Fundraising Events

TAMI open-fa-sure (Open Night) is a great time to visit the space and get to know how things work. If you want to double check whether someone is in the space, call 03-3726660. ========== TAMI wiki: [https://telavivmakers.org](https://telavivmakers.org) TAMI main Telegram channel: [https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8](https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8)

TestIL group & Loox are pleased to organize **Meetup on the topic**: “Next-Gen Testing: Tools & AI Agents” \>\>\> The Meetup will be held in “Loox” office \- 40 Tuval St\.\, Ramat Gan \(Sapir Tower\) \(14th floor\) <<< **Schedule:** **18:00 -** Networking and Pizza **18:30 -** TestIL intro **18:45 -** “Almost free agents with Claude Code and Ollama” by Alex Komanov \| Automation QA Engineer **19:15 -** “AI\-Orchestrated QA” by Jack Raif \| QA Team Leader and Ofir Blumental \| Automation QA Engineer **Lecture by Alex Komanov \| Automation QA Engineer \- [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-komanov-88b138158/)** Topic: “Almost free agents with Claude Code and Ollama” "Claude Code" and "Ollama" make AI agents almost free — whether on the cloud or your own machine. We’ll explore what’s possible and where free tier and RAM draw the line. **Lecture by Jack Raif \| QA Team Leader @ Loox \- [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-raif-yaakov-raif-760865110/)** **and Ofir Blumental \| Automation QA Engineer @ Loox \- [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofir-blumental/)** Topic: “AI-Orchestrated QA” Single-prompt AI tools are useful, but real QA work is not a single prompt. It is research, planning, approval, implementation, validation, and reporting. In this talk, we will unpack what an agent actually is, what an orchestrator does, and how chaining specialized agents through a structured workflow turns AI from a fancy autocomplete into a teammate that ships test plans and automated tests end-to-end. You will see a live orchestrator that takes a feature description and walks it from “I have an idea” to a validated, passing test, with humans in the loop where it counts. **The lectures will be held in Hebrew.** Upon arrival at the building, an ID card or other identification document must be left at the entrance as a deposit. **How to arrive?** \- Link to **Waze** ([direct to Loox's office](https://bit.ly/4doim9I)): * **Parking**: there are 2 paid parking lots - [“Habursa”](https://maps.app.goo.gl/z7xf1sEjChcmnQUw6) \- Tuval St\. 23 Ramat\-Gan and [“Hayahalom Parking Central Park”](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UjV53KayfnVijCMD7) \- Tuval St\. 21 Ramat\-Gan * **Train**: 5 minutes walk from Savidor station \*\* Those arriving with a scooter/bicycle must arrive with a lock to tie them outside the tower, two-wheelers are not allowed in the building. **—------------------------------------------------------------------------------** **If you have any question please contact us:** **TestIL group \|* [Nitzan@itcb.org.il](Nitzan@itcb.org.il) *\| Nitzan 052\-6718757** **To summarize the meeting and to discuss the issues raised: [http://bit.ly/TestIL-FB](http://bit.ly/TestIL-FB)** **Find us in Telegram [http://bit.ly/Test_IL-Teleg](http://bit.ly/Test_IL-Teleg)** **—------------------------------------------------------------------------------**

בואו ללמוד איך לתכנן מודלים בתלת-ממד בעזרת OnShape \- תוכנת CAD מתקדמת בענן - בשילוב כלים של בינה מלאכותית. בקורס נתנסה בכתיבת פרומפטים שמסייעים במידול, נלמד לתכנן חלקים שמוכנים להדפסה תלת־ממדית ונגלה איך AI יכול לייעל, להעשיר ולפשט את תהליך העיצוב. בסיום הקורס נדפיס את המודל שתכננתם. למבוגרים ונוער (15+).. אפשר להשתתף בקורס דרך זום בנוסף לאפשרות להגיע פיזית למייקלאב. מחיר: ₪500 (₪450 לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון) שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא [https://link.makelab.org.il/Onshape-course](https://link.makelab.org.il/Onshape-course)

בואו ללמוד איך לתכנן מודלים בתלת-ממד בעזרת OnShape \- תוכנת CAD מתקדמת בענן - בשילוב כלים של בינה מלאכותית. בקורס נתנסה בכתיבת פרומפטים שמסייעים במידול, נלמד לתכנן חלקים שמוכנים להדפסה תלת־ממדית ונגלה איך AI יכול לייעל, להעשיר ולפשט את תהליך העיצוב. בסיום הקורס נדפיס את המודל שתכננתם. למבוגרים ונוער (15+).. מחיר: ₪500 (₪450 לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון) שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא [https://link.makelab.org.il/Onshape-course](https://link.makelab.org.il/Onshape-course)

באו לתקן כל מה שלא עובד. יותר טוב אם [צרו איתנו](https://docs.telavivmakers.space/welcome) קשר וספרו לנו מה הולכים לתקן ךפני להגיע. Come to fix together It is much better if you [contact us](https://docs.telavivmakers.space/welcome) and tell what do you want to repair before coming.

לצפייה במפגשים הקודמים: [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYO6ItABnqsaUHKt7BXFaZyc319UOHDp](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYO6ItABnqsaUHKt7BXFaZyc319UOHDp) יום שני נפגשים בשרונה להמשיך לקרוא יחדיו ולנהל דיון על הספר: **The Ominous Parallels** נכתב על ידי לאונרד פיקוף ויצא לאור בשנת 1982. הספר סוקר את התרבות והאקלים הפילוסופי בגרמניה שהוביל לעליית הנאציזם ולשואה. הספר מציג כיצד תהליכים תרבותיים ופילוסופים דומים מתחוללים בארה״ב ובמערב. את הספר נקרא באנגלית והדיון יתקיים בעברית. את המפגש יוביל אייר רייכל, עמית מרכז איין ראנד בישראל המפגשים פתוחים לתורמי תרומה חודשית של 50 ש״ח או יותר [קישור לתרומה](https://www.aynrand.org.il/donate) הספר זמין לרכישה וניתן בחינם לתורמים הקבועים של המרכז מיקום: וויוורק שרונה מרקט הוראות כניסה: יש להיכנס בכניסה א' של שרונה מרקט, מול מסעדת "מקסיקנה" יש דלת לחדר מדרגות, יש לעלות לקומה ה3 ולצלצל לפתיחת הדלת לאייר רייכל 050-5210025. למגיעים ברכבת הקלה, לרדת בתחנת יהודית. למגיעים ברכב, חניה מומלצת ב"חניון פלטיניום" (מופיע בוייז). או בחניון "מילניום" (שקצת רחוק יותר) ב10 ש"ח עם אפליקציית סנטרל פארק. לתיאום הגעה בפעם הראשונה ולמתלבטים ניתן ליצור קשר עם אייר בטלפון ובוואטסאפ 050-5210025

**Beyond the Resume: What Companies Actually Look For in Junior Candidates** Want to know what engineering leaders actually look for in junior candidates? Join the **AWS Student Builder Group at HUJI** for an exclusive talk with **Nir Shtein**, VP of R&D at Guardoc Health and author of Microservices with Go. Nir will pull back the curtain on the hiring process and share how to stand out in today's market. **📌 What We'll Cover:** * **The Hiring Truth:** What R&D managers care about beyond your CV. * **Tech Expectations:** How AI are shifting entry-level roles. * **Standing Out:** Actionable ways to prove your value from day one. **📍 Event Details:** * 📅 **Date:** Monday\, May 25\, 2026 \| ⏰ Time: 18:00 IDT * 🏢 **Location:** Asper Hall, Harman Science Library (3rd Floor), Givat Ram Spaces are limited—RSVP to secure your spot!

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. Join locall Tel-Aviv chat with all news and updates https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWWgu9DznjzLvMe8p6cVCu?mode=ac_t For any questions pleae contact Tel-Aviv city leaders: Lev +972 55-7704496 Ilia +972535007183 Nastya +972533838320 Dan +972537162316 More about FRC global: 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

LGBTech is delighted to invite you to our Annual GALA Evening! 🎟️ **Admission is free, subject to pre-registration at this link only:** [Here](https://forms.monday.com/forms/09ddbe74721f37827734e4d00575d45b?r=euc1) An event dedicated to honoring the allies of the LGBTQ+ community in the workplace. This is our time to come together and celebrate our shared efforts, highlight major milestones, and recognize the vital partnerships driving real, on-the-ground change. During this special and inspiring evening, we will celebrate the individuals and companies leading the charge for a more inclusive professional landscape in Israel. We will also be presenting special certificates of appreciation to members of the Israeli Knesset for their ongoing support. 🥂 **Drinks & Food will be served** 📅 **When:** Tuesday, May 26th, at 20:00 📍 **Where:** On the rooftop of the LGBTQ+ Community Center, Meir Park, Tel Aviv 👔 **Dress Code:** Business casual We look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate our journey toward a more equal, safe, and inclusive reality.

## Details Hi everyone, ⚠️ You need to join the Whatssapp community and get a confirmation on WhatssApp that there are still spots available in order to be able to attend. You can join the chess community here by filling the form: https://chessbarisrael.com/#join-us The next edition tournament will take place on **Tuesday.** 📍 **Where:** Masaryk Wine & Flowers, **80 King George St, Tel Aviv** 📅 **When:** 6:15 PM - 8:30 PM ♟️ **Format:** 5 rounds of 8+2 (Rapid) OR Meet & Play (depends on which Tuesday) 🥇 **Prizes:** * **Top Winners:** bottles of wine * **Best Under 1500/800:** 1 hour of private chess lesson * **Sandwich for a randomly picked player** ✨ **How does it work?** This is a friendly, unofficial event (not reported to FIDE) and part of a **bi-weekly series of tournaments** held in bars around Tel Aviv. ⚠️ There is an entrance fee for the event including the first free drink and prizes! **Spots are limited!** ⚠️ You need to join the Whatssapp community and get a confirmation on WhatssApp that there are still spots available in order to be able to attend. Olivier 🎉

🎟️ Admission is free, subject to pre-registration at this link only: [https://forms.monday.com/forms/32e525c3e9f4c6c080ad549cf07280ac?r=euc1](https://forms.monday.com/forms/32e525c3e9f4c6c080ad549cf07280ac?r=euc1) **THE PREMIER EVENT FOR EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE ISRAELI LABOR MARKET** The LGBTWORK Conference is coming to the Tel Aviv LGBTQ Center, officially kicking off the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality’s Pride Month events. This is the largest professional gathering for the LGBTQ+ community—bridging the gap between the economy’s leading companies and top-tier professionals and talent across all industries. **WHAT’S IN STORE?** 🔹 Professional Content & Practical Tools: Resources designed to help you navigate the next step in your career. 🔹 Career Fair: Meet the most innovative companies—those that recognize equality and diversity as primary engines for success. 🔹 Lectures & Panels: Deep dives into the most pressing issues in the modern world of work. 🔹 Personal Consulting & Professional Branding: CV workshops, LinkedIn optimization, and a professional headshot station (because your career deserves a great profile picture). 🔹 Mentoring Hub: One-on-one sessions with leading industry professionals. **ON STAGE:** 🎤 A Global Look at LGBTQ+ Employment Sari Yerushalmi – CEO of LGBTWORK 🎤 Employment in the AI Era Shahar Grembek, Roy Latke, Dr. Limor Ziv 🎤 Urban Pride: Policy, Community, and Impact Representatives of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality 🎤 Stronger Together: The Power of LGBTQ+ Employee Unions Maggie Moore (Chair of Assuta Workers' Union), Hagit Pe'er (Chair of Na'amat), Adv. Irit Porin-Weitzman (VP of HR, Histadrut) 🎤 One-on-One with Matan Hodorov A personal interview on career, public influence, and LGBTQ+ identity. 💬 This is your space to listen, ask, network, and open doors—and perhaps find your next big move. **WHO SHOULD ATTEND?** Students and graduates \| Job seekers and employees \| Anyone for whom professional growth and pride are a priority\. EVENT DETAILS: 📅 Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 🕔 Time: 17:00 – 20:00 📍 Location: The LGBTQ Center, Gan Meir, Tel Aviv-Yafo

**TAMI Sonic (Music Night)** Join our bi-weekly informal meetups devoted to playing and experimenting with sound. ========== TAMI wiki: [https://telavivmakers.org](https://telavivmakers.org) TAMI main Telegram channel: [https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8](https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8)

Welcome to the official launch of the AWS Student Club at Bar-Ilan University, taking place at the Engineering Building, Hall 2! We are kicking off our community with an incredible lineup of industry guest speakers to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world tech. First, Maish Saidel-Keesing (Senior Developer Advocate at AWS) will take us a deep dive into Cloud & AI, exploring how AWS powers cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and how you can leverage these tools as developers. Then, Orel Bello (Senior DevOps Platform Engineer at Melio & AWS Community Builder) will deliver an essential introductory session on Cloud Computing. Whether you are a software engineering\CS student, a cloud enthusiast, or just starting out, stay tuned for the exact date and time announcements to secure your spot!

Come join us on Wednesday we open our doors to every to hang out and participated in our small little community space in givatayim 19:00 open for sure 20:00 seedling talks: we want to come together and start the conversation about what is kunz and how we do kunz everyone is welcome!

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

Join us as we get together to see the top-reviewed comedy-drama, I LOVE BOOSTERS! The film comes from writer/director Boots Riley and follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It is written/directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. BUZZ AND ACCLAIM: I Love Boosters was the opening film at this year’s SXSW Festival and premiered to rave reviews! It is currently earning a tremendous 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it, “an unexpected celebration of friendship, community, and solidarity.” Others call the film “an exercise in radical empathy,” a “masterful” and “optimistic” film designed to “provoke discussion” while making the audience laugh. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c) SUMMER OF ICE CREAM: GRAETER’S! Established way back in 1870 in Cincinnati, this historic, family-owned brand is famous for their delicious small batch ice cream and any chocolate chunk flavors! They are currently the only commercial ice cream maker using the French Pot method that they’ve been using since they first opened! Plus, those chocolate chunks, oh my goodness! Vegan options are available. PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but Showtime and complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

**History** [Chestnut Ridge Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/chestnut-ridge/) is historically significant because it sits on a 300-million-year-old outcropping of Blackhand sandstone. Geographically recognized as the very first foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, the ridge rises 1,116 feet above sea level. Long before European settlement, the land served as a sacred site for ancient civilizations. The park contains the Old Maid's Orchard Mound, an eight-foot-tall burial mound constructed by the Adena culture between 1000 B.C. and 100 B.C. This ancient landmark has remained largely intact and is now protected on the National Register of Historic Places. The documented modern history of the land began with an official survey conducted by Ebenezer Buckingham in 1801. Original land deeds of sale from this period notably bear the signatures of United States Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In the 1830s, Irish laborers arrived at the ridge to quarry its rich Blackhand sandstone. The blocks they hewed were used to build the crucial locks for the nearby Ohio and Erie Canal. Remnants of this early sandstone quarrying operation can still be spotted by sharp-eyed hikers along the modern trails. Agricultural transformation defined the ridge throughout the mid-to-late 19th century. Settlers discovered that the high elevation created a natural air flow that prevented late-season frost damage to crops. Extensive fruit orchards were planted across the slopes between 1860 and 1880. One notable orchard was established by John Wagner, a Spanish-American War veteran who chose the ridge specifically for its proximity to the bustling Columbus market. The park's current name pays homage to the massive American chestnut trees that once dominated the ridgeline before a devastating ecological blight wiped them out in the early 20th century. The conservation story of the modern 486-acre park began in March 1962. The Metro Parks board announced land acquisition plans to block developers from building a residential housing development called Chestnut Heights. Director-Secretary Walter A. Tucker advocated heavily for the purchase, citing the ridge's immense value as a scenic overlook for central Ohio. The district systematically purchased multiple agricultural parcels over the next two decades. After operating strictly as undeveloped farmland through the 1970s, Chestnut Ridge Metro Park officially opened to the public on December 18, 1988. In recent decades, the park has evolved from a quiet hiking spot into a premier regional destination for outdoor sports. A major turning point occurred in 2010 when the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO) partnered with the park district to develop new infrastructure. Volunteers worked extensively to construct a single-track mountain bike trail, which officially opened in October 2011. An expert gravity and flow trail featuring advanced jumps was later integrated into the loop in 2016. Today, the park successfully balances its deep ancient, industrial, and agricultural history with active recreation. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Chestnut Ridge](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CHR_map_1980px_2026.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Ridge, Meadows, and Homesite Trails, and Law's Lane, which is unmarked on some maps. None of these trails is individually very long, so we will hike a few permutations and loops until we get in 4-5 miles. The hike will be moderately strenuous. **Where We'll Meet** Drive to the rearmost picnic area at the back of the park. There's a latrine here, but there's no water fountain here or anywhere else at Chestnut Ridge. I strongly recommend you bring some water of your own, at least for after the hike. Cell service at the park is spotty, although your GPS will get you there just fine. The map pin I've provided here is exactly where we'll be meeting and should be able to be used directly in Google Maps, although Chestnut Ridge isn't big and you're unlikely to get lost here. **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [BrewDog DogTap](https://drink.brewdog.com/usa/brewdog-dogtap-columbus) for [drinks](https://usa.brewdog.com/pages/brewdog-lineup) and [food](https://usa.brewdog.com/cdn/shop/files/DogTap_Menu_2025_65e1ff8b-97d4-4f26-80f1-68321d482025.pdf?v=17356939232910340498). They also have an outdoor area that's extremely popular. I've had their burgers and their pizza, and I think they're both very good. I also really like their [Cold Beer](https://usa.brewdog.com/products/cold-beer-2024) (that's its actual name), which is their American light lager. BrewDog's actual address is [96 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/96+Gender+Rd,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88387c06afa21a85:0x804c611d373d8c54?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and they have a large, free parking lot. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Official Attendee Registration Site --> [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joyfest-presented-by-zoras-house-tickets-1986849414082?aff=ebdsoporgprofile](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joyfest-presented-by-zoras-house-tickets-1986849414082?aff=ebdsoporgprofile) JoyFest is a vibrant festival celebrating women+ of color entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives—shop, connect, and experience joy. Get ready for a joyful, high-energy celebration of creativity, culture, and community at **JoyFest**! JoyFest is a vibrant marketplace and experience that brings together some of the most talented women+ of color entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives. From handcrafted goods and unique fashion to art, wellness products, and delicious food, this is your chance to discover and support incredible local businesses—all in one place. But JoyFest is more than a market—it’s a movement. Rooted in economic empowerment and community connection, the event creates space to celebrate the brilliance, innovation, and growing impact of women of color. Expect great music, dynamic energy, and an atmosphere that centers joy, abundance, and collective support. Whether you’re shopping, networking, or just soaking it all in, JoyFest is the place to be. Come ready to explore, connect, and invest in a future where creativity and community thrive. ✨ Shop. Celebrate. Support. Experience JoyFest.