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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Absolutely! Find mapping events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.

Mapping Events Today

Join in-person Mapping events happening right now

PostgreSQL May Meetup: We didn't Know Postgres Could Do That!
PostgreSQL May Meetup: We didn't Know Postgres Could Do That!
We will be hosting our May Meetup. Thanks to Amazon for sponsoring us. Please note that you have to show sign up with your real name and show a Photo ID to the building security before entering the building. Every visitor will have their photo taken that will be printed on their paper visitor badge. This is a requirement from the building security. If you are not ok with that, please do not sign up. You can not bring a +1, everyone needs to sign up. Please only sign up if you plan to come, we will keep notes. *Excited to announce our talks:* **pg_lake: Unifying transactional and analytical data with Postgres** by Celeste Horgan, Sr. OSS Developer Advocate at Snowflake. The common wisdom goes: data is either transactional or analytical, and workloads are OLTP and OLAP-shaped to match. The reality of generating and using data is different, and often we need a bit of both. The pg_lake extension brings OLAP workloads to OLTP Postgres. This talk will explore the pg_lake extension, including how to build it, and demos of using it with modern data workloads in object storage like Amazon S3. We’ll create simple data pipelines with no ETL and high performance analytics. **I Didn't Know Postgres Could Do That!** by Robert Treat, Principal Database Engineer at AWS and PostgreSQL Major Contributor. PostgreSQL is often thought of as "The Database for DBAs", but what more and more developers are finding out is that what makes Postgres "The Worlds Most Advanced Open Source Database" is its wide array of features, many of which are really geared towards engineers building applications on top of Postgres. In this talk, we'll look at some of the features in Postgres you may not have seen in other database systems, and talk about how you can make use of those features in your applications. Queries, indexing, data types, and more will all be up for discussion as we show you examples of just what Postgres can do.
AWS UG Berlin Workshop - Amazon Aurora DSQL
AWS UG Berlin Workshop - Amazon Aurora DSQL
Amazon Aurora DSQL is a groundbreaking technology that has a potential to re-define the entire DBMS solutions. Yet there are lots to uncover, lots to learn on the resource! Therefore, we are inviting you experts on Aurora DSQL with an engaging hands-on workshop to experiment uses of Aurora DSQL, and also learn on the topic. **Build a Multi-Region, Active-active Rewards App with Aurora DSQL** In this workshop, get hands-on experience with Amazon Aurora DSQL, a serverless distributed SQL database that delivers active-active high availability. Learn how to build a retail rewards points application with active-active resiliency across multiple Availability Zones and two Regions. Explore how ACID transactions and active-active replication work in Aurora DSQL. Discover best practices for data model and application design and more. You must bring a laptop to participate. This is a hands-on workshop with a practical deep dive into Amazon Aurora DSQL. You work through independent tasks that you need to complete, with support of AWS Facilitators. The event will also begin with an expert talk: "The Evolution of Resilience - Lessons Learned from 25 Years of Infrastructure Architecture" - further details ahead! **When?** 7th of May\, Thursday\,\| 12:30 \- 18:00 **Where?** AWS Office - BER 21 - Tamara-Danz-Str. 13, 10243 Berlin. **How?** [Fill out this form ](https://forms.gle/CMoz6qGraX8HBHVU6)to apply. Limited seats are available. You can only participate in the workshop if you receive a confirmation mail from us (**kadir@berlinawsug.de**). You need to bring your own laptop to this workshop. ❗**Registration - Read Carefully**❗ Participation is free of charge. Your workshop resource usage is also covered. You will be provided a sandbox AWS account. Therefore, you won't need an AWS account! ❗Please register with your full name by filling out this form: [Registration Form](https://forms.gle/CMoz6qGraX8HBHVU6) ❗You need to bring your own laptop to this workshop. Make sure AWS CLI is installed. Contact us if you're not sure how. ❗A confirmation e-mail from Meetup is not relevant. **You can participate only if you receive a confirmation from us: kadir@berlinawsug.de** \-\-\- **Additional Information** **This event is wheelchair friendly.** Help us spread the word, and invite your friends & colleagues! If you're attending with wheelchair and need assistance, please mail us: organisers@berlinawsug.de for further details. Would you like to host AWS UG Event at your company? [Register here](https://bit.ly/aws-host) Would you like to speak at AWS UG MeetUp? [Submit your topic here](https://bit.ly/aws-talk)
Game Creators Hangout
Game Creators Hangout
We're gonna have another Game Creators Hangout! The Hangout is a place where those who create games or are interested in it meet up and talk about whatever they like. Its a place for the community, but also to connect people from different communities. It does not matter whether you're a veteran game dev, just started school or just dabble in creating games in your free time - all of you are welcome here. Accessibility: There is a small step at the entrance. Seating is available inside as well as outside. Some tables are only accessible via a few steps. For this evening, the bar is smoke free, but usually it is a smoker bar. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-German\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Es ist Zeit für einen Game Creators Hangout! Der Hangout ist ein Ort, an dem sich diejenigen, die Spiele machen oder daran interessiert sind, treffen und über alles sprechen, was sie möchten. Es ist ein Ort für die Community, aber es geht auch darum, Menschen aus verschiedenen Communities zu vernetzen. Es spielt keine Rolle, ob du ein\*e erfahrene Spieleentwickler\*Inn bist, gerade die Schule angefangen hast oder nur in deiner Freizeit gerne Spiele erstellst - alle sind hier willkommen. Barrierefreiheit: Am Eingang der Bar befindet sich eine kleine Stufe. Es gibt Sitzmöglichkeiten drinnen und draussen. Einige der Tische und Stühle sind nur über 2 Treppenstufen erreichbar. Die bar ist an diesem Abend rauchfrei, aber normalerweise eine Raucherbar.
Park Volley ☀️ 🏐 🌴 @ Hasenheide
Park Volley ☀️ 🏐 🌴 @ Hasenheide
**Join us for outdoor grass volleyball in Hasenheide park!** This event is not suitable for complete beginners. We play with two nets. The "chill court" is for mixed-level play with 3v3 up to 5v5. The "competitive court" is for higher-level 2v2 play with beach rules. Be sure to wear suitable sports clothing and perhaps bring a drink. There are no facilities such as changing rooms and showers in the park. A nearby public toilet is also available, but it might be closed, dirty, or not have toilet paper. **Location**: We play in the narrow clearing, located between the two paths in the center of Hasenheide park, on the southern side. Updates will be posted in the WhatsApp group, which you can join via [https://tinyurl.com/ParkVolley](https://tinyurl.com/ParkVolley) **RSVP**: Put yourself on the waitlist, even if other people are already on there. The waitlist is not chronological, so even if there are 30 people on there, you still have a chance! If you get a spot, you will be moved to the attending list and notified by Meetup. This is a free event with limited space. **If you can't make it, promptly update your RSVP to NO** so others can take your place. If you do not show up or cancel last minute, you will be marked as a no-show, reducing your chances of getting off the waitlist in the future. **Payment:** This event is free, but you are invited to make a 2 EUR donation towards equipment. **Attending**: Do not join if you have an infectious disease. You need to be on the attendee list to attend; **being on the waitlist is not sufficient**. Do not bring friends that are not on the attendee list. **Showing up without having a valid RSVP will get you banned**. **Safety**: Mind the terrain. The grass might be uneven and contain items such as bottle caps. It is not suitable for diving or playing like on a beach. Be careful not to twist your ankle. Keep an eye on your belongings since we are in a public park. We do *not* have a full first aid kit available. Please inform the organizer of any medical conditions that might require attention during the event. Some things you *might* want to bring: \* Sunglasses \* Drink \* Snacks \* Insect spray \* Sunscreen \* Toilet paper, if you wish to use the public toilet Join our WhatsApp community via [https://tinyurl.com/ParkVolley](https://tinyurl.com/ParkVolley) Follow us on Insta at [https://www.instagram.com/berlinvolleyball](https://www.instagram.com/berlinvolleyball) Pictures might be taken and shared publicly, such as on Meetup or Instagram. You can opt out by letting the organizer know you do not wish to be photographed. By RSVP'ing to this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: Participation in this volleyball event is at your own risk. The organizer is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage sustained during the event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. You are aware of the inherent risks involved in park volleyball and voluntarily assume these risks. You agree to hold the organizer harmless from any claims, liabilities, or expenses arising from your participation, including any medical costs. Share anonymous feedback with the organizer via https://www.admonymous.co/entropy
Food Security: Talks, Networking & Demos
Food Security: Talks, Networking & Demos
This meetup hosted by **Venture Cafe Berlin** focuses on **Food Security**— exploring how innovation in foodtech can help Europe to build geopolitical resilience. This event gives the foodtech and startup ecosystem a much-needed macro lens, reframing innovation not just as a market opportunity but as a strategic lever for Europe’s resilience, sovereignty, and long-term geopolitical stability. This event is prepared in cooperation with Food Hack. Join **founders, investors, ecosystem builders, and curious minds** for open conversations, practical insights, and meaningful connections. **What to expect:** * **Info & Demo Tables (5:00–8:00 PM):** Discover startups, technologies, and ecosystem initiatives. * **Mentor Hours:** Guidance on public affairs, regulation, and government relations for startups. * **Workshops & Talks:** * *Outliving Your Diet: How Metabolic Flexibility and Protein Intake Drive Human Healthspan* * *Can innovation in foodtech help Europe to build geopolitical resilience?* * **Networking & Beats:** Meet fellow innovators, exchange ideas, and connect in a relaxed atmosphere. Come learn, share, and connect with the **Berlin tech community**. More info and speakers here: https://community.venturecafeberlin.org/events/55 *Note: To avoid queue at the door you can pre-register for check-in on the above link.* \-\-\-\-\-\-\- For the latest Berlin Tech News, Events & Jobs head to **[techinberlin.com](https://www.techinberlin.com/)**
Queer Bridges Language Café // Sprachcafé
Queer Bridges Language Café // Sprachcafé
**Queer Bridges Language Café // Sprachcafé** with ***Michal*** for **LGBTQIA+** **[Free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/shop/language-cafe/w19-2026)** 🔵 Join us at our Language Café, where you can connect with others and engage in lively conversations. It’s a great opportunity to practice speaking, listening, and even learn some new vocabulary, all while making new friends and having a good time. No matter your level of proficiency, everyone is encouraged to participate and grow together. Come for the conversation, stay for the community! **What languages are represented?** We will have tables for English and German. Beyond that, it will be up to you! We hope to eventually host a wide range of languages and are excited to see this café grow with your support. **What if I don’t feel confident in my language skills?** Our language café is open to everyone, regardless of their language abilities. From beginners to native speakers – we will ensure it is a fun and safe space for everyone. Registration is required as it gives us an idea of how many people to expect and which languages you speak/look forward to practice. However, if you have not registered please feel free to stop by! Join us at our **Language Café**, where you can connect with others and engage in lively conversations. It's a great opportunity to practice speaking, listening, and even learn some new vocabulary, all while making new friends and having a good time. No matter your level of proficiency, everyone is encouraged to participate and grow together. Come for the conversation, stay for the community! *** This meeting is part of our **Queer Bridges** project, aimed at forging connections and providing resources for LGBTQIA+ people with migration experience. *** **General information** * **Language**: This event will be in German and English. * **Registration**: Register on our website by selecting the event, adding it to your cart, and completing checkout. If you have any difficulties registering for the event, you're still welcome to join us, and we will find a solution. * **Cost**: This event is free of charge. 🔵 *Kostenlos mit Anmeldung über unsere Webseite* Kommt zu unserem **Sprachcafé**, wo ihr euch mit anderen austauschen und an lebhaften Gesprächen teilnehmen könnt. Es ist eine großartige Gelegenheit, eure Sprech- und Hörfähigkeiten zu verbessern und neue Wörter zu lernen, während ihr in lockerer Umgebung neue Bekanntschaften knüpft. Egal, wie gut ihr die Sprache könnt, alle sind eingeladen mitzumachen und zusammen zu lernen. Kommt wegen der Gespräche, bleibt wegen der Gemeinschaft! **Welche Sprachen sind vertreten?** Wir werden Tische für Englisch und Deutsch haben. Darüber hinaus liegt es an euch! Wir hoffen, bald viele verschiedene Sprachen anbieten zu können und freuen uns darauf, dieses Café mit eurer Hilfe wachsen zu sehen. **Was, wenn ich mir in meinen Sprachkenntnissen nicht sicher bin?** Unser Sprachcafé ist für alle offen, egal, wie gut ihr die Sprache könnt. Von Anfänger\*innen bis zu Muttersprachler\*innen – wir sorgen dafür, dass es für alle eine lockere und sichere Umgebung ist. *** Dieses Meeting gehört zu unserem **Queer Bridges** Projekt, das darauf abzielt, Verbindungen zu schaffen und Ressourcen für LGBTQIA+ Menschen mit Migrationserfahrung bereitzustellen. *** **Hinweise** * **Sprache**: Dieses Event wird auf Deutsch und Englisch sein. * **Anmeldung**: Melde dich auf unserer Website (für das Event) an, indem du die Veranstaltung auswählst, sie in den Warenkorb legst und dann den Kauf abschließt. Das gilt auch für kostenlose Events. Wenn du irgendwelche Schwierigkeiten hast, dich für eine Veranstaltung anzumelden, kannst du gerne zu uns kommen und wir werden eine Lösung finden. * **Kosten**: Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos.
Open Source Data Builders Workshop
Open Source Data Builders Workshop
Join Aiven and Google Cloud for a hands-on lab to learn building data infrastructure for AI applications in production, and how to run OpenSearch in production for AI and GenAI workloads. ***IMPORTANT: Please register on* \*\*\*[HERE](https://bit.ly/4sLWiua) \*\*\**to secure your sport.*** This interactive, instructor-led workshop is designed for developers and data engineers who want to build and run real-world data pipelines using open source tools. Note: Bring your laptop, we’ll be shipping code together. Agenda: \* 5:00pm\~5:30pm: Check-in, Food, Networking \* 5:30pm\~7:30pm: Tech talks and Hands-on Workshop \* 7:30pm\~8:00pm: Q&A, wrap-up ⚡️ Workshop 1 — Foundations: Build Your Own Pipeline ​Start from scratch and assemble a complete data pipeline using Aiven services. \- Provision and manage services -Connect systems into a unified pipeline ​- Build an observability setup \- ​Query real\-time data across services using SQL ​​ ⚡️ Workshop 2 — Advanced: Real-Time Retail Streaming Pipeline ​Go deeper with a real, production-inspired use case. \- ​Design and implement a high\-quality streaming pipeline \- Work with real\-time retail data flows \- Apply best practices for scalability and reliability What you’ll learn: * Deploy and scale OpenSearch for production * Best practices for vector and hybrid search * Build efficient real-time data pipelines * Design and optimize RAG architectures ​Why attend? * Build a production-style data pipeline * Learn how to connect Kafka, ClickHouse, OpenSearch, and PostgreSQL into a working, real-time architecture. * Learn by doing and Apply proven patterns * Provision services, stream data, and run queries yourself using both UI and CLI workflows. * Walk away with practical approaches you can reuse for streaming, analytics, and observability use cases. Who Should Attend: Developer and data engineer, interested in moving from prototype to production with OpenSearch. ​ **RSVP is not enough. You must apply for a ticket here:** [https://bit.ly/4sLWiua](https://bit.ly/4sLWiua)

Mapping Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

Story Map Workshop
Story Map Workshop
A cozy afternoon for migrant mamas and daughters. We will **create a small zine** where we collect our **migration and family stories**. For more information and registration: [tally.so/r/dW6Y8V](tally.so/r/dW6Y8V) Ein gemütlicher Nachmittag für migrantische Mütter und Töchter. Wir **basteln ein kleines Büchlein**, in dem wir die Geschichten unserer **Migration und Familie** festhalten. Für weitere Infos und Anmeldung: [tally.so/r/dW6Y8V](tally.so/r/dW6Y8V)
Berlin. Vibe Coding Club - Lovable
Berlin. Vibe Coding Club - Lovable
**IMPORTANT! Please register at** [Luma Page](https://luma.com/9svvrv99) ​Vibecoding is no longer the question. What matters is what you actually do with it. **​On May 9** at **Spiced Academy (Berlin)**, we meet to figure that out in practice — using **[Lovable](https://lovable.dev/)**. No lectures, no slides. You open the tool and start working. ​[Projector Global community](https://www.linkedin.com/company/projector-global-community/) ambassadors and mentors will guide you through the basics, help you navigate the process, and answer your specific questions. **​This event is for those who:** — already have some experience in vibecoding — want to test a tool hands-on instead of watching demos — are stuck on something specific and want a real answer ​Come with a question. Even better — submit it during registration. ​We recommend creating an account in advance so you can jump straight in. **Mentors** During the session, you’ll be supported by experienced builders and designers: * **[Vitalik Kotik](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitali-kotick/)** — CEO & Co-Founder @Superapp, ex-Bolt Senior Product Designer * **[Yevheniia Liubchyk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yevheniia-liubchyk/)** — Product Designer @Zoi * **[Olha Kirdiaieva](https://www.linkedin.com/in/olha-kirdiaieva/)** — UX Designer @JUPUS * **[Danilo De la Fuente](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danilo-de-la-fuente-product-manager/)** — Founder @Arma Music, Product Manager They’ll be there to help you unblock, give direction, and support your ideas in real time. **​Tool Partner — Lovable​** This event is supported by [Lovable](https://lovable.dev/) \- an AI\-powered tool for building products faster\, without getting stuck in complexity\. ​Lovable helps you turn ideas into working solutions, experiment quickly, and focus on what matters - logic, flow, and outcomes. ​Participants will receive free credits to explore the tool during the session. Learn more: [https://lovable.dev/](https://lovable.dev/?utm_source=luma) **​Venue Host​​​** Hosted by [Spiced Academy](https://www.spiced-academy.com/en) — a Berlin tech education hub focused on hands-on learning in AI, Data, UX/UI, and Product, and building a strong tech community. **Hosts**​​​ This event is organized by [Projector Global Community](https://www.linkedin.com/company/projector-global-community/) ambassadors (by [Projector Institute](https://prjctr.com/en/about)): * ​​​[Emiliia Karpiuk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliiakarpiuk/?utm_source=luma) * ​​[Julia Savchuk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuliia-savchuk/?utm_source=luma) **​​​​Photos & Video** ​​​​Please note that we will be taking photos at this event. By attending, you agree to be photographed, and grant the organisers permission to use this footage online and for marketing purposes (e.g., on social media or our websites).
Werewolf  in the park
Werewolf in the park
Saturday afternoon is perfect to play Werewolf - in the Mauerpark. We are a group of friendly people who will teach you how to play Today´s games: Werewolf **IMPORTANT** It's relaxed playing, nothing for ambitious gamers or people who take it too serious.
From S Friedrichshagen to U Hönow (16 km; fast speed: 5.5 km/h)
From S Friedrichshagen to U Hönow (16 km; fast speed: 5.5 km/h)
During this hike, we’ll take a look at what has changed over the winter (in case you joined us on this hike last year on 3 October). As in autumn, we will meet at Friedrichshagen S-Bahn station (on the platform, east exit) and start the event with an ice cream from a famous ice cream place on Bölschestraße. Then we will hike through the Erpetal, across woods and fields, into the outer districts of Berlin (https://www.komoot.com/tour/2936165603). If you don't like ice cream, please arrive at the S-Bahn station Friedrichshagen at 13:30 am instead. We will pick you up at the corner of Fürstenwalder Damm and Dahlwitzer Landstraße. To the north-east of the station, there is an area with benches and a toilet. On Google Maps, the toilet is indicated as 'Berliner Toilette S-Bahn'. We will pick you up at this spot. If you need to contact other participants during the hike (for example, to find out where to meet us if you are running late), please use the Signal group link that I will send to all participants via private message three hours before the hike. This timing is intended to prevent non-participants from misusing the link for unwanted advertising, which has happened in the past. Signal allows us to share our locations during the hike without involuntarily forwarding this information to the intelligence services of authoritarian or non-authoritarian states, but unfortunately the location sharing function does not include tracking, i.e. no continuous updates. For all other purposes, especially socialising and posting photos, please use the Telegram subgroup 'Event Chat & Photos': https://t.me/addlist/KAOk2PA4BDE0ZTY8 . The hike will take place if at least 6 people sign up. As long as there are more than 6 people, you can sign up and cancel as many times as you like. If there are 6 or less people, please avoid cancelling, as this might make the other participants feel insecure about whether the hike will take place (or whether there is something wrong with the hike and they should cancel as well --> Matthew effect - Wikipedia). If there are less than 6 participants, the hike will also take place unless the majority of the participants are in favor of canceling the hike.

Mapping Events Near You

Connect with your local Mapping community

Data & Analytics Wednesday - Mapping and Dashboards
Data & Analytics Wednesday - Mapping and Dashboards
**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)
New Route: Over the Bridge and Through the Roses
New Route: Over the Bridge and Through the Roses
We'll meet at the flagpole in the **Ridgeview Middle School** parking lot (4241 Rudy Rd). Parking there is fine on Sundays. From the school, we cross OH-315 and the Olentangy River via the **Olentangy Trail Pedestrian Bridge**, then walk past **Whetstone Pond** and through **Columbus Park of Roses**, turning back at the **Whetstone Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library**. About 4 miles round trip, roughly 1.5 hours. Click [this Google Maps link](https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPCyEUyA2st8uWks5?g_st=i) to view the route. All paces welcome. See you there.
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
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.
Pub Trivia at Beer Barrel - Easton
Pub Trivia at Beer Barrel - Easton
Civic Park Hike
Civic Park Hike
Join us for 2 loops of the 1.1 mile trail surrounding Civic Park In Reynoldsburg this Thursday (5/7) at 6:30 pm. This is a fully paved trail so no worries about mud after a rainy week. Just come and get some exercise while connecting with others.
Building Scalable Customer Identity Resolution Pipelines on AWS Using AI
Building Scalable Customer Identity Resolution Pipelines on AWS Using AI
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
First Look at Bank Run
First Look at Bank Run