Trail Races

Hello friends, It feels like "*the last hike of this year*" to me, because I'm planning it now, but in fact it will be the first hike of the year 2026, our traditional *"Happy New Year Hangover Hike"* 💫🧨✨🚀 We went the first time on 1st of January in 2020, we skipped it during the "Corona Winter" 2020/2021, resuming in 2022, which makes this the 6th time! Let me know when we meet, how many of these you attended! Let's grab some fresh air after our New Year's parties, let's wish each other a happy New Year, and let's make sure that our alcohol level goes down more slowly by consuming our leftover alcohol from last night 🤪 If there is no concept of "leftover alcohol" in your mindset, you might want to buy an extra bottle.🍾 Otherwise, feel free to bring whatever you like! 🍪🥮🍫 We will meet at the tram/bus station *"Hamilius"* at 12:00 and start the hike around 12:15. **I strongly encourage everyone to get there by public transport!** There are buses all over the place, you can take the tram or bus to *"Hamilius"* or take a bus to *"Monterey"* or *"Badanstalt";* both are within 5 minutes of walking distance 🚎🚌 I hope that everyone will be in a good mood and that you can avoid driving. There will be Glühwein, cremant, and wine; sometimes in the past, we even had champagne!🍷🥂🍾 **Itinerary:** We will walk down to Grund and Clausen, a bit towards Neudorf, then up onto the Kirchberg plateau, where I will try to discover a new area 🥾🥾 Last year, I didn't find the path, because the environment was very different in reality than it looked on the map. This time I'm more confident, and if we find it, there will be some great views across Clausen towards the city. Whether we find it or not, our next stop will be on the Kirchberg Plateau, another great view from there. Finally, we will traverse Pfaffenthal, where we are trying to find out how many hiking groups will fit into the Pfaffenthal elevator. My bet: Exactly one! Our walk will end at the Christmas market *"Wanterpark"* on the *"Kinnekswiss*". There are many options for great food and drinks, and there is a protected space where we can sit without getting cold 🍺🍷🧆🍤🥘🍗🌭🍺 The planned location for our break is the newly discovered area on the Weimershof side of the Kirchberg Plateau, if the intensity and direction of the wind allow for it. Otherwise, we continue to Kirchberg and hide in the fortifications 🏰 There, we can share our leftover Christmas cookies and drinks from the New Year parties. I will bring Glühwein and cremant and I count on you, as usual, for additional supplies! 🥂🍾🍷🍪🥮🍫🥂 The hike is at your own risk, and everyone is responsible for his/her own safety! Looking forward to hiking with you! Jens

Hello Friends! This will be the last time I'll drag you to a Christmas Market this winter, I promise! But the Austrian "Spinat Knödel" are too good, I want them one more time. If you never tried, I highly recommend, and you know what? Let me buy one for everyone who completed all the hikes of 2026! It's a different path this time again, we did parts of it already in the past, but not the whole thing end to end. Starting from Howald via Hesperange and Pulvermühl, we go back to the city, ending up at the "Wantermaart" around "Gelle Fra". Depending on the weather, our mood, and physical condition, we can do a shortcut in the end, not descending to Grund and not climbing the famous 68 steps from the Petrusse valley to place de constitution. And if someone is totally exhausted, there's an "emergency exit" in Bonnevoie/Hamm, you can take bus 9 from "Kofferfabrik" to Hamilius and wait on the Christmas market until the group arrives. We will take a few short breaks to have a sip of water or munch on a snack, but there will be no lunch break, as we plan to enjoy the food and drinks at the Christmas market after the hike, such as Bratwurst, Glühwein, Gromperekichelcher, and - of course - Spinatknödel!!! **Meeting Point:** We will meet at the tram stop "Scillas" in Howald. There are not many trains going south, but a tram every few minutes. https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2A9jyEHhWE9XNqRA If you happen to take a train to Howald from the south, like RB 6785, leaving Esch at 10:02, Schifflange at 10:06, the Howald tram station is just around the corner from Howald Gare. This is not a loop; we will start in Howald and end in the city center. Hamilius tram stop is 2 minutes from the Christmas market, you can get back there easily, in the unlikely event that you came by car and left it in Howald. Looking forward to having the last Glühwein of the season with you! (at least on a Christmas market, there might be Glühwein on some hikes again) Jens.

Vendredi 2. janvier à 18:30 - Dimanche 4. janvier 2026 à 17:00 CID Fraen an Gender, Luxembourg Tout le monde a une histoire à raconter. Mais raconter des histoires personnelles ne vient pas naturellement à tout le monde. Dans cet atelier en trois parties destiné aux adultes, vous apprendrez à raconter une histoire riche et personnelle et à emmener votre public dans votre sillage. **Quand a-t-il lieu ?** L'atelier de trois jours se déroule aux dates suivantes : **Vendredi 2 janvier, de 18 h 30 à 21 h** **13h00-19h00 le samedi 3 janvier** **13h00-17h00 le dimanche 4 janvier** **Afin de tirer le meilleur parti de l'atelier, je recommande vivement aux participants d'assister aux trois journées.** Le dernier jour, chacun aura la possibilité de raconter son histoire devant le groupe, s'il le souhaite. Le prix de participation comprend le thé et le café. Vous pouvez également apporter votre propre nourriture et des pauses rafraîchissements seront prévues pendant les trois jours. En raison du nombre de places limité, l'inscription préalable est obligatoire. [Acheter un ticket](https://fienta.com/fr/master-the-art-of-live-storytelling-3-day-course-janvier2026-156097) **Qu'est-ce que le storytelling ?** Le storytelling est une activité sociale et culturelle qui consiste à partager des histoires, parfois avec de l'improvisation, des effets théâtraux ou des embellissements. Chaque culture a ses propres histoires ou récits, qui sont partagés à des fins de divertissement, d'éducation, de préservation culturelle ou d'inculcation de valeurs morales. Si vous découvrez le storytelling, je vous recommande de regarder Mike Birbiglia et The Moth Hour sur Youtube pour comprendre notre définition du storytelling en direct. **Qu'est-ce que le storytelling n'est pas ?** Dans le cadre de cet atelier, nous ne lirons pas de textes écrits à haute voix, même si l'atelier implique de l'écriture. Le storytelling dans cet atelier n'est pas une forme de thérapie, même si nous examinerons nos récits personnels afin d'en extraire des histoires authentiques à partager. **Que dois-je apporter ?** Veuillez apporter un cahier et un stylo. Vous n'avez pas besoin de venir avec une histoire en tête. Je vous fournirai une histoire. Au cours des trois jours, je vous guiderai pas à pas à travers le processus de reformulation d'une histoire existante, de recherche de votre propre histoire et d'identification du message. Il y aura également de nombreux jeux et travaux de groupe, il est donc essentiel que les participants puissent assister aux trois sessions. **La formatrice** [Jess Bauldry](https://www.jessbauldry.eu/) est journaliste, écrivaine et artiste de stand-up. Elle est titulaire d'une maîtrise en écriture créative de l'université de Hull et a étudié l'art du storytelling à Mezrab. De nationalité britannique et luxembourgeoise, elle a cofondé le festival de comédie féministe Festrogen et fait partie du collectif de comédie luxembourgeois Frilly Curtains Comedy. Ces deux collectifs organisent des événements de storytelling. Cet atelier est organisé avec le généreux soutien de Cid Fraen an Gender.

**VERY IMPORTANT!** This Meetup group is mainly for newcomers. **In order to join us and confirm your presence please register to our official team platform:** [https://www.sporteasy.net/en/join/GD1554M/](https://www.sporteasy.net/en/join/GD1554M/) Attention: If you don't register on our official football platform we cannot guarantee that you'll play. **ABOUT THIS GROUP** This is a group for anyone interested in playing outdoor football/soccer. All skill levels are welcome. Our regular players are registered on the official DayStar team platform. If you have a decent skill level and you would like to be part of a dynamic team with a licensed coach and official sponsors, you are welcome. We have always players to organize games and we are looking forward to more players! **REGISTRATION** Register to DayStar team here: https://www.sporteasy.net/en/join/GD1554M/. If you would like to be part of an eleven-a-side football team and to play in the LuxFootball League, you are welcome to our team training. **FOLLOW US** Subscribe to our YouTube channels where you can watch the recorded games: LuxFootball League TV channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYHOLqNtBn11d-E7ZOaljew?sub_confirmation=1 DayStar Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_P6efUSOYVNl7uwbl_v3hw?sub_confirmation=1 Like and follow our Facebook page to find the latest news and events: https://www.facebook.com/daystarfc/ **Where do we play?** We play at the Stade Hollerich (Rue de l'Abattoir, 1111 Luxembourg - https://goo.gl/maps/DPUs6QLAQd244N287). We do offer changing rooms and private parking. **How much does it cost?** You must pay 10 euros before the game.

A cozy comedy show with No mandatory audience participation. No sudden bursts of light. Just laughs. Tired of comedy shows where the host singles you out in the front row or the comedian demands you shout your worst dating story? We get it. Come enjoy a night of finely crafted, thoughtful, and hilariously relatable stand-up comedy—specifically designed for the **introverts**. This is your safe haven. We feature comedians who specialize in observational humor, clever wordplay, and deep dives into the absurdities of daily life, social anxiety, and the glorious relief of canceling plans. Enjoy a cozy Sunday evening live comedy while recovering from new year's blues. Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/standup-comedy-for-introverts-tickets-1977765100656?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&_gl=1\*wzbobz\*_up\*MQ..\*_ga\*OTU0OTkzMzAyLjE3NjY0OTQyMTk.\*_ga_TQVES5V6SH\*czE3NjY0OTQyMTkkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjY0OTQyMTkkajYwJGwwJGgw

Want to practise French 🇫🇷 German 🇩🇪 English 🇬🇧 Luxembourgish 🇱🇺 — or ANY language you can find a partner for? Then join our crew of friendly expats & locals for a night of chats, laughs & global energy 🎉 In Luxembourg, speaking multiple languages is basically a superpower 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ — but this meetup is all about connection, not perfection. Beginners, pros & “I understand but can’t speak” people — all welcome 😄 Don’t feel like practising a language? 😎 No worries — you’re STILL totally welcome! come hang out, meet people & enjoy the international vibes anyway 🥂✨ Come for the languages — stay for the laughter, friendships & drinks 🍹 ✨ What You’ll Find ✔ Super chill atmosphere 😌 ✔ Expats from everywhere 🌍 ✔ Zero pressure — just vibes ✨ ✔ “How do you say…?” moments 🤔😂 ✔ Old friends & new — ❤️ 🍹 AFTER-EXCHANGE APÉRO 🤩 Languages warm-up… Drinks cool-down… Balance restored 😌🍺 Most weeks we wander to another bar afterwards for beer, bites & bonus socialising. Just follow the organisers — they know the 🔥 hotspots 😉 🪧 HOW IT WORKS ➡️ Sit with the group for the language you want to practise ➡️ Look for the table signs 📍 ➡️ Switch groups anytime — totally chill ➡️ Rare language? Post in the group & find your match 💫 ➡️ Luxembourgish shows up too 🇱🇺 ⚠️ By attending, you agree organisers can’t be held liable for regulation violations (or accidental grammar crimes 😜)

**History** [Blacklick Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods/), established in 1949, holds the distinction of being the first Columbus Metro Park. Its creation stemmed from a post-World War II push to preserve natural areas amid rapid suburban growth. The land, originally farmland and woodlots along Blacklick Creek, was acquired by the Columbus Metropolitan Park Board through donations and purchases. Early efforts focused on basic trail development and reforestation to combat erosion. The park's name derives from the creek, which early settlers called "Black Lick" due to its dark, mineral-rich waters. By the 1950s, it served as a model for the expanding Metro Parks system. In the 1960s, Blacklick Woods expanded significantly with additional land acquisitions, reaching over 600 acres. A golf course was added in 1964, one of the first public courses in the region, designed to generate revenue for park maintenance. Native American artifacts, including arrowheads from the Adena culture, were discovered during construction, highlighting the area's prehistoric use as hunting grounds. The park introduced interpretive programs to educate visitors on local ecology and history. Flood control measures along the creek became a priority after heavy rains caused damage. These developments solidified its role as a recreational hub. The 1970s and 1980s brought environmental awareness, leading to habitat restoration projects at Blacklick Woods. Invasive species were removed, and native wildflowers were planted in the meadows. A nature center opened in 1976, featuring exhibits on wetlands and forests. The park's slate-covered bridge, a remnant of 19th-century infrastructure, was preserved as a historic feature. Birdwatching gained popularity with the addition of observation decks. Community volunteers played a key role in trail maintenance and cleanups. During the 1990s, Blacklick Woods underwent major upgrades, including paved multi-use trails for biking and hiking. The Walter A. Tucker Nature Preserve, a 53-acre old-growth forest within the park, was dedicated in 1995 to protect rare beech-maple woodlands. Educational partnerships with local schools introduced field trips on topics like stream ecology. The golf course was renovated to improve playability while minimizing environmental impact. Annual events, such as the fall festival, drew thousands to celebrate the park's natural beauty. These enhancements balanced recreation with conservation. In the 21st century, Blacklick Woods has adapted to increasing visitation with sustainable practices. Solar panels were installed at facilities in the 2010s to reduce energy costs. The park now spans 643 acres, offering diverse habitats from wetlands to uplands. Recent initiatives include pollinator gardens and prescribed burns to maintain prairie areas. It remains a flagship for the Metro Parks, inspiring similar preservations system-wide. Ongoing archaeological surveys continue to uncover traces of early inhabitants. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Blacklick Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BLK-map-May-2025-with-extended-greenway_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike about 4.5 miles by doing a couple loops of the Buttonbush, Tucker, Maple Loop, and Beech trails. Blacklick Woods is a very nice park, but it is generally flat and not strenuous, so this will be one of the easier hikes that we do. **Where We'll Meet** Drive all the way to the back of the park to the parking lot that is nearest the Nature Center. There are restrooms here next to the Canopy Walk. We'll meet near these restrooms. Speaking of the [Canopy Walk](https://www.metroparks.net/blog/canopy-walk-is-your-gateway-to-the-sky/), it's not officially part of the event this time. However, if interested people want to freelance and check it out after the hike (before heading to the brewery), that's okay. **After the Hike** After we're done with the trails, we'll head to [Prost Beer & Wine Café](https://prostcafe.com/) for drinks and [food](https://prostcafe.com/reynoldsburg-prost-beer-and-wine-cafe-food-menu). The actual address of the brewery is [7354 E Main St, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068](https://www.google.com/maps/place/7354+E+Main+St,+Reynoldsburg,+OH+43068/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8838648cfb8d2dbb:0x545274bab130e9bb?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and we should be there by 5:00 if you just want to do that and skip the hike.

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

***FREE TOUR TICKET FOR ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL MEETUP MEMBERS*** Use Promo Code **MEETUP2025** to get your free ticket and route smart guide at [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sol-in-columbus-oh-a-smart-guided-short-one-way-loop-bikeway-tour-tickets-769120860197](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sol-in-columbus-oh-a-smart-guided-short-one-way-loop-bikeway-tour-tickets-769120860197) You can do the tour solo/with your favorite peeps, or try to generate a group ride of Meetup CycleNuts by RSVPing here and posting the day and time you are interested in others joining you. Either way, have fun on your memory-making adventure, and thank you for being a CycleNut! ### SOL in Columbus, OH \- A Smart\-guided Short One\-way Loop Bikeway Tour Short One-way Loop (SOL) in Columbus on bikeways. The smart-guided tour is mostly through scenic riverside parks with a quick downtown peek. All of that in 10 miles! 83% of the route is bikeway, and the rest is Google Maps designated "bicycle-friendly roads". This short ride passes through several beautiful riverside parks. Passing through downtown the route runs alongside Huntington Park baseball stadium, Nationwide Arena hockey stadium, near North Market (worth a stop if you enjoy markets with lots of tasty treats), within a few blocks of the state capitol, convention center, art museum, center of science and industry, several first-class hotels, and much more (see Points of Interest list below). Easily, anywhere along the way, the tour can be detoured to nearby points of interest. This smart-guided route comes with CycleNuts' 50% downhill guarantee. Sweating is optional. If your bike has gears, you might use them to climb in a few spots. All bikes are appropriate for this smart-guided tour (even a single-speed if you do not mind walking your bike up the spots mentioned). The route is shaded about 50% of the way. Sweating is optional - you set your pace, starting time, and touring agenda. Points of interest: COSI Scioto River North Market German Village The Scioto Mile Brewery District Huntington Park Nationwide Arena Columbus Union Station Arch Greater Columbus Convention Center **The Meetup plan = Show up, Rally with whoever else shows up, and Roll following the smart-guided instructions.** This is a smart guided tour route that can be ridden any day or time, solo or with others. It is only posted with a repeating set time and date with a tour leader to fit the Meetup format, and, more importantly, to encourage you to get out and ride when it is convenient for you. **If you are going to ride it and would like the company of others, then simply RSVP and post in the comments when it is that you are going to ride - date and time.** Take pictures/videos and share. Have fun! ***This is a repeating event on the calendar***\*, but the date and time do not necessarily need to be what is posted. **If you are interested in riding with a group, then simply RSVP and leave a message in the comment section** giving the date and time you would like others to join you. If you are interested in riding by yourself or with your private group of friends, then simply do it.\* ***The mission of this format is to create a catalog*** *of free group tour routes available for CycleNuts to ride as a group, or solo, in an area spanning several states. **The goal is to get people out cycling** either in groups or solo. **The vision is a cycling community with resources** available for bike tours, bike talk, and a format for lives experienced at the speed of bike.*