Ecology

Join our vibrant volunteer community at Wildlings Forest School Singapore, **Dempsey Hill**, where we come together on the **2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of every month** to nurture our gardens and regenerate our forest trails that support our unique learning environment. #### Why Join? * It’s absolutely free! * Gain hands-on knowledge from our passionate team as we share resources and expertise. * Enjoy fresh produce and the fruits of your labour. * Help restore and enhance our forest trails, making them safe, sustainable, and magical for all who explore them. * Support environmental education by shaping the natural spaces where children thrive. * Beautify and enrich Wildlings to create a vibrant habitat for wildlife biodiversity. * Promote eco-conscious living by engaging in meaningful, sustainable practices. #### Who Can Participate? * Adults and students aged 16 and above. Young people aged 12–15 may join with an accompanying adult. * Local residents and community members. * Anyone passionate about nature, wellness, or sustainability. * Parents of Wildlings Forest School students (Hornbills and Eagles groups; Sunbirds are a little too young for this one!). * Aspiring Forest School Leaders and outdoor educators. * Nature enthusiasts and hobbyists from all walks of life. #### What Does Each Session Offer? * **Warm Welcome**: Start your morning by sampling fresh produce straight from our gardens. * **Interactive Learning**: Begin with a thematic talk, then explore the gardens and forest trails through a guided walk and observation session. * **Hands-On Work**: Get involved with physical gardening tasks, trail conservation efforts, and ongoing sustainability projects. * **Group Reflections**: Wrap up with thoughtful group reflections and a friendly farewell.

We’ll meet at Nana Thai (01-21, Far East Plaza, Orchard) for dinner. We will discuss all things Thailand—travel, music, Netflix shows, and, of course, food. A long time ago, there was a place called the Golden Mile. It was an unpretentious shopping complex where a diverse range of people gathered —backpackers heading to Malaysia, seasoned Thailand hands reminiscing their youthful adventures at tiny Isaan karaoke shops, students looking for affordable parties, amulet hunters seeking super powers, and Thai food lovers. When the complex eventually closed, its occupants dispersed across the city. We tracing some of these Thai establishments.

These lessons are meant for adults of all experiences and backgrounds. For new riders, our instructors will focus on coaching students on the basics of riding for polo, as well as safe handling of the horse. These polo lessons comprise two main sections training: 1) riding for polo instruction, (1/2 of the lesson), and 2) training for polo (1/2 of the lesson). Our training programs follow the AAP guidelines and principles for (a) riding for polo technique, (b) polo swing techniques and (c) polo tactics. ### **Address** 1 Equestrian Walk, Singapore 737863 ### **Schedule** Wednesdays 715AM - 755AM ### **Booking Information** * Please contact **98225900** to find out how to book this class. * The instructor will reach out to you once you've booked the class.

We're thrilled to invite you to an evening focused on the practical, real-world use of Apache Iceberg and the growing ecosystem around it. Hosted by VeloDB, Starburst, and Confluent at the CACIB offices in Singapore. Whether you're running Iceberg in production, exploring new architectures, or looking to connect with others solving similar data challenges, this is a great opportunity to learn and collaborate over snacks and drinks! **Agenda** * 18:30–19:00 Food, Drinks & Networking * 19:00–19:05 Welcome! * 19:05–19:35 **Unlocking Modern Data Lakes with Starburst, Iceberg & Ozone** * 19:35-20:05 **Why Apache Iceberg Matters for Your Data** * 20:05-20:35 **From Iceberg to AI: Accelerating Lakehouse Analytics and Hybrid Retrieval with Apache Doris** * 20:35–21:00 Networking **Session 1** **Unlocking Modern Data Lakes with Starburst, Iceberg & Ozone** Siva Periyasamy, Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform, OCBC Bank Siva Periyasamy is the Head of Data Engineering and Data Platform at OCBC Bank, bringing over 25 years of experience in the banking industry with deep expertise in data and analytics. Since joining OCBC in 2005, Siva has played a pivotal role in the bank’s data transformation journey, leading a team of data engineers, enabling them to create machine learning models and manage big data platforms. Siva oversees OCBC’s data platform and specifically Starburst, supporting the bank’s broader machine learning and AI initiatives. His leadership has been instrumental in enabling data-driven innovation across the organization. **Session 2** **Why Apache Iceberg Matters for Your Data** Shelvia Hotama, Senior Solutions Engineer, Confluent If you’re hearing about Apache Iceberg for the first time, think of it as a smarter way to manage large analytics tables on your data lake. It helps keep your data organized, reliable, and fast to query, without tying you to a single engine or vendor. In this session, we’ll break down what Iceberg is in plain language, show how it’s different from older table formats, and walk through real examples of how it makes everyday data work easier. We’ll talk about things like safe updates, changing table schemas without pain, and “time travel” queries so you can see how your data looked in the past. **Session 3** **From Iceberg to AI: Accelerating Lakehouse Analytics and Hybrid Retrieval with Apache Doris** Matt Yi, Apache Doris PMC Member & Tech VP at VeloDB The Lakehouse architecture, powered by open table formats such as Apache Iceberg, has become the foundation for modern analytics and AI workloads. However, efficiently serving diverse query patterns, ranging from large-scale analytical SQL to text and vector retrieval, remains a key challenge. In this talk, we introduce how Apache Doris enhances the Iceberg-based Lakehouse with high-performance query acceleration and materialized views, enabling faster and more cost-efficient analytics directly on open data. Building on this foundation, we explore Doris for AI: a unified engine that provides seamless access to structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data through hybrid search and analytics. Doris combines analytical queries, full-text search, and vector search in a single system, making it easier to support retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and other AI-driven applications on Lakehouse data. Finally, we share Doris’s roadmap toward deeper integration with open table formats. This includes plans for managed Iceberg tables and bringing native inverted and vector indexing capabilities directly to Iceberg data, enabling zero-copy, high-performance analytical and retrieval workloads. The session outlines how Doris aims to bridge analytics and AI on open data, turning the Lakehouse into a truly multi-modal data foundation. **How to find us** [Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank](https://maps.app.goo.gl/JXJGHQeX5oTiBfgw9) Mapletree Business City Blk 20 West 20 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore, 117439 , Level 13

**You’ve built a career—but are you building something that truly matters?** If you’ve ever wondered whether your skills could be used for something more meaningful, you’re not alone. Join us for an evening of professional networking and knowledge sharing focused on meaningful work and venture building. Connect with like-minded professionals, engage in meaningful conversations, and discover opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable future. This meetup is the perfect platform to expand your network, exchange ideas, and learn the secrets behind venture building. Let’s explore how your experience can help build a better future—alongside others who are turning that same restlessness into real impact. [Note: Do get a drink or food from the venue to support them]

***Ready for sign-up!*** Question? [WhatsApp organizer](http://wa.link/j2at9z) ➡️ Pay to secure a slot Min. 8 pax to confirm. This is a wonderful hiking area located in the heart of the Johor rainforest. These 2 lagoons of Seri Alam offer stunning scenery, dense jungles and birdlife galore. Lots of spots to capture Instagram-worthy spots along the trail, including panoramic vistas of the quarries. You can’t miss the opportunity to explore an abandoned granite quarry in Johor, which offers an eerily beautiful post-apocalyptic scene for photographs. Venture a bit further, and a gorgeous blue/green lake reveals itself within this mini canyon. Hiking to the Seri Alam Blue and Green Lake is worth considering for several compelling reasons: 🌊 1. **Unique Twin Lakes (Blue & Green)** * The Blue Lake has a surreal turquoise colour due to mineral deposits. * The Green Lake contrasts with a deep emerald tone. Both are former quarry sites turned scenic lakes — a rare natural transformation. 🥾 2. **Beginner-Friendly Hike** The hike is relatively manageable, making it accessible to beginners and families. However, proper hiking footwear is still recommended. 🏞️ 3. **Beautiful Nature and Photo Ops** Surrounded by lush forest, the area offers great panoramic views. Ideal for photography, especially during early mornings or golden hour. Wildlife and flora are abundant — great for nature lovers. 🚫 4. **Off-the-Beaten-Path** Not overly commercialised or crowded like the more famous Malaysian trails. A quiet escape into nature just outside Johor Bahru. ⚠️ 5. **A Bit of Adventure** Some trails may involve minor climbs or navigating slightly overgrown paths. Adds a small sense of adventure without being dangerous (weather-dependent). **Cost, SGD** Min 8 pax to confirm. Max 28 **8 pax and above: $ 98** **Inclusive :** * 2-way Air-Con Coach, \*Minivan if less than 22 pax\* * Pickup & Return from/at Marsiling station * Licensed local guides with Walkie talkie [1 to 7 hikers ratio] * SANL Founder, TS Chua * Fresh fruits, piping hot coffee & Tea [wide selection] during lunch time at the summit * Entrance Fees **Exclusive :** * Travel Insurance (highly recommended) * All personal expenses & lunch * All others not mentioned above 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 * **6.30 am Pickup from Marsiling** * Cross Custom * Enjoy a local, authentic breakfast & pack lunch [BYO] * Meet at the trailhead & start Hike * Lunch with fresh fruit, piping hot coffee and tea provided * End hike & shower [RM5] at a sports complex * If time permits - cafes! * Drive to Johor's famous Sunday Night Market - Permas * Return to Marsiling \~ 9.30 pm Zoom Travel International Pte Ltd STB license TA# 02902

🎨 Guided Watercolor Sessions Take a mindful pause and immerse yourself in the calming flow of watercolor. Join me for a 1.5-hour guided session where we’ll explore gentle techniques, play with color, and reconnect with creativity — no experience needed. ✨ Fee: $38 per person 🕒 Duration: 1.5 hours 💳 Payment: Paynow to 92250120 to book your slot. 🖌️ All materials will be provided. Spaces are limited to keep the experience personal and cozy. Message me to reserve your spot or to find out more. I’d love to paint with you! Check out my IG @jadorestudio_

This nature walk takes you through the rustic and ecologically sustainable park of Coney Island, also known as Pulau Serangoon, as well as the scenic area of My Waterway@Punggol. The trail is easy with no elevation gain, and the pace is unhurried, making it a refreshing way to reconnect with the nature and unwind outdoors. Along the way, you may spot some unique features, plants, and wildlife. Remember to bring water, wear comfortable walking shoes, and pack some snacks if you wish, as there are no food or water facilities on most part of the trails. Date : 24 Jan'26 (Sat) Meeting time : 8.30am Meeting Point : Punggol Coast MRT Station (Exit 2, take one escalator up) Ending point : Punggol Waterway Point (Punggol MRT/LRT) Est. distance : 8km

**One Life, One Solo Adventure – Bhutan** Tired of waiting for the perfect travel companions? Escape the hustle of city life and find your peace in Bhutan’s tranquil beauty. It’s time to reconnect with nature, rediscover yourself & refresh your mind, body, & soul. Join our Bhutan tour and embark on a meaningful solo adventure, where you can meet like-minded travelers from all walks of life. This is more than just a trip – it’s an opportunity to share stories, make new friendships and expand your network while experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan. No matter your background, everyone is welcome to come together and create unforgettable memories in one of the world’s most happiest countries. **Why Bhutan trip?** Bhutan, often referred to as the **"Land of the Thunder Dragon,"** is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich Buddhist culture, and commitment to Gross National Happiness. Nestled in the Himalayas, it boasts breath taking views, traditional dzongs, and vibrant festivals that celebrate its unique heritage. With a focus on sustainable tourism, Bhutan offers an authentic experience, from trekking through pristine nature to exploring ancient monasteries, all while enjoying the warm hospitality of its people. This trip to Bhutan is perfect for everyone—whether you're traveling solo, with family, friends or as a couple, YOLO. **Tour Highlights** * Visit one of Bhutan's most iconic landmarks **Tiger's Nest Monastery**, perched on a cliff **3,120 meters** above sea level. * Visit to **Punakha Dzong** the "**Palace of Great Happiness**" is a magnificent fortress at the confluence of the **Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu** rivers. * Enjoy authentic dinner/ lunch with a local family at a farm house. * Hoisting of prayer flags at **Dochula pass (3100 m)** which offers panoramic views of the Himalayan range, including the **108 memorial chortens** (stupas) built in honour of Bhutanese soldiers. * Meditation at **Dochula Caves** and **Buddha Dordenma** (the highest Buddha statue in the world). **Trip Details:** **Dates-:** **Every Sunday.** **Only need 5 days leave.** 2 nights Thimpu, 2 nights Punakha & 2 nights Paro. **Group Size:** Limited to 15 dream travelers (min 4 to go). Private tour option also available. **Flight:** Only one direct Drukair flight goes from Singapore to Paro. There are connecting flights to Paro either from Bangkok or New Delhi. We will help you to book your flight. **Early Bird Price:** **SGD 2188** (SGD 500 deposits thereafter the price is **SGD 2388**). **Refund Policy:** The deposit is refundable within 3 days after the trip confirmation mail sent to you. After that, it becomes non-refundable. Full amount refunded if we don’t meet minimum no of pax. **Inclusions:** * 3 Star hotel accommodations on twin/double sharing basis. * All Meals-: Daily breakfast, lunch & dinner. * Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to the Government of Bhutan * Bhutan Visa Fee * Certified English Speaking Bhutanese Guide for your entire stay. * All ground transportation * All entrance fees * All internal taxes and charges. * Mineral Water while traveling. **Exclusions:** * International flights and personal travel insurance * Personal expenses (shopping, optional activities like spa, massage, archery, horse riding, porter etc). * Items of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone calls, room service, alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, etc. * Single room supplement, Child or adult in triple sharing room. * Other meals during the trip (other than stated above). **Note-: There will be a surcharge fee if travel date falls in any Bhutan major festivals, X-Mas, New Year period (hotels increase their cost during this period).** **REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT:** **1.** RSVP NOW **2.** Transfer a small Deposit of **$500** to grab our **Early Bird Offer** to: **Dream Valley Pte Ltd via:** **A)** PAYNOW to UEN: **202413187D** **B)** Through ATM/Online to: Dream Valley - Current Acct: **11352440801** Bank Name: ANEXT Bank Pte. Ltd. Bank Code: 9742 Bank Industry Code: ANTPSGSGXXX **3.** Once you've transferred, WhatsApp **Vinny (Hp. 85062629)** your proof of payment. **(IMPT: INDICATE THE EVENT & YOUR MEETUP NAME).** Your slot is now confirmed and you'll be invited to the Trip Briefing/ Q & A Session once RSVP closes. **4.** This is a "First to transfer, first to Confirm" basis. The sooner we can confirm this Trip, the more everyone saves. **Disclaimer, Indemnity and Terms of Participation:** **PLEASE READ FOLLOWING LINKS FOR OUR T&C’s BEFORE YOU RSVP:** [https://dreamvalleydestination.com/terms-and-conditions/](https://dreamvalleydestination.com/terms-and-conditions/) [https://dreamvalleydestination.com/privacy-policy/](https://dreamvalleydestination.com/privacy-policy/) By participation on this trip, I agree to & accept **Dream Valley’s** terms and conditions. We reserve the right without prejudice to return payment at any time and not permit participation - without the obligation to explain or give any reason. This Trip is organized by **Dream Valley Pte Ltd** **(TA License: 03794).** **Stay Connected: Follow our latest trips and updates:** Check out this Linktree! - https://linktr.ee/Dreamvalleydestination?utm_source=linktree_profile_share [https://dreamvalleydestination.com](https://dreamvalleydestination.com)

**🌿 *Stress Down, Energy Up Walk + Resistance Band* @ Botanic Gardens 🌿** 📅 Date: Sunday, 25th January '26 ⏰ Time: 8.15am – 12.00pm 📍 Meeting Point: Botanic Gardens Tanglin Gate (near Napier MRT) 🏁 End Point: Sprouts Food Place (lunch together😊) Join us as we head out for another fun and relaxing Sunday hike on the last weekend of January 🥾✨ We will explore the scenic Botanic Garden — a beautiful route surrounded by lush greenery and great company. 😍 ✨ Difficulty: Easy ✨ Distance: \~6km ✨ What to bring: Water🧴, snacks or light bites🍌, comfortable walking shoes👟, hat/cap/sunscreen🧢🕶️, **elastic bands for resistance training** and most important a smile and good vibes😄 Let’s enjoy the morning air, stretch our legs, and have fun together! 💪 Please RSVP if you’re joining so we know to look out for you.

Join us Saturday, 1/31 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for an evening at The Cozy at Portia’s Café. Come learn about this local, grassroots animal rights organization and our current campaigns. Whether you want to do more for animals or simply meet other activists and vegans, this is the place for you. Bring your friends — all animal lovers are welcome. Enjoy games, socializing, and meaningful connections with fellow vegans and animal advocates. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to purchase food from Portia’s if you’d like — it’s completely optional. Location: Portia’s Café 3083 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43202 The Cozy is located right next door.

For Adults: Beginner Macrame Plant Hangers January 31, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Create a basic cord plant hanger and then practice some simple macrame knots to use in future projects. Hosted by Metro Parks VENUE Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 Phone (614)895-6216

Let’s meetup at Cafe Istanbul for the last day of Restaurant Week. You get three courses for $30. This is the menu: https://614now.com/rw-menu/cafeistanbul-easton

This is a time where players of all ages, and skill levels can gather and enjoy a nice Sunday full of Chess!

## Details \#\# Learn Infrastructure\-as\-Code \(the FUN Way\) — Through Minecraft 🎮☁️ **Joint Meetup: DevOps Columbus - Azure CBUS - Columbus HashiCorp User Group** What if learning Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code didn’t feel like a whitepaper… but more like a game? Join us for a joint DevOps Columbus, Azure CBUS and Columbus HashiCorp User Group meetup where **Mark Tinderholt** \(Principal Architect\, Microsoft Azure \| HashiCorp Ambassador \| “The Azure Terraformer”\) shows how **Minecraft** can be used as a surprisingly powerful way to understand real-world Infrastructure-as-Code concepts. In this session, Mark will demonstrate how Terraform and Azure can be used to provision, configure, and manage Minecraft servers—while teaching the same patterns you’d use for production cloud infrastructure. \#\#\# What we’ll cover * Infrastructure-as-Code fundamentals using **Terraform** * Provisioning real infrastructure on **Azure** * Applying **IaC best practices** (immutability, repeatability, versioning) * How playful environments like Minecraft make complex concepts *click* * Why learning through experimentation beats click-ops every time \#\#\# Who should attend * Developers, platform engineers, and cloud engineers * Terraform users (new or experienced) * Anyone curious about Infrastructure-as-Code but tired of boring examples * Minecraft fans who want to see it used in a totally unexpected way No prior Minecraft experience required—just curiosity and a willingness to learn infrastructure the fun way. Come for the blocks, stay for the Terraform. 🧱➡️📐

We are excited to host Guided Meditations on Sundays at 6 pm in our Ashram/Gallery/Home! !! !! Everyone wants to know what kind of God we worship and what kind of meditation we do. We worship the GOD that LOVES US! We understand that god is an energy and it lives in us as us. Our meditations guide others to actually experience that energy! xoxo We don't just talk about peace, love and affection, we experience it :) Also we are a home not a business, so we enjoy building community one friend at a time. We always build in time for people to mingle & develop friendships! xoxo Much Love, Frank Tennyson Namaste, Frank Tennyson http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/f/9/9/600_447824953.jpeg

**NEW LOCATION: 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). For this first meeting of the year, we will be reviewing submissions for the [Your Program is Hideous and Obfuscated Challenge (YPHOC). ](https://docs.google.com/document/d/13zbxwElpJqPMuAN4Ele2hUgsqtFKzH3OCTL5NEeiLKQ)Submissions for this challenge are due by January 12th, 2026. The details can be found here: or on our website http://www.cohpy.org See Our [Parking Map](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1u2A4fLNlxwLJn0KA_hKc8bnFlFHLvsHBDh-_8wzX_tk/edit?usp=sharing) 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 centralohpython@gmail.com