Travel Tips

Onze meetups zijn speciaal voor testers die verder willen kijken dan alleen scripts schrijven. De talks zijn door testers, voor testers. Interactief, laagdrempelig en gezellig. We doen niet aan basisintro's of verkooppraatjes maar gaan voor scherpe inhoud (én lekker eten en drinken :-)). *[let op: aanmelden op deze pagina https://heeyoo.nl/blog/qa-meetup-utrecht-25-feb/ of email thomas.wattel@heeyoo.nl]* Deze avond wederom twee uiteenlopende talks op de agenda, hieronder beide talks iets verder uitgewerkt: Talk 1: **Van functioneel naar performance testen binnen je team** Performanceproblemen komen vaak pas laat aan het licht. In de testfase, of nog vervelender: in productie. Terwijl je als tester al veel eerder signalen kunt oppikken. In deze talk laat Nico zien hoe je de stap maakt van puur functioneel testen naar performance testen. We kijken naar hoe je bestaande geautomatiseerde testen kunt inzetten om performance inzichtelijk te maken. Wat kun je realistisch automatiseren? Waar ligt de grens? En hoe zorg je dat performance echt onderdeel wordt van het werk van het ontwikkelteam zelf? Praktisch, herkenbaar en gericht op ownership. Concrete handvatten om performance structureel mee te nemen in je dagelijkse testwerk. Talk 2: **Testautomation in een microservice architectuur: uitdagingen en oplossingen** Microservices beloven snelheid en flexibiliteit, maar maken testautomation er niet per se eenvoudiger op. Waar test je precies? Op welk niveau? En hoe voorkom je dat je test suite net zo complex wordt als je landschap? In deze talk duikt Erik in het toepassen van testautomation binnen een microservice architectuur. Wat zijn de meest voorkomende uitdagingen zoals afhankelijkheden tussen services, testdata en het behouden van vertrouwen in je tests. Geen ideale wereld, maar een talk met oplossingen en praktijkvoorbeelden. Vragen waar we mee aan de slag gaan: Wat gaat vaak mis? Welke keuzes helpen juist? En hoe zorg je dat je teststrategie meegroeit met je architectuur in plaats van erachteraan loopt? **Tijdstip:** Inloop vanaf 17:00u, start om 18:00u en we ronden af om 21:00u **Locatie:** Newtonlaan 201. Er is ruim voldoende parkeergelegenheid in de garage vanaf 16:00u. **Aanmelden:** Meld je aan op deze pagina https://heeyoo.nl/blog/qa-meetup-utrecht-25-feb/ of email thomas.wattel@heeyoo.nl

Hi all! On Wednesdays we welcome you to practice languages! If you want to practice a specific (uncommon) language, please send us a message so we can find some conversation partners for you on our mailing list! We hope to see you in Café Marktzicht! In the last year we had tables for the following languages: * Dutch * English * French * Italian * Spanish * Turkish\* * German\* * Portuguese\* * Danish\* * Norwegian\* * Russian\* * Arabic\* * Chinese\*\* * Japanese\*\* * Indonesian\*\* * * Most likely, but not every week present. \*\* - Rather rare ;-) If your language is not in this list, please let us know! We have a large database of Language Cafe visitors speaking 56 different languages! We might be able to connect you with a person that does speak the language you want to practice. In case you are not in our database yet, please use this form: http://goo.gl/forms/oSCn9Dn8m8

Are you an **expat** in **Utrecht** and do you want to **learn how to swim?** Look no further! Dive into **personalized swimming lessons** with **Your Personal Swim Coach**. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced swimmer seeking to refine your technique, our expert coaches offer **tailored sessions** that fit your needs. **De Kwakel** is a great pool close to the city center, has free parking, and is easy to reach by bus. It's an **amazing learning environment!** **Don't wait any longer:** **[Sign up for a Try Out Lesson!](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/product/try-out-adult-swimming-lesson/)** Want to learn more first? Go to our **[website](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)** or **[schedule a call!](https://calendly.com/ypsc/new-meeting)**

We are excited to announce our next Utrecht JUG meetup, featuring talks by Michel Schudel and Ana-Maria Mihalceanu. In the first session, we’ll dive into the art of building **maintainable Spring Boot applications** using the principles of Clean Architecture. You’ll learn how to structure your code so that your domain logic stays clean, testable, and protected from framework and infrastructure concerns — with practical examples you can apply right away. After the break, we’ll shift focus to **JVM performance**. We’ll explore how recent and upcoming Java versions (Java 25 and 26) help tackle slow startup times and long time-to-peak performance, especially in microservices and Kubernetes environments. You’ll gain actionable insights to make your Java services faster, more predictable, and production-ready. Join us for an evening full of practical knowledge, real-world lessons, and great conversations with fellow Java developers! The meetup will be hosted by **Sopra Steria**, Ringwade 1, Nieuwegein Please join us and RSVP! Because of the limited number of seats, please keep your RSVP up-to-date, so we can welcome someone else of you can't make it. Timeschedule: 17:30 Doors open 18:00 Food & Drinks 19:00 Building maintainable Spring Boot apps with Clean Architecture by Michel Schudel 20:00 Break 20:15 Towards Better JVM Performance by Ana-Maria Mihalceanu 21:15 Drinks **Giveaway** 1 JetBrains licence **Talks** **Building maintainable Spring Boot apps with Clean Architecture** Clean Architecture is about separating concerns within your application to keep it maintainable, scalable, and testable. Some call it onion architecture, others call it hexagonal, but in the end they all aim for the same goal: protecting your domain logic from the messy outside world. But how does this work in practice? In this session, we'll build a Spring Boot application together using the principles of Clean Architecture. We'll use the Spring Boot Test framework for clean integration tests and ArchUnit to ensure our squeaky-clean application stays that way by enforcing architectural boundaries. After this session you've learned what Clean Architecture is, and how you can leverage your own applications with it. **Towards Better JVM Performance** Many Java services struggle with slow startup and long time-to-peak performance, painful aspects for microservices and Kubernetes workloads that demand fast scale-up and tight service level objectives. Join this session to learn how to use new optimizations in Java 25 and 26 to accelerate startup and time to peak performance, including Ahead-of-Time object caching with any GC. You’ll leave with actionable steps to make your Java applications start faster, reach peak performance sooner, and stay predictable in production. **Speakers** **Michel Schudel** Michel Schudel has been a passionate Java developer since 1998. Since then, he has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in Java land. He loves to share his adventures in Java land so others can learn from his experience (and, more importantly, his mistakes!). **Ana-Maria Mihalceanu** Ana is a Java Champion Alumni, Senior Developer Advocate for the Java Platform Group at Oracle, with an extensive background in Java and cloud development, while contributing to Java community growth and events. Her exposure to varied technical challenges involving Java-based frameworks has endowed her with deep insights into the evolution of the JDK tools, practical use, and advanced features.

Hi there! Tonight we'll have fun over a nice game of pool. From clueless to amateur, all levels are welcome - the important thing is to enjoy and socialize in our beautiful rainbow community . The meetup will start at 20:30 and is expected to end around 23:00 (but as always, the duration can be extended if we wish to). ✨️ Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: @utrecht.lgbt ✨️ Looking forward to seeing you all soon! ❤️

**Zin om even helemaal offline te gaan voor een avond?** Doe mee met onze offline hangout. Of je nu alleen komt of samen, je maakt gegarandeerd nieuwe connecties! **Wat kan je verwachten:** Speel (bord)spelletjes, knutsel of relax met een goed boek Een nostalgische avond in een gezellig café Ontmoet nieuwe mensen op de ouderwetse manier Schrijf met onze vintage typemachines Gratis entree! **Waar?** Bunk Utrecht (Catharijnekade 9, Utrecht) **Wanneer?** Woensdag, 25 februari (vanaf 19:00)

Hi✋ At[ Data Tribes ](https://www.datatribes.nl/)we organise Meetups because we truly care about sharing knowledge both inside and outside the organisation. We believe that it is beneficial to us and to the market as a whole to connect, create, learn and grow together! **The agenda** // Doors open 6.00pm // Drinks and Pizza’s 6.30pm // Start presentations 7.00pm **Henk van der Valk:** "Optimizing the Azure cloud?" ***Who really cares about Cost & Co2?*** // Start networking 9.00pm // End Meetup 9.30pm Greetings, Data Tribes Inc.

** ABOUT OUR WATERCOLOR PAINTING PARTY / AMERSFOORT** Amersfoort - Utrecht Province / Center of the City / Easy access from train station. Create your very own **portrait, animals, landscape, or figurative** masterpiece in only **2.5 HOURS using watercolor and our secret mixed media techniques!.** This session is not about perfection; it is about capturing emotions and personal expression. **No experience required** **\- trust us\!** our professional artist will guide you step-by-step through this unique self-portrait journey. You can look forward to a fun and exciting evening with other participants, **so it doesn't matter if you want to come with friends or alone - you are very welcome!** This is the perfect after-work or weekend activity where you'll unleash your creativity while creating something deeply personal. You will create a portrait combining painting, drawing, and creative techniques to bring your unique vision to life. When finished, you'll take home your newly created self-portrait artwork to cherish or share with loved ones. Each participant will have pencils, colored pencils, watercolor, acrylic/gouache paints, and a surface. You'll work from an image we will bring. **️ READY TO HAVE FUN?** Get your Ticket and book your seat **✨[HERE](https://buymeacoffee.com/artloversclub/e/430555) ✨** **Questions?** Speak with a member of the team in **[WHATSAPP HERE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J3Y5yeWUhvbJM98bqty2WP) ** .................................... ** WHAT'S INCLUDED?** All supplies included **2.5-HOUR [TICKET SESSION](https://buymeacoffee.com/artloversclub/e/430555)** ️ **EXTRA BONUS:** **FREE TICKET**️ to participate in our Drawing and Painting Cafes in Amersfoort or Our Online Still-Life sessions if you live far away. New friendships and Conversations Freedom to work at your own pace **English tutored activity** (And of course, you can speak in your local language with your friends!) ⭐ No experience needed **️ BOOK YOUR SEAT IN ADVANCE ✨[HERE](https://buymeacoffee.com/artloversclub/e/430555) ✨!** **Questions?** Speak with a member of the team in **[WHATSAPP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J3Y5yeWUhvbJM98bqty2WP) ** ** 2026 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:** First Sunday or every month from 11.00 AM - 1:30 PM. .................................... **️ ART LOVERS CLUB / ABOUT US** **ART LOVERS CLUB** is a community where art enthusiasts come together to explore their creativity and connect with new buddies through various events and sessions ( In-Person and Online) . Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting, we have something for everyone!⭐ To share with you more about what we do, you can see here the overall atmosphere of our events in Amersfoort and also follow us if you want⭐: **[https://www.instagram.com/art_lovers_social_club](https://www.instagram.com/art_lovers_social_club)** **Questions?** Speak with a member of the team in **[WHATSAPP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J3Y5yeWUhvbJM98bqty2WP) ** ** 2025 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:** First Sunday or every month from 11.00 AM - 1:30 PM. **See you soon. We are looking forward to painting and having Fun Together! ‍‍‍‍**

Donderdag **26 februari 2026** is het weer tijd voor onze **Techday**: hét vaste moment waarop we kennis delen, elkaar inspireren en nieuwe ideeën direct in de praktijk brengen. Deze editie komt een spreker van Onyx langs. Onyx is gespecialiseerd in cybersecurity. Tijdens deze techday worden theorie, praktijk en nabespreking gecombineerd met directe toepasbaarheid in jullie dagelijkse werkzaamheden. Tijdens de Techday duiken we hands-on in veelvoorkomende kwetsbaarheden en misconfiguraties binnen moderne softwareontwikkeling. Theorie, demo’s en realistische scenario’s wisselen elkaar af. Met de interactieve CTF‑opdrachten leer je niet alleen hoe deze problemen ontstaan en misbruikt worden, maar vooral hoe je ze direct kunt toepassen en voorkomen in je dagelijkse werk. **Wanneer:** Donderdag 26 februari 2026 **Wat:** Cybersecurity in de Praktijk: Hands-on met Onyx **Voor wie:** Iedereen die nieuwsgierig is en wil leren **Agenda** 14:45 - 15:00 - Inloop 15:00 - 18:00 - Opening en introductie Praktijkvoorbeelden: Wat zijn wij in het echt tegengekomen Security misconfiguration: Gezamelijke spot-de-fout met code-snippets CTF opdrachten 18:00 - 19:00 - Eten en napraten We zien je graag op de Techday!

**ArnhemJUG** We are excited to announce the second meetup of 2026. OpenValue Arnhem is once again hosting us for the February meetup! **Agenda** * 17:00 CET walk-in * 17:30 – 18:30 Food and drinks * 18:30 – 19:30 talk: **Catching the 137-Killer: A Java Memory Forensics Investigation** by **Martijn Dashorst** * 19:30 – 19:45 break * 19:45 – 20:45 talk: **Building AI Agent Platforms: Architecture, Communication, and Standards** by **Pascal Wilbrink** * 20:45 – 21:30 drinks **Catching the 137-Killer: A Java Memory Forensics Investigation** Your Java application is running smoothly, blissfully unaware of the danger lurking just around the corner. Then—without warning—it vanishes without a trace. Upon investigation, you discover the virtual remains of countless slain JVMs, each marked with the same cryptic number: 137. A serial killer is on the loose in your cluster. This true crime investigation will walk you through the differences between JVM memory areas, the mechanics of container OOMKills, analysing Grafana dashboards for memory and thread anomalies, interpreting heap dumps, and utilising JVM Native Memory Tracking (NMT) to uncover hidden native memory consumption. You’ll master practical forensic techniques and proven prevention strategies—from memory tuning tactics and balancing heap vs. non-heap allocations to leveraging large language models (LLMs) for advanced forensic analysis. These skills will help ensure your applications stay alive—even when something’s out to get them. Just like in a real murder mystery, we may not know whodunnit... but with Martijn Dashorst leading the investigation, you're sure to get closer to the truth. **About Martijn Dashorst** My Java experience is finally old enough to drive, vote and drink a beer (not all at once). One of the remaining Eclipse users, loves Java, relationship with Maven is complicated. Martijn Dashorst has worked since 2004 at Topicus and has used Java since 2002. Loves server-side Java. You might know him from Apache Wicket—he's dabbled somewhat in that framework. Loves his family and cats, finds Douglas Adams' description of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation's technology very apt to the current technology landscape. **Building AI Agent Platforms: Architecture, Communication, and Standards** AI systems evolve from standalone models into connected, agent-based ecosystems, new architectural patterns, protocols, and standards are emerging. Concepts such as AGUI, A2A, A2UI, and MCP-based applications are changing how intelligent systems are designed and integrated. This presentation explains how these approaches affect system structure, responsibilities, and interoperability. Using architectural diagrams, it shows how AI agent applications communicate and collaborate through standardized interfaces, and provides guidance on building scalable and maintainable AI platforms. **About Pascal Wilbrink** Pascal is a senior software engineer at OpenValue with over a decade of experience and a strong interest in applied AI and intelligent automation. He enjoys exploring how technology can make developers’ lives easier and software more resilient. When he’s not experimenting with new ideas or building open-source tools, Pascal likes to learn by doing and turning complex problems into practical solutions.

**(Tickets + event access exclusively available through EventBrite.)** Full event link here [From Fixed to Flow - EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/from-fixed-to-flow-an-online-workshop-of-creativity-and-release-tickets-1981557382473?aff=oddtdtcreator) Loosen the mental knots you didn’t know you were tightening. Use creativity to move from fixed patterns into more open habits. Refresh yourself before a new week with an easy, online workshop to open your mental well-being through creative mindset from a stuck sense of routine to more flexible state. \*\* What You'll Experience:\*\* * **Structured, guided conversations** where thinking out loud is part of the method. It's not a lecture, and it is a blend of psychology, art, and practical ritual. * A **live, interactive exercise** to break rigid thinking and experience "flow." * A **supportive space to connect** with others feeling the same desire for more lightness and less rigidity. **️ What You'll Take Away:** * **The "Separation of Tasks" Tool:** A philosopher's secret to deflating anxiety about others' opinions. * **The Conduit Mindset:** How to replace "Is this good?" with the liberating question, **"What happens if you stop deciding in advance what ‘good’ looks like?"** * **Your First Micro-Ritual:** A simple, 5-minute daily practice to make creativity an inevitable source of calm. * **Clarity & Permission:** A clear map to identify your "Fixed Self" and the courage to gently unfurl from it. **✨ This is for You if:** * You feel mentally "stuck" or confined by your routines. * You've ever said, "I'm not a creative person." * You long for more playfulness, less pressure in your daily life. * You desire to use creativity as a tool for well-being, not just output. * You are 18+ years of age. \*\* Workshop Details:\*\* * **Duration:** 90 minutes * **Format:** Live, interactive virtual session (Link provided upon registration) * **Investment:** €7 less 15% off through 1 March * **What You Need:** A quiet/comfortable space, a willingness to be gently curious, and one ordinary object within arm's reach (a pen, a cup, a book). **(Tickets + event access exclusively available through EventBrite.)** Full event link here [From Fixed to Flow - EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/from-fixed-to-flow-an-online-workshop-of-creativity-and-release-tickets-1981557382473?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Hello, my dear nature and wine lovers! It’s finally time to reunite, catch up, and kick off a brand-new hiking season filled with beautiful walks, meaningful connections, and memorable experiences. We’re excited to invite you to a special hiking adventure near Nijmegen, combining nature, movement, and Dutch wine culture. We’ll begin the day slowly and gezellig with a traditional cup of coffee at our favorite café in Nijmegen, followed by a relaxed walk through the city. From there, we’ll head into the woods, passing through the charming Philosopher’s Valley, with its swinging hedges, forest paths, and surprisingly hilly landscapes that make this area so special. This hike is all about enjoying nature, good company, and shared moments, with fellow hikers just like you. **Finish in the Wine Village of the Netherlands:** Groesbeek After completing our 14 km hike, we’ll arrive in Groesbeek, officially known as the wine village of the Netherlands. Here, we’ll visit a local wine centre for a guided tour and tasting: Wine tour & tasting: €19.50 per person Vineyard & wine cellar visit Tasting of 3 local wines Non-alcoholic options available Duration: 1.5 hours Optional local food platter: €7.50 per person A bit of background The story of Groesbeek wine began in 2000, when former sports teacher Freek Verhoeven started growing vines as a hobby. Thanks to the rich soil and hilly terrain, his wines quickly gained recognition and even won awards. Today, under new leadership, the winery is known for innovation, including low-alcohol (2%) wines and naturally sulfite-free wines. Groesbeek has since grown into a true wine hub, with vineyards, a professional wine centre, tastings, workshops, and a stunning terrace overlooking the vines, the perfect ending to our hike. **Quick Itinerary** Date: February 28 Meeting Point: Bluf Café, Nijmegen Start Time: 9:30 Distance: 14 km (Nijmegen → Groesbeek) Return: Bus back to Nijmegen **Meetup Fee: €8** **Payment & confirmation:** Please confirm your participation by sending the payment by February 15th to secure your spot; after that, any remaining places will be offered to the waiting list. Cancellations made less than 2 days before the event are non-refundable, as arrangements will already be confirmed. Please include your name with the payment so I can track your registration. **What to Bring** Water Lunch (we’ll picnic along the way - before getting tipsy ) Something to sit on (towel or mat) **What to Wear** Comfortable hiking shoes are essential Dress in layers for changing weather **Community & Practical Info** WhatsApp group: You’ll receive the event WhatsApp link 2 days before the hike to connect, coordinate, and get to know each other. Instagram: Follow us for updates and behind-the-scenes moments https://www.instagram.com/campfires_tales We often take photos and short videos to share the CampFires magic. If you’d prefer not to be featured, just let us know at the start — we always respect your privacy. We can’t wait to hike, sip, and connect with you. Hope to see you there!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

**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 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA

Coffee and conversation at [Stauf's Coffee Roasters](https://www.staufs.com/) in German Village. Street parking is free on Sundays.

This is a free, in person meeting. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

**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.