Local History & Culture

Location: Takoyaki cafe Misora 〒552-0001 大阪府大阪市港区波除５丁目３−９ 玉野 1階 ミータップを使わない地元の人達はよく参加します！ **GOOGLE MAPS LINK** https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwkUTJdBvXkWBEXo8 レベルは何でできる楽しい英語のチャットです！ All levels English chat (materials provided) in Bentencho! The participation fee is 700 yen. Please also buy something from the restaurant (drinks start at 300 yen). 参加費は700円です。店でも飲み物か食事を注文してください。飲み物は300円〜。 This will be fun and we will also learn a lot! 他のアプリを使っている方も参加しています！

\ ストーリーハウスの言語交換会を再開します。 日本語または英語の上達を目指して、ぜひチャレンジしてみてください！ポジティブな気持ちで参加して、お互いに励まし合いながら、集中して成​​長しましょう。言語交換会は、日本語と英語の半分ずつに分けて行います。他の言語を開催できる場合は、時間を追加します。 使いたい教材があればご持参ください。また、必要に応じてメモが取れるように、ノートも必ずご持参ください。気軽におしゃべりしたり、会話に参加したりしてください。 参加費は無料ですが、カフェでご注文をお願いいたします。 We are reintroducing our Storyhouse Language Exchange. Push yourself to improve Japanese or English! Come with a positive attitude, and encourage each other to focus and grow. We will split the language exchange into half, between Japanese and English. If additional languages are available, we will add time. Bring any study materials you want to use. And be sure to bring writing utensils so you can take notes as you need. Feel free to talk and participate in conversations. There is no participation fee, but please make your order at the cafe.

Attention This meet-up is run by Japanese organizers. The participants are mostly Japanese and therefor all conversations are conducted in Japanese. It would be difficult to conduct the meeting in multipule languages. Please be aware of the above before participating. →注意事項 このミートアップは日本人のオーガナイザーによって運営されています。 参加者のほとんどが日本人であるため、会話はすべて日本語で行われます。多言語でミーティングを行うことは困難です。 以上のことをご了承の上、ご参加ください。 (上記英文をDeepLにて翻訳しました)。 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 千葉県での初級～中級のWordPressの勉強会です。 今回はChiba WordPress Meetupの単独企画イベント(オンライン/オフライン同時開催)です。 5月の会は定番企画のなんでも相談会を開催します。 日頃WordPressを弄っていると色々な疑問や質問が出てくるかと思います。 「ここをこうするにはどうしたらいいかしら？」 「何か自分の考えを体現できるいいプラグインはないかしら？」 「うちのWordPressサイトを運用するレンタルサーバーを変更したいけどオススメは？」 等々あるかと思います。 それをこの機会に解決してみませんか？ もちろん全ての疑問に解決出来る保証はありませんが、三人寄れば文殊の知恵ともいいますので、解決に少しでも近づけれる様にオーガナイザー含め全員で色々考えてみませんか。 多くの皆さんのご登壇をお待ちしております。 **＜＜概要(オンライン/オフライン併記)＞＞** 期　　日： 2026年5月24日(日)　13:30～16:00の2.5時間 (オフライン会場では16:00～17:00で茶話会) 場　　所： オフライン会場：千葉市生涯学習センター　3F小会議室 JR千葉駅「中央改札」を降りて、「千葉公園口」から徒歩8分 会場までの経路は\*\***[こちら](https://chiba-gakushu.jp/access_01/)**\*\*を参照して下さい。 オンライン会場：Zoomを使用 参加ULRは右側サイドバーに後日掲出します。 参加人数： オンライン、オフライン各15名計30名 会　　費：300円(当日現金払い) ※参加申し込みの際に対面(オフライン)かオンラインかをお選びください。 当日のレジュメ： イベントの概要 参加者自己紹介 ライトニングトーク　(大澤一志さん) メインセッション　なんでも相談会 業務連絡 **＜＜こんな方におススメ＞＞** WordPressでブログやWebサイトをはじめてみたい方 WordPressを使ってて判らない事、疑問に思う事がある方 WordPressを使っている人と仲良くなりたい方 WordPressについて色々な疑問質問を感じてる人 **＜＜疑問質問相談のある方へ＞＞** 当日の進行をスムーズに行う為、疑問質問相談のある方は下記のGoogleフォームに投稿してください。 [https://forms.gle/m4S4LTwv6xKY8WWb6](https://forms.gle/m4S4LTwv6xKY8WWb6) フォームに投稿された質問は下記のGoogleスプレッドシートにまとめられます。質問内容に回答できる方はこちらのシートの回答欄にご記入ください。 **[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kD8pgaF4pnqvWJvyAL4ynnFKPhTReYLzyvBWHxeBDf0/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kD8pgaF4pnqvWJvyAL4ynnFKPhTReYLzyvBWHxeBDf0/edit?usp=sharing)** **＜＜オフライン参加の方法について＞＞** オフライン参加の方はこのページ内でご案内している会場(ルールーム03)にお時間までにお越しください。 会議室の利用料金の負担として500円をお願いします。遅刻、早退もご自由にどうぞ。 最寄り駅はJR総武線/総武本線/成田線/外房線/内房線千葉駅から徒歩5分程、千葉都市モノレール栄町駅からだと徒歩1分程です。 専用駐車場はありませんのでお車でお越しの際は近隣の有料駐車場をご利用ください。 **＜＜オンライン参加の方法について＞＞** オンライン参加の方はZoomを使用しますのでご利用になるPCにZoomクライアントアプリをインストールしておいて下さい。 会場の音声が聞き取りにくい場合もありますのでヘッドホン/イヤホン等をご用意ください。 既にインストール済みの方は最新バージョンへのアップデートを事前に済ませておく様にお願いします。 ZoomのURLは当日午前までにMeetupに連絡用として登録したメールアドレスへの送信、およびこのページの右サイドバーに表記致します。 **＜＜重要＞＞** 折角お申込みいただいても当日の予定を失念してしまい、参加出来なかったという方もいらっしゃいます。 スマートフォン(iPhone、Android)にmeetupアプリをインストールしていただくとイベントへの参加申し込み、キャンセル手続き、申込イベントへのスケジュール確認、参加者同士のメッセージ送受信等を便利に行えます。 ぜひ利用登録してください。 **[https://www.meetup.com/ja-JP/apps/](https://www.meetup.com/ja-JP/apps/)** 参加申込みいただいた後にご都合により参加出来なくなった場合は、早めのキャンセル手続きをし、ご連絡いただければと思います。 またキャンセル手続きが上手く出来ない場合は、イベント主催者側にコメントやメッセージでご連絡ください。 ＜＜ライトニングトーク(LT)登壇者を募集しています＞＞ もくもく会/相談会の時はライトニングトーク(LT)の枠を設けています。 ライトニングトークとは1人5分位の短い時間で行われるプレゼンテーションです。自身の話したい内容を短時間でまとめる能力、人前での発表する事でコミュニケーション力の向上、等の効果があるとされています。 またMeetupでのLTの経験は将来的により大きなイベントでの長時間のプレゼンにも役立ち、そこから新しい人とのつながり、別のコミュニティへの発展も期待できます。 参加申込の際にLT登壇のお伺いをしております。 希望される方はYESとしていただくと後日運営からご連絡差し上げます。 多くの方のLT登壇をお待ちしております。 **＜＜運営からお願い＞＞** 開場からMeetup開始までの間の時間に限りがあります。オフライン参加の方で早めにお越しいただける方は開場時間(13:00)にお越しいただき、設営の準備をお手伝いいただけると助かります。 お手伝いいただきたい内容は以下のものです。 ・机、いすの配置 ・電源ケーブル、コンセントの配置 ・プロジェクタスクリーンの準備 ・受付の補助 いずれも簡単なものになります。 ご協力いただけますとスムーズに会が始められますのでよろしくお願いします。

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

**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.

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

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

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!

SATURDAY: This event is 2:30 - 4 pm SATURDAY. Conversation tends toward intermediate/advanced, but everybody is welcome. If you come and don't see us right away, keep looking. We could be anywhere in the restaurant.