Zero Carb

Join us for modern island-inspired dishes at **Isla DC**! If it's good enough to attract the Obama's, I think we should give it a try too (they visited within weeks of its opening). **NOTE: This restaurant will NOT split the tab so please come prepared to cover your portion with Paypal, Venmo or Zelle. Thank you in advance for your understanding.** ***Washington Post:*** Beyond the shimmer, Isla is an ambitious Caribbean destination with a lot to say. Dinner at Isla does not end in the dining room. Chic customers filter back into the moodily lit entryway in twos and fours, where they put their to-go bags and fur coats to the side. They find their best light in a dramatic archway framed with mirrors. They strut a little strip of red carpet. As I duck inside, I always seem to land smack in the middle of Washington’s most fabulous photo shoot. Sorry! Isla opened in the shimmering Midtown Center in late October, and it already feels like a destination. A place to celebrate birthdays, to get engaged, to spend an inordinate amount of money on a company credit card, to see and be seen (and, maybe, to see the Obamas on date night). Past the entryway is the even grander dining room roaring with life, illuminated by a chandelier shaped like a beehive and dripping light off hundreds of delicate glass petals. Through and through, this is a power restaurant, the kind of place people go as much for form — the glam of it all — as function. (You know, the food.) A plate of lamb tartare was my first clue that Isla isn’t all window dressing. It arrives as a neat column, painted with a ticklingly spicy sweet potato and habanero cream and covered with a fine layer of chopped chives. Mixed almost imperceptibly in with the dark red cubes are bits of pickled shrimp, their slight chew giving way to waves of salinity. Instead of attempting to wrestle the gamy meat into submission, chef Lonie Murdock accentuates its undeniable intensity, breathing new life into a dish that tends to be more or less interchangeable from one glitzy restaurant to the next. Murdock is new to D.C., but Canadian expats and visitors might know her from Miss Likklemore's, the restaurant she and husband Darren Hinds opened in Toronto in 2022. There, Murdock says, she felt more beholden to tradition, honoring the substantial Caribbean population that calls Toronto home by serving faithful renditions of classics such as slow-cooked oxtails and the handheld chickpea wrap called doubles. At Isla, she wanted to step “outside of that comfort zone.” She brings her vision for a sprawling, globally inspired restaurant to Washington at an exciting moment for Caribbean cooking in the United States. In New York, chef Paul Carmichael opened Kabawa in early 2025, a sleek tasting counter where he exalts plantains with shaved salt cod and caviar, treating the sticky sweet fruit as a luxury ingredient. At Kann in Portland, Oregon, chef Gregory Gourdet rubs whole cauliflowers in jerk seasoning and brings them to life in his restaurant’s open hearth, his cooking a glorious collision of Haitian technique and Pacific Northwest produce. D.C. has played its part, too. Chef Kwame Onwuachi's Dogon is a destination restaurant built around coco bread and brown stew snapper. At St. James on 14th Street NW, paratha is served as a centerpiece dish, surrounded by an ornate spread of meat and vegetable curries. Where does Isla fit in? The restaurant’s most interesting dishes emerge when Murdock treats “Caribbean” less as a prescription than a loose framework. “For me, it was more important just to kind of highlight the beauty and the bounty of Caribbean ingredients, and not necessarily focus on a traditional dish hitting the plate,” she says. Take flaky patties. There are familiar fillings, like supple oxtail that melts into each bite of buttery pastry, but more thrilling are ones densely packed with crab cooked in a fragrant panang curry. Murdock, whose mother is Jamaican, is a quick study in the American palate: A particularly decadent patty features processed cheese and ground beef. Small plates and creative side dishes tend to outshine the bigger, spendier ones, but you can piece together a meat-and-starch dinner if that’s your thing. The showiest entrée on the menu (under a section called “feast & fire”) is a snapper whose meat has been separated from its bones and turned into fried nuggets. These morsels are then reunited with the fried skeleton, which wraps around the plate as if standing guard. For all the fun of the presentation, I found the fish disappointingly mild and craved a creamy sauce to dip into. For something substantial, I prefer the pork chop, lovingly charred and served in a deep, dark, puckering reduction made with pork bones and the Trinidadian green mango condiment kuchella. A pat of crab butter slowly melts into the chop and amplifies its meaty richness, and a few spears of grilled mango radiate like glimmers of sunlight. Whatever feast and fire you choose, pair it with a grilled plantain. “It is such a beautiful ingredient,” Murdock says. “I just didn’t want to see it hit the plate in any kind of way that I’d ever seen it before.” She roasts a sweet plantain until its skin is charred and the insides are beginning to soften, then slices it open and finishes it with butter infused with more bracing kuchella. The starchy fruit has all the heft of a baked potato, but so much more depth and curiosity. I like to double up with a side of mac pie. Murdock bridges the traditional Caribbean dish — a dense casserole — and ooey-gooey American mac and cheese. Her version is a brick of pasta almost caramelized around the edges, cheese lightly coating each noodle, all drenched in a devilishly rich Mornay. I’ve yet to leave Isla short of stuffed, but someday I’ll build a light dinner around bara, the springy Trinidadian flatbread used to make doubles. Here, the dish is deconstructed, the bread served on a glass pedestal, the fillings served separately for swiping and layering. I like a version featuring tender oxtails blanketed dramatically in a creamy butter bean foam, but my favorite of these dishes nods to tradition. A bowl of well-spiced chickpeas, surrounded by labneh and dotted with a sweet-sour tamarind achar, is comfort food dressed up with a bow tie. The leather booths are deep and cozy, and the cocktails, which favor rum and lean light and tropical, are lots of fun. A daiquiri stained blue with butterfly pea flowers is a refreshing start to the night, and Isla’s rendition of an espresso martini, coined the Style and Grace, balances jittery cold brew with sweet, milky peanut punch. Here, the classic cocktail becomes something rich and grown-up, almost devoid of its typical oversaturation. ***Check out the menu [here](https://isladc.com/menu/)*** We ask that ALL folks honor their RSVP. If you are unable to attend after sending in a YES, please update your status so that others may join. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding. **WAITLIST:** Meetup does not allow a waitlist for paid events. If this event fills and you are interested in adding your name to the waitlist, please send host a message through the app. In the future, we will vary the days of the week and the types of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners. Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will pay their own tab. before departing the event. If you are unable to join us in June we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to catching up with you for a fantastic dinner at Isla DC!

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite link (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/language-exchange-happy-hourin-person-tickets-126883831957). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ABOUT THE EVENT All languages (French, Italian, Creole, Patwah,...) are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. HOW IT WORKS : We will try to assign tables for each represented languages and we will assign attendees accordingly. All languages are welcome! However we don't guarantee the availability of a partner in that particular language, you would like to exchange. Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is required. Ticket price includes ONE PREMIUM TACOS AND ONE MARGARITA. Ticket Price : $10 (will increase soon). As we all know, the bars and restaurant industry is the most affected by this pandemic and we would like to contribute our share and help out the industry. Portion of the fund will go to that purpose. Also, be generous to bartenders. We are at 50% capacity. So, please drink for two:) As per DC Government guidelines, this is a sit down dinning event. Maximum of six people will be seated per table. We have super limited space! Get your tickets soon. Rules to abide : 1. Event is 21+ (bring ID). 2. Be respectful to your counterparts and give them a chance to exchange with others as well. 3. We all are native speakers of one or two languages and be willing to help others and try to accommodate as much as possible. 4. If you don't speak the other person's required language, LEAVE THEM ALONE. 5. Rude or aggressive members are removed from the group at an organizers discretion. 6. This is a face-to-face language exchange event. DO NOT try to arrange an online meeting, by using the comment box or direct message. 7. Most of our members complained about people writing in the comment box. Since it sends notification to all attendees. If you have any questions, send a message to the organizers. Don't write in the comment box. 8. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for solicitation. We don't allow anyone to run their own agenda at the Event. If you are interested to promote/sponsor/collaborate; contact us via (info@merevents.com). 9. When you get there, we greet you and take you to your respective group. 10. Don't be shy of your local languages. We have diplomates assigned to different countries, who would love to practice your languages. Due to the pandemic the entire set up of this event is changed: - We will be complying with all CDC, state, and local guidelines. - Occupancy never exceeds 50%. - Temperature check for staff and patrons. - All patrons must wear masks. If you don't wear a mask, we don't allow you to enter and you won't be refunded. - A thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces will be done during the event and please bear with us. - ATTENDEES WILL BE ASKED TO KEEP PHYSICAL DISTANCE FROM OTHER GROUPS/COUPLES/FAMILIES. Refund & Ticket Resell All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to those who RSVPed 'YES' advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizer a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKETS. IT RULES**

**++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Summary** **(Must Read)** **++++++++++++++++++++** * RIDE NAME: The Koffee Klatch Ride - Constellation (Crystal City) * START LOC: Bluemont South Parking, 325 N Manchester, Arlington, VA * START GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/2sMA3jhGSgdS4fJj9](https://goo.gl/maps/2sMA3jhGSgdS4fJj9) * START PARKING: Bluemont South Parking lot * ARRIVAL: 10:00 am * SPEECH: 10:10am ***\*\*you must be present for the speech or no ride for you!\*\**** * ROLLING: 10:15am * LEVEL: Medium * PACE: 11-13 mph (a "social" pace) * DISTANCE: 16.5 miles * TERRAIN: Trail / Street / Cyclepath * RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE: **CBG_KOFFEEK_CONS_2026** * [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55529797](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55529797) **++++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Detail** **++++++++++++++++++++** **Notes:** * **Constellation** is at the site of the former **Freshman** and may be more of a sit-down coffee shop/cafe. * This ride is organized "lean" and may not have a sweep. * Pump your tires on the morning of the ride, please. * It is strongly suggested that you become a NoVA CBG RidewithGPS club member and download the route posted for each "Klatch". * Loading the route onto your Garmin (or other Nav device) is also acceptable. * **NoVA CBG has a turn by turn RideWithGPS club account that's free. [https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/](https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/)** **The stop will be at:** [Constellation](https://www.constellation-va.com/) (former Freshman site) 2011 Crystal Dr Arlington, VA 22202 They are located on Crystal Drive in Crystal City after mile 9.2. The ride is a 16.5 mile medium level ridden at a social pace (11-13 mph). We will ride the Loop clockwise starting from the Bluemont South Parking on Manchester. We will ride up the Bluemont Junction Trail to the Custis and continue around to the Long Bridge connector trail from the MVT past the Pentagon and the Long Bridge Aquatic Center on the way to Constellation. After coffee we will cross back at the Water Park to the MVT and regular Arlington Loop. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride After The Ride:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** This week's coffee shop is the Ride WITHIN The Ride! **+++++++++++++++++++++** **Ride Level Chart** **+++++++++++++++++++++** NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best. * Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle). * Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved. * Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved. * Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved. Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Fine Print:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's: * "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ * NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/ * NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.

EcoAction Arlington and our EcoAmbassadors invite you to join us for an evening of community, connection, and celebration as we recognize the incredible volunteers who help create a greener, more sustainable Arlington, and welcome new faces interested in getting involved.[ REGISTER HERE](https://ecoactionarlington.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F45107) Our in‑person Volunteer Happy Hour will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. This gathering is a chance to meet fellow environmental stewards, learn about what we have done this year and upcoming events, test your environmental knowledge with trivia, and enjoy a relaxed space to mingle and build connections. As we approach the Summer Solstice on June 21, we invite you to celebrate the power of community action with neighbors, volunteers, and sustainability advocates who are passionate about climate action. Together, we can make this season brighter — for our environment and for each other. .[ REGISTER HERE](https://ecoactionarlington.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F45107)

Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, Divino is the perfect place to gather. Enjoy live music, handcrafted dishes, and a warm, social atmosphere. FREE PARKING GARAGE

**Community Tuesdays at Refraction** are a free weekly program designed for job seekers, professionals in transition, and aspiring founders to access resources, connections, and coworking space in the heart of Northern Virginia’s tech corridor. Each Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, participants gain complimentary access to Refraction’s collaborative workspace, career mentoring, resume and job-search support (including proven AI prompts to navigate applicant tracking systems), and a welcoming community of innovators and peers. Whether you are refining your next career move or exploring entrepreneurship, Community Tuesdays offer the space, guidance, and tools you need to move forward with confidence. For complete details and easy (non-Meetup) registration, please visit: [https://www.refraction.one/ctues](https://www.refraction.one/ctues).

**\*\* Tickets are $167.03, ($125 + tax, gratuities, and fees), and can be purchased [here](https://www.thelibertytavern.com/event/e-pira-chiara-boschis-wine-dinner/). \*\*** The Piedmont region of Italy is renowned for Barolo, one of my favorite wines. Please join us at Liberty Tavern on Tuesday, June 16, at 6:00 PM for a five-course Barolo wine dinner featuring the wines of celebrated winemaker Chiara Boschis. **MENU** **1st Course** **Risotto ai Fungi -** porcini, castelmagno, white truffle *Pairing: E Pira Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d' Alba 2024* **2nd Course** **Agnolotti -** candied walnut, spring pea, sage, besciamella *Pairing: E Pira Chiara Boschis Barbera d' Alba Superiore 2025* **3rd Course** **Brasato al Barolo -** polenta concia, caramelized heirloom carrots *Pairing: E Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo "Via Nuova" 2021* **4th Course** **Hazelnut Crusted Venison Loin -** chestnut puree, braised radicchio, crispy sunchoke *Pairing: E Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo "Mosconi" 2022* **5th Course** **Coconut Cream Maritozzo -** pineapple, basil, brioche Pairing: *La Spinetta Moscato d'Asti "Bricco Quaglia" 2024*

Please bring a nutritarian dish or salad to share with at least 8 members. Also, you could bring containers to take home etras at the end of the evening. We will share resouces, recipes and other info as we support each other in choosing high nutrient dense eating.

● Ultra-light ball (\~1/8th as heavy as a normal 5). This allows zero chances of ball causing brain injury. (Hence the name, Soccer Zero.) It's also nice to do toe kicks! ● Injury-based foul system. This means that the rules apply even for same-team-side fouls, too. You can use your hands to protect yourself from the ball; hand balls are only called if you did it to gain an advantage. Yellow cards will cause the fouler to sit out for 120 seconds. Strong kicks of balls to anyone's head, called "face kicks", or nuts (for male players only), are yellow-card fouls even though the ball is so light it doesn't matter as much. This penalizes inconsiderate play, something we really do care about. Reckless players or anyone getting a red card is banned. (Before heading, you need to have an idea of where other nearby players are.) So, as an example, if you kicked the ball at high speed to your own teammate's head you still have to sit out for 2 minutes. ● No out of bounds. This makes it more interesting and easier to ref. ● No offsides. ● No goalies for the senior team. (The senior team is the one that is ahead in points.) This rule is used in place of an offsides rule, since it implies you cannot win by sticking some fat player who stands in front of their relatively small Pugg goal all day long. We define a goalie to be any defender intentionally within the "goal area". In turn, this *goal area* is defined as the ground in front of the goal covered by the top of the goal, were the goal to be tipped forwards onto the ground, similar to what would happen if the wind blew strongly from behind and the stakes were not secured. ● Goal resizing. Sometimes a strong player comes on mid-game after teams were picked by the two captains. If someone like Ronaldo joins a team and/or both captains agree to goal resizing to make the game more balanced the game will be stopped and the goal sizes altered to make it more even. Please don't suggest team shuffling as a better method. It destroys the team spirit. If the switched player sucks, it will add insult to injury to him or her. On the other hand, if the switched player is good, past points stack against him or her, which also destroys the game integrity, much of which is about trying to get your team to win. Goal resizing and point multiplying (each point counts as 2 for the junior team) maintains game integrity and helps maintain balance and game intensity. Games are in Silver Spring, MD. They are reffed. Clean red and blue pinnies are supplied when needed. A weekly invitation including a recap of the prior week's game is sent out to any players who want to read it. See here (https://www.meetup.com/safersoccer/boards/thread/23643732/0/). RSVPs are required. The reason is that it should increase their own enjoyment. You see, the ideal number of players for a pickup soccer game is perhaps 6x6 - 8x8; some players won't attend if they think the turnout will be low, and others will just assume the game will be cancelled even though we always play. (As a practical matter, smaller games are less fun since the comics won't have the audience they need, but, they do have two hidden benefits: shorter, more intense games/workouts and fewer face kicks/yellow cards. So we play no matter how small or large.) So non-RSVPers are a little short sighted, since they don't seem to want to maximize their own enjoyment in the long run. Rational and sane players who have a good chance of attending RSVP a week early here [and in the subgroup](https://www.meetup.com/safersoccer/). Location map (cut & paste url into a browser)(park on Plyers Mill): secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/1/7/2/600_364808562.jpeg

Join us for a Senior Single's Pizza dinner night. If you are a Senior & Single this is a good event to meet others who are single too. We will have ice breaker games to play I will have a reservation for the group. Parking available. Members only please. Grab your spot today! We will need at least 4 RSVP 's for this event to continue.

**NoVA CBG has a turn by turn RideWithGPS club account that's free. [https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/](https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/events/271742916/)** **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Summary** **(Must Read)** **+++++++++++++++++++++** * RIDE NAME: The Custard Cruise * START LOC: Shirlington Library * START GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/y1K7iBorEgsTWBpaA](https://goo.gl/maps/y1K7iBorEgsTWBpaA) * START PARKING: Any Parking Garage * ARRIVAL: 6:00pm * SPEECH: 6:15pm * ROLLING: 6:30pm * LEVEL: Beginner Level (But All Welcome) * DISTANCE: 10 miles. * PACE: 12 mph * TERRAIN: No Hills, Trail and Street Riding. * RIDEWITHGPS ROUTE: CBG_CUSTARD_CRUISE_2026 **(UPDATED)** [https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46334991](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46334991) **NOTES:** * No Hills, 10 miles, No Surprises, Custard! * Bring enough fluids for the entire ride. * [https://www.thedairygodmother.com/flavor-forecast/](https://www.thedairygodmother.com/flavor-forecast/) **TIMINGS (approximates):** * Arrive @ 6:00pm * Speech @ 6:15pm * Rolling @ 6:30pm * Back in Shirlington @ 8:00pm(ish) **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride : Detail** **+++++++++++++++++++++** For your riding pleasure NoVA CBG presents The Custard Cruise. I would like some custard. The Dairy Godmother in Del Ray has some excellent custard (& sorbet & vegan donuts & other yummy things for just about everyone). Maybe some of you want to join me? Shirlington, to Four Mile, to Potomac Yards to the Dairy Godmother, then Commonwealth back to Four Mile to Shirlington. * No Hills * 10 miles, belly full of custard (or other yummy-ness) * Hopefully no surprises. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Meeting Spot:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** Shirlington Library 4200 Campbell Ave Arlington, VA 22206 GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/y1K7iBorEgsTWBpaA](https://goo.gl/maps/y1K7iBorEgsTWBpaA) We will meet in front of the Shirlington Library by the fountains. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride After The Ride:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** What better way to wash down your custard than with a tasty beverage. For those interested we will go to Samuel Beckett’s after the ride for our social. We sit outside so we can bring our bikes and keep an eye on them. Join us if you like! **+++++++++++++++++++++** **Ride Level Chart** **+++++++++++++++++++++** NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best. * Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle). * Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved. * Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved. * Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved. Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Fine Print:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's: * "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ * NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/ * NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above.

Nice leisurely morning ride from Shirlington down to Alexandria Waterfront, then we'll stop for a yummy brunch at District Biscuit Company. Bring a bike lock. **++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Summary** **(Must Read)** **++++++++++++++++++++** * RIDE NAME: Casual Brunch Group - District Biscuit * START LOC: Shirlington Library * START GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/GXU2cMAG7672](https://goo.gl/maps/GXU2cMAG7672) * START PARKING: Any Garage in Shirlington * ARRIVAL: 9:00 am * SPEECH: 9:15 am * ROLLING: 9:30 am * LEVEL: Beginner * PACE: 10-12 mph * DISTANCE: \~12 miles * TERRAIN: Trail / Street / Cycle Tracks * RIDEWITHGPS: coming soon! **NOTES:** * We will meet in front of The Bearded Goat. * Ride is fairly flat. * Bring a bike lock. * It will be HOT- bring lots of ice water * Don't forget your $$, so you can have a yummy brunch. **++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride: Detail** **++++++++++++++++++++** We will ride from Shirlington, to Four Mile Run Trail, to Mt Vernon Trail where we will head into Alexandria to hang out for a little bit at Waterfront Park. Once we are done checking out the waterfront we will head up Cameron to Commonwealth into Arlandria to District Biscuit Company. Rumor has it they are the best biscuits anyone in the world has ever had! Relax, eat, have fun, then back on bikes toward Four Mile Run to Shirlington. Total distance \~ approx. 12 miles. District Biscuit Company: [https://districtbiscuitco.com/](https://districtbiscuitco.com/) 3401 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22305 **++++++++++++++++++++** **The Meeting Spot:** **++++++++++++++++++++** Shirlington Library 4200 Campbell Ave Arlington, VA 22206 GPS: [https://goo.gl/maps/GXU2cMAG7672](https://goo.gl/maps/GXU2cMAG7672) We will meet in front of The Bearded Goat. **++++++++++++++++++++** **The Ride After The Ride:** **++++++++++++++++++++** None. We just had brunch! **+++++++++++++++++++++** **Ride Level Chart** **+++++++++++++++++++++** NoVA CBG tries to accommodate all levels of cyclists by offering different types/levels of rides. We just ask that you come to the ride that suits your current riding ability the best. * Introductory Level: If you haven't ridden a bike in a number of years (or are uncertain of your abilities on a bicycle). * Beginner Level: You can ride for 10+ miles at a pace of 10+ to 12+ mph with potentially minor hills involved. * Medium Level: You can ride for 20+ miles at a pace of 13+ to 15+ mph with potentially moderate hills involved. * Advanced Level: You can ride for 20++ miles at a pace of 15+ mph with potentially major hills involved. Both Medium and Advanced Levels might require handling various challenges such as reading cue sheets, using a Garmin or navigation app, night riding, out of town travel, or any other odd cycling situations. **+++++++++++++++++++++** **The Fine Print:** **+++++++++++++++++++++** An RSVP of 'YES' is your digital signature and means you have read and understood MEETUP.com's: * "Terms of Service : Section 6. Release" found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/ * NOVA-CBG's "Assumption of Risk Agreement" found @ https://www.meetup.com/novacbg/pages/1942951/NOVA-CBG_Waiver/ * NoVA CBG's "COVID Policy" found @ http://bit.ly/2021_NoVACBG_COVID19_POLICY Helmets are required to participate in all NOVA-CBG rides. All riders ride at their own risk and with the understanding that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. When coming to the meetup you do so voluntarily and are ready and able to participate in the ride as described under the conditions of the day. Be on time for the "pre-ride" preparation. If you do not attend the pre-ride preparation you will not be allowed to participate on the ride. There are NO exceptions to the above. ..........................................................................................................................

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

This workshop offers more than a class—it is a hands-on cultural experience rooted in patience, precision, and ancestral knowledge. Learn the fundamentals of Cherokee double-wall basket construction, a technique known for its strength, balance, and visual depth. This style creates two walls woven simultaneously, resulting in a seamless, durable basket that holds both function and story. Each kit thoughtfully includes pre-soaked and hand-dyed reed, core weaving materials, and guidance through every step of the process. You’ll learn proper starts, shaping, tension control, and how the inner and outer walls work together as one structure. Designed to be accessible for beginners and deeply satisfying for experienced weavers, this workshop emphasizes respect for materials, intentional making, and the rhythm of the hands. With proper supervision, older children and teens may participate, making this an excellent intergenerational learning experience. ***PLEASE NOTE: There are two sessions. A morning session from 9 a.m.—1 p.m. & 2—6 p.m. Click the registration link and select one class.** * A**ddress:** Octagon Earthworks, 125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH 43055 - UNESCO World Heritage Site * **Hours:** * **Morning Session: 9 a.m.—1 p.m.;** * **Afternoon Session: 2—6 p.m.** * A**dmission :** Ohio History Connection Members - $130, Nonmembers - $140 * Click here to register and pay https://www.ohiohistory.org/events/double-wall-basket-weaving-workshop-2/ At this workshop: • Learn an authentic Cherokee double-wall weaving technique • Encourages mindfulness, focus, and problem-solving • A meaningful alternative to mass-produced crafts • Each basket is completely one-of-a-kind • Ideal for cultural education, art practice, and heirloom making Whether you’re reconnecting with tradition, learning a new skill, or creating something meant to last, this workshop is an invitation to slow down, weave with intention, and carry knowledge forward—one row at a time. This workshop is led by Renata Cauthon, a Cherokee artist and enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and one of the few IACB-listed Cherokee artists in Ohio. Beginning her professional art career in 2023, Renata has participated in several exhibitions across the country, including juried art shows. Her work is featured in her tribe’s official gift shop as well as several museum shops, blending traditional Cherokee design with contemporary storytelling to explore identity, resilience, and cultural continuity. The 2025 Reach Indigenous Advocacy Indigenous Advocate of the Year has worked tirelessly to provide access to Cherokee culture in Ohio through partnerships like her work with Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve — part of the UNESCO-listed Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Since 2024, Renata has led hands-on workshops at Fort Ancient, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Cherokee traditions as living, evolving practices. She is honored to share Cherokee cultural knowledge, inspire understanding of Ohio’s Indigenous history, and invite visitors to explore and engage with her art.

**Let’s meet for pizza 1st at Mikey’s Late Night Slice which is connected to Pins! Then we will bowl (no heavy balls involved)**

This workshop offers more than a class—it is a hands-on cultural experience rooted in patience, precision, and ancestral knowledge. Learn the fundamentals of Cherokee double-wall basket construction, a technique known for its strength, balance, and visual depth. This style creates two walls woven simultaneously, resulting in a seamless, durable basket that holds both function and story. Each kit thoughtfully includes pre-soaked and hand-dyed reed, core weaving materials, and guidance through every step of the process. You’ll learn proper starts, shaping, tension control, and how the inner and outer walls work together as one structure. Designed to be accessible for beginners and deeply satisfying for experienced weavers, this workshop emphasizes respect for materials, intentional making, and the rhythm of the hands. With proper supervision, older children and teens may participate, making this an excellent intergenerational learning experience. ***PLEASE NOTE: There are two sessions. A morning session from 9 a.m.—1 p.m. & 2—6 p.m. Click the registration link and select one class.** * A**ddress:** Octagon Earthworks, 125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH 43055 - UNESCO World Heritage Site * **Hours:** * **Morning Session: 9 a.m.—1 p.m.;** * **Afternoon Session: 2—6 p.m.** * A**dmission :** Ohio History Connection Members - $130, Nonmembers - $140 * Click here to register and pay https://www.ohiohistory.org/events/double-wall-basket-weaving-workshop-2/ At this workshop: • Learn an authentic Cherokee double-wall weaving technique • Encourages mindfulness, focus, and problem-solving • A meaningful alternative to mass-produced crafts • Each basket is completely one-of-a-kind • Ideal for cultural education, art practice, and heirloom making Whether you’re reconnecting with tradition, learning a new skill, or creating something meant to last, this workshop is an invitation to slow down, weave with intention, and carry knowledge forward—one row at a time. This workshop is led by Renata Cauthon, a Cherokee artist and enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and one of the few IACB-listed Cherokee artists in Ohio. Beginning her professional art career in 2023, Renata has participated in several exhibitions across the country, including juried art shows. Her work is featured in her tribe’s official gift shop as well as several museum shops, blending traditional Cherokee design with contemporary storytelling to explore identity, resilience, and cultural continuity. The 2025 Reach Indigenous Advocacy Indigenous Advocate of the Year has worked tirelessly to provide access to Cherokee culture in Ohio through partnerships like her work with Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve — part of the UNESCO-listed Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. Since 2024, Renata has led hands-on workshops at Fort Ancient, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Cherokee traditions as living, evolving practices. She is honored to share Cherokee cultural knowledge, inspire understanding of Ohio’s Indigenous history, and invite visitors to explore and engage with her art.

The restaurant’s website doesn’t have the dinner menu listed. I took a picture of the dinner menu.

Join us for a great 2 mile hike through Blendon Woods Metro Park, hiking the Sugarbush Trail. This is a largely wooded hike on a flat dirt trail with some tree roots and rocks. Please meet us at the start of the trail in the Nature Center parking lot.