English

Practice and improve your English through conversation at St. Andrew's Church (73 Simcoe St, downtown Toronto), while making new friends! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- How to Get Here: By TTC, exit at St. Andrew Station. Walk west on King St. West. Do not enter through the church building; the large church front doors will be closed. At the corner of Simcoe St. and King St. West, walk south on Simcoe St. Enter through St. Andrew Centre behind the church building.

After just 6 weeks of 2026--are you in need of a refresher on Willpower and Procrastination?? !! I am. Learn how to focus and follow through on what matters... Personal, Work, Social, Health, Arts/Culture. **Ticket link is below**. $20-$30 option We attend 3-4 events each year with our great friends at Rotman/U of T!! ### Description **Agenda:** 5:00 pm - Check-in opens + light refreshments (coffee/tea/cookies) 5:30 pm - Presentation by author + discussion with moderated Q&A 6:30 pm - Meet-and-greet with the author + book signing **Book Synopsis:** Setting goals is easy. Finishing them is the challenge. In ***'Intentional* '--productivity expert Chris Bailey** reveals the surprising truth: **willpower isn’t enough**. The secret to accomplishing your goals lies in **being more intentional.** Bailey distills a decade of deep research on productivity to deliver a profound, practical, and counterintuitive roadmap to getting things done. Forget endless to-do lists and a never-ending workload. To reach your goals, you have to structure your daily actions around what’s most important to you—and let go of the rest. This way, getting things done becomes second nature. Integrating the science of desire, values, and procrastination with the wisdom of Buddhist monks, Bailey empowers us to build a life of true purpose and accomplishment. He offers practical strategies for following through on our goals, including how to: * Structure goals for maximum completion * Make unappealing, boring, or challenging tasks more attractive to tackle * Lower the chance of procrastinating on long-term goals * Create a framework for tracking intentions and progress * Know when a goal isn’t for you—and when it’s time to let it go Finishing what you start is more possible than you think!! **Ticket link here:** $30 Enjoy the Talk + Book + Tea/cookies $20 Enjoy the Talk + Tea/cookies https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/news-events-and-ideas/public-events/events-listings/2026/february-2026/feb-18-do-chris-bailey/ Either way--arrive by 5pm--and enjoy something hot to drink/snack! Please note: the Rotman Author talks start at exactly 5:30pm--and finish at exactly 630pm.

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

**🚶🏽‍♀️‍➡️ Join us for Multi-Sensory Meditative Walking 🚶🏽‍♀️‍➡️** Are you looking to hone your mindfulness practice? This is a fun way to explore meditative walking and beat the winter blues ❄️☀️ Come away with your own personal on-the-go wellness tool. Walking Meditation can help with stress, depression, and anxiety. And believe it or not, the buzz and energy of a busy place can enhance our focus and ability to get into that special state of mind so important to wellbeing. Multi-sensory objects of attention guide us through the meditation journey. **Immersive sessions exploring different sensory anchors and philosophical aspects of mindfulness practice.** All levels welcome! 🧘Let's build the capacity to find our bliss everywhere we go 🧘🏼 *In a distracting world that already has us sitting too much, this is the perfect approach to meditative practice. Benefit from the mindful stance exactly wherever and whenever we need it. Nurture another state of mind that brings joy to our soul and resets our nervous system.* **What are the unique benefits multi-sensory meditative walking?** * An alternative way to access meditation for those who prefer not to sit * More variety in terms of objects of attention * Conveniently turn things in your immediate environment into a type of meditation * Benefit from mindfulness practice while you get in some movement * Reset your mind wherever and whenever you need to * Turn mindfulness practice into a regular part of your lifestyle **What are the general benefits of all forms of mindfulness practice?** * Experience more calm and more time in a special state of stillness * Experience more time in another mental realm associated with increased sense of acceptance, presence and meaning * Experience more peace and sense of control over your non-stop thinking mind * Experience more clarity and creative breakthroughs * Experience more tolerance and comfort when it comes to life's adversities **What else will be provided?** * Meeting location (please check your email) * Guidance on the practice of multi-sensory meditative walking * Guidance on principles of mindfulness practice * Each session explores a specific sensory anchor and philosophical focus * Participants will be asked to complete a brief participation agreement before attending * Session is followed by (optional) coffee☕with other participants, not covered by event fee ***Tickets are limited and will go quickly. ([See More Events](https://juliewellness.ca/multi-sensory/)).*** These are small-group events allowing for high quality engagement and connection. **See you there 😊** *-Julie*

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

🧧LUNAR NEW YEAR REDUX 2026 🧧 We’re back with our SECOND ANNUAL Lunar New Year celebration at Zui Beer Bar in Koreatown! Get ready for a night of games, DJs, drinks, and unforgettable vibes. With Insta-worthy cyberpunk neon lights, killer cocktails, and crave-worthy Chinese street snacks, Zui Beer Bar is the ultimate spot to chill, sip, and party with your crew 🍸🍢✨ 🎟️ Tickets: Use our code for $5 discount: ‘CS05’ Advance tickets available here: https://www.event-space.net/event-details/lunar-new-year-redux-2026 Note: Admission cash price will increase closer to the date of event. What to Expect: ✅ Special Guest Emcee hosting fun games & keeping the energy high 🎤 ✅ DJ Keiko & Friends on the decks all night 🎧 ✅ ZuiBeerBar Kitchen & Bar — cocktails, drinks, and crave-worthy Asian Chinese street snacks flowing all night 🔥 ✅ Board Games for fun icebreakers 🎲 ✅ Meet New Friends & celebrate LUNAR NYE together 🥂 📅 Wednesday, Feb 18 ⏰ 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM 📍 Zui Beer Bar in Koreatown 693 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L5 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zuibeerbar_ktown Pull up with your crew, bring that fresh-year energy, and let’s make this Lunar New Year Redux a night to remember 🧨🐉 CONTACT: Terry (Organizer): https://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/torontobabel WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HniC6wAm1ADJZI15UDSlwp?mode=gi_t Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t.o.babel Check out the calendar: https://www.meetup.com/TorontoBabel/#calendar to see what other events we have coming up and to RSVP. #TorontoBabel #LanguageExchange #MeetNewPeople #TorontoEvents

This evening, at our usual location and time (Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue, 7:30pm) please join us for the debate of "Eating meat is morally wrong". Few would argue that such a claim should be made applicable to the whole of the animal kingdom (carnivores aren't 'bad' for having their dinner), yet the claim seems more valid for us humans. Is there something that differentiates us from them in this regard? Does it make us culpable? Join us tonight to hear the arguments and be part of the discussion.

Let’s get together to speak French! We’ll enjoy tea/coffee and some icebreaker games. Everyone is welcome. Venez parler français! À bientôt, Hassane. \*Merci beaucoup de vous être inscrit(e) à notre prochaine rencontre! Nous sommes ravis de votre présence. Afin de permettre à d’autres de se joindre à nous, nous vous demandons respectueusement : 1. **Si vos plans changent,** veuillez mettre à jour votre statut (passer à 'Non') le plus rapidement possible pour libérer votre place. 2. **Si vous êtes sur la liste d'attente,** merci de ne pas vous présenter à l'événement. Votre statut doit être confirmé pour pouvoir participer. Veuillez vous inscrire directement aux prochaines dates disponibles. Au plaisir de vous accueillir! \*To allow others to join us, we respectfully ask that you: * **If your plans change,** please update your RSVP status (change it to 'No') as quickly as possible to free up your spot. * **If you are on the waiting list,** please do not show up for the event. Your status must be confirmed to participate. Instead, please register directly for the next available dates. IMPORTANT: Veuillez noter que pour profiter pleinement de nos échanges, une aptitude de base à la conversation est vivement souhaitée : ce groupe est un cercle de discussion convivial et non un cours de langue. Please note that to fully enjoy the experience, a basic speaking aptitude is recommended: this group is a social conversation circle, not a formal teaching class. We look forward to welcoming you! Please join our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LRUdXbjpG8I9aph4dU6Go8

○Time: Every Saturday 2:00–4:00 PM ○Location: The food court in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame(30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8) ○Fee : $5 per person(Cash only) ○Ages: 19- years old and over ○About: 30 min English → 30 min Japanese X2 switch seats ○How to join: Please RSVP on Meetup ○Instagram : @LANGUAGE_EXCHANGE510 Feel free to ask if you have any questions! The participation fee will be used to cover the event’s operating costs. ※This event is not for dating or pick-up purposes.

～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(前イベント終了後) 予約取消締切：土曜日12:30PM(当日) 予約受付締切：土曜日1:30PM(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 ・対面でのLanguage Exchangeを再開しています！参加者のレベルに応じて、事前にオーガナイザーが3〜4名のグループをつくり、そのメンバーで各45分間、それぞれ英語と日本語でセッション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、気軽にフリートークや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。 ・体調が優れない方、あるいはここ数日中に体調が優れない人との接触があった方は、申し訳ありませんが参加をお控え願います。 開催場所：Atrium フードコート 地下鉄Dundas駅と直結していますが、多少分かりにくいため、特に初めて参加される方は次の方法で来れることをおすすめします。 Dundas駅から地上に出ていただき、Dunsas Streetを西にまっすぐ3分ほど歩いていただきます。 Bay Streetとの交差点北東角にある階段を降りてください。 階段を降りた場所にある入り口から入ったところがフードコートですので、そちらで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。(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(5:45PM以降)、また予約取消締切後の変更(13:00以降)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、”参加予定”へ移動いただけます。 ※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。 ・上記の理由により、確実に参加できる場合のみ”キャンセル待ち”への登録をお願いします。予定が入ってしまった場合は、”キャンセル待ち”にいる場合も必ずイベント当日の午後1時までに予め”不参加”リストに移動させてください。 質問 こちら (https://www.meetup.com/tjex-ca/pages/1274142/FAQ/)をご参照ください。または、オーガナイザーまでお問い合わせください。 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 (Saturday after previous event) 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!

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **​What will we talk about? What's the topic?** ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE). * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our Toronto [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

\*\*Let's make friends, learn English or study Japanese, and have fun :)\*\* \*\*英語と日本語を一緒に学びましょう！\*\* このイベントは、英語と日本語のラングエッジエクスチェンジです。英会話を学びたい方、ぜひご参加ください！ 1対1での会話なので、自分のペースでお話できます 🙆‍♀️ ■ 日時 : 毎週日曜 16時\~18時 ■ 場所 : The foodcourt inside North York Centre building on east side of Yonge Street, nearby to Subway restaurant and Booster Juice. ■ 費用 : 無料 ■ 詳細 : 1セッション40分(英語20分、日本語20分)。2セッション行います。セッション毎に会話の相手を変えて行います！ ■ 参加人数 : 最大14人 / 7組 ※ 基本的に1対1での会話ですが、どうしても人数が揃わない場合は3人1組での会話となります。 ■ 参加条件 英語学習者: 日本人、もしくは日本語をネイティヴレベルで話せる方 日本語学習者: 英語を母国語とされる方、もしくは英語をネイティブレベルで話せる方 ■ 注意事項 1.イベントへのサインアップは、月曜日の午前8時～金曜日の午後8時までとなっております。 2.当イベントは、1対1でのラングエッジエクスチェンジのため、主催者側で人数に偏りがでないよう調整させていただいております。したがいまして、サインアップ(=参加表明)後は、以下の流れで参加可否が決定されます。 ① サインアップ後は自動的にまず”Waiting list”に入ります。 ② 人数調整に問題がない場合、主催者側が”Going”に登録します。 ※ やむを得ず欠席する場合は、遅くとも2日前までに主催者へご連絡ください。 ※ 無断欠席された場合は、次回以降Waiting listの最後に登録され、参加への優先度が低くなりますのでご注意下さい。 ※ 無断欠席が続いた場合は、グループから削除される場合があります。ご了承ください。 ※ 1対1のイベントのため、時間厳守でお願いいたします。 See you soon! お会いできるのを楽しみにしています ☺️ —— This is a language exchange for those who are primarily interested in 1-on-1 conversation practice for English and Japanese. \*\*Timetable \*\* Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm (Eastern Time Zone) There are two sessions. Each session runs 40 minutes with half of it in English and the other half in Japanese. We will change partners after 40 minutes. \*\*Event Capacity: 14 members max (7 pairs)\*\* Group Size (2 people, max 3) See you soon! \*\*Minimum Requirements: ⚡ \*\* Please note that all English speakers must meet the \*\*minimum requirement\*\* of being able to read \*\*some\*\* \*\*Hiragana\*\* or \*\*Katakana\*\* before joining the group. This is to ensure that we all members can actively participate and take part in our one on one language exchange. If you do not meet this requirement, we encourage to take Japanese lessons before joining our group. \*\*RSVP Rules **😁** \*\* 1\. RSVP opens on Monday at 8:00am and closes on Fri night at 8:00pm\. 2.To be fair to all members, all RSVP’s will be automatically moved the wait list until the organizer assigns partners and confirms your attendance by changing your status to "Going". This is to ensure that everyone can be paired with a native speaker of the language that they are learning. If you are confirmed and need to change your RSVP, please be considerate to your partner but giving us at least two days prior notice. No shows will be moved to the bottom of the waitlist for future events. If you are a repeat no show, you may be removed from the group. Attendees who are not confirmed for this event and show up will be asked to leave and sign up for the next event to members who are confirmed for this meet up. Pairing will be announced by 10pm the day before so please ensure that you check the event page to find out who your partner is before attending. Practise your English or Japanese and make some International Friends across North York and Toronto! Join us whether you are studying English, am interested in Japanese Culture, Language & Culture, or are simply just looking for Cultural Activities or making friends. We welcome anyone across the Greater Toronto Area from North York, Downtown Toronto, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, etc.

Attention is as curious as it is multifaceted. It has been called [a currency](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4WkhG_GRM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4WkhG_GRM&ab_channel=TEDxTalks"), the lack of it has been [pathologized](https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd "https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd"), and its span has [apparently been decreasing](https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans "https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/attention-spans"). But what *is* attention, and what does it share with what are often understood as its synonyms, like ‘focus’, ‘concentration’, and ‘awareness’? What role does it play in our lives and why might we feel like its nature and extent have been changing with rapid technological innovation and the pace of modern life? The phrase ‘pay attention’ is perhaps more appropriate today than ever. Nowadays, if you watch a YouTube video, scroll through Instagram, or even walk down a busy street in your city, chances are you’ll see an ad. Our attention, however brief, is quite literally *paying* companies who sell our attention to marketing departments. Why is our attention so valuable? How much control do we have when it comes to the object(s) of our attention? How much responsibility do we have over what we pay attention to? Join us at our next Revisited Curiosity Cafe on Sunday, February 22nd, where we will engage in a collaborative exploration of the nature and extent of our attention and why attention is more valuable today than ever. **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-revisited-paying-attention-tickets-1982649061715) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 2-2:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 2:30-4:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***___________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! 💛 **WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 25 countries and 50+ chapters, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

Join our partners Watermark Woods Native Plants, Loudoun County Public Library (LCPL), and Birch Tree Bookstore for the Read! Plant! Grow! Book Club, which focuses on native plants, sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and LCPL. At this meeting we’ll discuss the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Both memoir and journalistic investigation, this book explores how the Kingsolver family took on a new challenge: to spend a year on a locally -produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consume. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation’’s lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. You can either buy the book from Birch Tree Bookstore or contact Allison Forbes at [Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov](mailto:Allison.forbes@loudoun.gov) to borrow a copy of the book at the library. There are two ways to participate: attend the event online via the library website or [sign up to participate in person at Birch Tree Bookstore](https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/event-details/read-plant-grow-2026-02-24-18-30). ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*.

Join us on Wednesday, March 4, 8:00-10:30 PM. Andrea Nettleton calls while Niki Yeracaris (fiddle), Carrie Rose (flute), and Bobby LaRose (piano) make the music Register: [https://www.fsgw.org/event-6562808](https://www.fsgw.org/event-6562808?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExUEFHSGZaT1BleDBpM3BJYXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR62i6XiWGHtMwznVlLRLqJmLpDKDaEUx6MEN6TsUCg81RnMuugwUXagNF5zXA_aem_ger-IhN5qK50OdHwChqdqw) (Please note, you are not registered by responding on meetup, you must register through the FSGW website, or at the door if tickets are available) The FSGW weekly English Country Dance offers delightful dancing, led by talented callers, accompanied by top-notch musicians playing a wide variety of instruments. The crowd is friendly and enthusiastic; new dancers are always welcome and can get an informal lesson if they arrive around 7:30. You don't need to bring a partner, or dress up. * If you have not previously attended a Wednesday night English country dance at Glen Echo, you may select "first time free" when registering. New dancers are welcome. If you have no previous English country dance experience or would like a refresher, please arrive at around 7:30 for a lesson. Covid Protocol: masks and vaccinations are encouraged but not required. Some dancers are sensitive to fragrances, and they are grateful when you skip the perfume and scented after-shave. Additional information about this weekly event is available on the English Country Dance (in-person) web page. [https://www.fsgw.org/ecd](https://www.fsgw.org/ecd) **Pay at the door:** Admission - $15 FSGW Members, $8 Students and those with limited income, $17 Others. **Questions?** Email English Country Dance * **We look forward to dancing with you!**

…Carroll, 304 pages [Physics] • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=611358 Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review Praise for Quanta and Fields: “Readers will be electrified by his discussion of wave functions, entanglement, fields, and so much more. From the most infinitesimal of subatomic particles to the seemingly vast infinities of the universe’s great expanse, Carroll’s latest inquiry illuminates, well, everything.” —Booklist "In that void between hand-wavy popular science and academic textbook, this modern, informative and engaging account of quantum physics ticks all the boxes. Carroll the Explainer at his very best." —Jim Al-Khalili ### About the Author Sean Carroll is Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, and Fractal Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He is host of the Mindscape podcast, and author of From Eternity to Here, The Particle at the End of the Universe, The Big Picture, and Something Deeply Hidden. He has been awarded prizes and fellowships by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the American Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of London, and many others. He lives in Baltimore with his wife, writer Jennifer Ouellette.

안녕하세요 여려분! Welcome to our Meetup series for Korean/English Language Exchange. These meetups will be intended for serious language learners who are at least at a conversational level in the language they wish to practice. We'll have a variety of activities targeted at fostering some significant practice time and perhaps have a little bit of cultural exchange along the way. For this Meetup, we ask that you make a decision with your RSVP by 10 AM the day of the meetup, so as to give others a chance to attend if you can't make it. For this session: We're returning to a favorite food hall of ours in H Mart in Fairfax! For the first half hour or so, as people gather and find food/seats, talk freely to each other and try to introduce yourself with everyone in the language you're practicing or catch up if you with friends you know! Once everyone gets settled into groups, take turns at the table allowing everyone to answer the following prompts: **Prompt #1:** TBD **Prompt #2**: TBD After the activity above, feel free to continue practicing in conversation as you wish, but if so inclined, try one of the activities below: A.) Two truths and a lie about (fill in the blank)......decide as a group on a topic for group play and have each person take turns giving two true statements and one false statement in any order and allow others to guess which statement is false B.) Word association......start by naming a common word and go around the table as long as you can with each person giving a word (in the language that you're practicing) that is COMMONLY associated with the previous word given. If the group calls you out, be ready to defend your answer. C.) Story time.......start off telling the first sentence of a story and go around the table letting each person add a line to the story until you reach the end...or a breaking point. D.) Ditto.......Each player will need to be able to write on paper or an electronic device for this one. Have one person pick a category of common nouns (ex. vegetables, sports equipment, things you see at the circus, etc.) and have another person pick a starting consonant (or vowel, if playing in English). Allow two minutes for everyone to write down as many nouns that both fit the selected category and start with the selected consonant/vowel. When two minutes are up, compare and contrast your answers. Whoever has the most matches wins. For further challenge, try playing the inverse way to achieve unique answers rather than matches. Another adventure may break out afterwards if the group is so inclined. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Satanic Panics,”** a look at waves of fear of demonic activity as an American tradition, with Luxx Mishou, cultural historian and former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and area community colleges. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics2](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-satanic-panics2) .] The 1980s found the United States gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children. They were believed to be corrupting young ones in daycare centers and tempting teens through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through the quiet inclusion of demonic rituals in role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. Parents, police, and politicians were urged to protect impressionable youths from both moral and physical danger. With Satanic cults deemed to be a real and material threat, it was a frightening time for everyone, including those who suddenly came under suspicion for doing evil deeds. Then, suddenly, it all faded from public consciousness, just as surely as did eighties fads such mullet haircuts, leg warmers, and Cabbage Patch Kids. Why did it all start? Why did it stop? And has this happened before or since? Hear such questions tackled by Luxx Mishou, a cultural historian and media specialist who has long researched the devious and villainous in cultural artifacts. She’ll discuss moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. Delving into the 1980s panic, Mishou will describe how it began with the 1980 publication of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder’s memoir *Michelle Remembers*, detailing the suppressed memories of ritualistic abuse reportedly suffered by a patient. As that book quickly became a best seller, its ideas saturated American culture. A California daycare center became the focus of a three-year investigation, followed by three years of trials, based on allegations that its owner had engaged in secret ritualistic abuse of the children in its care. Mishou will lead you through the media that convinced the public that devil worshipers were among them, and she’ll talk about how reactions to imagined threats can have very real social costs. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Join us for an exciting language exchange event where Spanish speakers and bilingual individuals come together to practice Spanish and English. Our group focuses on fostering a welcoming environment for cultural exchange while improving language skills. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker looking to practice English or vice versa, or simply interested in learning more about Spanish culture, this meetup is perfect for you. Reignite your passion for language learning and immerse yourself in a diverse community of language enthusiasts. Bring your curiosity and willingness to engage with others in meaningful conversations. Let's come together to share language tips, cultural insights, and build connections that go beyond just words. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your language skills and make new friends in a fun and interactive setting.