Girlfriends

Start the New Year off right! Join us as we get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event to distribute food at the Champion Food Pantry! We’ve created a great little community of Movie Group friends! Rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “Create a better world” by helping serve people in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: CHAMPION FOOD PANTRY: The Champion Food Pantry provides needed food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. For this event, we’ll be volunteering to help with Food Distribution during client pick up times. Our group will receive on-the-spot training from some of their seasoned regular volunteers. PLAN FOR CHAMPION FOOD PANTRY: Please arrive by 2:45pm. Our volunteer time will be from 3:00 to 6:00pm. LOCATION & PARKING: The Champion Food Pantry is located at 1460 S. Champion Ave in Columbus. Parking is located in the lot on Frebis across from the pantry. Please enter through the door marked "Volunteers enter here” on Frebis Ave. A map has been uploaded to the photos. IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing the majority of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. No shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will mak you ineligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. LINKS & INFO: Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: • Champion Food Pantry Civil Rights Training: Attached file. • Champion Food Pantry Parking and Entrance: Attached file. • Champion Food Pantry Orientation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0wI-AwOYLY • Link with Additional Details / Info: https://lss.vomo.org/opportunity/foodpantrieschampion THANK YOU: This CMG Gives Back event provides an opportunity for YOU to get involved in helping others in our community! But the benefits go well beyond the help we give to others. Volunteering can provide a wide range of personal benefits, including positive effects on mental and physical health, reduced stress/depression/anxiety, increased happiness and improved purpose, life-satisfaction and personal well-being! Plus, the opportunity to get involved, connect with others and help those in need. PARTNER AGENCY: This event is hosted by Lutheran Social Services (LSS), which serves thousands of people in need each day in 27 Ohio counties by addressing the four core societal issues of food, shelter, safety and healing. LSS offers food through the LSS Food Pantries, housing and supportive services through LSS Faith Mission and LSS Faith Mission of Fairfield County homeless shelters, domestic violence services through LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, senior living and health care, affordable housing communities, and other services that uplift families and strengthen communities. Thanks for your help and look forward to seeing you there, Dan

❄️ **Spare Yourself a Boring Winter - Bowl With Us!** Avoid social hibernation this winter, join our **6-week social bowling league** starting in January! Whether you're looking to unwind after work, meet new people, or just have a fun night out with pals, this league is perfect for everyone! Chill times, cold drinks, and plenty of chances to connect with others. No matter your skill level, this league is all about having fun and meeting new friends. **;)** **🗓 Thursday evenings \|📍 AMF Sawmill Lanes \| 💵 $74 w/ code MUCOW26** **💻 League Info & Registration**: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling **Why Join?** 🎉 It’s only 6 weeks - perfect for a low-commitment social plan 🍻 Great mix of people in their 20s-40s, plus post-game hangs at the bar 🎳 Zero pressure - gutter balls totally welcome! 👕 Free league shirt if you sign up early 🧠 Weekly trivia w/ prizes 💬 Super social - join solo or w/ friends! **Want in?** Join our Meetup team Pin Ups 👉 **Click here to join** https://tinyurl.com/2b3vj49a Or start a team of your own with a few friends - we’ll all be hanging out either way! 📅 League Dates (Thursday evenings): Jan 22, Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 12, Feb 19, Feb 26 ***(The MeetUp event date is deadline to register for the league.)*** **Cost & What’s Included:** ✔ $74 with discount code MUCOW26 ✔ 6 weeks of bowling (1–3 games/week) ✔ Shoe rentals & full league setup ✔ Trivia, prizes, and great people 👉 **SIGN UP NOW** 💻League Info & Registration: https://bit.ly/ColumbusBowling 🤑Use promo code MUCOW26 to save $20 📸 Follow the fun on Instagram: https://bit.ly/BowlingLeague-IG 📩 Questions? Contact the league: http://bit.ly/2nKHno7 Spots are filling fast – don’t miss out on the fun times!

Let's have lunch at Uptown Westerville's newest restaurant. Ampersand is owned by the same couple who owns Asterisk. They are known for ramen, rice bowls, teriyaki and small plates.

Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations. 
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that. We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Worthington, and parts of Westerville and Columbus. 
Feel free to bring your own games or play one of the many games our members bring. If you are inexperienced, we will help you learn. 
Here are just a few examples of the kind of games we play. 
Tabletop/board games: Splendor, Catan, Azul, Dominion, 7 Wonders… 
Social deduction games: Code Names, Chameleon, Werewords… 
IMPORTANT: 
1. While we love playing a variety of games and competing, we are not just about the games. We interact and talk while playing, and this leads to a lot of laughter and fun. If you just want to compete and focus solely on the game, then this is probably not the group you are looking for. 
2. Many people join groups like this and never (or rarely) show up after weeks or months. If you join and never really come, we will eventually remove you from the group as a courtesy to our members. Why? Because limiting group conversations (on the app) to regular members makes communication and planning much easier. Also, while it may be rare, it protects members from people who join because they are interested in following a person instead of having a real interest in our group. If you get removed, it is just because you haven’t come, and we follow this protocol as a courtesy to our regular game players.

Join us as we get together to see the winner of the Best International Film at TIFF and a triple Golden Globe nominee: NO OTHER CHOICE! This top-reviewed dark comedy satirical thriller follows a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job: eliminate his competition. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a desperate paper industry expert who decides to kill off his competition to be assured of the job he seeks to maintain his way of life. The film is co-written / produced / directed by Park Chan-wook and is based on The Ax by Donald Westlake. It stars Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcz-RXMCyco BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews as the Venice International Film Festival and later at the Toronto Film Festival where it won the International People’s Choice Award! It just received 3 Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor for Lee Byung-hun. It was also selected as the South Korean entry (and likely nominee) for Best International Film at this year’s Academy Awards! MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 2:00pm 4K showing and meet in the upstairs lobby area between 1:35 and 1:45pm! Tickets $11.25 via the GFC website and includes online ticketing fee. Advance purchase is advised. Once you have yours please list your seat number in the Comments below. DINNER PLAN: The new burger place isn’t open yet but we’ll still try someplace new! And someplace where the cuisine matches the film! Join us immediately following the movie at nearby TAKOREA, located just downstairs and next to the theater! We’ll try to grab the trio of tables just inside the door, which should work perfectly for our group! MENU: From small plates to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and bowls, they have a wildly inventive menu that offers a “Korean-Mexican fusion concept” that serves “delicious food that everyone can enjoy!” Popular entrees include tacos, nachos and burritos made with Bulgogi beef, pork carnitas, Korean fried chicken, and even BBQ Tofu, along with traditional sides, chips and a variety of dips. For the vegans in the group, the BBQ Tofu Burrito is listed as “vegan friendly” and that combo of ingredients can be used in just about any entrée! And, if you’re not into Korean food, they have several straight-Mexican options as well! You can check out their menu here: https://www.takoreacbus.com/menu 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! 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

**Our January novel is: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan** **This month's featured novel is a 20th-century biographical fiction, coming-of-age, historical romance, women’s fiction, world literature, student biography, heartfelt, magic, and feel-good novel. The book is 311 pages in print and 7 hours and 8 minutes on audiobook.** 1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?" Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers. Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life. After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."

Join us for a Classic Movie Monday event to see one of the best comedy films of all time, ANNIE HALL! This Woody Allen classic stars Diane Keaton and follows a man who reflects on his relationship with an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows Alvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages. It is written/directed by Woody Allen and stars Diane Keaton (in a role written specifically for her), Woody Allen, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Janet Margolin, Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken and Colleen Dewhurst. Also keep an eye out for Beverly D’Angelo and Sigourney Weaver in her film debut! TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj4ZoeRMHwU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj4ZoeRMHwU) 2010 CBS Sunday Morning Interview with Diane Keaton on Woody Allen, “Annie Hall,” and marriage: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4CpyJhbXaM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4CpyJhbXaM) CELEBRATING DIANE KEATON: The film is part of the Drexel's “Starring Diane Keaton,” program, which celebrates the life of the legendary actress in January. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: ANNIE HALL was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning four: Best Picture, Best Director. Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress for Diane Keaton. It also won 4 BAFTAs (Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actress) and a Golden Globes Best for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for Diane Keaton. It is regarded as the greatest comedy films ever made and ranks 31st on AFI's list of the 100 greatest films in American cinema, 4th on their list of the greatest comedy films and 28th on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies." Film critic Roger Ebert called it "just about everyone's favorite Woody Allen movie.” PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and meet inside the theater lobby between 6:30 and 6:45pm! A full house is expected so early arrival is advised. We'll head into the theater by 6:50pm to get good seats. Be sure to mention you're with the Movie Group for admission and concession discounts. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

This cutting edge rom-com translates the familiar "love triangle" to the 2025 luxury driven NYC culture. Can our successful matchmaker find true love herself? Watch it and cast your opinion at the group discussion,

Joins us as we get together to see possible-future-Oscar-nominee Amanda Seyfried in THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE! This biographical-musical-drama follows Ann Lee, who was the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event; DESCRIPTION: The film follows Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century. Based on true events, it depicts her establishment of a utopian society and the Shakers' worship through song and dance. The film is directed by Mona Fastvold, who co-wrote the script with Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), and stars Amanda Seyfried, Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott, Stacy Martin, Matthew Beard and David Cale. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zK_nzG36mk BUZZ: Reviews have been solid but Amanda Seyfried’s performance has been universally praised. The film is earning an 89% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which says: “Illuminated by Amanda Seyfried's sterling performance, The Testament of Ann Lee accepts The Shakers' founder on her own terms and reaches its own rhapsodic highs as a result.” According to Next Best Picture, “The Testament of Ann Lee is an undeniably moving and inspirational story….effectively brought into the 21st century through powerful, stirring music.” PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 7:30pm showing and we’ll meet inside the theater lobby between 7:00 and 7:15pm! Advance purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below. Note: If you purchase your ticket on the Gateway's website, be sure to change the ticket from "70mm" to "evening rate," which will save you $3.00. 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