Meetups in the News! Olympian, Orlando Weekly, AP ... and almost the Today Show!

Congrats to all the Meetups making news in their towns!

Autism Support Meetups

The Olympian (3/26): Therese Holliday's son, Wyatt, died in a car accident in 2003. Wyatt had Asperger syndrome, which prompted Holliday to start the Wyatt Holliday Foundation, a group that helps children with mental and physical challenges.

"Holliday took her Internet skills and started the e-mail lists and the Web site. She also organizes the group through Meetup.com, a national Web site that connects local people with similar interests. The group brings in guest speakers to talk directly to parents. Speakers have included a special education attorney, a pediatrician who spoke about autism, and a craniosacral therapist who practices “light touch” body manipulation. The speakers sometimes have “alternative” perspectives because some children find relief with nontraditional therapies, Holliday said. “The goal is to get information to parents,” she said. “If some children were helped by something, parents need to know about that.”"

Dachshund Meetups

Orlando Weekly (3/23): Anne Davis experiences The Orlando Dachshund Meetup Group Races.

There's something to be learned from that special breed of people known as "dog owners." At least that's what I hoped as I was on my way last Sunday to Downey Park — one of Orange County's handful of parks that welcomes dogs — for a special event: the Orlando Dachshund Races, organized by Gary Ponta of the Orlando Dachshund Meetup Group. Never having contemplated how many people owned dachshunds — much less ones with a penchant for racing — I was surprised to see the frenzied crowd when I pulled into the parking lot.

Mommy Meetups
Acadiana Now (3/31): Strollerize!

The Acadiana playgroup for families with children ages 0 to 5 is now organized. Acadiana Playgroup moms who wish to lose weight this year are invited at 9:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to "strollersize" with Acadiana Playgroup. Information: 230-2382 or see http://sahm.meetup.com/94.

Naples News (3/27): Drama club.

The No Drama Momma Club is inviting mothers and their toddlers to join them at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Vineyards Community Park, 6231 Arbor Blvd., Naples. Information: 777-5460 or http://sahm.meetup.com/256

Pug Meetup to the Rescue!

Can't forget Buck from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Pug Meetup -- who's life was saved by the power of the Meetup global community (3/28). On TV, in the news... and almost on the Today Show! Link