The Planets

Free Event. Join the National Capital Astronomers and Meadowside Nature Center (Rockville) to gaze upon the stars at this nighttime watch party! Viewing scopes and binoculars will be provided for guests to observe planets, the moon, stars, and more. The viewing area is on an open lawn; **guests must walk about five minutes along uneven trail to reach the viewing area**. Please either register on the MoCo park website (https://montgomeryparks.org/events/star-party/) **OR** sign a waiver when you arrive at the nature center. Feel free to bring your own telescope and/or binoculars as well.

Join the Nordic Culture And Language Exchange Meetup group this Saturday, 28 March, from 3-5pm to learn about cherry blossom viewing/festivals and how Hanami (“flower viewing”) is celebrated in the Nordic countries. We’ll learn about Kirsikkapuisto Cherry Park in the Roihuvuori section of Helsinki and the cherry trees planted by Icelandic-Japanese organizations in Hljómskálagarður Park in Reykjavík, Iceland. We’ll also explore celebrations at Kungsträdgården in Stockholm, Sakura Vårmarked in Oslo, and Copenhagen’s Sakura Festival in Langelinie Park. We will then practice our Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish conversation skills. After the Meetup event at the Ronald Reagan Trade Center food court, we’ll make an optional trek (about .5 mile walk) over to see the beautiful Washington DC cherry blossoms and take photos! \*Cherry Blossom season is always very busy with cars blocking roads/traffic, so it’s highly encouraged to use Metro/leave extra time. The Federal Triangle Metro Station (orange/blue/silver lines) is located on-site at the Ronald Reagan Trade Center. The Metro Center Metro Station (red line) is just 2 blocks away. There’s a public parking garage on site-if driving, maybe try entering DC from the east (Anacostia/Navy Yard area).

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/gaithersburg-md/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

It's almost spring! That means, it's time for the Firefly House's annual Foundations class series. These classes are meant to provide students the opportunity to learn about the House and about our way of being Pagan. For the second class of our seven-class series, we'll cover the vast array of folks whose philosophical or theological work leads to the House. Because Wicca is a formative part of our House's foundations, that means we'll be going over some of the usual suspects with respect to Wiccan history. When you RSVP for this class, you'll be asked to provide an email address. We'll send you a link to the class video at that address as soon as possible after we receive it. We keep won't share your email with anyone ever. Watch the video before the class date and time, and come to class with any questions you might have. During the class session, we'll be going over anything from the video you wanted to review, and then for the remainder of the time, we'll be discussing a few folks who have had an influence on the house that we don't discuss in the video as an example of cultural appropriation. If there's time, we'll also go over a soul alignment ritual that comes to the house from those very individuals. If you're comfortable with it, join us at the MLK Memorial Library in the Room 401-D to join the conversation in-person. Masks will be welcomed, but not provided, for in-person attendees. We will also have the necessary technology to allow folks to join in online via Google Meet if you prefer to attend remotely. Video conferencing information will be sent out the morning of the event. If you're connecting that way, please give us a few minutes past 3:30pm to get the stream online. This class is a part of our [foundations class series](https://docs.google.com/document/d/18-tA9ewEm1YEvY26jlWq07F2DT_-_HKwd-_wnl0l84g/edit?usp=sharing), which is only required if you wish to join the Firefly House as an initiate. If that does not interest you, then feel free to skip classes that you find less important for your journey. If you want to keep your options open with respect to initiation but cannot attend this session at the listed date and time, please contact the event host prior to the session. Keep in mind, you can only miss two of seven sessions in this way. Time spent with initiates of the House and your fellow classmates is an important part of knowing if you want to initiate. If you don't initiate, regardless of the reason, you're still welcome to all of the public events we organize. If you would like to, feel free to [join our Discord](https://discord.gg/RrS9XNzf9X) to chat with others in the Firefly House between sessions. This is also a great place to ask for help if you've lost a link to a video, for example. \*\*\* The Firefly House seeks to provide a friendly, safe environment in which all participants can engage in productive dialogue, sharing, and learning with each other in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for all, regardless of gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body type, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the host.

The DC Environmental Film Festival is one of the best film festivals of the year here - maybe THE best. Many of the films are free - you can browse the schedule [here](https://dceff.eventive.org/). We always like a reception for the socializing so we'll see Yanuni on Closing Night. From Variety: "Few environmental documentaries begin with quite the urgency that “[Yanuni](https://variety.com/t/yanuni/)” does. Even fewer blend political thrills with meditative visual poetry, but Austrian director [Richard Ladkani](https://variety.com/t/richard-ladkani/) strikes this balance with an even hand in his intimate chronicle of Juma Xiapaia, a brave Indigenous activist in Brazil and the first woman elected chief in the Amazon’s Middle Xingu region. **It will sell out at some point. The cost for the film and reception is $25. (The director will also be there.) [Here's the link](https://dceff.eventive.org/schedule/6991e0a0afc3abbb6802f1b3) to purchase tickets**. **Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy and Closing Night Presentation** Followed by a filmmaker conversation and the DCEFF 2026 Closing Night Reception. Yanuni. **Winner, 2026 Shared Earth Foundation Award for Advocacy** YANUNI is a cinematic portrait of Juma Xipaia, an Indigenous chief from the Brazilian Amazon who rises from a remote village to the frontlines of climate justice. After surviving six assassination attempts, she is appointed Brazil’s first Secretary of Indigenous Rights —while her husband, a federal IBAMA agent, leads dangerous operations against illegal gold miners. As Juma navigates political power, growing threats, and impending motherhood, she is forced to confront the personal cost of resistance. At once intimate and epic, YANUNI is a powerful story of Indigenous sovereignty, love, and the urgent fight to protect the planet we call home.

The taming of the Red Planet has begun! In the 2400s, mankind begins to terraform the planet Mars. Giant corporations, sponsored by the World Government on Earth, initiate huge projects to raise the temperature, the oxygen level, and the ocean coverage until the environment is habitable. As terraforming progresses, more and more people will immigrate from Earth to live on the Red Planet. Experience 'Science Future' as you compete to be the most successful corporation on Mars!

Greetings conscious black friends! I am Cody V, and I recently completed my 40 minute short film called Purple Velvet Planet. A lot of creatives here in the DMV worked hard on it, and we are excited to premier it Sunday March 29th at the historic AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring. The film is a blend of story, music, and self discovery. We've been getting tons of positive feedback so far. Tickets are available at purplevelvetplanet.eventbrite.com and they start at $7. Check out the trailer and the synopsis. I hope to see you there! **TRAILER** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qd69fWFfxU **SYNOPSIS** *In a world where music is regulated, performances are monitored by the government, and musicians need registrations to perform in public venues, Light is an “undocumented” rapper with few options for success. His socially conscious lyrics aren't doing him any favors, either. Speaking to many of the issues we are facing today, this film will appeal to music lovers, film aficionados, and everyone searching for ways to be more joyous in these troubling times. Purple Velvet Planet aspires to provide a path to personal peace amidst the chaos, through a masterful blend of music and story.*

Cinematographer Cody Valentine’s 40-minute surrealistic vision, Purple Velvet Planet, premieres at AFI Silver, Sunday March 29th. Cody has been dcVOC fam since the early days. Let's get out, get fly and support our brother. **DISCOUNT CODE for 50%:** DCVOCFAM **BUY TICKETS** PurpleVelvetPlanet.eventbrite.com **ABOUT THE FILM:** (I'm not reading it since I want to be surprised) In a world where music is regulated, performances are monitored by the government, and musicians need registrations to perform in public venues, Light is an “undocumented” rapper with few options for success. His socially conscious lyrics aren't doing him any favors, either. Speaking to many of the issues we are facing today, this film will appeal to music lovers, film aficionados, and everyone searching for ways to be more joyous in these troubling times. Purple Velvet Planet aspires to provide a path to personal peace amidst the chaos, through a masterful blend of music and story. **TRAILER** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qd69fWFfxU If you would like to sit with the group, text Ajani at 202-528-4700

NOTE: This Library is an Alexandria on Seminary Road, NOT in Burke. But it is known as the Burke Library.  Let's get together again and practice our Tarot card and pendulums. This is for beginners through advanced readers to practice their skills. Everyone will get to do a reading. There will be extra decks and pendulums if you do not have some. We will try different layouts and share our experiences. All fun! At 1:15 we will an introduction to tarot session but most of the day will be just practice so come and go as you please. See you there! Shaman Phil’s

**A Divine Connection to Nature (Free Event)** **Who is responsible for taking care of the earth?** **We talk about the environment in many contexts – politically, economically, socially and morally – but do we also have a spiritual responsibility to the world around us?** **Concern over the changing climate continues, with more and more questions about what it means for our future. And there doesn’t seem to be a consensus on what to do about it, leaving us overwhelmed and confused. But what if the way we’re treating the planet is really a symptom of something else? Is it actually an indication of how we’re treating ourselves and each other? How might our actions change if we wanted the best for others just as much as we do for ourselves? Can a spiritual lens help us see the way forward to having healthy and growing societies and also a healthy environment?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspectives offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the earth and its natural environment. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how we can work together for the betterment of us all.** **“Consider how all created things eloquently testify to the revelation of that inner Light within them.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\*This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

Weekly Saturday group ride, starting at Handy Bikes Retail Showroom. Come ride with locals in the area! This group ride is for average folks who want to go for an average ride. It's not quite a coffee ride, but it's definitely not a race! Routes will vary around the area, with an average speed around 14 mph (minimum of \~10 MPH) for around 15-30 miles. We'll be on pavement so bikes with smooth tires are encouraged, **helmets are mandatory**. Open to any riders who are willing and able to ride with a group including Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. No speed demons please! Good group ride etiquette is a requirement. Shop opens at 10:00 am Show up and sign in by 10:15 am Roll out 10:30 am Please RSVP in advance, so that the ride leaders can prepare for the group's size. [Handy Bikes on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/737920/leaderboard) [Handy Bikes on RideWithGPS](https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/14675-handy-bikes)

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

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*

This meeting will be a discussion of the book "the Science of Aliens" by Mark Brake