Housing

**Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in the most festive and nostalgic setting in the city - [CITIZENS TRUST](https://www.thecitizenstrust.com/). Featuring wall-to-wall Christmas décor, cheery social experiences, and a whole lot of Christmas spirits!** **Sip one of the many Christmas cocktails crafted by their jolly staff, take your profile picture in the Igloo, and connect with friends in the most decked out holiday bar in the city.** **START**: ***HAPPY HOUR at Buckeye Bourbon House*** (5-6pm). Select small plates and cocktails are about half price. *(note: Citizens Trust does not serve food, just cocktails)* **PARKING:** After 5pm, metered street parking is available. There is also a public pay lot on the same block (Metropolis).

The meeting/AGM for 12/13 has been canceled due the anticipated snow. We will hold our Annual General Meeting on Friday @ 6:30pm the first day of our year end holiday double header ... Free Pizza and Cake is expected to be served. Hope to game and see you Friday and let you know about CABS!!!

Join us as we get together to see an Opening Night showing of the highly anticipated epic fantasy-adventure, AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH! We’ll make this one of our rare 3D movie events! James Cameron returns to direct the 3rd film in the acclaimed series which should be another visually stunning adventure! Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: One year after settling in with the Metkayina Clan, Jake and Neytiri's family encounter a new, aggressive Na'vi tribe called the Ash People, led by the fiery tribe leader, Varang, who has allied with Jake's enemy, Quaritch, as the conflict on Pandora escalates to devastating consequences. The film is directed (and co-written) by James Cameron and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Kate Winslet who all return to reprise their roles from previous films. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-vO43w1xXg PLAN: Details for this event have already been confirmed! Please purchase your ticket for the 6:00pm showing at Cinemark Polaris and meet inside the theater lobby between 5:30 and 5:45pm! This event will sell out so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you do, please list your seat number in the Comments below! NOTE ON LOCATION: This one took some time to sort out! Ticket prices for a 3D showing at the various theaters range from $11 to $22+ in a range of theater sizes from tiny/intimate to large auditoriums. Because advance ticket sales have already started, many locations/showtimes are already half-full! So, we went with a showtime (6pm) and seating suitable for a long (3-hr) movie, middle-of-the-pack pricing, and a large enough theater with little/no pre-sales that (hopefully) won’t sell out too quickly. And, did I mention luxury seating! That said, you’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as possible! Should be a fun one, Dan

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Coffee and conversation at [The Roosevelt Coffeehouse](https://www.olentangybrew.com/roosevelt-coffee), located at Olentangy River Brewing. They will also have a Venezuelan [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) that always gets good reviews.

This special holiday event will be AT GAMEARENA near the Gateway!!! Come with games if you like but also come just to chill and relax with new and old friends before we end the 2025 year. Snacks will be provided and working to get holiday drinks like last year if you would like partake more at the bar. Play game at the main venue or other games COGG members bring! \-\-\- **Usual In-Person Notes** \-\-\- **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. For this event, light snacks from the bar and water will be provided! Though you can purchase you own if you like at the bar: [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at info@[thecogg.com](http://thecogg.com/)!

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Jennings Java Artisan Coffee Roasters](https://www.jenningsjava.com/)!

WANDER LIGHTS- let’s enjoy the best Christmas lights that Columbus has to offer. All FREE. We will begin our wander lights experience at Columbus Commons. There is a 40 foot lit Christmas tree, over 150 lighted trees, decorated garden beds and an illuminated tunnel made up of glowing archways complete with a snow globe photo op. Plus new illuminations on the Columbus common stage. NEXT - we will walk down to 50 West Town St. 400 feet away. Town Street will be twinkling with lights and decorations. Follow the illuminated penguins and lights down the wander lights path from Columbus commons to the Seattle mile. Stop by the Lazarus building Galleria, for an elaborate holiday display. NEXT - we will walk down to the Scioto mile. .3 miles. 233 S. Civic Center Dr. The downtown riverfront will be decked out in an elevated glow, centered around the Scioto mile fountain, which will be illuminated by more than 40 sculptural lights and 75 wrapped trees, providing passersby with the ultimate winter photo backdrop. FINALLY- .5 Miles One Direction is LAND GRANT and several other bars. The other direction .4 miles is pecan pennies, the greatest diner ever. Legal Stuff: The event hosts/Organizers are just fellow member volunteers. By participating in any event, you assume all risks of liability and injury inherent in these activities. You are responsible for your own safety and for determining if you are in condition fit to participate. You are also responsible for knowing and abiding by all laws and rules during your participation in any event.

Photos & or Video: by attending these events you acknowledge photos and or video may be taken and used on this and other platforms

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

The Columbus housing market is evolving, raising questions about next steps. This session will outline current trends in clear, practical terms. Seniors, caregivers, investors, and those preparing to buy or sell in 2026 will all benefit from the information provided. What You’ll Learn: • Key market trends and what’s driving them • How today’s conditions affect buying, selling, and investing • Guidance for seniors and caregivers navigating housing decisions • Strategies to make informed, confident choices All are welcome to attend. Please bring any questions you may have.

Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Stauf’s German Village! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends! Afterwards, we’ll visit The Book Loft (next door) and stroll the shelves.

Join us for lunch at True Food Kitchen in Easton as we celebrate the New Year and our friendships!

**Come anytime during 4-8. Stay as long as you want. No set time*** It’s a chance to meet people in our age group regardless if you’re in your fifties, sixties or seventies! Retired or still working.

Who doesn't enjoy a twisted tale to go along with their holiday cheer!? Join us as we get together for a psychological thriller and quite possibly the biggest book-to-film release this year: THE HOUSEMAID! The twisty-turny tale follows a young woman who takes a job as a housekeeper for a well-to-do family who could harboring dark secrets! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Trying to escape her past, a young woman accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple. But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous - a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, power and filled with shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end. The Housemaid is directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor) and based on the first in a series of books by Freida McFadden. The film stars Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone and Elizabeth Perkins. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48CtX6OgU3s BUZZ: Early buzz is strong with critics calling it an "entertaining,” "twisty" and suspenseful psychological thriller with non-stop twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end! PLAN: Details for this event have already been confirmed! Please purchase your ticket for the 7:15pm showing and we’ll meet in the lobby area between 6:45 and 7:00pm! This fun little twisted thriller is shaping up to be the surprise hit of the season so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours please list your seat number in the Comments below. The theaters are pausing “Discount Tuesday” pricing for the holidays but we picked some of the lowest price tickets in town! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan