Sustainable Cities

Updated information: \| Work is being done on the Blue Line tomorrow. Free shuttle buses replace trains between Pentagon City and National Airport. | Free parking is available on streets around the Braddock Road Metro Station on Saturday. The area is densely populated, and some spaces are still filled with snow and ice, but parking spots are available. | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Because of snow and ice on the Mt. Vernon Trail, the location of the hike has been changed to Alexandria. We will meet at the Braddock Road Metro Station and hike a 10/11 mile circuit along mostly residential streets back to the metro station. A route cue sheet will be provided. Meet 9:30 am, Bus Bay E, Braddock Road Metro Station. There will be a few restroom opportunities along the route. Bring water, lunch or snacks, and dress for the weather. Sun protection (such as hat & sunglasses) is recommended if the weather is sunny or partly sunny. All participants must sign a liability waiver at the start. SCPRO requests a voluntary donation of $2 per person to help support our all-volunteer program. You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate, but if you'd like to join, go to: [http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia](http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia) . Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the [One Day Hike](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/304791832/) (ODH)—a 100 or 50 km hike along the C&O Canal—on May 2, 2026. See SCPRO’s [Meetup page](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/) for other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to support the ODH, see [volunteering opportunities](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/304792694/) and/or contact Mike Darzi ([mike.darzi@gmail.com](http://mike.darzi@gmail.com/)). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to [onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io.](http://onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io./) Leaders: Russ Norfleet & Kirsten Atkinson

We will be playing two games of **Gaia Project** with up to 8 players. All experience levels welcome. Expect the game teach to start promptly within the first 10 minutes. In **Gaia Project** fourteen different factions live on seven different kinds of planets, each faction being bound to their own home planets. To develop and grow, they must terraform neighboring planets into their home environments in competition with the other groups. All factions can improve their skills in six different areas of development: Terraforming, Navigation, Artificial Intelligence, Gaiaforming, Economy, Research; leading to advanced technology and special bonuses. To do all of that, each group has special skills and abilities. Find [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xxrbch65D8&pp=ygUYaG93IHRvIHBsYXkgZ2FpYSBwcm9qZWN0) a how to play video on youtube. Find [here](https://capstone-games.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Gaia-Project-Rules-CG.0609sm2.pdf) the rulebook. Note: Please remember to update your RSVP if you can not attend the event. **The earlier you update your RSVP the better** so that players on the waitlist can 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.

Come have some fun with your little one(s) at the Woodside Urban Park. Make a swing buddy. Explore one of downtown Silver Spring's park. Woodside Urban Park is located a the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Spring Street, across from Bank of America. The park has plenty of trees for shade. Two different play ages for younger and older kids to have fun. Hope to see you there.

Higher Grounds – Del Ray is part of a growing network of gatherings where we create 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 Del Ray 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?

Guest Speaker: Haven King-Nobles, Executive Director of Fish Welfare Initiative Post-PAM Animal Action: TBD Haven King-Nobles is the cofounder and executive director of Fish Welfare Initiative, an organization that works in Asia to implement welfare improvements for our underwater cousins. His talk will focus on what activists should know about fish farming, how FWI helps fishes, and the strategic implications of all of this for our movement. Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

Join us as The Washington Area Roadskaters lead you on a different adventure every week, skating through and around our Nation's Capital! Freedom Plaza is currently closed for construction, so we are shifting the starting line. We will meet at the corner of E St and 14th Street NW, right outside the WWI Pershing Memorial, across from the Willard Hotel. If that area is covered with snow, skate down 14th street one block and meet in front of the Wilson Building (south of Freedom Plaza, across Pennsylvania Ave. This Sunday Ian will lead us on a great intermediate 11+ miles skate! We take Pennsylvania Ave to the Capitol then work around to the East side of the Capitol. Then, we head towards the RFK Grounds. We take the Capitol St Bridge across the river. Then, we take the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail until the Frederick Douglass Bridge (with a possible stop at the skate pavilion). After the bridge, we'll pass Nats Stadium and Audi Field, and cut to 4th St until Independence Ave. Finally, we'll take the 12th St tunnel and follow Penn Ave back to where we started. The Details • Meeting Point: Corner of E St and 14th St NW • Meetup Time: 11:00 AM • Roll-out Time: 11:10 AM • Distance: 11.7 Miles • Elevation Gain: 213 Feet • Level: Intermediate (Urban hills and navigation required) It's going to be a great day, and you don't want to miss it! The route: [https://onthegomap.com/s/gnrnfvfk](https://onthegomap.com/s/gnrnfvfk?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExOXRCYUQwOHphR2RJTjQxTXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5luWxbMR6wwSE7VjiXAO5yYZ0xvPp0VlddypXBoDj8-WkJvwszDDQqWAA3cQ_aem_X7h85DDBiG3LYwim4G0KdA) For up to the minute details, check Facebook and Instagram. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WashingtonAreaRoadskaters/events Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareskatedc/

Love audiobooks and nature? Looking to connect with fellow book lovers? Come **Book It Around** with us! Monthly audiobook walks are FREE and held in accessible public spaces around the D.C. Metro area. These \~ 90 minute walks are often followed by a social gathering -- book swap, picnic, indie bookstore private shopping, etc. Get a little dose of nature, read a few chapters, and make a bookish new friend! All ages, fitness levels, and identities welcome. If the event listing says "full," ignore that, come anyway, and bring a friend -- the more the merrier! Questions? Email bookitaround AT gmail DOT com

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

Click Here For More Videos: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17vTa7EuwG/ ********************************* The Biggest Salsa Night to hit your mid-week is happening at Latin City Wednesdays. Get the feel of the Latin Beat as your hips and feet groove the right way. As always, we will provide refreshments and food. ********************************* Viva Dance Columbus (2809 Festival Lane Dublin, OH 43017) 830pm-930pm Cuban Salsa Lessons 930pm-Midnight Open Latin Dance Party $15 With Lesson $10 Just Open Dance ********************************** Free Parking, No Need to Bring a dance partner, No Sandals Please and Plenty of Space to Move Around.

We'll play board games at the [Land-Grant Brewing Company](https://landgrantbrewing.com/). They have multiple [food trucks](https://landgrantbrewing.com/food/) on Sundays. Ray Ray's also has coffee, and the brewery has free water (and Jeni's ice cream). You can come late or leave early. Please just sign up so I know to expect you. **Notes on Parking** * You'll (probably) have to park on the street, but street parking is free on Sundays. * There are [parking garages](https://landgrantbrewing.com/parking/) a little farther away if you want. These are obviously not free, though. * There is a [lot next door](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B057'26.0%22N+83%C2%B000'40.9%22W/@39.957211,-83.0119921,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m12!1m7!3m6!1s0x88388f3efd89238b:0xc139207386232411!2sLand-Grant+Brewing+Company!8m2!3d39.9577613!4d-83.011426!16s%2Fg%2F1pzt7t9df!3m3!8m2!3d39.957211!4d-83.011347?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D) to the brewery that you're allowed to park in, but it is not free. I've never parked there, so I don't know anything about rates. (I'm told though that if you eat at Milo's Deli next door to this lot that Milo's will stamp your parking so it's free.) * You're going to see odd signs on [Lucas St](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B057'26.1%22N+83%C2%B000'40.3%22W/@39.957256,-83.0124134,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zMznCsDU3JzI4LjgiTiA4M8KwMDAnNDEuNSJX!8m2!3d39.957993!4d-83.011536!3m3!8m2!3d39.957256!4d-83.011197?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDEyMS4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA3MUgBUAM%3D) (saying it's a "private street") that will lead you to believe you're not allowed to park there, but you actually are. * Columbus parking cops literally do not work on Sundays. This means that, even if you're driving a non-EV, you can park in the EV spots near the brewery. **Games** I do bring many games, but please bring some of your own as well.

This meetup is a beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop focused on building shaders in Unity using Shader Graph. Instead of slides or theory-heavy lectures, we'll build real shaders together step-by-step. The format is structured but interactive. You'll watch a quick demo, then build each shader yourself with guidance. By the end, you'll have created multiple shaders you can immediately use in your own projects—and understand how to make more. **What to Expect:** * Build 4–5 complete shaders from scratch * Color tints, snow accumulation, scrolling water, dissolve effects, and more * No prior shader experience required * Checkpoint files provided if you fall behind * Resources for continued learning All experience levels are welcome. Whether you've never opened Shader Graph or just want to fill gaps in your knowledge, this is a supportive space to learn by doing. **Food and drinks provided. Join us to learn, build, and level up your shader skills.**

CONNECTED – Grove City A casual, people-first networking gathering. CONNECTED – Grove City is a casual, people-first networking gathering. Join us for a relaxed, low-pressure space to meet new people, build real relationships, and have meaningful conversations — no sales pitches required. From 7:30–8:30 AM every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Grove City Business Center. Coffee & baked goods available for purchase at Pick ’Em Up Joe's. Free street & public lot parking behind the building. Free to attend & open to all!

**When:** Saturday\, February 21 \| 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM **Where:** [1124 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206](https://twodollarradiohq.com/about-us) Looking for a night of meaningful connection and great vegan food? Join us at [Two Dollar Radio Headquarters](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/11fkn49_yq&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj14_nkjsWSAxVt4ckDHdRCH4oQqdYPegYIAQgFEAI) for a special community gathering! **What’s on the menu?** While [2$R](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/11fkn49_yq&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj14_nkjsWSAxVt4ckDHdRCH4oQqdYPegYIAQgGEAI) typically serves a selection of [house-made sandwiches](https://twodollarradiohq.com/weekly-food) and vegan pastries, they are creating a **special menu** specifically for our event. You can also grab a coffee, tea, or a drink from their [full bar](https://twodollarradiohq.com/) of cocktails and beer. **The Main Event:** * **Play:** Bring a favorite game from home to share or dive into the ones available at the shop. * **Connect:** Meet new and old friends in a space that values independent culture and plant-based living. * **Support:** Help us champion a local, family-owned vegan business that doubles as a powerhouse [indie book publisher](https://twodollarradio.com/pages/headquarters). **Parking Instructions:** * **Street Parking:** There is free public street parking available on both sides of Parsons Avenue and on the surrounding residential side streets. * **Lot Parking:** The [Columbus Metropolitan Library](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/126262ks5&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj14_nkjsWSAxVt4ckDHdRCH4oQqdYPegYIAQgKEAM) lot (1113 Parsons Ave) is located directly across the street and is available for guest use **only after the library has closed**. On Saturdays, the lot is typically available starting at 6:00 PM. * **Bike Parking:** For those cycling, there is a bike rack conveniently located at the corner of Cline and Parsons.