Nikola Tesla

**☁️ AWS Community GameDay Europe is coming! ☁️** We will join \~**50 User Groups across Europe** for a unique event: an **international, synchronized AWS Community GameDay**, powered by the European AWS community. Join us for an intense evening combining learning, collaboration, and competition — get hands-on with **AI, security, and cloud-native** challenges — no slides, no tutorials. This large-scale, synchronized event is a unique opportunity to test your AWS skills in a fun, engaging, and hands-on environment. Come with a friend, a team, or solo - we’ll form teams of **2 to 4 people on site**. **🧩 What is an AWS GameDay?** An AWS GameDay is a gamified learning event where participants are challenged to use AWS solutions to solve real-world technical problems as a team. Unlike traditional workshops, GameDays are open-ended and non-prescriptive, giving participants the freedom to explore and think outside the box. **🔧** Practical information: * Teams: 2 to 4 players — come with your team, or we’ll form one on site * Equipment: **Your trusty laptop** (internet connection provided) * AWS account: Provided on-site, no personal account required * Game duration: Around 2 hours of competition between local and international teams * Timing: This is a synchronized international event connected via a shared live stream across all participating locations. To ensure a smooth experience, **the GameDay will start on time.** **🎯 Who is this for?** The event is open to anyone with a general knowledge of AWS — no expert level required! **🕒 Agenda** * 18:30 – 19:00: Arrival & team formation * 19:00 – 19:20: GameDay introduction on the stream * 19:20 – 21:30: Game play * 21:30 – 21:45: European closing ceremony — prizes for the top teams Check the participating User Groups here: [https://www.awsgameday.eu/](https://www.awsgameday.eu/) **🎥 Photo & video recordings** Please note that photos and recordings taken during the event may be used for future promotional purposes. We look forward to seeing many of you there! And of course there will be drinks and 🍺 and food 🍕 provided 😃 **Sponsors** Dialectica provides the food 🍕 and event venue. Dialectica is a global information services company that helps businesses access the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

**Join our 381st Club meeting**! Improve your communication skills! Overcome your fear of public speaking! Experience the incredible journey of Toastmasters! Together, we will practice our public speaking and communication skills in an open, fun, and friendly environment! We meet Tuesdays, alternating between English-speaking and Greek-speaking meetings. This meeting will be held in **English**. Please arrive at 18:45 to ensure the meeting will start promptly at 19:00. **Guests**: Always welcomed! Simply RSVP here and attend! In 2024, Toastmasters International celebrated 100 years of self-paced, peer-assisted education and training in public speaking and leadership skills! Join our meeting and find out how to become a confident speaker!

🎲✨ Your next favorite person might be one game night away. ✨🎲 Athens people, join us every Tuesday at 8PM at Yellow Square Athens. Whether you’re new in town or a seasoned local, this is your midweek reset — laughter, easygoing vibes, and board games for every level (no experience needed). 🎯 Tons of fun games 🍹 Drinks & tasty bites 🌍 An international crowd 😄 Guaranteed good energy Come solo or bring a friend — either way, you’ll leave with more than you came with. See you on there. ♟️✨ #AthensExpats #BoardGameNight #MeetNewFriends #ExpatLifeGreece #FunInAthens #GameOn

**Get ready to hop from bar to bar, sip on unlimited drinks, and dance the night away at the Athens Party Pub Crawl - it's gonna be legendary!** ## Highlights * Feel the rush of excitement of **meeting new people** and dancing the night away * Opt to include an **open bar for 1 hour**, including beer and wine or long drinks * Be led by **experienced and fun local hosts** and explore Athen's nightlife * **Dance, drink, and mingle** with fellow party enthusiasts from around the globe * Breeze past long lines at the nightclub and relax knowing **entry is covered** ## Full description Experience the ultimate night in Athens with 1 FULL HOUR of Unlimited Drinks (8€ - 35€+ Value!)\*, free shots, and Free Nightclub Access (10€ Value!) while meeting nightlife lovers from around the world! Get ready to celebrate like never before with the Best Pub Crawl in Athens! Embark on an epic pub crawl through Athens' hottest nightlife spots. Dance, drink, and mingle with fellow nightlife enthusiasts from around the globe. Enjoy an hour of unlimited drinks and free shots at each\* venue, while our energetic party hosts lead you through the night. Skip the lines and get access to the city's best clubs. Book now and make your night in Athens unforgettable! **\* We offer three ticket options:** 1\. The **Sober Owl Ticket**: Does not include an open bar \| Includes: A Free Shot at each Venue \- Drink Discounts \- Free Entrance & Skip the Line to Club 2\. The **Tipsy Owl Ticket**: Includes 1 hour of unlimited beer or wine\. \| Also includes: Free Shot at 1st & Last Venue \- Drink Discounts \- Free Entrance & Skip the Line to Club 3\. The **Drunken Owl Ticket**: Includes 1 hour of unlimited long drinks \(Gin/Vodka/Rum/Tequila\)\, beer\, and wine\. \| Also includes: Free Shot at 1st & Last Venue \- Drink Discounts \- Free Entrance & Skip the Line to Club ## Includes * Local Experienced event host(s) * Bar crawl: Visit 2 Bars & 1 Nightclub * 1 hour of unlimited drinks (depending on ticket option chosen) * 2-3 Free Shots (depending on ticket option chosen) * Discounts in Cocktails (1st Venue) * Skip-the-line & Free entry to Nightclub ## What to bring * Your Best Mood 🤩 * Comfortable shoes for dancing 🕺💃 * Camera * Charged Smartphone ## Not allowed * Intoxication ## Know before you go * This is an Adults only event. 18+ years old ## Booking Terms & Conditions - Code of Conduct By participating in any event (including pub crawls) organised and hosted by Athens Party Pub Crawl, you the participant & every person your booking is consisted of, agree to the following terms and conditions without restriction: [https://athenspartypubcrawl.com/terms-and-conditions-code-of-conduct](https://athenspartypubcrawl.com/terms-and-conditions-code-of-conduct "https://athenspartypubcrawl.com/terms-and-conditions-code-of-conduct")

This community for anyone who enjoys exploring Athens through photography. Whether you shoot analog or digital, and no matter your experience level, these photo walks are about discovering the city together—its streets, neighborhoods, and hidden corners—while capturing moments along the way. No pressure, no expectations, just a shared curiosity for Athens and a camera in hand. This time, we’ll explore the areas of Kolonaki and Pagrati. There’s no fixed route—and since I’m new to Athens myself, we’ll simply follow whatever catches our eye along the way :)

🗓️ Το **Causal Data Science Meetup της Αθήνας** σας περιμένει στις **19 Μαρτίου, 7:00 μμ** για την 6η συνάντησή του! Καλεσμένος μας ο **[Christos Diou](https://diou.github.io/)**, ο οποίος θα μας μιλήσει για **"Causal Representation Learning: From Pattern Matching to World Models"**. Στην ομιλία αυτή θα δούμε πώς το representation learning μπορεί να εμπλουτιστεί με αιτιώδη δομή. Μέσα από τη θεμελιώδη αρχή των ανεξάρτητων αιτιωδών μηχανισμών και αναφορές σε καθοριστικές εργασίες του πεδίου, θα παρακολουθήσουμε την εξέλιξη του causal representation learning από θεωρητική ιδέα σε ενεργό ερευνητικό ρεύμα που επηρεάζει τη σύγχρονη μηχανική μάθηση. Θα γίνει επίσης μια εισαγωγή στη νέα βιβλιογραφία των *world models*, που στοχεύει σε συστήματα AI ικανά όχι απλώς να προβλέπουν, αλλά να προσομοιώνουν και να συλλογίζονται για το πώς αλλάζει ο κόσμος. Το event θα περιέχει Q&A, networking και τα σχετικά συνοδευτικά. Ραντεβού **στο Impact Hub την Πέμπτη 19 Μαρτίου** στις **7:00 μμ**. Ευχαριστούμε για την υποστήριξη την **Plum**, την **Intelligencia AI** καθώς και το **κέντρο Beyond του Εθνικού Αστεροσκοπείου Αθηνών**. 🚀 Κάνε **RSVP** και μη χάσεις την ευκαιρία να βρεθείς στην 5η συνάντηση της Causal Data Science κοινότητας της Αθήνας! Η πλήρης περιγραφή της ομιλίας στα Αγγλικά: *Modern AI systems have become remarkably good at recognizing patterns, however statistical pattern matching alone is not enough to build systems that are robust, generalizable, or capable of reasoning about cause and effect. In this talk, we explore how representation learning, which aims to equip machines with structured internal models of their inputs, can be enriched with causal structure to produce more reliable and interpretable AI. We will begin with an introduction to representation learning and its limitations, then examine how incorporating the principle of independent causal mechanisms changes the way models represent and respond to their environment. Drawing on landmark papers in the field, we will trace how causal representation learning has evolved from a theoretical idea into a practical framework shaping modern machine learning research. We will also touch on the recently emerging world model literature, which envisions AI systems that go beyond reactive prediction to simulate and reason about how the world changes. The talk concludes with a forward-looking discussion of where this field is headed and what it may mean for the future of reliable, trustworthy AI.*

Παρασκευή 20 Μαρτίου, από τις έξι το απόγευμα μέχρι αργά, σας περιμένουμε στο Μουσείο Μπενάκη της οδού Πειραιώς για καφέ και ατέλειωτο startup networking! Επί σκηνής θα βρεθούν: – Ο [Άγγελος Τσερέκλας](https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelos-tsereklas-zafeirakis-67823167/), Διευθύνων Σύμβουλος, θα παρουσιάσει την [Sotiria Technology](https://www.sotiria.tech/). H εταιρεία αναπτύσσει συστήματα υποθαλάσσιας νοημοσύνης για εφαρμογές εθνικής ασφάλειας, ωκεανογραφίας και γεωφυσικής. – Ο [Ελευθέριος Καραμπατσάκης](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekarabatsakis/), συνιδρυτής και CEO, θα παρουσιάσει την [PlugSecure](https://plugsecure.com/). Η εταιρεία, με αρχική χρηματοδότηση 720 χιλιάδων ευρώ, διασφαλίζει την λειτουργία κρίσιμων υποδομών ενέργειας έναντι κυβερνοαπειλών. – Οι [Αλέξανδρος Χριστοδουλάκης](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandros-christodoulakis/) και [Κωνσταντίνος Φαλιάγκας](https://www.linkedin.com/in/konstantinos-faliagkas/), συνιδρυτές, θα παρουσιάσουν την [Wealthyhood](https://wealthyhood.com/). Η εταιρεία, με συνολική χρηματοδότηση 10 εκ. ευρώ, παρέχει μια πρωτοποριακή επενδυτική εφαρμογή που καθιστά τις χρηματοοικονομικές επενδύσεις εύκολες και προσιτές για όλους. Η προσέλευση ξεκινά στις 6 το απόγευμα, για καφέ και catchup στο μπαρ του Μουσείου Μπενάκη, Πειραιώς 138. Οι παρουσιάσεις στο αμφιθέατρο ξεκινούν στις 7. Αμέσως μετά, επιστρέφουμε στο μπαρ για networking ως αργά. Η είσοδος είναι δωρεάν και ελεύθερη για κάθε ενδιαφερόμενο. Μπορείτε να δηλώσετε τη συμμετοχή σας και να δείτε τη λίστα συμμετεχόντων εδώ & [εδώ](https://www.linkedin.com/events/7435243238082551808/). Συνδεθείτε από πριν με άλλους που θα είναι εκεί! Από το 2007 έως σήμερα, το Open Coffee έχει καθιερωθεί ως το σημείο συνάντησης της startup κοινότητας. Κάθε μήνα, entrepreneurs και startup enthusiasts ανανεώνουν το ραντεβού τους με σκοπό να γνωριστούν, να ανταλλάξουν εμπειρίες και επαφές, εν τέλει να συνεργαστούν στην επόμενή τους προσπάθεια. Πείτε το στους φίλους σας και να είστε εκεί!

Hola good people, We are thrilled to announce our next GreeceJS meetup, happening on 18th of March, from 18:00 to 20:30, at a brand new venue in the center of Athens hosted by Yodeck! ⚠️ **Important:** This venue is new for our community and has a **capacity of 50 people**, so make sure to **secure your spot early**. 📍 **Location:** **Starttech Ventures — 1 Lykourgou Street, Athens 10551** Just a short walk from **Omonia Square**. Please note: the talks in this meetup will be conducted in **Greek (EL)**. Our speakers this time are **Thanos Karagiannis** and **Spiros Martzoukos**, two engineers with decades of combined experience across the JavaScript ecosystem, product engineering, and modern web architectures. Our event is proudly sponsored by **Yodeck** — a fast-growing SaaS company revolutionizing digital signage. As always, the event will be live-streamed via our YouTube channel, and we’ll be sharing the link in our Slack / Instagram, so make sure to join us there! We look forward to seeing you **@ Yodeck** 🎉 **Event Agenda** **18:00 – 18:30** **Networking & cold beverages** Come early, grab a drink, and meet the community! **18:30 – 19:15** **Thanos Karagiannis – “I Was Wrong About AI Coding” (EL)** **Staff Engineer at Causaly \| GreeceJS Co\-organizer** Thanos is a software engineer with 15+ years of experience, fluent across the JavaScript stack — from React frontends to Node.js services. He currently works as a Staff Engineer at Causaly, focusing on backend systems. He’s also a GreeceJS co-organizer. Outside of work, you’ll find him fueled by coffee and out on his bike. Most of us started with AI coding tools the same way — autocomplete, boilerplate, small refactors. Helpful, but not transformative. It was easy to be skeptical. But something shifted. This talk is a personal journey — from dismissing AI coding as “fancy autocomplete” to integrating it into real engineering workflows. Thanos will share what actually works, what doesn’t, and why the engineers who benefit most from AI aren’t the ones who write code faster, but the ones who make better decisions faster. **19:15 – 19:30** **A word from our sponsor: Yodeck** Yodeck is a fast-growing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company that is laser-focused on disrupting the $23B digital signage industry. Yodeck’s affordable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich solution has been developed to democratize digital signage and empower any and every business around the world. Yodeck was first introduced in 2016 and now powers over 220,000 screens across every type of business — from restaurants and retail stores to schools, stadiums, and conference halls. **[Check out their openings](https://2ly.link/25ysK)!** **19:45 – 20:30** **Spiros Martzoukos – Local-First Apps: Instant UX without the Spinner** Spiros Martzoukos is a Senior Product Engineer at Checkly with 20+ years of experience spanning full-stack engineering, product design, and product management. He has worked across startups and scale-ups including Contentful, Prisma, and Clerk, and is the founder of Makkuro, a next-gen project management tool for digital product teams. He is passionate about building lean, user-first products end-to-end — and making sure your AI apps work reliably well. In this talk, Spiros shows how local-first architecture can eliminate every spinner from your app, delivering instant sub-100ms interactions that feel like magic while dramatically reducing infrastructure costs. He will break down the seven principles behind this approach and share practical lessons about where it shines (B2B SaaS and productivity tools) and where today’s tooling still needs to mature. **21:00** **BeerJS 🍻** We’ll wrap up with informal chats over beers at a nearby place — details will be shared via **Slack**! **Venue Information** **Starttech Ventures** 1 Lykourgou Street, Athens 10551 **Doorbell:** 03# Starttech Ventures 🚨 **Important reminder:** The venue fits **50 attendees**, so please **RSVP early**. **Getting There** **By Metro** Take **Metro Line 1 (Green)** or **Line 2 (Red)** to **Omonia Station**. Exit toward **Panepistimiou / 3rd Septemvriou**. From the exit, it’s about a **2-minute walk**. **By Bus** Multiple bus lines stop at or near **Omonia Square**. From there, follow the short walking route to **Lykourgou Street**. **By Taxi** Ask to be dropped off at **“Lykourgou 1, near Omonia Square.”** Don't forget to **follow us on our socials** for more news about the event, updates, and prizes! 🎉

Το Shut Up & Write διοργανώνει δωρεάν τοπικές φυσικές και διαδικτυακές εκδηλώσεις συγγραφής για συγγραφείς από όλο τον κόσμο. Οι εκδηλώσεις μας χρησιμοποιούν την αποδεδειγμένη φόρμουλα μας: 15 λεπτά εισαγωγής, 1 ώρα συγκεντρωμένης γραφής και 15 λεπτά τελικού απολογισμού για να μοιραστούν οι συμμετέχοντες την πρόοδο τους. ***Τι να περιμένετε*** Δηλώστε συμμετοχή και παρακαλούμε να φτάσετε 10–15 λεπτά νωρίτερα για να τακτοποιηθείτε. Ο οικοδεσπότης θα οδηγήσει σε συστάσεις και στη συνέχεια όλοι θα γράψουμε για ένα ήσυχο, συγκεντρωμένο χρονικό διάστημα. Στη συνέχεια, θα έχουμε προαιρετικό χρόνο για να συζητήσουμε και να γνωριστούμε. Τα μέλη συχνά μιλούν για τις επιτυχίες και τις προκλήσεις τους ως συγγραφείς. Οι εκδηλώσεις μας είναι ένας ασφαλής χώρος για τους συγγραφείς να εργαστούν πάνω στην τέχνη τους. Κανείς δε θα διαβάσει ή θα ασκήσει κριτική στα γραπτά σας. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με τις εκδηλώσεις μας, επισκεφθείτε το τη διεύθυνση: [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com) ***Δεν πειράζει να αργήσετε:*** Απλώς εμφανιστείτε και τακτοποιηθείτε και μετά επικοινωνήστε μαζί μου μετά τη συνεδρία. ***Τι να φέρω;*** Ό,τι χρειάζεσαι για να μπορείς να γράφεις! Laptop, κινητό, χαρτί και μολύβι. Ο χώρος έχει απόλυτη ησυχία, και θα πρέπει να κάνουμε και μεις απόλυτη ησυχία. Άλλες σημαντικές πληροφορίες: ***VENUE WIFI NAME/PASSWORD:*** Free - open Wi-Fi ***TRAVEL / PARKING:*** Βρίσκεται εντός του ΚΠΙΣΝ. Πρόσβαση με αμάξι ή λεωφορείο και τραμ. Πληροφορίες πρόσβασης στο link του SNFCC Shuttle Bus, τηλέφωνο επικοινωνίας: 2168091000 ***SEATING INFORMATION:*** Συνάντηση κατευθείαν στον μεγάλο πορτοκαλί καναπέ στην γωνία μετά τα βιβλία στην είσοδο της Εθνικής βιβλιοθήκης. Στη συνέχεια αφού γίνουν οι συστάσεις, ΞΕΚΙΝΑΜΕ ΓΡΑΨΙΜΟ! Ο χώρος είναι ελεύθερος για το κοινό και η διοργάνωση δεν γινεται από την Εθνική Βιβλιοθήκη. Μην αρχίσετε να ρωτάτε στις πληροφορίες. Το πλήρες πρόγραμμα εχει ως εξής: 15 λεπτά συστάσεις να γνωριστούμε, έπειτα 1 ώρα όπου θα γράψουμε με ησυχία και έπειτα μπορούμε να πιούμε καφέ στα τραπέζια στο ποτάμι και να συζητήσουμε τις συγγραφικές μας προκλήσεις. ***GUIDELINES:*** Δεν επιτρέπονται ποτό ή φαγητό εντός της βιβλιοθήκης. Εφόσον η ομάδα συμφωνήσει θα συνεχίσουμε τη συνάντηση για καφέ στα εξωτερικά τραπέζια.

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. More about FRC global: 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 55+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) [http://instagram.com/frcathens](http://instagram.com/frcathens) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

Want to practice your public speaking and communication skills? Want to overcome stage fright? Come to our next Toastmasters meeting! We are an open, friendly and fun group of people that practice public speaking and evaluate each other. We follow the Toastmasters methodology that has developed over 100 years and is being practiced in Greece since 2005. Meetings are open to all and require no preparation. For more information please consult: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556529585790 We meet twice monthly, every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, from September until July (except of Christmas - New Year & Easter holidays). Αυτή θα είναι μία αγγλόφωνη συνάντηση. Για τις συναντήσεις μας στα ελληνικά επισκεφθείτε την σελίδα: https://www.meetup.com/ethos-pathos-logos-toastmasters-club

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **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

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

**History** [Slate Run Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/slate-run/), located south of Canal Winchester in Pickaway County, has roots tracing back to the early planning efforts of the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District. In 1963, Metro Parks officials identified the land along Slate Run as having strong potential for a large metropolitan park due to its expansive acreage, diverse habitats, and natural features like the stream that gave the area its name. The largest stream in the vicinity, Slate Run, flows south to northwest through a ridge, providing a logical basis for the park's designation. Between 1964 and 1968, Metro Parks acquired approximately 1,662 acres through multiple parcels, including a key 212-acre farmstead that had been continuously operated since 1805. This acquisition phase positioned Slate Run as a future major addition to the system, following the openings of other parks like Sharon Woods in 1968 and Highbanks in 1973. The park officially opened to the public in 1981, marking it as the sixth Metro Park in the district and, at the time, the largest with its substantial land holdings. From the outset, Metro Parks envisioned incorporating a living historical farm to educate visitors about 19th-century Ohio agriculture. The focal 212-acre parcel, purchased from the White family heirs in 1964, included historic structures that made it ideal for this purpose. The park's development preserved natural areas such as grasslands, wetlands, meadows, and forests while integrating interpretive elements. Upon opening, Slate Run quickly became a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Central to the park's identity is the Slate Run Living Historical Farm, which interprets life on a typical Ohio farm in the 1880s. The gothic revival farmhouse on the site was constructed in 1856 by owner Isaac Fridley and later restored by Metro Parks for historical accuracy. Visitors can explore interiors like the living room, parlor, and kitchen, where interpreters demonstrate period activities. The multi-bay barn, built in 1881 by Samuel Oman (the fourth owner), was meticulously restored with help from Amish carpenters. Heirloom animals such as Percheron horses, pigs, geese, and turkeys inhabit the farm, enhancing the immersive experience. The historical farmstead reflects a long lineage of ownership and agricultural use dating back to the early 19th century. Continuous farming on the land since 1805 made the site authentic for recreating late-19th-century practices, including grain harvesting and animal husbandry. Metro Parks focused on authenticity by restoring original buildings and introducing period-appropriate methods, such as horse-powered threshing machines from the late 1880s. The farm operates with volunteers and staff in period attire to portray daily rural life. This educational component has drawn school groups and families for decades. Today, Slate Run Metro Park spans about 1,705 acres and attracts roughly 250,000 visitors annually for its blend of natural preservation and historical interpretation. The park maintains diverse habitats supporting wildlife like nesting sandhill cranes and reintroduced northern bobwhite quail. Trails and open spaces offer opportunities for hiking and observation amid the preserved landscapes. The Living Historical Farm remains a crown jewel, continuing to teach about Ohio's agricultural heritage. Ongoing programs and restorations ensure the site's relevance for future generations. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Slate Run](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/SLR-parkmap@2x.gif). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Five Oaks, Sugar Maple, Covered Bridge, Shagbark, and Lake Trails. This will be around 4.5 to 5 miles. While Slate Run is moderately strenuous in a few places, it's generally a good place to hike and doesn't seem to wear people out. Some spots on the hike are unshaded, though, so be prepared for the possibility of some sun. I find Slate Run to be very underappreciated for the quality of its hiking. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet at the [Shady Grove Picnic Area](https://www.google.com/maps/place/39%C2%B045'30.1%22N+82%C2%B050'13.2%22W/@39.758347,-82.83701,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d39.758347!4d-82.83701?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). You can use the map pin I've provided here; it's accurate. There's a latrine at Shady Grove, but there is no running water (no water fountains). We will pass a water fountain when we get to the Buzzard's Roost Picnic Area, although I can't guarantee this fountain won't be off for the winter. I'd recommend bringing some water just in case, at least for after the hike. I'd also recommend [hiking shoes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D972KN3W) for this park. **After the Hike** Once we're finished at Slate Run, we'll head over to [Loose Rail Brewing](https://looserailbrewing.com/) for [drinks](https://looserailbrewing.com/canal-winchester-canal-winchester-loose-rail-brewing-drink-menu) and [food](https://looserailbrewing.com/canal-winchester-canal-winchester-loose-rail-brewing-food-menu). The brewery's actual address is [37 W Waterloo St, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/37+W+Waterloo+St,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/@39.8432511,-82.8071032,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88387be3ac496d83:0x23e8ee9d9391dd6b!8m2!3d39.8432511!4d-82.8071032!16s%2Fg%2F11cp8n8x1j?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's about 10-12 minutes from Slate Run. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Join us as we get together to see Ryan Gosling and Sandra Huller in the highly anticipated sci-fi adventure, PROJECT HAIL MARY! The film is based on the best-selling novel of The Martian and follows a man who awakens on a spacecraft before realizing his mission to save Earth. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A science teacher wakes up on a spaceship, light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission to save the Earth. The film is directed by the filmmaking due Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (21 and 22 Jump Street, Into and Across the Spider-Verse) and is based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir (The Martian). The film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub and Ken Leung. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VYsnngkS_U BUZZ AND REVIEWS: The buzz and reviews for PROJECT HAIL MARY are off-the-charts good! The film is earning a 95% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics call it an “old school blockbuster crowd-pleaser” and “a new sci-fi classic!” It’s “deeply hopeful,” well-acted,” funny,” “dramatic,” and “exceptionally rousing throughout!” Others call it “something truly magical” and one that “we’ll be talking about this one for decades to come!” And I believe Slashfilm says it best: “It will lift up and squeeze your heart, crack you up with laughter, and give you a sense of hope and wonder in a way that few movies have been able to inspire.” MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 2:30pm SuperScreen DLX showing and meet in the lobby area between 2:05 and 2:15pm! Tickets already on sale and will likely move fast for this hot ticket / opening weekend showing so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. As a head’s up, this is a longer movie at 2hrs 36mins. DINNER PLAN: Dinner immediately following the movie at 5:30pm at group favorite, FUGU SUSHI, located just next door! Separate RSVP required for the Dinner / Movie portions of this event. An RSVP here means you're signed up for the MOVIE! This portion will be open as long as seats remain. If you also plan to join for dinner, please also RSVP in the separate event listing for the dinner portion of this event. Should be a good one, Dan

Over 50 Happy Hour – Liberty Tavern Polaris Join us for a fun and relaxed Over 50 Happy Hour on Friday, April 10th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Liberty Tavern Polaris. This is a great opportunity to meet new people in our age group in a casual, comfortable setting. Whether you’re in your fifties, sixties, or seventies, everyone is welcome. Some people who attend are retired, while others are still working, but we all share one thing in common — enjoying good conversation and good company. If you’re new to the group, don’t worry. Many people attend solo and quickly find it easy to strike up conversations. The goal of this happy hour is simple: meet people, socialize, laugh, and enjoy the evening. We’ll be gathering at Liberty Tavern Polaris, a welcoming tavern with a warm atmosphere, great food, and a bar perfect for relaxed conversation. Feel free to come when you can and leave when you want. Some members arrive right at 4:00 PM, while others stop by later after work. There’s no formal agenda — just friendly people getting together to enjoy a Friday evening. Location: Liberty Tavern Polaris 2170 Polaris Parkway Columbus, Ohio Time: Friday, April 10 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Come join us for a drink, good conversation, and the chance to meet some great people in the 50+ community.

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** Web Forms gave .NET developers a powerful abstraction for building reusable UI controls long before design systems were a thing. Web Components finally bring that same idea to the browser natively. This session explores how the Web Forms mindset translates into Custom Elements, Shadow DOM, and HTML templates. We’ll examine how Web Components enable design systems that work across frameworks, how they differ from server‑driven controls, and why they’re becoming a foundational layer for modern UI. Whether you’re maintaining legacy apps or building greenfield projects, you’ll leave with a practical understanding of how to apply familiar patterns in a modern, standards‑based way. **YouTube Link** TBA