Freedom of Speech

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant. *** Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ).

Join us as we get together to see SIRAT, an Oscar-nominated Best International Film from Spain that follows a father, accompanied by his son, goes looking for his missing daughter in North Africa. Here’s a description, trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A father, accompanied by his son arrive at a rave deep in the mountains of southern Morocco while searching for his daughter who vanished months ago at one of these endless, sleepless parties. As their search continues, the journey forces them to confront their own limits. The film is directed by Oliver Laxe and stars Sergi Lopez, Bruno Nunez Arjona and Richard Bellamy. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww-IXHXvS70 BUZZ & ACCLAIM: SIRAT has already won numerous awards, including 4 at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, along with the Chicago, Montclair and Toronto International Film Festivals! It also earned a whopping 11 nominations at the 40th Goya Awards, including Best Film and Director, and was nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Sound at this year’s Academy Awards. The film is earning a stellar 92% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes which calls it “an unforgettable exercise in tension” and “a brutal reminder that the journey can be more important than the destination.” PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and we’ll meet inside the upstairs lobby between 6:40 and 6:50pm. Super Tuesday ticket price is just $6.50 (including online fee)! Advance ticket purchase is advised (via Gateway website preferred). Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event! This one will be a “movie only” event. PARKING: Close, convenient parking is available in the nearby garage (located between 9th and 11th, just off High St). Bring your ticket with you and have it validated at the theater and for $2, you’re covered for the night! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Connected Westerville Night of Networking flips the script on networking, with surprises and connections that'll make you say, "Who knew networking could be this much fun?!"

How do you feel happier with people? How do you get into the spirit of group activities? How do you get rid of the anxiety of communicating in front of people? In this meeting, you will learn the secrets of how to connect with people, open yourself up to people, and have a grand time being yourself. This meeting will be led by an expert who has been working with people just like you to feel happier and improve communication skills for over 10 years. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement center.

This is a free, in person meeting. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area

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. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Our March speakers are Molly Gaines and Zack Parrish, co-organizers of the Secular Education Association: They will share their story of how a small group of Ohio parents grew into a national organization tracking released-time religious instruction and other church–state issues in public schools. The presentation will cover SEA’s early wins and hard lessons, what we’re seeing nationally right now, and how local advocates can play a meaningful role in protecting public education. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the landscape — and practical ways to get involved. 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

**\*\*\*TO ATTEND THE EVENT, YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE\*\*\*** [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) Hosted by Pre-Dating Speed Dating, the experts, bringing people together since 2001! *Our events have been featured on CNN, CBS, Axios, Miami New Times, TLC's 90 Day Fiance - The Single Life, Tampa Bay Times, Southbend Times, Citylink Magazine, Essence, The Wall Street Journal, Best of Baltimore, AM New York, Chicago Tribune, WINK FM, Woman's World Magazine, and 100s more -- but come see for yourself!* Join us for a night of fun, flirtation, and possible romance at our singles speed dating event! If you're tired of swiping left and right on dating apps, speed dating is a great way to meet new people in person, in a relaxed, safe, and comfortable environment. **HOW IT WORKS:** We'll introduce you to at least 5, and up to 12 - or more - single women or men. Spend a little time with each one, during a series of 6-minute Pre-Dates. Then tell us who you'd like to speak with again & we'll do the rest! It's the modern, civilized, effective, and fun way to meet other professional-level singles. If you're finished with the games and ineffectiveness of online dating and apps, join us to share a wonderful evening of enjoyable conversation with interesting people... and maybe something magical will happen! **GET TICKETS:** A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket, you must purchase on our website. [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) Use Code MATCH5 for $5 off! **DOES IT WORK?** Yes! According to the New York Times, at a speed dating event, people like 2-3 out of 10 people they meet. Online daters only match with 1 in 100 or fewer of the profiles they study. This is the best way to meet new people, and it works! Just ask the thousands of people that have met at our events and had successful relationships and marriages. **WHAT DOES IT COST?** We put a lot of time and effort into creating the best singles events possible, so we collect a fee for our hard work. Our events are an excellent value at about $3 per introduction. Get your ticket for the best singles event in town. **NOTE FOR NEWCOMERS:** We post our events on various platforms. Our events often sell out, so expect plenty of fellow singles, regardless of the numbers you see here :) So what are you waiting for? Join us for some fun conversation with great new people... and maybe something more! Who will you meet? **GET TICKETS:** [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) #singles #singlesevents #speeddating #love #relationships

🌱 Vegan Dinner + Bowling Night 🎳 Join us for a relaxed vegan dinner at Loving Hut on Saturday, March 14 from 6:00–8:00 PM. We’ll enjoy delicious plant-based food, good conversation, and chill, friendly vibes. After dinner, we’ll head over for bowling at Holiday Lanes for some fun and laughs 🎉 ✨ All are welcome 🥗 100% vegan dinner 🎳 Bowling afterwards (optional) Come eat, connect, and enjoy a fun Saturday night together 💚 Locations: Loving Hut 6569 E Livingston Ave Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Holiday lanes 4589 E Broad St Columbus, OH 43213

**\*\*\*TO ATTEND THE EVENT, YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE\*\*\*** [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) Hosted by Pre-Dating Speed Dating, the experts, bringing people together since 2001! *Our events have been featured on CNN, CBS, Axios, Miami New Times, TLC's 90 Day Fiance - The Single Life, Tampa Bay Times, Southbend Times, Citylink Magazine, Essence, The Wall Street Journal, Best of Baltimore, AM New York, Chicago Tribune, WINK FM, Woman's World Magazine, and 100s more -- but come see for yourself!* Join us for a night of fun, flirtation, and possible romance at our singles speed dating event! If you're tired of swiping left and right on dating apps, speed dating is a great way to meet new people in person, in a relaxed, safe, and comfortable environment. **HOW IT WORKS:** We'll introduce you to at least 5, and up to 12 - or more - single women or men. Spend a little time with each one, during a series of 6-minute Pre-Dates. Then tell us who you'd like to speak with again & we'll do the rest! It's the modern, civilized, effective, and fun way to meet other professional-level singles. If you're finished with the games and ineffectiveness of online dating and apps, join us to share a wonderful evening of enjoyable conversation with interesting people... and maybe something magical will happen! **GET TICKETS:** A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket, you must purchase on our website. [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) Use Code MATCH5 for $5 off! **DOES IT WORK?** Yes! According to the New York Times, at a speed dating event, people like 2-3 out of 10 people they meet. Online daters only match with 1 in 100 or fewer of the profiles they study. This is the best way to meet new people, and it works! Just ask the thousands of people that have met at our events and had successful relationships and marriages. **WHAT DOES IT COST?** We put a lot of time and effort into creating the best singles events possible, so we collect a fee for our hard work. Our events are an excellent value at about $3 per introduction. Get your ticket for the best singles event in town. **NOTE FOR NEWCOMERS:** We post our events on various platforms. Our events often sell out, so expect plenty of fellow singles, regardless of the numbers you see here :) So what are you waiting for? Join us for some fun conversation with great new people... and maybe something more! Who will you meet? **GET TICKETS:** [https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup](https://www.pre-dating.com/columbus-speed-dating/?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=event_listing&utm_campaign=meetup) #singles #singlesevents #speeddating #love #relationships

Join the **Columbus Vegan Meetup** for a night of great food and even better high notes! We’re heading to **Basil Thai Cafe** for a feast, followed by karaoke right at the bar. * **When:** Thursday, March 12th * **Dinner:** 7:00 PM * **Karaoke:** 8:00 PM * **Where:** Basil Thai Cafe (inside VHS Social Club), 520 S Front St, Columbus, OH **Note:** While Basil Thai Cafe is not a strictly vegan restaurant, they have a **ton of vegan options** on the menu for us to enjoy! Can't wait to see you there! 🌱✨

**Community Dance – Every Friday at Unity of Columbus** Let go of the week’s stress and move into joy! Join us every Friday for an evening of community, connection, and dance at Unity of Columbus. It’s a chance to meet new friends, express yourself through movement, and experience the emotional healing that comes from music and rhythm. No dance experience needed — just bring your energy, an open heart, and your dancing shoes! Dance is freedom. Dance is healing. Dance is fun.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 25 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

**Community Dance – Every Friday at Unity of Columbus** Let go of the week’s stress and move into joy! Join us every Friday for an evening of community, connection, and dance at Unity of Columbus. It’s a chance to meet new friends, express yourself through movement, and experience the emotional healing that comes from music and rhythm. No dance experience needed — just bring your energy, an open heart, and your dancing shoes! Dance is freedom. Dance is healing. Dance is fun.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!