Sustainable Development

The practice of authentic presence is about freely expressing and revealing yourself while being with others. Through this practice, you learn to let go of habitual patterns and conditioned responses, allowing you to form deeper, more genuine connections rooted in who you truly are. ## About the event Authentic presence is a path of radical honesty. It creates a safe and supportive environment where you can look at yourself with fresh eyes. At the same time it often is fun, enjoyable, beautiful, and meaningful. Ultimately, this practice leads to a closer connection with yourself and more meaningful relationships with others. Join these beginner sessions to learn basic techniques from authentic relating and circling. Activities include meditations, dialogues, and exercises on sharing and owning your experience. No prerequisites—just come as you are! Contribution: €20 registration and more info: [click here](https://www.houseofthebeloved.eu/authentic-presence) [Join our WhatsApp group to ask questions or stay updated](https://chat.whatsapp.com/I45llASEfCuE4L7WZ6ctOt) We look forward to meeting you!

Greetings All, The Spiritual Discussion Programme (in English) on BLESS RADIO 1 is on today from 7pm to 9pm CET time which is 6pm to 8pm UK time. The topic is "What we experience in life is our doing" To listen visit www.blessradio1.com Alternatively you can listen on zeno.fm/radio/blessradio1 We are also live streaming on YouTube. Goto www.YouTube.com Search for Blessradio1 Grail Message What we experience in life is our doing (i.e. TOPIC OF THE SHOW) After the show, you can also listen to the recording of the show on YOU TUBE (as above). Hope you can listen tonight and join in. You are welcome to join in the discussion. PLEASE call /text / WhatsApp us with your questions or comments on +44 7939 641 958. OR MESSAGE us on Bless Chat box on [www.blessradio1.com](http://www.blessradio1.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2fGBcwr_zqUzBvp1UNYPsReHJqU4HJqhn3rg3XZGIk-3b5QHFKoJQolAs_aem_ONWb__d3tcI4BshpKmv6ag) Regards, Saad Farooqi

Join us for a night of laughter at the English Stand-Up Comedy Club in Brussels! It’s the perfect place to enjoy live performances from fantastic comedians and experience the vibrant energy of the English comedy scene. Whether you’re a dedicated comedy fan or just looking for a fun night out, our events offer warm, welcoming atmosphere for all.. [Ticket: English Stand Up Comedy Club](https://www.lekings.be/event/english-stand-up-comedy) **February 17th \| Tamer Kattan \-** *Powerhouse, contagious scene-stealer.* Tamer is a multi-award-winning American comedian with a clever take on the human condition. A regular at top clubs like The Comedy Store (London & L.A.) and The Laugh Factory, he brings his internationally-tested TV talent to Brussels. — **Plus!** Neil Sinclair will host a handpicked line-up of stellar international comedians each night. Instagram: [english_stand_up_comedy_club](https://www.instagram.com/english_stand_up_comedy_club/) Instagram: [Tamer kattan](https://www.instagram.com/tamerkat/)

Welcome! Join these beginner sessions if you are searching for deep connection, and want to learn some basic techniques (from authentic relating and circling) that can support you. Activities may include meditations (to connect to yourself, your body and the other), structured dialogues (in pairs or small groups), exercises about sharing and owning your experience, and much more. There are no prerequisites for these sessions. Just show up as you are. Please add yourself to our whatsapp group to ask questions or to stay informed: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ClH8EhaItZPKU5cSkjkcC7 We look forward to meeting you!

Would you like to improve your language skills and networking in a casual atmosphere? This event is for you! All languages welcome! Everyone is welcome! The aim is to speak with native/fluent speakers of your target language(s). You'll be around all types of people throughout the whole event. We will be in a private area. A great atmosphere is guaranteed! You'll have to order a drink to attend the event 😀 Don't hesitate to contact us for any further information

Nos juntaremos en el centro cultural Metaprosa para practicar español/ castellano y Neerlandés/Flamenco/Dutch con un café o una cerveza en la mano. Apto para todos los niveles. Dirección: chaussé de Saint Pierre 9, 1040 Etterbeek Hemos creado un grupo de Whastapp en caso de que estéis interesados en comunicaros antes de cada martes ya que somos consciente de que a veces nos hay suficiente gente para practicar neerlandés [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IaESqYfdbGiFVPR5teQkIf](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/chat.whatsapp.com/IaESqYfdbGiFVPR5teQkIf__;!!DOxrgLBm!DOeGH6jS_pBgwY_CvN1vYuh-JPX71kQpuIJl8WlhFejYKqyHCL0Q3HkfIXxOF7cvSDOpeAeYzr8K_zELLw75wZA7pfw2-jQW7_2x6UaK$) No Spam please!

Vous voulez (re)découvrir le yoga Kundalini et ses effets positifs sur votre corps et votre esprit ? Rejoignez-nous ! Défi du matin Yoga Kundalini : **Mardi et jeudi 7h30** 60mn de mantra, pranayama, kriya, et méditation, pour commencer la journée dans d'excellentes conditions, bien centré et prêt à affronter la journée. Inscriptions : **miraclemorningyoga@gmail.com** Où: **La Hulpe, Rue des combattants 125 et/ou via zoom** Apportez votre tapis de yoga et une couverture pour la méditation. **10€/session**, total = 10€ x nombre de semaines Au plaisir de pratiquer avec vous :)

The **BeJUG** is back on February 18, kindly hosted by [AE](https://www.ae.be/), for an evening that blends technical innovation with personal perspective. This edition features **two talks** that approach our craft from different angles: \- Green AI with JobRunr: Sustainable training and inference on the JVM by Ronald Dehuysser \- Finding the Spark: A Career Reset Button by Loïc Magnette Come join us for this next event! **Schedule** \- 18:00: Doors open \+ Food and Drinks \- 18:45: Intro and BeJUG updates \- 18:50: Talk 1 \- 19:35: Little break \- 19:45: Talk 2 \- 20:30: Mingling \+ Drinks **Topics** **Green AI with JobRunr: Sustainable training and inference on the JVM** AI is booming - but so are its energy costs and carbon emissions. What if your Java application could schedule AI training and inference tasks not only when resources are available, but also when energy is greener and cheaper? In this talk, we’ll show how JobRunr, a distributed background job scheduler for the JVM, can be used to orchestrate local AI workloads in a carbon-aware way. By combining JobRunr’s scheduling capabilities with carbon-intensity data and dynamic cloud pricing, we can: \- Train and fine\-tune models when electricity is cleanest \- Run inference jobs where latency meets sustainability \- Reduce CO₂ emissions and operational costs without sacrificing performance You’ll learn how to integrate local AI workloads using Ollama into your Java stack, configure carbon-aware scheduling, and measure both sustainability impact and cost savings. By the end of this session, you’ll know how to cut CO₂ emissions and costs while keeping your AI workloads running reliably and see how you can make AI work for both your business and the planet. **About Ronald** Meet Ronald Dehuysser, a software architect from Belgium and creator of JobRunr. Seamlessly integrating with Spring Boot, Micronaut, and Quarkus, JobRunr is Ronald's solution for efficient distributed background job processing. When he's not working on open-source software, he is probably either rock climbing or sipping a fine Belgian Duvel beer. **Finding the Spark: A Career Reset Button.** A few years ago, I hit a strange point in my career. On paper, everything looked fine: good projects, solid skills, a stable job but inside, something had gone quiet. The excitement I used to feel when writing code was gone. I wasn’t looking for a new language or a better framework, I was just trying to understand why I had stopped caring. At some point I decided to join the wider Java Community. I expected to learn techniques and tips, but what I actually found was something much deeper. I met people full of energy and generosity who reminded me that behind every line of code there’s a story, an exchange, a spark. Something I believed I had lost was gradually rebooted by that sensation of belonging. That rediscovery is the topic of this talk. About how meaning can be restored through contributing, sharing, and connecting. You'll discover what inspires and motivates us to do our work, how community can change how we grow as developers, and why giving back frequently results in more than you might anticipate. I hope this story helps you understand that a new relationship with your craft, your community, and yourself is the answer to career apathy, not a new language. **About Loïc** Loïc Magnette is a seasoned software developer with a strong background in consulting. Currently a senior developer at Oniryx, he specializes in Java and Angular, delivering innovative solutions and sharing his knowledge as a speaker. As a co-organizer of the Belgian Java User Group (BeJUG), he fosters connections within the developer community. Outside of tech, Loïc’s passion for wildlife inspires his work and creativity.

General theme: Narrative Knowledge What are the consequences of our relying on narratives as a means to knowing, understanding and relating to the world? What are the advantages and disadvantages of our using narratives as a fundamental way to communicate with one another? Have our interactions and interrelationships in general become captivated (literally) by an excessive dominance of narratives? Just as walking upright has enhanced our ability to navigate our physical world, so has communicating via language enhanced our ability to navigate our social as well as introspective worlds. Dirt paths and asphalt roads we have created during our long process of walking upright have at the same time ultimately determined how we now currently interact with our physical landscapes - closed loops, literally and figuratively. Have all our inherited created narratives also closed-looped our minds, rigidly structuring how we relate to our own selves and to others? Is a key to cultural progress and evolution simply to add many new narratives, all expressing divergent perspectives? Or would de-narrating both our inner and outer worlds be an equally - possibly even more - valuable strategy? With what could we replace narratives if we still wanted/needed to connect and interact with ourselves, with others and with the world? Special theme: The Paradox of Philosophy Are there better ways to arrive at insight, understanding and meaning than by thinking philosophically? What we might call a "philosopher's paradox": 1.Philosophizing essentially demands optimizing our thinking (reasoning, conceptualizing, imagining...) as well as our overall awareness (of here, of now, of others, of self...). 2.Thinking typically diminishes awareness, and vice-versa. 3a. Western philosophy tends to prioritize thinking (abstract) over awareness (concrete). 3b. Much of western philosophy (even Phenomenology!) is consequently narrative in form. Conclusion: Optimizing our thinking necessitates ridding of (or at least suspending) our awareness. Nevertheless, awareness remains a valuable vehicle for attaining knowledge and insight. Is this "philosopher's paradox" simply an intellectual bug? Or is it a fundamental - arguably problematic - feature of our thinking that impedes us from knowing and experiencing anything most directly and fully? What better ways are there in any case to understand the nature of ourselves, our world and our existence than through thinking and philosophy?? Is a dog or rabbit more in touch with being and reality than a human? "Between your thoughts, it's the space that listens." Elias Amidon, from "Medicine Beauty" Illustration: "Socrates, Plato, Aristotle & the Buddhist monks" (concept by Alan Woo, executed by ChatGPT)

Let's gather for an afterwork drink in a nice and cosy area

Build with AI 2026: Agentic Hackathon 📢 Important Participation Rule ⚠️ Hybrid Speakers, In-Person Builders: While our expert speakers may join both online and in-person, this hackathon is an In-Person Only experience for participants. To form a team, build your agent, and qualify for the final prizes, you must be physically present at the venue in Ahlen. Let's build the future together, face-to-face! 🤝 About Build with AI Hackathon Build with AI 2026 is here! This is a community-led, hands-on hackathon where developers of all levels acquire and apply skills to prototype, build, and deploy applications using the latest Google AI technologies: Gemini 3, Vertex AI, AI Studio, and Antigravity. Our hackathon is a two-week intensive sprint focused on AI Agents and the ADK (Agent Development Kit). Participants are actively engaged in rapid problem-solving, moving from initial ideation to a functional, tangible prototype. Goal: Transform an idea into a working solution using Google’s AI ecosystem to solve real-world challenges. Hackathon Schedule & Format The event is structured into two Saturday sessions to allow for deep building and technical excellence: Part 1: Ignition & Agent Construction (First Saturday) Introductory Session: Direct deep dive into Gemini 3 and the Antigravity IDE. Tools Exploration: Hands-on setup of the ADK (Agent Development Kit). Team Building: Finalizing teams and brainstorming agentic workflows. Building Phase: Immediate start on prototypes with direct support from mentors. Mid-Week: Development Sprint Continuous building and remote collaboration. Access to Google Cloud resources and community technical channels. Part 2: Final Sprint & Pitch Day (Second Saturday) Project Finishing: Final technical polish, debugging, and deployment. Live Presentations: Teams showcase their functional agents and "Skills" to the community. Judging & Awards: Evaluation by industry experts followed by the Gift Giving ceremony and exclusive Google AI swag. Participant Resources Cloud Resources: Claim your Cloud OnRamp credits to use Google Cloud Platform at no cost during the event. Official Recognition: All participants receive the Build with AI 2026 Attendee Badge on their Google Developer Program profile. Expert Guidance: Work directly with trainers and experts to master agent creation. Part 1 : Build with AI 2026: Agentic Hackathon Part 2 : Build with AI 2026: Agentic Hackathon 🎁 Exclusive Rewards To celebrate your progress, we have special Google AI Swag for the top performers: 👕 Limited Edition T-shirt 🎒 Premium Bag Prizes will be awarded during the Final Ceremony in Part 2! #BuildWithAI This is a hybrid event. Join the event virtually at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-ahlen-presents-build-with-ai-2026-agentic-hackathon-part-1-2026-02-21/ or in person at Initiative Bürgerzentrum Schuhfabrik e.V. - 7 Königstraße Ahlen, 59227 *** Agenda 3:00 PM: 👋 Check-in & Welcome Registration and informal greeting of participants. 3:30 PM: 🎤 Keynote: The Era of Agents Intro to Gemini 3, Vertex AI, and the vision of Antigravity. 4:00 PM: 🛠️ Tech Deep Dive: ADK Presentation on the Agent Development Kit and AI Studio workflows. 4:30 PM: 💻 Workshop: Hands-on Setup Live coding: Setting up the environment and deploying a basic "Hello World" agent. 5:30 PM: 💡Idea Pitching Open mic: Anyone with an idea shares it in 60 seconds to attract teammates. 6:00 PM: 🤝 Team Formation Creating teams, assigning roles, and initial brainstorming of the agentic workflow. 6:15 PM: 🍕 Networking & Kick-off Teams start their project outlines. Mentors provide feedback on feasibility. *** Hosted By Chidera Onuma, Hassan Adams, GDG Organizer passionate about building inclusive developer communities and helping people grow through technology. Data analyst with a focus on business analysis and business intelligence. Background in mobile development, mathematics, statistics, and computer science, with a strong interest in startups and real-world problem solving. Startup founder and current Business Informatics student at Fachhochschule Südwestfalen. I enjoy connecting people, sharing knowledge, and supporting developers at every stage of their journey. Suzan Aydın, Subsidies Management (Working Student) Background in information security, AI governance, and technology risk, with a strong interest in how AI systems are built, deployed, and governed in practice. Passionate about responsible AI, secure-by-design systems, and bridging the gap between engineering, regulation, and real-world use cases. Denys Doroshev, GDG Organizer I'm a Product Manager and Organizer for Google Developers Group (GDG) Ahlen, where I work to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within the developer community. In my professional career, I serve as a Senior Regional Sales Manager at Metal Work Pneumatic, focusing on B2B sales in industries like metallurgy, machine building, and agriculture across Ukraine. I also work as a Technical Director at Bray International, Inc., where I specialize in system integration and providing engineering solutions for large enterprises. With over a decade of experience in technical management and sales, I am passionate about connecting people, ideas, and businesses to drive impactful change in the tech and industrial sectors. Adewumi Saheed Adewale, GDG Organizer Anna Muzykina, GDG Organizer Passionate Flutter Developer & AI Engineer \| Google Developers Group Ahlen Organizer \| Flutter Ahlen Organizer \| Women Techmakers Ambassador \| Quantum Computing & ML Explorer \| Mentor at Groundbreaker \| Community Builder Passionate about empowering women in tech through community building, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. I’m a skilled Flutter developer with a strong foundation in Dart, Firebase, and AI ecosystems, and I’m proficient in cross-platform development using frameworks like Flutter and React. Currently, I’m exploring the potential of AI and ML, with a focus on Vertex AI and Gemini, to bring innovative solutions to mobile app development. Known for my ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and consistently deliver high-quality results, I thrive in collaborative environments and approach each challenge with a growth-oriented mindset. Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-ahlen-presents-build-with-ai-2026-agentic-hackathon-part-1-2026-02-21/.

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

#### Do you feel nervous, tense, or disconnected when performing in front of others? Many singers struggle with stage fright, self-consciousness, or the fear of being seen and judged. You may notice tension in your body, difficulty connecting with your audience, or uncertainty about how to carry yourself on stage. Stage presence is not something you’re born with, it’s something you can develop. When your body feels safe and grounded, your voice becomes freer, your posture more natural, and your performance more authentic. **In this workshop let by our vocal teacher [Sandy](https://www.pacsonmusicschool.com/more-info-sandy), you’ll learn how to feel at home on stage and express yourself with confidence, presence, and calm authority.** Paid event: 35 Euro Registration and payment via this [link](https://www.pacsonmusicschool.com/events-1/stage-presence-confidence-owning-your-space-all-levels)

Please [register yourself on the website](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/j5YTbU6YaGLgGOXyvMNn) to receive the full details: Use your Sunday to connect with yourself and the Earth! We will have a short talk about spirituality (a different subject every week), followed by a guided meditation to bless ourselves and the Earth. Topics such as chakras, self development, self connection are examples of themes discussed during the session before a meditation. The Twin Hearts Meditation was developed by Master Choa Kok Sui to connect ourselves and share loving-kindness to the entire Earth! **Sunday** **10:30 - 11:30** Av Louise 505, Brussels Donation-based. There is a box at the entrance to receive your donation. Register yourself on the link a the top to receive all the details. Let's allow ourselves to **shine and share our light with the Earth**! This talk + meditation is followed by a Pranic Healing session, a powerful healing system to bring more inner peace, self-connection, and emotional and physical healing. You can [register yourself for that session here] (https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/7QLiiTnqLMxNg6Bdm5Bm). With love, Juliana

Join us for a volunteer day helping the animals at Rosie's Farm Sanctuary in Potomac, MD. Before attending this event, you must sign a liability waiver. Please use this link [https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/) The chores you will be doing are physical. You will be working on big projects that require many volunteers like removing old bedding, sanitizing stals and replacing with new bedding, along with the daily clean up chores. Wear boots and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Feel free to bring a filled water bottle. On sunny days a brimmed hat and sunglasses may be helpful. Sunscreen is also suggested. Please do not bring any food or yummy-smelling items on your body or in your bag as our animals love to eat and are on special diets. Out of respect for the animals, we do not allow any food with animal products to be consumed at Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. Please ensure that all edible items are plant-based (no dairy, no cheese, no cow’s milk ice cream, no meat, no fish, no eggs). Thank you for your cooperation and respect for this. It is very important to us. There is a gift shop where you can browse and warm up during the event. Please post your pictures and tag Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and VSDC! Stick around at the end for a group photo behind the barn. If there is interest, we may go out to eat in one of our local vegan restaurants afterward. We are limited to 30 volunteers, so please change your RSVP if you cannot attend. Rosie's Farm Sanctuary is always in need of volunteers. If you want to volunteer with them outside of VSDC's volunteer days, make sure to visit [Rosies Farm Sanctuary ](https://rosiesfarmsanctuary.org/volunteer/) to sign up. By coming to this event, we expect you to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

*Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy registration requested at* [The Disappearance and Persistence of Bees (Virtual) - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy](https://loudounwildlife.org/event/persistent-native-bees/) The demise and disappearance of bees is well documented, yet bees still persist. Wildlife biologist Sam Droege shares a more nuanced look at the current state of native bees based on his research. This presentation is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

​Join our new group’s second meeting. Meet fellow tech enthusiasts west of the beltway. ​Because our group is new, we have a poll for the direction we want to take this new group. ​[https://submatrix.net/article/Meetups/e9ym4fr8Ca](https://submatrix.net/article/Meetups/e9ym4fr8Ca) ​For this event, we will be running a working meetup. ​Our meetings are a great place to work on and show off what you do. We are always welcoming. ​Our format is great for people who have started on but not finished one or several side projects. ​We will start off with basic introductions and what we are working on and what our goals are. We’ll break the rest of the meeting into two working sessions. In between, we’ll do a quick check-in to see how folks are going. ​Then we will conclude with showcasing and networking. Don't have an account here? We have more than one platform available for RSVP: Meetup: [https://www.meetup.com/loudoun-dev-group/events/313329870/](https://www.meetup.com/loudoun-dev-group/events/313329870/) Luma: **[https://luma.com/dhd9iufz](https://luma.com/dhd9iufz)**

Join us for an all plant-based meal at the always popular Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant in Vienna, VA. We've made a reservation for 20 attendees, so don't delay in RSVPing as this will fill up. You can preview Sunflower's menu [here. ](https://www.crystalsunflower.com/menu) Parking is available in the restaurant's lot and the Vienna Metro station is 1.6 miles away. Rides may be available from attendees with cars so please communicate needs/availability in the comments below. Please note that there is no outdoor dining at this venue and that this is an indoor event. **Update Your RSVP** Out of respect for others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

Join our partners Watermark Woods Native Plants, Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL), and Birch Tree Bookstore for the Read! Plant! Grow! Book Club, which focuses on native plants, sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and LCPL. At this meeting we’ll discuss the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Both memoir and journalistic investigation, this book explores how the Kingsolver family took on a new challenge: to spend a year on a locally -produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consume. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation’’s lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. You can either buy the book from Birch Tree Bookstore or contact Allison Forbes at [Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov](mailto:Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov) to borrow a copy of the book at the library. There are two ways to participate: attend the event online via the library website or [sign up to participate in person at Birch Tree Bookstore](https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/event-details/read-plant-grow-2026-02-24-18-30). ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

Join local video game developers, artists, musicians and writers to talk about the art and science of game development. Bring a device and demo your game, talk shop, find like minded folks to join forces with, have a snack or a beverage among new friends. We are an informal meetup where we share what we've been working on and socialize. Come for all or just a bit of the time!

⚡ **Reset your mindset. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with new clarity.** Join us for a free, small-group event held in our **Startup Garage** — a **spacious, bright, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, coffee, and real conversation — **not an actual garage 😊** 🔁 You’ll be **paired** with different attendees throughout the event for short, energizing rounds — each sparked by a simple **opening line** designed to make you laugh, reflect, and think bigger about what comes next. You won’t just talk about what’s behind you — You’ll begin to **picture what’s ahead** in a way that actually excites you. *** **☕ Coffee and snacks are on me.** Just show up with a curious mind — and a willingness to laugh. We’ll guide you through questions that blend **wisdom and humor** — the kind that help you see your story through a new lens. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • One-on-one rounds to explore purpose, identity, and new possibilities • Light, energizing activities designed to shift your mindset in under 10 minutes • Fresh insights from people you’ve never met — but may never forget • A laid-back, thoughtful space to connect without pressure *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals figuring out what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who prefer **meaningful conversation** over surface level talk Whether you’re starting over, scaling up, or just ready for something more aligned — this space is for you. *** 📊 *Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.* 🛋️ **Hosted in a spacious living-room setting** inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)