Blogging Groups Toronto

Short Reads Social #14: "Do we have 'good' taste in food?"

Short-Read Socials are back! Come meet with like-minded and unlikeminded people to talk about the topic of the month. This time, we're thinking about **our tastes in food.** *What does it mean to have 'good taste' or even 'better taste' than others? How do we determine which food is 'superior'? What does it mean for dishes to be 'authentic' and for us to want to eat 'authentic' food?* \-\-\- **\*\*\*Note: this event and future events (at least until 2027) will be on second and last Wednesdays! we won't be there on Tuesday :(** \-\-\- **How does it work?** * The event is casual. You can talk to anyone there with or without our prompt sheets, either about the month's topic or about whatever you want. * Open philosophical discussion, including for controversial topics, is welcome but be respectful :) * If you've read/watched/heard anything related to the topic of the month, feel free to bring it in! Not necessarily physically, but you can if you want... * If not, here are some thought-provoking reads to start you off (read as many or as few as you want): * [The Life and Death of the American Foodie](https://www.eater.com/food-culture/911138/foodie-history-american-food-culture?src=longreads) * [Yelp: Everybody Gets a Star](https://www.eater.com/24200672/yelp-effect-on-restaurants-culture-review-everything?src=longreads) * [On culinary authenticity ](https://nextcloud.quackhouse.ca/s/LWk86W57YAaGgJ7) * (I appreciated the whole article but you could skip to Section 3: Reasons for Valuing Culinary Authenticity on p. 9 if you're short on time) * [Why You Can’t Get a Restaurant Reservation ](https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/why-you-cant-get-a-restaurant-reservation)(paywall free version [here](https://archive.is/20240422101420/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/why-you-cant-get-a-restaurant-reservation)) * Feel free to post other recommendations (blogs, movies, tv episodes, video essays, etc.) in the comments!

Saturday Writing Meetup – near Bloor-Yonge

\*\*NOTE: This meetup currently lacks a regular host. (The current hosts are volunteers for online organizational purposes; they show up in person occasionally.) If you arrive and there is no host, don’t worry. Whoever is the longest-running member (or whoever wants to) can set the timer for the writing session. In this way, the meetup is self-sustaining, and not dependent on any one person. Thanks for your understanding.\*\* Join us for an hour of quiet writing, followed by an hour of (optional) socializing. \*\*SILENT WRITING BEGINS AT 1:15 PM. IF YOU'RE LATE, WELCOME! WE WILL IGNORE YOU (BECAUSE WE'RE BUSY WRITING) UNTIL 2:15 PM.\*\* This meetup is open to everyone, whether you’re writing a novel, blog, class paper, or journal entry—or something completely different. Anyone interested is welcome to attend :) LOCATION: 5 Elements Cafe, basement level RSVP: Please be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. We recommend coming down to the basement to grab a spot before you buy anything, just in case. SCHEDULE: 1:00 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chill/leave. Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

Toronto Café Walk x Slow Networking for Introverted Entrepreneurs

**Register here:** [https://luma.com/91cbrzzz](https://luma.com/91cbrzzz) ***(Important Note: RSVPs on Meetup do not hold a spot. Registration via Luma is required.)*** ​**Friendly Note:** *This is a special collaboration with [Slow Networking for Introverted Entrepreneurs](https://www.instagram.com/jamwithconfidence/?utm_source=luma). More walks available in September, [check the full schedule here](https://luma.com/michelle-events)!* ​✨ **Your ticket includes more than just networking!** ​🌿 Meditation, journalling, & intuitive drawing with Michelle 🦥 Slow Networking activities + guided conversation prompts with Jessie & Mei 🎁 Goodies from our lovely event sponsors (yes, you get to take them home! 👀) Now, let's slow things down... ​Toronto has incredible cafés hiding in plain sight and some of the best ones you'd never stumble into on your own. ​**Toronto Café Walk** is a cozy social series where a small group of founders, solopreneurs, and creatives explore hand-picked café spots across different neighbourhoods, slow down a little, and meet each other in a way that actually feels human. ​**Slow Networking 🦥** was created by Jessie & Mei as a way for **introverts** to have deeper, genuine connections. Traditional networking can feel transactional, with quick pitches, exchanged contacts and conversations that rarely grow into anything meaningful. Inspired by slow travel, they wanted to slow things down and focus on connecting as humans first. Instead of meeting as many people as possible, it’s about giving a few connections the time and space to grow into a friendship, collaboration, future client, or simply a great conversation. And this special collaboration is a perfect example of where that kind of connection can lead. **Here's the Flow of the Event 🌞** ​We gather at the park and settle in. Soft handpan music plays softly in the background while we do something most of us forget to do: breathe, notice what's around us, and just be here for awhile. ​From that space, I'll lead a guided intuitive journal reflection with prompts designed to help you hear what your inner self has been trying to tell you. We'll close with some intuitive drawing to let whatever surfaced move through you creatively. If you feel called to share with the group, there's space for that. If not, we'll slowly walk over to the café. ​For the second hour, we'll walk to a hidden gem café to grab drinks, settle in, and meet each other in a way that actually feels human. Jessie & Mei will come in with the activities and conversation prompts, so you do not have to worry about what to do or say and focus on being present. 💜 ​**What to bring:** *A journal and/or some loose paper, something to draw with, comfortable layers, and a picnic blanket or something to lay on the ground to sit on.* **What You'll Walk Away With...** ​→ A genuine afternoon reset to reconnect with yourself before the weekend begins → Discover a café you probably didn't know existed → Meet a small group of like-minded people in a genuine, already-warmed-up setting → Walk away feeling lighter, more grounded, and with a few new connections you'll actually want to keep in touch with

Toronto Technology Networking Event

For tickets and information: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988446643438](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988446643438) **IMPORTANT NOTE: CLICKING THE RSVP AND PAY ORGANIZER BUTTON ON MEETUP DOES NOT GET YOU A TICKET/ SPOT. YOU HAVE TO CLICK THE LINK TO THE EVENTBRITE PAGE AND PURCHASE A TICKET THERE. PRICE GOES UP AS EVENT TIME APPROACHES AND MAY SELL OUT SO GET YOUR TICKET ON EVENTBRITE ASAP.** **\*This is a multigroup event so event responses are only a portion of the total number of attendees** TORONTO TECH NETWORKING EVENT. You Have To Get Tickets Here Online In Advance. Tickets Not Available At Venue Door Come mix & mingle with like minded people at this one of a kind event! This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your network. Whether you're looking to expand your clientele, find new investment opportunities, discuss the latest tech trends, hire/get hired or simply connect with others you'll definitely want to be at this event. *This Event Is For Those In Or Interested In The Following Industries/Trends:* *The Latest Tech Trends, Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse/VR, Website Development, Web3, Digital Marketing, Innovation, Social Media Marketing, Tech Startups, Tech Entrepreneurs & More!* This event is a great place to network with potential business partners, investors, industry professionals and new clients.... Or just come on out and make some new friends! We've witnessed countless business connections and friendships form at our past events.This event is a fun and easy way to connect with others in a relaxed, low pressure environment. There are no speakers or sales pitches. It's just a place to come mingle with like minded people. **ICEBREAKERS TO WIN PRIZES!!!** At the beginning of the event our host will hand you a sheet of paper with icebreaker questions that you can use to get to know the rest of the people at the event. The icebreakers are optional but most people love them because they really help you get to meet people. *An email we received about one of our recent events: "Thank you so much for throwing such a great event. The crowd was really great and everyone was super friendly. As a busy professional I don't get that much time to get out and meet people so it was nice to be in such a relaxed environment. Event well done!" - Daniell* *QUICK NOTE: WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 3 OTHER INDUSTRIES AT THIS EVENT (ie. Finance, Real Estate) BUT W E WILL HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE TECH INDUSTRY IN ATTENDANCE AND WILL INDICATE YOUR INDUSTRY ON YOUR NAME BADGE SO YOU'LL EASILY BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE IN YOUR INDUSTRY.* **FAQ:** HOW MANY WILL BE ATTENDING? It ranges from event to event. We expect between 30 and 50 people to sign up. CAN I ARRIVE LATE? Absolutely. Arrive any time you'd like. CAN I COME ALONE? Yes, about 75% come on their own. WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE? While we don't have a dress code we ask that you please look neat/presentable. What you wear to work or what you'd where for after work happy hour drinks is fine. CAN I PAY AT THE EVENT DOOR? We do not accept payment at the event door. We also change the venue at each event and don't give out the location to those who don't sign up. You must pre-pay online. HOW LONG DOES THE EVENT GO? The event is 2 hours long. You can arrive any time you'd like. ARE THERE DRINKS? Yes, there's a full menu of great drinks you can order at the bar. IS THERE FOOD AVAILABLE? Yes you can order food. The venue has a food menu and great appetizers available to order. WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE? Anyone of any age who wants to network is welcome WHO ATTENDS THE EVENT? Professionals of all sorts and ages IS THERE A REFUND POLICY? If you need to cancel, please email us and we can transfer you to a future event. However we do not offer transfers if you cancel on the day of the event or don't show up. For tickets and information: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988446643438](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988446643438)

Mobile and Modern AI Observability

Join us for exciting talks about mobile observability and cool demos on observing AI applications! We have two new speakers with exciting new content. **Again special thanks to Nokia and Mark Prosser for hosting us at their downtown office!** **Agenda:** 6:00-6:15 PM: Arrivals and introductions 6:15-6:40 PM: Talk 1 **Mobile Observability - Ben Joseph (Grafana)** 6:40-6:45 PM: Q&A 6:45-7:20 PM: Talk 2 **Modern AI Observability - Aishlee Kailey (Grafana)** 7:20-7:25 PM: Q&A 7:25-8:00 PM: Wrap-up and networking

Greelz on Bloor - Nigerian food

Now For Something Arty!

**Meetup: St. Mathews Clubhouse; 450 Broadview Ave.** So while we have a day event on the 27th, if you have an arty side, continue your day by joining me at St. Mathew's Clubhouse for an arty experience. While many of you know I am a writer by trade, I am also a painter. I'm just an arty girl! I have put together an Art Collective with 6 artists along with myself to showcase and of course sell our work but also enjoy Art, Wine & Inspiration — Come Create With Us! 🍷 Join us for a free collective art show celebrating creativity, connection and the joy of making art. And why just look at art when you can explore your own creativity too? Come discover what inspires you, try something new, and let your imagination wander. ✨ Art to explore. 🍷 Wine to enjoy; nibbles to share. 🥂 Hear from the.artists! 🎨 Creativity to discover. 💫 And best of all — it’s FREE

Toronto Café Walk x Conscious Cass [Sustainability Edition] ☕

**Register here:** [https://luma.com/91cbrzzz](https://luma.com/91cbrzzz) ***(Important Note: RSVPs on Meetup do not hold a spot. Registration via Luma is required.)*** ​**Friendly Note:** *This is a special collaboration with [Conscious Cass](https://www.consciouscass.ca/?utm_source=luma). More walks available,* ***[check the full schedule here](https://luma.com/michelle-events)****!* ​**🎁 *Your ticket includes full access to the event AND a goodie bag full of products from our brand sponsors:*** *\- Greenhouse Juice: Ginger Shot and Fruit Smoothie* *\- Chin Tea Studio: Full\-sized Tea Pack \(7 tea bags included\)* 🎟️ *AND a raffle ticket for a chance to win 1 of 3 giveaway bundles. Products are sustainability and wellness related. Two bundles will include one full-size jar of Organic Mushroom Broth from Soma Bone Broth!* ​Toronto has incredible cafés hiding in plain sight and some of the best ones you'd never stumble into on your own. ​Toronto Café Walk is a cozy social series where a small group of founders, solopreneurs, and creatives explore hand-picked café spots across different neighbourhoods, slow down a little, and meet each other in a way that actually feels human. *** ## ​**Here's how the morning goes 🌞** ​We gather at the meetup spot then head to a beautiful café which is a hidden gem I've been wanting to share. We grab drinks or pastries, settle in, and just chat/mingle with each other. ​***Event Schedule:*** * ​Gather at meet up spot * ​Settle into the cafe with drink/pastry * ​Intro to event * ​Sustainability knowledge share from Cassandra * ​Low-toxic living tips from Michelle * ​Mix and mingle *** ## ​**What You'll Walk Away With...** ​→ Discover café(s) you probably didn't know existed → Find your next favourite spot to work, meet clients, or just think → Meet a small group of like-minded people in a genuinely relaxed setting → Walk away with a few new connections you actually want to keep in touch → Sustainable and low-toxic living tips to make you feel empowered

Sinister, Somber, Serene: The Aesthetic of Places & The Normative Landscape

In this talk, I explore ways that the aesthetic character of places (inviting, strange, threatening, familiar, comforting, creepy, seedy, sinister, somber, serene, etc.) can impact moral, prudential, and political norms that operate in those spaces. This will in turn lead to questions about how we should approach our power to shape the aesthetic character of places. Erich Matthes https://www.wellesley.edu/people/erich-matthes Professor Department of Philosophy Wellesley College **About the Speaker:** My primary research interests concern the ethics, politics, and aesthetics of cultural heritage, art, and the environment. I have [published papers](https://philpapers.org/profile/28417) on topics including repatriation, historic preservation, landscape art, cultural appropriation, irreplaceability, authenticity, place-loss due to climate change, and the value of history and heritage. My second book, *[What to Save and Why: Identity, Authenticity, and the Ethics of Conservation](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/what-to-save-and-why-9780197744550?cc=us&lang=en)* was published by Oxford University Press in September 2024. It's about the ethics of conserving and preserving things, from heirlooms to artworks, traditions to landscapes. I've also written about the problem of immoral artists: what should we do, think, and feel when artists whom we love do or say objectionable things? My first book, *[Drawing the Line: What to Do with the Work of Immoral Artists from Museums to the Movies](https://global.oup.com/academic/product/drawing-the-line-9780197537572?cc=us&lang=en&),* tackles these questions, and was published by Oxford University Press in 2022. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. Free pizza and refreshments will be provided at the event. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

⭐Toronto AI Social Walk | Founders Builders & Business Owners

**🚩Important: Meetup RSVP ≠ confirmed spot** **Keep your Meetup RSVP as Going so the event stays visible here. You will get link to a short application after you RSVP.** **🔥Everyone is talking about AI. Let's talk about what we're actually doing with it.** At our last Founder Walk, something unexpected happened. The conversation kept coming back to AI. One person was exploring AI agents for businesses. Someone else was thinking about automating workflows for small and medium-sized companies. We talked about using AI to evaluate employee onboarding, browser agents that can operate websites for you, AI-generated music, investing, software development and where actual business opportunities might be emerging. Nobody planned an AI discussion. It just happened. So this Sunday we're leaning into it. **⭐Toronto AI Walk⭐** A small group of founders, builders, professionals and curious people walking Toronto's waterfront and talking about: **What are you actually using AI for?** **What have you built?** **Which tools are genuinely useful?** **Where is AI still overhyped?** **What business opportunities are appearing?** **What workflows should already be automated?** **What will become possible if today's AI gets 10× better?** This is **not a presentation or AI conference.** There are no speakers. No panels. No sitting through someone's 45-minute pitch. And you don't have to be an AI expert. We're deliberately keeping the group small enough that everyone can participate. **Some of the conversations from our last walk** 1. One attendee was exploring creating custom AI workflow systems for small businesses. 2. Another wanted to better understand how AI could solve problems outside the traditional technology industry. We discussed using AI to evaluate sales training and employee onboarding, AI browser agents, automation, music, investing and entirely new businesses. This week we'll use a few prompts to take those conversations further. 📍Meetup Location: Simcoe Wavedeck sign **📅Sunday schedule** **🕛4:45 PM — Arrive / check in** **🕛5:00 PM — Introductions** Tell us who you are, what you're working on and one interesting way you're using—or want to use—AI. **🕛5:15 PM — Walk begins** We'll rotate conversations and introduce a few AI discussion prompts along the route. **🕛Around 6:15 PM — Official finish** Many stay afterwards to network. Some people may grab food or a drink afterward. **🏃Running late?** Don't give up on coming. Approved guests can join our Sunday Walk WhatsApp group. Once we're moving, we'll share our live location so late arrivals can catch up. **❓Who should come?** You might be: * building with AI; * using AI inside an existing business; * working in technology; * exploring an AI startup; * trying to automate your work; * curious about where the opportunities are; * simply interested in learning from people experimenting with it. You do **not** need to be an AI expert. Come curious. Bring one thing you've learned and one thing you're trying to figure out. **No hard selling.** **💌RSVP: [https://superr.ca/msevent](https://superr.ca/msevent)** We're also using the Superr Social WhatsApp Community to announce upcoming walks, dinners, sports, activities and other casual gatherings first: 👉[https://superr.ca/mwa](https://superr.ca/mwa) #TorontoEntrepreneurs #TorontoFounders #FounderWalk #EntrepreneurCommunity #TESSocial ***📸Photo, Video & Audio Notice:*** *By registering for or attending this event, you acknowledge that photos, video and audio recordings may be captured during the event. You consent to Superr / TES Social using your image, likeness, voice and comments in event recaps, social media, promotional materials and other community content. If you prefer not to be photographed, filmed or recorded, please let the host know before the event and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.*

📒 Cozy Journaling Workshop

Join our very first Cozy Journaling workshop! It’s time to slowly get into the fall vibes and snuggle with your favourite cup of coffee and a journal 📝 Yulia will lead into the reflective journey with solo and group prompts, activities and free journaling time. You can stay in your introverted mode or share your thoughts with others - everything goes in this cozy space :) Come to try journaling for the first time or to deepen your relationship with it ✨ **Important note** \- we won’t be sharing what we journal about if you don’t want to\. ⏳ **Duration:** 2 hours 📋 **What to bring:** your notebook, stickers and a pen ✨ **Host:** Yulia **Register on [TryToronto website](https://trytoronto.org/events/food-bank-sep)** **Our Instagram: [@try_toronto_](https://www.instagram.com/try_toronto_)** Contact number for the host, exact meeting spot, and other details will be shared with you right after registration, in the comments of this event.

IN-PERSON Saturday Meeting!

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!