Birth Advocacy

***Welcome to Community Mindfulness Meditation (GCNC Meditates)!*** **Where and when:** We meet at the **George Chuvalo Neighbourhood Centre** in the Junction Triangle in Toronto every **Monday from 7 pm to 8 pm**. Chairs, limited cushions, and yoga mats are provided (bring your own if you have a favourite) **What and who:** weekly meditation sessions for and by neighbours and community members. No experience and no registration are needed and **attendance is free or by donation ($5 suggested, cash only in person)**. Learn more about your facilitators, JulieMae (she/her) and Christina (she/her), at https://gcncmeditates.wixsite.com/community-meditation **How (structure):** We begin by settling in and grounding ourselves in the space, with an optional check-in to share how we are feeling, followed by a 25-minute guided meditation practice. After the period of formal practice, there is a period of optional sharing once again, where practitioners can share insights, reflections, challenges, questions, ponderings, and joys. We conclude our gathering with a dedication of the good generated from our practice to specific individuals or groups of individuals. We may also set an intention for the week ahead and share that—again, always optionally. We offer these practices in a space that is inclusive of all, while recognizing that mindfulness meditation is not a one-size-fits-all approach; we therefore encourage folks to follow their inner guidance whenever needed and to ask questions and for support or guidance whenever necessary. Both facilitators are trained in trauma-informed mindfulness instruction and keep that at heart in their guidance, recognizing that we all show up with different life experiences. We facilitate these sessions with the support and guidance of our own teachers, practising and learning with them to benefit our community. **Questions:** You can contact us here on meetup, via our site, or via e-mail at gcncmeditates@gmail.com. We so look forward to meeting and practising with you, for the benefit of all.

Call on 416-938-2223 to find me :) -Ritik

Join Us for a Cashflow 101 Game Night! Come, meet new people, and learn valuable life skills while having fun! Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game, Cashflow 101 is a fantastic way to improve your financial literacy in a relaxed, social setting. Beginners are welcome — no prior experience needed. Let’s roll the dice, strategize, and make our way out of the rat race together!

send your 6$ to academynewstar@gmail.com we have always 12 permanent players from WhatsApp Make your payment byv24 hrs after you added ur nameand comment paid .Pls dont send payment after you have been removed https://chat.whatsapp.com/DhgItxlDNLg6gGjEzLpHAq?mode=ems_copy_t

Ready to add more fun, movement, and connection to your week? Come join our group dance classes at [Access Ballroom](https://studioaccessballroom.com/)! We have classes **every day except Tuesday**—that’s Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7:50pm, and Weekends at 3:40pm. Visit our [Monthly Calendar](https://studioaccessballroom.com/class-schedule/) to view the group class Schedule. To sign up you can also download our APP that is in both the Google Play store and the Apple Store. Just look up Access Ballroom. Whether you’re a total beginner or already have some moves, you’ll fit right in! We always have multiple teachers on hand to guide every level, so everyone gets the attention they need. Our amazing environment and welcoming atmosphere are what make us one of Toronto’s premier Latin and Ballroom studios—and it’s why we have the most Google reviews in the city! Don’t just take our word for it—come experience the energy, laughter, and community for yourself. We can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!

**Meet new people over great food in a relaxed, social setting.** This is a small-group social dining experience for people who enjoy good food, good conversation, and expanding their circle in a natural way. Everyone attending is there to meet others — no pressure, no awkward networking. **What to expect** * A small group (usually 4–8 people) * A friendly, low-pressure atmosphere * Easy, natural conversation **How it works** We coordinate the group and reserve the table once attendees confirm. The venue and details are shared with the group beforehand. Just show up, order what you like, and enjoy the experience. Each guest covers their own food and drinks. To keep groups balanced and confirmed, seat confirmations happen through #dine: https://www.hashtagdine.com/

**Meet new people over great food in a relaxed, social setting.** This is a small-group social dining experience for people who enjoy good food, good conversation, and expanding their circle in a natural way. Everyone attending is there to meet others — no pressure, no awkward networking. **What to expect** * A small group (usually 4–8 people) * A friendly, low-pressure atmosphere * Easy, natural conversation **How it works** We coordinate the group and reserve the table once attendees confirm. The venue and details are shared with the group beforehand. Just show up, order what you like, and enjoy the experience. Each guest covers their own food and drinks. To keep groups balanced and confirmed, seat confirmations happen through #dine: https://www.hashtagdine.com/

**Carden Alvar Birding Adventure** **Saturday, April 11, 2026** **Ospreys, Bluebirds, Meadowlarks and More!** Join us on Saturday, April 11 for a fantastic spring birding adventure to the famous Carden Alvar, one of the most exciting birding destinations in Ontario. Located about two hours northeast of Toronto, this remarkable area is known for its unique habitat, wide open landscapes, and excellent variety of birds that are not always easy to find elsewhere. We will explore some of the best birding spots in the region in search of Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, Ospreys Wilson’s Snipe, sparrows, and other early spring arrivals. Carden is one of the very best places in Ontario to enjoy great looks at Eastern Bluebirds, and it often provides wonderful photo opportunities as well. The Ospreys should also be back on territory, and we will have an excellent chance to watch and photograph these impressive birds as they rebuild their nests for the season ahead. This is a really enjoyable outing with plenty of birding, scenic country roads, fresh spring air, and the excitement of never knowing what might turn up next. If you enjoy birds, nature, photography, and a fun day outdoors, this trip is for you. **Itinerary** Departure from Finch Subway Station passenger pickup area at **8:00 a.m. sharp** Free parking is available on weekends Return to Toronto at approximately **5:00 p.m.** **Important Notes** This tour involves driving between birding locations, along with short and easy walks. Lunch is not included, so please bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. We will also make stops along the way at Tim Hortons. As always, we respect wildlife and private property, and our priority is to enjoy the birds without disturbance. **Cost** **$119 CAD per person** Payment by e-transfer to **torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com** I can take up to **3 passengers only**, so if you would like to join us, please reserve your spot early. Come out for a terrific day of spring birding adventure and enjoy one of Ontario’s true birding gems. **Come get wild with us!**

**Carden Alvar Birding Adventure** **Sunday, April 12, 2026** **Ospreys, Bluebirds, Meadowlarks and More!** Join us on Sunday, April 12 for a fantastic spring birding adventure to the famous Carden Alvar, one of the most exciting birding destinations in Ontario. Located about two hours northeast of Toronto, this remarkable area is known for its unique habitat, wide open landscapes, and excellent variety of birds that are not always easy to find elsewhere. We will explore some of the best birding spots in the region in search of Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, Ospreys Wilson’s Snipe, sparrows, and other early spring arrivals. Carden is one of the very best places in Ontario to enjoy great looks at Eastern Bluebirds, and it often provides wonderful photo opportunities as well. The Ospreys should also be back on territory, and we will have an excellent chance to watch and photograph these impressive birds as they rebuild their nests for the season ahead. This is a really enjoyable outing with plenty of birding, scenic country roads, fresh spring air, and the excitement of never knowing what might turn up next. If you enjoy birds, nature, photography, and a fun day outdoors, this trip is for you. **Itinerary** Departure from Finch Subway Station passenger pickup area at **8:00 a.m. sharp** Free parking is available on weekends Return to Toronto at approximately **5:00 p.m.** **Important Notes** This tour involves driving between birding locations, along with short and easy walks. Lunch is not included, so please bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. We will also make stops along the way at Tim Hortons. As always, we respect wildlife and private property, and our priority is to enjoy the birds without disturbance. **Cost** **$119 CAD per person** Payment by e-transfer to **torontonaturelovers@hotmail.com** I can take up to **3 passengers only**, so if you would like to join us, please reserve your spot early. Come out for a terrific day of spring birding adventure and enjoy one of Ontario’s true birding gems. **Come get wild with us!**

🚆🦜 **GO Train Adventure to Niagara Falls – Bird Kingdom & Lunch!** 🌊🍔 Bird is the word. I love birds and we're lucky enough to have Bird Kingdom to visit, one of the largest indoor aviaries in the world! Join us for a fun Saturday day-trip adventure as we hop on the GO Train and head to Niagara Falls for birds, burgers, and beautiful views! **📅 Date:** Saturday, April 11 **⏰ Meet Time:** 8:15 AM **📍 Meeting Spot:** Outside the Fairmont Royal York Hotel (across from Union Station) We’ll walk into Union Station together to catch the **9:04 AM GO Train** to Niagara Falls. ⚠️ **The train departs exactly at 9:04 AM and the doors close one minute earlier**, so please arrive on time! **🚆 Train Schedule** • Depart Union Station: **9:04 AM** • Arrive Niagara Falls: **11:30 AM** **Update/change due to larger group size:** Upon arrival at the station we’ll walk over to **Chuck's Roadhouse** and start with a group meal first. **Bar & Grill** for a relaxed and affordable lunch. 👉 Menu: [https://chucksroadhouse.com/menu/](https://chucksroadhouse.com/menu/) Note - everyone is responsible for their own food/drink bill Following lunch, we’ll do some **sightseeing around Niagara Falls**, take photos, and hit our final stop. Before we leave we'll stop at **Bird Kingdom**, the **world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary**, home to hundreds of tropical birds inside a lush multi-level rainforest environment. ([Bird Kingdom](https://birdkingdom.ca/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) 💳 **Bring your PRESTO card for 20% off admission!** 👉 More info: [https://www.birdkingdom.ca/](https://www.birdkingdom.ca/) **🚶 What to Expect** • Lots of walking • Rain or shine – the trip happens regardless of weather • Great scenery, good food, and fun company **🚆 Return Train** • Niagara Falls → Union Station • **4:00 PM departure. Doors close one minute earlier.** There are later trains and buses if you wish to stay longer. 💰 **Travel Deal:** The **GO Transit Weekend Day Pass is only $10** for unlimited travel that day. 👉 Details: [https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekend-passes-with-go](https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekend-passes-with-go) NOTE - do not purchase your $10 GO pass yet. tracks still not repaired. may have to reschedule this event Look for **Nick and the Meetup sign** at the meeting spot. Let’s ride the rails, see amazing birds, grab a great lunch, and enjoy one of Canada’s most iconic destinations together! 🚆🦜🌊 [WhatsApp for the trip](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FDfbPqh5Xc3Kh39eFcQWsB?mode=gi_t)

A diffuse harm hurts many people a little; a concentrated harm hurts one person a lot. Other things equal, diffuse harm seems less bad than its concentrated counterpart. For example, shortening a billion happy lives by a second each seems less bad than shortening one happy life by a billion seconds (\~30 years). But this attractive thought is surprisingly difficult to maintain. Although many problems for such a view are known, a particularly vivid difficulty arises in cases that involve a sequence of social positions, each very similar to the last, such as the Fortuna’s Wheel scenario. In such cases, it follows, from rather minimal assumptions, that diffuse harm is just as bad as its relevantly similar concentrated counterpart. In response, some may wonder whether the parity of diffuse and concentrated harms holds only in these special sequential cases. But it can be argued that the approximate parity of diffuse and concentrated harms extends well beyond such cases. Specifically, it can be argued that in many realistic cases, a diffuse harm will bring about an outcome approximately as bad as a relevantly similar concentrated harm. Diffuse harm is easily underestimated. Zach Barnett https://philosophy.nd.edu/people/faculty/zach-barnett/ Assistant Professor Department of Philosophy University of Notre Dame **About the Speaker:** Zach received his PhD from Brown University in 2018. He joined Notre Dame in 2023, moving from the National University of Singapore, where he taught for five years. Zach mainly studies ethics, practical rationality, and epistemology, and he hopes that his work is convincing, surprising, and easy to understand. Current research interests include collective action problems, aggregation and risk, and followability of norms. His representative publications include "Rational Moral Ignorance" (2021) in *Philosophy and Phenomenological Research*, "Why You Should Vote to Change the Outcome" (2020) in *Philosophy & Public Affairs,* "Philosophy Without Belief" (2019) in *Mind*, and "No Free Lunch: The Significance of Tiny Contributions" (2018) in *Analysis*. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** 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. 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

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Join us again this Saturday for drinks and sweets at this delicious Vegan co-op bakery. Mingle with likeminded Columbus Vegans. We will aim to sit outside after purchasing items and hopefully taking in cooperative weather. Special note on parking: Please try to park along Acton, Richards and/or Chatham streets so as to free up the lot at the back of the building for pick-up orders. Thank you. 😊 Patty Cake offers everything from cupcakes, cookies, cakes, muffins, whoopie pies, as well as gluten free goodies. They also have coffee, oat milk and cold brew

Soccer + vegan deli eats = the perfect Saturday ⚽🌱🔥 We’re kicking things off with soccer (all levels welcome!) and then heading to Vida’s Plant-Based Butcher for some seriously good food—Vida’s Reubens, Philly cheesesteaks, Chipotle Cheddar Melt and classic deli sides. Whether you’re playing, socializing, or just here for the food, this is a great way to meet like-minded people and enjoy the day! Game → Food → Good vibes 📍 Soccer - Park of Roses 3923 N High St Columbus, OH 43214 📍 Vida’s Plant Based Butcher 1724 Northwest Blvd Unit C Columbus OH, 43212