Sci-Fi/Fantasy

**NOTE: Meetup is SATURDAY this month!** A special Meetup this month. Some sad news recently reached us that our dear friend and Meetup stalwart, Simon, passed away in April. Simon's mother reached out to us to let us know and to share that our little get-togethers were among Simon's favorite activities, and she talked about how he used to call her and they would discuss how he was going to vote for our next episode. She told us that Simon was very devoted to environmental activism and suggested The Nature Conservancy (nature.org), if anyone wanted to give something in his name. In honor of Simon, let's choose this month from four environmentally themed episodes. *Galaxy 4* \- The Doctor\, Steven\, and Vicki encounter a planet where two alien races are so busy fighting with each other that they can't get it together to cooperate to escape the planet's impending doom\. Pretty far\-fetched\! \(3 animated episodes and 1 live\-action\.\) *The Green Death -* The 3rd Doctor, Jo, and UNIT meet Global Chemicals and the mysterious BOSS, who promises unlimited cheap, clean energy so long as you don't mind the giant carnivorous maggots. *The Android Invasion -* The 4th Doctor and Sarah battle the Kraals, a race of people who have so devastated their own planet with radiation and pollution that even Earth looks attractive. *Arachnids in the UK/Praxeus* \- The 13th Doctor and the Fam encounter first hand the monstrous consequences of a whole lot of pollution\. When you RSVP, please rank the four options above in the comments in the order of preference (1 being "Yes! I desperately want to see it!" and 4 being "Meh."), and we will abide by the choice of the attendees. For the Meetup itself, we ask everyone to bring something to drink and something to eat (snacks/munchies - you don't need to bring a whole ham or something!) to share with the group. We'll have food and drink as well and maybe a themed cocktail if the inspiration strikes... We are a couple blocks from the Columbia Heights Metro (15th and Harvard NW). We'll provide the full address ahead of the event. Note also that we are a walk-up - two flights of stairs. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Do you want to sacrifice little children/pets in order to summon your favorite demons? Are you interested in creating monstrosities/crimes against nature and passing them off as "dates" for sexy singles? Do you want to pretend to be a human while actually being a robot bent on the destruction of humanity? Join me in playing hilariously dark party games including but not limited to Let's Summon Demons, Master Dater (yes, that name is on purpose 😅), Human Punishment, and many more! I will also have Mortal Kombat 11 available.

We will be playing two games of **Nemesis:** **Retaliation** with up to 4 players per game. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. In **Nemesis: Retaliation** players take on the roles of highly trained marines, entering the alien nest with strict orders and the most advanced tools available. But will they be well-prepared enough to face the unrelenting horde that awaits them? Players must survive against overwhelming odds and the possibility of betrayal at every step. This is a semi-cooperative game in which you and your crewmates must survive on a ship infested with hostile organisms. To win the game, you have to complete one of the two objectives dealt to you at the start of the game and survive. You will find many obstacles on your way: swarms of Intruders, the poor physical condition of the ship, agendas held by your fellow players, and sometimes just cruel fate. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXRMfvCweLI&pp=ygUfaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgbmVtZXNpcyByZXRhbGlhdGlvbg%3D%3D) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://awakenrealms.com/download) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. By updating your RSVP when you can't make it other players on the waitlist will have a chance to attend. No-shows may make it harder to attend future meetups. Also, all library rules apply to this meetup event. Mainly that no food is allowed in the library. Covered drinks are allowed.

Let's meet at Ledo's in Springfield to have a comic book meet up meeting Saturday. I'll be wearing a super hero t-shirt. Mike T

Steven Spielberg, 2026 - Science Fiction If you found out we weren't alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This will be the 7:15pm IMAX screening at the AMC Hoffman Center 22, consider bringing ear plugs at your own accord. I'll be seated in H13 and will arrive an hour beforehand at Atlas Brew Works before heading in. Afterwards, we can meet up in the lobby area to discuss! Tickets and more info available [here](https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/disclosure-day-77140/showtimes?date=2026-06-13).

Chapter 17, Hollywood-Paris-Hollywood, 42 pages, pp.644-686.

Sorry for the late posting... I honestly thought I posted this last week. We have reserved the basement gaming room at Ominhedral. ________________________________ A Mr. Johnson needs a run of the mill corporate extraction from a rival corporation, with the target being an individual known to be both highly reclusive and to have a flair for the dark and macabre. SRM 2083-13: Enter the Funhouse is a SR 6e mission set in New Orleans. As always new players are welcome and all materials will be provided. And always remember... in the New Orleans shadows you need to shoot straight, conserve ammo, and never, ever ask where the leather in your new leather coat came from... you are happier not knowing.

Having secured a secret entrance to the Wreck of the Returned, the Starfinder Society is finally ready to launch a rescue mission into the Wreck, to liberate the lost Starfinder Zizenzi and the countless other citizens of Akiton who’ve been abducted by the Functionary’s forces and await forced conversion into mindless servitors of the Wreck. While numerous teams prepare to enter the conversion facility, First Seeker Sarmak has tasked one special team with breaching the conversion facility’s central control room and dispatching the cure to conversion through the ventilation system. If successful, all the converted innocents within the Wreck will regain their autonomy and break free from the Wreck’s control. Unfortunately, the central control is sure to be heavily guarded… Prepare for battle, Starfinders! A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd through 4th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot. Written by Matt Morris.

*Root* is a game of woodland might and right. Stalk the woods as one of the Vagabonds, seize the initiative with the Eyrie birds of prey, rule over your subjects as the Marquise de Cat, or command the Woodland Alliance to create a new order. With creatures and cunning, you'll rule a fantastic forest kingdom in the ultimate asymmetric board game of adventure and war.

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix)

The Astronomical Society of Greenbelt will hold a star party at the Greenbelt Observatory on Saturday, June 13 from 9:30 to 11:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors can come in to the observatory dome to watch the telescope operators or bring their own telescopes. The event will be cancelled if it’s clouded over or raining. All are welcome. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Face-to-face Role Playing Game Session

* We meet inside Zazzy * Bring something to read, as we often take some time at the beginning telling each other about what we're currently reading. * I have a favor to ask of you. To offset the cost of Meetup fees (\~$200 a year), I kindly request that you consider a small donation to my my [Pledge account](https://www.meetup.com/a-different-type-of-book-club-arlington/#pledge). 😊 **NOTE: NO DISCUSSION OF POLITICS: 12/31/21 UPDATE** For the sake of polite company, moving forward, we will avoid the discussion of politics at meetings of the book club. Please let me know if you have any questions. **NON-ATTENDANCE / NO-SHOW POLICY** If you have said that you will attend this event, but no longer are able to attend, please kindly update your status to "Not Attending" so that someone on the waitlist is able to RSVP. **Because this Meetup group is popular, and typically has a waitlist, effective immediately, I'm instituting a two-event no-show policy. If you RSVP as "Attending" but do not show at two events, you will be removed from this Meetup group.** We look forward to seeing you! Best, Jay

Based on the novel Roadside Picnic, it is NO picnic, but rather one of the masterpieces of world cinema. Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 Soviet sci-fi classic, recounts the expedition of a writer and professor led by a mysterious guide called "The Stalker." to a futuristic wasteland called "The Zone." Dripping with existential dread, it continually presents strange occurrences that will have us debating the meaning of what we've just viewed right through the ending. *Stalker* (1979) can be streamed for free on HBOMax, the Criterion Channel or Kanopy. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime and AppleTV. The Columbus Library has two copies on disc.

Join us as we discuss our June pick: Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider! Book description: Even though she's not one of them, Brynn has spent her life among the Alaha, training to be a guard and waiting for the chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta–the very same people who exiled her adopted community to a life at sea. Going to the market is a rite of passage eagerly anticipated by all young guards, but Brynn does not anticipate breaking a century-long peace treaty while there. Nor does she plan for the intense encounter with an enemy soldier that now threatens to unwind the fragile coexistence between their people–and everything Brynn once believed about herself to be true. Brynn's loyalty to the Alaha is tested when the truth of her identity is brought to light by this soldier who's taken an oath to bring her back to where she belongs. Narrowly escaping death on the violent high seas, Brynn's connection to the Alaha is further tested when she learns about the world of magic she's been denied. She was once certain of her fate and where she belonged, but the dark, knowing eyes of this stranger have her questioning everything, including her heart. Packed with knife fights and seafaring adventure, METAL SLINGER is the smash-hit start to the romantic fantasy duology, the Fire & Metal series

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

June is Fantasy month! • The book we will be discussing is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. (determined by votes from May Book Club. Message me your e-mail if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the Dublin library (Room 3). Feel free to come whether or not you've started or finished the book. • Small snacks will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group. Please try to update your attendance if anything changes so we have an accurate head count for print outs and snacks :)

In the year 2044, in the age of AI, a woman named Gabrielle (Seydoux) tries to purify her DNA by purging the inherited memories of her past lives. She (re)lives her life in 1910 Paris and 2014 Los Angeles, and as the procedure goes on, the lines between her worlds become blurred. These three timelines have a lot of connective tissue holding them together; certain symbols and motifs appear repeatedly, not to mention Mackay’s Louis, a figure whom Gabrielle seems drawn to in each lifetime. *The Beast / La Bête* can be streamed for free on Kanopy or the Criterion Channel. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime, AppleTV and YouTube.

Join us for an Opening Night showing of the super-hero action-adventure, SUPERGIRL! Get in early because this series is just getting started! Hot on the heels of last year’s excellent SUPERMAN comes what should be another fun adventure! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, joins forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice when an unexpected adversary strikes too close to home. The film is directed by Craig Gillespie, written by Ana Nogueira, and stars Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet and Jason Momoa. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1-pfiVMKAs PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and meet in the lobby area between 6:40 and 6:50pm! It’s in their largest theater on their biggest screen but advance ticket purchase is advised for this Opening Night showing! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below. Possible pre-show bite. That part will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan