Alternative Energy

Hi Deep Learners, We are happy to announce our next Vienna Deep Learning Meetup on **May 19** at Bosch. Our topics this time are: Improved Optimizers for Deep Learning and Automatic Speech Recognition in Air Traffic Management. \*\*\* **Agenda:** * 18:15 Arrival * 18:30 **Introduction** by the meetup organizers * **Welcome** by the host: Bosch * 18:45 **Talk 1:** **Momentum, Preconditioning, and Beyond: Practical Advances in Optimization** by Ionut-Vlad Modoranu (*ISTA*) * 19:30 **Announcements** * **Networking Break** * 20:00 **Talk 2:** **Cleared for Takeoff: Automatic Speech Recognition in Air Traffic Management** by Christian Sobtzick & Sahebeh Dadboud *(Frequentis)* * 20:45 **Networking** * \~21:30 **Wrap up & End** \*\*\* **Talk Details:** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Talk 1:** **Momentum, Preconditioning, and Beyond: Practical Advances in Optimization** Modern Deep Learning optimization is largely dominated by first-order methods such as Adam, yet their limitations in memory usage, scalability, and curvature awareness motivate the search for improved alternatives. This talk provides a practical perspective on optimization, starting from the roles of momentum and preconditioning and extending to recent advances that go beyond standard adaptive methods. We present techniques that improve optimization along three key axes: memory, structure, and computational efficiency. In particular, we introduce MicroAdam, a memory-efficient variant of Adam based on compressed optimizer states; Trion, a low-rank method that replaces costly SVD/QR projections with efficient, rank-independent alternatives; and DASH, a GPU-efficient implementation of Shampoo that accelerates second-order preconditioning via improved parallelization and fast matrix inverse root approximations. Together, these methods illustrate how careful algorithmic and systems-level design can overcome the practical limitations of existing optimizers, offering a path toward scalable, memory-efficient, and high-performance training beyond Adam. **About the speaker:** Ionut-Vlad Modoranu is a PhD student at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), specializing in efficient optimization for Deep Learning. His research focuses on reducing the memory usage and computational cost while maintaining the performance, including the development of practical optimizers for large-scale models, with publications at top tier international conferences. **Talk 2:** **Cleared for Takeoff: Automatic Speech Recognition in Air Traffic Management** Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) has made tremendous progress in recent years. However, its deployment in safety‑critical operational environments poses a fundamentally different set of challenges compared to demonstration systems or research prototypes. In this talk, we present how speech‑to‑text models are used in a real Air Traffic Management (ATM) product at Frequentis. We walk through the end‑to‑end lifecycle of an ASR system: how training data is collected and curated, how models are selected and evaluated, and what it takes to deploy and operate them reliably for customers in a regulated, safety‑critical domain. Beyond the models themselves, we discuss practical challenges from bringing ASR from research into production, where reliability and trust matter as much as accuracy. **About the Speakers:** Sahebeh (Saba) Dadboud is an Expert Data Scientist at the Frequentis AI Competence Centre. With over eight years of experience in the tech industry, she specializes in bridging Deep Learning, MLOps, and product development to build trustworthy AI for safety-critical systems. At Frequentis, she plays a pivotal role in driving company-wide AI initiatives, supporting the adoption of advanced technologies in domains where reliability, safety, and strict regulatory constraints are absolutely critical. She holds a Master’s degree in Computational Science from the University of Vienna. Christian Sobtzick is Audio Expert at Frequentis, leading the HET Audio Competence Centre. He is responsible for improving audio quality across all Frequentis voice communication products, drawing on more than 15 years of professional experience. In addition, he supports product development related to automatic speech recognition and contributes to research projects, such as the FFG “Next Generation Safety” project, which aimed to enable AI‑based automation in Air Traffic Management. His background is the field of acoustics, including electroacoustic transducers, acoustic measurements, and signal processing. He holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering and Audio Engineering from Graz University of Technology and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. We are looking forward to welcoming you at our next meetup. Your VDLM organizer team.

**[BUCH DEINEN PLATZ IM KELLER HIER!!!](https://www.universe.com/events/comedy-im-keller-wiens-underground-stand-up-open-mic-thecomedypub-tickets-30RBKX?ref=MeetUp)** **Deutschsprachiges Comedy Open Mic in Wiens schönstem Keller. Neue Comedians, frische Jokes, freier Eintritt – jeden Dienstag im Comedy Pub.** Willkommen zu **Comedy im Keller**, dem dienstäglichen Highlight der Wiener Comedy-Szene! Hier trifft sich jede Woche ein wilder Mix aus aufstrebenden Newcomern und erfahrenen Stand-up-Comedians, um neue Gags auszuprobieren, mutige Ideen zu testen und das Publikum im historischen Keller vom *The Comedy Pub* zum Lachen zu bringen. Der Name ist Programm: In Wien geht man zum Lachen in den Keller – und bei uns stimmt das zu 100%. Unser wunderschöner Altbaukeller bietet ein echtes **Underground-Feeling** mit einer intimen Atmosphäre, die dir das Gefühl gibt, Teil von etwas Besonderem zu sein. ## 🤔 Was ist ein Open Mic? Ein Open Mic ist die Werkstatt der Stand-up-Comedy. Hier entstehen neue Bits, werden Witze gefeilt und spontane Momente geboren. Mal landet ein Joke punktgenau, mal scheitert er glorreich – aber genau das macht den Reiz aus. Das Publikum erlebt Comedy **ungeschönt, unzensiert und hautnah**. ## 🍻 The Comedy Pub – Pub oben, Lacher unten Der **Comedy Pub** ist einzigartig in Wien: oben Irish Pub mit kalten Drinks und lebendiger Atmosphäre, unten Altbaukeller mit Comedy-Club-Flair. Eine perfekte Kombination, um nach der Arbeit in die Woche zu starten: erst ein Bier an der Bar, dann ein Abend voller Lacher im Keller. Adresse: Kettenbrückengasse 7, 1050 Wien – direkt bei der U4-Station Kettenbrückengasse. ## 💡 Eintritt frei – Spenden willkommen Comedy lebt vom Publikum. Deine Reaktionen – Lachen, Klatschen oder auch mal Schweigen – helfen den Comedians, besser zu werden. Deshalb ist der Eintritt kostenlos, aber Spenden sind ausdrücklich erwünscht. Wenn du lachst, wirf ein paar Münzen in den Hut – das ist die ehrlichste Form von Applaus. ## 🎟️ Regeln für das Publikum Damit alle eine gute Zeit haben, bitten wir dich um ein paar einfache Dinge: * Sei pünktlich – Comedy wartet nicht. * Respektiere die Bühne – keine Gespräche während der Show. * Lachen ist Pflicht! (und zwar laut 😉) * Kein Heckling – wirklich, das endet nie gut. * Spenden sind Liebe. Zeig den Comedians, dass sie dich zum Lachen gebracht haben. ## 🎉 Warum Dienstag? Weil die Woche besser startet, wenn du lachst. **Comedy im Keller** ist der perfekte Anti-Dienstags-Blues: frisch, roh, nahbar und immer überraschend. Jeder Abend hat ein neues Line-up, also lohnt es sich, immer wiederzukommen. #ComedyImKeller #ComedyWien #StandupWien #OpenMicWien #DeutschComedy #WienLacht #ComedyNightWien #ComedyClubWien #StandupComedyWien #LachenInWien #ComediansWien #LiveComedyWien #ComedyFansWien #ComedySzeneWien #KellerComedy #ComedyShowWien #WienEvents #WienNightlife #ComedyLovers #WienOpenMic #GermanComedy #ComedyVienna #ViennaComedy #StandupVienna #ViennaEvents #ViennaNightlife #ViennaOpenMic #ViennaStandup #ViennaFun #ViennaUnderground #ComedyLifeWien #WienHumor #StandupSceneWien #LaughsInVienna #ComedySpotWien #FunnyInWien #AltbaukellerComedy #ViennaLaughs #DienstagWien #UndergroundComedy

Join us for a deep dive into DeFi, blockchain analytics, and real-world blockchain applications. ABC Research is excited to present the **ABC Research Track** as part of the **Vienna Blockchain Week 2026 – VBW26**. Building on the success of the Austrian Blockchain Conference, the new ABC Research Track @VBW26 marks its natural evolution. In collaboration with Vienna Blockchain Week, we are pleased to integrate our Austrian Blockchain Conference into the broader VBW26 program, creating an even more impactful platform for exchange and innovation. Join us for a gathering that brings together players from academia, business, and the blockchain community to exchange ideas, spark collaboration, and explore emerging opportunities. This event fosters meaningful dialogue across disciplines, bridging research, innovation, and real-world application. Be part of a forward-thinking conversation shaping the future of decentralized technologies. **Why attend the ABC Research Track @ VBW26:** * **Learn:** Gain valuable insights into the latest developments in DeFi and blockchain analytics. * **Discover:** Discover real-world applications of blockchain technology across industries. * **Connect:** Benefit from cross-sector perspectives that connect academia, business, and innovation. * **Network:** Expand your network by engaging directly with academics and blockchain pioneers shaping the next market cycle. * **Party:** Join the legendary VBW Afterparty from 19:00 onward—because the conversations and connections continue well beyond the conference. **Themes & Sessions – 2026 Edition** * **The New DeFi Stack: Where Real Value Is Emerging** An exploration of the latest trends shaping decentralized finance, highlighting where sustainable value is being created and how the DeFi ecosystem is evolving beyond speculation. * **The Future of Blockchain Analytics: From Strengthening Financial Oversight to Improving Investment Decisions** This panel examines how advanced blockchain analytics is transforming transparency, compliance, and risk management across financial systems. It will also explore how data-driven insights empower smarter investment strategies and more informed decision-making in an increasingly complex digital asset landscape. * **Outside the Bubble: Real-World Applications of Blockchain Technology** A practical look at how blockchain is being applied beyond the crypto space, showcasing real-world use cases and the tangible impact of decentralized technologies across industries. **Event Schedule:** * **Tuesday, May 19:** 13:00 – 19:00 \| ABC Research Track @ DC3 * **Tuesday, May 19:** from 19:00 \| Event Closing \| Legendary Afterparty @ DC3 **Check out the full program here:** [https://viennablockchainweek.org/agenda](https://viennablockchainweek.org/agenda "https://viennablockchainweek.org/agenda") **⚠️ Tickets for the ABC Research Track are FREE but capacity is limited:** To ensure high-quality networking, tickets are strictly limited. Book Now. **⚠️ Please note that tickets for the ABC Research Track are only valid for the ABC Research Track and the Event Closing in DC3**. If you plan to attend the full VBW26, please book your ticket here: [https://www.eventbrite.at/e/vienna-blockchain-week-vbw26-tickets-1979158837360?aff=erelexpmlt#location](https://www.eventbrite.at/e/vienna-blockchain-week-vbw26-tickets-1979158837360?aff=erelexpmlt#location "https://www.eventbrite.at/e/vienna-blockchain-week-vbw26-tickets-1979158837360?aff=erelexpmlt#location") *For full information about the Vienna Blockchain Week 2026 visit [https://viennablockchainweek.org/](https://viennablockchainweek.org/ "https://viennablockchainweek.org/").*

Hey folks, WE ARE BACK AGAIN! This Badminton meet-up is for ALL levels: beginners - advanced - experts. Everyone is welcome to join and test their skills and have some fun together. The organiser will reserve courts in advance - PLEASE ONLY REGISTER IF YOU REALLY PLAN TO COME (OR CANCEL ASAP IF SOMETHING CAME UP) SO WE HAVE CORRECT NUMBERS. Late cancelation (before 24 hours) or no show would be asked to pay. We are meeting at about 6:50 pm near the reception by the lounge. Come a bit earlier so you have time to change into workout/sports clothes. Also, bring clean indoor sports shoes and a water bottle with you. The organiser will be at the club about 10 min. ahead of time and pay for all - please pay the organiser after/before the event!! Cost is 22€ per court, the fee should be around 6€. It is possible to rent rackets from the club, if necessary (3€). Sometimes members have spare rackets - please ask. Enjoy!

On Tuesday 19.5 at 19:30 I’m inviting you to a gentle sound meditation. It’s a space for rest, clearing your head, calmness, and quiet connection through sound. Everyone is welcome, no prior experience needed. Just come as you are. Feel free to bring a blanket or anything that helps you feel comfortable and warm. After the session, we’ll share a cup of tea and have time to talk and connect. This is a community event, participation is free - donations are welcome.

**Meditation April bis Juni 2026** Suchst du nach innerer Balance? Wir begleiten dich bei einem klaren, stressfreien Einstieg in die Meditation. In diesem Kurs lernst du, wie du Meditation einfach und wirkungsvoll in dein Leben integrierst. Keine Vorkenntnisse nötig – bring einfach nur die Bereitschaft mit, dir Zeit zu schenken. Wir freuen uns! **Details zur Veranstaltung:** * **Wann:** jeden Dienstag, April-Juni 2026, um 18:30 Uhr * **Wo:** Meditationszentrum Wien, Praterstraße 40, 1020 Wien * **Eintritt:** Die Teilnahme ist **kostenfrei**. **Weitere Informationen findest du unter:** [www.sos.org/de](http://www.sos.org/de) Wir freuen aus auf dein Kommen!

Are you interested in improving your presentation skills? Want to become more comfortable speaking in front of people? Do you feel the need to enhance your creativity and connect better with your audience? Here, you'll have the opportunity to practice your presentation skills in a fun and creative environment like never before! This evening, you will have the opportunity to participate at an event called PowerPoint-Karaoke: presenting slides that you've never seen before. There will be random short presentations but also special group presentations created for this event. And if you want to challenge yourself even more then there is the option of grabbing some additional feelings from the challenge box 😊. Even if this sounds daunting, we encourage you to embrace the challenge and experiment in a fun and safe environment where you're allowed to fail! You're also welcome to join regardless of whether you want to present or simply observe. Expect a pressure-free atmosphere that encourages everyone to at least try and tap into their talent, as it's bound to be an enjoyable experience filled with improvisation. *** We'll meet at **Quentin Kaffeebar** in Kaiserstraße 96. We'll be there from 7:00pm onwards and begin with the event at 7:15pm. You'll find us in the back where the beamer is. The event lasts around three hours with a 15-minute break in between. *** We are a group of people who organize monthly Social Adventures, everyone is free to join. This event will be held in English, please respect each other and speak English only. German events will be organized in the future as well. ### 📢 **Stay Updated** Join our Telegram to keep up with all upcoming events: 👉 **t.me/czc_vienna**

Hello there! We'd like to welcome you to our FREE Sahaja Yoga meditation meetings hosted by Wolfgang, Hamid, Anil, Shantanu & friends which take place in Vienna – 7pm Thursdays. With Sahaja Yoga Meditation we normally sit on chairs to achieve yoga, effortlessly & spontaneously. So there is no need for mats and no special clothing required. We are all volunteers of a Charity association and have many years of experience in offering free Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes. All across the globe, many are seeking new sources of energy. Meanwhile, the most transformative energy of all is hiding in plain sight, within us. It's natural, sustainable, and infinitely renewable. It's called inner kundalini energy. And everyone already has it — everyone!. It is often likened to an inner feminine or motherly energy which automatically knows about us and what is needed to help us restore balance and harmony within our subtle being. It works spontaneously, effortlessly, organically and cannot be paid for. The classes are designed to help those attending get into a genuine meditative state, which can be felt tangibly. It is quite effortless and spontaneous. The free classes feature introductory talks, video's, practical workshops and general question and answer opportunities, making them perfect for seekers trying to establish a state of yoga, and they are available across Vienna most evenings and throughout Austria. The idea is that you don't do yoga - you Achieve Yoga! Sahaja Yoga Meditation is a simple, time-honored technique. It helps those who enjoy it, reduce stress and increase wellness and health holistically. It brings better focus and helps people become more centered and better balanced. Anyone can do it. Founded by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, Sahaja Yoga Meditation is a world wide movement for peace and self awakening. All the meetings and classes are free of any charge. Each week we go through simple meditation techniques, often with guided meditations to help reduce stress and achieve the peace of true meditation. We share tips on how to help stay in balance during the day and how to meditate at home. The meditation is based on connecting with the inner chakras (energy centres) and balancing the subtle body. The tradition and aims of meditation are explained which in essence is to be in the present with no mental activity or thoughts about the past or the future. Occasionally there are 1 day retreats to help those interested, deepen their individual experience and hear advice and tips from those who have been practicing for some time. It’s ultimately all about getting into ‘thoughtless awareness’, a natural state of being. 10 Reasons to try-out Sahaja Yoga Meditation in Vienna in 2015 It’s easy. You don’t have to spend years living in the mountains to achieve enlightenment. You don’t have to give up anything or spend weeks in silence. You don’t have to learn mantras or wear special clothes or even try to clear my mind. The meditation simply happens spontaneously. The classes are easy and fun, and as long as you keep up your daily ten minutes of meditation you find you are able to achieve a deep and peaceful meditation on a regular basis. It’s free. You don’t pay for your meditation. There are no catches, and there are no hidden expenses. If you missed attending classes one week, it doesn’t matter. You just picked up the classes again when you could manage it. It is simply the generosity of spirit of other Sahaja Yoga meditation practitioners that allows Sahaja Yoga to be taught to whomever desires it, at no cost. You can see results. You feel relaxed and you feel a deep sense of calm. Now you can also feel your chakras (energy centres) and through the meditation techniques learnt along the way you can understand the vibrations of your own energy centres. If you feel unwell you meditate and use the techniques you’ve learnt to heal your chakras, and you can then feel the centres clearing, and as a consequence your health improves. It’s all-inclusive. All the major religions and their core teachings are acknowledged and respected in Sahaja Yoga. No one’s spiritual journey is right or wrong. And through meditation the wisdom of all the great gurus and saints is easily revealed and understood. In fact, you’ll find that since you’ve been meditating you’ll come to understand and appreciate the teachings of great teachers such as Lao Tse, Buddha and Mohammed. You’re your own boss. You meditate and introspect at your own pace. You don’t have to keep up with others, or feel pressured into doing things you’re not comfortable with. You are your own teacher, your own guru, your own master. This technique of meditation empowers you and enables you to help yourself. You don’t have to rely on anybody else. Of course, there are many people who practice Sahaja Yoga Meditation who can teach you a great deal about the yoga & meditation and its various techniques. However, all that you need is ultimately within you. It’s everywhere. Sahaja Yoga is practiced in almost every country in the world. So, no matter where you travel you can always locate a local Sahaja Yoga Meditation programme that you can attend. Whenever you get the chance, and no matter where you are, You try to link up with other Sahaja Yoga practitioners and enjoy a collective meditation. (Meditating with others is a much deeper and more powerful experience than meditating alone.) It’s portable. You don’t need to take anything with you to meditate: no mats, no potions, no special clothing or books. You can meditate anywhere – in a quiet room or on a noisy bus; at the beach or watching a movie. Thoughtless awareness (the state of meditation) is easy to achieve if you keep meditating daily, and it can be achieved in almost any situation. It makes sense. Everything you’ll learn will make sense. There is a lot of common sense in Sahaja Yogameditation, and even though not everything was known to you (for example, the chakras and their respective qualities), once you have a chance to learn more about the meditation, it feels very natural and comfortable. Everybody does it. When you begin a hobby or join a new group, you often find that there are particular types of people who are in the group with you. For example, some groups attract younger people, others older folk; some groups have a lot of people who are wealthy, or people who live in a certain part of town. In Sahaja Yoga you will find people from every walk of life, from every demographic – male and female, young and old, rich and poor, every shape, size and colour, with varying interests, languages and beliefs. You don’t have to be a certain type of person to do Sahaja Yoga meditation. It is one of those rarities: something for everybody. You feel good. Without fail, every time you sit down to meditate you feel better. Whether you manage to have a deep meditation or not makes no difference, and as a consequence your family and friends are reaping the benefits. So there you have it......ten reasons...... Pop along to a Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation weekly Meeting

Das Meridian Qi Gong ist sanft und gleichzeitig kräftigend für den Körper. Wir sind jede Woche am Sonntag draußen im grünen Prater. Komm und genieße das gemeinsame Bewegen im Freien mit der Natur, die Energie, und deinem Körper. Ein wunderbarer Start für deinen Tag! Für mehr Info über das Meridian Qi Gong: http://www.ericaderoo.com/meridian-chi-kung-bewegung-fuer-mehr-vitalitaet-und-lebensfreude/ WO sind wir: Im grünen Prater, genaue Location wird bekanntgegeben nach Anmeldung. Ich bitte um eine verbindliche Anmeldung: 06502649477. Beitrag: €10

We're going for a walk again: Date: May 23, 2026, 12:00 PM Meeting point: In front of McDonalds Schwedenplatz Program: We'll walk through the second district of Vienna: Taborstraße, Augarten, Donaulände and more. PS: BitcoinWalk is 100% community-run and will always be free. Whether you want to find a walk or start one in your city, the Bitcoin Walk community is waiting for you.

Across the world, different cultures have the same word for the same sacred thing. In the Arab world, it's ***sufra*** — the spread that holds the room. Across Spain and Latin America, ***sobremesa*** — the hours no one wants to leave the table. In Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean, ***keyif*** — unhurried pleasure (the Greeks call it *kefi*, same ancient root). Across Italy and the Lusophone world — Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique — ***convivio*** — living together through the meal. In Southern Africa, ***ubuntu*** — "I am because we are." In Okinawa, ***moai*** — the lifelong circle that eats, walks, and grows old together. Across Malaysia and Indonesia, ***makan-makan*** — the easy, communal feast. In the Sikh tradition across South Asia, ***langar*** — where every person eats as equal, seated on the same floor. Eight cultures. Eight words. One truth: **the long table, the slow meal, the people who start as strangers and end as family.** The Blue Zones research — Dan Buettner's work on the five places where humans live longest and healthiest (Okinawa, Sardinia, Ikaria, Nicoya, Loma Linda) — keeps pointing back to this. Not the recipe. The table. The presence. The time. So let's do it. **What:** One long table. Food we cook together. Hours of real conversation — emotions, relationships, philosophy, and yes, politics — not as sides, but as the questions we all carry. Here, what usually divides a room becomes the ground we meet on. **What we leave behind:** Phones. All digital devices. None of the cultures we're honouring tonight needed them at the table — and the Blue Zones research is unambiguous: real longevity, real connection, real nervous-system repair happens only where we are not being scrolled into a loop. **What we bring:** Ourselves. Our culture. Whatever we're carrying. Whatever we want to share. **Open to everyone:** Whether your grandmother cooked in Beirut, Madrid, Istanbul, Naples, Johannesburg, Okinawa, Jakarta, or Amritsar — or nowhere at all — you belong at this table. The whole point is that nobody's culture runs the room. Every tradition sits beside every other. **Before the event:** A poll goes out, so we choose the menu together. **Now:** I'm looking for the right location — outdoors if possible, somewhere near Vienna. A garden, a terrace, a piece of land with trees and sky. If you have a spot or know one, message me. This is ours to build. Come as you are. Stay as long as it takes. *A small ritual before the ritual: a short call beforehand, 10 to 15 minutes. Not to screen you — to meet you. Every culture at this table starts a meal with a greeting. Ours starts here.* — Tom

A gentle space to slow down and unwind at the end of the week. This session is designed to help you release stress, calm the nervous system, and transition softly into the weekend through guided relaxation and subtle live sound. No experience needed. Just come, lie down, listen, and rest. Open to everyone.

This meditations take place in the beautiful space of the Vienna Atelier of Traditional Art 🌿 Inspired by practices of eastern spiritual traditions (e.g. Qigong and TaiJi) we explore and connect during this evening several facets of our human experience: • Effortless movement and sensing deep into the inner field of the body ♒︎ Breathing consciously and chanting mantras or medicine songs ॐ Guiding attention to release and rest in the open space of awareness _ The fee for the event is €12 (€10 reduced) No prior experience needed Light snacks and drinks are available during the breaks

Please read everything! Check this event again on the day (weather updates, last‑minute changes, etc.). And please be polite: cancel your RSVP if you cannot attend. *** **Hello everyone!** Escape the workday for **Il Dolce Far Niente.** Let's meet this time at "**Der Garten"** at the Prater—a beautiful outdoor space perfect for a relaxed evening. Come enjoy some food and drinks in the fresh air as we toast to the art of doing absolutely nothing. Join me on this little adventure!

Community Backyards Workshop Join us at the Ohio Herb Center in Gahanna to learn about sustainable home gardening. We can make small changes in our yards to make a BIG impact for a better environment and healthier waterways while saving money. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek and hosted by Ohio Herb Center. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but NOT required. Click here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/65f65aw (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) * Location: Ohio Herb Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 * Date and time: Sat, May 23, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM * Organizer: The Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

(Note: RSVPing here on meetup does NOT reserve your seat. To do that, you’ll need to register at our website, **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=In-Person-Columbus-Meeting-How-I-Get-Private-Lenders-and-Partners-to-Fund-My-Deals-14-6-2-2026)**.) Tuesday, June 2nd, 5:00–8:30 PM Eastern Central Ohio Chapter Meeting IN PERSON IN COLUMBUS How I Get Private Lenders and Partners to Fund My Deals If you can’t fund it, you don’t have a deal. And right now, funding is where more investors are getting stuck. Private lenders are more cautious. Partners are asking better questions. And deals that look good on paper still fall apart when the money doesn’t show up. That’s why we’re bringing in a panel of investors who are actually getting their deals funded right now. You’ll hear how they’re finding money, structuring deals, and building relationships that lead to repeat funding. Here’s what you’ll learn: * Where they’re finding private lenders today * How they start conversations that lead to funding * What makes lenders and partners say YES * How they structure deals to be fundable * The biggest mistakes investors make when raising money * How to build repeat funding relationships **Early Session (6:00–7:00 PM Eastern):** **Having Trouble Finding Tenants? How Community Shelter Board Can Help** Nicholas Brenner will walk you through programs designed to help rapidly rehouse tenants, including financial support that can stabilize your rentals. **The Deal Room (7:00–7:30 PM Eastern)** Bring deals, funding needs, buyers, and problems. This is where connections turn into action. This meeting is for serious real estate investors nationwide, and we’re known for our high-content, real-life education and our nationwide community of dealmakers. Members and non-members at all levels are welcome. Register below to reserve your seat. Remember, to actually reserve your seat, you have to go **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=In-Person-Columbus-Meeting-How-I-Get-Private-Lenders-and-Partners-to-Fund-My-Deals-14-6-2-2026)** and register on our website!

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBD