Dating Again

Bachata (the dance of our generation) is a social couple dance like Salsa - no choreography. The community in Berlin is active daily - you will meet a lot of open-minded people and make new friends quickly! Every Thursday we have Bachata dance classes in Berlin - we are usually a group of around 20 people (95% beginners): 🕖 19:00 - class: Technique for Beginners+ (0-1+ years experience) • No partner needed (we switch). • You can start from zero in any of these classes! 📍 Adress: Klosterstraße 44 ([Google Maps Link](https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VGEqaVSy9xBCoHv9)) - near S+U Alexanderplatz • Entry: Entrance A, code: 5928# - inside press the button at the left of the door. 3rd floor, then black door. • Price: 10€ per class. ✅ Dance teacher contact: [WhatsApp-group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWKPsid0cBDAUHCWKZNL2B) / [Instagram](https://instagram.com/mahir.bachata.berlin) 🇩🇪: Bachata (der Tanz unserer Generation) ist ein sozialer Paartanz wie Salsa - keine Choreographie. Die Bachata-Szene in Berlin ist groß und täglich aktiv - du wirst schnell viele offene Leute kennenlernen und neue Freundschaften schließen! Jeden Donnerstag findet dieser Bachata Tanzkurs statt - wir sind meistens eine Gruppe von 20 Leuten (95% Anfänger): 🕖 19:00 Uhr - Kurs: Technik für Anfänger+ (0-1+ Jahre Erfahrung) • Kein Partner nötig (wir wechseln). • Du kannst in diesen Kursen jederzeit von null starten! 📍 Adresse: Klosterstraße 44 ([Google Maps Link](https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VGEqaVSy9xBCoHv9)) - Nähe S+U Alexanderplatz • Zugang: Eingang A, Code: 5928# - drinnen Knopf drücken links an der Tür. 3. Etage, dann schwarze Tür. • Preis: 10€ je Kurs. ✅ Tanzlehrer Kontakt: [WhatsApp-Gruppe](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWKPsid0cBDAUHCWKZNL2B) / [Instagram](https://instagram.com/mahir.bachata.berlin) Schreib uns gerne eine Nachricht, wenn du offene Fragen hast! Wir freuen uns auf dich ❤

Thursday Game Night in Friedrichshain at RuDi´s. The biggest, oldest and longest running Berlin Board gaming weekly meetup. Please join us for an evening of gaming. Everyone is welcome and everyone can find a table for themselves. There is plenty of tables for core gamers, and as many tables with welcoming games. And also tables with party games and social deduction. *** **🎲 Games & Food 🍪** We'll have around 50ish games ([Check out our collection!](https://boardgamegeek.com/collection/user/RuDi_Library?objecttype=thing&ff=1&subtype=boardgame&own=1)), but please feel free to bring your favorite games with you. We have some snacks and beverages, but you can also bring your own food & drinks. **💰 Entrance is 2 € 💰** Please pay the entrance fee in the kitchen on the ground floor. You can pay when you arrive or before you leave, but don't forget! **📍 How to get there 📍** We're located right between S/U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße and S-Bahn station Ostkreuz. Consult [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQn6hnKu3Tpy9gG48) or [Open Street Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?from=&to=52.502457%2C13.457166) to find the exact way from your place to the meetup. If you get lost, call us (see "how to contact us?" in this event description below). **👥 Discord server 👥** Try our Berlin Board Gamers Discord server to chat and find other players. You can use it to prearrange games for the Thursday meetup, find players for gaming sessions you want to host at home on other days, and even buy and sell used board games. Join us now: [https://discord.gg/6Wsncta](https://discord.gg/6Wsncta) **🤗 How should I behave? 🌈** We value diversity, inclusion, and respect in our community. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable at our events, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of their identity. To ensure a positive and safe environment for everyone, we ask all participants to **follow our [Code of Conduct](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pn_TLJyPx4HDjrQPbwjQkoF7EbLmqVNRY2CT_zq2qEk/edit?usp=sharing)**. **❓ FAQ ❓** "Is it a problem if I only speak English?" * No problem, all games are played in English. "Is it okay if I come later?" * Sure, you might have to wait a little until a new game is started though. "It's my first time and I'm unsure what to do / everyone seems to be playing already..." * Seek us out (ask somebody to help you find an organizer or ask by name for Andi, Elli, Angelika, Hannes, Malte, Aaron, Will, or Abhi) and we'll give you a little introductory tour. :) "Is it okay if i bring my dog?" * No, the community center won't allow it. "I'm using a wheelchair. Can I attend the meetup?" * Yes! The venue has a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a wheelchair lift in the back of the building. It would be great if you could contact us beforehand, so we can make sure that the lift will be operational on the specific day. "Can I donate a game to the meetup?" * It depends. We have limited storage space and can only accept donations of popular games that will be played often. Please contact us for more details. **📞 How to contact us? ✉️** * In case of an **emergency** or a time-sensitive question (e.g. you got lost on your way to the meetup), call: 0179 9309 418 * For all other matters, write in the #rudi-friedrichshain channel on our Discord server (you'll find a join link in this event description) or leave a comment here on meetup.com * For sensitive matters, write a DM to Angelika Cathor on Discord or here on meetup.com

Let's start the new year with a new hike along places which are - at least according to their names - neu and schön. We will meet at 12:30 at the S-Bahn station Hohen Neuendorf. It is reachable by S1 and S8. We will walk from Hohen Neuendorf through the Bieselheide forest, pass by the Hubertussee, along some open meadows and swamps, through the protected landscape formed by the stream Kindelfließ to the village Schönfließ. We will finish at the S-Bahn station Schönfließ from where we can take the S8 back to the city center. Note: Both Hohen Neuendorf and Schönfließ are in the C tariff area. Note: * Please be on time at the meeting point. * You are all responsible for yourself. * Please expect muddy ground at some places. Wear suitable shoes for that. * While it is often possible to browse the landscape, please be responsible in the protected areas and do not disturb animals or plants. Please take any garbage with you.

Jeden Donnerstag ab 20:00 - 23:00 Uhr. Lege auf / Verkaufe / Tausche deine Platten und anderen Musik Kram.. Glas Wein 0,1 = 3€, 0,2 = 5€

Join our New Year run with Ruth ! On 1.01 we’ll meet near Kino Toni at 12:00 and will run in the direction of Weißensee! The meeting point: https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x47a84de7ff0f4fc1:0x6b1cf8e604cab049?sa=X&ved=1t:8290&ictx=111 It’s a 5k slowly run so don’t hesitate to join, even if you are new ☺️ After the run, we‘ll have a well-deserved coffee and pastry here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnvGoLNyDARFXJ7m6 Don’t forget to register and add +1 if you are bringing a friend! We look forward to meeting you or seeing you again! 🥰 P.S. Please cancel your participation if you can’t show up, even if it’s at short notice so that we don’t wait for you. Thanks 😊

Bienvenue :) Rejoignez-nous si vous parlez français couramment et aimez rencontrer des gens francophones pour bavarder. A bientôt!

Lerne attraktive Singles beim großen Speed Dating in Berlin kennen & flirte bei romantischem Ambiente. Nur 19,00€ pro Person pro Altersklasse. **\* Bitte ausschließlich online über [www.DateYork.de](https://www.DateYork.de) anmelden.** 17:00 - 18:30 Uhr - Altersklasse 35 - 45 Jahre oder 40 - 56 Jahre 18:30 - 20:00 Uhr - Altersklasse 26 - 39 Jahre 20:00 - 21:00 Uhr - Altersklasse 20 - 32 Jahre Du wirst vor Ort von unserem Love Angel empfangen. Der Love Angel moderiert das Speed Dating, steht dir für Fragen zur Verfügung und sorgt für einen reibungslosen Ablauf. Nach dem offiziellen Teil des Speed Dating Events können die Singles für weitere Drinks und Speisen in der Location verweilen, die Gespräche vertiefen und viele neue Leute kennenlernen. Email: [info@dateyork.com](mailto:info@dateyork.com) WhatsApp [+49 162 418 7255](https://wa.me/+491624187255) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Meet many new singles at the popular speed dating event in Berlin & flirt in a romantic atmosphere. You pay only 19,00€ per person per age group. **\* Registration is only possible via** **[www.DateYork.de](https://www.DateYork.de).** 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - age group 35 - 45 or 40 - 56 years 6:30 p.m - 8:00 p.m. - age group 26 - 39 years 8:00 p.m - 9:30 p.m. - age group 20 - 32 years The event will be hosted by our love angel. After the official part of the speed dating event you are welcome to stay for more drinks and food in the location and deepen the conversations. Email: [info@dateyork.com](mailto:info@dateyork.com) WhatsApp [+49 162 418 7255](https://wa.me/+491624187255)

**GET TICKETS: [https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowjan2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event](https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowjan2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event)** **Berlin's 1st & only dating game show is back by popular demand! 💞** Berlin's first and only comedy dating game show where your friends help you get a date with other single people in the audience! **💘 HOW IT WORKS:** If you're single & your friend is always bragging how they can find you the perfect date: now's their chance! In this comedy show there are 2 rounds of questions where friends of the single people come up on stage to answer game show style questions on your behalf to help you win a date. At the end of the round, the friend of the bachelor/bachelorette will choose the friend of the contestant whose answers they liked the most. **Not looking for a date?** No problem! That's what the audience ticket is for. **🗓️ WHEN:** Friday, 2. January Show begins 20:00 Doors open 19:30 **📍 WHERE:** Z-Bar Bergstr. 2 10115 Berlin **🎟️ TICKETS:** Starting from €13 when purchased online. €16 at the door (if there's space) **💁🏼‍♀️ ABOUT YOUR HOST, ŽANA (BIH/USA):** Born in Bosnia, raised in Florida, and living in Berlin, Žana’s comedy mirrors her eclectic cultural background and is best described as Balkan pessimism battling delusional American positivity sprinkled in with reggaeton flair. Within 5 months of starting comedy she became a finalist in the 2022 Berlin New Stand Up Awards and is now hosting & producing shows in Berlin & across Europe. **She was nominated for Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival Awards as Best Newcomer in 2024 and has opened in English & Spanish for a variety of comedians across Europe in such as Dragos Christian, Dwayne Perkins, Rob Anderson, Elena Gabrielle & Silvia de Frente.** You can catch her perform regularly in Berlin to hear her fresh take on the absurdity of immigration laws, her Balkan background, and growing up in Florida. Žana hosts & produces themed & interactive comedy shows in Berlin & beyond, such as the Berlin Comedy Dating Game Show, Funny Fortunes (a comedy & live tarot reading show), Comedy Confessions (an introvert-friendly themed interactive comedy show), Petty Problems (a comedy mock trial show), & more. **She has performed in 40 cities across 18 countries and all of her shows are 100% self-produced. Thanks for supporting an independent artist!** [www.zanafejzic.com](http://www.zanafejzic.com/) **GET TICKETS: [https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowjan2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event](https://fienta.com/berlincomedydatinggameshowjan2026?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event)**

Hey! 😊 **Looking to meet new people** in a fun, relaxed way? You're in the right place!! :) **[Get your ticket!](https://buy.stripe.com/fZu6oIc3HehR0DJebbgjC2b) ❤️** (Refunds up to **24h** before event) **🎡 First Time? :) Here is how it works:** It’s super easy. You sit with someone and talk for a few minutes. Then the host says it's time to **switch**, and all men move to the next person. No awkward moments — the rotation makes it simple. You can come **alone** or bring **friends** — everyone is welcome! At the end, everyone hangs out together in **one big singles group** so you can talk to anyone you want 😉. **💑 Balanced Crowd** We make sure there is a **50/50 mix** so everyone has a fair chance to meet someone. **📍 Location** The address for the central cafe lounge location is sent to all people who get tickets! **📅 Tickets & Refunds** We usually **sell out about a week before** the event. If you can’t come, you can get a **refund up to 24 hours before**. **[Get your ticket!](https://buy.stripe.com/fZu6oIc3HehR0DJebbgjC2b) ❤️** (Refunds up to **24h** before event) **📢 Where We Post** We share this event on many websites so you will see a lot more people than just the registered people on Meetup. **💬 Questions?** Just **DM me**, I respond to everyone! **🎉 Come Have Fun** Come by yourself or with your friends. Meet people, chat, and find someone you really like 💞❤️ See you soon! 🤗

✨ A Stand-Up Comedy Show about fixing ourselves, our parents, and our dating life… ANOTHER DAY!✨ 🌟This stand-up comedy show features the wildest stories and observations about the Berlin party life, his parents, and his dates…sometimes all at once🌟 The show will end around 22:30, so there will still be plenty of time to hit the bar and club scene afterwards. **🎟️ Get your Tickets here:** [https://fienta.com/fixmelater030126](https://fienta.com/fixmelater030126) 🕗**Times:** **3rd of January** Doors open: 20:00 Show Start: 20:30 Show ends: 22:30 **📍Location:** **SaliGari** Simplonstraße 23, 10245 Berlin **🎟️ Tickets:** **Standard Admission:** 15€ **Student Admission:** 12€ Tickets for students with valid student ID **Walk-Ins:** €17 at the door (subject to availability) **❓FAQ:** **How funny is it going to be?** Very funny! It will be a mix of clean, dark, and emotional jokes and maybe even some dirty jokes, so whatever your style of comedy is will be part of the show. **How relatable are the jokes?** Like we grew up together! Ludwig was born in Bavaria and is based in Berlin now, which means that whether you come from a village or the big city, you will find the struggles more than relatable. **Should I bring my friends?** Comedy is always best with great company, so yes! Bring your friends and laugh together! **Can I bring my kids?** The show is meant for an audience of at least 16+. **What do audience members say about the show?** Hilarious! - Marcus, Austria 🇦🇹 Great show! - Jenny, Australia 🇦🇺 So funny and weird in a great way! - Josephine, USA 🇺🇸 **More about me:** **LUDWIG BENECKE (CH/GER)** Ludwig Benecke, the relentlessly funny and charming "nice guy" of stand-up comedy! For the past three years, he has been tirelessly showcasing his wit and humor to audiences all over Europe and the United States. As a Swiss-German nice guy navigating the unpredictable world of comedy, Ludwig hilariously recounts his journey from a life as an economic engineer to pursuing a creative career. His material covers everything from dating miseries and his upbringing to sharp observations about his former corporate job, offering a unique and relatable perspective on life's challenges. He is now based in Berlin and has been described by various people as “funny.” **IG @Ludwigcomedy**

## Dein achtsamer Start ins Neue Jahr. Waldbaden & Achtsamkeit für Klarheit, Ruhe und neue Ausrichtung – Neues Jahr, neue Vorsätze? Oder eher: neues Jahr, endlich mal bei Dir ankommen! Beim Waldbaden nimmst Du bewusst Tempo raus, lässt das alte Jahr los und schaffst Raum für das, was wirklich wichtig ist. Kein Leistungsdruck, kein „höher, schneller, weiter“ – sondern Natur, Achtsamkeit und echte Verbindung zu Dir selbst. ### Sonntag, 4. Januar um 12:00 Uhr ### Dich erwartet: * Geführtes **Waldbaden (Shinrin Yoku)** * Sanfte **Achtsamkeits- und Wahrnehmungsübungen** * Kleine Impulse zur **Reflexion & inneren Ausrichtung** * Zeit zum Durchatmen, Spüren und Sein * Natur als Kraftquelle für Deinen Alltag Alles in Deinem Tempo. Ohne Esoterik-Zwang. Dafür mit Tiefe, Leichtigkeit und einer Prise Humor. Dein achtsamer Start ins Neue Jahr. Dauer: ca. **3 Stunden** Kleine Gruppe für eine ruhige, persönliche Atmosphäre Findet bei (fast) jedem Wetter statt. Bei ungewisser Wetterlage, bitte telefonisch nachfragen: 0177/6660920. ***Kostenpflichtige und verbindliche Anmeldung [hier](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/dein-achtsamer-start-ins-neue-jahr-tickets-1977847223287?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_AsA7JI9IQ9vn-QoOtdMVkV8tWNQ9C43x2a_rwWfNR5xX1ug8rOQxXBmDxQxZmOm9_wJKBAa7AYT0Fqme7Gh1xVSx3rARhXnd6qu4_qwjM6CbiUTM&_hsmi=394423228&utm_content=394423228&utm_source=hs_email)***

A New Year Potluck by The Panipuri Tribe 🤍 _Chai_ • _Comfort Food_ • _Stories_ • _New Beginnings_ ✨Let’s start 2026 the way we love most — from home, with love 💛 📅 **Date** : 3rd January
⏰ **Time** : 11:30 – 14:30
📍 **Venue** : After RSVP - near Hackescher markt 🧚 The Panipuri Tribe invites all you beautiful women to a cozy New Year potluck where we gather to share food made (or chosen) with care, sip chai, slow down, and welcome the year ahead together. This is not a loud party — it’s a warm, intimate brunch rooted in comfort, connection, and feeling at home. 🥰 **This brunch is about:** ✨ sharing food and the stories behind it ✨ meeting new faces & reconnecting ✨ gently closing 2025 and welcoming 2026 ✨ creating a safe, cozy space for women ☕️ **What to expect** • A relaxed potluck (homemade or store-bought — both welcome) • Chai & other beverages • Activities • Soft music, laughter, and unfiltered conversations 🌺 **What to bring** • One dish to share (starter, main, dessert, or snacks) • Not cooking? Store-bought is absolutely okay 💛 🌸💰 **Contribution** : €8 (Early Bird) - **ends on 30th Dec** | €10 (Regular) | No refunds **Pay via PayPal**: https://www.paypal.me/ssuhany — choose Friends & Family (add your name in the note) - **to avoid extra cost** ☺️ 👽 **Group size** Limited spots to keep the gathering intimate and comfortable. If you’re craving a calm, comforting start to the year — this brunch is for you 🌿 We can’t wait to welcome 2026 together.

Nice! You are looking for real long time friendship! You might have already lived in Berlin or other big cities and experienced the "Anonymous" culture for a while. Meeting random people over and over and never see the same person again! In order to find "Real Long Term Friendship" in Berlin, do as follows: * You should not care how many people are joining this meetup. You RVSP. Even if only one person is joining. Because if everyone are waiting for everyone else to RVSP, nobody joins and nobody finds a new friend. * You do not care how many people of the opposite sex are joining. You are looking for friends. Finding the best romantic partner in the world, while avoiding not very attractive others, can be your other goal, for another time. Here we are looking for Friends. Real ones. * You are going to risk a very precious property of yours: Your time! Yes, there are thousands of opportunities in Berlin, there might be a rock concert for free, a birthday party you might miss, an important person might call you and invite you spontaneously, but you never find new friends until you decide to risk your time and meet people anyway. "I will check my calendar and get back to you" also does not work. Commit your time and spend it. Trust me, you won't go bankrupt ;-) * You are ready to use your phone as a real phone! You might have been using your phone as a tablet to visit Instagram and Facebook and watch movies. But if you want to find friends, you must know that people might take your phone number and give you theirs. That means they will Call you! And you have to pick up the phone and answer it. If you want to find new friends, you must be ready to do something really hard for the first time after years: Call people first, and if they called you: Answer your phone! * You are going to meet some people twice! That's the point of friendship. We already can experience random encounters with random people in random places one at a time. But that is not called friendship. If you want friends, you must be ready to meet the same person more than once. If you agree with above, RVSP and COME! You will meet other people who think the same way. P.S: Now that you've read all the way down to here, I suggest you [watch this animation](https://player.vimeo.com/video/547249272?h=22f3dd0f6f).

## 🏓 Winter Singles Pickleball League \| Ages 20s\, 30s & 40s **Hosted by DateColumbus** **[Registration Through Eventbrite - Click Here!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-singles-pickleball-league-tickets-1975043737987?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Looking to meet new people OFF the dating apps this winter? Join us for an **8-week Singles Pickleball League** designed to help you connect, move, laugh, and meet other active Columbus singles — IRL. **📅 Thursdays, January 8 – February 26** 🎟 $160 (PLUS FEES) **⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM** **📍 Paddle Taps \| 535 Lakeview Plaza Blvd\, Worthington\, OH 43085** *** ## 🏓 What to Expect * 💬 A fun, easygoing way to meet singles in their **20s, 30s & 40s** * 🎾 **Beginner-friendly!** Instructors onsite for the first 30 minutes of Weeks 1–3 * 🔄 **Open Play Format** Rotate courts + partners often = tons of chances to connect Winners stay one round, then rotate * 🍻 Food + drinks available at Paddle Taps’ full bar and restaurant * 🏓 Paddles available each week — or bring your own * 💬 Eat, drink, mingle before/after games * ⏳ Runs every Thursday for 8 weeks Whether you’re experienced or brand new, you’ll fit right in — this league is all about connection, not competition. *** ## ⭐ IMPORTANT — READ THIS ⭐ **This is a PAID event. Meetup RSVP does NOT count as registration.** You **must purchase a ticket on Eventbrite** to participate. [👉 ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-singles-pickleball-league-tickets-1975043737987?aff=oddtdtcreator)**[DateColumbus Winter Singles Pickleball League LINK HERE!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-singles-pickleball-league-tickets-1975043737987?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Spots always fill fast — grab yours early!

The January Ohio North Database Training user group meeting will be held on **January 6th, 2025 at 5:00PM**. This will be a **HYBRID** event and we will be joined online by **Jason Romans**. You're welcome to come meet in-person at our meeting location, the offices of Improving at **[6000 Freedom Square Dr,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Unit 110,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Independence, OH 44131](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** [Teams Link ](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_N2Q3ODVjM2YtNDQ1NS00MDBjLWI5MzYtNDQ3YmFlZjkzMjAx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b966f302-6b93-4686-9041-c084635642c5%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2278c760cb-657f-46aa-bd2f-7066d9403bdb%22%7d)if anyone needs it after RSVP-ing for in person. If you would like to subscribe to our email list outside of Meetup, we have changed platforms recently and you will need to register [here in Kit ](https://ohio-north-data-training.kit.com/b8f036f615)instead to receive emails. Agenda: **5:00 PM EST**: Online and in-person meeting begins with a social hour. This is an unstructured hour where you can join us to catch up and meet other group members before the session starts. There will be food brought in for in-person attendees. **6:00 PM EST**: Updates and announcements, followed by our feature presentation. See below for presentation details. **7:30 PM EST**: Optionally after the main presentations, the in-person crowd may go out for snacks and drinks at a local establishment. We hope to see you there! Session Abstract **Data on Fire: A Hands-On Intro to Spark in Fabric** Curious about Apache Spark but not sure where to start? This hands-on session introduces you to Spark in Microsoft Fabric Notebooks—a powerful and accessible way to process and analyze big data using familiar tools in the Microsoft ecosystem. We’ll break down key Spark concepts like distributed computing, DataFrames, and lazy evaluation, then show how they come to life inside Fabric’s notebook experience. You’ll see practical demos that cover loading, transforming, and analyzing large datasets—while leveraging Fabric’s modern data stack, including OneLake, Dataflows, and Pipelines. You’ll also learn how to choose between Spark and pure Python notebooks in Fabric, based on execution needs, data integration, and use case fit. Whether you're a SQL pro, BI developer, or data engineer, this session will give you the tools and confidence to start using Spark in your own projects—no cluster management required. \*Please note, that we will be using Microsoft Teams for the online portion of this meeting. You may want to join a few minutes early to ensure you do not have any issues. If you are attending in person, there are large TVs at the office, and you do not need to bring a laptop or use Teams.

On a list of "My Favorite Things", few people would put a "break up" in their top ten. More often, these words evoke feelings of shame, embarrassment, poor choices, and bad or sad endings. Before the new and beautiful can be built, the old, broken, and unnecessary must be cleared away. This process can be painful, but it is good, needful, and can produce wonderful results when done wisely and well. How does one break free from anxiety, comparison, or shame? Christian Bevere points people to the freedom God desires for His children, as well as giving practical ideas on how to shed both unhealthy baggage and the lies that seek to leave us anchored to past failure. Drawing from the Bible, ***Break Up With What Broke You*** clearly shows that what Satan would seek to use for evil, God uses for good and to accomplish His purposes. Join us **Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:30 pm**, when we gather at **Panera Bread, 300 West Lane Avenue, Columbus, across from St. John Arena**. We'd love to see you there! Get your tickets on EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/break-up-with-what-broke-you-tickets-1970803869426 Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/3496806620469488