zombie apocalypse

We'll be discussing Flesh by David Szalay. We meet in person at a member's home -- the address will be sent to those attending a week before the event. Find the book on [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/p/books/flesh-a-novel-david-szalay/a217af5986592e58?ean=9781982122799&next=t), [Montgomery County Libraries](https://mcpl.aspendiscovery.org/Search/Results?lookfor=%22Szalay%2C+David%22+flesh&searchIndex=Keyword&sort=relevance&view=list&searchSource=local&disallowReplacements&replacedIndex=Author), and [PG County Libraries](https://libbyapp.com/search/pgcmls/search/query-Flesh%20by%20David%20Szalay/page-1). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- WINNER OF THE 2025 BOOKER PRIZE AND A NATIONAL BESTSELLER Finalist for the Kirkus Prize \| Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence From “the shrewdest writer on contemporary masculinity we have” (Esquire), a “captivating...hypnotic...virtuosic” (The Baffler) novel about a man whose life veers off course due to a series of unforeseen circumstances. Teenaged István lives with his mother in a quiet apartment complex in Hungary. Shy and new in town, he is a stranger to the social rituals practiced by his classmates and is soon isolated, drawn instead into a series of events that leave him forever a stranger to peers, his mother, and himself. In the years that follow, István is born along by the goodwill, or self-interest, of strangers, charting a rocky yet upward trajectory that lands him further from his childhood, and the defining events that abruptly ended it, than he could possibly have imagined. A collection of intimate moments over the course of decades, Flesh chronicles a man at odds with himself—estranged from and by the circumstances and demands of a life not entirely under his control and the roles that he is asked to play. Shadowed by the specter of past tragedy and the apathy of modernity, the tension between István and all that alienates him hurtles forward until sudden tragedy again throws life as he knows it in jeopardy. “Spare and detached on the page, lush in resonance beyond it” (NPR), Flesh traces the imperceptible but indelible contours of unresolved trauma and its aftermath amid the precarity and violence of an ever-globalizing Europe with incisive insight, unyielding pathos, and startling humanity.

This meetup is for beginner players that were not able to attend the original Meetup back on April 8th. Players will be building their investigators for the first scenario. No need to bring anything with you. I have all the supplies you will need. We will meet at Kaldi's Social House at 3100 10th Street N. Arlington. If you have any questions feel free to send me a private message.

Join us across the street at 7 p.m. for a slice of pizza at Andy's Pizza, doors open at the 9:30 club at 7:00, there's an opening act, then The New Pornographers, probably by 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. Tickets: 40 @ 9:30 box office 51 @ Ticketmaster [https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-new-pornographers-washington-district-of-columbia-05-21-2026/event/1500636ECDD0A08C](https://www.ticketmaster.com/the-new-pornographers-washington-district-of-columbia-05-21-2026/event/1500636ECDD0A08C) [https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mO4aGO6u29UyR6XLZR9XW?si=iitJ2fB5Q7yp_lf16uXFAA](https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mO4aGO6u29UyR6XLZR9XW?si=iitJ2fB5Q7yp_lf16uXFAA) [https://www.930.com/e/the-new-pornographers/](https://www.930.com/e/the-new-pornographers/) "Over the past 20 years, The New Pornographers have proven themselves one of the most excellent bands in indie rock. They have released nine studio albums, including their classic debut Mass Romantic and their latest 2023’s Continue as a Guest, which marked their debut for Merge Records. They’ve constantly offered new sonic surprises with every album, and have established themselves alongside modern luminaries like Yo La Tengo and Superchunk when it comes to their ability to evolve while still retaining what made them so special in the first place. Of the newest record, New York Magazine lauded, “The New Pornographers are a massive unit bursting with unique and intersecting talents…the band’s ninth album serves another helping of their signature dish.” The band's new single "Ballad of the Last Payphone" is out now with a new full-length album slated for release in 2026 – more details to come. Critical acclaim for The New Pornographers: “Over the course of their 20-plus-year career, the New Pornographers have often specialized in catchy ambiguity. If leader Carl Newman was just a machine cranking out power-pop tunes, it would get boring. But there’s also a lot of mixed emotions going on under the surface of their studiously nuanced pop-rock formalism—like if Cheap Trick was as quick-witted as Steely Dan, or the Romantics were as thoughtful as R.E.M.” - Rolling Stone “Pure, blissfully irresistible power pop” - NPR Music “[The New Pornographers] make catchy, sophisticated alternate-universe hits.” - Stereogum"

Thursday Night Rooftop Social 🌸 @ Lucha Rosa Laid-back Thursday rooftop social — come meet new people, grab a drink, and hang. We’ll be at Lucha Rosa (great views + fun vibe). Super easygoing group — most people come solo and it’s easy to jump in. I’ll be there introducing people so no pressure at all. Event is 7:00–9:15 PM — most people arrive between 7:00–7:45, feel free to come whenever. I’ll post where we’re at once I get there — come say hi 👋

In your 20s or 30s and looking to make friends other 20s & 30s aged people in and around the Columbia area? Come join for a Columbia Social happy hour at GameOn! We are a very welcoming group looking to connect with others in the area and make friends. Look for any person in a name tag and they will be part of the Columbia Social meetup group. Games require quarters or tokens, and the token machine is cash only. There is an ATM on site for those that do not bring cash. Bar/food do accept credit cards. If you have any questions, please reach out. Thank you!

***Spirit Island*** is a complex and thematic cooperative game about defending your island home from colonizing Invaders. Players are different spirits of the land, each with its own unique elemental powers. Every turn, players simultaneously choose which of their power cards to play, paying energy to do so. Using combinations of power cards that match a spirit's elemental affinities can grant free bonus effects. Faster powers take effect immediately, before the Invaders spread and ravage, but other magics are slower, requiring forethought and planning to use effectively. In the Spirit phase, spirits gain energy, and choose how / whether to Grow: to reclaim used power cards, to seek for new power, or to spread presence into new areas of the island.--

We love a chill, laid back party. It’s about building real community - bringing blerds together in a space where we can connect, unwind, and actually be in the room with each other. If you’ve been wanting more in-person energy, this is that. What’s going down: * Games on deck (PS5 + Nintendo Switch available) * Bring your own favorites! * Board games, cards, controllers, whatever you’re into. * DJ’ing by our very own MC Brooks! * Good people. Good energy. Good vibes. Food & Drinks: * Hamburgers, hot dogs, and ribs provided * Bring snacks or something to share if you want * BYOB (come prepared) but we’ll provide ice and mixers. Details: 📍 Waldorf, MD (exact address provided after RSVP) * Saturday, May 23rd * 4PM until * Hosted by Tyler May * (friendly, sweet dog lives on premises) Parking: * First come, first served * Additional street parking available! (Need help getting to Waldorf? Candice has agreed to meet folks at the Branch Station metro from 4:45-5pm! Additional pickup may be available. Let Candice know when you RSVP!)

Forro for Memorial Day! Join Lunna Gomes for terrific forró class to support the Afro Brazilian fest 2026. Lunna Gomes is DC's top forró instructor so this class will be terrific. Play with musicality, improve your ability to follow/ lead plus learn a fun dance pattern. Forró is Brazil's most popular partner dance for it's ease, terrific music and socialability. Meet new people and support a good cause. 100% of the revenue goes to Afro-Bahia Fest 2026. Class fee $15. Stay for delicious traditional feijoada too, and forro students get a discount 😋

Let's the latest chapter in the Star Wars series

Please join members of the Fairlington Social Club for a "Sunset Happy Hour @ Columbia Island Marina" on Friday May 22, 2026 from 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM to begin your 3-day Memorial Day holiday weekend. Columbia Island Marina is on an island in the Potomac River near the Pentagon. While it is part of the District of Columbia, it is located on the Virginia side of the river and can only be reached from the southbound lane of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. From Interstate 395 Northbound leaving Shirlington, take Exit 8B "Pentagon/Arlington Cemetery/Rosslyn" and bear left on Virginia State Route 27 East, drive past the Pentagon, cross the bridge over Virginia State Route 110, stay in the right lane to take the George Washington Memorial Parkway southbound exit "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport/Alexandria/Mount Vernon/I-395", then turn right at the sign into the Columbia Island Marina. Free parking is available at the Columbia Island Marina. Join your friends from the Fairlington Social Club for food and drink to a have a little change in attitude, change in latitude. Look for the six foot long Fairlington Social Club banner under the marina pavilion to find the group.

**Screening Info:** We are seeing the 8:15 PM showing at AMC Georgetown on Friday, May 22. **THE HOST IS SITTING IN SEAT L10 .** He will be wearing a black cap with "geek" on the front. AMC Stubs A-List members can get free tickets! Tickets will sell fast! I recommend ordering them as soon as possible! Order tickets and reserve seats here: [https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/star-wars-the-mandalorian-and-grogu-60322/showtimes?date=2026-05-22&rel=star-wars-the-mandalorian-and-grogu-60322_gwp_alert&theatre=amc-georgetown-14](https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/star-wars-the-mandalorian-and-grogu-60322/showtimes?date=2026-05-22&rel=star-wars-the-mandalorian-and-grogu-60322_gwp_alert&theatre=amc-georgetown-14) **Synopsis:** The evil Empire has fallen but Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu. **Trailer:** [https://youtu.be/uwild1rw7Aw?si=4-LJhTGDMEzrWh9C](https://youtu.be/uwild1rw7Aw?si=4-LJhTGDMEzrWh9C) **Dinner Option:** Feel free to join us at 90 Second Pizza before the movie. The restaurant is at 1077 Wisconsin Ave NW. We'll meet beginning at 6 pm. Please let me know in the comments if you are planning on joining. A **#starwars** channel will be created on the GNO Discord server on the day of the event. It's to be used to help everyone communicate and find the group. Don't post spoilers until after the event. You can join the Discord server here: [https://discord.gg/d4e9MKScVP ](https://discord.gg/d4e9MKScVP)(link should be permanent. Please let me know if it stops working) --MEETUP INFORMATION-- PARKING: There's a paid garage next door to the theater. Parking validated with ticket purchase. Once validated, parking is $11 for up to four hours and charged at the normal rate after four hours. Validation station is available at guest services after you pass the greeter. Validation includes a new barcode added to parking ticket to be scanned upon exit of garage. You can also get discounted parking by reserving a space at [https://www.ecolonial.com/park-with-us/parking-locator/?detail=1&loc=en&id=1244&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0riLJ5tQoyHs0eFi2K215sYsSj1KGzKUNne1uJU0MSFl7qnpKFZYAI8Fo_aem_AWxFyG8XSUJyMTY2ime3JjM1d9r_u2TlnkPWe6Dm52TEH5wDFbR2vMjnawe4WreTgAdkxWyRzRPtuSfBSjSBactY](https://www.ecolonial.com/park-with-us/parking-locator/?detail=1&loc=en&id=1244&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0riLJ5tQoyHs0eFi2K215sYsSj1KGzKUNne1uJU0MSFl7qnpKFZYAI8Fo_aem_AWxFyG8XSUJyMTY2ime3JjM1d9r_u2TlnkPWe6Dm52TEH5wDFbR2vMjnawe4WreTgAdkxWyRzRPtuSfBSjSBactY) METRO: AMC Georgetown is about a 15 minute walk from Foggy Bottom Metro Station, along the Blue, Orange and Silver lines.

🍷♠️❤️ A Spades Special - A Night of Cards & "Casual" Conversation 🍷♠️❤️ Thank you for all those who participated in our Speak & Spades Night on April 10! We are hosting another event at the same venue in Downtown Silver Spring - Comma's Food Hall inside City Place Mall. This time, it will be more about the game - a traditional night of Spades play, lots of laughs, and Friday fun. ♠️ Spades games will be the main event, from 6pm to 10pm! Play cards, eat, drink, & socialize! Enjoy drink specials and variety of reasonably-priced restaurant options. ❤️ Optional: If interested, conversation cards will be available in the room all evening. No formal discussion or official program is planned. Just engage in open, casual conversations about a variety of topics with those who may want to talk as well. No pressure. Singles and couples are invited! Get matched with a partner onsite. All skill levels are welcome. The fun starts at 6pm! 🍷 Happy Hour Specials all night! 🎶 Live music will be playing 🚗 Parking available in Ellsworth Garage (connected to the venue through the Skywalk) 📷 See the photo section for details 🌜Join us for a night of CARDS....with a little bit of conversation, if you like! Either way, you won't forget it!🌛 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Join us as we kick off Summer Movie Season with a Happy Hour & a movie event to see the sci-fi action-adventure, THE MANDOLARIAN AND GROGU! The sci-fi action-adventure follows a lone bounty hunter and his apprentice Grogu (Baby Yoda) embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: In the film, Djarin and his apprentice Grogu are enlisted by the New Republic during a period where remaining Imperial warlords threaten the galaxy. The film is written/directed by Jon Favreau (the mastermind behind the early MCU films) and stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwild1rw7Aw HAPPY HOUR PLAN: For Happy Hour food and drinks before the show we’ll meet in the bar area at nearby Bravo at 5:15pm! We’ll have a section reserved for the group, so keep an eye out for us and we’ll keep one out for you! CMG Pro Tip: If you can, bring cash as it helps make for a quicker exit from the restaurant. MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and meet in the lobby area at 6:30pm! Tickets on sale now and advance purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list you seat number in the Comments section of this event. Happy Summer and See You Soon, Dan

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

Hosted by Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District **Stream Team Sampling Events** Are you interested in the health of local rivers and streams? You can join the Licking County Soil and Water in a Stream Team assessment. These events are a night filled will fun in the water. We look at habitat, biology, and chemical parameters in waterways that indicate how healthy our water is! We would love to see you at one of these events! Family friendly. Free to attend. June Wildwood Park, Granville Where: 785 W Broadway, Granville, OH 43023 Date: 6/11/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. July Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill Where:11324 Mount Vernon Rd, Utica, OH 43080 Date: 7/9/2026 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.