Graph Databases

**Want to improve your spoken English? Or are you fluent but want to meet people? Join us to chat with others!** \*Please let your RSVP reflect your attendance\* All links: [www.languagebuddies.be](www.languagebuddies.be) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- *Practical info :* * come and leave when you wish * a minimum level of A2-B1 is recommended * you have to order at least one thing to support the cafe, and please don't bring any external food * don't be scared if there are no attendees on Meetup. A lot of people just show up (or reply on Facebook).

Making new friends in a new city doesn’t need to be a struggle at all.

We do cycles of 4-6 weeks, with a progressive intensity, and the last session is lighter. Program: 15’ warm up **To be defined** Cool down to get back to the starting point… or more S=All out sprint RF = Run fast, at MAS (Maximum aerobic speed) CF = Run comfortably fast (1h threshold) J = Jog, recuperation Notes: It should take about one hour in total, as the cool down will end when we reach back to the meeting point. It's NOT required to have an activity tracker or smart watch to be able to follow the program, as I'll be giving signals with a whistle. For the "run" part, you can follow your own pace and we'll be regrouping in the "jog" part. Intervals training is not advised for total beginners. To have an idea, the average pace at the warm up is around 5'45"/km-6'/km so this pace should feel very comfortable ***Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability.*** By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.

_IMPORTANT: To RSVP you will also need to register as a member [here.](https://forms.gle/PsmYJ3vQKocXQCAY6)_ **🏮 Please bring a red-light headlamp or torch (Decathlon has them).** Red mode is required to minimize light pollution, respect wildlife, and keep the peaceful night-walk atmosphere. As winter approaches and daylight fades earlier, we’ll take advantage of the calm, blue-hour mood for a gentle **late-afternoon walk through Parc de Woluwe** - one of Brussels’ most elegant urban parks. We’ll follow an easy loop along the lakes and the Woluwe River, enjoying that unique winter serenity: silhouettes of trees against the sky, reflections on the water, and the quiet shift from day to night. After the walk, we’ll warm up together with a drink at **Brasserie des Étangs Mellaerts**, our meeting and parking point. ### **🕯️ A bit of history, softly told at dusk** Created during the **Belle Époque** (1896–1898) as part of King Leopold II’s urban vision, the park was designed as a landscaped corridor linking Brussels to Tervuren. The gentle river, the chain of lakes, and the elegant avenues still echo that era’s idea of blending beauty, nature, and modern city life. ### **🕓 Plan** * Meet at **Brasserie des Étangs Mellaerts**, Bd du Souverain 275, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre * **Parking** available on site * Easy access via **Tram 39/44** from Montgomery or **Tram 8** from Roodebeek - get off at *Musée du Tram* * We start and end the walk at the ClubHouse, followed by warm drinks together ☕ ### **🌿 Expect** 🍁 Winter foliage, calm lakes, and soft evening light 🦆 Ducks, herons, maybe even a fox if we’re lucky ✨ A cozy, slightly scout-like night walk with red headlamps 🐕 Gentle pace - dogs welcome ### **💶 Symbolic Contribution** This recurring walk is **free**. If you’d like to support the Sunday Vacations community, you may make an optional **€5 symbolic contribution** to our non-profit ASBL. **UJAMAA ASBL** **IBAN:** BE35 7380 4663 9137 **Reference:** Woluwe By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

Join us for a cosy Friday after-work meetup at the Brussels Christmas Market. We’ll grab a warm **glühwein**, **hot chocolate**, or your favourite festive drink, and enjoy an easygoing evening with friendly people in the heart of Brussels. Whether you’re new to Sunday Vacations or already part of the community, this is the perfect moment to unwind and soak up the holiday atmosphere. 🎅🌟 *** ### **📍 Meeting Point** **Tower Bar – just across from the big Ferris Wheel** We’ll stay there for a bit and those who want may explore the stalls. ### **🎉 What to Expect** * Cosy festive vibes * Glühwein, hot chocolate & winter treats * Friendly conversations and new connections * A walk through the market afterwards * Optional group photos ### **💬 Who Can Join?** Everyone is welcome -solo, new in town, or coming with friends. ### **✨ Join us for a warm and festive Friday evening!** Dress warmly and bring your holiday mood 🎁🎄 By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

# 🗣️ Language Exchange at Gare Maritime **Practice languages over drinks in Brussels' coolest food court!** Join fellow language enthusiasts for an evening of conversation, connection, and cocktails at the stunning Gare Maritime. Whether you're polishing your French, learning Dutch, or practicing any other language, come mingle in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. ## 📍 The Venue **Gare Maritime Food Court** \- Tour & Taxis A breathtaking industrial space transformed into Brussels' hottest social hub. With its soaring ceilings, vibrant atmosphere, and multiple bars serving everything from craft cocktails to Belgian beers, it's the perfect setting for a language meetup. ## 🎯 What to Expect Grab a drink and dive into natural conversations with people from all over the world. Chat in French with a Parisian, practice Dutch with a local, share travel stories in English, or switch between languages as the mood strikes. This is all about organic connections and real conversations - no pressure, no structure, just good vibes and great company. **Everyone welcome:** complete beginners to fluent speakers, locals and expats, native speakers and eager learners. ## 👥 Who Comes to These Events? Our community includes language students, professionals new to Brussels, polyglots, locals wanting to practice their English, expats improving their French or Dutch, and anyone curious about other cultures. The common thread? A love of languages and meeting interesting people. ## 🍹 Drinks & Atmosphere Gare Maritime shines when it comes to drinks. Multiple bars offer creative cocktails, local craft beers, quality wines, and non-alcoholic options. The industrial-chic setting with communal seating makes it easy to strike up conversations and move between groups. ## 💡 First Time? No Worries! Just show up and introduce yourself. People are friendly and everyone remembers being a beginner. The best way to learn is by speaking, and mistakes are just part of the journey. Bring your curiosity and willingness to try - that's all you need.

Join us for a full day of collaborative work at HSBXL! This event is open to everyone who enjoys working in a community environment, whether you're advancing on business ventures, freelance projects, or creative endeavors. Bring your laptops, your enthusiasm, and your projects to collaborate, learn, and share in the main room of our spacious hackerspace. During this **8-hour co-working event**, you'll have the opportunity to work on your project, ask for feedback, offer help to others, and if you wish, share your achievements at the end of the day. **Please Note**: While HSBXL has multiple rooms for various purposes, this coworking event is taking place in the main room. It's important to note that online meetings should be avoided during this event to prevent noise disturbance and to maintain a conducive work environment for everyone. \#\#\# What the day will look like: 1\. Introduction and setting up: Find a comfortable spot in the main room\, set up your workspace and grab a Club Mate\, soft drink\, or a coffee to get your day started\. 2\. Work Session: Dive into your project\, seek assistance\, and collaborate with others\. 3\. Sharing Session: Optional\, but encouraged\! Share what you've worked on\, your challenges\, and triumphs\. \#\#\# How to get to HSBXL: HSBXL is located in Brussels. For detailed instructions on how to get to the hackerspace, please visit [here](https://hsbxl.be/enter/). If you encounter any issues while trying to get in, you can contact us at +32 28804004. Please note that the phone is inside the space. Alternatively, you can also reach out to us in our [Matrix chatroom](https://matrix.to/#/#hsbxl:matrix.org). \#\#\# Requirements Please bring your laptop, and if you have, an extension cord. The space has WiFi, but having your own internet backup solution can also be useful. Join us at this **8-hour co-working day** in the main room of HSBXL, and we hope you'll have made progress on your projects, learned something new, and most importantly, enjoyed the power of community collaboration. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or creative, we welcome you to this day of productivity, sharing, and collaboration.

[BANCONTACT: CLICK ME to PAY](https://pay.bancontact.com/p2p/e2de84f4-8af2-401f-82b8-034b794b555a) [REVOLUT: CLICK ME to PAY](https://revolut.me/benjinsi?currency=EUR&amount=650&note=Saturday%2003%20January%202026%20PingPong2) 4 tables have been reserved for Saturday, for two hours, from 15.30 to 17.30. Venue: Woluwe Sports Complex, Krainem Make sure to bring your own bat. Price: €6.50 for the 2 hours (independent of the number of attendees) IMPORTANT: * Please RSVP only if you intend to come and respect the rights of others to play * Modify your RSVP, as soon as you know you won't be able to make it, in case of changes. If you are on the Waitlist, please check throughout the day to see if you got upgraded to the attendee list - so that you don't miss the chance of attending the event! Please don’t turn up if you are only on the Waitlist!

For this hike we will mostly follow the ***GR 122 and the Regional GR “Vlaamse Ardennen”.*** We’ll start our hike in Zottegem and wander through the rolling hills of the Flemish Ardennes. Along the way we’ll pass ***historic watermills such as the Bostmolen, Zwalmmolen and Pedesmolen*** and enjoy the peaceful ***Zwalm valley.*** The route takes us through ***charming hamlets, quiet country roads and nature reserves like De Blarenhoek***. Expect ***sweeping views over fields and forests, authentic farms*** and plenty of rural tranquility before returning to our starting point. After the hike we will continue our good habit of ***taking a nice drink/ice cream/snack in a local pub in Zottegem*** before returning to Brussels. ***Please don't forget to pay Maikel a drink :-)*** We will walk at an ***average speed of 5km/h***. We will walk both on ***paved and unpaved roads***. ***I’ve never walked this road before***, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning. ●●***Meeting point*** We meet at ***09h15 in front of the Starbucks in Brussels Central***. Our train (IC 2332 - Oostende) leaves at ***09h32 from platform 4.*** We arrive at our ***destination Zottegem at 10h12*** and start our hike. ●● ***Train tickets*** \- single ticket Brussels to Zottegem \(6\,40 € weekend / 3\,90 € with train card\+\) \- single ticket Zottegem to Brussels \(6\,40 € weekend / 3\,90 € with train card\+\) ●● ***Train back to Brussels*** There are 2 direct trains from Zottegem to Brussels every hour at ***XX:48 and XX:56*** **LAST TRAIN = 22h56** ●● **Specifics** distance: \~ 25 km elevation gain: \~ 237 m net walking time ***(breaks are not included here):*** \~ 5h00 level: ***easy - open for everyone*** ***In the unlikely case of too bad weather we may cancel a hike even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it’s important to have access to either the [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) website and/or your emails.*** ***●● What to bring*** \- warm comfortable hiking clothes – waterproof hiking shoes \- extra socks to change \+ compeed for blisters \- enough water or warm drinks and food for the breaks \- sun protection oil\, a hat and sunglasses OR a raincoat (please consult the weather forcast on [www.meteo.be](http://www.meteo.be/) ) \- a flashlight and a yellow/orange safety vest for when it gets dark ***\- some money to pay Maikel a drink ;\-\)*** ***●● Basic rules*** Please RSVP only ***if you really intend to come***. And if your plans change update your RSVP ***latest 1 day before the hike*** so other people still have the possibility to join. This is basic courtesy towards others. ***People who cancel last day or don’t show up for the hike will be blacklisted for future hikes.*** Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the roster (i.e. “yes RSVP”, but not “wait listed”). ***●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability*** ***By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselve***

[BANCONTACT: CLICK ME to PAY](https://pay.bancontact.com/p2p/495b13a1-569d-4ff2-800e-a807f5a39e28) [REVOLUT: CLICK ME to PAY](https://revolut.me/benjinsi?currency=EUR&amount=650&note=Sunday%2004%20January%202026%20PingPong2) 4 tables have been reserved for Sunday, for two hours 14:00-16:00 I will be your host Venue: Woluwe Sports Complex, Krainem We meet in the room with the ping pong tables. • What to bring: Make sure to bring your own bat. • Price: €6.5 for the 2 hours (independent of the number of attendees) IMPORTANT: * Please RSVP only if you intend to come and respect the rights of others to play * Modify your RSVP (preferably before 6p.m. on the day before the event) in case of changes. If you are on the Waitlist, please check on the day to see if you got upgraded to the attendee list - so that you do not miss the chance of attending the event! Please don’t turn up if you are only on the Waitlist! Enjoy!

Join us for our January 2026 event "**GaySocial Belgium: Brussels New Year 2026**"! 🌈 **Date:** Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 🕖 **Time**: 8:00 PM - Late 📍 **Location**: To be announced (Central Brussels) We're excited to again bring the together gay men in their 20s to 40s for an evening of fun, laughter, and new connections in the heart of Brussels. With the warmer temperatures now with us, it should be a wonderful evening! **What to expect:** * A warm welcome from your hosts * Chance to meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed setting * Potential for an impromptu bar hop if the group is up for it! **This free event is perfect for:** * Newcomers to Brussels looking to expand their gay social circle * Locals wanting to meet new gay friends * Anyone seeking a fun, judgment-free night out We're all about creating genuine connections and having a great time. Whether you're outgoing or a bit shy, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere here. Space is **limited**, so RSVP early to secure your spot! The exact venue will be announced to confirmed attendees a few days before the event, once we have a headcount. A few days before the event we will send location information to the Events WhatsApp group, please be sure to join this. If you do not have the link, please keep an eye on this events comments nearer the time, or by messaging me for a link. **Remember:** GaySocial Belgium is proudly neurodiversity-friendly and this initial event is focused on socializing, not dating. Come as you are, be yourself, and let's make this first event unforgettable! #GaySocialBelgium #LGBTQBrussels #QueerNightOut *P.S. Have ideas for future events? We'd love to hear them! Share your thoughts when you join us.*

[🚨][BANCONTACT: CLICK ME to PAY](https://pay.bancontact.com/p2p/c3e6cb32-bb29-4755-9f86-e083f0ff3e73) [🚨][REVOLUT: CLICK ME to PAY](https://revolut.me/benjinsi?currency=EUR&amount=500&note=Sunday%2004%20January%20Pingpong) Get ready to unleash your inner champion (or just have some epic laughs) at our **Brussels Ping Pong Bash** ! **Are you a "Federer of the forehand" or haven't held a paddle since childhood?** this is your chance to rally with awesome people, get a fun workout, and build some serious table tennis cred. **Here's the lowdown:** * **Date & Time:** Sunday, 16:00 PM - 18:00 PM * **Location:** Brussels Ping Pong (Emmanuel Mounier Sport Center, Wolluwe-St-Lambert) - Room 1 (meet us there!) * **The Vibe:** Friendly competition, good times, and maybe a little healthy trash talk * **Cost:** €5 for the entire 2 hours (bank transfer) **What to Bring:** * Your own paddle (and balls if you've got 'em) * Your A-game (optional ) * Your awesome self (don't be late!) **RSVP:** Let us know you're joining the fun asp. Spots are limited, so don't wait! **Important Note:** Please only RSVP if you can truly make it. We want everyone to get a chance to play! This is gonna be a smash hit! Don't miss out! P.S. We're building a community of ACTIVES table tennis enthusiasts, so come ready to make some new friends and share your love for the sport 🚨Keep this place SAFE : keep it fun. A smatch is good but avoid hurting others 🚨Remember we all began somewhere and it is important to support those at the start of their training

Let's continue the tradition and play UNO, everybody is welcome :) If you're on the waitlist please check your messages, especially on Sunday. If people drop off last minute I tend to message people on the waitlist to see who can come. We'll be playing at the lobby of Radisson RED, Brussels. The address of the hotel is: Rue d'Idalie 35, 1050 Bruxelles My number is 0471 45 55 02. Feel free to call if you cannot solve a physics question, cannot find the place or simply need a hug. I have quickly written a set of rules on how we play. It is assumed that the reader has a basic concept of the game. *** Setup: * Each player starts with 6 or 7 cards each (depending on total number of players) * A card is shown in play in the middle of everyone, this is known as the top card. Goal: * The goal of the game for each player is to get rid of all cards in your hand Rules: * Whenever you go from two cards to one card, you have to say "UNO". * Each player takes his turn one by one, initially going in the clock-wise direction * A card may be played if it matches the same colour or same number or same type as the top card in play * The two black cards (Draw 4 and Wild) can be played regardless of the top card in play. * Interruption rule: You may interrupt the general flow of the game (clockwise or counter-clockwise) if you have the EXACT same card as the top card in play. If you manage to play the card prior to the person whose turn it's supposed to be, then the game continues on from you in the same direction it was previously. (Unless the reverse card was interrupted, then the direction changes). * Draw2 or Draw4 cards can be played in accordance to the interruption rule. The following person after the interrupt has to take the accumulated number of cards. If however, cards have already been drawn AND seen by the person who was supposed to take the cards, then only the remainder of cards has to be drawn. * Once someone has no cards remaining in his hand, play stops and we start counting points. Points: * Number cards have the face value as the number of points. i.e. number 6 is worth 6 points, number 0 is worth 0 points, number 4 is worth 4 points. * Skip, reverse and Draw2 are worth 20 points each * Wild and draw4 are worth 50 points each

The January Ohio North Database Training user group meeting will be held on **January 6th, 2025 at 5:00PM**. This will be a **HYBRID** event and we will be joined online by **Jason Romans**. You're welcome to come meet in-person at our meeting location, the offices of Improving at **[6000 Freedom Square Dr,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Unit 110,](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** **[Independence, OH 44131](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Improving/@41.4004167,-81.6614462,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x8830e5b8255c5919:0xd8297060eb68fe04!4m6!3m5!1s0x8830dc7a0fe35dc9:0xbfc4710ecadfc5c!8m2!3d41.4004127!4d-81.6588713!16s%2Fg%2F1hm3hkqp3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQzMC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)** [Teams Link ](https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_N2Q3ODVjM2YtNDQ1NS00MDBjLWI5MzYtNDQ3YmFlZjkzMjAx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b966f302-6b93-4686-9041-c084635642c5%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2278c760cb-657f-46aa-bd2f-7066d9403bdb%22%7d)if anyone needs it after RSVP-ing for in person. If you would like to subscribe to our email list outside of Meetup, we have changed platforms recently and you will need to register [here in Kit ](https://ohio-north-data-training.kit.com/b8f036f615)instead to receive emails. Agenda: **5:00 PM EST**: Online and in-person meeting begins with a social hour. This is an unstructured hour where you can join us to catch up and meet other group members before the session starts. There will be food brought in for in-person attendees. **6:00 PM EST**: Updates and announcements, followed by our feature presentation. See below for presentation details. **7:30 PM EST**: Optionally after the main presentations, the in-person crowd may go out for snacks and drinks at a local establishment. We hope to see you there! Session Abstract **Data on Fire: A Hands-On Intro to Spark in Fabric** Curious about Apache Spark but not sure where to start? This hands-on session introduces you to Spark in Microsoft Fabric Notebooks—a powerful and accessible way to process and analyze big data using familiar tools in the Microsoft ecosystem. We’ll break down key Spark concepts like distributed computing, DataFrames, and lazy evaluation, then show how they come to life inside Fabric’s notebook experience. You’ll see practical demos that cover loading, transforming, and analyzing large datasets—while leveraging Fabric’s modern data stack, including OneLake, Dataflows, and Pipelines. You’ll also learn how to choose between Spark and pure Python notebooks in Fabric, based on execution needs, data integration, and use case fit. Whether you're a SQL pro, BI developer, or data engineer, this session will give you the tools and confidence to start using Spark in your own projects—no cluster management required. \*Please note, that we will be using Microsoft Teams for the online portion of this meeting. You may want to join a few minutes early to ensure you do not have any issues. If you are attending in person, there are large TVs at the office, and you do not need to bring a laptop or use Teams.

Start the new year with your local IxDA pals. Join members of the Central Ohio UX and design community for our monthly breakfast.

Our monthly PHP meetup. A virtual shindig courtesy of Zoom. Check back here for the details around 6:15 pm