Ideators & Inventors & Innovators

Let's start the new year by meeting new friends and having great conversations! Come on out and join us on Friday at Union Social Eatery at Yonge and St. Clair. https://www.unionsocial.ca/ This is a great way to meet new people, whether you are new to the city, or like myself, have lived here for many years. Please note there is a $3 charge for this meetup. 
Payment Options:
E-transfers should be sent to [torontofriendsmeetup@gmail.com](mailto:torontofriendsmeetup@gmail.com)
Or
PayPal Link:
[https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/torontofriendsmeetup](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/torontofriendsmeetup)
Or you can pay cash in person.

 Please note: refunds will only be issued in the case where the organizer has to cancel or reschedule the event.
 Hope to see you there! Jess

🎬 **Free Movie Meetup — Friday, January 9 @ Innis Town Hall** 🎉 Kick off 2026 the fun way — with great films and great people! Join us for a **free screening of *Knight of Cups*** on **Friday, January 9** at **Innis Town Hall**. It’s the perfect way to spend your Friday evening, connect with other movie lovers, and enjoy an art-film experience on the big screen — no RSVP required (but appreciated)! 🚀 📍 **Location:** *Innis Town Hall* (Part of Innis College at the University of Toronto) — a fully-equipped cinema space known for hosting film festivals, cultural events, and FREE Friday film nights. ([Innis College | University of Toronto](https://innis.utoronto.ca/book-a-venue/innis-town-hall/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Innis Town Hall - Innis College - University of Toronto")) 🕡 **Meet Up:** **6:45 PM in the lobby** — look for **Nick** holding the **Meetup sign**! 🎥 **Screening Starts:** **7:00 PM sharp** 💡 **Reminder:** Please respect your RSVP — but if you’re unsure of your schedule, you’re always welcome to just *show up*! **After the movie we'll gather once more in lobby to talk about it for a bit and share our thoughts** *** ### 🎞️ *Knight of Cups* — Movie Info *Knight of Cups* is a visually rich **2015 American romantic drama** directed by **Terrence Malick**, starring **Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Natalie Portman**. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_of_Cups_%28film%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Knight of Cups (film)")) 🕒 **Runtime:** **118 minutes** (just shy of 2 hours) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_of_Cups_%28film%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Knight of Cups (film)")) 🎬 **Synopsis:** Follow *Rick*, a Hollywood screenwriter adrift in the glitzy yet hollow world of LA and Vegas, as he navigates personal reflections, relationships, dreams, and memories in a poetic, impressionistic journey. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_of_Cups_%28film%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Knight of Cups (film)")) 👉 Watch the official trailer here: **🎥 *[Knight of Cups ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI2j1FHCjtM)*[Trailer on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI2j1FHCjtM)** ([YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI2j1FHCjtM&utm_source=chatgpt.com "Knight of Cups Official Trailer #1 (2015) - Christian Bale ...")) *** ### 🏛️ About Innis Town Hall Innis Town Hall (Room IN-112) is a cozy, welcoming cinema space within **Innis College** at the University of Toronto. It’s a hub for film culture in the city — equipped with digital projection, plush seating, and known for hosting **Free Friday Film Nights** and other community screenings. ([Innis College | University of Toronto](https://innis.utoronto.ca/book-a-venue/innis-town-hall/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Innis Town Hall - Innis College - University of Toronto")) Whether you’re a cinema buff, Terrence Malick fan, or just looking to meet new people, this is a **fun, free way to kick off your weekend and dive into some fascinating storytelling**. *** 🌟 **BONUS:** Check out the CINSSU Free Friday Films page for info on other upcoming free screenings — a great way to make film nights a regular thing! ✨ [https://cinssu.com/fff](https://cinssu.com/fff) *** Can’t wait to see you there 🎉🍿

Welcome ! OM Chanting is a group practice that uses the transformational power of OM to activate the self-healing potential of participants, promote inner peace and purify the environment. OM Chanting is a free practice, however, donations are welcome to help cover the rent of the studio. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- EVENT DETAILS: address: 283 Spadina Avenue; 3rd floor. ( SE corner of Spadina and Dundas). We will start at 6:30 pm. Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes earlier. We will be sitting on chairs; you can also sit on the floor if you prefer. You are encouraged to bring a bottle of water. Looking forward to seeing you ! For more information about Om Chanting, please visit: [https://bhaktimarga.org/yoga-meditation/](https://bhaktimarga.org/yoga-meditation/) Much Love, Veda Cell: 416-845-9375

​​**Important registration information: ​​To participate in this event, please sign up through [Apart Research's event page ](https://apartresearch.com/sprints/ai-manipulation-hackathon-2026-01-09-to-2026-01-11)before registering. You are also encouraged to make a team on [Apart Research's Discord Sever](https://discord.gg/Bu7h9qZJ) prior to the start of the hackathon.** ​The line between authentic interaction and strategic manipulation is disappearing as AI systems master deception, sycophancy, sandbagging, and psychological exploitation at scale. Our ability to detect, measure, and counter these behaviours is dangerously underdeveloped. ​This hackathon brings together 500+ builders to prototype systems that could help us measure, detect, and defend against AI manipulation. You'll have one intensive weekend to build something real – tools that could actually help us understand and mitigate one of AI safety's most pressing challenges. ​**Top teams get:** * ​**💰 $2,000 in cash prizes** * ​**The chance to continue development through Apart Research's Fellowship program** * ​**Guaranteed acceptance to present at the [IASEAI workshop in Paris](https://www.iaseai.org/our-programs/iaseai26) on the 26th of February 2026** ​​You will work in teams over one weekend and submit open-source benchmarks, detection tools, scenario analyses, monitoring tools, or empirical research advancing our understanding of AI trajectories. [​​​​​​Trajectory Labs](https://www.trajectorylabs.org/), the jamsite, provides a comfortable and spacious coworking space along with coffee, tea, and other refreshments (meals not provided, but there are many nearby options). Other locations will also be taking part!

***Ready to ditch small talk and dive into some seriously fun social games?*** Join us for an evening packed with laughter, friendly competition, and creative chaos! This isn’t your average game night — it’s a **social playground** where everyone gets involved, teams clash in good fun, and every round brings something exciting and unexpected. **🧩 What’s in the lineup?** 🧱 **Hands-On, Physical Games**: * **Connect Four Face-Off** – outthink your opponent, four moves at a time * **Jenga: Wobble Battle** – steady hands win, one block at a time * **Building Blocks Showdown -** build and stack Legos * **Body Talk** – communicate using only body language 🧠 **Mental & Word Games** * **People’s Choice Showdown** – think *Family Feud*, but spicier * **Pictionary** – unleash your inner artist * **Story Wars** – craft wild tales on the fly * **The Great Divide** – take a stand and defend it * **Truth Quest** – get real… or ridiculous * **Forbidden Words** – fast-paced, brain-twisting wordplay **🔥 Why come?** Because you’ll laugh. You’ll think. You’ll act out something embarrassing. And most importantly — you’ll meet awesome people who love a good game night as much as you do. **💡 Come prepared to:** * Jump in and participate — this is not a spectator sport! * Bring your quick wit, open mind, and sense of humour. * Expect surprises, twists, and maybe even a few friendly rivalries. **Where to Meet (MADO Cafe at the Food Hall inside The Well):** * The easiest way to get to the venue is to make your way to La Plume restaurant or The Dorset restaurant and turn towards the statue then take the stairs to the lower level. * Shoppers will be on the right and across from Shoppers will be an entrance to The Well's food court. * Make a left and you should see the long tables and MADO cafe. * **We'll meet at the long tables in front of MADO Cafe** **Get ready for a night of connection, creativity, and competitive fun. RSVP now — and may the most social gamer win! 🎭✨**

Alle deutschsprachigen Kinder und Eltern sind herzlich willkommen! Bitte für die Treffen anmelden! Jeden zweiten Freitag im Monat von 13.00 bis 14.30 Uhr während des Schuljahres (von September bis Juni). Calling all German-speaking children and parents! Everyone is welcome! Please sign up for the meetings! Every second Friday each month from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm during the school year (from September to June). Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre in Oakville (www.opnc.ca (http://www.opnc.ca/)) Bei gutem Wetter werden wir uns im Lakeside Park treffen! When the weather is nice we will meet at Lakeside Park!

**ATTENDANCE** - *Only people on the 'Attendee' list and those who have received permission may join this event.* **ABOUT** FRIDAY NIGHT LASER TAG At Playtime Bowl (Men and Women welcome!) (with Socializing Before & After) \*No experience required\* -A fun event with socializing, mingling and of course playing Laser Tag! -This event is co-ed for all ages. -Free Parking all around the venue -Food & Drinks available for purchase at Venue (optional) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Costs** (Includes co-ordination of event & Laser Tag) * **Early Bird:** $20 (RSVP by Jan 6) * **Discounted:** $25 (RSVP after Jan 7) * **Regular:** $30 (RSVP on Jan9) ***Cash*** \- In\-person when you arrive ***E-transfer*** → \*\* themoja@outlook.com \*\* Use password = meetup ***Credit Card*** - [Click here to pay](https://buy.stripe.com/cNi8wP1da6KyfaA4u50oM03) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Please arrive between 6:30pm and 7:15pm**\- so I can get everyone registered when you arrive **Where to find us?** \*You will see us when you walk in through the front entrance in the seating area. \*We will have a small mix and mingle to settle in and get to know each other before we begin the laser tag :) 💬 **Stay Connected:** ***Join Whatsapp Group - [CLICK HERE](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflzD3fDrU5sLARAT5yDF3OhEu3Vj-2P7ci8mP5FYX46rt1NQ/viewform)*** ***Follow on Instagram - [CLICK HERE](https://www.instagram.com/tam.club/)***

Join us for an amazing pub crawl.

Join us for a Toronto meetup of creative coders! Every Sunday in January, we're having a meetup to work on generative sketches for Genuary! **What is Genuary?** Genuary is a series of prompts for you to do for every day in January! More info: [https://genuary.art/](https://genuary.art/) **What is creative code?** *Creative coding* refers to anything with an artistic component that uses code as a medium. We welcome artists who use code (for visuals, audio, poetry, or whatever else), designers, animators, toolmakers, researchers, or just enjoyers and people looking to learn more! **Location:** Impact Kitchen on Queens Quay (88 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 0B6) **Join our discord** if you want to talk to everyone before/after the event, or have any suggestions for things you'd like to see or do! [https://discord.gg/ux9txXPsdJ](https://discord.gg/ux9txXPsdJ)

Looking forward to having you join us! **• What we'll do** We will be meeting every 2nd Saturday of the month from 2-4pm at [The Maker Bean Cafe](https://themakerbean.com/) at [1052 Bloor Street West](https://goo.gl/maps/xB63PDggYo8PRWHC7) in Toronto. **There is no presentation or workshop** \- just people interested in 3D printing meeting to talk about it\! Please purchase a drink or food to support the event and The Maker Bean\, which donates the space at no cost to us\. **• What to bring** Curiosity about 3D printing products, services and training programs for makers of all ages. Business cards to network with other makers. **• Important to know** Join us to find out more about programs organized by the Maker Bean in Toronto and Makerwiz in Richmond Hill! [Makerwiz](https://makerwiz.com/) is Canada's hottest and coolest maker company and has been "Inspiring Boundless Creativity" since 2014\. We have been a long\-time sponsor of this group\. If you are interested in maker technologies from 3D printing and CNC to videography with drones to coding with robots\, come talk to us at our new 3DTech Shop \| DigiFab Lab \| STEAM3D Space north of Toronto\! \(120 East Beaver Creek Road\, Suite 200\, Richmond Hill\) [The Maker Bean](https://themakerbean.com/) is Toronto's first makerspace cafe (est. 2017) and where guests can enjoy great drinks and food in a warm, welcoming environment, while letting their imaginations soar by designing and making things together! We are excited to bring you Making in all its forms: from traditional arts & crafts to high-tech digital fabrication like 3D printing, laser cutting and educational workshops. Paired with locally roasted coffee and food, customers will share the experience of bringing their creative ideas to life!

Join the Toronto Founders Hub every other Saturday at 4pm for our regular meetup at 5 Elements Espresso Bar. Sit down with other entrepreneurs to network and discuss business ideas or strategies. \- Broaden your network \- Get critical feedback \- Socialize in low pressure setting I look forward to seeing you!

Business Builders is a Toronto-based, in-person community for **professionals**, **founders**, and **entrepreneurs** who are building—or preparing to build—meaningful businesses. This is **not** a pitch room. This is **not** a motivational talk club. This is a **builder room**. We meet monthly to focus on **practical growth**, share real experiences, solve real business problems, and help each other move forward—together. Each session is built around one core theme that matters right now, such as: * Scaling systems and teams * Improving cash flow and financial clarity * Marketing and lead generation that actually converts * Hiring, delegation, and company culture * AI and automation in real-world businesses * Preventing burnout while maintaining momentum If you’re tired of surface-level networking events and want conversations that actually move your business forward, you’ll feel at home here. **Who This Group Is For** Business Builders is designed for people who are **actively building**. You’ll fit right in if you are: * A business owner or founder * An entrepreneur or independent professional * Running (or growing toward) a real business * Focused on revenue, systems, and long-term sustainability * Looking for meaningful conversations—not business card swaps **This group is especially valuable if you want:** * Honest conversations about what’s working and what isn’t * Practical frameworks you can apply immediately * Accountability and momentum between sessions * A trusted circle of peers who understand the challenges of ownership **What We Do at Each Meetup** Every month, we host a **2-hour in-person session** built around one high-impact theme. **Each meetup includes:** * **Practical Learning** Short, focused insights from an experienced guest or facilitator. * **Real Conversations** Members share wins, challenges, and what they’re currently working through. * **Hands-On Building** Group exercises, workshops, or problem-solving sessions—not passive listening. * **Momentum & Accountability** You leave with clarity, next steps, and support from the group. **Typical Meetup Agenda** **Arrival & Intro (10 min)** Casual mingling, introductions, and agenda overview. **Expert Talk or Theme Presentation (30 min)** A focused presentation on the month’s topic by an experienced practitioner. **Open Sharing & Discussion (30 min)** Members share a win, a challenge, or a current focus area. **Group Workshop (30 min)** Hands-on work on a specific business problem or exercise. **Guided Theme Discussion (15 min)** Facilitated conversation to go deeper on the topic. **Wrap-Up & Social (5 min)** Next steps, upcoming dates, and casual networking. **Topic of the Month** Top 10 AI Tools Every Business Builder Should Know AI is no longer a future trend, it’s a practical advantage for builders who know how to use it correctly. This month, we’ll break down 10 high-impact AI tools that business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs can use right now to think better, grow faster, automate smarter, and build more efficiently. **Meetup Details** **Frequency:** Monthly **Time:** 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM **Duration:** 2 hours **Location:** Rotating venues in Toronto Exact location details are shared before each event. **Community Values** To keep this group high-quality and valuable for everyone, we operate with a few simple principles: * Be practical * Be honest * Be generous * Be willing to ask for help * Find ways to add value * Respect everyone’s time * Support others before asking for support This is a peer-driven community. Everyone contributes. **What This Group Is NOT** To set clear expectations: ❌ Not a sales pitch room ❌ Not a casual networking happy hour Due to limited capacity, **walk-ins will not be accepted**.

**It's ALIVE!** This interactive workshop invites writers to **step away from the page** and into a **hands-on creative process** using playdough to design original monsters, aliens, or creatures. Participants will **sculpt their own creations**, then collaborate with others by responding to and building on each other’s designs. The workshop also includes **writing a brief history or micro-short story for each creation** to flesh out its personality, culture, and purpose. By creating characters in a **visual and tactile medium**, writers can unlock new ideas, deepen believability, and discover details they might not find through writing alone. **Suggested donation of $5 to cover the cost of workshop supplies**

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.

Ready to dive into the world of **Real Estate Investing**? Join our online session, **REI 101: How To Find Deals**, where we'll break down the best tips and tricks to sniff out awesome investment opportunities. Whether you're a newbie or just looking to sharpen your skills, this event is packed with practical advice to get you started. Don’t miss out on learning how to spot those hidden gems in the market—all from the comfort of your home! * Learn where real estate deals *actually* come from and why most investors never see the good ones * Understand the difference between on-market, off-market, and relationship-driven deal flow * Discover how experienced investors quickly filter bad deals and focus on real opportunities * Build a simple, repeatable framework for finding deals in any market * Get practical guidance you can apply immediately—no hype, no guesswork, no pressure Register Here: [SIGN UP TODAY](https://links.eliteeventbuilder.com/widget/form/QdRSXWfgn6Uh0zkSDYXa?am_id=debbie5641)

* Who Can Attend * The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meetings are free and open to the public! All developers; professional, student, and hobbiest are welcome and encouraged to attend. * When we meet * The Central Ohio .Net Developers Group meets on the 4th Thursday of every month. * Where we meet * Please check our Meetup group link below for location details! * Join our Meetup Group * https://www.meetup.com/Central-Ohio-NET-Developers-Group-CONDG/

## Join Our Online Event: **How To Fund Real Estate Investing** Thinking about diving into real estate but not sure how to finance your dreams? This online session breaks down all the cool ways to **get funding** for your projects. Whether you're a newbie or just looking to boost your funding game, we've got tips and tricks to get you started. Grab your laptop, settle in, and let's talk cash flow and creative financing! * **Understand the real funding options** — conventional loans, private money, hard money, and joint ventures, and when each actually makes sense. * **Learn how money flows through a deal** — capital stacks, risk positions, and why deals die when funding isn’t planned first. * **Avoid the most common funding mistakes** — overleveraging, bad assumptions, and chasing deals you can’t realistically finance. * **Get financially positioned before you make offers** — so you’re credible, confident, and ready when the right deal shows up. Register Here: [SIGN UP HERE](https://links.eliteeventbuilder.com/widget/form/bu1G1KgNvYWHQqAhCtbg?am_id=debbie335)

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

We’re still working to get more people into these Meetups, but our goal is to give PlayYourCourt members a few social tennis outings each week in addition to your practice sessions and Challenge League matches. These Meetups are co-ed, super laid back, and all skill levels are welcome. Post your skill level and a suggested court in the comments section so we can round up as many players as we can for some tennis fun! Also, if you’re looking to meet new practice partners or play some matches and you aren’t already in the PlayYourCourt Community, you can go here to see what we’re all about and sign up: https://www.playyourcourt.com/tennis-community/columbus-oh/meetup/ If you love tennis, we’d love to have you! Be sure and watch the quick video that explains how everything works. Happy hitting! - Scott

Happy New Year Colleagues, The next Columbus Futurists public forum will be **Thursday January 15 at 12:00 pm noon** (eastern) [https://osu.zoom.us/j/93451873651?pwd=RXIyZ2t5RjRqRG02UGQ1aEFVQ1NFZz09](https://osu.zoom.us/j/93451873651?pwd=RXIyZ2t5RjRqRG02UGQ1aEFVQ1NFZz09) Please come prepared to offer your **"What if?" questions for 2026**. (I will offer seven to begin our conversation.) I also would like to announce the publication of my latest book: *[Anticipatory Biographies: Personal Histories of the Future](https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-08912-0)*, the tenth volume in the “Anticipation Science” series. Grounded in design fiction, futures research, anticipation science, and scenario writing, *Anticipatory Biographies* envisions how the world will be reshaped by artificial intelligence, technological automation, climate change, political disintegration, and the decline of higher education. This work of creative non-fiction bridges literary and scholarly forms, blending biography and design fiction with research-based insights to offer a narrative-based method for exploring futures. Ed Finn, Director of the Center for Science and the Imagination at Arizona State University says: “In this book **David Staley has invented a delightful new genre: the future biography.** He invites us to step into gritty, thrilling, and inspiring futures elbow-to-elbow with the characters living those stories. *Anticipatory Biographies* beautifully synthesizes Staley’s training as a historian, his expertise as a futurist, and his desire to ignite the imagination of his readers.” Hope you'll be able to read it, and hope to see you all on the 15th. D. David J. Staley, Ph.D. President, Columbus Futurists 614.316.1348 [columbus.futurists@gmail.com](mailto:columbus.futurists@gmail.com) [http://columbusfuturists.org](http://columbusfuturists.org/) [https://davidjstaley.substack.com/](https://davidjstaley.substack.com/)