Information Retrieval

Come out to our monthly meetups if you are: •New to lockpicking and want to learn. •Experienced with locks and lockpicking and excited to teach and exchange knowledge. We have lots of loaner locks and picks for people to try without needing any supplies of their own. Join the Toool Toronto discord https://discord.gg/fuamRhuAdD We are now going back to primarily an in-person meeting. If you would like to join online, its best to bring this up in the #meeting-night-discussion channel beforehand and then find us in our Meeting Room voice channel on Wednesday night. This event is hosted at a volunteer run makerspace: Site 3 coLaboratory 718R Ossington Ave Toronto, ON M6G 3T7

\*\*NEW LOCATION UPDATE\*\* HELLO Everyone, We are happy to announce that our 6 year running group will be moving our weekly event back to our old location which is now under the Fionn MacCools banner. Game night will be at Fionn MacCools at 125 York Blvd #135 in Richmond Hill. Start time is at 7 PM sharp, so please do you absolute best to show up at least a few minutes before then. If you feel you are running late, let us know in the group chat or contact one of the organizers directly. If you are new to the group, we are made up of a friendly group of Dad's who like to play large variety of Euro style games both new and old. We encourage everyone to please try and support venue partner with food and/or drink orders, if at all possible. While the organizers usually bring a number of titles, it's fairly common for attendees to bring a game or two of their own to these events. You may want to keep in mind factors like game duration and table space required, set up time and repacking time. If you do not have anything to bring, don't feel like you have to, we've got you covered. Because the player count is usually not known precisely until everyone shows up, having extra games around with varying player counts helps when deciding what to play. Looking forward to seeing you at our next event!! PLEASE RSVP if you are coming, cheers!!

**NEW- FREE DRINK WITH YOUR BOOKING - Choose from Beer, Wine, Mixed Drink or Pop.** (Everyone who has already booked will also receive this) **4 DAYS LEFT TO BOOK YOUR SPACE - ends this Saturday June 27** **CANADA DAY BOAT CRUISE** **SET SAIL ON A TALL SHIP ON CANADA DAY WEDNESDAY JULY 1 11:30AM** **OPTIONAL PATIO LUNCH** Hi Everyone! iT would not be summer without sailing at Harbourfront! In fact over 3000 people have sailed on the Kajama with me since I started doing events! My first sail with a group was June 2001. **CELEBRATE CANADA DAY WITH SOME NEW FRIENDS ON LAKE ONTARIO. IT IS A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE!** It is a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours on the water! Great music - FABULOUS cocktails - food also available - Help to Hoist a Sail! Catch those Summer Vibes and Cool Breezes out on the water HINT - Early time is less busy **CANADA DAY WEDNESDAY JULY 1** 11:30am Boarding 12:00pm Sail Return 1:30pm I will be giving out bracelets so you can find our group on the ship and at lunch. Optional Patio Lunch at Harbourfront or Food Court Lunch This is your chance to get on board one of Toronto's best attractions and sail the Kajama, a traditional 165 foot three mast Schooner boat cruise. Toronto's only Tall Ship boat cruise. I have been organizing this event since I started my original group in 2001 so it is a fitting place to celebrate. This is my 26th year sailing! Come and Join us! Friends and family welcome! Nothing says SUMMER like being out on Lake Ontario - and stunning views of the waterfront. Sit back and relax, perhaps with a cold drink from the fully licensed bar, as you set sail on Toronto Harbour and beautiful Lake Ontario. You might even have a chance hoist the sails! Join us afterwards for lunch or an adult beverage on the patio. 235 Queens Quay West - lots of Green P Parking or take transit HOW TO FIND ME - I will be standing outside the ticket booth with a straw hat. Transit: From Union Station you can take either the 509 or 510 streetcar two stops to Harbourfront Centre stop. Once you are off the streetcar, walk south towards the water. Or walk directly from Union Station about 15 minutes Kajama is docked directly behind the Harbourfront Centre and the Power Plant buildings. Please give yourself lots of time to park. Some of the cheapest parking is at Loblaws - about a 15 minute walk - 10 Lower Jarvis - can be reached directly off Queens Quay Please send an E Transfer to [[leeann.jensen@sympatico.ca](mailto:leeann.jensen@sympatico.ca)]([mailto:leeann.jensen@sympatico.ca](http://mailto:leeann.jensen@sympatico.ca/)) using only this password E Transfer Question What will be celebrating? Answer Canada Cruise $42.00 + $5.46 HST = $1.50 SC = $49.00 ONLY USE THIS PASSWORD- I cannot buy your tickets if you send me a different password Any questions please email me at [traveltheworldhorizons@gmail.com](mailto:traveltheworldhorizons@gmail.com) My cell phone for this day only is (416) 427 7843 otherwise call me in the office. at (905) 471 7843 before the sail. Please keep this email - you have everything you need to meet me at the event. Cancellation - No refunds but I will send out an email to sell your space if you have to cancel or you can transfer to someone else. Hope to see you there! LeeAnn

⚠️ For 日本語, 中文, 한국어, please scroll down⚠️ 🎉 A big thank you from CAS to all our members! 🎉 Celebrate two special birthdays, Canada and CAS founder Calvin's with a barbecue party! 🥩🥂🎂 Food, water, and good vibes will be provided for those in attendance. If you would like to have adult beverages, please bring those yourselves! 🎆 Afterwards, we can go see the fireworks to wrap up the night! 🎟️ Attendance fee: $20 - you have attended at least 1 paid CAS event or Girls’ Night $25 - for first timers/newcomers Please E-Transfer this amount to: ✉️ canasianstation@gmail.com by Saturday, June 27th to confirm Due to the Meetup system, you will be on the waitlist. However, once we confirm your payment, your status will be moved to "attending." After that, I will send you the venue address! 📩 📍Location: Downtown Toronto, Near Eaton Center - The exact location will be sent to all paid attendees by end of day Saturday the 27th. 🚫 Unfortunately, no parking will be available. 日本語🇯🇵 CASより、日頃よりご愛顧いただいている皆様へ、心より感謝を込めまして、、、🦄🌱 【Canada🇨🇦とCAS創設者Calvin】 2つのHappy Birthdayを記念してBBQ Partyを開催します🥩🥂🎉 食べ物、水、GOOD VIBES有り！ （お酒飲みたい人は持ってきてね♡ 食べ物の持ち込み大歓迎です！） 🇨🇦赤と白の服でドレスアップして盛り上がろう！（推奨） 🎆美味しいお肉の後はCanada Day記念の花火を観に行くよ 🎟️参加費 ＄20(CAS,Girls’Nightに参加したことがある方) ＄25(初めましての方) ✉️canasianstation@gmail.com へ6月27日（土）までにお支払いください。 お支払い確認後に参加ステータスがwaitlist よりattending に変更されます。 📍Eaton Centre付近（詳しい場所は支払い済みの参加者へ27日23:59までにお送りします) ⚠️駐車場はありません 한국어🇰🇷 CAS 회원 여러분들께 큰 감사의 말씀 드립니다! 캐나다의 생일과 CAS의 창립자인 Calvin의 생일을 동시에 축하하기 위한 바비큐 파티를 마련할 예정입니다! 참석하시는 분들을 위해 음식, 물, 그리고 즐거운 분위기가 제공됩니다. 음주를 즐기고 싶으신 분들은 직접 가져와 주시면 감사드리겠습니다! 바비큐 파티가 끝난 후에는 불꽃놀이를 즐기며 밤을 마무리할 예정입니다. 참가비: $20 — 이전에 유료 CAS 이벤트에 최소 1회 이상 참석해주신 분 $25 — 첫 참가자 / 신규 참가자 참가비는 7월 27일 토요일까지 canasianstation@gmail.com 으로 보내주시길 바랍니다. 위치: 다운타운, Eaton Centre 근처 - 자세한 위치 안내는 27일 토요일까지 참가비를 보내주신 분들께 추후 안내해드리도록 하겠습니다. 주차 공간은 없습니다. 죄송합니다. 中文 🎉 CAS 感谢所有会员一直以来的支持！🎉 今年加拿大国庆日，我们将一起庆祝两个特别的生日——加拿大的生日，以及 CAS 创办人 Calvin 的生日！ 欢迎大家来参加我们的烧烤派对，一起吃美食、聊天交朋友，享受轻松愉快的节日气氛！ 🍔 食物、饮用水以及欢乐的氛围都由我们提供。 🍺 如果您想喝啤酒或其他酒精饮品，请自行携带。 🎆 烧烤结束后，我们还可以一起去欣赏加拿大日烟花，为这个美好的夜晚画上圆满句号！ 🎟️ 活动费用 20 加元：曾参加过至少一次付费 CAS 活动的会员 25 加元：首次参加活动的新朋友 请于 6 月 27 日（星期六）前 将费用通过 E-Transfer 转账至： 📧 canasianstation@gmail.com 完成付款后即视为报名成功。 📍 活动地点 多伦多市中心，伊顿中心（Eaton Centre）附近。 具体集合地点将于 6 月 27 日（星期六）当天结束前 通知所有已付款参加者。 🚫 很遗憾，现场不提供停车位，请尽量乘坐公共交通前往。 期待与大家一起度过一个充满美食、欢笑与烟花的加拿大国庆日！

🇨🇦🌴 **TORONTO BABEL x EVENT SPACE PRESENTS: CANADA DAY ISLAND PICNIC** 🌴🇨🇦 📍 BBQ Lot #17, Toronto Island Park (Olympic Island) 📅 Wednesday, July 1 🕐 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM Toronto Babel, in collaboration with Event Space, invites you to celebrate Canada Day on Toronto Island Park with a full day of sunshine, music, food, games, and community vibes. We’re taking over the island for a full summer experience—expect music all day, a BBQ social, sports and outdoor games, arts & crafts, and a relaxing yoga & meditation session. Come connect with new people, share food, and enjoy a laid-back island atmosphere surrounded by nature and good energy. As the sun sets, we’ll gather to watch fireworks light up the sky over Toronto, visible right from the island—a perfect end to the day 🎆 *** 🎟️ **Tickets (online purchase):** **https://www.event-space.net/event-details/canada-day-island-festival** • $10 Presale with our discount code: ‘CS-05’ *** ✔️ **Activities & Schedule:** 🔥 BBQ social — bring your own meat to grill (grill & charcoal provided) 🧘 Yoga & Meditation Session 🎶 Music & Dance Party with DJ FLŸ and DJ STXN 🎨 Arts & Crafts Table ⚽ Sports, board games & outdoor fun 🎆 Fireworks at dusk (visible from the island) *** 🎒 **What to Bring:** • Blanket or beach towel to sit on • Water bottle • Hat, sunscreen & bug spray • Picnic snacks or food to share • Reusable utensils/cups (optional) • Light sweater or jacket for the evening • Your best summer island vibe ☀️ *** ⛴️ **Ferry Info:** • Take the Centre Island Ferry • First ferry: 8:00 AM • Last return: 11:45 PM • Look for Toronto Babel signs on Olympic Island • Ferry tickets: [https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/](https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/toronto-island-park/all-ferry-schedules/) *** Let’s make this Canada Day one for the books 🍁✨

**Visitors are always welcome!** Drop by and experience a Toastmasters club first hand. Brainwave Speakers is an open club Toastmasters Club. Everyone is welcome. If you are committed to growing as a speaker and leader, and want to do it in a supportive social atmosphere, we'd love to meet you! **Meetings are every Wednesday 6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.** Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. for a social/networking session. Directions and information can be found at https://1001005.toastmastersclubs.org/ Contact us at vpm-1001005@toastmastersclubs.org

A meetup for talking about the frontier of ai, or just vibe coding if you’re into that. Also industry gossip, hiring trends, effective altruism + predictions for the future

\- Living On Video & DJ Lazarus presents \- Sat July 4 - 80s & 90s Retro 'GUILTY' Pleasures Video Dance Party w/ Elton John vs Billy Joel Spotlight - 4am Last Call ADVANCED TICKETS ONLY $10: https://GUILTYjuly4.eventbrite.ca 'GUILTY' brings the 80s & 90s back to life with the BIGGEST HITS and ONE HIT WONDERS of the time. \-\-\-\-\- You'll have a blast dancing with hundreds of people as 'GUILTY' has become one of the busiest retro events in Toronto. \-\-\-\-\- 'GUILTY' has 9 giant video screens playing the music videos you remember from Much Music and MTV. \-\-\-\-\- DJ Lazarus and 'Be Kind Rewind' spin a fun mix of big retro hits to keep you on the dance floor. Saturday July 4, 2026 Retro 'GUILTY' Pleasures Video Dance Party w/ Elton John vs Billy Joel Spotlight - 4am Last Call BIGGEST HITS and ONE HIT WONDERS of the 80's & 90's Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West - Toronto Lounge 9pm - Mainroom 10pm - 19+ Event $10 Advanced Tix: https://GUILTYjuly4.eventbrite.ca $15 at the door INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/1263202235620510/ (please INVITE and SHARE with your friends) \-\-\-\-\- GUILTY is an unabashed night of HUGE RETRO HITS and ONE HIT WONDERS of the 80's & 90's. \-\-\-\-\- Hear and see popular artists like Madonna, Prince, Wham!, Culture Club, Cher, Spice Girls, Michael Jackson, Ace of Base, Van Halen, Huey Lewis, Britney Spears, Milli Vanilli, Cyndi Lauper, Backstreet Boys, and Pat Benetar, TLC, to one hit wonders such as Boys Don’t Cry, Phil Collins, Baltimora, Taco, Rick Astley, Aqua, Tiffany, and more. Facebook: http://facebook.com/groundcontroltoronto Facebook: http://facebook.com/djlazarusrocks Instagram: http://instagram.com/djlazarusrocks Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/panicretroparty

**THIS EVENT IS HOSTED BY JAMES.** **TO REGISTER GO TO: [Ontario Backcountry Camping | Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/ontariobackcountry/?eventOrigin=your_groups)** **\*\*\* UPDATE: This trip has been pushed back by a day - now starting Saturday and ending Monday due to the heat this week. Stay for one night or two, up to you. \*\*\*** This is a canoe camping trip to Barker Lake. We will be staying on crown land so camping is free. Barker Lake is about 3.5 hours from Toronto, north of Bon Echo Provincial Park. There are two easy portages along the way, Ashby Lake to King Lake (100m) and King Lake to Barker Lake (75m), both dry and well maintained with some rocks along the path. The parking and put-in is Ashby Lake boat launch, we will meet there at 12pm. The plan is to camp on King or Barker Lake. We can do a day trip into Barker if we decide to camp on King. If you like to fish, and you're not having any luck, it's easy enough to portage from one lake to another to try somewhere else. Ashby Lake is mostly shielded from the wind, has a few cottages and light boat traffic, but mostly wild shoreline along the canoe route. The paddle distance across Ashby Lake is about 4km to the first portage. For fishing, Ashby Lake has lake trout, northern pike, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, white sucker, and yellow perch. King Lake is a small lake with crown land along most of the shoreline. There are some campsites, and we can camp here if we find a nice site. It's a 1km paddle across King to the next portage. King Lake has rainbow trout and yellow perch. After the second portage is Barker Lake. There are a few campsites here; one is a nice island site which could be a good spot to camp, and most of the shoreline is crown land. Expect another 2km paddle if we camp here for a total trip distance of 7-8km including portages. Barker Lake has lake trout, pumpkinseed, white sucker, and yellow perch. Have a way to get here and a canoe or kayak, paddle board, paddle partner with a canoe, something of that sort. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety. **LOCATION: Ashby Lake** **784 Ashby Lake Rd · McArthurs Mills, ON**

Join our WhatsApp group [https://chat.whatsapp.com/F7838OJWfkiAlMEyNffVfZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/F7838OJWfkiAlMEyNffVfZ) Welcome to beach volleyball All Level Learn and Play Event in Spanish Banks. If you never play before but want to, no worry, you can learn basic skills over here. All the equipment is prepared. This event is for come to meet new friends, improve your volleyball skill and build your team. **Only 20 spots** * People will **learn basic skills and rules from** **Our Host Yana** in the first hour. * In the next hour, we will be divided into the different teams to play on the court. * People who purchase the summer pass will be put into the same team, play with your same team players and build your team. **Drop In $10.** **Flash Sale 2026 All summer Pass $69** May 17 2026 - Sep 6 2026 Sunday (No Events in Holiday or Raining) [https://www.extremelyshy.com/toronto&RAP1VF](https://www.extremelyshy.com/toronto&RAP1VF) **Book online only**, **you will receive details and contact information in your confirmation email**. Show your QR code to our host Yana to verify. Legal Stuff - Liabilities, Obligations, and Responsibilities * We are a group composed of volunteers. We are NOT a professional organization or pro trail guides and/or pro event organizers. However, as a group of friends and acquaintances, we will look out for each other. * The organizer and any/all assistant organizers and other attendees are in no way responsible and liable for your personal safety and health state, before, during, and at any time after this event. By RSVPing "Yes", for this event, * You acknowledge that you fully understand and accept the aforementioned conditions and following event attendance conditions and, you are solely responsible for your health, safety, and well-being before, during, and at any time after the event as stated previously. All attendees shall forever hold harmless the organizers and other attendees and unconditionally waive any liabilities resulting from attending and/or participating in this event

～English description below～ イベント参加費として、日本人の方(日本で生まれ育ち、現在英語を勉強している方)は2、日本人以外の方(日本語を勉強している方)は5頂いております。 皆さんから頂いたお金は、こちらのサイトの維持費や将来のランゲージエクスチェンジ施設利用料やソーシャルイベント等のために使われます。ご理解の程、よろしくお願いいたします。 予約受付開始：土曜日5:00PM 予約取消締切：土曜日14:00PM(当日) 予約受付締切：土曜日15:00PM(当日) スケジュール 5.15 PM - 5:30PM - チェックイン、グループ分け 5:30 PM - 6:15PM - 日本語の時間［または英語の時間］ 6:15PM - 7:00 PM - 英語の時間［または日本語の時間］ 【イベント内容】 Language Exchangeへようこそ！このグループでは、皆さんのレベルに応じて、3〜4名のグループにわかれ、同じ席になった人たちで各45分間、それぞれ英語と日本語でフリートークを行なっていただきます。決まったディスカッショントピックなどはございませんので、気軽に質問をしながらそれぞれのセッションを楽しんでいただければと思います。 開催場所：Atrium フードコート TJEXのサインボードを持ったオーガナイザーにお声がけください。(もしサインがなかったり、わからなければメッセージをお願いします！) 予約規約（⚠️重要） ・当日の不参加、もしくは15分以上の遅刻、また予約取消締切後の変更は原則不参加(No-Show)とみなします。不参加(No-show)が3回になりますと会員登録が抹消され、退会となりますのでご注意ください。 ・イベントに遅れそうな場合は必ずオーガナイザーまでメッセージをお願いします。イベント開始時間にいるメンバーでグループを組み直すこともあるので、連絡なしで到着された場合はイベントに参加できない可能性もあります。原則、30分以上遅れての参加はご遠慮いただいております。あらかじめご了承ください。 キャンセル待ち ・満席の場合、”キャンセル待ち”リスト(waiting-list)にご登録いただくことが可能です。“参加予定”リスト（going-list)中に空席が発生した場合は、”キャンセル待ち”への登録が早かった方を優先に、オーガナイザーが”参加予定”へ移動しますので、当日の参加状況の変更がないかご自身でご確認ください。 ※ご注意※ ・空席ができた際は、自動的に”キャンセル待ち”より”参加予定”へ変更されます。この時にMeetupよりお知らせがあるかはわかりません。 ・システムにより自動的に”参加予定”とされ、それに気づかずに参加しなかった場合でも、不参加とみなされますのでご了承ください。 Instagramアカウント @tjex.ca 最新情報やミートアップの様子を掲載しています。 ぜひこちらもフォローお願いします！ ***Although our group is a non-profit organization, we collect $ 5 per English Speaker for every event. All the proceeds are used to run this website and for social events*** *Canadian English speakers must be Native or Fluent in English in order to participate* RSVP: RSVP open: 5:00 PM RSVP cancel deadline: Saturday, 2:00 PM (day of the event) RSVP close: Saturday, 3:00 PM (day of the event) Day of Event: 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM - Check-in and Group placement 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM - Japanese conversation 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM - English conversation Event Description: This is an in-person language exchange! Members are placed into groups of three or four based on their language level. Each 45 minute session consists of friendly casual conversation, and/or informal study. Optional Dinner : After the Language event, we usually go for Dinner. Dinner is optional, you may or may not join the Dinner, it depends on you. However, Dinner is only for Participants that joined on the day of the event. Event Location: Atrium Food Court The food court is directly connected to the Dundas subway station. Leave the subway station and walk west along Dundas Street. At the intersection of Bay Street and Dundas Street, you will find an entrance. Proceed down the escalator. The food court is on the basement floor. Please talk to the organizer with the signboard showing TJEX. (If you can’t find them, please send a message to the organizer.) ⚠️RSVP & Late Policy: If you are unable to join on the day of the event, please change your status from 'going-list' to 'not going-list'. Failure to Not show up will result in 1 No -Show. Also, in case of arriving 15 mins late to the event will result in 1 No-Show. Members are removed from the group after 3 No-Shows. Waiting List: Members can join the waiting-list even if an event is full. When a spot becomes available, we will move you to the going-list. Going List: Only Members on the going-list can participate on the day of the event. Group Instagram - @tjex.ca Feel free to follow us!

Good day everyone, Please join us for a great day as we mix, mingle and enjoy **Canada vs Morocco in the World Cup, Round of 16!** \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with lots of friendly peers to enjoy dinner and the game **\*Meet us inside Smoke Show between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm** \* The match starts at 1:00 pm (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **Mix, Mingle and Canada vs Morocco** **(Round of 16) (World Cup 2026)** -A fun, interactive, event with friends, food and the Canadian Men's World Cup Soccer match (Lots of Big Screen TV's to catch the game) -Pool Table, and food specials too -Plenty of parking all around the venue **Friendly Reminders:** -Arrive any time between 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm inside the restaurant (ask or look for Steve/Organizer when you arrive) (1 minute walk from the new Eglinton station at Mt. Pleasant-or simply take bus or uber from the station) -Plenty of parking all around the venue and very close to Mt. Pleasant Station **Event Fee:** 5 dollars (cash only) when you arrive (HST is included) or e transfer in advance to [Steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://Steveflemming11@gmail.com/) (One Beverage or Appetizer Minimum please to support the staff and restaurant) \*Plan to join us for dinner and the game!

You can sleep in on the Sesquicentennial (observed), we’re shifting to the following Friday. But join the local UX community for a chat and some biscuits to catch up. If you were in CA for Figma Config, tell us all the lines and you can tell me how I can animate an SVG without coding it by hand, and why I’d even want to. Thanks to the team at Nationwide of supporting the group.

**Practical Curiosity: Learning from Everyday Data** How do we actually get better at utilizing our day-to-day data? Fancy dashboards and complex models might look nice and draw attention, but that’s not where most of us spend our time. In fact those shiny outputs frequently sit unused, while the real insights are drawn from the analyst’s daily practice. Sometimes it’s as simple and as powerful as noticing that a segment is shrinking, a channel is underused, or certain links keep getting all the clicks. There’s many different places that the spark of insight can come from, but you have to keep your head in the data and know where to look. In this session, we’ll explore real-world examples of how segmentation, testing, and click behavior can uncover practical digital marketing opportunities. You’ll leave with inspiration for your own use cases, along with a few simple ways to ask better questions, spot meaningful patterns, and make smarter decisions without overcomplicating it. **About Our Speaker:** [Elaine Armbruster](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainearmbruster/) is a Director of Digital Experience at the [American Diabetes Association](https://diabetes.org/), where she focuses on using data and insights to create smarter, more effective digital experiences. A lifelong Columbus resident, she has built her career in email marketing and the broader digital user journey, and is finding she most enjoys working in the messy middle where systems, data, and big ideas don’t quite line up yet. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Highlights and Hidden Gems in SQL Server 2025 With so much emphasis on cloud data platforms and AI these days, SQL people can feel left behind by all the marketing hype. SQL Server 2025 was officially released in November of 2025, though, and contains a ton of improvements that will make our SQL Server deployments a bit faster, better, and more secure. There are even more improvements tucked into the release that never made a marketing blog or press release that you'll likely be learning about for the first time in this session! Join this session to learn about what makes your high availability a little more available, your performance a bit more performant, and your database more developer and app-friendly. Come spend an hour with SQL people talking SQL Server 2025 – the good, the "not quite ready for prime time", and the hidden awesomeness.

Most people use LLMs by feel: ask a question, read the answer, decide whether it “seems good,” and move on. That works for casual use. It does not work when you are building software, automating workflows, writing important documents, or relying on AI for anything that needs to be repeatable. In this talk, we’ll look at how to improve and evaluate the inputs and outputs of LLMs using practical measurement techniques. We’ll cover how prompt changes affect results, how to compare outputs, how to build simple evaluation sets, and how math-based methods like similarity scoring can help you move beyond guesswork. This will be beginner-friendly, so even if you don't know anything about AI, you should get something out of it. However, this will be a little more technical than our intro talks. You do not need to be an AI researcher, but programmers and technically curious attendees will get a lot out of it. We’ll cover: * Why “it looks good” is not enough * How to improve prompts by changing the input, context, and constraints * How to compare LLM outputs more systematically * Basic evaluation techniques for accuracy, consistency, and usefulness * How embeddings, cosine similarity, and scoring can help evaluate results * Where automated evaluation works — and where humans still need to stay in the loop By the end, you’ll have a practical mental model for treating LLMs less like magic and more like systems you can test, measure, and improve. 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.

We're planning a hands-on technical session focused on building AI solutions in ServiceNow - think skills, agents, and real-world use cases. If you’re curious about AI on the platform, RSVP now and stay tuned for more details. Let's build together!

We have moved to guild.host. Look us up there. https://guild.host/events/buckeye-cocoaheads-rcavwd

Be prepared for an entirely different type of sci-fi movie! Unofficially, the second movie in director Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," 2011 Melancholia depicts the events that occur before a rogue planet is about to collide with the earth. Considered by many to be a masterpiece, the film was included in BFI's 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of the greatest movies of all time. It is available at the library as well as on Kanopy.