Design Best Practices

### Each Crossroads & Connections workshop is a fast, friendly mash-up: short demos, paired practices and intentional reflection. We keep it light, embodied, and social—so wisdom lands in your muscles and your circle, not only your mind. There isn’t one technique that fixes everything, for everyone, in every situation. ### What is it? We pair complementary domains to spark shared flow, fresh insight, and unforgettable “aha!” moments. You leave with lived skills, not just notes. * **Dialogue** gets you out of solo spin: small-group formats expose blind spots and sharpen “shared reality,” so your next move matches *this* person and *this* moment. * **Imaginal** practice is guided “as if” rehearsal you look *through*, not *at*: walking the beats before the scene means your body recognizes turns when stakes rise. * **Mindfulness** steadies the camera: attention stops jerking around, drama gets de-amplified, and you can catch the instant you’re narrating motives and swap in one honest question. * **Embodiment** makes it actionable through direct, non-verbal experience and how your inner experience matches your outer expression. Facilitators: Varies Fee: $30USD - Or a 10-pack for $200USD [Please visit here](https://awakentomeaning.com/crossroads-and-connections/) for registration and more information.

**You know there’s more to life than this.** More than the noise. More than the striving. More than the constant doing. If you’ve ever felt that quiet inner pull toward something deeper, this afternoon is for you. Join us for an Open House at the **School of Practical Philosophy in Toronto** — a not-for-profit community where philosophy is not studied as theory, but lived in everyday life. This is not a lecture. It’s a conversation. A space for reflection, inquiry, and genuine connection with others who are also seeking truth. All of our courses are offered by long-time students of the School who volunteer their time — not because they are paid, but because they have experienced the value of this work and wish to share it. What to expect: * A welcoming, no-pressure environment * An introduction to practical philosophy (East + West, applied to daily life) * A simple mindfulness exercise you can take home immediately * Thought-provoking discussion with like-minded people You are invited to attend with **no obligation**. Stay for the first class, experience it for yourself, and decide if it resonates. Come as you are — curious, questioning, or simply open. Register to secure your spot: **[OPEN HOUSE](https://schoolofpracticalphilosophy.asapconnected.com/?org=1361#CourseGroupID=44887)**

[Summary] This meetup is for those who are interested in code, web development, design, cloud, or AI. All levels are welcome, so feel free to bring your laptop and discuss what you are working on or what you are learning. You can share your projects and ideas with other participants freely. There are outlets and WiFi, drinks are about $5 for tea, they take card only. [Price] Attendance is FREE. But you need to buy something from the venue. [Policies] \- We do not tolerate harassment of our members \- We remind users that that this meetup is intended for networking and hobby development\, and any attempts at using this meetup event as a dating platform will not be not be tolerated Further information: https://torontostack.exchange/

Hey Toronto! This is your weekly escape into global cultures. [[[Click this WhatsApp Groupchat Link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Liiuvdrax8d6nywXcfXDMV) ]] Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people in their 20s and 30s gather for a mix of language practice, travel stories, and community. Whether you’re new in town or born here, this is where world citizens connect. No judgment, no pressure — just pure, human interaction.

Note - This is an exclusive event organized by Alumni Relations department of George Brown Polytechnic and supported by GDG Cloud Toronto. We are also extending the opportunity to our community members to join and benefit. This is a paid event, and participation is strictly based on your ticket purchase from [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/building-with-ai-learn-ai-tools-workshop-tickets-1984968334723?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/building-with-ai-learn-ai-tools-workshop-tickets-1984968334723?aff=oddtdtcreator) Boost Your AI Skills with Google Cloud: Build, Explore, and Collaborate \# Build with AI Are you ready to redefine what's possible with AI? Join us for an immersive event designed to propel you to the forefront of AI development. Experience a unique blend of hands-on workshops, insightful sessions, and networking opportunities galore, all focused on building the next generation of intelligent applications. In this workshop, you will deploy a Gemini Enterprise application and connect it to diverse data stores, including Google Cloud Storage, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. You will then explore its capabilities, from using the general AI assistant for information discovery to creating custom agents for specific tasks and leveraging NotebookLM for in-depth content analysis. What You Will Learn: * Create a Gemini Enterprise app. * Use Gemini Enterprise agents to find, summarize, and extract content from different data stores. * Create a deep research report agent. * Create a multi-agent ideation session. * Utilize NotebookLM for focused, document-grounded analysis and generate an audio overview of curated sources. To join the workshop, you must bring your own laptop and power cable. The activities are intended for laptops and cannot be completed on a tablet or phone. Lunch will be provided. Note: Please fill out the registration form to express interest in joining the event! Capacity is limited, and registration is required. Note - GDG Cloud Toronto is not organizing but supporting this event. All decisions made regarding the confirmation of registration will be made by the Alumni Relations department of George Brown Polytechnic.

**Free Pranic Healing Clinic** Saturday, April 18th 2026 We will start with the Meditation on Twin Hearts and then proceed with the Pranic healing clinic, First come First served basis for the clinic We are open from 1pm to 4pm, The Pranic Healing sessions are free, **Location** Mei Ling Center for Pranic Healing and Spirituality 257 Eglinton Avenue West Suite 208 Toronto

Let’s do some coding together at a cafe! No more working alone in the weekend. Here, we write code together. And I mean together together. Not occupying-the-same-space-but-separate together. Here’s how it works: Jennifer brings her mobile app project, tells everyone that it is like Pinterest for recipes and she’d like to work on the nav bar. Paul and Chloe think Jennifer's project is fascinating, and they join the group. They gather around Jennifer’s laptop and work on the nav bar for 2 hours. Jennifer is the one typing out the code while Paul and Chloe research, brainstorm, and offer suggestions. If you’re feeling stuck on your own project or need a motivation boost, bring it to mob programming! Want to learn by watching how others code and solve problems? Join someone else’s project at this event! Oh and we love your half-done projects that you are a bit embarrassed to share. Absolutely bring those to the event! **Discord**: We use Discord to share screen & code snippets during the event. Also feel free to share your projects here before the event! https://discord.gg/yvAGbh4PpD **Event policy**: * We have 0 tolerance for harassment. * We don’t allow the projects that are not meant to be shared in public such as school assignments, interview tasks, or trade secrets. * The goal is to write code. We discourage you from pitching business ideas here, doing code reviews, or spending the whole event on planning what to do. * Please buy a drink, and tip the barista well.

Hello everyone, Please join us for our a great afternoon with **IMPROV and ACTING in the PUB.** \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a great afternoon \*\*Stick around after as well for our weekly traditional Sunday Dinner Party-no extra charge- others will be joining us to for dinner (optional) Event details below: Sincerely Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) Event Details: **IMPROV and ACTING in the PUB (with Optional Dinner Party After)** This is a well organized event filled with Improv games, skits and of course lots of hilarious scenes that we will create. -A fun afternoon for all Improv enthusiasts and newbies of Improv! \*No experience required; just an open mind and a desire to meet some wonderful people, laugh and have fun! \*Joined by my other groups too so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only) (HST is included) or e transfer in advance to [[steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://steveflemming11@gmail.com)] \*Includes Dinner Party after at no extra charge :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminders:** **Date:** **Sunday, April 19th** **Arrival Time:** Arrive between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm **Where to Meet us?** **Location: La Carnita - Good Fortune Bar (Main Floor)** **Address:** 130 Eglinton Ave. Toronto, ON M4P 2X9 \-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \***Plenty of free street parking on Eglinton** and (Residential area south/east of venue for free) **Close to Subway Station:** \*Also just a three minute walk east from the Yonge/Eglinton subway station

\*\*Please note that this event requires your name and email address for QR code to get access to the building on the event day, you must register or else you will not receive a QR code for access\*\* [Link](https://forms.office.com/r/PBdQuWX4T0)[ ](https://forms.office.com/r/7ZB00rZmBh?origin=lprLink)to Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/PBdQuWX4T0 **Sponsors:** **Agenda:** **9.30-9.45**: Opening **10-10.45:** **MPR-A**: Using Azure API Management to Govern Agents, MCP Servers, and Modern API Platforms by Callon Campbell **MPR-B**: Agentic SDLC by Max Yermakhanov **MPR-C**: From Prompts to Plans: Designing Solutions with Multi‑Agent Workflows by Alex Rostan **11-11.45**: **MPR-A**: Your Inbox is the Front Door: How Azure Credential Attacks Actually Work in 2026 Tamir AlBalkhi **MPR-B**: Ask me anything about DevOps by Max Yermakhanov MPR-C: Cool AI agent demo you've got there! Now Let’s Make It Real with Azure Functions by Alex Pshul **12-12.45**: **MPR-A**: Azure SRE Agent by Ehsan Eskandari **MPR-B**: Fabric IQ – From Relational Database to Graph Knowledge Base by Ashraf Ghonaim **MPR-C**: A Multi-Model Personal Health Agent with MS AI Foundry, KAITO, and Azure Kubernetes by Roy Kim **12-45-1-15**: Lunch **1.30-2:15**: **MPR-A**: The Agent Economy: Monetizing AI Agents with Azure API Management + Usage-Based Billing by Rajaganesh Vijayaraj **MPR-B**: Deploy Your AI Assistant on Azure with OpenClaw and Microsoft AI Foundry by Kaan Turgut **MPR-C**: From Legal Reasoning to Legal Operations: Running Adaptive AI Systems on Azure by Matthew Douglas **2:15-3:** **MPR-A**: Build the Next-Generation Multi-Source Knowledge Base Agent with Microsoft IQ in Foundry by Cihan Cinar **MPR-B**: Context Engineering on Azure: Unlocking Persistent Agent Memory with MemAnto by Moorcheh.ai by Tara Khani and Majid Fekri **MPR-C**:

​**Toronto Stoics: Monthly Meetup** ​*Modern Wisdom. Practical Living. Local Community*. ​We are a monthly gathering dedicated to exploring Stoic philosophy and its real-world application. Whether you are a long-time practitioner or just curious about how ancient wisdom can help navigate modern life, you are welcome here. ​*What to Expect* ​Our meetups are casual, conversational, and focused on utility. Each month, we gather at a member's home in Toronto to deconstruct a specific Stoic quote or concept. We move past the theory to discuss how these ideas actually work when the pressure is on—helping us build resilience, focus on what we can control, and refine our character. ​*Why Stoicism?* ​Simply put, Stoicism was designed to help people live their best possible lives. It is a framework for: - ​Maximizing Clarity: Focusing energy on what is within our power. - ​Reducing Friction: Managing negative emotions like anxiety and anger. - ​Honing Virtue: Cultivating the strength of character to handle any situation. ​Stoicism doesn’t require hours of meditation or a degree in philosophy. It is a "boots-on-the-ground" toolkit for finding tranquility and staying effective at any stage of life. ​**Join us monthly to find a little more perspective and a lot more practical wisdom.**

\*\*Moved to Sunday due to rain on Saturday\*\* Join us for a casual walk starting at The Well - let's meet at DeMello Coffee, pick up a coffee if you choose, and check out the area for some architecture/street photography and make our way to Graffiti Alley for some great photo opps. All skill levels welcome including mobile phone users, just a chance to meet people and share our common interests. Event is free, just bring a smile :) Hope you can join us! Paul

Smart Fashion - Dress Smarter. Dress With Purpose What if fashion isn’t about trends or body types, but about intelligence, psychology, and intention? Join us for an inspiring Smart Fashion keynote seminar that will change the way you think about your wardrobe. This session will show how clothing can become a powerful tool for self-expression, confidence, and everyday clarity. Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuuVgTpzudAP-5i-Lmtl8_DpQid59dPaH-W9WFZ3v7xro9Lw/viewform If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your closet or unsure how to create a style that truly reflects you, this event will help you rethink fashion in a simple and empowering way. During this session you will learn: • Fashion as a language • The difference between good taste and trends • 7 smart wardrobe secrets • How style influences confidence and self-esteem • Simple principles of visual harmony This seminar is designed for anyone who wants their wardrobe to work for them instead of confusing them. Event Details 📅 Date: April 18, 2026 ⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 📍 Location: Kintore College, 75 Charles St W, Toronto 💲 Price: $25 per person 👥 Limited to 100 participants About the Organizer PEV (Promotion of Education & Values) is a registered charity dedicated to empowering women to unlock their strengths and thrive in every sphere of life. Come discover how smart fashion can simplify your life and strengthen your confidence.

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 3:30pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

**TBA**

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

A WiA Collective Wisdom Exchange At the start of this year, we gathered to look back, set intentions, and imagine the next chapter. This is the follow-up. Not a check-in. Not a progress report. A small, facilitated circle to reconnect with what you said mattered — and honestly explore what’s actually happening now. Together, we’ll explore: • What you intended at the start of this year - and what that looks like three months in • What’s surprised you, supported you, or shifted • What the next chapter needs now that you know what you know If you were at our January gathering, bring whatever you made or wrote — your word, your artifact, your intention. We’ll look at it with fresh eyes. If this is your first time, you belong here too. You’ll start where we all started: with what’s true right now. Optional art materials will be available for anyone who wants to reflect creatively alongside conversation. If you brought something home from January, you’re warmly invited to bring it back. The intention is the same as always: everyone leaves feeling more clear, more connected, and a little lighter. Space is intentionally limited to keep the experience intimate. What to Expect • A small, welcoming circle (not a large meetup) • Structured conversation so everyone has space to speak • Reflection, listening, and lived experience — not advice-giving • Optional creative reflection alongside conversation • A calm, supportive environment Who This Is For Women and underrepresented folks working in or around agile, product, technology, leadership, or organizational change — especially those looking for honest conversation and community beyond frameworks and buzzwords. Good to Know • No preparation required • If you attended in January, we invite you to bring anything you created or wrote (or something that represents your intention at the start of the year) - it’s optional but invited • Participation is invitational; listening is always welcome • Creative activities are optional

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas ***NOTE:*** Pre-registration is required for this event. **Please arrive 10 minutes early** to check in at the security desk.