Mapping

Berlin City Walk - [urbanjoy.de/walk](https://urbanjoy.de/walk) \>\>\> CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION Participation **ONLY** after prior message to yes@urbanjoy.de or t.me/joejung After our wonderful city walk experiences in the past, we're treating ourselves to another round. From Paul-Lincke-Ufer 40, meeting point urbanjoy.de/walk we walk through Xberg-Neukölln in Berlins inner city and back. We leave on time. German style! You also have the opportunity to participiate the special variation "Blind Walk Moments" - It's a 3 people playful experience where 2 people guide and steer 1 person in between them that has their eyes closed. Imagine having an adventurous conversation amongst 3 people in are dark but protected state. Try it out, if you dare. We look forward to a wonderful time in Berlin's urban landscape with old and new friends. Come solo, in duos, trios or in large numbers and let's enjoy the fresh Berlin air. The event is free of charge. Donations to support the organization are welcome here > [Donations](https://paypal.me/unitydomeberlin) Best wishes, Your Berlin City Walks Team Any questions?! yes@urbanjoy.de t.me/joejung \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ english above \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ deutsche Bescheibung \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ \~ **Berliner StadtSpaziergang** \>\>\> NUR MIT TEILNAHMEBESTÄTIGUNG Teilnahme nur nach vorheriger Nachricht an yes@urbanjoy.de oder t.me/joejung Nach unseren wundervollen Spaziergängen der Vergangenheit gönnen wir uns einen weiteren City Walk Vom Paul-Lincke-Ufer 40, direkt am Landwehrkanal startrn wir unseren KiezSpaziergang durch Kreuz-Kölln (Kreuzberg & Neukölln) und kehren am Ende des Spaziergangs auch hierhin zurück! Wir starten pünktlich - typisch deutsch ;) Mehr/regelmäßige Infos findest Du auch hier: [urbanjoy.de/walk](https://urbanjoy.de/walk) oder in unserem Newsletter [urbanjoy.de](https://www.urbanjoy.de/) Klick die Links für weiteren Optionen. Es gibt auch dieses Mal wieder die Möglichkeit die besondere "Blind Walk" Variante auszuprobieren = 3 Menschen spazieren gemeinsam mit viel Raum für Gespräche und Austausch. 1 Person in der Mitte wird geführt und kann bei vollem Vertrauen, die Augen schließen. Die beiden äußeren Personen führen und geleiten die innere mit Achtsamkeit und Feingefühl und übernehmen während dieser Zeit die Verantwortung für die Sicherheit des blinden Spazierenden. Wir freuen uns auf eine schöne gemeinsame Runde in der Berliner Stadtlandschaft mit alten und neuen Freunden. Kommt solo oder zu mehrt und lasst uns die frische Berliner Luft genießen. Der Event ist kostenfrei. Spenden, um die Orga zu unterstützen sind herzlich willkommen > [Spende/t bitte hier](https://paypal-me/unitydomeberlin) Liebe Grüße Euer Berlin City Walks Team Noch Fragen?! Schreib einfach eine Nachricht hier: yes@urbanjoy.de t.me/joejung

Kommt am 2. Montagabend im Monat ins Offene Wohnzimmer zum Open Draw! Raucht Euch auch manchmal der Kopf von zu viel PC-Arbeit? Der Asphalt der Stadt ist heute wieder viel zu grau? Ihr würdet am liebsten mal wieder wild auf einem Blatt Papier rumklecksen oder gedankenverlorene Linien zeichnen? Höchste Zeit zur Tat zu schreiten! Wir wollen in entspannter Atmosphäre die kreativen Zellen auf Volldampf fahren und uns der Inspiration überlassen. Mit Musik im Hintergrund sowie Wein, Tee und Snacks im Repertoire wird dann gekleckst, gemalt, gezeichnet, geklebt, geredet und gelacht. Das Ganze kann sehr ambitioniert stattfinden, aber genauso zum Hirn-abschalten dienen. Austausch, Bilderswapping und gegenseitige Tipps/Kritik sind sehr willkommen. Material stellen wir (Kreide, Bleistift, Wasserfarbe, Acrylfarbe, Pastellstifte, Kohle, Papierbögen, Spiegel, Postkarten, Zeichenbücher, Illustrierte). Sujet kann alles sein: Der/die Tischnächste, der letzte Traum, oder der Feldhase Dürers. Technik auch: Von (Selbst)portrait über Stilleben bis zur Comiczeichnung soll alles abgedeckt werden. Wir bieten jeden 2. Montag im Monat offene Treffen zum kreativen Arbeiten sowie gelegentlich technik- und themenbasierte Workshops an. Wie immer wird um eine Spende für Raummiete/Material von 5-10€ gebeten. Anmeldung: Katharinav.runnen@gmx.de

**Hi everyone!** We’ll now be meeting twice a week at Denizen House (Köpenicker Str. 40, 10179 Berlin), on **Mondays and Wednesdays**! * **Mondays:** levels A1 to B2 * **Wednesdays:** levels B1 to C1 We work with dedicated materials tailored to each level, so everyone will have a place to practice and improve. **Event schedule** * **18:00 – 18:30** Arrival and registration * **18:30 – 19:50** Sprachcafé * **19:50 – 20:00** End and clean up Please be aware that the moderated event starts at **18:30**. Before this time, we are busy setting up the space. Registrations usually take place around **18:15 / 18:20**. Participants are kindly asked **not to arrive too far in advance** at the house. If someone arrives much earlier, Denizen may ask them to pay either for a drink (consumption) or for a **day pass**, as the space is a co-working environment during the day. **Please remember, our event is only happening from 18:00 to 20:00** **How the Sprachcafé works** We use different materials to help participants gain confidence in German. Together with whiteboards and our volunteers, the Sprachcafé is based on **interactive conversations** in small groups. **Participation fee** The Sprachcafé has a **participation fee of 5 €**, which helps cover organizational costs and **includes one soft drink for free**. Tickets can be purchased directly on the day of the event, card and cash payments are accepted. As the Sprachcafé has become very popular, we now need to **limit the number of participants**. Please understand this measure; it ensures that everyone has a comfortable space to practice. We kindly ask you to be **rücksichtsvoll** and only RSVP “Yes” if you are certain you can attend. If your plans change at the last minute, please update your RSVP so someone on the waiting list can take your spot. Getting your ticket early can help secure your place. **Please note** Our event will begin **promptly** at the scheduled start time. If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee your participation, even if you have a ticket or have RSVP’d. We encourage all guests to arrive on time to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. **About Denizen** Denizen is a new-style co-working space focused on being an integral part of local communities. Located on the ground floor of the historic Eiswerk on Köpenicker Straße in Kreuzberg, Denizen House is a communal place providing work, refreshment, and recreational facilities throughout the day. Think of it as a living room for the neighborhood. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know. If you’d like to contribute to this night, send me a message! Ich freue mich schon! Grüße, **Nacho**

**Touch and Move: Improvising Contact, creating Community** with ***Jochen Kleres and/or Zahiro Ji*** for **GBTQ men\*** **[BOOK A TICKET!](https://wearevillage.org/shop/touch-and-move/w20-2026)** **Member: 10 €** **Non Member: 15 €** This is a class for GBTQ men\* with all levels of experience, from total newbies to advanced. We meet and begin by checking in with each other, followed by a guided exploration moving from somatic practice to contact dance improvisation. This all culminates in opening the space for the free flow of dancing and explorations in duos, trios and as a group. Bodywork will help us to warm down at the end and integrate what we experienced. Dance is our way to create a space for exploration: what happens when queer men’s bodies meet and get in touch without any expectations and intentions? In Contact Improvisation, touch is the source of finding dance movements. It helps you to be open to the here and now, to surprises, to letting go of performing roles, meeting expectations, and following scripts. Any movement can be part of this dance, no matter how simple – we literally move any way we feel. This creates a conversation without words, simply through our moving bodies. Feeling ourselves by sensing others can create nourishing bonds of community as much as it liberates us. We emphasise consensus, respect, diversity of people and energies, listening, and a non-judgmental space. **General Information** • Wear comfortable clothes. • We’ll speak English and/or German, depending on the needs of the group. • This event is one of two free events included each month in the membership programme. 🔵 Dies ist ein Kurs für GBTQ Männer\* mit allen Erfahrungsstufen, von absoluten Neulingen bis zu Fortgeschrittenen. Wir treffen uns und beginnen mit einem gegenseitigen Kennenlernen, gefolgt von einer angeleiteten Erkundung, die von somatischer Praxis zu Kontakttanzimprovisationen führt. Von hier aus öffnen wir den Raum für den freien Fluss des Tanzes und der Erkundungen in Duos, Trios und als Gruppe. Mit Hilfe von Bodywork wärmen wir uns zum Schluss auf und integrieren das Erlebte. Tanz ist unsere Art, einen Raum für Erkundungen zu schaffen: Was passiert, wenn sich die Körper queerer Männer treffen und ohne Erwartungen und Absichten in Berührung kommen? In der Contact Improvisation ist die Berührung der Ursprung, um Tanzbewegungen zu entdecken. Sie hilft dir, offen zu sein für das Hier und Jetzt, für Überraschungen, für das Loslassen von Rollen, Erwartungen und Vorschriften. Jede Bewegung kann Teil dieses Tanzes sein, egal wie einfach – wir bewegen uns so, wie wir uns tatsächlich fühlen. So entsteht eine Konversation ohne Worte, einfach durch unsere bewegten Körper. Uns selbst zu spüren, indem wir andere spüren, kann ein ebenso wertvolles Gemeinschaftsgefühl, wie ein Gefühl von Befreiung schaffen. Wir legen Wert auf Konsens, Respekt, die Vielfalt der Menschen und Energien, das Zuhören und einen urteilsfreien Raum. **Hinweise** • Trage bequeme Kleidungen • Je nach Bedürfnissen der Gruppe werden wir Deutsch und/oder Englisch sprechen. • Diese Veranstaltung zählt zu den zwei kostenfreien Veranstaltungen pro Monat für Mitglieder.

Bitte kauft in den Restaurants mindestens einen Artikel, damit wir keinen Ärger mit dem Manager bekommen. -> Location Berlin Potsdamer Platz -> The Playce -> Manifesto Markt Wir sitzen unten oft an den großen runden Tischen vor dem Restaurant Kumpir'a oder an den langen Tischen vor dem Pizza und Pasta Restaurant im Erdgeschoss. Dieses Treffen ist für: -Internationale Teilnehmer aus allen Ländern, die auf Deutsch Kontakte knüpfen wollen. -Deutsch-sprachige, die in netter Gesellschaft anderen helfen wollen, Deutsch zu sprechen, oder nur neue Kontakte knüpfen wollen.

**Kurdish Dance - Queer Bridges** with ***Yada Barzan*** for **LGBTQIA+ Queer Migrants** **[Free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/queer-bridges-monday/w20-2026)** 🔵 Rooted in ancient traditions, Kurdish dance is a collective practice where dancers connect, support, and move as one. Present in joy, grief, and struggle, it carries cultural memory and layered meaning; embodying identity, history, and resistance. **Queer Bridges: Forging connections and providing resources for LGBTQIA+ people with experiences of migration and/or displacement.** Queer people with experiences of migration and/or displacement in Berlin often face unique challenges in their daily lives that can limit their access to supportive communities and inclusive environments. With the support of the **Deutsche Fernsehlotterie Stiftung**, we have developed the Queer Bridges program to overcome these barriers. We provide resources, networking and support in a welcoming environment for queer immigrants and refugees through our special program. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging to the local LGBTQIA+ community, enabling smooth integration and an improved quality of life for queer folks with experiences of migration and/or displacement. ✅ Our **Queer Bridges** program will continue to evolve and we are always happy to hear about your needs. If you are interested, you can send us an e-mail to stay informed about further updates. **General Information** **Participants**: This workshop is for all who identify as LGBTQ+ and have experienced migration and/or displacement. If you don’t share these experiences but are interested in joining please reach out to us first to see if space is available. We ask that all participants respect the program’s core focus and contribute to fostering an open respectful space. **Registration**: This event has limited spots available. Registration through our website is therefore required. **Language**: English **Cost:** The event is free of charge. 🔵 **Kurdischer Tanz- Queer Bridges** mit ***Yada Barzan*** fur **LGBTQIA+ Queere Migranten** ##### Kostenlos mit[ ](https://wearevillage.org/shop/queer-bridges-monday/w19-2026/)[Anmeldung](https://wearevillage.org/shop/queer-bridges-monday/w20-2026/) Verwurzelt in alten Traditionen ist kurdischer Tanz eine kollektive Praxis des Verbindens und gemeinsamen Bewegens. Er begleitet Freude, Trauer und Widerstand und trägt kulturelles Gedächtnis; ein Ausdruck von Identität, Geschichte und gelebtem Widerstand. **Queer Bridges: Verbindungen schaffen und Ressourcen für LGBTQIA+ Menschen mit Migrationserfahrung bereitstellen.** Queere Menschen mit Migrationserfahrung in Berlin sehen sich in ihrem täglichen Leben oft mit besonderen Herausforderungen konfrontiert, die ihren Zugang zu unterstützenden Gemeinschaften und integrativen Umgebungen einschränken können. Mit Unterstützung der **Deutschen Fernsehlotterie Stiftung**, haben wir das Programm Queer Bridges entwickelt, um diese Hürden zu überwinden. Wir bieten Ressourcen, Vernetzung und Unterstützung in einem einladenden Umfeld für queere Migrant\*innen und Geflüchtete durch unser spezielles Programm. Unser Ziel ist es, ein Gefühl der Zugehörigkeit zur lokalen LGBTQIA+ Community zu fördern und damit eine reibungslose Integration sowie eine verbesserte Lebensqualität für queere Menschen mit Migrations- und/oder Fluchterfahrung zu ermöglichen. ✅ Unser **Queer Bridges** Programm wird sich stetig weiter entwickeln und wir freuen uns auch jederzeit von Euren Bedarfen zu hören. Bei Interesse könnt ihr uns eine E-Mail schicken, um über weitere Aktualisierungen informiert zu bleiben. **Hinweise** **Teilnehmende**: Dieser Workshop richtet sich an alle, die sich als LGBTQIA+ identifizieren und Migrations- und/oder Fluchterfahrung erlebt haben. Wenn ihr diese Erfahrungen nicht teilt, aber dennoch an einer Teilnahme interessiert seid, meldet euch bitte zuerst bei uns, um zu klären, ob ein Platz frei ist. Wir bitten alle Teilnehmenden, den Schwerpunkt des Programms zu respektieren und dazu beizutragen, einen offenen, respektvollen Raum zu schaffen. **Anmeldung**: Für dieses Event stehen begrenzte Plätze zur Verfügung. Eine Registrierung über unsere Website ist daher erforderlich. **Sprache**: Englisch **Kosten**: Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos.

### Open Platform for Writers to connect, share & grow. Together. ‍ We create a safe space to be creative, connect through writing and give and receive feedback from each other. Get ready for bringing in different writing styles and helping each other improve our own writing skills and get to know some new friends. ...for more info check out www.dna-artclub.com / follow us on IG: @nightart.club See You soon :) Love. DNA. ______ \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR. \*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. and Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V. Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.

Hi everyone. We'll meet and play a relaxed game of ultimate in Volkspark Rehberge if the weather cooperates. Our games focus on having great team play, where the teams work together to advance the disk down the field. It's more important to work well together as a team than have a few star players get a point with lucky shots. For this reason, players of all skill levels (especially those who have never played) are welcome to join Bring plenty of water, shoes you can run in and comfortable clothing that can get a bit dirty. Although we're an established group, newcomers are always welcome. After the game we try to spend some time together and have fun. Finding us: We meet in this big grassy area, it's a short bike ride from the subway stop Rehberge on the U6 or Amrumer Strasse on the U9. It can be a bit tricky to find the first time, so we've got a few methods to help out (don't trust the meetup map pin, it often shows some point in the park, not the exact spot where we are) 1. GPS: 52°32'54.9"N 13°19'51.0"E ; 52.548581, 13.330842 2. Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/xbZgaXzMSMt 3. the helpful picture here https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/8/8/f/highres_451930383.jpeg *This event may also be photographed and/or video-recorded, and published on social media channels such as meetup and eventbrite.* *By participating, you acknowledge and accept the risk of injury while playing Ultimate. Although adherence to the rules, proper equipment, and common sense reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and, you willingly and freely assume all such risks.*

1 EURO DONATION FEE PER PERSON IS REQUIRED (on site, in cash), to pay back the Meetup subscription fees and support my Events. READ THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE INFO (IMPORTANT). We take a walk in Berlin to meet new people or people we already know 😁 It's a way to spend a few hours together on a public holiday afternoon. **How it works?** The concept is very simple: * We meet at Sonnenallee Station at 14,15 o'clock (we use the Whatsapp Chat to find each other: I will post there my exact location outside the station) * I wait for people for 10 minutes, till 14,25, then we start to walk direction Treptower Park, crossing the park 🌳🌳🌳 and going along the Spree river, to then go further * We go on along the Landwehrkanal, exploring Kreuzberg 🏠 * The total length of the walk is about 8kms * We land finally here to take coffee, a drink, or some food, and spend more time together ([https://maps.app.goo.gl/RsUCxwDKK6yVtiF48](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RsUCxwDKK6yVtiF48)) I consider that the event will last in overall around 4 hours (2 hours of walk 🚶🚶‍♀️ and 2 hours at the Cafe/Restaurant), but people are free to stay together longer, if they want 🙂 What I provide is leading the walk and the people at the Cafe, but I do not force anyone to stay shorter or longer. I do not provide a "personal support" for people who arrive after 14,25 (do not write to me expecting "private support"). You are responsible to check for the weather and decide if come or not. Thanks for understanding. If you have to contact me, make it via Whatsapp, not here on Meetup. WHATSAPP GROUP 💬 to find each other (join it, we use this group to find and synchronize us) [https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/](https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/)

2 EURO DONATION FEE PER PERSON IS REQUIRED (on site, in cash), to pay back the Meetup subscription fees and support my Events. READ THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE INFO (IMPORTANT). WHATSAPP LINK BELOW 📳​ We take the RE3 train that arrives to Eberswalde at 11,02 🚉😀 and stops in Berlin Hbf at 10,23 The train stops not only in Berlin Hbf (I attach below the screenshots with the stations and the timetable 🕐) Once in Eberwalde station, we follow this route 🍃🍃 [https://www.komoot.com/tour/2383133702](https://www.komoot.com/tour/2383133702) Bring your own food 🍔 and water 🥤, for the about 15kms of Hike. After the Hike, we come back to Eberswalde town center 🏘️ to take a coffee ☕ or a cake 🍰 here, for the people who want (the others can directly take the first train to come back to Berlin): [https://maps.app.goo.gl/YeLEY8FFMWsSLwtv6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/YeLEY8FFMWsSLwtv6) One train per hour is available to come back to Berlin 🚉 NFO ℹ️ℹ️ Route distance: 15 kms Pace: about 14 minutes per km (know by experience with my events) Breaks ⛔: 2 breaks at approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of the way I do not provide a "personal support" for people who do not take the indicated train. You are responsible to check for the weather and decide if come or not. Thanks for understanding. If you have to contact me, make it via Whatsapp, not here on Meetup. WHATSAPP COMMUNITY 💬 to find each other (join it, we use this group to find and synchronize us, as well as post photos) [https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/](https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/)

**Neue Leute kennenlernen, nette Gespräche & frische Luft. Am Sonntagnachmittag.** . **💶 2 Euro Gebühr (vor Ort, in bar)** . **🛑 Falls Du es nicht schaffst, sag bitte rechtzeitig ab.** 😊 **Zusagen sind bis kurz vor Beginn möglich. Ich freu mich Dich zu sehen.** . 👋🏼 Wir treffen uns an der [S-Bahn Station Treptower Park, am Hinterausgang Richtung Park (Link Google Maps)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4kVsM838mCSftVPc9). . Wir machen eine kleine Vorstellungsrunde. Danach gehen wir los. . 💐 Wir laufen auf dem großen Uferweg entlang der Spree, vorbei am Vergnügungspark Plänterwald bi szum Ende des Plänterwalds. Dort kehren wir um, gehen zurück durch den Plänterwald um dann wieder das wunderschöne Spree-Ufer entlang zu laufen. 😊 Ich bereite Deep-Talk-Fragen vor, damit Ihr gut uns Gespräch kommt. . **💧 Empfehlungen:** * Bring etwas Wasser mit, falls Du durstig wirst (1 Liter) * Gegen Abend kann es kühler werden: Bring Dir etwas Warmes anzuziehen mit. . **👉 Rechtlicher Hinweis** Auch wenn wir uns als Gruppe treffen und ich einen schönen Weg für uns herausgesucht habe, **bist Du voll verantwortlich für Dich selbst**. . **👱🏼‍♂️ Mehr über Abenteuer Freundschaft** Ich bin Georg Preller. Ich habe Abenteuer Freundschaft gegründet, um Freundschaft zu erforschen. Mein Ziel: Mehr echte Freundschaften auf dieser Welt. . Auf Meetup findest Du zahlreiche Events zum Kennenerlenen oder um über Freundschaft zu lernen. . **👋🏽 Weitere Gruppen & Kontaktmöglichkeiten** . **✈ Telegram-Kanal: [t.me/abenteuer_freundschaft](http://t.me/abenteuer_freundschaft)** für Events, Workshops & Treffpunkte für neue Freundschaften . **✉ Freundschafts-Newsletter:** [https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/newsletter](https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/newsletter) Alle 4 Wochen das Neuste aus der Freundschaftsforschung; oft seltener, denn ich schreibe nur dann, wenn es wirklich etwas zu berichten gibt. . **🔥 6 Zutaten großartiger Freundschaften** Seit 2020 forsche ich, was großartige Freundschaften wirklich ausmacht. Das Ergebnis ist das 30seitige eBook: "Die 6 Zutaten großartiger Freundschaften". Du erhältst das eBook zurzeit kostenlos mit der Anmeldung zum Newsletter: [https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/newsletter](https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/newsletter) **💯 Wie wird man Freunde in Berlin:** * [Freunde finden: Wie wird man Freunde?](https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/freunde-finden) * [Was ist Freundschaft?](https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/freunde-finden) * [Wie schnell wir man Freunde?](https://abenteuer-freundschaft.de/wie-schnell-entsteht-freundschaft)

Join our track sessions in Rehberge. Twice a month on Tuesdays, we’ll meet at the Track of Volkspark Rehberge at 18:30 for a group training. Meeting point - the Track of Volkspark Rehberge https://maps.app.goo.gl/ryhaXFxb3v9JJzyr8?g_st=ic Afterwards we‘ll have drinks or dinner if we feel like it. Don’t worry if you are new! Joining track sessions is a great chance to start 😉 Take care and see you soon ❤️ P.S. ‼️️ Please cancel your participation if you can’t show up, even if it’s at short notice so that we don’t wait for you. Thanks! ‼️

**Total Eclipse of the Chart: School Redistricting Dashboards** In this presentation, we will explore the utilization of maps, sets, and SQL within a Tableau dashboard to help provide “what-if” analyses generated through the use of a mapped dashboard, providing different scenarios and the potential implications of these. While in this use case we are focused on a large school district, the concepts of utilizing existing data to explore the future impacts of modifying different geographic boundaries can be useful to many industries, balancing the mix of maps with visual analytics. **About Our Speaker** Robert Kramer is the Data Systems and State Reporting Coordinator at South Western City Schools in Grove City. He has worked there for 17 years, serving previously in the roles of Data Analyst, Programmer, and Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at South Western, he worked as a Systems Engineer at Pinnacle Data Systems in Groveport. He graduated in 2005 from The University of Toledo with his Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering, and a minor in Mathematics. Robert resides in Obetz with his wife, and their 15 and 12 year-old daughters. He was also just elected to his 3rd four-year term on the Obetz City Council. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

**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.

Join us this Thursday (5/14) at 6:30 pm at Rocky Fork Metro Park in Westerville as we walk about 2.5 miles of a fully paved trail. The Beech Woodland trail is a flat yet scenic trail with a variety of landscapes. Let’s take it in together!

Customer identity resolution becomes increasingly complex as organizations scale across multiple systems, regions, and data formats. Traditional rule-based approaches often fail to keep up with data variability, require constant manual tuning, and struggle with real-time processing needs. This session presents a practical approach to building a scalable identity resolution pipeline using AWS services and modern AI techniques. The architecture combines data ingestion through Amazon S3 and AWS Glue, transformation pipelines using Spark on EMR, and machine learning models deployed via SageMaker for entity matching and standardization. Graph-based relationship modeling is implemented using Amazon Neptune to improve resolution accuracy by incorporating household and shared attribute context. We will walk through how machine learning models can be used for name and address normalization, how intelligent blocking strategies improve matching efficiency, and how feedback loops can be introduced to continuously improve accuracy. The session also highlights how serverless components such as AWS Lambda can be used for orchestration and real-time processing. **SPEAKER BIO** Mosaic Syed is a Senior Data Engineering and Cloud Solutions Architect with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance data solutions across global enterprise environments. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosaic-basha-syed-92300856 **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: [https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/](https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/) **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: [https://www.veeam.com/](https://www.veeam.com/) **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com