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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out dog training events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the dog training events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
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Dog Training Events Today
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(Tuesday) HikeFit: Earl Bales – Steep Hills Fitness Hike – L3 (Moderate)
Ready to sweat it out on the hills? Join us for a HIIT-style hill training hike
This hike is part of the **HikeFit Series**, a collection of fitness-focused hikes designed to build strength, endurance, and overall hiking fitness.
We’ll challenge you with steep climbs, rugged terrain, and a high-intensity workout. This isn’t a fast-paced hike, but it is **intense**. We’ll tackle multiple **very steep hills** in intervals, with plenty of chances to catch your breath, recover, or skip hills if needed.
This hike is designed for intermediate hikers, but it’s **beginner-friendly** since you can skip as many hills as you need. It’s perfect for anyone looking to **get stronger, improve endurance, and boost their hiking fitness** at their own pace.
**Weather-Dependent Notice:**
The hike is a go, **(light)** rain or shine; However, if there's a risk of excessive mud making the hills too slippery, the hike will be canceled with around 24 hours’ notice.
**Distance & Duration:**
* **Length of hike:** \~4 km
* **Event duration:** \~1.5 hours
* **Trail maps:** Random hill at Earl Bales park
* **Difficulty level:** L3 (Level 3/Moderate)
* Terrain: L4
* Pace: L2
* Distance: L1
**What to Bring:**
* **Water:** 1\~2 liters
* **Extras:** Hiking pole (Highly recommended)
* **Required Gear:** Hiking boots or Trail Runners with good grip, Headlamp, and [Microspikes](https://kahtoola.com/traction/microspikes-footwear-traction/?srsltid=AfmBOoqq-URDFRgNAISoLYH1l1cSLKeXOTSuU6EqUC6VupfLNZAGRg8P)
**Costs:**
* **Member Event fee:** FREE EVENT
**Travel Coordination:**
* No Travel Coordination for this Event, Meeting at Starting Point
**Event Guidelines:**
* **Punctuality,** Please arrive on time so we can start promptly. We won't be able to wait for more than 5min past the start time
* **Pack out everything you bring** (including nut shells, fruit peels, etc.) to help keep our trails clean.
* **RSVP:** Only those marked as “Going” and have confirmed travel details (if requested) are eligible to attend the event.
* If your **plans change** and you are no longer able to attend, please update your RSVP as soon as possible.
* **No-shows** without prior communication may result in removal from future events.
* **Weather Considerations** The hike is a go (light) **rain or shine**, so please be prepared for the conditions. for example, If it’s expected to rain, waterproof gear (like a jacket or shoes)
* **Pets:** please check with the organizer for details before bringing your pet.
Looking forward to seeing you on the trail
Korean Martial Arts (Regular Classes) - FREE
**Come workout, have fun, relieve your stress, and meet your fellow neighbours!**
Welcoming interested people to join our FREE classes every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and every Sunday afternoon from 2:30PM-4:30PM near Bathurst/Lake Shore area.
Classes are led by our event organizer, Master **Dave Crook**, a seasoned 4th degree black belt Hapkido practitioner from a respected academy with many years of experience in this art and various others.
**About this form of martial arts:**
Hapkido is a hybrid Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks.
**How to join:**
Join this group/event and directly message me with your interest.
**Q: Is this completely FREE?**
A: Yes, classes/lessons are completely FREE
**Q: Do I require a gi/uniform to participate?**
A: Gi is completely optional, only required when doing groundwork grappling/throw techniques
**Q: Are there grading and belt progression?**
A: Yes, there are grading and belts, which will cost $30 just to cover the cost, testing will done when YOU are comfortable and ready!
**Current Martial Artists Belt Status:**
1x Masters - 4th Degree Black Belt
1x Yellow Belt (former red belt)
1x Yellow Stripe Belt
134x White Belts
**Belt Colours - Progression in Descending Order:**
* White Belt
* Yellow Stripe Belt
* Yellow Belt
* Orange Stripe Belt
* Orange Belt
* Green Stripe Belt
* Green Belt
* Blue Stripe Belt
* Blue Belt
* Red Stripe Belt
* Red Belt
* Black Stripe Belt
* Black Belt
**Curriculum of Techniques**
**White Belt to Yellow Stripe:**
**Strikes (all strikes from left wrist grab, striking with right)**
1\. Sword Strike to Clavicle
2\. Nunchuk Strike to Temple
3\. Companion Sword Strike with Elbow Strike to Solar Plexus
4\. Spear Hand to Femoral Artery
5\. Palm Strike to Floating Rib
6\. Spear Hand to Trachea
**Breakaways (all breakaways from right wrist grab)**
1\. Latissimus Dorsi push with bucking back fist
2\. When pulled with bucking back fist
3\. When pushed with bucking back fist
4\. Downward break away with elbow strike
5\. Live\-hand tricept push up with elbow strike
6\. Assisted tricept push\-up with elbow strike
**Take Downs (performed both sides)**
1\. Pivot throw
Joint Locks (all joint locks from right wrist grab)
1\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow
2\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow 45 degrees
3\. One inch bow
4\. Side wrist lock \- bend elbow
5\. Side elbow lock
6\. Elbow lock controlled
**Escapes From Mounted Position (all from opponent on mount position - performed both sides)**
1\. Escape to Mount
2\. Escape to Guard
3\. As punches are received \- buck \- single arm hook \- roll
4\. As punches are received \- buck \- shoulder walk \- two arm hook \- guard
5\. Escape when head is locked
6\. Escape when head is locked with high mount
**Kicks (both sides)**
1\. Side kick
**To learn more about Hwa Won Yue Hapkido visit our website here:**
http://www.hapkidohwawonyue.ca/toronto.html#
ABCD Reads AND Watches "Train Dreams"
[[RESULTS](https://opavote.com/results/4829900303499264) of the poll for this event]
ABCD Reads AND Watches "**Train Dreams**", a [novella](https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S234C2792355) written by Denis Johnson, and a [film](https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/train-dreams) directed by Clint Bentley.
**:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::**
"Suffused with the history and landscapes of the American West—its otherworldly flora and fauna, its rugged loggers and bridge builders—this extraordinary novella poignantly captures the disappearance of a distinctly American way of life.
Train Dreams tells the story of Robert Grainer, a day laborer in the American West at the start of the twentieth century—an ordinary man in extraordinary times. Buffeted by the loss of his family, Grainer struggles to make sense of this strange new world. As his story unfolds, we witness both his shocking personal defeats and the radical changes that transform America in his lifetime." (from [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12991188-train-dreams))
**:: ABOUT THE MOVIE ::**
"Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Golden Globe-nominee Joel Edgerton), whose life unfolds during an era of unprecedented change in early 20th century America. Orphaned at a young age, Robert grows into adulthood among the towering forests of the Pacific Northwest, where he helps expand the nation's railroad empire alongside men as unforgettable as the landscapes they inhabit. After a tender courtship, he marries Gladys (Academy Award-nominee Felicity Jones) and they build a home together, though his work often takes him far from her and their young daughter. When his life takes an unexpected turn, Robert finds beauty, brutality and newfound meaning for the forests and trees he has felled." (from [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/train_dreams))
**:: ABOUT THE EVENT ::**
Instead of just reading the book as usual, this time we're asking that you also watch the movie adaptation. During our discussion, we'll explore the strengths of both the book and the movie, evaluate the adaptation's effectiveness, and touch on any other topics that arise.
You are welcome to arrive 30 minutes before the event and stay 30 minutes or longer afterward to connect with other attendees outside the book talk.
Please ensure you have read the book and watched the movie before attending (though finishing either is not a barrier to participating, as long as you don't mind spoilers).
First-time attendees can join for free. If the event is full, we maintain an unofficial waitlist. Please send [Michael](https://www.meetup.com/members/55295192/) a direct message for more information, in either case.
We request a $3 contribution from regular attendees to help cover our monthly meetup costs.
**:: ABOUT OUR NEXT READ&WATCH ::**
At the end of each event, we will ask for nominees for our next Read & Watch (date TBA). If you have a good pairing in mind, please ensure that the book is between 200-400 pages long, available from the Toronto Public Library, and counts as contemporary literary fiction (though these are not hard and fast rules), and that the movie or TV-series is readily available. When enough nominees are collected, Michael will send the members a direct message with a link where you can vote.
Free ESL Practice and Support
St. Timothy's is excited to offer support to newcomers in Canada. Our goal is to provide conversational language practice through informal instruction and feedback in a welcoming and diverse community.
We invite all new immigrants, English language students, visitors to Canada, parents of children temporarily attending schools in Toronto, foreign university students, and anyone looking to enhance their language skills. We aim to build community where friendships can flourish, in order to help participants establish meaningful connections, learn about life in Toronto, and access practical resources as you settle in to this new city and country.
We begin every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. with a time to socialize and connect. Our formal program begins at 10:30 a.m., and each week we will have different activities and topics, including practicing English conversation, reading short articles, learning about common pronunciation and grammar mistakes made by ESL speakers, etc. Our volunteers would love to get to know you and offer gentle and constructive feedback to help you improve your English!
We also offer Individual career mentoring, including job search, mock job interviews, and helping you improve your resumes and cover letters.
OpenClaw Toronto Hackathon
Apply to get in at https://luma.com/2bntw4vd
The Vision
We’re bringing the OpenClaw and GOAT Network stack to Toronto students for a one-day vibe coding sprint with the support of the CanCode grant program from the Government of Canada. Your mission: Build an AI agent that doesn’t just talk but owns its identity, manages its own wallet and transact with other agents. Leverage Bitcoin’s 99.9% uptime and BitVM2’s mathematical security (viat GOAT) to build agents that handle high-value transactions with zero human oversight.
🏆 The Stakes
We aren't giving out stickers and socks. We are giving away Mac Minis to the top-performing teams to power your future AI development. We also are looking for the bright minds to join our team and our partner projects as an interns to continue developing what they started at the hackathon. We also will be mentoring and helping those who would like to develop their hackathon projects further as their own startups.
🚀 The Challenge
Deploy a "vibe-coded" autonomous agent using:
OpenClaw: The brain and framework.
ERC-8004: On-chain identity (Give your agent a soul).
x402: Agent-native payments (Let your agent get paid).
GOAT Network: The infrastructure for the agent economy.
📅 Event Details
When: May 26 2026 during the Toronto Tech Week
Where: Toronto Metropolitan University (exact address will be posted).
Who: University students
Perks: Fuel provided (Pizza, snacks, and drinks) + On-site technical mentorship.
🏆Prizes
Mac Mini + internship opportunities + entrepreneurship opportunities
🍕 Food & drinks are on us — snacks and drinks will be served throughout the event.
11:00 AM — 🚀 Doors close. Hacking begins!
11:00 – 11:15 AM — Welcome & Kickoff
🔧 Workshop Track
11:15 – 11:45 AM | Why we are building this
11:50 AM – 12:10 PM | ClawUp + Messengers (Telegram, Slack)
12:10 – 13:20 PM | Build on GOAT Network mainnet — Deploy an 8004 & x402
Go from zero to a live, AI-powered transaction on GOAT mainnet fully vibe-coded.
Getting started:
Register on 8004 — link and instructions in the onboarding checklist
Confirm your registration on the https://goat-hackathon-2026.vercel.app/
Use the Telegram Bot Onboarder to set up your x402 merchant payment
Watch live demos and join the idea brainstorming session
🛟 Support
You're never stuck. Here's who to reach out to:
GOAT support team is available in person and across both Telegram channels throughout the event
🔨 13:20 – 6:30 PM | Build Time
Heads down. Ship something real. Prizes announced mid-session — stay tuned.
🏁 6:30 PM | Submissions Close
🎤 6:40 PM | Demo Time
Each team gets 3 minutes to present. Everyone who wants to demo gets a slot — just keep it sharp!
After demos, judges have 15 minutes to deliberate, then prizes are announced live. 🏆
Physical prizes handed out on-site.
🎉 Socials
We'll wrap up with open hang time — meet the builders, the GOAT team, and the community. Stick around!
Free Weekly ESL Conversation Meetup
Practice and improve your English through conversation at St. Andrew Centre (73 Simcoe St, downtown Toronto), while making new friends!
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
How to Get to the Event:
By TTC, exit at St. Andrew Station.
Walk west on King St. West to Simcoe St.
Do not enter through the church building; the large church front doors will be closed.
At the corner of Simcoe St. and King St. West, turn south and walk on Simcoe St.
Enter through St. Andrew Centre, which will be behind the church building.
Dog Training Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Try out Dragonboating - Sunnyside Paddling Club
**Event Details:**
This session includes one hour of paddling instruction by certified coaches and is $10! It is mandatory to register [here](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/sunnyside-paddling-club/shop/programs/128679?subCategoryIds=6666732&subCategoryIds=6667051&subCategoryIds=6672268). Please note accepting the meetup event is not sufficient for registration
**Join Us for a Dragon Boating Experience!**
Discover the exhilarating sport of dragon boating with our special event, designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike. You'll learn the basics of paddling, engage in fitness training specific to dragon boating, and find out how you can get involved with our vibrant community.
**Why You Should Try Dragon Boating:**
Dragon boating is a thrilling water sport rooted in over 2,000 years of Chinese tradition. It has grown globally, welcoming participants of all backgrounds and abilities, from recreational paddlers to elite athletes. The sport's unique team dynamic, requiring over 22 people per boat, fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork. It's truly the ultimate team sport!
**Our vision for you!**
We love the sport and its unique ability to build community. We hope you'll join our community!
After attending the try it out, our learn to paddle program or our Thunder dragon boat program.
If you join either your try it out is freeeeee!
Alternatively, we have several self-managed community teams that are recruiting, take a look at our website [here](https://www.sunnysidepaddlingclub.com/join-dragonboat-team).
**Who Can Join?**
We welcome everyone, regardless of experience or background. No swimming ability is required.
**Connect With Us:**
Follow us on social media: @sunnysidepc
Learn more about our club online: [Sunnyside Paddling Club](https://www.sunnysidepaddlingclub.com/)
Come try out dragon boating and meet our fantastic team! We look forward to seeing you on the water.
Korean Martial Arts (Casual Classes) - FREE
***\*\*\*This class is open to all levels, weather permitting; in an event of poor weather conditions class will be changed to a regular class\*\*\****
**Come workout, have fun, relieve your stress, and meet your fellow neighbours!**
Welcoming interested people to join our FREE classes every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and every Sunday afternoon from 2:30PM-4:30PM near Bathurst/Lake Shore area.
Classes are led by our event organizer, Master **Dave Crook**, a seasoned 4th degree black belt Hapkido practitioner from a respected academy with many years of experience in this art and various others.
**About this form of martial arts:**
Hapkido is a hybrid Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other striking attacks.
**How to join:**
Join this group/event and directly message me with your interest.
**Q: Is this completely FREE?**
A: Yes, classes/lessons are completely FREE
**Q: Do I require a gi/uniform to participate?**
A: Gi is completely optional, only required when doing groundwork grappling/throw techniques
**Q: Are there grading and belt progression?**
A: Yes, there are grading and belts, which will cost $30 just to cover the cost, testing will done when YOU are comfortable and ready!
**Current Martial Artists Belt Status:**
1x Masters - 4th Degree Black Belt
1x Yellow Belt (former red belt)
1x Yellow Stripe Belt
134x White Belts
**Belt Colours - Progression in Descending Order:**
* White Belt
* Yellow Stripe Belt
* Yellow Belt
* Orange Stripe Belt
* Orange Belt
* Green Stripe Belt
* Green Belt
* Blue Stripe Belt
* Blue Belt
* Red Stripe Belt
* Red Belt
* Black Stripe Belt
* Black Belt
**Curriculum of Techniques**
**White Belt to Yellow Stripe:**
**Strikes (all strikes from left wrist grab, striking with right)**
1\. Sword Strike to Clavicle
2\. Nunchuk Strike to Temple
3\. Companion Sword Strike with Elbow Strike to Solar Plexus
4\. Spear Hand to Femoral Artery
5\. Palm Strike to Floating Rib
6\. Spear Hand to Trachea
**Breakaways (all breakaways from right wrist grab)**
1\. Latissimus Dorsi push with bucking back fist
2\. When pulled with bucking back fist
3\. When pushed with bucking back fist
4\. Downward break away with elbow strike
5\. Live\-hand tricept push up with elbow strike
6\. Assisted tricept push\-up with elbow strike
**Take Downs (performed both sides)**
1\. Pivot throw
Joint Locks (all joint locks from right wrist grab)
1\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow
2\. 'Kul Nut Key' to elbow 45 degrees
3\. One inch bow
4\. Side wrist lock \- bend elbow
5\. Side elbow lock
6\. Elbow lock controlled
**Escapes From Mounted Position (all from opponent on mount position - performed both sides)**
1\. Escape to Mount
2\. Escape to Guard
3\. As punches are received \- buck \- single arm hook \- roll
4\. As punches are received \- buck \- shoulder walk \- two arm hook \- guard
5\. Escape when head is locked
6\. Escape when head is locked with high mount
**Kicks (both sides)**
1\. Side kick
**To learn more about Hwa Won Yue Hapkido visit our website here:**
http://www.hapkidohwawonyue.ca/toronto.html#
Scotsdale Farm
We are hiking at Scotsdale Farm with Debbie McDermott and Bohdan Bilyj. This is a Level_2 Bruce Trail hike with lots of woods, and some lookouts. We expect around 14km with a few hills.
**Directions**
1. Exit Highway_401 at Trafalger Road (Exit_328), and go north.
2. After you pass through Georgetown, you will come to a T-intersection, which is Highway_7. Turn left.
3. After three and a half kilometres, fork right back onto Trafalger Road.
4. Continue north about 1.6_kilometres, and look for the sign.
Google Maps: [13807 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown, Ontario.](http://goo.gl/maps/EGPdsXsLuZC2)
Après-hike suggestion: St. George Pub in Georgetown.
Waiver
Hiking is a dangerous activity; each participant agrees to assume his/her own risks. If you are new to hiking, please start with a Level 1 hike.
Hike leader's decision is final.
See you on the trail.
ps. ps. ps.
Know where you are going
Paid app: Bruce Trail Map for smartphones (http://brucetrail.org/pages/trail/app)
Free apps:
Here's just a sample on the web:
Google Fit (https://www.google.com/fit/),
Runkeeper (http://www.runkeeper.com/),
MyTrack (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.maps.mytracks&hl=en),
GPS Essentials (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mictale.gpsessentials&hl=en)
Richmond Hill Evening Trail Walk & Persian Dinner
Meet up with the group for an evening 13 km trail walk in the Oak Ridges / Bond Lake area, followed by dinner at Arjan Restaurant, 10145 Yonge St, Richmond Hill. Trail access and parking are available at the Bond Lake Trail Head, 12611 Yonge Street, with additional community parking options nearby. A perfect evening plan for anyone who enjoys a longer hike, good company, and a nice dinner after.
Before you sign up — this hike is pretty intense!
Not for the weak knees 😭
Seniors Boxing and Fitness Meetup
### **What to Expect**
This is a welcoming senior boxing and fitness meetup group designed to support strength, balance, coordination, and overall well-being. Sessions include gentle boxing movements, light cardio, and functional exercises, all adapted to individual comfort levels. No boxing or fitness experience is required, and participants are encouraged to move at their own pace in a supportive environment.
### **Our Group**
This meetup group is friendly, inclusive, and focused on connection as much as movement. Many members are new to boxing, and everyone is welcome. Sessions are led by a qualified coach who is also a fellow senior, creating a relatable, understanding, and encouraging atmosphere.
### **What to Bring**
* Indoor shoes
* Water bottle
* Boxing gloves (if you have them — gloves are available to borrow if needed)
### **Arrival & Payment**
Please sign in and pay at the front desk upon arrival.
Sunny Sunnybrook ~6.5 km
This week we'll be visiting Sunnybrook Park, no guarantees that it'll be sunny though.
Our group will leave at the posted time, so please arrive early. Please cancel your RSVP if you can't make it.
How fast, how far? Assume 4.5 km/h for a distance of ~6.5km. The path is a mixture of paved and dirt trails so be prepared for anything. The route is a "there and back again", so we will finish where we originally start from.
Bring water, a snack, and hiking footwear for a distance walk.
We usually go out for coffee after our hike. This time we'll be going to Baretto's Caffe, located at
1262 Don Mills Road unit 106
Required reading for you and your guests before RSVP'ing to all events:
1. [Liability Waiver and Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR0LFNJVYn5j1AYl8eR63HjAxKMkRwg5ifKXqL3rP6Xl7v_Wcsx4xR_kNFluE3eILpSmP-EJ0OouQvT/pub) (updated 05/30/22)
2. When asked at RSVP time, indicate **\*Yes\*** if you agree to the question provided.
3. See general information about [Tick Safety](https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease)
Dog Training Events Near You
Connect with your local Dog Training community
Fundamentals: by do Jung Ishu/ the art of fighting
We are a real world Martial arts group. \
Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \
Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \
We have been around a while. \
Every week we get together and work technical skills and full contact spar. \
Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from street fights to the ring and some still compete in cage fighting. \
If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \
We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 Outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295
Saturday 1:30pm Wednesday 5:45pm
From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \
Wear workout clothes. \
Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \
WE HAVE GLOVES. \
$10 per class
$5 per class if you are wearing a club shirt
Club shirts are $25
Hope to see you soon. \
let me know if you have any questions :)
Hike Blendon Woods Metro Park
Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.
Trails & Ales! Chestnut Ridge Metro Park / BrewDog DogTap
**History**
[Chestnut Ridge Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/chestnut-ridge/) is historically significant because it sits on a 300-million-year-old outcropping of Blackhand sandstone. Geographically recognized as the very first foothill of the Appalachian Mountains, the ridge rises 1,116 feet above sea level. Long before European settlement, the land served as a sacred site for ancient civilizations. The park contains the Old Maid's Orchard Mound, an eight-foot-tall burial mound constructed by the Adena culture between 1000 B.C. and 100 B.C. This ancient landmark has remained largely intact and is now protected on the National Register of Historic Places.
The documented modern history of the land began with an official survey conducted by Ebenezer Buckingham in 1801. Original land deeds of sale from this period notably bear the signatures of United States Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In the 1830s, Irish laborers arrived at the ridge to quarry its rich Blackhand sandstone. The blocks they hewed were used to build the crucial locks for the nearby Ohio and Erie Canal. Remnants of this early sandstone quarrying operation can still be spotted by sharp-eyed hikers along the modern trails.
Agricultural transformation defined the ridge throughout the mid-to-late 19th century. Settlers discovered that the high elevation created a natural air flow that prevented late-season frost damage to crops. Extensive fruit orchards were planted across the slopes between 1860 and 1880. One notable orchard was established by John Wagner, a Spanish-American War veteran who chose the ridge specifically for its proximity to the bustling Columbus market. The park's current name pays homage to the massive American chestnut trees that once dominated the ridgeline before a devastating ecological blight wiped them out in the early 20th century.
The conservation story of the modern 486-acre park began in March 1962. The Metro Parks board announced land acquisition plans to block developers from building a residential housing development called Chestnut Heights. Director-Secretary Walter A. Tucker advocated heavily for the purchase, citing the ridge's immense value as a scenic overlook for central Ohio. The district systematically purchased multiple agricultural parcels over the next two decades. After operating strictly as undeveloped farmland through the 1970s, Chestnut Ridge Metro Park officially opened to the public on December 18, 1988.
In recent decades, the park has evolved from a quiet hiking spot into a premier regional destination for outdoor sports. A major turning point occurred in 2010 when the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO) partnered with the park district to develop new infrastructure. Volunteers worked extensively to construct a single-track mountain bike trail, which officially opened in October 2011. An expert gravity and flow trail featuring advanced jumps was later integrated into the loop in 2016. Today, the park successfully balances its deep ancient, industrial, and agricultural history with active recreation.
**Map of the Park**
Here is a [map of Chestnut Ridge](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CHR_map_1980px_2026.jpg).
**Summary**
For this event, we will hike the Ridge, Meadows, and Homesite Trails, and Law's Lane, which is unmarked on some maps. None of these trails is individually very long, so we will hike a few permutations and loops until we get in 4-5 miles. The hike will be moderately strenuous.
**Where We'll Meet**
Drive to the rearmost picnic area at the back of the park. There's a latrine here, but there's no water fountain here or anywhere else at Chestnut Ridge. I strongly recommend you bring some water of your own, at least for after the hike.
Cell service at the park is spotty, although your GPS will get you there just fine. The map pin I've provided here is exactly where we'll be meeting and should be able to be used directly in Google Maps, although Chestnut Ridge isn't big and you're unlikely to get lost here.
**After the Hike**
Afterward, we'll head over to [BrewDog DogTap](https://drink.brewdog.com/usa/brewdog-dogtap-columbus) for [drinks](https://usa.brewdog.com/pages/brewdog-lineup) and [food](https://usa.brewdog.com/cdn/shop/files/DogTap_Menu_2025_65e1ff8b-97d4-4f26-80f1-68321d482025.pdf?v=17356939232910340498). They also have an outdoor area that's extremely popular.
I've had their burgers and their pizza, and I think they're both very good. I also really like their [Cold Beer](https://usa.brewdog.com/products/cold-beer-2024) (that's its actual name), which is their American light lager.
BrewDog's actual address is [96 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110](https://www.google.com/maps/place/96+Gender+Rd,+Canal+Winchester,+OH+43110/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88387c06afa21a85:0x804c611d373d8c54?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and they have a large, free parking lot. We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.
Prompting Is Not Magic: How to Give AI Better Context
Most people use AI like a search box: they type one sentence, hope for the best, and get frustrated when the answer is generic, wrong, or useless.
But getting better results from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI systems is not about memorizing magic prompts. It is about learning how to give the AI better context.
In this beginner-friendly session, we’ll break down how to make AI dramatically more useful by improving the way you communicate with it. You’ll learn how to give clearer instructions, provide examples, set constraints, ask for better output formats, and use follow-up questions to turn a mediocre answer into a genuinely useful one.
We’ll cover practical techniques you can use immediately for work, learning, writing, coding, planning, research, and everyday problem solving. We’ll also touch on why these same ideas show up in more advanced AI systems, including RAG, agents, evaluations, and AI workflows.
No technical background required. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and maybe one real task you wish AI was better at helping you with.
**What you’ll learn:**
* Why “better prompting” is really about better context
* How to structure requests so AI gives more useful answers
* How to use examples, constraints, and output formats
* How to iterate when the first answer is not good enough
* How these skills connect to more advanced AI workflows
This meetup is for anyone who wants to move beyond basic ChatGPT usage and start getting more practical value out of AI.
LOGISTICS AND PARKING:
The talk starts at 7:00 PM. The first half hour is reserved for everyone to get set up and mingle. Free pizza and drinks!
The cheapest parking option is to find street parking, which will only cost you a few bucks. Otherwise, park in the nearby veteran's museum lot for $8. It's highly recommended you avoid the nearby $15 garage parking.
Rays Of Light Spiritualist Church Service
Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel.
Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger.
Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life.
Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.



















