Urban Sketching

Styled after a 'pitch competition', this event is for entrepreneurs, and the entrepreneurial-curious. Learn about on-going initiatives from local area founders, and there will be ample time for networking. This event will bring together start-up founders and enthusiasts in the DMV area for an exciting opportunity to hear about a fellow founder, and give feedback on their pitch and product, and get to network around founders from the area. Location: 401 N Washington St, Rockville MD **Our Agenda:** 1\. Basic group introductions 2\. First "Pitch" Presentation \(\~15 minutes\) 3\. Community Q&A 4\. Second "Pitch" Presentation \(\~15 minutes\) 5\. Community Q&A 6\. Break out sessions & general networking More information will be provided as we get closer to the meetup. **Speakers** John Kilmer will present on ValiCor US's latest offering H.E.A.T.™ (Human Emotion Analysis Technology). This offering is an AI-powered emotional intelligence platform that measures and analyzes emotional, cognitive, and behavioral signals in real time with validated accuracy. It provides secure, compliant emotional insights that improve decision-making, performance, and human reliability across healthcare, defense, aviation, enterprise, and other high-stakes environments. Tom Folkes will present on ACURE, which is an AI Librarian with a proprietary and lightweight context method for search - aCURE.info Pitch Labs is a member of the [DMV Petri Dish Network](https://www.dmvpetridish.com/ "https://www.dmvpetridish.com/"). During the event, our volunteer team will be capturing photos and video footage for use in promotional materials and on social media. If you prefer not to appear in any photographs or recordings, please let us know in advance, and we will be happy to accommodate your request.

We are looking forward meeting up with filmmakers in DC! This will be an in-person event in the Dupont Circle Neighborhood. Register to let us know how many seats to save! Co-hosted with ReelAbilities Film Festival this month! Organized by Anna Griesshammer and Melissa Houghton. You MUST register here: https://www.wifv.org/calendar/#id=32373&cid=783&wid=401&type=Cal

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

We will draw together at the National Portrait Gallery next. We will meet in the Kogod Courtyard space which is wonderful and has great light. The museum is full of amazing things to get your creativity going. We will all reconvene at 3:30 to share our drawings if people feel comfortable with that. See you there.

I’m planning on posting a lot more city visit walks for 2026. Let’s start the year doing a quick trip down to Fredericksburg! Route: The route meanders through the city. Highlights include \- Chatham Manor \- Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield \- Historic Downtown Fred \- Rappahannock River \- Mary Washington House \+ Mary Washington Monument Logistics This walk requires more than just metro. You may drive if you would like, but I'm assuming most (including myself) will be taking the train to Fredericksburg. We will meet at Union Station at 11:30 and take the 79 Carolinian leaving at 12:10. The train also stops at Alexandria if that is more convenient. For the trip back to DC we will take the 124 Northeast Regional leaving Fred at 6:34 PM. I HIGHLY recommend booking your train ticket ASAP as prices do increase as we get closer to the date. You can book your train tickets at [amtrak.com](amtrak.com). Outbound Train: 79 Carolinian Inbound Train: 124 Northeast Regional Start Location: Union Station (Main Hall) End Location: Union Station Distance: Approx 5-7 miles Route: This will be more of a meander to various cool spots in the city. There’s no set route, so we can play it by ear. Terrain: Mostly Paved/brick sidewalks. Potentially minimal bushwhacking to get to Chatham Manor. \-\-\-\-\- Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description for start/end locations to see if you can manage transportation to them. We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early, because we will leave without you. We're always looking for new leaders who can showcase their neighborhood or any cool places they know, so please reach out either at an event or on meetup if you are interested. If you've enjoyed our walks please consider donating a few bucks to help us keep this group running (meetup is expensive!). [Donation Link](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2158403661070336114)

Expect a fun afternoon of drawing and socializing with like-minded artists! Although each Session is 3 hours, feel free to drop in as your schedule permits. This is a casual gathering, and we know that people might only be able to stay a little while -- drop in, and stay, as long as you are having fun, and as your day allows. **Note: about RSVP's, please respect the RSVP process. If you RSVP YES, you are commited and we are all looking to seeing you. If your plans change however, that's OK, but please be courteous and change your RSVP to NO. We are reaching the headcount limit regularly now and it is rude to take a spot and not relinquish it if your plans change... Respect others; don't be rude. Thank you for your cooperation**. All skill levels are welcome -- this is not a competition. This Group and all its Events are intended to be in equal parts, Drawing/Art AND Socializing. As such, conversation is expected and encouraged. ***However, in all cases, please refrain from discussion of Political topics.*** Our goal is enjoyment, in the form of drawing together while socializing, and political conversation is too polarizing for that to happen. We are looking forward to seeing you there! **Note (in parting): Be aware, and keep in mind that our group, meeting as it does at Starbucks, depends on this business's generosity for the space it allows us. As such, please make a point of purchasing something from the business to express our appreciation as a group using their facility. If you are experiencing hardship and can't afford a modest purchase, get my attention discreetly, and arrangements will be made with no judgment whatsoever. Thank you for your understanding... Michael (your host)**

Paint day at Muse Paintbar: Let's paint the Cherry Blossoms!🌸🎨 Please note: You must pre-purchase your ticket here to secure your spot (tickets sell out fast, so book ASAP:) https://www.musepaintbar.com/events/classic-painting-305171 *When purchasing your ticket the payment page will ask for your name and ask you to choose a GROUP. Please choose my name Deana H as your group* This way we can all be seated together. Whether you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or you just want a fun excuse to try something new, come hang out, sip a drink, and make some art with new people. No pressure, no experience needed — just good vibes, chill music, and a chance to meet new friends while creating something cool together. Unleash your creativity with a guided classic painting session! No artistic experience required. An instructor will lead you through the session. Today's painting will be “Capitol Blossoms”, a beautiful local landscape inspired by Washington’s iconic cherry blossoms in bloom. Enjoy a relaxed and social atmosphere while you: 🎨 Create your own canvas masterpiece – all art supplies & canvas included 📍 Meet new people and make art together 🍷 Grab a drink or snack from the bar/kitchen (available for purchase). menu here: https://www.musepaintbar.com/menu/ Parking: Ballston Public Parking Garage --- 627 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22203·1.9 mi Everyone is welcome — this is a great way to kick off your creative weekend, try something new, and connect with others! See you there and be sure to book your spot at the link above! 🩷🩵

Urban Soul Line Dancing is a beginner to intermediate to advanced class. Come and learn intermediate/advanced dances to R&B, Jazz, Rap and Contemporary music. The class is designed to reduce stress, improve flexibility, boost memory, lose weight and build confidence and self esteem. The session is offered InStudio only. **Sign up at www.piesfitnessyoga.com required at least two hours before class begins.** The address is 1322 Prince St Alexandria, VA 22314. Our entrance is located on the side of the building, parallel to West St. **Street parking is available and additional parking is located at Shiloh Baptist church, spaces 36,37,38,39.** The church is located across the street from the studio, on the corner of Duke St. and West St.

**The rules are simple:** Take photographs **Each and Every Day** and post your best **ONE** (1) shot of the day - **EACH DAY** for **March**. If you happen to miss a day or two (life happens), it is **OK** to catch up and upload the photos for the days missed or just skip those days. **Please don't post over 2 to 3 at a time**. This is part of the learning process. **DO NOT POST TO THE ALBUM *UNTIL* AFTER 03/01/2026**. Please use a browser like Chrome and the Meetup.com website to post the images, as **the Meetup app does not handle albums very well**. Towards the top-left of the page is a link to **Add Photos** for uploading your photo to the album. **CONFIRM** **that your photo was Added to the correct Album.** Remember to post your **best photo (JUST ONE)** you took every day on that day! **DO NOT POST PHOTOS FROM ANY OTHER TIME!** If you have time to post an older image, you can take a new image and post it. Be creative. Please **add a caption** to know how far you are in the process. After you upload the image you took that day, find your photo at the end of the album, and edit the caption to state the day and total of days in the month like this:?/31. You can add the title of the image if you wish. A good title can make a photo! So, your photo for the **March 1st** caption would be "**1/31: My great photo!**" \*\* Adding a caption helps you keep track of where you are in the month. It does help. The purpose is to have fun and get in the habit of shooting every day. Learn to use your camera. Read your manual and test out a new feature you have never used before. Sometimes picking a theme/project can help focus (pun intended), like flowers, your pet(s), a lens you haven't used in a while, or whatever your passion is. Or try something new... The **end date is 03/31/2026**. Meetup.com does not allow events to be longer than 2 weeks. Other images that were not taken by you will be removed. Please keep the images family-friendly. You need to be a member of the Virginia Beltway Photography Group. I look forward to seeing how far people go and grow as better photographers!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Hike approx 4.0 miles at approx. 18 minute mile pace. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

*****Short Notice***** This Saturday the weather is predicted to be nicer! Let’s take at walk Saturday morning 2/28/2026 ( last day of the month) at 10:00a. Meet at Taylor Farms Park ( all paved) 5526 E Dublin Granville Rd in the parking lot

Let's meet at the Nature Center for an approximate 4-mile hike, followed by an optional lunch at Nomad or Liberty Tavern (both are on Polaris Parkway) - we can decide which tavern during the hike!

Coffee and conversation at [Stauf's Coffee Roasters](https://www.staufs.com/) in German Village. Street parking is free on Sundays.