Ecosystem

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

## Pickleball League \| Singles \| 20s\, 30s\, 40s \| Columbus\, OH Ditch the dating apps and meet singles in real life — on the courts for 8 weeks. This event is ALL done through Eventbrite, we must register in advance. [The link is here! ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-but-everyones-single-datecolumbus-tickets-1984560246119?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl) April 13th - June 1st. 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Monday Nights. Whether you’re a seasoned player or brand new, this league is all about connection. 👉 **Never played before?** No problem! For the first **three weeks**, instructors will be on-site for the first 30 minutes to teach you the basics and get you comfortable jumping in. We’ll run this as **open play** — you’ll rotate courts and partners for casual games and maximum mingling. Winners stay for one round before rotating, giving you plenty of chances to meet someone new. 📅 **Mondays\, April 13th \- June 1st \| 6:00–8:00 PM** 📍 **Paddle Taps** \| 535 Lakeview Plaza Blvd\, Worthington\, OH 43085 **⭐ May 4th — Best Dressed Night: Star Wars Edition** *May the Fourth Be With You!* Dust off your Jedi robes, break out the lightsaber, or go full Chewbacca. Come dressed up, bring your A-game, and may the force (and your dinks) be with you. Best dressed winner picked by the volunteer sqaud, Winner will receive a prize! **🍽️ May 25th — Memorial Day BBQ POST PLAY** End your Memorial Day weekend with pickleball and pickleball BBQ! Paddletaps will provide the burgers & hot dogs, you're welcome to bring your fav app or dessert to share with the crew! **What to Know** * Paddles available each week — or bring your own * Locker room on-site * Full restaurant + bar available * Play runs every Monday from 6:00–8:00 PM for 8 weeks * Eat, drink, and mingle during and after play * Tickets are **non-refundable** Ready to meet your pickleball partner (and maybe more)? 🎟[ ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-but-everyones-single-datecolumbus-tickets-1984560246119?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)**[Sign up now — spots will go fast!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickleball-but-everyones-single-datecolumbus-tickets-1984560246119?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl)** ### Event Guidelines 🚫 No rude or inappropriate behavior 📸 Photos may be taken for promotional use 📵 Be present — phones away, eyes up ✨ Be open, have fun, and enjoy the experience

**Join us for a vegan morning at downtown Columbus's premier vegan diner!** * **Date:** Saturday, April 4th * **Time:** 11:00 AM * **Location:** [4th & State](https://www.4thandstate.com/) (152 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215) * **Type:** Community Dining / Brunch * **Cost:** Pay-as-you-go (Entrees typically range from $10–$20) *** **About the Event** Come catch up with fellow vegans and vegan-curious friends in the heart of downtown. 4th & State is a family-owned, "mod diner" known for its laid-back atmosphere and incredibly indulgent vegan comfort food. Whether you’re looking to discuss animal rights activism or just want to enjoy a milkshake with like-minded people, all are welcome! **The Food** This spot is **100% vegan** and offers a massive menu of diner classics. Highlights include: * **Signature Brunch:** The **Vrunchwrap**, pancakes, and French toast sticks. * **Comfort Classics:** Loaded fries, burgers, and their "hand-breaded tempeh chicky." * **Allergen Friendly:** They offer a dedicated **gluten-free** menu and are a **tree-nut-free** kitchen (with the exception of coconut oil). **Important Details** * **Seating & Reservations:** 4th & State typically does **not take reservations**, so please RSVP early so we can try to coordinate seating together. * **Parking:** There is free and paid street parking nearby, as well as several paid parking lots in the downtown area. * **Accessibility:** The restaurant features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating.

**Connected Westerville Night of Networking** *April Edition: The Introduction Economy* You've been to the networking events. You've done the small talk. Collected the cards. Forgotten the names. And walked out feeling like you just wasted two hours of your life. The problem isn't you. It's the format. Most networking events put you in a room and tell you to figure it out. So everyone defaults to elevator pitches and business talk, and nothing real gets built. Here's the truth about networking that most people miss: Your network isn't just who you know. It's who thinks of you when they're talking to someone else. *That's* The Introduction Economy. And it only works when relationships are real. There's a reason people who come once keep coming back. It starts with seven minutes that feel nothing like networking. Then we open it up. Free networking. More conversations. More momentum. This is a room full of corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, creatives, and career builders in the Westerville and Columbus area. The mix is the magic. You might never do business with everyone you meet tonight. But someone in this room will think of *you.* **By name**. So, the next time someone needs exactly what you do, you get the recommendation. **April 14th. RSVP now.** **When:** Tuesday\, April 14th \| 6:15 PM \-\- 8:00 PM **Where:** Vineyard Community Center \| 6000 Cooper Rd\, Westerville\, OH 43081

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon