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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out red hat events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the red hat events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find red hat events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Red Hat Events Today
Join in-person Red Hat events happening right now
What Technology Are You Optimistic About?
Details
Location: Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD)
The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults.
Here's the updated version:
***
**Topic: Reasons to Be Excited (A Technology Optimism Round)**
It's easy to doom-scroll your way into thinking the world is falling apart. And honestly, some of our recent meetings haven't helped. So this time, we're flipping the script: what technology are you actually *excited* about?
This isn't a request for blind techno-utopianism. Skepticism is welcome. But the goal is to spend some time on the genuine wins and promising horizons, because there are more of them than the headlines suggest.
Here's a quick tour of some things worth being optimistic about:
* **AI in everyday life** — Love it or hate it, AI tools are genuinely saving people hours of tedious work. From coding assistants to writing tools to writing this very event descriptin you're reading now to AI that sits inside your spreadsheets and email, the practical applications are moving faster than most people expected even two years ago. The question is less "will this be useful?" and more "who actually benefits, and when?"
* **Clean energy's quiet boom** — Solar and battery storage have had a decade of jaw-dropping cost reductions. The U.S. added more renewable capacity last year than any year on record. It's not fast enough for some, but the trajectory is real.
* **CRISPR and gene editing** — In late 2023, the FDA approved the first CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease — a condition that has caused lifelong suffering for millions of people with very few good options. It's the first of what could be a long list of genetic diseases that are now, for the first time, actually curable rather than just manageable.
* **Lab-grown meat** — Chicken and beef grown directly from animal cells, no slaughter required. It's real, it's been approved for sale in the US, and while it's still expensive and not yet on your grocery shelf, the cost curves are dropping fast. Whether you care about animal welfare, climate, or just think it's cool, this one is quietly wild.
* **SpaceX and the new space economy** — Reusable rockets went from fantasy to routine. Launch costs have dropped by an order of magnitude in 15 years, opening the door to satellite internet in remote areas, new science missions, and yes, eventually humans on Mars (whether or not that excites you).
* **Brain-computer interfaces** — Still early, still expensive, but Neuralink and others are giving paralyzed patients the ability to control devices with their thoughts. The sci-fi shelf life on this one is getting shorter.
**Questions to Consider:**
* Is there a technology you were skeptical about that has actually won you over? What changed your mind?
* Which of these feels most overhyped — and which feels *under*hyped?
* Are the benefits of new technology reaching people broadly, or mostly concentrating among the already-fortunate?
* Is optimism about technology a luxury? Does it depend on where you live, how much money you have, or what you do for work?
* What's something small and unglamorous — not AI, not space — that has genuinely made your life better recently?
AWS Imagine for Nonprofits
Registration & full details at: https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/imagine-nonprofit/
This is an informational post, you must register directly with amazon. It's a free event. It's also in person at the MGM National Harbor. Yes, there's a parking garage at the venue.
Presented by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Imagine for Nonprofits unites visionary leaders, technologists, and changemakers who are driving social and environmental impact through technology.
This in-person event combines thought-provoking discussions, interactive sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities that explore how advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and intentional innovation are transforming the nonprofit sector.
Together, we're building a future where technology amplifies humanity's capacity for good, guided by data, driven by purpose, and grounded in responsibility.
LGBTQ+ Uniformed Services Happy Hour @ Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant
**Please note that Go Gay DC is listing this exciting event as a community service, but is not running the event. Just go and have a fun time!**
Reserve a spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-uniformed-services-happy-hour-freddies-beach-bar-restaurant-tickets-1979533130882?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest count.
Be at ease and enjoy a happy hour with Uniformed Services personnel on the third Thursday of every month. It officially starts at 5 p.m. but come early and enjoy the happy hour drink specials.
If you plan to dine, please call ahead for table reservations at (703) 685-0555 or reserve a table **[online](https://www.yelp.com/biz/freddies-beach-bar-and-restaurant-arlington)**.
The menu is at [https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/menu](https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/menu)
Ask your server about the happy hour drink specials (which last until 7 p.m.).
Parking is usually available nearby on the residential side streets.
This fun monthly gathering brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including Allies, together for conversation. About 25 usually attend. **This event is inclusive, meaning those who support Uniformed Services personnel are welcome too.**
This event is being boosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com/)**[,](https://www.gogaydc.com/) Metro Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com/)
Go Gay DC's leader is[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**.
Casual attire is fine.
Feel free to invite all your friends to join you there.
**Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Crystal City Metro station on the Yellow/Blue lines is the closest Metro stop. When you arrive, go out the station, walk towards your left to 18th Street and then veer right and walk under the Route 1 overpass to Eads St. Turn left and walk to 23rd Street. Turn right. Freddie's is up 23rd Street just a block. Just look for the rainbow flags on the right side of the street!
Freddie's was voted the Best Virginia Bar by *Washington Blade* readers. Don't like a smoky bar? You are covered: Freddie's is a smoke-free establishment. (Ashtrays are provided in back of the building if smoking is 'your thing').
Freddie's is an LGBTQ+, straight-friendly restaurant and bar. It offers Happy Hour daily from 4-7 pm. [https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/](https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/)
Arrive at any time that's convenient for you.
There's no need to print out and show your Eventbrite ticket.
This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. This event is for all ages. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who wishes to drink alcohol is carded of course.
Go Gay DC is on social media:
Join the Facebook Group
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC)
Like the Facebook Page
[https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC)
Follow on Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/)
Follow on Threads
[https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExN2tRNWxxbmJINDBLRjgyeHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6w6hV7nnd4_ib7hO4sGpsSn_cdXfPd75Bu3M7zmEi9Dl9TPCaWhdsOiMuyEg_aem_2P-pfs9FaQjn7QAvmFHriw)
Follow on Bluesky
[https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/)
Follow on X
[https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC)
Watch on YouTube
[https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC)
LinkedIn
[https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExN2tRNWxxbmJINDBLRjgyeHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5wn7CoNkDnzZk1J8PGqEXSOaiVTjajzIpsVdNeg2WI7X_BJ5MeR6ierA9SUg_aem_YJJoTeXOh5HTjDXienXIZQ)
Search tags: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies non-binary
Kid-friendly show! SÉNECA, RATÓN DE BIBLIOTECA (The Library Mouse)
Treat your children to GALita’s ***Séneca, ratón de biblioteca (Séneca, The Library Mouse)***, a bilingual play by Chilean playwright Jorge Díaz with original music by Iván Navas. Directed by Elena Velasco, this fun-filled play touches on the importance of reading and respecting differences, and runs March 14 through March 28, 2026.
When a brainy library mouse meets a swaggering crew of street mice, sparks fly and stories take off—spilling from the shelves into a world of comic chases and big laughs. Along the way, unlikely friendships form and lessons unfold about listening, learning, and belonging. Brought to life through imaginative puppets and original music, ***Séneca, The Library Mouse*** invites young audiences to celebrate difference, delight in the joy of books, and discover confidence and pride in who they are—proving that brains, creativity, and curiosity can be just as powerful as bravado.
**PERFORMANCES:** Weekdays from March 16-20 and March 23-27 at 10:30 am, and Saturday, March 14, 21, and 28 at 3 pm.
This family show is about 60 minutes long and suitable for ages 5 and up!
**TICKETS:** General admission tickets are $10 children and $12 adults. **[GET TICKETS HERE](https://ci.ovationtix.com/35923/production/1245619)**
**CAST:** Daniela Lock as Séneca, Delbis Cardona as Rafael, Ramón, and Raúl, Máximo Cáceres as Benigno (Dog), Rachael Small as Bellaco (Cat), and H. Christian Aguilar as Ensemble/Understudy.
**CREATIVE TEAM:** Scenic Design is by Gisela Estrada with Lighting Design by Luis García, and Costume Design by Rukiya Henry-Fields. Iván Navas is Composer, Angélica Huertas is Sound Designer, and Properties Design is by Isabel deCarvalho. Solis Pettitt is Stage Manager and Sherry González is Assistant Stage Manager. Ilyana Rose-Dávila is Production Manager, and Anson Stevie is Technical Director.
LGBTQ+ Uniformed Services Pride Happy Hour @ Freddie's Beach Bar
**Please note that Go Gay DC is listing this exciting event as a community service, but is not running the event. Just go and have a fun time!**
Reserve a spot for free on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-uniformed-services-happy-hour-freddies-beach-bar-restaurant-tickets-1979533130882?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest count.
Be at ease and enjoy a happy hour with Uniformed Services personnel on the third Thursday of every month. It officially starts at 5 p.m. but come early and enjoy the happy hour drink specials.
If you plan to dine, please call ahead for table reservations at (703) 685-0555 or reserve a table **[online](https://www.yelp.com/biz/freddies-beach-bar-and-restaurant-arlington)**.
The menu is at [https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/menu](https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/menu)
Ask your server about the happy hour drink specials (which last until 7 p.m.).
Parking is usually available nearby on the residential side streets.
This fun monthly gathering brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including Allies, together for conversation. About 25 usually attend. **This event is inclusive, meaning those who support Uniformed Services personnel are welcome too.**
This event is being boosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com/)**[,](https://www.gogaydc.com/) Metro Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com/)
Go Gay DC's leader is[ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**.
Casual attire is fine.
Feel free to invite all your friends to join you there.
**Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. Crystal City Metro station on the Yellow/Blue lines is the closest Metro stop. When you arrive, go out the station, walk towards your left to 18th Street and then veer right and walk under the Route 1 overpass to Eads St. Turn left and walk to 23rd Street. Turn right. Freddie's is up 23rd Street just a block. Just look for the rainbow flags on the right side of the street!
Freddie's was voted the Best Virginia Bar by *Washington Blade* readers. Don't like a smoky bar? You are covered: Freddie's is a smoke-free establishment. (Ashtrays are provided in back of the building if smoking is 'your thing').
Freddie's is an LGBTQ+, straight-friendly restaurant and bar. It offers Happy Hour daily from 4-7 pm. [https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/](https://www.freddiesbeachbar.com/)
Arrive at any time that's convenient for you.
There's no need to print out and show your Eventbrite ticket.
This event is a safe, inclusive space for everyone under the rainbow. This event is for all ages. Remember to bring your ID, as everyone who wishes to drink alcohol is carded of course.
Go Gay DC is on social media:
Join the Facebook Group
[https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC)
Like the Facebook Page
[https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC)
Follow on Instagram
[https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC/)
Follow on Threads
[https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExN2tRNWxxbmJINDBLRjgyeHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6w6hV7nnd4_ib7hO4sGpsSn_cdXfPd75Bu3M7zmEi9Dl9TPCaWhdsOiMuyEg_aem_2P-pfs9FaQjn7QAvmFHriw)
Follow on Bluesky
[https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/)
Follow on X
[https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC)
Watch on YouTube
[https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC)
LinkedIn
[https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExN2tRNWxxbmJINDBLRjgyeHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5wn7CoNkDnzZk1J8PGqEXSOaiVTjajzIpsVdNeg2WI7X_BJ5MeR6ierA9SUg_aem_YJJoTeXOh5HTjDXienXIZQ)
Search tags: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies non-binary
Leadership, Laughter, Learning at Toastmasters!
We are the Federal Center Toastmasters Club.
We meet the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursday of each month in Hyattsville, MD, from 12 noon to 1pm.
Our meetings are held at the headquarters of the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics of the CDC.
Our meetings are open to the public, though visitors must go through building security procedures. For visitors who are not U.S. citizens, we do need to pre-coordinate a first visit with our security team. Contact us at: 1260@toastmastersclubs.org.
We have been a Toastmasters Club for 40 years and always welcome new members!
Join us, and you will improve your public-speaking and leadership skills in a friendly, supportive atmosphere!
Red Hat Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Cuban Salsa/Rueda de Casino Class & Social Dancing
Danceintime runs Cuban Salsa Classes & Social Dancing Every Saturday, all year-long. Come at 1:15 pm to sign in. Stay till 4 pm.
Some of us go out for coffee or a bite to eat afterwards and everyone is welcome!
$15/person. Cash, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Card accepted.
Chevy Chase Baptist Church; 5671 Western Ave. NW; Washington DC 20015. NOTE: Enter through back corner door of the church.
Danceintime classes are great fun. The dance moves are beautiful, fun, and our class creates a bonded community... Check it out! Class will be held every Saturday in December....celebrate the holidays with dance!
For more info: danceintime.com/classes
Questions? Contact Barbbernsteintalks@gmail.com
MoCo Code & Coffee March
MoCo Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal, co-working session. We're community-led and community-run by devs, for devs. People of all skill levels are invited. Especially new devs!
Bring a laptop, ideas, and we'll provide the coffee and snacks.
**Here's how it works**
At 2:30pm, everyone introduces themselves and briefly mention what brought them to Code & Coffee today (project, homework, networking, etc.)
Round 1:
1. Your name
2. What you're working on
3. What you can help others with
Round 2:
* Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool.
Round 3:
* Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too.
**After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized!**
1. For the rest of the day, folks work on their projects, providing one another with help, and/or socialize. It's fully up to you.
**Location**
We will be at the Rockville Science Center, right across from the library in The Square at Rockville. Note this is NOT the makerspace location, but the other one near the Garage B entrance.
36 Maryland Ave C, Rockville, MD 20850
The event will be held at a spacious science center with plenty of tables and chairs. Light refreshments (coffee and tea) and snacks will be provided.
**Parking**
* Rockville Town Square garages have up to 90 minutes of free parking. Parking at the Rockville Metro station would be free on weekends.
**Public transit**
* Located near near the **Rockville** metro station (Red Line).
DC First Ever Red Flag Green Flag Party - Private Lounge [Premium]
Anyone who has played Red Flag/Green Flag can tell you it's a great way to know someone. Well we are bringing this new social to DC!
Enjoy this new social designed to spark interaction in a way that feels natural, relaxed, and fun. Instead of awkward icebreakers, the event uses familiar, lighthearted prompts to get people talking, laughing, and engaging with the room around them.
**RSVP ON EVENTBRITE LINK BELOW OR IN COMMENTS**
[RSVP HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-greenlight-party-dc-first-ever-red-flaggreen-flag-party-social-tickets-1984063319799?aff=oddtdtcreator)
**What To Expect**
Private access to the Red Room, ESL signature lounge (open and Private just for us during the event times)
Interactive mingling games, prizes and more!
Red flag / green flag prompts throughout the night
Line -free access in time for DJ set later during the night
**Event Details**
Location: Eighteenth Street Lounge
Date: March 21
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (The party still goes on even afterward!)
Dress Code: Lounge-Chic. Dress stylish
Hosted by Capital City Social, known for curated events that blend style, structure, and spontaneity.
Greenlight Social: DC Red Flag/Green Flag Social [Premium]
Anyone who has played Red Flag/Green Flag can tell you it's a great way to know someone. Well we are bringing this new social to DC!
Enjoy this new social designed to spark interaction in a way that feels natural, relaxed, and fun. Instead of awkward icebreakers, the event uses familiar, lighthearted prompts to get people talking, laughing, and engaging with the room around them.
**RSVP ON EVENTBRITE LINK BELOW OR IN COMMENTS**
[RSVP HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-greenlight-party-dc-first-ever-red-flaggreen-flag-party-social-tickets-1984063319799?aff=oddtdtcreator)
**What To Expect**
Private access to the Red Room, ESL signature lounge (open and Private just for us during the event times)
Interactive mingling games, prizes and more!
Red flag / green flag prompts throughout the night
Line -free access in time for DJ set later during the night
**Event Details**
Location: Eighteenth Street Lounge
Date: March 21
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (The party still goes on even afterward!)
Dress Code: Lounge-Chic. Dress stylish
Hosted by Capital City Social, known for curated events that blend style, structure, and spontaneity.
Interoperability & Governance
Join the Midnight Blockchain Group - DC/MD/VA for an engaging meetup diving into the Cardano and Midnight ecosystems. Whether you're a seasoned blockchain enthusiast or just curious about decentralized tech, this casual gathering is your chance to connect, learn, and network in the heart of DC.
What to Expect:
Kick off with a brief overview of Cardano, a proof-of-stake blockchain known for its research-driven approach, sustainability, and scalability, and Midnight Network, its privacy focused partner chain!
**How to Find the Group:**
* Head to Treehouse at 411 New York Avenue NE – it's easy to spot in the Ivy City neighborhood.
* Look for our group in the main lounge area
* Parking is available nearby, and it's Metro-accessible via the NoMa-Gallaudet U station (Red Line).
This meetup is free and open to all, stop by to learn more about how Cardano and Midnight are revolutionizing Governance, privacy and utility in Web3. See you there! 🚀
Disaster+Travel+Wilderness First Aid (In-Person) Certification Course
Hands-on learn how to save life & limb, when mired in the wilderness of an urban disaster zone, travel or rural area far from hospital, or natural area miles from an access point, during the critical minutes or hours before ambulance arrival. Come away with actual do-it-yourself care-giving skill and confidence, and 2-year SOLO certification. Counts as WFR Recertification, too. No prerequisites.
YOUR SPOT IS NOT RESERVED UNTIL YOU'VE COMPLETELY REGISTERED AT WWW.SOLOWFA.COM \***Spaces are limited. REGISTER: www.solowfa.com or 434.326.4697**
Can't make these dates? Check out more course locations and dates on our website.
WHO: Open to the general public, adults & teens with solid attention spans. Know your loved ones are safe wherever they are.
WHY: Mired in a disaster zone, travel or rural area far from a hospital, or natural area miles from an access point ... accidents, destructive weather, and terrorism happen, and all-too-often members of a group are not capable of dealing with the emergency. This leads to improper care of the patient, and endangers the entire group. Many recreational accidents are preventable, and improper care of trauma can compound even simple injuries. Very few first aid programs actually address the issues of providing emergency care in a setting where 911 is overwhelmed or not immediately reachable. In this course, classroom instruction and Q&A are interwoven with practical work and problem-solving exercises. Hands-on experience - a most powerful learning tool - during scenarios comprise \~50% of class.
TIMING: This is a 2-day class, Saturday and Sunday, 8:00am -7pm each day.
Fee: $295 (Earlybird)
😀 3rd Friday Spades in VA@Nando's in the Mosaic District-Posted in 10+ Groups
♠️ Spades in Virginia! ♠️
Nando's Peri Peri, Mosaic District
2987 District Ave Ste 100,
Fairfax, VA 22031
🌟 3rd Friday Spades in Virginia!
🕕 6:30pm to 10:30pm
😀 **Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd.**
🚗 Parking is FREE!!!
🍷 Alcoholic beverages are available! Please support the business by purchasing food/drinks.
✅️ No partner needed! Get matched with a partner onsite. All skill levels are welcome.
❤️ Come hang out with a friendly and welcoming group. Meet new people and have a great time!
🌟 The fun starts at 7pm! RSVP today.
Red Hat Events Near You
Connect with your local Red Hat community
Columbus HUG March
Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!!
https://sessionize.com/cbus-hug-2026/
Lessons To Help the Introvert to Extrovert!
Do you feel introverted when you are in a group setting? Are you shy?
Do other people have more fun than you do? There are simple life hacks you can use to improve your connection to others and improve your social life.
Talking is one thing. Truly connecting is altogether another. It's the whole experience of connecting with people and forming relationships.
It includes the joy, understanding, and love formed among people.
* In our meetings, you will learn:
* A simple life hack to increase your liking and tolerance of other people, or even of yourself!
* How to become more interested and enjoy conversations with people.
* How to be comfortable in social settings.
* How to be yourself
* How to become more extroverted and,
* How to make connections with people.
Feeling lonely, isolated, or bored? This local meeting is exactly what you need! Come join us!
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.
From Idea to Working App in Minutes: The Agentic Development with Amazon Kiro
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
What Causes Your Roller Coasters in Life?
Do you sometimes feel like you do well in life then something happens and you slide back, never quite getting ahead.
At this Meetup you'll find out how to identify what actually causes the lows, the highs and everything in between. More importantly you’ll get the secret of how to gain control over your life so the highs are higher and the lows go away.
Wouldn’t it be nice to stop the wild roller coaster ride for good? Or at least make it a fun roller coaster ride, with more ups and downs.
There is a hidden factor that will be going over and you’re going to be quite surprised what it is and how much it affects your life.
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is hosted at the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center.
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
**New Dojo Location!**
**Buffalo Wild Wings in Grandview**
968 W 5th Ave,
Columbus, OH 43212
We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works
Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead.
We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)
Conquer Negative Emotion To Have a Happier Life!
Do you want more Self Confidence, less Self Doubt, more Happiness, less Anxiety, and more Love? This event is an introduction to how to handle irrational emotion. How often are yours or another's emotions out of control? What is that about??? I have asked these questions and after much search have found answers and am sharing.
Maybe you have suffered a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? After that, you try to move on but you just can't. Possibly you have a thought or emotion that hangs around for days and you just can't shake it. What is all this stress, anxiety, depression, and self doubt? It's just crazy! It's not the real you. You can find out what is at the root of all this.
This is a local event.
Areas you can change with the right information:
* Control of unwanted emotions
* Lack of confidence
* Grief
* Anxiety
* Anger management
* Creating ideal relationships
* Memory
* and more...
This is a local meeting that can start you on the way to a better life, more confidence and less negativity. All the happiness you have lies within you. Let's find it!
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.
ServiceNow's Got Talent
Builders, creators, architects, admins, consultants - come one, come all. This one's for you.
We're bringing a little friendly competition to the Columbus ServiceNow community while highlighting the cool things people have built on the platform.
Five presenters will take the stage to showcase something they've built, solved, designed, or imagined on the ServiceNow platform - and a panel of judges (plus YOU, our amazing audience) will score them live.
So basically, America's Got Talent but make it ServiceNow's Got Talent.
Bring a notepad if you'd like 'cause you'll definitely be learning something new.
Each presenter gets 10 minutes max to wow the crowd with:
• A demo
• A real-world business solution
• A bold idea
• A UX transformation
• Or a creative use of the platform
Judging Criteria:
🏆 Business Value
🚀 Innovation
✨ User Experience
This event is about celebrating ideas, sharing knowledge, and showing how ServiceNow can drive both business impact and meaningful user value.
Come learn. Come support. Come get inspired.
Refreshments and bites will be provided.
And maybe next time… you’ll be on stage.



















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