Fight Human Trafficking

This will be a family-style dinner. Specifically, I'll plan a menu to include a variety of grains, meats, and vegetables from among dishes like those listed below. \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- We'll share all of the dishes and split the bill equally. Expected cost: \~$20 to $30/person \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- **suggested dishes**: Thakali thali platter (incl. savory goat or natural chicken curry, sautéed fresh mustard greens, and refreshing tangy mustardy relish) \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- \-\-\-\.\-\-\- Use the monthly [calendar](https://www.meetup.com/i-love-austin-but-i-need-some-f-g-friends/events/calendar/) to see upcoming events at a glance.

Looking to connect with awesome folks in your area? WilCo Networking is the perfect event to meet, chat, and build meaningful connections—all in person! Whether you’re looking to expand your network, gain fresh insights, or connect with like-minded professionals, WilCo Networking offers a purposeful environment focused on trust, value, and mutual success. Join us and be part of a community where connections turn into collaboration.

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 join our group of fun and fabulous friends!** **Please note that is a dog friendly event!** We meet and socialize outside on the Whitestone Brewery patio which is completely open to our four-legged friends. If you are looking to make new friends, you have come to the right place. And we offer an opportunity to get in some exercise. The exercise is a bonus and OPTIONAL! We want you to come hang out more than anything. Too cold or too hot or too whatever might keep you from exercising, but please just show up and honor us with your presence. And Whitestone Brewery has offered us Happy Hour pricing for this event! We will meet at 6:30 pm on the patio of Whitestone Brewery to **start our Run/Walk at 6:40 pm**. Please come prepared if you are going to run or walk. It is always important to be hydrated. If you are new to the event, I will make sure you have a "veteran" to run/walk with on the course. See you there, Mike

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 join us for a fun night out with drinks, dinner and new friends! We’ll hangout, watch sports, converse and have a great time. Feel free to bring your friends with you and we’ll see you there! Disclaimer: The host of this event and meetup are not liable for any injuries, loss of funds, or any type of unfortunate event that happens to any attendees of the meetup.

Welcome to READ—WRITE—REMIX: a reading club + creative writing workshop + social hour! We read an interesting article, poem, or story, talk about it together, and write about it for 15 minutes. We then "remix" our thoughts by discussing anything we want to share. Then we write for another 15! And after that, we just hang out and chat ☺️🫶🏼📝 In this way, we come to deepen our understanding of the text, ourselves, and each other. Note that this is an open language workshop. The discussion components will be in English, but participants are welcome to write in any language 📝🌎🌏🌍 **Our Monthly Theme for May: Belonging** Every 1-3 months, our group chooses a special theme to explore in our events. This writing workshop is part of our May session on "Belonging." What does it mean to belong? How do you know when you belong? And how does language shape our sense of belonging? Those are some of the questions we hope to investigate this month, while offering Austinites a creative home in our own arts & humanities community. **This Week's Theme: Failures of Belonging ⟡ Translation & Mistranslation** *"I need someone with whom I can struggle, and fail."* — Jhumpa Lahiri, this week's featured writer Feeling a bit lost in translation? Us too! In this all-levels creative writing workshop, we'll touch on: * failures of belonging & their generative relationship to creativity * the struggle to locate oneself & the search for a narrative voice * the complexities of travel, relocation, immigration, identity in a global world, etc. Emphasis on the etc.! This week, we'll also be be thinking about translation, mistranslation, and how we learn to speak. So immigrants and ESL speakers are particularly welcome and encouraged to come hang! *Workshop Reading:* Teach Yourself Italian *by Jhumpa Lahiri* For the discussion component of our workshop, we'll be reading *Teach Yourself Italian* by Jhumpa Lahiri. She's a British-American writer and the daughter of Bengali immigrants who later immigrated herself to Italy - and started writing novels in Italian. The essay is quite short (9 pages), but very thought-provoking! **Please read this essay in advance and come to our workshop prepared to have a casual chat about it.** A free link to the reading is provided below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Orcy8Y8Lt_SHIp2nwe3Qm5-a2E9MHAcxGTnV1FwPvwQ/edit?usp=sharing **READ—WRITE—REMIX ⟡ Workshop Structure** We'll be meeting at Central Market on North Lamar at 7 PM on Thursday, May 14. Mostly likely, we'll be on the upstairs patio which you can get to by going through the inside cafe stairs. Look for our signs on the table! Our workshop structure will be roughly as follows: * Saying hello (names, introductions, pronouns) * Discussing the workshop reading * Free writing time [15 minutes] * Sharing a couple of thoughts from your writing block * Free writing time [15 minutes] * Sharing final thoughts in a big group * Optional post-event hang Thank you in advance for contributing your unique perspective to our workshop! Whether you’re just starting to explore your own creativity or you’ve been committed to it for decades, we hope you’ll join us in welcoming all of our workshop writers in a spirit of vigorous encouragement, thoughtful engagement, and empathetic open-heartedness. **About Us** This group is a project by *Difficult Friends,* a community-run arts & humanities club: [Website](https://www.difficultfriends.com/) ⟡ [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) We empower Austinites to tackle Difficult ideas and projects. Our core values are: 1. creative growth, 2. intellectual challenge, 3. human connection, and 4. civic imagination. Our events are designed as intellectual workouts and creative experiments. We host workshops and discussions that push Austin residents to think harder thoughts, make cooler stuff, and connect more deeply across their human differences. This is not an organization for the faint of heart. As our name suggests, we take pride in being Difficult Friends and in confronting Difficult challenges. [Meaning is Difficult! Embrace the Difficult](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)! **About Me** I'm a writer and photographer living in Austin with my dog, Cookie. You can find out more about me and my work here: [https://rachelsummercheong.com](https://rachelsummercheong.com/) I've been busy working on my first novel, but I hope to get around to doing more with Substack this summer as well. [https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong](https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong) — Rachel **Statement of Welcome & Inclusivity** Here at Difficult Friends, we believe everybody can be Difficult. ;-) Difficult Friends is an inclusive community space, and we particularly seek to protect and welcome our LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and nonbinary members. Event attendees may be asked to share their preferred pronouns and will be asked to respect the preferred pronouns shared by other participants. Women, immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent folks seeking a diverse community are also especially encouraged to attend! That said, no particular identity performance is needed, desired, or expected from our Difficult Friends. Come as you are and know you have a seat at our table, no matter how life has brought you into our community. **Photography Policy** The event organizers of this meetup may take photos or videos of our events. By attending this event, you consent to being filmed and photographed. (If it’s Rachel, don’t worry - she will airbrush any blemishes & imperfections xoxo)!

Most men don’t lack potential. They lack **clarity, regulation, and direction**. This gathering is for men who feel they are in a transition — between who they’ve been and who they know they’re becoming — and want a space to think clearly, speak honestly, and move forward deliberately. There will be room for listening. There will be room for receiving. This is not about pretending to have it all figured out. In this session, we’ll explore: * What stage we feel like we're stuck in. * How to align Identity with our actions * How emotional regulation creates confidence and authority * What it actually means to “work on yourself” in real life * How to move even when others around you are stuck The format is conversational, reflective, and practical. You’ll leave with **clear distinctions, grounded insight, and a stronger internal compass** — not hype. You don’t need to be confident. You don’t need to be complete. You just need to be honest about being **unfinished**. This is a room for men who are still becoming. This group is best suited for men who value reflection, responsibility, and growth over blame or posturing.

Come join us for a fun night out with drinks, dinner and new friends! We’ll hangout, watch sports, converse and have a great time. Feel free to bring your friends with you and we’ll see you there! Disclaimer: The host of this event and meetup are not liable for any injuries, loss of funds, or any type of unfortunate event that happens to any attendees of the meetup.

## **Network In Action – Round Rock Meetup** 📍 **Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar – Round Rock, TX** Join us at Whiskey Cake for our Round Rock NIA meeting — a high-energy, relationship-driven networking experience for business owners and professionals who want more than just exchanging business cards. This NIA group brings together a vetted group of background-checked, industry-exclusive members who are committed to helping each other grow. Expect meaningful conversations, genuine collaboration, and a supportive atmosphere — all over some of the best food in Round Rock. At this event, you’ll experience: 🥃 A warm, welcoming environment inside Whiskey Cake 🤝 Intentional networking with serious business owners 💬 Interactive discussions designed to spark referrals 📈 Tools & resources to help you grow (videos, sales academy, review software & more) 🎯 A community built on accountability, high standards, and guaranteed ROI If you’re looking for a networking group where people show up, follow through, and genuinely care about helping each other succeed, this is it. Come join us, meet the Round Rock NIA community, and see why so many local professionals choose NetworkingATX as their referral engine. See all upcoming events at: 👉 **www.networkingatx.com/events** Questions? 📧 justin@networkingatx.com — **Justin Kessel**, NetworkingATX

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

This is a free, in person meeting. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Join us as we get together to see the top-reviewed comedy-drama, I LOVE BOOSTERS! The film comes from writer/director Boots Riley and follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It is written/directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. BUZZ AND ACCLAIM: I Love Boosters was the opening film at this year’s SXSW Festival and premiered to rave reviews! It is currently earning a tremendous 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it, “an unexpected celebration of friendship, community, and solidarity.” Others call the film “an exercise in radical empathy,” a “masterful” and “optimistic” film designed to “provoke discussion” while making the audience laugh. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c) SUMMER OF ICE CREAM: GRAETER’S! Established way back in 1870 in Cincinnati, this historic, family-owned brand is famous for their delicious small batch ice cream and any chocolate chunk flavors! They are currently the only commercial ice cream maker using the French Pot method that they’ve been using since they first opened! Plus, those chocolate chunks, oh my goodness! Vegan options are available. PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but Showtime and complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ Every week we get together and work technical skills and full contact spar. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from street fights to the ring and some still compete in cage fighting. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 Outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1:30pm Wednesday 5:45pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ Wear workout clothes. \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ $10 per class $5 per class if you are wearing a club shirt Club shirts are $25 Hope to see you soon. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ Every week we get together and work technical skills and full contact spar. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from street fights to the ring and some still compete in cage fighting. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 Outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1:30pm Wednesday 5:45pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ Wear workout clothes. \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ $10 per class $5 per class if you are wearing a club shirt Club shirts are $25 Hope to see you soon. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.