Democracy for America

Hello everyone, I'd like to invite you out to our **Dinner with Friends Gratitude Party! (AT SMOKE SHOW)** -Reserved seating, friendly people, good conversation and great food awaits! So please plan to join us if you can :) \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a fantastic evening **Time: 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m.** **Location:** Smoke Show **Address:** 744 Mt. Pleasant, Toronto Event Details Bellow: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) Event Details: **Dinner with Friends Gratitude Party! (Dinner, Cocktails and Conversations) (February 22nd)** -The great thing about this dinner party is you're free to move around to different tables and meet the other members too throughout the evening **Dinner Party Topics** may include but not limited too: Travel, Culture, Spirituality, Relationships, Modern Dating, Work/Life balance, Art, Technology, Economy, Music, Modern Living, The Good Life, Passions, Idea, Movies, Sports, Fashion, Hobbies, Books, Psychology, Philosophy, the Future, History, Pop Culture, Theatre, etc.) **Arrival Time:** \*Join us any time between 6:30 pm and 7:15 pm (if you can) for a fun and highly interactive evening as we get to know the members over dinner and great conversations (of your choice) Event goes until roughly 9:30 pm **Event Fee:** 5 dollars (cash only please) (HST included) or in advance by e transfer to **[steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://steveflemming11@gmail.com/)** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminder:** \*One beverage or appetizer minimum to support the venue- this is greatly appreciated :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of free street parking on Eglinton, and Paid parking on Mt. Pleasant **Close to Subway Station:** \*15 minute walk from the Yonge/Eglinton subway station :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** First it was **Ambrose Small** and my team of brilliant detectives who tried to figure it all out. The walkers on this tour just about cracked the case. Well done my detectives. But your smarts are needed again however. The Harley Karulis Detective Agency needs your help! And this one needs all our brain power to figure out. This one might be the toughest assignment yet. Here is your case file. The details you will need to get started on this walking tour. A case that shocked Torontonians when it occurred in late October of 1933, and still reverberates to this day. A cold case solved, not by a long shot. No one really knows the entire story or the truth. It unfolds like an Agatha Christie novel as you will see. The details of this case culminates in one of the most perplexing, head scratching crimes in the history of this city and very few have heard of the sad life and end of little Alfreda Dolores Mae Hillier. Little Bunty as they called her was born in 1932, and was the apple of her parent's eyes. Her father Alfred Hillier was a World War 1 hero, and had fallen on bad times during the depression years. He just started a new job recently. Her mother Florence was a stay at home mom and loved to play and watch her little girl out the window of their small home on Boothroyd Avenue in Leslieville. On a cool, sunny October afternoon at the height of the depression, Alfreda, an 18 month old girl disappeared after heading out for a walk alone. Sounds on the level I must say. Warning bells! Within a few hours questions as to what happened to this little girl started to swirl around the neighbourhood. All details of this case are taken directly from the archives of the Toronto Star and the city which paint a rather confused story culminating in the arrest of two young boys, one age 4 and the other 7 who admitted their guilt. Or was coerced into that same confession? Let's toss in a few more details to cloud the story however: 1) a convicted criminal in the area, information told to the Calgary Hearld the day after she was found dead. 2) another man who seemed to be present when she was found and then wandered off and disappeared from the police investigation file. 3) the testimony of two underaged children that had no relevance to some of the details. 4) the coroner's report which contradicted just about everything the police came up with and witnesses testimony as well. This walking tour/game takes participants back in time to 1933 and explores the many sites associated with the tragic death of Alfreda Hillier, and the personalities involved. You will be introduced to 10 historic characters and each has their own dark secrets, it will be up to you to render a **verdict**! Are you up for it detectives? Our walk begins at the **Jones Branch of the Toronto Public Library** at the southwest corner of Jones Avenue and Dundas Street East in Leslieville just a few blocks north of Queen Street East. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. Please get your tickets early if you would like to attend. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Attention is as curious as it is multifaceted. It has been called [a currency](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4WkhG_GRM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4WkhG_GRM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks"), the lack of it has been [pathologized](https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd "https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd"), and its span has [apparently been decreasing](https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans "https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans"). But what *is* attention, and what does it share with what are often understood as its synonyms, like ‘focus’, ‘concentration’, and ‘awareness’? What role does it play in our lives and why might we feel like its nature and extent have been changing with rapid technological innovation and the pace of modern life? The phrase ‘pay attention’ is perhaps more appropriate today than ever. Nowadays, if you watch a YouTube video, scroll through Instagram, or even walk down a busy street in your city, chances are you’ll see an ad. Our attention, however brief, is quite literally *paying* companies who sell our attention to marketing departments. Why is our attention so valuable? How much control do we have when it comes to the object(s) of our attention? How much responsibility do we have over what we pay attention to? Join us at our next Revisited Curiosity Cafe on Sunday, February 22nd, where we will engage in a collaborative exploration of the nature and extent of our attention and why attention is more valuable today than ever. **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-paying-attention-tickets-1982649061715) 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 2-2:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 2:30-4:30pm 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.

Last month you little dancers came knocking on the dancefloor with a packed night so we're back Saturday, February 21st to do it again... Rebel Yell Retro 80's & 90's Dance Party! w/ DJs Dwight Hybrid + Thomas Hall Dovercourt House - 805 Dovercourt Road, Toronto A high energy night of all of our fave music mixed by longtime retro DJs Dwight Hybrid & Thomas Hall of Retro Mix Video Dance Party. It's a nice day to dance again so don't dance with yourself. See you all again Saturday, February 21st! $15 Cash-At-Door Cover Only Presented by: Hybrid Events fb: [https://www.facebook.com/HybridEventsToronto](https://www.facebook.com/HybridEventsToronto?__cft__[0]=AZapAnhGcDHvUSNOFvyUGd69n0XcCbyS_v10gUpg3sphAOynLumKyzqTDR_stZ6Pvu4jJ1qwKrZ1LqBXV5cCeQcDIqH-2nRcVpf7MnpcrUF7VbPTyDD6vFpaO5XgTogYMP5ZCKhvvZaSV4qRfRGqgwu6&__tn__=q) ig: [www.instagram.com/dwight.hybrid/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fdwight.hybrid%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSGd6NE5GTmpFSUZHdXB0anNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6JEHbDodBYfuABKUfZMQB_nNgFxb8zBXiXroIK8G3QdHmR8lWhdYwJ2fLTuA_aem_31mJWrkX0xuxEP2aDUrZvA&h=AT2udgR1XtrJoUM-RnzrIxavPmvKWtKrLNV2NU88cBzwMG1L2qTAryjEiGWNki30OP4Jcx3x1QnoVbeed0sJ4C6ETg2JEW5TEawwqAcdgrj_MeetrX9Q3dXn7XPqRJ__G4KajqdtrKZUIqM3sI4&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT2RKBK7r0b-0larOAAM5s5gW6r00pG-CP1vK9nOOmoXyAAG1no2yV03FdSj43qr-NyYxGE-fjLwx-qHa-RHg51h6TeuMl1D-EIhhpKs9M3o_TvUhpF0OibeP0lJgk74ho7dbsP9GMHtUZZCwKYinqssB2XO7AFXmYw) mixcloud: [https://www.mixcloud.com/dwighthybrid](https://www.mixcloud.com/dwighthybrid?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSGd6NE5GTmpFSUZHdXB0anNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4MorcOyzf9nLneEqS829w9KIPMnbY4X3DzMjtwlrhJVGA5CJV7PzTMMGjCaw_aem_t1FgncT3TCGzfWgNFb-rCg) youtube: [https://www.youtube.com/@DJDwightHybrid](https://www.youtube.com/@DJDwightHybrid?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSGd6NE5GTmpFSUZHdXB0anNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR48V__FWI7kw82T_YuBNcpOwEDK3t3iD_GtzDNiztQUyRfgh69PVDRPiJoIJw_aem__ptgzXs6SSpsWcvh9GTw1Q) Retromix Video Dance Party fb: [https://www.facebook.com/RetromixTO](https://www.facebook.com/RetromixTO?__cft__[0]=AZapAnhGcDHvUSNOFvyUGd69n0XcCbyS_v10gUpg3sphAOynLumKyzqTDR_stZ6Pvu4jJ1qwKrZ1LqBXV5cCeQcDIqH-2nRcVpf7MnpcrUF7VbPTyDD6vFpaO5XgTogYMP5ZCKhvvZaSV4qRfRGqgwu6&__tn__=q) ig: [https://www.instagram.com/retromixtoronto/](https://www.instagram.com/retromixtoronto/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSGd6NE5GTmpFSUZHdXB0anNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4Sy4_qm4zUnRGwWC6Nj4ltE7kKlfZA1ZxR96_EicxtZe5reb9F3Y9TvBgFTg_aem_C0lCgNaCMRUUyLkvtUCT5A) web: [retromix.ca](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fretromix.ca%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSGd6NE5GTmpFSUZHdXB0anNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR48V__FWI7kw82T_YuBNcpOwEDK3t3iD_GtzDNiztQUyRfgh69PVDRPiJoIJw_aem__ptgzXs6SSpsWcvh9GTw1Q&h=AT3tNH-T5MaNr24K-zBgSvgJi82Ek8zIx3ZuEojMHeIphxWSdW3SOrcCQR7jsiYvniNopQ8MTmri1vS0caZ2WygdgRFBJwT-YMHwkdtZxJnA75hSumRQvLfsyCxr4_KZFjfHfcjDBVD8u6A2Q1k&__tn__=q&c[0]=AT2RKBK7r0b-0larOAAM5s5gW6r00pG-CP1vK9nOOmoXyAAG1no2yV03FdSj43qr-NyYxGE-fjLwx-qHa-RHg51h6TeuMl1D-EIhhpKs9M3o_TvUhpF0OibeP0lJgk74ho7dbsP9GMHtUZZCwKYinqssB2XO7AFXmYw)

OTHER CAFE POLICIES 1. There is an entry fee of $6/person + tax during weekdays (MON - THU excluding holidays) and $8/person + tax on weekends and holidays 2. As a cafe we offer coffee and other beverage options. We would greatly appreciate that you not bring outside drinks into the store 3. We offer pastries baked in house, light fate, and some pre-packaged snacks, but permit you to bring food options from the other businesses in the plaza to support our neighbouring small businesses 4. Be considerate of other guests when selecting games from our library and limit the number of games you bring back to each table to two (2) at a time 5. You are welcome to bring your own games to use in the cafe, but LVLUP GAMES is not responsible for lost, stolen, or otherwise damaged games/components Also as a general meet up rule, to be considerate to other guests. Since we have limited seating, it is of the utmost importance that if you plan on attending you sign up for the event. Likewise, if you are unable to make it, kindly mark that you will not be coming so your spot becomes available for another person. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Hope to see you soon!

Join us for a focused and engaging discussion on the decline of the British Empire, tracing its gradual unraveling from the aftermath of the First World War to the wave of decolonization that reshaped the global order in the mid-twentieth century. Once described as “the empire on which the sun never sets,” Britain presided over a vast network of territories spanning every continent. Yet within a few decades, economic exhaustion, nationalist movements, global war, and shifting geopolitical power eroded imperial authority. This session explores how and why a global superpower relinquished its empire—and what replaced it. **Topics for Discussion** * The Atlantic Charter and Self-Determination * The Independence of India and Pakistan * The Malayan Emergency * The Suez Crisis * The Windrush Generation * The Mau Mau Uprising * Decolonization in Africa (1950s–1960s) * The Transformation into the Commonwealth * The Falklands War * The Transfer of Hong Kong

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Toronto City Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new restaurants in your city, together. \* Curated lunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

**Want to help bring your city’s community together?** We’re looking for local hosts to organize small group lunches, evening drinks, mixers, movie get-togethers and curated experiences. **No experience necessary,** just a friendly attitude, some local knowledge, and a willingness to meet a few new people. After each event, we’ll send a short feedback form so we can improve and support you. The host will also be able to provide feedback so we can learn what worked and what didn't. **[Click here](https://form.questionscout.com/6926c9ab87a828a5c11a79fc)** to apply and get started: if you’re selected, we’ll reach out for a quick screening call.

Hello everyone, I'd like to invite you out to a fun-filled afternoon with this fantastic party social game called **MUSIC BINGO** Everyone can play (It's easy to learn and most of all it's a lot of fun) \*Joined by my other groups too so we can anticipate a fabulous day :) **Where to Meet us?** **Date: Sunday February 22nd** **Arrive between 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm** **Location:** La Carnita - Good Fortune Bar (Main Floor) **Address:** 130 Eglinton Ave. Toronto, ON M4P 2X9 Event Details Below: Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Music Bingo Host) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Details of Event:** **\*MUSIC BINGO\*** **(An Afternoon of Fun, Treats and Great Music!)** -Lots of laughs and thrills in store as we enjoy a terrific afternoon making new friends, singing along (optional) and playing **MUSIC BINGO;** hosted in a super fun designed format :) \*Treats handed out to the winning participants during each round we play \*Invite your friends or come on your own! **Event Fee:** 10 dollars at the door (cash only please) Includes: **Music Bingo,** treats, reserved room/seating, lots of laughs and plenty of fun people to play the game with) \*or e-transfer in advance to **steveflemming11@gmail.com** \-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminders:** -Please arrive between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm \*Music Bingo will start shortly after that (Invite your friends out too if you like) **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of free street parking on Eglinton and (Residential area south/east of venue for free) **Close to Subway Station:** \*Also right beside the Yonge/Eglinton subway station

For February, we'll read The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad 304 pages First published in 1907 About the book: Mr Verloc, the secret agent, keeps a shop in London's Soho where he lives with his wife Winnie, her infirm mother, and her idiot brother, Stevie. When Verloc is reluctantly involved in an anarchist plot to blow up the Greenwich Observatory things go disastrously wrong, and what appears to be "a simple tale" proves to involve politicians, policemen, foreign diplomats, and London's fashionable society in the darkest and most surprising interrelations.

**Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the International Relations / Foreign Policy Group Columbus!** This group brings together students, professionals, academics, and anyone interested in global affairs, diplomacy, and geopolitics. Our first meetup will be an informal discussion focused on current international developments and global trends. This is a great opportunity to: • Meet others interested in international relations and foreign policy • Discuss current global events and geopolitical developments • Exchange perspectives and ideas in a respectful environment • Build a network of globally minded individuals in Central Ohio (Columbus and periphery) **Discussion topics may include:** * Strategic planning for the group and the way forward * US foreign policy priorities in 2026 * Major geopolitical developments (Europe, Asia, Middle East) * Global security and strategic competition * International economic and diplomatic trends No prior expertise is required—everyone is welcome, whether you're a student, professional, or simply interested in world affairs. **This will be a casual, friendly, and intellectually engaging conversation.** I look forward to meeting everyone and building a strong international relations / foreign policy community in Central Ohio.

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~$20 per person. Soft drink refills are $1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area. Parking can be challenging. There is a parking lot behind the neighboring Mexican restaurant that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

**\*\*\*\* More details and sign up at: https://aifalliance.org/summit-2026/ \*\*\*\*** **What is AI Freedom Alliance?** AI Freedom Alliance promotes the responsible growth of AI guided by practical, commonsense ethics. Our nonprofit is built by professionals from a wide range of industries and is made up entirely of small- and mediumbusiness representatives—never large tech companies. We provide a counterbalance to big corporate influence, focusing instead on how AI can benefit businesses and the world at large. **What’s Happening?** ***The inaugural AI Freedom Alliance Summit.*** This full-day event will explore how we can ensure AI is adopted responsibly through shared ethical standards that empower humanity. The summit will feature interactive and educational sessions led by thought leaders, technologists, policymakers, and advocates who are passionate about making AI fair, transparent, and beneficial for everyone. **Why Attend?** Learn about the legal and technical challenges with implementing AI solutions within your organization. Build better solutions while protecting your organization from legal and compliance risks. And learn how to think strategically about AI as a differentiation tool for your business. This summit is highly recommended for C-Suite leaders to learn as well as interact with each other and our sponsors.

Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences. Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future. What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs. At this free local Meetup event we will talk about: * What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic. * Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences? * How to break away from negativity and focus on the future * What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions? Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.