Skeptics

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good conversation and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics range from the political, to the "slice of life", to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

LeighAnn has trained with both local and world renowned mediums from across the globe to develop both her psychic and evidential mediumship skills. Sharing her knowledge and gifts with others completes her. All teaching, counseling, and healing is shared with love and light, and for the highest and purest good. This beginner Monday night mediumship development and practice circle meets every 2 weeks and is open to anyone who is able to exhibit some form of prior mediumship training or instruction (such as a class or a workshop) or shows the ability to connect to Spirit. This circle will consist of several specific exercises that will be utilized to enhance and strengthen your connection and communication with our loved ones in the Spirit world. Classes will meet every 2 weeks in small groups in person $20/90 min. small group class Weekly classes available every Thursday @7 One on one sessions available. $75/90 min one on one sessions Check out my website for additional offerings https://exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/ Cross referenced under [Reiki, Angelic and Metaphysical Gatherings of the DMV](https://www.meetup.com/reikiandangelsdmv/) in Meet up. Check out my website for additional offerings and services https//www.exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/

\* Please RSVP Only With Confirmed Attendance \* Let us enjoy a Spring evening at the lovely Windbridge Vineyard. No need to drink alcohol to join. There is a food truck on site, or you can bring your own food. https://www.windridge.wine/menu/windridge-kitchen/ Our reservation is for 6pm.

Hi! Welcome! We are Laura and Shane and we will be your contact people for this group. If you are new to climbing, wanting to get back into climbing and working out or even just want to push your boundaries, we can help! We will be able to belay both top rope and lead. We will also pair you up with other climbers so you can get to know this wonderful community! We have been climbing at Vertical Rock for 7 years and it really has changed our life! With its family friendly atmosphere and supportive staff and members you will be able to stay motivated, build confidence and strength while having fun! Feel free to bring a friend! We will also incorporate learning new knots, checking out new gear and learning how to take care of your gear. Please follow the link purchase a $25 meetup day pass. https://climb-va.com/go/meetup-pass/ All meetup participants will also receive a free harness rental if needed. Shoe rentals are $7. Feel free to email me at info@climb-va.com! LETS CLIMB TOGETHER!!!!

Join the St. Augustine Society every Wednesday at 7:00 pm in St. Timothy Catholic Church's New Parish Hall for study on the Church Fathers! We'll read and discuss a chapter a week from the book: Reading the Church Fathers: A History of the Early Church and the Development of Doctrine by James Papandrea Email staugustinesociety@sttimothyparish.org for more information or if you have any questions. Sponsored by the St. Augustine Society, a 30's to 50's Catholic singles ministry based at St. Timothy's in Chantilly. We host weekly meetings on Wednesday on topics related to the Catholic faith and serve as both a fellowship meeting and a learning opportunity. We also host monthly social events, which are usually advertised by email to our members. Email us if you'd like to get on our email distribution list.

Come one come all and lets meet others and find new climbing partners! If you are new...Jump in the Learn The Ropes Class (its a great time!) offered M-F at 6 or Sundays at 3pm and then you can climb with the group anytime! Class is Free with membership or just $35. Climbing is more than just muscles, climbing is a great way to engage your whole body and your mind. The price for this event is $18 day pass or free if you have VR Memebership(that's a two dollar discount from the day pass as well as a free harness rental! Score!) Dress workout comfortable, and bring plenty of water. If you have any questions, check out our FAQ page or shoot me a message.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Doom and Dinosaurs,”** a look at how mass extinctions shaped the dinosaurs and what research on these events tells us about Earth life’s long-term prospects, with Ian Wilenzik, paleontologist and visiting assistant professor of biology at George Washington University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-dino-doom](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-dino-doom) .] Pity the poor dinosaurs. They lacked both scientific research to help deal with potential environmental catastrophes and places where they could have a beer and discuss it. You, on the other hand, have the opportunity to come to Profs and Pints to hear a fascinating talk on the impact of mass extinctions on dinosaur evolution and what research on dinosaurs tells us about biodiversity and Earth’s current biodiversity crisis. Dr. Ian Wilenzik, who has studied and taught courses on dinosaur evolution, population spread, and extinction, will leave you with a greater appreciation of the resilience of life on earth and how we’re both the product and source of biologically catastrophic events. Many of us are familiar with how a big meteor impact about 66 million years ago wiped out the Earth’s dinosaur population, leaving us only with their feathered descendants, birds. Less well known is how the Earth actually has undergone five periods of mass extinction that wiped out nearly all life, and how dinosaurs arose from one and endured another—both caused by volcanic activity—before meeting their match in the third. To ground his discussion, Dr. Wilenzik will talk about how we study mass extinctions by looking for geologic evidence of volcanic activity, meteoric blasts, and other catastrophic activity and of gaps in the fossil record after them. He’ll also discuss what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur, describing their distinct anatomical features. He’ll talk about how they and other forms of life evolved over long periods of time and were affected by extinction events. We’ll look at how the meteor-caused mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous paved the way for the rise of mammals and the emergence of primates, and, eventually, us. Looking ahead to future mass extinctions and what might survive them, we’ll talk about how that plant you forget to water might have the last laugh, as well as why crocodiles might be around a while. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A *Triceratops* mounted skeleton at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History (Photo by Allie Caulfield / Wikimedia Commons).

Members of the public are invited to view the wonders of the universe through the telescopes of NOVAC volunteers at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. You do not need to be a member of the club or own any astronomical equipment to attend. Telescopes will be provided by the Smithsonian and pre-approved members of the NOVAC. No other personal telescopes are permitted at the event. The event will take place on the bus parking lot of the museum. **Please park your vehicle at the south end of the main visitors lot and follow signs and red lights to the observing site. As a reminder, parking during the event is free.** Have a cosmic question? One of NOVAC's astronomers or museum staff will be happy to help you. As the sky gets dark, be prepared to enjoy the wonders of the night sky! Don't forget to dress warmly. Please check the weather forecast. For lighting, cover a flashlight in red cellophane (the darker the better). Bring along water to keep hydrated. Note: This outdoor event is weather-dependent and may be cancelled because of significant cloud cover or precipitation.

LeighAnn has trained with both local and world renowned mediums from across the globe to develop both her psychic and evidential mediumship skills. Sharing her knowledge and gifts with others completes her. All teaching, counseling, and healing is shared with love and light, and for the highest and purest good. This beginner Monday night mediumship development and practice circle meets every 2 weeks and is open to anyone who is able to exhibit some form of prior mediumship training or instruction (such as a class or a workshop) or shows the ability to connect to Spirit. This circle will consist of several specific exercises that will be utilized to enhance and strengthen your connection and communication with our loved ones in the Spirit world. Classes will meet every 2 weeks in small groups in person $20/90 min. small group class Weekly classes available every Thursday @7 One on one sessions available. $75/90 min one on one sessions Check out my website for additional offerings https://exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/ Cross referenced under [Reiki, Angelic and Metaphysical Gatherings of the DMV](https://www.meetup.com/reikiandangelsdmv/) in Meet up. Check out my website for additional offerings and services https//www.exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/

This is introductory meditation for people who wants to learn basics of meditation. It's a free event held every week and everyone is welcome to join.

Join us for an invigorating hike to Fairfax County's Earth Day Festival! We'll explore the scenic Buttermilk Creek Trail in Reston, enjoying a roughly 3/4-mile trek to Lake Fairfax Park, where the festival is being held. Once at the festival, you can immerse yourself in the festivities at your own pace or venture onto more Lake Fairfax trails. Don't miss this opportunity for outdoor fun and environmental celebration! You'll save a $10 parking fee by walking to the festival, rather than parking there! **Enjoy:** * Outdoor Discovery Activities * Interactive Nature Exhibits * Earth Friendly Vendors * Food Trucks * Craft Beer Garden * Local Bands and Live Entertainment * Free Giveaways * Furry Farm Friends Learn more about the festival here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/earth-day-festival (We'll meet, and park, in the Uplands Recreation Area parking lot. You can walk back to your vehicle at your own pace.)

Nervous about reading for others? Or just want to learn how? Do you want an opportunity to practice in a supportive environment? Join Gypsy Dervish as he leads us through the basic practice of reading the Tarot. Ask questions , participate in group readings, and read for other participants. For those of you taking the Tarot 101 classes, this will also be a chance to put into practice what you learned there. ($5 discount on this class, if you take both, making a $10 total discount. Remember to register for both classes individually. You do not need to take Tarot 101 to participate in the practicum.)

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Twister Talk,”** on tornadoes and advances in our understanding of them, with Jeffrey Halverson, professor of geography and environmental systems at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and author of *An Introduction to Severe Storms and Hazardous Weather.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-twister-talk](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-twister-talk) .] Springtime brings tornado outbreaks and devastation across the United States. The good news for those of us who anxiously eye the skies: Tornado science is rapidly evolving and improving, as are the means by which we detect funnel clouds and warn of their approach. Get up to speed with what’s known about tornadoes with the help of Dr. Jeffery Halverson, a severe storm expert with the *Washington Post* Capital Weather Gang who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on hurricanes and snowstorms. He’ll describe how, with the help of research conducted by tornado hunters, meteorologists are using ever more sophisticated computer simulations and datasets to try to “crack the code” when it comes to how and where tornadoes form. We’ll look at how science teams wielding Portable Doppler Radars on small trucks are learning that tornado wind speeds are much stronger than once presumed. We’ll consider how decades of data are changing how we think about “Tornado Alley,” and we’ll review what’s known about the relationship between tornadoes and climate change. Professor Halverson will conclude by discussing the technological strides being made in terms of tornado warning and detection, and how tornado scientists are teaming up with social scientists to gain a better understanding of what leaves us vulnerable to natural hazards. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: An F5 tornado over Elie, Manitoba in June 2007 (Photo by Justin Hobson / Wikimedia Commons).

LeighAnn has trained with both local and world renowned mediums from across the globe to develop both her psychic and evidential mediumship skills. Sharing her knowledge and gifts with others completes her. All teaching, counseling, and healing is shared with love and light, and for the highest and purest good. This beginner Monday night mediumship development and practice circle meets every 2 weeks and is open to anyone who is able to exhibit some form of prior mediumship training or instruction (such as a class or a workshop) or shows the ability to connect to Spirit. This circle will consist of several specific exercises that will be utilized to enhance and strengthen your connection and communication with our loved ones in the Spirit world. Classes will meet every 2 weeks in small groups in person $20/90 min. small group class Weekly classes available every Thursday @7 One on one sessions available. $75/90 min one on one sessions Check out my website for additional offerings https://exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/ Cross referenced under [Reiki, Angelic and Metaphysical Gatherings of the DMV](https://www.meetup.com/reikiandangelsdmv/) in Meet up. Check out my website for additional offerings and services https//www.exceptionalmindsopenhearts.com/

This is introductory meditation for people who wants to learn basics of meditation. It's a free event held every week and everyone is welcome to join.

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.
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Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions
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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?
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Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles
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4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?
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Optional Questions: AI & Being Human
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7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?
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Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning
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10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?
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Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche
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13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?
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Optional Questions: Work & Purpose
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16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?
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Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection
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19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?
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Optional Questions: Time & Mortality
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22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?
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Optional Questions: Society & Culture
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25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?
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Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy
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28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Four years ago, I did the 50km ODH as part of my 8 month training program for "Founder's Kili Climb for Veterans" on Mount Kilimamjaro, Tanzania. I successfully summited Uhuru Peak, elevation 19,341 ft in Aug 2022 :)! Last year, 5 walkers from our Walking group joined me. I warmly invite you to join us on 50km/32 mile walk on the C&O canal from White Ferry, VA to Harper's Ferry, WV on Saturday, May 2, 2026 REGISTERING: Registration is online at ([https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=96406605](https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=96406605)) on Feb 11, 5pm and will be "Sold Out" within a few hours, when it reaches maximum 350 walkers. During your registration period, there will a “Register Now” button to click; until then, “Oops!” Event is "SOLD OUT" Plan to register as soon as regular registration opens. FEE: The cost for both 100K or 50K is approx $95 per registrant. It covers food, drinks, medical support, and hike support. Here's official Sierra Club's ODH website: https://www.onedayhike.org/ ROUTE: For almost the entire hike, you will be going upstream on C&O Canal National Historical Park. The 50k route starts at Whites Ferry, MD and ends at Harper's Ferry, W. VA. At canal mile 60.6, there is a railroad bridge with an adjacent footbridge that crosses the Potomac River to Harper's Ferry, WV. We made it to this point by sunset. The final 1.5 miles is uphill to **High Street** (which becomes Washington Street) to the endpoint at the Bolivar Community Center on Panama Street.

This is an in-person event hosted by Sahaja Yoga meditation. We offer free meditation sessions and everyone is welcome to join and experience the peace within!