Wake Boarding

Meet in the parking lot of the Handy Bikes Service Center. At the start of each ride, we'll go over introductions to have a sense of participants' cycling experience. Over the course of our rides, we'll address the following: group riding dynamics; safety (ABC check & trail hazards); gear shifting; hill climbing; audible and hand communication within the group, with other trail users, and automobile drivers; what to bring on each ride; etc... Bring your questions, water & a snack. When it starts getting dark earlier, we'll need lights as well. Helmets a MUST. If you can, and especially if you've had issues with your bike, come a bit early to have it looked at ahead of the ride. PS - all levels are welcome to join, however, be mindful that if you are an experienced rider, please be prepared to ride at the pace of the newest rider in the group. Each week, depending on who's in attendance, and participants' riding ability/comfort level, we may do skills practice as a group in the parking lot or at the west end of Wheeler Ave. Once everyone is comfortable, we'll go for a ride on local trails and neighborhood streets and finish back at the shop. Happy Pedaling !! \~Maya

**Friday Night Board Games for up to 12 players (including me).** I have a dedicated gaming space in my home and can accommodate three tables of games being played at the same time. You are welcome to bring your own games to share and I own over 400 games (List here: [SynapticAcidGames](https://bit.ly/SynapticAcidGames)). *Please post in the event comments the game(s) you are interested in playing or planning to bring to share/play (and to see what others are bringing or are interested in playing too).* Doing so gives everyone an opportunity to choose what to play in advance (and learn how to play it if necessary). Attendees (players) will be sociable and respectful. I'll have a selection of light snacks and beverages available, but please feel free to bring snacks/drinks to share. Alcohol: If you're legally permitted, then you can, but keep it reasonable and light. There is no smoking or vaping on the property and if you have a pet allergy, please be advised that we have three dogs (two miniature poodles and a mini goldendoodle) in the home. Attendees should also be capable of walking down/up at least 15 stairs to enter/exit the game room. You may park along the street or in the driveway, but do not block access to the far-right garage. **Attendance/Late/No-Show Policies:** * You must be registered in order to attend this event; walk-ins are not allowed. * The event start time is specific (not flexible) and you should plan to arrive at that time in order to be respectful of others. A 15 minute grace period for traffic or delays is generally afforded. * If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late be prepared that you may not be able to play until a game concludes and a new one starts (if there's time). In general, attendees should not be late. * If you are a no-show for an event (and you fail to timely communicate that you won't be attending), then you will be waitlisted at future events and allowed to attend only if space is still available after accommodating all others. * Most attendees stay for the duration of the event, but it is not required. **If you have any questions, please message me directly.**

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. Tip o' the fedora to Willem Jansen for pioneering this route. This is a 7 mile lollipop hike with about 650' of elevation gain. Our route will take us through McLean and Arlington as we explore two tributary streams of the Potomac, and the remains of two Civil War era fortifications defending the Chain Bridge approach to Washington. From the Marie Butler Leven Preserve parking, we'll descend to Little Pimmit Run, merging into Pimmit Run. We'll take a short out-and-back side trail up to Fort Marcy before continuing on the Potomac Heritage trail to Chain Bridge. Upon reaching Gulf Branch, we'll follow that trail to the Gulf Branch Nature Center where we'll pause for a short snack break. We'll ascend to Glebe Road where we'll pass through the second Civil War fortification, Fort Ethan Allen, before returning to the Pimmit Run trail and back to the trailhead parking. Most of the hike is relatively flat, but includes a couple of short, steep, uphill sections. The natural surface portions of the route are narrow in spots and have many roots, and a few stream crossings. Poles may be useful. The parking lot at the starting point accommodates 12 cars. If it is full when you arrive, don’t park on Kirby Road, but in the Potomac Hills neighborhood, along Loch Raven Drive or Colleen Drive. No restrooms at the starting point; there is a porta potty at the rest stop. **Pace:** 2½ mph when moving. **Leader:** Steve Wiley, 571-345-6441 **Rating:** C **Dogs** are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) Please contact me if you plan to bring your dog. **Trailhead:** See at the Marie Butler Leven Preserve, GPS coordinates **38.929789, -77.146651**. **Meet at 9:15**. We hike at 9:30. You may also find it in your navigator by inputting 1501 Kirby Road, McLean. **Map for hike:** downloadable AllTrails route [Leven Preserve - Fort Marcy - Gulf Branch](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/leven-preserve-fort-marcy-gulf-branch-b16524e?u=i&sh=pkltl9) and a [Printable pdf of route](https://geppetto-cdn.production.alltrails.com/pdf/v2/leven-preserve-fort-marcy-gulf-branch-b16524e-429884ce.pdf)

Game night with a potluck, join us at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston on Wiehle Ave. for a game night and potluck. All are welcome there. I will bring a selection of over 2 dozen games of different styles from my collection. Some examples of the variety of styles include: Earth Flamecraft Quacks of Quedlinburg Meadow Wingspan Pandemic Feast for Odin The Crew Love letter Just One Code Names please feel free to bring along any of your games you would like to play. Please be respectful of the venue and any other groups that may be using the facility and, as you are able, please help clean up at the end of the night. Children are welcome. However, they are expected to be playing games in the same room. If you are bringing children, please make sure to bring games they enjoy playing. This is also a potluck so please bring some food to share. Hosts bring at least one main dish and a side dish, and plates, utensils, and basic drinks are provided. We are appreciative of any food you want to bring. A $5 per person suggested donation to the church helps cover basic costs.

Looking for a fun, screen-free way to spend your Sunday afternoon? Join us every other week at the Community Center for a few hours of friendly competition and laughter. Feel free to bring your own treasured game or borrow one from our shelves. It’s the ultimate low-pressure way for families to connect. Note: This is not a drop-off event. Please ensure children have a parent or guardian joining in on the fun.

Ruggers! Break out your swimsuits and join the coolest Special Olympics supporters in Northern Virginia. West Potomac RFC is once again coming together to support the Special Olympics Virginia athletes in making their Olympic dreams come true. We'll use my (Woj's) house as a staging ground for changing, bag storage, and general pre-gaming. Then, we'll walk down the street to take the plunge, toss a ball around, and hand out business cards to any potential new recruits. The team page is here: **https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/team/792944** **IMPORTANT:** by registering for the team, you're agreeing to raise/donate at least $25 by 1/26/2026, and, you'll need to raise/donate at least $100 to take the plunge itself. **Tentative Schedule** * 11:00 AM – Registration/check-in * 1:00 PM – Check in closes. Costume Contest. Awards Presentation * 1:15 PM – Official Plunge start time — the plunging won’t stop until everyone has had a turn. **Parking is available for free at Mosaic**. The preferred parking garages are: * Garage at Target, 2905 District Ave * Garage at the Avalon Apartments, 2987 District Ave * Garage at the Modera Apartments, 2920 District Ave. The event is also metro accessible via the Orange line to the Dunn Loring stop. The event is a very short taxi or car ride away.

We play a variety of games with a focus on high interaction Euros. Events will start with quick games while people arrive and eat lunch. We will start longer games between 1:30pm and 2pm. While the official end time is 5pm, people are welcome to continue playing games afterwards. Western Market closes at 7pm on Sundays. This page has more examples of high interaction Euros: [Old-school German-style Games](https://boardgamegeek.com/guild/view/3948). Here are some games that have been played at past events: High Interaction Euros * [Medici](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/46/medici) * [Catan](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/13/catan) * [Hansa Teutonica](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/43015/hansa-teutonica) * [Puerto Rico](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3076/puerto-rico) * [Concordia](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/124361/concordia) * [Power Grid](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid) * [Brass: Birmingham](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/224517/brass-birmingham) Other high interaction games * [Innovation](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/63888/innovation) * [Imperial](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24181/imperial) There are a variety of food and drink options. Western Market is allowing us to use the space for free. Please reciprocate by purchasing something, even if it is just a soda. Directions If you're taking the Orange, Silver, or Blue lines, exit at the Foggy Bottom metro station and walk two blocks to the east. If you are taking the Red Line, Farragut North is an approximately a 15 minute walk away. There is also free street parking to the north.

Just good ole Ultimate Frisbee. Tons of fun. Great group. No stacks. No pick calls (but no picks!!!). Fair warning to those totally new to ultimate: it's a lot of running. \*\*Please pay close attention to the rule #6 listed below. *What to DEFINITELY bring* 1. Running shoes/Cleats 2. One white shirt *and* one dark shirt !!!! See this one !!!! \-\-\- IMPORTANT you can play both dark and white so we can make teams when we get there; just pickup after all 😎 3. Water *What you can ALSO bring* 4\. Snacks & Drinks 5\. Gloves \(winter\) 6\. Sunscreen \(summer\) 7\. Sunglasses 😎 House Rules - 1. Starting Play: Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of opposite end zone lines. The defense throws ("pulls") the disc to the offense. 2. Scoring: Each time the offense catches a pass in the defense's end zone, the offense scores a point. The teams switch direction after every goal, and the next point begins with a new pull by the team that just scored. 3. Movement of the Disc: The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count. 4. Change of Possession: When a pass is not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception, stalled), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense. 5. Substitutions: Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout. (Modified depending on the number of the attendees) 6. Non-contact: Players must attempt to avoid physical contact during play. Picks and screens are also prohibited. 7. Fouls: When a player initiates contact that affects the play, a foul occurs. When a foul causes a player to lose possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. If the player that the foul was called against disagrees with the foul call, the play is redone. 8. Self-Officiating: Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. The host will also step in if it is needed. Please message the event host for any questions or concerns. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Smiley Social documents:** 1. [Group Rules ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg) 2. [Liability Waiver ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco)

Come join in the fun! bring a friend and a snack. Enjoy! Hillside or Veranda is where to park if staying past 10pm. You may also bring your own games too!

Join us for the Friday Night Fitness Skate! A 12 or 8 mile fitness skate that skates the same route each week so you will know the route and pavement hazards (since it is dark) and be able to work on form, endurance or speed as the cold wind is pushing against you! ;) The route has nice long stretches of uninterrupted skating, open roads with very few cars and the regroups are short and infrequent. We will meet at Freedom Plaza at 7pm as long as it is not raining, snowing and the pavement is not wet or icy. We’ll warm up with a skate to the Capital and then skate along the mall and museums to the National Monument. We will then head to the Lincoln Memorial through the World War II Memorial. From the Lincoln we will proceed to Haynes Point down Ohio Drive with the option to take the 3 mile Haynes Point loop (12 mile total skate) or practice stops or stunts at the regroup spot while others skate the loop (8.5 mile total skate.) The skate is mostly flat on good pavement with a small slope coming down from the Washington Monument and a 40 yard small slop from the Lincoln to Ohio Drive and a couple patches here and there. The wind can be very strong and cold especially on Ohio Drive and Haynes Point as we skate adjacent to the water. Please feel free to jazz up your gear with lights, I wear a helmet bike light (since it is pretty dark) and a set of body lights. Most of the regulars skate with lighted wheels for fun! Wear your lights so you have fun, can see and be seen! In case of bad weather, I will update this post via the comment section around 6pm on Friday. Of course, all skating is at your own risk. Hope you will come join us!

Arkham Horror Third Edition is a cooperative board game for one to six players who take on the roles of investigators trying to rid the world of eldritch beings known as Ancient Ones. Based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, players will have to gather clues, defeat terrifying monsters, and find tools and allies if they are to stand any chance of defeating the creatures that dwell just beyond the veil of our reality.

Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations. 
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that. We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Worthington, and parts of Westerville and Columbus. 
Feel free to bring your own games or play one of the many games our members bring. If you are inexperienced, we will help you learn. 
Here are just a few examples of the kind of games we play. 
Tabletop/board games: Splendor, Catan, Azul, Dominion, 7 Wonders… 
Social deduction games: Code Names, Chameleon, Werewords… 
IMPORTANT: 
1. While we love playing a variety of games and competing, we are not just about the games. We interact and talk while playing, and this leads to a lot of laughter and fun. If you just want to compete and focus solely on the game, then this is probably not the group you are looking for. 
2. Many people join groups like this and never (or rarely) show up after weeks or months. If you join and never really come, we will eventually remove you from the group as a courtesy to our members. Why? Because limiting group conversations (on the app) to regular members makes communication and planning much easier. Also, while it may be rare, it protects members from people who join because they are interested in following a person instead of having a real interest in our group. If you get removed, it is just because you haven’t come, and we follow this protocol as a courtesy to our regular game players.

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~$20 per person. Soft drink refills are $1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area! Parking can be challenging. There is a parking lot behind the building that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

Join us every Saturday of January for a day of boardgaming !!! You first visit is free and if you were not a member in 2025 you can join for the rest of the year for only **$40!!!**