Storytelling

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jump in our whtsapp group,introduce yourself, start connect,put your ideas and lets hangout and make friends https://chat.whatsapp.com/EDf4HaUjK4gLMMQeiOsllt Athens, let’s make Thursday night about connection that actually matters. This is a social language exchange designed for real conversations, cultural exchange, and meeting new people—set inside the warm, lively atmosphere of Mint Bar ✨ Whether you want to practice English, Greek, Spanish, French, or simply meet people from around the world, this space is built for easy, natural interaction. No pressure. No judgment. Just conversation, laughs, and good energy. 🌊 How the Night Works • We gather around big shared tables 🪑 • Start with small, natural conversations 💬 • Every 15–20 minutes, people naturally rotate and meet someone new 🔄 • Share languages, cultural stories, travel experiences, or ideas 🌍 • Some people dance 💃🕺, some relax 😌, some do both • Stay as long as you like, move at your own pace ✨ The structure is light and flexible—enough flow to keep things dynamic, enough freedom to keep it relaxed. This is conversation in motion. 🤝 Who You’ll Meet Locals, expats, travelers, creatives, and curious minds ✨ People who enjoy learning, sharing, and connecting beyond surface-level small talk. I’ll be there all night 👋 Introducing people, connecting groups, and keeping the energy flowing ⚡ Coming alone? Perfect. This event is designed so solo guests blend in easily and leave with new connections 🤍 🍷 Community Drink Deals • Sangria — €3 🍷 • Shots — €2.5 🥃 • Cocktails — €7 🍸 • Beer — €5 large / €4 small 🍺 Affordable, social, and stress-free. 🎶 Music & Atmosphere Upbeat enough to keep the energy alive 🎧 Soft enough to actually talk 💬 A warm, inclusive vibe where people—not noise—are the focus ✨ 📍 Event Details 📅 Every Thursday 🕣 20:30 – 00:00 📍 Mint Bar → https://maps.app.goo.gl/thKjPZDwyEvegVWD9 🎟 Entry: FREE (just say you’re with the community) 🌟 Why This Night Works • Meet people from all over the world 🌍 • Practice languages through real conversation 🗣️ • New faces every week, familiar energy every time 🤍 • A social setting that feels easy, open, and human • Start your night with connection—and let it unfold naturally 🔥 💫 Final Thought Thursday nights don’t have to be random. They can be social. They can be intentional. They can be fun and meaningful. Come for a drink 🍸 Stay for the conversation 💬 Leave with stories, smiles, and new friends 🤍🔥 Thursday = Mint Bar Social & Language Exchange See you there. Mamad – The organiser of Athens locals&Travellers events Whtsapp 00306949528622 Follow us on instagram And make us grow Thanks in advance https://www.instagram.com/athenslocalstravellers?igsh=MWM4MTh4c2p5M3NxdA== travel, meetup night, night out, city adventures, bar night, social event, friendship, network, mingle, explore city, evening fun, solo night, group meetup, local hangout, international friends, nightlife lovers, weekend fun, party vibes, cocktails night, live music, clubbing, coffee meet, brunch meetup, cultural events, street tours, urban life, nightlife adventure, new connections, chat night, fun night, singles meetup, evening drinks, meet & greet, food tour, sightseeing, art events, music night, rooftop bar, sunset party, festival, theater night, karaoke night, games night, pub crawl, city nightlife, travel buddies, hangout night, casual dating ταξίδια, meetup βράδυ, νυχτερινή έξοδος, περιπέτεια πόλης, βραδιά μπαρ, κοινωνική εκδήλωση, φιλία, δικτύωση, γνωριμίες, εξερεύνηση πόλης, βραδινή διασκέδαση, μόνος βράδυ, ομάδα meetup, τοπικό hangout, διεθνείς φίλοι, λάτρεις της νυχτερινής ζωής, Σαββατοκύριακο διασκέδαση, vibes πάρτι, βραδιά κοκτέιλ, ζωντανή μουσική, κλαμπ, καφές meetup, brunch meetup, πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις, περιήγηση δρόμου, ζωή στην πόλη, νυχτερινή περιπέτεια, νέες συνδέσεις, βραδιά κουβέντας, διασκεδαστική νύχτα, meetup σινγκλς, βραδιά ποτών, γνωριμία & χαιρετισμός, food tour, αξιοθέατα, εκδηλώσεις τέχνης, μουσική βραδιά, ταράτσα μπαρ, πάρτι ηλιοβασιλέματος, φεστιβάλ, θέατρο βραδιά, karaoke βραδιά, παιχνίδια βραδιά, pub crawl, νυχτερινή ζωή πόλης, ταξιδιωτικοί φίλοι, hangout βράδυ, casual ραντεβού

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

The topic for April is "Water" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Try new games, meet new people, and find out what story games are all about! Explore the reaches of space! Witness kingdoms rise and fall! Create and explore tragedies! All within a single game night. We play story games like Fiasco, Kingdom, Polaris and Microscope that encourage everyone at the table to participate creatively. We also have one-shots of indie, OSR, and narrative-focused RPGs such as Apocalypse World, Dread, Lady Blackbird, and Old School Essentials! Everybody's welcome! It doesn't matter if you've never tried story games before or never played roleplaying games at all! Just bring your brain and a good attitude and come try it out! *** **IMPORTANT** * When you arrive look for the marked Story Games Columbus Tables. Each table will have a separate game. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. * If all tables are full, look for a Facilitator. We will find a way to get you into a game! * There is a flat $3 cover charge for events at Tabletop. *** **Facilitators!!** Please arrive early so that we can get you set up with a table. Please reach out to me ASAP if you would be willing to help facilitate. You can reach me on the SGC Discord here - https://discord.gg/jUTvWUu

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

We thought of one of the interesting things that can be enjoyed at this time of the year. We will be meeting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for a "Fish Fry" in Marian Hall on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 PM. It might be fun for you to experience what has become a tradition on the Fridays before Easter. They will have fried fish or baked fish, French fries and Cole slaw, as well as beverages, all for $16.00 for adults. They will have other beverages and desserts available for sale, as well. We have never tried this, and sometimes there are quite a few people at these events so we hope that we will be able to find each other easily. I'll try to have signs outside Marian Hall that Identify our group. We hope to have you join us!

FREE meetup. Register HERE 🎟️- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlocking-retirement-capital-flips-wholesales-private-money-strategies-tickets-1983411263481?aff=cicmeetupapp **Unlocking Retirement Capital: Flips, Wholesales & Private Money Strategies in Self-Directed Accounts** **Featuring Guest Speaker:** Amanda Holbrook (Specialized Trust Company) **Hosted by:** Columbus Investors Club ### **Event Description** Most people think retirement accounts are passive. That they’re “for later.”That you can’t touch them. That real estate and retirement money don’t mix. They’re wrong. This meetup is about how investors use **Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401(k)s** to put retirement capital to work…**buying real estate, funding deals, and even raising private money** (the right way). ### **Featured Guest Speaker: Amanda Holbrook** We’re excited to welcome **Amanda Holbrook of Specialized Trust Company** to break this down clearly and practically…so you understand what’s allowed, how it works, and what to avoid. ### **What You’ll Learn** Amanda will walk through: **Flip inside a Self-Directed IRA or Solo-401(k)** * How to structure the deal correctly * How expenses must be handled * When UBIT may apply **Wholesale within a retirement account** * How assignments work * What type of income it creates **Use OPM (Other People’s Money) to scale** * How investors raise private money from Self-Directed IRAs * How to structure notes properly * How to fund deals inside **and** outside your own retirement account ### **The Core Idea** There is a lot of capital sitting in retirement accounts. This session shows you how real estate investors unlock it **without guessing, winging it, or accidentally creating a compliance mess.** ### **Who This Event Is For** * Investors flipping or wholesaling who want to understand self-directed rules * Anyone raising private money (or wanting more capital sources) * People with retirement funds who want them working harder than stocks/mutual funds ### **Event Details** **Location:** Ohio Brewing Company – 421 E 2nd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 **Date & Time:** Thursday, March 26th, 6–8 PM *(Doors open at 5:30)* **Cost:** Free *(Seats are limited — RSVP required)* **Food:** Free food included **FREE meetup. Register HERE** 🎟️- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlocking-retirement-capital-flips-wholesales-private-money-strategies-tickets-1983411263481?aff=cicmeetupapp *Disclaimer: This event is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice.*

Let’s meet and discuss this fun but moving collection of wildly creative short stories. (Photo credit: TimesNowNews.com)