Let’s kick off 2025 with another great evening of cloud-native learning, real-world talks, and hallway conversations with Portland’s platform-engineering community.

Date: Thursday, January 22 Time: 5:30–7:30 PM Location: Reperio Health, 4784 SE 17th Ave Suite 120, Portland, OR Recording: Talks are typically recorded (opt-in by speakers)

The Observability Reset: 4 Foundational Principles for O11y That Scales by Noam Levy, CTO at groundcover

Let’s face it, collecting metrics, logs, and traces isn’t enough anymore. Most o11y stacks today are drowning in telemetry, buried in cost overruns, and spread so thin across tools that they’ve become more noise than signal. The classic SaaS-based model is cracking.

This talk lays out 4 foundational principles for building a sustainable observability posture - that scale with infra and budget:

• Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC): SaaS o11y is financially unsustainable at scale.
• Consolidate or Bust: DevEx suffers when visibility is fragmented- consolidation isn’t a luxury - it’s a requirement.
• Standardize Everything: Open protocols, pluggable pipelines, and vendor-neutral APIs are the only way forward, or your o11y is a ticking liability.
• Self-Reliance: You can’t rely on app-level instrumentation forever - eBPF enables scalable o11y without complexity

This session pulls from real-world deployments and lessons learned helping engineering teams scale visibility without compromise.

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“What It’s Like to Learn Cloud-Native Today — A Beginner’s Kubernetes Story” by Kelis Hightower

When given the chance to explore cloud-native development, I chose not to avoid the unfamiliar. With no prior Kubernetes experience and only a few weeks to learn, I took a hands-on approach by building a small burnout-aware study tool to ground abstract concepts in something tangible.

This talk shares what it’s like to learn cloud-native technologies today from a beginner’s perspective. Through experimentation with containers, Kubernetes, and cloud services, I’ll reflect on the mental model shifts, early misconceptions, and “aha” moments that emerged from learning by building. Rather than focusing on expertise, this would offer an honest look at what beginners actually take away from a short, modern introduction to cloud-native systems.

Agenda

5:30–6:00 — Check-in, snacks, networking 6:00–6:30 — The Observability Reset (Noam Levy) 6:30–7:00 — Beginner’s Kubernetes Story (Kelis Hightower) 7:00–7:30 — Networking (and games if anyone wants to bring some!)

Who Should Attend

Platform engineers, SREs, DevOps, app/platform teams, OSS maintainers, beginners learning cloud-native, and anyone curious about observability, Kubernetes, modern infra, or developer experience.

Sponsors

Venue Sponsor — Reperio Health F&B Sponsor — groundcover

The Power in the Pause, The Bravery in the Shift

You’re invited to an inspiring morning with Shi Choong, Founder & Event Producer of Women Who Dare PDX. This intimate speaker event will explore the deeper mission behind WWD and the transformational theme for 2026: “The Power in the Pause, The Bravery in the Shift.” This event is for women and allies who support women empowerment and lifting women up.

In this session, Shi will share: ✨ Her personal journey of courage, reinvention, and leadership ✨ Why intentional pauses and pivotal life shifts shape who we become ✨ How Women Who Dare creates spaces for women to be seen, heard & celebrated ✨ What to expect at the March 8, 2026 WWD Conference

If you’re navigating change, seeking clarity, or craving a community that supports your evolution—this conversation will speak to your heart. Bring a friend, your journal, or simply your open mind. Prepare to feel inspired, grounded, and ready to rise.

RSVP (free): https://www.meetup.com/startup-your-startup/events/312356008/

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Innovate QA is a hands-on conference for quality professionals and engineering leaders who want practical, real-world outcomes—not theory.

The conference focuses on engineering-driven sessions that attendees can apply immediately, paired with a highly engaging experience designed to inspire and energize.

• Practical, real-world QA and engineering content
• Engaging sessions with experienced industry leaders
• A collaborative space for learning, connection, and growth

Attendees leave with actionable insights, renewed momentum, and a strong sense of community to help drive meaningful change in their organizations.

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

DigiMarCon Asia – The #1 Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference in Asia.

Get ready to be inspired and informed at DigiMarCon Asia, the premier annual conference for digital marketing, media, advertising and business professionals in Asia, returning July 2-3, 2026 to the Hilton Tokyo Bay Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. Experience two action-packed days including keynotes, master classes and panels from experts and thought leaders with cutting-edge strategies and numerous networking opportunities. Attend in-person or online to access the next wave of digital innovation, including insights in AI and ChatGPT, marketing automation, content creation, growth hacking, social media marketing, SEO, and more.

Highlights:

 •   Top Industry Keynotes: Hear from visionary speakers who push the boundaries of digital marketing.
 •   Networking Opportunities: Connect with thought leaders, reunite with your peers, and expand your professional network.
 •   Hands-On Learning: Master classes, case studies, and strategy sessions to equip you with practical solutions for immediate impact.

This year’s edition will feature topics such as:

 •   Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, and Marketing Automation
 •   Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Influencer Marketing
 •   Conversion Rate Optimization, Mobile Marketing, and Video Marketing
 •   Data Science, Big Data, Programmatic Advertising and Predictive Analytics
 •   UI / UX Design, User Experience, Omnichannel Marketing, and much more!

Challenge traditional ideas, gain actionable insights, and discover how to thrive and succeed as a marketer in a rapidly evolving digital world. See why people keep coming back year after year to this must-attend event for any marketer wanting to stay ahead!

Register and secure your seat today at https://digimarconasia.com.

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

The Portland Linux Kernel Meetup for January 2026 will be at...

• Date: Friday, January 16, 2026
• Time: 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM US/Pacific
• Location: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St, Portland, Oregon 97209 US

Come enjoy a beverage and chat with other people who are interested in the Linux kernel. All experience levels are welcome. This is a friendly and casual meetup.

Look for a table with the plush Tux penguin.

To get timely reminders of Portland Linux Kernel Meetups, see https://ikluft.github.io/pdx-lkmu/subscribing-to-pdx-lkmu-events.html.

Whether you are interested in a career shift, startup life, or curious about freelancing. We will have groups to help work through getting started.

Whether you are interested in a career shift, startup life, or curious about freelancing, we will have breakout groups to help you get started.

We will have a resume and interview community if you need to brush up on either or both.

We will have resume reviews and mock interviews by volunteer recruiters or peers to fine-tune your approach.

Alli, Lisa, and Beth are hoping to get everyone, and in some cases ourselves, back to work!

We look forward to seeing everyone in person!

Break out topics:

Resume review Sharing effective work search tactics (tools, sites, etc) Getting started with consulting or startup founding Open discussion: How are ppl feeling & what’s helping to cope TBD: Tips on skills needed for careers today, what careers will be AI-proof TBD: Oregon Women in Trade and other groups Bring your own lunch or snacks

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What to Bring

Snacks or lunch Laptop or notebook

---

Event Flow

11:30 AM-12:00 PM: Arrival & casual networking 12:00-12:30 PM: Intro to break-out group sessions. 12:30-1:30 PM: Breakout group session Work from the space all day! Come early or stay late to enjoy our downtown workspace.

Kick off 2026 with an uplifting morning of connection, empowerment, and community! Join us for a casual Women Who Dare Mix & Mingle where you’ll meet like-hearted women and allies who value authenticity, courage, and meaningful conversations.

Whether you’re new to Women Who Dare or already part of our growing movement, this is a beautiful opportunity to:

✨ Make genuine connections ✨ Share your goals and intentions for 2026 ✨ Find encouragement from a supportive community ✨ Get a sneak peek of what’s coming for Women Who Dare 2026: “The Power in the Pause, The Bravery in the Shift”

Get a sneak peek of what’s coming for Women Who Dare 2026: “The Power in the Pause, The Bravery in the Shift”

Come as you are—bring your curiosity, your story, and your desire to rise alongside other women who dare.

RSVP (free): https://www.meetup.com/startup-your-startup/events/312355895/

Built an app that needs real user feedback? Tired of testing in isolation?

Break - It! brings Portland founders together to stress-test each other's applications and get honest feedback before launch.

This edition will be led by Beth Fuller, a professional software product manager who specializes in helping teams refine their products before release.

To kick things off, we’ll be starting with one brave volunteer: TBD — a local startup ready to be really broken. It’ll set the tone for how deep and constructive we’ll go with feedback throughout the session. 😉

App Creators - Whether you've been hand-coding, AI-coding, or no-coding your way to success, get your app in front of fresh eyes who understand the founder journey.

Everyone Else - Here's your chance to break something for good! Channel your inner chaos agent, find those sneaky bugs, and give feedback so insightful it makes founders weep tears of gratitude.

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What You'll Do

Demo your app (5 minutes) - Show what you've built Test others' apps (rotating 15-minute sessions) Give & receive real-time feedback from fellow builders Discover bugs before your users do Connect with Portland's founder community

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Perfect If You Have

Apps in development or beta testing Prototypes needing concept validation Launched apps wanting UX optimization Side projects that need a sanity check All platforms welcome: Web apps, mobile apps, browser extensions, PWAs All dev approaches welcome: Hand-coded, AI-assisted, no-code, hybrid

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What to Bring

Your app (any stage, any platform) 2-3 specific feedback questions Laptop/device for testing others' apps Open mind for constructive input

---

Event Flow

11:30 AM-12:00 PM: Arrival & casual networking 12:00-12:30 PM: Quick app intros (2-3 minutes each) 12:30-1:30 PM: Testing rounds (4 sessions, 25 minutes each) Work from the space all day! Come early or stay late to enjoy our downtown workspace.

---

Ground Rules

Constructive feedback only - We're here to help each other win Respect IP - No screenshots or sharing without permission Meet apps where they are - Rough prototypes to polished products all welcome Come to give AND receive - Your fresh perspective helps everyone

Join us for drinks and friendly conversation at Tap Union Freehouse in downtown Vancouver for our monthly social gathering! Meet fellow designers and engineers from the north side of the PDX metro and talk about your craft over tasty pints and good eats.

This is a casual social meetup for the people in tech who build products to network and get to know their local community. While we are new, there are no scheduled talks, but we're interested in meeting people who want to share their knowledge with others! We meet every second Tuesday of each month.

We've chosen Tap Union as our meetup location because of its friendly staff, wide variety of rotating craft beer (including numerous Non-Alcoholic and Gluten-Free options!), and its cozy atmosphere. There are also board games and a mini arcade on-site to enjoy!

This 3-hour workshop uses the Portland Art Museum as a setting to slow down and look at how you think. It is designed for those feeling mentally overloaded or under sustained pressure who want a structured way to step back.

We use the museum as a quiet, neutral environment to slow down observation. Using art as a shared reference point for reflection, we look at patterns of thinking without requiring personal disclosure or art knowledge.

Advanced registration is required to keep the group size small. The exact meeting location within the museum will be sent upon registration.

The Format:

90 minutes in the museum: Moving through galleries using simple observation prompts.

90 minutes of conversation: A facilitated discussion afterward at a nearby coffee shop to talk about what resonated and why.

Follow-up: Includes an optional one-hour Zoom check-in two weeks later.

Cost: $85. Note: Museum admission is $27.50, paid directly to the museum (free for members).

Facilitator: Ryan has worked in the arts for over 20 years and serves as a business coach and mentor. This workshop uses art as a practical tool to create perspective on how we think and work.

Venue: Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205

Tags: workshop, mental-health, wellness, professional-development, art

Join us for another exciting session of Portland's longest-running robotics meetup! This month, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Joe Cole, an honored member of our community, who will be presenting on Teaching Physical AI with the PARTS Common Platform.

Abstract

At Rose City Robotics, we use hands-on robotics to bridge the gap between abstract AI and real-world autonomy. In our Engineer Boldly: AI Robotics Sprint, students learn physical AI by building and programming mobile robots that perceive, map, and act in the physical world using modern tools such as ROS 2, LiDAR-based SLAM, and deep-learning-based perception.

This talk describes how we use the PARTS Common Platform robot as a shared, open foundation for teaching embodied intelligence. Students train and deploy object-detection models, experiment with imitation and reinforcement learning, and confront the real challenges of noisy sensors, imperfect models, and hardware constraints. By learning AI directly on physical robots, participants develop an intuition for autonomy that cannot be gained from simulation alone.

I’ll share lessons learned, example student projects, and why accessible, community-designed platforms like the Common Platform are essential for educating the next generation of roboticists.

Who Should Attend This presentation is designed for robotics enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a professional engineer, a hobbyist, a student, or simply curious about the intersection of AI and robotics, you'll find valuable insights in this talk.

About the Speaker Dr. Joseph (Joe) Cole is a distinguished figure in the Portland robotics community and an honored member of P.A.R.T.S. With a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, Joe brings over 20 years of experience developing computer vision and machine learning algorithms.

As the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Rose City Robotics, Joe is currently focused on building robots for many tasks. His extensive background includes work at Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and YorLabs, specializing in image processing and applied physics.

Joe has been a valued contributor to the Portland Area Robotics Society, regularly sharing his expertise through presentations and helping to bridge the gap between professional robotics development and our local community.

About P.A.R.T.S. The Portland Area RoboTics Society (P.A.R.T.S.) is THE longest-running robotics meetup in Portland. We are an Oregon non-profit formed to help those interested in learning about and building robots. Our monthly meetings are open to the public and welcome everyone from professionals to amateurs, students to professors, engineers to artists. P.A.R.T.S. members explore all aspects of robotics and work toward expanding communication between robot enthusiasts. We share ideas, experience, and enthusiasm for building robots in an informal and supportive environment.

What to Bring

Your curiosity and questions A robot (working or not) if you'd like to share or get help A notebook or laptop for capturing ideas After the Presentation As always, there will be time for Q&A and informal discussions after the presentation. This is your chance to connect with other robotics enthusiasts, share your projects, and get feedback from the community.

The Portland Linux Kernel Meetup for December 2025 will be at...

• Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
• Time: 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM US/Pacific
• Location: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St, Portland, Oregon 97209 US

Come enjoy a beverage and chat with other people who are interested in the Linux kernel. All experience levels are welcome. This is a friendly and casual meetup.

Look for a table with the plush Tux penguin.

Happy Holidays!

To get timely reminders of Portland Linux Kernel Meetups, see https://ikluft.github.io/pdx-lkmu/subscribing-to-pdx-lkmu-events.html.

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Curious how unique projects and hands-on experience can accelerate your tech career?

For many professionals, growth comes not just from technical skills but from tackling real-world challenges, collaborating across teams, and learning on the job. This talk will explore practical lessons that can help you stand out and make an impact in your role.

In this live session, you’ll hear from Mindi Weik, who transitioned from leadership roles in real estate and non-profits to becoming a Software Engineer in Postman and a Founding Engineer in Audition Cat. She’ll share how curiosity, creativity, and working on unusual frontend projects shaped her career and helped her grow in tech.

Join us for this motivating Tech Talk on Friday, December 19 at 1 PM PT | 3 PM CT | 4 PM ET and discover how hands-on projects and practical experience can guide your growth and career path.

Whether you’re early in your tech journey or looking to take on unique opportunities, this talk will give you actionable insights to help you move forward.

Reserve your spot today and start leveraging real-world projects to accelerate your career.

Hello Portland AI Engineers. We are taking a slight pause for December 🎅 🎄 🎁 ✨

No formal presentation: This is not a formally sponsored event, but we are scheduling a casual networking meetup for those who would like to come out to nosh, imbibe and network with like minded folks. There will be an AI Book Raffle (Thank you O'Reilly)

Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors: PIE Silicon Florist AlteredCraft O'Reilly Instrument

Summary:

Plan 9 is an operating system with some very interesting properties, especially around distributed systems, networking, and resource sharing. It was originally developed by the same group at Bell Labs which developed Unix and shares a clear heritage that will make many parts familiar to experienced users of other unix-like systems, but in many ways represents an "alternate universe" for how Unix might have developed. While it's seen only limited commercial use, it has proven itself suitable to a wide range of applications, including supercomputer clusters, network appliances, and embedded systems. And as a small, consistent system with a unifying philosophy, it can be interesting to study and explore even outside its practical utility.

Together, let's take a brief tour of this alternate universe's history, what makes it exciting to people who live (or visit) there, the current landscape, and where it might (or might not!) be interesting for you.

Bio:

Anthony Sorace (he/him) is some sort of engineer. Professionally, his work has focused on system architecture and process analysis, looking at how people can use computers to solve (some of) their problems. On the side, he enjoys messing about with networking, databases, and systems software. He is a slightly reluctant web programmer and enthusiastic cook. He has been using Plan 9 since the late nineteen hundreds, a few weeks before starting a job at Bell Labs working with related technology, and currently serves as a director of the Plan 9 Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to advancing research on lightweight distributed systems using these technologies.

Join Us for OBI’s December Accelerate Biotech Happy Hour

This is it. The most attended and most popular Happy Hour of the entire year. If networking had a season finale, this would be it.

Come connect with innovators, founders, researchers, and bioscience professionals at our December Accelerate Happy Hour, proudly sponsored by Davis Wright Tremaine. Whether you are building something new, scouting opportunities, or trying to remember what life felt like before you lived in your inbox, this event will boost your energy before the holiday chaos arrives.

When: Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 5:30 to 7:00 PM Where: OBI Event Space | Suite 230

What you can expect:

• Packed room with new faces and fresh perspectives from biotech, digital health, and medical devices • A relaxed, collaborative space where ideas and introductions happen without forced small talk • Light food and beverages while you grow your network and your confidence

Want to share what you are working on? We offer quick two minute speaking spots at future Happy Hours. These spots are currently open beginning in March 2026. If you'd like to get on the list, email [email protected].

RSVP now and close out the year with the people who understand the joy of things like clean data and well formatted slide decks.

Ready to build something with AI - or help others do the same?

Join us for a relaxed, co-working style session where you'll have three hours to explore AI building with other curious creators. This isn't a structured workshop - it's a supportive space where you can experiment, tinker, and see what happens when you start playing with AI tools.

We'll have experienced AI builders in the room ready to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and share insights as you work. Whether you're taking your first steps or diving into a complex project, you'll have access to people who can help.

🙌 Perfect for complete beginners who want guidance getting started, experienced builders who need dedicated time to work on projects, and AI experts who want to help others learn.

💪 If you have AI building experience and want to support fellow creators, sign up as a helper when you register!

👍 Walk away with whatever you manage to build, new connections, and the confidence to keep experimenting on your own.

What to bring:

• Your laptop
• Your curiosity
• Any project idea you are working on or have been wanting to try (or just show up and see what emerges)

This event is in partnership with AI Portland and Portland AI Engineers.

This Hub programming is supported by funding from Business Oregon.

We the Asian founders We the Bi founders We the Black founders We the Catholic founders We the Christian founders We the Disabled founders We the Ex-Incarcerated founders We the Gay founders We the Immigrant founders We the Indigenous founders We the Jewish founders We the Latino founders We the Lesbian founders We the Muslim founders We the Neuro-divergent founders We the Queer founders We the Senior founders We the Trans founders We the Unhoused founders We the Veteran founders We the White founders We the Women founders We the Young founders

We, the Founders of Portland know in our core that through diversity comes strength. We know kindness, consideration and collaboration is true power. We know reading, learning and knowledge is leveling up. We know that truth, trust and honesty is a cornerstone of community. We the Founders of Portland know that equity is the quality of being fair and just, especially in a way that takes account of and seeks to address existing inequalities. So it goes, when you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression. Those that understand the importance of inclusion, kindness, empathy, compassion, openness, transparency, honesty...welcome aboard.

RSVP (free): https://www.meetup.com/startup-your-startup/events/311963842

Are you an aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur exploring the world of AI?

Join us for a free, interactive webinar to learn more about the Oregon AI Accelerator — a new premier program designed to help founders turn their AI ideas into scalable businesses.

During this session, you’ll:

Get a clear overview of the Oregon AI Accelerator — who we are, our mission, and what makes the program unique. oregonaiaccelerator.com

Understand the benefits: mentorship, technical assistance, access to investors, and collaboration with Oregon’s top tech organizations and universities. oregonaiaccelerator.com

Explore the application process: eligibility criteria, timeline, and what we look for in prospective founders.

Ask your questions live: we’ll dedicate time to a Q&A so you can get clarity on whether this accelerator is a good fit for you.

Learn next steps: how to apply, key dates, and how to prepare a strong application.

Details

What to Expect:

Code and Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. Drink some coffee, bring your laptop, and have engaging conversations. This is a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and possibly collaborate on side projects, online courses, or even your day-to-day work tasks. Still uncertain? Let's chat on Discord!

Venue:

The Venue is at Capital One Café, who is graciously allowing us to host a space. WIFI, power outlets Recommended Parking: Smart Park, $7 all day https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/smartpark

Coffee:

Capital One Café has drip coffee and fixings available for it

Agenda:

10 AM - Arrival: Head to the top by the glass rooms 10:15 AM - Introductions: Share your name Discuss your current projects or interests. If you don’t have a specific project, share what intrigues you! Mention your expertise and how you can assist others. Are you job hunting or hiring? Let us know! Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. 12:30 AM - Wrapping Up: You can stay longer, but we'll officially be done! We usually grab lunch as a group at near by food carts

Are you an aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur exploring the world of AI?

Join us for a free, interactive webinar to learn more about the Oregon AI Accelerator — a new premier program designed to help founders turn their AI ideas into scalable businesses.

During this session, you’ll:

Get a clear overview of the Oregon AI Accelerator — who we are, our mission, and what makes the program unique. oregonaiaccelerator.com

Understand the benefits: mentorship, technical assistance, access to investors, and collaboration with Oregon’s top tech organizations and universities. oregonaiaccelerator.com

Explore the application process: eligibility criteria, timeline, and what we look for in prospective founders.

Ask your questions live: we’ll dedicate time to a Q&A so you can get clarity on whether this accelerator is a good fit for you.

Learn next steps: how to apply, key dates, and how to prepare a strong application.

Breaking Into the Education Market: How to Sell Your Product in EdTech

Thinking about launching or scaling a product for the education sector? Whether your innovation is designed for K–12 classrooms, higher ed, district administrators, workforce training, or lifelong learners, the education market comes with unique challenges—and enormous opportunity.

This session focuses on how early-stage founders can move from idea to traction by understanding how education markets actually buy, and how to turn early wins into sustainable growth. Hear from experienced founders and industry experts who have successfully navigated the edtech landscape and lived to tell the tale.

The panel will discuss:

Key differences across K–12, higher ed, and consumer learning

How to get your product in front of educators, decision-makers, and influencers

What to expect from the sales cycle

The importance of proving outcomes.

Opportunities in adult learning, professional development, corporate upskilling, and lifelong learning

Whether you’re at the idea stage or preparing to scale, you’ll walk away with practical insights, realistic expectations, and strategies to build credibility and adoption in one of the most rewarding (and complex) markets.

Panelists include

Justin Wolske (Moderator) | Chief Product Officer, Yellowbrick

Pamela Judge| EdTech Demand Generation and RevOps leader

John Moore | Global Edtech Executive & Experienced Founder

Shannon Schrecengost | Principal Consultant, Serendipity Lane

Scott Wallace K-12 EdTech Sales Leader

Agenda

5:00-5:15p: Networking

5:15 - 6:15p: Panel & Q&A

6:15-6:45p: Founder Pitches (3 startups pitch their sales strategies and get live feedback)

6:45-7:00pp: Event Wrap & Next Steps

Cost: FREE (snacks and light refreshments provided)

ABOUT LRN|PDX

LRN|PDX is a new initiative designed to serve education-focused ventures across the Portland and Oregon entrepreneurship ecosystems. Sponsored by Airy Disc Learning and the Metro Region Innovation Hub, LRN|PDX provides programming, networking opportunity, and expertise to help entrepreneurs solve the most pressing problems across the education landscape.

The Portland Linux Kernel Meetup for November 2025 will be at...

• Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
• Time: 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM US/Pacific
• Location: Lucky Labrador Beer Hall, 1945 NW Quimby St, Portland, Oregon 97209 US

Come enjoy a beverage and chat with other people who are interested in the Linux kernel. All experience levels are welcome. This is a friendly and casual meetup.

Look for a table with the plush Tux penguin.

Doors open at 5:15pm. We start at 5:30pm

​About this workshop

The foundation of a successful startup is a good idea, but most founders struggle to characterize the strength of their startup idea. As a result, many founders invest their time, money and effort only to build something nobody cares about. If only founders could get a specific, actionable signal sooner.

To overcome this challenge, Nascent methodology enables founders to evaluate data from discovery interviews and quantify a startup idea in dollars ($). Ultimately, founders are able to decide within seconds whether to stop the project or continue iterating.

​This workshop is ideal for founders of startups with no customers (i.e., idea-stage startups). You'll walk through a case study of a founder who applied Nascent methodology to their startup idea. If you find the methodology compelling, then you can join our January cohort and apply it to your own startup idea.

​In this workshop, we'll use a case study to teach you to:

• ​Identify People in Pain — potential customers who are actively struggling with a problem

• ​Quantify the Pain in Dollars ($) — to assess how much value you could create by solving the problem

• ​Avoid wasting time on ideas that are unlikely to be successful

• ​Make decisions with minimal data (i.e., despite having few or no customers)

People doing strange things with electricity! Along with the usual freewheeling chaos, the quick talks continue this month with Daniel Temkin, author of the new book "Forty-four Esolangs: The Art of Esoteric Code":

"Software art is widely accepted, but can programming languages themselves be art? The new book Forty-Four Esolangs makes this argument, collecting work by a single artist who poses code as prayer to the Greek gods, patterns of empty folders, or typed in tandem by two programmers, the rhythm and synchrony of their typing determining commands. Temkin will share projects from the book in the context of thirty plus years of esolangs, showing the poetic possibilities of this medium.”

DorkbotPDX is a relaxed, informal show-and-tell for electronic artists, circuit designers, microcontroller programmers, retro computing enthusiasts, video game designers, digital archaeologists, and mod synth gearheads in Portland, Oregon.

Bring your electronic wonders, monsters, and works-in-progress for others to see, or come see what others have been working on! Whether it's code or circuits, electronic creativity of all sorts is welcome here.

Table space with power will be available for project show-and-tell; we'll have a table for drinks and snacks, feel free to contribute to the communal cache/BYOB. The Free cart is back, take or leave some components (don’t leave TOO much, if you have big stuff, maybe check the Discord/mailing list to see if anyone is interested in taking it first!)

Info and links to our Discord and other social channels are at https://dorkbotpdx.org

Landing your first role after a coding bootcamp can be challenging, especially in today’s competitive job market. So how can you stand out from the crowd and showcase your value as a new developer?

In this session, you’ll explore practical ways to differentiate yourself through intentional networking, consistency, and authentic personal branding. Learn how to build visibility, make genuine connections, and confidently navigate your next career steps.

This talk will be led by Brooke Sweedar, a software engineer and content creator who also graduated from a coding bootcamp and now makes a strong impact in the tech industry. With this, she will share relatable insights and strategies that helped her grow from student to successful engineer.

Join us on Friday, November 7 at 1 PM PST | 3 PM CST | 4 PM EST for this motivational Tech Talk that will help you take charge of your tech journey and stand out with confidence.

Reserve your spot today and start shaping your breakthrough moment!

Summary:

OpenTelemetry is a collection of open standards and industry-tested components that facilitates observation of software systems. Let's dissect this vague jargon and discuss what that actually means for Linux practitioners and how it can be used to understand software interactions and performance.

Bio:

Jason Plumb (he/him) is a software engineer, hacker generalist, experimenter, and artist from Portland, Oregon. He's a dork who first installed Slackware about 29 years ago, and hi has used a Linux desktop for all of this century. He is a maintainer of OpenTelemetry Android and an approver in several OpenTelemetry Java projects. When away from a desk, Jason helps install free payphones, builds synthesizers, obsesses over cult films, and rides steel-frame bicycles.

Don't miss the launch of DevSwarm Pro: the first Augmented Development Environment (ADE) built for production teams! ​Join us at Kiln Portland’s Theater for an exclusive in-person launch event celebrating the release of DevSwarm Pro, the full professional edition of DevSwarm.

​After months in Beta, DevSwarm is graduating into a production-ready platform — built for engineers, team leads, and CTOs who need to code faster, smarter, and in parallel with today’s top AI coding assistants.

​What to Expect: • ​Complimentary appetizers and beverages • ​Live demo from DevSwarm Founder & CEO Mike Biglan and CTO Trevor Dilley, with a follow-up Q&A session • ​The first public look at DevSwarm Pro’s full feature set, with opportunities to try it out yourself • One-on-one conversations with the founders before and after the demo

​Who Should Attend: • ​Production software engineers • ​Dev team leads and engineering managers ​• CTOs and VPs of SaaS companies or digital product agencies

RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/cloud-native-pdx/events/311422780/

OpenSearch - Your Friendly Neighborhood Vector Database by Nathan Boot @ AWS

OpenSearch, aside from being a search, analytics, and observability solution, often gets overlooked as a fully functioning open source vector database. I’d very much like the opportunity to showcase the progress we’ve made here at the OpenSearch project implementing vector database operations and making them accessible to developers of all skill levels.

Let’s learn how to create and query vector embeddings, the basis for semantic search and RAG. You’ll get introduced to embeddings, vectors and semantic search in this “OpenSearch Vector Operations for Dummies” presentation. Hopefully it will bring a user-friendly path on a battle tested, fully open source platform.

Edge Orchestration: Challenges and Solutions by Scott Baker @ Intel

The edge differs from the cloud – rather than consisting of a handful of centralized infinitely-elastic Kubernetes clusters, the edge consists of thousands of geographically distributed edge nodes, often with constrained resources. The talk will begin with a discussion of the edge, how it differs from the cloud, and the unique challenges that this presents. After the overview of the edge, we will discuss Intel’s Open Edge Platform and its Edge Manageability Framework (EMF) that was built to demonstrate orchestration of edge nodes, Kubernetes Clusters, and applications to those clusters. The software is fully open source, actively developed, and readily available on GitHub.

We will discuss how we onboard and lifecycle the nodes, how we bring up Kubernetes clusters with our CAPI-based cluster management layer, and how we deploy and manage applications to those clusters. We will introduce technologies that enable the edge, such as Intel’s vPRO and Edge Microvisor Toolkit (EMT). We will talk about the architecture and design of this open-source project, and if time and connectivity permits, we will do a short demo to get a feel of the user interface.

Agenda

5:30–6:00 — Check-in, snacks, networking 6:00–6:30 — OpenSearch - Your Friendly Neighborhood Vector Database 6:30 - 7:00 — Edge Orchestration: Challenges and Solutions 7:00–8:00 — Networking (and games if anyone wants to bring some!)

Who Should Attend

Platform engineers, SREs, DevOps, app/platform teams, OSS maintainers, and anyone curious about Kubernetes, supply chain security, observability, eBPF/WASM, finops, or AI for infra/devex.

Tour & Fireside Chat with Migration Brewing Co-Founder Colin Rath

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Oregon’s fastest-growing breweries!

Since 2018, Migration Brewing has expanded from a beloved Portland taproom into an award-winning craft brewery with distribution across Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Hong Kong, and Japan. Now, you’ll get the chance to tour their Gresham Pub & Production Facility—the heart of their brewing operation and home to 20 fresh taps, handmade pizzas, and a laid-back, community vibe.

After the tour, sit down for a fireside chat with co-founder Colin Rath, who will share Migration’s growth story—from humble beginnings to international expansion—and lessons learned in scaling a craft brand without losing its soul.

Expect an afternoon of great conversation, inspiration, and of course, excellent beer.

Agenda:

3:00pm | Networking

3:30pm | Tour

4:00pm | Fireside Chat

4:30pm | Networking

About the Venue:

Migration’s spacious Gresham pub features minimalist design, 25-foot ceilings, multiple TVs for local sports, and a large covered patio perfect for any season. All food is crafted in-house using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients—including pizza dough and breads made fresh daily.

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and toast to Oregon innovation.

This event is in partnership with the City of Gresham Economic Development Office.

This Hub programming is supported by funding from Business Oregon.

Overview

Legendary Lunch #1: Reclaim Portland. Retrain Portland. If you’re unemployed, underemployed, or just ready to stop waiting for Portland to come back—join us.

AI isn’t a career killer. Fear is.

Let’s rebuild community, confidence, and creativity—one lunch at a time.

Why This Matters Portland’s energy used to be legendary—builders, dreamers, tinkerers meeting over sandwiches and big ideas. Somewhere along the way, that spark faded. Now, in what I call the Great Portland Downturn, we have a chance to get it back.

This isn’t another networking event. It’s a revival—a working lunch for people who want to build, adapt, and reconnect. Whether you’re looking for a job, plotting a pivot, or trying to make sense of AI’s impact on your work, this is for you.

What to Expect Real talks, no fluff. Fast, practical sessions on AI, the future of work, and what’s actually next. Unconference format. From 1:30–3:30 PM, you lead the conversations—lightning talks, birds-of-a-feather groups, soapboxes. Actual community. No recruiters or empty pitches. Just people helping people get unstuck and move forward. Sample Sessions Using AI to scale your job search – find better opportunities, faster How to prepare before layoffs hit – use adrenaline and AI to stay ahead Why liberal arts are the hidden power skill of the AI age English as the new programming language – communicate, think in systems, and get results without coding Agentic and code-swarming workflows – what’s emerging at Nedspace right now Staying sane while job-hunting with AI – practical mental health tools AND MORE COMING EACH DAY..... Want to speak or host a group? Great. Submit your idea—you’ll get a 30-minute slot. (And yes, no commercial talks unless they clearly add value to the community.)

Who We Are My name is Surj Patel, and along with my ally Shaan Kirpalani, we’re determined to make Portland network like it used to—and care like it used to. With help from Faris Mubarak and Nedspace, we’re hosting this series as part of our mission to retrain, reconnect, and reignite the city’s creative core.

The Spirit You don’t need to learn Python or become a Stanford-trained prompt whisperer. You need discipline, common sense, and systems thinking.

AI doesn’t make you someone else—it amplifies who you already are. Let’s make sure it amplifies the best parts of us.

This is where Portland’s comeback begins. Greatness isn’t given—it’s built. Together.

Hosted by NEOU at Nedspace, downtown Portland’s entrepreneurial hub. Free admission with BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) or paid tickets include a catered meal.

FREE. FOCUSED. FUN. FAST FORWARD.

(We welcome more collaborations , reach out by signing up)

RainSec is an informal group of like-minded security professionals who meet to network and discuss topics of interest in a non-work, non-vendor setting.

While our target audience is experienced information security professionals, this is a public event open to any interested parties. If you have a friend or colleague who might benefit, please pass an invite along.

Please follow us on Bluesky (@rainsec.org) or Mastodon ([email protected]) for any last minute updates.

COVID-19 Precautions:

• We meet outside under a covered patio area to reduce transmission risk.
  • There are overhead heaters if it's cold, but dress comfortably!
• If you are feeling sick, stay home!
• If you've had a recent COVID exposure, stay home!

You can also find us on Meetup.com and Smoke Signal (AT Protocol).

If you're looking for more security-focused community meetups in the Portland area, check out pdx-infosec.com

Using Intellectual Property to Grow Your Business Local experts will share invaluable insights into the world of innovation and business creation. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned small business owner, a university researcher with a revolutionary discovery, or a student charting your career path, this panel is for you!

Our speakers will delve into topics critical for any startup or university researcher,, offering firsthand accounts and advice on:

Intellectual Property (IP): Learn how to protect your brilliant ideas, from patents and copyrights to trademarks, and understand their strategic importance in the marketplace.

Starting Companies: Gain practical guidance on launching and scaling a successful business, navigating the challenges and seizing opportunities.

Licensing University Research: Discover the pathways for translating academic breakthroughs into commercial products and services, fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

Entrepreneurship: Hear inspiring stories and actionable strategies from those who have built their own empires, offering a candid look at the journey of an entrepreneur.

Featuring an expert lineup:

Justin Wagner - McCoy|Russell

Anna Brown - Stark Street Materials Corporation

Mark Ronay - Ronay Labs (founder, LiquidWire)

Andrew Greenberg - APDM/Tova/PSU

Dr. Robert Strongin - Captis Biotechnologies/PSU

This is a unique opportunity to learn from the best, network with like-minded individuals, and gain the tools you need to propel your ideas forward.