, so our usual jocularity must be curtailed. The standards of conduct required of all visitors are listed here: [http://tinyurl.com/jf6ljk3](http://tinyurl.com/jf6ljk3) ❻ **Cost:** Parking is $3 per hour, up to a maximum of $12 per day. See [http://tinyurl.com/hen3c5t](http://tinyurl.com/hen3c5t) ❼ **Administrative stuff:** There are public restrooms and drinking fountains at the Visitor Center and at the Tomb of the Unknowns. ❽ **Notes:** * Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, VA 22211, +1 877-977-8585. [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/](http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/) * ANC Explorer: [https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Find-a-Grave](https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Find-a-Grave)

Danceintime runs Cuban Salsa Classes & Social Dancing Every Saturday, all year-long. Come at 1:15 pm to sign in. Stay till 4 pm. Some of us go out for coffee or a bite to eat afterwards and everyone is welcome! $15/person. Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Card accepted. Chevy Chase Baptist Church; 5671 Western Ave. NW; Washington DC 20015. NOTE: Enter through back corner door of the church. Danceintime classes are great fun. The dance moves are beautiful, fun, and our class creates a bonded community... Check it out! Class will be held every Saturday in December....celebrate the holidays with dance! For more info: danceintime.com/classes Questions? Contact Barbbernsteintalks@gmail.com

As we prepare to enter a new year, the Burning Bowl Ceremony offers a powerful and heartfelt opportunity to let go of what no longer serves us and make space for new beginnings. You are warmly invited to join us for this sacred and reflective ritual. The Burning Bowl Ceremony is a beloved Unity tradition—an empowering moment where we release old patterns, worries, or limiting beliefs by writing them down and symbolically releasing them into the flame. This act of letting go opens the door to clarity, peace, and transformation.

# Save the date! FUTURE MEETINGS! [](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/events/299189211//attendees/) [Hosted By](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/events/299189211//attendees/) [Dara T.](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/events/299189211//attendees/) This listing is information only. Each event will be scheduled individually. ## DO NOT TRY TO SIGN UP ON THIS LIST! January 12 , 2025 - Greek epiphany: Blessing of the Waters, Mad Greek Restaurant February 9, 2025 - Valentine's Day in Germany, Hillgarten Beer Garden, Hilliard March 15, 2025, Indian Holi Festival, Aab India Restaurant April 6, 2025 - Chinese: Hanchi / Qingming Festival May 4, 2025 - Japanese Golden Week, Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant June 8, 2025- Hawaiian King Kamehameha Day, Ohana Grill Hawaiian Restaurant July 5, 2025, 60's Nostalgia: Dance to the Moonbats, JT's Restaurant (Fabulous pub food and great beer, as well as dancing music). They play British Invasion music. Dining Out Fun Times Make New Friends ## Photos (1) [See all](https://www.meetup.com/funandfood/photos/34336422) Add photos

**Caller: Gaye Fifer** **Band: Hot Coffee Breakdown** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

You are invited to participate in one of Unity’s most meaningful and empowering traditions—the **White Stone Ceremony**. As we enter a new year, this sacred ritual gives you the opportunity to listen within, connect with Spirit, and claim a new name or intention for your life. In ancient times, receiving a white stone symbolized freedom, new identity, and fresh possibility. Today, we continue that tradition by holding a smooth white stone, entering a quiet meditation, and allowing Spirit to reveal a word, name, or message that reflects who you are becoming.

Join us for lunch and meet our very successful group. We are each others sales team...always looking for referrals for our members. If you are looking for new clients, let us help you out! Bring your business cards and brochures to share with us. We have a speaker each week so that we can learn about their business. Because we have only one member per business, we have many of the spots filled. However, we are specifically looking for an estate attorney, a handyman/electrician, and an event planner. We have referrals for you! All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)

Salsamante Dance Academy will be at Swerve to share the Rhythm & Energy of Bachata & Salsa. These are Beginner Level lessons to get you comfortable and understand the two dances. Spread the Good News to all. Swerve Dance & Fitness Complex 640 Lakeview Plaza Blvd A, Worthington, OH 43085 Bachata 7pm-8pm Salsa 8pm-9pm $15 - One Lesson $20 - Both Lessons