Sustainability

Let's meet at the CNC meetup on Thursday, May 21st, 2026, at 15:00 CET. **Location:** VSHNtower, 8th floor, Neugasse 10, 8005 Zürich **Agenda:** Would you like to speak at this event? Contact us at [https://cnc-meetup.ch](https://cnc-meetup.ch)! Guidelines: * All sessions are held in English. * No product or sales pitches are allowed. * All projects showcased should be open source. * We cannot cover travel costs, but we welcome speakers from other regions. * We're seeking more diversity among our speakers: underrepresented groups are welcome! 14:30 – Door Opening 15:00 – Welcome, Intro, & Announcements 15:05 – Kuberik: Safe, Hands-Off Deployments for Kubernetes (Luka Rumora) 15:35 – 5 minutes pause 15:40 – Kubernetes Without the Operator: A Minecraft Panel with Rust and kube-rs (Hadi Cherkaoui, CM Informatik AG) 16:10 – 5 minutes pause 16:15 – Vibe Code Survival Guide for Open-Source (Vadim Bauer, 8gears) 16:45 – 5 minutes pause 16:50 - Writing a Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler Provider with externalgrpc (Marco De Luca, VSHN) 17:20 – Final words, networking & apéro Kuberik: Safe, Hands-Off Deployments for Kubernetes (Luka Rumora) Most teams deploying to Kubernetes end up in one of two places: either GitOps that stops at applying manifests, or brittle CI pipelines full of bash and glue. Both fall short of true end-to-end delivery. The ideal is well known—canaries, health checks, smoke tests, promotions, rollback—but Kubernetes lacks a native, reusable way to compose these without reinventing everything. Existing tools solve pieces (Argo Rollouts, Flagger, Kargo), but not the whole pipeline. Kuberik fills that gap: it orchestrates the full journey from release to production—detecting, gating, rolling out, verifying, and promoting—using opinionated, pluggable Kubernetes resources that integrate with existing GitOps setups. Luka is a Lead SRE with 10 years of experience building platform infrastructure and internal developer tooling, always with the same focus: systems that are robust, easy to maintain, and a pleasure to use. Over the years, he has watched the delivery tooling landscape change, from Jenkins to GitLab CI to Drone to GitHub Actions, yet the fundamental approach to CD has stayed the same: step-based pipelines with the same challenges they had a decade ago. He built Kuberik because he believes we can do better. Kubernetes Without the Operator: A Minecraft Panel with Rust and kube-rs (Hadi Cherkaoui, CM Informatik AG) Anvil is a Kubernetes-native Minecraft server panel written in Rust. It creates one StatefulSet, PVC, and Service per server through direct kube-rs calls, with no CRD and no controller. The Kubernetes API itself is the runtime state store; every user action is a direct API call. This 20-minute talk argues that the operator pattern is sometimes the wrong tool. Controllers earn their complexity when there's autonomous state to reconcile. They become a ceremony when there isn't. Anvil is a worked example of the imperative alternative, running on a home lab k0s cluster. Hadi Cherkaoui is a 17-year-old EFZ Plattformentwickler apprentice at CM Informatik AG in Schwerzenbach, ZH. He works daily with k0s and FluxCD, and is interested in Kubernetes, Rust, infrastructure automation, and homelab projects. Vibe Code Survival Guide for Open-Source (Vadim Bauer, Container-Registry.ch) Vibe code is flooding open-source projects with an ever-growing volume of pull requests and ideas. Banning AI contributions isn't the answer, yet it is difficult to resist. How can open source projects survive and keep progressing despite the pressure? This talk covers the project playbook we're building in CNCF Harbor and Harbor Satellite: defining a clear project direction so contributors, human or AI-assisted, know what's in scope before they contribute. Setting explicit acceptance criteria and guardrails. Using AI on the maintainer side to triage, review, and filter the growing volume of contributions. Deciding as a project where your boundaries are, what's core, what's an extension, and what's out of scope, so you stop drowning in well-intentioned feature PRs that slowly erode coherence. We share what works, what fails, and how we are rethinking open-source, contributions, community, and project Vadim Bauer is a Container Silverback with over a decade of experience in running containers in production. As a maintainer of the CNCF project Harbor, he focuses on extending the boundaries of OCI artifact management, adoption, and developer experience. At 8gears, Vadim helps cloud providers, ISVs, and enterprises adopt Harbor and use OCI capabilities. Writing a Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler Provider with externalgrpc (Marco De Luca, VSHN) The Kubernetes Cluster Autoscaler decides when to scale, but it doesn't know how to create a VM. That's the cloud provider's job, and the upstream tree covers mostly big clouds. With externalgrpc, you can plug virtually any cloud into the autoscaler over gRPC. This talk first looks at how the Cluster Autoscaler works under the hood and where the cloud provider fits in. Then we walk through implementing one for a Swiss IaaS provider as an out-of-tree gRPC service: the design choices, the parts of the contract that matter, and the gotchas you only find by reading the autoscaler source. By the end, you'll know how to attach autoscaling to a cloud that isn't on the upstream list. Marco De Luca is a software/infrastructure engineer at VSHN AG. He spends most of his time on Kubernetes platforms, developer tooling, and making sure things don't break at 3 AM. At mdnix.io, he writes about infrastructure, Linux, Kubernetes, and the things he builds along the way. When he's not behind a terminal, he's somewhere in the Alps with his camera or having a private jam session with his guitar. The event will be recorded and made available on VSHN's YouTube channel: [https://vshn.tv](https://vshn.tv). Subscribe to stay notified of updates. We expect all participants to abide by VSHN's Conference Code of Conduct: [https://www.vshn.ch/en/code-of-conduct/](https://www.vshn.ch/en/code-of-conduct/) If you would like to share your cloud-native projects at the CNC Switzerland meetup events or sponsor future events, just send us your talk suggestion here: https://cnc-meetup.ch. We look forward to hearing from you!

Prepare for an hilarious evening as [Chris Darwa](https://www.instagram.com/chrisdarwa/), one of Zürich's favorite comedic talents, presents "BARBARIC" for a special taping event of the show! Tickets: https://eventfrog.ch/barbariczurich *BARBARIC* is fast, intense, and packed with tight jokes, the show explores the chaos of becoming single again after more than a decade in a relationship. Chris pulls the audience straight into the inner world of a newly single man navigating modern dating, younger partners, and the absurd realities of trying to start over. His observations are clever, self-awar,e and proudly unfiltered, embracing the “barbaric” side of romantic reinvention with big comedic payoff. **About Chris Darwa:** Originally from Australia, Chris has carved out a prominent place in the European comedy scene. He's toured internationally, supported acclaimed comedians like Tony Law and Jessica Michelle Singleton, and rocked stages from the UK to the US. A regular host and performer in Switzerland's burgeoning comedy scene, Chris's comedic prowess and infectious energy make every show a unique and unforgettable experience. **Warning:** This show contains mature content and offensive humor – come prepared to laugh uproariously and leave politically correctness at the door!

https://www.komoot.com/de-de/collection/2875816/-pizza-gravel-zurich Pizza Gravel Zurich plans social rides on mixed surface around Zurich. Enjoy a nice ride and pizza afterwards. Please check the Komoot Pizza Gravel Zuruch collection for the upcoming tour.

Come and get you **Comedy Brew**, your fix of English Stand-Up Comedy! We serve a fresh, locally sourced 'menu' of 10 comedians, as organic as your favorite farm-to-table meal, all geared up to make you laugh out loud. **Tickets at:** [https://bit.ly/iyfcb](https://bit.ly/iyfcb) Unleash your laughter at [ROBIN's coffee](https://maps.app.goo.gl/E1e3H9GRDDJaPK8z9), the coziest New York-style coffee bar in the heart of Zürich. **Dare to Make 'Em Laugh? 🎤😂** Ever fantasized about grabbing the mic and cracking some jokes yourself? Well, your dream could come true! Visit [our performer's page](https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/perform/) to find out how you can take the stage and spread laughs like a pro. **See You There! 🎤😂** Come down to ROBIN's, break some bread, share some laughs, and maybe even catch the comedy bug yourself! See you there every Thursday! Powered by IN YOUR FACE Comedy 🌟 [Check Us Out!](https://instragram.com/inyourfacecomedy/) **Tickets at:** [https://eventfrog.ch/comedybrew](https://eventfrog.ch/comedybrew) **Frequently Asked Questions** * ***Is the show really in English?*** Absolutely. Every set is performed in English by a mix of Swiss-based and international comics, so no Swiss-German skills required. * ***What’s a “Comedy Open Mic”?*** It’s the testing ground for jokes. Pros road-test fresh material and brave newcomers grab their first five minutes. Expect some gems, some flops—and the fun of seeing comedy born in real time. * ***Will it be funny?*** Most of the time, yes! An open mic is a roller-coaster: seasoned acts, new voices, and the occasional glorious train-wreck. It’s all part of the charm. * ***Can I perform too?*** Yes - you need to book a spot - find out more about how to do it here: [https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/perform/](https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/perform/). * ***Do I need to buy tickets in advance?*** Please do. We’re usually running around before the show and door sales slow things down. If you’re stuck, we’ll try, but no promises. Link to tickets as at [https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/comedybrew/](https://inyourfacecomedy.ch/comedybrew/) * ***How does seating work?*** First come, first served so grab a drink, snag a seat, and settle in. * ***Is food available at the bar?*** ROBIN’s serves drinks only. For a pre-show bite, try **Restaurant Johanniter** (classic Swiss) or **Holy Cow!** across the street for burgers. * ***Will the comedians pick on me?*** We chat with the crowd for laughs, not humiliation. Friendly banter only - you’re safe. * ***How long is the show?*** Doors open 7:30pm, show starts \~7:50pm with a 15 min break in the middle ending around 10pm. Enough time for the last trams home... * ***Age limit?*** All ages welcome of course 16+ recommended (adult themes, spicy language).

Hares are Big Top & Spermalbad. Come and join us! **Where**: Zürich Hegibachplatz / Minervastrasse, Forchstrasse 95, 8032 Zürich. Look for English speakers wearing running gear. **When:** We'll meet at 6:50 pm to start at 7:00 pm. There's a charge of CHF 5 for participating, which covers all you can drink beer/cider (and non-alcoholic alternatives) plus snacks afterwards. **All Welcome:** If you are new, curious, and want to get out of the house, stretch your legs, talk shit, enjoy a drink, and hopefully a laugh, then here's what you need to know: • We are a social running/walking group. Physical fitness is not required, but a sense of humour is helpful. • The aim is to find the '*Beer Stop*' at the end of the '*trail*' and to have fun. • 'True Trail' is 4-7 km. Some will go less (especially those walking or walk/running), and some over-achieving fast runners will go further. • The '*Hare*', who (along with the location) changes with each event, cleverly lays the trail, marking it with chalk, flour, and/or sawdust so that everyone reaches the end more or less at the same time. • There is always a place to deposit your bag, and sometimes a place to change. • **After Trail**, we group in the '*Circle*' for \~30-40 minutes for drinks, snacks, songs, and fun. This is typically outside, so leave something warm in your bag in winter (and bring a flashlight when it's dark). If you don't want to stand around drinking afterwards, you can head home. We occasionally all go to a restaurant afterwards. **Why bother leaving your warm & dry sofa?** If you enjoy getting outside, being around people, and doing something a bit different, you will probably enjoy hashing. Exercise is important, and this is probably the least boring way to get it. 'Hashing' and the idea of some physical activity to work up a thirst, have been around for almost 90 years and there are groups (*Hashes*) in most major cities. Its humor and 'traditions' can be explored on the internet - **or you can just come along and find out.** *See you there.* We are of many nationalities, all ages, full of misfits and idiots (at least there is no one taking themselves seriously!) and always welcome newbies 'Virgin Hashers' and visitors from other groups. For more about Zürich Hash House Harriers, check out [www.zh3.ch](http://www.zh3.ch/) ( [http://www.zh3.ch/](http://www.zh3.ch/) )

Korfball is a dynamic, no contact, mixed gender team sport. It pulls together aspects of netball, handball and basketball to form an unique and inclusive game. We will do some exercises, practice, play some games and have fun! :) Everyone is welcome to training, no experience required. Don't be misled by the low sign ups, our regulars don't use meet-up. We are usually 6-10 people. What to bring: sports clothes, (clean) indoor shoes, water bottle More info about us here: www.korfballzurich.ch We look forward to seeing you there! :)

**🌿 Welcome to Indian Vegan Brunch in Zürich! 🌿** Join us for a cozy, culture‑rich Sunday brunch crafted by passionate home cooks who love sharing the flavors, stories, and lesser‑known dishes of India. Our brunch is fully vegan, rooted in the belief that plant‑based eating can be joyful, nourishing, and deeply flavorful. We aim to show how Indian home cooking naturally lends itself to veganism through its rich traditions, regional diversity, and reliance on wholesome ingredients. Every dish is prepared freshly with care, using high‑quality ingredients. We cook exclusively with cold‑pressed oils, without refined flour or refined sugar. We also cook seasonally and source ingredients thoughtfully, so the menu may vary slightly depending on availability. And because community matters to us, any profits from this brunch will be donated to charity. 🌞 **Brunch Menu for 24.05.2026** Savory dishes * [GF] Ameri Khaman * [GF] Podi Idly * [GF] Poha * Vaneer (Vegan Paneer) Paratha * Bombay Sandwich * Khakhra Sweet dishes * Pineapple Halva * [GF] Nachni (Millets) Kheer * [GF] Sweet Potato Rabdi * [GF] Laddoo * [GF] Seasonal fruits Drinks (One included) * Lili Chai no Kadho (Indian Green tea) * Chai (Indian tea) * Haidar Dudh (Turmeric milk) * Raw Mango Panna Sides * Raita * Chutney varities 💚 What Makes This Brunch Special 💚 * Our brunch is fully vegan, celebrating plant‑based eating through authentic Indian flavors. * We share dishes that reflect our heritage and everyday Indian home kitchens. * We highlight non‑famous, regional specialties rarely found in restaurants. * We use cold‑pressed oils, natural sweeteners, and quality ingredients that honor traditional methods. * Our cooking is seasonal, mindful, and rooted in sustainability. Keeping in mind the ayurvedic principles of *satvic* food, we avoid onion, garlic and mushrooms in our cooking, * The menu is subject to change based on ingredient availability and seasonal inspiration. * Profits, if any, go to charity. * Tickets: [Indian Vegan Brunch in Zürich! in Zürich | Eating & Drinking](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/eating-drinking/indian-vegan-brunch-in-zuerich-7452449384258637687.html)

Dieser Ernährungszirkel ist eine offene Gesprächsrunde rund um Ernährung im Alltag. DE Viele Menschen fühlen sich im Alltag unsicher oder gestresst im Umgang mit Essen – genau dafür soll dieser Raum da sein. Es geht nicht um Regeln oder perfekte Ernährung, sondern um ehrlichen Austausch, neue Perspektiven und einen entspannteren Umgang mit dem Thema. Du kannst einfach kommen, zuhören oder dich einbringen – ganz so, wie es für dich passt. \- Kleine Gruppe \(ca\. 3–8 Personen\) \- Austausch statt Vortrag \- Ohne Druck oder Bewertung Anmeldung ist willkommen, spontanes Kommen ist aber auch möglich. EN This nutrition circle is an open discussion group about food and everyday life. Many people feel unsure or stressed about eating – this space is here for exactly that. It’s not about rules or perfect nutrition, but about honest conversations, new perspectives, and a more relaxed relationship with food. You can simply come, listen, or share – whatever feels right for you. \- Small group \(approx\. 3–8 people\) \- Discussion\, not a lecture \- No pressure or judgment Registration is welcome, but spontaneous participation is also possible.

Sundays, 2pm-3pm. Trial class: CHF 20 Drop-in: CHF 35 Book here: www.balancewithale.com/zurich/handstand "I'll never be able to handstand". You kick at the wall but see no progress. Your wrists hurt. You don't know how to improve... It doesn't have to be this way. Progress doesn't come from trying harder — it comes from practicing smarter. Handstands are a skill, and when you train them as such, they begin to click in a way that feels almost magical. This class builds the foundations (strength, alignment and technique) that make handstands feel achievable and fun. Through clear progressions and personalized drills, you'll discover how capable your body truly is, and how handstands start to feel within reach when you train with intention and support. Because drills are tailored to you, the class welcomes all levels — from "I've never kicked up before" to confident freestanding balancers who want to develop greater control.

☀️ Summer Yoga & Brunch at Zurich Lake ☀️ **Free Event \| All levels welcome \| Perfect for first\-timers** 🗓 Date: **Sunday, 24 May** 🕗 Time: **10:30 – 13:00** 📍 Location: Wollishofen Join us for the opening of our Summer Yoga at the Lake series — and let's start this season together as a community 🌿 🧘 What we'll do: We start at 10:30 with a 60-minute Hatha Yoga class by the lake. This session is built around the foundations of yoga, welcoming everyone from first-timers to regular practitioners. *** 🥐 After yoga we stay together for a relaxed, picnic-style brunch. Bring your favourite breakfast things and enjoy the lake✨. What to bring: 🧘 Yoga mat 👟 Comfortable clothes (layers recommended for the morning) 💧 Water bottle 🥐 Your own brunch to share the vibe To stay up to date join the WhatsApp group 🌿 [https://chat.whatsapp.com/JjcN8KKelJ7L5kNT40j6vT](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JjcN8KKelJ7L5kNT40j6vT) Spots are limited — RSVP to save your place. See you lakeside! 🌊

On Ascention Day it was a nice hike along the Limmat with a stop-over that has pushed the word «Steam» into the event title. Well, here is the sequel...: Along river Reuss to Brugg. To note: This is a REAL hike of 20 km and 5¼ hours with, as an option, at the end a visit to the open days of the historic train collection at Bahnpark Brugg with steam engines in operation. ############################## MEETING & OUTBOUND TRAVEL: * 07:50h: Meet at Zürich HB under the «Blue Angel» * 07:55h: Leave for platform 17 * 08:03h: IR16 Zürich HB (platform 17, dir. Bern) to Baden * 08:27h: Postauto 322 (dir. Bremgarten) to «Stetten AG, Künterstrasse» * 08:50h: Postauto 336 (dir. Wohlen) to «Niederwil AG, Gnadenthal» * 08:53h: Arrival at Gnadenthal & start of the hike HIKE DATA: * Duration: 5¼ hrs * Distance: 20 km * Ascent/Descent: 410m/420m * SAC classification: T1 * Map: [https://schweizmobil.ch/en/tour/841371526](https://schweizmobil.ch/en/tour/841371526) LUNCH: * Picnic HIGHLIGHTS: * Scenic hike along the Reuss River * «Bahnpark Brugg» historic train collection ([https://www.bahnpark-brugg.ch/de/home](https://www.bahnpark-brugg.ch/de/home)) * In 2023 and 2025 the route to Brugg was completely different, but the destination the same: \- Photos from 2025: [https://www.meetup.com/zurich-hike-outdoor/photos/35385831/](https://www.meetup.com/zurich-hike-outdoor/photos/35385831/) \- Photos from 2023: [https://www.meetup.com/zurich-hike-outdoor/photos/33580195/](https://www.meetup.com/zurich-hike-outdoor/photos/33580195/) * Wikipedia: [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Bahnpark_Region_Brugg](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiftung_Bahnpark_Region_Brugg) FINISH / Option 1 / BRUGG AG STATION: * 15:00h-ish at Brugg AG train station * Connections back to Zürich from Brugg AG station: Five trains per hour FINISH / Option 2 / BAHNPARK BRUGG: * 15:15h-ish: Arrival at «Bahnpark Brugg» and finish of the hike * Optional: Visit to the train collection * Admission fee: Free of charge * Open until 17:00h * See HIGHLIGHTS for links to «Bahnpark Brugg» * Connections back to Zürich from Brugg AG station: Five trains per hour COST / TICKET PRICE w/Halbtax: Total ticket cost from/to Zürich HB: CHF 18.70 w/HT * Outbound: CHF 8.50 w/HT * Admission fee: None * Return: CHF 10.20 w/HT COST / TICKET PRICE w/GA: * Fully covered ############################## DISCLAIMER: By joining the walk you accept the terms listed here. This is NOT a guided tour. Instead, this is a get-together of individuals who themselves are responsible for their judgement, choices and actions. It is your own responsibility to prepare appropriately before the event: You need to understand what activity is foreseen, assess the difficulty, risks and dangers and the expected weather conditions. Furthermore, you need to assess the requirements regarding experience, capabilities and fitness condition, and judge if you personally have the necessary experience, capabilities and fitness level. You yourself also need to assure adequate preparation, equipment (boots, clothes, gear...) and insurance cover and do everything as if you were going by yourself. During the event it is also your own responsibility to apply your own judgement and to take considerate responsible decisions yourself, fully within your own responsibility and judgement. The event is entirely at your own risk. The organiser also does not warrant on the accuracy or completeness of the description above. The organiser just offers you to join one another and to go together, but holds no responsibility for anything, including injuries or death that might result directly or indirectly from this event.

**[⚠️ >>Ticket needed (click here)<<](https://eventfrog.ch/en/p/dating/other-events/brunch-museum-visit-singles-only-30-45-y-7459989190387727280.html) or** **[www.social-circle.ch](https://social-circle.ch/)** 🥐 **Brunch & Museum of the Future** **Singles only \| Ages 30–45** Looking to meet new people in Zurich in a relaxed and meaningful way — without loud bars or forced small talk? Join us for a curated brunch at **Ribelli**, followed by a shared cultural experience at the **Museum für Gestaltung Zürich**. ✨ **Why join?** * Meet like-minded singles (30–45) in a natural, pressure-free setting * Connect through a shared experience, not just small talk * Enjoy the perfect mix of social interaction, culture, and creativity * Ideal for those who appreciate curiosity, deep conversations, and good vibes 🍽 **Brunch at Ribelli** At **Ribelli**, Italian hospitality meets urban flair. Inspired by the Mediterranean—from Sicily to Tuscany—the menu is fresh, colourful, and made to be shared. Ribelli is a lively place to sit together and enjoy Mediterranean joy of life – spontaneous, sociable, and relaxed. 🎨 **Museum Experience** After brunch, explore the **Museum für Gestaltung Zürich**, home to Switzerland’s largest international design collection. The **Swiss Design Collection** presents around 2,500 objects spanning graphic design, typography, poster design, textiles, product design, and applied arts. Dive into the archive, see the objects up close, and discover the unique stories behind each creation. The integrated studio allows you to experiment, create your own designs, or simply enjoy the creative atmosphere. 💬 **Join our group for this event:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FoJN0DzRQgF232huSHiGOi) ℹ️ **Practical info** * Included: museum entrance * ❗Food is not included * Limited spots to keep the group intimate and balanced * Come solo — leave inspired, connected, and maybe with someone new to explore the future with ​**Important:** Tickets are **non-refundable**. Pictures might be taken during the event, if you do not want it please let the organizer know. ​Want more events like this? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DaGFCvKs6iu62pftk5cotM)

Community Backyards Workshop Join us at the Ohio Herb Center in Gahanna to learn about sustainable home gardening. We can make small changes in our yards to make a BIG impact for a better environment and healthier waterways while saving money. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek and hosted by Ohio Herb Center. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but NOT required. Click here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/65f65aw (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) * Location: Ohio Herb Center, 110 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 * Date and time: Sat, May 23, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM * Organizer: The Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

Community Backyards Workshop .Community Backyards Workshop - Westerville Join us for the Westerville Community Backyards workshop! This is a FREE class on how you can protect our waterways and environment with small changes in your gardening habits. We will discuss rain barrels, rain gardens, composting, and native plants. This workshop is presented by Friends of Alum Creek. By attending, any participating community resident can receive a voucher for a rain barrel, compost bin, or native plants for attending. Vouchers are limited to one per household per year. Registration in advance is encouraged but not required. * Location: Westerville Community Center, 350 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43082 * Date and time: Sat, May 30, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM * Organizer: Community Backyards Program, (614) 486-9613, communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org (Free Workshop Registration: Registration is free. Registering in advance provides your information to Franklin Soil and Water ahead of time, so when you come to the workshop, we will have your voucher ready for you when you arrive) https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/h2w5ms8 **FAQs** **Our Community Backyards workshops are FREE and a great way to participate in the rebate program. Our workshops are typically 1 to 1 and a half hours long and held in-person. Our workshops cover the same content as the online course, but they are more detailed and allow the chance to ask questions and have discussions with the presenters and other residents. We occassionally have "advanced topics" classes where you dive deeper into one topic of Community Backyards such as invasive vs. native plants or rain gardens.** **Registration is encouraged but not required.** You can register in advance to receive your voucher at the workshop. If you don't register in advance, that's okay - you can still show up (unless otherwise noted - which is very rare) and sign up for a voucher at the class, and we will send you one via email or mail within a few business days after the workshop. **"Do I have to be a resident of that community to attend that workshop?"** Nope! Our workshops are open to everyone (unless otherwise noted - which is extremely rare). You can attend a workshop that best suits your schedule even if it is in a different community than your own. **"Why is registration closed?** Can I just show up?" Yes, you can show up without registering! We close registration typically 1-2 days before the workshop to give the vouchers and materials to the presenters. However, you are always welcome to just show up and fill out a short form to request a voucher at the workshop. If eligible, we will send one to you within 1-2 business days after the workshop. **Voucher note**: Classes are free for everyone but vouchers are for residents of Franklin county or participating community (list here: https://www.communitybackyards.org/participate) 2026 Participating Vendors: City Folk's Farm Shop, Fisher's Gardens, Leaves for Wildlife, Scioto Gardens, Hoover Gardens & Gift Center, and the FSWCD/SWACO Compost Bin Sale. *when redeeming your voucher at a vendor, Please bring a physical copy of your voucher to receive an immediate discount on your purchase. Additionally, to keep up with number of vouchers that are given out, we have changed the expiration date on the vouchers to 30 days

The number of ticks and tick diseases in Ohio have quickly multiplied over the last 10 years. Dean Kreager discusses tick species, tick pathogens, tick-borne diseases, tick bite prevention, and proper tick removal. Kreager is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator with OSU Extension in Licking County * Lakewood Public Library (in Hebron)- May 26 at 7pm [https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/tick-talk-29621](https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/tick-talk-29621) * Johnstown public library at 7:00 pm June 8 [https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/ctick-talk-29622](https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/ctick-talk-29622) Free to attend, no RSVP needed

Wild Ones Columbus Annual Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 23th, 2026 9:00 am to 1:00 pm (Eastern Time) Overbrook Presbyterian Church Parking Lot, 4131 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43214 Public Welcome, Family-Friendly Free Event A wide variety of native flowering plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees will be available from Wild Ones Columbus and local vendors Natives in Harmony, Leaves for Wildlife, and Scioto Gardens. Wild Ones will publish a list of plants that will be available at this year's sale closer to the event date. Be sure to stop by! Show up anytime!

SAVE THE DATE! POLLINATOR PATHWAY + LICKING LAND TRUST Native Plant Sale Saturday, May 30, 2026 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon Granville Farmers Market Raccoon Valley Park 1225 River Road | Granville Plant package pre-order available as of 6-May at this link [https://lickinglandtrust.org/store/plant-sale](https://lickinglandtrust.org/store/plant-sale) Sun, Shade and Native Tea garden packages available

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.