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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Check out it infrastructure events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the it infrastructure events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

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IT Infrastructure Events Today

Join in-person IT Infrastructure events happening right now

Cloud Native Computing Meetup | May 2026
Cloud Native Computing Meetup | May 2026
Let's meet at the CNC meetup on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at 15:00 CET. **Location:** VSHNtower, 8th floor, Neugasse 10, 8005 Zürich **Agenda:** Would you like to speak at this event? Contact us at [https://cnc-meetup.ch](https://cnc-meetup.ch)! Guidelines: * All sessions are held in English. * No product or sales pitches are allowed. * All projects showcased should be open source. * We cannot cover travel costs, but we welcome speakers from other regions. * We're seeking more diversity among our speakers: underrepresented groups are welcome! 14:30 – Door Opening 15:00 – Welcome, Intro, & Announcements 15:05 – Kuberik: Safe, Hands-Off Deployments for Kubernetes (Luka Rumora) 15:35 – 5 minutes pause 15:40 – Kubernetes Without the Operator: A Minecraft Panel with Rust and kube-rs (Hadi Cherkaoui, CM Informatik AG) 16:10 – 5 minutes pause 16:15 – Vibe Code Survival Guide for Open-Source (Vadim Bauer, 8gears) 16:45 – 5 minutes pause 16:50 - Writing a Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler Provider with externalgrpc (Marco De Luca, VSHN) 17:20 – Final words, networking & apéro Kuberik: Safe, Hands-Off Deployments for Kubernetes (Luka Rumora) Most teams deploying to Kubernetes end up in one of two places: either GitOps that stops at applying manifests, or brittle CI pipelines full of bash and glue. Both fall short of true end-to-end delivery. The ideal is well known—canaries, health checks, smoke tests, promotions, rollback—but Kubernetes lacks a native, reusable way to compose these without reinventing everything. Existing tools solve pieces (Argo Rollouts, Flagger, Kargo), but not the whole pipeline. Kuberik fills that gap: it orchestrates the full journey from release to production—detecting, gating, rolling out, verifying, and promoting—using opinionated, pluggable Kubernetes resources that integrate with existing GitOps setups. Luka is a Lead SRE with 10 years of experience building platform infrastructure and internal developer tooling, always with the same focus: systems that are robust, easy to maintain, and a pleasure to use. Over the years, he has watched the delivery tooling landscape change, from Jenkins to GitLab CI to Drone to GitHub Actions, yet the fundamental approach to CD has stayed the same: step-based pipelines with the same challenges they had a decade ago. He built Kuberik because he believes we can do better. Kubernetes Without the Operator: A Minecraft Panel with Rust and kube-rs (Hadi Cherkaoui, CM Informatik AG) Anvil is a Kubernetes-native Minecraft server panel written in Rust. It creates one StatefulSet, PVC, and Service per server through direct kube-rs calls, with no CRD and no controller. The Kubernetes API itself is the runtime state store; every user action is a direct API call. This 20-minute talk argues that the operator pattern is sometimes the wrong tool. Controllers earn their complexity when there's autonomous state to reconcile. They become a ceremony when there isn't. Anvil is a worked example of the imperative alternative, running on a home lab k0s cluster. Hadi Cherkaoui is a 17-year-old EFZ Plattformentwickler apprentice at CM Informatik AG in Schwerzenbach, ZH. He works daily with k0s and FluxCD, and is interested in Kubernetes, Rust, infrastructure automation, and homelab projects. Vibe Code Survival Guide for Open-Source (Vadim Bauer, Container-Registry.ch) Vibe code is flooding open-source projects with an ever-growing volume of pull requests and ideas. Banning AI contributions isn't the answer, yet it is difficult to resist. How can open source projects survive and keep progressing despite the pressure? This talk covers the project playbook we're building in CNCF Harbor and Harbor Satellite: defining a clear project direction so contributors, human or AI-assisted, know what's in scope before they contribute. Setting explicit acceptance criteria and guardrails. Using AI on the maintainer side to triage, review, and filter the growing volume of contributions. Deciding as a project where your boundaries are, what's core, what's an extension, and what's out of scope, so you stop drowning in well-intentioned feature PRs that slowly erode coherence. We share what works, what fails, and how we are rethinking open-source, contributions, community, and project Vadim Bauer is a Container Silverback with over a decade of experience in running containers in production. As a maintainer of the CNCF project Harbor, he focuses on extending the boundaries of OCI artifact management, adoption, and developer experience. At 8gears, Vadim helps cloud providers, ISVs, and enterprises adopt Harbor and use OCI capabilities. Writing a Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler Provider with externalgrpc (Marco De Luca, VSHN) The Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler decides when to scale, but it doesn't know how to create a VM. That's the cloud provider's job, and the upstream tree covers mostly big clouds. With externalgrpc, you can plug virtually any cloud into the autoscaler over gRPC. This talk first looks at how the Cluster Autoscaler works under the hood and where the cloud provider fits in. Then we walk through implementing one for a Swiss IaaS provider as an out-of-tree gRPC service: the design choices, the parts of the contract that matter, and the gotchas you only find by reading the autoscaler source. By the end, you'll know how to attach autoscaling to a cloud that isn't on the upstream list. Marco De Luca is a software/infrastructure engineer at VSHN AG. He spends most of his time on Kubernetes platforms, developer tooling, and making sure things don't break at 3 AM. At mdnix.io, he writes about infrastructure, Linux, Kubernetes, and the things he builds along the way. When he's not behind a terminal, he's somewhere in the Alps with his camera or having a private jam session with his guitar. The event will be recorded and made available on VSHN's YouTube channel: [https://vshn.tv](https://vshn.tv). Subscribe to stay notified of updates. We expect all participants to abide by VSHN's Conference Code of Conduct: [https://www.vshn.ch/en/code-of-conduct/](https://www.vshn.ch/en/code-of-conduct/) If you would like to share your cloud-native projects at the CNC Switzerland meetup events or sponsor future events, just send us your talk suggestion here: https://cnc-meetup.ch. We look forward to hearing from you!
District Runners Community Run
District Runners Community Run
Do you want to run regularly? Together in a group? Then run with us! #### **Every Thursday, 7pm at Lochergut, Zurich** We run about 7km and adjust the speed depending on the runners who join us. For us, running isn’t just about fitness and competition, it’s about community and connection. We believe that nobody should have to run alone, and that by running together, we can push each other to be stronger and more resilient. We look forward to welcoming you to the next run 🙌
Hack The Box Meetup 0x18 Onsite @ CYREN ZH (Advanced)
Hack The Box Meetup 0x18 Onsite @ CYREN ZH (Advanced)
Welcome to the 24th edition of the Hack The Box Zurich Meetup. We will meet in person at the [University of Zurich, Digital Society Initiative](https://www.dsi.uzh.ch/) for another HTB machine walkthrough. In this session we will cover [Fluffy](https://www.hackthebox.com/machines/fluffy), a Windows machine designed around an assumed breach scenario, exploiting CVE-2025-24071 and ACDS. You will need: * Your own laptop with Wi-Fi (don't forget your power adapter) * A Hack The Box account, [register here](https://account.hackthebox.com/register) (don't use Google or LinkedIn) * Some experience working with a terminal (cmd.exe / shell) * *Optional*: local virtual machine running your preferred hacking OS (browser-based VM is provided alternatively) * Motivation and good mood The participation is free of charge. This is an onsite event, neither online-participation is possible nor recording will be provided. **Attendance is exclusive to registered participants. Please use the RSVP button to confirm your participation.** The meetup takes place with the kind support of [Project CYREN ZH](https://cyrenzh.ch/) who are hosting the venue. **Please note**: seats are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. After reaching max capacity, guests will be added to a waiting list. If you change plans, and are not able to come, please kindly release your seat for someone on the waiting-list. **Unexcused no-shows will be excluded from future participation.**
Kuesnacht-Morgengruss am See - Stretching & Meditation
Kuesnacht-Morgengruss am See - Stretching & Meditation
Wir treffen uns um 10 Uhr morgens am See und fliessen gemeinsam in den Tag hinein. We meet up at 10am at the lake and flow into the day together.
ZurichJS Meetup: May the source maps be with you
ZurichJS Meetup: May the source maps be with you
JavaScript is single-threaded, yet it powers the world's most complex real-time interfaces. Behind that magic lies the event loop; a mechanism that is often misunderstood, feared, or simply ignored until a performance bottleneck brings your app to a screeching halt. This May, we’re celebrating Star Wars month by traveling to the core of the JS galaxy to bridge the gap between "it just works" and "I know why it works". Join us for an evening of live-coding and deep dives. Whether you’re a Padawan or a Jedi Master, come learn how to make the runtime work for you, not against you. **Agenda** * 17:30 – **Doors open** * 18:30 - 18:50 – **Settling in & Intro** * 18:50 - 20:30 – **Talks and pizza** * 20:30 – **Networking** **Explore the detailed agenda and speaker info: [https://zurichjs.com/events/may-2026](https://zurichjs.com/events/may-2026/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=meetup&utm_campaign=meetup_track)** **About the organizers** * **[Bogdan Ilie](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilie-bogdan/)** is a user advocate. He's dipped his toes into Web Development, Technical Writing, Marketing, Design, and more. That makes him uniquely predisposed to identify improvement opportunities anywhere in the chain, or come up with unique solutions to problems. Nowadays, he's building websites and webapps at novu ag, using his beloved framework, Vue. * **[Faris Aziz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12/)** is a front-end master and Staff Software Engineer at Smallpdf, after his Engineering management job at Navro, a fintech company in the UK. Faris is a mentor, conference speaker, and workshop instructor, most recently at CityJS and other major conferences. He has contributed to open-source projects like Raycast and has mentored on platforms like Mentor Cruise. His projects include work on GCN, Eurosport, Discovery+, Fiit (a top UK fitness app), and he was the founding engineer of Navro in London. He also serves as a technical mentor at the Bletchley Institute. * **[Nadja Hesselbjerg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadja-r%C3%B8mer-hesselbjerg-47002a12b/)** is a Zurich-based frontend developer with a flair for crafting sleek, user-friendly web experiences. With a passion for innovative UX/UI design, she transforms complex ideas into intuitive digital solutions. Her multicultural background adds a unique perspective to her work. When she's not coding, Nadja is likely exploring the latest design trends or enjoying the vibrant Swiss tech scene. **Who are the awesome sponsors and partners?** * **[Vercel](https://vercel.com/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=sponsored_meetup&utm_campaign=zurichjs_partner_2026)** is THE platform for frontend developers, providing the speed and reliability needed to create at the moment of inspiration. We love Vercel because they’ve turned the "manual labor" of deployment into a simple `git push`. By handling the heavy lifting of global infrastructure and serverless scaling, Vercel allows us to focus on what we actually enjoy: building great user experiences. Whether you’re using Next.js, Nuxt, or SvelteKit, Vercel is the gold standard for shipping fast and staying in the flow. * **[GYFF](https://www.getyourfreefast.ch/?utm_source=zurichjs&utm_medium=sponsored_meetup&utm_campaign=zurichjs_partner_2026)** is a Swiss platform that facilitates connections between IT experts and businesses, where they vet both the companies and the freelancers, so the collaboration goes smoothly. **Get involved** * Have an interesting idea? * Something missing from all meetups in this space? * Do you have feedback? * Wanna buy us a coffee? * **Got a venue idea?** We love rotating locations to showcase Zurich’s tech ecosystem. Reach out, we’re always scouting fresh spots for our upcoming events. There are multiple ways to get in touch: * **[conf.zurichjs.com](https://conf.zurichjs.com)** \- get your conference ticket and find out more\! * **[zurichjs.com](http://www.zurichjs.com/)** \- the source of truth for all things zurichjs\, including all social links to follow us and interact with us online Our goal is to create a space where everyone can bring value and feel like they are getting something out of it. We are open to sponsorships and partnerships, and we would appreciate you **sharing the event** and message us about opportunities. We are also committed to fostering a respectful and psychologically safe space where anyone can share their ideas. If this is your first time speaking, or if you need help preparing for a talk, we are happy to offer guidance and support.
ZH3 Hash # 1728: The SOLAvision Postlube: Chafing the Dream
ZH3 Hash # 1728: The SOLAvision Postlube: Chafing the Dream
Hares are Big Top & Spermalbad. Come and join us! **Where**: Zürich Hegibachplatz / Minervastrasse, Forchstrasse 95, 8032 Zürich. Look for English speakers wearing running gear. **When:** We'll meet at 6:50 pm to start at 7:00 pm. There's a charge of CHF 5 for participating, which covers all you can drink beer/cider (and non-alcoholic alternatives) plus snacks afterwards. **All Welcome:** If you are new, curious, and want to get out of the house, stretch your legs, talk shit, enjoy a drink, and hopefully a laugh, then here's what you need to know: • We are a social running/walking group. Physical fitness is not required, but a sense of humour is helpful. • The aim is to find the '*Beer Stop*' at the end of the '*trail*' and to have fun. • 'True Trail' is 4-7 km. Some will go less (especially those walking or walk/running), and some over-achieving fast runners will go further. • The '*Hare*', who (along with the location) changes with each event, cleverly lays the trail, marking it with chalk, flour, and/or sawdust so that everyone reaches the end more or less at the same time. • There is always a place to deposit your bag, and sometimes a place to change. • **After Trail**, we group in the '*Circle*' for \~30-40 minutes for drinks, snacks, songs, and fun. This is typically outside, so leave something warm in your bag in winter (and bring a flashlight when it's dark). If you don't want to stand around drinking afterwards, you can head home. We occasionally all go to a restaurant afterwards. **Why bother leaving your warm & dry sofa?** If you enjoy getting outside, being around people, and doing something a bit different, you will probably enjoy hashing. Exercise is important, and this is probably the least boring way to get it. 'Hashing' and the idea of some physical activity to work up a thirst, have been around for almost 90 years and there are groups (*Hashes*) in most major cities. Its humor and 'traditions' can be explored on the internet - **or you can just come along and find out.** *See you there.* We are of many nationalities, all ages, full of misfits and idiots (at least there is no one taking themselves seriously!) and always welcome newbies 'Virgin Hashers' and visitors from other groups. For more about Zürich Hash House Harriers, check out [www.zh3.ch](http://www.zh3.ch/) ( [http://www.zh3.ch/](http://www.zh3.ch/) )

IT Infrastructure Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

✨DC4131 Dojo - Lock Picking & Soldering Workshop👾
✨DC4131 Dojo - Lock Picking & Soldering Workshop👾
We are back for another round of a Lock Picking & Soldering Dojo, presented by DC4131. This is a hands-on technical workshop featuring finessing your skills at lock picking and/or soldering (#BadgeLife) [DEFCON Switzerland members ](https://www.defcon-switzerland.org/#pages/portfolio)will have priority to available spaces & equipment. Spaces & hardware are limited and thus are provided in a 1st come 1st serve basis. In this edition, we invite you to explore and experience lock picking and soldering (#BadgeLife), taught by Vratko, Salvatore Pascal and Remy. Don't miss out on a great day of fun, and who knows where these newly acquired skills may come in helpful..... ;) Stay Legal. **What can you expect?:** **14:00** \- Intro presentations to soldering safetys\, challenge area\, couch lockpicking **Soldering Workshop (#BadgeLife) -** **14:00 - 17:30** \- Drop in/out style \- DIY Soldering (Beginner and advanced) Soldering-Kits available and free for all [official DC4131 members](https://www.defcon-switzerland.org/#pages/portfolio), and also available (with a small charge) to non-members, while supplies last. **Lock Picking Workshops -** **14:30** \- Intro to the basics \- Hands\-on lock picking tutorials **15:30** \- Challenge\! Competition Introduction \- What's at stake to win\! **15:45** \- Advanced lock picking tutorials **16:30** \- Challenge\! Competition **17:00** \- Competition Finals and Winner Award Ceremony **18:30** \- Close Down If you're still not a DC4131 member, and would like to join the family, drop us a mail at ***membership[@]defcon-switzerland[.]org***, and we'll get you singed up in no time! :)
Digital Detox Café [Relax, Play, Socialize, Craft]
Digital Detox Café [Relax, Play, Socialize, Craft]
**⚠️ [>>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/essen-trinken/digital-detox-cafe-7458497765120727342.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](www.social-circle.ch)** **Unplug & Create: Digital Detox Café at Paint it Easy** Take a break from screens and reconnect with yourself and others at our Digital Detox event in Zürich’s most inviting creative space, Paint it Easy. We’ll kick off the evening with a relaxed atmosphere, setting the tone for a mindful and inspiring night. Join our craft group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/JPIASNUJGwD23UUweSe0s3](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JPIASNUJGwD23UUweSe0s3) Choose your path for the evening: **Deep Talk with Question Cards:** Dive into meaningful conversations and connect with fellow participants on a deeper level. **Boardgames:** Just for fun or to meet new people. **Creative Activities:** * **Drawing** (included) * **Canvas Painting** (CHF 10/hour + canvas, e.g., 30x40 cm: CHF 9) * **Pottery Painting** (CHF 20–45 per piece) * **Jewellery Making with Beads** (CHF 10/hour + materials, avg. CHF 20–30) * **Linocut Printmaking** (CHF 25–35 per piece) **Location:** Paint it Easy, Zürich **Ticket:** CHF 15 **Includes :** Welcome drink\*, drawing material, notebook, games. **Doesn't include** : optional creative activity fees (depending on your choice) \*Warm drink, homemade iced tea, or lemonade Want more events like this? Join our community! [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP) No experience needed—just bring your curiosity and an open mind! Whether you're painting, reflecting, or connecting, this is your space to recharge, express, and enjoy. Please note that pictures might be taken and used, if you don't want to be on them please let the host know. Tickets are not refundable. #digitaldetox
Outstation: [Wine] Marathon des terroirs du Valais
Outstation: [Wine] Marathon des terroirs du Valais
Outstation: https://marathonvalais.ch/en/
Double Date Social
Double Date Social
**[Application needed! Click here](https://luma.com/1m6k3xrk)** **Meet new people in a way that actually works.** ​Join a unique monthly experience designed to bring together like-minded people over drinks — no awkward crowds, no endless swiping. Just real conversations at a table for four. ​Each event matches you with a small group based on your preferences. Whether you're looking to make new friends, explore dating, or stay open to both, you’re in control — you only pay if there’s a mutual match. **1\. Apply** **2\. On Wednesday you receive the list of people you could match with** **3\. On Thursday we tell you if there is a match and where to meet your group** **4\. You meet your group on Saturday and receive all the info regarding the surprise afterparty\!** Join our WhatsApp chat to keep up with the event: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi?utm_source=luma) (if you run into trouble open it in WhatsApp Web on your desktop) ​How it works is simple: sign up, receive a curated list of potential matches, and select the people you’d be happy to meet. From there, everything is taken care of. If it’s a match, you’ll be invited to a carefully selected bar where you’ll meet your group. ​And the night doesn’t end there — everyone who shows up unlocks access to a surprise after party at a secret location. **​4 people. 1 table. Real connections.** 📸 Photos and short videos may be taken during the event. Let the host know if you prefer not to be in them. Tickets are non refundable. ​Want more events like this? Join our community! [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP)
Inner Mastery — Atma Kriya Yoga
Inner Mastery — Atma Kriya Yoga
A 2-day in-person course for leaders, founders and seekers who want a calmer mind, stronger inner stability and a deeper connection to unconditional love and purpose. [Book Your Seat Now](https://www.iisolutions.ch/yoga)
Train & Connect | Outdoor Workout and Community Picnic
Train & Connect | Outdoor Workout and Community Picnic
**⚠️ [>>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/de/p/sport-fitness/fitness/train-connect-outdoor-workout-and-community-picnic-7460832985748652832.html)** or **[www.social-circle.ch](http://www.social-circle.ch/)** Limited to **15 participants**. Start your Sunday feeling energized, active, and connected with great people! 🏋️‍♂️🌿 We'll kick off the morning with a **professionally** **guided** **outdoor** **fitness** **session** led by **experienced** **physiotherapists**. The workout is suitable for all fitness levels and combines functional training, movement, and fun in a motivating group atmosphere. After the workout, we'll wind down together with a **relaxed picnic** on the Chinawiese. Fresh fruit and protein shakes will be provided. Feel free to bring your own snacks and a picnic blanket as well. **📲Stay in the loop:** Join our WhatsApp Sport group for updates and the live meeting location on the day: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BAn5mFYP2CSDt78ZklXAZo](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BAn5mFYP2CSDt78ZklXAZo) *If the link doesn't open on your phone, try using WhatsApp Web on your computer.* **Who are we?** Behind P&P Performance are Peter and Patrick — two physiotherapists with many years of experience in personal and group training. Peter has worked as a therapist with professional athletes from ice hockey, basketball, rugby, and field hockey 💪 Patrick complements the athletic approach with his background in sports psychology and mental performance. Together, their mission is to help people train sustainably, stay healthy, and enjoy movement 🧠 **⏰Timeline** * **10:00** – Outdoor Training Session * **11:00** – Community Picnic at Chinawiese 🎒 **What to Bring** * Sportswear * Water bottle * Optional: workout/yoga mat * Snacks or food for the picnic **Disclaimer** Participation in this event requires a valid ticket, which must be purchased in advance via the link provided in the event description. Please note that tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. We do not accept cash payments on the day of the event. To ensure a smooth and safe experience, we kindly ask all participants to follow the instructions and announcements from the event organizers. While our team works hard to create an enjoyable and welcoming atmosphere, attendance is at your own risk. We want everyone to feel comfortable and respected. If you encounter any issues or uncomfortable situations during the event, please speak directly to a member of our team — we're here to help. We reserve the right to exclude participants from the event if they do not adhere to basic standards of respectful interpersonal behavior. This decision is at the discretion of the responsible organizers. By signing up, you agree that any content captured during the event (including photos and videos) may be used on Social Circle's social media channels and those of our partners. **Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KWSK2jINyuG9uHHjtxfnmP)

IT Infrastructure Events Near You

Connect with your local IT Infrastructure community

Ensuring Software Quality in the world of AI Developers - Matt Eland
Ensuring Software Quality in the world of AI Developers - Matt Eland
**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** Like it or not, AI agents are now capable of turning a quickly written paragraph of requirements into a pull request that is ready to be integrated into real-world production applications and it's now our responsibility to make sure AI doesn't go rogue and take down prod - or corrupt our data by misunderstanding the requirements or our existing schemas. In this session we'll explore strategies to protect our codebases through unit and integration testing, documentation, and code review along with additional ways of providing context and guard rails to our AI agents as they carry out the work we've assigned them to do. By the time we're done, you'll have a firm grasp of the problem and understand some helpful options for protecting your codebase from vibe coding mishaps getting YOLOed into prod. **YouTube Link** TBD
Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday
Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday
Franklin Park Conservatory / Columbus Brewing Company
Franklin Park Conservatory / Columbus Brewing Company
**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.
Christians in Tech - Meetup #36 @ Improving
Christians in Tech - Meetup #36 @ Improving
Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)
The Power of the Subconscious Mind - Free Lecture
The Power of the Subconscious Mind - Free Lecture
**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You’ll gain insights into: ✅ The true definition of the subconscious ✅ How it generates unwanted emotions ✅ Its real purpose and function ✅ What determines the pressure it exerts on you And the most important topic: **How do you take control of your subconscious!** But this isn’t just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It’s interactive and engaging—you can ask questions at any time. 📅 Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited, so don’t wait too long to sign up. Location: 1266 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9