Grassroots Progressives

Der politische Diskurs ist für alle diejenigen, die politische und gesellschaftliche Themen verfolgen und sich gerne darüber austauschen wollen. Wir alle wissen, dass der Vorteil einer Demokratie gegenüber autoritären Systemen darin besteht, dass Meinungen geäußert und Kritik geübt werden kann - so let's do this! Jedesmal steht ein neues, eher generelles Thema im Zentrum, über das wir uns respektvoll austauschen wollen. Das Thema unseres kommenden Abends ist die Frage: Wie geht es Südafrika heute? Ein Südafrikaner mit niederländischen Wurzeln wird uns von der politischen Situation und seinem persönlichen Erfahrungen Berichten. Es wird also spannend! Es gibt Snacks. Bringt gerne selbst Getränke mit. Interessante Informationsquellen für: [Nationale_Politik](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/podcast-106.html), [News_aus_Wirtschaft](https://open.spotify.com/show/0MqROiCw2Vl0aVqxWdPjRC?si=dioN4162TqytZm210rXpYw), [Internationale_Nachrichten](https://ground.news/) **WhatsApp Gruppenchat**: Regt dich ein Politiker / eine Argumentationslinie auf? Hast du einen Podcast gehört, den du unbedingt teilen und mit anderen besprechen willst? Möchtest du aktiv bei der Themenwahl unserer Diskussionsabende teilnehmen? Es gibt eine Whatsappgruppe. Sprich mich gerne auf einem Event an, dann füge ich dich hinzu. Wir freuen uns auf deine Ansichten!

We will be hosting our May Meetup. Thanks to Amazon for sponsoring us. Please note that you have to show sign up with your real name and show a Photo ID to the building security before entering the building. Every visitor will have their photo taken that will be printed on their paper visitor badge. This is a requirement from the building security. If you are not ok with that, please do not sign up. You can not bring a +1, everyone needs to sign up. Please only sign up if you plan to come, we will keep notes. *Excited to announce our talks:* **pg_lake: Unifying transactional and analytical data with Postgres** by Celeste Horgan, Sr. OSS Developer Advocate at Snowflake. The common wisdom goes: data is either transactional or analytical, and workloads are OLTP and OLAP-shaped to match. The reality of generating and using data is different, and often we need a bit of both. The pg_lake extension brings OLAP workloads to OLTP Postgres. This talk will explore the pg_lake extension, including how to build it, and demos of using it with modern data workloads in object storage like Amazon S3. We’ll create simple data pipelines with no ETL and high performance analytics. **I Didn't Know Postgres Could Do That!** by Robert Treat, Principal Database Engineer at AWS and PostgreSQL Major Contributor. PostgreSQL is often thought of as "The Database for DBAs", but what more and more developers are finding out is that what makes Postgres "The Worlds Most Advanced Open Source Database" is its wide array of features, many of which are really geared towards engineers building applications on top of Postgres. In this talk, we'll look at some of the features in Postgres you may not have seen in other database systems, and talk about how you can make use of those features in your applications. Queries, indexing, data types, and more will all be up for discussion as we show you examples of just what Postgres can do.

This meetup hosted by **Venture Cafe Berlin** focuses on **Food Security**— exploring how innovation in foodtech can help Europe to build geopolitical resilience. This event gives the foodtech and startup ecosystem a much-needed macro lens, reframing innovation not just as a market opportunity but as a strategic lever for Europe’s resilience, sovereignty, and long-term geopolitical stability. This event is prepared in cooperation with Food Hack. Join **founders, investors, ecosystem builders, and curious minds** for open conversations, practical insights, and meaningful connections. **What to expect:** * **Info & Demo Tables (5:00–8:00 PM):** Discover startups, technologies, and ecosystem initiatives. * **Mentor Hours:** Guidance on public affairs, regulation, and government relations for startups. * **Workshops & Talks:** * *Outliving Your Diet: How Metabolic Flexibility and Protein Intake Drive Human Healthspan* * *Can innovation in foodtech help Europe to build geopolitical resilience?* * **Networking & Beats:** Meet fellow innovators, exchange ideas, and connect in a relaxed atmosphere. Come learn, share, and connect with the **Berlin tech community**. More info and speakers here: https://community.venturecafeberlin.org/events/55 *Note: To avoid queue at the door you can pre-register for check-in on the above link.* \-\-\-\-\-\-\- For the latest Berlin Tech News, Events & Jobs head to **[techinberlin.com](https://www.techinberlin.com/)**

Ready to break routine and try something new? Every Thursday evening, we turn a simple rehearsal room into a space for play, connection, and creativity. No scripts, no pressure—just two hours of pure improvisation. 
Through theatre games, storytelling, and spontaneous scenes, you’ll discover how to:
• Think faster and trust your instincts.
• Collaborate with people you’ve just met.
• Let go of self-judgment and enjoy the unexpected. 
💡 No acting background needed—if you can listen, laugh, and say “yes”, you’re ready. 
Your Facilitator – Marianne 
A theatre director and improvisation facilitator, Marianne has led workshops in Berlin, Düsseldorf, and London. Her approach is playful, inclusive, and focused on creating a supportive space where everyone can shine. 
📅 When & Where
🗓 Thursdays, 18:30–20:30
📍 Boxhagener Straße 18, 10245-
🔗 Sliding Scale Tickets – 5 € / 10 € / 15 €12 spots only – book in advance to secure your place. 
💬📲 Can't make it but you want to be part of the community? Here‘s the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EcNOFzscHnYBeUxUkNjsXP?mode=ems_copy_c 
Come curious, leave inspired! 
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/improv-thursdays-tickets-1586525694059?aff=oddtdtcreator

**Queer Bridges Language Café // Sprachcafé** with ***Michal*** for **LGBTQIA+** **[Free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/shop/language-cafe/w19-2026)** 🔵 Join us at our Language Café, where you can connect with others and engage in lively conversations. It’s a great opportunity to practice speaking, listening, and even learn some new vocabulary, all while making new friends and having a good time. No matter your level of proficiency, everyone is encouraged to participate and grow together. Come for the conversation, stay for the community! **What languages are represented?** We will have tables for English and German. Beyond that, it will be up to you! We hope to eventually host a wide range of languages and are excited to see this café grow with your support. **What if I don’t feel confident in my language skills?** Our language café is open to everyone, regardless of their language abilities. From beginners to native speakers – we will ensure it is a fun and safe space for everyone. Registration is required as it gives us an idea of how many people to expect and which languages you speak/look forward to practice. However, if you have not registered please feel free to stop by! Join us at our **Language Café**, where you can connect with others and engage in lively conversations. It's a great opportunity to practice speaking, listening, and even learn some new vocabulary, all while making new friends and having a good time. No matter your level of proficiency, everyone is encouraged to participate and grow together. Come for the conversation, stay for the community! *** This meeting is part of our **Queer Bridges** project, aimed at forging connections and providing resources for LGBTQIA+ people with migration experience. *** **General information** * **Language**: This event will be in German and English. * **Registration**: Register on our website by selecting the event, adding it to your cart, and completing checkout. If you have any difficulties registering for the event, you're still welcome to join us, and we will find a solution. * **Cost**: This event is free of charge. 🔵 *Kostenlos mit Anmeldung über unsere Webseite* Kommt zu unserem **Sprachcafé**, wo ihr euch mit anderen austauschen und an lebhaften Gesprächen teilnehmen könnt. Es ist eine großartige Gelegenheit, eure Sprech- und Hörfähigkeiten zu verbessern und neue Wörter zu lernen, während ihr in lockerer Umgebung neue Bekanntschaften knüpft. Egal, wie gut ihr die Sprache könnt, alle sind eingeladen mitzumachen und zusammen zu lernen. Kommt wegen der Gespräche, bleibt wegen der Gemeinschaft! **Welche Sprachen sind vertreten?** Wir werden Tische für Englisch und Deutsch haben. Darüber hinaus liegt es an euch! Wir hoffen, bald viele verschiedene Sprachen anbieten zu können und freuen uns darauf, dieses Café mit eurer Hilfe wachsen zu sehen. **Was, wenn ich mir in meinen Sprachkenntnissen nicht sicher bin?** Unser Sprachcafé ist für alle offen, egal, wie gut ihr die Sprache könnt. Von Anfänger\*innen bis zu Muttersprachler\*innen – wir sorgen dafür, dass es für alle eine lockere und sichere Umgebung ist. *** Dieses Meeting gehört zu unserem **Queer Bridges** Projekt, das darauf abzielt, Verbindungen zu schaffen und Ressourcen für LGBTQIA+ Menschen mit Migrationserfahrung bereitzustellen. *** **Hinweise** * **Sprache**: Dieses Event wird auf Deutsch und Englisch sein. * **Anmeldung**: Melde dich auf unserer Website (für das Event) an, indem du die Veranstaltung auswählst, sie in den Warenkorb legst und dann den Kauf abschließt. Das gilt auch für kostenlose Events. Wenn du irgendwelche Schwierigkeiten hast, dich für eine Veranstaltung anzumelden, kannst du gerne zu uns kommen und wir werden eine Lösung finden. * **Kosten**: Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos.

**👋 Hello Strangers! —** For all players and chess-curious folks out there who want to chill, make friends, and enjoy some chess: We are hosting a daily meetup in Mitte / Prenzlauerberg for all experience levels. It doesn't matter if you just watched the Queen's Gambit or if you have been playing regularly for a while. **Join us** — Daily from 7-11pm **Expected Behavior** — [Conduct](https://strangerchess.com/conduct/) **Pics** · [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/strangerchess/) / **Chat** · [Telegram](https://t.me/strangerchess) / **Web** · [Strangerchess.com](https://strangerchess.com/) (No need to bring anything, boards, clocks, etc. are provided)

Join Aiven and Google Cloud for a hands-on lab to learn building data infrastructure for AI applications in production, and how to run OpenSearch in production for AI and GenAI workloads. ***IMPORTANT: Please register on* \*\*\*[HERE](https://bit.ly/4sLWiua) \*\*\**to secure your sport.*** This interactive, instructor-led workshop is designed for developers and data engineers who want to build and run real-world data pipelines using open source tools. Note: Bring your laptop, we’ll be shipping code together. Agenda: \* 5:00pm\~5:30pm: Check-in, Food, Networking \* 5:30pm\~7:30pm: Tech talks and Hands-on Workshop \* 7:30pm\~8:00pm: Q&A, wrap-up ⚡️ Workshop 1 — Foundations: Build Your Own Pipeline ​Start from scratch and assemble a complete data pipeline using Aiven services. \- Provision and manage services -Connect systems into a unified pipeline ​- Build an observability setup \- ​Query real\-time data across services using SQL ​​ ⚡️ Workshop 2 — Advanced: Real-Time Retail Streaming Pipeline ​Go deeper with a real, production-inspired use case. \- ​Design and implement a high\-quality streaming pipeline \- Work with real\-time retail data flows \- Apply best practices for scalability and reliability What you’ll learn: * Deploy and scale OpenSearch for production * Best practices for vector and hybrid search * Build efficient real-time data pipelines * Design and optimize RAG architectures ​Why attend? * Build a production-style data pipeline * Learn how to connect Kafka, ClickHouse, OpenSearch, and PostgreSQL into a working, real-time architecture. * Learn by doing and Apply proven patterns * Provision services, stream data, and run queries yourself using both UI and CLI workflows. * Walk away with practical approaches you can reuse for streaming, analytics, and observability use cases. Who Should Attend: Developer and data engineer, interested in moving from prototype to production with OpenSearch. ​ **RSVP is not enough. You must apply for a ticket here:** [https://bit.ly/4sLWiua](https://bit.ly/4sLWiua)

Wir zelebrieren gemeinsam einen vielfältigen Samstagsbrunch. Es gibt köstliche Waffeln und Pfannkuchen mit leckeren Toppings. Alle Zutaten sind pflanzenbasiert und Bio/nachhaltig/gerettet. Wir laden Pianisten ein unser Klavier zu bespielen. *** Kommt einfach vorbei. Ihr braucht keine Anmeldung. *** Bitte bringt warme Socken mit. Teilname und Getränke auf Spendenbasis. *** Siehe auch auf: LebensMittelPunkte-Berlin

EVERY 2. and 3. saturday of the month A community project offering creative sessions for children and families—music, movement, yoga, and arts—all designed to spark joy, expression, and connection. Please sign up through whatsapp or email to join the fun. Ein Gemeinschaftsprojekt, das kreative Sitzungen für Kinder und Familien anbietet – Musik, Bewegung, Yoga und Kunst –, die alle darauf ausgelegt sind, Freude, Ausdruck und Verbundenheit zu wecken. Die Stunde findet auf englisch statt Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis Bitte melden Sie sich per WhatsApp oder E-Mail an, um am Spaß teilzunehmen. [+49 1512 9693732](http://wa.me/4915129693732) / [hello@littlehumansarts.de](mailto:hello@littlehumansarts.de)

Sundays, 13:00-15:30, May 10-June 28 Class Show: Sunday July 5 Prerequisites: none! ImprovWorks Berlin is excited to announce our next round of improv comedy courses! We truly believe that everyone can become confident and funny on stage. Over 8 weekly classes, we explore the principles of comedic improvisation primarily through short-form games. Together, we create a conscious, supportive space where we focus on becoming good listeners, making spontaneous choices, and working together as a team. We’ll empower each other with the “Freedom to Fail,” thereby unleashing our inner creativity. The concepts of presence, agreement, trust, commitment and support are fostered through large and small group exercises. We’ll also have a ton of fun and make new friends! In the end-of-class show, you’ll get to show off all you’ve learned to an invited audience of family and friends. Sundays, 13:00-15:30, May 10-June 28 Class Show: Sunday July 5 Spots are limited in these small classes, so sign up soon! [https://www.improvworksberlin.com/book-online](https://www.improvworksberlin.com/book-online)

A space for working on projects & learning new stuff together. 💻☕️ Please RSVP if you intend to join, as we have limited space. 😊

Let's meet for the [ACX Spring Meetups Everywhere 2026](https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/meetups-everywhere-spring-2026-times) in the Humboldthain! This will likely be a big meetup, as it was announced by Scott on ACX. From experience, I expect 25–50 attendees. Humboldthain is good to reach by public transport; the next train stops are S+U Gesundbrunnen and S Humboldthain. If you’re reading this, you’re invited. Please don’t feel like you "won't be welcome" just because you’re new to the blog, demographically different from the average reader, or hate ACX and everything it stands for. You'll be fine! I'll buy some snacks; feel free to bring something to share as well. There are also many restaurants around if you get hungry. Location: Big lawn at the center of Humboldthain — [https://plus.codes/9F4MG9WP+36](https://plus.codes/9F4MG9WP+36) Contact: Reply to this event, message me here on Meetup, or join the Telegram group below. Next public toilet: [https://g.co/kgs/bp9nGd](https://g.co/kgs/bp9nGd) Group Link: [https://t.me/+tVWSc66-0UM5MzA6](https://t.me/+tVWSc66-0UM5MzA6)

Step into a relaxed evening where every sip celebrates nature and craftsmanship. At Balance, we invite you to a tasting of 3 thoughtfully selected natural and biodynamic wines, paired with handpicked olives and crispy golden arancini. A journey that awakens the senses and sparks conversation. Included in your experience: – 3 glasses of carefully curated natural/biodynamic wines – A selection of olives & crispy arancini designed to complement each wine – A cozy, welcoming setting with soft lighting and effortless vibes No hurry, no rules — just good flavors, relaxed moments, and the pleasure of discovery. Returning guests can enjoy a glass of prosecco for €5 to start the evening with a little sparkle. 🥂 **Les Amis** is a women-only community of friendly souls. We provide access to hundreds of experiences that explore your passions and connect you with other event participants. **Check our website to learn more, and apply to join our community and events**: [lesamis.cc/apply](https://www.lesamis.cc/apply)

**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. 🗓️ 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/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

Join me for a small, mindful photography walk in nature. (**NOTE Time is 9:00 AM EST(Meetup is having technical Issue))** This is a slow, intentional gathering — not focused on fitness or perfect photography — but on simply pausing, observing, and being present. We’ll walk at a gentle pace, with moments of quiet, and a few light prompts to help you notice details you might normally miss. 📷 You don’t need any photography experience — a phone camera is enough. This is also not a business networking event. It’s a calm space to connect with nature and, if it feels natural, with like-minded people. 🌿 What to expect: • A slow-paced, relaxed walk • Moments of silence and observation • Simple reflection prompts 📍 Location: [ Red Trabue Nature Preserve] ⏱ Duration: \~60 minutes This is a small, initial gathering as I begin creating this space through WellGratiVibes — a blend of mindfulness, nature, and quiet connection. If this resonates with you, you’re welcome to join.

Community Backyards Workshop Join us at the Ohio Herb Center in Gahanna to learn about sustainable home gardening. We can make small changes in our yards to make a BIG impact for a better environment and healthier waterways while saving money. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek and hosted by Ohio Herb Center. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but NOT required. Click here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/65f65aw (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) * Location: Ohio Herb Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 * Date and time: Sat, May 23, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM * Organizer: The Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

It's official, submissions for "Resistance, Resilience, Utopia" are are on their way from being independent pieces to becoming the second volume of gINKgo. This year we are going to have a launch party at Birdie Books on May 15th from 6-8pm open to the whole community! Come on over and help us support the creators with food, drinks, art, writing, open mic, music, community activities and more.

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. **New to electronics or curious about tinkering?** You’re absolutely welcome. If you’re a beginner and want to experiment, I’ll have a couple of starter kits available so you can try things out—whether that’s blinking your first LED, putting something on a display, or experimenting with simple sensors. No pressure and no experience required—just an interest in learning and building. While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Worthington Park Library in the Olentangy Meeting Room.

Wild Ones Columbus Annual Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 23th, 2026 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Eastern Time) Overbrook Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 4131 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43214 Public Welcome, Family-Friendly Free Event A wide variety of native flowering plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees will be available from Wild Ones Columbus and local vendors Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife, and Scioto Gardens. Wild Ones will publish a list of plants that will be available at this year's sale closer to the event date. Be sure to stop by! Show up anytime!

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛