Cake Decorating

Join this INNOVATE A.I. XL Meetup and learn about the latest groundbreaking innovations in A.I. in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region! More information and registration via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tickets-innovate-ai-meetup-2026-xl-edition-1981929859562?aff=oddtdtcreator

Get your ticket for only 7,50! Click the link below to secure your spot via Eventbrite: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26](http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26 "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26") **The main programme will take place from 20.00 - 21.30 in the Muzenzaal. It will be in English entirely and feature 6 speakers:** **Read hear for more information:** A.I. seems to be developing both at lightspeed and on a global scale - revolutionary breakthroughs make news headlines almost every day. Generative AI applications like Chat GPT and Midjourney have made the technology accessible for a worldwide audience. But even though these applications seem impressive, they are just the tip of the AI-iceberg. INNOVATE was wondering, how are the AI innovators in the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region doing? And what are they up to? Well, we did the research and it turns out our region holds some absolutely amazing innovations and stories we can't wait to share with you! So: bring your friends, colleagues, or fellow students and join us for this INNOVATE AI MEETUP - XL Edition and get inspired by the latest breakthrough innovations in AI. Learn how AI innovations from our region add to the development of A.I. as a technology, globally. Let entrepreneurs, designers and innovators in health + high tech + energy + creative demonstrate how they use AI to make impact on scale. **Speakers:** **1.Where is AI in it's development right now, and where is it going from here?** Prof. dr. **Pim Haselager** (Radboud University / Principal Investigator - Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour) mentioned during his previous presentation at INNOVATE a few years ago: ''Humanity and AI are somewhat like a child playing with a chainsaw'' ... How are we handling that right now, and where should we be going from here? **2.Can AI help save hundreds of lives per day?** Every day, around 700 women die from preventable pregnancy-related complications, most of them in low- and middle-income countries where access to ultrasound and trained sonographers is limited. To address these barriers to antenatal screening, **Delft Imaging**, in collaboration with **Radboudumc**, initiated the development of **BabyChecker**, an AI-enabled system that supports novice users in acquiring standardized ultrasound sweeps with a low-cost device and automatically identifying high-risk pregnancies. **Sofia Sappia** is researcher in AI for Medical Imaging at Radboudumc and one of the driving forces behind the Babychecker technology, she will tell us everything about her life saving application of AI. **3.Could an AI-powered app provide a new way to look at businesses?** Arnhem-based creative multi talent Sil van der Woerd (co-founder & creative director, [Studio Birthplace](https://www.studiobirthplace.com/ "https://www.studiobirthplace.com/")) pleads for *a revolution of kindness* with his work. His activistic short films and commercials for organisations like Woolmark and Greenpeace have reached audiences all over the world. Right now he is working on an AI powered app, *Reveal*, that could be a game changer in how we look at businesses worldwide. **4.How can AI turn a congested power grid into a flexible energy system?** Luc Nies (Principal Researcher Artificial Intelligence at Alliander) works at the forefront of the energy transition, where digitalisation is key to keeping the lights on. With the Dutch electricity grid under extreme pressure—long waiting times for new connections, growing risks of overload and blackouts—he explores how AI can help transform our 'old school powergrid' into a 'flexible energy system'. From smart forecasting and energy management systems to new tariff models, Luc shows how hospitals, schools and businesses can remain resilient in an increasingly electrified world. **5.How can AI radically accelerate software development?** Stefan Jansen (Lead, AI Experience Room at Avisi) shows how AI is transforming the way software is built. Where developing a software product once took a year, teams can now go from idea to market in a matter of weeks—or even days. Drawing on real-world projects, Stefan explores how AI-powered tooling reshapes the entire software lifecycle: from requirements and development to testing, deployment and cloud hosting. The result: faster innovation, shorter time-to-market, and a new reality where software teams must rethink what’s possible—and how fast they dare to move. **6.When AI leaves the cloud, what happens next?** As a global leader in semiconductors, NXP Semiconductors is enabling the next wave of AI—where intelligence moves from centralized data centers to *the edge*. From smart edge computing to AI running directly on devices, NXP builds the hardware that makes AI faster, safer and more energy-efficient. With change accelerating at unprecedented speed, this session explores the latest breakthroughs in edge AI—and the strategic choices companies must make now, as intelligence becomes embedded everywhere and waiting is no longer an option. **7.How can the Lifeport region help shape the future of AI in the European Union?** Alexandra van Huffelen, Chair of the Executive Board of Radboud Universiteit and Chair of The Economic Board Arnhem Nijmegen – Lifeport, brings together academic leadership, regional strategy and national policy experience. As former State Secretary for Digitalisation, she offers a unique perspective on how AI can drive innovation while safeguarding public values. In her closing remarks, she reflects on the role of AI in strengthening the Arnhem–Nijmegen region as a leading Lifeport ecosystem—and the choices we must make today to shape that future responsibly. The main programme will be moderated by **Eva Eikhout** (BNN/Vara)

**3D Workshop** * **Ontwerpen met Fusion360** * **Scannen in 3D** * **Het gebruik van 3D printers** **Je bent nu welkom in de nieuwe locatie NewTechPark** Je kunt ook online aan deze fysieke bijeenkomst deelnemen. De bijeenkomst is dan op de locatie te volgen. Als je [hier](w.j.put@hccnet.nl) vooraf een mailtje stuurt kun je dinsdagavond tussen 19.00 en 20.00 uur inloggen met Jitsi voor vragen, of ter kennismaking met hcc!3D. Online neem je deel aan de bijeenkomst met [https://wij.hcc.nl/3D](https://wij.hcc.nl/3D) [(Alleen toegang als je zichtbaar bent met voor- en achternaam. )](https://wij.hcc.nl/3d)

Is public speaking something you’ve always wanted to learn? Then you’ve come to the right place! Experience a safe and playful environment at U-Speak Toastmasters where you can develop your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills! ## **Welcome to U-Speak! Toastmasters** Join our vibrant community at U-Speak!, where internationals and Dutch locals from Utrecht and its surroundings come together. U-speak! Toastmasters is a welcoming, safe, supportive and playful environment where you can work on your public speaking, communication and leadership skills! ## **Discover our meeting experience** Curious about what happens during our meetings? Here’s a glimpse into a typical evening at U-Speak! Our gatherings feature a lineup of three prepared speeches, engaging evaluations and impromptu speaking sessions. At U-Speak!, every member gets their chance to shine. Whether you’re delivering a speech, providing feedback, or stepping up for impromptu speaking, our supportive environment ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and valued. * ⏰ Time: 19:15 - 21:30 (7.15pm to 9.30pm) Walkin at 19:15; Start of the meeting at 19:30 * 🌐 Venue: Room 8, Top Floor, Pub Florin, Utrecht * 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️Attendance: Typically, 15-20 people attend each meeting Many of our club members are not on Meetup, so the number of people attending as indicated here is not reflective of the actual number of people attending on a night. * 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ Guests are welcome; rsvp is encouraged *To maintain the high quality of our meetings and ensure all members have sufficient speaking opportunities, we've established a waitlist for new members. This allows us to provide the best possible learning experience for everyone. We're happy to add your name to our list, and we encourage you to join us as a guest in the meantime.*

We delen onze doelen en maken plannen voor de komende week. Iedereen is welkom. We kijken er naar uit om jouw verhaal te horen.

Join us for an evening of good vibes! Whether you’re a local or an expat, Mingle Mania is the perfect place to socialize and make friends or even to practice languages. 🤝🤼‍♂️💬🙋‍♂️🫂 👉 Join [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE) The group has many regular members, we intend to do various type of events, the goal is to build a strong community for all sorts of activities. If you have an event idea that you would like to see happen, let us know. We generally have about 20 participants, the age is between 20 and 60 averaging somewhere around 30, language exchange is not strictly enforced, culture exchange happens naturally. **mingle** (verb, intransitive): to move among people and talk to them, especially at a social event. 📍 **What We Are:** * A diverse group of locals and expats * ...going out at least every Tuesday 😊 🆓 **Event Details:** * It is free to join and operated on a voluntary basis! * Please honor the bar by ordering at least one drink.

* This course is for advanced improvisers who want to improve their shows, stage performance, audience interaction and more complicated games. You will learn * how to run a show well, * how to work together better, * more physical then static scenes, * and you will get stage coaching, for your inidividual needs. * For advanced participants: 5+ courses and a lot of performance experience. 9 lessons plus a show \* Teacher: Emma Holmes Location: Buurtcentrum De Jager Time: Tuesdays 18:45 to 20:35 Started 31 March but you can still join Price: €230 * 10 sessions: 9 Tuesdays plus a show on 7 June **Teacher Emma Holmes** read more about the teacher and the course at our website www.improvutrecht.nl **Course details** The course is taught by Emma Holmes and consists of 10 sessions: 9 lessons, followed by a small show. The total cost is €230. The show date will be confirmed closer to the end of the course. Classes take place on Tuesday evenings from 20:35 to 22:20, running from 31 March to 9th of June 2026. There is no lesson on 28 April and 5 May. Lessons 31 March, 7, 14, 21 April, 12, 19, 26 May, 2 and 9 June. The location is Buurtcentrum De Jager, zaal 6, Teun de Jagerdreef 1 Utrecht. Free parking and close to Overvecht Station.. Improv Utrecht offers 2 funded courses with 20% discount for people with less finances. Send a message to Marieke van Laar. **Tickets: improv-utrecht.weticket.io**

**Details:** Hi everyone! This is the first ever Decoden workshop experience in Amsterdam! Decoden is a Japanese art form where you decorate objects with fake cream and cute gems and charms. Decoden is a short form of "Decorate DenWa" which means decorate mobile phone. Typically phone cases are elaborately covered with a fake plastic whipped cream to look like real cake icing and then embellished with cute charms, gems and jewels and finished with colourful sprinkle and glitter. You can do decoden on any object you like and we will offer 4 options. **Date:** Workshops are on the Second Sunday of every month at 1:30pm. **Workshop Description:** The workshop takes about 2-3 hours depending on the item you want to decorate. All equipment, materials and instructions is included. The workshop will start with an introduction and then you will select your charms and coloured creams. We will instruct you on how to design and plan your decoration on paper first. You will then make you artworks and decorate it with charms. Once complete we will place your artwork in a box and you will then take it home to dry. Drying time usually take 2-3 days. The workshop is a fun and relaxing afternoon of hands on art and craft. It wil be a fun time of crafting, laughing and chatting with people in a nice environment with an excellent soundtrack. Please bring a carrying bag to take home your art work. An apron and gloves are provided but it is recommended to wear old or dark coloured clothes as the decoden cream can stain clothes. **Venue location:** [Maakplaats Room](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1st Floor](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **[OBA CC Amstel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5)** [Cullinanplein 1,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1074 JM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [Amsterdam](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **Cost and payment:** The workshop price is €30 and you can select one of the following items to decorate. You will get to choose 16 charms and 2 creams. 1\. One claw hairclip and two small hairclips\. 2\. Mirror 10x15cm\. 3\. Photoframe 10x15cm\. 4\. Three Toploader photocard holders\. 5\. Mobile phone case \* (Please note you will need to **provide your own** polycarbonate phone case to decorate. Silicone phone cases are not recommended as the decoden cream does not adhere properly.) If you require additional creams and charms they can be purchased on the day. We will be able to accept cash, direct bank transfer or tikkie payments on the day. The workshop has a maximum of 20 people as such your place will only be confirmed once payment has been made. **Payment:** Please email me at [origamicrane@gmail.com ](mailto:origamicrane@gmail.com)before making payment Please make payment to the following account Name: Samuel Tsang IBAN:NL41 ABNA 0248 6878 40 Payment reference: **[your full name],** Decoden workshop **[Month]** **Refund and cancellations:** 100% refund if cancelled at least 7 days in advance. 50% refund if cancellation is less then 7 days. No refund if cancellation is less than 48 hours before the workshop. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the workshop I will automatically issue full refunds within 24 hours. Let me know if you have any questions. **Additional information:** Please note that this is a hand on crafting session. We will be very happy to guide and assist you but we can not do the decorating for you. You are purchasing an arts and craft activity with instruction, material and tools provided. The resulting artwork you create is dependant on your own skill and creativity, we can not be held responsible if you are unhappy with the end result. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. Children are welcome to attend but we only recommend the workshop for children over 10 years old as it require several hours of concentration and fine motor skills. Please note children must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. We are not a child minding services and can not take responsibility for children. **FAQ:** **Q: Is there a minimum age requirements to enter the event?** A: This workshop is designed to be a parent and child activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. This workshop is recommended for children over 10 years old. From our previous experience children less than 10 years will not have the necessary fine motor skills or patience to complete the models. **Q: Do I need to bring anything?** A: All materials are provided. Please bring a bag or cardboard box to take home your creations. **Q: How can I contact the organiser with any questions?** A: Yes just email us.

**Details:** Hi everyone! This is the first ever Decoden workshop experience in Amsterdam! Decoden is a Japanese art form where you decorate objects with fake cream and cute gems and charms. Decoden is a short form of "Decorate DenWa" which means decorate mobile phone. Typically phone cases are elaborately covered with a fake plastic whipped cream to look like real cake icing and then embellished with cute charms, gems and jewels and finished with colourful sprinkle and glitter. You can do decoden on any object you like and we will offer 4 options. **Date:** Workshops are on the Second Sunday of every month at 1:30pm. **Workshop Description:** The workshop takes about 2-3 hours depending on the item you want to decorate. All equipment, materials and instructions is included. The workshop will start with an introduction and then you will select your charms and coloured creams. We will instruct you on how to design and plan your decoration on paper first. You will then make you artworks and decorate it with charms. Once complete we will place your artwork in a box and you will then take it home to dry. Drying time usually take 2-3 days. The workshop is a fun and relaxing afternoon of hands on art and craft. It wil be a fun time of crafting, laughing and chatting with people in a nice environment with an excellent soundtrack. Please bring a carrying bag to take home your art work. An apron and gloves are provided but it is recommended to wear old or dark coloured clothes as the decoden cream can stain clothes. **Venue location:** [Maakplaats Room](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1st Floor](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **[OBA CC Amstel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5)** [Cullinanplein 1,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1074 JM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [Amsterdam](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **Cost and payment:** The workshop price is €30 and you can select one of the following items to decorate. You will get to choose 16 charms and 2 creams. 1\. One claw hairclip and two small hairclips\. 2\. Mirror 10x15cm\. 3\. Photoframe 10x15cm\. 4\. Three Toploader photocard holders\. 5\. Mobile phone case \* (Please note you will need to **provide your own** polycarbonate phone case to decorate. Silicone phone cases are not recommended as the decoden cream does not adhere properly.) If you require additional creams and charms they can be purchased on the day. We will be able to accept cash, direct bank transfer or tikkie payments on the day. The workshop has a maximum of 20 people as such your place will only be confirmed once payment has been made. **Payment:** Please email me at [origamicrane@gmail.com ](mailto:origamicrane@gmail.com)before making payment Please make payment to the following account Name: Samuel Tsang IBAN:NL41 ABNA 0248 6878 40 Payment reference: **[your full name],** Decoden workshop **[Month]** **Refund and cancellations:** 100% refund if cancelled at least 7 days in advance. 50% refund if cancellation is less then 7 days. No refund if cancellation is less than 48 hours before the workshop. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the workshop I will automatically issue full refunds within 24 hours. Let me know if you have any questions. **Additional information:** Please note that this is a hand on crafting session. We will be very happy to guide and assist you but we can not do the decorating for you. You are purchasing an arts and craft activity with instruction, material and tools provided. The resulting artwork you create is dependant on your own skill and creativity, we can not be held responsible if you are unhappy with the end result. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. Children are welcome to attend but we only recommend the workshop for children over 10 years old as it require several hours of concentration and fine motor skills. Please note children must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. We are not a child minding services and can not take responsibility for children. **FAQ:** **Q: Is there a minimum age requirements to enter the event?** A: This workshop is designed to be a parent and child activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. This workshop is recommended for children over 10 years old. From our previous experience children less than 10 years will not have the necessary fine motor skills or patience to complete the models. **Q: Do I need to bring anything?** A: All materials are provided. Please bring a bag or cardboard box to take home your creations. **Q: How can I contact the organiser with any questions?** A: Yes just email us.

It's time for a new Dutch PowerShell User Group in-person edition. This continues our community events, bringing people together around DevOps, PowerShell scripting, and automation in the Netherlands. Hosted at Rubicon in Leusden, the evening will be a chance not only to learn but also to reconnect with fellow community members. **Speakers** As part of this restart, we have opened a [Call for Papers](https://sessionize.com/dupsug/) to give both new and experienced speakers the opportunity to contribute. The full program will be announced soon. **Agenda** The event will take place on the 8th of April, 2026. All times are listed in CET. * 17:30 – 18:00 Arrival * 18:00 – 18:45 Dinner * 18:45 – 19:00 Welcome from Rubicon / Organizers * 19:00 – 19:45 First Session * 19:45 – 20:15 Break * 20:15 – 21:00 Second Session * 21:00 – 21:30 Networking **Speaker Information** With the restart of DuPSUG, we are opening the stage for both familiar names and new voices. The [CFP](https://sessionize.com/dupsug/) is currently live, and speakers will be announced shortly. **Sessions** As we restart our events, sessions will continue to focus on advanced topics in automation, scripting, and DevOps. ### 1\. Keep secrets away from AI Assistants: Secure Secrets Management with PowerShell \- Jev Suchoi *More often than not, today’s engineering happens inside AI-assisted development environments (IDE's). While this boosts productivity, it also introduces a new risk: secrets leaking into prompts, suggestions, logs, or chat history. This session shows how to set up a local engineering environment using PowerShell so secrets never end up in code, source control, or an IDE’s AI assistant.* *The session starts with pragmatic local engineering patterns: separating configuration from code, structuring local secret files, and using .gitignore correctly to prevent accidental exposure. From there, it moves to a secure-by-default approach using the PowerShell SecretManagement and SecretStore modules. Encrypted vault registration, safe unlocking, and runtime secret consumption are covered without leaking sensitive values into scripts, terminals, AI prompts or sharing them with AI Assistants lurking in your development environment.* *As a demo, secure authentication to Azure and Azure DevOps is demonstrated using PowerShell without exposing credentials to environment variables, clipboard history, or AI tooling. The focus remains on habits and patterns that scale from solo engineers to professional engineering teams.* ### 2\. Modern Powershell module development \- Marko Stanojevic *Demonstrate powershell module template with built in versioning, labeling, CI/CD, devcontainer, VS code settings, built in tasks, Github Copilot and agents instructions, pull request labeling and release notes automatic generation.* *[https://github.com/WarehouseFinds/PSScriptModule](https://github.com/WarehouseFinds/PSScriptModule)* **Location** We are in-person at: Rubicon Leusderend 36 3832 RC Leusden Participation is free, and you are encouraged to attend in person. **Tickets** We kindly ask you to register your attendance through Meetup. Our events are made possible through sponsorship, and accurate attendance numbers help us secure continued support. Please make sure to register if you plan to attend, and update your RSVP if your plans change.

**Details:** Hi everyone! This is the first ever Decoden workshop experience in Amsterdam! Decoden is a Japanese art form where you decorate objects with fake cream and cute gems and charms. Decoden is a short form of "Decorate DenWa" which means decorate mobile phone. Typically phone cases are elaborately covered with a fake plastic whipped cream to look like real cake icing and then embellished with cute charms, gems and jewels and finished with colourful sprinkle and glitter. You can do decoden on any object you like and we will offer 4 options. **Date:** Workshops are on the Second Sunday of every month at 1:30pm. **Workshop Description:** The workshop takes about 2-3 hours depending on the item you want to decorate. All equipment, materials and instructions is included. The workshop will start with an introduction and then you will select your charms and coloured creams. We will instruct you on how to design and plan your decoration on paper first. You will then make you artworks and decorate it with charms. Once complete we will place your artwork in a box and you will then take it home to dry. Drying time usually take 2-3 days. The workshop is a fun and relaxing afternoon of hands on art and craft. It wil be a fun time of crafting, laughing and chatting with people in a nice environment with an excellent soundtrack. Please bring a carrying bag to take home your art work. An apron and gloves are provided but it is recommended to wear old or dark coloured clothes as the decoden cream can stain clothes. **Venue location:** [Maakplaats Room](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1st Floor](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **[OBA CC Amstel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5)** [Cullinanplein 1,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1074 JM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [Amsterdam](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **Cost and payment:** The workshop price is €30 and you can select one of the following items to decorate. You will get to choose 16 charms and 2 creams. 1\. One claw hairclip and two small hairclips\. 2\. Mirror 10x15cm\. 3\. Photoframe 10x15cm\. 4\. Three Toploader photocard holders\. 5\. Mobile phone case \* (Please note you will need to **provide your own** polycarbonate phone case to decorate. Silicone phone cases are not recommended as the decoden cream does not adhere properly.) If you require additional creams and charms they can be purchased on the day. We will be able to accept cash, direct bank transfer or tikkie payments on the day. The workshop has a maximum of 20 people as such your place will only be confirmed once payment has been made. **Payment:** Please email me at [origamicrane@gmail.com ](mailto:origamicrane@gmail.com)before making payment Please make payment to the following account Name: Samuel Tsang IBAN:NL41 ABNA 0248 6878 40 Payment reference: **[your full name],** Decoden workshop **[Month]** **Refund and cancellations:** 100% refund if cancelled at least 7 days in advance. 50% refund if cancellation is less then 7 days. No refund if cancellation is less than 48 hours before the workshop. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the workshop I will automatically issue full refunds within 24 hours. Let me know if you have any questions. **Additional information:** Please note that this is a hand on crafting session. We will be very happy to guide and assist you but we can not do the decorating for you. You are purchasing an arts and craft activity with instruction, material and tools provided. The resulting artwork you create is dependant on your own skill and creativity, we can not be held responsible if you are unhappy with the end result. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. Children are welcome to attend but we only recommend the workshop for children over 10 years old as it require several hours of concentration and fine motor skills. Please note children must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. We are not a child minding services and can not take responsibility for children. **FAQ:** **Q: Is there a minimum age requirements to enter the event?** A: This workshop is designed to be a parent and child activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. This workshop is recommended for children over 10 years old. From our previous experience children less than 10 years will not have the necessary fine motor skills or patience to complete the models. **Q: Do I need to bring anything?** A: All materials are provided. Please bring a bag or cardboard box to take home your creations. **Q: How can I contact the organiser with any questions?** A: Yes just email us.

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' by Haruki Murakami 'The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophesy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising dramas. Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a ghostlike pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbours soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Murakami's new novel is at once a classic tale of quest, but it is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is an entertainment of a very high order.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

Join us again this Saturday for drinks and sweets at this delicious Vegan co-op bakery. Mingle with likeminded Columbus Vegans. We will aim to sit outside after purchasing items and hopefully taking in cooperative weather. Special note on parking: Please try to park along Acton, Richards and/or Chatham streets so as to free up the lot at the back of the building for pick-up orders. Thank you. 😊 Patty Cake offers everything from cupcakes, cookies, cakes, muffins, whoopie pies, as well as gluten free goodies. They also have coffee, oat milk and cold brew

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

## Pickleball League \| Singles \| 20s\, 30s\, 40s \| Columbus\, OH Ditch the dating apps and meet singles in real life — on the courts for 8 weeks. This event is ALL done through Eventbrite, we must register in advance. [The link is here! ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-but-everyones-single-datecolumbus-tickets-1984560246119?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl) April 13th - June 1st. 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Monday Nights. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new, this league is all about connection. 👉 **Never played before?** No problem! For the first **three weeks**, instructors will be on-site for the first 30 minutes to teach you the basics and get you comfortable jumping in. We’ll run this as **open play** — you’ll rotate courts and partners for casual games and maximum mingling. Winners stay for one round before rotating, giving you plenty of chances to meet someone new. 📅 **Mondays\, April 13th \- June 1st \| 6:00–8:00 PM** 📍 **Paddle Taps** \| 535 Lakeview Plaza Blvd\, Worthington\, OH 43085 **⭐ May 4th — Best Dressed Night: Star Wars Edition** *May the Fourth Be With You!* Dust off your Jedi robes, break out the lightsaber, or go full Chewbacca. Come dressed up, bring your A-game, and may the force (and your dinks) be with you. Best dressed winner picked by the volunteer sqaud, Winner will receive a prize! **🍽️ May 25th — Memorial Day BBQ POST PLAY** End your Memorial Day weekend with pickleball and pickleball BBQ! Paddletaps will provide the burgers & hot dogs, you're welcome to bring your fav app or dessert to share with the crew! **What to Know** * Paddles available each week — or bring your own * Locker room on-site * Full restaurant + bar available * Play runs every Monday from 6:00–8:00 PM for 8 weeks * Eat, drink, and mingle during and after play * Tickets are **non-refundable** Ready to meet your pickleball partner (and maybe more)? 🎟[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-but-everyones-single-datecolumbus-tickets-1984560246119?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)**[Sign up now — spots will go fast!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-but-everyones-single-datecolumbus-tickets-1984560246119?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)** ### Event Guidelines 🚫 No rude or inappropriate behavior 📸 Photos may be taken for promotional use 📵 Be present — phones away, eyes up ✨ Be open, have fun, and enjoy the experience

Join us for a tour of Brothers Drake Meadery in Grandview, hosted by the owner Oron Benary. He will explain the mead-making process and offer us generous samples of their fine meads. Mead is basically wine that is made from honey instead of grapes. There are many different flavors that range from dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, to sweet. They are best known for their Apple Pie Mead. Oron has offered us a special price of 5.00 each person for the tour and tasting, which is normally 25.00 per person. I've taken the tour several times, and it's always enlightening and fun. Rebecca will bring a tea that will pair well with the mead for a tea tasting afterwards. Park anywhere around the building. Please avoid parking in front of the houses in the neighborhood behind the Meadery. Please keep your RSVP current. Knowing how many will attend will help Brothers Drake plan accordingly to accommodate us.

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.