Weekend Getaways

**Afterwork vibes. Sunset views. Great people.** Join us this Thursday for a relaxed rooftop evening above the EU district — the perfect way to unwind after work, meet like-minded internationals, and enjoy Brussels from a different perspective. This is a **small, curated gathering** to keep things social, easy, and high quality. *** ## ✨ What to expect * 🌇 Beautiful **sunset views over Brussels** * 🍹 Stylish rooftop bar (cocktails, wine, softs available) * 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friendly group of people * 🎶 Chill, classy atmosphere (not a loud party) *** ## 📍 Practical info * **Location:** Sofitel Brussels Europe * **Meeting point:** Rooftop (enter Sofitel and take the lift) * **Time:** After work (see event time) * **Group size:** **Max. 15 participants** *** ## 🎟️ Reservation required (important) To ensure a smooth experience and avoid overcrowding, **a reservation is required**. * **Explorer members:** €5 to secure your spot * **Voyager & Ambassador members:** Included (free reservation) 👉 **Spots without reservation are not guaranteed** *** ## ⚠️ Good to know * Drinks are **paid individually at the bar** * Limitedty → first come, first served * This is a **social rooftop evening**, not a party *** ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations A community of internationals in Brussels connecting through experiences, travel & good vibes. *** **Come for one drink… stay for the people ✨**

Socializing and Networking 🛜🆕 at PLUX on Thursday. Making new friends and drinking 🚰🎈🎉🚿🌊. Everybody Welocme, locals, expats or new 🆕 in town.

**🃏 WHAT WE PLAY** We focus on **social interaction games** that are **fun, easy to learn, and engaging**. * **Thursdays** and Saturday nights are for **fun, social games** like Dixit, Coup, Skull, Codenames, Colt Express, Secret Hitler, Exploding Kittens, Bang and more!… Easy to learn, quick to laugh! * **Mondays** are for **deeper strategic games**, for players who love to plan and outthink opponents. Of course, these are just guidelines — you’re always welcome to bring and play whatever game you love! *** **🕖 SCHEDULE** * We meet at **7:00 PM**, with an **intro round at 7:15 PM**. * Arriving later? No problem! Just see a host — we’ll do our best to find you a seat. You might need to wait for a game to finish before joining the next one. **🎉 Good News! BFG is Free Again** As of July 1st, 2025, BFG is once again **free to join**, just like last year! The costs of running the group are now shared by the hosts. If you enjoy the events and want to say thanks, you're very welcome to **offer a drink (or two 😉) to a host** during the evening. A huge thank you to everyone who supported us financially earlier this year — you helped keep the group going, and we truly appreciate it. 🙏 *** **🎒 WHAT TO BRING** * Bring your favorite games and feel free to mention them in the comments. * If we’re meeting in a **park**, bring snacks, drinks, and something comfy to sit on — the grass can be damp even in summer! *** **☕ IF THE VENUE IS A CAFÉ** Please order **at least one drink** to support the venue, and pay directly at the bar. *** **✅ REGISTRATION** Please RSVP to help us plan for space and group sizes. **⌛ WAITLIST ETIQUETTE** * If you can’t make it, cancel **before 7 PM the day before** to give someone else a chance. * If you're **on the waitlist** and your plans change, cancel your RSVP so others aren't left hanging. *** **🤝 WANT TO HOST?** Interested in becoming a host or helping out? Let us know — we’d love to have you on board! *** **💬 FEEDBACK WELCOME** Suggestions or ideas? Drop us a message anytime — we’re always looking to make BFG even better. *** ### **🌟 Let’s have fun, discover great** **games, and build and make new friends** *** ###

Our traditional "Join & Play" event is on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. As always, it's free to come & play with us. How does it work ? • The events are open for beginner to advanced gamers. If you're new here they're the perfect gateway to discover what we do! • Those who want to host a game are asked to share in the comments below which game, & for how many players you can run your table. • For others, if you see a game you'd like to join just respond to the host in the comments below and we'll reserve a spot for that game for you. • Don't worry if you're new to boardgames or simply don't know the games being hosted this time around; you can simply show up and the event host will sort out a spot at a table for you! *But please make sure to arrive by 19h30* at the latest *so we can take the time to find you a suitable spot.* • The rules for the games will be explained by the table host before the game starts. No need to study them upfront, although several hosts post a video link to rules or background which can enhance your enjoyment of the game if you have the time to watch beforehand. This is never mandatory, however. ============================================== Games on the night: **\-\-\-\-** **[RAJAS OF THE GANGES](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/220877/rajas-of-the-ganges) \-\-\-\-** Spot 1: Geraldine (host) Spot 2: k1o4n1d Spot 3: Spot 4: **\-\-\-\-** **[NATIONAL ECONOMY](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/449831/national-economy) \-\-\-\-** Spot 1: Mislav (host) Spot 2: Frodo Spot 3: Hellen Spot 4: **\-\-\-\-** **[PARKS (2ND EDITION)](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/437306/parks-second-edition) \-\-\-\-** Spot 1: Tristan (host) Spot 2: Spot 3: Spot 4:

Let’s shake off the Thursday blues with some easy kilometers. This is a no-drop social run designed to keep the heart rate down and the vibes high. Meetup: 18:55 (for a quick briefing) Start Time: 19:00h 📍Meeting Point: Guingette Maurice, Parc Du Cinquaintenaire - In front of the Monument for European Solidarity (Intwined hands) 👟 Target Pace: 6:30 – 7:00 min/km Distance: 5.0 km Effort Level: Conversational. If you can't speak in full sentences, we're going too fast! 📝 Note No Bag/Sweater Drop

Want to improve your public speaking and leadership skills? Come be our guest at the **Claddagh Toastmasters. The Meeting Theme – is about wining,dining & fun times in Brussels this Summer.** We’re also proud to celebrate our members’ recent success in public speaking competitions in Ghent and Namur, bringing home two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze—a testament to the strength and spirit of our club. As the days grow longer and life becomes busier, strong communication and leadership skills matter more than ever. At Claddagh Toastmasters, you’ll develop confidence in public speaking, sharpen your leadership abilities, and learn to express your ideas clearly—all in a supportive, social environment. Founded in 1924 by Ralph C. Smedley, Toastmasters has helped millions grow—not just as speakers, but as individuals. As Smedley said, learning to speak is only the beginning of the good we can do. ⸻ 📍 Event Details Venue: The Mug Co-working & Meeting Rooms Centre (1-minute walk from Meeting Point Pub, near Schuman & Maelbeek metro stations) Schedule: * Welcome coffee: 18:45 * Meeting start: 19:00 sharp Admission: Free (registration required) 📧 Reserve your seat: claddagh.toastmasters@gmail.com ⸻ 💬 What to Expect * Table Topics: fun, impromptu speaking * Prepared Speeches: structured presentations by members * Evaluations: constructive feedback to help you improve * Networking break: connect with members and guests Guests are warmly welcomed. You may be invited to briefly introduce yourself and share feedback—but there’s no obligation to speak. ⸻ 🚀 What You Can Gain Through Toastmasters’ international learning pathways, you can develop skills in: * Presentation Mastery * Dynamic Leadership * Persuasive Influence * Motivational Strategies * Engaging Humour * Visionary Communication ⸻ After the meeting, you’re welcome to join us for an informal drink nearby—a great chance to connect and unwind. Come experience it for yourself and see how powerful communication can shape your personal and professional life.

Join Sunday Vacations for a cozy Saturday brunch at **Aksum Coffee House**, one of Brussels’ most beautiful cafés, where rich Ethiopian coffee, fresh Moroccan crêpes, and vibrant international vibes meet in perfect harmony. This is more than just brunch, it’s a relaxed way to start your weekend, meet new people, and enjoy a soulful spot full of stories and flavors. ### 📍 Where? **Aksum Coffee House – Galeries Sainte Hubert (Just a few steps from Grand Place) ### 🕚 When? **Saturday at 11:30 AM** Come hungry, curious, and ready to mingle! ### 🍽️ What’s on the menu? ☕ Fresh-roasted Ethiopian coffee 🥞 Moroccan-style crêpes & artisan pastries 🥚 Tasty brunch dishes (vegetarian options too) 🧾 Everyone pays their own order at the counter. ### 👋 Who’s joining? Expect a mix of international professionals, friendly locals, and Sunday Vacations regulars. Solo? New in town? Come anyway, this is the perfect place to connect. --- 🧡 **Limited spots** – RSVP early to secure your place at the table. By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

**Chur • Rafting • Flims • Scenic Train (Whit Monday Weekend)** Join us for a **3-day adventure in the Swiss Alps**, combining **rafting through a spectacular canyon, hiking above dramatic landscapes, and exploring one of Switzerland’s most scenic regions**. ## ✨ The Experience We’ll travel together from Brussels using the **Interrail network** and stay in **Chur**, the oldest town in Switzerland. Over the weekend, we’ll combine: - 🚣 rafting in the Rhine Gorge (“Swiss Grand Canyon”) - 🥾 hiking in the Flims region - 🌊 relaxing at a turquoise alpine lake - 🚆 a scenic ride on the Albula railway 👉 A perfect mix of **adventure, nature, and social moments** ## 🗓️ Program ### 🟢 Saturday — Arrival & Chur - Departure Brussels **6:23** - Arrival Chur **15:22** - Hotel check-in - Relaxed walk through Chur old town - Group dinner 🍻 ### 🔵 Sunday — Rafting + Hiking + Lake **🚣 Morning — Rafting (Highlight)** - Guided rafting in the Rhine Gorge - ~2h on the water - Beginner-friendly **🥾 Afternoon — Flims Hike** - Scenic trails with views over the canyon - Flexible pace **🌊 Caumasee** - Swim / relax at a beautiful turquoise lake **🍻 Evening — Social Night** ### 🔴 Monday — Scenic Train + Return - Morning scenic train on the Albula line - Optional visit to the Albula Railway Museum - Return to Chur - 🚆 Departure Chur at **13:30** - **🏡 Arrival Brussels 21:44** - **Earlier departure also possible** ## 💰 Costs ### 1. Organizing Fee (Sunday Vacations) - €80 Early Bird (limited spots) - €100 Regular (Explorer members) - €50 for Voyager members - Free for Ambassador members Includes: - full trip coordination - itinerary planning - group organization - shared guidance ### 2. Accommodation (Hotel in Chur) - Booked individually - Hotel suggestions will be shared in the WhatsApp group ### 3. Rafting -~ CHF 125 (~€130) - Paid directly to the rafting provider ### 4. Transport (Interrail) - Interrail pass recommended - Booked individually ### 5. Personal expenses - food, drinks, local transport ## ⚠️ Important Notes - This is a **community-organized trip**, not a travel package - **Hotel, transport, and rafting are booked and paid directly by participants to the respective suppliers** - Each participant is responsible for their own bookings and insurance ## 📲 WhatsApp Group After joining, you’ll be added to a **dedicated WhatsApp group** where we’ll share: - exact train connections - hotel suggestions - rafting booking link - packing tips ## 🔥 Why join? Because this is the kind of weekend where: - you meet great people - you step out of your routine - and you create real memories in the mountains ## ✅ How to join 1. Join the event on Meetup 2. Make sure you have your **Sunday Vacations membership** 3. Details will follow via WhatsApp

## Escape Brussels for a Sunny Coastal Sunday 🌿 Need a break from the city routine? Join Sunday Vacations for a relaxed coastal escape to the beautiful Zwin nature area near Knokke-Heist — one of Belgium’s most scenic seaside landscapes. This experience is all about slowing down, enjoying nature, meeting new people, and spending a meaningful Sunday outdoors with an international community of expats, locals, and solo joiners. We’ll follow the shorter 9.2 km Zwin walking loop, a beginner-friendly route surrounded by dunes, coastal scenery, peaceful walking paths, and fresh sea air. During the walk, we’ll enjoy a relaxed beach picnic and social time by the sea. Sunny weather is expected — perfect for a spring nature escape. ☀️ ## Event Type 🌿 Curated Experience ## Highlights - Scenic 9.2 km coastal nature walk - Beginner-friendly hiking pace - Beach picnic & seaside relaxation - International & expat-friendly community - Solo joiners welcome - Nature escape from Brussels - Meaningful conversations & relaxed social vibe - Slow Sunday outdoors ## Plan / Itinerary ### Morning 📍 Meet at Brussels Central Station (in front of Starbucks) ⏰ Meeting time: 08:30 🚆 Train departure: 08:43 We’ll travel together toward the Zwin coastal area near Knokke-Heist. ### During the Day - Start of the 9.2 km Zwin walking route - Relaxed social hiking pace - Coastal scenery & nature viewpoints - Beach picnic stop - Free time to relax, connect, and enjoy the sea atmosphere ### Evening Return to Brussels by train after the beach stop and group relaxation time. (Exact return timing may vary slightly depending on the group pace and weather conditions.) ## Meeting Point 📍 Brussels Central Station In front of Starbucks Please arrive on time — trains will not wait. ## Price / Contribution ### Sunday Vacations Member Pricing - Ambassador Members → Free - Voyager Members → Free - Explorer Members → €5 contribution 🚆 Train tickets are paid individually by participants. We strongly recommend checking SNCB weekend discounts and Train+ offers before booking. VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code. ## Membership ### Sunday Vacations Memberships - Explorer → starting at €5/year - Voyager → starting at €50/year - Ambassador → starting at €150/year Sunday Vacations is a community for internationals, expats, and locals who want to discover Belgium and beyond through meaningful shared experiences. ## Who This Is For This experience is ideal for: - Nature lovers - People looking to meet new people naturally - Anyone wanting a peaceful Sunday away from the city No hiking experience required. ## What to Bring - Comfortable walking shoes - Picnic/snacks - Water - Sunscreen - Light wind/rain layer - Portable charger (recommended) - Positive energy ✨ Please check your preferred weather forecast source before departure and dress accordingly. ## Important Notes - Beginner-friendly experience - Distance: approximately 9.2 km - Dogs are not allowed - Participants are responsible for booking their own train tickets - WhatsApp coordination group will be shared before departure - Sunny weather is expected, but conditions may still change - Respect for nature and group atmosphere is important ## Legal Disclaimer Sunday Vacations / UJAMAA ASBL acts as a community organiser and not as a travel agency. Participants remain individually responsible for: - transportation, - personal insurance, - physical condition, - and personal belongings during the activity. Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the Belgian legal volunteer insurance framework. This experience may involve third-party transport providers including SNCB. ## Call to Action Ready for sea air, nature, and good company? Come spend your Sunday exploring one of Belgium’s most beautiful coastal areas with a welcoming international community. 🌊🌿 Solo joiners are always welcome. RSVP early so we can coordinate the group smoothly.

Join us for a 3 day intensive trekking in the Julian Alps and one cultural evening in Venice (for those who survive)! The Julian Alps are a stunning, limestone-dominated mountain range stretching from northeastern Italy into northwestern Slovenia. We will operate on the border of Italy and Slovenia (Julian Prealps). Possible attack on the Kanin summit (2587m). Very good physical condition required (approximately 800m ascents with 10-15kg backpacks per day,6-8h trek/day). 2 nights in unmanned mountain huts, last night near Venice (sightseeing/Vivalidi's concert?). Mountain/snow experience/equipment not required. The schedule: 22.5 - 04:00 a.m. departure (the car of the trip leader) to Charleroi Airport, flight: 06:45 to Venice Treviso (or the day earlier for those who prefer)-> Stolvizza (by rented car - possibility of teleworking from the car in the morning of 22/5 for those who can ;)(650m)-> mountain hut 1 (1450m), possible ascent towards Kanin summit on the same day (or the next one). 23.5 - mountain hut 1-> Bivacco Franco (1700m) -> (optional) pass Med Baban (2031m)-> Forcella Predolina->Monte Guarda and Plange-> mountain hut 2 (1200m). 24.5 - mountain hut 2-> Monte Plagne->Capella del Chila->Stolvizza (car)->evening in Venice->Hotel 25.5 (national holidays in BE) flight from Venice Treviso 11:50 (or 17:50 or the next day for those, who wish) to Charleroi ->13:30 return to BXL by the car of trip leader around 15:00. We will share the real costs equally + small organising fee for the Sunday Vacations/ Ujamaa ASBL platform. Budget (excluding meals, attractions in Venice and flight tickets-currently at 150E return ticket): car (Italy+Belgium+parking)+fuel, 1x20kg checked-in luggage, hotel in Venice (1 night) = around 150 EUR/pp. 4 or 9 people maximum (mountain huts/cars constraints)

Ready to shake off the work week and channel your inner rockstar? Join us for an unforgettable night of music, drinks, and questionable vocal choices at Red Karaoke in the heart of Brussels! Whether you’re a shower-singer extraordinaire or a seasoned stage pro, this is your night to shine. From timeless classics to the latest chart-toppers, we’ve got a microphone with your name on it. 🕒 The Game Plan * When: This Friday * Time: 9:00 PM (We’ll grab drinks first to find our "liquid courage") * Where: Red Karaoke, Brussels * Vibe: High energy, zero judgment, and 100% fun. 📝 What to Expect * Meet & Greet: We’ll gather at the bar at 9:00 PM to introduce ourselves before the singing starts. * The Playlist: Red Karaoke has an extensive library. Start thinking of your "go-to" song now! * No Pressure: Not a singer? No problem! We need enthusiastic backup dancers and professional "applause-givers" too. 📍 Logistics * Entry: Please RSVP so I can manage the table/booth booking. * Costs: Everyone covers their own drinks and their share of the room/singing fee (if applicable). * Finding Us: I’ll post our exact spot in the comments/chat on the night of the event. Look for the group laughing the loudest! > Pro Tip: Friday nights get busy! Please arrive on time so we can maximize our stage time. Let’s make some noise, Brussels! 🥂

🏃‍♂️ Sunday Vacations | Train Together, Finish Together --- Thinking about joining the **20km of Brussels on May 31st**… but don’t want to train alone? 👉 Join our **after-work training group** and prepare together in a fun, social, and motivating atmosphere. Whether you're a beginner or already running regularly — **you’re welcome.** --- ## 📆 Weekly Runs (April → May) We train **twice a week after work**: ### 🔵 Once per week – Easy Social Run 👉 Perfect to build consistency and meet the group --- ### 🟣 Once per week – Long Run (Main Session) * Distance increases every week * Structured pace groups 👉 This is the **key session** to prepare for the 20km --- ## 🏳️ Follow Your Flag (Pace Groups) To keep things simple, we use the official **20km Brussels pacemaker system**: * 🟠 **Beginner (≈ 2h15)** Run/walk friendly — just aim to finish * 🟣 **Steady (≈ 2h00)** Comfortable and regular pace * 🟢 **Intermediate (≈ 1h45)** Faster group for those who want a challenge 👉 Not sure? Start easy — you can switch anytime. --- ## 📊 Long Run Progression We gradually build up to the race: 6 km → 8 km → 10 km → 12 km → 14 km → 16 km → 18 km 🔥 * lighter week before the race --- ## 🏁 Goal 📅 Sunday 31 May 2026 🎯 Run the 20km of Brussels — together --- ## 💡 What to expect * Friendly, international group 🌍 * No one left behind * Natural pace groups * Motivating and social vibe 👉 We start together, run in groups, and finish together. --- ## ☕ After the run Optional drink or snack — because it’s also about **meeting people and having fun** --- ## ⚠️ Practical info * Bring water * Wear proper running shoes * Join at your own responsibility * Beginners welcome --- ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations We are a **Brussels-based community** organizing social activities, hikes, and trips. 👉 This training is part of our mission: **bringing people together through shared experiences** --- ## 🔗 Participation To join, a **Sunday Vacations membership** is required: * Explorer (€5/year) → + €5 organizing fee * Voyager (€50/year) → no organizing fee * Ambassador (€150/year) → no organizing fee + perks 👉 Details: [www.sundayvacations.com/membership](http://www.sundayvacations.com/membership) --- 🔥 Don’t train alone — join us and enjoy the journey to the 20km!

BALAGAN X SANCTUM WE ARE BACK on Saturday, May 23 ! This Saturday 23th of May 2026 \| we are going to La Terrasse O2 for an unforgettable summer party \! BALAGAN & SANCTUM go to La Terrasse O2 w/ Party Finder - FREE ENTRANCE ☉ Priority free pass : [https://www.partyfinder.com/en/event/16117](https://www.partyfinder.com/en/event/16117) ☉ Facebook [https://fb.me/e/83Gq2wLxJ](https://fb.me/e/83Gq2wLxJ) ☉ Table booking : [https://www.la-terrasse.be/fr/reservation-du-salon/](https://www.la-terrasse.be/fr/reservation-du-salon/) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☉ Line Up (A-Z) → GERSH → VICC → JEREMIE CHARLIER ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☉ DATE ? → Saturday 23 May ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☉ TIME ⏰ → 6Pm - 12PM ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☉ LOCATION ? La terrasse 02 Chaussée de la Hulpe 51-53, 1180 Uccle, Belgique ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☉ Casual elegance with a touch of summer vibe priority pass with the free tickets , firt in first served

Join us for a relaxed and enjoyable brunch at 17 Arrows Kitchen and Bar! This is a great opportunity to meet new people, enjoy good food, and ease into the weekend with great conversation. Whether you’re new to the group or it’s your first event, you’ll feel right at home.

**Soulbits Circle: A Monthly Gathering** **Every fragment of your story is medicine; come weave it into being** **Hosted by: Caitlynn Fortson** **[www.kalikwellnesswithin.org](www.kalikwellnesswithin.org) \| [www.centerfornewlife.org](www.centerfornewlife.org)** **The Center for New Life or Virtual, upon request** **Monthly Circles \| Fridays 6:30\-7:30PM** **Upcoming Dates: 5/1, 5/29, 6/26, 7/24, 8/28, 9/25, 10/23, 11/27, 12/18** A monthly healing space where we gather to tend the pieces of ourselves and weave them back into wholeness that we are. Each session opens with a Soulbits oracle image setting the tone for the gathering we will move through. We will come together to honor the natural rhythms of rooting, rising, releasing, and receiving; the cycles that shape the soul’s journey. Through the four pillars of being: mindset, movement, connection & nourishment, we will create a space where imagery, sensation, and community weave together. Where the body becomes the guide, images act as mirrors, and the soul speaks. This circle is about noticing what rises, honoring what’s true, and reconnecting with the parts of yourself ready to be seen. This is a space to gather your scattered pieces, soften your body, and return to your truth with community by your side. Soulbits Circle is a reminder that every fragment of your story, every soulbit, belongs. Together we weave them into the blooming wholeness that you are. *Energy Exchange: 1-group $20-40 or 6-group $115* *Payment Options: Venmo or Cash* **Please RSVP to [Caitlynn](https://kalikwellnesswithin.org/) via** **email @ [kalik.wellnesswithin@gmail.com](mailto:kalik.wellnesswithin@gmail.com)** **text @ ‪(614) 407-4021‬** 💫

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

This is an in-person meeting. Did you know that unwanted emotions like loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, anxiety, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not chemical imbalance in your brain due to some nebulous chemical reactions by chance. Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. For instance, let's say you are already carrying a huge load on your back, then you cannot take on much more, but, let's say something else happens to you, such as the difficulties from the Pandemic, then the resultant combined weight on you can take you over the edge, kind of like the straw that break the camel's back. When this happens, people's attention usually goes to the straw that was added, but actually the majority of the weight had come from the huge load that were already there, holding a person down and causing a person issues. So how do you remove the huge load that was already there? How do you lighten them up? Is it possible to get rid of them? That is what this meeting will be all about. Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

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!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! 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