River Cleanups

I don't know, if it isn't raining, we get a cold snap - Can't seem to win this winter. But, of course, the show must go on, and if we didn't have the weather to talk about, what would we do! So, on we go, and this week the run takes us to **Birchalls in Ranelagh** for a warming/dry pint after a nice wee run around the streets. For newcomers, our Group Runs are great fun, safe for all, and once the run is complete, we can share a beer, have a good chat, make new friends, and look forward to the following week. The route map is here - https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=966581 Regards, Liam

Are you a tech support engineer, IT manager or CTO? Want to know how to protect and mitigate against ransomware and cryptomining attacks? Or perhaps you'd like to take your Azure networking knowledge to the next level with a deep dive into secure network design and operations? Well, either or, come join Stackand.Co's Tech Pro Ireland event with special guest Alan Finane, Microsoft MVP and Azure practice lead at Eir Business. Check out the talks and get your free seat here.... [https://ti.to/techmeetupspace/2602-tech-pro-ireland](https://ti.to/techmeetupspace/2602-tech-pro-ireland)

About us: The Tibetan Dharma and Meditation Group is part of a Buddhist organisation based in Taiwan, which is centred on one of the greatest living Rinpoches (teachers) in the world at the moment. It aims to introduce people living in Ireland to Buddhist teachings and practices that have been passed to Rinpoche through his masters and their masters going back many, many generations in order to benefit and bring peace to all sentient beings. Location: We hold our meetings in the small hall at Sandyford Community Centre, Lambs Cross, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

**[LINK TO REGISTER](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA )** [https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA ](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA) After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. When the big questions come up in the course of your life, where do you go for answers that make sense? In this class we'll be discussing some key questions about life, love and God. Based around Harold Klemp's books A Modern Prophet Answers Your Key Questions about Life, Book 1, 2 and 3, and Youth Ask a Modern Prophet about Life, Love and God. His answers will uplift and transform you. They'll help you see God's presence in your life and guide you to your own source of wisdom and love. This is a hybrid event, in-person and online. It will take place in the ECK Centre, 4 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX96, Ireland, and on Zoom. **To join the in-person meeting**, please come along to the ECK Centre a few minutes before the start time. **To join online via Zoom**, please click the [LINK TO REGISTER](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA ). After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. User Guide for Zoom classses 1. Remember that your comments are public. ECKANKAR is not responsible for any use that may be made of personal information that you share. 2. Please do not share anything that may be viewed as inappropriate, offensive, or defamatory. 3. This discussion does not necessarily reflect the views, belief, or ideals of ECKANKAR. 4. To any international guests: This event is not intended for anyone who is barred by the laws of their country from attending. Please follow the laws of your home country. 5. This discussion is sponsored by ECKANKAR Ireland, a chartered affiliate of ECKANKAR. **[LINK TO REGISTER](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA )** [https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA ](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsd-ygqD0pEtz_ArkglopMTKMRaOqirMeA) After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We are adding a few sing along songs to our Wednesdays session. You will still get the opportunity to sing as usual we are just adding some sing along songs to add something new to the session. Fields of Athenry. D Knocking on Heavens door D Ob La Di Ob La Da ( Beatles) A Go your own way C Join us for a lovely evening of music and song in a relaxed, supportive space. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, all levels of musicians and singers are very welcome. ​Performers: Space is limited to 10 performers to ensure everyone gets their time in the spotlight. Please secure your spot by booking through the app! ​Listeners: If performance spots are full, we’d still love for you to come along, listen, and soak up the atmosphere. It’s a wonderful way to build confidence and get a feel for the session. ​The Details: There is a small €2 kitty fee. As the venue hosts us for free, we kindly ask that you support the bar by purchasing a drink or two. ​A Note on Parking: The car park directly outside is convenient but strictly monitored, so please double-check the rates to avoid a €125 unclamping fee! For a stress-free evening, there are several other parking options within a 5-minute walk, including the Tesco car park (which is usually free after 6:30 PM, but do check the signs!).

This event is open to all for casual practice. However, coaching is not provided. 2 hrs of climbing is usually followed by a pint at Rascals :) About Gravity Climbing Gym: * **For anyone new to Gravity, they ask that you must have climbed at least 6 times in the last year or that you book an induction session directly with Gravity** (€28) https://www.gravityclimbing.ie/inductions If you like you can book your induction for the same time as this meetup and join us after (if available). -You'll also need to sign their digital waiver ahead of climbing for your first time at the gym. A link to the form can be found [here](https://www.gravityclimbing.ie/registration) Please note, all Wet & Wild Sports Club activities are carried out at members' own liability. Cost: * Basic entry cost to Gravity €14.5 * Climbing shoes rental €4 * Chalk rental €1 * Initial registration €5 (1st visit only) Getting there: * Parking is available in front of the building * Luas red line nearest stop is Blackhorse * 13 & 69 bus routes stop about a 5 minute walk from the gym. G1/G2 bus routes stop about 8 minutes from the gym * Bike racks are provided at the gym Please aim to arrive 10 mins before the start time to allow for registration if you need it. Looking forward to seeing you there! Wet & Wild is a member-led sports and social group for the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies. We are completely reliant on donations as we don't charge for events. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so using this link:[Donate Here](https://revolut.me/johnfr26hh)

Come join me in cleaning up litter in Dodder Valley Park in South West Dublin. I will supply a cart, bags/buckets, litter grabbers, and occasionally a dog (for morale). Feel free to bring your own equipment if you have it. Here's the plan: 1. Meet near the bus stop: Woodbrook Park, stop 9461 on R114 at 10:00. Note that Woodbrook Park, stop 946 on R114 (Buses 15, F1, and S6 service this stop). I'll be standing in the area with a cart and dog, so should be easy to spot. 2. Collect litter along the path into the park. Note we will be going into the trees along the way. 3. Circle back to the starting point when finished. Note that we will walk in wet grass/mud on occasion and will be handling litter, so best to wear appropriate clothes, footwear and gloves. Please check weather before attending to ensure you're dressed for it. Feel free to drop in or out at whatever time suits you. I'm typically out for an hour or two or until the area I'm focused on has been cleaned. Feel free to message me with any questions.

Join us to **practise and improve your Italian-English with native speakers every Thursday downstairs at River Bar** (Burgh Quay, Dublin 2) **from 6.30pm to 8.30pm**. **Our system:** **• You sit opposite a native speaker of the language you're learning** **• You speak 5mins English, 5mins Italian, then change table** This ensures everyone gets an equal opportunity to practise the language they're learning. Our team seats people, controls the time, organises the table changes etc. What to expect: • Relaxed easy going atmosphere • Professional and quality service • Great networking opportunities • All levels welcome from absolute beginner to fully fluent • A big mix of ages with attendees at each event from 18 to 70+ years old • Topic cards on the tables to help start conversations **Admission fee €7** (€1 off for student card holders). **No pre-registration required, just show up**. Loyalty card system: Come to 5 events and the 6th is free. Over 150,000 people have attended our language exchange events since 2012 to practise and improve their target language - you can too! For more news and info check: Website: [www.languageexchangeireland.com](http://www.languageexchangeireland.com/) FB: [www.facebook.com/languageexchangeireland](http://www.facebook.com/languageexchangeireland) Instagram: [www.instagram.com/languageexchangeireland](http://www.instagram.com/languageexchangeireland) We also organise this event every Monday at River Bar at 6.30pm.

The weather forecast for this Saturday is pretty promising so hopefully we’ll see you joining us for a great walk & coffee/ lunch in the park afterwards 🚶🏼‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️ *** Today We will also join the Bull Island Action Group - Monthly Clean-up! They will supply us with the bags and litter pickers - it’s a bit of fun too, you never know the treasures you could find! 🤩 Walk takes approx 1.5 hours on the flat. Saturday market on in the park- lots of food options! **Note: if you are delayed or need to cancel, can you please leave a message below so that we can wait for you (or cancel your booking) thanks 🙏

Join us to **practise and improve your target language with native speakers on Thursday downstairs in River Bar** (Burgh Quay, Dublin 2) from **6.30pm to 8.30pm**. **Our system:** **• You sit opposite a native speaker of the language you're learning** **• You speak 5mins English, 5mins other language, then change table** This ensures everyone gets an equal opportunity to practise the language they're learning. Our team seats people, controls the time, organises the table changes etc. What to expect: • Relaxed easy going atmosphere • Professional and quality service • Great networking opportunities • All levels welcome from absolute beginner to fully fluent • A big mix of ages with attendees at each event from 18 to 70+ years old • Topic cards on the tables to help start conversations Wide range of languages: We usually have **native speakers of English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese** and more depending on who shows up. **Admission fee €7** (€6 for student card holders). **No pre-registration required, just show up**. Loyalty card system: Come to 5 events and the 6th is free. Over 150,000 people have attended our language exchange events since 2012 to practise and improve their target language - you can too! Everyone is welcome! For more news and info check: Website: [www.languageexchangeireland.com](http://www.languageexchangeireland.com/) FB: [www.facebook.com/languageexchangeireland](http://www.facebook.com/languageexchangeireland) Instagram: [www.instagram.com/languageexchangeireland](http://www.instagram.com/languageexchangeireland) NOTE: The MeetUp attendance does not reflect actual attendance. There are usually around 100 people at each event.

**Hands in the Soil: Community Growing, Learning & Craic** This first gathering will be a relaxed mix of **hands-on garden work, shared learning, and good conversation**. It’s about getting together in a real space, doing something practical, and seeing what ideas and connections might grow from there. On the day, we’ll: * Get our **hands dirty** with some light garden work and soil prep * Do some **seed sowing** and talk about what grows well locally * **Make kombucha together** and chat about fermentation, food, and simple home practices * Share knowledge, questions, and experiences around growing food * Enjoy some **fellowship, chats, and a bit of craic** along the way.Alongside the practical side, we’ll also have an open, informal discussion about a bigger idea: * The possibility of **small community “park farms” or gardens** in underused green spaces around Dublin * What that might look like, what’s realistic, and whether others feel drawn to exploring it further There’s no pressure, no expertise required, and no expectation beyond showing up with curiosity and a willingness to pitch in. Whether you’re experienced with gardening or completely new, you’re very welcome. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, and if you have them, gloves. Everything else will be very low-key. This is just a **first step** — a chance to meet, work, talk, and see if there’s a shared appetite to keep growing something together.

Join us to **practise and improve your Spanish/English with native speakers every Thursday @ River Bar** (Burgh Quay, Dublin 2) from **6.30pm to 8.30pm**. **Our system:** **• You sit opposite a native speaker of the language you're learning** **• You speak 5mins English, 5mins Spanish, then change table** This ensures everyone gets an equal opportunity to speak the language they're learning. Our team organises everything such as the timing, seating people, moving people etc. What to expect: • Relaxed easy going atmosphere • Professional and quality service • Great networking opportunities • All levels welcome from absolute beginner to fully fluent • A big mix of ages with people from 18 years to 70+ attending each event • Topic cards on the tables to help start conversations **Admission fee €7** (€1 off for student card holders). **No pre-registration required, just show up.** Loyalty card system: Come to 5 events and the 6th is free. Over 150,000 people have attended our language exchanges to practise and improve their target language - you can too! Everyone is welcome! For more news and info check: Website: [www.languageexchangeireland.com](http://www.languageexchangeireland.com/) FB: [www.facebook.com/languageexchangeireland](http://www.facebook.com/languageexchangeireland) Instagram: [www.instagram.com/languageexchangeireland](http://www.instagram.com/languageexchangeireland)

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! For this event, we’ll help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents, wash dishes and clean surfaces at Fath Mission – Grant Kitchen. We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “Create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. Our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:15am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1, indicated in the attached map. On-site and street parking are available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: \* LSS Volunteer Guidelines: Uploaded to photos. \* Parking Map Info: Uploaded to photos. \* LSS Faith Mission Orientation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp46_6ay6iA \* Link with Additional Details / Info: https://lss.vomo.org/opportunity/faith-mission-grant-kitchen-2025 IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing the all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With very few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. THANK YOU: This CMG Gives Back event provides an opportunity for YOU to get involved in helping others! Benefits go well beyond the help we give to others. Volunteering provides a wide range of personal benefits, including positive effects on mental and physical health, reduced stress/depression/anxiety, increased happiness and improved purpose, life-satisfaction and personal well-being! Plus, the opportunity to get involved, connect with others and help those in need. PARTNER AGENCY: This event is hosted by Lutheran Social Services (LSS), which serves thousands of people in need each day in 27 Ohio counties by addressing the four core societal issues of food, shelter, safety and healing. LSS offers food through the LSS Food Pantries, housing and supportive services through LSS Faith Mission and LSS Faith Mission of Fairfield County homeless shelters, domestic violence services through LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, senior living and health care, affordable housing communities, and other services that uplift families and strengthen communities. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

**Summary** For this event, we will do the [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at [The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/), a ten-thousand acre conservation center in Muskingum County. It is the largest such center in North America and one of the largest in the entire world. During this tour, we'll visit The Wilds' rhino herd in their state-of-the-art heated barns and learn how The Wilds' animal management team takes care of one of the largest herds of rhinos outside of Africa and Asia. **The date and time of this tour** We will be doing the 1:00 p.m. [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) on Saturday, February 28. The tour is scheduled to last 90 minutes. **What you need to do to attend** Signing up here on Meetup will not get you into The Wilds for the tour. You must go out to The Wilds' [website](https://www.thewilds.org/) and [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour). Please [purchase your ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour), then sign up here on Meetup so I know how many to expect. **Attendance cap** There are only eight total slots/tickets available for this tour. As I obviously have already bought one of the tickets, that leaves seven spaces for everyone else. If you are interested in this event, I urge you to [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at The Wilds' website as soon as possible. Since their website is obviously public, nothing prevents other people having nothing to do with *GOhio!* from buying their own tickets, thereby potentially taking an available slot away from you. **Additional notes on attendance** I have now run several events at The Wilds. While the location of The Wilds and the pricing of the tickets generally leads to small turnouts, the people who have gone have all enjoyed it and were glad they went. If you've never been to The Wilds and you like zoos or animals at all, you are likely to find any tour at The Wilds to be a rewarding experience. **Tickets and pricing** [Tickets](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) for this tour are $95, or $76 if you're a Wilds' member. I've posted screen shots, below, to help you be sure you're buying tickets for the correct event. Wilds' memberships pay for themselves if you go to The Wilds at least twice a year, and [Columbus Zoo members](https://www.columbuszoo.org/membership) get a discount on memberships to The Wilds. I will always run at least two events a year at The Wilds. Tickets for all Wilds' tours must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of the actual tour. **Cancellations and refunds** Per The Wilds' [Cancellation Policy](https://www.thewilds.org/policies): *In order to be eligible for refund and accrue no rescheduling fees, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance of reservation. Cancellations made within 14 days of reservation will not receive a refund.* You may [contact The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/contact) at (740) 638-5030 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or you can email them at information@thewilds.org. **Waiver of liability** After you purchase your ticket, you will likely be asked to fill out a waiver of liability. This is a very short document and should take you no more than two minutes to complete. **Where we'll meet** We will meet at The Wilds, whose actual address is [14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732](https://www.google.com/maps/place/14000+International+Rd,+Cumberland,+OH+43732/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837dae07a595557:0xa1ceca93325a8bd1?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Please try to be there by 12:30 p.m. For most Wilds' tours, a shuttle bus will take you to the actual spot of the tour. So think of this as though you're going to the airport to catch a flight. It helps to be on time. The Wilds generally asks that people arrive at least thirty minutes because the scheduled start time of their tour. **GPS / Getting to The Wilds** The Wilds is in a very rural area, but I've never had a problem getting there with my GPS (I have Verizon). I've also uploaded a JPG map, below, of Muskingum County. Sometimes, though, it's hard to get a signal when you're at The Wilds and getting ready to leave. So you might want to consider downloading an offline map in Google Maps. Your cell phone should pick up a signal, however, within a few minutes after you leave. The Wilds' Visitor Center does have free Wi-Fi. **Carpooling?** If you want to carpool, I recommend discussing this in the comments, below, to this event. While I don't myself carpool, I will do what I can to help you arrange something if I can. **The weather** Dress for the weather. Just because the barn is heated doesn't mean it will be warm. And wear closed-toed shoes. Wilds' tours typically run no matter what the weather is. **After the tour** Once we're done with the rhinos, we'll head over to the very highly rated [Y-Bridge Brewing Company](https://ybridgebrewing.com/). The brewery is about thirty minutes from The Wilds, and it will be on the way back to Columbus for most, if not all, of us. The brewery's actual address is [1417 Linden Ave Ste D, Zanesville, OH 43701](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1417+Linden+Ave+d,+Zanesville,+OH+43701/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837edd6cc50824f:0xe3a0af1ccb2aefbf?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Y-Bridge Brewing does not serve food; however, they have several [food options](https://ybridgebrewing.com/food-options). I encourage you to check these out ahead of time on their website for yourself. However, here are a few of them: *Within walking distance -- 120 feet away* * [Angry Bull Saloon](https://www.facebook.com/AngryBullSaloonZanesville/) (pizza & subs) * The Corner Pub Sports Bar and Grill (classic bar food) *Delivery options -- [Door Dash](https://www.doordash.com/)* * [4 Star Pizza](https://fourstarpizza.com/), (740) 452-9300 * [Donatos](https://www.donatos.com/), (740) 452-7900 * [Pizza Cottage](https://www.pizza-cottage.com/), (740) 455-6000 * [Dominos](https://www.dominos.com/), (740) 455-3126 * [Papa John's](https://www.papajohns.com/), (740) 450-4100 If you live in the area or can't make The Wilds but still want to meet us at the brewery, that's fine too.

Thursdays just got smarter (and sassier). 🧠🍻 Join us at TownHall Short North for Trivia Night with Marquis—where the questions are fun, the competition is friendly, and the vibes are immaculate. Grab your crew, sip something good, and prove you know random facts you absolutely shouldn’t.

**NEW LOCATION: Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: * 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. * 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). See the handy Parking Map - we recommend street parking. [Street Parking Map](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1u2A4fLNlxwLJn0KA_hKc8bnFlFHLvsHBDh-_8wzX_tk/edit?usp=sharing) We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact centralohpython@gmail.com