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Yes! Check out information retrieval events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the information retrieval events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

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Information Retrieval Events Today

Join in-person Information Retrieval events happening right now

TIAMAT - Transformation through Play (Training / Tier 1 / Toronto)
TIAMAT - Transformation through Play (Training / Tier 1 / Toronto)
FIRST TIME IN TORONTO AND SPACE IS LIMITED! ## Some experiences create a **before and after.** This is one of them. There are workshops. And then there are experiences that truly give you the chance to **reorganize how you see yourself, your work, and the people around you** — that create a genuine fork in the road. TIAMAT is the latter. It has done this for performers, clinicians, seekers, and skeptics across four continents. Now, for the first time, it is coming to Toronto. This is not a weekend of concepts and takeaways. It is a **full-body encounter with a framework** built at the intersection of cognitive science, philosophy, contemplative practice, and embodied performance — designed specifically to transfer. What shifts in the room follows you home. We are in a moment of profound disconnection — from purpose, from one another, from a sense that our lives cohere. Most offerings gesture at this problem. **TIAMAT does something about it.** It gives you a living, rigorous, embodied practice for navigating the world differently — and access to a community of people taking that seriously alongside you. Awaken to Meaning is proud to bring this to Toronto for the first time. **This is a rare opportunity**, and seats are limited. **Two audiences. One experience.** Whether you come as a practitioner or as someone who knows something is missing, TIAMAT meets you there. **Clinicians, Coaches & Therapists:** Sharpen your sense of transference and countertransference in real-time / develop a more robust lens for where clients get stuck - somatically and relationally / expand capacity to track body, affect and relational field simultaneously / deepen self-awareness as your primary clinical instrument / gain a shared language you can bring directly into practice **Seekers, Builders & The Curious:** A framework that bridges cognitive science, philosophy and lived practice / Real agency over how you think, feel and act - through skill, not willpower / Entry into a fellowship taking the meaning crisis seriously / A language for your inner life that holds under pressure / Transformation that doesn't fade by Monday morning ## **TIAMAT has travelled. Now it visits a new place.** ## Before Toronto, TIAMAT has been delivered across **four continents** – to performers, clinicians, researchers, educators, and people who simply knew something was missing. Each cohort has shaped the practice. ## TAIWAN \| JAPAN \| INDONESIA \| FRANCE \| NETHERLANDS \| CZECHIA \| UNITED KINGDOM \| SINGAPORE \| UNITED STATES \(MAY 2026\) **Schedule** \- Friday\, May 22nd \- 6pm to 10pm \- Saturday\, May 23rd \- 10am to 8pm \- Sunday\, May 24th \- 10am to 5pm **Fee:** $650 USD **Facilitation** by Ethan Hsieh, Taylor Barratt & Dr. John Vervaeke **For more information** on this and the residential Tier 2 (June 7th - 12th, 2026) please visit [our site](https://awakentomeaning.com/tiamat-training-program-in-toronto-2026/).
Walk/Run
Walk/Run
Call on 416-938-2223 to find me :) -Ritik
Coffee Meetup May 22
Coffee Meetup May 22
Mix, Mingle and Friday Night Games!
Mix, Mingle and Friday Night Games!
Good day everyone, Please join us for a fun, interactive and enjoyable evening at this wonderful Firkin Pub location to play some absolute classics like ***pictionary, scattegories, monopoly, clue, cards against humanity, taboo, jenga, hedbanz, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapple, chess, checker, battleship and always some great new games too!*** \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with lots of friendly peers to begin our weekend with! \*All ages over 19 welcome! \*Please note we are at **The Pheasant: A Firkin Pub** at 1999 Avenue Road (roughly 6 blocks north of Lawrence - south of the 401 **(we are in the back dining area to find us)** *\*You can also ask the wait staff or bartender if you like to show you to the group (simply ask for Steve's games event)* **-Free Parking found on residential side streets** (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **Mix, Mingle and Friday Night Games!** **(Friday, May 22nd)** -A chance to play some interactive games we love like ***pictionary, scattergories, taboo, cards against humanity, jenga, monopoly, clue, euchre, scrabble, balderash, tapples, card games,and so many other choices as well!*** \*Feel free to bring your own games and friends too if you like -You'll find it's a cozy, relaxed and enjoyable environment! *** **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only at the door) (HST included) or by e transfer: **steveflemming11@gmail.com** *** **Friendly Reminders:** -Arrive any time after 7:00 pm (in the back area- great for board games, card games and mingling) (event goes to roughly 11:00 pm) \*Great dinner menu and food specials provided: (One beverage or appetizer minimum upon arrival to support venue) **Parking and Transportation:** \*Lots of street parking on avenue and free residential parking https://www.firkinpubs.com/thepheasantandfirkin/ (15-20 minute walk from Yonge & Lawrence subway station-or simply take bus or uber from the station)
Korean BBQ and buffet at Jongro (after Yorkville valleys hike)
Korean BBQ and buffet at Jongro (after Yorkville valleys hike)
This is a companion event for the [Yorkville valleys hike](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/events/314503313/). You don't have to join the hike to sign up for this, but it's more rewarding if you do. Toronto has many all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurants. [Jongro ](https://jongrobloor.ca/)is the only one that also has a full Korean buffet alongside. There's jokbal (pork trotters), kkanpunggi (fried chicken strips), gimbap, japchae, mandu, tteok, and more. For meat lovers, there's LA kalbi, marbled top blade, beef tongue, and even aged pork butt. Monday-Thursday dinner is $44 before tax and tip. If there are many people on the waitlist and it's at least 5 days before the event, we may arrange another table. **Payment** * After signing up for the event, you have 24 hours to e-transfer the fee to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com * The $10 event fee is a deposit. It will be refunded when you show up. * If you're on the waitlist, you don't have to pay the deposit until a space opens up. You have 24 hours to pay the deposit after you've made it off the waitlist. * When sending the e-transfer, please add a note that mentions your meetup.com name. * If you don't pay in time, you will be removed from the attendee list. The spot will be given to the next person on the waitlist. **Cancellation and refund policy** * You can cancel and get a full refund 5 calendar days before the event. For example, if the event is on Friday 7pm, you can cancel without penalty anytime before the preceding Sunday 11:59pm. * No refunds within 5 calendar days of the event, unless someone can be found to take your place. * Full refund if the event is cancelled or rescheduled.
HAT Get-Together
HAT Get-Together
Join us the 4th Friday of every month at 6 pm at Cherie Bistro for another Toronto Humanist & Atheist get-together! Catch up with friends and welcome new people.

Information Retrieval Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

Sunday PUB-NIGHT/iNtuitive Banter @ The Pint
Sunday PUB-NIGHT/iNtuitive Banter @ The Pint
Join your community of fellow Intuitives and MBTI nerds for a casual evening of engaging conversation. We get together every second Sunday – with a mix of regulars and new friends. There is no fee to attend, though we ask that you support the venue by ordering something to eat or drink. **Feel free to contact event host B. via Facebook/Meetup messenger, or text/call 416-712-8635 for directions**. About the venue: The Pint Public House Nearest Subway: Union Station Map / Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G5GfXDSQXeifJ5ot5 We make an effort to find pubs that are quiet and introvert friendly, with a section to ourselves. We make no effort to muffle our extroverts, but should they get out of hand, our resident INTJ will use their death stare, to pull them back in line.
Improv Class for New Friends
Improv Class for New Friends
Don't be disappointed if you don't see a bunch of people attending. I advertise this on multiple platforms and the class usually sells out. \*\*If you don't use Paypal, email me at ralph@socap.ca and we'll figure it out. You can pay be etransfer or with a credit card/cash at the venue.\*\* Improv comedy uses several techniques to create laughter. These include, creating an atmosphere free of judgement, saying 'yes', active listening, being positive, putting your focus on others, and the importance of play and laughter. Not coincidentally, these are the same things that happen to us naturally when we are bonding with another person. In this class, we'll explore these techniques not with the goal of being funny, but with the goal of being people that other people want to be around. The teacher, Ralph MacLeod, is a co-founder of two independent improv clubs in Toronto - Bad Dog Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. He's been teaching improv for over 30 years. He also teaches these same techniques to several organizations including UofT, Google, Kraft, Shopify and many, many more. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! FAQs and Good To Know.... After every event, a group from this class sit down and have a drink together so be prepared to stay if you want! Of course, you don't HAVE to. You also don't have to be single or bring a friend. The vibe of this class is much more 'making new friends' than a 'singles' mixer'. We usually run to 8:15 so pay for extra parking!
Toronto Alpha Community Event: Capture. Create. Collaborate.
Toronto Alpha Community Event: Capture. Create. Collaborate.
Toronto's Third Annual Sony Alpha Community Event! IMPORTANT: YOU MUST ALSO REGISTER AT THIS LINK: [Capture, Create, Collaborate with Sony! An Alpha Community Event Toronto Tickets, Saturday, May 23 • 12 PM - 6 PM | Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/capture-create-collaborate-with-sony-an-alpha-community-event-toronto-tickets-1987308814160?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl) **Calling all photography and filmmaking enthusiasts!** Join us on **May 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM (Eastern Time)** for an awesome day at the **Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Rogers Communications Centre**! Whether you're into photography, videography, or just love Sony gear, this event is your chance to engage with industry professionals and learn how to **capture** stunning moments, **create** cool content, and **collaborate** with fellow Alpha enthusiasts. Don’t miss out on the fun and inspiration! **Expert Panels:** Gain insights and wisdom from industry leaders in photography and filmmaking. **Engaging Seminars:** Learn new techniques and tricks to enhance your craft. **Interactive Workshops:** Dive deep into the world of Sony imaging technology through immersive workshops. **Industry Professionals**: Interact and Network with a diverse community of creators and collaborators. **Experience New Technology:** Experience the latest advancements in Sony imaging technology. There will be a limited number of Sony cameras and lenses to try but we suggest bringing your gear. Don't miss out on this one of a kind experience to learn from the industry professionals
BANG YOUR HEAD: Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party - NO COVER - 11pm
BANG YOUR HEAD: Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party - NO COVER - 11pm
Living On Video & DJ Lazarus Presents Sat May 23 - BANG YOUR HEAD Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party - NO COVER - 11pm Are you still SMOKING IN THE BOYS ROOM while being HOT FOR TEACHER? Are you looking for a TURBO LOVER that will LICK IT UP? Do you just WANNA ROCK and SHOUT AT THE DEVIL? Then put on your tighetest spandex and acid wash denim, tease your hair, and get ready to BANG YOUR HEAD to the wildest music videos ever made. Bang Your Head begins after the Air Guitar Championship event. Sat May 23, 2026 BANG YOUR HEAD: Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party with DJ Lazarus Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West NO COVER - 11pm-2am 19+ FREE TICKET: https://nocoverhairmetal.eventbrite.ca INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/2269553820450622 (please SHARE and INVITE your friends) SEE VIDEOS FROM: Cinderella, Whitesnake, Motley Crue, Van Halen, Def Leppard, WASP, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Great White, Guns N Roses, Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, Lita Ford, Lee Aaron, Ratt, Saxon, Europe, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, KISS, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Slade, Stryper, Britny Fox, White Lion, Kingdom Come, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Warrant, Queensryche, Poison, Vixen, Marillion, Slaughter, Tesla, Sammy Hagar, LA Guns, Vince Neil, Damn Yankees, Anthrax, Bad English, Skid Row, Bulletboys, Slayer, Spinal Tap, Motorhead, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Hanoi Rocks, Firehouse, Saigon Kick, Dio, ZZ Top, Heart, David Lee Roth and many more. SOCIAL: www.facebook.com/groundcontroltoronto www.facebook.com/livingonvideoclub www.facebook.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitch.tv/livingonvideoclub www.mixcloud.com/livingonvideo www.instagram.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitter.com/djlazarusrocks
🇨🇦Japanese and English Language Exchange  (Page for everyone)
🇨🇦Japanese and English Language Exchange (Page for everyone)
~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*** 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!
BANG YOUR HEAD Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party - NO COVER - 11pm
BANG YOUR HEAD Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party - NO COVER - 11pm
Living On Video & DJ Lazarus Presents **Sat May 23 - BANG YOUR HEAD Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party - NO COVER - 11pm** Are you still SMOKING IN THE BOYS ROOM while being HOT FOR TEACHER? Are you looking for a TURBO LOVER that will LICK IT UP? Do you just WANNA ROCK and SHOUT AT THE DEVIL? Then put on your tighetest spandex and acid wash denim, tease your hair, and get ready to BANG YOUR HEAD to the wildest music videos ever made. Bang Your Head begins after the Air Guitar Championship event. Sat May 23, 2026 BANG YOUR HEAD: Hair Metal & Retro Rock Video Dance Party with DJ Lazarus Ground Control - 1279 Queen St West NO COVER - 11pm-2am 19+ FREE TICKET: https://nocoverhairmetal.eventbrite.ca INVITE: www.facebook.com/events/2269553820450622 (please SHARE and INVITE your friends) SEE VIDEOS FROM: Cinderella, Whitesnake, Motley Crue, Van Halen, Def Leppard, WASP, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Great White, Guns N Roses, Twisted Sister, Judas Priest, Lita Ford, Lee Aaron, Ratt, Saxon, Europe, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, KISS, Metallica, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Slade, Stryper, Britny Fox, White Lion, Kingdom Come, Dokken, Quiet Riot, Warrant, Queensryche, Poison, Vixen, Marillion, Slaughter, Tesla, Sammy Hagar, LA Guns, Vince Neil, Damn Yankees, Anthrax, Bad English, Skid Row, Bulletboys, Slayer, Spinal Tap, Motorhead, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Hanoi Rocks, Firehouse, Saigon Kick, Dio, ZZ Top, Heart, David Lee Roth and many more. SOCIAL: www.facebook.com/groundcontroltoronto www.facebook.com/livingonvideoclub www.facebook.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitch.tv/livingonvideoclub www.mixcloud.com/livingonvideo www.instagram.com/djlazarusrocks www.twitter.com/djlazarusrocks
Techalicious Meet & Greet
Techalicious Meet & Greet
Come meet your people! We're a loose crew of tech hobbyists, coders, tinkerers, AI nerds, Linux geeks, self-hosters, and general wizards of the weird and cool. No agenda, no slides, no sales pitches. Just good conversation over drinks. Pull up a stool, tell us what you're building, breaking, or obsessing over lately. We want to hear about your home lab, your AI experiments, your side projects, your rabbit holes. All skill levels welcome, curious beginner or grizzled sysadmin, there's a seat for you. **Drinks are on you. Good conversation is on us.** See you there!

Information Retrieval Events Near You

Connect with your local Information Retrieval community

Ensuring Software Quality in the world of AI Developers - Matt Eland
Ensuring Software Quality in the world of AI Developers - Matt Eland
**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** Like it or not, AI agents are now capable of turning a quickly written paragraph of requirements into a pull request that is ready to be integrated into real-world production applications and it's now our responsibility to make sure AI doesn't go rogue and take down prod - or corrupt our data by misunderstanding the requirements or our existing schemas. In this session we'll explore strategies to protect our codebases through unit and integration testing, documentation, and code review along with additional ways of providing context and guard rails to our AI agents as they carry out the work we've assigned them to do. By the time we're done, you'll have a firm grasp of the problem and understand some helpful options for protecting your codebase from vibe coding mishaps getting YOLOed into prod. **YouTube Link** TBD
Prompting Is Not Magic: How to Give AI Better Context
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.
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.
Drunken Philosophy: What’s up with all the AI hate?
Drunken Philosophy: What’s up with all the AI hate?
**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
**Latest Dojo Location!** **Knotty Pine Brewing** 1765 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for speakers for our Monthly Meetups! Fill out the form if you are interested in presenting to the Python Community. https://forms.gle/ehSfUAC2WgR34Crq9
Let's Discover the Discovery District
Let's Discover the Discovery District