Communication Skills

Hello architecture enthusiasts! We're excited to announce our next meetup exploring the emerging world of AI agent platforms and orchestration! Join us for an evening where we'll tackle the architectural challenges of moving from standalone AI models to connected, intelligent ecosystems. Makan will share insights on how a capability mesh could solve today's AI orchestration challenges, while Pascal will dive into the practical patterns, protocols, and standards for building AI agent platforms. Come hungry for both knowledge and food — we've got plenty of both, plus drinks and great networking opportunities at OpenValue's Utrecht office. Both sessions will be presented in English. RSVP now for an evening of learning and connection! **Getting Here** Directions: [https://www.openvalue.eu/route/#utrecht](https://www.openvalue.eu/route/#utrecht). Parking is free. The office is within walking distance of Utrecht Zuilen train station. **Agenda** 17:30 Doors open 18:00 Food 18:30 Talk 1: Capability Mesh: Enabling Orchestration through Semantic Integration 19:30 Break 19:45 Talk 2: Building AI Agent Platforms: Architecture, Communication, and Standards 20:45 Drinks, fun, networking **Talk 1: Capability Mesh: Enabling Orchestration through Semantic Integration** *Makan Sepehrifar, Principal Engineer at Code Nomads* Ten years ago, microservices chaos led to "Service Mesh" solving the discoverability problem by replacing network endpoints with meaningful references, enabling scalability and observability. It worked brilliantly for connecting services. Today we're living through the same cycle with Generative AI and Agents, but the chaos is about integration, not networking. The old problems discoverability, scalability, observability are back because orchestrators now pick agents by capability, not name. Plus we face new challenges: explainability of agent actions and the possibility of unintended actions due to the non-deterministic nature of large language models. We need the same evolutionary leap from "Service Mesh" to "Capability Mesh" shifting from technical service contracts to semantic capability integration for autonomous AI. Key Topics and Take Aways: * From OpenAPI to MCP: The Protocol Shift in Agentic AI * MCP Gateways: The New Control Plane * Capability Hierarchies: Composing Agents at Scale * Human-on-the-Loop: Redefining Our Role in Agent Systems * Policy as Code: Governing Autonomous Agents * Observability & Safety: Tracing Agent Behavior *About Makan* Makan Sepehrifar is a software architect whose fascination with the intricacies of organizational behavior and cognitive psychology has led him to redefine the way technology interfaces with human understanding. Looking at software architecture as a craftsmanship process, he realized that the more abstract you look at it, the more complexities arises. His career has been a testament to his commitment to bridging the gap between technology and human behavior, resulting in innovative software solutions that not only work efficiently but also self-adaptive teams that embrace the mindset of agile. **Talk 2: Building AI Agent Platforms: Architecture, Communication, and Standards** *Pascal Wilbrink, Senior Software Engineer at OpenValue* AI systems evolve from standalone models into connected, agent-based ecosystems, new architectural patterns, protocols, and standards are emerging. Concepts such as AGUI, A2A, A2UI, and MCP-based applications are changing how intelligent systems are designed and integrated. This presentation explains how these approaches affect system structure, responsibilities, and interoperability. Using architectural diagrams, it shows how AI agent applications communicate and collaborate through standardized interfaces, and provides guidance on building scalable and maintainable AI platforms. *About Pascal* Pascal is a senior software engineer at OpenValue with over a decade of experience and a strong interest in applied AI and intelligent automation. He enjoys exploring how technology can make developers’ lives easier and software more resilient. When he’s not experimenting with new ideas or building open-source tools, Pascal likes to learn by doing and turning complex problems into practical solutions.

***In this meetup, we explore why traditional feedback systems fail and what it really takes to build a culture of dialogue.*** ***\*\*\*Attention! This is an in-person event only. We need a minimum of 10 attendees for gaining the most value (besides the hosts). We will notice you in advance for a go/no go around February the 20th, 2026 \*\*\**** *Drawing from real consultancy experience and organizational case studies, we’ll unpack how feedback is shaped by deeply embedded systems of judgment, social conditioning, business culture, and biological responses to threat.* **Cool concrete case studies shared of different organizations with a diversity of challenges.** Let’s be honest: the word “feedback” can make your stomach clench. We brace for awkward conversations that end in painful silence, or we swallow our frustration to keep the peace. We worry about disrupting relationships or being misunderstood, so we often say nothing at all. But what is the true cost of this silence? Misunderstandings fester, trust erodes, and team morale quietly slips away. Ironically, by avoiding feedback to protect our relationships, we often end up creating the very disconnection we feared. As a result, we've developed a deeply unhelpful relationship with feedback treating it as a confrontation to be dreaded rather than a conversation for connection and growth. **Shift consciousness, habits, and leadership behavior at every level. Explore how to create cultures of dialogue instead of confrontation, where people feel seen, heard, and able to grow.** *** ### **Agenda** 17:30 - 18:00 Walk in 18:00 - 18:45 * Welcome & personal story * Current Systematics of Feedback 18:45 - 19:15 FOOOOD 19:15 - 20:30 * Clear Case Studies Example(s) of Feedback Systematics * Change the System of Feedback 20:30 Netwerk + Walk Out 21:00 Please go home you lovely people **Who Should Attend:** * Leaders * HR Professionals * Scrum Masters * Agile Coaches * Change Agents * Anyone who want to move beyond labels and is interested in creating a feedback culture.

**Would you like to stand out at Storytelling, Communicating and Public Speaking?** **Have you ever wondered what your world would look like if you could:** **1.** Be part of a distinctively compatible, supportive and fun community that encourages each other to tangibly improve together? **2.** Connect on a deeper wholehearted level to the people you speak to, and become a highly influential Storyteller, Communicator and Public speaker? **3.** Speak to any person or group of people with high confidence, high relevance and high influence? At SPACE, you’ll be immersed into a compatible and connected community, to learn/improve both the practical/technical skills and structure to deliver great stories and speeches, as well as the mindset to be 100% present, focused and connected to your audience while communicating. Attending **consistently** is vital to the learning process! **Our concept:** **Community, Connection and Communication,** through practice and feedback of relevant, effective and influential communication; aimed at helping improve our communities, and this way help the world become a better place. **Who is it for:** SPACE is for anyone willing to grow and help others succeed. We go beyond the basics of traditional communication/public speaking, creating a more significant, more peaceful and more plentiful world, for you and the people you interact with. We master the mindset by experiencing the "practice & feedback" of vital skills, such as Presence, Focus and Connection, plus speech Relevance, speech Structure and speech Delivery, while communicating. Every participant delivers short stories/speeches, which are constructively evaluated by a friendly, open, non-judgemental and supportive audience. **Think of your own stories/speeches to deliver during the meeting** \- relevant to you/your life \(work\, business\, family\, social talks\, challenging talks\, etc\) \- we'll all give you our wholehearted feedback with high kindness and best intentions 💟 💟 **What will you master?** • A mindset of high presence, high focus and high connection. Genuinely connecting to the people you speak to, becoming highly influential • Giving and gaining feedback, openly, compassionately and confidently • Mindset and practical and technical skills and structure for great stories and speeches (skills for life) • Speaking with high confidence, high relevance and high influence **Speaking genres?** • Storytelling • General topics • Comedy • Business • Debating **Why is it called SPACE?** 1\. We meet at a **physical space** to enable true connection face-to-face and strengthen our community 2\. We are a **safe space** without judgment, errors or criticisms; we yet strive for high-value, sound feedback and meaningful growth - fully committed to **facilitating space** for everyone to be their true authentic selves. 3\. We all create a **space for functional growth** of your confidence and skills to communicate and present in front of others, tapping into your inner-self wisdom. **Who is it for?** For everyone who wants to learn and/or improve storytelling, communication and public speaking - C**onsistency** is vital to your learning process at conscious but more fundamentally at subconscious level **When?** Every Thursday from 18:30 to 21:00 – free event - please diarize it and turn up 5/10 minutes earlier for free tea/coffee - After the session, we continue to enjoy tea, socialise and strengthen our community **Where?** Buurtkamer Rijn 58 Dynamo - At Rijnstraat 58, 1078 RD Amsterdam ⚉ ***If you can’t attend, please deregister your attendance so someone else can take your spot!*** **⚉** While the meetings are facilitated in English to enable inclusion, we encourage members to deliver speeches in Dutch too. Join our WhatsApp community just by asking at any of our meetings! **Contact:** +44 7985 623 265 (call/text/WhatsApp/Signal)

Hey Everyone! 👋 **Location:** \- On\-site: Dataroots Offices\, Arnould Nobelstraat 32 Leuven \- Online: Zoom link TBA **Practicalities for the evening on Thursday, March 5th:** \- 18:00: Doors Open\, pizza & drinks \- 19:00: Speaker Talks \- 20:30: Networking & Drinks **Welcome to edition 14 of the Generative AI Belgium Meetup! 🚀** This time, we go on a quest. Many epics speak of the brave and the adventurous going on a quest to conquer, slay, tame, or train a dragon along the way. The last three years of AI developments have their own stories of creativity, novel paths, and unforeseen challenges that seemed too big to tackle. In this edition, we want to bring some stories of people and teams who didn't choose the easiest path, but the most interesting one. Join us on March 5th at Dataroots, Arnould Nobelstraat 32, Leuven, to meet these brave souls and get a feel for what it takes to tackle a challenge from scratch. Whether it's navigating the dragon that is the EU AI Act, training and running a custom language model, or building production-ready systems, every path has its own fire-breathing challenges. See you there! **Line-up:** \- 🐉 [Niels Tack](https://www.linkedin.com/in/niels-tack/): Taming The EU AI Act - Compliance as code \- 🏰 [Sohum Bhatt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sohum-bhatt-530114230/): Taming Local LLMs to build applications \- ⚔️ [Maarten Vandeperre:](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maarten-vandeperre/) Taming AI Sovereignty \- 🤺[Lode Nachtergaele:](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lodenachtergaele/) Taming Agentic RAG - How Agentic Beats RAG Big thanks to Dataroots for hosting us and to our sponsors: In The Pocket, BruCON, Red Hat, Collibra, Plainsight & Volta Ventures for supporting the community.

**Design Reimagined Utrecht (DRU) - 05 March 2026** Hosted by University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (HU) Join us for an evening of professional insight and networking as we explore how to integrate service design into your everyday role and master the art of the persuasive pitch. 📅 **Date & Time** **Date:** Thursday, 5 March 2026 **Time:** 18:00 – 21:00 📍 **Location** **Venue:** Hogeschool Utrecht, Room 0.011 **Address:** Padualaan 99, 3584 CH Utrecht 🎙️ **Featured Speakers** **[Bindu Upadhyay](https://www.linkedin.com/in/upadhyaybindu/)** \| Senior Service Designer\, **GitLab** Topic: ***"Adopting a Service Design mindset for your role."*** **[Varsha Prasad N M](https://www.linkedin.com/in/varshnm/)** \| Founder\, **IdeaCompass** Topic: ***"Designing the Pitch: Crafting Stories That Win Support."*** 🌯 There will be snacks and drinks. 🔗 **Join the Community** Space is limited, so please ensure you register your attendance through our Meetup page.

¡Compartamos juntos con el grupo de personas más divertido de la ciudad!... ¡en español! No necesitas ser un hablante fluido o nativo.... ¡Solo atrévete a compartir! Te esperamos a las 20hrs.... ¡Entrada gratuita! ¡Nos vemos! ¡Hasta entonces! 😃 Let's share together with the funniest group of people in town!... in Spanish! You don't need to be a fluent or native speaker.... Just dare to share! We wait for you at 20hrs ....Free entry! Nos vemos! Tot dan! 😃 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/habladores/ Meetup Link: https://www.meetup.com/nl-NL/los-habladores/ Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/los_habladores_utrecht/ Los Habladores!

Met veel enthousiasme kondigen we de eerste meetup van 2026 aan, gehost bij Flink Software in Nijmegen. **Programma** 17:30 - 18:00 Inloop + hapje/drankje 18:00 - 18:45 **Tame your Llama, run AI in Java** \- Lutske de Leeuw 18:45 - 19:00 Pauze 19:00 - 20:00 **Breaking Bad (Code): An Interactive Guide to Security Code Review** \- Arjan Gelderblom \(First8 Conclusion\) 20:05 - 21:00 Netwerken en gezelligheid **Tame your Llama, run AI in Java** \- Lutske de Leeuw Ready to supercharge Java projects with AI? This session will demonstrate how Java developers can harness the power of Llama models locally to create AI-driven applications without needing a deep machine learning background. The session begins with the essentials, covering environment setup, and dives into loading and running Llama models in Java. Through hands-on examples, attendees will learn how to use Llama for powerful tasks like natural language processing and classification, bringing intelligent features to Java applications. Forget complicated setups and steep learning curves. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to incorporate advanced AI into their Java apps with ease. Whether enhancing user experiences, automating tasks, or improving decision-making, this talk provides practical skills to bring cutting-edge AI to any project. Takeaways: \- How to set up and run Llama models in a Java environment\. \- Practical applications of Llama for natural language processing and classification\. \- How to seamlessly integrate AI\-driven functionality into existing Java projects\. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the world of AI with Java. This session offers a code-centric, hands-on dive into Llama, leaving attendees with actionable skills ready for immediate use in real-world applications. **Breaking Bad (Code): An Interactive Guide to Security Code Review** \- Arjan Gelderblom \(First8 Conclusion\) Most security vulnerabilities slip through code review not because they're cleverly hidden, but because reviewers don't know what patterns to recognize. While automated tools catch obvious flaws, the subtle logic errors and architectural weaknesses that lead to real breaches require a trained human eye—and most developers have never been taught how to look. This interactive talk transforms participants from passive code readers into active security reviewers. Through five progressively challenging code review exercises drawn from real-world vulnerabilities, attendees will learn to spot security flaws across multiple vulnerability categories. Between challenges, we'll build a systematic framework for security-focused code review: developing an attacker's mindset, recognizing dangerous patterns, performing data flow analysis, and prioritizing security concerns based on risk. This session is designed for developers at any experience level who conduct or participate in code reviews. No prior security expertise required—just bring your ability to read code and willingness to think like an attacker. **We kijken ernaar uit je te zien op 5 maart! 👋**

I'm excited to host the 18th edition of *Strangers to Friends*! Every event so far has been warm, fun and full of great connections. So we’re doing it again! Curious about our previous events? Check out our photo albums (only visible on the laptop version of Meetup). **What to expect** * A safe, relaxed environment to meet both locals and expats, whether you want to meet new people, experience an international atmosphere or talk about business, it’s all possible. * Start the evening with a few rounds of conversation cards: pair up with someone you don’t know, answer meaningful questions and rotate every 10 minutes. Within just one hour, you’ll get to know several people really well and enjoy meaningful conversations. * Everyone comes on their own, so it’s easy to connect. **Practical details** * Doors open at 20:00, after 30 minutes we start with conversation cards * Venue: Boekencafé Libertas, Klarendalseweg 477-1, Arnhem * 20 min walk from Arnhem Central * 7 min walk from Arnhem Velperpoort * You’ll receive 1 drink token for (beer/wine/soft drinks) and snacks all night! * Find us on the right side of the café at the bar, by the window and garden Bring a smile and join us for an evening where friendships grow, business ideas spark and real-life connections happen. Back to basics, away from screens, meeting face-to-face. Warm regards, Julia

## Details **What is Toastmasters?** Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that’s been empowering people to become confident communicators and leaders since 1924. Worldwide, there are more than 266,000 members in over 14,200 clubs in 150 countries. In the Netherlands, there are over **40 clubs** across the country, including those in major cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam. This network of clubs and their learn-by-doing program is sure to help you improve. You can visit Toastmasters clubs as a guest or become a member. **What does a meeting look like?** Some of the members give short, prepared speeches, which other club members later evaluate. A typical meeting also includes short impromptu speeches. In this improvisation part of the meeting, everybody gets a chance to speak, including guests, if they wish. We usually end the evening with a drink at the bar. **How do I become a guest at a meeting?** It’s easy! Simply RSVP for one of our upcoming meetings here on Meetup to let us know you’re coming. If you have any questions, contact us at [utrechttoastmasters@gmail.com.](http://utrechttoastmasters@gmail.com./) If you visit and like us, we can talk about membership! **Additional information** Our cozy venue has a maximum capacity of 30 people - perfect for an engaging. Please be on time to grab a seat and mingle before the speeches begin!

Join us for a fun session of improv theatre in English! A great opportunity to meet new people in Utrecht and learn something new with [Improv Utrecht](https://improvutrecht.nl). Everyone can partcipate, you don't need any experience in theatre nor fluency in English. In this session you will: * Meet fellow international and local players. * Learn the basics of improvisation, a 21st-century skill that is useful in many aspects of life. * Get out of your head. * Enjoy failing. * Play funny and moving theatre games. * Laugh a lot, while surprising yourself and others. Doors open: 19:50-20:00, come in with the others ([SIDE entrance, at the Troelstralaan](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ntLDUqbkDxMHjp7B7)). After 20:01 the door may be closed, but you may find a participant who knows the door code. Workshop: 20:00-22:00 Every Friday except in school holidays Afterwards we have drinks at [O'Leary's](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gL878K1MZf8v5fpm7) pub together ### How to sign up Full details about how to sign up and any other questions you may have can be [found on our website](https://www.improvutrecht.nl/drop-in-workshops/). An RSVP in this Meetup event is not enough! We track attendance by counting the attendants in GrasshopperSignup. If you flag yourself as attending and can no longer make it, please delete your x in the sheet so that someone else can take your spot. If you leave your contact details at the Signup form we will contact you if there is a problem with a drop-in you are scheduled to attend. We also have a WhatsApp group with a variety of members from across Utrecht where we share events and updates. You can find our courses and shows on [our website](https://www.improvutrecht.nl). Participation is pay-what-you-can, but we suggest a donation of €10-20 by cash or Tikkie to help cover costs (location, travel) and show your appreciation for our professional trainers who dedicate their Friday to promoting improv.

## 🎨**Activity for EXPATS & English Speakers** ☕ Are you an art enthusiast living in or around **Amersfoort, Hilversum, Utrecht, Nieuwegein, IJsseltein, De Bilt and the rest of cities of the Utrecht's province** who love painting or drawing? Maybe you've felt the joy of creating but struggled to find others who share your passion and speak **ENGLISH**? **You're not alone! 😉** ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ## 🖌️**About this event** You will meet other Art Lovers like you to Draw, Paint and have some drinks Together ! Our events are not just about sketching or creating art—they’re about building connections. Every two weeks, we meet at a café to have a relaxing time drawing a painting. Please keep on mind that **ENGLISH i**s the official language we will use to integrate everyone in our conversations. ⭕⭕⭕➡️ **IMPORTANT ⬅️** ⭕⭕⭕⭕ ### 👩🏻‍🎨**Book formally your Seat 🪑via [WHATSAPP](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f)** **If you want to confirm officially your attendance and separate your seat🪑. Book your seat in meet-up, and contact us via [WHATSAPP HERE](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f) to receive more information on the address of our activities.** **Thanks a lot for your understanding!** 💐🥰 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### 👩🏻‍🎨**How Does It Work?** This event is simple, this initiative takes 2 Hours. Most of the participants use pencils, water pencils or watercolours. Main aim is to socialize while we draw. There will be plenty of time to talk and get to know each other. We have to mention that this event is suitable for all levels. Many have started to draw in our event actually. Also it is very important that you **[JOIN US AT OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f),** to stay up to date on our upcoming events and participate in our Drawing and Painting Contests! **👉: [https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f)** 🍀 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### ☕**Where?** We will meet in different cafes mainly in the *center of Amersfoort ( and some occasions in other cities around)*. I will inform you of the exact place some days in advance this event. The place will depend on the number of attendees. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### **🎟️ What is included?** 🟢 **2 HOURS TO HAVE FUN!** 🟢 **15 mins warming-up creative activity and paper material**🖌️🎨 🟢 New friendships and **conversations in ENGLISH** in a relaxed atmosphere 🟢 **Souvenir picture** with you and the rest of Art Lovers 📷 🟢 Exclusive **access to our Art Lovers Community** on which you will receive: ***\~\~\~ Drawing challenges,*** ***\~\~\~ Training content,*** ***\~\~\~ FREE Entries only to members*** ***\~\~\~ Drawing Competitions*** 🟢 Time to **create alongside fellow artists and amateurs** 🟢 The freedom to **work at your own pace** 💃🕺🎈 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### 🖼️**Art Materials?** Bring your own practical art materials to be adaptable to sketch on a coffee table. Like your sketchbook, pencils, watercolor, markets, pencils, your Tablet..etc ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ## **See you to Paint, Draw, and drink together!🌟☕🍷🍪🍰**

We’re heading out onto a **brand new trail** on the Veluwe, one we’ve never walked before. That alone makes this hike extra exciting. New paths, new views, and that lovely feeling of discovery from start to finish. From the start we dive **straight into the forest**, following winding woodland paths that slowly pull us deeper into the heart of the Veluwe. The forest feels calm and spacious, and with spring just around the corner you’ll notice nature quietly waking up. Budding trees, fresh greens, birds getting busier. It’s that in between season where everything is preparing itself. After several kilometers of forest walking, the landscape opens up as we reach the **Hoog Soerensche Veld**. Wide open fields, big skies, and that classic Veluwe contrast between forest and heath. From here we continue towards the **Asselsche Heide**, one of the quieter and more scenic parts of the Veluwe. This section offers lovely viewpoints, open heathland, and long sightlines that really give you that spacious Veluwe feeling. We finish where we started, completing a **full loop hike** through forests, open fields, and heathland. **📍When and where to meet?** We’ll meet at 11h30 at busstop Hoog Buurloseweg https://maps.app.goo.gl/sCMJ8Kg7MTUcYu1j7 ⏰ **We start walking a few minutes after meeting up** — we don’t wait for latecomers, as the forest calls and daylight is short this time of year. **🚗 Coming by car?** You can park here but please also do your own research: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sCMJ8Kg7MTUcYu1j7 **⏸️ Planned Breaks** After 9 km: 30 min lunch break in nature After 15 km: 15 min break in nature **💸 Payment** Please pay as soon as you sign up: To keep things fair for everyone, if we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours, we will need to remove you from the participant list. If there’s a waiting list, this will happen sooner (in less than 48 hours). If that happens, no worries — you’re always welcome to sign up again if there’s space. 🌟 Early Bird Deal! Join now for just €4 — available for 3 days (72h). After that, the price will be €5. Please pay here: [https://tikkie.me/pay/jto80gauep7vg7g1s9gp](https://tikkie.me/pay/jto80gauep7vg7g1s9gp) **👟 Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Monday 2 March at 23h59). After this period, the fee becomes non-refundable. * Hike difficulty: Our hikes are moderately challenging. Please only join if you’re confident you can keep up with the group’s pace (5 km/ h)— it’s more fun for everyone when we can walk together without long waits. * If the pace is too challenging: We may kindly suggest you continue at your own pace. We’ll give you clear directions to the nearest bus or train so you can return comfortably. * At your own risk: You participate at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage for outdoor activities. * Payment note: With Tikkie we only see initials (e.g., J. Doe instead of John Doe). Please include your Meetup name in the payment note so we can match it easily. * Friends joining: If you bring a friend, make sure they also register and pay. * What to bring: Snacks, lunch, and water/ or hot thee/ coffee. * Stay connected: Join our WhatsApp group to be the first to hear about future hikes — ask for the QR code during the hike. * T-shirts: Fairwear-certified organic cotton, eco-friendly inks — €25. Sustainable, odor-resistant, and perfect for hiking. Let us know your size and we’ll bring one for you.

'ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE' by Anthony Doerr 'Marie-Laure lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History where he works as the master of its thousands of locks. When she is six, Marie-Laure goes blind and her father builds a perfect miniature of their neighborhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris, and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure's reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel. In a mining town in Germany, the orphan Werner grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments, a talent that wins him a place at a brutal academy for Hitler Youth, then a special assignment to track the Resistance. More and more aware of the human cost of his intelligence, Werner travels through the heart of the war and, finally, into Saint-Malo, where his story and Marie-Laure’s converge. Doerr's stunning sense of physical detail and gorgeous metaphors”(San Francisco Chronicle) are dazzling. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, he illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another. Ten years in the writing, All the Light We Cannot See is a magnificent, deeply moving novel from a writer “whose sentences never fail to thrill” ( Los Angeles Times). ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

How to be a Better Communicator Communication is everything in life Sunday, 23 February at 2pm. You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

How do you feel happier with people? How do you get into the spirit of group activities? How do you get rid of the anxiety of communicating in front of people? In this meeting, you will learn the secrets of how to connect with people, open yourself up to people, and have a grand time being yourself. This meeting will be led by an expert who has been working with people just like you to feel happier and improve communication skills for over 10 years. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement center.

**Confidence in Bloom: How Creativity Builds Confidence** What happens when creativity becomes an intentional practice? In this month’s Confidence Lab, we’ll gather at **Petals That Inspire: The Flourish Studio** for an evening exploring the connection between creativity and confidence. How making with our hands, engaging our senses, and allowing space for expression can shift how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Our featured speaker, **Amanda Lorenzetti**, owner of Petals That Inspire, will share how creativity has shaped her own confidence journey and why creative environments play such a powerful role in well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing from her work leading an experience-driven floral studio and a community-centered workforce development program, Amanda will reflect on creativity as both a personal and collective catalyst. Amanda will also guide us through a **hands-on floral design experience**, creating a fresh arrangement in a wide mouth mason jar. No prior floral experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to engage the process. This evening is an invitation to slow down, create, and reconnect with the part of yourself that grows through care, attention, and imagination. You’ll leave with a floral arrangement to take home, and a deeper understanding of how confidence can be cultivated through creative practices. **Featured Speaker: Amanda Lorenzetti** Amanda Lorenzetti is the owner and founder of [Petals That Inspire](https://www.petalsthatinspire.com/) and The Flourish Studio, a social enterprise florist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings more than a decade of experience in wedding and event sales, paired with hands-on expertise in floral and event design. Amanda’s connection to the floral industry began early, spending time alongside her godmother, a professional florist on the East Coast. After earning her business degree, she returned to her hometown in Connecticut to work as a floral and event designer, blending creative artistry with strong operational and client-focused skills. In 2020, Amanda returned to the floral industry with a renewed purpose, driven by a desire to build a business rooted in creativity, community impact, and sustainability. During this pivotal time, she founded Petals That Inspire—an innovative floral concept that reimagines the traditional florist model by combining event florals, workshops, and experiential offerings with a mission-centered approach to workforce development. Today, Petals That Inspire is a thriving social enterprise known for its thoughtful design, educational experiences, and commitment to empowering young adults facing barriers to entry in the workforce. Amanda is deeply passionate about building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven, and she leverages her strong business acumen to create a scalable & sustainable model that inspires creativity while giving back to the community. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

## Hey Columbus WIP peeps! ## Are you ready for an event that actually gives you what you asked for?? **\-\-\-\-\-\-** **A Small-group coaching conversations for women in product navigating growth, leadership, and career decisions.** **March 10 \| 5:30–8:00 PM** **Rev1 -- NEW SPACE** **330 Rush Alley #100** **Parking Options:** • **Rev1 at The Peninsula** • **Starling St. Garage South** – 377 W. Capital St. • **LAZ Parking (COSI)** – 50 Belle St. • **LAZ Parking Limited** – 375 W. State St. • **Veterans Memorial Lot** – 300 W. Broad St. • **Metered Street Parking** **What moves are you making?** A promotion you’re working toward. A role change you’re considering. A bigger leadership opportunity. A conversation that needs to happen. A decision that’s been sitting in the back of your mind. For our Q1 Women in Product Columbus event, we’re creating space to actually work through those moments. **Making Moves** is an evening of focused, facilitated coaching conversations with experienced mentors from our local product community. This isn’t a panel. It’s not passive networking. It’s small-group dialogue designed to be thoughtful, practical, and worth your time. Here’s how it will work: • You’ll choose a topic that reflects what you’re navigating right now • You’ll join a small coaching circle (5–7 participants) • Each circle is led by a mentor who has lived experience in that area • We’ll run two rounds so you can go deeper or explore a second conversation ### Coaching Topics: • Communicating the Value of Your Work (or Team) • Career Transitions & What’s Next • Growing Into Leadership • Staying Relevant as Technology (and AI) Changes • Getting Alignment and Decisions from Leadership Our goal is simple: you leave with clearer thinking, practical perspective, and at least one next step you feel confident about. Space in each circle will be limited to keep conversations meaningful. If this sounds like the kind of room you’ve been wanting to be in, we’d love to see you on March 10. RSVP here! [https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event](https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event "https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event") *And if you haven't joined the WIP group - do that too, would ya?!?!* — Your Columbus Chapter Leads - Amber, Leah and Liz!

🏓 **CSC Pickleball League – Join the Fun!** Whether you're competitive or just want to connect with fellow members, this friendly ladder league is for you! 🗓 **March 10 – April 28** ⏰ Tuesdays \| 7:00–9:00 PM 📍 Match Point Pickleball Club – 350 McCormick Blvd, Columbus 💲 $85 per player (pay only when you play – no sub needed) **YOU MUST SIGN UP VIA LINK BELOW AND PAY PRIOR TO 3/10 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** [Pickleball 2026 - Calendar - Columbus Ski Club](https://www.columbusskiclub.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=686961&item_id=2887671&actr=3) No equipment required (bring your own paddle if you prefer). Partners rotate weekly, and skill levels are assigned by the facility—no experience needed! Come out, improve your game, and meet great people. All skill levels welcome!

Window functions have nothing to do with the Windows operating system but provide a “window” to a result set when used in SQL queries. They are powerful, set-based methods to view data in unexpected ways. Window functions provide easy, set-based solutions to solve some common problems: * Using running totals * Performing operations in intervals * Identifying data gaps and islands * Performing aggregates without losing detail Many people are confused by window functions and do not know how to use them properly. This session will explore window functions, how they work, and how to use them. Demonstrations with several examples will solidify how window functions can simplify queries and make them more powerful.

Inspired by our successful events like "Saturday Mornings @ East Market" and other "Pot Luck in the Park" lunches, this gathering promises to be a blend of fun conversations, language exchange, and cultural insights, all while sharing wonderful foods with each other. Please bring a dish to share and anything you would like to drink. We will provide plates, plastic silverware and napkins. So, come hungry and ready to chat!