Local Issues
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out local issues events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the local issues events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
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Local Issues Events Today
Join in-person Local Issues events happening right now
Dinner at Highbanks Distillery Westerville
We will have dinner after our drink at the speakeasy. If people want to attend both the speakeasy and dinner please rsvp for both events.
This is the menu for dinner:
https://www.highbankco.com/westerville
Free in Person Meeting - Get Over Losses and Betrayls
Do you want more motivation and confidence to build Lasting Relationships?
This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships.
Are you burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse.
Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival, while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well.
Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship.
Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action?
Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships!
Break free from self imposed limitations
Here we will discuss:
• How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes.
• Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you?
• Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it?
• Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love?
• Fights & arguments - what's really behind them?
• What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others?
• How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change?
• Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them?
• How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about?
• How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career?
Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general.
Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person.
Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life.
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This class is held at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.
2026 OSU Chadwick Arboretum
Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser - Columbus
Open to public:
Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by OSU
The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum
Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser
Location:
Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr,
Columbus, OH 43210
Spring Plant Sale
Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb!
Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike.
Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together.
Credit/debit cards only.
CHROMA @CCAD
FREE event
[https://www.ccad.edu/chroma](https://www.ccad.edu/chroma)
Friday, May 15, 3–7 p.m.
CCAD campus, 60 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH
Join Columbus College of Art & Design for *2025* *Chroma: Best of CCAD*, our annual campuswide exhibition showcasing outstanding student work from across the college’s academic programs. This faculty-juried show features select work from CCAD students of all class years, and is a can’t-miss end-of-year campus celebration recognizing their tremendous achievements.
It’ll be a night of fun and entertainment, with interactive games, animation and film screenings, art symposiums, poetry and prose readings, and more (along with some of the best local food trucks). *Chroma* is free and open to all.
Many exhibitions including...
**Game Art & Design:**
**DSB, first floor, Welcome Center lobby and Room 115**
PO Box 21 Speakeasy
PO Box 21. Is a speakeasy in the basement of Highbanks Distillery in Westerville.
Check out the menu:
https://www.poboxtwentyone.com/home
CABS Friday Meeting, May 15th
Thanks for being a part of the CABS Meetup Group! We meet @ the COFFEE UNDERGROUND on Indianola Avenue. We play many different games @ CABS - bring your own or play one of the OVER 2222 in our library. What are your favorite games? What was the last game you played? Hope to see and game with you soon! Check us out on Facebook! Doors open early on Saturday Mornings at 10am and around 4pm on Fridays if you are interested in learning new / simpler games ... or new to the hobby or just want to check us out come in early just after noon and we will show you around before the crowd grows. Stay for a game or two, an hour or two or for the day! Your first visit is free and after that it's $5 a meeting or you can join for the year! It's Your Move
PBR Columbus-Tiki Party
🌺🍹 **TIKI PARTY @ PBR COWBOY BAR + SMOKEHOUSE** 🐂🌴
**Friday, May 15th**
Grab your crew and get ready to trade boots for beach vibes (or rock both 😏). We’re turning PBR into a tropical party for one night only—think island energy, great music, and a packed dance floor.
🔥 **How to Join the Party**
When you arrive, just **say “PBR Meetup” at the door** to get your wristband for exclusive drink specials all night!
🍹 **Exclusive Drink Specials-7pm-9pm**
$3 Domestic Draft – Miller Lite & Coors Light
$3 Well Liquor Cocktails
$4 Vizzy Seltzers
$5 Select Call Liquor – Tito’s, Bacardi, Tanqueray, Cazadores Reposado & Jack Daniels
$5 Select Shots – White Tea Shots & Fireball
💃 **What to Expect**
🌴 Tropical vibes + high-energy music
💃 Line dancing + dance floor all night
🤝 A fun, social crowd (perfect for groups or meeting new people)
📸 Plenty of moments you’ll want on camera
Whether you’re coming for the drinks, the dancing, or just a fun night out—this is your excuse to show up and go all in.
Throw on something tropical, bring your people, and we’ll see you at the party 🌺🍹
Local Issues Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
CMG Gives Back: Serve Brunch at FAITH MISSION GRANT KITCHEN!
Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event:
FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces.
PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants.
LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details:
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all 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 try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1
week of the event will not be eligible 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. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events!
Should be another good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan
Saturday Mornings @ East Market
Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating.
Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator.
Per what this group is about:
"Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish
IMPORTANT INFO: I strongly suggest not reading anything about it online before seeing it. It's best viewed with no previous knowledge. This documentary contains crude terminology and deals with cyberbullying, which may be a trigger for some folks.
AGAIN, PLEASE DO NOT EVEN READ ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU SEE IT.
A very unusual choice for his group... Unknown Number: High School Catfish is an American [true crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_crime "True crime") documentary film directed by [Skye Borgman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye_Borgman "Skye Borgman") and released to [streaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media "Streaming media") on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on August 29, 2025.
The documentary explores the events and investigation into an unknown person [cyberbully](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying "Cyberbullying") and [harassing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment "Harassment") teenagers in [Beal City, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beal_City,_Michigan "Beal City, Michigan") using an unknown number via insults and sexual claims. It also explores the increasingly great impact of the harassment on the community, the eventual reveal of the culprit, and the trial that followed.
Please be ready to discuss the movie by 7PM. We suggest arriving early enough to order and get food beforehand. Thanks.
Unfortunately, it is only available on Netflix. If you would like to attend but do not have Netflix, say so and maybe we can figure something out.
Maker's Market in German Village!
Let's check out the Maker's Market in German Village, a large outdoor Artisan Market, featuring over 65 Makers, Goods, Art and Delicious Food Trucks!
Admission is FREE!
[GVMM](https://www.gv-mm.com/)
Let's get outside and enjoy the New Spring Season and Warm Weather!
We will meet at Stauf's Coffee Roasters in German Village on South 3rd Street at Noon, 12 PM and then take a brisk walk to the Maker's Market, just south of Schiller Park. We can initially get coffee at Stauf's Coffee Roasters, if anyone may want to do so.
Parking is widely available at Schiller Park and surrounding side streets.
Thanks and hope to see you come out!
Columbus Code & Coffee 86 @ Improving
Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you!
**What to Expect at the Intro Circle**
\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~
Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup:
* Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics
Round 1 - (7 secs max):
* Your name
* What you're working on
* What you can help others with
Round 2:
* Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too.
Round 3:
* Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool.
After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!
Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions
[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations.
If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!).
**HOW IT WORKS**
**Step 1: Bring a topic**
Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event.
**Step 2: Circle up & share**
We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds.
**Step 3: Walk, talk & float**
We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!"
**Step 4: Feel more alive**
Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times.
*For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)*
**HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC**
A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about.
Recent topics include:
* "What are you passionate about right now?"
* "What makes a good friend?"
* "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?"
* "How do you want to be remembered?"
* "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?"
Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter.
**WHAT TO EXPECT**
This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.*
But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here.
**FAQ**
* Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk!
* We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space.
* We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space.
* Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know.
* Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic!
**LOGISTICS**
* If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event.
* This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs.
* There's a restroom along the route at [Tuttle Park Community Center](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTZJgLE1CrrbRNmJ7), which is about two‑thirds of the way from [Clinton-Como Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/z8Cx8evwLiWundMe8) to our [turnback point](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZXk7qUVszLQ8EJxHA).
* Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details.
* If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋
**IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...**
[The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up.
* This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).
Local Issues Events Near You
Connect with your local Local Issues community
Vancouver Easy Zoom Dating for Locals
**🦋 Speed Dating Live on Zoom for Vancouver Locals Host Guided — Personality First**
Joining means you'll spend your time in brief timed Zoom sessions with Vancouver locals paired by quiz results and age range, while a live host keeps things smooth throughout.
Before the event, you take a quick personality and preferences survey — we use those answers to pair you with compatible Vancouver locals, so your conversations have a better chance of going somewhere.
After the night, mutual match details are distributed — shared only when both sides chose each other — and what happens next is entirely up to you.
**Sign up below — pick your age range:**
- **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=18-32&face_v=3.0)
- **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=30-46&face_v=3.0)
- **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=40-58&face_v=3.0)
- **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Vancouver&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=55+&face_v=3.0)
**⚠️ Do not skip this:** An rsvp here alone does not secure your place, so select your age range link above, fill in the registration, and answer the personality quiz — capacity is restricted so act soon, and RSVP plus full registration is what holds your seat.
---
**Quick Details**
- **Format:** Host-managed in a hosted Zoom session built around structured one-on-one video dates, compatibility-matched within your age range.
- **Where:** At-home — from your desktop laptop or phone, just a webcam and a good internet connection, and any location with good Wi-Fi and a camera works perfectly.
- **Host:** A real human host ensures the rounds flow naturally and without awkwardness, which means nothing technical or logistical is on your plate — every transition and every call to move on is handled.
- **Vibe:** Casual speed dating sessions with Vancouver singles who are here for the same reason you are, and the whole thing is better than you would expect.
- **Duration:** Usually 60-90 minutes all in, though it always seems to go faster.
**Great for:**
- Professionals from Vancouver who have had enough of digital dating that never converts to anything real and want actual face-to-face conversation.
- Returners near Vancouver done with swiping left and right with no results and want to talk to real people tonight.
- Someone who live in Vancouver wanting to escape matches that ghost after two messages and prefer structure over ambiguity.
- People who live in Vancouver done with matches that ghost after two messages and are after something more than a swipe can offer.
**How the night runs**
1. **Start here** – through the link corresponding to your age range, then finish the personality questionnaire, because this is the only way to be confirmed.
2. **Enter the Zoom room** – by opening the Zoom link at the event start, any device works and no download is required, and once you are in the host handles the rest entirely.
3. **Meet your matches** – timed one-on-one speed dates with personality-matched Vancouver locals in your group, with the host managing every round transition, because no round here is random — everyone was selected.
4. **Discover your matches** – mutual matches are shared post-event with your info staying private otherwise, since only mutual matches exchange details and everything else stays private, and from there you follow up at whatever pace suits you.
⭐ *"The host made everything comfortable — the personality matching really works"* – returning Vancouver attendee
💡 **Pre-event tip:** close unnecessary browser tabs before the event, so the rounds feel natural from the very start, since a short check now means no issues at the worst moment.
---
✨ One Zoom call, real conversations, real matches — grab your spot above and the host takes it from there in this batch. The rounds are better than you think. 🪷 ✨
Freestyle + Local Cantina
**Local Cantina -** We'll shut down wine club at 8 pm this evening and take a short walk to our neighborhood Tex-Mex eatery - Local Cantina. Join us after wine club for a snack or meal.
Please RSVP early AND Please let me know in the comments if you plan to join us after at the diner so I can have accurate numbers for the reservations.
**On Freestyle night** \- just bring a bottle to share\. There is NO formal wine tasting like on other weeks\. Door charge is $10 \(cash or Venmo only please\)\. We may have some left over wines to clear out\! Glasses are provided\. Take Care\. See you there\.
**Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. I am told that the Chase parking lot is safe after hours.
**Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass!
**Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing.
**Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions.
Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends.
Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***,
**Red 1 Realty**
*Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
**History**
The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville.
Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people.
As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support.
The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts.
In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area.
**Map of the Park**
Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png).
**Summary**
For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks.
**Where We'll Meet**
We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center.
**After the Hike**
Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.
The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.
Richmond Premium Quality Local Zoom Dates
**💗 Live Video Speed Dating for Richmond Locals Live — Personality First**
The format means you'll be guided through guided one-on-one video rounds with age-matched personality-sorted Richmond locals, while a host ensures nothing feels forced.
When you sign up, a personality questionnaire is built into the sign-up — the results from that questionnaire to pair you intelligently with Richmond locals, making every round feel more natural from the first minute.
Post-event, match notifications go to both parties — with nothing shared unless both parties agreed — and there is no pressure on timing.
**Your age group is your key — pick it below:**
- **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=18-32&face_v=3.0)
- **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=30-46&face_v=3.0)
- **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=40-58&face_v=3.0)
- **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=bloom-with-genuine-peers-through-events&ar=55+&face_v=3.0)
**⚠️ RSVP is not enough:** An rsvp here alone does not secure your place, so select your bracket link, complete the registration form, and finish the personality quiz — capacity is restricted so act soon, and that combination is your actual confirmation.
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**About the Event**
- **Format:** Real-time on a dedicated Zoom session with short one-on-one video rounds, compatibility-matched within your age range.
- **Host:** A seasoned host guides every round from start to finish, giving you the space to just enjoy the conversation — from start to finish your only job is to have good conversations.
- **Vibe:** Casual Zoom date rounds with genuine Richmond singles, and it never feels forced or awkward.
- **Duration:** Around an hour to 90 minutes from first round to last, and the pacing keeps it fresh throughout.
**This is for you if:**
- Women and men living in Richmond bored of app fatigue and empty match queues and prefer structure over ambiguity.
- Residents within Richmond who have given up on the app treadmill that goes in circles and want to meet real locals without the faff.
- Returners in Richmond leaving behind profiles instead of real people and prefer meeting people in person first.
- Residents around Richmond moving beyond digital dating that never converts to anything real and are ready for a genuine first impression.
- People from the Richmond area looking beyond apps that waste evenings for no return and want to talk to real people tonight.
**What to expect**
1. **Lock in your place** – through your age range link above, then fill in the personality matching questionnaire, since your spot is held only once this is done.
2. **Get online** – at the event start time via your Zoom link, works on any modern device with a camera, and everything from that point is handled by the host.
3. **Chat** – quick private video rounds with personality-matched Richmond locals in your group, while the host runs the clock so you can focus on the conversation, knowing the matching already happened before you got on Zoom.
4. **Get your match notifications** – after the night mutual match results are sent to both parties, as your data only goes to someone who matched you back, and you follow up at your own speed from there.
⭐ *"The format is brilliant — real conversations with real people"* – anonymous Richmond attendee
💡 **Before the event:** connect via wired internet if that is an option, which means you can focus entirely on the conversation, since it only takes five minutes and makes everything smoother.
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✨ Meet Richmond people tonight from home — grab your spot above and we will have you matched and ready for this session. The rounds are better than you think. 💖 ✨
🌱 Wild Ones Columbus Annual Native Plant Sale
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!




























