COVID-19

**GRADE: Level 5/5 -** **STRENUOUS with several ups and downs.** \-\-\- Take on a **challenging 31 km** coastal adventure from Folkestone to Deal, following dramatic clifftop paths along the English Channel. This strenuous point-to-point hike passes the White Cliffs of Dover, historic landmarks, and sweeping sea views with France visible on a clear day. With a lunch stop in Dover, a break at South Foreland Lighthouse, and a well-earned pub finish near Deal station, this is a full day of distance, elevation, and iconic Kent coastline. \-\-\- **IMPORTANT** Please read the event details carefully before signing up. This hike is intended for experienced hikers and requires a good level of fitness. Make sure you come prepared with suitable hiking clothing and footwear. Proper hiking boots or walking shoes with good grip and ankle support are strongly recommended. Trainers are not advised. The group will aim to maintain the advertised pace. If you find you are unable to keep up, you may need to continue the hike independently. \-\-\- **OVERVIEW** Distance: \~31km (\~19miles) - Point-to-Point Walk Difficulty: Strenuous ⛰️ Approx. \~750m ascent and descent ⏱️ Walking time: approx. 7.5 hours Total time: approx. 9 hours (with various stops along the way) Pace: Steady and sustained with limited waiting. Moving average around 4.5 km/h (\~2.8 mph) on easier sections, slower on climbs and descents. \-\-\- **⚠️ TERRAIN** Exposed clifftop coastal paths across chalk grassland and gravel tracks, with sustained hills and uneven footing. Sections can become muddy and slippery in wet conditions, so proper waterproof hiking boots with good grip are essential. \-\-\- **MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS** 📍 10:00 Meet at **[Folkestone Central Train Station](https://w3w.co/parade.guard.outbound)** ▶️ 10:10 Walk start from Folkestone Central Train Station 🏁 19:00-19:30 Walk ends at **[Deal Train Station](https://w3w.co/upgrading.hang.staple)** \-\-\- *Note: With a steady group pace, minimal stopping and waiting time, and good group dynamics, we could reach the end point around 18:00 to 18:30.* \-\-\- **LONDON GROUP TRAVEL (OPTIONAL)** Buy a return from **[London St Pancras International](https://w3w.co/hood.could.stones)** to Deal via Folkestone Central, £28.70 with network railcard discount. 08:30 Main ticket office London St Pancras International 08:45 Walk to platform board the High-Speed train 15 minutes before departure 09:07 Train departs 10:02 Arrive at Folkestone Central Train Station \-\-\- ↩️ **RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON** 19:28 From Deal, arrive London St Pancras International 20:54 20:28 From Deal, arrive London St Pancras International 21:54 Journey time 1hr 26 minutes \-\-\- **ABOUT:** Starting from Folkestone, a coastal town in Kent, this point-to-point hike offers scenic views of the English Channel along the way. There are public toilets on the way where we stop for lunch in Dover and a tea break at the South Foreland Lighthouse. We begin our hike at Folkestone Central Train Station and conclude at a pub near Deal Train Station. \-\-\- **DESCRIPTION:** The hike begins in the coastal town of Folkestone. This route offers stunning panoramic views of the English Channel. We stop for lunch in Dover, a major ferry port. After lunch, we continue our hike along the White Cliffs of Dover. On a clear day, you may even spot the cliffs of France. We pause for a short break at the South Foreland Lighthouse, a National Trust site. The view from there is spectacular and provides a great photo opportunity. On route, we see several castles and historical monuments (see the highlights). After the lighthouse, we continue our hike towards St Margaret's Bay, passing a number of places such as Kingsdown and Walmer. We finish our walk at the Deal Train Station, where our walk concludes at a welcoming pub close to the station, and we can relax and reflect on the day’s journey. \-\-\- **HIGHLIGHTS:** * Folkestone Warren * Saxon Shore Way coastal section (Folkestone to Dover) * White Cliffs of Dover * Dover Castle views * South Foreland Lighthouse * St Margaret's Bay * Dover Patrol Memorial * Walmer Castle and Deal Castle * English Channel views with France visible on clear days \-\-\- **This hike's question for you:** **Question**: If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this? If you know the answer, come tell me, and you will get a chocolate. Chocolate will be given to the first three people who come and give me the answer. \-\-\- **WHAT TO BRING:** \- Packed lunch\, snacks\, and sufficient water \- Proper hiking boots with grips\. **No trainers** \- Weather\-appropriate layers and proper waterproofs \- Fully charged phone \- Personal medication and basic first aid \- Trekking poles recommended for slippery ascents and descents \- Head torch \-\-\- **RSVP & ATTENDANCE** RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration. \-\-\- ✅ **WHO CAN JOIN** Adults aged 21 and over No children No pets \-\-\- **STAYING TOGETHER** Participants must choose events that match their fitness and keep up with the group lead, as the overall pace will not be adjusted for individuals. A dedicated back marker may not always be present, so stay within sight of others and keep an organiser in view where possible. If someone ahead is significantly slowing the pace, please move past them to stay with the main group. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may pause at key points to regroup. While we try not to leave anyone behind, it is not safe or practical for a large group to repeatedly stop for individuals unable to maintain the stated pace. Participants who cannot keep up may be asked to navigate independently at their own pace. Anyone who continues independently without informing an organiser will be assumed to be managing their own route and safety. \-\-\- ⬅️ **EXIT POINTS** 13 km : Union Street, 1.3km walk to Dover train station 20 km : St Margarets Bay, 4km walk to Matril Hill train station 26 km : Walmer Castle, 1.7km walk from Walmer train station \-\-\- **CONTACT:** Message the event host, **[Saeideh](https://www.meetup.com/members/330804796/)[,](https://www.meetup.com/members/389323675/)** directly via Meetup with any questions. Secondary contact **[AdrianB](https://www.meetup.com/members/287692462/)** via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7438 812 663. \-\-\- ⚠️ **DISCLAIMER** By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.

Counting your blessings, being thankful and appreciative… Sometimes, do you find it difficult to be grateful? Even when things are tough, gratitude makes sense. Because gratitude is short for ‘great attitude’. It makes us happier and hopeful. It keeps you focused on what is there, instead of what isn’t, on what’s right instead of what’s wrong. Join us to explore ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and practise more gratitude, especially in hard times. **This is a free 60-minute in-person seminar.** **If you would like to make a voluntary donation, please click** [here.](https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/ "https://www.innerspace.org.uk/donations/") \* I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored. We will process your personal data in line with the GDPR requirements and always store it securely and use it only for the purpose for which it has been collected. We will not pass on your details to any third parties without your consent.

Hike via Reigate Town, Castle, Health and Priory Park. Reigate Castle was likely founded shortly after 1088, originally a timber motte-and-bailey, it was fortified with stone in the 12th/13th century. By 1441, it was described as ruined ... 🟡 **HIKE:** 📏 15km (9.3 miles) 💓 Pace: 5 km/h 🏔️ Elev. Gain: 280m 🚥 [View Walking/Hiking Levels Here](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPRjEOPjW8B/) *[some road paths/walking required]* ✊ *Note: Active Muslims is equally about focusing on the actual activity, in this case, it is a paced walk/hike (and not a stroll), therefore it is advised to approach and attend these events with that mindset, intention and [purpose](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBhPWpdIMKq/?igsh=MWVjdnZrdGZwd3dmYw%3D%3D).* 📍 **London Victoria** (opposite platfom 12/seating area) 🚉 Taking the **9:38am** from **London Victoria** \| Arrives 10:24am at Reigate \| Return estimate: 2:32/3:02pm train to Victoria\] 🔄 Start/End: **Reigate Station** 🚉🚗 All regular walks/hikes are free and you are welcome to purchase your own ticket/make your way to the destination station. It is best to purchase tickets on the day as an open return ideally with a Network Rail card or with a group discount. 🎫 NOTE: London to **Reigate Station** is covered by **Contactless Card -** *it may be cheaper to use contactless all the way from your home station.* ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ 🚻 Departing Station / On-board train / Destination Station 🧎 Prayer: If you are praying, please have/keep wudu (make it within other breaks) and be prepared to join at short notice. 🎒 What to bring: appropriate clothing/shoes, packed lunch, water bottle (1.5-2L) & snacks to keep you going. 👕 Advisable to have layers. 🥾 Hiking boots recommended. 🧦 Hiking socks/double socks advised (reduces chance of blisters) 🔦 Headlight (winter) 📱 Fully charged mobile + portable charger 🔔 Emergency Whistle 🗂️ "No shows" for previous events may be moved to the waitlist to prioritise reliable attendees / new joiners - ***when there is a waiting list, priority is given by attendance records / new joiners.*** 📊 [[why it matters](https://tinyurl.com/28sh83cn)] ⛑️ *Disclaimer: You are solely responsible for your own safety on these events and have the fitness level required for it. That you do not require special attention, medication or additional care. You are also responsible for your belonging at all times.* 🌐 **[@Active.Muslims](https://www.instagram.com/active.muslims)** *(Follow for latest events updates)* 🚦 **[Walk/Hike Levels:](https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BBxV4zomeZ)** 🟢 Easy 🟡 Average 🟠 Moderate 🔴 Challenging ⚫ Very Challenging

Every two weeks, I will propose a two-hour foreign movie, with subtitles. I already have a lot of French films, some serious, some fun, and I'm happy to share them. I also have a few foreign classics, and even some Japanese, Korean or Chinese gems.

Come and join us for the first day of spring for a bluebells and woodland flower extravaganza - the woodlands will be starting to aliven with spring growth and the surrounding fields will be producing the first buds of their farming produce. We start in Shiplake - an ancient Viking town name for ‘ship lack’ - this was as a far as the Vikings could get their ships to their main encampment in Reading. Famous people frequented these parts - George Orwell lived in Shiplake, the English poet Alfred Tennyson got married in Shiplake Church and Elizabeth I’s treasure is buried near Rotherfield Greys. The real gem will be the spring flowers that will be budding throughout as we walk over fields and into woodland with some splendid views of the River Thames. We will visit a National Trust 16th century house - Greys Court - for afternoon tea as we meander back to Henley for a drink by the River Thames. This will be English countryside in its quintessential beauty and at its best – so come and join! **SUMMARY (all info is approximate!)** **Distance**: 22km (13.75 miles) **Ascent**: 300m **Duration**: 6-7 hours walking **Grade**: Moderate **COST AND LOGISTICS** **Cost**: £10 **Start**: 8.40 London Paddington for Group Save **Meet:** 8:50 for those who buy their own tickets & walk to train **Finish:** 5.30pm in Henley and optional pub visit. **Recommended morning train from London** **Dep**: 09:08 London Paddington **Arr:** 09.52 Shiplake **Return** **trains:** 17.30, 18.00, 18.30pm **Recommended train ticket** Off-Peak Day Return to Henley * **£16.65 group save/ network rail price** Recommended: Buy a yearly Network Railcard for reduced train prices www.network-railcard.co.uk **Meeting Point:** In front of Heathrow Express Ticket Office **REVIEWS** [Trip Advisor](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d19994843-Reviews-AAA_Hiking_Outdoor_Group-London_England.html) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AAAHikingUK/reviews) \| [MeetUp](https://www.meetup.com/aaa-outdoor-hiking-adventure-travel/feedback-overview/) **PRICE INCLUDES** * Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid. **PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE** * Travel costs * Lunch, drinks or any refreshments * PayPal fees **RECOMMENDED KIT LIST** [(](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist)[complete list]()[)](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/kitlist) * Suitable hiking shoes or boots * Packed lunch and snacks * Water - 2 litres recommended * Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!) * Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece * Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino **CANCELLING/REFUNDS** If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com **after the event**, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund. **QUESTIONS** If you have any other questions, please check visit our [FAQ page](https://mailchi.mp/aaalondongroup.com/frequently-asked-questions). If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page. We have operated over 1,000 events without significant incidents in the last ten years, achieved through meticulous planning. All participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions. © AAA London Group Ltd. Errors and Omissions Excepted

Hi Everyone, We are continuing with our in person meetings in London, as they are working well. The Achalasia Action monthly Meetups were originally all held in London and enabled anyone with achalasia to meet and learn from others how to manage the condition. Since COVID we have been meeting online so that anyone with achalasia can join in with the discussions, wherever they live. It is really helpful to hear about the experiences of others and learn lots of helpful tips as well as sharing a common bond. Every meeting is different as they all depend on the mix of people attending, so you can learn something new every time! If you are interested in meeting in Central London on 22nd March or a future date please let me know. We are keeping the numbers small at first while we gauge the number of people interested and the venues for the meetings. It is important that everyone who signs up for a meeting, attends or changes their rsvp no later than 24 hours beforehand, so that we keep numbers at a workable level. It is likely that we will meet in the Marble Arch area, but I will let you know the exact details the day before the meeting. Looking forward to hearing from you. All the best Amanda Ladell Patient Support Coordinator Achalasia Action amandaladell@achalasia-action.org

**Update: full for drums, bass, piano, 1 of 2 spots taken for guitar, 2 of 3 spots taken for lead instruments (sax, trumpet, violin, flute)** **Please note the unusual start time (5.30pm), and that this session will be downstairs at the Vortex.** *Please only sign up if your instrument (or vocals) is not indicated above as full for this session.* full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/ **What is it** The novice rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity for people who are relatively new to jazz, to play in a friendly, low-pressure environment. With a short set list that attendees can prepare in advance, it becomes a little less daunting to play and get the most out of practising in a group. See below for this week's setlist. Please sign up before attending. Already full for your instrument? Please check back every other Wednesday, when new sessions go live. If you keep not being able to get a spot, please message the organiser (Xie). Location: Vortex downstairs **Who's it for** Anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians. There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g. https://jazznightschool.org/pages/jam-session-basics You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions. The set list format should offer opportunities for those at different levels of developing their playing. While at the beginning one might struggle to follow/comp the chords or play through the melody, it gets easier over time and one can start to develop approaches to improvisation, harmonise lead lines, add intros/endings, work on communication between band members, and even listen to recordings together and pick up specific arrangements. Bass players are expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas. Playing the melody, or "head" - the responsibility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet, violin), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time. **What it's like** A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each novice session should work on only the below four songs of the set list, unless each and every attendee feels they prefer to move on. Each novice session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 2 bass, 2 keys, 2 guitar, 3/4 lead instruments. Always use the top of the description to see if there is an available slot for your instrument - please do not try to work this out yourself by looking at the other attendees' instruments. **Tunes this week (Sun Mar 22)** * Sonnymoon for two in Bb (warm up) (Sonny Rollins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCzV9PxGS30 (can attempt the solo breaks) * Lucky Southern in D (tricky - try slower than recording) (Airto) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd1paQjjbP0 * Maiden Voyage in D (Herbie Hancock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWC5x9G45yo * Moonglow in G (Dizzy Gillespie) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaJqyezOo_s Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference. (Note the recordings provide stylistic reference, but may not be in the key listed, with the latter based on common real books) **Tune preview - next novice session (Sun Mar 29)** * Take the A train in C (warm up) (Vache, Allen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8JJv13K3WU * Work Song in Fm (Cannonball & Nat Adderley) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlepuNi40M8 * In Walked Bud in Ab (Chad LB) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHX_5H80WBk * Softly as in a morning sunrise in Cm (Chad LB) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks9lzgh-NdI **Preparing for the session** The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books. Resource for sheet music: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html http://therealbook.info/ Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc. Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off **Playing well together** The rehearsal groups are often quite large for a jazz ensemble setting. Please follow the below arrangements, which are designed to help the group be mindful of each other's volumes, and to build good habits for playing as a group * Every tune should be played at least twice. Swap the bass, piano and guitar players between the two renditions (if there are two attending) * Only one guitarist should comp - i.e. play chords - for each rendition (both guitarists can solo, and comp without amplification) * After each rendition of the warm up tune, the whole group should take a moment together and help each other to check on volumes, including: \*\* Can everyone hear themselves? \*\* Are the drums too loud? \*\* Can everyone hear the bass? \*\* Is the guitar comping too loud? \*\* Is the piano loud enough? (staff at the office can turn this up) \*\* Feel free to revisit volumes after subsequent songs * For any song, if at least two people in the group feel it would be better, the guitar and piano should share the choruses for comping (instead of comping together) - e.g. guitar comps the first time through the head, then piano, then guitar, etc. **Equipment** there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch **Vocalists** Singers are welcome, however please note that the songs have fixed keys, and some of the repertoire are likely not in the right key for your range. If you are an experienced singer, it may be possible to arrange sessions with repertoire catered to you - to explore this, please first come to the "Afternoon Open Jams" so I can get a sense of your singing. **Observing** Would you like to attend a session without playing/singing, to get an idea of the format or to get a sense of what to practise first at home? You can sign up as usual to any novice session, and send me a message that you'd like only to watch the session. When you feel ready, the fee paid can be carried over toward any future session where you join to play or sing at the rehearsal. **Cancellation policy** Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible. Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session. \-\-\-\-\- any questions do get in touch!

Join us for a deliciously fun time at our Cheese Club! Each meeting is all about discovering new cheeses, exploring creative pairings, and enjoying great conversations. Parents, take a break and unwind in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Our Cheese Club is designed for families or parents to connect, learn about the world of cheese, and bond with other families. Every Saturday, 11.00am-12.00pm Silas: +44 7719 733103

[Follow 👉this link👈 for more info, no tickets required](https://twotempleplace.org/exhibitions/the-weight-of-being/) This new exhibition explores artistic expression and mental health. Through depictions of deeply personal and collective experiences, it examines the powerful ways in which artists capture vulnerability, resilience, and their search for solace. Through the wide range of artists, mediums, and represented demographics, The Weight of Being is intended to spark meaningful conversations. About Two Temple Place - overlooking the Thames, the neo gothic building with stunning interiors was William Waldorf Astor's 'hidden gem' and is well worth visiting. Followed by social at a cafe nearby. _See comments below for updates_

A great movie deserves a great dinner! Join us after PROJECT HAIL MARY for another fun and tasty dinner at a CMG-favorite restaurant, FUGU SUSHI! RSVPs are limited for the dinner portion of this event! Here are complete details: FUGU SUSHI: Fugu Sushi offers a truly authentic experience that keeps customers (and the Movie Group) coming back for more. They offer an extensive menu with a delightful array of options and something for everyone! From their top-rated sushi, to tasty appetizers, soups, salads, bento boxes, tempura, delicious teriyaki dishes (including chicken, shrimp, salmon, tofu, vegetable and more), and vegetarian and vegan options, you’ll be certain to find something you love! MENU: https://www.fugusushicolumbus.com/menus RSVP: An RSVP here means you're signed up for the DINNER portion of this event. Seating is limited. If you also plan to join for the movie, please also RSVP in the separate event listing for the movie portion of this event. For the movie, we'll meet in the theater lobby at 2:10pm for the 2:30pm SuperScreen DLX showing. Advance ticket purchase for the movie is advised. Please RSVP in both events, if you plan to attend the movie and dinner. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join us as we get together to see Ryan Gosling and Sandra Huller in the highly anticipated sci-fi adventure, PROJECT HAIL MARY! The film is based on the best-selling novel of The Martian and follows a man who awakens on a spacecraft before realizing his mission to save Earth. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A science teacher wakes up on a spaceship, light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission to save the Earth. The film is directed by the filmmaking due Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 and 22 Jump Street, Into and Across the Spider-Verse) and is based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir (The Martian). The film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub and Ken Leung. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VYsnngkS_U BUZZ AND REVIEWS: The buzz and reviews for PROJECT HAIL MARY are off-the-charts good! The film is earning a 95% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics call it an “old school blockbuster crowd-pleaser” and “a new sci-fi classic!” It’s “deeply hopeful,” well-acted,” funny,” “dramatic,” and “exceptionally rousing throughout!” Others call it “something truly magical” and one that “we’ll be talking about this one for decades to come!” And I believe Slashfilm says it best: “It will lift up and squeeze your heart, crack you up with laughter, and give you a sense of hope and wonder in a way that few movies have been able to inspire.” MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 2:30pm SuperScreen DLX showing and meet in the lobby area between 2:05 and 2:15pm! Tickets already on sale and will likely move fast for this hot ticket / opening weekend showing so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. As a head’s up, this is a longer movie at 2hrs 36mins. DINNER PLAN: Dinner immediately following the movie at 5:30pm at group favorite, FUGU SUSHI, located just next door! Separate RSVP required for the Dinner / Movie portions of this event. An RSVP here means you're signed up for the MOVIE! This portion will be open as long as seats remain. If you also plan to join for dinner, please also RSVP in the separate event listing for the dinner portion of this event. Should be a good one, Dan

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: Type Annotations with John Cassidy We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

Join us as we get together for a Discount Tuesday / Choose Your Movie event to see your choice of the top-reviewed indie drama TOW or the action-comedy-horror THEY WILL KILL YOU! A winner either way! Here are details, trailer and plan for this event: TOW: This drama follows a homeless Seattle woman who fights her way out of tow-company hell to reclaim her life and the car that held it all together after receiving a tow bill for $21,634. The film is directed by Stephanie Laing and stars Rose Byrne, Dominic Sessa, Demi Lovato, Ariana DeBose, Octavia Spencer, Simon Rex, Elsie Fisher and Corbin Bernsen. Tow premiered to rave reviews at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival where critics declared, “Tow is a winner” and called the film “a story of perseverance, heart, and real fight, the kind of small human story we see less frequently these days, but need now more than ever!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiUtqgeDVI8 THEY WILL KILL YOU: A woman takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building's history of disappearances. She soon realizes the community is shrouded in mystery. The film is directed by Kirill Sokolov and Zadie Beetz, Myha'la, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette. The film is being released immediately following its premiere at this year’s SXSW Festival earlier this month. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYqQPiXpi4w PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing of both films and will meet in the upstairs lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! Once showtimes are announced, advance ticket purchase via the GFC website is advised! Once you have yours, please list your movie of choice and seat number in the Comments section of this event. Complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Let’s try some Filipino food at a well known Grandview area restaurant, This is the menu: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHByDNxwDA/TO8oxEmjQrBp_PP_mLPUag/view?utm_content=DAHByDNxwDA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h435abfbbb3#1