Motorcycle Touring

Bitcoin Builders, Connect with like-minded people from all over GTA! We're gathering at Firkin on Bay on Thursday, February 12th from 6pm to 8pm. Your first beverage is on us! Every second Thursday of every month, the smartest and best looking people in the space disappear from Twitter and show up at Firkin on Bay instead. While everyone else argues about charts, we're creating the companies that will matter in five years. Your next co-founder is probably already here. Are you? Best, Sunny Ray P.S. special thanks to our sponsor [Beaver Bitcoin](https://beaverbitcoin.com/): The easiest way to buy bitcoin in Canada.

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/frosty-feb-social)** **February in Toronto is a real test of character (and Amazon Basics outerwear), so let’s get through it together!** Whether you’ve been hibernating since December or hitting the winter trails each week- aka walking down a Toronto sidewalk- it’s time to come in from the cold and embrace the warmth of our first social of 2026! This is the perfect chance to reconnect with old friends from past adventures and meet some new faces in our community. We’re taking over a private room at the Duke of York Pub in Yorkville to play games, share stories, plan outings, and enjoy some great company. * **The Goods:** Plenty of pub fare and a full range of drinks, including a great selection of non-alcoholic options. Veggie/vegan dishes will also be on offer! * **The Games**: We’ll have some totally optional card and facilitated games going * **The Logistics:** There is **a small $5 fee** to cover the venue’s cover charge and secure our space. ***Don't let the winter win - come hang out, get warm and meet the crew!*** **Event cost: $5+HST. Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/frosty-feb-social)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Let's learn Agentic AI! Welcome to our [KSUG.AI Americas](https://us1.ksug.ai) meetup! **Latest promotions** discovered by our community! * **50%** off [Linux Foundation](https://gk.ksug.ai/) EXPIRED, [Get Notified](https://ksug.ai/?notify&ref=meet) for next BIG one! * **20%** off [KubeCon Europe](https://ksug.ai/events/?ref=meet) 2026 using code **KSAI20** * Up to **30%** off popular [Books](https://ksug.ai/books/?ref=meet) and [Events](https://ksug.ai/events/?ref=meet) Stop Babysitting LLMs, Start Shipping. PRs got bigger, not better. Seniors are burning hours on AI bug hunts while *throughput stays flat*. Encode your existing **SDLC** into a gated multi-agent flow so LLMs do the noisy work. Review changes that have already passed **CI**. ## **Swarm Architecture** Encodes a full SDLC loop (**issue** → **spec → plan → PR** → **gate** → **deploy**) in a gated **45-agent swarm** you can explore after the talk. ## **Shift Left** **Mutation-on-diff** and **contract/schema checks** wired into your agentic flow before review. Reduce **review pain** instead of just generating more code. ## **Failure Modes & Guardrails** Hallucinations, reward hacking, process confabulation, and how your architecture catches and fixes them before they reach reviewers. ## **Takeaways** * ✓You'll leave with a working **demo swarm repository** you can clone into your own repos, and a clearer way to decide when to lean on **tokens versus human review**. * ✓For platform and DevEx engineers, tech leads and staff+ developers, and engineering leaders who are tired of wrestling with AI-generated code and **review pain**. * ✓The talk and swarm will be released under **Apache 2.0**. *Come at 5:30 pm have some pizza and chat for a bit. The presentation starts at 6:00 pm.* **Volunteers / Sponsors / Speakers:** [KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meetup) is actively seeking speakers & sponsors to support our KubeSmart & AI community. Whether it is by offering venue spaces, providing food, or financial support. Sponsors will not only speak at our meetups, receive prominent recognition, but also gain exposure to our extensive membership base of 31,000+ Cloud Native + AI enthusiasts globally. [Volunteering](https://volunteer.ksug.ai/), [Submit Topics](https://speaker.ksug.ai/), [Sponsor Us](https://sponsor.ksug.ai/)! 🚀 **Let's be [kubestrong](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kubestrong/)!** 🎉 Please take a note this event is organized by our peers. We thought it's useful to our members. Join **[#Discord](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua)** for latest update 👉 [https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua](https://discord.com/invite/Rp9WzYyKua) 🔖 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬: ☸ **30%** OFF [#CNCF Certs](https://cka.ksug.ai/) \- code **30K8SUG** ☸ **37%** OFF [#KodeKloud plans](https://ksug.ai/kk/?ref=meet) \- code **K8SUGKK** 𝟏𝟖𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎+ follow **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/discount/?ref=meetup)** 🔥 [linktr.ee/ksug.ai](https://linktr.ee/ksug.ai) ✅ Learn 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 ⚡ ✅ Certify 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 💰 ✅ Grow 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 💪 [KSUG.AI - KubeSmart & AI User Group](https://linkedin.com/company/k8sug) *By registering, you consent to the management of your personal information in accordance with KSUG.AI Meetup's [Privacy Policy](https://k8sug.ai/privacy). Additionally, you agree that our sponsors may contact you.* **[KSUG.AI](https://ksug.ai/?ref=meetup)** is an independent community and not affiliated with or endorsed by CNCF. Kubernetes, K8s, Kubestronaut are registered trademarks of The Linux Foundation.

*Games Schedule* Wednesday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 3 / 5 NLH - $500 Free Roll Thursday Event: - 1 / 2 NLH - Deep Stack - Min 100 - Max 1000 - $500 Free Roll Friday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 1 / 3 PLO - $500 Free Roll Saturday Event: - 1 / 2 NLH - Deep Stack - Min 100 - Max 1000 - $500 Free Roll Sunday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 2 / 2 PLO - $500 Free Roll Monday Event: - 1 / 3 NLH - 3 / 5 NLH - $500 Free Roll

February's the perfect time for something warm and cozy - like the fragrant, spiced flavours of Rooh Indian Cuisine. "Rooh" - often interpreted as "soul, spirit, or essence" - offers a diverse menu, creative cocktails and a welcoming atmosphere. 🍽️ Rooh's [menu](https://www.roohtoronto.ca/menu/) combines both authentic and reimagined Indian dishes with nutrient-rich ingredients and plant-based protein options. Dine with us in this playfully modern space and forget the winter for awhile! **RSVP PROCESS:** 1. ⏳ **IF/WHEN** moved to GOING, please send $5 non-refundable RSVP fee 💵 to [thunda.klaps@gmail.com](mailto:thunda.klaps@gmail.com) within 24 hrs. 2. ⏱️ Please join the waitlist for any openings in February 3. 🌟 Some spots are reserved for new members 4. 🤝 Preference goes to friendly members without repeated late cancellations and/or no-shows 5. ⚠️ A minimum number of attendees is required to proceed Thanks y'all!

## Rehearsal Details: Thursday evenings 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, Earl Bales Community Centre 4169 Bathurst St., just south of Sheppard, in Toronto. Email our membership chair, if you are interested in attending a rehearsal. **Lisa Taylor: 647-886-1766, [membershipchair@torontoaccolades.com](mailto:membershipchair@torontoaccolades.com)** Do you love to sing? Do you love performing for live audiences? The Toronto Accolades Chorus brings women-centric singers together to sing and perform a cappella harmony. Harmony connects people from all backgrounds, ages, and musical abilities to create a community where you can not only sing, but find a space to connect with other strong and dedicated people just like you. For decades, we've provided a venue for singers to express themselves, make quality music together, and form bonds beyond measure, and we invite you to join us for the ride. We welcome guests and work with them to find out their voice range and to determine what part (lead, tenor, baritone or bass) they would sing best. Guests are given a music folder and encouraged to participate in singing with the chorus in subsequent weeks. Although we continually strive for musical excellence, prior musical training is not necessary to belong to our chorus. We provide everyone with sheet music, audio learning tracks, education and guidance. At the end of 6 weeks, we ask each prospective member to audition, to ensure that they can hold their part in a four-part harmony song.

Elastic and Toronto Women's Data Group are happy to partner together on a community meetup in Toronto! Hear from two leading data professionals, who will share their insights on the Data/ML field, hard-earned lessons, and what the day-to-day really looks like. Whether you’re looking to learn, considering a pivot or advancing your career, this event is for you! Speakers: \- Ella Chen \- Software Engineer\, Shopify \- Jessica David \- Principal Data Engineer\, Elastic Schedule (subject to change): 6:00 pm - Doors open 6:30 pm - Speaker sessions, Q&A 8:00 pm - Networking/chatting Allies are welcome to attend, with the understanding that these events are focused on spotlighting the career experiences of women. **When:** February 12th 6:00 pm **Location:** 8 Spadina Ave See you there!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Danforth Road was named for Asa Danforth, who built segments of Queen Street and Kingston Road. Work commenced in 1799 on Danforth's Road a hundred-mile route from Scarborough to the Trent River, and completed in 1801, but soon was replaced by the 1817 Kingston Road stagecoach route. Most early maps of Toronto referred to Danforth as a Concession Line Road. Originally Danforth Avenue connected Toronto to Danforth Road. It was built by the Don and Danforth Road Company in 1851 to Broadview Avenue, and Kingston Road. Danforth is home to Toronto's Greek community, known as Greektown or as it was once known - Little Athens. The walking tour begins outside Broadview Subway Station Parkette 769 Broadview Ave across from the subway station on the east side of Broadview Avenue. We end at the Pape Subway Station! Hope to see your there! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Get your history fix with this special double tour. It combines both U of T and historic Yorkville in one shot. On March 15, 1827, a royal charter was issued by King George IV, for the establishment of King's College. The charter was the result of the efforts of John Strachan, the Anglican Bishop of Toronto, the College's first president. King's College was a religious institution tied to the Church of England and the Family Compact. In 1849, the newly elected government of Canada voted to rename the College, University of Toronto and broke with the church. Strachan resigned to open Trinity College as a private seminary. University College was created as a branch of University of Toronto. During the American Civil War, the threat of Union blockade prompted the creation of the University Rifle Corps, which saw action against the Fenians on the Niagara border in 1866. Founded in 1830 by Joseph Bloor, and William Botsford Jarvis, the Village of Yorkville was muddy York's northern residential suburb. With historic establishments like The Red Lion Inn, Yorkville Town Hall or even the fierce political radical William Lyon Mackenzie, it was here that notoriety was achieved, in Yorkville itself. Omnibus horse drawn streetcar service started in 1849 to connect the old St. Lawrence Market in Toronto with Yorkville, and by 1853, the population of the village had reached 1,000 residents. By the 1870s, Potter's Field, a cemetery stretching west of Yonge Street at Bloor Street was closed, and the remains moved to other area cemeteries. Yorkville was growing fast, and soon Toronto was ready to pull the neighbourhood into its orbit. On February 1, 1883, Yorkville's name changed officially. It was now known as St. Paul's Ward! This walking tour is for all fitness levels and skills. Please dress for the weather. The extensive walking tour begins at the Queen's Park SUBWAY Station at the **southwest corner** of University Avenue and College Street adjacent to the Tim Horton's at the corner. The walk ends at the Toronto Reference Library at Yonge Street and Asquith. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/arrowhead-2026-2)** ***Open for just a few weeks each year, come explore this famous, torch-lit skating trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park*** Step into the magical, famous and otherworldly Fire and Ice nights. Imagine skating through thickly-forested trails illuminated by innumerable tiki torches burning in stunning contrast to the winter chill. This is a must-try fairy-tale experience through the rich forests of Muskoka. Before skating begins, we'll head up to Arrowhead in the day and hike a couple of trails that showcase some of Arrowhead's most spectacular scenery. As the sun sets, we'll change into our skates and take to the ice. Skating in the park is suitable for people of all levels. Ice skates are available for rental (around $15) at the park. After a couple of hours skating, we'll head back home for a late arrival back in Toronto. **Depending on snow levels we may be required to use snowshoes or ice spikes. We have a limited quantity available that you can grab at check-out. Ice spikes are free to borrow and snow shoes can be rented for a small fee.** ***Adventurers are strongly encouraged to purchase Wilderness Union transport, as getting a parking pass for this event can be challenging due to its popularity. Please note that self-drivers are fully responsible for arranging their own passes and entry.*** **Highlights** **Night Skating:** Glide over winding, frozen trails with the night sky triumphantly shining above you. **Torch-Lit Scenery:** Take in the beautiful contrast of burning flames and shimmering ice as your path ahead is lit up by a warm, orange glow. ‍**Frozen Waterfalls:** The ultimate battle between gravity and cold temperatures plays out in dramatic fashion. **Event cost: $65+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/arrowhead-2026-2)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

\*\*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)**

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **This tour is hosted by the most evil creature that ever walked the earth, Jack the Ripper. This is his event so tread lightly if you know what is good for you. Friday the 13th! One day only, one event! Need I say more!** Haunted Toronto. Indeed. Scary stories of old York. Bloody York. Murder and mayhem. And at this time of year, Friday the 13th, when the chill cools the blood, stories of the truly brutal come out. And this walk is like no other. Tales of hauntings from the U of T, Hospital Row, and the Financial District make this a spooky event for all. Come and enjoy the walk, if you survive that is! This walking tour is for all fitness levels and skills. Please dress for the weather. This walking tour begins at the Queen's Park SUBWAY Station at the southwest corner of University Avenue and College Street in front of the **Tim Horton's Cafe.** This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

This is an in-person meeting. Would you like to know the Real You, not just a shadow of yourself? Does your life energy feel somehow trapped within? Does your self-confidence get easily shaken? Do you get in the way of your own goals? We will discuss the real source of all this, what holds you back in life, and how to handle it so you can achieve more successful and happier living. Perhaps you get weighed down with negative emotions you can't seem to shrug off. Or find yourself doing strange and irrational things - not really being yourself. We will cover why that is and tools that work to help you unearth your self, your self-confidence and motivation. This meeting will help you learn about how to effectively overcome: -Out-of-control unwanted emotions -Low self-esteem -Anxiety -Negativity -Stress -Irrational fears -Traumatic or painfully emotional incidents -Breakups -Betrayals -Feeling like you're not really yourself -Self-doubt... We will discuss how to unleash the inner you and tap into your true potential. So come to this online meetup! This meeting is sponsored by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio

**Summary** For this event, we will do the [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at [The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/), a ten-thousand acre conservation center in Muskingum County. It is the largest such center in North America and one of the largest in the entire world. During this tour, we'll visit The Wilds' rhino herd in their state-of-the-art heated barns and learn how The Wilds' animal management team takes care of one of the largest herds of rhinos outside of Africa and Asia. **The date and time of this tour** We will be doing the 1:00 p.m. [Rhino Barn Tour](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) on Saturday, February 28. The tour is scheduled to last 90 minutes. **What you need to do to attend** Signing up here on Meetup will not get you into The Wilds for the tour. You must go out to The Wilds' [website](https://www.thewilds.org/) and [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour). Please [purchase your ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour), then sign up here on Meetup so I know how many to expect. **Attendance cap** There are only eight total slots/tickets available for this tour. As I obviously have already bought one of the tickets, that leaves seven spaces for everyone else. If you are interested in this event, I urge you to [buy a ticket](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) at The Wilds' website as soon as possible. Since their website is obviously public, nothing prevents other people having nothing to do with *GOhio!* from buying their own tickets, thereby potentially taking an available slot away from you. **Additional notes on attendance** I have now run several events at The Wilds. While the location of The Wilds and the pricing of the tickets generally leads to small turnouts, the people who have gone have all enjoyed it and were glad they went. If you've never been to The Wilds and you like zoos or animals at all, you are likely to find any tour at The Wilds to be a rewarding experience. **Tickets and pricing** [Tickets](https://www.thewilds.org/rhino-barn-tour) for this tour are $95, or $76 if you're a Wilds' member. I've posted screen shots, below, to help you be sure you're buying tickets for the correct event. Wilds' memberships pay for themselves if you go to The Wilds at least twice a year, and [Columbus Zoo members](https://www.columbuszoo.org/membership) get a discount on memberships to The Wilds. I will always run at least two events a year at The Wilds. Tickets for all Wilds' tours must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance of the actual tour. **Cancellations and refunds** Per The Wilds' [Cancellation Policy](https://www.thewilds.org/policies): *In order to be eligible for refund and accrue no rescheduling fees, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance of reservation. Cancellations made within 14 days of reservation will not receive a refund.* You may [contact The Wilds](https://www.thewilds.org/contact) at (740) 638-5030 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or you can email them at information@thewilds.org. **Waiver of liability** After you purchase your ticket, you will likely be asked to fill out a waiver of liability. This is a very short document and should take you no more than two minutes to complete. **Where we'll meet** We will meet at The Wilds, whose actual address is [14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732](https://www.google.com/maps/place/14000+International+Rd,+Cumberland,+OH+43732/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837dae07a595557:0xa1ceca93325a8bd1?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Please try to be there by 12:30 p.m. For most Wilds' tours, a shuttle bus will take you to the actual spot of the tour. So think of this as though you're going to the airport to catch a flight. It helps to be on time. The Wilds generally asks that people arrive at least thirty minutes because the scheduled start time of their tour. **GPS / Getting to The Wilds** The Wilds is in a very rural area, but I've never had a problem getting there with my GPS (I have Verizon). I've also uploaded a JPG map, below, of Muskingum County. Sometimes, though, it's hard to get a signal when you're at The Wilds and getting ready to leave. So you might want to consider downloading an offline map in Google Maps. Your cell phone should pick up a signal, however, within a few minutes after you leave. The Wilds' Visitor Center does have free Wi-Fi. **Carpooling?** If you want to carpool, I recommend discussing this in the comments, below, to this event. While I don't myself carpool, I will do what I can to help you arrange something if I can. **The weather** Dress for the weather. Just because the barn is heated doesn't mean it will be warm. And wear closed-toed shoes. Wilds' tours typically run no matter what the weather is. **After the tour** Once we're done with the rhinos, we'll head over to the very highly rated [Y-Bridge Brewing Company](https://ybridgebrewing.com/). The brewery is about thirty minutes from The Wilds, and it will be on the way back to Columbus for most, if not all, of us. The brewery's actual address is [1417 Linden Ave Ste D, Zanesville, OH 43701](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1417+Linden+Ave+d,+Zanesville,+OH+43701/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8837edd6cc50824f:0xe3a0af1ccb2aefbf?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111). Y-Bridge Brewing does not serve food; however, they have several [food options](https://ybridgebrewing.com/food-options). I encourage you to check these out ahead of time on their website for yourself. However, here are a few of them: *Within walking distance -- 120 feet away* * [Angry Bull Saloon](https://www.facebook.com/AngryBullSaloonZanesville/) (pizza & subs) * The Corner Pub Sports Bar and Grill (classic bar food) *Delivery options -- [Door Dash](https://www.doordash.com/)* * [4 Star Pizza](https://fourstarpizza.com/), (740) 452-9300 * [Donatos](https://www.donatos.com/), (740) 452-7900 * [Pizza Cottage](https://www.pizza-cottage.com/), (740) 455-6000 * [Dominos](https://www.dominos.com/), (740) 455-3126 * [Papa John's](https://www.papajohns.com/), (740) 450-4100 If you live in the area or can't make The Wilds but still want to meet us at the brewery, that's fine too.

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!

#### Turning Rentals Into Income: How Investors Pay Off Properties Faster #### **Featuring Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** **👉 Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** #### A lot of people get into real estate because they want freedom. Then they buy a rental…and realize most of the rent goes straight to the bank. They technically own property, but the mortgage controls the income. And waiting 30 years for properties to be paid off doesn’t feel realistic. This meetup is about understanding a different way to think about rental properties… one that focuses on paying them off sooner so the income is actually usable. **Featured Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** We’re excited to welcome John Blackburn as our guest speaker for this event. John has been actively investing in real estate since 2006 and has: * Been involved in **5,000+ real estate transactions** * Helped investors **acquire over $150 million in rental property** * **Raised more than $100 million** in private capital John didn’t start with family money or shortcuts. He built his portfolio by focusing on clear systems, real numbers, and long-term strategy. For this meetup, John will walk through how investors shift their focus from simply owning rentals to building properties that eventually pay them…without a mortgage attached. **What You’ll Learn** John will break down, in simple terms: * Why most rental properties don’t produce much usable income early on * Why buying more rentals isn’t always the answer * How investors structure their properties to pay off mortgages in a fraction of the time * How properties can work together to eliminate debt faster * What changes once rentals become free and clear This approach is often referred to as an accelerated paydown strategy — using rental income intentionally to reduce debt sooner, rather than waiting decades for mortgages to run their course. John will also share a simple calculator you can use to see how this works with real numbers and realistic scenarios. **The Core Idea** When a rental has a mortgage, the rent has one job: **pay the bank.** When a rental is paid off, the rent has a different job: **pay you.** Most people only see one timeline…30 years. This session shows how investors shorten that timeline and gradually increase their income as properties become free and clear. **Who This Event Is For** This event is for people who want more than just “owning rentals” on paper. * Rental owners who are tired of most of the rent going to the bank and want a clearer path to real, usable income * New investors who want to understand how rental properties actually build wealth over time before jumping in * People with capital who want to invest in real estate with intention and a long-term plan * Anyone serious about freedom and curious how rental properties transition from debt-heavy assets into income-producing ones **Event Details** **Location:** Ohio Brewing Company - 421 E 2nd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 **Date & Time:** January 25th, 6–8 PM (Doors open at 5:30) **Cost:** Free (Seats are limited - RSVP required) **👉 Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** If you’ve ever wondered how rental properties actually turn into freedom —this is the room to be in.