Civil Engineering

**A new format: you choose who you're interested in meeting** This meetup is about getting to know new people and sharing the experience in a small group (3-6 people). *We use the LYTT platform to handle group size and balance - so you're not just hoping someone interesting shows up. To apply you will need to create an account at [lytt.me](https://lytt.me/meetup/basecamp-bouldering) \- it's free\.* **The event: Bouldering Session at Toronto's Social Climbing Gym** Basecamp is where climbing gets social. Colorful holds on textured walls, crash pads below, and a vibe that says 'yeah, you can do this.' Over 100 routes across 7,000+ square feet mean there's always something new to try. Your group meets up, grabs some chalk, and starts solving routes together. Some will fly up the wall, others will laugh at their first attempt. That's the point. Between climbs, you're swapping beta, cheering each other on, and realizing that falling is way more fun with friends watching. After, we grab drinks or food nearby. The whole experience runs about 2.5 hours. **The group: LYTT platform** LYTT forms small groups for events and activities you pick. 1\. Click 'Attend' here on Meetup\, then head to [lytt.me](https://lytt.me/meetup/basecamp-bouldering) to create a quick profile (photo, a few interests, short bio) 2\. Browse others who applied and select who you'd want to meet 3\. We form groups where the interest is mutual 4\. You get notified when your group is confirmed \- payment happens then 5\. Show up knowing your crew already picked you \- *but no one knows who picked who*, to keep mystery and low pressure Applying doesn't guarantee a spot - but we may form multiple groups or invite you to similar events with other crews. **What's included:** • Day pass with gear rental (shoes and chalk) • 90 minutes of climbing with your crew **Details:** **Cost:** $22 CAD (pay after your group is confirmed). Student/youth discounts available. **Group size:** 3-6 people **Location:** Basecamp Climbing (677 Bloor St W or 186 Spadina Ave) **Who this is for:** • 27-40ish, give or take • People who love to climb (or want to try) • Beginners welcome - no experience needed • Looking for friends, climbing buddies, or just better ways to spend an evening **Questions?** hey@lytt.me **Proceed to register here:** [https://lytt.me/meetup/basecamp-bouldering](https://lytt.me/meetup/basecamp-bouldering)

**\>\>Only Tabletop Tomodachi Toronto members allowed\. If you are not a member\, you will not be able to participate\.<<** Let’s play some games to practice Japanese/English! The organizers will bring some games, but feel free to bring your own if you like. **All levels welcome!** 簡単なゲームをしながら日本語/英語を練習しましょう！主催者がゲームを用意しますが、お持ちになりたい方はご自由にお持ちください。**すべてのレベルの方歓迎** ————— **Schedule / スケジュール** * 6:30PM - 7:30PM: Group Game グループゲーム ("Codenames" for example) * 7:30PM - 9:00PM: New Groups and New Game (if you want) ————— Games Available / ゲームリスト: * [Codenames Pictures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0FsQZqjPVY&t=1s) (4-10 players) * [Incan Gold](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nMJS94f5sKM)[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EzJWcuDLvc)(2-8 players) * [Saboteur](https://youtu.be/fpxfCDYJbVA?si=-ljlNHVHVWWyj728) (4-10players) * [Cockroach Poker](https://youtu.be/6oN_jf0To2w?si=y9aFWlzF1N4CRj0r) (2-6 players) * [Telestrations ](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ioKhpeFfkpc)(6-10 players) * [Wavelength](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6DltaOOzs3E) (4-8 players) Board Game Words / ボードゲームの言葉: https://drive.proton.me/urls/9JNDDGXYD0#MIdKiGhDemRe ————— **General Etiquette and Harassment Policy:** We do not tolerate harassment of our members, and will operate under a \*\*zero-tolerance rule and will promptly ban members who break it\*\*. This is your community too, so be sure to make use of all that it has to offer while taking care of it. Please reach out to organizers via Meetup chat to address any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. メンバーへの嫌がらせは一切許容せず、\*\*ゼロトレランス方針のもと、違反者は即時排除します\*\*。このMeetupは皆様のものでもあります。大切にしながら、提供されているすべての機能を活用してください。ご質問・ご意見・ご懸念がございましたら、Meetupチャットを通じて運営者までご連絡ください。 (DeepLの翻訳です)

This talk synthesizes recent historical research demonstrating the close relationship between developments in statistical methods and debates over racial categories and racial admixture in human genetics. I focus on three temporal snapshots, beginning with the early 20th century peak in the collection of quantitative data by physical anthropologists for the purpose of classifying racial groups and detecting histories of human migrations and admixture. In this period, Indian statistician P. C. Mahalanobis formulated his famous distance function — still in use today for applications ranging from finance to machine learning — in order to answer questions about racial admixture in colonial India. By the postwar period, human geneticists collected different kinds of data and developed new statistical approaches, but still largely aimed to address similar questions about “populations” or “ethnic groups” shaped by concepts of racial difference. For example, major scientific disputes emerged between the 1950s and 1970s about the validity of statistical methods used to estimate racial admixture in communities of African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews. I conclude with a reflection on recent computational methods used to analyze “biogeographical ancestry” and the enduring problem of categorizing populations in human genetics. Elise Burton https://ihpst.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/elise-burton Associate Professor Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology University of Toronto **About the Speaker:** am a historian of the life sciences in the modern Middle East, focusing on developments in genetics, evolutionary biology, physical anthropology, and medicine during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. My current research examines the relationship of these sciences to the formation of racial, ethnic, and national identities, and how these identities, in turn, shape the dynamics of transnational scientific collaborations. My training in Middle East area studies informs my commitment to working across languages, geographies, and disciplines to challenge Eurocentric approaches to the history of science as well as science and technology studies. My next book will examine scientific connections between the Middle East and South and East Asia. Tentatively called “Race Across Asia,” this project traces the flow of scientific ideas and research practices surrounding race and nationalism between Japan, India, Iran, and Turkey since the 1950s. Looking specifically at the fields of medical genetics, forensic fingerprinting, and archaeology, I am investigating how different kinds of trans-Asian scientific expeditions and educational networks relate to competing notions of Asian identity. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** 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

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

Play some beach and meet cool people

There are always 12 permanent players there. 4 COURTS send your 5$ to academynewstar@gmail.com

PLEASE CONTACT Jason at 905-308-4100 FOR DETAILS.

❄️🚶‍♂️ **Winter Walk Along Yonge Street + Cozy Lunch Out! 🍝✨** Bundle up and join me for a **fun, easy winter stroll** down one of Toronto’s most iconic streets! Yonge Street is famously the **longest street in the world** and always buzzing — even in winter. From quirky shops to street performers and endless people-watching, there’s *always* something happening. 👀🏙️ We’ll walk, chat, laugh, and soak in the city vibes before ending our adventure at the wonderfully **campy and cozy Old Spaghetti Factory** — the perfect spot to warm up, unwind, and enjoy a relaxed meal together. 🍷🍝💛 This is a great walk for anyone looking to **get out of the house, move a little, and connect with others** in a low-pressure, friendly way. 👉 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) \*\*\* \#\#\# ⚠️ Important Notes 🍽️ **Restaurant Reservations:** Reservations will be made in advance. Members who change their RSVP on the day of or do not show up will be removed from the group — no exceptions. This helps us stay in good standing with the restaurant. Thank you for understanding! 👉 **The Old Spaghetti Factory** **Menu:** [Click Here!](https://oldspaghettifactory.ca/locations/toronto/) ❄️ **Weather Policy:** Please don’t sign up unless you’re comfortable walking in the cold and possible snow. This walk happens rain, snow, or shine. 🚫 The event will be cancelled only if the temperature hits **-20°C**. \*\*\* \#\#\# 📍 Meetup Details 📌 **Meetup Location:** Outside the subway station — look for me in my **Moose’s Hat! 🫎🎩** 💰 **Meetup Fee:** $5 cash in person **or** e-transfer to \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/) 📍 **End Spot:** Yonge Street & The Esplanade 🍝 **Old Spaghetti Factory Menu:** Click Here! \*\*\* \#\#\# 🎒 What to Bring 💧 Water 🥾 Good winter boots 🧤 Gloves & a warm hat ☕ Something warm to drink 🍎 A small snack \*\*\* \#\#\# 🚪 Can I Leave Early? Absolutely! Come for as long — or as little — as you like. 👉 **REMEMBER:** You can also just show up on the day if you’re not 100% sure you can make it. ⚠️ **Note:** Occasionally things happen and events may need to be cancelled — please keep an eye out for updates. \*\*\* 👤 **Organizer:** Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email \*\*[torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com**](http://torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com%2A%2A/) ❄️✨ A perfect winter walk, great company, and pasta at the end — honestly, what more could you want? 😄🍝

Please [here ](https://online.innerengineering.com/en/program-details/inner-engineering-in-person-cityprogram-toronto-botanical-garden-ontario-ca-mar-19-2026)to learn more and register. This is a paid program. Inner Engineering Total is offered as a 4-day or 7-day, in-person program. The course combines the tools from Inner Engineering Online and transmission of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, a 21-minute life-transforming practice. This format includes Upa Yoga, a set of practices that activate the joints, muscles and energy system, powerful meditative processes and practice support through personalized corrections. Program Date and Timings: Thursday, February 26th, 6:00 PM - 9:15 PM Friday, February 27th, 6:00 PM - 9:15 PM Saturday, February 28th, 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday, March 1st, 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM Attendance to all sessions is mandatory. Open to ages 15 years and above. Program Guidelines & session information: Programs are on Thursday and Friday evenings for 3 1/4 hours and continue all day on Saturday and Sunday. Vegetarian lunch is provided on Saturday; Vegetarian breakfast & lunch on Sunday. Program Fee: 375 CAD. Early bird price of 330 CAD expires on January 27, 2026. Group discounts are also available - please email or call the city contact listed above to register as a group: * $350 for groups of 2-4 * $325 for groups of 5 or more Contact information: [toronto@ishafoundation.org](mailto:toronto@ishafoundation.org) (647) 797-3350

Most Java developers have tried AI-assisted coding through chat interfaces or inline autocomplete. Useful — but limited. In this talk, we’ll explore the next step: agentic Java development using Claude Code. Instead of treating AI as a smarter text box, we’ll look at what changes when the model can reason across files, plan multi-step changes, interact with tools, and operate closer to how real developers work. This will be a practical, experience-driven session focused on: • How agentic coding differs from ChatGPT-style prompting and traditional Copilot usage • Where Claude Code fits (and where it doesn’t) in real Java projects • How tools, context, and workflows matter more than “prompt tricks” • How to avoid unstructured vibe coding while still moving faster No prior experience with agentic tools is required. The goal isn’t to sell a silver bullet — it’s to help Java developers understand what’s genuinely new, what’s hype, and how these tools can be used responsibly in real-world codebases. **About the venue** Free Times Cafe has bistro-style seating and a full food and drink menu. Please consider helping to support the venue by planning to have supper during the talk. **Speaker Bio** Victor Szoltysek is a seasoned consultant and technologist, currently at RAVL, where he helps clients eliminate the inefficiencies of undifferentiated heavy lifting and focus on building solutions that drive real business value for their customers. With a career spanning notable organizations like Accenture, Pivotal, and ThoughtWorks, as well as numerous startups, Victor brings a wealth of experience in cloud transformations, DevOps enablement, and Agile software development. A dedicated Java enthusiast with a sharp eye for cutting-edge technologies, Victor’s work frequently intersects with AWS, where he strives to streamline workflows and help teams leverage the cloud without unnecessary complexity. Recently, he’s also ventured into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence, exploring ways to make programming more engaging, efficient, and rewarding. Victor is known for his humorous and sometimes controversial presentation style, ensuring lively discussions and thought-provoking takeaways. His disdain for overly complex tech solutions drives his mission to simplify the way we build and deploy software. Whether he’s sharing insights about Java, AWS, or AI, Victor’s talks are as energizing and satisfying as your favorite cup of coffee. Don’t miss his unique blend of wit, wisdom, and deep technical expertise at our meetup!

Register here: [https://isha.co/free-toronto-meetup](https://isha.co/free-toronto-meetup) **Facilitated by an Isha instructor, this free session offers detailed information about Inner Engineering, designed by Sadhguru. Learn the benefits of the program along with the practices and tools offered. There will also be an opportunity to have your questions answered.** **An interactive session providing insight on:** * **Stress and its impact on the system** * **How yoga & meditation can be effective tools to relieve stress, develop mental clarity & nurture a healthy lifestyle** Sign up for free. Open to all aged 18 yrs and above. Contact: 647 797-3350 or Toronto@ishafoundation.org

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/Da9fZFxPfs **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.

Join us for an engaging history discussion as we travel back to the Bronze Age foundations of Chinese civilization, exploring the Shang and Zhou dynasties from roughly 1600 to 256 BCE. This era witnessed the emergence of early Chinese writing on oracle bones, the rise of powerful ritual bronze culture, and the development of political ideas that would shape East Asia for millennia. From ancestral divination and warrior-kings to the philosophical breakthroughs of Confucius and Laozi, the Shang and Zhou periods were not only about kings and battles, but about the birth of enduring worldviews. We will examine how myth, ritual, warfare, and moral philosophy combined to construct the early Chinese state. **Topics for Discussion** * The Rise of the Shang Dynasty * Oracle Bone Script and Divination * Bronze Ritual Vessels and Ancestor Worship * The Battle of Muye * The Mandate of Heaven * The Western Zhou Feudal Order * The Spring and Autumn Period * Confucius and Early Confucian Thought * Daoism and Laozi * The Warring States and the Hundred Schools of Thought

A technical evening exploring two critical dimensions of autonomous AI: the infrastructure powering it and the frameworks keeping it secure. [RSVP on Luma ](https://luma.com/yps2pw1f) **Part One: Plumbing for the Gigafactories in the AI Era** How networking is done for AI, how it's evolving, and the infrastructure challenges emerging at scale. **Part Two: Secure and Safe Autonomous AI** As AI systems grow more capable and independent, how do we maintain control? Talks on security architecture, safety frameworks, and the governance decisions shaping what comes next. **What to expect:** * 4 Technical talks with breaks for discussion * Real-world perspectives from infrastructure and security experts * Networking with engineers, builders, and technical leaders and the community that cares. **Admission:** $10 Contribution (Complimentary for Students, Seniors, and Job Seekers) As a non-profit, your ticket purchase directly supports our mission to provide equitable access to AI education and resources for the entire community. **Presented by:** NovaForge AI Venture Lab: A non-profit incubator and accelerator in a 50,000-sq-ft Canadian Innovation Hub & Co-working Centre, pairing world-class mentorship, capital access, and deep resources to turn bold ideas into enduring businesses. [https://novaforge.ca](https://novaforge.ca)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

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

Connected Westerville Night of Networking flips the script on networking, with surprises and connections that'll make you say, "Who knew networking could be this much fun?!"

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.

Happy Holidays! The first Wednesday of January is 7th, and this is Orthodox Christmas. And i will be wishing everyone Merry Christmas in January, and i am sure many of you will be tired from all this socializing. That is why we are going to meet on February 4th. And we will continue discussing the Hot topic of our age an AI. We’ve spent the last few sessions learning how to *talk* to AI. We’ve mastered prompt engineering and "vibecoding" to build things faster. Now, it’s time for the next leap: **letting AI work for us while we sleep.** In this session, we are moving beyond simple chatbots to explore **Autonomous AI Agents.** Unlike standard tools that wait for you to type a command, Agents are designed to perceive a goal, plan a series of tasks, and execute them independently within your WordPress site. We will discuss **Generative vs. Agentic AI:** Understanding the shift from *"Write me a blog post"* to *"Monitor local Knoxville news and draft a weekly summary every Friday."* I am sure many of you have seen WordPress ads offering different Agentic tools like **Uncanny Automator**, **AI Engine**, or **n8n**. What do these tools do? How successful they are? And how implementable all these agents are for your current WordPress site? I will gather some info and make research. But please join us and bring your stories and experience on topic. See you!

Join us and work remotely together with like-minded UX folks. This is a last minute opportunity to get out at one of our favorites, [Junto](https://thejuntohotel.com/)! Plenty of seating is available in addition to a connected coffee shop and restaurant. I will be there 10-12 for sure, maybe longer. Feel free to come and go anytime during the day, and don't forget your charger and headphones!