Sci-Fi/Fantasy

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)

Join us to drum for rain! The drum circle will be at the Guru Rinpoche statue at the entrance to the Peace Park, across the street from the temple. We will be chanting sacred mantras as we drum, praying for abundant rain to ease the drought. All are welcome! Please bring any percussion instruments you have - the more the merrier! If you don't have any drums, there are typically extra available. Either way, you can chant along with everyone. In the event of inclement weather, we usually drum as long as we can before the storm starts, or wait it out and start a little late. We hold out until the last minute to cancel so if the weather seems iffy, keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements. The DC region is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought. Many other regions of the world are also experiencing drought conditions. We will dedicate our prayers to bringing life-giving rain to all who need it!

**Could it be that the perfect format doesn't exist because the cards for it haven’t yet been made? Are ideas already budding in your mind? Let’s bring them to life. Even if they aren't perfect, I want to see them in action! Expand an existing theme or brew an entirely new one.** **Here’s a card editor you may use:** **[https://lauqerm.github.io/ygocarder/](https://lauqerm.github.io/ygocarder/?data=%7B%22fm%22%3A%22tcg%22%2C%22rg%22%3A%22en%22%2C%22fr%22%3A%22ritual%22%2C%22lf%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22rf%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22rpf%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22fo%22%3A%22normal%22%2C%22op%22%3A%7B%22opbd%22%3A100%2C%22oppd%22%3A100%2C%22optx%22%3A100%2C%22opnm%22%3A100%2C%22opbf%22%3A%22%23404040%22%2C%22opab%22%3Atrue%2C%22opnb%22%3Atrue%2C%22opeb%22%3Atrue%2C%22opfb%22%3Atrue%2C%22opbl%22%3Afalse%7D%2C%22fn%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22afn%22%3A%22normal%22%2C%22of%22%3A%5B%22normal%22%2C%22normal%22%2C%22normal%22%2C%22normal%22%5D%2C%22na%22%3A%22Junko%22%2C%22nst%22%3A%22custom%22%2C%22ns%22%3A%7B%22nsfs%22%3A%22%23000000%22%2C%22nssc%22%3A%22%23000000%22%7D%2C%22at%22%3A%22TRAP%22%2C%22att%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22sf%22%3A%22NO+ICON%22%2C%22it%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22st%22%3A6%2C%22stl%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22sa%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22ar%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fh5kXZeC.png%22%2C%22ad%22%3A%22%22%2C%22as%22%3A%22online%22%2C%22af%22%3Afalse%2C%22arc%22%3A%7B%22aru%22%3A%22%25%22%2C%22ara%22%3A1.325%2C%22arx%22%3A0%2C%22ary%22%3A4%2C%22arw%22%3A100%2C%22arh%22%3A67.54716981132076%7D%2C%22hbg%22%3Afalse%2C%22bg%22%3A%22%22%2C%22bgd%22%3A%22%22%2C%22bf%22%3Afalse%2C%22bgs%22%3A%22online%22%2C%22bgt%22%3A%22fit%22%2C%22bgc%22%3A%7B%22bgx%22%3A0%2C%22bgy%22%3A4%2C%22bgw%22%3A100%2C%22bgh%22%3A89.5%2C%22bgu%22%3A%22%25%22%2C%22bga%22%3A1%7D%2C%22lm%22%3A%5B%221%22%2C%223%22%2C%227%22%2C%229%22%5D%2C%22lr%22%3A%22%22%2C%22il%22%3Anull%2C%22ip%22%3Atrue%2C%22pf%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22pe%22%3A%22Once+per+turn%3A+You+can+pay+800+LP%2C+increase+this+card%27s+Pendulum+Scale+by+1.%22%2C%22rs%22%3A%224%22%2C%22bs%22%3A%224%22%2C%22psi%22%3A%22medium%22%2C%22ta%22%3A%5B%22Trap+Card%22%5D%2C%22es%22%3A%7B%22cdtl%22%3A%22strict%22%2C%22efs%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22eus%22%3A0%2C%22ebg%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22eml%22%3A0%2C%22ejr%22%3A100%7D%2C%22ps%22%3A%7B%22pfs%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22pus%22%3A0%2C%22pbg%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22pml%22%3A0%2C%22pjr%22%3A100%7D%2C%22ef%22%3A%22%5B2%2B+Effect+Monsters%5D%5CnEach+time+an+opponent%27s+monster+activates+its+effect%2C+place+1+Pure+Counter+on+that+opponent%27s+monster+%28max.+1%29+after+that+effect+resolves.+Unaffected+by+activated+effects+from+monster+with+a+Pure+Counter.+Cannot+be+destroyed+by+battle+with+monsters+with+a+Pure+Counter.%22%2C%22si%22%3A%22YGOC-EN001%22%2C%22atk%22%3A%222000%22%2C%22def%22%3A%222000%22%2C%22pw%22%3A%2218111996%22%2C%22sti%22%3A%22holo5%22%2C%22fe%22%3A%221%3Cst%3E+Edition%22%2C%22ife%22%3Atrue%2C%22act%22%3A%22%22%2C%22hct%22%3Afalse%2C%22isp%22%3Afalse%2C%22ile%22%3Afalse%2C%22idt%22%3Afalse%2C%22ilc%22%3Afalse%2C%22cr%22%3A%22%C2%A92020+Studio+Dice%2FSHUEISHA+TV+TOKYO%2C+KONAMI%22%2C%22fh%22%3Atrue%2C%22sts%22%3A%5Bfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%2Cfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%5D%2C%22tts%22%3A%5Bfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%2Cfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%5D%2C%22ets%22%3A%5Bfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%2Cfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%5D%2C%22pts%22%3A%5Bfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%2Cfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%5D%2C%22ots%22%3A%5Bfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%2Cfalse%2C%22%23000000%22%5D%2C%22dl%22%3A%5B%22%22%2C%22%22%2C%22%22%2C%22%22%2C%22%22%2C%22%22%2C%22%22%5D%2C%22fl%22%3A%5B0%2C0%5D%2C%22ve%22%3A3%7D)** **Just click and type away. Don’t hold back your imagination.** **And, as for the non-custom cards you use, don't worry about points or forbidden/limited status. A little bit of chaos can be fun sometimes!**

I was so burned by Ready Player One that I don't even want to give Spielberg a chance (Emily: What is up with that dress?) but Josh O'Connor won me over in Wake Up Dead Man, so we're including it in this month's marathon run. Your host will be in E8. Let's get food afterwards.

***Please join us as we continue a course of study on the spelling of the Hebrew letters. Our 11th session will be the spelling of Kaph (Kaph Peh) relating to Tarot Key 10. We will be exploring ideas about the spelling of Kaph to illuminate our understanding of The Wheel of Fortune.*** ***No prior preparation is needed and membership in B.O.T.A. is not required. We'll be providing handouts.*** ***Looking forward to sharing in the Ageless Wisdom as we grow in Understanding together!*** ***Fraternally yours in L.V.X.,*** ***Roger***

**Join us in Falls Church for conversations that go beyond small talk.** Higher Grounds – Falls Church is where this growing network of gatherings began: a 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 Falls Church 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?

**Advance ticket sales have ended but plenty of additional tickets remain available at the door.** [Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Lafayette’s Long Fight for Liberty,”** a look at the life, struggles, and legacy of America’s favorite fighting Frenchman, with Richard Bell, professor of history at the University of Maryland and author of *The American Revolution and the Fate of the World.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-lafayette](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-lafayette) .] When the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824, Americans greeted him with a frenzy of affection unmatched by anything the nation had ever shown a single individual. Crowds filled streets, towns held ceremonies in his honor, Congress showered him with gifts, and parents named children for the French aristocrat who had helped win the American Revolution. Explore the extraordinary life behind that adulation with historian Richard Bell, whose excellent past talks have earned him a big following among Profs and Pints fans. Professor Bell will take Lafayette far beyond his familiar role as George Washington’s young protégé and the hero of Yorktown. You’ll learn how Lafayette became one of the Atlantic world’s most persistent champions of liberty—fighting for constitutional government, religious freedom, prison reform, press freedom, antislavery, and independence movements from Greece to Poland. You’ll also hear how Lafayette’s ideals repeatedly put him in danger, making him a target of kings, radicals, imperial powers, and revolutionaries who regarded him as “the most dangerous man of all.” Professor Bell will show how Lafayette’s life was full of contradictions: a nobleman who challenged aristocratic privilege, a centrist caught between monarchy and mob rule, an antislavery advocate whose efforts fell short, and a dreamer whose causes often failed in his lifetime. Yet Lafayette never stopped trying to make liberty universal. Come learn why Lafayette’s name still graces hundreds of American towns, parks, counties, schools, rivers, and lakes—and why his most important monument might be not any statue or place name, but the freedoms he helped generations of people imagine, demand, and defend. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From an 1834 portrait of Lieutenant General Lafayette painted by Joseph-Désiré Court (Palace of Versailles / Wikimedia).

Open gaming at Panera! New players welcome. We have many games on hand or you can bring your own. We are happy to teach or learn one of yours.

Don’t miss your chance to check out the INCREDIBLE pop-rock Moon Landing Duo at The National Harbor Stars & Smiles Foodie Festival June 14th at 2 pm! (Set time subject to change). Featuring @shelleystarofficial and @alanxtra, this pair is truly out of this world! 🌎

For June's game of the month we are playing the role-playing game "Esoteric Ebb." From the devs: *Esoteric Ebb is a single-player CRPG inspired by the freedom of tabletop adventures. Unravel a political conspiracy with your goblin sidekick. Roll dice in tense encounters. Become a cleric of legends or completely ruin the campaign.* It is available for PC. Play through it and we will discuss it on the 14th! You do not need to play all or even any of the game to attend but please be prepared to be spoiled at the meeting :-) p.s. Here is a link to our discord, pop in to meet folks ahead of the meetup: https://discord.gg/6KqnHxJWsf

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 :)

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

Join the Columbus AI community for a special event. **Battle of the Personal Agents** is your chance to see what people are actually building with AI agents and personal automation systems. Whether you’re running OpenClaw, Hermes, or a completely custom solution, bring your agent and show the community how it works. We’re interested in real-world implementations: the problems your agent solves, how you use it day-to-day, how it’s hosted and managed, how you built it, and why you’ve chosen to keep using it. Live demonstrations are encouraged, so be prepared to show your code, architecture, workflows, and your agent performing real tasks. This is less about polished presentations and more about sharing practical experience, comparing approaches, and learning from one another. If you’d like to present, please contact Chris Slee (via meetup) before the event so we can allocate enough time for everyone’s demonstrations. Come ready to show what you’ve built, discover what others are doing, and maybe find a few ideas worth taking home. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)