Data Lakes

The Soap Making Workshop is ready for launch!!!! :D Explore cold process soap making and take home your own handcrafted soap! Come and learn the technique of **Cold Process Soap Making**! This traditional soap making method transforms simple ingredients into beautiful, handcrafted soap. **This 2-hour workshop includes:** * Tuition from a bilingual qualified teacher and experienced cold process soap maker * A range of colours, fragrances, and additives to design your own soap * Your own handcrafted soap bar to take home * A copy of the course teaching materials and resources * Unlimited tisane, caffè, and biscuits 🍪 Take time out of your busy schedule to relax, unwind, and create something truly unique! :D **Limited Places!!** Adele 🌺 Scopri la saponificazione a freddo e porta a casa il tuo sapone! Vieni a imparare la tecnica della **Saponificazione a Metodo Freddo**! Questo metodo tradizionale trasforma ingredienti semplici in splendidi saponi artigianali. **Il workshop di 2 ore include:** * Insegnamento da parte di un’insegnante qualificata, bilingue e con esperienza nella saponificazione a freddo * Una selezione di colori, fragranze e ingredienti per creare il tuo sapone * Il tuo sapone artigianale da portare a casa * Materiale didattico e risorse del corso * Tisane, caffè e biscotti illimitati 🍪 Prenditi del tempo lontano dalla tua routine frenetica per rilassarti, staccare e creare qualcosa di davvero unico! :D **Posti limitati!** Adele 🌺

**Dom 10 Mag 2026** **TREK IN VALSASSINA. RIFUGIO BUZZONI da Introbio 1590 m (LC)** \- Lunghezza: 15 km \- Dislivello: 1000 m \- Difficoltà: Medio alta \(tanto dislivello\) \- Pranzo al sacco o al rifugio\. Il trek è in prov. di Lecco a 68 km da Milano. Iscrizione [https://t.me/TrekMI/82369](https://t.me/TrekMI/82369) Youtube https://youtu.be/MhMc-Wfo898 **LUOGO DI RITROVO** Per sapere il luogo di ritrovo, cliccare sul link Iscrizione. Si apre una chat Telegram che contiene tutte le informazioni. **GRATUITÀ** Tutti i trek sono gratuiti **CHI SIAMO** Ogni weekend portiamo in montagna 100 persone. Siamo la più grande associazione escursionista d'Italia [https://t.me/TrekMI](https://t.me/TrekMI) **COME RAGGIUNGERE LA FELICITÀ** con la filosofia TTP [https://t.me/TrekMI/79617](https://t.me/TrekMI/79617) .

La domenica ormai è appuntamento fisso per il nostro gruppo al Just me (ex Just Cavalli). Ci incontriamo alle 20:00 per socializzare al nostro tavolo riservato e gustare un ottimo buffet con la prima consumazione inclusa al costo di soli 10€. Alle 22:30 faremo un brindisi di prosecco offerto dagli organizzatori e chi vuole può rimanere a ballare. Serata dedicata a un pubblico di tutte le età, divertimento assicurato! È gradita conferma via whatsapp ai nostri numeri: Enrico 3930134920 melissa 3755058482

**[PRENOTAZIONI QUI](https://www.eventbrite.it/e/vladimir-olga-charlatans-circus-spettacolo-gratuito-di-teatro-ragazzi-tickets-1988490658087?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true)** **Benvenuti al Charlatan Circus!** Vladimir Vorovich & Madame Olgà, eccentrici saltimbanchi e irriverenti ciarlatani, sono pronti a tutto pur di riuscire a vendere la loro ultima invenzione: **“OLIO 32”** l’elisir miracoloso che tutto può e tutto fa. Una pozione unica e prodigiosa dalle mille proprietà, capace di curare ogni male – calvizie, reumatismi o inquietudini dell’anima – , di farvi divenire l’uomo più forte del mondo e di donarvi l’eterna giovinezza. Da bere o da annusare, la pozione miracolosa vi regalerà la felicità e ogni vostro desiderio realizzerà! Per dimostrarvelo, Vladimir&Olga vi porteranno nel loro circo delle meraviglie dove maghi, giocolieri e persino la donna barbuta vi ammalieranno e stupiranno. Ma sin dall’inizio non tutto andrà come programmato tra fraintendimenti, litigi, miserabili fallimenti e inaspettati successi da cui neppure il pubblico sarà risparmiato! Uno spettacolo tout public provocatorio, popolare, coinvolgente e trasversale. La tradizione del teatro di strada si intreccia con un linguaggio scenico unico, frutto del dialogo e rapporto tra i due protagonisti: il Bianco Madame Olgà, clownessa provocatoria, dalla lingua affilata e dalla risposta sempre pronta, e Vladimir Vorovich, augusto irriverente e naif, capace di sorprendenti fallimenti e inaspettati successi! Entrambi giocolieri “quasi al pari di Rastelli” (almeno così dicono loro…), maghi (quando l’illusione funziona) ma soprattutto (e su questo non c’è dubbio) autentici ciarlatani pronti a tutto pur di conquistare il pubblico e vendere il loro miracoloso Olio 32, elisir miracoloso che tutto può, tutto fa… e tutti vogliano a fine spettacolo! *Un mix esplosivo di comicità e interazione con il pubblico, nello stile dei saltimbanchi di un tempo e delle antiche fiere popolari.* **Produzione:** Auriga Teatro **Di e con:** Veronica Del Vecchio e Andrea Tettamanti**.** **Durata:** 60 minuti **Genere:** varietà comico, clownerie, giocoleria (foot juggling e devil stick), visual comedy e interazione con il pubblico. **Età consigliata:** dai 3-4 anni in su Slow Mill è gestito dall’Associazione “Dora e Pajtimit” APS ASD. Il tesseramento all’Associazione, del costo di 5€ solo per i maggiorenni (con un drink incluso), è obbligatorio e ha la durata di 1 anno. Per il pre-tesseramento: **[bit.ly/sociodep](http://bit.ly/sociodep)**

#### Next step: schedule your first event. Scheduling an event will encourage more people to join your group. Schedule Change photo  # [Gruppo di biliardo pool/carambola amatoriale e mini-tornei](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/) [Milano, MI, Italy](https://www.meetup.com/find/it--mi--milano/) [1 members](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/members/) · Public group Share Manage groupSchedule event [About](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/?eventOrigin=your_groups) [Events](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/events/?eventOrigin=your_groups) [Members](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/members/?eventOrigin=your_groups) [Photos](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/photos/?eventOrigin=your_groups) [Discussions](https://www.meetup.com/gruppo-di-biliardo-pool-carambola-amatoriale-e-mini-tornei/discussions/?eventOrigin=your_groups) More ## What we’re about Buongiorno a tutti. Sono proprietario di un bar e dispongo di un tavolo da biliardo semi-professionale. Sto creando un gruppo WhatsApp di giocatori amatoriali di biliardo americano pool/carambola, per la maggior parte debuttanti. Cerco persone disposte a unirsi al gruppo per giocare e divertirsi nel tempo libero, il pomeriggio oppure la sera in ogni giorno. Per stimolare l'impegno di ogni giocatore, abbiamo pattuito che il vincitore di ogni "mini-torneo" organizzato nei vari giorni giochi gratis e non paghi la tariffa di tempo per il periodo di gioco (un'ora di gioco costa 10€, ma viene di volta in volta frazionata in base al periodo di gioco effettivo). Il locale si trova in zona nord di Milano, stazione Greco-Pirelli, università Bicocca. Chiunque dovesse essere davvero interessato a partecipare e unirsi al mio gruppo, non esiti a contattarmi. Cerco persone serie e disposte solamente a divertirsi, senza puntare mazzette grazie mille. Antonio

# Spring Perfume Workshop! Make Perfume, Eat Cake & Relax :D (ENG/ITA) 🌸 Welcome to the spring time Perfume Making Workshop! 🌸 🌼 Create your own springtime perfume and relax with sweet treats, drinks and chat! (Workshop available in both English and Italian language) 🌼 Join me in Cassina de’ Pecchi (Milano) for a relaxing couple of hours being creative and create a personalised perfume to take home with you! The venue is easily accessible via the M2 Green Line (Milan, metro stop Cassina de' Pecchi). This workshop invites you to explore the art of perfume blending in a warm and welcoming setting — perfect for a relaxing weekend activity! 🌸 What to Expect: * Learn the basics of fragrance composition * Discover top, heart, and base notes * Experiment with a wide range of essential oils * Craft a personalized springtime perfume that reflects your unique style Guided by an experienced teacher, you’ll participate in practical activities designed to give you insights into how to balance and blend scents with confidence. 🌸 Plus! To make this experience special, enjoy drinks and sweet treats while you work. Whether you're a scent enthusiast or simply curious, this workshop is a fun and inspiring way to connect with your senses—and walk away with something truly personal. 🌼 Book your spot now and unleash your creativity! :D 🌼 🌸 Benvenuta alla Spring Perfume Making Workshop! 🌸 🌼 Crea il tuo profumo primaverile e rilassati con dolci, bevande e piacevoli chiacchiere! (Workshop disponibile sia in inglese che in italiano) 🌼 Unisciti a me a Cassina de’ Pecchi (Milano) per un paio d’ore rilassanti e creative, durante le quali creerai un profumo personalizzato da portare a casa con te! La location è facilmente raggiungibile con la metro M2 (linea verde, fermata Cassina de’ Pecchi). Questo workshop ti invita a scoprire l’arte della profumeria in un ambiente accogliente e rilassato — perfetto per iniziare il weekend nel modo giusto! 🌸 Cosa ti aspetta: • Imparerai le basi della composizione del profumo • Scoprirai le note di testa, cuore e fondo • Potrai sperimentare con un’ampia selezione di oli essenziali • Creerai un profumo primaverile unico, che rispecchia il tuo stile Sarai guidata passo dopo passo, con attività pratiche pensate per aiutarti a combinare e bilanciare le fragranze con sicurezza. 🌸 In più! Per rendere l’esperienza ancora più speciale, potrai gustare bevande e dolcetti mentre lavori. Che tu sia appassionata di profumi o semplicemente curiosa, questo workshop è un modo divertente e stimolante per connetterti con i tuoi sensi — e portare a casa qualcosa di davvero personale. 🌼 Prenota il tuo posto e libera la tua creatività! 🌼

La domenica ormai è appuntamento fisso per il nostro gruppo al Just me (ex Just Cavalli). Ci incontriamo alle 20:00 per socializzare al nostro tavolo riservato e gustare un ottimo buffet con la prima consumazione inclusa al costo di soli 10€. Alle 22:30 faremo un brindisi di prosecco offerto dagli organizzatori e chi vuole può rimanere a ballare. Serata dedicata a un pubblico di tutte le età, divertimento assicurato! È gradita conferma via whatsapp ai nostri numeri: Enrico 3930134920 melissa 3755058482

BOOK OF THE MONTH: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters MEETING LOCATION: Pancicchetto (Via Solferino, 43), must buy a drink (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) WHEN: May 10th, 19:00-20:30 WHAT TO BRING: conversation!!, and your copy of the book SUGGESTED READING THEMES AND DISCUSSION TOPICS: * PLEASE feel free to bring your own discussion topics! * What does the story tell us about the importance of family? * Did you like the two different locations for the storytelling process? * To what extent is race important in the novel?

**Il Viaggio Interiore** è un'avventura unica dedicata all'esplorazione profonda di se stessi attraverso la meditazione, guidata da **Carlo Lesma**. Questa giornata è stata progettata per offrire un’esperienza immersiva che permette di staccare dalla routine, liberare la mente dai blocchi emotivi e ritrovare **chiarezza, serenità ed energia vitale**. ### **Dove e Quando** L'evento si svolgerà a **Milano** nella giornata di **domenica 10 maggio 2026**. * **Sede:** Best Western Falck Village Hotel, situato in Viale Italia, 598, a Sesto San Giovanni (MI). * **Orari:** La giornata è divisa in due momenti: la mattina dalle **9:30 alle 13:00** e il pomeriggio dalle **14:30 alle 17:30**. ### **Le Strategie e i Contenuti** Durante l'incontro, imparerai a utilizzare la meditazione come una vera e propria scienza per migliorare ogni aspetto della tua vita attraverso diverse **strategie evolutive**: * **Sei cicli di meditazioni guidate:** Utilizzo di specifiche frequenze sonore per favorire il cambiamento interiore e calmare la mente sin dalle prime sessioni. * **Tecniche di intuizione:** Metodi per risvegliare e riconoscere la capacità intuitiva, imparando ad applicarla nelle decisioni quotidiane. * **Integrazione pratica:** Strategie per inserire la meditazione nella **routine quotidiana, nel lavoro e nello sport** per migliorare la produttività e gestire lo stress. * **Creazione di meditazioni su misura:** Segreti per progettare una pratica personalizzata in linea con i propri obiettivi e stile di vita. * **Distinzione tra tecniche:** Approfondimento delle differenze tra meditazione, visualizzazione e rilassamento profondo per sapere quando e come utilizzarle al meglio. * **Superamento dei condizionamenti:** Strumenti pratici per riconoscere e lasciare andare i limiti mentali derivanti dal passato. Al termine della giornata, i partecipanti riceveranno un **attestato di partecipazione** come Corso Base di Meditazione. Per comprendere meglio, immagina che la tua mente sia come un computer sovraccarico di schede aperte e file obsoleti; le strategie apprese in questa giornata agiscono come un aggiornamento del sistema operativo, chiudendo i processi inutili e permettendo al software della tua vita di scorrere con molta più fluidità e velocità. Investimento per l'intera giornata è di euro 100,00

This is a regular **volleyball game** for current members of our group. We usually play **5v5**, or **4v4**. **1) Please RSVP only if you can commit.** **2)** Please **arrive 10 minutes early and be on time** so we can start smoothly. **3)** If you’re **NEW**, **message first and do not RSVP directly**. To keep games balanced, guest spots are limited and usually suitable for intermediate-level players only. At the moment, the group is at capacity, so we are not accepting new regular members unless invited. **4)** If we reach out to confirm your spot and do not receive a timely response, the place may be offered to another available player. This helps us keep participation fair, keep the game organized, and make sure others feel comfortable joining the waitlist without worrying about being left out unfairly. **This is not a training session or a highly competitive setup. We play to have fun, stay active, and enjoy good games together. 💗🫂** **-** **About WE NEED + (MORE) PPL** We’re building a community for adults 25-50 who enjoy real, low-pressure social time. Keywords: community building, meet new people, make friends, adult friends, introvert-friendly, welcoming group, locals & expats, newcomers in Milan, social meetup, low-pressure social time, Sunday plans, Milan/Milano, Navigli, Porta Venezia, Isola, social sports, recreational volleyball, indoor beach volleyball, mixed levels, beginners welcome, intermediate welcome, skill-building, practice and play.

This rainy **Sunday in Milan** sets the tone for a **slow and fluid** practice, followed by an optional group **brunch/coffee** at Felicetta Cafè & Bistrot. We start the day with **slow and steady movement** to help you **release tension** and **reset your nervous system**. It is all about **reducing effort**, not adding more, letting the breath guide the pace and allowing the body to open gradually. After class stick around for brunch or a coffee to connect and get to know everyone. **Details↓** **Date:** May 10, 2026 **Time:** 10:30 AM **Location:** Studio Yoga - Via Francesco Melzi d'Eril, 12, Milan. **Pricing:** 15€ - *yoga class only,* *brunch is optional and not included in the price* **\- your spot is confirmed after payment\.** **\- details will be shared after RSVP** *(please check your messages).* **Duration:** 60 minutes (social time after) **Level:** Accessible for all levels, beginner-friendly **Language:** English **What to bring:** \- your mat *(if you prefer to not use the ones in the studio)* \- water and comfortable clothes **Cancellation Policy** **More than 24 hours before:** You can cancel directly on Meetup. **Up to 1 hour before class:** Please message me on WhatsApp. Your credit will be kept and can be used for another class. **Less than 1 hour before / no-show / no notice:** The class will be counted and no refund will be issued. **If the class is cancelled by me or due to weather:** You’ll be notified personally and your credit will be kept for a future class. **Before you join:** \- If you have any injuries or health concerns\, please check with a doctor before joining\. \- This class is not suitable to practice during pregnancy\. \- By joining\, you take responsibility for your own safety\. \*\*Please be mindful and listen to your body, pausing, resting and adjusting any time you need.\* See you on the mat. ✨ Jessi.

Join us for a unique rooftop yoga experience in Milan combining a dynamic Vinyasa flow with a live DJ set. We’ll move through a fluid, energizing sequence guided by the rhythm of the music, surrounded by a beautiful terrace view over the city. This class is designed to help you move, breathe, and fully disconnect, while enjoying a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere. ✨ All levels welcome — options will be offered throughout the practice. Practical info: 🕚 Sunday May 3rd, Time: 17:00 AM 📍 Location: Private terrace (details shared after registration) 💰 Price: 15€ per person, save your spot with anticipated payment 🧘‍♀️ Bring your own mat 🧺 7 mats available for rent (on request for 1€)

Join Milan Expats & Locals for a fun evening of board games at Draft, a cozy pub located near the bolivar area. This event is a perfect opportunity to meet new people, have a great time and enjoy some good beers and food while playing games.
Bring your own favorite board game or play with our strategy games like Catan, Coup, Uno, Cards against Humanity and Magic The Gathering. Whether you're an experienced player or a newcomer, this event is open to everyone and there is no obligation to spend, the event is free and open to everyone. So come along, relax and have a great time playing board games with a friendly community of expats and locals from Milan.
We'll also be crowd-sourcing for more games in the future, so be sure to bring any suggestions.
RSVP now to secure your spot.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CotIwk1KR-P/
Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BUSBYLAmhxx0M8sfKobdex

Hi everyone 😊 This time we’ll explore a different side of Milan, the modern architecture of CityLife and Parco Tre Torri. The focus of this photowalk will be on clean compositions, lines, reflections, and how light interacts with modern buildings. It’s a great opportunity to experiment with a more minimal and structured style of photography. As always, the session will be relaxed and friendly, we’ll walk together, take photos, and share ideas along the way. At the end, we can have a short optional moment to look at some photos and exchange feedback. If you’re curious to explore a more modern and minimal side of photography, you’re very welcome to join! Details: • 📍 Location: Parco Tre Torri / CityLife (exact meeting point shared after RSVP) • ⏰ Duration: ~1.5–2 hours • 🎯 Level: beginner friendly • 🎒 Bring: camera or smartphone + comfortable shoes

Practical AI for Power BI Developers A year ago, “agentic AI” was mostly hype for Power BI teams. Today, it deserves your undivided attention. For Power BI pros, there is now a real opportunity to reduce repetitive development work, accelerate delivery, and help developers do more, but only when strong DataOps practices are in place to make AI workflows effective. This session is a no-nonsense introduction to effective AI patterns for Power BI and Fabric development. Along the way, we will make sense of the growing pile of terminology, including skills, plugins, hooks, and MCP. You will see examples of how modern AI tooling can help with development tasks across Power BI and Fabric, along with the prerequisites, guardrails, and DataOps principles needed to use it responsibly. Whether you're burned out on AI hype or already using Copilot CLI daily, this session will show you the foundations that are finally making AI-assisted development genuinely useful.

**Total Eclipse of the Chart: School Redistricting Dashboards** In this presentation, we will explore the utilization of maps, sets, and SQL within a Tableau dashboard to help provide “what-if” analyses generated through the use of a mapped dashboard, providing different scenarios and the potential implications of these. While in this use case we are focused on a large school district, the concepts of utilizing existing data to explore the future impacts of modifying different geographic boundaries can be useful to many industries, balancing the mix of maps with visual analytics. **About Our Speaker** Robert Kramer is the Data Systems and State Reporting Coordinator at South Western City Schools in Grove City. He has worked there for 17 years, serving previously in the roles of Data Analyst, Programmer, and Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at South Western, he worked as a Systems Engineer at Pinnacle Data Systems in Groveport. He graduated in 2005 from The University of Toledo with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering, and a minor in Mathematics. Robert resides in Obetz with his wife, and their 15 and 12 year-old daughters. He was also just elected to his 3rd four-year term on the Obetz City Council. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **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

**Abstract:** This is a practical playbook for building a production-grade data lakehouse. It walks through foundational principles — naming conventions, least-privilege access, automated CI/CD testing — before diving into medallion architecture. Furthermore, metadata-driven design patterns show how configuration tables and dynamic notebook orchestration eliminates hard-coded pipelines. The deck covers star schema modeling, guidance on choosing between Spark, Pandas, and SQL, and data quality enforcement using DQX with YAML data contracts. Finally, we dive into security best practices and performance optimizations. **Host:** Justin Shea, Mehdi Jeddi, Erik Pak, and Sou-Cheng Choi **Talk Format:** This is a hybrid event. To attend online, join us on Zoom here at 6pm: https://iit-edu.zoom.us/j/89379230295?pwd=NdETyE5sdYuSrvsrBZXSBFkUESBVkg.1 Meeting ID: 893 7923 0295 Passcode: 5t5WYn **Sponsor:** Adyen, UIC College of Business, and PyData Chicago co-host this event. UIC will provide the meeting site. Adyen will sponsor pizza and soft drinks for the onsite participants. **Address:** University of Illinois - Chicago, Douglass Hall, Room 220, 705 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607 **Logistics:** “UIC Douglass Hall” is recognized on Google Maps, which can guide you through campus. Once you arrive, proceed to the second floor, room number 220

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message \*\*Chris (the organizer)\*\*with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)

**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.

**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9