Visual Effects

Welcome to GitHub Copilot Dev Days Tel Aviv, the place where we stop talking about **AI as a chatbot** and start treating it like a specialized member of the engineering team. Most developers use 10% of what GitHub Copilot can actually do. We’re here to show you the other 90%. From architecting complex systems to securing your code against modern threats, this isn't a "hello world" session. We’re bringing together top researchers and engineers to show you how AI-native development actually looks in the trenches. **The Game Plan** 09:30 – Know the Field \| Doors open\. Grab a seat and start talking\. 10:00 – Opening notes 10:15 – BatEl \| LLM Testing & Evaluation with Azure AI Foundry 10:45 – Marina \| GitHub\-Native AI Coding in the Terminal 11:15 – Coffee & Fuel \| Quick break\. Drink something strong 11:30 – Avihai & Matan \| Scaling IaC with Azure AI Foundry & Copilot 12:00 – Elli \| Building an Offensive AI with GitHub Copilot 12:30 – The Panel \| Tachles with real\-world Q&A and Debate 13:00 – Summary & Goodbye **Who should attend?** Devs & Architects: You’re over the hype and want to master complex AI-native patterns. Automation Geeks: You live in the terminal and want to build agentic workflows with MCP. The "No-Slides" Crowd: You prefer live demos and broken code over polished marketing pitches. Security Researchers & Red Teamers: You want to see AI weaponized for vulnerability hunting and exploitation.

בסדנה נכיר את העקרונות הבסיסיים של תחום הריתוך, נתנסה בעבודה עם כלי העבודה השונים, נחשף לסוגי הריתוך השונים ותצברו ידע שיסייע לכם להבין את התהליך ואת טכניקות העבודה הנדרשות. עלות: 240 ש"ח למבוגר/ת. לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון: 190 ש"ח למבוגר/ת. שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם פה, יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא [https://www.makelab.org.il/registration/welding](https://www.makelab.org.il/registration/welding)

**Web3 Devs Underground - Monthly Meetup** 🎙 Brought to you by [Israel Web3 Developers Underground](http://web3devs.org/) × [Mamram Alumni Association](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mamramalumni/posts/?feedView=all). Powered by [Masterkey VC](http://masterkey.vc/) **Date & Time** 📅 **Tuesday, Jun 2,** **2026** **Time:** 18:00 - 21:00 **Location:** מגדלי לנדמרק\, Sarona Market\, Leonardo da Vinci St 2\, Tel Aviv\-Yafo \| Floor 38 **[Directions](https://www.google.com/maps?gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCggAEEUYFhgeGDkyBwgBEAAY7wUyCggCEAAYgAQYogQyBwgDEAAY7wUyCggEEAAYgAQYogTSAQg4ODcwajBqN6gCCLACAfEFm1w9hpvEeLzxBZtcPYabxHi8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=il&sa=X&geocode=KYuOLTEASx0VMb6Z7sI2vJ9j&daddr=Leonardo+da+Vinci+St+2,+Tel+Aviv-Yafo)** ## Speakers: 1. **[Prof Or Sattath](https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/people/sattath/),** One of the world's leading researchers in quantum cryptography and co-developer of the LFC protocol alongside Dr. Wyborski. 2. **[Dr. Shai (Deshe) Wyborski](https://wybor.ski/about),** Expert in quantum cryptography, co-developer of the Lifted FawkesCoin protocol **Agenda:** **18:00 - 18:30** \| **Drinks and Networking** **18:30 \- 18:40 \| Opening Remarks** **18:40 - 19:20** \| **First Speaker** **19:20 - 19:30** \| **Q&A with the first speaker** **19:30 - 19:50** \| **Break for Food and Drinks** **19:50 - 20:30** \| **Second Speake**r **20:30 - 20:40** \| **Q&A with the second speaker** **20:40 - 21:00** \| **Finish the day with us** **over a beer and some small talk.** **About Our Sponsors:** **[Masterkey Venture Capital](http://masterkey.vc/)** is a global early-stage fund investing in top-tier innovative deep tech and Web3 infrastructure projects. With a strategic presence in key crypto hubs worldwide, we are uniquely positioned to drive technological advancements within global ecosystems. Backed by nearly 50 years of combined expertise in advanced infrastructure, novel cryptography, cybersecurity, and energy solutions, our team is dedicated to empowering the entrepreneurs shaping the future of blockchain technology. **Get Involved** **Interested in Speaking or Sponsoring?** We welcome passionate individuals and organizations to contribute to our community. If you're interested in speaking at future events or sponsoring our meetups, please fill out the [Speaker application form](https://masterkey.fillout.com/web3_devs_speakers) and contact Amit Shilo at @Amit_Shilo (Telegram) * Community Managers: Amit Shilo, Eden Luttenberg, Alon Kivity, Alon Ben Lavy. * Founded by Shauli Rejwan and Roy Osherove. *Limited seats are available. Register early to ensure your participation!* **Stay Connected** Follow us on social media and join our community to stay updated on upcoming events and news: * **[Website](http://web3devs.org/)** * **[Linktree](https://linktr.ee/web3devsunderground)** * **[Telegram](https://t.me/+-sEflgfrqDoyYWVk)** Stay in the loop (socials): Twitter – [https://x.com/Web3_Devs](https://x.com/Web3_Devs) YouTube – [https://www.youtube.com/@web3devsunderground/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@web3devsunderground/streams) (Watch our content) Calendar – [https://luma.com/web3devs_underground](https://luma.com/web3devs_underground) **See You There! (Also Online)**

**TAMI Hacking Nights** \- join TAMI CTF team and practice challenges and CTFs with us \- share your knowledge about ethical hacking techniques and tools \- bring some device to reverse engineer it and explore how it works \- propose a bug bounty program to work on together \- just watch and learn from others The meetings are informal and open to all levels - from total beginners to hardcore CTF veterans. Join our HackaTAMI Telegram channel ([https://t.me/+KAXY_iPcPlpmZTRk](https://t.me/+KAXY_iPcPlpmZTRk)) to discuss what we will do this Tuesday and come to TAMI. ========== TAMI wiki: [https://telavivmakers.org](https://telavivmakers.org) TAMI main Telegram channel: [https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8](https://t.me/+0t5M0-jK9iIwZmM8)

🐝✡ OWASP IL ✡🐝 is excited to welcome you to our latest Meetup event! 🚀 This time, GONG is opening its doors to host our community! Join us for an evening dedicated to sharp Application Security insights and real-world discussions. As always, we’ll have a fantastic lineup of speakers, plenty of time to network, and great food and drinks to fuel the conversations. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Agenda: ➡️ 17:30 - 18:15 - gathering and food - We will gather at GONG for drinks, great treats, and mingling. ➡️ 18:15 - 18:30 - opening remarks ➡️ 18:30 - 19:00 - Evgeni Roif (GONG) - From Gatekeeper to Pipeline: building an LLM-Orchestrated AppSec Triage Engine ➡️ 19:00 - 19:30 - Hen Golubenko (F5) - When Fixing is Too Slow: Virtual Patching Under Fire ➡️ 19:30 - 19:45 - Short break ➡️ 19:45 - 20:15 - Gal Elbaz & Avi Lumelski (Oligo) - Shadow vulnerability in AI - "ShadowMQ" Exploiting Message Queue Flaws in AI Inference Servers for Widespread RCE Join us at the event physically as we will not include Zoom or remote participation this time.

## Details Hi everyone, ⚠️ You need to join the Whatssapp community and get a confirmation on WhatssApp that there are still spots available in order to be able to attend. You can join the chess community here by filling the form: https://chessbarisrael.com/#join-us The next edition tournament will take place on **Tuesday.** 📍 **Where:** Masaryk Wine & Flowers, **80 King George St, Tel Aviv** 📅 **When:** 6:15 PM - 8:30 PM ♟️ **Format:** 5 rounds of 8+2 (Rapid) OR Meet & Play (depends on which Tuesday) 🥇 **Prizes:** * **Top Winners:** bottles of wine * **Best Under 1500/800:** 1 hour of private chess lesson * **Sandwich for a randomly picked player** ✨ **How does it work?** This is a friendly, unofficial event (not reported to FIDE) and part of a **bi-weekly series of tournaments** held in bars around Tel Aviv. ⚠️ There is an entrance fee for the event including the first free drink and prizes! **Spots are limited!** ⚠️ You need to join the Whatssapp community and get a confirmation on WhatssApp that there are still spots available in order to be able to attend. Olivier 🎉

שיקומו המייקרים/ות שאין להם לפחות שלושה פרויקטים לא גמורים במגירה, בארון או על המדף שהם/ן "בטוח" יסיימו… “מתישהו”. אז הנה החדשות: “מתישהו” הגיע! מוזמנים/ות למייקלאבתון - סופ"ש פתוח לסגירת פרוייקטים במייקלאב. הביאו אתכם/ן את הפרויקט ההוא שמחכה להזדמנות האחרונה לנשום, קצת נשנושים והרבה מצב רוח טוב. אנחנו נהיה פה מיום שישי ב-09:00 בבוקר ועד יום שבת ב-20:00 עם כל הכלים והידע של המייקלאב, לשירותכם ונסייע כדי לעזור לכם לקדם את הפרוייקט ואולי לסיים אותו (כן! יש כזה דבר!). הכניסה חינם, בהרשמה מראש בלבד. בואו גם כדי לעזור לאחרים! למבוגרים/ות (16+) (אם מדובר בפרויקט עם ילד צעיר יותר – נדרש ליווי צמוד של מבוגר לאורך כל זמן הביקור). שימו לב כי השימוש בכלי הסדנה (לייזר, מסור, מחרטה וכו') מותנה בליווי מקצועי של מתנדבי המייקלאב ואינו מותר ללא הדרכה מראש. סמנו בטופס אם אתם זקוקים לסיוע, וננסה לתאם אתכם זמן עבודה עם מתנדב שילווה אתכם. שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://link.makelab.org.il/MakeLabThon

מוזמנים/ות לסדנת מידול והדפסה בתלת-ממד בעזרת Tinkercad למבוגרים. במהלך הסדנה נכיר את הממשק של התוכנה, נלמד כיצד לבנות מודלים בסיסיים ולבסוף – נכין את המודלים להדפסה. משתתפי הסדנה יקבלו קופון לשעת הדפסה חינם. למבוגרים ונוער (16+). עלות: 240 ש"ח (לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון - 180 ש"ח) שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://link.makelab.org.il/TinkerCad-adults

TAMI π is a curated meeting, workshop or presentation about a topic in math. It happens every two weeks at TAMI. The event is hosted by a different person each time. You can come, learn topics and share ideas in an open and informal atmosphere. This time Alon Friedkin will talk about the advance of the perihelion of Mercury. For proposing a presentation or topic you can drop us a line. תאמי פי הוא מפגש אוצר, סדנה או מצגת על נושא במתמטיקה. זה קורה כל שבועיים בתאמי. את האירוע מנחה אדם אחר בכל פעם. תוכלו לבוא, ללמוד נושאים ולחלוק רעיונות באווירה פתוחה ונעימה. הפעם אלון פרידקין ידבר על [התקדמות הפריהליון של כוכב חמה](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tests_of_general_relativity). להצעת מצגת או נושא ניתן לפנות אלינו.

בסדנה נכיר את הכלים העיקריים בתוכנה חינמית ועשירה לעיצוב וקטורי ונלמד לעצב פריטים שימושיים. נעצב יחד שני תוצרים אמיתיים - קערה ומחזיק טלפון - ונייצר אותם בלייזר. במהלך הסדנה נפתח ביטחון בעיצוב וקטורי, כך שנוכל להמשיך ולעצב באופן עצמאי בבית ולהגיע למייקלאב כדי לחתוך את העיצובים שלנו במכונת הלייזר. עלות: 250 ש"ח למבוגר/ת (לתושבי יהוד-מונוסון: 220 ש"ח למבוגר/ת.) שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://www.makelab.org.il/registration/inkscape

אוהד כהן, סתת אבן שמתמחה בשחזור קתדרלות ונדד בעולם עד שהתקבל כשולייה לתכנית יוקרתית ללימוד סיתות באבן בקתדרלה קסנטן בגרמניה​, ייצא איתנו למסע מהיר אל מסורת ה-Wanderjahre: השנים שבהן בעלי מלאכה צעירים נדדו ברגל ברחבי אירופה כדי לאסוף ידע, לחדד מיומנות ולהפוך לאומנים מומחים. למבוגרים (15+). שימו לב: לא מספיק להרשם במיטאפ יש להרשם גם בקישור הבא , שם תמצאו גם פרטים נוספים https://link.makelab.org.il/Wanderjahre

​[Fusion VC](https://www.fusion-vc.com/?utm_source=luma), [Google for Startups](https://startup.google.com/campus/tel-aviv/?utm_source=luma), [Poalim Tech](https://www.poalimtech.com/en?utm_source=luma) and [AI Builders Israel](https://aibuildersisrael.com/?utm_source=luma) invite you to a special morning event focused on one of the biggest shifts happening in the startup ecosystem right now: ​***The rise of AI-native builders, solo founders, vibe coders, and lean startup teams building faster than ever before.*** ​As AI tools reshape product development, distribution, and company building, the traditional venture capital playbook is evolving as well. ## [​RSVP HERE](https://luma.com/The-New-VC-Playbook-2026) * ​What does the next generation of startups look like? * ​What are investors looking for in 2026? * ​Can solo founders build venture-scale companies? * ​And how should founders think about fundraising, velocity, and execution in the AI era? ​Join leading founders, operators, and investors for an honest discussion about the future of building and investing. ## ​What We’ll Cover: * ​The new pre-seed benchmarks in the AI era * ​How AI-native startups are built differently * ​Solo founders vs. traditional teams * ​The rise of vibe coding and ultra-lean execution * ​What top VCs are looking for in 2026 * ​How founders can move faster with AI tools * ​Real lessons from builders already scaling AI products ## ​Agenda ​10:00-10:10 - Opening Remarks ​\*\*[Seffi Tsarfati](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seffi-tsarfati-304ba562/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Head of Strategic Partnerships, VC & Startups Google ​10:00-10:30 - The New Pre-Seed Benchmarks ​\*\*[Amit Shechter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-shechter-aa4023153/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Principal Fusion VC ​10:30-11:15 - Founders & Builders Panel ​\*\*[Ben Lavi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-lavi-0b8062201/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Founder, nCode 5 Micro SaaS Founder ​\*\*[Niv Abutbul](https://www.linkedin.com/in/niv-abutbul-774828165?utm_source=luma)\*\* Co-Founder & CTO Kadabra AI ​\*\*[Stav Brener](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stav-brener-382671213/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Founder Automagic ​\*\*[Yahav Fuchs](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yahavf/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Founder ReddGrow AI ​**Moderator: [Heli Netanel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/heli-netanel/?utm_source=luma)** Co-Founder & CPO Automation Flow ​11:15-12:00 - Investors Panel - The New Playbook ​\*\*[Lia Cromwell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/liacromwell/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Partner UpWest VC ​\*\*[Roni Bonjack](https://www.linkedin.com/in/roni-bonjack/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Founder & Managing Partner Stealth VC ​\*\*[Yael Alroy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaelalroy/?utm_source=luma)\*\* Managing Partner Stardom VC ​**Moderator: [Adi Hoorvitch Lavi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adi-hoorvitch-lavi-phd-30598a25/?utm_source=luma), PhD** SVP Poalim Tech ## ​Who Should Attend * ​Early-stage founders * ​AI builders & developers * ​Solo founders * ​Startup operators * ​CTOs & product leaders * ​Investors interested in the future of AI-native startups ## [​RSVP HERE](https://luma.com/The-New-VC-Playbook-2026) ​The event is free of charge, but registration is required and subject to approval due to limited capacity. Location Google for Startups Campus Ha-Umanim St 12, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6789731, Israel

PyData London 2026 brings together data scientists, engineers, and researchers from around the world for three days of insightful talks, tutorials, and community connection. Hosted in one of Europe’s leading tech hubs, the event highlights the latest developments in Python, machine learning, and data science. Attendees can expect a mix of cutting-edge research, real-world applications, and opportunities to network with industry leaders. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, PyData London offers something for every level of the data science community. **THIS IS NOT A TICKET- TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED ON CONFERENCE WEBSITE.** https://pydata.org/london2026

NOTICE CHANGE OF LOCATION. WE WILL BE MEETING AT THE SHARON WOODS METRO PARK - THIS MONTH ONLY. Sharon Woods Metro Park, 6911 Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43081 Enter the park from Cleveland Avenue and stay on the main park drive until it dead-ends into a turn around parking lot. We will meet at the Schrock Lake Shelter just off this parking area to the right. We will be taking a Guided Walk with access very near the shelter, on the Edward S Thomas trail, an ADA flat, hard-packed gravel surface trail. This walk will be led by Carrie Keller, Outdoor Naturalist at the park, and Megan Richley, Inclusion Coordinator for the Metro Parks. Wear sneakers or other shoes covering the entire foot. Sandals or flip-flops are ill advised. Sighted guides will be available. Target audience for this group is persons who are visually impaired, especially those who have experienced recent loss, however, all are welcome, including family members and supports. Light refreshments will be served. There will not be a Conference Call option for this meeting.

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving." The film continues John Carney’s “long run of success with yet another charmer” and “a sharp, hopeful crowd-pleaser that strikes the right notes!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus, this is a perfect early stop on our Summer of Ice Cream! Their menu uses made-from-scratch recipes in an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, crepes, waffle sticks, specialty coffee & espresso, and more! Their specialty shakes are as delicious as they are over-the-top and they offer an extensive vegan menu! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and we’ll meet in the upstairs lobby between 6:25 and 6:35pm! Advance ticket purchase is advised for this opening night showing! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

Join us as we get together for a Discount Tuesday / Horror-Thriller Pop-Up event to see the very buzzed-about psychological-horror from A24, BACKROOMS! Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass star in this film about a therapist, a missing patient and a strange doorway. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: After a therapist's patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality, she must venture into the unknown to save him. The film is directed by Kane Parsons and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve (who was outstanding in The Worst Person in the World and Sentimental Value), Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z6a6NUFlsU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z6a6NUFlsU) BUZZ & EXCITEMENT: Buzz and expectations are off the charts! And over the past week, box office projections have more than doubled as theaters are left scrambling to add showtimes for a film that keeps selling out! Critics call the film “gripping,” “as mesmerizing as it is terrifying” and say it “casts a surrealist spell that’s unlike anything else in contemporary cinema!” It’s an “intellectual puzzle” filled with “unnerving suspense” that’s earning a Certified Fresh 89% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes! PLAN: Purchase your ticket for the 6:30pm showing and meet in the theater lobby between 6:10 and 6:20pm! Discount Tuesday tickets just $5.00! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments below! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

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.

A cookie covered in creamy frosting can brighten anyone’s day! National Frosted Cookie Day is all about that simple joy. **DETAILS:** We'll celebrate the occasion by visiting Cheryl's Cookies headqtrs. cookie shop, trying to decide which seasonal treats to choose! **NEXT:** we'll head west on Polaris Pkwy to Bonefish Grill for Happy Hour eats n drinks. We can share our sweet finds for dessert... *In a busy world, National Frosted Cookie Day offers a little sweetness that reminds us to slow down and enjoy the moment.*

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Customize the IDE: Building Extensions for Visual Studio Code* Visual Studio Code is one of the most widely used development environments today, and much of its flexibility comes from its extension ecosystem. Extensions allow developers to customize the editor with new features, integrations, and workflow improvements tailored to their needs. In this session, we’ll cover what extensions are and the different types available, including full extensions written in TypeScript or JavaScript, along with lighter-weight extensions such as color themes, language packs, language support, code snippets, and keymaps. We’ll also look at practical reasons a developer might create an extension, from automating repetitive tasks to adding custom tooling. The session includes a hands-on walkthrough of creating a new extension, testing it locally, and understanding the basic project structure. We’ll close with a brief overview of how extensions are packaged and published to the Visual Studio Marketplace and other distribution options. **YouTube Link** TBD

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.