Curly Hair

**Join us in Prague for a Snowflake User Group evening hosted by Everpure (formely Pure Storage).** This edition will bring together Snowflake product updates and practical lessons from teams using the platform in production. We’ll begin with a look at recent developments across the Snowflake ecosystem, including selected new features and broader trends shaping the data platform space. The evening will also include a customer session from Everpure's Metrics team, focused on large-scale data pipelines in Snowflake, including Snowpipe Streaming and experience from high-volume production environments. We’ll round things off with an informal fireside chat with a guest from Snowflake, followed by networking, community discussion, and the traditional Snowflake quiz. **EVENT DETAILS** * **What’s New in Snowflake** Kick off the evening with an overview of the latest developments in the Snowflake ecosystem. We’ll cover new features, emerging trends in the data platform space, and a few practical insights from real-world projects. * **Customer Story: Data Pipelines at Scale** Our host company Everpure's Metrics team will share how they use Snowflake in their data pipelines. The session will focus on large-scale ingestion using Snowpipe Streaming, handling around 10 TB of data per day, and lessons learned from operating high-volume pipelines in production. * **Fireside Chat with Snowflake** An informal conversation with a guest directly from Snowflake. We’ll discuss recent platform developments, what’s coming next, and interesting topics shaping the future of data platforms. The chat will be hosted and moderated live. * **The Snowflake Quiz** As always, we’ll close with the Snowflake quiz, a few goodies up for grabs, and time to connect with fellow data professionals over drinks. **RSVP** here [See Snowflake in Action: Prague User Group](https://usergroups.snowflake.com/events/details/snowflake-prague-presents-snowflake-in-action-prague-user-group-hosted-by-pure-storage-1/).

**The most welcoming dance floor on a Wednesday night in Prague**💃✨ Forró is a rhythmic Brazilian dance known for its warm, welcoming community and very casual dance floor vibes. ✅ **No experience needed** → We kick off at 7:45 PM with a quick introduction to the basics.🕺 ✅ **No partner needed** → We rotate after every song. If you feel like dancing, simply ask anyone taking a break to join you. 👋 ✅ **No dress code** → Wear casual basics. You can dance in socks or barefoot. 👣 ✅ **No pressure** → There is a bar at the venue for lemonade or some liquid courage. Entry is voluntary (usually 150 CZK via cash or QR code). Social dancing is better than the gym, cheaper than therapy and there is no small talk. If you love to move and want to make new friends, simply show up on Wednesday and let's dance!! 💃✨

SPEED FRIENDING - COCKTAILS - PRIZES & MORE Let's meet each other! In an effort for community building we are doing The Wednesday Club once a month great venues such as KONTAKT BAR and LE VALMONT, amazing hidden cocktail bars in the heart of Prague, opening their doors exclusively to you for this event. This event is perfect for a night out if you want to meet some new people. You will be able to spend some one-on-one time with each of them, meet friends for life or just to have some interesting encounters. Everyone is welcome as there are no age restrictions for this event. Each round will take 5 minutes and then a bell will ring and it's time to move on to the next person to discover. Not only will you leave with new friends but there are also some opportunities to win prizes. But for that you’ll have to come discover the event for yourself… Tickets: [Mandatory registration here](https://connect.boomevents.org/en/somethingnew-uqvwe/the-wednesday-club-international-speed-friending-asaur) We are very excited to meet you! Somethingnew

**5-a-side Football** practice at Rajská Zahrada artificial grass pitch. No cleats shoes. Maximum of 15 participants for a 3 teams of 5 rotating. **Kick off at 18h00**. Everybody is welcome, no age, gender nor any restriction of any type to join. Cost: **90 crowns**. Please send the money using the **QR Code** stored here: https://imgur.com/a/G8NWGjM In case of any Opt-out within 24h of the session, or no show, the payment will be due (you still can ask someone to come instead of you, as your spot will be booked)

**Hosted by Sky Czech Republic.** Doors are open from 5:30 pm, talks will start at 6:00 pm. **1\. Marek Svitok \(Sky\) \- Elegance and Safety in Goroutine Management** Concurrent programming is a core strength of Go, but managing multiple goroutines while handling errors and synchronization can quickly become complex and error-prone. The golang.org/x/sync/errgroup package provides a simple and effective abstraction for running multiple goroutines concurrently, propagating the first error encountered, and ensuring all routines complete before proceeding. In this article, we explore why errgroup is a valuable tool, how to use it effectively, and what design patterns emerge from its usage. We also examine how one might implement similar functionality manually, highlighting the pitfalls and edge cases that make a manual approach cumbersome. By comparing manual implementations with the idiomatic errgroup usage, we aim to demonstrate why adopting this package leads to safer, cleaner, and more maintainable concurrent code in Go. **2\. Vilibald Wanca \- Nail the Basics \- S01E03** Go does not use `try/catch` for normal error handling. Instead, it treats errors as explicit return values, while `panic` is reserved for truly exceptional or unrecoverable situations. A panic stops normal execution, runs deferred calls, and can only be intercepted with `recover` inside a deferred function. This makes `panic/recover` closer to an emergency escape hatch than a general exception system. The result is a model that favors clarity and explicit control over hidden flow. By attending the event I agree that photographs and video recordings from this event may be used by Sky Czech Republic for employer branding and promotional purposes across company websites, career pages, social media, third-party profiles, and other communication materials.

We are a group of runners who meet most weeks for a run around the beautiful Vltava River's edge. You can bring your running shoes straight from the office/home office if you don't have time to stop at home. There will be a place to put your bags in the Cafe. We will run about 9 km along the river and have a drink afterwards. Paces vary! We will meet in the square near Kavarna Liberal (Hermanova 6), near the Vltavska metro/tram stop at 6:30 on Wednesday. See you there!

Před několika měsíci vyústila vyostřená debata o filtrech a Core vs Knots v kontroverzní návrh BIP-110, původně známý jako “BIP-444”, neboli Reduce Data Temporary Soft Fork, který má za cíl dočasně omezit časté způsoby vkládání netransakčních dat na bitcoin. Je tento návrh efektivní? Jaké kroky navrhuje? Co se musí stát pro jeho aktivaci a jaká je situace dnes? Lukáš, náš expert na Rust a bitcoin, vám podrobně přiblíží tento problém z každého hlediska. **🦀 PREZENTACE** Tato přednáška představuje BIP-110 v kontextu debaty Knots VS Core, tedy o spam filterech. BIP-110 se snaží se vypořádat se s domnělým i reálným spamem změnou pravidel Bitcoin konsensu, tím že zakáže použití určitých op-kódů a omezí maximální velikosti dat u jiných opcodes. Na BIP-110 se podíváme 1. Z pohledu technického: Co přesně se snaží změnit a proč, kterým metodám se snaží zamezit, a zda zabraňuje některým legitimním použitím bitcoinu 2. Z pohledu časové osy a komunity: Kdy a kým byl BIP-110 vytvořen, kdy se aktivuje a jaké podmínky pro aktivaci musí splnit, jak fungují User-Activated Soft Forky, co se může stát, pokud k jeho aktivaci dojde, a co se může stát, pokud ne 3. Z pohledu efektivity: Jak zapadá do existujících způsobů vkládání netransakčních dat na blockchain, kterým způsobům nezamezuje, a jak se to projeví na ceně vkládání dat **🦀 NETWORKING** Po přibližně 60minutové prezentaci a Q&A zůstáváme na networking u piva. Zůstáváme do 22:00. * Registrace je zdarma. * Bude pití i něco k jídlu. * Odměny za nejlepší otázky. * Knihy od Braiins zdarma. **🦀 PŘEDNÁŠEJÍCÍ** Lukáš Hozda je expert na Rust, autor knihy Building Bitcoin in Rust a lektor kurzů Rust a Advanced Rust na Univerzitě Karlově. Přes den pracuje v pražské bitcoinové softwarové společnosti Braiins, kde jeho oficiální pracovní titul zní Braiins Superman. * Stáhněte si jeho eBook Building Bitcoin in Rust zdarma. * Sledujte Lukáše na X: https://x.com/LukasHozda Pokud vás zajímá seriózní Rust engineering, přidejte se k nám. 🔗 https://braiins.com *** **ENGLISH** 🇺🇸 **Analysis of BIP-110: Timeline, Details and Impacts. Can it work?** A few months ago, a heated debate about filters and Core vs Knots culminated in the controversial proposal BIP-110, originally known as 'BIP-444', or Reduce Data Temporary Soft Fork, which aims to temporarily restrict common methods of inserting non-transactional data onto Bitcoin. Is this proposal effective? What steps does it propose? What needs to happen for it to be activated, and what is the situation today? **🦀 THE PRESENTATION** This lecture presents BIP-110 in the context of the Knots vs Core debate, specifically about spam filters. BIP-110 attempts to deal with both alleged and real spam by changing Bitcoin consensus rules, by banning the use of certain op-codes and restricting the maximum data sizes of other opcodes. We will look at BIP-110 from: 1. A technical perspective: What exactly it tries to change and why, which methods it tries to prevent, and whether it blocks some legitimate uses of Bitcoin 2. A timeline and community perspective: When and by whom BIP-110 was created, when it activates and what conditions it must meet for activation, how User-Activated Soft Forks work, what may happen if it is activated, and what may happen if it is not 3. An effectiveness perspective: How it fits into existing methods of inserting non-transactional data onto the blockchain, which methods it does not prevent, and how this will be reflected in the cost of inserting data **🦀 THE NETWORKING** After about a 60min presentation and Q&A we will stay to network over a beer, we stay until 22:00. * Register here for free entry. * Drinks and snacks provided. * Giveaways for the best Q&A questions. * Braiins Bitcoin books for free. **🦀 THE SPEAKER** Lukáš Hozda is a Rust expert, author of the book Building Bitcoin in Rust, and a lecturer of Rust and Advanced Rust at Charles University. By day, he works at the Prague-based Bitcoin software company Braiins, where his official job title is Braiins Superman. * Download his free eBook [Building Bitcoin in Rust](https://braiins.com/books/building-bitcoin-in-rust) * Follow Lukáš on X: [https://x.com/LukasHozda](https://x.com/LukasHozda) If you are interested in serious Rust engineering, join us. 🔗 [https://braiins.com](https://braiins.com/)

There is a wisdom that lives in the sea — in its depth, its movement, its light. In this three-part series, we begin each ceremony with cacao to root into the body, soften, and arrive. From there, breath becomes a doorway into the inner waters — into movement, feeling, release, and deeper contact with what lives within. Each ceremony explores a different quality of the inner ocean: Fluidity — trusting the flow of life Depth — the courage to feel Luminosity — the light beneath the surface You are welcome to join the full journey or come to any ceremony individually. Each session is a complete experience on its own, while also forming part of a deeper unfolding process. LUMINOSITY - This evening is an invitation to reconnect with your inner light and vitality, soften into presence, and experience a sense of expansion and aliveness. This practice includes intensive breathwork and cacao. It is not suitable for those who are pregnant or have epilepsy, glaucoma, serious heart conditions, severe cardiovascular disease, unmanaged severe hypertension, or acute psychiatric disorders. If you have any health concerns, please reach out in advance so the practice can be adapted safely. If you have food allergies or sensitivities, please also let us know beforehand. When: Thursdays 9/4, 16/4, 23/4 at 19:00 Price: 450 CZK per ceremony / 1100 CZK full cycle via atmaprague@gmail.com

This time, we will meet to discuss the unbelievable story of Gisèle Pelicot after reading her recent memoir, Hymn to Life. We will meet, as always, on the last Sunday of the month, this time at The Globe Café, for an interesting discussion from a feminist perspective.

**The Easiest room to walk into on a Saturday night** 🤩🌍 We are a welcoming, high-energy tribe of locals, newcomers, and expats alike. Half the room is our stable core, the other is always brand new! We skip the awkward small talk and go straight for REAL connections ✨, naturally transitioning into a great party 🤩 later on. Our rules are simple: No pressure, no city masks, and absolutely no standing alone. Just grab a drink 🍹 and jump right in. You’ll leave feeling energized, connected, and a little bit more like a true Praguer. 😎🤙 👉 If you want to dive deeper, just show up and JOIN our LOCAL WhatsApp community of 250+ Praguers!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Prague.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over dinner. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

**Talk 1 – ArgoTs: TypeScript-Powered GitOps with ArgoCD** By: Jiří Soukal - Senior Cloud Engineer, from PriceFX Kubernetes is the de facto standard for cloud-native infrastructure, but managing it often means drowning in YAML. Tools like Kustomize, Helm, and ArgoCD overlays ease the pain, yet feel like patchwork rather than a fix. TypeScript-native solutions such as Pulumi or Terraform exist, but they rely on external state to diff and apply changes—adding complexity for GitOps teams. This talk introduces a new approach: using TypeScript as the source of truth for Kubernetes infrastructure without external state. By extending ArgoCD to understand TypeScript, we can dynamically generate all resources, from workloads to ArgoCD Applications and even cloud provider resources via ConfigConnector or Crossplane. **Talk 2 –** **Securing AI Deployments: From Prompts to AIBOM** By: Marek Sottl, CEO of Hackihub Are you interested in the security of AI application deployments? This packed session will focus on protecting language models and the obstacles that can arise during their deployment from a security perspective. We will explore deployment strategies in AWS and Azure environments, input validation using NLP, prompt tracing, and above all, we will emphasize the importance of AIBOM and MLBOM. **Talk 3 - GitOps, IaTS, OpenRouter and OpenClaw come to a bar** By Martin Pohl GitOps, IaTS, OpenRouter and OpenClaw come to a bar. The bartender says, “Great… who actually has production access?” GitOps says, “Not me, I only sync what’s in git.” IaTS says, “I just generate the infrastructure.” OpenRouter says, “I only route the requests.” OpenClaw says, “Relax, I already decided for everyone.” The bartender slowly reaches for the incident button: “So… which one of you started the outage?” All four reply: “According to the logs, it was a collaborative effort.” Today’s infrastructure tooling is incredibly powerful platforms like ArgoCD, TypeScript-based GitOps, and modern cloud-native stacks allow us to build and manage systems with unprecedented flexibility. But at the same time, we are introducing entirely new layers of complexity and attack surface. This talk explores the intersection of GitOps, TypeScript-driven infrastructure, and emerging AI tooling such as OpenRouter and autonomous agent-style setups like OpenClaw. As infrastructure evolves from static, declarative definitions into dynamic, runtime-generated systems, we are no longer just managing code we are operating systems that can interpret inputs, generate logic, and in some cases act autonomously. With this shift comes a new set of security challenges: prompt injection, tool misuse, model supply chain risks, and limited observability into AI-driven decision-making. The session connects these emerging risks with concepts like AIBOM and modern AI deployment security practices. Ultimately, this talk asks a critical question: are we building the future of platform engineering or creating systems we no longer fully control? **More about Talk 1:** Combining GitOps with the expressiveness of TypeScript creates infrastructure that is both declarative and dynamic, reducing toil while enabling richer abstractions, safer collaboration, and more maintainable platform engineering practices across the CNCF ekosystem. Benefits to the ecosystem \- Clarity & Maintainability: Reduces YAML complexity and templating hacks by introducing a strongly typed\, programmatic way to define infrastructure\. \- GitOps Alignment: Preserves ArgoCD’s declarative\, state\-free model while unlocking the flexibility of TypeScript\. \- Scalability: Makes it easier to manage multi\-cluster and multi\-environment setups with reusable\, composable infrastructure definitions\. \- Innovation in Platform Engineering: Demonstrates how the Kubernetes ecosystem can evolve beyond YAML\-first thinking\, inspiring new tools and workflows that balance developer experience with operational reliability\. \- Community Value: Provides a concrete path for teams frustrated with YAML sprawl to adopt a more maintainable\, type\-safe\, and future\-proof approach—without abandoning the CNCF ecosystem’s GitOps best practices\.

Are you interested in a lot of things but just a little at a time? Then come to the 5 Minute University! Each talk lasts only 5 minutes followed by 1-2 questions and you'll have the chance to talk to the speakers and other listeners before and after the event - it's a great place to make some friends and find good conversation! Here's the current line up: 1.Jamin Tuma - "What happens if you ask yourself 500 pages worth of questions?" 2.Martin Popop - "How to Drink Without Getting a Hangover" 3.Steven Rasovsky - "The Power of Breath" 4.JT Ostdeik - "What is Philosophy?" 5.Tom Thumb - "The Art of Storytelling" 6.Mauro Pellegrini - Everything I know about the contemporary art scene in Prague 8.Maria - It takes two to tango 9.Trang - Why are there so many potraviny in Prague? 10.Vita - TBD 11.Bara - TBD This event is solo-friendly, there will be plenty of things to talk about. So join alone or bring a friend, everyone is welcome. It's a free event and so be sure to support our hosts, Dorado Coffee, by buying drinks.

\~FREE EVENT\~ (Tips are welcome) Přejděte dolů na český jazyk 🇬🇧. Event Concept? 👉 Czech & Expats people can share their languages and socialize. For introverts and shy people (we all are sometimes), we have ice-breaking games and more... so feel free to come by. It is a very friendly event to meet people around the world🙂 By the time you make new friends in the meetup, our after party starts :) 🏅It is the BIGGEST, Oldest & the Only Free Language Exchange Event in the Czech Republic 🥰 (with 103 people) --> Can i Come to the Event if my English or other language is bad😔? ☺YESS! your language level does not matter. You can also make friends. 🇨🇿Can Czech People also come? Ofcourse! Everyone is invited --> How does it work? Dev (organiser) will give you the Sticker and will write your NAME & LANGUAGE you speak & want to exchange. Then you can join the Table of that language or meet the person of your language & make friends concurrently. (If you still don't understand, he will explain to you at the venue) 🙂 📍LOCATION Tequila Tales Bar & Music Club Újezd 19 118 00 Prague, Czech Republic (Nearest tram stop- Hellichova & Ujezd) 🫡Do I need a Reservation? No, Feel free to bring your friends 🤔Can I come late? Its better if you come on time so you can meet maximum people. ❓Questions❓ Write to +420 703 971 515 (call/ whatsapp) https://www.instagram.com/tequilatales_prg/ \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* \~AKCE ZDARMA\~ (Tipy jsou vítány) Přejděte dolů na český jazyk 🇬🇧. Koncept akce? 👉 Češi a cizinci mohou sdílet své jazyky a socializovat se. Pro introverty a stydlivé lidi (všichni jsme někdy) máme hry na lámání ledu a další... tak neváhejte a přijďte. Je to velmi přátelská událost k setkání s lidmi po celém světě🙂 🏅Je to NEJVĚTŠÍ, nejstarší a jediná bezplatná jazyková výměnná akce v České republice (s 103 lidmi) --> Mohu přijít na událost, když moje angličtina nebo jiný jazyk je špatný😔? ☺ANO! na vaší jazykové úrovni nezáleží. Můžete se také spřátelit. 🇨🇿Můžou přijít i Češi? Samozřejmě! Všichni jsou zváni --> Jak to funguje? Dev (organizátor) vám dá nálepku a napíše vaše JMÉNO A JAZYK, kterým mluvíte a chcete si je vyměnit. Pak se můžete připojit ke stolu tohoto jazyka nebo se setkat s osobou vašeho jazyka a zároveň se spřátelit. (Pokud stále nerozumíte, vysvětlí vám to na místě konání) 🙂 📍 POLOHA Tequila Tales Bar & Music Club Újezd 19 118 00 Prague, Czech Republic (Nearest tram stop- Hellichova & Ujezd) Potřebuji rezervaci? Ne, klidně vezměte své přátele 🤔 Můžu přijít pozdě? Je lepší přijít včas, abyste mohli potkat maximum lidí. ❓Otázky❓ Napište našemu +420 703 971 515 (call/ whatsapp) https://www.instagram.com/tequilatales_prg/

We will have our certified mediums available and you can receive 3 10-minute readings for $20. To keep you safe, we will be following all CDC and Health Dept. guidelines at our psychic fair today. Sitters and readers required to wear a mask. We will maintain a minimum of 6 foot physical distance during readings. Please, if you can, bring your own portable chair to use during your readings. Please note that we are at our wonderful new home at Unity of Columbus, 4211 Maize Road, Columbus, OH

**Caller: Richard Ades** **Band: The McKenzies** **Clinton Heights Lutheran Church** **15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43202** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

**History** [Prairie Oaks Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/prairie-oaks/) sits along the Franklin and Madison County border, west of Columbus near areas like Hilliard and West Jefferson. The land was part of the broader push in the late 1990s and early 2000s to expand the Metro Parks system into the northwest and western quadrants of the county. Metro Parks began acquiring parcels for what would become Prairie Oaks during the millennium era, as part of a wave of new parks aimed at protecting natural features around Big Darby Creek. Much of the property had been altered by past uses, including farming and quarrying, which left behind pits that later became the Darby Bend Lakes. The park's creation reflected growing interest in preserving remnants of the Darby Plains ecosystem, one of Ohio's original prairie regions that had largely disappeared after European settlement. The park officially opened to the public in 2000, making it one of the newer additions to the Metro Parks lineup at the time. As the 12th park in the system, it joined others acquired around the turn of the century, like Glacier Ridge. Initial access focused on basic trails and the scenic Big Darby Creek, a State and National Scenic River that winds through the property. Restoration efforts kicked off soon after opening, with crews using seeds native to the Darby Plains to replant nearly 500 acres of tallgrass prairie and grasslands. These plantings aimed to revive the open oak savannas that once characterized the area before widespread agriculture in the 1800s. Over the first decade, Prairie Oaks grew in popularity for its mix of restored habitats and recreational features. The former quarry in the eastern section transformed into the Darby Bend Lakes area, where four connected lakes now offer boating, fishing, and a dedicated dog swim spot. Trails expanded to showcase the prairie blooms, especially in summer and fall when asters and goldenrods light up the fields. Partnerships with groups like The Nature Conservancy highlighted the park's role in protecting the Darby Creek watershed, often called one of the "Last Great Places" for its water quality and biodiversity. Visitors from around central Ohio started discovering it as a quieter alternative to busier spots closer in. Restoration work continued into the 2010s, including wet prairie projects on about 190 acres to enhance hydrology and native plant diversity. The park's size reached over 2,200 acres, incorporating more floodplain along Big Darby Creek for flood storage and wildlife habitat. Amenities like parking at Sycamore Plains and Darby Bend Lakes improved access, drawing hikers, kayakers, and birders. Events and programs began emphasizing the prairie theme, from guided walks on blooming seasons to educational talks about pre-settlement landscapes. These efforts helped solidify Prairie Oaks as a showcase for ecological recovery in the Metro Parks system. Today, Prairie Oaks stands out for blending restored prairie with creek-side adventure, just a short drive from the west side. Its history mirrors the Metro Parks' shift toward large-scale habitat restoration in the 21st century. The park continues to evolve with ongoing stewardship, protecting what remains of the Darby Plains while offering locals a place to experience tallgrass vistas and oak openings. Whether paddling the lakes or walking the trails, it's a reminder of how much the region has changed since settlement — and how intentional work can bring some of it back. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Prairie Oaks](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/POK_map_1980.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Coneflower, Alder, and Sycamore Plains Trails, and, depending on conditions, the Osage Opening and Tall Grass Trails, or Lake View, Mound, Darby Creek Greenway, and River Rock Trails around the lakes. Either way, we'll go around 4.5 to 5 miles. For the most part, this won't be a terribly strenuous hike; Prairie Oaks tends to be flat. However, some of the hike won't be shaded, so be prepared for the possibility of some sun. Parts of the trails may also be muddy or wet, so I recommend [hiking shoes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D972KN3W) and a change of socks. **Where We'll Meet** * Enter the Park at the main entrance at 3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Rd. If you put "Prairie Oaks Metro Parks" into your Google Maps, it should default to this main address (but double-check to be sure). * After you enter the Park, the first parking lot on your right is the Park Office. Keep driving past this lot. * Enter the second parking lot you come to (which is also on your right). There's a picnic area, playground, and latrine here. There's no water fountain, though, so I recommend you bring water of your own, at least for after the hike. * I've included a screen shot in the Photos, below, where I've circled in blue the main Park entrance as well as the picnic area we're meeting at. **After the Hike** After we're done surveying the prairie grasses, we'll head over to [Crooked Can Brewing](https://crookedcanohio.com/) for [drinks](https://www.crookedcanohio.com/beer) and [food](https://www.crookedcanohio.com/center-street-market). The brewery has an entire food court, and they have a large free parking lot next to the [Early Television Museum](https://www.earlytelevision.org/). The actual address of the brewery is [5354 Center St, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/5354+Center+St,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883893f9ede6d5fb:0xbecf42d7055d9006?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.