Design Best Practices

[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/

Join us for an informative and practical seminar designed specifically for business owners who want to grow smarter, protect their wealth, and plan confidently for the future. In this one-hour educational session, you’ll learn proven strategies to reduce corporate taxes, optimize cash flow, and implement effective estate planning techniques to safeguard your business and personal assets. Our goal is to help you keep more of what you earn today while preparing for long-term success tomorrow. Whether you’re a growing entrepreneur or an established business owner, this seminar will provide valuable insights you can apply immediately—without the jargon or sales pressure. **What you’ll learn:** * Practical strategies to legally reduce your corporate tax bill * How to structure your business more efficiently for long-term growth * Key estate planning concepts to protect your assets and family * Planning strategies to secure the future of your business **Event Details:** 📅 **Date:** Saturday, February 14, 2026 🕑 **Time:** 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 **Location:** 3770 Nashua Dr, Mississauga This session is ideal for business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to make informed financial decisions and build lasting wealth. **Seats are limited — register now to reserve your spot!**

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.

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.

This is a brand new **2026 release** from the folks behind 'Exhibition on Screen' **Ticket link is below.** $10-$15 per ticket It coincides with this ART exhibition at **TATE** London. On NOW. https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/turner-and-constable Can't make it to London/UK--let 'Exhibition on Screen' bring it to you! (These DOCS are so very well done--perhaps this is our 5th 'ART' tour) ***Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals.*** Born within a year of each other, both used landscape painting to reflect the changing world around them. \*\*Tate Britain is bringing these two greats together for a groundbreaking exhibition in London from November 2025 to April 2026. ***Exhibition on Screen*** once again has exclusive and privileged access to bring their extraordinary art and remarkable stories to the big screen. Discover unexpected sides to both artists with intimate views of sketchbooks and personal items and insights from leading experts. **Turner’s blazing sunsets** and sublime scenes from his travels and **Constable’s idealised depictions of beloved places** from home whipped the public of the time into a frenzy of enthusiasm. Constable represents the very best of the old school of realism and pastoral nostalgia; Turner, an exciting new way of depicting emotion and dreamlike impressions. Critics compared their starkly different styles to a clash of "fire and water." Don't miss this opportunity to see these greats side-by-side, as they so often were in life, on the big screen for the first time. Constable- https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/john-constable-108 Turner- https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/joseph-mallord-william-turner-558 **HOT Docs ticket link--** https://hotdocs.ca/whats-on/films/eos-turner-and-constable (you can also view the Trailer...) See you there.

This journey changed my life in ways I didn’t see coming. When I first began receiving this transmission in 2022, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. I didn’t have the words for it. I just knew that something inside me was waking up. It wasn’t something I needed to analyze or control — it felt more like remembering something I had always known. As the energy continued to move through my body, changes happened slowly and gently. Old emotions surfaced and released. My body softened. My nervous system finally felt like it could settle. I began to feel safer within myself, more grounded, more present in my everyday life. My intuition became clearer, and there was a quiet sense of peace I hadn’t experienced before. Not because life suddenly became perfect — but because I felt more connected to myself. KAP didn’t add anything to me. It helped me peel back the layers of survival, conditioning, and old patterns so I could reconnect with who I am underneath it all. And that remembering continues to deepen — into trust, presence, and a more natural way of being. I now feel called to share this work in our local community and to create a space where we can slow down, breathe, and allow the body to do what it already knows how to do — without force or effort. In this session, you’re invited to rest, release what you’ve been holding, and reconnect with your body’s innate wisdom. There’s nothing to fix and nothing to achieve. You don’t need prior experience, and you don’t need to try to make anything happen. Your only role is to lie down, relax, and receive. If you feel a quiet pull toward this experience — even if you can’t explain why — trust it. Your body knows. Your nervous system knows. You are welcome exactly as you are. Looking forward to holding this space with you, Tracey 💛 **What is KAP?** **[Kundalini Activation Process® (KAP)](https://www.kapacademy.com/)** is a powerful and life-changing experience that helps you unlock your true potential. Imagine going on a deep adventure within yourself, finding hidden treasures of your personality and abilities that you didn't know existed. With KAP, you learn to light up the energy inside you and connect with the life force present in all living things. This process guides you to break free from old habits and beliefs that have been holding you back, allowing you to live in new and fulfilling ways. KAP is the ***path of surrender***, it's about letting go rather than trying harder, different from practices like kundalini yoga, tantra, or chi gong. Energy moves from the top of your head down to your base, clearing blockages and healing old wounds on its way. In this session, you'll receive a "***double transmission***" - a powerful mix of Kundalini energy and non-dual consciousness. This fusion will enliven your life force energy, revitalizing your body, mind, and energy flow. Simultaneously, your awareness will expand into the realm of non-duality, enriching your perception of the unity of all beings. **HOW IS THE SESSION?** I invite you to find a cozy spot to lie down on a yoga mat, where you can fully sink into this experience. Once you're settled, I'll start playing some specially chosen music that helps your brain relax more deeply. During our time together, I'll focus on your energy centers, also known as chakras, and specific meridian points on your body. My goal is to use gentle touch and light pressure to help clear any energy blocks and support your overall well-being. Rest assured, the pressure will always be soft and comfortable to ensure you feel safe and at ease throughout our session. **WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING A SESSION?** Walking into a KAP session, you leave the outside world behind. What happens next is nothing short of amazing. **Energetic Vibes**: While you're lying down, you might start feeling a powerful energy moving through you. It's like an electric wave that fills you up, making every part of you come alive. **Visual Adventures**: Your inner sight, or "third eye," wakes up, and suddenly, you're seeing vivid images, colors, and maybe even going on visual journeys to places beyond your wildest dreams. **A Rollercoaster of Emotions**: It's normal to feel a whole spectrum of emotions during the session. You might feel anger, sadness, fear, happiness, or even burst into laughter. The magic happens when you allow yourself to fully experience these emotions without holding back. **Unexpected Movements**: You might find your body moving in ways you didn't plan, like stretching, shaking, or even striking a yoga pose. Listen to what your body wants to do without overthinking it. You may feel tension build up and then release, leaving you in a state of deep relaxation. **Blissful Moments**: There's a chance you'll reach a bliss state, where you're completely in the moment, feeling a deep sense of joy and satisfaction. It's tough to put this feeling into words, but it's unforgettable once you've felt it. **DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF KAP** * **Freedom from Emotional Baggage**: Wave goodbye to those heavy emotions that drag you down. * **Broadened Consciousness**: Find yourself thinking and understanding beyond your usual limits. * **Intuition Amplified**: Your gut feelings get louder and clearer. * **Stress and Anxiety Reduction**: Watch your worries and tensions melt away. * **Boosted Confidence**: Feel more sure of yourself and your value. * **Wiser Decisions**: Navigate life with a sharper compass. * **Pure Bliss**: Experience moments of unadulterated joy. * **Stronger Boundaries**: Learn to say no with confidence. * **Shedding Limitations**: Free yourself from thoughts and patterns that hold you back. * **Breaking Old Habits**: Step out of cycles that no longer serve you. * **Increased Resilience**: Find strength to change what doesn't work in your life. * **Deeper Compassion**: Understand and connect with others on a new level. * **Clear Mind**: Enjoy the tranquility of a calm and focused brain. * **Creative and Spiritual Growth**: Explore new ideas and feel more connected to the world. * **Purpose and Direction**: Find your path and walk it with confidence. * **Healthier Relationships**: Connect with others in more meaningful ways. * **Unity and Gratitude**: Feel part of something bigger and appreciate the small things. * **Enhanced Intuitive Skills**: Tap into your inner psychic. * **Empowerment**: Take control of your life and happiness. **An Invitation to Remember** This space is not about performance or perfection. It is not about doing more, achieving more, or becoming someone new. It is about remembering. Feeling. Coming home. To your body. To your soul. To the divine intelligence already within you. Whether this is your first session or part of your deeper path, I welcome you with all my heart. With love, **Tracey Amoura** @traceyamoura \| [www.essencerising.com](http://www.essencerising.com) ***Got questions?*** Connect with me on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/traceyamoura) or shoot an email to [kapbytracey@gmail.com](kapbytracey@gmail.com). Catch up on my *previous* sessions on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@kapbytracey). Want to know more about the event? Find all the details [here](https://essencerising.com/event/kap-oakville-dstudio-pilates-club-130pm-to-330pm-march-28).

**SUBSCRIBE TO [THE MAILING LIST](https://torontorationality.beehiiv.com/). EVENTS ARE NO LONGER POSTED HERE.** ​Arguing about important things doesn’t usually lead to people changing their mind. Double Crux is a technique for making discussions more productive and understanding the actual reasoning of those who disagree with us. Sometimes it even helps to better understand the foundations of your own beliefs. Together, we'll learn about [Double Crux](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ya59PtGeYnCG25eWn/double-crux-in-a-box), and then break into pairs with someone we disagree with to practice finding out why our views are different and what might change our minds. ## Location Enter the Mars Atrium via University Avenue entrance. We'll meet at the food court in the basement. I'll be wearing a bright neon yellow jacket. ## Detailed Directions to the Food Court Enter from University Avenue and walk east until you see escalators. Take the escalators down. The food court is to the east of the escalators. If you are lost/confused, ask a security guard to direct you to the food court. [This event is cross-posted from LessWrong.](https://www.lesswrong.com/events/wuMwSJJEKZHfccoRs/toronto-acx-meetups-everywhere-spring-2025)

**In-Person Light Body Expansion Activation** Join us for a powerful in-person Light Body Expansion Activation — an immersive energetic experience designed to awaken your life force energy and expand your consciousness. This session combines **Kundalini (life force) activation and Light Language transmission**, creating a space where deep healing, emotional release, and expanded awareness can unfold naturally. As you lie comfortably on your mat, you will receive a transmission of energy that supports the awakening of your own inner life force and the expansion of your energetic body. Participants often enter deep meditative or altered states as the body responds to the vibrational frequencies of sound, energy, and light language. These frequencies communicate directly with your consciousness, activating the body’s innate intelligence and natural healing capacity. This experience supports a deeper connection to your authentic self while helping release energetic blockages and limiting patterns. **During the session you will experience:** • A heart-opening ceremony to deepen connection and receptivity • Demonstration of the activation process • Full Light Body Expansion Activation energy transmission • Light Language channeling and vibrational sound frequencies • Somatic and energetic release as the body responds to the energy • Closing integration and sharing circle **Participants may experience:** • Spontaneous body movements or energetic sensations • Emotional release such as laughter, tears, or deep peace • Visual or intuitive insights • Expanded states of consciousness • Activation of the voice through humming, singing, or light language **Potential benefits:** • Release of emotional and energetic blockages • Expansion of awareness and consciousness • Greater intuition and clarity • Reconnection with your inner guidance and purpose • Increased creativity, joy, and emotional freedom All you need to do is lie down, relax, and allow the energy to guide the experience. Please book your spot [here](https://lightbodyexpansion.com/class/4)

**In-Person Light Body Expansion Activation** Join us for a powerful in-person Light Body Expansion Activation — an immersive energetic experience designed to awaken your life force energy and expand your consciousness. This session combines **Kundalini (life force) activation and Light Language transmission**, creating a space where deep healing, emotional release, and expanded awareness can unfold naturally. As you lie comfortably on your mat, you will receive a transmission of energy that supports the awakening of your own inner life force and the expansion of your energetic body. Participants often enter deep meditative or altered states as the body responds to the vibrational frequencies of sound, energy, and light language. These frequencies communicate directly with your consciousness, activating the body’s innate intelligence and natural healing capacity. This experience supports a deeper connection to your authentic self while helping release energetic blockages and limiting patterns. **During the session you will experience:** • A heart-opening ceremony to deepen connection and receptivity • Demonstration of the activation process • Full Light Body Expansion Activation energy transmission • Light Language channeling and vibrational sound frequencies • Somatic and energetic release as the body responds to the energy • Closing integration and sharing circle **Participants may experience:** • Spontaneous body movements or energetic sensations • Emotional release such as laughter, tears, or deep peace • Visual or intuitive insights • Expanded states of consciousness • Activation of the voice through humming, singing, or light language **Potential benefits:** • Release of emotional and energetic blockages • Expansion of awareness and consciousness • Greater intuition and clarity • Reconnection with your inner guidance and purpose • Increased creativity, joy, and emotional freedom All you need to do is lie down, relax, and allow the energy to guide the experience. Please book your spot [here](https://lightbodyexpansion.com/class/4)

Join your community of fellow Intuitives and MBTI nerds for a casual evening of engaging conversation. We get together every second Sunday – with a mix of regulars and new friends. There is no fee to attend, though we ask that you support the venue by ordering something to eat or drink. **Feel free to contact event host B. via Facebook/Meetup messenger, or text/call 416-712-8635 for directions**. About the venue: The Pint Public House Nearest Subway: Union Station Map / Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G5GfXDSQXeifJ5ot5 We make an effort to find pubs that are quiet and introvert friendly, with a section to ourselves. We make no effort to muffle our extroverts, but should they get out of hand, our resident INTJ will use their death stare, to pull them back in line.

Don't be disappointed if you don't see a bunch of people attending. I advertise this on multiple platforms and the class usually sells out. Improv comedy uses several techniques to create laughter. These include, creating an atmosphere free of judgement, saying 'yes', active listening, being positive, putting your focus on others, and the importance of play and laughter. Not coincidentally, these are the same things that happen to us naturally when we are bonding with another person. In this class, we'll explore these techniques not with the goal of being funny, but with the goal of being people that other people want to be around. The organizer, Ralph MacLeod, is a co-founder of two independent improv clubs in Toronto - Bad Dog Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. He's been teaching improv for over 30 years. He also teaches these same techniques to several organizations including UofT, Google, Kraft, Shopify and many, many more. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! FAQs and Good To Know.... After every event, a group from this class sit down and have a drink together so be prepared to stay if you want! Of course, you don't HAVE to. You also don't have to be single or bring a friend. The vibe of this class is much more 'making new friends' than a 'singles' mixer'. We usually run to 8:15 so pay for extra parking!

It's better when we're together. Come and experience the power of the WHM with a wonderful group of people. We breathe, we go into the cold and we teach our bodies to heat up properly. We develop resilience and the mindset to use these powerful healing tools over and over again, all year round. This gathering is fully guided by Wim Hof instructor Steve Beattie. If you are new to this, come on down, enjoy the support and practice in a safe way with us. If you already have a WHM practice this meetup is a great way to take it to the next level, and make lots of new friends. There will be a fire, snacks and drinks shared by other attendees. We have been doing this 6 for years! **What to bring?** * Yoga mat * Weather-appropriate clothing (better to dress too warm!) * Bathing suite, towel * Water shoes (optional) In extreme weather being prepared is very important. Especially if it's your first time, please read up on how to come prepared [here.](https://www.breathinginnature.com/wim-hof-method-meetup/) Learn more about our Wim Hof meetups, workshops, breath classes, wilderness trips, medicine work and special events at **[Breathing in Nature](https://breathinginnature.com/)**. Join the "**[Wim Hof Toronto](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714218015474146/)**" group on Facebook to see all of our local events. This is a free event made possible by our Gift Economy. You can learn more about the Gift Economy [here](https://breathinginnature.com/gift-economy/).

We experience and produce humour through the memes we spread and the inside jokes we share with friends, and we even use it when facing life’s most difficult challenges. Humour can help us bond, cope, and rethink our assumptions. But what makes something funny? Why do humour and the laughter it produces play an important role in our culture? One answer is that humour can help break down barriers and bring people together. As Victor Borge once said, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” Humour can also be used as a social instrument to call out misconduct. How is it that humour fosters community and division at the same time? At our next Curiosity Café, we’ll revisit the silly and serious sides of humour, and explore the role that humour plays in how we connect, think and live. Together, we’ll discuss questions like: * How does humour help break down barriers and bring people together? * Does humour have a unique ability to help us find common ground and strengthen relationships? * On the other hand, does how we respond to humour have implications for our social capital? * How might jokes or humour be perceived by people from different backgrounds? * Is it possible to create humour that’s both provocative and inclusive? * How might humour give us a sense of control? * What is or should be the role of comedy in society? Join us for a lively and collaborative conversation moderated by Erik Ai and Dylan Michels, where we’ll explore questions, new and old, and (hopefully) share plenty of laughs along the way. **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-revisited-no-laughing-matter-humour-in-our-lives-tickets-1985339500891) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 6-6:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 6:30-8:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***__________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

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!

Columbus Code & Coffee is excited to partner with GiveBackHack to put on the Healthtech Impact Sprint from 3/28-3/29 at Rev1 at The Peninsula! RSVP here using promo code CODEANDCOFFEE: https://luma.com/tk2jdrxk This is a health-specific version of GBH’s traditional weekend event. Participants pitch, research, and prototype health-focused projects for a chance to earn to $5K in funding from The Columbus Foundation and IGS Energy. On Saturday, folks will pitch their idea, form teams, and build. On Sunday, they’ll finalize their pitches before showcasing their work to the community and judges. # ​Schedule ​**Sat, Mar 28** * ​​9a: Doors open & breakfast * ​9:30a: Kickoff and intros * ​​10a: Ideation session * ​​11a: Pitches & team formation * ​​12p: Working lunch * ​​2p: Mentor visits * ​​5p: Free work (optional) * ​​9p: Doors close ​​**Sun, Mar 29** * ​9a: Doors open * ​10a: Mentor visits * ​​12p: Showcase * ​​1p: Final pitches & awards * ​​2p: Wrap *** # ​ FAQs ​**Do all ideas have a chance at getting funded?** ​​Not all ideas will move forward after initial pitches on Saturday. Once pitches are complete, we’ll vote for top ideas and form teams around the 4 – 7 ideas with the most votes. You must recruit **at least four total team members** (including the founder) to move forward and have a chance at getting funded on Sunday. If your idea doesn’t move forward, you can join another team! ​​**Do I have to submit my idea online prior to the event?** ​​Unlike previous years, we don’t have the option to submit your idea online prior to the event. Instead, everyone will be going through a brainstorming exercise on Saturday that’ll help you prepare for your initial pitch. ​​**Will we be working for 24 hours straight?** ​​Nope. The event is split over two days. You’ll be building on Saturday and pitching on Sunday. ​​**Do I have to pitch an idea?** ​​Nope. You can also simply join a team. ​​**What types of entrepreneurs does GBH support?** ​​While GBH most often works with technology startups, we support *any* organization (for- or non-profit) that makes an impact on health in the US or across the world.

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

The Fellowship of the Star Schema: Transforming OLTP Data for Power BI One does not simply build reports on OLTP data. Join us on an epic journey from the depths of raw, normalized tables to the shining halls of a well-modeled star schema fit for Power BI greatness. We will demystify the differences between OLTP and OLAP, walk through star schema vs snowflake (and why Power BI has a clear favorite), and show you the compression differences between normalized and columnar storage that will make you never look at an OLTP model the same way again. We will cover the different types of dimensions, when to use them, and how to handle Slowly Changing Dimensions without losing your mind. You will leave knowing exactly how to identify a bad model, how to convert OLTP data into a clean star schema, and how to forge relationships that rule them all. Whether you are a data wizard, a curious hobbit, or somewhere in between, your models will never be the same.

**First meetup of the Columbus AI Engineering group.** We’ll kick things off with a practical, beginner-friendly discussion on: **How LLMs like ChatGPT actually work — and how to build real applications with them.** We’ll cover: * what’s actually happening under the hood (at a high level) * why LLMs behave the way they do (hallucinations, prompt sensitivity, etc.) * how people are building real systems with them today * where things break in practice This will be a **short, informal talk (\~15–20 min)** followed by open discussion and Q&A. Whether you’re an engineer, builder, or just curious about how modern AI systems work, you’re welcome to join. No slides, no fluff — just real conversation about real systems. We’ll hang out afterward and get to know each other.

Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/