Local Issues

**Es sind alle willkommen! Wir treffen uns am 15.05. um 19:00 im Barfly für einen entspannten Abend. Ich freue mich auf euch!** Wir sind im separaten Raum hinter der Bar links. We are in the separate room behind the bar and to the left. Wenn du neu in der Gruppe bist, lies dir bitte unsere Haupt-Gruppenseite durch. Danke! Wir möchten eine Gemeinschaft gründen, in der Menschen sich treffen, austauschen und gemeinsam neue Erfahrungen machen. Unser Ziel ist es, eine offene und fröhliche Atmosphäre zu schaffen, in der neue Bekanntschaften entstehen und interessante Gespräche geführt werden können. Bist du neu in Spandau und hast noch nicht richtig Anschluss gefunden? Lebst du schon länger in Spandau und möchtest nicht immer nach Mitte fahren, um Neues zu erleben? Wenn du Lust hast, Teil dieser Gemeinschaft zu werden und gemeinsam schöne Momente zu erleben, bist du herzlich eingeladen, dich uns anzuschließen! Wir freuen uns auf dich! :) \-\-\- **EN** \-\-\- **Everyone ist welcome! We are meeting on the 15th of May starting from 7 pm at Barfly for a relaxed evening. Hope to see you soon!** If you are new in this group, please read our main group page. Thank you! We want to create a community where people can meet, exchange ideas and share new experiences. Our aim is to create an open and friendly atmosphere where you can find new friends and have interesting conversations. Are you new to Spandau and haven't really found your place yet? Have you been living in Spandau for a while and don't always want to travel to Mitte to experience something new? If you would like to become part of this community and experience some great moments together, you are welcome to join us! We are happy to see you soon! :)

Welcome to our social mixer in the heart of Berlin! Whether you want to hang out with new friends, practice a new language, meet people from different cultures, immerse yourself in the local community, or just socialize in a friendly environment, come along and enjoy some drinks and food with new friends 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ ​ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Event Details 💰 Cost: Free 🍺🥃 Drinks and social 📍 Belushi's Berlin (Alexanderplatz) (Inside, or ask for Meet People Social) - Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 41 🕕 6:00pm onwards every Friday ​ **Or RSVP on the website for our Discord / WhatsApp communities, and to see who else is going and what their backgrounds/seniority/interests are:** 🔗 [Link to Website](https://theberlinsocial.com/event/meetup) ​ If you cannot find us, ask staff about Meet People Social, or ask in the WhatsApp community above. ​ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Perfect For * 🌎 **International Students & Expats** in Berlin * ✈️ **Travelers & Digital Nomads** looking to connect * 🏠 **Locals** wanting to expand their social circle * 💼 **Working Holiday Visa holders** and new arrivals * 🎓 **University students** and language school attendees * 👥 **Anyone** looking for genuine friendships and networking \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Why Join Our Berlin Community? * 🤝 **Meet diverse, welcoming people** from all backgrounds * 🗣️ **Practice conversation** with native and fluent speakers * 🌍 **Cultural exchange** and international perspectives * 🗺️ **Local insights** on best places to visit in Berlin * 🎯 **Social activities** and games \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Ideal If You're... 📍 **New to Berlin?** Perfect for getting oriented and making friends ✈️ **Traveling solo?** Find your Berlin social circle 💼 **Looking for work opportunities?** Network with peers 🎓 **Student or recent graduate?** Connect with peers and mentors \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### Event Guidelines * Support the venue by purchasing drinks/food (no outside items allowed) * Maintain appropriate behavior and respect for all attendees * Bring physical ID if required by venue (call ahead to confirm) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ​ ​ *Berlin Germany make new friends social mixer afterwork drinks meet people connect network social international party friends event new night welcome world culture japanese french chinese german korean italian spanish brazil lingos meet people community expats travelers digital nomads students cultural exchange friendship meetup multicultural language exchange multilingual conversation practice english Berlin Germany make new friends social mixer afterwork drinks meet people connect network social international party friends event new night welcome world culture japanese french chinese german korean italian spanish brazil lingos meet people community expats travelers digital nomads students cultural exchange friendship meetup multicultural language exchange multilingual conversation practice english*

Tauche ein in die wohltuende Welt des *Heilsamen Singens*! In der Singgruppe erleben wir gemeinsam, wie einfache, wiederholende Lieder mit positiven Texten Herz und Seele berühren. Du musst kein*e geübte*r Sänger\*in sein – beim heilsamen Singen geht es nicht um Leistung, sondern um Verbindung, Freude und Entspannung. Teils sanfte, teils kraftvolle Klänge und Melodien laden dich ein, den Alltagsstress hinter dir zu lassen, bei dir selbst anzukommen und neue Lebensfreude zu spüren. Beim gemeinsamen Singen entsteht innere Ruhe, dein Immunsystem wird gestärkt – und auf liebevolle Weise entsteht Verbindung untereinander. Komm, wie du bist – mit deiner Stimme, deinem Atem, deinem Herzen. Lass dich tragen vom Klang und entdecke die heilende Kraft des Singens. Wir freuen uns auf dich! Wo: Offenes Wohnzimmer Moabit Wann: jeden 3. Freitag im Monat 19:00 Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis Um die Planung zu erleichtern, melde Dich gerne an unter: [kontakt@heilsames-singen-berlin.de](mailto:kontakt@heilsames-singen-berlin.de) (Wer spontan kommen kann, ist natürlich ebenso willkommen!) Hei, ich bin Gesa, Sängerin, Gesangspädagogin und zertifizierte Singleiterin für Heilsames Singen. Nach über 20 Jahren als Opern- und Konzertsängerin liegt mein Fokus heute auf dem „Heilsamen Singen“. Mir liegt am Herzen, das Singen wieder in unseren Alltag zu holen. Weil es uns mit unserem innersten Menschsein verbindet, weil es Herz und Seele berührt – und weil es ein kleiner, aber kraftvoller Beitrag zu mehr Freude, Wärme und Menschlichkeit in unserer Welt ist.

🚀 PLUG-IN #1 **Scale Your Idea or Career with AI** Got an idea you want to grow? Thinking about your next career move? Curious how AI can actually help you move faster? This one’s for you. Welcome to **The Plug-In** — a new monthly gathering for founders, professionals, creatives, and ambitious builders who want to use AI as a real strategic advantage (not just another buzzword 🤖). Each month, we bring together: ✨ One expert-led workshop ✨ A shared dinner to network and connect For our very first edition, we’re diving into how AI can help you: 💡 Strategize on and strengthen your ideas 📈 Build momentum in your business or career ⚡ Work smarter and scale faster 🎯 Create a clearer strategy for growth You’ll hear from an AI growth strategist (Angeley Mullins), take part in a hands-on workshop, and connect with other people building exciting things in Berlin. Whether you’re: — Building a startup — Exploring a side hustle — Navigating a career pivot — Or simply trying to stay ahead in the AI era… …you’ll leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections. ### What you’ll walk away with: ✅ A practical AI toolkit tailored to your goals ✅ A smarter go-to-market mindset ✅ Real conversations with people who are building and growing ✅ Actionable next steps you can apply immediately 🍽 Food & drinks included 🎟 Limited seats available 📍 Berlin 📅 May 15th, 2026 This is the very first Plug-In session — come be part of the launch. We look forward to seeing you there Secure your spot using Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/XQMQSUS8H35N2 Or via eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.de/e/plug-in-scale-your-idea-or-career-with-ai-tickets-1988825889774?aff=oddtdtcreator For 25 euro tickets, download the BIT app and get a member's discount

To find us, look out for "The Red Stonker" which looks like: https://meetu.ps/3mjhSm [Use a web browser, as the App does not go to the right place] Every Friday evening we gather for an English speaking meetup for some social drinks. The venue varies from week to week, so please check the location for each event. If you have any suggestions for where you might like to meet next time, please send me a message. If you run a biergarten, bar, or other suitable location and would like some customers, send me a message. The number of attendees varies as you can see from the past events, but there is usually at least 50. We have a mix of nationals and internationals working, studying, visiting, or just living in Berlin. Free to attend, everybody is welcome, so grab a drink and come say hi. \*\*NEW FROM BERLIN EVENING SOCIALS \*\*\* check out our new Instagram Page! Reels,photos and stories. drop us a follow! https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?utm_source=ig_contact_invite&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_content=114pmtfn

Meet like-minded people, get authentic meditation instructions and hang out in our beautiful Buddhist meditation center in the west of Berlin! The practice of meditation is a simple, yet profound practice that helps us to connect with ourselves and gives us tools to release experiences of distraction, agitation, and stress. In the Buddhist tradition, meditation is more than just a way to end the mind´s distraction - it is what helps us to bring our mind home to its true nature. What better way to experience the colourful facets of meditation than with a group of like-minded people? Hence our open meditation sessions always have a social element as well - we like to have a tea and share about our meditation experiences, or whatever else we want to explore. There is also always the chance to ask questions to our experienced meditation instructors. These sessions are held in English and open to everyone - complete beginners as well as those with more experience. The sessions are every week on Friday at 17:00-18:30.

Today we are working in a beautiful location at Alexanderplatz with desks, power sockets, free WiFi, available food/drinks and air conditioning. We will be working on the second floor of the building with a beautiful view of the Fernsehturm. NOTE: We don't share the venue location publicly. Find out where it is by joining our Telegram chat group: **[https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly)** 😴 Tired of working by yourself? 🌡️ Too hot or too cold to work at home? 🍫 Contents of your fridge or the laundry distracting you? 💻 Come join other freelancers and remote workers for coworking! ☕️ There are no membership requirements, free WiFi, some power sockets, a large desk, some affordable coffee, toasted sandwiches and drinks! ⏰ We'll be there from the start time, but feel free to stop by any time. • WHAT TO BRING • Whatever you need to work on your own project / tasks :) • QUESTIONS? • Join our Telegram chat group to ask any questions: [https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly) • MORE EVENTS? • To have more events, we need more organisers. If you would like to help out, please get in touch [😀](https://emojipedia.org/grinning-face/)

### About this Event Weekends in Berlin are for slowing down. Whether you’ve lived here for years, just moved to the city, or are just passing through, come join us for a caffeine-fueled afternoon! The goal is simple: **Good coffee and even better conversations.** No forced networking, no strict agendas—just a relaxed group of people enjoying a break from the city hustle. ### Why join us? * **Meet Locals & Expats:** Expand your social circle in a low-pressure environment. * **Discover Berlin’s Cafe Scene:** We’ll explore one of the city's many cozy hidden gems. * **Perfect Weekend Kickoff:** It’s the best way to transition from your Saturday errands into the evening. We meet at W66. A cafe at Leipziger Straße! Looking forward to seeing you all there and sharing a slice of cake! 🍰☕

No agenda. No awkward intros. Just good people. Just Gutsy is a weekly meetup for solo travelers, nomads and locals who love meeting them, a simple way to find your people in a new city. Who comes: Solo travelers in transit · digital nomads · curious locals who love meeting travelers What to expect: casual and self-led · small group energy · show up, talk to someone, see where it goes Not sure how to talk to strangers? I put together a set of questions that actually make it easy — find them here: [justgutsy.com/icebreakers](http://justgutsy.com/icebreakers) The only things you need to do: → Comment below so others know you're coming → If plans change, update your RSVP → When you arrive: comment "Here, [what you're wearing]" so people find you When & where: • Every Sunday · 4PM local time Meetup.com sometimes shows a different timezone — ignore it, it's always 4PM where you are • Location: in front of the Indischer Brunnen Join Just Gutsy → [justgutsy.com](http://justgutsy.com/) · Early members get lifetime premium access to the app

Meet up and join other people in Berlin this Saturday! Whether you're a long-time resident or just travelling through, come and meet new people to have fun, make new friends and enjoy your Saturday evening in a safe and welcoming environment at one of Berlins fantastic bars. This week we're heading to Brewdog mitte (see link to location). Looking forward to seeing you there! Look out for the "Meetup Saturday Social" signs on tables. We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have **no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness.** **Follow us on Insta:** @siphappens.berlin **Join us on Telegram:** t.me/siphappens_berlin **👉 Other important notes:** \- 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs\, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks\. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases \- 🦹‍♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well\-being\. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues\. \- 📷 By attending our events\, you consent to being photographed or filmed\. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media\. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed\, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram \(@siphappens\.berlin\)

Dear art lovers, I’m happy to invite you to the Vernissage of a group exhibition I’m taking part in this Saturday, 16 May, at Kunstraum Heartspace in Berlin. Back in October, I started giving my Portrait Drawing Workshops at Kunstraum Heartspace, and over these months it has truly become a meaningful place of growth and exchange for me. The exhibition celebrates the **first anniversary of the space** and brings together artists from different disciplines. It revolves around the theme of diffraction and connection, exploring how obstacles can generate unexpected connections. I’ll be showing my latest portrait work, where I further develop the interaction between highly detailed realistic pencil drawing and free, colourful forms. I’d be happy to share this further development of my work with you, have a drink together, and exchange a few thoughts and impressions. **When**: Saturday, May 16th, 2026 **Time**: 4:00 - 10 PM **Location**: Kunstraum Heartspace Danziger Str. 172 - 10407 Berlin **Entrance**: free I'm looking forward to welcoming you there! Alessia

Lange Dammwiesen und Annatal is a beautiful and scenic nature reserve in Brandenburg in the area of Strausberg. It has a mixture of dry grassland, wet meadows and forest. It has unique small hills in the shape of a dam. We will hike in this nature reserve. After the nature reserve we will pass the beautiful lakes Kleiner Stienitzsee and Stienitzsee. After 3 hours of hiking I plan to have a coffee but can't promise there will be something open. I am asking for a donation of 2€ for this event. **Good to know:** We will meet at the Station Strausberg (not Strausberg Stadt) **at 12pm** in front of the Service store/main station building. You need ABC-Ticket or Deutschland Ticket.

ECSTATIC DANCE · BREATH · CACAO Saturday, May 16 · 19:00–22:00 Dharma Studios Kreuzberg · Berlin A conscious evening of movement, music, breath, and connection. We begin softly together with cacao, breath, grounding, and arrival into the body — before opening the dance floor into a deeper journey through tribal rhythms, electronic waves, playful movement, emotional release, stillness, connection, and ecstatic expression. No choreography. No performance. No talking on the dance floor. Just space to move freely, listen to the body, and reconnect with yourself and others through music and presence. The evening weaves together dance, ritual, sound, freedom, softness, intensity, and deep rest. Whether it’s your first ecstatic dance or you’ve joined many before, you’re very welcome. ✨ Come alone or with friends ✨ No experience needed 📍 Dharma Studios Kreuzberg Oranienstraße 189 · Berlin 🕖 Doors open 18:45 Journey starts 19:00 🎟 Tickets: https://linktr.ee/Sebastiaanlefuce

Ditch the old book club, where everyone has to read the same book...this is better! It works like this: Bring your own book. Come chat, have some tea or coffee, get to know your neighbors. Then we quietly read together, side by side, for about one hour, each one reading their own book, and afterwards we talk with each other about what we are reading. The usual agenda: - Arrival and introduction (~20 minutes) - ⁠Silent reading (~1 hour) - ⁠Discussion (~30-40 minutes) - ⁠Join us for a bite at a local restaurant afterwards, if you like! You may read in any language, you may read any book. We are a group of international residents of Berlin from many different countries, of all ages, and we converse in English. We welcome you! No registration needed – the event is donation based. All funds support the Offenes Wohnzimmer.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

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."

**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*

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!

**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.

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖