Future of Journalism

Based on feedback from last event, we are bringing back a Part 2 of this event! How do we really know that our vaccines don't have microchips? How do we know that GMOs won't change our DNA? Just because big brother said "trust me bro"? Excessive scientific distrust is harmful, but we are also often powerless in front of it. One can only call flat-earthers "stupid" so many times. Is it possible that we had the wrong science communication approach this whole time? In this session, we will be reading and discussing Prof Gabrile Contessa's paper on Philosophy of Science, "It Takes a Village to Trust Science: Towards a (Thoroughly) Social Approach to Public Trust in Science". Read the paper or the summary provided in advance if you have time, or we can read the summary together in the first 20 minutes. The rest of the session will be reserved for structured and guided discussion. All we ask is that you bring an open and curious mind. Full paper (estimated reading time = 50-90 min): [https://classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-files/hps/contessa-trust.pdf](https://classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-files/hps/contessa-trust.pdf) Summary (estimated reading time: 5 min): [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fnznzzUvDw9ZZUGdjI74wknKT7B74IeUfVJrwyftUbU/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fnznzzUvDw9ZZUGdjI74wknKT7B74IeUfVJrwyftUbU/edit?usp=sharing)

\*\*This event is currently full, but please reach out if you are interested, as sometimes we can fit you in or there is a last minute cancellation\*\* ❄️ **We’re heading just 2 hours north of Toronto Family Day Weekend for a cozy countryside winter getaway near Georgian Bay, near Midland, in the town of Victoria** \*\*\*\*Harbour!\*\*\*\*❄️🌊 Join our friendly, adventurous **WOOT** group for a long winter weekend filled with outdoor fun, snowy landscapes, and cozy evenings at a beautiful countryside cottage. This trip blends **winter adventure, nature, and connection** — beginner to advanced levels welcome! 🌟 *** ## 💲 Cost & Spots 💲 **$210 per person** \*\*🐦 **Early Bird: $200 if you RSVP by Tuesday, Jan 20\*\*** 🔢 **Spots:** 10–14 people 🐾 **Pets:** ✅ Pet-friendly cottage *** ## 💵 Additional Costs (Not included in the $200–$210 accommodation price) * 🚗 Gas contribution (calculated at end of trip) * 🍽️ Food for the weekend and optional meals in town * 🎿 Ski passes, rentals, and lessons * 🅿️ Any extra activities or parking fees **Important:** ✔️ Must be able to leave Toronto **no later than 5pm on Friday** ## 📍 Location We’re heading to a countryside farm property near **Georgian Bay**, close to: Victoria Harbour, Downtown Midland, Penetanguishene 🏔️ **Nearby ski resorts:** * Mount St. Louis Moonstone — *14 min drive* * Horseshoe Valley Ski Resort — *25 min drive* ## ❄️ Planned Activities We’ll split into groups based on interests and experience level (beginner to advanced). **Lessons available**! Activities may include:🎿 Downhill skiing🏂 Snowboarding🚴 Fat biking 🎿 Cross-country skiing❄️ Snowshoeing⛸️ Outdoor ice skating Plenty of time to relax at the cottage between activities. ## 🏡 Accommodation We’ll be staying at a **beautiful countryside home on a hobby farm**. Highlights include: 🌲 Open-concept, grand living room🪵 Soft pine wood ceilings & flooring🪟 Extra-large windows with sweeping farm views 🚿 **2 bathrooms** 📶 Wifi🧺 Washer & dryer Modern amenities throughout A perfect space for group meals, games, relaxing evenings, and cozy winter vibes. *** ## 🛏️ Sleeping Arrangements 💤 Every participant will have their **own bed** 👥 Expect to share a room with up to **2 people of the same gender** Private rooms are: ❤️ Reserved for couples ⏳ Or available on a **first-come, first-served** basis *** ## 🚗 Carpool Information We’ll depart Friday after work by **5pm latest** from multiple carpool locations around Toronto. * Passengers may need to travel up to 1 hour to meet their driver * Drivers will choose central pickup points * Drivers are fully reimbursed for gas at the end of the trip **Rebecca will coordinate:** 🚗 Carpool groups📍 Pickup locations⏰ Departure times ❄️ Activities *** ## 📝 RSVP Information (Important!) All participants remain on the **waitlist** until: 💰 Payment is received 📱 Your phone number is provided to the organizer To move to the **GOING** list, you must answer both RSVP questions: 1️⃣ What is your cell number? *(Private — organizer only)* 2️⃣ Transportation preference: A. Passenger 🚘 B. Driver (my own car) for X passengers 🚗 C. Prefer passenger, but can drive X if needed D. Driver but meeting at location (preference given to drivers who take passengers) ⚠️ Prompt replies required — unresponsive RSVPs may be moved down the list. *** ## 🔥 WOOT Score 🌲 Outdoors: 5🏔️ Adventure: 5🎉 Fun: 5✨ **Overall WOOT Score:5++** *(Only the best, most awesome WOOT trips get posted!)* Hope you can join us! **Rebecca (rphinn)**

***Tickets must be purchased in advance!*** https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-real-estate-interior-designer-construction-finance-networking-tickets-1982298843202?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Get ready to connect with Toronto's finest real estate, design, construction, and finance professionals at a networking event like no other! Join us for an exclusive evening designed to connect ambitious professionals in law, real estate, and construction. This event is your opportunity to build valuable relationships, discover new opportunities, and take your career or business to the next level. Whether you’re seeking partnerships, fresh career insights, or simply looking to expand your professional circle, this is the perfect space to **network, collaborate, and exchange ideas**. ### **About Stellar Socials by Limitless** Stellar Socials is the **premier networking experience** for professionals across North America. We bring together lawyers, real estate leaders, construction innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors in a **stylish, dynamic, and welcoming environment**. Our mission is simple: foster **authentic connections** that spark collaboration, innovation, and growth. ### **Who Attends?** Expect a diverse mix of driven professionals, including: * **Legal Experts** – Attorneys, paralegals, and consultants in real estate, construction, and business law * **Real Estate Professionals** – Agents, brokers, developers, investors, and builders * **Construction Leaders** – Architects, engineers, contractors, and project managers * **Entrepreneurs & Investors** – Business owners and firms seeking partnerships * **Graduates & Job Seekers** – Ambitious professionals looking to break into the industry * **Startups & Innovators** – Companies seeking investors, talent, and collaborations * **Media & Marketing Experts** – Creators and journalists covering industry trends 📍 **Age Group:** 21–55 \| **Venue:** 21+ (Bar setting) ### **What to Expect** ✨ High-impact conversations on legal trends, real estate opportunities, and urban development ✨ Direct access to industry leaders and like-minded peers ✨ Career-boosting insights and potential collaborations ✨ A relaxed and open social atmosphere—perfect for organic connections Whether you attend solo or with friends, you’ll leave with **new contacts, fresh insights, and future opportunities**. ### ***The Stellar Socials Experience:*** Our events are curated to encourage **natural, pressure-free conversations**. With a focus on relationship-building, you’ll connect with professionals who can inspire your next move—professionally and personally. Come ready to meet, collaborate, and grow. ### Join the Community 📲 Instagram: [@stellarsocialsbylimitless](https://www.instagram.com/stellarsocialsbylimitless "https://www.instagram.com/stellarsocialsbylimitless") 📘 Facebook: Stellar Socials by Limitless 🎥 TikTok: [@stellar.socials]() ### Notice of Photography: *Please note: Photos and videos will be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed and/or filmed. If you prefer not to appear, kindly inform an event organizer upon arrival.*

Contact Alex for location and information.

On **Friday February 13th,** **join us for The Barber of Seville at The Canadian Opera Company.** What better tonic to the winter blues than a playful, irreverent comedy featuring Gioachino Rossini’s famously bright and exuberant melodies? Count Almaviva is hopelessly in love with Rosina, whose guardian Doctor Bartolo is keeping her locked inside their home. The Count hires Figaro, Seville’s famous barber and schemer, to help true love win the day—for a price. A wonderful introductory opera for audiences of all ages - a colourful production that evokes all the whimsy and wit of the circus, brimming with madcap costumes and outsized sets. My seat is Orchestra Ring, Row 4, Seat DD150. **Purchase The Barber of Seville on Friday February 13th at 7:30pm.** **LANGUAGE**: Sung in Italian with English and French SURTITLES™ **COST** Regular: $35 - $375 + fees Rush: A limited number of low-price tickets (limited to two per person) will be available for purchase online at coc.ca from 4 p.m. for evening performances using this [promo code](https://www.coc.ca/tickets/ticket-services/rush-tickets/index) before selecting your seats. They will also be available from 11 a.m. in person at the Four Seasons Centre Box Office at 145 Queen St. W. All rush ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded, exchanged or replaced. Standing Room: Approximately 60 are available in-person at 11 a.m. on the day of a performance for just $15! They are located in the back rows of Ring 3 (some may be SURTITLES™ obstructed) and Ring 4, each with a hook and a leaning rail; Meetup fee: $5 Ticket Policy: Sales are final and non-refundable. **SIGNING-UP** * **Simply RSVP Yes, [purchase](https://my.coc.ca/2371/2405?_gl=1*1ezzsis*_gcl_au*Nzk3Mjk1MTUyLjE3NjQ2OTE0OTU.) your ticket and post your seat number and I will move you to attending.** * If you plan to buy RUSH, please state that in your RSVP, so I can include you in the reminder so you have the opportunity to meet us. * RSVPs close 1 day prior, and cancellations after will result in a No Show and impact future attendance. * A reminder will go out the day before with my cell and details when to meet, etc. ‐‐----‐----‐‐-------------‐----------- **MEETUP TIME** **Meet me for dinner at: 5:30pm at The Keg at 165 York St.** **Meet me at: 7:15pm** **along the right glass wall, after scanning your tickets and entering The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at 145 Queen St. W.** **Start time: 7:30pm** Length: 3 hours (incl. an intermission) Enjoy and please post your Comments after!

**Happy Hour Event!** Come start the Valentine's Day Weekend with a great group of Ladies at our HAPPY HOUR event at **Scaddabush** (Don Mills) on **Friday, February 13th, 2026**. The venue offers a great selection of Italian dishes offering a curated blend of modern cuisine with old world tradition. The Happy Hour menu boosts a great selection of discounted beverages and an array of delicious dishes. Click [here](https://scaddabush.com/happy-hour/don-mills/?locationId=855) for a link to the menu. Meet friends and make some new ones in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Each participant will cover their own food and drink costs. **There is a non-refundable / non-transferable $5.00 cover fee** to attend this group event. This charge will reserve your spot, help with group costs and hopefully minimize no shows. **Payment of the $5 cover charge is due by FRIDAY, February 6th, 2026.** After this date, non payment of the cover fee will result in the Member's name being moved to the "not going" list so that those "waitlisted" have an opportunity to attend the Happy Hour. **Note - attendees may bring one guest (subject to space availability) under this cover charge.** In consideration of others, if you are not able to attend, please advise 48 hours prior to the event to allow other people on the waitlist to have your spot. No shows and less than 48 hours notice of non-attendance will be noted. 2 or more such occurrences will unfortunately lead to removal from the group. Thank you all for your understanding and consideration. Looking forward to connecting soon! Here are the details for the $5.00 e-transfer - E-mail - [weekendbrunchover50@hotmail.com](http://weekendbrunchover50@hotmail.com/), Security Question - What is the time of the event? **Happyhour** Hope to see you there!

** Guest list at the door Nightlife Society** So you can enter for free and have free drinks at our table. 🎉 Future Fridays \| VIP Night Out 🎉 Get ready for an unforgettable night at Future Nightclub! 📍 Location: Future Nightclub 🗓 Date: every Friday, ⏰ Doors Open: 10:30 PM ✅ Free Entry: Until midnight (under our group’s name)”Nightlife Society” say the name at the door 🥂 Perks: Main booth by the DJ + free drinks ✨ What to Expect: • Meet new people who love nightlife, dancing, and music 🎶 • Free entry until 12 midnight — just say our group’s name at the door • Join us at our main booth by the DJ for free drinks and the best vibes in the club • Dance all night, enjoy the music, and party with the crew 💃🕺 📌 How to Find Us: Head to the main booth near the DJ — that’s where our group will be set up. You can also message me here if you can’t find us. 🙌 What to Bring: • Valid Government ID (19+) 🪪 • Your best energy and dance moves • A friend or two if you’d like — the more, the merrier!

**\*\* Guest list at the door Nightlife Society\*\*** So you can enter for free and have free drinks at our table. 🎉 Future Fridays \| VIP Night Out 🎉 Get ready for an unforgettable night at Future Nightclub! 📍 Location: Future Nightclub 🗓 Date: every Saturday, ⏰ Doors Open: 10:30 PM ✅ Free Entry: Until midnight (under our group’s name)”Nightlife Society” say the name at the door 🥂 Perks: Main booth by the DJ + free drinks ✨ What to Expect: • Meet new people who love nightlife, dancing, and music 🎶 • Free entry until 12 midnight — just say our group’s name at the door • Join us at our main booth by the DJ for free drinks and the best vibes in the club • Dance all night, enjoy the music, and party with the crew 💃🕺 📌 How to Find Us: Head to the main booth near the DJ — that’s where our group will be set up. You can also message me here if you can’t find us. 🙌 What to Bring: • Valid Government ID (19+) 🪪 • Your best energy and dance moves • A friend or two if you’d like — the more, the merrier!

⚠️ **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.

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!

Hello everyone, Please join us for our a great afternoon with **IMPROV and ACTING in the PUB.** \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a great afternoon \*\*Stick around after as well for our weekly traditional Sunday Dinner Party-no extra charge- others will be joining us to for dinner (optional) Event details below: Sincerely Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host) Event Details: **IMPROV and ACTING in the PUB (with Optional Dinner Party After)** This is a well organized event filled with Improv games, skits and of course lots of hilarious scenes that we will create. -A fun afternoon for all Improv enthusiasts and newbies of Improv! \*No experience required; just an open mind and a desire to meet some wonderful people, laugh and have fun! \*Joined by my other groups too so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only) (HST is included) or e transfer in advance to [[steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://steveflemming11@gmail.com)] \*Includes Dinner Party after at no extra charge :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Friendly Reminders:** **Date:** **Sunday, February 25th** **Arrival Time:** Arrive between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm **Where to Meet us?** **Location: La Carnita - Good Fortune Bar (Main Floor)** **Address:** 130 Eglinton Ave. Toronto, ON M4P 2X9 \-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \***Plenty of free street parking on Eglinton** and (Residential area south/east of venue for free) **Close to Subway Station:** \*Also just a three minute walk east from the Yonge/Eglinton subway station

Each week there is some recommended readings to be done before we meet. **Please see the attached schedule for this week's readings.** The Bible Timeline® study program takes you on a guided journey through salvation history. Presenter Jeff Cavins will show you how fourteen of the Bible’s narrative books tell the biblical story from beginning to end and will give you the keys to understanding the amazing story woven throughout Scripture. The Bible Timeline will teach you how to read and understand the entire Bible and introduce you to the wonderful narrative of Scripture in a way that will transform your life. The online material can be bought online through the link below (optional). However, each session we can share copies for you to have discussion questions in class and reading guideline for the next session. https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation-online-video-access

**\*\*\*\* 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.

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You’ll gain insights into: ✅ The true definition of the subconscious ✅ How it generates unwanted emotions ✅ Its real purpose and function ✅ What determines the pressure it exerts on you And the most important topic: **How do you take control of your subconscious!** But this isn’t just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It’s interactive and engaging—you can ask questions at any time. 📅 Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited, so don’t wait too long to sign up. Location: 1266 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation

**Our February novel is: Julia by Sandra Newman** **This month is a classic, dystopian, fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and science fiction novel. The book is 394 pages in print and 14 hours and 20 minutes on audiobook.** **An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.** Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story. Julia takes us on a surprising journey through Orwell’s now-iconic dystopia, with twists that reveal unexpected sides not only to Julia, but to other familiar figures in the 1984 universe. This unique perspective lays bare our own world in haunting and provocative ways, just as the original did almost seventy-five years ago.

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.

The topic for February is "Transitions" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Here is the secret of being positive and free: Thinking positively is not enough. You also have to get rid of the negative thinking. Your mind is like a garden. You can plant many beautiful flowers in it, but if you don't get rid of the weeds when you plant your flowers, the weeds will soon take over the whole garden. A positive thought is like a flower in your mental garden, and a negative thought is like a weed. You cannot expect to have a positive mindset if you continue to have negative thoughts dwelling and growing there. So, how do you get rid of the negative thoughts? That's what this Meetup is all about. Attend this local meeting and find out! The Meetup event will be led by a consultant who had helped many people live happier in life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement center.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.