English Books & Literature

"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

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.

**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.*

„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.'*

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)

A weekly meetup for language lovers! Come practice new languages, meet great people, and enjoy a drink — whether it’s beer, tea, or coffee. Everyone’s welcome! 🤗 Main event platform is Facebook https://shorturl.at/nuHSB (so more people coming!) Address - Aldaru Street 9, FOB Bar

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!

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. 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! 📖

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **HAPPY HOUR**: Italian drinks and bites at [Cento's happy hour](https://centogermanvillage.com/menus/). **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.

"The SOB is a ballet dancer. He’s the best ballet dancer that ever lived, and if I get a good chance I’ll kill him with my bare hands." - W.C. Fields In *City Lights*, Chaplin's Little Tramp meets a blind girl selling flowers who mistakes him for a wealthy man. When he learns that an operation may restore her sight, he sets off to earn the money she needs to have the surgery. He also befriends an alcoholic millionaire who only recognizes him when he is drunk. When the blind girl and her grandmother fall behind in the rent and face eviction, he tries working and even enters a boxing competition to raise the money they need. Regarded as Chaplin's masterpiece, *City Lights* has been ranked on more than seventeen "100 greatest movies of all time" lists. Orson Welles cited it as his favorite picture. *City Lights* is available for streaming on Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBOMax, Tubi and PlutoTV. The Columbus Library lists three copies on blu-ray and eight copies on DVD. Watch the movie on your own, then join us upstairs at East Market to discuss the film. If you want more, *Unknown Chaplin* is a three-episode lost-footage documentary available on Youtube. It covers his time on *City Lights* beginning at the twenty-six minute mark of episode two: https://youtu.be/f8960Uc15hI?t=1558