Wilderness Hiking

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** http://foundersrc.com/chats **Stay updated**: Instagram http://instagram.com/foundersrc/ Podcast http://podcast.foundersrc.com/ LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/ Strava http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC Website http://foundersrc.com/

"Oh, product and engineering work really well together here." — someone at every company, in every all-hands, ever. But do they, though? **This event is for EMs, PMs, Product Designers who want to make their workstyle actionable.** The product world has spent years arguing that PMs, designers, and engineers should be in the room together from day one instead of handing work down a conveyor belt like it's a factory floor. It's one of the most talked-about ideas in how we build products, but also one of the hardest to actually pull off 🤷 This edition of OmniTalks is about what it looks like when it works. We call it the trifecta — a Product Manager, a Product Designer, and an Engineering Manager, have picked an already shipped feature and will deliver three perspectives on how it got built. Three people from Omnisend's Forms’ team will each take the stage and walk you through the same project — what they were trying to solve and how the three of them stayed aligned *(or didn't🤷).* **Agenda** * 17:30 — Doors open. * 18:00 — The trifecta takes the stage in relay, walks you through the project from three different perspectives (this part will be streamed online) * 19:30 — Networking * 21:00 — Extending the evening? Alaus Studija is very close to our office 🍻 **The Trifecta** Augustina Reipšlėger, Staff Product Designer Povilas Žvirblis, Engineering Manager Paulius Preikšaitis, Product Manager This is a hybrid event and will be streamed online. 📷 Photos will be taken at the event

**IMPORTANT:** **Please be on time, as late arrivals might be turned away!** If you would like to join, please register here on meetup.com. Using this site is free for regular users. Good to know: * Depending on group size we might split up to two or more sub-groups. * The language of the event is English. * Age limit: 18 and over. * Photos of participants may be taken at the event and shared publicly on social media, including but not limited to meetup.com. By joining the event, you accept this condition. * Prices: the event itself is free of charge, but please purchase a drink or a meal at the bar. * Event-related announcements are made on meetup.com, so please check posts and messages regularly. If you have any questions, please contact me — I’ll be happy to help. *Background photo: [Renāte Šnore, Unsplash](https://x.gd/pLJwE) taken at Viesatas upesloku takas, Irlavas pagasts, Latvia.*

Come to check out our hackerspace, talk to people and learn some new things, maybe use the tools for a short while, or just sit down with a laptop and do some work in a quiet place. Also a good time to sign up for a membership! We will have tea and coffee, likely also cookies. Come whenever from 19:00 till 22:00 - we might even be open until 24:00! If there's a problem (i.e. doors not open), call 28701072.

A small and exclusive group of friends running 5 km every Sunday at 10 am. Bring yourself, your running shoes and maybe a friend. We start in the center, medium pace run, then end up at a coffee shop. => Once you go on the waiting list, the moderator will approve/reject Instagram => https://www.instagram.com/rigasundayruns Whatsapp=> [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF24r42CTn3GKtsNjdpEjG?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF24r42CTn3GKtsNjdpEjG?mode=gi_t)

„Riga Tech Dinner“ ir klātienes pasākums tiem, kuriem parasti ir dziļas pārdomas, daudz jautājumu un ideju, ar kurām dalīties. Ikviens ir aicināts piedalīties diskusijās vai vienkārši klausīties! Pasākuma valoda: runāsim latviski. **Šī pasākuma īpašie viesi:** * **Egita Rudzīte** \- Valsts digitālās attīstības aģentūras direktora vietniece \- "Valsts pārvaldē ar digitālajiem jautājumiem es strādāju jau kopš savas pirmās darba dienas\, kad uzsāku darba gaitas\, mācoties RTU 2\.kursā 2000\.gadā\. Man tuvas tēmas ir starpiestāžu datu apmaiņa un ērti\, saprotami e\-pakalpojumi iedzīvotājiem\. Valsts pārvaldē strādāju ar misijas apziņu un cerību par efektīvu un digitāli prasmīgu Latvijas valsts pārvaldi\." * [Jānis Ziediņš](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janisziedins/) \- Direktora vietnieks digitālās attīstības jautājumos @ KISC \- Ikdienā strādā ar valsts digitālajām platformām\, mākslīgā intelekta ieviešanu un datu pārvaldību publiskajā sektorā\. Interesē praktiski\, sabiedrībai noderīgi tehnoloģiju risinājumi\, kas savieno kultūru\, datus un MI\. **Par pasākumu** Jūs varbūt domājat: "Kāda ir šāda pasākuma vērtība? Kāpēc nepietiek ar citiem esošajiem biznesa tīklošanas pasākumiem?" Galvenā atšķirība ir tā, ka mēs tiekamies, baudām vakariņas un apspriežam visu, kas mums interesē. Tas ir pasākums tehnoloģiju nozares profesionāļiem, lai apmainītos ar idejām un attīstītos. Īpašie viesi pastāstīs nedaudz par sevi un darīs visu iespējamo, lai uzsāktu diskusiju, ja telpā iestātos neveikla klusuma brīdis. Tomēr atceramies, ka “Runāšana – sudrabs, klusēšana – zelts”. Šis ir arī labs laiks, lai padomātu un klausītos sarunās, kuras parasti neuzsāktu ne mājās, ne darbā. **Saziņa un kanāli:** Pievienojieties mums WhatsApp:[ ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM)[https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM) Iepriekšējos pasākumus varat apskatīt [Techies of Baltics LinkedIn lapā](https://www.linkedin.com/company/riga-tech-dinner/). Pasākuma laikā mēs ierakstām īsas intervijas ar īpašajiem viesiem Riga Tech Cast podcastam. Sekojiet līdzi [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1pr3DU9Tu6GJZO67CuUj5Z), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLIQbshchl7uBmsPwkDNsDLt3l022o8V5) un citās populārās vietnēs. Ja vēlaties piedalīties, informējiet pasākuma vadītāju. **Prasības dalībniekiem:** * centies neiekavēties * iepazīstiniet ar sevi * nepātrauciet citus * nāciet ar tukšu vēderu un samaksājiet par savām vakariņām * neesi viegli aizkaitināms, ja esi izsalcis * šī nav ballīte. Tomēr glāze vīna var nedaudz atbrīvot mēli * ja negri runāt, tad nerunā. Bet ierasties tīklošanās pasākumā un nepasacīt ne vārda ir kā skatīties veikalu skatlogus un neko nenopirkt * pasākuma dalības maksu samaksājiet skaidrā naudā uz vietas. Nav iespējams veikt maksājumu tiešsaistē * vissvarīgākais ir atvērts prāts un iekļaujoša attieksme pret visiem * RSVP – ierodieties vai savlaicīgi atjauniniet savu statusu, ja nevarat ierasties **Kāpēc ir pasākuma dalības maksa?** \- mums pasākumā vienmēr ir 2 īpaši viesi\. Viņi ir saņēmuši īpašu ielūgumu pievienoties mums\. Mums vajadzētu segt viņu vakariņu izdevumus kā vismazāko\, ko varam darīt\, papildus pateicībai\. Pasākuma dalības maksa ir fonds šim nolūkam\. **Pasākuma vadītājs:** Uldis Karlovs-Karlovskis ir [IT eksperts](https://uldiskarlovskarlovskis.com/) ar 20 gadu daudzveidīgu pieredzi un MI uzņēmuma [MoonMoon](https://moonmoon.lv/) vadītājs. Viņš ir sertificēts DevOps līderis, kopienas „DevOps & AI Latvia” valdes priekšsēdētājs, „Dzīvais Rīgas Teātris” direktors un lektors BDA, Rīgas Tehniskajā universitātē un Rīgas Biznesa skolā. *'Lūdzu, ņemiet vērā, ka pasākuma laikā bez brīdinājuma tiks uzņemtas fotogrāfijas un video. Kopiena var izmantot šos materiālus mārketinga un publicitātes nolūkos savās publikācijās, tīmekļa vietnē un sociālajos tīklos vai jebkurā trešās puses publikācijā.'*

We are continuing the conversation of who Jesus Christ is to each one of us personally. It has been very interesting so far and the cafe is a cosy, truly Latvian venue. We meet every first and third Tuesday of the month.This conversation is open to all backgrounds, cultures and experiences! We'll be there from 5-7 but you are welcome to come any time during the two hours. Hope to see you there!

**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.

Join us for one of our favorite hikes this Tuesday (4/21/26) at 6:30 pm as we hike the Hoover Dam Scenic Trail, starting at the west end of the dam. This hike includes some paved paths/roads along with some dirt trails, with a few beautiful views of the reservoir. Join us for this 2 mile hike, finding us in the parking lot at the corner of Sunbury and Smoke Burr.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

We will hike the Ridge Trail and Meadows Trail twice, for a total of 3.8 miles. There are some pretty good inclines so plan on getting a cardio workout :). This is a loop which is pretty easy to follow; thus faster walkers can take the lead and the rest (like me) will bring up the rear at a slightly slower pace. You could also just do the loop once for 1.9 miles. No one left behind. Optional lunch to follow in Canal Winchester. I'm working through the metro parks - this is the third one!

Hi ladies. Let's hike the Edward Thomas, Spring Creek, and a little multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles so please wear your shoe of choice. Please bring a water bottle as needed and appropriate shoes. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.