Bamboo

**Hey fellow AWS enthusiasts! ✨** May is all about AWS Partnership! Not a usual topic you hear about at User Groups. So we are more than thrilled to hear about **Deepika Tomar**'s journey as the AWS Cloud Lead at HWS Gruppe on pathing the way for her company to become an AWS Advanced Partner. Thanks to our friends at **[codecentric Nürnberg](https://www.codecentric.de/standorte/nuernberg)** for sponsoring the event with food and drinks and opening their wonderful offices for us! **📆 Tonight's Agenda** 19:00 - Welcoming **19:15 - Talk by Deepika** 20:00 - Food, Drinks & Networking Looking forward to seeing you 👋🏻 [Nora](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nora-schoener/) & [Frank](https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankprechtel/) \-\-\- The talk ⤵️ **From AWS Registered to Advanced Tier in 2 Years: Practical Lessons from the Field** In this session, I will share how we progressed from AWS Registered Partner to Advanced Tier within two years, focusing on real-world actions that made the difference. I will walk through: How AWS Summit connections and community engagement helped shape our partner strategy Building impactful customer case studies and completing the FTR (Foundational Technical Review) successfully How to identify and generate opportunities using the AWS Partner Portal Practical use of POC funding and Marketing Development Funds (MDF) for business growth and employee enablement Key learnings from attending AWS events, webinars, and partner programs This session is intended for AWS partners who want a practical roadmap to accelerate their growth in the AWS ecosystem. The speaker⤵️ **Deepika Tomar, Lead AWS Public Cloud @ HWS Gruppe** AWS Community Builder with 14 years of experience in cloud computing, infrastructure management, and database solutions — I've built a career around turning technology into a lasting competitive advantage. Today, I lead an AWS team driving cloud migration, infrastructure modernization, and a reimagined approach to customer service. This work recently reached a milestone with our organization achieving AWS Partnership status. Whether shaping IT strategy or bridging cross-functional teams, my focus remains constant: harness technology to deliver real business outcomes, streamline operations, and build a governance foundation that grows with the organization. \-\-\- **Please note:** At the event, photos and videos will be taken for marketing purposes both by our hosts and our location sponsors. We try to offer a hybrid experience by providing a video stream of the talk. There will be no recording published after the event. Please also keep in mind, that we try our best effort to provide a good streaming experience. We don't offer a professional stream, so delays, technical issues or other interference are a matter to be tolerated.

We are happy to extend our invitation to one and all to join the Luxembourg Shivyog Forum events every Sunday from 9.00 am to 11.15 am. Shivyog Forum is a platform of positive and like-minded people, interested in spiritual growth, self-healing and self-awareness. Every week, through virtual videos, Avdhoot Baba Shivanand ji blesses and shares the Divine sacred secrets and knowledge through discourses, guided sacred meditations, chanting of Mantras and Bhajans for overall life transformation. This helps the Forum members to progress in their spiritual journey, in establishing deeper connection with one’s inner being, in ability to forgive and love others, in improved emotional and physical health, mental peace, healthy relationship leading to the awakening and purification of the body mind and soul. If you wish to get connected with the Avdhoota and practice deep healing meditations, kriyas and bhajans that can change your life, you are warmly welcome to become a member and join us! Yearly membership fee is a nominal US$ 50 to be paid directly to India to the Shivyog Ashram but your are welcome to attend the first Forum event free.

Dear Club Polyglotte members, Please note that we changed our online meetings from Skype to Teams. An installation of Teams is not necessary (see links at the bottom). The online meetings take place on Tuesdays at 19:00, unless otherwise indicated. CP English Club Polyglotte Luxembourg Community in Microsoft Teams with Pete from London on Tuesdays at 19:00 h: https://teams.live.com/l/community/FEA32nllYOKVkYfQA8?v=g1 CP German Club Polyglotte Luxembourg Community in Microsoft Teams with Margit on Tuesdays at 19:00 h: https://teams.live.com/l/community/FEAPmC0cP2yAknqqAw?v=g1 CP Italian Club Polyglotte Luxembourg Community in Microsoft Teams on Tuesdays at 20:30 h. https://teams.live.com/l/community/FEAgAGRUsyLPKIB8BU?v=g1 CP Spanish Club Polyglotte Luxembourg Community Community in Microsoft Teams on Wednesdays at 19:00 h: https://teams.live.com/l/community/FEA7FZyGJ463yXNOwM?v=g1 CP Luxembourgish Club Polyglotte Luxembourg Community in Microsoft Teams Wednesdays at 19:00 h https://teams.live.com/l/community/FEAyv2RkRJLWFo8vAo?v=g1 CP French Club Polyglotte Luxembourg Community in Microsoft Teams on Fridays at 19:00 h. https://teams.live.com/l/community/FEAHMjICzF_sgKrfgs?v=g1 When you click on the secured https link, you need to connect to Teams and click on the button to join via your browser (no installation needed) Or via the MS Teams App, which is of course also possible. Download from the official website for your desktop: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app For your Android device from Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.teams&pli=1 For your OIS device from Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-teams/id1113153706 Kind regards, Your Club Polyglotte Luxembourg team Email: clubpolyglotte@gmail.com

Welcome to our weekly physical or virtual Club Polyglotte meeting. * As usual, a minimum consumption of one drink or something small to eat is obligatory at Restaurant Quai Steffen at 13, Place de la gare at the Luxembourg railway station. * We start our get together at 19:00 h and finish at 22:00 h. As on every Tuesday, participate at one of the following language tables: 1. English 2. French 3. Luxemburgish 4. German 5. Spanish 6. Italian or languages like Mandarin, Russian, Romanian or Arabic, if needed. We are constantly searching for Buddies who lead the various language tables and for those who would like to participate in the organisation for our club established in 1999. Please message us, if you are interested in managing the Club with us on Facebook / Meta. Membership fees per calendar year: 3 EUR cash (members until and including 24 Y, only 1 EUR) Compulsory consumption applies at Restaurant Le Quai Steffen! Best regards, Your Club Polyglotte Luxembourg team

An ink painting workshop, an ancient art practiced on rice paper or silk, which combines elegance, tradition, and artistic expression through slow and meditative gestures. You will be guided by Yemin Yin, a recognized artist trained in London and Canton. Her ink paintings are found in collections worldwide. This experience includes: • A guided 2-hour workshop to discover the timeless elegance of ink painting in a small group • With all the materials provided (ink, brushes, rice paper) • A premium floral tea served throughout the session • Chinese pastries (light dim sum style) • Your artwork to take home €49 / person No experience required.

Learn to make authentic Chinese dumplings from scratch! Join us for a hands-on dumpling workshop, where you'll learn the art of Chinese dumpling making, from preparing the filling to folding techniques and cooking. No experience needed, just bring your appetite. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN • How to prepare two classic fillings: chicken & vegetable • Traditional folding techniques • Pan-frying & boiling — two ways to cook your dumplings WHAT'S INCLUDED • All ingredients & equipment provided • Hands-on guidance in a small group setting • Eat your freshly cooked dumplings on the spot / take away Price: €35 per person Children: €19

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

**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\*\*.\*\*

Open to public: Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Hosted by OSU The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser Location: Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center 2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210 Spring Plant Sale Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb! Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike. Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together. Credit/debit cards only.

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.

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

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!