Bamboo

VERSION EN ESPAÑOL ABAJO 👇 **🌎 Social Meet- by Culture Shock Therapy** Meeting new people as an adult shouldn’t feel like a job interview Social Meet is a relaxed international gathering where locals, expats, and travelers come together to talk, laugh, and connect naturally 📍 Tienda de Cafe Italiano – Perón 4233, CABA 🕕 Every Saturday \| 18:00 – 20:00 🎟 Entry: 5,000 ARS (≈ 5 USD) What you can expect: • Multilingual conversations • Cultural exchange • Locals + expats + travelers • Genuine laughs • A relaxed and friendly atmosphere Just real people and real conversations. Follow us on Instagram: [https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy](https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL 👇 **🌎 Culture Shock Therapy – Social Meet** Conocer gente nueva de adulto no debería sentirse como una entrevista. Social Meet es un encuentro internacional relajado donde locales, extranjeros y viajeros se juntan para hablar, reír y conectar de forma natural. 📍 Tienda de Cafe Italiano – Perón 4233, CABA 🕕 Todos los sábados \| 18:00 – 20:00 🎟 Entrada: $5.000 Qué podés encontrar: • Conversaciones en varios idiomas • Intercambio cultural • Locales + extranjeros + viajeros • Risas reales • Ambiente relajado y amigable Sin presión. Sin caretas. Sin incomodidad. Solo gente real y buenas conversaciones. Seguinos en Instagram: [https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy](https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy)

# Mate Club – Language Exchange en Buenos Aires 🧉 ¿Querés practicar idiomas y conocer gente de todo el mundo en un ambiente relajado y social? Mate Club es un espacio de intercambio de **inglés, español y portugués** donde nos juntamos a conversar de forma real, espontánea y dinámica. FORMULARIO DE INSCRIPCION: [https://forms.gle/sKe9TDeGFBosfVUSA](https://forms.gle/sKe9TDeGFBosfVUSA) Valor de entrada única: 7,000ARS Valor del abono mensual: 25,000ARS (4 encuentros durante el mes) 🧉 Compartimos mate durante todo el evento. 💬 Proponemos dinámicas para que todos puedan participar. 🌍 Participan locales, viajeros y estudiantes de distintos países. 🤝 Organizamos los grupos para que realmente practiques. Si querés mejorar tu fluidez, perder la vergüenza al hablar y vivir una experiencia auténtica en Buenos Aires, sumate. Nos vemos en Mate Club 🧉 📩 Consultas: mateclubdeconversacion@gmail.com ***\* It's important to note that the people who RSVP through Meetup are often new, so they don't necessarily reflect the actual number of regular attendees.\****

En este encuentro trabajaremos con **conversaciones reales**, de esas que a veces evitamos, postergamos o atravesamos con tensión. Es un espacio de **práctica colectiva**, donde miramos **cómo hablamos, cómo escuchamos y qué efecto tienen nuestras palabras**. **✅¿Cómo será el encuentro?** * Trabajo en grupo * Casos reales aportados por los participantes * Sin juicios, sin consejos rápidos, sin recetas La propuesta es **entrenar la mirada**: detectar qué acerca y qué aleja en una conversación, y qué nos pasa cuando la compasión se pierde. **✅¿Para quién es?** * Personas que atraviesan conversaciones difíciles en su vida personal o laboral. * Líderes, profesionales, emprendedores o cualquier persona interesada en comunicarse mejor. 👉🏼**Valor:** * Miembros **Meetup**: **$6,000 ✅** * Miembros **Club de Liderazgo**: $4,000 (únete en [club.exoliderazgo.com](club.exoliderazgo.com)) *\*El valor incluye acceso al encuentro. NO incluye consumición.* **Facilitador**: Esteban Coluccio, Coach Ontológico Certificado (ICF) Lic. en Administración, Magister en Finanzas, ex Director Financiero de IBM. Realizó cursos de Liderazgo en Armonk, New York - San Pablo, Brasil, entre otros. 👉🏼Para mantenernos conectados, te invito a seguirme 📱[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/exoliderazgo)

How does it work? Get paired with native speakers in a series of 10-minute conversations during every two-hour session. Attending as little as two times a week, for 2 hours at a time, you’ll meet and practice with an unparalleled number of native speakers. https://youtu.be/blo5nNjgMBc https://youtu.be/xk04lA9x3qQ https://youtu.be/2TJMigrxiwI There is no shortcut to Spanish fluency - but Spanglish is so fun you won’t want one! Spanglish starts during the 30 minute check in: Get to know the other Spanglishers – about half of the attendees at every event are new! After a little bit of ice-breaking, you’ll head to an assigned table for your first one-on-one conversation. No need to worry about making mistakes – the person sitting across from you is in the same boat! You converse for 5 minutes in english, 5 in Spanish – and then move on to a new conversation partner. By the second rotation we promise you’ll be having so much fun you’ll forget you’re learning. What do we talk about at Spanglish?: Whatever you want! There are no set topics. We talk about everything from our favorite superheroes to our favorite restaurants – it’s the best way to practice another language – hanging out in a relaxing environment and talking about stuff you know and like! Who attends Spanglish? Study abroad students, international students, local Argentine students studying English and anyone looking for a flexible, affordable, and comfortable environment to practice their conversation skills. How much does it cost? AR$10000 at the event. Get the Spanglish package 4 events AR$28000 Enjoy the virtual language exchange events for FREE You can find more information on our website http://www.spanglishexchange.com and see pictures of the events at facebook.com/SpanglishBuenosAires *** ►HOW TO BE PART? Go directly to the bar during the check in time and you will find a Spanglish Staff who will register you! ►HOW DOES IT WORK? Get paired with native speakers in a series of 10-minute conversations during every two-hour session. Attending as little as two times a week, for 2 hours at a time, you’ll meet and practice with an unparalleled number of native speakers. There is no shortcut to Spanish fluency - but Spanglish is so fun you won’t want one! Spanglish starts during the 40 minute check in: Get to know the other Spanglishers – about half of the attendees at every event are new! After a little bit of ice-breaking, you’ll head to an assigned table for your first conversation. No need to worry about making mistakes – the person sitting across from you is in the same boat! You converse for 5 minutes in english, 5 in Spanish – and then move on to a new group of conversation partners. By the second rotation we promise you’ll be having so much fun you’ll forget you’re learning. ►WHO ATTENDS SPANGLISH? Study abroad students, international students, local Argentine students studying English and anyone looking for a flexible, affordable, and comfortable environment to practice their conversation skills.

**Women's Moon Circle \| New Moon in Taurus \| 16 May 2026** *When was the last time you gave yourself space to truly pause, reflect, and reconnect, with yourself and with other women?* It can be hard to create that space on your own, to slow down long enough to reflect, be intentional, and create a sanctuary in your life that allows for clarity and sustained direction. The Women’s Moon Circle is a twice-monthly gathering held around the New Moon and Full Moon, offering a steady rhythm to return to. Each gathering is an intimate space for 8–10 women to land in their bodies, step out of the pace of everyday life, and be witnessed in community. The **New Moon Circle** is oriented towards a return to oneself, with a focus on tuning inwards to surface desires, intentions, and boundaries. May's New Moon in **Taurus** invites us to slow down enough to actually feel ourselves again, to reconnect to our bodies, pleasure, rest, and the kinds of healthy choices that create stability and nourishment over time. Our gathering orients around: ✨ **Ritual & Rhythm** We use the moon cycles as a recurring invitation to pause and pay attention, using simple ritual to orient and connect to the cyclical rhythms of nature and to the ebb and flow within ourselves. ✨ **Reflection & Intention** A container to slow down, pause, and make meaning of what we’re living. Without space for reflection, life can feel fast, overwhelming, and undigested. Here, we take time to process, integrate, and savor. ✨ **Receiving** Many women are good at giving, holding, and supporting others, but less comfortable with receiving. We practice what it means to ask for support and allow ourselves to be held. ✨ **Relationship** It is also about community. Being surrounded by women who are thinking more expansively, feeling deeper, and choosing growth instead of staying stuck in the same patterns. The kind of connection that’s difficult to find through surface-level interactions, scrolling, or by navigating everything alone. *We gather not only for reflection and connection, but also to practice inhabiting our lives more fully, to reconnect to the body, to pleasure, to desire, to rest, to honesty, and to the small moments of presence that make life feel meaningful amidst the noise.* For women seeking: • deeper conversations • conscious community • time to reflect and integrate • nervous system regulation and rest • a sense of connection and belonging, especially while building life far from home Small group, limited spots. Held in English. 📍 **Guemes 4673 2C (Palermo Soho)** 🗓️ **Saturday\, 16 May \| 7:30pm \- 9:30 pm** Value: 25.000p To reserve your spot send 25.000p (USD $18) via Paypal (mcpherson.elle@gmail.com) or transferencia (ebmc.gal) and send the reciept to 12026432494 via Whatsapp. You will receive a message with the direction and more details. I look forward to gathering with you! xo, Elle

Meet the world without leaving Buenos Aires. A chill, friendly space where locals and travelers come together to share music, drinks and real conversations. Different cultures. Different stories. Same vibe. Come hang, connect and be part of something real. No pressure. No expectations. Just good people, good music and good energy. WHATEVER Experience Lab San Telmo F*ck normal… meet the world. 🌍✨

Hay cenas que terminan y listo. Y hay otras en las que te quedás pensando en una conversación días después. Esta es una de ellas. Vamos a compartir comida rica, una mesa cálida, dinámicas pensadas para conectar y conversaciones reales con personas que todavía no se conocen entre sí. “Sabores y Conexión” es una experiencia íntima en casa, creada para conocer gente nueva de una manera distinta: sin pantallas, sin apuro y sin conversaciones de compromiso. La atmósfera también es parte de la experiencia. Las luces cálidas, la música, el vino, las historias que aparecen alrededor de la mesa y esa sensación de terminar la noche pensando: “qué bueno haber venido”. ✨ Cena con desconocidos 📍 Colegiales, CABA 🗓 Sábado 16 de mayo 🕗 20 hs 👥 Cupos limitados 💵 $24.500 por persona Reserva con pago previo. 📩 Info e inscripción: 11 6220-1726 — Sabores y Conexión 🤍

SPANISH VERSION BELOW 👇 **☕ Culture Shock Therapy – Deep Conversation / Coffee Talk** Some conversations change your day. Some change your life. Every Sunday we create a space for meaningful conversations about life, emotions, culture, psychology, relationships, and the things we usually don’t talk about in normal social events. 📍 Tienda de Cafe Italiano – Perón 4233, CABA 🕕 Every Sunday \| 18:00 – 20:00 🎟 Entry: 5,000 ARS (≈ 5 USD) **What you can expect:** • Deep questions • Social dynamics • Interactive games to feel comfortable • Open-minded people • Respectful environment • Coffee, ideas, and connection You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be honest. This is not small talk. This is real conversation. Follow us on Instagram: [https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy](https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL 👇 **☕ Culture Shock Therapy – Deep Conversation / Coffee Talk** Algunas conversaciones te cambian el día. Otras te cambian la vida. Cada domingo creamos un espacio para conversaciones con sentido sobre la vida, emociones, cultura, psicología, relaciones y todo lo que normalmente no se habla en eventos sociales comunes. 📍 Tienda de Cafe Italiano – Perón 4233, CABA 🕕 Todos los domingos \| 18:00 – 20:00 🎟 Entrada: $5.000 **Qué podés encontrar:** • Preguntas profundas • Dinámicas sociales • Juegos para que todos se sientan cómodos • Gente abierta • Ambiente respetuoso • Café, ideas y conexión No necesitás ser experto. Solo necesitás ser auténtico. Esto no es charla superficial. Es conversación real. Seguinos en Instagram: [https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy](https://instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy)

🇪🇸Español Abajo 👇 Did you move to a new country and have to reinvent yourself? Building friendships from scratch, navigating a new language, missing home — yet longing to belong? Argentine Tango was born from exactly these stories. In Buenos Aires, generations of newcomers found connection in an unfamiliar land — through an improvised embrace, without fixed rules, simply listening and responding to one another. 🔹 **What to expect?** ✔️ Discover tango as a social language — not just a dance ✔️ Playful, guided partner exercises to explore connection through movement ✔️ The embrace, the walk, and the subtle dialogue that arises between two bodies ✔️ No pressure with complicated sequences - two left feet are welcome! 📍 **Where?** "La Casona de los Bellos Aires" in Rawson 394. We’ll walk together from Tienda del Cafe Italiano to the tango space (easy to combine with the Culture Shock Therapy social gathering before) 💰 **How much?** 10.000$ 🙋🏼‍♀️ **Who?** Guided by Valerie Kattenfeld — tango dancer and teacher, passionate about creating warm, clear, and authentic spaces for connection through dance. 👟 **What to bring?** Comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in (sneakers or sandals you can close. No Flip Flops. Also socks are ok). You do not need to come with a partner. ☕ **Before?** Join our Culture Shock Therapy social meetup at Tienda de Café and come with us to the class! Step into a living piece of Buenos Aires — and maybe recognize a part of your own story in the embrace. ✨ See you on the dance floor! FOLLOW US INSTAGRAM: @CULTURE.SHOCKTHERAPY / @valeriekattenfeld [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy/) *** ¿Te mudaste a otro país y tuviste que reinventarte? ¿Construir amistades desde cero, manejarte en otro idioma, extrañar tu hogar — y al mismo tiempo sentir el deseo de pertenecer? El Tango Argentino nació exactamente de esas historias. En Buenos Aires, generaciones de recién llegados encontraron conexión en una tierra desconocida — a través de un abrazo improvisado, sin reglas fijas, simplemente escuchando y respondiéndose mutuamente. 🔹 **¿Qué podés esperar?** ✔️ Descubrir el tango como un lenguaje social — no solo como un baile ✔️ Ejercicios lúdicos y guiados en pareja para explorar la conexión a través del movimiento ✔️ El abrazo, la caminata y el diálogo sutil que surge entre dos cuerpos ✔️ Sin presión ni secuencias complicadas — ¡bienvenidas las personas con dos pies izquierdos! 📍 **¿Dónde?** "La Casona de los Bellos Aires" in Rawson 394. Caminaremos juntas/os desde Tienda del Cafe Italiano hasta el espacio de la clase (fácil de combinar con el encuentro social previo de Culture Shock Therapy). 💰 **¿Cuánto?** 10.000$ 🙋🏼‍♀️ **¿Quién?** Guiado por Valerie Kattenfeld — bailarina y profesora de tango, apasionada por crear espacios cálidos, claros y auténticos de conexión a través de la danza. 👟 **¿Qué traer?** Ropa cómoda y calzado con el que puedas moverte (zapatillas o sandalias que se puedan cerrar. No ojotas. También podés venir en medias). No necesitás venir en pareja. ☕ **¿Antes?** Sumate al encuentro social de Culture Shock Therapy en Tienda de Café y venite con nosotras/os a la clase. Entrá en una pieza viva de Buenos Aires — y quizás reconozcas una parte de tu propia historia en el abrazo. ✨ ¡Nos vemos en la pista! **SEGUINOS** **INSTAGRAM: @CULTURE.SHOCKTHERAPY / @valeriekattenfeld** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/culture.shocktherapy/)

**IMPORTANTE**: El evento transcurre en el parque, que es grande; y si el clima lo requiere en algún café cercano. Por tal motivo se recomienda ingresar al grupo de **Whatsapp** para acceder a la ubicación exacta y actualizada: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JXuUvIkBR8VKyanyUgFKWa **IMPORTANT:** The meeting is in the park, that is quite big; and in case of raining in a nearby Cafe. Because of that, is highly recommended to join the WhatsApp group in order to know the precise and uploaded location: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JXuUvIkBR8VKyanyUgFKWa 🏛️ **¿DE QUÉ SE TRATA FILOSOFÍA PRÁCTICA?** Filosofía Práctica es un encuentro semanal para quienes disfrutan de conversaciones profundas, el pensamiento crítico, y la exploración de nuevas ideas. No necesitas conocimientos previos, solo curiosidad y ganas de compartir. Cada semana abordamos un tema distinto, practicando la comunicación y construyendo una comunidad de personas reflexivas. 📓 **¿CÓMO FUNCIONA?** * Compartimos el tema de la semana en nuestro grupo de WhatsApp con algunas preguntas guía. * Nos reunimos a las 14:00, comenzando con una charla informal antes de la discusión. * Conversamos en grupos pequeños para que todos puedan participar. * Al final, cada grupo comparte sus conclusiones y cerramos la sesión alrededor de las 16:00. 🧧 **¿CUÁNTO CUESTA?** ¡Es completamente gratis! Si nos reunimos en un café, solo pedimos que apoyes el lugar comprando una bebida. Algunas sedes alquilan un espacio y pueden solicitar donaciones voluntarias, pero no es obligatorio. 💛 **LO QUE DICEN** 🗣 “Siento que Filosofía Práctica te ayuda a construir tu propio sistema de creencias a través de diversas perspectivas, sin imponer lo que está bien o mal.” – Ekam 🗣 “Desde la primera vez que asistí (el tema era autoridad), supe que este era mi lugar. Me encanta cómo nos desafía a cuestionar diferentes puntos de vista, fomentando la apertura y la flexibilidad mental.” – Daniel 🗣 “Siempre quise tener este tipo de conversaciones, pero nunca encontré el espacio adecuado… hasta ahora. La gente, los temas, los debates abiertos… todo hace que sienta que pertenezco aquí.” – Sofía 🤓 **PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES** 📌 **¿Debo estudiar antes de asistir?** – No es necesario. Nos interesa saber *qué piensas tú*, no solo lo que dijeron los filósofos clásicos. Si quieres compartir ideas de alguna corriente de pensamiento, ¡adelante!, pero no es un requisito. 📌 **¿Se habla español?** – ¡Sí! Organizamos los grupos según el idioma para que todos se sientan cómodos participando. 📌 **¿Puedo ir solo/a?** – ¡Por supuesto! Muchos asistentes llegan solos y terminan haciendo grandes conexiones. 📌 **¿Dónde se reúnen?** – Compartimos la ubicación en WhatsApp y Meetup. Recomendamos unirte al grupo de WhatsApp para estar al día. ✨ **Desde 2021, Filosofía Práctica ha crecido a más de 50 capítulos en todo el mundo. ¡Únete a la comunidad!** **EL GRUPO DE WHATSAPP ES EN INGLES, CUALQUIER DUDA CONSULTE POR EL ORGANIZADOR AL INGRESAR.** 📲 [WhatsApp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JXuUvIkBR8VKyanyUgFKWa) \| 📷 [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) \| 🌍 [Website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/)

Welcome to the worst language class you'll ever take and the best party you'll find this week. Here's how it works. You show up at the door. The music's loud, the drinks are flowing, and the dance floor's already warming up. Somewhere between the first and second Fernet, you realize you've been chatting up a stranger in three languages and you're not even sure when you switched. That's the whole point. Bring your worst accent and your best moves. Address: Serrano 1329, Buenos Aires, Argentina WhatsApp: +1 (248) 382-8520 See you at the bar. Dale, nos vemos.

Saldremos a navegar en mi velero desde mariana Puerto Norte (ubicada en Palermo, frente a aeroparque Jorge Newbery) Av. Rafael Obligado 4899. IG: velebaires https://youtu.be/S5EjxJGS15Q El precio por persona es de $20.000. Soy instructor de náutica, si quieren les puedo enseñar a navegar. Realice el curso de Piloto de yate (habilitación que permite cruzar Oceanos) * No necesitas tener experiencia. * En caso de lluvia, se suspende. * Trae ropa cómoda, nada en especial. * Sugerimos llegar 10 minutos antes de la salida. * Cupos disponibles por orden de llegada. * No incluye comida ni bebidas. Puedes traer lo que quieras (no están permitidas las bebidas alcohólicas) * La serie de mi velero tomó fama por su seguridad y fortaleza, ya que cruzó el Océano Atlántico y navegó de Ushuaia al Polo Norte ida y vuelta. Nos reunimos en la entrada del Puerto.

Que nuestros peques se conozcan!

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

The theme for May is Thriller. • The book we will be discussing is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. (determined by votes from April Book Club. Let me know if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the main library. Feel free to come whether or not you've started or finished the book. • Small snacks will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

**Our May novel is: *The Quiet Librarian* by Allen Eskens** **This month’s book is set in the 20th century and mixes historical fiction with suspense and thriller elements. It also centers on women’s stories and relationships. The novel is 368 pages in print or 8 hours and 12 minutes on audiobook.** Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head\*\*.\*\*

Wild Ones Columbus Annual Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 23th, 2026 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Eastern Time) Overbrook Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 4131 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43214 Public Welcome, Family-Friendly Free Event A wide variety of native flowering plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees will be available from Wild Ones Columbus and local vendors Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife, and Scioto Gardens. Wild Ones will publish a list of plants that will be available at this year's sale closer to the event date. Be sure to stop by! Show up anytime!

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Community Backyards Workshop .Community Backyards Workshop - Westerville Join us for the Westerville Community Backyards workshop! This is a FREE class on how you can protect our waterways and environment with small changes in your gardening habits. We will discuss rain barrels, rain gardens, composting, and native plants. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek. 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. * Location: Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082 * Date and time: Sat, May 30, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM * Organizer: Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org (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) https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/h2w5ms8 **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