Sociology

**Free & Open to the Public!** Feeling stressed, burnt out, lacking focus or clarity, struggling with mental health, or just need a midday energy and creativity boost? **Join me every Monday from 12:15pm to 1pm at Sharon Woods Metro Park (Westerville, OH) for Nature-based Mindfulness Walks and Meditations.** Being outside in nature and cultivating a mindfulness practice is scientifically proven to improve mood, energy, focus, creativity, enhance physical and mental health, and reduce stress, burnout, and symptoms of depression. This 45-minute session combines nature exposure with simple mindfulness and mind-body practices (gentle movement, guided meditation, and nature awareness), to promote your holistic wellbeing and offer a positive and restorative break to your day. As an Integrative Wellness & Life Coach who specializes in nature-based mindfulness and mind-body modalities, I am committed to providing accessible, beneficial, and educational community experiences. Please share the word and I'm looking forward to seeing you there! **Directions**: Meet at the Northeast Lot and Pavilion (on your right) before Apple Ridge Picnic Area in Sharon Woods Metro Park at 12:15pm **Schedule**: * Introduction * Opening meditation * Nature walk – a facilitated silent nature-mindfulness experience * Closing meditation Walk distance: approximately 1.25 mi *In the spirit of acceptance, enhancing mind-body experiences, and widening our tolerance for discomfort, this event is held regardless of weather conditions, unless otherwise notified for potentially unsafe conditions (e.g. active thunderstorm, tornado warning, etc.)* \*\*\*\*\*\*There is no maximum number of people who can attend. I'm only able to set a maximum at 10 with my current subscription of MeetUp. So if you see that the event is at "max capacity", please come join us regardless! **\*\***

Younkin Branch Library (Ashville) meeting space is now reserved for any and all interested in or enthused by playing a game of chess. The second Thursday of each month, 6:00pm to 7:50pm. First gathering is Thursday, May 11th. No fees. Chess sets provided; however, you may bring your own if you wish.

Modern software development is rapidly shifting from tool-driven workflows to agent-powered systems that can reason, act, and collaborate alongside developers. This talk introduces Google Antigravity, an emerging agent-first development platform from Google Cloud, designed to move beyond code assistance toward autonomous, skill-based AI agents. In this session, we explore how Antigravity enables developers to create and extend custom agent skills that perform real actions—such as executing workflows, integrating external services, and automating complex development tasks. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of Antigravity’s architecture, the role of skills in agent orchestration, and how agent-powered development changes the way software is designed, built, and maintained. This is a hybrid event. Join the event virtually at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-chicago-presents-agent-powered-development-with-google-antigravity/ or in person at TAG - The Aspen Group - 311 North Green Street Chicago, 60607 *** Agenda *** Speaker Shadab Hussain - TheMathCompany (Lead Engineer) Shadab Hussain is a technology executive and strategic advisor specializing in AI, Blockchain, and Quantum Computing. As Lead Engineer at MathCo, he architects enterprise AI solutions for Fortune 500 clients. Previously at the London Stock Exchange Group, he led developer relations across global financial ecosystems. A Google Developer Expert (AI/ML), AWS Community Builder, and TEDx spea… Hosts Joel Vasallo - TAG - The Aspen Group (Director, Platform Engineering) Dan Baran Amanda Rossi - Bag Tags, Inc (Web Developer) *** Partners Google (https://www.google.com) TAG - The Aspen Group (https://www.teamtag.com) *** Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-chicago-presents-agent-powered-development-with-google-antigravity/.

Join us Saturday, 1/31 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for an evening at The Cozy at Portia’s Café. Come learn about this local, grassroots animal rights organization and our current campaigns. Whether you want to do more for animals or simply meet other activists and vegans, this is the place for you. Bring your friends — all animal lovers are welcome. Enjoy games, socializing, and meaningful connections with fellow vegans and animal advocates. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to purchase food from Portia’s if you’d like — it’s completely optional. Location: Portia’s Café 3083 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43202 The Cozy is located right next door.

Let’s meetup at Cafe Istanbul for the last day of Restaurant Week. You get three courses for $30. This is the menu: https://614now.com/rw-menu/cafeistanbul-easton

If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, working with yarn, this is the group for you. Meet new friends, bring your projects, learn from others.
We normally meet a few times a month during the week from 6:30-8:30pm. We will occasionally meet on weekends during daytime hours. *extended hours on this one 1-5pm feel free stop by anytime or stay the whole time- no pressure on timing.

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 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

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Join us for a free in-person seminar where you will get knowledge and tools to build your confidence. Do you ever: -Feel isolated -Can't express yourself openly -Get nervous or anxious in front of people -Run out of things to say or feel tongue-tied -Feel introverted -Don't feel comfortable in any social setting -Can't make more friends -Are shy and miss opportunities to connect in a meaningful way At this workshop we will cover what you can do about any one, some or all of the above. This seminar is the weapon against loneliness, isolation and boredom, come join us! COME TO THIS SEMINAR AND LEARN THE SECRETS TODAY This seminar is brought to you by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center. 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

Let’s meet and discuss whatever comes to mind about one of Tennesse Williams’ most famous plays.

Come check us out! You will have a wonderful time! The music and friendships are life-changing!

**The idea for this group is to build a community where men can gather together and build connections & learn and grow from each other.** How we start each meeting is by each of us checking in with our "roses and thorns" aka what are the good things and the bad things going on in your life recently? Then we will go into a topic discussion. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS** \*\*THERE WILL BE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR NO-SHOWS. IF YOU RSVP TO A MEETING AND FAIL TO SHOW UP WITHOUT NOTICE, YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUP. THIS IS TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE GROUP\*\* 1. Confidentiality - EVERYTHING that is shared NEVER leaves this space so that this space remains safe and sacred. There is a zero tolerance policy for this. If a man is in violation of this, they will be permanently removed from the group. 2. Non-Judgement - we respect and honor every man’s truth so that we may receive the same from others. While we may not agree on everything, we commit to respecting every man’s perspectives and engaging in honorable discussion with one another. 3. Be committed - honor your commitment to this group and to yourself. If you attend a meeting, please commit yourself fully to the meeting. Also be committed to your own journey. When we fail, we own it & clean it up. 4. Speak from the heart - this is NOT a space to “look good”, have the “right” answers, and have it all together. Relax and know you are not alone. Be exactly who you are within the safety of this space. 5. Be supportive - This means always willing to provide encouragement to your fellow men, encourage action and momentum in each other’s lives.. Be willing to challenge each other. Be willing to hold each other accountable. 6. Participation - what you receive from this community will be a reflection of what you put into it. Period. We ask that you share your perspectives, reflect on others, and give/receive support when and where it’s needed.

Our group, KIND MEALS, will be picking up the tab for pizzas, at MIKEY'S LATE NIGHT SLICE, on Sunday, February 8th from 12-2pm. We will be trying out MIKEY'S Vegan Fake-ass BBQ Chick'n pizza and Vegan Fake-ass Pepperoni pizza, as well as some other special vegan pizzas that are served there. All the vegan pizzas are covered with Selfish Cow vegan cheese. The pizza is free, drinks on your own. Join us to learn more about **[KIND MEALS](https://kindmealscolumbus.org)** (a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Cols. Ohio, providing hunger relief services to those in need). All of the food we serve is fresh and vegan! If you love working with community, being of service, looking to hang with some fun like-minded people, and just love to socialize on a Sunday afternoon, join us for some FREE vegan pizzas at MIKEY'S LATE NIGHT on 4th and Main. Mikey said the more the merrier!

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.