Sip Salon: Who decides what nature is supposed to look like?
November 4, 2026, 6:30-8:30 PM
Zaftig Brewing
We love to talk about getting “back to nature”, but what exactly does that mean? Is a forest more natural than a bonsai tree? What about a dog? A farm? A city park? A restored prairie? A zoo? Or a coral reef that humans helped rebuild?
Welcome to the Sip Salon where we gather to learn together through articles and discussion. Read the article, join the discussion. Just curious folks coming together to discuss topics. Whether you know a little or a lot, we hope to grow together in our understandings. With drinks.
Humans have been shaping the natural world for as long as we've been around. Sometimes we've made a mess of things. Sometimes we've helped repair the mess. And sometimes we're not even sure which version of nature we're supposed to be trying to save in the first place.
At this Sip Salon, we'll get a little philosophical, a little scientific, and probably a little argumentative as we explore where we draw the line between nature and human creation. If people are part of nature, are the things we create unnatural? When should we intervene? When should we step back? And perhaps the biggest question of all: who gets to decide what nature is supposed to look like?
Come ready to question your backyard, your national parks, your dog, and possibly your entire definition of “natural.”
The Siposium: Patience in a Pot - The Philosophy, Science, and Obsession of Bonsai
November 8, 2026, 7-9 PM
Seventh Son Brewing
Ever wish your favorite NPR segment or Ted Talk came with trivia, drinks, and real conversation? Welcome to The Siposium, a live, interactive gathering where we deep dive into surprisingly niche topics with expert guests, thoughtful dialogue, and just enough irreverence to keep it fun. Think NPR-style curiosity, casual community vibes, and real-time interaction. With drinks.
This month, Patience in a Pot: An Unnatural Natural Act - The Philosophy, Science, and Obsession of Bonsai explores why we shrink trees, what it teaches us, and why bonsai is both deeply natural and completely unnatural at the same time. This informal, wide-ranging, and unabashedly nerdy talk is designed to be introductory but goes in-depth, covering everything from horticultural science and design principles to cultural influences and the nature of obsession. Whether you're curious about your very first tree or you've been pruning for years, you'll leave with a new way of seeing these tiny landscapes. Lots of room for tangents and an extended Q&A.
Mark Passerrello is a bonsai artist, potter, and teacher based in Columbus Ohio. A long time interest in plants as well as Japanese culture lead to early experiments with bonsai, and the journey continues today. A longtime member of the Columbus Bonsai Society, he is currently newsletter editor for that organization as well as a contributor to the American Bonsai Society newsletter. After decades of growing bonsai trees he began creating bonsai pottery, a complimentary hobby that has become a business. He has lead many classes and demonstrations about bonsai. With a background in theatre and music, he has developed a lively teaching style that makes bonsai accessible and engaging for beginners and advanced students alike.
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