Architecture

Join us at Museum Strauhof for an opportunity to enjoy, discuss and learn from excellent writing. We'll have a private room at Zurich's literature museum, less than a 10 minute walk from Zurich HB. There will be three reading and discussion slots and an opportunity to meet other writers. A few notes for prospective writers: 1. You aren’t required to share your own work and should feel encouraged to attend simply to enjoy and discuss the work of others, if you prefer. 2. All genres, formats, and styles of creative writing welcome, noting that the focus will be on discussing English-language fiction (or creative non-fiction). Poetry is likely to be better suited to the marvellous Zürich Poetry Club. 3. All abilities are welcome, from those just starting out to those who have already made progress in their writing, from hobbyists to professionals. 4. There will be three reading slots for each session, allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please indicate in the comments for the event if you would like to share something. 5. If you would like to share your writing with the group, you can do so either by reading aloud or allowing group members to read directly. You can expect to read for 5-7 minutes (approximately 600-1000 words) with 15-20 minutes provided for discussion afterwards. 6. If possible, please bring sufficient copies of any writing that you would like to present, so that everyone can read it themselves. You can also request written feedback. 7. Improving as a writer requires both guidance and encouragement, so you can expect the discussion to be constructive and courteous - we all know how challenging it can be. We hope that you will be able to join, and look forward to seeing you there!

Let's meet at the CNC meetup on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at 15:00 CET. **Location:** VSHNtower, 8th floor, Neugasse 10, 8005 Zürich **Agenda:** Would you like to speak at this event? Contact us at [https://cnc-meetup.ch](https://cnc-meetup.ch)! Guidelines: * All sessions are held in English. * No product or sales pitches are allowed. * All projects showcased should be open source. * We cannot cover travel costs, but we welcome speakers from other regions. * We're seeking more diversity among our speakers: underrepresented groups are welcome! 14:30 – Door Opening 15:00 – Welcome, Intro, & Announcements 15:05 – Kuberik: Safe, Hands-Off Deployments for Kubernetes (Luka Rumora) 15:35 – 5 minutes pause 15:40 – Kubernetes Without the Operator: A Minecraft Panel with Rust and kube-rs (Hadi Cherkaoui, CM Informatik AG) 16:10 – 5 minutes pause 16:15 – Vibe Code Survival Guide for Open-Source (Vadim Bauer, 8gears) 16:45 – 5 minutes pause 16:50 - Writing a Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler Provider with externalgrpc (Marco De Luca, VSHN) 17:20 – Final words, networking & apéro Kuberik: Safe, Hands-Off Deployments for Kubernetes (Luka Rumora) Most teams deploying to Kubernetes end up in one of two places: either GitOps that stops at applying manifests, or brittle CI pipelines full of bash and glue. Both fall short of true end-to-end delivery. The ideal is well known—canaries, health checks, smoke tests, promotions, rollback—but Kubernetes lacks a native, reusable way to compose these without reinventing everything. Existing tools solve pieces (Argo Rollouts, Flagger, Kargo), but not the whole pipeline. Kuberik fills that gap: it orchestrates the full journey from release to production—detecting, gating, rolling out, verifying, and promoting—using opinionated, pluggable Kubernetes resources that integrate with existing GitOps setups. Luka is a Lead SRE with 10 years of experience building platform infrastructure and internal developer tooling, always with the same focus: systems that are robust, easy to maintain, and a pleasure to use. Over the years, he has watched the delivery tooling landscape change, from Jenkins to GitLab CI to Drone to GitHub Actions, yet the fundamental approach to CD has stayed the same: step-based pipelines with the same challenges they had a decade ago. He built Kuberik because he believes we can do better. Kubernetes Without the Operator: A Minecraft Panel with Rust and kube-rs (Hadi Cherkaoui, CM Informatik AG) Anvil is a Kubernetes-native Minecraft server panel written in Rust. It creates one StatefulSet, PVC, and Service per server through direct kube-rs calls, with no CRD and no controller. The Kubernetes API itself is the runtime state store; every user action is a direct API call. This 20-minute talk argues that the operator pattern is sometimes the wrong tool. Controllers earn their complexity when there's autonomous state to reconcile. They become a ceremony when there isn't. Anvil is a worked example of the imperative alternative, running on a home lab k0s cluster. Hadi Cherkaoui is a 17-year-old EFZ Plattformentwickler apprentice at CM Informatik AG in Schwerzenbach, ZH. He works daily with k0s and FluxCD, and is interested in Kubernetes, Rust, infrastructure automation, and homelab projects. Vibe Code Survival Guide for Open-Source (Vadim Bauer, Container-Registry.ch) Vibe code is flooding open-source projects with an ever-growing volume of pull requests and ideas. Banning AI contributions isn't the answer, yet it is difficult to resist. How can open source projects survive and keep progressing despite the pressure? This talk covers the project playbook we're building in CNCF Harbor and Harbor Satellite: defining a clear project direction so contributors, human or AI-assisted, know what's in scope before they contribute. Setting explicit acceptance criteria and guardrails. Using AI on the maintainer side to triage, review, and filter the growing volume of contributions. Deciding as a project where your boundaries are, what's core, what's an extension, and what's out of scope, so you stop drowning in well-intentioned feature PRs that slowly erode coherence. We share what works, what fails, and how we are rethinking open-source, contributions, community, and project Vadim Bauer is a Container Silverback with over a decade of experience in running containers in production. As a maintainer of the CNCF project Harbor, he focuses on extending the boundaries of OCI artifact management, adoption, and developer experience. At 8gears, Vadim helps cloud providers, ISVs, and enterprises adopt Harbor and use OCI capabilities. Writing a Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler Provider with externalgrpc (Marco De Luca, VSHN) The Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler decides when to scale, but it doesn't know how to create a VM. That's the cloud provider's job, and the upstream tree covers mostly big clouds. With externalgrpc, you can plug virtually any cloud into the autoscaler over gRPC. This talk first looks at how the Cluster Autoscaler works under the hood and where the cloud provider fits in. Then we walk through implementing one for a Swiss IaaS provider as an out-of-tree gRPC service: the design choices, the parts of the contract that matter, and the gotchas you only find by reading the autoscaler source. By the end, you'll know how to attach autoscaling to a cloud that isn't on the upstream list. Marco De Luca is a software/infrastructure engineer at VSHN AG. He spends most of his time on Kubernetes platforms, developer tooling, and making sure things don't break at 3 AM. At mdnix.io, he writes about infrastructure, Linux, Kubernetes, and the things he builds along the way. When he's not behind a terminal, he's somewhere in the Alps with his camera or having a private jam session with his guitar. The event will be recorded and made available on VSHN's YouTube channel: [https://vshn.tv](https://vshn.tv). Subscribe to stay notified of updates. We expect all participants to abide by VSHN's Conference Code of Conduct: [https://www.vshn.ch/en/code-of-conduct/](https://www.vshn.ch/en/code-of-conduct/) If you would like to share your cloud-native projects at the CNC Switzerland meetup events or sponsor future events, just send us your talk suggestion here: https://cnc-meetup.ch. We look forward to hearing from you!

JavaScript is single-threaded, yet it powers the world's most complex real-time interfaces. Behind that magic lies the event loop; a mechanism that is often misunderstood, feared, or simply ignored until a performance bottleneck brings your app to a screeching halt. This May, we’re celebrating Star Wars month by traveling to the core of the JS galaxy to bridge the gap between "it just works" and "I know why it works". Join us for an evening of live-coding and deep dives. Whether you’re a Padawan or a Jedi Master, come learn how to make the runtime work for you, not against you. **Agenda** * 17:30 – **Doors open** * 18:30 - 18:50 – **Settling in & Intro** * 18:50 - 20:30 – **Talks and pizza** * 20:30 – **Networking** **Explore the detailed agenda and speaker info: [https://zurichjs.com/events/may-2026](https://zurichjs.com/events/may-2026/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=meetup&utm_campaign=meetup_track)** **About the organizers** * **[Bogdan Ilie](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilie-bogdan/)** is a user advocate. He's dipped his toes into Web Development, Technical Writing, Marketing, Design, and more. That makes him uniquely predisposed to identify improvement opportunities anywhere in the chain, or come up with unique solutions to problems. Nowadays, he's building websites and webapps at novu ag, using his beloved framework, Vue. * **[Faris Aziz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12/)** is a front-end master and Staff Software Engineer at Smallpdf, after his Engineering management job at Navro, a fintech company in the UK. Faris is a mentor, conference speaker, and workshop instructor, most recently at CityJS and other major conferences. He has contributed to open-source projects like Raycast and has mentored on platforms like Mentor Cruise. His projects include work on GCN, Eurosport, Discovery+, Fiit (a top UK fitness app), and he was the founding engineer of Navro in London. He also serves as a technical mentor at the Bletchley Institute. * **[Nadja Hesselbjerg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadja-r%C3%B8mer-hesselbjerg-47002a12b/)** is a Zurich-based frontend developer with a flair for crafting sleek, user-friendly web experiences. With a passion for innovative UX/UI design, she transforms complex ideas into intuitive digital solutions. Her multicultural background adds a unique perspective to her work. When she's not coding, Nadja is likely exploring the latest design trends or enjoying the vibrant Swiss tech scene. **Who are the awesome sponsors and partners?** * **[Vercel](https://vercel.com/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=sponsored_meetup&utm_campaign=zurichjs_partner_2026)** is THE platform for frontend developers, providing the speed and reliability needed to create at the moment of inspiration. We love Vercel because they’ve turned the "manual labor" of deployment into a simple `git push`. By handling the heavy lifting of global infrastructure and serverless scaling, Vercel allows us to focus on what we actually enjoy: building great user experiences. Whether you’re using Next.js, Nuxt, or SvelteKit, Vercel is the gold standard for shipping fast and staying in the flow. * **[GYFF](https://www.getyourfreefast.ch/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=sponsored_meetup&utm_campaign=zurichjs_partner_2026)** is a Swiss platform that facilitates connections between IT experts and businesses, where they vet both the companies and the freelancers, so the collaboration goes smoothly. **Get involved** * Have an interesting idea? * Something missing from all meetups in this space? * Do you have feedback? * Wanna buy us a coffee? * **Got a venue idea?** We love rotating locations to showcase Zurich’s tech ecosystem. Reach out, we’re always scouting fresh spots for our upcoming events. There are multiple ways to get in touch: * **[conf.zurichjs.com](https://conf.zurichjs.com)** \- get your conference ticket and find out more\! * **[zurichjs.com](http://www.zurichjs.com/)** \- the source of truth for all things zurichjs\, including all social links to follow us and interact with us online Our goal is to create a space where everyone can bring value and feel like they are getting something out of it. We are open to sponsorships and partnerships, and we would appreciate you **sharing the event** and message us about opportunities. We are also committed to fostering a respectful and psychologically safe space where anyone can share their ideas. If this is your first time speaking, or if you need help preparing for a talk, we are happy to offer guidance and support.

To keep the space intimate and thoughtfully held, this event requires advance booking and has limited seats. **👉 Click [here](https://www.analog-connection.com/event-details/story-circle) to reserve your spot.** \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- **Sometimes being heard changes something quietly inside us...** Most of us walk through life assuming our experiences are too ordinary, too quiet, or too personal to share with a room full of strangers. But it's often the stories we keep to ourselves — the small turning points, the choices others didn't understand, the people who changed us without knowing it — that resonate the most when we finally say them out loud. Story Circle is an intimate evening for a small group of women to share, listen, and genuinely connect — not through small talk or professional introductions, but through honest, personal storytelling that reminds us we're less alone than we think. **How it works** We sit in a circle. We listen without interrupting. We share only what we feel ready to share. You'll be offered a few simple prompts to choose from — pick the one that stirs something in you and take us there. There is no performance, no right answer, and no pressure. This is not a networking event. There are no business cards, no elevator pitches, and no agenda beyond genuine human connection. **Who it's for** Women in and around Zürich who are navigating transition, reinvention, or simply the quiet desire to be truly heard. Whether you arrived here last year or twenty years ago, whether your life feels dramatic or completely ordinary — you belong in this circle. **What to expect** * A small, intentional group of women * A warm, private venue — no café noise, no outside distractions * A structured but relaxed flow, gently guided throughout * Duration: approximately 2 hours * Language: English * Contribution: CHF 20 *Story Circle is a gathering by* ***[Analog Connection](https://www.analog-connection.com)*** *— a community for globally-minded women in and around Zürich who are building, or rebuilding, a life here, and want a real place to belong.*

[⚠️ ](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/eating-drinking/speed-friending-board-games-plaza-bar-7460012688438990791.html)**[>>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/eating-drinking/speed-friending-board-games-plaza-bar-7460012688438990791.html)** **or** **[www.social-circle.ch](http://www.social-circle.ch/)** Forget the awkward "So, what do you do?" conversations. This Friday, we’re breaking the ice with a healthy dose of competition and strategy! Join us at **Plaza Bar** for a night where meeting new people is as easy as rolling a six. Whether you're a hardcore strategist or just here for the laughs, we’ve got a seat at the table for you. **🕒 The Schedule** * **7:30 PM: Warm-up & Team Up** Grab a cocktail or mocktail and get introduced. We’ll be forming small groups to kick things off. * **8:00 PM: Speed Friending** **9:00 PM – Late: Free Play & Mingling** Found a group you vibe with? Settle in for a longer campaign of a classic board game, or just head to the bar to keep the conversation going. **✨ Why Join Us?** * **Built-in Conversation:** No need for icebreakers when you’re busy trying to win a game together. * **Great Atmosphere:** Plaza Bar offers the perfect cozy-meets-cool backdrop for a night of gaming. * **Inclusive Vibes:** Whether you come alone or with a friend, you’ll be part of a team from the moment you walk in. **Pro Tip:** Arrive on time! The rotation rounds work best when everyone is there for the start of the first game. Want more events like this? Join our newsletter : [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNCKCapTzlSKqBqS8EQckJ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DNCKCapTzlSKqBqS8EQckJ)

**Hey fellow board game designers (and enthusiasts)!** If you're working on a board game, we've got a meetup just for you! We gather on the third Thursday of each month at [WellPlayed Zürich-Langstrasse](https://maps.app.goo.gl/7jVdsNDqeYmakSjn6) to playtest prototypes, give and receive feedback, and discuss all things game design, publishing, marketing, crowdfunding, art, and more. All levels are welcome, whether you've already published games or you're just starting out - we'd love to meet you! * ***When:*** *every 3rd Thursday of the month* * ***Location:*** *Wellplayed Langstrasse (Langstrasse 229)* * ***Start time:*** *19:00* * ***End time:*** *22:30* * ***Entry fee:*** *6 CHF per person* * ***Limited spaces:*** *16 participants max.* ***Note***: Space at Wellplayed is currently limited to 10 participants. Thus, signing up on Meetup before the event is mandatory (if you bring a friend, make sure to sign them up as well). If you have any questions or prefer to connect online first, we coordinate the group on the ["Boardgames Zürich" Discord server](https://discord.gg/f3gFStPtZ5). Feel free to join the conversation there!

**[⚠️ >>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/dating/other-events/brunch-museum-visit-singles-only-30-45-y-7459989190387727280.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](https://social-circle.ch/)** 🥐 **Brunch & Museum of the Future** **Singles only \| Ages 30–45** Looking to meet new people in Zurich in a relaxed and meaningful way — without loud bars or forced small talk? Join us for a curated brunch at **Ribelli**, followed by a shared cultural experience at the **Museum für Gestaltung Zürich**. ✨ **Why join?** * Meet like-minded singles (30–45) in a natural, pressure-free setting * Connect through a shared experience, not just small talk * Enjoy the perfect mix of social interaction, culture, and creativity * Ideal for those who appreciate curiosity, deep conversations, and good vibes 🍽 **Brunch at Ribelli** At **Ribelli**, Italian hospitality meets urban flair. Inspired by the Mediterranean—from Sicily to Tuscany—the menu is fresh, colourful, and made to be shared. Ribelli is a lively place to sit together and enjoy Mediterranean joy of life – spontaneous, sociable, and relaxed. 🎨 **Museum Experience** After brunch, explore the **Museum für Gestaltung Zürich**, home to Switzerland’s largest international design collection. The **Swiss Design Collection** presents around 2,500 objects spanning graphic design, typography, poster design, textiles, product design, and applied arts. Dive into the archive, see the objects up close, and discover the unique stories behind each creation. The integrated studio allows you to experiment, create your own designs, or simply enjoy the creative atmosphere. 💬 **Join our group for this event:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi) ℹ️ **Practical info** * Included: museum entrance * ❗Food is not included * Limited spots to keep the group intimate and balanced * Come solo — leave inspired, connected, and maybe with someone new to explore the future with ​**Important:** Tickets are **non-refundable**. Pictures might be taken during the event, if you do not want it please let the organizer know. ​Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM)

**⚠️ [>>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/sport-fitness/fitness/train-connect-outdoor-workout-and-community-picnic-7460832985748652832.html)** or **[www.social-circle.ch](http://www.social-circle.ch/)** Limited to **15 participants**. Start your Sunday feeling energized, active, and connected with great people! 🏋️‍♂️🌿 We'll kick off the morning with a **professionally** **guided** **outdoor** **fitness** **session** led by **experienced** **physiotherapists**. The workout is suitable for all fitness levels and combines functional training, movement, and fun in a motivating group atmosphere. After the workout, we'll wind down together with a **relaxed picnic** on the Chinawiese. Fresh fruit and protein shakes will be provided. Feel free to bring your own snacks and a picnic blanket as well. **📲Stay in the loop:** Join our WhatsApp Sport group for updates and the live meeting location on the day: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BAn5mFYP2CSDt78ZklXAZo](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BAn5mFYP2CSDt78ZklXAZo) *If the link doesn't open on your phone, try using WhatsApp Web on your computer.* **Who are we?** Behind P&P Performance are Peter and Patrick — two physiotherapists with many years of experience in personal and group training. Peter has worked as a therapist with professional athletes from ice hockey, basketball, rugby, and field hockey 💪 Patrick complements the athletic approach with his background in sports psychology and mental performance. Together, their mission is to help people train sustainably, stay healthy, and enjoy movement 🧠 **⏰Timeline** * **10:00** – Outdoor Training Session * **11:00** – Community Picnic at Chinawiese 🎒 **What to Bring** * Sportswear * Water bottle * Optional: workout/yoga mat * Snacks or food for the picnic **Disclaimer** Participation in this event requires a valid ticket, which must be purchased in advance via the link provided in the event description. Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. We do not accept cash payments on the day of the event. To ensure a smooth and safe experience, we kindly ask all participants to follow the instructions and announcements from the event organizers. While our team works hard to create an enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere, attendance is at your own risk. We want everyone to feel comfortable and respected. If you encounter any issues or uncomfortable situations during the event, please speak directly to a member of our team — we're here to help. We reserve the right to exclude participants from the event if they do not adhere to basic standards of respectful interpersonal behavior. This decision is at the discretion of the responsible organizers. By signing up, you agree that any content captured during the event (including photos and videos) may be used on Social Circle's social media channels and those of our partners. **Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP)

**Deep Rest & Relaxation Circle – Yoga Nidra, Gentle Yoga & Sound Healing** *(By donation – all are welcome)* You’re warmly invited to a nourishing relaxation circle designed to help you slow down, soften, and reconnect with yourself. Together we’ll explore deep rest through gentle yoga, effortless Yoga Nidra meditation (practiced lying down), and soothing sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls — all held in a friendly, supportive circle. This is a space to pause, breathe, and return to your heart, your inner calm, and your natural intuition. **This practice can support:** * Relief from stress, anxiety, and tension * Deep relaxation and nervous system reset * Better sleep * Emotional balance and uplift * Greater clarity, confidence, and creativity * Enhanced intuition * Meaningful, heart-centred connections with others ### What to expect **🌿 Gentle, Nourishing Yoga** Slow, accessible movements to release tension, support energy flow, and reconnect with your body’s wisdom and vitality. **🌙 Yoga Nidra (guided deep rest)** A zero-effort meditation practiced lying down. Yoga Nidra allows the body and mind to fully rest and restore, helping to calm the nervous system, release anxiety, improve sleep, and gently unwind exhaustion and overwhelm. **🔔 Sound Healing** Tibetan singing bowls guide you into deep presence and relaxation. The vibrations support the release of tension, stress, fatigue, and emotional holding, creating an optimal state for rest and self-healing. Everything is provided — just bring comfortable clothes and an open heart. **Contribution:** Suggested donation: **30.–** If cost is a barrier, please contribute what you can — everyone is welcome. **Booking:** Please WhatsApp or text me on **078 246 50 91** to join, as I don’t use Meetup regularly and bookings are managed via WhatsApp. More info: **[www.reconnectiorest.org](http://www.reconnectiorest.org)** I look forward to sharing this peaceful, nourishing time together. With love, **Myriam** 💛

Join us for a street photography workshop along Zurich’s vibrant lakefront and riverside, ending in the winding alleys of the old city. Participants of the workshop will have a particular street photography mission (assignment), starting first as a group and then splitting into separate teams. We're meeting in front of the Opera House – facing Sechseläutenplatz If you would like to join the workshop, please add yourself to the waitlist! The organizer of the workshop will move the participants to "Going"!

Celebrate with a special creative night at Soho Bar, from **7:00 PM to 9:30 PM**. This is a celebration of laughter and good vibes! Zürich Together is collaborating with Sip N Paint Club, we will have a corner for our attendees, all you need is to look for your host Raluca or the Zürich Together flag. **Coming with Zürich Together already provides you with a 20% discount applied upon the completion of the purchase. [Discounted Tickets available here](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/parties/afterwork/sip-n-paint-club-7434533947801885043.html?promocode=ZurichTogether). Please join the [WhatsApp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CT9PD90YhmCK1wACNTKZsR) to coordinate with the group.** Enjoy a relaxed painting session while sipping cocktails and grooving to tunes from our live DJ. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned painter, everyone is welcome to join the fun and create something memorable. **Event Highlights:** 🎨 Self-guided painting experience with fun, creative themes 🥂 Complimentary glass of Prosecco on arrival 🎶 Live DJ setting the mood 🍸 Drinks available for purchase at the bar This is a **self-guided session**, so you’re free to paint at your own pace and style. All materials are provided, just bring yourself. No experience needed, just come ready to relax and have a great time. Spots are limited, so reserve yours now and make this a night to remember. 💕

Going bouldering in the [indoor climbing gym](https://www.boulderlounge.ch/schlieren) in Schlieren. All levels are welcome. Mostly for fun, but can't hurt to share some tips and advice. We meet at the reception near the sofas and tables! See you there! If you come a bit later try to find us inside the gym! **For first timers** Before the event, please fill in [this form](https://216.webclimber.de/register), (you can also find it [here](http://www.boulderlounge.ch/schlieren/preise/) -> scroll down to "Voranmeldung"), then you can get through the checkin faster :) You will need to show it when you buy your entry. **Quick information** - They have lockers but you need to bring your own lock (you can apparently get one against depot) - Entry fee is 25chf (unlimited time) - You can rent bouldering shoes for 7chf

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our very 1st Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 1st event and are doing a soft launch with limited attendance. 1st come 1st serve. If you want to be there and we fill up, please email me at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) and I'll be in touch. All street parking is free on Sundays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at info@thecogg.com with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!

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.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.