Iranian American

The Council of Solace is a special meditation where we gather to direct our spiritual energy to help bring about healing and peace to the world. Many people do this as part of a daily practice in service of others and find it to be a personally enriching experience that provides them with a sense of renewal. Please join us as we gather for a noontime meditation each weekday.

**IMPORTANT: Make sure you join the [groupchat](https://www.sweatpals.com/host/No_Excuses_) as this event detail may not be accurate/most up to date. All announcements&changes will be made in [No Excuses Except Lightning’s groupchat](https://www.sweatpals.com/host/No_Excuses_) on [SweatPals app](https://sweatpals.com/download)!** **[Click to RSVP](https://www.sweatpals.com/search?search=Monday%20track%20night%20%20No%20Excuses%20Except%20Lightning)** Event Description: Cedar Valley Middle School track gate opens at 5:30 for independent warm up. Drills then the workout starts at 6:00. Each week is a new workout with options for new to advanced runners. Discover [more fun fitness & wellness events in Austin like this](https://sweatpals.com/events) on the [SweatPals app](https://sweatpals.com/download)

Join us for Monday morning coffee, crafting and conversation! Bring what ever portable project you are working on. If you are new to the craft there are usually folks to help you learn. There are a variety of coffee and tea items and a tiny selection of pastry items. Pineview Coffee Company is a small yet spacious coffee shop on the 1st floor inside the Aspen Lake Amenity building. There is only a small sign by the door that has the name of the coffee shop so it can be a little challenging to find. Hope to see you there! PS unofficially part of this group meets here every Monday so come what ever week you can.

Start your weekday strong. This morning meetup is for people who want consistency, accountability, and good company while doing their own workout. No group programming, no coaching. Just show up, train, stay motivated, and support each other. Strength, cardio, mobility, or skill work — whatever fits your goals. **Important Note** Participation requires an active Anytime Fitness membership for this location (or a valid multi-location pass). We cannot provide access to the gym. **Who It’s For** • Preparing for hikes or outdoor trips • Building a steady morning routine • Prefer independent workouts with community around **Location** Anytime Fitness 5290 N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oEzp2osVFzHvGy9L7 **Schedule** 4:00 AM — Arrive, warm up 4:15–5:45 AM — Individual workouts (optional shared circuits) 5:45–6:00 AM — Cooldown and quick check-in Stay the entire time or come for what you can. Consistency matters more than duration. **Bring** • Water and workout gear • Your workout plan (optional) **Expectations** • Update your RSVP if your plans change • Be on time when possible • Respect the gym environment and other members • Aim for steady attendance — habit is the goal A friendly, low-pressure way to start the day strong, build discipline, and train alongside others without needing a structured class.

Looking for a change of scenery to boost your productivity? Join our energizing & free coworking sessions at [Pickleland](https://pickleland.com/)! Our spacious, welcoming facility is perfect for remote workers, entrepreneurs, and creatives looking to get some work done, play pickleball between meetings, and stay active. Take advantage of our free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a great selection of snacks and drinks. * **📆 When:** Monday–Friday, 9 AM–12 PM and 2 PM–5 PM * **📍 Where:** Pickleland - 21427 Martin Lane, Pflugerville, TX 78660 * **💻 How:** Productive sprints of 45-55 min, with rests in between for chatting, unwinding, and connection. Note: **Playing pickleball is optional and it costs $5 M-F 7am-4pm, or $15 otherwise**. Paddles can be rented for an additional fee. Sign up for a session [here](https://play.pickleland.com/programs?facility_id=970&category=Open+Play&search=&view=grid) (we divide them by level, so no worries if you are a complete beginner, we are a friendly crowd!). ✅ PLEASE RSVP. We have this event posted on multiple sites so the attendee count might be larger than what Meetup shows :)

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 8am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more! **⭐️ Come see why we were recently named the "Best Pickleball Club" in Austin by Austin Pickleball Update and 750+ other players!**

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 8am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more! **⭐️ Come see why we were recently named the "Best Pickleball Club" in Austin by Austin Pickleball Update and 750+ other players!**

**This is a HYBRID meeting, offered online and in-person.** The Recovery Works support group is an All-Recovery meeting focused on supporting the Black and African American community in recovery. This meeting offers a safe space for members of the Black and African American community to come together and discuss challenges that they may face in caring for their mental health and maintaining their recovery, as well as celebrate their victories, share resources and make healthy connections. This is an open meeting to the community, focused on supporting the black community in recovery. * Hybrid meeting (in-person & online) * https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87438863770 *

ATTENTION: Please RSVP at least one day before the event! Sometimes this event is moved to private residences, and we don't want to strand anyone. Because our normal meeting places in Georgetown are closing earlier, this week's meeting will be in Round Rock at Fujiya Ramen Sushi Bar in the Round Rock strip map near HEB. Since we are inside a business, it's polite to purchase something from the establishment. You may check out the menu at: https://www.fujiyaramensushi.com We are open to speakers of many levels, including beginners, but to get the most out of meeting, you should know hiragana (and hopefully katakana). A great book for self study is Kazki Watanabe's "Japanese For Dogs". https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Dogs-1-Kazki-Watanabe/dp/1534988173 Answers: https://japanesefordogs.com/

We play a wide variety of Euro-style board games, including anything new that's out there plus usual favorites. Bring your favorite game! Someone will most likely want to try it. Game Kastle has snacks and drinks, plus there is a Subway, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Wing Street and Wanfu in the shopping center. Sorry, no alcohol allowed in the store. There are usually 10+ folks playing games, regardless of the number that sign up. If you show up after 1pm, you may have to wait.

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Let's have lunch at Uptown Westerville's newest restaurant. Ampersand is owned by the same couple who owns Asterisk. They are known for ramen, rice bowls, teriyaki and small plates.

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

######## NEW LOCATION ####### We are going to be at The Forge on Bethel Rd this week and until further notice! 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 as we get the New Year started with one of the best films of the year: THE SECRET AGENT! This political thriller from Brazil is set in 1977 where a man flees from a mysterious past and returns to his hometown but soon finds the city is far from being the refuge he seeks. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: In 1977, a former professor flees from a mysterious past and returns to his hometown of Recife in search of peace. He soon realizes that the city is far from being the refuge he seeks. The film stars Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, Robério Diógenes, Maria Fernanda Cândido, Gabriel Leone and Udo Kier in his final film role. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfrzDKrhEc BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The Secret Agent was the most awarded film at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival where it won Best Actor for Wagner Moura, Best Director for Mendonça Filho, the Art House Cinema Award and the FIPRESCI Prize. At this year’s Golden Globes, it became Brazil’s first film ever to be nominated for Best Film (Drama)! It also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Film, a Best Actor nomination for Wagner Moura and was selected as Brazil’s entry for Best International Film at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is receiving an incredible 99% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics say, its “compelling script, impeccable acting, and striking 1970s aesthetic” make it “impossible to look away!” Critics say The Secret Agent is “one of the few standout movies of the year” and the Chicago Tribune calls it a “masterpiece of a film” and “the best film of the year!” PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! With this being a limited release film, we’ll tentatively plan to see it at the Gateway, but location may change based on where it is showing and the showtimes available. Once details are confirmed, advance ticket is advised. Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. Showtime, location and complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you there, Dan