Debate

Do you want to improve your Public Speaking skills, your Impromptu Speaking skills, learn how to present Feedback with Evaluations, and build your Leadership skills? If the answer is YES to any, attend SUN LIFE SPEAKERS CORNER online for an informative and fun filled session each Tuesday at Noon EST/EDT (except following a Holiday Monday). Guests/Visitors are welcome to participate in the Table Topics (impromptu) session. Join and become a Member to have access to all roles and Pathways, the education system. Please email info.sunlifespeakerscorner@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

**Drop-In Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come play one of the fastest-growing sports in North America — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for friendly, active Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. It’s a great way to stay active, meet new people, and have some fun! *** **🏓 Event Details:** **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive. *** **🏓 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** **RSVP on Meetup does *not* reserve your spot.** To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance via our registration system. 👉 [Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=bN72APE) 📞 Or register by phone: 416-924-6211 Space is limited to **18 players** on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. *** **🏓 Other Info:** * Paddles and balls are available for loan at the front desk with a **$20 cash deposit and valid ID** * This session is intended for **novice players and above** — participants should know basic rules and scoring * Courts are rotated regularly so everyone gets a chance to play * Welcoming, inclusive environment *** Come ready to rally, socialize, and have a great time on the court. We can’t wait to see you there!

Holy ESL! is a place for English learners to practice conversation skills while also learning about the Bible and Christianity. **Holy ESL! will continue to follow the life of Jesus.** Each week will focus on a short story from Gospels, with free and open discussion about the story and what it means! **You don't need to be a Christian to join, everyone is welcome!** You can drop in for one week, or for all weeks!

### Event Details: * **When:** Every **Tuesday** from **6:00 PM – 8:00 PM** (2 Hours) * **Where:** Pickleplex Promenade (Address details on the club website) * **Who:** This group is for **High-Beginners who can play games** up to **Intermediate** players. ### 💰 Cost & Payment: The total court fee for 2 hours is **$100.00**, which will be divided equally among 6 confirmed players. * **Your Cost:** Approximately **$16.66 CAD + tax** per person. * **Payment:** After the 6 spots are confirmed one week prior to the event, please send your fee via **eTransfer** to: **playtogether.ca@gmail.com**. ### ☑️ How to Join: 1. **Club Membership Required:** You must be a member of the facility: Free membership doesn't require monthly payments**PickleplexClub.ca/promenade**. 2. **Minimum Attendance:** A minimum of **6 players must be confirmed** one week before the scheduled Tuesday evening to proceed with the booking. ## Policy & Cancellation * **Payment Deadline:** The event requires **full court payment from all 6 players one week in advance.** * **Cancellation:** If the minimum of 6 players is not confirmed and paid one week prior, the event will be **cancelled**, and all funds will be **refunded via eTransfer.** * **No Personal Refunds:** **No refunds will be issued for individual participant cancellations** once payment is made and the event is confirmed. ### Other Notes: * **No Lesson:** This event **does not include a lesson.** It is an organized court time for play. * **For Frequent Play:** If you wish to play more than twice a week, we encourage you to become a **paid club member.**

\*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.

\*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.

AI companions have become increasingly popular. A recent study estimates that around 70% of teens in the US has tried an AI companions in the past year. But is their impact on our lives overall positive? Can they provide true friendship or fulfill any of our social needs? With their popularity on the rise, what are the social and political implications they carry? Come discuss these and other questions with us at the Centre for Ethics. Registration is free and everyone is welcome! Speakers Yiran Hua, Michael Inzlicht and Paul Bloom will discuss ethical questions surrounding AI companions. **About the Speakers:** [Paul Bloom](https://www.psych.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/paul-bloom), Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto * Paul Bloom studies how children and adults make sense of the world, with special focus on pleasure, morality, religion, fiction, and art. He has won numerous awards for his research and teaching. He is past-president of the *Society for Philosophy and Psychology*, and co-editor of *Behavioral and Brain Sciences*. He has written for scientific journals such as *Nature* and *Science*, and for popular outlets such as *The New York Times*, *The Guardian*, *The New Yorker*, and *The Atlantic Monthly*. He is the author of seven books, including his latest *Psych: The Story of the Human Mind*. [Yiran Hua](https://sites.google.com/view/uoftc4e/people), Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Philosophy, Centre for Ethics, University of Toronto * Yiran works on ethics and aesthetics. Before coming to Toronto, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and the Common Good. She received her doctorate from Brown University, and her BA from UNC-Chapel Hill. When doing philosophy, Yiran thinks about intimacy, love and beauty, and social/political relationships. She also has research interests in tech ethics, feminist philosophy, and Chinese philosophy. When not doing philosophy, Yiran is a creative writer. [Michael Inzlicht](https://utsc.utoronto.ca/psych/person/michael-inzlicht), Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto * Professor Inzlicht uses methods borrowed from social psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to understand the nature of the mental effort we use to reach our goals and the nature of leisure activities we do for fun. His research includes projects on self-control, motivation, and empathy (work) as well as projects on digital device use, social media, and recreational cannabis use (play). His lab is committed to open and transparent science, which includes publicly posting data and materials, often preregistering studies, and regularly running replication studies. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a panel discussion with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. Please register in advance [here](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ai-companion-event-tickets-1978161502304) to attend. 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

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 15+ chapters in over 10 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Mississauga Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/81LP4A) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

Most, if not all, systems of education in advanced industrial societies fail to give all participants within them fair chances of achieving certain educational outcomes. They are, in this respect, unfair. What makes them unfair? And what would it take to give all participants a fair chance? According to a standard egalitarian approach—an approach I call the *improper influence approach*—they are unfair because some differences in educational outcomes within those systems of education are due to differences in things like social class background—things that are illegitimate or improper influences on outcomes. To give all individuals a fair chance, on such an approach, would be to eliminate, or at least mitigate, such influences. This presentation is about why the improper influence approach is the wrong approach to equality of opportunity, and about why we need a different approach to fairness in education. I point to some difficulties with the improper influence approach and introduce a new approach to fairness in education: *the fair chance approach*. I argue that the fair chance approach provides a better explanation of what makes systems of education unfair when they are and of what it would take to give all participants within them a fair chance of achieving certain educational outcomes. Ryan Cox https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/about/our-people/academic-staff/ryan-cox.html Associate Lecturer Department of Philosophy University of Sydney About the Speaker: I'm a philosopher based at the University of Sydney in the Discipline of Philosophy in the School of Humanities. I am interested in a wide range of philosophical issues, but tend to think and write about issues in political philosophy, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of language. In political philosophy, I have published work on educational justice, the relationship between democracy and social equality, and on questions related to political legitimacy and Indigenous justice. In the philosophy of mind, I have published on our knowledge of our own minds and our knowledge of our own reasons for acting and holding particular attitudes. In the philosophy of language, I have published on the syntax and semantics of why-questions. I have several research projects underway at the moment. One on philosophical issues relating to educational justice; another on the nature of political legitimacy and its application to Indigenous issues; and another on the nature of first-person thought and, more broadly, the role of perspectival thought in the humanities. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** 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](https://youtube.com/live/q_FR4tMGJpY?feature=share). 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

***This is a paid event ($5 general admission, free for students & job seekers) with limited tickets - you must [RSVP on Luma](https://luma.com/zd29ibx6) to secure your spot.*** ​***Adversarial robustness remains a key concern in AI safety, with many interventions focusing on mitigating models’ capabilities to assist in harmful or criminal tasks. But how do LLMs behave in sociopolitical contexts, especially when faced with ambiguity?*** [​Punya Syon Pandey](https://www.linkedin.com/in/punya-syon-pandey-548532218/) will discuss research on accidental vulnerabilities induced by fine-tuning, and introduce new methods to measure sociopolitical robustness, highlighting broader implications for safe societal integration. ​**Event Schedule** 6:00 to 6:30 - Food and introductions 6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation and Q&A 7:30 to 9:00 - Open Discussions ​​​​If you can't make it in person, feel free to join the live stream starting at 6:30 pm, via [this link](https://www.youtube.com/@Trajectory-Labs/live).

# 🎾 Pickleball + Contrast Therapy Afternoon (Markham) **📅 Date & Time:** **Friday, September 19th, 2:00–5:00 PM** **📍 Location:** Athlete Hub – Ronin/MyAthlete.io, **217 Idema Rd., Markham (Steeles & Woodbine)** **💲 Cost:** $25 per player (save $5 with promo code below) *** ### 👋 About the Event Join us for a unique **3-hour sports & recovery experience** at our Markham gym. * **2 hours of Pickleball** (rotating doubles on 2 courts, max 16 players) * **1 hour of Contrast Therapy** (cold plunge + heat cycle, guided recovery) * **Recovery tools throughout the session** — compression boots, red light therapy, and massage guns available during off-court breaks * Don’t want to get paired randomly? No problem — bring a friend and you can play together! This is not just a drop-in — it’s a chance to **play, recover, and connect** with other athletes in the community. *** ### 🏓 Format * 16 players max → 8 per court * Rotating doubles every \~15 minutes * Everyone gets 6–8 matches across 2 hours * While off court → access recovery stations (compression boots, red light, massage gun) * 1-hour contrast therapy block: * Wave 1 (8 players) → Cold plunge → Heat station → Lounge (\~25 min) * Wave 2 (8 players) → Same cycle (\~25 min) * Social hangout in lounge to finish *** ### ✅ What’s Included * Guaranteed pickleball play (2 hours, rotating format) * Pro-style contrast therapy session (cold + heat cycle) * On-court recovery tools during breaks (compression boots, red light, massage guns) * **Towels provided** * Light refreshments *** ### 📌 What to Bring * Paddle (if you have one — extras available) * Court shoes + comfortable clothes * **Bathing suit + toiletries** (for contrast therapy) * Water bottle * **Bring a friend!** If you’d like, you can register with a partner to guarantee you play together during the pickleball rotations. *** ### 💲 How to Register This event is limited to **16 players only**. To confirm your spot: 1. RSVP here on Meetup 2. **Register & pay** on **[MyAthlete.io](https://myathlete.io/org_profile/1757696830905x685739735532699600)** 3. Buy a **Trial** and use promo code **MEETUP20** at checkout to save $5 for your first time. ⚠️ Meetup RSVP alone does *not* guarantee your spot — registration must be completed on MyAthlete.io.

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **​What will we talk about? What's the topic?** ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE). * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 30+ chapters in over 18 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our Toronto [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

**Cardio Pickleball (12+): Conditioning, Drills & Group Play** Looking to boost your game and your heart rate? Join us for **Cardio Pickleball**—a high-energy class designed to improve your endurance, agility, and pickleball performance through targeted conditioning, skill-building drills, and fast-paced group play. This program is suitable for **novice players and above**. Participants should have **prior experience playing pickleball** and be comfortable with the rules and basic gameplay. 🟢 **What to Expect:** * Pickleball-specific cardio and conditioning * Skill-focused drills to improve your game * Small group play with quick rotations to keep you moving 📅 **Full Program Available** Register for the full session (automatically prorated if you join late): 👉 [Click here to register](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=xrVn1j6) 💲 **Drop-In Option:** Want to try it first? Drop in for just **$40** (subject to availability). Bring your water bottle, court shoes, and get ready to move! Paddles are provided, or feel free to bring your own!

This is the first of several meetings on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read the first three chapters (pages 1-129 in the paperback). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) I hope to see you there! Fred

**In a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.** In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can **hear, be heard, and know one another.** If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy. Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. **At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events.** Topics could range from the political, to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also **suggest a topic** by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com. Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can [give here](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) or at the event. We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by [Restoration United Methodist Church](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

**🌞 CORE Yoga – Activate Your Powerhouse!** 📍 *Mind Body Paloma Studio – Oakton, VA (near Vale Rd)* 📩 Exact address shared upon RSVP Join us **every Tuesday evening** for a dynamic fusion of **yoga and Pilates-inspired movement** designed to fire up your core and awaken your **solar plexus chakra**. This class blends mindful breath with functional movement to build strength, improve mobility, and help you reconnect with your inner power. 🧘‍♀️ **What to Expect:** – Core-focused yoga asanas – Pilates-inspired strengthening exercises – Hip mobility and full-body stretches – Intimate small-group setting (Max 10 people) ✨ **What to Bring:** A yoga mat and positive vibes 🎟️ **Your first class is FREE!** Visit: [www.mindbodypaloma.com/services](https://www.mindbodypaloma.com/services) for class passes and pricing. 💻 *Can't make it in person? Join us online!* 🔗 **RSVP to secure your spot** and receive the exact studio address: https://events.humanitix.com/core-yoga-tuesdays-7pm-d3np535b Let's strengthen from the inside out—see you on the mat! 💛🌿

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/nv-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

🌞 **Sculpt & Yoga – Strong Body, Calm Mind** 📍@ Mind Body Paloma – Oakton, VA (cul-de-sac near Vale Rd) 📩 Exact location shared upon RSVP Join us **every Saturday at 10:30 AM** for a refreshing session that combines full-body sculpting with gentle yoga to stretch and restore. Breathe in the fresh air, move with intention, and leave feeling strong, balanced, and renewed. 🧘‍♀️ **What to Expect:** – Energizing full-body workout to tone and sculpt – Gentle yoga movements to stretch all major muscles – Fresh air + uplifting community vibes ✨ **What to Bring:** Yoga mat + blanket or towel (to protect your mat) + water bottle 🎟️ **First time is** **FREE!** Registration required: 👉 [https://events.humanitix.com/sculpt-and-yoga-saturdays-10-30am](https://events.humanitix.com/sculpt-and-yoga-saturdays-10-30am) Let’s move, breathe, and enjoy the outdoors together! 🌿💪💛 Price after 1st time: Buy 5 class passes for $125 or 10 class passes for $230

**Join globally respected cardiologist , Dr. Mohit Gupta, as we explore how our thoughts impact our physical health and overall well-being.** Our thoughts are far more powerful than we often realize. A single thought has the capacity to influence our emotions, shape our health, strengthen or strain our relationships, and quietly guide the course of our lives. The Power of One Thought is an insightful session that explores how conscious and intentional thinking impacts the brain, heart, and overall well-being. Through a thoughtful blend of scientific evidence and meditative practice, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how thought patterns influence stress, emotional resilience, mental clarity, and long-term health. In this session, Dr. Mohit Gupta seamlessly integrates modern neuroscience and cardiology with the wisdom of Raj Yoga meditation, offering practical insights into emotional regulation, cardiovascular health, and the slowing of biological aging. He uses his own life stories of Belief and Resilience. The experience is designed to be reflective, engaging, and immediately applicable to both personal and professional life. This session is ideal for individuals seeking inner clarity, emotional balance, and a deeper understanding of how one consciously chosen thought can create lasting transformation. **About Dr. Mohit Gupta** *Dr. Mohit Dayal Gupta, MD, DM, FACC, FRCP, is a globally respected interventional cardiologist and Director–Professor of Cardiology at GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi, and serves as Cardiologist to the Parliament of India. A four-time TEDx speaker, he has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is a Fellow of leading international cardiology institutions.* *A distinguished clinician–scientist, Dr. Gupta’s current research focuses on the effects of Raj Yoga meditation on biological aging and cardiovascular resilience. Associated with the Brahma Kumaris since childhood, he is widely known for his rare ability to bridge cardiology, neuroscience, meditation, and spirituality, offering a compelling perspective on holistic health and conscious leadership.* Fri., Jan. 30th, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Held at Brahma Kumaris Center, 14020 Thunderbolt Pl, Suite 200, 2ndFloor, Chantilly, VA. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/wt8yd](https://shorturl.at/wt8yd)

We are hiking Manassas Battlefield. We are tracing the area of the second battle of Manassas. The trails are made up of various surfaces. including grass, dirt, gravel, rocks, and pavement. The trails could be muddy. You might not need hiking boots for this hike. You do need footwear with enough support for six plus miles. Distance: 6.60 miles Elevation Gain: 429 feet We are meeting in the parking lot for Manassas Battlefield Visitor’s Center. There are several parking lots at Manassas Battlefield so make sure you find the Visitor’s Center. The address might not take you there so use the following coordinates: 38.812819,-77.521449 The hike should take approximately two to two and a half hours depending on the walking speed of the group. There is no parking fee for this hike. There are rest rooms in the Visitor's Center. The hike will be followed by an optional trip to Starbucks, 8699 Sudley Rd, Manassas VA. Starbucks is only 4 miles from the trailhead. HIKING RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT Please read and be certain you understand the implications of agreeing to Express Assumption of Risk Associated with Hiking and Related Activities. I do hereby affirm and acknowledge that I have been fully informed of the inherent hazards and risks associated with hiking, transportation of equipment related to the activities, and traveling to and from activity sites, in which I am about to engage. Inherent hazards and risks include but are not limited to: 1\. Risk of injury from the activity and equipment utilized is significant including the potential for permanent disability and death\. 2\. Falling\, causing broken bones severe injuries to the head\, neck and back which may result in severe impairment or even death\. 3\. All "act of nature\," including but not limited to avalanche\, rock fall\, inclement weather\, thunder and lighting\, severe and or varied wind\, temperature and other weather conditions\. 4\. Risks associated with crossing\, climbing or down\-climbing of rock\, snow and/or ice\. 5\. Risks associated with river crossings\, fordings\, or portaging\. 6\. Possible equipment failure and/or malfunction of my own or others' equipment\, which may have been rented\, borrowed\, or personally owned\. 7\. My own negligence and/or the negligence of others\, including employees\, agents\, independent contractors or representatives of including but not limited to operator failure\. 8\. Cold weather and heat related injuries and illness including but not limited to frostnip\, frost bite\, heat exhaustion\, heat stroke\, sunburn\, hypothermia and dehydration\. 9\. Attack by or encounter with insects\, reptiles\, and/or animals\. 10\. Accidents or illness occurring in remote places where there are no available medical facilities\. 11\. Fatigue chill\, and/or dizziness\, which may diminish my/our reaction time and increase the risk of accident\. 12\. My sense of balance\, physical coordination\, and ability to follow instructions\. \*I understand the description of these risks is not complete and that unknown or unanticipated risks may result in Injury, illness, or death. Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims and Indemnity Agreement In consideration for being permitted to participate in any way in hiking and related activities, I hereby agree, acknowledge and appreciate that: 1\. I HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY\, DISABILITY\, DEATH\, or loss or damage to person or property\, WHETHER CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE\, the following named persons or entities\, herein referred to as releasees: Seth Allen \(Company and/or Person\)\, Melanie Yolanda Allen \(Company and/or Person\) 2\. To release the releasees\, their officers\, directors\, employees\, representatives\, agents\, and volunteers\, from liability and responsibility whatsoever and for any claims or causes of action that I\, my estate\, heirs\, survivors\, executors\, or assigns may have for personal injury\, property damage\, or wrongful death arising from the above activities whether caused by active or passive negligence of the releasees or otherwise\. By executing this document\, I agree to hold the releasees harmless and indemnify them in conjunction with any injury\, disability\, death\, or loss or damage to person or property that may occur as a result of engaging in the above activities\. 3\. By entering into this Agreement\, I am not relying on any oral or written representation or statements made by the releasees\, other than what is set forth in this Agreement\. This release shall be binding to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this release is found to be unenforceable, the remaining terms shall be enforceable. I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT, AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, AND UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP LEGAL RIGHTS BY AGREEING TO IT, AND I AGREE TO IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT. FOR PARTICIPANTS OF MINORITY AGE: This is to certify that I, as Parent, Guardian, Temporary Guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do consent and agree not only to his/her release of all Releasees, but also to release and indemnify the Releasees from any and all liabilities incident to his/her involvement in these programs for myself, my heirs, assigns, and next of kin.